…The True Heir…

/Warning/: This chapter contains, fluff, a little bit of violence, flashbacks (?), Ichigo being a BAMF while Byakuya shows one of his scary faces! And who knows what! All the reviews are appreciated.

P.S: Ichigo's appearance is like the one he dons fighting Aizen. As for Byakuya, it's when he was a 110 years old teen when Yoruichi used to steal his hair tie.

"Talking"

"Thinking"

…Flashbacks or dreams…

"Zanpakuto or Hollows talking"

Chapter 5

Ichigo smiled as he gazed at Byakuya who was giggling now and then when he thought he was able to steal some glances at Ichigo without the older man knowing. God! They still feel giddy about what they had witnessed. Both of them were soul bond! Who can believe that? Ichigo had to fight the grin that was about to take over his face, but he knew he failed when he heard Byakuya's joyful laugh. That made Ichigo turns to his… God! His soul bond and grin widely, taking hold of Byakuya's right hand and joining their hands together.

Ichigo's eyes turn to their joined hands, Ichigo didn't know what to make out of what happens he only think it's beautiful. Their blood had created strange drawings on their bodies (tattoos in the living world terms) it start from the palm of their hands a crescent moon shape in the center, it was small, but roots were surrounding the moon, it goes up their wrists, a huge stalk was circling around their arms ending up to their elbows as branches full of leaves and blossom bloom, that beautiful draws end up covering half of Ichigo's chest and all of his back, Byakuya was the same but with more elegant drawing, not like Ichigo's rough around the edges. It was Senbonzakura who pointed the tattoos out in an awe felled voice taking away by the beautiful colors that seem so alive. Ichigo flinches a little and jumps when he heard the voice, he then swore to Byakuya high and low that he was able to hear his Zanpakuto as if it was Zangetsu talking to him.

The four of them had spent the whole night trying to discover their new limits, and it was fascinating! Ichigo was able to wield Senbonzakura like it was made for him, as Byakuya with Zangetsu; Ichigo swore his breath hitches every time he swings the Zanpakuto; a new conscience was making the connection with him, leaving him shaking with excitement. The two of them were shell shocked as their Zanpakuto told them there was still some unknown ability that not even their Zanpakuto knew about! All in the right time, their Zanpakuto said.

"So… do you think we should tell Rukia and Renji?" Byakuya hummed blinking at the sun that starts raising up the treetops. "I know we both said we are going to keep it a secret, wearing gloves and whatever else to cover the tattoos. But I think our friends deserve to know about this." That made Ichigo pauses and for his lips to twitch into a smile.

"I think you are right," He started making Byakuya grin at that and jump in victory. "But first, let's go to our dorm and change before our class start." Ichigo pats Byakuya on the hand and took a hold of Zangetsu that was leaning on the tree, the huge Zanpakuto shrunk immediately to resemble Byakuya's Zanpakuto. One of the benefits of the Sekkiseki stone necklace they both had, Ichigo loves his secrets more than anything else, and loves to make people underestimate him, a treat that Byakuya got from his soul bond. When you live in the 99th distract the only way of surviving is being a great actor. 'Act like you are the weak side and then surprise them with death.' That's what Ichigo used to tell him.

"Yeah, let's go, you stink!" Smirk Byakuya as he Shunpo away to their dorm laughing as he felt Ichigo behind him trying to catch him. "I won!" Byakuya breathed as they reached their dorm, he was the first there. But Byakuya could feel the energy thrumming through Ichigo, the realization made his face turn to a lovely rosy color and for his breath to hitches…

Ichigo let him win…

There is no other explanation, the power he could feel pouring out of Ichigo was not normal, it made part of him scared, but another part was excited. Byakuya heard Ichigo's breathe stop for a second like he just now realized that Byakuya was able to feel the full power of his Reiatsu like he wasn't wearing his necklace. When Ichigo was about to back away, Byakuya tugged at his sleeve and grin at him. That made Ichigo gaze at Byakuya in wonder, but a small smile stretch across his lips.

"You shower first," Ichigo pulled away from Byakuya to open the door, making the young teen follow him. "After that, we will find Rukia and Renji and tell them the news. Hopefully, they are not fighting… again." Byakuya sighs at that, and growled under his breath, he was waiting for a chance to kill Renji, he just has to do it without Ichigo knowing.

