A/N: I do not own Bleach
It was morning, the orange sun slowly started to rise over the mountains; the faint chirping of birds fluttering through the orange and blue sky. In a secluded and quaint area, a house was built for a family of maybe twenty, though a family of four currently stayed there. They needed the space for….personal reasons only they understood.
As a stray bird flew alone, it flapped its wings and perched itself on top of an offering finger of a woman who sat on the edge of the fountain in her garden. As the bird chirped and sang to her she was surrounded by a sea of different varieties of flowers on the sides of her walkways. From inside the house, her children were occupied inside. She didn't know what they were doing, the only thing that mattered was if they cleaned up after themselves or not.
"*Okaasan," She heard from behind her. She turned her head and saw her eldest son walking up to her, glasses of iced tea in both hands.
"Ah, Ta-kun," Kaede said, greeting her son as he handed her a glass and sat next to her. "Where are Kuro–chan and Nao-kun?"
"Training," Takeshi said as his eyes went over the garden.
"Shouldn't you be keeping watch?"
"They're fine without me. If they destroy the place it wouldn't be the first time."
Kaede looked at her son whom kept his eyes down at his iced tea, eyes filled with worry and concern. His mother could read him like the many books and novels his baby sister owned. She reached over and placed her hand over her son's and squeezed it firmly.
"I know you may be concerned about the Shinigami Kuro–chan told us about," Kaede said, her voice soft like cotton. "But I know how hard you kids have worked; you three get stronger every day you step foot in that training facility. If they come, we'll be ready."
Takeshi looked at his mother for a moment before he nodded a couple of times. He then looked at his small reflection in his iced tea, ice clinking together as he moved the cup back and forth a tad.
"Maybe we'll cut training short today and make a visit," Kaede said. "A little 'shopping' maybe; what do you say, Ta–kun?"
The same morning Ichigo tried going to Kurohime's apartment looking for answers to his questions; but of course, no answer when Ichigo knocked on her door. Grimmjow was absent as well, leaving the apartment empty and quiet. He then remembered what Urahara suggested to him the day before.
"If you want more information, why don't you go talk to those Visored friends you have?"
So that's what he was doing. He stood in front of the abandoned warehouse with a firm scowl on his face as he saw through Hachi's barrier. Suddenly the barrier started to disappear, and walked in the warehouse with no hesitation.
"Ichigo," A blond man greeted from inside the warehouse. "What a surprise. What brings you here-"
"I don't have time for small talk Shinji," Ichigo scolded. "I came for some answers and I'm not leaving here without them."
Suddenly Ichigo was knocked to the ground as a sandaled foot was collided with his chin. Before he could even look up, Hiyori stepped on his forehead pressing it down.
"Stupid ungrateful brat," Hiyori scoffed. "We don't see you for years and that's how you greet us?"
"I told you I don't have time for games," Ichigo growled as seams of anger popped through his skull and grabbed Hiyori's ankle. In a flash he threw her in the air towards Shinji; in the knick of time he caught her before she landed on him. "Now answer me, tell me about Hiro and Kaede Takana."
Everyone's eyes suddenly went wide at the name they knew so well. Hiyori stepped down from Shinji's arms and walked away deep into the warehouse, not muttering a word or even scoffing. Judging by her sudden leave, Ichigo knew this was a more serious matter than he had anticipated.
"Come to snoop around again eh, Kurosaki?" A voice said from behind Ichigo. Ichigo whipped around, shocked to see Nao and Kurohime standing in the entryway of the warehouse. Nao dressed in a black v-neck and jeans while Kurohime wore a white tank top, black shorts and black boots. Nao smirked playfully while Kurohime sported a grimace; arms crossed in front of her chest. "Why don't you ask from the source?"
In a flash, Hiyori suddenly appeared in front of Kurohime, swinging a leg in attempt to kick her across the head however her reflexes were quick. Kurohime grabbed her by the shin and swung her around, tossing her against the wall. Hiyori caught herself; she bounced off the wall and flew herself toward Kurohime. Hiyori brought out her Zanpakuto, lunging it forward hoping to make contact but Kurohime shifted to the side and caught the blade with her hand.
