Unfinished Gems

Changes - 5

"Ichigo...wake up you lazy berry!" shouted Haru.

It had been a full day since Rukia was taken by her brother to the Soul Society. Ichigo had been dumb enough to charge at the nobleman with his oversized sword while Shirayuki stayed near her master.

Byakuya showed Ichigo the vast difference in skill between them. And unlike Haru, who could rely on his partner to back him up with his power, Ichigo had only his insane strength and his ability to keep going to work with.

Ichigo groaned...and then backpedaled into a wall rather fast when he saw what Haru was wearing.

"WHAT THE HELL?"

"HAH! Pay up Urahara!" cackled Haru.

Urahara chuckled evilly, but he really didn't expect Ichigo to react that way. While Ichigo didn't have a problem with Haru's cross-dressing hobby, he had rarely seen Haru in his full outfits.

The sad fact was, every time he dressed up, he usually felt tempted to put Ichigo into one of the outfits too. It was why Ichigo felt nervous around Haruka.

"It seems the time has come for you to learn how to control your real powers Ichigo. You couldn't hear his voice because Sode no Shirayuki was blocking it, but now that she's gone you might be able to hear him."

"Hear who?"

"Your sword. I've always been able to hear Muramasa, even from the beginning."

"And tomorrow we'll be training you to the ground," said Urahara.

"I'll go help Yoruichi-sensei. Have fun Urahara, and don't do anything I wouldn't," said Haru grinning.

"That doesn't limit me much," he said dryly.

"I know."

Ichigo felt a shiver of apprehension go down his back. This would not end well.

~

"Why am I not surprised to see you two here?" said Haru dryly.

"Haru-chan!" said Orihime.

Chad was staring in shock. He had never seen Haru in women's clothes, and the boy looked far too comfortable in them...

"Yoruichi-sensei, do you want me to help train these two?"

"I would say take the tall one, but I think you would have more luck with the girl," said Yoruichi.

"Probably. Don't worry Orihime, I'll put you on Tatsuki-level training."

"EEP!"

"But only if you can bring out your power at will like before. By the time we leave for Soul Society, you should be more useful as a backup. Healers are always the first to be targeted after all," said Haru.

~

"Alright Orihime...what exactly were you feeling when you brought out your power?" asked Haru.

"I...I was so desperate to save Tatsuki from that hollow. I couldn't think beyond that..."

"Hmm...sounds like the usual scenario. Now I am going to show you how to activate that power, this time without it being a life or death situation. First I want you to meditate..."

Haru controlled Orihime's breathing with practiced ease. Slowly, she became more calm as he helped to guide her thoughts towards her power.

It wasn't until her hair pins popped into fairies that she came out of it.

"What's the big idea of calling us woman!" growled Tsubaki.

"Listen up! We are here to make sure Orihime doesn't end up on the sidelines in a real fight, so you had better pay attention!" barked Haru, his teacher mode going in full force.