Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and RWBY. Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo. RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth and the late Monty Oum. Rest in peace you saint of a choreography genius. We all still miss you :(
A question one would ask why type this up? Simple – why not?
Edited as of 7/21/2019
Chapter 43: Send Off, New Horizons
(Que Story OP – Hello Sleepwalkers "Hyakkiyakou")
As soon as Ichigo finished his slash of his new ultimate move Getsuga Goddokira, he collapsed one his knees and felt as though something was trying to tear him apart inside of him. The Getsuga Goddokira was indeed the most deadly weapon of his full power combining all aspects of his inheritance of Quincy, Hollow, and shinigami into perfect harmony for complete devastation. He still couldn't believe that he was able to even move from the sheer density of reishi that was stored in Tensa Zangetsu. In the time it took to vanquish Shao he was in Bankai for three seconds but the Getsuga Goddokira almost caused him to go into soul suicide right then and there if it weren't for Zangetsu X and Y cutting off his Vollstandig and his Horn of Salvation. Ichigo would admit that there was more than one way to settle the fight without such expense of spiritual energy, but he wanted to know where his limits were. He smirked at that thought and idly wondered if his Hollow side now changed his mindset even more via embracing it. But right now Ichigo just wanted a soft bed to sleep on.
Tensa Zangetsu was held loosely in his hands sinking into the ground. Sweat was pouring down his face and he gasped for breath after pushing his body to the utter limit of dying. His shihaksho was in tatters leaving him bare-chested besides his remaining right sleeve. The Hollow horn shattered and fell to the ground to turn to dust and left his left eye back to his warm brown.
He wanted to just fall asleep right then and there. He wanted to so bad because he was just that tired. Yet, fate said different when a familiar blur of rose petals slammed into him, much like how his idiot of a father was. His feet skidded back a few meters before anchoring down. Ruby, clad in white with a stray curled horn on the right side of her head and her wolf ears perking up adorably, held Ichigo tightly. A bit too tightly he might add, and he regretted glancing down to let out a retort about bumping into him only to avert his eyes away with a face as red as his surname. Apparently, Ruby's new outfit left nothing to the imagination if looked at a certain angle, especially to a certain area that for the Huntress' age was, to say, very, very filled out.
'King, you lucky sonuvabitch, she's got a nice-' Zangetsu Y cackled perversely before Zangetsu X bopped him on the head.
"Ruby..." Muttered Ichigo, trying to wiggle out of Ruby's grip only for the young woman to hug tighter and in effect make Ichigo blush more from the 'pillows' pressing on his chest. He tried looking at Ruby in the face only to see a wild expression with glazed eyes, dusted-red cheeks, and a wide grin from a certain annoying cat. Alarm bells were going off in Ichigo's head, and his Hollow zanpakuto was not helping.
"I freaking love you, Ichigo!" Ruby said at a high speeds unable to track, a bit of drool as she eyed the new Tensa Zangetsu. "You're blade is awesome! The sharpness, the way it shimmers, the raw power is in-incredible! You're incredible!"
"Woah, woah, woah, slow down!" Ichigo exclaimed, attempting and failing to calm down his hybrid girlfriend.
"Ican'thelpit!" Ruby screamed. "Youyou'reverysoulproducedsuchamasterpiece! You'reamasterpiece! MyheartisbeatingsofastandallIcanthinkofissnugglingyou!"
It was at this point that Ichigo had the faintest idea that Ruby was more Hollow than he thought. He knew that she had suddenly turned into an arrancar though in hindsight it was not that shocking considering Ichigo's own surprises. What Ichigo was afraid was the growing instincts with her Hollow side. He certainly did not want to deal with that kind of Ruby because Ruby is supposed to be cute and innocent. He was not going to devolve himself into Goat-chin's fantasies.
At this point Ruby was passed the point of words and if she had a tail to go along with her ears it would be wagging like crazy. Ichigo sighed in exasperation and tried the one thing that might get him out before his own Hollow side gets out of control, if the perverted cackling from Zangetsu Y was any indication. He had no time to test just how much of a Hollow he was himself.
His left arm reached out till it was over Ruby's wolf ears and proceeded to scratch them. The effect was immediate as Ruby's hug loosened relieving Ichigo of the embarrassment of feeling her bust and her posture calmed down. Ichigo used his right hand to scratch the last ear, making the arrancar/hybrid practically melt in bliss and releasing soft moans. Her curled horn and bone fragments retracted into her flesh leaving only the upper jaw piece.
