Disclaimer: I do NOT own bleach. I doubt I can become Tite Kubo.

"Normal speech"

'Thoughts'

Flashback/Dream

Previously:

"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…"

#6#

After those rather truthful yet cold words were said the clearing settled in a more silent atmosphere, the sound of nature being the only thing heard as Ichigo had his back to his two piers as he tried rather successfully to settle his thoughts; act that was rather easy with his zanpaktou encasing him in their presence.

It served to ground him to the present rather than the past.

He was well aware of the unease in the two's emotions. He really was. But he still couldn't find it in himself to care. It was the truth of the world no matter how cruel it was and he should know this better than anyone else. It was a part of this cruel game called life.

But even if all the hardships and harsh experiences caused a gigantic scar in his soul, even as he almost gave up on life and everyone around him he still hoped for a better tomorrow. Still yearned for a new today. Still enjoyed his lessons learnt. Even then he still walked forward.

Even if his reality might as well be fake.

"You know… Life is nothing but cruel and unfair… but… but even then we all strive forward to counter all that which says we're wrong… That is what it means to be alive."

His new statement might as well had eased the whole situation even as he had called life cruel. His words held a truth that made the two innocent souls think of how deep their new friend thought even as he was their age. It just made them want to understand the orange head further. Discover new frontiers to their world and learn more from the boy that seemed to master the world.

It was majestic and it might as well be thrilling.

Ichigo turned to look at the two boys in the eyes. Trying with the best of his abilities to convey his very soul and emotions in his next words as his frown turned into a full blown smile that just looked breathe taking and blessing.

"But even as this cruel game called life tries to hold me down I will still smile through it all and not waste time in unfruitful people. All that matters is that which is in front of me."

"Striving towards the future, right?"

The orange haired shinigami didn't dare say he was not surprised by Ryōtarō's intrusion. But at the same time he just couldn't say he was truly expecting the man to be nearby and much less ease dropping. But going by Jūshirō's and Shunsui's expression they were more than a little surprised if not shocked.

"I cannot say I agree with your way of seeing life… But at the same time I cannot find it in myself to disagree… Your view of the world is rather farfetched and maybe even vague."

Ichigo smirked, thinking of how his father was actually agreeing with him more than what he let on but even then he would not say a thing. It was better that way and he knew that if he even mentioned it the Shiba head would most likely deny it.

That was the kind of man he was.

"But even then I would like to know the answer to that question as well."

"Which one?"

"Why are you unhappy Ichigo?"

Ichigo blinked before remembering that the two had asked him this particular question as well. He was caught up in his own ideals and explaining why he looked so uncaring and let Kei do what he wanted that he forgot about that question that he might have needed to answer from the very beginning. But still he was quite taken aback by the question; he seriously didn't understand it and only because-

"I'm not unhappy. Only people without a purpose are unhappy. I have a purpose."

This of course shocked the three to the core and if the two shinigami students were too shy to speak before a captain before now all that was gone.

"Then why do you frown all the time and do all that- that stuff!"

The orange head was still confused of course. It was weird indeed and sometimes he couldn't seem to understand people anymore –not that he understood them much in the past- and of course this inability to understand others affected him in a way that sometimes he just couldn't understand himself.

"It's not that I'm unhappy as everyone thinks I am. I always try to appear proper as to not weigh down my family; and Chichue and I have had this talk already –you will not change my mind- but I usually prefer to be uncaring so that there is no need to give an even faker façade. I'll say it again. I'm not unhappy, it's just that sometimes I can't help but dislike something's about myself."

"… Well that's just frickin pointless."

"Shu! Don't just go ahead and say that!"

Ichigo by now had widen in eyes, thinking it was a rather shocker to see the future 8th division captain curse and look as dumbfounded at the same time. It was weird in a way. If not ridiculous.

"What do you mean?"

"If what Ju-chan and I saw is not a creation of our imagination than your words don't match your actions. What happened this morning with Kei? That- that reaction."

Now that was what Ichigo did not want to answer and he could only be grateful that Ryōtarō looked like he had no idea of what Shunsui was taking about because that would be awful. He didn't want to burden his father but now that he was sniffing around like a stupid mouse he was bound to find out.

'Now… what to tell the two… I defiantly went to deep into shit earlier and because of that I just gave away a big fraction of my reality… to fix it…"

"Half-truths are better than a full blown lie."

