A/N: This chapter will again be more fighting as Asami and Ichigo train, while some romance will be shown towards the other half of the chapter. You will see Asami's Bankai (both) but I will keep most details hidden about them along with most techniques, though most if not all will be revealed later when they fight Aizen for keeps (unlike in chapter 17, where they fought to a draw). I also have a bit written out near the end of the fight scenes were you could tell I skipped a part, mainly because I'd rather have the story progress opposed to dialogue and a fight when we know who will win.

This chapter also features some hints and displays of some of his Bankai techniques that isn't canon, enjoy :P

Also you will not believe how hard this chapter fought me, I was so distracted with school and ma birthday and my other stories and THE DAMN PLOT BUNNIES ARE SO CRUEL!

Italics + ' = Thoughts (Etc. = 'What is that?')

Bold + '' = Inner Hollow/Secondary Spirit (Etc. = ''Fucking Quotation marks!'' He roared) (Or Zangetsu in Ichigo's case).

Italics + '' = Zanpakuto Spirit (Etc. = ''Do not hesitate, Ichigo'' Zangetsu said) (Quincy part of Zangetsu for Ichigo's case).

I DONT OWN BLEACH!

Chapter 26: Transcendence - Alliance ARC

Floating down to the beach that was originally my inner world I take pause, my blush still in place from my actions less than a minute ago.

''Took ya long enough'' Kuro grunted as she appeared in a buzz of Sonido ''I was beginning to think I'd have to play matchmaker with you two''.

''That would be a nightmare'' I say flatly.

''Now I wonder how long it'll take before the pair of you get into the same bed?'' Kuro mused ''And from there, how long till ya knock each other up?''.

My face flushed again ''Shut up, Kuro-Baka''.

''Are you sure about this course of action, Asami-sama?'' Megami questioned as she and Denki appeared, Sokyoku not participating as she was not originally part of my soul.

''I am'' I respond firmly, drawing Tsuki no Megami and Denki Sukai ''Let us start, if you will''.

With a smile, Megami began disintegrating into white-blue particles. Denki Sukai turned into bright yellow with a cheer and Kuro grumbled as she disappeared into purple-black particles. All of the collective particles merged together into one being, and with a flash of bright light the transformation was complete.

The person had Megami's looks, her pale complexation and figure. She was no older than myself if not younger, standing a foot or so shorter than me. She had snow white hair that reached her shoulders with spiky tips - like mine, or rather Kuro - which were interchanging white and yellow. Her left eye was Kuro's gold on black, while the left was a whitish silver. She wore the inverted version of my Shihakusho, presumably an aspect chosen from Kuro. She wielded a silvery white Daito in her right hand, four rods stuck out at the guard which turned into a thin but elegant ring, which formed the impractical but graceful guard. Her other hand and arm had long unpredictable lightning-bolt tattoos from the shoulder to her finger tips, electricity sparking at said tips.

It was breath-taking, not only because of the heavy Reiatsu output but the daunting fact I was about to face a double Bankai, my spirits combined strength into one form. Some may question the lack of mask fragment or hollow hole, but that's because Kuro's power is fully compressed into the combined Bankai to make them far more lethal than even her second release, Segunda Etapa.

''Are you ready?'' The combined spirit asked, her tone younger and more higher pitched but with an overtone from Kuro.

''Hai'' I responded as my Reiatsu flared to its maximum Shinigami limits.

''Bankai...'' I utter as Tsuki no Megami grew a longer ribbon, which immediately wrapped up my right arm gently but firmly ''Tsuki no Utsukushi Megami''. (Tran: Beautiful Goddess of the Moon).

''Bankai...'' I utter as my second blade, Denki Sukai, shifted past Shikai and into pure electricity and melded with my exposed left arm and creating lightning bolt tattoos all over ''Sodaina Denki Sukai''. (Tran: Spectacular Electrical Sky). (Don't say that isn't awesome sounding).

''Lets do this'' I grunt as I held out my sealed blade in front of me and bracing it with my other arm, forgoing Shikai completely against the combined spirit. They mimicked my actions as we stood in the sky above the city, our Reiatsu flaring into columns of energy ''Bankai!''.

The sealed blade morphed slightly, growing into its Bankai state and becoming sleeker and more powerfully compressed. The chain grew up my arm and stopped at my shoulder, the Manji guard extending into a wider formation. Without waiting for the energy to clear I take off in a burst of sheer speed and slash into the column of black and red Reiatsu that was my hollowfied Zanpakuto, the wind bracing my blade blew it away just in time for me to see my his surprised face before steel met steel.

