We're back for the first update of this Ichigo/Rangiku story for the year and let's all bear witness to what Rangiku's Bankai can do and they'll be a special announcement that'll get your blood running with excitement at the end.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Notes: Mokushiroku no Haineko means Ash Cat of the Apocalypse.
Powerful spiritual pressure rocked the ground as Rangiku's zanpakutō glowed and created a blinding light. Ichigo covered his eyes and the Vasto Lorde grinned in excitement while licking his fangs at tasting the spirit energy radiating from Rangiku's katana.
"Rangiku…" Ichigo thought to himself before the light died down and he looked to see her in a new form. Her stole was now white with tuffs of fur on it and the shoulders and sleeves of her Shihakushō were now covered by pink fur akin to Haineko's with maroon cat ears on her head.
Her hands now had gauntlets with claws shaped like Haineko's and her tsuba carried pronounced ears with fangs pointing from it. The Vasto Lorde and Ichigo looked on at Rangiku as she stood.
"Ichigo…stay back. This time, I'll protect you." Rangiku said before the Vasto Lorde spread his wings out and flew at the blonde.
"I'll start with you first!" The Vasto Lorde roared with excitement and Rangiku swung her sword at the beast. A gust of ash flew toward him at subsonic speed and created a large gash on his torso once it reached him.
The hollow shrieked in anger at the fact that a Soul Reaper had cut him and flapped his wings at her with shockwaves flying her way. Rangiku flew into the sky with the Vasto Lorde chasing after her and caught up to her in seconds with Sonido.
He appeared inches from her face and opened his gaping mouth with his fangs about to bite down onto Rangiku's head. Ichigo was about to use Getsuga Tenshō before the blonde used her clawed gauntlet to stab him in the tongue and another earsplitting screech sounded with her moving out of the way in time.
She swung her blade once more and the Vasto Lorde countered by lashing his foot forward as ash flew from the blade. It formed a tornado around the Vasto Lorde's foot that spun at subsonic speed and the beast continued his assault against the strawberry blonde.
As he again used Sonido to appear behind her, he bit at her and his fangs were blocked by her zanpakutō. He pushed against the blade and grabbed at Rangiku before feeling a sharp pain in his foot.
The Vasto Lorde realized that the ash tornado was quickly shredding it to bits and he charged two Ceros from his fangs. Rangiku moved back and used Shakkahō on the gash in his chest after he shot the twin Ceros her way.
Thinking fast, she created a barrier with the ash and the ceros exploded against the shield with a blinding crimson light being the result. Ichigo raised his arm and shielded his eyes from the blinding light as shockwaves were formed.
"Incredible! It's a Vasto Lorde's cero and she's blocking it like it's nothing." Ichigo thought to himself as the creature flew through the ash and Rangiku's flash-stepped in front of him before they began to strike at one another.
The Vasto Lorde swung at Rangiku and she slashed at him in return before flying upward. She aimed Haineko at him and he roared as the ash surrounding his foot shredded it to bits.
He roared furiously before bringing down his wing onto Rangiku and she managed to block the blow with her Zanpakutō. Though he managed to apply pressure against her, the lieutenant only smirked at him and he swung his other wing at her.
She lashed her arm up and stopped his blow with the help of her gauntlet as he kicked at her. Rangiku flew back before the kick could touch her and the Vasto Lorde grinned while flying after her.
Smirking, Rangiku raised her sword and slashed it a single time before ash shot through both his wings. Two holes were formed before the Vasto Lorde lost the ability to fly and resorted to Sonido before appearing behind her.
The ferocious monster bit at her before Rangiku directed her Zanpakutō at his head and formed a miniature tornado around it. He mockingly laughed at the tornado and Rangiku formed another that encased the rest of his body.
"You foolish soul reaper! Do you believe a weak technique like this will…?" The Vasto Lorde began to say before his boast was cut short and his head was crushed and shredded to pieces. Ichigo looked on with a look of amazement and shock before the Vasto Lorde's body was obliterated to where even his blood vanished within the tornado.
