Hello everyone, here again with another Bleach fic. This one is a romance fic (wow) and will likely have some explicit stuff later on which will be posted on AO3. Also, I'll try to update this weekly. But yes, this story does have time travel however, it is more background to the focus on the relationship between Jūshirō, Shunsui, and Ichigo. Oh, and the main POV is Jūshirō. I hope you all enjoy and read on!

Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo

X

There was a new student, it wasn't hard to miss with the small class size settled in the room. It was one of their lecture days and the second-year students, who were separated into three categories were all familiar with each other; if not intimately so. The point remained that there was a new student settled awkwardly on the outskirts of the semi-circle. He had bright orange hair, the kind that looked like captured fire, it was a colour that Jūshirō was almost inclined to believe was impossible and it made him question his own vision for a moment.

Shunsui, who was pretending to read a book but was actually reading erotica, looked up when Jūshirō none too kindly elbowed his friend. The other student spluttered and flashed a pout that was meant to be endearing but was more annoying, in Jūshirō's direction. Shaking his head at his friend's antics Jūshirō arched a brow and tilted his head in the direction of the new student. Shunsui's brows scrunched together as he followed Jūshirō's hint, inside he mourned his friend's lack of tact, before Shunsui's eyes widened and he traded an astonished glance with Jūshirō.

"Was he in class yesterday?"

His friend asked in a stage-whisper that has the attention of the surrounding students in a matter of moments. Jūshirō muffled a smile in the sleeve of his shihakusho and shook his head, the colour of the new student's hair was far too bright to miss. Conversation erupted among the small group of students in muted whispers, the new student remained unaware staring at the front of the classroom with a bland expression.

"Have you heard anything?"

Jūshirō questioned his friend with a tilt of his head, framing the question so that anyone so inclined could supply the information. Shunsui hummed for a moment, leaning back on his palms and stroking a finger over the katana at his side. After a moment of drawn-out expectant silence Jūshirō raised a brow in annoyance and Shunsui relented with a grin that made Jūshirō's heart flutter whenever it was directed his way; more often than not it was the same devil may care smile he tossed at the nearest woman.

"Rumours are he appeared out of nowhere, literally out of Rungokai like some of the rest, but not a street brat. Showed Yam-jii his zanpaktou or something and entered the academy. There's not much on him, hasn't said much since he arrived."

Shunsui told him with a serious air as if lecturing to the class, Jūshirō's lips curled of their own accord at his friend's mannerisms. Tilting his head Jūshirō caught Shunsui staring and vaguely wondered if there was something on his face before he asked, "So a complete mystery?"

"I heard word he's nobility, but no one would claim him."

Megumi Kuse interjected flicking the inky curtain of hair over her shoulder, the round curve of her lips shaping the sentence into a grin. Jūshirō nodded his thanks for the information and smiled at the woman who winked before turning to talk to her friends. Returning his attention to Shunsui, Jūshirō caught a frown playing across his friend's features and gently chided, "Just because Megumi refused to date you, doesn't mean you should hate her. Your charm doesn't work on every woman you meet Shu."

Shunsui startled slightly at the words before smiling apologetically rubbing a hand through the curly hair at the back of his head he responded, "Ma you're right Ju. Still, what do you think the new student will be like?"

Their teacher entered before Jūshirō could attempt to formulate a response, she was a striking woman with the violet hair of the Shihōin clan in a short bob about her face, though streaks of silver were beginning to line the rich colour, golden eyes, and the sharp lines reminiscent of a feline. Shihōin-san was their Shunpo and Hohō teacher, so the occurrence of a lecture-based lesson was indeed rare considering it was a very tactile field of subject.

Her eyes swept over the gathered students quelling the whispers to silence before her gaze landed on the new student. A small smile, one that softened the harshness of her features appeared and she turns to the class before announcing, "Everyone we have a new student, as I'm sure you have all observed," she commented dryly before continuing, "This is Ichigo Kuro, he will be joining your group for the rest of your second year, please treat him with respect."

Jūshirō pitied Kuro-san as the eyes of twenty students who had been looking everywhere but at the new student suddenly centred on him. Kuro-san didn't appear to notice, he nodded politely once to Shihōin-san before his gaze returned to the floor. It was a strange gesture, one that stirred his skin to chills for the emptiness of it.

"Kuro-san has an interesting name huh?"

Shunsui questioned as he leant close to Jūshirō squishing his shoulder against his, he nodded and silently thought the name was something one chose for oneself rather than a family name. The new student was certainly living up the expectation of mystery.

A rap on the floor gathered the class' attention once more as Shihōin-san stared at them with her arms crossed over her chest with a grin that was far from pleasant as she stated, "That's enough gossip get ready to write until your hands cramp and your eyes fall out of their sockets. We're going to be discussing the theory behind Hohō and Shunpo because frankly most of you are terrible."

