Hello, peoples. I'm back with another chapter. What you may ask, another chapter, call the presses, tell them it's the end of the world, Astronomy's not only posted more than once a year, but three times in two weeks. Impossible, I know.
So, I've been busting my butt writing this to post just two days after my last update(technically, it's 11:56pm where I am). I've looked at the polls and it's leaning rather heavily to having me add Rangiku to Ichigo's harem and having him sleep with multiple woman. So, if you haven't voted, do it. If you've got an account, then just click my profile name and look at the very top of the page, seriously, it would take all of ten seconds to vote and have your voice heard. This chapter has a lot more stuff happening in it, so if you were bored of just dialog, then you might enjoy this chapter more. Also, there are two pervy parts in it. Not actually lemons or limes, but definitely pervy. Aside from commenting and telling me what you think and if you'd like to make a request for something, I think that's it. Enjoy.
Chapter 5
"Regular Speech"
"Thoughts"
"Hollow Speech"
Techniques
Ichigo was pissed, no he was beyond pissed, he fucking furious. He had shed blood, sweat, and tears for Soul Society, and how do they repay him, by threatening him with death unless he worked for them. What made it worse was that planned on working for them anyway, but they ruined it when they FORCED him to do it. Some may have thought that it was a great honor to be named a captain and Ichigo could easily sympathize with that belief. He didn't actually mind being a captain. If the Soul Society was still willing to let him live his life as a human, he wouldn't mind being a captain, but the fact that they had threatened him and indirectly his friends and family was unforgivable.
"Dammit." cursed Ichigo angrily as he walked around the Seireitei.
"What wrong with you?" said Rukia, coming up from behind him.
"Huh, oh, hey, Rukia, what are you doing out here?"
"I was just delivering some letters for Captain Ukitake, now you can answer my question. What's got you so pissed off?" asked Rukia.
Snorting in derision, Ichigo said, "Soul Society and their hypocrite leaders."
"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Rukia, confused.
"It means that the head captain wants to make me a captain to protect me from those bastards on the Council," answered Ichigo.
"Wait, a captain! They want to make you a captain?" exclaimed Rukia, shocked.
"Yeah, what of it?" asked Ichigo, still bitter.
"You're complaining about being made a captain? Ichigo, there are thousands of others who'd kill to be in the position you're in, myself included. Being made a captain is the greatest honor that the Court Guard Squads can possibly give you, how could you even think about complaining about something like that?" questioned Rukia, aghast.
Turning towards her, Ichigo said, "I'm not angry about being made a captain; I'm angry about why they did it. They didn't say it directly, but it all equated down to them saying that if I didn't become a captain and tie myself to the Soul Society, then Central 46 would try to kill me."
"What?!" exclaimed Rukia angrily. "How could they do that after everything you've done or the Soul Society?"
"Apparently, it's because I'm a 'threat' to them because of my hollow powers and loose affiliation with Soul Society," answered Ichigo bitterly.
Frowning, Rukia said, "Well, it could have been worse. They could have tried kidnapping one of your sisters and forcing you to work for them."
That turned out to be the wrong thing to say. Immediately a wave of overwhelming pressure slammed Rukia to the ground. She couldn't breathe; she couldn't think. All she could feel was an all consuming pressure crushing her, squeezing her soul out of existence. Nothing could compare to what she was feeling now, every hollow, every soul reaper, even all the captain combined couldn't come close to power she felt now. She tried exerting her own spiritual pressure to try and counteract the one crushing her, but it was lost in the over powering force surrounding her.
Ichigo hadn't realized he had lost his focus and was letting a small portion of his spiritual pressure out and it was affecting Rukia. All he was thinking about was what he would do to those bastards on the Council if they ever third to hurt his friends and family. When he noticed Rukia on the ground gasping and shaking in fear, he was horrified and immediately suppressed his power. It took several moments, but eventually Rukia stopped shaking began breathing normally again. Ichigo then picked her up and carried her to a nearby bench where he sat down and laid her down on his lap.
Rukia woke up a few minuted later.
"Wha-What happened?" she asked as she looked up at Ichigo's worried face.
"You fainted," he said, concern written all across his face.
"Fainted?" she said softly, rubbing her head. "Yeah, I remember; I felt this force like nothing else I've ever felt before. I couldn't do anything against it, it just consumed me; and I-I just couldn't take it anymore. It felt so vast, almost infinite, more than even the captains combined have."
Ichigo grimaced at hearing her description his spiritual pressure. As she stared into space, thinking about what had happened, Ichigo resolved to do better when controlling he spiritual pressure.
"Will you be alright?" asked Ichigo, still worried.
Snapping out of her stupor, Rukia responded, "Uh, Yeah, I'll be fine now, it's just th-, hey, wait a minute," she said, getting up from Ichigo's lap. "Why weren't you affected by that pressure? You should've at least been on your knees gasping for air?" demanded Rukia.
Sighing, Ichigo said, "I wasn't affected because it was my own spiritual pressure. When you mentioned that they could've taken Yuzu and Karin, I lost my temper and let a portion of my spiritual pressure leak. I'm sorry," he apologized.
"What? That's not possible. The pressure I felt had more power than anything I've ever felt, even more than the captain. I know you're powerful, but there's no way it could have been you," said Rukia as she climbed to her feet, still a little wobbly.
Ichigo then released a much smaller portion of his spiritual pressure to prove he was telling the truth. Rukia was immediately pushed flat against the ground, unable to even push herself on to her knees, but she at least didn't go into shock and faint like last time.
Gasping and struggling to breathe, Rukia couldn't believe it, though it was much less than before, this was the same pressure that overwhelmed her just moments before, and now that she looked, she could feel Ichigo's reiryoku permeating the air around her.
