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Now please, Enjoy!

Beta: IchiFell

The Leaf's very own Soul Reaper

Chapter 10

Anko collapsed to the ground, completely drenched in sweat. She had been training with Ichigo for almost three months now and she still hadn't been able to keep up with his crazy training. She always collapsed after a day of it, sometimes even before the day was out she would collapse from exhaustion, always wondering why Ichigo could keep going like he hadn't spent a whole day training. She at least knew she was getting stronger though. She could feel her body becoming more aware and more physically fit to adapt to battle. Ichigo's incredible speed, restrained as it was, and his skills in battle made her learn real quick how to avoid and guard when needed. Her reflexes were honing at an incredible rate thanks to the spars she had with the Kurosaki. Her natural flexibility was being push to its limits and beyond to just get through the training alone.

But she was getting stronger, faster, more acute, and more aware to her surroundings. If there was one thing she knew, it was that Ichigo was a sadist of a Sensei. For Kami's sake, who throws a person in the Forest of Death with only a single kunai and the clothes on their back?! That part of her training with Ichigo was explained as to test her drive to survive under the most harsh conditions. Left there for a total of 3 days, Anko pushed all her survival lessons to the max while living off the predators that came after her by cooking them over a campfire while using the river and streams as a source of water.

Honestly, she was starting to pity Naruto. The poor kid had no idea what he was in for when he got older...

She groaned as her wrists strained to hold her weight as she pushed herself up onto her hands and knees. She looked to see Ichigo standing a few meters away, sword in hand over his shoulder as her own sword laid in front of her broken in two. Ichigo sighed in annoyance as he walked forward and crouched down before the broken blade, placing Zangetsu down his back, bandages wrapping around it once more.

"We really need to find you a durable weapon, not these shitty Anbu ones." Ichigo told her, making her chuckle lightly.

"You were in Anbu." She teased only for him to flick her forehead causing to give a small ''Itai!'' as she rubbed the red spot on her forehead while glaring at her Sensei.

"Yeah, but I had Zangetsu." Ichigo said simply, placing the broken blade into his pack. "It's not the same as a shitty Anbu blade." She smiled as he offered her his hand and reached her own hand out and took his before she was pulled to her feet. "Come on, you need a break anyway. We can head into the Village and look for a decent blade. I think my asking for Anbu blades from the HQ is starting to irritate a few people." She chuckled lightly but nodded her head as they both walked over to where they usually left their supplies when they trained.

They never left the village, but on more then one occasion a training session would go on for days at a time so they usually stacked a supply of water and food pills just in case. Or if given a Mission, they would train along the way and the way back because everyday was used for training. Anko grabbed a bottle of water and cracked it open before downing half of it, taking a deep sigh before she smiled.

"Alright, let's go see if we can find a blade just as good as yours." Anko smiled, making Ichigo place a hand on her head and ruffle her hair.

"Nothing is as good as Zangetsu." He winked at her, making her pout at him before the two walked towards the village, Anko idly drinking from her bottle of water as they walked. Anko liked walking with Ichigo. She never got the glares or the looks she did when she was alone or even if she was out with Kurenai.

Nobody messed with Ichigo. Any who did, well, let's just say they didn't ever again. Not that he killed them, but Anko actually didn't know what he did. Last time it had happened was two months ago when a drunk villager had called her a snake whore. Ichigo had calmly placed a hand on the man's shoulder and led him into an alley they were near. The next thing Anko knew was that the man was screaming his lungs out as Ichigo calmly walked back out like nothing happened. She had seen the sight of the man and hadn't seen any wounds on him. He looked fine physically at least. Mentally, however, was something else entirely. It was as if the man had seen the devil himself!

The last she heard, he was taken into one of Konoha's asylums and was yet to be even be released due to irrational fear at the sight of anything having to do with orange, white, or yellow of all things.

She had summed it up to some form of Genjutsu but she knew Ichigo couldn't use Genjutsu. Alas, she shrugged, as long as he didn't use it on her, she would be fine not knowing what had happened. The duo walked into a renowned weapons shop and was greeted by a purple haired woman who went wide eyed dropping the sword she had been looking at.

