Hello, this is my latest story. I have quite a few plans and expectations for her, but I (like with Birth Marks, My Inuyasha Epic Story) have no clue where this will ultimately go. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions or just want to talk, please feel free to leave a review. And with all of my other FANficton, I do not own Bleach. Tite Kubo does, and I doubt he's willing to share.

Squad Fifteen, Chapter One

He needed to be alone. Just, away from everything else. Away from School. From work. From friends. And especially away from family. At the moment, he didn't particularly know where he was, nor did he really particularly care. All he knew was that he was somewhere on the outskirts of Seireitei with a field of grass that stretched at least two kilometers in each direction. He sat at the base of the only tree within sight and tuned his guitar, closing his eyes and blocking out everything but the notes resonating from the strings. Settling for a simple tune, his fingers started moving on their own as he lost himself in still-fresh memories.

After Ginjou and getting his powers back, Ichigo had no clue what would happen next. Over the past seventeen months, he had almost resigned himself to a dull human existence, at least while he was alive. It's not as if he entertained fantasies of regaining his powers once his body gave out. Especially when he saw his nakama excuse themselves for the restroom or nurse's office. When he learned Fullbring, it brought new hope, a renewed flame to the glowing embers in his soul. He would not be helpless. He would not be forced to the sidelines any longer. And when he was given the spark to fully ignite his shinigami powers again, it felt as if the last seventeen months were a dream.

"Hello." Ichigo greeted to empty air, not bothering to look up.

"You've improved, Ichigo-kun." A voice replied, allowing his stealth to drop as he sat down beside the young prodigy. "I didn't know you played anything."

Ichigo shook his head. "Chad taught me a little before… everything happened, and during the war I didn't have any time to practice." As he spoke, his fingers picked up a more Spanish note. "I've had a lot of practice lately Ukitake-taichou."

The white-haired captain nodded, picking at the large basket he had set down. "I would expect so. Do you mind if we join you? It's such a lovely day out that Shunsui, Yamamoto-sensei and I thought we would enjoy the fresh air for a few hours, and possibly the sunset as well." Ichigo blinked, unsure.

"If this is your spot, I can leave." Ichigo stopped playing and pulled his case closer. "I just came out here because it was quiet."

Ukitake smiled and put his hand on the closed lid, forestalling his movements, "Please, Ichigo-kun, stay. It would be nice to listen to you play for a bit longer. And I brought enough for everyone since Retsu-chan can't make it.

Sighing, Ichigo settled back down and started plucking once again, "Yuzu is going to be upset that I'm skipping dinner again."

"Yuzu is a lovely name, is she your girlfriend?" At that, Ichigo started choking on air and hit a sour note.

"No!" He shook his head, trying not to laugh. "She's my little sister."

"Ah, she cooks?" Ichigo nodded, absently playing a lullaby. "Where is your mother? Why doesn't she cook?"

"Grand Fisher. I was nine." Ichigo shrugged, frowning. "Hopefully she's out there or reincarnated by now." He gestured vaguely to Seireitei's outer walls.

"Ah. I'm sor-"

"Please don't. Grand Fisher is dead. That's all that there is about that." Ukitake nodded, dropping the subject. Looking around, he spotted his friend and sensei.

"Ah, good, we can get started. Ichigo-kun, would you help me spread the blanket?"

Ichigo blinked at Ukitake's sudden chirpy tone. "Oh. Ah, sure." Moving his guitar to lie next to Zangetsu by the tree, Ichigo unfolded the blanket as Ukitake smoothed out the corners and started setting out dishes. As the other two arrived, Ichigo stepped back, hoping to be able to just sneak away.

After the trio greeted each other, Ukitake turned to Ichigo and patted the empty corner of the blanket. "It ok Ichigo-kun, Yamamoto-sensei won't bite." Ichigo managed a small smile as Yamamoto watched the child step closer, setting a peculiar instrument behind him. Strange that the boy that had turned his thirteen court squads on its ear and faced down the 'lost captains' without blinking was acting, dare he say, nervous. Silently, Yamamoto raised an eyebrow.

