Hey friends and fans, Kairomaru is bringing you another chapter of Force of Souls! The Soul Society is moving to recover from the loss of three Captains turned traitor and prepare for a war against Aizen and whatever forces he has within Hueco Mundo. But other issues have come up in the course of the ryoka invasion that must be addressed. Ichigo is about to be VERY surprised.
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So, without further delay, please enjoy.
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Chapter 41 – Truth of Heritage
Five pillars, resplendent in purposeThree long ancient, two for new tasksUnaware you liveThe current trembles,Welcoming home with purpose
The day after Ichigo had woken up was seemingly normal. The Seireitei continued its operations, though all the Squads were stretched a little thinner than usual as the Third, Fifth, and Ninth Squads were all locked down with every member detained for questioning by the Second Squad and the Onmitsukidō. The former ryoka were given permission to wander about, so long as they didn’t cause any trouble. Early in the morning, after a quick breakfast, Chad had gone back to the first Rukongai district to carry Yuichi around again, and to try and help the boy find his mother while they still had a bit of time in the Soul Society. Tatsuki and Orihime were both getting breakfast at the moment from the Fourth Squad cafeteria, planning to bring meals back for Ichigo and Rukia.
As for the Rukia and Ichigo themselves…
“Ichigo…” Rukia breathed out hotly as they moved together, their bodies connected in the most intimate way possible as she rode Ichigo’s cock, rolling and bouncing her hips.
Ichigo rumbled out in pleasure as he thrust up to meet Rukia’s bounces, the two of them celebrating their reunion in the best way they knew how. “Beautiful.” He said, warm brown eyes meeting smoldering violet as they continued to move together, following their own rhythm. Rukia’s hands on his chest for balance as she picked up the pace of her bounces while Ichigo’s hands massaged and groped her ass, helping her bounce up and down his cock faster.
Rukia moaned lowly, both of them knowing they had to be quiet or they might be caught. “Faster…harder…” She panted and gasped, sweat forming on her body as she moved faster, chasing another orgasm.
“Rukia…” Ichigo grunted out as her tight heat squeezed him as Rukia approached her peak. He thrust upwards with greater intensity, Rukia’s smaller body bouncing higher and her moaning grew louder as each and every thrust now reached her deepest spot. “I’m gonna…”
“Inside…again…” Rukia buried Ichigo’s cock into her pussy and rolled her hips, grinding his hard length against her walls as she shook and bit her lip to stifle her cry of passion while crashing over the edge into another climax.
Ichigo pulled Rukia down and kissed her lips, swallowing her moans as he wrapped his arms around her and pumped shot after shot of his cum into her pussy. Every pulse flooded her with more thick seed as Rukia clung to him and deepened their kiss, their tongues entwining as they poured their love and affection into the intense climax they were sharing together.
“Mmm…” Ichigo let out a satisfied groan from deep within his chest as he slowly came down from his sexual high, still holding Rukia on top of him. Their height difference truly showed in these intimate moments as Rukia’s smaller body fit so nicely atop Ichigo’s while they lay together in the afterglow.
Rukia nuzzled into Ichigo’s neck, breathing in his scent that she’d missed since they’d been separated. “Love you.” She murmured and left a soft kiss on Ichigo’s neck, her body still tingling with pleasure. “Ooohh~” She moaned softly as Ichigo’s half-hard cock slowly slipped out of her and she felt a bit of the pleasant heat within her escape her lower lips.
Ichigo’s hand softly trailed up and down Rukia’s bare back as he held her close. “Love you too.” He said warmly, tilting his head slightly to leave a kiss on her cheek.
“Mmm~” Rukia hummed in bliss as she rested in Ichigo’s arms for the first time in far too long, in her opinion. Her time stuck in the Senzaikyū hadn’t done her Reiryoku any favors, but she and Ichigo’s ‘celebration’ was certainly fixing that problem quickly.
The sunlight streaming into the room from the closed window indicated the early morning was passing and the Fourth Squad members would be making morning rounds soon enough. Ichigo didn’t want anyone to catch them in this situation, that would be more than a bit embarrassing. Rukia was of the same mind, however…
“Again?” Ichigo blinked when Rukia started to gently rub her body against his, her soft curves creating pleasurable sensation against his harder muscles. Her nipples were hard as they trailed across his skin, her small breasts moving up and down slightly as she looked into Ichigo’s eyes.
