Chapter 17

Ichigo first awoke to the presence of something pressed against his left side. His mind too fuzzy to really tell what it was. He shifted to sit up, but did not get very far. The presence was heavy enough to pin the futon down on top of him and encumber his movements. Wrestling with the futon, he managed to free his arms and push himself up to a sitting position. The sudden movement making him nauseous as vertigo occurred. The presence beside him shifted, then quickly shot up, rumpling and moving the futon cover. They then shot straight at him, forcing Ichigo to catch them. The force nearly toppling him over as he was meet with a face full of hair and water droplets hitting the junction between his neck and shoulder. But not a sound was made from the person. Actually a child considering how small they were. Ichigo immediately wrapped them up in his arms. Hugging them closer to himself, recognizing the eerily silent child.

"Shhh, Yuko. It's okay. It's okay." Ichigo comforted the child, stroking her hair softly in comfort. Yuko only gripped him harder. He let her do so, knowing that she won't be letting go for a while. Ichigo noticed Tadashi's reiatsu as he approached, and looked toward the door, waiting for Tadashi to open it.

The sliding door opened, but Tadashi stopped short from coming in. He just stood there frozen, his reiatsu flickering in shock and confusion for a moment before deflating in relief.

"Ichigo-san." Tadashi said as he sighed in relief. "I am pleased to see that you are awake. You had a very high fever yesterday and the day before that." Tadashi moved into the room and closed the door behind him. Making his way across the room, he opened the garden door, then came back round and sat down beside him on his right. All three of them sat in silence for a bit, just enjoying the sounds of birds chirping in the early morning light.

Yuko contently sat, leaning against Ichigo, not once letting go of his yukata. And Ichigo didn't mind, he simply held her and talked to her and Tadashi.

"So what happened after I passed out? What did Akihiko do?" Ichigo asked, noting Tadashi's reiatsu flickered uncomfortably.

"Yamamoto-san demanded that you must be killed. Akihiko-san threatened him with war, if Yamamoto-san even tried. Then Akihiko stated that you are going to be officially adopted as his son." Tadashi stopped, clearly expecting some reaction from him. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at Tadashi.

"And? What happened after that? What did this Yamamoto want?" Again Tadashi shifted in his seat. He clearly was uncomfortable with whatever it was.

"He demanded that you attend his school. Yamamoto-san also wanted a report on everything about you from Akihiko-san." Tadashi spoke with a slight edge to his voice. Apparently this was not something that he liked. Ichigo decided to ask why he was so bothered by it.

"Is there something wrong with that? It sounds like you don't agree with this decision. Is that true?" Ichigo asked, leaning forward slightly to silently urge Tadashi to answer.

"Of course I don't! None of the staff like it. Everyone is on edge from Akihiko-san's threat of war, and no one wants you to be caught up in it." Tadashi snapped out as his control over his thoughts and anger broke. Ichigo turned his head away to look blindly towards the garden outside. The birds twittering happily. Wind rustling through the tree leaves.

"But this is my fault. If I had not been here, then none of you would have to go through this. Maybe it would have been best if I had died that night. I wouldn't have to burden any of you like this."

"You're wrong! Ichigo-san, ever since you came to this estate, the whole household came alive. Your mere presence breathed life into this home. We are all truly grateful that you are here, alive and well. Don't underestimate the Shibas. We will not let you go so easily."

Too shocked and embarrassed for words, Ichigo looked away, a blush staining his cheeks. He mumbled out an embarrassed thank you. Tadashi heard and his reiatsu was colored with happiness and sparking different colors with abandon. Ichigo turned to look back at the sliding door that lead deeper into the house. The reiatsu of Ran and the small reiatsu of her child approached the door, Ran gave a small knock on the wood of the door then slid it open. The smell of food permeated the air. Rand gave a small gasp of shock. The sound of dishes rattling violently as she nearly dropped whatever that she was holding. The sound startling Yuko, who was lightly dozing against Ichigo's side. Yuko re-strengthened her grip on his yukata, almost as if she expected that she was going to be ripped away from him.

