I KNOW, I KNOW ITS BEEN ALONG TIME SINCE MY LAST UPDATE I AM SO SORRY, REALLY, I'VE JUST BEEN REALLY BUSY LATELY. WELL HOPE YOU LIKE IT.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach at all

JOURNEY

Old Grudges

They stand-alone, powerful, and unchanging there is none that can stand before them. They are not always the strongest or the fastest, defiantly not the smartest but they poses something that is beyond imagination, the ability to stand-up every time when knocked down, they will never be defeated, they are unbeatable. They have the ability to recover from almost any wound, when they are wounded or beaten they come back stronger faster and better than they were before. They are elite; they are the sovereign vanguards of the realm. Before there was a Soul Society they stood. Before the elders of the 4 noble houses formed the guardians of souls known as shinigamis they stood, before anyone learned how to harness the power of a zanpaktou, they stood.

The ledged of this clan is hidden, few know of the truth, they are rebels, ruffians, and brutes; and yet they are also honorable, loyal, and kind. They bow to no king, they fear no enemy, they all every one of them love the thrill of battle.

They are almost unkillable.

They are fierce and aggressive.

None can stand against them.

They shouldn't have such power and yet they do. They shouldn't be able to achieve their level of strength yet they do. They are a mockery of order, they are chaos, they are anarchy, and yet they will die to protect that which they love and hold dear.

Clan Shiba is all these things. The members of this clan have made a name for themselves even outside of Soul Society, all who live in the spirit world know of them, it is even rumored that the first king of Soul Society was a descendant of this clan. But they are not immortal, they are not immune to death's icy touch, so how can he be here, how can he stand here smiling at me, how much more times must I be made to kill him, it is an impossibility, it can't be, it can't him, that one thought replayed over and over again in Rukia's mind as she starred in stunned silence at her Vice-Captain. I killed him, saw him die, felt the blood splatter on my face, it can't be him, it can't be. Over and over Rukia went over the events in her mind, over and over she came to the same conclusion, the Shiba Kaien that stood before her was an imposter. No matter how strong the members of the Shiba clan were he had died, she had seen it, felt his life slip from his body as he lay pressed against her, her zanpaktou piercing his chest.

"DIE," Rukia yelled as tears fell from her face, "DIE," Rukia yelled charging forward at the imposter wearing Kaien's image, "DIE," Rukia yelled as she swung Sode no Shirayuki down on the intruder, she would end this, she would cut down the image of this precious one, the image of her Vice-Captain, the image of the man who looked so much like the man she now loves. "DIE!"

Kaien saw the confusion on Rukia's face, saw her hurt, her pain, her anger, but now was not the time for her to see him, now was not the time for her to know the reason of his miraculous resurrection. He felt the chill of Sode no Shirayuki assault him, saw the speed at which Rukia attacked, she has gotten better, he thought a strange sense of pride willing up within him.

The pure white blade of Sode no Shirayuki shot straight for Kaien. Pain screaming from behind Rukia's lavender eyes as she shot forward. Kaien dodged the blade and then grabbed Rukia's wrest, "Calling forth your Shikai without calling its name, you've gotten stronger."

"Shut up, SHUT UP," Rukia yelled as her tears blurred her vision. She kicked out of his grip and spun, "You do not get to speak, you do not get to breath, First dance, Sode no Shirayuki," a torrent of ice incased Kaien, freezing him solid with that smile still on his face. Rukia fell to her knees in tears.

"How much more times must I kill you Kaien!" Rukia yelled at the frozen man. Rukia sobbed uncontrollably her body shaking with each tear.

None in attendance moved, even more shocking was the look of concern etched into Byakuya's face. Rukia's tears fell in torrents on the ground as she lay curled up at the foot of the frozen image of her beloved Vice Captain, "Why do I have to see you constantly," she whispered, "Is this my punishment, am I to relive this moment for eternity?"

Ichigo watched Rukia fall to the ground, he saw the tears she shed for the man who wore his face. He wanted to go to her, wanted to hold her, to comfort her, but he knew this was not the time to interfere, he knew this was something she had to endure on her own. Pain once again crept into his heart, he once again knew he failed to protect anyone. Ichigo knew that Rukia was not meant to see Kaien yet, but that Kaien showed up to save him, I was saved again, Ichigo thought, as he lowered his head in disgust at how weak he was. She's in pain because of me, because of me her heart has broken.