"Taicho!" She shouted while saluting, making Ichigo groan slightly under his breath as he stared at the Anbu member who was in civilian clothes.

"Yugao." Ichigo said, running a hand through his hair in annoyance. "I'm not your Taicho any more."

"Once a Taicho, always a Taicho, sir!" She continued to salute.

"Knock it off!" Ichigo growled. "Geez, you try to get away from all this and nobody let's you." He mumbled, making Anko chuckle lightly. "Anko, this is Yugao Uzuki." He told his student. "Yugao, this is Anko Mitarashi, my student." Ichigo continued walking further into the store, Anko standing awkwardly as Yugao looked at her before walking forward and looking her over.

"You're why he left the ops?" She asked, tilting Anko's head up by her chin and making her look side to side as Yugao looked her over before Anko slapped her hand away.

"Ever heard of invasion of personal space?!" Anko growled. "Because that's what you're doing!" Yugao simply shrugged before going back to the sword she had been looking at. Anko huffed and walked over to Ichigo, of who was looking at a few swords as well.

"It's all crap." Ichigo huffed in annoyance, making Anko gasp. These were incredible blades, some even forged from the lands of Tetsu no Kuni, and he see's them all as crap?! What exactly were her sensei's standards?! "I was hoping we would be able to find a decent sword in the village." He mused. "Guess we will have to find something outside the village." He sighed. "I'll go clear a small trip with the Hokage, you go and pack for a two week trip. We will do some training out on the road as well." He told her, leading her towards the door. "Meet me at the gate in two hours alright?"

"Alright! See you later Ichigo-sensei!" She called out running off down the street as Ichigo groaned at what his student called him. He thought she wouldn't use it, but over the course of the three months she grew to be respectful towards him and spoke only to him with such respect, yet it only annoyed him because he just wasn't one for honorifics. Anko proved to be adamant about addressing him as such since he proved to her to be someone she could trust utterly and completely.

He also thought she did it just to annoy him as well...

Ichigo walked out into the middle of the street before looking back to see Yugao looking at him from the door of the weapons shop.

"You left to look after her?" She questioned.

"I left for my own reasons, Yugao." Ichigo told her, turning to walk down the street. Yugao caught up to him and matched his stride. "Leave it be Yugao, I'm not going back."

"Of course." She told him. "It is your choice. But remember." She grabbed his sleeve and pulled it up over his shoulder to show his Anbu tattoo. "Once an Anbu, always an Anbu." Ichigo looked into her eyes before nodding and she smiled. "Good to see you, taicho."

"Likewise, Yugao. I'll try and catch up with you more often, alright?" She nodded her head and let Ichigo walk off before she herself walked back towards the weapon store.

As Ichigo walked along the streets, he ignored some of the stares he got as his mind went to other things that's happened over the course of the last 3 months. Besides his training of Anko, he had taken it upon himself to help Mikoto with Sasuke. The boy had been proving to become more reclusive since what happened with Itachi still hurt him. He took it upon himself to nip the problem in the bud. He talked with Sasuke and made him realize that even with all that's happened, he still had his mother Mikoto, he had his best friend Naruto, and those of the rest of his Clan that still survived. Pushing them away wouldn't help him and Ichigo would be damned to see Sasuke fall to the darkness of revenge because he knew all too well what it felt like. Seeing as his own mother Masaki had been killed by Grand Fisher, and he never was able to fulfill the desire to kill that hollow, the burning hatred he felt still flickered within him. He wouldn't let Sasuke fall down that path because he still had his whole life ahead of him.

Besides, he would deal with Itachi. he was the kids former Taicho and as such, it was his responsibility to deal with him.

Though after that, Ichigo noted that Sasuke was becoming more open with his mother, and while he still spat with Naruto with their ongoing rivalry, he smiled more often now. However, he did notice the boy looked toward him for guidance just as Naruto did when he hit a problem he couldn't figure out, whether it be with certain Taijutsu katas or with his physical training. Something he was able to help with as he put him under the same regime he had Naruto under.