Then, before he could open his mouth to respond, Kisuke's hard learned words resounded in his head. That lesson of deception that had been the catalyst to the rest of his refined talent in that art.

He had forgotten the basic. The first thing to do before even coming close to appearing what he wasn't. That was what came in first place.

"You could say Kei hit a nerve. I usually don't let what other people say get to me but it wasn't that easy with what he said."

Ichigo put on a smile. A small yet genuine one. He didn't want to scare the two naïve boys so he tried to be reassuring and hopefully they would drop the topic. That was all he was asking for.

"I'm sorry if I scared you guys. Though I'm not sorry that Kei's lackeys were scared shitless. That's just the quirks of being assholes."

"Some punk dared threaten my boy?"

Ryōtarō's words were said rather murderously, like if the next second he would go and murder someone and if Ichigo hadn't lived a war he was sure he would be trembling in fear like his peers. And truth be told the next second the raven head started to make way towards the school gate and most likely go punk hunting if it weren't thanks to Ichigo that had gripped his white haori rather sternly.

"No. There were six punks that I can take care of if needed. So you Chichue go home and rest your old and aching back."

"How can you say such cruel things to your father Ichigo?! Here I am, wanting to help you and you discard it with such coldness."

Ichigo just stared at his father with a non-existent expression, lack of anything flickering through his amber eyes as he stared into his father's green.

"I can say that because I care. That's how easy it is."

This time Ichigo's expression morphed to a small, almost non-existent smile. Like if it was doing a great deal just to stay on his face as long as it did. It was quite hard if not stressful.

"So you just leave me to myself and stop stalking your children. Haruka is bound to find out sooner or later."

Ryōtarō looked between proud and horrified before settling for horrified and tugging his black raven locks to fortify his despair.

"NO! IF SHE FINDS OUT SHE'LL KILL US!"

"Why are you adding me in your death?"

The raven head completely ignored Ichigo before placing a hand on each of his shoulders, trying to convey his seriousness as he said his next words with a straight expression.

"Ichigo. You must continue with your studies. I have to search for her and make sure no evil punk gets close to her."

The orange head on the other hand –along with the two fifth years- sweat dropped at the goofiness while keeping an incredulous expression but not daring to say anything. He just couldn't believe that the reason why Ryōtarō followed Haruka around was because of that.

He knew that the man followed all his kids around. Not daily but he most certainly did do it from time to time but Ichigo was the only one to ever notice. It was kinda obvious for anyone that had a bit of skill in reiatsu sensing. The man never cared to mask his presence anyway.

The only thing Ichigo could be grateful for however was the fact that now the attention was on following Haruka around and not his problems.

But of course the universe had to bring everything back.

"You two kids! I entrust you with my eldest son's soul! I have to get back to work so play nice!"

And before any of the three academy students could say otherwise the 10th squad captain left in a flicker of shunpo. Act invisible to the student's eyes with the exception of an undercover god-like being with orange hair.

Care to ask who?

The three were obviously left in a stupor but before Shunsui or Jūshirō could say anything about Ichigo's goofy yet serious father said person turned around and stalked towards the academy gates in a practiced and elegant walk. Almost as if a tornado hadn't passed by and with his uncaring face back in place.

Upon seeing this the two started to walk towards their new friend, catching up silently before it was disrupted by none other than Shunsui that looked rather enthusiastic for someone that had just lived a tragic encounter with the Shiba head.

"Ne Ichigo! Your father said he entrusted you with us so that means he acknowledges us as your friends. So we must always stick together to take care of you like he said!"

This of course horrified the young Shiba and he couldn't avoid almost tripping on his feet as he turned to look wide eyed at the brunette trying to continue his walk so that he wouldn't look ridiculous –though he doubted he was succeeded in doing so.

"That- that's- that's just- you can't take seriously a guy like that! It would be lowering yourself to his banters and that just makes it all the more stupid!"

The outburst slash stammer shocked yet amused the duo, thinking that they had found something that could easily rile up their new friend even if he seemed to be the most composed person they had ever met.

But of course everyone had their quirks.

"All the more reason to do so!"

"What?!"

#6#

Once Ichigo had been able to rid himself of the two future captains he had locked himself in his room, trying to find some peace to gather his thoughts as he was to shaken up by the previous argument –banter.

'You sound like an old man.'

