'Disclaimer: Kubo still owns Bleach.

A/N: Well hello, we meet again. I've somehow pulled myself from the pits of despair so I'm back—though not the same like before. Weekly updates is still a big question mark since all depends on my availability and mood to write. Trust me, it's kinda hard figuring out what to do next.

I honestly don't know how messed up this story is anymore so any review will be a big help on my part. Well, please read and Enjoy! And REVIEW!

P.S: Still no rereads and edits done so pardon the errors you might encounter. [Though I won't mind you pointing them out ;)]

P.P.S: If you guys are interested in Bleach forums and meeting other bleach fans around the world or just chill around or start random fandom wars(a friendly one of course!)—visit the site ADVANCERS dot PROBOARDS dot COM. I joined there recently and the members were very friendly and welcoming. If you wanna see me, try to guess what username I use and message me! Every one figured out the moment I joined though. (-_-)


55. Chapter 16: Of Name and Power [ Shiba ]


I sat in one of the benches in the playground of Karakura Park. A number of kids still played with the swings and slides despite the approaching twilight. I was an hour early to the designated time set by Ichigo for our meeting today. He had promised me that he'll tell me everything I wanted to know—the reasons why he broke up with me and why he had suddenly become engaged with Senna. Whenever I think about, my heart starts racing and I feel like walking away instead...only my desire to know stops my feet from taking the first step to flee.

When I caught sight of Ichigo approaching, my heart almost skipped a bit. As if the time I had dreaded had come. For a moment I became distracted from my thoughts when I heard a buzzing sound of hushed conversations from the guardians of the kids playing. It was noticeable that they had been conversing about Ichigo with the line of their sight leading towards the nearing carrot-top. And certainly, their words were ones of admiration as some of them have timid smiles on their faces and slight tinge of pink on their cheeks despite their age. He was wearing something very causal yet he stood out from the rest. I'm not even talking about his bright coloured hair—though that alone would have sufficed. It was because of the way he brought himself. There was something there that was eye catching. Then added his way above from average features. This was one time that I was reminded once more of Ichigo's 'coolness' as how girls my age would call it...something that I have overlooked or forgotten for a while.

" Yoh!" He greeted once he was right in front of me. " I thought I'll be the one to wait for you midget." The orangette remarked before dropping himself beside me.

" I just had nothing to do at home so I came here early." I reasoned. Then there was silence between the two of us. It was obvious that Ichigo was tensed even if he wanted to hide it from me. Not knowing what else to say, I decided to let him take the first move…to initiate the conversation that should have happened in the past.

I heard Ichigo clear his throat which prompted me to turn to him in attention. " You know, before last year…" He began with a mellow voice. "…I never thought I'll ever have the chance of meeting that snotty brat with bright amethyst eyes from back then."

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" Kurosaki Ichigo, you shall be wed with the Kuchiki heir, Kuchiki Senna."

The orange-haired teen's jaws almost dropped to the ground as he stared at the three elderly solemnly staring back at him. A lapse in his coherence followed due to extreme shock at the notion that had been broken to him. " Senna?!" Ichigo blurted out in surprise when he finally regained his ability to process his own thoughts. " She's my friend! How could you ask me to marry her?! Besides I'm only 14! Do you understand how ridiculous what you're saying is?!"

The elders barely batted an eyelash at Ichigo's outburst. Sato-san calmly replied. " Of course, we understand your situation, Kurosaki Ichigo."

Ichigo blinked at them, not expecting to get that kind of response from the elders. " You do?" He asked with a dubious tone.

The three Shiba clan elders nodded simultaneously. " We do not force you marry her immediately. However, you will have the status of being betrothed with each other until you two are at the right age to marry."Arisa-san simplified with light hand gestures as if laying out a plan.

" You don't understand!" Kurosaki Ichigo barked out. " Just because you say so doesn't mean I will follow what you're telling me to do!" He said with defiance and finality.

