Disclaimer: I don't own bleach in any way or form. The ONLY thing I own is the Shiba characters.

"Normal talking."

'Thoughts.'

#50 years later#

Chirping noises resounded through the morning breeze, the cool wind rustled the trees along with the chimes that just so happened to be hung on the hallway. The noise made its way to ears of a curled up figure in a futon, groaning lightly and cuddling further into the covers as his dreamless sleep was disrupted. The noise happened again, this time added by a set of footsteps as they made way towards the shoji doors of the slumbering person.

The doors were sprung open with force enough to make a loud clang but even that didn't wake the curled up figure.

"Wake up Ichi-ni, stop being lazy! Chichue is calling so hurry up, c'mon!"

A tuff of orange hair pocked out of the covers as amber eyes were barely visible, still glazed thanks to the sleep induced state he was in mere seconds ago.

"Five more minutes."

The other which had gone with the purpose of waking up the orange head pouted, arms crossed over his chest in evident disagreement.

"Do you want me to call Haruka-ne?"

This made Ichigo react, jumping out of the warm confinements of the futon and rushing into the closet to get changed. Being wide awake even though it was relatively early he yelled from the other room, hassled in changing clothing but sure that his alarm clock would hear him.

"What does Chichue want at 6 in the morning?"

The smaller boy only shifted in his place, thoughtful with a finger resting on his chin in a very pensive way trying to find an answer. He shrugged to himself once he couldn't find one and seeing as the orange head could not hear a shrug he decided to voice out his thoughts

"He didn't say."

Having already finished changing, the oldest of the Shiba siblings came out to join the youngest, wearing a simple forest green kimono with a black haori on top since it was pretty chilly for being beginnings of January. Ichigo ruffled the black locks of the boy, earning himself an annoyed glare even if his hand wasn't pushed away.

"Let's go Wataru-chan, wouldn't want Haru to get mad because we're late now would we?"

Seeing the boy –which now looked like a 13 year old- nod, he began to walk down the halls of the Shiba manor towards the dining room, knowing full well that early family meetings would always be held with breakfast before the Shiba head would have to go to his captain duties.

Once they arrived to the dining room the playful smile that was on Wataru's face disappeared, being replaced by a frown thanks to the man that just so happened to be sitting next to his father. The youngest of the Shibas glanced up to look at his elder brother, seeing an unreadable expression etched onto his face that just made him shudder thinking how fake the orange head besides him now seemed to be.

He winced when he noticed the sharp glare that the intruder sent his way and proceeded to enter the room as quietly as possible and sit next to his sister which just so happened to be scowling rather fiercely.

Wataru glance at his father once more to see a very fake smile on his face as he tried to be a good host for a man he clearly disliked and he couldn't agree more. The man looked old and had gray hair that reached a little bit over mid-back, his piercing black eyes bore holes into his very being and he couldn't help but quiver under the gaze. He would be eternally grateful that his dear brother went to the rescue, interrupting the stare with a polite greeting.

"It's nice to see you again Gen-Jisama."

No one missed the clench of his teeth as he murmured the sole sentence as he gave a shallow bow, but even as he did, Ichigo's unemotional expression never wavered, in fact it hardened, getting locked between locks and codes never to be let free in front of someone Ichigo wasn't comfortable with.

The reaction given in response was enough to make their blood boil but of course they could do nothing but endure it as the old man seemed to spit out the words.

"At least one of your snotty brats has enough manners to manage a somewhat proper greeting."

Gen scoffed as he rolled his eyes and took a glance at the Shiba head which –for the record- had hands balled in fists at his lap, knuckles as white as snow and getting whiter by the second.

"And you're no better. I don't know why my brother even bothered to leave the head of this clan to a failure like you."

This seemed to get a reaction from Haruka that had stayed silent the whole time, trying not to throw a tantrum but failing miserably in the end.

"Don't speak that way of Chichue!"

Seeing that the Shiba daughter would end up doing something she would later regret Ichigo strode to her side and placed a hand in hers, trying to make her calm down and get some comfort by his presence.

"Che, look at that. The Shiba-hime is a disgrace to the family at this rate-"

"I think you should leave Ji-san."