Those words made him jump because they weren't exactly his even if they were said in his head but they weren't necessarily someone elses. It was like a little voice in his head that sounded so similar to his own that he couldn't help but think it might be his conscious.

'You idiot! Like if you had something as convenient as that. You only have a depressing old man that happens to be the embodiment of a mass murdering Quincy king and a genius, blood-thirsty, albino shinigami-hollow.'

Ichigo thought about that, thinking that Zangetsu might as well be right if only excluding the genius part but of course he didn't voice this out. More so because he knew that if he did he would be bad mouthing himself and that was something he didn't want.

So instead Ichigo merely nodded before falling flat on his futon without so much as unstrapping his zanpaktou, only lying face first on the soft surface as he let out a strained sigh.

'And know you're acting like one too. Maybe you should go find yourself some geezers and play poker.'

This time Ichigo responded but as he was lying on his face his voice came out muffled and incoherent and as such all the albino could do was hope his king had noticed this fact and would repeat his words.

Truth be told the orange head did that precisely as he turned his head to the side, giving out another sigh as he once again spoke up.

"I don't think poker exists yet."

'… What year are we in anyway?'

The previous substitute shinigami thought about this. Trying to find anything to pinpoint how back they actually were as he tried to think of any conversations he had with the two, still academy brats that would one day become captains.

"… When I first arrived at soul society the academy was 2100 years old… Kyoraku-san and Ukitake-san said they were the first graduates to become captains but that doesn't give me enough information to know how far we are from the present."

That was all he knew. All he was capable of knowing. And it frustrated him to no end because knowledge was everything on the battlefield. And he knew practically nothing now when before his knowledge exceeded the world.

So now he seriously found it as a pain in the ass. And more so because he had to use a curtain to cover up his horrible past. Might as well be wearing a mask all day.

'A piece of advice Ichigo."

"Old man?"

'Yes. Remember to always trust the play… the play cannot lie no matter how much its actors do.'

Ichigo stayed quiet, trying to process the word of wisdom –riddle- he was given. It was a real drag to decipher what the other was saying but at least he had gotten better as the time passed.

"So. You think that as long as the intentions are real; it doesn't matter if the one doing them is fake?"

This of course did not coed well with neither Zangetsu, Ichigo nor the old man. It was for various reasons but even then they were not happy. Ichigo mainly because he believed this to be wrong and the two spirits because Ichigo just didn't understand.

'King. It's not a matter of fake or not. You are you no matter what happens because you're still being Kurosaki Ichigo even if your name changed.'

'The hollow is correct Ichigo. We have told you before that it's not being fake. It's just trying to make things go smoothly. Not bring attention to yourself. I think that's all that matters.'

Ichigo thought about this as he was still lying down flat on his stomach. Trying to find the right words to say before speaking up and convey what he wanted.

"I think… I think that I'm over thinking things."

'No kidding. We were entrusted with the future. Not too broad about our own shenanigans.'

The orange head sighed before flipping over to stare at the ceiling. Closing his eyes slowly as he pushed that stupid abide foolish problem. He should thank Kei. He was the bastard that had pushed the thought into his mind in the first place. He might as well let the fucker get a piece of his mind next time he tried to pull some shit.

He needed to concentrate on the future. On the evil master mind that will one day appear and try to conquer the world. This was entrusted to him by Kisuke and maybe even everyone else.

He would not let them down.

"Time to get serious."

#6#

"I-CHI-GO-SAN! IT'S BREAKFAST TIME! HURRY UP OR YOU'LL BE LATE!"

Ichigo groaned, scurrying out of his bathroom as he adjusted his sash at his waist before grabbing rapidly his zanpaktou in its pitch black albeit decorated sheath. He secured it at his waist as he strode to the door and threw it open to come face to face with a tall –even if not as tall is him (yet)- brunette that had a goofy smile that he wanted to punch off.

He really hated these wake up calls and more so because they didn't wake him up. It was just to annoy him into eating with the brown haired devil in front of him and the one besides Ukitake Jūshirō.

This had been a routine of sorts for the past two months and even then he still hadn't come used to it because Shunsui always did it the hard way –yelling and banging his door until Ichigo came out. And don't get him wrong, Ichigo opened the door every time but the thing that pissed the orange head off was the fact that the brunette always kept on yelling that they were late when they weren't.

Bastard.

"I'm ready, you don't have to yell until I come out. We're not even late."

