Disclaimer: I do NOT own bleach. I don't even own the majority of my stuff - I think it would be highly impossible to own such a famous manga/anime.

"Normal Speaking"

'Thoughts'

Flashbacks

#2#

"Matsuri (1)?"

The orange head glanced to arch an eyebrow at the over enthusiastic Shiba that almost looked like she was jumping in her seat. Her amber eyes were wide and held the puppy look that made him want to soften up but of course being who he was he took nothing of it and hardened his scowl along with his resolve as to not fall by the illusion.

"Yeah! Let's go to the Tōrō nagashi Matsuri! (2)"

And here was the disaster to come. After been residing in the Shiba manor for 3 days –awake- he now knew how hard it was to say no to the Shiba princess, not because she always got away with everything or that she was overly spoiled, no nothing like that. The reason being that it was better to go with her flow than fall victim to the cute puppy dog eyes or just –putting it plainly- gain a broken nose.

So here he was now, suppressing the urge to throw his hands up to show his exasperation. He really didn't feel like doing well… anything. Sure his injuries didn't hurt anymore so long as he didn't strain himself or stuff like that but he still didn't quite feel at 100%.

Now back in his time he would have said screw this and would have thrown himself into battle as soon as he was able to hold his sword but now –even if he wanted to- he couldn't. Number one being he really had no hurry to defeat enemies or protect comrades and secondly being that the Shibas just didn't let him. Ichigo had known how stubborn Shibas were –he should know, he is one after all- but this was just ridiculous. The moment he had mentioned that he help around the manor or do something the Shiba head and the Shiba princess –as he had dubbed her- started to make a fuss like mother hens and had stubbornly prohibited him from doing anything more than stand, walk, sleep, eat or change and that was just driving him insane. He wasn't one to be fawned over, heck he was the one that always did the fawning so not only having one but two being over him was slightly weird if not odd.

"I can't do anything remember. Princess's orders."

She sent a glare his way, obviously unamused by the fact that he was now throwing her own words against her and the fact that he kept calling her by that name. She seriously would have given him a through and all beating if he wasn't recuperating, so instead she satisfied herself by sending a smug smirk his way, one that held a hidden message that sent a sudden chill down Ichigo's spine.

"Going to the festival isn't tiring. You only walk, eat from the stands, look at the fireworks and send out the lanterns. Nothing special that can make you strain yourself."

Ichigo in return scoffed, seeing where the conversation was going but not quite ready to lose the debate so instead he satisfied himself with trying one last time to beat her and maybe, just maybe not fall victim and say yes in the end.

"If I'm good enough to go to the Tōrō nagashi Matsuri I should be good enough to get back to my life and leave don't you think?"

This got him a reaction, though not the one he wanted but he guessed it was something because the raven head flattered even if just for a second. After she composed herself a thoughtful expression marred her face, one that held hesitation before it was replaced by pure warmth a small smile slowly curling up her lips.

"You should know why you still haven't left to continue your life."

And this was because she just couldn't call the way Ichigo lived a life. Sure she hadn't been told anything about his life style of before her father found him but she had made her own implications, how could one not when someone arrives half-dead at your doorstep. So she was more than sure that Ichigo's life was more than hectic, if not plain miserable. Besides, the orange head didn't even have someone to return to –this he had actually mentioned on his own free will- so she just couldn't find a reason to return to the streets even when he had a chance to stay.

And of course he'd been offered that decision two days ago by none other than the Shiba head himself but he had yet to answer, not really saying no but neither saying yes. So, once Haruka blurted out that sole sentence his thoughts went running back to that night hesitation and some sort of fear donning into his mind.

"Twenty years."

Neither spoke as the silence seemed to be as unsettling as one would expect from a conversation of this caliber, the void atmosphere never seemed to waver in its impenetrable quiet and it stayed that way for a good 10 minutes before Ryōtarō even gained the confidence to sigh and look away from the fierce amber that stared right back at him.

The Shiba head brought a hand to scrub over his face, obviously fed up with the stillness that suddenly came over them. So instead he decided to speak up his mind and get it over with.

Better now than never.

"It'd be stupid of me to start saying how sorry I am and that I understand your pain because I seriously can't. But, I can tell you that you are nothing if not alone..."

He stopped for a second to release a breath as he took in the orange head's dumfounded expression –at least he wasn't angry. Ryōtarō looked directly into amber, wide eyes as he continued, voice full of determination and real sincerity more than anything.