Letting up again, Ichigo helped Rukia struggle to her feet. Looking at him in shock and wonder, she asked simply, "How?"
Smiling grimly, Ichigo said, "It's a long story that I'll tel you as were walking to where ever you needed to go."
"Alright, lets go,"
As they were walking, Ichigo told Rukia about his fight with Aizen and all the changes that happened to him because of it, even teleporting when she wanted proof.
"Wow, just, wow. I always knew you were powerful, but to be that powerful..., it's massive responsibility" she said, turning towards him.
Frowning, Ichigo said, "Yeah, I know. For the next week I'm going to be training to suppress my power. The hogyoku sealed away over 99 percent of my power, leaving me with about half a percent, I then had Zangetsu seal away as much as he could from what was left. If whatever small amounts I have left after all that was able to overwhelm you like it did, then I'm going to have to train hard to make sure I don't hurt the people I care about."
Nodding, Rukia said, "Were here," as they stopped at the R/D department.
"Here?" said Ichigo incredulously.
"Yeah, what's wrong?" asked Rukia, curious.
"Nothing, it's just that when I was at the captain's meeting, Kurotsuchi wasn't my biggest fan. If I remember, he wanted to open me up and dissect me when I proved I could teleport," said Ichigo.
Rukia grimaced, "Yeah, that sounds like him. Most people think he's not all there in the head if you know what I mean, but there's no disputing the contributions he's made to Soul Society. That's probably the only reason he's stayed a captain with his less than sociable personality."
"What was that about a less than sociable personality?" asked a voice behind them.
Gasping and turning quickly, Rukia stared into the face of the before mentioned captain.
"Uh, Captain Kurotsuchi, um, uh, I came to deliver some papers from squad 13 for you," she said, sweating nervously.
"That wasn't what I asked. I asked what you meant by a less than sociable personality," said Kurotsuchi with a mad grin. It was clear he knew what he was doing to Rukia and he was enjoying it.
This didn't sit well with Ichigo who wasn't happy at Kurotsuchi bullying Rukia. Frowning, he said, "I meant that you have no friends and no one likes you."
Scowling angrily, Kurotsuchi said, "I'll have you know that I have many friends, and I am well liked amongst them. Anyone with the slightest sense could have seen that you insufferable brat."
"Bullshit. The only friends you have are the ones you built yourself," scoffed Ichigo.
Snarling, Kurotsuchi said, "Give me the papers girl and be on your way. I have no time to deal with intolerable degenerates like you two."
Being quite pale, Rukia handed the papers quickly to the captain and was about to leave when Ichigo said.
"Hold on. There's something I need you to do for me first."
Snorting, Kurotsuchi asked derisively, "And what possibly makes you believe that I would do something for you?"
"I need you to register me, so I can open senkaimon. And I'm sure you'll be able to get some valuable research material while you're doing it," responded Ichigo.
Kurotsuchi immediately stopped. It was clear he was having an internal battle. On one hand he was helping someone he viewed as a nuisance, on the other he would be getting highly valuable information. In the end, the scientist in him won out and begrudgingly said.
"Fine, I'll register you. In return, I want you to teleport in to the building."
Not even bothering to question the odd request, seeing as the entrance was just a few feet in front of them, Ichigo grabbed Kurotsuchi's arm and outstretched his other towards Rukia.
"You coming?" he asked.
"No, that's alright. I have something else I need to do. You can come and find me when you're done," she replied.
Shrugging his shoulder, Ichigo said, "Alright, I'll meet up with you later then," before disappearing with Kurotsuchi.
Rukia just stared at the spot Ichigo had been just a moment before and shook her head. "I really should just stop trying to understand all the stuff that happens to him," she said before disappearing in flash step.
Ichigo and Kurotsuchi appeared in the blink of an eye.
Grinning like a mad man, Kurotsuchi said, "Incredible. It really was teleportation."
"Yeah, that's what Kisuke said too," answered Ichigo nonchalantly.
"Psh. That fool knows nothing. The walls of this building are inlaid with seki-seki stone, along with many machines that block reiryoku from entering or leaving. This makes it impossible to flash step, sonido, or use any other movement technique that transverses a set space to either leave or enter this building. Teleportation is unique though. Unlike other movement techniques that transverse a set amount space, teleportation doesn't, instead it somehow reduces the space between two locations to zero, allowing instantaneous travel, no matter the distance," said Kurotsuchi, fascinated.
"Hm," said Ichigo, not really paying attention.
Glaring angrily, Kurotsuchi said, "My words are wasted on an ingrate that can't appreciate them."
Frowning slightly at the insult, Ichigo said, "Lets just get my zanpakuto registered, so I can be on my way and you can study what ever it is you study."
"Follow me then," said Kurotsuchi, wanting to get to studying Ichigo's unique abilities as soon as possible.
When they arrived at a machine, Kurotsuchi said, "Give me you zanpakuto."
Nodding, Ichigo focused and watched as his zanpakuto appeared in his hands, causing Kurotsuchi's eyes to widen slightly in surprise, but holding off on questions till later.
Ichigo handed Kurotsuchi his zanpakuto and was surprised when he immediately dropped it.
"What'd you do that for?" asked Ichigo angrily.
"You idiot. I didn't drop it on purpose. It was heavier than I thought it'd be." growled Kurotsuchi angrily, reaching down to pick up the sword.
Kurotsuchi tried lifting the sword back up, but despite his efforts, couldn't move it an inch.
"This doesn't make sense. It's as if I'm trying to move a lead weight, but it doesn't show any effect on the floor from when I dropped it. If it really was as heavy as it appears, it'd no doubt crack the floor," said Kurotsuchi, gnashing his teeth at the unsolved problem.
