Ichigo tapped his foot against the floor. He just barely kept his wings from flicking along with the nervous tick, but he couldn't stop both wings and feet at the same time. In front of him was the door leading to the twin's school Principles office. And sitting on either side of him were scuffed up Sunstreaker and Sideswipe.

Ichigo was not pleased to get a call from the school while he was at work. If it was because the twins were sick and needed to be picked up. But it was not that, it was something he was very familiar with having gone through the same problem.

"Mind telling me the reason you two fought before they tell me their version?" he asks the twins. Sunstreaker was scowling at the floor. Sideswipe was looking at everything but them. Ichigo sighs and lets his head fall back against the wall. In truth, he wasn't too concern about the twin's behavior, from what he has seen of the other younglings. His twins had restrained themselves. "I can take a guess let me know when I'm right," still nothing. "Those younglings were mouthing off and one of you, Sunstreaker, took exception. And when they ganged up on Sunstreaker you, Sideswipe, joined in." Bored looking golden optics glanced down at the two, "How close was I?"

Sideswipe mutters something and Sunstreaker was still glaring at the floor. "What was that?" Ichigo asks.

"I said that it wasn't Sunny who started it. He was defending me," Sideswipe held his arm closer to his chest.

Ichigo stood then squat in front of the red youngling. He gently took the small red arm, "it wasn't those younglings who started it either, huh?"

"There was an older youngling, from the senior class, he's the one who got rough." Sideswipe wenches as his arm was lifted, "He ran away once Sunny got involved.

Ichigo knew that wasn't the whole truth but it explained Sideswipes' injuries. His arm had a dent in the shape of a hand. No doubt it was pinching some wires and small cables. "Did the nurse see this?"

Sideswipe shook his head while Sunstreaker growled, "he only looked at the others. Told us that any injures we got were deserved."

Ichigo frowns, "I see." He sends a short ping to Ratchet and when the door opens, he receives instructions from the medic to bring Sideswipe by his office.

Three younglings were marched out and lead down the hall by a teacher. All three were in the twin's class, no sign of the senior youngling. The pink femme that was the twin's teacher waved Ichigo and the twins in. The flyer placed his hands on the twins back and ushered them in. It was only the principle and the twin's teacher. Ichigo had the twins sit in the offered chairs and spoke before the older mech could.

"Why hasn't Sideswipes arm been looked at?" he stood at his full height with his arms crossed.

"your younglings attacked three others-

"they were provoked when one of your senior younglings hurt Sideswipe." Ichigo wings rose, "you didn't even get their side of events; did you?" Ichigo slams his hands on the desk, "why are you singling my younglings out?"

"Uh eh."

"You have no answer, tch, typical." Ichigo picked up Sideswipe, "call that nurse bot back in here and tell them that they and you will be reported for leaving an injured youngling unattended. I'll be taking Sideswipe to the hospital."

"Now wait a minute-

"No, you wait a minute!" Ichigo whirls to glare at them. " you were all set up to blame Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. Well, let me tell you this if my boys really started the fight as your claim," he leans in with a none too friendly smile, "there would have been more damage." He turns on his heel and leaves with the twins in tow.

Catching the next transport, Ichigo sat Sideswipe on his lap while Sunstreaker took a seat next to him. the silence was broken by the golden twin, "do we have to go back?"

Ichigo sighs, it was a tough decision their school was the only good one that they could afford right now. He truly didn't want to send them back if the staff was showing that bad of favoritism, but he couldn't home school them either.

"You know I was often in these types of situations." The twins looked up at the flyer.

"really? You?"

"Yep, it didn't matter if it was school or me walking to or from it I would find myself in a fight almost daily. My old man would have to come down to my school the first few times it happens. The teachers were total jerks back then, and they kept trying to have me expelled until my dad put them in their place." Ichigo smiles fondly at the memory.

"Did he send you back though?" Sunstreaker asks.

"well yeah, but he; in one of his rare wise moments; gave me some worldly advice. He said "Ichigo, there will be times that you will come across people who will dislike you regardless of who or what you did. The best thing to do it to forget them and move on. Those encounters will be short and easily forgotten." And he was right, the school year didn't last long, and I found my next teacher was better. Tough, but ten times better than my last." Ichigo rubs Sideswipe's head, "as I got older it became common knowledge that I never started any of those fights. And when I did it was always in defense of another and I did a lot of damage. So, as much as I would like too. You two will have to go back to school but I have a feeling that your teacher isn't a bad sort."

