AN: So here is last weeks second chapter, Im a little late getting it out, but there will be another friday(hopefully) We are approaching the end to this story! wow thats exciting huh, Ive been working on it since the spring, so to finish it is going to be an event. As always please forgive all the mistakes!But yeah, thank you to those who reviewed and to those who are still reading this story. You all are my loyal supporters and allow me to continue to update even when I feel like I should take the stories down. You guys are awesome!

Please review! And tell me what you thought!

Countdown: 5 chapters left


Chapter 29(31)-

"Isshin, please be reasonable about this. I've explained this, and I already spoke to Karin and Yuzu. They are willing and excited to be able to leave for Seireitei. They said they dont have much here anyway and are very willing to go."

"No." Isshin firmly stated. He would not budge one inch on this subject, even if he heard that his girls were willing to go. Knowing that Ichigo wasnt even willing to speak with Soul Society cemented the idea of not moving to Seireitei.

"Were you aware that you were of Nobility, Isshin?" Byakuya tried again. So far the stubborn Kurosaki changed subjects or simply ignored the question but Byakuya would persist because he knew deep down this was for the good of everyone.

"That doesnt matter. I didnt want my kids to ever get involved in the shinigami's business, to ever have to kill hollows the way they have to, to have to have put them through a war. How can you even think that I would readily move back to Seireitei when I left that place for a reason?"

"Isshin do you know the reason for the noble families?" Byakuya attempted to explain once again. The frustrated youth was pacing after the older man as the ex- Taicho tried to have the younger drop the conversation they were holding.

"I do not want to hear this Byakuya. You are family now, but trying to take mine away to the Soul Society is not acceptable."

"Im not trying to take them away! Im trying to move them along with yourself, Isshin they are in danger here. You have seen the number of hollows increase because of Ichigo's reiatsu. Not even with the pack here can he fend them all from attacking the girls. If anything their reiatsu attracts more."

"I can protect my family." The dark haired man growled out, his eyes flashed and Byakuya could see the family resemblance between Ichigo and his father very clearly in moments such as these. Byakuya backed away a bit before gathering himself a bit, remembering this was not his mate and retaliating in the way he knew that was going to win him this battle... hopefully.

"Oh really? Then why are Karin and Yuzu both bed ridden from injuries most times? It is a miracle they are not at the moment. I know you are not as stubborn as Ichigo; and you can see what needs to be done for the good of both your family and the Soul Society."

The two had been at this for an hour now. Byakuya would throw facts at Isshin as to why it was better for them to move and why it was safer. By this point the only thing stopping Isshin was one person, though he hadn't been brought up yet. Finally Isshin stopped in his tracks, as did Byakuya, and turned staring the clan head down, hard dark brown eyes bore into unwavering cold gun-metal grey ones. Sighing the doctor pulled out a seat from his kitchen table and sat down, placing his head in his hands before speaking.

"Honestly Byakuya, I have been thinking this was gong to be the only solution for a while now. With Karin and Yuzu becoming so powerful, and my powers returned; Ichigo's overwhelming strength and now the addition of all those former espada; eventually we will crush this city. We would have to return to Soul Society for them to then put all the espada to death, Kisuke and co. in jail along with me, and Ichigo and the girls in exile."

"But Isshin, this way Soul Society needs you. They need the Kurosaki's to return because the spiritual world is literally being eaten away around them without that necessary balance. You can place whatever stipulations you want." Byakuya told him, placing a comforting hand on the man's shoulder.

He completely understood where Isshin was coming from with his fears, but now he had nothing to be afraid of. He held all the cards in his hands and all he needed to do was play them correctly.

"Alright Byakuya, if you can convince Kisuke to leave with us, then I'll go to Soul Society. And Ichigo will be clan leader, I refuse to be forced into having to deal with those snobs the Fifth and Third." Isshin finally broke after hours of the Kuchiki's persistence.

"Then I suggest you begin to pack. I'm sorry you have to do this against what you originally wished for Isshin, if I could have I think I might have stayed here in the Human World as well." Byakuya said with a small, sad smile before turning back to exit.

