A/N: Note at the bottom, please read.
midnightscar17: It's kind of a spoiler to say, but not really. I said before that you'd see Keigo's before Ichigo's. Also he's almost gotten it twice now but both times felts wrong and didn't have the weight I wanted the scene to carry. If I had to give you a hard set chapter for it? I don't have one, I have no idea how many chapter are left in this Arc honestly. I was planning on holding off until the Soul Society Arc commenced, maybe even waiting till we got half way through it, but at the end I just decided that it'll happen when it happens. Sorry if this wasn't what you wanted to hear. I can promise he'll definitely have it before the end of the Soul Society Arc.
[Bleach Thy Soul]
The sun poked past the distant line of the horizon, its warming glow bathing the sky in warm orange. The mornings twilight had just begun, and with it the populace of Karakura was slowly rising, many of them slowly and groggily kicking away their covers with complaints of the night not lasting long enough. But on the outskirts of the small city, one orange haired boy was already awake. Just on the outskirts his body cloaked in the garments of the dead sped by the trees, his feet kissing the ground for mere seconds at a time before kicking back off into the air and propelling him forward, his body a blur as he approached the walled area. Intricately crafted stone pillars with a flat and unimaginative stone wall of medium height played the part of barrier in his goal. With one strong kick he was high in the air, his garments flapping as the wind brushed against him. He angled himself and touched down atop a large statue, a bald man in a kimono with three swords and short beard. Karakura Matsumoto. The founder of this little city. His eyes scanned over the landscape, the scent of freshly cut grass sticking to the morning air. Ichigo ran a hand across his forehead, soft mist indicating the likelihood of sweating was clear on his skin. He spat at the thought that a ninety-nine kilometer run could make him break a sweat.
Shrugging away the thought he jumped off, his goal was nearby now. He remained airborne for a long while, not flying just the effect of his jump carrying him forward. Eventually his body began to arc and descend. His sandaled foot met the brick pathway. And he approached the small marker, the name engraved upon it had been in his thoughts for countless days now, the death date on it had been plaguing him for countless more. He removed his sheathed blade, beads and all, from his side and placed it on his lap and his sat before the marker. He bowed his head and clasped his hands in a soft prayer. His eye twitched halfway through.
"You'd probably ask why I'm so early...why aren't Yuzu, Karin, or goat face with me? It'd be like you to fret and assume something's wrong...In a way, i suppose it is…" Ichigo began, his thumb rubbing the grooves of the guard of his sword. His throat seemed to constrict around him, he debated how to continue. It had never been easy to talk here, about life. The life he continued to live while she was taken away. He swallowed the blimp sized lump that formed in his throat and and stared at the marker, more intently than before.
"I can't be around Yuzu or Karin, so I wanted to visit you now...before I go. I'm leaving town, only for a little while, so that I can become stronger...strong enough to stand alone, so that no one will ever get caught in my mistakes like you did…"
Ichigo brushed away the dust on the marker before standing and beginning his run, he still had a whole day's journey ahead of him. So with bated breath he resumed his trek, his hesitance dying with each rapid step he put between himself and everyone who remained quietly slumbering at Urahara Shop.
His reiryoku bubbled within him before evening out, some of it coming up and extending into his limbs before bursting outward, his shunpo was a decent, even if he still couldn't beat Yoruichi with it. It still worked wonder for travelling. He could see the ground around him become a rapid moving color before suddenly being deposited in a location dozens of meters from his starting point. He was well aware of the fact that he should very well be able to see within the flash space but he'd worry about refining that after he accomplished what he set out to do today. The similar feeling of his reiryoku as before repeated itself, as he blinked to a new spot, once there he did it again, and again, and again, and again, until he stopped to shudder. It was so very strange leaving behind Yoruichi and Urahara, and Keigo's reiatsu fields. Suddenly what little weight they unconsciously applied to the area they inhabited. He smiled, it was refreshing being free of it all, away from those who so soundly pound him to the floor…
He grit his teeth and flash stepped toward a nearby clearing, his reiatsu had pressed down on the area and scattered, giving him a very general map to work with. He blinked when he reached the clearing. He had expected to reach a far point away from everyone and commence his training. Gain control over those pesky some hollow powers, and if the opportunity presented itself, get White to tell him his real name. It was a simple plan, and he was in it for the long haul, nothing was going to drag him back until he was strong enough to see them again…
He stepped in the center of the clearing, the way the tree brustled in the early morning breeze calmed his unsettled nerves and with a quick draw he had unsheathed his blade and stabbed it into the ground, he could imagine White's face twisting into confusion at the act, his own face wisting into hefty concentration as his reiryoku bubbled within him and a he felt it grow heavy before he projected it out, a dark orange box appearing around his blade. Ichigo shuddered. It felt strange, maybe even unthinkable, to separate himself from White like that...but he had to focus and having the origin of his new powers so close by simply wasn't going to do. With a quick spin he faced away from the blade he plunged into the earth. The smirk that began to tug at the corners of his mouth gave him a strange feeling, he shook it off as he focused the negative energy into his hand. The condensing reiatsu pressing against his hand. The force crushing the grass around him. The sudden heat rising from his skin as the usually blue energy grew dim and eventually changed to black, a deep black with a red shadow. Raising the hand to his forehead he quickly swiped it across his face, the sudden presence against his skin was jarring, but not uncomfortable, the world appeared different. His eyes had changed from bright hazel to deep and bright gold resting on a sea of blackness. His fingers lingered on his chin, the mask had a smooth texture, it was hard, like bone. His thumb dragged across the bared teeth of the mask that were spread in a permanent feral grin, each tooth coming a sharp point. The whole world felt lighter, his muscles tighter, his spiritual energy fluctuating wildly, it was like a dam had burst as he was trying to hold it back. He looked around the clearing one more time. The world around him blurred as he entered flash space, when he stopped he stood at the summit of the mountain he claimed for his training. He turned to see the sun clearly, it was just over the horizon. He cracked his knuckles...before sputtering as the mask on his face cracked apart and fell to the floor. He groaned before reaching up and reapplying it, he could feel the second ticking by, the mask growing weaker by the second. This….would take some work.