As of late, it seems like Renji took it as his mission to scold Rukia for not fitting in, it leads to Rukia being angry and sad half of the times, which made Byakuya itch to comfort his best friend, and kill Renji while he was at it. But Ichigo told him to not stick his nose in their relationship, and just let them be. Byakuya didn't know why Ichigo told him that, he may have seen something going on between the two of them, otherwise Renji would have been six thousand feet under by now, Ichigo hates sexism as much as he hates bullies.

After they finished showering they dressed in their uniform which consisted of a blue Shitagi, a white Kosode with blue strips, blue Hakama, white socks, and sandals. For the female version of the uniform, the blue is replaced by red. There is a circular symbol on both breasts of the outer shirt, the emblem of the Academy. The only difference in the uniform is that both of them wore long white fingerless gloves to hide the tattoos.

Byakuya and Ichigo head to find Rukia and Renji, not tired one a bit, they used to pull all-nighters when they were in the 99th distract; no one will be able to protect them if they slept at night other then themselves. When they finally saw the troublesome couple; they immediately knew that something had happened. Rukia's face was hard as stone trying and failing to cover her sadness, as for Renji… well, he just looked angry, huffing and buffing all the while, looking like an animal.

"OK, what the fuck did you do, Renji?" Byakuya heard Ichigo snapped after he Shunpo them toward the couple. That made the couple snaps their heads to look at a very pissed off Ichigo. Renji took a step back at the murderous look on Ichigo's face.

Rukia sighs and gave a sad smile at both of them, making Byakuya take a step towards her only for the older teen to shake her head. "He did nothing," She said still smiling sadly, that made Ichigo raise his brow at her as if she was an idiot. "It's just… we have done the ritual Ai-Sensei told us about last night, and… and nothing happens! I was so sure that Renji and I…" She raised her hand to brush her short hair away, gazing at Byakuya with a smile as she felt the younger teen hugging her.

"That's it?" Ichigo asked just to be sure, and when Rukia nods her head followed by Renji, he facepalms. "Really?!" He snapped making everyone jump and gaze at him like he was insane, Ichigo though didn't care about that he glared at the couple. "For God's sake, even a blind man can tell you two are made for each other! A match made in stubbornness heaven!" That made Byakuya laugh as he saw his friends' faces turn red. "You both are idiots if you thought you need a ritual to know if you are meant for each other!" Ichigo continued not caring that everyone was looking at him like he had grown another head, was that the same Ichigo who kicked anyone in the face when they utter the word love?!

"Ichigo please cut it out-" That was Renji who shut his mouth after Ichigo shoot him a dark look making him take a step back.

"You shut the fuck up!" Ichigo pointed his finger at Renji. "We all know that you are trying to make Rukia quit the academy so that she won't get hurt, an idiot move by the way. Because let's face it, pal, you girl will always be the one to save your ass not the other way around." That made Rukia gazes at Renji with a fire in her eyes; when Renji opens his mouth to correct Ichigo, the teen just raised his brow. "Always." That shut Renji up. "And you!" He turned to Rukia who jumped as all the attention turned to her. "You always kick everyone's ass and made their lives hell for making fun of your drawings. But once you are faced with rejection you turn into a sniffling mess? Seriously?! Who are you and what did you do to Rukia?" That made Rukia flush and gazes at Renji who was as red as his hair. "You know what," Ichigo took a breath trying to calm himself down, he turned to Byakuya who was laughing his ass off and having a hard time breathing. "Let's get out of here Byakuya when those idiots solve their problem they know where to find us." With that Ichigo throw Byakuya over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, the poor boy was still laughing so hard he ends up hiccuping all the way.

Everyone was staring at them as if they had lost their minds; Rukia and Renji gaze at one another and flush with embarrassment.

Guess they have lots of things to talk about.

IxB

"Oh My God!" Byakuya said through hiccups and laughter, he still couldn't believe what just happened. Ichigo, BAMF Ichigo who will roundhouse kick anyone who said the word love in front of him, just told Rukia and Renji they were meant to be together! In all honesty, that was something expected from Byakuya not his scary as fuck soul bond. But to be honest, Byakuya was happy for the little role revers, maybe then people will realize how much his soul bond cares about his friends.

