Ascension

by darklover

Set up to Ch 382. Amidst the raging Winter War, a Shinigami appears claiming to be Ichigo's daughter from the future. Is she telling the truth or is it merely a distraction orchestrated by Aizen? Hints of Ichi/Ruki & other pairings.

23. Chapter 23

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach; if I did it would still make sense. Bleach and the name Kurosaki Masaki belong to Tite Kubo. My OC belongs to me under the name of Mai.

Feedback: Comments, suggestions, advice, welcome. Flames are not.

AN: I'm terribly sorry for the long wait for this chapter. I doubt anyone is as disappointed as me. Trust me. I really don't like falling behind in my updates for this story, but alas, my free time has been cut short and I've been having a difficult time trying to manage it and actually write all I need to be written. In the wake of my ten year anniversary on this site, I had intended to finish off my two other non-Bleach fics and Summer Vacation, the non-canonical side story to Ascension (only on my dA page), by December 2012, but I failed. I only managed to begin some edits to one story and publish the second chapter of Summer Vacation. I've been working on this chapter of Ascension since late Oct 2012. According to Word 2010's time count feature, I have spent more than 80 hours writing/editing this chapter. I've always known I take at least 30 hours per chapter. I'm by nature a slow, perfectionist writer which is why I can't update sooner than a month. Please bear with me over the coming months as I attempt to finish off my other works and then devote myself fully to Ascension.

Beginning with this chapter, I will now italicize Bleach terms as well as Japanese words. I will no longer use Japanese familial nouns to generally refer to someone i.e. as 'father' unless the person is directly addressing the person or if I feel the character comes out better with the Japanese word. Consider the previous chapters as acclimatization of the words for those that aren't used to reading stories with Japanese words. Technically in Japanese there are different words for referring and addressing both your own family members and strangers. I figured it might be too confusing which is why I stuck to simply using one word. But to elaborate on that I will give you an example:

Chichi is used to refer to your dad when you talk about him to someone, but (o)tou-san/papa is how you address him. If you're referring to or addressing another person's father, otou-san is used.

Again, sorry for the wait. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

---

All departments within the Shinigami Research and Development Institute buzzed with activity. The Spiritual Measurement Lab's alarms constantly blared out warnings of incoming Hollows and Arrancar while the computer monitors blinked and flashed as blue and white dots populating the vast outline of the Soul Society faded out of existence and pink and red ones continued to grow in number. Researchers sat in their seats, brows drawn in agitation as their eyes fixedly stared at the grim reports populating onscreen and churning out of the printers. The Communication Research section resonated with urgent messages, frantic voices, screams and roars, and static as calls came to an abrupt halt.

Akon, the third seat of the Twelfth Division and Vice-President of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute stood at the center of the room staring at the holographic computer image that displayed Rukongai and its waterways. His jaw was clenched as he pointed a finger to a certain area, drew a circle then a line, connecting it to two surrounding circles. He stared at his work for a few moments, pondering if this was truly the most effective way for this particular district to receive the cure that Kurotsuchi-taichō had developed and that the Reinō Spiritual Ability Research Facility was currently mass producing. No matter what he knew many lives would be lost by the time the cure reached them.

Many were already dead. Over seventeen thousand lives had perished so far and that number kept increasing with each passing moment. Presently that number of deaths was insignificant since hundreds of thousands of Souls remained alive. However, rough estimates indicated that the Soul Society was days from collapsing if the current loss of life continued. Akon was not entirely sure these estimates would hold to be accurate due to the Hollows and Arrancar. If they continued to rain down upon the Soul Society like an unrelenting storm of acid rain, eroding and destroying everything within their path, those days could easily turn to merely a twenty four hour period. Their numbers seemed endless whereas the Gotei 13 had a finite number of soldiers, thirty five percent of which were already out of commission due to both the Hollows and virus.

It was ludicrous how those beasts were openly and relentlessly attacking the Soul Society like they had never done before. It was as though they finally had the sense to declare open war upon their natural enemies. He found the notion that the real impetus behind their continuous assaults was due to the former Fifth Division taichō utterly ridiculous. How could that tiny little gem allow him to wield command over an entire army of such foul creatures? How could it allow him to change them and alter them for his own needs? It was unfathomable how such power could exist. How did Urahara Kisuke ever manage to create it?

The prospect of studying the Hōgyoku to find out intrigued him, but it was something that could not happen unless Aizen Sōsuke was stopped. For now his role in the latter involved devising the most efficient and effective way for the medicine to be delivered into Rukongai as soon as it was available for distribution as First Division Fukutaichō Sasakibe Chōjirō reminded him five minutes ago. He assured him he was, that he already told the Twelfth Division Fourth Seat to round up the soldiers and had also sent word to the Onmitsukidō to provide assistance in order to expedite the distribution. Rukongai's sheer vastness was an issue. It could take days to reach the furthest districts. The superior Shunpo skills of the Onmitsukidō soldiers would help cut the delivery time. Nonetheless even with their assistance the task remained daunting and bleak. It was uncertain how many people would still be alive, would still be able to recover after their body's destabilization even if they received the cure...

The sōtaichō was clearly aware the situation remained bleak and daunting even with a cure and wanted to act as swiftly as possible in order to ensure the survival of the Soul Society, but they were at the mercy of factors beyond their control despite their best efforts.

"Third Seat Akon," Rin's voice said hurriedly, interrupting his thoughts.

"What is it?" Akon asked, staring across the room where Rin sat.

"We're receiving an incoming transmission from…Urahara Kisuke…"

"Urahara Kisuke?" Akon repeated, wrinkling his brows.

"Hai."

"Allow it."

"Done," Rin announced a second later, as a screen appeared in front of Akon with Kisuke's image.

"Ah, Akon-san, how are you doing?" The blonde man smiled jovially.

"Urahara Kisuke," Akon greeted seriously.

"What's a matter, Akon-san? Aren't you pleased to hear from an old friend?"

"I hardly doubt you're contacting me to exchange pleasantries, Urahara, so get on with what you need to tell me."

"Akon-san," Kisuke said, pressing his fan to his chest, as though hurt by the horned man's words. "All I wanted was to chat, but I see your people skills have only degraded since I left…"

Akon frowned. "My people skills have developed just fine…you're the one who needs to work on them! I don't have time to waste on this…I'm sure you're aware of what's going on…Where in Rukongai are you exactly?"

"Ever the workaholic, aren't you?" Kisuke noted, slightly amused.

"Urahara…"Akon said warningly.

"Concerned about my whereabouts, eh? Don't be. I've taken the necessary precautions. I'm perfectly safe," Kisuke smiled reassuringly.

"How reassuring, but where are you exactly?" Akon pressed. A look at Rin indicated he could not find the location. "I'm gathering data on the areas of Rukongai in order to send troops there as soon as the cure is ready.

"I see. I take it Isshin-san has delivered Kurotsuchi-san my notes and has been able to create a cure for the virus sweeping over the Soul Society?"

Akon looked slightly surprised. "Hai…"

"Good, but is he absolutely certain it will fully restore the health of an infected individual?"

"He is. He tested the cure on…Kurotsuchi-fukutaichō. She's recovering as far as I know."

"Oh my…He really went all out, didn't he? I don't think I'd ever consider purposely infecting my subordinates with a mortal virus for the sake of finding a cure. Are you sure, you don't miss me?"

Akon just glared at him. "Urahara, I don't have time for this. If that's all you've called for then—"

"Akon-san, I know time is of the essence, which is precisely why I sent Isshin-san. There's no way I would have been able to produce the cure as fast and efficiently as in the Reinō Spiritual Ability Research Facility in my current location. Don't think I've been sitting idly. I've been working on a cure too, and I will be able to help those around here. I will give you the coordinates, so you have one less area to worry about."

Akon looked surprised. "Alright then."

---

Candlelight swayed and danced, occasionally casting words in shadow, slate eyes, however, seemed to be staring at something beyond the text of the open book resting on the low table.

The kozō had known nothing.

Byakuya had been certain that he would have risen to the bait he'd laid during his talk with him—Kurosaki Ichigo was a hot-headed fool, of this he was certain—but the kozō had done nothing to repel his words, had not shown an ounce of indignation or annoyance that his lineage had been insulted. Absolutely nothing of the sort had emanated from Kurosaki Ichigo. Instead he'd been more concerned about the lack of consideration of Rukia's feelings in a potential marriage. Though the brat seemed inclined not to admit he was interested in Rukia, Byakuya had to admit Ichigo had shown surprising maturity when he consented to courting Rukia properly. Byakuya found that to be a rather small relief though he was still troubled by the very concept.

His uneasiness and displeasure with the idea of his imouto marrying the fool and bearing his child had constantly plagued his mind even underneath the disquiet brought on by the predicament facing his subordinates and the entire Gotei 13, but it had heightened even more when he learned of Kurosaki Ichigo's true heritage.

"The Fourth Division has recently been experiencing cases of what appears to be a bout of flu, but I'm afraid this is not the case. Though the illness affecting these Shinigami appears to generate symptoms like the flu at its onset, it's actually breaking down the Reishi bonds of their soul as it progresses."

"W-What?" Tōshirō said stunned, staring at Jūshiro, who was seated behind a desk with a stack of papers at the center. Byakuya stood beside the young taichō.

"As you're well aware this isn't a natural phenomenon. This virus is actually a creation of Aizen's doing," Jūshiro announced grimly. "This is the reason why Aizen did not seem to be disturbed by the fall of his Espada, why he didn't attempt to head to the Soul Society directly after battling with Kurosaki Ichigo. Apparently, he isn't planning on waiting until the Hōgyoku activates to make his move, he's waiting until the Soul Society falls to this virus which specifically targets those who possess Reiryoku."

