Hello friends and fans, Kairomaru is bringing you another Force of Souls Chapter! Now that Ichigo has removed the weight off his shoulders by slaying Grand Fisher, how will things change? Will Ichigo be more relaxed? Will he change only slightly? Or will he mostly stay the same except with his girlfriends? Orihime, Tatsuki, and Ichigo still have training to do! Progress can always be made!
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Chapter 11 – Change and Progress
I can't protect you without holding a sword
I can't embrace you while holding a sword
Ichigo, Tatsuki, Orihime, and Rukia were all in Orihime's apartment and cuddled up together. Orihime and Tatsuki had just been informed of what had taken place yesterday with Grand Fisher. The two had both decided that training was canceled for the day. Now the four of them were holding each other close and giving Ichigo emotional support as he finally, truly, freed himself of the burden he'd carried on his shoulders for years.
"I love you," Ichigo murmured as he held them closer.
"Love you too." Tatsuki replied as she leaned into him more.
"Love you, Ichigo." Orihime pressed herself against him as she snuggled closer.
"I love you too, Ichigo." Rukia hugged him tighter in response.
The four spent the next few hours just holding each other close. Ichigo relaxed into the love of his girlfriends, slowly feeling the hidden tension within him bleeding off. The guilt he'd felt for years since his mother's death finally falling off his shoulders and making him feel lighter.
He slept in Rukia's arms again that night. The petite Shinigami woman gently running her hands through his hair as he held onto her. His face was almost buried into her neck as he slept and Rukia smiled softly until sleep claimed her.
-June 19th, Matsukura-
"Rukia! It changed! My Zanpakutō changed!" Orihime was bouncing happily as her Asauchi had taken on the form of the kodachi she'd possessed the first time she'd taken her Shinigami Form. It was just as the group had first seen it. The tsuka with its orange ito wrappings, very similar to Ichigo's hair color and the circular tsuba with the nearly identical design to match her hair pins, a six-pointed flower, on the metal.
"Mine too." Tatsuki grinned as she pulled her wakizashi from the back of her modified Shihakushō and showed it to Rukia and Ichigo. It had the same tsuka with burnt-orange ito wrappings. The tsuba was still an oval and had a line of metal that bowed out on either side to form a 'D' shaped hole. The ornamentation on the tsuba was still the two dashes, almost like brush strokes, on either end. The dash close to the blade was noticeably shorter than the one near the edge of the tsuba just as before.
"Excellent work, you two," Rukia praised her girlfriends with a warm smile. "Now that your Zanpakutō are fully formed, we'll work on strengthening your connection to them. In time, you'll eventually come to know their names and be able to call upon your Shikai."
"Yay!" Orihime cheered with a beaming smile as she literally hugged her kodachi.
'Cute' Ichigo, Tatsuki, and Rukia all thought at the sight. Truly, Orihime was a precious treasure and needed all the love and affection they could give her.
"So, today's training will focus on Jinzen and the connection to your Zanpakutō." Rukia nodded to her three students. "Take a meditative position and lay your Zanpakutō across your lap." She instructed the three teens and smiled when all three were quick to follow her words. "Now, attain a state of calm," Rukia lowered her voice and softened her tone, hoping to soothe them and ease them along. "Once you're calm, reach out to your Zanpakutō with your Reiryoku. This will allow you to begin communing with your sword."
Ichigo closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale, slowly calming his body and mind to enter a meditative state. When he felt ready, Ichigo gently directed his Reiryoku into his Zanpakutō. He didn't think of anything, didn't worry about time, only the feeling he had through his Reiryoku. He briefly felt like someone had noticed him, as if he was seeing someone waving him over to their location.
"Huh?" Ichigo blinked and realized he was standing in a place he'd never seen before.
He was in an expansive field, short grassland from horizon to horizon. A massive plain and he was standing in the middle of it. He realized it was night as his gaze was draw upwards and he saw the faint silhouette of the new moon. It was what he saw beyond the dark moon that made him gasp. Stars, millions of them, so bright and clearer than he'd ever seen them before in his life, he could see the light of distant planets, the nebula of the galaxy, and with a stunned look, he realized that he could see a swirling galaxy just beyond the new moon.
