…The True Heir…

/Warning/: This chapter contains, fluff, of violence, flashbacks (?), Ichigo being a BAMF, and we got to meet lots of different characters, and Ichigo protects his friends! And who knows what! All the reviews are appreciated.

"Talking"

"Thinking"

…Flashbacks or dreams…

"Zanpakuto or Hollows talking"

Chapter 7

It was rough few months, but the group could finally relax that summer was here… finally! After the group of friends met the talking cat who liked to be called 'Yoruichi'… life got even more interesting than before. The cat took a strange liking to Ichigo and Byakuya, mostly Ichigo as she liked to follow him everywhere and get him into lots of troubles to see how he will get himself out of them, Ichigo was used to being played like this by his friends (Let's face it Byakuya, Rukia, and Renji together meant a disaster if Ichigo wasn't there to stop them) was able to get out of most of the awkward situations with a grace of a noble, Yoruichi always whistle at that. On the other hand, the cat loved to play pranks on poor Byakuya, always stealing his hair tie which made the teen squeak in outrage and runs after the cat all around the academy to get it back, the tie was a gift from Ichigo, so he will do anything he can think of to get it back, soon after that, Yoruichi stealing Byakuya's tie turned into a game, all the group will end up stealing the tie one day or another to start the game of tag, it gets even more excited when Ichigo turned it into a game of Shunpo, at first Byakuya was mad at them, but in the end he soften up as the game was fun and usually Ichigo and Byakuya are the ones who won the game if Yoruichi wasn't there, they spent years using their Shinigami's powers before entering the academy, of course, they had the advantage. For Rukia it seems that it was her time to shine and maybe cause her lover to have a struck from her always planning with Yoruichi about how to scare Renji who was still mistrust of the cat and always gaze at it with suspicious, Rukia was happy that she wasn't the only female in the group anymore, even if it meant that the other female was a cat (With a strange male voice at that). Renji… well, he was sure that everyone was planning his death, because why would they leave him alone with the cat? It winks at him most of the time and tries to rub on him! It made Renji freak most of the time and run away screaming. Toshiro was having the time of his life, he finally has friends of his own he can count on, it didn't hurt that Momo would come and talk with his friends every once in a while, the girl even told him she was happy for him, it made Toshiro glad.

They filly saw Kaien after the finals three weeks ago, the older man was on a four months-long mission in the real world, at first he was a little shocked about the cat that follows the group, but in the end he warmed up to it, and now they seemed to be best friends, if that was even possible. Kaien also told them about the living world, about the culture there, about what changed since the last time he saw the living world, it made Ichigo go quiet when Kaien told him the date in the living world, he still can't believe that only eight years passed since his death, he still can't believe that he was supposed to turn sixteen this year, instead, he was twenty-two years old, and was dead for a long, long time… it made Byakuya concern, it made everyone concern when Ichigo seemed to shut off when Kaien talked about the living world, though Ichigo just shrugged it off when everyone asked them… it was that day that Byakuya told them that Ichigo was not born here, like most of the souls who became Shinigami but was a soul from the living world, it made everyone feel bad about how insensitive they were, talking about the place Ichigo considered home like it was nothing, Ichigo just sigh at them and told them that it was OK, that he was just shocked that eight years passed since his death and not fourteen as he thought… still, they never mentioned the living world after that, unless Ichigo wanted to talk about it.

Believe it or not, it seems that Yoruichi took a huge liking to the group that she start teaching them ways of true Shinigami with the help of Kaien (That's what she said anyway) well, at least Renji start getting well with Yoruichi after that, Rukia was extremely happy about finally having someone training her to be a good Shinigami, and Toshiro was relieved that someone will finally teach him how to control his powers so not to hurt any person who was unfortunate to come near him. She and Kaien were surprised that Ichigo and Byakuya knew the tricks behind everything their mentors taught, and the things they didn't know about, just one pointer or an offhanded comment about it will reveal the secret to them. It made Kaien and Yoruichi proud and call the two lovers geniuses, especially when Byakuya and Ichigo didn't brag about their powers, but admit that they were like everyone else and that they have their own weakness too. Byakuya told them, that he wasn't that much of a raw strength like Renji or Ichigo; he is more about tactics, that he is better at defense then attacking. Ichigo, on the other hand, was good, they all can say that in a few years when he wakes his Zanpakuto he will be undefeatable, but Ichigo just snort at them and told them that he had a hard time controlling his Reiatsu, especially when he was doing anything that requires a low level of Reiatsu use.