"I want to ask something of you Ichigo... would you be willing to stay with us...? We'll never ask what you do not want to answer, we don't need anything from you so please... would you become a part of our family…?"

Silence seemed to engulfed them but it didn't feel awkward or anything of that sort. Ryōtarō's fond and warm smile cleared up the thickness that could have been formed as if the small gesture was enough to make the atmosphere relaxed and somewhat… peaceful. He saw how Ichigo looked at the ground finding it more interesting than holding his fierce eyes and looking at him but he didn't mind, Ryōtarō saw how the slightly long orange bangs covered Ichigo's face to make it a complete mystery as to what was behind but it never bothered him, instead he took one last glance at the teen before muttering brief but warm words

"Think about it…"

And just like that he stalked out, leaving a very much stunned strawberry behind but never glancing back knowing with no doubt that if he did he would demand an answer; and Ichigo was grateful for the gesture because he seriously wasn't ready to give an one.

The man never asked for an answer even after two days had passed. He had acted like the thing never happened but he knew it did because Haruka had been told the next day and started to pester him that he should stay and that he had no reason to return to the slums.

Still Ichigo never answered to the Shiba princess either, he just stayed quiet when the topic came with his many talks with Haruka and this particular one was going to end no different.

Haruka gave out a long, slow sigh before shaking her head in a disapproving manner even though she didn't question a thing, instead she settled for giving a stern look and giving the final verdict.

"Anyway, we're going to the festival together so get ready."

With that she stood from her seated position in the wooden hallway besides the orange head to give him a smile from above, obviously pleased that she was currently taller than him and that he hadn't reproached just settled for a glare that didn't look at all menacing from beneath her.

"No need to broad so you might as well have fun 'kay?"

He just gave out a reluctant sigh before nodding his head in a defeated manner, glancing up at the raven head and looking at her amused smile from the corner of his eyes before the smallest of smirks curled up his lips, discarding the glare that seriously had no use with her.

"Alright… I guess I can try."

Her smile widened as she beamed with happiness and took off in a hurry, obviously going to get ready and notify her idiotic father of the news.

Once she was out of sight Ichigo's smile wavered as his face returned to his own shut out mask, one that wasn't particularly stoic like the Kuchiki's even if it didn't betray his own feelings for a second. His mask was more like a neutral kind of face, one that read uncaring but didn't say anything else even when his fierce amber eyes stood out when he occasionally had them.

He shook his head as his gaze lingered onto the beautiful sakura tree that was starting to shed its own petals, being carried off by the wind and making a majestic sight to look at. But even as his eyes were on the pink colored petals his mind was somewhere else, lost in thoughts and hesitations that just made his case worse because he knew the answer before Ryōtarō had even stopped talking that night and that fact scared him.

It scared him to think that his own heart would jump head on the moment he had been offered a place, a family to belong to. He just couldn't decipher the feelings of longings that never seemed to leave his mind when he thought about that chance. A chance that made him beam with happiness and at the same time want to tear up. Would this mean he was replacing his family? If so he just didn't want it so he kept on pushing it aside. He just couldn't accept his own resolve at the moment and that was just ridiculous.

So instead of losing his head on something that clearly had no answer at the moment he stood up, gaze flickering briefly towards the hallways before realizing there wasn't even a need to be on edge. It was hard to tone down battle instincts that was for sure. Ignoring the observation he went off to his own room, rice door sliding softly behind and clicking in an obvious sign of closing. Ichigo stood there, inside his room but not quite leaving the door just yet, he sighed before giving himself shake of the head, cursing at his own hesitation and deciding to concentrate on the matter at hand.

He needed to get ready for the Tōrō nagashi Matsuri.

#2#

"This is just so damn frickin confusing!"

He seriously considered tearing his own hair off his head; it was stupid and stressful because he knew already his decisions were just being fogged up and blinded and that more than anything annoyed the hell out of him.

"It wouldn't be if you only stopped lying to yourself."

And this was another thing. His zanpaktou spirits. Ichigo had tried to find some sort of peace and comfort and had fled into his inner world when he noticed he had time to spare before the festival and the fact that he was already changed and ready to go, but the two just weren't being of any use, if anything they seemed to leave the orange head to deal with it on his own and that was frustrating. Weren't they supposed to assist him?

