Thanks to everyone for sticking with me despite my awful updating schedule. I'm trying to work through this now and not stop until it's finished. And I'm getting there!

I also edited chapter 13 a little, just because I was reading over it and wanted a bit more description. Just because I have very little focus.

Hope you like this chapter, let me know what you think!

Chapter 16: To The Sky

Kirara's fist pulled back from the wall, revealing the most minor of cracks in the Sekkiseki rock that made the tower she was imprisoned in. She inhaled a shaky breath, fighting back tears of pain as her knuckles sang with pain.

"You see why we can't get out? Your brute force is useless," she murmured as her eyes flickered, turning gold before reverting back to the usual blue.

'Tch. So boring,' the warped voice in her mind complained. 'Those idiots better get us out soon,' she grumbled. Kirara didn't respond, but agreed with her regardless. The suffocating force of the rocks that suppressed her Reiatsu was making her weaker and weaker, and what strength she had regained after returning to the Soul Society was starting to fade again.

And if her Hollow was starting to make comments, then it had to be getting bad.

Kirara watched the blood that ran down her fingers, trailing from the scrapes across her knuckles where she had struck the wall. She was glad for the pain; something different in the monotony of being stuck with a poor view.

"Ichigo's alive. Yoruichi is helping him, and Hirako too," Kirara murmured as the blood dripped from her fingertips. She let her hand fall to her side as the pain continued, helping keep her mind alert. "They'll succeed," she whispered, staring at the small crack in the wall.

Ichigo grunted, pushed backwards as yet another Zanpakuto shattered. He scowled at his Zanpakuto Spirit as Shinji and Yoruichi watched. Bored, Shinji was on his side, head in his hand as he yawned. Yoruichi was watching more intently.

"He now maintains his stance, even when his sword breaks," Yoruichi commented aloud, but her eyes betrayed her worry of the deadline approaching quickly.

"At least he's learning something. He might be able to pull this off...in ten years," Shinji snorted, and yelped when Yoruichi slammed her fist into his head. As the blond rubbed his head, Ichigo blocked Zangetsu's attack with another blade, and this time it didn't shatter on contact. When he countered, the sword shattered a rock as Zangetsu leapt into the air to avoid it. He thrust down, and his own sword snapped Ichigo's clean in half. The blade sailed through the air, and in his distraction, Ichigo let Zangetsu backhand him, hard enough that the boy slammed into a cliff nearby.

"Keep your eyes on the enemy," Zangetsu growled at him. "That's fifty-two," he counted.

"Ichigo..." Yoruichi murmured. "At the moment of impact, he adjusted to the enemy's speed and deflected the blade. Then, without slowing down, he shifted instantaneously to counterattack. Clearly, he no longer relies on the power of Zangetsu, his weapon. Shinji, you can't deny it," Yoruichi looked to Shinji, who was watching Ichigo as well. "He's absorbing it. With fearsome speed, at a fearsome level," she shook her head.

"Huh," Shinji didn't make any comment, simply watching. He agreed with her, of course. He wasn't stupid. He could see how quickly Ichigo was improving as he continued to fight his Zanpakuto Spirit, blood spilling from a cut across his cheek. Even now, he was making each blade last longer than the previous, adapting quickly to the different shapes and styles.

Ichigo's eyes widened as Zangetsu suddenly reverted back to the doll form that had harnessed the spirit, and crashed to the ground with a loud thud. Ichigo, baffled, looked around as Yoruichi leapt down, retying her hair.

"Lay down your sword, Ichigo. The first day is over," she told him.

"First day..." Shinji murmured, sitting up. Ichigo had made remarkable progress, and if anyone could achieve Bankai in three days, it was Ichigo. But he refused to get his hopes up. He wasn't going to rely on Ichigo gaining a new level of power over his own strength.

Getting to his feet, Shinji jumped down, joining the other two. Before long, he and Ichigo were in the Hot Spring, and Ichigo let out a relaxed sigh as his muscles lost their tension.

"I couldn't tell it was night, already," the orange-haired boy commented. "You can't tell time here, so you sure get disoriented," Ichigo mused.

