Disclaimer: I do NOT own bleach. I only enjoy writing my own versions of it.

"Normal speech"

'Thoughts'

Flashback/Dream

#5#

The wind brushed lightly against tan colored skin, creating a sort of goose bump feeling as it did so. The leaves rustled as the breeze played with their light forms and made many fall in their wake. The chirps resounded slowly yet melodiously, letting a soothing sound find its way to ears of a silent figure that sat cross-legged underneath a great maple tree that worked as a haven of torments and gossips that seemed to come with much ease when he was around people.

The flicker of light that passed by the small holes of the leaves made ceiling sometimes blinded him from seeing past his very own tranquility and that was something that in its very own way he was thankful for.

The tranquility that seemed to overcome him when he came to this place just very well made him forget of those god like enemies he had faced in the past, the tortures and pain he and many others were tested to overcome over and over again as the war raged on with never ending ease and hostility. His little haven that very well created a barrier for him that sometimes could only be found in the Shiba manor back yard which was basically a whole forest or his own inner world of cold skyscrapers that reached past the very clouds and all the way to a new world.

But Ichigo had found an untrembling support from this maple tree when he came to eat lunch there and that very nearly soothed him to forget of all his responsibilities and pain. All the things he wished to leave behind but at the same time frightened him to forget, the cries, the sorrow in pure display that plagued his memories of good and bad. His little place that could always bring some peace.

That was, until it was completely disrupted by snot nosed bastards that didn't know when to stay put.

"Well well well, look who's here? Our new buddy Mr. Prodigy-san."

The peaceful haven was completely destroyed and the cruel reality came crushing down on him as Ichigo glanced up to look at the group of five punks that had dared disturb him in his tranquility.

His eyes held no malice however, only mirroring the coldness beneath his very soul that was represented in chilly metal and glass buildings. Eyes that only showed uncare and discipline of every and all emotions as not even one slipped through his cold exterior making the five cower even if they had previously come with cocky smirks on their faces.

However, one seemed to be unaffected by the cold and unnerving gaze the orange head sent their way and proceeded to kick the half eaten bento that was on Ichigo's hands creating a dull noise amiss the previous silence.

"I'm talking to you! Shiba scum!"

This seemed to gain his attention as the previous first year stood up with ease and grace befit of someone hiding every bit of power and strength underneath layers and layers of perfect reiatsu control that was something that no one seemed to understand even now.

"You can talk anything you want about me. I really don't care. But…"

The ominous pause seemed to gain the desired effect as the previously brave boy finally noticed the unhidden coldness Ichigo was radiating before, making him take half a step back as the shinigami in training's dull amber eyes gazed directly into his.

"… Don't speak crap about my family. Or I can't guarantee everything will end well."

"H-ho, lo-looks like I s-stepped on a ne-nerve eh pre-pretty boy?"

Even as the boy spoke his voice was unable to stay steady and cracked many times along the way, making his buddies well aware of his unhidden fear and how they had obviously stepped on unwinnable boundaries.

The Shiba prodigy however stood quietly, not in the least caring that he was being unusually cold or that he was scaring his classmates even if he had yet to really speak coldly, the only thing that actually looked unnerving and made him seem untouchable being his eyes.

"Well I think we should try to get along better, don't you think, Prodigy-san?"

The tall male that was the one actually doing the speaking of the group grabbed a bit more confidence when Ichigo's eyes strayed to look past them and to something else, making him feel less threatened and a bit –a lot- more cocky.

"I think we started off and the wrong foot. Ne, noble trash?"

He had seriously made his grin spread and reach his eyes and that slightly if not really unnerved his fellow buddies –punks- as they tried to gain his attention and convey how much of a bad idea this really was after all.

"Maybe we can start again. Try to do everything the… right way, without frauds like you did to get in 5th year."

A crack was heard and the four punks that came with the main punk turned to look what the sound was only to pale from who was standing behind them. But of course main punk didn't notice this and continued.

"What? You honestly thought that nobody would know how much bullshit your ability is? It's just plain impossible to be talented enough to jump four grades!"

"Leave, I have nothing to do with your little jealousy tantrum."