"You mean, he's created it to specifically wipe out Shinigami," Toshiro said, disturbed.

"Unfortunately, all Rukongai citizens who have Reiryoku are in just as much danger as the Shinigami standing guard over the real Karakura. All the Shinigami that have contracted the virus are those that have recently arrived from the outermost districts of Rukongai, or at least spent contact with someone who was assigned there."

"Are you saying this virus was first released in those remote districts?" Byakuya asked.

Jūshiro nodded. "Data considering the virus' origins has yet to be brought back, but I believe so."

"That bastard, he really doesn't care who he kills," Tōshirō noted, disgusted.

"It seems so to be the case," Jūshiro agreed, gravely. "That move, however, has given us some time if not much to try and find a cure before it hits the Seireitei in full force."

"Has Unohana-taichō been informed of this virus?" Byakuya said.

"Of course, she's the one that made the diagnosis. I'm afraid, however, this virus is quite deadly…Once a Soul destabilizes there isn't much she can do to reverse the process… She says it destabilizes Reishi far more rapidly than it did when she first encountered it."

"What do you mean by that, Ukitake?" Tōshirō said, white eyebrows knitting.

Jūshiro was silent for a moment, a contemplative look on his face. "I suppose, I might as well tell you since you're bound to find out. This is not the first time Aizen Sōsuke has used this virus. He used it twenty years ago on Rukongai citizens. During an outing in Rukongai, Kurosaki Isshin's niece contracted the virus."

Teal and grey eyes widened.

"Unohana-taichō treated her and discovered that the girl carried a virus that was destroying her Reishi body. She advised Kurosaki Isshin to investigate the matter and find the perpetrator, but, as you will know that never happened."

"He was sentenced by the Central 46 to prison for murdering his clan," Byakuya said.

"That is what Central 46 told the public, but the official records show otherwise," Jūshiro said, glancing at the papers before him. "He was imprisoned on charges of murder and treason for engineering a dangerous weapon that threatened the Soul Society."

"The virus," Tōshirō said quietly. "Kurosaki-taichō was blamed for creating something he never did…"

"He was unfairly convicted due to circumstantial evidence," Jūshiro agreed. "At least we now know the truth behind the fall of his clan and that's he alive…"

"Alive?" Tōshirō echoed.

Byakuya stared at Jūshiro. "Are you saying Kurosaki Ichigo is his relation?"

"Hai. Kurosaki Ichigo is Kurosaki Isshin's son. See there was a reason he resembled Kaien after all," Jūshiro said, a small smile flickering across his face.

Byakuya's face remained impassive.

He could not believe that the brat actually turned out to be a relation of Shiba Kaien. When he had first come across the kozō, he had considered the possibility of him being a reincarnation, but had not given the thought serious consideration. It was highly unlikely that he was a reincarnation.

He had been right, but it was little comfort. He had always had this nagging feeling about the substitute Shinigami that there was something familiar about him though he did not want to admit that there could be a remote possibility that Ichigo could very well be related to Shiba Kaien by other means.

That possibility was supposed to be impossible. Unlike Shihōin Yoruichi, who was merely considered dead over the years due to her continued disappearance, Kurosaki Isshin had been officially proclaimed dead by Central 46. He had told himself it was merely a coincidence that Ichigo had that surname and that he resembled Shiba Kaien. Furthermore, he was a Human even if he did somehow manage to gain powers of his own….

Learning that Ichigo's power was apparently innate due to his Shinigami bloodline had aroused different suspicions in Byakuya for Ichigo's closeness to Rukia. He had suspected the kozō was intent on procuring Rukia's hand merely to elevate the fallen status of the Kurosaki Clan. His reservations remained even with Ichigo's responses to his questions, because he considered there was a chance the brat could actually rein in his emotions when it was convenient to him.

Of course, his suspicions were all for naught. Kurosaki Isshin had seen to rendering them to nothing. Truthfully, he did not believe Kurosaki Ichigo was capable of maintaining such a charade; he was far too unrefined and liberal like Shiba Kaien had been. The latter had known what was expected of a noble yet willingly choose not to behave as such even when he was in a position to restore his clan's status whereas Ichigo clearly knew nothing of the aristocratic world or his heritage. Kurosaki Isshin had obviously seen to raising the boy without such knowledge.

He was not entirely surprised that Kurosaki Ichigo had been raised without an aristocratic upbringing seeing as Kurosaki Isshin, like Shihōin Yoruichi, had never been pretentious or proud about his heritage and had followed his own notions as best as he could within what his family allowed. Despite knowing this, Byakuya had had to verify the truth for himself.

Now that he knew it, however, it changed little. Regardless of the motivation for a marriage between his imouto and Kurosaki Ichigo, the Kuchiki Clan elders would abhor the thought of admitting within their ranks someone from a tarnished clan such as the Kurosaki Clan. Association with fallen, tainted clans was dishonorable and unthinkable for the Great Noble House of Kuchiki. Only lesser clans could ever consider such a disgraceful prospect. Even with the truth behind the Kurosaki Clan's fall, Byakuya knew they would hardly deem such a union as acceptable. It would be viewed as another humiliation in the history of the Kuchiki Clan.

The first humiliation, of course, was his own marriage to Hisana, the second the adoption of his late wife's sibling, the third being his adopted imouto's criminal accusations. Even though Rukia had been pardoned everyone in the family had been quite disgruntled and horrified by the Kuchiki name being put in such a scandalous light. Some members he knew had even been disappointed that Rukia had not perished despite the embarrassment the Kuchiki name had had to endure. They considered her adoption the gravest offense of all and would have gladly welcomed her eviction by such means. They would have seen it as the cleansing of the Kuchiki name.

They would certainly hate the idea of Rukia bringing more disgrace to their family by contaminating the Kuchiki name with a collapsed clan. In the past the elders had approached him with the intent to convince him to marry Rukia off in order for the Kuchiki Clan to strengthen their alliance with other lesser clans, but he had refused their offers. He knew that despite the strategic reasons they cited for such potential unions, their true intent was to get rid of her.

By tradition the Kuchiki honke practiced neither muko-iri nor yome-iri exclusively, the person marrying into the clan took on the Kuchiki name. His ancestors had had the foresight to establish this practice in order to preserve the main family line despite their desire to be patrilineal. While Rukia was technically a chokkei, a member of the main family line, she was not regarded as a possible successor within the katokusozoku, the family line succession, and thus could stand to her lose her surname upon marriage; the bunke and clans belonging to the Great Noble House of Kuchiki had been born this way throughout the years. Byakuya was well aware that the elders intended for Rukia to lose the Kuchiki name when she married while strengthening their ties even if a Kuchiki chokkei class female had not married out of the clan in several generations. It was their ideal since Rukia would no longer reside in the main manor and the Kuchiki Clan would gain additional political leverage. The elders had made it abundantly clear that it was his responsibility to marry again and produce an heir worthy of the Kuchiki name.

He had always planned to defend her chokkei right, even as a non-successive member, to maintain the Kuchiki name and to remain in the Kuchiki Manor. To quell the elders' displeasure, he had intended to find Rukia a suitor from a prestigious, high ranking family that would both please them and Rukia. He loathed admitting it, but if the Kurosaki Clan had never been destroyed and Kurosaki Ichigo had been born in the Soul Society and raised properly with aristocratic virtues, he would have been the ideal candidate for Rukia's hand.

The Kurosaki Ichigo he knew was not fit for that. He was the son of the alleged perpetrator behind the extinction of the Kurosaki Clan. He was uncouth and brash. He knew nothing about social etiquette. Within the noble blood that resided in his veins, Human blood clouded it…. Although it was remarkable how his humanity had not dampened his natural power, how he had managed to achieve power beyond what a talented Shinigami could achieve in years, the kozō had no standing within the Gotei 13, he was merely a substitute Shinigami, which was essentially a position beneath an unseated officer. He had nothing to offer the Kuchiki Clan whereas he stood to gain everything.

The Kuchiki elders would never approve such a union, not unless Kurosaki Ichigo managed to uplift the Kurosaki name with an actual position within the Gotei 13 and actually learned to behave like a proper noble. Could the kozō achieve such a feat?

It seemed like an arduous task.

Kurosaki Ichigo was very much rough around the edges. Byakuya knew he was young; that there was still hope, but he had a sense of lingering unease….The ojou-san had called herself Kurosaki Masaki…a white crescent moon pinned her hair back. ...He had not realized the significance of that ornament until he had researched the Kurosaki Clan in the illustrious historical archives of the Kuchiki Clan, which now required updating with the actual facts regarding the Kurosaki Clan's downfall. He had forgotten about the Kurosaki mon: an elegant crescent moon encased in a pentagon with a small star resting at its base and from it sprouting graceful, ever enduring reeds that followed the curve of the moon's arcs. Decorative waves surrounded this image.

The ojou-san should have been wearing a kenseikan and using the Kuchiki name if Kurosaki Ichigo had married into the clan, but she had neither. Did that truly mean that Kurosaki Ichigo managed to revive his clan to its former glory or at least close enough to gain the Kuchiki elders' approval for the marriage and the Kurosaki Clan's adoption into the Kuchiki House, or did the kozō simply take Rukia away from the clan without it? Kurosaki Ichigo had proven he was willing to do whatever it took to achieve his goals, even going against the laws….

