Forgive any mistakes I overlooked this chapter, I was a bit more rushed than usual to get this one out what with Christmas and New year along with two family birthdays which adds up to a lot time taken up. I considered holding off for a few more days to go over it a few more times but I couldn't spot anything major out of place so I figured it was okay.
Anyway onto this months chapter!
Visiting the family
Her announcement left him with plenty of questions, which luckily, she seemed to realise as she instantly called for privacy for her and her new Thane. The housecarl seemed much less reluctant to leave him alone with her this time which he was thankful for. Soon enough it was just Jarl Idgrod and him in the hall.
"I assume you have questions?" She asked, her voice pleasant and warm but her gaze still seeming to calculate his reaction. He nodded, taking a seat at the edge of the hearth with the flames licking his back.
"A few." He agreed, silently musing how to start. "I suppose I should ask why you thought this was a good idea, I can see this going wrong pretty quickly if we're not careful." He continued, to which she nodded.
"Yes, we could both end up in deep waters if things turn bad. Though I do hope to avoid that." She stated calmly despite the subject matter. Ichigo frowned, he trusted the Jarl but he didn't understand her.
"So why take the risk? Where's the pay off?" He pressed. If he was risking his skin he at least wanted to know why.
"Because we both know that one day you'll be revealed, you are not a careful person and the tasks you undertake aren't subtle. It may be weeks away or years, either way there will come a time that people will realise what you are." She said, leaning forward onto her elbows.
"Then surely you'd want to distance yourself from me?"
"Perhaps, but I had other ideas. Tell me, when you see the citizens of my Hold what do you see?" She asked causing him to frown. He crossed his arms in annoyance, never being one to like riddles or trick questions.
'What do I see? What am I supposed to see?' He thought, in truth there was very little special about this hold. Among the other Holds it was among one of the poorer ones as it was difficult to farm on this cold land. To his understanding it gained most of its wealth from its mines. What was he supposed to say to that?
"I don't know? Can you just get to the point?" He asked, he didn't really want to insult her by saying her saw a run-down Hold which was losing people faster than it was gaining them.
"Shall I tell you what I see then?" She continued. "I see a city which is festering in its shared fear of the unknowns surrounding them. Not knowing if they'll have enough for a filling meal or not knowing what lays in the marsh and even not knowing if I have their best interests in mind. I wish to change that." Ichigo wasn't expecting that, but even still he wasn't sure them having a werewolf as a Thane would make them feel any better.
"You helpped relieve some of those fears during your time here, you shone a light on those creatures lurking in the shadows and slayed them. They see you as a hero, and rightfully so. I wish to use you to help sooth their other fears other time." She admitted causing him to frown.
While he'd admit that the people seemed to have a high opinion of him now, he doubted that'd be the case if he was revealed. He was also pretty sure he wouldn't be of much help with those other worries the people held either. Idgrod seemed to catch onto his thoughts.
"You are in a special place right now Ichigo, you are very young and yet you've already made yourself a household name in my hold pretty much overnight." She stated, a strong smirk playing on her lips.
"My reasons are not completely selfless though; my people do not trust the supernatural. To them it is just another thing to fear and distrust. My visions and my court mage are very controversial subjects in my Hold." Ichigo wanted to again ask what that had to do with him but she continued before he could speak.
"But when your friend Sado spoke in my defence when my citizens were on the verge of a riot, they listened to him, trusted him. I realised I might be able to change their points of view gradually with you as my Thane, you put your life on the line for them, that they do understand." She finshed.
"So you want me to just to be a propaganda machine? That doesn't seem like you." He stated blandly, he couldn't stop a frown playing on his lips.
"No, I wish to make you into a local hero, I want you to be the talk of the town and to be respected. Your support of me and Falion will help tensions, but the real gamble will come when you are revealed. My people will be forced to make a choice, they will either admit that not all supernatural things are evil or they will cast out their hero as a menace." She stated. The grin on her lips told him that she was confident in the choice her people would make.
He remembered what the Companions had said about the Vigilants, the reason the Vigilants hadn't revealed the Companions identities as werewolves was because they feared the people might accept them as such. They were the heros of Whiterun and there were few more respected than them, if anyone would be accepted despite their Lycanthropy then it'd be them... This wasn't all that different. He bit the inside of his cheek as he weighed his options.
"Fine, I'll play the part." He agreed. "But you'll have to take make a deal with the Hunters of Hircine, a pact." He continued. She gave him an intrigued look but nodded nevertheless.
"What do you have in mind?" She brought a hand to rub her chin as she leaned back into her throne, much like the Jarl he'd come to know.
"How about that if or when my pack is revealed you must guarantee that as long as you are in power that you will in no way attack us and will support us when within your power such as speaking for us? In return I'll go about as a Thane should and deal with any dangers you call on me to deal with." Ichigo offered. Truthfully, he didn't know if it was a good deal or not, but it was the best he could think of.
"Hm, the support that I'd be able to provide would not be allowed to infringe on my duties as Jarl I hope you understand? And as for not attacking you, that would be in both our interests as I wouldn't like to send my men to their deaths without good reason." She stated, Ichigo nodded.
"Then how about instead of support you give us information? The other Jarls know there's an organised pack of werewolves out there after our battles against the Silver Hand. Would you be able to give us a heads up if they manage to get a lead on us, or if they plan to attack us?" He suggested. She gave him a nod.
"That's agreeable, I take it you want this is writing?"
Ichigo sat in the back of a carriage with his father, Yoruichi and Orihime. They'd just finished up in Morthal, his title of Thane having been given to him making him Nobility inside the Hold. He and Idgrod had spent about an hour writing up the pact which was pretty informal, but like the oath with the Companions it had been signed in blood.
Either way it didn't change his current situation, his father had been adamant he met his family as soon as possible. As such he'd hired a carriage, it was first going to take them to Whiterun to drop off Orihime and then it was going to head to Solitude where he'd meet his family, willingly or not.
Sajin had awoken shortly after Ichigo received his new title, but with his friends being healed up he'd told them to head back to the Grotto and report what was happening to the hunt and to take the new pact they had with Idgrod back to Tia. If anything, it stopped him getting chewed out for being revealed to half a dozen people.
