Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 9

Kisuke straightened and stretched, smiling slightly when he spotted Ichigo sprawled on an oversized cushion in the corner. He couldn't wait for him to meet Yoruichi, his behaviour had a certain cat-like quality that she would love and seeing them race would be fun. Ichigo was inhumanly fast before adding in Shinigami, Hollow, or Quincy abilities to his speed.

When Ichigo wasn't working with the Visored he could often be found at the shop, he'd even brought his sisters around and Kisuke found he didn't mind having the siblings there. The girls were as fiercely protective of their brother as he was of them, both having badgered Isshin into teaching them how to care for Ichigo on the days he couldn't look after himself. Tessai had even stepped in to help with their training; healing to help Ichigo, and to ensure they could protect themselves.

The most surprising thing? Ichigo let him take samples and run tests…on him! The teen had admitted that no one knew what would happen to him, just what vampire myths were true and how they would affect him since he was a hybrid being. After all according to myth, he should burst into flame in sunlight or something and while he didn't find it comfortable, preferring to be nocturnal, only the hottest of sunlight caused pain and red burns but never anything potentially deadly. He had a reflection, had aged, could eat garlic… too much was unknown.

Kisuke knew having him around was dangerous to everyone. Aizen was already interested in Ichigo, finding out he was spending time with Kisuke would increase that interest. Getting Ichigo involved in the coming war would likely get the teen killed, he was too vulnerable because of what that vampire had done to him mentally.

Kisuke was brought out of his thoughts when a cool body leant against him, Ichigo resting his head on his shoulder and Kisuke lifted his hand to run through loose orange hair. He always seemed to know when Kisuke was getting lost in his own head too, which Benihime found amusing. She had calmed down over the mental pressure when Kisuke would meet Ichigo's eyes and it was becoming less and less noticeable, his mental defences adapting to ensure it didn't affect him.

"Bored?" he asked with a chuckle. He felt Ichigo nuzzle at his throat, felt the scratch of sharp fangs against his skin. "Hungry?" he asked, and he felt Ichigo tense. "Easy, you didn't bite," he soothed.

"Sorry," Ichigo didn't pull away, pressing his forehead against him, trembling.

A month ago, Ichigo would have panicked and pulled away, trying to run. Now he stayed, trusting his own control or Kisuke's ability to defend himself? It was strange but centuries of paranoia and battle instinct and Ichigo never set it off. "You have nothing to be sorry for." He ruffled wild orange hair and Ichigo glared at him. "Come on, Tessai re-stocked the blood supply for you yesterday." Something they kept well hidden from everyone else, too many questions would be asked if it was found.

They headed up to the kitchen to find tea and blood waiting for them. Tessai always knew. They sat at the table and Ichigo immediately began drinking, Kisuke picking up his own cup to sip. He never made a big deal out of what Ichigo was drinking and he seemed to appreciate it. Knowing Isshin, the man had done something to make an ass of himself at least a few times when dealing with Ichigo's changes. The man was much more like the Captain he had been than the goofy idiot he'd been acting since marrying Masaki but obviously he'd had to become serious for the kids after Ichigo was attacked.

He…he liked having Ichigo there, and that wasn't something he was used to feeling.

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Kisuke sat beside Ichigo's bed, watching his fingers twitch even as his eyes stared vacantly at the window. Then his hand flexed on the cover, opening and closing jerkily. "Can you hear me Ichigo?" he called gently and then the Old Man appeared, where Shiro was wild, this one was almost impossible to read.

"The girl tried, and he didn't react. It is only your energy that causes a reaction," the Spirit told him.

Kisuke looked down at Ichigo. Only him? Why?

"Despite everything, he feels safe with you. Do not betray that," the cloaked figure warned before vanishing.

Kisuke slowly reached out and took the moving hand, feeling Ichigo latch on weakly. He ran his thumb over the back of his knuckles, not bothered by the coolness of Ichigo's skin. The boy he'd once planned to use as a weapon…had become a friend.

