A Reaper's Rebirth Into a Larger Mythology

by FallenDispair

After the loss of his powers Ichigo Kurosaki earns a scholarship to Kouh Academy where he tried to move on as an ordinary human. Until he his reborn as a devil and is exposed to the other myths and factions that exist in the world. This is based heavily off fanboys913's Bleach Rebirth of the Guardian. Added characters and lore of Rosario Vampire manga. Better sum inside.

1. Chapter 1

A Reaper's Rebirth Into a Larger Mythology

A/N: heavily based off of fanboy913' Bleach Rebirth of the Guardian. Great story that I really wished would continue. Though -and this a spoiler for anyone who hasn't caught up or read it- I'm not a big fan of changing/adding to Rukia's power, the revival of Misaki, Aizen's sex/personality change and all the accepted Bleach filler arc stuff. None of that waste of time here. The first few weren't too bad but by the end of the anime it was annoying fluff to stretch out the series. So mostly manga.

DxD had an interesting premise that is overly drawn-out and all over the place from what I can get here in the US and internet searches. What like 19 volumes before a single year goes by. So obviously, major deviations from their cannon, one of which will incorporate Rosario+Vampire; the most notable being the character change of Issei Hyoudo into Tsukune Hyoudo practically replacing the super pervert Issei entirely with the modest Tsukune that'll grown into a fierce warrior. I honestly couldn't watch the show with the over-the-top ridiculous pervert Issei as the MC. Fanservice like that ruined the anime of Rosario+Vampire, so I'm only taking from its manga -replacing the youkai of DxD with Rosario+Vampire's yokai community. I only really know about and like DxD thanks to fanboy913's fanfiction.

So don't get all angry about inaccurate DxD lore and story, it's mostly a template but I plan on still having the background threat of the Khaos Brigade and Trihexa. I'm figuring that'll be the final climax. There will still be some fanservice because it's practically expected with DxD.

First several chapters will be very similar to fanboy's Bleach Rebirth of the Guardian, the first major change being his resurrection and divergence after the fallen angle attack on Kouh.

Edit: 8/9/23 Replacing the pervert trio with gin and haiji from Rosario+Vampire.

---

Chapter One: A Fresh Start at Kouh

Ichigo opened his eyes as the bus began to slow and glanced down at his lap to see an empty bento box, remembering the morning he left.

"Here," Inoue shoved it into his hands with a smile plastered on her face that had been there all morning as all his friends came to see him off. "In case you get hungry on the way there."

"Thank you," he'd replied as he had hugged her tightly and even though she squeaked at the sudden action, she had returned his embrace the moment he attempted to pull away. She looked like she had wanted to say something but after a quiet moment of her mouth moving soundlessly, she finally responded, "See you later Kurosaki-kun."

"See you, later, Orihime."

The bus pulled to a stop, and he stretched out his arms, having the room as he was one of the few people left on the bus. It also appeared that he was the only one getting off. He reached above his seat and pulled out his pack and backpack, giving the driver a nod as he stepped off.

He shaded his eyes against the sun as the bus pulled away, being treated to the view of the town he would reside in now. There was the scent of clean air and from his vantage point, he had the whole town laid out before him. It was smaller than Karakura Town, compact housing dotted the streets. Its style, layout and feel was so different than that of his home. Standing there the depressing sense of helplessness and desire ebbed a little, almost like he could pretend that things were normal.

The wind caressed his face, carrying with it the smell of a springtime of new beginnings and a step forward in his life as a normal person. The moment was interrupted by the sound of a car pulling up to the bus stop... or rather a limo. Ichigo had not known what he had been expecting when his school had been offered a chance for one of their students to receive a full scholarship to the most prestigious academy in the country and one that was highly ranked internationally. One that had up until this year had been an all-girls school. Granted, the scholarship had required high grades, a near college level test with a handwritten essay on the back, and then approval by whoever had set up the scholarship program, which included free room and board.

Ichigo had been relieved when he had been selected, and he figure that was only because Uryu hadn't tried out for the scholarship program. He was constantly being reminded of his lack of power and ability to protect every time he saw one of his friends run off in a hurry. No longer able to even sense the unseen dangers. Instead of becoming bitter, he'd decided to pursue excellence by human standards. That meant getting the best education and it felt like fate was throwing him a conciliation prize when the scholarship program came to his school.

But still, a limo had been beyond his expectations. At first, he'd wondered if it wasn't there for him until a window rolled down. The first thing he had noticed were the striking violet eyes, a trait he had yet to find among humans. They were rimmed by glasses and framed by trimmed black hair that fell to a supple neck. The young lady they belonged to was wearing the girls uniform of Kuoh Academy, perfectly smooth and pristine. All in all, it added up to quite an attractive appearance, despite what most people believed about Ichigo Kurosaki, he noticed women. He just never felt the need to let it run his life.

The girl was giving him a simple once over, and he had felt a bit underdressed in his black shirt with the number 15 on it and camo pants. But that passed as soon as it had come, there had been nothing beyond the cursory scan to confirm if he was the individual they were to pick up.

"Are you Ichigo Kurosaki?" she asked as a man got out of the car and moved to open the door. Ichigo nodded his head in response. "Would you please join me then?"

Ichigo slipped into the car as the driver took his bags from him and placed them in the trunk.

He immediately noticed that there was one more girl in the limo, who had the same skin tone and hair color as the one who had greeted him, but that was where the similarities ended. From what he could figure she was only three inches shorter than his six feet, her hair was much longer, extending down past her knees, one eye was violet while the other was a light brown and her expression was much more relaxed than her counterpart. Besides her strikingly beautiful face, almost Orihime level, she had quite a generous bust held nicely by the Kouh Uniform. Thankfully his friendship and interaction with many of the women he had met as a soul reaper had inoculated him with exposure to such an asset. Actually, it'd been Yoruichi that push those particular buttons so far over the edge that he'd been inoculated.

"Tsubaki Shinra," she'd introduced herself with a pleasant smile.

"Ichigo Kurosaki," he'd returned the greeting plainly.

The window rolled up and the other girl turned to him, "It is a pleasure to meet you Ichigo Kurosaki, I am Sona Sitri, the student council president of Kouh Academy. This is my vice president," she gestured to Tsubaki who nodded at her friend's words.

"How was your trip?" Sona politely asked.

"It was fine," he replied, trying to relax a little. Perhaps it was the limo, but he'd been on edge the moment he'd entered the vehicle, but it faded away almost immediately. "I'd only just been dropped off before you showed up," he bowed his head slightly in Sona's direction. "Thank you for this opportunity."

That got a real smile to appear on her face and it was quite stunning, "It was my pleasure to do so, though it was your work and effort that got you here. Your test scores were quite amazing and that essay you wrote suggested that you have a powerful drive for self-improvement. Though, I was curious about your contradicting school records on delinquency."

He sighed, shaking his head before he explained, "Lots of my senor classmen liked to pick on something different." Ichigo pointed at his head. "Not a lot of orange in my town and it tended to attract the wrong kind of attention. Punks thinking I was trying to be like them for dying my hair, which I don't, this is my natural color."

Sona waved that away, "Never even considered it."

"Well, that lead to fights, and I wasn't going to just let some guys beat the crap out of me just to make themselves feel better. I'd beat them and that would attract more wanting to prove how tough they were and before I knew it, I had a reputation."

"That sounds like a regrettable situation," Sona frowned. "Why was it not dealt with by your school?" she almost sounded offended.

"Some people consider bullying is part of growing up. Others that it was just a squabble between a bunch of thugs. Mostly it was the fact that several of the students there had connections with gangs in the local area. It wasn't worth turning a few scuffles between a handful of students to actual gang violence on school grounds." Ichigo shrugged. "I was more than able to handle myself and I had a few friends that helped whenever it got too heated.

He caught a troubled look in both of their gazes and clarified, "They weren't high-level or violent gangs like the yakuza or something. Just a bunch of young men thinking too much of themselves and liked harassing people for kicks."

Ichigo paused before he asked, "May I ask you a question?"

"Of course," Sona replied, "that's the purpose of us being here in the first place."

"Why was I chosen? Given that you know my sorted record."

The girls glanced at each other and there was a sense of communication that passed between them. He knew what it looked like because he had done it himself often enough. There was a pang of loss and longing that flashed through him, but he pushed it down.

"I was curious," Sona answered after a moment of silent communication with her vice president. "You scored the highest out of all the applicants in spite of the fact that you had, by far, the most lurid of backgrounds." She shook her head, "I decided to look further into the matter as it had caught my interest. I spoke with your teachers and your principle, all of which gave you glowing recommendations. I wondered what would cause you to attempt this; to try and leave everything you know behind. Given that you also had the best scores, I decided that you deserved a chance."

The reasoning behind the answer had lessened his concerns that there was an alternative motive of some sort. "The program mentioned that I will be required to work with the student council as part of the scholarship," he brought up his next point. "What kind of duties will I have?"

"You will work under us, mostly me, though, if your fellow members ask for help you are to do your best to accommodate them," Sona informed him. "Most of what we do outside of event preparations is process the paperwork from various clubs and organizations, enforce the rules and discipline the rule breakers and oversee that the cleaning duties of the students are done on time." She pursed her lips before continuing, "That is a brief overview of our duties, there will be more than just that, but as a whole that is what the majority of our time is spent doing."

"That sounds like a lot for a student council," Ichigo pointed out.

"It is," Sona declared proudly. "The school itself wishes to teach responsibility and to further that they leave as much of the school as possible to be run by the students. Though, they will step if needed. That has never happened under my watch," she stated with a self-satisfied smile.

Ichigo had to admit the idea was interesting, though they'd need highly competent students to pull such a thing off and given that only the best of the best had been accepted it wasn't that surprising. He wondered how that would change now that they academy was allowing boys into the formally all-girls school.

"Where will I be staying?" he asked.

"There is a guest house on my family property," Sona explained. "It has a bedroom, toiletries, a tv and a place to store your belongings. There are a few rules to staying there, however. You are to stay out of the main house before the hours of seven in the morning and after the hours of ten at night. It would be unseemly if a boy not related to me were to come and go in such hours of the day."

Ichigo nodded his acceptance of those rules, not that he would have done anything unseemly, but he could understand the reasoning. Kami knows what people have said about him and Orihime spending time together at her apartment. Like it was impossible for a boy and a girl to just be friends.

"Beyond that," Sona continued, "there is food stocked inside the guest house and you may use the main sections of the main house within the acceptable time frame."

"I assume that's between seven AM and ten PM," Ichigo said.

She nodded glancing at her friend and asked, "Tsubaki, have I forgotten anything?"

The taller girl opened a notebook and flicked through the pages before responding, "His uniform."

"Right, your uniform is on the way as we speak and should arrive before tomorrow's opening ceremony, which we are on our way to set up. So, I will introduce you to the rest of the council once we arrive," Sona's eyes drifted out the window, "And here we are."

Ichigo turned to follow her gaze and let out a low whistle at the sight that awaited them. He'd seen pictures but it was something else in person. A campus fit for a major university, much less a high school, laid out before him with the main building being large enough to hold the whole of the student body. An impressively large gymnasium with a myriad of sports fields off to the side, and the grounds were perfectly maintained with a depth of care taken that suggested several groundskeeping crews worked on it daily.

The limo pulled to a stop, and he had held open the door for the girls as they got out, getting a nod of thanks from the driver.

"Your baggage will be delivered to my home," Sona reassured him as he closed the car door.

Ichigo nodded as he followed the two girls into the main building. The inside was as pristine as the outside, the main room holding a double set of rising stairs that led to the upper floor. They took a right following the hallway until it reached a wide oaken door which opened into what he assumed was the assembly hall.

There were six other people all dressed in student uniforms, hard at work prepping the hall for the opening ceremony. Two girls, one with shoulder-length light purple hair and a lollipop in her mouth and the other with shoulder-length light ocean blue hair tied into a ponytail with a purple maid headband that had one gold star on the left side were on their tiptoes putting up a banner. There was a boy walking by them with four folding chairs in his arms, his hair was blonde and spiky. Ichigo noticed the boy's eye had moved to peek at the two girls who on their tiptoes were showing a lot at the right angle and a slight smile formed on his face.

There was an annoyed exhalation form Sona and the barest of a sigh from Tsubaki, but as it turned out they were not the only ones that noticed as a tall girl with blue hair walked behind the peeking boy and kicked him in the shin. Getting an annoyed look from the peeper the tall girl said something quietly to him, cutting off his protest at her for the kick. The boy turned to see them, and all the color drained from his face, where he then proceeded to speed up his work setting up the chairs, doing his best to avoid looking in their direction.

The blue haired girl glanced at Sona and shrugged, giving Ichigo a good look at her face. It was different from the other girls, more angled but still appealing. What really drew his attention to her was that he was certain he'd seen her somewhere before, not met but seen. He just couldn't quite place her.

There was another girl on the stage working with the electric equipment, her brown hair was in twin tails. Behind her was a yet another girl but a lot shorter with dark blue hair who took and handed over tools to her.

Sona nodded and walked forward with Ichigo in tow. She hadn't said anything, but the student council members responded as if she had given them an order and congregated to them. She looked on them with pride for the most part, even if the only other boy there besides Ichigo was still pale with fear.

