Chapter 4

A/N: Please if anyone as any idea's for this story like what worlds Ichigo should vists, then by all means tell me.

Let the story Begin

Destiny Hearts

Brown eyes shot open, Ichigo jump up from his spot as quickly as he could but fell as pain shot through his body. He grabs his chest and fell onto one knee, gasping in pain as he tried as hard as he could to make the pain go away. Memories started to rack his mind, his sisters being taken by those five bastards. He looked to his left and found his partner Zangetsu lying on the ground of what seem to be a familiar circular, stained-glass platform.

'I have absolute no time for this shit!' Ichigo growled to himself. 'I have to find those bastards and rescue Yuzu and Karin.'

Picking Zangetsu up from the ground, Ichigo glared down at a picture of a brown haired boy around the age of 14-15. To Ichigo, the boy was dress very weird. The boys outfit contained large yellow shoes, a white and black over jacket as well as a red jumpsuit and a pair of white with yellow gloves with a crown necklace and crown chain. For some reason Ichigo couldn't stop looking at the boys shoes.

"Those are some big ass shoes!" Ichigo muttered to himself. "Just how in the hell does he run in those things I wonder?"

"To answer your question," a unfamiliar voice said. Ichigo grip on Zangetsu tighten, he spun around to see a dark blonde haired girl. She had dark blue eyes and was wearing a plain white lace dress that showed her curves and breast that weren't that big. She had light blue sandals on, rosy cheeks and pale, pink lips. "He runs and walks just like you do."

Ichigo glared at the blonde haired girl and pointed Zangetsu at her. "Who the hell are you?" he demanded. "Where did you come from? Where am I? And what the hell is happening to me?" She only smiled at him

"My name is Namine." she told him. "I can't tell you where I come from but I can tell you that you are currently asleep."

Ichigo blinked then glared at her. "How the fuck can I am sleep!" he snapped. "If I was sleep I couldn't be demanding answers from you right now could I?"

Namine was about to answer him but she quickly found out she could hardly breathe or talk. Ichigo had cross the distance between the two in an instant, the critical state he was in didn't seem to stop the rage he was feeling right now. Namine struggled and looked down into Ichigo's eyes and gasped. His eyes irises were a dark yellow and his sclera and pupils were beginning to bleed black

'So much darkness and rage'

"Please..." Namine pleaded. "I-"

"SHUT UP!" Ichigo roared, silencing her before she was able to talk. "I'm tired of this shit! Every time I seem to close my eyes I wake up surrounded by darkness and voices telling me what the fuck to do! And I'm sick and tired of it!"

Please wait, clam-"

"I'M NOT LISTENING TO ANY OF YOUR LIES YOU BITCH!" He tightens his grip around her neck, causing her to gag. "You're going to tell me where this Castle That Never Was is located at so I can rescue my sisters and destroy those five bastards who kidnapped them."

'Castle That Never Was!' Namine's eyes widen in realization. How they were able to find him before her and the others did? They weren't even supposed to know about him in the first place so how did they find out. She had a lot to find how from Ichigo but first she had to calm him down before he does something he might regret later.

"Baburuburasuta (Bubble Blaster)!" a unknown voice chanted

Not looking, Ichigo raised Zangetsu and cut through something, he felt water splash his face and body. Looking in the direction on where the attacks came from, he cursed when he seen what looked like bubbles heading straight for him in a very fast pace. He growled and clutched Namine close to his chest; he didn't want the girl to be hurt until he gets the answers he needed. Unnoticed to him, Namine was currently blushing up a storm. She could feel every bit of muscle Ichigo received since he had become a shinigami, without thinking she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Ichigo was too busy dodging deadly bubbles to even notice the girl in his arms wrapping her arms around his neck. Shunpoing to the far corners of the platform, Ichigo growled, getting tired of dodging bubbles. Reitsu exploded around his body, surrounding both him and Namine.

Namine gasped, feeling Ichigo's overwhelming reitsu following around and in her, fusing with her own mana energy. 'What is this? It feels like mana but a bit more powerful! It's so overwhelming that its fusing with my own mana source. Just how much of this energy does he have?'

Raising Zangetsu high above his head, he glared at the approaching barrage of deadly bubbles. "Getsuga..." Zangetsu surrounded by a dark blue aura and a screeching sound was being admitted from it. "TENSHO!" he brought Zangetsu down as hard as he could.

Namine yelp as a blue wave of energy tore into the ground and instantly tore through the group of bubbles and continue going. A ray of sliver glowed in the darkness just before Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho crashed into something; it stayed there for a moment before reflecting off of something and shot into the darkness before fading away.

"How in the..." Ichigo shuttered out, a glared was suddenly replaced his surprise look. "I know someone's out there! So come out now before I drag you out!" he shouted into the darkness. A few seconds later he heard footsteps before a girl step out of darkness glaring at him.