The old man glanced wide eyed at the interruption, seeing that the Shiba head which had wanted to avoid conflict from the beginning had suddenly decided he had enough.

"You've over stayed your welcome."

The older man scoffed once more as he stood up and strode out towards the wide open shoji door and into the hall, giving a glance back to glare at the Shiba main family and then just leave like if he had done nothing wrong and Ryōtarō had been the one to do badly.

Once the man was out of earshot Haruka was finally able to let out her frustration as she yelled out her thoughts for everyone to know.

"I just hate that shitty geezer!"

They all couldn't agree more with Haruka and Ryōtarō would have voiced out his thoughts in front of the man if he wasn't scared what the Shiba elder would do to his children if he pissed off the man.

"You were awfully quite Wataru-chan."

Once Ichigo had spoken up the Shiba head noticed that what the orange head had said was accurate and weird at the same time so he glanced to look at his youngest seeing that he still had a deep frown and as the curiosity beat him he raised an eyebrow to inquiry.

"Your brother's right you know. It's weird that you didn't start offending the bastard the moment you saw him."

Wataru just crossed his arms over his chest, scowl very prominent on his face as he had a perfect teacher to copy from.

"I didn't want Ichi-ni or Chichue to get in trouble again."

Yes that's true, he remembered the times that the Shiba council was convinced by none other than Shiba Gen that Ryōtarō had done an awful job raising them and how it was necessary to take action. In the end they sent Ichigo to some extracurricular noble classes so that he would give a good example for the other two and that had given the young Shiba a sort of regret because he had bothered his Ichi-ni so now he had tried to keep his mouth shut and not say a word.

Ichigo on the other hand exceeded the elders expectations, he had passed his lessons with flying colors, acting as proper and educate as a high class noble would act and making Shiba Gen shut up and not bother them in a long while. Of course good things never last long. So when Wataru suddenly put a sorry face and inclined his head slightly Ichigo couldn't help but ruffle the short black locks of the little brother he had never hopped to have but more than anything was grateful for.

"It wasn't your fault I already told you so who cares. We were able to shut the council to so we ended up winning."

Wataru was able to muster up a small smile as he sat back in his seat, everyone else mirroring his actions as some servants came in to place an early breakfast on the table for the Shiba family to enjoy.

As the air lightened up thanks to Gen leaving Haruka was able to relax and muster up her more cheerful demeanor, trying to make what was left of their time be somewhat enjoyable.

"So Chichue why did you wake us up so early and summon up a family meeting?"

The Shiba head seemed confused for a second before he remembered what he wanted to tell his children before the bother had appeared.

"Oh yeah I forgot all about it because he came unannounced."

Ichigo scoffed, not being able to agree more but still wanting to show his displeasure. He really hated his uncle.

"Well I have some news to share with you all but first I want to ask my dearest elder son something."

Ichigo glanced at his father rather nervously; even now he felt weird referring to the man as a father and with respect but he had slowly but surely gotten used to it, only rarely slipping up and screwing up, so now that said man was actually referring to him as his son –which was the story they had created that now seemed more of a true than a lie- he couldn't help but feel apprehension.

"How're your studies in the academy coming along?"

This seemed to gain everyone's attention as all eyes were on the orange head that now looked overwhelmed by the sudden attention, he really hated this moment.

"I would like to know to Ichi-ni, even if you really don't like to talk about yourself I've been kinda curious."

Haruka nodded at this, wholeheartedly agreeing with Wataru in how Ichigo wasn't really talkative and how they knew mostly nothing of his time in the shinigami academy.

"W-why the question Chichue?"

"Well I received a call from Yamamoto-dono the other day to talk about out of work business. Apparently he wants to know your opinion on his pride that happens to be the Shinigami Academy, and since you just so happened to be a student and are also lauded for being a prodigy I think you could give valuable advice."

Ichigo shifted nervously in his place, trying to find a way out of the conversation if it was the last thing he did. After all, what could he say? The academy his boring because I already know all this? I just entered the academy to become a shinigami and join the gotei 13 to stop a future war? Not something he could comment on.

