His Duty as a Mentor
"Ichi-ni, how long will you be gone this time? You just returned from your last visit only a month ago."
"I know, Yuzu, but this is a summons from Urahara. I have to go." Ichigo said, understanding why she was so reluctant to let him leave.
"How long?" She pouted.
It still amazed him how childlike she could be. If it had been anyone else, he would've postponed his trip, but Urahara was different. He owed him a lot and couldn't say no. He hated to leave Yuzu when she was like this, but he had no choice.
He patted her head with a large, comforting hand, "I don't know, but I promise to send you Hell butterflies as often as I can to keep you updated."
She deflated, but then smiled sweetly at him, "Okay, Ichi-ni. As long as you don't forget."
"Cross my heart." He grinned and ruffled her hair, making her cry out in annoyance for messing up her hair.
"Wait! Ichigo! You're not leaving without me!" A small voice bellowed as a tiny lion plush toy came hopping down the stairs.
Karin, gritting her teeth at Kon's ear piercing cries, batted the toy across the room toward her brother, where it latched onto Ichigo's face.
The girls laughed while Ichigo pulled at the toy, growling under the plushy belly, "Kon! Get off me!"
"Take me with you. My dear, sweet Rukia awaits."
Finally managing to pry Kon off and toss him onto the couch, Ichigo pulled himself from his body. He really liked the fact that he didn't have to use Kon anymore. The gift he was given by Urahara to make the process easier was really working out well. That man could invent anything. It was remarkable.
"No, you're staying her."
He gave his sisters hugs, "Tell Dad about the summons."
"We will." They chimed together.
"Take me with you!"
"Kon, you realize she's married now, right?" Ichigo asked, lifting an eyebrow.
Kon folded his tiny arms, "Hmph."
"You are hopeless. I'm sorry, Kon. I can't take you with me. You have to stay here. I won't have time to babysit you."
Ichigo didn't wait for a response and quickly flash stepped all the way to Urahara's shop. I was being run by the children now. Tessai supervised, but for the most part, he continued Urahara's experiments in his absence. They permitted him access to the Senkaimon Gate and entered the Seireitei on the opposite side.
Thanks to his very persuasive request, Urahara was released from his ban of the Soul Society. In light of all the empty positions, old Yamamoto agreed that Urahara should be re-instated and resume his rank of Captain. He was appointed to former Captain Ichimaru's Squad Three, though he bickered and complained daily about wanting his former Squad Twelve back. He even went so far as to be disappointed that Captain Kurotsuchi hadn't perished during the winter war.
"Welcome back, Ichigo," Izuru, Urahara's Lieutenant said politely with a friendly smile.
"Hey Kira!" Ichigo returning the gesture.
"The Captain was in a meeting. I was sent to greet you."
Ichigo nodded and they began the walk back to Squad Three.
"How is everything going? You doing okay?"
"Yes. I really like Captain Urahara. He's a bit eccentric, but kind enough."
"Can't argue with you there, just don't let him talk you into being part of one of his experiments."
They laughed as they entered the main hall and made their way toward Kisuke's office.
"Honestly, as much as he goes on about that sort of thing, he hasn't really had the time."
They entered the office and Urahara was waiting for them.
"Ichigo, nice to see you."
Kisuke opened wide and pulled Ichigo into a hug. This was something new that started since the end of the war. He wasn't the only one. Yoruichi, Ukitake, Kyoraku and a few others joined in on the new trend as well. He couldn't explain why there was a change in behavior, but he never said anything. He didn't hate it. It just took some getting used to.
"You too. Glad to see you got your job back. I'm happy for you, Kisuke."
"Thanks to you, though it's not really my old job. I wasn't able to get my old posting."
"Still. You deserve to be here and as a Captain. So I'm glad." Ichigo insisted.
"Yes, well. Thanks again for that."
"So, what's this all about?"
"Ah. Yes, I just finished a meeting with the Head Captain. It was agreed that you were magnificent during our time of need, but you still lack one very key skill. I would like you to complete your training."
"You want me to go to the Academy? Now?"
"No, of course not. You are well beyond anything they could teach you there. I have asked Captain Kuchiki to teach you kido."
Ichigo's eyes brightened, "Oh? He didn't have a problem with that?"
"Not at all, especially since Old Yama made it an order." Urahara smiled his mysterious smile.
Ichigo sighed, "Why aren't you teaching me? You're a kido master."
"I am indeed, but I simply haven't the time. Kuchiki is currently strengthening his own squads kido skills, so you will be joining their training sessions."
