Shinto's New Shinigami

Welcome, and I'm happy to see that the first chapter has done well, It's sad there aren't a lot of comments, but that'll surely grow with the story. So if you do enjoy and have experience with betsing, I'll be happy to accept anyone.

I'd like to say thank you to Nanu For editing the chapter. He's an editor of my HP story and he happily looked over this chapter not knowing Bleach so thanks to him.

Now, onto the chapter, which will be much longer than the last.

"Normal Speech."

"Spirit Speech."

"Tsukiko Speech."

–

Dimensional Gap

–

It took Ichigo a little under half a dozen times to succeed in opening the Garganta after Tensa Zangetsu explained the process. Everytime the orange-haired teen failed, a feeling of dread began to consume him believing that he wouldn't be able to use his powers. However, on the twentieth try, it succeeded, the terror and dread lifted, allowing him to relax. Not only that but once he used it, his powers gave him a more robust feeling, almost as if something within him was filled.

Stepping into the void of the Garganta, Ichigo expected to find the crumbling path like he did when he first entered the gate, however, this time his feet landed on a straight and smooth path. Shrugging, he just made his way in and began running, and every now and again flash stepped after testing to see if it was safe.

When the substitute shinigami exited, it wasn't to the familiar sight of a never-ending desert, but to be a void of iridescent colors. Looking around Ichigo continued to see that the void would continue. "Where the hell am I?" He asked himself as he then went on trying to sense if there was anyone around him.

Coming back empty-handed, Ichigo released a sigh and went to leave through a new garganta. "Ichigo," he stopped when he heard his bankai spirit call out to him. "Before you leave, I believe it's about time we… have a much overdue and important conversation."

Hearing this concerned Ichigo, for even though he'd only known the younger Zangetsu for only a short while, he'd only ever heard Tensa Zangetsu talk like this when he found out how to use Mugetsu. Giving a small nod in response, Ichigo turned back to the colorful dimension and after further testing, he sat down and laid his bankai on his lap.

–

Mindscape

–

When the young war hero opened his eyes, he was expecting to find the familiar sight of sideways buildings as far as his eye could see. However what he found wasn't what he'd expected for in front of him was a lake, and behind him, Ichigo found, to his further confusion, a cracked moon.

"Beautiful, isn't it." He heard to his right and the orange-haired teen didn't need to look to know that it was Tensa who spoke. "Sadly, this might be the last time I see this view."

At this honey brown eyes shot to the spirit and before he could say anything Ichigo found that they weren't the only two here. Standing beside Tensa Zangetsu was a woman of average height.

Examining her closer he couldn't deny that she was beautiful, with her heart-shaped face, amethyst eyes that sang knowledge and power, and her cyan long and flowing hair that faded to a midnight blue the further down it went. Ichigo also couldn't deny that the unknown's figure could rival even some of the best models he's seen. With an hourglass form, he could say her chest size was either CC or D cups, and hugging her figure was a form-fitting purple and blue kimono with butterflies littering about. Some extra notable things were that she wore multitudes of brackets and rings, and lastly around her neck was a black lacy choker.

Silence followed as Ichigo finally removed his eyes from the beauty. "Okay," He said, crossing his arms and looking at his zanpakuto spirit. "I want three things from you Tensa Zangetsu." The spirit nodded with a face that seemed surprised. "First is where are we? I don't remember this being my mindscape. Where are the sideways buildings and bright sky? Second, who is she and what's she doing here?" Finishing the question he now looked at the spirit with worry. "Lastly, what do you mean this will be the last time you see this view?"

His spirit nodded and his eyes looked at something on the lake, and following his gaze he found his bankai lying there. "Before I answer those, or more specifically the older me, why don't you return me to my shikai form." His eyes went to the ground. "They should be the ones to tell you the truth." Still confused but nonetheless, Ichigo picked up his odachi-shaped bankai and as he willed it to turn back, he heard his bankai's spirit one last time. "Goodbye Ichigo, and it's been an honor and life-changing to work with you."

With those words, the younger Zangetsu glowed, and as the light diminished, Ichigo found the Old Man Zangetsu and his Hollow standing in his place. Upon their return the orange-haired shinigami, noticing their expressions, the older man held a sorrowful look with his shade-covered glasses looking down, and his pale copycat carried a look of longing and sadness.

"Zangetsu. Hollow." Ichigo greeted them, and deep inside him, he knew that whatever was coming next wasn't going to be to his liking. "What's going on? Hollow, you're too quiet, and Zangetsu… something changed in you."

The two remained quiet, and honestly, the silence was getting on his nerves, however, it didn't last long. For stepping forward was the unknown visitor, and when she spoke her voice echoed. "I believe I will go first, Ichigo Kurosaki." The woman bowed with a smile, allowing her cleavage to be revealed to the soul's owner. "I do not have a name, if you wish to give me a name I'll accept and cherish it. However, what I am is the Hogyoku, more specifically I'm the half of the Hogyoku that was made by my creator Kisuke Urahara."

Ichigo's eyes widened when this was revealed to him, and he watched as she stood straighter, hiding her cleavage behind her kimono, and most of all she was grinning. "Uhh, okay." He said before shaking his head and returning to the present and pulling in his shock. "So why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be with Aizen?" The personification of the hogyoku pulled out a hand fan and hid her mouth, and watching this Ichigo inwardly groaned. 'You can't leave me the fucking alone can ya Hat & Clogs, can ya! Gotta follow me around and make my li-.'

Stopping mid-mental dialogue, Ichigo looked to his feet with a frown, knowing that he was in another world or universe, that all the people he cared about his family, friends, and his mentors would never be before his eyes again. Acknowledging this a deep emptiness and sadness filled him… he'll probably never see them again.

"Ichigo." The woman called out to him, bringing his honey-brown eyes up to look at her, and in doing so the named teen saw that she wasn't hiding her face behind the fan. "The why and how I am here is because after you defeated Aizen, his truest and deepest wish changed. He did not wish to find an equal or a worthy rival anymore, but to allow you to live as you see fit." Hearing her explanation filled Ichigo with an annoyance and he went to speak it, however before he could the Hogyoku continued.

