Chapter 13: Fast Cars, faster Shinigami
Rukia stood in awe, "I-Ich-Ichigo, did you just say…"
Ichigo nodded and smiled with warmth welling up in his face, " I did."
Rukias eyes began to water as she smiled and flung herself at Ichigo's body.
She wrapped her arms as tight as she could around Ichigo, and Ichigo just gently put his arms around her. He buried his nose in her hair and Rukia buried her cheek into his chest smiling.
Ichigo's eyes opened up as he lifted his head and looked down at Rukia. "Oh yeah I almost forgot."
Rukia pulled away and looked in curiosity as Ichigo dug in his pocket and pulled out a thin black box and gave it to Rukia.
Rukia took the box, absolute curiosity stretched across her face, as she opened the black box and finds sitting on purple velvet an elegant necklace with a sparkling diamond crescent moon pendant.
Rukia's eyes lit up and her jaw opened up in awe at the pure sparkle of each individual diamond. She placed a hand over her mouth, "Ichigo, this is beautiful…." Rukia whispered.
Ichigo took the necklace out of the box and clipped it around Rukia's neck as she touched the pendant with her hand, Ichigo put his hands on her shoulder, "It looks great on you Rukia."
Ichigo's face became completely red for Rukia leaned in and kissed Ichigo on the cheek.
"Thank you so much Ichigo, this was the greatest thing, anyone has ever given me…. Ever."
Rukia looked into his eyes and smiled as a tear fell down her face. Ichigo looked back into her eyes and smiled as he put an arm around her and were about to leave until.
"Ahhem…." Tatsuki stood with her arms crossed.
Ichigo and Rukia looked over at Tatsuki with a half serious half confused look on her face.
"Oh hey Tatsuki how long have you been there." Ichigo asked half laughing.
"How long have I been here? Can I ask what the hell were you doing and what the hell that was!" Tatsuki yelled at Ichigo.
"What do you mean?" Ichigo questioned.
"Like what the hell was all of that, you just exploded and then you were wearing different stuff….. don't tell me that you regained your power, because that is beyond power, that's insanity! Secondly, what was that you gave Rukia." Tatsuki questioned back in anger.
Ichigo rolled his eyes, "Tatsuki you need to calm the fuck down, your gonna fall off your rocker if you keep it up." Ichigo spouted as Rukia and him walked down the sidewalk.
Tatsuki sat there and flamed, "you son of a bitch…."
Rukia looked up at Ichigo, and looked back at the black smoke that came from where Ichigo's challenger once sat.
"Hey Ichigo, what will you do now since your car is blown to bits?" Rukia asked.
Ichigo stopped and put an index finger on his chin, "Oh yeah, I forgot about that, damn, dad will be pissed, well ill just file my claim tomorrow and get a new car I guess."
"Ah, but what about our ride to school tomorrow and will your new car be as nice as the one you had?" Rukia looked at him.
"Ill try to find one about the same value, its hard to find nice American cars here, I like them better, they just sound great. Anyway lets get home, Ill get us there in no time."
Rukia jumped onto Ichigo's back, as they flash stepped their way back home at ridiculous speed.
Ichigo made it back to his house as Isshin and Karin opened the door for them.
Karin raised an eyebrow, "Ichigo where did you get the new clothes, and is that a sword!"
"huh?" Ichigo looked down, "Oh shit I'm still in my Bankai."
Karin was confused, "Bankai what is that? You look like one of those soul reapers to me."
It took a minute but Karin had the thought snap into her head, "wait no way, you're a soul reaper again!" Karin exclaimed.
"That's one way to put it Karin, I'm a soul reaper again, but now I'm permanently stuck in my Bankai form as you see."
"ohhhhh…. Kay that made no sense to me." Karin said confused as ever.
The group walked inside and sat down at the table in the kitchen. Ichigo grasped a cup of hot chocolate and Rukia sat opposite of him.
"Damn I feel so exhausted, I've been away from this so long I need to get back into shape." Ichigo spoke out.
Rukia looked up from her cup and at Ichigo, "Well when will you start that up Ichigo?"
Ichigo thought for a moment, "Ummmmm tomorrow I guess."
Rukia retorted, "We have school tomorrow you know."
