Chapter 15: The final Dance, Rukia's white flute
" Wait what?" Ichigo questioned.
"You heard me Ichigo, I will teach you how to use Mugetsu…" Tensa Zangetsu said. "But in order for me to teach you, you must be in here, not out there, if we train you out there, you could destroy the entire town trying to perfect it. The process is incredibly dangerous, naturally, but there is another way to learn it through Jinzen."
"Right now thanks for the info, but I need to sleep Zangetsu." Ichigo said rubbing his eyes.
"Very well then, I will see you in the morning." Tensa Zangetsu said as Ichigo fell asleep.
Morning came around and Rukia was the first to wake up. She sat up and rubbed one eye, and looked around.
" Ichigo?" She whispered.
She looked to her side and found a bed layed out next to hers with a muscular orange haired man sprawled out underneath the sheets.
Ah there you are….
Rukia got out of bed and walked over towards the waterfall area. The water rushed down gently into the crystal clear pool, like a forever flowing river.
Rukia walked over to the edge of the pool and dipped her bare toes into the water.
Its warm, not to hot, not to cold, its perfect.
Rukia undid her white bathrobe and entered the pool. She edged her way over towards the waterfall and relaxed near it.
I love this, the running water is so soothing to hear in the morning.
Rukia laid her head back and closed her eyes listening to the sound of the waterfall.
"Its quite peaceful isn't it Rukia." Shirayuki spoke.
"Ah, it is… I wish Ichigo was up to enjoy this." Rukia replied her eyes still shut.
"Ah yes, but knowing him, it wouldn't last long…. He is human after all." Shirayuki said.
"No, hes not human, hes more than that….." Rukia said.
Ichigo cracked open an eye and sat up yawning. He stretched out and got up out of bed, yawning some more as he walked over to his robes and slung them over his shoulder.
His black and blue basketball shorts was all he wore.
"Hey uhhhh Rukia…" Ichigo said continually yawning. "Huh….. Rukia?"
Ichigo looked around for her, he walked back towards the waterfall area.
"Rukia are you back here? Hello?" Ichigo wandered around looking for her, he came to the waterfall area and found her in the water. "Huh?" Ichigo looked over at the pool.
He saw Rukia relaxing in the pool, head back eyes closed, and naked.
Ichigo just stood there, as his face slowly became redder and redder by the second.
Rukia brought her head back up and opened her eyes, seeing a shirtless red-faced Ichigo standing there and gawking at her.
"Ichigo what the heck are you staring at… huh." Rukia looked down and scowled. "You pervert quit staring at me!"
"Hey don't look at me as the pervert! I just woke up Rukia, besides were dating who cares if I see you naked or not!" Ichigo retorted.
"Im comfortable with you Ichigo … but not that comfortable!" Rukia barked.
Ichigo just scratched his head "Well don't put me in the same boat as that damn Kon OK!"
"Well don't get used to this Strawberry!" Rukia yelled.
Ichigo walked over to Rukia and dropped into the water right next to her.
"Hey you know what…. Our first fight." Ichigo laughed.
"Oh god Ichigo" Rukia laughed at him shoving him.
Ichigo shoved back, then came the splashing.
"Ichigo, your asking for it Strawberry!" Rukia splashed back.
They laughed and played for a while laughing as they did, they ceased the water fight and sat next to each other Ichigo's arm around her shoulders.
"You know I really do understand your disposition on the fight earlier." Ichigo said to his petite girlfriend.
"You do?" Rukia asked with glowing violet eyes.
"Yeah, I'm kinda the same way, I didn't want to see you… like this per say." Ichigo fumbled a little but got the words out.
"Yeah, to be honest I'm in the same position, I want to take things a bit slower ya know, this is the first relationship I've ever had… like this." Ichigo told her. "Ive never been close to a girl to this extent ever in my life, the exception being my mother, where ever she is. I know that Orihime liked me, but I never saw her being more than just a friend you know, I'd go through hell to save her, because I care about her and my friends, but with out a doubt, id give everything for you over anyone else."
" Ichigo, I've known you would do that for me ever since I got arrested, Renji told me there were rumors that you came to save me, and I couldn't believe my ears, heheh at first I thought you had lost it, but after you actually saved my life up on the hill, I couldn't believe what I saw!" Rukia exclaimed.