"I think… it's interesting?"

Ryōtarō glared at his eldest son thinking how he was not being honest and was just trying to avoid the topic all together. This was part of the reason he had decided to take the problem before leaving for his squad; he would get a proper answer before sharing the news.

"I think that was more of a question than an affirmation."

"The thing is Ryōtarō-san, I-"

Ichigo was cut off rather abruptly by a slap on the head by none other than Ryōtarō himself. He had a menacing gaze that would have made Ichigo quaver had he not lived in a war and more than anything held a ting of disappointment.

"Chichue, NOT Ryōtarō-san."

The orange head nodded in understanding, feeling bad he had slipped and called the man by his name when he had stopped doing so decades ago. He was about to keep up with his previous thought when all of a sudden he was interrupted again by the hand the Shiba head had suddenly raised.

"I already know more than enough to not need your answer Ichigo… There was a meeting for teachers to share their opinions with each other in the presence of the Sotaichou or in this case principal of the academy and a small detail came to light which the principal could no longer ignore."

Ichigo looked down, finding more interest in the folds of his kimono than the current conversation, he knew what was to come and he seriously couldn't blame anyone but himself, after all it was his fault he was so bad at suppressing his knowledge in the shinigami arts and not attract attention.

"The teachers mentioned how talented you were and how bored you seemed to be in their classes so they wanted Yamamoto-dono to take matters in the situation… they decided to place you in advance class but with a higher year."

The orange head stayed silent, as he was too surprised to even speak up at the moment, after all, he was not expecting that, actually, it was the last thing on his mind.

"So you're telling me Yamamoto-dono decided to solve this problem by raising me into another year?"

Ryōtarō looked uncaring as he nodded, doing so like if it were a normal everyday thing for a young shinigami student and not some bizarre anomaly; so now that Ichigo understood, the raven head couldn´t help but give a warm, proud smile before speaking up.

"The teachers debated on which grade to place you in and decided you advance to 5th."

That was something he was not expecting, and from the sudden drop of chopsticks that was heard to his side was anything to go by, neither did his two siblings.

"Do they realize the difference between 1 and 5?"

The Shiba head raised an eyebrow at the weird question, thinking how stupid it was but not really wanting to point it out clearly and embarrass the orange head.

"Are you saying the Sotaichou doesn´t know how to count?"

Ichigo really wanted to throw his hands up and yank his hair off, they were taking it to lightly. It was as if his father thought it was normal to jump 4 years like that even though he was supposed to be a normal soul –even if he was anything but normal.

The orange head was brought back from his musing when Haruka decided to speak up rather excitedly, almost as if she was the one going up in terms of years.

"Stop brooding Ichigo, it´s not a bad thing."

Ryōtarō seemed to take advantage of Haruka´s point and join in, making the orange head feel like if he had done something wrong and was being scolded for it.

"Haru's right. It´s a big responsibility since you´ll have to work harder than your piers but at the same time it´s a privilege so don´t look at it like it´s a bad thing."

Ichigo sighed, apparently accepting defeat and embracing the situation, after all it wasn´t a bad thing so per say, it´s just that he didn´t want to gain attention and now that would be pretty much impossible –even though his family name and hair made it hard as it was. Therefore, instead of mopping on he decided to think of it as something positive. At least he wouldn´t get bored… much.

"Oh and one last thing Ichi."

Said person scowled before looking at the one at fault for his expression, honestly hating the nickname but not being able to do a thing as he responded through gritted teeth.

"What."

Ryōtarō in response grinned, liking how Ichigo actually responded to the name even though he was being victim to a murderous gaze at the moment.

"More paperwork came in yesterday night. Might as well take it with you before leaving for the academy that way I won´t have to send it later with a servant."

Ichigo groaned, earnestly wanting to forget about the blasted papers and throw them in the trash, feelings that were very much understood by the Shiba head, as he was also prey to the same sheets. They both hated those papers, which were –as surprising as it was- the Shiba council´s doing.

