The Bird of Hermes is my name; eat my wings to make me tame.
And so we have come to the third chapter. Good to know that people are enjoying the story.
Disclaimer: All characters are property of their respective owners, of which I am not.
And now on with the show.
"Normal speech"
"Kido"
Thoughts
"Alucard"
'Ichigo and Tatsuki's link'
The Truth about our Soul.
As Ichigo carried Tatsuki back to the Urahara shop, after their slight detour, unbidden memories were flowing through his mind. The first time he and Tatsuki sparred in the dojo, his first and last victory over her, watching as Orihime looked longingly at him during class. Tatsuki trying to protect Orihime from her fellow students as they behaved like zombies and finally a much younger Ichigo with a smile on his face that he lost once his mother died. At first I thought that these were my memories, but some didn't have me in them at all, or they were all happening from a perspective other than my own, namely Tatsuki's.
"You are correct young master; they are in fact her memories. I must ask that you hold onto any questions until we are back at the shop, as the explanation will be a lengthy one."
Ichigo nodded his acceptance and continued, careful not to jostle her too much. Looking down at her, he couldn't remember the last time he had seen her so vulnerable. She had his coat in a tight grip as if afraid he would disappear on her. Not any more Tats, not any more.
Arriving at the shop he started towards his room, but was interrupted by Kisuke walking out of the kitchen with a cup of tea in hand.
"Ah welcome back Kuro…saki," he paused as he saw Tatsuki being carried by Ichigo. "Um Kurosaki-san what happened tonight exactly?" he said with a smile while waving his fan in front of his face.
"I don't quite have all the details yet Urahara-san, so I'm afraid that you will have to wait till morning to get the answers you want. Could you please ask Tessai-san to come check her over please? I did what I could but I may have missed something." Without waiting for an answer he carried her into his room and lay her down on his futon.
Well I told Tessai that this would be an interesting week and it seems that I wasn't wrong. Although whether this spurs him on or makes him retreat is beyond me. Kisuke ambled off in search of his assistant.
After trying and failing to remove her grip from his overcoat Ichigo shrugged it off and covered her with it, noting the slight smile as she drew it closer around her. Sitting down with his legs crossed again, he prepared to enter his inner world and make some sense of the night's events. When he opened his eyes he saw Alucard walking at a sedate pace down one of the pathways and hurried over to join him.
"Welcome back young master, I trust your young charge is comfortable. One should never leave a lady alone in bed if she isn't." He said with a smirk as he continued to walk.
Blushing slightly Ichigo muttered, "Pervert, now what can you tell me of what happened tonight? It's beginning to eat away at me."
"Of that I very much doubt young master, but of course you shall have your answers. First a history lesson, zanpakuto come in many shapes, sizes and abilities. There are ranged, melee and elemental types. Zanpakuto like me form a rare type in the world, the darkness type. We are few and far between showing up every few centuries or so. We are often more powerful than any other of our time, but those who wield us often give into the temptation that such power brings. The reason why you have those memories of young Lady Tatsuki is that you consumed her reiatsu, adding it to your own, by partaking in her blood. It is the most common trait that darkness zanpakuto have. The majority of our wielders have always fallen to the lure of such power and have as such been hunted down and killed by those uncorrupted wielders. To consume the reiatsu of another other than in small amounts drives one's mind to insanity as one can no longer discern their own memories from another's. Do you now understand why I did not want you to know this? Until I was truly sure that you wouldn't fall prey to sure temptation I had to restrict such knowledge from you."
Thinking of all the possible ways that one could rule over others' lives, the ease with which people could be blackmailed and even now how he had seen into Tatsuki's memories without her knowing it slightly disturbed him.
"I see, so the vampires of ancient lore are those corrupt soul reapers that gave into temptation? That still doesn't explain what we did to her though."
