"Yoruichi! What the hell is that?!" Ichigo shouted at the cat sat on his shoulder, as he sprinted down the dark corridor of the Dangai. He could feel something behind him; approaching fast. And dear God was it unsettling.

"It's the cleaner and it does what it says on the tin; once a week it comes through the precipice world to clear out anything that happens to be here." The cat had an annoying habit of remaining too calm, like the blasted shop keeper, though thankfully to a more tolerable extent; as was shown by her next statement.. "If it touches us, we will be lost forever, why does it have to be today?!" Yoruichi hissed in frustration, claws digging into Ichigo's shoulder slightly. "Faster, Ichigo!" Not even bothering to snap back at the feline for ordering him about, Ichigo did what he was told; the world turning to a blur as the orange haired teen, with the black cat perched on his upper back, raced along.

"That's good Ichigo. Keep it up!" The cat encouraged. "I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!" The pair approached the entrance to the soul society as the train-like cleaner lagged behind. "Well done, Ichigoooooo!" The last word was dragged out as the sprinting boy crossed the threshold into the Spirit World. Apparently Urahara had managed to situate the exit to the tunnel several hundred feet up.

"Ugh." Ichigo grunted as he stood back up, having landed awkwardly. "Bastard Hat 'n' Sandals. What a Dick; could've at least spent a couple of extra minutes to give us a decent exit, I bet he just got distracted by a shiny object they thought was a coin like the stingy bastard he is. Oi, Yoruichi," He turned, looking for the cat, and found it gingerly sitting, licking at one of its front paws. "You alright?" It ignored him, barely sparing the Shinigami-garbed boy a glance before going back to the job at hand. "Okay, then. Remind me to kick his ass when we get back, will ya?"

"My sentiments exactly, Ichigo. I will make sure to assist you, in fact, once we return, but let us get going before our entrance attracts attention from the wrong sorts."

"You mean Shinigami, I'm guessing." What else would give them trouble? But he felt the need to check that was the case, nonetheless.

"Hai. Come, let's get going." Yoruichi hopped onto the awaiting shoulder of her taxi. "This way." The feline pointed its tail off into the distance, towards a clump of trees, located behind a Rukongai village.

"Right. You on safely?"

"Yes. Let's get going, Ichigo; the longer we're here, the greater the risk becomes." The orange haired boy nodded, and vanished from sight in a slight flash of light.

"Hey, Yoruichi," Ichigo asked, as they wandered even deeper into the trees. "Where are we going, exactly?"

"Hmm?" The cat replied, having been sleeping; taking the nap of its kind. "Oh, we're heading to a small town. It's not too far, but it's ideal for what we want to do next."

"What we want to do?" Ichigo replied with a slight frown of confusion.

"Get into the Seretei, of course." Yoruichi answered with a tone that suggested it really should be obvious to him.

"'Seretei'?" Again, Ichigo asked. "What the Hell is 'the Seretei'?!"

"You mean you don't know?!"

"Why would I ask if I knew?!" Ichigo snapped.

"Ten days and Kisuke did not see fit to take a few minutes to explain the structure of the place you would be invading?!" The cat exclaimed, irritated. "Fine then," Her tail pointed of to the side. "I will tell you the information you need over in that clearing."

"What clearing?" Ichigo had turned to walk over to the aforementioned area, but could not see even a gap in the trees.

"Just trust me; I know these woods well. It's one of the many places I used to train..."

"... Thank you for telling me this, Yoruichi." Ichigo said, only a slight waver in his tone from the shock of his recent lecture. "So the summary is that we are going to one of those... gates? Right?"

"Yes. That is right."

"And... the white road gate? You sounded like you were more willing to face off against Jidanbo than the others."

"Huh?" Yoruichi looked surprised. "I did not expect you to pick up on that, Ichigo." The cat commented. "You are more perceptive than I thought. Yes, I would rather fight Jidanbo than any of the others. I believe that he will be more willing to let us in without the necessity of killing him. The others, I firmly believe, would not accept defeat as a reason to let us pass, but Jidanbo thinks that that s required for his honour as a gatekeeper. Killing one of their most prophilic soldiers would draw undue attention onto us, and we do not need it so soon; even if it is just about inevitable for you to be found out and pursued eventually."

"So how long will it take for us to reach the West gate, then?"

"Hmm. If we leave now, we aught to reach the gate before nightfall. Assuming we adopt a brisk pace, that is."

