Thank you so much for waiting patiently on waiting for this chapter, even though the story is not entirely finished. What I mean by that is I cut up Isshin and Masaki's story. First part is going to be like a slice of life and fluff. The second part will still have romance but a tragic end. I must warn you that Isshin coming from the Dark Shiba clan he comes from a very evil background so you are warned. I'm not going to be graphic in my description of things but I'm just letting you know how evil these fucking assholes are.

x

Yuzu walked with her classmates as they talked about their plans for keeping in touch once they went to college. She couldn't believe the school year was almost over, just a couple months to go and she would graduate 5th in her class with Karin as 7th. She finally heard the squeals from her friends at seeing some hot guy leaning against a sports car.

"Oi, Yuzu!" she looked in surprise to find Jinta beckoning for her to come over. He was wearing dark grey jeans with a blood red t-shirt, rolling up the sleeves up to his upper arm to show off his tattoos. She heard the sharp gasps and cries of her friends as she skipped to her boyfriend.

"When did you get a car?" she asked him as she glanced at the dark red sports car.

"Today! I told you I was saving up for one," he proudly said as he gave her a grin, giving her an unsuspecting kiss on the lips as she was distracted by the car. Yuzu heard the moans of her friends as Jinta glanced over at the girls with frowns on their faces.

"They sound like cat's fucking crying," he said out loud as Yuzu glared at him, "It's annoying!"

"Would you please be nice," she whispered.

"Get in," he said as she looked at him curiously. "I told you I would give you a ride whenever I get a car."

"Okay, but let me tell my friends. I usually walk with them after school," she saw the eye roll of her boyfriend as he shrugged his shoulders. He leaned back against his car, and she couldn't help but blush as he crossed his arms. When she noticed that he was giving her a look, was when she nodded and rushed back to her friends.

"Who's that?" a brown haired girl said.

"That's Jinta, my boyfriend."

"No way, that's Jinta Hanakari," a glasses wearing one gushed, "What has he been eating?"

Yuzu couldn't help but chuckle at her friend's comments as she looked to her boyfriend who seemed to be patiently waiting for her with an irritated expression.

"I told you he's a mixed martial artist, and he works out a lot. He's also giving me a ride. I'll see you tomorrow," she told them as they looked at her with a shocked expression.

"He looks like he's hard all over," one whispered as Yuzu let out a soft giggle, heading back to her boyfriend. He noticed her heading towards his way as he opened the door for her.

"Such a gentleman," Yuzu sweetly addressed, hopping in, finding the feel of leather against her legs. He entered the car and gave her another kiss before he started the car. "This is nice," she said, impressed with the whole interior as she looked in the back seat.

"It's not a newer model, but it's what I could afford. I think it suits me. What do you think?"

She nodded in agreement, "I like it!"

"I also wanted to pick you up because I have just a couple of hours before I have to head on a train to Osaka for a fight. It's just going to be a week, and then I'll be back, but I wanted to see you before I left," he told her, glancing at her from his peripheral vision but still keep his eyes on the road.

"Okay,! Where do you want to go?"

"Not sure," he honestly said as they both began to laugh.

"Oh, I know. I've wanted ice cream for the longest," Yuzu stated. He nodded in understanding.

"Okay, we can eat at Swirls," he watched her eyes beam, knowing she enjoyed their flavors of ice cream.

When they arrived at their destination, they opted to order and enjoy their treats outside instead. Sitting on a bench beside the newly bought vehicle as the couple ate. Yuzu enjoyed strawberry flavored ice cream while he ate his butter pecan. So engrossed in her frozen treat, she hardly noticed that he'd been eating his rather slowly. His eyes were looking straight ahead, concentrating on nothing in particular.

"What's wrong?" she asked him curiously as he noticed his dripping ice cream and began to lick around to prevent it from spilling further.

"My manager told me that if this fight in Osaka goes well. I could be looking at a bigger break and more important fights," he told her as he looked at his ice cream. His announcement was great news she thought, but his features were far from excited. "This is good news, right?" she was confused as she placed her hand on his thighs.

"Yeah," he gave her a weak smile as he ate from his cone.

"It doesn't seem like your happy."

"I am ...it's just that he said the important fights would be in America. I'll get my chance of fighting in the UFC."

"Oh my god!" she screamed, "That's incredible, Jinta-kun!"

"Yeah, I know."

"You know, but you're awkwardly mopey. Are you afraid that you'll mess up in Osaka?"

"NO!"

"Then what's the problem?" she giggled as she watched him look at her and then down again.

"I might be gone for a long time if I go to America," he whispered as he watched the ice cream drip down to the concrete floor.

"Oh... For how long?" she asked, dreading his answer.

"Two or three years," he flatly said as she let go of the breath that she was holding.

"Oh!" she didn't feel like eating her ice cream as she rose up to place it into the garbage. Jinta threw the rest of the dripping contents into the trash as he handed her a napkin as they whipped their hands.

"I thought that maybe I could lose the fight in Osaka," he softly said.

"Are you crazy!" she yelled at him as she jumped up, "You promised that you would do your best and always win your fight, for me. You promised!" she said as she felt her self begin to cry. He took her hands as she sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

"Okay, I promise!"

"Even if you're in America, I promise I'll be here waiting for you. Promise me that you won't fall in love with anyone else? That you'll come back and we'll be married with four kids and have a little dog named Punch," she held him tighter when she heard him chuckle.

"I promise ... I love you, Yuzu," he pulled apart to glance at her tear struck face, "Remember that this-," he touched the necklace that he gave her, "-means that you're the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with, so you don't have to worry about me loving anyone else, okay?"

"Okay," she sniffled as she whipped her cheek, they kissed there on that bench, spending the rest of their time speaking about their future, until he noticed that it was time for him to start heading out. He already had his belongings in the trunk of the car. They drove to the Kurosaki Clinic as she kissed him passionately, not wanting to let him go as they finally parted ways. She watched his red car, leave in the distance as she began to cry.

"Yuzu?" she heard the voice of her brother as she turned to find him walking in her direction.

"What's wrong?" he looked at her curiously.

"Its Jinta!" she began to say as she couldn't contain the tears that were falling.

"What did he do? I'll kill him!" he growled out as he hugged her, navigating her inside.

"He... he didn't do anything, Ichi-nii. He's becoming popular, and he's getting noticed."

"Isn't that a good thing?" he asked as he closed the door. He was noticing his father and sister eyeing the spectacle.

"What's going on?" Karin asked.

"Whose made my little Yuzu-chan cry?" his father looking on with worry. Ichigo told him what Yuzu had told him as she began to continue.

"With him being noticed and making it big in America, he'll be there for two to three years. I'm happy for him, it's just that I'm going to miss him so much," she cried, receiving her hug from her sister.

"Don't worry, Yuzu. It'll be like Toshiro and I. We have a long distance relationship and believe me, it's, but once you have SKYPE, you can video call him whenever you want."

She saw her sister's smile, giving her some comfort as she nodded her head in understanding. After Yuzu settled herself, she noticed her brother's presence.

"Ichi-nii, not that I'm disappointed in seeing you here, but why are you here?" she asked him curiously.

"Dad asked if I could stop by because there was something he wanted to discuss with me."

"Actually, with all of you. I'm just waiting on Sora and Orihime to arrive."

Ichigo frowned as he knew that Orihime was at her brother's office, coached on what to expect and what types of questions she would receive when being cross-examined on the stand.

"He also wanted to discuss something with Yuzu and I also," Karin frowned at her father who's goofy demeanor was now non-existent. "What's going on, Goat-chin?"

Isshin noticed the curious stares in his children's eyes. Yuzu looking distraught with her previous tears for her boyfriend. "I will explain everything once-"

"Once Orihime and Sora come," Ichigo said with a hint of irritation as he stared at his father, his arms crossed over his chest as they waited. Seeing his son already on the defensive had him thinking that this may not be such a good idea or the right time. To be honest with himself, there was never going to be the right time. He sighed. Yuzu picked up on her father's nervous, almost scared state.

"Tou-san! We'll all be patient and wait. Right Ichi-nii and Karin-chan?" she sat near her father, rubbing his shoulders as she felt the tension in his arms slightly ease up. She was somewhat scared; she had never seen her father act like this. He was upset when he was explaining with Ichigo what had happened during their time at the police station regarding Orihime. Her father was terrified of some revelation, and she was almost prompted to tell him that he didn't have to reveal it. Her curiosity, she was ashamed to admit, was stronger.

Ichigo knew that look his father gave, and it had been so long ago, he had almost forgotten. He couldn't fathom what this conversation was going to entail, he felt like that small little boy all those years ago. He wasn't sure how patient he could be, and he was relieved to hear the soft knocks heard from his previous home.

"I'll get it," Yuzu softly stated, noticing everyone's hesitation to answer the door.

"Yuzu-nii!" he heard the familiar angelic voice of his fiancee as he slowly turned to see her enter the Kurosaki clinic with a confident smile. "Karin-chan, Papa-san, and ... Oh, what's wrong, Ichigo?" she sorrowly, giving him a hug and sitting next to him. He didn't reveal anything, and she understood to drop it for the time being as she nodded in understanding. It was then they heard Sora apologize for being tardy as he entered in with a smile as well as greeting the Kurosaki family. It was silent for a few minutes before Ichigo began to speak through gritted teeth.

"I don't know about you, but this silent shit is becoming very irritating, Old Man," he eyed his father who gave him a nervous grin as he nodded.

"Ichi-nii, maybe you shouldn't be so harsh to Tou-san," Yuzu glanced at her brother sternly who continued to look at his father sternly but said nothing else.

"If I may be of some assistance, maybe it will be easier if I just mention why your father decided to have this family get-together," Sora explained, Isshin looked at the younger man almost thankful. "I stumbled on a bit of information that I did out of anger to you Ichigo. For that, I apologize," the oldest Inoue head hung his head low, feeling ashamed.

"Information?" Ichigo whispered, looking a bit confused.

"When you were with my sister I tried to find anything damaging to your character. Of course, I didn't find anything on you, but I found something interesting regarding your father."

Ichigo was a bit peeved at Sora for snooping around his life, he knew he had nothing to hide, and his anger subsided since it was in the past. He glanced at his father, who was listening and keeping his eyes to the ground as Sora continued.

"His life doesn't start until his final year in high school. There is no information before that."

"W...What does that mean?" Karin nervously asked as she glanced at Sora.

"It means that I had a life before I came to Karakura and that Kurosaki is not the family name I was born with," Isshin finally spoke, feeling that it wasn't Sora's story to tell. "Only a handful know about my past, and the others are dead."

"Dead?" Orihime whispered as the older man nodded.

"Yes, and out of all the dead that are gone. There was only one I truly gave a damn about, my soulmate."

"Mother?" Yuzu uttered, starting to tear up as she touched her father's fist, which she was holding tightly.

"What's your family name?" Ichigo asked flatly.

"Shiba!"

"Shiba? Like Kaien Shiba, the one that owns the firework empire?" Yuzu asked with a hint of wonder.

"No! How I wish that were true. Maybe things would be so much easier and she wouldn't of..." he paused for a moment before he continued, "we are distantly related to them. Three hundred years ago, two brothers separated to pursue their dream. One procuring the method of making Chinese fireworks while the other decided to build a life in less than admirable methods."

"Are you saying we're related to the fucking Dark Shiba Clan?" Ichigo looked at his father with contempt," Here I thought you were being serious and not your silly self. Would you stop fucking around and tell us what this is really about?" he yelled, not feeling at all up for his father's games.

"Ichigo, he's not joking around," Sora humbly confessed as Ichigo stared at his father whose eyes held a man who had no reason to make this up. When Karin saw that her brother and father's features were indeed severely strained, she nervously giggled.

"So... I'm related to some mythical assassins that make the Yakuza two-bit thugs?" she could only shake her head, "You're right Ichigo this has to be a joke."

"Papa-san, you said you did horrible things?" Orihime inquired as the others felt a sense of dread at her words.

"Yes!"

"I don't believe you," she looked at his eyes, searching for some sort of lie that she couldn't find. He sighed, knowing it was no use in procrastinating.

"With the trial coming closer. There is nothing that will tie us with the Shiba family; since all was destroyed a long time ago. I wanted to tell you about my past just in case anything else got out, and some part or I was done keeping secrets."

"Would you stop talking in ancient riddles and tell us already," Ichigo yelled out as he banged his fist on the table.

"I will. I'm just not entirely sure where to start," the older Kurosaki nervously pleaded, glancing at his already upset son.

"How about... start at the beginning," he seethed as he sat back, arms crossed, waiting on his father to continue.

