Chapter 4 – Kidō, what?

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The day I died

The fourth chapter – Kidō, what?

It was a freezing cold morning. Ichigo shivered, the room was completely abandoned, empty and soulless. He had no idea who held the previous lieutenant position, but he must've been sorely missed. No one entered his office since his disappearance, no one touched a single thing in the room and no one wanted to forget their beloved lieutenant. It felt wrong sleeping in the bed of his predecessor. Captain Ukitake allowed him to rest in his new office, he couldn't get used to it; Ichigo stood up.

He decided that a walk in the night's breeze would calm his mind, quickly putting on his shihakushō and his new insignia, and walking out. It was early in the morning, before anyone was on their feet. It was still dark, so Ichigo decided to only walk around the barracks. He noticed a dim light coming from the meeting hall, it seemed interesting. He walked closer to the opened door, seeing a silhouette of a shinigami.

The shinigami in question was cleaning the hall. Ichigo watched amused at the sight of the hardworking shinigami, he leaned on a wall and continue watching the, now humming, shinigami. After amusedly watching the shinigami Ichigo noticed her features; short, petite figure and short raven hair. Ichigo's eyes widened, it was the familiar looking shinigami that he passed on the way to the 13th Division Barracks. Ichigo didn't want to cause be embarrassed in front of his subordinate, asking if they were somehow acquainted.

He turned to the door, most of his frame in the shadows, he called out "You shouldn't work that hard; overexerting yourself will only cause further harm." He smiled before taking a step.

The small shinigami was frozen, looking at Ichigo's familiar frame "Lieutenant Kaien?" Rukia asked softly. She noticed the insignia on his arm was it simply a hallucination or was it a nightmare?

Ichigo chuckled lightly "Kaien? Me? No." he grinned at the thought of being mistaken for someone else "Now go get some rest, it's still too early." She was about to retort "and no talking back!" with that he left the hall, heading to his new office; his amused state not even slightly fading "He felt as if he knew how to interact with younger girls, as if he had already experienced it."

Rukia was frozen, what is Kaien or was it a bad dream. Why would Kaien return after all these years? Was she daydreaming while cleaning? It was too confusing for her. She shrugged it off for the moment, dedicating her being to cleaning the meeting hall. Ukitake placed a flyer on the meeting hall door, requesting his subordinates to clean the meeting hall, Rukia just so happened to be the first one up and about. So she took it upon herself to clean up the mess from last time.

Her thoughts and questions about Kaien were answered in the same meeting hall, later that morning. Ukitake stood in front of the assembled 13th Division, excluding the ones that were positioned in the living world, to his right was Ichigo with the lieutenant insignia on his arm. Ukitake notices a slight uproar in the ranks; he knew people wouldn't agree with any new lieutenant. They all loved Kaien, his personality and his talent.

He turned to face a determined Ichigo, he stood tall even when people disagreed with his new position, and he wasn't going to give up easily. Ukitake smiled turning to his Division "From today on, the 13th Division had a new lieutenant." Ichigo stood forward, eyeing the crowd; they looked at him suspiciously.

Some shinigami in the crowd started to wonder why Ichigo was picked "What makes him so special? I've never seen him before and I know almost everyone from the 1st to the 13th Division. I can't even feel his reiatsu at this distance, is he really lieutenant material?!" an unseated member scoffed.

Ichigo tried not to growl at the remark, composing himself. Ukitake knew what Ichigo was about to do 'He's about to step forward and frighten the crowd…' Before Ichigo had a chance to move Ukitake spoke firmly "I understand your concern, but you are right. No one can accept a new lieutenant that suddenly and there is hardly a way for him to prove himself worthy." Ukitake's face was serious, which was mostly unknown to his subordinates "He is inexperience and lacks the proper training, that's why I shall train him and chisel him into the perfect lieutenant." The crowd eyed their captain curiously, before agreeing to his plan. "We will take our leave today, so I'm leaving the Division in the hands of our beloved 3rd Seats."

Ukitake smiled warmly as the before mentioned 3rd Seats jumped in front of the crowd, both standing in hero poses "Don't worry Captain Ukitake, we will keep an eye on this herd!" said the middle-aged 3rd Seat, only to be pushed away by a energetic blonde "Don't overexert yourself, Captain Ukitake! I will watch over our division and keep them in check with all my strength!" she beamed as Ukitake nodded in approval.

Rukia couldn't believe her eyes. The orange haired high school student that she Konso'd was now her superior, how was this possible? "It's you!" Rukia shouted; her mouth gaping open.

Ichigo turned his attention to the barking raven haired shinigami; he smiled "Yo! You're that hardworking shinigami. Good work, not even a speck of dust in this hall."

Ukitake noticed the always silent and reserved Rukia speak out. She had a similar worried look in her eyes that she had when they spoke about the possibility of a captain level reiatsu holding human. He put a few thing together 'Rukia said it happened around four weeks ago. Ichigo is a new soul, Teiki said around a month, and he could attend high school with his young looks…' Ukitake's eyes widened when he looked over towards a smiling Ichigo 'He is a special case, said Teiki, but this is beyond special. I have to watch over him carefully so he doesn't make the wrong turn.' Ukitake couldn't explain his concern; it was his gut telling him that Ichigo will play a major role in future events. He had to prepare Ichigo, for worst of the worst scenarios.

