Hi everyone and welcome back! Unfortunately, my health took a nosedive on Monday evening. I was just discharged from hospital on Thursday and am still recovering, so I won't be able to work on anything for a while. Luckily, this chapter was ready from beforehand, so enjoy!

Post rebellion

Bonus:

Benihime

(Urahara's shop: underground training space):

Exhaling deeply, Ichigo sat down to rest on one of the various boulders. He'd just finished an intense training session by himself, one involving a somewhat lengthy spar against Zangetsu. His battle instincts suddenly kicked in, warning him of incoming danger. Moving like lightning, he immediately grabbed his oversized sword and spun around, successfully blocking a slash from a rather familiar weapon. Urahara's zanpakto, in shikai. Except that it wasn't Urahara who'd attacked him. The main difference, was that his assailant was a woman.

Her hair was a bright blood red and loose, reaching her upper back, between her shoulder blades. Her eyes were a matching colour and her skin was pale. She was dressed in a dark red, almost maroon, sleeveless shihakusho.

"Not bad Ichigo," she remarked in a light yet mature tone, pulling away and taking a step back. "Good to see that your skills haven't dulled, otherwise I'd have to reconsider you being my favourite student."

The orange-haired substitute quirked an eyebrow. "Favourite student?" He lowered his zanpakto, but still kept it at the ready.

The woman put her free hand on her hip whilst sending him a blank stare. "Come on, haven't you already figured it out yet?"

"I can hazard a guess," Ichigo replied. "Benihime."

"Bingo!" she confirmed jovially, flashing him a grin.

Ichigo scanned the surroundings, noting the blond shopkeeper's absence. "Where's Urahara?"

Benihime adopted a thoughtful expression. "Kisuke is… a little tied up at the moment."

(Urahara shop: backroom):

Kisuke Urahara lay on the ground, ensnared in a net composed of black spiritual power outlined by red. (The one Urahara uses against Aizen when he, Yoruichi and Isshin fight him.) His zanpakto had been on the verge of materialising ever since Muramasa's arrival in the living world. Benihime had actually manifested shortly after Ichigo arrived to train. As usual, he'd fooled around, until she bound him and stated that she was going to check up on their pupil and maybe even train him a little.

'Hmm,' the former captain thought. 'If the latter actually happens, I hope she leaves him alive. Her power really isn't suited for simple sparring, especially her bankai. Still, this could have been such a golden research opportunity. Too bad she wasn't willing to co-operate.'

(Underground training space):

"Really?" Ichigo asked. "Is he running some new experiment or invention?"

Benihime shrugged. "Maybe he will." She dismissed the sword from her grasp and approached the teen, casually slinging an arm over his shoulder and pulling him close. "I was considering giving you some training, but seeing as you just finished sparring with your own zanpakto, maybe I'll put it on hold."

"Please do," Ichigo agreed, averting his eyes due to the building awkwardness he felt. "Training with Urahara is bad enough. You're probably going to be way worse."

Benihime smirked as she leaned forward into his vision. There was a glint in her eyes, part mischievous and part predatory. "I'll take that as a compliment… unless you meant it as something else?"

The orange-haired soul reaper gulped. "It was a compliment."

The zanpakto spirit laughed and gave him a one-armed side hug. "You make it too easy! No wonder Kisuke and Yoruichi like messing with you so much!" Ichigo scowled slightly, but maintained his silence. "Hey, loosen up a little." Benihime sat down, pulling him with her. She moved his head so that it was resting atop her shoulder.

"Benihime?" the teenage substitute asked in confusion.

"Just relax," said Benihime in a softer tone, lightly stroking his hair. "I meant what I said before about you being my favourite student. I think I'm entitled to spoil you just a little every now and then. Besides, you're still a kid, you shouldn't need to be so serious all the time or shoulder every crisis that pops up. Take some time to unwind and enjoy yourself while you can."

Ichigo closed his eyes in acceptance, allowing his muscles to loosen. "Thanks." He felt the fatigue from his earlier training settle in once more.

Benihime gave him a small smile, even though he couldn't see it. "No problem Ichigo." She continued gently stroking his hair as he soon dozed off. After a while, taking care not to wake him, she shifted his body so that he was lying down, his head resting on her lap. The spirit resumed caressing his vibrant locks. "Sleep well."

Later on, Urahara manged to free himself with Tessai's help. He made his way down into the training room, only to see his pupil asleep whilst receiving a lap pillow from his zanpakto. Overcoming his surprise within a second, the blond whipped out his signature fan and was about to comment, but wisely kept shut when Benihime directed a sharp glare in his direction, one that promised painful vengeance if didn't. Coincidentally, a minute yet content smirk manifested on the sleeping Ichigo's face.

So, how many of you expected this eh? The next chapter will be featuring Ryuujin Jakka, the head captain's zanpakto, whenever I manage to get better and upload it.