A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for the prolonged hiatus but I assure you my reason was completely valid. First I was concentrating on my final tests and university examination. I finished that and started typing again and was about two pages away from finishing. But then, tragedy came along and my dear grandmother passed away. But I'm finally in the mood to type down by ideas and I'm almost done with the next chapter too.

On the other note, those who have been yearning for an update on "The Ending that never came" I am proud to announce I have written down the first two pages, Yay! (It's something right?) Anyway, I hope you like the chapter, and await the next one with excitement please.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own bleach. But you already knew this so why bother.

"Normal speech"

'Thoughts'

#12#

"Pass me the stack over there."

Ichigo glances up to look at the stack of papers settled on the far end of the table before turning back to look at the raven-head buried deep into paperwork. He's pointing towards the various papers while filling in reports, so he really isn't looking at whatever the hell he's pointing.

"The ones from Central Forty-Six or the ones from the Captain Commander?"

"Both."

The orange-head stands up with a sigh before walking towards the wretched papers and brought them to Ryōtarō's side. He takes the opportunity to move the papers they have already completed to another place, before going back to his own work.

They've both been working on desk duty for the past day, so the division has been oddly quiet. The only noise that disrupted the silence was the sound of scribbling and shuffling paper which was starting to get annoying.

"Are the reports for the Central Forty-Six finished?" asked the raven-head after five minutes of silence.

"Getting there," said Ichigo without looking up from his work.

"What about the new training menus for the squad?"

The orange head's left eyebrow twitched even as he continued scribbling away "Getting there."

"Have the reports of last Saturday been checked?"

"I wasn't here last Saturday, you left it half-way." The Shiba heir growled out.

The raven head turned pensive as he paused his work and tilted his head sideways. He felt there was still something missing but couldn't put his finger on it.

"Oh! How about-?"

"Don't leave all the frickin' work for me!" Ichigo exclaimed "All you do is sign and sign and sign while I read, fill out, sort and organize! Do some of your work too!"

Ryōtarō pouted as he ignored his work. He had never been a fan of paperwork; actually, he only did it when he didn't have a lieutenant. It was too bothersome to even try doing it. The only thing he liked about work, was how he could sit down and stare at it for hours and never feel his annoyance diminish –believe it or not, it's hard to keep angry for a long time and he's been like this for half of his life. So all in all, he was a master at avoiding paperwork.

"Ne, Ichi?"

"What?"Ichigo groaned as he buried his head deeper into his papers.

"Did you know that the big secret to breaking the rules is making it look as though you're following them?"

"Oh, you would know so well, wouldn't you?"

Ryōtarō beamed in a way that made Ichigo sigh and roll his eyes. Why was he cursed with idiotic fathers?

Ichigo swears about his luck and resumes working. He was about to tell the man to shut up and get back to his own, when a knock disturbed their work. The Tenth Squad Captain glanced to look at the door before giving permission for entrance. Once the door flew open, a messenger entered with a pale face and shoulders tense.

It was clear as daylight this guy was a newbie.

"G-good afternoon Ryōtarō-sama, Ichigo-sama; I-I brought an urgent message from the training house back in the 3rd district."

Ryōtarō narrowed his eyes as Ichigo glanced from the corner of his eye to stare at the trembling man. It was clear the message was bad news. And honestly, no one likes the messenger of bad news.

"Well." The raven head urged, "What is it?"

"U-uh, th-the guards tasked with safe keeping Wataru-sama have been killed and-" He paused, gulping down his nerves as he was stared down by two vicious Shibas "-and Wataru-sama has gone missing. He-he ran off while the guards brought him time."

Never be said that the Shibas were forbearing when someone was in danger.

#12#

In a dark forest, far away from society, three cloaked people were chasing after a smaller fourth. The small figure jumped towards a branch before glancing back briefly to check his pursuers. He cursed, the colorful words coming out in a mumbled whisper as he continued flash stepping farther and farther each time. He was about to take another step when he was found mid-flight; the three surrounding him in the air as two started to chant, and one unsheathed his sword.

The young boy quickly discarded his long coat before unsheathing a blade of his own and doing a black flip to avoid the kidō sent his way. The boy grit his teeth as he turned in mid-air to intercept the blade coming from his behind. He was about to twist his wrist, fully intent on shaking off the metal sword before the cloaked figure growled low and his hidden eyes flashed red.

"Shiba Wataru." The stranger rasped out "I have… orders…"

Wataru strengthened his grip as his zanpaktou was pushed back before giving a war cry and forcing his attacker off. The ravenhead was about to go forth with his strike, his blade having no mercy for a criminal before he was hit with a Shakkahō point blank from behind. The boy grit his teeth to avoid yelling out as he was thrown through a tree and onto the cold ground. He forced himself up, his movements far from precarious as he used his zanpaktou to stand.

