The Seven Swords

by Greatkingrat88

Medieval AU. Ichigo, a poor boy, has his life changed forever when he comes across the war hero Zaraki Kenpachi. Travelling, learning from his example, can Ichigo become the kind of man that could look his father in the eye? Could Kenpachi be more than just a butcher? And will Aizen Sousuke usurp the Land of Rice and Swords? Civil war looms, and questions will be answered.

2. Chapter 2

One thing was for sure: they hadn't been kidding about the marching. They had walked all day yesterday, only pausing twice for some short rests, and they had covered god knows how many miles today. It was mid-day, almost lunchtime, and they had gone further than Ichigo had ever been, far away from Kuchiki castle. Ichigo's feet and legs were absolute murder on him, aching and hurting in ways he hadn't even imagined possible. He'd never owned a pair of shoes, so the soles of his feet were plenty hardened, but the constant grind of walking the country road, feeling gravel and dirt under his feet, was wearing on him like a file on a piece of wood. Still, he kept on- right now, it wasn't so bad.

And he was seeing much of the countryside. It looked beautiful now in the summer, with a lake or two in the distance, forests coming and going; great bamboo sprouts and oaks, birch, even trees that he had no clue what they were. The one real annoyance was Yachiru; the little girl was ridiculously energetic, spending much time running around, asking questions, doing whatever she pleased. Most of her time, though, was spent riding shoulders- Kenpachi's, Ikkaku's, and Ichigo's too. He'd tried protesting, but Kenpachi had given him a look, and Ichigo had decided that a bit of constant chatter and a bit of hair-pulling wasn't so bad.

But even with that, the countryside sure looked pretty...

Noticing his wandering eyes, Yumichika said,

"Never been out of the village, have you?"

"No." Ichigo mumbled, still looking out in the distance. "When I was a kid, I lived at castle Shiba. When I got sent here, I saw a lot on the way... but that's years back."

"I see."

"It's still amazing, though." Ichigo said hurriedly, not wanting to seem ungrateful. "Being out here, walking because I want to... it really is uh, something else."

Yumichika smiled.

"I'm surprised you're still keeping up. To be honest, I thought we'd lose you some time last night."

"Well, I'm tougher than you think." Ichigo said confidently. "But... if you thought that, why'd you both let me in?"

Yumichika sighed. "To be honest, we were all a little drunk, and mostly I just wanted to piss off Kenpachi. I never expected that you'd actually be completely serious about it. We had boys try and follow us before, and they all went running back home to mommy before long."

"Well, I ain't got one to run back to." Ichigo said, gruffly. "In fact, I don't think there's anything for me to run back to- all I own's on me right now." He gestured to his dirty, gray servant's kimono. Aside from a small knife in his cloth belt, he really had nothing.

Yumichika frowned. "Poor as dirt, are you?"

"Seen poorer." Ichigo said, shrugging. "I didn't have to go hungry, and I had clothes- although they didn't let me get new ones often."

"What did you do back there? Serve drinks to the lords and ladies?"

Ichigo scoffed. "I wish! That's what the posh servants did, the ones that knew what asses to kiss to get there. They actually got paid, too- me, I got food, clothes and a roof over my head, and I had to be grateful for it."

"So... what did you do?"

"Worked for the quartermaster, mostly. Took inventory, carried things all day, moved goods from one place to another. Sometimes I watered the horses. I didn't mind that."

"And that's all you did?"

"Pretty much."

"Sounds dreadfully boring. No wonder you wanted out."

Ichigo shrugged, not sure what to say. He had found it tedious, but that wasn't why he wanted out. Changing the subject, he said,

"So... those two," he nodded towards Ikkaku and Kenpachi, who were walking seven paces or so ahead of them, "what are they um... really like?"

"They're killers." Yumichika said simply. "And they're very good at it. But don't believe they're as bad as their reputation says. Ikkaku's a kitten once you get to know him-" Ichigo held back the urge to snigger; if there was one word he wouldn't use to describe Ikkaku, it was 'kitten'- "and the big man... well, he understands the value of a big reputation, but he's not the kind of bad, bad man who kills people for the fun of it. I mean, he does kill people for the fun of it, but he doesn't do it unnecessarily. Um, well, he does do it unnecessarily, all the time, but he um, has some limits." Yumichika said, sounding a bit awkward, having talked himself into a corner without realising it. "Basically, he likes killing and fighting- but he doesn't murder people. If you don't have a sword, he's not coming after you. And he's not a thief or a rapist either- you couldn't say he has a 'code' or something, but there are some things he doesn't do. Standards, I guess."