Ichigo laughed, "If you can call it that. Tomorrow is Friday, which means spirit day, we basically just party all day, with music and contests and what not, its all fun and games."
Rukia didn't quite understand and Ichigo knew it, "Just wait and see midget, you'd enjoy yourself."
Rukia smiled a half smiled that said ok I will and Ichigo took a sip of his hot chocolate as Karin and Isshin went back to sleep and Ichigo finished up his Hot cocoa and walked Rukia back to her house.
"You know Ichigo I was just thinking about something…." Rukia said to Ichigo.
Ichigo looked over at his petite friend. "And that would be?" he replied.
Rukia looked up at him and replied back. "Well what would people think at school tomorrow if they knew of our…. Relationship?"
Ichigo cocked an eyebrow, " I don't remember asking you to be my girlfriend Rukia."
Rukia grinned, "but they way you acted really spelled it out, telling me you loved me, the expensive necklace, its clear as crystal, and well I like it…"
Ichigo was shocked, " So your telling me you want to be my girlfriend?"
Rukia nodded. Ichigo laughed, "Well we better not tell Keigo, he might commit suicide over it."
Rukia giggled because she knows it's probably true.
Urahara's Shop
Grimmjow stood almost slumping over from exhaustion, he panted heavily, yet he still kept his sword up out from the dust and smoke stood a Panther like man with a bluish white body, his hands and feet were black as charcoal and the tips of his fingers were clawed, a long black tail extended out and whipped around like a cat's.
"C'mon Grimmjow! This isn't all you got is it, where is your pride, where is your killer instinct."
Grimmjow stood up straight once again, "Alright that was just a warm up, now the real fight begins, Pantera!"
Grimmjow rushed at Pantera and they began to clash furiously, the ringing of their swords constant and unending. Urahara and Yoruichi watched as the two fiercely fought for hours.
"He's making great progress, do you think he will make it Yoruichi?" The man with the striped hat said to his good friend.
Yoruichi thought it over and looked at her old friend, "Before everything happened with Aizen and what not I wouldn't believe it, but Ichigo pretty much proved to me that anything is possible. So now id say yes he will just wait."
Urahara nodded and continued to watch the fight between Grimmjow and his zanpakuto.
"I will get Bankai, Pantera, you wont stop me!" Grimmjow roared.
At Rukia's house
Ichigo stood in front of Rukia's door as Rukia inserted the key into the lock and opened the door to her home. Rukia stepped inside and turned to close the door but Ichigo intervened one last time.
"Hey Rukia." Ichigo said.
Rukia looked curiously at her new orange haired boyfriend. "What is it Ichigo?" she asked.
"Try to not tell everyone what is going on between us." Ichigo stammered.
"Your nervous aren't you Ichigo." Rukia giggled playfully.
"Um to be honest a little yeah, besides it's mostly for the fact we will get assaulted by everyone ya know." Ichigo replied.
Rukia thought it over for a minute, " I suppose your right Ichigo, but lets try to not hide it ok?" Rukia answered.
Ichigo nodded his head and kissed her on the forehead, "Good night Midget."
Rukia blushed a little, "Good night Ichigo." She replied as she closed the door.
Ichigo turned around and walked back to his house thinking everything over.
What a day, who would have ever thought one week could change a guy's life in an instant, not only did I get my old powers back, but now ive got a girlfriend, and my girlfriend happens to be Rukia Kuchiki, of all people, the soul reaper whom it all started from, its unreal.
Rukia got ready for bed and sat looking at her picture with Ichigo in the park from long ago, back when they were just friends.
I never thought after Kaien, I would never feel the same way about a boy, ever, but after what ive been through with Ichigo, this feels so right, still, ive only been here less than a week and im in a relationship with someone now, how the hell did this happen?
Ichigo tiredly slugged his way up the stairs into his room, he got into his usual bedtime garments and threw himself onto his bed and passed out just after one last thought ran through his head. Rukia made this week the best week ever.
Urahara's shop….
Grimmjow concluded the day's training session; he was dead tired and collapsed on the ground breathing heavily with his eyes squeezed shut.
Urahara and Yoruichi walked over to where he laid on the ground, Urahara lifted his hat slightly and looked down at Grimmjow, "Well Mr. Jaegerjaquez, looks like training is done for today, you need to get rest, continue and you will get yourself killed."