His friends had been hesitant to leave his side but had agreed after he told the he wanted to meet his family alone. Ganju had also opted to stay in Morthal since it was now safe to get his farm up and running again.
He looked around the cart, Orihime had a few blankets around her to protect her from the cold as she chatted away with Yoruichi. Isshin was back in his armour, despite it being dented and some parts completely shattered. Ichigo and Yoruichi were both wearing brown cloaks, tied around the neck with a small emblem of the Shihoin clan etched into it. She'd been kind enough to loan him the cloak, it was their only protection from the weather, both not wearing armour, his broken and her not liking that armour weighed her down.
They were only a few more minutes till they arrived at the Whiterun stables, the carriage horses would need a rest for some food before they left for Solitude so they'd head into the city to wait till the carriage was ready.
"We're almost there! I can't wait to get back to the temple, Danica must have been worried when I left so abruptly. Oh Rukia was there too, she'll no doubt have questions. What should I tell her?" Orihime asked looking to Ichigo, her face rosy red from the cold as she tried to hide deeper within the blankets.
"Excluding the obvious, I don't care what you tell them, no need to keep what transpired a secret since everyone in Morthal knows anyway. Just keep my hunts condition to yourself, it's the only thing I'd ask you to lie about." He replied, he didn't want to be the reason the hunt got revealed to the world any more than it already was.
"No need to worry! I won't breath a word about it!" She stated cheerfully with a thumbs up. He nodded with a smile, he was sure he could trust her to keep his secret.
"What are we going to do while we wait for the horses to rest up? I vote the Bannered Mare." Yoruichi stated to the surprise of no one. Isshin rubbed his stubbly chin in thought.
"Ichigo, want to replace your armour while we're here?" His father asked, causing Yoruichi to scoff.
"Please, the armour he wears barely helps." She replied.
"It's not supposed to stop attacks, it just lessens the damage they do when I'm hit. Plus I can't wear heavy armour, much too loud for a hunter and it slows me down too much with my blades." Ichigo replied, there wasn't much he could do in his position other than settle for leather.
"Why don't you just use different blades then? Something more conventual? Those blades are too unbalanced." Isshin asked, it's not like it was hard to come by new blades after all.
"Don't want or need anything different. These blades have saved me too many times now, and they were a reward for my first ever solo hunt. They're not so easily replaced." Ichigo responded as the cart finally came to a stop at the stables.
They stepped from the back of the carriage as the horse was unclasped and led to the stables to rest. The group began their walk up to the gates of Whiterun as they continued to chat.
"Are you all feeling better? If you need any more help you can drop by the temple while you wait." Orihime offered as they entered the streets of Whiterun. Ichigo shook his head he motioned over the direction of the Bannered Mare.
"..I think I'll be joining Yoruichi in the inn. I could use some rest and if we're waiting around for a few hours then I may as well rest next to an open hearth." Ichigo replied Yoruichi smirked as she wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"So I've got myself a new drinking buddy have I? Let's see if you can match your cousin Kukaku." She said with a happy grin. Isshin tried to sound serious as he spoke, coughing into his hand to clear his throat.
"You're not making my son an alcoholic, it's bad enough when you and Kukaku go at it, I don't need Ichigo sipping from my stash too." He stated his face trying to look annoyed. Orihime chuckled as she followed them to the inn.
Before they could arrive though a cold voice spoke out from behind them, as they'd passed one of the stores around the well in front of the inn they'd all failed to spot the two dark haired Kuchiki's that had been looking over wares.
"I see you survived then, when I'd heard news of your wounds I'd thought that the Shiba's might have a new clan head next time we spoke. Should have known you were too stubborn to die that easily." The voice of Byakuya spoke drawing, Rukia at his side looked slightly surprised at her brother's words but didn't speak up.
Ichigo immediately scowled at the newcomer, he briefly realised that with Rukia at his side he was likely her brother, the clan head he'd heard about. Instead of being offended or in any way disheartened Isshin instead grinned and patted his chest proudly.
"Ah, I see the world's already heard of my heroic deeds to save the day. It's good to see you care Byakuya, and here I thought you still held a grudge over that last gathering you hosted." The father replied cheerfully causing Ichigo's scowl to instead turn to his father.
"Heroic deeds? Saving the day? How insane are you, your ran into a horde of vampires that's not heroic, it's idiotic." Ichigo replied harshly happy to wound his father's ego. Before Isshin could rebuke Yoruichi interview with a sly smile.
"You say it's idiotic but didn't you do the same thing when you Chad and Sajin ran in against the very same vampires?... I won't deny it's idiotic though, like father like son and all that." She stated with a wide grin while he struggled to form a response to that.
"Yoruichi you wound us so, could you not see I was bonding with my son during the battle? Isn't that right Ichigo, that's what fathers and sons do right?" He asked only getting a blank stare from his orange haired son.
"You're kidding right?... that was bonding? So instead of something normal like I don't know, fishing, you think that stupidly running into a line of undead is bonding..." Ichigo disbelievingly asked, getting a confused look from his father.
"Is it not?" The Shiba asked back dumbstruck.
"I regret starting a conversation with you, it's already proving to be more effort than it's worth." Byakuya stated his calm composure breaking slightly as he discreetly grit his teeth.
"Don't be like that little Byakuya, come join us for a drink we'll be less rowdy this time." Yoruichi replied with a cat like grin.
"I have work to be doing, as should the both of you instead of taking time off for pointless endeavours. Even your new heir seems uninterested in the life of a clan head, dark days for a clan who do not even care for their future." Byakuya stated, a side-glance being sent to Ichigo.
"Still up for debate, with any luck Kaien will talk some sense into this stubborn old fart and forget about me being heir." Ichigo stated, a bored glance being sent to his father, Isshin looked nervously at his son.
"It won't be that bad, you'll grow into it." He insisted. This wasn't the first time they'd spoken about this subject, on the trip here there had been more than one heated argument but they were both too stubborn to move on the subject. Yoruichi wasn't wrong when she said 'like father like son'. Before the conversation could continue though Orihime cheerfully butted in, already having grown used to the fighting between Isshin and Ichigo.
