Chapter 14: The Ace In The Hole
"Ichigo what are you gonna DoooOOOOOO! AAAHHH ICHIGO!" Rukia screamed gripping the seats of the brand new car as Ichigo pulled the car into reverse and started whipping donuts in the parking lot, the rear tires spinning rapidly producing smoke, the engine nearly redlining, roaring with its horse American sound.
"OOOOOHHHH SHIIIIITTTTTT IIICHIGO AAAAHHHH!" Rukia screamed again as she squinted her eyes.
Ichigo was laughing his head off in absolute thrill, "WOOOOHOOOO Hell yeah Rukia! This is what im talking about!" Ichigo exclaimed laughing. He stoped whipping around in the new car and parked it back in the stall.
Rukia had her eyes wide open still gripping the seats and she breathed heavily. Ichigo chuckled one last time and leaned closer to Rukia.
"heheh, Hey Rukia are you still there?" Ichigo smirked.
Rukia just looked at Ichigo she didn't even want to move, "IDIOT! Don't do that ever again with me in the car."
Ichigo laughed some more " You can't tell me you didn't enjoy that."
Rukia slapped Ichigo across the face "Fool, I did not enjoy that, I enjoyed it as much as when you threw me off the top of the execution stand."
Ichigo fought to surpress a laugh and Rukia became a bit red in the face. Ichigo leaned the seat all the way back as he just barely got out of the way from Rukia's attempt to slap him again. Ichigo reached over unbuckled Rukia's seatbelt, he then grabbed hold of Rukia and pulled her over to his seat.
"What do you think your doing strawberry!" Rukia yelled at Ichigo.
Rukia sat on his lap facing him and started to beat on his chest, Ichigo struggled to get hold of Rukia's hands but he eventually had total control of his girlfriend she did manage to barely knick him on the side of the face pushing his hair back from his ears exposing his black earrings.
"Ichigo I didn't know you had earrings." Rukia said playfully, "They must hurt if they rip out."
"Rukia, both you and I know you aren't cruel enough to do that to me." Ichigo said rolling his eyes.
"Oh yeah, how would you know?" Rukia smirked.
"Because I know you cant do anything if I do this to ya!" Ichigo exclaimed as he let go of her wrists and started tickling her sides.
"Oh SHii Ichigo stop stop STOP IT AAAAHAHAHAHAHHAH! STOP!" Rukia started laughing from the tickling, she just couldn't hold it.
"It looks like I found the sweet spot!" Ichigo laughed as he smiled widely with his tongue slightly hanging out tickling Rukia.
Ichigo stopped tickling Rukia and grasped her where he was tickling her. Rukia stopped laughing and placed her hands on the seat next to Ichigo's shoulders.
Rukia was trying to catch her breath from the laughing, panting softly as they just sat and smiled at each other.
"Ummm Ichigo, Rukia, what are you two doing." Uryu asked looking into the car at the two.
Ichigo cocked an eyebrow and retorted back at Uryu, "What, is it wrong to get a little alone time?"
"Alone time Ichigo?" Uryu crossed his arms repositioning his glasses.
"Uhhh yeah, is that a problem." Ichigo asked Uryu.
"No but Ichigo we need to have a chat for a minute." Uryu turned around.
Ichigo sighed, "Ugh, fine, hey Rukia ill be back in a minute."
Rukia nodded and she jumped back into the passenger seat. Ichigo climbed out of the new car and shut the door. "Ok whats up Uryu?" Ichigo asked with a slight scowl.
"Ichigo weve noticed that you have been getting awfully close to miss Kuchiki. What is with that?" Uryu asked.
"Well uh….. You see ummmm." Ichigo stammered.
"You have been acting really different with her lately, ever since she came back you aren't depressed, you don't have a scowl on your face twenty four seven, what is going on." Uryu asked.
"I Betcha I know!" Orihime shouted jumping up in place.
Everyone looked at Orihime who stopped jumping and said, "Ichigo likes Rukia!"
" I uh yeah I do like Rukia." Ichigo stammered again, everyone looked at Ichigo with bulging eyes as he scratched his head.
That's what I was afraid of, Orihime thought to herself, "oh crud I got to go do something quick ill be back." Orihime said while she ran off.
"Is that true Ichigo….. Do you like like her or what?" Uryu asked.
