I'm back again with another update. I plan to keep them coming until I reach about 100k words, and then I'll level them out a bit more. Maybe limit myself to one update every week or two. I've kept an eye on the polls and it still seems as though I'll be adding Rangiku to Ichigo's harem and having him sleep with woman not part of his harem.
A few things, one, I've got a six page paper to type for my composition II class, so I probably won't be able to get back to working on this story till late Sunday or starting on Monday. What I find funny though, is that I hate having to do writing like that, and yet, I can bring myself to type over 60 pages in under two weeks, but can't do a six page paper in over a month. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the essay is completely stupid and my time would be better spent watching the grass grow.
Second, I love reading everyone's reviews and if you ask a direct question, I will get back to you, likely in 30 minuets or so. Those people that have sent me PM's or asked a question in reviews know what I'm talking about.
Third, I'm trying to find a cover art image for this fic, but I can't find a good one. I'm trying to find one that shows Ichigo using the Final Getsuga Tensho or something surrounded by Halibel, Rangiku(If the polls stay the way they are), Neliel, and Yoruichi. So, if anyone finds a good picture, let me know how ever you want.
Lastly, I try to throw a little comedy in every once and a while, so although this story isn't listed as comedy, just know that I try to throw in it in there every now and then. Laughter is the best medicine for the soul and all that.
Chapter 6
"Regular Speech"
"Thoughts"
"Hollow Speech"
Techniques
Ichigo was on his way home after his breakthrough in connecting with his hollow and subsequent mastery of the garganta. Hichigo had been right; it was all instinctual. He had just done what felt right and within and hour, he had been able to open any sized garganta he wanted.
Looking around himself, Ichigo watched cars going by, off to wherever the people within them were heading. Regular people just dong regular things, he noted. He knew he could just teleport home and be done with it, but he didn't want to miss moments like this when he could just reconnect with everything around him. Now that he knew the truth about what lay beyond the human world and the constant run-ins this world had with it, he was amazed that people here were able to live in complete ignorance of it.
Shaking his head, he said, "The Seireitei certainly knows how to do it's job."
Continuing on his way, Ichigo stopped when he felt a garganta open somewhere close to the park. Sensing a weak hollow signature spawn from it, he decided he didn't really need to be home at the moment and that he could do with a light work out. Ichigo set off to the location at a swift trot, feeling lucky that he had left his body at home when he came to visit Urahara earlier in the morning.
Ichigo grew curious as he got closer to the park and subsequently the hollow. The hollow in question hadn't moved from the spot it had spawned from and it's already outrageously weak reiryoku signature was getting weaker as the minuets crept by. He had originally assumed it to be a foolhardy newborn hollow testing out it's strength, but now he was leaning more towards it being an injured hollow that had fled to the living world to escape death by some other hollow's hand. From what he felt now though, it wouldn't survive much longer anyway. He'd be sure to put it out of its misery quickly when he reached it.
As Ichigo approached the area where he felt the hollow's reiryoku signature, he felt a sense of foreboding. It felt as if the strings of fate had been struck and that what he was about to do would not only affect the rest of his life, but the lives of everyone he knew also.
Approaching much more carefully now, he even felt Hichigo and Zangetsu paying strict attention, as if they too could feel destiny at work.
Nothing he did could have prepared him for what he found when he entered the clearing. Laying motionless on the ground was an arrancar he didn't recognize. She was gravely injured, much of her body covered in what appeared to be her own blood, with a broken sword next to her. From what he could see, her mask had covered her upper breasts and lower face, but whatever had happened to her had broken much of it off and shredded whatever clothing she may have been wearing, leaving most her body majorly nude.
In any other circumstances, Ichigo might have been embarrassed at seeing a nude woman, but in this instance, he didn't think even his hollow could fault him.
The arrancar on the ground weakly opened her startling green eyes to look at the soul reaper who had found her. She had hoped someone would find her quickly and put her out of her misery. She had been struggling to survive for over two days now, fighting desperately with her own diminishing strength. When she had been forced to flee to the human world to escape a small pack of hollows, she had been forced to crawl to the exit of her garganta, lacking even the strength to stand. It had taken the very last of her strength just to pull herself out from the exit. Now though, she just wanted to rest, to finally let go and close her eyes.
"Don't talk like that Tia. If you give up, that means I have to give up too. Were partners remember. You can't just quit on me," said Tiburon worriedly, her own strength nigh nonexistent at this point, all energies being spent on keeping Tia alive.
"I'm sorry, Tiburon, but I don't even have the strength to lift my head and look at the soul reaper in front of me properly. I'm also sorry that I'll never be able to avenge Sung-Sun, Mila Rose, and Apacchi, for what Aizen led them to, and for what he did to me," thought Tia, a single tear clouding her already foggy vision before escaping and running down her face, into the dirt.
Ichigo had killed hundreds of hollows before easily and without preamble, but he'd never actually killed something that looked so human before. His resolve already weakened by how broken this woman looked, completely shattered upon seeing the tear run down her face. He may end up regretting it later, but he could never hurt someone who was already so damaged.
Tia saw the soul reaper step forward as she prepared for her end, slowly closing her eyes for what she thought would be the final time. When she didn't feel her life end, she mustered her strength and opened her eyes. She was surprised when felt the soul reaper pick her up and start carrying her, holding her close to his chest, his warmth slowly permeating her body.
It was only then that she realized just how cold she'd been. The hollows she had faced in Hueco Mundo had destroyed most of her mask and clothing, opening her nude body to the cold air of Hueco Mundo. That coupled with severe blood loss had greatly reduced her bodies temperature and if blood loss didn't kill her first, hypothermia would.
She didn't know what this soul reaper was doing carrying her instead of just finishing her off, but it would hardly matter anyway seeing as she wouldn't be able to resist either way. Instead, she let herself fall into blissful unconsciousness, protected from the cold by this odd soul reaper.
When Ichigo had finally made up his mind, he slowly stepped up to the fallen arrancar, weary of any tricks. He kneeled down and scooped her up into his arms. Ichigo immediately noticed how cold she was. He instinctively held her closer to his chest, trying to warm her cold body.
