Firstly, let me apologise for the lateness of this chapter. Not only did I not keep to the promise to update immediately on 12 reviews, I also didn't update within the week as promised. The reason for the first being that I was away for the weekend and really didn't expect the volume of responses that I eventually recieved. It honestly was the most awesome feeling when I read all of your reviews - thanks again and keep them coming! Then I read through them and, as I suspect may become something of a tradition, decided I had to add some things to the next chapter. Then I added, and added, and added. THEN i decided it didn't work the way I wanted it to and rewrote the whole thing. The end result is Still over 7000 words. A chapter this long is a bit ungainly I find, and I will try to keep it between 4-6000 words in future just to keep the whole thing cohesive. If you feel the chapter is a bit all over the place please do let me know. I need to improve on that aspect of my style taking this forwards. Inevitably, as you will see, the 'all over the place' feel had to happen a bit because this was a sort of time filler chapter to give you an idea of how Ichigo has grown and the state of things before the story heads back to soul society.

-RogueSama-, HiddenXIntent, darkdrow, GhostRein, RoasrioDorkfish, peach77, Siamra, Nickstar1991, Naginator, Sentiment Remains: Glad you guys liked! Thanks again for following the story and showing your support.

PhantomX : That was a difficult one, but I decided that as he has been living with her for so long and I want to portray a close relationship he should be used to some of her teasing. Also, Ichigo is now 24, and I think he would act a little more cool headed around situations like the hot springs than when he was 16. Thanks for the review!

Roadwarriorfan: I tried to write some of the things you asked into my story but it didn't seem to fit to well. But anyway I'll tell you what I imagine: Ichigo is a bit taller, I think about 2 inches shorter than Chad was what I had in mind, which would put him exactly at 6'3". His hair is in the same style. He had one tattoo on the shoulder blade which is a sheet with the words 'Self-Belief, but not at the expense of Self-Knowledge' on it. That was something from his dads letter which stuck in his mind and will crop up later on. As for his sisters: Yuzu doesn't have a boyfriend yet, is a straight haired version of masaki. She is considered to be very beautiful in an Unohana 'grace and elegance' type way. Chad is with karin - I read the pairing somewhere and it just seemed to fit.

Quiet Fury: Thank you for pointing it out, I'd probably have gone on and on making the same mistake. Will go back and correct it asap! Glad you like the story too.

DarkJason: Honestly mate I'm flattered. That you take the time to review in this much detail and that you enjoy the story as much as you evidently do. It makes me think I must be doing something right, and should keep on doing it! haha.

About Ichigo smoking, I thought it would be a nice touch too, thanks! Although I think I'll stick to it just being on his mum's memorial day I think. Not sure yet. Glad you liked the plot development. I honestly felt that Ichigo's mental state wasn't appropriate for the responsibility of a captain straight away and I wanted him to form really tight bonds with certain characters (like Nel) beforehand anyway, hence the 8 year gap.

As for the rating, I am a little fuzzy on it to be honest so any advice you can give me would be appreciated. I'm guessing it doesnt have to be M unless its a graphically explained sex or violence scene, or contains a lot of swearing ? If thats the case then I guess it will hit the M mark around 7-8 although it could be later. Thanks again for the review.

Real-Dreamer: Don't worry. I hadn't forgotten Nel at all! In fact she is probably the second or third most important character. I had cast her as a REALLY close friend/ constant companion for Ichigo (kinda like with Yoruichi and Kisuke) but its SOO tempting to spin another romantic angle there, and I'm getting less confident in the whole Ichigo/Older Yachiru thing as well. I'm not really sure...

Disclaimer: Hats off to Tite Kubo for the Characters, World and all other intellectual property pertaining to bleach. Only the plot is mine.

OoOoOoOoOoO

Chapter 3:

Inside the Urahara Shoten, Real World. 8 Years Later

Ichigo sighed, leaning back against one of the many rocky spires that dotted Urahara's basement. Ichigo chuckled at that last thought "the term basement is stretched real then when applied to this place.". He knew that the training ground went on for more than a couple of miles and, if his exploits with the vizards were anything to go on, had exits all over town.

From his current vantage point he could observe as an almost completely silent battle took place. Punctuated only by the occasional grunt of exertion and flash of shunpo, the spectacle between Shihouin Yoruichi and Urahara Kisuke was hard for even Ichigo to keep track of.

It had been just over 8 years since the fall of Aizen, the death of Isshin, and the end of the winter war. Urahara had insisted that he, Karin and Yuzu move into the Shoten with himself and Yoruichi and, while Ichigo had had serious reservations about exposing his impressionable sisters to the almost contagious insanity of the pair, he had accepted. He reasoned that he was tired of hiding who he really was, and when the time finally did come for him to leave for soul society it would be much easier than walking out on a life full of people who didn't understand.