"Yeah, yeah, we got it already. Stop laughing or you will end up choking on your breath, and won't that be a quite idiotic way for both of us to die." Ichigo grumbled, which only made Byakuya giggle harder at that.

"Oh, come on! You were helping our friends to finally got married!" Byakuya smiled like a lunatic, that made Ichigo consider running for the hills, Rukia is really a bad influence on Byakuya after all.

"I didn't do that so they can get married, I did it so they would stop brooding." Ichigo huffed leaning on his favorite spot. That made Byakuya gaze at him with a gentle look in his eyes which made Ichigo pause and blink, he swore for a second he saw a female sitting next to him instead of Byakuya. Ichigo shook his head at that, maybe his lack of sleep was affecting him more then he realized. "Well, we are going to wait for the two idiots until it's time for our lesson." That made Byakuya roll his eyes, their first lesson is going to start in an hour they have plenty of time before that.

Spiritual Art Academy or most commonly known as the Shinigami Academy, is a strange place indeed. The first year in the academy is all about teaching the basics to the new Shinigamis, like reading, writing, art, the history of soul society, and much more. Because let's face it, not everyone who signs here is from a good distracts, and the academy gave all of them a second chance, but as you can see the academy is undermined by the influence of the 'Great Nobel Houses', that made Ichigo scuff half of the times, he always said that it's what talentless people say to try and convince themselves that they were not to be blamed, when in fact they did nothing. It's the second year that the real Shinigami training starts.

"Ichigo!" The couple heard someone calling and they turn their heads to see Rukia and Renji running to then, happy smiles painting their lips. When the two stopped near them, Ichigo blink as he saw the two of them gazing at Ichigo with a gratitude look. Hell to the no! He didn't help them so they can look at him like that! He didn't do anything of an important to see them gaze at him like he was a hero that was just gross.

It seems like Byakuya knew what he was thinking of, because not a second later he smirked making the older man throw a nasty glare at him. "Before you say anything," Ichigo starts cutting the couple from thanking him half to death and declaring their undying loyalty to him. "If I hear one word about how you two want to thank me, I will personally throw you to the Hollows so they can feast upon you." That made the couple shut up and nods their heads so fast, Ichigo fears they will fly off their necks.

"Come on, sit down, Ichigo and I, have something to say to you," Byakuya said smiling at the pair, making them sighs in relief and sat next to the brothers. Byakuya gazes at Ichigo nervously but a nod from his lover… can he say the word lover? Or would it be too much considering that only yesterday they discover that they were a soul band, it doesn't matter, Byakuya decided, Ichigo was his soul bond and that was that. "We did the ritual last night and…" Byakuya trailed off.

"What?!" Rukia exclaimed looking from Byakuya to Ichigo. Byakuya maybe (Defiantly) told her he was having a small (Huge) crush on his brother. I mean who wouldn't? Ichigo was every girl's dream! A bad boy who is strong as hell, and a gentleman who is a caring person that will protect his friends, even Rukia had a little crush on him at one point, he was the only person who treats her with respect and never made fun of her drawings or obsession with rabbits. But unfortunately, people judge him before they even speak to him because he was from the 99th. And on another note, no one cares about incest in soul society, really, no one. The Great Nobel Houses married from their own family, to secure the bloodline some says; only the Shibas, they married for love. "What happened?!" Rukia breathed hoping against hope that the news she would hear right now, would be a happy one.

"We are soul bonds," Ichigo answered bluntly, but they could see how tense he was as if he was waiting for them to snarl in disgust any minute now and leave. Rukia's breathe hitches and she squeals in delight, she jumped and hugged both Ichigo and Byakuya, she could feel how both of them relaxed in relief and she giggled at that happily.

"What is your color?!" It was Renji who only now was able to blink the shock away, a small smile on his lips. It was that smile Rukia saw and the acceptance in Renji's eyes made her proud to be his lover.

