Hai, Sensei
Warnings- OOC, probably some spoilers, a light hint of yaoi (Soken/Urahara and a tiny bit Ryuken/Isshin)
Rating- T
Summary- Byakuya Kuchiki always wanted a young child of his own, but when given the chance, he doesn't take the chance. Nine years after the fact, the other captains decide to kidnap the Ishida and deage him to give the 6th division captain the child he wanted.
Disclaimer-...I wish.
A/N 1- I still don't care that I'm changing some facts.
A/N 1.5- I know that the bounts and mod-souls were close to each other in time, but in this Noba had randomly appeared because I did this before the mod-soul issue too. Sorry.
A/N 2- It was brought to my attention that the 'Precious' line from Kenpachi Zaraki reminded at least one person of LOTR, but I did not intend for it. I have not read nor watched any of that series and I'm sorry for any distaste or offense anyone takes for it. Again, it wasn't my intention. (Courtesy of Elfen Children, thank you)
A/N 3- Thank you, yes, I'm alive. (Courtesy of Guest, thank you)
A/N 4- Dear, Computer. Congratulations, you have found the easiest way to annoy an avid writer: delete an entire day's worth of work regardless of saving it many times over…
A/N 5- Thank you to my wonderful reviewers-FireFox Vixen, Elfen Children, and Guest-you have been a great help.
A/N 6- Not an update in over a year (I'm sorry) and now two in one week...Spotty much?
Byakuya watched as Kenpachi turned and exposed the sleeping boy to his view. He gasped through his nose and held his breath, tears starting to gather in his eyes, thinking that Kenpachi was now taking care of the boy. When Kenpachi took a step out of line, Byakuya turned away to hide the tears streaming down his face, betrayal tugging at his heart. Granted, the man was never really his friend, but couldn't he at least have the courtesy to choose a different child? He heard the footsteps and felt the man's large reiatsu coming closer to him, but he was still surprised as a rough hand grabbed one of his arms and crooked it. Looking up at his fellow captain, not caring of his dignity, he saw a rare, gentle smile on the brutish man's face. It was only when Kenpachi gently urged Byakuya to take Uryu that he understood. The boy was to be his. Truly his.
Kenpachi smiled as he watched the black haired man gently take the boy from his arms, elated that the man seemed to be positively enthralled by the child. He gently grasped the noble's cheek in his now free hand and leaned over to his ear to whisper, "Please, protect him, Daddy Princess." He turned and walked back to his place in line, leaving a confused but happy captain behind him.
Byakuya smiled, feeling new tears streak down his cheeks. But, they were happy tears. As such, he didn't care about them, all he cared about was the little boy lying in his arms. He gently lifted the boy up a little and leaned down, pressing a kiss to the sleeping boy's forehead. "My Uryu. My sweet, precious little Uryu," he whispered, ignoring the others in the room. He turned when someone cleared their throat, but he was not at all apologetic for his actions concerning the child.
Yamamoto gave a small smile and nodded, continuing the captain's meeting and reports, trying to quickly finish the long, boring process. Less than halfway through, though, he gave up. No one was paying any attention to him; instead, everyone was watching the Kuchiki noble and the young Quincy in his arms. Sighing, he cleared his throat and banged his staff on the floor, startling attention to himself. "Captain Komamura, could you please tell me what we have been talking about these last few minutes?" He asked, not really wanting to make an example out of the wolf, but he was one of the few that always seemed to pay attention to the meetings.
Sajin took a deep breath and shook his head, saying, "I'm sorry sir, but...I cannot." He hung his head in shame, wanting the floor to swallow him whole.
Kenpachi spoke up quickly, not wanting him to be too upset. "I don't think anyone can tell you one fucking thing you've said this whole entire damned meeting." He crossed his arms and sighed.
Yamamoto glared at the man. He sighed. "As you can all tell, this is pointless today. All of you, go. Get out of here. Enjoy the fresh air, smell the roses, dote over the child," he said, taking great satisfaction in the shocked looks from the captains.
They didn't need to be told twice. Well, most of them anyway. Everyone smiled and bowed, thanking the man sincerely and many times over as most of them were backing out, trying to get to the door as soon as possible.
Yamamoto smiled, shaking his head at their antics. "Go! And no working until the meeting is scheduled to be done!" He demanded, knowing at least a few of them wouldn't leave quickly...namely Sajin and Byakuya, both of which who looked like they wanted to talk. However, at the order, the two disappeared as well, quickly exiting the room. He chuckled and turned, intending to head back to his work before remembering his order. He took a moment to consider his options before saying out loud, to no one, "It wouldn't do to ignore my own orders now, would it?" He turned and walked outside, watching the sixth division captain with his new child and the group surrounding them quickly.
