Chapter 16: Helping hand

Ichigo was walking back home with Kon after a long day of school. Though not much happened when it came to hollow attacks around the area at the time, Ichigo did always stay on alert whenever he was needed. To his surprise however, the girls in his class had taken to helping him out. Covering for him in class, taking care of a hollow their selves, or even pointing him in the right direction. They were very helpful to him, and even Tatsuki had started to question just why exactly were they doing such things. Of coarse, she never got a straight answer.

It was a pretty normal walk back home like always for the two. They chatted about random things as they walked and didn't really seem to notice that they were in some peoples sights. These people weren't particularly woman of any spiritual world, but really just a gang that had a huge problem with the orange haired teen as of late. They surrounded the two and had very confident smirks on their faces. Ichigo and Kon looked to them and wondered just what exactly was up with these guys recently. This was the fifth time they had done this whole song and dance routine this week and yet they still haven't learned yet. As Ichigo and Kon were getting ready to take these punks down yet again, they heard someones voice not far away from them. To Ichigo, this voice was very familiar, but to Kon and the gang, they had no idea who this was.

"It seems like you two could use a hand, Ichigo." The voice of Shizuko was heard and Ichigo turned to see her standing behind one of the thugs. Before that thug could do anything, Shizuko kicked him in the jaw, hard.

Ichigo smirked and shook his head a bit before dodging a lazy right hook. Kon caught the guy's fist and judo flipped him onto the ground. Ichigo went and punched another guy right in the face, knocking him out instantly. Shizuko was weaving in and out as two guys tried to attack her. She was smiling at their attempts and eventually just kicked the two, knocking them out. Kon used her speed, but clearly not all of it, to speed bag another thug, sending him to the ground. By the time they were done, there was only on guy left. He didn't last as he quickly turned tail and ran away.

"Heh." Ichigo started as he turned to Shizuko and crossed his arms. "So, are you here to spy on me, get in some action, or to tell me what you and Xcution really want?"

At hearing the second option, both Shizuko and Kon blushed madly. Ichigo chuckled under his breath as he watched the two react to what he said to them. Both of them just had the same thought at hearing that second option though.

"Damn, I bet he's amazing in bed."

Shizuko shook her head of those thoughts and decided to answer him truthfully. "Ichigo, if I tell you the real reason we need your help, will you trust me enough to listen?"

Ichigo narrowed his eyes a bit and sighed. "Well that depends on what it is."

Shizuko smiled a bit and answered him. "We need your help in finding a hollow that has taken someone special to us."

Shizuko closed her eyes and waited for a reaction of outrage or maybe even anger, but that never came. Instead, all she heard was a stifled laugh. She looked to see Ichigo doubling over at hearing this for a few seconds before he stood straight and answered her with a smirk.

"Is this hollow strong?" He asked her, hungry for a real fight.

Shizuko gained a small smile and answered him with a nod. "Yes. It's a vasto lorde class hollow that retreated from the world of the living months ago. It captured our friend and took her to Hueco Mundo and we need your help saving her."

Ichigo could tell this was important. From the way Xcution acted around him to how Shizuko just came out with the truth. This girl that was captured must be very special.

"Why did the hollow capture your friend? Why not just kill her or something?" Ichigo asked.

"It's because her spirit energy is more like theirs than the rest of ours. She's much more powerful than us since she's more hollow than human. It's probably the reason she was taken in the first place." Shizuko answered him, hopeful that maybe he'll help now.

Ichigo thought about it for a second before he looked to Kon. "What do you think Kon? Should I help them out?"

Kon was a little taken aback from this as she could tell Ichigo was being sarcastic in asking her. It was more like him asking her if he should tell anybody else about this little trip he would be taking or not. She knew that if Ichigo went without telling anyone, that it could mean very bad news for him, but she also knew that if did tell anyone that he wouldn't be allowed to go. So there was really only one option.

With a sigh, Kon gave him her answer. "Go on. I'll come up with something."

Ichigo smirked at her detached his soul from his body. Kon caught it and looked back to him. He smiled at her, a warm smile that caused her to blush and her knees to grow weak.

"Thanks Kon. I'm countin on you." Ichigo said to her as he looked at Shizuko. "Well? What are we waitin for, a bus? Let's go save your girlfriend."

Been gone a while. But now I'm back on this story. The chapters might be a little shorter now so I can release them in a more manageable and constant way.

Anyway, Ichigo and Xcution are heading for Hueco Mundo in the next chapter to rescue an OC. I may or may not have an idea for what she looks like, but I wouldn't object to a suggested name. Figured I get more feedback for this. You'll get a shout out in the next chapter if I choose yours.

Ya'll know what to do. And as always, stay sexy out there.

PEACE!