Making sure he had her, Ichigo set off to Urahara's shop, running as fast as he could without harming his charge anymore than she already was, not wanting to risk teleportation in her fragile condition.
At the speed he was going, he was certain he'd get to Urahara's within the next minute or so, but he wasn't so sure the arrancar he was carrying would make that long. The act of moving the wounded hollow had reopened several of her wounds, coating his hands in her blood and causing her already pale face to begin losing what little color it had left.
Ichigo was beginning to panic; he could feel her heartbeat beginning to slow as her body began shutting down. If only he had learned some form of healing kido, then maybe he could have stabilized her enough to make it to Urahara. It was times like this when he felt truly helpless. It was times kike this he wished he was like Orihime with the power to heal people by returning them to when they were healthy.
Ichigo persevered though, dead set on getting to Urahara's as fast as he could without killing the arrancar. So dead set was he, that he didn't notice when his hands began to glow a silvery gray color that spread across the arrancar's form.
Ichigo landed on Urahara's doorstep and quickly hammered on the door.
"Urahara!" he called out frantically.
Opening the door a moment later, Urahara looked out and saw Ichigo carrying an unconscious arrancar.
Immediately judging the situation, Urahara said, "Come in."
Entering the room quickly, Ichigo watched as Urahara quickly shut and locked the door before turning and asking.
"Might I ask why you brought an arrancar to my home, Ichigo?"
"Isn't it obvious, Kisuke, she's injured," Ichigo, wondering if the man was blind.
Looking at him oddly, Urahara said, "Injuries?"
"Yes, injuries, can't you see all the blood I'm covered in?" asked Ichigo, irritated.
Nodding, Urahara said, "Yes, I see the blood, but what I don't see is the injuries. Look for yourself."
Obliging the shopkeeper, Ichigo was shocked when he didn't see any hint of the wounds that had covered body moments before. Even her clothes had been restored, leaving her wearing an odd type of jacket that unzipped from the bottom and a long skirt that went down to her feet. In fact, the only sign that she had been injured in the first place was the blood that stained Ichigo's hands.
"What?" asked Ichigo, at a loss as to what had happened.
"Hmm. You say she was wounded, but for whatever the reason, she's now completely healed. Did anything odd happen on you r way here?" asked Urahara, looking at Ichigo expectantly.
Thinking for a moment, Ichigo said, "No, I don't think so. All I did was pick her up where I found her in the park and hurried here as fast as I could without harming her more than she already was. I would've teleported, but I didn't want to risk with her in such a fragile condition," answered Ichigo.
"That's probably for the best, but I do have to ask, how did you find your friend here?" asked Urahara.
"I found her when I was walking home. I sensed a garganta open and what I thought was a low level hollow come out of it. I, of course, headed over to deal with it. Originally, I thought it was just a newborn hollow that had grown arrogant in its own power, but as I got closer to it, I noticed that it never moved from where it came out of the garganta and that its reiryoku levels were dropping rapidly. I figured then that it must have been an injured hollow that had fled from Hueco Mundo, in which case I'd just put it out of its misery. When I got there though, I saw her lying there, near death. Her mask had been shattered and her clothing shredded, showing the massive stab and slash wounds covering her body. I couldn't find it in myself to kill her, so I picked her up and carried her here," explained Ichigo.
"Wait, did you say that her clothes were shredded?" asked Urahara, narrowing his eyes in thought.
"Ya, what about it?" answered Ichigo, confused as to the significance of such information.
"Look at her; her clothing is repaired also. Healing doesn't do that. Whatever healed her also reversed the damage done to her clothes, and I can only think of one thing that would do that," hinted Urahara.
Widening his eyes in realization, Ichigo said, "Orihime's powers."
"Exactly,: said Urahara, pleased his student figured it out.
"But wait," said Ichigo, shaking his head. "Orihime didn't heal her. I came right here when I picked her up."
"Yes, but don't you remember what I said about you developing more abilities?" asked Urahara .
"Ya, of course I do, but do you really think it's possible I developed Orihime's powers," answered Ichigo.
"Well, it's the only feasible solution. Tell me, did you feel any different when you were coming here?" asked Urahara once again.
Contemplating, Ichigo said, "I'm not sure. When I was about a minute or so away, I started to panic because I felt her heartbeat beginning to slow. Do you think that could have done it?" asked Ichigo.
"It's very possible. Souls develop the most when under stress of some sort and your feelings of desperation could have very well awakened the ability to regress time around an area," explained Urahara.
"I still don't understand how that could be true. I mean, I think I would have noticed if I started healing her," said Ichigo, still not believing.
"Well, lets test shall we," said Urahara before grabbing a teacup he had been drinking from earlier and threw it to the ground, shattering it into dozens of pieces.
"I want you to focus on those feelings of desperation you felt when you were bringing the arrancar here. Focus on them and try to reverse the damage done to my cup," instructed Urahara.
Nodding, Ichigo moved closer to the cup and concentrated, focusing on the feelings of desperation an helplessness he had felt when bringing the arrancar to Urahara. He let it fill him up before forcing it outward, causing a silvery gray aura to bloom over his hands. Reigning in his surprise, Ichigo willed the odd energy to flow over the broken cup, making a light, swirling silvery field cover the teacup and its surrounding area.
Urahara watched in smug satisfaction as the teacup he had just broke, repaired itself in just moments, much faster than even Orihime's rejection powers.
When Ichigo finished, he allowed the energy to dissipate, the teacup now being as immaculate as it was before Urahara broke it.
Sighing, Ichigo said, "Alright, so you were right, big deal."
"Yes, and you were wrong; don't forget to mention that part," said Urahara, grinning.
"Psh," scoffed Ichigo. "I guess since she'll be okay, we should just wait until she wakes up to question her," suggested Ichigo.
"Yeah, that's fine. While were waiting, we can test the limits of your new ability," said Urahara, getting up and walking to the door.
