Hey everyone! Unfortunately, my laptop's charger is ruined, so I won't be able to update or work on anything for a while. Hope you enjoy this bonus chapter regardless though!

Post rebellion

Bonus:

Sogyoku

The orange-haired teen was standing atop Sogyoku hill, looking over the seireitei as the sun set. He'd just visited some of his friends a while ago. The repairs were almost complete by now and life had returned to normal. Well, as normal as it could get with manifested zanpakto spirits also walking around.

"It's a nice view isn't it?" asked a gentle, feminine voice that Ichigo didn't recognise. Turning back, he saw a young looking woman situated a few paces away from himself.

She was around his height and had loose, fiery auburn hair that reached her lower back in addition to an even, peach skin tone slightly lighter than his own. Her eyes were a radiant amber, like a glowing fire. Her attire consisted of a long, scarlet kimono with a black obi and yellow cord. Orange coloured, wing shaped clips adorned her hair at either side, in line with her temples.

"Yeah, it is," Ichigo agreed, staring over the hill again. "Even if seireitei's still being repaired right now."

The mystery woman gave a soft giggle as she took a stand at his side. "True. Although I think the fact that things are peaceful once more is largely due to your efforts, Ichigo Kurosaki."

The teen quirked an eyebrow. "Forgive me for being so blunt, but would you mind telling me who you are, seeing as you already know who I am?"

The woman nodded. "Don't worry, I don't mind. Sorry about not introducing myself beforehand. I am known as the Sogyoku, or rather a fraction of it." To emphasise her claim, a much smaller version of the legendary spear manifested in her right hand, one as tall as she was, whilst a small flame danced in her open left palm.

Ichigo took a step back out of instinct. "Not to be rude, but how? I thought that captains Ukitake and Kyoraku destroyed the Sogyoku – er, you… you get what I mean, right?"

Sogyoku gave another small giggle. "No need to be alarmed or tense, I'm not offended. And yes, I do 'get what you mean' Ichigo." The spear dematerialised from her grasp and the flames extinguished. "To answer your question, they did manage to destroy my physical form, but some of my power was fragmented and remained lingering around here. It would seem that Muramasa's power allowed those remnants to reunite and take form, hence I stand before you. Since I never actually had a wielder, and that he was most likely unaware of this happening, I was never under his mental control."

Ichigo scratched the back of his head. "That makes sense. By the way, um, sorry about what happened back then. You know, when we were saving Rukia."

Sogyoku's amber eyes marginally widened. Regaining her composure, her mouth formed a petite smile. "It's alright Ichigo, I bear you no grudge over that. However, I must say that you do intrigue me." She took a few steps closer to him, essentially leaving her right in front of the substitute soul reaper.

Ichigo tried to keep the slight nervousness he felt from building up or showing. "Really? How so?"

An amused glint flashed through her oculars. "Besides the obvious of you still being a living human and your extraordinary growth rate. Back at my full strength, I was said to contain the power of a thousand zanpakto. Despite that, you, who had only just achieved bankai, managed to block and hold me back using only your single zanpakto while in shikai."

Ichigo diverted his head in slight embarrassment. "Sorry, but I don't really know anything specific about that. I just wanted to save Rukia, and I somehow felt confident about being able to hold you back with Zangetsu."

She nodded in acceptance, taking a step back and looking over the seireitei once more. "Regardless, I suppose I should thank you. Even though I was effectively destroyed for a while, I have been able to gain freedom now. It was a lonely existence when I stood atop this very hill. Only used and unsealed for executions, which were thankfully quite few." With a small amount of surprise, she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her from behind in a gentle embrace, followed by a warm spiritual power washing over and comforting her.

"It must have been hard," Ichigo remarked consolingly. "If I had known about that, I would have tried to do something about it. In any case, I'm glad you're enjoying your new life and freedom now."

Sogyoku let her body relax and lean back against him, enjoying the cosy, soothing sensation of his spiritual power as well as his tender embrace. "Thank you. Could you stay like this, just for a while?"

"Sure. I'll be here as long as you want. Just let me know if you ever need anything else too," Ichigo replied softly.

"Then, could I stay with you? Even when you return to the world of the living?" the manifestation requested. "As I mentioned before, I have no wielder. I don't think that many of the other soul reapers would be too comfortable with me either, considering my previous role and reputation…"

Ichigo let out a brief chuckle. "Yeah, you can. Just try to avoid my dad. He can be rather… eccentric." The pair fell into a comfortable silence, appreciating each other's company before it was time to go back.

How was it? As usual, please review and let me know. Suggestions are still welcome. See you next time!