The reason that Ichigo and Ryōtarō understood each other on the hatred of those measly papers was because only they knew the content of those ink scribbled sheets, sheets they had kept a secret and would like to keep it that way. After all, the duo did not want Haruka or Wataru to find out the papers were none other than marriage proposals. Proposals that had to be rejected and sent back. Papers that came in mountains at times that kept you busy for a long while as Ichigo had found out thirty years ago when the feral attacks had started and he had discovered their existence.

"Ryō, what´s all that?"

The Shiba head jumped from his place, being honestly surprised at the sudden presence that seemed to appear out of nowhere. He scurried to rapidly grab a handful of scattered papers to try to hide them in an open drawer and failing miserably as his panicked state didn´t let him think calmly.

Ryōtarō was wide eyed as he twitched nervously in his seat, finally looking up at the intruder and feeling a dread at the pit of his stomach, after all, this person was to perspective to be true –though he rarely showed it.

"I-ichigo… d-didn´t we agree that you would call me Chichue?"

Ichigo in response just rolled his eyes before sitting down on the free chair and looking rather seriously at the raven head, giving an unemotional expression that didn´t calm Ryōtarō what so ever.

"Chichue what is this?"

The orange head lifted his hand to reveal a paper he had grabbed when the Shiba head was panicking, trying to give the most menacing gaze he could muster –which happened to be really murderous- and pointing at his very visible name on the sheet.

In response, said person started to look around to notice the stack on the floor he had failed to notice earlier, cursing at his stupidity but at the same time accepting fault.

"W-well that happens to be a… paper which, um… happens to have your name on it?"

The newest of the Shiba´s eyebrow twitched, as his rage started to seep out even if his face held no expression at all.

"And my name also happened to be on at least half of these papers?"

"Well… ah… it´s nothing you should worry about Ichigo… I'll take care of it, it´s my responsibility."

Ichigo looked at the raven head, seeing no sign of his previous nervousness in sight and having a determined expression that also happened to have a small hint of sorry, so small that you actually had to stare into the deep green and be very perspective to notice. Therefore, when the orange head noticed that the Shiba head did not want to tell him directly he stood up and grabbed a new brush with a jar of ink, opening it and placing it on the clean side of the desk before sitting back on the chair and starting to read the paper.

"What are you doing Ichigo didn´t you hear me? It really isn´t your problem."

The orange head looked up from his paper to look directly into green eyes, surprising the other as the amber eyes seemed to shine brightly and shut up rather abruptly.

"If it wasn´t my problem before than now it is."

Getting back his ground as a superior person his gaze hardened as he spoke up sternly and trying to clearly show it was not up for debate.

"These marriage proposals started to show up because you are Shiba, the surname I gave you so it is NOT your problem, let me handle it and go back home."

The Shiba head was firm in his words but the moment Ichigo stood up rather suddenly and looked at him from above –since he was still seated- he just could not maintain the determined glare he previously had.

"It turned into my problem when I entered the Shiba family. I accepted the responsibility that came with that name so I knew what I was getting into… besides, thanks to these papers you always come home late… Wataru misses you and so does Haruka so just let me help you and stop being stubborn Chichue…"

That had been the first time that Ichigo had called him Chichue in private without having to remind him of it and even if it was the day he really involved Ichigo into the clan's duties and he really hated himself for that, he would never want to forget that memorable occasion. He had felt a happiness incomparable with that sole word at the end of the scolding so it was always a good memory even if it came with the reminder of those proposals. Proposals that came like an open faucet at times and other times like a small leak. He really would have cursed the elders –Gen- to the end of the world for introducing his children to the noble world and practically stating that they were open for marriage.

So now that Ichigo helped him out with a great portion of the papers he had free time to spend with his family even if just occasionally.

"What are those papers anyway?"

The Shiba head glanced nervously to look at Haruka, feeling a déjà vous all over again; he was never good at lying, and lying to his children came as an even more challenge.

"Well… they're-"

"Practice paperwork you could say."

Haruka and Ryōtarō turned to look at the orange head, the nervous father being relieved Ichigo had interfered and the Shiba princess glad that she was getting an answer.

"What do you mean practice paperwork?"

