Hey. Last time we saw our heroes they had finally managed to overcome Aizen's forces. But that is not all that happened. So let's get back to, Naruto & The Bleach Paradox! - AQ
Chapter 4: Soul Society
The wind howled as it swept through the streets of Rukongai & the feint sound of gypsy music & women's laughter could be heard in the distance as the brothels & drinking establishments burned the midnight oil. A shout rang in the distance, a man in a brown tunic ran, eyes wide & breathing heavy, headlong down an alley.
"Catch him!" "Don't let him escape!" "Hai!"
He could feel them on his shoulder... moments away... He leapt forward & turned back, his momentum carrying him backwards as he faced his attackers. Steel clashed upon steel as the first assailant engaged him. Instinctively he blocked horizontally. The blade was inches from his face.
As his feet hit the ground & slid back on the gravel, he planted his feet and feinted right into a handstand, whipping his right foot into the assailants face. K.O! The second one descended upon him as he rose up. But his katana was too fast & as he rose up he slashed upwards & sent the man flying back.
Standing there as he panted for oxygen, he looked on at the 20 men standing in front of him & narrowed his eyes.
"Hahaha! You're ours now. We will have our way with you!"
Just before they could grab the man in the brown tunic, a voice rang out above them
"Have your way with him?! What is this about? Some kind of disgusting brothel brawl?"
The 20 & the 1 looked up on the roof of the building on the left of the passage. Abarai Renji stood there with a scowl on his face & Zabimaru glowing in his hand.
"Shinigami!" they gasped. As the men began to run their leader, Mungenmutsu Kokojo, looked up at the Shinigami & scowled back.
"Don't run away!" he yelled. "Any man that runs will be hunted & killed! Attack the Shinigami!"
"Attack the Shinigami?"
They now looked to see another Shinigami on the right...
"What exactly do you think a Shinigami is?"
The other Shinigami, Kurosaki Ichigo, unsheathed his zanpakuto Zangetsu from its wrapping on his back & swiped downwards, raising his reiatsu as he did & the buildings began to tremble around them as his blue aura radiated around him & twinkled in his eyes.
"Leave this man alone & stop causing trouble. It's late & it is cold. Go home."
The 20 men began whispering amongst themselves as they tried to weigh up how far they were willing to go to capture the young man they were after. But Kokojo was not running a democracy.
"Attack!" he yelled and they let loose their arrows as Ichigo & Renji descended on them.
"Ichigo, Lets teach this scum a lesson." "Wakatta..." "Howl Zabimaru!"
The Shinigami made short work of the gang. Before the young man could pick his jaw up off the floor, there were 19 men groaning on it. The Shinigami stood & looked on at the leader of the group, who had hid behind his men as the skirmish happened. The young man spoke up.
"Now it's just you Mungenmutsu Kokojo."
Renji looked at Ichigo. Ichigo could see by his expression that this was one of those honour situations. The two of them stepped back.
"Was this all worth it Mungenmutsu?" "Fuck you! You think you can get away with that & not pay? That is my property & if you use it you pay!" "But I did not use your property. She used me."
Ichigo frowned. This was about a woman? As he was about to interject, Renji looked at him & his eyes had no mirth. Ichigo looked on & saw that the two men faced each other as adversaries. As they watched, steel clashed upon steel & 1 fell.
Indeed it was a cold night in Soul Society, as the inhabitants of The Seireitei slept. Only those on sentry could be seen moving about as they kept watch for anything untoward.
In the barracks of the 10th division however, sleep was elusive. It had been a few weeks since Aizen had been defeated & a few weeks since they had all discovered that Captain Shiba Isshin was alive.
All along he had been hiding in plain sight & even more astounding was the fact that he was Kurosaki Ichigo's father.
The surprising turn of events where so baffling in fact, that even the arrival of the Shinobi from The Village Hidden in The Leaf, which was in an entirely different dimension & was currently beset by a most epic calamity... had seemed to take a back seat as Seireitei came to grips with the return of the head of the Shiba Clan.
The Shiba Clan had been one of the Godai Kizoku, The 5 Great Nobel Families. Like the Shinobi Godaikoku (5 Great Shinobi Villages) from the ninja world, the Godai Kizoku where the people that governed Seireitei & lead The Soul Society.
The story of the Shiba clan was basically the story of the Godai Kizoku.
