Slime Soul (Tensura x Bleach Crossover) (Patreon)

Chapter 23: Gathering Storm

Karakura High School — Ichigo’s POV

As another day came to an end, Ichigo packed up his things and prepared to head home for the day. For once he didn’t have any club activities, nor did he have to work his part-time job.

He walked home alone, his friends currently busy with other activities… or probably dealing with a Hollow, which was something he had to get used to now that he was powerless.

Well, to be honest, he wasn’t completely powerless.

While he had lost all of his powers and Reiryoku, along with the ability to see spiritual beings, he still retained much of his physical strength.

For some reason that none of his friends had been able to explain, even after losing his powers his physical abilities were still considered superhuman. He was stronger, faster, and overall far beyond a regular human, by a margin of about ten times.

It was to the point that during the first few months after returning to his real body, he had struggled to adjust to his new strength. He had broken doors left and right much to his embarrassment. That wasn’t even mentioning his school supplies, which was one of the main reasons he had gotten a part-time job in the first place, as he kept snapping his pencils.

It did hurt to see his friends randomly running out of class to deal with Hollows without telling him anything. Later, when they returned, he sometimes noticed scratches and small injuries they tried their best to hide.

Probably in an attempt to protect him.

While he appreciated the thought, it didn’t change the fact that they were keeping things from him and wouldn’t even talk about anything related to spirits in his presence.

If he was honest, it annoyed him a little that they thought he was so fragile that they had to exclude him from those conversations. Still, he didn’t want to start trouble with them, so he let it slide.

The only thing keeping his spirits up was the thought that if he ever ran into a Hollow by accident, he wouldn’t be completely helpless thanks to his remaining physical strength. At the very least he was confident he could get away from it long enough for help to arrive.

Ichigo also had a sneaking suspicion about who had been responsible for doing this to his body.

After all, only that slime bastard could pull something this insane off without even blinking… and without anyone else finding out.

Thinking about the slime made Ichigo frown.

They hadn’t heard anything from Caius since he killed and devoured Aizen along with the Hōgyoku almost a year ago. Not that Ichigo really blamed him, considering the orders Soul Society had issued against him shortly after the war ended.

Luckily, he was a slippery bastard, so Ichigo was pretty sure that unless Caius wanted to be found, Soul Society would never locate him.

Lost in his thoughts, Ichigo almost missed the familiar mocking tone directed at him.

“Still as pessimistic as ever, huh? You haven’t changed a bit, Strawberry.”

Blinking, thinking he was hearing things, Ichigo shook his head and continued walking, only to suddenly wince as he felt a sharp slap to the back of his head, one strong enough to rattle him even with his enhanced body.

“I’m talking to you, dumbass. Or are you going senile already?” the mocking voice returned, now sounding annoyed.

Ichigo didn’t need any further confirmation. The stupid slime never failed to get a rise out of him.

“What the hell was that for, you jackass!? Is that how you greet somebody?” Ichigo yelled in annoyance as he turned around and came face to face with the familiar figure of Caius Aurelius.

The teen hadn’t changed a bit since the last time Ichigo had seen him, still taller than him by about ten centimeters even after Ichigo’s recent growth spurt that had pushed him to around 181 cm.

The same short, wavy white hair with blue and silver streaks.

The same piercing golden eyes that almost seemed to glow with unfathomable power.

The asshole even had the same infuriating smirk on his face, dressed casually and looking to everyone else like a completely normal human.

“That’s a pretty intense look you’re giving me there, Ichigo. I’m sorry to say though, I don’t swing that way. I only like girls.” Caius teased.

Ichigo immediately blushed slightly as a vein popped on his forehead.

Oh yeah.

This was definitely Caius.

The only bastard who could get him this riled up without even trying.

=====

Back With Caius

Watching with an amused look as Ichigo nearly had an aneurysm in broad daylight because of my teasing, I took a moment to silently analyze him.

‘It seems the Soul Corridor between us has been slowly but steadily restoring Ichigo’s Reiryoku. At this rate he would have recovered enough for the others to notice within a few more months. Looks like we arrived at just the right time.’ I thought silently without letting it show on my face.

“How many times do I have to tell you, jackass!? I like girls too!” Ichigo shouted in embarrassment, practically yelling the statement in the middle of the street.

Several nearby bystanders turned to stare at him strangely, which only made his embarrassment worse.

“Hoh, so did you ask Orihime out yet then?” I continued teasing, my grin widening as Ichigo turned red as his hair and quickly looked away.

