AN: Before I start the chapter, I'm going to say that I really did not expect that it would be around three months before I could even begin to start working on this story again. I have been incredibly busy and I apologize for the delay.
Edit: 8/16/17)) Okay, so, a lot of things have happened and I'm releasing this chapter a bit earlier and it is gonna be shorter than I wanted.
Coming Home
Ichigo threw his bag down onto the pile of the luggage that had already accumulated by the entrance to the Amphitheater. His teammates did the same as they entered the room. The four of them walked over to the large mass of students,
"Quiet. Quiet, please." Professor Goodwitch stood on stage beside Ozpin. The two waited for the students to pipe down before saying anything. Glynda cleared her throat as the students began to calm down.
"Professor Ozpin would like to share a few words before we begin." She walked off of the stage as the aforementioned man walked over to the microphone. He looked at the mass of students before speaking.
"Today we stand together, united. Mistrel, Atlas, Vacuo, Vale. The four kingdoms of Remnant. On this day nearly 80 years ago, the largest war in recorded history came to an end. It was a war of ignorance, greed, and of oppression. A war that was about much more than where borders fell or who traded with whom. But about the very idea of individualism itself. We fought for countless reasons, one of which being the destruction of all forms of art and self expression. As you all are well aware that was something many could not stand for." He paused momentarily.
"As a result, those who opposed this tyranny began naming their children after one of the core aspects of art itself. Color. It was their way to demonstrate that not only would they refuse to tolerate this oppression, but neither would the generations to come. And it was a trend that is held to this very day. We encourage individuality, expressionism, and unity. Through diversity. As I have said, today we stand together, united. But this bond cannot exist without effort. Which is way today, while the world celebrates peace, Huntsmen and Huntresses will work to uphold it. As first-year students, you will be tasked with shadowing a professional Huntsmen or Huntress on a mission. Some of you may be taken out of the kingdom for several days. Others will work within the walls for the rest of the week. But, no matter which path you choose, remember to be safe, remember your training, and remember to do your very best." The students began to applaud the speech as Ozpin walked off the stage.
Rukia led her team out of the Amphitheater and towards the area in which the students would be selecting their mission, Ichigo yawned as he raised his arms and rested them behind his head. Team RIOT's level of excitement varied from member to member. Orihime was easily the most relied up, while Tatsuki was more excited about the possibility of getting away from Beacon and the city of Vale for a week, While, she enjoyed her time at the school so far, she simply just wanted something different once in awhile, Rukia was more determined than anything else, she wanted to show her potential as a leader. Ichigo on the other hand, was indifferent to the whole matter.
"So, team leader what exactly are we gunning for here," he spoke in a very bored tone. Orihime seemed to be in shock at this. She rushed over to Ichigo and stood in front of him causing him to stop.
"How could you possibly be bored at a time like this?!"
"She has a point," Tatsuki spoke up as she walked over towards the two, "It's our first mission, so it would only make sense that we be relied up."
"We're only shadowing a professional, not l-"
"Stop messing around! We need to get a move on." Ichigo put his hands up like Rukia was trying to mug him. Orihime and Tatsuki simply began to walk once more, closely following Rukia. Ichigo jammed his hands into his pocket and followed the trio. The four saw the area where the students were picking their missions come into view. Rukia began to speed up, causing her teammates to match her speed. She suddenly bumped into someone, causing her to stumble back a bit.
"Oh, how convenient," the four looked towards the source of the voice, "I was actually looking for the four of you." To their surprise, before them stood Professor Ozpin. Rukia cleared her throat and stood up straight as she looked up at Ozpin.
"Professor Ozpin, what do you need?"
"Please, Miss Kuchiki there's no need to be so formal." He reached into his pocket and handed Rukia a letter. Ichigo, Tatsuki, and Orihime stared at Ozpin before looking at the letter in Rukia's hands.
"Allow to explain. I need the four of you to extend that invitation to the staff over at Shin'ō Academy. And since I know that your family and Ichigo's father are rather well acquainted, or in your case affiliated with the Shinigami faction that it would be my best odds of success in getting them to return back to the Vytal Festival." Rukia placed the letter within her bag before responding to the Professor.
"Alright then, who's going to be going with us? I assume that since the other teams are shadowing a Huntsmen/Huntress that one will be accompanying us as well."
"And you would be correct," the sound of high heels clacking against the floor could be heard as someone approached the group. The four turned their heads to see the person,
"Professor Goodwitch will be accompanying your team on this mission."
"Not without hesitation, however." Ozpin chuckled as he looked at Glynda, He walked towards her and took a sip from his mug.
