Hey everyone Shark Spartan here bring you a short chapter but the next one will be a bit longer. Now on to chapter 11
Chapter 11
School ended well for Ichigo, even with the grim information he learned. Yuna was not sad or angry with him for what Ichigo had done. That was a relief. He now wanted to check up on the girls and find out more of what Uryu said to him.
Yuna walked with him, humming a soft tune. She seemed happy as always. Ichigo was again lost in thought again. With all that happened with Ryo and Senna, it's going to be difficult to explain about the fighting, the afterlife, and now manifestation of the Zanpakutos. It's going to be a lot to take in and there will be some headaches. For now, there is this and they have to be ready for, for it will come.
Losing track of time, Ichigo barely noticed that his destination was now in sight. Clearing his mind of these thoughts he walked up to the door of the shop, with Yuna closely behind, and knocked. Not a second too soon the door opened with Kyokotsu and Suzumebachi. They came out and hugged him.
"So how was your day, Berry Boy?" Suzumebachi said as she was still in her normal form.
Kyokotsu nodded after her question as the two backed up to let Ichigo inside the shop.
"It was fine, just learned a few things and I want to introduce you two to Yuna."
Ichigo moved out the way to show the them the girl waiting behind him. Yuna was nervous seeing these women. She let out a smile, hoping that they would not catch on to her nervousness.
Unfortunately for Yuna, Suzumebachi's keen eye caught the details of her nervousness. Her arms and hands were shifting. Her body fidgeted and Yuna's eyes refused to meet hers. She walked towards Yuna and stops right in front of her and places her hand on her shoulder.
The two made contact. Suzumebachi's felt Yuna's body tense up, so she offered her a smile to show she did not mean any harm.
"Hi there Yuna, I'm Suzumebachi, and she is Kyokotsu." Kyokotsu nodded as Suzumebachi got back to her question.
"So how do you know berry boy?" She asked as Yuna calmed down and looked towards Ichigo who motioned them to continue through the shop.
"Well, Ichigo found me and we became friends since he always comes to visit me with white flowers."
The girls lead her and Ichigo to the underground training room. Ichigo groaned, he hated needing the ladder to get down there but it's the only way down unless Hat and Clogs has a elevator. The only thing he can do is sigh as he went down the ladder as the girls followed. For Yuna it was weird to go down the ladder, even being a ghost she still had to grab on to the ladder to not fall. After what seemed like a long climb down the four finally reached ground. Suzumebachi smiled and gave a light elbow nudge to Ichigo's side, which he started to rub to soothe the soreness.
"I knew you were nice but sweet as well? You're a big softy under all that frowning." She said to Ichigo and giggled with Kyokotsu.
Ichigo would have said something in annoyance if it was someone else but he just smiled.
"Yeah, you got me. So how did you know I was coming?" He asked because it was a surprise that the two burst out of the door suddenly.
Kyokotsu and Suzumebachi gave him the "you're kidding" look.
"You know we are connected, right? So we can feel where you're at and how close or far you are. I mean, come on Berry Boy, you feel it too!" Suzumebachi huffed as Kyokotsu agreed.
Ichigo rubbed the back of his head. It was kind of obvious but this is all new to him so he was not so sure but now they made it clear. They can feel or sense him, which was interesting because it goes both ways.
"Yeah, it was kind of dumb to ask but at least now I know."
The two just smiled at that as they continued their walk to the others. Yuna now seems calm and is even talking to Suzumebachi, which was great. She needs other people to talk to. Ichigo spotted his two other partners as they rested next to a huge bolder. Katen moved first and gave Ichigo a hug which he gladly returned and Shirayuki came and gave him a quick peck on his check. Ichigo's heart was beating out of his chest and his face flushed scarlet red. He was lost in the sweet emotions of affection that he did not notice Urahara standing by, patiently waiting for him to finish his business.
"As much as we missed you, we have important matters to discuss." Shirayuki motioned her arm and pointed to Urahara.
"I wish I had a woman to welcome me home every day like that... but I have important news on this Muramasa."
Ichigo heard his name and the red from his face faded and a scowl took its place.
"I did not get much beside what we already know but there are signs of dark energy which could be one of two things. He is eating hollows to stay alive or his previous master was tainted by dark energy." Urahara said as Ichigo took in the information. "I would assume it's the first theory because we don't know how long he has been away from his master, so eating hollows makes him strong and able to keep his form without a master."
Urahara walked towards the large open field of dirt and stone and looked towards Ichigo.
"You have to leave now. He may be getting his power from hollows but they will try to take over his body and that is a weakness. He has to rely on hollows for strength but the more he does rely the less control he will have. Fighting them off will get harder each time."
With a swift motion of his cane he opened his variation of a Senkaimon.
"Rukia went on ahead since she said waiting for you will only slow her down" He said as he popped out his fan.
Shirayuki left out a huff of annoyance, Ichigo looked back seeing she has a look of disapproval.
"I will have a talk with her. She always does things without thinking through." She and Ichigo looked back to Urahara.
Urahara put down his fan as all playfulness from his voice vanished.
"You can't let your Zanpakutou manifest, we don't know what will happen if they do." He said as he walked towards Ichigo. "Welding them is a different story but be careful, if any one of them show signs of problems, you must stop for the safety of everyone."
Ichigo took Kon and swallowed the pill and exited his body. Kon came flying out rubbing his back from the impact. Ichigo looked towards him
"Kon, take care of Yuna. She's the girl with the pig-tails over there. Make sure nothing happens to her." Ichigo said leaving a dark tone at the end of his sentence.
Kon did not need to be told twice, the only time he told him anything in that tone was when it involved his sisters. Kon nodded as he stood up while the ladies of the group started to glow. Already being out of their gigais, they were ready for the trip. Ichigo looked towards the four and then one by one walked up to him and dematerialized. The sensation is like raw power flowing inside and it felt great. Ichigo regained his bearing and was now ready for what the soul society might throw at him. He looked back at Yuna before stepping in.
"I won't take long, while I'm gone stay with Urahara and Kon okay?". Yuna nodded and he went through the blinding portal.
As always let me know what you think and until next time Shark Spartan out.