"Oh, that's right! Rukia! You was considering hiring Ichigo for help on the trip wasn't you? Well now you can!" She exclaimed excitedly causing Rukia to pale considerably as she avoided looking at her brothers reaction.
'Damn it Orihime, brother would never allow me to take Ichigo! Especially not after the direction this conversation took.' She reasoned to herself, she would admit having Ichigo would be a massive help with his area of skills but there's no way her brother would trust him.
"Trip? Not really my thing... I usually stick to doing hunts if possible." Ichigo stated maintaining an indifference, he wouldn't turn down work after all, but he'd rather not have to work for another noble clan.
"It'll be fun Ichigo! I'm going too! So if anyone gets hurt I can heal them!" Orihime continued as Rukia wished she could disappear. Her brother looked down at her, slight questioning in his gaze.
"I.. was considering hiring you, to be a guide of sorts and to help with being in the wilds... Farengar had said you'd done good work receiving the Dragonstone for him." Rukia admitted knowing she was already ousted by her bubbly friend, lying now would be seen through easily by her brother.
"Hm." Byakuya briefly looked over the orange haired boy with slight distaste. "I'm sure there is more suitable companions than that of this boy, I'll find you someone more suited." He decided and made to turn, only to be stopped by Yoruichi's scoff.
"You should be politer little Byakuya, Ichigo is after all the new Thane of Morthal thanks to his part in wiping out an ancient vampire and its coven, and he's also going to be the new head of the Shiba clan one day. Are you sure you want to sour relations with another clan so blatantly?" She asked causing him to halt his turn.
Byakuya knew she was playing a game with him, she always did whenever she had chance, but he also knew that her words held merit. It was unbecoming to disrespect another clan so blatantly even if they were Shiba's.
"A Thane are you?" The stoic noble asked getting a smug smirk from Isshin and an annoyed eye roll from the orange haired son.
"You betcha, youngest Thane ever appointed in Morthal, the Jarl was greatly pleased with his swift efforts to protect her city!" The father bragged, patting his son on the back with some force, happy to be showing him off.
"He's a fighter too! Saved one of Kaien's boats from pirates and has fought against a cave full of vampires! No one more suited! He wouldn't let a hair on your sisters head be harmed!" Isshin boasted with a wide smirk.
"Why are you suddenly trying to get me to do jobs again, you've spent most of your time trying to convince me to come home." Ichigo stated suspiciously getting a grin from his father.
"Oh you'll be coming home first, but this would be a great chance to learn from others about being in a noble family! It'll prove we're not all stuffy old farts!" Isshin stated carelessly. Byakuya's jaw clenched even tighter.
"It'll be good Ichigo! We'll get to travel together and go exploring!" Orihime agreed clapping her hands together.
Rukia looked between all the parties with sheer disbelief, they weren't even seeing what she had to say about it. She wouldn't argue against having Ichigo on her expedition. His skills were too valuable for what she needed but she'd also like to be asked and as if reading her mind her brother spoke up.
"Rukia." She looked up to him as he spoke. "This is your mission, if you feel you can trust him I will not deny you your own choice." He stated his eye closed as his calm demeanour returned.
"...He could be valuable, it's at least worth considering." She admitted hoping that her brother wasn't testing her. He gave a single nod before turning away.
"Then do as you please." He stated as he began walking away back in the direction of his home leaving Rukia with the Shiba's. She gave then a small, nervous smile getting as laugh from Yoruichi.
"Come on then, we're heading to get some drinks! You can discuss having Ichigo join you while we drink." The older woman stated as she once began dragging Ichigo to their joint destination with Isshin gladly following with more of his ramblings.
Orihime gave Rukia a warm smile as she walked with her friend following Ichigo into the inn. Rukia noticed how chipper the girl seemed, a how comfortable she seemed with the other nobles.
"You seem happy, you enjoyed the trip to help them then?" Rukia asked getting an excited nod from the taller girl.
"It was nice to meet everyone, after they were healed of course. Ichigo has some nice friends, Chad and Sajin care for him greatly. Chad barely left his side while he was unconscious, and after Sajin woke the first thing he did was check on Ichigo." She replied incredibly pleased at the bonds Ichigo shared with his friends proving to her that they weren't monsters.
"Loyal friends? He didn't seem like the type to form deep contentions, Chad barely spoke when we met him." Rukia stated thinking back to the night she and Renji met the two hunters, Ichigo had a scowled most of the time and Chad barely gave anyone more than two words. She assumed that they worked together through mutual convenience rather than anything akin to friendship. Orihime was quick to wave off any sort of insinuations.
"Chad is really shy, but he's really kind too. Yoruichi said he carried both Ichigo and Sajin back to safety despite his own injuries! He even brought me some food as thanks!" She chirped with a bright smile.
"What about this Sajin? Is he the same?" Rukia asked, instantly noting the slight hesitation in Orihime's reply.
"...Hm, he's different. He's more open and speaks more, he holds Ichigo in high regards as well though. He was a little nervous around us though." Orihime stated, the werewolf had been clearly distressed when finding out he was in a house filled with normal people, he didn't seem to have had many good experiences with people since his transformation.
Rukia just nodded, there was clearly something being held back but she wouldn't push since she knew that her friend wouldn't lie to her. Yoruichi already claimed a bench next to the hearth and was calling for drinks, Isshin seemed to be poking fun at Ichigo if he's grin mixed with his sons blushing face was anything to go by.
She and Orihime sat across on another bench next to them, the other bench was empty leaving them alone around the hearth.
"So Rukia, what is it you want Ichigo for?" Yoruichi asked brining Rukia into the conversation.
"...Fanrengar said Ichigo did good work for him when gaining the Dragonstone. I'm also looking for an artifact, I still need to find the place though so I could be in the wilds for a while hence I need someone with outdoor survival skills." She stated garnering Ichigo's attention.
"How long would you need me around, I usually like to end my jobs fairly quickly so that I can move on." Ichigo stated, he didn't want to be away from the hunters too long, not if he could help it.
"I don't know, as I said I don't know the location of the place I'm looking for. I've narrowed it down to a mountainside, so it could take a few weeks. I've gathered enough supplies for a months worth of search after that we'll have to return and resupply for a second search." She replied causing him to frown.