"An important part in a shinigami life is to –as ridiculous as it sounds- know how to fill out paperwork so I asked Chichue to lend me some of his so that I can study real formats and not just the ones we see in the academy."

The Shiba head would be forever grateful that his eldest son somehow knew how to think on his feet, in other words, knew precisely what to do in any given situation in the blink of an eye.

Haruka seemed to be content with the answer and let the situation slide, going back to eat when she noticed her favorite side dish was finished.

"Ah! Who ate my sweet and sour pork?!"

She glared at the two men only to receive two terrified expressions, the Shiba men shaking their head rather earnestly to try and avoid he wrath they knew the Shiba head would most likely have if they had eaten it.

All three turned to look at the seat they knew the remaining family member would be seated, only to find it empty along with the plates nearest to him with the exception of one half eaten piece of Haruka´s precious dish.

The two men seeing this, stumbled to stand up and quickly ran out of the room wanting to get out of the room as fast as they could, both going in different directions wanting to get as far away as possible but still waiting for the explosion they knew would come.

"WATARU!"

#3#

The loud stomp of steps through the hallways of the manor made the wood crack as the culprit of said noise ran, scurrying over to his destination with a stack of papers neatly carried in his arms. The man was panting, sweat dripping down his bald head to fall off at the end of his chin, obviously having been running for a long time or just being unused to such exercise. He hurried over with his strong, muscled build trying to get the papers as fast as possible to the one awaiting them, striding with such posture that showed how much of a proud man he was even though he was obviously a servant, his pitch black mustache radiating the source of his pride and joy rather intently.

"Ichigo-sama! Ichigo-sama, I brought the last stack!"

He slid to a stop outside a door that was slightly open, juggling the papers in one hand to try and open the half lid shoji door by himself only to stop when the door opened on its own.

"Oh, thank you Kaiganehiko. But you know, I could have gone to fetch them myself."

The man now named Kaiganehiko shook his head, obviously disagreeing with the orange head and beaming with energy to try and show Ichigo that he had not been bothered one bit by caring the paperwork for his dear Ichigo-sama from the 10th squad barracks to the manor.

"It was my pleasure. After all, you´re leaving for the academy any minute now."

Ichigo gave a smile in response, knowing that the man would never bother to whine or anything remotely similar just like the twins that once guarded the Shiba manor in his own time, he actually secretly wondered if they were somehow related.

'The name sounds awfully similar.'

The man gave a deep bow before straightening up once more in his proud posture looking slightly down to see the orange head in the eye since he was smaller than the bald man.

"Well then, I'll take my leave. Have a good day Ichigo-sama and I hope that your time at the academy is satisfactory as always."

The Shiba nodded before giving a small smile, gesture that was very much appreciated by any and all members of the household since Ichigo rarely if ever showed emotion –he usually maintained a blank expression, not void just blank or serious.

The servant rushed off once again and when he was out of sight, Ichigo turned to look at his small amount of stuff he was planning on taking to the academy. He had his satchel with some new clothing he had just got for Christmas –courtesy of Haruka- which were composed by some new training robes –since he usually ripped his pretty easily when training on his own- and a warm yet simple haori perfect for the chilly weather of the season. The orange head was obviously taking the just arrived papers and most importantly the black hilted zanpaktou that was neatly placed on the wooden sword rack he had on his long table.

Ichigo strode to the end of the room to grab Zangetsu and examine the blade, unsheathing it beforehand and looking at the small emblem that had been inscribed on the flat side of the steal. It was the Shiba crest, marking the blade as Shiba along with the wielder himself, making the simple sword 100 times its original worth.

Ryōtarō had insisted that Ichigo's sword be marked as Shiba and by default himself, saying how the blade had protected his precious son from numerous dangerous situations and that it should be cherished as such; and of course Ichigo couldn't decline because it was so true and he could never hope to repay both Zangetsus –though Zangetsu-Shiro had bitched all weak in his mind about how painful it had been and that it had taken him incredible self-control to not burn the sword smith that happened to be engraving the emblem.

'I wonder if I can use Zangetsu in sparing now that I'm a fifth year.'

