Perfection is Over.

Ichigo rised out of Orihime's bed, searching for his pants. After the attack with Kenpachi, he was sure to look after her at all times.

He didn't want that bastard to get her again.

Ichigo got up and stretched his stiff muscles, cracking the bones that desired that satisfaction. Only then, did he hear a soft little giggle. Ichigo turned with a crooked smile painted on his perfect lips and looked at Orihime who was beneath the sheets, her long auburn hair tangled. She looked like a model from a fashion article, though I think she would be modeling these sheets, and it would only be for his eyes.

Speaking of that, he should rip out Uryuu's eyes for mentally undressing Orihime, everytime he did that, Ichigo wanted to permanently blind Uryuu, but then he would probably get into heaps of trouble.

Screw it.

The bastard shouldn't be looking at his Hime at all.

Orihime opened her arms and Ichigo barreled into them. "Forget getting dressed now." He said and kissed Orihime deeply, grinning as she kissed him back. This was the only way he knew that she was safe. When she was safe in his arms, he fell asleep.

After hours sleeping, Ichigo got dressed as did Orihime and they went to the couch and sat down, Ichigo even ate what Orihime made. It wasn't exactly what he wanted, but he was surprised that it tasted good. When he was certain that they weren't going to fall over each other in exhaustion, Ichigo called a meeting with Rukia, Renji, Chad, Uryuu, Tsukiko and Ryuu and Byakuya just in case.

What he didn't expect was Toshiro Hitsugaya to come along with Rangiku Matsumoto.

They all sat around the house, Ryuu still rice balls, Tsukiko looked serious for a change as she surveyed the area, she still wasn't on a good page with Zaraki and Ichigo knew if it came to a fight, Tsukiko would fight with everything she had.

Ryuu also looked serious, his expression showed a lazy boy, but his eyes took on a serious and dangerous look, one Ichigo didn't want to be on the bad side of.

They conversed about Kenpachi. "Okay, so we know that if we all gang up on him, we'll have a better chance of defeating him." Ichigo said.

"Yes, but that will only increase his excitement and bloodthirst." Toshiro added.

"Not to mention that he targeted me. He used me to get to Ichigo and I've had enough of being the weakest link." Orihime piped up, her Spiritual Pressure rising as she replayed the series of scenes in her mind of that fateful night. Ichigo tightened his arm around her.

Rukia looked thoughtful. "Captain Zaraki will wait normally a few weeks before striking again, depending on how long he thinks it will take for us to have out guard down. Orihime, during that time, Tsukiko, Rangiku and myself can teach you how to defend yourselves against heavy attacks. It will take a great toll on your mind and body, but this is the only way you will become stronger. Are you willing?"

Ichigo looked as if he would protest but Orihime was too quick to let him speak. "Yes. I'm willing."

"NO!" Ichigo exploded. "I promised to protect her and this will probably end up making her more of a target! You know Zaraki's love for stronger opponents, one of the reasons he always comes after me!"

"Ichigo, calm youself. If Orihime wants to fight, let her be." A new voice piped up from the corner.

"Thank you Uryuu." Orihime responded automatically.

Ichigo's jealousy meter creeped into thermonucleur level. Chad and Ryuu, noticing his spiking Spiritual Pressure, put a restraining hand on his shoulders. "Ichigo, calm down." Chad said in a slow monotone voice, it soon calmed Ichigo's exterior, but his entire was white-hot with anger.

Ichigo swore he could hear Uryuu's mocking laughter.

'That four eyed Quincy bastard. Come on King, I'll rip off his head and you take care the limbs. Come on, jackass! He's mocking you!' His inner Hollow screamed, his inner Hollow channeling into his Vasto Lorde and trying to push Ichigo into submission.

Ichigo fought with all his strength, when he had his Hollow under control, he realised that nobody was paying attention to him, he was thankful.

All that transpired was that they were never allowed to keep their guard down, for even a second, or Kenpachi will use that opportunity to his advantage.

"So, we just sit around like vulnerable ducks and wait for him to pick us off one by one?" Tsukiko asked, her eyes blazing with anger. "Not to be rude but that's a stupid plan!"