"Hah yeah looking back on it I think I was a little too over my head going to soul society in the state I was in, but I still turned out on top of everything. Until that bastard Aizen showed up, but after everything I sorta take back what I said about loosing my powers, I think it was well worth it." Ichigo laughed.
"Yeah, we've been away from each other so long, at first I barely recognized you, if it wasn't for your orange hair, plus your a lot more muscular than I remember, now you look like you were chiseled out of marble." Rukia told him with an awkward face.
Ichigo burst out laughing, "Chiseled out of marble, hahahahahah! I like that! Well Rukia, im not gonna lie, you look a bit different yourself…. Im not really good at sensing these things, but have you gotten stronger after all this time?" Ichigo asked.
"You want to see?" Rukia said playfully cocking an eyebrow.
"Oh hell yeah! Maybe you can finally keep up with me." Ichigo played.
"Is that a challenge Ichigo?" Rukia asked.
"For you Rukia, I could easily beat your midget ass…." Ichigo smirked.
"Oh is that so…. Prove it to me then Strawberry." Rukia laughed getting out of the water.
Ichigo did not look up at her until she got her robes on. Then he jumped out and got dressed.
"You're going down Ichigo!" Rukia yelled smiling.
"Good luck with that Rukia!" Ichigo yelled back as he strapped Tensa Zangetsu up around his waist.
The two met in the middle of the training field, one hand gripping their swords, the other hand at their side, they smirked at each other as they drew their swords, the chain of Tensa Zangetsu wrapping up Ichigo's arm, and Rukia immediately releasing Sode no Shirayuki.
I sure hope this would help with her training…
Ichigo jumped back and pointed his sword at Rukia, "Show me what you've got Rukia!"
Rukia and Ichigo charged at each other their eyes fierce looking into the others eyes, wild smirks across their faces.
IN SOUL SOCIETY…..
Renji Abarai was just waking up in his new room, the captains room in the squad five barracks….
Renji sat up and stretched, greeting the new day. He slipped out of bed and got dressed in his usual black robes, and then put on a sleeveless white captains Haori.
" One day left till I'm an official captain… hmmm I wonder if Rukia knows about where they will be holding the ceremony."
Renji picked up his soul pager and dialed in Rukia's phone number, he waited but no one picked up.
"hmmm, she didn't pick up, she must be training then, that's the only time I can ever think of where that woman doesn't have her phone on hand." Renji scowled. "I'll just call later. Huh?"
Renji went through his recent messages as a hell butterfly came into his room. It landed on his shoulder and Renji listened to the message.
"hmmmm, I have to meet with the commander this morning, better get going, can only wonder what this will be about." Renji shrugged as he washed up and left the barracks towards the commander's quarters.
Renji was half way there when he saw Captain Byakuya Kuchiki approaching him.
"Morning captain Kuchiki!" Renji addressed.
"ah morning Renji, I'd imagine you are enjoying yourself as the new captain of squad five. I was talking to Hisagi earlier, there are rumors spreading that a third captain will be announced at the ceremony." Byakuya greeted.
"A third captain! But there isn't any other divisions in need of a captain." Renji exclaimed.
Byakuya just nodded and walked away.
Renji thought to himself. How is that going to work…
Renji made it to the commander's quarters, before he entered, he heard Captain Ukitake speaking.
"Master Yammamoto, he has helped save the Soul Society many times I believe it is necessary that he should be made a captain and the commander of the world of the living!" Ukitake spoke.
"hmmmm you state a very valid point Captain Jushiro Ukitake, but if this fails its on you!" Yammamoto replied back to Ukitake.
"Yes master I agree to the terms." Ukitake bowed and left.
Wait someone will have control over the world of the living! Could that be me? That would be amazing! Renji's thoughts ran wild.
"Ah Renji Abarai, good you came!" Yammamoto said.
Renji bowed to the commander, "morning commander, you called for me?"
"Yes, we just have a few matters to discuss Renji." Yammamoto replied.
In the training Room…
"OOOOF!" Ichigo yelped as was sent flying through a rock.
