Author's Note: Hi everyone, here is the first chapter of much awaited sequel of Incomplete Sorrows, Inherited Nightmares. It follows the struggles and the triumphs of a grown up Ryuichi Kurosaki as he tries to impress his father.

In case you should know, this takes place 3 years after the encore chat. Throughout the past 15 years from where we left off at the end of Incomplete Sorrows, things had been at a standstill since Aizen had fled and no one will know when he will make his move. However, there had been quite a few changes in rank throughout the years. Here is a list of the Gotei 13 in this story:

1st Division:

Captain – Yamamoto Genyruu-Sai

Lieutenant – Sasakibe Choujirou

2nd Division:

Captain – Soi Fon

Lieutenant – Marechyo Omaeda

3rd Division:

Captain – Renji Abarai

Lieutenant – Yachiru Kusajishi

4th Division:

Captain – Unohana Retsu

Lieutenant – Isane Kotetsu

5th Division:

Captain – Ichigo Kurosaki

Lieutenant – Rukia Kuchiki

6th Division:

Captain: Byakuya Kuchiki

Lieutenant: Rikichi (the shinigami that idolizes Renji)

7th Division:

Captain: Komamura Saijin

Lieutenant: Tetsuzaemon Iba

8th Division:

Captain: Kyouraku Shunsui

Lieutenant: Nanao Ise

9th Division:

Captain: Hisagi Shuheii

Lieutenant: Tatsuki Arisawa

10th Division:

Captain: Hitsugaya Toshirou

Lieutenant: Matsumoto Rangiku

11th Division:

Captain: Zaraki Kenpachi

Lieutenant: Ikkaku Madarame

12th Division:

Captain: Urahara Kisuke

Lieutenant: Nemu Kurotsuchi

13th Division:

Captain: Ukitake Juushirou

Third Seat Officers: Kyone Kotetsu and Sentarou Kotsubaki

Things may be happy in this chapter somewhat but in later chapters, there will be real challenges for the main protagonist of this story and, as always, for his father. There will also be a couple of original characters that belong to my friend.

With all that said, I bring to you the first chapter of…Inherited Nightmares!

Chapter 1: The New Recruits

Sereitei – Court of Pure Souls – was serene and peaceful as its inhabitants carried on with their usual tasks. Shinigami left and right patrolled the streets and chatted with each other about their missions and days of work. Even the captains and their lieutenants were busy with their usual paperwork, especially one certain orange-haired captain and his petite, lieutenant wife.

Ichigo and Rukia had been happily married for 13 long years, and with two children – a hyperactive, bunny-loving little girl who was currently in the care of her aunts and an ambitious, teen-aged son – they had never been happier. For most of their marriage, they had been running the 5th division as its captain and lieutenant and were very respected in every conceivable way.

Hinamori Momo, the former lieutenant of that division, enjoyed her third seat position more than her previous one. What was even more enjoyable for her was that she got to work under a captain who was far respectful to her and honest with her than Aizen Sousuke was. Ichigo would even allow her to visit the memorial cenotaph in honour of her late boyfriend, Kira Izuru.

On this day, Rukia and Ichigo were doing their paperwork together side-by-side, conversing contently with each other and only stopping to embrace each other for a passionate kiss. Little did they know that someone was racing through the streets of Seireitei with excellent news to pass onto them.

Rushing excitedly through passing souls, a young shinigami made his way through the maze that covered most of Sereitei to find his parents and tell them the excellent news.

Ryuichi Kurosaki – a new recruit in his mid-teens – had just graduated from the Shinigami Academy after 2 years of attending there. Ever since his father told him stories of his adventures, it had always been the young boy's ambition to be just like him, a captain of a squad. Prior to enrolling at the academy, Ryuichi had under gone intense training with his father – martial arts, swordplay, reflexes. Ichigo was very proud of his son for how quickly he pulled everything off.

Now dad is going to be even more proud of me, the young shinigami thought with a smirk as he swiftly turned around another corner. He did not see a former classmate as he accidentally bumped into her.

Meanwhile, very close by, a brother and sister walked silently together down a marble road – their respective swords sheathed at their sides. They were among the newest recruits to the Fifth Division of the Gotei 13, and they were anxious to meet their new leaders and start a new life within their respective division.

