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Disclaimer: Nick Nack Paddy whack Give a Dog a bone

_Chapter 13_

Memories

Ichigo woke up with a start. It was way to early. At least he was awake on time today and the midget wouldn't have to wake him up like usual. She had taken to being very creative in the ways she would wake him when he overslept. Which was almost everyday. Even after being here for year he could not understand why the hell the day had to start at the break of daylight. I mean he liked to sleep. The last year had flown by since the night of the dinner at Byakuya's house. Looking at the ceiling he thought of all the things that happened in the past year.

-One month after the Dinner

SPLASH! The bucket of icy cold water jerked him out of a amazing dream. Looking around he searched for the culprit someone was itching for a fight this morning. As he thought it was exactly who it he thought it was. Holding a now empty bucket Rukia stood over him with a rather amused look on her face.

"WHAT THE HELL YOU CRAZY MIDGET! I WAS SLEEPING!"

He immediately regretted his choice of words as the bucket bounced off his head.

"I WOULDN'T HAVE TO RESORT TO SUCH EXTREME MEASURES IF YOU EVER WAS AWAKE ON TIME IDIOT!"

Rukia had been trying to get him up on time all month and was absolutely fed up with his laziness in the morning. This morning she had come in to his room to find him asleep, again and something snapped inside of her. Turning around and storming pass Isamu who had a extremely confused look on his face she grabbed a bucket and filled it at the hydrant. Using her reiatsu to chill it to almost freezing she made her way back to her idiot boyfriend and acted knowing that he wouldn't do anything but make a fuss. Plus she got to irritate him first thing in the morning which in her book was a point for her.

"You are already an hour late Ichigo, get your ass up and get ready fool we have things to do today."

"Okay Okay I'm up. I guess I don't need a shower so just let me get dressed."

Smirking and turning on her heels she left his room. Stopping to tell a still confused Isamu to get their Captain some clean linens for his room.

"Damn crazy midgets." Ichigo thought to himself before starting to get ready.

Coming out of his thoughts Ichigo looked at his clock. Knowing that she would be there soon he rose to get ready. So much had been accomplished for Squad Five in the last year. After taking over Ichigo and Rukia had started an intense training regiment for the squad. There was a lot of work to get done. Something inside soul told him that there was danger coming. He had no idea where this feeling was coming from he just knew it in the very depths of his being. He had to get his squad ready for anything. The squad had been quite receptive to the intense training regiment. They were progressing along at a very good rate in another year or two they would be able to give the eleventh squad a run for their money in terms of fighting ability. Ichigo's face paled when he thought of the eleventh squad. Memories of an incident a few months ago rushed to the surface as he prepared to shower and get prepared for the day.

-Six months after the dinner

Kenpachi Zariki sat at his desk utterly bored. It had been far to long since he had had a good fight. Smiling he decided that today was a good day to pick a fight and he knew just who to pick a fight with. Looking over to his child-like lieutenant he motioned that they were leaving.

"Where are we going Kenny?" Yachiru asked

"Ichigo has had long enough. I am bored and I am going to get him to fight with me today. I don't care what excuse he makes. It's happening."

"Yay! Itchy and Kenny are going to have fun!"

Both of them vanished heading towards the fifth squad's barracks.

Ichigo's desk groaned at the weight of the paperwork on it. Looking over he could just make out the top of Rukia's head she was intently filling out forms as well.

"Can we go do something? I am so damn bored Rukia." Ichigo whined.

"Paperwork is part of the job fool. You can't just skirt your responsibilities because you are bored." Rukia responded irritated did he think she enjoyed all this damn paperwork.

Both of them froze as a immense spiritual pressure landed in the area of their training grounds.

Recognizing who it was Ichigo smiled. Finally something to do. Rukia groaned as he made for the door. This was bound to happen everybody knew it was only a matter of time.

"Well I guess I will go with you. I don't want to miss this. Besides I want to be there in case you do anything stupid like get yourself killed."

"Like that's going to happen. Get Isamu to gather the squad at the training grounds. I want them to see this, there is no reason we can''t use this as an opportunity to get some training in."