In the beginning when the Seireitei was but the Ryujin District, the leading families of the society of wandering souls who lived mainly in the Ryujin District, but also around the outskirts of the 1st district of Rukongai, had banded together & searched for the answers to the meaning of their existence in the next stage of life.
Together the Ryujin, Shihoin, Kuchiki, Kyoraku & Shiba Clans along with a few others had learned about how souls crossed into Rukongai & of the hollows & Hueco Mundo. They had learned about reishi & reiatsu & how to control it. They had created Central 46 & built elaborate compounds within the Ryujin District & elevated their quality of life from that of the Rukongai District. They had taken it upon themselves to take care of the needs of the downtrodden around them & had created laws in Central 46 & a police force to keep order in the Ryujin District & in as many other districts as possible. Creating work & livelihoods for many of the families in soul society.
Eventually the Ryujin, Shiba & Ise Clans had even learned about The Soul King & the Shinigami & had spent years trying to establish contact with them. But the separation between the Shinigami & the souls of Rukongai was iron clad & none of their attempts yielded any communication.
Finally, during the incident in The Dark Ages known as The Reckoning, when The Soul Society was attacked by 1000 Menos Grande after the experiments of the Kasumioji & Ryodoji clans ripped a hole between Soul Society & Hueco Mundo, the Shinigami had descended into Rukongai & with the help of the forces of the Godai Kizoku & the Shiba's allies The Quincy, had vanquished the hollows, saving Soul Society & the world of the living.
Afterwards a great meeting was held on Gotei Hill where the Kasumioji Clan was punished & the Ryodoji Clan was banished & the hill was renamed Sokyoku Hill.
Having seen the potential of the society the Godai Kizoku had created, the Shinigami created what would later become known as the Gotei 13 & with their approval & training, the Gotei 13 became the protectors of not only Soul Society, but the world of the living as well.
Indeed the 1st captains of the Shinigami forces where the 5 heads of The Godai Kizoku:
Founding captain of the 1st Division: Ryujin Tensho
Founding captain of the 2nd Division: Shihoin Yamato
Founding captain of the 3rd Division: Kuchiki Tenzen
Founding captain of the 4th Division: Shiba Shin
Founding captain of the 5th Division: Kyoraku Zenoske
And thus the importance of the Shiba Clan was etched into the history of Soul Society & the gravity of Isshin's decision to bind himself to Kurosaki Masaki & vanish from Soul Society forever had, had such far reaching consequences.
It was also the reason that the return of Captain Isshin had become the gradually escalating official drama that was unfolding with each passing day & the reason why the truth of Kurosaki Ichigo's parentage had become the talk of Soul Society.
Having seen to it that the 20 gangsters where healed & imprisoned & that the young man in the brown tunic was safely away from harm, Ichigo & Renji walked into the 10th Divisions great hall & made their way to the window where Naruto & Sasuke where standing.
At the front of the hall Captains Kyoraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jushiro, Kuchiki Byakuya & Unohana Retsu where seated at a table on a dais, flanking Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni.
On a table on the dais opposite them, sat former Captains Urahara Kisuke, Shihoin Yoruichi, Hirako Shinji & the leader of the Konoha ninja Hatake Kakashi, flanking former Captain Kurosaki Isshin.
"Have they said anything?" whispered Ichigo "No," replied an irritated looking Sasuke. "Mostly pleasantries & documents being passed around."
Ichigo looked at his father in the distance. He was clearly familiar with Soul Society, but he could tell that Isshin was under immense pressure. Feeling a bit defensive that his father was being put in such a position, Ichigo decided to intervene & started walking towards the front. But then a hand grabbed his arm. Looking to his left he saw 10th Division Lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku scowling at him. As he was about to protest she raised her eyebrow. Ichigo backed down.
Rukia & Lieutenant Ise Nanao returned from Central 46 with more documents. Once they had passed them to the respective tables they stood bye & waited for their next task. Isshin had volunteered the services of Kuchiki Rukia & Haruno Sakura as messengers as well to expedite the process of the meetings as originally Lieutenant Ise Nanao & former Lieutenant Yadomaru Lisa were meant to be the soul messengers at Captain Kyoraku Shunsui's suggestion.
But with Isshin's suggestion, the two groups could still deliver the documents & maintain a presence at Central 46 at the same time.
"I must admit. This is all very nostalgic." Quipped Urahara as he fanned himself. "It all feels so official. I'm starting to remember what being a Captain was like."