"Beautiful, isn't it, Ichigo?" A new voice spoke up and Ichigo jerked in shock. Tearing his eyes away from the sky and the spectacular view, he noticed that a man was standing next to him.
The man was taller than Ichigo, standing at close to two meters in height. He had short black hair, a mustache, and a beard. He appeared to be middle-aged. He wore a dark-navy version of a Shihakushō held up with a golden-colored obi around his waist. The most notable thing that drew Ichigo's attention was the white blindfold over the man's eyes and tied at the back of his head.
"I could not see it but through the occasional break in the clouds before." The man continued 'looking' upwards at the magnificent view. "But now, the clouds are gone and this view is free to us."
"Wh-Who are you?" Ichigo questioned the man as he took a step back from him.
"I am -, and though we've never met, you know me. We've always been together, Ichigo." The man spoke as he turned to 'look' at Ichigo.
'I couldn't hear his name?' Ichigo noted the almost buzz his ears had been filled with when the man had given his name.
"It seems you are not yet able to hear my name." The man returned to looking at the star-filled sky, the wondrous view of the galaxy shining brightly with the new moon not reflecting the light of the sun to obscure the heavens.
"Are you, my Zanpakutō?" Ichigo made an educated guess as to who this man was.
"Yes," The man nodded, not turning his blindfolded gaze away from the stars. "I've waited for you to seek me out. It is too bad you still cannot hear my name."
"Rukia says that'll come in time." Ichigo noted to the spirit as he turned his own gaze back towards the heavens.
"Indeed, when you are ready to listen, when you are able to hear, only then will a fragment of our power be released." The man agreed with the teen.
"I wanted to thank you," Ichigo spoke again after a few moments of silence between them. "For helping me with the Huge Hollow and protecting Rukia and Karakura, I couldn't have done it without you."
"Hmm," The man hummed, seeming slightly amused. "Thanking me for that is akin to thanking yourself, Ichigo. You had the ability to slay that Hollow. You simply didn't comprehend it. I only reminded you."
"Still, without you reminding me, Rukia might've been hurt or worse." Ichigo wouldn't take back his thanks to his Zanpakutō.
"You wouldn't have let that happen," The spirit shook his head slightly. "She means far too much to you. All three of them do."
"Yes," Ichigo agreed with a smile as they both continued to gaze at the stars.
"I am always here, if you wish to speak with me, Ichigo." The man stated out of the blue.
"Huh?" Ichigo blinked and realized he was sitting in his meditative position back at their practice area behind Matsukura.
"Very good, Ichigo." Rukia smiled warmly at him, her violet-eyes filled with love and affection for her boyfriend.
"I saw my Zanpakutō, spoke with him, where was that?" Ichigo looked towards Rukia for answers.
"That was the 'Inner World' and it is unique to every Shinigami that can communicate with their Zanpakutō." Rukia explained softly. "It is the place within the deepest recesses of your mind and soul where your Zanpakutō resides."
"I couldn't hear his name." Ichigo admitted with a slight shake of his head.
"Even the most prodigious of Shinigami usually take six months to learn their Zanpakutō's name, most take a year or longer." Rukia reminded him with an understanding gaze. "It'll come in time."
"Better than I did." Tatsuki spoke up as she opened her eyes fully and blinked a few times. "I didn't see anything or anyone."
"Me neither," Orihime was practically pouting, her slightly puffed up cheeks made her look adorable. "I thought I heard someone giggling though."
"I just felt warm," Tatsuki looked thoughtful. "Like I was sitting near the heater at home on a winter day."
"That's still progress," Rukia smiled happily at her girlfriends. "Your Zanpakutō have only just taken on their true forms in their sealed state. It could be a while before you're ready to commune with your swords. The Zanpakutō will let you know when you're ready; much like Ichigo's did today."