Several Hours Later:
Several hours later, Ichigo who had stayed in the room with the arrancar, noticed her start to stir.
During the time Ichigo had been sitting, he had been practicing and testing the limits of his new rejection powers. Actually, rejection may not have been the best term. The biggest thing they had discovered about his new powers had been that they wasn't confined to just reversing an object through time, but also accelerating it, reducing it to dust.
Urahara had been ecstatic when Ichigo told him. He had made him begin experimenting by accelerating the spoilage of an old apple, causing it to rot almost immediately. And just to confirm, Urahara then had him, once gaining a little more control, accelerate a video camera set to record. The battery in it had died immediately, but upon checking, there was over 24 hours worth of video recorded.
It had been this test that proved without room for debate, that Ichigo's new powers altered the very essence of time in a set space instead of just causing decay like the second Espada or rejecting an occurrence like Orihime.
In the end, it turned out that though he had the power, he lacked the control to use it effectively. He had gotten lucky when he healed the wounded arrancar. If he had messed up even a little, he could have accidentally forced her body to regress too far or perhaps even forced her to devolve. The same was true for his acceleration powers. If he wasn't careful, he would force whatever he used it on to age until it turned to dust.
He had also learned the limits of his power. Urahara had said that with enough practice and control he could possibly even stop time in an area by regressing time only enough to halt its current flow, essentially canceling it out, but no more than that. Doing something like this obviously required the epitome of control, something which he sorely lacked. Alongside that, the area his power could influence was extremely small, hardly a foot in width. This; however, was the easiest to mend as with every use of his new powers, his area of influence grew.
Now though, Ichigo watched the arrancar slowly shift into wakefulness.
When Halibel regained consciousness, she spent a few moments regaining her bearings. She felt she was lying on something soft, a couch maybe. She also felt very much alive. She clenched her fist tightly. If she was alive, that meant who ever had saved her must want something from her. She then slowly sat up, looking around the room before focusing on the only person in the room, an orange haired teen.
Ichigo didn't react when she slowly sat up and looked at him with a calculative glare.
"Why am I alive?" asked the as of yet unnamed arrancar.
"I saved you," answered Ichigo. If she was anything like what she seemed from just the few seconds he had known her, she would want short and to the point answers.
Narrowing her eyes, Halibel asked emotionlessly, "Why?"
"Because I couldn't find it in myself to kill you. You looked like you had suffered enough and I couldn't bring myself to hurt you further, so I saved you," answered Ichigo, just as emotionless.
"You are a soul reaper. Why could you not kill me, a hollow?" she asked, this time in puzzlement.
Sighing, Ichigo answered, "Because I know not all hollows are bad. I've met some that are very kind even if a bit, uh, shall we say, enthusiastic," he said, thinking of a small green haired arrancar he had once helped.
Halibel's eyes rose slightly in surprise, after all, it wasn't everyday that you met a soul reaper who didn't believe all hollows to be soul devouring monsters. Then speaking, said, "You're not a normal soul reaper, are you?"
Smirking, Ichigo said, "Far from it."
It was at this time that the sliding door opened and Urahara steppe din carrying three cups of tea.
"Ah, I see our friend here has finally woken up," he said.
Halibel was immediately on guard at the unexpected stranger, but seeing the still unnamed soul reaper not react, relaxed slightly. If they wanted her dead, they would've already done it.
Offering everyone a cup, Urahara sat down with his own cup and asked, "So, who are you?"
Bringing her own tea down from her mouth, Halibel answered, "I am Tia Halibel, the former tercera Espada."
This caused more than a few raised eyebrows. Ichigo spit out the tea he had been drinking and Urahara looked at Ichigo and said, "Well, Ichigo, you certainly know how to keep things interesting around here."
"Wait," said Halibel. "Ichigo as in Ichigo Kurosaki, the human soul reaper?" she asked, curious.
"Yeah, that's me," answered Ichigo. "Why?" he asked wearily.
Looking at the soul reaper with newfound interest, Halibel couldn't see what had made him so interesting to Aizen. Answering she said, "Aizen spoke about you often. I also felt when you fought the sixth Espada in Hueco Mundo. I must say, I was expecting, more."
Growing a tick mark, Ichigo said, "Hey, you don't even know me yet."
Snickering behind his fan, Urahara added, "Oh, I don't know, Ichigo. I know you and I can say that you're nothing special. In fact, you're the epitome of ordinary. Nothing interesting ever seems to happen around you."
"Shut up, Hat-an-Clogs," shouted back Ichigo, irritated.
Halibel was confused at their childish antics, weren't they at all concerned that a potentially powerful enemy was sitting right across form them.
Clearing her throat, Halibel got the attention of the two soul reapers, stopping their bickering.
"What do you want from me?" she asked, trying to get back on track.
"Well, how you ended up injured like that would be a good start," supplied Urahara.
Nodding, Halibel said, "A little over two days ago, I fought a young captain by the name of Toshiro Hitsugaya. We fought hard, but in the end he defeated me. I was revived later, but Aizen intervened as we were about to begin fighting again and betrayed me by slashing me across my chest. When the battle ended, I managed to open a garganta and retreat to Hueco Mundo. I planned to go there and heal, but upon arriving, I spent the next two days fighting for my life as a seemingly endless number of hollows attacked me at every turn.
"Over the course of those two days, my wounds only grew and my strength only dropped. During the battles, they managed to shred my clothing and break most of my mask, depleting what little of my strength remained. Earlier today, I was fighting off even more hollows when my zanpakuto, Tiburon, broke. Now without my weapon, I used what was left of my strength and opened a garganta. I was then forced to crawl to the exit where I fell out into the wooded area you found me in," she finished.
Neither Urahara or Ichigo were smiling at the end of her story, both remaining impassive until Urahara said, "You must have very strong life force to have survived through so much. I saw the blood covering Ichigo when he brought you to me, any other person would've been dead long before."
Halibel simply nodded, accepting the compliment.
"What will you do now?" asked Ichigo.
Halibel was contemplative for a moment before answering, "I don't know. I suppose I'll go back to Hueco Mundo and try to forget everything that's happened."
