Chapter 20

Akihiko kept a vigilant eye on Ichigo. The scare he gave everyone earlier with his health constantly drew concerned eyes from the staff and guests alike. Currently Ichigo was playing tag with the children. He ran around, snatching them up from the ground and swinging them up in the air. Eliciting excited laughter and shrieks of joy from the children. He smiled at the sight before him.

"He's quite the character isn't he? I'm surprised." Asami spoke as she came up beside him. Her short brown hair spiked up in all different ways. The green and gold kimono was ruffled and had her typical style of not having any sleeves. Asami took a breath from her lit pipe, and blew out in a puff of smoke.

"Yeah, he certainly is. I'm lucky to have saved him that day." Akihiko said as he watched Ichigo run away from the group of children. Asami snorted in exasperation.

"Ichigo is a gift from Kami-sama. He has breathed new life into this family. We have grown stagnant and complacent with our jobs. This false peace we have now will not last. And I have a feeling that Ichigo will be in the center of it all." Asami replied. Akihiko looked at her from the corner of his eye. His eyes taking in her facial features. Which gave no outwardly emotions except for admiration as she gazed at Ichigo. Almost as if she was gazing at Kami-sama himself.

"Wise words from you Asami-san. What prompts you to think that Ichigo is a gift from Kami-sama?" Asami hummed in thought at Akihiko's question, while taking another puff from her pipe. Her gaze never leaving Ichigo's form.

"It's the energy he gives off. Of one who has been through so much and yet continues to move forward, to always live. It is something that is rarely seen now. You know despair as well as I do. I lost my sister and you your wife. But Ichigo has lost so much more, and yet continues to shine like the sun. I can see it already. Although his light is dim now, it will grow larger over time and encompass all those under him. I hope to see the day that it does." Asami let out another cloud of smoke and remained silent after her speech. Both of them watched Ichigo interact with the children.

They had managed to tackle him to the ground. All of them were giggling as they bombarded him with the fallen leaves that were strewn on the garden floor. Tadashi had joined in on trying to bury Ichigo, his eyes alight with childish glee. Ichigo had a small playful scowl as he tried to escape from the onslaught of leaves and children. Sora and Ran were standing off to the side, smiling brightly and leaning against each other.

Catching something coming up onto his right side Akihiko glanced to see Grandma Chiyo move up beside him with Kameko in her arms. The little girl was sleeping deeply, her pink blanket wrapped around her tightly.

"Is there something that you need Grandmother?" Akihiko asked without looking in Chiyo's direction. Chiyo hummed but otherwise did not reply. This forcing Akihiko to turn and face towards her. When he was looking at her did Chiyo finally give her attention to him.

"Yes, I was wondering if you were going to start the meeting. It is getting quite late and we do not have all evening."

"We still have to have diner Grandmother." Asami said as she popped up behind Akihiko's shoulder to look at Chiyo. Chiyo nodded and replied.

"Of course. I had forgotten about it." Akihiko spotted one of the chefs in charge of said meal, dash out into the gardens and straight towards Sora. Both of them spoke quietly together, then the chef ran back towards the house. Leaving the garden doors open in his rush. Sora caught his eye and nodded at him. Understanding the signal that Sora gave, Akihiko turned back to the others.

"I believe the meal is ready for us as we speak. Shall we go inside and enjoy the splendid meal the chefs have prepared for us tonight?" Akihiko asked as he lent his elbows to Asami and Chiyo. Both of them accepted the polite offer, and Akihiko led them into the large dining room. Children and other adults streaming past them to get into their seats. Akihiko glanced back to make sure Ichigo was alright. Tadashi was moving with Ichigo, like an ever faithful shadow. Brushing off stray leaves stuck in bright orange hair, and conversing quietly with Ichigo.

