Disclaimer insert here: No I do not own Bleach or Sekirei much to my disappointment.
All characters belong to their rightful owners, except any OC's that I include, which will only hopefully be one or two minor characters. An M rating is for future violence, dismemberments, gore, language, very foul language, and of course maybe or maybe not adult situations. Do not ask for them that will be decided later.
For those still confused why I am using certain family terms please Google Japanese Family Terms, you should see this beginning web address first: Japanese dot about dot com. : If you see that you got the right page, it will help you understand why I use the honorifics I use. Thanks.
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Response to Reviews Corner:
FrozenSpectre: Good reviews and thanks, hope you don't rip me to much for this one though.
Guest71: Read AN at the end, I think my muse has found something I really want to do now.
Cloud ExSoldier: Tia and Orihime will fit in eventually. I know I am dedicating a lot right now to Ichigo and Miya but they will make an appearance soon I think, maybe hopefully in the next round of chapters after the I am done my allotment for Welcome to My World. And maybe if I get a good response to my announce at the end.
Plums: Sorry but for this story and Welcome to My World it's how it is. But I promise if I do my third one, I will use mostly English, promise.
aeriswolf90: Miya will be the only one winged. I thought about Akitsu but I have decided on a different path for her. Can anyone say ladies man?
I know a few of you have expressed some…dislike for Tia and Orihime being in a relationship. I had two ways of writing them as just close friends or as lovers. I picked lovers because well I wanted to do something different with them. You will see why when it comes into play later on and hopefully I pull it off. Sometimes you have to roll the dice and hope you don't get snake eyes. But when it happens don't kill me I had it planned in the beginning how it's going to work for the three, and damn I think I just might pull it off. Maybe.
Anyway warning this chapter is a bridge for the next series of events. Also a little lime thrown in as well, nothing too graphic to even rate a warning, spur of the moment really. Also read the AN at the end, an idea has been worming it's way to the forefront lately, I think I might just write this weekend on it as well as the next chapter. So please enjoy this rather short but boring chapter. Yes boring even for me.
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"Yes little one that is her."
XXXX
She stares at her newly bonded Ashikabi with disbelieving eyes.
"Ichigo, did you just ask me to marry you?"
He leans into her until she is laying flat on her back, with him hanging over her. He looks down at his Sekirei and closes the gap until his lips are hovering just over hers. His eyes are staring into her shocked red, before he leans into her ear. He whispers very softly into her ear.
"Miya, I just added a part of my soul to yours, and you added a part of yours to mine. I think marriage would be the next logical step for two people who are in love, and already know that they will be for the rest of their lives, this one and the one after. Yes Miya, I will make sure that you are with me in Soul Society, when my time here ends. So Asama Miya will you marry me?"
"yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes."
"I can't hear you Sekirei." A slight smile forms.
"YES!" She shouts as she pulls his face back to hers for another kiss.
Passion drifts through their bond as Ashikabi and Sekirei join yet again by their need for each other. He lowers himself until he is resting just over her body, chests touching but still clothe. She reaches around his back and slowly runs her hands up and down the hard muscles until she finds the end of his shirt. Unable to help herself she allows them to guide themselves under the tight fabric and let's them wander against his skin. He drops even closer to her body, their kiss just continuing for what seems like a life time. She moans as her Ashikabi finally rests his weight on her, the man's reiatsu flows all around her, encompassing her, giving her warmth that she can't get enough of. All she knows is that this is what she wants forever and ever. Her Ashikabi.
Ichigo can't help what he is feeling right now, the primal desire to get as close as possible to his mate, but he has no intention of crossing that line, at least not until they are married. He won't deny Miya if she wants to take it to that next level, but he hopes they can hold out until then. Judging by the way her hands are crawling over his back as a sign of things to come, he seriously doubts it. All he can do is suppress his own moans that want to escape, as her tongue is driving him crazy. When she finally accepts his weight, all thinking stops in favor of feeling the closeness of their bodies.
'Damn clothes.' It is last logical thought as they continue kissing.
XXXX
Shinto Teito woke the next morning to the aftermath of what was being called the 'The Great Blackout', no one in the position of authority was able to explain how every power station and sub-station had all failed at once. Then the city's citizens began to question the legitimacy of allowing a private corporation to run the city that many still call Tokyo. It wasn't long after that protest groups began to gather outside the huge building bearing the name that their anger is directed at. Inside the employees are watching nervously as both the police and their own security are keeping the protestors away from the entrances.
On the top floor, the founder and current CEO of MBI is watching his newly replaced monitors with an emotion he hasn't felt in years. Anger. Anger that these people would have the audacity to protest his company's handling of the city and its services. Again he can only blame her, the one who owns the North by proxy. Not one Ashikabi would dare cross into her territory, nor would his own people for that matter after that man's message was delivered. He fumed that day, when he Hiroto Minaka was denied access to any part of the city he OWNS. Now, now the outage was placed solely on his company's shoulders to bear the blame for the power that had basically short circuited every transformer within the city proper and many of the outlying suburbs.
Kurosaki Ichigo and Asama Miya were becoming the thread pullers that where going to unravel his brilliant game before it could even begin. Again he felt his anger rise at just the thought of those two names. One he knew he couldn't control the other seemingly beyond his control. He lacks the most crucial component of reeling in the two wildcards, information. No where could he find information on Kurosaki, no matter how hard he dug into the man's past, the road blocks appeared as if by divine intervention. As if someone had hijacked his own network or any network that had the name Kurosaki Ichigo typed into it.
He had no choice, he was going to have the leave the city himself and visit Karakura Town. His influence should grant him better access than some no name employee, his influence in both the world of business and medicine should open the doors he seeks. If not, he could always find those close doors and send the Disciplinary Squad and let them open the doors for him. Although he loathe the idea of sending his girls so far from the city, he had the feeling he wouldn't have an option but to do so. Just as soon as his dear Takami cleared the Forth for duty in a few days, he again felt that unfamiliar emotion rise once again.
The Forth was suppose to be his own trump card until the last round when he would allow the survivors to fight however they wish, even the Ashikabi would have to fight. What happens in the final round of the Game was anybodies guess, his included. All he had planned for was the open and the following rounds; he even accounted for the rogue Sekirei and those Ashikabi that deem the rules 'optional'. But now things were going south quicker than any politician getting caught with someone other than their spouse. Again his gaze turns north, to her and him, the two thorns he just couldn't get rid of right now. Any move on his part would ensure a very violent response from her, especially since she blames them for Takehito's death. She wasn't far from the truth, but if she ever did find out, everyone currently under his employment would be forfeit.