" It seems you're the one who does not understand your position here, Kurosaki Ichigo." Shiba Sato stated beguilingly as he leaned over the table, propping his elbow on the conference table and resting his chin over his hands entwined together in a business-like manner. The elder had sharp eyes eyeing the young teen. " You do not have a choice." He declared with a cunning smile on his face. " I'm sure you understand how political marriage works Kurosaki Ichigo. It is, after all, not a foreign word to your ears." When there was silence on the teen's part, he continued. " Besides, this arrangement will be a good leverage for your status in the family. You will be considered a valuable member of the Shiba clan and may even garner power in the Kuchiki clan if fate allows it."

Kurosaki Ichigo's face suddenly became shadowed. " I don't care if you accept me or not! I don't give a damn!" He told the three superiors with a dignified stance. " We've been better even before you Shiba clan came into our lives!" He told him, all the while thinking how his mother had suffered because of the name Shiba.

The two other elders looked unaffected by Ichigo's reproach while Sato had a thoughtful look cross his face for a moment. " Kurosaki Ichigo-san,". He gave the teen a steady, steely gaze—one that would intimidate even a man in power. " It seems that you do not understand your position here. You cannot refuse Kurosaki Ichigo. After all, only people who are being requested has the right to refuse but what we told you was an order, nothing else."

Ichigo's jaws tensed and was suddenly set as he tried to struggle with the brewing anger inside of him. " I think I've heard enough. I should take my leave now. If you'll excuse me." With that, the young teen spun around and walked towards the direction of the door he used to enter earlier.

" Then perhaps you will be interested to hear a word about Kurosaki Masaki's status in the family?" It was but a simple question but underneath the old quivering voice was a cunning, devious intent.

Hearing his mother's name, Kurosaki Ichigo came to an abrupt stop. " Don't you dare touch my mother." He spoke in a low and dangerous voice—something that the fourteen year old boy had never demonstrated in his entire life until today. His back was on them but the grim atmosphere around him was stark obvious.

However, the warning in the teen's voice was completely ignored as Shiba Sato nonchalantly leaned back on the back rest of his chair, a mysterious smile grazing his wrinkled lips. The other two elders wore satisfied looks on their faces as well from the reaction they manage to elicit from the teen. Everyone in this room know well of the orange-haired teen's weakness—something that he had never managed to hide from the eyes of the clan that was observing the Kurosaki family's every move. Kurosaki Ichigo's love and overprotectiveness towards his family, most of all, to his loving mother who meant the world to him.

Shiba Sato was a man known to be a man of pride and honor but will use the pawns at his disposal if necessary. " To be honest with you, Kurosaki Masaki's only positive points is the fact that she was married to Kurosaki Isshin who was supposedly next in line to the leadership if he didn't let a foolish emotion such as love get a hold of his head high in the air. When he had chosen to turn his back against the will of the family, he was left with no assistance into the world which hungers for power and money. A foolish choice indeed."

" It is not foolish!" Ichigo barked turning around and facing them in rage. He was not one to listen to someone, be it family or not, slander his own precious family. " We managed to live without your assistance in the past year! And we did just fine! We owe you nothing!"

" Did you really now?" The elder raised a brow at the teen while the other two beside him had an amused look on their faces. " Did you really think that Kurosaki Isshin did manage to make his way through life without the assistance of the family? Then shall I correct your wrong assumption Kurosaki Ichigo?"

" What do you mean?" The orange-head looked like he had splashed with a bucket of icy water.

This time, it was Shiba Arisa who answered the young boy's query. " Despite being disowned, Isshin had received help from his father, the previous clan leader Shiba Ino who loved his prodigal son so much. That is why your father did not struggle despite cutting ties with the family. If we had willed it, your family might have as well be dead while suffering. But we turned a blind eye on that act of compassion. We do not intent to lift a hand unnecessarily."

" Do you understand now, Kurosaki Ichigo?" Shiba Toru asked. " You, the whole Kurosaki family, owe us what you are right now. You are under our mercy."

