His Duty as a Brother
It was several months before Ichigo was able to return to the Soul Society. He'd had the best birthday and strengthened bonds with all his friends. He loved his gifts and his friends so much. Byakuya's gift he treasured most. Very few people knew about his love of music. It touched him that the Captain took the time to investigate him enough to get him something special.
In secret, when he was home alone, he spent more time playing music. Byakuya's gift gave him a reason to take out his guitar and dabble with his mother's violin. Time seemed to fly. It was months later when he finally returned to the Soul Society to visit.
"Ichigo!"
"Rukia!" He smiled as she greeted him excitedly.
"You have perfect timing. You have no idea how happy I am to see you."
"Why? What's up?"
"I'm losing my freaking mind. According to the clan elders, I'm of age to marry. They want me to choose a suitor to be my husband."
Ichigo backed up, "Don't look at me. I'm not gonna marry you."
Rukia giggled, "I don't expect you to. Besides, you're my best friend. That's not why I'm happy to see you."
They started walking to find a place to sit and talk. As they walked, Ichigo started to notice the eyes that followed them and the cat calls being thrown at Rukia.
"What's with them?"
"That's why I'm glad you're here. Those are my suitors."
"All of them?"
"Yes. Honestly, it's getting ridiculous. I can't go anywhere without being followed and propositioned a dozen times. It's so annoying."
"I can see how that might get old." Ichigo agreed.
"Usually, Renji is with me, but he has squad duties today that can't be put off. So, maybe you can help me have a quiet day. They usually leave me alone when Renji's around. Should be the same if you stay with me."
He laughed, "Sure, no sweat," He paused and thought about her problem, "Has it occurred to you that if you just chose one, all this attention would go away?" He asked as they entered a tavern and ordered drinks at the bar before taking a seat at a booth in the back.
When they were seated, she rolled her eyes, "Please. I have standards."
Ichigo just laughed.
"Seriously, look at them. They only want to marry me because of my rank and status. They don't love me. They love that I'm a Kuchiki."
Ichigo nodded in understanding.
"Renji said he needed to finish up a few things, then he would meet up with us later. He'll know where to find us. We can just wait here until he's done." Rukia informed him.
"It's cool."
"So what have you been up to lately? There hasn't been much hollow activity in Karakura Town."
"Not much. I'll be graduating soon."
"Yeah, that's right."
"Yeah, otherwise, just studying and hanging with the gang."
"How is everyone? I really need to make time to visit. I miss everyone. Renji does too."
"They're good. Not much changes. Orihime worries over everyone as usual and is studying to be a cook."
Rukia spit out her drink and stared at him.
"I know. I don't know what we're going to do if she passes her entrance exam to the cooking school. You know she'll ask us to taste her assignments."
Rukia gulped, knowing exactly how unique and dangerous Orihime's cooking was.
"Uryu aced all his classes, so he has his pick of collages. He'll take after his father, of course. I doubt Ryuken would allow any different."
"Yeah. He's a strict man, but he loves Uryu. Has he asked Orihime out yet?"
"Yeah. They are really perfect for each other."
"What about Sado?"
"Chad...well he's Chad. Big, quiet and talented. He's been playing with his band more often these days."
"I see."
"Kon is going crazy without you, as usual."
Rukia laughed at that. It drew the attention of a few men in the tavern that were always following her around.
"You could always marry Kon. You know he loves you." Ichigo joked.
That only made Rukia laugh even harder, her smile drawing curious and jealous glances.
"Oh, could you imagine?"
"I can and it's disturbing," he cringed, the smirk never leaving his face, "or," he turned serious, "You could just tell Renji how you fell and stop torturing the man."
"I don't torture him."
"Yes, you do. He's crazy about you and you get so close, then throw him back in the friend zone."
Rukia blushed, "I...I don't mean to."
"So, you admit it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Ichigo gave her a disbelieving look over his mug.
"Okay, okay. I'll admit it. I...I really really like Renji."
He rolled his eyes, "You love him. Admit the truth. You can't think of being with anyone else. Why do you think it's taken this long to get married anyhow? You waited so long, it forced your clan elders to push you into it."
"Yes. Okay. I love Renji." She whispered, embarrassed by her own confession.
" 'Bout time."
"I just don't want to make things awkward. We've been best friends all our life. We went to the Academy together."
"Exactly; Renji's waited long enough." Ichigo grinned, "He's very attached to you, for obvious reasons."
"I'm just as attached."
"Then end this madness. Tell Renji the truth and get married already."
"I suppose you have a point." Rukia rest her hand on Ichigo's, "Thank you."
