Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach(I wish though), owned by Tite Kubo

"Normal Speech"

"Thoughts"

"Hollow Speech"

"Zanpakuto Speech"

"Flashback/Memories"

Chapter 2, A Lone Wolf's Broken Soul

During Kaien and Kukaku talking:

After Kaien left Ichigo laid down into the futon and looked at the ceiling. He still felt a bit of pain from the wound but like Kaien said a few days rest should do it. But his reiatsu levels were low. The seal broke when they used the Hogyoku, to save themselves from being torn apart by the time rift. He can stay at the Shiba manor until he's recovered enough but the question is what will he do after that.

"I wasn't even supposed to go this far back." "Well I mean it could have been worse. We could've gone to the beginnin' of Seireitei. I mean imagine a younger Yamamoto and a younger Jushiro and Shunsui.", Shiro snickered a bit at that thought.

"That would have been interesting to see. Well now at least they can prepare themselves better for the future battles. Now tough the question is. How do I get into the Seireitei without them thinking I'm some intruder?", he asked to himself and his spirits.

"I think ya mean badass intruder." "Not helping Shiro.", he admonished him. Though some grumbling could be heard from his bleached twin.

"I would advise that you don't think about this too much at the moment Ichigo.", Old Man Zangetsu began. "We wouldn't be able to do much with our reiatsu still recovering itself and the wound in your abdomen." Old Man Zangetsu usually did always say the wisest or smartest things. Especially when Ichigo was still some reckless brat.

"I don't like it but not much we can do 'bout it. If our reiatsu wasn't so low the wound would've already been healed dammit!!" Shiro never was one to stay still. He was better suited for action and fighting. Something Shiro said more than once. With pride he might add.

"Calm yourself Shiro. I won't say I like this much either but nothing we can do about it now except make the best of it.", Zangetsu calmed him down.

Ichigo sighed. "If I can't do anything might as well get some rest.", he told himself and prepared to go to sleep.

"Rest Ichigo. We will be here when you wake up.", Zangetsu assured him. Most of time when he went to sleep, he had nightmares and couldn't get the best nights sleep. But his spirits did their best to keep the nightmares at bay. But he still sometimes got them.

"Don't worry King. We'll make sure nothing happens while ya sleep.""Thanks guys." He always was grateful to have his spirits and for the way they are. Reassured he made himself comfortable and closed his eyes and went to sleep.

The next day Kaien made his way towards his litte guest's room. Once arrived he knocked at it and waited for permission to enter. When he heard it he entered the room and saw the healer checking Ichigo. He waited for the healer to finish before making his way over to him. He sat down and looked at him. He seemed better since the night he brought him here bleeding. He was still a bit pale but not a sickly pale and the bags under his eyes were smaller. Not overly noticeable but still there. He could see that Ichigo was very fit, from the muscles that you could see and his posture. He sat straight in his futon. That with the same face was something he still had to get used to and his orange hair. It looked soft. It flowed down his back till it reached his waist and the front was jaggedly cut. But in all he looked as healthy as someone can be after such a big wound.

"How are you feeling?", he asked him. He needed to make a bit of conversation if he wanted to ask the big question.

"Better. The healer said that I should still rest but that I can move. As long as I don't strain myself and don't do something that could aggravate the wound." Kaien was happy to hear that. Which will also give Ichigo time to think about his answer, if he needs it. Well, might as well just ask him before he chickens out.

"Hey Ichigo. I wanted to ask you something." They both weren't people who used honorifics just when it was necessary. When he had his attention he breathed and started," When you introduced yourself...you didn't use a family name." He saw Ichigo wince and hurriedly continued. "I wanted to ask you, if you would want to become part of the Shiba Family as my little brother?" He looked Ichigo in the eye to show he was serious about the question.

To say Ichigo was surprised was...pretty accurate, actually. Which didn't mean that he expected the question but still and with the way Kaien was looking at him. He was serious about it, no question about that.

"It certainly would make things a bit easier.", Old Man Zangetsu said. By the sounds of it he wants him to accept.