"Everyone," Sona started, looking around at her people, "you're all doing well. I am quite proud of what you have accomplished." They all preened at her praise. "I would like to introduce you all to our newest member, the one who was awarded the Future's Award Scholarship."

All their eyes turned on Ichigo and he was struck by the force behind their gazes. All of them, from the soft brown-haired girl to the tall intimidating girl at their center had gazes that spoke of unseen power. It wasn't something he'd often seen with most humans his age, except for his friends back home.

"Please introduce yourself," Sona directed Ichigo to speak.

The sensation vanished and he did as she instructed, "My name is Ichigo Kurosaki. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

The light purple haired girl waved at him, her face was expressionless with a lollipop poking out of her mouth as she responded first, "I am Mizore Shirayuki, welcome." He'd noticed that her eyes were blue with a bit of purple at the top, that she also wore a yellow pendant and had long dark and light purple stripped stockings that contrasted with her ivory skin.

The light blue one with the maid headband, had deep purple eyes, thick long black eyelashes and huge breasts, made all the bigger by her short five-foot frame spoke next, "Kurumu Kurono, at your service newbie." She then winked at him.

The tall blue haired one who was perhaps only an inch shorter than he was, stepped forward and shook his hand with a powerful grip and a wry grin, "Tsubasa Yura."

The name clicked into place, and he remembered her. It was what had felt like ages ago but was just before he invaded the Soul Society to save Rukia. He'd watched his childhood friend, Tatsuki Arisawa participate in the national karate tournament, women's division. She'd broken her arm early on but still continued to compete, only to lose in the last round to the girl before him.

The brown-haired girl with twin tails and had an impressive sized bust nodded at him in an almost shy manner, introducing herself as Reya Kushka.

The last girl had collar-length dark-blue hair which was tied back with a polka-dot ribbon and blue eyes, she was certainly cute, but she looked nearly as young as Ichigo's little sisters, and instead of speaking she held up a notepad that read; Hello, I am San Otonashi. Come and seem me if you need any help.

"Huh? Thanks," Ichigo replied at the odd girl.

"Forgive San," Sona apologized, "but she is very shy and doesn't like to talk, often communicating through her notepad. And before you ask, she's a third-year student, not a child prodigy and is seventeen years old."

"Never crossed my mind," Ichigo said, though he was shocked that she was actually a year older than him.

The only other boy around was sizing him up and had been the whole time before he reached out a hand which Ichigo shook, "Genshiro Saji, though most people call me Saji." The grip was firm but not unreasonably strong. "To be honest I'm just glad to have another guy around. I had thought you were a girl when I heard your name for the first time."

"Saji, that's rude," Sona chastised him.

"Oh, sorry," he apologized, pulling his hand back. "No offense man."

"None taken," Ichigo replied nonplused. "So, how can I help?"

---

They had finished as evening began to dim the sky. The limo that had dropped them off was waiting for them and made the rounds to drop them off at their respective homes. Ichigo was silent through the whole thing, none of the others had made any attempt to speak to him, which was his own fault. He was something new in a dynamic that had already been established and they'd have to get used to him. Besides, there hadn't been much conversation going on as Sona had organized and laid them to task with the confidence of an experienced leader.

While the car rode on, making stops and the sky darkened, Ichigo noticed that they became more animated, energetic as if the work they had done hadn't bothered them at all. Sona and Tsubaki had been in a quiet conference with each other the whole journey. Though he couldn't hear their words clearly, the tone gave whatever they were discussing an air of significance.

Watching them like that, the trust they shared, the comradery, had warmed and pained him at the same time. His own friends had done their best to include him, but he was a world below them now and he'd noticed Chad distancing himself a bit more as every day went by. Ichigo was able to tell that his brother in all but blood was pained to see him so weak. He was a liability in their duty to protect his hometown from the threats it faced. Without meaning to his hand slipped into his pocket, where his deputy badge that marked him as a substitute soul reaper would have been.

There was nothing there of course, as he had left it behind in his bedroom. The move was a conscious decision that symbolized his acceptance of no longer being that person he once was and his commitment to making the best out of a normal life. It was also a constant reminder of what he'd lost and that was part of why he worked to so hard to receive the scholarship to Kouh Academy.

"You don't talk much, do you?" Saji asked, getting Ichigo to glance at him.

"I'm new here," he answered with a shrug and glanced around the spacious limo, "and you all were already engrossed in your own conversations. I didn't want to intrude."

"Eh," Saji replied in thought. "Honestly, we haven't had a new member join in a while and most of them knew Kaichou before they were initiated into the student council. Me, I was the newbie before you and honestly, if you just smile instead of brooding all the time, it will make things easier."

The advice was good and if Ichigo wanted to get out of his funk that'd be a good place to start. Though, smiling might not be possible but he could lighten up his scowl.

"Thanks, I will think on it," Ichigo responded honestly.

"No problem. We've all had our own issues, we get it."

Ichigo wondered if they did. He wouldn't arbitrarily discount Saji's words out of hand, but he doubted they would have had an issue quite like one that he was currently facing. Most couldn't fathom the loss of supernatural powers that had allowed him to stop soul eating monsters and protect people. To feel uncomfortable at being a mere, ordinary human.

"Yeah, I've had rough year," Ichigo muttered out.

Saji nodded, "Well, this is a good place to make a new start. I know a lot of people who have used Kouh as a fresh start." His eyes had tracked over to Sona and lingered there with the slightest embers of desire flaring, "Even me."

"I think that's a part of why I came here," Ichigo admitted.

The limo had reached what Ichigo had assumed was Saji's house and the boy got out giving his goodbye, "See you tomorrow, Kaichou," he gave a curt nod to Ichigo, "and you too Kurosaki."

"See you," Ichigo simply replied.

He watched Saji get out of the vehicle and the limo started up again, Sona and Tsubaki were still speaking in low tones, oblivious of the boy's exit. Now that Ichigo was alone with them, he could hear their voices that let out words he couldn't understand. Another language that he'd never heard before in his life that both of them seemed completely fluent in. He turned his attention away from them as they clearly hadn't wanted anyone to know what they were talking about. But it had him wonder what the two members of a school council needed to discuss in code.

Ichigo closed his eyes and felt empty.

It'd become a habit to sense for what no longer existed. His mind sought out the once vast spiritual energy he had possessed to only feel nothing. Bringing forth a sense of immense loss and pain that threatened to overtake him. He shook off the depressing feelings of helplessness and longing, keeping his eye shut as he tried not to think about what he'd lost. It'd take time for him to learn how to be human again. He knew that, but that didn't make it any easier.

Ichigo Kurosaki let out a sigh and focused on the nothing, letting everything fall away into the void.

---

Ichigo had felt that the day had gone well. The opening ceremony went off without a hitch, Sona's speech had been measured but passionate to a fault. He had been in a spot where he could see everyone in attendance, mostly girls... as in four boys and a couple hundred girls. Three of whom had sat together, their differing height plainly visible. One had a red headband under his full head of ink black hair, another in the middle with thick brown hair that fell into bangs and the third with grey-white hair that was the tallest of the trio. Two of three had not paid any attention to the speech, as their yes wandered over all the girls around them, much to said girls' displeasure. They weren't breaking any school rules, so no one stopped them and the one in the middle at least just peeked from the corner of his eyes every now and again at the insistence of his two fellows.

The first one with the headband was actually handsome with light green eyes, dressed in the school uniform without the tie, his shirt open a little which showed a wolf head pendent he wore around his neck. That got quite a few of the girls returned his gaze with flirty smiles but Ichigo noticed that when his gaze landed on the student council he froze. At first Ichigo had thought Sona had noticed what he was doing and glared him into submission but upon closer inspection it was San glaring at him, her cheeks puffed cutely yet, it made the teen become a well-behaved student.

The second one with brown hair was slightly higher than average appearance, brown eyes and a relatively athletic and slender physique with pale skin. He was also wearing the Kuoh men's uniform in its entirety and correctly.

The third one with short grey-white hair was a tall, intimidating young man with broad shoulders and light eyes. He was uncomfortably shifting, pulling at his uniform, no tie, on jacket and his shirt was even more open than the black haired one. He'd also caught San's gaze and stiffened up, his gaze no longer wandering around at the girls around him.

The fourth boy was as different as the trio as day was to night. He was well-kempt with blonde hair and looks that clearly won him a lot of attention from the opposite sex. Ichigo had heard the boy's name was Kiba Yuuto and remembered it because the Fuka Kaichou Tsubaki had been drooling over him that morning. Kiba had been one of the first group of boys to be chosen to attend this school along with the other three. Next had been Saji and finally Ichigo himself.

Ichigo had gotten a lot of looks from his spot sitting with the Student Council up on the stage as he was taller than all the others, had bright orange hair and his scowl was firmly affixed to his face. It was a defense mechanism as he had not expected to have been up on the stage. Sona had even introduced him along with the entire council as part of her speech so now they knew his name.

After that, there had been a hasty clean up where he had watched San carry five chairs in each arm, and Reya moved a sound system by herself. The acts spoke of strength beyond their appearance. He had to shake off the paranoid thoughts as he was certain that he was projecting his issues on them. But there had been a second issue when Sona's friend had shown herself.

"That was well said Sona dear," a new voice had commented, which got Ichigo to glance up from the background of the stage where he had placed chairs on a mobile rack.

Sona had looked up sharply at the voice and adjusted her glasses, a smile touching her lips as she responded, "Of course it was."

Ichigo noticed that Kiba was standing with the one who had spoken, getting a better look at the young man. He was middling in height with a well built and defined muscle structure over his whole body. The boy tried to hide it with his loose-fitting school uniform but the way he moved gave it away. Kiba held himself like a veteran soul reaper with a stance that could quickly move to violent action in a moment's notice. The stance seemed as natural to him as breathing and he stood next to an even more striking, and Ichigo would admit, distracting figure.

Crimson hair the color of freshly spilled blood cascaded down her back to her thigs, her white skin held just the hint of a tan, or it was just that almost anything would look tan next to Sona's ivory skin. She wore the school uniform that everyone else had on. She stood only two inches below his own height and like several of the girls he had met in the past day, had a chest that was the equal of Orihime's, perhaps a little bigger. Honestly, he couldn't even bring himself to feel like a pervert for noticing, unless you were up in her face it was impossible not to notice. He deliberately turned away from her and went back to work on putting away the chair, but still listened.

"Indeed, you will need to be good if you plan on keeping your throne," the crimson haired girl stated.

Sona's voice only sounded more confident as she replied, "Rias Gremory, are you telling me you plan to run this year?"

"Perhaps, my rival. After all, kicking you off your throne would be pleasant," the now identified Rias declared.

For all those words meant, Ichigo could feel that there was no tension in the air. No slight indication that there was even a challenge. Both girls were silent for a long-drawn-out moment before they broke out in laughter and hugged each other.

"It is good to see you again, Sona," Rias happily stated. "It has been too long."

"It has," Sona agreed with equal cheer. "You were too busy as of late dealing with a rather urgent issue."

For a moment the mood changed to something somber.

"I am making progress on that front, and I will keep my freedom yet," Rias replied resolutely, but her voice quivered slightly. "But enough of that. How have you been? Have you added to your collection while I was away?"

Ichigo could feel their eyes on his back, and they were strong, like they had a weight of power to them.

"No," Sona answered with a sigh. "He is one of those on the scholarship program."

Their eyes seemed to burn into his back and then Rias said something to Sona in the same language she and Tsubaki had used in the limo last night. Sona made a humming sound and turned her attention to him as he glanced back at them, an eyebrow raised as they both startled as if shocked.

"Can I help you?" Ichigo asked, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end as they were both solely focused on him.

"Eight," Rias uttered with shock.

That made no sense to Ichigo, confusing him all the more.

"So it seems," Sona muttered before she shook her head as if to break out of a trance. "No Kurosaki-san, we were just discussing what your duties were. This is my friend, Rias Gremory."

Ichigo nodded his head in greeting, still a bit on edge with how hard the girl was looking at him. She eventually sighed and rubbed her eyes, seemingly breaking the same trance Sona was under before responding, "My apologies, Kurosaki-san. Your hair was quite striking."

That was a transparent lie to Ichigo, but he chose not to push the issue.

"One could say the same about you," Ichigo played along, his scowl falling away as he turned back to his work. He had pushed the cart away as the two friends began to speak in that odd language again. He mentally declared to himself that he needed to pay more attention to this place.

So, Ichigo had watched and waited as he went to his morning classes, but nothing happened as his math class came and went. There was no odd language, no eyes that held power or anything else that set off his paranoia. Reaffirming his belief that he had been projecting his desire for his pervious life as a soul reaper onto them.

The rest of the day had gone by smoothly. He had helped Reya with moving some books around, helped San put up some flyers on several clubs. Worked with Saji at sealing and sending letters to various supporters of the school as a thank you for their donations. Saji had been happy to chat away, telling him how Sona had handwritten each letter to each person individually. Ichigo had only known the boy for the two days, but he was absolutely certain Saji had a crush on Sona.