"Yes they were and it was necessary that you knew of our history and the consequences of corruption. As to what we did to her though, while you made a connection between her soul and yours I infused her with a portion of myself. She will become something akin to what you are now. She will possess superhuman abilities much like yourself and any other powers she will have to discover on her own. She is not a soul reaper like you rather a spiritually aware human much like Lady Orihime or Masters Uryu and Chad. She however has gained a separate soul form much like you. I will say no more for now young master as it is time to retire. Tonight's activities have taken quite the mental toll on you I'm afraid."
Nodding his head slightly Ichigo made to leave, but turned around and looked Alucard in the eye. "Do not think for one minute that I regret having you or these powers Alucard. I understand the danger of them, but the gift you have given me in being able to keep my promise is more than worth it in my mind. Remember that I would do it all again and do not hold yourself accountable." With that he disappeared from the world.
"And you continue to amaze and make me proud my master." Alucard said with a smile that served to make him seem insane.
Opening his eyes to the real world again, he saw that another futon had been laid out next to Tatsuki, who still had a death grip on his overcoat but was bandaged in certain places. Divesting himself of his bulkier garments, he lay down and let sleep take hold of him.
XXX
Tatsuki awoke to find that she was holding a strange red overcoat. Looking around she also noticed she was in an unfamiliar room. As she tried to remember the events of last night, her eyes drifted to rest upon the still of form of Ichigo lying on top of the covers of his futon. It all came rushing back to her then, the monster, Ichigo cradling her body, the offer and their kiss. Looking down at herself she noted the bandages and stood up to stretch herself. Feeling no discomfort from said actions she began to strip them off her stomach and arms and saw that there were no remnants of her injuries from last night. Looking at her watch she noted that it was only 4am, even for her, a morning person it was still too early to wake up. Hesitating for a second she gathered the overcoat again, noting it smelled of cinnamon and strawberries, chuckled to herself and curled up next to Ichigo, who unconsciously wrapped an arm around her waist.
XXX
As Kisuke walked toward the guest room to rouse the sleeping teens, he found it odd that he of all people had to wake up others from oversleeping. Opening the door slightly he chuckled as he say the pair wrapped in their embrace with only the overcoat to cover them both. Reaching into his pocket for an air-horn, he held it near the sleeping pair's ears. Before he could do so much as push the button though his hand was caught in a vice-like grip.
"Continue with your current actions Urahara and I will not be liable for any missing fingers you suffer," said Ichigo as he looked up with his blood red eyes shining with malevolence that promised he would follow through with his threat.
"Ah, o-okay just its past time for you to be up and about. We have much to discuss and there is still training to do today," Kisuke said as he backed away shaking his hand trying to get some feeling back into it.
Nodding that he heard Ichigo carefully extracted himself as he rose to go to the bathroom, "We'll be there shortly, I suggest you leave as she tends to be more violent than me when people disturb her sleep." Both exited the room quietly unwilling to test the patience of the sleeping dragoness.
Tatsuki woke up a few minutes later after noticing the warm weight next to her had disappeared. Looking around she heard the sound a shower running in the room adjacent to hers and relaxed. As she stood up the water shut off and the door opened a minute later, revealing Ichigo with his shirt unbuttoned and standing in his suit pants. What struck her though was that his muscles were more like those of an older martial artist than a high school student. Looking in his eyes she was hypnotised as they were revealed to be blood red something she failed to notice last night. Ichigo was having trouble controlling his thoughts as her ripped clothes didn't leave much to the imagination, looking at her face he saw her own eyes had acquired his own blood red colouring. Ichigo recovered first saying, "Shower's all yours, after that we'll grab breakfast and talk." He walked over to the rest of his clothes and began to get dressed. Nodding she entered the bathroom and spied a pile of clothing her size laid out to replace her torn clothing. On closer inspection she realised it was a pair of shorts, t-shirt and underwear from her own room, how they had gone about acquiring about it was beyond her, but she would ask about that later, or never.
XXX
Fifteen minutes later they were gathered around the breakfast table, Ichigo and Tatsuki seated next to each other and eating in silence. As they finished Kisuke broached the subject that everyone was dying to know.