"Having problems, boy?" The old man asked, taking a saké saucer from his older student with a nod.

"N-no, Sou-taichou." Ichigo almost-mumbled, not able to make eye contact with the ancient man.

"Hmm…what is it you youngsters call me? Yama-jii? If you wish, at this time, the name is acceptable. In the barracks address me properly, but here you may say as you wish." The boy blushed, and Yamamoto gave a grandfatherly pat to his head.

"Yes Sou… Yama-jii." Ichigo gave a wry smirk and relaxed a little.

"If you wish, Ichigo-kun, you can continue your practice. You were playing beautifully earlier." Ukitake smiled, as Shunsui offered Ichigo a saucer of saké as well.

"Ah, thanks, but I'm not old enough to drink." Ichigo shook his head, pulling his guitar around into his lap.

"Nonsense, Ichigo-kun. If you're old enough to slay hollows, you're old enough to drink. Even Toushirou-kun indulges in a cup once in a while." Sighing, Ichigo took the saucer and placed it by his knee, not thoroughly convinced. If Kyouraku-san was using Toushirou as an example, Rangiku-san likely drove the kid to it.

Strumming a few chords, Ichigo listened as the older men spoke of miscellaneous things, ranging from their lieutenants to the upcoming visit to the academy. "Ichigo-kun, how are you doing? I heard you were still in school?" Ukitake turned, drawing the boy into the conversation;

Surprised to be asked, Ichigo paused in his playing before responding. "I'm in my last year of high school."

"And then what?" Kyouraku-san asked, taking a sip of his saké, "Any plans for after you finish?"

"I… don't know. I was planning on moving out and going to college for something, but I don't know any more."

"How about the Shinigami Academy then? If you don't know what you would want to do in the human world yet, you can do some classes at the academy until you figure it out."

Ichigo nodded, not really convinced. "I don't really know what I would learn that I haven't learned already."

"The last report I recall spoke of no indication of using Kido." Yama-jii spoke up and Ichigo winced.

"They tried teaching me." Sighing in frustration, he strummed a few chords, "I've never seen two grown men cry before, let alone Hachi-san and Tessai-san. After a while we pretty much gave up."

Ukitake raised a surprised eyebrow and Kyouraku gave a surprised chuckle. "I guess even prodigies have their road blocks."

"Prodigy? I learned what I had to. I'm not that smart."

"Slaying a hollow within seconds of gaining your powers where most have had at least six years of academy. Bankai in three days where one hundred years is expedient. And your… Fullbring, is it? In mere weeks as well." Yamamoto listed off. "Shunpo is more than proficient; Zanjutsu is within a reasonable level; Hakuda, leadership skills. And on top of everything else, you have won a war while maintaining your grades." Yamamoto listed off, carefully watching the boy's reaction. "All wonderful qualities to look for in a leadership position in the Gotei thirteen. Kido, politics and Seireitei history would also be preferred, but as we know, those can be negotiable." Yamamoto turned away to partake in his meal, hiding his knowing look from the paling boy.

Ukitake took pity on the boy and smiled gently. "I remember now where I have seen your instrument before. I believe Lieutenant Hisagi-kun brought one back a number of years ago. If you and he have the time, you would likely find you both have quite a bit in common. What is the name of the piece you were just playing?"

Ichigo blushed, "Chad wrote it, you'd have to ask him. I think it's something like 'Del Toro' or 'El Toro de…' something. It's about this bull that wants to be like a butterfly he's seen." Ichigo shrugged and kept playing, humming quietly a secondary part.

"Does anyone else in your family play?"

Ichigo shook his head, "Dad couldn't sit still long enough to learn, Karin would rather be outside playing Soccer and Yuzu has a pretty voice, but she's too shy to sing in front of anyone." He paused for a moment to change songs. "I once caught her singing while she was making breakfast. She didn't talk to me for a week after."

"Ah, young pride. Such a fragile thing. Were you teasing her about it?"

