Chapter 9 First dispute between Father and Daughter / Request

Next day, 11th division, 11:25

She had a hard time sleeping but her rage didn't lessen not even a bit, in fact the impatience for the fight only made it escalate.

As she strolls through the corridors with a menacing look, every member of her squad knew since yesterday that their captain was in a bad mood like never before. She was harsher and her temper was high, nobody dared to approach her, even the ones that have to get paperwork to her office are usually scared but now they're terrified and didn't even try to get to her office, her lieutenant didn't want to summon her wrath on the Seireitei just because of a room filled with paperwork so he did as much as possible.

Yachiru was almost at the entrance ready to run to the Sokyoku Hill ' A fight huh. Well if it's a fight you want, I'll give you one. ' she thought with furry. After passing the entrance she uses a few shunpo but slows down and stops in the middle of an empty street ' After all, he deserves that much, right? ' She continues to go for the Sokyoku Hill but by walking ' I would have fought him right here and there, but if he wants to fight at the Sokyoku Hill then why not. '

She walks and walks, but her pace became a bit slower ' Why did he propose that we fight? It's weird. ' and slower ' It's almost as if he knew what I wanted, I would have thought that he would want to talk instead. ' she was so slow that each step didn't make any sounds ' It doesn't make any sense, why did he do that? ' until she stops, her face full with realization ' He didn't do that because he wanted to, he did that for me. ' she clenches her fists ' Of course he would, he always had to do it for me, even now he continues to do it. '

She starts to walk again not as fast as before but not slow either, as she now faces the stairs leading to the top of the Sokyoku Hill, her memories of the past with each step she takes. How she had to survive, the first time she had to steal, as well as her first kill, both hollow and human, her will to survive, with her bloody thirst to fight, the dark thought leading her into her desperate moment where everything applied to the law of the jungle, kill or be killed. She slows down looking at the stairs beneath her, as if it was the usual mountain of corpses she was used to, her eyes became dull. Life had nothing to offer, why still walking, for what purpose. When she puts her feet before the last step she stops, a short image of a parental smile giving birth to the light in her eyes.


Flashback

" I'm sorry, Daddy. " A young Yachiru was crying. " I know that you want me to stop stealing, but I- I- " the girl was sobbing and was trying to clear her tears with her little arms " I wanted to give you one of those fancy cakes. "

She was now embraced by her father, his warm hands on her head and her back " Shh shh it's okay, everything is alright, I'm here now. " it was because of her that he almost got hurt.

But the girl didn't want to believe it was okay " But if I didn't do it, the mean adults wouldn't have come for me and you wouldn't have to protect me. " how could he not be mad at her, it was her fault that he got hurt, and it was the first time she saw him take a hit, she didn't see any wounds on the hands that stopped the blade from killing her, but that didn't stop her from being worried.

" Sometimes people make mistake, you did one but I am not mad at you for this, somethings are bound to happens, but hey, hey listen. " he look at her teary eyes with his comforting smile " Even I make mistakes sometimes, it is because I learned from them that I am here with you. "

Now she was only sobbing " You made mistakes before? " for her he was perfect, she couldn't believe that he could make a mistake, it was impossible to imagine.

" Yes, and no matter what you do, even if you are mad at me, I will never be mad at you. "

She looked down, " How could I ever be mad at you. " she now hugs him and cries her heart out.

" One day I know you will, and I will be there for you. "

End Flashback


' Of course. ' She has now arrived at the top of the stairs.

The rage within her didn't fade away, but has now a purpose for this rage, she knows that she has to do this, and now she understands that he knew that since the day she called him Dad. Now that she thinks about it aren't children supposed to have some quarrel with their parents no matter the amount of love they have for each other?

As she walks out of the trees, she sees her father with his back on her, and Yamamoto on the sidelines, probably to make sure she doesn't step out of line. She stops, a fair distance between her and her adoptive father.