But what shocked everyone, was when Ichigo and Byakuya told them that they already know the names of their Zanpakuto. It made Yoruichi stunned, how did she not feel any Reiatsu coming from their Asauchi? "How…?" Was Yoruichi's only question, it made Ichigo pause and shrugs his shoulder.

"Before coming here… we were from the 99th, being from there meant you have to hide your Reiatsu and the Zanpakuto's… or what's going to take a place after, will only be seen in one's worst nightmare." Byakuya told them, making shivers go down everyone's spines, especially Kaien and Yoruichi who knew what the 99th was like. "His name is Senbonzakura…" Byakuya said touching his Zanpakuto gentle making the Zanpakuto give a bell-like sound, making everyone look at the sword.

"What about you, Ichigo?" Kaien asked making Ichigo who was gazing at his Zanpakuto with a strange look, blink and look at Kaien. "My Zanpakuto's name is Nejibana…" Kaien smiled making Ichigo blink and throw a glare at his Zanpakuto making the rest look at the orange hair man with strange looks.

"He refuses to reveal his name, saying it's not the right time." Ichigo said making Kaien and Yoruichi 'Oh' at that, the rest just look at Ichigo in confusion making the man smile when he heard Byakuya's laugh as he gazes at Senbonzakura. "The old man is kinda self-conscious it seems." Ichigo cooed to his Zanpakuto making the sword get big in size, and as tall as Ichigo and believe it or not, the bondages that were covering the knife-like sword came to live and slapped Ichigo on the back of his head making the man curse the Zanpakuto and threat him, that display made everyone shocked especially the veteran Shinigami as they haven't seen something like this in their lives, never have they saw a Zanpakuto go into its Shikai release without the handler summoning it, nor acting out with free will like this.

"H-how did your Zanpakuto go into its Shikai release without you releasing him?" Yoruichi asked, and she really hated herself for stuttering, but she trots toward the Zanpakuto that was ignoring his handler who was still cursing at him, all the while Byakuya was laughing and cooing to Ichigo's Zanpakuto. She stood before the Zanpakuto and swished her tail, trying to see anything out of the ordinary... more than she saw already.

Her question made Ichigo pause a little and throw his Zanpakuto a glare, getting another slap from the bandages on the forehead, making the man groan and rub his forehead. "He is always in his Shikai release…" That stumped everyone making them look at Ichigo in confusion.

"B…but your sword is in its Asauchi form all of the time, only now we saw its Shikai release…. a sword that big is recognizable, Ichigo," Toshiro said looking at the sword with a weird look, the rest of the group didn't believe their eyes, as Renji was rubbing his eyes and Rukia pinching Renji's arm only for the man to yelp at that and shout at her.

Ichigo paused; he then ends up smiling a little while shrugging his shoulders. "A Kido spell, I use it to shrink my Zanpakuto's size… my Reiatsu, it's massive… it can't be controlled like you or anyone else, it's why my Zanpakuto is always in its released form, so I can contain the Reiatsu…" Ichigo said touching the bandage that wrapped itself around Ichigo's arm gently, which made the sword return to its Asauchi form which made Yoruichi blink at that and hum.

"But that's impossible… right?" Rukia asked looking at the Zanpakuto, looking at her Asauchi in wonder then at Byakuya who was humming and caressing his Zanpakuto eyes on Ichigo.

"No, I think I saw something like this in one of the books in the library, but I thought it was just a jest," Renji said making Rukia turn to him with a surprised look. "What? Is it so hard to believe that I read and actually enjoyed a book?" That made everyone looked at each other with guilty looks on their faces which made Renji's jaw fall. "Seriously!" Renji squeaked at that making Kaien pat him on the back.

