Now let's start with Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Ichigo was now training and having a difficult time doing it, it's not because Suzumebachi attack was hard to understand it's the way that he fights with her. Ichigo is used to having a huge sword that works as a great offence but also a great defense because of how big the blade is now it's a different story. He was not used to having to fight with a small gauntlet with a metal stinger on his middle finger and the worst part is if he blocks an attack it would hurt to a point that his hand starts to have mini spasms. He had to admit he was not used to this new way of combat but he always found a way to adapt to anything but learning to ignore the pain that's a different issue. Ichigo learned firsthand that his pervious fighting stance was not meant for a two on one fights so he adopted towards his right arm positioned in front of his chest and his left arm pulled back balled into a fist. He was breathing heavily as Katen and Kyokotsu took their stance again, one thing he had to admit about the two they knew how to work together. There attacks leave little room to go on the offensive and even then he is left open for an attack that he narrowly block or gets hit by. His right hand to his arm is cut up, bruised, and starting to lose feeling in his fingers as the rest of his body is covered cuts and bruises.
"Hey berry boy when you're using me you dodge the attacks remember I'm a speed Zanpaktuo." Suzumebachi said a little annoyed that Ichigo is getting all bang up because he does not doge the hit instead he takes them head on.
"I know that" Ichigo said as Katen and Kyokotsu began there attack.
"Yeah right and you let yourself get cut up your lucky they don't want to hurt you too badly because if they did you would be on the ground." Suzumebachi said as Ichigo block another attack with the gauntlet.
"Well I'm not used to fighting with my fists and these two keep adding pressure on me."
"Come on berry boy if you can't learn how to fight with me how do you expect to fight with two swords?"
"I did when I fought them the first time."
"I did not see you fight but remember we were weaker because we detached from our old masters but now that we are connected to you we are way stronger so don't get cocky!" Suzumebachi said as she was trying to get her point across.
"Okay I get it don't go getting all mad at me besides I need to get a hang on your type of combat style and I can't do that if you're all mad at me." Ichigo said trying to cool down her down.
"Yeah I know we don't have time to be messing around but it bothers me to no end that you think that your hot stuff just because you bet us when we were weak!" Suzumebachi said getting irritated at Ichigo's cockiness
"Look I know I was wrong to think that but we need to focus because if we don't we won't be ready in time."
"Alright but you have to make it up to me" Suzumebachi said as she started to cool off
"What! Okay fine whatever let's just get this over with." Ichigo said trying not to get beaten into a bloody pulp.
Katen push Ichigo from there deadlock as Kyokotsu came in for a quick uppercut with the hilt of the blade but Ichigo narrowly sidestepped the attack and Katen came back for a horizontal slash. Ichigo had no choice but to block the attack with his gauntlet but as soon as he blocked Kyokotsu came in with a roundhouse kick to the stomach which pushed him back a couple of feet. Ichigo was struggling to get back up but he was not going to let this stop him. Ichigo took his stance again but took a deep breath and closed his eyes, he started to focus and everything seemed to come to him better. All noise faded away as Ichigo looked forward and saw the two ready to come for another attack. He let out a huge breath as now he was more focused on the task at hand; he needed to get this down even a little bit because time is ticking away. Katen came with a horizontal slash Ichigo blocked it but then side step for a quick counter with his left fist. Katen saw this and moved aside as Kyokotsu came in and blocked the hit and pushed Ichigo back. Katen noticed that Ichigo now is focused and anticipating her attacks but even though he is still not as fast as Suzumebachi pervious master he could put up a good fight in terms of speed. Ichigo must know by now that Suzumebachi is a close combat Zanpaktuo so he must have adapted to taking more hits than usual.
Ichigo took his fighting stance again, he felt little sparks inside his body every time he blocked the incoming attacks. It was the saw feeling he felt when he was battling with Shirayuki. Ichigo is now getting the hang of it well at least he was not getting trashed as much but the pain of the hits that he blocks still bothered him. He knows that Suzumebachi has an execution type of attack and two stings in the same area and a black butterfly design comes into view and then disappears without a trace. That would come in handy against bigger hollows but in an actual fight it would not sit well with him to kill off an enemy at least so quickly.
