I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, my kids sure did, don't worry my husband and I still have money in our savings account. = ) I am soooooo happy you guys liked the introduction of Miku in the last chapter. This chapter will explain more about this world and finally a name. lol!~ So Enjoy! This has a bit of comedy and somewhat of angsty for two couples (evil grin). Thank you also for liking Koemi, I love her too. I had to make an adorable OC for Kazui = P.

Prince Mitsuhide is my mind is like a Prince Rhargar Targaryen (Game of Thrones) and Sephiroth from Final Fantasy 7 all mixed together. I love how Kubo makes his villains hot as fuck but so damn evil. I don't care what anyone says Yhwach is fine as hell, I'd hit that. LMAO! It's probably because I have a thing for men with beards because when my husband shaves, it makes him look like a young pretty boy. But when he has his like that stubble or when his beard grows out a little it makes him look handsome and rugged looking. I think that's why Isshin has a special place in my heart too. = )


Tatsunari stood in the Kurosaki Clinic and couldn't feel anyone's energy, in fact, he couldn't feel anyone's energy close by. Everyone's energy seemed to congregate around the Urahara Shop, he decided to take his chance. He held his head still feel the pain of being hit hard in the face, he shrugged the pain away. He decided to fly instead of running. As he got closer, he felt his parent's reiatsu and other familiar Shinigami.

"Mom! Dad!" he yelled.

Vice-Captain Shuhei Hisagi approached the spiky haired boy, "Tatsunari?"

"Shuhei. Where're my parents? Where the hell is everyone else?"

"There's below us and everyone else is in Soul Society, trying to find a way to get to this other world," he instructed the boy as he walked with him down the long ladder. "You look hurt, you should have someone take a look at that," the spiky man said, referencing to his wounded head.

"Not right now. Mom? Dad?"

Tatsuki thought she felt the faint reiatsu of her son but she thought her mind was playing with her as she sat with her husband.

"Do you hear that Tatsuki?" she heard her husband say as they heard the distant sound of their son's voice.

"Mom? Dad?" they stood to see him distantly running to them, in this underground desert it looked like a distant mirage. She paused for a moment before she ran to him, hoping he wouldn't fade.

"Tatsu! Baby! Oh my god," she cried, running as fast as her feet would take her. His tall frame collided with her and she couldn't help but grip him tighter. "I... I thought I lost you. W...Where were you?" she asked him as she looked at him, with a few bruises as blood tinted his head.

"I was captured with Kazui by those assholes. We were able to escape with the help of this old man. Kazui stayed behind to help him while he sent me back to warn everyone."

"To warn us about what?" Keigo asked his son, glancing at his injury.

"That they are coming to get Miume. Kazui has a grandmother that doesn't fucking bake cookies and gives you wet kisses, more like free rides and blowjobs" he said breathlessly as Tatsuki looked at his son worried.

"Baby! Maybe you should get checked before you get a concoction."

"No, Mom! I didn't hallucinate this shit, we need to tell Ichigo and Orihime. This Prince who wants her is strong, I couldn't fight him. I can't let that fucker have her, okay?" he growled out, as his mother saw the fear and anger in his eyes.

"O...Okay? Shuhei, could you take us to Soul Society?"

The spiky-haired Vice-Captain said as he nodded, "Of course, let me notify the Seretei that we'll be arriving shortly and ask for Spirit Exchangers for three humans so you can enter the Senkaimon."

They saw Shuhei step aside to notify someone in Soul Society before he came back to the trio. "Okay, let's go." He told them as he opened a gate with his Shikai. After a few moments of walking, they finally made it to Soul Society, being greeted by other members of the Gotei 13.

"Little Tatsu?" Rangiku yelped in surprise.

"How did you escape?" Momo asked in a gasp.

Tatsunari didn't bother to answer any of their questions as he looked around.

"I'm sorry I can't really ask questions I ... I need to," he felt the whole world spinning as the pain in his head caught up to him as he finally fainted.


Renji walked through the hallways of the prison. This was designated for those who had high acts of treason and a long list of other crimes. This was no place for the young man he came to know, even if it was temporary. His daughter was silently following behind him, she was walking in a daze trying to wake up from a terrible nightmare. When they finally made it to the doors Hideyoshi was housed in, she clutched her father's arm, afraid to go in.

"You can stay here if you want," he brushed her face as she silently shook her head, 'no.' He turned to enter, finding him lying on the prison bed staring at the ceiling. The younger man glanced up, surprised to see the visitors that came as he just silently stared and sat up. He was no longer tied up in energy dampening straps but wore them on his wrists and neck.

His hair was normally disheveled but now it was torn in every direction, he must have been pulling it out in a frantic fit. He remained silent as he looked at his hands, not wanting to see their eyes, afraid of what he'd see. Having a little hint of what they would convey. Betrayed? Anger? He could understand their anger towards him.

"Are you back to being mute again?" Ichika said, hating the awkward silence.

He looked up to find her eyes forming tears when he looked away. "Don't you dare look away, you fucking coward," she barked, holding onto the bars.

Renji looked on, the scene was reminiscent to when Rukia was imprisoned and he was trying to talk some sense into her. He was wrong then, not knowing of Aizen's plans. "I..I told you everything, my secrets, my worries, and fears. You couldn't even trust me to tell me you could talk," her voice broke as the young man closed his eyes, guilty for causing her more pain.

"Ichika, this won't help Kazui," Renji expressed as she glared at her father. "You can't think about your feelings right now, not in a time like this, when time, is not what we have."

"So we ignore the fact that he lied to us?" she hollered at her father.

They heard the soft chuckle that grew into laughter as they both stared into the cell. After Hideyoshi was done with his laughing fit, he began to speak.

"W... What do you need from me Vice-Captain Abarai?" he asked him in a broken voice as he stood up.

Ichika gritted her teeth as she felt like she was being ignored, but she held her tongue, they needed to find that journal to help her best friend.

"Aizen had specified that your biological mother carried a journal that may lead us to the world of these Fae people. Did your mother or father mention finding anything on her person when they pulled her out of the river?"

Hideyoshi thought for a moment as he reiterated to them about his past, "My mother used to read the journal to me, it had old lore and myths of a world," he said with a slight grin thinking of the memory.