Byakuya stared at her with his unyielding gaze. "You are out of line here, Yamasaki. You are only a Shinigami, not a 5th Seat, 3rd Seat, Lieutenant or Captain. You have no right to speak up." Tsukiko's face paled as she looked into Byakuya's cold eyes.

"Actually, Kuchiki, she does, she along with Ryuu and all the others are allowed to disagree with this plan." Toshiro Hitsugaya said from his place near the front door.

Byakuya just assessed Toshiro as he continued. "She is not out of line either, Ichigo Kurosaki is only a Substitute Shinigami and we take his words into account. As well as his human friends." Toshiro said in his trademark resigned tones.

"Hey! What do you mean only a Substitute Shinigami!?" Ichigo yelled.

"Well, considering you would never have even been part of the plan if you had not met Rukia, you are only the substitute of her power." Uryuu said, pushing his glasses further up his nose.

"Oh yeah!?" Ichigo yelled.

As Uryuu and Ichigo had their verbal match, Tsukiko smiled at Toshiro and he nodded to her, smiling slightly.

3 MONTHS AFTER:

Tsukiko walked into her apartment she was staying at, to sense a Spiritual Pressure she knew only too well. "Yes, Captain Hitsugaya?" She asked and looked in the living room.

The white haired Captain was floating above her coffee table. The entire apartment had a modern edge to it. He turned as he Captains coat wished around him. "How long did you and Tengan practice to learn your Shikai forms?" He asked and looked at her, his turqouise eyes burned holes in hers.

"Right after we enrolled into the Shino Academy...why do you ask?" Tsukiko asked.

"I asked because your Shikai is very unusual, very unique. You're actually very strong, I thought you were a Lieutenant when I sensed your Spiritual Pressure, as well as Ryuu's. You're both very gifted Shinigami." Toshiro said, looking at her.

"Well, Captain, there's something I must tell you. About Ryuu and myself." Tsukiko said, her hands shaking with terror.

"Yes, Yamasaki?"

"Ryuu and I...we've achieved Bankai."

Toshiro's eyes widened with disbelief and shock. "Impossible..."

The staggering Spiritual Pressure that followed...was nothing that either of them could comprehend.

Ryuu felt Tsukiko and Captain Hitsugaya's Spiritual Pressure dwarfed by an undectatable Spirtual Pressure.

Ryuu Flash-Stepped as quick as he could to Tsukiko's apartment building. He alerted everyone of what has happening.

A memory of his past with Tsukiko flashed before Ryuu's eyes:

"Why are we so hungry Ryuu? I don't understand." They were only young children, Tsukiko had fallen to the floor from weakness, Ryuu was quick to join her.

"Tsukiko, we have to keep walking, the Hollow will come after us if we don't run." Ryuu's voice was strong even though he was quailing inside.

"I can't go anymore. My legs won't move anymore.." She spoke, her voice trembled with fear.

The roar of the Hollow pierced their ears and they screamed as they took their last breath.

Except it wasn't.

Two bright lights, one was a pure white, the other was orange flames.

The white light shone over Tsukiko as the flames barreled over Ryuu. He thought the flames would burn him, except it did the opposite, it healed his hunger and his wounds. A large dragon appeard from the flames and Ryuu fell to the ground in terror. "Do not be frightened Ryuu Tengan. I am Tengoku Piasodoragon. I am your Guardian. I will protect you." The deep voice immediately calmed Ryuu. The flames disappeared and Tengoku faced the Hollow.

Ryuu turned to see Tsukiko's body completely healed, she looked as good as she had when they first met. Beside her was a huge white wolf, it seemed to hover around Tsukiko protectively.

The wolf and the dragon paired together and killed the Hollow.

Ryuu promised Tsukiko that he would never let her be hurt.

He would keep to that promise.

Hey guys! RIKOREN HERE!

I hope you like this Chapter. A bit of insight into Ryuu and Tsukiko's past as well!

Stay Tuned!

ARIGATO!

RIKOREN :)