Training For Invasion

Authors Note: Wow two chapters in one day, i'm on fire. Can we expect two more tomorrow (idk got work to do). Anyways I hope you enjoy the chapter and remember to leave reviews (Good ones of course)!! Anyway i'm calling it a day, much love, PEACE.

-End of Note

Upon waking up, the first thing Baki saw was a grinning Urahara looking down at him. Baki was confused about what this nuisance was so glad about and why he was so impatient. Rubbing his eyes, Baki looked at Urahara with an annoyed expression.

"Why are you making that expression? It's so ugly it almost startled me," Baki scoffed. Urahara frowned slightly. "Surely you haven't forgotten our agreement? You're going to be Yoruichi's assistant," Urahara exclaimed. Baki had only agreed to Urahara's proposition because he owed him, and it would look bad if he refused. There was also the reason that he was trying to shake Urahara's suspicion of him.

The morning sunlight was now directly in Baki's face, which was starting to irritate him. He raised his hands, blocking as much of the sunlight as he could, while the rest flooded through his fingers. It still felt like this was some sort of a twisted dream, but all the life-or-death events destroyed that idea. He begrudgingly sat up, attempting to avoid the sun's rays by looking in the opposite direction, where he saw a fake floor and a ladder leading down.

"This shop has a bunker? What's the need?" Baki questioned. Urahara looked at the ladders leading downstairs, then back at Baki. "Oh, you mean the Cavern? It's funny you ask; that's actually where Ichigo is training. Would you like to go see it?" Urahara responded. Baki shrugged, and Urahara simply took that as a yes. "Well, follow me," Urahara instructed. Baki followed him and looked down, realizing how far they would have to climb down. Without a second thought, he dived down, falling at an immense speed. Urahara, who was now climbing down, was shocked to see Baki land with his two feet together like some sort of swimmer. Urahara couldn't help but think about how truly remarkable Baki's physique and strength were.

Baki, already downstairs, was shocked at what he was witnessing. The little girl who had been shooting Hollows down when the Menos Grande appeared was sparring with Ichigo and managing to push him back. By now, Urahara was standing beside Baki, watching the spar unfold. Ichigo, who was previously running from the girl, finally turned to face her and was able to evade her attacks, now pushing her back. Baki noticed that Urahara began smiling upon seeing this, and the tanned man with glasses who stood a few meters away nodded slightly in approval.

Baki was baffled by how a girl was able to push back Ichigo and how she was able to move so fast. As Baki was contemplating these questions, Ichigo finally landed a strike, and the girl seemed to hesitate. She jumped onto Ichigo's arm and prepared to kick him, but before she could unleash her full power, Urahara disappeared from beside Baki and appeared by the girl's side, restraining the full power of her kick. The kick, although restrained, sent Ichigo flying into the wall, but the tanned man cushioned his collision.

Ichigo, who had finally come to his senses, asked for a rematch but was instead congratulated by Urahara. Baki, intrigued by the whole ordeal, appeared by Urahara's side. Ichigo was startled to see Baki. "Hey, I thought you were at the Soul Society. Is Rukia alright?" Ichigo said desperately. Baki, feeling a slight twinge of guilt, replied, "Well, there were a lot of strong Captains just like Byakuya; I barely escaped." Ichigo, not content with Baki's response, retorted, "You didn't even attempt to save her? Why did you even help us fight to begin with?"

This was an annoying situation for Baki to deal with; he was unsure how he was supposed to tell Ichigo that he was simply fighting for the thrill and Rukia's imprisonment meant nothing to him. All the lying and tricks Baki had to do to communicate was starting to give him a headache. Instead of trying to deceive Ichigo, he responded bluntly, "Listen, that is an issue for you to deal with; Rukia isn't a friend of mine. I simply fought for the adrenaline rush." This insensitive response irked Ichigo; the thought that his friend was just kidnapped and this is how Baki responded enraged him. Ichigo's spiritual pressure began rising, causing the dust on the floor to rise and heavy winds to blow. However, before he could make any moves, the tanned man, the little girl, and the redhead boy were quick to pin him to the ground. Ichigo squirmed under their control, writhing around trying to reach Baki.

Kisuke stood in front of Baki to prevent the risk of Ichigo making any moves and causing a battle to ensue. "You're heartless!" Ichigo roared while still trying to wriggle free. Baki looked at Ichigo and replied, "I'll fight you anyplace anytime; they're saving you from me right now." Everyone around knew that what Baki had said was insensitive, but they couldn't let Ichigo fight the person that destroyed a Gillian with a kick.

Urahara turned to Baki and said, "I think it's time you go and fulfill your promise; let's give Yoruichi a visit. I'll introduce you." Baki simply nodded and followed Urahara before turning back once more and grinning at Ichigo, trying to taunt him. This time Baki climbed up the ladder, like a normal person would. When they reached the top, Urahara took off without saying a word, expecting Baki to follow. "Next stop is the Warehouse!" Urahara yelled, while Baki trailed behind.