"Are you sure you want to go? Spending that long on the side of a mountain is not going to be easy, no doubt it'll be home to countless trolls and bears. Even then keeping warm will be the biggest issue." Ichigo replied, he didn't like the idea of Orihime being dragged on a dangerous quests like this... but the fact that Orihime wanted to go on it meant he'd likely be unable to refuse, he owed her his life after all.
"I know the dangers! Hence why am asking you for your help! But if you too scared about facing a few bears then I don't want your help." She exclaimed annoyed at him undermining her resolve. He scoffed.
"Only asked since you don't really have the stature to be facing any type of threat, I mean you're not even up to my shoulders." Ichigo replied motioning to her height. He was assisted by a small snowball hitting him the face.
'Snowball?' he thought wiping his face as he saw the smirking face of Rukia her out stretched hand glowing with magic... 'So she's a mage?'
"What was that? Something about my height?" She asked through gritted teeth.
"So a midget witch who can throw snowballs? I'm not convinced." Ichigo replied easily as he cleaned his face. She reeled back her hand for another attack only to be cut off by Orihime calming her down.
"Don't fight you two! Ichigo be nice, this is important to Rukia." Orihime scolded her cheeks puffed out slightly in annoyance.
"Right... sorry, yeah I'll help." Ichigo replied, he wouldn't let Orihime brave the harsh colds and dangers in the mountains alone. "Chad will probably want to come as well. We have an oath to fight for each other so he'll want to be there as well, is that okay?" Ichigo asked allowing his voice to become more polite, if only to appease Orihime.
"And for pay, how much do you want to be compensated?" Rukia asked as she too calmed on behalf of her friend. Ichigo shrugged carelessly.
"Don't really know how much would be appropriate, as I said I usual only do jobs I can finish in a few days. Whatever you think, I don't really need the money anyway." Ichigo replied easily as he really didn't care for the pay-out.
"Then I'll give you what's expected for such a job, when will you be able to gather your things and join me?" She continued, Isshin spoke up first as he threw his arm around Ichigo's shoulder.
"He's coming to Solitude first, he can pick up Sado on the way back. Right Ichigo?" Isshin asked getting a annoyed nod from the teen.
"I know, I'll be about a week or so before I return. Can you wait that long?" Ichigo asked as he pushed himself out of Isshin's grip. She thought it over for a moment before nodding.
"That should be fine, I'll have a cart and supplies ready for your return. Renji will be joining us as well, brother allowed him to take some time off from working at the farm to help me." She replied causing him to raise an eyebrow.
"I remember his claims about training with a blade when we met but are you sure he's not going to be a bit rusty?" Ichigo asked doubting the use of a farmer. Rukia nodded with a slight glare.
"He knows how to fight, he just works as a farmer so he can afford to feed himself." She defend getting a slight shrug from the other teen.
"If you say so." He conceded as Saadia finally arrived with drinks for them, much to the pleasure of Yoruichi.
"What is it you're even looking, what is this artifact?" Ichigo asked. He at least wanted to know what is was being hired for, especially since it was going to take so long to find. Rukia pursed her lips slightly as she thought of a way to explain while also withholding enough information that it couldn't be spread to others.
"...I'm not completely sure, it differs from story to story. Some people claim it's a tool while others a weapon. Either way I've been searching as long as I can remember, this could be the end of that search." She stated, purposely leaving out what it looked like and what it was said to do.
"Fair enough, I just hope we can wrap it up sooner rather than later. I have a lot more jobs to do." Ichigo replied, choosing not to press on the subject.
"Jobs? Like what?" Rukia asked, after all he was a hunter. It never made sense to her why he was so busy in other holds if he was focused only on hunting game to sell.
"Whatever is asked, with the hunters everyone is expected to pull their weight and then some. It's just how we are." Ichigo replied. No one in the hunt was a burden, even the weakest wolves did something, be it protecting pups or being on lookout for threats to their territories.
"Were you pulling your weight when you were in Morthal?" She asked back, wanting to know more about the trip which apparently nearly cost his life. He shrugged.
"The vampires in Morthal was more of a personal quest." He answered honestly. The vampires were not a direct threat to the hunt, but they were a threat to the innocents they sought after for food. Not to mention Hircine's test for him to wipe them out, it didn't help the hunt, it only helped him.
"I suppose you can't complain, you got the title of Thane thanks to it." She continued to which Isshin laughed smacking Ichigo on the back.
"Just like his old man. Wait till Masaki hears about this." The father cried out, faux tears streaming from his eyes. Orihime laugh lightly into her closed hand, seeming to be used to the eccentric man, considering she spent a long trip here with Isshin it made sense.
Ichigo seemed to accept his fate of being the son of such a man and heartily drank from his tankard. The more time she spent with the Shiba's the more she realised they were completely opposites, Isshin always wearing a broad smile while Ichigo scowled whenever he had chance. Yet he seemed to fit in with the eccentric family she'd heard about from Kaien.
Rukia smiled to herself as the group slowly turned their attention to their drinks and to conversation, Isshin's telling stories while using his hands for grandiose gestures as an aid to telling said stories.
'In only a week I will finally be able to set out. Feels like lifetimes ago when I first began my search... I just wish Hisana was here to find it with me.' She thought morbidly, her sister always dampened her mood when she thought about her but now she was close to finishing the search her sister had slaved over.
By the time Rukia zoned back in on the others conversation Yoruichi was already on her second drink and Isshin was acting like a giddy child as he talked about his daughters to his son. Orihime was talking to the older woman about one thing or another.
She allowed herself to enjoy the atmosphere and company of the other nobles, it was so unlike anything she'd been accustom too in meetings with her brother and other clans. Sure some more vocal Nord clans could be somewhat lax, they all still carried themselves with pride and etiquette. The Shiba's were the complete opposite seeming to fit in better with common rabble than their noble peers.
...She found herself enjoying their company.
"Remember, if you need anything don't hesitate to ask the hunters. If you can't get to any of the hunt then go to the Companions, they have the means to communicate with us." Ichigo said as he stood at the foot of the carriage saying his farewells to Orihime. She just seemed embarrassed and tried waving him off.