“That’s none of your damn business! What the hell are you doing here anyway? Or did you just come to piss me off?” Ichigo shot back, trying to deflect.

“Wahaha, alright, alright. I’ll stop for now.” I laughed, which only made him huff in annoyance.

Then my expression suddenly turned serious.

“Anyway… how would you like to get your powers back?”

My question instantly killed the playful mood between us, replacing it with a heavy silence.

Ichigo’s embarrassment vanished as his eyes widened.

“W-What do you mean?” Ichigo asked slowly, as if only now realizing what I had just said.

Not changing my expression, I simply nodded casually and placed my hands in my pockets as if we were discussing the weather.

“Exactly what you heard. How would you like to become a Shinigami again?”

Ichigo stayed silent for a bit as he processed my words, but I could tell just by looking at him that he was really tempted to agree.

“…Is that even possible?” he finally asked after a while.

“Yes, no problem.” I nodded calmly before suddenly clicking my tongue in annoyance as I looked off to the side, sensing someone approaching us quickly.

‘Seems they’re keeping a close eye on him.’

“Though it seems we’ll have to move this conversation somewhere more private where we won’t be interrupted by pests.” I said calmly as I approached him.

“Who is it?” Ichigo asked curiously as he turned in the same direction I was looking, though he didn’t see anything.

“An overly curious pussycat.” I replied with a small smirk as I placed a hand on Ichigo’s shoulder and immediately teleported us to where we were staying since it was under one of my impenetrable barriers.

The last thing I saw before we vanished was the figure of a black cat landing on the roof of the nearest building. I gave it a mocking wave before we disappeared.

An instant later we reappeared inside the condo we had rented for the group, right in the middle of the living room, causing Lilynette, who was busy playing a video game, to jump in surprise.

“What the hell, Caius!? I almost beat him this time!” Lilynette shouted in annoyance the moment she realized who it was.

Letting go of Ichigo’s shoulder, who blinked as he reoriented himself and started looking around curiously, I turned to Lilynette. Noticing she had been playing Soul Calibur, I smirked at her.

“That, my dear Lilynette, is what we lovingly call in gaming terms… Git Gud scrub!”

She immediately fumed and threw a pillow at me. I ducked, and it ended up smacking Ichigo square in the face while he was still looking around.

“Hey! What gives!?” Ichigo exclaimed with a scowl as he turned toward the culprit and saw Lilynette glaring at me. A moment later he blinked and looked at her more closely.

“Wait… isn’t she—”

Whatever he was about to say got interrupted as Nelliel chose that moment to enter the room. She took in Ichigo’s presence and smiled pleasantly.

“Ichigo~ Long time no see. How are you doing?” Nelliel asked with a small wave as she walked over and stopped beside me.

“Hey Nel, I’m doing fine, thanks. Thanks for greeting me like a normal person, unlike some.” Ichigo replied with a nod, lightly glaring at me.

A moment later he blinked… then did a double take as he stared at Nelliel in surprise.

“Wait a minute! How can I see you right now? Is this your doing, Caius?” Ichigo asked in confusion which made complete sense. The last time he had seen her, Nelliel had been a Hollow, and with him currently powerless he shouldn’t have been able to see her right now.

“Oh that? It’s nothing big. I just got a physical body now since I’m no longer a Hollow.” Nelliel said with a small shrug, as if it wasn’t a big deal.

‘Seems she picked up some of my mannerisms.’ I thought in amusement, doing my best not to burst out laughing at the incredulous look Ichigo was giving her after hearing something so ridiculous.

“…What?” Ichigo mumbled in confusion.

Either ignoring him or not hearing him, Nelliel walked toward the kitchen.

“By the way, Ichigo, would you like something to drink? We have soda, juice, and coffee. If you’re hungry though, you’ll have to wait a few minutes until the others get here with the pizza.”

Clearly overwhelmed, Ichigo blinked several times before taking a deep breath and slowly releasing it. Then he turned to me with a tired glare, only to find me smirking back at him.

“I have a feeling you’re responsible for setting up all of this, you asshole.”

“Guilty as charged~” I admitted shamelessly with a big grin and a small thumbs-up.

I had missed messing with the kid, I admit.

“Now take a load off, Ichigo, and relax, idiot. Oh, and you should probably call home to let your family know you’ll be home late or something.” I said calmly as I waved toward the sofas in the living room next to Lilynette, who was too busy with the game to pay attention to anything else.