"You were focused on fighting as well, so of course you're going to lose track of time," Shinji commented, leaning back against the rocks as water droplets fell from his hair. It had been a while since he'd enjoyed a hot spring, and his own tension from his brief fight with Byakuya slowly left his body. He glanced to the boy. "Looks like your injuries are healing nicely too," he pointed out. Ichigo frowned, and realised the cut across his cheek had healed. Even the ones across his torso were quickly fading, not even leaving a trace of a scar.

"What's with this hot spring!" he gasped, and laughed. "Awesome! It's awesome!" Shinji rolled his eyes. He'd forgotten, that for all Ichigo's strength and resolve, he was still just a kid. "I wonder what would happen if I drank it," he grinned, and took a gulp.

"Ichigo," they looked around at Yoruichi. "How's the bath?" he asked. Ichigo made some kind of unintelligible response, mouth still full of water. "Really? That's good. Then I'll join you..." Ichigo choked and spat out the water in his mouth, all over Shinji, who let out a yell.

"That's disgusting!" he complained, but Ichigo didn't hear him, yelling protests to Yoruichi.

"Are you nuts?! What are you doing?!" he demanded as the former Captain just laughed.

"Aw, what's wrong?" she asked innocently.

"Plenty's wrong! And why do you take off your pants first?!" Ichigo demanded, his face turning redder than before, and not just from the heat of the water. Shinji purposely kept his gaze on the far wall, leaning forwards on the edge on the spring.

"You always react exactly as expected. You're so naïve," Yoruichi teased. "You don't hear Shinji complaining," she commented.

"That's because I know better than to rise to your teasing," Shinji told her flatly, but his own face was starting to go red. Yoruichi just laughed more.

"No, you'd just prefer it if I was a little shorter...with blue eyes and a cute face...and a bit of an attitude problem," Yoruichi's words made him close his eyes as his face flared red. He tried to keep such thoughts away as Ichigo screamed at Yoruichi not to come in, before hearing a light splash.

"There's no problem now, is there?" Yoruichi asked in her male voice, back in cat form as she swam past Ichigo. The boy cracked open his fingers to peer out, his cheeks bright red as he stared at her. "What? Are you a little disappointed? Be honest, you creep!" she teased him.

"I'm gonna drown you!" Ichigo snarled at her.

"Just be grateful she changed forms to preserve your innocence," Shinji turned back, a little relieved himself. Yoruichi chuckled.

"You wouldn't be saying that if-"

"Keep that up and I'll drown you myself," Shinji snapped at her, his eyes narrowed. Ichigo blinked at him, a little confused as Shinji's blushing returned, spreading to his ears. Yoruichi just kept chuckling, and Shinji was once again reminded of a time long ago, when she would insist on hanging around his office making comments. "Urgh, you're a pain too," he muttered, leaning back at looking up at the ceiling.

'You say too', like you don't care for Kirara,' the gentle, female voice spoke softly.

'Shut it, Sakanade. We're already discussed this once today. I'm not going back over the same damn topic,' he shot back irritably.

'Only because you're worried for her, Shinji,' despite the gentle voice, Sakanade took no prisoners, not even her master. Shinji didn't respond to her, stubbornly remaining silent as he idly lifted a hand from the water to scratch where a long scar lay, too old and deep for the hot spring's healing water to make it disappear like Ichigo's. He then gave a soft sigh, closing his eyes.

'Dammit,' he let out a quiet sigh.

"Hey, Orihime, right?" the grey-eyed girl jumped at the voice, snapped from her thoughts. She looked around at the taller woman, who, other than the little girl Lieutenant, was the only female of the division. She seemed to suit the squad, with natural muscles that suited her, and a pretty face that wasn't beautiful, nor cute, but a smile would easily make her light up. She always seemed to keep a hand on her Zanpakuto at her side, which, despite having been in the Seireitei for several days now, was odd to see. Orihime was used to seeing Ichigo's massive Zanpakuto, which was as large as him. Natsuki's was the size of a normal katana.

"Y-yes," Orihime turned away from the window, and saw the food in Natsuki's hands.

"Figured you'd want some dinner," Natsuki shrugged, and Orihime watched her, surprised at the awkwardness of the woman.