The taller boy cringed, suddenly taken aback by the cold voice Ichigo seemed to use, voice that made him want to back away even if he knew he had started it in the first place; but even so he stood as tall as he could and prepared himself to strike, not expecting at all to be stopped by anyone and knowing he would have to go through with his threats like a man he was.

"What?! You're getting mad because I put you in evidence?! It's not my fault you noble bastards always do underhanded things!"

"Leave."

Everyone involuntarily flinched at the coldness of the tone used, shivers went down their spine as a sudden chill that was foreign from the cold winter appeared out of nowhere, a sudden weight that was previously nonexistent making them very aware of their current situation.

"I shall not repeat it again. Leave. Leave unless you want to discover yourself why I jumped four grades in the first place."

The main punk was shocked to no end, completely ignoring the tug of his shihakusho and the various mummers that his fellow punks made to gain his attention. Wanting more than anything to show the orange head that he was not to be messed with even if on the inside he was trembling with fear.

"Y-you, want a fight or something?!"

"K-kei, this is bad! Behind us-"

"Shut up! He started the fight I didn't do anything wrong! This fake did!"

The now named Kei turned to point at the orange head, every bit of pressure on him as not only Ichigo's threat lingered closely but the comments from his buddies did as well.

But, before Kei could even blink he was startled by a hand on his shoulder, making him look slowly back to stare into unwavering amber.

"Back off Kei… you have nothing left to do here."

Feeling the threat at being grabbed from behind by his now decided enemy he lifted up a hand to strike with a reiatsu induced punch that would have defiantly hurt a student had they not been Ichigo.

The strike never connected however. Being stopped on the last minute by none other than Kyoraku Shunsui that had been previously standing behind them and waiting for the perfect moment to intervene.

"Ma ma, I doubt we should get into a fight so soon should we?"

This seemed to bring Kei out of his raged state as he snapped out of whatever eerie he had entered. Finally noticing that Ukitake and Kyoraku had been behind them this whole time.

"K-Kyoraku… Shunsui…"

The small and playful smile that was on Shunsui's face quickly morphed to something that made him look all the more intimidating than he already was. The unusual and never present smile that made Kei shiver in fear even more so now that he had two bone chilling people is his near vicinity.

"Leave."

Kei yanked his hand from the grip Shunsui had him in, making a snarl like sound while retreating with his petrified buddies.

"I'll remember this."

When the group of five left Shunsui breathed a sigh of relief as he glanced to look at his white haired friend that had a frown that clearly read how disapproving he was of his actions but not being that against it at the same time.

As he asserted Jūshirō's expression he once more turned to this time look at the orange head which was kneeling down and picking up the previous bento that was now on the floor in a heap of trash and uneatable food. Shunsui frowned as he walked to the mess and helped clean up as well, looking at the Shiba but not really being able to see his expression like he did with Jūshirō.

"You alright Shiba-san?"

The white haired teen walked over as well, crouching down slightly while putting his hands on his knees to get a better view of the mess, trying to be as soft as possible since he thought the orange head was bound to be angry or maybe even offended.

What he didn't expect however, and neither did Shunsui was for Ichigo to look up and stare directly in his eyes with a small yet very much there smile on his face.

"Yes, everything's okay. There really was no need to intervene but even then I'm grateful."

This made both teens freeze, not being able to believe the fakeness of such expression as Ichigo finally stood at his full height. A damaged and battered bento in his hands that made them realize that Ichigo seriously didn't get to eat much before he was disrupted. With the same fake smile as before, one that looked so different from the one he had given their shinigami duties teacher not so long ago he spoke again, voice not even betraying his real expression and not a hint of uncertainty in place.

"Then, if you'll excuse me."

Before the two could even call out to the orange head he disappeared, a perfectly assaulted shunpo being used as he flickered out of existence, obvious demonstration that the newest 5th year was more than deserving of the promotion and making any and every doubt they had had before completely disappear along with the orange head because the two teens would have to be complete idiots like Kei and his buddies to not notice how Ichigo was more than ready for the attack that Shunsui had prevented.

Shunsui had actually protected them, not him.