"Well, at least we know you can read…" Yoruichi said making Renji squeak and start running after the cat cursing, he would have caught it, if someone didn't trip him making him fall on the floor, when Renji turn to glare at Ichigo who was near him, Renji saw everyone pointing at Ichigo's Zanpakuto who was once again in its Shikai release with bandages flying around the place with ominous aura, that made Renji gulp and give a nervous laugh begging Ichigo to stop the Zanpakuto…

"Old man, just go easy on him… he is still learning." Ichigo said patting the Zanpakuto making the bandages pause and start dancing which made Renji whimper and look at Yoruichi who was taking everything with an interesting look on her face. Great, another Ichigo… was everyone's thought as they saw Renji yelp as a bandage slapped him in the face…

At least they knew from where Ichigo got his attitude…

Everyone knew that Ichigo and Toshiro were close, so close that people start talking, some says that Ichigo was cheating on Byakuya with the white hair teen, Inaba was one of them as he always say that he saw them do the unspeakable, not a lot of people believe Inaba, because everyone knows he has a thing for Byakuya and he will do anything to ruin Ichigo and Byakuya's relationship, some says that Byakuya, Ichigo, and Toshiro were in three-ways relationship, because everyone can see how the three of them are affectionate toward each other's, by affectionate they meant, Ichigo not kicking Toshiro in the face, and the white hair teen not punching Ichigo or Byakuya when they hug him.

But for the group of friends, they always laugh at those rumors, especially when Momo (Who was the unofficial member in the club and liked to invite them for dinner every week) tell them about the new rumors that are going around the campus. The friends spent their days laughing when Momo, told them that apparently, Rukia was going to quit the academy because she got pregnant (That made Rukia scream her head off, and promise to kill the fucker who invented that rumor) And it seems that Renji was actually into men and was having a relationship with a senior in the academy (It made Renji's face turn red as his hair, Rukia had to give him CPR or he would have choked to death) And Byakuya was actually a female that liked to act like a man, because did you see that hair and fair skin and beauty? No man has the right to have them! (Everyone paused at that and gaze at Byakuya who scrunches his nose in distaste… that rumor is actually in the realm of possibility, Ichigo's glare made them turn the other way) And let's not forget how Toshiro seduced Kusaka Soujiro (A senior) and froze Ichigo's heart and how he was actually a Yuki Onna (At that Toshiro tried to seduce Ichigo and pat his eyelash at the older man, it was so funny that they laugh their heads off), Oh, and let's not forget the most important rumor… Ichigo was actually Satan himself! That he maybe was half a Hollow, half a demon, and was the king of Hell (It made Ichigo paused and a dark smirk took over his face, it made everyone shiver in terror)

All in all, it was fun to hear what people thought of them, and maybe they tried to be little shits and create more rumors. Like that one time when Renji flirted with a senior, making the other man stutter and whimper when everyone start whispering and pointing at the senior, or that one time Rukia came to class holding a bundle in her arms cooing to the china doll hiding in the clothes, it made people scream in terror when Rukia screamed and throw the bundle at the front of the class making the females and some of the males faint when they heard the sound of breaking glasses, the time that Toshiro went around the academy in white Kimono looking like a spirit asking the students to hold his Asauchi for a little while, students actually screamed and ran away as fast as they could, it made the group fall from their hidden place laughing until their sides hurt, or that one time Byakuya appears in female Kimono, wearing makeup and his hair was in a bun, every student nearly faint when the hot female went and kissed Ichigo on the lips, their friends catcalling made them laugh at that, but the best one was with Ichigo who start walking around the campus with a china craved like Hollow mask, and screamed that he will take Inaba's soul, the Kuchiki spent that day begging Ichigo to be speared kissing his feet and crying his eyes out, no one knew how Ichigo was able to change his voice into that scary echoic voice, but it made everyone scream and Shunpo to the headmaster crying when Ichigo gave a Hollow shriek, the group coughed their lungs from laughing, especially when they ran all the way to their hidden place and tried to act like innocent ducks when the professors came running toward them, only to see the group studying for their classes totally innocent from the lies Inaba tried say… the whole academy got punished for lying to the headmaster and professors and trying to frame their fellow students, the losers club were the only ones who didn't get punish.