Byakuya was eternally thankful. He had his arms wrapped around the young child, never wanting to let go. He looked up as he felt spirit pressures coming near him. He looked up to see captains Unohana, Ukitake, Zaraki, Kurotsuchi, and Komamura, with Head-Captain Yamamoto in the distance. He was absolutely delighted to see them, and, uncharacteristically ran to the heavily scarred man, being careful not to hurt the child. He hugged the man with one arm, thanking him reverently. He then turned to each of the other captains, thanking and hugging Unohana, Kurotsuchi, and Komamura, and hugging Ukitake, delighted over the events taken place. He smiled and nodded his thanks to the first division captain.
Jyushiro smiled, happy for the man. He wrapped an arm around the younger man, resting his head on the man's shoulder. He wanted to take a look at the child, but didn't even attempt to, figuring the man would be too protective to be thrilled with people grabbing at his arms. "May I see him?" He asked softly, trying to be as careful as he could without angering the man.
Byakuya looked at him and smiled, turning the boy slightly for the sickly man to see. He smiled as the child snuggled closer to him, using a hand to steady the child by placing it on his chest. "Go ahead," he whispered, acknowledging the fact that out of the entire Seireitei, he could trust the thirteenth and eleventh division captains with his child as they had children to deal with of their own; Jyushiro with his sword, as of which he often had out and manifested, and Kenpachi with Yachiru.
Jyushiro smiled happily and gently reached out with a finger, once again running his finger across the child's cheek, delighted the sleeping child took to suckling his finger. "He's so cute!" Jyushiro exclaimed, completely enchanted by the boy.
Byakuya smiled and led the other man to a hill nearby, figuring the other captains would follow if they wanted to. He sat down with the boy in his arms and watched as Jyushiro did the same. "Do you want to hold him?" He asked, noticing how the man seemed eager and anxious, as if he wanted to ask something and figured that was probably it. And, he was right.
Jyushiro smiled and nodded enthusiastically. "Please, Byakuya-kun?" He really wanted to hold the child as Sogyo no Kotowari were too energetic to be 99 percent of the time they were out anyway. He received a smile and a nod, the raven carefully holding out his arms for the pale captain to take the child. He took the boy carefully and gently cradled the boy to his chest. "Thank you," he said, taking great caution with Uryu.
Kenpachi sighed as sat next to the noble, figuring he'd just make sure the boy was all right before heading off to "train"...aka, get lost with Yachiru looking for a certain bald third seat to fight. He watched as Shunsui sat by Jyushiro, fawning over the sleeping child. He felt Sajin sit on his other side and Unohana and Mayuri walk off. It didn't take a genius to guess they were going to go discuss the child's health and well fare. He gazed out across the hill, watching the occupants of the city mill about their daily lives, thinking, 'With Byakuya, he'll be okay.' He glanced toward the raven watching his child, 'We'll all be okay.' He turned back to the city.
~^BLEACH^~
Ichigo sighed. He was angry, the annoying Ishida was now gone. Strategically, Uryu was the main cover, he would defend from farther away, watch people's backs and shoot down suspicious enemies trying to sneak attack the others. But, more than that, the teen had been his friend. Even though they argued like cats and dogs or siblings (though Rukia once mentioned they were more like a married couple), he felt a strong loyalty to him. He sighed again, drawing notice of his sisters.
"Oi! What's up with you?" Karin asked, annoyed at her brother's anger.
"Nothing he said, grabbing his sweatshirt. He had to get outside, away from everyone and everything. He just needed to be alone. His dad hadn't come home the night before and that worried him as well. He walked out the door, intending to find something to do to blow off some of the frustration and anger he felt.
Orihime was out walking around, intent on going to visit the Kurosakis. She wanted something familiar and carefree, and Isshin picking on and trying to attack Ichigo was the closest thing she could think up of, so she headed toward their residence. She saw the orange haired teen walk off in a huff in the distance. She could tell he wanted to be alone. She sighed and turned toward the Kurosakis' house door anyway, figuring she could talk to the elder Kurosaki about what had happened.
Karin heard a knock on the door and went to answer before her sister did, figuring it had something to do with her brother's anger and father's disappearance. As usual, she was right. She opened the door and was greeted by her brother's friend, Orihime. "Hello," she said, stepping aside in case the teen wanted to come in. "Ichigo's not here..."