Katen came in for a vertical slash but Ichigo just barely side stepped the attack and came for the quick counter but Kyokotsu came in for the quick block. Ichigo came in with downward sting; Kyokotsu did not have time to block the attack on such short notice so she moved her body so her shoulder took the hit. Ichigo stung her shoulder and an image of a black butterfly appeared she pushes off his attack and jumped away to exam her shoulder. It did not hurt as much as she thought it would but as she moved her hand to touch the mark it started to sting a bit. Katen saw that Kyokotsu back away quickly she then noticed the marking on her right shoulder.
"So you finally got a hit on one of us, looks like you finally are learning how to use her even if it's still a little rough around the edges.:" Katen said with a smirk
Ichigo noticed the change as well it was small but these little jolts of speed in his body. He can now keep up with their barrage of attacks but he himself is starting to feel drained. Even though he has a huge reserve of energy but the new ways of attacking and the demand of his new Zanpakutos is starting to take its toll on him. Katen noticed that his stance is more refined but it is also a bit staggered and his breathing is more labored. Katen jumped back to where Kyokotsu was and saw the black butterfly on her shoulder.
"Are you okay Kyokotsu?" Katen asked looking concerned.
Kyokotsu nodded her head yes as she slowly rotates her arm showing she is fine.
Ichigo was deep in thought; he has to end this quickly because if it keeps going like this then he will be too exhausted to continue training. Ichigo need some type of advantage here something to give him even the slightest edge. He thought as Katen and Kyokotsu started to ready themselves for an attack, what if he lures them to a closed area where they would have to fight him up close but that would also put more pressure on him. That or continue this fight and see what happens either way this does not leave him with a lot of options. Katen and Kyokotsu came for the charge but Ichigo did the one thing they did not expect, run away the two of them sweatdroped at this.
"Berry boy what are you doing!?" Suzumebachi shouted as Ichigo started to run away.
"I need to get some type of advantage if not I will hit the floor before I can beat them." Ichigo said as Katen and Kyokotsu where hot on his trail.
"This better work!" Suzumebachi said hoping that this is not some dumb idea.
"It will just trust me" Ichigo said trying to calm down his Zanpaktuo
Suzumebachi huffed at that and hoped this does not end up into a beat down. Katen noticed that the terrain around them started to become closer either Ichigo does not know where he's going or he might actually have a plan. She decided to let this little run go its course and see what the orange haired boy had up his sleeve. Ichigo was now running and he hopes this plan would work, there were now walls around them as they ran. This was starting to look grim for Ichigo because it looks like he wants to trap himself like some type of rat. Ichigo on the other hand liked this as this would give that edge he so desperately needs but this plan is like a double edge sword, if he does not have this plan thought then he would be cornered by the walls and the two beautifully deadly women after him.
As this was going on Shirayuki got up from her spot and followed from a distance, she was thinking along the same lines as Katen. Ichigo was going to lure them into a narrow area so he could get in close and give them little time to block let alone come back for a counter attack. It also leaves Ichigo with very little room for error. This training is for Ichigo to start bonding with his new Zanpaktuos and learn the basics from them also to learn different forms from his brash fighting style. Shirayuki continued to watch this little plan unfold and hoped for the best.
Ichigo's body is ready to fall over now but he had to keep going and beat these two. Ichigo finally found what he was looking for and slide down the rock wall down into a one way path. Katen saw this and motioned to Kyokotsu to cut Ichigo off as she got behind him so there would be no escape. Ichigo was in the middle of two deadly women and there is no way out. He could shunpo up and over these walls but that would take a good portion of his remaining energy and he would fall down from pure exhaustion but no this is what he wanted. Ichigo leaned on the wall behind him so he could have a good view of Katen and Kyokotsu and see who will attack him first.
"There is no way out and it looks like you will collapse at any minute." Katen said as Ichigo stance was failing greatly.
"Well this should be an easy win for you two then come at me then if you think you can." Ichigo said with a confident smile.