"Now Kurosaki-san perhaps you can tell us why Arisawa-san here was in the state she was in last night went you brought her back and how you healed her. Whilst we could do no more than apply some disinfectant to her rapidly sealing cuts and tape up her ribs it seems as if she's recovered far quicker than a human should be able to."
Feeling their eyes upon him he proceeded to relay to them the events of last night and what Alucard had told him once they got back, he did however withhold the piece about him gaining her memories.
"Urahara-san I would like for her to train with us, while she may not be a soul reaper she will have abilities similar to my own that need to be controlled. I am curious myself about the extent of her abilities." He reached over and gave her hand a slight squeeze and smiled at her reassuringly.
"I don't suppose I have a choice now do I Kurosaki-san, just as you said she possesses enough reiatsu to cause hollows to continue to attack her and if what you said is true, then having her train together with you is the best option. Let's head down into the basement and get started."
As Ichigo started to follow him, Tatsuki grabbed his hand. "We'll be there in a minute Urahara-san; I just want a quick word with Ichigo." She said waving him off. Dragging him back to their room, her voice dropped to a whisper, "Ichigo the clothes laid out in the bathroom this morning, where did they come from?" She watched as he seemed to fidget under her piercing gaze.
"Well I uh kind of stopped by your room on our way back last night, don't worry your parents didn't see us. I have the ability to phase through walls and the like so I went inside." He was unprepared for the hit to the back of his head that knocked his hat off and caused his sunglasses to fall to the bridge of his nose.
"YOU PERVERT, WHO SAID YOU COULD GO RUMMAGING THROUGH MY CLOSET!" She screamed at him.
"Hey, hey there was no other option. You were knocked out and it's not like I could go wake your mother to do it."
"Well just don't do it again," she said as she stomped off.
Hearing a chuckling coming from within his mind, Ichigo frowned raising an eyebrow at Alucard's mirth.
"Sorry young master, but to see you man-handled by your own fledgling is far too amusing."
His scowl only grew as he could mentally see Alucard rolling on the ground clutching his chest in laughter and he stalked off after everyone.
XXX
"Alright Arisawa-san just stand still while we get your soul form out." Kisuke said walking toward her.
Confused she didn't see the end of his cane coming toward her head forcing her soul out. Looking down she beheld her body just lying there unmoving. "WHAT THE HELL!"
"Please try and keep it down Tatsuki, you're giving me a headache." Whirling around, she found herself face to face with Ichigo.
"Well sorry if I'm not used to seeing my LIFELESS body just lying around." She said with a pout.
"Well if that's what your soul form looks like forgive me if I say that I wouldn't mind seeing you dressed like that permanently."
Looking down at herself she couldn't stop her face from going red. She was wearing a black full-length overcoat much like Ichigo's, a red frilly blouse, black cravat, black mini-skirt and black riding boots. Hanging from one of the coats pockets was a pair of purple sunglasses. Putting them on she completed the look which lead to Ichigo giving a low whistle of appreciation, Kisuke hiding behind his fan and Tessai appearing indifferent. Ururu was however assisting Jinta who had fainted.
"Well now enough of that, let's get started" said Kisuke with a snap of is fan.
XXX
Over the next few days a training schedule was quickly established, by day Ichigo trained with Tessai mastering the remaining binding spells he needed like Sajo Sabaku, Hyapporankan and Gochutekkan. With his favourite being Sajo Sabaku for its similarity but increased power to Hainawa, he needed little else for now. His training with Kisuke focused on fighting under pressure using his pistols to keep him at bay. While Ichigo learnt kido, Kisuke taught Tatsuki more refined forms of hakuda. They would also practice with Ichigo and Tatsuki attacking Kisuke together or the pair of Kisuke and Tessai. Kisuke knew that building such a partnership would help them greatly to overcome foes that would, individually prove too great for them to defeat. He did not anticipate just how quickly they would form such a bond. It was later revealed that due to their bond a mental connection was created that allowed them to talk with one another mentally, thus not revealing their plans to their opponent until it was too late.