Ichigo paled. His head was spinning and he could feel the bile rising in his throat. For a fourteen year old boy, everything they are saying right now was too much to take. Despite the stubbornness pulsing through his vein, was at a loss for word. He hated it but it was utter defeat for him. " Why me? Why are you doing this to me?!" He asked in desperation.

" You should be thanking Shiba Kaien for that. He had chosen you as his successor. It would have been his responsibility to marry the Kuchiki heir if only didn't decide to hand down the leadership to you." Sato stated calmly. " We, the elders, may have already accepted this decision but no announcement will be made immediately. And none of this information shall circulate within the family or the public in general unless we say so."

" This should be a moment of celebration for you Kurosaki Ichigo. In the future, you will gain power that other people covet." Arisa-san spoke with a proud, obstinate tone.

With shoulders slumped downward, Ichigo chose not to say anything anymore. He didn't have any more energy to argue. He felt weak.

" If you are still concerned about the abruptness of your engagement, do not worry. No announcement shall be made for that as well until the Kuchiki clan decides to do so. It is a very delicate matter and must be kept confidential until the given time. We only told you about this as to not surprise in the event that everything will be finalized." Informed Shiba Sato in a business-like tone.

Ichigo felt his throat suddenly dry down and gulped several times to ease that constriction in his airway. " C-can.." He had a very difficult time letting his voice out. " C-can you give me more time to think about this?"

The three elders nodded simultaneously. Shiba Toru looked content as he gazed on the young Kurosaki." It seems you understand now. You have all the time in the world to thinking about this. There is no way out after all."

" Just to make sure." Arisa-san suddenly spoke. " You are not emotionally involved with someone as of the moment, is that correct?"

An image of black and amethyst suddenly crossed Ichigo's mind for a second. He clenched is hands on the sides and answered in a low voice. " No."

" Good. You may go now." Shiba Sato dismissed.

Feebly, Ichigo forced his legs to move towards the door. It took greater effort than normal to commit such a simple task. The moment he had exited the room and was back to Kaien's personal study, he had found the guy leaning by the wall with a remorseful look on his face. " I'm sorry." Was the first thing he said to the young teen.

For a while Ichigo just stared at the young man with blank eyes. Then he suddenly broke his own silence. " I don't need your apology." He told the Shiba leader as he walked past him and through the door out of the room.

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" Ichigo-kun!" Shiba Kaien tried to confront his relative as he spotted the orange-head teen exiting the Karakura Middle School. After the incident between the elders, the young Kurosaki had been very repulsive of the clan and had been wearing a permanent scowl on his face scaring other people off.

The young teen tried to ignore Shiba's presence but the latter decided to intercept him, capturing his arm with one strong grip and shoving him inside the older man's car. Ichigo did not even have time to struggle as things happened in a split second—something that was commendable in the eyes of a normal individual.

" What do you want Shiba?" Ichigo asked coldly the moment Kaien had gotten into the driver's seat and started the engine, manoeuvring the steering wheel purposefully.

" Don't be so cold Ichigo." The clan leader said coolly with his eyes focused on the road. " It wasn't such a bad deal at all. Senna is a very striking woman and what more? You're good friends! And from what I heard, she was more than willing to accept her clan's proposal." It was obvious that Kaien was trying to let Ichigo see things in a different light.

The orange head let out a childish snort. " If you think that this is such a great thing, why don't you marry her instead then? It was your responsibility in the first place."

" I…can't do that." He told the young teen truthfully in a weak-willed manner.

" But you were fine pushing your responsibilities to me without second thoughts."

" You deserve that position…the glory and honor." Kaien told Ichigo, removing his eyes from the road time to time to glance at the teen in the passenger's seat. " It is your destiny after all—something that was taken from you due to inevitable circumstance. All I'm doing is returning what belongs to you."

