Chapter 3: Cautious approach

About a week and a half after Ichigo defeated his first hollow to save that boy, a few things had happened to him. Mainly the fact that he was being challenged by Uryu Ishida for some type of competition. Ichigo really couldn't figure this guy out, especially since he challenged him so openly. Ichigo sighed as he figured this couldn't end well.

That was another thing that had happened to Ichigo recently. He had been acting a bit differently. He was still himself when in his human body, but he thought in a more calculated manner. He couldn't really explain it, but he felt wiser. When in his soul reaper form he had started picking up on how Rukia fought back then yet still kept his blunt force approach for the most part. She theorized that since her soul imprinted onto his, her memories and fighting style was slowly forming into his mind. It was half true according to the shopkeeper as he explained that the transfer and imprint had placed Rukia's muscle memories into him. Also her knowledge of other things such as kido, zanjutstu, and even things about the soul society would come to Ichigo in small bits and pieces as long as he has Rukia's power. It made little sense to Ichigo when Rukia explained it to him as he also felt very apprehensive about this challenge at first. It made no sense to him that some random guy he had never really talked to or interacted with had suddenly knew about his powers and was challenging him.

Ichigo didn't want to do this at the time, especially since he had just gotten Kon under control in his human body. Wasn't too hard actually as the mod soul was more obsessed with Rukia than anything. Especially since Ichigo looked like her now.

As time went though, Uryu basically demanded that Ichigo accept his challenge or he would regret it. Rukia didn't like the sound of that, so she convinced Ichigo to accept. As much as he didn't want to, Ichigo relented.

Right now, Ichigo in his soul reaper form, Kon in Ichigo's body and Rukia ran through the streets once they felt a mass of hollows appearing above the park. True to his word, Uryu was there waiting for the orange haired soul reaper only to see Rukia standing there with a massive sword too big for her.

"What is this?" Uryu asked with narrowed eyes. He pointed towards Ichigo, not knowing who was in front of him at the moment. "I asked for Kurosaki to show up, not you Kuchiki."

Ichigo stepped up to him with an annoyed look to his/her face. "Shut up. You're lookin' right at him." Ichigo proudly pointed to himself as he said that statement with pride. If he were in his regular body then he would've looked at the least bit imposing, but as he was now.

"Pff." Uryu uncharacteristically stifled his laughter. He couldn't really believe what he had just heard nor could he really. The idea that Ichigo was a soul reaper wasn't all too far fetched, that much Uryu knew. It was this right here that tickled his funny bone at the moment.

Ichigo saw how he wasn't looking at him and slowly trying and failing to control his laughter. Growing a tick mark over his/her head, Ichigo went over and kicked Uryu right in his stomach. "DON'T LAUGH AT ME!" He shouted out as the Quincy was forced back a considerable distance from the raven haired soul reaper. It really was infuriating to the once male to be looked down upon both metaphorically and literally, but Ichigo did notice that he was getting stronger if that kick was any indication.

Uryu stood up and was surprised. At first he thought this was some kind of joke, but as he thought it over, he realized he didn't really know much of anything on how soul reapers worked. True, he was intelligent in their ways, but it was only vague and theory based. Whatever happened with Ichigo Kurosaki was out of his field, for now.

Ichigo didn't really have time to explain himself though as Uryu stood up and brought out some sort of capsule. "I don't, nor do I care how you look like this Kurosaki, but it doesn't matter." He broke the capsule and a faint energy was felt from it. "This will determine who wins our duel."

"What the hell are you talking about Uryu?" Ichigo asked him with an arched eyebrow.

Uryu didn't say another word as he let go of the remains of the capsule and let it fall to the floor. Ichigo, Rukia and Kon felt it. A mass of hollow energies suddenly appeared and came from out of the sky through multiple tears. Ichigo and Rukia were shocked by the sheer amount of hollows coming out of nowhere, even Uryu was confused by this amount. The capsule was only supposed to bring a few dozen hollows, not a mass of them. Something was horribly wrong, but Uryu had no interest in that right now, his pride was burning for victory now. The Quincy activated his bow and rushed towards the horde of hollows.

"H-hey! Uryu wait!" Ichigo yelled out, extending her arm out.

"It doesn't matter Kurosaki!" Uryu yelled back to her as he continued to rush in, firing arrows left and right. "All that matters is me proving to you why the Quincy are superior in every way!"

Ichigo was taken aback by that statement as she really didn't know what he was talking about to begin with. All she knew was that this was gonna get out of hand fast if she didn't do something about it.

"Wait, Ichigo." Rukia stopped her doppleganger.

"What Rukia? I have to do something." Ichigo told her urgently.

"We still don't know the full extent of your power." She spoke up. "You need to think rationally in this situation rather than rushing in headstrong like that."

"I have a plan Rukia." Ichigo told her as she drew her large blade out. "Attack everything in my way!"

And without a moments hesitation, Ichigo rushed into the fray. She tore into the mass of hollows with a fast and powerful ferocity.

Away from the battle

Rukia was watching from afar as Ichigo rushed into battle. It was strange to her, seeing herself in battle like that. Ichigo may have looked exactly like her, but he fought completely different from her, especially with his large zanpakuto. He was more ferocious and blunt with his attacks and swings. It was strange, but that must just work for him. Rukia was about to do something, but that was when she heard a voice she didn't expect to hear today.

"I wouldn't if I were you miss Kuchiki." Rukia turned to see the shopkeeper walking up to her with his cane, watching the whole thing taking place.

"Urahara?" She started in a surprised tone. "What are you doing here?"

