Chapter 15: Life in the new squads

After they had finished talking Hisagi took Town down to a deserted grass field as he drew his zanpakuto. "Alright show me what you've learnt so far and I'll teach you everything else you need to know after" unsheathing his blade Tom charged forward as he slashed his zanpakuto at Hisagi who swatted the blow away and then returned a counterattack to which Tom parried away. Shunpoing behind Hisagi he swung his zanpukto down towards his opponent's head who spun around knocking the blow away and then delivered a crushing counter blow.

Tom only just managed to block the blow but the force of the attack sent him hurtling back as he fell backwards onto the grass. Slowly getting to his feet he managed to block another blow from Hisagi who charged forward and slashed his blade relentlessly through the air. Tom managed to parry away each blow but was being forced back until finally he felt his back hit a wall as Hisagi smiled "You're cornered now Tom what will you do?". Hisagi charged at Tom his blade angled horizontally to stab him in the chest, at the last second Tom managed to duck while Hisagi continued forward with his momentum stabbing his blade into the rock and getting it caught.

Using this opportunity Tom quickly jumped up and took a swing at Hisagi who managed to flip out of the way and extended his hand as Tom quickly reacted using shunpo to try and avoid the spell. "Binding Art 30: Beak-Stab Triple-Flash" Hisagi yelled finishing his chant as Tom unaware of what this binding spell held emerged just as three yellow beak like beams flew towards him and pinned him against the cliff wall. Struggling to free himself Hisagi had all the time in the world to walk over and pull his blade free before pressing it against Tom's throat.

"Not bad Tom, I think you're more than capable to serve as a 3rd seat, here I'll help you get down and we can go back to the barracks to have a drink of sake to celebrate" Hisagi said as the yellow beaks holding Tom disappeared. Landing on the ground they both began their long hike back to the barracks where some warm sake was waiting to replenish their lost energy from that short tussle.

"So Mitch what was life like for you in the real world?" Matsumoto asked as they both sat in what Matsumoto designated as the drinking spot in the 10th squad barracks enjoying a nice jug of sake between the two of them. "It was certainly different to go from living in Soul Society to living in the real world and having to attend a high school just to fit in, but I managed to adjust fairly quickly" Mitch said as he took a sip of sake and let the warm feeling of the alcohol flow through his body.

"I wouldn't mind visiting the real world again I just loved the scenery and the shops there" Matsumoto said as Hitsaguya and Ania both walked into the room frowning at Mitch and Matsumoto both drinking. "How can you two drink at a time like this" Hitsaguya said shaking as Matsumoto stood up and stumbled a bit from the effects of the sake "Sorry Captain I'll head back to work" she called out stumbling off towards the Captain's room while Mitch stood up and walked outside as Ania followed while glaring coldly at him. "What I was just having a drink while catching up with an old friend isn't that allowed" he said defensively as Ania just slapped the back of his head.

"Get back to your barracks and stop drinking idiot" she yelled out as Mitch skulked off back to the 11th squad barracks disappointed he missed out on getting a few more drinks in. "Killjoy" was all he muttered to himself as he walked out the front gates of the 10th squad barracks while Ania could only shake her head at the boy.

"Oi where you been Mitch?" Zaraki called out as he lay slumped against a wall in the courtyard of the 11th squad barracks. "Been out saying hi to some people and taking a few drinks here and there" he said pulling up a seat as Ikkaku came storming across the courtyard brandishing his blade as he roared "Did someone mention free drinks! Let's duel for it then!". Mitch sighed as he stood up and pulled a bottle of sake out from the pouch inside his cloak "Alright Ikkaku I'll spar with you for this bottle winner takes it and loser ends up with nothing".

Unsheathing Ashura he stood on guard both of them having the all too familiar battle grin of the 11th squad, "Alright Ikkaku I'm ready when you are" Mitch called out as Ikkaku raced forward his sword in one hand and the guard in the other. Being on the same squad for over 20 years Mitch knew most of Ikkaku's moves by now and charged forward as his blade clashed with the guard leaving a wide-open gap for Ikkaku to slash at. Shunpoing away at the last second Mitch appeared behind him and went to bring his katana down on his head only for Ikkaku to roll away from the swipe and swung his blade back around towards Mitch. His attack was stopped by Mitch's bare hands as he threw Ikkaku back and raised Ashura up high in defense waiting for whatever else Ikkaku would throw at him.

Charging forward Mitch slashed his blade as the blow was blocked by Ikkaku's hilt as he spun around to take a violent swipe that knocked Mitch backwards onto the floor. Not wasting a second he continued his rapid flurries of attacks as he swung his blade down onto the ground time and time again as Mitch barley managed to roll out of the way each time. Finally with one lazy slash Mitch managed to jump to his feet and side step another swipe as he raced forward only for his attack to be blocked but that wasn't all behind this attack as Mitch vaulted off Ikkaku's hilt kicking him square in the face and sending him crashing into the wall with a huge bang.

Emerging from the rubble Ikkaku was laughing as he dusted himself off and slowly stepped out of the rubble "I see you haven't gotten to rusty while patrolling around in the real world" "Seems you haven't become too shabby either" Mitch said grinning straight back. "Unfortunately for you though this is far from over that sake will be mine!" Ikkaku roared his reiatsu flaring to life around him as Mitch began raising his own that battle grin of his spreading even wider "Why I wouldn't have it any other way" he said before both combatants leapt towards each other their blades violently clashing together sending shock waves throughout the entire 11th squad barracks.