Katen smirked at the challenge and without a moment's notice charged at Ichigo going for a direct impalement. Kyokotsu waited a bit before charging in because if she did she would bump into Katen because of how close they are. Suzumebachi now was starting to get nervous as the two came in for the kill but Ichigo used what energy he had left into his counter attack. Katen went for the kill but Ichigo used his speed boost from Suzumebachi to mange to narrowly dodge the blade. Katen's blade went into the rock wall behind Ichigo and even before Katen had a chance to pull out her blade Ichigo grabbed her left hand off the blade and twisted it behind her back and grabbed her thought with his right hand. He then lightly stung Katen on the neck as a black butterfly appears, Katen winced at the sudden pain but it was not unbearable. Kyokotsu stopped her frontal attack after seeing Katen in the hold and knew that no matter what angle she came at he had Katen as a shield. Ichigo still had the stinger close to Katen's neck showing that this spar was over. Ichigo still had his eyes locked on Kyokotsu seeing if she would attack or back down. Kyokotsu knew she lost this spar so she planted her blade into the ground, crossed her arms under her chest, and looked away with a huff. Katen noticed Ichigo was using her and the wall for support, his final tactic must have tried him to the ground.
Ichigo smiled as he stated to let go of Katen's hand and slowly tried to get himself up but found he falling back a bit on the wall. On reflex he put his arm around Katan's abdomen and his hand that was on her throat slide down to her right shoulder. Ichigo was beyond tired, the only reason he was standing was because Katen was holding him up. He then could not take the weight of standing anymore and started to slowly slide down the wall. Katen seemed a bit surprised by the sudden hold but relaxed as she noticed him sliding down using her as a support. She slowly slides down with him so he could have her as his support. Ichigo finally hit the rocky ground underneath him put his head back onto the rocky wall as he tried to catch his breath.
Kyokotsu noticed this and walked over to Ichigo as he sat down and Suzumebachi let the breath she was holding and went back to human form.
"Maybe we should take five?" Suzumebachi said as she lay on Ichigo's head.
Ichigo nodded as he rested his chin on Katen's shoulder. Katen did not show it but she was tried as well but not to the existence that Ichigo was. She put her body down a bit more so she can rest with Ichigo. Kyokotsu sat on Ichigo's right side and took a hold of his arm to see how much damage it has. Ichigo knows it's pretty bad but it was okay for the most part he lost feeling in it a while ago. Shirayuki came down as well to see who Ichigo was fairing. She walked up to Ichigo and leaned on the wall next to him. Ichigo felt calm and relaxed in the position he was in and the sweet smell of women around him added more to the relaxing sensation.
"Well you did well for your first day of training and I was impressed that you did not fall after taking so much." Shirayuki said as she saw Ichigo enjoying his company.
"Yeah these two are really tough but I manage to get a lucky break." Ichigo said with his eyes half open.
Katen was enjoying this wonderful peace but needed to get Ichigo bandaged up so she slowly got up and motioned for the other two to help him up. Katen started lifting from the left as Shirayuki lifted from the right and Kyokotsu made sure he would not fall forward. Ichigo fully opened his eyes and saw his lovely Zanpaktou carrying him. He had a smile after seeing such a display of affection towards him.
"You know I am really lucky to have you four as my Zanpaktuo, I mean I barely know any of you but here you are helping me get stronger bit by bit and you even help me up when I fall."
Before they could responded Ichigo was not finished.
"For that I thank you, all of you for deciding I was even worthy to wield you."
After hearing that they all had a simile on their face and quietly walked towards the entrance of the training ground before Ichigo could go up the ladder he needed his wounds to be treated so the girls gently set him down on a bolder as they slowly took off his top. Ichigo would have freaked out and told them what where they doing but he felt calm around them, like it was like a blanket of warmth that wrapped around him. Kyokotsu left to go get the first aid kit while Shirayuki was putting her hands on his back and started to numb away the pain. Her hands where very soft and her gentle touch sent chills down his body, her hands where cold but not as much as he expected. Kyokotsu returned with the first aid kit and pulled out the bandage wraps and started with his right arm and Suzumebachi flew off of Ichigo's head and went towards the first aid kit to pull out a cotton swab and flew towards Ichigo's face. Ichigo wanted to laugh at this cute display that Suzumebachi was doing, cleaning his small cuts on his face with a cotton swab. He did smile a bit as she started working on a cut he had on his left side of his face.
Suzumebachi saw his smile and it did warm her up inside, but she will not let him know that. Her cheeks tinted a bit as she saw Ichigo look at her with that smile and her best guess is because she is cleaning his cuts with a cotton swab.
"I know what you're thinking and it's only for your own good, I mean it's not like I want to clean you up."
Ichigo knew better than to argue with women he always ends up either getting hit or yelled at either way he comes out the loser. He knows that she is kind hearted but has a different way of showing it.
"Thanks anyway Suzumebachi."