Grimmjow struggled to sit up, "How-huff huff- how the hell did Ichigo go through with this- huff- its insanity."
Just then Orihime climbed down to the training grounds and found the two residents of the shop standing over a now sitting up Grimmjow.
"Jack!" Orihime shouted.
They all snapped around to see the reddish haired girl running towards them.
Urahara took his hat off, " Well Orihime, what brings you around at this time?"
Orihime bowed, "Oh sorry mr Urahara sir, I was just looking for Jack." She replied.
Grimmjow stood up with a slight scowl on his face, "Why in the blue hell do you still call me Jack, you know my real name just say it." He scolded.
"Well jack is just easier to remember to me," Orihime retorted back.
"tch what ever just call me Grimm then." Grimmjow scowled.
"Ohhh kay, Grimm." Orihime said in a voice that just screamed what ever.
Orihime walked back up into the shop, and Grimmjow just rolled his eyes as he proceeded up the steps as well and to his room. He slung his coat off and just layed back on his bed looking through the glass roof overhead at the black sky littered with stars. "Hey Orihime come in here for a sec would ya!" Grimmjow yelled.
He shut his eyes for a minute as he heard his door open and soft footsteps came into his room, he opened one eye and saw the reddish haired woman stood nervously "what is it Grimm?" Orihime asked.
"That spirit energy from before, the one I sensed while I was training, that was Ichigo wasn't it?" Grimmjow asked in a gruff voice.
Orihime looked down, "yes, it was Ichigo." She replied worried. Grimmjow looked back upwards at his glass roof.
"Mmm I see. Well." Grimmjow said turning over to face Orihime. "Atleast that will take the weight of this whole situation off of my shoulders, im not really the one for single handedly trying to protect this place. That should be Kurosaki's job not mine, but like I said before a few days back, it keeps me out of prison at least."
Orihime nodded and was about to leave the room until Grimmjow asked her something.
"Is it worth it." Grimmjow asked.
Orihime turned around and faced Grimmjow, "what is what worth it?"
Grimmjow sat up facing her, "You know…. Saving people, is it truly worth it, going through all of the trouble."
Orihime sat next to Grimmjow, "Of course it is Grimm." She replied, Grimmjow cocked an eyebrow at the reply.
"I know it sounds a little silly to you, but it gives us something to fight for, don't fight for yourself, fight for a good reason, like protecting your friends and family, like Ichigo does."
Grimmjow snickered, "Well see that's the problem, I don't have the luxury of friends and who in the hell would consider me family?"
"Well I consider you a friend…" She replied.
Grimmjow's face became serious, he looked up at her, "You what?" he asked.
Orihime sat next to grimmjow and placed her hand on his, " You're a friend to me Grimm." She replied.
Grimmjow stared confused, "explain yourself." He asked.
Orihime looked away for a moment, "Well, I was very content on not even talking to you, not even looking your way, to be honest I hated you, but the fact you came back a totally different person made me believe that I could give you a second chance. Plus because you attempted to protect me I consider you a friend Grimm, I should thank you for all you did." She said to him.
Grimmjow's eyes widened as Orihime slung her arms around him in a thank you hug.
Orihime looked straight at his face, but when Grimmjow turned to face her, before either knew it their lips met, Grimmjow was the first to notice, his eyes cracked as wide as possible. Then Orihime noticed and pulled away her face completely flustered.
"Oh… uh sorry.. I don't know what happened there.. Umm Ill be going now." Orihime stuttered nervously as she got up, but as she got up a hand grabbed her arm as she turned around Grimmjow was face to face with her, and he kissed her again, Orihime didn't pull away, she just closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him, as Grimmjow warpped his arms around her torso, butterflies filled her stomach as they kissed passionately underneath the light of the stars piercing through the glass ceiling, glowing off of Grimmjows shirtless torso. Grimmjow thought to himself while this event happened, I don't know what the hell is coming over me right now, It feels so weird, but I cant stop…. What the fuck is this?
Kurosaki Clinic….
"THE CAR WAS WHAT!" Isshin screamed.
Ichigo sat at the table as Isshin was fuming.
Isshin punched Ichigo straight on in the face causing him to fall backwards on his chair.