“We have time for one more round…” Rukia said with a little grin, her violet eyes filled with love and desire.
‘That’s what she said about the last round.’ Ichigo thought to himself, even as his hands trailed down Rukia’s bare back and began to grope and massage her nice peach-shaped ass.
Rukia moaned softly as Ichigo played with her ass, only to gasp when he flipped their positions and pinned her to the bed. “Someone’s still eager.” She teased with half-lidded eyes.
Ichigo grinned down at her. “We need this round to be a quickie, so I’m not holding back.” He eased himself into Rukia’s well-fucked pussy and then thrust forward in one long, powerful thrust, making Rukia gasp and her body tremble.
“M-More…” Rukia nearly slurred out, her legs wrapping around Ichigo’s hips and locking her ankles together so that he couldn’t pull out of her.
“I’ll give you more.” Ichigo nearly growled as he started fucking Rukia with intense thrusts that pounded her into the mattress, using all the strength of his hips to absolutely fuck his lover stupid this time around and end their little morning sex marathon.
-Shihōin Clan Guest Quarters-
Kūkaku had only just finished her breakfast when Yoruichi handed her a sealed message that was marked by the old emblem that represented the Five Great Noble Clans of the Seireitei. The grin on Yoruichi’s face was telling, but Kūkaku smirked as she burst her friend’s bubble. “I already know what it says.”
Yoruichi’s smirk turned into a pout. “Ruin my fun.”
“You’ll get over it.” Kūkaku said as she took the message and opened it. Reading over the contents, Kūkaku confirmed that the Shiba Clan was a Great Noble Clan once more. “Well, that gives me stuff that I need to do.”
“Welcome back to the club.” Yoruichi grinned at Kūkaku, ribbing her friend about both of them now about to be bogged down with various Great Noble Clan duties.
Kūkaku waved that off without a care. Sure, she had things to do now that the Shiba Clan was expected to uphold Great Noble status again, but they’d never much cared about the stiff formality and other such things. They did their duties as they’d done since time immemorial and if any other duties were requested of them, the Clan decided whether or not to take them on. There weren’t many that could forcefully assign them duties, after all…so the Shiba—or any Great Noble Clan—could say ‘No’ at their own discretion. “First and foremost, I’ll need to tell Ichigo about his heritage, because apparently uncle Isshin couldn’t be bothered to.” She tsked at that as she stood up.
Yoruichi looked around, not seeing Ganju anywhere. “Where’d your little brother go?”
“He’s out ‘thinking’.” Kūkaku said with a tone that made it clear she only half-believed what Ganju had said. “If I had to guess, he’s coming to terms with a part of our family still existing since it’s just been us for so long now. Becoming a Great Noble Clan again is only going to give him more to think about, I’m sure.”
“Well, shall we go tell Ichigo the truth?” Yoruichi said with a grin.
Kūkaku raised an eyebrow at her friend (sometimes ‘friend with benefits’) curiously. “I’m the one that needs to tell him the truth of his heritage, what ‘truth’ you gonna tell him?”
Yoruichi’s grin turned into a sexy smirk. “That he’s got two beautiful women that want to join his polycule, of course.”
“You didn’t waste any time, did you, horny cat?” Kūkaku rolled her eyes at Yoruichi.
“Like you aren’t interested.” Yoruichi shot right back with a laugh.
Kūkaku smirked and thrust her chest out, her large tits bouncing. “I never said that.”
The two headed for the front gate of the Shihōin Clan grounds and would Shunpo from there towards where Ichigo should be.
-Squad Four Gardens-
The well-kept garden of the Fourth Squad was a place of tranquil beauty and nature that was meant to assist with healing, both physical and mental, especially for long-term patients. But they were equally good for Ichigo getting back on his feet and walking around with his girlfriends after all the fighting they’d had to go through.
“Rukia.” Ukitake called out to the group of four as he approached, a gentle smile on his face.
“Oh, Captain Ukitake.” Rukia greeted her Captain with a respectful bow. “How are you today, sir?”
Ukitake chuckled lightly. “I came here to see how you were doing, in fact. I know being within the Senzaikyū isn’t good for one’s Reiryoku.” He could sense that Rukia’s Reiatsu was stable and surprisingly felt as strong, if not a little stronger, than before she’d left for her mission to the Jureichi.
