"I already hate this job," Tia said to Nel as they exited the room in their new sailor outfits, er job uniforms. "It's freezing out there and he wants us to run around in sailor outfits? Is he stupid?"
"I know what you mean, and yes I do believe he is," Neliel responded as they made their way to the dining area of the shop.
Tessai's sixth sense luckily kicked in and he quickly carried Jinta and Ururu out of the room in a flash.
"Oh, don't you two look just precious!" Kisuke said grinning from behind his fan.
"I hate you," Nel and Tia said at the same time.
"Now, now, no need for such words as hate. Now, your first job is to deliver this package across town to a club called After Life," Kisuke said giving the two a package, his jovial grin never fading.
"What's in it?" Tier asked.
"You're errand girls, not interviewers. Now off you go!"
...
"That was...different," Ichigo said as he and Yoruichi entered his office at the fourteenth squad barracks while closing the door behind him.
"Oh don't deny it. You liked it," Yoruichi teased with a sly grin as she lay down on the couch that was placed in front of the desk in his office.
Ichigo sighed as he took off his haori, folded it, and sat the Jackal and holsters on the desk. "It's not important if I liked it or not. It matters if you, Tia, and Nel are alright with it," He said lying down next to Yoruichi, putting his arm around her.
"What happens if someone comes in here and sees us like this?" Yoruichi asked looking up to Ichigo of who just smiled back down to her.
"I don't care anymore," he said making her smile warmly and nuzzle her head into his chest.
The laid there cuddling and making small talk for about an hour before the office door opened to see a smirking Alucard.
"I take it you had a good time?" Ichigo asked as he sat up.
Alucard didn't speak but instead walked around the couch and behind the desk only to pull out a bottle of crimson looking wine. He then got a wine glass and filled it halfway before going over to the corner and sit in a velvet chair, his smirk never fading. A moment later he released two words. "Fuck yeah."
...
Two hours before current time...
Alucard walked casually through the Rukongai without a care in the world. His hands were stuffed carelessly in his pockets and a smirk was plastered on his face. He soon found his way into a bar and sat down in a booth.
"What may I get for you?" the waiter asked as he walked up to the booth.
"A bottle of your finest wine," Alucard responded jovially as he took off his hat and sunglasses to sit them on the table in front of him.
"Right away," the waiter said before walking off.
After a minute of waiting the waiter returned with a bottle of wine and a glass. Receiving a nod from the strangely dressed man he began pouring Alucard a full glass.
The materialized zanpakto clad in red sat there in thought for a good half hour before looking over to a group playing poker. Alucard shrugged, put back on his hat and glasses, and walked over with his glass in hand.
"Mind if I join? Oh wait, too late," Alucard said sitting down.
"Not a problem, man. Was gonna except anyways," a man with blonde hair said casually.
"What's your name?" Alucard asked with a grin.
"Tubalcain Alhambra, or more frequently known as The Dandy," the now proclaimed Dandy said with a nod.
"What are we going to play? Fifty two pickup?" Alucard grinned taking a sip from his glass.
"Nope. But I don't like that grin of yours," The Dandy said throwing a card at supersonic speeds, slicing Alucard's glass in half as well as the counter ten feet away.
"That's not nice," Alucard said as the three "people" that comprised Dandy's group dissipated into cards. "Neat trick."
"Oh, there's more where that came from," the card user said with a grin as he threw three more cards thus destroying the entire bar. "That was a quick contract. Time to get paid," he said walking from the rubble and into the street.
About twenty feet out someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned to see no one here. However when he turned back around he saw Alucard with The Casull pointing at his head.
"Hey, Dandy-Dick, guess what?" Alucard said in a jovial tone though it was laced heavily with bloodlust.
The Dandy Man gulped which was a good enough answer for Alucard.
"You missed!" the man clad in red said as he pulled the trigger.
"Nothing like a good kill to get you in a good mood," Alucard said searching the body for a note or something to tell him who sent this man out on his contract.
Alucard found a note in the man's jacket and he read it.
"Excuse me, sir," a feminine voice said from behind him.
He didn't look at the woman but instead he raised a finger telling her to wait. "Hold on. I have to Tweet about this," he said seemingly pulling out a phone from his jacket. "Damnit, no reception, now what did you want?" Alucard said turning around to see a blonde haired woman in shinigami robes, blue eyes, the words 'District Ten Police' on a tag above her right breast, and large...assets.
...
"So you're telling me that you ran into a poker playing hit man and a big tittied police girl?" Yoruichi deadpanned.
"Yes, for the one hundredth time," Alucard said finishing his glass of wine.
"Who sent the hit order?" Ichigo asked as he walked over to Alucard of who just pulled out the note, not even looking at his partner.
"It's in German," Ichigo said.
"Nazis," Alucard mumbled.
"That's a bad stereotype that most German people are offended by," Ichigo responded.
"You have your assumptions, I have mine," Alucard grinned as he poured himself another glass of wine.
Ichigo scowled just as Zangetsu, Kyoka, and Hollow entered the room. However Zangetsu was holding up a very drunk Hollow.
"I take it you two are sober?" Ichigo asked Kyoka and Zangetsu.
"Very much so," Kyoka replied gingerly as she took a seat in the chair next to Alucard.
"I-I'm the horse...and this faggot's the King. Woopdy, fuckin', do," Hollow said as he hiccupped repeatedly.
Ichigo's left eyebrow twitched. "I take it you guys are ready to go back?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes, but I would like to be out during the daytime," Zangetsu said as he let Hollow collapse to the floor.
