A/N: Please read and review. First fan fiction any feedback to help improve greatly appreciated.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Highschool DxD.
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"Speech"
'Thoughts'
'Inner world'
"Zangetsu"
"Old man Zangetsu"
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Prologue
A soft breeze flowed over the porch, rustling the leaves of the near by trees. Shadows danced from the dim candle light shown from the open door, granting just the right amount to read his book in peace. The calming scent of jasmine filled his nose. A small smile formed as Ichigo felt the weight of the person he had been waiting for lean against his shoulder. Without looking at elegantly dressed purple hair woman he speaks.
"So I take it the nobles gala was boring if you are back already Yoruichi? Oh before I forget, there are some more of your plain clothes inside if you wish to change. Along with some fresh milk chilling in the fridge." Ichigo felt the weight disappear from his shoulder in an instant.
Letting out a small chuckle as he knew should would be back shortly, shifting his body he hangs one leg over the edge of the porch while the other is bent with his arm resting on while he closes his book. He began to think about to his training that he has received these past 6 years.
His teacher were merciless when it came to learning everything shinigami. Soifon and Yoruichi trained him in shunpo, hakuda, and suppressing his reiatsu. Tessai, Hachi and Urahara taught him kido, mastering hado up to 63 and bakudo up to 81. Isane had taken to teaching him some healing kido to cut down on trips to squad 4 barrack after training. Shunsui had worked on
refining his swordsmanship now that he dual wields. Tier Harribel and Zangetsu worked on training his hollow powers. Ichigo powers had advanced to the point where he was able to cast a fair number of kido spells while still in his body.
He was brought of his thoughts to a weight settling in between his legs, leaning against his chest. Yoruichi had changed out of deep dark almost black kimono and pure white obi and into normal skin tight black leggings and backless top. He noticed that she was also wearing his new grey haori that she had given him earlier that day.
"If I didn't know any better I would say that haori was really for you." Ichigo commented with a small smirk playing on his lips.
A small laugh escaped Yoruichi's mouth.
"What I was a bit cold when I got changed. Besides its so big that I can wrap it myself in and feel all cozy, while I relax in your arms." As on queue Yoruichi felt Ichigo's arms wrap around her waist and pull her a bit tighter.
She let out a soft purr of appreciation.
"So how was the gala? Anything interesting happen this time?" Ichigo asked.
Yoruichi let out a soft sigh, "The gala was..hmm...well it sucked for me that's for sure. Being a noble and still part of the 5 great noble families people want to raise their name in the world by being married to the great Yoruichi I hate being a noble some days, sure it has it perks at times. But there are days I wish I was still an exile living in Karakura with Kisuke and Tessai. Sure Kisuke needed me to do things to help him and the others out from time to time, but nothing was really expected of me. There were times when I could just leave for a week and go to the beach and enjoy what Japan had to have to offer by the seaside. Now being back here if I am gone for more than a day the elders start getting bent out of shape."
Yoruichi let a tired sigh as she laid her head down on Ichigo's shoulder.
"I'm very jealous of you Ichigo, even though you are head of the Shiba clan but nothing is really expected of you. Hell Kukaku is still really the clan head, well till you decide to live here fully."
Ichigo lets a soft hum of agreement.
"While this is true, everyone views it as political power plays when I only show up to to a gala or event held by the Shihion's or Kuchiki's. But doesn't mean I haven't turned a blind eye to all the happens of the noble world. The stealth force training has been drilled into my head." Yoruichi lets a snort escape her mouth, as she softly pats his cheek proudly.
"Those skills can be a game changer when trying to learn all you can on an enemy. Remember you have earned your rank of assassin, you are the unseen blade in the darkness." Yoruichi says with a serious tone.
She looks up to the sky and see the star filled skyline with the moon shining bright,a small smile graces her lips.
"I think we have strayed far enough from your original question, the gala was pretty good. Nothing crazy happened, a few tipsy nobles, and some drunken brawls, nothing compared to Squad 11 though."