Later, Lisa, Hacchi, Rose and Love had moved in as well. Apparently their run down warehouse had felt empty with the return of the other Vizards to the ranks of the Gotei 13. And Lastly, Nel had arrived one night, having apparently settled whatever business she had had in Heuco Mundo – although she never talked about it. In the already varied collection of mis-fits she was welcomed with open arms, and slowly learnt to smile again. Much later she took on the unofficial role of Ichigo's twin sibling, a relationship not dissimilar to that which he had enjoyed with Tatsuki prior to her death in the attack on Karakura, filling a hole which he hadn't known existed.

His relationship with his mentors had changed too, becoming one of friendship rather than teacher-student. They certainly weren't parent figures – indeed Ichigo had reached the conclusion that once you reached 100 years old, you started going backwards. How else could he explain his being by far the most mature of the trio ? He appreciated them for what they were though, and knew that they were all part of a large, dysfunctional and brilliant family.

Smiling, his thoughts turned to memories of his early days at the shoten. Somethings, of course, hadn't changed at all...

OoOoOoOoOoO

Flashback:

Determined to keep himself in shape, he had asked Yoruichi to run with him round Karakura. Predictably he regretted it moments later when the flash goddess had dragged him out of the room, announcing to the company at large (including a bright red Yuzu and a scowling Karin) that they were off to get 'all hot and sweaty', a feline grin plastered across her dark features.

As soon as they got underway though, a bit of embarrassment was the least of Ichigo's worries. Firstly, the woman was an absolute slave driver - after several miles of nearly breakneck pace she was prodding him to stop loitering for kami sake! Secondly, and much more disturbingly, Ichigo began to notice that at every bench they ran past there was a man sitting... with a wooden cane... reading what he was pretty sure was last week's paper.

Slowing to catch his breath, Ichigo panted "Yo-Yoruichi... I think we're being followed."

"Mhmm" she nodded "Just ignore him. It appeals to his ego and sense of self-mystery to pop out at people when he thinks they aren't expecting it."

Comprehension dawned on Ichigo then "Hat'n'Clogs ?"

"Who else? Seriously just ignore him …although" Yoruichi's face once again took on the mischievous glint that Ichigo found both incredibly alluring and disturbing.

"...What?" he asked in trepidation, knowing from hard won experience that nothing good usually came of his friend's schemes.

"Oh, nothing. Now … WHY ARE YOU SLACKING ?"

Spurred back into a full pace sprint with the demon hard on his heels, Ichigo rounded a corner to see the next bench in the park they were traversing and, sure enough, there was the form of Urahara Kisuke, covered with a broadsheet.

Moments later, he heard a cry of pain and whirled round to locate its source. Yoruichi was sitting on the ground, her hands clasped around her ankle and her face screwed up in a pained expression.

"Damn!" She growled in frustration "I think I've sprained my ankle."

Ichigo narrowed his eyes in suspicion "she has the agility of a cat, literally, and she wants me to believe she sprained her ankle jogging on a tarmac path?". He sighed, decided to give her the benefit of the doubt, and crouched down.

"Can you go on?"

"Concerned Ichigo? Its only a sprain, It'll be fine if we just rest up for a few minutes."

"Oh, ok." He was pretty sure that wasn't how it worked, but he was committed to going along with whatever she had planned now.

When he didn't move, Yoruichi looked at him expectantly and smirked "We can hardly sit in the middle of the path. Lets wait over under that tree … or something."

That tree, as she had put it, was well within view of the bench... a fact not lost on Ichigo as he got to his feet and offered his hand to the 'damsel in distress'. Ichigo snorted "damsel implies lady-like. Yoruichi is about as much a damsel as she is in distress!"

Taking the proffered hand, Yoruichi clambered gracefully to her feet and snuggled under Ichigo's arm, ostensibly for support. After a couple of steps however, the flash goddess was wincing in pain and favouring the leg. She buried her head in Ichigo's chest and whined "It's no good. You're just going to have to carry me"

"Oh for Kami..." he scowled, but complied anyway. To passers-by it would have looked like a couple had just gone from embrace to bridal style carrying. Which, of course, was entirely the point.

Ichigo made his way over to the tree and carefully laid Yoruichi on the grass beneath it. As he went to straighten back up though, he received a sharp tug on his t-shirt. Bent double as he was, Ichigo over balanced and fell forward, both arms out to prevent himself from collapsing on top of the female form below him. Yoruichi would just love to tease him about that. He remained in that suspended position for the full 2 seconds it took his brain to catch up. He was pushing up over Yoruichi, head so close to hers that he could feel the breath from her chuckle tickle his face. To his horror he realised that he had done exactly as she wanted.

"My, we are pushy today... Ichigo" if he hadn't known better Ichigo would have sworn that she actually purred his name.