He really wondered, and that was only because it was prohibited to use zanpaktou or Asauchi - as they were called before having the soul of the shinigami in them- that came from outside of the academy in his first year so he had had to leave Zan in his room while he used a stupid training sword in class, it was real hell. He hopped that now that he was a 5th year he could take his partner for a run inside classes and not just when he would train on his own.

He smiled once more at his blade and sheathed it back in its black sheathe, slipping it in his obi and moving to grab his satchel and place it on his back before reaching for the stupid, annoying, hellish paperwork.

"You leaving already?"

Ichigo would have been startled by the rather sudden appearance of his youngest sister if it weren't because it was quite hard to sneak up on him since he knew at every moment of the day when someone was close by, and of course he had obviously noticed Haruka making way towards his room a long time ago.

"Yeah, I have to get my new timetables and check in with Yamamoto-dono so that he can tell me all about my new classes so I want to get there as soon as possible."

Haruka gave a soft sigh and looked down, thinking that she really hated when Ichigo left for the academy and how lonely and empty the manor turned without his steady yet small presence.

"Will you come back…? Soon?"

Ichigo gave a soft smile upon seeing how the usually fiery Shiba princess was looking rather depressed and sad at the fact he was leaving; he really hated making his new family and old family and anyone dear for him on that matter, sad.

"Don't worry, I'll come back once I have a free day or in the holidays."

She seemed to process this before thinking that it was the best she would be able to get out of him and also the fact that Ichigo could not come home very often thanks to his studies and that she shouldn't be so selfish.

"Alright… and I hope you make friends this time."

The orange head rolled his eyes, thinking how he would give anything up to find a single person that didn't want to befriend him because he was Shiba, talented or just because he was good looking –well, that's what everyone else said about him.

"Yeah well, it's kinda hard when you can't even be yourself."

Haruka gave a chuckle upon realizing how hard Ichigo had it when he was expected to be a roll model for the rest of the clan and that he certainly would have problems to find someone that would approach him for being himself and not his name.

"Well, that is a dilemma you have there."

Ichigo gave a low scoff, really wanting to point out how it was more of a dilemma and that he didn't mind being alone but thought against it, knowing the Shiba hime would never accept something like that. So instead he walked past he and into the hallway, glancing back to look at her one last time before leaving and trying to give her a small smile as a goodbye.

"I'll see you later."

"Itte rasshai! (1)"

#3#

"Okay, let me get this straight. You're telling me Yama-ji decided to put a first year in a higher year and that this first year just so happens to be in our class that –may I mention- is advanced 5th year?"

"That's exactly what I said Shu."

The first person that had spoken stopped on his tracks, well aware that he was obstructing the traffic in the hallways of the academy but not even caring as he glanced back to look at his white haired friend.

"You have got to be kidding me Ju, what is the old man thinking?"

Said person which happened to be called as Ju, shook his head, being as serious as possible and hopping his brown haired best friend wouldn't through a tantrum in the middle of the halls like he did so many times before when chasing girls.

"I don't know but maybe-"

"Kyōraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jūshirō, you are being called by the headmaster."

Ju -now known to be an abbreviation of Jūshirō- stopped mid-sentence to look at the person which interrupted his opinion on the new interesting rumor only to find the Men's dorm supervisor looking at them with his usual uncaring face. He gave a shallow bow to the man knowing that it was needed even when the man wasn't bothered a bit by the lack of respect.

"Good day Sir. You said Sensei was calling both of us?"

The older man nodded before flickering his gaze back to the other boy now known to be Kyōraku Shunsui, said person squirmed under the supervisor's gaze as he wanted more than anything to leave that very moment.

"I hope you didn't get in trouble so soon Kyōraku."

"M-me? Get in trouble? What makes you think that?"

Jūshirō gave out a sigh, knowing where the conversation was going but not wanting to think about it as they needed to be somewhere else. So before the dorm supervisor or Shunsui could speak up once again, Jūshirō intervened, wanting to leave the discussion for later and appease his curiosity.

"Sorry Sir but we have to go. Bye!"