"NO," Ichigo gave a wide-eyed stare, "I didn't say anythi-Ow! Damnit." Ichigo muttered, pulling his finger back. One of the strings on the guitar broke. With one hand, Ichigo pulled his case over and opened a small pouch on the side, retrieving a small plastic baggie while the other, injured, hand went to his mouth to absently soothe the sting. Inside the baggie were several smaller baggies with coils of wires in different thicknesses. Sorting through the labeled baggies, Ichigo growled at himself and picked up the one empty baggie in the batch, labeled with the string that he needed. "I need to ask Chad what brand he uses. His never seem to break." He muttered to himself, inspecting the broken ends before deftly pulling them off, tossing the broken string into the case. Grumbling about incomplete chords, Ichigo strummed the remaining wires, not liking the sound it produced. It would do, but the chord was unbalanced. Muttering a short phrase under his breath, Ichigo hoped that the elder Taicho wouldn't notice as he rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, producing a fine thread of energy, of which he then strung into the bridge. He ran his fingers end to end several more times until he was satisfied with the thickness before lacing it into the tuner. All this took a matter of moments.

"All I asked was if she wanted help with breakfast." Ichigo shrugged, tuning the energy string like he would the metal wire it looked like.

"Fascinating." Shunsui murmured.

"Not really. I can cook when I have to, like when Yuzu is over at a friend's house or mad at me." Ichigo replied, not looking up. If he would have, he would have seen the three captain's exchange impressed looks.

"I amend what I said about Kido," Yamamoto commented, more curious than impressed. It had been a long time since he had last seen a student master the parody of a difficult bakudo with such finesse before learning the basics.

"What?" Ichigo blinked, then shook his head, "No, it's closer to Fullbring… I think. Just ask Rukia, I can't do traditional kido."

"From what I know, you've never been 'one to follow tradition'." Kyouraku smirked, sipping from his saucer.

"The young are to learn from tradition and their elders to find their own future." Yamamoto spoke up, picking up a morsel. "Some of our young ones have yet to learn that traditions can change."

"Like Byakuya-kun. He lives like he is far older than he really is." Kyouraku turned back to Ichigo with an ironic smile. "Speaking of tradition, the usual question is 'can you perform Bankai,' but I believe the more prudent question here is, 'can you actually seal your sword.' It is a bit unwieldy to carry around so casually, is it not?"

"Ah…" Ichigo blinked and turned to where Zangetsu leaned against the tree. "It's always been his decision."

All you needed was to ask, Ichigo, Zangetsu spoke into his mind, although after all this time, a little incentive would not be unwelcome.

"Like wha-oh." He felt his Zanpakutou's non-substantial eyes fall on the saucer of saké by his knee. Holding the dish out to his Zanpakutou, Ichigo sighed. "If you become a drunkard, I know who to blame." He shot a sideways look at Kyouraku as his sword transformed into an older man in a tattered black coat.

"Thank you, Ichigo." Zangetsu bobbed his head and removed his sunglasses. Handing them to the boy, he took the offered saucer and savored a sip. "I had heard wonderful things about your saké, Shunsui-Taicho, and I am pleased to say that Senbonzakura-san was not exaggerating.

"Thank you, Zangetsu-dono. I'm glad to hear that I meet your expectations." Kyouraku grinned, gladly topping off Zangetsu's saucer.

Looking over, Zangetsu couldn't help the fond expression that settled on his face. Ichigo was casually inspecting the sunglasses, taking in the simple design of the accessory with a mixture of curiosity and peeve. "You never needed to physically carry me around, Ichigo. Like your mask, you can summon me and I would be there." Zangetsu smirked as the boy held up the glasses to look though the lenses, determining them more fashion than function. "But a little physical reminder never hurt."

Ichigo gave his Zanpakutou a look. "Great, now I look like I'm part of that men's club.

"Your school counselor said that you needed to join a club anyway, did he not? That would be the perfect opportunity." Settling into his normal scowl, Ichigo perched the glasses on top of his head, where they were half-hidden by the forest of orange spikes.

