As promised, here is the next chapter. I hope you all enjoy it, even though it's not really as funny/fluffy as the previous ones.
Chapter 4:
Hyorinmaru
Ichigo dashed through the rocky landscape, Suzumebachi still riding on top of his head. The small spirit occasionally giggled or cheered when the rush of wind swept past her. Suddenly, the orange-haired youth's instincts were triggered and he leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding a bunch of sharp icicles that suddenly sprouted from the ground and tried impaling him.
Looking around, he saw a lone male figure standing on one of the rocks a small distance away from his position. Two rather distinctive features that caught Ichigo's attention were the light blue X across the man's face and his turquoise green hair. The teenage soul reaper readied his oversized zanpakto, Suzumebachi quietly flying off to the side as per their agreement.
"Spiky orange hair," the rouge zanpakto spirit murmured. "You must be Ichigo Kurosaki, the one who Muramasa warned me about. I wonder why… could it be that you are my master?"
"Who are you?" Ichigo demanded, keeping his guard up.
"Tell me, are you my master?" the man inquired in response.
"What?" The confusion was clearly visible on the substitute's face.
"I lost all memory of my master upon our separation and am searching for him."
"Sorry to let you down, but I'm not. I still have my zanpakto, my partner, with me," Ichigo stated, flaring some of his spiritual pressure, thinking that the zanpakto may want to harm his wielder upon finding him. "What do you intend to do with your master once you find him or her anyway?"
Hyorinmaru looked disappointed. He also took note of the warm, almost fiery nature of the teenage soul reaper's spiritual power and pressure, further cementing the fact that this wasn't his forgotten master. "I see. In hindsight, I suppose that it's quite clear actually. I am the strongest ice type zanpakto, whereas your energy is more akin to a fire. Farewell, Ichigo Kurosaki."
Ichigo's senses screamed in alarm as Hyorinmaru turned on his heel. Immediately after, a vast quantity of ice formed around and tried to engulf him. Not wanting to become a human posicle, and not wanting to lose the zanpakto either, he quickly activated his bankai. The surge of power shattered the incoming ice and the black clad hero sped out of the area. He rushed ahead of the retreating figure and blocked his path.
He held out Tensa Zangetsu defensively. "Wait. You said that you're the ultimate ice type just now right?" The sword spirit nodded warily. "What's your name? I think I may know who your master is."
Surprise briefly flashed across the other's face. "My name, is Hyorinmaru…"
"I knew it!" Ichigo declared with a half smirk half grin. "You're Toshiro's zanpakto!"
"Toshiro?"
Ichigo lowered his blade in a friendly gesture of non-aggression. "Yeah. Toshiro Hitsugaya. He looks like a young kid with white hair and turquoise eyes, but he's actually captain of squad ten and quite the strong fighter."
"I see. Thank you for telling me this," Hyorinmaru said sincerely. However, Ichigo spoke out before he could begin to move away.
"Hey, my earlier question still stands, especially since Toshiro is someone I consider to be a friend. What do you intend to do upon meeting him?"
The ultimate ice type zanpakto remained silent for a second or two. Suzumebachi tentatively floated over to Ichigo as the tension rose. "Nothing to harm him, I promise you. I merely wish to be reunited with my wielder. I have been filled with a sense of emptiness since the separation, not being by my master's side."
Ichigo gave Hyorinmaru one of his rare genuine smiles as he deactivated his bankai. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure Toshiro's making his way towards you as we speak. He's probably been trying to track you down ever since Muramasa separated you. He probably misses you just as much as you do him."
"I see." Hyorinamru gave a small smile of his own. "I would like to apologise for my earlier attack against you. Also, would you mind staying until my master reaches me? I find your company to be quite enjoyable, more so than the rogue zanpakto I have had to stay with."
"Sure," Ichigo complied. Suzumebachi gave a cheer and nestled atop his head once again. "Let's sit down and be a bit more comfortable. If you'd like, I could tell you a little more of what I know about Toshiro. It might help restore your memory."
"Thank you. I would appreciate it very much and I believe it will make a good way to pass the time."
A few minutes later, Toshiro himself came upon them. The small captain had been expecting his zanpakto and friend to perhaps be engaged in combat, not be sitting and conversing good naturedly, but he wasn't to look a gift horse in the mouth. Upon seeing him and scanning his spiritual power, Hyorinamru's memories returned to him and he returned to his grateful master's side, without conflict. As thanks for Ichgio's help, the zanpakto told him where the zanpakto hideout was, and where he had heard Muramasa was keeping the head captain.
"You have a good friend my master," Hyorinmaru remarked while they watched Ichigo run off towards the hideout.
"Yeah, I do," Toshiro agreed. "I'll have to find a way to thank him for this."
As usual please review/comment. Also, I can't decide whether to make the next chapter with Katen Kyokotsu, or Sogyo no Kotowari, so please give your suggestions!