[Bleach Thy Soul]
Tatsuki held the small green pill between her fingers, everyone had been busy that morning. Urahara was out searching for Ichigo. Keigo was meditating, working to achieve his release state, and the kids of the store were hard at work of their next chapter. Tessai was looking after Rukia who had bumped her head running into the room to tell everyone of Ichigo's sudden disappearance. That left her in an odd spot. She could easily ask someone to help her vacate her body so she herself could assist Urahara search for Ichigo, but….
Tatsuki held her breath for a long minute before finally opening her mouth to swallow a lung full of air. She forced the pill down her throat. Instantly she felt the difference between being forced from her body using the glove of cane stamp method and simply ejecting her soul out of her body. She much preferred this method.
"Hi there, I suppose I'm you now. For the time being anyway."
Tatsuki jumped at the sound of her own voice. She hadn't been sure what to expect, but she supposed an artificial soul meant to keep her body moving and active while she was outside of it would probably require speech.
"Oh...umm hi. Y-yeah, while i'm gone doing stuff I need you to look after...me...feel free to wander...just, be careful okay?"
'Tatsuki' nodded her head and grabbed her purse before heading for the exit, Tatsuki stared after herself. It felt somehow wrong to want compliment your own ass. She covered her face, already feeling the burn of a blush coming on. It was frustrating sometimes, being herself. Rukia walked into the room at that moment, a determined look written across her face as she approached Tatsuki.
"Are you ready to go?" She asked, fixing the straps of her backpack.
"Rukia? Are you sure you're well enough to move already?"
Her smirk spoke volumes of full of it she currently was, "You may have the majority of my shinigami powers, but I'm still a lot tougher than any regular human….so, are you ready?"
"Yeah, lets go." Tatsuki replied, knowing that Rukia was ready to help Urahara look for Ichigo.
The two girls left quickly, lingering would have been wasteful since Ichigo already had a substantial lead on them. As the door out of the shop clicked closed a small flash shined in the corner of the room before a tall blond walked forward and sighed. It had been a tiring night, and the early start was less than appreciated. Add to that the disappointment that his pupil had done so poor a job of covering his tracks that he had to do it for him, and he was beyond ready for bed. He however simply rubbed his face into a smile as he looked into the golden eyes of his longtime friend. Yoruichi.
"So," she began coyly with crossed arms and an unassuming look on her face, "had a nice morning jog?" the sudden glint and harsh tone almost made the ex-captain flinch.
"Hmm? I suppose so, I just wish I had better company for it." He hummed in rely, false cheer dripped over the words.
"Cut the crap Kisuke. Five days ago Ichigo was crying into my arms and refused to let me go, now he's well enough to run off unsupervised? What's you plan here?" She snarled to the man who sighed.
"Can't get anything past you can I? I left few tags in the area to alert me in case of anything...I think some time away from it all will do him some good."
"Is that really for you to decide?"
Kisuke crossed his arms, he had never considered himself father material, he'd hardly even consider himself a good teacher. But since Ichigo and his father had their falling out five years ago he'd somehow ended up filling that role. Strangely enough he didn't mind. Ichigo, Keigo, he cared about them. He wasn't sure how it happened, but unlike his 'Kugo' situation, e was't going to let anything happen to them. He'd prepare them for the world ahead...no matter what.
"If not me...then who?"
