Pre-Chapter Note: We've been diverting from canon for a few chapters now, but this chapter is now a marked departure. Next few chapters will divert even more from canon.

Notice: I don't own Bleach, but I do own this fanfic!

Arc Two: Chapter 21 – You Don't Know How Lucky You Are

/With Ichigo and Ganju

"I'm so...LUCKY!" The (now crazy looking) bald headed guy, launched at Ichigo with the zeal of someone on a sugar rush. Ichigo blocked the initial blow with the flat of his blade, and then (noticing that this Soul Reaper used his scabbard too), shifted his blade slightly to block that scabbard strike.

The bald headed guys eyes narrowed. After a few tense moments, he backed off to position, on side with his friend - whom Ganju noted was a preen.

Ichigo, also used this time to retreat back to Ganju's position. The gruff man was also ready with his meat cleaver blade. Crossed in a rudimentary battle formation. Ichigo focused in on these two Soul Reaper's.

The bald guy was clearly superior (power wise) then the guy who looked like he waited on those beauty commercials. Of course, Urahara, his mom and Yoruichi all stressed how looks can be deceiving.

Keep your focus Ichigo. This is your first battle in the Seireitei.

The young hybrid, swallowed down the nerves that were building inside. To his right, he could feel Ganju was equally anxious about this battle.

Losing was not an option!

"Heh! So you must be those Ryōka that shot out over the sky eh?"

The bald guys' eyes looked wild, like a hunter on the prowl. He waited for their answer.

"Ryōka? Is that what you're calling us? Sure." A witty remark, escaped the young hybrid. He honestly couldn't help it.

Ichigo's grip on his blade tightened. Now was the time to put all his training to use.

"Yumichika! Stay out of my way. I'm taking on that orange haired green horn. You can have the other one." His voice barked, like gravel and rock to the ears.

"Sure, sure, Ikkaku. Have your fun, though-" he glanced over at Ganju, "-I guess it's my lot in life to deal with the ugliness of this world."

This got Ganju's blood boiling.

'That flippin' peacock thinks he can belittle me! Oh...I'll show this arrogant Soul Reaper alright...'

"Heh! You think just because my looks aren't up to ya standards, that I'm a pushover?" A malicious grin spread over Ganju's face. The Shiba in him was riled up, itching to fight. He gave a nod to his cousin, and Ganju decided to book it a good distance away. Well, not before one more snide remark to this Yumichika person.

"Catch me if ya can, ya stupid peacock!" And with that, Ganju took off, south. Using some shunpo to create distance. An enraged Yumichika stomped his feet, and bounded after him.

/Somewhere far away

[Alert, Alert. Spirit Membrane of the Eastern Branch has been penetrated.]

[This is an automatic alert to all branches of Soul Society]

"Huh? East has been invaded? By who?"

[Unknown. Spiritual Signatures are unclear]

"Eh, let those idiots handle it. They've got Old Man Yama there, so they should be fine..."

Though...it does seem over the past 100 years, the Eastern Branch has had A LOT of issues. Maybe I should look into that? Could be something bigger going on. Perhaps we should call an All Branch Meeting (ABM). Eh, nah. Too much paper work.

/Back to the battle of the Bold and the Bald

"That was a pretty good counter before, green horn!" A face of pure glee, radiating with the power of a seasoned fighter. This Ikkaku person, would be a tough opponent.

"Who're you calling green horn? The name's Ichigo Kurosaki." The boy loosened his stance a little, to make sure he could counter anything this guy could throw at him.

And then the most unexpected thing happened. This Ikkaku guy...broke into a dance!

It was the oddest performance Ichigo had ever seen, and he's seen Don Kanonji and that "Muwahahaha" thing he does (why does Yuzu and the Old Man like that?)

"Lucky, I'm Lucky...I'm so VERY LUCKY!"

And he finished it all off in one goofy pose. Ichigo's jaw dropped.

What is even happening here!

"I see you're confused. That...was my Lucky Dance." Then Ikkaku settled into a fighting stance. Ready (finally?) for the battle ahead.

"So, your name's Ichigo eh? They say those with Ichi in their name are brimming with talent." Ikkaku started to stretch a little, possibly exhausted (?) from that weird dance of his.

"Really? Is this a Soul Society belief? My name means 'The One Who Protects' according to my dad."

Ikkaku seemed to take that information in, before shaking his head and repositioning himself in his custom battle stance.

