Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.


The wind softly blew the hair around her face the sunlight sparkling in her eyes. Smiling slightly I forgot the things around me, nothing seemed to matter apart from her. Her smile comforted me, the feel of her reiatsu flowing softly around me created a feeling of safety. So caught up in her presence I almost didn't notice when a weight was suddenly added to my back. Her confused face with the slight look of hurt in her eyes was the only thing that raised my awareness of the world around me.

"What's up Ichigo? Who's this?" A familiar voice questioned me.

Confusion rose within me glancing to my left shoulder where the voice had come from, I noticed Akane was on my back, her hands wrapped loosely around my neck. "What the hell Akane, get off me." I stated my anger rising. Showing my shoulders backwards I hoped to dislodge her. She just giggled at my actions. Glancing back at Rukia I noticed she was now staring at the ground, hurt written all over her face. "Damn it Akane this isn't funny, get off me!" I yelled.

"Fine, Mr. grumpy. Who's this anyway?" She questioned as she slid of my back and stepped beside me, her hand snaking its way onto my arm.

My anger rising as I shook my arm loose. "What you're a noble and you don't know Rukia?" I questioned unconvinced.

"Oh, my apologies Miss. Kuchiki I didn't recognise you in your shinigami uniform." Akane stated glaring at Rukia.

Rukia looked up the hurt still evident in her eyes a fake smile gracing her face as she locked eyes with Akane. "Oh it's quite alright. I didn't realise who you where until Ichigo mentioned your name. Then again I have only met you a few times at the noble's meeting." Rukia stated her eyes closing with fake happiness.

"Why are you here? If you don't mind me asking." Akane worryingly replied.

"I'm here on orders from the Captain-Commander to check on Ichigo and to ensure that he hasn't seriously hurt anyone." Rukia stated in a commanding tone. "Ichigo…" She started drawing her attention to me. "Will you meet me later I have some information I need to pass on when others are not around." She continued looking serious.

"Sure, when and where?" I questioned.

"How about 8 this evening at the main gates?" She replied staring unemotionally at me.

Quickly pulling out my timetable and checking when my last lesson, looking back at Rukia I nodded. "Yeah that's fine." I stated.

"See you then Ichigo." She said turning to leave. "Oh, I almost forgot. The Captain-Commander wanted me to give you this." She stated holding out an envelope. Walking towards her I gently took the envelope from her hand, smiling slightly as I did. She returned the smile her eyes filling with hope again. Opening the envelope I pulled out the letter.

Ichigo,

I 'm so sorry about everything that happened, I was there in the real world as you transferred to this world. I looked for you afterwards convinced that you would become a soul and linger in the real world. Guess I should have known better really.

I would like to help you in any way I can, I have spoken to the Captain-Commander and he has agreed that if you would like I can meet you for special training sessions. During these sessions you will be allowed to remove your limiter. Speaking of which there is a spare within this envelope, there is also a little present from me in here.

Wishing you the best of luck at the academy, Rukia.

Carefully folding the letter I looked inside, the bracelet looked identical to the one I was wearing. With the bracelet was a watch with a big face and the clock set. Glancing at Rukia I smiled. "Send my thanks to Gramps, see you tonight." I stated smiling slightly at her. Pulling the watch out of the envelope I placed it on my left wrist adjusting the strap so that it would sit just above my bracelet. I heard a slight gasp from the students on my right. 'What the hell's wrong with them now?" I questioned myself, as Rukia smiled back at me before turning and walking away.

"It's about time." Akane snorted her voice closing in on me.

"What the hell is your problem? Do you have issues with Rukia?" I questioned my anger very evident in my voice.

"I have no issues with Miss Kuchiki. Don't you think it was a bit rude of her to just show up during your lesson though?" Akane replied.

"Oh like you didn't, this is still my lesson you know. Also Rukia can do what she likes, I have no problem her interrupting a lesson of mine to deliver something from the Captain-Commander. I suggest you get over whatever problem you have with her or you will have me to answer too. She's been my friend a lot longer than you have." I angrily stated.

Sadness filled Akane's eyes as she glanced at my wrist. "Speaking of which, show me your wrist." She said demandingly. Lifting my left arm up towards her, I frowned in confusion. Grabbing my arm she looked at the two items on my wrist. "What's this?" She questioned indicating the bracelet.

"Its just a bracelet." I answered hoping she would let it drop.

"Don't lie to me Ichigo, I can feel reiatsu in it. Now what the hell is it?" She questioned her voice rising.

"Alright, alright, it's a limiter." I stated admitting defeat.

"Why are you wearing a limiter?" She questioned shock entering her voice.

"Because my reiatsu is quite high you know. I have to wear it until my reiatsu control gets better, otherwise I might just crush you all. Besides I don't see how this concerns you, your quite safe as long as I keep it on." I answered my annoyance rising again.

Akane stared at me with a strange look in her eyes, muttering could be heard from the other students that had drawn closer to us when Rukia had left. Catching a few words I realized that they had heard the conversation I'd had with Rukia and Akane. "Y, y, you n, need a l, lim, limiter?" She said stumbling on her words.

"I thought you knew about me, surely you realise why its necessary?" I questioned confused.

"I knew your name, and what you looked like that's all." Anyway I should get back to class." She replied fear radiating from her eyes. She turned and ran back to the other side of the barrier, I let my arm fall against my side. Sighing I turned to face the rest of my class, looking at their faces I noticed slight fear in all of their eyes. Moving back to my practise spot I tried to think of another binding that I knew the name of.

'Way of Binding number 1: Block.' I stated chuckling internally as I remembered the time Rukia had used it upon me. A slight yellow emitted around me, the tree bent forced down by the Kido, smiling to myself I glanced around to see how the other students were doing. Surprise hit me when I noticed that everyone around me including the teacher was on the ground their arms folded behind their backs. Panic caused my eyes to widen I glanced over to where Akane's class was glad that they were all on their feet, worry hit me when I realised they were all staring at my class and gesturing from me to my class. 'How do I undo a Kido?' I questioned Zangetsu.

'Try forcing your reiatsu to be still again, Kido feeds off your reiatsu even after you have cast it hopefully stilling it should cause the Kido to break.' Zangetsu stated sounding unconvinced. Closing my eyes I envisioned the river like before, focusing on the water I began to slow the current. Surprisingly it seemed easier this time, concentrating on the slow moving current I managed to stop the flow. Gasps caused my eyes to flick open and I noticed my class and teacher beginning to pick themselves up of the ground. My river began to flow at its own pace again.

'Thanks Old Man that seems to have worked.' I stated feeling Zangetsu nod.

"Well class that's all we have time for today, I'll see you all next lesson." The teacher stated trying to pretend that nothing had happened. I sighed in relief until I remembered I had an hour before my final class of the day.

'Well this day keeps getting better and better, I wonder if there is a cafeteria on the academy premises or if I have to go back to the accommodation?' I questioned myself. Glancing over to Akane's class I noticed the barrier had gone as had most of her class, looking around I noticed Akane looking my way. When my eyes locked with hers she smiled slightly and motioned for her to come over to her. Sighing I grabbed my bag and began walking across the field. 'At least I seem to still have a friend here.' I muttered to myself.


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