"How is that Ichigo, good enough for ya." Rukia smirked.
Rukia shivered and barely had enough time to turn as Ichigo flash stepped behind her, she didn't even see him move. Ichigo took the chain and wrapped Rukia's arms up with the chain and pulled it tight.
"Well midget what can you do now that your arms are tied up?" Ichigo laughed.
Rukia looked back at him, "I wouldn't be too confident about that strawberry."
Rukia flicked her sword up in the air, the sword spinning as it went higher.
Rukia sneered and Ichigo's eyes widened.
Rukia yelled, "No one has seen this yet Ichigo, you're the first to see it!"
No way! Thought.
"BANKAI!" Rukia roared her body glowing in an intense white light.
Ichigo unwrapped her arms and jumped back holding a forearm over his squinted eyes.
She achieved her bankai! When the hell did this happen.
Rukia raised her hand and the sword fell into the palm of her hand, or so what Ichigo thought was a sword at first.
That isn't a sword it's a…. flute?
Rukia grasped a shining snowy white flute with a long ribbon flowing from one end of it, snow began to fall all around them as Ichigo looked around in wonder. "Shirayuki No Dansumūn!" Rukia said. (White Snow Dancing Moon)
"Things just got a bit more interesting…. I didn't know you had a Bankai Rukia, how long have you hidden this from me you devil midget!" Ichigo smirked.
Rukia brought the flute up to her lips, taking in a deep breath as she began to play the flute.
It let out a very beautiful tune, the notes perfectly sound as Rukia played it, Ichigo stared in awe.
The snow, the flute, it makes her looks so damn beautiful… I wish I had a picture of this. Ichigo thought. The snow began to swirl, wind whipping through the air.
Ichigo didn't realize that an avalanche of white snow was roaring up from behind him.
Rukia looked at Ichigo with confident eyes. I have you now strawberry!
Ichigo turned and saw the Avalanche bearing down on top of him.
DAMMIT!
The Avalanche struck with full force swallowing Ichigo completely. It subsided and Ichigo was encased in sparkling blue ice, Rukia gasped how ever.
"ICHIGO!" Rukia yelled. "Dammit I put too much into it. Huh?"
Rukia looked closer as the ice became filled with jet black energy, then the ice cracked and exploded with a roaring force.
"DAMMIT MIDGET!" Ichigo yelled. "You trying to kill me?"
"I didn't mean to put that much into it strawberry, but look you don't even have a scratch on you so why are you complaining!" Rukia laughed but Ichigo flash stepped behind her, then to the side, before she knew it, he created at least 50 or 60 after images of himself.
"Ichigo your getting really worked up!" Rukia yelled as she started playing the flute again. But before she could hold it to her lips a black blade was at her throat. And a muscular arm around her waist
"Your defenseless Rukia… I really like your Bankai, it packs quite a punch, but it is no use in a fight if you don't have anything but your snow to use." Ichigo looked at her serious.
"Defenseless my ass strawberry!" Rukia laughed as she gripped the flute harder.
From the ends of the flute, stemmed a longer rod that created a scythe blade out of Ice.
Ichigo jumped back and snickered. "Maybe I should start trying…."
Rukia slashed at Ichigo with everything she had, swinging the scythe back and forth up and down. Ichigo parried and dodged all of her strikes.
Every where the scythe struck, every rock the scythe touched, turned into solid ice
"Rukia stop playing with me and hit me! Your way to slow!" Ichigo laughed.
Rukia roared and swung down with full force but Ichigo swung back at the scythe with his full strength and shattered the scythe into many little pieces, Rukia stood speechless.
Black energy crawled up Ichigo's blade as he raised it over his head.
"GETSUGA!" Ichigo roared as Rukia gasped in shock.
"TENSHO!" Ichigo swung the blade downward releasing a massive beam of black energy that raged towards Rukia.
Rukia closed her eyes waiting for the impact, but all she felt a gust of wind as she opened her eyes and looked over to see the blast flying right past her, a hair away from Rukia's left sleeve.
Rukia stood there shivering in fear. That contained enough energy to have completely obliterated a city block! And he aimed that thing at me!
