A/N: Hi everyone. Sooooooo very sorry for such a late update. This is inexcusable I know. If you will forgive me I had a lot of things going on then I was out of the country. Then I came down with the flu and had writers block and loss of inspiration. I hope this chapter was worth the wait. I will treat you to a double feature. This chapter was initially too long so I split it in half cause I am still fine tuning the later half so I give you something to read in the meantime. Anyway look for the next update half of this chapter by the end of next week if not before. Hope u enjoy the chapter
Two weeks have passed in the soul society since Ichigo started training and now he was finally able to control his reiatsu. He found for many hours against Urahara learning to control his shikai as well as gaining battle experience.
'So tell me Mr Hat and clogs….am I any closer to achieving bankai and leaving this place?' Ichigo asked. Urahara smirked in response.
'You still have a lot more training to go. You also still have to learn how to become connected with your sword beast and be able to dive into their mental world and communicate with yours. Then you gotta manifest Zangetsu into our world, gain bankai and train to get that hollow in check….so I'd say you have a few more months to go.' Urahara said. Ichigo sighed in defeat, he knew it was true. He was being impatient, but he couldn't help it. He had always been hotheaded.
'Alright Ichigo we are finished for today. Go relax in the hot spring and get some rest okay. Tomorrow you will battle hollows in the soul society that have been rounded up. This will help increase your stamina and give you a chance to put the skills I have taught you to good use.' His mentor Urahara said.
One month later….
Ichigo was in the training facility again. He had learned to control his reiatsu, sharpen his fighting skills and was able to talk to his internal self as well as communicate with his sword beast in his mind. After forming that bond and being able to hear Zangetsu he knew he was closer to achieving bankai.
He wiped away the sweat from his brow as he finished the current battle with Renji.
'wow, you actually improved. I have to say I'm impressed you're making progress. However you still are not ready for a serious battle with us. You may have to do more hollow training before we can battle seriously.' Renji said.
'What do you mean? I was obviously kicking your ass Renji and you know it!' Ichigo mocked.
'Don't get cocky you bastard. That's your problem! You get over confident, let your guard down and leave yourself wide open. Besides that big gaping wound on your shoulder where zabimaru got you is proof that you are not winning.' Renji remarked.
'Tch' Ichigo spat 'you wanna go for round two you baboon?' Ichigo shouted. Before renji could reply he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head, then Ichigo felt the same pain as if someone hit them really hard. 'CUT IT OUT BOTH OF YOU! You behave like a bunch of children, honestly. Why do I get stuck babysitting you?' the raven haired girl Rukia shouted.
'No one told you to interfere – ' Renji started but was interrupted by Rukia's punch to the stomach which made him drop to the floor comically.
'You two go to the springs and eat. Kisuke said to relay that message. Tomorrow, Ichigo will go down to the forest to help with hollow control and then the next day both of you can continue your match.' Rukia said.
Two days later…..
Renji and Ichigo were ready to fight each other again. 'You ready to get your ass kicked Kurosaki!'
'Not on your life Renji. This time I will cut you!' Ichigo said. 'Here I come!' Ichigo shouted. He grabbed his sword and swung it towards Renji.
Renji was able to block it again 'You're too slow Ichigo! ROAR ZABIMARU!' Renji shouted releasing his zanpukto and aiming it at Ichigo. It narrowly missed as he jumped back. Zabimaru extended and Ichigo figured out that his zanpukto could extend three times before retracting. One, he counted two, three. Now is my chance….I shall strike him now. Ichigo aimed and to Renji's surprise cut him across his chest.
What? That's impossible. This punk actually cut me? Renji thought. Ichigo lunged at him again and sent him flying with the next hit which he exerted some of his reiatsu. Renji was beaten, the match was over. Ichigo then collapsed; apparently he released too much reiatsu at the same time. Two days later he awoke and was told by Kisuke that he had to take it easy and rest before he could continue his training. Although he knew he must do what he was told he was just anxious for it all to be over. He just wanted to see Orihime again, to hold her close and this time never leave her side again. I miss you so much hime. I wonder how you are….do you still look the same? Will you be able to forgive me for leaving you for all this time? For breaking your heart? He shuddered at the thought of how much pain he inflicted on Orihime's heart. I hope I will get to see you soon, Orihime.
It was nearly four months that have gone by in the human world. Orihime was adjusting well to life in England. Her brother was now taking control of her parents company working alongside Aizen. One of the girls working as a maid on the house estate was Tatsuki. She became Orihime's best friend and was able to help her transition and put a smile back on her face.
Sora's heart was beginning to heal. He no longer saw his sister in despair and didn't have to see her cry or watch her to make sure she wouldn't try to kill herself. He had lost a lot of sleep during the first two months after the incident. Since the plantation burnt down, they no longer manufactured cotton but expanded a smaller section of the company dedicated to medical supplies and began working with hospitals in the city.
Aizen was now sitting in the meeting room of the house with Sora and Gin. They were discussing the ways to move the company forward. Though Gin said nothing he was not pleased with the fact that Sora had taken over the company and what was being done with it. If only he had let aizen handle it Gin would think. When Sora left the room and Gin was alone with Aizen he decided to voice his opinions he had been keeping to himself for quite some time.
'Lord Aizen, tell me what plans do you have for Orihime? She sure doesn't serve any function on our plans now does she?' Gin inquired.