He scowled once the words sunk in because he wasn't expecting a reply now and much less that. He really did know what he wanted just like his own soul had said mere seconds ago but the thing was that he felt hesitant even if he knew perfectly fine what he wanted, what he preferred but he couldn't choose thanks to his own useless thoughts only increasing his fear. How would this affect the future? Would it bring to much attention to himself? What would he do from here on if he still had centuries to spare?

"I'm not lying myself, I'm trying to make the right decision and you two are not helping."

This brought a reaction from the albino that had uninterested until now. He turned around to glare at his wielder before letting out a snarl, not satisfied with Ichigo's actions and indecision.

"A king is king because he his has his people but you're just ignoring your people –your soul. You are KING of this fucked up soul of yours so you already know what you –what we want so stop angsting like a god damn teenager and take your pick!"

It brought a certain realization to him, it really did, and he knew his choice from the very beginning he was just wavering thinking of the what ifs. He needed to get a grip, he had only one goal in mind how he accomplished it he shouldn't care less it just had to guarantee to stop the war in the end.

He stayed silent, getting a conclusion but not wanting to voice it out as he still had a flicker of hesitation weighing him down so instead he turned around and silently started to walk away towards the edge of a blue building to disappear back into consciousness but was stopped when a stern hand was placed on his shoulder. Ichigo glanced back to look at the old man which happened to be a part of Zangetsu in his own way. He stared at him from the corner of a stoic amber eye, not showing an ounce of emotion even though it was impossible to hide them from his very own soul.

"I couldn't have put it in any other way even if Shiro did add an extra… but Ichigo, you've never hesitated on your choices before, always honest with yourself and doing what you thought was right and maybe sometimes it made things go wrong but you were always able to fix them in the end…"

A brief flicker of pride passed through his eyes as he squeezed Ichigo's shoulder to give in some comfort and show how honest he was with his words because if he had ever admired anything from his wielder it had been his strong will to do what was right so he really wanted to get his point across.

"…now is not the time to ignore that part of you and I wouldn't think you would need us to remind you of who you are –what makes you the person we, and many others were -are proud of… don't hesitate Ichigo you will only die in the process."

The orange head in return gave a small barely distinguishable smile but it was enough for both of them because even if he didn't show it they knew how Ichigo felt perfectly fine.

They both saw how their king started walking to the edge once more, confidence inscribed into his very being, showing it as vividly as the day even in the way he walked and strode to the end of the building. No faltering, never wavering, always going forward, never looking back, and as he stood, one step away from the ledge he spoke up in a hushed yet stern and determined voice they had yet to here in a long time.

"Thank you…"

And with that he was off, slowly disappearing into nothingness and awakening in the outside world to face his life with new found determination and confidence that was always present, it had only been muted. But now, he would no longer hesitate.

'I will stop looking back…'

#2#

He had been startled that was for sure.

Why wouldn't he be when he was peacefully filling out paperwork and all of a sudden an over excited Shiba Haruka broke into his office and all but demanded they all go to the Tōrō nagashi Matsuri with such radiance in her eyes one would think she had just won a contest or something. So, when he had finally been able to calm her down and make her explain her reasons –she never acted so excited over events like these- he had been more than a little shocked when the realization donned over him that Ichigo of all people had actually agreed to go and had promised –involuntarily agreed- he would try and have some fun, so once he had gotten the full gist of the situation –including her failed attempt at cornering Ichigo into accepting his proposal- he stood up, pushed the paperwork aside and had hurried over to get ready himself along with little Wataru. They would all go as a family, maybe make Ichigo realize how well he could fit –had fit well already- into the Shibas.

And now, a mere hour later he was striding down a hallway, making way towards the room he knew the young orange head resided in with gleam and happiness written all over his face. Once he caught sight of the room he couldn't help but feel even more satisfied that they could go out and that the boy had actually accepted –though reluctantly- and that they could coax him out of the manor now that he could move without pain. So as he stood outside of the room with a smug smirk on his face he called out to the occupant of the room as he noticed the steady yet small reiatsu inside the room.

"Oi, Ichigo! You ready? Haruka is already at the entrance with Wataru so we should get going!"

He heard a rustle before a series of other noises followed after, a loud thud being one of them as he could only wonder why but as quickly as the noise came a somewhat flustered Ichigo appeared out the shoji door, ready and in full attire for a festival. He wore a navy blue yukata that had a golden pattern of fireworks on the bottom left, it contrasted nicely with his bright orange hair but still made him look like quite the looker –even though he had looks to spare when he wore normal clothing as well.