He was disturbed by the notion. He was sure the elders and the bokei would not mind Rukia's departure from the clan, but he could not allow that to happen. He had promised Hisana he would take Rukia in as his imouto and that he would care for her as such. While he knew he hadn't been truly brotherly all these years, he had always protected her from those that tried to usurp her position within the clan. Etiquette, dance, history, ikebana, and calligraphy lessons were given her so that her class and intelligence matched that of a noble born woman. Though it did little to assuage the disgust of his family, Byakuya had been pleased to see that Rukia met the task head on and had succeeded into shaping into a respectable noblewoman reminiscent of how Hisana had also done so in spite of the ill will directed toward her….Knowing it had been difficult for his late wife to grow accustomed to a refined and regulated way of living and that she would want her imouto to be happy and safe, he had allowed and aided Rukia's graduation into an unseated Shinigami of the Thirteenth Division when he adopted her. He knew Rukia's involvement with the Gotei 13 would help make the transition easier since it would allow her an escape from the haughty eyes of the clan. While it had given the girl and the clan a reprieve from each other (the clan had often used her Shinigami duties as an excuse not to present her publicly), Byakuya had had to deal with the cutting remarks made by the elders about Rukia's lack of progress within the Gotei 13; they had hoped she would bring some type of honor to the clan with some kind of achievement. He had found the time he spent defending Rukia's progress a small price to pay for her safety. He knew very well that Rukia was more capable than perhaps she even realized, but he was content to know she had progressed satisfactorily over the years, even if she did not have a title to show for it.

He could not allow Rukia to leave in such a disgraceful fashion from the clan, even if Kurosaki Ichigo wasn't a pure commoner as he had originally thought…It was his job as an onii-san to look out for her. He would make sure Kurosaki Ichigo adhered to his stipulations so that the honor and integrity of his imouto would be preserved. There was no need for Rukia to marry out of the clan; the Kuchiki Clan had sufficient alliances despite what the elders said. His aunt had not been asked to marry out of the clan; her husband had married into it.

He would not allow the kozō to refuse the Kuchiki name so easily. He was not sure why the ojou-san did not carry the Kuchiki surname, but he could not imagine his future self not having attempted to impose his will over Kurosaki Ichigo. Perhaps, he could change things…The future was not set in stone. That was the fear concerning Kurosaki Masaki's presence in this time after all. While her presence was not needed in the least, he supposed he would be better prepared now.

---

To say Kurosaki Isshin was in a good mood was a complete and utter understatement. He was bursting with sheer jubilation and pure delight, something he had not felt in quite some time. It was taking all of his willpower not to give in to the desire to skip and dance like a crazed loon. The only thing he allowed was a slight bounce in his stride and a low, joyful whistle to escape his lips.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Ichigo, ambling a few paces behind him, his features still contorted into a broody mask. His son had lapsed into brooding silence ever since they had dropped off Rukia and Masaki at the Kuchiki Manor. The last thing that had elicited a reaction from Ichigo was when Isshin took forever to release Masaki from his 'good bye' hug.

Isshin could not help it. He had needed to savor the feel of his future granddaughter in his arms in case this turned out to be some kind of marvelous dream that he would soon wake up from. His granddaughter had certainly felt real, had smelled real too, like sweet lavender with a hint of gentle vanilla….No dream had ever felt so vivid, but he was afraid this unexpected surprise was indeed one.

Every wallop his son had inflicted on him, however, as well as the way he, Rukia-chan, and Masaki-chan interacted had served to remind him that he was indeed awake. There was no way he'd dream up such abuse or awkwardness….Ichigo's actions were infused with more than his usual annoyance, genuine embarrassment fueled them as well.

His son was unmistakably uncomfortable with the future he had never considered. Not that he blamed him, he was young and this was a highly unusual way to confront what was imminent. Although it was amusing to watch his son struggle to comport himself around his future family, he also found it to be painful. Ichigo needed to relax. He could only imagine how his granddaughter must be viewing the behavior of the teenage version of her father. He hardly met her gaze and he could not even address her properly. Sometimes he stuttered when he called her Mai, others times he did not, but his voice belied his nerves all the same. Ichigo had major issues when it came to addressing her.

One thing for sure was that Masaki-chan felt just as uncomfortable as Ichigo did. She was just better at hiding it. Isshin could tell Rukia's Kuchiki ways had definitely rubbed off on her. He knew she was worried about her present, and that she did not want to be here just as much as her future parents did not want her here. He sympathized with her. He knew full well how it felt to be taken from the world you knew. Just like him, she had no choice but to wait for her situation to change.

"Ichigo, we're almost there," Isshin announced, several moments later.

Silence greeted his words.

Isshin turned around and leaned forward into Ichigo's face. "OI, ICHIGO, WE'RE ALMOST THERE!"

"I'm not deaf, I heard you the first time," Ichigo growled, as he socked Isshin's chin.

"Could have fooled me," Isshin mumbled, as he rubbed his sore chin. "I thought perhaps all the dust we encountered must have clogged up your throat and ears. Figured it must have been the reason you had your face all screwed up like that, because you should be grinning from ear to ear. You hit the jackpot, Son. You now have a house to accommodate your lovely future wife and daughter. Do you realize how much a load off your shoulders I've taken off? Mansions in the Seireitei aren't cheap, you know. Renovating the place will be a complete steal, trust me.

"Besides, it's only fitting that you rebuild the home of our ancestors as they have helped rebuild the Seireitei over the centuries. Don't worry, Son, it'll be a breeze. It's in our genes to restore what has been broken."

In our genes, my ass, Ichigo thought.

Tools and Kurosaki Isshin were synonymous with destruction, not restoration.

His father was a terrible handyman. Anytime anything got broken in the house or the clinic, it would end up in a worse state if he attempted to fix it. Yuzu usually tried to fix any problems herself, but if she needed help she resorted first to Karin or him before asking their father. She would only tell him about the issue when it was time to consult a professional, though Isshin would stubbornly take a crack at it and thus render the object in need for a miracle. Even his mother had not trusted Isshin to mend anything. Ichigo recalled her hiding a leaking faucet from his father when he was six. She had tried fixing it on her own, and when Ichigo had asked her why she didn't ask his dad for help, she had said daddy had enough work as it was. She had made Ichigo promise not to mention to Isshin. For two days his mother made sure that Isshin stayed clear of the faucet and had sent him to pick up some missing ingredients the day she had had scheduled the plumber to arrive. His father had not taken as long as his mother had hoped and had been quite disappointed to find out he'd been sent on an errand merely so that the plumber could fix a problem in his house.

Ichigo doubted he'd ever handled a tool before coming to the World of the Living.

Ichigo was certain that his predecessors had not touched a tool since the days they nearly broke their backs trying to lay down stones for the Seireitei as his father had said during the impromptu Kurosaki Clan history lesson he gave when they had stumbled upon some large, old storage sheds in the Kurosaki Manor. Apparently, the Kurosaki Clan had once been the premier supplier of construction materials and provisions to the Gotei 13 and to the Soul Society in general.

"It's dealing with Byakuya and the Kuchiki Clan that'll be a real pain in the ass, but at least we know fate is on our side. Not that there was ever any doubt, but it's reassuring all the same."

"What?" Ichigo stared at his father, bemused.

"I always had an inkling you and Rukia…."Isshin admitted with a grin.

Red spread across Ichigo's cheeks. "N-No, I mean…why…"

"Why is the Kuchiki Clan gonna be a pain to deal with? Didn't you hear Byakuya earlier? He thinks were looking to restore the Kurosaki Clan's status by marrying into the Kuchiki Clan. As if," Isshin said, scoffing at the notion. At Ichigo's continued confused look, Isshin continued, "The Kuchiki Clan is one of the Four Great Noble families of the Soul Society. They're pretty protective of their family name to say the least. They don't do marriages that will blemish their family. Marriages with a fallen clan are considered taboo, so they'll be pretty mad to even consider your proposal for Rukia's hand. Don't tell me you thought just because you had some noble blood in you it'd be easier to deal with them?"

Ichigo stayed quiet.

"I'm afraid it doesn't make it any easier. The only thing that will make the marriage negotiations easier will be for you to restore our clan's status. Remember, Ichigo, it's your responsibility from now on." Isshin placed a hand on his son's left shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "The clan won't give their blessing 'til then," Isshin admitted, looking slightly dejected. "You could always elope if you want though. You have my blessing."

Ichigo flung his father's hand away from his shoulder. "S-Shut up, Oyaji. Rukia and I aren't getting married any time soon, so quit talking about marriage. Byakuya would kill me if I tried that," Ichigo added, a moment later.

"I'm sure you could fend him off. You've done it before," Isshin said.

There was a pause.

"You know, your grandfather would have been extremely proud to know you're marrying the sister of the Kuchiki Clan head. I'm just glad I'm getting a grandchild out of this. Masaki would have been glad too. When you were a kid, Masaki and I used to wonder whether a woman other than her would ever be able to capture your heart. You were such a momma's boy. If you kept that up all your life, I was sure you'd never get a girl. Masaki, however, was certain that someone would come along to steal your heart and wanted to cherish you for as long as possible before that happened. And then Masaki died.

"You shut down and kept everyone at bay. I could see that the likelihood of becoming a grandparent was even slimmer than before. But then Rukia-chan showed up. She gave you a purpose and whether you realized it or not, you had made a connection with her. Something you hadn't truly been able to do in a long time. There was hope for grandchildren someday.

"I'm glad to know it will come to pass. Masaki would be so glad to know you truly will be living like she wanted you to. I'm sure she would have been touched that you'd name your child after her."

There was a beat.

"Ichigo, don't let the past hold you back from embracing the future. Don't fear calling Masaki-chan by her name or getting to know her while she's here. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Seize it."

And with that, Isshin turned around and started walking away from Ichigo. The teen stared at his father's back for several moments, before uttering, "D-Did Kaa-san know…?"