A smile could be heard on her words towards the end, as they both recall the number of bar fights they had witnessed over the years. They spend the next two hours talking of the bits of gossip they have heard from around the Seireitei.
Both are startled by the soft beeping from Ichigo's wrist watch. Ichigo looks down and notices how sleepy Yoruichi seems to be.
"Come on Yoruichi let me walk you back to your room. Its getting late, we both have had long days. Besides I need to meet Head captain Kyoraku before noon tomorrow to go over some details or something." Ichigo trailed off noticing how fast Yoruichi perked up at hearing he was meeting the head captain.
"Why do you need to meet the Head captain? You are just going to a quiet town to be a teacher at a very prestigious school in Japan. Why would he need to…"Yoruichi stops and pinches her nose in annoyance and lets out an annoyed heavy sigh. "What the hell did you get yourself into this time Ichigo!? I thought you wanted to have a peaceful normal BORING human life for at least a few years! So what are you caught up in now?"
She turns around eyes narrowing in angry and she jabs a finger at his chest. He rubs the back of his head while staring at her sheepishly. "You remember those two weeks where I was losing my powers and those sinners kidnapped Yuzu?"
He see her eyes soften a bit as she nods.
"Well it turns out the school I am going to be teaching at is controlled by a family of devils. They offered me two jobs, one is teaching, the other is...well I am sorta a guardian for one's little sister." She stares at him, looking blanking at his face as she studies it to see if he is really lying about what he just said. Yoruichi pinches her nose again. "...so devils are really real? Jeez...wait! Why did they wait so long to make contact with you? It's been nearly a decade since you went into hell to save Yuzu and bring the others home. So why now?"
Ichigo motions Yoruichi to follow as they talk.
"They waited because they knew of the war and that I was losing my powers. Also because I was an older brother doing whatever it took to save my little sister. They have always kept watch over me, to see if I was going to make another trip back to the underworld and make a mess. But now one of the four Great Devil Kings want me to watch over his sister in the world of the living. Seems they want them to learn to spread their wings and learn from their own mistakes without them bailing them out. Sorta reminded me of you and Kisuke when I was first making my way in the spiritual world."
Ichigo saw the ghost of a small smile on her lips as he explained what he knew.
"They know that there is trouble brewing with ancient creatures being spotted after centuries of not being seen. Besides it give me a chance to get away from Karakura Town and spread my own wings." Ichigo said his voice filled with resignation.
Yoruichi frowns at the last comment, she knows what he really means. With Ichigo leaving Karakura he has no real plan to return for a while besides to visit his sisters and on her anniversary. Yoruichi lays her head on Ichigo's shoulder as they walk.
"So things with you all still aren't great I take it then?" Yoruichi hears Ichigo snort and a humorless chuckle, "Things between the bunch of them seem fine, but when I am around it's a very, VERY awkward time till I leave. We are all pleasant for the most part, but it is all really forced. After all who could blame them, they are all human. I am not, sure the shinigami count me as one because of my body. But really I am no longer human, not after that has been said and done."
Ichigo stares at the white talon hand, a thick two inch deep blood red line starts in the middle on the back of his hand and travels up his arms spiral up his arm towards his shoulder. A mocha hand grabs his white talon hand, looking into her yellow eyes he can see the sadness in them.
"You are no monster Ichigo! You became a transcendent, and combined all your powers so you could defeat your enemy! No one should every blame you for that, you took on a form of uncomparable power to defeat another foe of uncomparable power that threatened to destroy the balance and throw the world into chaos. But you aren't wrong you are no longer human, you are something far greater!" When Yoruichi first started speaking there was venom in her voice but at the end there was nothing but pride. She cupped his left cheek and turn it towards her. "I'm extremely proud to have met and trained you Ichigo, you have all this power but you use it to defend those who can't. You have truly a noble and honorable soul. Don't let those that only see the dark parts of your soul break you. When you find that special someone who you want to spend your life don't hide your past from them, it will only create rifts between you two." Yoruichi looped her arm through Ichigo's arm and began to continue walking about towards her room at the Shihoin estate. The rest of the walk they were both silent, both deep in thought.
