Mmmm…

Okay well I had a lovely haircut just now so I feel so refreshed! ^^,

Here is another chapter for you all.

Chapter 11: Nobility: Step 1

The meeting hall was deathly quiet, the meeting was called in the moment all captains were in their offices with their lieutenants.

All but for Byakuya and Ukitake's lieutenants who were not to be seen, Urahara didn't look bothered which made Byakuya suspect that the man knew where his lieutenant was. A twinge of envy grew in his heart, Ichigo was so open towards the blonde captain.

The fact that Kaien Shiba wasn't there did make Byakuya think that it might be about what happened yesterday.

If Ichigo were to accept the offer to be adopted into the Shiba clan it would make him a noble, a noble.

The idea didn't sound odd or weird in the slightest. He looked over to his childhood friend who was watching Urahara with suspicious eyes. The blonde was a little more stiff than normal but the man's eccentric-ness did tend to cause him to injure himself.

Yamamoto had yet to speak but he was busy with a whispered conversation with his own lieutenant, the look on Sasakibe's face was surprise.

The door opened revealing the two missing lieutenants. Ichigo was frowning in a way that made it clear he was bothered by something. Kaien had a sheepish look on his face.

Seeing the two look-alike men standing next to one another was very… odd.

Ichigo sighed and rubbed his temples while sending a glare Kaien's way, the man looked like he wanted to wilt under it. The stare however didn't last long. Both men stepped forward till both stood before the head captain.

The old man regarded the two with a small smile that was hidden underneath his beard.

"Reason that you both are late? I will not tolerate tardiness in the Gotei 13." Yamamoto's gruff voice filled the room.

Kaien suddenly grinned and pointed at Ichigo. "Kurosaki Ichigo no longer exists." He exclaimed proudly confusing everyone. Enjoying the confusion for a few seconds Kaien finally laughed softly. "Ichigo has now been adopted into the Shiba family as of today; from now on he is Shiba Ichigo." The raven boasted proudly with both hands on his hips.

"He is from now on my younger brother so to speak."

All the captains watched Ichigo closely, yet he never gave away how he felt about this. Did the man really accept the offer?

Ichigo nodded and looked to Yamamoto. "I have accepted the offer and went to the Shiba clan manor early this morning to verbally accept the offer in front of the remaining… family…" Ichigo said the last word slowly as if unsure to call it that.

This brought three knowing smirks, One on Yoruichi, the other on Urahara and the other on Aizen. Byakuya did however smirk inwardly. The Shiba clan was… known to be… obnoxious at best.

Yamamoto stroked his beard while he looked Ichigo up and down. The man did have an air of nobility about him. He nodded his head.

"Clan business is a valid excuse." Was all that Yamamoto said before the two men walked back to their spots behind their captains. The normal meeting went on with small glances at Ichigo.

Aizen was truly surprised, he didn't see this coming at all yet now that he thought of it maybe he should have. Ichigo was any noble family's dream.

Something was different about him, Aizen tried to feel out the other male's reiatsu but it was as it always was, well held back. Aizen did have to wonder what it would be like if Ichigo were to allow it to rain free and hang everywhere, he wondered if the man would still frown or would his face relax and Aizen really wanted to see Ichigo without the pesky frown.

But the one thing he did notice was Ichigo's eyes, they looked different almost brighter, more alive.

It suited the man all the same.

The meeting was boring only small reports being shared as it was a dull week as of yet.

They all bowed when the meeting was ended, making their way out first Byakuya and Ichigo walked back to their office. "I apologise for not informing you captain." Ichigo said in his monotone voice he used when they were in public to keep professional.

Byakuya appreciated it greatly.

As they walked they were spied upon by the fox faced lieutenant of the fifth, he wasn't doing this for Aizen. Hell the bastard didn't even know where he was probably. No he was watching Ichigo for his own reasons. He wanted to see what was so great about this man beyond his looks, unbelievably Aizen wasn't that shallow to just want someone for their looks.