"When we went to fulfill his wish, Sosuke Aizen acknowledged and knew that you'd no longer be able to see your friends and family anymore. He knew this and he still wanted you to leave, for even though you could run from the Shinigami and Central 46, all those you cared about would be seen as a weakness against you and they would use those weaknesses without mercy or hesitation. For you, the teenage war hero, who fought all their battles, defeated most of their enemies, stopped rebellions, and finally brought down the man who manipulated, and humiliated them like none other, to them you are now the biggest threat to their society and order." She paused to allow her words to sink in, and truthfully they did, for Ichigo was looking down at ripples of the watery floor and clenching his fist in annoyance, anger, sadness, and betrayal, knowing that what she was saying, was indeed correct "To them you were a tool, a powerful tool that they couldn't control. To those you saved and protected, they deemed you worthy to kill for all you've done for them."

Silence filled the mindscape when she finished speaking, leaving the owner of the soul to wallow in emotions and to leave the two other spirits to think about what they had to do.

–

Unknown to the orange-haired teen, his body was being watched and examined by a short black-haired girl wearing lolitia-like clothes. 'His power, it's similar to mine?' The girl said to herself as she crouched down and grabbed the unconscious body by the chin and made it look at her.

Tilting her head Ophis suddenly realized who this might be and let go. 'This… this is the one who caused the realms to shake to their core!' She screamed to herself as she stepped back, acknowledging the teen for his power.

However, the Ouroboros Dragon stopped when she remembered what she saw when she had him look at her. Honestly, Ophis didn't know what she saw when examining his facial features, but what she did know was that the teen wouldn't openly harm anyone without a cause.

Moving closer the dragonoid watched and waited to see if the teen would wake up. However, after a few seconds of nothing, Opbis crouched down again and this time grabbed the teen's weapon, and upon contact her empty emotionless eyes widened at the power within it. It was immense and undescribable, however, the dragon also felt like it was empty, like it was a fake or it was missing that important something that would make it whole and not the empty case it was.

The longer Ophis held onto the weapon the more the feeling grew to the point it began burning her hand, curiously she closed her eyes and suddenly the ancient being pulled her hand away quickly with wide eyes. 'What the hell was that!?' She said to herself trying to remember what she saw, as she clutched the hand that held the weapon.

It was a vast opening with an enlarged full cracked moon, and Ophis remembered finding herself standing on water. However it was also then that she saw people, a group of four but before she could examine and get a look at them, she found golden eyes staring at her, and when that happened a burning sensation covered her right hand and immediately she was shot out to where she was now.

Looking at the hand she was clutching Ophis was shocked to find a large burn mark that wasn't healing. Shakingly the second strongest being of the universe looked to the unnamed teen with what she could only describe as fear.

–

Karakura Town

–

When Tatsuki entered the familiar candy shop she was surprised to see it wasnt the familiar presence of Tessai who managed the check out, nor were the two kids who worked there, but the one who was sitting there was the mocha skinned beauty known as Yoruichi Shihoin.

"Ah, welcome." The woman spoke up, almost roboticily, without looking towards the entrance. "We have a special sale on any and all chocolates." Tatsuki walked up toward Yoruichi, who still looked like she was daydreaming, and tapping on her shoulder the highschooler watched as annoyance filled her golden eyes. "Wha-!" Finally looking away, and stopped mid sentence, leaving her mouth agape and eyes as wide as saucers, making the tomboy chuckle.

Giving a small smile and wave, Tatsuki decided to speak up. "Yo, is Kisuke around? I… I am here for a request." She said and watched the woman regain control of herself and her shock.

Once Yoruichi did, the tomboy watched as a smile grew on the shinigami's beautiful face. "Tatsuki! Thank fuck you are here!" The woman jumped to her feet and like a spitfire, Tatsuki could barely follow her movements, the beauty sped past her to the open sign, turned it off, walked back to the highschooler and hooking their arms, the former captain dragged her to the backroom.

Forced to sit down, Tatsuki soon found the woman sitting across from her. "First, thank you for coming by, with Kisuke, Tessai, and the little ones gone, this place has become a bad place for me and my memories." Yoruichi finished and the dark-haired girl watched as the excitement diminished and turned to sadness and longing.

Seeing this Tatsuki finally realized that with her best male friend gone, almost everyone who knew him felt empty. The twins have gone silent and whenever Ichigo was brought up, Yuzu would break out in tears, Karin would look as if she was staring off into space deep in her thoughts, and the orange tops father has rarely been seen when he wasn't with his daughters.

Ichigo's school friends, specifically Keigo and Mizuiro, barely hung out with each other now that the middle man was gone, even though when they were first told about what happened both denied believing that would happen. For the people who knew him best, those who had the powers to follow him, they all reacted differently. Uryu has gone quiet and Tatsuki also noticed the Quincy leaving classes more frequently and always coming back with bruises. Chad, who barely talked even when Ichigo was around, went even quieter and even started fights every now and again. Well most of them were to protect someone or a group of friends who were targeted.

However, the one who was affected the most was Orihime, the auburn-haired girl blamed herself for their mutual friend and crush. She could also be found sitting alone dazing off into space muttering to herself. For Tatsuki, the loss of her first friend and secret crush, she kept her emotions bottled up and tucked away until she got home or let it out while boxing at the gym.

The tomboy returned to reality when Yoruichi began talking, probably having gotten control of herself again. "Now, Kisuke isn't here like I said earlier. Him and the others left a few days ago and I don't know when they'll be back." Tatsuki nodded with a sigh, disappointed that she'd have to continue waiting until the shop owner returned.

"However if I can and if it's in my power," the dark-skinned beauty said, while placing her elbow on the table between them, leaning her head onto her palm. "I'll see what I can do about fulfilling Your request."

Tatsuki examined Yoruichi's face and saw that she was being serious. So placing her school bag beside her, the tomboy started. "I-I would like to take Ichigo's place as the substitute shinigami of Karakura Town." She paused and watched as the woman opposite her lost her smile. "I know that I am inexperienced for the position but I can see that Uryu is having a harder and harder time dealing with the Hollows. So all I want to do is help and protect the town in place of Ichigo."

When she finished the schoolgirl watched as the former captain thought about her request. Tatsuki knew what it meant to take the position but she honestly didn't care. Yes, she wanted to protect and help with protecting her hometown, but her utter motive was to try and find something to be closer to her first friend and crush.