"I wouldn't advise that at the moment," interjected Urahara. "The Seireitei is still policing Hueco Mundo for any of Aizen's remaining forces. If they were to find you, I can guarantee they'd send at least two captains to find and finish you. I don't mean to insult your strength, but Captain Hitsugaya is not only the youngest and most inexperienced captain, but also one of the weakest."
Halibel frowned, "Where am I to go then if not Hueco Mundo? I can't possibly stay in the living world and going to Soul Society is suicide," she asked.
Sighing, Urahara said, "I'd offer to let you stay here until things in Hueco Mundo calmed down, but I deal with soul reapers daily and I might not be able to hide you for long with company like that."
"She can stay with me," supplied Ichigo.
Halibel was surprised at this, not only did this soul reaper save her life, but now he was willing to offer her a place to stay. This soul reaper really was odd.
"Well, since that's decided, I'll go grab a gigai for her to use. I'll just need to adjust it a little to accommodate her being an arrancar," said Urahara happily.
Halibel didn't know what a gigai was, but she didn't really care at the moment, instead she stared at the soul reaper in front of her, trying to figure him out.
When Urahara had left the room, she spoke, "Why are you doing this for me? I was your enemy?"
Shrugging, Ichigo said, "You needed help. What kind of person would I be if I didn't help a person in need?"
"I am grateful for your generosity, but in Hueco Mundo, a person rarely does anything out of the goodness of their hearts." stated Halibel.
Frowning, Ichigo answered, "I don't know what it was like growing up in Hueco Mundo, but here, I had the power to save you and now I have the chance to help you; I don't need any other reason than that."
Frowning, but accepting his answer for now as she could detect no lie, she asked "What happened to Aizen?"
"He was defeated." said Ichigo simply.
"By whom?" she pressed.
"Why?
"Aizen betrayed both myself and the other Espada, leading us to battle against the enemy and then betraying us; I can't let that go. As he has already been defeated, I will satisfy my need for vengeance by killing the man who stole his death from me," Halibel answered calmly.
Ichigo stiffened and said, "But how's that fair?"
"I don't understand?" said Halibel, just as calmly.
Gritting his teeth, Ichigo clarified, "I meant, how's it fair for you to kill a n innocent man for doing what he had to? The man that defeated Aizen didn't have any choice in the matter. Aizen had defeated the entire Court Guard Squads and he was the only one left able stop him. If he hadn't defeated him then Aizen would've won and killed the Soul King, taking over for him and becoming a tyrant."
Halibel frowned and said, "Regardless, I must at the very least fight him. I have to know how large the gap between Aizen's power and my own really was."
Relaxing, Ichigo said, "That can be arranged."
Raising an eyebrow elegantly, Halibel asked, "How so?"
Ichigo answered, "Because I'm the one that defeated Aizen."
Halibel was shocked, this young man had defeated the one enemy that even the Seireitei couldn't. No, it couldn't be true.
"Prove it," she said, glaring.
"What?" asked Ichigo, confused.
"You heard me. I want you to prove it. Show me the power that defeated Aizen when even the Court Guard Squads combined couldn't. I sense that you're easily at the level of one of the soul reaper captains, but it would take much more than that to defeat Aizen when no one else could," she demanded.
Remaining emotionless, Ichigo said, "You don't want me to do that."
Glaring, she said, "Yes, I do. I have to know how you, a mere human, could have gained the strength to kill someone so powerful."
Most people would say that Ichigo was as thick as a brick when it came to reading people or picking up on people's feelings, and maybe in someways he was, but the truth was, he could be very perceptive when the time called for it. And right now, as he studied Halibel, he could see that she didn't want to feel his power just so she could measure her own, no, she wanted to feel his power so that she could know how much she had failed by.
Ichigo relented. "Alright, I'll show you, but will you at least tell me why?"
Halibel stiffened. "What do you mean?"
Looking her in the eyes, Ichigo said, "I know that look in your eyes. You failed to protect something didn't you and you want to know how much you failed by, right?"
Halibel flinched, she hadn't expected the soul reaper to be that perceptive. She said coldly, "It's none of you concern. Now show me."
Ichigo sighed as he let out a small amount of his spiritual pressure, slightly more than when Rukia had asked for him to show her. Halibel was immediately floored. Her body crumbled under the weight of his spiritual pressure, forcing it down, onto her stomach.
She struggled to push herself off from the ground and look up at Ichigo who was looking down at her sympathetically. A million thoughts went through her head as she did this. How was this possible, a human had forced her to her knees without the slightest effort. Was this all her power amounted to, being forced to kneel before a young human boy. If this was truly the power that Aizen had possessed then she would've have never won. He would've crushed her as easily as she would an ant.
She looked at Ichigo and croaked, "How?"
Ichigo let up on his pressure,, allowing Halibel the chance to shakily get to her feet and sit back down on the couch. Speaking, he said, "I had to make a sacrifice and this was the unexpected result.
Narrowing her eyes in confusion, Halibel said, "I don't understand."
Ichigo nodded and said, "When I fought Aizen, he had gained a whole new level of power thanks to his merging with the hogyoku. The power you just felt form me is nothing compared to the power that Aizen had when we fought. His power had ascended to heights such that no one beneath his level of reiryoku could even sense him. Because of this, I was forced to use a secret sacrificial technique known as the Final Getsuga Tensho in order to defeat him."
"What did you have to sacrifice?" asked Halibel softly. If what Ichigo was saying was true, then power like that couldn't have been free.
Ichigo gave a humorless smile and said, "The Final Getsuga Tensho gave me more power than you can possibly imagine, but at a cost. In order to use the technique, I would have to sacrifice my soul reaper powers and become a normal human again. I would have to give up all the friends I had made in Soul Society and return to living a normal life in the living world."
Halibel's respect for the soul reaper in front of her grew significantly. When she was an Espada, her aspect of death had been sacrifice and even now, she greatly respected those who would willingly give themselves to protect something important.