He smiled warmly again "Shall we take our leave, lieutenant?" Ukitake asked.

Ichigo returned the smile and simply nodded. Determination ignited again, his body craving for new experiences.

~The 1st Division Training Grounds~

Ichigo eyed his captain carefully. Ukitake pointed his finger towards a brick wall "Way of Destruction: Thrust!" his finger shined for a moment before the brick wall collapsed.

He looked back at Ichigo, who was astonished by the display. "It is the weakest of the Kidō, Way of Destruction ranking. This is the first, often just quickly called 'Hadō #1'. It is the weakest, the number represents its effectiveness and its strength depends on the user. 'Thrust' is used to save a comrade from harm in you're out of reach to save them yourself in time." Ukitake waited a moment so the information would sink in, before continuing "No it's your turn lieutenant. It is the simplest of the Hadō spells because it has no incantation, meaning that it can be learned and perfected without having to study and remember the incantation; which are usually extremely long." Ichigo nodded, cringing at the thought of extremely long incantations "Simply focus your reiatsu into the tip of your finger and fire a shockwave of your reiatsu out of your finger. Be careful though, using too much reiatsu might hurt you and the person you target."

Ichigo nodded again, before realizing a fatal flaw "Captain Ukitake, I don't mean to be rude, but I haven't yet learned how to control the flow of my reiatsu…" he felt embarrassed that he wasn't able to complete his first task.

Ukitake nodded, before moving closer to Ichigo and sitting next to him "First you want to close your eyes and calm you breath. After a few breaths you should feel the flow of your reiatsu, it should feel like a river flowing." Ichigo complied, only to get nothing even after a few minutes.

He sighed, how was he able to control the flow of his reiatsu if Zangetsu already did the job. 'Zangetsu, this time no one will be in danger is you let me control my reiatsu.' Ichigo requested.

'Yes, no one except yourself. If we let you control your reiatsu alone you will burn from the inside out.' Black Zangetsu retorted, his tone defensive.

'But I have to learn abilities that I can defend myself and comrades with when you aren't around.' Ichigo was slightly annoyed at Zangetsu's overprotective nature 'How about you give me control of an amount of reiatsu that won't make me spontaneously combust? The amount that the raven haired shinigami had! Ichigo remembered her reiatsu being significant but not overpowering.

Black Zangetsu sighed, he knew Ichigo had to learn new abilities and that there might be a moment in Ichigo's shinigami life that he won't be able to be there for Ichigo. It pained him more than anything 'As you wish, I'm here to protect and guide you and not to reject your requests. Very well, I will give you control over the same amount of reiatsu that the raven haired shinigami had.'

Ukitake noticed that Ichigo was meditating, only to notice that he finally felt Ichigo's reiatsu. It was only around seated member level, but enough for training.

Ichigo's eyes shot open, he felt reiatsu pulse through his body. He turned to face the brick wall; he felt the flow of his reiatsu and also Zangetsu's interference. He only had a set amount of reiatsu to use and he wasn't about to waste it on just feeling the flow. He pointed his index finger towards the brick wall, gathering reiatsu in his finger "Way of Destruction: Thrust-" before a beam of pure white came out his finger, slicing the brick wall in one swing.

Ichigo was swiftly stopped by Ukitake, who was laughing nervously "You're meant to use a lot less reiatsu…"

White Zangetsu laughed loudly as he explained what had happened. 'You see Ichigo; what, Blacky here, didn't explain to you was that reiatsu works in percentages, since you own 100% of your reiatsu, that being your own and not stolen from someone, then you always prepare your body and reiatsu to expel the percentage of you original reiatsu.' Ichigo nodded, still not getting the point that White Zangetsu wanted to explain 'So when you felt that fraction of reiatsu in you, you prepared yourself to fire off around 10% of you original power, which is more than Blacky gave you, making the ability extremely effective.'

Ichigo finally understood what White Zangetsu wanted to tell him, he fired off all the reiatsu that Black Zangetsu offered him in one blow. 'So if I want to train like this, I would have to have a wide understanding of my reiatsu, but I can't obtain that understanding with Black Zangetsu holding me back.' Ichigo frowned inwardly; this wasn't going to be easy.

Black Zangetsu understood his pain more than anybody, he had to help Ichigo and not hold him back 'I understand Ichigo. I will stop stalling your growth with these schemes, let's work together.' Black Zangetsu said with a genuine smile, his voice completely soft and warm.

Ukitake was sitting beside Ichigo, sipping on his beloved tea. Earlier he noticed Ichigo's absent look and instantly registered that he was in his inner world. Ukitake was about to take another sip before feeling a sudden spike in reiatsu. Ichigo's body started to glow, his reiatsu rising as well as the pressure.

Ichigo opened his eyes slowly; he could feel his full power. It was an incredible feeling, as if he was asleep for the past couple of thousand years and had finally awakened from his deep slumber.

