Author's Note: First of all, THANK YOU to everyone who reviewed this fanfic!! It's because of you guys I like writing (or typing, whichever way you want to see it) this story. I know it's been a bit cliche and boring but it's going to get exciting. I'm kinda late in the update because I kept writing bits and pieces of future chapters that's really cool. I promise it's going to be great.
Sadly, you will have to wait a few more weeks before my next update because I'm going on a long vacation starting tomorrow and pretty much all throughout next week. I'll try to write ASAP but I can't make promises. That is why I decided to upload THREE chapters today so I hope you guys like them!
This chapter has more on Ichigo and his life as a Substitute Shinigami in this future life. I kinda liked writing this 'cuz I remember leaving Ichigo's new job from the prequel story a bit open w/o clarifcations. So I hope some things clear up here.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach
Chapter 5: The Captain's Meeting
Ichigo stood on the sidelines next to the other taichos and fukutaichos in the grand meeting hall. And like always, Chad and Uryuu were standing slightly behind him, but still next to him. Ever since twelve years ago, after he married Rukia, Ichigo had been attending these meetings in Soul Society twice a month. Technically he was like another taicho of his own squad which consisted of Rukia, Chad, Orihime, Uryuu, and sometimes Isshin, Urahara, Yoruichi, Ryuuken, the Vizards, and Nel. He even had the white haori, a captain's robe, but instead of a number, the emblem on his Shinigami Substitute Badge was on the back. His job? Taking care of the Living World and taking several recruits each year for one month and teach them how to survive in the other realm in desperate times.
Everyone in the meeting was chattering while they waited. Kyouraku was trying to flirt with Nanao who kept replying "No!"; Ukitake was coughing like crazy; and Matsumoto was arranging another drinking party for that night with Renji and Hisagi sounding excited. The noise only got louder as time passed until Yamamoto entered with his fukutaicho following behind him. When he reached the head of the two lines, he slammed down the end of his cane against the floor to gain full attention. Silence entered the halls as everyone waited to hear the reason for this sudden meeting.
Yamamoto slowly opened one of his eyes and looked around the room. Then he coughed to clear his throat before beginning. "I must thank all of you for making it to this meeting on such short notice," he said with a small smile. "Today I have several important announcements to make so please pay attention. First of all, I would like to remind all of you that it will be my birthday in a few weeks from today. I expect gifts from all of you," he teased. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at the old man while Kyouraku was trying to suppress his laughter.
"I can't believe another birthday is already here," the 8th Division Captain said, "Congratulations, Yama-ji."
"Just how old are you?" Ichigo suddenly asked.
The old man faced him and lightly smiled. "If you don't already know the answer to that question, then it only proves just how much of an imbecile you truly are."
"I agree," Byakuya suddenly spoke up. Ichigo furiously glared at his so called brother-in-law.
A few snickers of laughter went around the room, but Renji just let it all out. "HAHAHA! What a fucking dumbass!" he pointed at the Shinigami Substitute.
Ichigo also glared at the Sixth Division fukutaicho. "Laugh all you want, jackass, but I bet you don't know how old the old man is either."
This immediately ended whatever was humoring the red head. "Shut up! At least I didn't ask the man himself. I'd wait until after the meeting is over and than ask someone else."
"Whatever," Ichigo rolled his eyes, "Anyways, don't expect me to buy anything. This job doesn't exactly pay too well in my world. I have to balance my job as a Shinigami and as a doctor in order to keep up a stable lifestyle for my family so I'm not going to be wasting money on something stupid as buying a present for an old man."
"This just goes to show how pathetic you truly are," Byakuya spoke back, "I knew from the very beginning Rukia shouldn't have married a human who cannot support her financially. She should have stayed here in Soul Society where she can support herself until she marries into a respectable clan."
Ichigo glared at the kenseiken wearing man. "Rukia makes less money than I do. And STOP saying shit like that; Rukia is married to me and that's final. Stop getting your hopes up that she might just leave me."
"You never know," Renji side-commented, and Ichigo's reiatsu suddenly increased as he glared at his so-called friend.
Yamamoto cleared his throat to gain back attention, his expression suddenly becoming serious. "Second order of business; Chojiro fukutaicho," he called out.
"Hai." Sasakibe Chojiro fukutaicho stepped up and bowed to his captain before turning to everyone else in the room. "We got a message from Shihouin Yoruichi-san that she and the arrancars have found yet another base," there was a short paused as Kenpachi groaned in annoyance before continuing, "But she has reason to believe that this base has recently been deserted, which means they are getting closer to the location of the enemy."
Noise exploded in the room as everyone started to murmur amongst themselves about this sudden discovery.