"Yeah, okay. Can you do me a favor?"
"Anything, Ichigo."
"Could you send word to my family and give them an estimated time frame? The girls are curious as to how long I'm going to be here. I'll send them butterflies every so often to update them, but they would appreciate knowing how long you want me to stay and for what."
"I will do that. I doubt it will be as long as you think. You are a quick learner. I have faith in your abilities and your desire to learn."
"Thanks."
"Report your progress to me every week. That will help me decided if I need you longer."
"Will do. See ya," Ichigo gave a sloppy salute with two fingers and left the office.
Izuru turned to address his Captain, "Do you really think it was a good idea to get his hopes up. I took kido at the Academy. It took months just to learn the incantations, and even longer for the practical lessons."
"You have never seen Ichigo when he is focused. Whether it be his human studies or his shinigami training, the kid learns quick. I only ever had to show him something a few times before he had it mastered. I have every confidence this will be no different."
Izuru looked unconvinced, but nodded anyway.
Ichigo checked in on the friends he could find, then made his way to Division Six. He knocked on Byakuya's office door, but it was empty. He found him in the yard, watching his squad members train. Ichigo stopped just short of the porch and watched the Captain for a few minutes. Byakuya walked the perimeter of the yard, commenting on each members performance. He reprimanded two who let their attack kidos go crazy. It was safe to say Byakuya was strict, but fair.
Byakuya felt eyes on him the second Ichigo arrived, but he let it go for the moment. When Ichigo didn't move, he let him know he was aware of his arrival.
"Do you intend to join us, Ichigo Kurosaki?"
Startled from his thoughts, Ichigo approached the Captain.
"Yeah. Sorry about that. Got lost in my head."
"So, you wish to learn kido?" The noble asked, finally facing his newest charge.
"Urahara said he wants me to complete my training," Byakuya looked disappointed at this, "But I've wanted to learn for ages. I was going to ask you about a dozen times, but some battle or other always took priority."
Ichigo watched the noble's face. That information seemed to satisfy him. Perhaps he was reluctant to teach unwilling students. Ichigo shook his head. It didn't matter.
Byakuya had hoped that this was something Ichigo wanted to learn. He was actually looking forward to teaching him kido, though he would never admit that aloud. All through Ichigo's growth, he was astonished at how quickly his power progressed. He wondered more than once what Ichigo was like during his intense training with Urahara Kisuke.
"Kido is a very necessary skill to know. It can only improve your already formidable battle techniques." Byakuya informed.
Ichigo grinned like a fool at the compliment. It felt good to know that the great Captain Kuchiki thought he was formidable in battle.
"Sounds great. Where do I start?"
"With basics," he shook his head when Ichigo complained, "You'll need to learn control. You finally managed to control your reiatsu, now you will need to apply that same control to kido."
"Fine...okay."
"Kido is the use of your spirit energy outwardly in offense or defense instead of channeling it into your zanpakuto."
"Understood."
"Today you will meditate to harness your power into a ball of light in your hand. Use your newfound control to keep it solid and steadily lit for a full hour."
Ichigo, shocked, "You're serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Byakuya held in a smile as he watched Ichigo struggle with this information. He knew Ichigo was more about action and it probably bothered him he wasn't diving right in. He waited for Ichigo to reign in his annoyance with the slow start he was going to have to endure.
"Sit on the porch and meditate. I'll be keeping an eye on you. Once you're able to keep it lit a full hour, we will move onto the next step. If you fail to succeed before training ends for the day, you will resume tomorrow."
"Yeah, okay."
Ichigo sat cross-legged on the porch and applied the same idea he used when they invaded the Seireitei to form the ball of light. Byakuya resumed his walk around the yard, all the while keeping a trained eye on Ichigo.
He watched as Ichigo struggled to meditate. He always did have trouble clearing his mind. It took him an hour just to relax enough to concentrate on the task at hand. Ichigo seemed to be more interested in the training going on around him. Eventually, Ichigo managed to create the ball of light. First, he was able to keep it well lit for long periods of time, but then he would lose control of his reiatsu, causing the ball to grow too big and his power to spike. This would interrupt the others training in the yard, because they would be on knees due to his intense spirit pressure.
"Kurosaki! Concentrate!" Byakuya ordered him, using his kido barrier to confine his crazy spiritual pressure.
"Sorry. I'm trying." Ichigo apologized, the ball of light disappearing with a pop.
Byakuya turned to see his squad staring at Ichigo, "Resume your drills!"