The boy still cursed his name every time he was done which made him laugh every time...

Another thing that came up was that he was noticing a slight change in his reiryoku from his daily meditation. While he refused to learn anything chakra related, he did decide to take up to learning more of this world's meditation practices, which he found to be a bit similar to his old worlds known practices. But the one he was using was practiced by the Monks of this world, which they used to hone their senses in the spiritual. They utilized the nature around them as a catalyst so they could peacefully train and hone their spiritual senses since the nature in this world proved to be a great asset to keeping your mind completely at ease.

He took to using this practice for a the last 2 years by going out early in the morning to the Forest of Death where he was fully immersed in nature's wonders. He would always meditate under the greatest waterfall letting the pressure of the water push him down, which he used to strengthen his patience and kept at it until he could meditate under the waterfall without even noticing the waterfall's immense pressure on his body. Because of this, he was noticing that his reiryoku had become much stronger and more dense from his routine meditation. Zangetsu theorized that the cause was from possibly absorbing small amounts of energy within the air.

Which was the energy of Nature itself, Natural energy.

The specifics were a bit confusing but he was able to realize the natural energy he was absorbing was melding within his Spirit form, empowering his reishi and reiyoku, which in turn was causing his reiatsu to become all the more dense and heavy, of which he worked to keep under control as it continued to become stronger. He didn't really know what the effects would cause but so far neither he, Zangetsu, or his Hollow had felt any disturbances within his soul. So for now he would keep doing it unless he hit something that could possibly hurt him.

As he continued his stride, Ichigo perked up when his mind went to another change that's come over the last three months. Smiling a bit, he turned to the sky and spoke. ''Ah, I almost forgot I need to go check up on that.'' With a simple blur of his feet, he vanished in shunpo, causing those that were looking at him to blink in shock when he just vanished faster then they could even comprehend.

On the outskirts of Konoha, bypassing the Clan District and leaving the villages walls a bit just into the woods, Ichigo appeared in a vastly open area that was probably around 3000 square feet with plenty of the forests surrounding the area. Up ahead, he could heard the sounds of the waterfall not far from the open area. Then he looked to ahead of him to see a bunch of contractors working on foundation which, from looking at the results, brought a small smile to his face.

The foundation took up most of the clearing and was still in early work, but the layout was in the process of being built.

''Ah! Ichigo-san!'' A shout made Ichigo turn to see a man with a small yellow safety helmet on his head. It was an older man with gray spiky hair and goatee to match. Alongside him was a young man with black spiky hair black eyes and a scar in the shape of an X on his chin. Seeing the two men walk over to him, Ichigo gave them a nod.

''Tazuna-san, Kaiza-san, how are things?'' He greeted the two. The older man named Tazuna gave a chuckle as he wiped the sweat from his face with a white towel.

''All is good. We've just gotten the rest of the materials we'll be needing so we can start working on this project you've hired us for. Gotta admit kid, this has got be my biggest project yet. Aside from the bridge back home, of course.'' He said with a chuckle as Kaiza nodded in agreement with a grin of his own. ''I agree, you must have a big family for something like this, Ichigo-san.'' He said, causing the Kurosaki to chuckle.

''In a manner of speaking, the place we're living in now is becoming a bit small so I'm planning ahead.'' He said only for Tazuna to elbow him with a suggestive grin.

''Oh? Could it also mean your planning to have a kid? Planning to expand that already big family of yours? You gonna get with that woman you talked about, Kushina was it?'' He said, only to get an annoyed stare from the Kurosaki as his cheeks changed color with a tint of red at what the old man was suggesting. He only spoke of Kushina with Tazuna for a time but did the old guy have to take out of perspective like this?

''Stupid old man...'' he said only causing Tazuna to grin even more.

'...You didn't deny it, Ichigo...'

