1Alright here is Chapter 3. Maybe now I won't feel so rushed like last chapter. I've totally forgot where I was going with this.
Next time I work on this I'll probably make some massive edits. There are so many inconsistencies but this whole writing as I go thing isn't exactly my strength. Please fact check me lol
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Meanwhile, back in the world of the living…
Yoruichi looked at her "Ichigo Pager", as Urahara called it, with utter disappointment. Usually she pinged in on his riatsu signature almost instantly since it was so unique. How it normally worked, was it would use his natural riatsu to find him and thin send a telepathic phone call to him so it couldn't be traced by the soul society, like opening frequent garganta's.
"Kisuke! This isn't working," Yoruichi yelled at her partner.
Said man poked his head through the doors. "Well isn't that strange," he said as he took it from her to examine. "Nothing seems to be wrong…" he tried changing the settings so it would ping Yoruichi. "Is it working?" he asked into it.
"Yes now stop! Hearing you twice is annoying," she said as she heard the echoey delay of his speech in her head.
"Well since it seems to be working, it must mean Ichigo is unreachable…whatever that means."
The two gave each other a concerned look but they weren't too worried about it. Ichigo was Ichigo, a force of nature.
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Meanwhile, in the captains meeting in the Seiretei…
Yamamoto looked down at his captains. Several had been replaced since the war. Renji had taken over the 5th division. Shuhei Hisagi and Izuru Kira took over their respective devisions of 9th and 3rd temporarily. Being short on high level Shinigami was but issue for the Gotei after the war. The 5th had all but fallen to pieces before Renji was put forth by Byakuya for the captaincy exam. Byakuya still held Rukia back from going anywhere beyond Lieutenant, despite having her Bankai.
Yamamoto spoke, hushing the chatty captains as he began. "The 12th division has informed us that Ichigo Kurosaki has disappeared."
Shock was apparent in the room. Renji was the first to speak. "Wait, not dead? He's just gone?!" He couldn't hide the shock in his voice, though no one could blame him, and many other captains agreed with his sentiments.
Yamamoto only nodded to confirm. "It is entirely possible he was eaten by a hollow and it is only taking time for his soul to dominate the creature that consumed him."
Korotsuchi touched his finger to his chin in thought at this. "Well, that is possible, but wouldn't we still be able to sense the boy's spiritual pressure. I have been thinking over this, and it's all the more likely he is masking his existence somehow. The tracker we placed on him is unusually weak, in order to better seal it to his soul, but if he went through a change of environment or a massive riatsu spike, then it could have been destroyed…"
Kempachi grinned maniacally. "So, you're saying he could have gotten his powers back?"
Korotsuchi replied, "No, then he would show up on our normal sensors. He could have tried to awaken new powers."
Yamamoto continued to frown, though this was not unusual. "Does anyone else have any possible theories?" The room was silent. "Very well then, we will send tracker scouts to Karakura to investigate, and if they find nothing in a week, we will deploy one to three to each main area he could be in. Dismissed."
Unlike usual, the exit was slow and thoughtful. Many conflicting thought ran through everyone's heads, mainly confusion. In some cases, like Renji, guilt, and in others such as Byakuya and the senior captains, concern.
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Meanwhile, back with Ichigo and Shiro…
The pair were setting out for the morning. Neither of the "twins" had anything to carry exept the cloths on their backs.
Ichigo mock saluted to Akiko, "So long Akiko, if we are ever back in this part of the Rukon, we'll try to say hi."
Shiro only rolled his eyes. "Lets get going. The more time we spend loitering, the more monster's will show up." He forced himself to call hollow's monsters, in case it seemed like they picked things up too quickly.
"Alright alright, lets go Shiro," Ichigo said with a smirk. With that, Ichigo ran off into the forest.
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Once alone, the duo shared a knowing glance before bursting into laughter. "You know Kingy, I don't really like playing dumb. It makes me feel weak and stupid, " Shiro huffed lightheartedly. The two had a better relationship since spending 10 years together without being able to fight.
"Yeah, I agree. I feel so restrained with this band too," He held up his wrist with the mark Roku gave him. "It still beats literally falling apart any day."
After this, and a few more small exchanges, the two fell into a comfortable silence one can only find with their own soul.
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At the pace they were going, the duo had to stop for the night. Ichigo held out his arm instinctively and realized something, neither of them had a sword. A worried look crossed Ichigo's face as he looked over to Shiro. "So…hehe, what do you think we should do."
Shiro glared back at him. "I hate this. Why don't we keep moving. Staying in one place makes us look like easy prey, and I do not want to be seen as prey," Shiro seethed, letting his true nature seep through a bit.
"Riiight…" Ichigo said before continuing his pace. It was slower than what he was used to, but really, anything was.