Suddenly, a blur nearly knocked them over. "Sorry!" The person shouted to them as he rounded the corner of the street.

The sister growled as her brother narrowed his eyes nonchalantly. "God, watch where you're going!" She hissed at her classmate.

"Easy, Ruby," her brother mumbled in a monotone voice, "people like that aren't clearly worth our time. Now come on, our new division is waiting."

Elsewhere, Ryuichi rubbed his neck embarrassingly as he continued running.

Back at the academy, he and Ruby Carmine were considered as rivals. Well, only Ruby considered him as such. As an addition to that, she would often get mad at the young Kurosaki for the littlest things, blaming him for her mistakes and for getting in her way. In turn, Ryuichi would just laugh at her, mocking her by saying that she is jealous of the fact that he is better than her. Jade Carmine, Ruby's brother, would stand off to the side and roll his eyes coldly, reminding his sister that minor annoyances such as Ryuichi were a waste of space and she should not waste her breath arguing with such a nuisance.

Inside the 5th Division Barracks office, Ichigo opened the blinds to shed light into the office room, smiling at the outside atmosphere that surrounded the headquarters. "Nice day, huh, Rukia?" He asked as he walked back to his desk.

"It sure is," his wife replied as she sat on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck, tenderly kissing his lips. Her husband wrapped his hands around her waste in response and deepened the kiss. They could barely hear the voices that were telling someone to stop entering the office.

"Dad! Mom! Guess what?" Ryuichi ran in and his parents broke their kiss immediately.

"Ryuichi, you're not supposed to be here," Ichigo warned, "you do realize that this is your mother's and my office and we are busy here."

His son just rolled his eyes, but his excitement returned when he announced, "Guess what? I graduated! I'm now a full-fledged shinigami now!"

Ichigo smiled with pride and Rukia got off of her husband's lap to give her son a hug. "Oh Ryuichi, I'm so proud of you!"

"What divison did they assign you to?" Ichigo asked, "and if possible, what seat?"

Ryuichi beamed with pride as he answered, "5th, Dad, and because of my skills and talents, 5th seat."

"Then it looks like you're going to have to address me as captain from now on, son," Ichigo said, smirking.

"I'm still going to call you Dad, Dad," Ryuichi came back with a laugh.

Rukia laughed as well. "He sure reminds me of someone, Ichigo."

However, Ichigo was serious when his smirk turned into a scowl. "Yeah, well, you're still going to address me as captain when you're in these premises, since you are my subordinate now, as well as my son. Is that understood?"

Ryuichi rolled his eyes. "Oh come on, Dad, do I have to?"

"Yes, you do, but hey you are still my son. Got it?"

Sighing, Ryuichi just nodded, and his father ruffled his hair. "Now then, I guess I have to introduce you to the rest of the division, and then you need to do the next part of your training."

"What part may that be?"

"Figuring out the name of your zampakutou, of course."

Anger and frustration showed in the younger shinigami's eyes. "How the hell am I supposed to do that?"

Ichigo eyed his son warningly. "Language, Ryuichi."

Sighing, the teen-ager repeated, "How am I supposed to figure out the name of my zampakutou?"

"That you need to figure out on your own."

Then he called for Hinamori to come into his office. The 3rd seat, her office next to her captain and lieutenant's office, rushed in immediately. "Yes, Kurosaki-Taichou sir, you need something?" Then she noticed Ryuichi standing there. "Oh hi, Ryuichi, glad to see you here," she beamed in greeting as the boy just smiled shyly. He had a slight crush on her since just recently, but he knew that he could not have her since what he had heard of her late boyfriend who was killed in the last war.

Ichigo cleared his throat as his 3rd seat stood at attention. "I want you to send hell butterflies to the rest of the members of our division and have them come to headquarters immediately."

Hinamori nodded and asked, "What would be the reason, sir? I don't mean to question your orders or anything."

Ichigo smiled and rested his hand on his son's shoulder. "Just tell them that I am going to introduce a new recruit, well Rukia and I will anyway."

"There are other new recruits to our division as well," Hinamori corrected, "or so I've heard."

Ryuichi looked at her puzzled. Ichigo nodded in understanding. "How many?"

"Two, I think," Hinamori trailed off. "They should be on their way here."