"WHAT THE HELL Y~" his exasperated words were cut off as Yoruichi, who's hand had somehow managed to sneak around to the back of his head, pulled his lips to hers. Ichigo was completely frozen in shock. He knew teasing him was one of her favourite pass times but that had rarely included even touching in the past, just sultry stares and innuendo aplenty. Now she was kissing him ?

"Seriously, what the hell Yoruichi?" he screamed, mentally.

The sensible part of his mind still shocked rigid, unable to process what was happening, Ichigo responded in the only way that seemed appropriate... he kissed back.

The sensation of his tongue softly caressing Yoruichi's sent shivers down his spine as he explored her mouth. If she was taken aback at his response Yoruichi gave no sign, instead instigating a battle for dominance, tilting her head to the side in order to deepen the kiss, savouring it. Leaning further into her perfect figure Ichigo instinctively ran his right hand slowly down her side, grazing her breast and eventually coming to rest on the patch of dark olive skin that was bared above her waist. She responded by hiking her knee up between his legs, causing it to brush the inside of his thigh suggestively, and let out a low moan.

That one sound was all it took for Ichigo's mind to catch up to his body with a bang. The reality of the situation hit him like a bucket of ice cold water to the face and he jumped back as if stung. The kiss had lasted all of 3 shocked seconds but...

His mind raced, thinking things severely at odds with the pressure that had begun to build in his tracksuits. Ichigo was bright red, eyes still fixed on the ground. "Idiot, Idiot, IDIOT! Why did I even begin to go along with the demon-kitty's game?"

As he looked back up to meet her gaze, said 'demon-kitty' was sitting stock still, looking … annoyed? A moment later though, she was back in full teasing mode – hands clutched to her sides in fits of silent laughter.

"HAHAHA! Y-you should see your face! Haha!" She choked out "Strawberry indeed!"

"Shut-up" Ichigo responded tersely, annoyance replacing the heat of embarrassment as he turned away.

"Whatever she was going for it seems to have worked. No Hat'n'Clogs in sight"

Noticing her form beside him, now walking on a miraculously recovered leg, he threw her a scowl and walked on.

"You know you enjoyed it Ichigo!" she cooed. As he continued to stalk on without responding to the further teasing he saw Yoruichi's smile slipped just a fraction. "If it helps," she went on, "you were really very good.".

Knowing that this was as close to an apology as he was ever going to get he turned, and waited for her.

"You coming then?".

After they'd gone a few yards he said "Well, you did get rid of the stalker."

"Yup. He's probably be off being all melodramatic somewhere about you stealing me or some crap, haha!"

"I'm sure." Ichigo thought "now all I have to do is get the taste of damned milk and almonds off my mind."

oOoOoOoOoOo

Ichigo shook his head. He'd gotten a little off track with his thoughts there. But, from that day onwards, Urahara would pop up at the most ridiculous times, often to accuse him of things like buying "lingerie, chocolate or flowers" just because Ichigo happened to be in the mall.

Brought back to reality by the sound of his own voice, Ichigo realised he must have said that last part out loud. Urahara and Yoruichi would, he hoped, be keeping each other to busy to have caught his slip.

"having said that..." he thought, looking around "where are they?"

The room was totally silent, dust settled. "Maybe they left without me?" came his hopeful thought.

Predictably though, as Ichigo got up and stretched, wondering just how long he'd been lost in his head, a pair of dark skinned arms wrapped around his chest from behind.

"Damn..."

Hugging him close so that her breasts and body were pressed tightly into his back, Yoruichi lent in and put on her best purr.

"Just for the record Ichigo... I like lingerie best."

Ichigo felt the heat rise to his cheeks at the seductive tone, mentally berating himself "Don't react, don't react! She gets kicks from the reaction". His attempt at calm composure was, as always, only half successful.

"Th-That so?" he stammered, making to pull away. Yoruichi was having none of it though.

"Mmmhmm. That way, we both get a present." Then she got up on her toes, ensuring her chest had to slide up his back, and whispered in his ear "You know?".

This time Ichigo blushed furiously "its not fair that she affects me THIS much when I'm not even looking at her! I just...". His thoughts were interrupted by the flash goddess beginning to nibble on his earlobe, which caused him to lose the last shred of his cool.

Ducking as fast as he could manage, Ichigo dropped on one hand and span to the right, hoping to pull Yoruichi's legs out from under her with the vicious kick. Having felt him tense however, she expected the move, and it was a simple matter of flashing out of the way before collapsing anyway in a fit of hysterical laughter.

Since that day, the teasing had gone from occasional to incessant, and in nearly a decade of living under the same roof Ichigo still hadn't learnt to cope. It certainly wasn't for lack of trying, and to be fair Ichigo now had no problem with her antics in the hot springs, or her revealing clothing, or at least some of the innuendo.