He looks back at his monitors before switching them off. Picking up his phone he dials her extension, last night had been one of the worse meetings between them every since she denied him access to his kazoku again. She ripped into him that the Plan was falling apart and they had no way of determining the likely outcome if the situation didn't improve in their favor soon. A fact that he hated to admit to was becoming the reality of the current dilemma. Drumming his fingers at each ring either she is ignoring him or she wasn't in her office, just as he was going to hang up, she finally answers.
"What!?"
"Ah my de…"
"Shut it Minaka, I am in no mood for your usual bullshit today. I have been up almost thirty hours already, plus the added hours of trying to figure out what happen last night and how to prevent it in the future. So if you have anything of importance spit it out. If not, then leave me the hell alone!"
He pauses as he considers what he is about to say next.
"I am going to meet with Kurosaki-san as soon as I can find him, Sahashi."
"What did you say Hiroto?"
"I said that when I find him, I am going to arrange a meeting with him. I will of course stay outside of the two mile exclusion zone he has so forcibly defined for me. However as soon as he steps outside of that zone, I will be waiting. I have to see him and talk to him to figure him out. If worse comes to worse, I will have to use other avenues at my disposal to ensure that I get what I want."
"If you are suggesting what I think you are, I am done now. Do. You. Understand? Done. I will not be a part of that, never again."
It figures, open mouth insert foot. "No, what I meant was that I will have to find other means to make him come to me my dear." Finally got it in.
"If I even think you had someone 'liquidated' I will turn you in myself, do you understand Minaka?"
He knew she would, and he knew he couldn't get rid of her either. She was too damn smart not to leave safeguards in place to ensure her own survival, which is why she could get away with threatening him. Maybe one of the reasons he was in love with her. That and...
He stares at the photo, the three people posing in it is what he longs for, but his own ambition got in the way of what she had with them, what he lacks right now, and a reason for all of this was for him to finally get his wish.
"Tamaki, I won't do anything as impulsive as that. However I just have to meet him, one way or another I am going to meet Kurosaki Ichigo face to face."
He hears her sigh. "Your funeral then. I won't cry you know."
"I know my dear."
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Kurotsuchi Mayuri is standing in front of four of his fellow shinigami; one who is the current Soutaichou along with his tsuma; the other two are his nemesis and former Taichou, along with the other former exile, that damnable noblewoman. Three basically telling him 'that under no circumstances' was he to investigate or interfere with the Squad Two or its mission in Shinto Teito.
"You mean to tell me that I and my squad are not allowed to investigate the phenomenon that occurred?"
"You heard me correctly Kurotsuchi Taichou. If I or anyone from Squad Two or the Onmitsukidō finds that you have been investigating, you will find yourself in a very unpleasant position. Do you understand Taichou?" The Squad One Taichou iterates with a release of his own reiatsu.
Sweat appearing on his head as the heavy ocean begins pressing down directly onto his shoulders, he can only nod his acceptance of the situation. However he just had to push it. They knew he would as well.
"Why? I have never been denied access to my studies before until now. So why am I denied what could be the discovery of a possible new species of humans, much like the Quincy were a thousand years ago?"
Soon the killing intent overwhelms even the Soutaichou's reiatsu release. He knows whose sudden attention he has gained, the one seeing him as a threat, and he knows that if she has the backing of the two others in this room, he is dead before he can make the shoji leading out of the office.
"Make this a part of your permanent memory Mayuri-kun; if I sniff and smell you have been in Tokyo, I am not even asking, I will eliminate you. This is a Shihōin and Shiba Clan affair, and you would do well to keep that in mind. Understand now Taichou?" Her golden eyes promise him exactly that. Death.
"Fine. I will leave it be. However if I am questioned by Central Forty Six as to why Shinto Teito is a wasteland, I will have the pleasure of pointing my fingers at you three and your damn Clans as the perpetrators of the disaster. Now if you will excuse me, I have other more important matters to attend to." The white face of fury turns and walks away, without waiting to be dismissed.
The three Taichous and only Fukutaichou all wait for the now offended Twelfth to leave the room before they speak.
With a snap of his fan, Kisuke begins. "That could have gone better."
"I mean every word Shunsui, if I even have an enkindling that he is snooping around Tokyo, I will order his assassination without hesitation."
"Now, now Yoruichi. I don't think the prospect of a very horrible death at the hands of the Onmitsukidō excites him that much. But even you have to admit that he is very brilliant to have even of found that scrap left in the records to begin with. However I think he understands that there are things that we will no longer tolerate any longer. Especially when Harribel Taichou went to task on him after he tried to grab up Mallia-Fukutaichou when she ran into him." Shunsui spoke at last.
A hand placed on his shoulder makes the Soutaichou look up to see the worried face of his spouse. "What's wrong Nanao?"
"Forgive me otto, as a Fukutaichou I know I'm not always going to be kept in the loop of things, but this meeting today makes me have to ask, what is going on in Tokyo?" She shifts the folder in her other hand.
Kyōraku Soutaichou looks towards the other two Taichous in the room. He knows they both are the keepers of many of Soul Society's darker secrets, but she is his Fukutaichou and more importantly, his spouse. Leaving her in the dark does not sit well with him, but the fact that the person at the center of this is a noble and the goddoson and ojisan of the current and future Clan Leaders of the Shihōin and possibly the Kuchiki's makes him uncomfortable to say the least. He gets a save.
A tired and stressed Yoruichi speaks. "Nanao-chan, it's about Ichigo. That is why I don't want anyone in Tokyo right now, it involves my goddoson and that makes it a matter of kazoku. He was the cause of both the reiatsu and then the hollow infestation last night."
"Ichigo-kun is in Tokyo? Since when?"
"Last week. I have been keeping an eye on him ever since he left Soul Society all those years ago. As I told him, 'he never asked, I never promised', so I have been watching him, making sure he was safe and…"
"Shihōin-sama?"
Hanging her head down, she tries to hide her emotions. "I wanted to make sure he didn't do anything rash, or so I thought then. He proved me wrong by surviving everything thrown at him, until a few months ago when he had to bury so many of the humans he worked with. I…I thought for sure that would be what would finally drive him home, that was until he arrived in Tokyo. He proved again just so how damn unpredictable he can be. He found something there to live for again and he will protect it with everything he has at his disposal. So you can understand our concern Nanao, if Kurotsuchi were to take someone from Shinto Teito, we would be facing Ichigo on the other side of the conflict. You know as well as everyone else in Soul Society, he will protect what he considers his. It's the hollow in him you could say, the primal instinct to protect his territory."
"What would he protect in the World of the Living to such a degree Shihōin Taichou?"
The Hime of Squad Two raises her head, a small smile suddenly in place. "This is considered business of Nobles Nanao, and because you are married to Soutaichou you are under those rules as well. Do you still want to know?"
