A/N: For those who wonder why Ichigo can punch/use one-fingered Kido is because he mainly uses his trench knife for more Hakuda-based attacks, like Kensei and his Shikai. You'll see a lot of Kido in this chapter, canon and not - I'll include a list of all current non-canon Kido at the bottom of this chapter. Also sorry for this being later than usual but I am working on a few other stories (If I find it in me I'll post them when they are a decent length). I mean I have like 10 stories going on, most on chapter one but have captured my attention enough to draw me away from here for a bit. Finally the first half of this chapter is just Ichigo vs Spirits and Asami vs Spirits.

Also the next time I will update is uncertain, since Christmas has rolled around - it could be a few days or two weeks, who knows?

Italics + ' = Thoughts (Etc. = 'What is that?')

Bold + '' = Inner Hollow/Secondary Spirit (Etc. = ''Fucking Quotation marks!'' He roared) (Or Zangetsu in Ichigo's case).

Italics + '' = Zanpakuto Spirit (Etc. = ''Do not hesitate, Ichigo'' Zangetsu said) (Quincy part of Zangetsu for Ichigo's case).

I DONT OWN BLEACH!

Chapter 25: Second Releases - Alliance ARC

The water around us shook violently as our blades met in a fierce deadlock, my Shikai clashing up against both of their blades. The elder Zangetsu jumped back, one hand leaving his sword in exchange for forming a bow in the palm of his hands, with deadly accuracy he pulled back an arrow with only his thumb before letting it loose, forcing me to slash the arrow in two with my trench knife.

It was a trap, it seems, since not a moment later he appeared inside my guard and created a massive slash down my side, tracing from my armpit to my thigh. Grunting in both pain and irritation, I manage to nick him on the cheek as he retreated though. I push against my hollow and abruptly Shunpo back, allowing the arrows that would've impaled me to fly into the disturbed water.

I extend a finger at my hollow ''Hado #4: Byakurai''.

The bolt of lightning was like a laser, piercing the hollows shoulder in an instant and making the aforementioned spirit grunt. I Shunpo inside his guard, my fist flew up and struck his jaw, making him release another grunt as he unconsciously stumbled back, only for me to deliver a roundhouse kick and send him shooting into the water. Allowing my physical attack to carry my momentum I threw the trench knife in the air, I extend my palm as I spun, slowing down as the elder Zangetsu came into my sights.

''Hado #63: Raikoho!'' I cried, sending the bolt of yellow thunder at the surprised spirit. It impacted him directly, creating a large explosion of energy. Not trusting him to be incapacitate with such a simple Hado, I Shunpo behind the cloud and drag my hand along my blade before slashing ''Hado #54: Haien!''.

Not waiting to see the results of the attack I Shunpo back to my original spot, just in time to catch the trench knife before it hit the water. A soft buzz behind me indicated which spirit appeared, forcing me to jump back to avoid being bisected. I slash the air and send a wordless Getsuga at my hollow counterpart, which he easily cut in half.

I lift a single finger from my trench knife pointing it the direction of both spirits ''Hado #104: Jokiwoisshita Byakurai''.

The single bolt split into five, then into almost a hundred as they shot towards the spirits. The elder Zangetsu merely narrowed his eyes in concentration as he fired off a hail of arrows to counter the bolts, while my doppelganger grunted and blurred his way around them.

'This'll take a while...'.

Grunting as I side-step a graceful slash from Megami, immediately needing to duck to avoid being beheaded by Sokyoku. Swinging my spear in a wide arc and forcing my Zanpakuto back. Panting for breath I take a glance over to Ichigo and smile at seeing him using my custom Kido quite effectively, the hundred bolts forcing the two Zanpakuto to fall back slightly.

''Don't take your eyes off me!'' My hollow counterpart grinned as she swung an inverted copy of Tsuki no Megami at me, I block the strike and return my attention to her as asked, jumping back as one hand ran along the blade of Sokyoku.

With a swift swing, I call out ''Hado #154: Nensho Haien!''. (Tran: Burning Abolishing Flames).

The dark purple flames shot off my blade in a wide arc, making my counterparts eyes widen as she futilely raised her blade to block the attack, only for it to explode on contact. A large blackish mushroom cloud of smoke was created, hiding her and my other Zanpakuto from view. Not one to take a chance against them, since they were as stubborn as I was, I put my free hand on the back of the blade, glowing with yellow power.

''Hado #132: Bakuha Okasen!'' I cry. (Tran: Destructive Yellow Fire Flash).