Ichigo nodded. "I see. So they're... bad, but not that bad?"

"They're bad men all right, but they wouldn't last a day without me." He said pridefully. "Oh sure, they can kill men by the dozen, but when they get a tear in their clothes, or a wound from a fight, or if they just need a meal cooked, who do they come running to? Me."

"So how do you get by, wandering the land like this?"

"Mercenary work, mostly." Yumichika said, sounding relieved to have the subject changed. "Bounties like the man from yesterday works. Whatever work a hired sword can do. The whole reputation thing really works there- sometimes, just the name is enough to impress a daimyo into hiring us."

"But you never stay?"

"No." He shook his head. "But he has his reasons. You see-"

Suddenly, they were interrupted by a horse, speeding past them in full gallop. Ichigo had heard the noise before, but not really registered it, being too caught up in the conversation. He looked at the rider as he sped past- long, black hair, an expensive-looking blue kimono with the Kuchiki clan crest...

His pondering was shoved aside, though, as the rider pulled his horse to make a sharp turn. The horse obeyed, but it was too fast, too quick around the road's curve, and the man flew off his horse, flung luckily- although the rider probably wouldn't think so- right into a shrubbery. The horse kept galloping, running off into the distance. Forgetting the ache in his soles, Ichigo hurried up, running towards the fallen rider. Kenpachi and Ikkaku had stopped, curiously observing this new arrival.

A groan could be heard from the shrubs, and Ichigo went closer. He walked up, and had a look. It was a nobleman, all right- and at a closer look he saw it. Gods be damned, was that Kuchiki Byakuya, heir to the castle? What was he doing here?

Well, no matter.

"You all right?" Ichigo said, taking his arm. "M'lord." He added as an afterthought, pulling the young man out of the shrubbery. Byakuya gave a groan, standing up on wobbly feet.

"Who's this peacock?" Kenpachi said. "Friend of yours?"

"Big-shot at the castle where I worked." Ichigo said, stepping back. "You all right there?"

"Gods curse my luck..." Byakuya mumbled. He shook his head, and an expression of terror crossed his face. "Please, you must help me! I'm being pursued-"

And then, they all could hear the noise of galloping hooves coming closer.

"Oh, damn." Byakuya said, his face going pale. "Please, sirs, I am in great danger!" He grabbed at a sword fastened to his belt. "I'm being pursued by my own men, for reasons that demand an explanation longer than we have time for!"

"Now that is a helluva story." Ikkaku said, grinning. "How's a nob ending up thrown outta his castle and hunted by his lapdogs?"

"Gotta admit, that's kinda funny." Kenpachi said.

"Gentlemen, please!" Byakuya exclaimed.

"We'll see." Kenpachi said, turning to face the approaching horsemen. It were a patrol of five, Ichigo counted, men in light armour, with spears in hand, swords at their side, and masks covering their faces. Samurai.

The horses slowed down from gallop to a trot, and stopped before Kenpachi.

"Out of the way!" Their leader demanded. "We are here in search of a traitor- Kuchiki Byakuya, accused of the murder of his grandfather. We are here in the name of house Kuchiki, and our errand will not be stopped."

Ichigo's eyes widened. Daimyo Ginrei was dead? That could be bad news.

"You there!" The leader continued, pointing at Kenpachi with his spear. "You carry a sword- by what lord do you swear? With whom lies your allegiance, samurai?"

Kenpachi spat at the ground before the horseman. "I don't swear by no lord. You want splendour and ceremony, go fuckin' find it elsewhere."

"You are a masterless swordsman, then. A ronin."

"Whatever you wanna call it."

"Carrying a blade without allegiance to a lord is punishable by death." The leader said pridefully. "However, we will overlook your crime, if you step aside this instant. This traitor must be brought to justice."

"Lies!" Byakuya cried. "I have been falsely accused- it was Junbe, not I!"

"I don't give a shit." Kenpachi said. "So I step aside, and we don't have no trouble, is that right?"

"Correct." The samurai said.

"How about this?" Kenpachi said, putting his hand on his sword. "You can have 'im, but you walk around me."

