XXX
Grimmjow growled as he jumped away from Ichigo, jumping up into the air, Ichigo following hotly behind.
Moments later he was beside him and his sword swung out. Blocking it, Grimmjow grabbed Ichigo's hand, his other arm clenching into a fist as he went to drive it into Ichigo's gut.
Ichigo took the force of it before kneeing Grimmjow in return, skidding back a little and muttering out, "Getsuga Tenshou."
Grimmjow's eyes widened before he leapt out the way, barely. The power of the blow had been astronomical. The kid was no joke. How on earth had he widened the gap between them so much? "What the fuck? You aiming to kill me?"
Ichigo held Zangetsu in front of him, giving Grimmjow a good look at his pearly whites as he grinned. "You don't usually spar like this?"
Growling low and dark, Grimmjow brought one hand up, gathering a cero, releasing it at Ichigo.
There was a small feeling of triumph which was just as soon, battered aside like his cero.
Ichigo wasn't grinning though, like Grimmjow was expecting. His face was almost blank, as if the situation was boring him, and it only served to anger Grimmjow further.
Propelling himself forward, he brought his sword down in a vicious attack. Ichigo blocked, flicking him away. Grimmjow hissed as he charged once again, sword slapping into Ichigo's.
The sound of metal on metal rang through the air, quietening when Ichigo jumped back, his sword low before he came towards Grimmjow. Grimmjow's tail flicked out and he attempted to drag Ichigo off his feet but Ichigo swung his sword towards it, not realising he was leaving an opening for him.
Sharp teeth glinted through his grin as he swept his sword diagonally across Ichigo's chest.
Surprise fluttered over his face as red blossomed on his chest. Ichigo quickly regained his balance, skipping away so as to gain a little distance between them.
"Playing rough enough yet?" Grimmjow taunted.
"Not yet," he replied, a grim smile in place as he flicked his sword, the words, "Getsuga Tenshou," swallowed by the whoosh of power.
Grimmjow took the blow head on, crying out as it ripped at his body. Large breaths wracked his body as the last of the power disappeared and he clutched his bloodied arm. Then he straightened, his sword at the ready. "Weak," he spat.
Ichigo wasn't even close to done yet, not even close to showing him the extent of his power, but he didn't argue with him.
"Show me your true power soul reaper. I know you can do better than that."
Ichigo ignored the pain in his chest as he pushed himself forward. "You're right, I can."
Blocking was the only thing he could do, and even then it seemed a losing battle as he found himself being pushed back, Ichigo's face so close he could read almost every line in his face and boy, was he determined.
Ichigo forced him back, pushing Grimmjow's sword up with pure strength, his own sword whipping across Grimmjow's arm, satisfied when the man hissed, jumping back.
XXX
Kisuke watched them from his vantage point on a rock a little while away. They weren't killing each other, thank goodness. So far, it seemed everything was alright. He hadn't really had any ulterior motives when organising the match, it was just that Grimmjow had demanded he teach him to become stronger and he could hardly resist his request. It wasn't that he was completely pitiful as Chad had been, or that Kisuke actually wanted to. Grimmjow just said it in such a way that you really didn't want to refuse, if you wanted your head in tact anyway.
Flicking his fan open he stood, walking over to them. Things were going just fine; it was the perfect time to tell them the bad news.
XXX
"Tea Grimmjow?" Kisuke asked innocently, the small, red teapot hovering over the cup.
"Do I look like I fuckin' want tea?" he growled in reply.
"Shut up Grimmjow, it was just a question," Ichigo snapped at him before settling his eyes on Urahara once again. "So, what did you want to talk about?"
Kisuke settled himself on his cushion, sipping his tea before putting it down. "There is a small problem in the Soul Society. Apparently they are losing a lot of their people, soul reapers suddenly up and vanishing."
Ichigo frowned a little. "So? Isn't that something they can deal with?"
"They don't really, but a helping hand is always appreciated."
Ichigo sighed a little, scratching his head. "Well, I mean, I guess I can help out but like I said, why do they need me? I'm not much good at finding stuff; I can barely remember a person's face."