"I did as I was taught, it's nothing in too special. You don't need to worry about owing me anything." She replied as her face began to heat up in embarrassment at being so highly praised.
"We both know that's false, any other healer would have turned tail and ran after finding out about me and my friends. You stayed and saved not only my life but also my friend's, which I owe you for and more on top of that for my father's injuries and everyone else's wounds... not to mention accepting me. Just promise you won't hesitate to call on me if you ever need to." Ichigo pressed, he needed her to know that he'd always have her back. Loyalty was something he was taught the importance of from a young age, this was an extension of that.
"I promise, but you have nothing to worry about, just be safe and make sure to smile for your sisters!" She chirped cheerfully. He shook his head with a smile upon his face, she couldn't seem to take anything too seriously if it were anyone else her constant cheerfulness may have annoyed him.
"I'll see you when I return." He stated before claiming into the back of the carriage.
That was a few days ago, they'd left Whiterun the same night they'd arrived as they decided traveling through the night was no problem. Rukia had left only a few hours after first talking with them in the Bannered Mare. Orihime had chosen to stay with them till they left.
They now stood at the gates of Solitude, having left the carriage behind at the bottom of the hill that led up to the main gates. The journey here had been slow and tedious, the most fun thing that happened was seeing a farmer pass them with a cow. The cow itself had been painted up with markings akin to that the giant etched into stones meaning the cow was probably a sacrifice to the giants from the farmer.
The guards greeted Isshin as they approached, Isshin gladly shook their hands and greeted them back. Ichigo remembered that his father was once a captain of the guards, maybe these were some of the men that served with him.
"Good to see you again Isshin, when that search party of yours came back without you we were a tad worried." The guard stated happy to shake the Shiba's hand. It was then they seemed to notice Ichigo behind him.
"This your lad then? Hair just like Misaki's." The other questioned as he remained faceless behind his helm.
"Yup, this is Ichigo, my eldest." Isshin replied, Ichigo just nodded slightly in greeting to them and kept his lips shut. It's not like he knew them. They both nodded back to him, their expression unknown under their uniform.
"Nice ta meet ya lad, we had a hell of a time looking for you after you left last time. Must be fast to outrun our horses." One said, oddly chipper about the whole thing.
"Something like that..." He replied glancing to Yoruichi who seemed annoyed to be held up so long. She was happy to kick Isshin's ass back in gear, with a quick smack atop the nobles bead she spoke.
"No offence to you two, but we've been on the road and want to get to a warm bed and a cold drink. So you'll have to excuse us." She stated as she all but dragged Isshin into the gates, the two guard quickly saying their goodbyes.
"Ah Yoruichi! I was just saying hello." Isshin complained when she finally stopped dragging him. They walked along the brick path deeper into the city, Ichigo took notice of the looks they were receiving from those stood outside the local in. It seemed they were the centre of some gossip.
"It took us an hour to get out of those gates when you stopped to say hello last time, I'm not waiting again, you can be buddy buddy with the guards in your own time not mine." She replied as she also noticed the looks they were receiving from around them.
"Seems people are still talking about the scene you started with Kaien." She mused with a dry laugh as they left the line of sight of the Winking Skeever. Isshin let out his own groan at the mention of it. It was all too tempting to ask.
"What scene? You and Kaien got into a fight?" Ichigo asked as he caught the familiar smell of spiced wine and fish as the passed the well district, this time though the stores were closed. Isshin seemed to make an effort to look dead ahead instead of turning to face him when he answered.
"Something like that... when your sisters came in and relayed your message to Kaien. He came running to find you with me on his heels. When he finally told me that he knew you were alive and had known for a while... well Masaki arrived when he admitted it and almost broke down in the street." Isshin stated his attitude sombre for once, his displeasure about the situation obvious.
"...Sorry. I just thought it'd be better if I didn't get involved... I... didn't think you'd honestly want me back after you learned about what I am." Ichigo responded quietly brushing a hand through his hair in annoyance at himself.
"… I understand, I can't fault you... you didn't know us and had no reason to trust us." Isshin replied back putting a reassuring hand on his son shoulder, a forced smile on his lips. "But I intend to change that, you'll be one of the family again in no time." Isshin continued confidently.
"… Should I tell them what I am? Ganju knows... and he seemed a bit cautious about the whole situation." Ganju had been the least happy about everything, he'd still helped though claiming it was for family.
"It'd be best to let them garner an impression of the real you before we drop that on them. Just relax and get to know them, I'll explain it to them if it becomes important." Isshin stated as they passed the bards college.
Ichigo nodded to his father as he cast a glance to the steps of the college, it wasn't overly long ago he met his sisters there. He tried containing his anxiety as he drew close to the Shiba house, he was already starting to second guess his choice not to run from his father when he was found in Morthal.
What was he even supposed to say to his family? 'Hi sorry I didn't try finding you all these years, I'm here now.' That would go down a charm. Would his sisters even want to see him after he deceived them? He didn't have any longer to think out his options as he was spotted.
Stood at the bottom of the small set of steps that led up to the house was Kaien, stood with his arms crossed. He could feel the glare of his cousin as he approached. He stopped in front of Kaien, avoiding eye contact like a guilty child.
"You lied to me." Kaien stated, his voice was firm though he didn't sound angry.
"I kept the promise... just not how you wanted... but yeah, sorry." Ichigo replied hesitantly, looking off to the side rather than facing his cousin.
He was suddenly pulled into a firm embrace, Kaien seemingly had enough of the tension as he pulled his cousin into a tight hug. It took him a moment, but Ichigo met halfway in the hug, albeit uncomfortably.
"Why did you run? I thought you'd want to see everyone again." Kaien asked as he pulled away, he just couldn't understand why he wouldn't want to be with his family.
"I don't know what I want... it's complicated..." Ichigo started trying to give reason for his actions, but luckily Isshin stepped up to steer the conversation away from his real reasons.
"Come on let's get inside. The reason he left isn't important, just the fact that he's back." He stated walking past Kaien up the steps to his home, Yoruichi motioned for them both to follow as she was seemingly annoyed at being outside so long.
With no small amount of flair Isshin threw open the doors to his home, a loud band sounded from the wall which the door banged against. With a strong step forward his dad stepped inside and with a deep breath let his presence be known.