As the time went on Tatsuki began to fidget with her school skirt, annoyance and irritation growing as Yoruichi remained quiet, staring at her without blinking or looking away. When the silence was broken she couldn't help but release a sigh.

"Before you go ahead and do that, may I ask what you know about holding the position?" Yoruichi said with a voice of seriousness and no bullshit. Tatsuki went to nod but before she could, the beauty continued as she turned her head to the right, chin still on her palm. "You don't. Let me tell you something, Tomboy. Ichigo was lucky, he pulled the long string when it came to Substitute Shinigamis, and everyone else who was unfortunate to hold the title pulled the short string." Golden eyes looked into her brown ones, and Tatsuki shivered when their eyes connected.

"Prior to Strawberry becoming a Substitute Shinigami, no other held the position for as long as he had. The rest were either killed by the Higher Ups or went into hiding and they still ended up being killed and hunted down." Yoruichi continued, and she couldn't help but give a small nod. "That is normal for the position, and it only shows that Ichigo was extremely lucky, however in the end they were still going to have him killed. They didn't care that he had put his life in danger for them time after time, for all they wanted was order and for there to be a rogue, someone who had a will of his own, the Shinigamis would have had him killed if he was still here. Now before I fulfill your request, tell me. Are you okay with being hunted down?"

Tatsuki then watched as a wakizashi appeared on the table between them. Staring at the zanpakuto, she thought about what the older woman said and examined it while doing so. The blade was sheathed in a yellow saya, that had engravings on the side, and had a purple sageo wrapped around the top of it, which ended with a golden kojiri. Her eyes then went to the hilt, where it was wrapped in a purple ito from the pommel to collar. The zanpakuto's tsuba was in the shape of a lightning bolt and was hollowed.

Honestly, the weapon was beautiful to Tatsuki, it wasn't Ichigo's, nor was it Kisuke's cane zanpakuto. It uniquely belonged to the woman opposite her, and damn did Yoruichi have a stare. For while she thought about what she said and examined her zanpakuto, the woman wouldn't remove her eyes from the tomboy. Which didn't help with her nerves but it didn't detour her from what she came here to do.

Looking at the dark-skinned beauty, Tatsuki willed a serious face and nodded. "Yes. I still want to become a substitute shinigami and will do anything to prove it." Silence followed as the tomboy stared and waited for Yoruichi to respond.

However, the reaction she got wasn't what she expected for when she finished a grin appeared on her face. "That's my girl! Fuck the shinigami and their order!" Yoruichi said as she jumped to her feet, grabbing the zanpakuto on the table as she did so. "Follow me, we'll need to go down below for you to gain the powers." Nodding slowly, Tatsuki followed the former captain down a hatch into the training are below. "Also, if we are to do this, you'll have to stay out of school so you can gain control of your reiatsu so the shinigamis can't find you."

Nodding again, the soon-to-be substitute shinigami looked around at the massive space below the candy shop. Shaking her head brown eyes looked to the woman before her and watched as she unsheathed her zanpakuto, revealing to be a blade that had blue strikes going from habaki to the kissaki.

"Before we began, any questions?" The woman asked as she placed the saya on a rock nearby.

Thinking on it Tatsuki nodded and said. "What should I expect to happen once the ritual starts?" She asked and watched as Yoruichi stopped and grabbed her chin in thought. Seeing this caused the tomboy to sweat drop. 'She doesn't have a clue, does she?'

Tatsuki didn't need to wait long for a response as the exiled shinigami shrugged and smile. "I do not have a damn clue to be honest. I've never done this before and from what I've seen from Ichigo and the midget, I'll be giving you my power and I'll be losing a portion of mine. Is that all?" She answered and asked and all the schoolgirl could do was shake her head. "Good!" The woman stepped forward until the tip of her zanpakuto was touching Tatsuki's chest. "Now, you won't feel a thing… I think?"

Hearing this a tick mark grew on Tatsuki's brow and before she could do anything, the dark-skinned beauty pushed her zanpakuto into her, immediately silencing her and causing a bright light to fill the room and making both occupants cover their eyes.

–

When Tatsuki opened her eyes it wasn't to the underground training area where she once stood, but on the grounds of a vast forest with mountains and a volcano in the distance. "Where am I?" She asked herself out loud. Looking around, the teenager found that she was surrounded by a never-ending forest of what seemed to be trees varying from oak, birch, spruce, and cherry blossom scattered about.

"Hello Dear One." a voice came out of nowhere, making Tatsuki turn in its direction. "Ah, did I startle you? My apologies." The owner of the voice continued and it was then that she found her.

Standing beside a tree, under its shade, was a woman of below average height of 5' 2", wearing a black kimono decorated in patterns of scythes and skulls, with a gray underlayer and obi, to top the clothes off the mysterious woman wore white socks that ended with a geta with a single tooth. Tatsuki's eyes then went to the woman's face and found that she was wearing a black kitsune mask, with gray lines around the eyes that came to a stop at the ears and chin, with crossed scythes at the forehead of the mask. Behind the shadows of the eyeholes the tomboy found blood-red eyes staring at her, and even though she couldn't see it that well, the skin… no scales(?) around the eyes were red.

"Who are you?" Tatsuki asked, and even though she couldn't see the smile, she knew the mysterious figure was smiling behind the mask. Looking around again she questioned. "Where am I?"

"I sadly cannot answer or give you my name until you train and understand what's important." The woman answered the teenager's first question. Tatsuki watched as the figure pulled out a hand fan, revealing that she also wore gray skin-tight gloves. "But thankfully I can tell you that from this day on, you and I will become trusted allies, for I am one of the spirits of the weapons beside you."

Hearing this and watching as the woman pointed to something beside her with the fan, Tatsuki followed to find that on the ground to her left were a katana, which she'd later learn was a double-sided katana, and a wakizashi. Leaning over, the schoolgirl picked them up and examined them and found that they for one, were extraordinarily light in her hands and second were beautiful. It was also then that she realized what she was wearing.

Both weapons almost match each other in appearance, both being sheathed in gray sayas, sharing black sageos, and ending the scabbard with silver ends. Where the differences began were the hills and guard. For the katana, it had a red ito that grew dark the closer it got to the tsuba, which was an oval but on the inside Tatsuki saw a red dragon circling the blade with its maw open, almost attempting to swallow the skull that lay before it. The smaller of the two blades, its ito was a yellowish red, and its guard was a hexagon.

