Warnings: the same as the last.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Bleach.
"I see," said a long white hair man sitting in a bed. Across from him was his best friend Shunsui Kyoraku and a raven hair woman that was married to one of his ex-students, Hisana. "I wouldn't think that Byakuya would say such things or would stoop low enough to kidnap someone, especially someone who had nothing to do with the bad blood between Kingdoms."
"True, but you have to admit that the old man did hit the royal family of Kuro hard. Ichigo looks just like their youngest and having gotten attach to him already; having to see him dead or used against them would have done a lot of damage." Said Kyoraku. "But seeing how the White Prince came after him I can say without a doubt that Old Man Yama might beginning to bite off more than he can chew."
"Yes and that's what worries me," Ukitake said. "It would be best to send them on their way before their presence in the country causes more trouble." Turning to Hisana and giving her a small smile. "I would also recommend that you should go into hiding until everything blows over. I'll send Rukia with you until you find a place."
"Thank you Ukitake-san, but I would like to stay and help at least until Ichigo-san and the others are safely on their way." Hisana said.
"but-
"That should be fine we could always use another set of hands with the healers." Kyoraku interrupted.
Jushiro looked at his friend before sighing in defeat. He knew that arguing with him was a useless endeavor. He was worried about letting Hisana stay, with her health the stress could send her into a relapse. He should know since he has been commanding most of the time while recovering in bed.
"Well if that's what you wish to do," he says. "I guess the only thing to do is to wait until those boys wake up and see if we can get them home."
"Way ahead of you Ju-chan," Kyoraku smiled at the exasperated look the other sent his way. "I was able to find out that certain people are waiting for them at the broader so I sent them a message. Shinji and his group should be at the new meeting point by next week. Plenty of time for young Princeling to get there."
"If you wish I could be the one to look after them then. Since they already know me and Ichigo, Grimmjow, and Severn are the least injured. Prince Shiro however, I don't know if he would be able to walk in that time-frame." Hisana offered but at the mention of the Prince bite her bottom lip.
Sighing Kyoraku looked to his friend who smiled and nodded. "Well I guess we could part with one small cart and find a harness that, uh Severn?" getting a nod from Hisana. "Could fit then that should keep the Princeling from doing himself more damage. But Hisana, you haven't told us how three out of four got injured but Ichigo hardly has a scratch on him."
"Um," Hisana domineer had changed and the two men took notice that she seems reluctant to say anything about the reason that the orangette wasn't hurt. "It is hard to explain and I don't know much I'm afraid. Grimmjow-san would be better since he was the closest one."
Jushiro seeing the woman's paling features stop Kyoraku from asking anymore question. Smiling so to calm the woman he wanted to change the subject.
"That may be best, so what other news can you tell us before you relocated."
Hisana sent him a grateful smile of her own before telling them all the gossip and news that she came across.
oOooOooOooOooOo
Waking up to unfamiliar ceilings should be something Ichigo was use too by now as well as his body feeling like he just got over a bad case of the flu. While he didn't see any injuries he sure felt them. The worst was the area on his back where the new wings a burst from though he was glad that at the moment the wings weren't there. He didn't want anything extra hurting.
"ugg remind me not to do that again," Ichigo said to himself.
"We would but we doubt that you would listen," Shiro pipe in.
"It is true, if it is for those you care for you would do it again as many times as you could." Quincy Zangetsu added.
"Whatever I don't think I could use that form again; I don't know how I did this time." Sending a questioning look to the two others spirits who only shrug back. "Great so it's like before I got a handle on my powers. Another time bomb."
"It may not be as bad Ichigo," Zangetsu said.
"How so?"
"This new power isn't like your hollow abilities but more of your Quincy ones." Zangetsu finished. "So it's not as volatile
"So your saying that I could get use to the wings better then when I was using the mask?" getting another shrug Ichigo lets out an irritated sigh. "Just perfect, I have a feeling that I am going to be in Johns care again before long and I know that Shiro's family would tell me to stay until I learn how to use them properly before leaving like I want too."
"That might be wise," Quincy Zangetsu said before going silent. But Shiro was not one to know when to stop.
"Ya know that they see you as family right?"
"Yeah I know but it just doesn't…it well…I DON'T KNOW," Ichigo shouted but not loud enough to be heard from the outside. "They look like people I knew, well except Kaien but that's beside the point, I just don't feel right about, yet."
