A/N: I'm sorry about last chapter. I myself felt a bit lousy about it because I seemed to have rushed a few things. If Soi Fong appears OOC, believe me when I say that it will be explained later. I have the entire story planned out, and I want to add a bit of surprise to the plot.
I was also browsing FanFiction, and I found that the name "Takeshi" was already being used in another story. I'm currently debating whether or not I should change his name, but it wont matter down the road.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
When Ichigo walked through the fourth division grounds, he was greeted by Unohana with her characteristic smile. From the expression on his face, she could tell that something was on his mind. Instinctively, the moment they entered her office, they got straight to Kido. Not wanting her room to turn into a complete mess, the woman led him to a prepared section of her division.
"Before we begin, you should know that Kido spells are divided into three groups. There is Bakudo, or binding spells, Hado, or destructive spells, and Healing Spells, which my division is specialized in. Normally, to meet your requirement, one would have to master Bakudo numbers 1-60, and Hado numbers 1- 58, but after pulling some strings, thanks to the good Head-Captain, you will need to only achieve level 38 in Bakudo, and level 33 in Hado." She smiled at the expression that the young captain gave her, and anticipated his response.
"Well, I'm glad that's all. Kido isn't my style, anyways." After their brief conversation, Unohana gave him a run through with Bakudo, and later Hado. Although there were many failures on his part, after a few hours Ichigo had managed to master Bakudo numbers 1-6 and Hado numbers 1-5.
Anyone who hadn't heard of him mastering Bankai in 2 days, when the method he used required 3 days, with the alternative being 10 years, would be considering themselves insane. The normal Shinigami couldn't have dreamed of accomplishing that much that quickly, even the great Toshiro Hitsugaya would have to commend him for his skills.
His teacher, and part-time shrink, however, was impressed. She knew that his advanced growth rate was unnatural for normal Shinigami, and took good advantage of it. 'This is clearly no surprise, but until yesterday, he had little control over his reiatsu. Perhaps he truly is a fast learner, or there is more to that sphere than meets the eye.' "You did a great job, captain Kurosaki, but you look like something is troubling you. Does it have to do with lieutenant Soi Fong?"
At the sound of her name, he sat down with the other captain and looked down. "Yeah, she's been acting strange lately. She's completely out of character, and I don't know why."
"Completely out of character, you say? Does it have to do with her calling you by your first name last evening?"
"No, it's a bit more than that. It's really complicated, and there are rumors being spread about 'us.' It perturbs me greatly."
"Maybe if you told me a bit more about why you think she disdains you so greatly, maybe it could be linked to the present."
"Ok then. It was back when we first started sparring…"
Flashback:
"Come on, Ichigo! You don't want to keep a couple of women, both the current and former commander-in-chiefs of the Onmitsukido no less, waiting!"
"I'm coming Yoruichi. Not everyone is the goddess of flash, and I don't want to draw attention using my Bankai just to keep up."
"I never knew you wanted to be a' goddess,' Ichigo. Maybe that's why you're always a prude." Yoruichi chuckled a bit and quickened her pace.
Ichigo, however, was flustered. "WHAT THE HELL, YORUICHI!" Immediately, he increased his pace as best he could. He had gotten up early today, due to the 'persuasiveness' of his mentor. Having skipped breakfast, the substitute Shinigami sighed and awaited his impending doom.
Once he had caught up with the goddess of flash, they stepped within the confines of the secret training ground. Soi Fong was waiting for them, wearing her captain's haori, planning on a quick session. "Greetings, lady Yoruichi, I hope you've been well. Kurosaki, this will be over with soon."
"Come on now, my little bee, no need to be aggressive." Her former mentor's soothing words seemed to stop her somewhat.
"Alright, Yoruichi, what do you want me to work on?" As the carrot-top said this, he pulled Zangetsu over his shoulder.
"Well, your Zanjutsu is good enough, but I want to see you improve your Hoho, and maybe later, your Hakudo. I suspect that mastery of your flash steps will make your Bankai much more useful." Her reply got through to him, who just shrugged and turned to Soi Fong.
"Well, I guess we should get started then…" As he spoke, his partner charged to him and knocked him off guard.
"First rule of combat: never let your guard down." The captain of the second division pursued her target, discarding her haori, while her idol looked on.
Blocking her next strike with Zangetsu, Ichigo attempted to outmaneuver her, but his flash steps were inferior. "Too slow," was all he heard before a haymaker collided with his cranium.
Quickly taking note of the difference of power between them, the substitute entered Bankai. With Tensa Zangetsu, he could match Soi Fong's pace. She noted this, and entered Shikai, followed by Flash Cry. Although he surpassed flash steps in speed, she surpassed him.