The girl looked slightly liked that Namine, but older. She has similar blue eyes, but unlike Namine's her hair blue and a bit shorter. She was wearing a black and blue, high-collared halter top, two pink, intersecting belts over her chest, and black shorts. An odd sliver badge, and on her arms are white bell-sleeves and tan, fingerless gloves. She also was wearing a small, segmented piece of armor on each of her upper arms. Wearing what appeared to be black stockings or socks covering her well tone legs which reached to about halfway up her thighs, leaving a small area of bare skin on her upper thighs.

She also bears two strips of blue cloth that drapes over either side of her hips, along with a smaller, white strip of cloth tied around her waist, draped in the same manner. Finally, she wears pointed armored, sliver boots with a sharp 'hook' on the outer side of each. Gripped in both her hands tightly and held in an offensive position Ichigo usually takes was one of the weirdest weapons the seventeen year old shinigami as ever seen.

'Is that a giant fucking key?'

The weirdly shape keyblade was about four feet in length are maybe a bit longer. The guard was oddly shaped, and three different colors, dark gray, gray, and white. The handle looked like a short spear and a keychain that hung loosely from the guard. The neck was thin and blue in color; it had three pointed teeth connected together and was also blue in color and in shape of an E. All angry was lost and all Ichigo could do was sweat dropped.

"Who are you?" Ichigo asked, keeping a strong grip on Zangetsu.

The girl glared at him and tightens her grip on the huge key. "I would like for you to let Namine go!" she demanded, taking a step closer.

'Let Namine go!' Ichigo looked down in his arms and blushed at seeing Namine in his arms. She was also blushing and she had a strong grip around his neck, Ichigo could feel her breast rubbing against his chest.

He shivered

Putting her down on the ground, Ichigo rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Sorry about grabbing your neck and all." he apologized. "I just want to find my sisters that's all, I let my angry get the better of me. Sorry if I hurt you."

Despite still blushing from the contact, Namine smiled at him. "It's okay! I understand why you were angry. You're just worried for your sisters that's all." she said

Ichigo smiled at her

Breaking her stance, the blue haired girl rested the giant key on her shoulders and walk next to the two. "You need to learn how to control your anger better than that." she told Ichigo. "I have a friend with the same problem you do."

Ichigo growled at her. "Hey! I don't need a lecture from the likes of you girl."

She glared back at him. "I'm a woman!"

Ichigo snickered and looked over her again. Her chest was well developed and bigger than Namine's was, but Ichigo had seen much bigger. Her legs were well tone and for some reason her glares were sexy. He shook his head to get the perverted thought out of his head.

The girl saw him checking her out and blush. "Stop... checking me out please!"

Seeing that he was caught in the act, Ichigo blushed. "Sorry."

Looking at the two arguing, Namine couldn't help but giggle at the two. The two stopped for a moment and stared at the giggling blonde haired girl.

"What are you laughing about!" they both asked at the same time. They both glared at each other causing Namine to begin laughing.

Breaking from the glaring contest he was having with the blue haired girl. Ichigo looked at her, "Explain what's so funny?" he asked her.

Namine laughed for a bit longer before stopping complete. "It's just that you two only just mate and your already argue with each other like you been friends for years." she answered them, she then giggled at their confused looks.

Ichigo sighed but smiled at Namine, for some odd reason he did not know of. He could not stay mad at the girl for very long. "So.. Where am I? And..." He pointed toward the blue haired girl. "Who are you!"

Getting back to business, Namine blushed at forgetting to induce the two. "Sorry about that!" she pointed toward the girl. "I would like you to meet Aqua! She's a close friend of mine."

Ichigo nodded toward Aqua. "Sorry about firing my attack at you, just for a while now I've been getting attack by a lot of people. Including my own damn shadow!"

Now known as Aqua, she only wave off his apology and smiled at him. "Don't worry about that, it was nothing that I couldn't handle." she raised her arms and wave her giant key around.

Ichigo laughed at her. "I can see that," he then remembered something. "Hey, what was that you use to block my attack?"

Aqua blinked at him then smiled. "Oh, you're talking about my Han'ei Suru(Reflect) spell?"

Ichigo nodded, not fully understanding what the hell that was. "Yeah... that!"

Seeing that he didn't know what she was talking about, she began to explain. "It's a spell I'm able to use to block any attacks as long as I but enough of my mana into it. What was that attack you used?" she asked him

Ichigo smirked at her. He raised Zangetsu onto his shoulders. "Its name is Getsuga Tensho, a technique I learn from my partner." he explain to her

Aqua blinked. "Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer?" she grin. "Sound nice but where is this partner of yours who taught you the technique?"