'I am not a pervert for doing this! I am not a pervert for doing this! I am not a pervert for doing this!' Ichigo screamed internally in a mantra. Why you may ask was because of Zangetsu Y's suggestions of how he could use this advantage over Ruby. Each one just made Ichigo's face more red in anger and embarrassment.
Ruby let out a much more audible moan breaking Ichigo out of his thoughts. His eyes locked back on the young woman in time for her silver eyes to open to their full residence. Ichigo let a warm smile cross his face seeing that familiar spark that he would admit that he loved the most about her. He just knew that on immediate eye contact with those bright orbs they would always bring out of the darkness, to be his eternal light. It sort of reminded him of his mother's look. Something that he thought was lost forever, and will cherish with his life.
'You really do mean a lot to me, Ruby-chan.' Ichigo thought.
No longer was Ruby stuck in "lovesick dog mode" and her eyes shimmered with that same mirth and spirit. In the blink of an eye Ichigo was caught in a hug again this one being more comfortable. Her face pressed into his chest her to relish his heartbeat and feel more of his aura of protection.
"I'm glad you're alright." Ruby mumbled, though her voice was muffled due to Ichigo's chest.
To his reluctance, Ichigo pushed Ruby back but only as far enough that their faces were inches apart. Shivers went down the Huntress' spine feeling Ichigo's hot breath. Ichigo's ghost-like tail whipped and slammed on the ground in response to his own wild emotions. At this point, Ichigo trusted his instincts by bringing his right hand to caress Ruby's porcelain cheek. He was awarded with Ruby nuzzling into his touch and her eyes were partly drawn closed.
"Hell and heaven can try, but only I get the final say." Ichigo boldly declared with a rare smile. "Nothing is keeping me away."
Ruby had enough with all the sweet words when they were so close. She booked up and pecked a kiss on Ichigo's lips. His former prudish reputation would've demanded him to push the woman away, but right now being a so-called gentlemen was the last thing on his mind, not when his instincts demanded he reciprocate. And when he did it was enough for Ruby to widen her eyes, speed up her heart, and close her eyes in bliss as the peck turned into a full-blown kiss.
There was that spark again making their senses dull to block out the world around then. Callouses yet soft hands went down to map the curves on Ruby's back while the female hybrid wrapped her arms around Ichigo's neck and grip his soft hair. The prude in the Kurosaki would've made him run to the hills at such contact, but as of now he didn't give a damn. He wanted this so bad and the fact Ruby answered with equal elation just made it so much better.
His pale tail, now marked with red tattooing along the spine, wrapped around the both of them. The sensation of hugging closer caused Ruby to let out a small mewl. The two were lost with each other but of course...
"OH FOR GOD'S SAKE, I'VE BEEN WATCHING THIS FOR A FULL MINUTE. CAN YOU TWO PLEASE JUST GET YOUR HANDS OFF EACH OTHER ALREADY?!"
Ichigo and Ruby felt like a whip was cracked onto their heads when the shrill screech snapped the pair out of their trance. Turning to the side the hybrids blushed in embarrassment that an audience of all their friends were standing right there. Some like the Vizards and Kisuke had a coy smile, Yang was giving a thumbs up, Blake was looking away with a heavy blush on her cheeks, Nora was grinning excitedly while holding a very tired Ren, Qrow was giving a glare to Ichigo, Jaune and Oscar were just speechless, and Senna was the only one who was indifferent. But the source of the shrill screech came from Weiss huffing in frustration but the most scarlet face Ruby has ever seen on a person.
Weiss expected many things from her leader. In her mind, she was still a bit off on some things yet Weiss will admit she is great leader. This counted as such for there was a time and place for that kind of "affection". She was furious indeed that the new couple that included her leader and this Ichigo Kurosaki were busy at such awful timing, but most of the heat that rushed into her cheeks came from the fact that it was awkward to say for the composed Schnee heiress how close together the pair were. Not to mention the spike in jealousy when Weiss saw how Ruby's "assets" squished on Ichigo's chest.
Almost two years her senior yet Ruby has an even bigger bust to rival her sister while she, Weiss Schnee, stays flat!?