Confused as to what Kurotsuchi meant, Ichigo bent down and picked up his sword as easily as if it weighed no more than a feather.
"But it appears as if you can lift it with no noticeable effort. Could this be an ability of your zanpakuto or a change from your fight with Aizen," mused Kurotsuchi.
"Drop it on the floor again, boy," demanded Kurotsuchi.
"What?" asked Ichigo, surprised at the request.
"You heard me, drop it on the ground from waist height. If it's as heavy as it felt, it'll damage the floor, if not then it's something else," responded Kurotsuchi, irritated.
Ichigo still thought it was a dumb idea, but complied none the less, willing to do anything to get done faster.
Ichigo's sword dropped and clattered on the floor, sending the rings it made throughout the room, but failing to do any damage to the floor.
"Alright, it might have scratched the floor, but that's hardly cracking it," said Ichigo. "Are you sure you're not just weak?" he asked, enjoying the look of derision appearing on Kurotsuchi's face.
Scoffing, Kurotsuchi called out, "Nemu, you worthless girl, come her now."
"Yes, Captain Kurotsuchi," responded Nemu in a monotone.
Ichigo frowned and asked, "Is this how you treat all your subordinates?"
"What of it concerns you? Nemu is my creation and I will treat her how I please," answered Kurotsuchi derisively.
Getting angry, Ichigo all but shouted, "If you created her, then you're essentially her father! How could you treat your own flesh and blood so badly? It's evil!"
Scoffing, Kurotsuchi ignored him and said, "Nemu, pick up that boy's zanpakuto up from the ground."
"Yes, Captain," said Nemu tonelessly as she attempted the task she had been given.
Nemu bent down and took hold of Zangetsu's hilt and tried to lift it, but just as with Kurotsuchi, failed to move it an inch.
"I'm sorry, Captain, but I can't lift it," said Nemu.
"You worthless girl, get out of here, you're no good to me," said Kurotsuchi angrily.
"Yes, Captain," she said as she quickly left the room.
Grinding his teeth at the lieutenants treatment, but knowing he couldn't do anything about it, Ichigo waited for Kurotsuchi to say something.
"This proves it," said Kurotsuchi gleefully. "There is something special about your zanpakuto hat makes it impossible to lift for anyone but you. I'll research this phenomenon when you leave, but for now, you'll put your zanpakuto in here and allow your reiryoku to flow through it," said Kurotsuchi, pointing to a small alcove in the machine they were standing in front of.
Nodding, Ichigo lifted his zanpakuto off the ground and pushed the blade into position. Then, allowing his reiryoku to flow through the blade without accumulating, Ichigo was shocked when the machine started smoking moments before something in it exploded.
Coughing from the smoke now filling the room, Ichigo was left unmarred, but Kurotsuchi was covered in burns with the remains of his haori falling to the ground around him in ashes.
"YOU IDIOT!" screamed Kurotsuchi. "WHAT DID YOU DO!?"
"I did what you told me to do! It's not my fault that what you told me was wrong!" shouted back Ichigo.
"I told you to allow your reiryoku to flow, not push in an exorbitant amount and blow up the machine,' countered Kurotsuchi.
"I didn't push any in in the first place. All I did was allow my reiryoku to flow through my blade for the machine to read. I didn't do anything else," responded Ichigo.
"Hm, well, regardless of what happened, now that the machine is destroyed, I can't register you before rebuilding it and until I know what wet wrong, I won't register you. So, consider yourself out of luck," said Kurotsuchi spitefully.
"Hey, that's not fair, how am I supposed to come to Soul Society if I can't open senkaimon?" asked Ichigo angrily.
"Not my problem, now get out," said Kurotsuchi, walking away.
Growling, Ichigo stormed off though the exit.
Watching him go, Kurotsuchi cracked an insane grin. Kurotsuchi knew Ichigo had done nothing wrong, the machine just couldn't accept his power. As to why, he didn't know, but one thing was certain, Kurotsuchi had gotten a lot research material from this encounter and he was more than willing to study it.
Back outside:
Ichigo was pissed again, this time though, solely at Kurotsuchi. The bastard just loved fucking him over.
"Great, now am I supposed enter Soul Society?" asked Ichigo angrily to no one in particular.
Not coming up with anything, Ichigo decided to go to Rukia, maybe she'd have an idea.
"Alright, lets see...," thought Ichigo to himself as he widened his newfound sensing skills out, trying to find Rukia's signature.
Sensing in Soul Society, where everything was made of reishi, was a lot different than sensing in the human world, where the opposite held true. In the human world, everything had been colorless with objects being defined by a glowing outline that signified there soul and the reiryoku they let off. Unlike there though, here, everything was in color and if it wasn't for the fact that he was able to 'see' everything above, below, and around him for miles around, he could have mistaken what he saw as coming from his own eyes.
Despite sensing thousands of souls around him, ranging form low level soul reapers, to seated officers, and even just inanimate objects like the multitude of stones that covered the land, Ichigo was somehow able to pinpoint Rukia a mile or two away in almost an instant.
Getting ready to teleport to her, Ichigo took note of what she was doing. She was carrying a small box wrapped up in a ribbon. He knew he shouldn't, but if given the opportunity, how many people could resist. Curiosity over taking him, Ichigo tried to look beyond the box specifically to get a good look at what was hidden within. Suffice to say though, it worked a little to well.
Blood immediately started flowing from Ichigo's nose as he beheld Rukia in all her nude glory. Apparently, he hadn't looked beyond just the box, which he noticed contained a white sash, but also Rukia's clothing. He could see her small B-cup breasts and her shaved slit in all their perfection. If anyone found out he could do this, godlike power or not, he wouldn't last a week.
