Bleach X For Honor: Soul Slayer

Ch. 28

'The soul reaper who gave Ichigo his powers?'. He looked at Rukia again. "So you're Captain Byakuya Kuchiki's younger sister and the one who gave this boy his powers... I expected someone taller"

"And you're the newest deputy of Karakura and the one who physically scarred my brother... I expected someone more unhinged" Runkia responded with a deep scowl

"I'm guessing you feel animosity towards me?"

"Yes. Very much so actually"

Arata nodded in understanding. "I welcome you to try and exact vengeance anytime you wish. I will meet you head on" he challenged.

"As much as that offer sounds tempting, I afraid that will have to wait. Right now...". She looked at Ichigo, ready to pounce. "I have business to take care of" and with that, she lunged at Arata's fellow deputy intending to kick his face... but was stopped when Arata grabbed her before impact."W-What the hell?! Let me go, you brute!"

"As the sole security guard of Karakura high, I cannot allow violence to ensue unless you wish to deal with me too"

"You think that's enough to scare me from setting this idiot straight?!"

"Wait" Arata then dropped her. "That was your intention? Seriously?"

"Yeah, why?"

He study her a moment but found that she was legit serious. He nodded at her before he turned to Ichigo... and slapped him across the face. "You want next hit?".

Surprise crossed everyone's face while Ichigo's fumed in rage at the painful slap across the cheek. Renji was the first to get knocked out of his stupor as he grabbed Ichigo from behind and held him in place. Rukia let out a small smile and stepped next to Arata. "Well then," she chuckled. "Keep this up and I might start to warm up to you"

"Even after I injured your brother?"

"I'm still pissed about that mind you, and I want a full explanation later as I wasn't told the full story"

"Deal"

Rukia looked up at her friend and slapped him across the other cheek. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!" Ichigo yelled in indignation.

Arata back slap him in response. "That was for your stupidity"

Rukia then slapped him again. "And that was for your pathetic face!". She then dragged Ichigo out his body with a red glove. Stunned at the turn of event, Arata still followed behind as they leaped out the window. Arata transformed mid jump and follow Rukia piggy-backing Ichigo to somewhere.

Rukia turned her head to see Arata trailing not so far from them. 'Why are you...?'

They landed on the roof of an apartment building. Confused, Ichigo said, "I don't see anything"

A loud crash in the middle of the open courtyard bought their attention. "Now you do" Arata said as he was about to engage hollow below. Rukia's hand on his chest paused him and she shook her head at him. 'Ah... I see now'

"A hollow?" Ichigo said.

"Yes. Now get it!" and she kicked Ichigo to the bottom to face it. Arata followed, standing back to observe. Rukia had a plan to somehow get Ichigo out of the funk he was in and from what he has been told, she was an intelligent and quick-witted girl. She surely must know how to get Ichigo back to it.

Just as Ichigo was about to pull out Zangetsu, he hesitates. Arata frowned as he saw Ichigo get slugged by this basic hollow. 'For an experienced warrior, this just a pitiful display'

"What are you doing? Hurry up and kill it!" shouted Rukia. "You call that fighting?! Just what are you waiting for!?"

"Nothing.."