Well here it is finally school time!
Disclaimer: yup, still don't own anything...such a sad existence.
Previously:
"Are you talking to your Zanpakuto?" I nodded my head yes. "Well then it's final you are now my Otouto (lil' bro). Understand?" And now I shake my head no. " Ehhhhhhhh! What's not to understand?"
'Ummmm. Crap what do I say-write?'
'Just write, why me.' So I did, and all hell broke lose... Again.
Now:
It's finally here, an escape from that hellish training. Sadly, I arrived two months after the start of the year. Thus I have been stuck learning how to be a noble and how to run a clan for the past 10 months. As well as alking to some low ranking Shinigami and Unohana-taicho to get me to remember.
++flashback++
Kukaku insisted I call her Nee-san. Thus Nee-San was pushing me toward a room well speaking a mile a minute kinda sounding like a psychopath. "Wearenowheadingtowardsthetearoomthereyouwillmeettheteachershewillbeteachingyouhowtositproperlyanddrinkteaadequatelyaswellashowtonegiototewiththeelderssothatyoudontendupwithastuckupsnobasawifeohlookwearehere!" At that nee-san shoved me into a room with a wrinkly old lady that has her gray and white hair in a to tight bun and a pinched face. So not what I expected considering that all the Shiba's and there retainers are very happy go lucky. I can tell this will be hell. Not only that but Muramasa is the only Zanpakuto that decided to stay awake. Something about not wanting to out me as a hybrid. Damn them.
"The new heir to the Shiba clan?" The pinched woman asked.
"Hai (yes), Iwasaki-san." Kukaku almost whispered. The lady's name means stone cape. Guess that explains it. Kukaku's being subdued to. Weird. As Kukaku left the room she leaned in and whispered that I should follow all directions given to me.
"Sit." That was it. That was all she said, as if I was a dog needing training. When all I did was stare at her in disbelief she raised her hand and I was wrapped in binding kido. Then she hit me upside the head with a ruler.
++flashback end++
Now I know proper adequate, sign language, how to sit properly, and drink/make tea, know high level kido-my reiatsu doesn't allow basic kido-, and the whole nobles rule book, front to back. I also have a minor concussion but, that is apparently besides the point and I wouldn't have one if I wasn't and I quote "a lazy, good for nothing idiot." She's not as good at the name calling as Kukaku, it's definitely interesting listening to the names she says, although Shiro's is more colorful.
Well now I have Kaien and Nee-San sending me off at the gate to the academy. "You can do it Otouto! I know you can!" Kaien yelled.
"Of course, he can Nii-San. After all if he fails then I'm sure Iwasaki-San will be more than happy to reteach him the proper... Etiquettes fit for a Shiba." at that Nee-San was cackling like a mad man or mad woman in her case, my que to leave. I lift my hands in a wave good bye. I'm sure I can talk now with my healing but, Unohana-Taicho said I would be permanently mute sooo no point in rocking the boat.
As I turned to leave Kaien grabbed my arm. "You know that even after you go to the academy you'll always be welcome back home right? Don't be a stranger." I nodded my head and turned to leave again when Kaien spoke up again. "I'm serious Otouto. No matter what your past held, here and now the compound is a home you can run to. I know we can't replace whatever family you had but we are your family now. Understand Otouto?" I nodded my head slowly this time well looking him in the eyes. At that Kaien let go. "Good luck Otouto, not that you'll need it ne?" I gave him an almost smile, for Kaien was right they are my family, and they can become strong enough to live and I'm strong enough to protect them this time. As I turned I could see Kaien and Nee-San's eyes widening. I do love them dearly just like... No don't go there.
"Hey you," I felt a tap on my shoulder. "Why are you shaking your head? Scared for the exam?" I turn to see the strangest thing ever. It was The Kuchiki Byakuya smiling at a complete stranger. I shake my head again. "Is shaking your head all you can do?" I glare and shake my head again. His smile turns into a grin and I glare harder well pulling a notebook from my pocket because, I have no clue who knows sign language and who doesn't. As I write Byakuya asks "Am I not good enough for you to talk to?" He looks a little peeved till I hold up the notebook. The words say I am mute. "Oh, sorry." At this he looks a little sheepish. Now that I have time to look and aren't so shocked I see that Byakuya is shorter then normal, a little shorter than me with his hair pulled back in a simple pony tail instead of the braid my Nee-San said I had to wear because it looked good on me. "You must be a noble heir." At that he pointed to my hair ornament that was tied into my braid. "Which clan are you from. Oh yeah, I'm Kuchiki Byakuya. Pleasure to meet you." He holds out his hand to shake. After I shake his hand and write my name, he starts going on and on about the test from the previous years and how it's diffrent every year.
As we walk up to the table with three shinigami at it Byakuya stops talking and his expression becomes well, expressionless. The man in the middle speaks up. "Hello, possible students I am the principal here. You may call me Shinjiki-Sensei." He was an oldish man, black hair that was fraying at the bottom. The top of the hair was pulled back in a small ponytail with the rest going to mid back. "The man to my right," he points to a man with cropped hair except for a really long braid with random twine wrapped in, running down the middle of his head to the seat of the chair. He just like Byakuya had no expression. "Is Kusashika-Sensei he teaches Kido 4th to 6th year advanced placement. And to my left would be Division 4's 4th seat Kikiyo-San." Kikiyo-San was a petite girl who looked to be about thirteen yet I could tell she was strong. She was probably in the 1st relief squad who take care of patients in battle grounds. "Now who are you?"
At this Byakuya stepped forward. "I am Kuchiki Byakuya and this is Shiba Ichigo."
"Thank you Kuchiki-San but why can't Shiba-San introduce himself?" Kusashika-San asked.
"He's mute."
At this all all three frowned, Shinjiki-Sensei asked what all of them wanted to know. "Permanently?" In response I took out my notebook and wrote on it. When I showed them my answer the two on the sides frowned more well Shinjiki-San looked more thoughtful. "Why write, 'Unohana-Taicho said so' instead of just nodding your head." My answer- because, I hold out hope.
"Hope in something even my captain says is impossible?!" Screeched Kikiyo-San. Me- the impossible has happened before.
Before Kikiyo-San could blow up Kusashiki-Sensei put his hand in front of her well speaking up. "You know... It might not be such a good idea to antagonize one of your proctors. Now is it Shiba-San?" All I did was stare with a raised eyebrow. After a second or two of the staring contest I turned toward Byakuya and tilted my head in question.
"Oh ya. May we please sign up to take the entrance exam?"
" Of course Kuchiki-San. Here you go." At that he handed us a form. At the top was the words born in soul society. After was some basic questions like; name- first and last, age, birth date, etc. then there was the not so basic questions; favorite food and strong suits, are you a leader or a follower and what kidos do you know?
After filling out the form a woman in onmitsukido uniform lead us to a gym where people of all looking ages milled about.
Well sorry for the late update as well as the short chapter. If you see anything wrong please tell me I don't have a beta reader. Hope you enjoyed the chapter though.