When his first day ended, he had taken the time to walk through a very nice park on the way to his housing, taking his time to walk over its grounds and got a sense of the place. It appeared to go well off into the forest that surrounded the city, giving off a peaceful serenity to the park. He had crossed a place with a fountain he assumed was for people on dates, noting the work that had gone into its creation.

Karakura Town had nothing like it or of it did, no one had bothered to inform him of it. Though, given who he was, it wasn't surprising that no one would. He must have walked for over an hour before making his way back to Sona's home and guesthouse. She had told him she was going to be late, and he did not know her well enough to judge what she meant.

---

Ichigo found himself attempting some simple cooking, like really simple as he threw some rice in a rice cooker. Fished out some spices and vinegar to make a sauce and added some tofu that was in the massive refrigerator. It was a meal he couldn't mess up even if he tried. Yuzu had been the cook of the family ever since their mother died, but there were always days where it was sometimes not possible for her to cook. He was nowhere near her level, but he would not starve on his own.

Ichigo sat at the table and with a glass of water, he was just about to eat a spoonful of rice when he heard the door open.

"No, you haven't been here in a while," Sona was saying.

"Will I still have to order food?" Rias Gremory's voice asked.

"I would be happy to make us something, Bouchou," a voice Ichigo hadn't recognized chimed in.

"Ah, your cooking is quite splendid if memory serves," Tsubaki added.

The unknown girl made a pleased sound, then there was a moment of silence before she spoke up, "It seems someone has already cooked something."

Ichigo proceeded to eat the spoonful of rice as the four girls walked through the living room into the dining room. They saw a glass of water and a bowl of rice in front of him, with an open schoolbook laid out. He got to see the new girl, and noted her skin was on the same level of pale as Sona, with long purple hair tied in a ponytail. She was still in the school uniform with violet eyes that seemed gentle on the surface and a chest that put her just under Nel's adult form and Rangiku in the chest department. He made sure his gaze slid away from her bust, wondering if the chest sizes of the girls at Kouh were large on average.

"Hello and welcome back, Sona-san," Ichigo greeted as he moved to stand.

Sona nodded, "Good to see you made your way back Kurosaki-san… you cook?"

"A little," he confirmed, nodding his head at the guests. "A pleasure to see you again, Rias-san," and turned his head to look at the new girl, "I am Ichigo Kurosaki."

"Akeno Himejima," she returned the greeting with a grace that seemed natural and yet, off at the same time.

Ichigo moved to gather his things, prompting Sona to ask, "What are you doing?"

"Moving to the guest house," he answered, gesturing at her guests. "Leaving you to catch up with your visitors without a stranger eavesdropping."

"Nonsense," Sona said, waving away his concern. "It is still eight and you are free to stay for the next two hours." There was a growling sound that came from her stomach, and she went red at the noise.

"Given what I've heard, I know it will not be as good as Akeno-san's food but there is extra," he offered, pointing to the kitchen. "If you want some."

There was no reason not to give the offer and after a shared glance amongst each other, all the girls ended up taking a bowl and joining him at the table. He put away the book and almost jumped out of his chair as Akeno set herself down beside him. Given how many chairs were at the long table, it was no accident. He noted that Rias rolled her eyes at Akeno's move.

"So, Kurosaki-san, tell us about yourself," Akeno said.

Ichigo kept his eyes fixed on the table, not trusting them to look anywhere else at the moment.

"Not much to tell," he started. "I'm from Karakura Town. I have two little sisters and a dad." He forced himself to show none of the sudden pain his words were about to bring up. "Mom died when I was little so dad raised us by himself. Got into a lot of fights with punks that had issues with my hair color and wanting to prove how tough they were. Managed to get good grades despite how most of my teachers assumed I was just another thug. Made some close friends, a few things happened in my life, and I decided I needed a fresh start. Get away to clear my head and move on. I was honestly surprised when I was accepted here."

Ichigo smiled ever so slightly at Sona, which for him was the equivalent of a normal person grinning from ear to ear, "Thank you for that."

Sona coughed and looked away for a moment before facing him and responding, "You're welcome."

Rias glanced at her friend; a mischievous glint formed in her eyes upon seeing something.

Ichigo moved past that, not wanting to even try and read into what that was about, "That's pretty much my story in a nutshell. What's yours, Akeno-san?"

Akeno's smile never changed when she answered but he caught Rias wincing, "About the same as you. My mother had me out of wedlock and the family pretty much disowned her."

Ichigo could sense that there was a lot more hidden emotion buried underneath her blasé response, much like he did when talking about is mother. Thus, he knew he'd hit a rough spot for her and apologized, "Sorry."

"You were honest so I will be too, besides this one has a happy ending. I met Bouchou," she turned a radiant smile on Rias. "She took me in, gave me a home and a family." Anyone could have heard the love and admiration in her voice. "And here I am now."

"Still, I will refrain from asking similar questions," Ichigo replied.

"No need," Sona informed him. "Both of us have a relatively normal upbringing."

"We are rich," Rias clarified, "so, there is that."

"Yes, there is that," Sona drawled out. "However, I have one sister and loving parents. I also grew up with Rias as a friend and rival."

"Mostly the same," Rias added. "Though, I have an older brother who can be stiflingly overprotective at times."

"Sounds like a good older brother," Ichigo commented.

"Sometimes," she conceded with a smile.

He noted that Sona had avoided saying anything about Tsubaki who sat and watched with a pleasant smile of her own. But he felt there was a good reason she hadn't shared too so he left it alone. Instead, he decided to open up a bit and tell a funny story of his childhood. The others responded in kind, though, Tsubaki and Akeno only spoke of tales from when they were friends of Sona and Rias.

The ice seemed to break between them, as much as possible for people who had only just met. It was pleasant and nice, sitting, talking, laughing and remembering good times with four lovely ladies. It was refreshing and he got to use Sona's huge bath which consisted of several pools and a steam room before he went to bed. All in all, it was a good day and hopefully a good start in a new place, in a new life, even if it was just for a time.

---

"Does anyone have my," Ichigo silenced Sona with a thump of papers hitting her desk. She nodded her head in thanks and took a paper from the stack, her pen flying across it as her eyes flickered across the lines. He also placed a cup of tea mixed with honey and a hint of cinnamon. He had noted her enjoyment of the drink over the last two weeks.

He'd been getting up early for calisthenics and martial arts practice and found that Sona liked to spend her mornings sitting on the porch, gently sipping her morning beverage. Once he asked and found out what she liked, he'd made a point to have it made for her when they were at school. It had taken a few times to get the mix just right, but he had gotten it down.

"The Judo Club wants a meeting at 3:00," Ichigo informed, glancing at a pad in his hand and continued, "the Kendo Club have been complaining about voyeurs. So, I'm going to take a look into that this afternoon. The Job fair for tomorrow has been set up. Reya got her new books for the library, and it is almost time for your mandatory thirty-minute break."

"Thank you, Ichigo-san," Sona replied.

"You're welcome, Sona-san," Ichigo said, and moved on around the student council room, having settled into an easy routine after two weeks.

As he passed Saji hard at work with the creation of a flyer for what looked like the tennis club exhibition, he dropped another stack of paper's to Saji's left.

"How in the world did you get Kaichou to take a break?" Saji asked, looking up from his work.

Last week Saji had asked what drink Ichigo was making for Sona and apparently, he had tried to make it himself. He'd been forbidden from trying again in between bouts of Sona vomiting.

"Showed her studies about stress and the need for relaxation, and pointed out that she was setting a bad example for the rest of you. She works harder than anybody and needed the breather, even I could see that, and I've only been here a short time."

Saji had a complicated look cross his face which Ichigo ignored and moved on.

Kurumu was sitting next to Saji and was clearly trying to get and keep his attention. Ichigo was decently certain the girl had a crush on the boy and he either was ignoring it or stupid enough to miss it. Oddly, with that thought came the idea that Ichigo might be the pot calling the kettle black, though, he couldn't figure out why. Ichigo placed a basket down beside Kurumu filled with the supplies she was going to need but hadn't asked for yet.

"Thank you, Ichigo-san," Kurumu absently said.

Ichigo just gave a curt nod and passed by San, dropping a pile of paperwork next to her as the girl still wouldn't talk to him. She apparently only spoke with Sona and Tsubaki, using her note pad with everyone else. Though, currently she was in the zone and didn't even so much as note his presence. Right beside her was the newest addition to the student council, Gin Morioka, one of the perverted trio. It'd surprised him that a skirt chaser like Gin was accepted into the student council, but he was very well behaved when in San's presence. Ichigo couldn't explain why but he was certain Gin had a crush on San.

A few more steps and an arm blocked his path, "Sup, Ichigo." Tsubasa had her other hand on her hip as she smirked at him. She had been quick to discard honorifics and he didn't mind. "We still on for basketball after school?"

Part of Ichigo wanted to regret the first time he had said yes to that, not because it wasn't fun, he actually enjoyed it and it was great exercise. It was just that Tsubasa liked to wear yoga pants and an equally tight top when they played. She looked stunning but he felt like a sleaze every time they played. He'd even openly told her as much when she asked why he looked so hesitant. She had laughed and told him it was fine to look and that he should stop worrying so much. She was fully aware of what she looked like and was fine with him staring. It was refreshingly blunt, but it still had him blush, which made her laugh.

"Of course, see you then," he answered despite dreading her mocking his embarrassment at what she'd be wearing but he was also looking forward to the sight.

"You two are doing what?" Sona asked, having raised her head at hearing their conversation.

"We play basketball after school," Tsubasa explained. "Work out some of our excess energy while having some fun."

Sona gave them an odd look but nodded her consent, "So long as you put away what you use."

"Of course, Kaichou," Tsubasa replied crisply.

Sona's gaze lingered on Ichigo for a moment, and he thought he saw her narrow her eyes ever so slightly but that was all.

"Now, if you will pardon me, I need to deliver something to the Occult Research Club," Ichigo informed Tsubasa. He idly mused about how odd it was when he knew for a fact that the occult was real. Which made it easy for him to say such things with a straight face.

"Well, don't let me stop you," Tsubasa replied, stepping to the side gallantly and her gaze followed him until he left the room.

Ichigo found her behavior odd but figured that she must have appreciated having someone to play ball with. He admitted to himself that he was pleased to provide that and the view she gave him was pleasant. He blamed his teenage hormones.

Girls moved out of his way and whispered as he passed them in the halls. They either giggled or looked a little wary of him. The school rumor mill being what it was, he was the leader of not one, not two, but three separate clans of the Yakuza. Had either blackmailed or been blackmailed onto the student council where the glorious Onee-sama of the school; Sona Sitri was fighting a desperate battle to save his soul from darkness and delinquency.

Or was that the tale from last week?

Was Ichigo the misunderstood loner now, with some dark deeds under his belt and taken under the wing of the student council to be healed of his hurts and turned into a proper citizen. No that had been the first week. Right, he was a rich heir now from some bigshot family sent here under the disciplined eye of Sona Sitri to learn work ethics and to be punished for his womanizing ways.

Ichigo ignored the rumors as he'd always done and remained indifferent to those who started them, which was anyone's guess.

"That's when I saw it," a familiar voice said as Ichigo rounded the corner to find three boys tucked against some lockers. He could see a magazine between them.

"Wow," a boy with brown hair whispered. "Look at them."

"Well, the title is Boobs International," Gin stated proudly. "Can you believe someone would just throw this away. Look at Mrs. Brazil, her boobs are huge but perky, the ideal combo."

"You're stupid, dog breath," the third boy spoke. "Small and pert is the ideal combo for breasts."

They crowded around it but froze at the sound of a long sigh coming from behind them.

Slowly they looked up into Ichigo's scowling face.

"H-hello Ichigo-san," the brown-haired boy stuttered out, using his body to hide the magazine.

"What's your name again?" Ichigo asked.

"Tsukune Hyoudou," the boy answered.

"Right, Tsukune," Ichigo didn't bother using honorifics with the name. "And you're Haiji," he looked at his fellow student council member and sighed, "and Gin. This isn't a good look for a member of the student council, Kaichou and San will be disappointed."

Gin flinched but still managed to confidently reply, "It's harmless appreciation of the female form and it's not like were peeking into the girl's locker room or anything."

"I honestly do not care or want to know what you do in your free time outside of school, but you know the rules, most likely better than I do. Now give me the magazine or you will be cleaning toilets for a month." The bored and dull way Ichigo said that seemed to embolden them.

"Or what, you're just a junior member of the student council. You don't have any power here," Haiji fired back, eager for a fight as he cracked his knuckles. "Unless you plan on doing so through force."

Ichigo looked at them, really looked at them with a gaze that had seen death and violence, against creatures so powerful they would make mortals weep in fear. A gaze that had invaded the afterlife to save the life of a single friend. A gaze that waged war against a fortified city filled with soul devouring warriors to rescue another friend. The gaze of a man who had burned his very soul for those he loved.

Tsukune gulped as his breath seemed to be stolen from him, his heart pounded in sudden dread as the gaze held him trapped like a mouse in the maw of lion. The other two were shocked but didn't flinch while Tsukune broke the moment by stepping between them, "Right, sorry, we forgot," and pulled out the magazine.

Ichigo took it away with hardly a glance at the topless women on the front.

"This is your one warning," Ichigo informed them, "and just ask Gin, Kaichou has given me full authority to act in her name. Remember that and have a good day."