"Where is it?" Renji asked, hopeful at getting closer to the truth.

"Back in my room in Squad 5 barracks," he said as he stretched his neck with a sigh.

Renji turned to see his wife enter the door with a key in hand, "Captain Commander Kyōraku has asked to release this prisoner. There's no need to keep him imprisoned having done nothing," she opened the door and walked up to his restraints and unlocked them as well.

He still sat there, when the door was opened for him to leave. He couldn't bring himself to get up. "I rather stay here," he said when he heard the sound of hurried footsteps as he felt a sharp sting across his face, as Ichika's smack rung throughout the prison walls.

"Spare me your self-pity, Hideyoshi. You fucking lied to everyone. Possibly lied about others things and yet you're still set free. You co-hearsed me into falling in love with you. What else can your powers do besides forcing people to do things?" she asked him as he looked at her and she shivered at his cold stare.

"Make them see their fears and happiness," he told her.

"So like images? Can you manipulate the images." He shook his head to answer 'No,' as she yelled, "Say it, Damn it."

"I can't manipulate the images. I can only show what the person wants to see."

"Bullshit!" she yelled, not convinced. He gave a hardened look and began to chuckle.

"I can't manipulate what you dream about Ichika. If that's what you're so upset about. So all those dreams were entirely you," he told her as she hit him again.

"You're a liar," she spat out as Renji pulled her away, she roughly shrugged her father off as she ran out the door. Renji looked at his wife who could only stare at him with nothing to say. She made to leave and follow her daughter, leaving the two men alone.

"Let's go, Hideyoshi."

"I..rather stay-"

"Frankly, I don't give a shit what you rather do. Get up and show me where this book is."

Hideyoshi slowly got up as he made his way out the prison. They walked all the way to Squad 5 Barracks, he found the book that was safely tucked under his pillow as he paused in giving it to Renji.

"Don't worry, it will just be documented and given back when there's no need for it, I'll make sure," there was no need to put this man in any more turmoil, just because of who his father was, Renji contemplated. Hideyoshi placed the book in his hands as he followed the man out of his room.

Momo found the two exiting the barracks as she glanced at Renji.

"Captain Commander Kyoraku has ordered for Hideyoshi to come with us on our visit to Hueco Mundo. They need every strong able-bodied shinigami," she said, not once looking at the young man.

"Do I look like him?" he softly asked her as she hesitantly looked in his direction.

"It's your smile," she finally whispered to him as she gripped her arm. He noticed her uncomfortableness as he nodded.

"I apologize for making you uncomfortable Vice-Captain Hinamori," he told her as he made to leave.

"I...I didn't me-"

"You don't have to explain yourself. It's not me your scared of, he hurt you and tormented you. You're too good of a person to be subjected to something like that and I wouldn't want to be the cause of it. So don't worry," he smiled, but quickly remembered her comment as his expression changed to something more serious.

Momo stood there in tears as she watched the young man leave the vicinity, it wasn't his fault she knew that and she felt terrible. He told her that it was okay but she knew deep down he didn't ask to be associated with that man.

Hideyoshi made it to the First Squad Office as Renji handed the book to Kyōraku who handed it to Kisuke, much to Mayuri's disdain.

"We need to open up a gate to Hueco Mundo as soon as you can. I ask that some Captains and Vice-Captains stay here to protect Soul Society in our absence. Mostly those who possess Bankai are ordered to come." Kyoraku stated as many of the men nodded. "Hideyoshi, even though you are a Third seat, your strength is formidable, we all felt your energy even before you released you Shikai. We need all the help we can get," he placed his arms on the man's shoulders as he watched the boy's tortured eyes nod, "I also ask for another favor. Aizen will accompany us on this journey. I'm asking you to set your anger towards him aside for now. If there comes a time for someone to subdue him, I will ask for your help along with Ichigo." As the older man spoke, he could feel Hideyoshi's energy rise when he mentioned the name, Aizen. As a sign of good faith, he handed him his sword.

"I understand Captain Commander Kyoraku."

"Great all settled, Kisuke head preparations to go to Hueco Mundo."

"How can he head my department?" Mayuri complained as he followed the blonde man, with his young Vice-Captain, Nemu, in tow.


Ichigo paced back and forth in the Kuchiki Manor with his family and also a stowaway, Daichi Oda. He was annoyingly adamant about coming along, saying that his parents were out of the country and he didn't want to stay at home, alone. He remained quiet the whole time, afraid to even speak with Ichigo on edge.

"What is taking so damn long?" he impatiently said.

"Renji will get the book. Hideyoshi has just been through something traumatic. I want this book as much as you do but if we rush this, you could seriously break an already unstable person." Orihime told him as he sat down and focused on looking at the ground.

Keigo rushed in with Shuhei close behind as they apologized to Byakuya as they everyone looked up to them in confusion.

"Tatsu came back and he's hurt bad, they wanted to rush him to 4th squad barracks but-"

"I told them to fuck off and I wanted no one touching my baby unless it was Orihime," she yelled as she held her boy's hand as they came with him in a stretcher.

"Tatsu!" Miume yelled, finally getting the words out of her mouth afraid that she was just seeing an illusion.

They saw the blood that caked his head as Orihime quickly ran to the side of the stretcher. She placed her healing dome over him. After a few minutes, he was healed and he began to grimace and got up to hold his head. He looked to Orihime and paused for a moment in fear before he realized who it was. He got up to hug her tightly.

"Oh, Thank god it's just you," he began to chuckle hysterically. Orihime was a bit confused holding her nephew tightly. Miume squeezed into the hug as she began to cry, Orihime moved aside to give them space. Tatsunari saw Miume and instantly held her as he wasted no time in kissing her. When it lasted a bit too long as hands began to drift in other areas, mostly from Tatsunari hands, was when Ichigo had enough.

"Ok ... Okay, damn it!" He pulled him away as he looked at Tatsunari, "Where's Kazui?"

Tatsunari explained in greater detail about their time there, leaving a few details about Orihime's mother. He also told them about their escape and the reason for parting ways.

Ichigo raised his son to help those in need but he had hoped he wasn't in trouble and returned to them as soon as possible. Did they have to go to Hueco Mundo now that his son might return?

