Oh my flipping god, I'm so so so so so very sorry for not updating in so long. Jeez, it's almost been a WHOLE YEAR since I updated this book. 

HOW?! HOW DID I GET THIS BAD?! 

Anyway, I've finally had time to actually sit down and write the chapter. It took a long time because I didn't have any references to do it with and whenever I thought I had a chance, -BZZT-, access denied. It was also hard to write because it's dialogue heavy AND Ichigo is the only one to face Jindanbo behind a wall the others can't see pass i.e. Kera isn't doing anything so she's kind of passive in here. Don't worry though, the next chapter she back to doing her own thing as per usual XD

I hope you enjoy this chapter AND the next one AND the one after that (yes, I've been busy ;D) 

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Tch, damn!

Hands in fists, I listened on as Jindanbo explained how this was all going down, how Ichigo would be his first opponent and how we would have to wait patiently until he smashed him into the ground.

Waiting patiently had never been a strong suit.

"Orihime, Kera." I looked to Chad who'd crept closer the barrier. He whispered, "I'm gonna make a hole in the rock. When I do, shoot Tsubaki through the hole at the guy then Kera can get in there."

"I don't think so," Jindanbo huffed. "Have you country bumpkins no manners?"

"He heard us?" I muttered under my breath. A formidable opponent indeed.

"Hey, Chad, Orihime, Kera," came a voice from behind the wall.

"Ichigo! Are you okay? You aren't hurt, are you?" Orihime asked quickly.

"No, I'm fine," came his muffled reply.

"H-Hold on a second! We'll be right-"

"Kera, I want you to make sure they stay over there and don't do anything, okay?" Ichigo asked of me an impossible task; but I wouldn't refuse him.

I knew how important a one on one battle between soul reapers was.

"Huh?!" Orihime looked between my steely gaze and the barrier, presumably where Ichigo was standing. "Why, Ichigo? That's-"

"Hush!" I said sharply to her, crossing my arms across my chest. "If Ichigo wishes to battle Jindanbo alone, let him do so."

"No, I refuse!" Uryu piped up, sending me a glare before facing Ichigo's direction. "You saw that giant's strength. I don't know what kind of training you went through the past ten days, but you can't possibly beat him by yourself."

There was a beat of silence. I awaited to hear Ichigo's response. I knew all about his training with Urahara which was why I didn't share the same amount of concern as the others.

"I didn't know you were there, Uryu," said Ichigo.

I face-palmed while Uryu ranted and raved about Ichigo's stupidity.

"Can you do it?" Chad asked in a serious voice which quietened Uryu immediately.

I could almost imagine Ichigo on the other side deep in thought. "I think so."

"You think?!" Uryu's voice was piercing. "That's not good enough."

Okay, this had gone on long enough. I grabbed ahold of Uryu and dragged him back. He protested but I didn't release him. "Ichigo," I called back over my shoulder, "don't lose to him. Show him what your ten days worth of training have given you."

"On it, Kera," was his reply then suddenly there was a force that shook the earth. Dust billowed from behind the wall and Orihime and Chad covered their faces. I blocked most of the dust from Uryu with my body – he wasn't that big to shield.

"Listen up, Quincy." I released him and made him face me. His dark eyes weren't hidden behind those glasses. "Do not doubt Ichigo's abilities. For someone with such power, I thought you would be able to feel his spiritual pressure. Can't you feel the changes?"

I couldn't read spiritual pressure like most soul reapers but even I could sense the flux behind me. Jindanbo 's excessive amounts radiating from him, Ichigo's calmer, more controlled and contained.

Stronger, rawer.

"Urahara might have trained Ichigo for ten days but it only took five to regain entire use of his soul reaper powers. The other five days was fighting against Urahara."

"So he learnt the secrets of combat?"

"No." I smiled, remembering the countless times Urahara waved Ichigo off when he was asked that. "Like Urahra will give out secrets like that. No, the only thing Ichigo gained was stamina and guts."

Uryu faced slackened as the understanding dawned.