He walked past the three, hearing a sigh of relief and took a quick detour into the teacher's lounge to feed the magazine through their shredder. He'd have preferred not to pay the trio a second glance, but they were on school grounds. Besides, what he had done was the least they would have gotten from Sona herself. Saji might have let them off, but the rest of the council -not counting Gin for obvious reasons- would not. Ichigo had fallen somewhere in between.

When he came out Gin and Haiji were glaring at him. They must have followed him to see what he would do with their magazine, and they could have heard the shredder from outside the door.

"You call yourself a man?!" Gin shouted out in indignation. "This is what you took it for? I mean I could respect taking it for yourself but this?!"

Ichigo scowled at them, and it seemed to slow them somewhat. He could say from experience, abet unwilling experience that real ones were far better than what they could put in a magazine. Even if they were being put in your face without consent just to mess you.

"You just destroyed some prime material before I could even see if they had any good ones! Are you happy?" Haiji yelled at him.

Ichigo noted Tsukune wasn't as enthused as his two friends, he actually looked uncomfortable. His two buddies' eyes were shining with an almost zealot-like zeal as Gin shouted out, "Do you not like Oppai?" as a group of girls passed them.

All eyes turned in curiosity as Ichigo stared at the shameless brats, one he unfortunately shared space with on the council.

"There are far more things to life and women then their chests," Ichigo chided.

"So you're a butt man," Haiji nodded respectfully.

Ichigo's eyebrow developed a twitch, and he clinched his teeth as he spoke, "Are you trying to make me angry?"

"That's not a no," Gin pointed out, looking at Ichigo. "I can respect that Ichigo-san, butts are good too, just not as good as Oppai."

Anger rose up and threatened to explode, then as quickly as it rose it faded away. Ichigo sighed; his shoulders dropped as a feeling of disgust welled within him for considering violence over suck a stupid topic. He was sure Gin and Haiji were skilled fighters, with a sense of power to them that made him wonder if they had abilities like his friends back home, and they looked ready to respond to any physical confrontation.

"Let me tell you something," Ichigo lectured. "When you find someone you might love, hold on to them and not for something as simple as their looks. That can be a part of it, but when you love someone, they always look lovely." He looked at them as the image of raven hair filtered through his mind. "Hold on to that person because you can lose them and then nothing else will matter. Life without them becomes duller and ever colder."

A pained sigh escaped his lips.

The girls watching all sighed as one, looking at him differently now.

"That won't be a problem for me, because I will love many," Gin proudly declared, his voice growing louder. "I will have my fill of every big breasted beauty in the academy! I promise you that!"

"And my attempt at guidance is a failure and I am going to leave," Ichigo deadpanned, with a roll of his eyes. The thought of having multiple women liking a single person romantically seemed impossible to him. Most were lucky if they got even one. Somehow, he felt like a hypocrite for thinking that. It wasn't like he had several women who wanted that from him.

Ichigo stalked away from the trio as Haiji shouted a similar dream but about small breasted and petite girls to the horror and disgust of the girls watching them. Those three had some growing up to do and Ichigo thanked kami it wasn't his job to parent them. Sona might feel obligated to do so, but he certainly didn't. Though, Tsukune seemed contemplative and sad as if he felt he'd never experience love at all, let alone what it'd be like to lose that love.

Tsukune had ogled the magazine, but he wasn't infuriated when Ichigo had shredded it like his friends. He also wasn't spewing the same filthy dreams of debauchery as Gin and Haiji. Perhaps Tsukune could be redeemed as his problem was a combination of having terrible friends and a complete lack of confidence with the opposite sex.

Ichigo barely noticed the automatic doors open as he made his way to the old school building, lost in thought. Not for the first time he wondered why a club was given a whole building to perform their function. Perhaps it was the family connections. He had been there almost once a day for the past two weeks and Rias was a constant presence at the Sitri household.

Ichigo opened the door with his shoulder and walked in with the box he was to deliver. He could hear a shower in the background which told him there would be a wait to get the club leader's signature for the vast amount of flyers within said box. The building was decorated as one might a house with fine wood furniture, perfectly painted walls, low thread count carpet floors. It was quite the sight as he walked into the main room and found the one person there that always seemed to be there when he was around. She was the only student he'd met with white hair in this school and was as small as San. Her golden eyes turned to watch him as he entered, her expression calm yet pleased, like a cat.

Ichigo sat the box down and pulled a lollipop out of his pocket, tossing it to the girl.

The first time he had seen her, he had assumed she was his sisters age. She had been standing outside a local candy store, eyeing the treats inside. He hadn't known how long she had been standing there. Ichigo himself had been grabbing something to send home to Karin and Yuzu. In that state of mind, it hadn't taken much at all to grab one of the candies she had been eyeing and handing it to her as he left.

Ichigo was surprised when he met her as a member of the Occult Research Club and found out she was only a year younger than him. Yuzu was taller than she was and with puberty on full swing, was almost more developed than her.

She hadn't said a word the second time they met, just walking up to him expectantly and when she discovered he had no candy to give her, she had sat down on the couch with a look of disappointment on her face. So nowadays he kept a lollipop or other hard candy on hand and made it a point to give her one when he saw her. He didn't know much about her really, just that her name was Koneko Toujou, that she was a student and liked candy.

"Delivery for Rias."

She motioned with her head, back in the direction the shower sounds were coming from.

"I figure," Ichigo sighed out and took a seat at the couch opposite from Koneko and pulled out a textbook to read on next week's assignment.

Koneko did as she always did and watched him from her spot, never making an attempt to speak, never growing bored. Like a cat watching a water faucet that was turned on. It had been uncomfortable at first but he had quickly grown used to it.

He was a good six pages in when the water turned off followed by the sounds of drying. The door opened and he glanced up, Rias Gremory was wearing a long yellow robe not made with a chest her size in mind. He stared only for a second at the physics defying bounce before turning away.

"How many times a day do you take a shower?" he asked to cover his lightly flushing cheeks.

The girl did not lose a single step, or seem to care at all how exposed she was. "As many as I need to feel clean," she answered in a nasally false voice.

With his face under control he got up and knowing where to look now, faced her focusing on her forehead as he got up and put the box down on her desk.

"Delivery of the flyers you wanted made," Ichigo droned out professionally, handing her the clipboard.

Rias sighed and went over to her desk where she plopped down and searched for a pen. "How did your sisters enjoy the gifts I suggested?"

"Well, considering you bought them a PlayStation Five and told me to give it to them, they loved it. Though dad was wondering where I got the money for that."

"Oh, and what did you tell him?"

"That it was a gift to my sisters from a friend who enjoyed hearing stories about them," Ichigo answered. "And then I had to tell him it was a girl because he got worried," he put his hand on his face. "And that opened a whole other can of worms."

Rias made an annoyed sound, "I empathizes. If I even mention the name of a boy to my brother he gets all psycho protective."

She gestured at a seat and Ichigo sat down, small hands tugged on his arm and he glanced down to see Koneko there, gold eyes filled with want. He shook his head and handed her a jawbreaker and listened as she went back to the couch.

"You spoil her know," Rias said, finding her pen. Ichigo was busy focusing on her crimson hair rather than the partially open bathrobe. "It's not good for her."

"Bouchou," Koneko said from her spot, voice full of disapproval.

"It's not," Rias reiterated. "Now she looks forward to you dropping by more than me, and I keep the candy bowl full," the words were teasing and good-natured.

Koneko sighed, got up from her couch and walked over to Rias and gave her a hug. "Thank you," she said, her voice low and unchanging, and went back to her spot.

"That's better," she sniffed. "I deserve respect around here."

"Perhaps you should start with clothing," Ichigo suggested dryly.

"And miss the chance to see you squirm as you try to look everywhere but where you want to," Rias chortled. "For shame Ichigo Kurosaki." She grinned and leaned forward to give him a better view of her cleavage.

"You and Yoruichi would get along," he sighed with red tinting his cheeks. "Enjoy messing with people in immodest ways."

"Who is that?"

"One of my former teachers with a bad habit of walking in on me naked, and I mean butt naked. Seriously, her confidence makes you look tame."

"Hmm, butt naked is a pretty big step up," Rias agreed. "Perhaps when I am older."

"Or not at all," Ichigo deadpanned. "That is an option."

"And miss out on your expression of panic, I think not," she told him, her voice filled with mock offense.

Ichigo sighed in exasperation, again and reached out his hand for the clipboard. "Not yet," she chided him, wagging her pen. "How goes your life at Sona's mansion?"

"Fine," he answered. "I make dinner most nights now and we have some nice, proper talks with less flesh on display."

"Oh, I don't know about that. I heard you do morning calisthenics shirtless," she tutted at him. "Shame on you, giving Sona a free show but me, who has worked so hard gets nothing."

"I am not a show," Ichigo argued. "She reads her books when she is on the porch."

"Hmm, perhaps if your back is considered a book, cause I don't think The Original Toa Te Ching would make her blush every time I bring it up."

"That's just because you haven't corrupted her yet."

"Who says I need to," Rias mused. "She is like me after all, and you are not bad to look at when you smile... or when you don't if I'm in the right mood."

"Ah... thanks," Ichigo replied, keeping the blush from forming with little effort as Rias was an amateur in comparison to Yoruichi. That cat pushed playful flirtation to outrageous sexual inuendo all for laughs and giggles. She'd never been serious about any of it, she just enjoyed needling him and watch him squirm. Rias had a natural talent for it, but she was a hundred years too young to keep up with Yoruichi.

Rias still chuckled at the light tinting of his cheeks before she handed over the clipboard, "So, in a few days we are going to hand out the flyers. Could you mention that to Sona-dear, so she knows ahead of time?"

"I will tell her," he agreed as he stood up. "Though, I'm certain she already knows. Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," she said and stood as well.

"What does the Occult Research Club do?"

Rias just gave him a mysterious smile as she answered, "Occult Research," as if she was confiding in him with some great secret.

He opened his mouth to say more when the weight of her chest proved too much for the yellow bathrobe to bear. The ribbon slipped and the robe split open, two orbs bounced free. Her face went red and Ichigo did the quickest about-face the room had ever seen, though, the image was burned into his brain.

"I'll be going now," he clipped out, back turned away from Rias' crimson face, her arms wrapped protectively over her breasts.

After he'd left the old school house, Ichigo had to take a moment to compose himself. He got the blazing flush on his face to fade away relatively quickly thanks to Yoruichi having flashed him far more openly with much more flesh. Once cooled off and returned to a state of normalcy, he walked off towards the school where the chests were big but covered.

---

"Bouchou, I do not understand?"

Rias had finished getting fully dressed and glanced at her diminutive Rook to reply, "What?"

"Why do you tease him like that?"

The crimson princess of ruin shook out the last of the water from her mane of hair before responding, "Is that jealousy I hear, Koneko?"

The Rook did not change her typical blank expression even slightly as she continued to suckle at the candy pop that Ichigo had given her and watched Rias with golden eyes.

"Do you know how much he is worth, Koneko when Sona and I look at him with our King's sight?" Rias asked her.

Koneko just shook her head in response.

"Eight," Rias informed her Rook, "eight whole points. Which means Sona cannot take him as a devil even if she wanted to as she doesn't have the right amounts. But what is interesting is that we cannot figure out why he's worth so much. He might possess a sacred gear but we should have been able to sense it by now. He, for all we can tell, is just an ordinary human. A very handsome one, but human all the same."

Rias let out a frustrated sigh and continued, "He is an enigma but he is also pleasant company, and to answer your question," she smiled like Loki the Trickster, "because I felt like it."

Koneko made a sound of disapproval at that statement.

"You are jealous," Rias said with a grin. "Awww, is he your first crush?"

The words caused a shift in Koneko's stony expression, but little more as she admitted, "He is nice." She said no more on the subject but the fact that she complimented him was a positive sign.

Rias looked around, not finding what she was looking for and asked, "Where's Moka? She should be free of classes this period."

"Hiding," Koneko said simply.

"Ah, Kokoa hunting her down again," Rias sighed out with a shake of her head. "That girl needs to either join a peerage or leave Kouh."

If Moka's little sister kept causing trouble she'd have her expelled. It had become a near constant annoyance to pay for the damages she caused while chasing Moka with a massively heavy hammer. That and having to repeatedly alter human memories of seeing a small girl with red pigtails destroying walls, cars and cratering the grounds.

Rias put the red menace out of her mind as she walked over to the window and looked out at Ichigo's retreating back. There she contemplated how if her true conquest wasn't there Ichigo might be worth the expenditure. But known quantity trumped unknown every time. Her gaze shifted to another boy, speaking to his two friends -who had interesting values themselves, one of which Sona had shrewdly claimed- in a pleading fashion. He had the same number over his head; eight, eight points and she at least knew why.

There was time however to do that as Sona agreed to stay out of her way in that matter, not that it meant much as she had no room for an eight-point piece. Though she'd nearly thought otherwise as she'd sensed one of Sona's peerage members nearby, but Rias had discovered that the girl was stalking Ichigo, not her target. Considering who it was, and that Ichigo was close to their King she knew it was about making sure he wasn't a threat to Sona and their peerage. The yuki-onna was highly skilled in stealth after all, but she was confused as to why the ice-girl was still tailing the young man as by now it was obvious that he was just an ordinary human. Rias had even done her own due diligence in making sure he had no connections to any rival factions or families.