The glasses come off as Kyōraku Nanao shakes her head vigorously. "Yes Yoruichi yes."
"He is in love."
"He is in love? With who?" She knew it couldn't be Tier or Orihime, as both were still in Soul Society. She is friends with the two and she knew that they both harbor deep feelings for the former fukutaichou.
The shift of the woman who leads all assassins gives a sad shake of her head. "He is in love with a Sekirei."
The Fukutaichou gives her a puzzled look. "A what?"
Kisuke decides that it's his time to step in. "A Sekirei is an alien life from another world Kyōraku Fukutaichou. They have been among the humans for thousands of years, but this new group is the pure blood of their species. They are human in appearance and their biology is similar however they possess a very strong soul, from what Yoruichi has gathered it is called a tama. It gives them super-human abilities and if they find what is called an Ashikabi they become even more powerful. Ichigo-kun is one such being, an Ashikabi and he has performed a ritual in which he has bonded the soul of his Sekirei. In short he got married last night."
Shunsui flash steps to catch his fainting tsuma. "Nice Kisuke. You could have given a little bit more warning. You know how much of a romantic she is, and now you just told her the most sought after bachelor is no longer on the market."
"Well she did take it better than those two will when they find out Shunsui." He replies dryly.
All three Taichous shudder at that thought. Who in the hell was going to tell them the news.
"Well if I had it my way, I'd let the Berry tell them." The mocha skinned woman said as she looks at the unconscious Fukutaichou.
The two males both look at each other, a similar thought going through their heads.
'He is so dead.'
XXXX
Brown eyes slowly flutter open as the first lights of dawn break through the window of their room.
'Our room.'
He smiles at the thought. Looking down he sees the top of her head, the purple that now marks part of his reiatsu is her color, their color. He kisses the top of that head, and is greeted by her mewl. He smiles as he watches her wake slowly at first and then realizing the time tries to jump up only to find two arms keeping her in place.
"Ichigo?"
"Were do you think you are going Miya?" He holds her tight to his chest.
She only struggles for a second before she gives up and winds her arms around his neck again. Taking a different approach she slowly slinks her way up his body until she is the one over his head looking down. She descends until her lips find her prize once again. The thrill will never get old to them, as they once again explore each other gently. No need to rush the feelings they can feel constantly flowing through their bond, which only grew stronger long into the night. Parting finally from her Ashikabi, she leans up and just stares into his eyes, allowing them to swallow her up.
"Ichigo we should get up now. Breakfast should have been done hours ago."
His response is quick peck. "Okay, okay Miya I guess we should feed them or else I will hear nothing but."
Eyes narrowing dangerously she cuts him off. "You may be my Ashikabi Ichigo, put I still expect you to follow the rules."
"Does that include…" He moves to whisper in her ear. Her suddenly red face answers that.
Slapping him playfully as she sits up, her gasps precedes his own reaction which makes both of them realize that they are what they are, a man and a woman now sharing a bed. They don't move as they understand the position she is now in. Her eyes go from wide to slowly lidded, as she starts to make very small movements. He closes his eyes shut at the ministrations she is now torturing him with right now. He brings his hands up and grabs onto her waist and holds her right where she is as she continues with her grinding.
The heat she feels is building quickly and soon she is panting as she feels him through the thin layer. He keeps her in place, not allowing what she is doing to stop. Soon they are approaching that point, as her movements are soon being matched by his hip's matching movements with her. She drops her head suddenly and grabbing his hair tight she grinds against his groin until she has her first one in years. He follows soon after. She collapses on top of the heaving chest under her as she tries to recover from the impromptu session. Both are shocked by what just happened, neither had planned it, but it just did happen.
He whispers to her. "Miya, are you okay?"
She shakes her head in his chest and mumbles her response, one that makes him feel better. "Yes, Ichigo I am more than alright, I'm…." He can't see her satisfied expression.
Sekirei and Ashikabi stay just the way they are for an indeterminate amount of time. But the need to change clothes and take a bath becomes a priority as the aftermath of what they did makes itself known. Keeping his arms wrapped around her, he lifts her up with him, before standing her on her feet. Grabbing a clean yukata for each of them, he leads Miya to the bathroom where he places a barrier to keep out any surprises. He doesn't even think about what he is doing as he strips out of his soiled clothes until he sees another set tossed on top of his. Then it hits him, she is with him, nude, behind him.
But she is his now. He is going to marry her, so why should he be surprised by the fact that they will be taking a bath together. Swallowing his nervousness, he notices something odd through their bond, she isn't nervous; in fact she has a good amount of… He turns at that point to see his Sekirei nude. Not one stitch of fabric hides the sight of her beautiful form from his eyes.
He takes in her whole statuesque's body. Her red eyes are boring into his soul as they slowly take in his own body. She holds her well toned arms down at her sides, as he takes in the rest of her. He allows his eyes to travel from her face to the valley created by her firm breasts, then further down to her flat stomach with her subtly showing abs. His eyes pause on her hips before shifting down even lower where he can't help himself as he looks upon the purple patch just above her womanhood. Then to her legs, the ones he longs to have them wrap around him again, they are so firmly shaped, he finally understands how she can stand against him in their spars. Standing before him is his Sekirei, his mate, his soon to be tsuma.
'Perfect.'
It's all she can think from the hard chest to the ropes of muscle that line his entire body, as it flexes in front of her. His body lacks any real signs of fat; the years between his military and civilian security tours have changed the man into the Greek warrior before her. Her own eyes soak in the sight before her from his chiseled chest to his abs of steel, the very same she has found her own comfort sleeping on. She pauses as she travels down herself, taking in fact that it is indeed his natural hair color, not that she doubted it. Miya can't help herself as she takes in the size of him; she knew it was above average, but not that. Then moving down to his legs, she sees nothing but muscles that just ropes and cord up and down each. He is perfect in her eyes.
"Miya, do you want me to wash you first?" He is extending his hand to her.
Smiling she walks up to him and stands if front of her love. "Please if you don't mind doing so Ichigo."
Taking her hand he leads her over to the stools. Sitting her down, he takes his place behind her and begins by slowly pouring water over her head. As the hot water cascades down, she sighs in contentment. It has been years since she has bathe with a man. The guilt is no longer there as she thinks about Takehito; she knows she is with her destined one now. His hands then begin to rub the shampoo into her hair, allowing him to massage her scalp with his nimble fingers.