Rukia gave her Captain a thankful smile. “I’m doing alright, Captain. Thank you for coming to see me.”
“Glad to hear it.” Ukitake said with genuine relief in his tone. “You certainly look energetic.”
“Succubus…” Ichigo muttered under his breath.
Ukitake looked towards Ichigo. “Did you say something, Kurosaki-san?”
Rukia elbowed Ichigo in the side, making him hack out a cough. “Nothing at all, Captain.” She smiled up at Ukitake, nearly sparkling.
“Alright then…” Ukitake said, briefly looking between Rukia and Ichigo. “It’s nice to see you as well, Inoue-san, Arisawa-san.” He greeted the two young women with a warm smile as well.
“Good morning, sir.” Tatsuki returned the greeting politely. The fact that this was Rukia’s Captain and he had done everything he could to stop Rukia’s execution meant he deserved respect in her opinion.
Orihime, ever bright and bubbly, greeted Ukitake with a brilliant smile. “Good morning, Captain Ukitake!”
Ukitake chuckled at Orihime’s energy and brightness. “I’m glad that you all seem well. I had a short break and wanted to check on Rukia since everything was rather chaotic yesterday…and truthfully, it still is today as well.” The hectic pace of the Seireitei was unlikely to calm down for a while, but once Soi Fon and the Onmitsukidō finished clearing Squads Three, Five, and Nine, the workload should at least stabilize again.
“Do I need to return to work, Captain?” Rukia questioned, knowing that as a Seated Officer, her own workload right now would be spread among the other Tenth Seats of Squad Thirteen until she returned.
“You have no need to worry about that yet, Rukia.” Ukitake raised his hand halfway and waved off her question. “You can take another couple of days to recover along with your…significant others.” He had to take a moment to find a term that fit the relationship that Rukia clearly had with Ichigo, Tatsuki, and Orihime.
Rukia gave Ukitake a grateful smile. “Thank you very much, Captain.”
In a soundless blur, Yoruichi appeared. A second later in another Shunpo, Kūkaku blurred into sight suddenly. The two women looked at Ukitake curiously, but the white-haired Captain gave them both a kind smile.
“Ichigo, we have things to talk about.” Kūkaku said seriously, her green eyes looking into Ichigo’s brown intently.
“Things to talk about?” Ichigo questioned, wondering what exactly Kūkaku wanted to tell him with such a serious expression.
Ukitake, sensing the slight tension in the air, gave a short, half bow to the group. “You all seem to have your own business to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.” He was gone in an incredibly fast Shunpo before anyone could say a word.
Yoruichi gently placed her right arm around Tatsuki’s waist and her left arm around Orihime’s waist. “I think we should take this conversation somewhere more private.”
Kūkaku noticed the look in Rukia’s violet eyes and stepped up to the Kuchiki woman. “I’ll hear you out later.” She told Rukia with a softer tone than most would ever hear from her. Rukia’s eyes widened briefly, but she nodded in agreement, the sadness and guilt in her eyes receding a bit.
“What exactly are we supposed to talk about?” Ichigo asked Kūkaku again. “And where we going for this conversation?”
“Just follow us.” Yoruichi said simply, then she and Kūkaku blurred away with Shunpo.
Ichigo was right behind them, especially since Yoruichi had taken Tatsuki and Orihime with her. “Hey! Wait up!”
Rukia followed behind Ichigo as they blurred across rooftops, amazed that Yoruichi could so easily outpace both of them while carrying two people. ‘Her Shunpo should be drastically reduced while carrying even a single person…but she’s still faster than anyone else I’ve seen, barring my brother.’
It was only a minute or two later—using Shunpo constantly the entire time—before the group stopped at a small gate in a large wall that spanned a massive length in each direction. The two guards at the gate blinked but immediately bowed to Yoruichi the instant they recognized her.
“We’ll be using the garden.” Yoruichi told the two guards simply.
“Yes, Yoruichi-sama.” The guards said in unison before opening the wooden gate for the group.
Yoruichi led everyone inside, her arms notably still around Tatsuki and Orihime’s waists. Kūkaku followed right after, while Ichigo and Rukia brought up the rear. Once the group was inside, the gates were closed behind them and they were left alone in a sprawling garden filled with trees, grasses, flowers, and stone pathways.