Ichigo Kurosaki and his entire family had come back clean, though his mother's side of the family had proven harder to uncover. It'd thankfully been just because they were a wealthy family that died in an accident and their assets mostly lost in the process. It was odd that his father had taken his wife's family name in an Asian society, but Issin had been an abandon child raised in an ordinary orphanage, so he probably held no pride in his own ser name.

Rias smiled as the three reacted to Ichigo's presence by yelling at him and readying for a fight, though, her target looked apologetic and panicked. The tall boy hardly gave them a glance, and her gaze drifted back to Tsukune who looked up and around as if he could feel someone watching. Soon, soon be would the time for his induction. There was just the matter of letting him come to her, the patient hunter.

---

When school ended, the place fell into silence as the students left for the day, only those assigned to cleanup duty or had detention would be left, and after an hour or two even they'd be gone. The academy might have been eerie to some after hours and with good reason. There was a place however, that had started seeing its fair share of activity around this time besides the Occult Research Club.

The gymnasium echoed with the sounds of a basketball dribbling and the squeak of sneakers scuffing the court. A tall blue haired girl was moving with speed and grace on the cusp of human potential. She was matched by a slightly taller boy with spiky orange hair doing the same.

Ichigo was utterly focused on his opponent and the activity, as he had to be as Tsubasa was simply amazing. She was faster than him by a hair, more graceful by far and from the times they had collided, just as strong if not stronger,

Ichigo was about as good at basketball as he was at any physical sport he tried. Which was to say, at the very top of good bordering on being excellent. It was rather easy for him as even though he'd lost all his supernatural powers, he'd kept the highly honed reflex built from his battles as a soul reaper. His mind still worked like a creature of power, and it was the only advantage he had against Tsubasa. The ball seemed to blur with how fast she dribbled, her lithe body swaying side to side nearly as fast, her eyes bright and alight with the rush of the challenge.

He stayed with her, finding her rhythm by watching her hands move, shoulders shift and her footwork. If she got around him she would score. If he missed a steal or was a second too slow to act against her jump shot she would score. She was better than him by far, which made the game interesting and just by playing with her over the last few evenings he was getting better as well.

Ichigo moved before Tsubasa, her body had turned ever so slightly and her eyes shifted from him to the hoop. He swiped his hand at where the ball would be and was rewarded with the touch of rubber, catching the ball and he spun, stepping past the blue haired girl. He heard a curse as he shot off like an Olympic sprinter, yet he only made it three steps before she'd caught up with him just as he made it passed the halfcourt line. He jumped as high as he could and shot, trusting his aim and the swish was the confirmation that it was good.

"Damn," she breathed, they'd been going at it for half an hour and she only looked slightly winded. Whereas he was soaked in sweat. "How do you keep doing that?"

"You're," he breathed deeply, "predictable."

"You say that every time," she groused playfully. "Twenty to eight by the way."

"Your favor, I know," he replied, still catching his breath.

The score was that way because she was simply that much better than him and that was fine by him. She retrieved the ball, rolling it across her fingertips with an ease that was almost contemptuous.

"Well, let's go," she said.

The door opened and they both stopped to see Sona Sitri walk into the gym with her ever-present aid, Tsubaki at her side. Her eyes swept over them, lingering on Tsubasa's very tight getup of grey yoga pants and tight black top that showed every curve of her body to anyone that looked. Sona's face morphed to one of disapproval at the sight.

"Kaichou," Tsubasa greeted easily.

"Tsubasa-san, Ichigo-san," Sona returned.

"Decided to drop by and see what was going on?" Tsubasa asked her Kaichou, her dark blues eyes sparkled mischievously.

"Indeed, we might be allowed more privileges here than others but I would be remiss if I did not make sure my own were acting responsibly," Sona answered professionally, looking at her fellow council member with narrowed eyes. "And your clothing violates several dress codes."

Ichigo refrained form asking what code was there that allowed school uniforms' skirts to be so short.

"Come on, Kaichou," Tsubasa whined, "school is over. Can't we relax?"

"Yes, but this is completely inappropriate," Sona countered. "What would you say if someone saw you two like this or took pictures?"

"Beat them into a bloody pulp?" Tsubasa offered helpfully.

"No, you are to refrain from assaulting the student body," Sona commanded. "Your normal gym attire would be far more modest."

Ichigo wasn't so sure that bloomers were all that much better than Tsubasa's yoga pants but the loose white t-shirt would be a more modest option to her black top that was practically painted on.

"But this isn't gym class, Kaichou," Tsubasa protested. "It's just a boy and a girl having a good time and shooting some hoops."

"Then you will need to find something that does not look like it was painted on," Sona returned, "You represent me, Tsubasa Yura. You're a part of my council, my family and while we stand on these grounds you must represent yourself as such."

The words had their intended effect and Tsubasa looked down and away as she capitulated, "Yes, Kaichou."

"And you," Sona turned her gaze on Ichigo.

"Not my idea," he gasped out in defense.

"He did say that he thought it was a bit too tight," Tsubasa conceded with a smirk. "Trying to be a gentleman when he wants to stare, it's cute really."

"Yura," Sona warned in a hard, authoritative tone.

The bule-haired girl stepped back with her hands raised up in surrender, "All right, all right. I'll start wearing something less revealing, Kaichou. But I don't have anything else right now except the school uniform. Can I at least finish today out?"

Sona seemed to relent, "Yes, yes you may, though, since I'm here, would you two like to play against myself and Tsubaki?"

Tsubasa grinned like a loon as she answered, "With pleasure, Kaichou," not waiting for Ichigo's input, though, he had no objections to it.

Sona and Tsubaki returned from the changing rooms in the tie shirt and bloomer combination that was universal in Japanese schools. Ichigo had unintentionally allowed his eyes to rom over Sona's form, getting caught on her long pale legs for a moment but he was able to shake himself out of it.

"Don't be a perv," Ichigo quietly chastised himself.

"What," Tsubasa asked, moving next to him.

"Nothing," he sighed and stepped out onto the court

Tsubasa studied him for a moment, glanced at their opponents and then shrugged. "You can start, Kaichou."

Ichigo was not surprised when the instant Sona caught the ball, she and Tsubaki moved as one. Instinctively Tsubasa went to face her boss and he wound up going toe-to-toe with Tsubaki. Sona did not even look as she passed the ball into the girl's hand. It had caught him by surprise as she had not looked over at the ball either, just suddenly moving her hands to catch it.

From her movements, he saw at once that like Tsubasa she was faster than him, her grace was superior, and she was a skilled hand at basketball. He tried to find her rhythm but having never played her before, she got passed him in a blur as he bought her fake drive and she went around him.

Tsubasa was there at once to intercept but Tsubaki threw the ball to a now open Sona who jumped in a perfect layup. It also put her barely cover rear at eye level and he turned away, ashamed of his interest.

"Good try," Tsubasa said, misreading the source of his shame. "It's our drive now."

Tsubasa took off and he did his best to keep up as the girl charged their opponents like a bull. They matched her however, and almost got the ball from her, but a back pass gave him the ball and an open, if long range three point shot that bounced once before going in.

Ichigo moved back ahead of Tsubasa, knowing their opponents were too fast to match. Tsubasa stalled her Kaichou in a blur of skill that he thought would be easily considered top level even by pro-ball standards.

The ball flew out into Tsubaki's waiting hands and her legs tensed in an instant before she jumped and was met by his hand grazing the ball, knocking it off course. Sona read the motion and was on the rebound before Tsubasa could block and she sank another shot, putting them at four-three.

This time Ichigo had the ball as they moved up the court, Tsubaki matching him as he reached halfcourt. It was there were it became apparent that her skills lacked in defense as he dodged her steal attempt and sent a bounce pass to Tsubasa who dunked it over Sona's head.

"No dunking," Sona's pointed out, gesturing up to the letters set on the goal.

"My bad," Tsubasa looked bashful, "I forgot in my excitement."

"Don't let it happen again," Sona demanded. "We of all people must control ourselves here."

The words had carried a weight of seriousness and Tsubasa nodded, "Yes, Kaichou," no hint of mockery in her voice.

The next few minutes were bad for Ichigo and Tsubasa. They were down by nine points before he found Tsubaki's rhythm and was finally able to put up an effective defense. The first time he stole the ball from her she reacted with more surprise than he expected. Tsubasa caught his lob of a pass that went over Sona and put up another two points.

The next play when Tsubaki got the ball back he stalemated her but was unable to get the ball from her. Sona had been given the ball back, but Tsubasa was her physical equal and superior in skill, thus, blocked the shot into him. He then managed to reach the basket and put it up, Sona having trouble blocking due to the height difference.

She got her revenge on the next shot with a long-range three that bumped them up to eighteen points, only three away from winning.

Tsubasa passed the ball to him as they reached their side, and he made as if to shoot and Tsubaki was ready and in the air as his feet left the ground. Sona had bought the bluff as well, having turned away from her opponent to go for the rebound. Neither were ready for the bounce pass that Tsubasa caught and turned into a three-point shot.

Bringing the score to 12-18.

Ichigo felt the burn as the two girls came hurtling up the court. His focus never changed though, and he still managed to stall Tsubaki, leaving Tsubasa and Sona to fight it out. The three pointer that could have ended the game missed and he snatched it a hair's breadth before Tsubaki could. She slipped on the wood floor only enough to lose her balance for a moment. But it was enough for him to put on a burst of speed that sent fire through his lungs and got him close enough for a three-point shot.

The score turned to 15-18, but in the very next few seconds Tsubaki changed her rhythm and got passed him and sunk a layup. Changing the score to 15-20.

"We got this," Tsubasa insisted, looking slightly winded for the first time he could remember. "We got this."

She took his pass and was off like a shot, only to have her ball stolen by Sona's quick hands, leaving Ichigo as the last line of defense. He was surprised with the ease he found her rhythm and managed to position himself between her and the goal. Which did not stop her from leaping five feet into the air, catching him off-guard and sinking the game-winning shot.

But in her excitement Sona overextended, spinning in the air and planting her ass into his face and knocking him to the ground. He fully expected his nose to break but she was surprisingly plush for all her appearance.

Still, a butt was on his face, making a sound of pain as all her weight settled on him. He heard a yelp of shock, and the soft butt was off his face half a second later as Sona scrambled to her feet, face ablaze with what Ichigo hoped wasn't fury.

He sat up and muttered out, "Ouch," as he rubbed his sore nose. "Sorry about that."

His apology seemed to shake whatever state Sona had been in. "No, no," she replied and shook her head furiously. "That was my fault, not yours."

"No," he huffed in exhaustion, "problem," and laid back on the wood floor to catch his breath.

"Hey, Kaichou," Tsubasa gasped. "What was that about control?"

"I did not lose control," Sona argued, seemingly unaffected by the exertion. "I merely misjudged how quickly Kurosaki-san would react." She nodded at him, her flushed face still bright with embarrassment, "You have astounding reflexes."

"Thanks," he huffed out from the floor in gasps. "Though, I think I'm done for the day and I'm gonna rest here for a bit."

"Hah," Tsubasa scoffed. "Wimp."

"Sure," he breathed, "let's go with that."

All three girls moved to sit around him on the wood floor.

"That was quite fun," Tsubaki commented. "Rather invigorating."

"Is this why you run around every morning?" Sona asked, her breathing only slightly faster than normal. "This rush?"

"Somewhat," he agreed, "though I would like to know what you three do to get in the shape you are in?"

"Ichigo-san, you must leave girls their secrets," Tsubaki chided.

"Right, then how about why you aren't professional players or at least on the school team?"

"Basketball is just a hobby," Sona answered first. "I have different goals in mind for my life."

"I would get bored way too fast," Tsubasa went next. "You're pretty good yourself. Ever think of playing professionally?"

"Maybe, I don't really have any plans for my life right now. It's part of the reason why I am here," Ichigo admitted, sitting back up after having caught his breath.

Sona looked at him and caught his eye, "And we will do our best to help you figure that out. That is our purpose here. You have a lot of talent Kurosaki-san and there are infinite ways you can use it."

Her words sent sparks of heat through his body and with the current display of scantily clad beauties a certain part of him reacted. He quickly pulled his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them to hide his growing issue, mentally cursing his teenage hormones and their clothing.

"We will all help," Tsubaki added, supporting her friend. "No matter how hard it gets we will stick up for you." She'd noticed his posture and had a glint of amusement appear in her eyes with a mischievous grin plastered on her face.

Ichigo scowled at her, which seemed to amuse her all the more. Sona at least did not seem to notice, and he thanked kami for the small mercy.

Sona sighed as she rose to her feet, "This has been fun, but we need to head home. Rias is meeting me there later and I cannot be late," she reached out a hand to help him up.

"I'll wait here for a little bit longer," he told her, letting his heavy breathing do its work to show his current state of exhaustion. "I apparently don't have the endurance you girls have. I need a bit longer to rest but I will see you at your home."

Sona looked like she would stay, which would have been bad, but a meeting with Rias was important to her so she just accepted his excuse.