"Should we call it a day?" Ichigo groaned as he stood up with his sheathed sword in his right hand. "It looks like we were out for a while." He noted the position of the sun and how it had changed.
"We can," Rukia agreed as she helped Orihime and Tatsuki to their feet and watched the two girls stretch from sitting still for so long. "Let's go to Orihime's to relax."
"Yes!" Orihime beamed at having them over at her place. All three of them smiled at how happy she looked. In short order the group was packed up and heading for Orihime's apartment.
Once the foursome had arrived, Orihime happily welcomed them inside. The group quickly made themselves comfortable and had tea together. As they were simply lazing about with each other, Rukia seemed to have come to a decision as she left the embrace of her boyfriend and girlfriends.
"Rukia?" Ichigo looked confused as the violet-eyed Shinigami stood before the three of them.
"Are you alright?" Tatsuki questioned, seeing the redness on Rukia's cheeks.
"I…" Rukia took a deep breath to settle herself. "I'm ready now."
"Ready?" Orihime tilted her head curiously.
"To advance our relationship." Rukia gently pulled up her shirt and removed it. The sports bra beneath it that she wore to their after school training sessions was pulled off next. She stood before the three topless, a dusting of dark red on her cheeks as she let them gaze on her naked breasts.
"You're beautiful, Rukia." Ichigo's eyes were warm with love for her and Rukia couldn't help but return his smile.
"Very beautiful." Orihime was beaming at her shorter girlfriend happily.
"Come here, Rukia." Tatsuki beckoned her fellow ravenette back over to them.
Rukia crossed the short distance and was quickly pulled onto Ichigo's lap. She gasped as his warm lips captured hers and his hand gently cupped one of her breasts. The way he gently massaged her and began to play with her sensitive nipple made her press her chest into his hand.
"It feels good, right Rukia?" Tatsuki breathed into her ear as her fingertips ghosted over Rukia's bare stomach and took her free tit into a gentle hold.
"Yes~" Rukia mewled as both of her breasts were stimulated. "I know they're not very big." She mumbled shyly.
"Size isn't everything, Rukia-chan~" Orihime cooed before kissing her lips.
"You're not that much smaller than me." Tatsuki reminded the Shinigami woman as she played with Rukia's nipple, making it perk up.
"We love you just the way you are, Rukia." Ichigo murmured softly into her ear before leaving a gentle kiss on it.
"Mmm~" Rukia moaned before her lips were captured by Tatsuki while Orihime took over playing with her breast.
Both Orihime and Tatsuki quickly removed their own shirts and sports bras to match Rukia's topless state. Ichigo was about to pull his own shirt off, only for Tatsuki to nearly tear it off of him. The short-haired girl was eager to get her boyfriend's body exposed.
"Ichigo!" Rukia yelped before a low moan poured from her lips as he took her left breast into his mouth to suck and lick. The way his tongue circled her areola and nipple was sending pleasant sparks into her brain. She threaded the fingers of her left hand through his hair to keep him close.
"That looks fun~" Tatsuki teased before capturing Rukia's right breast with her lips. She quickly proved to be just as skilled at Ichigo with her tongue and lips.
"Ooooh~!" Rukia threw her head back and moaned lewdly.
"You look so pretty like this, Rukia-chan~" Orihime smiled before capturing the ravenette's lips. She quickly deepened the kiss and their tongues began to play.
"Rukia, is this okay?" Tatsuki questioned as she gently tugged on the waistband of Rukia's yoga pants. Orihime freed the petite woman's lips so that she could answer.
"Yes…" Rukia panted lightly as she registered what Tatsuki wanted. "Take them off." She buried her face into Ichigo's neck and kissed her way up until she'd taken his lips with hers.
"Love you~" Tatsuki grinned naughtily as she pulled off Rukia's yoga pants and panties in a single fluid motion. If Rukia minded, she didn't say anything against being stripped bare.
"Me too, me too!" Orihime giggled and Tatsuki gave her a smoldering gaze before pulling off Orihime's yoga pants and panties too.