[Bleach Thy Soul]
The theatre was empty, save for two souls that adorned the center stage. One was a boy of fifteen years with crisp brown hair and dark skin, his eyes were closed with a look of pure calm on his face. Draped across his shoulders was the other. A woman, taller than most, with long snow white hair and jade colored eyes. Her tanned peach skin seemed to emanate a glow of a heavenly sort. Her plump lips seemed glostened and alluring, intoxicating, to even the most prude like individuals. Her body pressed against his back, her arms enveloping him, her hands resting near the center of his torso. The violet colored silk of her kimono draped over his sides. Her cheek nuzzled his own as her head was raised for her mouth to reach his ear, the cool air rushed past it as she took in a breath.
"Good morning, Keigo-kun." She purred, her warm breath against his ear sending a blissful chill through him, "I'm glad you could stop by to visit me. I've been dreadfully lonely you know."
The brunette shinigami could 'hear' the pout forming, her hold over him growing stronger, her hug bringing him deeper. He'd been in this position before, numerous times even. But it felt...different, this time. As though something had changed.
Her teeth nibbled on the lobe of his ear, one of her hands remained over his heart while the other slowly descended to rest upon his thigh. Somewhere deep within his conscious he cursed the baggy nature of his shinigami robes, though he was much too out of it to say anything in that moment. He felt something bubble up his throat and as his lips parted he realized it was a moan. A warm sensation filled his face, and he could tell he was absolutely red in that moment. Her soft chuckling confirmed this, the stool he had been sitting upon vanished, and he was pushed onto his back. Someone was straddling him, hundreds of snow white strings came in from the darkness and ensnared him. He couldn't find it in himself to care. Her hands pressed against his chest as her head dipped down, his eyes were closed but he could still 'see' all this happening, like he was just some spectator, watching a show…
Her lips pressed against his forehead, her hair flowing in a strong breeze that filled the hall they squatted within. The hundreds of strings binding him seemed to grow tighter, and from the darkness came another force, one that commanded him to act. His hands came up and locked around her wrist, she gasped in surprise, though she was simply acting through the motions, not truly surprised in the least. He pushed up getting her off of him, before coming over her like a wild beast would its prey. His eyes still closed with a calm look on his face. His hands moved with each stroke of the strings. First he pushed the strands from her faces, using one arm to keep hers bound above her head, the other went to her kimono. His fingers tracing the line of the rightmost fold, the soft silk warm to the touch and tatilyzingly thin. No longer content with carefully tracing the fabric his hand clenched around the fabric and pulled it away, the thin sapphire colored sash at her waist tearing and coming loose from the force, as the strings commanded him to disrobe her the blue sash floated through the air, freely, without a care, before falling upon the shoulder of a silent observer. His eyes were wide open, with clear distaste in them. His body was shrouded by the garbs of a kuroko kabuki, the only part of his visible, were his trembling, disgust ridden, brown eyes.
Back atop the stage, the disrobing had been partially completed, the fair skinned spirit had been exposed, if only her torso, and had turned her head away in shame as her body was fondled. Her clenched eyes quivered and finally she called out.
"Help! Help! Won't some chivalrous soul come and help!" She screamed, nearly sounding genuine in her pleas for rescue.
Suddenly, a hand draped in black cloth tightened around the wrist of the brunette shinigami with closed eyes. The head didn't turn, the body didn't jostle, there wasn't even any kind of sign to indicate awareness of the action. This did not deter the black clad spectator as he tugged, tugged as hard as he could and pulled the shinigami from the woman, as he did the brunette began to break away and disappear in a sea of paper cranes. He turned back, kneeling, and pulled the partially disrobed woman to him, covering her bare chest with his own as he tightened his arms around her in a deep hug. He could feel warm tears drip onto his shoulder.
"My hero...how can I ever repay your kindness?"
The boy in black found the request already waiting at the tip of his tongue. He desired a kiss. But something overwrote that desire, a burning pang somewhere within him calling him back. It was loud, deafening even. He pulled her harder against him and whispered into her ear.
"All I wish to know...is your name…"
He could 'hear' the smile growing on her face as suddenly the angelic voice sounded a hundred times louder than ever before.
"I am but a humble performer seeking the beauty in the art, my name is...Kugutsu…."
[Bleach Thy Soul]
A/N: A shorter chapter than what I usually write for 'Bleach Thy Soul' but I'm still getting used to these new work hours. If you weren't aware I recently started a new job and the steady schedule is taking some getting used to. I can't stay up till four in the morning writing anymore XD
Next chapter should be back to the usual length if not a little longer, we'll be focusing on a pretty significant fight in the story for a few characters, also if you didn't get the hint, we won't be seeing much of Ichigo for a while.
Hopefully see you all soon, till then...
THANKS FOR READING!