Ble@ch

In the next moment, his Hollow mask snapped into place—a brutal, skull-like helm lined with jagged fangs and crowned by two sharp, arcing horns. White bone stretched tight over a black base, striped down the center, while glowing yellow eyes stared from deep within, burning with raw, focused energy.

The room vibrated.

Mashiro blinked. "Whoa…!"

Lisa leaned forward, adjusting her glasses slightly. "So that's what full control looks like."

Ichigo's spiritual pressure surged outward—dense, violent, and surgical, like a blade pressing against the throat of the world. Cracks spiderwebbed beneath his feet, the concrete groaning under the weight of his power—yet not a whisper escaped the golden barrier Hachigen had erected.

He grinned beneath the mask, the gleam in his eyes visible even through the jagged slits.

"I guess. Though this isn't even my full power. If I did that, I'd probably attract a whole Menos army here," he said casually as the mask dissolved and his reiatsu faded. With a relaxed motion, he returned to his body.

Shinji was stunned. He had originally assumed Ichigo struggled with his Hollow—just like the rest of them—but that clearly wasn't the case.

He turned to Hiyori, who looked just as shocked.

"…Guess he really didn't need our help. Well, at least we don't have to babysit him now. He'll be useful in the war," Shinji said with a shrug.

Hiyori nodded slowly, her mouth slightly agape—then suddenly scowled, remembering she was supposed to be mad.

' Why's he only into those big-breasted girls anyway? I've got way more personality than those walking pillows...' she thought.

She shot Ichigo a glare.

He felt it—and winked at her.

She blinked. Then blushed. Then scowled harder.

"Freakin' playboy," she muttered… but her lips curved upward despite herself.

---

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ichigo and Orihime left the Visoreds' hideout. Naturally, Ichigo had gotten a few numbers before leaving—he had every intention of dropping by again. Orihime's training wasn't finished yet, though Tsubaki had been restored, and she was glowing with gratitude.

He walked her home in a comfortable silence, the streets bathed in orange twilight.

When they arrived, Orihime paused by her door, turning to him with a soft blush dusting her cheeks.

"Thanks, Ichigo. You're… really a great friend. I wish I had a better way to thank you—besides this," she said quietly, then grabbed him by the collar and pulled him in for a kiss.

Ichigo's eyes widened in surprise—but then he smirked inwardly, leaning into it.

' Not bad, Hime. Not bad at all.'

Unbeknownst to them, Rangiku watched from the window above with an amused grin. Ichigo's gaze shifted just in time to see her blow him a kiss—and casually flash him her chest.

His eyes widened.

He jerked back from Orihime's lips, flustering her. "Umm… maybe we save the tongue for our first date?" he said, trying to play it cool.

Orihime blinked, then giggled. "Sure. I'll see you later, Ichigo."

She turned and went inside, still smiling.

Ichigo watched her go, then turned toward the now-empty window. Rangiku had vanished.

He shook his head with a half-laugh.

' The women in my life…' he thought

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked off into the deepening night—heading straight for Tatsuki's house.

It was time to settle things… to make it official before he left. And what better time than now?

Ichigo made his way through the quiet streets, hands in his pockets, the night air cool against his skin. Lights flickered on in the homes around him, families winding down for the evening—but his steps were steady, focused.

He soon reached Tatsuki's house and stood outside for a moment, gathering his thoughts. No grand entrance this time. Just him and her—no Soul Society business, no Hollows, no chaos.

He rang the bell.

A few seconds later, the door opened.

Tatsuki stood there in a hoodie and shorts, looking like she'd just finished a workout. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw him.

"Ichigo?"

"Hey," he said, offering a crooked smile. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything."

She raised a brow. "You kind of are. I was just about to fight a hundred ninjas in my head. But… I guess I can make time."

He chuckled. "Good. 'Cause I wanted to talk."

She stepped aside. "Come in."

As he walked in, she added offhandedly, "My parents aren't home. Went to visit some relatives. It's just me tonight."

Ichigo paused just long enough to register it, then nodded. "Convenient."

She smirked and shut the door behind him.

" So what brings you here?" She asked as she watched him look around before going and sitting on the couch.

" I kinda wanted to make things official between you and I." He said as he signaled with his finger to sit next to him.

She walked over and sat, she was wearing underwear underneath her pajama so the coldness was a bit uncomfortable at first but that was the least of her problems.

" What do you mean?" She asked again, this time turning to him, a blush on her face.

" You know what I mean Tatsuki. " He said as he pulled her closer. " BE honest with me, you like me don't ya?" He asked as he pulled her head up by her chin.

She stared at him, her eyes sparkling with lust, as she nodded" Yes i do. But Orihi—" she was stopped as he planted his lips on her hers.

Shocking her , but she didn't refuse as she closed her eyes sinking into the feeling she's been feeling for months now and that was desire for Ichigo's love.

TO BE CONTINUED