Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)- Chapter 1 (Short Story)
“KENPACHI!!!"
You struck with all your might, and the captain grinned, bracing his sword with one arm. You mirror his little smirk, jumping back. It was unclear how many hours you'd been out there sparring with the fight crazed captain. Yachiru was perched on a tree nearby, and Ikkaku was laying face down in the dirt.
The three of you had been at it for a while. You were covered in bruises, yet all Kenpachi had was a vertical rip going down the side of his cloak. Ikkaku was probably unconscious. Despite all the obvious signs to stop, you kept going. So you kept at it, for who knows how many more hours. It only became apparent that you really couldn't go on when you fell back on the floor with a thud. Your chest was heaving, the grin still firmly planted on your face.
"You almost had him that time (Y/N)-chan!" Yachiru cheered. Kenpachi hoisted both you and Ikkaku on either side of his shoulder, and you sent him thumbs up. "Good fight taicho!" with that, you passed out.
~Five Hours Later~
"I'm beginning to get a bit worried about you (Y/N)-san." Jushiro watched your bandaged body with a sigh. Being a part of the eleventh squad was a dream come true. You'd always been a skilled fighter, and much like your captain, you loved the thrill of battle. You craved it. Maybe sometimes a little too much. When you joined his squad, a lot of the members laughed. You had a pretty small stature, and just looking, no one would really be able to tell that you were a fighter.
You weren't built like the rest of them, but your skill was far greater than any of those morons. You proved it too. During the first two months of joining, you'd fought nearly two thirds of the squad. After a while they realized just how much they underestimated your abilities and even started running whenever they saw you strolling around. By the course of four months you'd beaten every last one of them, excluding Ikkaku, Yachiru and Kenpachi. That's why you made it your mission to challenge him whenever you could. They used to joke that you and Kenpachi had to be siblings, because you emitted the same love for fighting.
"I'm fine Ukitake-taicho, I almost beat him this time!" you said with a smile.
"You sure are driven, I'm surprised you haven't challenged Ichigo yet. Zaraki-san has been trying to battle him for years. " Rukia who was sitting by your side face palmed. She could see the sparkle in your eyes, and she knew exactly what that meant.
"Ichigo.." If Kenpachi was trying to battle this person, then he must have been strong. His name sounded familiar. You'd often heard Ikkaku and some of the others talk about him, but you'd never actually met. You'd joined the squads after the Ryoka incident.
"If I fight with Ichigo then beating Kenpachi will be a piece of cake! Arigatou Ukitake-taicho!" you disappeared before he could do much, and Ukitake rubbed his head awkwardly. "Maybe I should have kept that bit of information to myself. " Rukia just chuckled. You were relentless, so it was really only a matter of time before you found out anyway.
~~~
You waited eagerly for the substitute soul reaper. Honestly it was getting tedious battling the same idiots everyday. You knew it was only a matter of when he'd show up. His alliance with the soul society was surprisingly strong. Everyone you talked to about him had something remarkable to say. Currently you were on your many visits to the fourth squad. Hanataro was healing your wounds, and bandaging your arm. "You want to fight Kurosaki-san?" you nod.
"Yep, I heard he's pretty strong. Kenpachi said he beat him once, and that's when they first invaded the soul society. Just imagine how much stronger he must have gotten." Hanataro laughs at your excitement.
"He is pretty strong, and a really good friend." Your head turned at the look Hanataro wore.
"I think the first time I ever felt brave was when I met Ichigo. "
This guy was really something. You'd known Hanataro since the academy days. Even though he'd graduated before you, it was given that he'd be a healer. He'd long accepted the fact that he wasn't a fighter.
"You're amazing too Hanataro, you fixed me right up!" you stood flexing your arm.
"I'd feel much better if you got injured a lot less (Y/N)-chan."
"No promises!!" you were already out the door.
"I'll be seeing her again soon." He knew you too well not to expect it at this point.
~~~~~
"Zaraki-taicho!!" Your call made Kenpachi turn.
"The human is coming today!!" Kenpachi's grin grew just as wide as yours. "You're joking, I'll finally get to fight him again. " He was just as excited as you at the revelation.
"What are we waiting for, let's go!" He didn't have to tell you twice. Yachiru was giggling.
"Ichi sure is going to be surprised when he sees the both of you."
Hell, you were counting on it.
~~~~
You weren't sure how it was possible, you specifically told Kenpachi to follow your lead.Yachiru was the last person he should have taken directions from. They both had no sense of direction. You stopped to track them, sighing when you felt the familiar wave of energy. They were all the way on the other side of the barracks. A spark makes your eyes dart up.