He turns back to her, he isn't smiling. She hesitates to draw her sword, andlike the usual Ichigo seems to read her mind as he speaks. " I knew it. " she is taken aback " Hesitation will only get you killed, why do you think I didn't let you come with me, it was because you are still a weak little girl. "

Of course, that wasn't a lie, everything he just said was true, hesitation will get you killed, especially on the Other Side, he just wished he had said it in another way but knew that he couldn't.

Any other father would have done otherwise, but he has seen many father and daughter relationships, he was old enough to know what exactly was needed to be said, people may call him crazy for helping his own daughter to unleash her emotions on him without a care for his well being, but he knows what to do. After waiting for so long she had to let go of all the hatred, else it would destroy her, and for that she needed a target, someone to blame, do why not him.

A sudden flow of image courses through her head, her crying, her walking in the street alone, her hunting without him to guide her, her having hearing the fear in people's voice talking about her, and finally the missing love she desperately needed to maintain her sanity. " I am not weak! " her reiatsu flares as she activates her Shikai wordlessly as she draws her sword but doesn't summon her monster, she takes it with two hands, her face filled with rage, forgetting her early thoughts. She takes a stance, she runs towards Ichigo who didn't move an inch and only slightly frowned at her.

(AN : sorry not the real fight but next chapter )

Yachiru jumps and brings her sword down, Ichigo calmly steps to his right and the sword strikes the ground, shattering it. She brings her sword back up and aims at his right side, he simply jumps back but she follows him using shunpo and is directly in front of him. She continues to advance using rapid thrusts but he effortlessly dodge all of them. She lets go of her left hand and brings down her Zanpakuto with her right, he dodge again in the same manner as before facing her sword. But this time she brings her fist back and aims for his head, he bends his head behind and her fist barely grazes his nose and hair.

And they would repeat the process. Her attacking, him dodging. Seeing that same calm face despite everything that was happening really made her more angry because now she would scream with every attack and he would silently respond by dodging.

Half an hour later, Yachiru, hands on her knees, was heavily breathing.

Yamamoto decided this was the best, and maybe the only moment, to interfere. " I think it's time for you to stop, Captain Kenpachi. "

She looks at him and screams " No! I am not done! "

" This is enough, you will- " he tried to use his authority but it was in vain.

" Shut up! " She looks back at Ichigo " And you. " the man in question was far away from her and uninjured, he looked completely fine but was still slightly frowning at her. " Stop that! Stop dodging me and fight, this time I won't let you run away from me! "

Ichigo simply sighs and shakes his head " I think this is enough, fighting won't solve our argument. "

" Argument?! You think this is an argument?! " her reiatsu began to raise even further " This isn't some stupid argument! " she grips her Zanpakuto tightly with her right and puts her left on the flat side near the guard, " THIS IS A BATTLE! "

It was clear for Yamamoto what she was about to do " Are you mad!? Stop this right now!? " unleashing her Bankai on the Shogun would have terrible repercussions, the wrath of the Soul King being one that he would like to avoid at all costs.

" Make me! "

While this was happening Ichigo lowered his head, his hair hiding his eyes " Is that what you want? A battle? " she didn't give him a response. And then he did a light " Ha. "

" You think this is funny!? " She was about to release her Bankai.

" Not at all. " He began to slowly walk towards her " It's just that I haven't thought of this as a battle, I'm sorry. "

" Stop making excuses! " he really was pushing her patience.

His tone changes " But I'm not. " but it wasn't as calm as before. " I just thought that I could tire you out, that you would have let out all your anger like a normal daughter, and I guess I also thought that I could solve this like a normal father. Ph, I couldn't be more wrong, sometimes I forgot that I'm not normal, neither are you. " his muscles suddenly tense as he continues to walk slowly " I also forgot that you became the battle maniac Kenpachi. " his tone was harsher than his calm one.

" You want a battle? Fine! " both Yamamoto and Unohana shiver as the sky suddenly turns blood red.

He took one step " Then in that case prepare yourself! " they suddenly felt a cold feeling on their skin.

He took another step " Don't hesitate! " they were terrified, so terrified that their bodies couldn't move.

Another step " Well?! What are you waiting for?! " it was like darkness was leaking out of him, the sun seemed to have disappeared.