Growls and angry whispers circulated around the small crowd in the bar.
"No problem."
"Ni-san won't object; at least I don't think he will."
At the mention of Byakuya, Ichigo was reminded of his birthday once more.
"I'm sure he won't mind at all."
"You've been a big help. I owe you."
"Nah."
"Hey Rukia!" A voice called, then came closer, "Wanna join me for a drink?"
The man leaned suggestively against their table.
"Not today, thank you. I'm spending time with a friend." She smiled politely.
The soul reaper spared Ichigo a glance, "Come on, Rukes. Just one?"
"I've already said no."
"Tch, suit yourself."
He walked away angrily, then two more passed their table and greeted her.
"Hey Rukia."
She rolled her eyes, "Hello."
Ichigo just laughed. Their server refilled their drinks. After a few minutes of conversation, the server came back with yet another drink for Rukia.
"From the gentleman at the end." She gestured toward the opposite end of the bar.
"No, thank you. I've had plenty. I don't want it to go to waste. Please return it to him."
"Very well."
Rukia slapped Ichigo for laughing again, "I'm telling you. It's non-stop."
"You certainly have your hands full. I'll be right back."
He excused himself to use the facilities. When he returned, the man who had sent the drink was hovering over her. He was tall, with frosted hair. He seemed handsome enough, but the look on Rukia's face told him the man either didn't possess a personality, or had a shitty one. Rukia looked annoyed and a little uncomfortable.
"Don't be that way Rukia. You know I would be a good match for you. I'd take very good care of you. You can't really do better." The man boasted.
Ichigo shook his head. What a pompous ass. Rukia hated guys like that. He decided to save her from the nuisance.
"Hey, Rukia. When does Renji get done?" He interrupted, pulling the man's attention off of his friend.
"Should be soon. You wanna go to squad six and wait for him there?" She suggested.
"Yeah, why not? Let's get some air." He agreed, following her lead.
She stood to leave and the other blocked her path.
"Look buddy, we were having a private conversation. An intimate conversation."
"What's intimate about it!?" Rukia shrieked.
"Sorry, uh..." The man gave his name curtly, "Right, sorry, Izanagi. I didn't mean to interrupt, but we have another friend we're supposed to meet up with."
"Let's go Ichigo." Rukia said, finally getting around the blockade of big, dumb and bothersome.
Enraged, the jealous soul reaper stepped between the friends again, "Ichigo? Ichigo Kurosaki?"
"In the flesh. Well, sort of."
"Right. You're that human substitute soul reaper."
"Right again."
He turned to address Rukia once more, "You really shouldn't associate yourself with him, Rukia. He doesn't truly belong in the Soul Society, not to mention, your brother doesn't think very highly of him."
Ichigo deflated in a second at that knowledge. Rukia caught the look of disappointment, knowing how highly Ichigo thought of her brother and quickly corrected him.
"That's not true! You don't know what you're talking about."
"It's absolutely true. He despises all the ryoka that invaded the Seireitei."
She put her hands on her hips, "My brother has never said anything like that. Ichigo, don't listen to this idiot."
The man growled at that comment. He shoved Rukia gently aside and challenged Ichigo, "Why don't you run along home to the World of the Living where you belong."
"I'll do that, just as soon as I've seen all my friends. Come on, Rukia."
He stepped in front of her as she moved around the other side, "I won't warn you again, human. Get lost!"
"I understand you're feeling a bit rejected right now, but Rukia wants to leave and you're making her very uncomfortable."
Izanagi's color went up another shade of red, "Rukia is just fine. I'll take good care of her, don't you worry about that."
"I'm not trying to start a fight. We made plans to meet another friend. Let her pass." Ichigo said, reigning in his increasing annoyance.
"And if I say no?" he was challenged once more.
Ichigo narrowed his eyes. Now he was getting angry.
"Step aside," He ordered, eyes dark.
"Or what?"
Ichigo flash stepped around the man, "I'll just go around you," then hooked Rukia's elbow and returned to his original spot, "We'll be on our way now."
"You bastard!"
The soul reaper unsheathed his sword and held it aloft in preparation for battle, "Let's go, Kurosaki! You and me! Right here. Right now."
"Forget it." He waved him off.
They moved to leave the bar when power came at their backs at full force. Ichigo, using his quick reflexes, pulled Zangetsu and blocked the attack. It caused two tables next to them to flip over. There were too many people inside to execute a proper defense. Too much potential for injuries. There was no way he could use his full power.
"Not here." He insisted, eyes scanning the room.
"Ha...why not? Can't handle yourself against someone as skilled as me?"
The man let off another volley, which Rukia froze.
