Beta:DazLex
Chapter Ten
Ichigo awoke Monday morning. Getting out of bed he went straight into the shower coming out twenty minutes later. Getting dressed he heads downstairs. He grabs a piece of toast and pats his sisters on their heads before saying goodbye.
He heads off towards the school wanting to meet with the president of the kendo club before school starts. Ichigo makes his way through the school before coming across the club room for kendo. He takes a deep breath before knocking on the door. A moment passes before the door swings open. A tall woman with long black hair and bright blue eyes greets him. "Hello and good morning my name is Touka Asagami, may I ask what business you have with the kendo club." Ichigo gives a bow of his head. " Hello to you as well and good morning my name is Ichigo Kurosaki. My business involves the president of this club is he or she present."
She gives him a skeptical look before speaking. " I'm the president of the kendo club, if you have a question ask away I'm all ears." Ichigo gives a nod before talking. "I came here today to ask if I could join the kendo club. I decided I wanted to join a club and have always been fascinated by the way of the sword so I decided on the kendo club." She looked him over before coming up with an idea. "I've heard of you Kurosaki you're the brash type that gets into fights often if you can answer this question correctly I will let you join." Ichigo gives a half smile before nodding letting her know he was ready for the question. "Alright Kurosaki, what is the concept and purpose of kendo?" Ichigo takes a few moments to think before smiling. "The concept of kendo is to discipline one in the way of the katana. The purpose is to mold one's mind and body, while also cultivating a vigorous spirit. It also teaches one to fight fair and with honor." Touka couldn't believe what she was hearing. She never expected the school delinquent to understand the complexity and dedication it takes to learn and understand what kendo has to offer but he broke down the core teachings of kendo. ' He might be worth having on the team.' she gives him a smile. "That is correct Kurosaki, I've decided to let you join the kendo club. We practice Monday and Tuesday after school the rest of the days are for self improvement or other activities."
Ichigo gives her another bow." Thank you Asagami." She bows back. "You're welcome Kurosaki is their anything else you need if not I'll see you after school for first practice and an evaluation of your skills." He gives her a smile. " No that will be all and I will see you after school for practice." Ichigo waves goodbye as he heads out the door and to his homeroom.
(Line Break)
Fifteen minutes pass before students start filing into the classroom. Ichigo is deep in thought before he is Disturbed by a scream. "MORNING ICHIGO" Ichigo moves from his seat catching Keigo by the arm and spinning him three hundred and sixty degrees before letting go. The class watches as Keigo flies into the chalk board. Ichigo sits back in his seat as Keigo walks up to him. "What the hell Ichigo I just wanted to say good morning." Ichigo directs his trademark scowl towards him.
"You don't run and jump at someone to say good morning also why are you so hyper active today? You haven't tried to jump me for the last year." Keigo Pat's Ichigo on the shoulder. "A year ago you were so lost after the events that transpired I figured I'd lay off and give you some space now that you're doing better I figured we could continue with our old song and dance even if it means I have to suffer through your beatings every morning. In some weird sense I missed this" Ichigo looks at Keigo surprised before setting his face back into a scowl. "Whatever do what you want but thanks Keigo." Keigo smiles "No problem Ichigo."
As students continue to enter the class Ichigo sees Tatsuki walk in and waves to her. She walks over to him. "What's up Ichigo?" He gives her a brief smile.
" Nothing much just wanted to ask if we're still having lunch together today?" She gives him a reassuring smile. "Of course we are why do you ask?" Ichigo shrugs his shoulders. "I just want to talk with you and ask you a few things. Nothing serious just some things about the weekend." She gives him a nod. "Alright Ichigo I'll see you at lunch then." Tatsuki goes to her seat as the teacher walks in and class begins.
After three classes the bell finally rang signaling lunch Ichigo grabbed his bag and went over to Tatsuki. They left the classroom and headed to the courtyard with the big oak tree. Once they set their bags down and retrieved their lunches. They are in silence for a couple minutes before Ichigo spoke. "Tatsuki" she looked over at him. "Yeah Ichigo" He takes a deep breath. "There are a few things I want to ask you, is that alright?" She looks at him slightly confused. "You don't have to ask if it's fine to ask questions you know. I'll listen to whatever you have to say." Ichigo gives her a nod. "Okay first off I was thinking we could go to the carnival Friday after school for another date."
Tatsuki smiles "Sure I'd like that a lot" Ichigo gives a huge smile before adopting his scowl again. "That's great now the other things. I want you to be with me tomorrow when I confront Orihime, Chad and Uryu. I decided it was time to talk with them and figure out why they decided to abandon me after everything I did for them. It would just help a lot if you were there with me." She gives him a nod. "I'll be there with you because I would also like to know why the so called friends you fought side by side with left you to become the shell you were before I broke it." Ichigo gave her a thankful smile. "Thank you, now on to the last two questions will you come and watch me during my first kendo practice and this Sunday will you come with me to meet my second parents they are eager to meet you. They asked if I could bring you by for dinner." Tatsuki looks at him then speaks up. "Sure I'll go with you on Sunday it will be great to meet them. Also I'm surprised you joined a club, what made you decide to join kendo?" Ichigo gave a soft chuckle. "I just decided it was time to stop letting my skills get rusty so that's why I decided to join the kendo club." Tatsuki gives him a pat on the shoulder. "I'm glad you're doing better and I can't wait to see your swordsmanship today so don't disappoint."