Byakuya grins happily at that and pushed Rukia gently making the older woman let go. "As Ai-Sensei said, our blood changed colors, and ours… ours turn into a royal blue!" That made Rukia gasps and gaze at the pair like they were a miracle, which they might be! "But look!" Byakuya exclaimed and tried to lose his clothes, which made Rukia flush in embarrassment. But that all went away as both Renji and Rukia gasp at the beautiful tattoos that don the upper half of Byakuya's body, the tattoo was shining! No, it wasn't the right word, it was alive! You could see how alive and so beautifully the tattoo was and with such breathtaking colors, golden, blue, green, red, white, and more!

"Byakuya put your clothes on." Ichigo sighed but the gentle smile on his lips made them know that it was quite Ok by Ichigo if he didn't.

"Do you have the same tattoos?" Rukia asks excitedly, and she screamed in delight when Ichigo nods a 'Yes'. "That is amazing! I'm so happy for you! Byakuya I'm going to be the maid of honor! Hell! I will be the one who will plan the wedding!" Rukia laughed happily like she was the one with the bond marks not the pair in front of her.

Renji just smiled and scratched his head sheepishly, but Ichigo just sends Rukia a warm look making Renji grin at that. "So what are you going to do?" Renji asked as he saw Byakuya finished tidying his clothes. "I mean you don't want to tell the other students and that's good because I doubt that people are going to let the whole 'Royal Blue' color be a normal thing." That made Rukia stop and frown. Ai-Sensei told them the only pair whose blood turns royal blue was over two thousand years ago, and Renji was right, they don't know what people are going to do once they saw what she and Renji saw.

"We know that," Ichigo said and gave a tired smile, making Rukia have a strong urge to go and hug Ichigo tightly, she forgets how young Ichigo and Byakuya were. They were practically fifty years younger than her and Renji. "That's why we decided to keep it a secret, only the two of you know about it. You are the only people we trust." That made Rukia and Renji gaze at each other than turning to their friends, the pride shine in their eyes as they saw Byakuya smile and nod at them.

"Your secret is safe with us," Rukia said, she vowed to herself that she will protect her friends' secret, and gazing at Renji's determined look she knew he too would do that. It's Ichigo and Byakuya's secret to share, and whomever they shared it with Rukia knows deep down it would only be a trustworthy company.

The four of them grinned at each other, the sound of bells ringing for the first lesson made them all burst laughing.

With that, they head to their class

IxB

"Kurotsuchi-Taicho, that's enough!"

They were walking down the halls when they heard Ai-Sensei's screams that made them run to their class fast. They saw students screaming and trying to run out of the class some tripping and some being stepped on, some were still trapped in the class with no way out.

That made Ichigo growl and take a hold of one of the students that were running away. "What the fuck is going on?!" Ichigo snapped the boy trembles at that, tears running down his face.

"D-don't know!" The boy ends up squeaking. "A creepy man with drawings on his face crashed the class, start dragging student after student to see if they had a soul bond, please let go!" Ichigo let go of the boy, he glanced at Byakuya whose eyes turn cold at that, with a nod the two of them run onto the room, Renji and Rukia screaming in terror and start running after them, what were those two thinking?!

When Ichigo entered the class, all he could see was a distraction. Chairs were thrown in every other direction, disks lying broken, and Ai-Sensei standing between what's left of her students and… a clown, (That's the best way to describe him) that made Ichigo growl and nods at Byakuya who stood by his side.

"Get out of the way!" The clown screamed. "I know you taught them about soul bonds yesterday, and I know your idiot students must have done the ritual! They always do!" He took a step forward, making some students cry in fear.

"To hell with you!" Ai-Sensei screamed. "A Soulbond is the most sacred bond in soul society, and you want to make a joke out of it by doing experiments! Just wait until Yamamoto-Soutaicho knows about this!" That made the clown growl, he advances on Ai-Sensei and raises his right hand to strike. But an iron grip took a hold of his wrist and squished it hard making the man grunt and glare at the person who dared to touch him.

"I will only say it this once sir, get your ass out of here or I will personally escort you out," Ichigo said with a dark smirk on his lips, making the Taicho glare at him.

"How dare you?! Don't you know who I am?" The Taicho growled and tried to free his hand but to no use.

"Idiot, narcissist, and a clown. Did I miss something?" Ichigo said with a bored voice, making the black and white painted face turn into a sneer.