Isshin stopped, but did not turn around.

"Are you asking if she knew about who I was?"

"Yes."

"She did. She took it all in stride. She always thought I was bit out there, so she was glad to know there was a reason for it. More importantly, she was relieved to know that her son wasn't suffering from hallucinations at an early age," Isshin confessed. "We never talked to you about your spiritual awareness when you were little because we didn't want to scare you. There was no harm in you seeing Pluses, and it was highly unlikely you'd ever come across a Hollow."

"So Kaa-san wasn't spiritually aware?"

Isshin turned around to face Ichigo.

"Your mother was about as spiritually aware as Yuzu. Spiritually aware or not, Masaki relied on her instincts to save you that day. Every parent has a sixth sense when it comes to their children. It's something you'll experience for yourself someday."

Isshin resumed walking.

Ten minutes later, Isshin and Ichigo stopped in front of the Eleventh Division gate.

"Thanks, Oyaji. You didn't have to..."

"It's not a big deal. It was on my way. Just don't let Kenpachi kill you, okay?" Isshin said, clapping Ichigo unexpectedly hard on the back. "My granddaughter will never be born if you do..."

Rubbing his back, Ichigo watched his father continue on.

---

With his arms hidden beneath his sleeves and folded across his chest, a solemn faced Hitsugaya Tōshirō walked across the Tenth Division grounds. The crisp night air teased his hair and face with a vestige of cold weather, but he longed to feel the true caress of an icy winter gust. Cold weather had always soothed him whenever he was troubled. With the amount of thoughts circulating his brain, he felt only a massive blizzard could smother them. The idea of being frozen and numb was very appealing, but he could not indulge himself in the fantasy even if he did have the power to actually make it a reality. He was not even sure the feelings and thoughts within him could be frozen. They throbbed and pulsed with a fiery intensity that could very well melt off the ice surrounding his body if he attempted to freeze himself.

Work, his other recourse when bothered, had only helped to fuel his thoughts.

The men he had lost, the physical and emotional wounds Hinamori had suffered, and the taichō he had lost….all came down to him.

It was disturbing and shocking to know that the audacity and cunning of Aizen Sōsuke had stretched for so many years in preparation for the current events, but he was relieved to know the truth at last regarding Kurosaki Isshin-taichō.

It was something he had not thought of in years, something he had tried to forget as he took on the role of his former leader…but he had had a difficult time believing Kurosaki-taichō had murdered his clan. Kurosaki-taichō had never behaved in a manner consistent with what he heard nobles were like. He had never expressed ill will towards anyone and he had always treated his subordinates with respect regardless of social status. On the occasions he brought up family, he seemed to believe it was important to maintain family ties….

A young Tōshirō wearing a Shihakushō swings Hyōrinmaru and a Chinese ice dragon, smaller than usual, flows from the katana's tip. The glacial serpentine creature charges across the frozen landscape towards a wall of ice, rendering it into hundreds of shattered ice fragments. The white-haired boy lowers his Zanpakutō and takes a breath of the cold air as he stares at his handiwork. He releases one hand from gripping Hyōrinmaru to wipe the frost coating his forehead.

His teal gaze lingers for a moment upon the frozen mess, before his free hand rejoins the one wrapped around Hyōrinmaru's hilt. His grip shifts as he extends one foot forward while he moves the other back. As he prepares to swing his katana, a voice behind him says loudly, "What in the world? I thought winter was over…"

Lowering his katana, Tōshirō turns and says, "K-Kurosaki-taichō," but his voice is lost as the snow amassed behind him crumbles and showers him in white powder. For several moments, the young boy remains immobile but then begins to shake off the icy fluff smothering him.

"Oh, it's you, Shirō-chan…I could hardly tell you apart from the snow and ice, you blend right in…"Kurosaki Isshin, wearing a sleeveless white haori over his Shihakushō, appears amidst the icy mist issuing from the small avalanche that had just occurred. He looks younger with just a goatee.

Mahogany eyes survey the boy with the slightest twinkle of amusement as he emerges from his icy imprisonment.

A slight frown appears on Tōshirō's face as he removes snow from his arm and Hyōrinmaru. "Kurosaki-taichō, I told you not to call me Shirō-chan…"

The dark-haired man continues on, not at all fazed by the boy's request. "What are you doing here, Shirō-chan? Are you bringing winter back so we can have more snowball fights?"

"No. I was training, Kurosaki-taichō."

"Training?" Isshin repeats. "What's a matter with you, kozō, training on a fine day like this? I know you're a prodigy and all, but even prodigies need some R&R. You should be using your time off to do something fun…like hanging out with friends…"

"I'd rather train," Tōshirō says stiffly.

"Hmm…Have you made any friends, Shirō-chan?" Isshin wonders.

Tōshirō doesn't look at him, but instead glances at Hyōrinmaru. "I didn't come here to make friends. I came to master my power…"

"That may be so…but building bonds with those you'll be working with is an important aspect of being a Shinigami…It is through trust and understanding of those around you that you can be most effective when fighting alongside them…Remember, Tōshirō, you are not alone, you are now part of a big group, a family if you will…If you reach out to those around you, you'll grow stronger in ways you can't even imagine…The desire to protect your comrades can be a very powerful force…"

Silence ensues as Tōshirō considers the dark-haired man's words.

"C'mon, Shirō-chan, let's go see who we can find to hang out with…"

"Hey, Tōshirō, why don't you hang out with that girl with the pigtails? What was her name?" The two males turn around and see a Shinigami woman with a curvaceous figure and short blonde hair that barely reaches her shoulders. A pink scarf adorns her neck.

"Rangiku-san, what are you doing here? Were you eavesdropping?" Mahogany eyes narrow slightly as they stare at the woman.

"Eh? Not all, Taichō…I just overheard the last bit…and I want to help. Tōshirō needs to loosen up and have fun. He's always training. He has a friend in the Fifth Division…You should go see her, Tōshirō!" Rangiku gives him an enormous encouraging grin. "I'm sure she'd love to see you! You haven't seen her in ages…Remember, she said to visit…"

"What? Shirō-chan has a girlfriend in the Fifth Division?" Isshin exclaims, surprised.

Blushing, Tōshirō snaps, "H-Hinamori's not my girlfriend…She's a childhood friend…We grew up together in Rukongai…"

"Is that so? Well, then all the more reason to visit her then and make her your girlfriend…You know they say friends make the best lovers…"

"Taichō!" Toshiro growls.

"I'm kidding…You're still too young for a relationship. Besides, I can't afford my star cadet to get all love struck…If you're this devoted to training, I shudder to think how devoted you'll be to your girlfriend. But seriously, you shouldn't let go of your friendship with this Hinamori girl…You should go see her right now."

"She's probably busy…"Tōshirō mutters.

"You won't know unless you go…"Rangiku points out.

"Rangiku-san is right," Isshin agrees, giving Tōshirō an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "C'mon, Shirō-chan, I'll go with you! I wanna meet this young lady…"

"That isn't necessary, Kurosaki-taichō…"Toshiro starts.

"Actually, Kurosaki-taichō, you can't go. I came to inform you Ito-fukutaichō wanted to go over the budget reports with you. But don't worry, I can accompany Tōshirō!"

"What? I thought we went over them already."

"Nope…He says you need to do them today. No excuses."

Isshin sighs. "Well, Rangiku-san, I think it's great of you to make such an offer, but have you finished all of your paperwork?"

"I've done my fair share."

"Translation, no," Tōshirō says.

"Hey…I got through half of it…more or less…but this assignment is far more important than paperwork. I'm ensuring that you are a well-rounded individual, Tōshirō. It's not good for you to train all the time…You need some fresh air and socialization…"

"Hmph. You just want to get out of finishing your work…."

"Rangiku-san is right. This assignment is far more important than paperwork. Alright, Rangiku-san, you can finish your paperwork later. Make sure, Shirō-chan, socializes…no matter what…" Isshin says, seriously.

"Hai, Taichō," Rangiku responds seriously. "If Hinamori is busy, then I'll take him to see his grandmother. I'm sure she'd love to see him too."

"Grandma?" Isshin echoes. "You have a grandma, Shirō-chan?"

Tōshirō nods.

"When was the last time you visited her?" Isshin asks.

Tōshirō looks slightly uncomfortable under Isshin's gaze. He rakes his fingers through his white locks as he considers the question. "I guess after I graduated from the Academy…"

"And you haven't visited her since then? What's a matter with you?" Isshin demands, shocked.

"She knows I can't visit often…" Tōshirō says defensively.

"But you don't even make an effort to do so when you can. What kind of a grandson are you?"

Toshiro scowls. "Baa-chan understands I have to train…She wants me to do my best…I send her letters about my progress…"

"I'm sure she does, but I doubt she'd want you to overwork yourself and never have any kind of fun…I bet she'd rather hear about your progress straight from your lips. Just because you're a Shinigami now doesn't mean you have to cut off your ties with your family...unless, of course, that is what you want…"

"No…I don't want that," Toshiro says quietly.

"So does that mean you're going to visit your grandmother after you visit Hinamori? Hey, maybe you guys can both visit her."

"Yeah…"

"Atta, boy!" Isshin exclaims, playfully ruffling Tōshirō's hair.

It had been inconceivable to think that Kurosaki-taichō would hurt his own family, even if there had been some kind of fallout among them, but the evidence Central 46 had said it had been so….

"I'm so tired…"Rangiku says wearily. She is carrying a large bundle in her arms.

"Quit complaining….It's your own fault. You shouldn't have bought all that junk," Tōshirō remarks. He is walking beside her. Walking behind them is a five-man group of Shinigami.

"It's not junk…"Rangiku retorts, insulted.