Sideswipe frowns, "your saying that we should push on, but what if they come after us?"

"then you tell me or Wheeljack, or Ratchet. You'll always have a wall of defenders."

The twins looked at each other, a silent conversation that Ichigo wasn't part of. Which was fine, he wanted to think over some things as well. As the roof of the hospital came into view Ichigo received a message from the femme Enforcer.

"Word is quick to spread," Ichigo mutters to himself.

"What?"

A wing flick, "your school is being annoying."

Sunstreaker snorts, "tell us something we don't know."

The hospital waiting room wasn't that busy, so Ratchet was able to see them quickly. Ichigo had been right in that the dent was painful but thankfully was an easy fix. They were out and back on the streets. Ichigo had every intention of going back to work, but the twins hadn't refueled yet and Wheeljack was off at some meeting. Checking their finances Ichigo took them to a local park that had vendors selling energon out of mech pulled carts.

He settles on a bench while Sunstreaker drew something off to the side. And Sideswipe was napping in his lap. He leans back letting his head tilt back and rest one arm on the top of the bench and stretched out his legs. He wasn't sure how he was doing at this parenting thing, and he now understood what his dad must have gone through after his mother was killed. His sisters had grown-up quickly and hadn't needed him or their dad much.

He wondered if he was doing any better then his dad. He certainly wasn't doing so well compared to his mom, but then no one could compare to her in his opinion. He sighs again letting his whole frame relax as he listened to the sounds around him. So he wasn't surprised when light pede steps approach them. Opening one optic he scowls when it was the Elite Guards from before.

"I was hoping you would wait until tomorrow," Ichigo sighs sitting up and readjusting Sideswipe. Sunstreaker looks up from his drawing, frowning, before deciding it wasn't worth his time.

This time it was the femme and the red mech visiting them. The femme, being the one in charge, spoke first. "The incident at the school was reported. Creators are concerned and-

"And you're here to listen to the twin's side of the story?" Ichigo gave them a pointed look, "Causes so far no one has listened to them."

Surprisingly it was Ironhide who speaks next, "well what happened then?"

"A slag for brains hurt Sides and I argued the point," Sunstreaker growls. "He ran away like a coward after seeing his flunkies get the slag beat out of them."

The red mech crosses his big arms, "so yer saying that you fought in defense of your brother?"

Sunstreaker huffs, "yeah. Why would you care, Enforcers only care about the elites."

"Hey now," Ironhide step towards the little mech but his superior stops him.

"Was the injury reported. The school made no mention of one, besides ones reported on the other mechlings."

Sideswipe holds out his newly repaired arm, "Ratchet fixed me right up. And we learned some new words."

"That you will not repeat unless you want solvent in your mouth." Ichigo rolls his optics, "the school nurse ignored him. I had to take him to the hospital to have it fixed. Here is that report." He sends a small file over to the Lead Femme.

The femmes optics brighten as she read the file, "I see. In that case, I have to agree with the medic. This is a case of self-defense. However, their school doesn't see it like that. They have sent a request to have them removed and placed in restrictive care."

Ichigo didn't stop the growl nor his move to hold the twins close. He was ready to fly out of there and disappear. The femme and Ironhide take a step back not wanting to crowd him.

"We won't be doing that since it was self-defense. We can talk to the school, but I do not think that they will let them return." The femme did sound sincere, "With our report, the creators won't be able to hit you with legal action. But they might try."

"noted." Ichigo sighs and rubs his face, "I don't suppose you know any other schools that are accepting?"

The femme shakes her head, but Ironhide looks thoughtful, "I think I might know. Let me check it out and I'll let ya know tomorrow."

Ichigo nods, though he wasn't holding his breath. He would have to look once they got home. "Is there anything else? I need to get these guys home and head back to work."

"That's all for now," the femme says. "We will keep you informed should anything else happen concerning this."

"Thanks," Ichigo takes Sunstreaker's and cradles Sideswipe on his hip. "Officers," he nods.

When they got home, Wheeljack was bouncing around the room blabbering about something. "Jackie?" Ichigo tries to get mechs' attention. "Yo Wheeljack!"

"Ah Ichigo, Sunny, Sides!" I have awesome news!" his helm lights glowing brightly with each word. "I was asked to accompany Preceptor on a once in a lifetime expedition!"

