Chapter 13 – Lie

Byakuya and Ichigo were back from their trip to the Seireitei. Both were a little edgy after their more or less weird encounters with their family. Byakuya was suspicious why Ginrei was so wary about Ichigo, and why he wasn't happy about the fact that he gained a friend from a higher status. It saddened him that his grandfather only seemed to drill him into becoming the perfect noble, cold and emotionless, but that was not to Byakuyas liking.

Ichigo himself was simply nervous if Zangetsus plan would really work out. Tomorrow would be an interesting day…

After a night of barely sleeping:

Ichigo and Byakuya were heading for the meeting point of the advanced class. Most students they met along their way looked really nervous and everyone was trying to figure out what their Zanpakuto maybe will look like. After a few minutes everyone was gathered and only the sensei had to arrive, yet. Shintaro-sensei was a bit late, though. As he entered the hall, everything went silent in an instant.

"I am sorry for the delay, but I had some issues with the headmaster." Shintaro announced calmly, before he smirked and went on.

"Today is an exciting day, isn't it? I think so. From now on, you will be on top of your year, since the regular classes need some time before they can contact their inner spirits.

I have to admit, that this is the best part. We'll see what powers you guys get."

At this point he glanced at Byakuya and Ichigo, which made Ichigo even more nervous.

"Okay, for a start. Take a Nodachi, and perform Jinzen. I'm sure you know how to do that. I can't really tell you what you need to do to come in contact with your inner world, since it's basically different with every Zanpakuto. Just take your time, and try not to get frustrated… You'll need your time. You have all day. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

The students hesitated, but after a few seconds the group scattered, and only the slight crackle from the swords was heard.

Ichigo glanced at Byakuya, who shared a sly smile with him, and they sat down cross-legged next to each other.

Byakuya:

Byakuya closed his eyes and tried to calm down. He was nervous about meeting his Zanpakuto, but he looked forward to it. He once read about all the Zanpakutos the other clan elders possessed, and he knew too well about his grandfathers Zanpakuto. And those were all powerful swords.

Byakuya tried to find a way into his inner world. It felt like hours to him, but he never stopped trying. He was desperate to find out what his inner world looked like.

Suddenly he heard a deep and calm voice, booming through his head.

"Byakuya…"

It was feint, but he heard it. He answered with his mind, his hopes were up.

"I'm here."

"Come to me, Byakuya. You need to find me. I'm here… waiting for you… waiting for you…"

As the voice faded away, a bright light appeared in Byakuyas sight, and he suddenly found himself in a beautiful garden. There were many Sakura trees, not unlike the Kuchiki Manor. Everything was flooded in a white, dim, unearthly light, and the trees seemed to glow in a feint pink.

Byakuya looked around, and noticed how huge the area of his inner world was. Decorated with massive ponds, seas and little rivers.

Byakuya asked himself how he'd find his spirit in this area, it seemed impossible; he didn't even know what to look for.

After a while of walking around, searching, he came to the conclusion, that the only possibility was, to reach out with his senses, to find his Zanpakuto.

He felt the energy flowing through his inner world. It was packed with Reishi, and Byakuya found it difficult to sense anything besides the fast energy. But suddenly he felt it. It was just a little spark, but Byakuya knew that this was it.

He opened his eyes and turned around, walking a few hundred meters straight on, as a huge Sakura Tree came into sight. This tree was twice as big as the others in the area.

In one of its roots stuck a single sword. It looked like a normal sword, slim and long. It had a rectangular guard, and lavender wrappings. It glowed in a beautiful pink, and the flower petals from the trees in the area swirled around it.

Byakuya hesitated, but he gripped the sword. He could feel the power floating through him. He felt incredible!

All of sudden he was back in the room, where everyone else sat, still meditating. Even Ichigo sat motionless next to him, with a frown plastered on his face.

Ichigo:

Ichigo had entered his inner world in a matter of seconds. He looked at his spirits with a worried face.

"Okay. To get things clear, Ichigo. What will your Zanpakuto be like? You need to remember everything. Mistakes are forbidden. It would blow everything up… You really need to concentrate!" Zangetsu spoke.
"I know, I know… Are you guys sure that this'll work? I mean, I could just use you, Zangetsu, and simply never release you." Ichigo answered.