The dual tornadoes came to a stop and Rangiku floated to the ground before landing in front of Ichigo. She turned to look at him and gave him a bright smile as she winked at him.
Elsewhere
Hitsugaya, Bankai activated, froze his respective Vasto Lorde opponent and felt Rangiku's spiritual pressure caused from her own Bankai. As Momo used Tobiume to burn the encased monster, he looked to where Rangiku's location and nodded to himself at her victory.
"Well done, Rangiku." Hitsugaya thought to himself as Ulquiorra stood on the roof of Orihime's apartment; providing protection for her in the event the battle waged too close to her. With a flash step, Rangiku appeared and stood behind her captain.
"Captain, forgive my lateness." Rangiku said.
"Never mind that; the enemy's number is starting to diminish." Hitsugaya said as they felt the spiritual pressures of the other Vasto Lorde slowly beginning to fade with the powers of their allies nearby. At the same time, Ichigo found himself being confronted by another Vasto Lorde with characteristics of a Tasmanian Devil.
"I take it you're the last to show up?" Ichigo asked and the Vasto Lorde activated his spiritual pressure.
"It appears your spirit energy is among the highest of your allies. In that case, you'll make my first prey of this world." The Vasto Lorde said and Ichigo knew he'd have to give it everything he had to stand a chance of winning.
"The hell he will!" Grimmjow shouted before appearing via Sonido next to Ichigo.
"Grimmjow, what are you doing here?" Ichigo asked.
"If any hollow is gonna mangle you, I get front center." Grimmjow said before the Vasto Lorde laughed again and braced himself for attack. Not wasting anytime, Ichigo activated both his Bankai and Fullbring while Grimmjow's hands became claws akin to the ones he possessed in Resurrección.
The Vasto Lorde watched in anticipation as Ichigo donned his Hollow Mask for the first time since he regained his Soul Reaper powers and Grimmjow observed it. Covering Ichigo's entire head, the mask greatly resembled the one he wore upon defeating Ulquiorra with the primary differences being that the tips of his horns were red in color and that two red x-shaped lines merged with those running down his eyes.
With his Fullbring and new Hollow mask combined, Ichigo resembled a skeleton with horns and Grimmjow grinned at his intimidating new form from feeling the chilling spiritual pressure that radiated from it. The Vasto Lorde bared his teeth with hunger and maliciously grinned at the substitute soul reaper.
"Tell me something. Why are you Vasto Lorde attacking the city after all this time?" Ichigo asked.
"If you want me to answer such a foolish question, you're sorely mistaken!" The creature said before flying at Ichigo and Grimmjow.
*Power to Strive OST plays*
Grimmjow shot ahead of Ichigo and the Vasto Lorde outpaced him with an agile Sonido before the former Espada appeared in front of him again with blinding speed. Grimmjow lashed his claws at the Vasto Lorde's skull and it made a scrape at the base.
The creature slashed at Grimmjow before Ichigo flew at his chest and swung his Zanpakutō at his heart. He managed to make a small gash in his chest and the beast bit at Ichigo before he slashed at him once more.
The arrancar flew at the enemy and swung his claws again before a similar attack to Desgarron took effect. It made scrapes in his chest before Ichigo reared his weapon back and swung it forward with a powerful Getsuga Tenshō flying forward.
As the first fused Getsuga Tenshō used in his hollowified Fullbring, the outline of the aura was a bleak crimson color and it collided against the Vasto Lorde's torso. He roared with anger from the resulting scratch and reared his claws into the air as multiple ceros appeared over them.
Thinking fast, Grimmjow sliced the palm of his hand with one of his claws and held it at his foe before preparing a Gran Ray Cero. Once it was finished, he shot into the Vasto Lorde's left eye and the creature roared again in pain as blindness overtook its damaged eye.