The silence stayed as it was for a while after Ichigo had left, the steady yet muffled presence that they had come to recognize as the prodigy's being detectable yet untraceable as they tried to think of what to do next and maybe even search for him but the two found no answer.

Shunsui stood at his full height at last.

Jūshirō turned to look at the brunette to find any sort of answer.

And when he did, he found none.

#5#

"…This fake did!"

"… fake did!"

"… fake…!"

"fake"

"fake"

"Fake… I guess you can catalog me as such, can't you?"

His company stayed quiet, not wanting to respond to such question as they were sure that they could do nothing to appease Ichigo's uncertainty. They had a hard time doing so before, now it would only be worse.

"Aizen was a fake bastard to the end remember… I guess that's the reason why I was the only being that could actually understand him to some point… deception… facades… something we excelled in didn't we?"

"IT'S NOT THE SAME!"

Seeing as he finally got a response Ichigo turned to look at his Shinigami/hollow counterpart, putting on a sad smile that was genuine to no end. A smile that demonstrated just how much sadness was hidden beneath everything and how that smile lacked any sentiment but despair.

"It's the same… we just had a different purpose in mind…"

Bubbles seemed to erupt as Ichigo shifted in his place on the cold skyscraper, one of the many skyscrapers that were flooded in his inner world every single time he went back to brooding and overthinking things but ask him if he cared. The water would disappear once he got his bearings back in place so who was he to start whining over this as well.

He was used to it.

Ichigo involuntarily chuckled as his thoughts kept on drifting farther and farther away from reality and into a sea of memories that always assaulted him when he was most vulnerable. Fact that was well known by his two counterparts that stepped forward to place a hand on each of Ichigo's shoulders where he sat at the edge of the submerged skyscraper.

"You know, it's funny how right he seems to be at times when I think of all the philosophical bullshit he would spout out in the middle of fights or when he wanted to make a dramatic ending… that bastard…"

Zangetsu seemed to be the calmest at the time when he saw the unforgiving rage that seeped deep beneath the golden eyes of a certain someone as they both saw how truly deep Ichigo was this time.

It was sometimes hard to keep on dragging Ichigo out of his depressions by themselves. They weren't able to depend on the Shibas lately because Ichigo had moved out so it was turning harder and harder to keep their king on the throne when he had nothing to keep him together where he was now. No friends or acquaintance to support him as his new family did and that in its own way sometimes overcame the orange head.

"What are you talking about Ichigo?"

The old man was grateful when he received a reaction from Ichigo and that he wasn't that drowned in despair as to not notice his surroundings, turning slowly to look at his Quincy counterpart for better assessment of his next words.

"That time he told me-us how the true betrayal was not the one we can see but that which we cannot perceive. I think he is right you know…?"

"Ya talking 'bout Aizen king?"

The albino seemed to spit out the name, rage very predominate in his tone as he cursed the man to the very depths of hell for starting that war and turning his king into what he had become. A god like being that was only holding up by a thin piece of tape.

"Yeah… he's a bastard you know… but he's also a genius… I wonder how he was able to stand the loneliness so long…"

He was making more sense that was for sure, something that the two spirits were silently grateful for, at least they were able to draw away from the first topic to be touched.

The fakeness.

"You're not lonely king, ya got us don't ya?"

The Shiba involuntarily smiled. Gesture that was less saddened as it was before, making the albino make a double take when Ichigo actually made his smile widen into a full grown grin that looked so real it paled in comparison to Ichigo's previous facades –the one used in front of the future captains not counting- because this smile, this expression was not fake in the least.'

"Yeah… I still have you two…"

The two spirits froze, not believing even for a second that what was in front of them was real even if, after the next blink they took the grin disappeared into a sad smile that they were oh so familiar with.

"Ichigo you…"

"I never broke down you know… at least not today…"

Silence plagued the panoramic city of blue as the three abruptly shut up, not one nor two muttering a single word as the graveness of that sentence clicked in both Zangetsu's mind because for Ichigo to not having gone over his breaking point and actually admitting that he had done so before was outstanding in its own way. Something they had yet to understand fully until now.

