AN: What started as a one-shot ended up to be over 20 pages in Microsoft Word. It's been sitting virtually finished on my computer for over a year, now. I've finally gotten to putting the final touches on this, so here it is! The entire story is going to be four chapters long, providing a glimpse into the future Ichigo Kurosaki family, years after the conflict with Aizen has ended.

I repeat: It is FINISHED, therefore you won't be left on a never-updated cliffhanger. I'd like to give a shout out to my wonderful beta reader Quel Zune, and all the friends who gave me input and support. That said- Enjoy the fic! - Tiger Shinigami

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far

The moment he woke up, Kaien knew something was wrong.

Lying in bed, he could feel it- Something about that day was terribly, terribly wrong. Even in his drowsy state it was impossible for him to shake the feeling. What was it? Was there something he had to do that day? It was something important, at least. Despite it, the lull of going back to sleep started to overtake all thoughts of the day, as he started to drift slowly back into his slumber…

"Time to get up!" His mom's voice was clearly audible through the wall. A groan escaped his lips. Turning on his side, he stubbornly tried to return to sleep. Moments later the door to his room was swiftly pushed open and his mother neared his bed. His curtains were pulled apart, spilling harsh bright rays into the room.

"Arrghh…" The black-haired teen clumsily pulled his pillow over his face.

His mother, a petite woman with shoulder-length black hair, would have none of it. "Get up! I don't want you to be late today." She roughly pulled the pillow out of his grasp, leaving his face exposed to the unforgiving sunlight. Suddenly his precious blanket was ripped away from him, leaving his legs exposed to the cruel, chilly air.

His door was closed shut, and he lie there for an extra moment before finally sitting up. She left just as quickly as she came.

A moment later, he remembered what was important about that day. Not only was it a Monday (the worst day of the week, he sourly thought,) but it was that special day where parents came with their children to school in order to watch them learn. Humiliation was practically guaranteed.

Kaien ran a hand through his hair. The last thing he wanted was to get up and start that day, of all days. On the other hand, the faster he got out of bed, the sooner he could get the day over with.

Minutes later he emerged fully dressed in his uniform and made his way to the kitchen table. He glanced over to see his father's plate was already gone, meaning he had already left for work.

His mother sat down and sipped at a cup of coffee while idly reading the newspaper. Kaien scowled, staring down as he poked at his food. "Ah! Are you excited about today?" His mother's voice was too bright and excited for any time of the day, let alone for the morning. Let alone Monday morning.

He didn't look up, sourly staring at his plate and pushing a bit of rice around with his fork. "Yeah, tell me about it…" He stabbed at a bit of the so-called food, shoving it in his mouth.

His mother was undeterred. "I believe it will be exciting. Will you introduce me to your friends?"

"I dunno, Mom."

She seemed alright with that answer, apparently turning her attention to other things. Mainly, his annoying sister.

"Where is Masaki? She's going to be late." She stood, stepping over to the foot of the stairs. "Masaki!" She yelled.

He expected the yell, complaint, or excuse that typically came in response, but was puzzle by… absolute silence. That was odd. Kaien cast a wary glance at the stairs. Something was off… Masaki was up to something. On that morning, of all mornings, it couldn't be a mere coincidence.

His mom frowned, taking cautious steps up the stairs. "Masaki?" Kaien began to follow her hesitantly. His mother gave a hard knock on his sister's door. "Masaki! You're going to be late."

A muffled moan was audible through the door, and his mother suddenly grew worried. She peered cautiously through the now open door. "Masaki?"

Before them his twin sister lie on her bed, her eyes closed in what looked to be pain, while her brown hair was tangled around her head- obviously unkempt and unattended to. Her face was pale, and appeared to be damp with sweat as well. Slowly, her eyes cracked open as she squinted, trying to see.

"M…mother…?" She mumbled pathetically. Her mother was quickly at her side, looking down at her with worry.

"Masaki? Are you alright?"

She gave a weak nod, drawing out a small, sad smile to her face. "I…I'll be fine, Mother… I just… need to get… to school." She whispered, barely keeping her eyes open. Masaki started to push herself up, with trembling and weak arms, before her mother gently pushed her back down again.

"No… I don't think you're in any condition to go to school right now. You're staying home today."

Shock and worry immediately filled the young teen's face. "No…b-but… Mother! Surely… surely I need to go!"