"I'll remember that. Can you do it, Yoruichi? I have no idea how to deactivate these things," Ichigo mumbled and earned a smile from the Goddess of Flash.
In a flash all of the tenshintai were clattering to the floor while Yoruichi was struggling to hold up the twenty five pound fire-arm, the standard katana, the thirty pound piece of solid metal, and hollow mask.
"I have no idea how you carry these," Yoruichi said as she placed the hollow mask on the desk only for Ichigo to pick it up and let it dissipate into black reiatsu. Ichigo then holstered The Casull, sheathed Kyoka, let the cloths situate around Zangetsu, and then place them on the desk in that order.
Ichigo sighed as he lay back down on the couch and Yoruichi also lay down next to him, playing with his hair. He smiled at this little gesture. It really was the little things that he appreciated from his girlfriends.
...
"What was this 'surprise' you were talking about earlier, Nel? You know, before you made the comment about getting jobs," Tia asked as they made their way through town getting many different looks from the males. "Ichigo would beat every one of these guys into the ground," Tia mumbled the last part as she and Nel traversed the concrete and metal jungle that was Karakura Town.
"Yes he would," Nel said looking at the GPS Kisuke had given her so they could find their way to the night club. "And I was thinking if we could buy Yoruichi, you, me, and Ichi a little charm with our first initials. And then put rhinestones on them," Nel said with a smile as they rounded. "Ichigo would have all of our first initials while we would have his."
Tia smiled as she heard that. "I'd be sweet. Seeing as how the whole town probably knows about our relationship with him it wouldn't hurt. Nice idea, Nel," Tia finished sporting a smile.
"Oh, it was for Ichi. I just thought it'd be romantic," Nel smiled with a blush as she thought of Ichigo.
"Now...where is the club...ah. Here it is," Tia said as she walked up to the entrance. "Isn't that the Suburban?" she asked as she noticed the maroon SUV.
"I think it is. So this is what Grim, Starrk, and Ulqui had in mind for jobs," Nel said as they pushed open the club doors to see the booths that lined the walls, the dance floor illuminated with LED lights and strobe lights that had yet to be turned on. They could also see the DJ setting up his laptop for what seemed to be later tonight.
"What are you two doing here? And what's with the outfits?" Starrk asked as he walked up to Nel and Tia dressed in a tight black shirt, black jeans, and black shoes.
"These must be the dancers for tonight!" the manager said as he walked up with Ulquiorra and Grimmjow behind him, both dressed in the same attire as Starrk.
"Not a chance," Tia said as she threw the package she and Nel had been delivering to this club.
"Oh, so you're the delivery girls Kisuke was talking about. One sec. I'll be right back," the manager said as he walked back seemingly to his office.
"I didn't expect you to be into this type of work, Ulquiorra," Tia said as she propped herself on the bar.
"And I didn't expect you to be dressed in a school girl's outfit. Or is that outfit for Ichigo?" Ulquiorra said releasing one of the crooked smirks he had.
Tia's eyes widened as a blush overtook her features.
Grimmjow snickered as Starrk chuckled.
Nel giggled. "Maybe," she said with a wink causing Grimmjow and Starrk to stop laughing and shudder while Tia blushed even more.
Ulquiorra released a chuckled making the group's eyes go wide just as the manager returned handing Tia an envelope. "Kisuke's pay is in there. Though if you two were looking for another job as dancers..."
"Not a chance," Tia and Nel repeated as they immediately left without another word.
"They have a boyfriend," Grimmjow said as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.
The manager 'ohh'd' in understanding but thought about something. "Wait, they have a boyfriend?"
...
Ichigo...
Ichigo...
Ichigo...wake up...
Wake up...
Someone's touching me...
If I have to resort to yelling then so be it.
...SOMEONE'S MOLESTING ME!
And with the roar of an angry Alucard, Ichigo shot up from his place on the couch to see one Retsu Unohana standing there holding The Jackal, seemingly inspecting it.
Finally, Alucard said as he pulled himself back into his bed.
It's too early for yelling, now shut the fuck up! Hollow grumbled as he fell back into his own bed in his room in one of the skyscrapers.
That's what you get for drinking too much alcohol, Zangetsu mumbled, sipping on some coffee as he watched the news.
I swear if I have to come over to your parts of Ichigo's inner world, so help me... Kyoka threatened making Alucard chuckle.
After calming the four down Ichigo turned his gaze to Unohana. "What are you doing here, Unohana?" Ichigo asked as he made sure Yoruichi's head didn't fall from his chest to the cushion of the couch.
She holstered The Jackal and looked into the young, determined, warrior-like eyes of the teen. She then offered a small, gentle, non-threatening smile. "I wish to accompany you to the Kurosaki compound today, Ichigo. It has been quite some time since I have come there. It is up to you, of course," she said holding her smile. "And please call me Retsu. I believe after...last night," she paused as she blushed a bit, "you have more than enough permission to address me by my first name."
Ichigo blushed just as Yoruichi stirred and opened her eyes to immediately smile as they rested on her boyfriend. "Morning, God of Flash," she said as she planted a kiss on his lower jaw.
"I was correct in the assumption that you were infatuated with Miss Shihoin here," Retsu said as she giggled.
"Oh, hey, Retsu," Yoruichi stretched as she threw her arms around Ichigo, nuzzling her head into his chest.
Ichigo merely blinked. "Uh...yeah, you can come with us. Come here about noon if that's alright," Ichigo said putting his feet on the floor.
