I do not own anything bleach, only my OC.
This story takes place before TYBW, but after the end of the original anime.
Chapter 6 – Catch Me if You can
PREVIOUSLY:
"I'm a genius remember?" making her laugh but then flinched as the pain in her body spiked. "Take it easy, the transference is a painful process, it will be over soon." He whispered, kissing her forehead. "Rest." He went to get up, but she stopped him by grabbing his hand.
"Please stay." She whispered as her eyes started to close. Kisuke smiled, crawling into the bed with her and pulling her towards his chest.
"Always." He whispered into her hair.
A few hours later Kimiko stirred the feeling of a weight on her stomach caused her to turn and look at the body pressed against her back.
"You're awake." He whispered, keeping his eyes closed. "How do you feel?"
She smiled at him, turning her body so she was facing him. She placed her hands on his chest and smiled at him. "I feel okay, a sort of tingling sensation, but nothing else." She ran her hands slowly up and down his clothed chest smirking at his gasp. She leaned forward to kiss his chest lightly.
Kisuke moved his head into her hair to hold her head to his chest.
"I'm assuring you are going to want to run your tests on me today?' She asked and he could feel the smile on her face against his chest. He laughed and shook his head, after one hundred years, with her back it felt like she was never taken from him. His body tensed at the thought of her dying.
Kimiko raised her head to look at Kisukes face, seeing the haunted look on his face. She lifted one of her hands to his face, bringing him back to her.
"I'm here." She whispered to him. He lowered his head to lay it in the crook of her neck pulling her closer to him. He lightly kissed her skin before rising from the bed, pulling her with him.
"Test yes. Though the more fun tests will be run tonight." He smiled suggestively at her, making her laugh as she let him pull her from the bed. The two left the bedroom and headed downstairs.
When they arrived downstairs Jinta and Ururu threw themselves at Kimiko and hugged her tightly. Kisuke smiled at the image.
"Wow you two, I'm okay, I promise."
"Kimiko, I'm so sorry I didn't protect you." Ururu whispered looking down at the floor. Kisuke watched as Kimiko knelt down in front of the girl and lifted her chin.
"Ururu, you did perfectly, and I am so grateful that you were able to prepare us for what was coming, it's because of you that I was able to get a message to Kisuke." Ururu nodded her head and wiped the tears from her eyes. Kimiko rubbed the top of Jinta's head affectionately before accepting Tessai's hug.
Kisuke turned his head to the side and knew this was going to be interesting.
"Be prepared." Was all he said as he lowered his head as he caught Kimiko's confused expression. The side door slid open and everyone besides Kisuke turned to look at the person.
Kimiko just stared at the new arrival who stopped mid step while walking in. She smiled at the shocked face of Yoruichi staring at her.
"It can't be…" she said looking at Kisuke who didn't look at her. She walked closer and narrowed her eyes while circling Kimiko.
"Did you just sniff me?" Kimiko asked dryly. "I thought you were a cat not a dog." She raised an eyebrow to Yoruichi.
"How are you here, you're dead."
"Thank you for the reminder." Kimiko said sarcastically. "Before I was killed, I got off a reincarnation kido, I was finally able to merge the two souls, that's the condensed version." Kimiko turned to face her fully.
Yoruichi was quiet for moments before pushing Kimiko and glaring at her. Kisuke lifted his head and took a step forward but stopped at Kimiko's hand.
"How could you! Do you know what you caused him! What you caused us!"
"Caused you?! You cannot be serious! If you remember I was the one that DIED!" Kimiko shouted back at her glaring.
Kisuke watched the interaction, those two were always hot and cold and always butted heads. Some of their arguments caused a lot of destruction.
At Kimiko's response Yoruichi stopped and gasped. She covered her mouth and turned to run from the room. Kimiko just watched her go sighing.
"She'll be fine, she's just shocked." Kisuke said walking up to her. The front door to the shop opened "Ichigo and crowd are here. I had Tessai call them, to help with the… tests…."
Kimiko sighed at him. "You mean you want me to fight them and see what happens?"
"Good, you're still sharp as ever!" He smiled walking away from her to greet the arrivals. Kimiko sighed, turning to go back upstairs to grab her zanpakuto.
Kimiko found herself downstairs with the group and Kisuke sitting on a rock observing. Kisuke explained that much like him she did not need to use soul candy because she was not a soul reaper any longer. She changed into tight leggings and a tight shirt that wrapped around her neck, much the way her old shihakusho used to.