She hasn't felt this peaceful or relaxed in years, as Ichigo washes her hair and then scrubs her body as if he is handling the finest porcelain. Her body continues to tingle as she feels those hands track over every inch of her skin, nothing was left untouched, but he also kept it from getting out of hand. She did stop his hands when they came to her breasts, not to stop him from doing it, but to keep him from leaving. A kiss on her neck soon after lets her know, he understood the meaning, but he wants to wait. Soon he is pouring the last of the rinsing water all over her body, standing above her as he does so.
When he is done, she stands herself and turns towards him, taking his face once more, she rewards him with a soft kiss before guiding him back to his stool. Soon she is pouring the water over his head, as he leans back letting it flow over his face. He tilts his head forward when she sits behind him and proceeds to replicate her version of what he did for her. She leans forward as she washes his chest and abs, then down there, she can feel him tense for a split second before he relaxes himself under her touch.
'I keep forgetting, he hasn't been with anyone longer than me.'
As Miya lets the last of the rinse water fall over him, she walks in front of him, lifting him from the stool and guiding him the tub. She gets in first and then motions for him to sit in front of her. As he dips into the tub, she wraps her arms around his chest and leans them both back.
"Ichigo, just relax. We have all day."
XXXX
"So what do you think they are doing?" Uzume says as she stares at the locked bathroom.
Matsu doesn't even look up from the papers in her hands as she answers. "Most likely nothing. They haven't been joined for more twenty fours hours yet, and the bond is relatively new. However I don't think they will last long, if by the expressions they had last night is an indication of how they feel about one another."
Kagari snorts at the observation. "They are going to be over each other sooner than any of us think. The way he grabbed her ass last night was not purely plutonic in nature, it was pure unadulterated lust. He has had a thing for her bottom since he got here. Ask Uzume, she sees it."
Matsu finally has to look up at that. Seeing the brunette smile, confirms it. Ichigo has it bad for Miya's rear. She smiles as she looks back down at the questionnaire from yesterday's job search. Takami really hid her true intentions well, but between Ichigo's suspicions to her intellect; they could see the answers they were seeking. Specifically who was Kurosaki Ichigo and why does he lack a past until ten years ago. Her own digging yielded absolutely nothing on him, just an old photo of his kazoku's clinic and a picture taken when he was a junior on the baseball team. He made good money he admits selling his services then, helped him save for the ring that he knew he was going to buy one day. He never said how he knew, just that he knew.
But it was the one picture she found that she hasn't found the courage to ask about. Somehow in her searches she came across a photo of Ichigo and his friends presumably on his old school's roof. The first person to stick out was a raven-haired girl whose face was partially hidden as she was looking up at the taller shinigami. Sitting in the background were two other girls. One had auburn hair and full figure up top, sitting next to a black-spiky hair girl, sitting on either side of the girls were two young men. Both males had black hair, but one wore glasses and the other had most of his face hidden by his long locks. The one thing that stood out was they all looked happy in the photo; even Ichigo had a smile on his face while holding the hand of the raven-haired girl. She printed the photo to give to Miya later, she didn't know if they should give it to him or not.
She knew the people. Only one still lives, but in Soul Society as a spirit now. The rest had died that day. The tears had fallen during the night as she stared at the photo, thinking that they had helped save not only the world but the afterlife so the humans could live in peace. She now has the privilege of knowing that such entities exist to protect them, the living and the dead. Matsu has finally seen the faces that must haunt Ichigo during his journey through life so far.
'Thank you friends of Kurosaki-san for all you have sacrificed.'
"Hey Matsu, you okay there? I've been trying to get your attention now for the last five minutes." Uzume says while staring worriedly at the Second.
"Sorry Uzume, just thinking."
"Uh-huh, are you thinking about what those two are doing right now?" The grin comes back in full force.
Shaking her head then pushing her glasses up some, Matsu quirks and eyebrow at her. "What about those two Uzume?"
Kagari who is sitting out of Uzume's vision tries valiantly to save his room mate but is too late.
"You know Matsu, how they must be doing it while they are locked in that hot steamy bathroom. No way Ichigo isn't running his hands up and down her backside if given half the chance."
Uzume brushes away some wet purple hair from her cheek before she freezes in terror. Slowly swiveling her head in the direction of the wet hair, she finds herself looking straight into the eyes of the infamous Hannya. A voice soon fills her soul with abject terror.
"Uzume, we shall speak about your gossiping of your fellow room mates later tonight. Right now however I suggest you get dressed, so I can send you to the market for dinner tonight. You have five minutes to get ready, now scoot."
The Tenth Sekirei performed a perfect ninja roll to get away from both the landlady and her specter of her displeasure. She pops up and is running before Miya can even straighten out to stand upright, she then casts her gaze upon the other two Sekirei who are quietly chuckling at the now missing Uzume.
"I hope I don't have to speak to either of you two as well."
"No Miya/ Never Miya."
"Good. Then I will make an early lunch for everyone. Ichigo and I will be going out today to shop. Dinner will be late tonight." With that she walks into the kitchen.
As soon as Miya enters the kitchen, Ichigo makes his own appearance. Sitting in his usual spot he notices the sweat and nervousness of the other two occupants sitting with him.
"What's wrong with you two?"
"Nothing Ichigo, just a reminder of the rules, that's all." Kagari says all the while watching the kitchen door.
Ichigo shrugs, then pours some tea for himself and settles down. He looks over to see Matsu with the questionnaire from the day before and with notes written all over it. He holds out his hand to Matsu to look at what she wrote. The Sekirei hands it to him and watches as he scrutinizes her notes that she has written along the sides of the paper. Soon she watches as his eyes narrow at some notes and slightly widens at others as he reads each and every page. When he reaches the end, he sets the papers down and sinks his head into his hands and lets out a loud breathe.
"What exactly is Sahashi, Matsu? I assume she is some kind of bigwig with MBI when I called her that day?" He doesn't look up.
"She discovered us, along with Minaka on the island when it rose from the sea. She and Minaka basically founded MBI and during their research we were borne from that work. So in a strange way you could say she is our okaasan. We will never call Minaka our otousan though."
"I'm guessing she is smart then if she wrote this up." Ichigo is looking at the paper with intensity.
He sips his tea slowly as he reads over the first page again, the questions look innocent enough but they are clearly designed to make you answer fully and truthfully. Drumming his fingers as he slowly flips through the pages again, looking at the notes the red-head had written. The questions about his kazoku and his known associates were innocuous at first, but put together with the other questions spread out, you basically had a person's life mapped out. MBI at least had a first rate spook on the staff. Yoruichi would have like this Sahashi if she wasn't part of the Plan to make the Sekirei fight in battle royale over a device that may or may not rival the Hōgkoyu.
"Miya, I'm ready." Uzume shouts as she enters the dining room, fixing her ponytail as she does.
The newly winged First enters the room. "I will be done lunch soon, then you can go."