Far from dissuading Yoruichi though, Ichigo's increased tolerance simply seemed to amuse and encourage her. Revealing clothes quickly became complete lack thereof and, amongst other things, she had a new habit of sleepwalking which had quickly rendered him an insomniac.

After Nel and the remaining vizards moved into the shoten, Ichigo had even sought out Nel and Lisa's advice. That act of desperation had turned out to be a mistake of not inconsiderable magnitude.

Nel, who since Orihime had healed her to her mature form permanently had taken it upon herself to act as Ichigo's personal guard, had offered to see to it that 'Lady Yoruichi was removed'.

Lisa had just brained him with her Zanpakutou's sheath before storming off. Ichigo had supposed that he really oughtn't have phrased his request as "Lisa, you're a pervert too right? How do I get rid of Yoruichi?", but thought nothing off it when the girl came back, apparently recovered. She had then recommended that he tease her back. Kami only know's why he'd agreed to such an obvious trap, the... pictures still appeared from time to time, and Lisa took great delight in telling him that they now took pride of place in her 'Manga' collection.

Finally Ichigo had settled on violence as a defence mechanism. But even that presented Yoruichi with the perfect excuse to treat their training sessions like some giant game of erotic tag. He just couldn't win.

"Oi Ichigo! Earth to Ichigo?" Yoruichi yelled, snapping his eyes back into focus "Thinking about me again, Ero-Berry ?"

A vein on Ichigo's forehead twitched. He hated the nickname she'd coined for him when he persisted in calling her the Ero-Neko.

"SHUT IT, ERO-NEKO!"

"Meh, you know you love me. Anyway Yuzu says its time for lunch …now."

Ichigo gulped, his sister had developed quite the Unohana-like aura, and in the absence of Tessai, ruled the rag-tag family that was the Urahara Shoten with an Iron fist. He couldn't help feeling that, considering its members, that was probably a good thing – on the other hand he was by no means exempt from her wrath.

He shunpo'd towards the ladder, noticing that Yoruichi was right beside him. They both started to push their speed further, damned if they were going to be last.

OoOoOoOoOo

He should have expected to lose the race really - no matter how fast he became Yoruichi seemed to have the edge. 'One day' he would always tell himself, but Urahara was right, she was a freak, and that day would probably be a long time in coming.

As he stormed into the Shoten's communal dining area, Ichigo saw that he really was last.

"But" he thought to himself "Yuzu looks like she might still be in the kitchen so if I'm rea~"

"Ichi-nii...?"

"Damn"

"Glad you could make it to lunch. I'm sure you must have been awfully busy... won't you sit down?"

"Ah, S-sure. Thanks Yuzu" Ichigo stammered. "here it comes."

Sure enough, Yuzu continued in that overly polite way that would doubtless have had Zaraki Kenpachi on the run with his tail between his legs. "Oh and Ichi-nii! We've run out of essentials, so I think you'll need to take the van out shopping tomorrow, and I think it might be your turn to wash up... don't you?"

Wincing at his punishment, Ichigo began to voice a protest. "But Yuzu! I did the washing up two da~"

"Really? I don't remember ..." she responded. This time the smile was accompanied by raised eyebrows and closed eyes. Despite how much Yuzu, now 19 and with hair down to her lower back, reminded Ichigo of their late mother when she wore this expression, Ichigo had learnt from hard bought experience that it was time to roll with it. Short of killing his younger sister there would be no stopping her if he protested further.

Humphing, Ichigo sat down in his customary spot next to Lisa, who, seeing his obvious distress, started laughing into her ever present magazine.

"Its not funny!" Ichigo retorted, attacking the luke-warm food on his plate with a vengeance that would have made Grimmjow proud.

"Of course it is!" she retorted, grinning widely "Lesson number 1 with Yuzu, Ichigo: If you can see her eyes you're in the clear... if not then you run like hell! You'd have thought even an idiot like you would have picked that up by now?"

"Who are you calling an Idiot? Shut-up four eyes!" Ichigo yelled, veins popping. Lisa had an uncanny ability to get even the slightest of comments under his skin.

Lisa's grin only widened. Her mirth hidden behind the erotic manga she was pretending to be buried in, she responded quietly, almost as if to herself "Because that is such a intelligent response."

He turned his head away in a dramatic show of disgust, performing a fairly good approximation – any girl would tell you – of a pout. "It was all Yoruichi's fault that I even had to deal with it anyway."

All eyes round the table turned expectantly to Yoruichi, knowing that Ichigo had just given her the perfect excuse to launch into another bout of the teasing they all enjoyed to watch. Instead of the trademark grin, Yoruichi nodded seriously. "Yes. Ichigo was telling me all about the lingerie he's going to buy me and I was making suggestions as to how we could put it to good use. We got rather... carried away."

Had he been looking as everyone else present burst into laughter at his expense, Ichigo would have seen Lisa's grin slip somewhat only to be hidden a moment later as she once more immersed herself in her reading.

