Disclaimer: My Bunny Temi would like to inform you that I obviously do not own bleach since mine ran out. I need to go to Walmart to buy new bleach, sigh*. Oh, and Bleach the manga belongs to Kubo-san.

A/N: Enjoy!

#19#

Ichigo stayed in his room that weekend, making almost everyone panic and a few others to start running around like headless chickens around the Shiba compound as if the world was ending.

Many chalked it up to the fact that he was suffering withdrawal symptoms from Isshin's entrance into the Shino Academy, while others found themselves worrying about the probabilities.

Once Monday rolled around, and Yasahiro strolled into the Shiba compound to start his heir training, Ichigo stepped out of his room, smiled sheepishly to the family and retainers, before joining the oldest Shiba Twin for breakfast.

As the two sat down at the dining table, it was obvious that the servants were frantic in their attendance, more so than before. Yasahiro easily noted how apprehensive, yet glad the retainers acted around his Ichi-ji, and that kind of behavior freaked him out –it was also obvious that all these foods were Ichi-ji's favorites.

"Is there anything you would like to talk about, Ichi-Ji?" he asked when it became obvious that the orange head wouldn't say anything himself.

Ichigo paused mid movement, his hand stuck between his rice bowl and mouth for half a second before he continued as if nothing had happened. The retainers didn't pause, though it was apparent that they were listening as well.

"Nothing much," he shrugged his shoulders expertly –Yasahiro really hoped he would get lessons for that, because it honestly looked cool "I was feeling sick since Friday afternoon so I stayed in my rooms." Ichigo paused "I guess I worried everyone."

Yasahiro stared incredulously at his uncle before turning to stare at Ichigo's attendant.

"Did he really just say that?" he pointed towards Ichigo's general direction.

Even ever composed Daisuke looked like he had had a terrible weekend "It is not uncommon for Ichigo-sama to disregard how much we worry for him."

"Hey!" Ichigo called out disgruntled "I worry about everyone in this clan very much too."

The stare the two gave him made him hesitate the tiniest bit. He sighed in resignation, and swung for the next best thing on his mind.

"Hiro-chan," the eldest twin looked annoyed at the name, but didn't forge on when he realized that Ichigo was being serious "I'm not getting any younger, I realized that when I dropped off Isshin at the academy the other day."

Yasahiro honestly couldn't hide his shock.

"I've been around for a long time, and I'm pretty sure the new generations will only surpass us as time flies by." He gave the brunet a sad smile "You are my heir, and in a blink of an eye you'll be Clan Head and Isshin will be Captain of the tenth; I can already see it." He paused, as if realizing that he really did feel that way "I may not be as old as Unohana-senpai, or even Yama-ji, but I'm old in my own right, and I just can't help but think how the years have flown by."

Yasahiro stares at the sad yet proud smile plastered on Ichigo's face and can't help but feel it's wrong and completely out of place. He shares a silent look with Daisuke and knows the retainer feels the same thing so he sets his scowl –one that might even rival Ichigo's on a good day- with a vigor that conveyed his determination.

"That," he began softly before narrowing his eyes and proclaiming "is the bullshitiest bullshit I have ever heard in my entire death!" Ichigo flinches in shock "Yeah, you might be getting old, but look at the Captain Commander, he's still Captain Commander and he's ancient." The orange head can feel a slight smile tugging his lips at that admission "And sure, I may be your heir, but I hope you keep me as an heir for a looooooooooong time because I am sure as hell not ready to carry that position, not even two centuries from now. Because what you do is awesome and I bet no one can ever really replace you no matter what."

Ichigo stares at Yasahiro in wonder as he carefully sees everyone else nodding in agreement. Daisuke even gives an approving smile, as if he really couldn't have said it better himself, and Ichigo knows no one really could have. Yasahiro really will be an awesome heir, he can already see it. He finds himself involuntarily smiling, and something twitches inside and the knot of apprehension in his stomach eases. The kid may not know exactly what he did, but Ichigo finds himself grateful and full of determination he didn't know he had momentarily lacked.

Aizen Sosuke is a fledging Academy Student, he may know how… different he is from the rest, but he shouldn't have dreams of conquer just yet. The Ywach problem might be a little more complex, but if everything goes well, Ichigo should be able to strike the Quincy King down before he reclaims his intellect and power. So yeah, maybe he'll be really ancient by the time that rolls around, but he's pretty much Jῡshirō and Shunsui's age, he won't be that old.