He fired his multiple cero at his foes by smelling their spiritual energy before Ichigo's horns began glowing as he powered them and Grimmjow performed another Gran Ray Cero. Using the same method with using Getsuga Tenshō, two crimson ceros with dark auras surrounding them were formed and Grimmjow looked at him before smirking.
Either fighter fired their respective technique and the three attacks shot through the Vasto Lorde's cero before they struck against his chest. The Tasmanian-hollow felt his chest cave in from the ceros as a blinding light of energy was formed to where all Soul Reapers and Arrancars felt its power from afar.
Ulquiorra looked over at the blinding red light and began to wonder if Ichigo had transformed into his hollowified from their previous battle. Ichigo flew at the Vasto Lorde with Grimmjow following suit and both were met by an enraged foe.
He lashed his remaining arm at Ichigo's throat before he stopped the blow with his Zanpakutō and Grimmjow lashed his claws at the remains of his torso. The Vasto Lorde ducked backwards and kicked at both Ichigo and Grimmjow's heads as they moved back.
"You'll pay for this!" The Vasto Lorde growled as he punched at his opponents.
"That's perfect because I'm gonna rip you to shreds starting right now!" Grimmjow smiled before slashing at his foe's neck and blood began boiling from his wound before Ichigo appeared over with a blinding Sonido. He thrust his Zanpakutō and his TsukiGinsu blade into the Vasto Lorde's skull and prepared a massive Getsuga Tenshō before unleashing the power.
The Vasto Lorde's body exploded in an immense wave of spirit energy and smoke flew into the air before Ichigo emerged from it. He broke his right horn off the mask and it vanished before he sighed.
"What do you think that was all about?" Ichigo said upon feeling all traces of Vasto Lorde gone.
"What do you mean?" Grimmjow said.
"Why would so many Vasto Lordes come here at the same time? Isn't that a rarity?" Ichigo asked.
"Ever hear of feeding frenzy? That aside, that mask is what you wore when you trashed Ulquiorra, isn't it?" Grimmjow asked.
"Yeah but I can't wear it for long when it has horns on it." Ichigo said; having felt his inner hollow's influence grow over him once five minutes had passed. Suddenly, Grimmjow grinned and flew at him with his usual battle-hungry smile.
"Whatever! Mask or no mask, you've grown stronger since our last fight and I'm gonna flatten you now!" Grimmjow grinned and Ichigo flew back.
"Come on, Grimmjow! Haven't you had enough fighting for one night?!" Ichigo yelled.
"Ain't no such thing!" Grimmjow cackled as he shot after Ichigo.
"Grimmy!" Neliel's cheerful voice cried out as she flew from the distance and smothered her breasts against Grimmjow's head. Not wanting to hurt her, his claws reverted to his normal fingers and he tried to pry Neliel off as she glomped him.
"Nel, get off me!" Grimmjow protested and she childishly giggled before looking to Ichigo.
"Go on. I've got him." Neliel mouthed to him and Ichigo took off with Grimmjow growing more frantic upon feeling his spirit energy getting farther.
"He'll definitely be mad but I'll make it up to him tonight." Neliel thought as she used her bosom to keep him from chasing the orange-haired substitute soul reaper as he undid his Bankai and Fullbring.
Later
Ichigo and Hitsugaya's group excluding Grimmjow and Neliel all meet on top of a roof. They were currently discussing the issue with the Vasto Lordes and their supposed reasons for coming to the World of the Living.
"Grimmjow said it could be a feeding frenzy." Ichigo pointed out.
"As a Vasto Lorde myself, there doesn't appear to be as many souls for substance as there are in Hueco Mundo that would suffice beings of their caliber." Tier said.
"If food isn't the reason, what is?" Isane asked.
"The chances of it being a random invasion little to none." Ulquiorra said.
"Whatever the reason, the data Nemu gathered may prove why they arrived here." Hitsugaya said as Nemu carried a flesh fragment that she intended to give Mayuri
"I shall have it to him by tonight." Nemu said.