When everyone had quietened down she spoke, back in character "If I can get a set too I'll lend you a catalogue. What d'ya reckon Yoruichi? Can he handle both of us?"

"I think the kid's heart'd probably give out." came the reply.

"Yeah – but what a way to go!" chimed in Urahara.

Throughout this exchange Ichigo felt the heat rise to his face as he desperately tried not to think of the two of them with lingerie on. "Any... physical... evidence of just how amazing a part of me thinks that would be and I won't hear the end of it for months."

Shaking his head to clear it of all imagery, Ichigo decided that it was past time he took the situation back in hand. "No-one is buying anyone any lingerie! Besides, I won't exactly be able to pay for it after I foot the bill for another round of groceries."

Lisa eyed him over the top of her glasses, putting on a voice that she suggested she was explaining something to a child. "If you weren't such a talentless fop you wouldn't have lost the race to Yoruichi again."

Now it was Ichigo's turn to look incredulous "She's calling me talentless because I can't catch the Goddess of flash?"

"Nel and I are the only ones who can even see Yoruichi when she decides to open up the taps! I'd like to see even someone as strong as you try and win Lisa."

"Simple" she shot back, lazily flicking a page as if she was only half paying attention "I'd use a binding Kido."

At this obvious but impractical solution Ichigo raised his eyes skyward "Even while moving fast enough to see her – which in itself is difficult – you want me to cast a binding spell strong enough to hold a captain? You know I can't cast a single spell anyway."

"Yeah. Like I said: talentless fop."

Ever since he first trained with the Vizards, back before the winter war, calling him talentless had become something of a standing joke for Lisa. Ichigo would have taken It much worse if he thought she meant it, but he was pretty sure it was another way of teasing him.

Before they could start their daily ritual of bickering and violence, Hacchi interrupted from the side of the table he solely occupied. He rarely spoke unless spoken to, so Ichigo forestalled his words to listen in. " Lisa has a point Ichigo."

"Jeez. Thanks Hacchi."

"I of course do not mean to suggest that you are talentless." Hacchi corrected, seeing the conclusion Ichigo had drawn "However, you have spent a very great deal of time developing your skills in Hoho, Zanjutsu, Hakuda and hollow techniques. Indeed you have become terrifyingly proficient in all those areas. Even if you are not a natural Kido user, it makes no sense to leave this potential weapon absent from your arsenal. Also, Kido is much better for training your reiatsu control than their rather more... instinctual hollow counterparts."

Ichigo frowned, as if considering what had been said. "But you need to have a certain amount of innate reiatsu control to begin with to even learn Kido right? I can't even do that, I just have too much reiatsu."

At this Yoruichi snorted "Don't be too dense Ichigo. Your father could do Kido with your level of spirit power – granted it wasn't as heavy due to the dual nature of yours . However Yamamoto had more reiatsu than you and could perform spells in the 90's. Hell, from what I hear that boy genius over at the 10th division could have as much reiatsu as you when his powers mature and I bet my ass he can do some. I'm not saying you have to master it, but you should eventually familiarise yourself with a selection of powerful spells that you can use to supplement your more prominent abilities. Also, the improved control would help a lot in your training for that."

Ichigo sighed, already knowing he had lost. "Nel doesn't know Kido and she's plenty strong without it."

Nel, who had been sitting quietly to the other side of him up until now, spoke out "I would learn if I could Ichigo. You shouldn't ignore a possible area for development.". That was the end of it really, Ichigo and Nel rarely disagreed with each other and when they did Ichigo's winning the argument was practically unheard of.

"Some friend you are Nel!" Ichigo muttered, smiling to show he didn't mean it. "Ok Hacchi you win. How do I start learning this stuff?"

Hacchi looked pleased. He had actually been badgering Ichigo to gain the most rudimentary of knowledges of this subject for nearly 3 years. "First we'll spar to show you how Kido can be used in various battle situations. Then we'll work on focusing your reiatsu and rotating it in your palm."

"I'll spar with you guys too." Said Lisa, stretching languidly "Could use the workout.".

Ichigo nodded once, then stood. "Well I better get started on the washing up if we are going to spar this afternoon."

"It wouldn't be so bad if all you freeloaders weren't here." he continued, grinning.

"Are you not a guest too Ichigo?" asked Urahara.

"Hat'n'Clogs you sold our house! Thats got to be a few years of rent!" Ichigo retorted as he made his way into the kitchen, carrying a huge stack of dishes. Although of course he didn't mean anything by it, the residents of the shoten had increased a lot in number over the years.

Ichigo never did know where they found the extra space. As well as he knew Urahara he suspected that the nigh-on endless rooms and corridors of the shoten didn't entirely exist in this dimension. After all it now acted as the permanent residence of 12 people. 13 actually, as Chad had moved in with Karin 6 months ago, but as they shared a room (much to Ichigo's chagrin … he was an older brother after all!) it didn't make too much difference.

