I intended to publish this earlier, but I ended up sick and my brain was too mush to continue writing lol
It had been over a month since the anniversary of Masaki's death. I had stayed with Isshin and the kids for a few more days, before I moved out. I had to really, I had run into Kuchiki, and I was pretty sure she knew who I was. I tried to play it off, but I don't think she completely bought it.
After my talk with Urahara, just decided to stay in Karakura Town. Urahara offered me a place at the shouten, and I accepted. If only to take advantage of the training grounds he had underneath the shop. If what he said was right, I had a feeling that I needed to get back into shape.
Honestly, it felt strange to be in soul form again. Seeing those black robes brought back so many memories. It also turned out that my soul didn't wear an eyepatch like the gigai, and it was very jarring to see my eye all of a sudden. Completely white now, with a jagged scar going down the middle. A souvenir from a strange hollow I faced some years ago.
At least I wasn't as rusty as I thought I was, or Urahara was a good teacher. Either way, I was back to where I use to be. Maybe a tiny bit stronger. I don't know, it been too long since I actually fought someone.
It was after a particularly rough training session that I found myself sitting on a rock, drinking a bottle of water provided by Tessai. Urahara was standing nearby, staring at the hatch on the ceiling in thought.
"Is something wrong?" I raised an eyebrow at him.
"I felt an odd reiatsu earlier" He then looked down at me. "Do you mind if we end this session now?"
"Sure" I shrugged. "I've been wanting to do some training with her anyway" I slightly raised my zanpakuto, the her in question.
"Is there anything you need for that?"
"No, we've surpassed the manifestation stage a while ago"
He nodded his head and turned towards the stairs with a wave. I waved him off, before putting my zanpakuto on my lap. A dark grey dust started leaking out of it, forming into a human shape infront of me.
My zanpakuto's spirit took the form of a woman, wearing a black yukata with a pattern of splats of bright colours that resembled fireworks. Around her waist she had a dark grey obi, and she wore geta on her feet. While her skin was very porcelain, her hair was black, pulled up into a spiky ponytail and spiky bangs. Her eyes were her best feature, however. Ever-changing colours, with a pupil that resembled a firework.
"Baku" I smiled softly at her.
What I got in return was a glare. Expected really. Baku had a pretty nasty temper, and hated not getting attention. And I admittedly haven't manifested her in a while.
"Sorry" I chuckled softly. "I haven't had alot of time to have some one on one time with you"
"But you had alot of time to flirt with that blond bastard"
"Flirt...? Baku, training isn't flirting. I know you think it is, but it's really not"
"Well, you should be flirting! You've been alone for way too long, you make your inner world rain too often. And I don't like the rain"
"I'm sorry, Baku. But dating isn't something I'm interested in anymore"
"Well at least get laid!" She snapped. "I've barely had any sunshine since you left Soul Society"
"I'm not interested in that either, Baku. I'm sorry, but I left that behind"
"With them, right?" She scoffed. "You deserved better, you know"
"Enough" I snapped at her before standing up, gripping the handle of my zanpakuto handle tightly.
"Fine" she snorted. "What did you summon me for anyway?"
"Some training, obviously. I'm pretty sure we're almost at bankai"
"We're definitely not. But whatever you say" She shrugged. She held her hand out, and a replica of my zanpakuto formed in her hand. "I'm still pissed at you, so you best prepare yourself"
I barely had time to block as she lunged at me. Seeing the look in her eyes, I knew this wasn't going to be an easy spar. Great.
•••••
It wasn't an easy spar. Hell, I think I might have to rest for a day or two. Baku had a nasty temper, and today it definitely showed. I'll have to make sure to spend more time with her.
Sighing, I rubbed my shoulders. I had just left the hatch and was heading over to my gigai when I heard a commotion from one of the other rooms. With a frown, I went over to investigate. Although I definitely didn't expect to see what I did.
"Ichigo?!"
Ichigo was laying on the floor, bloody bandages covering his torso. Tessai was sitting beside him, covering the teenager in a healing Kido.
"What the hell happened?"
"Soul Society came for Rukia" Urahara answered, coming up behind me.
"And the idiot tried to stop them?" I scoffed, mildly irritated. Partially at Ichigo, Partially at Rukia for putting another nephew of mine in danger. "Who was it?"
"Kuchiki Byakuya and his lieutenant"
"Byakuya?" I blinked in surprise. "They sent him to get Rukia? Seems like an asshole move"
"Regardless, they succeeded. Rukia is on her way to Soul Society.."
".. and into his arms. Great" I sighed, then gazed over Ichigo. "Those wounds... Soul sleep and binding chain... does that mean his powers are gone?"
"The powers he got from Rukia are gone, however.. "
"He still has his own, just unawakened" I frowned. "He's going to want to go after Rukia. He's going to need shinigami powers"
"My my, I didn't think you'd condone that"
"I'm not. But Ichigo is stubborn. While I can't hold him back, I can keep an eye on him"
"Does that mean...?"
"Yes. I'm going with him. To Soul Society"
•••••
"Are you sure about this?" Yoruichi's deep voice came from the window of my room. I looked up at the cat from where I was laying, playing with the charms.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"What happens if you're caught? They might execute you"
"They're not going to catch me" I snorted. "I'm not some newbie shinigami. I've got a hundred years of training"
"What if you see them?"
I paused. I honestly didn't think of that. I thought I'd never see them again, but if I went to Soul Society... "I don't know" I sighed. "I can try avoiding them as best I can. Hell, maybe they won't even recognize me"
"You cut your hair and got an eyepatch, but other than that, you still look the same as you did back then"
"I guess... Rukia recognized me, so the chance of them recognizing me.." I let out a groan. "Fuck. I'll have to keep myself a secret until we get Rukia"
"And what are you going to tell Ichigo?"
"About what?"
"About you being a shinigami"
My eyes widened and I sat up. "Fuck! I didn't even think of that!" Letting out a groan, I flopped back down. "I'll figure something out, okay? I can't just let him go to Soul Society alone"
"He won't be alone"
"What do you mean?" I frowned at her.
"Ichigo and Rukia have friends with special powers. I doubt they'll just stay behind"
"Special powers... are you talking about Sado, Orihime and the quincy boy?" Yoruichi nodded. "Yoruichi. They're children. That just makes me want to go even more"
"Are you sure that's the only reason you're going? To make sure the kids are fine?"
I sighed softly. "I know Rukia and I didn't part on good terms back in the day... but she doesn't deserve this, being a pawn in someone else's game"
"You were friends at some point, weren't you?"
"We were... before his death. It wasn't her fault, but she never accepted that. She pushed me away, and after I was transfered, I just never saw her again.. "
"Rukia won't die. Not with Ichigo determined to save her"
"True. And with how frighteningly fast he gets strong.. he might become stronger than me someday. And he's got our blood, so he's stubborn when it comes to those that matter. I pity anyone that gets in his way"