The Bonds Between Us (Bleach Fanfic)

Chapter 3

It had been over a month since the anniversary of Masaki's death. I had stayed with Isshin and the kids for a few more days, before I moved out. I had to really, I had run into Kuchiki, and I was pretty sure she knew who I was. I tried to play it off, but I don't think she completely bought it.

After my talk with Urahara, just decided to stay in Karakura Town. Urahara offered me a place at the shouten, and I accepted. If only to take advantage of the training grounds he had underneath the shop. If what he said was right, I had a feeling that I needed to get back into shape.

Honestly, it felt strange to be in soul form again. Seeing those black robes brought back so many memories. It also turned out that my soul didn't wear an eyepatch like the gigai, and it was very jarring to see my eye all of a sudden. Completely white now, with a jagged scar going down the middle. A souvenir from a strange hollow I faced some years ago.

At least I wasn't as rusty as I thought I was, or Urahara was a good teacher. Either way, I was back to where I use to be. Maybe a tiny bit stronger. I don't know, it been too long since I actually fought someone.

It was after a particularly rough training session that I found myself sitting on a rock, drinking a bottle of water provided by Tessai. Urahara was standing nearby, staring at the hatch on the ceiling in thought.

"Is something wrong?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"I felt an odd reiatsu earlier" He then looked down at me. "Do you mind if we end this session now?"

"Sure" I shrugged. "I've been wanting to do some training with her anyway" I slightly raised my zanpakuto, the her in question.

"Is there anything you need for that?"

"No, we've surpassed the manifestation stage a while ago"

He nodded his head and turned towards the stairs with a wave. I waved him off, before putting my zanpakuto on my lap. A dark grey dust started leaking out of it, forming into a human shape infront of me.

My zanpakuto's spirit took the form of a woman, wearing a black yukata with a pattern of splats of bright colours that resembled fireworks. Around her waist she had a dark grey obi, and she wore geta on her feet. While her skin was very porcelain, her hair was black, pulled up into a spiky ponytail and spiky bangs. Her eyes were her best feature, however.  Ever-changing colours, with a pupil that resembled a firework.

"Baku" I smiled softly at her.

What I got in return was a glare. Expected really. Baku had a pretty nasty temper, and hated not getting attention. And I admittedly haven't manifested her in a while.

"Sorry" I chuckled softly. "I haven't had alot of time to have some one on one time with you"

"But you had alot of time to flirt with that blond bastard"

"Flirt...? Baku, training isn't flirting. I know you think it is, but it's really not"

"Well, you should be flirting! You've been alone for way too long, you make your inner world rain too often. And I don't like the rain"

"I'm sorry, Baku. But dating isn't something I'm interested in anymore"

"Well at least get laid!" She snapped. "I've barely had any sunshine since you left Soul Society"

"I'm not interested in that either, Baku. I'm sorry, but I left that behind"

"With them, right?" She scoffed. "You deserved better, you know"

"Enough" I snapped at her before standing up, gripping the handle of my zanpakuto handle tightly.

"Fine" she snorted. "What did you summon me for anyway?"