"Oh darling family, I have returned from my gruelling quest across Skyrim and with me-" He began to exclaim before he was quickly cut off as he was thrown to the side. Ichigo was pushed from behind, he managed to see a small smirk on Yoruichi's face before he found himself inside the house... Standing face to face with his mother.
His mouth felt dry as he tried to greet her, but he couldn't spare a word and neither could she apparently as she reached out for him, her hands grasping his shoulders as she pulled him into a tight hug. He could feel her shaking, tears already wetting his cloak.
"Ichigo..." Her voice was barely a whisper as her grip tightened around him. It was like she thought he could disappear at any moment... He brought up his arms, wrapping them back around her as he buried his head into her shoulder.
"Mum..." It just escaped his lips, he hadn't meant to speak. It just felt natural. She suddenly drew back, her hands relocating to his cheeks as she gazed deeply into his face. She seemed to draw in each detail, from the almost invisible scars scattered around his face and neck to the length of his bright hair.
"It's really you isn't it?" She asked as more tears flowed from her eyes. He couldn't tear his gaze from her, it'd been so many years but seeing her again just seemed to burn her image into his eyes. He swallowed and nodded.
"It's me..." Ichigo whispered finally managing to look away, only thanks to the guilt he felt... he ran and left her in this state... and as horrible as it sounded he wanted to run again. The feelings that he felt now we're unlike anything he'd faced since his enslavement.
Sure the hunters had been a good family to him, great even. He would have been happy if they were the only family he had... but, now he'd got to know his dad, now that he could see his mother... it was something completely new.
It scared him more than any vampire could, more than any creature would ever. He wasn't supposed to feel like he did now, he was supposed to be battle hardened and fierce yet he suddenly felt like a defenceless child.
"I told you I would bring him home hun." Isshin spoke up as he joined them again after being thrown to the side. He was smiling warmly as he separated them, not like his usual jovial self. "We should sit, where are the girls?" He asked as he led them to a table and chairs within the main room.
Kaien hovered close by while Yoruichi left them alone as she walked into a kitchen, the sound of a bottle being opened soon after. He was seated and Masaki sat next to him her hand never leaving his, Isshin took a seat across from them.
"Yuzu and Karin are out with Kukaku, they should be back anytime." Kaien supplied as it became apparent Masaki wasn't going to reply. Isshin nodded his thanks.
"Where have you been, why did you leave again?" Masaki asked, her tears having not slowed in the least. Ichigo looked down at his hands, again he felt that twisting feeling of guilt at seeing his mother in such a state.
"...How much do you already know, did Kaien tell you everything?" Ichigo asked uncertain where to start. It was the better half of his life after all, not something easily summed up. Kaien spoke up.
"Told them everything you told me, from being a slave to a hunter. You were pretty scarce on details cousin." Kaien stated his arms crossed as he lent against a nearby pillar.
"...Right, yeah." Ichigo mused as he pulled up his tunic selves to reveal the harsh scar tissue around his wrist. "I started out a slave for some cutthroats, but around when I was nine, or at least I think I was nine, I was saved and freed by a group of hunters who wiped out the encampment." Ichigo stated his gaze mainly aimed toward the table so that he could tell his story without looking to his mother.
"I didn't really hold many memories of my life before that, so I couldn't really come looking for you. The hunters took me in and fed me up, they went as far as to relocate themselves so I didn't have to travel far in my weak state... They sort of became my family, they act like elder sisters to me." Ichigo admitted.
"Well I won't go into too much detail, since it'd take too long but long story short they raised me as a hunter hence my current occupation. It was only after I met Kaien did I start regaining some memories of my life before slavery." Ichigo finished, giving them a moment to speak as he could see them waiting to question him.
"But you came back, you spoke to your sisters. Why did you leave after that? You do want to be part of the family don't you?" His mother asked, he clenched he teeth. He already knew it would be asked but he couldn't answer, he glanced to his father who seemed to understand to cry for help.
"He's already came out to me about all that, he was scared of the unknown. It's as he said, his memories had only just started returning so we were all but strangers to him, plus he seemed to have the idea being in a family like ours would force him to leave behind what he's been doing all these years." Isshin stated, serious almost looking foreign on his face.
"You still want to be a hunter then?" Maksaki asked softly. He nodded, it's what he was raised for, what he's trained for.
"I have reasonability's, I'm not the leader of the hunters but I have a small team that follow me and work alongside me. Not to mention that if I left hunting I would be spiting in the face of the hunters who made many sacrifices of their own to raise and train me." He explained, before he was saved the hunters were must more nomadic moving from place to place, they gave up that freedom for him with the added risk of being discovered.
"But you're still just a child, you shouldn't be risking your life in fights that can be avoided. Come home for just a few years, wait till you grow older before choosing a life like this. They are other options." Masaki pleaded. Instantly he opened his mouth to snap at her, but thankfully was able to restrain himself... he just hated people seeing him as inferior due to his age.
"Masaki, as much as I would want to agree with you... he's not going to change his mind." Isshin spoke causing his wife to turn on him.
"You can't be happy about this, he could die as a hunter! A bear could kill him and we'd never see him again, could you live with that?" She asked to which he shook his head.
"Of course I couldn't, but I know that he wouldn't be killed by a bear. Do you think I managed to get him to drop everything he was doing to come straight here? He was in the middle of a job when I found him." Isshin started with a glance at his son.
"You're looking at the Thane of Morthal, through his efforts there the entire town is now safe from a vampire plot to wipe them out." Isshin started, but before anyone could question he carried on. "Jarl Idgrod gave him the title so that he could be acknowledged, not so that he could go back to being a child, he's too far past that point now." He finished.
"Vampires? You let him fight vampires!?" She exclaimed furious, though Isshin didn't so much as flinch as he closed his eyes.
"He didn't have a choice. I was going to fight them either way, he and Yoruichi ended up helping me and my hunters against them." Ichigo stated, leaving out the part about fatal wounds so not to anger his mother anymore.
"You said you're a hunter, so why were you even going after vampires?" Kaien asked.
