Notice: I don't own Bleach
Chapter 6: The Soul, Surprised:
While everyone walked to the dining room, Kūkaku decided to walk beside Masaki to make quiet conversation:
"So that's your son Ichigo, our cousin?"
"Yes; mine and your Uncle Isshin's eldest child"
"Besides his hair and eyes, he looks exactly like a Shiba – I almost mistook him for brother Kaien!"
"Oh really? Didn't expect my boy to take after your brother in looks."
"Seems like his personality is like the rest of the family. But, his determined looks he takes after you Aunty"
"Thank you for the compliment! I'm happy my son does take after me as well."
Ichigo wanted to interrupt Kūkaku and his mother's conversation, but his mother raised him to be polite when other's were talking. He'd feel bad if he interrupted his mother. 'What the hell are they talking about over there? Mom's really friendly with that Kūkaku lady...' he internally groaned. His mother answered some of the immediate questions, but knew he had a lot more he wanted to ask. However he was also so happy that his mom was seemingly alright and being looked after by these people.
Meanwhile Ichigo's group also quietly talked amongst themselves. Chad (the teen of imposing stature), Orihime (the red-headed girl) and the cat all had a lively conversation:
"Ooooh, I wonder what we're going to eat!" Orihime hummed to no one in particular.
"Not sure Orihime, but considering the architecture outside it could be..uhm...unique..?" Chad stated matter of factly.
"Knowing Kūkaku it will be a fine meal, even if it's merely snacks," the cat was less concerned about the food, and more concerned about their mission. 'Yes it would be good for these children to relax a bit, because the battles ahead will test them to their limits and beyond.'
"Oh, is that so Yoruichi?" the red-head questioned the cat. "Yes Orihime, that is correct."
Uryu, the bespeckled boy who Masaki noticed earlier, drifted to the back of the group. Ever the thinker, the boy was organising all the information that was given to them. He pushed his glasses up to the bridge of his nose, and began his analysis. 'So that is Ichigo's mother. He looks a lot like her...' he was starting off slow, giving himself time to analyse properly. 'Okay, ever since we arrived in Soul Society, things have been chaotic at best. This and that makeshift building have been the most stable parts of this mission. Even then Ichigo had to fight that ruffian, Ganju.' He adjusted his glasses again.
'Ok so we arrive here and meet the retainers for this Shiba family. Obviously some form of nobility – possibly outcasts. Now this family has been housing Ichigo's mother for at least the past six years,' the boy's gaze shifted to Masaki, happily conversing with Kūkaku. 'Ichigo said she was a lovely woman, and I can see that. Now, she hasn't told us everything, but she's honest enough with us to admit as much.' He looked around the estate. Interested in the feudal era architecture of Soul Society. 'From the looks of this place, it has the feeling of nobility, so they're likely outcasts. Unsurprising, considering the...state of the exterior. Still...why is Mrs. Kurosaki with them? Is she a servant? Doubtful, as no servant is that familiar with their master. Questions for later I suppose...'
Orihime turned and looked behind her. Stopping. "Um, Uryu, why are you all the way back there?"
"Hm...Oh sorry Orihime, just deep in thought, you know with the mission and all!" Uryu answered as calmly as possible.
"Oh, okay!" Orihime turned back around, and continued walking. Phew 'Keep it cool Uryu.'
After going down a long hallway, the group followed Masaki around a left turn, then right turn, until - "we're here everyone! I'll grab us some food." Masaki hummed, skipping all the way to a slide door, and disappearing behind it.
'Well she's happy, but then again can't blame her – I'm happy to meet more family too.' Kūkaku smiled at the thought. She then spoke up to the group. "Listen up while Masaki grabs the food, you guys go and wash up at the bathroom, my retainers Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko can show you the way!" The duo instantly appeared before the group and gestured "please come this way." The group followed out of one of the sliding doors and then separated in two directions – towards the men's bathroom, and the women's bathroom.
While the group washed up, Masaki busily made something quick for everyone to eat. She had some snack type foods on hand but wanted to make something a little more special – since her Ichigo was here. Though she also did serve those snacks in a few bowls and plates. Her quick meal – scrambled eggs, with some vegetables and a side of rice, was a snack Ichigo enjoyed when he was younger. 'I think he'd enjoy it now.'
After about 20 minutes she was ready to serve the meal. Opening the sliding door, Masaki, brought in the food, placing the snack food in the centre of the table. After arranging the plates and utensils around the table, she dished out the servings for the scrambled eggs and rice. She made the exact amount for everyone to enjoy a good bite. Then she filled everyone's cup with some orange juice with a few ice cubes from the fridge. 'There and it sounds like they're all finished washing up.' She heard some light bickering between Ichigo and Ganju, with the young red-headed lady trying to keep the peace.
Everyone gathered around the table, Kūkaku sitting near the centre of the table (as her position as Head of the Clan allowed), with Masaki and Ganju on her left and right. Ichigo, tentatively decided to sit near his mother, bringing a smile to her face, while the rest of the group fanned around the table. Before anyone could eat: "Everyone I'd like to give a little prayer! Please bear with me..." Masaki clasped her hands together and recited a prayer in German – blessing their meal and the day to follow.
Uryu was stunned by the prayer; they were words he's known his whole life. This brought memories of when his mother Kanae would recite this particular hymn for when the Ishida family would sit in communion with each other. 'How does Mrs. Kurosaki know this prayer!? She can't be a -' Almost like she sensed his discontent, Masaki looked over to her left. She smiled and spoke directly to the Quincy boy: "You're Uryu Ishida right? It's been over six years since I've seen you. You look so much like your father."
"W-W-Wait...! You know me and Ryūken!?" Uryu didn't think he could get tongue tied, but here he was struggling to string together a sentence. 'Ryūken and Kanae didn't tell him? Did my husband and the Ishida household swear themselves to secrecy or something!?' She didn't think her husband and Ryū would ever work together for a common goal, but here was the proof in her boy and Uryu. She looked down, breathing out – looking back to Uryu and then glancing over to her boy. She decided it was time. However before she could say anything the young Ishida calmly spoke: "Mrs. Kurosaki, how do you know that Quincy prayer? Actually I think I already know, but have a very hard time believing it..." The boy looked uncertain, looking down to his food.
"As you have already guessed Uryu, yes: the reason I know that Quincy prayer is because...I am a Quincy too," she was nervous, but felt immediately relieved to tell him and by extension Ichigo, who she was. To her right, she could hear Ichigo muttering, incoherent words, which she knew was his way of expressing his shock.
"I see, and that means Ichigo..." She finished Uryu's sentence for him "Is a Quincy too," tears in her eyes, she looked over to her son – disbelief in his eyes.