"Why are you after me?" He growled out "If you know who I am, you should know you won't get away with this."

"But we already have, young noble." Chirped out the one who had managed to hit him "You won't get away."

Wataru gave a cocky smirk in response as he readied his blade for the attack. Two days had gone by since he was first attacked in the training house. Honestly, he had no idea why he was being targeted but he wouldn't go down without a decent fight. He would make his Ni-sama proud.

"Let's see what you pieces of shit have in you."

#12#

"It's been two effin days since I last had contact with him!"

"There is nothing we can do as of yet, Shiba-sama."

"I don't want to hear any excuses!" He slammed his hands on the table "I want you guys searching high and low for him. He has to be somewhere!"

The man hastily raised his hands placatingly as he cleared his throat and glanced to look at the other occupant of the room.

The other merely raised an unimpressed eyebrow at the man as he stayed in his perched position on the wall. He sighed as he shook his head before glancing to look at his father while simultaneously ignoring the distressed man.

"Wataru is strong. He'll hang in there."

Ryōtarō all but growls as he stares down his eldest son from his seat on the floor. He was pissed. Actually, 'pissed' was an understatement. He was furious.

Lately, Gen has been an annoying pain in the ass, and now Wataru goes and disappears on him. He honestly doesn't think he can hold his temper any longer. Not even on his own son.

"Are you telling me to abandon him?"

"No." Ichigo can't help but scowl at the man for even thinking about it. "I never said that. I said he was strong and you should trust him a little more." He changed his glare towards the up-until-then forgotten man as he gave his next words "And I recommend you don't talk back."

"B-but the search party c-can't be sent until a week has passed. A-and a missing person report hasn't been filled so-"

The poor man's words were muted as a choked sound akin to a squawking penguin escaped his throat. He trembled, his uniform doing nothing to hide his terror as he paled and fell over his own feat.

"I thought I said it loud and clear." Ichigo intoned calmly once he realized just how angry Ryōtarō was to use reiatsu "You shouldn't talk back. Assemble a search party or the Tenth Squad will act."

The man barely had enough air in his throat to muster up a quick 'yes, sir!' before he was out the door on trembling legs. Ichigo would have honestly pitied the man if it weren't for the fact that he was busy enough with his own problems.

"Reign in your reiatsu." He told the enraged Shiba clan head. "The people vicinity will pass out if you don't control it."

"Then so be it." He muttered through clenched teeth "As long as that stupid councilman gets a piece of my fury."

Suddenly, he was slapped over the head in a way that made him feel like a child again. The raven-head glanced up slowly to stare incredulously at his son with an expression of disbelief written all over. His reiatsu had stopped fluctuating, and he was now concentrating on his scowling eldest.

"What are you doing?" he couldn't help but ask.

"I'm stopping my idiot of a great grandfather from doing something he might regret." He stated calmly, almost as if it didn't sound weird. "I know it's frustrating, but there isn't much you can do anyway." Ichigo crossed his arms and gave a long sigh as he shook his head in a way that was able to convey full disappointment –like when a parent is reprimanding a child for doing something oddly stupid "I thought I told you to trust Wataru a bit more. If we don't believe in him, then who will?"

Ryōtarō seemed to pout as he pondered over his words. In the end, he couldn't help but feel Ichigo was right. However, that didn't mean he was okay with it.

There was still something else that was bothering him. Something he might as well point out now that he had the chance.

"Ne, Ichigo." He called attentively.

"What?"

"You do realize that it should be the other way around?"

Ichigo raised an eyebrow as he cast a questioning glance at his father "In what sense?"

Ryōtarō chuckled as he stood from his seat and ruffled Ichigo's orange locks. They were getting quite long now. About two inches longer than the nape, but it still held that fluffy feeling to it. Ichigo batted his hand away the next second, and Ryōtarō was left smiling as his eyes landed on the subtle, yet cute blush on his son.

"You should be the hot tempered one trying to screw the rules, while I would be the one who tries to calm you down."

Ichigo merely huffs an annoyed breath as he stares at his smirking father. He knows that beneath that smirk lies the fatherly worry Ryōtarō is trying to keep hidden but says nothing of it. The raven head is just trying to protect his children. It's no wonder he's throwing a fit.

"What are we going to do?" he can't help but ask. His little brother is out there somewhere, and not knowing his whereabouts is worrisome enough."Are you going to send a team or-"

"Central Forty-Six will send a recon team, so all we have to do for now is wait."