"We? Does that mean you will be walking this time?" Ichigo replied, with a raised eyebrow.

"Of course not." Yoruichi snorted. "I am injured from Urahara's idiocy; it would be a social fo pah, at best, for you to let me walk myself. Now, up you get, Ichigo! We have a lot of ground to cover today." The cat whacked him with its tail. But Ichigo noticed its look. He didn't understand it, of course, but he certainly noticed it.

"Fine." He pushed himself to his feet, before leaning his shoulder down slightly to give Yoruichi better access. "Get on then."

"With pleasure." The cat winked at him.

'Weird. I wonder what that was about.'

"Ah. We're nearing the gate, Ichigo." Yoruichi said, from its position curled around Ichgo's neck. "You should slow down." The boy stopped flash stepping along the path and slowed to a brisk jog.

"Okay, and where will the gate come down?" Ichigo wondered aloud to the cat.

"Just past this town. This is district 1, so there should be no trouble as we pass through."

"Alright. Are you going to get down, or are cat-scarves the trend for Soul Reapers?"

"They aren't usually, no. But Jidanbo will know you have no authorisation to pass through. If you don't fight and defeat him; he will contact a high ranking officer to investigate. That will lead to exposure. Basically, it means that we're better of fighting the giant."

"Right." Ichigo's attention was wrenched away from their conversation as he spotted a sight to behold in the distance. "Hey, Yoruichi," He pointed to the much more classy area of the Soul Society. "Is that the Seretei?"

"Hai. That's the place." Ichigo could hear a smirk in his companion's tone. "And you best get ready for a fight. Right about... now." The two were approaching the cleaner, more polished stone, when the cat said this. Giving Ichigo just enough time to leap back before a massive chunk of blue-silver stone, forming what appeared to be a wall, slammed down no more than a foot in front of his previous position. It sent a billowing cloud of dust into the air in front of Ichigo and Yoruichi; who decided this was the perfect time to vacate her position on Ichigo's neck. Coughing slightly, from the dry, irritating dust, Ichigo quietened as he heard a booming voice proclaim.

"Well, it has been a long time since someone tried to breach the Seireitei Gate without a travel permit. You're a rare guest. Welcome, kid!" He smirked condescendingly at the boy in front of him. "Or do you prefer dandelion head?" Had Yoruichi have been noticed by the man, he may have observed a hint of amusement in the feline's expression. While the Human world resident was aware that Jidanbo was a strong opponent; potentially giving a couple of Liuetenants a run for their money, she had seen Ichigo fighting Kisuke when he was training. And had noticed... something about him, and the way he had been acting, that told Yoruichi this Ichigo was not the same as the one she had seen several times in the years prior, when Urahara sent her to check on Isshin and his kids. Him and his Zanpakuto... they had a very strange closeness. Yoruichi knew, like just about every other soul reaper, that those who wanted to master the arts of their blades had to utilise the greatest teacher available; the Zanpakuto spirits themselves. And those taught by such amazing mentors were never slouches in any of their abilities. The feline could count on its paws the number of people rumoured to have trained in their inner world. And that number included some seriously strong people.

And yet... none were as unique as the boy... no, that wasn't right. At this point; the carrot top teen in front of her no longer even looked the way he had when they set out, a phenomenon she guessed to be the work of all that time in his inner world; where time moves far more slowly. That, and the look on his face; the look of a warrior, told her that term did not fit Ichigo Kurosaki. None were as unique as the man in front of her.

To paraphrase her old friend; Ichigo was one scary bastard.

And Jidanbo just called him a dandelion.

Meanwhile, the man in question was having an internal debate.

'If you ain't gonna kill 'im, at least hit 'im with a Cero! Where's your sense of fun?!' His inner Hollow whined.

'Look. I'm sure I'll be using your blade soon enough. There are some tough opponents in there; and you'll be very effective in the fights that need me to do some real damage to them. But this guy? You expect me to go all out on him?! Why?'

'Because... Because... Oh, fine! It's 'cus I'm bored! B-O-R-D Bored!'

'That isn't how you spell Bored.'

'Oh, shut up Nejibana! C'mon Kiiing! Let me kill somethin'! I don't give a shit if he's 'worthy of your blade'; as the grumpy Bastard is so fond of telling you. I just want some blood!'