"Arrogant swine!" The samurai sneered, and thrust his spear forward. It was remarkable how a man that big had the reflexes of a cat, Ichigo thought, but in just a simple move Kenpachi had moved to the side, and grabbed the spear. The samurai tugged at it, but to no avail.

"See, you shouldn't have done that." Kenpachi said, drawing his sword, and pulling hard at the spear. The samurai fell forward, off his horse and onto Kenpachi's blade.

"Idiot." He grunted, pulling his sword out of the samurai's gut. With a quick movement, he stabbed the blade into the samurai's throat. The man gave a gurgle, and blood poured out on the ground.

The four other soldiers, who had been watching up till now, made a move forward, drawing their swords.

"You wanna get off them horses, boys." Kenpachi said, taking a stance. "I know how to fight people on a horse, and believe me, horses won't do you no good unless you have a big old charge behind you. A hundred armed and armoured men on horseback crashing into an army puts the fear of god in people, but when you're the ones bein' charged? Not so good."

The samurai gave each other a look, and slowly, without taking their eyes off Kenpachi, they dismounted.

"Why's he doing this?" Ichigo whispered. "Why is he letting them get off in peace like that?"

"Because he likes a good fight." Yumichika whispered back. "He could have killed at least two by now, but that's not how he likes to do it."

"Oi, Zaraki." Ikkaku said, holding out his spear. "I'm getting in on this."

"Sod off." Kenpachi murmured. "I ain't had a good fight in weeks." He grinned widely, as the four samurai spread out, swords at the ready.

"You fuckin' glory hog, I'm getting at least one!" Ikkaku said, charging forward. "Oi, you!" He cried, thrusting his spear forward, aiming right for the head of one of the samurai. The man parried the strike, and even hit back for a counter-attack.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Ikkaku shouted gleefully. "That's the spirit!" He launched into a series of thrusts, attacking ruthlessly.

Meanwhile, three samurai were still focused on Kenpachi. A first one charged forward, striking fast and hard, one, two, three times. Kenpachi, still grinning, parried each thrust, pushing back hard. He raised his sword and struck down hard, but had to change direction, just barely parrying an attack from his left. And at the same time, to his right, the third samurai went forward with a stab. Ichigo wanted to cry out, warn him- but then at the last second, Kenpachi's foot caught the samurai in the gut, knocking him in the ground. There were still two trained samurai, working together, hitting with furious precision. Kenpachi let out a loud, strong laugh, and went into a fast set of attacks, somehow matching the speed of two men at once.

And then, one of the samurai made a mistake, stumbling back. Kenpachi lunged forward, his sword cutting right through the man's helmet. Blood and brain matter spilled onto the road, and Kenpachi moved back in time just to catch the other samurai. They locked blades, pushing against each other- but Kenpachi was taller, heavier, and the samurai began to stagger. With a hard push, Kenpachi shoved him back, and stabbed forward, his sword going right through the light armour, into his chest. The samurai let out a gurgle, and collapsed. This left only the third one, who was on his feet again. Letting out a loud cry, he charged Kenpachi, cutting from on high, the left, feinting and stabbing- and Kenpachi caught each one. Finally a thrust came for his head, slicing at his cheek, and some blood was drawn.

"Well, fuck me." Kenpachi said, grinning even wider. Although the samurai's face was hidden under a mask, something about the way he took a step backward, holding his sword defensively, told Ichigo he was afraid, as plain as any expression of fear a face could give. Lunging forward, Kenpachi struck furiously, stabbing, slashing, hitting. The samurai blocked once, two, three, four times; it almost seemed like he might last.

Almost.

Coming down with a vicious cut from above, the sword of his enemy was knocked down low, and in the blink of an eye, Kenpachi cut sideways, cutting the man's head off. The headless body staggered for a second, as if it was trying to remember how to walk, and then fell over. More blood spilled on the road, and a head rolled off it.

"Fuck me..." Kenpachi said happily, running a thumb over the cut on his cheek. He had plenty of blood on him, all from his enemies, but the small dribble from his face seemed to fascinate him. "These boys had proper training. Maybe even real experience, too."

"That, or yet gettin' rusty." Ikkaku said. There was blood on the blade of his spear, and behind him lay the samurai who had taken him on, perfectly still.

"Wot, says you?" Kenpachi sounded... cheerful? "I still got three of 'em, and only took a small nick for it."

