"ICHI-GOOOOOO!" The voice of Keigo echoed through the empty hallway as Ichigo walked to his classroom. Before the brunette made it to him, running frantically towards him, Ichigo stuck his arm out, knocking the youth to his back. Ichigo didn't know why the teen bothered to run at him, when the end result was always the same.
"Ohayou, Kurosaki-san," Muzuiro spoke in a soft lilt as he approached the two of them. He looked down at Keigo. "Why must you always do that? You know you're just going to end up down there."
Keigo stuttered. "B-B-But, but, but, but Muzuiro! He's my friend! What's wrong with being excited to see him?"
Ichigo left the two to continue their form of bickering in the hallway. He looked at the clock in the classroom and was surprised at how early he was. He had thought he was running late, after waking up to no alarm. Sitting down at his desk, he thought perhaps that his lover, who had snuck off sometime in the morning without his knowing, had set his alarm ahead. It would be something that Urahara would do, just to make sure he got to school on time. Shaking his head, he pulled out his notebook and got ready for class.
A few minutes before class was to begin, the door opened. "Ohayou, Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime said, walking into the class with Shinji, Sado and Ishida. The three of them walked over to him. "How are you this morning?"
"Alright," Ichigo shrugged his shoulders. "How are you?" His friends took their seats around him.
Orihime tilted her head. "Umm...I'm good!" She grinned, nodding her head. "We had a fun slumber party last night!"
"I wouldn't say it was a slumber party, Inoue-san," Ishidia said, his hand raising up to push his glasses back up on the bridge of his nose. The light reflected off his glasses, obscuring them for a brief moment. Sado grunted in agreement, but Ichigo could see a small smile wanting to appear on his visage.
The buxom teen giggled. "But, Ishida-kun! We gave each other masques and painted -"
"That's enough," Ishida said, his face turning a bright pink.
Ichigo barked out a laugh. "Really? Can I please see your toesy-woseys?"
"No," Sado said, his voice containing that smile that still refused to appear on his face.
The substitute shinigami shook his head, still laughing. "You guys sure know how to party."
"Do you want to come by after school, Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime asked, smiling. "You know you're always welcome to join us!"
"Can't," Ichigo said, becoming somber quickly.
"Oh?" Ishida turned his head to look at him. "Is everything okay?"
Stepping in, the Visored nodded his head. "We just have plans this afternoon already. If it weren't for that, I'm sure Kurosaki-kun would love to be there."
Before Ichigo could give his own retort, Miss Ochi walked into the classroom. "Ohayou, class!" She dropped her book bag on her desk with a loud bang. "Time for a pop quiz!"
The students, as a collective, all groaned. Shinji turned to look at Ichigo and stuck his tongue out at him, his tongue ring reflecting the light for a moment. Ichigo felt his stomach drop as he saw the ring, his body remembering how it had felt on certain parts of his body.
Stop that. He's your friend. That was there. Nothing like that is going to happen here. Besides, Kisuke makes you happy. "Oh? Does he now? I seem to remember a certain someone feeling put out last night when his 'boyfriend' wouldn't go upstairs with him. I'm sure that Hirako would be more than happy to walk you up to your room, and show you just what he can do with that delightful ring of his. And I do mean delightful." Shut the fuck up, Shiro. I can't have you here right now. Bug me in a few hours. "Awww...but this is more fun!"
He took out a piece of paper, doing his best to ignore his inner Hollow, who was still teasing him about all the wonderful things that Shinji would do to him. He gripped his pencil too tightly, making it snap in half, the noise reverberating through the silent classroom. Sighing, he looked down at his blank sheet.
"Are you okay, Kurosaki-san?" Miss Ochi asked, raising an eyebrow at him. He gave a sharp nod of his head and looked back down at his paper, hoping she would not ask him anything else. She didn't say anything else, making the orange-haired teen relax somewhat.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sado looking at him. He met the teen's visible eye, the other obscured by his hair. Ichigo pointed at his head, hoping that his friend would understand what was going on. Sado's one eye grew wide. Ichigo shook his head, trying to make it clear nonverbally that there was nothing to worry about. Sado's shoulders relaxed once more and gave a nod before turning to look at his paper once more.
