He was running. His heart was in his mouth, and he was almost hyperventilating. He was sweating so much that his unifo5rm was getting soaked. The Shiba clan heaad was panicking as the presence behind him closed in on him. The brunette looked frantically around for places to hide, to disappear, anything to get away from the presence that was now emitting so much killing intent that the prodigious fukutaichou was beginning to suffocate. He cast a panicked glance behind him. He then observed something that was quite a common sight in Seireitei on weekends. The Captain of Squad 5,8 and 13 walking along to wherever. The panicked man cried in relief.

"UKITAKE TAICHOU! PLEASE SAVE ME!" Kaien shouted as he quickly hid behind his (terminally ill) taichou. The Captains all blinked, exchanging confused glances with each other.

"What are ya hiding from, Kaien? For that matter, why are ya hiding? Ya didn't piss off Kuukaku-san, did ya?" the Captain of Squad 5, Hirako Shinji asked the terrified man. Kaien shook his head.

"Not Kuukaku, Captain Hirako, someone much more dangerou-" the fukutaichou's explanation was cut short as an apparent twin of his, but with waist length orange hair appeared in front of the three captains, with his sizeable zanpakotou drawn. Kaien yelped in fright, begging his taichou to save him. The twin of the frightened man scowled, an expression that oddly seemed to fit him, in the united opinion of the Captains. The man seemed to be making towards retrieving the cowering mess known to the world as Kaien Shiba, but Kyouraku Shunsui, Captain of Squad 8 picked that moment to take pity on the poor man, and intervened.

"Maa, why don't you introduce yourself to us before you molest our dear Kaien-chan?" the lazy-mannered man said, insulting both of the Shibas in a single query. Kaien didn't know whether to be horrified or grateful, so he settled for constipation, while Ichigo's mind decided that moment to loose control over his mouth.

"I am Shiba Ichigo, heir apparent to the Shiba clan. I don't want to molest this idiot, I want to skewer him, you lazy, drunk, fashion disaster!" the orange haired man shouted in Shunsui's shocked face. The stunned silence that followed was broken by Shinji's cackling and Ukitake's chuckles. Shunsui just had a stunned look on his, telling the world what the world what he thought of being talked to like that. Meanwhile, Ichigo was mentally beating himself up. He had frgotten that his mentor Shunsui was long lost, and that this was a lot younger and less calm version of the man that would eventually be Captain Commander. Also the fact that you could insult Shunsui lazy attitude to the moon and back, and his drinking habits to the sun, but you never, ever -

"Did you just insult my incredible, awesome, amazing, extraordinary fashion sense?!" the calmest Captain of the Gotei 13 said angrily, hands going towards his zanpakotous. Ichigo maintained a scowling facade, but mentally winced. The Shiba heir's mind was racing. In the end he decided to just go with the flow, as he was confident in his ability to handle Shunsui, of it came down to it. After all, sparring for two months straight makes one familiar with the opponent, and this Shunsui hadn't done that.

Yet, anyways' the orange haired man thought morosely. On the outside, he reinforced his scowl. Besides, Ichigo took much pride in the fact that he was the only one who made Shunsui loose his cool. He knew that they were more alike than people thought, which was why they had become such good friends during the Wars, Ichigo knew that the lazy man often hid his scowls behind lazy smirks, and Shunsui had known that Ichigo hid his rare smiles behind scowls. Ichigo took a deep breath.

" Yeah, I insulted your fashion sense! Who the fuck wears a pink kimono with a straw hat anyways?! With your complexion, a simple blue kimono would have done the trick, and get rid of that horrid hat! Who are you anyway?! Don't look at me like that, Kaien! I had two sisters, and a seamstress as a mother. You can't not know about fashion if you have to survive in such a household! Now come out from your hiding place, I still have to kill you!" Ichigo mentally patted himself on the back. Shunsui seemed to have developed an eye-twitch as Shinji howled with laughter, and Kaien groaned, his momentary relief gone.

"Why you little!-" Shunsui's rant was cut off as Ukitake coughed lightly.

" We are right outside my Squad's quarters. Why don't we have some tea as we work this out as adults?" the white haired mansuggested. Both Ichigo and Shunsui scowled and "tch"-ed, in perfect syncronisation, causing Shinji another fit of laughter. Kaien released a sigh of relief. Finally, he was free from the demon that was Ichigo's wrath, though he thought that this was only a tip of the ice-berg. Kaien wondered why his brother was after him in the first place. He had only finished breakfast, when Ichigo appeared out of nowhere and began yelling various threats. It would've been funny, but the shear killing intent his baby brother was on par with a Menos Grande. Once they were all comfortably seated in the Squad-quarters, Ukitake began to ask the question that was on everybody's mind.