Ichigo was shocked at himself, when he realized he was hoping to hear his hollow speak to him, to mock him, to ridicule him, but no voice came, he had beaten his hollow half, he had subdued him, and now Ichigo had no one else to blame for his weakness but himself.

"Pathetic," Kuukaku said standing in front of Ichigo, "is this the level of your resolve, have you been broken so easily." She said as she forced Ichigo to raise his head, "You are not a kid anymore, you understand me, Ichigo! You are a member of the Clan Shiba, and we do not allow are family members to wallow in self petty." POOMP, a solid punch landed on Ichigo's chin, causing him to fall to his knees. Kuukaku stood above him her sadistic smile splitting her face almost in half, "If you feel bad for being saved grow stronger, IDIOT. Grow stronger than anyone else so that you never have to be saved again!" She said as she turned to look at the frozen image of her brother.

"How much more times, how much more times must I endure your death by my hands," Rukia said through sobs, "I can't bare it, I'm not strong enough." As Rukia lay on the ground crying she failed to see the ice slowly beginning to melt into beads of water. The beads of water clung together forming a stream of water, and then suddenly the ice block fell.

Cold water rushed over Rukia's prone body, jarring her from her sorrow. She looked up her violet eyes still red from tears, "Oi, Rukia you're a member of the 13th Division, you should know that you never take your eyes off the enemy."

The water flowed around Rukia, pushing her to her feet. She stared at the man's face. He's a fake, it can't be him, I killed him, he's dead, because of me he's dead. Rukia trembled under the onslaught of power that flowed from the man that stood before her. Why isn't anyone attacking him, why are they all just standing looking at this imposter, "Captain please kill him!" Rukia shouted at Ukitake, "Kuukaku-sama please he's stealing your brother's image. Someone please, PLEASE," Rukia shouted.

Kaien smiled at her as she stood there screaming for aid, tears falling from her eyes, "Rukia, I'm sorry, you were never suppose to see me." Kaien said as he drew Rukia into an embrace. Rukia struggled to free herself, but he was to strong, he held her close, "Rukia there are things you don't know, things you were never suppose to know."

"No, no I killed you, your blood…." Rukia began to sob in Kaien's chest, "The ninth espada, he used, he used, you can't be him.."

Kaien smiled down on the weeping shinigami, "Now is not the time for you to understand…Sleep my friend." Kaien placed his hand on Rukia's head. Her eyes rolled back and she slumped to the ground unconscious. "Oi, Ichigo…"

"Ya, I got it," Ichigo said as he turned to look at Kaien.

Kaien smiled and then vanished from view. Kuukaku nodded at Ichigo and turned back to look at the Captain-Commander, he stood there stoic his expression as unreadable as it ever was, "So Yamamoto, will you kill Ichigo?"

Yamamoto breathed heavily as he stroked his long white beard, "Ichigo is a shinigami, and as such he falls under our laws and jurisdiction, just as your two brothers do."

"Did," Kuukaku pointed out, "The correct phrase is just as my two brothers did, Yamamoto."

"By, what right do you have to speak to the Captain-Commander in such a way," Byakuya asked in a cold voice.

"Right," Kuukaku said as she glared at Byakuya, "what right," Kuukaku said again her gaze burning a hole through Byakuya, "Do not presume because you come from a noble family that you are on even terms with the Shiba Clan."

Byakuya did not turn from Kuukaku's gaze. He met her fiery stare with one of cold ice, "You're reputation and strength precedes you Kuukaku," He began, "but do not think for a moment that you may come here and mock our way of life with your uncouth behavior."

"Oh, will clan Kuchiki, finally make a declaration of war against Shiba?" Kuukaku smiled her, eyes gleaming with delight.

"You, peasant you are not even fit to breath the same air as me," Byakuya said as he moved closer to Kuukaku.

Yoruichi jumped in-between Kuukaku and Byakuya, "And, what of me little Byakuya," Yoruichi said, an uncustomary serious look on her face. "Know this that if you move against Kuukaku, Clan Shibouin will stand behind Shiba."

Byakuya starred at Yoruichi, a small sneer forming on his lips, "How much longer will you disgrace your family, Yoruichi?" he said as his cold gray eyes met hers.