The yellow glow transformed into a wide burst of yellow electricity, spreading into a wide arc in front of me. Random foliage that had survived so far was burnt as the wave swept over them, blowing away the smoke to reveal a scowling hollow, only for that scowl to deepen as she saw the incoming attack.

''Mikadzuki!'' She yelled and with an upwards slash sent a onyx crescent towards my oncoming attack, upon impact both attacks colliding they fought for dominance for a bit before the Mikadzuki broke through, allowing the rest of the attack to fly past her while the silver crescent flew at me.

With a scowl like my hollows I side-stepped the fast moving projectile, allowing it to hit a tree behind me. Instinctively I jumped back just in time to avoid being impaled by the small yellow-themed child that was Denki Sukai, her Shikai's blade missing me narrowly. I lash out with a vicious kick and hit the smaller girl in the back, sending her flying.

''Bakudo #21: Sekienton'' I call, jumping into the air just above the red cloud and point my hand down ''Hado #163: Tsuin Raikoho!''.

The double shot of Raikoho fired and exploded with extreme effect, making a large dome of power that forced me to fly higher just to avoid being caught in the blast. As I inspect my battleground I turned my gaze to the lake, catching Ichigo's eye. I grin at him and he returned the gesture, before we both broke off to fight our sparring partners.

Breaking eye contact with Asami, I raise both blades in front of me to block a duel assault from both Zangetsu and forcing me to skid through the air. With a mighty shove I push them back and manage to score a hit on my hollows stomach, allowing me the brief reprieve I needed.

''Its too inconvenient to use Kido with two blades'' I grin as the thought made me excited ''So one blade would be better, don't you think?''.

Hollow Zangetsu looked puzzled for a moment before his eyes widened, followed by a shit-eating grin. The elder Zangetsu merely smiled slightly, a rare sight so to speak. I cross both blades in front of me while the two spirits held their arm out and braced it with the other, our Reiatsu flared furiously as we spoke one, power-rich word that echoed for miles.

''Bankai!''.

A pillar of black and purple Reiatsu engulfed me, disturbing the water around me as my attire and weapon changed. Gone was the sleeveless Shihakusho, now in its place was a body-length Gi-type Shihakusho without a right sleeve, the white undershirt remained but the collar of the Shihakusho was opened like a V, stopping in the middle of my pectorals. The Hakama pants also remained, though the biggest difference was my Zanpakuto. Similar to when I initially achieved Bankai it was in the form of a black Daito, though this time the Manji guard was more prominent. The blade was accompanied by a black gauntlet that ended halfway up my forearm, a chain coming out of it and wrapping up my arm before stopping near my shoulder. (A/N: Dangai Ichigo).

My Hollow part of my Zanpakuto was no different to me, only the colour scheme inverted as to be expected. Old man Zangetsu however no longer represented an old man, rather in his teens like me. His hair was shorter and possibly darker, his eyes a light blue wore a hooded version of his usual trench coat but with a darker colour, the chains climbing up his arm barely visible through his coat.

No words were shared before we all burst forwards, I duck under Quincy Zangetsu's blade and block my hollows, quickly disengaging him with a roundhouse kick and using the momentum to spin and lock blades with my Quincy half. He lashed out with a leg, striking me in the abdomen and knocking the wind out of me. I wince as I felt my hollows blade run along my back and forcing me to go back into action.

I blur away from the duo, my blade glowing a fierce black, red and purple as I swung in a wide arc ''Getsuga Tenshou!''.

A black and purple arc of energy, lined with red, shot out towards my two spirits. My hollow growled and charged a Cero at his finger while the Quincy glowed dully with Blut Vene as the blast came at them. The Cero collided with the attack and created a large explosion, which I used as cover to get behind the hollow, who's eyes widened upon realising my plan. I slash along his back with enough force to propel him into the water and blur out of the way of the Quincy spirit.

Charging a Getsuga in my blade I Shunpo'ed behind him and swung my Zanpakuto in a wide arc and cut his back before releasing the energy attack, making the spirits eyes widen in realisation before the explosion engulfed us.

Ducking under a swift kick from Kuro I grab her by the ankle and sling her into Denki, making the two fly of in a tumbling mess. I spun on my heel to block a sneak attack from Megami, my breathing showing the strain of a three-on-one for hours on end, not to mention the energy to manifest them. I grunt as Denki Sukai slashed at my back, creating a long gash near my spine. With a swift spin I strike the child-like spirit with a roundhouse kick, ducking under Kuro's guard and slashing an equally long gash along her front before kicking her away.