Sitting down next to the only Ashikabi in the room, Uzume settles her head in her hands as she waits for lunch. She begins thinking about the combined power that was displayed between the First and her Ashikabi, the mask that appeared in Ichigo's reiatsu was terrifying, he said it's his first Vizard mask that he can don; the second he said is much more evolved. When he said that you could see the tightness around his eyes, a memory of something associated to that fact he hasn't yet revealed to them. Looking at the Sixth, she remembers his own encounter with the mask; Kagari said it made him feel like he was looking into the eyes of the devil himself.
While he is next to her, all she can remember however is his power makes her feel safe, even when he was angry at her before her confession. Still the memories of his soul form makes her blush, the power as it swept through her was exhilarating to her, a turn on as well. For one brief moment she wishes she hadn't been winged, but knowing him he wouldn't accept her as he did Miya. She knew that Kagari and Matsu were also safe as neither displayed any kind of reaction from him as well. Maybe Miya's soul alone had the strenght to match his and that is why only the First could react to him. Also the fact that he would only look at Miya with those eyes that spoke with his true emotions as well made it impossible for anyone one else to breach his heart and soul.
Sighing loudly earned her a nudge from the very man sitting next to her.
"What's wrong Uzume?"
Shaking her head still in her hands she answers. "Nothing Ichigo. Just thinking."
"Well anyways, I am going to Karakura this Sunday with Miya. Going to give him Chiho's medical records and then arrange her transfer from the hospice then. Don't worry about the bills Uzume; I'll take care of them for you both. You two will need something left from her estate and going by what that bastard Higa has been charging, you two wouldn't have anything left in two years."
Uzume's slowly turns her head to look at the Ashikabi with wonder in her eyes. Did he just say that?
"Ichigo? Why? I mean you hardly know us, so why would you do that?"
She gets a head-slap for her questions. "That's what friends do for each other Uzume. Besides I can afford it."
Matsu grunts at that statement. "You can afford basically anything now Ichigo. It would be just a drop in the bucket for you anyway; hell I don't think you could spend even two of those books now, even if you tried hard."
Turning to the Sekirei who had examined his bank books, he gives her a look. "Speaking of which, Matsu I need a favor. Can you take one and setup a dummy account for me. I want to use it to help fund the Church of Trinity Tokyo anonymously. So you think you can do it?"
All the Sekirei in the room give him a look of astonishment then. Even Miya who just re-enters the room with the tray carrying lunch stops at hearing that.
"Ichigo. I guess I could, but why would you do so? You haven't even started working there yet." Matsu says while staring at him.
"Easy Matsu. First they are among the only few left in the neighborhood still trying to make the lives of those who need it most, also having the necessary funds to do so will help make it easier for them. Second, it gives me a way to pay back both Father Patrick and Furukawa-sensei for taking a chance on hiring me, even knowing I'm on the wrong side of MBI. And finally, like you said I could never spend it all."
"You're really something, you know that Ichigo?" Uzume says while looking ashamed of what she has done in her own recent past.
She has no way of paying Ichigo back, ever. In less than a week, he went from stranger to savior of not only Chiho, but of herself as well. Now he again proves why Miya is the only one capable of being joined with his soul, his selflessness is beyond reproach. For someone else in his position, the ability to ignore those less fortunate would have been an easy thought, she includes herself in that group. Now she has to accept her responsibility and inform not only Ichigo but Miya as well as to what she had been forced into doing for Higa. She can only hope that she has a home and Ichigo's forgiveness when she is done. Looking up from her plate, she sees that everyone is eating, smiles, relaxing, not a worry in the world, except her. Taking a deep breathe she speaks.
"Miya, Ichigo I have to talk to you guys after breakfast. I…I need to tell you things that I am not proud of and…"
"What ever it is, forget it. Yesterday was the past, today is the beginning of your new life, yours and Chiho's. I have an idea of what you want to tell us, but it's over with. I had a friend in a similar situation like you once. It didn't stop me from going after her and bringing her home, regardless of what others may have said. All that mattered to me then was she's my friend and she was doing it against her will. You understand what I'm saying right Uzume?"
She can only look at the shinigami with tearing eyes, nodding her head yes, she finds herself being hugged by the displaced Kagari. Looking into the Sixth eyes, she can see his forgiveness as well as Matsu's and Miya's when she looks upon each of them. Closing her eyes she prays that someday she can make it up to everyone in this room as well as those she has hurt. She just stays in Kagari's arms until the need to eat forces her to slowly disengage herself from her fellow Sekirei. No one looks at her with anything but acceptance that it's over with.
Taking the hint that everything is final, the Second takes the opportunity to take over the conversation. "So Miya, what was it like?" However the glares she gets from the landlady and her destined one quickly makes the Wisdom Sekirei realize exactly what she said and how it sounds. "OH! No not that Miya! I…I meant what was it like to be winged? What do you feel now?"
Miya looks over at her Ashikabi who give her a nod. Setting down her own utensils she smiles as she looks at Ichigo. "First there was the feeling of overwhelming love and acceptance, then his power invaded every part of me, the incredible warmth that we all felt that first day, washing over me completely. Then the other parts of his soul made their presence known, the darkness of his hollow and the pride and honor of his Quincy side melding with my own existence. I…I can't explain how I knew what they were, but I could see the difference and I just knew what they were. For the first time since I woke, I feel completely whole."
Ichigo took her hand at this point to demonstrate what she meant. As soon as they go close, the others could only watch as his reiatsu begins to mix with her tama, the two flows swirling and mixing together in a beautiful display of color and complexity. Soon the other thing becomes real obvious as well; the two bodies slowly gravitate towards each other over the corner of the table. Her hands strike first as she grabs his face, then draws him in closer before capturing his lips. He ain't complaining.
Uzume, Matsu and Kagari watch as the First and the shinigami show no embarrassment or shame about how they feel about their respective partner. Neither is shy as well in the affection department anymore it seems as well. Soon the lips separate and a slight grin form on both of their faces as they move apart, and they once again take up their places at the table.
"Wowsa."
"I guess that answers that." Matsu says as she watches the head of Izumo Inn take up her chopsticks once again.
The orange head begins to eat as well, but he keeps one hand on his future bride's leg under the table, no one notices the pleased look on her face as she eats. Everyone else at the table begin to resume their meals as well, before long the topic changes to shopping.
"So Ichigo, what are you going out to buy?" Kagari asks while getting seconds.
Swallowing first and washing it down with tea before he answers. "I think I need some current clothes to wear for work, some comfortable shoes as well. Also I need a new smart phone, I think something is wrong with the one I got and…"
"Smart phone Ichigo? What smart phone?" Matsu's eyes darting towards him in panic.