Tadashi leaped up to help Ran. Taking whatever that was in her hands and guiding her to sit down.

"Easy Ran. Don't stress yourself too hard. It won't be good for your child." Tadashi spoke as he moved back to his spot with Ran following behind. Ran's reiatsu flickered in embarrassment.

"No, I was just surprised that Ichigo-san was awake." She said settling herself softly down beside Tadashi.

"I'm sorry for startling you Ran-san. I did not mean too." Ichigo apologized, giving a small bow with this head. The rustle of fabric and the movement of her reiatsu signified that she shook her head.

"There is no need for you to apologize. It was not your fault for startling me." Her voice then took on a darker, more serious tone. "Now explain to me why you are not resting." Ichigo sputtered for a moment, then scratched the back of his head, looking anywhere but Ran. She didn't spare him a second thought as she rounded on Tadashi. Who's reiatsu flinched away from Ran reflexively. "And you Tadashi! You should have made him rest more. Him talking and not sleeping will not help him recover. And you know how Akihiko-san will be fi Ichigo-san continues to be sick." Tadashi's aquamarine reiatsu flared fearfully for a brief moment then filled with despair. Ichigo could imagine Tadashi hanging his head in defeat.

"He would be a nightmare." Ichigo blinked his eyes in confusion. Yuko shifting a little to hear better. Apparently she was curious also.

"Why would that be? I know that Akihiko-san can be a little excitable at times, but that doesn't mean that he would be a nightmare, would it?" Tadashi groaned, his reiatsu showing that he dragged his hands down his face.

"No Ichigo-san, Akihiko-san would truly be a nightmare considering the situation that we are in. You are now officially his son, and he takes the health and protection of his family very seriously. If he finds out that you are still ill and need to be resting, he would forbid anyone from entering your room, except for food and water, and lock the doors so that you cannot escape. That's how he would react." Ichigo could feel the blood drain out from his face. That was not something that he wanted to happen. Yuko seemed to agree because she pressed herself further against his side, not wanting to leave his vicinity.

Ran made an ah-ha noise, cutting of the nightmarish image of Akihiko locking him in the room and the memories that threatened to surface.

"There is also the celebration that will be happening too." Tadashi heaved a huge sigh after Ran spoke.

"Celebration? What are you talking about?" Ichigo asked, then he figured it out a few moments later. The blood draining from his face again. "Don't tell me that Akihiko-san is throwing a party for me. I don't need any of this. I don't deserve it. Being adopted by Akihiko-san. Being given a home here. All of you and your support."

"But you deserve it." Ran protested sharply. The quiet tone more absolute than any yelling she could have done. Ichigo opened his mouth to reply. But a hand swiftly being placed over his mouth by Tadashi prevented that.

"Oh no you don't. I already had this conversation with you. Don't start it again." Ichigo nodded and quickly pulled his head away from Tadashi's hand. Wary of it coming at him again. Tadashi continued. "Now, back to the celebration. You being adopted is the main reason, but Akihiko-san wishes to hold a clan meeting as well. He spoke of having some suspicions and that they might be confirmed at the meeting that will be held." Ichigo nodded his head. He too had some suspicions, and hoped that he would be able to sit in on the meeting.

"When will the celebration be taking place?" Ichigo asked, hoping that it would be later rather than sooner.

"Akihiko-san wanted it to happen as soon as you woke up and were feeling well enough for a party. Now that you are awake, the party should happen in the next two to three days. It will take some time for everyone to gather." Ichigo snapped his head up at the mention of everyone.

"Everyone? He's gathering the entire Shiba clan here?" Aquamarine reiatsu nodded in conformation.

"Yes, that is what happens with a clan meeting, and it worked to also introduce you to all of the other members of the Shiba clan. I have no doubt that everyone will like you. You have nothing to fear." That's just the thing. He had everything to fear. What if his dad was going to be there? The small logical part of his mind told him that it was not possible. His dad shouldn't be born yet, so there was no chance for him to meet him. Ichigo clung to that one sound piece of logic and calmed himself. He was fine.

Tadashi and Ran seemed to notice his slight panic and remained silent as he regained his composure. Their reiatsu relaxing as he turned back to them.