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Rukia smiled and waved at where Ichigo and Chad were sprawled under a tree. It was good to see Ichigo was fine, she'd never forget the sight of him taking the hit for her…the blood. Seeing him the day after, lying there, unresponsive had been scary. There was a reason they didn't get involved with the living; this was part of it. Maybe it was good that her assignment would be up soon.

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Ichigo watched Lisa and Rose spar, Shiro draped against his side as they kept an eye on the two fighting Visored. The others were rather jumpy around Shiro, but he figured the more they got used to seeing him, the more it would help them accept their own and Shiro loved being out. The Old Man appeared occasionally too, though more often at Urahara's then the warehouse.

They were getting better, some more than others. It would take time to heal a century's hurts but hopefully they'd get there before Aizen made his move.

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"Ichi-nii!" Yuzu called, waving and he nodded.

He waited against the wall as she said goodbye to her friends and then jogged over. Karin was staying back for soccer training, so he was walking Yuzu home alone. He listened as she chatted away about her day at school, smiling softly. Something skittered across his senses and he swore mentally. He glanced down at Yuzu and she obviously realised something was up, letting go of his hand reach into her schoolbag to show him something, freeing up his hands.

"Roof nii-san," she whispered, keeping her head down before pulling out a piece of paper to show him and he made a show of checking it.

"Good work," he told her and then got them moving again. It felt like a Hollow but not… not one of the Visored though. Whatever it was, it was just watching. He grinned and scooped her up over his shoulder and she shrieked in laughter as he began jogging for home.

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Ichigo slipped down the back drain of the house and over the fence, slipping away from the house without being seen. He'd spent the last four years memorising hidden ways away from the house so that no one would see him coming and going when he was off hunting. He'd never wanted to lead anyone or thing back home. A hooded jacket hid his distinctive hair as he made his way across town.

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Kisuke looked up as someone knocked on the shop door. He picked up Benihime and made his way over, finding a hooded figure on the porch. He looked up and Kisuke relaxed, opening the door and the teen slipped inside, pushing back his hood. "Very cloak and dagger arrival."

"Something weird was following Yuzu and me. Not Hollow, Shinigami, or Visored," he explained.

"I see…" that was worrying, alarming really.

"Outside the house, had to sneak out."

Well, that explained the clothing and the way he had his powers suppressed as low as he could get them. He led Ichigo to his lab and began pulling up the various sensors he had hidden over town to monitor things. He had ones near the girls school, along the route home, Karin's soccer field, Chad's home, anywhere the Kurosaki's or their friends could be grabbed, or someone taken as leverage. "Here we go…those are very strange readings."

"Aizen?" Ichigo asked and Kisuke nodded.

"It seems he's gotten sick of his camera's being knocked out."

"Great," Ichigo sighed. "Think he'll move soon?"

"It would appear so," Kisuke admitted.

Just what was he planning? How would tailing Ichigo get him what he wanted? It was obvious Aizen had something planned for Ichigo, his Mother's killer turning up was not a coincidence. And young Kuchiki was always there or close by. Could that be the plan then? If they had kept Ichigo's powers a secret then was he trying to force a situation where she had to transfer hers to him to save them? So he'd learnt the only way Kisuke had come up with so far to destroy the Hōgyoku and was trying to arrange events so that he would use it. Then all Aizen had to do was get her back to Soul Society or even collect her himself.

Ichigo frowned when he explained it. "So what do we do? Should we make it look like that's what's happened? Convince Rukia to lay low and have me start using my blades?"

Kisuke knew it was a good plan, make it look like things were going to Aizen's plan, but it was very dangerous for Ichigo and Kuchiki. And if Ichigo had a bad day…things could very quickly turn deadly.

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Aizen looked at the report. Using an Arrancar to spy on the boy was risky but the camera flies near him had a bad tendency of dying. It wouldn't take long for Urahara to pick up on such surveillance so he needed to arrange an incident if only Kuchiki and Ichigo would just cooperate.

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"Please, sit," Kisuke motioned and Rukia sat down.

It was obvious the man wasn't comfortable with the idea of telling her even the bare basics but Ichigo was not putting her in the firing line without her knowing about it. They had to leave Aizen's name out of it, she'd never believe it. Rukia listened as Kisuke explained what was going on in broad strokes.

