Ch. 7- Clan Plans and Still Alive But Not the Same
"King"- just bold means Tensa or young Quincy is talking
"Zangetsu"- just italics means Shiro/Ogichi talking
"Brooding"- just underline means old man Zangetsu is talking.
(Muramasa)- Just enclosed bold is Muramasa talking
(Head)- Just none bold enclosed means Ichigo/Alice talking in head
Now turning to the other side of this story…
The children of this particular school were milling about the dormitory in their free time. They suddenly heard the running of feet. As they turned towards the door it slammed open. In ran a lanky boy who was panting from his impromptu exercise.
"What's got you in such a hurry?" questioned the pink haired boy with glasses.
"They…gasp…finally. Made their decision!" He exclaimed through his gasping for air.
Everyone in the room froze. Some looked worried others hide it behind a blank mask. The whispering started all throughout the room but was silenced by the shutting of a book. All turned towards the short albino boy sitting by the fireplace. He turned his cold eyes onto the lanky boy.
"What have they decided?" He stated quietly with hardly any emotion shown.
The lanky boy who had finally caught his breath grimaced.
"They concluded the school will not be functioning anymore…" He paused to grimace once more. "They have decided to close the school."
Gasps went through out the room. So people began to angrily raise their voices at him. Others like the twins looked to each other in worry. This school had been their only home. Half the students were orphans who were found to have magic and took in. It was partially why the school had been having difficulties to begin with. It was an orphanage as much as a place to learn. After all children with no family but magic were dangerous to be left alone.
Half the population of the school was even just that. They were found wondering around with amnesia or no clue what happened to their families. Their memories didn't connect to the present or there was no record of them existing to begin with. It was half the reason the school had started. The owner of the school and founder had lost everything to he-who-must-not-be-named and understood what the children were going through. But the amount of money even he had could not keep the school going.
"Everyone calm down. We knew this was bound to happen. The headmaster was rich from what his family left him but he couldn't sustain us on his own." The albino stated letting it sink in. "Now then you probably didn't stay long enough to hear what will happen to us, did you?"
He gave the lanky boy a scathing look, who then gave a sheepish shrug. A few kids face palmed at him while others shakes their heads at him.
"It is alright I believe I can shed a little light on this." Came the voice of the headmaster. An ancient man walked into the room with a smile upon his face. One of the children offered their chair which he gladly took.
"As has been stated I may have the money to care for you and the school but it is dwindling. I had hopped beyond hope that someone would see my ideals and your situations but no one did. And so I with failing health can't keep functioning as care taker and teacher. It wouldn't be fair to you children that need my constant attention and aid." He bowed his head in apologist manner towards the children. "But after talking to the Ministry of Magic and other magical schools throughout Europe I have found schools for each and every one of you. I assure you those who are siblings will be kept together and those that I saw as forming such bonds and being close to each other will be placed in the same schools. The headmasters have assured me that some of you already have families interested in adopting you. While the other children will be hopefully placed into new homes throughout your school years. For those who can't find people to foster and/or adopt them I will be still keeping the dorms open for you to spend your summers here. But sadly I will not be able to take in anymore children to aid. I see all you as my family and I hope beyond hope that you will be able to find happiness even after this heart breaking separation."
He bowed his head once more out of tiredness and apology. Many of the children came up to the ancient man and hugged him openingly crying their eyes out.
"Headmaster you don't have to apologize. As I said we knew that this day would probably come. You have taken good care of us to the best of your ability." Said the albino.
"Yeah gramps we all see you as family too. We won't forget your kindness." Stated a boy with black hair and blue eyes.
A young looking blonde boy walked over and patted him on the head.
"I love you gramps. And we will all take good care of those we end up with." Said the blonde.
The ancient man saw the determined looks in the older children's eyes and he smiled. Then replying to the boy.
"Yes, I do believe all of you will do just fine." His eyes twinkled. "Especially you my boy. You are the closet child to me and have similar ideals. IF only you were older." The old man patted the blonde on his head. "I do truly believe you will take good care of our family at your new school. I wish you all the best. Take care of them…Wonderweiss."
(Ichigo POV)
So upon finding out that everyone went behind my back I got royally pissed off and then just deflated. I was stuck and I knew it. Should have known that I would end up going to hell in a hand basket no matter what I do.
(That was a splendid metaphor Ichigo.)