"Shit you know what I guess the cats out of the bag…" Ichigo swore to himself, loud enough that Uryu heard.
"whats out of the bag Ichigo?" He asked.
"Well me and Rukia." Ichigo said.
Sado and Uryu leaned in closer and then he said it.
"Me and Rukia are dating….. She's my girlfriend Uryu." Ichigo said with enthusiasm.
Uryu's jaw dropped to the ground and Sado dropped his jaw as well.
"Holy spirits above, Ichigo!" Uryu exclaimed. "Who would have thought!"
Orihime ran inside to the bathroom and Tatsuki turned to find her nearly crying.
"Orihime! Whats wrong what happened?" Tatsuki gasped.
Orihime explained her feelings for the orange haired boy, and how her feelings were getting mixed up by another guy.
"Oh Tatsuki, I just think I need to get my feelings for Ichigo out of me." Orihime sighed.
"Ichigo? What did he do now Orihime tell me ill go kick his ass." Tatsuki said while she cracked her knuckles.
"No Tatsuki, he didn't hurt me, its just that…. He and Rukia are." Orihime stuttered. She managed to tell Tatsuki of Ichigo's newfound relationship
Tatsuki reared back in shock, "No fucking way! Are you serious?"
Orihime just nodded, "Oh Tatsuki, I don't know what to do right now, im so mixed up inside, I mean I like Ichigo, but after last night, when I kissed…." Orihime caught herself and shut her mouth then and there.
" Who Orihime?" Tatsuki asked crossing her arms curious about who Orihime was about to say.
Orihime held a hand to her mouth and shook her head. Tatsuki got annoyed.
"Orihime, if you don't tell me who I will give you the count of three and I will punch you, got it!" Tatsuki warned.
"I cant say who, if he found out I said anything he would be really mad and I cant have him mad at me!" Orihime replied.
"ONE!" tatsuki yelled.
Orihime was conflicted. She thought rapidly.
"TWO!" Tatsuki yelled again.
"IT WAS GRIMM OK!" Orihime shouted nearly in tears.
Tatsuki dropped her fist, "Grimm? You mean Jack Jaeger, the exchange student with the spiky blue hair?"
Orihime nodded sobbing.
"OH my god Orihime!" Tatsuki exclaimed hugging Orihime.
"Uh what?" Orihime asked confused.
"You see, that guy is such a hard ball, he doesn't talk to anyone but to Ichigo and the others, I never see that guy smile, hes like Ichigo, but more hardcore." Tatsuki explained.
"Yeah but I actually really like him, I mean, well, he isn't the open type on things, hes quite lonely to himself, and cold like you said, but he has a good heart and I saw a warmth in him I never saw in Ichigo. I actually like him, even after the history we had in Hueco Mundo, what he did to Ichigo and me, I forgave him, and we kissed for such a long time. It was unreal Tatsuki." Orihime explained swinging around joyfully.
"Where the hell is Hueco Mundo, is that in California?" Tatsuki asked.
"Uh yeah it is." Orihime giggled, knowing she lied.
"I didn't know you went to California. When did you go?" Tatsuki asked.
"About a year and a half ago why?" Orihime asked.
Tatsuki thought about it, "wasn't that about the time Ichigo lost the ability to see spirits?"
Orihime thought of a way out, "ummm it was a while before that…. Eheheheh."
"hmmmmm ok then." Tatsuki said shrugging.
Orihime finished up in the bathroom and went back outside she didn't even look up when she was in her train of thought.
Ichigo and Rukia….. how did I not see it coming, im such an idiot for not seeing it, I mean well I saw a glimpse of it back in the soul society when we saved her from her execution but still, it seems right, right where it should be sometimes I wish I was as lucky….. with Grimm, Grimm, what am I thinking he would never…..
"OOF" Orihime sqeaked as she ran into someone and fell on her bottom.
Orihime looked up and saw a man wearing black dress pants, a black shirt and a blue tie, familiar spiky blue hair and a very familiar scowl.
"Orihime? What the hell." Grimmjow scowled.
"Oh Grimm, ummmm what, what are you doing here." Orihime stuttered.
"Well if you don't recall, im attending your "school" remember." Grimmjow explained still wearing a scowl on his face.
Orihime got up and brushed her self off, Grimmjow just stared intently at her, "Oh yeah I forgot, oh that's right this is the first school you've gone to." Orihime realized.