There was silence between them for a moment before Ichigo spoke in a very cold and steely voice. " All I can feel right now is the burden of the things that you are trying to make me swallow. So enough glazing your words. I just hope you're enjoying what you caused me." Ichigo jolted from his seat when the car had come into an abrupt stop. If it wasn't for the seatbelt he was wearing, he would have probably be glued on the windshield. He would have barked again at the reckless driver if he hadn't noticed immediately that they were already in front of the Kurosaki house. Without saying another word, he removed the seatbelt and opened the car door on his side.

" Ichigo…" Said Kaien as the young teen was already halfway out of the car. " If you're so against the marriage, I'll try to persuade Kuchiki Senna to back out."

A bitter smirk crawled onto Ichigo's lips, not bothering to look back to the Shiba leader. " Thanks for the ride." He let out in a casual voice before walking directly inside his home.

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" What did you do?!" Ichigo asked threateningly as he held Shiba Kaien by the collar, pushing the man against the wall. The man in question had his head down looking regretful. They were inside Shiba Kaien's private study inside the Shiba mansion. He had come here in a rush to confront the clan leader and the latter looked like he was expecting the same thing, not even making the effort to fight back. It was after he had received a call for help from Kuchiki Senna herself saying that he needed to save her from Kaien. The girl was dishevelled and looking so shocked sitting at the edge of Kaien's bed with teary eyes. It took a while before Ichigo had pacify Senna's fear and successfully sent her home without qualms. Now, it was just him and Kaien left. " What were you thinking?!" The fourteen year old teen was gritting his teeth in anger.

The raven-haired male didn't even bother answering the query and remained silent.

" Answer me!" Kurosaki Ichigo demanded, tightening his grip on the collar. Then still receiving silence from the other part, he decided it was useless and let the man go. " Why did you do that to Senna?!"

" I told you didn't I? I'll try to persuade her to back out from the marriage." Shiba Kaien answered calmly, fixing his now ruined suit.

Ichigo glared at him menacingly. " But to try to rape her?! Really?"

" I wasn't going to rape her. I'm not a criminal! I was trying to persuade her—physically. She firmly rejected my offer of being her fiancé instead so I had to go physical." He added the last part with confidence. It was as if his plan—in his point of view—was fool proof. " I mean, who thought someone could actually resist my charm? Even the two kiddos I'm taking care of finds my charm irresistible." Kaien chuckled lightly while scratching the back of his head as if he had figured out something silly. Though despite this decorum, it was evident that the young man was tensed.

However, the young Kurosaki overlooked this fact due to his mind solely focused on what happened with Senna. A sudden rush of cold blood went through Ichigo's vein but he held himself from attacking the older man in the room. Instead, he delved further through calm conversation. " Why are you doing this now?"

For the first time today, Shiba had met Ichigo's eyes. No humor could be found in them no matter how deep you try to search within. " They're planning on making the official announcement of your engagement soon. I thought it was high time that I make my move to keep my word. I don't want you to think that I'm such a heartless man."

The Kurosaki teen found it despicable, Shiba's reasoning. He was at his end point of patience. Once he let's go of his clenched hand, it would only be retaliation from his part. " You've been doing a good job being selfish for a long time now—forsaking your position as clan leader and shoving it to me, along with the rest of the responsibilities that lies with it. Don't you think it's too late for you to turn your back on those decisions now?"

A dry cackle came from the Shiba leader's throat. Though he laughed, it sounded so painful in the ear—as if he was drowning in regret. " I've never actually imagined something like this happening…that a boy my junior would act more of a man than me. I'm the worst, aren't I?"

It was a rhetorical question, Ichigo understood that as well. Even if it was a question directed to him, he didn't have any way to counter it because he himself definitely agreed with what the Shiba leader labelled himself. " You do know that this thing will backfire on your so protected clan, don't you?"

Kaien solemnly walked towards his desk and sat on the swivel chair, propping his elbow on the surface of the desk and looking thoughtful as he replied. " You need not concern yourself about those things. I am still the leader of the clan. I will take responsibility for my actions. I'm not that selfish as to just shrug off this issue that I caused in the first place." He closed his eyes momentarily before looking back at the orange-haired male standing across the room. " However, I will have to tell you that since things didn't go well…the clan will probably face a big debt from the Kuchikis and we need to be careful with that. I apologize for ruining things for you all over again."

