Bleach is owned by Tito Kubo, however my OC's are my own.

Apricot Parfait

Ch.9 Plan Cuttlefish

A giant cloud of dust kicked up as a towering behemoth brought his axe down.

Ichigo was about to engage in a one-on-one battle with Jidanbo, the West Gatekeeper of the Seireitei. The rest of the group was separated from the oncoming battle by concrete slabs that had jutted up from the floor. A consequence of Jidanbo's earlier sweep attack.

"Everyone, stand down! This is now Ichigo's fight. We have no right to interfere". Having been familiar with the taboo of interfering in a one-versus-one fight, Anju assumed the same sentiment would also apply in soul reaper territory. She put down her extended arm having stopped Chad and Orihime from rushing to Ichigo's aid in time before Jidanbo could sweep them with his axe. It was Yoruichi who rushed to get in front of Uryuu, preventing the boy from getting crushed by a large piece of fallen ruble. They stood still as the giant spoke.

"Listen to your comrade young ones. For in this city, we have three rules".

Holding up his fingers to indicate each rule he was going to describe, Jidanbo spoke matter-of-factly, like he was explaining city life to a couple of country bumpkins ignorant of how things worked in the big city.

"Rule number one! Always wash your hands before you eat. Rule number two! Never eat food that has fallen on the floor, and rule number three!-". Holding up three fingers, Jidanbo's grin was wide. "All fights in this city are always fought one-and-one. That means no interfering until we are done"

Chad and Orhime flinched. Realization dawning that they really wouldn't be able to aide Ichigo in this fight.

Glancing at the back of Anju's head, Orihime decided the best course of action would be to stay put. The silverette had told her before that she wouldn't let anything happen to them, so she should trust her judgement even if the desire to help Ichigo was strong. Unable to shake her worry, Orihime looked back to Jidanbo, her fairies on standby should Anju tell them to attack.

"The kid with the spikey orange hair was the first among your group to approach and challenge me, so he shall be my first opponent. After we're done, I'll come back to deal with the rest of you". Jidanbo's gaze was hard as he stared down the intruders behind the concrete slabs.

"That sounds fair". Anju nodded her head. "Jidanbo, you said your name was?

"That's right". The gatekeeper nodded back. His gaze hard.

"We accept your terms and shall wait patiently while the victor of this battle is decided. If it's not too much trouble. Would you mind if I offer my friend some words of encouragement"?

Believing he would emerge the victor, Jidanbo permitted Anju's request. It had been a while since he faced a challenger, and there was no harm in allowing the girl to give her comrade a pep talk before he crushed him beneath his axe. "Very well. I'll allow it", he nodded. Impressed with the woman's professionalism and manners though he did not show it.

Cupping her hands over her mouth, Anju's voice projected above the slabs. "Do your best, Ichigo! Remember your training and go for it. This is a real fight so don't hold back". Anju's voice was firm but encouraging. Un-cupping her mouth, she turned to glance behind her. "Is there anything the rest of you would like to say to Ichigo before he begins his battle"? she asked, face softening.

"You can do this, Ichigo"! Shouted Orihime, raising her arms up to cheer him on.

"Ichigo, do your best". Chad nodded.

"We'll see you on the other side when you defeat this guy"! Uryuu walked closer to the concrete slab hoping his voice reached the orange haired teen.

Having heard each of the intruders say their good lucks. Jidanbo was ready to start the fight. He would uphold his duty as a gatekeeper and prevent any of the intruders from entering. Starting with this boy with strangely colored hair.

"Very well then. Let's begin". Jidanbo stretched his neck from side to side. He lifted his giant axe from the ground leaving an indent where its blade's edge cut through the concrete. "Get ready, spikey head".

Holding his blade like Anju showed him, Ichigo got into position. "Alright. Just you guys wait. I'll have this guy defeated in no time, then we'll go inside the Seireitei together". Ichigo's eyes were hard as he stared at Jidanbo. All he had to do was defeat this giant then he and the others could go find Rukia.

"My, such confident words for a ryoka. I'll have you know that in the three hundred years of my tenor as a gatekeeper, no one has ever gotten past me".

"Yeah, well I have to get inside no matter what, so let's start this already". Ichigo's tone was impatient.

"As you wish, boy".

