Kukaku puffed out smoke from her pipe, her back leaning against the wall as she watched the wind rustle through the leaves. A sense of foreboding had haunted her for the past week but she was unable to think of a reason why. She glanced over towards the door when she heard it open and stilled at the face of her younger brother. His usual smile was absent and his brows were drawn down in distress. She stood immediately, extending her senses out for any danger. She furrowed her brow at the feel of the reiatsu of the captain of the eighth, he wasn't an enemy to them, having been dearly loved by her older brother, but she wasn't sure why he was here now.

She moved past Ganju when he didn't speak, her gut clenching in worry. He followed behind her, his movements stiff. She rounded the corner and came face to face with the older captain, his straw hat tilted up and his flowery kimono billowing in the breeze that wafted through the house. She sensed nothing out of the ordinary, senses straining to see what had gotten Ganju so mute.

"Kyoraku" she nodded her head politely, watching him carefully as he gave her an easy smile.

"Kukaku-san," he grabbed his straw hat with his right hand and tilted it forward, the motion drawing her attention to his arms. His left one was tucked towards his chest, cradling something that she couldn't see. Noticing her gaze he lowered his other hand hesitating. "I was entrusted with this, please understand." He brought the fold of his clothes back and revealed a shock of orange and blue. She blinked at a crown of bright orange hair wrapped in a blue blanket. Chubby cheeks framed pouted lips and honey brown eyes blinked open to stare up at her. She felt it then, the reiatsu that swelled in him and seemed so, so fucking familiar.

The color drained from her face and Ganju was suddenly holding her upright, her wide eyes remaining glued to the child. She finally tore her gaze away, her gaze accusing as she silently threatened for the man to speak.

He took it in stride, giving the baby his large finger to play with as small hands reached out to touch. "His name is Ichigo Kurosaki. His family took his mother's name."

Kukaku felt the dread drop further into her stomach.

"His father was Isshin Shiba."

Her knees hit the floor before she could register what was happening, her face slack as she stared ahead uncomprehendingly.

"He lost his powers, fell I love with a human and had him. But," here Kyoraku's eyes darkened. "He was attacked by a hollow. He entrusted Ichigo to me."

The words were a blow, her chest aching at the knowledge. She was reaching for Ichigo before she knew it and was glad when he was offered up. His small weight helped ease the gaping wound in her heart. Her tears fell on his face before she could stop them and her view of him blurred. Ganju crouched next to her, stroking the baby's hair with a kind of softness he only extended to family. Ichigo was frowning up at her, his babble coming out wobbly and it was only then that she realized she was shaking. She took a calming breath, letting them out slowly as she gathered herself. After several moments she stood, Kyoraku rising with her. She hadn't noticed the man crouch down but she assumed he was trying to make sure she didn't accidentally drop her nephew.

"He belongs with us" the words were out before she could register them and she saw his eyes harden.

"No. Isshin wanted me to raise him, I intend to keep that promise." His voice was uncompromising, and she clutched Ichigo tighter, making him squirm.

Her lips pulled back in a snarl, eyes lighting with the fierceness of a lioness protecting her cubs. A heavy hand on her shoulder made her pause she snapped her gaze to her younger brother, his eyes remorseful.

"He adopted him already sis. If we keep him…"

If they kept him, the Shiba's would lose any of their privileges as a normal noble family, not great like they had been, but still protected from most laws. She grit her teeth, her eyes baring her betrayal.

"Why you!" She couldn't help the snarl that tore from her, her heavy heart being ripped further.

Kyoraku's eyes were apologetic, face grim as he looked away. "I was there the day they brought him home, I told Isshin he could ask anything of me. I'm just sorry that it was this."

A harsh breath left her and the righteous fire she had been filled with wilted before it could burn any further. Her lips trembled but she refused to cry anymore.

A humorless laugh left her, "Kaien would be upset with me, mourning death instead of celebrating this new life." She looked back down at Ichigo, his tiny hands were gripping at her bosom for leverage and a tiny pout adorned his lips. He looked up at her with those warm eyes and smiled, his bubbling laughter filling her soul with a sense of family.

She swallowed hard and nodded reluctantly. "You better bring him around often." She wouldn't take no for an answer. Kyoraku visibly relaxed and his smile turned genuine, if a touch sad.