Ichigo stared in awe at the sight in front of him, how his own classmate could barely even change her expression but still engage in such a light battle and by this time he had noticed Kurohime had bandages wrapped around her fists and her wrists.
"You've grown," Shinji said, walking over to the siblings and while Hiyori landed on the floor.
"What?" Ichigo exclaimed. "Y-you know each other?"
"What, Urahara didn't tell you?" Nao asked. "What did you think, didn't Urahara tell you that our parents were apart of the Visoreds?"
"Dumbass," Kurohime and Hiyori bluntly said, still not changing her expression. Nao almost smirked at the comment of his little sister while the sudden frank comment caught Ichigo by surprise.
"My my," Shinji continued, facing Kurohime. Not that he had to bend or anything, she was almost as tall as Ichigo that is. "You have a mouth on you don't you dear?"
Shinji raised a hand and almost placed it on top of Kurohime's head. But before the palm could make contact with her head, Kurohime gripped Shinji's wrist tightly. Kurohime turned Shinji around, bending the arm behind him.
"Shinji," Kurohime growled, holding Shinji in place as everyone watched. "I see you haven't changed at all."
After a few moments, she finally let go of him. Shinji rolled his shoulder as he chuckled at her, commenting on her strong grip. Although, Ichigo couldn't help but stand in confusion; it was like the Kurohime that was standing before him was a completely different person.
Kaede and Takeshi walked towards the Urahara shop, Kaede in a simple white laced dress while Takeshi wore a jogging jacket unzipped and matching paints with a white shirt. Before they could step onto the porch, the door suddenly slid open to reveal Mr. Hat and Clogs himself in the doorway.
"Konnichiwa, Urahara–san," Kaede said, greeting him while Takeshi bowed before him.
It was silent for a while, no one saying a word as the three of them stared each other down, crisp cool air blowing through the hairs and skin.
"Kaede–chan!" Urahara exclaimed whilst happiness filled with voice. Takeshi jumped at the sudden outburst of happiness as Urahara tried to wrap his arms around Kaede. But on instinct, before he could even come three feet from her, Takeshi jumped in front of her and raised his foot, the bottom of his sneakers meeting with Urahara's face. "I see Takeshi's reflexes have improved."
"Weird old freak," Takeshi snarled as Urahara fell to the floor.
After their greetings, Urahara welcomed them inside and they sat at the table for tea which Tessai gladly offered and prepared for them.
"You sure have grown since the last time we've seen each other," Urahara spoke to Takeshi.
"The kids improve every single day," Kaede said.
"Which reminds me, how are the young ones anyway?"
"They fine. They're in college now, both of them are studying very hard and they're exceeding very well."
"Where are they, shouldn't they be with you?"
"I can't be with them all the time; they're visiting some old friends. But enough of that, tell us Urahara, Kuro – chan tells us of a Shinigami she met while visiting your shop."
"So, that was Kurohime we saw last night. She's finally fighting isn't she?"
"I taught her everything I know. So I figured you must have told him about us have you?"
"Not everything. People were bound to know in time Kaede, I hope you understand it."
"I know. But the Soul Society has no reason to fear us, we're a harmless band."
"That boy Kuro–chan told us about," Takeshi spoke. "What kind of power does he have? Kuro tells us he has an immense amount of power."
"He does. When I first met him, I knew he would be able to do vast things. He was the one who overpowered Sosuke Aizen."
Takeshi's eyes instantaneously shifted to his mothers, but her posture and expression went unchanged as she sipped her tea. When she sat down her tea back on the table a small smile slithered onto her lips.
"I see," Kaede said. "This Ichigo boy...he'll be an interesting addition, won't he, Ta – kun?"
Takeshi didn't say a word, he lifted his tea to his lips and took a small sip, the warm liquid soothing his throat.
"What are you going to do Kaede?" Urahara asked.
"Nothing," Kaede said. "I'll leave it to the kids if that Kurosaki child wishes to alter anything, otherwise I won't lift a finger. Which by the way, you wouldn't happen to know the whereabouts of this boy would you?"
"You're asking me? Kaede, have you lost your touch?"
SLAM!
The echoing of the side of Takeshi's fist colliding with the table filled the room. Everyone stayed in place, stern faces but Kaede however, she still smiled as if nothing were wrong. When Takeshi took his cup in his hand and brought it to his lips, the table started to crack from the spot he had hit. He muttered the phrase 'please excuse me' as he set it back down.