"OWW YOU DUMB ASS WHAT WAS THAT FOR!" Ichigo yelled.
"THAT WAS FOR THE FACT THAT YOUR CAR, THAT I HELPED PAY AN ARM AND A LEG FOR IS BLOWN TO SMITHERINES!" Isshin retorted furiously.
Ichigo rubbed his jaw, " I don't know what you're yelling about, the thing was fully insured we can get a new car of equal value ass…" Ichigo sighed.
Ichigo received a punch in the side of his face from his father. "That's not the point idiot! The point is. Is that something that you worked hard for is gone in an instant." Isshin exclaimed.
Ichigo sighed again, "Ok what ever, I want to go to bed, im tired as hell, and I have school tomorrow ok good night!"
Ichigo stomped his way to his room and Isshin just stood shaking his head, "some day that boy will learn."
Morning came and Ichigo was a little slow to get up he rubbed his face as he went through his usual morning routeine he snorted a little as he exited the shower and put his clothes on he thought of something right then and there. "Was last night real? Hmmm."
Ichigo said. He went over to his bag and pulled out his old substitute soul reaper badge and clutched it in his hand. He then exited his body and went into his soul reaper form and looked at himself, "Holy shit that's awesome!" Ichigo said as he climbed back into his body.
"Wow Ichigo, you went through all of that last night and you still needed to check to see if it's real." A voice came from behind him.
Ichigo turned around and saw a teenage looking man wearing a cloak with the hood down, sitting on his bed tossing an apple in the air constantly, a black sword hung at his side. Tensa Zangetsu
"Zangetsu what the hell are you doing here?" Ichigo questioned.
Tensa Zangetsu threw the apple at him as it hit Ichigo directly on the forehead. "My name is Tensa Zangetsu Ichigo, remember it because I wont tell you again." He told Ichigo, snickering like it was funny.
Ichigo rubbed his head, "yeah I'll remember that, but why are you here right now?"
Tensa Zangetsu stood up looking around, "my my the outer world is really nice, I could get used to this, never mind that, Ichigo we need to start training soon."
"Yeah I know we do, but lets start after school ok, today is important. Its my last spirit day of my high school career."
Tensa Zangetsu looked at him stern. "Fine after your schooling, but we need to train hard, weve been apart for seventeen months and we need to get back into sync, if that Nightmare character you spout off about comes, we need to be ready for it."
Ichigo nodded as Tensa Zangetsu disappeared back into Ichigo's soul. Ichigo breathed in deep with a smile across his face.
"Today is gonna be a good day!" Ichigo said.
Ichigo ran out of the clinic and down the road to Rukia's place. Ichigo knocked on the door, "Oi Rukia you there!" He yelled.
Ichigo knocked a few more times, where the hell is she?" He asked himself. Ichigo turned the knob of the door and the door opened, "huh that's odd." Ichigo said as he entered the house.
"Rukia where are you?" Ichigo asked, it was then Rukia's bedroom door burst open and Rukia came out wearing a pair of black shorts, white knee high socks and a white shirt that wasn't buttoned up exposing her red and white bra that had a little bunny on one side. She had blue chappy headphones on and she was jamming out to music on her I-pod, she walked out into her living room with her eyes closed, getting herself lost in the music. Ichigo cocked an eyebrow at her, completely oblivious that he stood almost ten feet from her
"uh Rukia?" Ichigo said almost curiously.
Rukia turned off her I-pod and looked over and saw Ichigo, she froze right then and there, "holy crap Ichigo how did you get there, AAH! My shirt, oh I am so sorry Ichigo I didn't know you were here." Rukia stammered trying to say sorry to Ichigo, as she covered her chest with her arms but Ichigo just laughed. "Don't worry about it Rukia just get your shirt on and lets go, by the way cute bra."
Rukia's cheeks were flustered Red as she looked somewhat annoyed at Ichigo who walked out the door laughing his head off. "Ichigo you pervert!" she yelled with a smirk. Rukia buttoned up her shirt and put on Ichigo's diamond necklace he gave her and ran out the door and caught up to him.
"So did you rest up well Ichigo?" Rukia asked as they walked.
Ichigo chuckled a little, "me resting up well, I should ask you how you are doing, you got beat up really bad last night."
