A/N: Bleach belongs to their respective owner, Tite Kubo. Plot and characters belong to me.


"Then, Noriaki-sama spoke to Yamamoto Genryusai of his vision, which was the key of that battle's victory along with many more. He saved so many innocent civilians from evil," Shiori's mother recalled as she brushed Shiori's short, choppy hair. Shiori listened to her attentively. She loved whenever her mother told her stories about her ancestors' heroic antics – namely, Amamiya Noriaki.

As she glanced around, she noticed her sleeping garment is beginning to look overly worn out. It was tattered and littered, so was her mother's.

"Huh? Really? I can't believe he is related to me, mother," Shiori said. Soon, she climbed to her bed and let her mother tuck her in. Shiori's mother chuckled and looked at her curiously, "Why is that so?"

"I don't know. He sounds so strong and brave. He was a lieutenant to the strongest Shinigami alive and he's basically a legend; yet, I am so small and not very strong. It is weird to imagine I'm his descendant," She revealed. She looked away from her mother, feeling vulnerable and inferior. How would she live up to the expectation of Amamiya Noriaki. Her mother's hand guided Shiori's chin to face her. "You will be your own kind of legend, Shiori-chan."

That seemed to lift up Shiori's spirit. Her mother always had a way with words.

"So our ancestors have been in the Gotei Thirteen?"

"Yes Shiori-chan, many of our ancestors have been important figures in the Gotei Thirteen. Amamiya Noriaki was the lieutenant of Squad One and Masahiko, Seiya, Satomi, and Ritsuka have served under Captain-Commander Yamamoto during their time," Shiori's mother said.

"How come you don't serve with the Gotei Thirteen, mother?" Shiori asked. Shiori noticed her mother's serene demeanor shift to solemn and bitter. Something in herself told her she should not have brought it up.

"Well, you see, we had some very bad people within our clan and they cursed our family. We can no longer see the future," She said sadly. Shiori didn't push forward, although her curiosity did not falter.

"Will I be able to?" Shiori asked hopefully. Her mother smiled mournfully at her and ruffled her hair.

"I don't think so, Shiori-chan. It should have manifested itself at this time. Maybe your brother will."

Shiori felt a pang of guilt and jealousy in her heart. She knew she couldn't do anything about it, but still, how she wishes it was her to bring hope to the clan. Suddenly, an idea popped into her head.

"I want to be a Shinigami, mother!"

"Oh? Why all of the sudden you want to be a Shinigami?" Her mother inquired, raising an eyebrow at her daughter's outburst.

"I want to bring the honor to the family," She responded.

"That's very brave of you, but I don't want you to get hurt, Shiori-chan."

"Then, I will train hard! I'll make sure none of the hollows ever get to land a hit on me!"

"I'm not referring to the hollows," Her mother pondered.

"Well, that will be something you should discuss with your father, but enough excitement for tonight. Go to sleep, Shiori-chan," Her mother stated as she kissed her daughter's forehead and left the room.

"Yes, I want to be a Shinigami and serve under Captain Yamamoto, like my ancestors!" Shiori mused to herself before slumber swept through her body.


"You know Hiroshi, our Shiori-chan told me she wants to be a Shinigami," Shiori's mother remarked.

"That's impossible Seiren, you know they will hurt her. The Gotei Thirteen will never accept one of us - not after what Kentaro try to pull on the Gotei Thirteen. Besides, it's evident that she did not inherit the Amamiya eye," Hiroshi scoffed.

"Don't bring up that fool! Even after hundreds of years later, it aggravates me that he would perform such a foolish act using our name. He should have known better," Seiren groaned. "But I doubt they would hurt her. It has been such a long time. I think they have forgiven us, or at least forgotten about it. It's not in any of books in the library, as far as I am aware."

"What about Captain-Commander Yamamoto? Or Captain Unohana? Or Captain Kyoraku or Captain Ukitake? I doubt they have forgotten the humiliation Kentaro induced in them. We lost their trust and lead many Shinigami to their deaths. Shiori will only receive hostility from them," Hiroshi frowned at the idea - if only she knew.

"I think we should let her. It could amend the broken trust. I don't think Shiori will even be a fighter anyway. She seems fit to be in Squad 4, Captain Unohana is a forgiving woman," Seiren explained in hopes to persuade her husband.

"I don't understand why we glorify Ritsuka anyway. It was her fault gave birthed a fraud. She should have remained faithful to her husband," Hiroshi sneered.

"It was much more complicated than that, Hiroshi. There were so many poor decisions made in our past. Now, we have to pay for our ancestors' mistakes," Seiren sighed.