"I preferred the going-home club." Ichigo grumbled, striking up a new tune on the guitar. "That counselor was an idiot anyway, saying that I was faking my job and wouldn't get anywhere in life until I had my hair grow out into a more natural color. The guy threatened to help me by shaving it off!" Ichigo growled, pulling at one of his forelocks in the process.

Kyouraku sputtered into his drink, trying to stifle his laugh. "So that really is your natural color, eh?"

Ichigo gave the man a tired look. "Yachiru's hair is naturally pink, Toushirou and Ukitake-san's is white, Nel and Grimmjow's were green and blue respectively and you're questioning my orange being natural or not." Ichigo sighed and gave a helpless shrug, "Yeah, sure, why not?"

"It's not unknown for humans your age to change their hair color," Ukitake attempted to soothe ruffled feathers, "Most of us assumed that you had too."

Zangetsu hid his amused smirk behind the last of his saké. "Thank you for the saké Shunsui-Taicho, but I believe I should quit while I am ahead," he gave the man a nod and set the saucer back by Ichigo's knee before fading back into his own world. He knew that he would be hearing the rest of his charge's woes tonight, and for that, it would be best to be sober.

As the spirit faded, Kyouraku gave an amused look when what was left behind wasn't any sort of weapon, but the very glasses that Ichigo had perched on his head. "Tell Zangetsu-dono that he is welcome to come and drink any time you visit."

"Yeah, I'll tell him." Ichigo dismissed, focusing on his chords. Frowning, he strummed a shingle chord, then another that sounded minutely different until he found one that he liked before continuing on with the song.

Yamamoto should have been surprised when the zanpakutou sealed itself, but he really wasn't. The boy seemed to mock tradition in every way that he could, and then some. A traditional sealed sword looked like a katana and only the length varied, as well as the energy level output. Normally shikai was a good five times stronger than when sealed, but the boy's natural levels barely dropped an iota. "What is your release command, boy?" He asked, but it came out like more of a command, which Ichigo started to answer before his brain caught up.

"Ma-" The boy blinked, paused, shook his head and chuckled, "What would you think it would be? It's 'Mamoru.' That's why I fight, to 'protect'."

"Appropriate enough, eh Shunsui?" Ukitake chuckled, and then shivered as a cool wind passed by and rattled the tree they sat under. "Ichigo-kun, I was wondering if you had anything warmer to wear with your uniform? Fall is fast approaching and it will be getting colder out." He asked, digging around in the bottom of the picnic basket.

Ichigo shrugged, "I was just going to wear a shirt under my uniform when it got cold enough."

"Unacceptable." Yamamoto rumbled.

"Yes," Kyouraku agreed, a gleam in his eyes, "I don't think that would quite work, Ichigo-kun."

"I think that this would work much better." Ukitake smiled, pulling a white bundle from the depths of the basket. "Here, try this on." He handed over the bundle which was folded in a way to proudly display the English '15' in the traditional captain's diamond.

Ichigo sat silent, staring, tracing the one, then the five. "I can't take this." He finally sputtered out, trying to shove it back into Ukitake's arms. "It's a captain's haori, isn't it? I can't take it. All the positions are filled and, and I'm still alive." Pure panic flooded his eyes. "I'm just a Daiko, thank you, but no."

Shunsui grinned as he stage whispered into Yamamoto's ear. "See, I said that he wouldn't take it." Embarrassment flamed the boy's face as he sat the haori down on the picnic blanket as far out of reach as he could go without reaching and looking completely rude.

Yamamoto nodded at his older student and gestured at the haori. "Indulge an old man, Kurosaki, and try it on before giving it back. If this was a captain's test, you have passed in multiple ways. Nearly every captain has recommended you and you have beaten several, including Aizen, in full contest; as well as exceeding expectations when being interviewed by three senior captains. Any other circumstance and that would be an actual captain's haori."

"If you wish," Ukitake unfolded the haori and draped it over Ichigo's shoulders, "Think of it as a training haori."

"Yeah," Shunsui added on, "you get the pay, might as well look the part."