"Hmmm?" You didn't recognize this spiritual pattern.
"It must be him." racing down the pathway, you smile, jumping into the air.
"Gotcha!" Ichigo flinched, watching the female that jumped over the building, landing right in front of him.
"What the..." He'd been so focused on avoiding Kenpachi, that he really didn't expect anyone else. Your sword was already drawn, and your smile was wide.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, I challenge you to a fight. The winner will be declared the strongest."
He sweatdropped.
"Listen, I ain't got time for your-" you charged and Ichigo braced himself with a yell.
"H-Hey!!" with his sword now drawn, he pressed against your blade, and you just continued to smile.
"Knepachi was right, you are quick."
"K-Kenpachi!!"
"Damn it, how did I manage to get stuck with one of his crazy fight loving members."
He was so sure he masked his reiatsu this time. Ichigo studied you. He really didn't expect such an attack from someone like you. He doesn't recall ever meeting you either, but you were obviously a part of Kenpachi's squad. If your determination to fight him wasn't enough to go on. He also took notice of the bandages on both your arms.
"You're injured. " He muttered. Your brows furrowed, and he flash stepped, now standing on one of the buildings above. "You shouldn't be fighting, you need to recover. "
"Keh, I thought you were supposed to be some strong reaper. Or maybe they exaggerated your abilities. You are a human after all.
An irk mark appeared on his forehead.
"LISTEN HERE YOU LITTLE BRAT!" He was getting riled up, exactly what you wanted. Sheathing your blade, you disappeared, and Ichigo looked around, eyes hardening.
"Too slow." you whispered from behind. He barely had a moment to defend, you swung your leg, kicking him in his side, and his body pitched off, hitting the ground with a force. Ichigo grunted, barely gathering himself long enough to prepare for your next attack.
"Come on, you're no fun!!" you cheered, grabbing him by the collar of his robe as you flung him into the air. He gritted his teeth, making it about a few hundred feet before he was able to regain some control. Standing in the sky, he rubbed his forehead. You were a lot faster than he anticipated.
"This is fun!!" you pitched off after him, and this time he was a little more prepared. He was gone at the last second, and that just added to the thrill.
"Finally taking me seriously huh." you wait for a sign, or more so a flick of his reiatsu. He was above, and as he moved to grab you, you took a hold of his leg. Letting out a startled yell, he was thrown back into the ground. His body hit the dirt harshly. Ichigo coughed, eyes clouded by the dust that had risen.
"How did she sense me so quickly.."
You weren't just strong, but fast too.
He fully prepared to fire back an attack of his own this time, but the smile on your face dropped. You were still a few feet in the air, and he noticed the pained expression as you clenched your eyes shut. All at once your features evened out, and your eyes closed, body now falling from the sky.
"Crap!"
He jumped, grabbing you midair and landing easily. When he was steady, he looked down at you.
"She was fighting that way even with these injuries."
Now that he was holding you he could see the full extent of those bandages, it wasn't just your arms, but the gauze travelled all the way under your robes, up to your neck.
"Crazy chick."
~~~~
Ichigo fully intended to carry you to Hanataro, but he'd ran into Rukia on his way over and she'd just told him that you needed rest. Apparently they were used to this. Ukitake laughed upon seeing your sleeping form in the hands of Ichigo.
"Just lay her down inside, she'll be awake in a few hours ready for another battle. " So he did as instructed. His gaze lingered over your form. So caught up in it all, he never even got to ask your name. There was an inkling feeling that this wouldn't be the last time he saw you.
Rukia observed the thoughtful look on Ichigo's face.
"I take it you had a hard time keeping up with her." She noted the visible scratches on his body. He took a seat, a scowl on his face.
"She just caught me by surprise." Rukia smiles.
"She may act like a careless fighter, but her tracking skills are amazing. " Ichigo straightened at Rukia's explanation. He glimpsed back at your unconscious form laying in the other room. With the door slightly ajar he could see the steady rise and fall of your chest.
"Every time I flashstepped she caught me." He recalled that one time he'd battled Byakuya, and just barely managed to match his speed. With you the task felt similar, except he did most of the running. You'd anticipated every move he made.
"She's not going to stop until she wins." Ichigo sighed.
"Great, just what I need. A female Kenpachi." Ukitake chuckled at the description.
"She's been assigned a mission in the world of the living. Why don't you show her some of your town's attractions. If she's distracted she may forget about battling. " Ichigo contemplated.
"That's actually a good idea."
He wouldn't be able to completely stop you, so why not distract you instead. It may be a stretch, but it was better than preparing for a fight whenever he had to visit.