The next morning...
Golden sunlight pierced through the gaps in the blinds, casting streaks of light across the wooden floor of Ichigo's room. Dust motes danced in the warm beams, and the faint scent of sweat lingered in the air—mixed with something more primal, something wild and intoxicating.
Ichigo stirred first, eyelids fluttering open as his body slowly registered the soft hum of morning. He blinked, adjusting to the light. The blanket had slipped halfway off, pooling around his hips. Just below the sheets—resting comfortably beside his crotch—was Yoruichi, still in her human form, her dark skin glowing under the golden sun.
Her head rested lazily on the inside of his thigh, a cat-like smirk still playing on her lips even in sleep. Her purple hair spilled across his stomach like silk.
Ichigo exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face.
'She really ate me up yesterday... Damn. I shouldn't have doubted her for even a second.'
He stared at the ceiling for a moment longer before his thoughts shifted.
'Today's the beginning of the Visored arc… Guess I'll have to meet Shinji's annoying ass now. Ugh. And those two chicks in his group—the green-haired one and the glasses girl. Not sure if I should shoot my shot… but hey, we'll see how the cards fall.'
Carefully, Ichigo slipped out of bed, not bothering to cover himself until he grabbed his underwear from the chair nearby. The motion stirred Yoruichi awake. She stretched languidly, like a satisfied cat after a feast, golden eyes peeking open to find Ichigo dressing.
"Mmm… You practically begged me to stop sucking yesterday," she purred, voice sultry with sleep and smug satisfaction.
Ichigo snorted, stepping into his boxers. "Sure. If that helps you sleep at night."
She chuckled and rolled over, completely unabashed, letting the sheet slip down her back, exposing the deep curve of her waist and hips. "Mmm… You'll be crawling back to me. Just wait."
Ichigo smirked and shook his head as he grabbed his towel and stepped into the hallway.
---
After a hot bath that helped clear the haze from the previous night, he dried off and slipped into a fresh set of clothes. Still toweling off his hair, he padded downstairs where breakfast was already on the table.
Karin was seated with her usual scowl, flipping through a soccer magazine while Yuzu busied herself in the kitchen.
"Oh! Morning, Ichigo!" Yuzu beamed as she placed another plate of tamagoyaki on the table. "You're just in time!"
Karin glanced up briefly. "Took you long enough. You sleep through an earthquake or something?"
"Something like that," Ichigo mumbled, taking his seat and grabbing some rice.
Isshin was notably absent from the table.
'Guess he's off handling Grand Fisher today… finally,' Ichigo thought, chewing thoughtfully. 'Let's see how that goes, old man.'
He kept his expression neutral as Karin jabbed at him with some sarcastic remark, and Yuzu tried to play peacekeeper, but in the back of his mind, the wheels were turning.
A new arc was beginning. New threats. New players. And maybe… new temptations.
But first—breakfast.
After breakfast...
Ichigo returned to his room, slipping into his school uniform with casual efficiency. Yoruichi, now back in her cat form, lounged on his bed, licking a paw with feline grace.
"I'll be back tonight," she said, golden eyes narrowing playfully as her tail flicked.
Ichigo gave a long sigh. "Make sure to be ready. We're going further today"
A low chuckle rumbled from her throat before she vanished with a flash of Shunpō, leaving only a faint scent of lavender and danger in the air.
Ichigo exhaled, grabbed his bag, and stepped out the window like always—his version of a front door by now. Outside, Keigo and Mizuru were already waiting at the corner.
"Ichigo!" Keigo waved. "You heard? There's a new student in our class!"
"Oh?" Ichigo raised an eyebrow.
"Is it a pretty onee-san?" Mizuru asked with a hopeful gleam.
"No, it's a dude," Keigo groaned. "And seriously, what's with your obsession with older women?"
"They just complete me," Mizuru said, eyes half-closed in dreamlike passion. "I mean, Ichigo gets it, right bro?"
Ichigo had clearly not been listening—his mind still basking in the afterglow of last night. 'Man… that was good…' he thought with a lazy smile.
Mizuru tapped his shoulder, snapping him out of it.
"Huh? Oh—yeah, definitely."
Keigo gave him a confused look. "What do you mean 'definitely'? We were talking about Mizuru's cougar complex—"
"Forget it," Mizuru said smugly. "He gets me."
They continued their walk, laughing and bickering, until the school building loomed into view.
---
At school...
Ichigo joined his usual group of friends for a change, feeling a bit more grounded now. Orihime lit up the moment she saw him, while Tatsuki gave him her usual tough-but-warm grin.
"I think you two should train more," Ichigo said, serious for a moment as he looked at Chad and Orihime.
"Yeah," Chad nodded. "I've been thinking about that. I got my ass handed to me in the Soul Society."
"Well, you were up against a captain," Ichigo replied. "No shame in that. But starting tomorrow, Yoruichi will train you both. I'll help too when I can."
Orihime nodded enthusiastically. "I'll do my best!"
The bell rang, cutting the conversation short. Everyone filed into their seats, the usual morning buzz fading as the teacher walked in—with someone new.
Ms. Shirogane entered, followed closely by a tall, lean boy with messy blond hair and lazy eyes.
"This is Shinji Hirako, our new transfer student," she announced.
Shinji walked up and wrote his name backward on the board, grinning like a weirdo.
Ichigo eyed him, unimpressed. 'Dude has one of the best Bankai in the series, yet he never wins. Man, that's sad.'
Just as Shinji was about to sit next to him, Ichigo's hollow badge buzzed sharply. His jaw clenched in irritation.
"Ms. Shirogane, may I use the bathroom?"
"Yes, Ichigo."
He stood and left the room calmly, only to vanish the moment he was outside using Sonído.
'I forgot to switch to my Reaper form. Damn. I wonder if I can still use my old sword again...'
At the scene, he drew his Zangetsu—not even Shikai—and sliced through the hollow in a single, clean motion.
'When that afro guy shows up tonight, I'll be ready. I'll start letting him handle these small fries.'
---
Break time...
Back in class, Ichigo joined Tatsuki and Orihime under the sun-drenched courtyard tree. They'd both prepared lunch, and between them, he was getting treated like royalty.
Orihime leaned close, her eyes gleaming. "Say 'ahh'…"
He opened his mouth without hesitation, and she popped in a sweet, spicy dumpling. Tatsuki rolled her eyes but scooted closer, waiting her turn.
"My turn," she said with a faint blush, offering him a rice ball.
Ichigo let it happen with a smirk. 'This is the life…'
As they ate and laughed, their conversation drifted from Soul Society memories to silly childhood stories. The two girls hung on his every word, their eyes soft, their smiles warm. It was obvious—they both liked him.
But Ichigo, despite everything, wasn't quite sure how to handle it.
'I'll figure it out… I'm sure it'll come to me.'
He flirted lightly, teasing Tatsuki until she punched his shoulder with a blush, and making Orihime squeal in delight when he complimented her new hair clip. Their hearts fluttered, and their giggles echoed under the shade of the tree.
Life, for now, was peaceful. And Ichigo didn't mind basking in it—just a little longer.
TO BE CONTINUED