AN: I want to say thanks to all the readers so far, as well as to those who've reviewed. Only one more chapter to go, guys!

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far

"Get up!" His mother's voice cut harshly into Kaien's peaceful slumber. He groaned as the curtains were yanked back, his pillow ripped out from under his head, and his sheets skillfully pulled off of him. He gave a shudder at the cold air now hitting his exposed legs.

As much as he hated Mondays… Tuesdays weren't much better.

He got ready for school, dully going through the motions automatically without thinking. He came down the stairs, yawning, and ate his breakfast. His mother sat in her usual chair, reading the newspaper. Just like every other day. The only exception was the absence of his father, who would normally be in the chair next to her. Kaien couldn't help but want his father to come home soon. It was his presence that made his weird family seem a little more tolerable.

Kaien finished his food, grabbed his bag, and set out for school. Masaki had left a good 10 minutes earlier then he did, just as she did every day. He liked it better that way- he had no intention of walking to school with her, either. It was to the point where they were never seen together in public unless forced to (as they usually were during family outings.)

Masaki had convinced almost the entire class that she was an only child, and that Kaien's last name "Kurosaki" was a mere coincidence. He had no complaints about that, for the most part. She was off in her own world, doing who-knows-what. He didn't want his name connected to whatever criminal record she would inevitably gain, anyway.

The rest of the day passed in a blur- subject after subject, with the same assignments and workload that came with each. The teachers asked questions, and he hoped to be ignored. He blocked out the lectures, as always.

He drew crude stick-figure drawings on his paper, going on and on until, somehow, they became cartoon music notes. Slowly he refined them, creating a make-shift staff out of the lines on the paper, and started arranging them skillfully. He turned the basic quarter notes into different kinds, adding eighth and sixteenth, throwing in sharps, flats, whole notes and staccatos. It wasn't long before the entire page was filled and he moved onto the next one. Suddenly the bell rang and put an end to his marathon. Looking up in surprise, he hastily shoved the papers in his backpack next to the others from previous classes.

Lunchtime was always a relief. Kaien opened his bento box and poked warily at the contents inside. It was hard to tell what it was supposed to be... Something involving rice, curry, and… chicken? Or was it pork? He poked his fork in to impale a single bit of meat, and held it up in the air for inspection.

"Kaien!" Mojimo whined. "Why don't you want to meet us after school today?"

Kaien snorted. "I don't feel like it. I've got other stuff to do."

Unfortunately, it did nothing to damper Mojimo's resolve. "Aw, come on! You never hang out with us after school. And we all know how well things turn out when we try for weekends." Everyone in the group seemed to shudder slightly, remembering the catastrophe when they tried to visit the ballpark together. It wasn't the best experience.

"I said no, Mojimo!" Kaien said, more forcefully. He mentally prayed that would be the end of it. It was getting harder to keep his tempter in check, with the way Mojimo was acting.

"Kaien… we're just hanging out! Chilling around outside! Come on, spend some time with us for a change!" Mojimo poked Kaien's shoulder, continuing to do so, and with increased strength each time.

Kaien could feel his eyebrow twitch, as his precarious hold on his temper immediately snapped. "Shut up, Mojimo!!" He yelled, throwing his hands high into the air, reinforcing his point. He forgot about the bit of mystery meat still attached to his fork, which was suddenly flying through the air across the roof. He spun around only to watch in horror as it flew farther and farther over the other people. It missed the girl with the pigtails, narrowly flew by the boy with the bowl hair-cut, and finally struck the worse possible target in the entire school.

Kouta Yuuki.

He had already been suspended multiple times, and had the scars across his face and arms to prove it. Rumors said he had dealings with a local gang, and was a leader of some sort.

Kaien couldn't look away, couldn't move, as Yuuki started to turn around, staring incredulously at the offending bit of food that now lay next to him that now sat innocently on the ground. The boy's eyes narrowed dangerously. Slowly he rose from his seat and looked behind him. His eyes darted around wildly before making contact with Kaien's shocked stare. He could almost feel the target being mentally painted across his chest that marked him for certain destruction.