"I ain't takin' that from the glory hog who steals all the fightin' for himself. Fucking greedy, Zaraki!"

Kenpachi grinned again, and it was an eerie thing to watch. "Eh- get their swords and their horses. It'll be worth good money in the next town we get to."

"You killed them." Ichigo mumbled.

"Well, ya got eyes in your head, I'll give you that." Kenpachi said, wiping his sword on the clothes of one of the dead soldiers before sheathing it.

"They were just doing their duty, and you killed them all. And now... you're taking their swords?"

Kenpachi shot him a glare. "I told you, boy, this ain't a fairy tale. I gave 'em a chance to not die, and they didn't take it. What happened next was as nat'ral as a fox pouncing on a rabbit. And now they're dead, I'm alive, and I sure as shit ain't going to waste what good fortune's put right in my face."

"But-"

"And if you got a problem with that," The swordsman snarled, "you can go right the fuck back to your village and serve drinks. This is what I do- I live life as I see fit, stakin' my life for it. If you can't stomach that, get the fuck out."

Ichigo opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. He didn't know what he could say. He couldn't go back- he'd started walking, and he didn't want to stop. But still...

"Good." Kenpachi said. "Now, you and Yumichika get the horses. Make sure they don't run off."

"Excuse me." It was the young noble, Byakuya, speaking up. He looked a bit pale, looking at the scene of carnage before him, but he took a decisive- or at least the attempt at one- step forward. "Excuse me, sir- I didn't catch your name. I ought to know who it is that I owe gratitude."

Kenpachi laughed. "Ain't you fancier than an indoors lavatory? I'm Zaraki Kenpachi- the one what the idiots call a hundred man slayer. Wandering swordsman, killin' for money and all that. Who the fuck are you?"

"I, er, I am Kuchiki Byakuya." The young man said, seeming a bit off-put by Kenpachi's attitude. "I am the rightful heir to castle Kuchiki."

"Oh yeah." Ikkaku said, nodding. "But these here samurai said you was a traitor and whatnot. So which is it?"

"I have been falsely accused." Byakuya said haughtily, regaining that arrogant tone again at the mention of this slight. "My grandfather was murdered, and to eliminate me I was blamed for it. Forced to run for my life, it must have appeared to the soldiers that I had to have been guilty."

"Well, do whatever exiled nobs do, then." Kenpachi said, shrugging. "I'd go find that horse you fell off, if I were you." He looked to Yumichika and Ikkaku, who had fastened the swords of the fallen samurai to the saddle on one of the horses. "You about done? This was a good break, but we're movin' on."

Yumichika nodded, and they started walking.

"Wait!" Byakuya cried. "You, sir, seem like a capable hand with a sword."

"Ain't that one way of putting it." Kenpachi said, stopping. "What of it?"

"I require your services."

"Require 'em you can, but you ain't gettin' serviced by me." He said, turning around to walk.

"Wait!" Byakuya shouted. "Wait- I'll pay you!"

"Now we're talkin'." Kenpachi said, stopping but not turning around. "You got money?"

"Well, no, but-"

"We're leavin'."

"I am the heir!" Byakuya cried, sounding desperate. "If I could only reach one of our allies, I could surely sway them, and depose that wretched Junbe! And if I did that, I would have full access to the Kuchiki treasury! Gold, weapons, whatever you please!"

"Uh huh." Kenpachi said, sounding unimpressed- but he wasn't walking, Ichigo noticed.

"A thousand kan." Byakuya said ceremoniously. "A well earned reward for invaluable service to the Kuchiki house."

Kenpachi turned around, a big grin on his face. Slowly, he pulled out his sword. Byakuya tensed.

"You see this, boy? This is a big 'un, picked right out of ol' Yamamoto's armoury, the night before Katagahara. As a reward, you see. Were plenty of fancier, more expensive blades around, but this one fit my hand right." He held it up, and struck down once, twice. "It's a tool for killin', no fancy parts added. It's a cheap one, for a sword made for lordlings, and it cost just above one thousand kan. You think I'm gonna make an effort for that little money, when I got a blade like this?"

"Two thousand, then."

"We're leavin'." Kenpachi turned around again, and started walking. Ichigo shot Byakuya a look, and started walking with the others. It was a pity.

"Five thousand!" Byakuya cried, running after them. Kenpachi said nothing.

"All right- ten thousand kan, and nothing less!"