"Very well then," Ichigo said, nodding some more, "tell the members of our division that there will be an introductory meeting for some new recruits."

Hinamori beamed and nodded. "Right away sir!" She ran out of the room to do her task.

"So I guess the paperwork will wait, Taichou?" Rukia asked and her husband nodded. "It is important that the members within our division will get to know our newest members right away." Rukia nodded in understanding, as Ryuichi just stared at them.

So this is how my dad is; I thought that he would be pleased but he is more inclined about his work, He thought, I know that he is proud of me but something tells me that it is not enough. What the hell am I supposed to do actually please him and make him proud of me? And these new recruits…I hope they're not that asshole, Jade, and his annoying sister, Ruby. If it's them, then damn, am I ever in hell!

Meanwhile, Jade and Ruby stood outside the door to the 5th Division Barracks, relieved to the find that they had finally made it to the right destination.

"I'll be damned if that egotistical brat is here too," Ruby trailed off. "If he is, then there will be hell to pay."

Jade, however, said nothing. He knew that his sister hated her classmate more than anything. He was clearly better than her in martial arts, sword combat, and even kidou, having top scores in all three. Ruby had often accused Ryuichi of cheating in those forms of combat, not even knowing that he had starting learning them from his parents prior to his Academy days. Even still, it annoyed her greatly.

"Whatever, Ruby," Jade said, focusing on the door to the Barracks. "Let's go inside and meet our new leaders."

Simultaneously, they pushed open the door and walked inside the vast hallway, past a small, empty office where Hinamori Momo was stationed, and towards the main office at the end of the hallway.

Once arriving to the main office door, Jade knocked on the door while Ruby waited patiently.

"Can you get that please?" A male voice sounded behind the door.

"Yea sure," a familiar, younger male voice replied. Ruby froze.

The door opened, and to Ruby's shock, Ryuichi stood in the doorway and froze when he saw the Carmine twins staring at him.

"Don't fucking tell me…" Ryuichi mumbled almost out of his father's earshot.

Ruby's eyes widened as she seethed in anger. "How could you be here? You stupid brat! Did you cheat your way over here as well?"

"Let it go, Ruby," Jade trailed off.

Ryuichi gave a scowl that was reminiscent of his father's. "For your information, I was assigned here. And how could a rookie like you be here when you clearly suck at everything?"

"Oh you're going to get it!" Ruby charged at Ryuichi but Jade held her back. "You will pay for saying such shit to me! You think you're soooo great? So high and mighty? Well you know what? Get a fucking life!"

"Oooh, such big words from a little girl," Ryuichi taunted with a smirk. "Come get a piece of me." He laughed with his hands up mockingly.

Ruby thrashed around in her brother's grip, cursing repetitively at the smirking young man in front of her.

That was until Ichigo showed up at the doorway. "What's going on?" He asked with a scowl. "Why are you two fighting in my barracks when my lieutenant and I are trying to work?"

Ruby stopped thrashing and Jade let her go, confident that she was calm. An embarrassed blush rose in her cheeks as she bowed immediately. "Sorry for my disrespect, sir!" Jade nodded.

Ichigo smiled. "You must be the new recruits for my division. My name is Ichigo Kurosaki, but you may call me Kurosaki-Taichou. My Third Seat is sending butterflies to our squad members so that I can introduce you to the rest of our Division members. What, may I ask, is your assigned seat?"

"We weren't given one," Jade replied. Ryuichi snickered from behind his father, earning a dirty look from Ruby. Jade continued, as though it never happened, "but we were assigned as part of the squad run by this Hinamori Momo or whatever her name is."

Ichigo nodded. "Yes, that would be my Third Seat. I trust that you will enjoy your learning experience here in the 5th Division."

"One question," Ruby said as she glared at the boy behind the captain, "is he in 5th Division as well?" She pointed to Ryuichi.

Ichigo pulled his son in front of him and rested his hand on his shoulder. Ruby could tell that they very much resembled one another, except for dark highlights that showed through Ryuichi's bright orange hair. "Yes he is," Ichigo said, "and he's my son."

Ruby's eyes widened so much that she almost swore they bulged through their sockets. "What? Your son? You mean this idiot who keeps getting in my way is your son?"