"But that's just the fun part of life! Always be one step ahead!"

"Yeah, yeah, you keep telling yourself that. Let's go Ukitake-san."

"What about me! We're a team!"

"Than hurry up Kyoraku."

"Shu-n-sui not Kyoraku."

And then that detail. No matter how much Ichigo had opened up to the two and how much he acted a bit more laid back –at least with them- he never called them by their given name and it had become a tedious routine to point out that fact for both of the innocent boys. But still they had gained what nobody had been able to.

Make the young Shiba get riled up.

Ichigo –back in high school- was easily taunted and would show his annoyance rather easily but as time passed –and more so now- he had come to completely eradicate this defect –if you could call it this- so now it was a real talent to be able to make the calm and usually uncaring Shiba riled up to the extent that it actually mattered. And let's just say that Kyoraku Shunsui had succeeded rather painfully; literally.

It had been rather amusing to see a twitching mess on the floor for both Ichigo and Jūshirō and as Shunsui had whined about being hit by Ichigo said person couldn't avoid the laughter that erupted from the depths of his throat.

To say the two boys were shocked was an understatement because they had never ever have heard the orange head laugh and it was rather satisfying if not refreshing. But as soon as it had come it left and it had become the two's life goal to repeat it.

But of course Ichigo just looked amused –which shocked the future captains- at the promise the boys made each other, thinking that they were doing something that was bound to happen and that it was stupid to think they had made it their life goal when Ichigo didn't necessarily avoid laughing.

He just didn't do it often.

This however promoted Shunsui to think that Ichigo was a sadistic bastard which Jūshirō completely agreed to. The orange head looked absolutely amused to a new level but did not disagree thinking that he was sadistic thanks to a certain albino living in his head.

But now as they strode to the cafeteria Ichigo couldn't help but keep a scowl etched on his face while the two boys took it in stride thinking that it was just one of those days Ichigo was in a bad mode.

The real reason of course was not this but at the same time it was. He wasn't really in a bad mode, it was just that he had received bad news that morning and he was not happy about it. For some reason seeing a hell butterfly –the Shiba clan one nothing the less- was not something he enjoyed. It always brought bad news and this one had not been differently. Actually, it had been by the far the worse because Shiba Ryōtarō had never sounded so jumpy and jittery.

"Ichigo. I need you to come home after your morning classes. I'll send a letter to your teachers so come right away."

So as Ichigo ignored his friends –the two had become something akin to friends in the past months- he went with his activities in complete auto pilot. The two noticing but deciding not to comment on it until they were in their meditation dojo with some sort of privacy.

"Hey Ichigo, is something bothering you?"

The orange head actually turned to look at them for a change, not looking forward like he usually did and just glancing from the corner of his eye. Act that surprised the two as they weren't expecting it to be so easy –gesture that showed how bothered the orange head was.

"I received a hell butterfly this morning… It was from Chichue. I have to go to the manor after morning lessons."

This of course made the two perk up in interest, thinking that it was rare for such a thing to occur and much less for a clan member –albeit one from the main family- having to need to return as soon as possible… sort of.

"Is everything alright?"

The white haired boy couldn't help but ask in pure concern. He knew that Ichigo didn't like to bother other with his problems but even then he had to ask. It was like a need he had to do.

"I don't know but that's what I'm going to find out."

Before Shunsui could butt into Ichigo's business and Jūshirō could question once again, the meditation teacher strode in with a small yet almost practiced skip, looking blissfully unaware of her surroundings and the small group of three agreed in their thought.

'How can a teacher be so free willed?'

"Alrighty my students! I hope you have practiced the techniques that we have been trying lately because today everyone must be completely relaxed!"

This of course made the whole classroom silent as almost no one had even cared to practice the exercises given and as such no one even dared to make a sound in fright that they would be hauled into demonstrating.

Thankfully the petite teacher just smiled and continued on with her explanation about relaxation until she said something that caught everyone's attention.

"Today we're going to begin trying jinzen to a new level. This time we want to enter the inner world and not just create a peaceful sense. So there must be complete and utter silence even if you fail, and even a mummer of a voice is enough to be called success much more if you are able to enter your own inner world."

Everyone was now excited with the lesson. Thinking that it would be a piece of cake to get into their inner world and all hoping that they could meet their zanpaktou spirit. Of course reality was another deal and the only ones well aware of this were the childish teacher and Ichigo himself.