"First and last, after Nightmare is dealt with im gone." Grimmjow stated gruffly.
"How do you know he will show up?" Orihime asked.
Grimmjow looked out towards everyone fooling around outside, "I don't know how he does it, but he knows what goes on when and where, he probably knows that his so called daughter was killed here last night by Kurosaki. And he wont pass the chance to get revenge for that."
"That was his Daughter!" Orihime yelled.
Girmmjow smirked, " Yeah and if you expect one of his caliber to not show up in this town and get some payback for it, you are an absolute fool. Especially with Ichigo and me here. Don't be surprised if he brings the entire realm of Hueco Mundo with him."
Orihime gulped, "Im sure Ichigo has a plan for it. He has to."
Grimmjow turned and began to walk away, "For our sake, I hope he does…."
Grimmjow was about to walk away but Orihime grabbed his arm to stop him.
Grimmjow turned to face the Reddish haired woman, who stood there with a serious look on her face.
"One question…." Orihime asked.
Grimmjow cocked an eyebrow and Orihime continued, "Do you remember what happened last night?"
"What the hell kind of stupid question is that? Of course I remember!" Grimmjow scoffed.
"Well, I've been thinking about it and well….." Orihime tried to say but Grimmjow intervened.
"Think on this for a moment, that would never work, I wont lie, it was a very odd feeling, but that is something that cannot continue, I'm not human and you know that, so what ever thought you have of "Us" in your head, it has to stop now, got it." Grimmjow lectured.
Orihime just nodded, "Oh I got it, big scairdy cat!" Orihime played his temper like a violin.
Grimmjow gritted his teeth, "why you little…."
"Hey Orihime, Jack whats going on?" Tatsuki waved.
"Oh hey Tatsuki, nothing really just chatting with Jack here." Orihime waved.
"Right just talking, ill see you around ok Orihime, remember the big soccer game tonight." Tatsuki reminded as she ran off outside.
"Ok I will heheeh." Orihime laughed as she turned around to find Grimmjow walking off.
"Hey you big dummy where are you going!" Orihime shouted nearly fuming.
"Im going outside woman leave me be!" Grimmjow retorted.
"oooo that big meanie." Orihime said stomping her foot to the floor.
Rukia got out of the car and walked over towards Ichigo, "Ichigo whats going on?"
Uryu pushed up his glasses and spoke first, "congrats on the new relationship Rukia.."
"huh new relationship" Rukia questioned then looked at Ichigowho just scratched his head.
"you big idiot, I thought we weren't gonna tell everyone Ichigo, great now Uryu knows, next thing you know everyone else knows, or worse Keigo finds out!" Rukia scolded as she slapped Ichigo on the back of the head.
"Owww midget Keigo wont find out, besides its Uryu and Dchad, Uryu is too smart to do that because he knows what would happen, so does Chad, we are all friends here, they wouldn't let our little secret slip out now would we guys." Ichigo smirked.
Chad just stood there and Uryu added one last comment, "We wouldn't do that Ichigo, we respect that decision of yours, but what if Keigo found out anyway?"
Rukia laughed as Ichigo explained his theory on how Keigo would kill himself if he found out his so called beloved Rukia.
Chad started to crack up and Uryu was laughing his head off, "Your kidding right Ichigo?" Uryu asked laughing.
"Nope im dead fucking serious, that's how its gonna go down with Keigo." Ichigo laughed.
Ichigo turned to Rukia and smiled, "Im also glad to see your wearing my necklace Rukia."
Rukia placed a hand on her necklace, "Why wouldn't I, we just started dating yesterday Ichigo, you idiot."
"Right, I totally forgot how you asked me to be your boyfriend, and I was kind enough to say yes." Ichigo said playfully.
Rukia punched him in the arm saying it's the other way around.
"Im just messing with you midget, sheesh." Ichigo said rolling his eyes.
"You're still an idiot till the end Ichigo." Rukia added.
"And your still short till the end Rukia." Ichigo implied laughing.
Rukia punched him again, "and next you will poke fun at my drawings some more?"
Ichigo rubbed his shoulder, " No im just kidding with you Rukia."
Rukia smiled, "Good, its almost time to get to the gymnasium for the tug of war contest."