"I can tell you don't like each other," Ichigo noted, still smirking. Ryuichi gave a taunting smirk. Jade prepared to hold his sister back at all costs.

"I can't stand him!" She exclaimed. "He was my rival back at the Academy and he's my rival now!"

Ichigo nodded in understanding. "Then I guess it's high time that you two learn to work together. Because I hate to say it…what's your name?"

"Carmine. Ruby Carmine," Ruby introduced herself, still seething.

"Alright then, Ruby," Ichigo continued, "I hate to say it but once you've been assigned you can't switch Divisions until the Captain-Commander is fully convinced you're ready…and with my written consent of course."

Ruby looked at her captain questioningly, but Ichigo scowled in response. "And I'm not about to give you consent anytime soon, I'm afraid. So you will have to live with it."

Ruby's hands balled into fists as she growled, but then she calmed down. If this guy was in authority in this Division, then she had no other choice but to follow what he would say. So she knew that she had to keep quiet, but that did not mean that she would stop hating Ryuichi. "Fine then, I will," she mumbled, still glaring at Ryuichi.

Ichigo turned towards Jade, who silently watched the whole thing coldly. "What is your name, if I may ask?"

"Jade Carmine," Jade replied.

"Alright then," Ichigo said, "you guys can hang out for however long you would like in the area - familiarize yourselves as well, if you want to – and I will introduce you guys to the rest of the Division shortly. You will also meet Hinamori-san and Rukia, who is my lieutenant as well as my wife. I hope you enjoy yourselves or at least try to."

"We will," Jade replied but Ruby was too transfixed on her hatred for Ryuichi to respond until Jade lightly elbowed her in the arm.

Snapping back to reality, Ruby turned towards her new captain and nodded. "Sorry. Yes, sir," she stammered before giving one more quick glare towards her rival. Being in the 5th Division, she found out, will be hell. However, if Ryuichi weren't in the same group as she and her brother, she would not have to be near him every day. And that is something she can live with.

Ichigo smirked. "Very well then. I welcome you both into 5th Division. I will see you shortly. You may be dismissed."

Jade nodded and he and Ruby turned to walk down the hallway.

Ryuichi rolled his eyes as he watched them walk away.

Noticing this, Ichigo scowled once again but this time more deeply. "And just so you know, I do not want any childish behaviour from you, especially around her. You are 15 and a man. Is that understood?"

Ryuichi relaxed his face. "Yea."

Ichigo smiled at his son's answer. He would admit, however, that his son reminded him a lot of himself when he was his age.

Ever since the older Kurosaki had been promoted to captain 3 years ago, he had decided to take Soul Society's ways more seriously. It was the least he could do to be a better captain than his predecessor and turn things around for his division. Rukia, Renji, and even Byakuya were impressed by this change, and Byakuya took it upon himself to give the new captain advice about his position.

"Well at least I don't need to waste my breath on her for a while, huh, Dad?" Ryuichi asked.

Ichigo nodded. "I don't know what is going on between you two, but who knows? You two will learn to like each other."

Ryuichi sneered at the answer. "Riiiight... She's too annoying."

"I found your mother annoying too when I first met her," Ichigo whispered, hoping that his wife wouldn't hear.

Unluckily for him, a pen flew hard at his head. "Ow!" Ichigo whined as he stared at his glaring wife and rubbed the spot on the side of his head. "What was that for, midget?" Ryuichi tried to stifle a chuckle.

"What do you think?" Rukia asked with her arms crossed.

"That was then, this is now," Ichigo protested. "You're not as annoying as you were back then."

Satisfied with his answer, Rukia smiled. "Thank you, hon."

Ichigo added with a mumble, "Although your drawings still suck..." Rukia gave him a death glare. "Alright, alright! I get it! I take that back."

"You better," Rukia replied with a smirk as she walked over to him, but she stopped and looked over to Ryuichi. "Son, can you give us a moment?" She asked.

Knowing what his mother was implying, Ryuichi covered his face in disgust. "Aw man! Why must you do this, mom?"

"Listen to your mother, son," Ichigo said with a smirk as he wrapped his arms around his wife.

"I don't know why this should even be legal," Ryuichi commented as he left his parents alone in privacy, shutting the door before he could hear his mother giggle and his father kissing her. He shuddered at the sounds from his parents' office as he quickly walked away out of earshot.