He took one final step " Come at me! Cut me! Kill me! Give me all you got! " His ruby eyes full red glowing like a beast.

" There is only one type of being that has a chance to do what you couldn't in your wildest dreams." Their eyes widen and their iris becomes a tiny black dot.

" ONLY A GOD CAN KILL ME! "

For them it was like the grim reaper suddenly appeared from behind Ichigo, standing as tall as a mountain, its black tattered robes flying in the wind, its hand reaching for them, ready to claim their soul, and its empty eye sockets looking at them with two glowing red lights. The hand coming closer to squash them like a bug.

But everything immediately disappeared and returned to normal.

Ichigo was in front of them, his hands on Yachiru's head. His eyes turned back to normal, his smile is also there, completely relaxed as if nothing happened. " I'm sorry, sorry about abandoning you, about leaving you in the dark, about not contacting you in any way, about everything. I guess I wanted you to be safe, I wanted you to have friends, to enjoy something close to a peaceful normal life. " She gritted her teeth and lowered her hand, who was he to decide, who was he to control her life. She hated the fact that he thought he was perfect. " But I shouldn't have, I could have thought of a better solution, but I was too worried. It's just like I told you, everybody makes mistakes, and leaving you like that was my mistake. "

Her eyes widened, tears were starting to fall. She took a step and put her head on his chest. She started to sob, Ichigo brought his other arms one her back to shoot her, she brought her arms too and cried, her hands tightly holding his haori like she was going to tear it apart, and they stayed like this. Ichigo hugged his daughter, supporting her, and she, desperately hugging her father as if he would leave her again, disappearing if she let go for even a second. But that will never happen, he will always be there for her, he will always protect her like a father would.

Especially against other men.


Later, afternoon

They couldn't believe it.

The squad 11 simply couldn't believe it. How the fuck could someone be carrying the fearsome Kenpachi while she was sleeping. It was too much for them that they simply gave up trying to comprehend what was in front of their eyes.

Ichigo was walking with Yachiru on his back asleep, Yamamoto by his side to take care of any obstacle. Their destination was her quarters. The other Shinigami were asking themselves why was their captain on someone's back and who was said-person to have a captain's haori with a skull symbol instead of a number, they wanted to stop the man and ask but the Captain Commander glared at them, daring them to even take step. When they arrived Ichigo put her on the couch, put her haori on the chair behind the desk, and gave her a little kiss on her forehead, she seemed to unconsciously know because she now had a cute little smile. He smiles at that, happy to finally have his daughter back.

" What now? " Yamamoto asks, standing at the door to not let anyone in.

Ichigo gets up and looks at him with a neutral expression " Follow me. " He got ahead of Yamamoto and was going towards the exit. On the way Ichigo speaks " Do you have something to ask of me regarding yesterday night. "

The man was a bit embarrassed having been caught red-handed, and didn't even try to hide it in front of his hero who seemed to be some kind of telepath. " Well, no..., at least not right now, it's still hard to accept. However I do have a request. "

" I'm all ears. " They got out of the barracks and were going for the 1st division.

" I wouldn't mind if you decline, you must be occupied working for the Soul King and preparing us but … "

The orange-haired man nodded, already had an idea of what that request may be.

Yamamoto takes a long breath, what he was about to ask might be foolish. ' I feel like I will regret this. ' " I would like to request a fight against you. "

The Shogun stops and so does the Captain Commander, " Go tell everyone that you will be occupied for a while, I'll wait for you in your garden. " Yamamoto sigh in relief at what seems to be acceptance " Genryusai. " He looked back at the man in front of him who turned his head to the left and Yamamoto couldn't help but regret ever asking as his feeling was right. Ichigo had his red eyes activated and a wide smirk radiating a thirst for battle, adding his scar he looked menacing " You better prepare yourself to go all out and show me your Bankai, you'll need it. " after saying that he shunpoed away.

That wasn't what he expected but now he couldn't refuse.


Sometime later

And lastly his lieutenant.