He had not gone into a deep hole.

"So… ya didn't lose it?"

This time the albino was responded by an elbow in the gut, blow that was not even damped down to prevent damage as he fell over in a heap of curses and whines but even so a satisfied smirk forming in the inside.

"It's not that I go insane like you idiot… I just tend to go too deep into shit, that's all."

This eased up the previous tension that had formed on all three of them. Ichigo still thinking of Kei's words even if he didn't let them plague him. He didn't need more tortures to add to his collection. He already had more than enough.

So as everything settled down into a more tranquil environment Ichigo decided it would be better to leave and go back into the real world.

Back to reality.

The orange head let himself go as he fell down and letting the everlasting darkness engulf him and knowing his partners would let him. They should know what he was doing and they would accept that Ichigo was good enough to leave. That he would somehow overcome it.

So they did. And he came back to reality.

#5#

"Just so you know I blame you."

"Why me?! I didn't do anything bad! It was both our idea to go look for him!"

"But even when I told you I couldn't pinpoint his location you went on and on about how we'd find him anyways."

"I really thought we would!"

"Now we're late because of it Shu."

The brunette decided to stay quiet and stop his whining, knowing that when his white haired best friend acted like this it was nearly impossible to make him change his mind.

And it really wasn't his fault! They both wanted to find Ichigo even if it was kinda impossible given the circumstances. The other teen –in appearance only- was a real prodigy! He knew how to perfectly mask his reiatsu so that he was well, there, but even then you really couldn't tell how far away or close he was. It was just plain confusing and neither Shunsui nor Jūshirō were able to pinpoint Ichigo's exact location in the end and now they were late for their next class, Meditation.

"Ah! There's the classroom!"

The two came to an abrupt halt, cringing at the knowledge that they were sure to get scolded even if it was for a good reason, but, as the door was slowly opened by Shunsui the sight that greeted him was not one he was expecting.

Ichigo was sitting amongst the rest of the class with his normal face that clearly read I don't give a damn about what you think as he did so, not looking in the least shaken up or fake as he did a mere half an hour ago and that at least made both late teens sigh in relief.

"What are you sighing at brats?"

The deep, baritone voice shocked them out of their musings as they finally concentrated on the class and not on the orange head alone. Jūshirō slowly turned to look at their teacher with a calm yet warm smile which he was familiar for, trying to ease the situation as best as he could.

"Good day sensei. Sorry we're late, we had to leave something in our dorm room before coming to class."

This seemed to catch the small teacher off guard, not really believing the story but still being quite shocked that she had received an excuse from Jūshirō and not Shunsui like it always happened. The white haired, kind hearted boy had a problem with lying –though he was slowly getting better.

"E-eh… it's alright I guess. So long as you don't do it again."

"Yes, sensei."

The two were ushered in rather silently, joining in with the rest of the class that –as strangely as it sounds- lacked the usual punks at the far corner of the room. It was quite peaceful without them actually.

"Alright, now that we have most of the class present and that there are no more interruptions I'll finally give you the news I was going to give you after coming from winter break."

Everyone started rather intently at the teacher, excitement and unsettledness seeping out in great amounts as the suspense was killing them. Suspense that seemed to entertain the teacher instead as her smile took a turn for a more sadistic side.

"You'll be able to carry your zanpaktou at all time now. And if you have a blade you want to use for the rest of your short or long career as a shinigami than bring it in, we'll finally begin decisive training to gain your shikai."

This seemed to gain a round of cheers as the news was something they had actually been looking forward to. Something that Ichigo was really grateful for because he seriously didn't think he could last another spare with those toys the instructors called zanpaktou. They were so breakable and weak.

"We want to establish a connection with the dormant spirit in your soul so spending your time in company of the base for the zanpaktou to manifest is a good way to do so. The spirit will latch itself to the asauchi and then little by little we'll establish a connection with the spirit so please keep your zanpaktou with you as close by as possible and remember to use it well, we don't need a civilian being threatened by a zanpaktou so behave in and out of school grounds at all time."

The instruction seemed to gain the instructor a swift chorus of hai as they all started on their very own chat of how exciting it would be and that it was incredible that they were finally able to carry their zanpaktous out of the gyms and training areas.

