Huh, I actually managed to finish the chapter. I wasn't sure it would happen this soon. I've been frightfully busy and unlike the rest of the world, my work still has to happen. But I pulled myself together and finally got some words on paper. I did some things this chapter, hope you like them!

Please let me know if there are some POVs you'd like to see, I'll try and incorporate them.

I wanted to post as soon as possible, so be prepared for mistakes. Of course, feel free to point them out and give constructive criticism. I'll correct them when I hear back from my beta.

Please enjoy! And leave a comment on your way out!


Chapter 10: Graduation, choices & guys without glasses

Sousuke looks on in boredom as Kuchiki and Kenpachi once again almost come to blows over a minor argument. He hasn't cared to pay enough attention to know what it is about. Probably something in line with their last 647 rows, which Kuchiki invariably wins, simply because he is not above abusing high level Kido to make a point. It's rare for any of the monthly meetings between all Captains and Lieutenants of the Gotei 13 to conclude in anything useful. Seireitei basically runs itself, minus some minor disturbances that are easily dealt with, upcoming graduations of promising students, and of course the many parties and festivals. Upcoming is Yamamoto's birthday — aka the event of the year —, which is accompanied by a full week of celebrations — despite the Captain-Commander's yearly protest.

Sousuke's thoughts start to drift again, to Ichigo who has begun to monopolise his every waking moment. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, Ichigo is a most delightful thing to be occupied with, if a bit inconvenient when planning to crunch paperwork so Sousuke's weekends are free to spend with the grumpy object of his affections. Though lately Ichigo has been far less distant and scowling. Adopting Rukia has done wonders for Ichigo's dark moods. Still, he hopes his own presence has had some sort of positive influence on his intended lover.

The ting of a spoon against china wake Sousuke from his contemplations and he focuses back on the meeting. Yamamoto easily calls them back to order, like the children they most likely are in his eyes. "Now, I understand you are all very passionate for my impending…" Yamamoto turns to his Lieutenant who whispers something to the Captain-Commander before continuing, "1000th birthday." It's a running joke in Seireitei that Yamamoto despite being far older will insist each year that this is the year he turns 1000 years old. And when pointed out, he will just smile serenely and state that men have as much right as women to fudge their age a little.

Yamamoto continues, "Seeing as most of the preparations have already started and are moving along splendidly, I believe all that is left to decide are the seated officers that will participate in the festival's Arena."

Sousuke has to force down a grimace. The longstanding tradition of the Arena only serves to make the festival tedious for those forced to partake. You see, over the course of the weeklong festivities all are welcome to sign up every evening to take on and try to defeat one or more of the five seated officers forced in the farce. Usually it's cocky last year Academy students on the brink of graduation. While it does offer good opportunities to gage their potential, Sousuke has rarely not been bored to death when his turn comes around. Gin had put up a good fight, but he had been the first in almost a decade. Of course, there are the seated and non-seated Shinigami with grudges and seated officers wishing to display their abilities to move up a rank. But even they aren't that good of a fight. Barely any of the Captains and Lieutenants activate Shikai when teaching the younger Shinigami a lesson about arrogance — because that's what it has come down to. Yet, it stays one of the most popular events of the festival and they all just have to grin and bear it.

One by one the names of the Captains, Lieutenants, and 3rd seats are dropped into the bag. Originally this was done once and the bag was reused every year, but repeated cheating has led to the bag being filled right before the names are picked.

The first person to be chosen is Chikane Iba, the stern Lieutenant of the 3rd. Her Captain, Rose, lets out a barely noticeable sigh of relief. The rule of one seated officer per division protects him this year.

Next is Shiba Miyako, who takes it in stride. Her husband looks slightly put out, because it will curb the time they will be able to spend together at the festival, but an quick elbow in the ribs makes his scowl disappear. Which is good, because the resemblance with Ichigo becomes so big it is eerie.

Yamamoto rummages in the bag for the third time, drawing Kuchiki. Sousuke's groan is thankfully lost in Kenpachi's triumphant howling. No way the Captain of the 11th will let his chance for a full-on fight with the head of the Kuchiki Clan slip through his greedy fingers. He's not the only one to display their displeasure. Most seem to realize the scale of the destruction that will happen for sure. The sheer cost makes most Captains and Lieutenants wince. Though, mercifully Kenpachi will be limited to one fight only, as per the rules.

The fourth name drawn is Sousuke's own and it's only because his iron discipline that he manages to refrain from banging his head on the table. He had been planning to continue his careful wooing of Ichigo during the festival, and now he is losing the most important times, namely the evenings! Kaien seems to have realised this as well and is grinning now Sousuke has to share his misery plus the extra boredom the fights will bring.

Kyoraku fills the last spot and with that the line-up for the Arena is complete and the meeting concludes. Sometimes Sousuke would stay behind and chat a bit with the other officers, but today he has no patience for small talk. Therefor he is the first out of the door and across Seireitei before some even have the chance to stand up.


