Bleached

Chapter 6: Christmas holidays (Part 1)

Disclaimer: *heavy sigh* I do not own anything Bleach related.

Zanpakotou speech

*Timeskip: two months after Byakuya becomes Ichigo's student, and it's Christmas*

§Shiba Clan Mansion, Seiretei: Elders' meeting, Winter Solstice §

Shiba Kuukaku was quietly observing Kaien as he got berated by the Elders. Kaien had an unreadable look on his face, which meant to Kuukaku that her brother was planning something. She had been equally as shocked as the Elders evidently were when she learned that Kaien had inducted the kid he found as the future heir of the clan. While it wasn't technically something illegal, it was something that broke all protocol. The fire-works expert had to admit that while the Shibas weren't that big on protocol, inducting an heir without even introducing said person to the Elders' Council of the Clan was something way over the line. She shifted her attention back to what the Council leader, Shiba Kokouto was saying.

"You refused to marry, refused to even look at the potential brides, and provide an heir of true Shiba blood to us, and then inducted a son of a renegade branch member as heir! Without even introducing us to him! Does the Rukon brat even know how the clan operates? Does he even have any kind of reiatsu? Why, Lord Kaien, why did you induct a person you just met as the heir of one the Great Noble Houses?" Kuukaku winced. It seemed like her Kaien nii-san had made a right mess. The Clan head just remained impassive. Someone cleared their throat, bringing the attention to themselves. Kuukaku almost groaned when she saw who it was.

"Now, now, Kokouto-sama, calm down. We all know that...Lord Kaien has always made good decisions in the past. Though, I wonder if choosing a 31 year old is the right choice..." the Elder trailed off, smirking when the room erupted in disbelieved muttering. Kuukaku glared. Shiba Ryuu was the single most despicable man who ha born with the name "Shiba". The man was most likely responsible for assasinating Kuukaku's father, though they coudn't prove it. The slippery eel was too good to be caught. Shiba Ryuu had been after the position of Head of Clan for centuries. And now, dropping a bomb like that...Kuukaku shook her head in disbelief at the cheap shot. Although she was surprised to learn that the new heir was so young...what was Kaien thinking?

"Unbelieveable! Shiba Kaien, is what Council member Shiba Ryuu said true?!" the Council leader Shiba Koukouto thundered, silensing the room. Kaien didn't even twitch.

"Yes." The room erupted in to mutterings once again, and Kokouto looked like he was having a seizure.

"Do you not understand what this means, Kaien? What if the boy does not have reiatsu when he gets older? They can't all be prodigies you know!" True despai was evident in Kokouto's wail. Unfortunately, Ryuu took this oppurtunity to add his own two yen.

"If it should come to that, Kokouto-sama, my son would be automatically selected as the new Head." Kokouto didn't look assured at all. Mainly because Ryuu's son, Shiba Kyuu was a pathetic drunk infamous for raping women. The only reason he wasn't rotting in a cell was because Ryuu kept the right pockets warm. Kuukaku shuddered just thinking about the Clan under him. Kaien cleared his throat, breaking many a person from the horrific imagery of Shiba Kyuu as Clan head.

"I do not think we have to worry about my otuoto having reiatsu. He is already attending the Academy, and is graduating within the year, equalling Ichimaru Gin's record, and breaking all other Academy records ever created." Kaien smirked at the pin drop silence his statement generated. Ryuu sputtered, while Kokouto looked hopeful.

"Oh, really? Well, the Council demands to meet him right now! I want to meet the newest prodigy of the Shiba Clan. Where is he, Lord Kaien?" Kaien sweatdropped at Kokouto's quick change of attitude, while dreading the journey to fetch Ichigo from the Academy.

"He's at the Academy, Kokouto-sama. I am afraid I have to go fetch him, and it may take a while." Kaien explained to the exurbant elder. Kokouto looked pensieve.

"Hmm, well, we can either take break while we wait, or we can extend this meeting to tomorrow. All in favor of extending? Well, extending it it then. We will take a two hour break while you go fetch Heir...what is his name, Lord Kaien?" Kaien smiled.

"Shiba Ichigo."

§ Shinou Academy, Ichigo's and Byakuya's room §

Ichigo sneezed. Again. He'd been constantly sneezing for the past hour, even though he felt fine! Yhwach had suggested something about people talking behind his back, but Ichigo waved it off saying that if that had been the case, he'd never stop sneezing. A silent hum of agreement was his only answer.

