Letters to Father
Clogged Cogs

The twisting cogs of fate
The turning never known
Paths opening and closing
But the end never shown

"You act like an older sibling to those younger then you..."

Ichigo thought over Rukia's words carefully. "It's honestly to soon to come to such a conclusion. Saying I'm like an older sibling to Toshiro would be like saying I have a crush on Rukia herself." A shudder went down the teens spine as he walked with his fellow students to the train station. His brown eyes caught a glimpse of the smile on Toshiro's face. "Well, at least Toshiro's in a good mood. Even though I don't feel comfortable there I'll make an effort for his sake."

The orange teen blinked a couple of times as he thought about how he felt about the Shiba estate. "Do I feel uncomfortable?" Ichigo ran a hand through his hair, and let out a sigh of frustration only to find himself elbowed in the ribs by Rukia. "What?"

"Shush. If something's bothering you don't show it in front of Hitugaya-kun. He's... I've never seen him like this. I think it's a good thing." The dark haired teen shoved her hands into her pockets, and began to whistle.

"Yeah, it is." Ichigo kept a grip on his bag as they headed down to the subway. "I'm glad he didn't find out Rukia's been staying at our place. I'm glad 'Yuzu' hasn't figured that out yet. I'd get a major lecture from her, and then she'd tell dad..." The orange haired teen blinked a couple of times. "She'll tell dad I was at Shiba sensei's place. Damn."

"You're doing it again." Rukia let out a sigh so Toshiro wouldn't notice.

Ichigo let out a sigh, and spoke in a loud manner. "It's not my fault I'm impatient when it comes to waiting for the train. Is your train coming before or after ours Toshiro?" Two brown eyes drifted down to look at a set of violet ones, and to the teens delight his companion was surprised at what he said. "There. That should cover any suspicion Toshiro has if he did notice."

The white haired preteen fidgeted slightly before letting out a sigh. "Before. It's actually going to be here real soon."

"I see." The sound of the train coming could be heard, and Ichigo rocked back onto the balls of his heels. The squeaking sound of the train fidgeting caused Toshiro to adjust his bag again, and then the boy hurried to get on. A few other people including a man wearing a hat, and a coat got onto the train right before the doors closed, and at first Ichigo thought nothing of it. A thought occurred just as the train took off. "Rukia, isn't it to warm to be wearing a coat?"

"Depends."

"Depends on what."

"The weather."

"Fine. Doesn't it seem like it's to warm to be wearing a coat in this weather."

"Not if one has some kind of super ability which makes ones temperature resistant to the heat, and you're constantly cold."

Ichigo turned his head to look at the small female. "Your answer really sucks you know."

"What do you mean?" Rukia turned to look at him, and it almost seemed as if she would put him into a headlock, or attempt to draw on his face again. With his luck it would be both. "I thought that was a really good answer."

"Only if super powers actually existed."

"What ever."

"You didn't notice anything strange?"

"Of course not."

"Yeah... and you're supposed to be a body guard." Ichigo flinched as Rukia kicked in him the side of the leg. He crumpled down slightly so he could grab the injury, and a groan escaped his lips. "Not cool Rukia."

"Our trains coming up."

The orange haired teen took a deep breath. "So you're going to go ahead and come back with me?"

"What of it?"

"Could you not mention the fact I went over to Shiba sensei's place?"

"Why?"

"I'd rather not explain, but I'm going to have a hell of a time asking Yuzu to not tell dad if she hasn't otherwise."

"What's wrong with your dad finding out you were over at Kaien-dono's place?"

"Problem?" Ichigo let out a sigh. "The two don't get along. Put the rest together yourself."

"It bothers me you know, the way you've got something against Kaien-dono and his wife."

"I don't."

"You do."

"Shiba sensei, yes. But not his wife. Truth be told I'm just frustrated with sensei and my dad right now. Can we drop the subject?" Ichigo pushed his lips together. He found himself glad that Rukia's kick didn't prevent him from missing the train, but he still needed to sit down and rub his leg before he put his headphones into his ears. The thought of Yuzu already telling their father about where they were kept bothering him to the point he worried his bottom lip most of the trip. They finally got off the train, and walked slowly back to the house. The realization he hadn't run into Keigo actually brightened his spirits somewhat, but the matter remained that Yuzu needed to be dealt with.