“What is this place, Yoruichi?” Ichigo asked as he followed her down one of the pathways.
“One of my family’s gardens. We can talk in private here.” Yoruichi answered, looking over her shoulder at Ichigo.
Orihime smiled as she looked around. “It’s pretty.”
Tatsuki looked between Yoruichi and Kūkaku. “Why did we have to come here to have a talk?”
“You’ll understand in a short time.” Kūkaku assured them as a traditional azumaya came into view, the wooden structure with a roof supported by pillars and overlooked a tranquil lily pond.
In only a few minutes the group had sat down together under the shade of the roof. Orihime would’ve been enjoying the relaxing garden and the nice view by leaning against Ichigo, normally, but she could sense the building tension. Tatsuki was on Ichigo’s opposite side, looking more and more curious about this upcoming talk. Rukia was fairly certain she’d figured out what Kūkaku wanted to speak with Ichigo about, but remained silent because this was a matter for the Shiba Clan and she didn’t have a place to speak in it.
Ichigo looked at Kūkaku as they sat across from each other, feeling the tension in the air despite the relaxing garden they were in. “Alright, we’re here now. What’s so important and private?”
Kūkaku almost wished she had her kiseru with her, but she wasn’t one to beat around the bush. “Ichigo, what do you know about your father’s life before he met your mother?”
“Huh?” Ichigo blinked at the unexpected question. “Goat chin? Why’re you asking?”
“Answer the question.” Kūkaku said bluntly.
Ichigo, still confused, thought about what he knew about his dad from the stories that he’d been told over the years. ‘I know he and mom met when she was in her last year of high school…and she and dad married after he opened the clinic and mom graduated from university…’ But the more he thought about his father, he realized that was about as far back as he knew anything about his dad. He knew his grandparents on his father’s side had passed away before he was born…and he’d never met any other family from that side. ‘Dad has never really talked about his childhood at all. Not where he grew up, or any old friends, no one from his past has ever called or come for a visit either.’ After thinking about it, he looked back at Kūkaku. “Not much, actually. Why?”
With an annoyed sigh, Kūkaku held out her hand and Yoruichi pulled out a rolled up scroll from within her orange top and handed it to her friend. “This is why.” Kūkaku unrolled the scroll carefully, due to its age, and once it was opened enough, she placed it down in front of Ichigo, and the girls since they were sitting at his side. “This is the Shiba Clan bloodline going back just over a thousand years.” She lightly tapped a specific name written in small but legible characters.
“Shiba…Isshin…” Ichigo read from the scroll, his voice trailing off as it instantly clicked why Kūkaku was showing him this old scroll. He looked up at her in shock, his eyes wide in disbelief. “What is this?”
“I just told you what it was, Ichigo.” Kūkaku said with a serious expression.
Yoruichi, noticing the look of disbelief still on Ichigo’s face, spoke up. “It’s authentic, Ichigo. That is your father’s name, before he started his life in the Human World.”
The air became heavy, Ichigo’s eyes narrowing as his Reiatsu pressed down on everything. “That doesn’t make any sense…”
“Ichigo.” Orihime leaning into him and wrapping her arms around his shoulders in a warm hug lessened the crushing Reiatsu.
“It’s hard to believe…” Tatsuki fully agreed with Ichigo about that, given how much she’d interacted with her boyfriend’s goof of a dad over the years. “…but they don’t look like they’re joking.”
The expressions on Kūkaku and Yoruichi’s faces was serious, both women clearly having expected the outburst and disbelief from Ichigo.
Rukia gently placed her hand over Ichigo’s. When he looked at her, she gave him an understanding look filled with all the support that she could offer him. “I think you should try to hear them out, Ichigo.”
“Hah…” Ichigo exhaled long and slow, his Reiatsu lessening until he had it back under full control again. With a deep breath and another slow exhale, he steadied himself and looked back at Kūkaku and Yoruichi. “Explain, please.”
“Your father was the last head…and technically the last member entirely, of the only remaining Branch Family of the Shiba Clan roughly twenty years ago.” Kūkaku told Ichigo of Isshin’s life before he’d gone missing from the Soul Society. “Kaien, my older brother, myself, and Ganju all looked up to him as our uncle.”
Ichigo interrupted at that. “Uncle as in your father or mother’s brother, or uncle as in a distant male relation?”
