Memories of a broken soul

by arelia22

Time is a weird thing; it can sometimes bring relief and hope, but there are times that it only brings dread. For him, time was as much of a curse as it was a blessing; he had time to grow strong and protect, but the memories of those times could become to much of a burden with all the time he had. [Time-travel]

15. Chapter 14: Enough Courage to Trust you

Disclaimer: Ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies. So don't ask me if I own bleach… because I don't.

Hello there earthlings, Happy New years! I am back to torment- aham* entertain people with my fanfictions and not so frequent updates! Ha-ha-ha *evil laughter

Now for those of you that have bad memory –I am totally included in that batch of people, I had to reread my own story jajaja- previously on MoBS:

The youngest of the Shiba clan Wataru is still missing at the edge of the second district 5km west from the main town. Ichigo has gone looking for Haruka only to find an assassin and Haruka down with poison in her system. He apprehends the guy while getting hurt and hurries to the 4th division to treat Haruka all while Shiba Ryōtarō meets his demise at the hand of the enemy's underhanded methods. Shunsui and Jūshirō hear the news and search for their friend in hopes that he'll be able to pull through and follow him all the way the 4th. What will happen next?

#14#

By the time Shunsui and Jūshirō had stormed into the fourth division barracks Ichigo's fluctuating reiatsu had long since arrived. They sped up ever so slightly their stalk-like walk as they entered the dead silent medical bay and tried to track down their orange-haired friend all the way to the waiting room. Once they rounded the last corner the two stopped on their tracks as they found Ichigo sitting silently on a lonely chair in the darkest corner. He had his head bowed, his hunched figure looking foreign on their strong friend with the odd combination of a blood stained Shihakusho.

Shunsui quickly snapped out of his stupor and walked across the waiting room in three steps top before kneeling down before the silent orange head. He placed a shaking hand on the other's shoulder and was slightly shocked when Ichigo didn't show signs of responding.

"Hey…" the brunette whispered his tone thick and shaky as his eyes glazed over with unhidden worry "Ichigo?"

The only reaction the orange head gave was a slight twitch of his shoulders that didn't betray a thing. Jūshirō quickly came forward as well and joined Shunsui on the other side of his best friend as he placed a firmer hand on Ichigo's unoccupied shoulder.

"Ichigo… where's Haruka?"

This gave an even bigger reaction, and Jūshirō was almost ready to give up until the orange head hesitantly raised his head so that his blank brown eyes and pale features were in plain sight.

"Haruka?"

"Exactly Ichigo, where's Haruka? Why are you in the medical bay? I thought you would want to be back at the manor with her." Prodded on the white-haired boy. This had been the only thing that had actually given a reaction so he might as well use it.

"…Haruka is in operation…" he rasped out, the words gorgy and dazed as if Ichigo barely knew what he was talking about.

"Haruka-chan is?!" exclaimed the brunette, not at all sure what the hell was going on as he stood up and looked around to see if this wasn't some sort of sick nightmare.

"What happened, Ichigo? What's going on?" whispered the white-haired boy as if he were scared someone would ease drop. This was getting more and more confusing.

"We were…" mumbled the orange head, his voice distant as his mind was suddenly elsewhere. "We were… attacked…? Again."

"There's been a breach in the defense! Everyone get out now!"

"Tou-san went to look for Wataru." Ichigo numbly spoke up "He- Wataru disappeared from the camp."

"Ichigo, I'll go look for your sisters! You go and fend off the intruders!"

"They wanted to kill him… they wanted to kill us."

Big explosions resounded in the background as the resistance tried to push the Quincies and hollows back with little success. Ichigo had already lost count of how many he had slain, how many dead comrades he had seen, and how long this battle had already taken.

"Ryōtarō-Jisan was killed." Shunsui hissed; his expression murderous as he grits his teeth to avoid yelling.

"Yes… he was ambushed from behind." Ichigo said a little firmer, his expression turning clearer as his brows started to furrow ever so slightly in anger now that his thoughts were starting to make sense. Saying things out loud was certainly helping him get a straighter head.

"Ambushed?" Shunsui questioned.

"That's right; this was all just a part of Aizen's plan to distract the protection squad."

"What was the real objective?" questioned a random person.