"It's fine, I knew I was going to have to do something about Ichigo soon. His reiatsu is out of control even if he is within the warehouse district and with that suppressant." Isshin said quietly as Byakuya opened the door.

"Very well, I am off to speak with Urahara."

"Byakuya, what if Ichigo doesnt want to go? What will you do?" Byakuya turned to see the man's serious expression. It unsettled him greatly and he did not like what he knew he had to say next.

"Give him no other option." Byakuya left with an uneasy feeling settling over him, and somehow he felt that something was not going to go as easily as he hoped.

*_(At the shouten)_*

"Kisuke Urahara, I would like you to return residency to the Soul Society." Byakuya got straight to the point as soon as he and Kisuke were situated at the short table both with a cup of tea.

"Well, this is something I wasnt expecting." The blond said in a feigned surprised voice.

"Please, Kisuke drop the act. I know Yoruichi mentioned this to you; you also knew Isshin wouldnt leave the living world without his lover."

"My, my Yoruichi does have a big mouth doesnt she?" he used his playful reprimanding voice as he flipped his fan out and waved it around a bit waiting for his tea to cool before sipping it.

"Kisuke, surely you know the Soul Society has been out of balance since the sixth house fell. Parts of the Soul Society have been dying, why do you think the lower districts have always been so violent? There is hardly anything left to survive, so they have to fight to keep what little they find; we recently found this out. If the sword returns, balance will follow; that is the solution I have more recently discovered."

"The Soul Society has known of the violent districts for years, why bother now?" The scientist inquired.

"As I said, we didnt know the cause and I just discovered the reason, if you are still unsure I will take up the matter with Sou-Taicho about getting you privileges in the Soul Society, maybe something involving the R&D department, whatever it takes."

"I think you should explain this entire noble thing with everyone involved, such as those moving, Soul Society, those Nobles, explaining the science might help; not to mention it is all very fascinating. Perhaps we could contact Sou- Tachio to arrange a meeting where you can address the issue with everyone present."

"That sounds like an excellent idea." Byakuya agreed, though he figured it wasnt up for debate and that Kisuke would have made said meeting happen whether he had agreed or not.

"Bya-Queen!" Lilynette launch herself at Byakuya. The little arrancar was easily caught by the 5'9" alpha even through his surprise at seeing his pack at the shouten, especially seeing them so at home.

All of them in various states of dis-dress, so wearing pajama pants and no shirts, Nel and Tia wearing cotton pants and tank tops while Lilynette wore a sleeping dress.

"Lilynette? What are you all doing here?" Byakuya asked the group Starrk and the rest of the pack filing into the room after Lilynette, rubbing the sleep from their eyes and yawning- seeing as it was still pretty early in the morning.

"They have been staying here for about a week now." Kisuke answered for the half asleep arrancar that were now thanking Tessai for the tea, coffee and breakfast they were receiving.

"Why? Shouldn't you all be with Ichigo?" He asked confused. Last the noble checked the pack was staying with Ichigo in the warehouse, and that was just last week.

"No, we got in a really bad argument because he was being too stubborn. We left- Shiro too, but he went back the next day- and he hasnt come to get us so we arent going back until he sees he is wrong." Nel answered.

"What did he say Bya-queen? Has he finally gotten over his stubbornness?" Lilynette asked excitedly from Byakuya's back, her magenta pink eye looking at him hopeful, waiting for the good news that they could go back home.

"I- I haven't been to see him, just yet actually. I have been in Soul Society for the two weeks remember? He let me stay there without having to travel back, and I took the opportunity to get everything settled before going to talk to him about it."

"I'm sure that idiot is fine."Grimmjow snorted.

"He just needs more time to realize he has been actin more like an idiot lately." He continued. Grimm didnt like getting in other's business much, but he could tell when the strawberry was being more idiotic than usual and now was one of those moments.

"I guess." Byakuya was worried.