"I'm going to give it till tomorrow if he doesn't return to our world, I'm going there personally to see what's wrong. If there isn't anything wrong, I'm going to drag his ass back here. If those fuckers come near Miume, I'll make sure they regret it. That means you don't go anywhere alone," he pointed at his daughter who nodded.

"So what was that about Orihime's mom?" Tatsuki asked his son who shivered a bit, not wanting to divulge that information as he blushed.

"Why are you blushing, what happened there?" Daichi asked as Tatsunari realized he was there.

"Why the fuck are you here?" he hollered.

"He's here because he's aware of the supernatural ... and he's afraid of staying alone," Ichigo mentioned, upsetting the blonde man.

"I'm just a bit weirded out, you can't fault me for freaking out?" he yelled out. "So what happened there?" he asked not wanting to let this go.

"I'm not talking about it and I'm sure as hell not going to tell you," he shot back as the dirty blonde shook his head and leaned against the wall.

"What was that about free rides and blowjobs?" Shuhei asked as Tatsunari glared at him.

"Wait! Did you let Miume's grandmother blow you?" Daichi looked a bit grossed out as Miume looked at him in disbelief.

"No! Let's just say Kazui might need therapy. She's not your typical grandmother. She talks like she's been here for a while but she can easily pass for 25 or 27. I think I would have been mentally scarred too if I stayed any longer. She wanted me as a pet," he sat down trying to catch his breath.

"They mentioned that Miume and I are a likeness to her," Orihime divulged.

"Wait! So you were locked in a room with a woman that was a spitting image of Orihime and Miume and you're freaking out?" Daichi spat out, getting a glare from Ichigo as he looked to Tasunari.

"Fuck off! That's just wrong and weird. I have to thank that King Fuma -something. Poor guy is trying to keep his daughter away from that prick Mitsuhide as well."

"The one Kazui is with?" Orihime asked as Tatsunari nodded.

The doors opened up to find a very upset Ichika with her mother trailing behind her when they both suddenly stopped to see Tatsunari.

"Tatsu!" Ichika ran up to give him, giving him a hug as she cried, she looked around. "Where's Kazui?"

They all explained to her and Rukia the situation as they nodded.

"I don't think he's coming back just yet," Daichi interrupted, receiving a glare from Ichigo and a few others in the room. "Look! Mitsuhide sounds like a prick-"

"Takes one to know one," Tatsunari growled.

"a 'PRICK' with taste. If what you said was true about him wanting Miume as his Queen and still wanted this Princess Koemi for a concubine. Something tells me she's pretty damn gorgeous."

"That doesn't mean anything, Kazui would never abandon his family for a pretty face?" Ichika shot back.

"We'll see," he chuckled.

"Who invited him?" she asked as she was completely pissed off.

"Captain Commander Kyoraku is just about to head out to Hueco Mundo, Ichigo," Rukia told her friend as he gave a hesitant nod.

"I'll let him know the current situation, it'll give him enough time to prep. I'll also notify Uryu and Chad to keep an eye out in the Human World for these assholes and if they happen to sense my son," he kissed his wife and daughter, walking out of the Kuchiki manor with a new purpose.

After a few moments after Ichigo left, Renji walked into the household as he waved and tried to catch the attention of his wife.

"Rukia, could you step outside for a moment?" he asked her as he avoided his daughter's eyes.

"You needing to see her for a moment is either two things, sex or keeping something from me. Which is it?" Ichika asked, clearly fed up with secrets.

Renji looked around embarrassed since he been found out when he blurted out, "Sex."

Rukia slapped his arm, glancing at her brother who sat on a floor pillow, reading documents.

"What is it?" Ichika asked again, narrowing her eyes at her father as he sighed.

"Now don't be upset, it's only temporary. Everyone is on edge and some members of his squad is a little unsure of him. He insists that he wants to remain in prison but-"

"Then let him," Ichika already knew who her father was talking about as she gave her opinion. Her parents looked at her with a look that made her feel guilty for even saying it. "Fine! Just keep him away from me."

"More like keep you away from him," Miume said under her breath as she glanced at the girl. "I understand your upset, Ichika. It's just that look at it from his point of view."

The red-headed girl chewed on her lip, thinking of how much the younger girl's words sounded so much like her brothers that it hurt. She nodded with no further argument as she sat with her uncle hugging him, while he continued to read, only glancing at her from his peripheral vision.

Renji sighed as he looked at his wife while she shrugged. He opened the door, having the young man enter in. He came in, off to the side as he timidly glanced at everyone as his eyes fell on Orihime. As she smiled at him and walked up to him and gave him a hug. He tensed in surprise as she looked at him with compassion.

"Y...You're not afraid of me?" he told her as she tilted her head to the side in thought.

"He can talk? What did I miss while I was gone," Tatsunari shouted as Miume quieted him down, telling him that she'd explain everything later. Renji also noticing Tatsunari's presence looked to his wife, who whispered the details to her husband, also regarding Kazui.

"When I first met you I was taken aback by how familiar you looked. Now that I know why it's not fair of me to pass judgment on a person based on whom their parent is. I should know better than anyone," she conveyed as she searched his eyes for some form of understanding in his dark eyes. He finally expressed himself with a nod as she hugged him again. This felt familiar when his mother used to hug him when he was feeling down. 'Mother!' he thought as he abruptly backed away from her as she began to see the panic in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," she apologized as he shook his head.

"It brings back too many unwanted memories, that's all," he told her as she understood, remembering the loss of his mother.

"You must forgive Orihime. She was unaware due to the lack of information about your past you fail to divulge." Ichika told the dark-haired man who glanced over at her as she smiled, "I mean is there something else that might upset you? Does clapping my hands too loud cause you to flip out? Well? We can't all fucking read minds."

"Ichika!" she heard her mother's voice but the younger girl continued to speak.

" I used to be afraid of monsters ... and frogs still freak me out. You know this because I told you and Kazui," she told him as her eyes began to water while she came closer to him. "I'm afraid of disappointing my family name so that's why I train just as hard but I expressed this to you and only you. Yet, I don't even think I know what you're afraid of?"

He looked at her tear-filled violet eyes, with a stern look, "I think it was pretty obvious when you asked me to leave Squad 6. I'm sorry for my actions towards you to cause you so much pain. I regret it now."

