A/N: Hey there everyone. While I did say I was going to publish at around Xmas time, I actually was able to write this one out a fair bit earlier. However, no expectations on the next Chapter.

I've also been thoroughly enjoying the TYBW anime, and kudos to Tite Kubo and the teams at Shueisha and Studio Pierrot for that masterclass in modern animation. And to Shirou Sāgisu for his amazing music!

Since this story (Mutterliebe) is essentially at the earliest stages of the series, please don't expect anything TYBW related, beyond maybe the barest of nods here and there. I have however gone to a few lengths to clarify what I considered retcons for later stages in the series - like Ikkaku and his skills.

Now: this Chapter will be interesting going forward. As a quick recap - Mayuri is now...deceased, with Masaki taking her righteous fury out on the monster. Ichigo just defeated the underpowered but brutal Zaraki. And our favourite ruffian, Ganju is stuck with Byakuya. Oh, and Ichigo is kinda booking it towards the Repentance Cell. So, definitely new territory now!

Anyhow, thanks for reading this long preamble. On to the story.

Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo/Shueisha, Studio Pierrot and Viz Media. The storyline however is my own


The Seireitei – Storage House

Masaki was resting as best she could, knowing that she needed to recuperate quickly from using her Holy Form. Her nephew Uryū kept watch (from the storage house's window) as he surveyed their immediate perimeter.

"Aunty, so far everything is quiet. I do feel faint spiritual pressures, but they're too far away to be an immediate threat." The younger Quincy whispered behind him. He could tell his Aunt had exerted herself more than she wanted.

Whatever that power was she used, it drained her greatly.

He glanced back to Masaki, and saw her face was a little pale, with some dark circles forming around her eyes.

"…don't worry about me Uryū, your Aunt

… just needs a little rest." She breathed out. She felt exhausted, but not due to expending her reiatsu. Her very being felt heavy, strangely so.

That's right, all I need is…

The thoughts drifted from her consciousness, as she slipped into a dreamless sleep.


On the Senzaikyū Bridge


"RAAAH!"

Ganju charged at his much superior opponent, knowing full well a Captain of his caliber would pick him apart.

Just as he was thinking of his next move, said Captain vanished from sight and was immediately behind him.

Damn it!

"…Impressive, for an unruly ant that is."

Ganju knew what was coming (his Aunt Masaki helped drill high level techniques like this into his head), and just barely dodged the strikes meant to incapacitate him. Still, he was hurt, as a deep gash appeared across his shoulder.

For Byakuya, he was genuinely surprised a Ryōka like this could even react, let alone dodge his deft slashes.

Clearly not as inept as that boy.

Ganju retreated a distance, grabbing some fabric from one of his pockets, and wrapping it around the wound. Pulling the fabric tightly, a huge grin spread across his face.

"Hehe! Think your hot stuff just because you're a Kuchiki and a Captain?"

Byakuya's eyes narrowed a little at this, as it irked him somewhat that his… station was being criticised by this ruffian. Even if he was an ant.

Hehe! Can already see this uptight Noble staring daggers. Pfft. Just like what sis, bro and uncle said: "the rest of the Nobility are quick to anger when their Noble Pride is criticised."

His eyes narrowed a little, a bead of sweat streaking down from his head.

Still I'll have to be careful. I'm barely where big bro was in power (and I have no zanpakutō to boot) , and this Kuchiki is…

Ganju reached for his hatchet knife, as he readied himself for the inevitable.

"Why would someone of your station, try to anger me? You must care little for your life."

Byakuya's tone was measured, yet sharp. His spiritual pressure flared with the enunciation.

"Yeah well… I don't know about you nobles but us Shiba never give up our convictions!"

The Captain's eyes widened for a few moments; before resting back into a calm, focused glare.

A Shiba… I see, so they've betrayed us have they? Or perhaps…

Eliminating such unnecessary thoughts, Byakuya made his announcement:

"I see… I was too lenient. Then perhaps I'll show you the difference between us Nobles and you."