Kaien spun back around to look down at his food, and hoped vehemently that somehow, someway, he could disappear entirely. Or that Kouta was in a good mood, and wouldn't make a fuss.

Both options had the same odds.

"Hey, Kurosaki!" The boy yelled, bringing his large form closer to them. "This yours?" He held the single bit of food in his large hand. Conversations ceased, as everyone suddenly focused their attention on Yuuji and his next target.

Kaien felt he was part of a gladiatorial match, back in Ancient Rome, with the crowds gathering morbidly to watch the bloodshed. Only, Kouta was the gladiator, armed to the teeth and brimming with muscle. Kaien was the slave dressed in rags, thrown in for the crowd's amusement.

"Run for it, Kaien!" Jonku whispered fiercely. He glanced at his friends, and found the same look of fear on all of them.

"Hey! Kurosaki! I'm talking to you!" The ground seemed to shake with each footstep. A large, towering shadow appeared in the concrete in front of him. Kouta's voice boomed directly over his head.

"Yeah, what of it?" He finally replied, angling his head upwards. The height difference wasn't good to begin with, and it was even worse when he was sitting down.

"You trying to be funny with me?" He lightly tossed the bit of meat downwards, letting it hit Kaien on the face. Whispers and sounds of awe filtered through the nearby students.

"I'm not trying to do anything. It was an accident." He rolled his eyes, grabbing his lunch box and rising to his feet. Resolution suddenly flashed through him, and he turned to face Kouta. He planted his feet firmly on the ground, scowling.

"Accident my ass." Kouta snarled. He looked over Kaien for a moment, before shaking his head. "I'd like to pound you to a bloody pulp, but you aren't worth my time. Much too small and wimpy."

Kaien's eyes narrowed. Resolution turned to anger that coursed freely through his veins, unchecked. "What was that?"

Kouta chuckled, his face mutating into a sinister smirk. It was a disgusting sight, and Kaien suddenly lost control. Before he knew it, his fist was flying directly into the boy's face, actually making him stumble slightly.

Everyone gasped, their lunches completely forgotten. Kouta's eyes widened in shock. Hatred began to flash across his face. "Why you little-"

Kaien never heard the rest of the sentence, having been thrown roughly to the ground by a sweeping kick sent to his shin. His classmates flocked to them like vultures to form a ring around the two boys, eager to see the display.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" Their continuous chant grew in volume as the fight progressed, though Kaien was preoccupied with the punches thrown his way. Kouta rammed his fist repeatedly into his mid-section, alternating with kicks, and finally shoved him hard into the ground.

***

Kaien Kurosaki was no stranger to trouble. He didn't care much if they called him down to the principle's office, or even if they got his parents involved. It had happened a few times before, and he never let it bother him.

But this was different. He wasn't being scolded about his grades or his attitude, this time. This time he wouldn't get off so easy.

He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the gloomy train of thought. He readjusted the bag of ice against his tender cheek, biting his lip in an attempt to deal with the pain. Stupid, stupid, stupid! What was he thinking?! He was never much of a physical person. He was out of shape, and tended to skip his Physical Education classes. Why on earth did he have to start a fight? And with Kouta of all people!

It was a stupid mistake. A very stupid, very careless mistake. He hated to think what his mother was going to say when she arrived, especially seeing him bruised and cut like that…

"Kaien."

His eyes widened at the voice. It wasn't the strong voice of his mother, but that of…

"D-dad?!" He spun his head to see his father, who stood in the entrance to the office. There was a frown on his face that Kaien instantly recognized- the one he used only when he was very displeased, and often angry. The last time he saw that look, it was… He couldn't even remember.

"W-what are you doing here?! I thought you were-"

"At the conference?" He shrugged, stepping closer. He folded his arms and stood directly in front of the boy, looking down at him. "I got back a couple of hours ago. This wasn't what I was expecting as a homecoming."

Kaien quickly looked down, unable to keep his father's intense stare. "I'm sorry…" It came out as a mumble.