"YOU IDIOT! ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME!" Rukia yelled in anger.
Ichigo walked up to Rukia sheathing his sword, he wrapped his toned arms around her small frame and hugged her close, his nose in her hair.
Rukia stood eyes wide open.
"Midget you know I would never hurt you…. Ever." Ichigo smiled as he hugged Rukia tighter kissing her forehead.
Rukia wrapped her arms around his body and buried her cheek into his chest smiling.
I feel so safe in his arms….. I knew he wouldn't hurt me, I love him like this.
Rukia had only three words running through her head… I love him….
Ichigo smiled, her hair is soft, delicate, amazing….. it suits her…
"So I believe I won Rukia…." Ichigo stated.
"Oh hush up Ichigo, you're ruining the moment." Rukia giggled.
Ichigo let go of her and walked over to a secluded spot and sat cross-legged on the ground.
"Ichigo what are you doing?" Rukia asked.
"Isn't it obvious, im going to continue my training." Ichigo said looking back.
"After the beating you got from me? How in the world are you even considering that." Rukia.
"Rukia…" Ichigo said with a soft voice. Rukia looked at him blankly.
"Do you even see a scratch on me….. I told you that you had a powerful bankai, but all it really did was knock the wind out of me a little." Ichigo stood up and faced Rukia, "maybe this will help you understand."
Rukia's eyes widened, she looked Ichigo in the eye and a tremendously powerful spiritual pressure fell on her.
Rukia fell to her knees, struggling to stay up, what tremendous spiritual pressure! Ive never felt anything like it, even my brother's spiritual pressure cannot hold a candle to this! I-I…..
Rukia fell over and Ichigo subsided his power and walked to Rukia struggling to get up.
Ichigo bent over and picked Rukia up in his arms, "sorry, it was the only way I could show you… I wont ever do it again." Ichigo said with solemn eyes.
Rukia looked up at him,
"how can someone be so powerful…. It's not possible… were you this strong when you fought Aizen?" Rukia asked.
"Come to think of it, I was a bit stronger than I am now when I fought Aizen…. Not even Aizen could sense my spiritual pressure."
WHAT!
"Anyway, you need to rest up, as strong as I am now, there still are things I need to learn Rukia….." Ichigo said as he laid Rukia down on her bed.
Ichigo walked over to another secluded spot and sat cross-legged, his sword across his lap. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, focusing his soul onto his sword.
He was performing Jinzen.
Ichigo woke up inside his inner world looking around.
"Zangetsu? You home?" Ichigo asked loudly as he walked around.
"Where the hell is he?" Ichigo asked.
He stopped and looked up seeing a mass of black energy hurtling towards him.
Ichigo dodged with incredible speed looking up to find Tensa Zangetsu looking down at him with a scowl on his face.
"Some body is Pissy today!" Ichigo smirked.
"of course I am Ichigo! We were supposed to be training today imbecile!" Tensa Zangetsu yelled at Ichigo sending another getsuga tensho flying at Ichigo, who dodged again.
"Ok that's fine, well im here now so lets cut to the chase, how do I learn to use Mugetsu?" Ichigo asked.
"First you need to do something before you learn to use Mugetsu Ichigo." He explained.
Ichigo cocked an eyebrow, "And that is?" Ichigo asked.
Tensa Zangetsu pointed his sword at Ichigo, "you must try to break my sword!"
Rukia laid in her bed looking at the ceiling, "I can't believe it, im still trembling."
I don't ever tremble, but he absolutely destroyed my being in an instant, I couldn't even stand it was so heavy how is it even possible! Is this the Strawberry I remember, did he always have this power? Now it makes sense, he didn't know how to use his full power until the c
"Getsuga Tensho!" Ichigo yelled releasing a dark beam of energy at Tensa Zangetsu.
Tensa Zangetsu swatted away the attack like it was nothing Ichigo appeared behind him and slashed sideways, but Tensa Zangetsu parried by placing the sword over his back.
"Cmon, you need to do better than that!" Zangetsu roared.
Ichigo gritted his teeth and slashed again, only to be parried off again.
"How do you expect to break my sword if you cant even focus!" Zangetsu Roared.