"To hit Kurosaki-Taicho where it would hurt the most; his family."

"From what Chichue told me on his last message…" Ichigo paused as he took a steady breath "… enemies were following Wataru and they would be coming after us too… Gen went aol a little while ago too." He added as an after thought

"Do you think he had anything to do with this?"

"Do you think Bach was involved in this?"

"Of course he was." Spat out a gossiping Shinigami that just so happened to be lucky enough to still be alive even while being slightly more useful than food canon "That tyrant wants Shiba-dono out of his way as much as Aizen does."

"Shiba Gen has always been a thorn in the main family's side." Responded the white-haired boy "I'd be more surprised if he weren't involved."

"But what happened with Haruka and…" Shunsui scanned his friend, his too-pale features catching him slightly off guard as he tried to assess Ichigo's state "how are you?"

"Chichue was right." Ichigo stated a little bit clearer as his blank gaze slid up to stare into Shunsui's warm brown eyes "They did come after us. I almost didn't make it on time."

"Is she going to be alright?"

"That, my dear boys, is a question I can answer easily."

The new voice just so happened to startle the three out of their closed off state as they jerked to the side to look into the kind-like eyes of one Unohana Retsu –not so long ago Yachiru. Her eyes still held a slight edge of insanity that you would easily find if you knew what you were looking for, but right now all the three could see was hope.

"Is Haru okay?" inquired the orange head, his blank eyes shifting to overly bright for a full minute as he stood up from his seated position and ignored his sudden pain.

The small smile he received in return was more of an answer than he would ever get "She'll be fine with enough rest." She asserted "The wound wasn't lethal, even while the poison was life threatening. You were able to bring her back in time so that's good news in between the bad."

Ichigo gave a big sigh of relief as he collapsed on his own chair with a loud thud as he stared with gratitude filled eyes towards the fourth squad captain. He was pretty sure the adrenaline had been the only thing keeping him completely conscious up until that very moment.

"And what's the bad news?" inquired the white-haired boy; only because someone had to do it, and that obviously wasn't going to be Ichigo himself anytime soon.

This time Unohana frowned full power "The poison identified was the same that killed the late Shiba captain –if my studies are accurate. His last recorded reiatsu signals were corrupted with that same substance so we were able to identify it as a slow numbing killer poison." She glanced back to look at the seated orange head with curiosity filled eyes "That same corruption was identified in your reiatsu not so long ago before it disappeared."

This new data only made the two friends whirl around to stare wide eyed at the orange head with panic filled eyes. They quickly discarded all common sense, and before the captain could stop them, Shunsui was already all over Ichigo lifting his Shihakusho for injuries.

"Wh-what-?!" yelped the orange head.

"Where were you injured, Ichigo?" bristled the brunette "Why didn't you say so from the beginning anyways!?"

Jūshirō was about to go on to join Shunsui in a mother hen rant before the raven head stopped them with one swift glare. She quietly strode up to the seated orange head and easily enough identified the not-so-deep stab wound amidst the blood stained garment.

"This will hurt a little but bear with it." She mumbled, her right hand coming up to the painful looking wound as she started to pour healing kidō "The poison was kicked out of your system –I honestly don't know why- so the wound is the only thing I need to treat. Stay still and don't strain yourself for an effective, high recovery. Understood?"

All the orange head could do is numbly nod his head as the kaido replenished his reiatsu reserves causing his body to heal itself. He honestly never got tired of seeing how healing kidō worked, and he was pretty sure he never would.

Once the sweet looking captain was finished she took her leave to fill in her report about the Shiba case. She had also mentioned that Haruka was in room C-305 in case they wanted to go in to see her. She wasn't in any danger, and all that was truly needed as treatment was for her soul to recover –something she could easily do at home, the raven head had supplied amusedly with the faintest hint of I-know-what-you're-planning-young-man. So when the three boys were left all alone in the waiting room once again, all eyes fell back on the only Shiba around.

"What are we gonna do now?" questioned the brunette.

"They must still want to kill us." Responded Ichigo, his mind going a mile per minute as his head started to clear against the haze he was in earlier due to the shock –some events were too familiar for his taste.

"So what's gonna happen?" Shunsui questioned again.