The Kuchiki Lord, held his blade close, in a guard stance (vertically upright, close to body), as he spoke his zanpakutō's release command:

Scatter… Senbonzakura


It was falling into night time.

Masaki awoke with a start, almost forgetting she was in a hostile environment right now.

"Aunt Masaki, I see you're awake. Be at ease, only the odd patrol has come close to this place."

Masaki breathed a sigh of relief. Glad she got some sleep.

"How long… was I…?"

"A few hours. I think you needed it Aunty." Uryū was relieved to see she was well rested. Before, she looked a little pale and was merely fighting off her fatigue. Now… she looked ready to fight again.

Masaki rubbed off the sleep from her eyes, and covered a yawn. Slowly standing back up, she stretched her arms and legs, feeling they were a little stiff.

Uryū readjusted his glasses. "I also took the liberty of searching through this storage house, and did find some basic food supplies. Mainly rice and some water."

Masaki nodded, happy they at least had some water.

"Good job nephew. As you're not a spirit, you'll get hungry and thirsty like normal. As for me…"

"I see. So that means you can last longer without sustenance?"

"Yes, but… seeing as I knew you would be with me, I brought along some snacks, in one of my pouches. For you and the others if they needed a bite."

Masaki checked to see if the snacks were in one piece. Even though she did wrap them in fairly durable packaging, she was still just involved in a serious battle. One where her spiritual pressure ran wild.

Phew… looks like they're fine.

The senior Quincy fished out one of the snacks, which was a rice ball. Masaki also had some small biscuits (since they were hardy) and her own home-made muesli bars. The bars were most numerous, due to being much smaller in size then the rest of the food.

She then held out the rice ball to her nephew.

"Here Uryū, have this."

Uryū's stomach did grumble a little, which produced an embarrassed blush from the young man.

"Don't be shy nephew, grab it! You need to keep up your strength too, if you want to effectively help me."

The boy nodded, as he grabbed the neatly wrapped rice ball, and slowly bit into it. His eyes lit up as the food hit his taste buds.

"Okay… so where's the water Uryū? Is it safe to drink?"

The young Quincy quickly swallowed his food (so as to speak politely):

"Ah yes, well I checked it and it seemed to be, but I bought a water canister with me and some water purification tablets, to utilise any water we might find in the Soul Society." As a show of proof, he fished out a small flask, and a separate bag of water tablets.

Masaki smiled and gave him a thumbs up. In response, Uryū blushed as his glasses glistened in the dimming light of day.

After filling up the flask and purifying some extra water into a smaller pot (from which Masaki could drink from), the duo were just about to leave, when they felt a large spiritual pressure blanket their immediate vicinity.


Atop one of the rooftops overlooking Masaki and Uryū's hiding spot, stood an icy haired Captain and his blonde haired (and buxom) Lieutenant.

The Captain – one Tōshiro Hitsugaya, stopped his Lieutenant from moving further, as he surveyed their immediate vicinity.

"Rangiku… wait here a moment."

"Captain?"

Before she could protest further, the shorter Captain jumped down to street level and walked along the narrow pathway.

Hmmm… something feels odd. Wh-

Just as he was about to look elsewhere, the young Captain felt a sudden change in the environment. Like he had passed some sort of barrier.

"I see, this must be a rudimentary detection barrier of some kind. If one wasn't looking, or had keen enough senses – they'd easily miss it."

Hitsugaya expanded his senses and could now feel two muted presences. They seemed quite small, and he couldn't tell if they were the Ryōka he was looking for. But still, it was best to check it out.

Signalling his Lieutenant, she quickly to the opposite side of the walkway.

Continuing on with his hand signals, he told her to approach from the other side. This told her that a pincer manoeuvre was in play – her captain in front and her to the back.

However before they could approach any further, some small objects were thrown at them, and two different voices shouted out something indecipherable in those moments.

A blinding light obscured the Captain and Lieutenant as he heard the tell tale sign of people rushing out and on to the roof!