Immediately pulling back, so that Rukia and the sash were covered again, Ichigo teleported away towards them, leaving nothing more than his footprints behind.
Appearing suddenly in front of her, Rukia jumped in surprise and dropped the box she had been carrying.
"Ichigo, you idiot, you startled me," she said slapping him on the arm.
"Oh, sorry about that. You just said to come and find you after I was done with Kurotsuchi,so I did."
"Hm, Yeah, well, you could have appeared a little farther away; you almost gave me a heart attack," she said grumpily,picking up the fallen box.
Looking back up at him, she asked, "Hey, why is there blood on your face?"
"Um, I got a nose bleed," Ichigo, not meeting Rukia's eyes
"How? I thought you were nigh indestructible now." she asked again.
"Um, well, it's not important right now," responded Ichigo, sweat slowly rolling down his face.
Luckily, Rukia dropped it and asked.
"So, how'd it go with Captain Kurotsuchi, did you get yourself registered to use senkaimon?" she asked, walking again, Ichigo strolling along right next to her.
"No, there was a problem and the machine exploded," answered Ichigo, happy for the change of topic.
"What?" asked Rukia in surprise. "What happened?"
Ichigo then told her what had happened in the R/D department and his current problem.
"Hm, well, I'm sorry to say, but I don't know what to tell you. The senkaimon is the only way into Soul Society and if you can't open one, then I don't know," she said slowly, trying to think of a solution.
"Oh, well then, I'll ask Kisuke if he has any ideas then," said Ichigo.
"That's good then. Oh, I also got you a present, you know, for being made a captain," said Rukia, smiling and holding out the box for Ichigo to take.
Alright, now he felt kind of guilty. He'd thought that the obvious present was for someone other than himself and now he felt bad for having spoiled the surprise.
Never the less, Ichigo took the present and opened it, fake curiosity coupled with fake surprise at seeing the white sash within covering his face.
"A sash, wow, thanks, Rukia," said Ichigo earnestly. He may have known what the present was already, but that didn't mean he wasn't grateful for it.
"No problem, you deserve it. Even if you weren't made a captain for the right reasons, you have the makings of a great captain in you," responded Rukia, happy that he liked her gift.
"Honestly, I'm still not sure I'll like being a captain. I mean, I hear a bunch of the captains complaining nonstop about how much work it is. Do you actually think I'm cut out for it, Rukia?" he asked, slightly nervous as to what he was getting himself into.
"Of course I do, you big idiot. If there was anyone I'd choose to be a captain, it'd definitely be you," answered Rukia, knocking Ichigo on the arm for his own self doubt.
"Heh, thanks, Rukia," said Ichigo, a small grin on his face.
"Hey, look at this way, just imagine Renji's face when he finds out. He's been trying to become a captain for decades," said Rukia, trying to raise Ichigo's spirits.
Grin widening, Ichigo said, "Yeah, with that to look forward to, how could I not want to become a captain."
"See, that's the spirit, just focus on Renji's face and you'' be fine," said Rukia, grinning too.
"Well, I hate to cut this short, but I think it's about time I got back home, so I'll see you later, Rukia," said Ichigo apologetically.
"That's alright, I'll see you at your inauguration," said Rukia before flash stepping away.
In much higher spirits than when he left the captain's meeting, Ichigo started walking to the senkaimon gate.
Urahara Shop:
"KISUKE, I'M BACK!" yelled Ichigo upon stepping out of the senkaimon, grinning at the punishment he was about to give the shopkeeper for tricking him.
Kicking open the door, Ichigo walked in and shouted to know one in particular, "Where is he?"
"Who are you referring to, Ichigo," said Yoruichi, closing the door behind him.
"Yoru-, Ahhhh, put some clothes on! Why are you such an exhibitionist" shouted Ichigo, covering his eyes.
Yoruichi was laying on the table in her birthday suit with her ample breasts hanging off over the edge, giving Ichigo pouting look.
"Ah, Ichigo, I'm not an exhibitionist; I'm sexy. Why do you always have to be like that, no one else has a problem with my appearance. If I didn't know any better I'd say you thought I was ugly," she said, crying crocodile tears.
"What!? No, it's not that, it's just that, well, um," stuttered Ichigo, falling for her ruse..
Getting off the table and strutting towards him, being sure to keep her legs widespread enough to offer just a hint of what was hidden there, Yoruichi slowly approached Ichigo, swaying her hips in a slow, intoxicating motion for good measure.
"Ah, are you embarrassed, Ichigo. Don't worry, you're a growing teenager an it's only natural that you'd want to take a peak. Go ahead, I won't mind, I promise," she said, breathing the last word huskily into Ichigo's ear while he kept his eyes covered.
Then snaking back around to his front, being sure to rub her body against certain parts of his anatomy, whispered, "I can see you peeking."
As if he'd been shocked, Ichigo jolted at being discovered so easily, but stayed rooted to the same spot, unable to run and take a much needed cold shower.
Taking it a step further, Yoruichi wrapped one of her legs around Ichigo's immobile body and pushed her groin into Ichigo's.
Then grinning, suggestively said, "I can see someones happy. I could take care of it for you, you know?"
Suddenly regaining control of his, Ichigo jolted and back pedaling, crashed into several boxes as he began stuttering.
"I-I have to go, now, um uh, to the training room. Y-You should stay here and-and."
Not even bothering to finish sentence, Ichigo made a beeline for the training room beneath the store.
Standing alone once again, Yoruichi lowered her leg back to the ground and smirked.
"It's only a matter of time now," she said, grinning.
"Yep, you certainly have him in the bag," said Urahara, popping his head out of a large ceramic pot. "Thanks again for helping me out. I can always count on Ichigo to start running when he sees your body."