Jidanbo swung his axe back high, bringing it down hard atop Ichigo's head. The impact of the attack caused another could of debris and dust to fill the air. When the air cleared, the gatekeeper was surprised to see that the boy had used his sword to block the attack. No one had ever survived a head on attack from his axe before, especially not on the first swing.

Jidanbo laughed, the absurdity of the situation was too much. Just who was this ryoka?

"You're gutsy, I'll give you that, spikey head. No one has ever stopped the full thrust of my axe and survived". Shifting to a more serious tone, Jidanbo continued. "Out of hundreds, there have been two whom I deemed strong enough to challenge me, but once I thrusted my axe upon them a second time that is where the story ends. Neither you nor they could ever hope to fend off my second attack, so prepare yourself intruder as I unleash the second thrust"! Dust filled the air once more as Jidanbo's axe made contact with Ichigo's sword again. Jidanbo's eyes flinched in surprise. "This boy. What's going on"? Steeling himself, he got ready to swing for the third time. This time he'd put more force behind it. With a loud cry, the axe was brought down. "I will defeat you"! The sound of an axe hitting metal rang across the open area.

"This is madness. I'm going to go help Ichigo and back him up"! Uryuu started to run the length of the slabs, but before he could get far, Anju pulled him back by his cape.

"Listen, Uryuu. I know it's hard to wait and watch as a comrade battles alone, but the rules are clear, and unless Ichigo calls for backup, we must stay put. "Besides" Anju gave him a cheeky grin. "Do you really think so little of Ichigo that you don't believe in his abilities? He's the reason why you decided to come on this mission on the first place. Am I right"?

Uryuu smiled letting out a huff. This woman sure knew how to call him out. "I guess you're right. I just want to help Ichigo where ever I can".

"I understand, we all do, but I want you all to remember that we are a team. There will be times when we will fight together and times when we each must watch from the sidelines as one or more of us battles. Right now, we are in the later category. Our job is to watch Ichigo's fight till either he or Jidanbo wins, so be patient. Though if you ask me, the winner of this fight is clear". Anju said closing one of her eyes in a long held wink.

"So, I want to hear it from all of you. Do you trust in each other"? Anju's tone was now firm.

"Yes", nodded Chad.

"Yes". Uryuu settled for staring at the battle as well.

"But, Ichigo…" shaking her head to dispel any unpleasant thoughts, Orhime nodded with a "mhmm".

"Good. Because I trust in all of you as well. Now lets resume watching". Turning to face forward, Anju heard Orihime's voice.

"Um, Anju"?

"Yes, Orihime"?

"That man, Jidanbo... He called Ichigo a ryoka. What does that word mean? Is it bad"?

Without turning back, Anju answered. "A ryoka is a word used by the Gotei 13 to describe a person who enters Soul Society without permission. It's basically their way of calling someone an intruder. As for being a bad word. It does have negative connotations, but I wouldn't call it a slur. It's more like a word that denotes a person's status".

"Gotei13"? Questioned Chad.

"It's Soul Society's military force. It's made up of thirteen court guard squads, some with their own specialties, but all essentially perform the same function of exorcising hollows, helping souls move on, and keeping the spiritual balance of the human world. If you're curious Rukia was the lieutenant of squad thirteen".

"Wow, I've never met a real lieutenant before. To think that Rukia had such a cool title"! Orihime beamed.

Anju smiled to herself. "Yes, Rukia was quite accomplished".

The group quieted down when Jidanbo called the name of his special attack. His Ten Rhinoceros Red Strike Festival.

"One… two… three... four… five … eh, five…."

With each count the massive man brought his axe down kicking up a flurry of dust and making small craters in the ground wherever his blows landed. Ichigo dodged where he could and blocked the axe with his blade when he wasn't able to.

"Nice, Ichigo. Good thing I had him practice dodging various attacks including successive". Anju thought to herself.

"What in the world is he doing"? Uryuu was taken aback by the sheer destructive power of Jidanbo's barrage style attack. How could anyone survive this?

"This is likely Jidanbo's special move. It appears he's trying to overwhelm Ichigo with an onslaught of successive attacks, or tire him out enough so that when the opportunity presents itself he'll strike when Ichigo is no longer able to defend himself". Explained Yoruichi.

"Twelve… nine … six…"

The ground shook as Jidanbo continued to unleash his special attack. Despite having lost count, the giant showed no signs of actually stopping after ten strikes. Rubble flew everywhere. The concrete slabs protecting the group from most of the fall out.

