A/N: Well here is the chapter. I don't have a whole lot to say, since I didn't have much questions about the last chapter...so really all I need to say is please read and review.
Ichigo: Man, I am bored here.
Rukia: Well I'm more bored...you try being stuck in a prison cell sometime.
Ichigo: No thank you.
Rukia: Wimp.
Ichigo: Why you little.
A/N: *Sigh* Nami get out here and break this up.
Nami: Of course...night, night Strawberry (whacks Ichigo in the head).
Rukia: I'll do the disclaimer this time...Skywalker does not own Bleach nor does he want to.
A/N: Thank you Rukia.
Rukia: You're welcome...now get me out of here!
"What the heck is this! Why are the walls closing in!" Ichigo yelled as the group ran through the Dangai.
"They are closing in because it is the way to keep intruders out of the Soul Society! Now keep running before you get us all killed!" Shirayuki yelled at Ichigo, with Yoruichi yelling much the same thing.
But then all of a sudden, Uryu had his 'stupid cape' get caught in the encroaching wall.
"You idiot, I told you that outfit was stupid!" Ichigo yelled, starting to pull Zangetsu off his back.
"NO! Don't use the Zanpaku-to, if it gets caught in the wall you will be pulled in with it!" Yoruichi yelled at Ichigo.
Thankfully Chad solved the problem by pulling Uryu apart from his cape and draping the protesting Quincy over his back. The group didn't once stop running after that…not until the Cleaner started charging them.
"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" Ichigo yelled, with Shirayuki agreeing with him completely.
"Just keep running, it's the only way to avoid it!" Yoruichi yelled back.
But the Cleaner just keep catching up and getting closer and closer…until Orihime turned around and put up a shield. It took the brunt of the blow, but the residual energy launched the group out of the portal. When they hit the ground, the only one to remain upright were Orihime and Chad.
"Wow, that is an awesome landing pose Ichigo!" Orihime said, looking at Ichigo who had landed on his head.
"Very funny Orihime…very funny," Ichigo replied, shakily getting to his feet.
"It was funny though…wasn't it Zangetsu?" Shirayuki asked the other resident of Ichigo's soul.
"…." Zangetsu chose not to respond to that….even if he did find it funny too.
"Is this really the Soul Society…it looks so run down," Uryu said, looking around after putting on his spare cape.
"Yes it is, this part in particular is called the Rukongai. It is where normal Souls go after being Konso'ed by Soul Reapers. It surrounds the Sereitai where the Soul Reapers live," Yoruichi answered.
"You mean over there where the houses look nicer?" Orihime asked.
"Yes…that is the Sereitai, but we need to be cautious, we don't know what guards they have in place," Yoruichi said, before Ichigo ran off past the group.
"I'm going to be the first one to get in there! Rukia here I come!" Ichigo yelled.
"ICHIGO! Don't be a moron!" Shirayuki and Yoruichi both yelled at the teen.
"What…" Ichigo got out before he was nearly crushed by a massive wall that fell out of the sky.
When it had finished falling, the Sereitai was completely encircled by it. And towering over Ichigo was a true giant of a man.
"Ho, ho…it's been a while since someone has tried to crash my gate. Who are you country boy?" the giant asked.
"I'm Ichigo Kurosaki, who are you?" Ichigo asked back, cocky as ever.
"The names Jidanbo kid, and you aren't getting past me. Though maybe you will put up a good fight before I have to kill you," Jidanbo shot back.
"Who is that Yoruichi?" Uryu asked.
"Jidanbo, the strongest giant in all of the Soul Society. He was chosen out of all of them to guard this gate," Yoruichi answered.
There are more than one giant here….how did that happen? Uryu thought, a little concerned by that, but then he asked out loud, "Is he really that strong?"
"Incredibly strong…he can kill 20 Hollows with one swing of his axe…we need to call Ichigo back and think of a strategy…hey Ichigo!" Yoruichi yelled, before Chad and Orihime ran past the cat.
"Chad, Orihime get back here right now!" Yoruichi yelled, not believing what the teens were doing.
Don't worry Ichigo; I'll help you fight. Orihime thought fiercely, even if she really wouldn't be able to help the Soul Reaper much.
Before the teens could reach Ichigo though, Jidanbo brought his axe down and broke the ground, forming a wall between him and the group.
"Not very polite are you country folks? When you come to the city there are only three rules…wash your hands before every meal, wipe your feet…and only two people to a fight, if you are that eager to fight I will once your friend is dead," Jidanbo said, turning around.
"Orihime…while he isn't looking I'll make a hole in the wall…shoot Tsubaki through it on the count of three," Chad said under his breath.
"Who is Tsubaki?" Jidanbo asked, shocking the two teens…whose main thought was simple…the giant had incredibly good ears.
"Chad, Orihime…don't worry about me, I can handle this on my own," Ichigo's voice came from behind the rocks.
"But Ichigo…you can't fight him alone…" Orihime started, before Uryu pushed past her.
"Kurosaki you moron you can't fight him alone!" the Quincy yelled over the wall.
"When did you get there Uryu?" Ichigo asked calmly.