"Are you really fine, Ichigo?" Byakuya's voice pulled Ichigo out of his reverie. Ichiog blinked, and gave an imperceptible smile.

"Oh, just fine. Maybe it's something in the air." Byakuya looked sceptical, but let it go. Ichigo thought about the progression of the friendship he had somehow developed with Byakuya. The Shiba heir had helped the Kuchiki heir train in the last 2 months. Ichigo was still quite perplexed about the situation he had somehow landed himself in. He never ever imagined he'd end up teaching, much less Byakuya of all people. Though, he had to admit, the Kuchiki was a good student. He'd achieved his shikai in a matter of days after Ichigo agreed to train him, though Ichigo suspected it was more because his changed attitude than actual progress. Not that he hadn't progressed, of course. And Ichigo now knew the reason fangirls didn't chase Byakuya in the future. Senbonzakura's shikai was good for neutralizing big crowds after all. Now he didn't have to worry about girls jumping at him out of nowhere. The Shiba heir was broken out of his reverie once again when someone knocked on his door. Judging by the reiatsu, he'd have to guess that it was Kaien. Though he couldn't understand why the clan head would meet him in the middle of the afternoon, on a weekday. Kaien knew that Ichigo had class in half an hour.

" I've got a weird feeling about this, King." Shiro said cautiously. Ichigo frowned in response. The Shiba clan heir finally got up and opened the door. He was, unfortunately, completely unprepared for what followed.

"Ah, Ichigo, my dear otouto! I've come to fetch you, you are to be introduced to the Elders. Don't look at me like that! You knew this was coming! And by the Reiou, you can't go there looking like this! We have to hurry so you can make you ready to face the Council. First impressions and all that. Come on, we only have an hour and a half to get you ready! And don't worry about class, I explained your absence to Onobara, and he send his condolences, and wishes you an early merry Christmas. Your attendance is optional anyway." With that the Shiba Clan leader grabbed a stunned Ichigo and shunpoed away. Byakuya blinked. And then he winced. Council meeting, huh? He didn't envy Ichigo at all.

§ Shiba Clan Mansion §

One Shiba Ichigo, formerly known as Kurosaki Ichigo, the nightmare to all hollows, the defeater of Aizen, was currently very, very, afraid. As it turned out, apparently the Elders had required his presence, which he was fine with. He then had to be bathed, and clothed in to expensive clothing to "not look like a street rat", which, though uncomfortable, he was fine with. What he wasn't fine with, however, was the fact that there three women, three very creepy women who were supposed to bath and clothe him. They had been staring at him constantly under the process, hands lingering longer than they should in inappropiate places, or touching him un-nessecerily, gazes his every move. And now, as they were done after an hour and a half of torture, he was subjugated to three very aroused stares. One the women licked her lips. Now he was frantically looking for exists out of the hellhole. Luckily, that was the moment Kaien chose to interrupt. Ichigo never thought he'd be more grateful for another male's presence in his life.

"Hey, Ichigo, are you done? The meeting's about to start..." the Shiba clan head trailed off, looking at Ichigo. He couldn't believe his otouto could look more handsome than he already was, but he was apparently wrong. In a white kimono, with a red dragon design, his otouto was going to break many hearts today. And it complimented his orange locks well, too. His otouto's hair was pulled in a loose braid that was slung casually over his shoulder. And his zanpakotou was beside his hips, in it's shorter form of a trench knife. In short, Ichigo looked the definition of 'god'. Said 'god' was feeling very uncomfortable.

"What?! Why are you staring at me like that, Kaien?" Ichigo snapped, feeling even more creeped out. Kaien blinked, and a wide grin spread over his face.

"You'll make an impression, alright! Now, behave impassively, and don't let anyone under your skin. I know it's hard to believe, but there are some people on the council who would like nothing more than our heads on a platter. Golden platter. And when we are done, you have to dine at home. Kuukaku insisted, also Isshin-jii and Kokouto-jii would like to meet you personally. And enter after I call upon you." Ichigo just nodded along to everything Kaien was saying, eager to get out of reach of the Creepy trio. At this point he'd agree to kill the soutaicho, just to get out of there. So the orange haired man failed to notice that Kaien had just announced that he was going to get re-acquenticed with his past-future father.