"Rangiku! Get to the roof and cut them off!"

"Aye sir!" She vanished to the rooftops herself and could just see the rapidly receding forms of two white cloaked individuals. One was a male and the other a female (if her vision wasn't tricking her). They were fast, somehow flying over the rooftops, with a high-speed movement technique she'd never seen before.

These must be the one's who attacked Captain Kurotsuchi. Quincy…

Rangiku had never met any Quincy, but had heard that they hated Soul Reaper' for not allowing them to destroy Hollows.

Probably hate us even more, since I… think we eliminated most of them.

She wasn't gaining much ground on them (even with her shunpo), so decided to change tact and launch a long range kidō:

Hadō 33: Sōkatsui!

A blast of white energy exploded from her outstretched hand, as she aimed to at least tag one (or both) of her targets.

Expecting this, Uryū (as the rearguard) launched a barrage of his own projectiles, using the Licht Regen technique – right back at the attacking Soul Reaper.

A column of arrows streamed through the air, piercing the fiery spell, and heading straight for Rangiku.

No you don't!

The Lieutenant deftly evaded the arrows, by flash stepping to an adjacent roof top. However this did slow her down a little, and she realised that's what the kid(?) was aiming for.

Damn it. I hope the Captain has a plan here.

And as if on cue she felt the tell-tale chill of her young Captain's release. The skies darkened and the air began to freeze, as he unleashed his icy zanpakutō:

"Reign over the Frosted Heaven's! Hyōrinmaru!"

In front of Masaki a wall of ice emerged to cut her path. Effectively stopping her from advancing further – at least for a moment.

"That wall won't stop me."

Masaki drew her bow, ready to pierce the ice through, but suddenly a young man with white hair, and wearing what she knew to be a Captain's Haori (cloak) stood in front of her.

"While true, I do believe I'll be able to stop you."

She didn't even detect he was near her!

The young man (boy?) stood battle ready against the older Quincy. His blade was drawn, as his spiritual pressure screeched. She could tell that this Captain was far more powerful then the disgusting experimentalist she fought hours prior.

Masaki's eyes narrowed, as Uryū (in the rear) was now confronted with the other Soul Reaper.

"I'm sorry Captain! I couldn't get either of them!"

"That's alright Rangiku, the real plan was for you to chase them into a corner like this. You executed it perfectly."

The buxom Lieutenant nodded. She too drew her blade, ready to face off against her own opponent.


Back to Ichigo


The young hybrid had just made it to the terraces that overlook the Senzaikyū and what he saw made him worried, proud and angry at the same time. The scene below him was of his Shiba cousin facing off against his self proclaimed enemy- Byakuya Kuchiki. And Ganju was doing well enough to at least not be dead against that monster of a brother. Well, he was injured but still determined to fight.

Gotta find an opening. Ganju can't hold out much longer.

And Ichigo was right. Ganju was reaching his limit, and the Kuchiki Lord in front of him was starting to lose patience with the "tricks" being thrown by the young Shiba Lord.

Said tricks including: mixing flash step, with a few fire crackers, some explosive kidō (like shakkahō) and general ducking an' weaving (especially from that ridiculous zanpakutō power). This was very stressful for the onlookers. Hanatarō was wishing to the Soul King for Ganju to survive. While Rukia, watched on in horror as another Shiba was potentially being slaughtered – because of her.

No… not again… please…

When Ganju was finally at the end of his rope (panting and bleeding), and Byakuya had finally had enough of this resistance – was when Ichigo finally stepped in.

Clang!

Byakuya had raised his blade, ready to cut down this insolent insurrectionist. As his sword sliced downward, Ichigo teleported directly towards Ganju and blocked the attack – earning a surprised look from Byakuya.

"Hello again… Byakuya Kuchiki!"

"You…!" The Captain growled through gritted teeth.

And to add to the surprise, Ichigo pushed the Captain back, as he stood firm, guarding Ganju.