The humble man tipped his hat as he looked down towards the fight, mainly at Ichigo. It was the first time that he saw the teen in his soul reaper form and boy was he surprised. He had always heard of the rumors of transferring your soul reaper powers to another person before, but never actually found evidence of this result. It wouldn't surprise him if the head captain had witnessed something like this in his long life and therefore made it completely forbidden. That would be a huge problem for Rukia and especially Ichigo.

"Well, I just came to see what all the fuss was about." Kisuke explained in his usual, jovial tone. It was a half truth really. He really just wanted to see how well Ichigo fought in battle.

Rukia was about to interject until they all felt a heavy presence approaching them.

Back to the fight

Ichigo and Uryu had been going through these hollows like a hot knife through butter. For some reason, the more Ichigo fought, the easier it was to wield her large blade. It was a rush really, to be able to cut loose and really go crazy for once. She felt chaotic yet focused, strong yet stable. It was odd to her, but that was just the tip of the iceberg so to speak.

The two teens felt an intense spiritual pressure bare down on the whole area. The hollows fled through portals to escape what was coming while the two stood in wait.

Uryu was shaking when he felt this energy. It was completely foreign to him as he had never felt a hollow presence this strong before. Just what did that lure do? It was only supposed to draw in a handful of hollows to its position, not a small army. He was getting tired, winded and worst of all, his energy was falling fast. It was only his pride as a Quincy not to lose to a soul reaper that kept him standing, but even his pride had limits it seemed. He looked over to the Rukia double to see how tired she was and was astounded by what he saw.

Ichigo stood tall as she held her blade down so it was rested on the ground. She was panting from the physical exertion but looked like she had energy to spare and then some. That wasn't what caught Uryu's attention though. It was her body. He actually got a pretty decent look at her. Her petite but strong frame standing tall and waiting, her arms were lithe yet had enough muscle to wield such a large object with ease for battle, and her outfit hugging her tightly. It didn't help that Ichigo had been sweating and the liquids traveling down her face to her partially opened top, drenching her chest in a glistening shine. Uryu blushed a bit before hearing it.

It being a loud, tearing noise in the sky. The two looked up and saw a large crack forming and a hand coming out of it. The next thing they saw was the masked face of a large hollow coming out of it.

"Oh no." Rukia spoke up as she watched this all unfold where she was standing. "We have to get them out of there!"

She took a step to warn Ichigo about this particular hollow until Kisuke snapped his fingers. She dropped to her knees like a rock falling to the earth.

"Now now Rukia," he started in a mixed tone of seriousness and curiosity. "Lets see just what they do first."

Rukia could do nothing but sit and watch, hoping that Ichigo and the Quincy would be alright.

Ichigo held her blade up and prepared herself for this fight while Uryu held a shaky bow in his hands. Ichigo could tell from that that he was getting tired. She may have to do this on her own. Oh well.

"Lets do this!" She yelled out as she rushed over toward the hollow, much to the protest of Uryu. She leapt over to its leg and went for a slash only for her blade to bounce right off. She gasped in surprise and the large hollow kicked her away. She skidded back for a moment before regaining her footing and standing up once more.

"You idiot!" Uryu yelled at her as he went over to the downed reaper. "What the hell was your plan anyway?!"

"Well." Ichigo scratched her head for a bit in embarrassment. "I was planning on just cutting it down till I got to its head. Ya know?"

Uryu couldn't believe what he was hearing and face-palmed hard. He couldn't believe how stupid this guy/girl was. He didn't have an idea, so he grabbed her by the collar to yell at her some more on how stupid that was, but when he grabbed her, something happened. His bow was suddenly charged with intense energy, more than he had ever produced in his life. He let go of her and the energy faded away. Ichigo took noticed and her mind came up with an idea.

"Uryu." She got his attention. "We need to work together to beat this thing." She raised her free hand and placed it onto Uryu's shoulder, much to his dismay for a few reasons. His bow went haywire once again, surprising him. "Use my energy to destroy it, alright?"

Uryu was taken aback but nodded. He raised his bow just as the large hollow was charging up some kind of attack in its mouth. Not wanting to see what that would do, Uryu fired a large, white arrow from his bow. He had never seen anything like that before. The hollow almost fired its attack, but the arrow hit it square in its mouth, stopping the monster in its tracks. The hollow screamed as the arrow exploded in its mouth, causing most of its mask to crack but not shatter. The large monster backed away into the tear in the sky and gave a hard stare towards the two before it disappeared.

Kisuke was astounded by Ichigo's display of power. He had never seen anything like that. He felt Her power in that arrow, not Uryu's and that was a cause for concern that needed to be studied more in detail later.

Rukia was absolutely awe struck. She knew she didn't have that much power before, so how exactly did Ichigo manage to do that with the Quincy at her side? It was a mystery. A mystery she needed to solve, fast.

Uryu was also astounded by what was coursing through his body like a shock to his system. He had no idea what that was or how much energy Ichigo had, but one thing was for certain, he liked it.

Unfortunately for them though, there was a man watching this whole thing transpire. A male soul reaper with wide eyes at the display he just saw. He looked down and saw Rukia standing there with a teen next to her, only the last time he saw her she didn't have a large sword on her person. Then he looked in another direction and saw another Rukia slowly standing up just as another man with a bucket hat left her. He focused and felt that her energy was almost nonexistent, yet when he felt the others energy, it felt like a vast ocean of power. It was similar to Rukia Kuchiki in all the right ways, but it felt different. He couldn't explain it.

"I need to report this." He said as he left the area, hoping that the captains had an answer for his questions. Though he doubted that this would end well for either of the two.

The next chapter will have the confrontation between Ichigo and Renji and Byakuya. What will their reactions be? How will Ichigo regain his/her powers? What exactly will Zangetsu look like along with his/her mindscape? Tune in next time to find out. Lol.

Stay awesome out there and as always,

PEACE!