She angrily shoved him as he seemed to hold his ground while she barely moved him. "I regret ever feeling shit for you," she pushed him once again, upset even more for not being able to move him again. She angrily walked off, with her mother following close behind. Renji watched his daughter angrily storm off as he sighed and wondered if this was the best idea.

"Renji! Have Hideyoshi stay on the other side of the manor with the other guests," Byakuya's disinterested voice stated as the red-head agreed. "Hideyoshi, I would ask that you keep your distance from Ichika. I understand that would be impossible, given her temper and persistence she's inherited from her father."

Renji glared at his Captain but respectfully kept his mouth shut as he gritted his teeth, "Let's go, Hideyoshi. I fear that my fucking temper may flare up," he growled out to his Captain who seemed unfazed by the man's demeanor while the redhead directed the younger man to his room.


Chad remained silent, even after getting an update with Ichigo on his current progress at Soul Society. Several shinigami were helpful enough to set-up a screen, in case they needed to notify Soul Society or vice-versa. He watched his friend Uryu's shoulders slightly hung low as he sighed. His friend was currently accommodating him and his son by giving him two rooms at the Ishida mansion. They had spoken earlier before Orihime's party that it wasn't a big deal until he was able to get a household of his own. Now after the attack, it seemed the only logical solution to stay together. They had one day to settle everything before they were both going to Hueco Mundo. In the meantime, they were going to follow their Substitute Shinigami's instructions in keeping an eye out for his son and also for the intruders.

"You should get some rest, Uryu. I'll take the first watch," he placed his hand onto the Quincy's shoulder as he looked at him with a slight grin.

"Thanks, I'll try. With everything that has happened and is currently going on, I'm not sure I can sleep at all," he told him as he removed his glasses to rub his brow.

"I understand, just try," he told him as the man beside him nodded. He made to leave his office when he paused to turn to him.

"I know your son is probably asleep but whenever I get the chance, I want to thank him," he confided to the taller man as he looked at him curiously.

"For?"

"Yumiko had told me that the other attacker tried to get a hold of her and if it wasn't for your son intervening she would have been hurt or.." he paused, not wanting to say the rest.

"I'll let him know," he gave a weak smile to the other man who was trying to hold it together as he said his goodbyes and left the room.

Chad walked up to the stairs in the direction of the rooms. He noticed a faint light under the door to the room Jacinto was in. Lightly tapping at the door he heard his son tell him to come in.

"No puedo dormir?(Can't sleep?)" he asked him as his son rose from his bed from laying down to sit up. Chad sat next to him as he patted his shoulder.

"Realmente no. No puedo dejar de pensar en el día de hoy. Pensé que podría ayudar, pero la gente todavía resultó herida y los hijos de sus amigos están desaparecidos. (Not really. I can't stop thinking about today. I thought I could help but people still got hurt and your friend's children are missing?)" he expressed, sorrowfully looking at his hands.

"Ayudaste e hiciste todo lo que estuvo a tu alcance para hacer precisamente eso. Uryu me dijo lo que hiciste por Yumiko y él te lo agradece (You did help and you did everything within your power to do just that. Uryu told me what you did for Yumiko and he thanks you), " he expressed as he watched his son smile a little, "También estoy orgulloso de ti(I'm also proud of you)."

Jacinto looked at his dad and lept into the tall man's arms, giving him a hug. He felt him grip tightly as his body began to tremble. He heard the first cries of his son that day as he let him cry in his arms. It seemed he had been trying to look strong for the others, letting his emotions go, now that he was alone with his father.

"Estaba tan asustada, padre, pero cuando lo vi agarrar su cuello. No podía verla herida porque era un cobarde (I was so scared, father but when I saw him grab her neck. I couldn't see her hurt because I was a coward)," he heard the words from his son as he started to feel his shirt wet with his tears.

"Está bien sentir miedo, no eres un cobarde por sentir esa emoción. Hubo momentos en que sentí miedo en mi vida, durante una pelea. Al igual que yo, te mantuviste fuerte porque ayudar a un amigo era más importante que huir (It's okay to feel fear, you're not a coward for feeling that emotion. There were times I felt scared in my life, during a fight. Just like me, you held strong because helping a friend was more important than running away)," He felt him cease his crying to look up at his father and smile.

"I.. If you don't mind, we can talk Japanese instead. I want to be able to talk more effectively since we're going to stay," he told his dad as he whipped the tears from his face. "I like it here and everyone is nice, especially Yumiko."

Chad watched how his son's sad demeanor completely changed to happiness with a hint of a soft blush on his cheeks. "Just nice?" he jested as his son rubbed the back of his hair from embarrassment.

"She's also smart and very beautiful," he told his father as he watched the older man nod his head with a smile, "B... Before all this happened ... I asked her out on sort of a date."

"You'll get your chance, once all this blows over and we get Kazui back," he told him as he looked a bit confused. He apologized to his son, explaining to him on the update of one son being returned and the other may be on his way. " We still need to be vigilant, they may still be a threat."

"Of course," he nodded and then looked at his father, "I... I want to go with you when you go to this place called Hueco Mundo."

Chad had been dreading on having to have this conversation with his son. On one hand, he didn't want him to come, because he wanted him to be as far away from any danger. Then, on the other hand, he also wanted him close to him. Last time he was apart from him, he became injured. He wasn't taking that chance again, not when Ichigo stated they were still interested in those who had powers.

"Yes, but you must always stay close to me. If for any reason we are separated I want you to try to feel my reiatsu and get back to me. If I am captured or worse.. you must find the others and make it back here. Understand?" he expressed to him with his serious expression in his deep baritone voice. He always felt his father's presence was intimidating but soon found out the man was kind and inviting but as he glanced at his stern expression he couldn't help but feel ... intimidated.

"I understand," he kissed and hugged his father goodnight.

"Try to get some rest, big day tomorrow," he told him as he placed his head on his pillow.

"W.. What about you?" he asked him.

"Uryu and I are taking turns watching this house. Don't worry. When it is my turn, I will get some rest," when he saw his son worried expression relax as he closed his eyes. He made his way out of the room and closed the door, silently leaning against his son's doorway as he felt his reiatsu slowly lull to sleep.


