AN: Chapter ahoy. Barely on time, but I pulled it off still at least.
Ichigo Kurosaki
"Kingy, as amusing as this is going to be, you sure ya know what yer doin?"
"For once, I do agree with him Ichigo."
"Hell, I agree with Zangetsu. But...I promised I would do what I could to help them. I can't help Mom, but if I can help find their mothers...that's something right? Dad probably knows at least something. He treats Hunters and Huntresses all the time. One of them might know something."
"That is a very long shot."
"Maybe, but it's all I've got."
Ichigo Kurosaki sighed as he walked down the streets of Vale. Ruby and Yang were behind him, chattering away about something or other. At least they had recovered from yesterday well enough. Though he knew part of that was because he was offering to help find both of their mothers. If what Yang had said was true, it had only been her looking before now. It was little wonder they were happy about his help really. Ichigo himself on the other hand...while he was glad he could help, he really wasn't looking forward to getting home. Seeing the family was nice, well, seeing his sisters was anyway. His father though...
There was a very large part of him that dreaded the sisters meeting Isshin Kurosaki. That was not going to go well, and that was the understatement of the century.
And, of course, the fact that his father was a doctor had just been the first thing that came to mind. They were probably expecting medical records or something of the sort. Ichigo wasn't bringing them there for that reason though. He sincerely hoped the old man had heard something about missing huntresses at some point. It wasn't really likely, but as a doctor, he would hear gossip from wounded fighters all the time. If anyone would know what happened outside the Kingdoms...it would be them. And by extension, Isshin. He could only hope this wasn't a waste of time.
"Hey Ichigo?" Yang broke into his thoughts.
"Huh?" the shinigami looked over his shoulder.
"How many sisters do you have anyway?"
Ichigo opened and closed his mouth, as he realized he hadn't actually mentioned that before. Just that he had sisters.
"Two," he answered, "Karin and Yuzu are twins, a few years younger than me. Couldn't find two twins less like each other if you looked though."
"Really?" Ruby asked curiously.
A nod answered that, "Yup. You'll see when we get there."
"And when will we get there?"
Sending a look at the older sister, Ichigo sighed, "Just another block. The old man wanted to be near the edge to help hunters or huntresses...but not so close to make it dangerous."
"Sounds like a good guy."
Ruby nodded, "Yeah! I like people who help others like that."
All Ichigo could do was shake his head sadly. They had no idea what to really expect out of Isshin Kurosaki. The sisters were certainly going to be in for a shock. The teenager knew that much, since he couldn't even feel his father's reiatsu. And the only reason that the old fool would be hiding his energy...would be because he had sensed Ichigo's teammates. Fool or no fool, the former Captain could sense someone coming from a mile away even if they were trying to hide.
As none of the members of team RWBIY were trying to hide...
"Is that your house?"
The teen sighed slightly when Ruby asked that question. The clinic looked nothing like the one in Karakura had...but his father had still stuck a big sign over the door anyway. The only real difference there was that it wasn't in Japanese. It was still very noticeable, even from a block away however. So too was the increasing dread in Ichigo's chest. This was going to be...fun.
"Have fun Kingy!" Zangetsu enjoyed his discomfort.
Sighing again, Ichigo walked to the door of his home. Ruby and Yang looked at him curiously when he didn't knock or open the door immediately however. Instead, he motioned them to the side of the door, and then stood out of its opening angle himself. Pulling Zangetsu off his back, the teen used his ZanpakutÅ to knock the door, quickly retracting the blade as he did.
"Ichigo?" Yang asked dubiously, only for him to hold up a finger to silence her as...
"ICHIIIGGOOOO!"
...Isshin Kurosaki came flying out of the door, feet first in a flying kick. Ichigo sighed once more, facepalming. The sisters just blinked rapidly, Yang's jaw dropping as Ruby just looked confusedly between Ichigo and the crater in the street that was his father's landing site.
"Uhhh..." the blonde sister gaped.
"Um...why did he do that?" Ruby added.
"Because he's an idiot?" Ichigo deadpanned.
"How dare you call your dear father that!" Isshin snapped to his feet at the word 'idiot', ignoring the blood flowing down his face, "and you have explaining to do my son!"
"Here we go..." the teenager in question sounded resigned to his fate as his father ran at him.
"Why haven't you sent any mail?" the Kurosaki patriarch ranted, "I haven't heard anything since you got a team! Your sisters have wanted to know what you're doing! Not to mention..."
At this, Isshin flung his arm out, pointing at the still-gaping sisters.