Ichigo starred at the three people standing before him, aware that more was being discussed between them, then just their status. He looked back at Yamamoto, the old man just stood there with his eyes closed, stroking his beard, "Captain-Commander," Ichigo said, causing everyone to turn and look, "Will you hear me."

Yamamoto turned in Ichigo's direction his eyes still shut tight, "What is it you have to say."

"I am… I want to be a shinigami…" Ichigo said quietly. Kuukaku turned to look at Ichigo a strange look on her face, "However I can not stay right now," Ichigo said his amber eyes set with inner strength. "There are things that I must find out." Ichigo paused and mustered up his courage, "And there are also things about the Gotei 13 that I cannot abide by," he finished hoping his voice didn't sound nearly as shaky as he thought it did.

Yamamoto was shocked at Ichigo's last statement, "What do you know of this?"

"Not much," Ichigo answered, "But the betrayal of my father, Urahara, and the Vizords speak volumes to me," Ichigo said surprised at his own boldness.

"Do not speak of things you know nothing of," Toushirou said coolly.

"I know enough," Ichigo said turning to look at the young captain. "And what is to happen to me?" Ichigo said as he turned to look at everyone in attendance, "The running theme of Soul Society seems to be that only banishment or death is given as a reward for those who fall in the line of duty."

"Enough!" Yamamoto shouted, the shear force of his voice causing Ichigo to stagger backwards, "You cannot be allowed to disturb the peace of…."

"There is NO PEACE," Ichigo shouted back, can't you see that," Ichigo said as he tried to move forward, "Aizen, grew in power because he knew, HE KNEW the leadership would rather ignore things than settle them. He knew he could work in secret because no one was willing to dig to find the answers. Will you wait, will you wait tell someone like Aizen rises again?"

Yamamoto opened his eyes and looked at Ichigo. The spiritual pressure from Yamamoto's stare almost caused Ichigo to collapse on the ground, but Ichigo refused to buckle, refused to yield, "What do you know of our laws, our ways, Kurosaki? What do you know of the secrets kept for the protection of many? Yes, some have suffered unjustly I admit, but the safety of a few cannot justify the risk of many." Yamamoto's body seemed to glow with power, "I say again either submit to our laws or face the consequences."

Ichigo felt the mask beginning to form on his face. He had to use every ounce of willpower to keep it at bay as he struggled to remain standing under Yamamoto's stare, "Then I'm sorry old man," Ichigo said gripping Zangetsu tightly, "I will not submit to your laws."

Yamamoto closed his eyes and sighed. His zanpaktou flared back to life, its fire singeing Ichigo's skin. Yamamoto moved to strike but his blade was blocked by a short, pure black zanpaktou. Yoruichi smiled at Yamamoto her zanpaktou glowing under the heat, "With Chamber 46 destroyed, the Gotei 13 falls under the direct control of the 4 noble families," she said with a smile, "And as head of one of those families I grant Kurosaki a reprieve."

Yamamoto starred at the woman who blocked his sword. Her crocked smile always so confident always so mischievous, he couldn't help but feel somewhat proud at the woman who stood before him. "Shibouin, you do not have the authority to make a judgment like that." Yamamoto said in a calm voice, "Your status in the Court of Pure Souls at best is highly debatable, and why your house has not removed you from your position, your position within the 13 protective squads has been."

"True," Yoruichi said with a smile, "And yet I still say Ichigo and Karin Shiba are under the protection of the Shibouin house."

Yamamoto closed his eyes once again and withdrew his zanpaktou, "Will you continue to be a source of unrest, Yoruichi."

"I have a proposal," Yoruichi said ignoring Yamamoto's last statement.

Yamamoto stroked his beard pondering what Yoruichi could be thinking. "You have a delusion of grander, Yoruichi," Byakuya said as he moved to stand behind Yamamoto, his zanpaktou at the ready.

Karin had stood back up from the ground and moved to stand behind Ichigo, her enormous zanpaktou tightly gripped in her hands, "Ichi, what's going to happen?"

Ichigo didn't answer his sister, because honestly he didn't know. His hand absent mindedly moved toward the small charm his father gave him, If you ever need me, truly need me break it, Ichigo remembered his Isshin's words, Ichigo was about to break it, but decided against it when he saw Kuukaku starring at him. "Just stay close to me, Karin."