Karakura Town

10 years ago

Kazui sat outside of his teacher's classroom and waited till his father finished speaking to her. He could feel his mother was still at the bakery, she must have been unable to come. He rubbed his arm, feeling a bit guilty for having his father miss work on account of him. The teacher didn't specify what it was exactly but he had a feeling what it was pertaining to. Things seemed different when he arrived in junior high, elementary seemed so much simpler. He could speak to ghosts all the time then, the kids would look at him strangely but found it hilarious.

He tried to hang out with some of the kids at school but they were either rude or thought he was boring. So if they didn't want to hang with him he wasn't going to force them. Plus, who needed human friends when you had a whole slew of ghosts that were funny and had more interesting stuff to say. They also didn't think you were weird.

The door opened to reveal his father and his teacher who seemed a little unnerved.

"I hope you would consider taking this issue seriously. Your son would-"

"I appreciate your input, Mrs. Hashimoto, but frankly my wife and I will handle it," he said, trying his best to sound nice, but Kazui could tell his father was upset. His teacher looked at him with a worried gaze as she glared at the older man.

"Well, good-day, Mr. Kurosaki. Kazui, I will see you in class," she said as she abruptly went into her class and shut the door.

"Let's go!" he growled out as Kazui stayed silent as he followed his father out of the school. He watched his father grip the wheel tightly while he drove, then finally stopped at a curb. Kazui looked around to see that they had parked near the cemetery.

"I know you come here a lot," he told him as Kazui nodded in acknowledgment.

"I come here to talk to grandmother and speak to Oji-san," he heard his son say as he felt a slight sting with worry in his heart. Kazui saw the pained expression in his father's face as he quickly spoke again, "Don't get upset Dad. I talk to them like I'm talking to you right now. I tell them about all the new clothes and games I got for Christmas. How I find Miume every morning on my bedroom floor because she wants to be near me but doesn't want to disturb me," he laughed as Ichigo smiled as well. "I also like coming here because of the friendly new ghosts I meet every day. Is that why I'm in trouble?"

"No, Kazui. You're not in trouble. Some students have expressed to the school about you hanging out at the cemetery a lot and talking to yourself. Your teacher wanted me to be aware that it was probably brushed aside by the teachers in elementary school because it was a stage you were going through. 'Many kids have imaginary friends' she said," he watched his Dad laugh and shake his head.

"I'm sorry! I ... I didn't think it was going to be an issue but now that I'm in junior high its a lot more complicated," he watched as his usually cheery son looked more sadden while he looked out the car window. "I... I tried to make friends and be ...normal. I guess the idea of talking to ghosts doesn't really get you that popular in Junior high," he chuckled with a small smile.

"You don't have to be sorry, Kazui. As a matter of fact, who gives a fu... shit," he sighed as he held his tongue for a moment before he continued, "Who cares what they think. Our family tries to maintain a sense of normalcy but fails miserably," he smirked, giving his son a bit of relief from his words. "I'm not asking you to stop going to the cemetery or talking to ghosts. It's what makes you happy, you've always been a kid who explored and did things no ordinary child could do. Yes, you freaked us out a few times but I don't want another pain in the ass child," he rubbed his child's orange hair as Kazui smiled grew even more.

"So what do I do?" he asked hesitantly, regarding school.

"I know you already have this act you give to others but instead of trying to convince them that the ghosts are real. Make it more fun and scary. That way they view it as you're just into ghost stories and creepy stuff like that. Putting fear in someone is more fun, anyway. Frankly, I didn't care if anyone liked me, its why they called me a delinquent."

"Like what grandpa used to call you," he clarified to his father, watching his father's eye twitch.

"Yes," he said through gritted teeth. "Come on!" he prompted his son to get out of the car as he walked up the long stairs to get to his mother's grave. They stayed there, cleaning it and paying their respects. He watched his twelve-year-old son begin to admittedly speak to his grandmother like if she was just standing right there. He spoke about his day and the conversation he just had with his father and to be creepy to the kids at school. They also visited Sora's grave, it was a distance away and they had just recently updated the plaque of his gravesite. With Orihime not having enough money to provide a decent grave site, it used to have a cheap looking engraving with just his name and date. Now it had engraved lettering with added words that mentioned he was a loving brother and uncle.

Kazui did the same expressive display at his Uncle's grave as well. He smiled at how content his son was. Screw what his teacher or the school thought what was best for his son. They didn't understand that the Kurosaki's weren't ever going to be normal, so they just would have to deal with it. Kazui stretched his arms out as he looked to his father. His father asked if he was ready to go as he shook his head happily, running ahead of him to the car. Ichigo not watching his step stumbled into a hole, only realizing it was his son's wormhole. He immediately fell above his car. When he stood to glare at his son he had a guilty expression.

"I'm sorry, I need to work on that. I may have miscalculated," he nervously laughed, rubbing the back of his head. Ichigo stared at his son for a bit and slide across the car to chase him, only for him to run into his wormhole. Leaving his father with a dented car and a sore arm from the impact.


Kazui woke from his dream, or rather memory as he laughed at the aftermath of that day. His father finally came home, irritated looking for him only for his mother's shield to block his path. It seemed Tsubaki found it hilarious convincing the other fairies to block Ichigo from getting to his son. He smiled, thinking of his father and wanting to find some way in letting him know of his decision to stay. He knew he wouldn't like it but it was something he felt he needed to do.

Just then he realized he wasn't alone as he looked to find the older gentlemen with the short white hair glance at him. It seemed he had been waiting patiently.

"I'm sorry, were you waiting long for me to wake up?" he asked as he straightened himself out by sitting up on the mat.

"Not long, besides it felt wrong waking you up from a good dream," he told him as the younger man smiled.

"Yeah... a memory actually, about my father," he told the man as he nodded.

"I apologize for keeping you from your family by tricking you into wearing that bracelet."

"I understand why you did it," he expressed.

"You understand also, why I'm not ready to take it off just yet," Kazui nodded as the man sighed as he continued, "Koemi, tells me that you choose to stay and help us?"

"Yeah! Even though my parents are probably going to be worried about me not returning, I can't help but feel compelled to help. My family has others in abundance that can support them and it just seemed unfair in leaving you guys to fend for yourself."