"Wonderful. It's a date, then," Retsu said as she smiled and blew a kiss at Ichigo before walking out of the room leaving a stuttering, blushing Ichigo and a laughing Yoruichi.
Noon soon came and Ichigo and Yoruichi were both standing in front of the Fourteenth Squad barracks though all four of his new squad members were currently kneeling in front of him.
"Please, sir! Can we accompany you to the Kurosaki compound!" the all said in unison as they bowed in front of him.
"We had the feeling that because you would take the head of the family then we would be taking more trips there and it would be wise to get to know the grounds," Michael said, his head still bowed.
"And I was jus' curious as t' if they had some fried chickn', sir," Chis said with a growl coming from his stomach. Ichigo had to release a chuckle at that.
"I am always looking to meet new patients!" Yonda said with a large smile.
"I am the same as Michael," Katashi said simply in a respectful tone.
"Fine by me," Ichigo said with a shrug making his subordinates thank him repeatedly just as Retsu walked up with Isane following her.
"Hello, Ichigo," Retsu said with a smile.
"Hey, Uno-, um, Retsu," Ichigo said sheepishly making Yoruichi bite back a laugh. "Are you going, too, Isane?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes, sir," Isane replied sheepishly.
"Who's going to look after the division while you and Isane are gone, Retsu?" Yoruichi asked as she crossed her arms under her breasts.
"Fourth seat, Hanataro will. His healing skills rival my own, though his combat skills are lacking. That is why he was not promoted to third seat. His leading skills are also adamant," Unohana explained smoothly with a smile. "Shall we get going?"
"Alright, let's go," Ichigo said but before he could walk ten feet Yoruichi and Unohana both latched onto both of his arms, holding him tightly.
Meanwhile the rest of the fourteenth division and fourth division had to collect their jaws off the ground.
"Our Captain's a pimp!" was the collective sentence that exited the fourteenth division's mouth while Isane merely sweat-dropped.
...
"Ah, so you're back. I trust the delivery was a success?" Kisuke said jovially as both Nel and Tia entered the shop, both rubbing their arms in a search for warmth.
"G-Go to He-Hell," Tia stuttered as she left the room to put on the clothes she had on earlier.
"H-Here," Neliel said as she handed Kisuke the envelope with a shaking hand. Urahara merely shook his head.
"Get whatever you wanted for Ichigo and give me the rest of the money. Out of that I'll give you your actual pay," Hat n' Clogs said snapping his fan shut all the while making Nel's eyes go wide.
"How did you know that we wanted to get something for Ichi?" Nel asked as she let the hand with the envelope fall to her side.
"I have my secrets..." Kisuke said in a jovial tone making Nel take on an annoyed look.
"Just how much is in that envelope anyways, Urahara? " Tia asked as she pushed herself off the doorway she had been leaning on, though she now had on the sweatshirt she had when she came over to the shop.
"Around five thousand dollars," the blonde shopkeeper said casually as if he didn't even have a care in the world.
"Five thousand?! What did you sell him?!" Tia and Nel said just after they collected their jaws off the ground.
"Some candy," Kisuke said with a glint in his eye.
...
"Damn this place is big," Ichigo mumbled as the group of eight came up to the giant gates that he surmised was the entrance to The Forge. He looked to his right and then to his left to see a large, white walls going in either direction and they did didn't seem to be stopping.
"If you look over there, Ichigo, you can see the Shihoin manor," Yoruichi said pointing a finger over in the direction of a mountain. Sure enough Ichigo could see the giant castle-like Shihoin manor on the side of the mountain.
"Over there is the Yamamoto and Kuchiki manors, Ichigo," Unohana said pointing a finger to the east and then to the north-west. Again, sure enough Ichigo could see the walls of the compounds on either side of the valley.
"Remind me why Shunsui and Jushiro couldn't go with us again?" Ichigo asked.
"They were both busy with paperwork and what not," Retsu explained.
"Didn't think this noble plane would so closely knit together," Michael commented receiving nods from his friends.
Ichigo turned his attention back to the humongous gates. They were red as well and they supported the crest though it was different than what Ichigo had seen. The crest was situated in the center of the large gates. It had the large 'K' with a laurel wreath around it as well as a full moon for the background. There were also two ten foot tall stone statues on either side of the gate on stone platforms. For appearances they had on full samurai armor with different looking faceplates. One had a sad faceplate, one an angry faceplate, one a happy faceplate, and the last held a blank expression, all with their heads looking downward. They all also had the same helmets that had horns protruding out of either side pointing upward. And for weaponry they each had large stone, unsheathed, downturned katanas, each with stone sheaths at their sides.
After a moment of gazing at the stone warriors they each acquired a glow in their eyes. The sad one held blue, the angry red, the blank white, and the happy yellow. Another moment passed and they each walked off their platforms and encircled the group, their katanas in the battle position.
"What business do you have at the forge, Captain? No one is allowed to enter without authorization," the one with a blank expression bellowed.
"Uh...I'm Ichigo Kurosaki. Do you need this?" Ichigo said reaching into his shihaksho to pull out the black envelope that he had yet to have opened.
Each of the stone samurai looked at each other before stabbing their stone weapons in the ground and taking a knee, their heads downtrodden as if seeking forgiveness. "Please forgive us, lord! We had no idea you had the authentication letter. Please forgive us!" the sad, stone, samurai repeated.
"I'm kinda gettin' tired of people always bowing to me," Ichigo mumbled making Yoruichi and Retsu giggle. "May you please open the gates?" Ichigo asked as the samurai stood up.