"Are you sure Kisuke? I brought Chappy just in case!" Rukia said sad that she wouldn't be able to show off Chappy the bunny.
"Would you put that damn thing away, you and this Chappy the bunny crap is really getting annoying." Ichigo yelled at her, and he soon found himself pushed face first into the ground by Rukia's foot.
"You'd think you'd learn not to insult that damn bunny of hers." Renji muttered.
Kimiko stood observing them and started to laugh, catching their attention. "You guys are interesting to say the least."
"So, is this one on one?" Ichigo asked Kisuke turning to look at him. "How far are we supposed to go?"
"To start, one on one. Go as far as she can." Was his reply looking at Kimiko who nodded.
She pulled her zanpakuto out and touched the blade.
'Suiro.' She thought and felt the blade come to life causing her to smile.
'We're back milady.' Was his response in her mind.
Kimiko opened her eyes looking to see who stepped forward first. It was Rukia. Kimiko bowed her head in respect, causing Rukia to return the gesture.
Kimiko took her old stance, taking her right foot dragging her toe in an arch until it reached behind her, Suiro held behind her back. She could feel Kisukes eyes on her. She watched as Rukia took a stance and started analyzing every movement and muscle twitch that she made. Rukia flash stepped and Kimiko turned her head to follow the spiritual pressure that she was releasing in the process.
Normally, that was not noticed by others, but Kimiko could always see it. She saw Rukia almost land to her right, so she turned her leg out to kick her in the guy and sending her flying against a rock.
Kimiko watched as Rukia stood shocked. "How the hell…." She said but Kimiko just smiled at her. Reading herself for another attack. This time Rukia charged head on trying to slash her with her zanpakuto, Kimiko blocked and parried Rukia's every attack pushing her backwards. She saw Rukia was getting tired.
"You should probably tap out Kuchiki." She taunted. "You look like you're getting tired. I guess soul reaper training isn't what it used to be…." Kimiko trailed off, but knew she got under Rukia's skin because she growled leaping in the air, holding her blade in front of her turning it counterclockwise.
"Dance, Sode no Shirayuki."
Kimiko just stood there watching, she heard Renji and Ichigo gasp as the attack hit her head on.
Rukia landed on the ground panting. "Ha! Got her!" she said happily, she looked at Kisuke who had again lowered his hat to cover his eyes but left his smile visible. Rukia looked back to where Kimiko was standing waiting for the dust to clear.
Rukia gasped as she saw Kimiko standing there surrounded in a dark blue and purple energy. She had her eyes closed, but then slowly opened them looking at Rukia.
She smiled as the energy started to disappear; Kimiko tilted her head to the side.
"Nice shikai Rukia. Now it's my turn." Kimiko slowly pulled her right arm to her side, her blade pointing out started to glow.
"Howl – Taifu hoka." She said swinging her blade to swipe in front of her, shooting the arching energy at Rukia who stared wide eyed, and barely dodged the attack.
Rukia was gasping, holding her shoulder where she was hit.
"Rukia!" Renji yelled running to her. Once he saw she was okay, he turned to Kimiko and growled.
"My turn!"
Kimiko looked at Kisuke who still had a smile on his face. She looked at him, sighed agitated.
"Have you seen enough Kisuke? Don't make me do this to them." She argues, he just shrugged his shoulders.
"You think you can beat me that easily?" Renji taunted, pulling Kimiko's attention back to him.
She sighed, cocking her hip to the side. "Well, I did already save you once kid." She replied sarcastically, pulling a laugh from Ichigo.
Renji growled, pulling his blade out.
"Roar, Zabimaru!" he flung his blade at her, letting it extend into a 6-part segmented blade. Kimiko raised her eyebrow and leaped out of the way. Landing on a boulder just out of reach. "Running?" he yelled.
Kimiko narrowed her eyes at him analyzing the situation. She noticed that he used his zanpakuto as a whip almost but there was a delay in his swing with how long it was. She had to time it just right. She jumped towards him, from boulder to boulder getting closer.
Kisuke watched intently, wanting to see how she would do. He knew she figured it out as soon as she started leaping towards Renji.
Renji swung his arm back to swing Zabimaru again, and Kimiko took her opening, she flashed sliding beneath him, appearing behind his back, he gasped looking behind him. Kimiko used the rock that was at her back as leverage to jump and kick Renji in the head, knocking him off his feet, she put her knee into his back, and her blade tip at his neck.