Neither noticed they had arrived back at her room till they were standing outside her door. Yoruichi looked up at Ichigo.
"I'll see you sometime tomorrow to say goodbye before you leave, ok?" She says softly. Ichigo gives her a half smile.
"Sounds good Yoruichi. Good night." Ichigo turns slightly to leave but is stopped by a hand gripping his arm, he turns to look at Yoruichi surprising him as she kissed his cheek.
"Thank you Ichigo, for everything." She turns leaving Ichigo awe struck as he shunpos back to his house.
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Ichigo was scratching his head as he stood his front floyer read the message he was just delivered.
"God I should have never agreed let the Shinigami Women's Association have their meeting, damn drunk Rangiku and Yoruichi for getting me drunk and saying yes to it. Damn, better get a move on then, meeting starts in an hour." He sleepily mumbles to himself as he looks at his watch.
After a quick shower and a fast breakfast, he made his way to the Squad One barracks meeting hall. He arrived ten minutes before the meeting with him and Head Captain Kyoraku. Knocking on the door he waits till he is allowed to enter. Upon entering he sees the Head Captain reading over some reports of some kind.
"Ah Ichigo there you are. I will keep this brief and to the point, because I know you are heading back to the world of the living today." Shunsui comments as he studies Ichigo for a moment. Ichigo nods his head as he makes way to the front of Shunsui's desk. Shunsui hands Ichigo a thin folder with Kuoh Town written on the side.
"This is everything we have on the Kuoh Town and what you should expect." Ichigo flips it open and flips through the three pieces of paper and sends a confused and questioning look.
"I know it's not much because honestly other than the fact that devils have decided to live there, there isn't much to the town. It's just plain town, over the years we have had to send out some people to deal with souls and hollows but nothing too crazy. You will be alone for your stay in Kuoh Town unless you make a request for someone to assist you. We have no real standing treaties or anything with Devils or Angels, so everything will be based on your judgement and whatever agreement you have come to with the Devils that have hired you."
Kyoraku paused for a moment and looked up at Ichigo whose mouth was slightly agape.
"What did you think we haven't watch the goings on of the world? Of course we knew of other beings of power, but as long they didn't threaten the balance of the world we had no problem with them. Besides you and a few close others that I am guessing you have told no one knows this fact, only the Head Captains, Zero Squad and the Soul King know this. I don't know the full story on how everyone else handles their own afterlife. Some have a Soul Society, others have a Heaven or some other version peaceful afterlife. The only thing is we all share hell, everyone might call it something different but everyone who unforgivable acts is sent there. So do you have any questions, and before you ask our folder on devils and angels is smaller than the one you are holding right now."
Shunsui folds his hands onto his desk and studies Ichigo for a moment. Ichigo sumps down into the chair in front of Shunsui's desk with a huff.
"...So basically other than what I was told at my interview I am going into this blind. Been charging head first into the unknown from the first day I met Rukia, why change that now." Ichigo sighs as he runs a head through his hair.
He stretches out his hand towards Shunsui.
"Well Head Captain it looks like I'll be seeing you around. Gotta make my last round and say my goodbyes to a bunch of people before I head back home." Taking Ichigo's hand Shunsui smiles as he motions towards the door, "I had Nanao summon those Captains and Lieutenants who are close to you upon your arrival."
Both men stand and head towards the door and see all the gathered Captains and Lieutenants.
The doors opened and Ichigo saw all the Shinigami he had become friends with other the years, but he quickly noticed one was missing. After an hour Ichigo made his way to Renji.
"Well Pineapple looks like we won't be sparring for awhile, hope you don't get to soft while gone." Renji snorted.
"As if Carrot-top, you know I only let beat me in our spars."
Both men laugh as they pull each other into an one armed hug.
"Remember Ichigo you better watch your back, you don't have Rukai to keep you inline this time." Renji comments.