Ichigo however was shining with well hidden relief and happiness that he would finally be able to use Zangetsu instead of the stupid asauchi and that he wouldn't have to sneak the black hilted blade in and out of his room all the time.

He really loved this new privilege granted to them but more than anything he could now gloat of both Zangetsu's steady presence closer to him that always seemed to be able to ease his pains easier in close vicinity and that would become useful. A trigger to help him put on a better façade.

"Shiba-san?"

Ichigo turned to look in the direction where the familiar voice came from, very aware that the two shinigami in training were looking at him with something akin to sympathy and worry which made him realize how much he had screwed up with that fake smile he had pulled off earlier.

"Yeah?"

The two glanced to look at each other, not really trusting themselves to start off the conversation but at the same time not wanting to throw away the chance they currently had to speak with the orange head, scared that he would leave again like nothing and that he would be untraceable once more. But at least here they were in class –even if the teacher was letting them converse with each other- and it would look weird if Ichigo would just leave like that so they were pretty sure he wouldn't do it this time around.

But as the silence continued Ichigo turned back to stare at the front of the class, not really caring that both Shunsui and Jūshirō were staring at him and that they were obviously bothered by what happened earlier.

'Of course they would. There's a limit to how dumb one can be to not realize that fakeness.'

And of course the future captains were far from dumb even if they were still brats and even when Shunsui sometimes acted like a kid in the past present and future. The only plus that this young Kyoraku Shunsui seemed to have that the older version didn't have was that he was more inclined to do rash stuff or speak before thinking out of the blue.

Almost like right now.

"Hey Shiba-san, do you want to go with Ju-chan and me to buy a new sheath for our zanpaktou?"

…

"Huh…?"

Both Ichigo and Jūshirō were frozen in place, not believing even for a second what Shunsui had spoken because, seriously, it just wasn't possible… was it?

"Wh-what the hell are you thinking Shu?"

The brunette seemed to be confused for a second, processing his own words and then Jūshirō's before the frightening truth dawned over him.

He had done something stupid again….

Or maybe not.

A feral grin spread across Shunsui's face as a perfect plan formulated in his head, one that even Jūshirō would have to acknowledge even if it came out nowhere like it had done. Maybe his recklessness was a good thing sometimes.

"Yeah, go out all three of us, you know we're going to be carrying our own zanpaktou and well us being a part of a noble family even if a minor one -unlike the Shiba- we usually gain a zanpaktou long before entering the academy so I think a special blade deserves a special sheath."

Silence kept on going on Jūshirō's side as he stared at the douche ball he called best friend, wanting to discover what the hell was going on in that big head of his and still not catching up with Shunsui's plan.

Ichigo on the other hand had gone out of his initial shock and was able to blankly stare at the brunette, not a glint of surprise in his expression even as he said his next words.

"You do realize you two barely met me today right?"

"Yup. And that's precisely why I want all three of us to go. To get to know you better and strengthen our growing friendship."

Ichigo in response sighed before pinching the bridge of his nose, not really being able to catch up with the other's enthusiasm and unusual positivism. But the orange head seriously couldn't find a good response for the invitation.

"So it's settled, we'll go today after the next class since on Monday we don't have any evening lessons."

This seemed to bring Ichigo back to reality and made him slightly flustered as he stammered in his words, not finding a quick enough excuse before it was already too late and the two were already out of earshot, Shunsui dragging Jūshirō away and the white haired teen letting him at the same time.

"B-but…"

#5#

"What are you planning Shu?"

"Well it'd be bad if we talked about something like that in front of the class where others can hear, and we don't think Shiba-san will willingly enter a friendly chat with –as he said- people he just met so I thought this was a good idea."

Jūshirō seemed to ponder on this, thinking that maybe what Shunsui was saying actually made sense because, let's face it, Shunsui never seemed to make sense completely.

"Yeah… I guess it is…"

Shunsui broke into a wide grin, liking that his idea was actually useful and he hadn't screwed up in the end.

Now they just needed to make sure that they made the best of their time and…

"And if Shiba-san flees…?"

