Discaimer: I don't own Bleach, but if I did Orihime would not be alive and Rukia would be A LOT more useful!

I just want to say that I am a HORRIBLE author for a site like this. I often have writer's block and I don't keep my updating promises. You all must hate me! But I won't cry, I'll just try and try again to update as much as I can.

I am aware that school is starting back up (classes start tomorrow for me) and that I will most likely have a couple of updates throughout the year. (Strangely I find it easy to write in a classroom setting.) So look forward to it!

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for reading this story, review, and or favorite-ing it. One day I hope to write a book so that all of you readers out there can buy it and become even bigger fans of my works! Thanks and keep reading!

Note: By now you guys should know what all the japanese means. If I put something new in I will put the translation next to it. (I got a couple of reviews for that)

NOW ONWARDS

Kurosaki Ichigo was usually a merciful, responsible, and understanding person. He looked after his sisters, protected his friends, and tried his hardest to make friends from foes. But there was just one person in his life that just didn't fall under a category to his liking.

His name was Kurosaki Isshin.

He was eccentric, he was bold, and regrettably he was his father.

Ichigo sat on the couch trying to drown out the dull ramblings of his father that most likely had nothing, whatsoever, to do with him. In hopes of escaping the unrelated monologue he closed his eyes and put on a pair of stereo headphones, the music drowning out his thoughts and surroundings.

Kurosaki Isshin wasn't the fool he played out to be and everyone believed he was. In fact, he knew just about everything that went on in his children's lives. They just weren't aware. His greatest past-time was, of course, annoying the hell out of his only son. He believed his reactions were so cute but those thoughts would never make it past the random poster of his beloved Masaki he usually hung up for confessions. He glanced at his son and smiled knowingly.

'Masaki, Ichigo has grown up so much in the blink of an eye. He has taken up so much. I'm sure he'll make up proud.' And just as quickly as the thought had come it passed and an evil grin spread on his face.

"ICHI~GO!"

College.

It wasn't like Ichigo hated it, but he didn't particularly like it either. The only redeeming quality was the calming ambience of the classroom and the occasional meeting up of old friends. He had decided that keeping to as few acquaintances as possible to smoothly transition into his new lifestyle was the best option. Being in a position of absolute authority and studying for a medical degree was not an easy task. The fewer distractions, the better.

About an hour later found the boy sitting in the lounge of the student union building trying to concentrate on the Anatomy textbook before him, with no luck of completing said task. He sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly.

"Not getting enough sleep, Kurosaki?" inquired the all too familiar voice of Ishida Uryuu. Ichigo looked up at the figure before him and gave a half-hearted smile.

The Quincy hadn't changed much unless you count the longer hair at the nape of his neck, which had been gathered into a low ponytail and the girlfriend. He hadn't lost his love of pointing out Ichigo's obvious flaws or his competitive streak that said orange-haired usually ignored.

"'Sup, Ishida? Still as observant as ever." He stated in a casual tone. Ishida gave him a somewhat concerned gaze before taking a seat across from him.

"And you're still as inadequate at spirit perception as usual, but that's not what I came to talk to you about." He replied pushing up the rim of his rectangular spectacles. Ichigo raised a brow.

"Oh? You actually came to talk to me about something other than my lack of awareness? This must be serious."

"Urusai, Kurosaki! You sarcasm will get you nowhere. Actually, I heard that our term paper is due in a couple weeks and was wondering if you actually remembered to even start it." Ichigo gave him a blank look that clearly stated he didn't. The Quincy sighed.

"I've also noticed your lack of academic attendance for the past couple of months. I wasn't going to bring it up but Orihime has been worried and you know how she gets when she worries." Ichigo's gaze veered off to the side as he sighed. Yeah, he knew.

"I have to say that I am also a little curious about your random disappearances. You barely managed to graduate with average grades with that porn addict replacement." Slowly Ichigo brought his gaze to meet his temperamental friend's and shrugged lightly.

"Don't worry, I'll do it. And as for the disappearances, they won't happen as often but I will be gone from time to time." Ishida gave him a confused expression.

"Does this have to do with Shinigami business?"