What the hell is that supposed to mean! Ichigo thought.
"focus what!" Ichigo yelled.
"put together the pieces imbecile!" Zangetsu roared with a smirk on his face as he threw another Getsuga Tensho.
Ichigo appeared infront of Tensa Zangetsu and slashed heavily at him, Zangetsu paried it well but noticed something strange.
Theres a Chip in my blade! So Ichigo figured out what I meant, or was it just sheer dumb luck… Tensa Zangetsu thought.
"Tell me why Zangetsu!" Ichigo roared swinging again.
Tensa Zangetsu parried again, and again, and again.
Its sheer dumb luck
Ichigo was fuming mad, Tensa Zangetsu smirked and went on the offensive for a change.
Ichigo dodged parried and countered every swing Zangetsu threw at him.
Its like he isn't even trying… I wonder, I wonder if he meant by focusing…..
Ichigo tried to focus his energy into his sword, as black flame like energy engulfed his blade.
He swung at Zangetsu, who parried the blow, but the chip where Ichigo originally hit, turned into a small crack.
His blade is cracking! What the hell!
Tensa Zangetsu worried, hes beginning to get the picture, about damn time
Ichigo and Tensa Zangetsu fiercely fought swords clashing like crazy, chains whipping through the air, blasts of black energy going back and forth.
"Getsuga!" Ichigo yelled.
Tensa Zangetsu appeared behind Ichigo and attempted to slash him across the back, but Ichigo disappeared and re appeared at Zangetsu's left side screaming, "TENSHO!"
Zangetsu deflected the shot just barely and grabbed Ichigo by the throat and threw him.
Ichigo recovered and dashed at Zangetsu.
"Fucking bastard." Ichigo coughed.
"whats wrong Ichigo, giving up already!" Tensa Zangetsu laughed.
Ichigo panted, dammit, im swinging my hardest, and barely anything is giving way, son of a bitch, do I have to compress every last ounce of energy I have into my swing or what! If so its worth a shot….
Ichigo placed a hand onto the blade of his zanpakuto, black fire rose up the blade and cackled fiercely.
Ichigo compressed all of his spirit energy into his blade for one strike.
It's do or die time now!
Tensa Zangetsu smiled at the sight that was laid infront of him,
He's got it! The imbecile finally figured it out. Zangetsu thought.
"Lets GO!" Ichigo roared, charging full speed towards Tensa Zangetsu.
He yelled as he swung his blade at Zangetsu, who raised his sword to block it.
Ichigo's blade collided with Zangetsu's and, shattered Zangetsu's blade, making it fall into two pieces.
Ichigo smirked, I did it!
"Not bad Ichigo I knew sooner or later you would get it." Tensa Zangetsu smirked.
Ichigo smiled, "I did it, so what does that mean anyway?"
Tensa Zangetsu laughed, "It means Ichigo, you have learned how to masterfully control all of your spirit energy, which is an absolute necessity for the technique, you need to compress all of your spirit energy to use Mugetsu, now its time I taught you how to use it…"
Tensa Zangetsu grabbed Ichigo and hurled him a football field's length away.
Ichigo crashed into the side of a skyscraper and slowly got out from the crater he created.
"What… the hell was that for….?" Ichigo panted.
Tensa Zangetsu's smile was replaced by a serious look.
"I don't want you near me when I perform this technique!" He yelled.
Zangetsu flicked his wrist and his blade was repaired in an instant, smiling as he did so.
Zangetsu brought his blade up pointing it out straight to his right, as his left hand crossed his chest and touched his sword, black energy spiraled up and down the blade.
Ichigo's eyes widened, feeling the raw power radiating from his blade, it was tremendous, so much energy that it could cause an earthquake.
"Now." Tensa Zangetsu said softly.
" Rain through the night!" He roared, shifting his blazing black blade so that it was pointing upward. "Mugetsu!"
Tensa Zangetsu slashed down as everything became engulfed in darkness. Ichigo shook in fear from the awe inspiring power as a gigantic blade of black energy erupted from the ground, raging towards Ichigo.
Ichigo stepped back and brought his sword up to try and block it, more like protect himself, for the worst, he squeezed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth.
Oh SHIT!