"Oh, we can't do that! Only a person of Kurosaki blood may do that or if they have an authorization letter!" the happy samurai said cheerfully yet with a strong voice.
"Extend your hand and I can get the envelope open. When it is opened you may enter," the angry samurai said as he took his sword out of the ground.
"Uh, alright, what are you gonna do?" Ichigo asked as he extended his hand.
"I'm going to draw blood, of course," the angry one said as he knelt down and gripped Ichigo's hand with his giant stone one and extended a lone finger.
Before Ichigo could protest the samurai put his stone katana over Ichigo's finger and sliced it across...only for it to feel as if it had grazed across a piece of solid steel.
"Odd. These blades are made of the finest sharpened seki seki, yet they did not cut you," the blank samurai said.
"Wow, Ichigo. Can't be cut from sharpened seki seki stone? You sure are a strong one," Yoruichi laughed.
"If I have to cut myself then let me do it," Ichigo said drawing Kyoka from his sheath and swiping it across his finger so a small cut could make its way through.
"Now rub your finger across the seal on the envelope and it should open as well as the doors," the sad samurai said in a depressed tone just as Ichigo sheathed Kyoka.
With a nod Ichigo took the letter out from his shihaksho again and pressed his finger on the seal. In a burst of light it opened as well as the doors. The strange thing that struck Ichigo and the others was that nothing could be seen from outside the gates except a barren wasteland.
"You are strong with the Kurosaki blood. We will escort you and your group to the elder's palace. Please, follow us," they said as two of them walked into the gates and the other two went to the sides. "And please, do not read the letter until you reach the palace," the sad one said.
Ichigo nodded and looked forward to see the other two stone samurai gone and reluctantly walked forward. He closed his eyes and felt as if he passed through something. He then heard a lot of people talking, carriages rolling, and children laughing. He then opened his eyes only to have his jaw immediately drop to the ground.
In front of him was a small town with a large palace in the looming distance that towered over everything else. It felt as if it was a mini Seireitei. A different thing about it, however, was the fact that there were trees dotted at corners and in a far courtyard. The buildings were white with yellow- orange roofs. He looked around to see a lot of people working, carrying food, and selling things in shops, children playing, mothers scolding them, fathers playing along with their children, and horse drawn carriages carrying One thing was odd to Ichigo. This was the first time he had actually seen horses in the Soul Society.
"As lively as I remember," Retsu mused with a smiled as she and Yoruichi both latched their arms onto Ichigo's again.
"Oi, samurai dudes, is there a place where I can get some fried chickn'?" Chis asked the sad and stone samurai behind the four fourteenth division members.
"Shiro," the blank stone samurai said in a commanding tone.
"Yes, Taro?" the happy stone samurai replied.
"You and Jiro take the five of them to explore the town. Suko and I will take these three to the palace. I would have you take these two women but it seems that they are not about to let go of Lord Kurosaki," Taro replied releasing a rare chuckle though no one could see past his faceplate. Well if he had an actual face that is.
"Alright, Taro," Shiro and Jiro replied happily and sadly as they led the fourth division lieutenant and fourteenth division dispatch off in a different direction.
"Alright, let's get moving, Lord," Suko said angrily but respectfully at the same time as he and Taro walked through the parting citizens of the forge as if it was a hot knife through butter.
One thing that quickly annoyed Ichigo to no end was the fact that the citizens would bow immediately when they saw him. Sure, he was probably going to accept the title as head of the Kurosaki house, but damn. He didn't want them to be treating him as a god. He was just a normal guy...you know aside from the fact that he could level mountains with a no effort what-so-ever. Or the fact that he wielded three zanpakto and the other fact that he had hollow powers. You know, besides those things he was just a normal guy.
"Are there any questions you have about the grounds, Lord?" Taro asked Ichigo while the five of them walked.
Ichigo took a moment to think. "Why did I see a wasteland when the gates opened earlier?"
"We adapted a variant of the false barrier the onmitsukido uses when they seal off the area though ours covers much larger range," Suko answered. (A/N If you don't know what I'm talking about then think of the Diamond Dust Rebellion in the beginning of the movie.)
"How large is The Forge?" the transcendent asked.
"It is about six square miles. To give you a mental picture, you could fit four of these compounds into the Seireitei. The other noble houses are only about four square miles," Taro replied calmly. "There is also a river that runs through The Forge. One square mile is fertile farmland. One square mile is the palace and its servants, while the other four square miles is the other population. And if you are wondering, this was originally designed to be a self-sustaining compound so we do not trade much with the outside."
"How many people live here?" Ichigo asked another question.
"Two thousand people live here comfortably. And none are dirt poor like out in the Rukongai. They have average sized houses and live comfortably as well. The servants have their own houses per family around the palace. The palace has two hundred servants that clean and maintain the palace all the while serving the family. If you want to count the army of stone soldiers under the palace ready to defend it if called upon then you have around two thousand five hundred beings living here, though the Ishi Anzen (Stone Army) does not need nourishment and sleeping or resting space," Suko answered this time.
"So there's an army under the palace?" Ichigo asked just to be sure he heard things right.
"As to why, I do not know. And, yes, if you don't count the other fifty that are the police to maintain order throughout The Forge. However, the crime rate in the compound is near zero. And what crime we do have is just petty thievery out of jealousy," Taro said as the five continued walking.
"My guess is you guys are mod souls, right?" Yoruichi asked the two.