Ichigo sighed; he should have known he was going to have to explain things to her. "See this," he pointed toward Zangetsu. At her nod he continued. "Is a zan-"

"Zanpakuto!" Namine said cutting Ichigo off before he was able to say. "It's a reflection of a shinigami's soul and power, and sentient beings unto themselves. Learning its name and calling it out releases its Shikai (Frist Release) and taking on a different form. Each Shinigami as a unique zanpakuto for themselves that comes from there soul." she explained

Ichigo blinked at her, rubbed his head and nodded. "Yeah, what she said. But how did you known that?"

Namine blushed. "A man known as Diz told me!"

"Who the hell is Diz?"

"A bastard, that's what he is." Aqua muttered

Namine sent a small glare at her friend. "He's a man that helped me regain Sora's memories" she answered

"Sora's memories?" Ichigo asked confused. "Who the hell is that?"

"A keyblade master," Aqua answered for Namine. "He's a boy who possesses the Kingdom Key which connects all; he was put into a deep slumber by Namine here to regain all of his lost memories. Diz and a friend of Sora's name Riku help her put back his memories." she explained.

Ichigo nodded in thanks to her. "Thanks for the explanation Aqua but if you could tell me, where are we? Cause at what Namine just told me a while ago I'm supposed to be asleep right now or dreaming" he asked

"Just because you're dreaming doesn't make this any less real." Namine cut in. "Do you remembered waking up somewhere like this before and fighting a giant that came from your shadow?"

He nodded. "Hey, I remember that. The bastard was persistent but I got him."

Namine giggled. "I'm sure you did Ichi-kun." Ichigo blushed at the nickname. "That was your awakening for the beginning of your journey as The Protector. Where you fought the giant shadow was inside," she gestured around him. "Your soul."

Ichigo blinked. "My soul...?" he eyes suddenly widened. "Wait; are we in my inner world?"

"If that's what a shinigami calls his soul then yes it is!" Namine said. "Your different from other Keyblade wielders, you have no keyblade and your strongest point his not your heart but your soul." she explain to him

Ichigo became even more confused. "What the hell is a keyblade?"

"This is a Keyblade if you want to know!" Aqua said and held out the giant key in her hand.

Ichigo blinked at the thing known as a Keyblade. "But... it's just a big ass key!" he said

Both Namine and Aqua sweat dropped

"Yes..." Aqua stuttered out, a blush was on her face. "They are just giant keys but are giant keys that are very unique." she said

Ichigo crossed is hands over his chest. "I seriously dought that!"

Aqua glared at him and was about to start another argument between the two but Namine cut her off before she could. "Maybe Ichi-kun needs an explanation on what a keyblade is before jumping to get into a argument Aqua" Namine said. Aqua stepped back and huffed, and glared at Ichigo.

Ichigo blinked at her then looked at Namine. "What's her deal?"

Namine laughed nervously. "She very sensitive when someone makes fun of her keyblade, it was kind of her dream to always become a Keyblade master. She did though become one after her training."

Ichigo scratch his head. "Sorry Aqua!"

"It's okay, just don't every say that about them again! Or you will lose something very important to you." she threaten with a glare.

Ichigo gulped and his legs came closer together on instinct. "I won't, don't worry, just take it easy."

Namine coughed to get both of their attention. "Although a keyblades origin is unknown, thus far. They are all use to be able to lock or unlock the Realm of Light or the Realm of Darkness. Each Keyblade chose their own wielders and could lock away the hearts to different worlds." she explains

"Worlds...?" Ichigo said, confusing written all over his face. "What do you mean different worlds?"

"You're new to this, so you might not know this. "Aqua cut in and said. "They are different worlds out there in deep space then just yours Ichigo." she told him. "Do you remember fighting black small like creatures?"

Ichigo nodded. "Yeah! Small little annoying bastards. I also remember fighting things in white jump suits." he told them

Aqua nodded. "Those creatures you fought in your world are called the Heartless." she explained. "Heartless are people's hearts that have been corrupted by darkness, lacking a body or soul.."

"So... they came out of the residences around my town hearts? Were they searching for their body and soul or something?"

She shook her head. "No, they were after you."

"Me?" Ichigo blinked then glared. "Why were they after me?"

Namine step forward. "I can explain that," she told him and nodded toward Aqua. "The Keyblades main object is to destroy heartless, which the heartless fear. But you lack a Keyblade like the other Keyblade wielders."

"If I'm supposed to be one of these Keyblade wielders then why don't I have one of these keyblades?" Ichigo asked.

Namine stayed quit and seem to be thinking about something. A second later her eyes brighten and she giggled a bit. "You do have a keyblade Ichi-kun." she told him

Ichigo blinked and looked around him, but found no keyblade. he turn around and lightly glared at Namine. "That's not funny to lie you know." he said

Namine blushed at that. "Maybe I should have explained first."