The rest of the day at school passed with nothing major happening. Throughout the day, Shiro would pop in and out, taunting Ichigo into making a mistake. However, the substitute shinigami was having nothing of it. Once the final bell rang, Ichigo shoved everything into his book bag and stood up. He looked at Shinji, who was watching him. "We going now?" He could feel his adrenaline start to pump into his veins. Both he and Shiro were itching to fight, and Ichigo was about to just throw in the towel and let his Hollow out, after all the pestering throughout the day.
"Yes," Shinji nodded his head. The two of them looked at Ichigo's friends. "We'll see you guys later?"
Orihime nodded as Tatsuki joined the group. "Hai. We're going to go take a walk through the park, since it's such a nice day."
"Can I join you?" Tatsuki asked.
"Of course you can, Arisawa-san," Ishida said, placing his shoulder bag on his shoulder. "However, I won't be joining you guys today. I have to go and help my father at the hospital."
Reaching out, Ichigo placed a hand on Ishida's shoulder. "Just be careful, yeah?"
"I always am, Kurosaki." Ishida said. Ichigo removed his hand and nodded.
"Come on," Shinji said, taking his arm and dragging him out of the room.
Their afternoon session was a grueling one. Ichigo did his best to hold nothing back. After two hours, he had had enough and Shinji had dismissed him, telling him that they'd be back at it again tomorrow, but for longer. Ichigo had nodded and made his way out of the warehouse, heading outside. When he stepped outside, he felt the air begin to shift. What's going on?
At that exact moment, Urahara looked up from reading his newspaper, clear on the other side of town. His heart began to beat faster as he could feel the increase in reiatsu. He stood up. "Yoruichi-san!" He yelled out to the cat, quickly grabbing Benihime.
"I know, I felt it too." Yoruichi appeared beside him, back in her human form. "It feels like it's coming from the park."
The pale blonde nodded his head. "Let's just hope that nothing serious has happened."
"Or we make it in time so that that can be avoided," Yoruichi said.
Pulling his hat down over his eyes, Urahara prayed that Ichigo was still in his training session. "Ikuzo." He used shunpo to exit the shoten quickly, not bothering to see if Yoruichi was following him.
As soon as the reiatsu began to increase, Ichigo pulled out the tiny blue marble he had just placed back into his pocket and popped it into his mouth. He exited his body in his shinigami form and looked back at Kon. "Go back home."
"What's going on, Ichigo?" Kon asked, looking around. "Why are we still near the Visoreds place?"
"Something's going on. I think it's coming from the park. I'm going to go and check it out. Go back home, Kon. Make sure my sisters and dad are safe." Ichigo took off, not bothering to listen to the mod soul hem and haw about how he never gets to do anything fun.
Racing through the streets, he looked up and could visibly see reiatsu flying through the air. What the fuck is going on? As he approached the park, he saw a very large man, dressed in an all white uniform, preparing to strike down on what looked like Orihime. Increasing the speed of his shunpo, Ichigo pulled Zangetsu from his back and held him at the ready. With only seconds to spare, he made it just in time to stand in front of her, the tip of his blade stopping the larger man's hand.
"Wh-Who are you?" The larger man asked him, his face unfamiliar. Ichigo took a look, unable to figure out what this creature was. He knew it had to be a Hollow of some form, for there was a giant black hole in the center of the man's sternum. He had orange eyebrows, and two red marks on both of his cheekbones. Out of the corner of his eye, Ichigo could see Sado laying on the ground, injured. Orihime's fairies were performing Sōten Kisshun. He turned back to face this new threat, knowing that he had no time to dwell on what had happened to Sado. All he knew was that he was glad he was able to stop the man from obliterating Orihime.
"Kurosaki-kun," Orihime said, her voice trembling.