His own thoughts lingered, thinking that the orange head would make any woman swoon and if he did join the Shiba clan he would most likely have suitors lined up, ready at any given moment for their prey. His musing was cut short as he remembered the loud thud from earlier and had to cut his own fantasy short.

"Ne Ichigo, what was that noise?"

The ex-shinigami daiko shifted nervously in his place as he seemed to scan his own surroundings looking for an answer only to find none and settle to look at the ground which for some reason was much more interesting than the Shiba head at the moment.

"I-I um…fell?"

The question mark did not go unnoticed but Ryōtarō said nothing, opting to let the young man keep it to himself since it really wasn't anything of great importance. Ichigo had to thank every god he could think of along with the spirit king that the raven head hadn't pried further, after all, it's not like he could go ahead and say Oh sorry I just happened to be meditating with my zanpaktou spirits when you arrived so I was startled and almost tripped but don't worry nothing of grand importance. Sure like that would sound logical for someone that –as far as everyone else knew- did not have a zanpaktou let alone two! So he was really grateful when the Shiba curiosity didn't act up and was able to get free.

Ichigo felt a gaze being directed towards him and turned to look at the Shiba head. He was staring rather intently and for that Ichigo could not avoid lifting an eyebrow.

"What?"

"No, I was just thinking how well Shiba clothing suits you."

He flushed lightly at the comment but was quickly replaced by panic and soon after confusion, remembering something that Ryōtarō himself had said and not finding it coherent with the two facts put together.

"But I thought you said all these were gifts from other clans."

Seeing the orange heads confusion he shook his head trying to prove his point; arms crossed over his chest almost like if he were scolding a child but still held the patience to hold his deception and explain.

"We also store cloths that we've outgrown or no longer use. Take that yukata for example, it used to be mine some time back."

Ichigo took in the information as he understood the logic behind it since it really wasn't wise to leave useless clothing at the back of a closet. He was satisfied with the answer but still couldn't help feeling a small bit of shock thanks to the fact that was revealed at the end; being that the navy blue yukata was once the Shiba heads. He was brought from his thoughts when the raven head cleared his throat and motioned Ichigo to follow him into the halls and to the gate.

They walked in silence all the way, a calm yet peaceful one that let the birds chirping be heard like a melodious tune. As they arrived at the gate Haruka was already there; hands at her waist and a scowl on her face.

"You're late!"

Ryotaro only gave an apogelic smile as he returned his gaze to the orange head that was looking for something that both Shibas had no clue as to what. They were all shocked when Ichigo almost fell face first upon having force being applied in the hug he was suddenly grasped into. The orange head looked down to see a mop of black hair and more than anything the tight embrace the boy had on his own leg.

"Hey Wataru-chan, I was just wondering where you were."

As that question was answered the two Shibas were finally able to notice how kind and open Ichigo happened to be with the little boy and upon closer inspection they also discovered Wataru's wide smile.

"I'm glad you'll come to the festival with us Ichi-ni! We can play games and eat takoyaki or some manju and-"

"Okay okay just calm down, we'll have some fun together 'kay?"

The boy just nodded rather earnestly, letting go of Ichigo's leg only to grab onto his hand, pulling him towards the gate and making him walk, the two Shibas right behind. As they finally caught up they all set into a peaceful and cheerful stroll through the halls of what Ichigo noticed was the old sereitei.

It was certainly an eye opener to see the majestic sereitei he knew being so small and barely being built. He looked curiously at every single detail finding it pretty interesting and seeing how even so much into the past with everything being a smaller version it was still a maze. As they arrived at the border of where the sereitei ended the streets started to look livelier with many people and stands all in happy cheers.

"Let's go to eat some treats Ichi-ni!"

Ichigo looked down to look at the small boy having an excited expression in place, he looked like he would burst with happiness and this brought a happy expression in place as he gave a warm smile in return before he nodded and replying with a soft and barely audible okay, letting himself be dragged into the many stands and sea of people, not even having time to glance back to see if the other two Shibas were following.