"Captain, does this mean we have to return home?" Rangiku asked.
"Until we confirm there are no remaining traces of Vasto Lorde within the area, we're to stay put." Hitsugaya said as Nemu opened a Senkaimon and vanished into it.
"Good! I've got plans for bed tonight, anyway, right, Ichigo?" Rangiku asked and Ichigo blushed before all except Hitsugaya, Ulquiorra, Tier, and Isane let a snicker or laugh escape their lips.
"Whatever, Rangiku. Meeting adjourned." Hitsugaya said before he, Momo, and Ulquiorra returned to Orihime's home.
"Knock 'em dead in bed, Ichigo." Renji teased.
"This isn't funny, Renji!" The flustered Ichigo said.
"Now, don't get shy, Ichigo." Apache said.
"I'm not shy!" Ichigo said.
"Then what are you blushing for?" Rukia smirked.
"Rukia, not you, too!" Ichigo said before everyone left and allowed him and Rangiku to return home. She reentered her gigai and cuddled up to Ichigo before either they talked to each other in his room where his curtains in front of the window.
"How long did it take for you to learn Bankai?" Ichigo asked.
"I achieved it a short while after you lost your powers but getting it with Haineko's lazy butt was anything but easy." Rangiku said.
"With all that power it carried, I'll bet it wasn't." Ichigo replied.
"Yeah, I had to really fight Haineko before she gave in and allowed me to reach Bankai levels. That aside, about that mask of yours…" Rangiku said.
"What about it?" Ichigo asked.
"You wore it when you killed Ulquiorra in that possessed form of yours didn't you?" Rangiku asked.
"Yes and tonight was the first time I've used my hollowfication power since my powers returned." Ichigo said.
"Were you possessed tonight, too?" Rangiku asked.
"No but I felt my inner hollow's influence after a while and had to get it off. Given that I had control the last time I wore my mask, I didn't know what was happening." Ichigo said.
"Is it anything like before you went through that Vizard training you told me about?" Rangiku asked.
"This was a completely different way since his influence was one I could easily break out of." Ichigo said before Rangiku rested on him.
"Mask or not, I'm glad you're all right." Rangiku said before pecking his lips and Ichigo got out of bed.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm locking the door for the same reason the curtains are blocking the window; to kill any chance of Dad seeing you in that." Ichigo said before returning to bed and Rangiku nuzzled him as he wrapped his arm around him.
"Well, Ichigo, there'll be other nights for you to enjoy me wearing this." Rangiku said.
"There's something I've been meaning to ask you." Ichigo said.
"Yes?" The lieutenant smiled.
"Earlier, what did you mean by saying it was your turn to protect me?"
"Don't you remember? You protected me the same day you lost your powers." Rangiku smiled and it was then that Ichigo recalled defending the busty woman from Aizen when Gin was dying from his wounds.
"For that, I thank you." Ichigo said before Rangiku kissed his jawline again and lie her head down on his heart. He trailed his fingers through her bangs and the couple shortly fell into slumber for the night.
Early on in the next morning
"Ichigo." Zangetsu's voice said and Ichigo looked around to see he was on a skyscraper as he looked to see the man standing nearby.
"Old man, what am I doing here?" Ichigo asked.
"Now that you know of your Quincy heritage, it is time you learn something else." Zangetsu said as he leaped off his usual perch of a flagpole and approached Ichigo.
"What is it?" Ichigo asked.
"I am not your true Zanpakutō spirit." Zangetsu said and Ichigo's face became blank with shock upon hearing this to where he wished his ears had been deceiving him.
"What did you just say?" Ichigo asked.
"I am not the true Zangetsu. Instead, I've always been the manifestation power of your dormant Quincy powers." Said the false Zanpakutō spirit.
"What the hell are you saying?! If you're not my Zanpakutō spirit, who is?!" Ichigo demanded before his inner hollow appeared a short distance behind him and smiled upon lifting his horned mask.
