Shadow Lifted

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach

Beta:DazLex

Chapter Four

Ichigo wakes to the sound of birds chirping. He turns over to look at his clock noticing he woke up half an hour early. He gets out of bed smiling. "Today's the day" He gathers his clothes before heading into the shower. Ichigo steps out of the bathroom half an hour later. Using the extra time he has he ventures downstairs to spend some time with his family. "Good morning everyone" The twin's look to their brother. "Good morning Ichigo." Before returning to their food. Isshin looks at his son smiling. "Morning Ichigo" Ichigo heads to the kitchen grabbing some breakfast from the stove before sitting down at the table.
"Yuzu I'll be home late tonight so don't worry about cooking me dinner." Yuzu looks back at her brother. "Okay Ichigo but if you don't mind me asking what are your plans for tonight" Before Ichigo can speak Isshin opens his mouth. "He's going on a date with Tatsuki." Ichigo looks to his father glaring but Isshin just ignores him. Both Yuzu and Karin are ecstatic to hear about their brother having a date. Ichigo takes this as his time to leave. Thanking Yuzu for breakfast and telling the twins to have a good day at school. He heads out towards his own school.

(Line Break)

When Ichigo gets to school he sees Tatsuki waiting at the gates for him. "Yo Tatsuki good morning" She turns her head to look at him. "Morning Ichigo how are you?" He smiles at her. "I'm doing well today how are you?" She gives him a smile back. "I'm doing great thanks for asking." As Ichigo got closer to her he notices the dirt on her uniform. "Tatsuki why does your uniform have dirt on it" She looks down at her uniform then back at him. "Some guy tried to make a pass at me when I declined he tried to get physical so I dropped him on his ass.

Ichigo nods in understanding. They head into class before the bell rings. The day dragged on longer than normal. Ichigo and Tatsuki had lunch together before heading back for the second half of the day. When the final bell rings Tatsuki was the first out of the class. She heads for the courtyard wanting to get home as fast as possible. Before she is stopped by a group of highschool guy's. One guy steps forward before looking Tatsuki in the eye's. "The names Ren are you the one who beat down my pal here?" Ren put his hand on the shoulder of the man who just stepped forward. Tatsuki took a moment to recognise the man before smirking. "Yeah I was the one who beat down your friend. He shouldn't of tried to get rough with me."
Ren took another step forward. "You think you're something special don't you well allow me to knock you down a few pegs.
Ren throws a punch towards Tatsuki but before it can land it's caught by a tall male with spiky orange hair.

"What do you think you're doing?" Ichigo pushes the guy away glaring at him. "Is she your girlfriend or something." Ichigo smirks "You could say that" Ren glares at him "Well that bitch beat down one of my friend's and I've come to pay her back for it."
Ichigo's smirk turned into a scowl taking a deep breath he looks back at Tatsuki his eyes glowing a sky blue color. "Step aside Tatsuki I'll deal with this." Tatsuki looked into his eyes surprised at what she saw decided not to argue instead just nodded to him. Ichigo took another step forward. "You want a fight well you got one."

Ren smirked "Are you stupid or something there's ten of us and only one of you."
Ichigo starts laughing. "What's so funny" Ichigo stops laughing and glares at Ren.
"The only stupid ones here are you. If you had even the tiniest brain in that skull of yours you would of brought more people.
Ichigo then falls into a stance that has Tatsuki's eyes slightly widen. 'He plan's on using a style of hakuda against normal thugs'

Ichigo runs forward closing the gap between himself and the leader. Ren throws a punch hoping to catch Ichigo in the face. Ichigo pushes the arm aside delivering an open palm strike just under his chin forcing him off the ground quickly spinning around delivering an elbow to Ren's midsection. As the other nine see their leader hit the ground they rush at Ichigo hell bent on avenging Ren's defeat. Ichigo moves around the nine delivering heavy palm strikes while avoiding their fists and using their own momentum against them. After a few minutes the rest of the thugs were on the ground in pain. As Ichigo went to turn around Ren got up running at him fist back ready to deliver a heavy punch. Ichigo stands his ground waiting for Ren to close the gap and when he does. Ichigo avoids the punch by ducking under the fist delivering a palm strike to his chest before moving behind Ren knocking his feet out from under him using the hand he balanced on to back flip away from him. As the nine got up to help their leader Ichigo spoke in a tone that sent shivers down all their spines. "Had enough" The group tries to rush him again but Ren sticks his arms out. "I see this is a fight we can't win even with the numbers in our favor we will leave I hope to never cross paths with you again." Ichigo gives a slight grin. "As do I now get out of my school."

Ichigo turns towards Tatsuki to see a shocked look on her face. He decides to wave his hand in front of her face. "Earth to Tatsuki you alright?" Tatsuki looks him in the eyes. "You ended that without receiving a single scratch." He looks himself over before chuckling. "I guess I did I was so caught up in the fight I didn't notice." Tatsuki laughed. "You know with so many student's seeing you fight today you can forget about maintaining that image and reputation you spent so long crafting." Ichigo shrugs his shoulders. "Who cares the only opinion I care about in school is yours. I never have and never will care what other people think of me."

They share a quick laugh before Ichigo hugs her. "I'll see you tonight bye for now." She hugs him back. "See you at six" They release each other both heading towards their designated paths both looking forward to tonight.