"You need to learn to be faster, if you are going to use him as a whip, otherwise you leave yourself open to some getting in for close combat." She said before standing up and walking back to her side.
Kimiko heard Kisuke clapping from his boulder as Renji got up dusting himself off.
"Nicely done so far. It seems like your soul reaper powers are returned. I think that's enough for today."
"HEY! No way, I still have to have my turn." Ichigo shouted.
Kisuke stopped but didn't turn to face him. Kimiko watched him, seeing that he wasn't saying something. Why bring the kid here if he wasn't going to fight her.
"No need Ichigo, I saw what I needed to see, why waste the energy?" He turned and smiled, but it was the smile that didn't reach his eyes, which she recognized as his fake one when he was trying to placate someone.
Kimiko walked up to him as Ichigo growled at him stepping closer. She placed a hand on his arm, turning so the others couldn't see or hear her words.
"Why are you not allowing him to fight me. What is it?" she asked him.
Kisuke sighed, lowering his head but keeping his hidden eyes on Ichigo.
"He is hollowfied. Too much could bring out the hollow, he doesn't quit until he wins" He muttered so only she could hear. She took a deep breath in, before letting it out slowly.
"Understood. Let him fight" She replied, causing Kisuke to turn his head to her quickly as she started walking away. He reached out and grabbed her arm, stopping her. She turned her head and smiled at him. "Trust me."
Kisuke gritted his teeth but nodded anyways, jumping back to his boulder which now accommodated Renji and Rukia.
Kimiko approached Ichigo who smiled at her.
"So got the old man to let you fight me? He scared you can't keep up?"
"Actually, he was worried that your ego would be destroyed beyond repair." She replied smiling at him, standing calmly as Ichigo growled at her.
He ran his hand over his face, Kimiko raised her eyebrow.
'So, he's going straight to hollowfication…. Interesting.' She thought to herself, watching him closely. 'We need to be on guard Surio.'
'Right… I can feel the power flowing from him, he really doesn't believe in restraint….' Kimiko laughed and watched as Ichigo charged at her, his blade held high.
'Like a bull in a China shop' She thought to herself, quickly dodging his attack. She continued to dodge every move he made, and she knew he was getting frustrated with her.
"Stand and fight!" his raspy voice yelled, suddenly circling her with his flash step.
Kimiko stood stock still watching him with her eyes, she thought she knew where he was going to land so she prepared for her kick, but he adjusted at the last minute making her gasp.
'so, he does pay attention to previous fights." She was able to dodge at the last second, but his blade grazing her face before she flashed away.
Kimiko reappeared on a boulder, slowly lifting her hand to the blood on her face. She raised her eyes to Ichigo and narrowed them to him.
"So, you do pay attention. I'll give it to you Kurosaki, you saw that move catch Rukia, so you adjusted last minute, not bad, but not good enough." She said to him.
Ichigo gasped as her cut healed right away, he watched her waiting to see what she would do. The sky in the training room started to change making everyone look around.
"Kisuke…. Does that happen in here?" Rukia asked.
Kisuke held his breath, knowing this was going to be bad. "No." was his only reply as he kept his eyes trained on Kimiko.
She vanished and Ichigo started looking around for her, he felt a cut against his right arm, but didn't see her.
"Wha…" he gasped.
"What's wrong Ichigo, can't find me?" Her voice echoed from around everyone, seeming to come from all directions.
Without warning appeared in front of him and swirled her blade with his causing the blade to fly. Ichigo gasped, along with Rukia and Renji. Ichigo snarled at her, pulling his fist back to try and land a punch, Kimiko mimicked his move, and his fist hit hers, effectively stopping it.
She stood there staring at him, her eyes glowing bright silver. Ichigo stared into her eyes. Panting.
"What are you…." He whispered to just her.
"Stronger than your hollow." She whispered back, her voice melodic almost. She pulled her fist, standing there staring at him. She watched as Ichigo removed his mask, and she allowed her powers to recede, and the sun came back out in the whole facility.
'So, all her powers are back, and amplified apparently. I wonder if that has anything to do with the merging of two souls.' Kisuke thought as he sat there silently.
A/N: Chapter six – these are flying out of my head quickly. I am horrible at writing fight scenes, sorry! I feel like I must try and get everything out as it pops into my head. I have a few future chapters written, so I must try and merge them so the flow. Please review.