The elder woman shook her head. "No. It is not up for discussion. Maybe…" She stopped, looking away hesitantly. "…maybe I should stay home today. With your father out of town right now, I do not want to leave you alone like this…"

Her eyes suddenly widened, pulling an arm forward to grasp at her mother's arm. "NO!" Her mother turned to look at her in surprise. Masaki made a quick recovery. "I… I mean… It just wouldn't be fair, to let my darling brother Kaien be the only one in the entire class without his precious mother there to see him…" She changed from shocked to sorrowful, pleadingly looking up at her mom.

"Well…" She started hesitantly, frowning. "I suppose you are old enough to start taking care of yourself…" She leaned forward, giving her daughter a quick kiss on the forehead. "Drink plenty of fluids, and call my cell phone if you need me. If it is an emergency… you may call your grandfather." Kaien could sense the hesitation as she said the last sentence.

The black-haired woman turned to leave the room. As she did so, Masaki looked up from her place on the bed to gaze out to Kaien's position in the hallway, a sinister and smug smirk firmly in place.

Kaien rolled his eyes, looking away with a scowl. He could never see how his mom bought Masaki's outrageous bouts of acting, which were always terribly dramatic and often times so cutesy-sweet it was sickening. It wasn't surprising Masaki would try to avoid going to school on that day in particular. With Dad gone on a business trip, she had an open window. If Dad was there, he'd immediately see through her fake charade, as well as make a medical diagnosis to denounce her claims, to boot. Faking sick was practically an impossible feat when your dad was a pediatrician. He learned that the hard way.

He followed his mother down stairs, both grabbing their bags and coats, ready to head out the door. His mom stopped, frowning with one last look towards the stairs. "I don't think it is a good idea to leave her alone…" She mumbled, more to herself. She took out her cell phone as she pushed open the front door, starting their walk to the school. "It would be better to have Uncle Renji come over." She thought out-loud, dialing a number before putting the device up to her ear.

Kaien couldn't help but smile. It looked like his demonic sister wouldn't be having such an easy day after all.

***

School was stupid. Every year it was the same thing, in the same sort of rooms, with the same sort of people, all saying the same things over and over again. Hours every day were spent sitting at his desk, fighting off boredom, while the teacher tried in vain to shove knowledge down his throat that he'd never use. He couldn't care less about his grades- it wasn't like he planned to go to college or anything. So, really… what was the point of even trying?

"Hey! Kaien!" Mojimo said from his nearby seat. "Is that your mom?" Mojimo nodded towards the back of the room, which was currently occupied with a large group of parents, eagerly waiting to watch their kids experiencing school for an entire day. In the front row, towards the center, his mother sat in a regal pose. Her gaze fell on Kaien, and waved enthusiastically to him in response. He quickly turned back around, sank lower into his seat, and brought an arm up to cover part of his face.

It was a little known fact that Mrs. Kurosaki- his own mother- was an accomplished actress. At home she was his mom, keeping a tight hold on the family, always the first to smell trouble and, often times, to enforce punishment. She was simply Mom, even if she was a bit strange at times. But then, as soon as they were in the public eye- at the grocery store, at the school, or simply walking down the sidewalk- Mrs. Kurosaki appeared. She didn't hit or kick Dad when he said something stupid like his mother would. She didn't glare at them if they did something wrong. Oh, no… she was Mrs. Kurosaki, the charming, painfully cheerful and happy housewife who greeted people with that same crazy expression. She was always exceedingly polite and courteous, simply giving a somewhat nervous laugh when otherwise she might launch into an angry rant.

What was worse, people actually believed it. They accepted it without a second thought. Kaien just couldn't see how- didn't they know better? Who would really act like that, anyway?! Fortunately, his dad never seemed to buy it either, always rolling his eyes or scowling. At least Kaien wasn't the only one who thought it was ridiculous. One thing was for certain, though- there was no question where Masaki had gotten her knack for dramatics from.

And yet, despite knowing all of this, it didn't ease his embarrassment or humiliation when Mrs. Kurosaki arrived at his school, laughing and cheerfully greeting everyone as they went along.

He pretended they weren't related.

Class continued on, though the hours seemed to drag along at an even slower pace then usual. Kaien peeked up at the clock mounted on the wall, and groaned when he realized they were barely a third through the day. He put his head down on his desk slowly, as not to draw attention. His eyelids slid shut, as the sounds of the teacher grew farther and farther away.

"Mr. Kurosaki!" The teacher's voice cut through the haze, pulling him awake. He quickly sat up, blinking. The teacher stood at the front of the room, hands on her hips and looking at him expectantly. "Maybe you could answer the question?"