Ichigo held onto his Zanpakuto with his left hand as he pointed right hand index finger towards the brick wall. Ichigo grinned as he concentrated on the flow of his reiatsu 'Don't worry about the flow of reiatsu, Ichigo; I will help you control it!' Black Zangetsu said reassuringly.

Ichigo nodded before concentrating on the amount of reiatsu 'Ichigo, I'm here to guide you as well. I'll control the amount of reiatsu, so your brain doesn't explode concentrating on it!' Said White Zangetsu mockingly, causing Ichigo to snicker.

'Just call out the ability and we will guide your reiatsu' Zangetsu's said in unison.

Ichigo's eyes glowed white with a speck of red mixed with black "Way of Destruction: Thrust" his finger shined for a moment before the brick wall collapsed.

Ichigo turned to face a grinning Ukitake "Very well done, lieutenant. Now that you have learned how to control your flow and amount of reiatsu, let us begin our next lesson: mastering the flow and amount of reiatsu."

"There's no need for that Captain. You don't have to teach me anything more about reiatsu and its mastery. You did more than enough; Zangetsu will teach me the rest." Ichigo announced proudly, still holding Zangetsu's hilt.

Ukitake sighed, he already had a week long plan of Ichigo's reiatsu mastery "Alright then, let us begin with the more advanced techniques!" Ukitake smiled as he pulled out a scroll "Way's of Destruction Thirty to Sixty" he narrowed his sight, his face now completely serious "Lieutenants usually have to know Thirty to Thirty-five…" Ichigo nodded slowly "…But this time will be an exception." Ichigo smiled; determination in his eyes and a great resolve in his heart.

~1st Division Captain Meeting~

"He has displayed great talent in both Zanjutsu and Kidō; mastering all the required Hadō. He is determined and had a great resolve; to protect, which fits my division perfectly." Ukitake announced in front the other captains of Gotei 13.

Ichigo was kneeling behind his captain; his hair was slightly longer, his bangs almost reaching his cheeks. It had been three months of rigorous training, but he did not falter. He barreled through the first dozen, slowly increasing his time with every next Hadō.

He had the toughest time with the last three, Hadō #58: Orchid Sky was one of the hardest to learn, but easiest to master. The chant was awful and had no double meaning like most of the Hadō.

~1st Division Training Grounds, three days ago~

Ichigo had finally remembered the chant for Hadō #60 and successfully performed it. He threw himself his bed, noticing that he hit something hard. It was a sealed scroll. Ichigo wondered what it was, deciding to open it immediately. He was about to read the title, only to be called by Ukitake. He managed to glance over a small part of the title '#91'.

~1st Division Captain Meeting, Present~

Captain-Commander Yamamoto eyed Ichigo carefully, before narrowing his sight "Lieutenant Ichigo, are you prepared to face darkness eye to eye? Are you ready to give your heart and soul for the good of Seireitei? Are you prepared to die for Seireitei? Hmm?" he said sternly, noticing that Ichigo did not flinch at a single word spoken.

Ichigo lifted his head, determination still burning in his eyes "I'm prepared, sir." Some captains started to eye Ichigo, noticing that he released no reiatsu even when idle.

It was confusing and intriguing at the same time, piquing the interest of Mayuri 'Completely concealing his reiatsu, how does he do it? I want him as a specimen!' He cried inwardly.

Kenpachi simply grinned manically 'He seems like a good fighter…'

Byakuya kept his cool demeanor only to check what kind of person Rukia's superior would be 'Bright unkempt hair, a scowl and a boyish look. I will have to tell Rukia to stay away from this person. He thought as he turned away from Ichigo.

Unohana was smiling at the new lieutenant, he seemed strong and determined 'It's nice to see young souls like him.' She thought while smiling wholeheartedly.

Tōshirō looked suspiciously at Ichigo 'He seems inexperienced; I hope he doesn't meet Rangiku first." He shuddered at the thought.

Komamura saw that Ichigo was grateful to his captain; smiling inwardly at the thought.

Kyoraku was pleasantly surprised by his friend; no one told him that his old friend would finally find a new lieutenant. He thought it was about time they went out and drank some sake, nodding to himself inwardly. He was also surprised by how young Ichigo was and how he felt no reiatsu coming off of him, noticing that Ichigo had constant contact with his Zanpakuto.

Ukitake was glad, all the training paid off in the end, Ichigo not only learned and mastered thirty Hadō, and he seemed to also have a greater control over his reiatsu. After all the week they've trained, it was about time for some long needed rest. Thinking about it Ukitake noted to invite Ichigo over to the hot springs sometime.

Ichigo bowed before leaving the meeting first, thinking the captains had some other agenda planned. As he left he was eyed by three particular Captains: Tousen, Gin and Aizen.

Aizen was the only one deep in thought 'The first plan to turn him into a shinigami to get the Hōgyoku failed and caused Rukia to return to Seireitei, but no matter I have another plan that will turn things around. Enjoy your days of peace; you will sorely miss them after I'm done with you…' He smirked deviously.