AN: okay... you can kill me. I am so sorry that i couldn't upload for such a long time, but i hope that i'll do better in the future.

School has been a pain in the ass, and i'm pretty much covered in work... I'm having an art audition coming up next year and this is so freaking much work! This story had to stay back for a while, but now i'm baaack. I hope you didn't forget about me already. (T_T)

This chapter isn't so special, but the next ones will be better, promise!

Chapter 14 - Chasing

Ichigo sat at his dorm room and stared at his sealed sword. It didn't turn out as he wanted it, but it was far better that his flashy new sword. The blade was definetly longer than a usual sealed sword, and it's colour wasn't so normal as well, since it sticked to the black-and-white colouring, but it wasn't as intense as it used to be. The Kanjis were gone as well.

Ichigo sighed and plopped down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He made it, barely but he made it. The only thing was, that he basically had no clue how to actually use his new "shikai", but right now he didn't care that much, he just was glad not to blow his cover.

There suddenly was a hesitant knock at the door, and Ichigo pushed himself up to open it. Of course, he knew already that Byakuya was standing in front of his door.

"Hey, Ichigo."

"Come in, make yourself comfortable." Ichigo said without looking at his friend, as he went back to his bed and lay down again. Byakuya didn't fail to notice that something was wrong about his friend, and he wanted to talk about it.

"Ichigo, what's wrong? You're so silent today. Aren't you happy that you got your Zanpakuto? I don't understand you…" Byakuya said with a look of concern.

"No, it's not like that… it's just had a rough time, and I'm a little tired from all the stuff we had to do the past week. And my father isn't as nice as he looks. He actually is quite strict." That of course was a lie, but he needed a believeable reason for his bad mood.

At that point Byakuya looked sad himself and he started staring at the floor.

"I know what you mean. My grandfather isn't really interested in me. Only my scores are important for him, nothing else. I'm just a kid who grants him a happy life in his old days, and if I fail, I bring shame on the name of our clan, like my father did…

He didn't listen when I told him what I experienced at the academy, and that we became friends… he just said that he had a clan meting to attend… jerk."

Ichigo was surprised to hear this, since he didn't knew that Byakuyas parents died this early. It reminded him of himself and his mother. It saddened him, to see his friend talking so bad about his family. Ichigo understood now what happened to the Byakuya of his timeline, and why he became so cold. Byakuya became exactly what his grandfather wanted him to be, but it wouldn't happen this time, that Ichigo swore himself.

"Hey, it's okay. Don't worry about that. Just play along until you are the Head of the Kuchiki Clan, until than you have to stay strong, but you have me, you know? If he doesn't care about your feelings, I do. You can tell me." Ichigo said with a warm smile.

It sure sounded cheesy, but he wanted Byakuya to trust him fully, and it seemed to work, because Byaukya suddenly forgot about his sad mood and started to grin, as he started to tell Ichigo everything about his new Zanpkauto, filled with joy. And Ichigo listened.

They talked all night long.

After Byakuya left:

"We're being watched, King." Shiro said with a serious voice.

"I know… He has been following us all day… He always stays a good distance away, but he may be able to overhear all my conversations. Someone's suspicious… "

"Shouldn't we eliminate him?"

"No, it's too early. Just play along and pretend we didn't notice that guy. We have to be careful… But we need to find out who want's to know something, and we won't find out if we kill him already."

A few nights later, in Ichigo's room:

Ichigo layed down on bed, pulled the blanket over his body after a exhausting day of Hakuda practice, since midterm exams came closer and closer. He didn't worry about such things, since he would surely pass with flying colours. This was the first chance of skipping a year or two, and if he could shorten his time here, it would be sooner to take Aizen down from the inside.

One other thing that stayed in his mind the past few days, was the fact that someone was following him all day, and yet he didn't know who was suspicious of him, since he was sure that he didn't blow his cover in any way until now.

His Shikai was something to worry about, too. Byakuya was close to actually getting his, so he was expected to get his soon as well, but he wasn't so confident in his so called Shikai. Shikari just did what he wanted, so he had to concentrate all the time, not to overdo it.