"Stay out of this, Rukia. This is between Kurosaki and me. I'll prove to you once and for all that I'm the better match for you."
"I'm not the one you need to compete against. I don't want to marry her. Trust me, I am in no way a threat to you in that regard." Ichigo stated.
"Shut up! You're no threat to me at all. I'll show you, Rukia. No one, but me can take care of you."
"That's highly unlikely. Not if Ichigo is your opponent. Ichigo is the hero of the Winter War. He single-handedly defeated Aizen." Rukia crossed her arms stubbornly.
"Rukia..." Ichigo started. He hated all that hero stuff.
"I don't believe that for one second. No one man could defeat Aizen. It took every squad to take Aizen and his minions down."
"Then you weren't there!"
He turned to Ichigo, "Show me your power then."
"Not here."
"We're not going anywhere else."
"I've got nothing to prove to you, buddy, but if you insist on fighting me, we can't do this here."
For the last time, Ichigo and Rukia turned to leave the bar.
"Slither! Bashirisuku!"
Ichigo closed his eyes in dismay and turned around, letting out a heavy sigh.
"Come on, Kurosaki!"
Ichigo now had no choice. He pulled Zangetsu once more from his back and held its' bulk at the ready. All he needed to do was slowly edge his way outside and they could take this somewhere else. He just needed to get this idiot to follow him. The noise of the tavern died down and everyone was watching them, while a few managed to quickly escaped out the back door.
"Better call on your sword, Kurosaki. You'll want to come at me with something more than your plain zanpakuto."
"Zangetsu is always released. I don't know how to make it resume its normal state."
"What? No one can keep their zanpakuto released indefinitely." he scoffed.
"Ichigo can," a voice informed.
Turning, they saw Renji leaning against the door frame, "It's all that crazy power you harbor."
The soul reaper ground his teeth irritably. Even Lieutenant Abarai praised the human substitute soul reaper. At this rate, Rukia would never see him as anything special.
Renji grinned as Rukia joined him.
"What's this idiot doing anyway? He doesn't really think he stands any chance against Ichigo, does he?"
"He does." Rukia said plainly.
"This I gotta see. I thought something interesting was going on. Could feel Ichigo's reiastu spark in caution all the way in Division Six dojo."
Renji jumped and perched himself on one of the overturned tables to watch.
The opposing soul reaper drew his brows together in confusion, "What are you talking about? I don't feel anything at all coming from him."
Renji burst out laughing, "That's how much weaker you are compared to him. You seriously need to rethink this, pal."
Humiliated, he lashed out, "Go, Bashirisuku!"
The long, thin blade extended, then began to move like a snake. When it neared Ichigo, the tip forked into three prongs and each prong extended, then turned on Ichigo at once. Ichigo blocked all three, but cringed when something pierced his back. There was a fourth prong that forked from one of the original prongs. People scattered, trying to avoid the blades of Bashirisuku. If Ichigo fought back for real, someone would end up getting seriously hurt. He needed to get this man outside.
"Ichigo!"
As he was backing up to move outdoors, several more blades branched off from the zanpakuto to block his path. Ichigo used his flash step to keep ahead of the blades, but was always forced to move in a different direction. The blades forked and moved too quickly. By now, he was practically caged in, the sword all around him. Anymore movement would put others at risk.
"Not so tough now are ya? I gotta say; I'm not impressed Kurosaki."
Ichigo snarled. If only he could use his power. He would end this foolish game quick.
"You're no match for me, Kurosaki."
The blades moved expertly toward their target to impale him. Ichigo only had room enough to block them, well, most of them. Seven made it through. The force of the attack blew him through the wall. Thanks to his hollow, only one blade made actual contact. He winced and hissed, realizing how dangerous those blades actually were. The laceration was turning a sick looking green. Poison. Damn.
Ichigo looked up at his opponent, his inner hollow giggling madly at the prospect of battle. The blades withdrew to its owner. He was staring fearfully at Ichigo.
"You're an arrancar!"
"Far from it. I am...one of a kind!" the hollow cackled.
"Shut it, Shiro!" Ichigo demanded, "I'm a vizard."
"You're a filthy hollow!"
He whipped his zanpakuto out again, more blades branching and hurtling toward him from all angles. Renji and Rukia were trying to help, but the bastard only caged their friend in more tightly the harder they tried.
"Ichigo!"
His inner hollow was ramped up and ready to protect his King, but Ichigo pushed him down. Too many innocent people around. It was true they were finally outside, but the square was too crowded. People were milling around and shopping, going about their normal business until he came crashing through the wall. Now they were watching as he dodged attack after attack. So, instead, Shiro blocked as many as he could. The mask was cracking, little by little his protection dwindling.