As they continued, they glanced at Ichigo warily. Ichigo furrowed his brow in frustration. He regained control of his reiatsu, but then was unable to form the ball of light for more than a few minutes. At one point, due to exhaustion, Shiro offered to help for a while and started to slip the mask onto Ichigo's face by himself. It only happened twice, and both times Byakuya was there with his zanpakuto to crack the mask, causing it to crumble immediately into Ichigo's lap and disappear.
After Ichigo's third break, Byakuya decided maybe it was time to intervene.
"You are not concentrating."
"Not true. It's just...this stuff is hard for me."
"You mean using your mind instead of brute force?"
"That's not fair." Ichigo snapped.
"I shudder to know what your marks were like in school." Byakuya resumed watching his squads progress, arms folded over his chest.
"I'm third in my class," Ichigo frowned.
"My apologies," Byakuya said, surprised. He never would have guessed the boy was so studious.
"Then this should be child's play for you," Byakuya challenged.
That was exactly how Ichigo took that statement. Within the next hour, Ichigo finally kept the ball of light lit, that is, until Renji showed up, distracting him from his task.
"Damnit, Renji!"
"What?" Ichigo just glared at him, "What are you doing anyhow?"
"Training."
"Doesn't look like training."
"It's for kido. I'm supposed to be meditating."
"Ooh...tough break. Kido isn't easy. I'm not real good at it myself." Renji admitted, scratching the back of his neck, embarrassed.
"Which is why you will be training with everyone else, Lieutenant Abarai."
Renji chuckled, "Yes, Captain."
Before he could leave, "How's married life?" Ichigo asked, glimpsing his wedding band.
"Pretty good. Never been happier to tell you the truth."
"Good to hear."
"Lieutenant," Byakuya said sternly.
Renji turned and assured his Captain he heard him.
"We'll talk later," he whispered to his friend.
"Yeah."
Byakuya returned to address Ichigo, "Again, Kurosaki. You were moments from success."
Ichigo sighed, but started again. By the time Byakuya called it quits, Ichigo was satisfied that he'd succeeded in task. He was tired, mentally and physically. Meditating was difficult and it took a lot out of you. The members said goodbye to him, though a few seemed annoyed by his presence.
"You got a place to stay, Ichigo?" Renji asked when he was ready to leave.
"Not yet."
Byakuya joined them, "Well done, Kurosaki. I have to admit, I half expected you would be continuing your meditation tomorrow."
"Thanks, Byakuya."
The noble frowned, "While you are in my care, you will address me as Captain."
"My bad. Thank you, Captain."
He nodded his approval.
Renji pulled his attention again, "So, you can stay with me if you want."
"Not living with Rukia yet?" Ichigo teased.
"Yeah. We're one big, happy family in the Kuchiki Manor." He laughed.
"Oh...is Bya...I mean the Captain alright with me spending the night?"
Byakuya nodded, "There is more than enough room. I'll have quarters made up for you."
"Thanks. I'll find somewhere else by the end of the day tomorrow. I'm gonna be here until training is over."
"No need. Stay as long as you need. Rukia would never let me live it down if I turned out one of her best friends."
They shared a smile, both pausing a moment to process the effect each had on the other. They then walked to the manor together.
Three days later, he was finally allowed to participate in the practical training. He spent the last three days reading and writing each incantation, which he committed to memory. Byakuya and Renji were both very impressed. The kido incantations were difficult and there were tons of them. Some, mainly the healing spells, didn't have incantations, but he was confident he could do them.
He was told by Renji that most people were required to study kido incantations for several months before they were able to memorize them all. Ichigo wasn't third in his class for nothing.
Byakuya took over keeping Urahara well informed, insisting Ichigo didn't need to be bothered with tedious tasks, but he didn't intercede when he told him he was sending butterflies to his family. Byakuya would never take that from him. Urahara was pleased with Ichigo's progress.
"Did you know how quickly Ichigo would absorb information during his lessons?" Byakuya asked him.
Urahara fanned himself as he spoke, "You have no idea what he is truly capable of. I don't even think I am aware of his full potential. As I told Izuru a few days ago, I only ever had to show Ichigo something a few times before he mastered it. Right before his initial invasion of the Seireitei, I only trained him on battle technique for a single day, the rest was experience."
Byakuya raised an eyebrow.
"That's it, Kuchiki. One day. After that, I just pushed him over and over and over again to his breaking point. I would give him a break and then push him again. After that, Yoruichi trained him to achieve Bankai. Same thing. She showed him what he needed to do once, then let him push himself until his breaking point again. Zangetsu took over training him until now. I'm telling you, Kuchiki, I don't think his potential has a limit."
