• • •

"What's going on?" I asked, eyes widening as I saw what was supposed to be my bow.

Ishida's bow was like an icy blue.

Of course, I knew reiatsu came in different colors depending on the person, but this..?

My bow was rather large, and glowing a fierce fiery red.

Red!

"I think this is normal," Ankoku-Tatsu's voice responded. "I mean, think about it. You are a Shinigami. Because of this, your Reiraku is dyed red. Quincy's are still humans, so they have white spirit ribbons."

"Ah, and so the red of my spirit ribbon tainted the color of the reiryoku that I absorb from the environment; I guess it makes sense." I mused, looking at the bow.

"Are you able to fire arrows?" My Zanpakuto spirit asked, raising a good question.

"Well, I'm not sure. I guess we're about to figure that out." I answered, smirking a bit as I reached with my right hand to draw the charm back.

Would I be able to fire an arrow?

I narrowed my eyes at a tree standing in front of me; that was my target.

I drew my charm back as far as I could pull it. So far, everything looked promising.

One. Two. Three..!

I released.

To my joy, I actually managed to fire an arrow through the tree trunk.

"It actually worked..!" Ankoku-Tatsu exclaimed in wonder, making me grin and hop up and down in excitement.

"Ah!" I exclaimed, losing in my focus as I felt the flesh of my hands begin to burn. Wincing, I looked down at my palms to see them a bright pink; there were even a few blisters.

"Okay, so it didn't work out as great as we hoped." Ankoku-Tatsu mused, but she did sound a bit worried. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I winced, wiggling my burned fingers a bit. "The reiryoku managed to burn the palms of my hands and my fingers. I don't think I can keep the bow up for any longer than I just did; especially if it burns me like that every time."

"Well, I think that it's long enough for you to get in one or two quick attacks." Ankoku-Tatsu comforted, "If I cannot help you, I think it would make a good last resort. Even if you cannot hold it for much longer, it's still better than nothing."

"I agree," I nodded, sighing. "I think my aim's good, so I don't really have to worry about that. I just wonder if it'll burn me quicker when I use reiryoku from Soul Society."

"Let's just hope that it never comes down to the point of you using it." Ankoku-Tatsu said, "I'll protect you; you won't have to rely on getting hurt by using that cross."

"Thanks," I said, lightly smiling. "I'm still going to wear it and carry it with me. It's from my Mom, I can't ignore that."

"I wouldn't ask you to discard it that easily." Anko scoffed. "Now eat a bento, look at those books, and relax for a bit. It'll take a couple of hours for me to heal those burns on your hands."

"It's going to take a couple of hours?" I asked, echoing my Zanpakuto's words. "Why is that? It's never taken you that long before. And I have even more of my reiatsu released!"

"I don't want to drain you of your reiatsu so quickly. Isn't the goal so that we can train?" Anko asked, "If I do heal you like normal, it'd probably take a day or two for you to get your reiatsu back to its current level. That'd take time away from our training."

"I understand," I sighed, falling down on the ground and making myself comfortable.

I could feel Ankoku-Tatsu smirking in my head, "Enjoy this break. You're not going to get another one until you earn it."

"You think I want to waste my time on breaks? No, I need to get stronger. We only have ten days; well, now it's closer to nine." I said, glancing at the sky that was beginning to darken.

The stars were just beginning to shine in the sky. It was really quite beautiful; the sky was always prettier the further away from civilization you got.

The first star!

I closed my eyes, wishing on the first star in the night sky. Wasn't it supposed to be lucky?

I wish that everyone will come back safe and sound.

"Don't worry," Ankoku-Tatsu said, catching my attention. "You guys will be fine. You're strong. Ichigo is strong. You have nothing to worry about. Rukia's as good as already saved."

"Thanks," I murmured, studying the starry sky. "I know you're right. We have nothing to worry about. We will save Rukia."

Ichigo, I thought as I looked up at the sky, you better survive Urahara's training. Urahara can be quite tough, but I'm certain that you can make it though, Ichigo.

• • •

"Once more!" Ankoku-Tatsu ordered, circling around me in the air.

"Alright, alright!" I barked back, furrowing my eyebrows.

We had been at this for days. Relentlessly, Ankoku-Tatsu came at me with another attack. I managed to force her back with my Zanpakuto, which was activated and in its Shikai state. The harsh sound of metal rubbing against metal caused me to wince as she met my attack head on with the golden crescent moon like armor on her head.

Ankoku-Tatsu's eyes darkened for a split second, and before I knew it the shadows around us sprung up and took on human appearances. They were solid black, like shadows, but they were strong.

"Sousa!" I called out the command, which roughly translated means 'manipulate.'

Black reiatsu circled around me, rising from the very shadows that surrounded us. Of course, in my inner world, there were plenty of shadows.

With precision, I directed my hand towards the five shadow replicas that Ankoku-Tatsu had created. The shadows wound themselves around each figure. When they tried to lunge at me, they were held back.