He could do that for his family. Start at the beginning. He wasn't sure how each of them would take it. Would they hate him? They had a right to know, and it was the least he could do for them as he nodded and began his tale.

x

Dark Shiba Clan

36 Years ago

"No matter what you become my baby boy, I'll always love you."

"Your father will tell you that succumbing to what your heart craves is a form of weakness. He's wrong."

"But mother.."

"He's wrong, Isshin. You are the strongest and smartest boy I know, and you stem from love. I don't believe you are a weakness. I don't believe that one bit."

Bam!

Isshin had been escorted into his father's chambers, minutes after his ears heard the gunshot. Blood drenched the attire of the beautiful dark-haired woman, who laid lifeless on the floor before his small feet. His father's stern features glanced at his young son with contempt. He had long dark hair and mustache that connected with his sideburns. His menacing dark eyes bore into Isshin, afraid of his father's imposing figure.

"Your mother was killed by the Shihōin clan. They felt her life would deter my decision in attacking them. They think by killing her, it would destroy me. Your mother was just a vessel to birth you, my son, nothing more. Don't let your enemies use any weakness on you. Forgo any attachments. Do you understand?"

Isshin looked at his mother's pale face as he began to cry. His father stomped over to his seven-year-old boy and grabbed him by the collar.

"Did you hear what I said?"

"Y...Yes," he said out of fear as he dropped to the floor from his father roughly letting go of him. He held his bruised bottom that cushioned his fall.

"Stop your crying! You are the future of this clan, not a sniveling runt."

"Yes, father," he sniffled, drying the last of his tears as he bottled up his emotions. While the servants gathered his mother's remains and tossed her into the fire as if she was nothing. He glanced at his father, seeing that he gave a distant look before he retired to his room.

.

.

.

.

Darkness surrounded his dream as Isshin suddenly jumped from his bed in a cold sweat. He ran his fingers through his hair and slid his hand over his features. Why was he thinking of his mother? Even though her face still haunted him, he hadn't thought of that day in years. He heard the gentle knock his door and then the servant's voice.

"Lord Yhwach Shiba has asked for his son's presence this morning."

"Alright! You can dismiss yourself," he shouted out in a calm voice as he heard the footsteps walk away.

After getting dressed in his hakama, he used for training that was black on the top and gray trousers at the bottom — when he entered the large room to be greeted by a crowd of onlookers beside his father's throne.

Deadliest warriors among the Shiba Clan. Eighteen of his most loyal trusted bodyguards. He stepped in front of his father's feet and bowed as he waited patiently for his father to speak.

"Isshin, you've reached a pinnacle age in your life. Seventeen, already a man, but not quite," he chuckled, getting a few peals of laughter around the room that irritated the younger man. "It's no secret you've risen in the ranks of being a formidable foe amongst our enemies. That accomplishment brings me absolute pride, but what I can't cast aside is your hesitation in- killing."

"I've accomplished my missions without a hitch, I've killed the targets assigned to me," he told his father with his head facing the floor.

"Indeed! What of the others?"

Isshin searched his mind for the correct way in answering his father, but nothing came to mind, "Others? I don't understand your question. I slipped in without being seen; there were no witnesses."

"Everyone in the target's home is a witness. Did I not tell you to dispose of everyone."

"Yes!" he said.

"Why did you feel the need to do the opposite of what I had asked you to do?"

He was quiet while his father asked him the question. He didn't have an answer. His father had told him that his hesitation in killing women and children were, lack of a better word, a weakness. He would always beat him until he understood, and even then he opposed him and did it again.

"No, answer!"

"The target's wife was too beautiful to be seen as a corpse. It is a complete waste," he jested, knowing his father eased a bit whenever he joked around.

"Your observation was correct, Quilge Opie seemed to find his wife quite entertaining before she saw to her end."

Isshin knew precisely what type of entertainment that entailed. It was the only way an ugly bastard like him could get pleasure from beautiful women by raping them.

"Thank you, Isshin. I'd say she was absolutely gorgeous and her screams, only encouraged me," the tall, dark-haired, and glasses-wearing man chuckled as the younger man eyed him.

"Was it your grotesque face she was screaming in terror or the terrifying fact that she would spend her last few moments with a tiny cock, failing to please her."

Quilge growled in anger but said nothing, out of respect to his father. It was the voice of Gildrey Fisher that quieted the laughter in the room.

"I'm pretty sure their daughter didn't have that issue," he gave a wide grin to Isshin as he felt himself want to vomit right there on the spot. He had forgotten his target had an eleven-year-old daughter. He felt guilty for not giving them a merciful end.

"What... no jokes, Isshin?" Gildrey cackled as his large stature shook as he laughed. It was his father who broke the tension.

"Since you want to make light of this and refuse to let go of this weakness that is holding you back. I have no other choice than to find someone worthy to lead the Shiba Clan."

"Father, I won't disappoint you again. Please do not replace me; I've done everything you've asked of me."

"Except this," he bluntly added as he watched his son's eyes widen in fear. His son knew the punishment of refusing his father's instruction; only this time, he knew that being replaced meant his life was forfeit. "I have thought of a way you could atone for your slight against this clan and me."

"What is it?" Isshin asked, refusing to shed a tear to show the men in this room weakness.

"You will leave the confines of this home to set up somewhere else to make a life for yourself. Provided with money, of course, but you will acquire an identity, a place of residence, and sustenance all on your own."

"Where?"

"That is something for you to figure out, no one will know where you will be. You will learn to not rely on this clan. Think of it as a temporary ban. You will have two years to think about your mistakes. Once those two years are up, the money will stop, and if you do not return, we could only assume you are dead or forthwith your claim as my son and leader of this clan."

He heard his father's powerful words and knew this would be the last and only time to seek his favor.

"When am I due to leave?"

"Now!" he said flatly tossing him a card he assumed were funds, the older man disregarding his son's surprised look as he left him there to contemplate what to do next.

Isshin stood up once his father dismissed himself, and the other members began to leave the room. Gildrey stood beside Isshin as he tilted his head to the side.

"Why even bother trying to prove to your father that you can take this role? Just be a man and die instead of the spineless bitch that you are," he chuckled seeing the hateful look the younger man gave him.

Gildrey felt a great pain hit him in the balls and then a hit on the side of his head. The huge man fell to his side, trying to use his hands to protect himself between his legs. Isshin bent over the man as he glanced at the bigger man who shook in fear.

"When I come back, you better get all the kid fucking out of your system because I won't tolerate that shit. I will castrate you, so you don't fuck anything again," he glared at the man, "Maybe I should save myself the trouble and do that shit now?" He made to reach between the bigger man's legs when he screamed out.

"NO, NO! I apologize, I won't do it again," he cried out. Isshin patted the man's shoulder as he twitched in fear.

"Glad we had this little chat, Gildrey," he left the older man in his father's throne room as he continued to nurse the pain between his legs.

x

Isshin rode the train miles and miles away from his old life. He had ridden the train on several missions to gather intel on his targets or for entertainment. He never stayed for more than a week at least; now, he was leaving the only home he knew his whole life for two years this time. He decided to take the train down to Hamamatsu and determine where he would establish his new home.

"Maisaka Beach! I can't wait to get a bit of a tan. I'm just afraid that I'll burn my perfect fair complexion since it's been ages since it's seen the sun. Oh, but it will be so worth it to peek at the glorious abs of the hunky men at the beach."

Isshin couldn't help but shake his head at the conversation, typical teenage girl.

"Please, Kanan, you're too loud, and everyone will hear. They'll think you're a loose girl."

"For drooling over men, jeez, Shiho. Is that what your mother told you? She probably also said you'd get pregnant if you kissed a man too."

There was a slight gasp from the girl named Shiho as the other girl, Kanan laughed at her friend's embarrassment. Isshin peeked behind him to see a pretty blonde and a black haired timid girl beside her, he assumed was Shiho.

"Shiho is right, you're obnoxiously loud," Isshin's ears perked up to hear a beautiful voice, but she was so close to the window he couldn't see the face of the girl who was talking.

"Of course, you would defend her."

"Kanan, I'm just stating a fact. Do you want everyone to hear how desperate you sound?" He could see the blonde's features pout and redden with embarrassment.

"You're able to say that because you already have the perfect fiancee, waiting for you at Karakura," there was silence before the unknown girl spoke.

"Yeah, lucky me," the girl stated, sounding more morbid than excited at the prospect of having a fiancee.

"Oh, don't make that face Masaki. He's smart, rich, and gorgeous. There are so many girls who'd kill to be in your shoes, including me," she rolled her eyes as the black haired girl looked downcast.

"D ... Do you think Kanae will sit with us this year?"

The blonde glanced at the black-headed girl with a look of irritation.

"You know she's not."

"Can you blame her?" the voice of Masaki stated softly as the blonde looked a bit guilty for her words.

"I'm sorry, Masaki ... I miss her too but...,"

"Excuse me, I just need to use the restroom," she interrupted her friend to stand, and Isshin could only glance at a girl with light brown hair in a short bob that reached her neck. She was beautiful even with her features in a determined scowl. When she left, the black haired girl looked at her friend sternly.

"I said I was sorry," she did look apologetic as she held her fingers tightly.

"You know this arranged marriage is a sore subject for her. Kanae and Ryuken are both her best friends. It broke her heart when she's forced to marry Ryuken when he belonged with Kanae."

"I know!"

When Masaki returned, the girl's never brought up the subject again, just speaking about what they were planning on eating there. Masaki seemed to remain silent, just glancing out the window whenever Isshin tried to get a glimpse of her. Isshin decided to gather his things and follow the girl's he had enough money to last five lifetimes so he could afford another ticket.

Masaki seemed to change her demeanor and not let the conversation earlier ruin her day as she smiled at her friends as they made their way to the beach. Isshin stood a distance away, consuming a few snacks as the girl's revealed their bathing suits under their clothing. Isshin was used to older women flaunting their bodies, and he indulged himself in bedding a few that were willing.

Kanan had been the one well endowed compared to the other girl's, but Masaki's form seemed perfect, it was the way she held herself. She was not as shy but innocent in her mannerisms as she blushed and timidly dismissed the boys who tried to speak to her. Her blonde friend, Kanan, had no problem talking to the boys as she smiled and flipped her hair. Shiho seemed to get attention from some of the boy's liking her shy demeanor.

He decided to buy a bathing suit himself, a towel, and a book in hand to have a little fun. He set the sheet in front of them, giving enough space but still close enough to hear. Not looking at them once, but noticing the boys had stopped surrounding them to play soccer. He removed his shirt and left his black trunks on as he sat to read his book.

"I think I'm going to die from heat and it's not from the sun," he heard Kanan moan out. "Did you see how many muscles he has? Sculpted like a fucking Greek god!" Isshin tried to contain his smile, and he had to admit he prided himself on working out to get to the shape he was currently.

"Kanan, you're loud again. He'll hear you," Shiho whispered.

"Come on, admit it," she asked her friend's. Isshin wasted no time getting up to stretch his arms as he made his way to its waters to take a quick swim and make his way back, he could see the opened mouths of all three girls from his peripheral vision as he grabbed his second towel to dry himself.

"I wish I were that towel," Kanan groaned out loud.

"Kanan!" he heard Masaki yell, it was then he looked at her to find her beautiful brown eyes glance at him and then turn away embarrassed. He noticed she was even more impressive as she blushed and bit her lip.

Masaki wanted to be swallowed up by a deep dark hole. Leave it to her friend to be extremely loud in her comments to this guy in front of her. But it was her loud mouth that got his attention. His dark eyes caused her to pause to appreciate the attractive features on him. He was incredibly sexy with his spiky dark hair, slightly tanned complexion, and sculpted body. Her friend was right; he was carved in perfection.

"What's your name, handsome?" she heard her friend, flippantly ask. She peeked a bit to watch him glance around with a silly expression as he pointed to himself.

"Me?"

"I don't see any other handsome guy in front of me," the blonde forwardly asked him as he grinned, causing all three girl's heart to stop. He looked next to him to point at the burnt man with a gut lying on the ground asleep.

"Should I wake this guy up?"

Masaki couldn't contain her laughter as her friend started to giggle.

"You're funny too. So what's your name?" she insisted again.

"It depends," he said.

"Depends?"

"Well you see my mommy and daddy always told me to never talk to strangers," he jested, eyeing the blond headed girl who cocked her brow and smiled.

"In that case, my name is Kanan Shimizu," she elbowed the black haired girl.

"S...Shiho Kobayashi," she nervously said, her pink cheeks turning extremely red. His eyes glanced at Masaki as she eyed her blonde friend then glanced at him.