Dodging out of the way of an arrow that Megami - who was also my main source of my Quincy Powers - had fired, I fire a wordless Bakuhatsu Mikadzuki her way before pursuing Kuro, who just recovered. I knock her legs from out under her but before I can slash at her Denki appeared by my side, blocking the blade and retaliating with a swift sweep, drawing a long cut along my stomach. I'd have used Goka or Shunko, but that'd be unfair since they didn't fight with Hakuda or in Kuro's case, is unable to use those abilities.

I dodge another scathing blow from the small child before muttering a Sokatsui and blast the seemingly invincible child back into the treeline. I activate my Blut Vene along with my Hierro and grab Megami's blade, making the graceful spirit widen her eyes before she got a fist in the stomach, charged with Reiryoku that sent her flying.

Ducking under a Bala from my counterpart I blur beside her and deliver a long slash across her torso, which she retorts with butting the handle of her blade into me and sending my tumbling back. I grunt as Megami cut my back and followed up with a swift arrow, forcing me to back off until both my Quincy and Hollow regeneration kicks in.

With a quick glance at Ichigo, I mentally note to end this training soon

''I didn't think it would be that hard to defeat them'' I scowled as we casually walked across the lake at a sedated pace, the moon shining down on us.

''You've gotten exponentially stronger since you first achieved Bankai, top that with Resurreccion and Vollstandig and you're a powerhouse on the battlefield'' She smirked ''Your spirits are part of your soul, you become stronger so do they, and vice versa''.

I nod ''After I get the second releases, how much more training until I'm good?''.

''To reach your full potential will likely take several years'' She smirked and I felt the colour drain from my face, upon seeing my reaction she let out a small laugh. Unlike her usual chuckles this was softer and sweeter, bringing a small smile to my face.

''I'm kidding'' She smiled, elbowing me in the ribs playfully ''You'll be put through your second release training, some lessons on controlling your Reiatsu better and some other titbits of different training before the final part of our training, then both of us can take a break. Although need I remind you that you can quit at any time?''.

I chuckled ''Hell no, what if my old man found out? He'd never let me live it down''.

She let out another soft laugh ''Yeah, not to mention Ishida would taunt you forever''.

''Then I'll just call him Ishida-Baka until he shuts up'' I grin and she laughed, stifling it slightly with her hand elegantly over her mouth.

''So you will proceed with training?'' She questioned, still calming her laughter.

''Of course'' I scoffed but still held a smile.

Asami returned the smile ''One day, you may even surpass me''.

''And when I do, I'll never stop teasing you about it'' I said as we reached the entrance of the temporary housing.

She chuckled before letting out a yawn ''I'm heading to bed, night Ichigo''.

''Night'' I reply as I head to my room while she went to hers.

Closing my eyes, I feel a familiar pull on my power before I sensed the two spirits appear before me. Without opening my eyes I draw my large blade and fall into a stance, the wind cool in the early-early morning light.

''Keh, tryin' ta fight us blind, are ya kingy?'' His hollow half taunted.

''Yeah'' Was my short response ''If I can fight you blind it'll help in the future if I ever were to be blinded''.

''An interesting idea, attempting to defeat both manifestations of your power while blind?''.

I smirk ''Not attempt, old man, I will defeat you, both of you''.

I heard the sounds of metal sliding out of a sheath ''Let us see if you can back up your claim''.

With those final words both spirits burst into action, my hollow coming straight at me while the old man came from my side. Homing in on their Reiatsu, I parry my hollows blade and send a swift kick at his chest, only to hit air and wince when a blade passed through my back. Blurring back a few feet I spun on my heel and charged up a wordless Byakurai. The low buzz of Sonido echoed in front of me and I let the shot fire, sparking and shooting like a laser - judging from the painful grunt it hit.

Spinning on my heel I raise my Zanpakuto just in time to block a swift slash from my Quincy spirit, though I couldn't block the knee that struck my abdomen and follow-up slash that broke my guard and allowed another Hakuda strike to hit me in the chest and send me flying down to the water. With only a second to grunt as the cold salty water lapped at my wounds, I burst out of the water in a burst of Shunpo.

''Alright, fighting blind can wait'' I grumble as my eyes opened.

My spirits did not object to that, merely placing their arms out in front of them and bracing it with the other, which I mimic.

''Bankai!''.

''Hado #33: Sokatsui!'' I cry and the bolt of blue fire shot towards my doppelganger, who scowled and slashed the Kido in half.