So all in all, yes, the group may love making people go crazy with their pranks, and, yes, all the group know about Ichigo and Byakuya being soul bond and respecting that, Toshiro learned about that when he asked Ichigo about his closeness with Byakuya. But what people didn't know was that Toshiro was Ichigo's 'Soul Mate', it all starts with the easiness and closeness that Ichigo and Toshiro felt around each other, they always wondered about that, so in the end Toshiro end up asking Yoruichi in one of her visits (She loved to visit them at night, when they can light a bonfire near their tree) they remembered how Yoruichi paused a little and gave a catty smile, she told them that Toshiro and Ichigo were soul mates, it made everyone stunned at that until Yoruichi explained to them, that a person can have multiples soul mates, that it's not a romantic bond, but sometimes romance happen, that the person who you feel comfortable and safe with can be your soul mate, that every soul mate's bond is different from person to person (Soul Bond was another matter, and a conversation for another time) it made everyone paused and Ichigo laughed loudly making everyone look at him in confusion.

"If what you say is true… then we are all each other's soul mate…" Ichigo had said making the group paused at that, the realization that night made them scream and laugh in delight… how did they miss that? They indeed were each other's soul mate with how happy and content they felt around each other. It made them feel happy, that they finally found their family; all of them had been searching for acceptance and place to belong to, a family that will accept them no matter what and didn't fear them for their differences, they were happy to finally be able to find this kind of family after so long.

Everything was good until Toshiro awoke his Zanpakuto in the second year. It was as normal as any day, with the group training in the training ground in their own corner, no one wanted to go and talk to them, as a lot of the students feared the insane group, only Momo, and few brave souls went to talk with them from time to time, like the lieutenant of the 10th Matsumoto Rangiku, Toshiro told them she was the reason he was in the academy in the first place, that she was the one who pointed his uncontrollable Reiatsu to him, she fit perfectly in the losers club, she even exclaimed that she was one of their official members, Rukia was happy and agreed immediately with the woman making everyone shrug and agree, after all Rukia deserve to have girlfriends other than Momo and Yoruichi (Who was a cat, therefore, doesn't count) Matsumoto or Rangiku as she liked to be called, bring her boyfriend Gin sometimes, the silver-haired man seemed to have a strange obsess with Ichigo, making the two of them fight like cats and dogs… or hyenas and lions half of the time, though, they seemed to tolerate each other, after Rukia and Rangiku became best friends, he was the third sit of the 3ed Division.

Kaien and Yoruichi still visited them every time they can, with Yoruichi the one who visited them the most ever day or so, either to train them or tell them stories around the bonfire, it made them happy that Yoruichi and Kaien told them they considered them all as their family.

So the group was training, the second-year students taking the other side of the training ground, away from the group last they caught the losers diseases, the group always laugh about that, it was one of the reasons that they plan their next pranks.

It all started with Toshiro freezing when he was doing one of the Kata stands. "Toshiro…?" Ichigo who was the closest to the teen so he walked toward him, only to freeze as he saw fear and pain in Toshiro's eyes, the boy was shivering, at that Ichigo noticed the temperature dropping unnaturally and fast, making fear and realization slam into him. "Byakuya! Protect the students, Toshiro about to go into Shikai release!" Ichigo had screamed, which made Byakuya froze for a second and collect Rukia and Renji forcing them to go toward the students on the other side of the training ground. Everyone knows the first release is the hardest and most dangerous that it could cause the handlers' lives or worst the lives of the people near them, and Ichigo was near Toshiro, students start screaming for the professors, but they were late.

