SailorStar9: This is Chapter 13 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?
Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.
Chapter 13: Ichimaru Gin's Shadow
In Soul Society...
"Pretty calm back there." Ichimaru Gin remarked. "6th Squad Captain. Exemplary, exemplary. So calm even though your sister's gonna die. That's 6th Squad Captain for you. A shining example of a Shinigami."
"Don't be ridiculous." Zaraki Kenpachi snorted. "The only Shinigamis scared of dying are pretty much just you and the 9th Squad Captain."
"What?" Ichimaru blinked. "Really?"
"Two Squad Captains appearing without their adjutants." Byakuya remarked. "What do you want with me?"
"That ain't nice." Ichimaru chided. "We heard your sister's gonna be executed, so we were worried you might be depressed."
"It has nothing to do with you gentlemen." Byakuya stated.
"There's no way you'd be depressed, right?" Zaraki commented. "For nobles, criminals are obstacles, after all. What do you say? While I am being considerate, want me to go to that criminal and lop off her head for you before the execution?"
"I didn't know, one can cut off ahead with just your skills?" Byakuya inquired.
"Want me to try it on you?" Zaraki challenged.
"You want me to let you try it?" Byakuya remarked.
"Give him a break, 6th Squad Captain." Ichimaru apologized, having used Kidō to drag Zaraki off. "I at least, didn't mean to make you mad. Well then, say hi to your sister for me."
On Earth...
"Pretty good for a skinny sword." Ichigo remarked, having dodged Urahara's attack.
Wait, ain't Zanpakutō the only things that can cut Shinigamis or Hollows? Ichigo wondered, fleeing from Urahara.
"You let your guard down." Urahara removed Ichigo's mask. "You're totally naïve. Awaken, Benihime."
Zanpakutō's name? Ichigo gaped.
"Yes." Urahara confirmed. "Zanpakutōs each have their own name. And this is her name. Let's go, Benihime. I'll praise you for not running and stopping my blade with your broken sword." he added, cornering Ichigo. "But Benihime isn't so sweet that you can block her completely with that broken sword." that said, he sliced through the broken blade, right to the hilt.
"What are you doing?" Zangetsu demanded as Ichigo started running away from the attacking Urahara. "Why do you run, Ichigo? You still have not called me. Face forward, Ichigo. You should be able to hear it now. That which blocks your ears is worthless fear. The enemy is one, you are one. What is there to fear? Cast off your fear. Look forward. Go forward. Never stand still. Retreat and you will age. Hesitate and you will die. Shout, my name is..."
"ZANGETSU!" Ichigo hollered, his blade transforming into a sword with no hilt nor guard. "I'm sorry, Urahara." he noted. "Please be sure to dodge. I probably can't hold back."
"Call out, Benihime!" Urahara countered, just as Ichigo released his attack, the force blowing Urahara's hat off, but no before Urahara pulled out hos 'Blood Mist Shield'. "Oh man, my hat's ruined." he dusted his hat. "But, I didn't expect this much from just one swing." he admitted. "Lesson three, clear."
Up top...
"Alright, it's complete." Uryū declared. "Thank you so much, sensei." he withdrew the Sanrei Glove.
Time passes, in front of Urahara Shop...
"Oh, Kurosaki." Urahara greeted the newcomer. "You're right on time."
"Sado?" Ichigo blinked.
"I'm going too." Sado insisted.
"What?" Uryū chided. "They didn't tell you?"
"Ishida?" Ichigo gaped at the Quincy.
"I can't let it end with me losing to those Shinigamis." Uryū promised. "I'll go too."
"Now, we're all here." Orihime added. "Pleased to be working with you."
"What is all this?" Ichigo exclaimed.
"He's pretty slow, isn't he, Yoruichi?" Tula joked.
"Indeed." Yoruichi replied. "Boy, you can't say you haven't noticed the bubbling of powers among these individuals. While you were training to regain your Shinigami powers, they were each training on their own, as well."
"A..." Ichigo stated. "A cat talked!"
"It's not a cat." Tula chided, picking up the feline. "It's Yoruichi."
"Okay, enough of that." Urahara cut in. "So, let's just go inside first."
In the basement...
"Okay, your attention again." Urahara called for attention. "Now, here we go. Alright, this is the gate that leads to Soul Society." he opened the Senkai Gate. "It's called the Senkai Gate, and it means 'realm-penetrating'. Ready? Please listen very closely. But first..." he forced Ichigo's Shinigami form out. "Let's continue. This gate is made by piling spirit exchangers atop the normal Senkai Gate. However, the amount of time we can open this gate and stay connected to Soul Society is at most four minutes. This is an unreasonable endeavor to begin with, the most we can stretch it is four minutes. If you can't reach the other side in that time, you will be permanently imprisoned in the space between Soul Society and the Living World."
"What shall we do?" Orihime wondered.
"Go forward." Tula replied. "The will to go forward. Yoruichi, can I count on you?"
"Of course." Yoruichi leapt off her arms. "I will be your guide."
"Quit your sleep-talking." Ichigo retorted. "That's the reason we gathered here."
"You understand, don't you, boy?" Yoruichi reminded. "If you lose, you'll never be able to return here."
"All I have to do is win, right?" Ichigo snapped.
"Exactly." Yoruichi noted as Urahara and Tessei activated the gate.
"Here it goes!" Urahara declared, the gate's power flaring, bringing the group into the portal.
SailorStar9: In the first chapter of the next arc, Ichigo, Ishida, Inoue, Sado, Tula and Yoruichi cross over into Soul Society using the gate. They arrive in Rukongai, where normal spirits reside. Ichigo quickly finds himself in a battle with the gate watcher Jidanbō when he carelessly tries to enter Soul Society, where the Shinigamis reside. Thanks to Urahara's training, Ichigo easily defeats Jidanbō, but when Jidanbō opens the gate, Ichigo encounters the third division captain, Ichimaru Gin. Now that's done, read and review.