''Gotta try harder than that, kingy!'' He cackled, sending a wordless Getsuga at me. I blur around it and lock blades with him, contorting my body to avoid a swift kick from my counterpart and using the opening to upset his balance with a rough shove. He spun in an attempt to right himself but I saw the grimace on his face when he realised his mistake, which I was fully intent on using it.

''Getsuga Tenshou!'' I roar and swung down, sending a black-red-purple arc of energy at his exposed back. My instincts flared and following them I spun on my heel and locked blades with the teenage Quincy, who was still burned slightly from my previous Getsuga. As we fought for dominance the loud explosion of my Getsuga exploded behind me, though neither of us batted an eyelash.

It was only when the low hum of a Cero and the heat shot towards me did I move, grabbing the surprised teen by the wrist and spinning our positions around, putting him in the line of fire before blurring out of the explosive radius.

Not a moment later did I have to block a swing from my hollow counterpart, who was severely burnt and breathing laboured. The other Zangetsu appeared not a moment later, also burnt badly. I put a hand on the back of my blade and smirk, making my hollows eyes narrow.

''Hado #11: Tsuzuri Raiden''.

Taking morbid glee in how he went into spasms and revealed an opening, which I took full advantage of with a Reiatsu-enhanced kick that stopped the shocking and knocked the wind out of him. He glared at me as he stood up, his other half waiting for his own opening.

''Lets end this, Zangetsu'' I say as I flare my Reiatsu and charge a Getsuga in my blade ''We've dragged this on for long enough''.

Both spirits said nothing but also flared their Reiatsu, a Getsuga also charging in their blades. A cool wind blew past us, all of which lasted three seconds before we raised our blades and swung in a downward arc.

''GETSUGA TENSHOU!''.

I watched in undisguised awe as all three Getsuga flew at each other and crashed together, creating a magnificent explosion of red, black, purple, blue and white. The water under them dried up and created a shockwave that send waves in all directions, forcing me to jump onto a tree to avoid getting wet. With a mighty roar the water readjusted and crashed together, filling the hole the Getsuga created. In the smoke of the aftermath I could barely make out the shadows of the figures, though said smoke was abruptly cleared when Ichigo slashed his sword, dispelling the concealment in an instant.

He had pretty bad burns all over him, his Bankai coat burned in multiple places (showing his Hierro and Blut Vene) and he was panting. The Quincy Zangetsu was much worse off, his outfit almost completely burned off from the waist up and showing his badly burnt chest. The hollow was by far the worst off, missing an arm and a his chest burnt just as badly as the other Zangetsu, only more bloodied.

Both spirits said a few words before they faded out of existence, followed by Ichigo deactivating his Bankai. In two bursts of high speed movement I appeared by his side, gaining his attention.

''How'd it go?''.

''I won'' He said tiredly but still held a smile, one of a man victorious. Returning the smile, I wrap an arm around his and in a single, advanced step bring us back to the temporary housing.

''Get some rest'' I instruct softly, gently pushing him towards his room, he gave me another smile before nodding, entering his room and giving me time to rest myself.

''I know its boring'' I smiled mirthfully ''But its a useful skill to have, especially if you plan on releasing your seal in the company of others without killing them''.

He grunted an affirmative with his eyes still closed, trying to conceal his Reiatsu to the point where I can barely sense it - making him almost undetectable by all but the sharpest opponents. It was gradually getting harder to sense him, as right now he was doing pretty well.

It also gave me a chance to get a good look at the teen I took under my wing and grew close to. His orange hair had grown out since we first initially began training, making it a spiky mop of orange and hiding his eyes whenever he looked down. His face had become narrower and making him look older and more manly, his body toned and muscly from training and natural aging. The only applicable word to pin him with was handsome.

''Its good to know I'm not the only one who thinks he's a cutie'' Kuro's voice said slyly, making my cheeks heat up slightly.

'Shut up, pervert'.

''I'm part of you, remember?''.

'...shit'.

''What kinda response is that?!'' She shouted ''Its not a bad thing to find a guy hot!''.

'...'.

The sound of someone banging their head against a tree echoed in my head, which I ignored. Returning my attention to the present, I clear most of the blush off my face before Ichigo opened his eyes.

''Did I do it?''.

Quickly reaching out with my senses, I was pleased to see that while I could still sense him, it was much harder to do so ''Yeah, good job''.

Ichigo grinned ''So, what's next?''.

''You'll need to seal your Zanpakuto, to a higher degree I mean'' I said ''While that is technically a sealed form, its not a true sealed form. I'm sure Zangetsu can help you on how to seal it''.