The orange head bit his lower lip in deep thought as he tried to think of a valid plan. He was still feeling light headed –understandable- and couldn't keep his field of thought concentrated on a single thing but he had to make an effort.

"I need to relocate Haruka and find Wataru." He decided at the end.

"It'd have to be in an unknown place." Pitched in the white-haired third seat.

"I have just the place; the Shiba head's cottage in district 11, no one should know of its existence."

"You have a cottage in district 11?"

"My point exactly." Retorted the orange head.

He gave a sigh, his fingers itching for his zanpaktou as he thought about his little brother still out there in the middle of danger. He knew where Wataru was- he knew specifically where his little brother was. At the edge of the second district 5km west from the main town, his brain supplied. He had gained this info at the price of his father- at the price of his foster father that had been more of a great friend than anything else.

However-

"I'm also going after Wataru." He stated absently, more towards himself than anything else even as he informed the duo.

It took less than a second for Shunsui to bristle at the mere mention of Ichigo going out on a rescue mission. "Oh no, you're not! We're coming with you."

"I can go alone." Ichigo whispered with an empty voice "Leave it all to me."

"That's what I'm scared of;" The brunette countered back as he crossed his arms in defiance "that you'll get your idiot-self killed before morning."

"Then if I die, I will make sure to die after morning." The orange head pointed out sardonically

"Are you always a smartass?" Shunsui replied with an expression akin to resigned acceptance that Ichigo would continue to be an anomaly.

"Nop, sometimes I'm asleep."

He mentally snorted, see? In the end he sighed dramatically as he pinched the bridge of his nose "You insist on going on a rescue mission on your own." He pointed out exasperatedly "Well let me tell you something; I'm not letting you… even if you're an idiot"

"That doesn't change my opinion."

Shunsui narrowed his eyes dangerously and was about to retort when all of a sudden white filled his vision as Jūshirō intervened and stepped right in the middle.

"Ma, ma, let's settle down." He stated calmly as if he weren't playing mediator for a bunch of kids. "Shunsui's right in the sense that you shouldn't go alone, Ichigo." He stated leisurely, easily ignoring the annoyed stare Ichigo sent his way and the triumph smirk that curled the edges of Shunsui's mouth "But he's also wrong in the sense that you'd be going at all."

"Wha-" Ichigo began.

"Yes!" Shunsui celebrated excitedly "It's two against one Ichi." He drew out the line, and it was most certainly not in the orange head's favor "I'll go for Wataru." The brunette assured in a more serious tone. "I promise I'll get him back."

"But-"

"Ichigo, c'mon." Shunsui interrupted with a calm smile "Trust me."

Ichigo's breath hitched in his throat as he thought about this odd thing called trust. Did he trust them? He asked himself. Was his trust still reserved towards the older versions of the two? No, his mind supplied, it wasn't.

"No Ichigo, I'm serious." The voice of a certain raven-haired man resonated in his very soul "Shunsui can't understand you if you don't even tell him what's wrong. You, aren't considering them either. What's the big deal about telling them? You told me. Unless there's something stopping you."

Was there something stopping him? No, he guessed not. The only thing stopping him was-

Myself.

"I do." He answered before he realized it even if he meant it from the bottom of his heart. "I do; trust both of you that is." He said firmer, his gaze fleeting up to meet the twin pair of startled eyes he received as if they weren't expecting him to accept or deny Shunsui's statement. His voice was filled with conviction- with so much passion it was almost suffocating. "I'll trust you with Wataru then." He fleetingly agreed, his lips forming something close to a smug smile as his amber eyes twinkled with so much life the two honestly didn't know where it came from "And when the time's right," Ichigo continued "I promise I will tell you all."

Ichigo chanced a glance back to his friends as his half-smile grew more on the warmer side "My past, my present and our future. But for now lets entrust the present to each other because it's all we got." He turned to look back at Shunsui with an apology in his eyes and at the same time gratitude. "I'll entrust Wataru with you." He felt the need to repeat it.

"And I'll do just that." Shunsui replied in the end, his eyes conveying as much of an apology as Ichigo. And he was certain, at that very moment, their differences were cast aside permanently and they were likely to stay that way. There was forgiveness, acceptance, and also a tinge of relief. Finally, his mind easily supplied, finally I can see Ichigo.