Smiling and nodding her head she vanished heading for where she felt Isamu's reiatsu.

Walking towards the training grounds Ichigo saw Kenpachi standing there in the middle of the arena. His sword leisurely slung over his shoulder the older warrior smiled as Ichigo approached.

"Ichigo! It has been long enough! You have been a Captain now for over six months and I still haven't had a chance to fight you. I want to see how strong you have become!"

Yachiru peaked over Kenpachi's shoulder and waved with a big smile.

"Hello Itchy! Are you and Kenny going to have some fun today. Kenny is terribly bored."

Smiling Ichigo nodded.

"Yes I guess we are." Looking to Kenpachi Ichigo continued.

"There are going to be some rules. One, give me an hour to gather my squad. I want them to be here to see this. It will good training for them. Two, this cannot happen everyday. I will fight you ever now and then but only when I have time. Three, this will not be to the death only to when one of us is incapacitated. If you agree to these terms we can spar."

Kenpachi groaned inwardly, he really was looking forward to a good fight to the death. However, he would take what he could get. Ichigo was one of the few people ever to have beaten him after all.

"Very well. I guess that will be fine. I have one rule as well though, if you do not fight me with your full power I will kill you, understand? I don't want you to hold back like you did when you fought Toshiro."

Smiling Ichigo nodded his head.

"You noticed that did you?"

"Of course, I expect you to come at me with everything you got and will except nothing else."

"Very well then, I will see you here in a hour?"

"Looking forward to it."

Kenpachi vanished with a smile as Ichigo turned to go prepare for the upcoming battle.

The hour went by quicker than expected. As Ichigo walked towards his training grounds he heard a roar of noise way to loud to just be his squad. Walking through the gates he was struck dumbfounded. The place was completely packed.

"All I did was tell Isamu."

Ichigo turned around and saw Rukia standing behind him with a amused look on her face.

"How did all these people find out?"

Looking at the crowd he saw members of all the different squads in the bleachers around the training grounds. He looked at Rukia who still had an amused look on her face.

"You told that bastard Renji didn't you." Ichigo searched her eyes.

"Of course she told me Strawberry and I told everybody else. Do you have any idea how much we have been looking forward to this?" Renji had appeared behind him.

"What do you mean Renji? It's just a fight."

"Are you kidding me Ichigo? I would usually never say this, but you and Kenpachi are possibly two of the strongest fighters we have. With the exception of the Captain Commander of course. Is it really shocking that everybody would want to see this fight?"

Looking at the crowd Ichigo saw several white haori's gathered in one spot. Apparently this fight was enough to get several Captain's to come and watch as well. He could just make out Toshiro, Ukitake, Shunsei talking with Unohana. Looking around he also saw Byakuya talking with the old man. Indeed this had become a very big affair. Looking to the center of the ring he saw Kenpachi smiling as he waited for Ichigo.

"Alright guys I guess you two should find a seat. This should be a show. I have something new to show everyone today."

Rukia and Renji's eyes widened at this. What kind of trick did Ichigo have up his sleeve? They both watched as their friend strode confidently toward the beserker swordsman.

"About time Ichigo. I was beginning to think you wimped out on me."

"As if that would ever happen."

Ichigo smiled as he unsheathed Zangetsu from his back.

"Are we ready to do this guys."

"Our powers are completely in sync now Ichigo. There is no need to worry. We will be ready." Zangetsu responded to Ichigo's question.

"Are you finally going to let me out?" Hichigo had been incredibly bored lately and had used every opportunity to annoy the hell out of Ichigo.

"Yes I think today ill be the day to show our new strength." Ichigo responded

"At Last!"

"I suppose I should start this out right huh? No use in fighting you with Shikai"

Ichigo thrust his sword his forward.

"Bankai"

Everyone present felt the crushing wave of spiritual pressure crash down on the arena. Ichigo's power was overwhelming. The hurricane of reiatsu coming from him swirled around the entire arena until it become a vortex of power reaching to the sky with Ichigo in the middle of it. Once the reishi smoke cleared Ichigo stood in with a smile on his face.