Ichigo smiles a little, "that's great Wheeljack." He had heard his friend speak highly of this faceless mech. "So where are you going?"

The engineer slows down enough to speak, "well we aren't going alone. Some other scientist is coming, they were choosing mechs from different fields. And I got picked!" he sounds almost breathless, "It's not that far from Kalis, somewhere between the city and some ancient ruins. We're supposed to be studying the ruins but for safety concerns, our base is set up away from them."

Ichigo gently shoved the twins towards their rooms. Sunstreaker may not look tired but Sideswipe was still droopy thanks to the sedative. "when are you leaving and how long are you going to be gone?"

"Oh," his helm lights blink then dims. "You know I won't kick you out; right?" he starts to fidgets, "I mean this is your home just as much as the mind. And I think Ratchet will have my helm if I did something so callous."

Ichigo shakes his head, "Nah Jackie. I'm just curious."

Wheeljack tilts his head, "I have a few orns before I am to report to the Hall of Records. I believe I should only be gone for a half a vorn, I think."

"Okay," Ichigo grins. "Have you told Ratchet yet?"

If possible, the engineer grew pale. "Oh, slag."

"I can imagen what he'll say once he imagens all the things that could go wrong should you tinker with something." Ichigo looked disinterested but he was watching Wheeljacks every move. "Well, you mind watching the twins. I need to head back to the Docks and make-up the joors."

Wheeljack slowly nods still in shocked silence. Ichigo glances over at the twins who were still watching, "and you two go rest. Ratchet may call and check up on you and don't make Wheeljack lie," Ichigo narrowed his eyes at the two. Sideswipe was giving his very impressive innocent face. "Behave," he warns before transforming and flying at full speed back to the docks.

Wheeljack having come out of his shock stupor blinked back at the twins, "why would Ratchet be calling to check on you?"

"Welllllll; ya see Jackie it all started-

Sunstreaker tunes his brother out and goes back to his sketchbook. He was almost finished the one from today, one that showed Ichigo cradling Sideswipe. All he had left to do was color it. Sunstreaker had many more pictures of Ichigo but some of them he couldn't finish. It was like once he was almost done there was another image on top of the one, he just drew. Like he somehow drew two beings. Sunstreaker didn't know what the second image was so he never bothers to finish those drawings.

"hey bro," Sideswipe flops beside him. "was it just me or did you notice that Ichigo had a second shadow?"

Sunstreaker grunts, "I think you're seeing things."

Sideswipe grins, "maybe." He turns on his side, "or maybe I'm not. I know you saw something Sunny."

"Don't call me that bit-brain."

When Ichigo returns home the next orn he was tired and filthy. His boss was not pleased with him running off the previous shift and had him stay over until the next first shift. His wings were laying flat on his back as he dragged his feet over the threshold.

He shivers the familiar feeling of being scanned hits him. "Ratchet I am not in the mood."

"Hphm," the medic looked just as bad as Ichigo felt. "I can see that. Wheeljack took the twins to school so-

"The school expelled them." Ichigo sighs taking a seat at the table. A glowing cube was placed in front of him, "you might want to have Jackie turn around."

"Slaggers the lot of them. I'm supposed to be off this orn, everyone's orders."

Ichigo smiled, "They had to gang up on you huh?"

Ratchet snorted and waved at the flyer, "yeah yeah laugh it up. You go rest, I watch over the twins and Wheeljack. Primus knows he's acting like a giddy femme to be much help."

Laughing Ichigo downs his cube and heads towards his room, "can't really blame him. he's getting a once in a lifetime opportunity."

"Whatever, at least we'll be free from surprise explosions."

Ichigo laughs as the door hisses closed behind him. He wakes for a short second when the rowdy voices of the twins and Wheeljack came home. A sharp bark from had the home silent again and Ichigo fell back into recharge. When he wakes again the entire orn had passed and the house was silent. A message blinked in the corner of his optic. Ratchet had taken the twins and Wheeljack out to celebrate. Should he wake in time he should join them, at the bottom was the location where they went.

He rinses and polished before taking a small cube. If they were eating, then he didn't want to get too full. He was surprised when opening the door to find Ironhide with his fist raise ready to knock. "Officer; is there something I can help you with?"

"uh yeah," Ironhide rubs the back of his head, "so I asked ma mate if she knew any good schools around. I told her about your twins. She had some good suggestions, I uh, I-here's the list."