'Haha! He's right Kingy! Are you gonna finally grow a fucking pair and get with that chick? I can already see the little monsters you two would bring in this world! Hahahahahaha!'

Ichigo just scowled at his two inner spirits commented on his love life but choose to ignore it for now he spoke to the two contractors. ''Whatever, old man. Anyways, I appreciate you two coming down. I can't think of any better contractors then you guys.'' he said only for Kaiza to wave his hand.

''Ah, don't worry about it, it's the least we can do after all you've done or us.'' Ichigo sighed at that. Over the last three months, he and Anko were tasked by Hiruzen to go escort Tazuna back home, only to be attacked by a couple of Nuke-nin, making what was a simple escort mission to be something of higher level. Tazuna confessed that because his country was in a state of poverty and oppression, he couldn't afford a B or A-Rank mission. He apologized about the lie but Ichigo had waved him off and stuck to the mission with Anko in tow, which shocked the old man.

He came to find out Tazuna's country was being ruled by Gato of Gato Transport, a shipping tycoon who, upon closer investigation, was using his import and export goods as a front to smuggle in illegal goods, such as drugs, weapons, slaves, which among them were mostly women and children. Gato was slowly chocking the life out of the Nami no Kuni because it wasn't connected to the mainland, which was why Tazuna and Kaiza were working on a bridge to connect the two lands together. Taking this as a threat, Gato hired Nuke-nin to hunt down the two, which was why Tazuna asked for help in the first place.

So when he and Anko arrived only to see the country in the state it was in, Ichigo had taken the objective to circumventing every one of Gato's thugs from the village while killing those that continued to resist without a shred of mercy. What he saw in that village, the state the children were in, begging for meager scraps of food to digging in trash bins. It angered Ichigo more then he would ever reveal. Then, for the few days, he and Anko kept looking for clues to Gato's hideout and once they dug up the information, he launched an attack. Taking out the hired Nuke-nin, it gave Anko a chance to fight a B-rank Nuke-nin so she could see the results of her training bare fruit.

After torching the building and taking all the money from Gato's bank accounts, Ichigo had Anko leave him with the sniveling man. What he did next, after he saw all the women in Gato's hideout being victimized and raped by him or his thugs, well, he didn't hold back on him and killed him in a manner befitting his moniker as the Reaper.

His hollow, still to this day, praised him for what he did to that piece of garbage, but Ichigo had been in such a state of rage and fury which possessed him, enthralled him to move, to slaughter everyone of those pieces of filth that dared to call themselves men or even human for that matter. There was a fine line to what Ichigo could forgive, but what he saw that day made him realize how dark this world really was and those of the worst of mankind didn't deserve mercy of any kind! Still, the mass slaughter he caused in the name of what the villagers went through day by day and year by year weighed heavily on his mind. That day, blood soaked every part of his body from the state of pure rage he was in, everything else was a blur to him. It was only Anko that pulled him from his depressed state for what he done. Trough her, he found the solace he needed to remember he did it for the people of Nami no Kuni.

After that, Ichigo gave the bank information to Tazuna so he could take back which was rightfully theirs, the hard earned money of Nami no Kuni. After which, with the money they acquired, they were able to buy the materials needed to finish the bridge and within a few days, the bridge was completed and the mission was accomplished. However, to Ichigo's embarrassment which Anko teased him for endlessly, Tazuna had named the bridge after him since he was to the one who killed their oppressor and helped restore the hope in the hearts of everyone in the country.

Because he and Anko helped them, Tazuna told them, should he ever need anything, to ask for him personally. And Ichigo did, seeing as he saw Tazuna and Kaiza's work of the bridge as a fine example of how great the two were as contractors. He trusted them the most to build the home he wanted for the family he's made here. Plus, he felt a weird nagging feeling that the apartment wouldn't suffice in the future and he felt it was right to be prepared.

''Yeah, well, I just wanted to come by and see how things were before I left with Anko out on a training trip.'' He said, making the two nod.

