Disclaimer: I don't not in any way own Bleach or its characters. I do, however, own Ichigo's extended powers.
SI89: I have come to realize that many people do, indeed, like this story seeing a many have saved it to their alerts list. But it would help me out to you actually reviewed. I would like some feedback, ya know? Well, hope you enjoy this chapter. Sorry it came out so late. I tried to get it out Tuesday but realized I only had two pages written so yeah, took me a while. Well, onwards!!!
Coming back to reality, Ichigo's brown eyes snapped open in blatant horror as red dotted his face and dominated his vision. He wasn't sure what had happened but he was aware that Shiro's incessant laughter had much to do with it. Yamamoto coughed causing blood to spray and drip down his chin. Concern took control of the younger shinigami's body as he made to run over to the dying Soutaichou. Before he could get very far he was blocked by two familiar figures.
"Ukitake-san!? Kyōraku-san?!" the two stood before him with sad, apologetic faces that caused the confused young man to feel utterly guilty. It did not mean for it to go this far.
"What have I done?" he mouthed in shock, falling to his knees. The two captains helped up their teacher up and over to the grieving youth.
"Grieve not, Ichigo, for I expected such a result." Ichigo's head snapped up at the bleeding elder. Yamamoto gave him a sincere grandfather-type smile.
"This is not your fault. I actually planned this as an outcome for your future." Ichigo stood and met the man eye to eye with a confused gaze.
"Doushite? [1]" Yamamoto sighed, coughing more.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, I have deemed you my successor of the Soutaichou position and the leader of the Gotei 13. With Jūshirō-kun and Shunsui-kun as valid witnesses to this battle, and my written Will in the hands of SasakibeChōjirō, no one will protest." Yamamoto explained to the best of his ability. He could feel his body going numb from the loss of blood and many lacerations created by Ichigo's last attack.
Ichigo didn't react to the overload of information and new responsibilities. He realized that it was incredibly unfair to select him for something he had no interest in let alone on say in the matter. Most this seemed to be that way as of late. Even his father had decided among himself that Ichigo was going to attend Medical School, even though he had already decided to do so in order to take over the family clinic. It was almost like he didn't have any control over his life anymore.
"Why didn't you tell me about this before?" he questioned.
"Because I knew you would reject the idea and see nothing but your own inabilities to command numerous squads. But being a good commander does not solely depend on giving out orders. You must care about those who follow you, which you do. Be steadfast in your beliefs, which you are. And to know what it takes to protect those close to you, which you know naturally." Yamamoto explained hoarsely, his vision blurry, and the cold creeping rapidly as if it had been waiting for the moment for a long time.
"Jūshirō-kun and Shunsui-kun will help you, of course, seeing as there is no more Central 46. They are my students and I trust them. I trust you as well, Ichigo, to lead Seireitei and Soul Society to a bright future." Shakily he held his hand up to the young shinigami whom grasped the hand firmly.
"Promise me…Ichigo…." The words were forced due to him using nearly the last of his strength as his eyes drooped closed.
"I will, Ojii-san. I'll try to make you proud." A final smiled graced the old man's face as the dark hand grasped it victim. Ichigo bowed his head and held back the raw emotions that threatened to take hold. The two captains watched in sympathetic awe. The boy, to say the least was inspiring and selfless.
After a few moments Ukitake pulled an envelope from his robes and handed to orange-haired shinigami. Ichigo looked at them in confusion. They gave him a somewhat sad but encouraging smile.
"You should go home and rest. We'll take care of this here for a while. I'm sure you want to mull things over after reading that." Said the slightly perverted captain before they flash stepped away with the deceased Soutaichou's body. Ichigo gazed at the note and sighed tiredly, afraid he might have committed himself to something he couldn't handle.
Placing the note in his robes he took his katana and stabbed the air. Twisting it like a key in a lock the rice paper and bamboo doors opened revealing the door to the living world. He stepped through with little hesitation briefly wondering what everyone was up to while he had been away. Had they noticed his absence? How did they cover for him at school? Were his sisters worried? The thoughts sent his brain into and frenzy, causing him to feel the exhaustion of the past few months.
It wasn't long before he stepped foot on the soil so familiar to him even the air was an instant comfort for his frazzled nerves. He closed his eyes and relished in the feeling of his town, his home. Opening his eyes with a slow exhale of breath, he realized the sun was setting painting the sky an array of orange, reds, and gold. The sight made him slightly less depressed.
