Octavian and Rukia sat in the park for another few minutes until he jumped up.
"Aunt Rukia we gotta go"
"Why?"
"If you want me to with you then you'll have to let the secretary at school know". Immediately his aunt was on her feet. She'd do whatever she had to in order to spend more time with him.
"Then what are we standing around here for?!" She grabbed her bag and started walking.
"Uh…Aunt Rukia?"
"Yeah?"
"You're going the wrong way". She stopped and started moving in the other direction. As they walked a million thoughts raced through her head, one she decided to voice
"Why did Harmony and Ace take you?"
"I couldn't control my problem" As they passed a light post he snapped his fingers and the light bulb exploded.
"How did you do that?". She watched in amazement as blue light danced around his hand. As suddenly as it started it stopped.
"Uncle Kisuke didn't tell you?"
"Well he told me the basics. I still don't get how you can do this. According to him no shinigami is able to"
"But technically I'm not. I was born in this world". Rukia nodded
"So can you control it better?"
"When I'm not angry, I have a bad temper at times". She giggled "Whats so funny?" He asked
"I heard that Nii-sama had a bad temper when he was younger too". Octavian smiled
"How are they?"
"They're fine. Youruichi-san misses you. In fact she was the one who told me about you"
"What about Dad?"
"He doesn't talk to me much about these type of things. He stays to himself. He's much more withdrawn than Ace"
"Really?" Octavian raised an eyebrow in surprise "When I was around him he was always smiling and laughing..." He frowned "unless Mom pulled one of her pranks on him". Rukia made a mental note to ask Youruichi about this when she got back. She couldn't imagine her brother laughing. He was always so serious.
"We're here" She was brought out of her thoughts by her nephew's announcement "Lets get this over with" They went up the stairs to a large building. Outside it was very deceiving. It was an old brick building with trees and beautiful flowers surrounding it. It was the picture of quiet and calm but that went out the door as soon as they entered it. Rukia had never seen so many teens in one place in her life. The school was bigger than Ichigo's. As soon as they stepped inside there were shouts, students racing to the next class, teachers screaming at the students and in one case a fight was going on down the hall that had drawn a crowd. Rukia's eyes widened in shock.
"Are all Americans this crazy?" She mumbled. Octavian led her into a large office to the right. Sitting behind the desk was an older woman with graying hair. She tapped at the keys to her computer. O leaned over her desk and grinned
"Mrs. Johnson, you're looking lovely this afternoon". She snorted
"What do you want Shin?"
"My aunt here is taking me out for the rest of the day". She stopped typing and looked Rukia over who smiled as nicely as she could. The older woman peered down her glasses at O
"She looks too young to be your aunt. Boy, you better come up with some better lies" She went back to her computer.
"But she is..." He started to say
"Uh huh and I'm Michelle Obama". Octavian frowned, this was going to be harder than he thought. Just as he was getting ready to retreat with Rukia to come up with another plan, a tall guy walked threw the door. He wore shorts and a tight fitting shirt with a whistle around his neck and a bad tan.
"SHIN!" He yelled, slapping the boy on his back "Dont forget soccer practice today at four" The man laughed before he eyes settled on Rukia. "And who is this young lady?"
"My aunt. She wants to take me out for the day but Mrs. J wont let her Coach". Tears started to spill down Rukia's cheeks
"Sir I haven't seen him in so long. I just wanted to ..." She burst into more tears. Mrs. Johnson stopped typing. Coach walked over and patted Rukia comfortingly on her shoulders.
"I'm sorry sweetie" The secretary hated to see young people cry. It was her weakness. Many students had gotten out of punishment and what not because of that. "Go ahead. I'll tell his teachers"
"Are you sure?" Rukia wiped her eyes
"Yes"
"Thank you so much" With a bow she grabbed her nephews arm and dragged him out. The soccer Coach laughed once more and said
"You know you just let another one get you again right?"
Outside the office Rukia had stopped the tears. She crossed her arms
"What now?"
"Wait...what?! Werent you just crying?!"
"The situation called for it now what do we do?"
"Um...yeah. I gotta get my bookbag then we can go" Rukia followed him as he went down the hall. It was still crazy. She took in everything. She was so absorbed in what she was doing that she ran into another student standing with some friends.
"Watch out!" He snapped.
"Sorry, I wasnt paying attention"
"She's sorta pretty man" Said another
"Whats your name?" The student in front of her asked. His voice had a slight accent to it.