'Ichigo.' Old man Zangetsu spoke up. 'To be clear; I only believe that that is the case for our releases. As much as I like to see Hichigo disappointed, none of us want you to risk your safety for the sake of 'preserving our honour'. Especially not through an unwillingness to release use your sword. I do not believe that it is right for you to use your Shikai, or Bankai once you achieve it, against weaklings simply because that is a hindrance to you. Not only does it take energy; it will make it far more well known what those 'trump cards' someone finds a weakness you could get hurt. it is our duty to do everything we can to ensure your safety; whether or not Hichigo shows it.'

'Right. So, is it agreed that won't use any of your releases against someone like this?'

An affirmative sound.

'Of course, Ichigo-sama.'

'I agree Ichigo.'

'... Oh, fine! But at least get in some fights with these 'higher calibre opponents' soon!'

'I'm sure we will, Hichigo.' Ichigo reassured the sadistic spirit. 'Just think of it; hundreds of Soul Reapers waiting on the other side of that gat, just waiting for us to fight them.' He appeased the Hollow.

'... Well then, what are we waitin' for?! Let's get through this guy and move onto those fuckwads!'

'There now. That's the spirit.' Ichigo turned his attention back to the giant ahead of him. He was still rambling, but at least now he had shown an interest in actually fighting and not just giving the indifferent figure of Ichigo a lecture; he now had an axe resting in his hand, and was looking down on Ichigo. Both literally and metaphorically.

"...As you are a lowly country bumpkin; I will do you a favour, and give you a free lesson on manners in these parts. I wouldn't want you dishonouring my town through your pathetic manners, after all.

"First; when you return from outside, wash your hands." Jidanbo said, stern expression and all.

"Second; don't eat food that's fallen on the floor."

'Well, it's settled, then, he's a dumbass. Why would we need to be told that?!'

'And third; when you are in a fight... it is one on one."

'I wonder if he's just used to multiple people trying to get through the gate and felt the need to say it out habit. Why else would he tell me ths shit?' Ichigo commented silently.

"Luckily, since you are the only one here, Kid, we don't have to worry about that last rule." Jidanbo continued, only to notice his opponent' apparent lack of interest. "Oi! When someone s talking to you," The large man raised his one handed axe. "You LISTEN!" H brought the massive axe down in a hammer blow; right on top of the spot Ichigo was occupying... or had been, as t turned out.

"Oi, oi! Watch what you're doing, big man. That could'a killed me!" Ichigo was stood a foot to the side, scowling at the axe, now embedded in the stone floor.

'What the?!..." Jidanbo frowned, confused, at his axe. He obviously didn't understand how he had missed. "Oh, I get it! It must've been one of those... one of those... gusts of wind! Yep, a gust of wind must have blown my axe of course! You're a lucky kid! You have time to give a quick prayer to Kami." A giant smirk appeared on the to-scale face.

"Isn't it bad manners to attack before your opponent is ready, Gatekeeper? Or are you a country bumpkin too?"

"Well, you are a lucky one, Kid. It's been decades since someone's survived my first strike; even if this was only due to your good luck. But, be warned! Nobody has ever survived my second!" The giant man lifted his axe again. "Jippon Jidanda Matsuri!" The axe swung again. "One!" And again. "Two!" Dust billowed to even Jidanbo's chest level. "Three! Four! Five!" The vertical chops gave loud Bangs and Crunches as t smashed into the floor over and over again. "Six! Eight! Seven! Six! Four! Nine! Seven! Eight!"

'Should I let him know he's past 10 already?' Ichigo wondered, before dismissing it with a thought of 'Eh, I'm sure he'll figure it out eventually.'

"Hah! As I said," Jidanbo began as the dust settled, after he had stopped swinging the axe wildly. "There isn't even any remains of the Kid left." The giant smirked at the empty ground; not noting the fact that there was no gore to go along with Ichigo supposedly being obliterated.

"Ahem." A voice from behind Jidanbo coughed.

"Hmm?" The Gatekeeper turned to find the source of that mysterious noise. "What the?! How'd you survive, candy-head?!"

"Survive? I survived by not being hit by an attack that would be too weak to hurt me anyway. If that was your best; you aught to give up now."

"My best?" Jidanbo snorted. "You haven't seen anything yet!" The man reached into his Kimono and drew a second axe, identical to the first. "Prepare yourself for... Banzai Jidando Matsuri!" He raised his blades. "Rahh!" He brought the two gargantuan axes down in a blur, and Ichigo yawned pointedly.

"Sorry, bud. But I don't have the time, and definitely not the patience, to let you keep tryin' to hit me. I'll make sure to leave one of your weapons intact though; so don't worry."