But…man! Were those shadow replicas strong!

They always tried to resist being manipulated by the shadows. It took all I had to bind them and keep them from moving.

"You can do better than that, Junko!" Ankoku-Tatsu chastised.

"I know, I know!" I yelled, narrowing my eyes at the figures. I felt my reiatsu spike from my sudden surge of anger, so I used that to my advantage. I tightened the shadow binds around them; they couldn't move, but I could still feel their struggle to resist.

Using Shunpo, I easily managed to cut them all down with my katana. I felt a rush of pleasure run through me as they dissolved and melted back into the surrounding shadows.

"Finally," Ankoku-Tatsu murmured, "I thought you'd never get serious."

"Heh, I'm always serious." I retorted. "It's not my fault that I got a bit rusty. It's been quite a while since I've had to use Shikai to fight anyone."

"Well, you do seem to have 'Sousa' down." Anko said, "And you've also got 'Kage Hikikaeru' down as well. We just can't practice that here, because you are in the inner world."

'Kage Hikikaeru' was my 'Reverse Shadow' attack. It was quite useful when I was in a battle outside of my inner world. If my opponent launched a powerful attack of focused reiatsu at me, then I'd use 'Kage Hikikaeru.' That would create a black hole as people called it, but it was really just a rip in space that led to Ankoku-Tatsu's inner world. The attack would get sucked in, and then quickly decomposes in my inner world.

"So, does that mean that I've completely mastered Shikai?" I asked, wiping away the sweat that was beading across my forehead.

"I think so," Ankoku-Tatsu nodded, "Yes."

I screamed in excitement.

"That means you'll start training me for Bankai soon, right?" I asked, my eyes large and hopeful. I'd call it giving her puppy dog eyes, but the effect is kind of ruined once you calculate in my weirdly colored hair and all of my piercings.

"I would, if we had the time." Anko said, sighing a bit. "It's already been six days. We spent the first one dealing with your Quincy powers, then the rest of the day healing your wounds. The last five days have been spent in here. But, I am impressed at your growth. You can control the shadows much easier now."

"Thanks," I sighed, hanging my head. "We have four more days. Just what are we supposed to do with all that time?"

"Practice on your sword techniques." She answered, a bit hesitantly. "You hesitate sometimes before you swing. Your stance has a few openings."

"Yeah, that's what Renji told me a few months ago." I sighed, "I have been getting a bit better, though. He's been helping me, remember?"

"I remember. He's the only reason that you've gotten better. Nobody else has ever tried to really help you with Zanjutsu."

"Mhm; he helped me because I'm friends with Rukia. Although, the two of them don't talk to each other anymore. They've sorta had a falling out." I sighed, "Besides, Renji was in the 11th Division. I don't think they'd pass up a chance to fight."

"Haha, you're right about that." Anko laughed, "He has helped you a lot, though. I was impressed once you got into the routine of fighting me again."

"You know that Zanjutsu is my weakness; I hate swordsmanship!" I whined, lightly sighing. "I'm much better at hand to hand combat."

"That's because Urahara taught you that."

"True." I nodded, grinning. "Ichigo's probably being put through hell right now; Urahara's training isn't exactly the easiest."

"Exactly." Anko laughed, "And he's not exactly the smartest one out there; think he'll work through all of Urahara's riddles?"

"He better!" I said, narrowing my eyes. "That strawberry better survive; he's going to Soul Society with me to save Rukia. Besides, I made Jinta and Ururu promise me that they'll make sure he survives, so I don't have to worry about anything."

"I noticed that you haven't been worried." Anko nodded, slyly grinning. "You believe in him and his strength. You know he'll survive."

"Correct~!" I smiled, "I know Ichigo; he wouldn't go down so easily by Urahara's hands. He wants to save Rukia. His determination is just too strong."

"That's what you admire about him the most, right? His determination?"

"Yeah, I mean-" I gasped, spinning to glare at Ankoku-Tatsu. "You tricked me!"

"I did nothing of the sort~." Anko mused, wickedly grinning. "You admitted it yourself~!"

"Gah!" I huffed, "I take it back!"

"Nah, you can't do that. I still remember what you said~."

"No, you don't! Forget!"

"Nope; I don't think I will~!"

"Evil!" I yelled, pointing at the giant dragon. Ankoku-Tatsu just beamed at me. "I'll make you forget!"

"That's the spirit! Come at me!"

• • •

Groaning, I opened my eyes. I stared down at my Zanpakuto, which was carefully positioned horizontally across my lap.

"I feel so stiff~!" I whined, sheathing Ankoku-Tatsu and standing up and stretching.

"That's because you've been in my inner world for nine days. Your spirit body has really just been sitting there." Anko explained.

I groaned once more, massaging my left shoulder. "Remind me never to go that long without moving again. This is horrible."

"The stiffness will go away after you work it out of your muscles. It'll most likely be gone by the time you make it back into the town."