"Hurry home then, otherwise you won't get to use the baths before ten," she advised.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," and Ichigo really meant that, her baths were divine. "Just need to catch my breath."

With a last nod, Sona and Tsubaki turned to leave, and Ichigo closed his eye before his gaze locked on their backsides. He was wondering what'd gotten into him lately as his eyes have never wandered this much before.

Must be something in the water, he thought.

He waited for the doors to close before breathing a sigh of relief.

"You know," Tsubasa mused, nearly making him jump out of skin, "I wonder if I should be insulted. Here I am, all dressed up nice and sexy and the only one you seem to react to is Kaichou."

Ichigo's face reddened and he said nothing save for a small growl that she ignored as she continued. "But that was only after she slammed her butt in your face, but still, I've never seen you react to me like that."

"I am in control of myself," he defended.

"Apparently not, Ichigo-san," his body was having difficulty calming down as Yura had moved in front of him, displaying her body to him. "Still, I have not seen you react at all before this, which is weird in its own right. You are way to wound up, you know."

"Why are we talking about this?" he asked in exasperation.

"Hmm, so perhaps it was just the butt to the face. There is a rumor going around that you're a butt man."

Ichigo sighed in defeat, falling back and looking up at the lighting as he explained, "Its not that. Well, I won't lie and say it didn't play factor, but it had more to do with what Sona said."

"Wow, you are packing," she commented, having a full, unobstructed view of his tented shorts.

He'd forgotten about his raised soldier as he'd given into the absurdity of the situation. Ichigo groaned and moved to present his back to her and hide away his problem.

"Sorry," she bashfully apologized, "You said something about what Kaichou said."

Ichigo grumbled for a few seconds before he picked his explanation back up, "The last year was... a mess. I honestly didn't mind it that much but the way it ended left me empty and lost. I had jumped at the scholarship program in hopes of moving on from it all but I'm still lost, and hearing Sona talk so passionately about helping me figure things out struck a chord with me."

"How does that give you a... ah..."

"It warmed my heart and the display you all gave me just pushed my stupid hormone driven body to react that way. That's all," he hissed out having stood up and moved to leave. "So now you know, happy?"

"Hold on," Ichigo almost tripped as she caught up to him, crossing the length of the gym in a few steps. "I'm sorry, alright. I get carried away teasing sometimes and... no offense but you have this unflappable vibe that is really fun to shake up."

Ichigo didn't reply to that as he figured that was probably why Yoruichi and now Rias were messing with him the way they do.

"Just... can we still keep playing together, like we have?" Tsubasa asked shyly as she twirled her hair with her pointer finger and looked embarrassed. "This is the most fun I have had with a guy in while and I don't want it to end."

The one-eighty in attitude was enough to snap his neck. It was almost as shocking as the speed at which she had caught up to him, certain that it wasn't human speed.

"Uh..." he replied smoothly, not knowing how to respond to her sudden vulnerability as she'd always been so confident and sure of herself thus far. He forced himself to stop, breath and get some air into his nonfunctioning brain. "I-I get it, you're not the first to try and shake my resolve and playing ball with you is fun for me too. Can we just pretend this never happened and call it even?"

"Deal," she agreed with her arm held out and as they traded grips, she tugged at him with surprising strength, pulling him flush against her. His body that'd almost calmed down went into overdrive at the sudden touch, the closeness, the heat and the feel of her supple body pressed against his.

She grinned, "Ok, good. My pride has been salved," letting go of him and proceeded to walk away. "Don't read too much into this, I'm a terrible flirt."

"I will keep that in mind, Tsubasa," he muttered out, his face ablaze with embarrassment and to his ever-great shame, desire.

"See that you do," she replied as she stalked off with an extra sway of her hips. "See you tomorrow for another game. I'll wear my gym clothes next time, like Kaichou ordered, so this will be the last time you'll get to enjoy this particular view. But I'm certain you'll still enjoy the one I put on tomorrow."

Ichigo scowled at her retreating back, she knew what she was doing, and he did his level best not let his eyes wander down to her swaying rear... he really did try as the door closed. He turned around and made his way to the locker room as he'd need an artic shower before he was ready to leave. He had muttered about confusing girls, revealing clothes, and raged at his stupid 'get hard on at the drop of a hat' lower half. Had anyone listened they would have heard a string of obscenities that'd have made a sailor blush as he turned on the arctic cold shower to settle his stiff issue.

He'd resolved that this was his life now, a month ago he was fighting monsters to protect people and now he was dealing with his teenage hormones and confusing flirtatious girls, like most other teenage boys. Despite the irritation at being messed with Ichigo had to admit the evening had been pleasant and exciting. He would just have to accept that he's no longer a creature of power and move on with his ordinary life, with its ordinary concerns. Like attraction and trying to figure out if the girls around him were really flirting with him or just messing with him.

He had some homework to finish, a bath to take and work to do tomorrow so he would focus on his human issues, the only ones he had anymore. "This my life now," he declared to himself, "and accept it. Appreciate it even if it was just some harmless flirting and nothing more."

With that resolved, he opened himself to the freezing water and let it wash away the confusing emotions. He noted as he did so that he had avoided thinking about hollows all day until just then.

So, he was making progress.

---

Ichigo Kurosaki had not seen his day starting in the changing room of the all-women kendo club. He'd wondered why this was his job and not one of the many females on the council as the girls there glared at him for transgressing on their holy ground or at least that was what Gin had called it when Ichigo was assigned this duty and why Gin wasn't chosen for it.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, Student Council," he droned out mechanically.

They were all fully dressed, naturally, but they looked at him as if he would rip them off, or they were just mad, which was reasonable. One of the girls was fully dressed in the club garb with their wooden bokken at the ready.

"You're the club leader, Katase Yuna?" he asked.

The girl in full club garb nodded at him.

"I have been sent by Sona Sitri to look into the incident," Ichigo decided not to openly speak of the pictures. "Also, fair warning, given the nature of this incident I have seen the evidence, but just so that I could do this."

He walked over to the lockers before they could speak and pointed at one, "Whose is this?"

"Y-you, you pervert!" one of the girls shouted as his words caught up with them and she covered herself as if he could see through her clothing.

"Whose locker is this?" he asked again, looking at the club leader.

The girl looked utterly enraged but still answered, "Hana Niki, but she's overseas."

"Well, that makes sense," Ichigo muttered as he pulled out the master key and opened the locker, drawing out cries of alarm.

He reached inside and pulled out a towel along with an odd thing that looked like a webcam but with a longer lens. The locker almost tipped over as several wires were pulled out with it.

"Before I came over, Kaichou, Fuka Kaichou and I looked over the pictures to see if we could get the angle from which they were shot at," Ichigo explained to the furious girls. "Anyone here good with electronics because I'm not?"

A smaller, younger girl nodded shyly, raising her hand in response to his question.

"Can you unplug this without damaging it?" he asked her.

There was a snarl and Ichigo found himself facing Katase with her bokken raised and hurtling towards his head. His body reacted automatically to such a threat, his experiences as a soul reaper saw to that. Even if he was human now, his battle instincts honed in the crucible of fire would stay with him forever. In his mind it wasn't a fake sword but a real one for a brief instant. He slapped it aside on the flat of the blade with his palm, his other hand clenched into a fist and snapped out.

He managed to halt the blow as the bokken slid across the room and his fist hovered inches from Katase's face. The girl had gone pale as a ghost at the ease he'd disarmed her and counterstruck, a mere instant from having a fist cave in her face.

"My apologies," he sincerely said as he lowered his arm and placed what he assumed was a camera back inside the locker. "I have been attacked by those before and I just reacted on reflex."

Katase took a step back, her posture a lot less threatening as she asked warily, "W-why... why do you want to keep it? Why not just break it?"

"You do want to find who has done this, right?" he asked simply.

"Everyone knows who did it, there are only five boys in Kouh. That's not a lot of suspects," she replied hotly.

Ichigo shrugged and motioned for the younger girl to come forward and unhook the camera.

"There are more men on this campus than the five students," Ichigo pointed out as he walked to the other end of the room and hunkered down under the bench at the end. He traced the spot where there was a little less dust, but no camera was there anymore. "One was here but it has been moved," he glanced back at the girls. "Could you help me look for two more cameras? The one here might have been moved to somewhere else and you all know this place better than I do."

He had one more place to check, having pulled out a screwdriver and unscrewed an air vent to find another camera. That one was battery powered.

There was a shout of horror as one of the girls found one in the showers and another over the toilet stalls. Needless to say, they were very agitated. After a thorough search they met him back in the locker room proper.

"Whenever we find who did this," Katase seethed with pure venom, "we will-"

"Call the student council," Ichigo firmly demanded, cutting off her tangent. "Kaichou doesn't want random gangs of students going around and beating the crap out of people with sticks. Am I clear?"

Their expressions told him his words were falling on deaf ears. He'd best warn Sona about the kendo club going vigilante and forming lynch mobs to punish the culprits.

"Hey, Ichigo!" a voice called out to him, and he deflated in annoyance as Gin, Tsukune and Haiji were headed towards him.

Behind Ichigo all the eyes of the kendo girls were locked on them as if they were lionesses that'd spotted a lone fawn.

"Why do you get to enter that scared ground, you who have no way of properly appreciating it," Gin shouted with pure jealousy.

The tension behind Ichigo skyrocketed as the soon to be dead Gin kept complaining with a creepy smile, "I bet you didn't even try to-"

"I would suggest," Ichigo interrupted the filth that'd have spewed from his mouth, having moved to get ahead of what was about to happen, "the three of you turn around and walk away."

"Or what? You beat our asses, I'd to see you try," Haiji grinned while taking a karate stance. "I've been dying to put you in your place."

"It's not me you have to worry about," Ichigo informed.

"Hey! Perverted Trio!" a furious shout rose form the entire kendo club. The three finally noticed the crowd of enraged girls with death in their eyes that were blazing there way. "We found the cameras, you, you," Katase pushed out through gritted teeth, her grip on her retrieved bokken was unrelenting, "you bastards!"

"Cameras?" Gin asked in shocked awe. "Someone had cameras in there!" his face contorted into a look of respect. "The balls they had."

Any sympathy for what might happen to them vanished from Ichigo as Haiji put a hand to over his heart, "Respect," he intoned like a holy word.

Only Tsukune looked perturbed, though, that was most likely due to the approaching mob.

"No," Ichigo declare with the firmness of steel as he looked down the kendo club. "I won't allow this to happen."

They stopped their advance as his gaze swept over them, his hard eyes that had stared down beings of great power without flinching and spoke of agonizing experiences they couldn't even imagine, froze them in place.

"You three disgust me," Ichigo coldly stated as he glanced back at them. "Have you three even stopped to consider what this kind of atrocious invasion of privacy will do to a person."

The first two of the trio were silent for a moment before shrugging it off as nothing. Tsukune at least looked panicked and took a step back as the mob approached with Ichigo's eyes currently off them.

"Run," Ichigo commanded fiercely.

Tsukune turned and ran off at top speed, though the other two held strong.

Gin actually started opening and closing his hands in a groping manner, a perverted grin on his face, "What an opportune moment for my swift hands."

"A fight sounds even better and a few of them have some nice figures," Haiji popped his knuckles, then paused. "Hmm... I don't think I could fight those adorable beauties."

Ichigo's eyebrow twitched uncontrollably at the duo of perverted stupidity, wondering if he'd have to help the kendo girls beat the snot out of them. Then an idea snapped into place, and he pulled out his cell phone.

"I guess I'll get San sempai to help me out," Ichigo sighed, causing both young men to freeze up in fear. "I don't want to bother her, but she did say... well wrote that I could call on her for help whenever I needed it."

"Wait, wait, we can talk about this!" Haiji waved desperately. "Right Gin?" The tall perv turned to see that Gin was long gone, only a quickly fading dust trail left behind. "Coward!" he yelled out while running away fearfully.

Ichigo's eye turned back onto the kendo girls, stopping them from pursuing the trio, even though two of them deserved a beating, as none of them could meet his gaze for longer than a moment.

"This is not how things are done," Ichigo told them. "Put down your weapons and leave this to the student council or I will have your club disbanded for the foreseeable future."

Ichigo was bluffing as he highly doubted that he had the authority to do so, but these girls believed it. With mutterings of anger, they moved back to their locker room, no doubt to give it another thorough once over.

He relaxed as the tension of the moment faded away and he leaned back against the wall.

"That was very well done," Sona commented as she walked up to him, he'd jumped at the sudden intrusion. He'd not seen her arrive and noticed that the rest of the council was following behind her, though with a wave of her hand they turned around. "Saw what was happening on the school security camera and I'll be reprimanding Gin later," she explained, watching the retreating kendo club members.

"I told them if they did anything I would disband their club even though I'm certain I can't," Ichigo informed.

"You can't," Sona confirmed, "but I can and would. Though it'd be for the best if you didn't use that threat often."

"I won't," he promised.

"Still, you handled that with grace," Sona commented. "I am curious what you would have done if it hadn't worked?"

"Tried to stop them bodily," he answered truthfully.

"Do you think you could have done that?" she asked curiously.