…and that.

#5#

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Shiba-san!"

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Shiba-san we know you're in there!"

Another dull knock and that had been the fifteenth one and Ichigo still didn't know where Shunsui found the enthusiasm to continue. The orange head had come in through the window since he had gone into the forest earlier and what was his surprise that the brunette and white haired male were outside his door and pounding onto it without mercy. He had actually forgotten about that problem but arriving mere seconds ago to the current situation made him clearly remember.

He opened the door with much precaution, not wanting to get hit by a new knock in the process but still not wanting to ignore the two boys. But, it was rather surprising to see Shunsui grinning like a cheshire cat and having an equally satisfied Jūshirō at his side, almost like if they had both won the lottery when Ichigo had just opened the door.

"Shiba-san! Let's go into town!"

The orange head blinked, clearly used to Shunsui's rather enthusiastic demeanor and not really taken aback at his actions. So instead of thinking about declining he turned around to look for his partner, not even taking a second to tell the two what he was about to do and not being surprised when they waited for him to come back.

Once he had Zangetsu secured at his waist he came back to the door to be greeted by the two future captains, both having their own unique blade strapped to their waist and waiting rather patiently for Ichigo.

"Ready Shiba-san?"

Ichigo just sighed before nodding, closing the door to his room before letting out a small flicker of reiatsu to activate an unharmful barrier that just notified him if someone trespassed, he really couldn't get used to being carefree anymore.

The three academy students walked in silence as they stalked out the dormitories and school gate, not really minding the particularly weird atmosphere that didn't seem to be able to decide itself between tense and peaceful.

The silence however was quickly disrupted when Shunsui spoke up, not really finding any problem in entering a friendly conversation and wanting to lighten up the mood.

"So Shiba-san I wanted to ask."

Ichigo turned to look at the brunette, thinking that an inquiry from today's confrontation was sure to come and fully expecting it.

This is why he tried to distance himself as far away as possible from people lately, they were just so troublesome.

"Can we call you Ichigo instead? Of course you can call us by our first name as well so I wanted to know if you wouldn't mind."

The orange head was quickly taken aback by the quite innocent question, not really processing fast enough the question as he blinked in silent question before turning back to the path in front of him.

"I don't mind. I said so earlier in class."

"Yeah well, just wanted to make sure it didn't bother you."

As Ichigo just nodded in understanding Jūshirō stared on with newfound curiosity. The orange head was really special and unique but most of all he was just full of surprises that made you think he was a heart less bastard and then the next you would think he was just an isolated boy. Really weird coming from a family as cheerful as the Shibas.

"So what kind of sheaths are you guys going to get?"

"Well I was thinking something along the lines of a sea blue. What about you two?"

"I want something cool that reflects my sparkling personality!"

The white haired male just rolled his eyes before looking at Ichigo, question lingering on for him as well an expecting an answer even if the orange head looked like he hadn't been hearing the whole conversation.

"Don't really know yet… never really thought of it, I only have the black scabbard and that's it…"

That sole statement made the brunette keep on babbling on and on about how Ichigo should have an idea of what he wanted and then proceeding to give the Shiba ideas of his own on what Ichigo could get and all the while Jūshirō watched while intervening every now and then to try and point out obvious facts or stuff he thought were to over board.

Ichigo on the other hand had stayed quiet the whole way, never stopping Shunsui's rambling and never really responding to the inquiries of what he would like and how he would look cool with various designs Shunsui had come up with. Ichigo had just listened, well hidden amusement lingering in his soul as he heard the one sided bickering between the two innocent boy which were so naïve that Ichigo could hardly associate them with their future self's. The future duo he had come to know pretty well and respect. The two he had -to some degree- been able to open up for advice.

These two however were not superiors or seniors. They were just students. Just like what he was pretending to be.

Nothing but a fake in all but name.

#5#

"Ne Ichigo-kun what do you think about this one?"

The orange head stared rather intently at the fifth scabbard shown to him up until now, really feeling that something was missing even if he couldn't actually pin point it. He glanced to the side to see the other two beautiful sheathes placed rather carefully on the table and then back to the deep blue –almost black- sheath Jūshirō was showing him, he just couldn't decide when the other two had long from decided.