"Let's go Ta-Kun," Kaede said, standing up. "Time to look for the kids."
Takeshi bowed to Urahara, thanking him for the tea before standing up after his mother.
"*Jaa Ne Urahara," Kaede said as she and Takeshi walked out of the shop. "We'll see you again."
Urahara and Tessai watched them go, until they disappeared from view.
"Do you think Miss Kaede will take action?" Tessai asked.
"No," Urahara said, walking back into the shop. "Kaede won't. But I'm not sure about the rest of them."
"Kisuke?" Urahara turned around to see Jinta and Ururu walking out from the back room. "Who was that?"
"That was...a very powerful Shinigami and her son."
"Will everything be okay?"
"Maybe. We'll have to wait and see."
"What do we do?" Jinta asked.
"Nothing yet. Let's just wait for them to decide."
-Flashback-
"Don't be shy Kuro-chan," A man whispered to a three year old Kurohime as she held onto his pants leg. As he placed a hand over her head, she look up at him.
"Who are they?" She asked.
"These are Mommy and Daddy's friends. They're our family."
Kurohime peeked from behind her father's leg and saw Nao getting introduced to Shinji. Slowly she walked out from behind her father's leg and got a look around the abandoned warehouse. So many different faces of men and women, arguing, laughing, they seemed so close. It wasn't until a girl with green hair and a white jumpsuit came up to her, her voice sweet and feminine as she smiled and greeted her that she was able to officially meet everyone.
And in due time, she would begin her training. Her and Nao would watch Takeshi train with Love, and their parents train with the other Visoreds until it was time for their training. Nao trained with Shinji while Kurohime trained and sparred with Hiyori. As time passed and they got older, they grew stronger. Every single day they got better at keeping their hollow masks on and in time they learned to keep them on as long as they wanted.
In the end, they did become her family.
Even when they had to leave she never forgot them.
In the warehouse, The Visoreds and Ichigo sat with Kurohime and Nao as Nao told Ichigo how they met when they were kids and they used to train with them up until they moved away.
Nao and Kurohime sat on the yellow couch, Nao rested his arm on the arm rest while Kurohime turned her body as she leaned her back on the opposite arm rest with her arms and legs crossed. Ichigo's eyes shifted to Kurohime, it seemed she was totally unaware of his presence as her expression was blank.
He wanted to ask, why they took a leave of absence all of a sudden leaving the rest of them behind. And he wanted to ask Kurohine about Grimmjow. But he kept his mouth shut, not knowing if this was the right time to ask them.
"Something wrong Kurosaki?" Nao suddenly asked.
"N-No," Ichigo said. "I'm fine."
"Kuro-Chan!" The bubbly green haired women sang as she wrapped her arms around Kurohime's shoulders. "Now that you're back, let's go shopping together!"
"Uh," Kurohime hesitated, the jump taking her by surprise. "Sure Kuna-Chan,"
"Aw, you can call me Mashiro!"
"O-Okay, Mashiro-Chan."
"And all of us can have girl time; Lisa-Chan and Hiyori-Chan too."
"Tell me kids," Love spoke up, fixing his glasses. "Where's Takeshi?"
"I don't know," Nao said. "Mom wouldn't tell us where they were going."
"Ah, so my darling Kaede has come back to me," Shinji suddenly said. Before he could continue Kurohime and Hiyori appeared in front of him, pressing the bottom of their shoes to his face.
Ichigo watched as Kurohime and Nao interacted with everyone, they seemed so comfortable with each other. Like a family. Maybe there was nothing to worry about after all.
"By the way," Shinji said. "Would be too much to ask of you two if you would demonstrate just how much you've improved?"
Nao and Kurohime looked at Shinji for a moment, taking the sudden offer by surprise. Everyone stared at them, Ichigo especially waiting anxiously for an answer.
"Unless, you two haven't improved at all."
It grew quiet, deathly quiet once Shinji challenged them; Mashiro let go of Kurohime and took a few steps back. Kurohime and Nao looked at each other, reading each others eyes before a threatening smirk grew on Nao's face as he ducked his head.
"Well Shinji," Nao said, his voice low. "Let's play."
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