Shunsui traded a glance with Jūshirō as they pulled out their paper and ink, it was one of long-suffering. Most of the theory was supposed to be covered in their first year but as their teacher stated, some of the students in their group were absolutely abysmal at the skill. It didn't help that their first teacher had died half-way through the course. Shihōin-san began to speak and Jūshirō attempted to absorb the words and translate them into a language that both he and Shunsui would comprehend.

X

They were about to stumble their way out of the classroom, Shunsui was leaning against Jūshirō with the gaze of a man who had just woken from an unpleasant dream, Jūshirō felt much the same with the added bonus of cramped hands when Shihōin-san called their names. Trading a glance of foreboding doom, the two students turned to face their teacher, who leaned against the desk in a display of the sinew strength that had served her well during her captaincy.

"Yamamoto-taicho wishes to see you two in his office."

The words were stated without inflexion and Jūshirō had to wonder if Yamamoto-taicho had found the culprits of the recent prank that left half of the students' robes bright pink. Shunsui must have been of the same thought the same for his skin was pale though he hid it behind a short bow, Jūshirō repeated the motion and glanced at his friend out of the corner of his eyes.

Shihōin-san dismissed them with a nod and a curl of her lips that was positively feline, he wondered if she knows who the culprits were. There was a small mercy, Jūshirō supposed as they exited the class, that their Hohō class was the last scheduled for the day so at least they wouldn't be missing another class.

They walked side by side down the hallway in the pleasant sunlight of the early afternoon filtering in through the windows, in the distance Jūshirō could hear the rattle of kunai striking against one another. The pleasant day did little to diminish the feeling of the executioner's blade hanging over their necks.

Shunsui smiled in reassurance at Jūshirō which earned a raised brow and a swat. Honestly, the nerve of his friend! Shunsui had assured Jūshirō that they wouldn't be caught, even if it was Jūshirō who had planned the entire prank in the first place. Shunsui pouted at the action and shoved his shoulder against Jūshirō's with a grin that made Jūshirō's cheeks blossom with warmth.

Then they were at the Soutaicho's office, the Fourth seat stood in front of the doorway looking incredibly bored as she stared ahead as still as a statue, Jūshirō wasn't certain if she was even blinking. The woman stirred as they approached and with a light, barely noticeable, incline of her head stepped aside and opened the heavy doors. Trading a final glance of prayer with each other the two students entered the office.

Jūshirō was always impressed by Yamamoto-taicho's office, it wasn't overly large so as to impose, but was simple and therefore all the more elegant for it; with symmetrical windows, cherry wood panelling, and ebony furniture the room felt natural and neutral. The Soutaicho was seated at his desk signing a document with a look of displeasure, to their surprise Kuro-san, the new student, was seated in front of the desk staring idly out the window with a blank expression.

Yamamoto-taicho glanced up at their entrance and waved the two students inside gesturing to the cushions placed in front of his desk, his expression gave away nothing. Trading a glance of surprise, the two students complied sharing a look that conveyed their confusion at the situation. They hadn't expected Kuro-san to be here, and they had expected Yamamoto-taicho to enter into a lecture at the first sight of them; that or have them sit in uncomfortable silence aware of what they had done.

The Soutaicho set his brush down with a quiet click and steepled his fingers in front of his chest. His gaze searched Jūshirō and Shunsui with all the blazing power of his zanpaktou before it switched to Kuro-san and the expression softened ever so slightly.

"These were the students I was telling you about, they have achieved excellent marks in all of their classes and are prodigies among their peers; even for all their mischief," Jūshirō resisted the urge to swallow nervously at the knowing slide of dark eyes before the Soutaicho continued, "I am hoping they will agree to show you the academy and accompany you if you need any assistance."

The last part while phrased as a request was directed as an order from beneath Yamamoto's heavy brows. Jūshirō glanced over to Shunsui in surprise, there was pride at the Soutaicho's words blooming in his chest, but also confusion at the request to guide Kuro-san about the academy. Shunsui shrugged but they both understood that the Soutaicho probably knew about the culprits behind the pink uniforms and this was their best chance at bail.

"We'd be happy to help a fellow student."

Jūshirō phrased diplomatically with a polite smile in Kuro-san's direction, the student in question nodded his thanks, the blank expression that seemed to saturate his features never changing. The Soutaicho nodded, something pleased and yet beneath that warning, to his expression as he dismissed the three of them from his office. Shunsui hopped up from his chair and with an energetic movement strode over to Kuro-san, careful to respect the man's boundaries he guided the student out the doorway chatter filling the air.