About an hour later Ichigo was dead tired thanks to the fact that he didn't have a moment to spare between stand in stand, having to keep up with the little boy's excitement and being careful not to over exert himself afraid that he would have a relapse or something worse. So when Haruka came behind him with an expression of sympathy in place and a hint of amusement telling him she would take over for a while he was more than thankful.

Once he got out of the crowd he went to sit down on a bench that just so happened to have a view towards a small riverbank. He let out a shaky sigh before rolling his shoulders backwards trying to get the soreness off and somewhat relax. Ichigo was surprised when the Shiba head all of a sudden appeared out of nowhere and sat down beside him with a sake jug in hand.

"You're awfully relaxed in a crowd."

Ryōtarō glanced to look at him with a hint of confusion in place, mildly shocked that Ichigo was the one to initiate the conversation and not him.

"What do you mean?"

"Well you're a captain and the Shiba head to boot. Wouldn't you be recognized or something?"

This brought even more confusion onto the raven head and Ichigo had to make a double take when the other seemed actually curious as to what Ichigo was talking about, after all he never had that problem, no one did.

"We aren't celebrities, at least not yet that I know of. Sure say the name of any of the 5 great noble houses and anyone would know them but actually recognizing the members of a clan or the gotei 13?"

Ichigo looked curiously at this, wanting to know more information of this time so that he could have more ammo when needed, every piece of information was valuable. Seeing this the Shiba head couldn't help but break into a smile and continue with his lecture, liking the idea of the orange head being so interested in the noble life.

"Every single noble family is registered into the central 46 records but they still haven't gone as deep as to write the exact amount of members, names or relations in between them. The five great noble houses are a bit more monitored but since the great noble houses are relatively new there still isn't a precise record. Take the Shiba clan for example, they know the name of the head which is me, they know I'm captain of squad 10 and also the fact that I was once married and that I have children but they don't know how many children, genders or any of that."

Ryōtarō gave a pensive nod deciding that giving more internal information wasn't that bad of an idea before looking back at Ichigo that was engulfed completely in the conversation, interest and fascination written all over his face even if history was never one of his favorites.

"The family registers for the noble families are being integrated at the end of this year. The central 46 is tired of having everything so lax and want to start having control even on us. Of course this doesn't mean we're going to sit back and let them do what they want. It's our clan after all."

"I imagine that the clans are going to do anything they want before the register right?"

This made a sort of malicious yet playful laugh erupt from the Shiba head, knowing where Ichigo was going with that sole question and not in the least offended by the fact that he and all the other clan heads were being accused of doing underhanded stuff.

"Well you could say, I mean anyone would… though I wasn't planning on doing anything until like three days ago."

The new revelation brought newfound curiosity into the orange head. He glanced to look at the raven head to find his wide smug smirk that just wrote danger all over it. He gulped trying not to look nervous and failing miserably as he tried to choke out the words and find out what the Shiba head was plotting.

"A-and wh-what is your plan?"

The older man's smirk widened if possible before he got close to Ichigo's ear and opened his mouth to give his answer which was apparently very secretive.

"Forcing you into the Shiba family."

This made Ichigo scowl throwing his previous nerves away as if they never existed in the first place. He turned to look at the raven head, planning on throwing a fit and giving him a reproach about how he had previously said it was Ichigo's choice to make and that he wouldn't force him and now he was doing the opposite. But when he met with sad green eyes he stopped, previous feelings muted and trying to form a sentence together having no luck what so ever.

Ichigo felt bad and looked at the dirt made road the bench happened to be on, trying to get his thoughts in order even if he finally knew his answer.

He felt the silence but didn't feel uncomfortable as both versions of his Zangetsu seemed to give him strength from his inner world encouraging him to look up again and face his problems like a man he was.

"Don't look back…"

The sole sentence brought the Shibas attention onto the orange head that was looking into the river bank with determination obviously reflected in his amber eyes. All of a sudden amber met green as a staring contest commenced not even stopping when Ichigo opened his mouth to give out an answer that just so happened to surprise the Shiba.

"You won't have to force me…"

#2#

"Haru-ne Where's Ichi-ni and Chichue?"

Haruka glanced down to look at the little curious boy that now held a less excited face and was more inclined to worry. This brought a certain confusion to her but decided not to inquiry just yet and first answer the boy.

"Well Ichigo looked pretty tired so he's resting for now and Chichue… well he must be somewhere."

This seemed to alleviate the young Shibas worry even if just a little but he still held apprehension that one would think impossible for a boy his age.