"Ichigo, mmmmnnnn~" Rukia cried out before moaning lowly into his chest as his hand trailed down her stomach and began to gently play with her sex. She spread her legs further to grant him more access even as she held him tightly.
"Ichigo~" Orihime cooed to get their boyfriend's attention. When Ichigo looked over he was greeted with the sight of a naked Orihime dragging Tatsuki's yoga pants and panties down the Martial Artist's legs. Seeing both of them nude would always get a powerful reaction from him.
"Ichigo!" Rukia pulled back from him as her face flamed red. "Y-Your…" She wiggled her hips slightly onto his lap to emphasize what she was trying to say.
"I'm with the women I love and they're all naked, of course I'm going to get excited, Rukia." Ichigo chuckled before capturing her lips and increasing his fingers' speed as he played with her pussy.
Orihime giggled as Tatsuki began to lavish attention on her large tits. She moaned hotly as her girlfriend demonstrated her skill and experience in full. Both girls grinned sexily when they saw both Ichigo and Rukia watching them. Rukia was panting as Ichigo continued to play with her, and Ichigo was burning the sight of Tatsuki and Orihime wrapped up in each other into his memory again. It never failed to be one of the most arousing things he'd ever seen. No matter how many times he saw it.
"Ichi-Ichigo…I'm gonna…I…" Rukia's hips were rolling into his hand as she got closer and closer to her peak.
"That's really sexy~" Orihime mewled as she and Tatsuki watched.
"Hell yes it is." Tatsuki was breathing heavily as she played with Orihime's body and watched Rukia come undone.
"Ichigo!" Rukia howled briefly before Ichigo silenced her with his lips. She shook and moaned into their kiss as she climaxed. Ichigo continued to tease her as she trembled in pleasure from his stimulation.
"Pants off, now." Tatsuki nearly growled as Orihime took Rukia into her arms.
"Damn, Tatsuki!" Ichigo barely had time to lift his hips before Tatsuki had his pants undone and was pulling them off along with his boxers.
"Watch, Rukia-chan, Tatsuki is going to show you what we were talking about." Orihime giggled as she helped Rukia refocus on the here and now.
"Mmm~" Tatsuki took hold of Ichigo's cock. "It's been too long." She stroked his length, always amazed by his size and girth, and made sure that Rukia could see everything.
"He's big…" Rukia trailed off as her violet-eyes locked onto Ichigo's dick and seemingly tried to commit it to memory.
"Yes he is~" Orihime licked her lips as she beheld her boyfriend's naked body again.
"Damn." Ichigo hissed as Tatsuki licked up the underside of his cock from base to tip. Her tongue quickly swirled around the head to tease him before she took him into her mouth.
"Oh…" Rukia was wide-eyed at seeing Tatsuki take Ichigo into her mouth. Watching the admitted tomboy bob her head up and down their boyfriend's length was making Rukia feel even hotter.
"Tatsuki…fuck!" Ichigo ran his fingers through her hair as she sucked him off at her own pace. She was pulling out all the stops for this, both because it had been too long since last time, in her opinion, and because she wanted to give Rukia a show.
"It's in her throat now~" Orihime nibbled on Rukia's ear as they watched Tatsuki take Ichigo to the base. Rukia trembled in phantom pleasure as Orihime's hands ghosted over her naked body.
"Hah~" Tatsuki pulled back, leaving strands of her saliva connecting her lips to Ichigo's cock. "Fuck…you're so fucking big, Ichigo~" She praised him as she often did. "What're you waiting for?" She stroked him with both hands and shot him a challenging look. "You know what we both want~"
Ichigo didn't say a word. His hand tightened in her hair and dragged her back down. Tatsuki moaned lewdly before she deep-throated Ichigo again. Now he was setting the pace and Tatsuki had one hand playing with her tits while the other was buried between her thighs. Orihime cooed at the two getting a little rough, while Rukia was breathing heavily as she watched the erotic show. The fact that Orihime was still playing with her body wasn't helping! The orangette girl was happily getting Rukia worked up and closer to another orgasm.