He knew Karin and Chad wanted the greater privacy that having their own place would afford them, but he had persuaded them to stay, saying that soul society must finish the Dangai soon. If he was being honest he knew that those of them who were technically dead were all itching for the same thing, himself included. 8 years was long enough and the friends they had left in Soul Society pulled heavily at all their hearts.

"Soon... it HAS to come soon."

OoOoOoOoOo

Urahara Shoten, Basement

It had taken Ichigo over an hour to wash up the lunch things. So when he made it down to the basement for his sparring session he was met with a scene entirely too reminiscent of the vizards lounging about in their warehouse base.

Hacchi, who was seated in a meditative pose, rumbled out "You have finally joined us Ichigo. I was beginning to think you would not come at all."

Ichigo grinned. He had learned to appreciate the more subtle humour of his huge friend and knew that this was close to a taunt as he would come. "My bad Hacchi! If you didn't eat so much the washing up woulda been quicker though you know?"

A chuckle was his only reply as Hacchi finally got to his feet.

"Ichigo – defend yourself!" he cried, immediately assuming a spell casting posture – with his palm facing outwards, supported by his other arm.

Ichigo sweat dropped. "Isn't he supposed to be teaching me. How in th~"

"Hadou 88: Hiryugekizokushintenraiho !"

"Oh … shit!"

Despite his surprise that Hacchi had opened a training session with such a ridiculous hadou, Ichigo's body swung into action almost subconsciously. He hadn't just been sitting around for 8 years.

Pumping reiatsu into his giant shikai's blade, Ichigo let go of the hilt. Grabbing the trailing fabric in his hand Ichigo then proceeded to spin the sword as fast as he could. The blue sheen given off from the reiatsu laden zanpakutou, coupled with the circular motion, bore an eery appearance to the moon for which it was named. Adopting a braced posture, Ichigo thanked kami Nel had helped him develop the technique.

Ever since he had learnt the final Getsuga Tenshou and accepted his hollow, Ichigo's fighting style had changed slightly to incorporate much greater use of the fabric of his shikai. He supposed that this was a good thing - zangetsu certainly wasn't a one trick pony any more - but it had taken some getting used to the instinct.

He had been sparring with Nel when he had realised that he needed to develop some sort of defensive ability that didn't simply involve cancelling attacks with Getsuga Tenshou or a Cero. For one thing that was an extremely inefficient way to fight, even with his energy reserves, and for another it made for some dangerous situations when used against her ability to consume and regurgitate energy based attacks. By holding the energy required for a Getsuga in Zangetsu without firing it and then spinning it, Ichigo created a thick shield of reiatsu which he could simply reabsorb when he next grabbed the hilt.

As the spell raced to impact with the makeshift shield Ichigo couldn't help but be somewhat nervous though. "I've only used this technique to counter-act Hadou in the 60s before now. Heres hoping it damn works or else this is gonna hurt like HELL!"

The sizeable explosion that followed did push Ichigo back a fair few steps. Indeed, once the smoke cleared he was forced to stab Zangetsu into the ground to conceal that fact that his right side was trembling, but he was otherwise unharmed.

"Well Kami be damned Hacchi! You seriously went 'hell for leather' huh? Not even using an incantation so I couldn't anticipate it..."

Hacchi smiled slightly and Ichigo took some satisfaction from the observation that he was sweating lightly.

"... well at least it took something outta him?"

His thoughts were confirmed a moment later when Hacchi answered the accusation. "It may have been... something of a stretch. But there are lessons to be learned from even that short exchange."

Seeing the blank stare his pupil was sending him, Hacchi elaborated. "When fighting against an opponent who possesses a great deal of speed such as yourself, spells with incantations become almost meaningless. That is why I used not only a spell without an incantation, but also a high-speed, lightening based, spell. You stopped it though, which I was rather counting against. I hope this is the only circumstance under which I misjudge your abilities."

Ichigo shook his head "Even though 'Moon shield' is a powerful technique it is really only useful against single opponents. I'm guessing from what you've mentioned in the past that Kido casters usually lend ranged support from behind whilst allowing 1 or more allies to engage an enemy in close combat? If that is the case then while the technique would act as an effective shield against Kido, the large movement would leave me vulnerable to attack from Zanjutsu users in close quarters."

Lisa decided it was time for her to join in the lesson, flash stepping to his side. "So you picked up on that huh Ichigo? Maybe there really is something between those ears! You know what that means when Tessai and I attack you together though right?"

Ichigo visibly paled. Lisa was a - maybe the - Zanjutsu specialist. Her ambidextrousness and high upper body speed meant that she could literally slice the clothes of your back while you weren't looking.