"I'll be in charge of retrieving Wataru and meet up with you guys at that super duper secret cottage of the Shiba's." he answered amusedly "So, are you planning on telling me where it is or will it remain a secret?" Shunsui rose an eyebrow, his cheeky nature tangible as he sent a playful smirk at Ichigo.

Said person merely gave a half-crooked, yet tired smile as he suppressed the urge to hit something; preferably the brunette's face actually. "Shut up," he answered half heartedly, his soul still aching from recent events as he sent a glance towards the-up-until-that-moment forgotten white-haired boy "Could you prepare Haruka for transfer, Ju?"

"Of course." The boy easily supplied, his warm smile reaching his eyes as he cast a silent gaze to Shunsui with a clear message of don't-screw-it-up. Honestly, for such a nice guy Ukitake Jūshirō was no pushover and could be just as scary as Ichigo on a bad day or Shunsui on a particularly paper-work filled day.

"Alright," Ichigo sighed as he closed his eyes for a moment and opened them once again only seconds later " the cottage Shunsui," he cast his serious gaze to his friend "in the middle of the forest in district 11, where all the cherry blossoms are, about 4km west from the gate of the district, passing the water fall, you'll find a withering tree right in the middle of everything. Pass right besides it on the left side and you should be able to see the cottage."

"Okay, 11th district, 4km west from the gate after the water fall in the Sakura forest, pass by left side of dying ugly tree, got it." Shunsui answered just as seriously as he absently noticed his white haired friend leaving the room and going towards Haruka's room. "And Wataru's position?"

Ichigo winced as he thought about his little brother. If Wataru stayed in the same area Shunsui might be able to find him easily. If not-

"He's at the edge of the second district, 5km west from the main town. That's what Chichue told me before he- before he died." He replied, his tone as even as he could muster even if he slightly cracked at the end.

Suddenly a strong hand gave his shoulder a tight squeeze causing him to jump slightly in surprise. He turned to look at Shunsui, his steel gray eyes determined even as he gave Ichigo the broadest smile he could muster.

"Don't worry Ichi, everything'll be all right."

He gave a smile of his own, a little cricked and stiff around the edges but just as genuine "I sure hope so."

"I know so."

"Thanks Shu."

Said person seemed to falter for half a second at the nickname before he got his bearings back together. He stared into Ichigo's amber eyes before his smile widened crinkling the edges of his eyes with mirth and apparent happiness.

"Anytime!"

And Ichigo was sure he meant it.

#14#

"Do you think she's going to be okay?" asked the white-haired boy, his green eyes staring worriedly at the pale girl resting on the futon in the middle of the room. He then shifted his eyes to his orange-haired best friend and his frown instinctively deepened as he gave the other a once over "Are you going to be okay? You also look pale."

"I'll be fine Ju, I just lost some blood so I bet I look worse than what I really am. We'll both be fine. Haruka's strong and so is Wataru." he clenched his fists as he whispered the last words as if he was trying to convince himself more than the other.

"I know that." Replied Jūshirō "But I still think you need some rest." His gaze softened as he looked at his friend seated right across from him on the other side of Haruka's makeshift bed. "Why don't you lie down a little while? It would do you some good."

Ichigo sighed as he passed his hand through his orange tresses. Honestly he wanted to say yes. He was really tired, and if he was honest with himself he also felt like crap. Actually, if the concerned glances Jūshirō kept sending his way were anything to go by, he must also look like crap. But-

"I'll stay here." Jūshirō's soft tone brought him out of his reverie as he turned to stare into the other's green eyes. "I'll look after her, promise."

Taking a quick break just kept getting more tempting.

"Alright." He found himself saying only seconds after "I'll take a shower before lying down a bit." He smiled sadly despite himself as he took a weary glance towards the main entrance "God knows Wataru will only panic if he arrives to see his Ichi-ni in bloodstained cloths after such a brutal night."

Jūshirō just gave a soft chuckle in return before making shoeing motions towards the orange head. Honestly, if it were left to debate Ichigo would procrastinate rest until he all but collapses.

"We'll be waiting here when you come out. Now go on."