"You are correct, Mistress Shihoin," Suko said as they passed a few shops, the bowls of a restaurant clattering with each step the stone warriors took.
"Then why did the Central Forty Six not destroy you?" Retsu asked as she held Ichigo's arm gingerly.
"The fact that the Kurosaki House has no past transgressions to the Soul Society and the fact that we were not using them on human corpses," Taro replied. "There are also another hundred Ishi Senshi (Stone Warriors) guarding the palace. So all in all you have roughly two thousand seven hundred and fifty beings in The Forge give or take a dozen or two. If you would prefer, Lord Kurosaki, you may have my brothers and I accompany you throughout The Forge. Or you may have a single one of us. It does not matter."
"It's fine by me, I guess," Ichigo replied sheepishly.
"We are here," Suko said as he pushed open the gates to the palace.
"My brother and I will lead you to the elders, Lord Kurosaki. Mistress Shihoin, Captain Unohana, you are free to look around the grounds as much as you like or you may follow us," Taro said as he, Ichigo, and Suko walked off towards the doors of the palace. Retsu and Yoruichi soon followed.
After a minute of walking the two stone warriors pushed the main palace doors open. There was a large courtyard that held trees at each corner as well as a koi pond in the center. Stone warriors were at each corner. Some had happy expressions, some sad, some blank, and some angry. Ichigo surmised that there were four types of the stone warriors.
"Hey, Suko, Taro, are you, Shiro, and Jiro the leaders of the stone army?" Ichigo asked receiving a nod from them.
"Yes. We were the first four stone warriors and the others were modeled after us," Taro answered as the group of five passed the pond and down a hallway with many doors on either side.
"The elders are on the other side of that door. They will be expecting you. I must request that Captain Unohana and Mistress Shihoin remain out here with us," Suko said as he and Taro gained the stances they had earlier on either side of the door.
Ichigo looked back at Retsu and Yoruichi and smiled, though what he saw was Tia and Nel beside them in an ethereal-like state. He wished they could be here, in Soul Society, with him, Yoruichi and even Retsu if she decided if she wanted to be his. He wanted them there. He needed them there. And he'd be damned if that wasn't the first thing he would do or at least try to do when he came into more political power. He would make it to where Soul Reapers and Arrancars were equals. Why just arrancars? Because they held reason. And with reason comes choices. And with choices comes the ability to pick whether you could be friends with Soul Reapers. The nine arrancars at his home in the living world proved that theory. He could die happy the day he could walk with his arrancar girlfriends through the Seireitei hand in hand without a care in the world.
And with that last bit of determination Ichigo pushed open the Kurosaki elder's doors to claim the title of Head of the Kurosaki Noble House.
...
"So, it looks like we have a budget of five thousand dollars this time," Tia said as they walked through the streets of Karakura Town in more...prideful attire this time.
"Yes indeed," Nel responded as they looked for a jewelry store.
"I'm ready for Ichigo to get back. I miss him," Tia mumbled as they paused at a crossing while the cars drove by.
"So you do admit you miss him even though it's only been four and a half hours?" Neliel teased playfully.
"...Shut up," Tia replied as the light for the crossing turned into a walking man so they could walk across.
Nel merely poked her tongue out at the tercera but then she spotted something out of the corner of her eye. "Oh, there's a jewelry shop," she said pointing to a shop that had rings, watches, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings on display.
"Alright, let's go in," Tier said as they walked in the jewelry shop to see case after case of assorted jewelry related items.
"And how may I help you today?" a woman that looked to be in her late twenties said as she walked up to the tercera and ex-tercera in an upbeat tone.
"Oh...uh, we were seeing if you guys had initial necklaces," Tia asked before the worker nodded and led the two terceras over to a glass case.
"You have many choices here. You may choose the letters and what jewels or precious minerals you wish to put in them and even what the bracelet or necklace materials," the jewelry store manager said still in an upbeat tone.
"Alright, thank you. We'll call you over here when we decide," Nel said politely receiving a nod from the worker before she walked off to help other customers.
Fifteen minutes later...
They had come to the conclusion that Ichigo would have a silver necklace while they, and Yoruichi, would have silver bracelets with 'I's while Ichigo's necklace would have a 'Y', 'T', and 'N'.
The 'I's on the bracelets would have small black spinel gemstones while the 'I's themselves would be silver.
The 'Y' on the necklace would have small purple sapphires while the 'Y' itself would also be silver.
The 'T' on Ichigo's necklace would have small yellow sapphires while the 'T' itself would yet again be silver.
The 'N' on the necklace would have small green sapphires while the 'N', yet again, would also be made of silver.
"Is that your final selection?" the same worker asked with a beaming smile.
"Actually...I think you might want to have an 'R' added to that necklace. As well as another bracelet," a familiar voice said from behind Tia and Nel making them turn around to see a familiar dark skinned woman.
...
"Uh...hello? Is anyone there?" Ichigo asked the dark room. He looked around to see it dimly lit with a few torches in the center and back of the room. After squinting his eyes for a good minute two more torches lit up at the top of the room to reveal two sitting figures behind a large desk about five feet above him. One looked to be male while the other looked to be female.
"Ichigo Kurosaki," the man bellowed. It was in an authoritative voice yet not as authoritative as Yamamoto's.
"Former ryoka, attainer of bankai in three days, former substitute Soul Reaper, defeater of the Bount leader, Vizard, invader of Hueco Mundo, defeater of the sixth, and fourth Espada, man who took down Sosuke Aizen, winter war veteran and hero, more recently known as the Captain of the Fourteenth Division, and even more recently known as the man who wields three zanpakutÅ including Sosuke Aizen's, those are the titles you go by," the woman spoke with equal authority, though her voice was much gentler.