"Pay?" Ichigo choked, "I've been getting paid this whole time?"

Ukitake nodded. "Not the entire time, but especially after your daring rescue of Rukia-chan. A lieutenant's stipend is, surprisingly, not much, but the hollow bounties you've accumulated have more than made up for it."

"Lieutenant's pay?" Ichigo's brows furrowed, absently tugging the haori on. "But…"

"At first, I was paying you as my subordinate. On paper, you were unofficially 'JousanbanKurosaki-fukutaicho'."

"Then Rukia-chan was finally promoted." Shunsui spoke up.

"Yes," Ukitake nodded. The girl had been his lieutenant in everything except title and pay for years now; only her brother being resistant to the promotion. "And I already had two sanzeki. The other captains protested."

"So it was either promotion or demotion." Shunsui grinned, "And you've done too much already to not get paid for it."

"Oh." Ichigo fingered the silky fabric of the haori, feeling the difference between it and the rough weave of his shihakushou. "I do it because I have to."

"Humility is a good quality in a leader; the young ones did well to recognize it in you." Yamamoto spoke, seeing the captain that this boy would grow to become. The title was still too grand, like a kimono too large, but he would fill out in time, like another young one he watched closely. "By accepting the Captain's Haori, you are accepting the responsibility of the temporarily-sanctioned 'Jougobantai (squad fifteen).' You are responsible for the communication between Seireitei and the humans under your care, as well as all shinigami transferred to the Karakura-cho area on temporary assignment."

Ichigo nodded seriously, taking in what the Sou-taichou listed as his responsibilities. waitaminute "Isn't that what I was doing already?" he asked drily, to which Yamamoto nodded.

"You will also be assigned liaison tasks when needed and will be expected to come when summoned to captain's meetings and report your progress."

"Yeah, I figured. But in the meantime, I'm still a Daiko and a free agent." Ichigo was adamant on the fact. "You can ask for my help, but I reserve the right to say no if I don't like your order."

Ukitake hid a smile behind his hand and Yamamoto suppressed a sigh with a certain look. "I have come to expect no different. And the loyalty you inspired while doing so is… disconcerting."

Shunsui snorted, laughing into his saké. "If you're not careful, Yama-jii, the kid could pull the rug right from under your feet. He nearly did it too when he went to Hueco Mundo to rescue one of his nakama."

Ichigo gave a sour look. "I never intended to, nor do I ever want to. I didn't ask anyone to help that time. Karakura's enough to try to protect, all of Soul Society… No, thank you."

"And that is why, Ichigo-kun, your responsibilities while alive are mostly what you have been doing already. Learn, grow, and by the time a position will be open for you, you will be more than ready."

"You hope." Ichigo muttered darkly, biting into a sweet bun.

"Oh, you're already ready; you just could use a little polishing that most new captains don't get to have. Might I suggest in the interim taking some classes at the academy and learning some reiatsu -suppressing techniques? You don't want your subordinates' passing out in your very presence now, do you?" Shunsui chuckled.

"Might I also suggest going around to the different divisions and seeing how each runs." Ukitake added, "I know for a fact that every one of us views our training and responsibilities differently. My division, for example, is run like a family, where we all support each other to do our best. Shunsui's division leans toward women for some reason."

"I believe that there's not enough support for strong female shinigami. I was actually the first division outside of fourth to accept female officers." Shunsui grinned, taking another sip. Seriously, Ichigo thought the guy was on his fourth bottle or something and was barely even tipsy. The womanizing drunk.

"My division focuses on administration." Yamamoto spoke at last. "We only have a handful of new recruits each year based on written scores, not necessarily fighting prowess. I would suggest learning how to file a proper report when visiting the First."