Toshiro looked at Ichigo with pained eyes and whispered the name of his Zanpakuto. "Hyorinmaru…" At that all Hell breaks loose, as the ice starts shooting out of Hyorinmaru incasing Toshiro in, the students screamed as they saw ice shared sailing there way.

"Chire Senbonzakura!" The heard someone scream and suddenly a thousand upon thousands of Sakura's pink petals made a wall around the students protecting them, the students turned to see who their savior was only to see that it was Byakuya, Renji, Rukia, and the rest of the student who weren't terrified gasped at the beauty of this release, it seems that Byakuya was controlling the petals with his hand as he waved his hand making the petals scatter around them.

Without the wall of blossom protecting them, the students saw Ichigo holding a huge sword, he was fighting with Toshiro, who was not in control of himself attacking the orange hair teen with no grace, that he usually possesses. They all saw how Ichigo was dodging the attacks, trying to tire the teen that was screaming and roaring they never saw such a show of raw strength, the training ground already froze and became a land full of ice. Everyone knows that the first release was to be monitor by professors or mentors because they were strongest there was in Soul Society after the captains and lieutenants therefore able to handle the new Shinigami, but to see Ichigo and Byakuya, nothing but second-year students like the rest, able to protect and contain Toshiro in his first release, was nothing but a miracle by itself.

Toshiro roared as he lanch at Ichigo, he couldn't think straight other than to defend himself from the other Shinigami, the battle inside of him was raging, and to say the truth, he was a little scared. "Fight him, Toshiro!" Ichigo had screamed as he blocks another hit that was meant for Byakuya. "Toshiro…" Ichigo growled as he roared and rushed after Toshiro making the boy who was incased by ice growl and swipe at him with icy claws. "We are your family…" Ichigo said as he broke the claws and blocked the Zanpakuto.

Hearing that, Toshiro whine and groan in pain, jumping away from Ichigo and scream, it made many winces and some were even crying in fear. A few seconds later, Toshiro stopped his thrashing, he blinks a few times, and the ice that surrounded him broke into tiny pieces making Ichigo Shunpo to catch his falling friend. "Feel like shit…" Groan Toshiro in Ichigo's chest making the older man laugh at that weakly as he tried to steady them both…

"At least you beat the Zanpakuto… you did beat the Zanpakuto and gain control over his power, didn't you?" Ichigo asked, making Toshiro hum and raise his fist to punch Ichigo on the shoulder, he bearly did it.

"Toshiro, Ichigo!" At the sound of their names, they both looked up to see their friends and professors running toward them, their friends throw themselves on the pair hugging them tightly, Momo (Who heard about the fight and came running toward them) was holding Toshiro crying on his shoulder, which made the young teen, let go of Ichigo and turn to his friend, hugging her tightly with shaky arms.

"Are you OK?" Byakuya asked, taking Ichigo's face in both of his hands, making the older man shiver at how hot Byakuya's hands were. "Holly! Your face is freezing!" Byakuya squeaked trying to find a way to warm Ichigo.

"Ichigo... you and Byakuya are full of surprises, aren't you?" Ichigo turns to see Ai-Sensei looking at Byakuya and him with a strange and fond look, making Ichigo's lips twitch up into a small smile, he raises his hand and did a so-so motion making Ai-Sensei let out a chuckle and look around the training ground. "You troublemakers are going to the infirmary; you are going to catch frostbites if you stay here any longer." The older woman said gently calling her fellow professors to help her move the students away. Ichigo sigh before pausing and picking Toshiro up throwing him over his shoulder like a flour sack, he then start limping to the infirmary, to everyone surprise the white hair teen didn't complain, he just let a sigh and start snorting, already passed out. Ai-Sensei smiled and shook her head at Ichigo... that boy…