"Alright, alright, what's the rush anyways?" Ichigo grumbled, more than a little bit disgruntled even as he stood up and walked out of the main room. Time to take a shower, he smelled like coppery blood and he honestly didn't like how he was so used to the smell… also a nap. If he honestly had the time of the world he would nap until next year. But alas, that's not possible.

Sigh.

#14#

"Now where is he?" Shunsui muttered to himself, his feet quick and stealthy on the trees he was using as platforms as he kept his reiatsu muted and his senses heightened. "He couldn't have gone far, right?"

He stopped on a nearby tree, his feet light on the branch as he crouched down and surveyed the area carefully. He could see some abnormal signs on the nearby nature, as if a tornado had gone by really recently. It was obvious he's on the right track but still this is turning frustrating and-

"UWAAAAAHHH!"

"Wataru-chan!" he shunpo-ed at top speed, his feet taking him as fast as he could muster as he followed the sudden sounds of trees breaking and yelling mess. He kept on jumping from tree to tree, not bothering to stay very stealthy as he started to catch up to the destructive path.

"Get back here you brat!"

"No way! What do you think I am, an idiot? That's you!"

"Why you little-!"

Shunsui honestly had to resist the urge to face palm. Wataru was making things worse for him. He picked up speed, his steps measured as he started to shunpo alongside his charge and his persecutor at tree level.

Wataru glanced to the side just as he neared the duo, his feet were quick and undisturbed but when he saw the brunette shunpo-ing almost right by his side he visibly brightened up.

"Shu-ni!"

"Yo, Wataru-chan!" he greeted, a two fingered salute as he glanced back to look at their follower before jumping down to run alongside the raven head "In a bit of a pinch I see."

Wataru visibly grimaced as he glanced back to look at the hooded man still following close behind carrying a giant axe as if it were the lightest thing in the world. "Yeah, I am. And I was doing so well too! Up until axey here jumped me out of nowhere."

"Really?" Shunsui raised an eyebrow. "He looks particularly weak."

"Well yeah, he is." Wataru acknowledged "The two people I was fighting before were formidable but suddenly one of them perked up, something about better pray before calling this guy to stall me."

"Oh." Answered Shunsui, a foreboding feeling at the pit of his stomach as he thought about just who would be better pray. Only one other person was in this forest with Wataru before he no longer dwelled with the dead.

"And right after that, axey started to swing his weapon around like a headless chicken. He has no talent what so ever but I'm more afraid he'll accidently chop my head off or something." Wataru muttered under his breath, his expression disgruntled at having to run away against someone of such low standards but having no other option.

"Well how about we get rid of him then?" supplied Shunsui, his gaze as steady as ever even as he glanced back to look at the destruction the other was leaving behind before wincing. That guy was a danger, even to himself. "For now our top priority is getting you to safety, and knowing Ichigo he'll chop my head off if we do something unnecessary."

Wataru's eyes widened "Ichi-ni sent you?"

"Well yeah," Shunsui thought absently "he sort of did."

The look Wataru gave him showed he was not impressed.

"Okay," he complied, his gray eyes rolling in exasperation as he upped his speed ever so slightly to keep distance from the crazy psycho "we kind of forced him into staying and taking care of the situation while I came to fetch you."

"I'm not a dog, Shu-ni."

"Same difference." Argued the brunet "Now, if we wanna escape this idiot we'll need a plan and not just speed."

"Seeing this idiot I bet something stupid will work. What do you have in mind?" he asked, his green eyes shifting to look at Shunsui's silver eyes interestedly before he shuddered at the smirk on his face.

"Something fun."

Wataru gulped "For some reason I doubt your definition of fun is the same as mine."

The smirk he received as an answer was more unnerving than anything.

#14#

"Well you look better."

Ichigo glanced down to look at his white-haired friend seated at the edge of Haruka's futon, he was almost at the same spot he was before Ichigo had left but the orange-haired shinigami knew better since that wooden table and tea had most certainly not been there before he went to shower and take a quick nap –a 45 min nap actually.

"I do feel better." He answered.

"I'm glad." Replied his white-haired friend, his green orbs scanning every inch of Ichigo as he took in the brown and red yukata the other wore. "The change of clothes also did wonders now that I think about it."