"Okay! Everyone get on the floor into the basic position I have been teaching for the past year so if you just happen to forget it than you're free to ask any of your classmates because I'm not repeating it."

Everyone sweat dropped at this, thinking that she would not go down on her threat and that she really wouldn't help anyone. So the whole class room sat down on the floor and started to drop into the correct position.

"Concentrate on yourself and no one else. Try to pull on your own soul. That's the best I can give you. Breath, in and out…"

Ichigo in the end just entered a state of complete peace, not even trying to get into his inner world since he thought it would be best to stay like this in case someone called. He didn't want to be the only one to enter his soul.

But as he stretched his senses he was able to notice how his two friends were in a level where they were no longer there, they were in such a state that you could easily notice –if you knew what to look for- that they had succeeded in entering.

However, Ichigo couldn't help but jump in his seat when he felt a hand on his shoulder that distinctively belonged to the teacher. He opened his eyes slowly in time to be face to face with the petite women that had a face of disappointment.

Ichigo just stayed calm and stared into her impassive hazel eyes, thinking that if she had disrupted his peace she must have a reason.

"You're not even trying."

Her voice was soft. Barely above a whisper and the orange head was sure that if the room wasn't as quiet as it was it would have been impossible to have heard her voice.

"I know you already have contact with your zanpaktou, I noticed this on the first day. But weather you know its name or not is still a mystery to me. That's the best I could find out while reading your reiatsu."

She knew. And Ichigo had known this as well but he had never let this bother him because out of all the teachers he knew she would be the only one capable of noticing. So it didn't come as a surprise that she was disappointed. He understood after all. She had expected the most out of him even if she never said it.

So instead of responding or thinking of some excuse he only sighed while drifting back into jinzen and disappearing into his inner world. He knew that the petite teacher would get the hint and notice right away in his reiatsu pattern that he had gone into his soul.

As expected he landed on his steel and glass, cold building, thing that was quite common for him and as such as soon as he had appeared he let himself fall flat on his back.

He was quickly yet quietly joined by his white doppelganger as he also laid on his back, the two mirroring each other as they gave each other silent company before it was obviously disrupted by Zangetsu himself.

"The bitch sent you in?"

"… Yeah. She did."

"… You're not gonna tell me she's not a bitch?"

"… What's the point? You'll keep on doing it anyway."

The two stayed in silence once more, Zangetsu surprisingly pouting like a five year old as Ichigo stayed calmly in his place. His peace being weird compared to some months back as he gave out a sigh to relax his sore muscles but didn't make an effort to move.

"It's peaceful huh?"

"…Yeah… it is…"

#6#

In the end Ichigo had taken a rather long nap in his inner world along with his shinigami-hollow counterpart, they had both curled up against each other before they even realized it and the Old man had been the only one too gain amusement when they had woken up stuck together like two brothers seeking comfort from the other.

Once the great dilemma had been over and the two –cause the old man had stayed quiet- had agreed that it had never happened Ichigo retreated back into reality; surprised to find Jūshirō already wide awake while Shunsui was still concentrated in his meditation.

"Oh, Ichigo-kun, you're back. How did it go?"

Ichigo blinked his amber eyes in plain curiosity as he tried to think of what he had even done to be asked how it went, but then he remembered what they were supposed to be doing and quickly stammered to reply.

"A-ah, fine, everything went fine. Did anything go well on your side?"

Jūshirō was silently amused yet confused by Ichigo's slightly flustered state, only noticing it because he had come to learn a lot of the orange head in the past months and as such he was able to see these small details many missed –some people would say he was to observant for his own good.

"Yeah. I found my inner world and I heard giggles. Though I never found out where it came from."

"Eh… that's nice. I guess you achieved plenty."

The white haired boy nodded. Thinking that he had done a good job and that he thoroughly enjoyed his experience. It was exciting and thrilling in its own way but even then he wanted to know about Ichigo's thrilling experience –because he was sure Ichigo had achieved something if not more.

"And you? I can't figure out the depths of your fine."

"Well I found my inner world."

"I thought as much. And?"

"And I met my Zanpaktou?"

It was barely a question. But even then you could still hear the question mark at the end and it was frustrating to even think about saying this detail. He knew he shouldn't have said this but even then he knew he couldn't leave it hidden forever.