He watched how Ichigo moved, it was stiff at first glance but when looking closer he noticed the man actually moved fluidly, it was just his uniform that made it look stiff.

The man did give off a magnetic aura, which Gin couldn't deny.

Gin followed them to their office, he saw something that tickled him immensely. Ichigo's stiff shoulders relaxed a little as did Byakuya's, so these two felt at ease around each other? Ha! Man Aizen would get mad at this, being unable to gain the red head's trust or even a little bit of admiration. In fact it always looked like Ichigo wanted to get away as quickly as possible.

Snapped out of his thoughts by Ichigo's baritone, Gin looked back into the office. Ichigo was asking what his captain wanted to drink as an unseated officer stood at the door. Byakuya sat back and thought.

"Jasmine tea." The noble answered. Ichigo turned back to the younger looking soul. "Two cups of jasmine tea please." He said politely with a small smile reserved for his squad or captain on rare occasions, Gin saw how it softened the new noble's face.

For such a tall man he could at least look friendly Gin thought to himself. Ichigo walked back to his desk and started to work on his share of paperwork without being asked. They sat like this for a few minutes before Byakuya spoke first.

"Are you sure about your decision?" the raven asked the red head. Ichigo looked up and tilted his head. "I have my reasons but otherwise I have seen good nobles and such and well I didn't really have a reason to decline the offer." Ichigo said and shrugged his shoulder. It was true Gin thought, the red head had no real reason to deny that he could see as an outsider.

"You might see those who killed the boys…" Byakuya said and Gin had to fight to stay hidden.

'That the hell?' the silver haired fox faced shinigami wondered and listened more closely. Ichigo sighed and sat back in his seat, he was about to talk but the door slid open after a timid knock. The shinigami from before stood at the door and had a tray with tea in, she placed the tea on the two men's desk and bowed when she was out the door.

Ichigo took a small sip, he still held the tea cup as he spoke. "I might but I won't do anything. They have to live with the fact that they killed three small souls for just the fucking fun. I won't ever forget that day. Walking into that village with the feeling of dread in my stomach only to find the three spirits who found me first after I passed on… laying on the ground beaten, bloody and broken. I won't make them forget it either if I ever see them." Ichigo's eyes unbeknownst to him hardened with such a fierce look that it made both men watching a little scared.

Gin saw the powerful will behind the eyes that his captain couldn't seem to shut up about. Well they were rather alluring if you stared to long… Gin also had to wonder what it would look like if said man wore his emotions in his eyes rather than hiding them.

Byakuya lowered his cup and looked at his lieutenant.

"I assume you were the one who buried them?" he asked and took another sip, his eyes never leaving Ichigo as he stared into the bottom of his cup. "Yes, I buried them right after I told the nobles to get lost." Ichigo answered and downed his tea.

He placed the cup at the edge of his desk and began to work.

"Will you be staying at the Shiba estate now?" Byakuya inquired. 'Talkative with his lieutenant… could it be that the ice prince of Soul Society has a thing for his own lieutenant?' Gin thought. There were no rules against it… as long as business and personal didn't mix the shinigamis could do what they wanted. Besides killing and stealing with most other crimes of course.

Ichigo nodded and ran a hand over his face. "Yes… but I'd rather stay in the lieutenant's quarters than in that house…" Ichigo groaned and gave his captain a dry look. "Kuukaku is a very… loud woman…" Byakuya had to fight the chuckle that wanted to bubble out of his chest as did Gin, he knew the woman by reputation… and what a reputation it was.

Kuukaku was the Little sister of Kaien Shiba, they had adopted another soul a few years ago, he would be a teenager by now. Ganju was his name, the rest were a few elders and uncles and aunts. The Shiba clan was very dysfunctional but it worked for them.

They also happen to be less strict that the other four noble families.

Ichigo sighed and looked back down at his desk. "I don't have many things to move but they should already be there in my new… room… I guess. Kaien and the rest will probably be shocked at just how little I have in there." Ichigo had a lopsided grin on his face.