"Ah the one I bought the first day I got here Matsu. I needed one to get around the city and get schedules as well. I think something is wrong with it because it seems very slow now."
Standing up Matsu commands him. "Where is it now Ichigo? I need to see it right now."
Miya and the others now that voice, something is wrong. Ichigo does as he is asked. "It's on my table upstairs, why what's wrong Matsu?"
She ignores him and runs upstairs. Ichigo watches her as she leaves the dining room before turning a questioning look towards Miya.
"Ah someone want to tell me what the hell that's about?"
Kagari answers him. "Your phone the one you bought in the city has most likely been hacked by MBI. The only way for her to know for sure, is to let her tear your phone apart Ichigo. Hopefully you haven't been compromised."
"Shit! I had no idea they go that far. I'm sorry Miya, I really had no idea." Ichigo says as he looks at his Sekirei.
She grabs his hand but with a small frown. 'It's as much our fault for not telling you sooner Ichigo. Matsu will know for certain and if it has been hacked we will know for how long and then we can assess the damage then. So let's not panic just yet, okay."
He still turns to the other two at the table and sheepishly apologizes to them as well. "Kagari, Uzume I'm sorry. If I had known I wouldn't of even bought the damn thing, if anything goes wrong, I'll fix it promise."
"It's okay Ichigo; you didn't know MBI is in to every electronic device in the city. As Miya said it's as much our fault for not realizing it ourselves." Kagari said to the now worried shinigami.
Uzume gives him a small smile. "We all make mistakes Ichigo."
Taking one last look upstairs, Ichigo begins to eat again in silence. Soon the others follow suite as well, all waiting for the Second to come back downstairs some time soon.
XXXX
Looking at the phone on her work area, Matsu has the thing torn apart and hooked up to all kinds of cables. Each going to a different computer and running tests as she tears through the programming and hardware to see if MBI knew if the phone belong to Ichigo or not. Soon she finds what she was looking for, an attempt to download his data, but some how it happened at the most inopportune time, Miya's winging. Smiling at how lucky they all got, she erases all the standard software and firmware and updates it with her own versions. She smiles evilly as she adds a few numbers herself.
'Someone is going to have a bad day when Ichigo calls them.'
As she fires up the phone for the first time with the new additions, she happens to see something she wasn't expecting, an unknown number. Curiosity takes over and she dials the number.
"Ichigo?" A woman's voice answers.
"Ah, sorry wrong number." Matsu says before hastily hanging up.
She jumps when a text message is soon alerting from the phone.
'There is old saying Matsu. Curiosity killed the Sekirei. We will meet soon, don't worry. I know all about you.'
Her eyes bug out at the message now on display. Looking all around she panics slightly before she calms down and thinks.
'It has to be to a lucky guess. Right?'
She doesn't want to believe her own eyes as she stares at the message again. 'Who the hell was that?'
Not taking any chances she dumps the software a second time and reloads everything again. The number is still there but the message is gone. Wiping the sweat from her forehead she takes Ichigo's phone downstairs to give him the good news.
XXXX
"Really Yoruichi? You must have given the poor girl a heart attack with that." The Fifth Squad Taichou says while hiding his mirth.
Snorting at his faked pity, the Second Squad's Taichou replies evilly. "Next time she will know better than to call a number she isn't suppose to and then hang up rudely, now won't she."
"I suppose."
"Well I think its time for brunch, and you're buying."
"What!? Again?"
"Shut it and feed me."
"Yes Kitty-chan."
XXXX
Four heads turn to the sound of footsteps descending down the stairs and soon enough a missing red-head rejoins the table. Giving the newly programmed phone to its rightful owner she speaks.
"Well the bad news is they figured out whose phone that was. The good news is they got jack. Your little power surge overloaded the phone and shut it down before any information was gained Ichigo. I think we got real lucky with that."
The collective sigh of relief told how much anxiety each of them had been really feeling up until that moment. Matsu hid her satisfied look from them as she took a bite of her barely warm lunch.
"What did you do to my phone exactly?"
Quickly gulping down her mouth full, Matsu spoke like the genius she was. "Well first I back hacked the programming, standard MBI infiltration software really. Then I hacked MBI's main server, cross referenced your number and found out they did find it and were in the process of trying to download your history. But then you and Miya did your little act and whammo the phone shut down. So I replaced the software and firmware and gave you basically a ghost phone. One that can't be hacked…at least not by anyone on Earth."
Ichigo cocks a quizzical eyebrow at that. "Not on Earth? Did something happen, Matsu?"
Sheepishly looking at Ichigo, she rubs the back of her head as she tells him. "Ah, I dialed a number I didn't see before and a woman's voice answered. I hung up on her quickly and then…then she sent me a text message. She knows who I am."
He snorts before he answers. "That was most likely Yoruichi, Matsu. She is the Taichou of the shinigami you will be seeing from now on. Also she will tease the hell out of you, just for the fun of it if she can. Trust me, for years I was her whipping boy, the butt end of her and Kisuke's jokes. That was just her way of saying hello, so don't worry about it. Yet."
A cocking of her eyebrow signals Matsu's confusion. "Yet? What does that mean, yet? Ichigo, just who the hell is she? I know she is kazoku and your goddomazā and a Taichou, but what does she do exactly for Soul Society?"
"She is an assassin, the commander of the Onmitsukidō and the head of the Shihōin clan among other things. Yoruichi has been my sensei since I first became a shinigami all those years ago. As I told Miya yesterday, she has a great deal of influence in my life for reasons I haven't told any of you yet. It's personal unless she allows it." Ichigo says as if it was an everyday kind of things.
"What?" Matsu's quiet reply comes.
"Don't worry Matsu. She is in charge of Tokyo as of now. So we are safe for the time being. Also she knows about what's going on, so if push comes to shove, we have backup of sorts. If you see any ninja looking shinigami lurking about don't pay any attention to them, they are here to keep an eye on us and keep us safe from the small fry hollows."
"Oh, okay then."
Miya gives her own quizzical look at her soul mate. "Ichigo, is she coming here then?"
"Not sure Miya. But I wouldn't put it past her to do so soon. So if you see a woman with mocha skin, cat eyes and purple hair like Miya's that most likely will be her. Also she loves to flirt, man or woman it doesn't matter, so don't take it personally if she gropes you in the bath."
Kagari casually asks the question Ichigo set himself up with. "So I take it you speak from experience then Ichigo?"
Fear and embarrassment shows on his face as he freezes. Miya picks up on this immediately and knows that he hiding much more, much, much more then he is letting on.
"Ichigo, how do you know this exactly?" Her sweet voice asks.
