Unwavering Bond

Summary: Ichigo's sister is taken for some unknown reason, but it seems to be connected to the arrival of three bizarre creatures in Karakura Town. Now Ichigo must decide if they are friends or foes and rescue his sister.

I do not own Bleach or its characters. Bleach and its characters belong to Tite Kubo. This is just a fanfiction written for fun. No profit is being made.

The only thing I own is my imagination and the original characters that pop up in this fiction.

Please enjoy.

Chapter 1:

"Big brother, did you see that? Neat, huh?"

"Yeah, it is."

"That store over there's new. We should go there sometime, don't you think?"

"I'd like that. Maybe on the way back we can make a stop."

"You think so?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Aren't you worried it might rain?"

"So what if it does? We'll be inside. We don't have to walk there. We can get a ride."

"Sounds great. I've missed you, big brother. It's been a while since we just talked and did things together, just us."

"Yeah, it has. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."

"Do you still get bad dreams at night?"

"No, not really. Not since I got this present. I love it. Carry it with me everywhere."

"Yes, I see. You're holding it now. I'm glad you're doing ok, Yuka."

"I wish we could see each other every day like before, Nikko."

"Me, too. I miss being with you. But I'm trying to see you as often as I can."

"I know. I wish we could be together like before. But… I'm glad you're always with me when I need you most."

"You know I'd never leave you alone, Yuka."

"I know. That's why you're the best big brother ever."

"Ha ha…"

"Don't laugh. It's true. You always make sure we're together."

"I try my best."

"Ichigo!"

"Yeah?"

"We're heading out. Make sure to lock up when you leave. Dad had stuff to do."

"Got it Yuzu."

"Did you get enough to eat?"

Ichigo bent down to pick up his school bag. "You don't have to baby me. I got plenty to eat. Don't worry."

"And you got the lunch I packed you?"

"Yeah. Thanks."

Yuzu walked behind Ichigo and started picking at his school shirt.

"What are you doing?"

"You have a fuzzy on your shirt. See?" She held it up in her fingers before tossing it in the trash.

"Why not just drop it on the floor? That's what I do."

"That's one more thing for me to sweep up," Yuzu said puffing out her cheeks in annoyance. "Besides, it might get stuck on your clothes again."

"Come on, Yuzu!" Karin called from the doorway. "We're going to be late if you keep lecturing him like that."

"Coming!" Yuzu looked back at Ichigo. "We're having curry tomorrow night, but I'm making something special tonight. Don't forget."

"Got it." Ichigo walked to the front door to put on his shoes.

"And I'm not sure when Dad will be home tonight, so don't dawdle too much. Otherwise Karin and I will be eating alone at dinner."

"Uh-huh."

Karin put her hands on her hips. "I don't see why you're telling him all this. Ichigo will get back when he feels like it. You know he does stuff after school."

"But the last couple of nights he's been coming home and going right to his room. I want to make sure he's eating well so he'll be strong and healthy. He has to eat properly."

"He's a big boy, Yuzu."

"It's lonely eating by ourselves."

"Don't forget I have soccer after school, so don't panic if I'm not here right away."

Yuzu groaned. "Karin..!"

"Hey, I got to practice. Besides, we scheduled this last week. You've known about this."

"Yeah, I know."

Ichigo opened the front door. "Let's go, you two. I'm locking up."

"See?" said Karin. "He was listening to you. It wasn't just absent grunts."

"Absent grunts?" Ichigo questioned, holding the door for them.

"Yeah, you know." Karin saw the confused look on Ichigo's face and sighed. "When you make sounds like you're listening when you're not."

"I don't think that's what they're called."

"That's what I'm calling them." She gave him a smug smirk and spun around.

Ichigo sighed as he closed the door. "It's more absent-minded, really. And I was listening."

"But you don't always."

"I was this time."

"This time, he says!" Karin started laughing. "I knew it!"

Yuzu didn't share in her sister's laughter. She turned to her brother and gave him a firm look. "Just try to be back tonight, ok? I want to see you before we go to bed, ok? Ok, Ichigo?"

"Fine, fine."

"You don't have to promise me or anything. I know you have stuff to do and your friends need you for things, but don't disappear for days, alright? That's all I'm asking. Ok?"

"I said fine, Yuzu."

"He gets it," said Karin without turning around. "Stop beating it to death."