"Masaki Nagasawa," she said.

"So now that you know our names, you can tell us yours," Kanan playfully said as he nodded. He played it safe, choosing not to give his actual last name. He remembered reading when he was younger, a cool comic hero with a black cape, named Tetsuji Kurosaki. "Isshin Kurosaki."

"You from around here, Isshin?" she asked as she beckoned for him to come closer. He obliged as he moved his stuff closer to them.

"No, originally from Nagasaki," he lied, but he knew enough of the city in case anyone else questioned him in full detail, perks of traveling around Japan.

"Where are you heading to?" this time the words came from Masaki, who studied him.

"Not entirely sure," he looked distraught as the girl's looked puzzled. "I'm currently just living off my parent's wealth," he chuckled as he shrugged his shoulders. "Just having a bit of fun before I'm obligated to live at a shit hole town, which is currently my next stop," he sighed, looking peeved.

"Which town?"

"Karakura, never even heard of it," he laughed as he turned to see their frowning faces as his eyes widen. "I hope that's not where you guys are from?"

"Yes, it is," Shiho finally stated, nervously grabbing the towel she sat on.

"Talk about putting your foot in your mouth. I guess I can't ask you to forget I even mentioned it being a shit hole?" he gave a boyish grin, scratching the back of his head.

"We can excuse the shit hole comment since you've never even seen Karakura," the blonde seemed all too forgiving as Masaki continued to eye him.

"I apologize, I guess my anger stems from my father uprooting me from a place I've known all my life and then literally placing me in an unknown place. He believes I need to prove myself. All he did was buy me a ticket and notify him when I get there. I don't even know what school I'm going to, my last year and couldn't even spend it with my friends. My dad can be such an asshole," he shook his head glancing at the sea.

"Well, since you come from a rich family like us, you're probably going to end up in Karakura's Shintou Academy. All the rich elite go there. If you're exceptional you'll be in the Shintou's highly gifted classes like Masaki here," she patted her friend who looked embarrassed. Isshin quirked a brow, 'she's also smart' he mused.

"I hate to be a buzzkill, but I really should be heading to the train station. I need to get situated in Karakura," he told them with a sigh; and 'Find someone who could forge documents for an Isshin Kurosaki who goes to Shintou Academy' he thought as he bowed at the three females who redden while he collected his things.

"I guess maybe we'll be seeing you then, handsome," Kanan winked at him as she prettily smiled.

"It was nice meeting you," Shiho explained as she bowed so low, hiding her redden features.

"Yeah, nice to meet you, Kurosaki-kun," Masaki blushed at him when he smiled at her before he nodded at each of them.

x

Wasn't a shit-hole town, it was frankly the opposite, very suburban and it seemed to have people who either kept to themselves or were overly friendly. He found someone, through whispers from the underground, that a Urahara shop did illegal documents.

He entered the quaint candy shop to find a tall, tanned man cleaning the supplies off the shelf.

"Can I help you?" he asked as Isshin nodded.

"I require re-establishing myself," he said, picking up a few candies that seemed to be imported from England while others from America. The taller man asked no further questions as he beckoned him to follow him to the back of the store. He found another man wearing a hat and clogs, dark green kimono, and a green and white hat on his dirty blonde hair. He glanced up as the taller man whispered into his ear as he beckoned for Isshin to have a seat.

"So what's a young man like you in need of an identity?" he asked as he looked through his papers he was reading earlier.

"A girl," he grinned as the older man chuckled.

"Some girl, do you mind me asking who that might be?"

"I'm not sure if I want a creepy old man knowing the name of this girl," he tilted his head to the side, studying the man as he smiled.

"Humourous kid, aren't you?"

"I've been told that."

"Do you have a name you want to change it to?"

"Isshin Kurosaki from Nagasaki, finishing his last year at Shintou Academy."

"My that's a tall order, it will cost you." the blonde scrutinized the young man as he tossed a couple of rolls of bills onto the table.

"Don't worry; I have the funds."

"Even if I establish you as a student, you still need to take a few tests to determine the level you'd be placed in. You may seem competent, but how am I sure you don't have the reading comprehension of a six-year-old?"

"I understand you don't want people questioning your work. I'll be able to pass the testing and probably pass the reading comprehension of an 11-year-old," he jested, causing the man across the table to grin.

After Isshin did the standardized testing for any Japanese high school student, Urahara Kiskuke saw that the young man could easily make it into gifted courses, possibly top three in his class.

"Where did you receive your education," he asked him curiously.

"I received home school education," he wasn't lying, most of his tutor's taught him at home, and there was no shortage of books in the clan's library, especially when the members stole from those they killed.

He waited for a few hours before Urahara gave him his finished work. A new passport, identification card, and other doctored medical information that needed tweaking. He also provided him with a new condo and a fake father who established his fortune in being a silent partner in stock in several pork companies, including wild boar — satisfied with the information, he gave another stack of bills onto the table.

"Possibly for future business?" he watched the blonde man take the stack and nod his head, giving him a smile before drinking from his tea.

Isshin left the candy shop. To make sure the members of his clan weren't trying to figure out where he was, he made sure to remove a large amount of cash before his train ride. If he needed more funds in the future, he'd make sure he was miles away from Karakaura.

Isshin bought a car before he drove to his condo. After making several calls to receive immediate delivery on furniture. He entered his current home, sitting on his leather couch, and sighed. Tomorrow was a big day, and he wasn't sure if he wanted to keep to himself or more of a social butterfly, he decided to be a bit of both.

He studied the functions of how academies and public schools worked. It seemed that what he learned was accurate, glancing around at the students filing into the school as he removed his shoes to place them in his boxed cubicle — walking down the hall to the main office to receive his class itinerary. He spoke to the headmaster, giving the man his most proper etiquette as he bowed to him respectfully. The grey-haired man found that his scores were indeed impeccable stating he would indeed be with their third-year gifted class. He thanked the man as he expressed to Isshin that he was 'hilarious and a bright young man.'

The halls were empty as he made it to his classroom to find his teacher, who was a creepy, rounded man with a bald head. He was extremely pale, and his clothes seemed to be abnormally weird like he shopped at a circus. He seemed to have an already peeved look for being interrupted as he walked in. The teacher snatched the paper from the younger man's hand and skimmed it with his eyes, scanning him with disgust as he glanced at his spiky hair.

"What is a delinquent like you doing in my classroom?"

"Excuse me?" he frowned at the bald man.

"And rude... you will address me as Mr. Kurotsuchi," he retorted, showing his teeth as he smiled. Isshin tried to see if the man had any lips. The older man crossed his arms, waiting.

"I apologize, Mr. Kurotsuchi. It's just that I don't understand your assessment in calling me a delinquent? Am I in the wrong class? Is this not the Gifted third-year class?"

"Yes! Now hurry and introduce yourself so I can assign a seat for you," the round man turned to sit at his desk, tapping his pen impatiently as Isshin cleared his throat and bowed to the class.

"My name is Isshin Kurosaki. I'm from Nagasaki; I had to rethink my wardrobe when I came here, with its perfect temperature. I'm so used to hot conditions, mainly in shorts and a tank but I believe that is not school appropriate," he only received laughter from a curly-haired man in the corner who looked to be barely awake.

Mr. Kurotsuchi coughed loudly and tapped his watch for him to hurry it along. "I enjoy sparring and long walks on the beach."

"I think that is enough, Mr. Kurosaki. You will sit next to Kanae Katagiri," his mind perked up with the name, but he didn't show it in his expressions. "Ms. Katagiri, could you please stand up so Mr. Kurosaki could see you." Isshin saw a beautiful girl with black hair tied up in an intricately styled bun as she bowed to him. "It's nice to meet you, Kurosaki," she expressed. He nodded and quickly scanned her, appreciating her assets. "Likewise, Katagiri." He sat down beside her as she pushed her book between him.

"Mr. Kurotsuchi will give you a book after class; he doesn't like to be interrupted. For now, we can share," she whispered as he nodded in understanding.

"He seems like a fucking prick," he whispered, causing the girl beside him to widen her eyes.

"What was that, Mr. Kurosaki?" his teacher turned to eye him.

"I asked if there was a certain trick?"

"A trick to what, Mr. Kurosaki?"

"A trick to how she gets her bun to be so intricate," he told his teacher seriously as the older man gave him a look as he crossed his arms.

"I'd appreciate it if you could leave salon talk till after my lecture," he yelled, as he turned to resume his notes on the board. Isshin couldn't help but grin as he glanced at the book and took notes. He looked up to find Katagiri blush for a bit, but instantly looked away when she caught him staring at her. He looked around the class to see that Masaki was nowhere in sight. 'She did look a bit young, probably in the second year' he thought as he looked at the students to find blue eyes staring at him and then glancing at the board. He had short grey hair and wore expensive frames, while his suit looked finely ironed, and blue cufflinks adorned his cuffs.

"Since I seem to be boring you, Mr. Kurosaki. Do you mind answering the question on the board?" his teacher shouted out as Isshin looked at the board and nodded. He took the marker from the upset man and began to answer the problematic math question on the board with ease. He handed the pen back to the man and bowed with a grin. He went back to his seat to sit back down. The rest of the day went uninterrupted if you didn't count his teacher throwing a fit when he answered every question he threw at him. The teacher seemed to be on his ass. He wondered if it was because he was a new student and was seeing if he was up to date with everything?

It was lunchtime as he ran out of the room, ignoring his teacher's shouts to speak with him.

He walked with his bento box as he heard his name called, "Isshin!" he turned to find Kanan yelling and waving at him, with Shiho and Masaki beside her. He smiled and sat across from the lovely ladies.

"So how's this shithole treating you?" the blonde quipped as he couldn't help the chuckle that came out of his mouth.

"I can't complain. I find that Karakura is quite a delightful shithole that warms the heart," he received giggles from all three of them as he began to put his tray down.

"Oh, that looks good. Your servants must love you," Kanan giggled as Isshin looked at her curiously.

"Servants?"

"Did you buy it at the store, pre-made?"

"No, I bought the items at the market and cooked them myself," he revealed, eating from his tray.

"Your kidding, right?"

"No! Why?" he asked, staring at the three girls.

"Kanan, can't believe a guy like you could cook for himself," Shiho explained.

"Oh, my mother taught me when I was little, and then my servants taught me different culinary cuisine."

"Why didn't she continue teaching you, did you exceed her in cooking?" the blonde asked as he poked at his food.

"She died when I was six."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," the blonde girl bit her lip as she stared at her food.

"It's okay! You weren't aware of it," he happily ate his food as if it hadn't fazed him. Wanting to change the subject, he spoke, "So are you, second-year students?"

They all nodded in agreement as he smiled at them. "So made any friends?" Masaki finally spoke as he looked at her for a moment before he answered.

"My teacher hates my guts, but at least he sat me next to a sweet girl, Kanae Katagiri. Not sure if she thinks of me as a friend yet," he waited for the collective gasp from the girl's who sat across from him as he feigned ignorance.

"So Mr. Kurotsuchi is your teacher?" Masaki asked him curiously as she shoved a piece of pork into her mouth, causing her to look like a chipmunk. He chuckled a bit as he nodded.

"He's an irritated asshole. He continues to get pissed when he asks me a question I answer correctly," he shook his head as he ate from his box.

"You must be brilliant if you can answer his questions?" Shiho asked him as he perked up from his food and shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, I didn't realize the questions were supposed to be hard."

"They get harder over time, he's starting you off with the easy questions first," the curly haired man from his class sat beside Isshin as he glanced at the man curiously.

"Jeez, Shunsui. Do you mind, we were having a conversation with him," Kanan crossed her arms, eyeing the curly haired man as he grinned at her.

"Oh, Kanan! I didn't realize you were here. If I had known I would have acquired something appropriate for this occasion, possibly a diamond ring?" he stated out loud as she glared at him.

"You'll say anything to get these panties to drop," she scolded him.

"Did it work?" he asked her as she threw her glass of water onto his face.

"I can't believe how gross you are," she said as she blushed and avoided his stare.

"Well, Isshin, I have to meet my best friend. I heard you like sparring, my friend Jushiro Ukitake and I are in a kendo club if you're interested," he whipped his wet face with a towel as he winked at Kanan before leaving the table to find his friend.

"That man is insufferable," she stabbed her food as she growled.

"You like him, Kanan," Masaki chuckled.

"No, I don't! He screws everything that has a hole between its legs," she bit the inside of her cheek as she fumed, eyeing the curly haired man who was speaking to a long grey haired student, that he remembered in class.