Putting both swords into one hand she began looking at herself, discovering that the outerwear of the shihakusho wasn't that of common shinigami, but had a hood hanging down her back, sleeveless with wrappings around her arms and hands, open sides revealing skin and to her embarrassment side boobs and to top it off around her neck was a scarf that could turn into a mask.

Finishing the self-examination and inspection of her two zanpakutos, Tatsuki looked to the unnamed spirit to find her sitting down beside the tree she hid under. "So…" she said nervously and immediately the tomboy felt the spirit's blood-red eyes on her. "If you are one of the spirits, where's the other one?" Tatsuki asked, not liking the spirit's eyes on her being.

"Oh, he's by the volcano you saw earlier and he's the spirit of the smaller blade while I'm the spirit of the katana." She responded and pointed towards the mentioned volcano. "You'll meet him at a later date, but for now it's time for you to leave." With that Tatsuki went to speak but before she could, everything went black.

–

Shooting up from lying down, Tatsuki looked at her surroundings and found herself back in the real world, with the training areas around her, and her new zanpakutos laying beside her. The tomboy also found Yoruichi standing before her, looking exhausted with sweat on her brows and breathing heavily.

"Well, don't you stick out like a sore thumb." The woman said with a smile as Tatsuki got to her feet to find her real body lying face first into the sand. "Especially the view of the side boobs, I bet if Strawberry was here he'd be staring at them with his mouth agape!"

Hearing that and the laughter that followed, the newly made substitute shinigami's lit aflame. Blushing madly at the thought and the image her mind gave her. "Shut it." Was all she said through gritted teeth.

Thankfully Yoruichi nodded and regained control of her laughter. "I'm just saying, he did enjoy the views the few times when I appeared naked. I can remember his face each time." Hearing this brown eyes shot toward the dark-skinned beauty and found that her smile was gone and in its place was sadness. "Well I sadly can't help you with training right now, it seems the transfer takes more then I expected. So I'm calling it a night."

With that Tatsuki watched as Yoruichi limped away her zanpakuto in hand. And as the woman left she called out and asked. "What is your relationship with Ichigo. Whenever he's talking about you, he seemed happy like you've helped him in some way." She watched as a small smile grew on the woman's face. "You're someone special to him." The tomboy finished and when she said that her heart ached, wanting to feel what it was like to be someone special to the man she loved.

She didn't care how much time went by until Yoruichi answered her question, and when it came it was a letdown for Tatsuki knew there was something else to the two relationship. "Student and mentor, dear Tomboy, student and mentor."

–

North America

–

"Little further to the left Tessai… yep that's it! Toss it!" Kisuke Urahara said to his companion and watched as the kido master throw the miniature satellite into space and beyond. Looking down at the tablet in his hand the scientist waited until the familiar dot appeared and when it did, a tired smile grew on his face. "That'll be all, well be returning home now."

Looking up he watched as Jinta, Ururu, and Tessai nodded, picking up and cleaning up the mess they left. After about thirty minutes all the equipment was put away and the group of four found themselves on the road. Kisuke kept his eyes on the tablet, switching to each of the satellites to check and see if they were working. All of this was in the hope of finding Ichigo, and he knew that it was a complete shot in the dark, but the hat & clog-wearing man didn't care.

Letting out a loud audible yawn, Kisuke turned the tablet off, finding everything to be in working order, and looked out the window to find snow-covered plains and hills. He'd spent days and nights awake trying to find a way to bring his student back, and this was the best he could do. Little over fifty miniature satellites were thrown into space in search of the orange-haired teen.

Kisuke knew a handful of things about what happened to Ichigo, and the first was that the teen war hero wasn't on the planet Earth nor was he anywhere in this universe. Thing two was that Ichigo was sent to a universe that had powers, not one like theirs but a universe that had unique powers like theirs. Lastly, Kisuke also knew that when Ichigo left, he left with half of the Hogyoku, as was Aizen's wish.

Letting out another yawn the scientist couldn't help but chuckle at the situation, the second greatest threat to the Seireitei was the one who saved their savior from being hunted down. Closing his eyes, Kisuke allowed himself to sleep for a few minutes. He wasn't done, he'll probably never be finished looking for his student, but while returning to the candy shop, he should at least get some shut-eye.

–

"Boss Man." Kisuke was awakened by Tessai calling to him and shaking him lightly. "We're here… and you might want to see this."

Slowly opening his eyes, adjusting to the light after whatever amount of time went by, and before him was the rundown candy shop. It was also then that he felt unfamiliar and a lack of familiar spiritual pressure. Climbing out of the rundown van, he entered the candy shop to find that his oldest friend wasn't sitting at the checkout.

Going further in, Kisuke found the woman in her cat form, sleeping under the kotatsu, and a little further away was her zanpakuto, something the hat & clog-wearing man hadn't seen in centuries. With a raised brow he picked up the wakizashi and placed it on the table its owner slept under.

After finding Yoruichi, Kisuke then went to investigate the unfamiliar presence, finding that Tessai and the other two were already down in the basement. When he arrived Kisuke was confused and surprised when he found Tatsuki Arizawa there staring at them with wide eyes, wearing a unique shihakusho and with two zanpakutos beside her.

Looking around the training area, his gray eyes not only found small craters littered about but also the teenager's body lying down in a corner with a blanket over it. This was all Kisuke needed to know to understand the situation, and honestly, he didn't know if he should be happy or annoyed.

Returning his gaze to the girl, he pulled out his hand fan and opened it, hearing the groan that she let out. 'Ah, it seems you've told her about me and my fan Ichigo. How dare you.' Kisuke said to himself with affection and a small smile that hid behind his fan.

"Ah, if it isn't Ms. Arizawa." He said out loud and continued once he saw the girl nod. "Well, I never expected to return to find you here, especially in the uniform of the Shinigamis." His eyes examined her reaction, and specifically noticed that the girl was sweating and seeing this he put his hand fan away and walked towards her. "Oh, no need to be so nervous, you are a friend of Ichigo's, and any friend of his is welcome here anytime."

Stopping a few feet away, questions filled his mind, needing and wanting to know the answers. However, some of the questions he had, Kisuke already knew the answer to. Looking down at her, her being a foot smaller than him, he watched as she gulped. But that wasn't what the scientist was looking at, what he was interested in was how powerful she was.