Ichigo nodded, playing quietly as he listened to the senior trio and their assessment of the different squads work ethic (or lack thereof) and atmosphere. Personally, he didn't believe their assessment of the Eleventh for the most part. Yeah, it was a bit crass and atypical, but it worked in a dysfunctional family sort of way. Actually, it almost reminded him of his own family in a way. True, Zaraki left most of the paperwork to Yumichika, but it still got done and filed. And there was a reason why the eleventh hailed one of the largest number counts, and it had to do with a phrase he had heard while recovering once. It went something along the lines of 'once in Eleventh, always in Eleventh. We've seen you at your best and worst blah, blah, blah.' Then again, Kyouraku was pretty accurate to say that they were either fighting or drinking, if not both.

Ichigo smiled to himself, remembering the day that Ikkaku told him that he'd been adopted into the Eleventh. It was after he had beaten most of the lower seats in a free-for-all brawl and was slumped against the man, nursing respective shiners… Ikkaku's noticeably shinier than his. Huffing out a tired laugh, he patted Ichigo's injured shoulder. "Welcome to the Eleventh, kid. When you get old enough, we owe ya a welcoming drink." That was as close to open acceptance as he had gotten.

Then again, now that he thought about it, he had been adopted into a few squads. Tenth (after Toushirou finally accepted that he was never going to be called by his proper title), Sixth (through Rukia and Renji mostly), Fourth (he didn't exactly know how, but word had gotten around that he was a doctor's son, so ended up helping patching up some Eleventh division members one time), Eleventh (for being the cause of said wounds) and Thirteenth (Ukitake-san just had a habit of adopting anyone under the physical age of 30, no matter the squad. Or, really, anyone that thought he needed someone to talk to or something to do.).

"Oh, that's nice." Shunsui commented in general, watching as the sunset burst into a multitude of colors. "Good food, good company, war isn't looming over our heads like a storm cloud, and music. Yama-jii, did you bring your flute, by any chance?"

Yamamoto shook his head, "I did not believe I had a reason to. Children's music has changed so much since my day, there is no possibility for our music to blend even if I did." At that, Ichigo switched to the oldest piece he knew. Actually, it was originally a piece for the Biwa (a lute-like instrument) that he had modified to fit better on the guitar.

"Ah, Shunsui listen, is that what I think it is?" Ukitake asked excitedly, tugging on his friend's sleeve.

"I… Believe it is." He hummed, setting down his saucer. "I, the last time I heard that song was in the old capital. Her name was Koyuki. 'The sweet Chrysanthemum blooms as the waves toss their silvery mane…'" The man hummed along with the guitar, nearly lost in the sweet near-forgotten memories. "Where did you learn that song, Ichigo-kun?"

"I was asked to help clean out this lady's house after she passed and the granddaughter was going to throw away this box of old stuff." Ichigo shrugged, switching to another song. "Apparently the woman used to be a geisha and recorded all of her music on paper, and I convinced the lady to give it to me. I like the challenge the music has."

"I think you're playing it wonderfully." Ukitake complimented while Ichigo shook his head in disagreement.

"It's rough. I wouldn't want to play it in front of anyone for a while."

"Acceptable. Unlike your fighting ability, you take time to master your skill set before performing musically." Ichigo flushed, biting back his retort to the Sou-taichou. It wasn't like he had the time to perfect any of his skills before being forced into using them on the battlefield.

"Ah, Ichigo-kun, are you staying the night? I have an empty room in the barracks for you any time." Ichigo looked up and grimaced, seeing the sun fully set

"No, thank you this time, Ukitake-san. I already stayed longer than I should. I should get going before dad throws a conniption."

Ukitake nodded. "Understandable. Tell Isshin hello for us."

"And that I owe him a drink!" Shunsui chuckled, hoisting his saucer in a salute.

"You owe him three, apparently." Ukitake murmured.

"Three?" Shunsui yelped, eyeing the carrot top, "There's more like him?"

Catching on, Ichigo gave the captains a wide grin and tilted his head to the side. "Yeah, the twins. Karin's a tough cookie, but Yuzu takes after our mother." He said with all the brotherly pride he could muster. "They're my reason for fighting. Even more so since they just started Middle School." Ichigo froze for a moment before shaking off his thought. Ukitake raised a questioning eyebrow. "It's nothing. I just realized that the girls are thirteen now. I need to head home." He finished putting away his guitar and attached the strap to the case's outside.