"Dont worry Bya, Im 'ure he's fine in tha big 'ole house by 'imself." Gin also attempted to calm his alpha. He had a bad feeling in his stomach but didnt want to freak the worried man out any more than he already might be.

"Well shall we call Sou-Taicho and inform him that we will be on our way shortly?" Kisuke asked the noble.

"I think I should check on Ichigo first." Byakuya moved towards the door, slightly moving to remove Lily from his back. The worry clearly seen on his face now and the feeling being felt in his reiatsu.

"Byakuya, you'll just get in an argument again and you really need to get this done so you can speak to him about this whole problem." Szayel commented.

"Come along, Byakuya. Tell Sou-Taicho to assemble the Taicho and Noble clans and Visords, I think everyone is going to have to be explained the importance to Ichigo moving. I will have Isshin and the twin come along as well. We will have this done quickly and we can return by the afternoon so you can be with Ichigo." Kisuke stood and swept towards the door leading to the hallway, eager to get things on the road.

"I really think I should-"

"If you really feel that strongly send someone to go check on him." Tessai suddenly suggested.

"Very well. Can you of you please go check on my love and let me know how he is?" The two disappeared into a room afterwards, Byakuya still a bit uneasy.

"Nel, I'm going to check on Ichi for Bya-queen. I have been getting a weird feeling too." Lilynette told Nel but spoke to the group.

"If I'm not back by the time you guys are gonna leave, just have Ulquiorra to use the Mist and show me later. I'll be with Ichi."

Nel nodded and Lilynette was off a few minutes later, after a quick change of clothes, with a burst of sonido on her way to the warehouse district clear on the other side of the large city. A good 20 minutes later Byakuya and Kisuke returned from their call with Sou- Taicho. Everyone in the room changed into their day clothes and was ready to go to Soul Society for this meeting, which sounded a bit too much like their daily meetings with Aizen for their liking.

"Where is Lilynette?" Byakuya asked right away, noticing the young arrancar was missing from the group.

"Dont worry she went to check on Ichigo for you. She said to leave her behind if she wasnt back yet."

"Alright I guess it's fine if she is with him. Come along Sou-Taicho has already sent someone for the Kurosaki's and everyone is gathered; we are the only ones missing."

"Then get your asses moving!" Grimmjow said, waiting impatiently for one of the shinigami to either open a senkaimon or lead them to the basement for their journey.

"I hope this goes smoothly Byakuya." Kisuke told him leading the arrancar and disappearing down the hall to the training grounds to allow the former espada passage.

"As do I." Byakuya sighed as he too followed the group, thinking he might as well arrive with them.

*_(*)_*

Lilynette was hurring along at top sonido heading back to her home to check of Ichigo. The closer to the warehouse she got though, the more her unease grew and she knew something wasnt right. She was getting increasingly worried and she just wanted to dispel her worries by seeing Ichi scowling there in his lounge chair and maybe even pouting about how unreasonable everyone else was being.

Though when she finally did arrive at the warehouse she knew nothing was right at all, not one thing. The entire building was dark even though it was the middle of the day, Ichigo's reiatsu was dark even and was lower for how it usually filled the air and made it buzz with life. Everything was left where it was the day they left a week ago; nothing touched at all and the only difference was that more dust collected on everything.

She walked further into the place she had been calling home for a few months and her heart stopped in her small chest. She stared at Ichigo's form curled into a ball on the floor. His knees were tucked into his chest and his arms were pulled in close, his face buried in the crooks of his arms and the what was very disheartening was that his normally bright, shiny orange hair was dull and limp hanging to the floor.

"ICHI!" She rushed to him though he hadnt even so much as flinched at the volume of her voice calling to him. She kneeled next to his still body as she looked over him trying to figure out what was wrong with him.

"Ichi, what's wrong? Please wake up! Look at me!" Ichigo's face was pale and his body was stiff and tense. She just knew he hadnt moved a mucsle since they left; the dust collected around and on him proved it.