Somehow lunch with Ise turned in lunch with Matsumoto, which then turned in breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Ise, Matsumoto, Tousen, and Komamura. All Ichigo can say is that Matsumoto is frighteningly persuasive when she wants to be. The idea had gotten into her head that Ichigo was too antisocial and since he already has connections with all the people mentioned above, they would become his new friend group. The first few meals had been awkward, with only Matsumoto talking. But slowly they had warmed up to each other. They make a strange group of outcasts. Yet, they have found a dynamic that works for them.

Ichigo was understandably wary when Matsumoto first made Tousen and Komamura sit with him and Ise. While their joint history assignment had gotten him used to having the traitor around, it had been a difficult journey. Every time the blind man started his rant on justice and righteousness, Ichigo had to physically repress his wincing.

Fortunately, spending time with Matsumoto has diminished the number and lengths of those rants. Ichigo can only hope having more friends than just Komamura, who seems to simply tune out the other once he gets going, will have a positive effect on Tousen.

'Like Ichigo has a positive effect on Aizen', Zangetsu likes to tease.

Anyways, between his new friends, Rukia, and Kaien and Aizen's insistence on spending as much time as possible with him, Ichigo now has a busier social life than ever before. On one hand he's found he quite likes it — much to his surprise. Ichigo hasn't ever been a people's person before, but even though they occupy his time, he is still allowed to hang back and be gloomy. Just not as long as before. Aizen is even content with just spending time together in silence, each reading their own book. On the other, he is still not quite used to the fact that while he knows these people, he doesn't know them as they are now — young and without a war and treachery weighing down shoulders and hearts. He keeps expecting mannerisms that haven't been developed yet. Keeps thinking they know more than they actually do. It has established him a reputation as a hardass. Yet instead of scaring them off, it seems to set goals for them to better themselves. Ichigo doesn't understand. Just thinking about it makes his head hurt, so he doesn't. Instead he acts like he doesn't get confused by their bewildering behaviour and keeps repeating his mantra of 'They haven't yet done anything wrong. They aren't the people I once knew.'

It works. He manages to treat most people he once knew normally. First meetings are still a bitch, but thankfully those are very far and few between. He doesn't even flinch now when Goat-Face swings around.

The one thing that keeps on building is his frustration at a lack of fights and being unable to go all out. He is still going on regular missions to show off his prowess and get a taste of the real life, but for someone used to wars, these patrols are basically walks in the park. Despite having a class on it, he hasn't announced his zanpakutou's name, nor that he is capable of Shikai. In this he differs from the arrogant windbags who have and can't wait to boast about it. When they try to hold it over him, the now famous Shiba genius, he just looks them up and down and scoffs. They don't measure up at all to the level he is used to. Even with Shikai, he wouldn't need his zanpakutou to overpower them in a fight. If he doesn't feel like shouting his abilities to the world just yet, he doesn't feel like it and people shouldn't try to pressure him in doing it. His… friends and family — geez, it feels weird to call them that — have accepted it and that's all that should matter. Even if the talks about late bloomers and how that's complete fine are somewhat annoying.

Having just settled in this new normal, Ichigo knows that when Matsumoto almost skips to their usual lunch table, change is coming. And he's not sure whether he is going to like it.

Matsumoto's grinning as she sits down, immediately leaning forward to ask joyfully, "So are you guys excited?"

Raising an eyebrow, Ichigo counters with a question of his own, "For what? Our same old boring schedule?"

Matsumoto's gasp isn't faked nor is her outraged expression. "You mean you don't know?" Seeing his confused scowl, she elaborates, "Next week marks our glorious leader's birthday. This is celebrated with a weeklong festival. There will be games, lots and lots of amazing food and drink and culminates with a magnificent display of fireworks, which by the way is created by your family, Ichigo!"

"Huh, I had wondered why Miyako insisted on several new kimono's," Ichigo muses aloud. He shrugs, festivals never really appealed to him. And it's not his fault he hasn't been told about it before. He was kinda busy in the future and the Shiba's probably each assume that the others have already mentioned it to him.

"Well, yes. Obviously. The festival is the moment to see and be seen, especially for us Academy students," Matsumoto states with an eyeroll.

"You are thinking of participating in the Arena," Tousen interjects, clearly knowing what Matsumoto is going on about.

Another eyeroll. "Every student is going to participate in the Arena. It's the best way to get noticed by seated officers and get invited into a division."

"I thought that was what those weekly tournaments and the missions are for," Ichigo says, now really confused. Arena?

Taking pity on him, Ise starts explaining for real with the occasional interjection from Matsumoto. "The Arena is also a tournament. It will last the entire duration of the festival and people, mostly students, can enter to prove their worth against a seated officer. You start against a 3rd seat or a Lieutenant and if you are found interesting enough can even try against a Captain. The goal usually isn't to win, but to hold out as long as you can. The current record is held by Gin Ichimaru, who managed to hold off Aizen-fukutaichou for almost half an hour before being disarmed. They are no restrictions, everything goes, even Kido. Though it is advised to have discovered your Zanpakutou's name and have fought at least a bit with Shikai before entering."

