Chapter 17

A week after Kane's attack...

Ichigo threw the squad 11 guy into the wall behind him and dusted himself off before glancing at the other squad 11 members, waiting for someone else to volunteer.

I stretched out in my new shihakusho which was a little tight since my cleavage showed with Haruka's necklace resting underneath Takashi's necklace. After my corrupted energy settled itself, it had seemed that I had grown a few years because I was taller and... larger in some areas and my hair had become as black as night.

I sipped my tea calmly and flicked my black fringe out of my face.

"Come on! Who's next?" Ichigo exclaimed and I adjusted my robes before a bald headed man walked out.

"How about me, Ichigo?" He asked and rested the wooden Zanpakuto over his shoulders.

"You, Ikkaku?"

I leaned over to Yumichika Ayasegawa as he ran a hand through his black hair. He wore an orange piece of clothing on top of his uniform that went around his neck that connected to his arm, which covered most of his chest that would otherwise be exposed by his shihakusho. He also had two pink feathers above his right eye and two yellow feathers on the corner of his right eye.

"So that's the third seater of squad eleven." I stated and Yumichika nodded before his cheeks turned a pale pink and I slapped him for staring at my chest.

"Hey, Seika!" Ichigo called and I looked up before my quick reflexes grabbed the wooden Zanpakuto.

"What do you want me to do with this?" I snapped and Ikkaku pointed his sword at me.

"Ichigo told me you wanted some training. Why not get it from a professional?" Ikkaku explained as I got to my feet.

"I've got to tell you something after this too, Ichigo, so I won't take long." I informed before Ikkaku lunged at me while I wasn't looking but I managed to fend him off with my sword using one hand. "You know, it's rude to attack someone when they're not ready."

I pushed him off me and did my own swift attack, spinning away and whacking the back of his knee before he came down but quickly got back to his feet as my sword embedded itself into the ground and I used it to kick Ikkaku back before pulling it out and getting my next attack blocked again.

"You're swift with your movements and your attacks are fierce. They could be called graceful if I do say so myself!" Ikkaku grunted and threw me back. I flipped backwards and grabbed Ikkaku's sword between my feet in a handstand and twisted, throwing the sword in one direction and Ikkaku in the other before I got to my feet, grabbed the wooden sword beside me and pushed Ikkaku back down with my foot, casually placing the tip of the wooden blade to his throat.

"I like using my body for more... creative attacks. You don't mind, do you, Ikkaku?" I asked sweetly and helped him to his feet.

"Quite a style. Although, you could be taught to use your sword in more effective means."

"I'll have plenty of time to practice," I smiled and it disappeared when I looked at Ichigo. "A word in private, Ichigo."

"Uh, sure," Ichigo replied.

I stood at the very edge of Sokyoku Hill and spread my arms so I felt like I was flying. Ichigo placed his hands on my hips and moved me back a few steps.

"You wanted to tell me something before you fell to your death?" Ichigo asked and I spun around to face him, wrapping my hands behind his neck.

"Don't be silly! I would've dragged you down with me," I said quickly and we laughed.

"Was there something you wanted to say?"

"I-I won't be going back with you, Ichigo."

"What? What are you saying?!" Ichigo exclaimed and his grip tightened around my hips, bringing me closer.

"When I opened the portal, my soul chain broke. I can't return to the World of the Living and return to my normal life. I have to be in my soul form and it would get kinda lonely if only a handful of people could see me. So I'm staying here."

"But–"

"I don't know how long it'll take, Ichigo. But next time we see each other, I hope to be a Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squad, I promise you that."

"You? A Captain?" Ichigo laughed and I punched his shoulder.

"I don't care how long it takes, Ichigo. I will become a Captain since I'm strong enough for it. It only comes down to how strong I feel about this decision." I explained and cupped his face in my hands as Ukitake and a few Soul Reapers appeared. "Tell my family that I love them."

I unclipped Haruka's necklace and placed it in Ichigo's hands before the Senkaimon was opened.

"Don't worry, Ichigo. She'll be perfectly safe here." Ukitake explained and Ichigo's hand tightened around the necklace.

"Right. See you some other time then, Seika." Ichigo replied and I smiled before watching him disappear through the Senkaimon.

"Some other time then... Ichigo." I said quietly.