''Ah, right, well, don't worry since we have all the materials we need and with the foundation laid out, we should have it done possibly within half a year at most since your design is rather complex.'' He said, grumbling about the design, making Ichigo sweat drop.

''Alright, well, I'll be seeing you guys later then.'' With that said, Ichigo vanished in a shunpo while Tazuna and Kaiza looked towards the other workers.

''Alright! Break time's over! Let's get back to work!''

X-X

Ichigo went into his, or what once was his, room until Mikoto and Sasuke had taken it over. More Mikoto then Sasuke since all of Sasuke's belongings were still to be unpacked and he only slept in the room, spending most of his time in Naruto's room or at the academy. Ichigo still kept most of his belongings in here and Mikoto didn't mind when Ichigo needed to retrieve anything. He made sure not to bother her too much when retrieving anything.

"You're heading out?" Mikoto asked from the bedroom door, making Ichigo look over his shoulder from the pack he was packing.

"Yeah. Two weeks and I'll be back." Ichigo told her. "I'm taking Anko out on a training routine and, hopefully, get her a better blade."

"I see. You know, she has taken a liking to you Ichigo. It's hard to find you without her stuck at your side." Ichigo huffed as he turned back to his pack, making Mikoto chuckle. "So, when are you going to find yourself a girl Ichigo? You're what, twenty now? It's hard to say since you look so young."

"Something like that." Ichigo said, continuing to pack his bag up. "You know, Mikoto." Ichigo smiled as he turned and sat on his desk and looked up at her. "I think you're worried I won't find anyone suitable."

"It's not that at all, Ichigo." Mikoto chuckled lightly. "Just helping you get along is all. Us Shinobi aren't known for dying old, you know." She finished softly as a frown came to Ichigo's face. "But I know that one day we will be all sitting around while you're standing at the alter with a woman in a beautiful white dress or a kimono." She winked at him. "On your wedding day." She giggled. "Kushina will just weep."

"Hey Mikoto..." Ichigo trailed off.

"Hmm?"

"Did you love Fugaku?" Mikoto went a bit wide eyed the question before she lowered her gaze slightly and pulled her arms up around her.

"No." She admitted. "Maybe once... but... in the end, I didn't truly love him like a wife should." She continued. "It was an arranged marriage within the clan that our two families both wanted. It never became more then that." Ichigo lowered his gaze. "But I felt sorrow when he died. Even though there was no love between us, we spent a majority of our lives together. I'm not happy that he passed but..."

"It's okay, you don't have to explain." Ichigo told her, turning and going to continue to pack. "I was just curious is all."

"I don't think I've ever seen you this serious, Ichigo." Mikoto giggled lightly. "I know Kushina and I are always teasing you but we do care. Please, take care on your trip. Take care of Anko too. ok?" Ichigo looked over his shoulder and smiled before giving her a nod.

"Tell Kushina I'll be back in two weeks. She won't be home tonight and will probably be get back late tomorrow afternoon from her mission. It's best if I leave during the day when Naruto's at the academy, otherwise he will pester me for him to go along." Mikoto chuckled lightly.

"Sasuke was the same with Itachi." Ichigo stopped for a moment, remembering the last time he had spoken with Mikoto's oldest child, how he had used a Getsuga to scare him off... something he hadn't used since coming to this world. He had relied on swordplay, hand to hand combat, and kido during his years, but he had shot the Getsuga off as a warning even though there had barely been any power behind it. A hand was placed on his shoulder bringing him out of his thoughts and he looked to see Mikoto staring at him in worry. "You two were good friends, weren't you?"

"Yeah..." Ichigo said softly. "I...Mikoto...Itachi was my responsibility. No matter what other people think, that kid was my subordinate in the Anbu. He was a good kid, a pacifist more then anything. That's why what he did angers me. I won't let anyone take the responsibility of dealing with him because he is my responsibility and mine alone, no one else's." his face turned into a firm scowl as Mikoto gained a worried look on her face. With the comfort of being alone, she wrapped her arms around Ichigo's body to the Kurosaki's surprise.