Kenpachi stopped.

"That's better. And you're good for that kinda cash?"

"I say!" Byakuya exclaimed pompously. "The Kuchiki household is one of the most powerful- and rich- in all the land! Ten thousand is a large sum, but far from difficult for the lord of clan Kuchiki."

It was, in fact, quite a sum even for a lord to spend at once, Byakuya knew- the treasury held, in coin alone, no more than two hundred and ten thousand- but right now, no price was too high.

"Ten thousand..." Kenpachi said, scratching his head. "How much beer you reckon we could buy with that, Ikkaku?"

"A whole fuckin' lot." Ikkaku said, nodding. "And not the second rate stuff- good shit."

"A man could almost retire on that. Not that I want to... but it'd be nice to have a back-up plan in general." He looked Byakuya in the eye. "You got yourself a deal, kid. Where you need to go?"

"...oh." Byakuya said. "Oh yes, that..."

He had known he needed to get to some of his allies- but if his enemies were bold enough to kill Ginrei-ojiisama in broad daylight, who knew where else he could be reached by them. The Shihoin? Too ambiguous in their loyalty. The Kyoraku? He knew nothing to their detriment- only that they lived quite close to Aizen Sousuke's lands. The Ukitake? They were loyal, but their house was weak- they hadn't got half the lands or soldiers the Kuchiki did. So... where to?

"Ya don't know?" Kenpachi said, interrupting Byakuya's musings. "You'd pay me a fortune, but ya don't know where you need to go?"

"I-I suppose just traveling with you would do for now." Byakuya mumbled.

"Shiba castle." Ichigo cut in. "Try Shiba castle?"

"And why is that?" Byakuya said, curious and a bit cold. That was where his grandfather had meant to send him in the first place.

"It's a strong castle." Ichigo said, shrugging. "Well built, tall, full of hard men. Their lord's a good man too, and he ain't fond of traitors. You know who's out to get you?"

"A silver-haired man..." Byakuya said quietly, remembering the image of him standing over his dying grandfather. "They spoke of Aizen Sousuke, and a claim to the throne."

"I heard about Aizen Sousuke." Kenpachi said, nodding. "Real successful, ambitious, strong grip on his lands. Word is he's a bit of a cunt- but then again, what noble lord ain't?"

"Well, Shiba Isshin's no friend of Aizen's, or so the word is." Ichigo said. "He's loyal to the shogun. I think you best set your sights on Shiba castle."

"Look at 'im, thinking more like a lord than the little lord himself." Kenpachi sniggered.

"I'm not a little lord! I am the-"

"Right, right, the rightful heir and all that crap." Kenpachi waved dismissively. "What say you, kid?"

"Shiba castle will do." Byakuya said, sighing. It was far from Aizen's territory, at least.

"All right, off to the north we are." Kenpachi turned, and started walking. "Next stop's Kadeki. Big ol' village a couple day's worth of marching ahead. We'll sell the swords and horses there, and figure out a route."

"I thank you, kind sir-" Byakuya started.

"Save it." Kenpachi grumbled. "Good grief, at least the dumb kid over there-" he gestured at Ichigo- "knows when to shut up."

Byakuya looked a bit dumbfounded. Nobody had, in all his life, dared speak to him that way since he was a small child, and even then it was only his grandfather.

"Let it go, kid." Ikkaku said, marching next to Byakuya. "He's good at fightin', but don't expect manners from him."

They kept walking for the rest of that day, and Ichigo's soles kept aching something awful. He soldiered on, though- as friendly as Yumichika seemed, he didn't expect he'd help him if he lagged behind. Their new addition fared a little better, although the walking seemed to be taking a toll on him too. After what seemed like an eternity, they made camp, and slept for the night under some trees, a ways off the road- would be foolish to sleep near the road, Kenpachi had said; that's how you'd get attacked in your sleep, and that was a right stupid way to die...

The ground had been harder than the cot he'd slept in back in the castle, but Ichigo had been too exhausted to notice it. In what seemed like the blink of an eye later, he had woken up, his legs sore and his feet worse. The birds were chirping loud, the sun was shining in his face through the forest canopy, and though Ichigo felt like sleeping more, he had begun to notice how awkward the ground felt to lie on, how a small pebble jutted into his back, how loud the damn birds were...