Byakuya perked up at this. "Is the lieutenant's salary not enough?" Ichigo's neck snapped as he looked up with shocked eyes before he started to laugh.

He laughed a wholehearted laugh that caused Ichigo's face to do an amazing transformation. The frown disappeared and his eyes closed with his head tilted slightly back, his smile was full blown on his face making him look his age.

Both men watched as Ichigo laughed, the sound of his laugh wasn't loud or obnoxious but it sounded… pure in a way. Both men also couldn't help but want to hear it again when he finished with a few deep breaths. Ichigo wiped a tear off his cheek, his bandage on his cheek was gone just leaving a small barely there scar.

"Only… only captain would wonder if the second highest paying salary would not be enough." Ichigo said smiling at his captain. Byakuya looked a little confused. Ichigo shook his head. "Captain I lived in the lieutenant's quarters that's free of charge, food is also free, I don't need clothes besides sleeping garments as of yet and I don't need to go to a bathhouse as the sixth base has one. I don't have anything I want so I just keep saving money with no clue on what to buy." Ichigo explained softly.

Byakuya was now even more confused but for a different reason. "There is nothing you want? I find that hard to believe."

Ichigo shrugged. "I don't have time to wander around and look at shops and so far I haven't had the time to even go as far as thinking of what I want. I have the books and poems captain Hitsugaya and you gave me and I haven't finished them either yet so I don't need anything to entertain me in the nights as I am usually too tired." Ichigo said and looked out the window at his fellow shinigamis who were either training on their own or doing tasks set out for them.

"Well that would probably change soon." Byakuya commented. Ichigo looked back at him with a small frown. "How so?"

Byakuya looked out the window. "Nobility would require you to attend meetings and such were your normal attire would not be acceptable. You will need new clothes and they will probably buy you clothes of high quality. Another thing is being a noble people will start to give you gifts, just beware that they tend to want something in return." Byakuya warned and looked back to see Ichigo frown.

An annoyed sigh escaped his mouth. "I don't want anything so I guess most gifts would be kindly declined." He retorted with a snort.

A long drawn out sigh was passed though Ichigo's mouth, he sighed a lot these days. He also felt tired but that could probably be the training he was doing each night and the days he trained with his men. Not one of the two men said anything after that.

Ichigo was deep in thought while Byakuya was watching him with hawk eyes, the man looked more tired than normal. He thought about when Ichigo's next day off was but couldn't remember which was odd. "When is your next day off?" he suddenly asked breaking the silence and the train of thought Ichigo was on.

Ichigo looked up to the side as he thought.

"Um… I don't know I didn't request for one so… I think I have about a whole month's worth of off days…" he said chuckling a bit. Both Byakuya and Gin were wide eyed. Even Byakuya took off days… Ichigo had been working in this office for ten years straight… he had obviously missed so many festivals and such.

"I want you to take the day off tomorrow and get settled in at the Shiba manor." Byakuya said and watched somewhat amused when Ichigo looked at him with jaw hanging. Ichigo frowned. "Are you sure captain? I don't mind. I don't need an off day." He said with conviction but Byakuya didn't falter.

"No you will take tomorrow off and rest. Moving into a new family is a big change, moving into a noble family more so." He gave a pointed stare at the red head who groaned and thumped his head on the table. "Do I really have to be in that house with that woman for a whole day?" He asked. His voice muffled a bit.

Byakuya smirked. "Yes I'm afraid you will just have to endure." He said in his noble tone of voice. Ichigo raised his head but still kept it on the table resting his chin on the table, he glared at his captain but there was no venom in the glare.

Gin watched for another few minutes, he had to admit that he liked the way Ichigo made the ice prince of Soul Society … more mellow and relaxed. The smile on Gin's face did fade however when he remembered that Ichigo had gained Aizen's attention in more ways than one.