Kūkaku tapped Isshin’s name on the ancient scroll again, making sure that Ichigo’s eyes were on it, before slowly tracing the line backwards. From Isshin to his parents, to his grandparents, then his great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents, great-great-great-grandparents, and she stopped on his great-great-great-great-grandparents. Then her finger slid over to another line under the name of the great-great-great-great-grandparents and started tracing back towards the present until it landed on the names Kaien, Kūkaku, and Ganju. “We’re very distantly related. The Shiba Clan used to be much large in the past and we had a handful of Branch Families that came from the mainline over the years.”
Tatsuki looked like she was thinking deeply, her eyes looking upward as she counted in her head and then she closed her eyes for a moment. “Hmm…” Once she opened them she looked at Kūkaku. “I’m not sure you’d even be considered related with that many generations of separation.” That made Ichigo and Kūkaku fifth cousins or something like that.
“Clan is a much more widespread group compared to a single family line.” Kūkaku admitted with a shrug. “If you’re of Shiba blood and carry the name, you’re family. If you’re descended from Shiba blood and don’t carry the name, you’re most likely one of our vassal clans.”
Ichigo was taking this in as best as he could, but it was a massive bomb dropped on him rather suddenly. “What the hell…?” He asked himself and no one at the same time. His thoughts swirled with questions faster than he could hope to try and think on them and come to rational answers. ‘Why the hell didn’t goat chin ever mention any of this?! Is this why I was able to become a Shinigami?! But if dad was a Shinigami how has he lived in the human world for so long?! If I could become a Shinigami…are Karin and Yuzu going to be okay?! Will they become Shinigami too?!’ Before he could get completely overwhelmed, he felt Rukia’s hand gently squeeze his, Tatsuki leaned into his side and held him, and Orihime hugged him a little tighter.
“It’s a lot… I’m having trouble taking it all in too.” Tatsuki assured Ichigo that it wasn’t just him that was overwhelmed by this new information. “But we’ll get through it together, just like we always do.”
“It’s okay, you’re still the Ichigo we’ve always known…the Ichigo that we love.” Orihime smiled beautifully at him, her eyes filled with love, acceptance, and warmth to support Ichigo through all of this.
Rukia gave him a gentle smile, even as she practically saw the questions in Ichigo’s eyes. “Your heritage doesn’t change who you are, Ichigo. And I’ll do whatever I can to help you understand the nobility of the Seireitei if you’d like; just ask.” She reassured him that he had her love and support as well to try and make sense of everything.
Ichigo felt some of the tension in his body release as he sank into the love and support of his girlfriends. The storm of questions in his mind began to calm as he took steadying breaths, much like how he and Tatsuki had learned back in their martial arts classes. When he finally settled his emotions and could think more clearly, he looked back at Kūkaku. “I have questions.”
“I’d be surprised if you didn’t.” Kūkaku nodded with a tiny grin on her lips. “What do you want to ask first?”
“How is my dad living in the human world? How did he have…us with my mother?” Ichigo knew at least enough about Shinigami to know that as spiritual beings, they shouldn’t be able to start families with living people.”
Yoruichi was the one that actually answered. “The family part of that was from Kisuke’s assistance with the special Gigai that your father uses.”
Ichigo nearly growled. “Of course it is.”
“I know that look.” Kūkaku said with a smirk. “The look of someone that wants to punch another person in the face.” She cracked the knuckles of her right hand. “I plan to do the same to your dad once I see him. He’s got a lot to answer for, the least of which is his failure to maintain Shiba Clan traditions.” Sure, Isshin taking his wife’s surname was most likely out of love and a means to hide from anyone searching for him from the Seireitei. Shiba wasn’t a common surname from what little she knew of the modern human world.
“Traditions?” Ichigo asked with barely a thought.
Kūkaku nodded once as she looked at Ichigo. “Do you know Hadō #63: Raikōhō?” Yoruichi said he didn’t, but this question would help her prove her point.
Ichigo shook his head once. “I don’t.”
“That spell was created by the Shiba Clan. By tradition, you are more than old enough and strong enough to have been taught it already. Isshin didn’t teach you, nor did he ask Kisuke to teach you in his place.” Kūkaku explained one of the Clan traditions that Isshin hadn’t upheld.