"Why you… Nemu!" The man shouted and from the corner of his eyes Ichigo saw a shadow heading his way, but he only smirked.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Said Byakuya as he pointed his Zanpakuto at the raven-haired female's neck, that made her froze, she didn't feel his Reiatsu. She turned to gaze at his emotionless face that was stretch into a cold smile. "Why don't we stand here and wait for the adults to solve their problem themselves, hmm?" The boy cooed at her, making the hair at the back of her neck raise.

"If you want to protect your friend," The woman said in a monotone voice. "I advise you to step away." She finished, hoping that the kid would listen to her.

The boy tilted his head to the left and laughed at her. "You got it all wrong, Miss." The boy said. "I am protecting You from my friend." The boy said that with such ease, it made her blood run cold.

"Well then, I guess it's just you and me," Ichigo hummed, making the Taicho growl at him with hate. Ichigo could feel everyone's eyes on him and Byakuya, the two of them never made a scene, never got into troubles, so for them to go head to head and fight someone stronger than them, it was still a shock to a few, especially how they turned 180 the second someone's life was in danger.

"I will kill you!" The other man said, making Ichigo raise his brow at that a mad laugh left Ichigo, making the older man frowned at that.

"Mayuri!"

An enraged voice screamed loudly, it made everyone flinch, as for Byakuya and Ichigo they just narrowed their eyes. The class's doors were slammed open as a dark-skinned woman with long dark purple hair entered the class glaring daggers at the clown with her glowing golden eyes. Ichigo narrowed his eyes at the Onmitsukidou uniform she was wearing, an assassin. He glances at Byakuya who was still gazing at Nemu whose eyes never left the younger teen.

A growl turned Ichigo's attention to Mayuri who was glaring at the woman, the glare turn to Ichigo and the man smirk cruelly. Ichigo Shunpo away from the man as fast as he can without drawing suspicious to himself, he gaze at the man with cold and calculating eyes, in the place he was in was a Zanpakuto, Ichigo knew if he didn't avoid it, it would have stabbed him in the chest, he can see the surprise passing over Mayuri's face as he saw Ichigo three meters away from him.

"That wasn't so nice, was it?" Ichigo frown at the Taicho (Can he really call him that?) But he shrugged his shoulders in the end, he felt a piercing gaze on him and he frown, the assassin.

"Shihoin-Taicho!"

Ichigo heard someone shout, but he didn't pay any attention to it, because in a seconds Mayuri attacked him. Ichigo took his Zanpakuto out and stopped Mayuri's attack.

Shock…

He can see on the man's face, and Ichigo was sure that every face in the room held the same look. Ichigo pushed Mayuri hard using his Zanpakuto that made the man stumble a few steps back. That was all he needed, Ichigo moved fast and roundhouse kicked the man with such strength it made his flow into the walls.

Silence…

That's what Ichigo can hear as he starts walking toward the man that was leaning against the walls; Ichigo pointed his Zanpakuto at the man's throat making him freeze.

"Don't you know the punishment of killing a captain of the Gotei 13?" The man snapped a hateful glare on his face, Ichigo pause at that then smirks.

"Becoming a captain instead of them," He replied coldly. "Because if I remembered correctly, you challenged me in front of two hundred Shinigami." Ichigo grin madly, letting a little bit of his blood lust leak with his Reiatsu, making everyone flinch, everyone who isn't a veteran Shinigami.

Fear…

That's what he saw as the captain's face drain from all of its color (If that was possible) as he realized his mistake, Ichigo saw how the man's golden eyes went to his companion, but Ichigo knew Byakuya had it under control after all Ichigo taught him well.

"Five seconds," Ichigo stated making the man's head snapped towards him. "Five seconds for you to leave, if you don't… let's just say that your multiuse Zanpakuto won't be able to save you this time." The captain gazes at Ichigo in shock at being discovered by a newbie.

Terror…

That's what made the captain flee as soon as Ichigo let him go, he saw Byakuya sheath his Zanpakuto as the woman left to follow her captain. "Well, that went faster than usual." Ichigo heard Byakuya sighs and it was his turn to sheath his Zanpakuto.