" Sounds like someone is jealous that's it's not her hole," Masaki whispered, but instantly forgot that Isshin was in front of her as she blushed.

"How dare you say those things. Shunshui chose to screw that bitch instead of..." she paused as she glanced at a smiling Isshin.

"were you going to say 'instead of that grapefruit'?" he asked the girl seriously as she couldn't help but laugh.

They ate their lunch and continued to talk about stuff for him to look forward to. Shiho and Kanan left to head to their classroom as Masaki paused to glance at him.

"Mr. Kurotuchi has a daughter as well in the classroom. Her name is Nemu Kurotsuchi; she's short with blue eyes and dark hair that is braided. She's known to tell her father everything," he remembered seeing someone of that description.

"Are you afraid my big mouth will get me in trouble?"

"Sort of," she shot back as she blushed. "I'll see you later, Kurosaki-kun." She made to leave as she abruptly stopped, almost running into someone.

"Oh, Ryu! You scared me- I almost ran into you," she smiled nervously as the short white-haired man with the expensive spectacles glanced at her and then at Isshin.

"Sorry, Masaki! I didn't realize you knew Kurosaki," he asked as he glanced at him with a distrustful look. Isshin stood there with a massive grin on his face.

"We recently met each other at the beach with Kanan and Shiho."

"Hmm! Funny- and he just followed you here?" Isshin couldn't help but feel how accurate Ryu's observation had been.

"You caught me. I found three lovely ladies so enchanting I just had to come up with this elaborate plan to follow them home and find out what school they went to," he sarcastically said as Masaki laughed out loud and covered her chuckles when she saw the way Ryuken seemed peeved.

"I guess it does sound a little absurd," he said through gritted teeth as he glanced at Masaki.

"I'll see you home then," she told him as she waved back at Isshin with a smile.

Isshin looked at the disappearing form of the short-haired beauty, not caring that the other man was staring at him. He glanced at Ryuken and bowed in apology.

"I'm sorry, that seemed rather rude. I didn't mean to stare at your sister like that," he patted his shoulder as he shrugged his hand away.

"Th name is Ryuken Ishida. I'm afraid that she's not my sister but my fiancee," he said as he eyed him and made to leave.

"Forgive me! Usually, couples show some affection towards each other when they say goodbye," he grinned at the white-haired man who paused in his steps and then continued to walk into class. He didn't realize this would be so much fun, yes he was her fiancee, but that didn't stop him from sleeping with unavailable women. Except Masaki was a bit different, he'd have to figure out something else for her to gravitate towards him. Although, she seemed to do that on her own.

When he entered the classroom, he found an upset teacher, glaring at him and asking that he stay after class for completely ignoring his calls earlier.

He found Nemu sitting beside the long-haired man that Shunsui stated was Jushiro. He glanced at her beautiful features and well-endowed chest and hips in her small frame. He was wondering how the hell a man like Mr. Kurotuchi had a daughter like her?

"He doesn't appreciate when men stare at his daughter," he heard Kanae whisper to him as he glanced in her direction. He continued to stare at her as she blushed profusely. "Why are you staring at me?"

"I appreciate beauty," he grinned, causing the timid girl to redden.

"Well, thank you for the compliment, but I appreciate it if you could stare at your book instead," she whispered her demand as he listened and looked down at the desk.

"Sorry! Is it because I might piss off your boyfriend?" he stated as she glanced at him.

"I don't ... have a boyfriend," she said, and he couldn't help but smile at the pause in her answer.

"A pretty girl like you, with no boyfriend that's a bit odd. Your father, the stern type?"

"No! Would you please change the subject."

"Okay! Would you like to get to know each other? Know of any cafes around here?" he watched as her eyes looked behind her and he already knew who she was staring at as she glanced back at Isshin.

"As friends?" she asked him while he nodded.

"Of course, unless you want to jump the gun and call me sweetheart," he winked as she glared at him.

"Kurosaki! I will only be friends, AND I strongly want to express that it will be nothing more than that," she sternly told him as he nodded respecting her wishes.

"Tonight?"

"O...Okay, there's a small cafe called Sweet Sentiment. I can meet you there at 6?"

"Sweet! I'll be there," he saw her blush and went back to working on her notes.

x

After class, he spent an hour listening to his teacher drivel on and on about the importance of paying attention. He nodded and apologized to the man at his behavior as he internally told him to 'go fuck himself' as he watched his daughter at his peripheral view. She bent to straighten out the desk in the room. Then he thought of the petite dark-haired girl bending in front of him as her father went on and on until he told him he'd see him tomorrow. He made his way to his shoe cubicle as he saw the familiar outline of Ryuken.

"So what do I owe the honor of having you grace my presence, Ryuken?" he smiled as he switched his shoes.

"Is there a reason you were whispering to Kanae?"

"Why is it your business? Aren't you getting married?" he chuckled, watching the other man grit his teeth.

"She's someone I care about, and I don't need someone like you, hurting her," he stepped closer to him as Isshin grinned.

"Someone like me? We're only friends Ryuken. Besides she's a big girl, I think she'll be able to handle me," his smile widened, as Ryuken growled at the man's blatant taunt.

"Ryu?" they heard the voice of Masaki as she timidly glanced at both of them. "Kurosaki-kun?"

"Masaki!" Ryuken seemed to be aware of her presence as he stepped away from Isshin.

"Ms. Nagasawa! What brings you here?" he smiled at her, causing her to blush as she glanced at Ryu.

"I was waiting on Ryu, and I didn't realize you were here too," she said, biting her lip. "What were you guys talking about?"

"I'm taking the lovely Ms. Katagiri to a cafe tonight. Ryu wanted to make sure I treated her with respect."

He watched as the short-haired girl's face fell in disappointment. Her lip protruded out to pout, and he was tempted to bite that lip.

"Oh, he did," she glanced at Ryuken who looked away, avoiding her stare.

"Let's go, Masaki," he told her as she followed behind as he headed to a car, opening the door for her as she entered. Ryuken glanced at Isshin as the spiky-haired man waved at the man back as he swiftly entered the vehicle with a loud slam.

'He's pissed! Serves the nosy fucker,' Isshin thought to himself, chuckling.

Masaki looked out the window of the limo, thinking of the dark-haired man and the way he looked coming out of the water. She covered her smile and the embarrassing red tone that was developing. She looked up to find Ryuken staring at her and then proceeded to glance at the window sternly.

"What else do you know about this man, Isshin Kurosaki?" he asked, her eyes widen wondering if he could read minds, she knew that was impossible as her mind wandered to the possibilities if he did. "Masaki?"

She apologized for not answering as she pondered on what to say, "Well... his mother died when he was six, and his father receives his wealth in the pork industry."

Ryuken glanced in her direction once more as he mulled it over. "Explains his pig-headed personality."

"I think he's kind and funny," she shot back in a soft-hearted tone as he studied her for a moment and leaned again still eyeing her.

"People are not always what they seem, Masaki. They also have secrets, and if you're not careful, you can get hurt," he lectured her as she looked away.

"I know that Ryu, but I can't be harsh and unfriendly either. That's not the kind of person I am."

"You'll have to consider who you associate yourself with; any bad PR is not good for the family."

"So do I have to run all my friends by you or your mother first?" she frowned and instantly felt guilty, she didn't mean for it to come out that rude. "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize, I know it's hard, but you'll get used to it," he expressed to her, and she knew what he meant growing up with him. How much stress he went through to impress or not disappoint his parents. She didn't want to disappoint Ryu, he was always there for her, and his family was kind enough to provide a home for her when her parent's died. "You're right, Ryu!" she forced a smile that he could tell from knowing her as they both glanced out the window, remaining silent until they arrived home.

x

Isshin came to the cafe early to pick out a table. He waved, catching the attention of timid black haired beauty, who nodded and walked towards the table he procured for them. He noticed she wore a pretty dark purple dress and her hair was in a ponytail instead of a bun.

"For a moment there, I wasn't sure I was looking at the same woman when you walked in. You look lovely," he jested as he sat up. She smiled and sat down.

"You're rather handsome as well, and you almost look like a grown-up," she accused with a smile, glancing at his black suit and not tie with a nervous blush plastered onto her cheeks.

"I try but what's the fun in that?" he chuckled as she shook her head. The waitress came with a smile and red cheeks as she wrote down their order, while Isshin flirted with her as she stuttered and left.

"So, Kurosaki. Why did you insist on a meeting, other than to flirt with our waitress?" she asked, as they waited for their drinks and pastry treats.

"Flirting? I'm kind to the lovely girl," he pouted, when the woman in front of him raised a brow, "I invited you because I'm new here and been nothing but nice. What's wrong in making a new friend?"

"I heard you've made friends with Kanan, Masaki, and Shiho, also?"

"True! One is a little afraid of her own shadow as the other seems a bit too friendly like she wants to jump my bones."

"And Masaki?" she asked, already picking up on who he was describing without having to say their names.

"She's friendly, but I'm not sure it's appropriate to be alone with someone who has a fiancee. Speaking of which, he's a bit of an uptight prick. I get him not wanting me near Masaki, but what's his deal on being overly possessive with you?" he asked her, feigning ignorance as he watched her tense a bit and looked the other way.

"W... We used to see each other before he became engaged."

"So if he's moved on to someone else, then I don't see why he still needs to be the overprotective boyfriend," he laughed as Kanae smiled a bit while shrugging her shoulders.

"It's an arranged marriage," she said softly, just then the waitress placed their items onto the table as Isshin gave her a wink that instantly caused their waitress to bow and leave nervously.

"I see. I'm not sure who I should feel sorry for; I mean you just dodged a bullet, and yet Masaki has to be tied, for the rest of her life with that pompous asshole."

"Could we please talk about something else?" she flatly expressed, while drinking from her warm teacup.

Isshin nodded, and the subject instantly changed. They continued to enjoy each others company, not romantically, just as friends. Kanae felt comfortable around this man who was once a stranger, especially since his intentions weren't trying to create a relationship. She wasn't mentally ready for someone else; the engagement announced just last year. The wound was still fresh; it was too soon. Isshin enjoyed speaking to the timid girl who carried herself with elegant grace. He drove her home as they both enjoyed their time together. She expressed that she enjoyed herself and thanked Isshin while she entered her home. Honestly, he invited her out of selfish reasons, to get more information in regards to Masaki and to upset that privileged asshole, Ryuken. He was surprised that he enjoyed himself. He had caused the black haired girl's happiness with the casual night, and he wasn't sure what to make of it.

x

"So how was your date with Kanae?" Masaki asked Isshin, breaking him out of his thoughts while they ate their lunch. He found the girls outside, hidden behind the auditorium building, near a big tree. They weren't upset at being discovered as they welcomed the black haired man to their group.

"Date?" Kanan asked, surprised at the new information.

"It wasn't like that, more like a friendly outing," he smiled as he saw Masaki's expressively nod but her facial expression seemed a bit irritated.

"I'm sure it was a friendly outing," Kanan rolled her eyes, saying her comment sarcastically.

"Honestly, it was nothing more than that," Isshin tried to convey to the girls.

"What was nothing more?" they heard a familiar voice as Shunsui sat down uninvited next to Isshin. Jushiro following behind as he apologetically bowed in rudely disrupting their lunch with their unwanted presence.

"Seriously, Shunsui. I don't remember inviting you here," Kanan growled out as she chewed on her food eyeing the curly haired man.

"Kanan, that breaks my heart. You want Jushiro and I to go?" he mockingly pouted as Jushiro made to sit up as Kanan held out her hand to stop him.

"Jushiro, you're more than welcome to sit with us, just like Isshin. It's your best buddy here that I have a problem with," she cast her eyes at Shunsui who ate from his plate of food and grinning at her.

"So what was nothing more?" he asked Isshin, completely ignoring the loud sigh from the blonde headed girl.

"Isshin is stating that his date with Kanae was nothing more than just a friendly meeting," Shiho explained as she went back to eating.

"Oh, friendly meeting," Shunsui laughed as he patted Isshin on the back, "did this friendly meeting end with her splayed out on your bed?" he boldly asked.

"Not everyone is a horndog like you, Shunsui," Kanan shot back.

"Didn't you just imply that Isshin-"

"I know what I said earlier, Shiho," she yelled out, avoiding the grin from the curly haired man.

"Well, like I said before it was strictly platonic. To answer your question, Masaki. Our friendly meeting went rather well, and she's sweet and comfortable to talk to."

"Knowing how gorgeous Kanae is. I'm assuming she's not your type?" Kanan seductively asked as Isshin nodded.

"You can say that," he said, chewing on his food.

"So you have a type, then?" the blonde grinned, leaning closer to hear the man.