Speaking, she asked, "So, you sacrificed yourself even though it wasn't your duty?"
"No, it was my duty," said Ichigo firmly. "If I had stood by and allowed Aizen to win, he would have killed not only my entire town, but also my family. I would have sooner died than let him do that. If the price was returning to a human life, then I would do it."
Ichigo's words stirred something in Halibel. Here was a boy, not even a man yet, willing to lay down his life for what he loved, something she greatly respected him for. She felt she could truly relate to this boy through their shared ideals. But before Halibel could communicate these feelings to Ichigo, the door opened and Urahara stepped back inside carrying a humanoid body.
"Alright Miss Halibel, all I need you to do is come with me and push your reiryoku into this. Doing that will transform this gigai into your likeness and allow you to enter it. Something you should note; however, is that I've modified this gigai to accommodate your hollow reiryoku and suppress it. While wearing it, you won't be able to access any of your powers, okay," explained Urahara.
Recomposing herself, Halibel merely nodded and followed Urahara out the room, leaving Ichigo alone.
When Halibel and Urahara reentered the room, Ichigo was gobsmacked. Halibel was wearing an extremely tight t-shirt that looked ready to burst from trying to contain her massive breasts coupled with an even tighter pair of jeans that hugged her body like a second skin. Alongside that, she had two lighting bolt shaped marks on her cheeks and her hair which had previously had three pony tails in it, now had a wilder look.
"What the hell, Kisuke?" asked Ichigo, trying to stem his nose bleed.
Urahara grinned perversely and said, "Hey, don't blame me. I didn't have any clothes that would fit her, so I got some from Yoruichi after I explained the situation to her. She even picked them out when I told her it was for you."
Ichigo glared at the shopkeeper before turning to Halibel who looked decidedly uncomfortable.
"What's wrong," he asked.
"Nothing, it's just that this 'gigai' as you said it was called, is more restrictive than I thought," she answered.
Ichigo grinned sheepishly and said, "Ya, after you've been a spirit for a while, it can feel really limiting when you get into a gigai or in my case, a body."
Halibel nodded and asked, "Can we go now?"
"Ya, lets go," said Ichigo, getting up. "Kisuke, is there anything we need to know before we go?" asked Ichigo.
Urahara thought for a moment before saying to Halibel, "Well, you should have a backstory. Where were you from in life if you can remember?"
Halibel didn't hesitate when she said, "I'm originally from Hawaii. When I became a hollow; I was one of the lucky few that could recall glimpses of their past."
Nodding, Urahara said with a grin, "Alright, and we'll just say you're an exceptionally well developed 18 year, same as Ichigo. I think that should do for now if people don't prod too much. I'll start making a history for you in case you need to stay here longer than intended."
"That it?" asked Ichigo, ready to get going.
Turning towards him, Urahara said, grinning, "Well, it'd be nice if you took this communicator/camera with you, you know, just in case something happens"
"Not a chance in hell, Hat-an-Clogs," said Ichigo blandly.
"Oh, come one, I've got to get my fun somehow. I want to see your dad when he sees you bring Miss Halibel home," whined Kisuke.
"Oh, damn, you're right, I forgot about dad," cursed Ichigo. "But don't worry, I think I have a plan."
"Does this mean you'll take the camera for when your plan fails?" asked Urahara hopefully.
"No," said Ichigo, stepping out the door with Tia following.
On the Street:
As Ichigo and Tia walked down the street, Tia gave a slight shiver that she then tried to disguise by rolling her shoulders, but Ichigo wasn't fooled.
"Are you cold?" asked Ichigo, concerned, it was still winter after all.
"No, it's just that these clothes don't offer the best insulation. Is this really what human females wear?" she asked.
Frowning, Ichigo said, "Some do, but here, you can wear my coat till we get to my house."
"No, I can't. You'll get cold then," protested Halibel as Ichigo took off his bankai's coat that had somehow become his new uniform, seeing as he could no longer seal his zanpakuto.
"Don't worry; I'm used to this kind of weather, and besides, a soul is a lot more resilient than a body or gigai, you've got to take care of it.," countered Ichigo, handing her his coat.
Halibel would have protested more, but she really was cold and the coat Ichigo offered promised to be warm, so she took it reluctantly, leaving Ichigo in just his black hakama and shitagi.
When Tia put on the coat, she was immediately warmed by Ichigo's remnant body heat.
"Thank you," she said.
"No problem," said Ichigo nonchalantly.
A few more minutes passed in silence before Ichigo said, "There's something I need to tell you before we get to my house."
Tia looked toward him, not speaking, but showing that she was listening.
"My family can be a tad, eccentric, especially my dad. I just want you to know that if they say something insulting or make you uncomfortable in some way, they don't mean it, it's just how they are. My sister Yuzu is a really friendly person and she'll probably immediately start asking you questions and you should just humor her until she gets bored. My other sister, Karin, is more relaxed, she'll probably just give you your space and leave you alone, but my dad, well, lets try not to think about him," said Ichigo, reminiscing.
It was clear to Halibel that Ichigo loved his family dearly and would likely do anything to protect them. It was this that prompted her to say, "You really love them don't you?"
Looking at her, Ichigo said, "Yeah, I'd do anything to keep them safe. If someone were to hurt any of them, I'd hunt them to the ends of the earth and farther."
He didn't say it directly, but Tia understood the warning clear as day, hurt my family and I'll kill you.
When the duo reached Ichigo's house, Ichigo said, "Alright, I want you to stand over hear, out of sight."
Ichigo's entire plan for hiding Tia from his father consisted of her standing just out of sight from anyone just looking out the door. It was obviously foolproof.
When, Ichigo opened the door, it immediately swung open and Isshin came flying out screaming.
"HA, HA, YOU LET YOUR GUARD DOWN!"
As always these days, Ichigo ducked and allowed Isshin to fly over him. What he didn't consider though was that by ducking, he had allowed Isshin a full look at Halibel as he flew by.
As if in slow motion, Ichigo realized his mistake too late and as his dad flew by, he saw the surprise appear on his face before his grin slowly appeared.