Because he likely didn't expect it nor was guarding, the sheer power of my Bankai sent him soaring down into a building and taking a good chunk out of it, but not collapsing it. I blurred back just in time to avoid getting pierced by his retaliation strike, reminding me of how powerful the combined Zangetsu truly was. He wore the white fur Bankai coat my hollow did, but had a mix of my Hollows and Tensa Zangetsu's physique in terms of facial features including a fragment of his Resurreccion. Tensa Zangetsu was wielded in his right hand and I widened upon seeing the Getsuga subtly glowing, though the moment I noticed I found my spirit right in front of me.

''Getsuga...'' He uttered and I hastily raised my blade ''...Tenshou!''.

The veritable wall of Reiryoku pushed against me as I held it back with my sword long enough for me to Shunpo to the side and allow it to pass harmlessly, striking the sea on the outskirts. I rush the spirit and my blade met his in a shower of sparks, struggling to gain some ground. A stray reminder popped into my head and I mentally berated myself for forgetting my other techniques, as I was more comfortable with Getsuga Tenshou. I shove the combined spirit back with a rough shove before blurring to his side and swinging in a wide arc, easily allowing him enough time to block.

Just before his blade met mine I focus my Reiryoku to dissolve me as if I was simple wind, enveloping me in darkness to anybody looking at me at the time. I blur under Tensa Zangetsu and appear on his other side, leaving the spirit to attempt to block, even if he realised it was pointless the moment I used it; Kage Dan (Tran: Shadow Walk).

''Getsuga Tenshou!'' I yelled, swinging down roughly and creating a fifty foot wall of sheer energy, hitting the spirit point blank and send him careening into a building with enough force to topple it on him. I let out a tiny smirk, which grew when the annoyed hollowfied Zanpakuto appeared in a blur dusty and burned.

I raise my blade in front of me just in time to block his attempt at a surprise attack, forcing me to skid back a few feet in the air to get my balance right. Surprisingly he lashed out with his foot, striking my knee and taking me by surprise, taking the opportunity to slash at my torso making me wince at the fairly deep cut.

''If you wish to become one with us and learn the ultimate technique, you must prove you can understand your power!'' Tensa Zangetsu roared as he flew at me, blade whizzing about like daggers from a gun.

''I thought I did that after 'understanding' myself before we invaded soul society'' I probe, blocking another fierce strike and entered a deadlock, I placed a hand on my blade ''Hado #11: Tsuzuri Raiden''.

My Zanpakuto spirit twitched and spasm as he left me the opening, allowing me to deliver a devastating slash to his torso and sending him flying into a building but once again only damaging, not collapsing. He appeared after a few seconds, smoking slightly and scowling.

''No Ichigo, you understood the manifestations of your power and directly yourself, not the essence of your power! The essence of your power is not the manifested forms that have a sentient consciousness, but the tiny particles of your Reiryoku that build up your power that lack such sentience!''.

My eyes widened 'Zangetsu has helped me, all this time... but without those small particles of power I wouldn't have been strong enough to complete Asami's training, to save Rukia, to even have any chance at defeating Byakuya...'.

''Tell me, to understand your power, you must understand yourself, correct?'' The spirit questioned before smirking slightly ''Then explain why you are attracted to Asami''.

Caught off guard by the sudden questioned and how perverted it sounded I feel my cheeks flush ''That has nothing to do with training!''.

His smirk widened, but he waited patiently even as we clashed blades, not relenting and smirk a constant. Eventually I let out an irritated sigh, responding animatedly as I tried to focus on talking about such an embarrassing this (Who explains why they are attracted to somebody?! That only happens in crappy romance movies!) and on my opponent.

''Many things'' I started, my mouth dry. Tensa gave me a flat look, but otherwise didn't react.

''She beautiful, smart, protective at times'' I list off ''She's sisterly and kind when around friends, she's loyal to her friends, hell even some of the younger members of Purple Tear think of her more as a sister than a superior''.

''She's like you'' The mixed spirit concluded with a nod ''You are both protectors, you are attracted to her because she is the only person who can understand your pain and hardships, standing beside you with determination that matches your own. She's helped you and never asked to be repaid, instead introducing you to a veritable army of friends that would watch your back merely because you're their ally, not to mention helping your family''.

I smiled softly and nodded ''Yeah''.

''Emotional crap aside'' The merged spirit said with a dry tone ''Lets get on with it''.