"Tatsuki! Here it comes!" Ichigo sped up the bobbing of his girlfriend's head, nearly bucking into her mouth as he got closer and closer to his release.
"Mmph, mmph, mmph," Tatsuki was just short of gagging as the pace increased faster and faster. Only her experience with Ichigo was keeping her from choking on his cock as it plundered her mouth and throat.
"Tatsuki!" Ichigo roared as he brought her down to the base again and unleashed his load directly into her throat. Tatsuki's arms wrapped around his waist to keep her in position, she wouldn't let go until she got every last drop from her boyfriend.
"Orihime~" Rukia mewled as she shook in her own orgasm. The orangette was nibbling on her neck as she held the shorter girl from behind. The two watched as Tatsuki finally pulled herself from Ichigo's spent length. The ravenette's cheeks looked full and she motioned them over.
"Tatsuki-chan~" Orihime had helped Rukia walk over to Ichigo and Tatsuki. Both girls sank to their knees and Rukia got an up close look of Tatsuki and Orihime kissing. It only took her a second to realize what the two were doing and she felt her entire head get hot from the intensity of her blush. They were sharing Ichigo's seed between them!
"Mmm~" Orihime hummed pleasantly as she swallowed.
"That's called a blowjob, Rukia-chan…" Tatsuki breathed out with a giggle. "That's what we wanted to show you, once you were comfortable like this."
"Oh…" Rukia was having a hard time keeping her eyes on one thing at the moment. Her violet gaze shifted from Ichigo's satisfied face, to his half-soft cock, to Orihime's happy grin, to Tatsuki's almost smug smirk. "D-Did you want me to…" She motioned to Ichigo's length.
"If you feel like it." Tatsuki shrugged, she wouldn't pressure her girlfriend into it if she wasn't ready.
"You don't have to, if you don't want to, Rukia." Ichigo spoke up as he locked eyes with her. His warm gaze made a pleasant tingle race up Rukia's spine.
"I'll try…" Rukia mumbled out as she kneeled between Ichigo's legs and saw how her closeness made his cock start to harden again.
"Slow and steady, Rukia-chan." Orihime gently guided the shorter woman's hand to Ichigo's length. "Gently grip the shaft to start." Rukia began to stroke Ichigo and watched how he reacted. When he gave her a grin, she smiled back and added her other hand to the stroking.
"Use your lips first, give him kisses~" Orihime giggled and Tatsuki chuckled along with her. Rukia did as told, kissing the head and feeling Ichigo throb in her hands.
"Now give him a little taste." Tatsuki encouraged and Rukia's tongue poked out to lick at Ichigo's cock.
"It's…different…I don't know how to describe it." Rukia blinked after licking around the head.
"That's fine, Rukia, once you're ready, try taking the head into your mouth." Tatsuki encouraged her girlfriend.
"Be careful with your teeth." Orihime reminded and Rukia blinked at having not considered that.
"Rukia…" Ichigo groaned as her soft lips passed over the head and her tongue cradled the underside of his dick. With slow movements, Rukia began to bob her head and suck lightly.
"There you go, Rukia-chan." Orihime praised as she and Tatsuki watched Rukia give Ichigo a blowjob.
"Pah~" Rukia pulled off after making it halfway down. "I can't…he's too big." She shook her head as she caught her breath.
"You're doing fine; this is your first time." Tatsuki assured her violet-eyed girlfriend with a warm grin. "Ichigo certainly likes it." She motioned to their boyfriend. Ichigo's eyes were gazing at her with an intensity that made Rukia clench her thighs together in excitement.
"I'm glad…" Rukia admitted bashfully before taking him back into her mouth. She continued to listen as Orihime and Tatsuki gave her advice and tips. Ichigo's hips began to buck slightly out of instinct and Rukia's eyes went wide as her mouth was filled with his seed. "Mmph!" She tried to swallow it down as she'd seen Tatsuki do, but she hadn't been prepared at all. She had to pull back and felt the last two shots hit her cheek and her chin.