Groaning, he sat up. Looking around him, he saw the others still sleeping- Kenpachi leaned against a tree, snoring like a sawmill, Byakuya lying uncomfortably a bit further down, and Yumichika and Ikkaku cuddled up together. They had slept together yesterday, too- maybe for warmth? The summers weren't exactly cold, though...

Realizing that there wouldn't be much in the way of breakfast till Yumichika woke, Ichigo decided to explore a little. Maybe if he were lucky, he'd find a bird's nest- eggs were good, raw or not. Taking care not to stray too far, he looked around in the forest, yawning deeply. It was thick with leaved trees, the summer having made the forest as lush as it could ever be. Not far from here, he could hear a stream, and after a little cautious searching, he found it. Sitting down by it, he bathed his feet there. It was a great relief to his sore, aching soles- all he needed now was a bit of breakfast.

"Hello? Peasant?"

Great.

It was Byakuya, apparently having followed him. He looked half asleep still, and far less pristine than yesterday.

"Wot?" Ichigo said sourly. After a pause, he added, "M'lord."

"I was wondering where you had sneaked off to. Well, no harm, no foul."

Ichigo gave him a look. Something about his tone was rubbing him a way which was definitely to be defined as wrong.

Byakuya looked around at the forest, and to the stream where Ichigo was bathing his feet.

"Do head back and get a pot, or something of the like. I would like some water."

"Say what?"

"Oh, I must not have spoken very clearly." Byakuya said innocently. "Go fetch me some water, boy. You should have no problem finding an appropriate vessel back with those three."

Ichigo wasn't sure if it was his tone, or if Kenpachi's example had inspired him to be defiant, or is he was just rebellious, or if it was just that he'd had no breakfast yet- or all of the above- but something about Byakuya pissed him off.

"Go get your own fucking water." He sneered.

Later, when asked, he couldn't be sure why he said it.

"I'm sorry?" Byakuya said, blinking, looking as if he had heard something unbelievable, unreal. "I said-"

"You heard me." Ichigo said, realising that, technically speaking, he was stepping in some deep cack. Mouthing off to a noble like this was usually not a great idea. Then again, the first step had already been taken.

"I am being far too generous here," Byakuya said sharply, "but if you obey right now, I will forget these insults for the time being."

Ichigo stood up, facing Byakuya.

"I said, get your own fucking water. Are you so pampered you can't even bend down to drink from a stream, or what?"

"I should cut your hand off for that, you cur!" Byakuya said, putting a hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Oh, that's real brave!" Ichigo sneered. "The big, strong, noble warrior, attacking unarmed commoners. The storytellers are sure to remember that as an epic feat of valour!"

"I see." Byakuya said, balling his fists. "I'll just have to teach you a lesson more appropriately." He moved forward, raising his arms, and quickly stepped forward.

The intent, undoubtedly, had been a round of good old fisticuffs, in which he of course emerged victorious. The end result, when Ichigo himself stepped forward, too fast and too rough, was a semi-wrestling, hair-pulling, semi-punching mess, the both of them grappling each other, trying simultaneously to push the other away while landing what punches they could. Locked in struggle, the two of them fought, aimlessly pushing one another over the forest floor. Ichigo had a thumb in Byakuya's eye, Byakuya had a solid grip on Ichigo's ear while he jabbed Ichigo in the side, and it looked like it might keep going until the two of them wore each other out-

But then, Ichigo felt himself losing his footing, falling backwards. And Byakuya, still locked in his grip, fell with him, both of them plunging right into the water stream. It wasn't deep, but it was more than enough for Ichigo to end up underwater, pushed down by the arrogant young nobleman. Viciously he pushed and struggled, suddenly fearing for his life-

And then Byakuya suddenly went off him. Ichigo raised his head over the water level, but only barely had the time to draw a quick breath before a thick, strong hand grabbed him by the back of his neck, pulling him to land. He blinked, and saw that it was Kenpachi, holding him and Byakuya like a vice, looking like he was in a mood to snap both their necks.

"Unhand me!" Byakuya spat, futilely struggling against Kenpachi's grip, his hands trying in vain to undo the man's grip. "You ruffian- you will pay for this, I swear-"

"You know," Kenpachi growled, in a tone that silenced even Byakuya's deeply offended mouth, "it's a hell of a pain where I can't even go take a piss, waitin' for breakfast, without having to see to two idiot pups what can't even keep quiet between themselves. You think I'm mean? Try me bein' disturbed before I had a bite to eat in the morning."