"So, Kaien, I didn't know you had a brother like Ichigo here. Would you mind explaining? And why was he chasing you all over Seireitei?" Kaien scratched his head, expression sheepish.

"Ah, that's because Ichigo was only adopted a few days ago. He was born to a runaway Shiba in Rukon, you see. But because his family was killed a year ago, by a Menos. He decided to find the rest of the Clan, as per his father's wishes. As for his reason to hunting me, well, ask him." Kaien ended his explanation by pointing a finger in Ichigo's general direction. The Captains now turned their heads towards the orange-head, though Shunsui was still glaring. Ichigo glared disbelievingly at Kaien for a full minute, before he ducked his head and mumbled something, cheeks slightly flushed in embarrassment.

"What was that? I didn't quite catch it..." Ukitake said hesitantly, Ichigo groaned and glared at Kaien with such force that the man flinched.

" I said that he embarrassed me! After hearing the results to my entrance exams, he fainted and began moaning like a bitch in heat while I was piggybacking him, about sake of all things! I thougt I was going to die of embarrassment, but after Onobara began laughing I decided that older brother or not, he needs to die!" the irritated Shiba yelled. There was stunned silence for all of three minutes before Kaien let his head fall down on his desk with a resounding thud, and Shinji and Shunsui erupted into howling racuous laughter. Ichigo turned so red he could pass as a living human shaped Strawberry, while Ukitake was sending the poor boy a sympathetic smile, before he uncharacteristically frowned, which caused the laughter to subside, though both Shunsui and Shinji were sporting smirks.

"You said that Kaien fainted after hearing your results? They couldn't be bad, if your reiatsu is anything to go by. Why did youfaint, Fukutaichou Shiba?" Kaien winced a little at the formal adress, but stuck out his chest like a proud mother hen.

"Oh, Ukitake-taichou! You wouldn't believe what kind of praise my cousin was rained in from Onobara! You see, my baby brother broke every record of the Academy! He was so good, that the shitty geeze-I mean, Onobara said that he could probably become a full-fledged Shinigami today!My baby brother already has SHIKAI! But unfortunately he has to attend a year at the Academy, because people would think that th clan pulled some strings to get him out of the Academy, so he has to attend classes with the Advanced Sixth years. And the most amazing thing about him is that he is ONLY 31!" Kaien yelled out with such pride that Ichigo was embarrassed further. The Captains present were all once again left stunned to silence, and both Ukitake and Shinji sent impressed looks towards the emabarrassed angry mess that was Ichigo. As for Shunsui, he blinked twice in surprise, before he snorted derisively.

"So the barking dog has some bite. Well, infant, if you think that achieving Shikai is impressive, then you got another thing coming." the Captain of the 8th Squad sneered, despite being impressed by Ichigo's numerous achievements. If possible, Ichigo looked more muderous than ever.

'That's it! I know Shunsui was going to be less mature, but the nutjob's being downright arrogant! He needs to be taken down a peg or a thousand!' the newest prodigy of the Shiba Clan fumed.

"Shut up, you drunk! Who are you anyway?!" Ichigo yelled in Shunsui's face, baiting him. The famous Captain blinked, jaw dropping to the ground in disbelief. Ukitake intervened once again, sensing the inevitable blow up.

"Ah, Ichigo-kun, my bad, I forgot to intruduce my friends and myself. My name is Ukitake Jushiro, Captain of Squad 13, and your brothers' superior. This man who has been laughing non-stop is Hirako Shinji, Captain of Squad 5, and lastly this is Kyouraku Shunsui, Captain of Squad 8." the now "identified" Captain of the 13th Squad told Ichigo. Ichigo gave Ukitake a respectful nod, and a less respectful nod to Shinji, before he turned to Shunsui with a mental smirk, and a look of disbelief painted on his face.

"This drunk is a Captain?! Can he even hold a sword? I bet he hasn't ever seen a hollow." the orange haired prodigy sneered, making the calmest Captain of the Gotei 13 loose his cool for real.