Toshiro slept for three days after that…

After that day everything should have been fine, Toshiro woke up after three days, and was greeted by all of his friends who hugged him tightly telling him how worried they were about him, Toshiro was surprised when the healer told him that his friends haven't moved from their place ever since Toshiro was admitted into the infirmary, it warmed Toshiro's heart that his friends did this for him. Rangiku, Gin, Kaien, and Yoruichi were also there, they took a day off of their busy schedule (And Yoruichi came from wherever she goes to when she wasn't with them) to see him and congratulate him on achieving his Shikai, Kaien also gave Ichigo a surprise attack that turned later into a surprise hug (Of doom), as he went to hug Byakuya after he nearly choked Ichigo to death with his hug, he stated that he was so proud of Byakuya and Ichigo for protecting their friends, he also got a painted picture of a woman out of his Hakama and start crying and hugging the picture tightly saying how proud he was of his children… that got him a kick in the back from Ichigo, but Kaien laughed his ass off at Ichigo's growl.

They were good, until Kusaka came to the infirmary stating that Toshiro had stolen his Zanpakuto, and that Hyorinmaru was actually his and that he met him in a cave were the dragon called him, it made Toshiro shocked and confused about Kusaka's words, they were both acquaintances, and rivals as Kusaka liked to exclaim, but stealing someone's Zanpakuto was a dangerous accusing. Everyone looked at Ichigo wondering what he will do about the situation if he was going to kick Kusaka's ass for lying about something like this. The veterans Shinigami were waiting to see what Ichigo was going to do, especially Yoruichi and Kaien.

"Give me your Zanpakuto." Ordered Ichigo, making Kusaka scowl at the older man, he wanted to scream at him for that insult, but the look he was at the end of, made him press his lips into a thin line and took the Zanpakuto putting it in Ichigo's hand. "Toshiro…" Ichigo called gently making the white hair teen blink and look at the Zanpakuto that was leaning near his bed, he took it gently and put it in Ichigo's outstretched hand. They all saw how Ichigo close his eyes in concentration, seconds pass, maybe minutes before Ichigo opened his eyes a strange look on his face. "You two are sharing the same Zanpakuto spirit…" Ichigo said looking at both the katana in his hands. "That only happened if you were soul bonds, and the two of you are defiantly not a soul bond," Ichigo mutters giving the Zanpakuto to their respective owners.

"How is that even possible?" Rangiku asked, putting her hand on Toshiro's shoulder, the teen was too shocked to say a thing.

"Nah, the most important is how Ichigo learned about soul bonds sharing the Zanpakuto?" That was Gin as he looked at Ichigo his eyes opened for once, twinkling with mischief, which only made Ichigo smirk darkly making Gin frown.

"Well, I think the most important is what's going to happen next?" Byakuya said putting his hands on Ichigo's shoulder making the orange hair teen look at Kaien and Yoruichi who were looking at each other.

"Central 46 must be informed." Kaien grimace making Yoruichi nod her head at that, Yoruichi hasn't spoken since Kusaka entered the room, preferred to act like a cat in the presence of people she didn't trust. Ichigo narrows his eyes at that and glance at Toshiro, whatever was going to take place, Ichigo knew it wasn't going to be good at all. Ichigo looked at Yoruichi and stood up, walking to the cat and lean down to pick it up.

"I will try to come back soon, Rukia, Byakuya, don't let Toshiro leave the bed until he is fully recovered, as for you Kusaka-San it's better if you left in the next five seconds." Ichigo throws a glare after he told Kusaka that making the other man scowl at Ichigo and walk out, with Ichigo following him until they were out of the academy, it is then that Ichigo Shunpo to the tree. "Do me a favor…" Ichigo said looking at Yoruichi who raised her head and tilt it to the side, the cat then sigh and jump out of Ichigo's arms sitting on the ground waiting.

Yoruichi was not going to like what she was going to hear…

A week after the Central was informed of the situation; they ordered Toshiro and Kusaka to present before the Central. After a long and tiring meeting, that contains shouting from Kusaka's side, and explanation from Toshiro's, and Kaien who was on the duty of being the source of the information. It ends with the Central 46 members ruled that two Shinigami cannot possess the same Zanpakuto unless they were Soul Bonds. And by the ancient laws of the Shinigami, such a situation was not permissible, even if neither Kusaka nor Hitsugaya had intended to violate the law. Hitsugaya even offered to abandon Hyorinmaru to stop this madness that was taking a place in front of him, but the Council refused and in the end, they forced Kusaka and Hitsugaya to fight for the honor of bearing Hyorinmaru.