For a moment, Ichigo didn't speak but stared at Shiba Kaien's apologetic look. Then, he finally let out a long sigh. " Just…just stop." Came that exhausted response from the Kurosaki before turning around and leaving the study.

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" Ichigo, do you really dislike the idea of being engaged with me?" Asked Kuchiki Senna. It was a week after the incident with Kaien. No news about it had spread between the two families. It seemed that only the three of us are aware of it and it was safe to assume that Senna told no one else. She had met with Kaien the day prior where the latter had vehemently apologized and the former accepting it without anything in return. Thus, Kaien was in debt with her immensely.

The two of them were eating outside in some fancy café Senna visits everytime she comes to town.

There was a pause before the man in question was able to answer." Why'd you ask?" Was Ichigo's response as he drank the hot chocolate he had ordered from the menu. He dared not say anything else to aggravate her position nor had he met her eyes. She'd been roughly treated by Kaien and Ichigo didn't want to add insult to her psychological injury.

Senna had been silent ever since they had arrived there, only being able to voice that one question from earlier. She seemed distracted and distant from the rest of the world—one thing that the girl had never shown before. The jelly roll she had ordered was left untouched, only the hot chamomile tea managed to serve its purpose with the few sips she had taken. " Kaien-san seems to be implying that it's that way, with what he—" Her voice suddenly became coarse and she had to swallow to clear her throat. "—with you know."

" I don't dislike you." Ichigo was swift to reply, feeling that he had to redeem both himself and Kaien to Senna's eyes. His hold on the mug tightened as he looked up to meet her brown eyes looking straight at him. " I don't dislike you." He repeated.

A smile turned up from the raven-haired girl's lips, the usual one she always wore. " That's good to hear." Finally, she reached for her spoon and had sliced a small portion of the untouched jelly roll. " Then we can be at ease if the time comes that the engagement will be made public, ne?"

" Are you saying that you're forgiving Kaien for what he did?" He confirmed. It was the main purpose of this meeting after all. He had tried asking Kaien last night but the man refused to tell him anything.

The girl nodded with delay. " As long as you're fine with the engagement, I can overlook that kind of thing. It won't be good if I harbour ill feelings towards my fiancé's relative, don't you think?" She helps herself with the soft roll, slowly chewing the food with her mouth as she stared at Ichigo.

" We're not yet engaged you know." Ichigo corrected in a lazy tone as he took another sip of his drink though. Despite this casualness of the boy, he was relieved of the girl finally reviving her usual self. Then he leaned on the back rest of his chair, having that unsettling feeling inside of him. The idea of the possibility of being engaged with Senna made him uneasy for some reason. " It's not like anything's final." He added, for the purpose of appeasing the anxiety that was brewing inside of him. Feeling a little strained, he closed his eyes to devoid himself of whatever stimuli that might come his way and cause him to think unnecessarily.

" These things will happen…" He heard Senna say, her voice was that both of hoping and certainty. "…someday."


-To God be the glory!-


A/N: I'd like to thank everyone's reviews, favorites and follows for the story. I hope to see your reviews (again) soon. Review is one of my drives. Just saying. Well anyway, this time I'll reply to the reviews posted from the last chapter:

blissbeat: Well, basically I still love myself so I try to keep away from dangerous plots were you people might eat me up alive. Haha!

NieveDrop: Well…I've been away for a month and you still hate Senna to the fullest. Have you made an anti-Senna campaign yet? And Grim and Rukia—who knows LOL

Summertime Suika: I feel better now. Thank you. I hope this chapter answered some of your questions

JoTerry: What's with the reaction? Haha…that scared me

beast: Well, this guy…the culprit of all. But thanks for the warm welcome in the advancers ;)

Bella4evr3: Well, I'm sure you already know what happened next after that invitation :D