The orange-head stares at the raven head as he senses a subtle feeling of suspicion coming from the man. Ryōtarō has been acting a little bit odd since yesterday, but he hadn't been able to ask before. Now he was just dying to ask.

"Do you have an idea?"

"Maybe," His knowing smirk says otherwise "I'm just thinking if our favorite elder has anything to do with it."

"I think I'd be surprised if he wasn't."

"I guess you're right."

The ravenhead stills for a second before he starts making way towards the door. Ichigo follows behind without a hint of hesitation as his eyes narrow with apprehension.

He can't help but feel something will go wrong.

#12#

Two boys walked side by side in the first division barracks. One of them was glaring at every poor soul miserable enough to walk by his side, while the other held a soft smile that almost seemed glued to his face. However, when the fourth seat ran away with a terrified yelp, the second boy found the others demeanor too far.

"Shu," he muttered carefully "you're freaking out the whole division."

"They should'a thought about it before looking at me funny." Came the grumbled reply.

Jūshirō stopped abruptly as he raised an unimpressed eyebrow at his brown haired friend.

"You think it'd be easy to not stare when there's a perpetual cloud over your head and a gloomy expression on your face."

Shunsui snorted as he crossed his arms over his chest and shifted his feet in a nervous attempt to hide his discomfort. He glanced back to look at his white haired friend with a deadpanned expression before he averted his eyes to check his surroundings.

"Why would there be a cloud over my head? I don't see a problem with myself."

"Sure, there isn't." Jūshirō replied sarcastically "Your mood is even darker than that in the Maggot's Nest."

"No, it's not." He retorted, "If that's what you think, then I guess clouds suit my mood just fine. Don't need to include that place to the equation. It gives me the creeps."

Jūshirō sighed tiredly but didn't say a thing to deny it. He guessed it was a good thing he had exaggerated. At least now, Shunsui recognized his bad mood.

"So I'm in a bad mood." The brunette elaborated "What about it? It shouldn't be anybody's business."

"It becomes their business when you give them the killer glare." Jūshirō shook his head disappointedly before pointing out with little to no care "Just go talk to Ichigo and apologize already. You'll both benefit from it, believe me."

"What!?" The brown haired boy exclaimed.

"What are you afraid of, Shu? It's just Ichigo. I bet everything will go back to normal if you go talk to him."

Shunsui shook his head rapidly as he took a step back in fright. He tried to open his mouth to find a suitable retort but was stopped cold when he noticed a familiar reiatsu wash over the division.

He turned, his eyes immediately landing on the duo walking towards the first division main gates in an elegant, yet lethal stalk. It was honestly shocking. He had last seen Ichigo two days ago but now he looked like a whole different person.

The tenth division captain walked at the front, while Ichigo kept a one step distance behind. The two held an air of superiors with a majestic feeling to it. They looked invincible, regal; and maybe they were. But right now Shunsui just couldn't recognize his ex-best friend.

Suddenly, the two got out of his sight, the captain and lieutenant no doubt going to see the captain commander for some business. He knew a captain rarely went out without their lieutenant, so it didn't come as odd that Ichigo was walking around with Ryōtarō –the fact that his captain was also his dad didn't seem to hinder them in the least- but that didn't mean he hadn't been surprised. The two were going around with a sense of long learned familiarity of captain-lieutenant.

"It's incredible right?"

The brunette jerked back when he heard his long-since-forgotten friend.

"What is?"

Jūshirō couldn't help but smirk "How he's grown up, seems comfortable in contrast with our days in the academy." He glanced to look at Shunsui to find him gaping like a fish "He's incredible, right?"

Shunsui stared at his best friend with something akin to shock before he averted his gaze downward. His shoulders shook, the gesture surprising the white haired boy before Shunsui lifted his head towards the sky with a humorless chuckle.

"Y-yeah, he's incredible. He has always been incredible," His eyes turned distant as his dry smile toned downwards "Powerful, reliable, smart, cool-headed, distinguished, and regal along with being the Shiba heir." He paused, his gaze turning back to his dead-serious friend as his own eyes flashed with understanding "But he's also frail, erratic, oblivious, short tempered, an easy target, and our friend, right?"

Jūshirō brightened up as Shunsui gave him a small smile. Yeah, Shu was absolutely right. While Ichigo could be a powerhouse prodigy, he was also breakable and often looked like the weakest when he was in a vulnerable state. But they were friends; they trusted each other and were always there to lend a shoulder. That was the kind of friends they were.

"I'll go talk to him." Shunsui smirked when all Jūshirō could do was stare dumbfounded "You're right. It's Ichigo. I'll go talk to him and everything'll be alright."

"You better sort this out soon, because I'm tired of seeing the two of you sulk."