"It's pointless stuff you don't need…of course, it's junk…You shouldn't have bought any of it. You just made us take longer," Tōshirō says, as he stops in front of the Tenth Division gate.

"Like that even matters. It's not like Taichō is going to get mad because of that. We got the mission done, and I even bought him something, so I'm sure he'll be happy."

"That's not the point…We were out on a mission, not a shopping trip, you should have done it on your own time."

"I think it's better to multitask though… and besides, I think everyone needed a little breather after the mission…"

The door rumbles open and they go through it.

"What we didn't need is you trying to make us carry your stupid junk or hear your complaints. The journey was long enough as it is."

"Hey, Tōshirō, how come it's so quiet?" Rangiku suddenly perks up, as cerulean eyes sweep over the surprisingly empty and silent grounds. An eerie aura hangs over the area.

"Something's happened," Tōshirō says.

Teal and cerulean eyes meet.

Behind them, the group of Shinigami is muttering, apparently sensing that something is not right. Tōshirō suddenly switches into a brisk walk, pulling ahead of Rangiku. Not to be outdone, Rangiku also begins to power walk. Within minutes they reach the Tenth Division office where a wizened man with gray hair swept into a messy ponytail is staring blankly at the paperwork in front of him. A fukutaichō armband is tied around his left shoulder.

"Ito-fukutaichō, what's happened?" Toshiro demands at once.

Tired blue eyes blink as they survey the white-haired boy and blonde-haired woman before them.

"Third Seat Matsumoto and Fourth Seat Hitsugaya, you've finally returned…."The man acknowledges, pausing. "I-I'm afraid something dreadful has happened…Kurosaki-taichō has been arrested…"

"Arrested?" Tōshirō repeats, surprised.

"What stupid thing did he do while drunk?" Rangiku demands, annoyed.

"If only it were a drunken misdemeanor…" The old man says wistfully. "It's much more serious than that. He's been arrested by Central 46, he's been accused of murder…"

"Murder?" Tōshirō says disbelievingly.

"Yes, he's been accused of poisoning his niece—"

"W-What? Kurosaki-taichō would never do such a thing…You're kidding, right? Wait a minute, did Kurosaki-taichō rope you into doing this terrible prank…" Rangiku says, narrowing her eyes. "He must have ordered everyone to stay in their quarters…"

"Matsumoto-san, I wish it were a prank on his orders, but it's not—Here." He grabs a paper from the desk and hands it to her.

Cerulean eyes widen with disbelief. "I-It can't be..true…It just can't…"

Tōshirō snatches the paper from her fingers and skims over it. "Kurosaki-taichō would never do this…It has to be some kind of mistake…"

"Central 46 has found him guilty…There is no mistake….The decision is final. He's been given a sentence. He'll be transferred to his cell in his assigned prison tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Tōshirō and Rangiku exclaim, simultaneously.

"Hai…"

The day after Kurosaki-taichō was supposed to be incarcerated he was proclaimed dead by Central 46. Apparently, he had made a bid for an escape during the transfer and was killed during the ensuing scuffle with the guards. It had been surreal to think Kurosaki-taichō had met such a demise. Nothing pertaining to his arrest made sense. How could he have taken his own division members in a bid to displace the blame on another culprit if it had been merely a case of poisoning? There was no way Kurosaki-taichō would have killed innocent Rukongai citizens either. Although he tried questioning the officers that Kurosaki-taichō had taken with him in his scouting mission, they didn't really say much. He figured they were ordered not to talk about the incident.

A few days afterwards, the sōtaichō summoned him.

"Fourth Seat Hitsugaya Tōshirō of the Tenth Division," Yamamoto intones when the white-haired boy enters his office.

"Hai, Sōtaichō," Tōshirō says, inclining his head respectfully.

"It is my understanding from the former Tenth Division taichō Kurosaki Isshin that you have achieved Bankai? Is this true?"

Tōshirō stares at him and says, "Hai."

"Very well. You are to undergo the Taishu in a week's time."

"M-Me? But what about Ito-fukutaichō…"

"He does not qualify. He does not have a Bankai…"

"B-But—"

"Kurosaki Isshin always spoke highly of you. Your progress after joining the Gotei 13 has been nothing but remarkable…You have achieved what only a select few have achieved in decades in record time…There is no doubt you are a viable candidate for the captaincy of the Tenth Division. You should have no qualms about taking the exam.

"I understand the Tenth Division is undergoing a difficult time at the moment with the loss of their taichō, which is precisely the reason you should come forward and take ahold of your division's leadership…I'm certain Kurosaki Isshin would have wanted this. Whatever his personal affairs might have been, Kurosaki Isshin as a taichō of the Gotei 13 had always acted in his division's best interests…"

He took the sōtaichō's words to heart and tried not to think about his taichō's fall, but instead put his focus on restoring the damaged spirit of the Tenth Division. He passed his captaincy exam, becoming the youngest taichō in the history of the Soul Society. Ito-fukutaichō agreed only to stay on a year as his fukutaichō. He did it out of the desire to help the Tenth Division transition to a semblance of normalcy, but he actually wanted to retire. Losing a taichō for the second time seemed to have been the catalyst for the decision though he cited it was time for new blood to take over.

For nearly two decades, he and Matsumoto had led the Tenth Division, none the wiser that Kurosaki-taichō was actually alive, living among Humans….This was truly the silver lining from all that he had learned regarding the truth…Aizen had not managed to kill Kurosaki-taichō or keep him imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. It was a massive comfort to know this though it did little to assuage the anger he felt towards the man.

It was bizarre to think he and Matsumoto had been inside Kurosaki Isshin's home, merely a few walls separating them…He had sensed three Humans in the Kurosaki home, one that clearly had Reiryoku, one that barely had some, and another that had nothing…. Kurosaki-taichō must have been the one not radiating anything…He would have recognized his presence if he had been….

When he had first met Kurosaki Ichigo after Aizen's departure, in the back of his mind, he had felt something that called out to his senses, that there was something familiar about the teenager's presence, but he had pushed such thoughts out of his mind. He had reasoned it was merely the surname that was affecting his senses, bringing back old memories…. He knew Kurosaki Ichigo could potentially be related to a Human incarnation of Kurosaki Isshin, but that it was such a remote possibility….What were the odds that Kurosaki Isshin would be reborn with the same last name as he had in the afterlife? They were exceedingly small. It was ridiculous and thus had not given the matter further thought.

Now he realized it explained why Kurosaki Ichigo was endowed with such remarkable strength and power. He truly was Kurosaki Isshin's son. He wondered if Kurosaki Ichigo was even aware of his father's history. The boy seemed rather clueless about affairs pertaining to the Soul Society. His instinct was that he had no idea of his Shinigami lineage. He had resorted to taking Kuchiki Rukia's powers after all. He supposed somehow that must have trigged his own natural powers to emerge, but still, he found it strange how Kurosaki Isshin had yet to say anything to him, even with the development of his son's powers.

Deeply immersed in his thoughts, Tōshirō failed to notice the figure in front of him.

"Ah, Shiro-chan!" cried out a familiar girlish voice.

Tōshirō blinked. "Gomen. Hinamori, what are you doing here?"

He realized she was standing next to the steps leading to his quarters. He was surprised he had made it here.

The dark-haired girl looked at him, cinnamon eyes shimmering with uneasiness, dark circles prominent underneath them. "Oh, it's you, Hitsugaya-kun! I tried looking for you at your office, but you weren't there."

"Is something the matter?"

"I-It's just I hate this, Hitsugaya-kun…Not knowing if Baa-chan is alright…"

Understanding shone on Tōshirō's face. "I don't like it either, but she'll be alright…"

"You don't know that. She's old and frail…She's more likely to catch it…"

"We've been through this, Hinamori, the virus won't harm her. She hardly has Reiryoku."

Tōshirō considered this a huge blessing. Even if she came into contact with the virus, it would not deteriorate her body at a rapid rate since she had an infinitesimal amount of Reiryoku.

"Kurotsuchi has found a cure, so it won't be long before the all the sick get cured."

"I know. I received the message. B-But the Hollows are still a problem," Momo pointed out, still looking agitated.

"From the reports I've seen, the attacks are still not as heavy in the districts outside the Seireitei. Besides, they wouldn't go for someone like her."

"Yes, they would. They're monsters. They don't care who they kill, Shiro-chan."

Toshiro stared at Momo's anxious face, knowing it was the truth. The reports he had read indicated that among the dead, whether intentionally killed or by accident, people without Reiryoku were included. Even though it would not directly aid Aizen's plans to power up the Hōgyoku, it would undoubtedly disrupt the balance even more. The abysmal truth was that it was impossible to protect everyone even without the threat of the virus.

He truly hated that he could not ensure the safety of his grandmother being inside the Seireitei, but he could not allow the idea that she was hurt cloud his judgment. He could not allow it to affect Hinamori either. They had a duty they had to be prepared to uphold.

"The attacks are still not as bad in the districts outside the Seireitei," Toshiro repeated firmly. "She doesn't live close to many people, so it's not likely that Hollows will show up around there."

"That's true, but, Shiro-chan, I just wish we knew for certain she was okay. I'd feel a lot better if—"

"Don't do anything stupid, Hinamori," he warned her, giving her a stern look.

Momo frowned at his words.

"I know you want to go to her, so do I, but we can't. If we did that we'd not only be putting ourselves at risk, but the Seireitei and the Soul Society as a whole. The Gotei 13 can't afford to lose ranked officers."

Momo stared at him for several moments, before admitting, "I know, but I'm still worried about her. If anything happens to her—"

"Hinamori, don't think such thoughts. Remember, Baa-chan, always said to never assume the worst. Let's go inside, Hinamori," Tōshirō said, brushing past her and climbing up the steps, "You look like you're gonna drop any second. Haven't you rested? I told you to look after yourself."