"You have come here to seek the title of Head of the Kurosaki Noble house, no?" the man asked.
"Yes. I have," Ichigo responded immediately with determination in his voice.
"Then tell us why you deserve the title? What have you to offer us? You have three chances and all must be correct. Choose wisely," the woman said leaning forward.
Ichigo had to think. He had to think like a nobleman...no. He would think like himself. He wouldn't change his ideals solely in the fact others wanted him to think and act like they did. He had been going against his society him entire life. His hair, the way he acted, the way he would trust the arrancars because they deserved it. He'd be damned if started thinking differently now.
"I offer you change. I offer you change from the way Central Forty Six runs things and how they only care about themselves," Ichigo started. He wouldn't even give these two the chance to speak until he was finished. "I offer you loyalty. It's a thing some people here in the Soul Society haven't got yet and I'm sure they never will," Ichigo thought of the Central Forty Six again. He paused to think once more. "Thirdly, I offer you my determination, willpower, and defiance for society."
"Determination, willpower, and defiance for society? That's got to be the corniest thing I've ever heard," the man laughed with a bellow making Ichigo cringe. "However...it's those attributes I look for. I was quite the rebel back in my day, sonny. I'd be proud to call you Head of the Kurosaki Noble house," the man said cheerfully.
"Change and Loyalty, hmm? What kind of change? The Aizen change?" the woman said sarcastically. She could tell this young man's intentions were pure of heart from a mile away.
"The kind of change that'll make everyone changes their views on certain things in the world, er worlds," Ichigo said, his voice full of determination.
The man and woman both looked at each other and grinned. This would be the first time they could get a ruse out of their long-lost grandson.
"You mean the arrancars you are currently seeing, don't you?" they said making Ichigo's eyes shoot wide open.
...
Ten minutes before current time...
Ichigo had just entered the elder's hall while Yoruichi and Retsu both smiled at each other before taking a seat on a waiting bench.
"Say, Retsu, you're pretty much Ichigo's now, right?" Yoruichi asked receiving a rare blush from Unohana.
"I do not know, Yoruichi. He hasn't said anything but he hasn't protested at me latching to his arm throughout the day," Retsu responded.
"Would you like to be?" Yoruichi asked with a sly grin.
"I-I, um, yes," Retsu mumbled the last part.
"What'd you say, Retsu? You're gonna have to speak up," Yoruichi asked scooting closer to Retsu, her grin never wavering.
"Yes," Unohana said a bit louder.
"I didn't catch that."
"Yes!"
"Still couldn't hear you," Yoruichi said seemingly cleaning out her ears.
"I want to be Ichigo's!" Retsu almost shouted with her face crimson.
"Good. Now, what I'm about to tell you can't leave this room alright? You can't even tell Shunsui or Jushiro, okay? They'd be the more accepting of the Captains but I want Ichigo to tell them," Yoruichi said snapping to her serious mode.
Unohana lost her flustered appearance to replace it with a curious but serious one. She then nodded.
Yoruichi then proceeded to cautiously tell Retsu about what had transpired within the last week. It ranged from when Ichigo had found Tia, how the other arrancars had shown up, how Ichigo had offered them help at all cost to him, him accepting the relationship with Tia, Nel, and herself. Next was him moving out of his home and into a mansion outside of Karakura town along with said arrancars and herself.
"That is quiet the story. I have no problems with arrancars. They are able to be reasoned with rather than regular hollows," Unohana said remembering Rudbornn Chelute and Gantenbainne Mosqueda. "...But only three?" Retsu said nonchalantly making Yoruichi sweat-drop. "I believe I can put in some vacation time to be with Ichigo more often. With no immediate threats or problems that remain it is a high possibility that Genryusai will agree. The only remaining issue is if Ichigo will accept me," Unohana said finishing with a hopeful smile.
"I have a feeling that Ichigo will agree. But I have a request. Can you get me a hell butterfly? I need to go to the living world for about ten minutes. Shouldn't be long," Yoruichi said earning a curious look from Retsu as well as a nod.
A moment later a black butterfly flew in from down the hallway before opening a senkaimon with Yoruichi walking through it.
"I trust you two didn't see or hear a thing?" Unohana said with a smile making Suko and Taro audibly gulp.
...
"So you're saying that Ichigo will be having another girl?" Tia said crossing her arms, her anger and curiosity rising.
"I told you that something involving Ichigo happened earlier when we sneezed. That stuff's not coincidences you know," Nel said receiving a glare.
"I was gonna get lonely me being the only shinigami. I helped set them up," Yoruichi commented sarcastically. "And trust me. He's not going to get any more girls other than Retsu in on this. I just did it because she's had her eye on him for a while."
Tia thought for a moment a sighed. "Fine, but no more, alright? Nel are you okay with this?" Tia asked receiving a shrug from the ex-tercera.
"As long as I get to be with Ichi, I don't care," Nel said with a beaming smile.
"It's good then. I just have to tell Ichigo first," Yoruichi said about to walk out of the store.
"Wait, Ichigo doesn't even know about this? When were you going to tell him you decided who else he would date? And when are two coming back?" Tia asked a vein throbbing from her forehead.
"Monday morning in your time. Another ten days for Soul Society Time. Ichigo's got it worse than you," Yoruichi said simply. "And trust me. This is the last and only one I'll allow," Yoruichi said before walking out of the store and back to Urahara's shop.