Ichigo swallowed. When he looked mean, he looked mean as hell, and the grip around his neck was only loose enough that he could breathe.

"It was the peasant!" Byakuya said, now having stopped his struggle, but still keeping his hands at Kenpachi's fingers. "I just asked him to go get some water, and he-"

"He ordered me about like a fucking ponce!" Ichigo spat. "He can go get his own water, I told him-"

"Shut up." Kenpachi growled, and the two of them went quiet immediately. "So, you're both making this kinda fuss this early in the morning over water, is that right?"

"It's the principle." Byakuya said, with a forced calm to his voice. "I am his lord by right and he must obey me. That is all I ask."

"And I say balls to that!" Ichigo spat.

"What part of shut up didn't you get?" Kenpachi said, the grip on their necks tightening a little. He stared at them for a short while, and the both of them got a sense of why he was so feared; it was like looking into the eyes of a demon.

"Obviously, I'm gonna hafta let you both know some fucking ground rules." Kenpachi snarled. "First off, you," He let go of Byakuya, roughly throwing him to the ground, "you ain't a lord in this company. You got authority over no-one but yerself. And if you want to travel with me, you do as I say, when I say it, or else. That goes for the both of you, is that clear?"

"But-"

"If I hear anything but 'yes sir, mister Kenpachi sir, I understand', I'll throw you off the road after kicking your teeth out."

"...I understand." Byakuya said, looking pale.

"Good. And you." He said, throwing Ichigo to the ground. "You stop acting like a fucking idiot, flying off the handle 'cause a nob's being a nob. I don't have time for idiots in this company- yer a man, so act like it."

"...yes, sir." Ichigo nodded. The two of them stood up cautiously, looking at the infuriated demon before them."

"Good fuckin' grief..." Kenpachi growled. "Next time you decide to be pups, do it outta earshot." He turned around, and walked back. He stopped, just shortly.

"Oh, and go get some fucking water! We'll need it for breakfast."

"What?" Ichigo burst out. "But we just- he just-"

"I am expected to perform chores?" Byakuya said, sounding mortified.

"What I say, when I say it." Kenpachi growled. "We need water, so you two go get water. No ifs, no buts, no arguments. There's a couple buckets in the pack- hop to it!"

Giving one another a long, venomous stare, the two young men decided, each to himself, that maybe getting water wasn't such a bad idea.

Breakfast was simple; a small portion of rice cooked under a fire, water, and a few leaves of dry bread. Neither Ichigo nor Byakuya particularly cared though, both nurturing a hurt pride, exchanging venomous glares back and forth. Eventually, the group packed up all they needed, getting back to the road, and continuing the march towards Kadeki village. Kenpachi's mood seemed to have evened out, but Ichigo and Byakuya, both being as petty as only fifteen year olds could be, had neither of them let go of their hostility. The landscape was beautiful, the sun was rising through the sky, the weather was warm and inviting, and even little Yachiru- whose energetic spirit made her more than a little annoying before- wasn't much of a problem. And of course, for Ichigo it was all poisoned by the very existence of Byakuya, and the feeling was more than reciprocated. It hadn't been two miles before Ichigo murmured something.

"Poncy twat."

"I will not dignify that with an answer." Byakuya said, putting his head high in the air, looking especially in a direction that did not involve Ichigo.

"I think you just did. Twat." Ichigo said, also looking elsewhere.

"That is rich, coming from an uncouth oaf like yourself."

"Posh git."

"Ignorant peasant."

"Silk-wearing moron."

"Uncultured bastard."

"What next, are ya gonna call him a poopy-head?" Ikkaku said. "Take it easy, lads- you'll strain your necks, turning them like that."

"You are quite right." Byakuya said. "I shall endeavor henceforth to act as if this beast of a commoner does not exist at all."

"Oh, real mature, my lord, I think I'll learn from that example, my lord." Ichigo said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"At least that'll make it quiet." Yumichika muttered. "Please, boys, relax. Focus on something else, like... well, I don't know, what is it young boys your age like to focus on when you're not acting like you're half your age? Big swords? Pretty girls?"

"They seem more interested in each other." Ikkaku said, grinning. Byakuya and Ichigo made a face, but kept quiet, and the march went on. Some more insults were flung back and forth, but a glare from Kenpachi was enough to silence them.