"Yes," he stated, giving nothing more, as he glanced over to Masaki who looked at him and couldn't help but blush. Internally she was wondering if he intentionally looked her way on purpose. But as he continued to eat his food, she felt herself become increasingly disappointed, wondering if she was paranoid.

"Everyone has a type," Kanan pointed out trying to get him to open up more, seeing that he wasn't more specific.

"What's your type, Kanan?" Shunsui asked her as she glanced over to the man, annoyed at being interrupted.

"Why are you interested, Shunsui? Do you have a strong, ruggedly handsome, smart, and rich man you want to introduce me to?" she smiled as she watched him study her features.

"Come now, Kanan. Why look elsewhere when you have all those qualities right in front of you," he shot back.

"Isshin and Jushiro?" she sweetly asked, she grinned seeing Shunsui's features frown a bit before he smiled.

"Isshin is too enamored with Kanae," Shunsui ignored Isshin's loud sigh before continuing, " and Jushiro's heart belongs to Kiyoko."

"Now Shunsui, would you stop saying that. You know as well as anyone she's currently abroad for many years and when she returns-"

"You'll declare your love to her," Shunsui shouted.

"Master Genrai will marry her off to someone better than me," Jushiro said, avoiding everyone else's stares.

"If you truly feel that way about her, Jushiro, maybe you should tell her. Even if she's arranged to be married to someone else, wouldn't you want her to know how you felt instead of keeping it from her?"

Jushiro glanced at Masaki and understood how the young girl felt, with her being in a similar situation.

"You're correct, Masaki. I promise to let my feelings be known even if not returned," he smiled as Masaki gave one as well.

"She'd be silly not to return your feelings Jushiro. Who could deny such a kind and handsome man," she grasped the man's hands as she giggled.

"Now Masaki, don't let Ryuken hear you say those words. He's prone to become a jealous ass instead of an arrogant jerk, we all come to love," Shunsui said drinking from his cup filled with water.

"You're a little obtuse with your observation of Ryu, he's not any of those things, Shunsui. He's very kind, respectful, and a loyal gentleman," Masaki expressed, trying to defend her best friend.

"Is that what blind love looks like?" the curly haired man jested, getting a glare from the brown-haired girl.

"Lay off Masaki, Shunsui. Ryu may be an ass, but he's not with her," Kanan stated, instantly regretting her comment as she glanced at her friend. "Sorry that came out wrong."

"It's alright! I know he can be a little standoffish and blunt with his comments, but he's charming."

"I'll take your word for it," Kanan said sarcastically as Masaki stook out her tongue.

They always had these awkward lunches, but Isshin found it enlighting, he was getting used to having these social interactions with friends. He never had a friend before, and he couldn't say the men and women who were in the Shiba clan were considered friends. He caught himself a few times, staring at the brown-haired girl and her doing the same. They were never alone, always having people around them.

Isshin also decided to take Shunsui's offer in the kendo club; he admitted never taking kendo before. He found most of the students lacking in their stance in holding a sword. The only ones that had any form were Shunsui and Jushiro. He couldn't help but not take this too seriously as he pretended not to know what he was doing. If he wasn't in kendo, he was with Masaki and her friends, and with Kanae at the library. Deep down, he knew this wouldn't last, but whenever he came back from classes and lay in bed at night, he only thought of what tomorrow would bring, completely ignoring anything else.

x

Masaki sat near her soon to be mother-in-law, Harumi Ishida, along with Kanae Katagiri. Her mother insisted on having a girl day, on catching up on old times. Masaki wasn't sure if the woman feigned ignorance or she didn't seem to care, she thought the latter. She could tell that Kanae felt slightly uncomfortable being around them and Masaki felt instant guilt for letting their friendship deteriorate to this.

"Still second in your class, Kanae?"

The young black haired girl shook her head to the short black haired older woman as she smiled at the younger girl. "Unfortunately, I no longer hold that title, Ryuken still holds first, but my friend, Isshin Kurosaki holds second now."

She watched the women's features look a bit disappointed, then shrugged them away as she held the girl's hand. "It's quite alright. I know you're a brilliant girl. This Kurosaki boy is a friend, you say?" the older woman's eyes scanned the black haired girl who nodded, noticing the older woman's upset expression.

"Yes, Ishida-san! He's new to Shonjuo Academy this year."

"I've heard rumors of a new young man in Karakura. Friends have also stated he's strikingly handsome. Are you two-"

"No!" Kanae yelled, making her point across, instantly reddened from embarrassment as Masaki couldn't help but look down at her plate.

"Come now, Kanae! I know the wound is still fresh in your heart, but you mustn't dwell in the past. A beautiful girl like you, I'm sure the young man is head over heels over you," she continued to embarrass the girl with flattery further, that Masaki couldn't help but roll her eyes at the sickening display. Harumi saw the girl's irritating demeanor and couldn't help but feel annoyed herself. "I truly believe you deserve happiness, Kanae! The only happiness I look forward to is future grandchildren, and even then, I'm afraid of how their hair would be. I would have loved to have grandchildren with hair as beautiful and black as yours."

Masaki's eyes widen at Harumi's comment as the woman stared at her and looked down at her plate. "Oh, if you girls would excuse me, I need to use the restroom." The older woman was off and left the two girls to entertain themselves by staring at their half-eaten plates.

"Masaki, I'm sorry for being here-"

"You don't have to apologize, Kanae. With you being here, her comments aren't as filtered when it's only us two."

That comment instantly made the black haired girl feel sickened at what the older woman could say that was worse than what she previously announced to the sweet brown haired girl.

"Isshin never mentioned he was second in his class," Kanae looked up to see the smile on the younger girl's features as her cheeks started to redden.

"He seems never to pay attention in class almost like he's bored, but he always does quite well," she chuckled, causing the girl in front of her to laugh as well.

"Harumi is right, you know. M-Maybe you should umm- ask Isshin for a relationship?" it took everything Masaki had to finish that sentence.

"No, he's a good friend, and I can't see myself with someone like him."

Masaki felt relief in her words and a hint of jealousy that Kanae had the option of having that choice, to pursue Isshin if she wanted to.

"I guess his sense of humor is a bit irritating to you?" she laughed as the black haired girl grinned and nodded. She glanced at Masaki seeing the pink tinge to her cheeks as she played with her food. "He's also mysterious, carrying some deep pain within himself. Maybe being silly is a form of healing or to cope with something?" she said out loud as Kanae studied her.

"Masaki, maybe you shouldn't even associate yourself with him, especially when you're attracted to him," she whispered, glancing around, making sure Harumi was not near them.

"What?" Masaki looked taken aback, "I... I'm not attracted to him. He's just a friend." she sputtered her words, as she refused to look at her old friend.

"Please, Masaki! Be smart about this; you don't want to hurt Ryu," she stated as the younger girl looked at her and nodded.

They continued to speak to each other about other things, as Harumi came back, deciding to eat desserts. The older woman didn't hesitate to give Masaki her opinion about how a young lady shouldn't indulge in so many sweets and become an obese whale — insisting that the younger girl takes some notes on Kanae's slim figure. She invited Kanae to join them in the limo so she could drop the girl home. Masaki opted to walk back, and Harumi seemed to be delighted at the prospect of talking with the older girl alone. She waved to Kanae and received nothing from her future mother-in-law except a slight sneer as she watched the vehicle drive off.

The sun had begun to set as the night sky covered 80% of its canvas; there were still hints of orange and slight reds peeking through.

She made it to the bridge, glancing down at the river that flowed steadily down the rocks as she thought about today.

Harumi never hid her dislike about the whole arrangement between Ryu and her, when she was younger, she never received such comments or animosity. Harumi loved Kanae and never hid her remarks about the wedding she always dreamed about for her son. Her dream wedding turned to nightmares when her husband declared that Ryu would marry Masaki. Her heartbreak of the announcement slowly turned to hate towards the young girl. She held no ill will towards the older woman, and she just wasn't sure if she was strong enough to handle this whole arrangement. The tears started to fall and felt ashamed for crying about her future. Others had it worse, didn't they? Her thoughts brought her to the dark-haired man, who constantly plagued her dreams. She wondered how his lips would feel on hers and blushed at the fact that it'd be her first kiss. Then it strayed to how it would feel if he gave her other first things. The guilt made her feel even worse at Kanae's words to her, as she couldn't stop crying. Ryu was doing everything within his powers to make sure she was okay, and here she was thinking of another man.

"Look, Masaki, I'm sure things aren't that bad that this can only be the solution to your problems?" the familiar voice that haunted her thoughts as she turned around with a surprised look.

"E..Excuse me?" she didn't understand what he was trying to convey to her as she looked at his worried features and then thought of the whole situation from his perspective.

She was crying, on a high bridge, and she couldn't help but laugh as he looked at her in confusion.

"I'm guessing your laughing is a good thing?" he expressed as he walked closer to her. She noticed he was wearing a black tank shirt and sweatpants; he had been working out. She avoided staring at the sheen of sweat, glistening from his body as she began to talk.

"I.. I know it must look like I was trying to end my life, but I assure you, I just came here to be alone," she smiled, wiping her tears from her face as he nodded.

"I apologize for interrupting you being alone. I'll see you in school then," Isshin hesitated for a moment as he made to run off.

"Wait!" she stopped him with her loud outburst and instantly reddened from embarrassment. "I think right now I can use some company if you don't mind?" she asked him as he gave a grin and nodded.

"Of course, it's not every day you get to save a beautiful girl from jumping off a bridge."

"I was not going to jump, Kurosaki-kun!" she pouted but couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips and realized how comfortable she felt around him. She wondered if Kanae felt the same way, whenever she was alone with him?

"So could I know what you were crying about unless of course, you don't want to."

She didn't want to talk about it, but his dark eyes made her feel like she could tell him anything. "I just came from dinner with my future mother-in-law and Kanae."

Isshin perked up at the name, "Kanae?"

"Yeah, my mother-in-law is not too thrilled about my arrangement with her son. So she lets me know of that fact every day, today has just been a little difficult," 'especially with you now in the equation,' she thought the last part to herself as they walked together.

"So how did you get in this situation in the first place?"

"My father was good friends with Soken Ishida, Ryu's father. I grew up with Ryu since we were very young he was like my older bro-" she closed her eyes as she sighed. "My father made a bad decision, leading him into losing a lot of money in stock. Soken helped his situation the best he could but my father being too proud to take any more money from his friend; leaving in pursuit of a promising endeavor with my mother. He never got the chance as the plane they were in, crashed and left me as a penniless orphan. In his best friends care, Soken decided to marry me to his son. Ryu accepted, more because he truly cares about me and not wanting to disappoint his father."

Isshin listened to her story as he now understood her predicament, "I guess every man feels the need not to want to disappoint their father," he conveyed, thinking of his father back home and how much he'd disapprove on the way he spent his time. He shrugged the thought away as he stared at the girl beside him, who had been staring at the stars.

"Rain," he heard her whisper as he looked up curiously, noticing no rain clouds in the sky.

"Doesn't look like it's going to rain."

"No. Sorry! I try to place myself in stories or legends. I was thinking of the Tanabata Story. I'm the rain in that story."

Isshin knew a little about the story of the star crossed lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi. He wondered what she meant. "How?"

"Well, the lovers could only meet once a year and cross the river walking over birds, but when it rains on that day, the lovers are fated not to reunite and wait another year to get their chance again. I'm the rain that prevents Ryu and Kanae from every being together," her words seemed to echo in her mind as she felt tears begin to slide down her cheek. "Doesn't help that I've been crying this entire time; you must think I'm such a pathetic mess."

"I thought you were crazy enough to harm yourself, but I don't see you as a pathetic mess," he chuckled, seeing her roll her eyes as she giggled.

"You think I'm crazy now?"

"Not 100%," he grinned as she furrowed her eyebrows downward, scowling at him. "Maybe 20%," he chuckled when she crossed her arms in a pout.

"I think you're 80 % crazy and 20% silly," she shot back, smiling proudly of herself. "If I'm 20% crazy, what would you say is the rest?"

He stopped to glance at her as she did the same, waiting for his answer. She couldn't help but feel her self-confidence deteriorate with his piercing stare as he looked into her eyes.

"Beautiful."

She let go of the breath that she was holding and only felt relief when he started to walk again.

"Have you ever been in love?" she whispered, seeing him look her way in a sideways glance.

"No," he lied, the only person he truly loved, was his mother, something he hid deep down for years. The conjuring thoughts began to flow as his features frowned as he decided to be honest with her. "Not romantically."

She was curious to know who this person he loved, but the haunting features paused her prying as she nodded.