"Alright. It should be interesting meeting the others in the family. Tadashi can you tell me about some of them? That way I can be a little prepared." Tadashi perked up at Ichigo's request.

"Of course." Tadashi replied excitedly. His hands waving happily in the air. "First to look out for is Asami-san. She loves to bet and gamble on anything, especially on whose the strongest Shiba. So when she hears that you had fought off Kameko's kidnappers, she will try getting you to compete. Just flat out refuse her. She can't take a hint to save her life. She's also very persistent, so get me or Akihiko-san if she is bothering you too much. Then's there Shigeru. He's paranoid about everything. So he will try to ask you anything and everything. You don't have to answer any of his questions. And if he claims that you are a spy, an assassin or an imposter, don't say anything that will only urge him on. He will loose interest eventually and find someone else to interrogate. Norio is a strange Shiba. I don't like him very much. He is very strict about upholding the law and will demand that you refuse to be adopted and claim absurdities about you. Akihiko-san knows how to handle him best, so don't say anything. There are a few others, but they are not that bad. The others will be a little suspicious of you at first, but once they talk to you they will be fine. Last but not least I must warn you about…" At that same moment the door opened and Akihiko burst in. Ichigo was so focused on memorizing what Tadashi had told him that he did not notice Akihiko careening down the hall towards them. Everyone jumped at Akihiko's appearance.

"You're awake. Yes! Now we can have a celebration." Akihiko then abruptly turned around back towards the hallway. "I better start sending the hell butterflies. Everyone should arrive in a day or so." Akihiko then called back over his shoulder as he almost dashed back out of the room. "Tadashi make sure that Ichigo will be ready for the party two days from now." And with that he was gone.

Ran gave a little giggle. Drawing all attention from the open door to her.

"That is so like him. To be caught up in the excitement, he'll be back soon to coddle you, Ichigo-san." Ichigo groaned and put his head in his hands. Why must his life involve Shibas? Three familiar reiatsus at the door way stopped his lamenting over being with crazy Shibas.

"Ummm, is this a bad time?"


A shout out to:

Loli-Hype Ichi: Fear not. Ichigo will live. Thank you for the compliment on the last chapter. Hope you enjoy this one as well.

Shiba Rei: Don't worry Shiro won't die. We hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Reverentwolf: Thank you for deciding to review each chapter. We look forward to it and we love replying to everyone. Thank you for the compliment on the last chapter. We appreciate it a lot.

Frozen in Idaho: Not sure why so many people like having Ichigo's spirits fight, but they kind of conflict with each other in terms of personalities, and Ichigo is always there to mediate between them to keep them from fighting. Unfortunately he isn't there this time. Not like they would listen to him this time around. You wish is granted in this chapter. Ichigo is awake. After two days. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

pikachukite: Shiro and Zangetsu will always fight about this or that, but in the end they both can work together for Ichigo's sake. Their own stubbornness is blinding them from seeing that they are hurting Ichigo, and that will have repercussions later on.

Ongaku: Ichigo does need Shiro, but he also needs Zangetsu. There is no getting around that. We hope you enjoy this next chapter as well.

V0ldSw0rd: Yes that is correct. When his reiatsu comes back, he can only seal it in the massive partial Shikai.

innocent94: Thank you for the compliment. We hope you like this chapter as well.

silvershark1987: Yeah, we did it this way because we believe that Shiro doesn't get enough credit for protecting Ichigo. And Ichigo is happy protecting everyone with his power because it is literally ingrained in his bones, but he will easily discard it if it will hurt those he wishes to protect. Ichigo will get his reiatsu back. And in regards to the Shiba party. That will be an exciting chapter to write.

kevban and guest: Sorry guys that we didn't update on Friday. We were not able to finish the chapter, but here it is now. And tomorrow, Sunday, we will post two chapters to catch up.

Alright, Thank you to everyone that commented last chapter. And thank you to all of the silent enjoyers of this story. Your support pushes us to continue this story. Thank you all so much. We hope you guys enjoy this next chapter. See you tomorrow(X2).

- The Crew