"I've been here this whole time you idiot!" Uryu yelled back angrily.
Meanwhile Chad walked up to the wall, "Are you sure you can take him Ichigo?"
"Yeah…I'm mostly sure anyway," came the reply.
"MOSTLY! When you get out of there I am going to kill you Kurosaki!" Uryu angrily yelled over the wall.
"No need to yell Uryu…and what do you think I was doing that whole time I was training with Urahara?" Ichigo asked his 'friend'.
"Did he teach you the secrets of combat?" Uryu asked, hoping that was the answer…since it would make Ichigo look less stupid.
"Nope…he didn't teach me anything special. But what I did get out of those days was endurance. I can fight much better thanks to that," Ichigo answered.
I see…the only real difference between Ichigo and those other Reapers was experience…he already had the power. Add that to the experience to use it well…and Ichigo can beat anyone. Chad thought, with complete faith in his friend.
"Are you done talking with them?" Jidanbo asked.
"Not really, but I can't ask you to be patient with me," Ichigo shot back rather snidely.
"That's why I hate country bumpkins…you have no manners!" Jidanbo yelled, bringing his axe down on Ichigo.
When the smoke cleared, it revealed Ichigo with a released Zangetsu casually held up to block the axe blade.
"Is that all you got Jidanbo? I thought you would be able to fight better than that," the teen said.
"Ha ha! It's been a long time since someone could block my first strike. But no one has ever blocked my second!" Jidanbo yelled, bringing his blade around for another strike on Ichigo.
This time it knocked some rock away, but not enough for Ichigo's friends to see what was happening. All they knew was that Jidanbo's face had a shocked expression on it.
"How…no one has ever blocked my second strike…" the giant said, shocked at Ichigo so causally blocking his attacks.
"Are you done yet?" Ichigo asked almost lazily.
"Not yet…prepare yourself for the Ten Strike Festival!" Jidanbo yelled, brining his blade down on Ichigo again repeatedly, "One, two, three, four, five, seven, nine, eleven, twelve, eight….oh man I've never had to count this high before…but I must have hit ten by now!"
With that, the giant brought his axe down on Ichigo one final time, the blast breaking the wall and blinding the other Ryoka. When the smoke cleared, Ichigo still stood, calmly holding Zangetsu beside him like nothing had happened.
"It's my turn now Jidanbo," Ichigo said, raising his blade.
"No wait! You haven't seen my ultimate attack yet!" Jidanbo yelled, pulling out another axe.
In response to that, Ichigo pulled out Shirayuki, "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki.
And for the very first time, Ichigo was holding both of his Zanpaku-to's released forms at once, the meat cleaver of Zangetsu beside the pure white masterpiece that was Shirayuki. Jidanbo couldn't believe his eyes, but he brought his axes down nonetheless. Ichigo just lazily brought his own blades up in response, the twin Zanpaku-to shattering the gatekeeper's axe's blades.
Jidanbo fell to the ground, leaving Ichigo still standing and re-sealing and sheathing his blades.
"That was easier than I thought it would be…I've heard of Jidanbo before and the rumors made him out to be stronger than he actually is," Shirayuki said.
"{I have to agree with her Ichigo…that was too easy,}" Zangetsu added.
"Wow Ichigo…that was amazing!" Orihime said, running up with Chad, leaving a bemused Uryu and Yoruichi behind.
"Really…it wasn't that hard you know," Ichigo said back, scowling a little as he saw Jidanbo getting back to his feet.
"Phew…you surprised me there kid, I fell on my back. What did you think you knocked me out? Don't get cocky, all I need is one more blow with my axes and I will…wait…my axes!" Jidanbo yelled, noticing his broken weapons and starting to cry.
Ichigo felt a little sorry for the giant and walked up to him, "Oh come on man, don't cry I'm sorry I had to break your axes…I probably should have left one intact…"
Jidanbo looked up with tear filled eyes to Ichigo, and said, "You are so nice…you have beaten me as a warrior and a man. I am in your debt Ichigo Kurosaki. I will open the gate for you now."
"Really, but isn't that against the rules?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes, but you beat me, so as a gatekeeper it is only to be expected that I open the gate for you," Jidanbo said opening the gate, only to stop and start stuttering in fear, after his arm was blasted off.
"What is it big guy? Is there someone on the other side who did that?" Ichigo yelled angrily walking past Jidanbo.
Ichigo saw a man in a white Haori walking up, obviously terrifying Jidanbo.
"Who is that…and why is he scaring Jidanbo so bad…and why did he cut his arm off?" Ichigo asked Shirayuki.
"That is Gin Ichimaru…the Captain of Squad 3. My mistress has always felt horrible around that man…he seemed to be like a snake trying to suffocate her. I am itching to fight him honestly, to make up for Rukia's fears," Shirayuki said, real venom in her voice for the first time since Ichigo had started talking to her…and it scared him a little…even if he wouldn't admit it.
"Gin Ichimaru…the Captain of Squad 3," Jidanbo said, obviously terrified of Gin.
"Now now, what do we have here? A gatekeeper isn't supposed to open a gate," Gin said, walking up to the bleeding giant and the orange haired Reaper.