"Yeah – and don't I know the truth of that!" Ichigo thought ruefully. Even worse, Lisa claimed she didn't believe in sparring. If you got cut, you got cut.

"U-um... on second thoughts Hacchi... shouldn't we do some th-theory … or something?"

"Pussy!" the woman snorted, drawing her sword, but Hacchi intervened.

"Actually, I think Ichigo should spar gently with Lisa and observe as she both blocks sword strikes and casts kido to defend against me, simultaneously."

Lisa opened her mouth to retort, but shut it again. If Ichigo couldn't cast a spell then it was obvious it had to go that way.

Grinning by way of assent, Ichigo immediately went on the offensive. Bringing Zangetsu down from above in a sweeping arc, he made to split Lisa's shoulder in two. Seeing that Lisa had moved to block the obvious swing with an almost lazy overhead guard - he grinned. Using shunpo he completed the swing almost a foot to the right of were he had been, missing both blade and shoulder, then he flipped Zangetsu and used the power of his legs to drive another cut up and to the left. This time Ichigo would have rend his friend's body from waist to collarbone, but she used shunpo to step inside his guard at the last moment, her knee heading straight for his stomach.

"Gently!" Hacchi called in exasperation, knowing full well he might ask the tide to stop with more effect. They were going gently really. Ichigo hadn't fired a Getsuga Tenshou or entered shunpo properly for one thing. Despite her being fast, Ichigo had meant it when he said Lisa couldn't keep up. He supposed that that wasn't the point of the exercise though, and they continued their 'relatively' subdued back and forth.

Having kept it up for about an hour Hacchi called a halt. Lisa was obviously delighted. "But to be fair" Ichigo thought "she has been sparring and casting barrier kido non-stop since we started. Even I'd be feeling sick!"

While she went off to the hot springs to recuperate for a while, Hacchi sat with Ichigo and began to talk him through the basics of focusing reiatsu into his palm, and causing it to rotate in ever more complex ways. Ichigo could feel that this altered the structure of the spirit particle mass in some way, but he found it very difficult to achieve the more taxing movements.

Frustrated, he burst out "Hacchi! I can't do this damn it! Why can't this be like casting Cero, thats so much easier..."

"Because Cero, as with many other of the powers that hollows possess, functions almost purely on instinct. Do not worry, it is no easy thing to achieve. Even with your growth rate you can't expect to become a master of the demon arts in an afternoon. This skill is too intricate to rush through the learning process anyway. Lets stop for now."

Relieved, Ichigo jumped to his feet, stretched, and announced "I'm off to the springs to clean up. Thanks for this Hacchi."

As he turned around, he heard a shout from one of the nearby rock outcrops "Oi, Ichigo! You're not done yet, I want to play tag... give you a real workout, if you know what I mean!". Yoruichi flashed down beside him, the most lecherous grin she could muster plastered across her visage.

Not in the mood, Ichigo decided to play a trump card he'd been storing since the other day. "Hmm, I know Nel wanted some Sonido practice... you might even get her to go all out if I told her you said Goats were stupid as mud. What d'ya reckon?"

Yoruichi sweat dropped, and with good reason. Urahara had once said sheep were ugly as sin, and had had to lock himself behind a barrier in his laboratory for 3 days.

"Jeez, you're no fun Ero-Berry!"

Ichigo gestured rudely over his shoulder and continued on towards his destination

Once the healing waters of the hot springs had done their work repairing the small cuts and bruises that had resulted from the sparring session, Ichigo set his head back and relaxed. The itchy sensation was replaced by relief as the warmth seeped into the muscles of his body.

"I seem to have gotten rid of Yoruichi for now... Thats a turn for the books." He mused. "Maybe Nel really did shake her off? Or more likely I'll wake up with her straddling me."

Deciding he didn't care, and that he should take advantage of the rare moment of peace, Ichigo allowed his mind to lapse into sleep.

OoOoOoOoOo

To his surprise, Yoruichi was nowhere to be seen when Ichigo woke up. In fact, he couldn't see anyone left in the basement at all. Puzzled, he swam over to the edge of the springs, and pulled himself from the water. Having dried and dressed himself he finally looked at the watch he had taken to wearing along with his shihakusho.

"I slept for three hours ?" Ichigo exclaimed to no-one in particular. It wasn't that he had any commitments to attend to and Yuzu didn't cook dinner, but it was still unsettling when he had only intended to take a 20 minute nap.

"Guess that Kido crap really took more concentration than I thought..." He mused.

Having not expected any response to his earlier outburst, Ichigo nearly jumped out of his skin when the gentle voice of Nel called down to him from atop a neighbouring outcrop.

"Hey Ichi. I meant to wake you up hours ago, but you looked so peaceful I thought I would let you prune."

Recovered from the shock, Ichigo scowled. "Dammit Nel... don't sneak up on people like that! Scared the shit outta me … what did you have to leave me asleep for anyhow? I'll have missed food for sure.".