From her shout, Weiss expected Ruby to recoil away in embarrassment. At first Ruby did look so, until a full transformation happened over Ruby's entire face. No longer was there the innocent and child-like teenager Weiss met at the beginning of Beacon. With just a simple change of expression, Weiss now saw a young woman that personified devilish beauty with half-lidded eyes glinting with mischief and a smile that seemed warm to the ignorant but clearly seductive and struck a freezing chill down her spine. Even Ichigo and Kisuke were unnerved by that smile because they knew only Yoruichi, the queen of teasing and lack of shame, could make that smile. Yang and Blake knew that smile that only a sadist and teaser could make while the others were just surprised by this new side of Ruby.
They held onto hope that it was just that, a look. In just two sentences, the image of innocent Ruby was forever shattered.
"Oh my, are you jealous, Weiss?" Ruby teased in a soft tone, yet that held some sort of undertone that sent chills with every word. "If you didn't want to miss out, you could always join in? Ufufufu."
Somewhere on Earth in a club full of devils, a raven-haired beauty sneezed followed by the feeling of kinship unknown to her.
'Oh Kami, you just had to make her a clone of yourself, eh Yoruichi.' Kisuke thought.
The shinigami present, used to Yoruichi's antics, had to struggle to hold in their snickers except for Ichigo dealing with flushed cheeks and a tick mark of how much Yoruichi corrupted his girlfriend, and Senna who was blushing so much her whole body went red. For the Remnanties, they were unfortunately completely taken off guard. Except for Jaune and Oscar who were ignorant and Nora who was just Nora, multiple faces glowed beat red as their imagination went wild of a threesome. Ten seconds later, a thud followed the first victim that was Blake knocked out on the ground with a stupid smile on her face with blood coming out of her nose. Qrow and Senna were next to follow via fainting, then Yang who had a proud smile on her face.
Weiss was the most resistant but also the most targeted out of everyone. Her whole body was so red that Ruby could swear that she could see it through her clothes. The former heiress wanted to let out a retort, but she was so embarrassed so all that came out was a stutter and half a letter. Eventually, Weiss too fell victim once her imagination took hold of Ruby's "proposition". She tried one last time to let out a retort before blasting off with an undignified nosebleed. The former heiress was already out cold before she landed back to the ground.
Ruby bursted out laughing at the end of the result of her ultimate tease to date that would make her sensei proud. Ichigo sighed in exasperation and uncurled his tail around them picked themselves up to their feet. The orange-haired hybrid was still a bit wobbly on his legs but he would easily recover. It wasn't until Ruby finally stopped laughing that she realized she was on her feet again and gave a pout to Ichigo, who had to stop himself from smiling at how ridiculously cute she pouted.
As Qrow and the members of Team (R)WBY and JN(P)R recovered, Ichigo approached Kisuke. The blonde gave Ichigo his usual smile, the kind the irked the Kurosaki when he was going to ask the shopkeeper.
"Do you have anything to fix this mess?" Ichigo asked.
"My, my, Kurosaki, what makes you think a handsome shopkeeper such as myself could possibly carry such a thing?" Kisuke feigned innocence.
"Because," Ichigo said through gritted teeth. It was these requests like this one that Ichigo had to play on Kisuke's pride and basically suck-up to him, "you're the smartest person in the world beyond even Kami, and I'm just a dumb man-baby that likes to suck on his pinky."
"Ah, now was that so hard." Kisuke said, making Ichigo red with anger. The blonde shinigami rummaged through his pocket before he retrieved a black orb decorated with four white bars. He applied pressure to his fingers to make the orb crack. Once it shattered, a rainbow spectrum of reiatsu flooded through all of Argus. It didn't crush the people but the residents how the power itself was so condensed in the air thicker than a fog.
"Motonimodosu, Activate." (Restore Back)
Upon Kisuke's command the reiatsu went to work on the city itself. Everyone stared with wide eyes as where multiple colors washed through the streets and alleyways the damage wrought by the Hollows was reversed. Debris and rubble floated through the air like time was reversing itself to bring back walls, roads, and buildings. The crater left by Shao Kin's destruction (and Ruby and Ichigo having no way to hold back) filled back up with earth that was once blown away from their clashes. After five minutes of watching in awe of Kisuke's genius at work, the city of Argus was restored to how it was yesterday. The only sign of the disaster at all was the bone tree lying in the ocean and the stump that was left behind.