Without waiting for my answer he charged, my blade raised instinctively to meet his in a shower of sparks. He pushed me back and abruptly became a shadow, blurring past me and behind me faster than any Shunpo. Instead of spinning to meet his blade I Shunpo'ed forwards, only resulting in getting a small but notable cut on my back, any slower and my spine would've been severed.

This'll take a while, it always does.

Despite the fact the combined spirit of Kuro, Megami and Denki took the appearance of someone younger and more lithe than me, you'd think I'd have some amount of strength advantage over her.

Clearly I hadn't remembered the times when I underestimated Chiro during our spars when she achieved Bankai.

Dodging her powered-up Mikadzuki I blur in front of her, gracefully slashing in rapid succession only for her to contort her body to avoid them with little difficulty. Only with the additional speed Megami's Bankai gave me as I able to avoid a sneak attack from the younger spirit. With a flick of my wrist I sent a bolt of lightning at her, though she mostly avoided the attack with her speed but scorching her side lightly.

Megami's Bankai was a simplistic one, similar to Ichigo's Bankai but instead of focusing on power and speed, it was pure speed. Since her power was not focusing on enhancing two main aspects, all of that power was put into such speed she was nothing more than a blur even at walking speed. With all Bankai, or rather most, there were some outward manifestation of power to demonstrate the cataclysmic effect and devastation a Bankai could wrought.

In simpler terms, it creates a large object(s); Senbonzakura's million petals, Kurotsuchi's disgusting thing that is a Zanpakuto, etc.

Tsuki no Megami could be quite... dramatic... at times. You'd never take her as the type, but apparently her younger self was very much that. As with her affinity with the moon, whenever her Bankai is released during a time when the sun is up instead of the moon she sends a concentrated pillar of silver Reiryoku into the sky. It appears as if it strikes the moon and transformed it, at least visually, into the moon of a random phase. Not only that, but from where the sun stood the sky would turn into the black of night, stars shining admirably.

In terms of skillset, her Bankai was just an improvement from her Shikai with a few extra techniques thrown in. Bakuhatsu Mikadzuki was far more destructive, while my regular Mikadzuki was faster and possessed more cutting power.

For Denki's Bankai it was seemingly simple, but had variety. Even her Shikai form could be used to fight one to ten opponents easily, since it was a spear. The problem was that since most battles were one-on-one I preferred using Megami, since sword vs sword was easily than spear vs sword. Not only that but fighting with a spear required a different style orientation opposed to a sword, meaning that fighting with two different weapons that contradicted each other was difficult but possible.

Her Bankai allowed me to control lightning through an impossible number of gestures, each gesture resulting in a different attack or style. I could command thousands of bolts to strike from the heavens with a downwards flick of my hand, or create a tornado of electricity around me with a twist of my wrist, the possibility were really only limited to my imagination - which very nearly made it an unlimited amount of attacks. Obviously the larger the attack, quantity of lightning and power would all require more Reiryoku to perform, but with my very large reserves, its hardly a problem.

Another powerful Mikadzuki raced at me, breaking me out of my musing and self-reflections in order to wordlessly fire my own, unlike Bakuhatsu Mikadzuki neither exploded, only fought for dominance until both simultaneously fizzled out. I took off in a blur of Shunpo and appeared before the spirit and with a single slash, deliver a long gash along her front.

The combined spirit grunted as she blurred back for a breather before speaking in a soft but stern tone ''Asami-sama, if you truly wish to wield your full power, you must understand that in doing so, you garner Central 46's attention, and they will likely put a price on your head and have the whole Gotei 13 on your back... can you live with those consequences?''.

''If they haven't already'' I smiled grimly ''Come heaven or hell, I will protect those close to me. I will ascend to the throne of Kami himself, or delve into the depths of hell where the devil resides, if it means protecting those I care for''.

The combined spirit smiled softly ''Very well then, accept your power and enter the world of the gods. We'll be able to manifest inside your inner world, but as you predicted we cannot be manifested outside of your soul''.

Nodding in acceptance, I didn't block the strike that would seemingly run me through, rather allow it to run through my stomach. There was no pain, which was an odd sensation as my regeneration couldn't heal with a foreign object in the way, but alas I only felt comforting warmth as my spirit disintegrated into particles and was absorbed into me, my wound closing moments later.

I felt Ichigo's Reiatsu subside and return to normal levels, so I merely deactivated my Bankai and sheathed the blades, waiting his impending arrival.