The room was set up with low lying tables that were placed in a large circle of sorts that had an open area in the middle for entertainment. The tan walls had ink paintings of nature upon them. Of waterfalls and the highest mountains. The dining table was lavishly flourished with all kinds of dishes that covered the dark redwood finish. Plush floor pillows were placed at every spot to dine at. One for each guest.

In all there was about a hundred Shibas crowded into the dining room. That is excluding the staff standing against the decorated tan walls of the room.

Taking a seat at the head of the table, Asami plopped down beside him cross-legged and Chiyo gracefully slid down into her own seat to his right. Farther along the table, Ichigo was sitting with Tadashi on his right and Ran on his left. Ichigo's group of children was nowhere to be seen. Shin was sitting on the other side of Tadashi and was listening to Ichigo's conversation and sometimes providing his own input. All of them were softly talking with each other as they waited for the feast to begin.

The last of the Shibas sat down on their seats, and Akihiko raised his sake cup, signaling for the feast to begin. Other older shibas copied his gesture before drinking the burning liquid. Children heartily began consuming the food around them and speaking loudly with each other. The adults conversed with each other. Wondering how each of the districts were doing. If they had any trouble. Talk of the weather. And so on.

Not long after Akihiko noticed that some tension had slunk into the room. A sense of unease washed over him. Something was going to happen and it wasn't going to be good. A few of the elderly had noticed as well and were glancing around the room trying to spot the source of it.

One of the children gave a shriek. People jumped in fear and surprise. All heads snapped towards the noise, and silence choked the room. A black haired, hazel eyed girl about 15 years old was holding her wet green kimono away from her body. Her eyes wide in shock and horror. The girl beside her, about a year younger was holding a soup bowl. Upside down. She was grinning like a cat that had eaten the canary.

Asami sighed, and took a long breath from her pipe. She then reached for the sake bottle on the table, taking a large sip from her now filled cup.

"This won't be good." Akihiko silently agreed with Asami's statement. A feeling of dread was settling heavily into the pit of his stomach.

"Kyoko!" The older girl screeched. The girl, Kyoko, just grinned wider and tried to cover it with one of her hands. Everyone else watched uneasily. Unsure about what was going to go down between the two girls. Shiba fights were never pretty.

"Sorry Nami, my hand slipped. Besides I think that look suits you. Considering how much time you spent getting ready, what would your crush think I wonder?" Nami's face turned beet red as an embarrassed blush roared across her cheeks. Without even seeming to think of what might the consequences of her actions be, Nami snatched an onigiri that was sitting on the table. She then smashed the food into Kyoko's surprised face as it approached her.

"Now you look better as well." Nami stated, crossing her arms over her chest with her head held high in victory. Not taking this insult, Kyoto snatched up the fish from her plate and threw it at Nami's head. Reacting faster then Kyoko had, Nami dodged the flying fish. Her smirk remaining in place and only growing larger as she dodged the flying fish.

The fish sailed past her head and hit the back of the oldest child's head, bounced off and hit another child. The oldest glared at Nami and Kyoko before getting up and moving closer to Ichigo's area. Akihiko remembered him. Kuro was about 18 in appearance, tall and largely built with raven black hair and steel blue eyes. He was silent most of the time, but was fiercely loyal and stubborn. Much more so than other Shibas. Akihiko thought that Kuro and Ichigo could become great friends if given the chance.

The other child that was hit with the fish retaliated out of childish playfulness, hitting other children with more food. This was just the beginning.

Soon an all out food war had started. Many of the children had joined in at that point and began throwing food everywhere, laughing and giggling the entire time. Even so, some of the childish adults joined in. Food went everywhere on the ceiling, the walls, the floor. On people.

Akihiko had received a rice ball to the face and couldn't help but join in on the mischief. He was cackling evilly, tossing food this way and that. Not at all how a leader should act, but who cared. It was just food right?