A file popped up in Ichigo's hub, opening it, there was a long list of schools that Ichigo hadn't seen the first time he looked. "I-thank you, I don't know if I could afford some of them, but thanks."

"Eh, I'm sure that you can get some finical help. Iacon does give out education grants for middle to poverty-level families." Ironhide shrugs, "I know at least three are sponsored by the Elite Guard so mechlings can get a good education. I think the Hall of Records has sponsorship if mechlings apply for it."

"I see, its something to check out." Ichigo hums, "Tell her thanks for me. And if you'll excuse me, I have to meet everyone somewhere."

"Ah right," Ironhide turns to leave. "Oh, before I forget. The Elite Guard opens its training center to the public once a cycle. You could bring the bitlets and spar some."

Ichigo gave him a look, "I'll think about it."

Ironhide nods then drives away. Ichigo waits until the mech is out of sight before climbing to the roof and leaping off. Transforming in mid-air Ichigo flies off to the place Ratchet took everyone. The café was near a small park on the other side of Iacon. One of those charming areas that weren't high end. Ichigo landed just outside the park, he didn't want to disturb those using it. He waited, letting his frame cool down from the flight. Flyer frames had a tendency to overheat if they fly too much. Ichigo had learned his limits, as usual, the hard way. Ratchet was not happy having to fix all the brunt out the wiring.

He had to let his frame cool down and let it do it slowly. While he waited Ichigo noticed that other flyers were hanging around. That wasn't uncommon, Iacon was full of different frame types but Ichigo never mingled with other flight frames. He wasn't shy, he just didn't see a reason why. Then again he always seemed to associate with mix batches of people.

He people-watched while he waited for the last few minutes of cool down. Creators with their sparklings, a mech talking to another mech, two femmes laughing, and a trio of flyers arguing.

Normal.

A ping to his hub, his cool downtime was up, Ichigo started looking for the café his new group was at. He walked by the arguing flyers, only glancing at them out of the corner of his eye. The big blue one caught him looking and gave him a nod. The action caused the other two to looked at him, the red one scowled and the other gave him a smirk. Ichigo turned away and went on his way.

The café was full by the time he arrived but finding his family wasn't hard. Ratchet had picked a table outside near one the streetlights. "Bout time you got your lazy aft up," the medic grumps.

"What can I say," Ichigo gave him a lazy smirk. "It was a good nap."

Sideswipe and Sunstreaker started talking over each other about what they did that day. Wheeljack was chattering to Ratchet about his upcoming trip and the medic listened with a grin on his face. Ichigo relaxed his wings and leaned back in his wing friendly chair. He held the jet fuel to his mouth as he watched his family.

As it got late, Ichigo declared that it was time to head home. Stating that he might have found a way to get the twins in a good school. The twins, of course, protested wanting to stay out longer but Ichigo held firm and scooped both twins up and started walking. He would later fly them home, but walking was soothing. Ratchet and Wheeljack had already driven off leaving Ichigo and the twins to spend time together. As he neared the park a youngling on his shoulder, he saw the same trio of flyers, watching him.

Ichigo didn't like how the purple one still smirked at him. He returns the scowl the red one was given them and a polite nod towards the blue one. When the purple flyer moved his wings Ichigo froze.

"Something wrong big bro?" Sideswipe asks looking over in the flyer's direction. If possible, the red mechs scowl grew harsher. Sunstreaker stuck out his glossia in retaliation.

Having never grown up as a flyer, Ichigo didn't know wing speak. He had to learn once arriving in Iacon and that was only because the few flight frames he knows took pity on him. That and one very friendly shuttle helped a lot. He took one of the few swears he knew and flicked it at the trio.

Two of them laughed but the red one threw his own swear before turning on his heel and stomping off. Ichigo watched them leave before setting the twins down. Once fully transformed he opens his cockpit and waits for the twins to settle before flying off. He put the trio of flyers out of his mind, he didn't think he would see them again anyway.

Tomorrow he had the late shift at the docks which gave him enough time to check out this Hall of Records he had heard about. If the sponsorship was true, he wanted to find out how the twins could apply for it. And maybe, see if there was anything in the Hall of Records on were in the freaking universe he was at. With a plan in mind, Ichigo put everything not his twins or flying out of his mind for the time being. He could deal with things in the morning.