"Taicho!" a feminine voice called from the distance. Grimacing, Kouraku pulled his hat lower over his eyes. "There you are! You've been out here drinking again, haven't you?" There was no question, just a bald-faced statement of truth.

"But of course, my lovely Nanao-chan. What would be a celebration without a little saké?"

"Celebra-oh." Nanao stepped back and gave a respectful –if brief- bow. "Congratulations, Kurosaki-Taicho, on your promotion."

"Uh… it's Ichigo, please." He murmured, absently adjusting his guitar strap. "I should really get going now. Thank you for the offer, but I have to think about it first." Ichigo turned to leave, but then looked over his shoulder with a brilliant smile. "Nanao-san, if you want, you can have my saké. I don't drink, so it would be a waste otherwise."

"H-hai, thank you!" She dipped into another bow to hide her flustered face. She had heard that the boy rarely smiled. If he smiled more, he would surely give Byakuya a run for his title of Bachelor of the Year. She could already see why he was already high on the lists, but that smile! With it, he could win for sure!

She needed to call an emergency SWA meeting.

Back at home, Ichigo peeled off his new haori and tossed it onto his desk chair before sliding back into his human body with a small grimace. Slipping back into his body felt almost like too-tight pants, even more so since regaining his powers.

Sitting back up, Ichigo stared at the haori that spun gently where it hung off the back. Subconsciously, he hung it off the back of the chair so that the '15' was proudly displayed. The bottom hem barely brushed the floor while the sleeves fell to about four inches above the hem. A short jacket seemed almost appropriate for his new 'temporary' status, down to the smaller diamonds that dotted the edge.

A farce of a knock sounded out before Isshin slid in the door. "You're home." It was a statement of fact more than a greeting. "The girls were worried that you had disappeared again." In the past months 'serious Isshin' had shown his face more often, especially when shinigami business was brought up and after the girls had gone to bed.

"I needed time to think." Ichigo acquiesced to Isshin's silent request to speak and gave his father room to sit on the bed by crossing his legs. "Are the twins in bed?"

"They're studying." Isshin gestured to the haori sitting innocently on the chair back. "I take it the captains spoke to you?"

Ichigo nodded. "Yamamoto, Ukitake-san and Kyouraku-san said they were there to watch the sunset and that Unohana-san couldn't make it, so they had extra snacks." He paused a moment. "Unohana-san wasn't coming in the first place, was she? They meant to come find me today."

Isshin nodded with a proud smile. "It takes three captains to interview and present the prospective with their new haori. I'm surprised though, I thought it would be Toushirou-kun and Byakuya-bo. Joushiro was a given, seeing as he was the one who asked my permission through Kisuke." At Ichigo's blank look, Isshin thwapped his son on the back of his head. "While you live under my roof, you're still my responsibility, and until then things like earning a captaincy and marrying Rukia-chan will still need my blessing." At that, Isshin couldn't hold it in much longer. "Ichigo! My son is a Captain! Your mother would be so proud!"

Deftly dodging a tackle disguised as a hug, Ichigo jumped off his bed and snarled. "Damnit Old Man, I haven't even said yes yet!"

"But you will!" Isshin continued his attack with a side-kick, "and that's good enough cause to celebrate!" Rolling with the kick, Ichigo grabbed his father's leg and used the leverage to toss him into the wall.

Quickly recovering, Isshin grabbed the haori with one hand and deftly turned it inside-out, exposing the red lining. "But until then, you can wear it like this!" he crowed, managing to drape it over his son's shoulders, where it sunk through to settle on his spiritual body. "Night, son!" Isshin grinned brightly and shut the door behind himself before Ichigo could retaliate. His grin dropped and he quickly walked down to the clinic, where he would have some privacy to call his old friend.

"Urahara Shoten!" the proprietor himself answered after the second ring.

"Kisuke," Urahara frowned at the gravity in his friend's voice. "It's about Ichigo."