"As I said before, it's imperative that you are there with them. I believe that you would likely be best suited for any type of negotiations that may arise." She nodded and began to walk towards the building's exit. She walked passed team RIOT before turning to look at the four of them.
"Come on, we have a long ride ahead of us."
"Understood," Rukia began to follow Professor Goodwitch, as did the rest of her team.
"Hey, Professor," Glynda turned to look at Ichigo. "About how long do you think it'll take to get the region outside of Rukongai?"
"Around a day or two, depending on how well the weather is." Ichigo sighed as he sunk back into his seat. He began to tap his foot as he put his arms behind his head. Silence ensued for a few minutes before Orihime spoke up.
"Would it be alright if we made a slight detour?"
"And where might that be Miss Inoue?" Glynda did not seem amused at the suggestion. Her voice held a slight tone of irritation in it. Orihime took a deep breathe as Professor Goodwitch continued to stare at her.
"To Karakura Town, just to stop in and say hello to everyone...It's in the same region as well so, it shouldn't take us too long." Glynda didn't seem convinced in the slightest.
"Miss Inoue, we are on a mission. We don't have the time t-"
"Professor Goodwitch if I may so bold." Her attention snapped to Rukia. "Karakura Town isn't any more than three miles away from Rukongai. It likely wouldn't put us behind schedule that much, if at all." Glynda stared at Rukia for a second before sighing.
"If that is the case Miss Kuchiki, then we may make a detour. However, we are not going to be there for more than a day, and that is only if we make it to that region in a timely manner." She stared at the four before speaking once more.
"Do I make myself perfectly clear on that?" They seemed to nod in unison.
The trip took a day and three hours. The Bullhead landed in the wooded area just outside of Karakura Town. Ichigo and Tatsuki were the first ones to exit the vehicle, seeming to be excited to be able to stretch their limbs once again. Rukia and Orihime soon followed them with Glynda not far behind. She looked at her scroll to check the time.
"Alright, seeing as we've made good timing so far, I will allow for the four of you to spend the night in Karakura Town. However, you must report to this location at 9:30. Tomorrow morning, do I make myself clear on that?"
"We understand completely Professor Goodwitch."
"Good, now run along then. I tend to some other matters regarding the mission." The four of them nodded and head towards Karakura Town. It took around five minutes to get there. Upon arrival, the four of split up. Orihime ended up bringing Rukia to her house since she lived alone. Tatsuki and Ichigo walked together for a short while before splitting off to go their separate ways.
Ichigo walked a few blocks before turning at a corner. The view was all too familiar to him. As he continued onward, a yellow building came into view. He knew the building well, yellow exterior with a green roof. A small parking lot was positioned right next to it and a few bushes were stationed in front of the building as well. A blue sign with a white font stuck out to him, reassuring him that he was home. As he came to the front of the building, he noticed something odd. The front door was wide open, though his home doubled as a clinic they usually didn't have many patients who were severely injured or anything like that. Most of the people who go in simply have colds, minor injuries, or other ailments that wouldn't require serious medical attention.
As he entered the building he noticed something, there was a few bags left by the door. A few plastic bags and a duffle bag. He decided that he would ask his parents when he saw them. Ichigo took a few steps forward, he still didn't see anyone.
"Anyone her-", his sentence was cut off by a lean, pale man with black hair and blue eyes stepping into the small entrance to his house. He wore a black long coat with a white button down shirt under it, accompanied by tightly fitting black slacks and a pair of black dress shoes. He grinned from ear to ear as he began to walk towards Ichigo.
"Ichigo! What are you doing home?"
"Zangetsu…" Ichigo was in a complete state of shock, his brother, whom he had not seen in nearly a year, was home once again. He quickly walked up to his sibling and embraced him. Zangetsu returned the favor, lightly patting Ichigo on the back before breaking free from the hug. He wore a light smirk on his face as he looked at Ichigo, examining him from top to bottom.
"Look at you! You seem so mature." He placed a hand on top of his head and moved towards Ichigo. His hand stopped at around the bottom of Ichigo's forehead. The raven haired man chuckled to himself as he put his hands to his side before shrugging.
"Maybe it's because you're taller than me now."
"Yea, I grew a few inches while you were away."
"Wait! Before I forget," Zangetsu knelt down and turned to the array of bags beside him. He began to rummage through the bags like a raccoon digging through a trash can. He slowed down and slowly stood up. He put out his hand to Ichigo and opened it. Resting in his palm was a wooden pentagon with a skull carved into with into with two bold black lines intersecting behind in an X shaped pattern. There was also a silver chain hanging from the top of it, allowing for it to wore around the neck, if one so wished to do so.