Jūshirō followed the two, feeling sorry for Kuro-san who had been sacked with Shunsui's boundless energy. Before Jūshirō exited he glanced over his shoulder, the Soutaicho was staring out the window his profile contrasted against the broad swath of blue skies, he turned and winked once at Jūshirō, all the confirmation he needed as to the Soutaicho's intentions as he turned away with the tips of his ears turning red and ran to catch up to the two students.

Shunsui led them out of the squat building and onto the school grounds, filled with large trees and verdant grass that in the high of summer tangled around one's ankles. Shunsui would likely show Kuro-san around the academy later but for now, his friend wanted to get to know the mystery that everyone would be talking about. Jūshirō would obviously take the opportunity to hopefully educate the new student about some aspects of the academy; he wasn't interested in the gossip at all. Kuro-san followed demurely behind Shunsui listening as he prattled on about which teachers were totally fair and the ones that were harsh.

"Did Yamamoto-san drop you right off at Hohō class?"

Jūshirō questioned, slipping a word in edgewise as Shunsui finally halted beneath a mammoth weeping willow, whose boughs hung low enough to tangle in his hair. Kuro-san's lips slipped upwards only a fraction to give the barest hint of a smile as he nodded and replied, "He wanted me to experience a class first."

Kuro-san's voice was low and hoarse as if he didn't use it often, but it was pleasant enough with a hint of an accent Jūshirō couldn't quite place. He nodded in commissary agreement recalling the Soutaicho's rather extreme methods as he settled on the grass.

A tickle appeared at the back of his throat and Jūshirō muffled a sigh as he coughed into the handkerchief his mother had sewed and embroidered when he was younger and still living with his clan. The coughs raked through his body with all the force of a storm, shuddering through his veins leaving aches and chills till Jūshirō could feel the blood coating his lips. Slowly, as the coughs diminished Jūshirō straightened tucking the handkerchief away before prying eyes could see it; there was no need to advertise.

Shunsui was staring at him with that expression again, the one that was guilt, sympathy, and pity mixed into a strange cocktail that stirred feelings of anger in Jūshirō's chest. He didn't want his friend to see him like this, weak, vulnerable, everything a Shinigami wasn't supposed to be. He had tried to hide it in their first year when their friendship had still been tentative, but that attempt had failed miserably. Kuro-san was also staring at Jūshirō in concern but there was something not quite understanding but at least empathetic to his gaze.

"I'm okay, don't worry."

Jūshirō reassured wondering if it was himself or the others he was reassuring. Shunsui nodded but his expression conveyed well-enough that he didn't believe Jūshirō's words even as he laughed and stated nonchalantly, "This happens all the time Kuro-san, Ju-chan has a bit of a medical condition."

"I hope it doesn't happen all the time, that much blood must be hard to wash out."

The words were delivered in a deadpan but there is a hint of a something teasing to the words and Jūshirō cannot help but grin at the joke. Shunsui stared between Kuro-san and Jūshirō for a moment, lost at the exchange before he laughed, the sound ringing through the public gardens. A small smile slipped across Ichigo's features at Shunsui's laughter, it was more tangible than the fraction they had seen before and it was utterly stunning for it. The smile changed Kuro-san's features, highlighted the classical beauty to his features, the deep brown of his eyes and made him seem younger. Jūshirō and Shunsui traded a look and suddenly they were in desperate agreement that they wanted to see Kuro-san smile more.

"Well, I suppose we should actually show you the academy before dinner time, in my opinion, the food is questionable but hey it's mostly free and there are some restaurants in Rungokai we can show you later."

Shunsui prattled as he rose to his feet, attaching his zanpaktou to his hip and brushing off clinging grass before he extended a hand to Kuro-san. The student considered it for a moment with a depth of gaze Jūshirō couldn't ascertain before he grasped the hand with a slight crinkle to his eyes and allowed Shunsui to pull him up. Jūshirō shouldered his way to his feet and ignored the nausea that swept like vertigo over him before it disappears.

"What not going to help the sickly? What a stunning Shinigami you will be Shunsui."

Jūshirō chided with a grin once his sense of balance returned. Shunsui pouted and whined his name as he knocked his shoulder against Jūshirō's, apology lingering faintly in his gaze. He grinned and locked arms with his friend before leading the new student towards the academy. He barely glimpses the nostalgic smile on Kuro-san's face and had to wonder before he was distracted by Shunsui's monologuing.

X

Thank you very much for reading! I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter and the characterization of everyone, Ichigo has time-travelled and is from a future that ended terribly but the events of the past won't be a major part of the fic. Also, Ichigo is far from creative and he literally chose the colour black for his last name, so props to the idiot. Reviews/comments are always appreciated, till next time!