By night when Kisuke and Tessai retired, Ichigo and Tatsuki would spar with each other and push each other to their limit before retiring a few hours before dawn. They discovered that while she was just as strong as Kisuke or Tessai when she forced her reiatsu into her fists, she was still a long way from Ichigo who was now shattering some of the smaller mountains with his strength.
By the end of the week as they prepared to return home Ichigo asked if they could return every now and then as the environment outside the basement wouldn't be able to withstand the force of their sparring. Returning to collect his body it occurred to him that he had no idea how it would take to his change.
"Urahara-san there shouldn't be any problem with me returning to my body right?"
Looking up from his work Kisuke thought about it for a second. "Other than expanding to match your current form, no I don't expect it to reject you."
With a sigh of relief Ichigo entered his body and grunted as he felt his body reshape itself to match his spirit form. As it finished he found that his shirt was strangling him. Tossing it off, he noticed Tatsuki staring at him. "You know if you wanted to, you could just take a picture" he said with a smirk on his face.
Not missing a beat she replied, "No thanks just filing away some images mentally for later." She finished with a smile.
"Oh yes very amusing, don't suppose you would like to accompany me on a shopping trip since I will need someone other than a drooling shop assistant's opinion." He said sarcastically.
"So you'd prefer my drooling opinion?" she quipped.
"Better my girlfriend than a stranger, don't you think?"
Blushing at him admitting to their relationship, she muttered, "Sorry as much as I would like more mental images, I need to go talk to Orihime."
Noticing the distress in her voice, he understood why. He knew of her support for Orihime's infatuation with him, but now that he was with her, knew she didn't know how to break it to her friend. "Suki-chan I'll come with you for that, you shouldn't have to face it alone."
She looked at her feet and nodded, not questioning how he knew what she was going to do, since they had been sharing emotions and thoughts constantly through their link since they discovered it.
XXX
Hours later they were heading back to Ichigo's house to drop off the results of their labour. Ichigo had adopted to carry on with the more formal dress purchasing several collared shirts and pants along with black combat boots to go with them. They had forgone the overcoat and hat since none of the shops had one that felt right to him. So here he was walking home wearing black pants, a shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbow and the top button undone, black boots and blue shades completing his look. Tatsuki didn't get much other than a pair of purple shades, several new blouses and matching skirts. When Ichigo noticed the skirts she merely said that she may as well get used to them now since that's how her spirit form would be dressed.
"I'm home" he said opening the front door.
"Onii-chan" Yuzu squealed as she ran to hug him. Considering that she hadn't seen him for days he just smiled and returned the hug.
"Hey Yuzu, Karin," he said looking over at the other twin sitting on the couch watching football.
"Told you he'd be okay Yuzu," Karin said before turning around and taking in his new appearance. "Although I wasn't expecting him to have changed so much." Taking in his new clothes, height and eye colour she shrugged it off and just thought it suited him before turning back to the TV.
Yuzu was less interested in the changes, as they suited him and more interested in Tatsuki who she now saw was standing behind him.
"Ah Tatsuki-chan sorry for not greeting you sooner," she said running over to give her a hug too.
Ruffling the little girl's hair she smiled. "It's okay Yuzu; I know you guys were missing this strawberry the last few days."
Ichigo's eye twitched and he cracked a grin that promised her torture the minute they were alone. Reaching up he grabbed hold of his father's foot an inch away from colliding with his face. "Hey dad," he said before tossing said man into a wall.
"You have done well my son." He said before passing out.
"We're just going to drop this stuff off before going out." Ichigo said heading for the stairs.
"But Onii-chan have you forgotten what tonight is?" Yuzu said.
Puzzled Ichigo looked to Tatsuki for help, who just shrugged. Turning back to Yuzu he shook his head.
"It's the fireworks show, dad got tickets weeks ago." She said disappearing back into the kitchen.