His first destination in mind was Urahara's shop but the thought of seeing his family was a better sway on his mind. His feet moved in a direction on their own, walking the familiar paths toward his house. Each street held a pleasant atmosphere that he hadn't really taken the time to appreciate since that fateful day that turned him into a shinigami, but he had no regrets. He'd met many interesting people, battled strong opponents, and changed so many lives he didn't know if he wanted to count the numbers. Without noticing, he had halted in front of the house he hadn't seen for several months.
"I wonder…." He murmured strolling to the side of the two-story and looked up at the window to his room. To his chagrin the said window was closed even though he clearly told Kon to keep it open for his return. His eye twitched involuntary.
"Damn you, Kon!!" he cursed, the stupid Mod Soul was going to get it once he was back in his body. Shaking his murderous thought away he used hohō [2] to float up to the window and proceeded to walk through the wall. The sensation was still a tad uncomfortable but it was his only choice.
The scene before him was a cause for the orange-haired shinigami to acquire a permanent twitch in his left eye. There, in his bed, was Kon (in his body) snoring loudly with a visible snot bubble. Ichigo growled lowly took his Shinigami Substitute badge and rammed it into the chest of his body. The soul transfer so quick Kon barely realized he was awake back in the stuffed toy lion and being glared a fiercely by a pissed teenager.
Kon blinked a few times to remove the sleep and screamed while wriggling uselessly in Ichigo's grip. Annoyed and to shut up the Mod Soul, Ichigo threw the toy down with great force and stomped down on its head, effectively muting the screams.
"Teme, didn't I tell you to leave the damn window open?! You're so useless!!!" he hissed. Getting bored pretty fast and glad for the instant stress reliever, Ichigo sighed and sat on the bed after turning on the light. It felt good to be back in his body, albeit it felt weird at first, but it was his. He rotated his shoulders reflexively, as Kon looked up at him with false angry tears.
"H-how could you do this to me!!?" he cried getting up to make his way over to the teen, who seemed to be ignoring him. Angered more, Kon climbed the bed post and up to Ichigo's chest when he had lay down on his back to stare blankly at the ceiling. He then proceeded to rapidly punch the human with all his stuffed toy strength, not that it did much.
"Listen to me, damn you!!"
"Kon, not now." Sensing his friend's unease, Kon paused in his ministrations and looked at the boy in confusion.
"Ne, Ichigo? Daijoubu desu ka?"
"Ah, just thinking. A lot has happened in the last couple of months." Was the answer. Kon ceased his questioning and decided that the simple tilt of his head was enough to indicate his confusion. Ichigo gave his best reassuring smile to the stuffed lion.
"I'm fine, Kon, really. Just fine…." His voice trailed into thought as he remembered the letter that was given to him and abruptly sat up causing the Mod Soul plushie to tumble to the floor.
"Hey!" as the toy got up to re-reprimand the orange-haired teen of his mistreatment, Isshin, Ichigo's father, chose that moment to burst into the room quite excitedly.
"Ichigooooooooo!!!" he proceeded to imitate a drop kick on his son which, by reflex, was quickly dodged and countered with a powerful straight punch to the face. The hit made the older man fly back into the closet door knocking it out of frame. He recovered quickly, standing with a bloody nose; hands on hips in a sort of Superman pose, chuckling.
"It seems my training has made you stronger, my son!" he exclaimed proudly, throwing his head back in a fit of laughter. Ichigo glared irately at his father.
"Aho [3]! What the hell is your problem, barging in my room uninvited, and trying to kill me no less." Ichigo shouted. He then sighed, holding his head. He could feel a migraine coming about. Isshin paid no attention to his son's scolding and continued to laugh heartily at nothing in particular.
"I just came wish you good night in a fatherly manner." He said makin his way out the door.
"WHAT KIND OF FATHER ATTEMPTS TO DROP KICK HIS SON AS A 'GOOD NIGHT' GREETING?!!"Isshin waved off the rebuttal. Before closing the door all the way he turned back to his son grinning amused.
"As the EXCELLENT father that I am, I will also take it upon myself to wake you in the same manner." With that the door was slammed shut in defense from the incoming stuffed lion missile that came in hard contact with the door. Isshin's laughter could be heard despite the barrier.
Ichigo sighed and resumed his position on the bed holding the letter above toward the ceiling. Kon gazed questionably at the letter with interest.
"What's that?" the inquiry hung in the air a bit before being answered.
"The final words of Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni, Soutaichou of the Gotei 13."
The atmosphere became tense as he broke the wax seal.
[1] Doushite: Why?
[2] hohō: By collecting and solidifying spirit particles beneath their feet, Shinigami can gain traction on thin air to either freely move about or to stop themselves from falling.
[3] Aho: Asshole