"Well, there is something else…"
"Fuckin' hell!" Grimmjow exclaimed, leaning back in agitation. "Get on with it."
"It seems Rukia Kuchiki has also gone missing."
Ichigo was frozen for a moment before slamming his hands on the table, spilling the tea that had been poured for him. "What?"
Kisuke placed his cup back down gently. "I'm sorry Ichigo, but as I said, it seems she's gone missing. The Soul Society wanted to have you informed."
"Why didn't they come to me directly?"
Kisuke hummed a little. "Who knows!"
Ichigo ground his teeth, staring down for a minute. "Send me there."
He nodded in reply, standing. "Of course."
XXX
The Senkaimon loomed above the trio, the huge portal blinking.
"Are you ready Kurosaki?" Kisuke asked.
"Yes." Ichigo, who had gone back to his normal form, shrugged his zanpakutō onto his shoulder.
Raising a brow, Kisuke turned to Grimmjow. "And what about you Grimmjow?"
Grimmjow's lip curled. "What the fuck do you think? Of course I'm not fucking going. Why would I care about that little soul reaper?"
Urahara chuckled. "Well, it's up to you but I thought you wanted to get stronger."
Ichigo glanced at Grimmjow as Kisuke said that, surprised.
Grimmjow growled. He hadn't meant for Ichigo to find that out. "The fuck? I don't need that."
"That's right, besides I can do this by myself, I don't need him," Ichigo told Kisuke.
"What?" Grimmjow demanded, stepping closer to the orange headed boy. "You sayin' you can take it on your own?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Just stand down Grimmjow, I'll be back soon."
Barking out a laugh Grimmjow readied himself. "Yeah, like that'll happen." He pushed himself through the Senkaimon, dust flying up after him.
Ichigo growled, scowl deepening and he was after him seconds later.
Kisuke allowed himself a small smile. Ichigo didn't even realise that his very nature was what egged Grimmjow on. He laughed as he walked away. It sure was going to be fun to see the outcome.
XXX
They reached the other side soon enough, coming to a stop on the streets of the Seireitei.
"You shouldn't have come Grimmjow, they'll kill you."
"Not if I kill them first."
Ichigo ignored his comment, taking up a swift pace. He would find out what was going on.
"Ichigo!" the familiar voice was coming closer every second. "Ichigo Kurosaki!"
Ichigo's eyes widened and he took a few steps back as the enormous soul reaper flew around the corner, sword already drawn.
"No Kenpachi, no, no!" Ichigo held his hands up as if it would actually stop him.
Upon spotting the blue haired Arrancar, he did stop, his sword slung across his shoulder. "The hell is this Ichigo?"
"He's with me," Ichigo admitted reluctantly.
"What, you guys fighting or something?"
"We were training, until we heard about Rukia that is."
Kenpachi Zaraki clicked his tongue, about to reply when the pink hair of Yachiru Kusajishi, Kenpachi's lieutenant, popped out from behind him.
She grinned, pushing Kenpachi's head out of the way as she cried out, "Hey Ichi! What you doing here? Did you come to play with Kenny?"
Ichigo grinned wryly. "No, sorry Yachiru, not today."
She pouted, slapping down on Kenpachi's shoulder in agitation. "But Ichi, we've been waiting forever for you!"
"Kurosaki," the voice was cool and calm as it pronounced the name.
"Oh, hey Bya," Yachiru cried, greeting the tall, raven haired man.
Byakuya Kuchiki ignored the nick-name he was given, instead looking to Ichigo and his strange travelling companion. "What brings you here Kurosaki?"
"What the hell do you think?" he demanded, approaching him. "It seems no-one wanted to actually tell me that Rukia was missing. I don't really get it, why do you suddenly now not need to inform me of things?"
Byakuya rose an eyebrow, appearing mildly surprised. "But we did. We sent Renji to tell you of this. Are you saying he didn't?"
Ichigo's brow furrowed a little. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
Giving a small hum of acknowledgement, Byakuya turned sharply on his heel. "Come Kurosaki, and bring the Arrancar with you."