So it's no surprise that he finds himself suppressing a smile before he files it away as a lost cause and smiles wide and bright like the sun as he ruffles the brunet's head softly. The way Yasahiro's cheeks ting red makes him smile wider, but instead of slapping the hand away like he usually does, he smiles too.

As the retainers watch in amazement, the knot in their stomach eases and the thought that their little heir would most defiantly do good to their Ichigo-sama crosses all their minds.

"Yeah," Ichigo seems to agree even though no one said a thing "I think you might be right."

Yasahiro beams like he won the lottery as he absently leans into the pat "Of course I am!"

"Brat." Ichigo complains even though his cheeky smile remains.

As Daisuke watches in silence, he can't help but think that Ichigo-sama and Young Master Yasahiro share the same bright smile.

It lights up the room better than any of their fireworks ever could.

#19#

"Being a member of the Gotei 13 is completely different to the academy!" Shihōin Tsukiya bellowed at the new recruits. "It's harsher, tougher, and more than anything, real." He surveys the perfectly lined team of 10 and nods to himself when no one even twitched. "Your mistakes can cause a life of a team member, or even your whole team. And the decisions you take, will impact those around you." Tsukiya paused until his gaze fell on his straight faced daughter, not a hint of recognition or childishness. Good. "I expect the best of you, dismissed."

"Yes sir!"

Tsukiya sighed as the recruits scattered to install themselves into their new barracks. As he was about to move towards his own office, he felt a strong arm drape over his shoulder and instantly tensed –there was only one Shinigami out there that could beat him in speed and dared to act so casually and that was-

"Yo, Tsuki!" the orange haired captain greeted casually making the Shihōin bristle.

"Shiba." He growled "How many times have I told you to not call me that!"

Ichigo waved off the concern like usual as he smirked at the annoyed tick forming on Tsukiya's forehead. He knew the raven head didn't really mind the endorsement, but for some reason the younger male always felt annoyed when Ichigo called him that –he wondered if Tsukiya was still sour about that time he outpaced him in a race and started to make a barbeque at the finish line to mock the other of the speed difference.

"It doesn't matter how many times you tell me, you're still Tsuki to me. And I've told you to call me Ichigo."

Tsukiya's growl froze in his throat as his eyes widened in horror. "Do you have any idea what father would say if I regard you so casually!" he shrieked.

Ichigo raised a brow "You call me Shiba." He pointed out.

"Yes," he agreed "but when I complain about you under my breath, he thinks I'm talking about any other Shiba in this god forsaken town. There are around six hundreds of them, and not all of them are blood!"

"Hey!" Ichigo called in outrage "I'll have you know just having the Shiba surname makes us awesome by default."

Tsukiya merely grumbled under his breath as he glanced back to scowl at the orange head. "And, what are you doing here?"

Ichigo sighed "You know, any other lieutenant would treat captains with respect."

The man gave him the look this deserved as he made a meaningful gesture towards the second division captain's office.

He scoffed "Fine, but I didn't come to visit you –contrary to your belief, I have more important things to do than babysitting snot nosed Lieutenants."

Tsukiya bristled like a cat again –Ichigo's new favorite pastime was riling Shihōin heirs up "I'm 500 hundred years old, thank you very much!"

Ichigo merely smirked as he let go of the Shihōin and started walking in the general direction of the barracks with a backwards wave in goodbye "My cute little nephew who still hasn't arrived, needs a playmate to practice his speed –the fact that he's not here yet makes me think I'm doing the right thing. So your daddy is letting me borrow some of the new recruits." He glanced back to give a cocky smirk when Tsukiya started spluttering "Second division Shinigami are the fastest after all."

With a last bellow of laughter Ichigo left in the general direction of the new shinigami's living space. As he mentally connected the dots, realization suddenly dawned on him as he riled up in preparation for a fight "Oi Shiba, stay away from my daughter!"

The louder laugh that ensued, made him think it was a lost cause.

"I'm serious!" he cried out as he slumped his shoulders "Yoru-chan is already taken with that orange haired pervert, the fact that he only finds it amusing is not helping."

"Hmm," an elderly voice grumbled from behind him making him squeak in shock and turn towards the second division captain "Yoruichi-chan only has a teenage crush on someone she admires Tsukiya, don't worry." A quirk of a smile made Tsukiya take a step back in preparation as the man's eyes only twinkled in amusement "Besides, a marriage arrangement between the Shiba Clan Head and future Shihōin Clan Head can only benefit us, even with the age difference,"

"Otou-sama!" he squealed before falling backwards in a faint.