"Yes," he said without rancor or pride, only pure hard fact. "That kind of fight is something I've been dealing with since I was little." It was also nothing compared to the fights he'd gotten used to over the past year. "Anyways, I found what we feared we would."

Ichigo handed over the bag with the cameras, "There were three cameras inside their locker room. They jumped to the conclusion that it was those three, and while they are perverts that push the bounds, I don't think they have the capacity to do this. At least not without getting caught."

"I have a list of all the people who have access to the room," Sona supplied, "they most likely won't come back now that we've removed them."

"We should do a thorough sweep of the whole school," Ichigo suggested. "The pictures were claimed to be hacked from somewhere. Whoever did this hadn't intended for them to get out. It makes me think there might be more hidden cameras."

Sona's expression darkened at the implication as she agreed, "We will look into that when the day ends, staying late to search the entire school."

"Do we have anyone skilled in electronics and computers?" he asked her.

She pursed her lip in thought, "Perhaps, and if we don't, I will hire someone. I'm curious who might be responsible for this. Most of the staff are teachers and the academy does a thorough background check on all their hires. If you don't think it was those three students, then who?"

"I could be wrong about them not being the culprits," Ichigo admitted, "and it still could have been another student or students. In fact, if I was looking to shift the blame, I'd use them. I'd just have to send them the pictures as they'd obviously look at them, eventually getting caught red-handed with them in their possession. I know this might be asking a lot, but do you think you could call them to meet the student council. Inform them of just how serious this is and that if they receive anything related to this that they need to save the source and bring it to us."

He winced as he added, "I don't know how you'll get them to do it as they are very... umm... focused in there wants. Though Tsukune seems to be the least perverted of the lot, might want to start with him."

"I will think on how to do that," Sona assured him.

They started walking back to the council room, "Your insights are interesting," she told him. "How do they normally turn out?"

"I don't know, I'm just speaking aloud," he admitted but he had been maneuvered and played by Aizen without ever realizing it. Schemes that tricked and used the entire Soul Society over centuries, getting what he wanted while playing them all for fools. If Ichigo had retained anything from that humbling experience was the knowledge of just how much could be manipulated and the facts could be distorted so that lies became the truth. "Again, I could be wrong. It could have been one of those three and I am just underestimating them."

"I know," she replied. "Truthfully, I do not think they did it either but they are the most obvious suspects so we will still look into them."

Ichigo agreed with her as the entire school knew about their proclivities. They were very vocal about them, but they haven't done anything too terrible yet. He figured it was only a matter of time before they got themselves expelled. Well, Gin and Haiji would and Tsukune would be dragged down with him. The boy needed more of spine.

"Kaichou," Saji called out as they reached the student council room, "Mai Tanaka is here for your meeting."

Sona winced, "Right, I am late," she nodded at him and hurried into the office, carrying the cameras with her.

"That's the president of the computer club, right?" Ichigo asked.

Saji nodded, "She wants to upgrade her club's computers to the latest models and Kaichou is working out the details with her. Something along the lines of splitting the costs between the school's funds and their club's budget."

"I see," Ichigo nonchalantly replied as he waved Saji goodbye and walked away, heading to his gym class. The student council could be late for classes, and they very often were but Sona made it clear that they were to use all haste if that was the case.

---

Tsukune had ran until his lungs burned and his legs gave out, fearful for his life if the mob of enraged kendo girls got their hands on him. Honestly, he was wondering if he should stop being friends with Gin and Haiji, not for the first time. They been getting worse and worse since he'd first met them two weeks ago, peeking on girls in bathhouses, changing rooms and worst of all, bathrooms. Now they'd actually approved of recording girls while they were naked, invading their privacy even more and sharing it with others.

But they were also the only friends he managed to make. Tsukune was never good at making friends and he'd never even spoken to a girl, let alone had a girlfriend. He was envious of Ichigo Kurosaki. Tsukune wished he was as sure of himself and strong as Kurosaki-san. The orange haired man didn't flinch at anything and wasn't even bothered by all the terrible rumors that have been spreading around about him.

"AAAA! Look out!" a feminine voice yelled out as she'd lost control of her bike. "Out of the way!"

Tsukune turned just in time to be hit by the surprisingly fast-moving bike. The pair had ended up on the ground, the bike upside down, where one wheel still spun. Tsukune wiped away at the minute strickle of blood coming from his nose due to the stranger's remarkably hard head smashing into the appendage.

"Oww… What hit me..." Tsukune's words died on his tongue as he saw the beauty beneath him, his left hand having landed on her supple thig.

Said beauty was a tall fair-skinned girl with knee-length pink hair that had bangs swept to the right side, green eyes, full pink lips and a cute girl-next-door face. A rosary was attached to a black choker around her neck, and she was wearing the female uniform of Kuoh Academy with black knee socks.

Most of those smaller details escaped Tsukune's attention as he was capture by her pure beauty.

Wow. She's got to be the most beautiful woman in all of existence, he thought.

"Oh... I'm sorry. I'm anemic. I get a little dizzy sometimes. Are y-you okay?" the girl apologized and asked shakily.

When she looked up at him, regaining her bearings, she noticed his dazed look and the blood on his upper lip. "Oh! Blood!" She reached into a pocket an pulled out a handkerchief, moving to wipe it away. Only to waver as she caught a whiff of it. Her face flushed and her breathing became labored as thirst overtook her.

"Your blood..." she gasped out, "...I can... smell it..."

The girl collapsed into Tsukune's chest, snapping him out of his daze, "What the-"

"Oh n-no... It's happening again..."

The beauty leaned up, and grasped him by his face, moving closer, getting him to stop caring about the oddity of it all, and to simply enjoy the ridiculously beautiful girl in his arms that was coming on to him.

"I'm sorry... but... you see... I'm a vampire," she breathlessly confessed before sinking her fangs into his neck and deeply slurping up his blood.

Tsukune quickly snapped out of his daydream of hot action to the nightmarish reality of letting himself be feed on by a blood sucking yokai. He'd yanked back suddenly, unlatching the young female vampire from his neck, and hopped to his feet, one hand holding onto the puncture on the side of his neck.

"Ahh, she bit me!" he started screaming and ran in circles, "She drank my blood? Drank my Blood!"

The vampire at least had the decency to look ashamed of herself. "Oh. I'm so sorry! I never even introduced myself. That's rude of me! My name's Moka. I'd never have dreamed of losing control like that. Please forgive me!"

The newly named Moka sounded genuinely apologetic and Tsukune calmed immediately, overtaken by her sheer, overwhelming beauty.

"Well, I guess I can forgive you this time," Tsukune lamented.

"Sorry," she apologized again. "It's just that your blood smelled so good, and I have to say you have really delicious blood!" Moka gushed out.

"Oh... Uh... thanks," he replied, oddly happy about her liking the taste of his blood. Probably had to do with the dimming effect of her beauty on his brain.

He helped her right her bike and joined her down the road on foot towards the academy.

"So... um..." Moka eventually worked up the courage to speak after drinking the blood of a complete stranger. One she'd even run down with her bike, no less. "Do you not like vampires?"

"Not like vampires?" Tsukune replied in half shocked disbelief and overjoyed to be talking to a beautiful girl. "No way, I love vampires!"

"Oh, I'm so glad!" Moka exclaimed with a brilliant smile. "Then we can be friends! I was worried because I'm new here!"

Tsukune couldn't help but blush at the radiance coming off of her.

He cleared his throat and introduced himself, "I'm Tsukune Hyoudou and I'm new to this place too."

"Nice to meet you, Tsukune-san," she returned his greeting joyfully. "Let's meet up again and talk-"

"Moka! Get back here and fight me!" an enraged voice screamed out from behind them.

When Tsukune looked back, he saw a short red headed girl with a comically huge hammer running at them. He turned back to Moka to ask if she knew what was happening but only caught her already on her bike and riding off at full speed.

"Sorry, but I have to go," Moka yelled back at him. "See you later, Tsukune-san!"

He waved dully in shock at Moka's retreating back, a reddish blur rushing after her, completely ignoring him.

"Did that just happen?" Tsukune asked the air, not getting an answer.

He just shook his head and fell into a dazed state of pure joy at befriending a girl, a girl! The most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. Completely forgetting the absurdity of having his blood drank by a vampire, the puncture marks on his neck already healed shut.

---

The gym coach had the students' running laps when Ichigo slipped in with them. The coach noticed him join the moment he arrived, but Ichigo had proved he was willing to put in the effort. The man held up five fingers and Ichigo nodded, continuing his laps after the others had finished to make up for the ones he had missed. The coach let the others rest until he finished catching up.

Once caught up, Ichigo joined the rest of the class through various exercises and games. One of the primary features of this class was that Yuuto Kiba was a part of it, at least for the girls that made up the majority of the student body. He was the school's only pretty boy and just about every girl wanted to date him.

"Okay, time for kendo practice," the coach called, the man was an instructor in the art of kendo, often leading practice for the kendo club. It wasn't a daily occurrence, but it was a unique feature of his gym classes. Though, the man let the students have fun with the bokken as long as they wore the protective gear and did not hit too hard.

It was Ichigo's favorite part of gym class.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, Yuuto Kiba," the coach read off his list, "you two first."

They had not spoken much, though they had been around each other by virtue of being the only male students in this section of the class. There had been more than a little outrage when the coach had started pairing them together for team exercises. But in Kiba's case when the girl he was helping started making orgasmic sounds it tended to distract from the class.

Neither of them had felt the need to speak as they worked through these two weeks as workout partners. It was comfortable and almost like being back home, hanging out with Chad without the well-hidden pity in his gargantuan friend's eyes. While their appearance could not have been more different, something in their mannerisms were similar. Though, when Yuuto was walking to school, he proved to be more talkative to the girls who actually spoke to him coherently. While Chad usually just got the attention of thugs trying to prove how tough they were by fighting him, so it was understandable that the big man wasn't much of a talker.

This would be the first time the two young men sparred, and Ichigo wondered if Kiba would be any good. He picked up his practice sword, holding it two-handed and shifted into a familiar stance that'd been ingrained into him through brutal life and death combat. The wooden weapon wasn't as long as Zangetsu but it was reasonably close in weight to a real sword. Ichigo had to ignore the pang of loss that flared through him at the memory of welding his Zanpakuto.

Across from him Kiba took his own stance and Ichigo knew at once the boy had training. They sized each other up, neither moving as they waited for the coach to finish repeating the rules and give the signal to begin.

"And last of all, no attacks to the groin level," the man nodded at them and shouted, "Begin!"

Kiba exploded into action, covering the distance between them quickly, fainting high and really going for his belly. Ichigo tilted his blade down, catching the blow and letting it slide off the edge. Kiba quickly moved into a spin, avoiding the counterstrike and their blades clashed with a loud crack.

Ichigo was taken back by the strength from Kiba's strike as he was being overpowered from the smaller boy. Just like Sona, Tsubaki and Tsubasa his appearance belied the power he had. Ichigo pulled back a few steps, blocking two blows that sent shivers of pain up his arms and suppressing his surprise.

It wasn't the first time Ichigo had fought a being stronger than him and he leaned on that experience in his spar with Kiba. When the next blow came Ichigo dodged with a quick step and flicked a light blow at Kiba's head. The boy blocked and attempted to lock blades again, but Ichigo gave ground, stepping into a circular pattern.

Ichigo tilted his head past a lightning quick strike and his wooden blade struck Kiba in the chest, gaining one point for him.

That actually seemed to take Kiba aback for a moment before he grinned like a kid who had found a new favorite toy to play with. The fight returned in earnest as the pretty boy stopped holding back. Ichigo found himself completely on the defense, jumping, dodging and barely avoiding blows by mere inches, his reflexes just fast enough to keep ahead of Kiba's superior speed and strength.

Kiba started to see through his movements and without the shunpo Ichigo's normal fighting style lacked its usual effectiveness. He'd deflect a blow and begin a counterstrike only for Kiba to use his superior strength to simply block the strikes without wasting any of his energy.

One area that Ichigo had the advantage was in height and reach, using the several inches it provided him for all its worth. The bokken cracked, echoing throughout the gymnasium, getting others to stop and watch their match.

Ichigo took a risk, catching a blow on the hilt and slashing down at the masked head of his opponent. Faster than he could have managed Kiba dodged backward, his blade out of position, Ichigo following up with the fastest thrust he could manage. Kiba somehow managed to twist out of the way, throwing himself back, landing in a handstand and spinning on his palm to return a slash at Ichigo.

If Ichigo hadn't had all the experience against numerous and differing sword styles, he'd have lost a point right then and there. As while he was surprised by the display of near breakdance like skill, his guard never wavered as Kiba struck at him with a one-handed swing. The blow cracked the wood of the bokken and sent Ichigo flaying backwards like he had been struck by a truck.

Ichigo's arms numbed beyond the sparks of pain shooting up them as he slammed down on the mat, rolling into a spin by taking advantage of the momentum to pop back up onto his feet, still facing a panicked Kiba. He'd managed to maintain his grip on his blade and had automatically raised it in anticipation of a follow up strike, having dealt with such attacks before.

The panic on Kiba's face was replaced with relief upon seeing that Ichigo wasn't hurt. Ichigo on the other hand was trying to recognize the force with the arm that had sent him flying and came up with nothing, nothing mortal at least. He was aware that humans did get powers sometimes, like Orihime, Uyru and Chad. Perhaps Kiba was one such person?