"He may be strong, but it doesn't sound like he knows how to count well". Uryuu sweat dropped.

"I'll say". Commented Chad who also sweat dropped.

Frustrated that he couldn't cut the orange haired boy down no matter how many times he swung his axe. Jidanbo gathered all his strength making another sweep of the area. His attack so powerful that it cut the tops off the concrete slabs.

Having lost some of their cover Anju instructed everyone to mind their heads.

Taking a breath, Jidanbo let out a "whew". There was no way the boy could have survived his barrage and sweep.

"Got him… I think".

Waiting for the dust to clear, the gatekeeper's eyes widened. How was this possible?

Ichigo stood tall. His blade held against the length of his body as he successfully blocked the giant axe from cutting him in half.

"What?! That's impossible… How can you still be standing after that attack, spikey head"?!

Opening his eyes now that the dust had settled down, Ichigo got into position to make a counter attack.

"If you're done gatekeeper. It's my turn to make a move now".

Jidanbo was speechless. He couldn't believe what he saw. Just who was this boy?

"I'm not done! I'm not done! I still have an ultimate attack"! he shouted. He would not be bested by an intruder. His reputation as a gatekeeper depended on it.

Taking out a second identical axe from his shihakusho, Jidanbo breathed several times through his nostrils preparing himself for his second and final ultimate attack. He'd never been forced to use this attack on an intruder. Employing it only for wartime use, but he couldn't let this ryoka best him. He'd finish him off with this attack and move on to the others.

"He's got another axe!", exclaimed Uryuu.

"See if you can withstand my ultimate attack, spikey head. Ten Thousand Rhinoceros Red Strike Festival"!

Bringing down both axes, Jidanbo was sure to end this battle. "Why does he look so determined? He should be afraid like all the others". Continuing with the attack, the giant's battle cry rang out as his axes grew nearer to Ichigo's form. "Ngh ahhh"! "Almost there. Just a little more".

But, before the dual axes could hit their target. Ichigo slashed upwards with his sword.

To Jidanbo's surprise and the motely crew's delight. Ichigo had broken Jidanbo's twin axes bringing the battle to its conclusion. Ichigo was the victor.

"You did it, Ichigo". Anju smiled approvingly.

Chad, Uryuu, and Orihime cheered moving from behind the concrete slabs to stand by Ichigo when Anju gave them the go-ahead.

Jidanbo stared in shock at Ichigo. The boy had survived his ultimate move and to his horror broken his axes.

"M-my axes…", the gatekeeper's eyes started to water. His pride and joys that he'd been wielding since before his days as a gate keeper were completely and utterly destroyed.

Jumping up to sit on a piece of rubble, Yoruichi took note of the battle's aftermath.

"Hmm. It seems Jidanbo's axes have been somewhat modified. I don't think he'll be using them anytime soon".

"Whoa, he broke them both". Uryuu stared in amazement. Anju was right. They had no reason to worry about Ichigo's ability to win this fight. They needed to trust in each other. Looking to the woman Uryuu pushed up his glasses. "Maybe, I miss judged her".

"Ichigo has strong power, but he doesn't have the experience necessary to wield it to its full potential yet". Kisuke's voice sounded through Chad's mind followed by a thought of his own. "So that's what he meant. Ichigo didn't gain fighting skills or strength and stamina, he gained experience, and now that he has it…". Chad smiled. Ichigo really was strong.

"Wahh, wahhh! My axes, my precious axes. They're ruined! Why did you have to do it? Why did you have to destroy my beautiful babies? They did nothing to you"! Jidanbo wailed. His axes were no more.

Akin to watching a child who had their favorite toy break, Chad, Uryuu, and Orihime didn't know how to react to the giant's tantrum. Was it really that big of a deal for the axes to break when Jidanbo was the one who wanted to fight in the first place?

"Look. I'm sorry about your axes and everything, but I couldn't let you keep swinging them at me. Though... I guess I could've just destroyed one of them and let you keep the other one… My bad". Ichigo trailed on rubbing the back of his neck. Maybe he did get a little carried away.

Looking up from his position on the ground, Jidanbo looked directly at Ichigo, sniffling while he collected himself. "No, you're not bad. Even though you're my enemy you care. Instead of only thinking about your quest to get through the gate, you cared for your opponent and his axes".