Orihime smiled at the girl who answered the door. "I was actually looking for Mr. Kurosaki..." She said, wringing her hands together.
Karin sighed. "That old buffoon ain't here, either. He didn't come home last night after randomly disappearing," she said irritably, annoyed at the secrecy and random disappearances of her family recently. "Oi! Do you know what's going on?" She asked, figuring her brother's friend might have some answers to her many questions.
Orihime smiled sadly. "No," she said. "I'm sorry, I have to go..." She turned and ran away, feeling suddenly trapped and very upset over this new disappearance.
Karin sighed. "She definitely knows something," she said aloud, walking to the kitchen to grab a snack and try to ease her sister's concern. It stood to reason in her mind that if her sister thought everything was all right, it'd all be okay.
Sado sighed. He was walking along a random street, taking as long as he could to get to his destination. He took as many turns and side roads as possible, but never making a circle or square or heading back the way he came. He was going to the Urahara shop to talk, just to get some of the frustration out. However, he had to think of an excuse to be there as he didn't think just going and saying something along the lines of 'I need to keep my mind away from the anger and pain of losing one of my best friends to some psychopaths that once included you' would be viable. Then again, that was his last ditch resort. Turning a corner, he found himself behind said shop. He stopped.
Urahara was sitting in a back room, sipping at his tea. He felt the human teen's reiatsu nearby and decided to wait until Sado decided to come in on his own terms instead of dragging the teen in. He waited for a good two hours (and three cups of tea) before he heard the bell above his door ring. He closed his eyes, imagining it was a certain man with his grandson for a moment before the dark teen stood in front of him, his eyes shielded by his dark hair.
Sado watched the man take a sip of steaming tea. He didn't quite know yet how to word what he wanted to say to the man. He watched as the blonde stood and slowly approached him. He didn't quite know what to do, what to say. So, instead, he opted to let the other man talk first.
Urahara took a deep breath as he gazed up at the teen, whispering, "I have no comfort to give you." He took a deep, shuddering breath, not quite ready himself to admit how hurt he was to lose the last part of family he had with his deceased lover.
Sado nodded and reached out, pulling the obviously distraught man to him, holding him tightly. "Maybe so, but maybe I can give you some comfort in the form of someone to vent to," he whispered, loosening his hold enough that if the man wanted to, he could leave.
Urahara felt tears prick at his eyes, he wanted to talk to someone about the pain ripping through his chest. But, he shook his head, not wanting to burden the younger teen. "You wouldn't want to hear an old man's story," he said, resting his forehead on the darker skinned shoulder in front of him.
Sado sighed and retightened his hold and lightly set his chin on the man's head. "I do wish to hear it. You need to tell it. Whatever it is, it's eating you up inside," he whispered, stroking the man's back. "I'll listen," he murmured softly, not quite sure how they had ended up from him going to seek a distraction to him trying to give comfort to the strongest man he knew.
Urahara laughed humorlessly, tightly clutching Sado's pink Hawaiian shirt in his fingers. "You would really listen?" He scoffed, not quite believing the teen would.
Sado gave a grunt in confirmation and whispered, "At the very least, if you don't believe me, look at it as it's the least I can do for you training Ichigo and the rest of us." He turned is head, resting his cheek on the blonde's head instead.
Urahara pressed himself a bit closer to the man and relented. He began to tell his tale, one that had been eating him whole for years...
It was hot out, too hot for even the birds or cicadas to be singing. It was a typical day at the shop, Ururu and Jinta were cleaning up while Tessai was cooking a batch of candy for any and all Kisukes...er...I mean...children who wanted any. I was looking at finances and drinking tea when the bell over my door rang. As it was noon, I figured it was the nice old lady across the street coming in for tea and candy like she did every day. She would talk to me after getting her things, not the other way around, so I didn't bother to look up.
I didn't expect a bento box to be placed on the counter. Looking up, I saw a pair of large bespectacled eyes trying to peer over the counter that was slightly taller than him, at me. It was Uryu. I chuckled softly, he looked so cute trying to see over the counter. He was on his tip toes and straining to see, absolutely adorable. I smiled and looked up and to the side, seeing his grandfather. Seeing him warmed my heart immensely. He was as handsome as ever, in his version of the Quincy outfit and smiling his bright, warm smile.