The man looked at him with a weary face, "Forgive me in saying that If you didn't choose to stay. I would have asked, maybe even begged for your help. I knew I made the right choice. When this is all over I can remove the bracelet. Right now it's on, for my daughter's protection. I...I can't let that man have her," he looked like a man who been through so much and Kazui couldn't help but feel sympathy for his plight.

"There's no need for an explanation. I don't want him to have my sister as well. I'll help in being a temporary husband/protector," he mused, pointing to his bracelet with an amused expression. The older man felt relief in the younger man's acceptance in all of this.

"I apologize to that also, I can sense that my daughter is not too happy about me tricking you but like you, she understands."

Kazui knew what his daughter really was upset about and he felt a wave of guilt for kissing her like he did last night, basically leading her on. "Again, there's no need to apologize."

"I would ask for one more thing," he seemed a bit hesitant as Kazui nodded his head for the older man to continue, "I'm afraid that my action may have caused the Royal Fae to be extremely upset in my participation in helping you escape. I need to warn the others, you see, this is not the only mortal village in Shun Nya."

"Shun Nya? Is this what this world is called?"

"Yes, I'm afraid I can't sit down and talk with you more but my daughter can be of help in telling you everything she knows. I have already discussed this with her, I just wanted to speak with you before I go."

"H... How long would you be gone for?" he asked the man curiously as he watched him contemplate on his answer.

"Honestly, I am unsure but I promise not to tarry," he packed some items along with food as he looked at the younger man with the slumped shoulders. "I want to do something for you as a gift."

"What?" Kazui asked as he saw a soldiered small fairy come up to him, "I've seen this fairy before?" It was the same fairy that had caught his attention that brought him to Shun Nya.

"You had probably seen him amongst the world access gate, his name is Hermes. He delivers messages and scouts between worlds. I am extremely fast but he is much faster. Tell him anything you want to say and he will play it back word for word to anyone, you want the message to go to."

Kazui's smile grew as he looked at the fairy and knew exactly whom he wanted his message to go to.

After delivering his message and watching the small fairy speed faster than light itself, zipping through a wormhole. He looked up to find the man already packed up as he said his goodbyes and left through a wormhole himself. Kazui sat there for a moment before he decided to walk out of the tent and find the princess.

Kazui walked until he felt the familiar reiatsu of the pink haired woman. Far off in the distance, she was seated amongst several children under the forest trees from the shade of the bright sun. She looked to be braiding a little girls hair as the children spoke or asked questions. Kazui climbed up a tree until he was lying on a branch close enough to hear them.

"Princess Koemi, please tell me it's not true about the outsider and you?" a little boy with individual black braids on each side of his head, causing his hair to look like a mohawk.

"What have you heard my sweet Haji?" she asked with a sweet smile as she continued to braid while the little girl played with flowers.

"That you are connected in marriage. It's unfair, why didn't you wait till I was old enough to prove I'm a better man?" he mumbled as he crossed his arms with a frown. Koemi saw the distressed look in the little boy's face and paused her braiding to smile at him.

"Oh, Haji. I know you will grow into a fine man but if I wait till then I will turn old and grey. Will you still want me even if I look like elder Kasana?"

The other children laughed at the boy who became embarrassed, "You won't look like elder Kasana, father said she wasn't that beautiful, to begin with," he said smugly but instantly regretted his words as she sternly looked at him.

"Now Haji, I would hate to think you only loved me for my looks?" she said with a tsk of her tongue as she shook her head and began to braid once more.

"NO, Princess Koemi. I don't only love you because you're the most beautiful girl in all of Shun Nya," he began to redden as everyone gasped while the princess smiled. "It's because you're sweeter then White Dreams and more helpful than my older brother Luno."

"Sweeter than White Dreams?" She finished the girl's hair and placed the little girl on her lap, "Then I guess I have to marry you." She watched the boy's expression become elated as he smugly grinned.

"But if you're connected to the outsider, how can you marry Haji," another child asked as Koemi thought for a moment and smirked.

"Well, it's only temporary so the mean Prince Mitsuhide won't ever have me," she clarified as some of the children seemed to understand.

"Then can I marry him when you marry Haji?" the little girl on her lap asked as Koemi kissed her chubby little cheeks and hugged her.

"You most certainly can, Tani," she chuckled as she saw the other girls who were older with solemn expressions. "Why the long faces?"

The girls seemed to get upset as one had the courage to answer, "That's not fair, I am five years older than Tani. She hasn't even asked him. How can she already claim the outsider?"

The other girls looked just as upset while the little six-year-old girl shrugged her shoulders, "Just because I didn't ask him doesn't mean he won't say no," she stuck her small tongue out.

"I don't see what the big deal is about him anyway, he's all funny looking with his weird, flaming, sun-colored hair. Don't worry Prince Koemi I will protect you from the evil Prince Mitsuhide," Haji proclaimed, showing off his fighting posture while doing several backflips as the boys looked on in amazement.

"Attention, Prince Mitsuhide is coming!" everyone heard a deep booming voice among the trees as they hid behind the Princess along with Haji following close behind. They suddenly heard a laugh and then the voice, changed into one of merriment, "What happened to protecting the princess?"

They watched the orange haired man gracefully fall on the floor in front of them with a wide grin.

"I... I was just getting my stick out," Haji said as he randomly pulled a stick from the ground and showed the newcomer his weapon.

"That's a pretty long stick but where's your shield?" he asked the boy with a stern look as the boy looked down.

"It's rather small... I .. I haven't perfected it," he said as a small glowing shield flickered barely covering his small hand.

"That's still a shield though, look," he said as he summoned his shinigami form and pulled out his sword. "Hold your shield out."

Haji did what the boy said as he was a bit apprehensive. Kazui softly clinked his sword onto the boy's shield and then hit it harder.

"See? Even though it's small, it's still a shield until you learn how to harness your power to make it bigger. You should focus on the other person's attack so you know where to have your shield placed. I'm going to attack to the right of you," he told the boy as he nodded and concentrated on looking at the boy's large sword. Kazui did what he said as Haji swiftly summoned the shield to the right of him blocking the hit. He looked up in amazement as the other children, looked just as surprised. "You just have to work on it and in no time you'll be dodging your left," he hinted to Haji as Kazui moved his sword hitting the summoned shield to his left, Haji had timed perfectly. "You're gonna be too quick for me, Haji."