"Sorry for being late," Ichigo said, turning his head towards her, keeping Zangetsu pressed into the Hollow's palm. "I tried to get here as fast as I could." He looked over at the second being in white, a male with alabaster skin and bright emerald eyes. Instead of the mask being underneath his face, as with the larger one, his seemed to sit on the top of his head. A horn of sorts was protruding from the side of it, covering half of his obsidian hair. There were two green streaks, that seemed to resemble teardrops, that went down the entire length of the man's face. The man's Hollow hole was placed at the base of his neck, right in the middle. "Don't worry, I'll take care of these guys."
He placed his left hand on top of his right wrist, letting his reiatsu increase. "Bankai." His zanpakutō became the smaller, black blade. The larger man's eyes widened for a second, clearly not expecting someone like himself to have mastered Bankai. He lowered his blade, keeping it to his right side, prepared for anything. "Inoue...stay back."
"Hai," she spoke softly, making her way back and away from the three men.
"Oy! Ulquiorra! Is this the guy?" The larger man asked, turning back to look at the smaller man.
"Hai," his voice was quiet, pensive. "Who would have thought your antics would have brought him out of hiding this quickly." The alabaster man looked at Ichigo. "Orange hair, a black bankai." This man, Ulquiorra, spoke once more. "No doubt about it. He's our target, Yammy."
Target? What does he mean, target? Ichigo showed no sign of trying to figure out what these two men were discussing. "I saved us the trouble of searching for him!" Yammy, the larger man, said, pulling his hand back to strike Ichigo in the same fashion he had tried to hit Orihime with. Ichigo raised up Tensa Zangetsu and blocked the attack as if he were swatting a fly away from his food.
"Did you hurt Chado? Were you the one to hurt his arm?" Ichigo asked, keeping his sword pressed against the man's large fist.
"So what if I did?" Yammy asked. Ichigo raised up Tensa Zagetsu and proceeded to jump over the larger man, slicing the man's right arm clean off. "Whaaaaa?" Yammy screamed.
Ichigo stood back, looking at the man. "You're still standing?"
"Would you like for me to take over?" Ulquiorra asked, his voice indifferent.
"Shut up!" Yammy said, reaching for the hilt of the sword that was protruding from his left side.
"You're resorting to use your zanpakutō for a foe like him?" The alabaster man continued to have a bored tone to his voice.
"I said shut up!"
"Zanpakutō?" Ichigo's eyes widened in fear. So, that sword at his waist is a zanpakutō. Cracked mask. The hole in his chest. What...what are these guys? Who are these guys?
The larger man continued to draw out his large sword with his left hand. "Switch with me!" Shiro, get the fuck out of here! Ichigo placed a hand over his face, beginning to falter. "If you switch with me, I can take care of this guy!" Go away! I can handle this! I don't need your help! Before he was able to get his bearing straight, Yammy brought up his leg and kicked Ichigo, sending him flying across the park.
"Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime shouted, quickly standing and raced over to where he had fallen.
"STAY BACK, INOUE!" Ichigo shouted, his voice strained, not wanting to let his friend get hurt. He had to keep her and Sado safe. He had to take care of this man. He let out a loud groan as Yammy's fist connected with the side of his head, making him fall to the ground. He saw Orihime fly through the air, the sound of a slap occurring only moments before. "Inoue!"
"Shut up!" Yammy said, pounding on Ichigo's back more. The substitute shinigami groaned with each hit, unsure of how his body was still holding up. If he were to take more abuse, he was surely going to collapse and pass out from the pain. One more blow, and he felt his body give up on him.
I can't move...Fuck...oh fuck...How am I supposed to defeat him when I can't move! He felt his body fly through the air as Yammy tossed him away, landing on his back. "It's over, kid." Yammy said. "Break apart and disappear!"
Urahara stood in the trees, the fear in his heart gripping it tightly as he watched the scene play out before him. He hadn't gotten there in time. Almost in a whisper, he held out Benihime. "Chikasumi no Tate." Before the giant's blow could strike Ichigo, Urahara's blood mist shield blocked the way, Yammy's fist connecting with it.
Ichigo looked back and had never felt so grateful to see that black haori with white diamonds that lined the bottom of the haori. He felt his body relax, letting out a soft sigh. "Kisuke..."