"Die hollow scum!"
His finishing attack came fast, but then suddenly stopped. As his mask crumbled a bit more, leaving only half of his face protected. He looked up and saw Byakuya standing between him and his attacker. A kido barrier surrounding him.
"Why didn't I think of that?" Rukia said, stunned at her own stupidity.
The soul reaper withdrew his sword again, completely surprised by the Captain's appearance.
"What exactly do you think you're doing, Izanagi Matsura?"
The Captain knew his name. He knew his name. That was good.
"Ichigo Kurosaki is an arrancar, Sir. I was about to eradicate him from existence." He grinned proudly, expecting praise.
"Care to tell me why you thought eradicating the Hero of the Winter War was appropriate or permitted?"
The kido barrier remained, but he moved closer to examine Ichigo. He looked ill and more exhausted than he should given the time frame he'd been fighting.
"He really defeated Aizen? For real, Sir? No playing? Him?"
Byakuya gave him a puzzled look, "With his lack of power, Sir?"
Ichigo shared a look with Captain Kuchiki. The mask cracked more. Only one eye remained hollowfied.
"You are at your breaking point, Kurosaki. Let it go." Byakuya said.
"I can't. There are too many people."
"I will ensure no one is harmed. My barrier will absorb the brunt of it."
Ichigo trusted him and closed his eyes, relaxing, releasing the hold on his power. His hollow mask crumbled completely, revealing his tired face. Something imploded inside the barrier as his power released. No one was harmed as promised, but everyone in the immediate area fell to their knees, with the exception of Byakuya and Renji.
Izanagi had no words. Kurosaki wasn't fighting with all his power. This angered him more.
"Captain Kuchiki, you cannot allow Rukia to marry or even associate with Kurosaki!"
"That is for Rukia to decide. However, I was under the impression she has already chosen Lieutenant Abarai as her husband."
Ichigo grinned tiredly. Renji choked while Rukia blushed.
Byakuya returned his attention to Izanagi, "Your zanpakuto."
"Sir?" He asked, finally able to stand once more.
"Give me your zanpakuto. Now."
"I...uh..."
"Now."
He handed over Bashirisuku.
"I will be confiscating this. You are to report to your Captain immediately. That would be Urahara, would it not?"
Since Kisuke's re-instatement, Byakuya learned to be more civil and grew to, at least, appreciate the man's talents.
"Yes, Sir."
"He'll not take kindly to your attempt to kill his friend and former student."
Izanagi cringed. Captain Urahara seemed sweet and harmless, but underneath was a vicious, conniving and manipulative man.
"I shall be informing the Head Captain as well."
Izanagi gulped. Double trouble.
"As for my sister, you never stood a chance. You are dismissed."
The chastised soul reaper sped away. Byakuya turned to Ichigo, "You need mending. Renji, take him to squad four. I'll inform Unohana you'll be there soon."
"Thank you, Ni-san." Rukia hugged her brother. That was something else that was new.
"You are most welcome."
Unohana was like a mother-hen. She tended to him non-stop for several hours, chasing away all of his friends that came to visit, claiming he needed more rest. When night fell, he was finally allowed a visitor.
Byakuya entered, "Feeling better, Kurosaki?"
"Yeah. Honestly, I was feeling better ages ago."
"You know Captain Unohana is a little over-protective where you're concerned." Byakuya reminded him.
"I'm still not sure if that's a good or bad thing." Ichigo laughed.
Byakuya gave him a small smile.
"Thanks for stepping in back there, Byakuya. I couldn't, in good conscience, fight with my real power."
"I know that all too well. You did the right thing."
"Not that I'm ungrateful, but why did you?"
"I felt Rukia's worry and fear."
"You came for her," Ichigo said, understanding.
Why did he sound so disappointed?
"She is my sister. It is my duty as her brother to protect her and ensure her happiness," Ichigo nodded, "Something I learned from you, Ichigo Kurosaki."
Ichigo chuckled, remembering when he scolded the noble on Sokyoku Hill.
"Therefore, it was my pleasure to also protect those important to her. I could not bear to see Rukia brought to tears."
"Where is Rukia? I was hoping to see her and Renji soon."
"I came to check on your because they are currently busy meeting with the elders about their nuptials."
" 'Bout time, don't you think?"
"Indeed."
There was an awkward silence that hung between them. Neither one knew what else to say.
"Well, see that you get better soon. I've no doubt you'll be needed for the wedding preparations."
"Yeah. Thanks again."
"Till then."
Byakuya gave a nod, then slipped from the room.