"Don't fret, Seiren, now that we have spoken to Dr. Kiriyama, we are certain that our son will have the Amamiya eye. He has to. What should we name him?" Hiroshi asked.

Seiren thought for second until it finally hit her.

"Kiseki."

Hiroshi smiled, "That's perfect. Kiseki will be the one to bring glory back to our clan and we will regain our noble status again. Imagine it, it will be the Amamiyas among the Kuchikis, Shibas, Shihōins, and Tsunayashiros."


Shiori woke up again in the middle of the night, covered in cold sweat. This time, it was not the brown-haired man. It was a woman with green hair wearing the same attire as the brown-haired man. She was attacking other people whose faces she did not see. Her dream was blurrier than the previous.

"This is so bizarre, it has been like this for the past week," She thought. She did not know how to address it to her parents. At first, she thought it was her Amamiya eye awakening, but the doctor rebuked it immediately - she did not inherit it. Maybe it was simply a bad case of nightmares. If she wanted to be a Shinigami, she should not let this affect her. The first step to becoming strong was sleep after all.

*A few months later *

Shiori took a deep breath as she rehearsed her proposition. Her heart was racing in her chest and her hands became clammy. She had contemplated her decision and she knew it was now or never. Enrollment period was opened and she refused to let this opportunity to slip away. She approached the room in where her father was seated, reading a book.

"Father, I wish to speak with you," Shiori stated, determined to go to Shin'ō Academy.

"What is it you wish to speak with me for, Shiori-chan?" Hiroshi asked, fearing for her response.

"I would like to go to Shin'ō Academy to become a Shinigami," Shiori said it finally after a while of pondering. Hiroshi immediately shut her down.

Shiori's heart shattered into pieces. Shocked, she asked: "Why not? All of our ancestors have gone, why can't I?"

"They also had the Amamiya eye and were killed in horrific death," Hiroshi said without sparing her a glance. Shiori's brows furrowed, refusing to let her determination waver.

"Then, I will work hard! I can be prepared for any situations if I go to the academy! Father, please."

"Shiori, your ancestors couldn't escape death and they could see the future."

"If I die, then at least I brought honor to the family!"

"Shiori, you don't understand. It's not as simple as you think. You're far too young."

"I will mature quickly! Father, please, allow me this opportunity to prove myself," She insisted, and there was a pregnant silence. The tension thickened until Hiroshi spoke out.

Shiori's eyes widened.

"Very well. If you are so persistent, do what satisfies your heart. The reality of Shinigami isn't as glorious as the stories your mother make it seem. There will be a lot of sacrifices and pain. Be aware that we will be here if you change your mind," Hiroshi stated. She let out a breath of relief. Hiroshi glimpsed at Shiori's overjoyed expression.

"Thank you so much, father! I will not disappoint! Next time, you will see I will don a shihakushō and a zanpaktou and it will be wonderful!" She hugged her father.

"I have only one condition: You must be in Squad 4. This is the only way I will allow you to become a Shinigami," Hiroshi asserted.

Seiren came into the room, puzzled. "What is this of Shiori going to Shinigami Academy?"

Shiori's face brightened to the sound of that. "Mother! I'm going to Shin'ō Academy! I'm going to Shin'ō!"

Shiori jumped around, "I'm going to make them never regret it! I'm going to make them proud!"

Seiren and Hiroshi watched her run out of the house.

"Shiori-chan! Bring some fabric! Please!" Seiren yelled in hopes of Shiori could still hear her.

"Okay!"

Seiren laughed at her daughter's outburst, but part of her heart swelled. She doesn't remember when Shiori was this excited over something. She faced her husband. She noticed that he never looked up when Shiori confronted him. "Hiroshi, why the sudden change of heart?"

"She wanted to prove herself, I can't deny someone if that's their reason. Truthfully, I don't have much faith Shiori will even go through it, or even remember this conversation. It is just a kid's fickleness. She doesn't know the true horrors of being a Shinigami," Hiroshi explained as he closed his eye.

"I don't understand you sometimes, Hiroshi."


A/N: So, we learn more about Shiori and the Amamiyas' history. This story takes place around the Turn Back the Pendulum Arc, that is why the Shiba clan is still considered noble. In one of the light novels (CFYOW, I believe?), it was revealed that one of the Four Noble Houses was called Tsunayashiro.

Another note: I am still fairly new to FF so I have a few errors here and there, and I have no idea how to fix it lol. Also, thank you to everyone who have read. A special thank you to those who reviewed, followed, and favorited this story! Any constructive criticism or discussion is definitely welcomed.