Growing a tick mark, Yoruichi said, "So, Ichigo runs when he sees my body, huh?"
For all his smarts, Urahara could be pretty stupid at times, times such as when he said, "Yeah, he wouldn't come within 100 ft of you with a body like that."
Tick mark growing bigger, Yoruichi said, "So, you're saying I'm ugly then?"
Realizing too late, Urahara's eyes widened as he said, "Damn."
Down in the Training Room:
Ichigo was sitting on one of the many boulders that populated the training room, trying desperately to get the even that had just transpired out of his head when he heard Yoruichi's voice form above.
"Oh, Ichigo, I have a present for you. I promise you'll like it," she said in a sing song voice from up in the store.
Ichigo feared the worse when he looked up at Yoruichi, only for his face to change to confusion when he saw her. She was still nude of course, causing Ichigo to immediately blush, but what caught his attention was that she was also carrying a big ceramic pot that seemed to be shaking.
Seeing his face, Yoruichi grinned and dropped the pot the 60 or so feet to the bottom where it shattered, revealing Urahara with the pot's lid sitting on his head.
"Yoruichi, I said I'm sorry. You have an amazing body that any man would want. Please, you have to protect me; you can't let him fi-."
Urahara stopped as he saw Yoruichi pointing soundlessly to an area behind him.
Growing pale, he said, "He's behind me isn't he?"
Grinning even wider, Yoruichi soundlessly nodded.
Turning mechanically, Urahara stared in horror at Ichigo who had teleported behind him when he realized who it was.
A cheshire grin slowly spreading across his face, Ichigo said, "Hello, Kisuke, it's time for my foot to meet your ass."
10 minutes later:
Urahara was lying on the ground in a fetal position.
"I feel violated," he sobbed pathetically.
"Don't give me that shit. I hardly touched you. You kept using those stupid gigais of yours to escape my foot," scoffed Ichigo.
"It still hurt to watch. My poor gigai weren't meant to suffer that kind of abuse," responded Urahara.
"Well, next time don't make me the ass end of one of your pranks," responded Ichigo.
"But it was funny," whined Urahara, finally dragging himself out of the dirt.
"Yeah, and it was funny when I kicked your ass into that rock."
As if he'd never been hurt in the first place, Urahara hopped up and said, "It was worth it. Your face when those alarms went off was priceless."
"Psh. Whatever. I've got some questions for you that I need you to answer," said Ichigo, trying to move along to more important matters.
"Oh, and what would those be?" asked Urahara.
Ichigo then told him what had happened during his time in the Soul Society.
"So they made you a captain. Can't say I'm surprised. Central 46 is ruthless when it comes to things they view as threats. Just look at me and the vizord," said Urahara, musing over the information he had just been given.
"Yeah, and I wasn't able to get registered to use senkaimon; any idea how to go about that?" asked Ichigo.
"Hm, well, aside from me opening one for you when ever you need to go, not really. Try asking your zanpakuto, he might know something," suggested Urahara.
"Alright, I can do that," said Ichigo as he sat down in preparation for jinzen.
Summoning his sword, Ichigo placed it across his lap and began relaxing himself, letting himself be pulled into his inner world.
Inner World:
When Ichigo opened his eyes, he was in his new inner world.
"Whoa, still not used to my new world yet," mumbled Ichigo to himself.
Looking around, he spotted Zangetsu not far from him.
Walking up to him, Ichigo called out, "Hey, Zangetsu."
Turning towards him, Zangetsu widened his eyes in slight surprise.
"Ichigo, what are you doing here?" he asked.
"I need your help real quick; I have a question," answered Ichigo.
"Then ask it and I will answer to the best of my ability," responded Zangetsu.
"Alright, is it safe to assume you know what happened while I was in Soul Society?" asked Ichigo.
"I am aware."
"Ok, good, just wanted to make sure. As you already know then, I tried to get registered to open senkaimon, but for some reason, when I put you into the machine, it exploded. Any idea why that happened?" asked Ichigo.
"That machine was built to read and absorb a regular a soul reapers reiryoku, and you are far from normal. When you placed me in the machine, it tried to absorb the reiryoku that flowed through me, but it wasn't prepared to handle reiryoku as dense as yours, causing it to explode from trying. This is also why the captain accompanying you couldn't lift me, the reiryoku that makes up my blade was too dense for him to lift. Because of this, only someone with reiryoku levels comparable to yours will be able to lift me.
"Wait, I thought zanpakuto were still, you know, physical objects that had mass and weight appropriate for their size and stuff?" asked Ichigo.
Nodding, Zangetsu said, "Most do, but when you used the Final Getsuga Tensho, you combined with your inner hollow and myself, becoming one soul temporarily. Although we're no longer one soul, because we became one, even if only temporarily, my physical form disappeared and became one with you also. It, unlike us, never stopped being one with you. This is what allows you to summon your zanpakuto from nowhere and is why it's also composed of your reiryoku," he explained.
"Oh, I guess that makes sense, but how am I supposed to travel to Soul Society if I can't open senkaimon?" asked Ichigo.
"Hmm, I sorry to say, but I won't be able to help you, BUT, I know someone who might" said Zangetsu.
"Well then, who?" asked Ichigo, curious as to who could help him.
"Your hollow. He could teach you the garganta and you could use it travel between not only the Soul Society, but also Hueco Mundo," revealed Zangetsu.
"What?" asked Ichigo in surprise. "But how would I get him to teach me?"
"Unfortunately, I can't help you with that. All I can tell you is that he fears being treated as your slave. That's why he's always fought you. He believes you'll take his power and when you're done with him, suppress him," said Zangetsu.
"What?" asked Ichigo in shock. "I would never do something like that. If he would just stop trying to take over and work with me, I wouldn't mind helping him," he finished angrily.