"YOU DID?!"

Ichigo jumped in surprise as he was not expecting to be shouted from behind and much less from someone that was supposed to be meditating. It was frustrating and unnerving in a way that he didn't want to think about and more so because he didn't even get a chance to answer.

"I met her too! And she's my perfect dream women with all the curves in the right places, and that shining personality until… until… until she hit me for being an idiot."

The brunette had started with so much excitement that Ichigo had thought he would choke on his own words until he started to take a turn for a rather depressing side as he was basically curled up on the floor crying for his own suffering.

"Why oh why do all the hot ones do this to the men population!"

"They don't do that to me."

"Nor I."

"And why are my friends such traitors!"

"SHUT UP KYORAKU! THERE ARE STILL STUDENTS TRYING TO MEDITATE!"

This of course shocked the trio as they weren't expecting the petite teacher to yell from the other side of the room and much less for her to do so in such a way that she would contradict her own words.

Life was just full of contradictions.

But even then Ichigo was curious. Really, really, really curious because he had personally heard that the brunette's zanpaktou were two women, not just one so he seriously couldn't stop himself from asking –something he didn't do often to begin with.

"But Kyoraku-san-"

"Shunsui."

"-she hit you?"

The future 8th squad captain stayed quiet as he studied his own memory. Completely discarding his previous correction of being called by his given name and concentrating on something that obviously bothered him and this of course lifted Ichigo's and Jūshirō's curiosity.

"Well yeah. She did hit me but… I could have sworn I felt four fits…"

The brunette was pensive for another second before he snapped his fingers and looked absolutely genius-like that Ichigo just couldn't avoid the need to sweat drop because of what he said.

"That's it! She must have four arms like a spider."

"Spiders have 8 arms Kyoraku-san."

"But what if she only hit me with half her arms."

"That is unlikely. And besides, didn't you see her? I think it would be quite obvious if she had more arms."

"You never know!"

Ichigo just groaned as he was patted on the back by his white haired friend. Thinking that the other was bound to know of his suffering and he would be easily understood and he really was because Jūshirō had an equally disbelieving –if not more- expression on his face.

"It never works Ichigo-kun."

"Apparently."

"I'm serious, she must have more arms!"

"SHUT UP SHUNSUI!"

"H-hai, sensei."

#6#

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING

"Alright everyone, morning classes are over. Remember to read page 264-282 of proper etiquette for next class!"

"Hai~!"

All the wanna-be shinigami scurried out of the classroom as they gathered their books and notes, trying to hurry up and rush away towards the cafeteria with the exception of three particular boys that were patiently walking out the door and into the hallway.

Two of them happened to be slightly worried for the third when said person was as calm and composed as ever; emotions be fit of his noble status that betrayed not a single thing.

"Ichigo? You're going home right?"

Ichigo just nodded, trying to concentrate on his own mind because his thoughts just kept on going rampant and not in a good way so as to say.

He was worried, that was clear –for him- but more than anything he was curious. It was weird to be called back home and even then saying to do so after morning classes. That more than anything unsettled him.

As he kept on walking they finally arrived at an intersection where the hallway separated in the direction of the cafeteria or the way out of the academy so with a final wave he left in a small –yet still considerable- shunpo, leaving the two 5th years dumbstruck since they still couldn't understand how the former 1st year could be so good.

The orange head just kept on flash stepping away, not a second of hesitation as he went from roof to roof at an incredible –for an academy student- speed. He was concentrated on what he did, no faltering, no regret what so ever, each step calculated and beautiful and even as he did this he was still looking out for his father's reiatsu, sensing his steady and rhythmic presence in the gardens of the manor and picking up speed to leap over the walls of the Shiba gate and land perfectly in the middle of the yard, right next to the raven haired man.

Said person just turned to look at his eldest with no hint of surprise what so ever, fully expecting Ichigo to be where he stood and not even batting an eye at his over normal speed.

"Ichigo, how have you been doing?"

"Fine. But I think you didn't call me to ask how I was."

The smile that was on in his face distinctively disappeared into something that could barely be called one, his obviously fake good mood slipping away as he now stood before his eldest son and the only one he could freely open up to with his problems.

"I feel that I'm troubling you more than I should. Like if you didn't have enough burdens I add my own."

"You know that's not true so why bother."