"Tensa Zangetsu." he spoke with his voice harmonized with Hichigo and Zangetsu's.

Deep yellow eyes stared at Kenpachi he could feel the waves of pressure flowing from the young Captain, he smiled the boy had gotten much stronger.

"HAHAHAHAHA! This might just be more fun than I thought! Your spiritual pressure is amazing! And its still increasing!"

"You haven't seen nothing yet. Come at me Kenpachi."

The two warriors shot across the arena blades drawn. When they collide there was an explosion of force that knocked many of the spectators off their feet.

"HA HA HA HA YOU HAVE GOTTEN STRONGER!"

They both vanished and their swords collisions could be seen across the battlefield. They were moving so fast that only Captain and Vice Captain class shinigami could see the entire battle. After a few moments both of them landed back in the center of the action. Raising his sword Ichigo prepared to release a new attack that Zangetsu had recently taught him. Black reiatsu coursed along his blade as he swung it down.

"Getsuga!"

At the first command what seemed like a normal Getsuga Tenshou was released from his blade.

Smiling Ichigo finished his new command

"Torio Setsudan !"

Seconds before impact Ichigo's attack split into three parts and circled the arena. Like black sickles full of killing intent.

"Tensho!"

The last of the command spoken all three sickles of energy shot at Kenpachi from different directions. Smiling the beserker knew he had no choice but to take the attack there was no time for defense. All three hit him at once and a whirlwind of dust was kicked up. A deep laughter was heard from the center of the storm.

"AT LAST! I CAN GO ALL OUT WITH SOMEONE!"

A black eye patch was thrown from the dust followed by an explosion of yellow reiatsu. Kenpachi had taken off his restraints. He was full on beserker mode now. He couldn't have hoped for a better time. His yellow reiatsu blew away the remaining dust in the air. The shinigmaiof squad eleven gasped when they saw the damage he had taken. His shikasho was ripped to shreds. His left arm hung limply to his side as he had used it to block the blunt of Ichigo's attack at the last minute. It was black as midnight and bleeding profusely. The one man in the universe that would be wearing a smile at such grievous wounds was standing before Ichigo.

"Is that all you got kid? I want to see what you can do with that mask of yours."

Grinning Ichigo drew his hand up to his forehead.

"You asked for it. Watch closely Kenpachi. I will finish this in an instant."

Swiping his hand across his face his hollow mask appeared. At that instant two things happened. Ichigo's spiritual pressure, that was making it hard for even Captains to withstand its power without being forced to bow before it, completely and utterly vanished. There was not one speck of reiatsu coming from him. Secondly, Ichigo's mask had gone through a major change during the process of syncing with Hichigo it had become absolutely terrifying to behold.

Two large horns erupted from the forehead of what could only be described as a demonic skull. Bright red lines dripped from the bottom of the eye sockets as if his eyes where bleeding. A mass of orange hair erupted from the back of the mask and extended down to square of his back. Even Kenpachi who feared nothing had to falter seeing the demon before him.

The Captain Commander watched intently at last he was able to judge the boy's true power. Even though he was still holding back it was simply astonishing. He was sure that out of all of his Captain's he was the only one that could even perceive Ichigo's power after the transformation. At this point Ichigo made Aizen look like a baby in swaddling clothes. It was as he thought. He would have to train the boy himself. His power seemed endless with the proper training he might one day be able to go toe to toe with the Commander himself.

"Get ready Kenpachi. I'm Coming." if Ichigo's appearance wasn't terrifying enough his voice could melt the heart of the strongest warrior.

It happened in a blink of an eye. One second Ichigo was in front of Kenpachi the next he was everywhere.

"Gran rey Cero."

At least a hundred Ichigo clones brought their hands up at the same time. A immense beam of solid black power shot out of every outstretched hand and hurtled toward Kenpachi. If it was any other man the attack would have been a death sentence. When they impacted him the entire arena went black. As the energy withdrew one warrior stood above the other with a smile on his now mask-less face.