"And that is why I am the greatest." Said Kisuke, waving his fan and dodging a thrown sandle from Hiyori.
"Yes, we get it." Groaned Shinji, leaning on his zanpakuto like a crutch. "Your ego is bigger than the Sereitei."
"Why must you wound me?" Kisuke feigned hurt with a thundercloud over his head.
Ichigo ignored the banter between Kisuke and the Vizards and turned his attention back on Ruby. When their eyes met, the arrancar/hybrid flashed Ichigo a warm smile. He smiled back, but not with as much gusto when his gaze traveled to the not-so-hidden shard of bone on Ruby's cheek resembling the jaw of her Vasto Lorde form.
"You're okay, right?" Asked Ichigo.
"Of course I am, Ichi-kun." Ruby perked up. "Never felt better actually."
"But your heart-"
Ruby interrupted Ichigo by grabbing his hand and putting over her bosom. At first, the surviving prudish nature in the Kurosaki made his cheeks blush from the soft feeling of her skin. However, it clicked in his head later than it should have that there was the familiar faint thump of blood pumping. Ichigo could almost cry in relief; he thought he wasn't strong enough in time to save her heart when they needed him.
"It's okay, Ichigo-kun." Ruby soothed softly, cupping his cheek. "I still have my heart because it is all for you."
"I just don't take failure well." Ichigo said.
"I get it." Ruby said. "You don't to have to experience losing someone important again. So I promise you I'm not going anywhere and I'm still going to be the Ruby."
Ruby's comforting words brought forth a kind smile upon Ichigo. They would've continued exchanging kind words until Weiss decided to break it apart before it got too 'steamy' for her tastes.
"As much as I would hate to break this moment," Weiss said, "I believe we have more pressing matters to attend to."
"Oh, right!" Exclaimed Ruby, snapping back to action. "The Relic, where is it!? Oh no, I probably dropped it by accident over the ocean."
Kisuke perked up with an unnerving grin. "It wouldn't happen to be this little beauty?"
All eyes snapped to Kisuke in bewilderment as he pulled out the Relic of Knowledge out of his robes. Oscar tensed slightly at the scene of the lantern held in a complete stranger's hands. In truth it was Ozpin freezing up in fear and wrath that someone not his knowledge had got a hold on the artifact that he was supposed to protect.
"I found this little thing and I have to say I am quite dazzled by her." Kisuke said, holding up to his analytical eyes. "I can only imagine just what kind of juicy secrets you have locked inside you."
"U-Unhand me, you fiend." Shouted the voice of Jin in fear and outrage, making the group jump in surprise. "I won't be some... toy to the likes of a lecher."
"But you're such a little devil of a puzzle." Whined Kisuke.
"Sorry, eh, Kisuke, was it?" Weiss said, motioning to give the Relic to her. "We have a job to take it to Atlas where it will be safely guarded."
"Oh really." Kisuke countered with a coy smile. "Tell me, Weiss if you're hiding this from this dangerous enemy that wants this lantern, what better place is there? A vibrant city littered with 'advanced' (amateur) technology and weaponry with the backing of an entire army that gives little chance for said enemy to pass through? Or... an entirely separate universe they have no knowledge or method of getting there?"
Weiss tried to make a retort, but all that resulted was a dying sound coming out of a loose jaw. No matter what, Weiss could not defy the sheer logic in the choice. She wanted to support her country of Atlas that it would forever keep Salem's clutches from acquiring the Relic because it was the safest and most secure in the world. But it was only in this world, and from what she has seen from of these gods in flesh that for all the might of Atlas even Ruby would obliterate the country if she wanted to.
"You're... right." Weiss reluctantly agreed.
"Nooo!" Jin bemoaned in terror as the lantern shook. "Ruby Rose, I beg of you. I'll give you five, no, ten wishes of knowledge all for free. Just please don't leave me to this madman."
"Hmm, it's a tempting offer." Mused Ruby before shrugging. "But, you see, you've proven more trouble than your worth. Have fun, Kisuke-san."
Kisuke giggled as he eyed the lantern. "I can't wait to study you in my lab."