Jidanbo clutched Ichigo's shoulders with his large hands. Letting out a few more sniffles as he did so.

"What a good person you are my spikey headed enemy. What a generous heart you have". He continued to wail. No opponent had ever cared to console him before. Of course dead opponents couldn't do such a thing, but it still would've been nice if they had done so before he crushed them.

"Well, it's only natural to console someone when they cry... even if they are really big...", Ichigo said awkwardly. Battling, and then consoling a giant axe-wielding gatekeeper was not something he thought he would do once he passed through the modified senkaimon. He was starting to think that Soul Society was a little weird.

Jidanbo wiped his eyes. Standing up, his mood drastically improved. Ichigo's kind words had sobered him up.

"I know. I'm acting like a big baby, aren't I? Crying and moaning over a couple of old axes. I'm nothing but an embarrassment as a man. I'm a total loser"! Jidanbo shouted while raising his arms to the sky. Pausing he looked down at Ichigo. He had lost and now it was time to fulfill his end of the deal.

"Never in my three-hundred-years tenor as a gatekeeper for the Hakuto Gate have I ever lost to an opponent. You are the first man to defeat me, and now I must open the gate for you, the victor, as promised". Wiping his eyes as more tears threatened to spill, the gatekeeper continued. "There for, I, Jidanbo, hereby grant you passage through the Hakuto Gate"! Crouching down before the massive gate door, the giant dug his fingers into the earth. "Now stand back. It's been a long time since I've had to do this". He felt his fingers reach the underside of the gate, and with a grunt began lifting it little by little working on dislodging the it from the dirt.

"Wow, cool"! Ichigo admired Jidanbo's raw strength. The gate must've weighed a ton. Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Ichigo turned to see who it belonged to. Looking down he saw Anju looking up at him with a pleased expression.

"Well done, Ichigo". Anju smiled with her lips. Her eyes shone with approval.

Smiling back, Ichigo nodded, "yeah".

With one last grunt, Jidanbo had finally dislodged the gate. Now he just had to lift it high enough for the ryoka to enter.

Walking to stand by Yoruichi. Anju spoke.

"Yoruichi, I can't sense anything beyond the gate due to the seki seki stone, but I have a feeling that the commotion from Ichigo's fight may have attracted some unwanted attention". Anju looked ahead not taking her eyes off Jidanbo's movements. He, himself, may have been an honorable opponent, but there was no telling what would be on the other side of the gate once he fully lifted it.

"Good eye. Yes, there will likely be soul reapers waiting on the other side, so get ready".

Jidanbo had the gate a fourth of the way open when Anju felt a strong presence approaching.

"This reiatsu… it feels familiar…"

Making a quick decision, she decided to flash step to the side of the gate so that she wouldn't be in the direct view of whoever was coming their way. Something was off, and for now it may be best to observe how this approaching figure reacted to them versus charging through all at once. They seemed strong. Where they a captain?

Eyes widening, Anju nodded once at Yoruichi signaling that something was wrong.

He nodded back looking to see what caused Anju to fall back.

Once the gate was fully lifted, Jidanbo turned to the group telling them to pass through. When he turned back to face forward. He froze trembling at the sight before him.

"What's wrong, Jidanbo"? questioned Ichigo who now stood next to him. Did he hurt himself while lifting the gate?

"It's... It's... Captain of squad three… Gin Ichimaru". the giant breathed out. Whoever this person was, Jidanbo was clearly afraid of him.

A tall man with silver hair wearing a white sleeveless haori atop his shihakusho and a short sword tucked into his belt stood several feet in front of Jidanbo and Ichigo.

Yoruichi narrowed his eyes knowing exactly who stood in front of them.

"Ok then, who the hell is this"? questioned Ichigo.

"Ah, not good". Captain Ichimaru spoke.

A flash of silver flew past the gatekeepers arm. When it disappeared a gush of blood flowed from the laceration.

With a grunt of pain and beads of sweat forming on his brow, Jidanbo fell to one knee doing his best to continue holding the gate open. He couldn't drop the gate till spikey head and his comrades made it inside. He gave his word that he'd let them pass, and he had to keep it.

"Jidanbo! Hey, are you ok"! Ichigo referred to the cut on his arm. He didn't see how it happened, but he was sure that the man with slitted eyes had done something to cause it.

"What do you think you're doing"?! He yelled to the captain. How could anyone actively hurt their own comrade?