"Thank you, Outsider,"

"It's Kazui!"

The boy nodded as he looked at his shield with a determined purpose, "I'm gonna show my brother," he yelled as the children made to follow Haji back to the village. Tani looked up to Kazui with a soft blush on her cheeks.

"What can I do for you pretty one?" he asked the small, brown-haired girl a question. She played with her newly braided hair as she nervously spoke.

"D...Did you hear us?" she had a worried expression as Kazui bent down to her level, causing the poor girl to redden.

"You mean the part that you'd ask me to marry you when you're older?" he gave her a huge smile, patting her head as she yelped and ran away, following the other children. "I didn't even give you my answer?" he yelled out with a chuckle as the other girls looked on with a pout.

"Hey, Kazui!" Haji yelled out, getting the orange-haired man's attention, "Just because I like you, doesn't mean you can start putting the moves on my betrothed," he said as he ran back to the village, not waiting for the man's reply. Kazui chuckled as he heard the laughter of the woman beside him. He leaned his sword against his shoulders and gave her a smile before he returned to his normal form.

"You're good with children?" she asked him as he shrugged his shoulders.

"I used to help my mother's friend at the dojo to train them in fighting," he told her as she tried to follow the conversation.

"Dojo? Is that a place you train warrior children?" she asked with an almost horrified, half confused expression.

"Oh No! It's nothing like that," he laughed as he saw her become somewhat relieved," A dojo is a place to learn a type of fighting style as well as teaching discipline. It's a lot of fun, been going since I was five years old. I just haven't done it in a while since college," he saw her confused face once more. "College is a place where people go to further their education."

"I'm sorry I've been here most of my life and my father probably has a better understanding of your world. He used to be a Royal guard long ago before he was banished."

"Banished?"

"It was because he didn't want to continue following orders. He tells me that in time I'll know the whole story, instead, he has me be ignorant of things for my protection. It gets a little frustrating though. He may have understood you better, then I could," she moved her hair to the side nervously.

"Don't feel bad about me having to explain things to you. If anything, I've been asking you most of the questions. I can get a little annoying I've been told," he told her, easing her fears as she began to smile again.

"For asking questions? Is that frowned upon in your world?" she expressed to him as she saw the edges of his mouth give off a slight grin.

"Not really, it's just everyone has things to do so my excessive asking sort of ruins their concentration and gets them irritated."

She covered her mouth and began to laugh, "I see, I have no issue with you asking me questions while I do the things I need to do. I like hearing you talk and I don't mind talking about my world," she bit her lip when he nodded and looked the other way.

"You say that now but give it time," he chuckled. She started to walk heading towards the village with him following close behind.

"My father says your days are the same as ours. I...If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?" she asked him, curious to know more about the orange-haired boy.

"Twenty-one," he revealed, "and you?"

"Eighteen," She was younger than him and he could tell by her young features and her playfulness but she was also wise and mature. Mature in taking such responsibility for such a young girl, not in the respect that she was also mature physically. Why was he thinking about that? Not that her frame was not attractive, he just felt like a pervert that was eyeing her. He looked away to hide the red that was progressing on his cheeks. "D ... Did you kiss your previous lover like how you kissed me?" the words were low but he heard her question. He looked at her as he nodded his head and she instantly regretted asking him. "Is that normal to kiss someone you court before marriage?"

He seemed to get a bit uncomfortable as he rubbed the back of his neck, "In all honesty, they do more than kissing before marriage," he chuckled nervously as he looked at her sadden eyes.

"Oh...," she bit her lip as she stroked the side of her arm timidly, "D...Do you prefer someone more experienced?" Kazui's mind instantly shut down as his mouth widen and he was as red as a strawberry.

"H...How can I prefer s...someone more experienced... When I've never gone that far," he coughed, feeling rather uncomfortable.

"Oh," her eyes widen realizing her mistake in assuming as she bowed," I'm sorry for assuming you had the experience yourself. T...The other married women in our village wait till a woman comes of age before divulging the secrets of pleasing their husband."

"What's the age for a girl to be of age?" he asked curiously, not understanding why he would even ask that.

"Eighteen! They've only just begun telling me stories since I've turned a few months ago," she swallowed, starting to feel herself fidget.

'Don't even ask Kazui. It's none of your business,' he told himself as he put his hands in his pocket and glanced at her, "What types of stories?"

She instantly looked up and blushed profusely as she gripped her arm. "As I said b...before it's really not much. J...Just kissing and how hands can be a form of s...stimulation."

"I'm sorry, my mouth has a mind of its own. I shouldn't have asked that it wasn't my business."

She nodded in understanding as she bit her lip harder, "I ... I know you told me you've only kissed but had you been taught other things from your elders?"

"I ... I don't think I should be having this conversation with you?" he laughed as he avoided her inquisitive stare.

"Oh," her shoulder hung low as she looked disappointed. "I'm just curious and I know most of the married women in the village don't reveal as much detail due to who my father is. I see them talk amongst each other happily and when I enter, they immediately change the subject or tone the conversation down for me." She looked up in his direction and noticed his unease in his demeanor while avoiding looking at her. "Do you not like talking about it?"

"It's really not something I usually talk about," he mumbled as she took in his words.

"But you have talked about this with other people ... even with her?" he saw that look of sadness once again.

"Technically it wasn't really talking it was more like she would show me books about it because she found it humorous that it would make me uncomfortable," he clarified as she nodded her head and sighed. They continued to walk once more when he could clearly tell from her body language, she wanted to say something but kept it to herself. Now he knew how Ichika felt when he would avoid speaking to not cause an argument. He chuckled a little before speaking to her, "What do you want to ask me, Koemi?"

She shook her head, "We should avoid talking about things that make you uncomfortable," she told him as she walked ahead but was stopped by his hand gently around her arm.

"I... I know you're just asking because of your curiosity, she, on the other hand, did it as a bit of a joke," he smiled at her.

"H... How did I do, as far as kissing?" she asked him as he wasn't sure what to say. He remained silent for a while causing her anxiety to return. "T.. that bad... I ... I didn't know what I was doing-" she saw his hand go up in a gesture for her to stop while he smiled and shook his head.

"You weren't a bad kisser, you're actually a great kisser."