Soken bent and picked up the boy, much to the child's indignation. "I'ma big boy!" He squeaked, obviously wanting to prove how much he had grown concerning his Quincy training.
I smiled and stood, reaching for the child. Soken passed him over to me, chuckling softly as I pulled the boy to my chest. "I know, you're a great big boy. Been eating rocks and bricks for breakfast haven't you?" I teased him, looking toward the man I loved. Uryu shook his head against my chest, but quickly settled, falling asleep within minutes.
Soken smiled and walked around the counter, standing near me. "He loves heartbeats, falls asleep almost instantly," he whispered, pressing a kiss to my temple. We kissed chastely, not wanting to disturb the boy from his sleep.
I smiled and rested my head back against his chest. He was strong and loving, confident. I sighed, pressing a finger to the boy's lips as I had so often seen Soken do. I felt the small lips close delicately around my finger, sucking softly. It was calming and sweet, the picture of innocence. I watched as Soken pressed a hand against Uryu's tummy, his other finding its way to mine.
Soken smiled against my neck, his mustache tickling me some. "My beautiful little family," he whispered in my ear, holding us gently.
Urahara sighed against Sado, remembering that day. "It was...the last time I saw Soken. The next day, I heard of his death and the search for little Ury for Byakuya. I was heartbroken," he whispered, shuddering as the sobs tried to tear their way through him, tears having started falling long ago.
Sado rubbed the broken man's back, realizing just how much this affected the blonde. Trying to distract the distraught man from the sad remembrance, he asked brazenly, "Which of you was the uke?"
Urahara gave a laugh, a genuine laugh and shook his head. "We never got that far. Neither of us were really the type and we agreed it was best not to put one in a place of domination over the other," he wiped away the tear tracks that were running down his cheeks.
Sado looked away, feeling guilty. "Gomenasai," he said, rubbing his cheek against the soft pale hair of the man.
Urahara laughed humorlessly and shrugged. "Don't be. It wouldn't have mattered if we had wanted to, Soken was always with Uryu when he visited," he said, squeezing Sado's shoulders softly. "He asked me, you know," he whispered, closing his eyes.
"Asked what?" Sado responded, pulling the man a bit closer, giving him as much strength and encouragement as he could.
"To watch Uryu in case anything happened to him. He took me to their training grounds and asked me," Urahara gave a slight laugh and continued, "I said I would and, after that, he asked me to move in with him, to be closer to him. I agreed wholeheartedly." Urahara took a deep, shaky breath. "I was supposed to move in that day, right after he practiced with Ury," he looked up at Sado and sighed softly. "Instead, he was attacked and I lost him. I lost Ury. I lost my whole family," he whispered. "I failed at it all. I never protected him," he said scathingly, disgusted with himself.
Sado leaned down to the quaking man's ear. He felt that he needed to do something to help the man, say something. "You found him. For a while, he was here. You helped protect him, helped him get stronger," he whispered, hoping that it'd help him.
Urahara sighed, "Yeah, but now he's gone again." He shifted a bit, leaning his head into the other's neck.
Sado nodded slowly. "He's in Soul Society. We can find him and talk to him. Ichigo, Inoue, and I, we could go get him for a while to visit," he said pleadingly, hoping beyond hope that the man would find some solace in that fact, even if they couldn't, in fact, do it.
Urahara nodded. "True," he whispered. The bell over the shop door rang out, making the blonde man nauseous, making him cringe. "I hate that bell. I did right after I lost Soken, too. It reminds me of when they'd stop in to visit. Every time I hear it, I hope it's them. It never is, it never was after that day. I'll have to take it down again," he murmured against Sado's neck, now thankful the teen had insisted they talk.
Sado was now very worried for the much older man, confused and worried about him. "Why?" He asked, figuring the man needed that off of his chest, too.
"It hurts. It hurts so much knowing that they aren't the ones walking in the door. I woke Tessai up last time I took it down: it was the middle of the night, I was upset, crying. I was so bloody. He scolded me for tearing it down with my bare hands, but I didn't care. At the second year anniversary of his death, I put it back up. It still reminded me of them, but it was bearable and nice to have that reminder of them," he vented, exhausted but feeling better after getting the story off of his chest.
Sado took a deep breath, he hadn't expected the man to be so honest with him. He pressed his lips to the man's forehead. "It'll be okay. We'll be okay," he whispered, more to himself than anything.
Urahara nodded, feeling the exhaustion catch up with him as his eyes drifted close.