"Ah, okay then. Tatsuki and I'll get ready in my room and be down when we're ready to leave." Not noticing the stunned looks on his family's faces he continued up the stairs and into his room with Tatsuki following him. As the door clicked Yuzu and Isshin were at the door glasses in hand. Karin chewed on her lip knowing that they had gone up together in the past, but now getting the feeling that there was something more going on.
XXX
Closing the door behind her, Tatsuki saw Ichigo clearing his closet of clothes that would no longer fit him. Sitting on his bed she broached the subject that was worrying her. "You know that most of our friends will be there tonight right?"
Without pausing in putting his new clothing away he replied, "Yeah, but there's nothing to worry about. Don't worry Tatsuki; I'll be there with you when we tell everyone. I'll pick up the pieces and put them back together so you don't have to." His packing finished he walked back to his bed and embraced her. "Know this, no matter what; you are not alone. We will get through this together." He finished placing a kiss to her forehead. Wrapping her arms around him she succumbed to the warmth of his body. Gently he guided them both down onto the bed. "Rest now Tats, we have time before we need to get ready."
Outside the door three pairs of eyes bugged out as Ichigo finished his declaration. Notably it was the loud idiot that was first to recover. "Oh Masaki, our son has finally got himself a woman. We're one step closer to grandchildren." He shouted while jumping down. Surprisingly it was both twins that then kicked him shouting for him to keep quiet, Karin because she would when Ichigo wasn't around, while Yuzu did it so he wouldn't disturb their brother who seemed to find the smile he lost, if his voice was any indication.
XXX
That evening the Kurosaki clan and Tatsuki walked towards the river with Isshin, Yuzu and Karin wearing their kimonos and Ichigo and Tatsuki in more clothes of their new style. Yuzu was gushing when she noticed Ichigo and Tatsuki holding hands as they made their way there, Karin was indifferent, but radiated her approval and Isshin was silenced with a glare from his three children when he started to open his mouth.
As they reached the river their school friends came into view. Quickly letting go of his hand Tatsuki walked off in search of Orihime while Ichigo walked off to greet Chad. As everyone disappeared to get to the seats Isshin booked, Tatsuki returned with Orihime in hand.
'Do you want me to be with you when you tell her?' Ichigo asked through their mental link.
'No, this is something I have to do myself.' She said looking back to Orihime. She felt his presence withdraw but not fully remove from her.
There really is no easy way to say this. She thought with a sigh.
Seeing her friend slightly distressed Orihime spoke up, "Tatsuki-chan is something wrong?"
Looking into her friends face she started her tale of what happened the night Ichigo turned her. As she finished she looked into her friends face for anything, expecting shock, outrage and betrayal. She was met with a smiling face and hug.
"It's okay Tatsuki-chan, you've known him far longer than I have and if you're what he wants then how can I stand in your way. You've always sacrificed your needs for mine. It's the least I could do for you."
Relief coursed through her system and across their mental link as she hugged back. Smirking to himself Ichigo walked over to them. Breaking apart Orihime looked at him with a smile, "Keep her safe Kurosaki-kun, I don't know what I'd do if she was gone." She walked off to grab a seat giving the two some privacy.
Looking up at the bright moon above them Ichigo deepened the mental link sending wave after wave of assurance to her. 'Told you that everything would work out in the end Tats, one just needs to keep moving forward with no regrets.'
Walking up next to him she watched as the first set of fireworks exploded in the sky. 'This time, then again who knows how else it could've gone. It's nice to know I haven't lost her over this. Leaning her head into his chest they stood like two silent sentinels in the night.
XXX
And that's chapter 3 done.
I'm trying to find a length I like at the moment so expect chapters to be around this length or shorter.
My apologies to those who wanted more action and to those who wanted more fluffiness here you go.
Now that the training, history and friends and family reactions are out of the way next chapter brings out the break-in to Soul Society. Teaser for it Jidanbo goes flying and Yoruichi is 'played with'.
Like, love, hate or meh. Let me know.