Ichigo pulled back and looked at Renji."I know, I know gotta be more careful with everything I do this time around, no one to patch me up either. Speaking of your better half where is she?"
Renji sends him a quick glare. "She is at the Squad 13 barracks looking after Ichika today. She wasn't feeling too well this morning so kept her close to keep an eye on her."
Ichigo nods.
"Well looks like I'll be making a stop there before I leave. Anyways Renji I'll talk to you later, more people to say goodbye too."
Renji nods and walks over to talk to Captain Hirako, Ichigo turns to move when a mocha hand gently grips his arm. Ichigo turns and smiles at Yoruichi.
"So you made it, I was wondering if I was going to have to track you done or not." Yoruichi lets out a laugh, as she hand Ichigo his haroi. "You may has done very well in your stealth force training, but you will have a very hard tracking me."
Yoruichi flicks Ichigo's nose as they move towards the edge of the room.
"So I've been thinking about your problem about not having a vacation. Why don't you just tell the elders you are going for like a month or so? I mean your brother is head of the clan, you aren't a captain or leader of the stealth force. So why not just say that you are going to the World of the Living for a bit." Yoruichi pondered.
She opened and closed her mouth a few times in thought before finding the words. Finally, she looks like she has decided out what she was going to say.
"You know I think I am gonna go see the elders right now. So later Ichigo." Yoruichi says with joy in her voice as she vanishes from sight.
Ichigo lets out a soft laugh as he makes his way to the other visoreds to say good bye.
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An hour later Ichigo is walking towards the Squad 13 barracks around one in the afternoon, after greeting various squad members as he passed making his way to the captain's quarters. Upon reaching the door he knocks when he hears a muffled cry to enter. Sliding open the door he stops when he sees Ichika trying to sneak towards the door he just entered. She looks up and begins to smile and run and jump into Ichigo's arms.
"Uncle! I've missed you!" She excitedly cries into his chest as she hugs him. Shifting Ichika in his arms he places a kiss on her forehead. "I've missed you too, have yo…"
He stops when he hears Rukia yelling.
"Ichika you get your butt back to this table and finish up your vegetables this instance young lady!" Ichika looks at Ichigo sheepishly.
"I see, remember what I told you in the past?" He says as he ruffles her hair before setting her down, and taking her hand. Ichika lets out a sigh.
"Yes I remember, always listen to mommy but I don't have to always listen to daddy." Ichigo smirks "That's right, now let's go see your mother."
They both walked into the kitchen area to see Rukia picking some dishes from the table to bring to the sink, muttering to herself about insubordinate children. Ichigo lets out a small laugh at what he hears coming from Rukia, causing her to turn in shock to see her daughter's hand in hand with her best friend.
"I should have known Ichika would be with you Ichigo. No matter what she always listens to you." Ichigo ruffles Ichika's hair, giving Rukia a smile. Ichika made her way back to her spot at the table and began eating again, humming a tune while she ate. Rukia handed Ichigo a cup of tea, "So how long will you be gone for this time?" Rukia asked with a hint of sadness in her voice. Ichigo looked down at his cup, before letting out a sigh.
"I will be gone for at for a few months, but then will be back for a week or so during summer break, depending on how things go with the family. And depending how things go with the job who knows what could happen." He finished with a small laugh. Rukia shot Ichigo a glare, while letting out a deep sigh.
"Do I even want to know what this "normal" teaching job at a boring "normal" human school is really a cover for?" Ichigo gave Rukia a small smirk, while he rubbed the back of his head with his free hand.
"You could say a I made a deal with a devil." Ichigo said nonchalantly, Rukia mouth dropped at the statement and how calm Ichigo seemed to be about it.
"Are you really telling me that you made a deal with a devil?! I thought you wanted to have a peaceful life now? Oh this has to be an interesting story." Rukia said with annoyance in her voice.
Ichigo let out a soft chuckle at how fast Rukia went from friend mode to protective older sister mode.
"Well it all started about month and half ago. You see I was sparring with…"