*Nothing Anymore OST plays*
"Yo!" said Hollow Ichigo and Ichigo looked at him before returning his gaze to Zangetsu. After a few minutes had passed, Ichigo turned to his hollow and gave him a serious stare.
"You're the real Zangetsu, aren't you?" Ichigo asked and the hollow grinned.
"It took you damn long enough to believe me." The true Zangetsu smiled.
"The influence you felt tonight was not his attempt to take over your mind but give his full power to you." The Quincy manifestation said.
"And Ichigo, you probably don't know this but your Quincy manifestation over is actually what Yhwach looked like 1000 years ago." Zangetsu said and Ichigo's face went pale with complete shock upon hearing this as he looked at him. The false Zangetsu remained with a calm face as Ichigo struggled to come up with an answer to the face that his hollow had his true Zanpakutō the entire time and the fact that his supposed manifestation was supposedly the same man responsible for his mother's death.
"Does this mean you're Yhwach?" Ichigo asked.
"I am neither Yhwach nor your true Zanpakutō. For years, I acted as your Zanpakutō to protect you from yourself in fear of how strong you'd become with your Soul Reaper powers but now I realize you are at a point where you've far exceeded my expectations. For that reason, I could not ask for anything more." The false Zangetsu answered.
"Old man…" Ichigo said.
"From now on, I will no longer suppress your true power. That being said; I will now serve my role in teaching your Quincy abilities." Said the Quincy Manifestation as he began to vanish in a form of spirit energy.
"Wait, Old Man!" Ichigo said.
"Ichigo, always remember what I've said: Abandon your fear. Look forward. Move forward and never stop. You'll age if you pull back. You'll die if you hesitate." The false Zangetsu said and Ichigo looked on not knowing what to say before something clicked in his mind.
"Wait, do you know if Yhwach is still alive after all these years?" Ichigo said.
"Yhwach is…" The false Zangetsu began to say before a surge of his fading spiritual pressure filled the air and drowned out the rest of his answer as he disappeared. Zangetsu stood by watching and waited until Ichigo turned to speak.
"All right, talk. Is there anything else you've been holding back from me?" Ichigo asked.
"Well, landlord, this is a helluva time to ask but here it is." Zangetsu smirked as he presented the mask to Ichigo and it morphed into the mask he had in his White state.
"This mask is basically what I wore back when I had a body and that bastard Aizen created me from a unique type of Asauchi he created from the flesh of a Vasto Lorde he met in Hueco Mundo." Zangetsu explained.
"You were created from a Vasto Lorde?" Ichigo asked.
"No shit, Ichigo. Have you ever lost to any hollow or arrancar you've fought while wearing my mask?" Zangetsu said and Ichigo realized his victories while wearing the mask were because of the Vasto Lorde strength his Zanpakutō possessed.
"Then…" Ichigo said.
"Since you sliced Ginjō down after getting your powers back, that killer instinct is stronger than ever and that throne is yours as long as you don't fuck up again like you did with Ulquiorra." Zangetsu sneered and Ichigo took in all he had heard before nodding to himself.
"Yeah…" Ichigo said before turning around and beginning to leave until he heard purring. He looked back to see Haineko crawling around Zangetsu and nuzzled his leg in the same way a cat would.
"Haineko, what are you doing here?!" Ichigo asked.
"Zangetsu here invited me and speaking of which…" Haineko said before beginning to rub her head on his crotch and he smirked before brushing his fingers on her cat ears. She started purring as she nuzzled the center of his hakama and he looked to a blushing Ichigo.
"You're welcome to stay and watch the show. Maybe it'll give you some ideas for Rangiku to do with you if you ever get the balls to." Zangetsu teased.
"Why, you…" Ichigo began to retort before noticing Haineko appear to undo Zangetsu's sash and he quickly vanished from his inner world.
"Pussy." Zangetsu said.
"What?" Haineko said.
"Wasn't talking you, Haineko but since you bring it up." Zangetsu said before the cat-theme Zanpakutō returned to her business with him.