"What's wrong Wataru-chan?"

"Ichi-ni looks sad when he's alone that's why I don't want to leave him by himself."

Haruka saddened realizing she hadn't even noticed and how the small boy caught onto Ichigo's real feelings when they hadn't even seen them. She softened up hoping more than ever that Ichigo would stay with them so that he wouldn't stay alone any longer. She looked down when Wataru's voice brought her attention as she silently listened to the boy that looked close to tears.

"I always play and talk with Ichi-ni when he's alone and I really like to spend time with him. I don't want him to leave."

The eldest of the two broke into a small smile and kneeled down next to the young raven head to give him a hug, trying to convey her understanding before standing up once more holding him in her arms.

"How about we go and look for Ichigo and Chichue so that we can look at the lanterns together?"

At this he only nodded, not wanting to say anything but gaining comfort by Haruka's hug but most of all her steady presence.

After some time, it could be said that they had been walking around the stands looking around for what seemed like half an hour when it had only been around 10 minutes. Wataru was starting to get impatient and Haruka was having a hard time keeping him calm when all of a sudden something orange caught her attention and she was finally able to see her target which happened to be sitting right next to her father.

"Look Wataru-chan, its Ichigo and Chichue."

Said boy beamed with excitement at seeing that Ichigo wasn't alone, they were about to call out in unison to give them a surprise when all of a sudden Ichigo's steady voice surprised them.

"You won't have to force me…"

Both stood frozen not because of what Ichigo had said, no they didn't even understand the meaning of those words. What surprised them however was their stupid father starting a scene.

"Are you serious?!"

At this Ichigo hesitated but he slowly but surely nodded giving the other an unimaginable relief and tranquil. The Shiba head stood up and pulled Ichigo into a heartwarming hug which the orange head had no idea to react to, only stood there frozen in place.

"I'm glad…"

Once Haruka saw her father's reaction everything clicked into place and she couldn't help but let out an equally happy grin spread on her face. She looked down at Wataru that had a face of confusion and knelt down next to him, getting close enough to mummer something in his ear without being heard.

"I think Ichigo is going to stay in the manor with us."

That sole sentence brought a goofy smile onto the toddler as he glanced back to look at Ichigo's panicked expression as he was hugged and decided to help him out letting his presence known.

"Chichue let go of Ichi-ni! He doesn't like your hug!"

The two men finally noticed the new company promoting Ryōtarō to grin widely at his family and Ichigo to blush a light pink in embarrassment. The older of the two ran off to his two children to glop them into a tight hug letting Ichigo take a break from the over enthusiastic Shiba.

"My family has grown once more!"

"Get off Chichue!"

"I love you to Haru-chan."

"Don't call me that!"

Ichigo smiled sadly at the scene, finding so much resemblance to his own crazy father and how they would share their love. He was so embraced in memories of the past that he didn't notice that he was being stared at by the three Shibas until a tiny hand was placed on his leg making him jump slightly and look at the source of the intrusion to his memories.

He was met with the big green eyes of little Wataru as he glanced down at the boy that held curiosity filled eyes and a smile as wide as possible.

"Ichi-ni thank you, for staying with us… I always wanted to have a big brother."

Those words stung deep into his very core, words that made his eyes water even against his own will. It was more than anything remains from a memory that made this happen not only thanks to the little boys words, it was the very emotions that were conveyed so much like that memory that triggered the phenomenon.

"Ichi-ji when I grow up I wanna be a Shinigami like you!"

Said person could not suppress a chuckle as he ruffled the small tuff of burnt orange hair so much like his mother and gave a warm smile that made the boy very happy since his Ichi-ji was just so hard to make smile. Ichigo thought about the boy's father, thinking it was so rare that the orange head wanted to be a shinigami with his father being who he was.

"I think your father would be really disappointed if you didn't become a Quincy."

This brought a pout to the boy's face as he crossed his arms over his chest, trying to imitate Ichigo´s signature scowl to the best of his abilities even though it didn´t look one bit menacing.

"But you´re a shinigami and a quincy!"

The sole sentence brought a certain realization to mind as he just froze to think about what the little boy had said but thought nothing of it as he found a simple yet non-convincing explanation.

"I´m just weird that way."

"But even if you're weird I still want you as a big brother."

"Ichigo?"