"You have two beautiful women with you?! I think I deserved to know when my son finally became a ma..."
The meaty sound of Ichigo's fist impacting his father's face ended that line of conversation. Isshin went flying back through the open door, as Ichigo held his slightly smoking fist up. His face was redder than Ruby's cloak, as he glared at the crumpled figure of his father in the house. For their parts, the sisters could hardly believe their eyes. Not that the shinigami blamed them. His father was...unique. Well, uniquely annoying anyway. What father would act like that around their son?
Of course, they also had the whole problem that they only knew what he had told them of the man. That Isshin Kurosaki had trained the teenager, and was probably the strongest fighter he knew. His first appearance...didn't really lend much to that.
"Ichigo," Yang finally spoke up, "Your father is crazy."
"I know."
Ruby just started giggling, "I think that was hilarious! The way he was all 'yah!' and jumped out the door! And he didn't even flinch!"
Ichigo couldn't quite hold back a chuckle, "Yeah, well, the old man is made of iron. That's not even Aura...he's just that damn tough."
"Whoa..."
Yang just shook her head in clear amusement now, "No wonder you're so tough then."
The other teen just shrugged, before an honest-to-god smile crossed his face. The source was readily obvious, when two other figures appeared in the doorway in front of the moaning Isshin. More specifically, two young girls no older than 13 or 14. Polar opposites in looks and personality, Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki both had grins on their faces however. Even the usually stoic Karin was naturally excited that her older brother was back. Ichigo had been gone for months now, so it was only reasonable.
"Ichi-nii!" Yuzu was even less reserved, as she ran up and wrapped her arms around the older teenager.
"Hey Yuzu," Ichigo returned the hug, getting on his knees to look his sister in her eyes. The one area they had yet to really change was in height...both the twins were still fairly significantly shorter than he was, "Have you and Karin been keeping the old man in line?"
"Normally," Karin chimed in dryly, looking back at the moaning pile of shinigami Captain, "he got away from me today."
"Of course he did," her brother shook his head, "Anyway, these are two of my teammates. Ruby, Yang...these are my sisters, Karin and Yuzu."
"Nice to meet ya," Yang grinned, patting Ichigo on the shoulder, "We've been keeping your brother out of trouble."
Ichigo's brow went up, "More like getting me into trouble."
"You wound me Ichigo."
Giggles came from the younger sister, "Those two...it's nice to meet you two! Ichigo hasn't told us much though."
"Because you've wormed all my special techniques out of me."
It wasn't just Ruby giggling now. Yuzu was barely holding back her laughter, especially at the deadpan look Ichigo was wearing. Even Karin was smirking, as sure a sign as any that she was amused. For his part, Ichigo just sighed and looked at all the girls. At least they seemed to be getting along well. That was a relief on its own to be sure...there had been part of him worried they wouldn't get along. Which would have been the last thing he needed, since managing his idiot of a father was going to be hard enough.
At least if all the sisters got along, that solved part of the problem. Come to think of it actually...
"Kingy? Ya just noticed didn't ya?"
"Yeah."
While the girls were giggling, Ichigo noticed something amusing to him. They were total opposites. Karin was the most like Yang, minus the flirting, but she had dark hair like Ruby. While Yuzu was the most like Ruby, but had lighter hair like Yang. Somewhat ironic that.
"Ichi-nii?" Yuzu finally stopped laughing, "Where's the rest of your team?"
"Blake and Weiss are back at Beacon," Ichigo scratched his neck, "They didn't need to come with us."
"At least you've got one guy with you," Karin didn't even try to hide her amusement in her voice.
"One gu..." Ruby asked, before she smacked her forehead, "Blake's not a guy silly!"
The older Kurosaki sibling facepalmed and started mentally counting down until...
"Your entire team are girls?!" Yuzu sounded extremely shocked by that revelation, "Then how do you sleep Ichi-nii?"
"Very carefully."
Karin snickered, "I'll bet. Must be hard spending all your time with four girls eh Ichigo?"
Needless to say, the teenager didn't bother replying to that. It was just Karin being herself. Besides, Yuzu looked about ready to burst anyway, better to not feed that fire. Especially considering one of the things he could say about his living conditions was the fact that Yang liked teasing him. It wasn't an understatement to say that Ichigo did not want his sisters knowing that Yang's favorite thing to do was embarrass the ever-loving hell out of him. Not that she wasn't attractive, but that didn't mean he wanted to see her getting dressed.
"Deny it all you want Kingy but you know you like it!"