They look inquiringly at Ichigo, clearly wanting to know his opinion. He, meanwhile, is weighing the risk versus the rewards of entering. It would give him the fight he craves, but he would also have to be really careful and hold back, lest he raises difficult questions. His amnesia story won't protect him forever.

"Do you know which seated officers will be participating?" he asks.

Matsumoto shakes her head. "Their names will be announced on the first day. So, will you join?"

He shrugs. "Haven't decided yet. But don't withhold on my account. I'm sure you'll all do well." Which is the truth. He has sparred with all of them and for they are very good. For Academy students. They've yet to fully discover their own style and capitalize on it. Except for Ise all of them have come into contact with their zanpakutou, though he's unsure of their progress in Shikai. In any case it will be interesting to see how they'll perform under pressure. He's actually kind of looking forward to this festival.


Bright lights. Noisy music. She wants to touch, but her hands don't reach. She protests. Babbling to Warm Bright Safe. Touching sparkly! Warm Bright Safe pulls her closer, talks back. Talks a lot, angry tone, meaning is no. Rukia wants to touch!

Sighing, Ichigo cradles Rukia closer to his chest and moves away from the masses. They've been at the festival for a good few hours now and she is getting restless. He understands that all the colours and shiny stuff are probably pretty appealing to a toddler, but he doesn't want her to burn her hands on the sparkler. She has been getting progressively fussier as well. It's probably time to get her to bed.

As if summoned a Shiba handler, one of Rukia's permanent babysitters comes to take her and put her to bed in the compound. Or rather, have her nap and then entertain her until Ichigo arrives home to sing her to sleep and cuddle with her. Ichigo reluctantly hands her over, realising she has had plenty of impressions for the day but unwilling to be separated quite yet. In the end, his promise to join up with his friends — it still felt weird to think of them as such — wins out. However, he silently resolves to not make things too late. It is only the first day after all, they have plenty of time to enjoy the delights the next week will bring.

Strolling leisurely, Ichigo makes it to one of the bigger squares, where the Arena has been built. It's basically a big stage surrounded with stands for the public. At each of the four corners, Shinigami dressed in the typical Kido corps stand. Ichigo surmises they will most likely raise a barrier once a fight starts to guarantee the safety of the onlookers and prevent outside influences. Two of them are very tall, Ichigo is pretty sure only Komamura would be taller. Tessai and Hachigen, maybe? Ichigo seems to vaguely remember that they were part of the Kido corps before the Visored incident. They were very good at Kido in any case.

The stands are sparsely occupied, so it's not difficult at all to see his friends. Komamura does stick out like a sore thumb. He joins them, rolling his eyes and scowling when Matsumoto enthusiastically waves him over when she spots them. However, he is taken aback when he sees the person sitting beside her. He's met Gin Ichimaru before in this timeline. He's gone on a mission with him after all. But somehow seeing him now with a true smile on his face and relaxing into Matsumoto brings back memories of their last fight and Gin's dead body after he revealed himself as a sleeper agent. He immediately shoves those memories away, now is not the time to get caught up in flashbacks. Gin is too perceptive and would realise straight away that something is fishy.

Ichigo settles down next to Ise and they chat a bit about the different parts they've been to today and what the others must visit. Ise tells him, speaking softly, that her guardian Kyoraku-san has taken time out of his busy day to spend time with her at the festival and tomorrow Yadomaru-san will do the same. She looks very happy about It and Ichigo is happy for her. Not that he's surprised. Kyoraku seems to honestly care for her and he's learned in the past few months that the Captain is willing to do a lot for the people he cares for.

A loud gong gets their attention and they all turn back to the stage where Yamamoto officially opens the Arena. He begins with going over the rules, pointing out the desk where people can register — a line has formed already —, and then finally proceeds to introduce the seated officers partaking this year.

Ichigo is mildly surprised to see Miyako walking on stage. She is so sweet and kind he tends to forget she is the 3rd officer of the 13th and no less dangerous or skilled than her husband. It explains Kaien's moping of the past days. He must feel pretty out that he can't spend the evenings with her. The older female Lieutenant from the 3rd he doesn't recognise at all. However, the second Lieutenant he knows all too well. Ichigo can't stop his mouth from dropping when Aizen walks across the stage to join his fellow officers. That sneaky little… He'd thought Aizen wanted to accompany him to the festival during the day, so that he can also spend time with Rukia. Suddenly, he isn't hesitating anymore. His mind is made up. This is a sign from the gods, and nothing will convince him otherwise.

Kyoraku and an older Captain with the distinctive Kuchiki arrogance barely register as Aizen meets his eyes and holds them. He too is clearly surprised at seeing Ichigo here. Yet, it's not shock Ichigo finds in his gaze, but a challenge. Ichigo raised his chin, scowl deepening. He has no patience for games or teasing.