"This is insane! Ichigo you can't agree to this plan, it's too dangerous. Giving a human Shinigami powers is illegal, who knows what would happen to you."

"I promise Kuchiki-san, I would not actually give Ichigo the powers. It would merely be illusion to draw out whoever is behind all of this. Ichigo would have backup the entire time as well."

She looked between them, obviously torn. Someone working against Soul Society was not a good thing. "And your bad days?" she asked gently. "Your family?"

"We will ensure they're protected," Kisuke said and Ichigo knew the 'we' included the Visored. This was a chance to derail Aizen's plans, they were in. "We will also arrange believable reasons for the days Ichigo is unavailable."

"Why not report the threat to Soul Society? Ukitake-taichou would listen."

"And what can he do without alerting the Soutaichou and risking tipping off our mystery mastermind? There are plans coming to a head that began centuries ago, all the Captains are being watched. Who do you think was behind my own Exile?"

That stumped her. She looked between them, obviously torn.

"Think about it," Ichigo told her and she nodded, getting up to get to her patrol. "You think she'll agree?"

"Perhaps." Kisuke poured tea, offering, and Ichigo nodded.

They sat quietly, drinking tea, hoping Rukia would agree to their crazy plan.

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Isshin watched Kisuke work on his son, seeing him move his hand even though his face was as blank as ever. He'd listened to their plan and he didn't like it, didn't like the idea of putting his son in Aizen's crosshairs but there didn't appear to be any other way. He had to be stopped before he destroyed everything.

"Is there any way to speed up the restoration of my powers?"

"I've been working on it," Kisuke answered absently. They both watched as Ichigo's lower arm jerked and Kisuke took his hand, squeezing it. "Easy Ichigo, your Father and I are here," Kisuke murmured.

Isshin walked over and took Ichigo's other hand. "Try and squeeze our hands son," he urged.

Kisuke suddenly looked down and then grinned at Isshin, lifting their joined hands to show that yes, Ichigo was returning the pressure.

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Ichigo lay in Shiro's arms, Urahara's energy moving through his body and soul. Both of his Spirits watched as Ichigo's arm twitched, hand flexing like he was holding something. They looked at each other and Shiro grinned, laughing. It was working! Slowly sure but that was the most he'd ever moved when like that.

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Ichigo slammed into him and the went rolling across the ground, the younger male pinning him down, eyes almost glowing gold, his fangs slightly extended. Kisuke lay still as Ichigo leant down, sniffing at his throat.

They were working to keep Ichigo from reacting like a vampire in a fight, they did not need Aizen or Soul Society finding out about that. So he had to get the instincts fully under control in a fight and fight longer without needing more blood.

Ichigo growled softly and Kisuke turned his head, offering his throat. He trusted Ichigo and it wasn't like he couldn't take some pain. "K…Ki," Ichigo forced out and Kisuke lifted a hand to stroke his hair which was mostly out of its braid.

"It's okay Ichigo, you won't hurt me," he told him, and then sharp fangs sank into his throat. Yes, it hurt, but he could handle it. He felt the pull of Ichigo drinking his Gigai's blood, letting him take what he wanted. "Enough," he said as he felt a bit light headed, tugging at Ichigo's hair and he felt him remove his fangs, licking the skin.

Ichigo groaned and dropped his head, resting against his shoulder. "Sorry."

"No problem," Kisuke told him, still stroking his hair. "It's a natural response and it doesn't bother me."

"But it'll be a problem if I try to feed off an opponent with others watching," he muttered.

"You're getting better Ichigo. You're lasting longer in a fight before needing to feed."

Ichigo sat up, wiping at his lips to ensure there was no blood. Kisuke waited a second before sitting up as well, stretching. Kisuke glanced at him and saw a slight tinge of colour to his cheeks. Ah, yes, well their position had been rather…intimate he supposed. He stood up and offered him a hand up before heading up to clean up. The dirt and rock ground may be good for training, but it did leave one rather dusty.

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Rukia looked from Ichigo to Urahara and then nodded. "How do we do this?"

TBC…