He could feel all eyes turn on him, as he sat there frozen. "…W-what?" He managed to stutter, all while staring blankly at the teacher.

"I asked you to answer number twelve, Mr. Kurosaki."

Looking down at the textbook that remained open on his desk, he quickly read the question over, mentally fighting off the panic… everyone was waiting on him, including all the parents. If he was wrong… he didn't even want to think about it.

"Umm… Portugal?" He said hopefully.

The teacher shook her head, turning to a girl in the front row. "Miss Ayame?"

"That would be Spain." Ayame replied in the annoying snobby voice she always used.

Kaien looked down with a scowl, trying in vain to block out the world around him. It was so stupid. Why would knowing where some random guy killed some other leader be of any use, anyway? Especially if it was two hundred years ago and at the other side of the world. Stupid, stupid… stupid!

He knew, in the back of his mind, his mother must be viewing the entire ordeal with a critical eye, and no doubt intended to scold him when they got home. Not that he cared- he got used to it a while back, when his first report card for primary school came home.

Maskai would probably get a kick out of it, though. But then again…

A smirk found its way to his face. No matter how bad things seemed for him, he knew Masaki's current situation was bound to be much worse.

***

"Oh! Kunsanagi-san. I'm so glad you're here… I've missed you so much!"

He came forward, pulling the woman swiftly into his arms, as he gazed down at her. "I'm glad, too… and don't you worry. I'll never be leaving you again, as long as I live."

She smiled at him. "Oh, Katsura…." They leaned in to bring their faces together for a passionate kiss.

The doorbell rang. Masaki looked up from the television set, annoyed. With a scowl she rose from her sprawled out position on the floor. Her romance movies were a sacred thing, and to be interrupted while she was in the middle of enjoying them… it wasn't something she could take lightly. Kaien could attest to that.

"This had better be something good," She growled, pulling a blanket over her shoulders and grabbing a nearby box of tissues. The teen opened the door only after making sure to put as much misery and weakness into her face as possible. "H-hello?" She mumbled weakly.

Red and weird looking eyebrows greeted her, standing awkwardly at the doorstep. "U-uncle Renji?!" She blurted out in surprise, staring in bewilderment at the tall man.

"Yo." He said flatly. He didn't seem happy about being there.

She closed her mouth, quickly recovering. "H-how… can I…" She sniffed. "…help you?"

"Your mom wanted me to come watch you for the day."

Masaki fought to keep herself from widening her eyes or retorting back at the outrageous prospect. She was fifteen, practically an adult… maybe she went a bit too far with her acting, if her mother was worried enough to send a babysitter. The word nearly sent a shiver down her spine. Uncle Renji, of all people… he was so weird! She wouldn't be able to do anything with him around. Spoiling all her fun.

"…Oh… alright…" She finally said hesitantly, stepping aside for him to walk through. She couldn't help but wrinkle her nose slightly as he walked past. Why did he have to come, anyway?!

She watched as he went over to the kitchen, observing his light green bell-bottom pants and leather jacket.

Weird.

"Where does your dad keep the sake?"

She rolled her eyes. "My dad doesn't drink."

"Che." He said, scowling slightly. He turned to the refrigerator and began to rummage through its contents.

Masaki rolled her eyes again, trudging up the stairs with frustration. "I'll be in my room."

An hour later, she ventured downstairs in search of food. In the living room her Uncle sat on the couch, deeply engrossed in watching the television. She gave a snort and made her way to the refrigerator.

"Oh, come on! Bastard!" He yelled from the other room. Masaki paused in pouring her glass of milk to look over in curiosity. Her Uncle had risen from his seat, looking in frustration at the television, which featured some sort of old samurai movie with bad special effects.

"Don't do that! Look- he was wide open! Idiot!" He yelled loudly, shaking a fist at the screen. He turned away, scowling. Masaki finished getting her drink and plate of leftover delivery, and started to head up the stairs. She glanced over to see Uncle Renji holding up the remote control, staring at it as if it were some sort of alien artifact. He held it up high, craning his head to look at the bottom of it. Vaguely she noticed he was holding it backwards. For a brief moment she thought of telling him how it was properly worked- But no, it was much better to leave him be.

She shook her head as she walked. The man wasn't related by blood, but even so he was just as crazy as the rest of the family.

It was going to be a long day.

---

-To be Continued-