Rukia stirred in Ichigo's arms. Slowly she opened her eyes and froze, no he's still here, she thought with fright before she noticed the bright orange hair of Ichigo. Rukia relaxed when she realized who was holding her, and then she tensed when the situation came crashing back to her, "Ichigo let me go." Rukia said.

Ichigo looked at her, "Are you well enough to stand?"

"Don't be an Idiot, drop me."

"Fine," Ichigo said a bit irritated. THUD, Rukia hit the ground hard.

"What the hell, ICHIGO!" Rukia blurted out.

"You said drop you, so I dropped you," Ichigo smiled.

"You idiot," Rukia shouted as she glared at Ichigo. Both of her and Ichigo glared at each other momentarily forgetting their surroundings, "You pompous stupid, boy."

"Big words coming from a pint sized midget," Ichigo shot back.

Byakuya starred in shock at the orange haired boy who dared speak to a Kuchiki. Ichigo had no fear of his surroundings as he continued his pointless conversation with Rukia, the boys very life is at stake and he is more engaged with Rukia, As hard as Byakuya tried he still could not figure out this brash young man.

"I proposed a compromise," Yoruichi continued to Yamamoto. "Give Ichigo sometime off, consider this personal leave."

Yamamoto stroked his beard, "Unacceptable, we both know what he will be seeking, and the dangers involved in such a hunt. I cannot allow one as powerful as he too…"

"That is why I propose you send someone who is a member of the 13 protective squads and a member of one of the 4 noble families with him."

Byakuya immediately stepped out from behind Yamamoto, "I accept this mission," he said bowing low.

"No, little Byakuya, not you," Yoruichi said smiling, "You're a captain and have far too much responsibilities here."

Byakuya glared at Yoruichi knowing the only other member she could be thinking of, "She is not goin……."

"I propose Kuchiki Rukia," Yoruichi said to Yamamoto as she winked at Byakuya.

Yamamoto pondered this last suggestion from Yoruichi, "I mean think of it, she is loyal to the Gotei 13, she is highly efficient in her abilities, and her connection to Ichigo is well, it's quite obvious."

Yamamoto nodded his head, "Very well, the young Kuchiki will accompany Ichigo, under the understanding that when this is finally finished Ichigo will finally…"

"He will finally nothing, his decision will remain his own," Kuukaku butted in, "If he is not allowed than Clan Shiba will formally declare open war against the protective squads." She said smiling at Yamamoto.

Yamamoto starred at Kuukaku, "Will you be willing to go that far for one man?"

"The question is would you be willing to go that far for your old ideas."

The two starred at each other for a long while, before Yamamoto shook his head, "Ichigo will submit to our laws or he will be judged."

Kuukaku opened her mouth to say something when Ichigo cut her off, "If I will be allowed to do this, than I swear that I will officially come under the laws of the 13." He said starring at Yamamoto with Rukia standing beside him.

Yamamoto stroked his beard, "Very well, I will allow it." He said and then vanished.

One by one everyone each captain left the barren cliff top, tell only Byakuya and Toshiro remaind. Byakuya starred at Rukia, "Nii-sama," Rukia whispered.

"The order has been given, do as you see fit," Byakuya said as he turned and left. Rukia put her head down slightly when she noticed two brown traveling cloaks at her feet. She smiled.

"What will you do Karin," Toshiro asked, ignoring the glare Ichigo was giving him.

"I don't know," Karin said as she looked to her brother.

"She will attend the academy under the supervision of myself." Yoruichi said.

Ichigo opened his mouth to argue, but Kuukaku cut him off, "The dangers at hand will be real, she will train here."

Karin grabbed Ichigo's hand. Ichigo looked down at his sister and smiled, "I will not have her become some pawn, for them."

"Of course she won't," Kuukaku said, "She will train at the academy but she will stay with her family, the Shiba Clan.

"She also will be accepted within the 10th squad compound," Toshiro said in a monotone voice.

Ichigo glared at him, "What is your inters…" But he was cut off when a tare opened up in the sky and a yellow beam of light encompassed him and Rukia.

I hope you guys liked it please R&R. Updates to Fustration coming soon as well