"Ya think!"

Namine giggled at Ichigo's annoyed expression. "Your keyblade as always been with you Ichi-kun, just in a different form then the other keyblades that are used by other wielders."

Again Ichigo looked around and found no keyblade around him." I don't see any keyblade Namine!" he said, announce clearly in his voice.

Namine only pointed toward the large weapon in his hands. Follow where her finger lead, Ichigo found that she was pointing at Zangetsu. He raised his zanpakuto and looked at it with wide eyes. "Zangetsu...?" he stuttered out, he shook his head after a moment. "My zanpakuto can't be this keyblade thing?"

Namine nodded. "Yes Ichigo, Zangetsu is your keyblade!"

"But-"

"Its true Ichigo" a familiar voice said, cutting Ichigo off.

Ichigo's eyes widened at hearing the familiar voice. "Old Man is that you!" A bright light shined through the darkness that surround the three, moments later, Ichigo, Aqua, and Namine found themselves on top of skyscrapers. Ichigo looked around trying to locate Zangetsu. "Where are you old man!" he called out.

"I'm over here Ichigo" Zangetsu called out again.

Ichigo looked over toward a skyscraper to see Zangetsu standing on a familiar flag pole. The same expression on his face that he wore that Ichigo remembered, Ichigo smiled at seeing his zanpakuto spirit again after so long.

"It's good to see you again Ichigo." Zangetsu greeted

Ichigo smiled. "It's good to see you as well old man."

Zangetsu nodded, he turns to look at both Namine and Aqua. He vanished and seconds later, appeared at Ichigo's side. He turns and nodded to both of the girls who nodded back at him.

"I'm confused old man; can you explain to me how you're a keyblade?" Ichigo asked.

Zangetsu nodded. "I'm not entirely a keyblade, I can just use similar abilities that they could use."

"What do you mean old man?"

"Zanpakuto's have been around for many millenniums, they were the original keys to the door of light and darkness. Legend said that the wielders of the first zanpakuto created the keyblades from there on zanpakuto's reiastu." Namine explained.

Zangetsu nodded. "She correct, when you first met Rukia and attacked by your very first hollow. You were supposed to receive your own keyblade that day, but due to you receiving Rukia's powers that awoken a bit of your own, both myself and your Keyblade fused and became one. We fused complete once you lost the reiastu Rukia gave you and awoken your own shinigami powers."

After Zangetsu's explanation, Ichigo's eyes were wide in astonishment. That day he had met Rukia he was suppose receive his own keyblade? For some reason he was happy that he didn't receive it. If he had, then he wouldn't have met Zangetsu or all the other friends he encounter since he became a shinigami. He shook his head and smiled

"I hope you're not forgetting about me Kingy!" another familiar voice said

Hearing another voice, both girls turn to the source and gasped at what they saw before them.

It was another Ichigo, only this one was different. His skin was white along with his hair and shihakusho he was wearing, he also had the neck guard around his neck only his was white with black strips. The x shape patterns that went across his wrist, ankles, and across his chest we're the only thing that was black like Ichigo's. His irises were a dark yellow, and his sclera's were as black as night along with his pupils, and mischievous grin was edge across his face. He had a large blade strapped on his back that was covered in black bandages.

"Been a long time, hasn't King!" Hollow Ichigo said, the grin still edge on his face.

Ichigo had a dead panned expression on his face has he looked at his hollow. "Where the hell you been since all this shit as happen to me?"

"Having a nice nap until I was rudely awakening cause of someone wants to fire Getsuga Tensho's and cause loud noises." Hollow Ichigo answered truthfully.

Ichigo glared at him. "You bastard!"

"AAAAAAHHHHHH!"

Ichigo blinked as he saw a blue blur passed him at insane speeds. A moment later he found Aqua clashing blades with his Hollow, he wondered what the hell she was doing.

"Mmm... What the hell's she doing?"

Zangetsu shrugged. "I don't know!"

Aqua glared at what she believes was a heartless. She thought that due to her speed that she was going to be able to catch him off guard, but he seem to be experience at swordsmanship cause he was able to pulled a huge blade that was similar to Ichigo's Zangetsu and block her strike before she was able to kill him.

Hollow Ichigo grin. "It's been a long time since I had a good fight; I hope you will be well enough challenge to give me a good workout."

Aqua's glare hardened. "I'll do more than that you heartless!"

Hollow Ichigo blinked for second before laughing at her. "I'm no Heartless chick, I'm something more powerful called a hollow." he swung his sword and knocked her back.

Aqua landed on her feet and glared. "What is a hollow?" she asked.

