Chapter 56 - Soren?

[Oops… Nevermind that, let's go in before they start to think they are under attack]: soren

Renji and Soren begin to enter down the hole and into the training grounds, when Ichigo saw who it was he shouted.

[You!... Come to attack early did you, I'm ready for you]: ichigo

When Renji saw the way Ichigo reacted he began to think that this masked guy was really a bad person.

[Ichigo, shut up]: yoruichi

[But Yoruichi this guy-]: ichigo

Yoruichi had put her hand in front of Ichigo's face blocking any more sound from coming out, when Yoruichi saw Soren coming towards them she spoke up.

[Why are you here, I also sensed you enter into Soul Society with us back then]: yoruichi

[Well for my dear Ichigo here I would do anything for, I had to come see him save his friend]: soren

Ichigo was so pissed about what the masked man just said that he began to turn Red with anger, when Yoruichi saw Ichigo he removed her hand to let Ichigo talk.

[You… You stole my brother and harmed my family… I will never acknowledge you as anyone special to me]: ichigo

Inside Soren a Torrent of things had built up that he wanted to express to Ichigo but couldn't just yet.

[...Ichigo… I promised to tell you about your brother Soren if you save Rukia yes?]: soren

[What about it, once I get strong enough I will kill you and take him back from you]: ichigo

[I'm changing the deal…]: soren

[No! You can't just change the deal, not when I'm so close]: ichigo

Ichigo interrupted Soren before he could finish his sentence, Soren then raised his hand and chopped Ichigo on his head.

[Shut up and listen… I'm changing the deal… Unlock Bankai in the 3 days before Rukia is executed and I will tell you about Soren]: soren

[But Rukia isn't supposed to be executed until a week from now, how did it change]: ichigo

[I don't know but she will be executed in 3 days from now]: renji

Ichigo looked towards Renji and then had a confused face and asked.

[Renji… since when did you get here?]: ichigo

Renji was mad because Ichigo had not seen him standing next to the masked man the whole time.

[Nevermind that, I am here to train for my Bankai as well… Once I achieve it I will head out to try and save Rukia]: renji

Renji walked over to the wall of the room and sat down with his legs crossed and he laid his Zanpakuto across his lap, closing his eyes he went into meditation.

Soren who was watching Renji was now turning back to Ichigo and next to him appeared his Zanpakuto spirit.

[So is that your Zanpakuto Ichigo?]: soren

[Yes, now leave me alone]: ichigo

Soren then sat down right where he was standing and preparing to go into meditation, when Ichigo said this he shouted.

[Hey idiot, you can't sit there, once I begin training with my Zanpakuto you will get hurt from being in the way]: ichigo

[Oh? Don't worry, your puny Zanpakuto can't harm me]: soren

Zangetsu heard this and had got a bit flustered from Soren's words, then Ichigo looked away trying to hide his mood from the masked man before speaking again.

[What ever, if you get hurt you better tell me what you promised before you die]: ichigo

[Sure thing, that is if you can harm me to that point… Hehe]: soren

Soren placed his hands on his thighs and focused his power on releasing his Armament Haki to cover his whole body, when Soren released it his body began to turn black and the color had a tinge of Teal in it.

[What's happening to him?]: ichigo

Ichigo questioned what was going on with the masked man but seeing that nobody else knew he threw it to the back of his mind saying it must be due to his Zanpakuto.

Soren began to train with his Zanpakuto again, as Ichigo and Zangetsu were fighting they made there way to avoid Soren who was just plain in the way. After a couple rounds Ichigo began to lose a lot of stamina and falter, when he got close to Soren he had stopped, then Zangetsu jumped towards Ichigo. When Ichigo realised he couldn't counter this attack he decided to doge last minute, when he moved Zangetsu who had forgotten about Soren hit him, when the sword touched Soren's skin the sword shattered into bits and pieces.

[I told you that you would get hurt]: ichigo

Ichigo who saw Soren get slashed shouted, but when Ichigo saw that the blade shattered and turned to dust and didn't even leave a mark on the masked man he was stumped, Soren then opened one eye and said calmly before closing his eye once again.

[Your dodge was too slow, correct yourself]: soren

After 3 days of training Renji was already gone and Soren was done with his training and just decided to do slow training while watching Ichigo fight with Zangetsu, then Ichigo broke through Zangetsu's weapon and pierced him.

[Congratulations Ichigo, hear my name and remember it for the rest of your life… My name is Zangetsu, my Bankai takes all of your power and compresses it into a small blade that gives you immense fighting prowess… Farewell for now Ichigo]: zangetsu

Soren then opened his eyes and got up from the ground, when Ichigo saw this he quickly spoke to the masked man.

[Don't run now… I have achieved my end in the promise, now fulfill your end]: ichigo

Soren stood before Ichigo and gave a slight chuckle that didn't escape Ichigo's ears.

[What's up, quickly tell me what I want so I can go rescue Rukia]: ichigo

[Show me your Bankai]: soren

Ichigo didn't hesitate, he focused his energy and released his Bankai for the first time. When Soren saw this he felt like Ichigo was ready, he then looked at Ichigo and asked seriously.

[What would you like to know, think about this carefully]: soren

Ichigo thought for a second then spoke.

[Where is my brother… Where have you left him?]: ichigo

Soren was now resolute with the fact that Ichigo really felt that he was part of the family, then he reached up for his mask and spoke with tears in his voice.

[Hello Ichigo… I'm sorry for what I put you through]: soren