"They won't let you go that easily," Shiro added before shutting down the link they had leaving Ichigo to his thoughts.
"tell me something I don't know hollow," he whispers before turning over onto this side.
In a bed two rows over a fully awake Grimmjow heard Ichigo's little conversation to himself or at least that what it sounded like to him. The bluenette waited until he heard Ichigo's slow even breaths indicating that he had fallen asleep before sitting up and getting out of his bed to check up on his prince. Severn he noted was nowhere to be seen but he doubts the guardian would be too far away. Sighing he takes a seat next to Shiro's bed keeping his back to both boys and his eyes on the tents opening. He didn't have his sword so he could only count on his fist and Severn to come bail him out if their new hosts weren't the friendliest group around.
"When we get back I am locking both of you up," Grimmjow mutters glaring pointedly at the two sleeping men. "You two attract trouble like a dog does fleas."
Grimmjow could swear that the two heard him if the grin on Shiro face and the scowl on Ichigo's were any indication. "Well you both do," he argued before frowning. "Great I am starting to sound like a loon."
"Well I might agree with you if Ichi didn't talk to himself on occasion," a raspy voice came from behind him.
Grimmjow whip his head around and grin at the still daze but awake Shiro. Grimmjow came to stand by the bed mostly to help his friend sit up without undoing all the healing Hisana had done.
"Yeah I guess then that I don't have to worry then," Grimmjow said. "Shiro you look like shit."
"Feel like it," the white being grumble. "I'm guessing since you're not cover in blood and guts or not trying to drag me away we are out of danger. How is Ichigo? He isn't hurt is he?"
"Yes and no."
"Come again?"
"Yes we are technically out of danger but we are currently in the rebel forces camp and you are too injured to move yet." Grimmjow said. "Ichigo is find it's a long story and I'll tell ya later but he doesn't even have anything scratches from his little tussle."
"That's good," Shiro sighs. "Anything else?"
"That's what we like to know too young Princeling," a smooth baritone said from the tents entrance.
Grimmjow recognized the man he doubts that anyone could forget someone like him. Shunsui Kyoraku was still wearing the hat and pink but this time he was accompany by a white hair man who was somewhat the opposite. Where Kyoraku was loud the white hair man was soft. The man was dangerous Grimmjow concluded many would drop their guard but Grimm could feel the power rolling off of the man.
"ah! How rude of me let me introduce my best friend and the ex-captain of the Sereitiei Jushiro Ukitake."
"Too loud," Ichigo answer sleepily before a pillow came flying nearly hitting Kyoraku in the head.
The man just laughs before leading his friend over to a chair between Ichigo and Shiro. Ichigo who had started to bury himself in his blankets growled when the brunettes shadow fell over him.
"Now now is that anyway to treat people who are trying to help you," Kyoraku said with a smiled not in the least bit intimidated by Ichigo's growling.
"Only if that person is trying to wake me up like you are everyone else I have no problem with." Ichigo's muffle voice said through the blanket.
His retort had Shiro trying to hold his snorts and Jushiro was quietly laughing. Grimmjow had belt out a laugh with Kyoraku.
"not much of a morning person, that's fine you can listen while I talk to the young Princeling." Turning towards the still snickering Shiro who once he found that all eyes were on him stop and composed himself.
"What did ya want to know?"
"Oh not much just your side of the story that Hisana couldn't tell us then your bodyguard can tell us what you can't." the man said.
"Then once you have recovered we will let you head back to your country." Jushiro added, "We have already sent word to Shinji to meet up with you at another area that is ways south of here but its closer than the route that you came in is." Noticing the looks from the two others he chuckled, "Yes we I know who Shinji is we go way back before he moved over to your country."
The two Kuronites were surprise that the rebels knew Shinji. Ichigo poke his head out of his cocoon looking between the four before settling his gaze on Jushiro. Said man just smiled at him.
"I think that I am getting desensitized of seeing people I know," the orangette mutter out loud.
"Oh and how would you know us? we are a good decade older then you."
"An even longer story then the one you're about to hear." Ichigo said before taking to sitting on the edge of the bed resting his elbows on his knees. "But I think that you want to hear about what happen with Byakuya first."
"True true alright little Prince you go first since you were unconscious half the time."