"How so?", he asked him. "King are ya dumb? Or just plain stupid? How can ya not see what he means? I thought ya got least a bit smarter during the years." He was about to retort when Old Man Zangetsu interrupted.

"What he means to say is, if you accept you would have easier access to Seireitei. You could go to the academy, become a shinigami and work from the inside out.", Old Man Zangetsu explained. He was right actually. That way nobody would question him and he wouldn't look suspicious to anyone.

"Guess we all know what the answer will be." He received mental nods from both his companions and looked at Kaien. But before he could answer him Kaien was already leaving.

"You don't have to answer now. You can think it over a few days and then tell me your answer.", Kaien told him. He didn't think he was conversing with his spirits that long.

"Kaien, wait." Kaien turned to him with a questioning look on his face. "Yeah?"

"I'd be honored to be adopted into the Shiba Family as your brother." Kaien looked at him like a little kid would look at a present the parents finally got for him.

"Really?", he asked him in an excited tone of voice. "Yes." Kaien looked like he wanted to throw a party or wanted to hug the life out of him but held himself. Probably because of the wound and because Kukaku would beat him into the next afterlife.

"I'll get the papers ready and everything and talk to the Elders. By the looks of you and your sword I should also get the academy papers ready.", and left to do just that. With a little spite to his steps.

Ichigo looked at the spot where Kaien just stood and sighed." Might as well prepare myself for the Shiba Anticts. That was one of the things I certainly didn't miss too much. Though I hope he won't try to drop kick me as soon as I enter the mansion." He heard Shiro snicker and Zangetsu had an amused expression on his face.

Kaien couldn't wait to tell Kukaku and Ganju and everyone else the news of a new Shiba. He was actually worried Ichigo might decline his offer, so he was very happy that he said yes. Getting him into the family won't be such a problem, with his looks except the orange hair he really looks like a Shiba and getting him as his little brother will be even easier. He finally found his younger siblings at the table eating breakfast. There was already a plate for him served and as he was entering a servant passed him with breakfast on a platter bringing it to Ichigo.

"By the way you're brightening up the whole room with your happiness I think he gave a positive answer.", she had a little smirk on her face.

Ganju just looked confused between them and realization hit him then. Kukaku and Kaien had told him about the man that Kaien had brought home three days ago. She also told him how he looked just like Kaien except that he had bright orange hair and brown eyes. She also told him about Kaien wanting to ask him, if wanted to be adopted into the Shiba Family. Though he did snicker a bit when he heard his name but Kaien told him that it didn't just mean strawberry, it also meant one who protects. He still hadn't met him though but he was also happy about the new addition to the family and finally getting to meet him then.

"Yes he did. I can't wait for it to be official.", he told them. He really had grown a soft spot for Ichigo.

"How are we gonna tell Isshin-ji? He is head of the family after all. That idiot had to spend the last few days catching up on paperwork because he was slacking off too much and drinking sake. I pity his third seat.", she informed him. Now that he thought about it he really didn't see Isshin-ji too much those last few days. He pities that poor third seat too. That frosty shinigami is probably the only one that even gets paperwork done. He saw how sometimes the office was practically flooded with paperwork it's surprising that the Soutaicho didn't burn Isshin-ji's ass yet.

"Ill tell him when I get to work today. Either personally or per hell butterfly. Probably with a butterfly I don't really wanna set foot in that office.", he answered her. Kukaku laughed at that. She also knew about their uncles work ethics and the mountains of paperwork he had to do.

"Well if you don't want to be late. I'd suggest you better leave and say hi to Isshin-ji for us.", she told him. He nodded and went to kiss her and Ganju's cheek and left for the 13th Division. He couldn't wait to talk with his uncle and then the Shiba Elders to get Ichigo into the family. Isshin-ji will want to meet him too. "If he finally succeeds on catching up with his paperwork and getting out of the Division that is."

Hope y'all enjoyed it! Next chapter will surely contain the academy. But I can't say more about that.