There was silence behind us and I smirk. "I think it's time to head back. If only I could see Jindanbo 's face though." We headed back to see Orihime staring worriedly and Chad standing stoicly, his face blank.

"HO HO HO HO HO!" came the laughter, laughter that boomed so loudly that the ground vibrated.

"I think Jindanbo 's laughing," Uryu pointed out. I rolled my eyes at the obvious before a blur of movement caught my eye.

I spun, letting my friend's voices blend into the surroundings as I looked at the buildings around us. A gentle breeze raised leaves and dust, sent a pair of wind chimes to clack together pitifully, made a curtained door flutter.

My hand twitched to summon Dorangoháto as I crept towards the curtained door. I steadied my breath and readied my stance as I ripped the curtain open. Nothing in the shadows. Confused, I backed away.

Another blur of movement, this time through a window to my right. I dashed after it, saw the shadow through the glass head through a rectangle of light.

They're outside!

I careened around the side of the building, once, twice then slid to a stop at a deadend. At the wall, plastered to it like a fly was a small shadow that sobbed.

"Please don't hurt me!" it whispered and I relaxed, relieved it wasn't a soul reaper.

"I won't hurt you," I said softly, holding out my hand like I would to a shy dog. "I'm not a soul reaper."

"But you're a bad guy. The gate came down. You're trying to enter the soul society illegally, ryoka."

My senses tingled and I dodged the projectile thrown at me. I spun to face the attacker.

A sniffling young teenager with a mop of blonde hair quivered on the spot with his left arm raised for another throw. "Leave her alone!" he said in a wavering voice.

I calmly walked up to him. He gasped but couldn't move such was his fear. I reached out... He flinched away but all I did was ruffle his hair.

"Take care of her," I said then stepped passed him. I heard the rock drop to the ground then two sets of hurried feet. I looked over my shoulder to see the boy and girl with the same mop of blonde hair hugging each other tightly.

Now I knew where all the konpaku had gone. No doubt they were watching us all right now. I headed back to the fight, eager to witness what I had missed.

The fate's had truly blessed me this day with a drop of entertainment. There was an almighty explosion, a crash like large cymbals smashed together. Suddenly, fragments of... well, something... went flying in all direction.

A small chunk hit Uryu square in the forehead and he bowled over backwards.

You know you shouldn't laugh at other people's misfortunes, but damn, it was funny.

"Kera, you've returned! We think Ichigo might have done it," Orihime explained, grabbing my arm tightly in her anticipation.

I rested my hand against the makeshift wall, gazing up at the large gash marring the gate and barricading wall.

"What's happening? Can you see anything?" Uryu asked and I looked to see the three of them peeping through a gap.

"Ichigo knocked him down!" Orihime cried, standing up tall which in turn knocked Uryu under the chin and sent his head into Chad's chin.

They nursed their aches as they stood back.

"Well if the giant's down, then there's no use waiting down here," I said and leapt up onto the wall.

Jindanbo laid flat on his back, stunned. Ichigo stood at his feet, blade in hand. I whooped for joy and did a silly dance. We were one step closer to entering the souls society. The others joined me just as Jindanbo hopped to his feet.

"WHOA! Th-That could've been bad. I can't believe I slipped and fell on my butt." We all blinked at him in disapproval. "Huh? What's those looks? Oh you all thought I was out, didn't you? Ha ha! You don't know much if you think you can knock me out!"Jindanbo crowed, pointing a meaty finger at Ichigo. With a satisfied smirk, he rose to full height. "That's why I hate hicks. They're ignorant! Just wait. One more whack with my..."

Every pair of eyes moved towards the axe in Jindanbo 's hand. Well, what remained of it. The broken shaft of the axe hilt quivering in his hand looking insignificantly small and weak.