Grumbling Shiro started when he ended Grimmjow took up with Ichigo throwing in a word or two. When it was Ichigo's turn food had shown up so before he started he ate a little then started at the Winter Ball and going from there. With the exception of Jushiro he had the other three either snorting or snickering at certain points. The white hair man smiled sympathetically when Ichigo got to how Byakuya treated him then grew concern when Ichigo confirm what Hisana had already said.
"Though it's not much I am truly sorry that you had to go through all that." Jushiro said when Ichigo was done.
"it is not your fault, I know that he is feeling really stupid right about now and I don't mean about me."
"You think that he will finally see the error of his ways and renounce the High King?" Jushrio asks hopefully.
Ichigo just shrug, "anything can happen I guess." He became thoughtful. "How is Hisana doing?"
"Well…." Kyoraku started.
oOooOooOooOooOo
Ichigo sat on his makeshift bed as Hisana ran her hands along his arms. Moving them this way and that checking muscles and seeing if he had any discomfort. She had made him do stretching exercises earlier. Hearing her give him the okay he allowed his arms to drop and started to pull the barrow tunic on watching as she did the same thing with Grimmjow.
Earlier when after telling the two Rebel Captains their story Jushiro had inform them that Hisana would be taking over their care until they left. And the woman first started with their injures or in Ichigo's case lack of. He was a little embarrass when she told him to strip only the top half mind you but still. He could see that she was saving Shiro for last, the Prince remain bedridden even though he was healing fast. Not as fast as Ichigo but fast enough that Grimmjow had remarked that it was unusual.
"The Prince never healed this quickly before," the soldier said before looking at Ichigo accusingly. "I notice it earlier but it started after he touch your thrice damn swords."
When hearing that Ichigo imminently went into his inner world and confronted his zanpakuto. Shiro feign ignorance but the Old Man did say that they allowed the Prince to enter but only when Ichigo needed the extra help. The rebuke had the orangette leaving a little chastise but he was told that because the Prince came in contact with him that way some of his hollow side stuck. It was only temporary so he should inform them that this fast healing was a onetime thing.
Upon his return he told Grimmjow this who visibly relaxed before returning to his soldier mode. The orangette could almost hear him mutter about troublesome princes but chose to ignore it in favor of watching Shiro go through the paces of Hisana giving him a through check-up. The woman wasn't even fazed by the Princes hard glares or scowls when she touched a place that was tender. Living with the ice berg Byakuya might have desensitize her to that Ichigo thought.
when she finished with the Prince she gave them all a happy smile before giving Shiro a replacement shirt tucking the sheets around him then leaving saying she would bring them some food. Before exiting though she did ask if Ichigo wanted Severn to come in stating that the guardian had been living in the surrounding trees not far but not close enough either.
"It's okay," he said. "I need to walk around or my legs will fall off."
"Just remember that someone will be with you. That was one thing that Kyoraku insisted when you staying in camp." She reminded.
"Yeah I know."
"I rather you kept in sight of me but as long as you're with Severn I will allow it," Grimmjow said facing away from the orangette.
"Who said I needed you to allow me to do anything," Ichigo retorted.
"The one who is going to be taking your ass back home whether you'll willing or not." The soldier growl. Ichigo said nothing. Even if he was in better shape than Grimm he figured that both Zangetsu would agree with Grimmjow and most likely would interfered if it came down to a fist fight.
Waiting till the woman left he stomp out leaving Grimmjow to deal with a still irritated Prince. He barely notices the two people shadowing him as he enters the inner ring of trees outside of cave system that is the rebel base. Or part of the base and he can't really call it a cave since it only looked that way from the outside while once inside the ceiling open up to blue skies. It was more of a long tunnel.
"Leave it to Kyoraku to make appearances be deceiving." He mused.
A soft chirping drew his attention upward before he was slammed into not enough to throw him down but he was moved a few inches. He can feel his two shadows tense at the new addition.
"It's good to see you too Severn," Ichigo said.
Severn purred in delight before he started to nuzzled the orangette. And with that Ichiog felt that most of his tension was beginning to fade. He didn't know why but being with Severn made him feel like he was with someone from his family.
"I'm fine, see, no injures." Said Ichigo as he gently pushed that masked face away. Severn was not that convinced but let it go. His golden eyes shone with many positive emotions that Ichigo couldn't help the smile that cross his face. "Don't worry I won't be in that situation again." He ignored that twin snorts in his head before he had to steady himself from Severn's hug.