"Yes, yes" replied Captain Kyoraku, "being a Captain can be quite bothersome. To be honest I would rather be catching up with Lisa-kun. But then again, Nanao-chan might be a little jealous"
"Hahahahaha! Your talent for the ladies seems to have stayed the same Shunsui-sama."
"I wouldn't call it a talent. It is... my disposition"
Byakuya, who had been intently examining Kurosaki Isshin, decided to interject as he felt the need for silence.
"It is unbecoming to be making such trivial conversation at an official hearing like this. Captain Kyoraku, you are one of the officials presiding over this trial & you, Urahara Kisuke, are in danger of joining Aizen Sosuke under Central 46. It is not the time to be making small talk."
Yoruichi began giggling. Eventually she burst into laughter & nearly fell of her seat.
"I'm sorry everyone. Byakuya-bo really does try his hardest to be so serious. But I can't take him seriously."
"Oh?" replied Byakuya as he narrowed his eyes & slowly stood up. "Perhaps I can remind you of who I am..." as he was about to draw his Zanpakuto Sakura & Lisa entered the room with more papers and Nanao & Rukia dashed out. Lisa then gave the documents to Byakuya, who then sheathed his sword & sat down, passing the papers to Captain Kyoraku & Sakura gave the other set to Kakashi who then passed them to Hirako Shinji.
"Pleasantries?" whispered Ichigo as he raised his eyebrow & the 4 companions laughed. Isshin then shot them a glare to remind them not to make noise & they stopped laughing.
"I'm going to sit outside." whispered Renji, already turning & walking towards the door. "Yeah," replied Naruto, "let's go sit outside guys. This is boring. You coming Ichigo?"
Ichigo looked on at his dad. He was worried about him.
"Hey." Ichigo looked at Matsumoto "I won't let anything happen to him okay? Go with your friends."
Ichigo nodded & went out with Naruto, Renji & Sasuke. Matsumoto had become very familiar with him in the past few weeks. At 1st he had thought she was coming on to him. But then he realized it was something else. She was mothering him. She would scold him & she would show up at his quarters in the morning & make him get ready for the day & clean up. And she would even drag him to lunch & supper if he missed them. The only reason she never dragged him to breakfast was that she would make him breakfast while he & Naruto cleaned. Of course Sasuke wouldn't lift a finger. Eventually he had told his father about it & Isshin had just chuckled. It was all very strange. But one morning, he had woken up early & gone over to his Dads quarters to try to drag him to where Naruto, Sasuke & himself where being housed to witness Matsumoto bossing them around himself. What he had found explained a lot.
As he had entered the compound & walked across the bridge that crossed the Shihoin River, leading to the entrance to his ancestral home, Ichigo had gazed around & smiled to himself. Climbing the stairs he walked through the archway & emerged on the southern most pathway of the house. Turning left he walked down the wooden platform & then turned right & walked straight up. The oak tree in the middle of the garden had been a gift from Ishida Ryu 500 years ago! The history of his family boggled Ichigo's mind every day.
As he turned right & walked towards the central room, Rangiku emerged from the Shoji, tying her belt back on & untousling her hair.
"Ichigo?!" she was surprised to see him. "Morning" he said. She quickly closed the shoji behind her as Isshin snored away & smiled at Ichigo.
The two looked at each other for some time. And then Rangiku walked up to him & grabbed him in her arms, holding him to her chest.
"I love him Ichigo. I always have." She then grabbed his face & looked into his eyes. "I hope you can accept me. I can never replace Masaki & I don't want to... but I can't let Isshin carry on raising you alone. Which is why..." letting go of all but his ears she then began to march towards his quarters, dragging him by the ears "I will not rest until you learn to clean up after yourself!"
As the 4 friends sat down on the veranda, Ichigo laughed at his memory.
"What?" asked Naruto "what are you laughing at?"
Ichigo looked back into the room at Matsumoto... she reminded him a lot of his Mom. In fact, he had noticed this from the very start. This was why he had not instantly fallen in love with her as most people did.
"Nothing. I'm laughing at nothing." "Bullshit!" retorted Renji "you are laughing at something." "Okay so maybe I am!" frowned Ichigo "Maybe you are!" yelled Renji & the two of them butted heads & scowled.
"Knock it off!" shouted Rukia as her & Nanao returned with more papers "or I will tell Matsumoto-san that you are fighting outside..."
Ichigo shot a glare at Rukia who gave him a knowing smile as she dashed into the hall. Nothing escaped her. It was like having an older version of Karin following him around all the time.