After several violent exchanges, most of which ended with wounds galore on his body, the carrot-top felt the need to don his hollow mask. This managed to halt the Onmitsukido chief's assaults temporarily, in which the untrained eye would describe as fear, but he knew she wasn't the type to be afraid, and was most likely analyzing the best course of action.
After another volley of attacks, Soi Fong was the one to receive more wounds, but the hollow mask had already shattered. "Done already, Kurosaki? Well, I guess you aren't all bark and no bite, so I guess I'll let you spar with me, if only you can keep up."
"Heh, I'm glad you're whipping me into shape too, Soi Fong." After looking over to the entrance, he gestured to her. "How about we go find Yoruichi and take a short break. I don't know about you, but I need a moment to rest."
As the both of them headed back to their origin, both were shocked when they found…"
End Flashback:
"Captain Unohana! Captain Unohana! There's an emergency by the ninth division! A group of third division members have unleashed a storm upon that place!" An urgent messenger, who hated to interrupt the captain's duties, stated his message as humbly as possible.
"Don't worry; it will be taken care of." With a nod, the messenger took off. "I'm sorry about that, captain Kurosaki, I'm sure your men are in serious trouble. I hope you run into them before I do."
With a grunt of agreement, Ichigo took off, not to stop his division, but to check on their progress.
"Gah! Help me! Help me please!" a panicked ninth division member spewed out before being pummeled into submission.
"That'll teach them! For the glory of captain Kurosaki!" A rather enthusiastic Squad 3 member shouted before reentering the fray.
Meanwhile, Soi Fong was searching for a certain flirtatious woman who was attempting to publish the rumors of "Seireitei's new power couple."
Earlier that day:
"I'm sorry; lieutenant Soi Fong, but I cannot accompany you on the crusade to the ninth division barracks. I'm not feeling my best." Kiyomi spoke with sadness in her voice.
"Very well, but I expect you to watch over the division while we are gone. This shouldn't take long."
"It will be done, lieutenant." The petite Shinigami signaled the rest of the raiders and went off.
Currently:
'Found you,' the woman found her prey: the buxom woman was making her way to Shuhei Hisagi merrily, oblivious to what was about to happen.
That shattered when a foot collided with her back.
"Oww! Watch where you're going, you stupid punk!" After turning around to the source, she smiled with a smug expression. "Captain Soi Fong! What are you doing here? And what happened to your haori?" She gave the other woman a suggestive wink.
"Lieutenant Matsumoto, I demand that you hand over any false propaganda referencing either captain Kurosaki or myself. Should you fail to comply, I will resort to force."
"Oh, so you're already fighting his battles, and taking care of his business now? What else do you do for him, hmm?" After seeing the smaller woman's expression, Rangiku chuckled.
"You're in for it now, lieutenant Matsumoto." Soi Fong was just about to charge at her, when she realized something. "Where did you put your copy of propaganda, anyway? If you made more of it…"
"Relax; I haven't made any copies of it, yet. As for where it is, well…" She pointed to her cleavage. "I think you can garner a guess."
'I wonder what else she fits in there…' Realization smacked the demoted captain in the head and she fought back her feelings of embarrassment. "I demand you hand it over this instant!"
Knowing that she held her in the palm of her hand, Rangiku grew smug once again. "Why don't you come and take it?"
'I sense my division fighting against the ninth, as expected. My condolences go out to Hisagi's men, and even the poor guy himself. A shame it has to go about this way.'
As he made his way through the Seireitei, Ichigo had been trying to lock onto Rangiku and Soi Fong at the same time. The former was obvious; the latter was for different reasons. 'During the day, she's antagonizing me, berating me, and making attempts on my life. At night, she turns into a pile of mush. I don't understand her at all, do I?'
"Maybe it's that time of month, king."
'Knock it off, damn horse. Oh, there she is, and how convenient that both of them are in the same spot. Oh my god, they're in the same spot. I need to get over there, now.'
"Soi Fong, stand down, I'll handle this now." Ichigo had landed beside his lieutenant, who was not amused.
"Oh, so now you think that I'm just a damsel in distress, a princess like Rukia Kuchiki or Orihime Inoue, just waiting to be rescued by a knight in shining armor? I'm flattered, captain Kurosaki." Soi Fong wasn't planning on his intervention, and wanted to handle matters herself.
Meanwhile, Rangiku Matsumoto was in the background, trying to nudge her way to her good friend Shuhei Hisagi, but was stopped by an outstretched hand. "Just where do you think you're going?"