"I was defeated, it is expected of a gatekeeper to open the gate in that case," Jidanbo shakily said, holding up the gate with one arm somehow.
"Gin Ichimaru…Ichigo get out of there you can't fight him!" Yoruichi yelled.
"A gatekeeper who loses is expected to die in the fight," Gin said, ignoring Yoruichi and raising his Zanpaku-to, only for Ichigo to jump forward and attack him with Zangetsu.
"Hey you pompous idiot, what gives you the right to attack a defenseless giant like that!" Ichigo yelled, jumping back slightly.
"Ichigo get out of there! He is too strong for you!" Yoruichi yelled again.
Ichigo…Ichigo Kurosaki…orange hair, a blade as tall as he is…yes it is him, Gin thought, turning around.
"Come on Yoruichi I can take him! And where are you going you coward? Are you going to throw that short sword at me?" Ichigo asked, watching Gin walk off.
"Short sword? No this is my Zanpaku-to and I'm not going to throw it at you, Spear him, Shinso," Gin said, his blade extending and hitting Ichigo who just barely raised Zangetsu in time to take the hit, but still knocking both him and Jidanbo away from the gate, letting it fall back down.
"Bye, bye," Gin said cheerfully waving at the group as the gate fell.
"Ichigo!" the group yelled, running to see if their friend was okay.
"OW!" Ichigo yelled, jumping up and shocking his friends.
"Are you okay Ichigo?" Orihime asked.
"Yeah I'm fine, just heal Jidanbo, he needs it more," Ichigo answered, looking at the hole in Zangetsu's blade.
"Man that hut Ichigo…don't try that again. And trust me, that hurt Zangetsu more than it hurt you," Shirayuki said.
"Really…I'm sorry Zangetsu," Ichigo said.
"{Don't worry about it Ichigo, it is my job to protect you after all,}" Zangetsu replied.
Ichigo nodded absently, before seeing some souls walking up to them.
"Oh boy…this could be a problem if they want to fight," Ichigo said, bringing up the sealed Shirayuki to give the damaged Zangetsu a break.
"Thank you for helping Jidanbo!" one of the souls yelled, the rest bowing at Ichigo.
"Huh…" the Ryoka group said, not believing their ears.
Squad 6 Barracks~
"Come to take me to my new cell Renji?" Rukia asked lightly as she saw the redhead walking into her cell.
"Yes, you are to be taken to the Repentance Cell to wait for your execution in 14 days," Renji answered, wondering what had gotten into Rukia.
He could still remember the first time he had visited her, and how broken she had been because of the carrot-top's death. But every other time he had visited his friend since; Rukia had been in a remarkably good mood. Renji wasn't sure what had gotten into her…but seeing her so happy made him happy, and hope that they could still overturn the ruling somehow.
"Okay then, lead the way Renji," Rukia said, knowing that Ichigo would be on his way to rescue her…he had told her himself that he was coming soon.
Rukia followed Renji to the tower, noticing that the Sereitai was unusually busy, but thinking nothing off it, after all she hadn't seen the main part of it for months. Once they reached the cell, Rukia had the bonds on her arms cleared, and prepared to be left alone again. But Renji grabbed her arm and whispered in the young Kuchiki's ear, "I have some news for you Rukia…a group of Ryoka were sighted in west Rukongai. One of them had orange hair and a sword as long as he is tall."
Rukia spun around, looking extremely shocked…even if she wasn't.
Rukongai~
"We can't thank you enough for saving Jidanbo. No Soul Reaper would have stood up to Ichimaru like that," one of the various souls, said to Ichigo.
"Your welcome…I just couldn't leave him there," Ichigo replied before walking into the building.
"So elder, can you tell me where Kukkaku Shiba is living right now?" Yoruichi asked, prompting Shirayuki to yell in Ichigo's head.
"Kukkaku…SHIBA! Ichigo we have to find this person!" the spirit yelled.
"Whoa what was that about Shirayuki? What is so important about this Shiba person?" Ichigo asked, wincing slightly about the noise echoing in his head.
"Shiba is the last name of Rukia's former Lieutenant…and he looked just like you almost. That must be one of his relatives…we need to talk to them. They might be willing to help," Shirayuki said, not knowing what exactly the Shiba's felt about Rukia…even if she worried somewhat about it she thought they would help in Kaien's name if nothing else.
"Really…okay then, I'll make sure we find them," Ichigo answered, just as a large man battered the door down!
A/N: Phew...I think that center part was the single longest section I have ever written (without breaking it up). Hopefully I can have another chapter out soon, depends on reviews since that is where I get my inspiration from.
Ichigo: Ow my head...where is that idiot, I'm going to kill him (looks around and only see's Rukia filing her nails).
Rukia: Oh really, good luck catching him, he left as soon as you started moving.
Ichigo: DARN IT!
A/N from secret building: Well that was fun, please review so I know how the chapter worked.
Kenpachi: FIGHT ME!
A/N: HOW THE HECK DID YOU GET HERE! (sounds of swords clashing can be heard in the distance).
Byakuya: So uncivilized (goes back to drinking his tea as screams come from the distance).