"Dead if you even think of asking her out" Octavian answered appearing next to her
"Yo man we didnt know she was your gilrfriend" One of the guys said
"She's not! She's my aunt". They laughed
"Whatever dude"
"See ya Angel" He waved to the student with the accent, then grabbed Rukia's wrist.
"We'll talk about this later" He called after him
"What was that? You know him?" She asked as they moved
"Yeah, he's one of my best friends. I got to you just in time"
"I can take care of myself"
"Ha! Another minute with Rico Suave over there and you would've been under his spell"
"Spell? And I thought his name was Angel?". Octavian rolled his eyes
"Tch, Aunt Rukia I have so much to teach you".
A fewminutes later he had grabbed his bag and they were headed for the hotel since Rukia assumed Kisuke would be there. When they finally made it to the room Rukia burst in first and said
"Kisuke! Look who I found without your help!" She grinned but then she saw Harmony. The woman had changed much since Rukia last saw her. She was sitting in a chair sipping something while Kisuke was on the phone. They both stopped when they saw her.
"Rukia!" Harmony jumped up and embraced her.
"Hey Uncle Kisuke" O smiled.
"Good you're here. We came back because we thought Rukia would return and then we were going to get Octavian but this saves a trip" Kisuke hugged his godson.
"Harmony how long have you been here?" Rukia overcame her initail surprise.
"Oh maybe about fifteen minutes or so. Kisuke is talking to Yoruichi but he wont let me say hi" she pouted.
"Because you two hate each other and she doesn't know that you took Octavian yet" He took the phone and pressed a button so it was on speaker.
"Kisuke when are you guys coming back? Ichigo wants to know" A voice said
"Mom?" O squeaked
"Tavy? Is that really you?! You found him Kisuke!" She screamed into the phone causing Urahara to wince "Are you ok? Am I going to have to kill someone?"
"No, Im fine"
"I cant wait to see you! Byakuya wants to say hi"
"Wait a minute Yoruichi" Kisuke tried to stop her but it was too late
"Octavian?"
"Dad! You sound pissed are you ok?" There was a pause before Byakuya finally said
"Urahara I will be there tomorrow"
"But..." Before he could say anything else there was nothing but a dial tone "Just great" The blond muttered
"Nii-sama is coming tomorrow" Rukia clapped her hands happily as if she were five years old.
"Hmmm and here we haven't explained everything yet. I wonder if he'll get upset" Harmony thought out loud.
"Dad'll be here" Octavian grinned. Kisuke stayed to himself, trying to think of a way to tell Byakuya that his own brother had taken his son away.
Apparently some of Rukia's super hyperness rubbed off on Octavian because they both were off the walls. They stayed up eating junk food and watching movies. Harmony had left to go talk to Ace leaving Kisuke to be tortured by himself. Kon hadnt made things better. He had popped out of Rukia's bag. O had simply stared at him for a few minutes before introducing himself. Apparently talking stuffed animals didnt freak him out. Kon joined in with them and got the occasional punch for trying to snuggle up to Rukia. When they finally settled down it was three in the morning. Kisuke managed to go to sleep but was awakened some hours later by someone in the room. Thinking it was Rukia he mumbled
"Please go back to sleep" When he received no answer, he peeked from under his blankets to see Byakuya, wearing jeans and a t shirt, standing over the other bed where Rukia and O slept wildly. Kisuke sighed before pulling them back over his head. Byakuya on the other hand was tired. He hadnt slept since finding out about his son and jet lag was staring to set in but he didnt care.
"Octavian" he whispered. The sleeping boy's eyes opened slightly, he yawned and sat up. He had never been a heavy sleeper
"Dad?". Byakuya gave a very genuine smile for the first time in years. He knelt down and pulled his child into a tight hug.
An hour or so later Byakuya and Kisuke sat at the small table in the in the room while Octavian was panicking because he was going to be late yet again to class. Rukia was literally trying to beat the stuffing out of Kon because she'd found him laying too close to her when she woke up.
"How did he get here?" Byakuya asked.
"Well you see..." Kisuke would've given anything to have his fan at that moment "He..."
"Do Not. Lie. To. Me."
"He...your sister in law..."
"What does she have to do with this?"