(He's slowly starting to use that brilliant brain of his, isn't he. Well I quizzing him in his dreams and free time is helping. After all the heir to Ravenclaw can't be dull witted.)
I sighed for the hundredth time it felt like. The cause being Muramasa had apparently decided to latch onto Alice as he stated "She was the only one in my head with a brain", a really weird way of wording of course. Besides that he seems to have taken me thanking him and appreciating him as a sign that I was a better master then his old one and proceeding to ignore Shiro as much as possible to instead cling to me.
My life is so hard.
Anyway soon after the whole Captain meeting all those who had been chosen were gathered. There was questions involved.
"Ichigo please tell me why Orihime, Mizuiro, your sister Yuzu, yourself, and I were designated in the documents as affiliated or part of the Shiba clan." Uryu stated as he glared at me.
"Yeah actually I was wondering about that too." Mizuiro chimed in.
I sighed once more.
"Well it went like this…"
(Flashback)
After getting the letter from Kukaku I was now sitting in her home waiting for her to show up to talk to me. Of course Ganju was already in the room annoying me.
"So I hear that sister wants to talk about something with ya. What exactly did ya do Ichi?" Ganju questioned me with a teasing manner his face way to close to mine. "What did ya do to upset sis."
I glared at him and Shiro chose this time to show up and kick him in the face.
"Haven't cha ever heard of personal face ya stupid gorilla. King don't need ya getting all up and personal with that ugly mug a yours." Shiro stated as he started a brawl with Ganju.
Of course Ganju was happy with this cause that was what he was aiming for the whole freakin time. So while I waited Ganju and Shiro fought it out. Then it suddenly ended when Kukaku walked in and hit them both over the head. Finally she is here. So while she settled down and relaxed Shiro came over to cling to me and whine about how mean she was. Grim had none of it and started to maul his face off. Seriously what's with Grim and mauling Shiro? Hmm maybe I should ask him. I continued to watch them and then smirked. Turning to Kukaku to get this done after watching in amusement. After all it was too much fun to watch Shiro and Grim's interaction. I did notice a similar smirk on Kukaku's face as I turned around. Hmm maybe we really are related.
"So then what's this about being a part of the Shiba clan?" I began.
This got the attention of the others in the room. Grim stopped mauling Shiro and ran over to plop down on my lap. Shiro sat next to me and Ganju's mouth just dropped.
"Sis what is he talking about. I know he looks a lot like Kaien but ya got to realize that don't make him a Shiba!" Ganju shouted out. This proceeded to get him hit over the head and told to be quiet. He sat down and waited. Kukaku turned to look at me and smiled.
"Ganju it actually does because Isshin Kurosaki, his father, is actually Isshin Shiba. Who was the original head of the family before he ran off and put Kaien in the place of head. Isshin is our relative and from the main branch meaning Ichigo is in fact the true heir to our family and next head." Kukaku explained.
Ganju's jaw dropped and Grim looked up at me with a tilted head seeming to ask "What's going on?". I shrugged at him and petted his head. Ganju recovered.
"So wait that means me and Ichi are cousins or something like that?" Ganju asked.
Kukaku nodded.
"Yes he would be like our 3rd cousin. Same with his twin sisters."
"So we have more family hell yeah! Ichi ya got ta let me meet your sisters and ma." Ganju shouted overly excited. I blinked and tilted my head down.
Grim growled and went after Ganju this time.
"What the hell! Why is your flea bitten OUCHY mongrel attack YELP me!"
Shiro actually pulled Grim off and plopped him in my lap. He then stood angrily over Ganju.
"Dontcha bring our ma up! It's a sore spot for Kuro. She died protecting him and ain't around anymore. So be a decent sort and don't bring it up a again." Shiro stated as he glared with a maniacal smile appearing on his face. "I hate ya rain as much as everyone else does and don't want to see it a rain. Now that I can protect Kuro ya ain't going to make him cry! Heck ain't no one gonna make him cry again or they will be a answering to me."
Behind him on my lap Grim made a growl that seemed to say "Finally we agree on something." Shiro walked over to me. I was kind of shocked by Shiro doing that.
We already told you this. All we want to do is protect you. Shiro is probably just the more violent out of us when it comes to you. After all I did shut him away from you for a long time. Now that he is in a place that he can actually do it he will protect you.
Yeah! Shiro always tried to take over to protect you. He may be insane but that's just who he is.