All he could hope was that Ichigo would somehow avoid getting caught. The fact that he entered the higher ranking of Gotei 13 after Aizen released his zanpakuto… is a miracle on its own.

He looked back at Ichigo one last time, he was now head down working on documents that made him frown and mumble words such as 'idiot' 'moron' or 'Why the hell did you do that?' which in return made Byakuya look his way more than once.

Ichigo bid his captain good night while he bid Ichigo good luck, Ichigo scoffed at that with a smile to take the edge off the scoff.

He walked to his room in the barracks and stepped inside leaving the door open, he wasn't staying anyway. The room was now as he got it which meant nothing changed. Was it odd to have no personal items? He guessed it was now that he looked at it.

What he told his captain however was still the truth. He didn't really want anything, didn't need anything besides the needs to live being food, shelter and a place to get clean.

Now a bare room looked back at him, he sighed and stepped back outside sliding the door close. Rikich just chose that moment to walk by. "Lieutenant Kurosaki!" He greeted happily. Ichigo turned and gave the smaller man a small smile.

"Ah yes I have yet to break the news to the rest of the division." Ichigo said, his words make the smaller man suddenly stiffen. "Is something wrong? Are you being transferred?" He asked worried with eyes wide. Ichigo gave a small chuckle making Rikich relax. If his lieutenant laughed it wasn't bad right?

The red head looked down at his fellow shinigami. "I'm just moving out of the barracks that's all, well all for now the rest I will reveal tomorrow." Ichigo said and looked back at the door.

The brunette watched his lieutenant, Ichigo did look tired… his own eyes went wide when Ichigo's did the same. Another chuckle passed through his mouth. "Ah I forgot I have the day off tomorrow. So I guess it will be after that." With nothing more Ichigo turned and called out good night to his underling.

Rikich watched his lieutenant walk away with slightly slumped shoulders, the man didn't look happy. In fact he hadn't been looking happy for the last six years. It was a little worrisome as the man was their idol as was their captain but Ichigo was just so much more.

Walking back to the manor he had been at the very morning Ichigo walked as slowly as he could, he saw a figure a few meters ahead of him. He bit his lip to keep the growl from escaping his throat.

"Captain Aizen." Ichigo greeted.

Aizen watched as Ichigo's pace increased. He was walking the streets of Seireitei as it grew darker meaning there were basically no more people there besides the now and then shinigami patrol.

"Evening Lieutenant Shiba, if I may can I rather call you Ichigo?" He asked with smile, Ichigo regarded him with a sideward glance. "Lieutenant Ichigo would cause less confusion." Ichigo said simply, he was aware that Aizen asked if he could call him by his name only but he didn't want the man to do that. Their relationship was fellow shinigami, captain and lieutenant. Nothing more, nothing less.

Aizen frowned a little, it didn't go unnoticed by Ichigo. Not that he cared, there were boundaries that were not to be crossed, his own boundaries. If he was uncomfortable around someone he would not get closer to try and quell the feeling. His gut instinct wasn't wrong yet and now it told him to get away from said male.

"Heading home?" Aizen asked after a moment.

Ichigo nodded. "Yes, I need to get settled in."

Aizen nodded and looked over to Ichigo in hopes of gaining eye contact but the man kept his eyes firmly on the path in front of him while looking around when he saw something interesting such as an odd looking home or a quarrelling couple.

They reached the boundaries of the Shiba estate. Ichigo was never as glad at that moment to see the building.

"Good night captain Aizen." Ichigo bowed and walked away.

Ichigo didn't see the stare that was aimed at his arse, the look was predatorily as well as possessive. Not the normal look of the gentle fifth division captain.

Nope.

When Ichigo made it to the steps of the manor the door in front of him slid open so fast he was certain the door broke. There stood Kuukaku. She grinned down at Ichigo as he looked up from the bottom of the steps.

The house or rather manor was large but not overly so, it had the traditional wraparound porch, rice paper walls on the inside and wooden walls on the outer. The roof was a dark red and the wood cherry with a red varnish finish.