"I know that, but he refuses to believe it. You will find him if you journey to those mountains in the distance. He has taken to going there to blow off steam more and more since he realized he wouldn't be able to take you over with out causing the world's destruction. You need to travel there and convince him that working together would be to both of yours mutual benefit," instructed Zangetsu.
"Gotcha, I'll go there now," said Ichigo, determined to get his hollow to see sense.
Nodding, Zangetsu watched as Ichigo began his trek to the mountains, wondering what he would do to get the hollow to see sense. Knowing Ichigo, it's probably be something extremely risky. Sighing, he decided he'd take it as it came.
It took over half an hour for Ichigo to reach the mountains running at top speed. He spent that time thinking about what he'd say to his hollow to get him to stop fighting and help him. Eventually, he decided a direct approach was best. After all, everything about his hollow was direct, from his attitude to his fighting style.
As Ichigo approached the top of the mountain after several minutes of climbing and jumping, he heard explosions that told him his hollow was near.
"Ahhh, roared the hollow, destroying the mountain's peak with a swing of his sword.
"Having fun?" asked Ichigo, landing on the ground in front of the hollow.
"Oh, Kingy, very much so. After all, everything in this world is a representation of you," responded the hollow spitefully.
Glaring, Ichigo said, "I need your help."
Letting out a cackle, the hollow sneered and said, "Oh, let me guess, you want to learn how to open a garganta so you can travel to Soul Society. Come on, tell me how close I was; was I right?"
Glaring harder, Ichigo said, "Cut the shit. I'm also here to offer you a deal if you stop being a jackass and start helping me."
Lowering his sword, the hollow said, "Oooh, a deal. How interesting. Unfortunately, I'm very busy and can't afford to be helping dumb asses."
"Fuck off. I love our 'I hate you, you hate me' relationship as much as the next person, but it needs to change. I know that you can't take over without destroying everything, so here's the deal, you help me; I help you," said Ichigo, already getting tired of his hollows antics.
"Oh, and suppose I refuse then, hm. What'll you do then?" asked the hollow, actually giving Ichigo his undivided attention.
"Easy. You refuse and you can spend your existence being a landscaper. I see some mountains right over there that look like they need to be leveled some," responded Ichigo easily.
Ichigo knew he was being a dick, but that was the only way you could talk to his hollow and actually get somewhere. He could have tried an understanding approach where he tried to get the hollow to work through his feelings for him. The thought had made Ichigo laugh as soon as he came up with it. If he had tried anything even remotely sympathetic, his hollow would've clammed up and likely attacked him faster than it would take Yoruichi to take off her clothes. His hollow wasn't a sentimental person.
Narrowing his eyes, the hollow said, "Hm, and suppose I do accept; what do I get out of it?"
Crossing his arms, Ichigo said, "It's like I said, you help me; I help you. You help me by teaching me hollow techniques and actually working with me; and I'll let you willingly have control over my body for a few hours a week in Hueco Mundo. You can go on a killing spree and lower the hollow population at the same time. It's a win-win."
Narrowing his eyes further, the hollow said, "A tempting offer. But how do I know you'll uphold your end of the bargain? How do I know you won't just suppress me when you get what you want?"
Glaring at him, Ichigo said, "Despite what you seem to think; I'm not a sadistic asshole who gets off at suppressing you. It takes more effort than I'd like to admit keeping you under control and it just seems like it'd be better if we worked together instead of always fighting. Aside from that, if we work together, we'll be stronger. During those times when you're in Hueco Mundo, you'll have free access to all our powers. Just imagine the chaos you'll be able to wreak," persuaded Ichigo enticingly.
A grin replacing the suspicious glare, the hollow said, "You make a good point. I could have the hollow population halved within an hour with access to all my power," then staring at him with a predator's glare, said "But appealing to my own pride isn't enough. You seem to forget that I know you better than even the old man does; and I know that there's another reason you're making this obviously weighted deal."
Not backing down just when he was getting somewhere, Ichigo admitted, "You're right, there is another reason. The truth is, I owe you. I may not like you, but I'm not one to leave a debt unpaid and as far as I'm concerned; you did me a favor that night 18 years ago when you absorbed my soul reaper powers. Consider this my thanks," he answered.
Scoffing, the hollow said, "I don't need your thanks. I couldn't have cared less about your precious soul reaper powers. I only picked them up by mere chance. If I had the choice, I'd have already thrown them away."
Glaring again, Ichigo said, "It doesn't matter if you need it or not. Either way, I've payed my dues."
Ichigo then waited in silence as his hollow contemplated his offer, looking at it from all angles, searching for any signs of deception.
Scowling, the hollow looked back at Ichigo and said, "Alright, you have a deal. If I start working with you and teach you to use my power, you'll give control of your body over to me once a week for five hours in Hueco Mundo. Those are the term. What say you?" he asked.
Ichigo answered by sticking his hand out for a handshake, which the hollow took with a maniac grin on his face.
"One condition though," said Ichigo as the hollow let go of his hand.
"Oh, and what's that?" asked the hollow mockingly, but curious none the less.
"I reserve the right to take back control at any moment if it's an emergency, such as if we run into Soul Society while you're on one of your killing sprees. And a word of warning. If you break our deal, I'll bury you so deep within my soul, that you'll never resurface."
Not intimidated in the least, the hollow grinned and said, "Naturally, and if you break our deal, the last thing I'll do before being suppressed is mix our energies, destroying the universe and everything you care about in the process."
Not reacting to his hollows very real threat, Ichigo simply nodded and said, "Then we understand each other."
"Good. I'll begin teaching you the garganta when you leave this world," said the hollow calmly.
"Alright, but before I go, you need a name," said Ichigo thoughtfully.