All they heard from Jin were her terrified screams before Kisuke hid her away in his jacket. He walked to a more open spot away from everyone, his hands still rummaging in his hidden pockets. He eventually brought out a cylindrcial device as long as his hand and equipped with a button and a microphone on opposing ends.
"Mashiro-chan, activate the portal." Kisuke spoke into the mic he pressed the button.
'Okay.' Responded the voice of Mashiro through the mic.
Kisuke whipped his zanpakuto and thrusted in the air. Instead of just simply swinging through the air the blade impacted as though shattering glass. Space itself around the tip of the blade cracked like an egg, the cracks glowing a white light. The scientist twisted the blade one would do with a key and lock, and an ovaoval shape tore through reality rimmed with what looked shards of floating glass.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Kisuke announced in a bow, "may I introduce the Physical World Gate, the first portal in history that gives instant teleportation without going through the Dangai. Thank you, thank you, please leave your compliments later. Now, let's be off."
"Ugh, please, I want to go home to rest off this cramps and aches after all of this." Shinji groaned with his fellow bruised Vizards nodding in approval.
"Yuzu and Karin are probably worried sick." Ichigo added, gathering towards the portal.
"C'mon, let's hurry up, we don't want the attention of the public now." Said Kisuke.
One by one, the shinigami traveled through the portal with the Vizards going first. When Yang saw Ruby approaching the portal, her heart nearly wrenched. After all this time she was not going to lose her sister again.
"WAIT!" Yang shouted, catching the arrancar's attention. "Are you seriously leaving, just when we got back together?"
"Oh." Ruby widened her eyes in shock. "Well, this entire time, it's always been getting the Relic out of reach. There are a lot more threats out there Yang, far more than you can imagine, and I can get the help to deal with them. There's someone out there, far worse than even Salem, gathering forces that could come here to make this joke in comparison to what he can do. But... that doesn't mean I'll go alone."
"Eh?" (R)WBY responded intellectually.
"Come with me." Ruby offered holding out her hand. "There's a whole new adventure full of action and drama just waiting for Team RWBY. Nora and Jaune too."
"Are - Are you serious?" Exclaimed Jaune. "Well, give us a moment to-"
He didn't get the chance to finish when Nora grabbed him to no sooner chuck herself with her leader and Ren in her arms through the portal. For Team RWBY, they took a moment to remain petrified on the spot before grins and contented smiles spread on their faces. They rallied to Ruby's side, and Team RWBY was reforged.
"No way in hell you are leaving me behind, lil sis." Yang said.
"What's more danger to our lives anyway?" Blake added.
"Someone has to keep you alive." Weiss joked.
Ruby flashed the trio of her teammates a cheshire grin, the kind that gave off alarms. She wrapped her arms around them, twirled around, and threw them through the portal in a comical fashion. Ichigo sighed in exasperation as he traveled through as well to make sure the new arrivals were alright. Only Kisuke and Ruby remained, waiting expectantly for Qrow and Oscar.
"You go on ahead." Qrow denied with a sad smile. "You've grown way too fast, and it's obvious you don't need me around. The kid and I will travel up to Atlas. There's still more that Ozpin wanted us to do, even if the bastard is right."
"Well that saves some trouble." Kisuke commented as he through a square device to Qrow. "Keep that on you. It'll allow us much more stable travel between our worlds next time."
Kisuke waved goodbye when he walked through the veil. Ruby kept her smile on the pair being left behind, and she could even sense Ozpin's acceptance hiding behind the boy's soul. She turned her back to them and walked to the veil. Right before the last step, Ruby gave a few last words.
"See ya later, Dad." Ruby muttered just loud enough for Qrow to hear.
Qrow was petrified on the spot and his eyes widened when he fully processed the words that were meant for him. His blood went cold, trying to figure where Ruby found out in the first place. When he recovered his bearings, whatever retort died in his throat when Ruby disappeared in a flash of light and the veil closed.
Yahoo, I finished the chapter. It's been a while because I got a job, only to lose in the first week. Weird. I really have no schedule for what story to update, only whatever captures my interests to finish.
Please give me some tips to show the romance of IchiRu. I don't have a lot of romantic experience and it would be appreciative. As for that reveal at the end, just remember when Summer whispered into Ruby's ear in the chapter she achieved her Bankai.
Up next is Chapter 44: Aftermath