It did not take long for all of the members of the fifth division to gather before their captain and lieutenant.

Ruby and Jade stood in front as well, not too far from Ryuichi and his parents. While Jade fixed his eyes nonchalantly on his fellow 5th Division members, Ruby kept stealing glances at the young man she hated the most, damning herself if she would ever be forced to work with him.

Ryuichi was nervous seeing about a hundred or so members before him, but he had to be strong for his father who was standing proudly beside him. Rukia rubbed her son's back consolingly for she felt his nervousness, but her son just flinched for he thought that she was embarrassing him. Rukia just rolled her eyes and turned back to her subordinates while her husband spoke.

"Welcome, everyone," Ichigo greeted with a smile.

"Hello, taichou," his subordinates returned the greeting, just as cheerfully.

"I am honoured to welcome a few new recruits to our division. First and foremost," he placed a hand on his son's shoulder, "this is my son. His name is Ryuichi, and he just graduated after two years at the academy. He will be our Fifth Seat, but don't worry; I won't be giving him any special treatment." Then he pointed to Ruby, who immediately froze and seethed with anger when she found out her rival's rank, and Jade. "Secondly, these are Ruby and Jade Carmine. They are both going to be in Hinamori Momo's Reconnaissance Squad. I strongly request you all to treat them with respect like how you would do for each other. We are all part of a team, so we must all treat each other like family. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," his subordinates all said in unison.

Ichigo continued, still smiling. "You may now be dismissed if you like."

While several of Ichigo's subordinates left to return home, the remainder stayed behind to welcome Ryuichi, Ruby, and Jade with smiles, friendly laughter, and friendly conversations - well, Ryuichi especially.

Ichigo had a good feeling that his son would fit into any division because of his skills, and he also had a feeling that once his zampakutou would be released, he would be a strong asset to Soul Society. He knew that these were Ryuichi's ambitions so he wanted to do anything he could to help his son reach his goals, like a father should.

Ruby and Jade, only the other hand, acted politely throughout the greetings, but while Jade was distracted, Ruby had other ideas than to be welcomed.

She marched right up to Ryuichi, seething with anger and jealousy. When the young man saw her approach him, he rolled his eyes in annoyance. What now?

"You cheater! You asshole!" Ruby yelled, pointing a finger against her rival's chest. "How could a fucking amateur like you be 5th Seated officer while my brother and I are not even ranked at all? I don't give a shit if you are Kurosaki-Taichou's son; you're still ranked asshole in my books!"

Her insults did not phase Ryuichi one bit. "Here's an answer to your question," he replied coolly with a scowl. "My parents are experts in their fields of combat and my mom is an expert at kidou. They trained me before I entered the Academy. So now you know why I was the top of our class in every aspect? Because I was pretty much taught in all that stuff already. It's all about abilities. You, on the other hand, are just jealous because if your lack of experience."

"JEALOUS? You've got some fucking nerve saying that shit to me, you fucking prick! And do you think I care about what you learned before you entered the Academy? Absolutely not!"

Ryuichi snickered at the girl's response. "Why the hell did you even bring it up?"

Ruby fought off the urge to run the young man through with her katana. "Just do me a favour, Kurosaki, and stay out of my way or else you will live to regret it."

Ryuichi mockingly shivered. "Oooh, I'm scared already. Not that I wanted to care what you and that asshole of a brother of yours do anyway. Just remember that I can beat you easily. Don't forget that."

"Whatever, you bastard," Ruby replied. She turned on her heel and walked over to her brother, not saying another word.

Ryuichi just watched her go, thinking about what his father had told him back inside his office.

Ichigo nodded. "I don't know what is going on between you two, but who knows? You two will learn to like each other."

Ryuichi sneered at the answer. "Riiiight... She's too annoying."

"I found your mother annoying too when I first met her," Ichigo whispered, hoping that his wife wouldn't hear.

He sneered at the memory. "Riiight, like that will happen." He continued to socialize with several members of his new Division.

Meanwhile, Ichigo couldn't help but be proud of his son with his success in joining the division. He had a good feeling that his son would fit into any division because of his skills, and he also had a feeling that once his zampakutou would be released, he would be a strong asset to Soul Society. He knew that these were Ryuichi's ambitions so he wanted to do anything he could to help his son reach his goals, like a father should.