He started laughing "I never disappoint my swordsmanship was better than most of the captains of the soul society and I'm only doing better thanks to you if you never kept pushing me I don't think I'd be healing from this betrayal any time soon. So thanks again for everything Tatsuki I appreciate it." She gives him a quick hug "No need to keep apologizing I'll always be there for you and I know if I was going through the same things you would be their for me I know it. You never need to worry again I'll always be here for you no matter what." Ichigo returns the hug while muttering one more thank you before they let go and continued their lunch only speaking to ask how their studies are going.
Soon the bell rang signaling the end of lunch they packed up and headed back to class. The next few hours went by quick and soon the final bell rang. As the student's started gathering their backpacks and exiting the class. Ichigo and Tatsuki stayed in there seat's until everyone cleared out. Once everyone was gone they got up from their seats and headed down towards the kendo dojo. When they arrived Tatsuki went to sit on the side near the wall while Ichigo joined the rest of the kendo club members on the floor. He was then pulled to the front of the other members by Touka Asagami. "Alright club we have a new member I'm sure you all know his name but just to be sure he's going to introduce himself."
Ichigo gave her a nod. "My name is Ichigo Kurosaki, It's nice to meet you all." After the greetings everyone walked to the side while Ichigo and the club president stayed in the center. "I will be your opponent to Gage your skill with a bokken. First to land a hit wins understood." Ichigo gave her a nod in understanding before both grabbed a bokken and went to opposite sides, both adopting similar two handed stances. One of the members acting as referee started the match. The two combatants circled each other after a moment Ichigo rushed in, sword at his side.
Once Ichigo got within range he brought his bokken up to deliver an upwards slash hoping to make her jump back and lose her footing but was surprised when wood met wood. As Ichigo backed off Touka moved forward delivering an overhead slash. Ichigo brought his bokken up and blocked it as minutes passed they locked bokkens again and again neither willing to give ground lest it provide an opportunity to land a hit. Ten minutes passed before the bout started to slow. They circled one another one last time before charging. Ichigo going for an upwards slash while touka decided on a downwards slash as their final clash met both bokken were forced from their wielder's hands causing everyone in the dojo to stare wide eyed while Ichigo and Touka stared at each other before smiling and giving a respectful bow. "Wow Kurosaki I didn't expect you to be this good. Where did you learn to fight like that?" Ichigo rubbed the back of his neck. " I learned from a man I consider a second father although we didn't use bokken he taught me with actual katanas. You were great by the way I've never met another swordsman who can fight on par with me. It was fun."
She gave him another smile. "Likewise Kurosaki. I believe now we have a chance of winning the kendo competitions against the other schools. Oh yeah I almost forgot competitions take place every Thursday. Now since I've assessed your skill and gone over the important information for this club I believe it's time for the club activities to start." The next two hours were spent practicing practical wielding of a bokken and sparring. After club was over and everyone said goodbye Ichigo walked over to Tatsuki. "So what did you think?" She gave him a sly grin. "Man those swordsman in soul society must of been week if you beat them so easily I've seen better swordsmanship from a kid half your age." As Ichigo gave her a look of utter confusion Tatsuki started laughing uncontrollably. "You should see your face right now, I'm just joking with you. Your skill and finesse with a blade is amazing." He gives her a huge smile. "Thanks Tatsuki I'm glad you enjoyed the show." She nodded " I did and no problem. Now I think it's time to go home."
They looked at the clock and nodded in agreement. Ichigo changed real fast before they started their walk towards home Ichigo walked Tatsuki home before heading back towards his place. When he arrived and opened the door he had to dodge a drop kick from Isshin who in turn flew out the front door and into the street. Ichigo closed the door behind him not caring Isshin was still outside however instead of going upstairs he sat on the other side of the couch that Karin was sitting on before calling for Yuzu who immediately came from the kitchen. "Yeah ichigo" he gave her a warm smile. "I was wondering if after dinner you and Karin wanted to watch a movie or two with me. It will just be the three of us." Ichigo barely got to finish his sentence before the twins screamed yes before returning to what they were doing. Soon dinner came with Isshin returning to his old goofy self. Once dinner was done and dishes cleaned Ichigo made himself comfortable in the middle of the couch.
"Hey Ichigo what movie are we watching?"
Ichigo gave them a smile. "Whatever you two want. How about you both pick a movie and we'll watch both." The twins grinned "Okay Ichigo." Karin picks an action movie while Yuzu picks a comedy. They decide on Yuzu's movie first. Once it's in the twins respectively sit on either side of Ichigo. The next hour and a half is filled with pure laughter. After it finishes Karin pops her disc in and returns to sitting next to Ichigo. An hour later Ichigo looks down to see both Karin and Yuzu asleep. Ichigo weighs his options before finally shifting them slightly and standing up. He first grabs Karin and carries her up the stairs putting her in her bed before going downstairs and doing the same thing for Yuzu. Once they were both tucked in bed he quietly said goodnight to them. He then retired to his room