“As for me, I’ll be getting myself a drink. Though something a little heavier, I think. I would offer you some, but I know you’re a boring stick-in-the-mud so I won’t bother.” I continued as I walked toward the kitchen as well, leaving a confused and still overwhelmed Ichigo standing like an idiot in the living room, though not so gone that he didn’t glare at me for the comment.

As I got myself a drink, I watched silently as Ichigo stood there for a moment as if unsure of what to do before letting out another sigh and taking a seat on the single couch.

Just as he was pulling out his cell phone, no doubt to do what I suggested and call his family, Tier chose that moment to walk into the living room, causing him to freeze and stare at her with wide eyes.

Tier took in the scene for a moment, her gaze wandering toward Nelliel and me briefly. I gave her a subtle nod, silently telling her everything was alright before she turned back to Ichigo and gave him a small nod.

“Well met, Kurosaki Ichigo. In case you don’t remember, I’m Tier Harribel, a former enemy of Soul Society and now a subordinate of Caius Aurelius.”

With those words she resumed walking and joined us in the kitchen, getting herself a drink as well.

Ichigo didn’t even blink as he slowly turned and stared blankly at the kitchen where we stood, no doubt catching my teasing smirk. After a moment he slumped back into his seat in obvious exhaustion.

“Hihihi, seems we broke him~” I whispered in amusement to my companions.

Nelliel lightly smacked my shoulder while Tier simply nodded.

“Don’t tease him so much, Caius.” Nelliel gently chided me with a small stern look, though if you looked closely, like I was, her lips were trembling as she tried to hold back her own amusement.

“Can’t believe that’s the person who stood toe to toe against Aizen, even if only for a limited time.” Tier muttered instead with a curious look.

“He may not look it, but that Strawberry is a literal freak of nature. It’s a miracle he even exists.” I whispered back quietly, referring to his perfect hybrid status.

“I felt him when he fought Grimmjow. He definitely didn’t feel like a Shinigami at the time.” Tier replied softly, agreeing with my statement.

Taking my own drink, some nice whisky I had relieved from some rich psychopath, and a strawberry lemonade for Ichigo, I prepared to talk to him.

“I’m going to go have a chat with him for a while. Let me know when the food gets here.” I said, getting nods from both Nelliel and Tier.

“Come on, dumbass. Let’s talk outside.” I said, handing Ichigo the lemonade.

He paused when he noticed what it was and glared at me for a moment at the small joke, but he took it anyway and followed me to the veranda outside.

I made sure to close the door behind us and waved toward a seat where Ichigo sat down. I joined him a second later, taking a sip of my whiskey.

“Alright,” I said calmly.

“So where were we?”

“…Where have you been all this time?” Ichigo eventually asked after taking a sip of his drink, as if sorting out his thoughts.

Raising an amused eyebrow at the question, I let out a small laugh.

“Really? You’re going to start with that? Alright, I guess I’ll play along.”

Ignoring the small glare I was getting for my cheek, I took another sip of my whiskey, enjoying the taste and being extremely thankful that Astra was holding back my Poison Resistance so I could properly enjoy it.

“Don’t get used to it, Caius-sama. I only permitted it because there is currently no danger present.” Astra said from the back of my mind with a small, cute huff.

‘Is that because the last time I got drunk I started rambling about how much I love and appreciate you?’ I replied mentally, fist-pumping when all I heard in return were cute, embarrassed, flustered noises.

“Believe it or not, we went on a tour around half the world sampling everything it had to offer.” I finally responded to Ichigo, swirling my whiskey calmly.

“…You went on a vacation?” Ichigo asked with a blink.

“Pretty much.” I nodded, taking another small sip.

“So while everyone in Soul Society was panicking, wondering where you were and what you would do… you were off having a good time?” Ichigo asked incredulously, though he looked a bit amused at the situation.

I simply nodded my head.

“Yep.”

Ichigo remained silent for a moment after that, seemingly deep in thought. I let him be while I enjoyed the evening breeze on my face.

“…Were you serious about what you said before?” Ichigo finally asked the question that had clearly been on his mind since we met earlier.

Grinning at him, I set my whiskey down and crossed my arms over my chest.

“Finally getting to the main topic then? And of course I’m serious, dumbass. When have I ever lied to you so far?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ichigo took a small sip of his drink as if to calm his nerves before continuing.

“Why? What reason do you have to do this?”

Leaning my head on the palm of my hand, my amused expression vanished and was replaced by a serious one as I uttered a few shocking words.

“The reason is simple.”

“You are being targeted.”