"I'm not!" Yuzu ran to catch up to her twin. "I know Ichigo works hard, so if he wants to hang out with his friends to get rid of that stress, then I want him to do it." Yuzu turned around. "Hang out with your friends if you have plans, ok, Ichigo? Have fun!"

Ichigo gave her a look. "Either you want me home for dinner or you want me to hang out with friends. Which is it?"

"Hang out with them but don't be too late, ok?" Yuzu told him. "Make sure to come back tonight. Tonight, ok?"

"I'll do what I can, Yuzu."

"Remember the special dinner I'm making!"

"Go to school!" Ichigo ran behind them, chasing them down the sidewalk playfully. He stopped chasing them when he heard them both laughing. Ichigo slowed and gave his sisters a smile. Now that he saw them in better moods, Yuzu especially, he could be on his way. He just wanted to see her smile.

When Ichigo arrived at school, he was a bit early, giving him time to socialize.

"Ichigo!" Keigo ran up behind him and Ichigo quickly put him in a headlock. Keigo kicked and pulled on his arms, begging for mercy. Ichigo let him go and Keigo rubbed his sore neck. "You've gotten stronger since yesterday, haven't you?"

"I don't think so."

"You feel it."

"Ok."

"Ok? That's all you have to say about it?"

Ichigo raised his brow. "What else do you want me to say?"

"I don't know. Something like… 'Yes, of course, I've gotten stronger! How else do you expect me to keep all these babes around me all the time? A hunk like me has to look good!' Something like that."

"Would I ever say something like that?"

Keigo was about to respond when an elbow came flying into his nose.

"Babes, huh?" said Tatsuki. "I hope you aren't talking about Orihime like that, you perv!"

"Ow! I wasn't! Not just her, I mean."

"And what is that supposed to me, huh?"

Keigo held his bloody nose. "Jeez, was that necessary? I'm bleeding."

"You should really be aware of your surroundings, Mr. Asano. I doubt you would have said such a thing if you knew she was around."

"Why? Because I'm afraid of a beating?" Keigo pinched his nose shut. "It's not stopping."

Tatsuki showed him a little compassion, never meaning to hit him that hard. "Sorry. I didn't mean to be so rough." She took a tissue from her bag and gave it to him.

"You're so brittle, Mr. Asano."

Keigo stuffed the tissue in his nose but he continued to bleed. "Aw, man… I'm going into the bathroom to see if I can stop this."

"Sorry, again."

"It's cool. As long as I don't bleed out from this."

"Try not to think about babes in that case," Ichigo decided to tease. "Don't want to make the nosebleed any worse."

"Shut up!"

The others gathered around Ichigo's desk and chatted. Uryu came in and went right over to his desk and sat down, but not before glancing in Ichigo's direction in a silent hello. Chad arrived soon after Uryu and went over to Ichigo's desk to greet everyone.

A few minutes later Keigo came back and stood by Ichigo's desk. "Hey, guys."

"How's your nose, doing?"

"Hm? Oh, it's fine. I'm good."

"What happened to his nose?" asked Orihime.

"I decked him a bit."

"Why'd you do that?"

"Misunderstanding. Don't worry about it."

Keigo chuckled. "I'm still not sure whether I deserved it or not. But sorry, and please don't hit me again, ok?"

"Fine."

Keigo looked at Ichigo. "So how are you doing?"

"Fine."

"Any plans for after school?" he asked, keeping his eyes on Ichigo. "I was sort of hoping we could all do something together. Maybe we can make plans at lunch if you need time to think it over."

"That sounds like fun," said Orihime. "We could go to the mall and just hang out there."

"I guess we could do that." Ichigo gave it some thought. "Yuzu said I could hang out with friends but she wants me back before it gets too late."

"Yuzu does, huh?" said Keigo. "Why's that?"

"She's making dinner and she said she doesn't want it to be just the two of them tonight."

"The two of them?"

"Yeah. Her and Karin."

"Oh, I gotcha." Keigo glanced at Ichigo's bag then back at him. "I guess you've been busy with stuff, huh? Haven't had much time to spend at home. Or with us, really. I mean, when was the last time we all hung out together?"

"I guess it has been a while."

"Then I think we have a plan," said Keigo. "We can all go out and have some fun and make sure it doesn't last all night so Ichigo can get home. Sound good? We head out right after school, do our thing and wrap things up around dinner time. Sounds like a plan, right?"

"I guess that could work."

"Yeah, I'm up for it."

"Sounds great."

Everyone waited for Ichigo's answer. "Well, I guess so. I could use a breather. But not for too long. I didn't promise her, but I should still make an attempt to be home before they go to bed."