"I have, but it's been hard to actually get rest with everything that's been happening."

"You need to try harder then. You need your sleep," Tōshirō said, as he opened the door to his quarters. "Let your subordinates help you. Don't try and handle everything on your own."

"I know, but I have to be there for the Fifth Division. Don't you see, Hitsugaya-kun, it's all Aizen-taichō—I mean Aizen's fault— that this is happening. Everyone is devastated by the news that he is the one responsible. I failed to be there for my division when I-I…fell ill…. It was my duty to be there just like Kira-kun and Hisagi-san did for their divisions. If I had done that, the morale probably wouldn't be as bad as it is now…I'm just doing all I can to keep the division together when everything is falling apart."

"A month absent doesn't make a difference, Hinamori," Tōshirō said. "A betrayal like that doesn't heal overnight, especially with what's he's doing…Overexerting yourself won't improve your division's morale, so watch yourself, Hinamori. Remember, it's not just the Fifth Division that has been betrayed." Toshiro tightened his grip around the door as he said this.

"Okay, Hitsugaya-kun."

They left their waraji beside the door and went inside.

"Just sit down and rest. I'll make some tea," Tōshirō said, nodding towards the dark green couch seated at the center of the room, which he slept in whenever he was too tired to actually reach his bed. The blanket he had used last night lay rumpled at the corner of the sofa. A low table was across from it.

"But," Momo protested.

"Sit," he repeated, leading her towards the couch and plopping her there. He draped the blanket over her quickly, before leaving her side and disappearing into a hallway.

Ten minutes later, Tōshirō placed a tray with a tea pot and two saucers and cups onto the low table.

"Hina—" he started, then halted, as he noticed her lying across the couch, eyelids closed, and Tobiume propped next to the couch. The corner of his lips quirked up into a grin. Noticing that the blanket needed to be distributed more evenly over her body, he released the tray and went to her side, but just as he was reaching over, cinnamon eyes appeared.

"Gomen…"

"I'm not asleep, I was resting my eyes," Momo informed him.

"Is that so? Why didn't you say something when I tried calling you?"

"I was going to, but I wanted to enjoy the smell of the tea first."

"That's such a poor excuse, Hinamori. "

"It's not an excuse, it's the truth."

"Whatever, Hinamori. You always were a terrible liar."

"I'm not lying."

Tōshirō grabbed the tea pot, poured some tea into a cup, and handed it with a saucer to Momo. He poured himself a cup and settled himself on the floor beside Tobiume, which Momo had shifted sideways to allow him more space. They sipped their tea quietly, enjoying the warm liquid and the quiet atmosphere. A sharp knock startled them a few moments later.

"Who is it?" Tōshirō demanded, lowering his cup.

There was a beat, before he received another knock in response.

"I said who is it?" Tōshirō asked in a louder voice.

Another knock sounded.

"Just answer it, Hitsugaya-kun," Momo advised.

"Matsumoto better not be drunk," Tōshirō muttered.

"Rangiku-san wouldn't get drunk during a time like this. She's not that irresponsible."

He placed his cup on the table, then stood up and padded towards the door. He opened it and gazed disbelievingly at the sight of a tall Shihakushō clad man with dark, spiky hair and thin facial hair. A ragged white haori fastened by a silver shoulder guard— the ornament he knew was reflective of his noble status that he preferred to take off when relaxed—hung from his left shoulder.

It took several moments for words to escape Tōshirō's dry throat.

"Kurosaki-taichō?"

"Taichō?" Isshin repeated. "I believe the title belongs to you now, Shiro-chan. Nowadays, I'm nothing but a doctor in my own small, private clinic. Looks like, you did a better job than I did in my first two decades as taichō," Isshin said, making a point to gaze around the surrounding area, before returning his gaze to him. "You're still as short as ever though."

Isshin lowered his hand over Tōshirō's white spikes, ruffling them.

"That's not true, I grew," Tōshirō snapped, batting Isshin away when movement finally returned to his limbs.

"Your hair doesn't count, Shiro-chan."

"I grew taller in height," Tōshirō assured him through gritted teeth.

"If you say so," Isshin said, eyeing him doubtfully, "but I have a memory like an elephant and—"

"Hitsugaya-kun, is everything alright?"

Teal eyes glanced inside the room to find Momo now standing between the table and the couch.

"That voice…Is that who I think it is?"

Tōshirō returned his gaze to his former taichō.

"Don't tell me I was interrupting something…Man, that's twice in one night…Sorry, I don't know what kind of luck I'm having tonight, but—Hey, I know! Why don't you and Momo-chan go on a double date with Ichigo and Rukia-chan! I'd be hitting two birds with one stone."

"W-What?" Tōshirō said.

"Well, I interrupted them earlier and I was planning to make up for it, but now I need to make up for interrupting you and Momo-chan, so that's why you guys should go on a double date. It'd be a lot of easier to take care of."

A flush crept up the white-haired boy's neck.

"H-Hinamori and I aren't…"

"You're not?" Isshin said, disappointed.

"Hitsugaya-kun, arigatō for the tea, but I'd better leave," Momo said, appearing behind Tōshirō.

He turned around, allowing Momo a glimpse at who was at the doorway.

Cinnamon eyes widened.

"I-It c-can't be….K-Kurosaki-taichō is dead….You're not him…" she said, blinking her eyes as though to clear her vision.

"Actually, Hinamori, it is him," Tōshirō said. "He never died…"

"What are you talking about, Hitsugaya-kun? He did die. Central 46 said so. This can't be him….T-This has to be some kind of illusion…You can't believe anything he says, Hitsugaya-kun. Move away from him." Her hand went to Tobiume's hilt.

Tōshirō glanced at her surprised.

"Whoa, hold on there, Momo-chan. I'm the real deal. I'm supposed to be dead, but I was fortunate enough to be spared that fate."

"Then why would Central 46 say you're dead? Where you have been all this time?"

"Well, there's quite a story behind my so called death, but I've been In the World of the Living ever since then," Isshin replied.

"Really? What kind of story?" Momo wondered, her eyes narrowed, her hand still on her Zanpakutō's hilt. "I can't imagine why the Central 46 would say you died only to spare you. That doesn't make any sense. You murdered your clan….and you tried to avoid going to prison…"

"Hinamori, he didn't murder his clan, Aizen did!" Tōshirō said, unable to contain himself.

"W-What?" Momo said, confused.

"They didn't die because of poisoning; they died due to a lethal virus. It's what the official records held by the Central 46 say. I saw them when Ukitake told me about the virus."

"A-A virus?" Momo repeated.

"Yes, the one he's using now to kill anyone with Reiryoku. He's been planning for this a long time, Hinamori."

Momo looked disconcerted, as she attempted to process the information. "B-But how can that be…why was Kurosaki-taichō blamed?"

"He was framed," replied a new voice.

Isshin glanced at the steps where Rangiku now stood.

"Isn't that right, Kurosaki- taichō?"

"That's right, but, Rangiku-san, there's no need for a title, I'm no longer your taichō. "

Cerulean eyes swept over him. "I couldn't believe it when Hitsugaya-taichō told me, but it's true, you really are alive…"

"I am, and you are still as ravishing as always," Isshin said, smiling. "The long hair really suits you."

"It does?" Rangiku murmured, running her fingers through her golden tresses.

"B-But how are you still alive?" Momo wondered.

"I think that's a tale best told inside," Isshin said.

"C'mon, Hinamori," Tōshirō said, putting a hand on her shoulder and directing her towards the couch.

"Kurosaki-taichō," he said, glancing towards the doorway.

"I told you not call me taichō," Isshin said, waving a finger at him in faux admonishment.

"I mean…Kurosaki-san," he amended.

Isshin gestured for Rangiku to come before entering himself and shutting the door.

---

Leaves crunched and crumbled beneath the soles of hurried waraji. The sound resonated across the empty hall like the angry snaps and hisses of a burning fire. Shadows swirled and whirled in tandem with the increasing tempo of the crackling. The noise ceased for a moment as a shōji door was slid open.

"Tou-san?" Masaki called out urgently, a note of confusion evident in her voice.

Bewildered amethyst eyes stared at the oak desk splintered in half at the center of the essentially lightless room. A dark, heavy tapestry covered the desk. A ray of moonlight from the broken ceiling above revealed upon it a crescent moon outlined in gold with a dainty star positioned at its bottom curve from which sprouted magnificent reeds that followed the curves of the half-moon. Papers lay scattered over the desk and floor along with hundreds of dark, crumpled leaves. The bookshelves behind the desk were sprawled on their side, books ripped and smashed.

"What happened? Why is the house like this? Where are you, Otou-san?" she called out again, stepping into the room. The leaves hissed like snarling snakes.

As she neared the desk, the tip of her right foot caused some parchment to flutter and the crystalline echo of broken glass resounded around the room. She held out the palm of her right hand and a small cloud of flames blossomed there. She leaned forward, moved the parchment aside, and carefully reached for a broken picture frame.

Her eyes widened as she noticed the jagged fissure of the broken glass cutting across the photograph of familiar faces. Red light shone on the image of an older looking Ichigo with spiky orange hair formally dressed in a royal blue kimono with two Kurosaki kamon embroidered on either side of his neckline, his lips upturned in a genuine smile, his left arm wrapped around a smiling, pink lipped Rukia, dressed in a matching tomesode kimono with light blue accents and two Kurosaki kamon bordering her neckline. Her raven hair was swept away from her face except for a single strand that fell in between alluring violet eyes. Her left hand clutched the shoulder of a young Masaki wearing a blue and fuchsia kimono adorned with white crescent moons. Her orange locks were pulled into pigtails by ribbons that matched her kimono. A wide smile illuminated her face. Her hands were outstretched before her, cradling a baby rabbit close to her front.