Once they'd reached the doors to the meeting hall, Kaien cleared his face of any emotion, adopting an impassive expression. Ichigo raised an eyebrow, but adopted an identical expression. The guards standing outside the meeting hall shivered at the likeness the two brothers shared. Kaien motioned to said guards to open the doors, and went inside, motioning to Ichigo to wait. The meeting room ehich had been filled with chatter, abruptly fell silent as the esteemed Head of Clan stepped back in. They started to mutter between themselves again when they noticed that Kaien was without company. Shiba Ryuu smirked, sensing a (false) victory, and a chance to instate his pathetic son as heir.

"Ah, Lord Kaien, where is the prodigious Heir of Clan Shiba? Could it be that you were only bluffing when you claimed-" the Elder's voice was cut off when Kaien announced the arrival of his brother.

"Esteemed Elders, Kokouto-sama, may I present to you, Shiba Ichigo, Heir of Clan Shiba." As Ichigo stepped in, Kaien allowed himself a vindictive smirk at the expression of Shiba Ryuu. The man was slack-jawed, and was blinking rapidly, as if to confirm what he was seeing. Not that the rest of the Council was doin any better. Poor Ichigo was the center of attention for every single female in the room. Kaien even heard some aroused moans, making him shiver in disgust. Poor Ichigo looked disturbed. Kokouto blinked i shocked surprise, before he pulled himself together and proceeded on with the meeting.

"Welcome, Heir Lord Ichigo. The Council is delighted to finally meet you. Now, Lord Kaien told us a bit about your abilities, which, judging from your reiatsu, are completely true. What level did you achieve?" Kaien answered the old man's query before Ichigo could, making the younger of the two scowl lightly.

" He achieved Level 9, high fukutaicho or low captain-level." Kaien paused, letting it sink in before he dropped the bomb which would secure Ichigo's position as heir. "...without showing his shikai." The cacophony of sound that followed was music to Kaien's ears. Kokouto looked positively orgasmic(disturbing) while Ryuu looked livid. Kaien's mental victory dance (AN:Destorm's awesome!) was cut off by the venoumous voice of the murderer of his father.

" Shikai, really? I thought your lies couldn't get any more presposterous, Lord Kaien. If young Heir Lord has indeed achieved shikai, I demand a demostration of it." Before the enraged Clan Head could answer, he was beaten by the Heir Lord.

"Very well. Who will be my opponent?" Ryuu looked surprised by Ichigo's quick answer. His plan seemed to have backfired, Kaien thought amusedly. The Shiba Clan Head was surprised himself, but he wasn't very worried. Ichigo could wipe the floor with every fighter in the room blindfolded, including Kaien. Ryuu was probably going to name himself as the opponent as the man was a 3rd seat in the Onmitsukido. As expected, Ryuu smirked rising from his seat. Kaien would enjoy seeing him getting beaten.

"I will be your opponent, child." the arrogant man announced. Ichigo nodded his acceptance, though Kaien could see the irritation at being called a child clearly through his mask. Kokouto sighed in defeat.

"Very well. The Council will all attend the fight, which wil take place in 20 minutes in the Shiba training grounds." the man announced

"Any ground rules?" the orange haired man asked Ryuu. Said man smirked, knowing that he was allowed to lay his own rules for this fight. And Kaien wasn't very surprised when he heard the man's answer, though it seemed like the rest of the Council, judging by the gasps.

"The fight isn't over until one of us dies. Shiba Ryuu, infant, remember that name." Ichigo looked visibly surprised, casting a questioning look towards Kaien, who nodded imperciptably, answering the orange haired man un-asked question about the validity of the rule.

'It seems like our otouto will avenge you today, father.' Kaien thought as walked towards the Clan's private training grounds, the council following him. A tap on his shoulder shifted his attention towards Kuukaku. His sister wore a grim expression.

"Will Oya-jii be avenged today, nii-san?" Kuukaku asked quietly, confirming Kaien's suspicions that the same thing was going through his sister's head. Kaien nodded solemnly. Yes, he was going to enjoy today.

§ The Shiba training Grounds§

Ichigo was watching his opponent impassively. From what he'd gathered from Kaien's reactions to this man, he was probably the designated heir before Ichigo got inducted. And now his opponent had declared the match to be to be fought till one of them was dead, probably looking to remove the Ichigo-shaped obstacle from his race to the Clan's headship. Ichigo scoffed inwardly, as if that was ever going to happen. Ichigo had no qualms about killing this man. Kaien was right, the Shibas did have a talent of seeing the hearts of people, only in Ichigo it was ten times stronger(unsurprisingly), making him able to read, or rather hear thoughts. Most of the time he shut it off, like any sane and un-invasive invidual, only saving it to use for certain battles and to read any knew people he accepted into his inner circle.