"FUCK," cursed Ichigo loudly. "We have to get in now," he said, grabbing Tia's hand and running into the house before Isshin even hit the ground.
"Ichigo, what's wrong?" asked Tia, worried.
"My dad saw you," he said as if that explained everything.
Frowning, Tia asked, "Is he upset that I've come home with you?"
Ichigo snorted and said, "You couldn't be further from the truth."
Just then, from outside, Isshin yelled at the top of his lungs for all the world to hear, "ICHIGO, MY BOY, THE DAY HAS FINALLY ARIVED!"
"Damn, he's starting. Tia, I can't explain everything at this moment, but just trust me," said Ichigo before scooping Tia up bridal style and rushing up to the stairs to his room as Isshin came barging back into the house.
"IT'S FINALLY HAPPENED. THE LONG AWAITED DAY OF PROPHECY HAS COME. MY BOY HAS FINALLY BROUGHT HOME A GIR!"
This latest outburst from Isshin caught the girls attention. Up until now they'd just ignored whatever he'd been shouting about, writing it off as another of his insane rants.
"What, Ichi brought home a girl," said Yuzu, excited at the prospect of having a cooking buddy.
"Oh, this can't be good. I'm getting a headache just imagining the stuff that's going to happen now. I can't even imagine how Ichigo feels about all this," said Karin, rubbing the back of her head and staring at the ceiling.
Speaking of Ichigo, he was pressed up against his door with Tia, struggling to keep Isshin out. They had tried barricading it with Ichigo's dresser, but that only helped slightly. During the whole thing, Ichigo was sweating bullets and Tia was just following Ichigo's lead, more confused than ever, but willing to trust that whatever Ichigo was doing was for the best.
While this was happening Isshin was screaming at the top of his lungs, "I'M SO PROUD, ICHIGO. AFTER SO MANY YEARS OF HOPING, YOU'VE FINALLY FOUND A GIRL."
Looking over at him, Tia asked, "Ichigo, what's happening?"
Looking back at her, Ichigo said, "It's my dad. He's been trying to get me a girlfriend for years, but I kept rejecting them. When he saw you, he probably got the wrong idea and assumed."
Not quire sure what a 'girlfriend' was, Tia none the less said, "Well, why don't you just tell him the truth," she suggested.
Looking at her dubiously, Ichigo said, "It won't work. He's prone to take things out of context or just straight up make things up."
Raising an eyebrow, Tia said, "It can't be that bad."
Sighing, Ichigo said, "Don't say I didn't warn you."
Then taking a breath, Ichigo shouted, "Were not dating you old goat. Tia is just a friend."
"WHAT? YOU'RE ENGAGED! ICHGO, MY SON, YOU'VE MADE ME SO PROUD!"
"NO, I said were NOT dating," yelled back Ichigo, trying to make his dad see sense.
"THE WEDDINGS PLANNED FOR NEXT MONTH! I'LL INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!"
Ichigo then heard Yuzu's voice from somewhere down the hall. "WHAT!?" she yelled. Then sobbing, cried, "NO, ICHI, YOU CAN'T LEAVE; YOU HAVE TO STAY!"
Then looking back at Tia who had simply given up on understanding the situation, said, "I told you."
"SHE'S PREGANT TOO. ICHIGO, YOU WORK SO FAST."
Growing a tick mark, Ichigo hit the door and shouted, "SHUT UP!"
"When will he stop?," asked Halibel.
Thinking thoughtfully for a moment, he said, "That depends. What time is it now?"
Looking at the rising moon, Tia replied, "About 8:00."
"In about eight hours then," he answered definitively.
"What are we going to do then?" asked Tia, still calm.
"Well, I've got an empty two liter bottle, several gallons of water, and enough food to last the two of us for a few weeks if we ration it," answered Ichigo seriously.
Halibel just looked at him and said, "You can't possibly think of a more practical solution?"
"Like what?" he asked.
Sighing, she said, "Such as talking to him."
Ichigo just looked at her as Isshin let out another shout.
"I'VE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY! I CAN SEE MY GRANDCHILLDREN NOW!"
Halibel just sighed and in a resigned voice, asked, "What food do you have?"
"Hm, well, lets see," said Ichigo, getting up and going to his closet.
A moment later Ichigo cursed loudly,"That bastard."
"What is it?" asked Tia, not sure she even wanted to know.
"That bastard took it all. The food, the water, he even took the bottle. There's nothing left," said Ichigo dejectedly.
Paling, Tia said, "You mean we'll have to..."
"Yes," said Ichigo sadly. "We'll have to resort to cannibalism."
Growing a tick mark, Tia said, "I meant we would have to face your dad, not start eating each other."
"Oh," said Ichigo, disappointed, but not protesting.
Slowly, the two deconstructed their barricade and opened the door.
The first thing Ichigo noticed was his crate full of supplies sitting right behind his dad. Ichigo glared.
"ICHIGO!" screamed Yuzu, running and hugging his legs. "YOU CAN'T LEAVE. YOU HAVE TO STAY!" she cried.
Ichigo was glaring at his dad who seemed to be perfectly content watching his son squirm.
"You're a dead man walking," he said.
"Ah, now don't be like that. Can't a father be happy his son brought home a girl," replied Isshin cheekily.
Gritting his teeth, Ichigo said, "Not when he knows I'm not dating them."
Ichigo was well aware that his dad was only about 9/10ths as stupid as he looked and knew that he wasn't dating Tia, but how could he pass up this chance to torment him.
"WHAT?! YOU'RE NOT DATING," yelled Isshin loudly, deciding his son had had enough and that it was time to get some answers.
Looking up at Ichigo with teary, puppy dog eyes, Yuzu said, "You're not leaving?"
"No, I'm not leaving," said Ichigo, managing to hide his irritation and tousling her hair.
Sniffling, Yuzu said, "Promise."
Sighing, Ichigo said, "Yes," causing Yuzu to let go of his legs.
"Well, this was fun, but maybe we could go down to dinner and talk," said Ichigo, trying to move things along and get the worst over with.