"Im fine thanks to Orihime, you were exhausted last night, you need to get back to training you need some work." Rukia poked at Ichigo.
"Yeah that's what Tensa Zangetsu told me this morning, were gonna train after school, you wanna join?" Ichigo asked.
"Tensa Zangetsu, your Zanpakuto? He talked to you this morning? How?" Rukia questioned.
"Yeah he just appeared sitting on my bed, he usually does that when he needs to talk to me about something important. So I don't mind it." Ichigo replied.
Rukia nodded, just like Shirayuki. She thought.
They arrived at school as Ichigo smiled at the sight that was infront of him, Rukia's jaw dropped, "this is complete anarchy!" she exclaimed and she watched people with painted faces and what not run around like buffoons and laugh at each others stories and what not, while a dj played some music and some games went on outside.
"Well Rukia, welcome to spirit day." Ichigo laughed as Rukia looked around.
"This is completely insane, this is a school day!" Rukia exclaimed.
Ichigo looked down at her with a grin, "well yeah, cant say I didn't warn you midget, I told you today isn't your average school day."
Rukia rolled her eyes as they proceeded in doors and to their class. Before they made it to class they heard some one yell loudly.
"RUUUUKIIIIAAAAAA!" Keigo screamed while running full sprint towards them. Keigo hit the floor from colliding with Ichigo's foot.
"Back off Keigo. Not today, not ever got it." Ichigo said seriously.
Keigo got up rubbing the back of his head, "the hell Ichigo when did you become so defensive over Rukia, any way what happened last night, I thought you were commin' over to play halo with me and my sis?"
Ichigo scratched his head, "Yeah about that. I couldn't go because there were some things I needed to take care of."
"Oh like that strange force radiating through the town, I haven't felt anything like that since that creep Aizen." Keigo replied.
"You sensed my spiritual pressure from your house, geez." Ichigo blurted.
"That was you Ichigo, holy crap I had a feeling it was you, but I didn't think it would be you, it was a strong surge ill tell you that." Keigo said while his jaw dropped.
"Yeah ok what ever lets get to class for attendance." Ichigo scoweled.
They went into class got attendance taken and then they were excused to go out for the games and music that filled the school. Rukia smiled at the energy that filled the school, Ichigo and rukia caught up with Orihime, Sado and Uryu and watched various games take place that were absolutely hilarious to them.
It was about noon or so when Ichigo and Rukia ran outside. Ichigo stopped and dropped his jaw when he looked towards the parking lot.
"Ichigo what is it?" Rukia asked.
Ichigo pointed at the parking lot where there sat a white and silver car that looked slightly similar in style to his now gone dodge challenger. A silver stripe ran along side the doors that said Shelby GT on it and two stripes ran over the top of the car. He ran over and found a card on the windshield that was addressed to him, he opened it and read it to himself.
Ichigo, I hope you like your new car, I spent a few hours searching and got this for you, make sure this one doesn't get wrecked you aren't getting another one
Sincerely, your father Isshin.
Ichigo opened the little pouch attached to it and out fell the keys to the car Ichigo was star struck as Rukia ran over.
"Ichigo whats this all about?" Rukia asked.
"My dad just bought me a Shelby!" Ichigo said with incredible enthusiasm.
"Shelby? What is that." Rukia asked.
"It's a rare and very popular American sports car that ive always dreamed of getting one day, I cant believe it, dad your fricken amazing!" Ichigo exclaimed.
Uryu, Keigo, Mizuro, Sado and Orihime ran over to Ichigo and Rukia standing infront of the new car.
"New car huh Ichigo?" Sado asked.
"You kidding Chad! This is an amazing car lets go for a ride Ichigo!" Keigo exclaimed.
"hahah shut up Keigo, I get the first ride." Rukia laughed.
"Wait what?" Keigo said shocked.
Ichigo and Rukia looked at each other and laughed as everyone admired Ichigo's new wheels, just as Ichigo and Rukia got in the car and started it up, the car rumbled to life and Rukia smiled at the sound of his new car.
"I already like this one more than the last one Ichigo!" Rukia exclaimed.
Uryu looked at Orihime and asked, "You don't think they are more than friends do you?"
Orihime just shrugged, to be honest I think they are dating, I cant be jealous over that, not after what happened last night….. Orihime thought.