He didn't particularily dislike the wooden trincket, its just that it didn't catch his eye like he had liked and that was something he was looking for so instead of even looking at the sheath any longer he shook his head, gaining a rather displeased sigh from Shunsui and a sad shrug from Jushiro. They had been trying to help him out for sometime now to no avail.

"So no good huh… and you still don't know what you're looking for either right?"

"Yeah… I just can't seem to picture something I would want in particular but…"

"Shiba-sama?"

Upon hearing his name Ichigo turned to look at the owner of the shop, disliking the formalities but trying to appear pleasant anyway.

"Yes?"

"Would this appease your needs?"

The elder man outstretched both his hands to show a scabbard hidden behind a white cloth, taking his free hand to reveal it as he took the previous cloth off and showing the full glory of the newly revealed scabbard.

The sheath was indeed beautiful.

It was natural black wood, no paint or decorations to be seen but any way shone with an undeniable glint of beauty and perfection as a deep red tassel snacked around the top part of the sheathe to form the sageo (1). The scabbard had a simple wood carving of a lonely moon at the very tip were it was mostly useable but any way brought attention. It was something Ichigo had the honor of saying he had fallen in love with.

"This one."

The sudden sound of his voice in the previous silence shocked his two classmates out of whatever stupor they had entered and they were both able to quickly turn and stare at Ichigo without him even realizing. The sparks in Ichigo's shine kinda surprised the two but all the less satisfied them because, this little piece of wood had apparently brought happiness to their new weird friend.

"Very well Shiba-sama."

#5#

Once they had finished their shopping they had started to make their way back to the academy. Excitement about their newfound shop being the current topic of conversation as Shunsui and Jūshirō tried to drag Ichigo the best they could in the conversation and proving somewhat satisfactory till the end.

The peaceful banter quickly paused however as the vicinity of the gates came in sight making both future captains stop on their tracks to try and gain a little bit if answers on the conversation they were all most likely wanting to avoid.

"Ichigo?"

"… yeah?"

"Why did you let Kei do what he did?"

The orange head was actually taken aback by the question, expecting something more along the lines of What the hell's up with that face? Or I guess you really are as fake as he said you were. However he didn't really expect that question to be asked, almost like if he was the victim and that there was a reason for what he did and did not do –something that wasn't entirely untrue- and that there was something behind his calm and uncaring demeanor –which was positively true.

"Why… are you unhappy…? Ichigo?"

This is why he hated to interact with people lately. People that would only be there because they were curious or wanted something in return. People that he just couldn't find it in himself to trust no matter what, even if the evil over lord had yet to even be born.

That is why he hated to socialize outside of his family. It sometimes became unbearable to continue with an uncaring façade.

"Why do you act like if it's all okay?"

Silence graced the clearing as the only real noise to be heard was the rustling of leaves. The leaves rustled once more as the breeze played with their light forms and made many fall in their wake. The chirps resounded slowly yet melodiously, letting a soothing sound fall upon the tense quiet that had been brought upon mere seconds ago, one that might as well be there to stay because the two 5th years were clearly not expecting the answer the orange head gave them.

It was an answer than not even the silent eaves dropped didn't expect.

"Because… Nice words and nice appearance doesn't conclude that someone is nice, I believe that the nicer you look, the more deceptive you appear…therefore…"

Ichigo turned to look at their shocked expressions, not in the least caring that he was saying something quiet weird and at the same time true. It was their call if they understood.

"…I did nothing to stop Kei… there was nothing to do about it, the result would be the same either way… You would always have undesired people around you but desired one's are least likely… fake is a trend lately anyway… a trend that hides those that only come home because they want a hot meal to eat… nothing else…"

To be continued…

(1). Sageo: The sageo is the cord used to tie the scabbard to the belt/obi when worn.

Hope you like, review and you'll get a crepe! They are in process…

PS they deep stuff is only brief, it won't stay that way, it's just for this chapter basically. PREVIEW in PROFILE!

Phrase: fake is the new trend and everyone seems to be in style.