Taking a glance over at Ichigo to see what he thought of this, Akihiko's happiness came crashing to a halt. Ichigo sat there with a deep unhappy scowl on his face. Those sitting around cowed at his anger and remained in their seats, looking nervously at Ichigo. Many of them had some food on their person, but Ichigo was spotless. Tadashi would swipe away any food that came flying near him. His own scowl present.

Ichigo abruptly stood up. Tadashi went crashing to the floor at Ichigo's sudden movement, but leaping to his feet not a second later. Everyone froze in place, warily looking at what Ichigo would do. Ichigo just turned around and left the room with Tadashi trailing behind him. Not a single word was needed to understand how unhappy Ichigo was. The scowl was all that was needed. Many of them witnessing for the first time how scary it was to make Ichigo mad.

Sora gave a deep sigh drawing attention to himself, and looked to Akihiko from where he was gazing at the door Ichigo had left from. There was rice stuck in his hair and on his shoulders. Pieces falling off and hitting the floor. A look of disappointment was on his face.

"I'm disappointed Akihiko-san. Ichigo-san was hoping to enjoy the meal that the chefs had prepared for everyone. He had mentioned that he wished everyone could eat like this. I believe that Ichigo-san is disappointed that all of you would waste food like this," Sora then stood up. "Now if you excuse me, I must apologize to the staff."

With a swish of his silver yukata, Sora had vanished from the room. Many of the occupants glanced sheepishly at each other. All of them feeling guilty after being reprimanded like children. Akihiko stood there, not really sure what to do now. He felt like he had broken any bond he might have had with Ichigo. All because he couldn't act like a proper leader. Asami seemed to read his mind.

"Come back and sit down Akihiko. Don't continue standing there like an idiot." Akihiko looked helplessly at her. Asami rolled her dark colored eyes and blew out another puff of smoke. She then waved and sharply pointed her pipe at him. "This is your fault. You could have stopped this before it got out of hand. Now you have to deal with the consequences." Akihiko flinched at her reprimand, and meekly moved back to his seat beside her. Asami slapped his back harshly, a grin already settling back on her face. A grin so sly. One could almost think that she was up to something. Which she probably was. "Come on Akihiko, cheer up. There's still some food left and there is plenty of sake to drink. I'll reprimand Nami and Kyoko." The girls flinched when their own names were mentioned, along with the promise of punishment. Both of them hung their heads in shame, embarrassed blushes adorning their cheeks.

The rest of the Shibas plucked food from their hair or clothes. The children were being reprimanded by their parents, whom plucked and wiped away food from their faces and hands. Akihiko sighed and turned to look at the staff member that was working not that far from him. Cleaning up the mess that he could have stopped or even prevented.

"I apologize for the mess we made. I know that it won't make up for all of the time that you spent preparing the meal for us." The staff member waved it off with a wave of their hand. Then they went back to picking up rice clusters on the wooden floor.

"You are already forgiven Akihiko-sama. Many of us had planned for the worst to happen. This is one of the better ones." They glanced at the food spotted ceiling and grimaced. "Although it could have been better. I believe that you should really apologize to Ichigo-san. He was looking forward to this evening." Akihiko raised his eyebrows in surprise. The other Shibas forgotten in the background.

"Really? How do you know that?" They looked at Akihiko with deep amber eyes. Surprise and amusement shining inside. And age old wisdom hidden just underneath.

"Ichigo-san told me. We were talking outside before diner." The staff member gained a wistful look and sat back on their heels, looking in the direction Ichigo had gone. "I'm really grateful to have Ichigo-san as part of the Shiba household. He truly is a gift." Akihiko blinked at their choice of words. He then hummed in reply. His thoughts drifting aimlessly.

All of them sat there and enjoyed what was left of the feast. Many just sitting in silence. There was nothing that they could talk about that would bring up the mood in the room.

Sora came back into the room. There was an absence of rice in his hair, and he had a new yukata on. It was a bronze color with green swirls decorating the sleeves and along the bottom of the yukata. Sora gave him a short bow, and sat down beside Ran.