Swallowing hard, the Ashikabi looks at Miya with a fair amount of fear. "Ah…you see…Ah, Yoruichi has this ability…and she sort of…kind of uses it to tease me with…"
"What ability Ichigo?" Again that oh too sweet voice asks.
"She can turn herself into a cat. The only problem with that is when she turns back…" No one can hear the last part.
Again fear shows on the face of Ichigo as he stares into the twin abyss of her red eyes. She is waiting for his answer still. "She has no clothes on when she transforms."
"No clothes?"
Head shake yes.
"And how many times has she done this to you Ichigo?"
This time a fearful head shrug.
"You didn't think this was important to tell me earlier, my dear?"
"Miya, I'm sorry! She did it when I was only fifteen at the time, so she knew I would get flustered and sh…stuff! I had no idea she could even do that back then, and then…then she sort used it as a way to tease me and punish me when I was training with her! Honest!"
Eyes narrow at him then. "So you never did anything with her then?"
"Hell No!"
A snort from the Sekirei comes from his left. "Sure Ichi-hentai. As beautiful as you make her out to be, you never did anything with her? Hard to believe if you ask me."
"Dammit Uzume! I'm telling you the truth!"
"Sure Ichi-hentai, sure."
Kagari and Matsu can't help the laughter that escapes them. Ichigo looks around the table and finally settles back on his Sekirei, his eyes begging her to believe him. She glares at him before she gets up and stalks off to the kitchen.
'Fuck!' He jumps up and follows her.
As he enters the kitchen, her back is to him. He knows he has to make her believe him, so he does what no sane person would do. Ichigo approaches her from behind and slowly encircles his arms around her waist and lays his head on her shoulder.
"Miya, I am telling you the truth. I have never touch Yoruichi like that. She's kazoku, she is off limits. Please Miya; I have never done anything with her."
When he sees her grin, confusion is all he has. "Miya?"
She pats his cheek as she falls back into his chest. "Ichigo, really. You need to use your bond more, just as I did."
"My bond?"
"Yes Ichigo, our bond. I knew you were telling us the truth back there."
"So you're not mad?"
"Oh, I'm mad, but not enough to punish you too harshly. But you are going to make it up to me somehow, someway soon."
"You're teasing me now aren't you?"
"Of course I am Ashikabi." She folds her hands on top of his, slowly melting into his embrace.
"Miya, we should be getting dressed soon, don't you think?" He begins to nip at her shoulders.
"Ehmm, maybe in a few minutes. Right now I like where I am."
She feels him pull away slightly to her annoyance, before he turns her around and closes the gap yet again. This time she sees his brown eyes drinking in her soul as he descends to her lips. Soon they join again as he presses against her, her arms wrapping around his neck to deepen the feeling of him against her body. However they both forget something, they aren't alone.
"Ahem. Ichigo, Miya sorry but you two are, ah, you know, in the kitchen. So…" Kagari states as he hopes to hell it doesn't end with eating the floor or worse.
However much to his relief, the two simple break-apart but resting their foreheads against one another before Ichigo looks at him. "Sorry about that Kagari, I guess I got carried away again." Ichigo gives Miya a kiss on her forehead before he moves away.
"I'm going to get dressed Miya, then when you are ready we will head out. Okay?"
The landlady waves her hand to his retreating back as she turns away, missing as he pauses next to the Sixth. "You know, if you hadn't come in right now, I would have gotten even lower."
Kagari's face is in shock. 'He heard us.'
He feels Ichigo leave the kitchen, still shaken until he remembers what was said during one of the dinner conversations. His hollow side allows him exceptional hearing, even in his body. Kagari wants to slam his head against the nearest brick wall at forgetting that the shinigami had been trained by supernatural beings. And he is a hybrid of three of the highest levels of warriors that the netherworld has to offer.
"Kagari, are you okay?" His thoughts and eyes suddenly come back to focus on his landlady as she was standing in front of him.
"Sorry Miya, I was thinking about something. I just wanted to know what time dinner was because I have to work tonight."
"I think between eight and nine tonight."
"Good, I don't have to be at work until eleven, so that works out for me then."
"Oh by the way, he wasn't kidding about getting lower." She says as she walks by the now twice stunned Fire Sekirei.
XXXX
The young male sits reading the latest novel from Europe, a cup of espresso sits untouched near his idle hand. His white suit makes him stand out against the dark colors of the wage earners sitting around him; they steal glances at the young boy and his older companion. Only his smile is evident under his brown eyes, his hair just touching his neck moves as he turns to his companion. The taller male is drinking green tea, his own brown eyes continuously scanning the room looking for any possible problems for his Ashikabi. His stare makes it possible for the two to sit with a zone of comfort and peace, no one wanting to sit near the young male and his obvious bodyguard.
"I heard an interesting rumor today Mutsu." The young man finally says as he puts his book down.
Quirking an eyebrow at his young master comment, he duly asks. "What kind of rumor did you hear today Mikogami-sama?"
The smile while wide holds absolutely no warmth forms on the teenage boy's face. "I heard that there is a previously unannounced Sekirei out and about. They say he is strong, very strong. From what I've heard, he is tall like you, orange hair, brown eyes, and…He is unwinged still. I think I would like to add him to my collection soon. What do you think Mutsu, would you like another male Sekirei to keep you company?"
Mutsu closes his eyes at the thought of another male Sekirei serving his Ashikabi, a bit of jealousy did surface but for only a moment. It would be nice to have a male to counter balance the females that currently serve Hayato, most of them he had helped capture for the Game. Softly sighing so as not to be heard by Mikogami, he gives his Ashikabi a reluctant nod.
"We should add him Mikogami-sama; it would increase our chances of winning the Game. Did rumor also tell you where we might be able to find this unknown Sekirei?"
The smile got only bigger as the young man gives the location. "Izumo Inn."
Snapping his head at the boy he serves, his hardness shows for the first time in years. "Izumo Inn? Are you sure Mikogami-sama? If that is the case, getting to him will be next to impossible you know. She lives there which means more than likely he is under her protection. I can't go against her unless you are willing to lose a few of your other possessions. So I ask you are you sure you want him?"
"I do Mutsu. He made one of that fool's Sekirei piss herself by just his presence. Image the look on his face when I get the Sekirei that walked right under his nose. If you take any of the others, make sure you lose only those that are weak Mutsu. I don't want to have to look for any replacements if we fail to achieve a new addition to my collection. Understood Mutsu?"
"Completely."
XXXX
'So warm.'