"Because you need to challenge yourself to improve. Plus the vampires had made several attempts to attack Whiterun, when we learned about what was going on we couldn't just leave them." Ichigo stated.
"You could have told the guards." He rebuked. Ichigo wanted to blurt out that they weren't immune to vampirism but that obviously wouldn't end well.
"I have experience against vampires, there used to be a den of them within the area we hunt in. Most guards would just end up becoming enthralled and only end up adding to the problem." He argued.
"Look, say what you will but we can't change what is done. We should be celebrating not arguing. We have our son back, and he's grown up to be a great person, isn't that enough?" Isshin asked causing everyone to simmer down.
Masaki didn't have time to answer as the front door opened again, and two familiar children came walking in. Yuzu was the first to notice him, her eyes met his and she instantly froze. Karin bumped into her back as her sister suddenly stopped.
"Yuzu what's-" Karin finally followed her sisters gaze, they saw recognised who he was instantly. The two strange blades telling them it's the man they spoke to before and the identical looks to their cousin Kaien matched the description of their brother.
"Ichi?" Yuzu whispered her eyes already starting to fill with tears.
'Why do they all have to cry?' He asked himself, it only ever served to make him feel worse than he already did. Behind the two girls Kukaku also walked in, she cast one look around the room and sighed as she realised what was going on.
"I take it we're interrupting?" She asked with a slight smile.
That seemed to break the two girls out of their shock, Yuzu was the first to move as she ran to her brother and quickly embraced him while wiping her teary face into his cloak. Karin on the other hand looked pissed as she pulled back her leg and sent a powerful kick into his shin.
Kukaku spotted Yoruichi at the doorway to the kitchen and decided to greet her friend instead of watching the argument that was brewing.
"You left us!" Karin exclaimed once again kicking him in his shin. He grit his teeth and held the spot she'd kicked so as to protect in from any further attack. He looked to his father silently asking for help again, only this time he smirked.
"You're on your own for this one." He stated seemingly amused by his plea. Karin though took it as permission for a third hit, her kick landing on his hand which was now covering his shin... which was arguably more painful than just letting her kick his shin. Though she seemed to be satisfied with just three as she ceased her kicks.
"Why'd you leave? Everyone thought you were dead! Then you come back and don't even tell us it's you!" Karin shouted, Yuzu let him go to look at him as if waiting for his response as well.
"...Sorry." He supplied... which seemed to be the wrong answer as Karin braced herself for another kick. Luckily Yuzu stopped her.
"Stop Karin... it's not nice..." She stated getting a disbelieving looked form her sister.
"Not nice?! He practically lied to us!" Karin exclaimed. Yuzu wasn't having it though as she stomped her foot in annoyance.
"He was still kind enough to spend that time with us, he taught us about the hawks and showed you his swords! He was still nice to us even if he never told us who he was!" Yuzu argued. Though Karin was unimpressed.
"Well he still hasn't answered why he left! Well?" She turned back on him expectantly.
"… I didn't think I'd be suited to being a part of a family, especially not a noble family. I'm not fancy, I don't have the best of manners and I hate acting nice to people." He heard Isshin scoffing to himself, likely in agreement to his words. "Had I told you who I was you'd have wanted me to stay and I wasn't confident I could... If anything I'd have been a stain on the family name, then I met dad and realised it couldn't be anymore stained than it already is." Ichigo finished as he sent a dry look to his father.
The girls didn't reply for a second, Yuzu seemed to accept his words straight off but Karin was a lot more reserved. But after a few moments of thought she nodded, though he checks puffed out slightly.
"Fine, I'll forgive you this once... but you're not going to leave now right?" She asked causing any hope he had to calm her with word to be thrown out the window... he would be leaving soon, probably even tomorrow. When he didn't answer straight away she seemed to realise it and her face turned into a glare once again. Thankfully Isshin finally decided to led aid again.
"No he can't say long... which is kind of my fault this time. I convinced him to accept a job which could take a month or so..." He admitted sheepishly rubbing the back of his head. Both Masaki and Karin turned their angered gazes to him, Ichigo watched his father subtlety gulp as a bit nervous sweat formed on his forehead.
"You did what?!" Masaki exclaimed standing from her seat Karin's hands were clenched into fists as she glared at her dad across the table.
"It was clan business, Byakuya's sister was gathering a team to help her look for some artifact... She had wanted Ichigo to join them... I thought it'd be a good idea so he could talk to another noble and learn the basics of being one..." He reasoned though it didn't seem to calm the mother. Ichigo briefly considered letting his father take all the punishment, but he knew it wasn't fair so he offered him all it the help.
"It's not his fault completely." Ichigo admitted drawing their attention again. "I owe a debt to one of the others going, so I have to go to make sure she returns safely." Ichigo stated, Kaien narrowed his eyes slightly.
"When we met you said you was pretty wealthy, and that you didn't really need money. I don't see how you could get yourself in debt if to see words were true." Kaien replied, Ichigo just rolled his eyes.
"And I was telling the truth. It's not a debt of gold, she healed me up after I was hurt, she has a few times and I pretty much owe my life to her." Ichigo admitted, he was raised under the teachings of Hircine and that came with repaying debts in order not to sully your honour.
"You owe your life to a healer? What happened?" Yuzu asked with a hand to her mouth. Only then did he realise that he just admitted he almost died to his family... who he was trying to convince to be ok with him leaving. He and his father shared a look, Isshin nodded and began to speak up.
"Well, girls first thing is you missed a bit of the conversation when you entered. Ichigo is actually the Thane of Morthal, it was the job he was given there that he was injured..." Isshin went on to tell the room about the cave of vampires and their plot to take over Morthal.
As Ichigo watched his father retell the events he noted just how much his father seemed to enjoy telling stories, especially when he could talk about his and Ichigo's 'fearlessness against outstanding odds' or when he could over sell them both fighting back to back... Ichigo was somewhat annoyed that the fight that almost killed him was being told like a bed time story.
It took his father half an hour to retell the story, and of the 'Beautiful healer' that came to save his life but when he was done he couldn't fault his father since he seemed to have calmed the others somewhat.
"So how much of what he said was true?" Karin instantly asked as soon as Isshin finished talking instantly causing him to cry out about having cruel children.