He didn't even question me as he drew his sword, merely nodding and closing his eyes with brows furrowing. After a good five minutes of nothing but a gentle breeze, his large broadsword glowed a soft blue before it shrank down to the size of a normal katana; standard silver blade, black guard and grip. He reopened his eyes and stared at the sword in his hands with a grin before turning his gaze to me, with me giving a proud smile.

''This next task will help you adjust to your new sealed blade and also improve your precision, movements and will also lead to the next task after this one'' I explained with a smile, blurring above me onto a tree branch and let my legs swing off the side. I reach out and take out a handful of leaves from a nearby branch and hold them above him ''I want you t cut all the leaves in half before they can hit the ground, okay?''.

''Sure'' He smiled back.

Ten minutes later however...

''Its impossible'' I declared irritably.

Chuckling lightly, she took another handful of leaves and let them fall gracefully down to the ground. Sighing to myself, I aim as best as one could with a sword and swung, but when my blade got close the leaves were pushed out of the way by the wind current.

''You need to boost your reflexes with your Reiatsu Ichigo, do not force it like you are currently doing, let it flow through you and guide your movements with your instincts'' Zangetsu chided.

'Grr.. fine'.

Calming my Reiryoku down as best I could, I focus it into the back of my blade and arms. As I focused on the leaves, my instincts told me to hit to the left of the leaf. Following that instinct, I lash out in a flash of steel and moments before it would've hit the wind blew the leaf to the left, allowing my blade to cut it in half. Grinning in victory I turn my gaze up to Asami, sitting in the tree as wind gently blew through her hair.

'She's beautiful...' Was my uncharacteristic thought, though I was quick to get it out of my head just in time to watch her casually drop another handful of leaves, the blush on my face though wouldn't be too noticeable as I was looking down.

Little did I know she already saw said blush, sparking a mental conversation within her.

''He blushed just from looking at you!'' Kuro bellowed ''I don't care about ten times older than him! And I'm pretty sure he doesn't either!''.

'I'm getting a headache just from listening to your rambling...'.

''Tch, like you don't have at least some amount of affection for him'' She scoffed, making my eyebrow twitch ''I swear to kami if you don't make a move on him before you two go for a break I will for you''.

Leaving me with my thoughts, Kuro left the front of my conscience and back to my inner world.

[Much Later]

As the familiar falling sensation passed, I landed easily on the rooftop of a familiar building, I prepared to take off in a burst of high speed movement when Asami did just that, appearing above me. She greeted me with a nod which I return, lowering herself so we were more-or-less eye-to-eye.

''This is the final part of our training, for the moment at least'' She smiled ''Its similar to your second release training, only in your inner world and under a different set of end goals besides defeating your spirits. You'll have to accept them in their entirety, becoming one complete soul. This doesn't kill them or anything, merely making it unable for them to manifest in the physical world''.

I nod, looking over my shoulder as both Zangetsu landed on a rooftop and patiently waited me to finish. Turning back to her, I noticed with amusement at how she had done the same thing, looking behind her where her multiple spirits were waiting. She turned back to me with a small smile, a bit of nervousness showing in her eyes before a sly smile came across her face.

''Don't take too long, Ichigo'' She smiled sweetly ''Also, since Kuro was pressing me to admit it...''.

Instead of finishing that sentence, I found her soft lips against mine in an unexpected, but not unwelcomed kiss. Time seemed to slow, but quickly resumed once we parted, her face flushed and holding a grin. She put a hand on my chest and pushed, sending me descending down to the city at a slow pace. She blew me a fleeting kiss before turning herself, disappearing in a blur to fight her own opponent, though one thought that made me slightly annoyed flew into my head.

'She didn't let me kiss her back... I'll get her back for that later'.

A/N: So now begins the actual romance between Asami and Ichigo, which I know some of you have been waiting for a while. So sorry for being almost a week late in updating! I had writers block for this story and I was writing a bunch of different stories and with Christmas around the corner and a bunch of shopping to do and all that, it gets hard to find time to write.

As such you may not hear from me for a bit, but I will assure you I will NOT be abandoning this story, so even if it isn't updated for a month I will update it again. Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone and the best wishes!

Kido (That is non canon):

Hado #104: Jokiwoisshita Byakurai (A Byakurai that splits into 20-100 individual bolts in the form of a thunderstorm)

Hado #154: Nensho Haien (A much more powerful and explosive flame)

Hado #132: Bakuha Okasen (More powerful and has a wider arc, more flame-like)

Hado #163: Tsuin Raikoho (Two Raikoho in one with higher power, like Soren Sokatsui)