"Easy, Rukia, slowly…don't choke." Tatsuki calmed the petite woman so that she didn't start hacking and coughing. Rukia listened, slowly swallowing the load down before gasping for breath. She ignored the naughty moan she'd let out too.
"Fuck that's hot." Ichigo looked at his three naked girlfriends as Tatsuki captured the rope of cum on Rukia's chin with her finger and took it for herself. Orihime was more direct and simply licked Rukia's cheek clean while the Shinigami woman was still dazed.
"Now comes the other fun part~" Orihime giggled after she stopped licking Rukia's cheek.
"Other part?" Rukia blinked as she realized that she was practically being tossed onto the couch next to Ichigo. She wasn't ready for the full thing yet!
"I need to return the favor~" Ichigo informed her huskily and Rukia nearly came undone right then and there. She briefly covered her face as Ichigo spread her legs and took in her dripping sex. "Every part of you is gorgeous, Rukia."
"Noooo~" Rukia shook her head behind her hands.
"You're so adorable!" Tatsuki couldn't help but be reminded of Orihime's first time with Ichigo. The orangette had been equally shy and cute before Ichigo had made her orgasm.
Rukia quickly found out how much she enjoyed this part of oral sex!
It was a satisfied Ichigo and Rukia that returned to the Kurosaki home that evening. Ichigo had helped her into his bedroom through the window so she could recover and wait for him to bring her dinner. Ichigo had entered through the front door as normal. The sudden sound of a scuffle alerted Rukia that nothing was amiss as she lay on Ichigo's bed.
'That was amazing~' Rukia let out a quiet giggle in her boyfriend's bedroom. Just the memories of the last couple of hours made her shiver in phantom pleasure. She was very glad that there hadn't been any orders delivered today. She probably wouldn't have gotten to experience this if there had been.
-The Next Morning-
'No…this is ridiculous!' Rukia thought as she lay in Ichigo's arms. They still had time before they had to get up for school and Rukia had checked her Reiryoku recovery as normal. The startling amount that she'd gained back between yesterday morning and now was much more than normal. The only thing that had changed though was her new experience yesterday. 'There's just no way that sexual activity is what's helping me to recover like this! That's just not possible! Right?' She shook her head at the ludicrous thought.
Still it was good progress! More than she'd made over the last couple of days combined. That was a good sign for the return of her powers. They might be able to pull this off without anyone the wiser. But even if not, Rukia would argue for Ichigo, Tatsuki, and Orihime against even the Central 46 if she had to!
"Rukia~" Ichigo's arm around her waist tightened as he pulled her closer. She smiled as she felt him nuzzle into her soft locks of black. When she felt his hardness pressing against her she stifled a squeak. You'd think after how many times she'd woken up with him that'd she'd be used to this by now. But having seen him at full length yesterday, she now realized he was only half-hard in the mornings.
"Ichigo," Rukia whispered as she felt his bare chest against her naked back. After what they'd done yesterday, she'd simply foregone her sleep shirt at night. She rather liked the skin to skin contact and Ichigo certainly hadn't complained. "We need to get up soon."
"Mmm." Ichigo gently shook his head 'No' as he snuggled closer to her.
"Yes," Rukia grinned as she pushed her butt against him. "We don't want to be late."
"Fine." Ichigo grumbled only to press himself strongly against her lovely bottom. "But don't tease unless you're going to help take care of it."
"You're insatiable, aren't you?" Rukia teased as she turned to look at him over her shoulder.
"I've been told that, once or twice." Ichigo chuckled as they both leaned in and shared a kiss.
On their way to school they picked up Tatsuki and Orihime as normal. Before they'd even cleared half the distance, Rukia's Soul Pager went off. The short woman quickly pulled the device out and noted the new orders. Orihime and Tatsuki pulled out their own Gikon and popped a pill almost as fast as Ichigo. Rukia hopped onto Ichigo's back and the four of them were off in less than a minute. The three Gikon-controlled bodies made their way to school as if nothing was amiss.