"Anyway, before we do this, I will give you my name. It's a custom to always do battle after we exchange names. To remember the worthy."

"Sure."

"The name's Ikkaku Madarame, The Assistant Adjutant, or Third Seat of Squad 11 - the Strongest Squad in Soul Society."

"Name's Ichigo Kurosaki. High Schooler with Soul Reaper powers."

Squad 11...wait that's the one with that Kenpachi guy!

From what Ichigo remembered about their little debrief yesterday, his mom and Yoruichi warned them all about the Captains of the Seireitei. However, one particular name popped up - as a warning. Kenpachi Zaraki.

Hopefully, Ichigo could beat this guy before his other Squad mates, or that Kenpachi come along.

"High Schooler? You're really a kid? Heh. Then I guess this will be a good lesson eh green horn!"

With that, Ikkaku propelled himself at Ichigo, with manic flair. Ichigo, decided to use Flash Step to get around him, and strike a heavy blow. However, Ikkaku followed his movements, and blocked the strike - but was still pushed back by the force.

Unperturbed; the Third Seat of Squad 11, continued his crazed assault. Ichigo, would've thought this was a bad move, if he also didn't see how this kept him off rhythm. With each counter, helped by that sword and scabbard combo, Ichigo felt his own battle rhythm slip. So, like he was trained for, he decided to create an opening for a big strike.

"What's wrong Ichigo? Is that all you got!?"

"Not even close!"

Ichigo caught Ikkaku's sword and scabbard, and thrust his blade forward. Ikkaku was shocked (of course) and he did all he could not to fall over. This also had the intended effect, of pushing Ikkaku (a fair distance) back. Then, without missing a beat, Ichigo charged his spirit energy. Ikkaku barely recovered, before feeling the massive spike in spiritual pressure.

"Getsuga...TENSHOU!"

Ikkaku had little time to move, as the massive beam of energy loomed in front of him. He dodged (he had no choice), but the beam cut his shoulder, creating a large gash, that sprayed blood across the pavement. Ichigo's attack continued on, smashing through plenty of Seireitei's maze-like walls, before dissipating.

Ikkaku inspected his shoulder, and then glanced the carnage behind him.

'This kid...'

It had been a long time since Ikkaku had felt this. Not since his own Captain, had Ikkaku fought someone, who may actually be able to give him a satisfying battle.

'I didn't even know how lucky I really was...'

Wincing from the pain in his shoulder, Squad 11's Third Seat, opened up a compartment in his zanpakutō, wherein laid a special battle ointment which he could apply to minor wounds. Sadly, this was not minor, but it would get the job done.

"Heh, so you even have an ointment to treat wounds. You're very prepared aren't ya!"

"Tch. Don't patronise me green horn-" Ikkaku gave a cursory glance at the boy. "-I have you know, a good warrior prepares for these kinds of things."

He applied enough to ease the pain, and regain some movement in his right arm. Getting back up, he took a new battle stance. One he used to release his zanpakutō.

Extend. HOZUKIMARU!

And just like that, his sword and scabbard transformed into one long, spear pole. Equal in length, to the combined length of his original sword and scabbard. Also, coming equipped with a nasty surprise, for the untrained opponent.

"Now our fight starts in earnest Ichigo! Don't hold back now!" Ikkaku's spiritual power flared. The excitement and adrenaline driving his battle lust.

"HAHAHAH!"

Ichigo was taken aback by this. He now knew without a doubt, that this bald guy was a madman.

/With Ganju and Yumichika

"Get back here you ugly buffoon!"

"Nanananaaah!"

Was Ganju being childish? Yes. Did he care? No. Was this all according to a sneaky plan of his? Absolutely.

He knew, without a doubt, that someone with the preen's personality, would leap at the chance to chase him down. This gave the young Shiba Lord, the best chance at selecting his own battleground (and laying a few traps too).

Shiba Earth Style: Sand Mine!

Ganju used his shunpo to mask the placement of exploding (yes, it's a Shiba thing), landmines, that triggered once someone passed them (or if Ganju wanted to detonate from a distance). And being the raging Prima-Donna that Yumichika could be, he fell hook-line and sinker for it!

"GAH!"

However being the Fifth Seat (really he was a Third Seat in power), of the 'Strongest Squad,' Yumichika survived the explosions, with the only casualty being his pristine hair!

'That'll teach you, ya stupid peacock!'

Ganju continued his laughter. Down these cobblestone roads.