And, after all, he got enough of that from Zangetsu. He hardly needed his sisters getting in on the 'fun'. Or his father for that matter. Oh god...Isshin finding out about his living conditions. That was going to suck on just about every level. Nothing for it though...it had been his choice to do this, and the teen had to stick to his guns in that regard. Better to just get it over with before he regretted the choice even more.
"Why are you here anyway though?" Karin broke in, a thoughtful look on her face.
"He volunteered to help us!" Ruby replied excitedly, "Your brother's so nice!"
Yuzu grinned at that, "Ichi-nii has always been like that. What is he helping you with?"
"I'd rather talk about that inside," Yang answered for the others.
Ichigo knew exactly why she said that. The blonde was still uncomfortable about anyone knowing her situation. Saying it outside was certainly not going to help in that regard. Not at all.
"Okay," the youngest Kurosaki nodded, "I'll get some food made. I can make your favorite curry Ichi-nii!"
A growl game from the tall teenager, who looked down sheepishly, "Thanks Yuzu."
Making a point of ignoring the giggles from his teammates and the smirk on Karin's face, Ichigo lead the sisters into the house. He also ignored the moaning pile of Isshin Kurosaki sitting in the entrance way, moving right past him. It was time to get to work, and he knew the old fool would stop playing around eventually. His father was an idiot, but he knew how to be serious when the occasion called for it...
Yang Xiao Long
This is...fun.
If there was one thing that Yang could say about the Kurosaki family, it was...unique. She knew Ichigo as well as her own sister by this point, and wasn't really surprised by anything he did anymore. His family though, that was a different story. His sisters were nice enough at least. Yuzu reminded her of Ruby in a way, if a bit less hyper and softer, if she had to use a word. Oddly more mature than a good chunk of people her own age too, and she could say for a fact that the way she cooked impressed the hell out of her. That had been some of the best food the blonde had eaten in months, and she was younger than Ruby!
Karin, on the other hand, reminded her of a female Ichigo. If any member of his family acted like him- and by extension how she would expect -it was the dark-haired sister. She had the same deadpan sense of humor as her brother, and seemed to act as the control valve when he wasn't around. Yuzu was kind, her sister was hard. That being said, Yang probably got along with her better than her sister. They had similar interests once she found out the younger girl studied martial arts. Something about 'showing her brother up'.
Isshin though...
"Ichigo! Stop ignoring your dear father!"
...was certainly not what she had imagined.
"Seriously, what's with him?" Yang whispered to the middle-Kurosaki, who smirked in reply.
"Goat-Chin's always been like this. I barely remember when Mom was around, but she kept him in line back then. Nowadays, he's more of a child than we are."
"He's nothing like Ichigo, that's for sure."
"No one really is," Karin nodded slightly, "Ichigo's one of a kind. I think you know that though."
Yang's eyebrow went up, "And what's that supposed to mean?"
A shrug answered her.
"I'm not blind y'know. Ichigo's a lot more comfortable around you than...anyone really, outside of Yuzu and I. Who knows what you did, but he trusts you."
The blonde felt an unfamiliar flush crawl up her cheeks. Normally it was her making people blush, not the other way around.
"Don't let Yuzu see you do that," it didn't help that Karin was rather more easily amused than her older brother, "she'll make you promise not to hurt him or something."
"We're not together."
Karin just sent a dubious expression at the blonde, "Suurrre..."
Luckily for the blonde's face, the conversation was drawn back to the Kurosaki males. More specifically, drawn back to Ichigo punching his father into the wall. Yang had missed what he said, but judging from the fact Ruby's face was flaming more than hers and Yuzu was looking at her brother with a suspicious look, she didn't have to guess what it had been. She knew her sister wasn't interested in Ichigo that way- okay, maybe there was a crush but nothing else -but that didn't mean she couldn't be embarrassed by it...
"Ruby?" Yang asked, "What just happened?"
"I...I..." her sister stuttered.
"Goat-chin," Ichigo replied, borrowing his sister's nickname, "Decided to make perverted jokes."
At the mention of him, Isshin sprung back up like he hadn't just been punched into a wall, "All I said was that you and your sister are my new daughters! And that it's about time Ichigo got to work on making Grandchil...urghk..."
Isshin trailed off as Yang's fist went into his gut. The blonde looked down, looked at Ichigo, and then looked down again. Smiling sheepishly, she backed away from the eldest Kurosaki, who crumpled to the floor. There was silence for a second, before Karin started clapping slowly. Ruby looked torn between laughing and hiding in her cloak from embarrassment, while Yuzu just looked at her father worriedly. Ichigo...he started laughing. Real, heartfelt laughter too, not his typical 'I'm amused see?' laugh either.