"Hollow's are a race of creatures which are born from human souls who, for various reasons, do not cross over to the Soul society after their death and stay in the human world for too long. They are corrupt spirits with supernatural powers that devour the souls of both living and deceased humans." Ichigo explained, walking over to Aqua's side. "Don't worry about him though, he's just another part of my soul."

Aqua dropped from her stance and blinked at Ichigo. "How did that happen?" she asked

Ichigo sighed. "My friend Rukia was going to get executed on crimes of transferring some of her shinigami powers to me. While I was trying to regain my shinigami powers from my teacher Mr. Urahara, I almost transform into a hollow but I regain my shinigami powers before my hollow transformation was complete." he explained

Aqua nodded, seeing how familiar Ichigo was to a friend. "So what does that make you?"

"I'm what you called a Vizard, 50% shinigami and 50% hollow." Ichigo told her, he then pointed to his hollow. "He was born that day and became my hollow powers, he use to try and take over my body but only does it now when I'm almost dead or dead."

Aqua nodded, understanding a bit what he was saying. "So your hollow powers are your darkness?"

Ichigo blinked at her. "Yeah he is a bit but he also a part of me, I can't get rid of him if I wanted to."

"Got that right Kingy!" Hollow Ichigo shouted out in glee

"No one asked for your opinion dumbass!"

"Ichi-kun!" Namine called out. Ichigo seem to have not heard her cause he continues to argue with his hollow. "ICHI-KUN!"

Pausing, Ichigo looked over a Namine. "What's wrong?"

Blushing at having to shout, she straight up. "Now that I got your attention," Ichigo blushed at that. "If you don't believe that Zangetsu is a keyblade then look at end of the broken chain off of Zangetsu's hilt." she informed him

Ichigo nodded to her, he pick up Zangetsu and held the hilt to his face. His eyes widen at seeing what looked like a keychain attached to Zangetsu broken chain. Attached to the keychain was a blue and black crescent moon, he was amazed at not seeing this before.' So what Namine said his true, old man Zangetsu really his keyblade.'

"If what you said is true, does that mean I can't use my bankai or my hollow powers?" he asked

Zangetsu shook his head. "You can still use all of your abilities as a shinigami; you just have a few upgrades and other forms you can use during battle."

Ichigo looked confused. "What do you mean other forms?"

"Let me take it from here you guys," Aqua said cutting in. Both Zangetsu and Namine nodded to her. "See that necklace around your neck," she said, pointing to Ichigo's neck.

Ichigo looked down and grabbed a hold of the necklace and stared at it. "Do you mean this thing I received in that awakening thing Namine told me about?"

Aqua nodded. "That is a keychain; they have the ability to change a key blade's stats, grant it special abilities, and give it a new appearance. While most keyblades have a basic form, like Zangetsu does and my Rainfall, a keyblade wielder can upgrade and change the form of the keyblade with a keychain. In other words, when wielder is equipping a new keyblade, he or she is equipping a different keychain to the keyblade, changing its form. "She explained

Ichigo nodded, understanding a bit about what a keychain could do. "So how does it work?"

"In your case, just slam the keychain in Zangetsu's blade." Aqua told him

Ichigo nodded and took the keychain from around his neck, he held Zangetsu close to the center of his body. He looked at Zangetsu to see him nod to tell him to go on. Ichigo nodded and took a deep breath before slamming the keychain into the flat end of Zangetsu. The keychain glowed for a second before melting into Zangetsu, seconds later, the huge zanpakuto began to glow a bright blue.

Ichigo tensed up and gritted his teeth. "What the hell's happening!" he shouted

Aqua didn't know herself, she had never seen this happen before. Usually when she equips a keychain it only shines a bit before showing its new form. But this, the whole building they were standing on was shaking. Ichigo and Zangetsu were covered in a blue glow that covered them from Aqua and Namine's view.

"What's happening to him Aqua?" Namine asked

Aqua winced as the blue light got brighter and brighter. "I don't know Namine! This never happen to me before."

Suddenly, the blue light that covered Zangetsu and Ichigo from view started to dime. Once the light was gone, Namine and Aqua and uncovered their eyes and looked over toward Ichigo's direction, their eyes widen in shock at seeing him. Standing before them, was Ichigo, but he was dress differently and looked slightly different as well. He was no longer wearing his shredded shihakusho; he was dress in a black Japanese martial arts gi. The top shirt was held together three yellow strips, on his right breast was a gold crescent moon, where the shirt open a bit they could see a yellow obi tie around his waist holding up his pants, it also and covered his neck a bit. Just like his shihakusho, it was fully black but it had gold trim instead of white, the cuffs were also gold and rolled up a bit up his arms. He was wearing black traditional Chinese shoes with ordinary white socks. His orange hair was now longer, reaching just below his shoulders and a bit darker than before, bangs were cover his eyes just a bit from the others view.