The Shihōin patriarch merely laughed out loud in mirth as he turned around in the direction of his office. After all, he had only come out for the teasing.

#19#

"So in easier terms, three hundred and eleven years ago, the event we dubbed the Elder Plague ended." He recited hesitantly before looking up at his favorite uncle –do not tell Wataru-ji- with big wide eyes "Right?"

Ichigo snorted as he speeded through a ten page report while he surveyed Wataru's lessons.

"Too simple terms."

He deflated "The whole thing in the book is long and boring, why do I have to know all this?"

Ichigo sighed as he put down his pen and reclined on his chair as his bones creaked back into place. Yasahiro winced at the noise, but Ichigo didn't even bat an eye.

"Let's see Hiro-chan, tell me decree number 41 of Shiba Life."

Yasahiro puffed his cheeks at the name before taking a deep breath and intoning word for word "Any disagreements between clan members must be settled in the designated fighting areas and away from any defenseless spectator."

The orange head nodded in agreement as he crossed his arms over his chest "And decree number 62?"

The brunet felt his brows furrow as he tried to dig up the information that he had read dozens of times from the Shiba Handbook "Fireworks can be used anytime, anywhere with the proper precautions as stated on decree number 1 of Shiba Life, but lighting any becomes prohibited if under the influence of alcoholic beverages." He paused before looking up at Ichigo with an inquisitive look "Wasn't this decree made on my parents wedding?"

Ichigo felt his lips twitch up in a smile before he settled back on his serious face. Yasahiro didn't miss it, he would really like to hear the story of that day, but everyone had been so plastered they barely remember the occasion and Ichi-ji is tight lipped.

"Yes," he agreed "now why do you memorize the decrees from young age?"

Yasahiro brightened "Because it's part of the Shiba life, like Decree number four: It is illegal not to drink milk. Or decree number 18: Any singing must be reserved for bathing areas unless told otherwise by a high stationed member of the clan. Or better yet, decree number 26!: If a panda is waiting in line behind you, it is indispensable that you allow them to pass first. All these decrees are the way we live and we must make sure to uphold them… even though I think Decree number 92: No goats are allowed near the main compound; is stupid."

Ichigo shuddered at the last decree and decided to completely erase the memory from his mind. Shunsui had scarred him for life, and if he had it his way, he would never see a goat again.

"So all the laws and decrees outside of the Shiba Clan are also a way of life, of a citizen of soul society." He explained calmly as the brunet scowled.

"But those are boring." He waved off.

Ichigo nodded in agreement making Yasahiro raise an eyebrow incredulously. "Politics are boring most of the time, but it's always good to know them so we can use them to our advantage."

Yasahiro sighed as he quirked a reluctant smile "Knowledge is power?"

Ichigo smirked "Exactly. Now, from the top."

The brunet grumbled under his breath but acquiesced with a calm intake of air before he intoned from the text books. "Three hundred and eleven years ago, what is dubbed the Elder Plague or Noble Crisis, was put to a stop when 3rd Head of the Ancient and Noble Clan of Shiba, Shiba Ichigo, put into action an emergency Head meeting with Central 46. Article number 254, section C was put into question, and after the backing of all five Great Clans was shown, all the lesser Clans agreed as well. Because of this, Section Y was put into place, and the control of the Clans was returned to the hands of the Heads." He paused for air before continuing softly "The Elder Plague ended at the right moment, otherwise the casualties might have been worse. Among the incidents were: Rapid Head rotation, Economy depletion, Oppressive tyranny, Monopoly attempt & acquisition as well as mysterious Clan member deaths."

Ichigo nodded "Correct. The gotei 13 started to degenerate around that time to. The moral of the entire Sereitei was affected by this Crisis, and so rotation was very common."

Yasahiro furrowed his brows as he glanced up from the book "But all the current senior Shinigami are freakishly strong, more so because the new rules implemented for a Shinigami to be promoted."

"That's because of this. We tried to fill in the empty spaces with subpar Shinigami and it actually ended up affecting us negatively instead. So the Captain Commander came to his senses and put those rules in place." He explained cheerfully… too cheerfully.

"And you had nothing to do with this sudden eureka?" he asked incredulously as he flipped through all the pages of the most recent history book "Your name is on almost half of these rules!"

Ichigo scratched the back of his head nervously as he averted his gaze towards his paperwork. He has really, really tried to stay under the radar, but underhanded, non-notable maneuvers are not his thing.

"A-anyway! I expect you to have finished pages 264 through 421 by the time I'm done with the paperwork."