"Aunt Harmony took me that day. She brought me here so she and Uncle Ace could train me" Octavian said with a mouthful of orange juice. There was a tense silence for a few minutes before Byakuya stood
"Kisuke show me where they are" The tone in his voice left no room for arguing "Rukia go with Octavian". At that O spit out the juice he'd been drinking
"You gotta be fuckin kidding me right?". His dad frowned
"Harmony's language has rubbed off on you"
"Why cant I go by myself?"
"Because I dont want you to" He stated "Urahara lets go" He walked out the door. The blond sighed before following, he was trying to figure out he he always got into situations like these. Once they were gone Octavian groaned.
"Nii-sama is just worried thats all. School will be fun" Rukia clapped her hands together
"Maybe for you" He grabbed his bag
"Im coming too!" Kon jumped up "You guys aren't gonna just leave me here!"
"Fine but you have one chance Kon. Blow it and I'll leave you in a trash can" Rukia stuffed him none too gently in her own bag and went to lthe door.
Octavian shuffled into his first class with Rukia bouncing up and down behind him. Immediately all talking stopped. Since the class still had some minutes before it was time to start, there were students sitting on desks, making paper planes,shouting out the window and in one case a student was sitting behind a large desk in the front doing an impersonation of their teacher but all went silent when they saw Octavian walk in.
" Who is that?" Someone asked
"My Aunt" The room burst into laughter
"You gotta go to class with your aunt?"
"Shut the hell up and leave me alone" He took a seat next to a brown skinned boy wearing a tshirt and shorts and a cap with a fancy Y on it.
"I like your hat" Rukia said sitting in front of O.
"Thanks. I'm Remy"
"Nice to meet you I'm Rukia." She bowed slightly in her chair. Remy raised an eyebrow
"Your aunt is mad cool man, Angel said he'd met her"
"Whatever, if I try to kill myself later from embarrassment please dont stop me and Angel is a perv." He let his head hit his desk. Soon all the kids had gone back to doing what they'd been up to before and Rukia struck up a conversation with Remy who she thought was a really nice guy and seemed pretty mature for his age.
"How long have you known Octavian?" She asked.
"Since he first got here from Japan. My Dad became vice president of his other aunt's company that year and we became good friends. I always wondered about his parents, are you related to one of them?"
"Yeah, his Dad's sister"
"So you're Ace's sister too?"
"You've met him?"
"Yep, he scares the shit outta everybody" Before Rukia could ask him to elaborate a middle aged man wearing dress pants and a shirt with a tie that had smiley faces walked in.
"Good morning you little demons" he said
"We missed you Mr. Moore" Someone shouted
"Like hell you did, lets get started"
Meanwhile Byakuya and Kisuke had made it to Harmony's office building. Kisuke noticed the stares his companion got from the women on the way there. Byakuya had chosen to leave his hairpiece behind in Japan so his hair fell around his shoulders. He'd worn a black jacket with jeans and a pair of his infinite collection of Converse's. Kisuke on the other hand had simply threw on whatever he'd found and was still halfway sleep. He yawned for the millionth time before going to the front desk.
"I need to see Harmony please"
"Sorry but she'd busy" The young woman said, eyes never leaving Byakuya who was scanning the area.
"But this is important. Tell her that..." He stopped when he felt Byakuya's hand on his shoulder "What?" Kisuke turned in the direction the man was staring. Sitting in a corner reading a newspaper was Acuzio. His eyes calmly met theirs. It didn't seem like he'd changed much. His hair was cut short and spiky. He wore plain pants and a shirt. He put his paper down and stood up. Byakuya walked over to him. People passing by commented on how much they looked alike since no one knew that their bosses husband had a brother. The sixth division captain was torn between hugging the brother he hadn't seen in what felt like forever or punching the shit out of him for taking his son. Which do you think he did? He did both. First he punched him. Gasps went up from people watching
"Sir should I call security?" An intern asked. Ace simply smirked and shook his head.
"You still punch like a girl Little Byakuya" He gave that cocky grin that his younger brother missed which caused him to hug him. "I knew you weren't a hard ass" Ace mumbled as he hugged him back.
Ten minutes later the trio were in Harmony's office as she finished a phone call. Kisuke went to look at the paintings hanging on her walls while Ace took out a yo yo to play with. Byakuya stood impatiently next to him
"Your son wasn't trained by us" Ace said bluntly
"What are you talking about?"