"What?!" asked the hollow irritated. "I don't have a name and I don't want one, especially not one from you."
"Everyone needs a name," countered Ichigo. "And besides, I can't just keep calling you 'hollow' now that were working together."
"Yes, Yes you can. It's exactly what I am. There's nothing wrong with it," said the hollow angrily.
"But it feels derogatory," said Ichigo.
"DEROGATORY! Derogatory to what, the enemies you work so hard to to brutally kill everyday," said the hollow sarcastically.
Ichigo didn't have a response to that. Instead he just shook his head and said, "No, you need a name, something to distinguish you by, something like, Hichigo," he said proudly.
The now named Hichigo just stared at him before saying in disbelief, "I didn't know it was possible to hate you more that I already do, yet somehow you've made it happen. You really can do anything, can't you?"
Growing a tick mark, Ichigo said, "What's wrong with it. It's my name because you look like me with an 'h' in front of it to represent 'hollow'; it's perfect."
"That's the problem. I couldn't have come up with a less creative name if I tried. At least 'hollow' was descriptive," said Hichigo, outraged.
"Psh. You don't know what you're talking about. Hichigo is a great name," said Ichigo stubbornly.
Growing a tick mark of his own, Hichigo said, "You know what, I don't care anymore. You call me whatever the hell you want because nothing you come up with could possibly be any worse than that shit you just came up with."
"Great," said Ichigo, grinning. "I'll go back and when I wake up, you can start teaching me."
"Whatever; just get out," said Hichigo, turning around and beginning to walk off.
Still grinning, Ichigo slowly faded from the world, leaving the hollow alone on the mountain.
"Hichigo," said Hichigo, testing the feel of his new name in his own mouth. Scoffing, he said, "Still sounds like shit."
Back in the Training Room:
Ichigo opened his eyes, grimacing at the sudden brightness that surrounded him.
Getting up, he looked around for Urahara. Not seeing him, he made his way up the ladder, into the main shop, where he found Urahara sitting calmly and drinking tea.
"Hey, Kisuke," said Ichigo, drawing the shopkeepers attention.
"Oh, Ichigo, I was wondering when you'd wake up. So, did you get an answer to your problem?" he asked, sipping his tea.
"Yeah, I'm going to learn how to open garganta," said Ichigo.
Choking, Urahara beat his chest for a moment before swallowing and saying, "What? But that's a hollow technique. Don't tell me you're going to be working with your hollow."
Nodding, Ichigo said, "Yeah, and his name is Hichigo. Me and him made a deal where he would stop working against me and start teaching me hollow techniques, starting with opening garganta."
"And what does he get out of it?" asked Urahara worriedly, concerned that his pupil might have bitten off more than he could handle.
"In return for his help, I'll let him out Hueco Mundo for five hours a week where he'll kill only hollows.," answered Ichigo.
Nodding, Urahara said, "Alright, I said I'd trust you to know when it's safe to trust him and I do, but please, remember my advice."
"I will," said Ichigo, nodding in confirmation.
"When are you going to do it?" asked Urahara.
"Right now if possible. Do you want to watch?" answered Ichigo.
"Yeah, I'll come down with you."
Back down in the training room, Ichigo sat cross legged with Urahara doing just the same in front of him.
"Alright, what will you do first?" asked Urahara, his zanpakuto unsheathed and laid across his lap in case it was needed, though he doubted it would actually be much good should Ichigo's hollow truly break free.
"I don't know; I'll check," answered Ichigo, closing his eyes.
"Hichigo, you there" thought Ichigo.
"Of course I'm here you idiot. Where else would I be?" said Hichigo scathingly.
"Just checking," thought back Ichigo. "What do I do first?" he asked.
"Hmm, I can't teach you hollow techniques as a person would regular techniques. A hollow technique like opening gargantas is purely instinctual," said Hichigo.
Gritting his teeth, Ichigo thought, "If you lied to me...," letting the threat hang.
"Don't get you panties in twist," bit back Hichigo, irritated. "I said I can't teach it to you normally. It's as I said, hollow techniques are instinctual and can;t be taught like other techniques. In order to get you to do one then, I'm going to show you how it feels to open one."
"And how are you going to do that?" asked Ichigo.
Grinning at what he was about to say, Hichigo said, "Simple, I'm going to take over and open one for you."
"What!?" demanded Ichigo angrily.
"Shut up, I'm not done. I won't be taking full control; I'll only direct your body. Essentially, we'll be two minds in the same body. There's a problem though," said Hichigo.
"Of course there is," thought Ichigo, remembering Zangetsu's words about things of worth.
"This'll only work if you let it. We'll be two minds in the same body. This means that we can both move your body, but any actions made by the other that interfere with actions the other one takes, will fuck up everything. All I'm going to be doing is lifting your arm and tearing it through the air to open a garganta. When I do, I want you to focus on how it feels," said Hichigo.
"Alright," responded Ichigo, ready to get started.
"Good, now I want you to search within yourself. Feel your reiryoku in your body and push past it. Deeper in should find a darker store of reiryoku, that's the power you got from me when I let you defeat me," instructed Hichigo.
"Let?" asked Ichigo disbelievingly.
"Yes, 'let'. I 'let' you defeat me so that I could pass on just the tiniest modicum of my power to you for you to use without arousing suspicion. Back then, in order for me to take over, you would have had to become dependent on my power and use it as much as possible, so I just spread that process along," said Hichigo casually.
"Bastard," cursed Ichigo, irritated at being made the fool in his hollow's attempt to take over.
"Yeah, yeah, I love you too. Now get to it and above all, the most paramount rule in anything I teach you is you do exactly what I tell you to the fucking 't' and not a damn thing more. I don't even want you to twitch if I don't expressly tell you to. Remember, one fuck up, just one, and you can kiss this universe good bye," said Hichigo, deadly serious.