Yamamoto tapped his cane on the ground several times, the loud noise echoing loudly through the room. "Order. Order!" Everyone soon quieted and when it was completely silent, the old man continued where his fukutaicho left off. "Shihouin Yoruichi has requested for more aid. I want the Second Division to send out several members of Secret Mobile Corps to aid her search."
"Hai, Yamamoto-sotaicho," Soifon bowed.
Yamamoto nodded in acknowledgement. "And because of this, Central 46 has decided to postpone the annual training in the human world. Is this understood, Kurosaki Ichigo?"
The Shinigami Substitute grunted in response, not really bothered by this. Who cares if this year's rookies didn't train for one month in the human world? He was too busy thinking about the new enemy anyways. Ever since their sudden appearance and disappearance almost thirteen years ago, Ichigo's been feeling more cautious, especially whenever a strong Hollow appears. His knack for protecting people only increased these past few years as his family grew.
"And, Kurosaki?" Yamamoto called out, pulling Ichigo out of his trance.
"Yeah, what?"
The old man slightly smiled. "Unohana-taicho wanted me to tell you that it may be due time your children come and visit us."
"WHAT?!" Ichigo yelled out. He looked over to the calm Fourth Division Captain who only smiled back. "Why do I have to bring them here?!"
"Well, almost thirteen years have passed since the concealment of Keitaro-kun's power and I believe it is time we check to make sure it is still intact and not too much of his reiatsu escape before it is necessary," Unohana reasoned.
"And may I remind you that when you were a child your father had failed to perform another concealment, thus your reiatsu level was off the charts, making Kuchiki Rukia enter your home that faithful night?" Yamamoto pointed out. And Ichigo didn't have to look to know that Byakuya was sending him 'the look.'
"Umm, okay," the Shinigami Substitute scratched the back of his head. "But then why do I have to bring Hayato and Aiko, too?"
Unohana smiled but the look she was giving him was serious. "Even though your other children weren't born with huge reiatsu like Keitaro-kun, we believe it is best to keep them in check, just in case."
The orange-haired father sighed in defeat. "Fine. I guess we can come by next week. That's when the boys go on their summer break."
Yamamoto nodded. "Very well. With this, I will end the meeting here. I will inform everyone on any new development in Hueco Mundo, but until then I want everyone to keep their eyes open for anything unusual. Dismissed!"
Within seconds everyone left the meeting hall.
Ichigo crossed his arms across his chest as he walked out of the First Division Headquarters, Chad and Uryuu following behind him.
"Kurosaki," Uryuu called out, "Are you sure you're okay with bringing your children here? If their surrounded by so many strong reiatsu, it might trigger something in them, and in Keitaro's case it might affect his current situation even more."
Ichigo sighed, scratching his hair furiously. "I know, but there is nothing I can do about this. I don't want my son being targeted by fucking Hollows anymore."
"But do you really have to bring Hayato and Aiko as well?" Chad asked. He was like an uncle-figure to the younger Kurosaki's so he couldn't help but feel worried about this.
"Well, according to Rukia their reiatsu level has gone up a little, so maybe this really is better for them," Ichigo responded.
"Kozo."
Ichigo cringed at the sudden interruption by the very voice he hated the most in this world. He turned around and greeted Byakuya with a glare. "What do you want, Byakuya?"
The noble man stood in front of him, giving him the usual 'you-disgusting-human-who-married-my-sister-after-getting-her-pregnant-etc-etc-etc.' "How are Rukia and the children?"
"They're fine. If you don't believe me, go see them for yourself. The kids will be happy to see you," Ichigo spat out with utter annoyance.
Byakuya looked back at him with the same amount of annoyance. "For your sake, they better be safe. And since they will be staying here for some time starting next week, I'm sure I don't have to visit them now. I shall go and prepare rooms for them now, though I rather not prepare my sister's room to accommodate for another person." With that, the Sixth Division Captain turned around and walked away, with Ichigo glaring holes into the back of his head.
Renji suddenly appeared and threw an arm around Ichigo. "You should know by now that no matter what you do Kuchiki-taicho will always hate you."
The orange head folded his arms in front of his chest and snorted. "I never have and never will try to look appealing to him. I've been married to Rukia for over twelve years so he can fuck off for all I care."
"Whatever," Renji shrugged. He looked back at the other two men. "You guys should join me and Shuhei. We're having a drinking battle with Kyouraku-taicho." He turned back to Ichigo and smirked. "You can go and drink away your stress… or get drunk and use it as an excuse to fight with Kuchiki-taicho."
Ichigo thought about this for a second before throwing one of his arms on Renji's shoulder. "Let's go!"
Uryuu and Chad watched on as the two shinigami ran off towards where the drinking party was about to be held.
Uryuu sighed. "It's going to be a long night."
Chad silently nodded as he and Uryuu slowly followed the colorful hairs.
I can already smell trouble in the air. What's going to happen? read the next chapter and find out!