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It was just as the sun began to rise, that the duo made it to civilization. Ichigo just about collapsed when he reached the first alley he saw. Shiro looked down on him in disappointment.
"Really now? This is all it took to tire you out?" The hollowfied zanpaktou refused to admit his fatigue until he swayed forward, falling into the heap with Ichigo. "Ok, maybe a nap would be nice…" Shiro said as the duo drifted off.
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The duo were awaken by a splash of water. They came sputtering back to the world of the awake. If looks could kill, the combination of Ichigo Kurosaki and his inner hollow would be an assassination.
The one who woke them backed up a few steps before regaining her false confidence. "Get out! You two shouldn't be sleeping on my back porch," she sneered. Their attacker was a girl with short cut hair, reminding Ichigo a bit of Tatskuki. She wore nicer cloths than Akiko and the others in Rukon, but they still weren't kept fresh and new, likely one of two sets she owned. The main item was a kimono made of faded blue rough cloth.
Ichigo was the first to gain his senses. "I'm sorry miss. My brother and I came into this district not too long ago after we traveled through the night. We must have collapsed from exhaustion."
The girl glared at them. "Why would you even come here if there is nowhere for you to go. You two are either pathetic or stupid or both."
Ichigo rubbed the back of his head, a nervous habit. "Ah yes, we should get out of the way now. Would you mind telling us how we could apply for the Shinigami academy? The place we are from was a little sparse on info."
The girl raised an eyebrow. "You sure you're cut out for it? Most people don't make it too far."
The twins shared a look. "Oh we're pretty damn sure," Shiro said confidently.
The girl sighed in defeat. "Why must I be cursed with a kind heart," she said as she looked to the sky. "I'm Kana, why don't you come inside while we talk. It's not fun to stand for too long." Kana held the door open for them with a look of 'get in before I change my mind'.
Ichigo shrugged and looked at Shiro, mirroring his gesture. "Thank you miss Kana. I'm Ichiro and this is my brother Shiro," Ichigo said as they entered. On the inside, the small house had plain walls and a few windows. It was clear she lived alone.
Kana gestured for a rug on the ground with a table in the center. Shiro made a mental comment about the hard floor but Ichigo didn't care. "So, how are we supposed to apply for the exam?"
"Well, most people are scouted by the proctors," Kana began. "The mainstream process kind of hurts your chances of getting in because everyone can take it, meaning its kind of single elimination, if that makes sense. First sign of being incapable, and you're thrown out. In contrast, if you are scouted or nominated, its pretty much just a rietsu check."
Shiro piped up, "So you're saying we are at a disadvantage for not being a noble?"
"Exactly, one of the many beautiful things about living in the soul society," Kana said sarcastically.
"So when is the general entrance exam anyway?" Ichigo asked.
"Well, I've been preparing for…" she muttered and counted on her fingers, "so it should be in about a week, lucky you."
"So, you're going to enter too? You think you'll even have a shot of getting in?" Shiro mocked.
"Actually yes," Kana huffed, "I do think I have a shot."
"Cut it out Shiro. You should be nicer to our host. But actually he has a point. What makes you think you'll get in?" Ichigo asked.
Kana shuffled her fingers a little. "I mean, I don't know I'll get in, but I have some rietsu so I think I will at least have a shot."
Shiro once again scoffed. "It takes more than just a drop of rietsu to become a shinigami. You'll break if you're this meek and naive."
Ichigo would have normally scolded him, but he had a point. "He's right. Do you have the determination to train every day? The strength to go on as those who are around you fall to hollows right and left? Do you have the resolve to keep going in the face of all doubt in your skill?" Ichigo probably was a little to forceful in his tone, but when it came down to it, he was impacted by the Winter War, and he knew if he didn't have the resolve he did, he wouldn't have made it through it.
"I-I…" Kana trailed off. "I better. It's my ticket to a better life, and I'll be damned if I stay here for the rest of my natural existence."
"Good enough…" the twins thought in tandem.
"So, how does it go, the exam I mean," Ichigo asked.
"Uhh, it starts with a basic rietsu test with a ball, then there is a zanjutsu test, and then a basic combat skills and physical."
"That sounds easy enough."
"Would you like to stay with me until then? I mean, since we will be entering the exam together," Kana said shyly.
"I don't see a problem with that. I think the two of us will be out of the house for most of the day to try to train, so we won't be in your way," Ichigo said.
"Alright, sounds good," Kana said with a smile.
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Alright, that's the end of Chapter 4. I don't think I will be continuing on this story here. I've written myself into too many holes so I'm rewriting it as a much more comprehensive version. I just found so many inconsistencies about Ichigo's power and why he went to hueco mundo and it was just a nightmare. I think now that I have created my "rough draft", I have a much better direction anyway.
Stay tuned for version 2
Silver King