Ichigo sat down at the table while Rukia made herself at home on the couch. He took a deep breath only for his tone of voice to reveal the fact something was bothering him. "Yuzu..."

"I don't want to speak to you."

"What ever did I do wrong?"

"The fact you don't know..."

"Of course Ichi-nii's not going to know what he's done wrong." Karin slipped down the stairs at that point, and sat at the table while leaning on her chin. "Is Rukia going to be staying the night again?" The darker haired twin ignored the stammering of her older brother, as well as the flushing of his face, and instead turned her attention towards her twin. "He can't know what he's done wrong, because he's done nothing wrong."

Yuzu set down whatever she was using causing a loud clinking sound to be heard from the kitchen. "But..."

"No buts. You're the one in the wrong, or do you want me to tell Ichi-nii what is bothering you? You know he's better off not knowing."

Another clinking sound was heard as Yuzu's voice rose. "You know very well that isn't true!"

"Then stop holding that against him. He's got to grow up sometime."

"Oi..." Ichigo narrowed his eyes. "Why do I not like the sound of what you just said?"

Karin let out a sigh. "I overhead on the way down that you have something to speak to Yuzu about."

"If you haven't already told dad where I was, then don't." Ichigo felt the pressure in his chest release. "This will either go well, or it will not."

"What ever for?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Karin turned around so her arm rested on the back of her chair. "Dad and Shiba-san don't get along, but thanks to a certain someone the only place Ichi-nii can meet is here."

Yuzu walked over with a stack of plates in her hands. Ichigo watched as her cheeks puffed out, and glanced over to see Rukia was still relaxing on the couch. The plates went down with a click. "Only on one condition."

"Say what!" Ichigo felt his frustration quickly come back, and placed a hand on his chest to hopefully relieve the pressure.

"I want to be able to go to the Shiba estate. It must be pretty, and romantic."

"Yuzu, I can't simply..."

"Why not?" A clinking sound was heard as Yuzu began to put out the plates.

A sigh escaped the fifteen year old males lips. "I'll see what I can do, but you've got to understand it is rather impolite to ask such questions. I'll have to wait for the right moment, so be patient."

"Fine."

"If it helps I can take you to see the Kuchiki estate sometime."

Ichigo flinched at the adoring look Yuzu suddenly gave Rukia, and the light haired preteen hurried back off to the kitchen. Karin tapped the table with her finger tips a few times, and then said her own piece. "Did you get a chance to ask Toshiro if he'd like to come hang out?"

"No. Hinamori was around, and today was... weird."

"Did you ever talk to Kaien-dono about whatever it was he wanted to talk to you about?"

"My essay? I'll talk to him..."

"See. Finishing in one day was a bad idea."

"I didn't have much choice! I didn't know about the class focus project until just now." Ichigo's eyes blinked a couple of times. "Speaking of which, the theme for the next project is letters."

"So." Karin pushed the plate in front of her with her finger as if she were bored.

"I was wondering if you and Yuzu would help me with the project."

The violet eyes of the dark haired preteen suddenly stared at him as if he'd said something stupid. "It's one thing to get help on your studies from Toshiro as he's also a high school student, but Yuzu and I are elementary school students."

Rukia stood up from the couch and moved over to the table. "It's not that kind of help. A student can do anything they want for their focus project. Renji and Izuru for example are doing a play. Speaking of which, we should go to one of tomorrow's performances."

Karin blinked a couple of times. "So, what are you wanting to do with your focus project Ichi-nii."

"Letters is the theme, so I was thinking about writing letters to mom."

"Lame."

"What's so lame about writing in a letter what you guys would want her to know about yourselves?"

"Kuwaii!" Yuzu came back over and set down the pot of food with a loud bang. "Of course we'll help you. Daddy to."

"D..." Ichigo choked. "Yuzu, dad still runs of bawling to the shrine he's created for mom."

"I won't help unless dad does to." Karin sat in her chair. "Do you think Yuzu and I can get extra credit in school for this?"

The orange haired teen chocked again. "Karin!"

"My grades aren't bad."

"Of course not." Yuzu smiled at her sister. "You make the best grades in our class."

"... but another person I know needs a little help." Karin stared at her twin as Yuzu blinked a couple of times.

"Sure. I've got to double check with one of the teachers to see if I've got the go on this, but after that ask away." Ichigo glanced at Yuzu. "Why isn't she making good grades like Karin? Dad would... yeah, best that dad not find out."