"That's what I was counting on. Isshin wanted me to have him but I'm sure he meant for all of us to raise him."

She wouldn't admit that his words eased the sense of betrayal that she had felt, but she did allow him to see her relief. A soft smile tugged at her lips and she nodded once more in agreement.

"Of course we'll help raise him." She made Ichigo comfortable in her arms and took in a shaky breath, giving his forehead a light kiss. She glanced up at Kyoraku briefly, "may I?"

He quirked a brow, unsure about her request but nodded, knowing she wouldn't hurt Ichigo.

She looked back down at the tiny boy and her index finger on his chest, kido burning at the tip. He squirmed and whimpered but she ignored it, this was something all Shiba's had to go through. Ganju smiled broadly at her, holding his hand out to Shunsui when the man took a concerned step forward.

With a flash of her reiatsu, she engrained her power into him and watched as the Shiba emblem etched itself onto his chest, marking him as part of the main branch. When she was finished she cooed at Ichigo, fingers trailing the black lines that would grow with him. They faded after a moment and she grinned wildly up at Kyoraku.

"There, now he's officially a Shiba!"

He tilted his straw hat back and chuckled, shaking his head even as he followed her to the other room for tea.

Urahara was jolted from his nap against his console when sharp claws dug into his shoulder. After centuries of this, he was used to Yoruichi waking him up in such a way and thus didn't react more than a whine about his precious sleep. It was limited enough as it was, scouring over strategies now that their one trump card hard been killed. He still felt a sense of guilt about it, but refused to linger on it.

"Kisuke!" Her deep voice tinged with excitement snapped the sleep out of him and he swung his grey eyes over to her, focused and sharp. Her fur was bristling in excitement and het tail was flickering around so fast he thought she created a new method of shunpo just for the appendage.

"Ichigo's alive!" She cut right to the chase and Urahara stilled in shock. His eyes widened and he abandoned his fan that he had been tampering with.

"How- where!?" He couldn't decide what to ask first, his mind racing at the possibilities.

"I was going to visit Kukaku, Shunsui brought him!" She jumped up onto the console, careful to avoid the keyboard. "She's going to help raise him, apparently that's what Isshin meant when he said Ichigo was safe."

Urahara was listening even as his hands flew to his notes, a thousand possibilities flying through his mind. "This just might still work." He glanced at his friend and saw her hesitance.

"What?"

Her fuzzy face grew weary, and her tail flicked in agitation. "You know how the Shiba's are, they don't mess around with family. And now…" Yoruichi's shoulders slouched and she plopped onto the desk with none of her usual grace. "She's more protective than before, I'll be hard. Especially since Ichigo was officially adopted and is a Shiba-Kyoraku. Former great clan or not, their names still carry weight, and now combined with a great noble house that's still in its full glory…" She buried her face in her paws and Kisuke leaned back heavily in his chair.

Things just became for more complicated, but it also meant that Aizen would have a hard time trying to manipulate Ichigo as well, especially since Kyoraku was suspicious of the man as is.

"It'll give you more time to train him. Kukaku trusts you, it could work in our favor."

Golden eyes peered at him but she nodded. "You're right. I'll keep an eye on them and visit when she has him over to make sure we're introduced."

They shared a look, the weight of centuries resting heavily on them.

"This can still work."

The air was still as shadows loomed high around buildings. The moonless night covered his tracks perfectly, though it wasn't like he needed it. Gin walked confidently around the house of the Kurosaki's his fox smile growing tight when he peered inside a window. He glanced at Aizen, his face carefully blank.

"Ah Aizen-taichou, I think yer plan worked." He didn't know if this had always been the plan, but he assumed it had to have been. Aizen remained quiet and he watched the slight narrowing of his eyes, struggling to keep glee off of his face. Aizen was not happy, and that in turn made him happy. He glanced back at the bloody scene covered in white chalk and yellow tape, maybe it was for the best that they had been killed off.

"Come Gin, we have no need to linger here."

He could see the man's rage simmering under the surface, and from his spot behind him, he smiled wider, silently following the man into a garganta.

.

.

.

Hope y'all enjoyed! Please review, let me know if the POV shifts aren't clear enough.