"So Ichigo," started Sasuke "now that you have found out about your family & beaten your enemy, what are you going to do?"
"Ichigo stared at the ground "I don't know Sasuke. I don't even know what it all means. Dad says he has to go through all of this because it's a matter of honour & that I can't break him out even if they arrest him. And he says that Ganju & Kukakku are my cousins."
"Cousins?!" exclaimed Rukia as her & Sakura came & sat next to them "that explains a lot..." "No," said Ichigo as he looked into Rukia's eyes "it explains everything." "Everything?" "Yes. Everything. Why that hollow came to our house. Why I could absorb your powers. Why Urahara helped me. Why I remained a Shinigami after your powers where taken. Why I could achieve Bankai..."
Rukia looked at Ichigo with a quizzical expression as he stared at the ground.
"Ganju & Kukakku being your cousins explains all that?" "No Rukia," Ichigo grabbed her head under his arm & rubbed his knuckles in her hair "my father being here, in that room, surrounded by all those people & everything he told me explains it all.
Kaien, Kukakku & Ganju are the children of Kiba Kusshin, my father's older twin & by default, the head of the Shiba Clan. That is why Kaien & I looked alike. It's also why Kukakku looks like an older version of Karin & why she helped us."
Rukia's mouth was open. This revelation seemed to have more twists to it each time she heard it.
"Let me get this straight Ichigo... not only are you the son of the head of one of the 5 legendary families of soul society & perhaps the most gifted Shinigami there has ever been... but you are saying that Shiba Kukakku knew this the whole time?" "Yes & my dad is not the head. He was the head of the branch family." "But she never said a thing. She wasn't shocked or angry or anything..." "Yep. Because she had been keeping tabs on my father through Yoruichi & Urahara all along." "So that's why she said Uncle would be angry if she didn't help?" "Yes"
Naruto began to snore. The group looked over at him & saw he was out cold.
"He has a good idea" pointed out Sasuke as he yawned "I don't think we are meant to stay up all night till this is over are we?"
Sakura looked at Sasuke "But Kakashi sensei is on trial as well..." "Kakashi can handle himself & anyway, if they attempt to arrest us, we will destroy them all." "Sasuke!" "What Sakura?" "You can't say that..." "Okay I'm sorry Sakura." Sasuke smiled at her & pierced her with his gaze. Sakura blushed & pulled him in for a kiss.
Rukia looked at the dark haired boy. Her heart was racing in her chest as she did. Even now she wouldn't dare speak to him, lest she say something stupid. She scowled momentarily as she watched Sakura kiss him.
"Well he is right" smiled Ichigo as he clasped hands with Sasuke. "If they try to arrest us we will crush them. So we have nothing to worry about." "Especially not with that mother of yours watching over things." Jibbed Sasuke "She's not my mother..." Uchiha Sasuke laughed "I don't think she knows that." "Yeah... she does. It's... complicated."
Rukia smiled & looked at Ichigo as he blushed. She sometimes forgot the vast gap between their ages.
"It's not that complicated. She was your father's lover before he fell for your mother & now she is his lover again. But now that they both lost their loves & have found each other again they are trying to be more than just lovers to each other. So that probably means they are planning on getting married. Which means that whatever the outcome here... Matsumoto is going to end up living with your family."
Ichigo took the drawing Rukia had made to illustrate her point (in her familiarly terrible Chappie drawing style) & stuffed it into Naruto's mouth. The snoring stopped
"It's why she is mothering you Ichigo... because she is preparing to let go of her old lazy ways & take on the task of helping raise you & Yuzu & Karin & probably even Orihime. Because she loves your father & wants you to accept her."
"How do you do that?" asked Ichigo as he blushed like a strawberry "Do what?" smiled a knowing Rukia.
As he walked down the hill to the river, the young man in the brown tunic looked behind him to see if he had been followed. Positive that he had not been followed he touched his amulet & began drawing a circle in the air. Soon a doorway opened next to the tree on the river bank & he ran through it.
As he disappeared through the portal, the other young man watching him from a distance dashed towards the shrinking circle. As he reached it, Ishida Uryu stepped through as well & found himself in The Dangai.
Wow, a lot of history decoded in this one. Hope it all makes sense. As for what Ishida is doing & who that guy in the brown tunic is... well let's see what happens next time on, Naruto & The Bleach Paradox. "Ja na" ;) - AQ