Amethyst eyes lingered over the picture, softening for a moment.

"Tou-san, Kaa-san…." she murmured. "Where are you guys?"

She glanced at the damaged desk for a second, then returned her gaze to the picture. The image of her younger self began to flicker, fading in and out of transparency, making her seem like a disappearing ghost. Her parents began to shimmer and flicker as well.

Masaki blinked. "What the…"

The figures in the photograph suddenly became still and opaque. Dark ink seemed to be spilling from within them, blurring and hiding their features until only black impressions were visible, making it seem as though smudges of oil had been haphazardly smeared onto the photograph to blur the subjects of the photograph. Masaki stared at it in disbelief.

"You have achieved what you wanted," spoke a voice cold as ice. "Congratulations."

Startled, Masaki dropped the frame and the flame in her hand blew out. Glass crinkled and crackled.

Masaki whirled around, looking stunned. "Oji-sama!"

Standing at the doorway was Byakuya clad in a charcoal grey kimono with a black haori with the Kuchiki kamon emblazoned on either side of his neckline. His sleek black hair, free from his kenseikan, fell around his shoulders save for a lone ebony strand that rested over his nose. Slate grey eyes glinted like hard, piercing granite.

"O-Oji-sama, what are you talking about? What happened here? Where are Tou-san and Kaa-san?"

Slate eyes narrowed. "Don't feign innocence. I'm perfectly aware of what you've done, Masaki." His voice dripped with disdain upon pronouncing her name.

"What I've done?" Masaki repeated, bemused. "What are you talking about, Oji-sama?"

"Spare me the theatrics. I will not fall for them. And do not refer to me as Oji-sama, you are nothing to me."

Masaki flinched, as though the bitter and taciturn words had physically struck her. Several moments passed, before she spoke.

"W-Why?" she demanded softly, her voice slowly rising as she continued, "Why are you acting like this? Haven't you heard the good news?" There was a sarcastic edge to her voice. "Guess, Tou-san, didn't get a chance to tell you…Like that even matters, not when he and Kaa-san are missing…"

"You're the one who severed our connection…There is no need for you to act concerned or to keep referring to the people you once called parents in a familiar way…"Byakuya said, matter of fact.

"W-What? What are you talking about?" Masaki asked, perplexed. "I've never done such a thing…"

"It's no use pretending you haven't done anything. This manor reflects what you've done," Byakuya said, staring at the disarrayed state of the room. His eyes fell upon the dark leaves scattered over the room. "Your name does not suit you at all, Masaki. You are nothing but an ungrateful sapling that has uprooted the tree that gave it life."

"B-But I didn't do this…"Masaki insisted. "I'd never—"

"Pleading innocence will get you nowhere. Everyone knows what you've done. It is time that you face judgment," Byakuya said.

The air suddenly pulsed ominously as Byakuya extended his right hand in front of him. The leaves in front of him fluttered away as a bright pink light appeared before his hand and a sword materialized within its midst.

Masaki stared at the glowing katana, unable to believe her eyes.

Byakuya's eyes fell close as he said, "Scatter, Senbonzakura."

Sakura shaped blades burst forth, shredding and ripping the crumpled leaves on the floor, and shrouding the room in a cloud of pink and black as they rushed towards Masaki.

Snapping out of her shock, Masaki reached towards her waist and grasped…thin air. Amethyst eyes widened with the realization that her Zanpakutō was missing from its sheath. The miniature blades swarmed over her, surrounding her. Wood snapped and splintered. Paper hissed. The wall came down with a deafening crash as the razor-sharp petals cut their way through.

"Tell me, have you forsaken your Zanpakutō as well?" Byakuya asked, grey eyes moving from the devastation ahead of him to Masaki, who had appeared a little off to the side of it, closer to the far standing wall on the east side of the room.

Masaki said nothing, merely narrowed her eyes slightly. Streaks of crimson lined her hands. Slits were visible in the front and back of her hakama legs.

"I'm unsurprised that you'd sever even that connection after what you've done. You've lost not only your family pride but your Shinigami pride as well. Disgraceful. Do not expect me to go easy on you," Byakuya said, shifting his blade as he stepped forward.

"Wait, Oji-sama!" Masaki said, sticking out her right hand. Blood dribbled down her palm. "There's no need for us to fight…I-I'll turn myself in…This is all a misunderstanding. I'd never hurt my family...or turn on them…"

Slate eyes remained cold and unmoving but a scoff like sound issued from Byakuya's lips. "Did you really think I'd fall for that? Your actions have clearly shown you do not care who you hurt. Turning yourself in will only mean someone else will have the honor of killing you," Byakuya informed her. "I'd rather have the honor myself."

"Scatter, Senbonzakura," Byakuya said, releasing his sword once more.

Masaki leaped out of the way of the incoming attack. The petals abruptly swerved, following her. Masaki darted and danced around them, swiftly maneuvering herself through the broken wall and out into the open. She hardly had time to even breathe a hint of fresh air when Senbonzakura's blossoms rushed her from two sides, threatening to ensnare her within their deadly grasp.

She quickly stuck out her right hand and shouted, "Hadō 58: Tenran!"

A whirlwind erupted from her palm. It howled and roared as it parted the sakura hued wall and captured the loosened blades within its swirling currents and flung them forward. A loud boom reverberated throughout the area as the tornado slammed into the wrecked room.

Masaki leapt back several paces, amethyst eyes fixed upon the ruined house.

Loosened tiles quivered and rattled, tumbling below, their soft thuds lost amidst the clamorous arrival of Senbonzakura as it pierced through the roof. A surge of pink illuminated the night sky, looking like a vibrant firework, but within seconds the seemingly harmless and beautiful column of light moved fluidly with sinister intent towards the orange haired young woman.

"Hadō 58: Tenran," Masaki shouted again, not giving the harmful blossoms a chance to reach her.

New swarms of Senbonzakura's attack appeared even as the whirlwind diverted the first threat. Masaki eyes flickered from one sakura streak to the next, noticing from the corner of her eye, she was being attacked from all sides. A grim look settled in her eyes as she raised her right palm once more and brought her left hand to cradle her wrist, as she placed her foot forward in an effort to brace herself for what was to come. Orange hair fluttered wildly as yet another tornado erupted from Masaki's hand.

Brows drawn in concentration, Masaki directed the raging wind from one streak to the next, disrupting the petals. After dismantling nearly a third of her intended attackers, her right hand began to tremble and the powerful wind surging from it began to waver. Masaki steadied it with her left hand, brows and lips tightening as she continued guiding the tornado as best she could.

The swirling gust continued to falter in intensity as she turned, preparing to turn away the sharp blossoms behind her. Her eyes closed for a moment as she furrowed her brows even further, the air leaving her palm steadying and maintaining its strength.

After driving away the last streak of petals, she lowered her arms, taking a breath.

"A valiant effort, but you won't be able to defeat me like that," Byakuya said, appearing across from her in front of a water fountain.

"I know," Masaki acknowledged, her gaze solemn.

They eyed each other a few seconds longer before Masaki gracefully lowered herself to the ground and pressed her palms onto the grass and said, "Bakudō 21: Sekienton."

Red smoke billowed, immersing the area in a scarlet haze.

Slate grey eyes narrowed as they scanned the area. "I see you are resorting to something more familiar. It's a pity you discarded your Zanpakutō. Hiding will only prolong your life several moments longer."

As Byakuya walked through the smoke, he saw a glowing red light in the distance.

"Hadō 31: Shakkahō."

Red Reiryoku glittered and pulsed as it flew through the scarlet exhaust.

"Hadō 33: Sōkatsui," Byakuya said, releasing a large amount of blue Reiryoku from the palm of his hand.

"Bakudō 4: Hainawa." Masaki's voice sounded before the red and blue Reiryoku crashed and exploded and released their own vapor.

A yellow rope latched itself onto Byakuya's sword and hand, binding them together. Slate eyes eyed his condition with their usual indifference.

Before he could move, however, Masaki's voice could be heard, "Bakudō 63: Sajō Sabaku."

Thick yellow chains wound themselves over Byakuya's chest and arms, tightly binding him. Masaki appeared across from Byakuya, the lingering mist partially veiling her.

"It was clever of you to attempt to seal Senbonzakura," Byakuya allowed, his gaze flickering to the arm holding his sword, which hung limp at his side, a yellow rope wrapped around both the hand and sword, "but it is insufficient. I can still release it—"

"—Bakudō—"

"— Scatter—"

"—Nine—"

"—Sen—"

"—Geki—"

As Masaki completed the spell, Byakuya's mouth halted, the words dying at his throat as his entire body became enveloped in a red light and his sword ceased glowing.

"I'm well aware I couldn't truly seal it, but at least, it bought me the time to restrain you. With or without my Zanpakutō, I have no interest in fighting you…I just want to find Tou-san and Kaa-san …and everyone else. I don't understand why you or the Gotei 13 would think I'd do this… but I didn't….

"Whatever evidence has been brought against me is false…You can't possibly believe it, Oji-sama…I'd never deliberately hurt my own family…and you know it…" Amethyst eyes locked onto frozen slate ones. Masaki stared at him for a long moment before continuing, "I'm going to find Kaa-san…and see if she's alright…. I'm going to find the real culprit…"

She fell silent for a moment. "I won't be back until then…Tell Taichō that, if you can…."

Her gaze lingered several seconds on him before she began to turn.