After seconds went by Kisuke finally smiled after finding what he wanted. "Uh, may I help you?" The teenager asked, and Kisuke only pulled out his fan in response. "Ichigo was right. That is extremely annoying." Hearing this the man laughed, keeping his handy hand fan open and covering his mouth and nose.

"Actually you can." Kisuke said, his eyes never leaving her and he felt a small satisfaction when Tatsuki shivered. "But first may I assume that our dear Yoruichi was the one to awaken and give you your newfound power?" He watched as the tomboy nodded, already confirming something he already knew. "I would have advised until I got back, but it's already too late for that. Now my second question is how long ago did you awaken this power?" Kisuke Urahara was expecting her to say a few hours and at most a day, however the answer he received, he wasn't expecting.

"That… is a good question… Hmm." The teenager grabbed her chin in thought and snapped when it came to her. "I believe four or five days have passed since I became a substitute shinigami."

Hearing this all of Kisuke's thoughts came to a halt as his eyes visibly widened, and unconsciously let go of his hand fan. Four or five days since her powers awakened, and Yoruichi was still recovering from the transfer, even Rukia was able to move about after a night. Yoruichi's behavior could also be her being lazy, however, even then she would have greeted them when they entered.

Kisuke couldn't help but stare at the person before him. He couldn't make sense of this, and asked. "Ms Tatsuki, has Yoruichi come down here since the transfer?" The named girl shook her head negatively, which sent a further shock and confusion to those there. "Okay… I have three questions for you Ms Tatsuki, and please answer them honestly."

The former captain watched as Tatsuki nodded slowly, her face full of worry, and after holding up three fingers, Kisuke began. "First off, if Yoruichi hasn't been down here since the transfer, may I ask you who's teaching you?" He dropped one of the fingers and continued. "Second is can you let your reiatsu flow, I don't know if you know but even when you are suppressing your spiritual pressure we can still feel it." Dropping another he asked the last question. "Lastly, if what I think is happening is happening, may I borrow some of your blood and reiatsu. I promise it'll only be for scientific purposes, and that it'll help everyone here understand who and what you are."

"Uhhh…" was all she said before shaking her head, and Kisuke watched as suspicion filled her eyes. "My, well one of them, zanpakuto spirits have been teaching me to suppress my power, saying that it'll be best in the long run and I don't see why not." Tatsuki crossed her arms and began leaning onto her right foot. "Ya sure, but I better not find out that you used my blood for something perverted."

With that Kisuke, Tessai, Jinta, and Ururu, all at once felt immense pressure on them, sending the younger two to their faces, and the other two shaked at the power. Kisuke then watched as the teen's widened, probably having not expected this reaction. This filled the scientist with a newly developed desire to learn who this girl was.

"Thank you." He said as the tomboy retracted her spiritual pressure allowing The two kids to climb to their feet. "Also, this could possibly help in the long run, but do you happen to have a family heirloom?" Kisuke asked after capsules of blood and reiatsu were placed into his hands.

The training room emptied minus for the two of them, Tessai going to open the shop and the other two to work. Kisuke watched as the teenager thought about his question and after a few more seconds she nodded hesitantly. "I think so… My dad has told me it had been in his family for over a few centuries. Would you like me to grab it?" She finally answered and looked at him.

Nodding he turned around towards his lab. "If you can, I don't want you to rush it but it might answer a few questions about you." He stopped when the door to his lab opened, looking back he asked his last question. "Also… does your family have a history of seeing spirits?"

Silence followed for a couple of minutes and Kisuke went to turn around to begin his experiment, not expecting an answer. However he came to a stop when Tatsuki finally answered. "Yes… I only recently awakened the ability to see spirits, but my dad has told me that his parents and their parents were able to see spirits."

With this the hat and clog wearing man entered his lab, the door closing behind him. 'Time to see what secrets your blood has Tatsuki Arizawa… and to find out why you are able to communicate with your zanpakuto spirits so early without your Shikai.' Kisuke Urahara says To himself as he begins his work.

–

Kurosaki Household

–

'Time to get it over with.' The patriarch of the Kurosaki family said to himself as Isshin sat down on the couch, across from his daughters. Opening his eyes he eyed both twins, and couldn't help but feel dread at the sight.

Yuzu, the ever-caring and smiling daughter, wasn't smiling but instead, she held a frown. Yes her behavior hasn't changed much, still cleaning and doing household work, but Isshin knew that she did it only out of duty and not of her free will. Karin, the younger twin, was acting out more, picking fights with anyone who bothered her, and Isshin shivered at the girl's grades or what he'd been told that his daughter would pick even worse fights with those who laughed at his oldest.

It wasn't only that changed in the sisters, but also Yuzu and Karin's appearances have changed. The oldest twin had black rings around her eyes, showing through young blonde's lack of sleep, and exhaustion. Not only that but Yuzu began wearing her clothes lazily, shirts untucked and the first few buttons undone, but the strawberry hairpiece still remained. For Karin, her appearance fits that of a fighter with bandages and bruising littered all over her arms and face.

Seeing all this pained Isshin, he hated the effects Ichigo's disappearance had on the family. Even though he has changed, the former captain began growing out his beard and he carries rings around his eyes. The patriarch released a tired sigh, knowing what he had to do. His daughters needed something to fill the emptiness Ichigo's disappearance left in their hearts.

Knowing what he must do, Isshin decided to get to the point without beating around the bush. "I have a family, the one I grew up with." He said outright, seeing both girls sitting straighter. "I took your mother's name when we married, my family name is Shiba, and they, like us, have suffered losses. So if you'd like to, I can take you to them." Isshin paused, watching as Yuzu and Karin took in the information he just told them.

The one who broke the silence was Karin who looked at him with a sparkle in her eyes. "Can you tell us their names?" She asked, and Yuzu nodded, also wanting to know about this family they knew nothing about.

For the first time since the disappearance of his eldest son, Isshin could feel a warmth fill his home. "Well the two I would like you two to meet are Kukaku and Ganju. They are my cousins, first cousins, and honestly they are the ones that helped me through my childhood… well them and Kaien." A sadness filled him having to remember what he was told about Kaien's death.

Clenching his fists, the former captain began losing himself to the sadness. He wouldn't change things if he was given a second chance, but what he would do is make sure that all the wrongs that happened to his family, at the cost of his actions, would have never happened.