"I hope so," I sighed once more. "Cause after this I have to learn the choreographed dance that Orihime created to go along with that song we're singing at that festival."

"I'm glad that you're opening up more." Ankoku-Tatsu's voice echoed, "You used to keep so much to yourself… I'm glad that you've made some friends."

"Thanks Mom," I sarcastically replied, rolling my eyes.

"I'm being serious, Junko. I'm proud of you."

I felt my eyes soften, "Thank you."

"Who are you thanking, Jun-Kun?"

Spinning around, my hand instantly found its place on the handle of my Zanpakuto as I crouched down a bit.

"Ah?" I asked, not seeing anyone.

"Down here," The deep gruff voice replied.

Blinking, I shrugged and looked down. There, a small black cat met my eyes.

"Um, did you say something?" I asked, bending down towards the cat with a curious expression on my face. Of course, cats normally didn't talk; however, I knew nothing was normal when it came to things around me.

"Are you saying that you do not remember me? I'm hurt, Jun-Kun." The cat replied, its golden eyes staring deeply into my own.

"Who..?" I questioned, staring down at the black cat; I wasn't too freaked out that it was talking. No, I was freaked out because it knew who I was.

"Well, I did not expect for you to remember me in this form." The cat replied in a deep voice as it then began to rub against my legs and purr a bit. "Here's a hint; I know Urahara Kiskue better than you do."

That was a hint?

Please, I'm sure tons of people know Urahara better than I did. He liked to keep things from me. Well, not just me, but everyone in general.

"Um, another hint?" I questioned, finding myself petting the cat. I couldn't resist it. I was a sucker for animals in general.

"As you know, this is not my true form. I go from an old cat to a nice body~." The cat almost sang, staring up at me with familiar golden orbs.

Wait..! I remember someone who thought so highly of their body!

"Y-Yoruichi?!"

"Correct~!" The black cat mused, grinning up at me.

"What happened to your voice?! You totally sound like a dude!" I exclaimed, my eyes as wide as I could possibly make them. Had she gone through a gender change?! Boy, would Urahara be surprised!

"When I change into this form, my voice always changes." Yoruichi said, her tail lightly swaying from side to side. "And I request that you just refer to me as Yoruichi."

"Well, haven't I always just called you Yoruichi?" I asked, confused.

"What I'm asking is that you do not reveal my true form, or gender. Everyone else knows my name, but they keep referring to me as a 'he.' I want to see their surprise when I transform back into my true form."

Slightly laughing, I shook my head as I looked down at the cat. "You love torturing people, don't you?"

"Why, yes. I do enjoy torturing people."

"Wait, who has been referring to you as a guy?" I asked, thinking about her previous words.

"Orihime, Chad, and quite possibly Uryu." Yoruichi named off.

"Whoa, you mean you already know all of them?" I asked, eyes wide once more as Yoruichi jumped onto my shoulder for a free ride as I made my way back into Karakura territory.

"Of course," Yoruichi replied. Her new deeper voice was even creepier when it was right next to my ear. "I've been training Orihime and Chad for the past couple of days. I offered to help Uryu, but he refused."

"You've been training them?" I questioned, feeling my eyebrows furrow. "You mean, like real training? Why?"

"They've been offered the opportunity to go with you and Ichigo to the Soul Society to help rescue Rukia. They have the power, they just needed the training. Kiskue hinted that he wanted me to help train them."

"I never would have guessed." I murmured, looking down. "I mean, I sensed when they activated their powers a few days ago. I just didn't think that it would be enough for them to get to the Soul Society."

"They all probably won't last against a Taicho or Fukutaicho." Yoruichi explained, "However, I do believe that they'll be of some assistance during the mission."

"Well, that's a relief." I exhaled. "I guess we could use all the help we can get. I mean, with their help we might be able to get to Rukia quicker. The sooner the better, right?"

"Correct," Yoruichi nodded.

"Oh, did you need me to stop by Urahara's and drop you off?" I asked, turning my gaze to look at the cat still perched on my shoulder. "I was just going to head home."

"That's why I was sought you out. Orihime said that she was going to swing by your apartment later on tonight with one of her friends. Something about working on a dance and song?" Yoruichi questioned, her words tainted with humor.

Groaning, I hung my head. "Orihime just won't let me forget about that, will she?"

"No, I do not think so." Yoruichi laughed in her creepy man voice. "She did seem pretty persistent."

"Just great," I moaned, smacking my forehead with my hand.

"This is where we'll part." Yoruichi announced, nimbly jumping from my shoulder and eyeing me. "I also want to remind you to relax and have fun for the next couple of days."
"Thanks, Yoruichi." I nodded, grinning at the cat. "I'll try my best, but I'm not making any promises."

I waved at the cat as I took off in the direction of my apartment.

"Oh, have fun singing and dancing~!" Yoruichi teased.

Once more, I hung my head as a cloud of doom seemed to hover above my head.

Just what had I gotten myself into?