"Wasn't my fault he was a coward," Ichigo stated making Byakuya raise his dark and elegant eyebrow at him. "What did you want me to do? Play with him like a cat and mouse? He stinks." Ichigo scrunches his nose making Byakuya giggle at that and shake his head, Ichigo noticed that the assassin was already gone, which made him frown.

"Ichigo!" his name being yelled by someone made him turn around, only to be hugged tightly by Rukia, Renji was standing shakily behind her gazing at him, and Ichigo didn't know if it was from fear or worry, but time will tell. "You idiot! What were you thinking of going against a captain! What if you died?" Rukia yelled still hugging the man.

Ichigo sighs at that. "I can handle myself Rukia." He said gently to the woman, when she let go to glare at him he smirked at her. "I did kick his ass, didn't I?" Ichigo questioned, making Rukia sighs at that but smiled at him.

"Ichigo. Look at what I have found!" Byakuya's voice squeals happily, making the older teen gaze at Byakuya, to see him dragging… another Ichigo?! The other Ichigo in question was as tall as Ichigo yes, but he had aqua green eyes and spiky black hair. That's where the difference ends because if you look at the man for more than three seconds, you will swear high and low the two of them were twins. "Can we keep him?" Asked a giddy Byakuya when he reached Ichigo.

"Do you want me to kill him?" A jealous Ichigo questioned with a raised eyebrow, which made his clone gulp at that.

"OK! No need for killing anyone, you can just go and enjoy your free week from the academy. As for me, I'm going to go as far away from here." The man sassed back, making Ichigo narrow his eyes at that, even his sound is like Ichigo. The man's eyes than sparkled with mischief that made Ichigo's lips unconsciously twitch up into a smile. "One thing though…"

The man tried to punch Ichigo, he was fast but Ichigo was faster and caught his hand. Then Ichigo head-butts the other man in the face, nearly breaking his nose. "Here we go again." Ichigo heard Byakuya say once more and the rest of the classes squeak in fear, this made him smirk, and maybe he was smirking at the idiot that was holding his nose and whining in pain.

"Fuck! You are a fast motherfucker." The man groans as he stood up, though the grin that stretches the man's lips was nothing but pleasant and happy. "Shiba Kaien, Fukutaicho of the eleventh." He introduces himself extending his hand for a handshake that Ichigo took. "Man! No one was able to one-up me like this other than my sister, what's your name kid?" He asked studying the resemblance.

"Ichigo, a first-year student in the Shinigami academy." Ichigo could feel the surprise leaking out of Kaien in waves, but he was grateful when the man just shrugged without further questions. "And this is Byakuya my-"

"Lover." Byakuya interrupted Ichigo which made the older teen smirk and ruffle Byakuya's hair, making the teen squeak and hide behind Rukia who was still rubbing her eyes, not believing what she was seeing. Ichigo though could feel the surprise and shock leaking from every student at Byakuya's statement, they were lovers, not brothers? The students question themselves.

"Ichigo," At the sound of Ai-Sensei, everyone snapped out and gaze at the aging woman, the woman walked toward Ichigo with a smile, making than older teen fidget nervously, he may have jumped a little when he felt Ai-Sensei hugged him. "Thank you for protecting us." She said as she let go of Ichigo and went to hug Byakuya whispering the same to him. Ichigo just smiled sheepishly and shrugged not knowing what to do. That made the woman smile wider; she nods her heads toward the Fukutaicho a silent conversation passed between the two. With that she head outside, she had to go and talk to the Soutaicho after all.

"So," It was Renji who broke the silence. "Do you wanna go and have breakfast? I'm sure some restaurants are opened right now." He gazes at his friends then his eyes fell on Kaien and nod his head as to inform him that he was invited.

"Well, lead the way, I'm starving!" Kaien said putting his arm around Ichigo as he starts dragging him out of the class, Byakuya not far behind. No way was Kaien going to miss some important information about Ichigo because he said no to a lunch invitation. Ichigo just eek as he was dragged all around the academy to the nearest restaurant there was, and no matter how much Ichigo struggled it seems he couldn't get out if the man's grip, his last thought was…

What did he throw himself into?

Finally an update!

It had been a long time, but hey! I'm back!

If someone is interested in being a Beta please PM me on my account.

Read and Review.

And tell me what you think.

Nazaki-Sama.