Before he could allow himself to go further down the pit of despair, Isshin felt the extra weight on the couch he was sitting on and then arms enclosed around him. "I would be happy to meet Kukaku and Ganju." The voice of Yuzu spoke up and Isshin looked at his daughter and saw her smiling.

He returned the smile however it faltered when he hadn't gotten to the biggest con of this. "Let me guess," Karin spoke up, brown eyes looking at the youngest twin. "Kukaku and Ganju are Shinigamis."

Isshin couldn't help but allow himself to smile at her observation skills. "They are not… however they are spiritual." He looked back to Yuzu and continued. "I know Karin can see spirits, but where are you at? Do you still sense them, or can you see them now?"

The blonde girl looked away with a thinking look, however it faded when she pointed towards something out of Isshin's sight. "Well I can see that old man over there, and her." Yuzu said, shocking both Isshin and Karin as they followed where the older twin pointed.

"Damn." The former Captain said with a smile, happy to see that she had begun seeing spirits. Patting her leg he said, "I'm happy to see that you are awakening your ability to see spirits, Yuzu. But to truly test if you can see spirits."

Isshin climbed to his feet and with the mere thought his spirit left his gigai, shocking the younger twin at the sight of the white hoari on his shoulder. The man turned to look at his daughters and with a smile, he went to the blonde-haired girl embracing her.

"Oh, I'm so proud of you Yu!" He said picking her up and his smile only grew when the oldest twin chuckled. Putting her down he placed his hands on her shoulder and continued. "You… you would make your mother proud Yuzu. You are more like her than you think my daughter and I know for a fact that if she was here with us, Masaki would plan a full party for you."

"Hold on a damn second Goat Beard!" Karin decided to speak up, causing Isshin to look at her, and found the young tomboy standing and pointing at him. "Why are you wearing a captain's cloak!"

Looking at his shoulder to the hoari in question and shrugging. "I was a captain prior to meeting your mother." Isshin looked back to his youngest with eyes that didn't regret leaving his station. "You are a smart girl Karin and I know that you have met my replacement, Toshiro Hitsugaya, and that you know that abandoning your station is cause for execution. However, I didn't care, I decided to save your mother's, my wife's, life over being a Captain of the Gotei 13, and I would never change it if I were given a chance."

Silence reigned in the room as the information he gave to his daughters sank in, and Isshin knew that he said too much when he felt Yuzu staring at him with worried confused eyes. "Wh-what do you mean by saving mom? What happened to mom?"

Releasing a sigh the former captain said, "I would suggest sitting down You. What I am about to tell you two will shock you both." He watched as the feelings grew inside his daughter's eyes as she sat down. After watching this, Isshin looked at Masaki's poster, which had a picture of Ichigo not far away. His heart pinged looking at the image of gua oldest. 'You should be here Ichigo… you among everyone should know who you truly are.' With that he looked back to his daughters and began the story of how he met Masaki.

–

Dimensional Gap

–

The silence amongst the spirits and the body's owner lasted so long that Ichigo was questioning how many days went by. Releasing a sigh and climbing to his feet, gaining all three spirits attention. After a few stretches brown eyes went to the spirit of the hogyoku. "You said you don't have a name right?" The beautiful spirit nodded with a smile. Thinking on it, Ichigo found himself looking at the moon and back to the spirit. "Tsukiko will be your name from now on."

Tsukiko's eyes sparkled and her smile grew bigger, bowing she said excitedly with happiness. "Thank you for naming me, and I'll cherish and remember it until I meet my end." This caused Ichigo to blush out of embarrassment, having never been a fan of people bowing to him. However it was also because while the hogyoku's spirit bowed, her cleavage was visible for him to look at.

His staring didn't go unnoticed as when Tsukiko stood up, Ichigo found her grinning, causing him to exhale in annoyance. However this was also when the orange haired teen looked to his Zanpakuto Spirit and the Hollow. Looking at them, a dread filled his being, during the conversation with the new spirit and the silence that followed, Ichigo completely forgot why he was summoned here.

Turning fully to the two spirits he immediately noticed that Old Man Zangetsu was trying to avoid looking at him, while his pale copycat stood close by with a snarl on his face. Knowing that what he'd hear wouldn't be to his liking, Ichigo exhaled before saying. "So, what was this overdue and important conversation Tensa was talking about?"

The zanpakuto spirit nodded slowly, his eyes still avoiding him and downcast. "Right." Zangetsu said, and for the first time since Ichigo turned Tensa Zangetsu back to his base Shikai from the spirit looked the teen in the eyes. Ichigo stepped back when he felt the emotions that filled him when Old Man Zangetsu's blood-red eyes looked into his.

Sadness was the main emotion the orange-haired shinigami could feel, sadness that he could name, and with the sadness Ichigo felt pride, a pride that came from where he has gotten to and how far he has come. Ichigo steeled himself as he brought the leg that stepped back forward. He didn't know what was to come, but he knew two things and the first was that it'll change everything and second, the orange-haired teen knew that backing away was only going to hinder him.

It didn't go unnoticed by the spirit as Ichigo watched as a small smile dawned on Zangetsus's face. However, that smile soon vanished as the look the spirit previously wore came back. "Ichigo… what I have told you since the day we met… it… it has all been a lie. For I am not your zanpakuto spirit… for I am not Zangetsu."

Hearing this the teenage war hero exhaled sharply as his eyes grew with shock and confusion, and as his mind went to work out what the spirit meant. However, deep within Ichigo, he knew what the spirit said was true.

However, a memory came to the forefront of Ichigo's mind. It was during one of his earliest fights with his Hollow spirit. It was subtle, very subtle, but he said it. Honey-brown eyes left the figure and moved the pale copycat who had wide eyes, and out of Ichigo's peripheral, he saw the old man followed in the hollow's shock. "You're… no… you are Zangetsu."

Silence followed as both Ichigos looked at each other until it was broken by the pale copycat cackling that turned into laughter. "I knew you'd catch on King! For yes I am Zangetsu! I am the embodiment of your shinigami and hollow powers!" The spirit shouted and continued laughing. Seeing this brought a small smile to Ichigo, but it didn't last long as his gaze returned to the liar.