"S-S-ca,"Byakuya began, his jaw muscles and lips straining with every syllable as they fought the enchantment, "tt-er, S-Sen-bon-za-ku-ra…."

The blade nestled against the bright ropes disappeared and in its place pink blossoms appeared. They immediately ruptured the rope encircling the hilt and Byakuya's hand and swarmed over the larger chains encircling Byakuya and without preamble began to shred them as well.

"H-How …c-can you say that?" Byakuya demanded, even as Senbonzakura worked to free him, his voice growing stronger and less strained with each word. "You're the reason Rukia is…gone…" Slate eyes glared at her, with a flash of steely anger and pain. "There is no doubt…"

"Me?" Masaki repeated, gazing at him uncomprehendingly.

"I don't understand why you hesitated in killing me," Byakuya continued, ignoring her, "but it is your downfall."

As the last of his bindings gave way, Senbonzakura left his master's side, fast as lightning toward Masaki, blowing away the remnants of red mist that hung in the air. Masaki dodged at the last second, appearing several feet away. The surface of her fukutaichō badge was scarred. The sakura blossoms surged at once to her new location, diverting into several streaks to ensure her capture.

"Hadō 54: Haien," Masaki shouted, releasing purple reiryoku shaped like an oblong. Upon making contact with the sakura blades, brilliant flames appeared, engulfing them within their sweltering blaze.

"Hadō 4 Byakurai," Byakuya said, behind her, releasing blue lightning from his finger.

Masaki used Shunpo to evade the various lightning flashes directed at her. Grass and dirt flew as it was struck by the bolts.

"Hadō 33: Sōkatsui," Masaki said, directing her attack at Byakuya, who swiftly dodged it and disappeared.

Masaki scanned the area for him, when out of the corner of her eye she spotted a flash of silver. She reeled her head back, her bangs fluttering, as she watched Senbonzakura whistle through the air, a mere centimeter away from her nose. She straightened as soon as the blade cleared the area and vanished, putting distance between Byakuya and her.

The distance, however, was reduced almost instantly as Byakuya appeared in front of her, swinging his sword at a forty-five-degree angle.

Blood flew.

Amethyst eyes dilated.

A gasp escaped parted lips.

Masaki staggered backwards, clutching her blood drenched chest. Byakuya merely regarded her with a perfectly stoic expression. Several seconds later, his eyebrows contracted in obvious disapproval when the injured Masaki before him began to fade, leaving nothing behind.

Without warning, slender fingers zoomed past his face and a blood-spattered palm obscured his vision. The fingers gripped the side of his face, pressing against his raven locks. He tried to pull away, but a forearm swooped below his neck, holding him in place. Masaki's cool voice filled her ears as she whispered an incantation. The orange-haired young woman was partially clinging to him as she stood in midair behind him in an effort to reach him.

Byakuya stiffened as his pupils began to dilate and lose their focus. His eyelids fluttered as they struggled to remain open as his pupils contracted and shrunk several times. As he fought to keep his eyes open, he slowly moved his right wrist behind his back and angled his index finger at Masaki's abdomen.

"Hadō 1: Shō," Byakuya murmured.

Masaki loosened her hold on Byakuya as she tottered backwards and fell to the ground below, looking stunned and gasping for air.

Byakuya shook his head, blinking rapidly to clear away the effects of the spell Masaki tried to put on him. As soon as he was able, Byakuya turned, reached down and grabbed Masaki's left arm, and hauled her to her feet.

"Inemuri?" he asked in a snide, disbelieving tone, as he peered down at Masaki. "What is a matter? Have you had enough shedding blood?"

Masaki knitted her eyebrows but remained silent.

"Or is it simply that you can't stand doing it yourself and would rather resort to other means like you did with…the ones you called parents? You have no courage, no honor, no pride…no heart…. You truly are not their flesh and blood...You have only masqueraded as such…."

Masaki opened her mouth to speak but instead only inhaled sharply. Widened violet irises slowly lowered from Byakuya to her chest where a sword protruded. Crimson rapidly soaked her front.

Byakuya released her hand and she stumbled as he pulled out his sword.

"Oji-sama…" she gasped as she fell.

Amethyst eyes flew open.

Darkness greeted them.

Masaki blinked several moments, breathing shallowly, as she fumbled with the blanket covering her before her hands swept over her chest, feeling nothing but the soft cotton material of her yukata and the outline of something long and narrow with a rectangular bottom and a rather angular top. When her hands reached her neck, she felt a thin chain. She pulled it out and stared at the butterfly topped ornament dangling from the end.

As she stared at it, the sound of someone moving could be heard. Masaki shifted her head to the right and found herself staring at a sleeping Rukia.

"Kaa-san," Masaki breathed, relieved.

As her gaze shifted from Rukia to the necklace she was holding, she murmured, "No, not Kaa-san…Kuchiki-san…"

She returned the necklace to underneath her robes and stared at the ceiling for several moments, looking somber and pensive. She sighed, closing her eyes. Upon reopening them, she turned to the left side of her futon.

She stared at her neatly folded Shihakushō upon which rested a badge with the Seventh Division insignia, a Zanpakutō encased in a white sheath, and a white crescent moon hair pin.

Disappointment, concern, and longing glittered in Masaki's eyes.

It was nearly two minutes later when very quietly she slipped out of her futon and reached for her Zanpakutō and her belongings.

---

Quick Glossary

Hai-Yes

Imouto-younger sister

Honke- main Japanese family. Family branches are the bunke.

Muko-iri- Practice where groom marries into bride's family

Yome-iri- Practice where bride marries into groom's family

Chokkei- family members related to the main family line that could potentially be successors

Reiryoku- spirit energy or power

Ojou-san- daughter; young lady when used to address strangers

Bokei- relatives outside the main line; includes servants as well

Mon/Kamon- crest/family crest. There are 1,3, and 5 kamon type kimonos. The more kamon, the more formal it is.

Ikebana- art of flower arrangement

Kaa-san- mom

Tou-san-dad

Oyaji- informal way of saying dad; old man

Baa-chan-grandma

Arigatō- thank you

waraji- straw sandals

haori- coat

Tomesode- short sleeved formal kimono worn by married women. Pattern is below obi (belt).

Oji-sama- uncle (not to be confused with ojii which means grandfather)

Onii-san- older brother

katana-sword

Masaki- (雅樹)Elegant Tree

Shihakushō- Shinigami uniform

Hakama- pants

Yukata- cotton kimono used for casual wear, sleeping, or bathing.

Techniques Used:

Hadō 58: Tenran ( Orchid Sky)- Generates a tornado.

Bakudō 21: Sekienton (Red Smoke Escape)-Spell generates red smoke.

Hadō 31: Shakkahō- (Red Fire Canon)- red flames produced by the caster

Hadō 33: Sōkatsui (Blue fire, crash down)- blue flames

Bakudō 4: Hainawa (Crawling Rope)- Spell produces a yellow energy rope for binding.

Bakudō 63: Sajō Sabaku (Locking Bondage Stripes)-Physical force is not enough to break the energy ropes cast by this Kidō.

Bakudō 9: Geki (Strike)- Paralyzes the victim.

Hadō 54: Haien (Abolish flames) –a flame attack than can destroy the existence of its target.

Hadō 4 Byakurai (Pale Lightning)- generates lightning

Hadō 1: Shō (Thrust)- generates a small force that moves the victim away from the caster

Inemuri (Forced Slumber)- Knocks out the victim. Used by Yamamoto to knock out Hinamori when she talked to Hitsugaya. He didn't use a spell, but I mentioned Masaki used an incantation because A) She's not proficient in this Kidō and B) She wanted to ensure the full strength of the spell.

AN: Dreams as you very well know often mix reality and fiction in an odd way. I did take some creative liberty with the way Byakuya called forth his sword, but as far as what is 'real' and 'fictional' in this dream that is something you guys will come to learn in future chapters. This applies to the first dream as well.

You guys can view the Kurosaki Clan emblem on my dA page. Iris Irine has done some her own rendition of Masaki. Please check that out as well. The links are on my profile.

I've been considering changing my OC design, because no one seems inclined to imitate the official design. Just kidding. Since I posted my first image, I've been striving to work on improving my character's bangs and I have improved them, though I still need loads of more practice. I was hoping to learn from Laikkuseia (did anyone read her manga?), who is adhering to the official design for her artwork, but I've recently sketched some potential changes to her bangs. Please check these possible changes in my dA page. Let me know what you think in your review if you can. I know most don't have a dA account.

Guest: Thank you reading my AN and reviewing. The example you gave perfectly illustrates the importance of Rukia's relationship with Ichigo. I find it annoying that Kubo subtly tries to force upon supposed friendship development between Ichigo and the humans, but the fact of the matter is he didn't develop their friendship throughout the series, so there's no point in doing it now.

Manga Rant (Mild spoilers, don't read if not up to date with manga):

I have enjoyed the latest chapters because they are reflective of the good ol' Bleach. This and the Unohana/Kenpachi fight are the only things I have found enjoyable in this final arc so far. It also made me feel disappointed, I didn't update sooner lol. It was just weird to see canon reflect what I had planned for this chapter, albeit in a very different way. I'm happy to see I more or less got the measure of Isshin as a captain. I didn't expect Kubo to put Aizen in Isshin's backstory. At this point in time, I was expecting something different. I'm just glad he was the Tenth Division captain as I had suspected and hoped (Kubo has put evidence for this and he has been careful never to show a panel with other Shinigami noticing him). I'm just massively disappointed about Ichigo's other heritage. Ichigo doesn't need to obtain every power when he doesn't have his Shinigami powers mastered. He has become a Gary Stu now.