"Come off it, captain Kurosaki. That ludicrous poster is hidden in her… her cleavage. I'm not reaching for it, that's for sure."
"Well, I'd think that someone like you would kill to explore a place like that…"
First their members, now their walls: the ninth division really does deserve condolences this day.
"I thought you were more well-mannered than that, captain Kurosaki. Just like lady Yoruichi, I set my hopes much too high for you."
"Is this any way to treat your captain, even if he's temporary, Soi Fong?"
Suddenly, a bulb appeared above Matsumoto's head. She wouldn't have to back off to the side after all.
"You're no captain of mine, in public or private, you worthless piece of trash."
"You could have told me you were PMSing: it would have made this a whole lot easier."
Fortunately, and unfortunately, the third person, who the other two stopped realizing was there the entire time, made her presence known. "Well, it's good to see you, captain Kurosaki! I'd stay here and chat, but I have places to be."
"Hold on a second, you have in your possession something which is not only a highly improbable libel, but a defamation and desecration of both Soi Fong's and my own reputation. Would you please hand it over?"
The busty lieutenant decided that now was the best time to initiate her new plan. "Oh, you mean this?" She reached into her Shihakusho, doing her best to tease both onlookers as much as possible. She unfolded it to reveal the poster in all its glory.
"Yes, we will be taking it now." As Ichigo reached out to retrieve it, its holder had retracted it skillfully.
"Not so fast, captain Kurosaki. You're going to have to do something for me first." After seeing the look on his face, she continued. "Now I overheard you two lovebirds talking about you being her captain. Could you clarify it, for me, please?" Suddenly, her famous pout, the bane of all men, graced her features. Despite the years of experience he had, the young captain couldn't resist them.
"Fine! Soi Fong got in trouble, so now she's serving as my lieutenant until further notice. Could you please hand over that, that thing?" Seeing as her work was done, she tossed the poster towards the duo and continued on her way to Hisagi.
"Here, you can have it. I know you want to strike it with Suzumebachi more than anything. I'm going to rally the division, and prepare an explanation for gramps." Ichigo was off in a flash. Soi Fong, however, was holding onto the poster for dear life. After deciding to fold and place it in her pocket, she followed.
"…and that's how I came into contact with that information!" Rangiku was as cheerful as ever.
"I can't do it, not only is the entire management team busy finishing up the magazine, but the repercussions involved in developing this are just too much."
"Please, wouldn't you do this, for me?" Reaching into her "purse" she retrieved a large pouch of money, and her friend's nose bleed.
"C-c-come off it, lieutenant Matsumoto! Y-y-you know you can't bribe me with that!"
"Come on, you owe me after I payed for last week's night out."
"I'm not so sure, once they find out about this, they'll be after my head for sure! Having two captain-level Shinigami, especially the hero of the Winter War himself after my hide isn't how I want to spend the rest of my life."
"Don't be such a coward, you're their equal in the Gotei 13's eyes, or did he steal all your resolve, captain Hisagi?"
"Okay, I'll do it, but I'm not liable for this once they catch word." He spoke with fear in his voice.
"That's the spirit!" She reached into her Shihakusho and pulled out a writing utensil. "Now, let's change a few things…"
"…and that, Head-Captain, is why my division has declared war upon another." Ichigo stood proud and resolute.
"Captain Kurosaki, it has been two days since your promotion, and you are already causing a ruckus within the Seireitei. I cannot allow this to persist." While Yamamoto was thinking of a suitable punishment, Kenpachi stated his opinion.
"I have an idea," he said. "If he beats me in single combat, then let him be exonerated. If he loses, I'll end his life, since the Sokyoku can't break him."
Yamamoto's eyes widened briefly. "If captain Kurosaki agrees, then the punishment shall be trial by combat."
Ichigo was confident about this. He had fought and lived against the epitome of the eleventh division before he achieved Bankai, so it shouldn't be a big deal. Even though Zaraki had learned the name of his Zanpakuto, he couldn't be too powerful. "I accept these terms, Head-Captain."
"Very well, the trial shall commence during the upcoming tournament. Your men will still be involved, but the only difference being that the stakes are higher for you, captain Kurosaki." The elderly captain took off, but Kenpachi stayed behind to say a few choice words.
"I saw the look in your eyes when your punishment was going to be our rematch. Don't get cocky; I have a few tricks up my sleeve, so underestimation will be your undoing. I expect you to go all-out on me, but don't forget your division." After he had nothing more to add, he also took off.
'What did he mean by 'tricks up his sleeve?' Yes, he knows the name of his Zanpakuto, but is that all? I better pay closer attention.'