He watched her eyes light up and her smile brightened, "That's good to know, especially coming from the offspring of Queen Miku, the Sex Goddess."

"The what?" he yelled, causing the woman in front of him to jump in surprise. "I'm sorry! What do you mean S...Sex Goddess?"

Koemi just realizing that he was still new to this world didn't really know a lot of things about its history. "She has been around for a long time as well as some of the other immortal Gods. My father says when this world was created by our Son Goddess Amaretsu she created other deities including Miku and Noboru. They each possessed a skill that they showed mortals to survive or be knowledgeable about. Mortals Amaretsu created before she remained the bright goddess that suspends above our world. Noboru is skilled with weapons and wine while his wife Miku is skilled in the acts of intimacy and beauty."

Kazui laughed nervously at how those two skills went hand in hand, "Iki-Ryo and Mitsuhide? Where do they come from?"

"Lord Iki-Ryo comes from Amaterasu's brother the God She'ol, he resides in a world of darkness. He created Iki-Ryo from his anger and envy. There's nothing but war and poison he has given to the mortals. Though Prince Mitsuhide's mother is one of the deities that Amerestu created. Anatonai, the goddess of knowledge and fire. Prince Mitsuhide acquired knowledge from his mother and the fire only fueled the anger he possessed from his father. Prince Mitsuhide skill is fighting but he's also a gluttonous pig," she mused as she shut her eyes, " Prince Sora, from what my father explained, skill was forgiveness and strength. It is said from an old prophecy that Amaterasu saw the joining of She'ol's creation with hers, were a sign of this world's destruction. In order to prevent that from happening a child will be born from her light. That child is the embodiment of Love and Hope for our world."

Kazui saw the light shine from the pink haired girl's face as she smiled at him. "This child is to be believed to be my mother?" Kazui asked as he watched her nod. He thought of his mother being some form of Saviour to a world crying for help. He felt a sense of admiration and pride being the son of such a person. "My father is already considered a Saviour to other worlds including mine. Fighting along with the help of others including my mother. Then to find out she will also have a hand in saving this world? I have to admit its all so overwhelming."

"I guess it is when you think about your grumpy father being a Saviour and marrying one as well." She laughed causing him to do the same at her term for describing his father. "I did it again, didn't I. I called your father grumpy again."

"NO, it's great. You should call him Grump-san, he would love it," he laughed, causing her to look at him strangely.

"Something tells me your not being honest," she pouted as she crossed her arms.

"Why? Do you feel my dishonesty?" he asked with a grin and a quirk of his brow as he stepped closer. She blushed at how handsome he was as she shook her head.

"No, you're laughing and you can also hear it in your voice," she shook her head as she smiled. "You don't seem like a person to regularly be dishonest. It's probably done on occasion and only done for a laugh." He looked at her and was impressed with her observation. He felt like seriously being dishonest with people was inappropriate, especially if it would hurt them.

"I don't see the point in hurting others," he told her with a look that made her forget how to breathe. She could feel the overwhelming goodness in his heart and she couldn't help but feel a slight pang in her chest. He watched her look at his bracelet and then awkwardly start to walk as she began to laugh to herself. "What's so funny?" he ran next to her, smiling wanting to know what was on her mind. He was finding that he wanted to know everything about her the more he was near.

"It's silly, it's really nothing," she brushed it away until he grabbed her hand again preventing her from going.

"Now who's being dishonest?" he gave a smug grin as she looked at him with a slight frown.

"I ... I can't help but feel jealous of the person you'll give your heart to when this is all over. I was even scared of your answer to Tani, that's so silly," she laughed at her ridiculousness as she began to form tears, she looked away. She felt his fingers brush the tears that were falling down her face as he sighed. Looking at him with a smile while she shrugged his grip away. "Is it really so terrible to just release my people, my father, and you from this burden of protecting me?" she asked, her stare giving off a distance look as if searching for something, "If I go to Prince Mitsuhide I-"

"You'll be tossed aside like nothing once he's done with you," he growled out and she could no longer see the smile on his face but something else that she wasn't quite sure. Something dark in his eyes that quickly left. "You'll only put your father through torment for being with a man like that."

"I'm already putting him through their abuse while I hide here. He's ridiculed, beaten, and poisoned," she yelled out, glaring at the man in front of her. "For what? I'm nothing special," she chuckled a bit as she whipped away a stray tear.

"Of course you are Koemi. Your people need you and those children adore you. You're smart and wise beyond your years."

"My people will die if they ever find us. I'm being selfish in all honesty. Endangering my people and keeping you from your family," she was shocked to feel his arms around her for a tight squeeze. As her body submitted to his closeness while she sighed and began to cry.

"You're not being selfish, you're standing up to a tyrant prince that doesn't deserve you," she looked up to him and searched his wide expressive eyes.

"Then who deserves me?" she whispered as she continued to stare, and with his silence she apologized for her crying fit and headed back to the village, leaving him alone amongst the trees.


Tatsunari and Daichi's rivalry is only going to get worse guys (evil grin). I think its a healthy relationship, What do you guys think? I'm surprised I didn't have Ichigo clock Tatsunari on the head for lingering too long and touching his daughter (cough) so aggressively like that. I guess because he just came back and he just recovered from a damn head injury.

Please be patient with Ichika she's trying to deal with all this in her head. I love writing her because I'm taking Renji and Rukia's personality and their need to be both wise and also rash when dealing with things. I hope you guys weren't weirded out about Hideyoshi's laughter at odd times. I think with how things are going with him he's sort of at a place that he could either laugh or cry about it. I guess that just pisses pf Ichika more.

I had to write more of Kazui and Koemi and I'm glad you guys enjoy their blossoming romance. I did want Kazui to be sexually active but... I just felt with the way Orihime and Ichigo are. I can't really see that with Kazui, maybe with Miume (cough-cough). I wanted to show that Ichika sort of treated Kazui more of like a friend she likes to annoy than a boyfriend. Hence making him feel uncomfortable, kind of like Rangiku does with Ichigo when he was a teen. So now that Kazui has met someone who quite honestly he has more experience than her. I think he likes making her blush and it's not like she doesn't want to learn more. Kazui seems like a guy who likes teaching, with him tutoring people at his college and helping at the dojo. LMAO! okay it's not the same thing but... it's still teaching. = P