"That's right, King. But how will you get into the Gotei without a Shikai, hm? Sure you could be like Kenpachi, but I don't think you'd want that… Neither do I. Just stick to the plan." Shiro said.

Shikari giggled before saying: "Right, Ichi! I'm gonna be your Zanpakuto!"

A sigh escaped Ichigos lips, before he recalled everything in his mind.

"My Zanpakutos Name is Shikari. Its sealed state looks like my normal sealed Zanpakuto. My release phrase is: "Blur, Shikari. " I do not have a Bankai yet, and I am not to reveal my Shikai. In my Shikai, the sword splits into a white, and a black slim sword. Its ability is to form into any weapon I can think of. In order to do that, I simply use pure Reiatsu, forming whatever I want.

My Zanpakutos name is Shikari…"

"Okay, I got it." Ichigo said, as he suddenly felt Byakuyas Reiatsu flare up next to him. He must have done it, and Ichigo felt a little proud for his friend.

"Seems Bya-Bya made it, huh?"

"Yup... I think I'm going as well. I have no clue what time it is. "

"Be careful, Ichigo."

He gave his spirits a warm smile, before closing his eyes, grabbing the necklace with the mini-version of his sword, and released it. Seconds before he disappeared from his inner world, the beautiful two-colored sword appeared in Ichigos hand.

As Ichigo found himself back in the room with the other students, he noticed Byakuya smiling at him. As well as their sensei. They both looked at his sword, and seemed surprised by its unusual appearance for a sealed sword.

Shintaro called it a day just a few minutes after Ichigo was back. Nobody else made it at the first day, only Byakuya and Ichigo.

"Alright, guys. We better stop for now. It's no shame if you didn't make it today, even though two of you already made it, which isn't really surprising." The last part was only muttered, so the students couldn't hear it.

"We'll continue tomorrow at the same time. Urahara, Kuchiki, you stay. I have some questions."

After that, the students left the room, some staring at the two students with envy others admired them, but they didn't care at all.

"Okay, you two. I have to say, I'm not surprised that you made it. I am really excited about those two swords. Tell me. What are they called?" The sensei asked with a devilish grin on his face. He certainly was up to a fight.

"Hai, sensei." Byakuya began, "its name is Senbonzakura. I haven't met the spirit yet, but I assume its power has something to do with sakura-trees."

Shintaros face lit up at these words. He looked at Ichigo.

"U-hm… Well. Her name is Shikari. I already met her… Even though, I believe I can't use Shikai, yet. "

This was unusual for a student, who just got his Zanpakuto, and everyone knew that, but the sensei managed to hide the fact that this was shocking news.

"All right. Now… You two will get tomorrow off, but I expect you to contact your Zanpakuto and train for yourselves. I have to go now. I need to ask the Headmaster something.

Without another word, he turned around a left.

With Tokudaji and Shintaro:

"So, how did it go Shintaro-san? Anything interesting with the advanced class?"

"Yes, sir. Urahara and Kuchiki got their Zanpakutos."

"As expected…"

"There is something else, sir. Urahara Ichigo has met his Zanpakuto spirit; know its name and gender. He said that he wasn't able to call on Shikai, but I think he's hiding something. The sword looks far from normal…"

At the Kuchiki Manor:

"Ginrei-sama. We have now all the information about Urahara Ichigo."

"Thank you. You may hand it to me."

Ginrei looked at the files, and skimmed the information. He was beyond shocked.

Very little was known about the man. He didn't appear anywhere in history. Not his age was know, not the mother of the boy, where he was born. If he was adopted…. Nothing.

Ginrei was angered. Fury flared up inside of him.

This couldn't be right. There is no way, that someone just pops up, is incredibly strong, a prodigy. And this man steals away the glory of the Kuchiki clan.

"Servant! I need you to organize something for me. I need full observation of Urahara Ichigo, night and day, 24/7. Find out everything you can, but be careful, he might be very strong. Avoid to be seen, and if he does see you, run. Start as soon as you can. You are dismissed."

"Yes, sir!"

Soon he'll know that boys secret, it was just a matter of time.