Ignoring the boy, Gin continued. "Unacceptable. Being a guardian of the gate doesn't mean you're supposed to open the gate". He smiled his grin looking like that of a snake's.

"How careless of me. I didn't think someone of his caliber would show up. He must've been what Anju was sensing and why she hid from view to get a better idea of the situation before acting accordingly, but even she would have trouble facing an opponent like Gin Ichimaru. As for the others they may have gotten stronger, but the strength of a captain is beyond them. We must retreat and implement plan flower cannon".

With his thoughts concluded, Yoruichi glanced at Anju through the corner of his eye. His pupils widened. Yoruichi knew this was coming, but it still surprised him. Did this girl know no fear?

Anju had wrapped a large black cloth over her head and neck effectively hiding her hair and face. Pointing her right hand down while wiggling three fingers, she signal to Yoruichi that she would go with plan cuttlefish.

In the event that someone would be on the other side of the gate, Anju devised a plan where she would sneak in and secure hiding spots, so that when the rest of them entered using plan flower cannon, they'd have safe places to regroup and hide while they scouted out Rukia's location. Yoruichi thought the plan was risky and didn't feel comfortable letting her go in alone, but with further convincing, he realized that it was a good plan strategy-wise and would help prevent them from running around like chickens with their heads cut off. A surefire way to get themselves caught.

"Be careful, Anju". In a flash she was gone.

Looking forward so as not to draw suspicion, Yoruichi kept his eyes on Ichigo figuring out a way to get him to retreat. He didn't have to however because Gin extended his zanpakuto effectively pushing Ichigo and Jidanbo out of the Seireitei.

Taking this as their cue to fall back, Yoruichi shouted to the rest of the group. "Alright everyone, retreat!"

As the gate closed, Gin bent down waving. "Bye, bye now".

Straightening his posture, he took a moment to stare at the now closed gate. "My. That Ichigo kid sure is an interesting one".

Letting out a content sigh, Gin started walking.

"I suppose I should tell the head captain about this. I don't think he'll be too pleased to know that a mouse got in". He mused to himself smirking as he made his way to squad one to make a report.

Anju had slowed her pace, and had been searching for a potential hiding spot for about five minutes before coming upon a secluded area.

There was a table lined with supplies, boxes of various sizes stacked on top of each other, and large canvas covered crates.

"This must been a type of open storage area".

Removing the black cloth around her head and neck, she threw it behind of one of the crates. Untying a white ribbon from her upper arm, she used it to tie her hair into a bun at the base of her neck, and taking a dark green bandana from her shihakusho, she tied it around her head covering as much of her bright silver strands as possible. Some loose fine strands peeked through, but otherwise, her hair was mostly hidden. It wouldn't have been very cuttlefish of her to attract any unnecessary attention due to having a stand out hair color now would it? No, for this mission she would be just like a cuttlefish. The ocean's master of disguise and escape.

She had successfully infiltrated the Seireitei. Plan cuttlefish would now be put to the test. First order of business was to secure herself a safe place to hide, so that she'd have a place to return to once she finished scouting the area for other possible hiding spots for her comrades to use when they joined her.

Taking a deep breath in and deep breath out, Anju composed herself before walking out of the area. This was it. She would put everything she learned to good use and pass herself off as a soul reaper instead of the ryoka that she truly was.

"You got this, Anju".

"Thanks, Enma".

"I see. And what did this ryoka look like, Captain Ichimaru"?

Gin stood in front of the head captain's desk. A mocking smile on his face.

"I'm sorry, sir, but the ryoka flashed by in a blur, so I wasn't able to get a good look at them".

"I see. I will call a captain's meeting so we can discuss this further. You are dismissed Captian Ichimaru". Head Captain Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto said firmly.

"Just what I need. A ryoka getting into the Seireitei. What was the gatekeeper in charge thinking letting one get past"?

"Yes, Head Captain". Gin exited the office.

"Lieutenant Sasakibe, send word to the captains that I request a meeting, but do so discreetly. We don't need to make a fuss over one ryoka.

"Yes, sir. Right away ".

Lieutenant Sasakibe bowed his head exiting the office.

Now alone in his office Head Captain Yamamoto finished writing his approval for the transfer of Rukia Kuchiki to the repentance tower. Placing the paper in the "completed stack". He let out a breath.

"Such troubling times we live in, Ichirou".