"Pretty much all of it, apart from him charging in to the rescue it was more of him charging in due to his stupidity." Ichigo replied causing his father to cry foul.
"So you're the Thane of Morthal? That's so cool!" Yuzu cried capping her hands together, she had hung off of every word their father had spoken. She had even shed tears at hearing Ichigo and their father getting hurt, she was the definition of an open book.
"Apparently, not sure what Idgrod expects me to do with the title though... I'll probably just visit every now and again to see if she needs help." He reasoned with a shrug, it was what he did with Whiterun after all.
"I don't know how you're okay with him doing this Isshin, he almost died!" Masaki said to her husband.
"There is not much I can think of which rivals a master vampire and his followers, so I'm confident he can handle himself. This is what he chooses to do, no one forces him to do so." Isshin replied with a sad smile, in his mind there was no stopping it since he knew of what Ichigo was.
Karin looked at him while their parents talked, or rather argued about whether or not to be happy he's a hunter. She crossed her arms and with a slight scowl she addressed her brother.
"You're going to teach me how to use a sword." She stated causing Ichigo to raise an eyebrow. Luckily their parents hadn't heard as they continued their own conversation. Ichigo knew they wouldn't approve of her using a weapon.
"You don't have a sword." He stated easily hoping to end that request quickly, but it was obviously not going to end that quickly.
"But you do." She replied back just as easily.
"And you can't carry one and the other isn't designed to be used alone." He shot back not giving in, he didn't want to piss off his already annoyed mother. Though his sister didn't seem to take no for an answer.
"Then get me one. It can be an apology for lying to me and leaving." She replied causing Yuzu to frown.
"You shouldn't blackmail people, it's not nice." Yuzu argued. Karin shrugged, seemingly uncaring about manners or being nice.
"What? Are you saying you don't care that he never told us who he was and then ran away like a coward?" Karin asked causing Ichigo to flinch, she really didn't pull any punches.
"I spoke to dad about it in Morthal, he said you're too young... and I assume mum has the same line of thought. I'm on a tight rope right now so I can't help you." Ichigo admitted, but that didn't seem to appease her.
"What age did you start training?" She asked.
"I started with a bow, I came from a group of hunters remember?" He replied, avoiding the fact he started training with blades almost immediately after he fired his first arrow. What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.
"Are you saying you'll teach me to use a bow instead?" She asked a single brow raised, he grit his teeth when he realised that no matter what he said she was going to continue to ask him.
"If you can convince either of those two then I will help however I can, until then my hands are tied." Ichigo stated causing her to roll her eye in annoyance.
"At this rate I'm going to be years behind the new recruits. Tatsuki started training when she was my age and she'll be entering the legion soon, if the other recruits are the same I'll always be behind them." Karin stated getting a reassuring smile from her sister.
"Is this Tatsuki a friend of yours?" Ichigo asked, she must be about his age if she was joining the legion soon.
"Not really, she's just someone we cross paths with. She takes lessons at the Keep and I go watch them train sometimes." Karin replied, though it seems Masaki picked up on what they were talking about finally.
"You're not having a sword Karin, you're too young for it." Masaki seemed exasperated as she spoke, as if she'd said it a hundred times.
"Kaien was training when he was my age, dad was too and no doubt Ichigo was so why can't I?" She pressed. Ichigo glanced between the two parents, Isshin seemed conflicted in the matter but Masaki was no doubt the mother hen which wouldn't allow it. Ichigo spoke up before his mother shot his sister down again.
"What about just a practice blade? So that she doesn't fall behind when she gets her own blade?" Ichigo asked uncertainty, he did to want to anger his mother but he still wanted to help his sister. His mother frowned and hesitated to answer.
"If she had a bit of training before she touches a real blade then she is less likely to hurt herself in training... at worst she'll only have a few bruises and blisters from a practice blade." Isshin added. "We're not going to stop her doing what she wants the best we can do is ready her and make sure she's prepended." Isshin continued, seeing no harm in a practice blade.
Masaki huffed clearly seeing she was outnumbered... She loved her family dearly, but for some reason the majority of them were idiots who for some reason wanted to put themselves in harm's way.
"Fine, practice and nothing more though!" She exclaimed, even if it wasn't a full blade Karin looked ecstatic at the prospect.
"I'll get her everything she needs tomorrow." Ichigo said with a smile. This hadn't been as bad as he thought it would turn out.
And that's it for this chapter, any questions or criticisms feel free to leave in the reviews or PM's and I'll do my best to answer them.
So a bit more screen time with Rukia to have her quest set up, I'm still bullet-pointing what I want to happen for it but I'm pretty sure i have the fundamentals down. As I'm sure I've mentioned before I plan to have sidestorys in this story somewhere, I think the first one will take places at the same time as Rukia's quest.
Another ally to the hunters in the form of Idgrod, she'll mostly play an ally in the political scene so it's more of a none aggression pact than anything else.
And finally Ichigo has reunited with his family! A long time coming, hopefully I wrote it well enough but I'm aware that I'm bad at writing sappy scenes so sorry for any disappointment. I think Ichigo will have a few things to deal with in Solitude at a later date but this trip will mostly be getting to know the family.
One more thing before I sign out for the month, a question I want to address. So here's a little Q&A.
Q-Nolifeking222-'Have you thought of ichigo doing The Cursed Ring of Hircine quest "Ill Met by Moonlight", just a suggestion you could have a werewolf vs werewolf fight. beside that great story so far cant wait for more'
A- The quest has actually already been done already, it wasn't put in the lime light and Sinding was never mentioned by name I don't think but yeah Tia was the one to complete the quest a few months before chapter one. She explains it briefly when she talks about where she got the Saviors Hide which is her main apparel and how she found Bloated Mans Grotto to which their base is set up in. That quest pretty much set up the bedrock for the hunters in Skyrim, despite it only being in the background. Looking back I maybe should have made it a bit more apparent.
No need to worry though, I intend for the Ring of Hircine to make an appearance in one of the side stories I have planned and in the same story will contain at least one werewolf v werewolf fight in it. So hopefully that will suffice.
So I hope that clears it up for others with similar questions, that was my mistake for not making it more apparent sorry. But with that I'm done for the month, see you in February!