Bonding Over Big Swords

Written by Shaun Garin

Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo. Mahou Sensei Negima is owned by Ken Akamatsu.

"You're back," remarked Ichigo, looking up from his notes. "Anything to report?"

"I just spent the last three-four days in another world Ichigo, what do you think I was doing?" smirked Asuna, sitting down and laying her head on his shoulder. Ichigo blinked as she added, "It was interesting to say the least."

"Ah," said Ichigo, packing his things into his backpack. "So, what now?"

"I dunno really," replied Asuna. "We still going to go on like we always do?"

"Maybe," replied Ichigo, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "We don't really think ahead, more like for the moment. What'd you learn about us in that other world?"

"Only that sandal-hat should keep better notice on where his stuff goes," said Asuna, smirking.

"I think we get into more trouble from Sandal-hat than the hollows," chuckled Ichigo. "Wanna go out for dinner?"

"Actually I was thinking of cooking," said Asuna and Ichigo shuddered theatrically. "hey! I haven't burnt down the stove since I was in first year!"

"A good thing too," replied Ichigo as Asuna clonked him on the head and got up to heat some water. "Otherwise I'd think you were deliberately trying to destroy the house."

Asuna flipped him off playfully as she dug into the pots and pans.

Several hours later, the pair lay on their backs, staring up into the patterns mixed into the ceiling. It was a custom job after a hollow had busted their ceiling, Asuna had swirled glitter and stars into the stucco and the end result looked like the night sky when the lights were turned low. "Man, that was some dinner," said Ichigo, working a toothpick in-between his molars.

"Yeah, even when the pot overflowed," agreed Asuna.

"Say, do you think we'll stay like this forever?" inquired Ichigo. "Ya know, living together, being as carefree as possible?"

"Mmm. Maybe," replied Asuna, hands resting on her stomach.

"Something the matter?" inquired Ichigo, looking over at Asuna curiously.

"Mmm… not really," replied Asuna evasively.

"Something's bothering you," said Ichigo. "What?"

"Just thinking of my other selves. How devoted they were to their friends. I'm thinking of throwing a get-together once more, you know, for old times sake."

"Well, most of the class have yet to move on, so maybe?" inquired Ichigo.

"Yeah, sounds like a plan."

"Something's bugging you," said Ichigo after a moment of silence. "That world bugged you something, didn't it?"

"Sort of," replied Asuna, blowing an errant lock of hair away from her face. "I admit it's all Sandal-hat's fault, but at the same time, I can't help but wonder how a world could have been so radically changed by one form of incident or another. And to tell the truth… you weren't in most of them at all."

Ichigo looked at his friend and Asuna looked back at him. "So whatcha saying?"

Asuna shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe I'm babbling, but I'd definitely feel lonely if you weren't around."

"I see." Ichigo smiled and said, "Go get some rest. I'll clean up tonight."

"Kurosaki-kun, what a surprise to see you today," drawled Urahara, a moment before Ichigo bonked the ex-captain on the head. "Maa, something wrong?"

"I need the thing Asuna brought back," said Ichigo. "It's been bothering me all night."

"And you came here." Urahara sighed, a long drawn out sigh before he walked over and tapped a hidden panel. Nestled inside it was the glittering gemstone, the grinning face looking out at him. "It takes you were you need to be, not where you want to go. Do you really want to use this, Ichigo? You may never return."

"I'll take the chance. If it doesn't work and I never get home…" Ichigo fumbled in his hoodie jacket but Urahara held a forestalling hand up.

"No… you tell her yourself." There was no hidden agenda in the shopkeepers eyes that night, and Ichigo nodded before seizing the gemstone in one hand. There was a brilliant flash and a cackle on the wind. Then, he was gone.

"Mmm… Ichigo?" inquired Asuna as she opened her eyes to see a fully dressed Ichigo sitting next to Asuna's bed. "What's up? Out for an early run?"

"Naw, I had some things to take care of first," said Ichigo. "While you were gone, they approached me. The Gotei-13 I mean. With Kenpachi formerly on semi-permanent hiatus from duty, they wanted me to become a full time Captain."

Asuna blinked. "That's great! You're strong enough for it. But something's bothering you, and it's not the captainship."

Ichigo nodded. "Yeah, it has been bothering me, but not enough. I went to Sandal-hat's shop, and I used the crystal. I wanted to see what you were like, in a world where we never met."

Asuna sat up, shifting the sheets around her bare skin. "And?"

Wordlessly, Ichigo pulled out a ring. Simple, elegant and western in make. "It's my moms," said Ichigo softly. "I think she'd like it this way."

"You're asking me to marry you," said Asuna, swallowing the hard lump in her throat.

"Yeah. I know that we can still remain friends even if you say you don't want to but…" Ichigo blinked as he was cut off by a pair of warm lips pressing to his.

When Asuna released him, she smiled and traced a finger down his face. "Baka, I'd love to marry you. But no big ceremony, okay? We'll go get Ayaka to do it for us. Small, simple, like you want it."

"Still not one for romance huh?" smiled Ichigo and she laughed, ruffling his orange hair.

"I wish you'd let me plan the wedding," grumbled Ayaka. "Honestly, the one I have set out for Negi-sensei is all but EXTRAVAGANT!"

"And that's why I didn't want to do it-- OW! Hey, watch the pins, Fuuka!" exclaimed Asuna. "I let you choose our outfits."

"Yeah yeah," dismissed Ayaka as Fumika fussed with the chiffon sleeves. "You'd rather have a wedding like from that Pirates of the Caribbean movie? The third one?"

Asuna grinned. "I suppose it could work out that way, me and Ichigo fighting off people who'd want to make our last day as an independent person memorable…"

"FIGHT ME BASTARD!" howled Kenpachi as he rocketed across the courtyard of Ayaka's mansion terrace, wielding his favourite chainsaw, Evangeline riding on his shoulder and Yachiru on the other, gleefully urging him on. In front of him, Ichigo ran for the hills, dressed in an expensive looking suit and Takahata was right behind Kenpachi, dealing what he called "Family business" to the young man. Beams of kanka rocked the flowerbeds and Hanataro shielded his wife Sayo who laughed and giggled, holding their first born.

"… and otherwise you just had to invite the entire pack," groaned Asuna as there was an almighty howl of Ichigo's bankai, a massive explosion and finally, the tired looking man stumbled into the foyer, only to be waylaid by friends and family. "This is extravagant enough. Why don't you freaking invite Aizen or something?"

"Don't be silly," scoffed Ayaka. "I couldn't even find him if I could. I'm sure you and Ichigo made sure of that."

Asuna snorted, winced as Fumika poked her with a needle and settled for finishing her wedding in relative insanity.

"So?"

"Mmm…"

"Is that all you have to say? Mmm?"

"Well, we've done this before…"

"Well yes, but then again we weren't Mister and Missus."

"I wonder how they're doing?"

"Knowing them, it's going to be a long hard screaming ride into the night."

"You're a little dirty."

"Well…" grinned Nodoka Miyazaki as she snuggled up to her bare-chested Negi. "It WAS their idea. They were to head for the hills and we took their place. You know those two couldn't even get a moments peace."

"I guess." Negi chuckled. "I wonder how everyone took it when we showed up in the bride and groom's clothing?"

"I swear, this is one of your craziest ideas yet," grumbled Asuna as she plodded behind Ichigo who shrugged. "At least it got us out of the insane wedding."

"Yeah. Let's keep moving though. There's lots more worlds we can visit." Ichigo grinned, Asuna laughed and kissed him on the cheek, and the Crystal of Boola Boola flared.

Then, they were gone.

FINS.