'Patience, Gin. When the time is right we will make our move. First I have to convince Sora to put my name on the company, and then we can marry off Orihime within the next few months if all goes smoothly. In the meantime,you're your fiancé Rangiku start picking out suitors for the young miss…..All good things to those who wait.' Aizen replied while allowing a smile to tug at his mouth. He had always appeared charming but only Gin knows how deceiving his looks are.
Ichigo had now been in the Soul society for three months. He was getting irate though because the number of hollows was increasing since he first got there. His training unfortunately was not top priority to the gotei 13 compared to exercising the hollows.
'Another hollow down! Damn it! When are these things going to stop interfering with my training?' Ichigo shouted as he sliced the head of the hollow in front of him. I've got to finish training so that I can get back to Orihime. I don't have time for this shit. He thought to himself.
He continued fighting until they were all gone from the area. Both him and Renji were panting from killing the large amount of hollows and ten menos grande that appeared through a garganta. How did they reach the soul society like that Renji wondered, yes there were pathways that interconnected the worlds but for so many to come at once was unusual.
'Hey Ichigo! Are you still alive?' Renji asked.
'I'm not that easy to kill Renji.' Ichigo answered.
'Well come on, its time to get some food. Rukia is waiting for us.'
All of the soul reapers had gathered in the eating areas as Ichigo and Renji found Rukia in the crowd. About an hour after eating dinner some of the soul reapers who were heavy drinkers like Iba, Ikkaku, Rangiku and a few others started to get rowdy so Ichigo decided that he should retire for the night. As he got up to leave he heard ikkaku point at him and shout, "Hey Renji, this is the new kid that kicked your ass not to long ago right? Well I wanna fight him. He has no chance again me and my Hōzukimaru.'
'You talk so big but you're not even a lieutenant. Besides your drunk right now so I doubt you can even put a scratch on me.' Ichigo remarked. At this Ikkaku burst into a fit of laughter.
'Don't be so cocky. I guess I have to teach you a lesson about how we operate in the eleventh division aka the combat squad.' Ikkaku shouted while drawing his zanpukto.
'Oh no are they serious? Are they really going to start fighting?' voices in the background whispered.
'Come on you two cut it out! You'll get in trouble. The head captain said no fighting.' Rukia said as she separated them from each other. She grabbed Ichigo 'Come on, stop acting like a child –'
Ichigo shrugged her off. 'if it's a fight he wants it's a fight he's going to get.'
He unwrapped his zangetsu in a swift motion and charged Ikkaku, who effortlessly evaded his sword. Ichigo swung around quickly but barely missed Ikkaku's sword by a hair passing right by his face. Ichigo jumped back and pointed his sword in his opponent's direction. Again and again metal clashed against metal the sound resonating around them as if the swords were talking to each other.
Ichigo decided to charge him again but was blocked by Ikkaku's scabbard. So he fights with his scabbard but that's only good for blocking attacks Ichigo thought I just need to find an opening. Ichigo swung his sword at Ikkaku again who managed to jump on top of Ichigo's sword and hit him a blow with his scabbard. Ikkaku did a backflip and faced Ichigo. What just happened? He used his scabbard to attack? Just who is this guy? Ichigo thought.
'You handle yourself well and you have good reflexes, but that wouldn't be enough to save you. You still haven't refined your skills and you have much to learn before you can even come close to beating me.' Ikkaku smirked.
Ichigo grinned wildly and faced his opponent, 'you know what? YOU TALK TOO MUCH SHIT!' He shouted as he charged Ikkaku, actually landing a blow on his forehead and with another swift motion on his shoulder. Ikkaku jumped back in shock. He was surprised this kid had inflicted injuries on his body. This kid actually cut me? How is that even possible? Ikkaku pondered.
'Alright enough of this warm up! Time to up the ante. Extend Hōzukimaru!' he shouted. His sword now in its skikai state has changed shaped to resemble a spear with a wooden handle. 'You're in for trouble now!' Ikkaku shouted.
He charged towards Ichigo with incredible speed and cut the side of his left arm. Shit Ichigo thought he's gotten faster since he released his shikai. Damn it! Ichigo evaded and blocked Ikkaku's next attack but then the unexpected occurred and Ikkaku's spear split at 2 points into three fragments joined by a metal chain. The tip of the spear pierced his abdomen. Ichigo writhed with pain as it seared through his entire body and fell to the ground.
Ikkaku then pulled out his spear from Ichgio, "well maybe next time kid. Its over you lost.' He said and turned around to walk away.
'Over?' Ichigo spat 'not even close. Not when I'm still breathing.' Ichigo continued using his sword to prop himself back to his feet. Ikkaku was confused and turned slowly to face Ichigo but Ichigo was quick to pounce despite the wound he took his sword and swung it with all his might inflicting a large gushing wound on Ikkaku from his abdomen to his shoulder. Blood gushed out from Ikkaku's wound as he fell to the ground.
Ichigo smiled, 'Your first error was underestimating me. Your second was being cocky and your third was thinking that I would lose to you and die here when I have to return to Orihime. I will not die or rather I refuse to die until I can see her again and make her happy.'
'Well played kid. Well played.' Ikkaku said before passing out. Both of them needed medical attention after that. When Ikkaku recovered his captain Kenpachi asked him about the fight and Ichigo and Ikkaku shared all the information he knew.
'Well, He seems like a very interesting and strong person. I will have to fight with him. He may amuse me yet.'
To be continued…..
A/N: Thank you to all my followers. I hope you enjoyed reading the chapter. Once again I am so sorry for the late post. I will make it up to you with another chapter post which I will release by the end of next week if not before.