"I've never truly been in love. I have those I love, like friends and family."

"Ryu?"

"As I said, I do love him but not in that way; maybe I could learn to."

Isshin felt a slight tinge of jealousy at hearing her words, for some reason. He sensed she probably had never even kissed someone and the thought of someone kissing those gorgeous plump lips, caused him to growl internally.

"I can't imagine learning to love my sister," he jested, the little jab caused his anger to subside but caused the girl's temper to rise instead.

"You're repeating silly things, especially being that Ryu and I are not even related."

"True, but you have to love someone who is like a brother. You do know you two have to have sex with one another, right?"

"Yes! What sort of a stupid question is that?" she reddened, stomping her foot in frustration. She didn't realize he was close to her before her body hit the wall behind her. He saw his eyes flash to her lips and felt his fingers push her strands behind her ear.

"It's not stupid when you think about it. Can you have him-," Masaki felt his fingers glide across her lips as she timidly licked them, "-touch you the way a man wants a woman?" She couldn't help but gasp when his other hand held her waist as he slowly leaned in. She closed her eyes, fearful and excited at the anticipation of feeling his lips on hers.

"I guess we have arrived, Masaki," she opened her eyes quickly after hearing his words, "Hello, Ryuken!" The name instantly caused her to straighten herself as she glanced at the spectacle wearing man who stood a few feet away, with a stoic expression. His blue eyes were glancing at her as she looked away in shame.

"N...Night Kurosaki-kun!"

"Good night, Masaki!" he couldn't help but grin at her dominant, flustered features as she looked down and past Ryuken to enter the Ishida mansion. It was an impressive building; the wall that circled the perimeter was massive and intimidating. 'Shouldn't be too hard to scale,' he thought.

"You will stay away from my fiancee," he flatly told the spiky haired man.

"I was helping Masaki get something out of her eye, nothing to get so upset. Shame a beautiful girl like her was walking home unattended, in tears." Ryuken eyes widen a fraction at the mention of Masaki crying. It soon disappeared to be replaced with a menacing glare.

"She has me to watch and care for her. You don't need to concern yourself of her well being," Isshin watched as the white-haired man stepped closer, entering his personal space.

"Well, I wouldn't have concerned myself if you weren't doing such a shitty job as her, Fi-an-cee."

"I won't tolerate you crossing me, especially when it comes to those I care about, Kurosaki. Stay away from her," he seethed as he watched the other man's features lift into an arrogant smirk.

"I'm sorry are we talking about Masaki or Kanae? Honestly, Ryuken, there's only one of them you'd be upset about if I did something with- and it isn't Masaki."

Ryuken eyes glared as he punched the wall beside Isshin angrily, who didn't seem to flinch at the display of anger.

"I'm warning you, Kurosaki," he seethed as he turned and headed to his home. He heard the laughter from the other man.

"Still didn't answer the question. Whatever, Goodnight Ryuken! See you in class," he winked at the man as he waved and jogged away. Ryuken looked on, the darkness consuming Isshin's form as he contemplated the black-haired man's words and headed into the house.

Ryuken entered to find Masaki with her head bowed down as his mother scolded her.

"Honestly, Masaki, you cause more harm than good. Did you intentionally take your time walking here?" the girl in front of her still had her head down and only uttered her apology and nothing else.

"Why was she walking in the first place, mother?" Ryuken directed his gaze to the older woman as she glanced at her son in irritation.

"She wanted to walk home on her own. I have no idea. You don't expect me to argue with the girl in front of others; the girl does what she wants. I had a mind to turn around and insist that she stop her nonsense, but I had to drop Kanae off."

Ryuken studied his mother as she mentioned his ex's name. "Why were you having dinner with Kanae? I believe it's inappropriate, especially given the circumstance."

"Just because you and your father are content with this arrangement. Doesn't mean I have to be. Excuse me," she angrily said, turning abruptly and heading up the stairs to retire for the night. Ryuken sighed as he watched his mother disappear. He glanced at Masaki, who glanced at the floor as she made to head upstairs, as well.

"Why did you decline a ride back with my mother and instead opted to walk home, with Kurosaki of all people?"

"It's wasn't intentional. We ran into each other," Masaski confided, watching as Ryuken's eyes closed and shook his head.

"He seems to run into you a lot."

"People are bound to run into each other in a town, Ryu," she said sarcastically.

"I don't trust him," he expressed as she glanced at him and shrugged her shoulders.

"It's not like he'll be here forever. His stay is temporary, he said as much," Masaki conveyed to him, and he could see the disappointed look she gave as she spoke. "Night, Ryu!" Masaki said her goodbyes and headed to her room.

x

Gym class was pretty fun as he ran around the track, mocking the other boys behind him, encouraging them to do their best. He pretended he was too tired to continue so close to the finish line, but shocked the boys when he passed them to win.

"You guys almost had me there," he said to his classmates who were angrily eyeing him as they held their sides out of breath.

"You're... full of... shit, Isshin," one said, massaging his side.

"Yeah! You were...just...messing with us," a mushroom cut haired boy said, sitting on the floor as he drank a bottle of water.

"This is what I receive after giving such words of encouragement," he shook his head, walking in the middle of the track to sit next to Shunsui who was laying out under the shade of a tree, one eye staring at the students who were doing gymnastics, especially the girls. Jushiro was practicing sparring with underclassman, seeming to have a knack for teaching.

"Shouldn't you be doing something?" Isshin asked the man beside him.

"I am Isshin. Admiring the sport of gymnastics," he sat up while his elbows were holding him up, legs still laid out.

"Is it the sport or Kanan?" Isshin smiled when Shunsui avoided his stare. "You tend to shift a little whenever she does her splits," he verified to the other man.

"Yeah, well. You can't help but appreciate that girl's- flexibility," he coughed out as Isshin laughed.

"Why don't we get a closer look?" he insisted as Shunsui shrugged his shoulders and followed the black-haired man.

Kanan was helping Shiho, by pushing her leg back up to her shoulder, little by little. "You haven't been stretching the way I showed you, Shiho. You look awkward, trying to touch your toes."

"Ouch, Kanan! It's challenging, and it hurts," she whimpered as Kanan got off from on top of the timid girl.

"You're such a baby," she felt the presence of someone behind her as she glanced at Isshin and Shunsui.

"I have to admit, you're dedication in teaching Shiho how to stretch was quite a sight," Shunsui smiled as she rolled her eyes.

"I can only imagine what your dirty mind conjured up," he made to answer when she shook her head, "It was a rhetorical question, please don't answer. What are you doing here, anyway?"

Shunsui closed his mouth as Isshin chuckled. Noticing that Kanae was near Masaki, it seemed after that night; the girls slowly had gotten closer.

"I asked Shunsui to accompany, and he happily accepted. I wanted to say hello to all my sweet and kind-hearted friends, and you, Kanan."

He watched the girl cross her arms as she raised a brow, "I can be sweet," she mused as she formed a smile.

"I was talking about personality. Are you sure we're talking about the same thing?" Isshin looked at her curiously as Kanan started to redden.

"Y...You're just as bad as Shunsui. You damn perv," she sat down, stretching her legs, ignoring the two men.

A teacher came by, noticing the two men who were standing by the stretching females.

"This area is only for gymnastics and any form of stretching. Not eyeing the girls. Either do some flips, stretches, or get back to the benches, gentlemen."

Kanan looked up with a smug grin, as the other girl's curiously looked at what the boy's next move was.

"Of, course, Ueda-san! I was catching my breath from the sprinting I did earlier. I understand your paranoia, with perverted boys lurking about. Am I right, Shunsui!"

Shunsui nodded, "That's right, Udea-san. Such vile creatures."

The teacher looked at them suspiciously, not trusting their words as she waited for their next move. Isshin looked at his curly-haired friend and positioned himself to make a handstand. His hands on the ground, his arms holding his weight while his body lifted in the air. Shunsui rolled his eyes, doing the same. Both men's shirts had fallen, revealing the generous show of sculpted abs.

"Shunsui, it looks like your arm is shaking a little, you sure you can hold on a little longer?" he asked the man who was trying to concentrate on holding his form up.

"I ... I suggest who concentrate on yourself. It looks like one of your arms is close to causing you to l...lose your balance, Isshin," Shunsui strained as Isshin smiled.

"You're right, Shunsui! I have to get rid of it."

Their classmates watched as Isshin removed one of his hands as he now was balancing on the one hand.

"S ... Son of a bitch," Shunsui sputtered.

"I couldn't hear you, Shunsui. What was that?"

Shunsui ignored Isshin as he tried to balance on both hands.

"Oh, Shunsui!" He looked up to find Kanan lying in front of him, her face upside down, but he could still see her mocking pout. "Is it too 'hard' to use one hand?" she emphasized the 'hard,' as she giggled.

"I find that if you use the hand you jack off with helps a bit, Shunsui," Isshin stated receiving red hues from the girls, including Ms. Udea-san.

"Th...That's enough, from you, Kurosaki," the teacher clarified.

Shunsui sighed as he balanced himself with his right.

"A righty? I pegged you for a lefty."

"I'm ambidextrous," he growled out, straining to talk and balance at the same time.

"Hey me too!" Isshin switched his hand, now balancing on his left.

They seemed to be having a crowd of sorts, as others watched on, seeing who would inevitably fall. "Look, Shunsui! A crowd is gathering, seeing who could last longer," Isshin shouted out.

"You can't disappoint, Shunsui," Kanan whispered and giggled when she saw him close his eyes, to concentrate on not falling.

"Would you leave him alone, Kanan," Masaki stated, seeing how her friend deliberately was trying to make Shunsui fall by distracting him.

"You're no fun, Masaki. Why don't you bother, Isshin?"

Masaki couldn't help but redden as she glanced at the man who held a smug grin to her. Wanting to whip it off from his face, she thought of an idea and grinned. Isshin saw the upside down features of the beautiful light brown-haired girl who gave him a suspicious grin. She bent close to him, and he couldn't help glancing at her toned legs as she squatted.

"Are you ticklish, Kurosaki-kun?" she asked him as he gave her a curious look before he felt small fingers feather the sides of his exposed stomach. He balanced for a moment before he couldn't take the tickling any more as he fell backward onto the grass.

"Shit!" he growled in annoyance as he glanced in the direction of Shunsui, who fell seconds later. He then looked towards Masaki, as she nervously waved at him, giving a mischievous grin, "You play dirty, Masaki. Does that apply in other areas?"

"Don't let her sweet demeanor fool you, Isshin. There's a dormant pervert locked deep inside this girl," her lime headed friend said squeezing her shoulders. Before Masaki could object, their teacher yelled, stating that was enough horsing around and dispersed the crowd. He watched Masaki's reddened features as she excused herself by telling her friends she was going to the restroom.

Masaki hesitated in going to the bathroom and went into the gym's storage room instead, to be alone before the next class.

"Did she have to embarrass me like that?" she pouted situating herself behind a darkened corner as she sat on the floor.

"You shouldn't feel embarrassed," she heard Isshin's familiar voice who sat near her, there was a bit of light entering the storage room through small windows, illuminating the shadows that covered throughout the room. She could only make out a fraction of his features as he grinned at her. "Sorry! Did I startle you? I can leave-"

"No!" Masaki grabbed his arm as he made to leave. She instantly let go, not wanting to seem desperate for his company.

"You can stay if you want."

"OK... As I said, you shouldn't feel embarrassed. I don't care if you're a closet, pervert."

"I...I'm NOT A PERVERT," she yelled and instantly covered her mouth to whisper, "I am not a pervert!"

"I heard you the first time," he chuckled, "Something tells me you're lying though."

She instantly flushed as her eyes widened. Before she could answer, the door opened, and they both stayed quiet. Staring at each other, hearing the soft footsteps of the newcomers as they hid in the shadows. Then the sounds of kissing and moaning. Isshin chuckled watching the girl next to him nervously fidget.

The moaning continued while wet noises echoed in the confined shelter.

"Oh, God, Shun!"

Isshin stood when he heard the familiar voice of Kanan. 'Interesting!' he thought as he watched the couple, in their sexual act. There was the proof as Shunsui kissed and prodded his fingers between the lime-haired girl's thighs. Isshin felt Masaki lift herself and was silently trying to get him to look away. He grinned and beckoned her to take a look. She pouted and stood against the wall as he shrugged his shoulders and continued to watch.

"You know what will feel great, Shun?" Kanan moaned out as the curly-haired man kissed her neck and hummed in answer. "If you could just fill me with your cock instead of your fingers," Shunsui gave a deep growl as his hands moved deeper into her wet insides.