And when Shiba Ryuu had announced the fight to end with the death of one of them, the orange haired prodigy had allowed himself a quick peek into his declared opponent's thoughts, and found himself reeling in disgust. If Ichigo had any thought of sparing the Elder, they went out the garganta. Apparently this...thing who dared to call himself a Shiba, had several skeletons in his closet. Ichigo cast a quick look towards Kaien and Kuukaku, who were both seated in the stands. He couldn't understand how his brother could stand being in the same room as his father's killer. Ichigo shook his head. and refocused on the fight.

There was still 5 minutes till it began, but it seemed like Ryuu was ready. The 20 minutes interlude was only there because the Central 46 apparently needed to be notified when a noble from one of the Four Great Houses entered a fatality-based fight. And now two nobles were entering a fight. Just as he thought, a Hell butterfly came through and landed at the Head of Council's finger. He listened to it's message, before he turned to arena and signalled the fight to be begun. Ryuu smirked arrogantly.

"Get ready, infant. Shikai, hah! I doubt you even can do a simple shunpo. Kaien might fool everyone else, but I know better. Now get ready to be penalized!" With that, the Elder launched himself at to Ryuu or Ichigo, Kaien had instilled a kido on the fighting ground, making the Council-members able to hear every single word. Why he'd done so, was a mystery to even him, but a gut feeling told him that it was important that the Council heard whatever that was said on th field. Ichigo was silent after hearing the taunt, and sidestepped the admittedly fast attack pointedly with a flicker of shunpo, surprising his attacker. In a milisecond, he had his trench knife at Ryuu's throat.

"Just like you penalized Shiba Saien?" Ichigo's soft query panicked the Elder, and sent the Council into a shocked silence. Ryuu shunpoed as far away from Ichigo as he could get. His eyes were making frantic motions, he was truly panicked. He hadn't expected in his wildest dreams that Kaien had actually been telling the truth about the Heir Lord. This could prove to be a hassle, even though the Elder thought he had the advantage of experience. He put on a sneer. After all, what was said in the arena between the Heir and the Elder, would stay between them.

"Ah, so you somehow know of Saien's untimely death, and the truth behind it. How , I must ask you how you know of it. Was it perhaps your elder brother who told you?" the Elder answered, sending the Council into disbelieving mutterings. This was treason of the highest calibre, killing your own blood. Ichigo remained impassive outwardly, though inwardly he was seething in disgust at the Elder's self-assuredness of not being caught. In a flicker of shunpo, he attacked the arrogant bastard head on, each slash and stab meeting it's mark. It was not long before Shiba Ryuu was a bloodied mess, barely hanging onto life. Ichigo brought his trench knife to Ryuu's throat one last time.

"Since it was your last query, I will answer it. Because of my high reiatsu as a child, my Sensing(the name of the hidden Shiba talent) was strong. As my reiatsu grew, so did my Sense. It is so strong, it allows me to hear thoughts. And you were thinking of how you enjoy would killing me, like you enjoyed killing Saien. Farewell, Shiba Ryuu, and may you always burn in Hell." With that, Ichigo cut Ryuu's throat. Kokouto's announcement of the winner was cut off as th Gates of Hell opened, once again stunning the Council. Even Kaien looked surprised. There should be a lot of evil to be done if you were born a soul to end up in Hell. Apparently Ryuu had achieved that feat. As the Gates closed, Kokouto pulled himself together and (un-nessecarily) announced the winner.

"Winner: Heir Lord Ichigo." A polite applause from the Council followed. As Ichigo reached the stands, he was taken into a bone-crushing hug by Kuukaku.

"Thank you! Thank you!" She repeated several times before letting go. Kaien just stood there with an unreadable look on his face before he finally said his thoughts.

"You got some filth on your kimono, Ichigo. Be careful next time." Ichigo blinked before he noticed that the hem of his kimono had been dirtied by some of Ryuu's blood. Shiro voiced his thoughts.

"Now we know why he'd been emittin' so much killin' intent when he went to fetch you, and why there was always an angsty feelin' to his reiatsu. That man must have been a real pain in the ass." Ichigo thought that was an understatement if he ever heard one. Yhwach agreed.

Next: Christmas (part 2)