Ichigo laughed, "yeah we all know were gonna win, we have Chad at anchor."
Ichigo and Rukia ran inside for the gym festivities, the annual tug of war competition, like Ichigo said the seniors were dominating.
The whole Gym was chanting, go go go, Ichigo and Rukia sat near the top of the stands, Ichigo wasn't into it much but Rukia was rooting for Sado and the seniors, Ichigo just sat back and smiled watching his new girlfriend yelling for their team.
The end of school came, Ichigo Rukia and the others walked out together, Sado holding their first place trophy they laughed and talked as they walked. Ichigo and Rukia walked towards the dormant Shelby as they waved good bye to their friends Ichigo and Rukia got into the car as Ichigo turned the key and the car sprang to life.
"Hey Rukia ready for round two?" Ichigo asked.
"Don't you dare Ichigo." Rukia warned.
"I know you will kick my ass if I do." Ichigo rolled his eyes.
Ichigo put the car into reverse pulled out of the parking stall and drove off in a different direction from where they lived.
"Ichigo I thought our houses were that way" Rukia pointed out.
"I know midget, but were going to Urahara's shop. We are going to train." Ichigo stated.
"We?" Rukia asked.
"Yeah me and you we gotta train if we are going to stop Nightmare from raising hell." Ichigo explained.
Rukia nodded as Ichigo shifted the car into 3rd gear and roared down the highway.
Ichigo pulled the car into the back alley where Urahara's shop sat and parked it next to an old basketball hoop. Both Rukia and Ichigo stepped out of the car as Ichigo stood and took it all in.
"Wow it's been a long time since I was here, it doesn't look like it changed." Ichigo smirked.
"Hey Ichigo aren't we forgetting your sisters?" Rukia asked.
"No, they had a half day at school today, so they got a ride home from dad." Ichigo told Rukia.
"Ah I see, well lets see if Kisuke is home." Rukia said as she walked towards the door.
"Right." Ichigo said as he followed Rukia.
Rukia and Ichigo approached the door to the shop but before they could knock the door burst wide open with a young black haired girl walking out with a bag full of different items.
"Don't forget to apply that stuff as soon as you get home Karin!" A man yelled from inside the store.
"Yeah yeah I got it don't worry about it!" the young girl yelled back.
Ichigo stood there dumbstruck, "Karin? What the hell are you doing here?"
The young girl looked up and saw her older brother standing there with Rukia at his side.
"Ichigo? What the heck are you doing here?" Karin asked.
"Hey I asked first sis, spill it, and what's with the bag of stuff?" Ichigo demanded.
"I came here to get stuff for our house. Now what are you doing here?" Karin explained then asked.
"Me and Ichigo are gonna do some training Karin, tell your dad we will be home in a few hours." Rukia said smiling to Karin.
"Ok what ever." Karin said running off with the bag of goddies.
Ichigo looked at Rukia, "Only a few hours? You sure that's long enough?"
"Oh definitely Ichigo." A mans voice came from inside.
Ichigop peered inside the shop and found Kisuke Urahara, sitting on a pillow wearing red robes and a pure white bucket hat, he waved a fan over his face.
"New clothes eh Kisuke?" Rukia asked as she walked in.
"The coat, Nah, my favorite green one is in the wash. Ah Ichigo Kurosaki! It's been a long time my friend how are you." Kisuke said as he stood up to greet Ichigo.
"Not too bad Kisuke, but humor me this, you're the one that Karin got that "special" soccer ball from right?" Ichigo asked.
"Ah the spirit ball, yeah I made that, a lot of my technology went into that, I'm glad it even works." Kisuke laughed.
"I figured as much, any way hey Kisuke, do you have anywhere that we could train for a short amount of time?" Ichigo asked.
"Actually im glad you asked Ichigo, I just got finished tweaking a new machine and it works." Kisuke said closing the fan and pocketing it.
"And that would be?" Ichigo asked curiously.
"Follow me you two." Kisuke said turning around and walking towards the back of the shop.
The trio went down into the training grounds and found a door in the middle of a giant rock.
Kisuke stepped up and explained to the two about the door. "This door leads to a new training ground ive created, time moves faster in there, similar to the effects of the precipe world, when one day passes in that room, only an hour passes outside. Get what im saying?"