Nel just giggled. "I didn't actually move, you just assumed no-one was there. I brought rolls and sake – you wanna get up here or what?"

Ichigo realised that he actually was famished so he shunpo'd up to the rock where Nel had perched herself. Taking the proffered bottle, he plonked himself down next to his best friend and took a long swallow. He had definitely developed a taste for sake since he had turned 21 three years ago, though not in quantities some people consumed it. Ever since that day few things scared him more than not being in control of his actions. Mostly he drank with Nel who didn't do so very often, preferring to stick with tea.

Giving her a side long glance, he prodded "You're usually more one for the tea, any special reason for the hard stuff?"

She shrugged in response, evidently in one of her more somber moments. "Just feeling contemplative I guess." she added, leaning on his shoulder.

Ichigo smiled. This more vulnerable side to Nel was something that even he saw rarely. Getting more comfortable by leaning into her weight, he murmured his understanding.

After a few minutes of companionable silence, Nel sighed and spoke out, the strength of her voice betraying a level of uncertainty. "Ne, Ichigo? What will I do?"

He sighed, knowing to what she was referring. "She still worries about coming with us?"

"They will accept you Nel. I know the captains – a more eccentric and varied bunch you won't find, but they are far from being fools. You saved their asses against Yammy right?"

She shrugged "Saved Nnoitra more times than I can count too, people only remember whats convenient."

"Thats different! Nnoitra was a Ho~" Ichigo caught himself, but he could already see the sad smile playing on Nel's face.

"Thats exactly the point isn't it...". As she said it, Ichigo was mentally slapping himself "How could I be so damned stupid?"

Deciding to backtrack, he laughed weakly. "I mean't homicidal maniac!".

This got his companion to giggle slightly "Nice save genius. And anyway, whats that spikey haired mountain if not a homicidal maniac?"

"I'm... sorry. I... of all people should know better. I guess … I guess I don't think of you as a hollow."

Nel sighed "And I'm grateful for that, but they will. They will see me as a hollow and hate me for it. Even you hate hollows."

Ichigo looked at her then, wearing an almost bemused expression "No. Why would I hate them? My mother was killed by a hollow – and then my father met his fate at the hands of a shinigami. I pity lesser hollows their lack of self determination, that is all."

"Besides," he continued, pointing to his 'black' eye "I'm hardly all shinigami. You and the Vizards are as much my family as Karin and Yuzu. More actually - at least you aren't shacked up with my oldest friend!"

That succeeded, as Ichigo has intended, in lightening the somber mood.

"You're such an Idiot Ichi... keeping up the cool big brother act! You think everyone else doesn't see straight through it? I remember the day they told you. Karin just came out with it like some challenge - just like her really. Then you and Chad went at it. Funny thing that you both got nothing more than a couple of bruises – and this coming from his 'el directo' and your 'hammer hands'.". Nel paused, once more looking introspective.

"Anyway, I suppose you are right. With a foot in both worlds – you, me, the vizards … we are close. Then my original question was wrong. I should not ask what will I do, but rather what will you do, should the Gotei reject me?"

"She is being serious. I can't just blow this off"

Shifting so he could see her, Ichigo grinned. "Who's the idiot? You know we'll smack them down and walk out again. No one is forcing me to work with a bunch of hypocrites who'll accept Shinji n' me but not you!"

Then a thought popped into his head, causing him to laugh out loud. Looking irritated, Nel asked "What?"

"Nothing. Just thought that if that happened maybe we could go camp out with the Shibas. You'd like Kuukaku... i'd say she's probably as mad as Yoruichi and Hat'n'Clogs combined.". His train of thought was not so much interrupted, as demolished at that moment. He found himself in the grips of one of Nel's infamous – and bone crushing – hugs.

"ICHI! I knew you'd come with me!" She squealed in an uncharacteristically high-pitched voice.

"How can she swing from so serious to so hyper in mere seconds? I'll never understand women..."

"N-Nel! C-can't, can't breathe! My spine!"

"Whoops! Sorry!" She continued cheerfully, but loosened her grip slightly.

Ichigo was about to demand that she get off him properly, when his attention snapped to something over her right shoulder.

"Nel..." he began, almost quietly.

"What? I'm not choking you any more!"

"No... look behind you.". She seemed to recognise the serious tone in his voice and complied. What she saw had her jaw on the ground along side Ichigo's.

"Those are~" she began, but Ichigo cut her off.

"Hell Butterflies. The Senkai gate, it's opening."

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

A/N: Well hope you liked! I think this time I wont do the whole update immediately things. But I will say that all of my updates will take a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 7 (unless I specifically say otherwise beforehand). Next chapter you can expect to see more fighting, revealing of new powers, more laughs (hopefully) etc... check back ! oh and R&R please!