Ryōtarō sighed before glancing up to look at the falling leaves of the few trees in the garden, a thoughtful expression in place as he pursed his lips into a thin line.

"There is something I must tell you."

"I expected as much."

"But you might not like it."

"Wh-"

"Not here."

Ichigo turned to look at his father with curiosity yet apprehension. The man did not want to discuss something rather important in his own manor, like if he didn't trust the place to guard his secret and fully expecting to be ease dropped on. The orange head was about to ask where when the older man grabbed his white sleeve and dragged him in a captain level shunpo to who knows where while all Ichigo could do was pray that he wouldn't be dropped.

As Ichigo caught up with what was going on and that he was not in danger –because believe it or not he was doing everything in his power to not unsheathe Zangetsu and cut Ryōtarō's hand off- he relaxed into the grip, seeing the trees and buildings pass by in an abnormally fast pace that would have made anyone dizzy had they not traveled at these speeds before, and once the blurs came to a stop Ichigo was abruptly thrown on a wooden flooring that he was not expecting to be there.

The shinigami in training blinked as he tried to catch up with where the hell they were to no avail. He couldn't recognize the place and the woods surrounding the small wooden house –because that was where he realized they were- didn't help his cause. He tried to seek out his father's aid when he noticed a rather surprising –yet at the same time not- detail.

Ryōtarō sat cross legged on the wooden floor with a small ozen (1) tray at his side that had a small bottle of sake and appetizers that made Ichigo all the more hungry. He hadn't eaten while everyone else had gone to the cafeteria.

Not fair.

"What are you doing on the floor like that Ichi? Get your place and grab some food."

Ichigo just stared at the man before sighing and doing as told, trying but failing to hide his unease since he happened to be in the middle of nowhere –or at least that's what he thought.

"You know I should sue you for kidnaping. But since you're my father I lost that option."

"Ha, and here I thought you were going to ask me where we are."

"No, I was going to ask where the treats came from."

"… good point."

The orange head just gave another sigh before reaching out to grab an onigiri from the white plate, not wasting a second to dig in as he was hungrier than he expected.

As such the simple bean paste filled onigiri was more than enough to clench his hunger making said food taste like gold even if when compared to the meals he normally had at the manor it was nothing but a side note.

Ichigo was so concentrated on getting something solid in his stomach that he barely even realized that he had been served a sake cup and that the raven head was passing him the small container. He reached out and grabbed it while muttering a brief thanks and looking up to stare into the other's green eyes.

"So? Are you going to answer anything or should I start making 1000 questions."

Ryōtarō just lifted a hand to hazily scratch the back of his head, gesture that showed his apparent nerves and apprehension.

"Yeah… I guess I should answer. But first of all to tell you where we are."

"In the middle of the woods."

"Oh but not just any woods. We're far off in the 11th district. This shack is the Shiba clan heads and only his. It is the haven that one has when we wish to be alone or in complete secret."

Ichigo stared curiously at this, seriously being intrigued by this because he had never even heard of it. This was a fact that was unknown to him and let's just say that when it came to Shiba history he could easily call himself a genius.

"The location of this place is only –and I will say it again- only known to the clan head and their heirs when it is believed they are ready. So no one currently knows of this place except myself and now you."

The orange head frowned at this, not really keeping up with what he was being told and what he truly understood. He didn't really know where this shack was and even if he did remotely know of its position why would he tell him.

"This shack is about 4km west from the gate of the district, passing the water fall and a few cherry blossoms away. It's not hard to miss if you know what you're looking for. And the reason why I'm telling you this is because you are meeting the conditions for those that know of the location."

As those words finally processed correctly in Ichigo's mind all he could do was stare at the raven head with his drink mid-way, not being able to believe what he was hearing and not understanding why this was happening in the first place.

It was going too fast.

"You shall be the third Ichigo. I need your help. Because I feel that if I don't do this now, the elders might start to control the whole clan. We must do everything to push them away… keep them at bay."

It was clicking in place and the more he understood the why the less he wanted to take part directly. He wanted to help. He wanted to be by his Chichue's side but even then he couldn't help but feel wrong. Misplaced.

Haruka and Wataru deserved this. They were the man's children not him. He was an outsider. Foreign from his world.

This was not right.

"Ichigo…"

To be continued…

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1 Ozen: Japanese tray at the same level of a low table but way smaller. Usually used in nobility when in meetings or in places where there isn't a table.