Kiba made no move to attack, letting Ichigo recover the feeling in his arms, which he gratefully took as they hurt a lot. Thankfully they weren't broken, so he summoned his resolve, pushed back the pain and charged.

He struck a blow aimed at Kiba's head, waiting until the last possible moment to pull back into a spin, falling to one knee and striking low. Kiba had bought the feint and instead of trying to block he swung down, catching Ichigo's mask with an almost gentle sword blow as his leg took the hit from Ichigo's blade.

2-1 in Ichigo's favor, though Ichigo conceded that in real life that head blow would have killed him. He was still used to being able to move much faster and his swordsmanship was developed through combat, making it flexible but it was still stuck in its well-conditioned state of inhuman battle. It'd take time to adjust to this more mundane fighting.

Kiba came at him, letting loose three slashes in quick succession but at human speeds. Ichigo swayed away from them and made a quick slash at Kiba's arm to force him to defend rather than attack. Ichigo stayed like that, on the defense and only striking out to Kiba from going all out. He had to think about how to fight a human with enhanced strength and speed while he was still trapped at the limitations of human ability. He realized he was going to lose unless he did something drastic to create an opening.

Ichigo's heart began to beat faster with excitement, not realizing that he'd started to smile.

The wooden weapons cracked against each other, and Ichigo accepted the pain as the start of a plan formed in his mind. With every chance he got Ichigo struck out at his opponent, Kiba scoring his second point along the way. With every strike Ichigo and Kiba could their bokken cracking.

The sounds of their cracking blades colliding were loud in the otherwise quiet gym as all eyes were on the two.

Ichigo noticed that Kiba wasn't slowing in the slightest, not tiring or even being physically strained. In fact, Kiba was smiling back at him, and his moves became smoother, less restrained and the difficulty of blocking them went up. Ichigo was only defending now as any weakness in his defense would end the fight, using everything he had to catch blows, deflect when he could and dodge. But he was slowing down as his breathing became more labored, yet his smile never faded.

Ichigo took his moment before he would be too slow for it to matter. He'd figured out Kiba's style, finding his rhythm and saw the swing before it happened. He met it with an attack that contained all the strength he could muster. The result was inevitable as the weapon weakened from the relentless pounding of their fight and snapped under the force of Kiba's attack.

That was the moment Ichigo had been waiting for and he didn't hesitate to thrust forward in a single motion, placing the broken point of his blade against the hollow of Kiba's neck.

"Three," Ichigo declared just as the coach called the bout to an end.

Kiba looked stunned, Ichigo barely staying on his feet as he breathed heavily, his arms aching with shivers of pain.

"Good fight," Ichigo wheezed out.

That snapped Kiba out of his trance and the smile stayed on his face, "That was well done, Kurosaki-san." He held out his hand to help Ichigo up, "I would love to spar with you again if you have the time. You were incredible."

Ichigo couldn't help but hear the unsaid part of 'for a human' in his head. Then he mentally berated himself for the uncharitable thought. "That sounds like fun," he agreed before looking at his shaking arms. "When my arms stop hurting. You hit like a man five times your size."

There was the slightest hint of a flinch from Kiba and Ichigo decided to let it go as he could have just gotten weak and started assuming powers in others. Or even if he was correct, it really was none of his business. Still, that idea helped make sense of Sona, Tsubaki and Tsubasa' apparent speed and power. Ichigo wondered if there were a lot of empowered humans in Kuoh. Like how there were a lot of spiritually aware humans in Karakura.

Perhaps, but it was not his concern and if they were there like that, they clearly wanted to live a semi-normal life. That was fine by him.

Ichigo walked back with Kiba after class had ended where they spoke about swordplay and giving tips on what they saw as weaknesses in each other. The main point Kiba brought up about his style was how reckless it was, and Ichigo couldn't argue that point.

"Where did you learn your swordsmanship?" Kiba asked.

"I was mostly self-taught and learned through... hmm... let's call it practical sparring," Ichigo answered.

Kiba shook his head, "Then you truly are impressive Kurosaki-san. It would be my honor to spar against you again."

"When my arms stop hurting and when I have time to do anything outside of my Student Council duties. I think I'd enjoy sparring against you too."

It was more of an exercise in learning how to dodge better but Ichigo had long since been used to fighting superior opponents. Kiba looked chagrined but said nothing. Still, the bout had been fun despite the pain as it had quelled an itch he'd been ignoring lately.

"Well, this is where our path's part, I think," Kiba said, pausing at the Occult Research Club building.

"I have English in a few minutes, so I have to head that way," Ichigo confirmed and they shook hands before they parted ways.

As Kiba walked away Ichigo saw just how many girls had their eyes on the pretty boy, following his every move. Ichigo had no idea how many of them were actually following Kiba. He shook his head at the downside of being pretty boy, stretched out a little as he headed back to main building. After English he had some council work to do, followed by yet another class.

Ichigo was a busy, busy person and it was just what he needed.

---

Mizore had been stalking Ichigo Kurosaki for the past two weeks, making sure he wasn't a threat to her Kaichou. She owed Sona Sitri for saving her and giving her a home. Unlike Kurumu her expulsion from Yokai Academy hadn't been her fault, at least not entirely.

Mizore had made the mistake of falling for one of the teachers who reminded her of an old childhood sweetheart that had broken heart upon being disgusted and afraid of her once she told him that she was a yokai. She was also afraid of her ever-closer seventeenth birthday and the consequence she'd be forced to face if she didn't have a lover by then. He'd been a bit handsy at first, she'd accepted that as necessary to keep him happy and a step towards the eventual goal of making love.

But Mizore had wanted to go slow as she still had two years before her hand would be forced. He'd gotten more and more insistent at sealing the deal and taking her virginity. Eventually he was tired of waiting and had attempted to rape her, saying how it was all her fault for stringing him along. She'd nearly killed him while defending herself. Unfortunately, the monster of a man had also been preparing for the act for a long time as he'd been putting forth complaints about her inappropriate infatuation with him and how she was stalking him.

The school board had believed his side of the story; that she had tried to kill him because he'd rejected her advances and expelled her. Mizore had proceeded to flee before she could be punished and sent home. She had been angry, lost and her lollipop had been damaged during her fight with the kraken man.

Thus, she'd been severely weakened from the summer heat, lost in a human city when exorcists had cornered her. They'd shot her, stabbed her and burned her with fireballs all while mocking her for being an unholy monster that needed to be purged from God's world. She'd already lost too much blood and the burns had damaged her organs, her species being especially weak to fire and heat, and she was at deaths door. That was when Sona had appeared, defeating the exorcists and saving her life by resurrecting her as devil.

Mizore still had a deadline hanging over head as despite all the advantages being a devil gave her; resistance to heat, extended lifespan, flight, Knight speed and the power of imagination, it didn't cure her of her species fertility issues. But she still had a year before a husband would be chosen for her by the Snow Priestess and even if it came to that she would still be able to serve Sona.

That was why she'd taken it upon herself to follow and observe any potential threats to her Kaichou and the peerage. She had investigated and shadowed every new devil in the school as she had a knack for stealth. Ichigo was apparently worth more than Kaichou could spend and was living near her, thus he'd became her next target. So far, he had proven only to be an ordinary human with good intentions.

After the first week of him being here Mizore had memorized his daily schedule and confirmed that he was a good man that was not a threat to Sona or their peerage. So, Mizore should have already stopped stalking him, but she'd found herself interested in him. He was handsome, one of the very few available boys around and despite his cool exterior he was kind.

But after the colossal mistake with Okuto Kotsubo she was hesitant to approach him, so she just kept watching him from the shadows. She was annoyed that Tsubasa had the lead on her, playing basketball with Ichigo every weeknight, wearing sexy clothes. Then his interactions with Sona and Rias further concerned her about her chances. She'd wondered if he was gay with how unaffected by Tsubasa's advances, as clumsy as they were, and Rias' teasing until she'd overheard his conversation with the perverted trio.

He'd been hurt somehow and was hesitant to open himself up to love, like her. Mizore's heart had skipped a beat when she heard him talk about loving someone. Then after watching his impressive skill with a blade, defeating the skilled swordsman devil of Rias peerage, she felt her entire body warm in desire.

With only several months left before she turned seventeen Mozire knew she'd need to act soon if she wanted to make sure if he was the one. The one she'd chose to marry and give her a child before she became infertile at nineteen.

But he was an ordinary human that neither Kings were going to turn, and she couldn't reveal her true nature to him as long as he stayed human. Mizore didn't want to lie and hide the truth with the man that'd father her child so she should give up on him. Yet, she still felt compelled to follow Ichigo.

She let out a sigh, exited her hiding place as he went inside the main building of Kouh Academy's high school section and moved toward her next class.

---

The sun was almost below the horizon when the last of the student council returned the council room. From the looks on their faces, most had found what Ichigo had.

"Two more in the Judo Club changing room and three in the general boy's locker room for the pool," Ichigo started off.

San had none of her usual cheer as she tossed a sack filled with the cameras onto the table, despite her shyness and communicating through her notepad she was a very happy and kind person. She held up her notepad with hung shoulders, displaying; Two in girl's pool locker room. Four in Tennis club.

Saji and Gin pulled out eight, looking a little green as Saji informed them next, "Men's and women's restrooms, eight."

Mizore and Kurumu tossed three more, "Changing rooms in the auditorium."

Reya and Tsubasa each dropped six, "No less than half from the Occult Club's residence; three from the shower and three in the restroom. The others were scattered across the smaller changing rooms and bathrooms across the school."

Sona Sitri looked cool and composed, her expression like a wall of steel as she simply stated, "Eight from the teacher's areas," though it was Tsubaki that placed the cameras on the table.

"Forty-five cameras," Ichigo said aloud, "All wired into the school's power and internet?"

They all nodded in confirmation.

"Whoever is doing this is indiscriminate to gender, which made me wonder about age..." Sona explained in a cold, analytical tone.

There was a moment of horrified silence as they all had the same thought fire through their minds.

"The elementary section," Ichigo voiced, his fists curled up into balls.

"Tsubaki and I took the time to check and thankfully found nothing in the elementary sections of the grounds. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the college areas," Sona informed as she put down a hefty bag, "Add twenty to the number."

"Sixty-five," Sona breathed, something molten having entered her cold voice.

Ichigo watched as several members of the council shuttered at the sound. It was the first time he had heard that tone from Sona, actually bringing a bead of sweat to form on his neck.

Sona breathed, calming the fire inside her and asked, "How was this able to happen without us noticing?" she was asking herself more than any of them. "How did I miss this?"

Ichigo turned over several cameras, examining them before sharing his thoughts with the others, "The oldest is three years old so this could have been done slowly over time. Planting one camera at a time every few days or weeks. That would be the easiest way to have pulled this off without getting caught."

Sona tapped her fingertips on the table idly as she thought before giving out orders, "Tsubaki, I will need you to stay late with me tonight. I want to see if anyone has used school funding to obtain these cameras slowly over time. We'll have to dig deep into the financial records over months if not years."

"Yes, Kaichou," Tsubaki crisply replied without any hesitation.

She nodded her thanks and addressed the rest of the council, "Thank you for your efforts today. You are all free to head home now."

Ichigo watched as all the others just stared at Sona, not a single one of them moved to leave. They all moved as one and took their seats to help their leader in her endeavor. She almost teared up at the sight, the trust and devotion they all had for her evident in that one action.

Ichigo could tell they held a deep bond with one another, very much like the one he had with Chad, Orihime, Uyru and Rukia. One forged so deeply that they'd risk death for one another. He'd been smiling at the scene without realizing it as he understood why they had done what they'd done.

While he would make no claim as to love, Sona Sitri, for all her serious demeanor, cared. She cared about this school, about the students, about her council, her friends, she cared about them all. And there was more than that in her, the anger she had at the injustice, the wrongness of what they have discovered blazed brightly. Ichigo felt that anger too but he wondered how much more her anger was. She'd known these students for years while he had only been there for two weeks.

In her, he sensed a kindred spirit, someone that desired to protect, to cherish, and help those around her.

Ichigo decided that he'd help those people, help Sona Sitri in her goals while he was there. He might not be a true member of this group, but they had not treated him as anything less than one of them. He hoped that in time they'd become friends.

Sona seemed to have sensed his stare and turned around, "Yes?"

Ichigo wondered how long he had been staring, he shook his head and looked over the rest of the council, noticing that Saji was giving him the evil eye for staring at his crush for too long.

"They are lucky to have you," he eventually stated warmly.

The statement brought up a choir of agreement and for some reason, it brough a blush to her ivory cheeks.

"Enough," she said, cutting them off, "If you're going to stay, get to work." She almost fled to her desk, but Ichigo had the time to notice a single tear fall down her cheek.

Even though Ichigo felt like he wasn't truly a part of them yet, he'd believed that for the first time he had a real chance of making the change to his life something special. The feeling of hope, joy and laughter bubbled inside of him as he went around handing out the papers Tsubaki had pulled out.

Ichigo Kurosaki, for the first time since losing his powers, felt like he could actually build a good, happy life as an ordinary person.