Her cheeks where now burning red by his comment but she turned her face away so he could not see her face.
"Whatever!" she finished with a huff and continued cleaning his cut.
Kyokotsu finished wrapping up his hand and slowly started up his forearm as Shirayuki was still applying her icy touch. Katen started to wrap up his abdomen and the lower part of his back. Ichigo himself felt great but after that intense training season he just wanted to rest, he could not go another round even if he wanted to. As the Zanpaktous where wrapping him up he was tempted to just close his eyes and let sleep take over but he knew he couldn't he knew that he had class tomorrow. Katen noticed this and decided to start a conversation with him to keep him focused and awake.
"You know Ichigo, when we were set free we finally free and it felt nice to finally walk the ground our mastered walked."
Ichigo saw that the others nodded their heads in response and continued their work.
"But you see we were not fully there and most of our actions were not from our free will."
Ichigo now focused on Katen as the others stopped wrapping him up. Their attention was now on Katen as she kept a calm demeanor but inside she felt shamed for being taken advantage off, her desire to be free had its price.
"Our freedom had a price and it was our minds being clouded with anger and doubts, we just went on and attacked every soul reaper we could find." Katen said with a sad look on her face Ichigo noticed that the others looked the same. "We were driven mad to get revenge on our masters but that is not what we wanted, to destroy everything and to punish them was not our will."
Shirayuki decided to finish up what Katen started "The Zanpakuto that did this to us is named Muramasa and his power to unbind us from our masters." She took in a sharp intake of breath and continued. "We did want to be free but not like that but it is because of you we came to our senses." Shirayuki said with a smile as her hands continued to do its work. Kyokotsu continued where she left off which was mid bicep and Katen continued wrapping his abdomen. Suzumebachi finished cleaning Ichigo's cheek and flew into Ichigo's view.
"There was a reason we picked you some of us had different reasons but there is one thing we can agree on, you have tremendously vast levels of spiritual energy and with that we could unlock things we could not before. Don't think we are using you Ichigo it's not like that we wanted to try something new and your raw power is...warm and it's gentle."
After she said that Ichigo's face softened as his thought of being used was long forgotten and the doubts started to fade away as there warmth flowed over his body. There was no evil from them, no potential harm it's just feels like tender love and care. Ichigo felt a tap his right shoulder and it was Kyokotsu saying she was done. Ichigo moved his arm just a bit and noticed that it was wrapped nice and tight and Katen got finished wrapping up his abdomen and Shirayuki took her gentle hands off his back as the bandages where properly placed and fastened. Ichigo tried to stand and almost was up right but his tried legs gave out till Kyokotsu and Katen took hold of each arm and Shirayuki wrapped her arms underneath his arms and around his chest so he would not fall back. The contact was nice, warm and gentle and Ichigo blushed a bit at all the contact but was able to stand up after their help. Slowly the women let go of him as the fingers trailed on his exposed skin which sent chills down his spine.
"We thought that you could show us what it means to live outside of just being a Zanpakuto, to not just be used as power but to be...a person." Shirayuki finished as each of them had a nice loving smile on each of their faces telling him that is what each of them wanted. Ichigo felt his heart warm up to these women and now he found something to protect, something to hold dear to him. He slowly moved towards them and slowly as his tried body fought against it wrapped his arms gently Katen and Kyokotsu as Shirayuki hugged his body a little tighter and nuzzled his neck then Suzumebachi landed on his head, lay back, and closed her eyes as the tender moment was pure bliss.
Ichigo blushed a bit with all the contact but it felt great after the beating they put on him. He is now one step closer to face Muramasa but he still needs to learn to fight with Katen and Kyokotsu even if it's not much.
"Thanks girls for helping me with so much." Ichigo started as he looked down to see Katen and Kyokotsu closed eyed and with a smile on their faces. He then wonder how lucky he was to get a one in a life time opportunity to train with not just one but four different Zanpaktuos. "Since you all want to help me become stronger I promise to each and every one of you that I will protect you." Ichigo said in a low and calm tone with a hint of determination behind it. Katen and Kyokostu nodded in approval as Shirayuki said a quite thank you.