I blurred across the open ocean towards where I felt Asami subside her Reiatsu, but apparently was waiting for me. Smiling lightly to myself I concealed my Reiatsu as much as I could, wordlessly slipping my Shunpo into a more quieter, albeit slower mode. The memory of what Tensa Zangetsu had said rung in my mind still, but he'd said he could still manifest inside our inner world, so it was not much different than before, as I suspect the reason Asami wanted me to learn Halcyon Vollstandig and Resurreccion; Segunda Etapa was because both of those forms required me to manifest my Zanpakuto, and since that was no longer possible it was better I learned them while I had the chance.

''I will give you access to your full power, Ichigo, but know this; in doing so, you must vow to me to never allow yourself to be injured unless the situation demands it, otherwise you will not like my temper''.

Those words rung in his head and he chuckled quietly, even then the old - young - man had his sense of humour, subtle or not. He couldn't fathom many situations where he would need to let himself be injured, unless it was like how Toshiro described Tosen's Bankai and the best counter was to allow to be hit, then to grab the blade and retaliate.

Pushing those thought away for the time being, I quietly appear in a blur of Shunpo at the treeline behind the beach, immediately I do a U-turn and appear on the flat beach behind Asami. She shifted momentarily, showing she noticed me. Sulking inwardly at having failed that, I throw that idea away and instead appear behind her.

''Yo'' I greeted casually. with a hint of tiredness

''Hey'' Asami greeted with equal hints of fatigue as she turned to me.

With a small smirk, I wrapped an arm fluidly around her waist and pulled her close, my lips meeting hers in a sweet kiss. Her arms wrapped around my neck as she deepened the kiss, each of us broke off for air a few moments later, but did not break the embrace. She leaned in and rested her head on my chest, or shoulder, or whatever it was called. No words were exchanged, not that they needed to be.

''So, do I get a break now?'' I joked light-heartedly, and Asami laughed lightly in return.

''Yeah, I could use one too'' She smiled ''A little break in the world of the living, the next issue that'll require our intervention won't occur for another week, so we're good''.

I smiled and nodded, it was nice to have a little break for once.

As the touching scene was going on, Kuro walked behind Hollow Zangetsu and wrapped her arms over his shoulders and around his neck.

''Wanna 'play' with me, Shiro-kun?'' She whispered in his ear, making him grin widely. Without waiting for a verbal reply, both took off in a quiet Sonido deep into the forest.

The elder Zangetsu blinked and turned to where his other half once stood, frowning slightly at noticing him and Asami's hollow deep in the forest, he shrugged it off and shook off the sense of minor foreboding it brought.

''It always feels so weird when you break through that invisible barrier'' I commented as the fracture in the air, which lead to Jikan Yari, resealed itself into nothingness.

''Well you're technically breaking through the barrier between dimensions, so its to be expected'' Asami replied casually as we walked into the Shoten, the midnight light shining down on us.

''Yuzu and Karin are home, along with dad'' I remark as I managed to sense them from here ''They've gotten stronger, much stronger''.

Asami chuckled ''Of course, it appears that advanced growth rate is a Kurosaki trait''.

I nodded and expanded my senses, noting that Urahara, Tessai, Yoruichi, Chiro and Toshiro were all inside but asleep. Rukia and Matsumoto were at Inoue's house, Byakuya and Renji were at Chad's apartment and Ikkaku and Yumichika were at Keigo's house... for whatever reason.

Since both me and Asami were now wearing our new limiters - a whopping 95% sealed off - and we were unconsciously concealing our Reiatsu, it was unlikely they'd detect us until they either got close to our position or we used our powers. I glanced at a clock and it read 2 AM, meaning it was too late for everyone to be up.

Asami slid open the Shoji door and proceed to lay out my body and her Gigai, slipping into it wordlessly as I did the same with mine. I wince as I felt my body try to reject my soul form, only for it to begrudgingly allow it at the expense of my pain. Only through months of training with Asami and my Zanpakuto did I not cry out in pain, clenching my jaw to prevent it.

Asami stood over me with a sympathetic smile, patiently waiting almost five minutes before the pain to disperse enough for me to breath normally.

''That... hurt like a bitch'' I said wearily and she chuckled lightly in response.

''Trust me, its much more painful to separate from a Gigai if you stay in it for more than a decade, let alone a century'' She said, wordlessly indicating her father and the other exiles. She grasped my arm with a deceptively strong grip and hauled me to my feet, which I thank with a small smile making her blush lightly.

''You're cute when you blush'' I complimented, smiling more when said blush grew.