A soft voice brought him from his musing as he glanced at the two older Shibas that held worry etched onto their faces. He felt something wet and brought a hand to his cheek to see a lonely tear had betrayed him and showed his true despair.

Ichigo cleaned off the tear as he gave a sad melancholic smile trying to alleviate the worry the others felt for him and also convince himself that he was okay. This seemed to calm them if only a little bit as Haruka tried to smile back while holding a bag up to show the other three.

"I bought two lanterns a little while ago with some brushes so that we can put a name and set them free."

Haruka gave Ichigo a lantern and a brush which had ink, ready to use and the orange head couldn't help but glance down at the small paper thing in his hands as he thought of when was the last time he had set one off himself.

The orange head looked at the two Shiba siblings that had left in a hurry to the shore, lantern ready and lit up about to place it on the clear water. He saw the Shiba head behind him an couldn't help but look curiously while staring into his green eyes, not really expecting the other to speak up since his gaze seemed so distant.

"My wife died in labor… Wataru was born healthy thanks to her sacrifice… that was about 25 years ago."

Ichigo kept on staring at the man, not really wanting to speak up and ruin the peaceful moment that decided to suddenly bless them. Ryōtarō really didn't care when the orange head decided to stay quiet and he actually thought of it as a sign of goodwill since he was actually listening.

"I'd imagine you've lost many people and just because you joined our family it means you won't lose any more people but… at least you won't be lonely."

The head was quite surprised when Ichigo let out an annoyed huff of breath and turned back to the river while speaking up, voice steady yet barely audible.

"I bet it's a nuisance to take in someone like me."

"Maybe… but let me tell you, I happen to have a soft spot for cripples, bastards and broken things."

Ichigo scoffed, looking back at the raven head with a tug of a smile lingering dangerously on his lips even though he was trying to give an annoyed scowl while failing badly.

"So now I'm a broken thing."

"Who said you were a broken thing, maybe you're a cripple or bastard. You yourself chose one."

Ichigo didn't respond, thinking back to the lantern and who he should place it for; he thought of his friends, family, comrades, subordinates and many others that had died throughout all his life, he thought back to the boy with burnt orange hair and how he had met his demise; his parents, Orihime and Uryuu dying while trying to protect the boy and failing miserably, Ichigo only arriving in time to hear Uryuu's final words to him that even now resounded in his very core, words that came out in pauses as he coughed blood and struggled to breath but Uryuu was still able to convey his disgust against the whole master minds that had created the hell they were living in.

"Beat the bastards and remember us in the end."

The words were more than enough for Ichigo to understand that Uryuu didn't want revenge, he wanted Ichigo to win, to survive and that was what he had done till the bitter end but now… now he was not in that time, the people that had died had yet to even be born he now he had… time.

So after a lot of thinking and being in a memory induced state he was finally able to decide on what to write on the lantern. So he grabbed a brush and wrote the two kanji letters that meant the start of his new life and lit the small lantern making way to the shore and kneeling down to place it on the water.

Meanwhile Ryōtarō had been seeing the whole thing, never interrupting or calling out, knowing it would be better to leave it at that and let Ichigo do as he pleased and just watch on the sidelines, so when Ichigo started walking towards the shore and kneeling down like a little boy about to play in the water he couldn't help but follow behind silently to see the name of the person Ichigo cherished enough to write on the lantern.

But what he saw amazed him and at the same time made him proud as Ichigo finally placed the lantern in the water letting it float and make the kanji visible.

過去 (Kako)(Past)

To be continued…

1. Festival.

2. Floating lantern festival.

And that is all for this chapter, hope you like and that I didn't bore you to no end with this one but I at least cleared a bit of information on the past rules and norms so that you can get a hazy idea of the general situation.

Note: Next chapter the bleach characters start to come out so hold your horses and there will be a time skip of 50 years.

Now if you're asking yourself '50 years?! Why so much?!' well I can answer that question with another one. Why not…?

Na just kidding, you'll see why it was so important and also because I can. It won't be rushed so no worries you just sit back and enjoy the ride.

The next chapter is almost half way there's so fret not it will be updated sooner than this one and also remind you all that my other fics also happen to be in proses it's just that inspiration to write has been currently focused on this one but it will soon return to the others –the ending that never came might come out after ch. 4 of this.

So thank you all for moral support with reviews follows or favorites it really inspires believe it or not –even if the review happens to just say Thx or xD.

Bye Bye!