"I wanted to give this to you. Since I missed both you going to Beacon and your birthday, I figured that it'd only be right to give you something next I saw you." Ichigo nodded as he took the pendant from his brother's hand. He held it by the chain and held it up to his face. It was very well made to say the least, the wood looked extremely durable, not to mention the color was also very appealing to the eye. He flipped it over, there was a message engraved on the back. It read 'To my little brother, who's all grown up now. I hope Beacon treats you well.'
"Thanks, it's nice. It really is." Ichigo placed it around his neck. Before either of them could speak loud footsteps could be heard. They didn't sound like human footsteps, being as heavy as a herd of stampeding buffaloes. A familiar figure slid to a halt before launching itself at Ichigo.
"Welcome home Ichigo!" It was his father, who currently launching himself at Ichigo with a drop kick. Ichigo stepped to the side and slammed the door close, causing his father to crash into before sliding down the door in a rather comedic manner. He got up and groaned.
"I try to welcome you home and this is the thanks I get?!" Isshin's eyes welled up with fake tears as he spoke. He would do this often to try to make moment like this much more dramatic than then should be. Ichigo scowled deeply at his father and stuffed his hands into his pockets as he looked over at him.
"What kind of way is that to greet your son, you crazy old goat!? Also, when the hell are you going to shave that stupid thing?!"
"You need to stay sharp if you're going to attend Beacon! And I'll have you know that I am growing it out! Your mother say that it su-"
"Enough," the two of them looked over at Zangetsu, who wore a displeased scowl on his face, "I think we should go in and talk to the rest of the family. They're probably dying to know about Ichigo's time at Beacon thus far." He grabbed the rest of the bags and left the small entry way. Isshin sighed and followed him.
"C'mon let's get moving."
"Yea,yea, I got it."
Ichigo followed his father, he led him to the living room. Before him was the rest of his family, eagerly awaiting to greet him. Yuzu practically lunged at him, being lifted off the ground as Ichigo embraced. Footsteps followed by coughing could be heard, Ichigo looked over at the source of the noise. His mother, Masaki, was pale with bags under her eyes. He frowned a bit as he looked at her. She quickly embraced him, resting her head against his shoulder.
"Welcome back Ichigo," her voice was weak and rather rough. This worried him further, he remembered his mother's voice vividly from before. It was sweet and soothing to his ears, but now it scared him. He set Yuzu on the ground and his mother let go of him, stumbling back a bit. Ichigo grabbed her to make sure she'd maintain her balance.
"Mom, I think you should lay down."
"Don't be silly! I'm fine, after all you and your brother coming home on the same day, why would I ever even consider laying down."
"Masaki, just lay down for a few minutes. Ichigo gonna be here for a bit." Isshin wrapped his arm around her and led her upstairs. Zangetsu sighed as Ichigo looked around the room for a moment. He had noticed something, in this case someone, was missing.
"Where's Karin at?"
"Yuzu said she was with some of her friends from the academy. Said she'd be home in an hour." Ichigo sighed lightly and walked over to the couch before sitting down, Yuzu followed while Zangetsu simply remained standing. Ichigo leaned back and sunk into the cushions of the couch while Yuzu remained sitting upright. It was silent for a few moments before Zangetsu spoke.
"You're worried about mom aren't you?"
"Of course I am," he looked at his older sibling. "Didn't you hear how she sounded?" They remained quiet once more after that. A few minutes has past before anyone spoke. Ichigo reached for the remote as the silence was broken.
"She'll be fine," the two looked over at Yuzu. "She won't let something like this beat her. After all these years, there's just no way."
"You're right, I'm just being paranoid. Besides she has been sick for like the last two years and she has been fine every time we thought things were taking a turn for the worst." Ichigo turned on the T.V and switched to a comedy routine that was on at the moment, hoping it would take everyone's mind off of the darker subject they were discussing.
AN: Alright, I'm gonna apologize for how long this chapter took to get out. Now this chapter was supposed to be two to three times the length, however I have encountered some problems. Both my laptop and my desktop have busted, meaning that I don't really have a way to write at the moment. I have finished this chapter on my phone, but mind you typing a 6k or more word chapter on my phone would take much longer than it would on a computer. So, for now, I'm cutting the chapter a bit short and I'm going to see if I can get another laptop or desktop soon. If not, I will write the next chapter on my phone. For now however, I just wanted to get something out to you guys because you've waited way too long. Anyways, hope you guys enjoy this short chapter. Let me know what you think of the chapter and the direction the story's going in a review and I'll see you next chapter.