The horror on Jindanbo 's face was mirrored in his shouts. "My ax?!" He looked to his other hand. A replica of the first. "Both my axes?! My axes are.... My..." Big, fat tears pooled in his eyes. "My axes!" he sobbed, then like a small child, he banged his fists into the ground. "They're," BANG! "Broken!" BANG! "They're broken!" BANG! "My axes are broken!" BANG! On the final tantrum thrown, he stayed kneeling face down on the ground, bawling his eyes out like a baby.

I couldn't help but feel the pity he felt. I knew all too well the heart ache of having a weapon broken. It's like losing an extension of yourself, an arm or leg.

But, I thought, feeling my face pull into a dissatisfied and annoyed expression, does he have to sound like a freaking siren that can wake the whole of the Seireitei.

Ichigo looked around at us. I looked back pointedly, raised an eyebrow and flicked my chin at Jindanbo . "We can't get in until he stops crying," I added to all my looks.

"Um... hey," he moved closer to Jindanbo , "I don't know what to say, but... I'm sorry? I guess I didn't have to break both of 'em."

"You." Jindanbo 's wails began to quieten and he raised his head. His snotty nose ran, cheeks tear-streaked and caked with mud from putting his face in the ground. His tears still ran freely even though his sobs had disappeared. "You're a nice guy!" Ichigo looked dumbstruck. "You and I are enemies but you still feel sorry for me... BIG!" he suddenly cried out, reaching out for Ichigo. "You've got a great big heart."

I snorted back my laughter at Ichigo sweating over how to explain the apology reasoning.

"And look at me... crying over a couple of broken axes," Jindanbo continued then he stood up tall, wiping away the tears and dirt. "How can I call myself a man? Utter defeat! As a warrior – and as a man – I've been utterly defeated by you!" he roared, throwing his arms into the air like a wrestler who's won a match.

Jibando wiped away a final tear. Ichigo looked ready to blow away in the wind from embarrassment. "Three hundred years I've been the gatekeeper of the white road gate. I never lost before. You're the first man to beat me. You can pass! Jindanbo authorises you to pass through the white road gate!"

"Thanks!" Ichigo said happily.

"Are we allowed through to?" I called out, my excitement buzzing just below the surface.

"Sure. You leader beat me, so I can't stop you."

"What?" I said, jumping down and joining Ichigo. The others joined us too. Uryu looked just as happy as I did of that proclamation.

"Ichigo? Our leader? Are you kidding?" we said in synchronisation.

"What are you getting made about?" Ichigo huffed.

I spun on him, gave him the evil eye, and said, "I'm literally the most experienced bunch of the group when it comes to the soul society. I'm the leader."

"Jindanbo said I am," Ichigo responded. I grabbed him by the collar and looked at him at eye level, growling. While I wanted a snide remark to end the argument I was literally drawing a mind blank beside the phrase "so I'm the leader."

Yeah, great comeback.

"Ichigo, I don't know why you want to pass through this gate but I hope you understand that there are a bunch of mean guys in here!"

"I know."

"All right. Well, as long as you know," Jindanbo groaned, bending down and sliding his fingers underneath the lip of the gate. "Here. Step back and I'll open the gate. Don't be scared. It looks harder than it is." He settled into a squat position then with all his might, straining and huffing, he raised the gate.

I rubbed my hands together cheerfully, stepping forward to stand beside Jindanbo as sunlight bathed the ground before us.

A silhouette appeared before me and as my eyes adjusted, I saw a man with silver hair and with snake eyes and a snake's smile, striding towards us.

Captain's robe donned.

Terror flooded me. Not a Captain. Anything but a Captain at this point.

"Who the heck's that?" Ichigo said as I turned to Jindanbo.

"You need to close the gate, now!" I shouted.

Jindanbo didn't seem to hear either of us, his whole body frozen. His eyes are wide and mouth moving quickly over whispered words. "The leader of Third Company, Gin Ichimaru."

"Uh-oh, this won't do," Gin said and the sound creeped me out but was also familiar. I didn't have time to delve on it though as a downpour of red rain drenched me.

Jindanbo's arm sailed away. "Won't do at all," Gin said nonchalantly. "A gatekeeper ain't supposed to open gates."