"OH, YEAH?! WELL, COME OUT IN THE TRAINING GROUND! I'LL SHOW YOU HOW I CUT DOWN A THOUSAND HOLLOWS FOR MY CAPTAIN'S TEST! KAIEN, I DON'T CARE IF HE IS AN INFANT, AND YOUR BROTHER! THIS KID IS GOING DOWN!" Shunsui bellowed on top of his lungs, releasing a huge amount of reaitsu and frightening a lot of the lower ranking Shinigami in the whole of Seireitei. The enraged man stomped out of the 13th Captain's office, heading for the trainig grounds which he knew wer designed to contain bankais. Ukitake sighed, knowing that Shunsui was on a warpath, and it was beyond even the Soul King to stop the enraged man. Shinji had a look of wary amusement and excitement on his face. The Captain hadn't seen a good fight in ages, and he was rooting for the prodigy and the Captain to get the steam out of their system. Kaien just looked horrified, while Ichigo, who was inwardly cackling along with Shiro scowled outwardly, trailing after the future Captain-Commander.

§Two hours later§

Shunsui was frustrated. Two hours into the sparring match and neither of the opponents seemed to be falling down anytime soon. The dual blade wielder had been forced to draw both his blades, despite his oppnent only wielding one blade, though it was monstrously big, looking like an overgrown kitchen knife. The Captain of the 8th was covered in small cuts and bruises, while his opponent looked no worse for wear. Shunsui gritted his teeth, and made up his mind. He was going to release his shikai. It was embarrassing enough that this infant Shiba was seemingly defeating him in his unreleased state, but there was no way Kyouraku was letting himself go down that easily. He took a deep breath.

"Alright, infant! It seems like you have some bite to your bark, which has forced me to cosider releasing my shikai! Behold! Flower Wind Rage and Flower God Roar! Heavenly Wind Rage and Heavenly Wind Sneer! Katen Kyokotso!" the force of Shunsui's release almost broke the barrier which was designed to hold in any bankai. Ichigo smirked. Finally the old man was taking him seriously! Well, he had to just match up wouldn't he?

"Is that all you can do old man?! Well, looks like I have to release my zanpakotou as well." Shunsui's eyes widened. He thought that the brat was already released! An immense spiritual pressure emerged from Ichigo, nearly choking all the Shinigami who had come to the training arena to watch what was already dubbed "the fight of the century". Kaien was in to minds. He was horrified and somewhat amazed that his brother had somehow irked Shunsui. On the other hand he was proud of the fact that Ichigo was pushing Shunsui to actually do something. There had been at least five centuries since the lazy man had come to a trainig arena. He was sure that this fight would push the man to realise that slacking off wasn't doing him any good. Maybe Lisa-chan would send a thank you-gift to Ichigo for kicking Shunsui's ass in gear.

"Tear the Heavens asunder! Zangetsu!" this time the weakened barrier did break, leaving the whole of Seireitei to feel the immense pressure of the combined reiatsu of both Ichigo and Shunsui. In his office, the Captain-Commander, one Yamamoto Shingekuni Genryuusai snappen his head up, and gave a small smirk. It looked like Shunsui just met his match. Meanwhile, Shunsui was regretting his decision to fight wholeheartedly. He was going to take a nap this afternoon, but it looked like this menace was going to keep him occupied. The Captain was debating ways to get out of this mess. He looked at his oppnent and blinked in surprise. It looked like the little bugger was a dual wielder. A too big kitchen knife in one hand, and a trench knife in the other, with an all black outfit, the boy looked like the definition of Death God. Suddenly there were two very sharp blades at his throat. The orange haired menace had the gall to smirk.

"Yield?" Ichigo knew that for some reason, his former-future-mentor was dependant on his afternoon nap. So he very deliberately used a combination of sonido and shunpo to get there and catch the Captain by surprise, knowing that only an apocalypse would keep the man from yielding and sacrificing his nap.

"Ah, yes. Let's just go. It was getting boring anyway. Say, Ichi-chan, mind considering the 8th for your home after your graduation?" While Ichigo was yelling at Shunsui for butchering his name, the anti-climatic ending to the fight surprised, and disappoited many of the assembled shinigami. Kaien just breathed a sigh of relief as he and Ukitake made their way to the middle of the training ground, where Shunsui was back to having a lazy smile, and Ichigo was back to sporting a frown.

"Amazing, Ichigo! No wonder the shitty geezer Onobara was so impressed!Oh, and Captain Hiroko had to go, Squad work." Kaien explained to Ichigo. Ukitake was about to say something when he was overcome with a coughing fit.