Finishing off his cup of sake, Akihiko stood up. Drawing the attention of all in the room.

"I believe it is time for us to start the clan meeting." Akihiko said. The staff scrambled to finish clearing away the dirty dishes and clean whatever food that was left. Mothers gathered their children and kissed their husbands, and left to go gossip in the garden. Those on the far end moved closer. Akihiko motioned for Shin to sit beside him. Shin cautiously moved to take the offered spot beside him. This would be the first time for Shin to listen in on a clan meeting. Akihiko could tell that he was nervous.

Sitting in the room was a majority of males, but there were females also. Asami being the one that stood out the most. Most were middle aged and older. The youngest was Kuro. He had taken over his father's district, when his father died because of a Hollow attack. Akihiko has heard that he had been watching over his district as well as his father had. Sometimes even better.

In total there was about 25 district leaders, but that would change as the clan grew larger, along with the amount of souls that came in.

Akihiko prepared to begin the meeting, but Kuro moved to look backwards at one of the sliding doors. Almost as if he was expecting someone to come walking in.

Talking could soon be heard on the other side of the door, with a grumbling that came in reply. Akihiko blinked, wondering who it could be.

"Who could that be, I wonder?" Asami said from his left. A hint of amusement coloring her voice. Her brown eyes flickering over to him.

"My thought exactly." Akihiko replied.


Ichigo scowled, but let Tadashi drag him back to the dining room. He didn't want to go. He wanted to talk to the staff members, and maybe try and help the out, considering that he was now apart of the Shiba family. Who had just made a large mess in the dinning hall and wasted so much food.

Anger boiled in his gut at the thought of so much food going to waste. None of them had known true hunger not like he did.

His stomach twisted painfully for a moment, but gave up shortly after. It gave no growl of hunger. It was too weak to even try.

Ichigo looked around him at his starved, dirty troops. Most of them just sprawled wherever it was the most comfortable, getting as much rest as they can before the next wave of enemies attacked. Healers moved through the troops, healing whenever they can and providing comfort to those dying. Many of them had not eaten in weeks. Ichigo had not eaten for even longer. Their supply of food had been destroyed in an enemy attack, and there was no way to get new supplies to the front line.

Carrion birds circled the skies and swooped down to feed on the enemy bodies. Black putrid plumes of smoke were billowing up high into the sky as fallen comrades were burned. The smell was horrible, and one never got used to the smell. Ichigo spotted some of the newer recruits dry heave. Nothing for them to throw up.

Ichigo wished he could help them. But there was nothing for him to do. He was utterly useless. He could not heal, provide food or shelter from the weather. Guilt coiled in his gut and constricted his lungs. making it hard to breath, to think.

The rasps of a dying shinigami drew his attention. They had a large hole in their abdomen. Blood was pooling underneath them to fast to stop. He wasn't going to make it. The healers won't be able to heal him in time.

Silencing any sounds of pain that he might have made, Ichigo stood up and moved to kneel beside the shinigami. His legs almost giving out half way there. Ichigo's calfs were shredded and burned in white hot agony as he knelt. His shoulder profusely bleeding. But those wounds were the least of his concern. Ichigo could at least comfort them in their last moments.

Shiro was putting all his energy into healing the hole in his chest. Tossing profanities left and right. Cursing more than any sailor could in their life time.

Ichigo turned his attention to the shinigami in front of him. His heart stopped and he flinched back in fright. Landing on his backside and attempting to scramble away from the shinigami.

There lying and gasping in pain was Tadashi. Ichigo couldn't see his face, but the reiatsu was the same. The same one had had become so accustomed to being by his side.

His breath quickened to an alarming pace. He couldn't seem to get enough oxygen. And his vision was tunneling, forcing him to focus even more on the dying Tadashi. A burned arm reached for him. Ichigo struggled to move. His mind a frantic mess with thoughts drowned by panic.