"I guess so, that means we can get 3 days worth of training in enough time to get back home and get ready for the big game tonight." Ichigo said.
"Right on Ichigo." Kisuke said waving the fan in his face. "Hey Rukia is it me or did Ichigo get smarter after all this time."
Ichigo started to fume a little bit and Rukia just laughed. Karma is a bitch Ichigo Rukia thought.
"Alright lets go!" Ichigo said with extreme enthusiasm walking towards the door.
Kisuke stopped him, "Woah there Ichigo, you haven't regained your powers yet have you?"
Ichigo stood still crossing his arms, "where have you been lately Kisuke? Your quite outdated on your information."
"Well, I was working on the new training room, it shuts out reiatsu so no one can sense reiatsu inside or outside. Now show me Ichigo." Kisuke asked.
Ichigo sighed and grabbed his Substitute Shinigami badge out of his picket and gripped it, he was then separated from his body wearing his new Bankai clothes with his hood up.
Ichigo flipped the hood down and smirked at Urahara who smiled.
"What an incredible sight it is, permanent Bankai huh Ichigo, very rarely has that ever happened in soul society. Like I said a long time ago, your one scary kid." Kisuke laughed.
"Yeah sure what ever." Ichigo rolled his eyes.
The couple walked into the new edition to the training grounds and found it rather awe striking. The rocks had a smooth red texture to them, almost like clay, the walls were lined with glowing lights, a waterfall roared near the back, and hot springs filled pools in sporadic places.
"Wow, I don't say this often but I'm impressed Urahara." Ichigo said jaw dropped.
"You like it huh, just remember you got 3 hours in here, which means 3 days. It begins now!" Urahara said as he slammed the door shut.
"Well you heard the man Rukia, lets get started." Ichigo looked over at his partner.
"Ah, yes lets get started." Rukia said to Ichigo as she exited her gigai.
Ichigo unsheathed Tensa Zangetsu, the chain crawled up his arm and secured itself, Ichigo looked at the black blade with a smirk.
"Alright Zangetsu, show time." Ichigo said.
Tensa Zangetsu appeared before Ichigo, "Ichigo, We meet again."
"Yeah I suppose you know why?" Ichigo questioned.
"Of Course, Now get ready Ichigo." Tensa Zangetsu drew his sword, "Here I come."
Ichigo raised his sword and Tensa Zangetsu rushed Ichigo at blazing speed, any normal soul reaper would not have been able to even detect the movement, Ichigo saw it perfectly and parried Tensa Zangetsu's sideways slash.
"Ichigo, I will not go easy on you, if you are to defeat your enemies, no matter how powerful, you need to be ready for it." Tensa Zangetsu said, slashing down at Ichigo.
Ichigo side stepped the swing, "Well I was expecting it Zangetsu and I also know you aren't trying yet!"
Ichigo swung at Tensa Zangetsu and Tensa Zangetsu disappeared, he reappeared a distance away from Ichigo and threw his sword, point first at Ichigo, the chain extended the more ground the sword covered, it raced towards Ichigo like a bullet.
Ichigo barely had time to parry, but he blocked it as the sword bounced off of his own and Tensa Zangetsu drew it back to him.
He can throw his sword like a spear! Since when the hell could he do that, I wonder if I can do that…..
Ichigo then threw his sword just like Tensa Zangetsu, the chain did not extend and the sword fell to the ground.
Shit lets try that again…. Extend you stupid chain….
Ichigo threw it again and the chain extended and fired like a bullet at Tensa Zangetsu.
Tensa Zangetsu dodged and appeared infront of Ichigo.
Fuck im defenseless, all I got is… the chain…..
Ichigo took the black chain in both hands and raised it over his head and blocked Tensa Zangetsu's strike.
"Perfectly done Ichigo, you are getting better at thinking on your feet, but…" Tensa Zangetsu smirked, "You've sacrificed your best defense…"
Ichigo's eyes widened as black energy sprawled from Tensa Zangetsu's blade.
"Getsuga Tensho!" Tensa Zangetsu roared as black energy exploded causing Ichigo to go flying backwards nearly crashing through a few rocks on the way. He got back up and coughed.
Damn I was sure I could do better, I should have seen it coming…. Ichigo thought.