"Way ahead of you." Haineko purred upon finishing undoing his sash.
Ichigo awoke to the sound of Rangiku's Denreishinki buzzing and the couple yawned before she picked it up from his desk. She opened it and groaned before closing it.
"What's the matter?" Ichigo asked.
"The Captain just announced his advance troops are to return home to the Soul Society since no more Vasto Lorde are detected." Rangiku said.
"Oh." Ichigo said as she rose and wrapped her arms around him with his head being smothered by her cleavage.
"Oh, Ichigo, I'm going to miss you so much!" Rangiku said before ending her embrace with a passion-filled kiss to the lips that he reacted to by wrapping his arms around her back and trailing his fingers through her wavy locks of her. The pair remained like this for a while before separating lips and she rested her forehead on his.
"It's alright, Rangiku. I can visit you in the Soul Society, right?" Ichigo said and her radiate smile appeared upon realizing he was right.
"Sure, you can but I'm going to miss spending day and night with you." Rangiku pouted.
"Don't worry, it'll work out somehow." Ichigo said while stroking Rangiku and she eventually rose before going to the bathroom to dress as he began to don his school attire. She came back a few minutes later and gathered her clothes into her shopping bag.
Once finished packing, she walked downstairs with Ichigo carrying the bags and they found Yuzu cooking breakfast.
"Going somewhere, Rangiku?" Karin asked.
"Sorry, girls, but it's time for me to go back to the Soul Society." Rangiku explained.
"Already? Won't you stay for one last breakfast with us?" Yuzu protested.
"Well, no sense in going anywhere hungry." Rangiku said.
"That's the spirit!" Isshin said as he flew from upstairs and nearly kicked Ichigo's head before his son ducked. He jumped into the air and slammed his knee into Isshin's back before karate-chopping him onto the floor.
"Dad, you never learn!" Ichigo sighed before he and Rangiku joined his sisters for breakfast. Once the meal was completed, Rangiku gave both Yuzu and Karin hugs while they returned the favor.
"Take care, you two." Rangiku said.
"See you around, Rangiku." Karin said.
"Are you ever coming back?" Yuzu asked.
"Of course, I am! And Dad, you were a sight for sore eyes to see after this long." Rangiku said as he shook his hand as they exchanged looks to signify that she'd remained silent of his whereabouts.
"Don't mention it, Rangiku. Come back anything and give me several grandkids from my son!" Isshin laughed before Ichigo karate-chopped him again.
"Jeez!" Ichigo said before Rangiku giggled and gave him a quick kiss as she embraced him.
"Goodbye, Ichigo."
"Goodbye, Rangiku." Ichigo said to the blonde before she undid the hug and vanished in the form of a flash-step.
Elsewhere
"Thank you once again for your hospitality, Orihime." Hitsugaya said.
"It was no trouble, you three." Orihime said.
"Thanks for everything, Orihime." Momo said.
"Don't mention it." Orihime smiled before Momo and Hitsugaya left via flash-step and Ulquiorra stepped out of her apartment.
"Well, Ulquiorra, I'm glad I got to see you again." Orihime said.
"Likewise, Orihime. You have my gratitude for your generous hospitality." Ulquiorra said before she shook his hand.
"Oh, you're welcome and you're free to come back for a visit anytime." Orihime said.
"I'd be honored." Ulquiorra said before opening a Garganta.
"Farewell, Orihime."
"Goodbye, Ulquiorra." Orihime said to the pale arrancar before he walked into the Garganta and it shut behind him. She smiled after him and went back inside to prepare for school
Later that morning
Ichigo walked to school and felt the spiritual pressures of Hitsugaya's team vanish before sighing to himself. He figured that with so much time passing, teach Soul Reaper had thanked their respective host for putting them up for so long and returned home.