Ichigo saw the confused looks on the two watchers faces and was feeling a bit sorry for them. He took pity on them as he leads the guardian back to camp. Having to hold the laugh at the twin look of shock before calming them down. He had to hand it to Jushiro, he had some pretty loyal people under him. after much convincing the four went back to camp. Severn stayed close to Ichigo once they made it ingot the campsite then he only left him to sniff Shiro once they got back to the tent.
"yeah yeah nice to see ya too scale breath," the Prince muttered.
'it seems that Grimmjow manage to placated him for now.' Ichigo thought, 'I wonder if he would teach me and if it would work on a certain someone.' The thought had him being given the finger by Shiro Zangetsu.
"So, now that we are together how about we talk about what the hell happen when you decide to go all berserk back there?" Grimmjow glared at Ichigo.
"I thought we went over that already."
"we did but I want to hear what you left out and don't think that you're getting out of this because I know for a fact the this will be repeated once we get back to the castle." Grimmjow cross his arms standing menacingly over Ichigo his tone allowing no argument from the orangette.
"Fine but I do this under protest," Ichigo scowled back not letting the looming figure get the best of him.
"Dually noted," the soldier said.
Shiro had been remaining quiet but he scooted forward to hear everything just in case Ichigo would leave out stuff when his parents ask for the same story. He knew that the orangette was uncomfortable and that it was sort of a sore point that reached far back into the orangette's past. Or it could be the fact that once his mother heard Ichigo wouldn't be leaving the castle anytime soon. Shiro bet on the later.
"Where to start" he heard Ichigo so he focusses his full attention on the orangette. "Well it's like this…..
oOooOooOooOooOo
it had been a few days since they left the rebel camp and in all that time Ichigo hadn't heard a thing out of Grimmjow. Shiro on the other hand had been asking him non-stop questions about his home and the people that he knew. Ichigo could guess that his story had disturbed the soldier but he couldn't be sure.
Before they had left He had one more meeting with Kyoraku and Ukitake. He wanted to make sure that Hisana would be taken care of and had been reassured that she would be safe. They two ex-captains also wanted to send back a letter of intent to Shiro's father. He asks why send it with him and not Shiro or Grimmjow and was told that the letter would most likely make it to its destination with him holding on it. Ichigo hid the smirk when he thought of that.
Both he and the Prince were riding in a barrowed cart being pulled by a very unhappy Severn. Just getting the hardness on him was an experience that Ichigo would rather not go through again. Both in that the worn leather was troubling to get around him and that he didn't won't to wear it. Ichigo knew that he would have phantom pain from bruises that had already healed. Shiro on the other hand when not chatting him up was grumbling about being still too injured to do anything. While his lighter wounds have healed up due to Zangetsu's interference the chest wound had only healed to the point that it looked a month old. Grimmjow had forcibly commanded him to seat there and be quiet and let him, Ichigo, and Severn deal with anything that might jump out at them. The Prince glared at his second who glared back neither backing down until Hisana mention that Ichigo was supposed to join Shiro in the cart. Shiro had love the look Ichigo gave.
'figures he be like that,' Ichigo thought to himself. 'he is becoming more like you every day," this thought was directed to his hollow half.
"Please King I am way better," Zangetsu said a bit miff at being compared to the Prince. "I for one wouldn't have gotten run through to begin with."
"No you would have thrown Ichigo against or through a wall and then get run through," the old man added.
"WOULD NOT," Zangetsu shouted.
Ichigo took a back seat to the bickering spirits enjoying the fighting that had nothing to do with life or death. He was brought out of his inner world by a shout from a very familiar blond. Shinji and his crew was waving them down his ever present grin in place.
"Look who finally came home, you had everyone worry Ichigo; Shiro," Shinji said acting like a scolding mother. "I guess that Grimmjow can be left in charge of babysitting for now on."
The blond laugh as he ducks a swinging fist from the bluenette. Ichigo let himself relax as the cart was surrounded and for once he allowed someone else to do the protecting. He had not realized how tense and tired he had been until now and as everyone started moving again Ichigo fell asleep letting his memories take him back to those who he had left behind.
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Chapter End
Thank you for reading.