"Oh?" he tried to keep his tone light. "Has the prodigal son returned once again?"

"Aa, but that's not why I called. Ichigo needs an adjustment on his gigai."

"Gigai?" He could imagine Urahara fluttering his fan nervously. "I don't know what-"

"DON'T-" Isshin breathed and continued with his quieter voice. "Don't deny it Kisuke; you killed my son two years ago so that he could rescue Rukia-chan. And now his gigai will start to fail unless it's adjusted or he learns some control."

There was a pause over the line while Urahara gathered his thoughts. "That's what I feared. Do you want your son to know he's in a gigai or continue to believe he's still in the body he was born with? Either way, if we're not careful, we'll have an angry powerhouse on our hands."

"I know." Isshin sighed, "He's going to find out eventually, but until then, I'll find a way to get him to leave his gigai at your shop. How long would you need?"

"Depending on the damage, it could take an hour or all weekend." Isshin nodded and looked in the direction of his son's fluxing reiatsu. "Next weekend then. I'll bring up staying weekends in Seireitei so that he can learn how to be a captain."

"Ah, so he got the promotion then!" Urahara perked up. "Then congratulations are in order!"

Isshin nodded. "I thought Yoruichi would have told you already."

"She did, but it's much more satisfying from the horse's mouth, so to speak. So, until Tuesday?"

"Aa," Isshin confirmed. "I'll be there around seven." With that, Isshin hung up, checked on his children's reiatsu signatures one last time, and went to bed.

"Ichigo…" the whisper came from the back of his mind and he took the cue to sink into his inner world. Opening his eyes, the buildings remained how he was used to them being, at least before the final battle with Aizen all those months ago. Standing on the smooth glass window, he saw the ground to his right, hundreds of feet away, and the tops of the buildings stretched incredibly far to his left, breaking the surface of the flood that still filled his world. Beyond the surface he could see sunlight on the other side, making the water glitter.

"The flood is receding." Zangetsu spoke from behind Ichigo, floating on the subtle current. "Please see that it continues to do so." Ichigo nodded, staring at the surface as if mesmerized.

"At least the rain stopped." He murmured, kicking off to float beside Zangetsu for a moment before swimming towards that teasing barrier between water and air. It seemed to take hours before he was able to touch the surface. Landing, he pressed his hand against the barrier and passed through into the sunlight. As soon as he did so, the world righted itself back to what he was used to. While swimming, there was no up or down, just that shimmering barrier to surpass. Sitting down, he allowed the sun to warm his back as he looked around. The sky was clear overhead with only the odd cloud passing by the sun, but on the horizon, storm clouds brewed, promising the deluge that would happen if he was not careful.

"I never said yes." He finally spoke, staring at Zangetsu's watery visage reflected in the choppy waters, the stiff wind cooling his moist skin.

"But you will." Zangetsu spoke, standing slightly behind Ichigo and to the right. "They know that and you know that."

"Yeah, I will." He nodded silently. "I just don't think I'm ready yet."

"There is no great hurry, Ichigo. But it is also a great honor. The shinigami and your nakama are already aware of your leadership qualities and follow without question."

"But I never asked them to follow. And when I tell them not to; they still come." Ichigo grew frustrated and Zangetsu nodded sagely.

"At times it is he who speaks first that is followed." He tilted his head slightly, "And instinct marks you a leader among men."

"And I should follow my instincts." Ichigo sighed, he had yet to see his hollow, but his presence always tickled the back of his mind. "Within reason." He amended. As much as it was tempted, he would not pin Renji every time the pineapple did something stupid.

Zangetsu hummed in amusement, having heard the errant thought. "True. And now sleep. You have homework to finish before class." With a small grimace, Ichigo nodded and closed his eyes.

Fourteen pages! This is what I get for writing stories in non-standard sized notebooks while I'm stuck with nothing else to do. Right now, I have the second chapter written and the third on the way… but getting them typed up is another matter altogether. I make no promises for updating regularly, but I will honestly try!

Ja ne!

Dark Inu Fan