"Ichigo," Rukia's voice snapped her husband out of his thoughts. Ichigo turned to his wife, giving her his full attention. "I'm going to the World of the Living to pick up Aiko," she said, "I will be back soon."

Not too long after they were given their promotion, Yamamato Genryuusai had given them permission to go back and forth between Karakura and Soul Society, so that Ichigo would be closer to home and visit whenever it would be possible. Another reason was so that he and Rukia could have Yuzu and Karin babysit their daughter whenever it would be possible.

The captain wrapped his arms around his wife and held her close to his chest. "Alright, baby," he whispered in her ear, "give Yuzu my regards. The paperwork is nearly finished anyway. Thanks for your help."

Rukia lovingly smiled as she brushed her lips gently against her husband's in reply. "Be back soon," she said as she flash stepped towards the Senkaimon.

After finishing his conversations with his fellow Division members, Ryuichi walked back to his father. "Hey dad, where did mom go?" he asked, looking around with a slightly puzzled look on his face.

"She went to pick up your sister," Ichigo replied.

"Ah, ok then. Well, I'm going home. See you, Dad." Ryuichi said, but just before he could take a step, his father stopped him. Sighing and rolling his eyes slightly, the boy turned to face his father again. "What now?"

"Come here, son, I want to speak to you."

What did I do this time? He thought to himself as he returned to his father's side.

Ichigo placed a hand on his son's shoulder and said, "Son, tomorrow I'm going to supervise your training."

"Training?" Ryuichi asked. "I thought that passed prior to the Academy."

Ichigo chuckled. "That was the first step." Ryuichi stared at his father, anticipating to hear more of his explanation. "Your next step is to learn the name of your zampakutou, like what we had talked about back in my office. Then you need to train even more to keep your strength up. I am going to see how well your skills are up to this point with a little sparring session that we used to have together."

"What if I don't learn the name at all?" Ryuichi asked, worriedly but Ichigo chuckled.

"What are you talking about, son? Of course you will! It just takes practice, that's all. After all, this is only the beginning. It took a while for me to learn the name of my zampakutou when I was about your age." The captain patted his son's shoulders. "Now then, head on home and rest. I have paperwork that I need to finish."

Without question, Ryuichi turned to walk home. He turned his head once again to stare at his father, who was retreating to his office to finish off the paperwork, for a moment.

Taking in a deep sigh and continuing on with his journey to home, the young man was nervous about the following day. Yet, he was also kind of excited for it had been a long time since he had last sparred with his father just like old times.

With his resolve returning, Ryuichi smirked as he ran towards his home, expecting the long road ahead in his career.

Next time on Inherited Nightmares...

Ryuichi stared with widened eyes at the giant, cleaver-like zampakutou his father had wielded. Ichigo smirked at his son's reaction. "I've forgot. You haven't seen Zangetsu, haven't you?" All what Ryuichi could do was shake his head as he continued to stare in surprise.

"Don't worry, son, you'll get used to it," Ichigo said as he sprung forth without warning. Ryuichi held onto the hilt of his katana tightly, not wanting to show any weakness to his father. After all, despite his surprise earlier, he knew he was born ready for this.

"Bring it on, Dad," he said with a smirk as he got into a fighting stance.

Well, there's the first chapter for you all :D It definitely took a while longer than I thought though because I have a bit of writer's block at the moment, but I'm going to do the best I can. For those of you who read the first chapter of Life of a Captain's son, you will find out that both chapters are quite similar in some ways since I used that chapter as a base and added whatever I needed to on this one. I'm quite excited for anything that will happen in the next bunch of chapters. ^_^

As for the video version, I'm definitely going to use it but I'm not going to have fan artists draw Ryuichi or Aiko (you can if you want to). I'm going to see if I can find pictures of people who look a lot like them in my mind on Photobucket. It shouldn't be too hard to find pictures of Ryuichi though. My friend, however, is going to see if he can find fan artists to draw Ruby and Jade, since they're his characters. There will also be a trailer (it's the promo vid) for this story as well. So watch out for that since it's after the AMV I'm currently making.

With all that said, hope you all enjoyed this chapter and let me know what you think!

Take care!