Rukia was beginning her training with Sode No Shirayuki, she stopped to look over at Ichigo getting up from a Getsuga blast and flash stepped towards Tensa Zangetsu, they clashed fiercely with lightning speed, Rukia could barely keep up with their speed.
"Impressive isn't it Rukia. Zangetsu is an extremely powerful zanpakuto, now Rukia lets focus." Shirayuki said.
Rukia raised her blade, "Yes lets begin Shirayuki."
Rukia and Shirayuki clashed and flash stepped at incredible speed.
Ichigo clashed with Tensa Zangetsu at an equal level, their moves incredibly fast.
Ichigo's power rose, slowly regaining his edge for combat, but it still wasn't enough, he needed a lot of time.
Rukia Trained her Ice powers with Shirayuki working out new techniques, and increasing the powers of her current ones, she even developed a new technique that is in resemblance to Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho but it's a blast of white snow that freezes on contact. Both of them were getting exhausted, but they continued on.
"Getsuga Tensho!" Ichigo roared, releasing a powerful black beam that raged towards Tensa Zangetsu.
"Not good enough Ichigo. Huh" Tensa Zangetsu said, he blocked the blast, but failed to see the blade bulleting for him from the side, Tensa Zangetsu leaned back, but the blade cut a shallow wound across Tensa Zangetsu's chest.
"Ichigo I think its time to stop for now, before you kill me." Tensa Zangetsu coyed.
"Bull Shit, I just got lucky!" Ichigo said yanking back his blade and charging at Tensa Zangetsu, he flash stepped so fast he began leaving after images, Tensa Zangetsu was not amused until he realized what was truly happening, all of the images of Ichigo stood in place and all fired a Getsuga Tensho at Tensa Zangetsu, Tensa Zangetsu dodged and put his sword over his back, just as Ichigo flash stepped behind him and tried to cut him.
Zangetsu smirked, "That's enough Ichigo, only one day has passed and you are showing great improvement. Rest up and we will resume tomorrow."
Ichigo nodded and sat on a rock next to him sheathing his sword, the chain unraveling from his arm.
Rukia and Shirayuki sparred with such power and grace, it was almost like a fast paced dance when they fought. Ichigo watched in awe of their form, You know, in this light Rukia is the most beautiful person I've ever seen…. I'm glad we share feelings for each other, it would be really awkward if we didn't. Ichigo thought
They dragged on their training a little longer and it was about time to call it off for the night, as the grounds begun to turn night like.
Both Rukia and Ichigo called it quits for the day, they found bedding areas made up for them to sleep, Ichigo naturally pulled his bedding closer to Rukia's. Ichigo took off his coat and sword and placed them next to his covers. Rukia switched into a white robe and crawled into the bedding.
"Hey Rukia." Ichigo whispered.
"Yeah?" she answered.
" did you ever think you would end up having a boyfriend at all when you came back here, let alone me?" Ichigo asked.
"That's pretty deep Ichigo, but no I didn't even think it." Rukia replied softly.
"Ah yeah same here." Ichigo said.
"well lets get some rest Ichigo we are gonna need it" Rukia reminded Ichigo
"Right, good night." Ichigo said but Rukia was out like a light, and he fell asleep soon after.
He found himself within his soul while he slept, looking around at the skyscrapers.
He looked over and saw Tensa Zangetsu sitting on a flagpole.
"What is wrong Ichigo…. You seem to doubt your strength…" Tensa Zangetsu questioned.
"No I don't doubt them, but I need reassurance." Ichigo said.
"Reassurance?" Zangetsu asked.
"Yeah, like a technique to fall back on when things go south in future battles, my personal ace in the hole." Ichigo questioned.
"Hmmm I have one technique I haven't taught you yet." Zangetsu said with his eyes closed.
"What?" Ichigo asked curiously.
"You have used this technique before, it was used to defeat Sosuke Aizen." Zangetsu recalled.
"The Final Getsuga Tensho? Fuck that I wont give up my powers again!" Ichigo scolded.
"no Ichigo, the attack you used to defeat Aizen." Tensa Zangetsu scolded.
"the hell do I remember." Ichigo ranted.
"it was called Mugetsu, a very powerful attack that creates an erupting blade of energy from the ground."
"Oh now I remember. Why do you ask?" Ichigo questioned.
Tensa Zangetsu stood up, "Because I am going to teach you how to use Mugetsu with out the Final Getsuga Tensho."