"So, add the 'R' and another bracelet?" the worker asked happily. Tia guessed that the worker must have been spacing out after Yoruichi said add the other letter and bracelet.
Tia reluctantly nodded as the worker crunched the numbers. "Your final total is one thousand three hundred and forty seven dollars."
...
"How...how did you know?" Ichigo asked with his eyes still wide.
The two elders still grinned as the man clapped his hands twice and the room lit up.
"Do you honestly think our Isshin could keep his mouth shut?" the now old looking woman said with a smile as she and the man walked down the steps and onto the floor.
"Wait, our Isshin? Does this mean that you guys are...?" the surprised Ichigo asked, not even completing his sentence.
"Yes, Ichigo, we are your grandparents. My name is Ryu Kurosaki and this is my wife and Isshin's mother, Aki Kurosaki. It is nice to finally meet you," the now proclaimed Ryu said extending his hand before Ichigo absent mindedly shook it.
"Firm handshake, I like it," Ryu said with a smirk.
"So, you guys are fine with me seeing arrancars?" Ichigo asked hesitantly.
"And why wouldn't we be? If they are friends and lovers to a person who doesn't seem to give his trust easy then I don't see a problem! Any who, we need to continue the bloodline, hollow or not! And the Shihoins would love to know that a Kurosaki is going to marry their head and Genryusai will love to know his might-as-well-be daughter will be getting married," Aki said almost day dreamingly.
"Wait, we've been dating for a week! We can't think of marriage, let alone children! And I barely know Retsu! I may like her, but still!" Ichigo shouted with his facing heating up to almost supernova temperatures.
"How else to get to know someone other than a relationship, Ichigo!" Ryu said with a laugh.
Ichigo sweat-dropped and unconsciously pulled the letter out of his shihaksho. "Can I see what this says now?" Ichigo asked receiving nods from Ryu and Aki.
The Vizard popped open the seal again and pulled out a white piece of paper that held Ichigo's father's handwriting.
Dear Son,
I know with the Winter War ending and all you need some time off but I feel that you're ready to take the position as Head of the Kurosaki Noble House. I myself wasn't a very good Head but you...you have made friends out of people that were originally trying to kill you. You make the best situations from the worst. And I'm not just talking about the Soul Reapers. You gave everyone hope in the Winter War when the Gotei 13 in their entirety could not. You, my son, are a living inspiration! Make sure the Kurosaki Noble House does not fall like the Shiba's. And when the time comes...give me my grandchildren, Damnit!
Love, your father, the ex-Head of the Kurosaki Noble House.
"Our Isshin sure hasn't changed, has he?" Aki said with a laugh.
"Nope," Ryu responded with a shrug.
"So...does this mean I'm the Head?" Ichigo asked with a raised eyebrow as he gave Aki the letter.
"We decided as soon as you entered the compound. Of course you're the new head. I'll be right back. I have something to give you," Aki said as she exited the room through an entrance behind the place where she and Ryu were previously sitting.
After a minute of small talk Aki came back hold a crimson looking sash. "This was originally Isshin before he left. He left it on his desk the night he was found missing," Aki said sadly as she gingerly handed Ichigo the sash. "This will be your badge of office so-to-speak."
"Thanks...I guess," Ichigo said removing his haori and draping it over his left shoulder before putting the sash on from his right arm. He then resituated his haori and looked at himself. "Do I look good?" Ichigo questioned.
"Oh, you look just like your father!" Aki said happily.
"Handsome," Ryu said sporting a very Isshin-like grin. Ichigo guessed where his dad got it from.
"Anyways, I think I better head back to the Seireitei," Ichigo said as he turned on heel before being tackled to the ground by his grandfather.
"I don't think so! You're going to be staying here tonight! You need to get familiar with the grounds as well as plan your inauguration party later this week!" Ryu said as he comically threw Ichigo into a wall.
"What the Hell, you old goat!" Ichigo shouted in mock anger. He was actually happy to have met his father's side.
Before Ryu could retaliate a man that Ichigo had seen at the Squad Twelve compound came in through the door that Aki had exited and reentered through earlier. "Pardon the intrusion, Captain Kurosaki, elders, but your local reiatsu scanners have been blocked ever since Captain Kurosaki entered the compound," the scrawny man said as he took a kneeling position.
"It looks like we may not be able sense your spirit energy Ichigo, but our technology is. So, your first task is to get that reiatsu of yours under control!" Aki said, authority replacing the playfulness that it exerted a minute ago.
Ichigo groaned. "Fine, I'll do it," the teen grumbled.
"You are dismissed," Ryu said to the Squad twelve member before the man nodded and exited the room back through the way he came in.
"I have a busy schedule, then. Reiatsu control training, party planning, and dual wielding training. This week just keeps on getting better and better," Ichigo said sarcastically.
"Well, since this week is about training, how about I get the Kido Corps commander over here after you learn proper reiatsu control so you can learn some kido?" Aki suggested.
Ichigo had never really considered kido. He guessed it would be good if he was unarmed. But then he thought of one hado in particular that he had taken an interest in ever since Sogyoku hill two years ago. Hado #90, Kurohitsugi. That would be his goal to achieve. Get to Hado and Bakudo ninety.
"Fine, fine," Ichigo nodded.
And how about I show you some of my beginner abilities? Alucard piped in.
As well as some of mine? Kyoka asked said. The reiatsu control had piqued her interest because her abilities required reiatsu control seeing as how they were all about controlling or maintaining an illusion.