A second hand appeared. Both of them looming infant of his face. Inching slowly closer and closer. His breath began hitching and catching in his throat. The hands clasped his face. Entrapping him within their grip. Ichigo attempted to pry them off, but his own hands were glued to his sides. He tried to wiggle free. To throw of the hands. No such luck. The hands remained and he was still caged in his invisible bonds.

Ichigo's name was being called softly. Almost too soft to hear over his mindless panic. It was gentle, welcoming and kind. Ichigo froze. The voice became clearer and louder.

"Ichigo. Ichigo. Can you hear me, Ichigo?" Focusing on the voice, the hands vanished into the blackness of nothingness, but the feeling of them remained. He still remained frozen. His lungs began working again and much needed air filled his lungs. "That's it Ichigo. Just breathe."

Ichigo blinked once then twice. The darkness remained but familiar reiatsus flooded his 'vision'. There standing infant of him was Ran. Her reiatsu flickering in concern, and her hands still grasping his cheeks.

Slumping bonelessly against, who he recognized as Sora, Ichigo let out a long breath. To tired to move. To exhausted to think. His blind eyes had slipped closed. Ran released him and drew back. Tadashi was standing the farthest away in the group. Near the door that led into the dining room. The room filled with 30 other Shibas. All of whom were standing at the door. Watching him.

Ichigo straightened himself out and pulled away from Sora, who reluctantly let him go. Running a hand down his face, he moved towards the dining room. Ran came up beside him, gently resting her hand on his upper arm. Stopping him from moving.

"Ichigo you don't have to push yourself. Especially after what just happened." Ichigo shook his head.

"That is exactly why I have to Ran. If I run away and hide, I know that I will just lose myself." Ichigo placed his forehead at the crown of Ran's head and his hands on her upper arms. "You, Ran, drew me back. Back from the edge of the insanity. Thank you Ran. I will forever be in your debt." Ran shifted underneath him, placing her hands on her hips.

"Then you can repay me with babysitting my child." Ran spoke with a grin coloring her voice. Ichigo huffed in exasperation. Of course he would get stuck with the babysitting job. Ichigo heard Tadashi guffaw and a few others chuckle at his expense.

Tilting his head to look back at Sora, Ichigo gave him an amused smile.

"You have an exceptional fiancé Sora." Ran humphed and shifted her weight onto her left foot.

"Flattery gets you nowhere Ichigo-san. And you are still babysitting. There's no getting out of it." Ichigo could only roll his sightless eyes and reply.

"Whatever you say Ran. Whatever you say."


A shout out to:

Ongaku: We tend to read people's mind sometimes. (We don't have super powers by the way!) Shigeru is someone to look out for, but not who Tadashi was actually warning about. Hopefully you've figured it out, but if not here is the answer. (sdik eht) Anyway we hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Amazinglion29: Thank you for the compliment on our characters. They are so fun to write. We always can imagine what they will do next, and sometimes we can't. They just kind of have a life of their own in a sense, because we will be moving along in the story line, and we randomly make our characters do something that comes from the left field. We don't even know how that action came to be. That's what makes this story so fun to type. Shigeru is going to be a fun character to develop in this story. We will need to start listing all our characters and what they are like just so we don't forget them. Ahh… the troubles of a writer(s). Thank you again for the wonderful comment on how well our story flows. SORRY! WE CAN'T REVEAL OUR SECRET. THEN WE CAN'T BE ANONYMOUS ANYMORE. We hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Guest: Sorry that it may seem short. This chapter is longer though. Hopefully that makes up for it.

Loli-Hype Ichi: We tried to go for ominous.

animeniac2001: Thank you for the wonderful compliments. Here is the next chapter for you. We hope you enjoy!

Thank you to all of our readers. You all make this story worth it. Thank you again. We hope you all enjoy this chapter. See you soon! Most likely Wednesday!

- The Crew