They were told to prepare for the battle that was going to take place tomorrow. Ichigo was waiting outside the council's door, when Toshiro rushed out of the doors, when Toshiro saw Ichigo and Yoruichi waiting for him outside, the boy rushed toward Ichigo, trying to summon enough control to make his trembling lips say something, anything. When Ichigo saw his friend struggling to talk, he drew his friend into a tight hug, making the teen hold tightly into Ichigo biting his lips, it ends up with Ichigo trying to calm Toshiro and entrust him in Kaien's care, who was waiting beside Yoruichi. Ichigo then marched toward Central 46 intending to kick their asses for hurting his friend, he had begged Yoruichi to grant him a meeting with the central considering that the cat always brag about having close ties with some of the members of the Central, and Ichigo wasn't going to waste a chance at giving them a piece of his mind.

"…Was that necessary?" Ichigo heard an old voice ask, but Ichigo marched on and thrust the door opened, making everyone in the hall look at the newcomer only to see a young man wearing the academy uniform, and a cat. Ichigo, on the other hand, took the surrounding, frowning as he saw the central sitting in their high chairs looking down at an old and aged man who was leaning on his can… he had huge eyebrows, that was the only thought that crosses his mind, Ichigo could feel Yoruichi cower behind his legs when the old man raised his brow at that.

"What is the meaning of this?" Asked one of the Central member confusion coloring his voice, that made Ichigo give a tight smile and walked inside and closing the doors, ignoring Yoruichi who was biting his Hakama trying to drag him away, like hell he would.

"Sorry, I am Ichigo. Your 3 O'clock appointment, you should know that considered you grant me that meeting." Ichigo said casually causing Yoruichi to squeak at the disrespect and curse Ichigo for convincing her to grant him this chance. "You don't mind me crashing in this meeting, old man?" Ichigo asked the old man who raised his eyebrows and opened his one of eyes to take a good look at the youth that crashed the meeting. The older man just shrugged and took a step back making Ichigo whisper a 'Thank You' Ichigo didn't notice the older man looking at Yoruichi who was laughing nervously behind Ichigo.

Ichigo turned to the Central with a dark scowl, making the people look at each other than at Ichigo. "I only have one question. What the fuck is wrong with you people?" Ichigo snapped at them making Yoruichi yelp at that and for the members to look at Ichigo with shocked looks at the use of such a language inside these walls, the older man raises his brows and blink opening both of his eyes. "Seriously? I was the one who fought Toshiro when he first released Hyorinmaru and I was the one who confirms the news about the two of them sharing the same spirit, the last thing you can do is being gentle about this whole fart of a meeting! Can you for once stop follow the rules to the T!" Ichigo growled at the stunned Central, making the old man clear his throat which made Ichigo turn to him.

"Young man, I think it's better for you if you held your tongue, you clearly don't know what is going on to throw judgments left and right." The man said looking at Ichigo making Ichigo look at him with a bored look, just that look made the man twitch and stop himself from giving the youngster in front of him the beating of his life.

"I know what's this test all about, it's about self-sacrifice to see who will raise the blade first, to see if the person was worthy of following the motto of the Shinigami to protect lives. But the way you are going after it is all wrong." Ichigo said making the man blink in surprise about the youngster knowing the point of the test, honestly, this was the first time he could say he was surprised by anything, he looked at the small cat, only to see her blink at the youngster in shock, so she didn't tell him… "You want the Shinigami to respect your orders and laws; but in truth, you never gave them a reason to," Ichigo said turning to the central who paused to look at the young man that stood in front of him. "What are you planning to do? Make them fight and the first who will raise his blade is to be killed then erased from existence? Everybody is talking, everyone knows what's going to happen tomorrow, the only reason that they aren't talking out loud is because they are scared! They are scared that if they made a questioning sound they will be banished from their only home like what happened to Urahara Kisuke." That made silence go around the room, the Central looked at each other than at the boy that was standing in front of them.