"The American government did" Ace stopped playing with the yo yo "Even while I was in the Seireitei I did research on the elements. From time to time reports would come back that shinigami had encountered humans who could control fire, water, air, and the earth itself. Grandpa discussed some of these cases with me. He had first hand experience"
"What did your research yield?" Kisuke was now listening intently.
"I have yet to pin point a certain date but it seems humans have been able to do this for many years but for some reason more cases are popping up. I think something or someone is triggering this"
"Octavian controls electricity" Byakuya said, Ace could sense the question in his voice.
"There are what many call sub elements for lack of a better term. They include electricity, metal and others. Its rarer to find people who use these let alone are able to control them."
"And that's why the government wanted him?" Kisuke asked
"Yes" He looked at his younger brother "You need to understand Byakuya that humans aren't like they were before. They have grown in certain areas. They knew about O the day he was born when he caused that black out at the hospital. They had been coming up with a plan to get him. To have a child who can use electricity would be an advantage for them. Harmony and I deciding to train him ourselves only helped their plans. As soon as we brought him back here they were at our door wanting to train him themselves. They have in their branches those that can control the elements. I agreed"
"Why?" Byakuya was getting angrier with each passing minute
"I thought he'd be safer, I was wrong. They wanted to use him and others like him as weapons. Did you know that they also know all about shinigami?" Kisuke's eyes widened at that "Their surveillance methods are amazing. They want to protect themselves against ones like Aizen"
"There mustve been more to it for you to take him back though because that doesn't sound too bad" Kisuke eyed Ace but the dark haired man hesitated. He didn't think he needed to say everything now.
"He knows twenty languages, is licensed to use thirty weapons and counting, knows over fifteen fighting styles and specializes in three of them, he knows how to travel on an electrical current...should I keep going?" Harmony said, crossing her arms "Byakuya he learned to control it, that was the point. He was a ticking time bomb if he stayed with you and Yoruichi. Its a plus that he learned the other things. You can be mad all you want but you know I'm right."
"Is that what you meant by a government issue?" Kisuke watched her carefully, something still wasn't right.
"Yes" Harmony smiled, she'd always been good at lying and now was no exception.
Rukia sat next to Angel at a lunch table. The cafeteria was crowded with students. O and his friends sat at a table next to the door where a nice fall breeze blew thru. Angel had hit on her three times already and he kept getting death glares from Octavian who sat across from him. Rukia had come to like it at the school though it did take some getting used to.
"So everybody put some money on the table" Jazmin was the only girl besides Rukia at the table. She was tomboyish but wore a very girly short hair cut.
"Whats happening?" Rukia asked Angel. He gave her a beautiful smile.
"Only juniors and seniors are allowed to go off the school grounds to get lunch. Jazmin and me are both juniors so if something disgusting is being served we go get food for everybody else"
"Dude you've been in America since you were SIX! You'd think you would've lost the accent by now" Andrew or Drew as his friends called him said. Remy had told her that though Drew acted like a slacker (she had to ask him what that was) he was a genius. The only reason he hadn't graduated at the age of sixteen was because he wanted to stay with his friends.
"I didnt ask for your opinion Andy" Angel knew he hated that name
"Thats it Rico Suave! Im gonna punch the shit outta you" Though they fought alot, the two were still very good friends. O had explained that earlier
"Wait!" All eyes turned to her "Who is this Rico Suave?" They all started laughing "Whats so funny? I think this is a legitimate question" More laughter.
"Hey guys" An average height brunette said walking up. She wore a jean skirt with a tank top and flip flops. She was pretty, Rukia had to give her points there. All laughing stopped.
"Bitch what are you doing here?!" Jazmin glared.
"I just wanted to say hi to Octavian, that's all" she looked at him but he looked else where. Remy had also explained that O had a girlfriend but she had dumped him for someone who they all thought was a friend.
"Go away"
"This is none of your business, I need to talk to him"
"No you dont" Angel said sternly
"You should leave" Rukia said. She saw how upset her nephew was becoming.
"I said not until I talk to him"
"Then sweetie you're putting your life in danger" Harmony said from behind her. The girl jumped, turning around.
"M-m-s Harmony, I-I-I...was just..."
"Leaving?". The girl nodded frantically before practically racing away. Harmony sighed before putting a bag on the table
"Taco Bell brats" The tension eased as everyone reached for the food "Rukia and O come with me please". The small group said bye as the three left. Harmony put a comforting arm around Octavian.
a/n- starting with the next chap it should move faster. i just wanted to set everything up. hope it wasnt too bad