"Hello there," Urahara said, bringing Benihime down, Yoruichi standing to his right side. "Sorry I'm late, Ichigo," he said, keeping his voice as positive as he could make it. He wanted to tremble and cry, sad that he was not able to keep his lover from getting hurt, but he knew that he had to stay strong.
Yammy smirked. "Coming between the two of us, that means you want to be killed first." He reached back and made to strike Urahara, but Yoruichi put a stop to that. She grabbed his arm and flung him sideways, forcing the giant to be planted into the ground.
Yoruichi looked at Urahara. "I'll tend to them." He gave a small nod and handed her a small bag. He was thankful he had thought to grab the items before leaving the shop, just in case something had happened. She began to attack Yammy, until his face became firmly planted in the ground.
Picking up his lover, Urahara touched Ichigo's face. "Are you alright?" He asked, his voice soft.
"I...I'm not...sure..." Ichigo said, closing his eyes.
"Just rest, okay? We'll take care of this," Urahara said.
The larger man got up off the ground. Yoruichi looked back at him. "You're not a graceful loser, are you?"
Taking a deep breath, a red ball of light appeared in Yanmmy's mouth. Yoruichi gasped. "Cero!"
Jumping up, Urahara held out Benihime and quickly spoke, "Nake, Benihime!" as the Cero was fired from the larger man's mouth, deflecting the powerful force towards the grove of trees.
"That'll teach you!" Yammy chortled, clearly pleased by his actions. The dust had yet to settle in the area, making it seem as if the man had won. "No one can survive that!" He saw that no one had been hurt. "What? Who are you? How did you do that?"
"I redirected the energy," Urahara said. "Would you like a demonstration?" He held out Benihime in his hand. Speaking loud this time, he shouted, "Nake, Benihime!" A red blast of energy escaped the tip of his zanpakutō, heading towards the larger man. Before it hit him, Ulquiorra stepped up and used his left hand to deflect the blast, causing both Urahara and Yoruichi to gasp at the action.
"Ulquiorra," Yammy said, clearly pleased that his friend saved him. Ulquiorra struck backwards, hitting the larger man in the stomach, sending him flying.
"Baka. Why don't you use your head? These two are Urahara Kisuke and Shihoin Yoruichi. At your level, you don't stand a chance against them." He began to walk away from the mess. "Retreat." Ulquiorra lifted his right hand and made a Garganta appear.
Yoruichi glared at him. "Running away?"
"A foolish taunt," Ulquiorra said, staring at her. "You do know that the odds are stacked in my favor, since you wish to protect those that lay there, close to death." He looked around. "Our mission is complete. We'll report to Aizen-sama that the wannabe shinigami he has set his eyes on...is trash. Not even worth killing." The two disappeared as the Garganta closed with a hiss.
Ichigo looked at the ground, thoughts racing through his mind, none of them making any sense. He had heard what the man had said. He had felt how destructive their power was, but for them to say that they were working with Aizen? Did this mean that they were true Arrancar? Did this mean that what they had been waiting for was finally happening? He took a shaky breath, closing his eyes.
The ex-taichou walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Can you stand?" Ichigo gave a nod of his head, doing his best to stand up. He faltered, but before he fell back to the ground, Urahara's arm grabbed him and held him up. "I've got you," Urahara spoke quietly.
"Kisuke..." It tore at Urahara's heart, hearing Ichigo's voice full of despair.
"Let's go back to my shop, so we can regroup. No one will judge you if you want me to carry you back." Urahara continued to keep his voice soft.
Ichigo looked up at him, the tears in his eyes. "I...please? I can't move very well right now."
"I understand," Urahara said, bending down to gather Ichigo in his arms. He looked over and saw that Yoruichi was gathering everyone else up. "Just rest, Ichigo. We'll be home soon enough."
The substitute shinigami rested his head against Urahara's chest. "Okay..."
Holding Ichigo close to him, Urahara moved as quickly and as carefully as he could, heading back to his shoten. He said a silent prayer, hoping for no more attacks to occur. Please, grant us a moment's rest. That's all I ask. He sighed, his body weary. It was going to be a long night.
…
A/N: Mostly "canon" material, with some added flare. Up next, the aftermath. ^_^ Thanks for reading!