"Kanan, you're not making this any easier. Do we have to go through this every time."

"Yes!" the younger girl whined as she gave him a sadden expression."Please," she whimpered as Shunsui looked at her as if contemplating it, then removed his hand from between her legs to replace it with his mouth. "No!" she tries to push him away, "I swear, I won't cum! I...won't cum," she grabbed Shunsui's curls into her fingers as she came into his mouth. He helped her fix herself as she glanced at his handsome features. "I hate you!" she said as she forcefully kissed his mouth. She began hugging him tightly only to push him away before she exited. Shunsui chuckled only to holler out for her to wait up.

"I knew that act towards Shunsui was bullshit," Isshin whispered, once the two left the room. He glanced to Masaki, who avoided looking at him and decided that being alone with him was starting to become uncomfortable.

"If you could keep this a secret, Kanan would greatly appreciate it. I should start heading back," she mumbled as she walked past him. Isshin tagged behind her as they made sure no one saw them leave the storage closet together.

"Don't worry. I won't say a thing. Just let me in on the secret," he winked at Masaki who bit the inside of her cheek and sighed.

"Kanan has stringent parents. A mother who had her at forty-two and her father was already hitting sixty. So they are a bit old-school and come from old money. Kanan just recently was allowed to enter high school just last year. Her parent's had kept her isolated, causing a girl like her to hate her sheltered life. To add salt to the wound, she's not allowed to date until she becomes an adult. To make sure she follows those rules, every year they have her see a gynecologist who's a family friend, who informs them that she's still a ... virgin. If not, her inheritance will be taken away."

Isshin couldn't help but find the whole situation completely absurd and hilarious at the same time. "So how the hell is Shunsui involved?"

"Master Genrai is friend's with Kanan's father; she's known Jushiro and Shunsui for awhile. She manipulated Shunsui into helping her." Masaki chuckled nervously, causing the spiky haired man to laugh out loud.

"I promise not to say anything," he told her as she sighed with relief, smiling at him. "You were a little bothered back there," he told her as she avoided his stare.

"I'm just a little shocked... I don't make a habit of hearing my friends please themselves."

"Cause you're not a pervert?" he clarified as she glared at him. "Thinking of your fiancee then?" He saw the way her expression saddened and looked away. That was all the confirmation he needed. "If not Ryuken, then who?"

Masaki looked at Isshin's smug look as she reddened.

"I...I have to change and get back to class, Kurosaki-kun," she nervously walked away, leaving Isshin to bask in the victory of causing her to be uncomfortable.

x

Weeks past as he noticed Masaki was trying to avoid him. It was her abrupt turns in the hallways and her leaving whenever they ate together during lunchtime. Being ignored was something he didn't tolerate, so he did the only thing that seemed plausible at the time. The kendo club was fun in the beginning but was already becoming rather dull, and he needed a way out. He knew Shunsui and Jushiro didn't believe he never trained with kendo sticks. He wasn't lying; he had his form of training. The clubs were expected to be at the auditorium to introduce their club and why they should attend. Isshin saw Masaki seated with her friends as Jushiro was giving his speech to all the students.

"Masaki," Isshin yelled, interrupting Jushiro as he waved to the brown haired girl who blushed and hid from everyone's stares. Kanan couldn't help but chuckle at Isshin's tactics. He kept calling her name until Jushiro couldn't take it anymore.

"KUROSAKI! If you could help me demonstrate how the last four months of training at the Kendo Club has improved yourself?"

"Of course, Ukitake!" he smiled and took a kendo stick from Shunsui as he winked to Masaki. He didn't mean to make Jushiro look like a complete fool, but he dodged his every attack and even hit him back a few times. When Jushiro stated that was enough, he couldn't help but bow to the white-haired man and give a sarcastic remark, "You've shown me a great deal in these four months, it's unbelievable."

Jushiro smiled through gritted teeth at the man who mocked him as they were ushered off the stage.

"I think you're full of shit, Isshin," Shunsui stated as he eyed the grinning black haired man.

"I'm not," he chuckled as Jushiro spoke.

"That wasn't a man who doesn't know martial arts."

"I never said I didn't know martial arts. You asked if I ever had training in the art of kendo and I specifically said No."

Jushiro closed his eyes and sighed in irritation, trying to real in his anger, "Since you've shown impeccable skill, maybe you could help us out by participating as a kendo instructor or even at our dojo?"

"Nah! I was trying to find a way to tell you guys that I'm no longer going to attend this club. It was fun, but I'm a little bored. Besides, I think I caught someone's attention," he smiled, glancing at Masaki who beckoned for him to come over.

"You're serious! Then I appreciate your attendance," Jushiro shook his hand and left his presence. Shunsui eyed Isshin as he wrapped his arm around his shoulder.

"You got her attention but also someone else's," Shunsui lifted his head to his right as Isshin glanced to where the man was referencing. He found blue eyes covered in frames staring at him, calculating with a calm demeanor. Shunsui chuckled and patted his friend to pursue the girl. Isshin waved at Ryuken not expecting anything in return as he walked up to Masaki.

"What was that?" she asked him as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Trying to say hi to you. You seem to be ignoring me. I felt this was the only way to get your attention," he told her as her eyes looked up at him, with a hint of guilt.

"I'm sorry I've been avoiding you. That was rude of me. Friends shouldn't do those things to each other."

"I accept your apology, on one condition."

"What condition?"

"We go on a date together."

"Isshin, that's also something 'friends' shouldn't do," she said, trying to keep her voice down.

"Kanae and I are friends too. We occasionally hang out. I don't see the difference." He stated as her expression fell at being compared to Kanae while she nodded. "Okay, then. When?"

"This weekend. I can pick you-"

"No, Ummm... I'll meet you at the park nearby," she bit her lip as she flustered.

"Ok, then Saturday at 8," he gave her a grin as they both shook on it with a smile.

"Masaki!" they heard the voice of Ryuken as she peeked towards her fiancee's direction in surprise.

"Ryu!"

"Ryuken! Masaki was explaining to me that you head a club in the study of medicine."

He eyed Masaki, who remained quiet and then glanced at the dark-haired man's grinning face.

"Yes. Are you interested in joining? I was under the assumption that you're already in the Kendo Club?"

"I just quit, I was a bit bored. I'm sure your club would be more interesting, especially with your personality," Ryu heard the sarcasm oozing out as he grinned. "Thank you, Masaki, on your input. You've convinced me. I guess you'll be seeing more of me Ryuken," he chuckled as he patted the man's shoulder and headed off. Ryuken glanced at Masaki, who avoided his stare. She bowed quickly and joined her friends as Ryuken sighed.

x

"What are you doing, Isshin?" Kanae whispered while assisting him as his lab partner.

"Making sure I don't blow us up," he said as he followed the instructions from his notes.

"That's not what I was talking about, and you know it. That little stunt at the auditorium, you've been awfully close with Masaki."

"What are you jealous?" he grinned, moving closer to Kanae who pushed him away as she blushed.

"NO! She's a friend, and I don't want to see her hurt."

"She's a friend too," he stated as she glanced at him, not at all convinced.

"If you're looking for someone single to... umm you know, and with no strings attached-"

"I'm flattered Kanae, but it would make this friendship awkward."

"I wasn't talking about me," she sighed, trying to keep her composure as he chuckled while dropping liquid into a beaker. "Nemu Kurotsuchi."

Isshin glanced at the silent black haired girl who also sensed him staring as she glanced in his direction with an unusual smirk.

"Yeah... no. I don't stick my dick in crazy. Why do you care who I stick my cock in any way?"

"I DON'T CARE WHERE YOU STICK YOUR COCK, KUROSAKI," she instantly closed her eyes and covered her face when she heard chuckles and gasps in the class — realizing what her words meant to outsiders.

"Can we please refrain from shouting obscenities in this classroom. Ms. Katagiri?" Mayuri said eyeing said girl who nervously nodded and glanced down from embarrassment.

"I apologize, Mr. Kurotsuchi," she respectfully bowed and went back to writing her notes.

"Switch," their teacher spouted as he eyed his other students, "Jushiro, switch with Kurosaki for today."

Isshin chuckled as he gathered his things as Jushiro made his way to sit near Kanae.

"Is something funny, Isshin?"

Isshin shook his head as he walked up to the empty seat that was near Ryuken, "Having two of the top students partner up seems a little unfair don't you think Mr. Kurotsuchi?" he said sitting down and placing his things on the desk. The professor noticed that he had indeed done that, straighten himself up.

"I will not have my decision questioned. Please continue your assignment."

When the teacher stomped to his desk was when Ryuken decided to speak.

"You have a knack for upsetting him."

"I think he enjoys my company," he chuckled as Ryuken eyed him from his side. He sat back to let Isshin see his notes and what liquids they had already used while Isshin diligently wrote it down. Ryuken continued to pour as Isshin handed the correct beakers.

"You seemed to have of upset Kanae also." Isshin watched how he poured the beakers carefully but could tell he was waiting patiently for an answer from him.

"I wouldn't say she's upset, just a little misunderstanding among friends."

"Hmm... I still don't feel comfortable with you being friends with her."

"Someone sounds like a broken record except last time we were talking about Masaki. Listen Ryuken they are both big girls who can make their own decisions, let's not be the overprotective big brother."

Ryuken couldn't believe how annoying this man in front of him was, completely ignoring his warnings.

"I don't trust you, Kurosaki," he said to him as he continued to work at his station.

"I'm hurt, Ryuken," Isshin's voice began to crack. Ryuken watched the man's upset demeanor suspiciously.. "I thought we were friends," he suddenly hugged onto the white-haired man tightly.

"GET OFF OF ME, KUROSAKI" Ryuken yelled as he shrugged him off.

Mayuri glanced up from his booklet from his desk to glance up at the two. Ryuken saw the heated look of their professor as he bowed in apology and avoided his stare as Isshin stared directly at his teacher with a smile.

"Is there a reason I keep hearing your name, Kurosaki?"

Isshin shrugged and before he could answer he was interrupted by the professor. "Nevermind answering that question. Keep your hands to yourself, Kurosaki."

"Of course, Mr. Kurotsuchi. You have to admit he is a very handsome guy," he chuckled, causing others in the classroom to laugh, except for the professor and Ryuken who glared at him.

"Thank you for your analysis, Kurosaki."

The class continued without any more interruptions as both men ignored each other and continued their work.

x

Masaki waited until Mrs. Ishida retired upstairs before she crawled out the window. It was challenging climbing down the side of a second story mansion, wearing a long flowing skirt. She prided herself in her accomplishment and straightened herself up as she tiptoed to the nearby park, where her date waited for her. She glanced around the darkened area to find him sitting on a bench with his car parked a distance away.

"Kurosaki-kun!" she shouted, watching as he noticed her presence and his features turned into a happy one.

"Masaki, don't you look beautiful," he looked at her white sweater that hugged her pink skirt. He reached to grab a leaf from her hair as she embarrassingly bit her lip.

"I...I climbed out the window," she nervously grinned as he quirked up a brow and laughed.

"I think you're making me blush, sneaking out just for me?" he laughed again, causing her to bite her lip once more.

"I...I didn't need to be interrogated, and Ryuken doesn't trust you," she said, eyeing him as his laughter changed into a smirk.

"He shouldn't," he told her pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear as he stared at her. She tries to calm down her nerves as her face blushes profusely. "Let's go," he told her breaking the spell. He held out his arm to her, hesitating for a brief moment before she took it.

All week she thought about telling him that she was going to cancel their date, but part of her said to herself that she was out of her mind. He was extraordinarily handsome, but if she wasn't careful - Who was she kidding? He was slowly creeping into her thoughts daily, and as she walked with him, she wondered if he thought of her regularly as well. He opened the door to his flashy car as she entered. He walked to the driver side door, in that moment of silence, she could only think about how wrong it was for her, who had a fiancee, to even think about another man.

"So I thought that we eat at my place," he said as he started the car. Her face already flushed, turned ten shades darker as she tried to speak, but nothing came out of her mouth. "Before you start telling me how inappropriate it is. I promise I'll be on my best behavior. I know with Karakura being a small town if we went out to eat or went anywhere with crowds. People would start to talk, and I'm sure you don't want that getting back to your fiancee, Right?" he asked her as he pulled out of the parking space as she began to nod.

"Y...Yes Of course," she said, playing with the material of her skirt.

"Good! Don't worry about food; it's already prepped and in the oven. Now all I ask is that you behave yourself, young lady," he said in reprimand voice as she watched the side of his lip curl into a grin.

"Excuse me?"