"Thank you," the orange-haired girl smiled at her, and Natsuki shrugged again as she handed it over. "You're Kirara's friend too, right?" she asked, curious. Natsuki frowned a little, hesitant. After her initial vow to help save Kirara, the blonde had become a little awkward around her.

"Yeah. Has been since we were kids," Natsuki nodded. Orihime's smile grew as she took a seat, inviting Natsuki to do the same. "I thought she was dead for a century, and now she's back and..."

"We'll get her out. You should believe in Ichigo," Orihime smiled at her, and Natsuki frowned.

"He had the strength for his fight with Captain Zaraki to come to a draw. He survived and challenged Captain Kuchiki an hour later. But three days for him to become strong enough to save Kirara..." she glanced away.

"I believe in Ichigo. We'll save Kirara, just like she helped save me from my brother's Hollow," Orihime told her confidently. Natsuki didn't reply immediately, but found herself smiling at Orihime's infectious positivity. "Kirara is my friend and I want to help her too," she said to Natsuki, determined once again to help the girl who had been her classmate for several months.

"Thanks, Orihime," her determined look gave way to surprise at Natsuki's grateful words. "For a century, I felt like I was the only one who cared about what had happened to her. And then when she was brought back alive, and sentenced to be executed without a chance for me to find out what happened to her, it's...it's driving me crazy," Natsuki shook her head, and gave a wry smile. "That's why I helped Ichigo, Ganju and Hirako to try and rescue her. Even though we failed, there's still hope," Orihime nodded.

"Right," she agreed, and took a bite of her onigiri. "Delicious! You know what would make this even better? Peanut butter!" Orihime exclaimed, her grey eyes shining. Natsuki's smile faded.

"Peanut...butter?" she repeated. The human girl nodded eagerly, and after a moment, Natsuki found herself laughing. She leaned forwards, laughing so hard it hurt her stomach, and tears lingered in the corners of her eyes. "You're weird, Orihime," Natsuki told her, and Orihime tilted her head, blinking.

"Kirara told me that too when I suggested it," she commented idly, which only made Natsuki laugh more.

The sun was just starting to rise, and with it so did Ichigo. As he started his warm-ups, preparing to continue his Bankai training, Shinji yawned, fixing his tie and running a hand through his hair. He'd not had a decent night's sleep in some time, and the small room that he, Ichigo and Yoruichi had been resting in was far from cosy.

Sitting down on a rock, Shinji dismissed those thoughts. There'd be plenty of time for rest later, when they'd escaped the Soul Society. Until then, he needed to be ready himself. He'd avoided fighting at first to maintain an element of secrecy, not wanting to let the Gotei 13 he was back. If the Captain-Commander discovered that he and Yoruichi had returned, security would have become much more intense, and the urgency to capture the Ryoka all the greater. Not that it mattered now. Both of the former Captains had revealed themselves to Captain Ukitake, so no doubt the Captain-Commander knew by now that they were alive, and back in the Seireitei. Assuming he hadn't already gathered, considering Kirara's arrest.

Now his mind was more focused on Sosuke Aizen's 'death'. Just what was he planning? Shinji leaned forwards, scratching at his head again as he thought about it. There was no way the sociopath had been assassinated by someone. Not with his own Zanpakuto. While the invading Ryoka made excellent scapegoats to pin the murder on, it was just too unbelievable to someone who had already been betrayed by the man.

"Oi! Yoruichi!" Shinji opened his eyes at Ichigo's shout. The boy was ready and waiting to start his second day of training, but his teacher was nowhere to be found. Shinji watched the impatient boy, who was looking around with his usual scowl, before lifting his own Zanpakuto and resting it across his lap.

'Considering releasing me in the upcoming fight? My, you must be worried,' Sakanade instantly responded to him, teasing in her gentle voice.

'Or is it me that you're considering releasing on these idiots?' the other voice asked, sounding delighted at the idea. Shinji resisted a heavy sigh. 'Always so serious, but you know with my help, we can destroy this place, brick by brick! We'll get her back, and rip the heads off any who get in our way!' his Hollow declared, cackling with glee.

"Yoruichi! Get out here!" Ichigo roared, losing all patience.