Zangetsu's laughter stopped and Ichigo knew his pale copy was watching what would happen next. The substitute shinigami could still see the shock in the spirit's eyes, but his facial expression was that of happiness. "If he's Zangetsu then who are you, Old Man?"

It took a few seconds for the second spirit to speak but it came and it came with a nod. "I'm… I am the power you received from your mother, Masaki Kurosaki." Ichigo raised a brow in question but he didn't need to wait long as the old man continued. "Personally I would prefer your father to tell you what I'm about to say, however, because we are here in an unknown universe, I will tell you what and who you are… My Son Born in the Darkness."

Unknown to Ichigo and both original spirits, the newest addition to the mindscape left. Leaving them to themselves and allowing Ichigo to take this information without distractions.

When Ichigo heard what the cloaked man said, he was confused, and when he heard the last bit his confusion climbed. What did goat chin not tell him about his mother? Was she spiritually aware like his friends? Or was she a fullbringer like Ginjo and the others? Thankfully the orange-haired teen wouldn't have to wait for long as the spirit continued.

"Ichigo, Masaki was an echt quincy and the last of the Kurosaki family bloodline." Ichigo's eyes widened once more, learning that his mom, the centre of his and the family's universe, was a Quincy and he never knew. "I am the embodiment of your quincy powers, and I've been hiding your true power since you awakened your shinigami powers." The man then opened his cloak while throwing out his arm, revealing blue flames in the shape of a sword. "What you have been using is only a small fraction of what you truly hold. This is the key to unlock your true power and potential. Take it and wield the power you were always meant to have."

Ichigo couldn't move, he tried and found himself staying still, almost as if his feet were concrete blocks. Looking to his feet the teen couldn't help but ask. "Why? Why did you prevent me from using my true power?" Looking at the spirit he couldn't help but yell. "If you had given me my power from the start, none of this would happen! If you are telling me that this," placing his hand on his chest, "was only a fraction of my full power then Aizen and all the others would have been prevented! All the death and betrayals! Everything wouldn't have happened as it did!"

The spirit looked to his feet but answered. "I did it because I wanted to prevent you from hurting yourself. I did it to protect you, Ichigo." The named teen then watched as the spirit looked up to him with tears in his eyes. "I only ever wanted to protect you from the path you decided to go down! The path of the Shinigami is a path of death! Shinigamis aren't humans! They are souls, souls that have powers that purify the bad and save those that are pure!" The spirit paused as he looked to his feet again, but Ichigo could still see the man trembling. "The Path of the Shinigami always leads to death and destruction."

Silence followed, Ichigo found himself unable to speak and looked to the watery floor that showed a reflection of himself, but it also showed the corpses of his friends and family. He didn't flinch or look away at the reflection but imagined something else, and immediately the image changed to that of Ichigo wearing a uniform similar to that of what Uryu would wear. And where there were once corpses, the reflection showed that of a group of people wearing white and all of them smiling. However, what gained his attention the most was the man who had his hand on Ichigo's shoulder.

The man looked like the spirit before him but was taller, older and had longer hair and an interesting mustache. However, when Ichigo looked into the man's eyes through the reflection, all he felt was a desire to reach into it. Ichigo wanted to let the desire take hold but instead looked back to the Quincy spirit when he heard him talk.

"However." A happy but sad smile grew on the spirit's face. "As I watch you fight and protect those dear to you… I had a change of heart. I will never agree with the Path of the Shinigami, but I'll admit that it brought out the best of you Ichigo. Watching you fight and protect… knowing that this was done without my power but the power of the ones I hate… it opened my eyes. Which is why I've decided that you should have your true power." The spirit then gave the blue flamed blade a push, and Ichigo watched as it floated to him until it was in reaching distance. "Take it Ichigo. Take it and wield the power that you were always supposed to have."

The teen brought his hand to the hilt and before grasping it, Ichigo looked at the aged spirit and said with a smile. "Thank you… for trying to protect me and know that you will not be forgotten." With that, he grabbed the hilt, and immediately everything went white. "Thank you Old Man Zangetsu."

–

Ophis, who was still recovering from the burn, was pushed away from a massive wave of power coming from the still-meditating teen. Skidding to a stop the dragonoid looked to the source of the power and couldn't help but ask. "What in the fuck was that!?"

The waves of power continued pushing her back and when it stopped the Ouroboros Dragon watched as the Dimensional Gap cracked and pulsated from the teen's power. Nothing has ever made the dimension do that, and even when Ophis fought the Great Red never once did their home have such a reaction.

Walking towards the unconscious teen with her power flowing to her hand. This unknown person was a threat, one that Ophis knew she nor Great Red could defeat. So while he was unguarded she decided that now was the best time to get rid of him.

However, she stopped when she felt the warmth emitting from him, a warmth she didn't know anything about but found comforting and welcoming. Lowering her hand Ophis continued moving towards the unknown being, and it was then that she felt the cold nothingness in the warmth. The chill felt like that of Death, an unbearable cold but welcoming to the common man and woman.

To Ophis however, it felt like it was home, a never-ending nothingness that would devour all who it seeks. Crouching down, she grabbed her knee and waved her available hand in front of the teen's still-closed eyes. Finding that he was still unconscious, Ophis thought. Should she wait until he returns or should she allow herself to relax? Seconds flew by until she finally made up her mind and did what she wanted.

–

When color returned to his surroundings, Ichigo was welcomed to a new sight. Yes, it was still the never-ending ocean, but the difference came in the forms of a fulling healed moon and pillars that went hundreds of feet into the sky. However, there were also quincy crosses littered about.

Seeing them made the teen look around and he found his Zangetsu standing before him, still the splitting copy of himself but this time the spirit wore what he did when he entered his mindscape during his Dangai training. However, the mask he wore was at the side of the zanpakuto spirit's head. Ichigo also noticed two blades, the larger one on his back and the smaller one at the spirit's waist.

"Welcome King!" Zangetsu said, spreading out his hands. "Welcome to your Inner World! The true and fixed mindscape that you were always meant to have!" The spirit said before letting out his sadistic laugh.

Ichigo nodded with a smile, and this time he looked at himself through the reflection once more. His shihakusho was repaired and now had pauldrons on both shoulders, a white X over his chest, and matching weapons to his spirit. However his eyes were then returned to the reflection at his feet, and to Ichigo's confusion the man from earlier was back, hand still on his shoulder but this time a grin plastered on his face.