"…I'm not going to chew you out on this. Not here, anyway." His dad said. There was a beat of awkward silence. Kaien continued to hang his head. Shame filled his every thought, and he could feel his father's disapproval coming at him in waves.

"Mr. Kurosaki?" The principle called, coming into the room.

"Mr. Kagine… good to see you again." Kaien could sense a touch of tension in the air.

The large, bulky man crossed his arms. The glare sent towards Kaien's dad made it obvious they didn't have the best experiences back in the day. His father went into the principle's office, and the conversation was carried on behind closed doors.

Kaien sat, staring blankly at the ground. His cheek was starting to throb, despite the constant presence of the icepack. It served him right, though. All of those injuries were what he deserved. Had he ever been so stupid?!

Everything he did in the past paled in comparison to his impromptu brawl on the roof that day. It had always been little things that warranted no more then a lecture, a slap on the wrist, and possible grounding. But he'd never been in this deep before. And he'd never had his father treat him this way.

His dad was the person Kaien respected most… and failing him seemed to hurt much more then he cared to admit. It was a crushing weight that gnawed away at him from the inside, tainting his every thought and making it impossible to brush off or move on.

He didn't look up when the door to the principle's office opened.

"Once again, I'm really sorry about this. We won't let it happen again." His father said.

"Yeah, sure." The principle didn't seem too convinced, but left the room nonetheless.

Kaien still couldn't look up to meet his gaze.

"Well… come on then. Grab your things." Obediently, he did as he was told.

They made their way out into the hallway. Unfortunately, it was already after school had let out. He was surrounded by his peers while he trudged behind his father, holding his icepack to try and partially cover his face. Not that it would do any good.

As they continued on, he couldn't help but notice Kouta off to the side, standing next to a larger man with similar features. His father, maybe? Kaien angled his head downwards in the hope that he would be invisible. Maybe if he was lucky, they wouldn't even notice him as they passed.

"Hey. You Mr. Kouta?" His father called.

The younger Kurosaki looked up to stare at him incredulously. "D-dad…!"

His dad ignored him entirely, all too focused on the father and son standing ahead of them.

"Yeah, what of it?" The other man called back.

They crossed the hall, narrowing the distance between them. The closer they got, the more Kaien felt the urge to turn and run away. He stubbornly looked around at the floor, the walls, the ceiling… anything to avoid the towering boy in front of them, and his equally bulky father. It just couldn't be happening… it just couldn't.

"I'm Kurosaki Ichigo- Kaien's father." He extended a hand out, which the other man hesitantly accepted.

"Kouta Yuuji."

His father released his grip, letting his hand fall to his side. "Kaien's got something to say to your son, here."

Kaien felt his father nudge him in the side. He shut his eyes in a mix of anger and frustration, and managed to mumble an apology.

"Nothing to worry about. Looks pretty scrawny to me." The older man said gruffly.

His father had a curious reaction. "I'm sorry… what?"

Mr. Kouta sniffed. "There aren't many people tough enough to be a threat to my son… but he's so wimpy I'm surprised he didn't break anything. Or start crying. Although…" He paused to chuckle to himself, which was a deep and sinister sound that started to tear away at Kaien's nerves. "I don't have to wonder where he gets it all from."

Kaien never saw it happen. For a second, even after he turned his head and watched with his own eyes, he couldn't believe what was happening. He refused to. There was no possible way that what he saw was real. It was… impossible.

And yet, it had happened. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened as he watched. His father had thrown the first punch, and Mr. Kouta was stumbling backwards, reeling from the impact.

"How was that for weak?!"

Mr. Kouta's eyes widened in shock and rage before he threw himself at the orange-haired man. Large fists swung with more brute force than accuracy, with Kaien's dad wasting no time in throwing punches of his own. Students gathered at the scene like birds flocking to breadcrumbs.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" The mantra was repeated over again, increasing steadily in volume until it was almost a dull roar.

Kaien remained frozen on his feet, watching in a flabbergasted state at the fight that erupted before his very eyes.

Since when did his dad pick fistfights, anyway?!

---

-To be Continued-