Ichigo gulped and thought, "Yeah," before looking deep within himself. He sensed his own reiryoku reserves and as always since he had absorbed the power of the Final Getsuga Tensho, it felt like looking into a bottomless ocean that expanded infinitely. It was a harrowing experience when he couldn't even fathom the depths of his own power. Then pushing deeper, he felt a much colder reiryoku source, this he assumed was his hollow's power.
"I think I found it," he thought to Hichigo
"Yeah, that's it. Now, I want you to pull it to the surface, but don't do anything with it," said Hichigo.
"Like when I on my mask?" asked Ichigo.
The response was immediate. "NO, YOU IDIOT! Don't you remember my warning, just one fuck up and this universe is history. When you put on that mask, the small amount of power you got from me, mixes with your own, giving you a sizable boost in strength, but that's the last thing we want to do right now. It'll only take the smallest amount from either of use for this world to go boom," warned Hichigo angrily.
"Alright, alright. Bite my head off why don't you," mumbled Ichigo, doing as instructed and pulling Hichigo's power to the surface and stopping.
Urahara tensed when he felt Ichigo start to radiate hollow reiryoku, but aside from gripping his sword tightly, stayed still.
"Great, now I'm going to take over from here. You might feel a bit odd, but whatever you do, don't try and move your body," said Hichigo, getting anxious at what they were about to do.
Ichigo relaxed and didn't move when he felt a presence enter his mind that felt like Hichigo. He didn't know how he knew, he just did.
Urahara gripped his sword tighter when he saw half of Ichigo's hollow mask appear on his face.
"Ichigo, are you still there?" he asked, worried about his students silence.
Opening his eyes, one colored amber and the other brown, Ichigo zeroed in on Kisuke.
Speaking in his normal voice, Ichigo said reassuringly, "Yeah, I'm here, Kisuke. Just hold on for a little while longer. I've got it all under control," causing Urahara to relax his grip on his zanpakuto.
"You ready?" asked Hichigo, feeling impatient.
"Uh, Yeah, I guess. Ugh, I'm already regretting making this deal. It feels like I made a deal with the devil," responded Ichigo, nervous.
Grinning, Hichigo said, "That's how it's supposed to feel; now get ready cus I'm about to start."
Reading himself, Ichigo felt the alien feeling his left arm moving involuntarily, causing him inadvertently twitch. Pain shot up Ichigo's left arm, causing him to groan in pain.
"You idiot. What did I tell you? I told you to NOT move, and that's exactly what you do. Damnit, if my freedom wasn't on the line, I'd drop you right now and leave you to figure it out," said Hichigo angrily, gritting his own teeth in pain as his own arm burned in pain.
"Jeez, I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting it to feel so damn alien. I couldn't help it. I promise I won't do it again," apologized Ichigo, knowing it was his own fault.
"Hmph, well your lucky that I'm also skilled at high speed regeneration. I've already healed the muscles you tore with that stunt," scoffed Hichigo.
"Tore? Was it that serious?" asked Ichigo.
"You idiot. What happens when you pull a sheet of paper left and right at the same time?" asked Hichigo derisively.
"Uh, it tears," said Ichigo, still slightly embarrassed at his blunder.
"EXACTLY! And muscle is no different. Apply enough force in opposite directions, and it'll tear like paper. Next time listen and do what I tell you. You won't always get a second chance, such as if you accidentally mix our reiryoku," said Hichigo spitefully.
Ichigo flinched at the reminder of what could happen if he screwed up. Speaking, he said, slightly subdued, "Gotcha. I'll be careful."
When his arm moved on it's own this time, Ichigo was certain not to so much as twitch. Hichigo lifted his arm up and grabbed the air and tore downwards, opening a small garganta in front of Ichigo.
Urahara just watched carefully as Ichigo lifted his arm and tore open a garganta, alert for the slightest sign betrayal.
Looking at the newly opened garganta happily, Ichigo felt Hichigo leave his mind and return to his inner world, causing his eyes to return to normal and the mask covering half his face to crumble.
"Well, now that you've seen it, try opening one for yourself," said Hichigo, calmly.
Smirking, Ichigo got up and focused, remembering how it felt when his hollow opened the garganta. Reaching deep within himself again and bringing his hollow's power bubbling to the surface, he reached forward and grabbed the air. Then, tearing downward, opened a garganta big enough for him to walk through.
"Congratulations, Ichigo," said Urahara, re-sheathing his sword and breathing a sigh of relief, that had been a bit too close for comfort.
"Thanks," said Ichigo. "I guess I'll be able to go to Soul Society easily now."
"Ya, though I'd make sure to inform someone that you'll be using gargantas. Wouldn't want to cause a panic now would we," said Urahara, holding his fan in front of his face.
"Ya, I'll be sure to tell someone when I go there next," said Ichigo. Then thinking, thought.
"Hey, Hichigo."
"What? I taught you the technique, aren't you happy now. Leave me to my peace," answered the hollow dismissively.
"I am; I just wanted to thank you for helping learn the technique," thought back Ichigo.
Snorting, Hichigo said, "Keep your thanks. I'll be more than happy when you let me loose this Saturday."
"Yeah, I know, but you have it none the less. I just wanted you to know," responded Ichigo, grateful.
"Hmph, whatever," said Hichigo, sunning himself on a rock. This really was a better inner world.
Alright, another chapter gone. I'm not dumb enough to place an update date, but it's POSSIBLE that I may update again in a few days. Who knows. Be sure to comment and vote on the poll. Stuff like that is where I get my motivation. People are just lucky it doesn't take much to get me motivated.