"You missed a damn good show last night with me and Haineko." Zangetsu teased inside of Ichigo's mind and he rolled his eyes at him. As he entered the school gates, he found Ulquiorra waiting for him and stopped dead in his tracks.
"Ulquiorra…" Ichigo said.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, there is something I wish to discuss with you." Ulquiorra said.
"What is it?" Ichigo asked.
"I didn't want to say anything in front of the others but it's about your mask from last night." Ulquiorra said.
"If you're here to ask me about it, there's nothing to worry about. I've gained control over my Hollow abilities to where I can take on forms like that without too much of a worry." Ichigo said.
"Is that so?" Ulquiorra said.
"That's right." Ichigo answered.
"Very well then, Ichigo Kurosaki. I shall be going now." Ulquiorra said before opening a Garganta and stepping into it.
"I can never figure that guy out." Ichigo thought to himself before proceeding into the school and entering his classroom.
"Morning, Ichigo!" Neliel smiled and Ichigo looked to see the other Arrancars in class with his usual classmates.
"I thought you had all left with Ulquiorra." Ichigo said.
"No, we came here to see what school has to offer and we're in no hurry to leave." Lilinette said.
"Besides, I'm sure the reason Ulquiorra left is because he thinks it's improper for him to be in a house with Orihime all on their own." Tier said.
"Ha! Sounds just as balless as Ulquiorra could get." Grimmjow laughed.
"Besides, I've always wondered what a school library is like." Neliel smiled.
"Plus, I've finding new comedy material here. The opportunity is too much for me to pass up." Pesche said.
"And what about you, Grimmjow? Why are you in school?" Ichigo asked.
"To kick someone's ass if they try getting too close to Nel and my first priority is to kick your ass the first chance I get." Grimmjow said and Ichigo smiled to himself as he took his seat as Starrk sat half-dozed in his chair.
"Don't get ahead of yourself." Ichigo said to Grimmjow.
In Soul Society
"Brother, I have completed my mission in the World of the Living and have returned without incident." Rukia said.
"I see. Well done, Rukia." Byakuya said.
"If I may, Brother, could I see Sojun please?" Rukia said and Byakuya looked to Retsu, who only smiled at her sister-in-law.
"I'll be just a moment." Retsu said before vanishing into the mansion and returning shortly with Sojun in her arms.
"Sojun, your Aunt Rukia wishes to see you." Byakuya said before Retsu set the young boy down and he excitedly approached his aunt.
"Hello, Aunt Rukia, how was your mission in the World of the Living?" Sojun asked as he politely bowed his head to her and Retsu smiled at him. Though Byakuya had taught him he shouldn't bow to anyone outside of the Kuchiki family, she had managed to teach him it was good manners to do so anyway.
"It went quite well, my Nephew, and I found something you may enjoy." Rukia said before presenting her young nephew with the medieval books she had brought for him.
"Thank you very much, Aunt Rukia." Sojun said as he accepted the books.
"My pleasure, Sojun." Rukia smiled.
Elsewhere
"That's it!" Rangiku said as she woke up from her usual spot on the office couch and Hitsugaya exasperatedly sighed.
"What are you yelling about now?" Hitsugaya said.
"I just remembered Ichigo graduates next month and I've thought of the perfect gift to celebrate with." Rangiku giggled to herself as she thought about it.
"I'm pretty sure I'm better off not knowing." Hitsugaya said as he concentrated on his paperwork.
Here's the first chapter of the year and to get your blood running, there will be a full-fledged lemon between Ichigo and Rangiku in the next chapter so I hope you can all tune in. I thought it be important for the Zangetsu revelation to brought up and my own reinterpretation is that White's powers came from that of a Vasto Lorde (a nod to the fact that fans call Ichigo's full hollow state his Vasto Lorde form).
Rangiku's Bankai is based off the Marvel villain named Whirlwind and the fact she was able to kill a Vasto Lorde show just how lethal it is. Some may call Haineko getting freaky with Zangetsu bizarre but I call it downright hilarious as hell and I'll see you guys next time.