He walked up the steps till he was now looking down at the raven haired woman. Kuukaku was wearing a loose kimono made of red silk, it had purple designs all over with a white obi. It was her sleeping kimono Ichigo guessed as the woman wore no shoes.

"Ah finally decided to show up eh?" She asked and whacked him on the shoulder in what was a show of affection he was told by Kaien.

He looked back to the road he just came from. "Yes I had to talk to one of my underlings but I came after that, I however didn't run all the way here as that would have been silly of me." Ichigo talked as they walked to the room he was introduced as the new member of the Shiba family.

The dining room was now serving dinner, it was clear to Ichigo that they had been waiting for him. He felt a little guilty now, next time he will be walking a bit quicker. After all this was his new home so to speak as well as family who were secretly really his family to begin with.

Kuukaku laughed loudly and shook her head. She saw what Kaien saw in Ichigo, that spark in his eye that made you just want to get close to the man.

The 'lady' of the manor shoved Ichigo to his seat, she was seated next to Kaien and Ganju who looked up at him with big eyes.

As Ichigo predicted Ganju was now a teen, he looked about fifteen. His heart gave a soft pang thinking that the three boys would have most likely looked about the same age. Ganju had taken a liking to Ichigo from the first glance. When he was told that he fought against Kenpachi and actually wounded the barbaric captain the idolisation started. The look wasn't odd or even creepy it was just that Ganju wasn't yet use to the feeling surrounding Ichigo.

Dinner went by without much pain, in fact Ichigo actually enjoyed it a bit. Ganju was interesting to talk to. He was interested in what Kuukaku did which was fireworks. She also agreed to take him under her wing when he was old enough.

When that was neither he nor Ichigo knew.

He was then led by the heir of the house, Kaien to his new room. The door was opened and Ichigo frowned making Kaien look into the room with a worried look.

"Something wrong?" he asked nervously, it was actually rather funny how Ichigo could make someone nervous just by frowning even more than he normally did each day.

Ichigo walked into the room, it was nearly three times the side of his old room with furniture such as a small bench near what would be sliding doors to face the garden, the futon was large and thick. There was a large chest at the one corner of the room, a wardrobe on the opposite corner. There was even a low table and pillows in the centre of the room while the futon was raised on a platform at the middle of the wall where the chest was located.

"It is… too big." Ichigo said as he rotated on the spot where he stood. He felt so… out of place.

Kaien looked on more worried as Ichigo looked around more seemingly not very happy. When the male sighed and looked back at him he shrugged a shoulder when Kaien arched a brow. "I will get use to it I suppose, it's just a big change." Ichigo explained and walked over to the chest opening it to reveal his uniforms or the spares. He loosened his obi making his hakama looser. He held the pants up by the hem. He looked over his shoulder at Kaien.

"I will need to get new clothes tomorrow so I won't be at work. My captain already knows." Ichigo said while he dropped his hakama, his top now the only thing he wore besides his undergarments. Kaien nodded, he slip the door shut just as Ichigo slid off his top.

The scar was still very much unhealed but scabbed. It was also rather large making Kaien's eyes go wide and close the door faster than needed.

Ichigo chuckled and rubbed three fingers over the scab gently. "It's not that bad…" he said softly. With a shrug he fully undressed and searched in the wardrobe to see what was inside. He found a few loose plain kimonos. He smiled a little at this. They probably saw that he didn't even have a sleeping kimono or yukata.

He slipped on a dark blue one Ichigo crawling into his futon with a pleased groan. This was something he could get use to, this felt amazing and it didn't take long before Ichigo was out like a light.

Waking up to another unfamiliar ceiling was odd for Ichigo, he groaned as he saw he still woke up with the sun. He sighed and sat up. He turned his neck side to side and tilted it to either side popping the joints in his neck. He stood and stretched back doing the same for his back. He sniffed and decided he might as well get dressed.

