Chapter 10: Dangerous game

A few days passed after that incident and Isshin was furious. Not at the fact that his wife and son were attacked, but by the fact that somebody who was clearly a soul reaper did it. At first he was suspecting that Aizen tried something, but that didn't make much sense to him seeing as though the man wouldn't have worn a cloak and hood to disguise himself from them. Whatever the reason, Isshin was on high alert now as it was clear that someone was targeting his family.

Masaki was also on full alert now after the incident as she began to train herself. Thanks to the soul society having so much reiatsu in the air, she is able to absorb enough to actually spar against Toshiro and sometimes even Ichigo. It was incredible for the orange haired boy to see his mother in action like this; hitting targets from such long distances, even engaging in a few zanjutsu battles with Toshiro using some kind of energy sword of sorts. Masaki took to training as to not being ambushed like that very seriously.

Of course after that whole event, the central 46 did a very brief investigation of just who attacked the two and knocked out the ones assigned to watch them. Brief as in less that a day much to the Kurosaki families anger. Isshin wanted to investigate himself, but he was still under probation at this point. Instead, he ordered Toshiro and Rangiku to do some investigating of their own to find out just who was it that attacked his wife and son. The two agreed without question. Toshiro because he saw Ichigo like his little brother and Rangiku because she enjoyed being around Masaki to talk about random things in the world of the living.

The head captain knew of Isshin's order and decided to turn a blind eye to allow his former student a small bit of freedom for now. He had also been curious as to who would dare disobey his order not to attack either Masaki or her son. Despite how most felt towards the two, they at least followed that simple order from the old man. The only two that needed to be reminded of that were Kurotsuchi and Kenpachi for obviously different reasons. something did not feel right to the old man, and he had a feeling this attack was only the start.

Right now though, Ichigo was hanging out with both Rukia, Toshiro and Momo at the Kuchiki manor. They were currently inside of Rukia's room as she had just returned from a brief mission in the world of the living, and she wanted to show some of the things she brought with her to her friends. Much like with Ichigo, Rukia was able to easily get along with Toshiro who was much more relaxed than what she was lead to believe when he was a captain. She was already friends with Momo.

"So what did you bring back with you Rukia?" Momo asked as she has yet to be assigned to the world of the living just yet and was anxious to get the chance to go finally.

Rukia gave a cocky smirk as she pulled out a Chappy key chain from her pocket. Momo was astonished as she had never seen anything like this before while Toshiro took on a more quizzical expression. Ichigo chuckled a bit as he had seen these types of key chains before all the time actually back in the world of the living. It was entertaining though, to see his friends marveling at something so simple. Ichigo would have stayed to watch them all continue to be in awe of something so simple, but he could tell it was getting late.

Standing from where he was, Ichigo stretched a bit before informing the others. "Sorry guys, but I have to get going."

"Alright Ichigo." Rukia answered with a smile. "Walk safe."

The others nodded to this as Ichigo smiled to them. The young boy left the room and walked down the halls of the manor. Every time he saw someone approaching, he held his head down since the residence of the manor, especially the clan head, did not trust the boy. It was a miracle that Byakuya even allowed him to enter the manor at all. As Ichigo made his way to the front gate of the manor to leave, a voice stopped him just mere feet from the exit.

"You are either very naive, or foolish, boy."

Ichigo turned with a sigh as he saw the towering figure of the Kuchiki clan head standing in front of him, the ever present scowl on his face. Ichigo looked to him with an impassive gaze as he already knew that none of the captains trusted him or his family for that matter, but this man was among the ones who would personally execute all three of them if he could.

Ichigo simply nodded to him, trying very hard not to lose his composure and let his energy loose. "Thank you for allowing me into your home." It was hard to continue saying that whenever Ichigo was invited to hang out with Rukia and Byakuya could tell.

"You would do best to keep your self under control, boy." He turned and walked away, but not before saying something he knew would set the child off. "Less something happen to that woman you cherish so much."

It took a lot for Ichigo not to lunge at the man right then and there and pummel his face into the ground. With a deep breath to calm himself down, Ichigo turned and walked away from the manor, relived that he controlled himself. The last thing he or his family needed right now was to give the central 46 a reason to execute any of them.

Ichigo walked the streets once more to get back to the home he and his family had been living in for months now. As he walked, everyone he saw in the street gave him a wide berth as to not unintentionally anger him. Despite what everyone thought, this action only served to irk Ichigo more than anything. Ichigo sighed as he just wanted to get home quickly and just rest for now.

"Aw, Ichigo." A silky voice spoke from behind the boy.

Ichigo turned around and narrowed his eyes immediately at who he was seeing. The mild mannered captain of squad five stood in front of the boy, smiling as if nothing was wrong whatsoever. Ichigo remembered this man. he along with that clown faced bastard were the ones who took his mother and himself to this horrible place months ago. Ichigo did not forget, and he was not ready to forgive either.

"It's good to see that you're making friends Ichigo." Aizen spoke up up, still smiling down at the boy. "I hope that one day you can see that not everyone is out to get you."

Ichigo raised a brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"The way you glared at me once you saw I was here should answer your question." He answered as he knelt down to the boys height and continued. "Not everyone here wishes to hurt you. Some, like myself, simply wish to help in any way we can. Simple as that."

Aizen reached his arm out to lay on the boys shoulder. For him, this was his chance to gain some more data on the boy. Unfortunately for him, Ichigo moved his shoulder and backed away from him, annoying the man on the inside but simply worrying him on the outside.

"Thanks for the concern," Ichigo stared, "but I should really get back home. Bye." He bowed respectfully, then turned and walked away before he could see Aizen's small scowl.

'Perhaps I should try some other method.' The rogue thought to himself, a plan coming together.

Kisuke's lab

"I don't believe this." Kisuke said to himself as he continued to examine Ichigo's blood. He backed away from the vile and leaned back in his chair wide eyed. "Just what the hell is that kid?"

Alright, that's that for this chapter. The next will have an action scene in it.

Stay awesome, and as always...

PEACE!