Both Aqua and Namine were in awe at Ichigo's new form. "Wow..." they both said

Ichigo raised is head and blinked at them, it seem the only thing that didn't change about him was his chocolate eyes. "What?" he asked. "What's wrong with me and why you're looking like that?"

Namine and Aqua only pointed at him.

Ichigo followed their fingers and looked himself, a second later he gasps in awe. "What the hell happen to me?" he cried out, he blinked when he felt his now long hair. "And what the hell happen to my hair! I thought that when I equip one of those keychains it will only change my zanpakuto! Not me."

"I really don't know what happened Ichigo." Aqua answered him truthfully. "To my knowledge, this has never happen to any keyblade wielder before. The only time something like this does happen his when my and my friends but on our keyblade armor."

"Is this what this is?" Ichigo asked her

"I don't think so Ichi-kun." Aqua said, not even realizing the nickname she started calling him. Ichigo did catch it, which caused him to blush a bit. "We usually have heavy armor that protects us increases are abilities and gives us other ones. But you seem to be a lot different from what happen to me, Terra, and Ventus."

Ichigo seem to become annoyed without getting answers. "Then what the hell happen to me!"

"Why don't you stop complaining and test it out Kingy!"

Ichigo turn his head to stare at his hollow who seem to go through a similar transformation as him expect white and black. Zangetsu himself seem to have gone through a similar changes as well, he was a bit younger but still older than his bankai self, his coat seem to be a bit longer then it was and he had a hood on the back similar to his Tensa Zangetsu form. He still had the familiar sunglasses on his face but they seem to be a bit darker than before.

"What the hell happen to you guys?" Ichigo asked

Hollow Ichigo snorted at his king's stupidity. "You think me and the old man wouldn't go through some similar transformation as you did! You seem to forget that we are your powers as well dumbass."

Zangetsu nodded. "He's right Ichigo, we are your power so anything you go through we will as well."

Ichigo nodded to them and straight himself out. "Can you explain to me what this form could do?"

"Just go test out your new abilities on a skyscraper Ichigo!" Namine said, jumping into the conversation between the three. "I think that since this is your inner world that you don't have to worry about damage so much."

"She correct Ichigo, anything that you destroy will be build back instantly by your soul." Zangetsu said

Ichigo nodded and turn to one of the skyscrapers to the far off east; he wanted to keep his distance away from the others so Namine or Aqua could get hurt. He knew both of them could take care of themselves but it didn't hurt to be too careful for others you care about. He didn't know why he care about them, maybe their presence was just comforting in this weird moments he's been having since he woke up this morning. Shaking those thought out of his mind, he poured reiatsu into souls of his feet a flashed forward, covering the distant between him and the tall building in an instant.

Both Aqua and Namine had only one thought on their mind. 'Fast!'

Ichigo twisted his body and swung a horizontal kick at the building, only missing it by a couple of inches. A horizontal thin blue line went across the building, and moments later the building began to fall into two sepert half's. Ichigo didn't finish there; his flash step in between the two half's and slams a kick into the one that was falling. The crushing force of the kick sent the building hurling into the air. Seconds later, Ichigo appeared above it, his right hand surrounded by reiatsu. With immense force, he slammed his fist into the building, shockwaves of reiastu shatter through it before it exploded in a cloud of smoke and debris.

"Holy crap!" Aqua shouted, amazed at what she was seeing before her eyes. She had never seen someone cover that much distance in so little time! She had face fast opponents before in her time. But Ichigo was way faster than the ones she had faced and to back it up he was strong enough to kick a skyscraper into the air.

Namine was in the same both as her friend, she had never seen someone with that kind of strength to kick a skyscraper into the air and destroy it with just one blow. She then winced, she just hope and pray that Ichigo would be strong enough to face the challenge that would be before him. She didn't know why, but she felt a strong connection with Ichigo and she knew Aqua had the same feeling she did. She might deny it at first but she couldn't deny it the connection she had with him.

Both Zangetsu and Hollow Ichigo had small grins on their face as that watch on.

Up in the air above them, Ichigo was staring at his hands in awe. This form he was in seems to have increased every natural ability he had just like his shinigami powers did. He was always an expert hand-to-hand combatant but not on par with people like Yoruichi or her x-student Sui-Feng who kicked his ass effortless one time with her hakuda skills. In this form, he thinks he could give them both a run for their money in just hakuda skills only. His strength seem to be stronger then he hits in his shinigami form in its shikai state, he also thinks that his durability is on the same level as he as a shinigami. He also very fast when he uses shunpo and his spiritual power seem to be on the level he is in his bankai. He looked over toward the others and shunpoed in front of them.