Sado noticed the man fall asleep in his arms. He didn't want to wake him, so he picked him up, carrying him to one of the rooms the teens had healed in a few times before. He laid him on the bed, not knowing where the man's own room was. He sat down by Urahara, covering him with a blanket and watching him, thinking about what he was told.
~^BLEACH^~
Part way through the night, Ryuken awoke. Panic flooded him as his ritual searching for his son's reiatsu showed he was nowhere to be had. He struggled under whatever weight was on him, trying to prove his sleep fogged mind wrong. The weight fell to the floor with a loud thud, but the Quincy couldn't care. He sent his reiatsu out, trying to find the familiar spiritual pressure that belonged to his son.
"Oi! What was that for?" The now slowly awakening Kurosaki asked, annoyed at such a rude wake up call. He noticed the silver haired doctor's panicked expression and sighed. "Oi, Ishida?" He shook the man, making him look at him.
"I can't find him! Where is he?" Ryuken asked, not yet remembering his son's disappearance.
Isshin sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "He's gone. The shinigami took him, remember?" He really didn't want to be the one to remind the man, but he knew it had to be done.
Ryuken shook his head, crying. "Why?" He asked. "Why? Why? WHY?!" He tackled his frienemy to the ground, wanting answers.
Isshin smiled and pulled the man down closer to him and hugged him. "Because it's what's best for the whole of the entire world," he said. "Why were you looking for him? Why didn't your wonderfully smart brain piece that together?" He asked, not caring if he angered the slighter father.
Ryuken sobbed against the bigger man's chest. "I always do, whenever I wake up and at random times of the day, I look for him, I reach for him. It's habit and I worry. I always worry. I may not show it, but I worry about him so much!" He pressed himself to the man tighter, trembling.
Isshin picked him up slowly, carrying the man to his bed. He laid down, pulling the man partially on top of him, rubbing his back. Soon, both men were asleep.
Run. Something told him to run, so he was running. Running for his life. No, not his life. He was running towards something. Someone. He didn't know what was happening. Something was chasing whomever it was he was trying to reach. Something powerful. He didn't know what was going on. Only that there was danger.
Danger. Something shot some other thing at him. He turned to look, tripping over a rock. He heard a loud shrieking shout. A hollow. But, it was more powerful than that. More powerful than even an adjuchas. A vasto lorde? He hadn't ever encountered one, but he was sure it wasn't something easily overpowered. He heard a pained scream. He felt panic.
Panic. Something was hurting him. He felt panicked pain blossom in his chest. He had to get to the source of that scream. He jumped up, running blindly toward whoever was hurt. He couldn't think, couldn't breathe. He felt panic grip him once more as the sound emanated again. This time, it was cut short. It was gone.
Gone. Something told him to stop, that whomever he was trying to save was gone. He couldn't accept that. He continued toward where he last heard that sound. The sound of pain. He had to get there, had to get there before-
"DADDY!"
Ryuken woke up with a start, breathing heavily and sweating profusely. Someone was whispering to him, rubbing his back. He looked toward the voice, barely making out the Kurosaki's features. He immediately sent his reiatsu out, looking for his son. He had to make sure he was safe, that he wasn't in danger, that he wasn't...Ryuken couldn't even think about it.
Isshin grabbed Ryuken's hand, holding him steady as the man realized he couldn't sense his son. He pulled him close as fresh tears dripped down the doctor's cheeks. "Why?" He heard the other whisper. "Why? Why? Why?" He said not a word, choosing instead to hold the man to him, comforting him the best he could.
~^BLEACH^~
Aizen sighed as he walked the halls of Hueco Mundo. This was his domain, and he loved it. He wanted to make sure all was being prepared just as he wanted it to be, from his throne to the lower arrancar rooms, he wanted it perfect.
Gin skipped up to the silent brunette, holding a paper in his hand. "So..." He drawled, not caring about formalities or ceremonies with the information he had. "Guess who finally found the missing piece of his home, his life, his soul!" He said cheerfully, quoting some gossip back when they were looking for the boy that that was what he was to the noble.
Aizen stopped and turned sharply to his follower. "No!" He exclaimed, surprised.
Gin smiled a larger than life smile. "Yep! And the best part," he giggled, "Is that he has been changed to a mere child!" Gin laughed heartily, absolutely delighted.
Aizen grabbed the sheet of paper in Gin's hand. He looked over the report confirming what Gin told him. He smirked, an idea forming in his mind. "Oh, Ulquiorra!" He called in a sing song voice.
Gin giggled and skipped away happily. This should make things interesting...