Tensa let's not get a head of ourselves. After all he still needs to be watched for his hollow tendencies and being insane…very insane.
(Thanks guys.)
(Oh my this is so heartwarming. The dynamics of your spirits is just so interesting Ichigo.)
I rolled my eyes. Their goes Muramasa breaking up the moment. But I did lift my head and hug Shiro to his shock, with a small smile on my face. Grim growled but didn't maul him for once. Interesting.
Ganju watched the whole thing and started to have a sheepish look on his face.
"Sorry I didn't know about ya know…." He trailed off scratching the back of his head.
I nodded at him.
"You didn't know I won't hold it against you and Shiro and Grim did over react." I told him. Grim growling indignation and Shiro pouting at my words.
Clapping her hands as if to say that is over with Kukaku grinned at me.
"So then. You are the rightful heir for the position and if we get you into the head of the family seat that means we gain back our position as the Shiba Noble clan. Meaning you gain backing and position in soul society. It would be perfect for when your human body gives out you know. Meaning Central 46 and others with beef with you will have a harder time bringing it up." She grinned at Ichigo with a mischief look in her eyes. Strangely the whole group gained a similar glint to their eyes. Oh the fun we could have with this.
I paused as I thought about something.
"Kukaku is there a way to add people under my protection as the Shiba head if I take it." I questioned her.
In reply she smirked seeming to catch onto my train of thought.
"Yes, basically you make them retainers or adopt them into the family. So then no one can mess with them without messing with the great Shiba clan and having to deal with our alliance that come back into effect and also having to deal with the head of the family for going after the family." She explained.
I smirked.
"What about living people?" I questioned.
"They would be under your protection and then join the family when they passed on." She smirked at me as she stated this.
"Perfect I accept the position as head. I will begin my training as soon as I can but first I have a list of new family members." I wolfishly grinned.
(End Flashback)
"And that's what happened. I added all my friends that needed protection into the Shiba family. It was extra backing so that no one could go after Uryu after all he is also techniquely my family already. Orihime, Mizuiro, Tatsuki, and so on were added as well. So that no one could go after them as humans who had powers. It basically is another layer protecting you guys from being attacked or getting in trouble cause they have to not just deal with me and my allies now but the whole Shiba noble clan." I finished my explanation to them.
"You really are more intelligent then you let on." Uryu said in amusement.
"I have family again yeah! Thank you so much Ichigo!" Orihime stated as she hugged me.
Mizuiro looked amused.
"If anything I am touched. It also means in the afterlife we have a place to go after death." He rationalized. I grinned at them.
"Exactly. And once I get them all to know your spirit energy they will be able to find you after you die even if you forget. You guys are stuck with me even after death."
"So then moving on. What school will we be going to." Uryu questioned.
"From what I learned it's a school called Hogwarts. We will be going for school after we complete school here. It'll be in Europe. Those who can keep up with the cramming will be placed in higher grades while others will be put in to grades were they can cope. So far from Kisuke's analyzation Uryu, Toshiru, Shuhei, Mizuiro, Shiro, and me seem to be able to pull of being in third year. Riruka, Orihime, Rukia, Chad, and Yukio can pull of 2nd years. Finally Yuzu, Hanataro, Jinta, Nel, Ururu, and Yachiru will be in 1st year." I explained. "There will be a wizard coming to get us soon to go shopping for our books and such. Hopefully the keys I received from grandma will work and we will be able to get into the vaults which according to her should have plenty in them. Apparently we have to do a legimacy spell to be able to use the keys. But Toshiro's vault should have plenty to cover the soul reapers and my and Shiro's should have plenty as well. Also I have another key which was in Granma Alice's things. It's for the Kurosaki family…apparently I get a mansion as well but that's not important."
Everyone freaked out at the last bit.
"A mansion isn't important are you crazy!" Riruka exclaimed.
I shrugged.
"I have a house already but the mansion would be good to keep us at when it's the winter break for school so we don't have to come all the way back here."
The conversation continued on for a while as we got ready to prepare for our trip.
To be continued….
Naïve: So here's the next chapter. Sorry it was late. But yeah! You find out about the other transfers and about how the meeting to become the Shiba clan leader went. Also you got to see everyone reactions and learn their years.
Next time: "So I really do have a mansion." "This place is called Diagon alley?" "I have never meet a twin soul before this will be tricky." "Hey are you all right you almost got hit there." "Do you want to be my friend?"