Namine giggled. "That was cool Ichi-kun."

Ichigo smiled at her. "Thanks Namine"

She blushed

"So how do you like your Mikadzuki Kiba (Crescent Moon Fang) form Ichigo?" Zangetsu asked

Ichigo nodded, a smirk crossing his face. "I like it a lot old man!"

Zangetsu smiled. "Yes I knew you would have like it! This form is strictly used for hand-to-hand combat. As you can tell, this form rivals your bankai's speed when you first used it." the zanpakuto spirit explain. "You also used a technique to destroyed the top half of the skyscraper as well."

Ichigo was now a lot more interested. "What is its name?"

"It's called Tsuki Kiba No Ken (Getsuga Fist)!" Zangetsu said

"Getsuga Fist?" Ichigo said, a bit confused

Zangetsu nodded. "It's a technique similar to a Getsuga Tensho, only it fires from the base of your fist. As you swing your fist it releases highly condensed spiritual energy and causes large scale damage just like a Gestuga Tensho."

Ichigo nodded, he could already tell that he was going to love this technique just like the Getsuga Tensho. He released a breath he had been holding for a long time, a second later he glow and returned to his shinigami form, shredded shihakusho and Zangetsu familiar weight on his back. He felt his head and was relieved to see that his hair was now neck length instead of its shoulder length he had in his Mikadzuki kiba form.

"Good to be back in my shinigami form," Ichigo said relived a bit. He looked over to Zangetsu and his hollow to see they had change back as well. "I like the form but I like my shinigami form a bit better."

Seeing how Ichigo interact with his powers of both light and darkness, Aqua could help but shake her head and smile. "Ya know Ichigo," she said, getting the orange haired boys attention. "You are the most interesting person I have ever met."

Ichigo smiled at her. "Same to you Aqua."

Said girl blushed at Ichigo's intense stare. "... Thank you." she said, pressing her fingers together. 'Why am I acting like this? I've been around a bunch of boys before and never acted this bad. So what's wrong with me? Aggrrrrhhh, clam down Aqua! There's no time for this right now.'

"So Aqua, Namine." Ichigo called out to the two girls, getting both their attention. "If we're in my inner world right now, where's my body? And are those heartless things I fought, still on my world?" he asked them, sitting down on the edge. He felt relieved to be back in his inner world after so long.

Namine had a sad frown on her face. "I'm sorry Ichigo, but since the heartless was found in your world with no one to protect its heart. Your world as probably was swallowed by the darkness. "She informed him.

Ichigo snapped his head in Namine's direction so fast; she might have thought he broke his neck in the process. "What about my friends, and my dad?" he asked, fearing the answer she might give him.

"If they didn't get out the same time you did, then they are also have been swallowed by darkness just like your home world." Namine answered him truthfully.

Ichigo looked devastated at the news. "So there's no way to save them or my home world?" he said sadly. His hands were clenched at his sides in anger; he couldn't even protect his friends and dad. He felt absolutely hopeless right now, he felt a warm soft hand touch his cheek. He turns to see Namine smiling at him.

"If you finish your quest as the protector and lock away the darkness that's surrounds the other worlds. I know you will recuse your sisters and save your world." she said.

"But what if I can't do that!" he said, feeling helpless. "What if I can't be this protector of worlds and these seven unique hearts like everyone think I can! What if I fail?"

Again Namine just smiled at him. "Cause, you can't fail Ichi- kun," she replied. Ichigo just stared wide eyed at the girl before him. "I believe you!"

"We believe you!"

Ichigo turn to see Aqua smiling at him, he could feel the dread he was feeling lifting away from his heart. He smiled at the two girls.

"Thanks you two, I really needed that."

Both Aqua and Namine giggled. "You're welcome Ichi-kun."

"If my world has been swallowed by darkness" Ichigo said. "Then is my body in this darkness as well?"

Namine shook her head. "No, your body is being taken to a different world." She answered him. "I don't know by whom, but they don't seem hostile."

"Then where are you two right now?" Ichigo asked, he frown once he seen them both have sad smiles on their faces. "What's wrong you two?"

"We're both trapped in the Realm of Darkness."

Ichigo frown, even he knew that sounded bad. "How did you two become trapped in this Realm of Darkness?" he asks them.

"I took my friend Terra's place." Aqua said simply. "He was falling into darkness, and I saved him. Now I'm here."

"Can't you get out?" he asked

She shook her head. "I can't, and I refuse to wield the power of darkness." she answered him

Ichigo nodded her head. "Even though you refuse to use the power of darkness Aqua. Darkness itself is not evil."

Aqua and both Namine snapped their heads in his direction. "What!"