At the table:
Ichigo, Tia, and the rest of the Kurosaki family sat around the dinner table, eating what Yuzu had made quietly. An awkward silence had fallen over the table seeing as no one knew where to start or what questions to ask until Ichigo snapped.
"Alright, someone needs to say something. This awkward silence has to end."
"Well, it's good someone finally noticed," said Karin, putting down her own fork loudly.
"Oh, Ichigo, what's your friend's name," asked Yuzu excitedly.
"My name is Tia Halibel," answered Tia calmly, inside though, she had been extremely uncomfortable during the extended silence and was happy that they were finally talking.
Isshin quirked an eyebrow at this particular bit of information.
"You certainly know how to pick'em, Ichigo," he said teasingly, but having a question in his eyes.
Noticing his father's eyes, Ichigo said, "Yeah, I'll explain later."
"Explain about what?" asked Yuzu, curiously
"Nothing, sweetheart," said Isshin, patting Yuzu on the head.
"Where are you from?" asked Karin, noticing her exotic look.
"I'm originally from Hawaii," said Tia, truthfully.
"Wow, how did you an Ichigo meet?" asked Yuzu.
Knowing they didn't have a plausible answer for that yet, Ichigo intervened, "I met her as I was passing the airport. She came over to study abroad, but the hotel she was going to stay at canceled on her, so I offered her a place to stay here."
"What are you studying?" asked Karin.
"Now, now," said Isshin. "Don't ask all your questions now or you won't have any for later. Now why don't you two go up and get ready for bed."
After the twins had gone up, Ichigo turned to his dad who now had a serious face.
"Thanks for that. We don't have all our answers planned out yet."
"No problem," said Isshin calmly. "So, mind telling how you two actually met. After all, it's not everyday you meet the third Espada."
Tia flinched at this. Had she already been found out; were they going to try and kill her after all? Tia was slowly starting to panic before she felt Ichigo grab her hand. She looked at him as he said.
"You don't need to worry, my dad's a soul reaper too. It's only natural that he''d recognize you," he said, trying to calm her nerves.
Turning back to Isshin who simply waited for their response, Tia said "Former third Espada. Aizen betrayed me and left me to die. I escaped to Hueco Mundo, but had to flee here to avoid being killed by other hollows. Ichigo found me on the verge of death and he saved me."
Isshin grinned slightly and said, "It's good to know I didn't raise a killer, but I need to know, what do you plan to do now?"
Looking downward in thought, Tia said, "I'm not sure. When I awoke, I planned to go back to Hueco Mundo when my strength returned, but a man in a hat said that soul reapers were policing it. Ichigo then offered me a place to stay. I haven't thought much beyond that really."
"Well, you're welcome to stay here as long as you need to. The only thing you should know is that my daughters are oblivious to anything having to do with spirits. I'd like to keep it that way a little while longer, so try to hide who you really are from them until I tell them the truth," said Isshin happily.
Halibel nodded as Ichigo said, "Tia, you can go up to my room, I'll be up there in a minute; I just need to talk to my dad real quick."
After Tia had left, Isshin asked seriously, "You know the consequences of protecting her right?"
Ichigo nodded, "I know, but I couldn't just leave her there. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I just stood by and let her die. She told you a watered down version of how she ended up in the living world. When I found her, she should've already been dead. She was bleeding from almost every spot on her body and her mask had been all but shattered. If I hadn't discovered how to heal her, she would've been dead before I got to Kisuke's."
"Alright, I just wanted to make sure. If I had been in your situation, I would've done the same thing." Then grinning, Isshin said, "Now go on up and talk to your new friend."
Ichigo scowled and said, "Don't you start. I'm not trying to date her."
Isshin looked at Ichigo knowingly, "Suuuure. I'll remind you of that in a few months."
Scoffing, Ichigo went up to his room to talk to Tia.
When he got there, Tia was sitting on his bed thinking.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Looking up at him in surprise, Tia said, "No, nothings wrong, it's just that, I haven't put much thought into what I'll do when the soul reapers leave Hueco Mundo. I can''t stay here forever and now that my fraccion is gone, I'm not sure what I'll do."
Giving her a sympathetic look, Ichigo said, "Well, you're welcome to stay here as long as you need."
"Thank you, Ichigo. I haven't expressed it much, but I truly am grateful for all the help you've given me and if there's ever anything I can do for you, you have but to ask."
Before Ichigo could answer, Hichigo made his opinion known.
"This is your chance, kingy. Tell her strip down and bend over."
"What!?" thought back Ichigo, shocked. "I'm not going to tell her to do that."
"Why not? She won't be able to deny you after everything you've done for her. Besides, she just said she'd do anything for you. How could you not want to take advantage of an opportunity like this?" asked the inner hollow angrily.
"How about because I'm not a horrible person," spat back Ichigo angrily.
"You come to me begging for help and then you don't even take it when I offer it. I should've known you were a hopeless case," sneered Hichigo.
"Help?! How are you helping me. You're telling to all but rape someone," shot back Ichigo.
"I'm helping you fix this fuck up you call a life. Honestly, how could you not have gotten laid yet with all the girls throwing themselves at you. A blind, deaf, and dumb person would have caught on by now, how could you not?" asked Hichigo,irritated at Ichigo's resistance.
"Girls don't throw themselves at me," countered Ichigo indignantly.
Hichigo let out a mad cackle when he heard this.
"You really are an idiot. I can think of several off the top of my head who would've bent over the minute you said you wanted to fuck'em,"
Blushing slightly now, Ichigo thought back defiantly, "Name three then,"
Not missing a beat, Hichigo said, "Orihime, Neliel, Yoruichi."
"Bull shit. They wouldn't do anything like that," denied Ichigo stubbornly.
At the end of his rope, Hichigo shouted, "Ahhhh, how could you be such a fucking prude?!"
"I am not a prude; I just have morals unlike you," denied Ichigo.
"YOU HAD A GIRL LIVING IN YOUR CLOSET FOR TWO FUCKING MONTHS AND DIDN'T MAKE A MOVE!" shouted Hichigo angrily.