Shunsui gave a wide smirk as he stood taller in a way that showed he was proud of himself. Jūshirō couldn't help but sweat drop at the action even as he was internally relieved.

Yeah, they would be okay.

#12#

"Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't sure."

The millennium old man pondered as he gave a thoughtful hum and scanned the father and son sitting before his menacing oak desk. He didn't want to believe it, but he couldn't accuse the man of lying –he was a captain and clan head.

"Do you have proof?"

"Not exactly." Answered the raven-head "I have theories backed up with events. But nothing concrete."

The captain commander sighed in a long suffering way as he reclined back to rest on his chair. He had had a long day. And now the young Shibas were bringing this new revelation –which might not be so new, he thinks to himself. He's too old for this shit.

"Then I can't do anything as of yet." He replies sorrowfully "I can try and get the council to keep an eye on your clan elders. But without proof, I can't promise anything."

Ichigo stays quiet as Ryōtarō sighs dramatically and tries to negotiate with the powerful shinigami. He says nothing as Yamamoto disappoints his father again and urges him to get some god damn proof. He merely listens to the two adults, while he hopes Ryōtarō will give up soon.

And yearns nothing major happens.

What his father said back in the office has had him thinking. Gen has been rather obedient lately –in his opinion- but that's the most suspicious part of this all. He knows they can't tie the man to Wataru's disappearance –the guards tasked with protecting him were disposed of- but his gut keeps telling him it's a fact; the beginning of a long since began anguish. And the worst of it all, he knows his gut has never failed him yet.

"I recommend being on guard." The old voice advices "Be careful when searching."

Ichigo knows he has missed a great part of the conversation when he realizes Ryōtarō is standing. His big brown eyes blink up at his father as he tries to assess the man's next move.

"You're really going after him?" He's pretty sure the question mark isn't needed.

"Of course I am. The council guards could be under Gen's control. I can't just leave it as it is."

"What about the division?"

Ryōtarō smirks in a fully knowing way as he gives a quick glance towards the old man "I know it's in good hands."

Ichigo wants to say otherwise. He wants to blurt out a snarky remark to fluster the older man but stays quiet. He has this feeling that there is something more to it than what the man lets on.

The feeling of apprehension just multiplies.

"Does this fall under the category of 'Something-Haruka-Isn't-Supposed-to-Know'?"

"You got that right." He shivered, the ire of the Shiba princess almost tangible in his thoughts "Let's just say I am on a mission under the captain commander's order, 'kay?"

"Whatever you say, captain. It's not me that'll get the beating when she finds out."

Ryōtarō winces but doesn't say a thing as Ichigo stands as well. They bid the old man a quick farewell and thank you before leaving the First Squad Barracks with new resolution. At least the geezer was willing to do his part while Ryōtarō played hooky.

Now, all that was left was to leave as undetected as possible.

He glanced to look at the raven head to find the man earnest to leave. He sighed, the action well rehearsed as he tried to find the patience to deal with the man he called father.

"You should hurry up and go." When all Ryōtarō did was give him a questioning look, he couldn't help but sigh and pinch the bridge of his nose, again "I'll be alright. Go ahead and leave before someone catches onto our plans."

The raven-head gives him a broad smile even as Ichigo rolls his eyes in plain resignation. Though, here's a fond kind of renounce in Ichigo's movements. Something that makes it obvious he wouldn't have it any other way. He has had years of practice with dealing with people like that; so cheery and childish. He lost that a long time ago when he was nine years old.

All of a sudden, a warm hand ruffles his orange locks causing him scowl and reach up to slap the hand away. However, the raven-head crouches slightly to Ichigo's ear before muttering parting words -the quick whisper to deep for Ichigo to fully comprehend, and too simple to accuse. But he's so sure there's a second meaning lying beneath; a whole ocean of emotions.

He's too stunned to say a word; Ryōtarō's voice echoing in his head.

"Then I'll be going." The raven head blurts out after giving Ichigo one last ruffle. "I'll entrust everything to you, Ichigo."

The clan head smiles one last time as he gives a quick salute and disappears in a fit of shunpo. He leaves a stunned Shiba heir behind, the orange head rooted to the floor as the words keep on resounding in his head.

'What was that about?' He thinks. 'Why does it sound so final?' He can't help but wonder. 'Why are you saying...goodbye'?

To be continued…

Preview of the Next Chapter:

"That's why I hate goodbyes," he muttered to himself under the subtle rain. "it's like dying a little each time." He closed his eyes slowly as he continued full speed while being mindful to the injured package in his arms. His hand tightened carefully as he bit his lower lip to avoid giving a pathetic sob before opening his eyes and choking out a painful whisper "…Liar."