"Would you shut your mouth?!" Shinji snapped before he could reign in his fraying temper. Ichigo looked over at him, ready to argue back, but paused as he saw the flash of gold in Shinji's eyes. His scowl lessened in his confusion, and Shinji turned his head, working to regain total control.

"Now now boys, behave," Yoruichi drawled as she finally strolled up. "Shinji, stop your fussing. We'll get her out and you can stop being so grouchy," she smiled at him. Shinji glowered at her as Ichigo's scowl returned.

"Would you hurry up? I've been waiting for you to start training," he complained.

"Yes, yes," Yoruichi rolled her eyes.

Closing his eyes again, Shinji focused on Sakanade; not on the murderous, Hollow version of himself, who had started becoming vocal again after Kirara was arrested. He took in a slow breath, not about to let him win, no matter his vows.

'Amusing, isn't it? How he is just as eager to get her back as you are,' Sakanade mused.

'Do we have to do this?' Shinji asked, irritated.

'You've been ignoring me on the matter for a hundred years, Shinji. Yes, we have to do this,' the Spirit replied, chuckling.

'Any other Spirit wouldn't feel the need to dwell on the topic,' Shinji sighed. 'So why do you?' he asked her. Sakanade laughed at him. He opened his eyes, and the young woman in a golden Egyptian dress brushed his hair from his face. Her own black hair was braided out of her face while left loose around her shoulders, and gold flecks painted her face.

'You say that, but are you so sure that Kirara's Zanpakuto isn't the same?' she asked with a smile. Shinji didn't reply, watching her with an irritated expression. 'You forget as well, I'm part of you, and you me. Any need to dwell on the subject, comes from you,' Shinji's eyes narrowed as his skin began to warm at her insinuations.

"Can we just do this already?" he growled, getting to his feet. Sakanade smiled as she straightened up, almost reaching his height as gold bands jingled around her skinny wrists and ankles.

'Of course, my lord,' she gave a mocking bow, and as she straightened up, Sakanade brought with her a long narrow sword with holes lined along the blade. Her hand rested in the middle of a ring that served in the place of a hand, and as the sword began to spin, purple mist poured from it. 'Let's see how well you handle your inverted world now,' she challenged him as his inner world, already upside down, seemed to turn right-side up. The smallest of smirks tugged at his mouth. This would provide the distraction he needed.

Natsuki watched with an almost childlike expression as several small lights flew around the room.

"So this is your power? How strange," Natsuki commented as the lights revealed themselves to be small fairies. "And for a human to have powers in the first place..." she muttered. "What do they do?" she asked, curious.

"Ayame, Shun'o," Orihime guided two of the fairies to Natsuki, and she blinked at them as they smiled at her. "Soten Kisshun, I reject," two two fairies summoned their power, hovering over Natsuki's still healing wounds. Her eyes widened as the injuries she'd sustained in her brief fight with Byakuya vanished without even a hint of a scar.

"Whoa..." was all she could say as she stared at her arm. "Even old scars are gone...that's crazy," Natsuki looked up at Orihime. "It's incredible! That far outweighs what any in Squad 4 can do. I don't think even Captain Unohana could beat you in healing," she laughed. Orihime blushed scarlet at the praise.

"It's not much, but if I can keep my friends safe..." she shrugged.

"You crazy? It's amazing!" Natsuki exclaimed, unwilling to let Orihime put herself down. Orihime's blushing grew. "I mean, Squad 11 have never been known for appreciating healers, but I know that without them, we'd be in a lot worse a place," Natsuki chuckled.

"Thank you," Orihime smiled as the fairies returned to her hair clip that kept her hair from her face.

"I feel ready to kick some ass!" Natsuki laughed as she jumped to her feet. "Where's Ikka and Yumi, I gotta..." she trailed off as a Hell Butterfly flew in, fluttering towards her. Reaching up, Natsuki let it settle on her finger, and her eyes widened. The laughter hadn't completely died from her face as she sank to the ground, going pale.

"Natsuki? What's wrong?" Orihime stood, worried about her as Natsuki stared at the ground.

"No..." she whispered as the butterfly flew off out the window again, completely unassuming.

Uh oh, what's happening now?

Hope you liked it!

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