"Of course it did." Scoffed the other, his feet taking him towards the table as he sat in front of Jūshirō, yet right next to Haruka's futon "The main reason why I decided to change actually."

He took the pot of tea carefully in his hands and poured himself a cup of the steaming liquid. It was still hot, and most likely would have stayed that way for however long it was needed since Jūshirō seemed to be keeping it warm with his reiatsu. Ichigo took a sip and instantly felt calmness wash over him as he tasted fresh jasmine and vanilla along with a tint of something he couldn't identify, something-

"It's cinnamon." Jūshirō interjected, his knowing eyes on his orange-haired friend as he pretended to not notice the rather flabbergasted expression on Ichigo's face. Sometimes his best friends were so easy to figure out Jūshirō thought to himself.

And other times they were a real pain in the ass to figure out.

"Hey Ju?"

"Huh?" Jūshirō turned to look at Ichigo in the eyes, his green orbs shimmering as he tried to concentrate on molten amber.

Like now actually, now was one of those moments when Jūshirō could never figure out what they were thinking.

"I need a favor."

"Wha-"see what he means?! Favors and Ichigo don't go together!

"I need you to find something for me." Continued Ichigo, as if he hadn't noticed the shocked expression on Jūshirō's face and the gapping-like-a-fish movement he was doing. "Actually, I need you to find someone for me and bring him here."

Jūshirō was seriously left floored "Uh… who?"

"The assassin I captured back in Shiba Manor. He should still be waiting, tied up to that tree in the backyard to be specific."

"What?!"

See?!

#14#

"You thought throwing a rock at him and saying, hey you, follow me! would get the guy to ignore me and give me the chance to run away and finally be able to get behind him safely to get a clean blow and incapacitate him?"

"Uh… yes?"

Wataru stared at the other with blank eyes as he seemed to stare down somebody that was at least two feet taller than him. Then suddenly, as if by the magic of unicorns, Wataru brightened up and gave a giant smile that had the brunette wondering if the other was bipolar.

"That was a great idea!"

"Oh…" Shunsui was seriously taken aback "Thanks?"

"Anyway," said the raven head a bit more seriously as he placed his hands on his hips and narrowed his eyes at the other "we need to get somewhere safe. This is getting eerily uncomfortable and I have a feeling Gen's name is written all over this with capital letters."

"About that," interjected the brunette, his silver gaze unwavering as he scanned his surroundings as if making sure he was alone with the other before lowering down to whisper into the other's ear "We're going to the Shiba's secret cottage."

"Really?" questioned the other with childish glee "I've always wanted to go to the family's secret cottage!"

"Ssshhhhh!"

"Ops," Wataru smiled sheepishly "sorry. Je je"

Shunsui sighed for the umpteenth time that day before shaking his head in plain resignation. Honestly, these Shibas would defiantly be the death of him.

"Okay then, Wataru-chan lets go."

"Alright!" chirped the other, his enthusiasm more subdued but not less fearsome in the inside.

Shunsui erringly thought before he even took the first step, that the two Shiba males were worlds apart of different yet at the same time they were so identical it was almost creepy. But there was something for sure, thought Shunsui; both held the tremendous ability to make him want to bang his head against a wall or something. This was something he could never deny. But-

But by the fourth step Shunsui had already forgotten and decided he had enough of thinking today and all he needed to do now was get Wataru to safety. And maybe get some sake for himself. He was sure that after all this ordeal he would need at least half a dozen sake bottles.

"A sakura forest?"

Shunsui turned back to look at Wataru as he rose an eyebrow in silent question. What was so special about a Sakura forest anyways?

"Chichue always used to take us out for some family bonding at some Sakura forest. I never knew exactly where it was because Chichue and Ichi-ni would always shunpo us over at top speed but-… do you think this is the same forest?"

He honestly had to fight a lump in his throat at the mention of the late Shiba captain. Wataru still didn't know and-

"Maybe it is." He found himself saying even before he registered "Maybe this is the place he left his soul and beautiful memories each time he came around."

Yes, maybe it was. Maybe this was the most precious place Shiba-taicho cared for and the only place he would rather rest.

"Shunsui!"

The brunette turned, his eyes falling on the form of his white-haired friend carrying… someone on his back and stopping right besides them.