''Coming from the person called strawberry'' She retorted playfully.

''Shut up'' I playfully growled, wrapping an arm around her waist and giving another kiss, which she returned without hesitation. Despite being new to this whole relationship thing, it was easier to just go with what my instincts said to. Despite Asami's carefully controlled emotions, after spending enough time with her I could just make out the traces of uncertainty, showing that she also lacked some degree of experience, if she had any prior experience at all like me.

Regardless of that, I allowed her to lead me to her bedroom to turn in for the night.

Both me and Asami walk through the school halls, ignoring the interested whispers coming from most. Asami gave me my cover story for my longer-than-normal absence, which was that a family relative required my fathers medical attention and since he didn't want to leave me and my sisters alone for so long, he took us with him. Urahara had provided some forged documents and erased a few memories and replaced others, so that we were all good.

One problem that was overlooked was that Asami had also been absent, along with Chad, Inoue and Ishida. Ishida had returned after a day or two so he could pass it off as a sick day, Inoue had come and gone from her training in Jikan Yari since it would be hard to disguise her disappearance and Chad stayed the longest, sparring with an Espada called Grimmjow who snuck out of Las Noches to 'have a good fight' with the gentle giant. The Arrancar left bruised and tired but content.

Asami however returned on the same day as I did, so it was bound to cause the whispers around us no matter how much I scowled or glared, though I did take satisfaction that they shrivelled under my gaze. We decided that since we spend so much time together even before we got together, we wouldn't lie about our relationship, rather only say so if someone brought it up or questioned our actions.

I slide open the classroom door and casually made my way to my seat by the window, we were early and for a reason; the currently situated Shinigami in town. Urahara had informed him that they left at the same time as their respective landlords, so none of them would be here for a few minutes.

Asami now sat to my right, Ishida would sit two seats in front of Asami, Inoue would sit in front of Asami and Chad would sit behind me. The Gotei 13 Shinigami on the other hand; Rukia behind Asami, Byakuya behind Rukia, Ikkaku and Yumichika took the two closest seats to the door, Matsumoto was to Byakuya's right and Renji was to Byakuya's left and behind Chad. A literal diagram was;

X - X - X - Ikk

X - Ish - X - Yu

X - Ino - X - X

Me - Asm - X - X

Ch - Ruk - X - X

Ren - Bya - Mat - X

X meant someone who was not in the Gotei 13, Purple Tear or not aware of the current situation on the spirit world. My senses were prickled when I recognise the familiar Reiatsu signature approach. I glance out of the corner of my eye and Asami and she met it, a small flicker of eager anticipation in her eye.

The door slid open and Chad walked in casually, not even pausing as he saw me and Asami in our seats. He took it in stride and walked past us to his seat, offering a usual polite morning greeting which I return, as does Asami. Byakuya also swiftly walks past, having paused at the door for only a moment before taking his seat wordlessly.

Renji looked at us in a mix of annoyance, confusion and suspicion. I offer a shrug to his unspoken question before turning my gaze to the window, pretending that I was bored while in reality keeping my senses tracking encase either they approached me or for the people about to enter the room. Ikkaku and Yumichika both walked into the room, paused at our presence, then Ikkaku grinned and Yumichika smiled welcomingly.

''Yo, Ichigo'' Ikkaku grinned.

''Hey Ikkaku, Yumichika'' I grin back lightly.

After brief greetings were exchanged the duo went to their seats, the door slid opened showing Inoue, Rukia and Matsumoto. All three paused at seeing myself and Asami, and I turn my head ever so slightly and look at them out of the corner of my eye.

Inoue recovered quickly ''Good morning, Kurosaki-kun!''.

I nod my head to her ''Morning, Inoue, Rukia, Matsumoto-san''.

''Where have you been-'' Was Rukia's retort but Inoue quickly and quietly whispered the excuse, which Rukia nodded at and replied ''I see, well I hope your grandmother is alright''.

Again I merely nod, taking satisfaction at how she silently fumed at my lack of banter. I smirked to show that I was just messing with her and she relaxed slightly before going to her seat, sparing Asami a morning greeting as well which was quietly returned.

Five minutes later the rest of the class had arrived and Ochi-sensei arrived, and class began anew.

A/n: I'm sorry for taking a while to update, but from the time of my last update to Christmas it was hectic and didn't allow any time for writing, and then the days after I did write, but my muse came slowly so it only got finished today at eight at night. We be back from my short Hiatus/Holiday.