Eventually, they stopped for the night. The sun hadn't set yet, but it seemed Kenpachi was in no particular hurry. Neither was Ichigo; his feet still hurt like mad from the marching, and a bit of relaxation was welcome, as far as he was concerned. Byakuya hadn't said a word about it, but he looked weary too; something told Ichigo that the posh git wasn't accustomed to long marches.

They all settled in a small clearing, a small ways off the road, with plenty of lush vegetation, and a few small rocks to sit on. Ichigo sat himself down on a round rock, naturally polished, and though it was a hard seat, it was an enormous relief.

"Aaaaaaahh..." He groaned happily.

"Just relax yourself, and I'll get a fire going." Yumichika said. "How do you like rice for supper?"

"Rice is all we get, I take it?" Byakuya said glumly.

"I am afraid so, yes, m'lord." Yumichika said, shrugging. "We're lucky to have it. Our only other option would be to hunt. Do you know how to catch and skin a deer, young lord?"

"...I fear not."

"What's the problem, lord?" Ichigo said. "Too used to fancy, tiny dishes of lark eggs?"

"You would never know-" Byakuya started.

"No." Kenpachi said, stretching himself out on the ground. "No. The two of you ain't fighting here. Get the fuck out of here, and come back when it's time to sleep. I'm restin' up, and I don't want to hear your shit."

The two of them looked at him.

"I said get the fuck out." Kenpachi said firmly. "And if you wander off and get lost, that's your problem."

Deciding not to argue, the both of them walked off. It'd be a couple hours till sundown; it wouldn't take too long.

Wandering aimlessly in roughly the same direction, most definitely not looking at each other, the two of them walked into the forest, no real purpose or goal before them. The twilight made the forest an eerily beautiful place to look at; the last rays of light filtering through the forest canopy, illuminating the bamboo, the leaved trees, in a completely different way. Some things could almost not be seen properly in the light anymore, and being in this strange place made Ichigo forget, for a moment, his sworn feud with Kuchiki Byakuya. It really was an adventure, wasn't it? They'd come all this way, so much further from the castle than he'd ever been... two days, and he was doing all right, wasn't he? In the company of Zaraki Kenpachi, no less. To think that just days before, he'd worried only about the quartermaster's wrath felt wholly absurd, like something out of a different life.

His sense of wonder was disrupted, though, by the source of his petty hatred making himself heard.

"Ichigo, was it?" Byakuya said.

"What do you want?" Ichigo grumbled, frowning, not looking his way. "If you want to continue from this morning, bring it."

"...I would rather avoid it." Byakuya said coldly. "Make no mistake about my intention here- you are a low-born commoner with an arrogance far above your station, but for now, in the interest of peace-"

"Peace meanin' not getting your teeth kicked in by the big man."

There was a slight, rather telling pause.

"...what I mean to say is, let us try and keep somewhat civil when he can hear us."

"Well, he can't hear us now, can he?" Ichigo said, putting his arms behind his head, and turning to face Byakuya. Any excuse, right now, and he was ready to go again. "But sure. I don't fancy getting knocked about any more than you. I mean, I could probably take it better than you, but..."

"Where did you get such confidence, I wonder?" Byakuya said, even colder. "Did your mother not teach you anything like manners?"

"She died when I was six." Ichigo said, shrugging. "So no, I guess."

There was a look on Byakuya's face, and maybe it was just the fading light playing a trick, but he looked rather less resentful- for a moment.

"Even so, you had best make yourself scarce when I take hold of my lands. I will not tolerate insolence."

"I'm betting you ain't tolerant of a whole lot."

Byakuya frowned, and opened his mouth to retort- but kept quiet, looking around him.

"Wot, cat got your tongue?" Ichigo said, smirking. "You know-"

"Quiet!" Byakuya urged. "Can you not hear it?"

"What you mean? You playing some trick-"

"Listen." Byakuya urged, looking deeper into the forest. Ichigo, still wondering what this was- a trick, yeah, to make him look foolish- still primed his ears. He heard not much; a few crickets chirping, the buzzing of a mosquito, the rustling of a small breeze, and...

Somebody crying out for help. Far off and over a hill, but there it was.

"What's that?" He wondered. Byakuya, though, wasn't listening, already heading up the hill to investigate. Determined not to be left behind, Ichigo hurried up, jogging to catch up with the young lord.