At some point during the night that his follower disappeared, and he decided that this was his chance to do something about it.

"Shiro, I need you for a minute or two, would mind coming out?" Ichigo asked into his mindscape.

In an instant his white counterpart appeared in front of him with a raised eyebrow.

"Ain't we bein' follow'd, King-o?"

"Yes, but he went away for some reason, and I need to talk with Urahara about it. But in case he comes back, someone needs to be here, so wear this and hold still for a second, you're a bit to pale." Ichigo spoke in a haste, before he started to chant some unknown Kido that slightly changed Shiros appearance.

Shiro stared at his hands after he slipped on the first year uniform.

"Well, ain't this creepy? Now we look like twins, he. Now get goin'. Goin' back ta sleep."

Ichigo smirked before he simply disappeared from sight and reappeared in Kisukes Bedroom.

The lights were dimmed, but in an instant he knew that Kisuke wasn't alone, and from the feel of the Reiatsu he knew exactly who it was.

Smirking he searched his was towards the bedroom, before knocking on the door. Without waiting for an answer he went inside, only to find a furiously blushing Kisuke, and a surprised Yoruichi.

"Ehh, not bad Dad, wouldn't have thought you'd be that type of a person."

"I-Ichigo…" Kisuke stuttered.

"Wait… "Dad"? This is your son, Kisuke?" Yoruichi asked the older blonde before she raised herself from bed to greet him properly. The good thing was that she actually covered herself with a blanket.

"My name is Yoruichi Shihouhin, Captain of the Second Division. Finally we meet!" She said with an honest smile on her face.

Ichigo shook her hand before greeting her back.

"Hi, I'm Ichigo, and no, I won't call you "Mom"…"

That left her speechless for a second. She didn't expect the boy to be so cocky, since she was a captain after all.

"Dad, we need to talk, now. It's urgent, I have to get back to the academy before someone notices."

The look on Ichigos face suddenly was dead serious, and Kisuke knew something was up.

"Alright. Would you mind leaving us alone for a while, Yoruichi?"

Youruichi seemed confused at the sudden tension in the room, but she left without complaining.

"What happened, Ichigo?"

"I'm being followed. Someone is following me all day, since a few days, a week at most. Just now he kept a higher distance, so I left Shiro back at the academy in case he is back before I am. I can't do anything suspicious, but would you help me? I need to find out who is suspicious and has someone at my back 24/7. "

"Well. That's unfortunate… I'll do my best Ichigo, but I can't promise that I'll find out anything soon. My Division is packed with new members and there are many researches going on at the moment, I can't just stop working because of that…"

"I understand… Well I just thought I'd be better to let you know. I have to get back now… he's nearing my dorm… I'll see you soon, right? And… "Dad", keep on going with Yoruichi-chan. She's going to be a great wife, but you know that already."

After a quick hug he left and quickly changed places with his hollow again.

Just in time.

Ne next day, noon:

Ichigo groaned and rolled onto his back. He slept like shit after he came back from Seireitei. His dream was filled with terrible nightmares and pictures of the war. Pictures of his friends dying.

He glanced at his watch and groaned again. It was already noon, so he missed already half of his classes. Well, fuck it. He could make it to lunch, if he'd hurry.

A lound knock on his door interrupted his thoughts and he went to open it. In front of him stood a more or less worried looking Kuchiki.

"Where have you been?! I tried waking you up all morning, but you wouldn't open your door." Byakuya said a little agry, but as he took a better look at his best friend he noticed the heavy dark bags under the pale green eyes. His hair looked ruffled, and even more messy than usual. He overall looked like shit.

"Are you okay, Ichigo?"

"Yeah, I'm okay… I just couldn't sleep at all last night. I'm sorry that you had to worry." Ichigo smiled halfheartly at the raven haired student.

"Come on, get dressed or we'll miss lunch."

That was going to be a shitty day.

AN: Please Review! Even though this hasn't been one of the best chapters. The next one is almost finished already! But i try to make it longer as the story continues... We'll see.

3, mspauly.