Yasahiro sighed and decided to go along with the change of topic before looking at the stacks of paperwork on the desk. If his calculations were correct, Ichigo-jisan should take around two hours to finish what's on his desk. But he would bet his own twin, that before the time limit, Wataru-ji will walk in the door with more papers from hell.

"Okay." He agreed easily. He could totally do it. His due date is like, six hours from now.

#19#

So maybe he had underestimated his crafty, successful, Captain Uncle and the orange head had had an ace up his sleeves.

Yasahiro paused.

Sleeve, his haori was cut and had no sleeves –who would think to do that besides him?!

Anyway, back on topic. Wataru had strolled into the office with a stack of paperwork juggled with one hand followed by the third seat and fifth seat with their own respective stacks of paperwork –where the fourth seat had run off to, he had no idea. That was normal.

Wataru-ji had placed the papers on the desk, dusted his hands and paraded right back out as the officers did the same in a moment of brilliance. Normal as well.

His uncle Ichigo had looked up from his desk, scanned the new forms and sighed. Hey, normal!

Then the orange head had reclined himself on his chair and closed his eyes to take a… nap? Okay, it could be normal.

Half a minute later, he snapped his eyes open again –smallest nap ever- and a smug smile curled the edges of his mouth before two men materialized out of nowhere right behind his Ji-san… Uh… normal?

"I am never betting with you again, King!" The white haired man that looked erringly similar to his Ichi-jisan whined. "I don't want to do icky paperwork."

The man with the sunglasses and shaggy hair merely sighed in resignation and took the empty chair to Ichigo's right. "If we all work in tandem, we should finish in an hour."

Yasahiro remained speechless throughout this entire encounter as the two newcomers found their space and jostled for elbow room on the paper filled table. As realization dawned on him, he spluttered before trying to speed through the book. His ji-san just smirked at the notion, and Yasahiro inwardly cursed his Uncle.

Zanpaktou sprits helping Ichi-ji-san with paperwork. !

So here he was now, nursing bruises from his training session / punishment from hell for not finishing on time the stated pages. He carefully moved down the streets of the first district as he dragged his feet before heaving another earth moving sigh.

Ichigo-ji was certainly a crafty man, he really hoped he'd be able to learn to do that in his lessons.

Back on track, after being beaten in hakuda –soundly and thoroughly- he had decided to take a stroll in the first district to sort his mind through all the laws and historic events he had read in the span of 4 hours.

He was nonchalantly walking through the market area, when all of a sudden he bumped into someone else who was walking out a store at the exact moment he was passing by the doorway. The two collided, and it took all his training to not land like an idiot on his butt while the other merely let out a surprised yelp. He quickly turned up with an apology on the tip of his tongue when he was met with the white and blue standard Shihakusho of a Shinigami Student.

"Oh," he said instead "a Student!" Yasahiro smiled sheepishly when the other brunet merely raised a brow "Sorry about that, I just wasn't expecting you… Coming out the door and being a student I mean."

The brunet only looked on curiously behind his black framed glasses before clearing his throat "It is no problem. I should have seen where I was going."

Yasahiro gave a grin in response as he scratched the back of his head. "I guess we were both at fault. So you're a first year?"

The boy kept his curious expression as he regarded Yasahiro with a slightly critical eye. The brunet wore a blue Yukata with dusted leafs at the bottom. It was a little dirty, and his peach colored skin was full of scratches and bruises –he couldn't decide if he was a stray or not.

He nodded "I just began last week. It's rather interesting."

The calm tone he took made Yasahiro think that the boy didn't find much interest in the classes.

"I have a brother in first year too!" he revealed, cheerful enough for the both of them "Though we've been taking classes from Ji-chan… uh, Ji-sama since little."

This piqued the interest of the other, and Yasahiro found himself feeling proud of his accomplishment before his smile faltered "Oh, where are my manners!" he exclaimed fearfully as he looked from side to side to make sure Ichigo hadn't stalked him and decided to slap him for the slip with a paper fan –he has done it before, do not judge. "My name is Shiba Yasahiro, it's nice to meet you." He outstretched his hand.

The brunet paused for a second before a hesitant smile lifted the edges of his mouth "Aizen Sosuke, the pleasure is mine." He grabbed the hand and shook it. "So Shiba Isshin is your brother? It'd be hard pressed to believe that."

Yasahiro laughed nervously as he tried to suppress a wince "Shi is a little more… boisterous."