"You okay Ganju?" A hint of concern lacing his query.

"Y-Yeah… huff… huff… just… Captain's aren't great for my health!" Ganju joked, to which Ichigo laughed in response, "Yeah… they really aren't which is why... I'm bringing the medicine!"

Ichigo's spiritual pressure spiked as he directed his ire towards the Kuchiki Lord.

Byakuya was astounded (though his expressions said otherwise), that this boy not only survived but had actually grown leagues more powerful (and skilled by the looks of it), then last they met.

Impossible… for a human to survive my attacks and grow even more powerful. Something is wrong here…

Byakuya schooled his facial expression as he commented on the boy's arrival.

"To think you survived, yet did not stay in the world of the living. You have wasted what precious mercy I… have given you. Ignorant to the l-"

Getsuga Tenshō!

Ichigo's eyes glowed for a mere instant as he focused his spirit energy, and shot out the massive blue energy blast from his blade's edge. Far greater in potency than when he fought Renji.

Caught slightly off guard Byakuya could only tighten his shikai's petals around him, acting as a makeshift shield. Just enough to not get himself cut in twine. Still…

What was that from Ichigo? I could barely follow it…yet… how is brother injured!?

To Rukia's shock, her elder brother had suffered wounds from the attack. This was the first time she had ever seen him bleed.

Equally Byakuya barely knew what had happened. One second he was educating this boy on his folly, the next he's been injured by something that was launched from said boy.

Behind Byakuya the buildings had been carved out with the sheer force of the focused beam.

Ichigo confidently posed in his attack position, grinning at the man on front of him.

"Lucky you raised your defence Byakuya, otherwise you would be dead!"

Internally though Ichigo was thanking his lucky stars that his attack hadn't destroyed the bridge. Besides some charring from his condensed reishi, and some of the roping being… burnt… everything was fine! Honestly… oh boy, he could hear his mom from here…

Phew… lucky I've been practicing with my Getsuga! Could get it just narrow enough to…

Meanwhile close to said buildings a certain white haired Captain was sweating bullets at almost being blown away from that Ryōka boy's attack!

That gave me a heart attack. Close one…

Prior to this Jūshiro Ukitake (Captain of Squad 13 and Rukia's superior officer), had arrived a little after Ichigo had. He had seen the boy from a distance… noting the orange hair, standard shihakūsho of a Soul Reaper and large cleaver of a zanpakutō on his back. He could tell the boy had great power – on par with a Captain. And that from what he could see, was one of the intruders that Old Man Yama had notified all high ranking officers about.

Maybe I can end this peacefully? Seems to me they want to save Rukia like I do.

However before he could approach the boy vanished; then immediately he heard, the characteristic clash of zanpakutō.

Rushing to the edge of the terraced roof, he watched on as the young man blocked Captain Kuchiki, pushed said Captain back (which is a feat in itself), and then launched a beam of energy right at the Squad 6 Captain (which was also on the same path as he was in).

Jūshiro dodged the beam, as he saw it drive through several more buildings before dissipating.

What even was that attack… such destructive power.

Ichigo whispered back to Ganju, "Hey, could you grab those two and escape?"

"I'm not leaving you, ya idiot! Don't matter if you're way stronger than me, I'm the Elder here!"

Ichigo smiled, glad to have dependable allies (family) like Ganju. But…

"This is a narrow walkway, so I know where he could attack from. He's slightly injured and a lil stunned right now. Our best chance to grab Rukia is now Ganju!"

Ichigo's voice elevated to the point Byakuya could hear him now.

"You think you can just take the prisoner from her lawful punishment. Who do you think you are boy?"

Ichigo spat back, "I'm someone who cares about my friends. What about you? Aren't you her brother? What's even wrong with you!?"

The two enemies eyes narrowed, as they were about to face off once again, before Jūshiro intervened.

Flash stepping between his comrade and the young man; the older Soul Reaper wore a calm (but serious) expression.

"That's enough. This fight is over now."