"Yeah, I've recently acquired a…position of authority, so things are going to be weird for a bit. Can I count on you to keep things…normal around here when I'm gone?"

Most of the time Ishida Uryuu would protest with a claim about 'the Pride of the Quincy' before accepting the request of a Shinigami, but over the years he had slowly began to accept the changes between the two groups and considered Kurosaki Ichigo to be a dear friend, among others. Though he would never say that aloud.

The darker haired boy gave a wary glance before nodding.

"Yeah."

To say he was nervous was an understatement. Today would be his first public appearance as Kurosaki Ichigo, Soutaichou of the Gotei 13 and not Substitute Shinigami.

Yeah, the pressure was on.

Shiro looked at Ichigo from the corner of his eye before rolling them and proceeded to kick said person in the back of the knees. The action caused the new captain to face plant through the academy doors thoroughly running any respect the students had of their image of him.

It took a second before Ichigo could comprehend what had just happened. Once the situation sunk in, several anger tick marks made their appearance as he stood and turned angrily to his vice-captain.

"TEME! What the hell was that for?" he yelled angrily all etiquette thrown out the window. Shiro Shrugged and walked passed him unconcerned and uninterested in anything concerning his other half.

The students in the assembly hall didn't know what to say or how to react to what just transpired between the two bickering entrants.

'Was one of them really their new Captain-Commander?'

'Why did one closely resemble that of a Hollow?'

'Were they really powerful?' Were a couple of thoughts that travelled their mind.

"Yare, yare, Ichigo-kun. Anger is not the answer. I'm sure Shiro-kun was only trying to lighten the mood. You looked like you were ready to flee in the other direction." Laughed the 8th division captain. Ukitake stood next to him with a denial smile while Shiro scoffed and gazed off to some unknown spot absentmindedly cleaning out his ear.

Ichigo nodded and took the chance to calm his emotions before continuing his duties. He has to admit that the little stunt did calm his nervousness and helped him to be more at ease with the surroundings. He smirked and faced the students.

"I know I don't look like much but just don't piss me off or cause too much trouble. Too much paperwork is not what I need at the moment." The young man said seriously only to gain a cough from his advisors to be a bit more amiable. He sweat dropped and re-thought his speech.

"….Is what a horrible captain would say and I am most definitely not a horrible captain….I think." The silent that followed only assured his failure to give a good speech before letting out a frustrated grunt.

"Okay, so I'm not the best spokesperson. Give me a break. Recently, my life has taken a huge turn, for better or worse, I'm not sure yet. What I do know is that I chose this path willingly and am determined to walk it with pride. With the support both here and in the living world, I'm sure I can get through this. We can get through this…together. My goal is to help Soul society recover from the major blows it has taken these last couple of years. With your help we will fill in the gaps others have left and make Soul Society an even stronger source of protection." He explained. After a moment the hall erupted into thunderous cheers of approval. The orange-haired young man chuckled and scratched the back of his head in mild embarrassment.

"It seems you aren't completely incompetent, Aibou." Stated the Hollow with a smirk. Of course, he has to shit on his parade. He wouldn't be who he was if he didn't. Ichigo silently wondered if the Hollow really was a reflection of his inner self. If he was, he realized, he was a real asshole.

When everyone had calmed down, the student were escorted back to their respective classes, all the while talking about the new Soutaichou and what kind of changes were going to be made. Ichigo watched certain students closely; ones that displayed potential to rising in the ranks.

Once everyone had left Ichigo walked down the many hallways not really knowing his way around but noting that he was going in a good direction. Walking beside him, Captain Ukitake produced a pad of numerous papers and shoved them into his hands. Ichigo gazed at the stack in confused before tuning in to the sickly captain's explanation.

"Ichigo-kun, as you can see, I've taken the liberty of gathering information on the squads that have positions that require filling and potential candidates from the academy." Ichigo nodded after a moment and handed the wad of paper back to his advisor.

"Arigatou, Ukitake-san, but I won't really need it." He smiled lightly catching the older man off guard.

"I'll be choosing the replacements my way." With that said Ichigo entered the training grounds leaving his advisors somewhat uneasy.