"You know berry boy its funny." Suzumebachi started as she half opened her eyes and continued "We are the ones that are supposed to protect you but this change is nice for a change." She finished as a smile came to her face and closed her eyes again to enjoy the moment. Ichigo smiled at that because the roles have been switched but he believes that this was right and he would not back away from his word, he never has. Slowly he loosened his grip around the two women in front of him and Shirayuki slid her hands from her hold on him. Suzumebachi got up and flew off of his head as Ichigo was now standing up on his own.
Kisuke came down the ladder to check on Ichigo but when he got was Ichigo "bonding" with his new Zanpakutos and decided to say out for a bit till they finished. He saw they were separating so now was a good time to move in. "Ichigo just came down here to let you know it's already night out so you should get going." Kisuke wanted to tease Ichigo about his moment with his Zanpakutos but he still wanted to keep his head and he does not want to lose another fan.
Ichigo looked back and motioned then to follow him up the ladder. His body felt like jelly but at least they pain is gone so going up the ladder was not so bad. When Ichigo finally got to the store door he turned back and said "I guess I'll see you all tomorrow then." he was about to leave till Shirayuki came out and said "Aren't you forgetting something Ichigo." Ichigo looked back and then walked past Shirayuki and got into his body. The women around him sweat dropped as Kisuke chuckled at his cluelessness.
"That's not what she meant Ichigo." Katen said as Ichigo's saw his body and the bandages transferred from his spirit body to his real body. Ichigo took a few seconds to figure out what she was trying to say and then it hit him he blushed a bit know now what they wanted. "Oh um yeah" He said as he walked towards Katen and gave her a hug. Katen hugged back as she planted a quick peck on his cheek which made him blush more. He finished his hug then went to Kyokostu which gave him a tight hug and after Suzumebachi turn into her normal form and gave Ichigo a bone crushing hug which was new to Ichigo but he still enjoyed it. Last but not least was Shirayuki and she slowly put her arms around him as if to enjoy this brief moment of bonding she let got but not before she gave a quick peck on his cheek. Ichigo walked back to the door still blushing up a storm "I'll see you all tomorrow, okay' he said as they gave him a nod. Ichigo walked out of the candy shop and put his hand to his face "These women will be the death of me." He started to walk home but not without a smile on his face.
Inside Kisuke saw the way that the Zanpakutos are acting around Ichigo. They act as though they were deprived of love and affection, that or they simply wanted to love him but either way the two parties seemed happy. He walked away ad went to go see what was left of the data he collected. Suzumebachi still in her normal form looked towards Katen and Shirayuki with a glare "why do you to get to kiss him!?'" she asked as her golden eyes grew a bit brighter. Katen just smiled at the question but Shirayuki asnswered her "I don't see why not it's a perfect way to bound with our master and besides" she looked at Suzumebachi with a sly smile "I don't hear him complaining." she finished she walked away to get into her gigai and Katen waved for Kyokostu to follow. Kyokostu was thinking along the same lines of why they did what they did but there was nothing that prevented her from doing it as well. "Maybe when he comes back?" she thought as she went with Katen to get into her gigai. Suzumebachi stood there a little mad about the scenario but it was true he was not complaining and nothing was in her way of doing it but still she would want a full on kiss on the lips to seal the deal but kiss on the cheek will do she did not want to break him after all. She followed the rest but not after she planed different scenarios of how she and her new master will share their kiss, alone.
With Ryo
Ryo finally got home after her hectic day but the one thing that set her off was the way these weapons acted towards Ichigo. Even though they did not do much in public there where little signs that said they were a bit more then partners. Shingetsu was listening to her thoughts as she pondered on the relationship of the women that chose to abandon their pervious master and settle for this half soul reaper. She knows that Zanpakutos have to bond with their masters in order to become stronger and are able to work together but the way these women were doing it was new to her. She had never heard of a Zanpakuto and master bound in an intimate relationship. She will tell Ryo later when the time is right. Ryo decided to thinking about this with little answers gave her a headache so she decided it would be better to just sleep and ask questions next time she sees him.
With Senna
Senna was in her apartment and was meditating, the fight took a lot out of her. She was lucky her opponent was a flyer if not she would of had a tough time dealing with the other three. She was not a ground based fighter she was better suited for air and distance combat. She noticed the bounding of the other Zanpakuto with Ichigo. It was weird, one moment they were attacking him the next they are now a part of him. She knew that he has had it rough but hopefully his new partners can whip him into shape. Also the endless teasing she has planned for him. A smile formed on her face, time to make the prude open up and the endless fun awaits.