"Damn Yang, I was going to do that," the oranghead mock complained.
"I figured it was okay since you said he's made of iron," the blonde shrugged, justifying the impulsive punch in her head, "Speaking of which...damn that hurt. I see what you mean."
Shaking her hand to get feeling back into it, Yang sat back down. And felt like facepalming, as Isshin crawled over to the wall. More specifically, to a massive poster on said wall. The woman depicted on it was beautiful, her long brown-orange hair and wide smile giving her a very pretty look. Yang didn't have to be a genius to know who it was either...that had to be Ichigo's mother. She looked kinda like Yuzu, and the hair was similar in color to Ichigo's.
"Masaki, our children are so cruel to me!" Isshin cried into the poster.
"That's just a poster..." Yang deadpanned.
Karin snorted, "Tell that to him."
Luckily for the visitors, Ichigo wasn't in the mood to let his father really get going on his whining, "Pops, get over here and stop with that. I didn't just come here for no reason...I need help."
The moment he said that, Isshin's tears stopped and he turned around. Yang blinked, as the goofy face was replaced by a serious one. It was like night and day...and more resemblance to Ichigo was in that serious frown than anything she had seen yet from the idiot of a father.
"I'm listening," Isshin spoke, his voice every bit as serious.
In response, Ichigo turned to Yang, "This is where you come in."
Sighing slightly, Yang sat next to her sister. Better to have Ruby next to her as she went over this. It was still a fresh wound even years later, and she was going to be telling it to three new people at once. And as nice- if odd -as the Kurosaki family was, she still didn't know them outside the son of the family. At least Ichigo was there to provide backup if she needed it. And the blonde really was thankful for that...she wouldn't lie. Having support was something she wasn't really used to, at least on this subject.
In any case, it was time to begin talking. And so she did, telling the exact same story about her mother(s) as she had told Ichigo. Ruby grabbed onto her hand, as much for her own comfort as Yang's. Squeezing her sister's hand reassuringly, the blonde noticed something as she talked. The normally sarcastic Karin had a hurt look in her eyes. Yuzu looked on the verge of tears. And Isshin Kurosaki was looking progressively more and more serious.
By the time she finished, the Kurosaki Family hardly resembled what it had looked like when they were goofing around.
"That..." Isshin spoke up after Yang stopped talking, "I can see why my son would want to help you. Not so much why he would bring you here, but hey, Ichigo has his moments where I question if he's really my son."
"Low blow," the teen in question grumbled.
Isshin just grinned in his typical goofy style, before dropping it as he turned back to the sisters, "That being said, I can do whatever is within my ability to help you two out. You're family...even if Ichigo hasn't acted on anything yet because he's an idiot."
"Will you stop before I smash your mouth in?" Ichigo complained, his own face heating up now.
Yang couldn't hold back the laugh at that look, "Thanks...I think."
"No problem third daughter," Isshin smirked, "anyway, I can look through my records...if you could give me an idea of what I'm looking for. I might have treated your mother's at some point. Amnesia could have made them forget who they were."
Seeing this serious side to the Kurosaki patriarch was quite odd after the goofiness that Yang had come to associate him with. She wasn't quite sure how to react, as she opened her scroll and showed him the picture, along with a photo of Summer. Even though she had to resist the strong urge to punch his face in for the daughter comment.
"Hmm..." the older man nodded, "Okay. I'll look through my files, and contact anyone who might have seen them. Ichigo!"
The teenager sighed, "Yes?"
"Show the girls to your room."
Ichigo scowled, "Wait, my room? We have a guest room."
Isshin cocked his head in a confused manner, "But wouldn't you want them staying with you? Don't fail me now my son! I want grandbabi..."
And this time, Yang didn't even question her fist slamming into the man's chest. Or Ichigo's hitting him in the face at the exact same time.
"Yang!" Ruby chastised her, "He's just being...nice..."
Karin shrugged, "Eh, I would have done it too. Goat-Chin makes me want to bury my head and hide sometimes."
"Sometimes I feel like killing him," Ichigo agreed, shaking his head as his cheeks flamed red, "Damn pervert. Anyway, I'll show you two to the guest room. We'll get that set up for the night. You'll probably have to share the bed though."
"That's not a problem, right Ruby?" Yang replied, purposely ignoring the moaning Isshin.
The girl nodded quickly, "No, it's not a problem! We're sisters after all!"
"There we go," the orangehead nodded, "follow me."
