Hi everyone! Here's the new chapter. I would have updated sooner, but my health isn't the best right now. Also, my friend Josef Noble has recently finished and published a sci-fi book he started in the last year of high school. It's called Project Parasite. You can check it out on Lulu(.com)
Chapter 3:
Suzumebachi
After Rangiku and Momo had successfully pried their reluctant zanpakto off him, the teenage soul reaper resumed his run towards the zanpakto hideout. Haineko and Tobiume had tried to break out of their wielders' grasp until he rapidly departed with a series of flash-steps. At that point, the zanpakto started bickering with their soul reapers and got into a (non-lethal) catfight.
Ichgio soon exited the forest's boundaries, now in what looked to be a deserted residential area with a few unoccupied houses. He abruptly dived away to the right when his instincts screamed of incoming danger to him.
"Oh? You're actually pretty quick," complimented a cheery female voice. "I guess Muaramasa was right about saying that you're a strong fighter, your instincts are top notch." Floating in mid-air a small distance away from the orange-haired teen was what appeared to be a small pixie with brown hair and a stinger covering her right arm. "I'm Suzumebachi, a zanpakto, nice to meet you!"
"Right," said Ichigo in mild confusion. "So, if you don't mind me asking, whose zanpakto are you exactly?"
The little girl puffed up her cheeks in irritation, before quickly giving a sigh. "Well, I don't suppose I can blame you for that. After all, you've never really interacted with her, and it's not like she socialises that much anyway. I'm the zanpkato of squad two's captain, Soi-Fon."
A figurative lightbulb lit up over the spiky-haired substitute's head. "Oh, Yoruichi's student, the one who also leads the stealth force, right?"
"Bingo!" Suzumebachi cheered enthusiastically. "Seriously though, she's way too uptight, and she practically worships Yoruichi way too much. She needs to get a hobby or a boyfriend."
"I really can't see her doing either of those," Ichigo remarked. He was completely relaxed by now, simply conversing with the miniature spirit.
The small pixie groaned. "Don't remind me." She cheered up again quickly within the next second. "You seem like a pretty fun guy though. You have this nice warm aura around you too."
Ichigo scratched the back of his head in slight embarrassment, a small smile gracing his features. "Thanks I guess. You're pretty fun to hang around with yourself."
She sent him a wide grin. "Thanks!" Suzumebachi then floated forward and settled down on Ichigo's hair. "Wow, your hair looks so spiky but it's still pretty soft!" She began rolling around over his scalp, giggling at the slight tickling sensation of his hair against her skin.
Ichigo let out a small chuckle, finding the zanpakto's bubbly nature rather refreshing and infectious. "Just try to put away the stinger if possible, don't want you accidentally stabbing my head after all."
"Oh, sorry!" Suzumebachi apologised before quickly dismissing the stinger from her arm. She then went right back to lounging amongst Ichigo's orange locks. "Man, this is really comfy. It feels so warm and fuzzy. I could get used to this."
Reaching up with his right hand, the teenage soul reaper gently grasped his little friend and brought her down. She had an adorable pout at his actions. "As much as I wouldn't mind letting you stay on my head, I need to get going. I don't want you to be in any danger either when I get into a fight."
The pixie gave him a smile. "Don't worry about that, just leave me on your head as you go on! I'm sure the wind'll feel great anyway. And if you get into a fight, I'll move away to a safe spot, deal?"
"Alright, if that's what you really want," Ichigo complied, returning her to her previous spot in his hair. She gave an audible sigh of content and joy as she nestled in amongst the orange strands. Screw Muramasa and his rebellion, she wanted to lounge about in her new friend's hair like a lazy cat.
(Elsewhere):
As she was sprinting over a part of the seireitei, captain Soi-Fon suddenly stopped he motion. She was confused at the waves of satisfaction and comfort rolling in from what little remained of her connection to her zanpakto.
"What could have gotten her so happy?" she mused quietly.
And that's a wrap! As usual, please comment/review to let e know what you think. The next chapter will probably be Hyorinmaru.