"What are you saying, little boy?" A woman asked, making Ichigo turn to her and see that she was laying a hand on a Zanpakuto near her; Ichigo knew that the only ones that are going to give him the chance to speak were going to be the Shinigami and he was quite thankful for that.

"Stop ruling Soul Society with fear," Ichigo said making the old man look at the cat, only to see the look of pride on her face as she gazed at the youngster… he was an interesting one, he will give him that. "Ruling with fear, by taking the harshest masseurs to ensure that the souls will follow the laws and orders will only create more chaos and hate, will only make every soul take whatever masseur there is to return back and take their revenge, like Aizen, like the past Shinigami, like so many Hollows who were once souls that gain their hate from the abandonment they felt, that their home throw them away like trash. The only reason that Urahara Kisuke or the Visored are not one of the mentioned above is that because they made a promise to themselves to protect their home, and stood by that promise." Ichigo waited for the council to come to their decision, hearing the whispers around him increase and decreases.

"What do you suggest?" Someone ends up asking making Ichigo snort at that and shook his head.

"Nothing... I just gave you something to think about," Ichigo said as he turns around ready to walk out of the room, he paused a little. "Thank you for giving me your turn, old man," Ichigo said waving his hand to the man that was looking at him. "Let's go Yoruichi-San. They are waiting for us." Ichigo starts walking with Yoruichi trotting behind him. The old man looked at the youngster with a hum, he had to say this was the first time he was surprised by such wisdom out of the mouth of an infant, and he won't lie to himself when he heard the council start whispering behind him, he smiled…

That infant was intriguing…

Next day, the duel happened, Ichigo and his group of friends were waiting outside of the Central, waiting to see who was going to get out victorious, the friends all sat outside praying that Toshiro was going to be alright, they all waited hearing Momo crying softly, and Rangiku was sniffing now and then. The fear of losing Toshiro was too strong that they didn't care the Shinigami who stood guards were looking at them with strange looks.

When the doors open they all jumped, holding their breath to see who was going to get out. They all screamed in joy as they saw Toshiro walking out holding a Zanpakuto, a happy smile on his face, they run toward him, and one after one gave him a tight hug, making the teen laugh and hug them tightly in return, Kaien laughed happily at that and invited them for a feast, making everyone laugh and follow after Kaien, Ichigo glanced back, and his eyes widen a little, a small smile took over his face.

Toshiro told them what took place in the duel, making everyone a little shocked at what they heard. It was ultimately Kusaka who drew his sword and charged at him, shouting that he wanted Hyorinmaru for himself. This cost him, as it was never meant to be a duel to the death it seems, but a test to see who would raise their blade first. Before the battle was concluded, the Central 46 members ruled that Hyorinmaru belonged to Toshiro and Kusaka was sentenced to have his Reiatsu sealed, the Central stated that Kusaka is to work in the academy under his professors' guidance until he learns the meaning of being a true Shinigami.

Everyone was overjoyed as they had feared that one of the boys was going to be sentenced to death. "What did you tell the Central, Ichigo?" Toshiro asked after he finishes his tale, making everyone look at the orange hair man who was sipping his tea.

Ichigo pauses a little then smiled mysteriously, making everyone blinks and sits at the edge of their seats. "Just something to think about…" That made everyone groans and whine, begging Ichigo to tell them, only to have the man hum and sip his tea ignoring their whining. Byakuya and Yoruichi laughed at that considering that they knew what Ichigo did… and maybe Byakuya took a little advantage in knowing that Ichigo couldn't hide anything from him…

Something to think about, indeed…

So what do you think?

So because I finished three of my old stories, I decided to publish two other stories, they are both Marvel stories, both of them are Omega-Verse…

The first story is a time-traveling one, with old man Steve Rogers. The second one is all about a family feels….

If you are interesting go check them…

Read and Review.

And tell me what you think…

Nazaki-Sama