"I mean with your close friend calling you a pervert and all. I want to make sure that I'm not taken advantage of."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing, and all she could do was laugh. "I'll make sure my hands are to myself at all times, Kurosaki-kun," she said, wiggling her fingers as he looked at her before glancing back on the road.

"I mean.. if you can't control yourself, Masaki. I won't blame you if you decide to slip. All I ask is for you to be gentle, I bruise easily."

"Oh my god! You are unbelievable," she covered her face with her hands, trying to contain her laughter. They made it to the city in front of the newly built condos. He opened the door as she retook his arm, following him to the elevator doors.

She entered his condo, to find it tidy with dark leather couches and a few books littered the coffee table. He told her to sit down as he walked into a pristine stainless steel kitchen. She asked if she could use his bathroom as he pointed down the hallway. After coming out from using the restroom, she glanced into an open door seeing the outline of his bed and nothing else since it was too dark.

"You-,"

She jumped in fright as she quickly hit the person behind her hard in the stomach. She found Isshin keeled over holding onto his injured abdomen.

"I'm sorry, Kurosaki-kun. You scared me, I... I just reacted," she said with worry as he rubbed his side. "If it's any consolation, I hurt my elbow hitting you. Are you made of stone?" she questioned as she nursed her wound.

He could only smile at the girl as he hit his stomach proudly, "Working out vigorously gets you these rock hard abs. Where did you learn how to hit like that?" He asked curiously; it wasn't the fact that she was too fast to block her, but that when she elbowed him, he felt intense pain. Something no mere person could do, the devotees he trained with at his clan could never inflict what this girl did. How did she?

"M..My mother," she said a bit hesitant as he nodded, accepting her answer. "What were you going to say before I elbowed you?" she asked before he could ask questions anymore, sensing her hesitation on talking he decided to let it go for now.

"I was going to tell you that You shouldn't be snooping, especially at a person's bedroom."

Embarrassed, she pushed her hair away from her face. "I...I wasn't snooping. It just happened to be near the bathroom, and I just glanced in."

He eyed her for a moment as he walked past her to turn on the light to his bedroom. He stood near his bed, and she took in the dark blues and dark wood furniture. The condo decorated appropriately for a bachelor, but it lacked personality, there was nothing out that described him. He noticed her troubled look as she looked around his room.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nice ..it's just...it feels more like a hotel room. There's nothing in this condo that says Isshin Kurosaki," she said, regretting her words as she saw his eyes widen and give a slight smirk while he looked away.

"Most of my things are back home," he specified.

"That's right. I forgot this was only... temporary," Masaki sullenly voiced as she felt the mood change into a depressive one.

"Food's done. Why don't we eat?" he said as she followed him to a small round table, set for two. She sat down while he brought out a glass bowl and placed it in the middle of the table. He gave her a small bowl of rice as she looked at the mouth-watering contents in the middle of the table that smelled wonderful.

"It's Miso-zuke salmon. It's one of my favorite dishes," she said as he eyed her while sitting down, placing a napkin on his lap.

"It should be. I couldn't trust Kanan in telling me what you liked, she's a bit of a loud mouth. Shiho was a better candidate; she's shy and naive."

"If I didn't know any better I'd say you were stalking me, Kurosaki-kun," she said before she popped in a bite of the salmon marinated in miso soup. "MMMM. Oh my.. .this is delicious...you made this?"

He couldn't help seeing her talk with crammed food in her mouth, causing her to have puffed cheeks. She noticed him staring at her as she swallowed and apologized. "Sorry, I really shouldn't stuff my mouth like that. I've been told that it's very unladylike and disgusting."

"Really? I'm humbled you find my cooking so good, you couldn't contain yourself from stuffing your face. I find your puffed squirrel like cheeks ...cute."

"Oh," she continued to eat her food, still stuffing her face but careful not to speak while eating. She finished her plate of food and glanced to find there was even more, but was hesitant to fill her plate again. She could hear Mrs. Ishida nagging voice in the background.

'Are you a pig, Masaki?'

'It's no wonder, Kanae keeps her slim, graceful figure. Look at the amount of food you consume.'

"Are you still hungry?" she heard his voice ask, breaking her from her horrible thoughts. She eyed her plate and hesitated before she smiled and nodded her head no. "You sure? I'm already scarfing down on my second plate." He watched as she bit her lip and eyed the delicious food in the middle of the table. He took it upon himself to add to her plate.

"K...Kurosaki-kun, I'm not hun-"

"I didn't think you'd be dishonest, Masaki."

"S...Sorry!" she apologized and ate her second plate with a smile on her face. She stared at her spoon for a while before popping it into her mouth. When they were both done and had their fill of food and drinks, they decided to sit on his couch and watch a drama/ comedy type movie. She enjoyed his company and laughed when he would shed tears on certain sad scenes. He was being so overly dramatic and felt he did it, so she didn't feel uncomfortable when she cried at certain parts. She was enjoying his company so much that she wondered if Kanae, enjoyed Isshin's company as well. She noticed that they were becoming closer, and Kanae frequently talked about Isshin, even though she if it was to say how irritating he could be. Masaki felt jealousy rear its ugly head in the depths of her stomach. Why should she feel that way? If anything Kanae should hate her for ruining her chance to be with the person she loved. She should be a good friend and encourage her to seek happiness.

"You enjoy being with Kanae?" she asked out loud, regretting how it came out with a tinge of malice.

"Of course, we've become good friends. She's delightful and smart."

She eyed him as he continued to watch the film while she mulled over his words. After a while, she decided to ask him another question.

"She's very beautiful, right?"

"Of course," he said without hesitation as he turned slowly to find her angrily staring at the television. He couldn't help but smirk.

"Are...Are things becoming serious between you two?" she asked, still staring at the screen, pretending she was paying attention to the movie.

"Define serious?"

Was he messing with her as she turned to glare at him, "Are you guys in a relationship?"

He was silent for a moment, causing her insides to somersault. Why was he taking so long to answer? It was driving her crazy. Why should she care?

"No! We're just friends." Relief washed over her as she glanced at the movie again, "Why are you curious, Masaki?" he asked her, causing her to hold her breath, anxiety creeping in once more.

"Oh...ummmm. Just wondering. Kanae deserves happiness, and you seem like- a great guy."

"you think so?"

"Yeah!" she smiled at him as he gave it some thought and chuckled.

"You're right in saying Kanae deserves happiness, but she won't find it in me. Plus, she's still in love with someone else."

Masaki looked at her hands, pondering on what he meant by that. Deep down, she knew her friend was still in love with her fiancee, but Kanae was selfless and understanding. If she were hurting, she was good at keeping it in.

"She's also not my type," he stated.

"But she's beautiful, intelligent, and she has the perfect slim body figure," she frowned.

"Do you want to be with her? Is this why you're asking all these questions? Is this a love triangle I'm unaware of?" he chuckled as she shook her head.

"It's strictly platonic I assure you," she smiled.

"With Kanae or Ryuken?"

Her eyes widen in surprise, and when she glanced at him, she couldn't answer him. Speechless. She wasn't entirely sure what her relationship with Ryuken was anymore; it was so complicated and unnatural. She loved him but not in that way. She could learn to love him in that way, given enough time.

"You are completely right about Kanae's beauty and intelligence, but having the perfect body shape, she is quite breathtaking. She's not my type."

"hmmm," she nodded, before glancing at the movie. The scene showed a couple kissing, and she couldn't help but feel her cheeks begin to redden. The actors began to search each other physically, exploring with their hands. She glanced over to see that Isshin seemed unaffected by their actions, while she fidgetted and felt awkward. Do friends watch these types of movies together? ? It felt awkward being near someone who she was starting to feel things for.

"I can change the channel if this is uncomfortable for you?"

"No...I'm okay," she coughed and nervously smiled. "Its something I shouldn't be embarrassed about .. since I'm to be marr-"

She couldn't finish her sentence since, at that moment, the man beside her decided to laugh hysterically, rather loudly at a man getting kicked by the female on the television screen.

"I apologize for interrupting, Masaki," he said, but she could tell if he was being genuine in his apology.

"It's fine," she stated irritated.

"You're mad!" he whispered as she glanced at him. She didn't answer him as she continued to face in front of her, trying her best to ignore him. "Look, I wasn't honest. I apologize for being rude, but I don't regret interrupting you. I rather not be reminded of you're engagement."

"It's not something to ignore, Kurosaki-kun."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm marrying Ryuken when...when I finish school."

"Hmm...college?"

"Mrs. Ishida feels it's not necessary. Says its a waste when I'll be married to a husband who's taking care of me, and I should see to his needs by being a good wife."

"Kanae is going to college."

"Yes, I kn-"

"A prestigious college in Tokyo, the same one Ryuken is going to."

Masaki already knew about this, Kanae and Ryuken; both talked about going to this college since they were younger. It was a medical school to further Ryuken's interest as a doctor. Kanae, having the same ambition in the medical field as well.

"I'm aware. The Ishida family has already provided for me more than enough. Who am I to complain?"

"Ryuken seems like a good man, but he's still a man. Judging how irritated he is of me talking to Kanae, I'm assuming he's already made love to her."

He looked at Masaki to see her glancing at her fingers again; her avoidance was enough proof.

"I think I should leave," she rose from the couch, reaching for her purse to leave. "Thank you for dinner, Kurosaki-kun."

"Wait, Masaki-chan," he softly grabbed her arms to prevent her from walking, but was stunned to find tears filling her eyes.

"I already knew about them. I already feel guilty enough for being the cause of both my friend's relationship to end."

"I'm sorry... I-" he wasn't sure what to say, he already felt like an ass. He just felt this was a bad situation for her. Why should he care? Him being here in Karakura was only temporary. Why get involved? He thought. "It's no secret that I'm attracted to you."

She instantly felt embarrassed at the mention of him confessing his attraction to her. "K...Kurosaki-kun, you said this was just a friendly date, like with Kanae."

"You're not Kanae and honestly ...I was being a bit dishonest," he chuckled as she nervously held her arms tightly. He held her cheek as she looked up at him in shock. He was staring at her, and for a moment she couldn't breathe. She found that he was leaning closer to her, but his lips never touched hers. He stilled. He was waiting for permission. She leaned in, to fill the rest of the gap between them.

Her first kiss.

It was a bit clumsy on her part, but she could feel his lips waiting patiently to find her pace. When he thought she was used to his mouth, he pushed forward, by licking her lips with his tongue, demanding entry. She accepted his tongue and yelped in response at how demanding his kisses were. She moaned in response at his feather touches, lightly caressed her body with his hands.

The boys at school found her attractive but felt intimidated by her beauty. When it was announced that Ryuken was her fiancee, chances of finding someone to look her way were dead. Isshin was a man who didn't seem to care; she was getting married. Maybe, he wants what all men wanted from a beautiful girl. She knew it was wrong, but no one had to know. She already lived with the guilt of Ryuken and Kanae, what was one more damned thing on her plate? Was it wrong, having a man make her feel special for once? She felt his hands roam across her chest as she felt her nipples begin to harden.

"I should take you home," he whispered as she saw the desire in his eyes.

"Ok," she said, disappointed, "Could we do this again?"

He looked at her with surprise as the initial shock wore off and smirked to give her a happy nod. She felt giddy all over, knowing that he wanted to see her again.

They talked about school and their friends as he rode her back to the park. Not wanting for her to walk back to the Ishida Mansion alone, he walked her part way. He tried to pry more information at her skills in fighting, but she would always find something else to sway the conversation. She gave him a quick kiss goodnight, but before she could run off, he gave her a more thorough kiss goodnight. Leaving her flustered and wanting more, before she whispered her farewells.

Climbing back up to the second floor, she slowly entered her room. She changed into her nightly attire before sneaking into bed. She thought about her time with her handsome classmate.

x

What did you guys think of the cunning, hilarious, and goofy Isshin in this story? I didn't want Masaki to flat out fall for Isshin so I decided to plant a seed, that seed being that Isshin is a very handsome guy who keeps giving her glances. After getting to know him she starts to have a feeling for him that are conflicting, especially being in an arranged marriage. Please write your thoughts I don't care if it's long I enjoy reading your guys opinions and reviews. Also, thanks for your encouraging words and our family is still getting over the death in our family it's not as difficult. It sort of hits when you have to take care of a grandmother who has early signs of dementia and she keeps asking how's my uncle's wife and then having to tell her and it opens an old wound. Sometimes we just ignore it as she just continues to ramble on and ask how other people are doing. Sorry I went depressive mode again. = ) But you guys are not bothering me you guys are actually helping me deal with it and I feel good that I have such understanding readers. Thank you and I love you all.