Chapter 15: Ichigo's Training

Shiro scaled at Urahara as the older man talked to Ichigo about his latent Shinigami powers. His brother, on the other hand, looked bored stiff; however, Shiro could see through that mask. Ichigo was actually quite enraptured in what the other man was saying, even if he didn't look it.

Shortly after arriving at the white with Rukia, the twins were introduced to Urahara. Shiro having already met the man more than once didn't need to be introduced, but it seemed Ichigo didn't recall the strange man from their childhood. They were led down a ladder into an underground training room that looked like a desert with rock formations. This was where they'd hone their abilities.

Shiro's eyes did widen in surprise when Ichigo was suddenly knocked out of his body and forced into his soul form. The large hand grasping his shoulder was the only thing stopping him from slugging the blonde haired bastard. Looking behind him, Shiro eyed the larger man suspiciously. "Give the boss a chance." he told the younger man. "I know you want to protect your brother, but look at Ichigo." The look of determination was in Ichigo's eyes, even as he had a hard time breathing. "He will be fine. The boss may be reckless at times, but there's a geniusness to that reckless behavior."

"Tch." Shiro scoffed. He didn't doubt the other man to be smart, but if he hurt Ichigo in any way... His fist tightened at his side. He wasn't a very forgiving person by nature.

It only took fifteen minutes for Ichigo to get use to the exercises that Urahara him go through. That was when he introduced a little girl and boy, Ururu and Jinta. Even from where he stood, Shiro could feel the power coming from the two children. The girl was several times more powerful than the red haired boy, but even the boy's power couldn't be ignored. Crossing his arms over his chest Shiro waited to see what these two kids would do to his brother, which he didn't need to wait very long to see.

Ichigo was told to put some boxing gloves and headset on. The orange haired teen really didn't see how these instruments would help him in gaining his latent powers, but he decided to do as he was told. Looking over at Shiro, Ichigo felt a shiver run up his spine. Shiro's usually calm features looked on the verge of being feral. The usually comforting gold on black eyes almost looked like burning amber. Suddenly the little girl, Ururu ran towards him, thrust her first at his face. This forced Ichigo to dodge the attack. The soul chain that was connected to him clinked as he moved. The young girl jumped from a rock into the air and kicked him in the face. Ichigo went flying through the air. As he stood up Urahara cheered.

"Congratulations Kurosaki!" he yelled "You survived Ururu's super kick."

"Barely!" he yelled. "She slammed me into a damn rock formation!"

"Yet you're able to move and dodge easily now." Urahara pointed out. "It's time for phase 2." Shiro then noticed the large man behind him move. "Tessai will help with this."

The man, Tessai, suddenly brought out a large hatchet. Ichigo freaked out. "What the-!?" Tessai proceeded to bring the hatchet down upon Ichigo's soul chain.

Both Rukia and Shiro yelled in sync. "What the hell!?" they both screamed at the eccentric man.

"Why did you just cut his soul chain!?" Rukia yelled at Urahara. "You-"

Suddenly a fist went into Urahara's face. "Gah!" Urahara yelled, dropping his paper fan in the process as he covered his damaged nose to stop any damage done to it. Having dropped to a knee, Urahara looked up to see a very angry teen glaring at him.

Shiro glowed a bright blue color as his reiatsu raised with his anger. "I told you not to hurt Ichi." he growled.

"Sorry, sorry." Urahara apologized even as he used a bit of healing kido so to stop his nose from bleeding. In his hand his staff shook slightly. Oh? he thought with peeked interest. Have you awakened? "Let me explain. " he began as he stood back up. "In order to awaken his latent power, Ichigo must go through this process." He looked Shiro over. "Your power is already awakened." He then muttered quietly. "Though I'm still trying to figure out through what process that occurred." Returning his attention to Ichigo who was now at the bottom of a pit Tessai had created. "Ichigo!" he yelled down to the teen. "You now have 3 days to gain your shinigami powers, otherwise I'm afraid you'll die when you become a hollow."

A knot appeared on Shiro's forehead as his anger once again decided to make an appearance. Can I please kill this bastard? he asked his zanpakuto who chuckled as he leaned against one of the many building in Shiro's inner world.

You can try. the former hollow answered. But it would be a waste of energy. That man is too powerful and you would not be able to stand against him. Shiro took a deep breath as he tried to call himself. His reiatsu was a different story though as it was swirling around him like a angry storm cloud.

Rukia suddenly hit Shiro over the head. "Stop throwing your reiatsu around like an angry child!" she yelled at him.

"Ah, yes." Urahara spoke softly. "Now let's deal with you Shiro."

This should be good. The teen mused as he rubbed the spot the midget demon had hit him. "Deal with me how?" he asked with annoyance in his tone. Suddenly his alarm on his wrist watch went off.

"Is something wrong Shiro?" Urahara say how the teen looked from his watch to where Ichigo was struggling in the pit.

Shiro gave him a smirk. "Your time is up." he told Urahara.

"Eh?" Urahara asked wanting the teen to elaborate.

"I told you at the beginning of all of this that K would only stay for two hours." Shiro told him as he turned to leave.

"W-Wait a second. " Urahara said trying to get the boy to stay. "I haven't even begun with your training."

Shiro looked over his shoulder as he held his book bag over said shoulder. "Guess Ichi shouldn't have taken so long." he said with a shrug before walking away towards the ladder. "I'll be back later." However before he shut the door to the upstairs he turned towards the older man. "You better not kill my brother, otherwise, I'll be forced to unleash the monster you all fear I am. " With that warning Shiro left the shoten.

Three days to Ichigo went by a lot fast than he thought they would. As his soul chain began to disappear he suddenly found himself thrusted into a strange world of buildings that went every which way. It was weird and confusing in every sense. Soon after meeting the old man in the sunglasses and black coat the world around him began to shatter.

In one of those boxes you will find me, but you must hurry.

Those were the words the old man kept saying. Why? Why did he have to hurry? Other than the world around him beginning to shatter. Ichigo really didn't understand how he was to find his sword if he didn't know what it even looked like. Suddenly he felt a strange sensation overcome him. A warmth spread from his chest to his right hand. Looking at his hand he saw a red and black cord wrapped around it. The cord led him through the water to a single box that had the cord wrapped tightly around it.

That's it! he thought and without hesitation Ichigo opened the box and reached inside and grasped the hilt of the sword. A light surrounded him suddenly before everything around him vanished within that light.

M-Angel: Yes! Two story updates this week. I am so proud of myself. Plus I got my taxes done. I'm so happy! Now to go play my KH3 game. I have yet to finish it.

xXspades231Xx: I'm glad you like my story and how I'm portraying Shiro.

Anielsen33326: Yeah, Yoruichi's intro probably could have been more dramatic but I decided on the less dramatic entrance.