''...I knew...I knew you would shoulder that burden alone. If there was anyone that could help him, it would be you. You've already saved my youngest from going down that dark path. It's why I entrust Itachi's well being to you, Ichigo.'' She said for only him to hear. Ichigo closed his eyes as he turned around in Mikoto's hold. Placing a hand on her head, he wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her close.

''Don't worry about it, Mikoto, just continue with raising Sasuke and living your own life. I'll take care of Itachi when the need arises. I've failed him as his Taicho, but I won't fail him as his friend. You have my word on this.'' Pulling from the hug, Mikoto looked up at Ichigo, only to feel completely at ease once she saw his warm brown orbs filled with his unbreakable resolve.

She blinked when his thumb ran over her face, wiping away the tears that fell from her eyes. ''It'll be fine Mikoto, it will be just fine.''

Taking comfort in those words, Mikoto took Ichigo by surprise as a true smile stretched her face before she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, making his eyes widen a bit.

''You're right, I should just raise Sasuke. I'll always worry for Itachi, but I know he is in capable hands.'' She took hold of his hand in her own, showing just how big it was compared to her's. Running her fingers over the rough calluses of his hand, she took in the worn look of his hands, finding the power he gave off channel into her from her touch filling her with the warmth she had grown to love when in Ichigo's presence. Giving a sigh, she let go of his hand and looked up at him.

"You should get going. I'm sure Anko is excited to get to leave the village with you for the first time. You shouldn't keep her waiting." Ichigo stared at her for a few moments longer before he smiled her way, nodding his head. Slinging his pack over his shoulder. he walked to the door before he looked over his shoulder. looking her way.

"Yeah. Also, tell Jiraiya that if I hear anything about him trying to include Naruto more into his...research, I'll personally castrate him." Mikoto chuckled.

"You will have to beat me or Kushina to it first, Ichigo." She told him as he left the room. Ichigo walked out of the house, leaving Mikoto behind to stare where he once was. Then she looked to her hand, still feeling the warmth and roughness of Ichigo's hand. Then she touched her lips, remembering the small act of affection she showed mere moments ago. Her cheeks flushed crimson at what she did, but the beautiful smile on her face and the fast beat of her heart spoke volumes.

'You truly are a wonderful man, Kurosaki Ichigo...to make me feel this way.'

Unknown to this, Ichigo was walking to the main gate. He stopped by the Hokage's office to get the clearance for the trip. Making so he was on his way to the gates, where hopefully Anko would be waiting for him so they could leave straight away. Luckily, when he saw her spiky purple hair, he smiled as he walked up behind the young kunoichi, easily masking his presence from her. Then he leaned down to her ear and spoke.

''Boo!''

''Kyaaa!'' Ichigo laughed as Anko literally shot up in the air about 4 feet high. When she saw it was him was when she glared. Once she landed, she started to pummel him.

''Don't do that, Ichigo-sensei!'' she said with an embarrassed flush as Ichigo just chuckled more before she soon stopped. Crossing her arms with a huff, she glanced his way as she spoke.

"So, did everything get sorted out with the old man?" She asked.

"I wouldn't have a bag over my shoulder if it wasn't." Ichigo smirked at her, making Anko pout at him. "We've got two and a half weeks out of the village, but I'd rather we get back in the two weeks and relax for a couple of days before we start training again. You have your Jonin exams coming up, you know."

"You're actually going to recommend me?" She asked in shock. She was still just a chunin at the moment, and it wasn't unheard of young ninja becoming Jonin, but it didn't happen very often. Ichigo just nodded his head and the two walked out of the village.

"Yes, you've proven adequate with all fields in being a Shinobi and your Taijutsu and Kenjutsu alone are mid Jonin thanks to your training. However, first off we need to get you a sword that won't break in training. Until then, you're a chunin." Ichigo told her.

"What! That could be forever, going up against Zangetsu!" Anko shouted, waving her arms out in horror at him.

"Yep!" Ichigo laughed.

''Dammit, you're a Sadist, Sensei!''

Taicho: Captain