"Darkness can only be called evil if the person that possesses it uses it for that purpose." he explains to them. "Light could be used in the same way! You could use it for evil or you could use the power for good. Light and darkness both balance each other out, one can't live without the other." he pointed toward his hollow and Zangetsu. "My own powers are the definition of both light and darkness."

'He's right!' both Namine and Aqua were looking at the orange haired shinigami in awe. Everything he had said about light and darkness was absolute right! One could not live without the other. They both smiled at him, "Thank you, Ichi-kun!"

Ichigo smiled at them. "You're welcome!" he then remembered something. "What about you Namine, how are you trapping in the Realm of Darkness?"

Namine swallowed in fear, she honestly didn't want him to find out about her. What if he rejected her and hated her for what she was."...mmm" she stuttered out

Seeing this, Ichigo became confused. "Hey, what's wrong Namine?" he asked, "If you don't wish to talk about it, then you really don't have to. I'll wait until you're ready to talk about it."

Namine released a breath she didn't know she was holding she was relieved that Ichigo would give her time to build up courage to talk about what she was. It's not that she didn't trust Ichigo or nothing; it's just for so long she was called so many hurtful things that she's afraid that he might become one of those people.

"Thank you Ichi-kun." she said

Ichigo smiled at her. "You're welcome Namine." his eyes suddenly became serious, filled with determination that shocked both girls. "I swear on my soul that I will use every ounce of my power to get both of you and your friends out."

Both girls looked at him, sad smiles on both their faces. "We'll be waiting, and thank you."

Suddenly, Ichigo could feel himself fading, he looked over toward the girls to see them still smiling at him. "What's happening? Am I waking up or something?" he asked

"Yes, you are Ichi-kun." Aqua said

"Will I ever talk to you two again?" he asked them.

Namine walked over to Ichigo and put a necklace around his neck, he looked down at it to see it was a silver and black crescent moon at the end of it. "This necklace will always keep us connected!" she smiled at him and walked back over to Aqua.

Zangetsu and Hollow Ichigo stepped forward. "Whatever your decision might be, we will always stay and support you till the end. What I want his to protect is you, but your journey will take you to protect others and the future of different worlds. Remember that I'm proud that you are my wielder." Zangetsu said, a proud smile on his aged face

"Old man Zangetsu's right Kingy," Hollow Ichigo said, without his usually insults he always throw at Ichigo. "We will always be by your side no matter what."

"Us to Ichi-kun!" both Namine and Aqua shouted

"Abandon your fear Ichigo. Look forward. Move forward and never stop." Zangetsu began

"You'll age if you pull back." Hollow Ichigo said the familiar grin on his face.

Ichigo smiled at his spirits. "You'll die if you hesitate." the resolve in his eyes were back. "Thanks old man! And you too Hichigo." Hollow Ichigo blinked before laughing. Both hollow spirit and zanpakuto spirit then disappeared.

Ichigo smiled at the two girls before jumping off the side of the skyscraper, his eyes were narrowed in determination to begin his journey. He had a lot to do before he return to his world but he will be going back with both his sisters. With that, he disappeared in a flash of light

Seeing Ichigo was gone, Aqua turn toward her friend direction. "Namine."

Namine turn to her friend. "What is it Aqua?"

"Why didn't you tell Ichigo you were a nobody?" Aqua asked.

A frown found its way on Namine's face. "I just couldn't ok Aqua. "She squeezed her eyes shut. 'I just don't want him to call me a witch lie they use to call me or something even worse since I'm a nobody." all those horrible memories were coming back to her, tears were beginning to fall from her eyes. "I just down want to see the hatred in his eyes." She suddenly found a hand on her shoulder; she looked up to see Aqua smiling down on her.

"We only spent a little time with Ichigo but, "she held her friend in a comforting hug. "Even I know that he wouldn't care what you were or what you did in the past. You're his friend now and that's all that matters to him."

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Namine smiled. "Thanks Aqua."

"No probably!" Aqua said a smile of her own on her face. Suddenly a mischievous smirk replaced the smile, scaring Namine a bit. "Wouldn't want your man to see you in that state would you?"

In an instant, Namine's lit up like a Christmas tree. "HE'S NOT MY MAN!" she shouted, the blush still on her face.

Aqua giggled at her friend. "That's not what I was seeing; you kept calling him Ichi-kun."

A smirk cross Namine's face. "I wasn't the only one calling him Ichi-kun."

It was Aqua's turn to blush. She stuttered nonsense before dissipating out of Ichigo's inner world, Namine following only seconds behind her.

"HEY AQUA! GET BACK HERE!"

.

.

.

End Chapter

Author Notes: Change my mind and add Aqua into the mix after reading her background, after reading it I just had to add her into the mix. I hope you like the explanation on Zanpakuto and Keyblade did my best on how to explain it. Still next chapter