The more Urahara told him, the more he wished he'd been a part of Ichigo's previous training. Kisuke left. He didn't want Ichigo to see him and think he was checking up on him. Ichigo didn't like being looked after like that.
Byakuya watched him enter the yard. Eyes followed him. He noticed that their feelings about him had changed over the last few days. Some still admired him, others were starting to resent him. The ones that showed animosity toward him were already on Byakuya's radar. They resorted to sneering, flashing rude gestures and mild bullying. Byakuya stopped it when he could, but he wasn't able to catch everything. They were getting annoyed by all the special attention their Captain and Lieutenant were giving him. His quick progress wasn't helping either.
"Good afternoon, Captain. Renji. Practicals today, right?"
"Yes. Everyone pair off." He saw a few devious looks cast in Ichigo's direction, "Renji, you have Kurosaki."
He chose Renji because he was certain the others would use the little experience they did have using kido to bully Ichigo more. However, doing so created a whole new problem. Complaints rose rapidly from several members.
"Silence!"
"Come on, Ichigo." Renji pulled his friend to a corner away from the other squad members.
"Maybe you should help someone else. I'm just visiting for a bit." Ichigo said, standing his ground. He didn't mind practicing on his own.
"Don't do us any favors, Kurosaki!" one member yelled.
"Tora!" Renji growled, the member looking sufficiently chastised.
"Just because your Captain's pet..." The accusation hung between them.
"Satsuki! That's enough!"
"It's okay, Renji." Ichigo assured him.
Satsuki pushed his way between the other members to face Ichigo.
"Captain's pet and Lieutenant Abarai's best friend. Are you capable of doing anything on your own?"
"I can manage quite a bit on my own." Ichigo answered, slightly offended that the man thought he was getting preferential treatment.
"I'll bet." He said, sarcasm heard very clear.
"Don't believe him?" Byakuya asked, surprised since most of the squad felt Ichigo's power spike the day he lost control during his meditation.
"Honestly, Captain. Not really."
"Were you not here when his power was released uncontrollably?"
"I was. That was one time. I don't think he can do that all the time. That was a fluke."
"A fluke?"
"Yes, Sir."
Renji and Byakuya shared a look, "Very well. Renji. I want you to spar with Satsuki. Everyone, out of the yard. You will show me what true power is."
Satsuki looked ecstatic. Not many were permitted to fight the seated officers. He saw this as the perfect opportunity to show them what he could really do. He was so undervalued and misunderstood. They never utilized him the way he should be. This was his chance to prove that he could be useful to them.
Renji had him beat in minutes.
"Satsuki, you have failed to defeat Lieutenant Abarai. What do you have to say for yourself?"
"I uh...I'm sorry, Captain."
"This is your last chance to show me true power. Draw your weapon."
"Against you, Captain?" Byakuya nodded, "I'm...I mean...I couldn't." Satsuki back-pedaled.
"Ichigo!"
"Captain?" Ichigo remembered to say.
"You will spar against Lieutenant Abarai next."
"About damn time," Renji cheered excitedly, pulling Zabimaru from its sheath again, "We haven't done this in ages."
Ichigo grinned, then looked to Byakuya. The noble understood what he was silently asking. Ichigo wanted to know his boundaries.
"Shikais only. You two tend to go too far even for a friendly competition."
Renji rolled his eyes, Aww, come on, Captain. You take all the fun out of it."
Byakuya gave him a pointed look, making sure he understood his restrictions.
They got into it immediately, conforming to their set boundaries as Byakuya instructed. They sparred on equal ground for nearly thirty minutes before Byakuya called the tie.
"You failed to beat, Lieutenant Abarai. Draw your weapon, Ichigo Kurosaki."
Byakuya stood, blade held at the ready. Ichigo smirked and drew Zangetsu again.
Satsuki stepped forward and pulled Ichigo's arm down, and away from his Captain.
"Are you nuts?" He asked, "You got a death wish or something?"
Before Ichigo could answer, the noble answered for him, "He's beaten me before."
Ichigo was stunned. It meant something that Byakuya admitted that fact. He was a noble clan leader and proud Captain of the Gotei Thirteen. Byakuya was doing something very noble for Ichigo by admitting that to one of his own subordinates. It made Ichigo admire the man even more.
Satsuki's eyes grew wide. Beat their Captain?
"You're just saying that." he said, his voice shaking.