-Mashiba Ward ~ Central Karakura Town-
"Well, at least this is only a detour." Tatsuki commented as the three of them in Shinigami Form dashed across the rooftops. They were technically still getting closer to their school.
"This is still amazing!" Orihime giggled as she leapt a distance that would put any human athlete to shame with barely any effort.
"Focus you two, this shouldn't be difficult for the both of you, but there's no reason to get complacent!" Rukia refocused the two newer Shinigami on the task at hand.
"Sorry." Orihime and Tatsuki apologized simultaneously.
"Where is it?" Ichigo questioned as they stopped on top of a tall building and looked around.
"Down there!" Rukia pointed to a lot that appeared to be rundown. The Hollow's form could be seen slinking around in the shadows. They leapt forward only to hear a scream.
"Help me!" What sounded like a woman screamed and they all stepped on the air itself for a brief instant before rocketing forward with Shunpo.
"Raaarrggghhh!" The Hollow was a dark-green color, sixed-limbed, and looked almost like a malformed centaur. Four legs, a torso with two arms, and the standard bone-white mask, this particular one looking similar to a horse skull. Trying to get away from the Hollow was the Plus of a woman.
"I've got her!" Tatsuki blurred forward in a Shunpo and picked the Plus up. The Hollow howled when both of them blurred away again and it lost track of its prey.
"The storm rumbles. Scattered dust, compressed sky. Strike of the blackened hammer. Hadō #22: Atsudama!" Orihime chanted as she held up both of her hands, her palms facing towards the Hollow. Just in front of her hands a semi-opaque sphere formed with a sharp hissing sound. Without a sound it was launched at the Hollow at incredible speed. The second the sphere hit the Hollow's mask, everyone saw the bone-like material shatter and fragment from the force of the Hadō. With a loud bang the Hollow's head disappeared entirely.
"Holy shit, Hime-chan!" Tatsuki gaped as the Hollow's body collapsed and started to disintegrate. They briefly noted the four small, blue souls that were Konsō-ed through Orihime's connection to her Zanpakutō.
"Oh wow…" Orihime blinked and looked between her hands and where the Hollow had been. "That was stronger than I expected."
"You did great, Orihime." Ichigo praised her with a smile as he pulled her into a hug.
"That was a nearly perfect takedown, Orihime, I'm proud of you." Rukia smiled happily and gave Orihime another hug.
"Um…I'm very confused." The Plus looked between the four Shinigami uncertainly.
After a few moments to explain that they were Shinigami and that they could help her pass on, the woman was more than willing to accept their help. Tatsuki performed her first Konsō as she drew her wakizashi Zanpakutō and tapped the kashira against the ghost woman's forehead lightly. The symbol appeared as a glowing blue light and the Plus faded away. A black swallowtail butterfly was seen fluttering away a moment later.
"Huh, that was neat." Tatsuki commented after she sheathed her sword. "So she went to Soul Society from that?"
"Yes," Rukia nodded to her girlfriend with a gentle smile. "She'll reappear within the Rukongai and live out her afterlife before being reincarnated."
"That's good then." Tatsuki decided with a nod.
"That's the better part of this job," Ichigo pulled Tatsuki into his arms. "Helping the souls that are stuck here find peace and pass on."
"Yeah, I get that." Tatsuki returned the hug with a gentle smile on her lips.
"I think we're going to be late for school." Orihime noted as they heard a chime from a nearby building with a large clock on it.
"Oh damn…" Rukia cursed quietly, realizing that she was the only one that would be counted tardy since she was stuck in her Gigai.
-End Chapter-
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Progress! Both in Shinigami areas and Relationship areas!
So, Ichigo has met his Zanpakutō spirit and it's not the Canon one!
What else have I changed, hmm?
Rukia has furthered her relationship and perhaps made a rather naughty discovery?!
It couldn't really being helping her recover…could it?
Keep reading to find out!
Until I get your reviews, later!