"What do you think?"

A bloody barely conscience Kenpachi grinned up at his rival.

"NOW THAT WAS FUN!" the words barely escaped his mouth before he passed out. The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. They had never before seen such a display of power. A roar rose above the rest of the crowd fifth squad was going nuts. They knew that their Captain was strong, he was a war hero after all, they just didn't realize how strong.

As Unohana and Kiyone rushed to Kenpachi's side Ichigo was met by his friends and squadmates.

"You held back in our fight Kurosaki. I expect another duel soon."

Ichigo turned to see Toshiro standing next to him.

"Toshiro...well...I" he stammered while scratching the back of his head.

"It's okay, after seeing this duel it makes me only want to train to get even stronger. You need a sparring partner?" Toshiro had been shocked at the pure raw power that Ichigo had shown during the match. He knew that if Ichigo had used that same power when they had dueled he would have lost without maintaining his honor. He now knew what his friend had done during their match. He was not mad at all.

"Really? Yeah that would be great Toshiro. It would be nice to be able to spar with someone on a regular basis. I am being suffocated by the paperwork."

"It's Captain Hitsugaya, and yes I understand. At least your lieutenant helps."

"I am sure Lieutenant Matsumoto helps you out Captain Hitsugaya." Rukia had appeared beside him and slipped her hand into his. It seemed that everybody had known that the only possible outcome too Ichigo and Rukia's relationship was that they eventually would discover their feelings for each other. When they had told their closest friends that they were officially together they were met with blank stares and laughter. There was one common response to their news "Its about damn time". It was common knowledge by this point. While neither of them liked overly public displays of affection small gestures like what Rukia had just done were becoming more and more commonplace. Their squad had been overjoyed when they heard the news. Not only were their top two members hero's from the war, they were also the most talked about couple in the Seireitei.

"I guess she does a little, but she doesn't know the meaning of work."

"That's not fair Captain." His buxom vice-captain had appeared by his side.

"It's just so boring filling out all those forms."

They all laughed as Renji approached.

"Damn Ichigo I didn't know you had gotten that damn strong! I couldn't even feel your reiatsu after you put that damn mask on."

"Ichigo I was meaning to ask you about that. Could you have gone farther?" Rukia asked quickly.

Looking at his friends Ichigo absently scratched his head.

"I think so. Let me ask real quick." he closed his eyes momentarily

"The old man and the bastard said that we were at about 75% percent in that fight. I will get stronger the more I use all of our powers together. That was the first time I have called Hichigo out since I came here."

He was met with completely vacant expressions. It was unbelievable. It was like Ichigo drew his power from a well the depth of the ocean itself.

"ICHIGO WHERE ARE YOU!"

Snapped out of his reflections Ichigo looked at his clock. He was twenty minutes late. Damn. He had completely lost track of time. She was coming and she didn't sound happy. This was going to be painful. Looking up he saw He a very scary raven haired girlfriend in front of him. With a death glare locked on him.

"Even when you wake up in time you are late you IDIOT!"

Punch to the stomach.

"You are a Captain you have to learn responsibility!"

Kick to the face.

"How many times are we going to have to talk about this!"

Kick to the shin.

"Look Rukia I am sorry. At least I woke up on time right? That's something"

Rukia knew there was only one way to fix this. She hadn't wanted to resort to this but it seems she had no choice. She grabbed him and kissed him very passionately. He was taken aback from the force of it. After she pulled away she smiled deviously.

"That was the last one of those you get until you can come to work on time for a full week."

Smiling she turned and walked out of the room while he stuttered and stammered. Possibly one of the most powerful shinigami in existence had just been outdone by his girlfriend.

How did you like it!

Ichigo's new hollow look! A fight with Kenpachi! A new ability!

Getsuga Torio Setsudan Tesho- I do not speak Japenese however I translate this as " Heaven cutting moon fang trio"

The next Chapter we will be back in the living world and the enemy will make their first appearance!

Keep Reading guys! This is about to get really good!