Growing tired of their argument, Ichigo thought back coldly, "This conversation is over. I'm not going to make her sleep with me. If I did that then I'd be no better than you."
Ending the link, Ichigo didn't hear the slew of swear words Hichigo was throwing at him. Instead, he looked at Tia who had a slight blush on her face.
With Tia:
When Tia had finished thanking him, she waited for him to say something. It was then that she noticed he had gained a far away look in his eyes accompanied with the occasional eye twitch and, was that a blush?
Tia was thinking what was wrong with him when a familiar voice spoke up in her head.
"Hey, Tia. You know what you just essentially offered him right?" asked Tiburon.
"No, what?" asked Tia.
"Oh, come on. You can't think of anything that a young growing male might want from a lovely woman such as yourself," hinted Tiburon suggestively.
Tia wasn't stupid, she immediately understood what her zanpakuto was implying.
"Tiburon, don't suggest things like that. To think I'd sleep with him after I've only known him for less than a day is insane," said Tia reproachfully.
"But I thought you said that you'd do anything he asked. Don't tell me you're planning on going back on your word," teased Tiburon.
Widening her eyes slightly when she realized what Tiburon said was true, Tia asked worriedly, "You're right, but you don't really think he'd ask for that do you?"
Still teasing, Tiburon said, "Oh, I don't know. Did you see that blush. I'd say it's definitely crossed his mind."
"Wha-What?!" asked Tia, alarmed, a small amount of fear beginning to bloom in her chest.
Noticing she may have taken it too far, Tiburon said, "Hey, hey, calm down; I was only kidding. There's no way he'd ever force himself on you if that's what you're worried about." Then grinning, said, "But be honest. He is rather handsome isn't he?"
Tia blushed at the thought as she sent a stealthy glance at Ichigo's arms and chest.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about," she denied, studdering.
"Just imagine his hands roaming across your body as he slowly works his way down," tempted Tiburon, being sure to send images and the feelings associated with them to Tia.
"Hmmm," moaned Tia pleasantly to herself. Then as if a switch had been turned, Tia suddenly flinched as she realized what she'd been thinking.
"No, stop it; I know it's you that's making me feel this way," demanded Tia angrily.
"Oh, come on, Tia, you don't plan to die a virgin do you? Tell me honestly. How many guys as great as Ichigo have you found?" said Tiburon, irritated her plan to get Tia to sleep with Ichigo failed.
"It doesn't matter. Ichigo has done me a great service and I won't hurt him by making him sleep with me." said Tia harshly.
"'Why are you being so stubborn about this. You can't honestly tell me you think he's ugly?" asked Tiburon, exasperated.
"No, I don't think he's ugly; I think he's very handsome, but I've only known him for less than a day and I can't sleep with someone I've just met, no matter how kind they may seem," responded Tia firmly.
"Sooo, if I'm reading this right, you won't have sex with him now, but you will later, right?" asked Tiburon curiously.
Gritting her teeth in annoyance, Tia said, "No, Tiburon. I don't know Ichigo and I highly doubt we'll be anything more than friends."
"With benefits," added Tiburon hopefully.
Instead of responding, Tia ended their connection and was surprised to see Ichigo shaking her shoulder.
When Ichigo had ended his conversation with Hichigo, he looked over and saw Tia had a far away look in her eye. Without her paying attention, Ichigo allowed his eyes to roam across her from, taking it in. "She really is beautiful," thought Ichigo, marveling at her smooth olive skin, her bright blonde hair, her mile-long legs, her, uh hmm, assets. He found himself desiring her, maybe he could ask that as a favor, she did own him after all.
Ichigo shook his head, what was he thinking. He could never do something like that. Ichigo then heard a voice sear in the back of his mind.
"Damn hollow," cursed Ichigo, irritated.
Then looking over at Tia, he noticed she was still out of it. He went over and shook her shoulder. She blinked and looked up.
"Oh, uh, Ichigo, did you need something?" she asked, still sounding slightly distracted by whatever she'd been thinking abut.
"No, you were just staring off into the distance. I just wanted to tell you that it was getting late and we should probably get some sleep. I want to take you to the store tomorrow to get some clothes and other essentials for you to use while you're here," explained Ichigo.
"Oh, alright," she said, getting up from his bed and heading towards the door.
"Where are you going?" asked Ichigo, confused as to why she was leaving the room.
Looking back, she said, "You said it was time for bed, so I got off your bed."
Realization dawning on his face, Ichigo said, "What? No, you can sleep in here."
"But where will you sleep then?" asked Tia, frowning.
"I'll sleep on the couch, " replied Ichigo easily.
Frown deepening, Tia said, "But I'm the guest. I shouldn't take your bed. It wouldn't be right."
Giving s dismissive wave, Ichigo said, "Nonsense. I don't mind you sleeping here."
Still looking unsure, Tia said, "Well, if you're certain it's alright."
"It is; don't worry," said Ichigo, heading towards the door and turning out the light.
"Good night, Tia," said Ichigo as he closed the door.
"Good night, Ichigo," responded Tia.
After Ichigo had left and Tia was alone in the room, she quickly got into bed, noting how much softer and warmer Ichigo's bed was compared to the ones in Hueco Mundo. She couldn't help but think as she drifted off to sleep, that Ichigo was indeed an odd soul reaper.
If you haven't voted in the poll and you have an account, do it. It takes all of 10 seconds to answer. As of now, almost 50% want Rangiku in the harem along with Ichigo sleeping with other woman. To those concerned that my story might not be serious if he sleeps with a bunch of woman, don't. I'm not going to have him sleep with every woman in soul society, I have a list of the ones that I wouldn't mind doing already in a poll that I'll post after the current one is done. My story also won't be turning into just some smut fic, I would sooner write out all lemons before I did that, so don't worry. Any person I have him sleep with, there will be an actual reason for it. That reason might be for comedic relief if it's someone like Mashiro or it could be for a serious reason if it's Orihime or Rukia.