The orange haired non-Shinigami darted forward, briefly vanishing from his gigantic opponent's view. When he reappeared, two of his blades; the longest Katana and the Wakizashi, were drawn, and he himself was in mid air. The swords, both over Ichio's head, descended with startling speed; and Ichigo smirked. The giant barely even saw it coming, before the axe shattered into a thousand shards as it gave way under a pair of Zanpakuto. Once again, Ichigo vanished from sight in a flash of light.

"Eep!" He felt the cold touch of steel, suddenly, against his throat.

"You done?" The cold face of Ichigo Kurosaki, stood in mid air, asked his so-called-opponent. The massive head nodded. "Good. Drop your other axe." The behemoth of a weapon dropped to the ground with an echoing thud, and the orange haired man descended to the floor below. "Okay, now will you please open the gate?"

"Y-You're not going to kill me? Really?"

"Of course not. Why would take your life? You're just doing your job. And as a Gatekeper, I'm sure you'll let me in now."

"Y-Yes! Yes, that is what is required for me. By my honour as a Gatekeeper I will open the gate for you!" The big man teared up, but turned away in time to compose himself. "Stand back, my friend!" He squatted down next to the metal-lined segment of the wall; signalling that that was the entrance. While he was straining, huffing and puffing, Ichigo quickly flash stepped over to the observing feline.

"Well done, Kurosaki-san." Yoruichi's masculine voice commented. "But do not grow complacent; Jidanbo was just the first of many opponents you will be required to face before this journey is done."

"Of course, Yoruichi. Thankfully, however, I won't need them conscious at the end of our fight to open a big ass gate, will I?"

"I suppose not." The cat smirked at Ichigo. It was good for him to take that approach if he wanted to win this.

"That was fortunate for us, Ichigo. Had it been earlier in the day, we may well have run into a few patrols or, God forbid, a captain of the court guard squads." The two were now in a sde alley off from the main road. "Now, Ichgio, sit down. We both need to get some sleep to be prepared for the morning and any combat it may bring."

"Right. I could use some sleep." Ichigo admitted, just as another yawn threatened to expel from him. And for that reason, Ichigo sumped against the wall and dropped to the ground. "So. what are we going to do tomor-oomph." The black cat hopped onto his lap, surprising Ichigo briefly before he shrugged. That behaviour was commonplace for cats, after all. "What are we going to do tomorrow?" Ichigo continued.

"We'll be making our way, indirectly, East. That is probably where Rukia is being kept. However, we'll have to find someone to confirm that for us, lest we waste too much time on the trip. amd lose the opportunity to do what we need to." The cat, having been facing the opposite wall, turned to face Ichigo. "Tell me; how far are you from Bankai?" The cat would have raised an eyebrow, if cats had eyebrows to raise, that is.

"On which blade?" Ichigo replied. "They have different criterea, after all."

"Let's say Zangetsu." Yoruichi shrugged.

"They're the furthest. I have to fight them both to a standstill out in the real world; so that they can test my true strength against theirs'. Something about the fact that we fight differently in my inner world."

"Is that so?" The cat frowned. "Not surprising; the 'Getsus' are combt type. They would want you to prove yourself properly in combat." Ichigo nodded in response. "Well, what about your others. Nejibana?" She had heard from Urahara some theorys about how Ichigo possessed the Zanpakuto of a long-since deceased Shinigami. The most promising was that of him being a reincarnated form of Kaien Shiba, and the previously though impossibly short time between Kaien's death and Ichigo's birth. Nejibana had simply stayed attached to the soul; and so was still a part of Ichigo.

"Hang on... I'll need to ask Nejibana herself, she's never been all too clear about that."

'Nejibana?'

'Hai, Ichigo-sama?'

'Firstly, please stop calling me that.' He had asked countless times, but he was uncomfortable with the honorific. 'And may I ask how I am to achieve your Bankai?' An odd sensation came over Ichigo. It was coming from the female spirit, but wasn't one of the ones that he had felt from her, or any of the others, before.

'If you come in here, and visit, I guess I can tell you.' She sounded... shy.

'... Okay. Thank you; I'll visit tonight. Does it have to be Jinzen, or can I just visit in my sleep?'

'Sleep is fine, Ichigo.'

'See you soon then, Nejibana.' He said to the Zanpakuto, kindly, before speaking out loud once more.

"Nejibana says I need to visit, then she will tell me how to get her Bankai."