Why the Hell not? Ichigo responded with a mental grumble.
"You here, Ichigo?" Ryu said as he waved a hand in front of Ichigo's spaced-out face.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I was just speaking to my zanpakutÅ. I haven't learned some of their most basic abilities so I thought it would be smart to train some with them since all I'm doing is training this week," Ichigo said as he released a huff and ran a hand through his hair.
"Alright, I'll make sure the training area just outside of the forge is clear forever how long you're here," Ryu said with an approving nod.
"Thanks, gramps," Ichigo said with a smirk. "I think I best get back to my barracks. Paperwork and all. I guess I best be heading back," Ichigo said with a backward wave as he almost exited the room before Aki's hand latched onto his shoulder.
"I don't think so, young man! You'll be living here from now on unless you can't make it here from your barracks. Is that clear?" Aki shook a finger in front of his face.
"But."
"No 'buts', mister! Captain Unohana and Miss Shihoin can stay here if you wish, but I want you here so we can spend time with one another! Any of your squad members may also stay here seeing as how we always have vacant rooms for guests," Aki said, her authority filled voice having returned.
"Fine...grandma," Ichigo said as he pulled her into a hug.
"Forgot me!" Ryu said jumping onto both of them making hem fall to the ground.
"Definitely like I remember," Retsu said as Taro and Suko pushed open the doors.
"Hey, Ichigo. Miss us?" Yoruichi said with a smirk.
Aki was the first to compose herself. "Ah, Retsu, it's nice to see you again. It's been too long."
...
Several Hours Later...
"So, I've been told that you have a busy schedule this week, how about you remind me?" Yoruichi asked as she and Retsu claimed their places next to Ichigo in the master bedroom.
Ichigo had to admit this place was better than any five star hotels he had been to. Its sheets were like silk and they soothed his battle hardened skin and they relived his aches. The bed was also very, very soft. If he didn't watch himself he would probably fall asleep right away. There was also the main bathroom that was connected to the bedroom. It was even nicer than the one in the mansion!
"I have to party plan for Friday, but seeing how tomorrow's Tuesday Amagai's coming down here to start teaching me kido and reiatsu control. Wednesday I'm training with Alucard, Thursday I'm training with Kyoka. Saturday I'm brushing up my skills with Zangetsu and Hollow and Sunday I got duel wielding training. I won't be here for long so Tessai can teach me kido in the World of The Living. But I'll only be able to do dual wielding training in the Soul Society," Ichigo said sinking into the bed with a huff. "I guess things can only get busier from here on out."
"You'll get used to it. It actually gets quite bleak from time to time but they have their moments of excitement. You're little invasion two years back was a prime example," Retsu giggled as she cuddled next to Ichigo more.
"Isn't that the only excite you had for what, three hundred years of being a Captain, Retsu?" Yoruichi said as cuddled next to Ichigo also.
They laid there for a good ten minutes in comfortable silence before Retsu broke it. "Ichigo...I have a question," the squad four Captain said with a blush as she raised her head enough so she could look into his cinnamon eyes.
"Yeah?' he responded as he raised his head also, though not as much as hers.
Oh this is getting good, Yoruichi thought as she kept her eyes opened to sliver.
"May I...may I be yours?" Retsu said with a fearful expression. She was afraid of being hurt. She hadn't been in a relationship in so many years she couldn't even remember. Let alone a serious one. And here she was, in a bed, looking down at a man that was her age divided by thirty. And that very man held her heart right there in the palm of his hand. (Figuratively you sick fucks.)
Ichigo took a moment to hear that he heard that right. "You want to be...mine?"
Retsu immediately nodded furiously.
"I like you Retsu, I really do, but Yoruichi told me you know of my little...predicament. Are you sure that you want to be involved with me even if you know if we're caught you might be charged along with me?" Ichigo asked with his voice full of worry.
"I've thought it through, Ichigo and I'm sure," she responded as she leaned down and captured his lips in a passionate kiss.
"Am I missing out on anything?" Yoruichi said sarcastically as she sat up.
Ichigo jumped while Retsu giggled.
"I hope you didn't forget about me," Yoruichi said with a smirk as she grabbed the collar of his robe and pulled him into a kiss as well.
...
"Thirteen Hundred dollars?! I have bills to pay you harpies!" Kisuke yelled in mock seriousness.
"What? You said buy what we wanted for Ichigo, so that's what we did," Tia said with a shrug.
"I was expecting a teddy bear or some candy! But jewelry?! Really?!" Kisuke said as he cried comically.
"Then why the Hell did you give us five thousand dollars!?" Tia yelled while Nel yawned.
"She's right," Nel said innocently.
"...I was expecting you to get me some, too," Kisuke said as a cloud appeared and rained on him.
"You own a candy shop!" Tia shouted.
"IT'S JUST NOT THE SAME!" Kisuke shouted melodramatically.
A/N
I'm sorry this chapter took so long but I'm so close to 300 followers and 300 favorites! Every time one of you follows this story or Endurance I get a warm feeling that tells me I satisfied that person enough to spare me enough time to favorite or follow. But most importantly... REVIEW!
Speaking of Endurance, I didn't expect the story to get over 100 followers and over 100 favorites within the first two chapters. It's pretty awesome!
Anyways...
REVIEW! I don't care how long the review is just REVIEW! I love to see reviews!
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Small Hiatus for the rest of February. Sorry! I just want to get some more chapters out for my other stories.