If the slightly strained smile was anything to go by, he knew what Yasahiro was talking about. He looked at the state of Yasahiro's person again, before he quirked a smile "Did you have trouble with some of the residents?"

"Uh," he stuttered as he looked down at his Yukata "not exactly, Aizen-kun. My Ji-chan – Ji-sama used Hakuda training as a form of punishment for not finishing my work in time."

The boy blinked back curiously before deciding to not point out the craziness for politeness sake and concentrated on something else "You may call me Sosuke if you wish."

Yasahiro beamed "Call me Yasahiro, or Hiro! Almost no one calls me by my first name."

Sosuke quirked a hesitant smile but nodded in agreement. It seemed this Shiba was easier to like. "So Yasahiro-kun is training to be a Shinigami as well."

"Uh," he stuttered nervously "not really, I'm-"

"Hiro-chan~!" an evil voice from hell interrupted him, making Yasahiro freeze before turning mechanically towards the direction of the voice. "I thought I told you to be back before dinner~."

Yasahiro finished turning so fast he was surprised he didn't get a whiplash. Ichigo was walking calmly towards him, completely changed out of his Shinigami captain clothes, and now wearing a pale gray Yukata and his red Haori draped over his shoulders. Yasahiro always wondered how his Ji-san was able to make such a simple assemble –if you discount the gold lining of the Shiba Clan Head Haori- look like a top of the line fashion.

"Ichi-jisama!" he squeaked as he franticly looked for an excuse as his eyes fell on his new acquaintance. "I was gonna head home soon, honest. I was just making a new friend!" His ji-san always said it was important to have friends, right? He would approve of his diversion… maybe.

Ichigo stopped in front of him, and he felt he was sweating a river when those sharp amber eyes fell on Sosuke. The orange head didn't show any outward expression, but Yasahiro could discern the amusement there. Damn is Ji-san!

"Hmm," he hummed "I see your friend is an Academy Student." He leaned down so he was eye level to the two –he didn't have to make it look like they were short! "My name is Shiba Ichigo, Tenth Squad Captain of the Gotei 13 and Head of the Great and Noble Clan of Shiba." Ichigo paused to add dramatization as Sosuke seemed to be suppressing a shiver "But most important title of them all, I'm Hiro-chan's favorite uncle." He finished with a grin.

"Ji-chan!" Yasahiro bristled like a cat "Don't embarrass me!"

Ichigo merely started to laugh out loud at the blush dusting his cheeks as he patted his brown locks. "Sorry Hiro-chan, it's just funny to tease you." He said with a smirk before turning to the other brunet with a cocked brow "And you are, young Shinigami-to-be?"

"A-ah." He stuttered, he had never stuttered this much! What was with these Shibas! "Aizen Sosuke."

"Well," Ichigo's smile unnerved him "Since you're Hiro-chan's friend and all, besides the fact that you're probably Shi-chan's classmate, you are formally invited/required to come eat dinner at the Main Shiba Compound tonight."

Yasahiro turned instantly to his uncle with wide eyes as Sosuke mirrored his shocked expression. What the hell?!

"B-but-" Sosuke began.

"No buts!" Ichigo cut in quickly with practiced expertise as he grabbed both their shoulders and herded them in the direction of the Shiba land "Shi-chan just arrived home for the weekend since it's a free one, so we're having a dinner spread!"

"B-but…" he tried again, but his voice was barely above a whisper as Ichigo's smile deterred him. This was an 'effin captain of the Gotei 13!?

"Sorry." Hiro apologized from over Ichigo's shoulder, his smile more of a grimace that had Sosuke sighing.

Shibas, it turns out, are all quirky and hard to handle. He really wished there was a handbook to know how they worked.

To be continued…

A/N: Umm… will you lot believe me if I say I forgot yesterday was Wednesday –in other words, posting day? No? Well tough luck 'cause that's the truth.

Hoped you guys liked this new chapter!

If you want to waste some time, swing by my new Fanfiction, Surprises come in many sizes (in ) or Surprises come in many sizes, shapes, colors and Ichigos (in AO3). It's a oneshot/drabble thing that I'm posting one new chapie a day. Humor is the main genre, and I'm receiving recommendations for future chapters.

Also, someone out there asked for a timeline, so here it is… kinda.

Event Ichigo Age

Beginning of Story: 38

Ichigo enters Academy: 88

Ryōtaro dies: 288

Haruka Courted: 450

Twins Born: 510

Isshin enters Academy: 590

Hope this helps!

Thanks and review on your way out!