Byakuya decided showing him would be more effective. He began, Ichigo following his lead. They played flash step games for a few minutes. The noble doubted the others could follow their movements. Onlookers couldn't tell who was faster. Satsuki grew angrier and more jealous as the minutes ticked away. Renji watched his brother-in-law and best friend spar, but also kept a close eye on Satsuki. They'd had this problem with the man before. He underestimated others. He had poor social skills. He was hoping this would get through to him.
Satsuki glared at Ichigo, following his movements as best he could. Ichigo Kurosaki didn't belong here. Not in the Seireitei and certainly not in the Soul Society. Just because he was a little lucky in keeping pace with their Captain and Lieutenant, he thought he was on the same level. He needed to be reminded of his place. He was a human. Nothing more.
As Ichigo flash stepped around, Satsuki circled their progress. He needed to be far enough away from Renji in order to exact his brand of justice. Once he was on the opposite side of the yard, feigning interest in Ichigo's fighting style, he waited and chose the right moment to interfere.
Byakuya sent off an attack, knowing Ichigo would easily dodge it as he had dozens of times before, but Satsuki used his kido to block Ichigo's escape in the opposite direction. So, Byakuya redirected his attack at the last second, allowing Ichigo to properly dodge his blades. If Satsuki was going to play unfairly, Byakuya would even the score by counteracting his interference. After three failed attempts to mess with Ichigo's flow, Satsuki lost his temper. Using an attack kido, he sent a fiery beam at the unsuspecting substitute soul reaper.
Byakuya dashed in front of it without thinking about what it meant and all but slapped it aside with his sword.
Satsuki stepped back, cowering under Byakuya's angry presence.
"Captain..."
"Enough," Ichigo stopped as Byakuya approached his disobedient squad member, "While Ichigo Kurosaki is here, he is a member of this squad. You will treat him with the same respect you give your fellow members. Attack him again without provocation and you will be suspended. "
"Captain..."
"Clearly you have learned nothing from this display of his power. He was instrumental in the winter war. He has saved more lives in the course of the last two years than I can even count, but that is not why he is here. Kurosaki is here to learn. I expected more from a member of my squad. You are dismissed."
Satsuki made to argue further, but Renji gave him the death stare. Any more resistance would not end well. Ichigo watched the dejected man leave.
"You didn't have to do that. I really don't care what he thinks...what any of them think."
"It is my duty as your mentor to teach you and protect you. I expect the same behavior of all my subordinates, including you. While you are here, you are to abide by the rules of this division and respect your fellow members."
Ichigo playfully saluted him, "Yes, Sir."
Byakuya kept a closer eye on Ichigo for the remaining weeks. Ichigo might not care what they thought of him or how they reacted toward him, but the noble did. He would make sure no one else caused him anymore trouble. One measure to ensure his safety was to always pair him with a seated officer, but he made certain to change his partner every day. Clearly, they thought pairing him with Renji was preferential treatment.
Byakuya watched proudly as Ichigo's kido skills progressed more and more each day. It was as Urahara said. Ichigo only had to be shown something once or twice and then he only got better and better with practice. The experience he gained over the following weeks was more than enough to strengthen his skills. He was timid at first, then gained confidence with each session. His kido was powerful too, just as the noble expected given his spiritual pressure, but because he mastered the incantations so perfectly and his dictation so flawless; his kido also displayed a sense of grace and beauty.
By the end of the three weeks, Ichigo was well on his way to perfecting his kido skills. Byakuya was very pleased with Ichigo's achievement. On the last day of training, Urahara was invited to witness the final test, which he passed with outstanding marks from both Byakuya and Kisuke.
"Well done, Ichigo. In fact, better than expected, as usual."
"Captain Urahara is correct. You have shown remarkable growth."
"And we both have you to thank, Kuchiki-kun." Urahara praised the noble.
"Think nothing of it. As his mentor, it is my pleasure to see my student succeed. I expect you to continue practicing even after you return to the World of the Living."
"I promise. I'll keep honing my skills. Maybe by the time I see you again, I'll be able to cast them without the words. I won't let my skills get rusty."
Byakuya nodded his approval, "If there is nothing else, I have a meeting with the clan elders."
They watched him dash away.
"You may return home now if you wish. Thank you for indulging me and my request."
"No problem, Kisuke. Anything for you after all you've done for me. Besides, I always wanted to learn."
"Tell your father and the others I send them my best."
"Will do. Thank you for everything. Both of you." He said to Kisuke and Renji, "Take care of yourselves."