"Then you will do that when we are done here." Yoruichi stated, leaving no room to argue. "Tell me; what about your last Zanpakuto? What was its name again?"

An annoyed growl resounded inside Ichigo's head. Why did she remember the other two? Stupid She-Cat.

"His name is Tabigarasu, Yoruichi..."

"Okay, and what about my other question?" The orange haired human-turned-Shinigami gulped nervously. "Ichigo? How are you in progressing to your Bankai with him?"

"I'm... I've already got his Bankai, Yoruichi."

"What?!"

"Ichigo, you are aware that the cat will not stop asking what your final release is with Tabigarasu until you tell her, or show her that of another, don't you?"

"Yeah, I know that Old man. But you know why I can't tell her that. I'll just have to put up with it, won't I?"

"Yes. I suppose you will. What I was trying to say, however, that you should work towards achieving our, and Nejibana's, Bankai." The cloak-wearing man turned his head to face something Ichigo could not identify. "On that note; I do believe that Nejibana is heading this way. Goodbye, for now, Ichigo."

-(Flashback: ? Years ago)-

"Kaien?! Kaien, can you hear me?!" The panicked, no longer meloduos, tone of Nejibana screeched. "Kaien! Please resist! PLEASE!"

Kaien's sight was black. That... thing had gotten him. H-He couldn't die. He couldn't!

Worse was to come...

He was changing. Becoming one of them! She would be forced to endure it alongside him. Nejibana would deteriorate right alongside her wielder. It would have been better for them to die. Kaien... as a Shinigami; he would be reborn. As a Hollow, he might be truly destroyed.

Tears began to flow.

"Please... don't turn Kaien. Please, just survive."

Then came Rukia Kuchiki. Nejibana would never forget that girl, and what she did for her wielder. 'Not that I'll be able to see forever.' The spirit thought, with a small, depressed smile. The sword pierced them, and Nejibana fell into the darkness.

-(Flashback End)-

Then, though, when all hope had faded, along came her Ichigo. The water Zanpakuto, along with Tabigarasu, was called to the desparing soul of an 8 year old human boy. She would always be thankful for that. For being born, again, into such an honourable mind. Turning from a sweet child, who hid his pain behind the mask of a scowl, into an amazing young man. And she liked to think that she had helped a lot in that regard. Who knows how Ichigo would have turned out otherwise... Waking up under his mother's copse. The person he cared for far and away more than any other, at least at that point.

His determination to protect after that... it really helped her, too. She swore to help him, became the only person he ever seemed to be honest with. Who he showed anything except anger to. And in return, she...

"Nejibana!" Ichigo called, waving his hand in front of the female spirit's face to get her attention. "You alright? You zoned out for a while there." The water-Zanpakuto reddened notieably; even to Ichigo.

"H-Hai. I'm fine, Ichigo-sama." The beautiful, Kimono wearing Zanpakuto said, as she blushed to the roots of her dark blue, wavy hair. "W-Why are you here?" She stammered. The orange haired man frowned in confusion. Had she forgotten?

"Because you told me to come here tonight... remember?" Ichigo asked. "Are you sure you're okay, Nejibana? You normally have a really good memory."

"Ah! Of course. Yes, I'm fine, Ichigo. I just spaced out a little, please accept my apologies. D-Did you say that you wanted to discuss your Bankai?" Her breath came in quick, quiet gasps at this point.

"Yes, that's right." Ichigo grinned at the occupant of his soul, only to sink back into the frown as She began to look even more feverish. "If something is the matter, please tell me Nejiba-mpff!"

'Holy...'

The Znpakuto's lips crashed against his in a hasty, and slightly rough, kiss.

'Wow... She never did this when I was Kaien.' His memories from his previous life were few and far between, but that was because he remembered shocking, or significant, events. His Soul Slayer kissing him... that would have been one of them.

"Mmm" The elegant woman moaned, as Ichigo responded in a... positive manner, and she sank into the feeling of bliss that brought her. She ran her tongue over his lips, begging for entrance, and...

"Whoa! You go King!"

And Ichigo pulled away, turning to face the, now guffawing and hooting, Hollow. Nejibana's gaze locked onto the grinning 'man' too, and her expression twisted into one of anger.

"Bastard!" A trident soared towards Hichigo, passing through the space that, had he not ducked, would have contained his head.

"Uh-oh." He took off running; not even making a quip in the face of the female spirit's anger. Nejibana ran off in pursuit, and Ichigo was left, standing on his own, in a daze in their wake.

"What the hell just happened..."