"Wataru-chan!" Jūshirō brightened "It's good to see you're okay! You're not hurt are you?"

"N-no, not at all, Ju-ni." He smiled nervously as he scratched the back of his head with mild embarrassment "Shunsui-ni saved me before it became dangerous so I'm just tired, nothing a good night's rest can't solve."

"Anyway Ju-chan," Shunsui cut it "Who's that you've got on your back?"

"Oh, this?" Jūshirō glanced at his back towards the hooded, unconscious person before turning back to look at the duo "Ichi asked me to fetch him. Aparently he's the assassin that was sent to kill Haruka and Ichigo in the main manor but Ichigo was able to capture him and he wants to get information."

"Assassin?!" squeaked Wataru "There was an assassin sent to the manor? Everyone's okay right?"

"Don't worry Wataru, Haruka and Ichigo are okay. They're in the cottage so lets go."

Soon enough the raven head was nodding enthusiastically at Jūshirō as they all trotted through the forest before stopping before a withering tree. Since Jūshirō had already entered once before, Shunsui decided to follow him closely and Wataru soon followed the brunette's example. Better safe than sorry, he thought.

A second later they were greeted by a completely different scenery. A cottage was standing proudly amidst the Sakura and maple trees, this place looked like something taken out of a fairy tale book.

"Come on, Ichigo's in the main room." Jūshirō explained "he should be waiting with tea."

The two kept on following the white-haired boy before they were all entering by a shoji door where they casually took off their shoes. Jūshirō was carrying extra baggage so his movements were more sluggish and slow but he still managed rather great all things considered. However, just as they were about to advance deeper into the house Ichigo appeared right around the corner, his amber eyes sweeping over all three of them before landing permanently on his missing little brother.

"Wataru!"

"Ichi-ni!" yelled the smaller Shiba son, his eyes showing such happiness at seeing his brother as he completely forgoes common sense stating he was now a big boy as he rushed to give the other a bone crushing hug.

Ichigo merely chuckled before returning the hug and patting the other's head like a dog. Wataru seemed a little sad at the fact that was being petted like some little kid but let slide as he leaned slightly into the touch.

"It's good to see you're doing okay, Wataru."

"Hai." Replied the small raven head "It'll take more than an axe wielding idiot to beat me!" he answered proudly as he retracted himself from th hug and looked up to frown at his brother "But Ichi-ni, I heard you and Haru were attacked by an assassin. Are you two okay?"

"Of course we are." Reassured Ichigo "Haru got hurt but is already out of danger and only needs rest. I-"

"Also got stabbed and was told by Unohana-taicho to rest, remember?"interjected Shunsui, his gray eyes daring Ichigo to defy him.

Ichigo merely huffed as Wataru looked mildly startled "I'm fine. Besides, I am obeying her. I sent Ju to fetch this guy instead of going myself. That has to count as something."

"Well... I guess you have a valid point." Admitted the brunette "By the way, who is he?"

Ichigo's gaze hardened as he helped Jūshirō place the unconscious assassin on the wall so that he could keep sitting up even if he was dead to the world.

"If you ask me I doubt he's some normal assassin sent out to kill you. He's obviously talented."

"Obviously." Stated Ichigo, as if he had a clear idea of who was trying to kill him since the very beginning

"All right know-it-all, who's our mysterious almost-assassin."

Ichigo didn't even falter in his words as he stared at his two friends as if he were telling them the biggest secret in the world.

"Kuchiki Ginrei."

"… What?"

To be continued…

A/N: hey, so I wanted to warn you guys, reviewing with an "Update soon!" or "When will you update?" won't help much in my updates. I took so long to update for various reasons which are nothing to snort at. I moved out of my parent's house to go to college and had to start working to be able to sustain myself. I also happened to finally find out why I was always in pain all over my body and have been officially diagnosed with a chronic illness. So even if I want to write, I don't have the time and will not sacrifice school and or work for a hobby even if I really enjoy it, sorry. I'm not writing this because I want to have my very own pity party, more like I feel obligated to tell you guys why my updates will be very sporadic and almost nonexistent. Just know I won't give up so you guys shouldn't lose hope either.

Thank you for reading and please leave a review, it helps the author!