"Awesome. This will be a blast." Keigo looked at the clock on the wall. "Class is about to start. I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" asked Orihime.

"I have to use the bathroom. It's now or never, right?"

"Do I have to beat you again?" asked Tatsuki.

"Sorry, sorry." Keigo gave them a wave and ran out of the classroom.

"Shouldn't he have done that while he was in there?" Chad questioned.

"Well, it is Keigo."

The students all took their seats as class was about to begin. At the last possible second, Keigo came running in and jumped into his seat. "Made it," he panted and took the tissues out of his nose. "And the bleeding finally stopped."

Ichigo wondered why Keigo had more tissues in his nose when he had left without them. Perhaps his nosebleed started up again while he was in the bathroom. Either that or someone else slammed into him. That was very possible.

"You ok?" Orihime whispered to him just as the teacher entered the room.

"I'm good. It stopped as I was leaving the bathroom then started up again so I had to dash back in there. I'm all good now."

"Still up for hanging out after school?"

"You bet."

Ichigo faced the front of the room as the lesson began. Maybe he should go home before hanging out with his friends. No, Yuzu wanted him home for dinner. If he hung out with his friends right after school, he should make it back before dinner. She said he could socialize if he wanted to. He would just keep an eye on the time to make sure he didn't get back too late. If he showed up at home first then went out again and then went back home it would be a lot of running around.

He had all day to think about a plan. Either way, he would be home before his sisters went to bed. He would make sure of it.

Yuzu hurried around the kitchen, cooking as fast as she could. There was so much to do before dinner and she was all alone. She rushed home as quickly as possible so she would have time to do it all.

Once everything was prepared and set out on the counter, she checked to make sure the oven was hot enough. Just as she was about to put the food in, there was a knock at the door.

"Hello? Anyone home?"

"Ichigo?" Yuzu took off her oven mitts and opened the front door. "Big brother?"

Ichigo stood in front of her still wearing his school uniform. "Yeah, sorry. I forgot my key."

"Oh. Well, welcome home, Ichigo." She stepped aside to let him in.

"Thanks." Ichigo stepped inside and took off his shoes. He followed Yuzu into the house and took a look around. "Here by yourself?" he asked.

"Yeah. Karin went to play soccer with some friends. She said she would be home for dinner. I was just about to put it in the oven."

"Sounds good." Ichigo walked through the living room, apparently looking at the TV. Yuzu couldn't see his face. He stood there for a while then moved on.

"You ok, Ichigo?"

"Just restless, I guess. A lot going on at school."

"Oh."

Ichigo bent down and started looking at one of the bookshelves. He ran his fingers over several book spines until he found something that peaked his interest. He pulled it from the shelf and lay it across his lap, opening it. It was a photo album. From the collection of dust, it hadn't been opened in a while. Some of the pages were still sticking together as he flipped through.

"What are you looking at?" Yuzu asked him.

Ichigo glanced up and shrugged. "Just this old album. I almost didn't recognize it. Thought it was a book at first. I figured while I had it open…" He turned the page. "Heh, look how tiny you guys were. Still are, actually."

"I am not tiny," Yuzu said puffing out her cheeks.

"Oh, yeah?" Ichigo stood up and measured Yuzu with his hand. "You don't even come up to my shoulder."

"Quit teasing!"

"Sorry, sorry." Ichigo closed the album and put it back on the shelf. "I'll be up in my room if you need me."

He didn't come down again until dinner was called. Karin had already arrived and was still dressed in her soccer clothes. The siblings all ate dinner together. Ichigo spoke a little, as was his custom. He usually didn't lead the conversation. But he was hungry. He took two helpings of food. When Yuzu was busy cleaning up, Ichigo said he was going out for a bit, which no one questioned.

When Ichigo finally returned, it was late and his sisters were going to bed.

Yuzu stopped on the stairs and put her hands on her hips. "Where have you been?"

"Sorry, I was out with friends," he told her. "Why? Did something happen?"

"No." She sighed. "Well, welcome home, anyway." Then she smiled. "I'm glad you hung out with your friends. You really need to take a break once in a while and do something fun."

"Thanks. I'm going to bed." Ichigo went upstairs and went straight to his room.

He made it back home before his sisters went to bed, just as he promised himself. If it hadn't been for that Hollow attack down the street from the mall, he would have made it back sooner.

More to come. And there will be action real soon.

Please review! ^-^