He looked back at the kimonos and yukatas in the wardrobe and saw one that was well enough for going outside. He got dressed in his shinigami hakama, a clean one luckily with the deep violet yukata underneath tied with an off white obi. He slid on socks and sandals, his toes wiggled a little to get comfy.

He slid the door open, he stepped out sliding the door behind him. He heard a wolf whistle from his left. Looking over he saw Kuukaku and Ganju looking at him with smiles.

"Looking good there Ichigo." Kuukaku said with a grin. Ganju nodded his head. Ichigo bowed his head and turned to fully face them. "Good Moring Kuukaku-san, Ganju-kun." He greeted and followed them to the dining room.

Breakfast was tasty but a lot more lively.

Kuukaku tried continuously to get Ichigo to smile or do something other than eat in silence while he watched those around him. He did arch his brow at the woman a few times at her… brass way of talking. He snorted after he finished.

"Just give me a few days to adjust please, this is a far stretch from what I had when I passed over and even when I was a lieutenant." He said with a shrug. No one really knew he actually had it worse than those who lived in the town.

They still had a shelter of sorts. Ichigo slept in tree till the three boys had enough material to build a shack of sorts big enough for the four of them.

Kuukaku regarded him with a stern look. "Fine but today you have to go shopping with Ganju, he needs new clothes as well and it will be a great bonding experience." The woman said, her tone held a no argument edge.

Ichigo looked to the side at Ganju who looked happy at the idea. He nodded and placed his chop sticks over his now empty rice bowl. He looked down at Ganju who also just finished. "Shall we go?" he asked and watched amused when Ganju jumped up and nodded his head.

Ichigo rose much more graceful and walked with Ganju to the hallway. When they reached his room he stopped and quickly went inside with Ganju following, Ichigo slipped Zangetsu around his waist and grabbed his coin pouch. He had a hefty sum in it, more than enough to do what they wanted to do for the day.

He walked back to the wardrobe and took out a paler shade of purple haori and slipped it over his shoulders. He placed the money pouch inside his yukata for safe keeping.

Sliding his arms into the haori he turned and regarded Ganju. The smaller soul was looking at Zangetsu with childlike awe. Ichigo chuckled and unsheathed the long sword. He bent at the knee to be more eye level with Ganju. Holding the blade in both hands for the other to see Ganju took in the beautiful sword.

It suited Ichigo to the T. The black and red hilt matched his reiatsu perfectly as did the weave it was done in. he lifted a hand and gently lowered it onto the side of the sword mindful of how sharp he knew it was. The feel of the sword was different than Kaien's he noticed with fascination. Kaien's felt old yet not freezing but like a cool breeze that was constantly blowing on steel making it cool.

Ichigo's was positively vibrating yet had no feeling of being cold or warm.

Ichigo pulled his sword back gently as to not startle Ganju. He took a step back and sheathed Zangetsu. He motioned to the door with his head in a jerking motion. The younger soul nodded and walked to the door opening it, he stepped into the hallway.

Ichigo came out shortly after and slid the door shut.

They walked out of the house before Kuukaku had chance to give them money. Kaien watched alongside her as the two walked off. "He as money with him, I think he would rather spend that first than the family's money." He said and patted her shoulder. His wife Miyako walked out of the house to stand next to him.

"Shall we go dear?" She asked gently. Kaien looked down at his wife with a smile.

"Yeah let's go, captain Ukitake told me he wanted to know how Ichigo's first night went." Miyako giggled and nodded. Both waved goodbye and shunpo'd to work.

Kuukaku watched the retreating backs of Ichigo and Ganju till they were out of sight. She hoped that Ichigo would loosen up some after a while. Seeing someone so stiff in his own home being it new was unsettling. Well to her at least but she was sure it was just Ichigo being in a new house with new people.

Sigh okay so this might feel like it's going nowhere but be patient.

All in due time ^^, besides Yumichika and Ikkaku are staring in the next chapter.