Yamamoto left his division after telling his lieutenant and others, and shunpo to his house. When he arrived at the entrance he entered his mansion and was going for the garden, that is until he felt a reiatsu that didn't belong here. Anger surge at the intruder, he decided to take care of it before what could be a fierce, if not one-sided, battle. He walked to his office, violently opened the door and yelled " SHUNSUI! "

His eyes landed on a small child who looked seven, and who also acted like one despite his real mental age. " Old man Yama!? "

" Still trespassing in my house I see! "

" I'm sorry, I thought you would still be busy! "

" That doesn't help your case young man! Now go back to your father this instant. " he ordered pointing at the exit.

" Alright, alright. " The young brown-haired child started to walk to the door but stopped and looked back at the old man " Hey old man, there's some stranger with orange hair at the garden, do you know him? "

The old man widened his eyes " Did you talk to him? "

The young Kyoraku was taken aback by Yamamoto's expression " No, no! I just saw him in the garden sitting on the floor and looking at the sakura tree. What was wierd was that he didn't have any reiatsu at all, but I think he saw me since he turned his head and looked at me and smiled, after that I just ran away to not get caught. " he said nervously scratching the back of his head.

Yamamot had a calm expression at the end of the story, nothing happened, but he was glad that Kyoraku met the Shogun, maybe he will admire him like he did in the past. Yeah like that could ever happen with this lazy brat. " Alright, next time you see this man, you better talk to him and with respect. If I hear you were rude and impolite then your punishment will be severe. " he said harshly.

The child palled at the words, he didn't understand why was the old man acting like that for a stranger, someone weak at that but didn't think too much and just ran out of the mansion in fear.

The intruder now out of the way, Yamamoto walked to his original destination. When he arrived the Shogun was sitting on the grass just like how Kyoraku described it, as he approached the Shogun got up and turned around his red eyes still on but the crazy smirk was replaced by his usual smile. " I am sorry for being late. "

" You don't have to apologize, I know you had to take care of the kid first to avoid some chaos. By the way what's his name? I wish I could've asked him but he ran away. "

The Captain Commander was glad that he was so understanding for his lateness. " His name is Shunsui Kyoraku, son of Captain Minoru Kyoraku. He keeps barging in without my permission, is very immature and lazy. " Just talking about him already gave him a headache " What do you think of him? "

Ichigo looked at the sky " Shunsui, huh? He seems nice. Does his father hope he will become the future leader of his clan? "

" Oh god no, the boy has an older brother for that. But there is something about him, and I'm sure you notice too. " Ichigo nods " Despite his age he's rather wise, although such talent is wasted on lazing around and chasing women. "

" The Academy is not fully built yet and he is far from ready to go in, you'll have to wait a bit longer. " Ichigo interrupts.

Having Ichigo read him like a book quickly became a habit, he was less shocked but is still impressed that he's that easy to read, well that's to be expected with his wise ruby eyes. " Enough about that, I do not think we will fight here of all the places so, what do you have in mind? "

Ichigo put a smug smirk and Yamamoto could've sworn his eyes were mischievously glowing. He turned around, swinged his hands in the air and turned back to Yamamoto. " Since the Muken isn't done yet, I've decided that we will use my personal training ground. " A Garganta opened up behind him where his hands swinged.

Scratch what he thought before, the Shogun will always render him speechless no matter what.

To Be Continued


Behind the scenes

" Well hello there, not a very good chapter and sorry for being late, the author was dealing with exams. "

The author was lying on the desk with words coming out of his mouth " Essay, Figure of Style, Periphrases, Verbs, ... "

" Poor guy can't take it. Anyway, no special comments to talk about aside from this: love. While I'm flattered of your concern, TheAbsoluteZero thought of that already, yes I was in a romantic relationship but not right now and there's a reason for that, a sad and horrible one. Aside from that there is of you who keeps asking me questions by PM, the author isn't not complaining, in fact he really like to converse with you guys, so if you questions just ask or PM and he'll answer right away. "

" f(x) = (x 4)(5 2x) "

" Like he said, I'm Shogun Ichigo Kurosaki and I say farewell and... hotdogs. "