The white haired boy ran off with a small pace of Shunpo, knowing that it would be better to get away and not wait for a replay and as such the reason as to why he currently had Shunsui grabbed by the collar of his white kosode (2), dragging him to their destination while throwing a deft ear to the protest and struggle the other was pulling.

#3#

"I know you mentioned how there was no need for a guide on the first week but I really insist, it will be easier to get up to date with your classes and the advanced material you may not know about."

"I appreciate the concern Yamamoto-dono, but I prefer to go on my own."

Yamamoto shook his head, unpleased by the insistence the young orange head had to be left on his own. When the teachers had mentioned the Shiba prodigy's ant socialness he hadn´t considered how grave the situation was but now he could almost feel the denial the boy showed.

"Why are you so insistent Ichigo?"

Said person never wavered in his neutral mask that showed nothing; Yamamoto had to give the boy props, he was good at hiding his thoughts and feelings in the outside but of course he wasn't easily fooled and could feel the small apprehension the orange head's reiatsu seeped out as he wanted to avoid the topic whole hardily but knew he could not, and even more when he was locked in a gaze with the strongest shinigami to have ever existed that now looked 100 times more frightening than the old man did in his own time.

"Well, it's not that I loathe the idea of being around people it's just that, well… everyone tends to try and get near me just because of my family name or because the teachers consider me a prodigy and that's not the best of people to be around."

The black haired man pondered over this, knowing perfectly well, what the orange haired prodigy meant and how annoying it could get to be with people that just wanted to ride on his name. He sighed, bringing a hand up to scrub his hardened features and see if he could do something about it but found nothing what so ever, he was quickly brought back to attention when said source of the problem stood up from his place on the zabuton (3) that was in front of himself, giving a bow out of respect more than anything and straightening up again to look at Yamamoto in the eye.

"Thank you for the thought Yamamoto-dono but I'll be fine so if you'll excuse me…"

The headmaster sighed again, apparently having been left with no ideas and not finding an excuse to make the orange head stay and see if his idiot of a student's –Shunsui- would come around before the boy left so that he could push the new 5th year into the two boys care, but as he found nothing he stood up and looked at Ichigo in the eyes, still surprised how the lad good look at him directly without at least flinching like everyone else did, he really liked that about the young Shiba.

"Alright, you may leave."

With another –this time shallow- bow, Ichigo strode out, silence echoing as not even his footstep resounded as he left the man's office and into the hallways, obviously leaving to his room and get everything ready since he now had a new timetable and thus, new material.

Yamamoto on the other hand pinched the bridge of his nose as the last hope he had plumed down and the two 5th years didn't arrive in time. He wasn't looking forward to tell the Shiba captain that the plan of make the orange haired prodigy a bit more social failed, but, before he could even begin to fathom how depressed the man would be when word caught his ear the door was flung open, a scowling –which was a rare sight- Shunsui and a slightly guilty looking Jūshirō came in.

"S-sorry Sensei we had a little… problem."

Said person groaned, already imagining what the delay would be about and judging by the two boy's expression not being far from the truth. He was pretty sure Shunsui had been up to no good again but thought nothing of it as he was too focused on the matter at hand that had to be solved.

"Never mind that I have a problem to think of right now so you two aren't needed any more."

Shunsui's scowl seemed to worsen, not being in a good mood as he had been going through a shity day and not wanting to take that as an answer.

"You called us here Yama-ji so what's with not being needed!?"

The man turned to glare at the brown haired boy, making him shudder under his gaze and being quite proud of it in the end. Yamamoto was about to retort again when an idea came to mind, and idea that may help his case and at the same time avoid an upset Shiba.

"You know what never mind what I said, I do have a job for you two and you might not like it but I need you take an eye on someone…"

To be continued…

1 Have a nice trip.

2 Upper part of a shihakusho.

3 Japanese cushion for sitting.

Hi everyone, hopped you liked this update and the characters I have introduced in this chapter; here is a good clue as to how back the time machine took Ichigo and how much time he has to prepare for the war.

This will be fun!

Ichi-chan will be considered one of the seniors when we get more into the current time line so await great things!

Remember previews and facts on my profile so if this is intriguing at the very least I recommend checking it out (there are also some for my other three stories).