"He's not the only one you should be paying attention to, king."
'What do you mean by that?'
"You'll find out soon enough."
When they returned to the third division recreation center, Ichigo and Soi Fong were given a hero's welcome by their division, who had all gathered there.
"I heard all about your assault. I wish I was there, you two were amazing!" Kiyomi had stepped out and given her captain a hug, much to her lieutenant's inner chagrin.
"Thanks," he pried her off of him. "Now, we should get started on your skills. I want everyone to gather into four groups based on what skill you are most proficient in, whether it's Zanjutsu, Hakudo, Hoho, or Kido. We will get started from there."
The third division did what they were told and split up. The largest of the groups was the Zanjutsu congregation, while the smallest was the Hakudo group. This surprised neither of them, as they planned for it.
"Alright, here is what we're going to do: lieutenant Soi Fong is going to help drill you on your Hakudo, and sharpen your Hoho at the same time. I don't expect any of you to learn the name of our Zanpakuto anytime soon, so Zanjutsu will be more lenient. Since we aren't facing big Kido users, it will not be given as much spotlight. Understood?"
"Yes captain."
"Good, now let's get to work."
Ichigo was glad that the day was over with. After getting comfortable in his chair, he sighed and dozed off. Soi Fong, having finished up the day's paperwork, was reading a book titled "The Aristocats." She thought the title was a bit strange, but it came from the World of the Living, and many strange things came from there, such as magical orbs that gave off light, machines that accomplished mundane tasks, and Orihime Inoue's cooking.
As she looked at her captain, she sighed and day-dreamed about lady Yoruichi. She didn't swing by today, and it saddened her. Although, she thought, her lousy lieutenant could be diverting her attention. The petite woman made a note to punish Omaeda later.
Meanwhile, the captain was thinking back to his flashback that was interrupted by the messenger.
Flashback:
As the both of them headed back to their origin, Ichigo and Soi Fong were shocked when they found nothing. Yoruichi was nowhere to be seen, so they were alone together.
"Where is lady Yoruichi?" She finally spoke up. "She has to be around here somewhere. She wouldn't abandon me again, would she?"
"No, I think she's just teasing us."
"So what do we do in the meantime? You're too tired to continue, so what can we do until you're ready for round 2?"
"Well, how about getting to know each other better?"
"Thanks, but I'm not about to talk about my private life to you, Kurosaki."
"Well, do you have something better to do?"
"Of course I do." She responded rather quickly. The substitute took quick note of this.
"Well, besides day-dreaming about Yoruichi, what?" Ichigo knew he had her there.
"Fair enough, I'll play along with your little game for now, but don't get any ideas."
"What are your hobbies?"
"Collecting anything that resembles a cat. I don't see the point of this."
"This may take a while…"
End Flashback:
Before long, the captain had let sleep take over him completely, oblivious to what would transpire the next day.
"Sir, with all due respect, I request that you go through with this."
"Well, there seems to be a problem with the proportions of this thing. It has a brilliant design, I will admit that, but there's no way that everything will all fit in there."
"Is there any way to get around this?"
"Well, yes, we could wait until their numbers dwindle to a reasonable level, and then activate this." A remote control unveiled itself. "This will activate it, but due to the limited size, it probably wont be out for very long."
"I see, but there is another matter I want to clarify. The barrier enveloping it, will it be strong enough, especially considering what it will be containing?"
"I could develop my standard barrier, but I can tell already that wont be enough. We'll probably need every single captain and the Kido Corps just to stabilize it. Just to be safe, we will need all lieutenants and most of the officers above 9th seat to be on the lookout for any wise guys trying to make a move."
"I will make the necessary arrangements. Thank you, captain Kurotsuchi" Chojiro Sakisabe took his leave off into the night.
"Hopefully it gets that old coot off my back for a while. I never get quite enough time for my research. Oh well, I haven't gotten any interesting specimens since the Winter War anyway."
The mad scientist turned to his barracks, but a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Well, if it isn't my old third seat. I'm impressed: I knew you could do this due to the success of Fake Karakura, but this takes it to a whole new level."
"What the hell do you want, can't you see I'm busy?"
"Well, from what you said earlier, you weren't going to do anything important, and I just wanted to talk."
"Fine, but you'll find that you still have a lot to learn, Urahara."
A/N: I hope I captured Soi Fong properly in this chapter, as well as the other characters. Even though I have mapped out in my mind how the story is going to progress, any input on anything that could be changed to improve the story is welcome in my book.
I also hope you don't mind fight scenes too much. I plan on going into detail on some of the skirmishes, so an opinion or two on them would be great.