She took calming deep breathes to collect herself. She slowly stretched out Ichigo's body to get him out of the uncomfortable position and very slowly turned his face to look at her.

"Dammit, Byakuya cant know about this. Queen will just start saying this is his fault." She muttered to herself as she walked over to the sink to pour out a bowl of cold water.

"I'll have to take care of Ichi until he is better." She told herself, making sure to not mention anything to Byakuya while thinking out a game plan of how to tell him, without telling him.

When she returned to Ichigo's side with a clean towel and the bowl, she made sure Ichigo didnt have any physical injuries. Once he was checked over she tried waking him, dabbing water on his face with the towel trying to shock him awake with the cold. When he didnt wake she tried using a little force.

"Ichigo," She shook his shoulder gently, making sure not to injure the stiff muscles.

"Ichi, wake up." She tried again after a moment of nothingness. She was beginning to get increasingly worried and frustrated that her alpha wouldnt wake up, he should be waking, there was no reason not to.

"Ichigo." She slapped him hard, finally snapping with her impatience, and instantly feeling bad for it when she heard the pained groan come from his lips.

Though she was relieved when she saw his eyes fluttered open, just barely, but he was awake and now staring at her through half open lids.

"Lily-nette?" he croaked out, hardly understandable.

"Ichigo, I need you to stay awake do you understand me? I am going to make you something to eat after I move you to the couch. But if you fall asleep again I will wake you in a not so nice way." He slowly nodded his head.

The youngest arrancar slowly wrapped one of her alpha's arms around her small shoulders, and lifted the man into her surprisingly strong arms and moved him over to the couches. She set him down on one of the love seats, bringing him a blanket to cover himself because he was now shivering, and hurried off to make him something to eat.

After a few minutes of struggling to stay awake, Ichigo had a bowl of hot chicken soup in his hands and a cup of orange juice sitting next to him in the coffee table. The food smelled delicious, the thick, creamy soup looked amazing too.

"Thank you Lilynette." He said quietly with his raspy-very raspy- voice and moved to set the bowl aside, seeing as he did not want to eat. But a sharp look from Lilynette had him grabbing the spoon and slurping down the warm, appetizing soup and he realized just how hungry he actually was.

His body was stiff and he was having trouble moving. After the third day of no movement, from that spot on the floor, he just stayed asleep. Shiro had returned the day after he left and tried to urge Ichigo into movement and even tried to materialize again to move the orangette himself, but he had no power left and eventually faded back into Ichigo's inner world. Once Ichigo went into his personal hibernation so did Shiro and Zangetsu, leaving the orangette virtually defenseless and basically lifeless.

"Ichi, what happened?" Lily questioned, leaving no room for him to argue.

"After you all left, I had a fight with Shiro. He took your all's side too; I hadnt felt like I didnt have anyone for a long time and I just didnt feel like moving from that spot of the floor." he explained shrugging. He placed his empty bowl and cup on the coffee table and moved to a laying position on the much more comfortable couch.

"Ichi," She said in a mother hen voice and moved so Ichigo's head rested in her lap and she was stroking his hair- which he had cut. Ichigo welcomed the loving touch, it reminded him of his long lost mother and he remembered that Lilynette no matter how child looking or how childish her actions were; that she was still far older than he was.

"Lily, I dont want to talk with them. They always bring a change in my life, and I havent been scared of many things in my life, but the few things I am scared of is the things they pick at. I am scared now, I actually have something I dont want to change in my life."

"Ichi, arent you the one who defeated Aizen?" She asked softly.

"Yes, but that was different. I was, at times overwhelmed by Aizen, and I was scared he would hurt the people I care about and bring a change, but this is different. This is soul shaking fear, Lily." He turned and looked up at the serene face of the little arrancar, like she held all the answers to his problems.

"Shh, Ichi. You dont have to talk about it, I'll stand by you no matter what my actions take. I need you to know that I do them because I know it is the best for you." She lulled to him.

She put him to sleep with her abilities and made sure he was comfortable.

Now I have to make sure Bya-queen doesnt find out about this.