"Captain, are you okay?! Do you need me to take you the 4th?" the Shiba clan head was frantic, trying to help the sickly Captain.

"Ah, Kaien, I'm just fine, just a small fit this time." Kaien scowled at Ukitake's remark about his health, which caused both Ukitake and Shunsui to blink at the similarity between Kaien and Ichigo. Meanwhile, Ichigo was debating how to tell Ukitake that the living world had developed a cure for his disease, commonly known as Tuberculocis.(AN: just go with the flow peeps)

"That sounds like a terrible cough. I think you might have tuborculocis." the orange haired said bluntly, causing three heads to swivel in his direction.

"Tuberculocis, you say? What is that?" Ukitake asked curiously.

"Well, my mom was apparently a doctor when she was alive, and her high spiritual pressure allowed her to remember most of her life. She teached me a lot about the medical science, and how to spot different diseases. Tuborculocis is a lung disease, which can be treated and cured in the human world. I think you might have died with the disease when you were alive, and it lingered in your spirit." Ichigo explained to his wide-eyed audience. In his mind Shiro was giving him a standing ovation.

"Really? A cure?" Ukitake sounded hopeful. Ichigo nodded.

"It might take a few months-" Ichigo was interrupted by, surprisingly, Shunsui.

"Juu-chan can be cured for the disease he's had for centuries in months?! Well, young Ichigo, it seems like you have something between your ears, and because you told of such an option, I will let your remarks about my fashion-sense go. Now, let's go to Yama-jii." the eccentric man then grabbed Ichigo's hand while he shunpoed towards the 1st division quarters, ignoring the prodigy's protests while leaving a bemused Ukitake and Kaien to follow them.

§Shinou Academy, two months later§

"There he is, with that long orange hair"

"Oh, I wonder if it's as soft as it looks"

"I heard he's the top of the Sixth year-class, and it's only his first year!"

"And he's friends with Kuchiki Byakuya! Seeing those together is like seeing a vision of true heaven!"

"He's supposedly already at fukutaiochou-level. And did you hear? He's only 31!"

"Ooh, that's too bad. I don't wanna be a cradle-robber."

"Yeah, but when the cradle so shiny...I think I would go for it."

"He's so handsome! I bet some of the guys have gone gay for him!"

"And his scowl is so adorable!"

Ichigo's scowl was bordering on being murderous. Beside him, Byakuya Kuchiki laughed at his friends' misery. Said friend turned his scorching glare towards the Kuciki, which had no effect on the man, as he was used to it. Ichigo almost gave in to the urge to bang his or sommeone else's head. In the two months he had attended the Academy, he had amassed a following of the most fearful creatures in the universes; fangirls! it had gotten so bad he couldn't sleep at night. Last he heard there were being written fanfictions about him.Yaoi fanfictions. Ichigo shuddered. The worst part was that everyday some chick would work up her courage to speak to him, and confess. The awkward rejection he had to give without making the girls cry were cringeworthy. The worst part was that his ne friend Byakuya seemed to be enjoying every moment of Ichigo's misery. How they had become friends still puzzled Ichigo. He had been minding his own business, hiding from a horde of rabid fangirls when the Kuchiki appeared beside him, sending him a sympathetic look. It was weird for Ichigo to see his one-time cold friend expressing his feelings so openly, and without his haori and kenseikan. The Kuchiki heir's shoulder length was loose, and he seemed relaxed. Ichigo tried to not remember the way Byakuya died.

"You too?" the raven haired male had said to the prodigy. Ichigo had blinked in confusion.

"I mean the fangirls. They were all chasing me, like the rabid creatures they are. But it seems like they have found a new target named Shiba Ichigo, the new heir of the Shiba Clan. Poor guy, I feel for him. My name is Kuchiki Byakuya, you can call me Byakuya, I don't like honorifics." The Kuchiki heir explained to a bemused Ichigo, who blinked in surprise before giving Byakuya a wry smile.

"Shiba Ichigo. But you can call me Ichigo, I don't like honorifics either." The reply had brought a light flush to Byakuya's cheeks, but he quickly recovered, smiling at the situation. From there all bets were off, according to Byakuya. They had been practically inseperable since then, mainly because it turned out that they shared all the classes, and the same dorm room. Also because Byakuya was the only one who Ichigo could be in close quarters with without wanting to run for the hills.