Then it hit the teenage war veteran, the same desire he had earlier, and this time he allowed the desire to take over. Ichigo knelt down and to his and Zangetsu's surprise and confusion, his arm went through the watery floor to the other side.

"Uhhhhh, King, what are you doing?" The zanpakuto spirit asked, but Ichigo didn't respond. However, after a few seconds, he saw the spirit grinning and heard the spirit laugh. "Sentimental aren't you King! HA! Alright then bring him back!"

Ichigo gave the spirit a small smile, and it was then that he felt someone grab his hand from below the water's surface. With one pull both human and spirit watched as a cloaked figure came out, and gracefully landed not that far from the orange-haired teen.

Smiling Ichigo watched as shade blood-red eyes looked at him, and the smile was returned by the spirit. "Hello Ichigo, my name is Yhwach and I'm your Quincy powers." The now named spirit said with a nod to his fellow spirit and the orange-haired teen.

Ichigo nodded and said. "It's nice to have you back, Old Man. You've changed since the last time we spoke." He said jokingly but it was then that he noticed something different about the spirit. "When do you gain those wings and halo?" He asked and watched as the spirit looked at them.

Floating behind the former zanpakuto spirit were black wings with spider web-like red veins, and matching the wings was a crown-like halo floating above Yhwach's head. However it wasn't all that Ichigo noticed that was different about the spirit, he appeared older and now wore a mustache instead of the stubble that Ichigo was used to. The spirit's cloak, which would normally wrap around his figure, was now open, revealing the white uniform he saw in the reflection earlier.

"Ah yes." The Quincy spirit said as he turned back to the hybrid. "What you are seeing is the Quincy Kicu's current appearance." Ichigo then watched as the wings and halo disappeared. "What you saw is a Quincy technique known as Vollständig. You can consider it as Quincy's version of a Shinigami's Bankai." The orange-haired teen nodded in response and was about to ask if he'd be learning the technique, however, the older-looking spirit spoke before he could. "I will teach it to you of course, however before I do, I'd like you to learn the other Quincy techniques first, specifically what the Kurosaki family were masters at, Blut."

Ichigo then watched as blue patterns formed under the spirit's skin, and he was even more curious as he noticed Hwach looking at Zangetsu. Without a word spoken his pale copy grinned, pulling the sword off his back and vanished. The next thing the teenager saw was his zanpakuto spirit swinging his massive sword down onto the quincy spirit's arm and as sparks flew off where the blade and arm met.

Within seconds Ichigo then watched as the blue pattern changed to that of a lime green, and as Yhwach went on the offensive. When the spirit's fist connected to his fellow spirit's chest, Ichigo couldn't help but widen his eyes as he watched Zangetsu going flying.

"What you just witnessed were two of the three Blut techniques, Blut Vene; the defensive version, and Blut Arterie; the offensive technique." The Quincy spirit spoke up, Ichigo watching as the patterns vanished. "The last Blut technique is a more advanced version of Blut Vene; Blut Vene Anhaben, and until recently, the Quincy King himself has been one of the sole people who use it. Your mother, before the accident, was able to activate it for a short period of time."

Ichigo nodded after the explanation, looking down at his hand he opened and closed it. As of right now, he knew nothing about the Quincy art, and honestly the same could be said about the Hollow powers he might be able to use. Closing his eyes the teenage war hero made a promise to himself that he'd learn and understand all three of the powers he was born with.

The orange-haired teen was taken from his self-made promise by Zangetsu speaking. "King, I believe it's time for you to leave." Honey-brown eyes looked at the golden iris of his zanpakuto. "You've been in here for a while, how long? I don't know but I know that with you unlocking all of your powers, it would have drawn the attention of others. Which reminds me, you might have a guest when you wake up."

Ichigo watched as Yhwach agreed with Zangetsu in the form of a single nod before he spoke up as well. "Before you go Ichigo, you should know a few things about the changes you might experience once you leave." The named teen raised a brow in a silent question. "Like Zangetsu said, with what you've awakened your spiritual pressure will be uncontrollable and will turn cities into nothing if you leave it unchecked. For the time being Zangetsu and I will keep a hold of it, but you'll need to learn to control it by yourself."

He nodded with a look of annoyance but understood why, which allowed the quincy spirit to continue. "Something else you should know is that you no longer have your physical body." Hearing this caused shock and fear to fill Ichigo having just realized this fact to be true. "However, as you noticed earlier that the non-spiritual people were able to see you. So I can only assume that you can switch between both spiritual form and physical form, but with the added con that people can see you when you are fighting or in your spiritual form."

All he could do about this information was nod, finding that it all made sense and all he had to do was learn to switch between the two. Closing his eyes once more, he focused on his soul, and thought about changing forms. Immediately Ichigo noticed a change, so opening his eyes he looked down, finding that he was wearing an all black three-piece suit.

"Quick on the up take good, it'll be useful when we begin teaching you how to use your quincy and hollow abilities." Zangetsu said with a grin. "Also King, I don't remember you wearing that before… must be something to do with this universe." The grin vanished as the zanpakuto spirit said this, placing one of his hands on his chin before shrugging. "Well whatever, and lastly King, you need to know that the zanpakuto your wielding isn't whole or complete. For it to be both you'll need a Asauchi, which now that I'm thinking about it… you might be screwed for I don't know how to make one and I can probably say will be impossible in this universe."

Ichigo watched as the shinigami/hollow spirit deflated with disappointment at the idea of never being whole. Looking to Yhwach he watched as the older spirit shook his head in denial, showing he also didn't know how to make one as well. Releasing a sigh the orange haired teen went to speak.

"I believe I can help you in that department." All three of them looked to the source and found that Tsukiko had returned. "I don't have the knowledge of how they are made, but I have an idea on what you'll need for its creation." The hogyoku's spirit said as she pulled out a hand fan, making Ichigo smile inwardly at the familiar gesture. "For the time being continue using what you have, and once I'm certain about the materials required I'll let you know."

Ichigo nodded and looked back to his spirits and asked. "If that is all, I'll be leaving." Both spirits nodded and with a wave the teen left, returning to the dimension of iridescent colors.

–

TBC

–

With that the chapter is over. If you enjoyed please leave a comment, and if you don't just let me know as well and I see what I can do to improve it.