Miya thinks to herself as she walks hand in hand with her Ashikabi in the small shopping district near his new place of work. He decided earlier that it would help the locals get use to seeing them in public together when he starts work in the next few days. Tomorrow they would be on a train going to his old town to see his friend. She still didn't ask who the friend was other than to know Ichigo respects the man immensely for an unknown reason. The only other thing is that Ichigo seems sadden when ever he mentions seeing this person. She is secretly excited by the thought of seeing where Ichigo was born and grew up in his youth. But also she is worried that the place may bring back memories he may still have that are unpleasant. Either way she is going to make sure he knows he doesn't have to face them alone. She smiles as he guides them into another clothes store, so far the spendaholic has bought over twenty thousand yen worth of clothes. Some she admits make her blush as she remembers him modeling for her.
"Miya, your turn." The male suddenly announces.
Startled Miya gives Ichigo a look. Then she notices that they are not in a men's store but a women's store. Her eyes go wide at the selection now on display before her. All around her are some very fine clothes as well as kimonos and more traditional items. She looks at Ichigo questioningly.
"Ichigo? Why are we in here?"
He smiles as he looks over some of the hand-made yukatas on display, he picks up a sky blue one and holds it up looking at it and her. She watches as his eyes shift between her and the cloth before turning to a waiting attendant.
"Do you have these in purple and red as well?"
"Yes we do sir."
Looking back at Miya quickly, he bends down and whispers into the ear of the young woman. The woman's eyes go wide as he speaks to her, her gaze never leaving the miko standing before her. Soon a smile appears on the store clerk's face as she walks away back towards the side of the store.
"Ichigo, what did you say to that young lady?" Miya narrows her eyes on her Ashikabi.
Smirking as he puts the yukata away. "Oh, I told her that there is a fat commission waiting for her if she helps you buy at least five complete outfits, kimonos included."
"Ichigo, NO!" She whispers loudly into his ear. She sees the smirk form on his face which earns him a slight slap to his arm.
Her Ashikabi kisses her for her trouble. "Miya, someone as beautiful as you shouldn't just keep wearing the hakama and haori of a miko. You are my Sekirei, my soul mate, and as such I just want you to look beautiful when I take you out."
"Take me out where exactly Ichigo?" Now he can hear her curiosity.
"Out on a date Miya."
Stun is all she is right then. 'A date.'
Ichigo sees her look and a chuckle sounds. "Yes Miya, me and you. Out on a date, something casual, just the two of us alone as a couple. I hear it's the in thing to do 'now a day'."
She admits that she had fun at the festival and meeting normal people was both invigorating and exciting to her. Now she was going to be with Ichigo alone, on a date with him. Her heart begins to pound quicker just at the thought of being out with her…otto. Looking up at him she gains a devilish smile.
"Are you going to watch me try on my outfits for approval Ashikabi-sama?"
In one moment she went from being in the middle of an aisle to being cornered in a discreet section of the store away from prying eyes. Her lips are not alone soon, as he begins to kiss her, his arms wrapping around her waist as she finds her body once again pressing against his iron frame. Lost in the feelings she allows her hands to wander once again up and down his back. Soon a voice breaks them out of their refuge as the store clerk is looking for them.
"We should get out there before she disappears on us Miya."
"Yeah, we should."
Taking her hand, Ichigo leads them out towards the clerk looking around in confusion. As soon as she sets eyes on them, a look of understanding appears but she has the grace to act oblivious to the situation.
"If you would follow me this way, we can start with some our newest arrivals for the season."
Miya gives Ichigo one last look before she is led away, as she turns she notices much to her amusement his eyes wandering down again. Unable to help it, she feels it through her bond the affect her sudden sway has on him. A hint of pink forms at she knows all to well what he is feeling, it was the same she had this morning during their bath.
XXXX
Uzume is sitting in the dining room when the knocking starts at the front door. She looks up to have Kagari answer it when she remembers he is sleeping.
"Dammit."
Getting up she walks to the door and opens it to find a person she has never seen before standing in front of her. She eyes the older looking gentleman carefully keeping the door open is such a way as to shut it without too much trouble.
"Can I help you?" She asks the man.
"Ah, yes is Ichigo here?" The man wearing black clothes asks.
Taking in his appearance and the fact that he is asking for Ichigo by name, unsettles her for a moment. He sees her discomfort easily.
"Ah forgive me. I am Father O'Malley; I am Ichigo's supervisor at the Church."
"Shit, I am sorry. Damn I sorry for cursing. I didn't realize anyone was coming over for Ichi-kun. Please come in O'Malley-sama." As he walks into the genkan, Uzume head smacks her self when she realizes she has cursed twice in front of the holy man.
"Is Ichigo here now?" The priest asks as he takes off his shoes.
Standing in front of him, she shakes her head no. "He is shopping with Asama-sama right now for clothes. Also I think he is buying tickets for Karakura for tomorrow's trip as well Father O'Malley-sama."
"Father or Patrick is fine…"
"OH! Sorry Father I'm Uzume, I live here with Ichigo and Asama-sama. I am also a boarder here."
He looks at her for a second before he speaks once again. "So you're Chiho-chan's guardian then. I am glad to finally meet you young lady. Ichigo spoke highly of you and your dedication to your friend. It's not common for someone your age to have such a responsibility, especially with someone as ill as Chiho-chan. I must say you and Ichigo have bonded quite quickly as well it seems. I have known many good people in my lifetime but Ichigo I must say is the one in billion when it comes to his kindness."
'You have no clue Father.' Uzume thinks to herself.
"Anyway I came to drop these off to Ichigo; it's for Monday's ceremony. He called me earlier today and asked if I could get some paperwork ready for him to pick up, but since I was in the neighborhood, I figure I'd just drop them off."
"Ceremony? What ceremony Patrick-sama?"
Now confusion is on the priest face as he hands her the papers. He then finds amusement as her face shows her excitement and shock. "NO WAY! Really, they are…this Monday? And me and Kagari have to be there? HOLY SH…CRAP! Matsu get down here now! You ain't going to believe this! MATSU!"
'He's really going to do it!'
XXXX
AN: Well I know it's a short chapter, but really I had a hard time with this one because it's a transition chapter. I want to dedicate the next chapter to solely Miya and Ichigo's trip to his hometown. I figure this was a good place to end this one. Again I feel ok with this chapter, but sometimes you have to have dull chapters lacking any real movement to the story, but still enough to get things moving forward as well. I think one more chapter before I put this on hold and go back to Welcome to My World; however I feel something itching in my fingers. How do you all feel about Rias Gremory? Let me know if you want to see it happen, but warning if you are ichiruki fan then you don't want to read it then. Yes she plays a huge part in the very beginning and not in a good way at all. Also it will not be a harem, this one I think will be just a couple, a twist from the harem. So let me know what you think, either reviews or PM is good. So see you in a week or so with the next chapter.
Liam