Leaving the moaning Isshin on the ground with Karin poking him while Yuzu looked torn between following her brother and helping her father, Yang reflected on her experiences. Meeting Ichigo's family had been nothing like what she had expected going into it. They were nice, but it was apparent that he and his sisters were the 'normal' ones. Considering how odd Ichigo was at times, that was seriously saying something. His father was just that weird. A perverted old man who didn't seem to have a serious bone in his very tough body. But when something serious did come up, looked and acted so much like Ichigo that it was eery.
He had offered to help her and Ruby without once questioning it. She could see now where Ichigo got his helpful/protective instincts from at least. That, and she was very thankful he didn't take after his father in other ways. Yang shuddered at the thought of a younger Isshin staying in the same room as the rest of team RWBIY. That would have been a disaster waiting to happen. At least Ichigo was...
"Here we go."
Blinking, the blonde noticed they were standing at the open door of a sizable room. There was a decent sized bed, dresser and closet...almost like a motel room. The Kurosaki family wasn't totally loaded like Weiss, but they clearly weren't poor at least. And after sleeping a Beacon bed for months...the soft fabric she saw looked quite inviting.
"I'll let you two get settled in. I'll be helping the old man out...make sure he keeps on track," Ichigo continued, moving to leave.
Ruby shot past him, jumping onto the bed and bouncing on it, "Yang! This bed is awesome!"
"I'm sure it is sis," the blonde grinned, "Don't mess it up before I get in there."
Once she said that, Yang turned away and grabbed Ichigo's arm before he could get away from her. He blinked rapidly, looking at her hand on his arm. Pulling back quickly, the blonde looked at Ichigo's eyes. They had a confused look, not uncommon when it came to her...she knew that much.
"Thanks for this Ichigo," Yang spoke truthfully, her voice softer than normal, "You didn't have to do this."
Ichigo just shrugged, "Nah, I did. I can't help Mom...the least I can do is help you find yours. It really isn't a problem...other than the old man, but that had to happen eventually."
"Yeah, hopefully I don't beat him senseless before I leave," Yang smirked, "But seriously...thanks. I'll pay you back one of these days."
And as she left a quiet Ichigo behind, Yang wasn't joking. She would find a way to pay Ichigo back for this. It was the least she could do, for possibly the best friend she had.
AN: Phew, barely made the deadline here. I'm about to pass out actually. Which might reflect in the quality here...I'm not entirely satisfied with the chapter. I hope everyone still enjoyed it though!
Acknowledging how darn tired I am, I'll keep the AN brief too...all I can say is: 39 REVIEWS! I didn't expect that much attention for the last chapter. I really hope I didn't disappoint here...
Reviews:
AlastorGodofVengeance, PersonaQeminod1, Gravenimage, Kragh50, yiggdrasill, Chaos-Guard, Ignisha, xbox432, Dosudro, Theburper, duskrider, brandon64012, desdelor97, Telron, Guest1, Guest2, Hollow Saigo No Getsuga Tensho, Manga154, Xavier, Kamencolin, .1291, Antex-The Legendary Zorark: Thanks for the reviews! Also, very long review section that...
humbertorojo96: Ichigo ain't messing around here, really. He's very angry about Masaki.
Exanime Draco: It's somewhat explained in this chapter. But as far as Ichigo was thinking...he wasn't. He latched onto a way to help, without really thinking it through.
Seigogerman: Yeah, it'll be described better...when he gets around to admitting what he really is.
Grinja: Thanks! I think it's the least I can do to reply really, when people take their time to read the story and leave comments.
Akujiki: Not until after V3 at the earliest I'm afraid.
The Megaevolved Pony: Interesting idea, but I'm overloaded with writing as is...sorry...
Fifth Horseman: Glad to see you back!
Yeah, the VL form is something that wouldn't end well if he needs to break it out.
Kisuke is naturally going to be among the first popping back up. The Vizard or Yoruichi...that's an interesting one.
ThatGuy: Depends on if I include the VR or not. Still debating that.
JWhuker: It's meant to be weak. Ichigo didn't think it through well, and remember, that was from his perspective.
correnhimself316: The Vandenreich is, were they to even pop up, not for a loooonnnggg time. If they even are included.
P-and-P: It's not really noted in the chapter, but the cracked gem? The pendant can't focus properly anymore.
Rakaan: I hope what we ended up with worked.
AN: I'm still in shock at the amount of reviews...thanks everyone! I apologize if I missed anyone...like I said, running on empty so to speak. If so, let me know and I'll send a PM your way if it's something you need to have answered.
And now, I sleep. And post the chapter, that too.