Rukia smiled when Ichigo looked at her, his eyes asking for clarification. “Such traditions are not uncommon among the Great Noble Clans, Ichigo. In the Kuchiki Clan, Hadō #33: Sōkatsui, which was created by the clan, is taught to members once they become a proper age.”
Ichigo hummed thoughtfully for a moment. “I see.” He supposed every family had a tradition or two, even in the human world. Long-standing clans of noble status probably had traditions they’d upheld for centuries in the Soul Society. “What about my little sisters?” He asked, looking at both Kūkaku and Yoruichi with clear concern in his eyes, mixed with a powerful protectiveness that was nearly overwhelming.
“They’re of Shiba blood, and we take care of our own.” Kūkaku said simply and easily of the very distant cousins that she’d never even met. “We’ll protect and teach them, of course.”
“Karin’s going to be annoyed.” Tatsuki said with a grin as she and Ichigo looked at each other. “Her permanent denial won’t work once she learns about this.” She and Karin got along quite well after all, both were strong-willed and considered tomboys by most of the people they knew.
Ichigo couldn’t help but smile a little as he thought about that. It was very true when it came to Karin and her lack of interest in dealing with the spiritual, even though she could see Pluses and Hollows just as easily and clearly as he could.
Orihime giggled brightly. “Yuzu-chan will be thrilled though! She’s always wanted to be able to see them and be ‘magical’, just like her big brother.”
“She does…even though I’ve told her it’s not really magical.” Ichigo had a fond little smile on his face as he recalled how much Yuzu wanted to be able to see spirits like he and Karin could.
“Kidō are spells…” Rukia mentioned trailing off playfully. Yuzu was a sweet child and Rukia was fond of her.
Ichigo gently squeezed Rukia’s hand. “If it comes to it, you and Orihime can teach her some Kidō.” That was a thought he’d need to come to terms with over the next couple of days.
Orihime beamed at that idea. “I’ll do my best!”
Ichigo pulled Orihime into a one-armed hug and kissed the top of her head, making her smile and cuddle into his side. “Aside from needing to punch both Hat n Clogs and Goat Chin in the face when we get back, is there anything else I need to know right away?” Now that he was certain his little sisters would be alright regardless of what happened after this, he would like to know everything else he needed to know now, so that he could work on processing all of it over the next couple of days.
“Well, there’s good news too.” Yoruichi said with a grin. Seeing Ichigo look at her curiously, her grin became a smirk. “You’ve got two beautiful women very interested in joining your family.”
“Huh?” Ichigo’s confusion was expected as he looked at Yoruichi.
Kūkaku and Yoruichi both shifted a bit from where they were sitting. Yoruichi leaning to the side a little, showing off her curves. Kūkaku, proving the bluntness of the Shiba Clan, simply sat back and bit and thrust her chest out, her tits straining against her red top and her cleavage swelling upward a bit, looking as if she was about to pop right out of her top.
“Uuuaaahhh…” Orihime inhaled through her mouth as a big smile spread across her face, her eyes almost sparkling while drinking in the sight of Kūkaku and Yoruichi.
“Hime-chan, no…” Tatsuki reached across Ichigo to cover Orihime’s mouth before their adorable girlfriend could agree to anything.
Rukia’s cheeks went from pink to red and then her entire face turned the same bright color. “Y-You…that’s…” She was more than a little flustered by the blatant come on/offer from the two noblewomen. This certainly wasn’t how noble courtships usually went. She was quite happy to ignore that her own relationship was ALSO not how such courtships traditionally went.
Ichigo looked at Kūkaku and Yoruichi in stunned surprise for a long moment, making both women smirk sexily at him. “What?” He managed to get out after a long moment.
“Don’t look so shocked, Ichigo.” Yoruichi said with a teasing purr. “You’re a very desirable man, especially after getting to know you.”
“Our clan needs to bring all living members together again, and with so few of us left…a marriage between the last branch line back into the line of the Clan Head would be for the best.” Kūkaku told Ichigo with a grin. “You’re certainly a fine Shiba man, Ichigo.”
Those who knew Ichigo wouldn’t be surprised that his first thought wasn’t about himself—and a hypothetical relationship with Kūkaku—but about what a potential marriage of the last two Shiba Clan lines could mean for his little sisters. The only other ‘main line’ Shiba left was Ganju and there was no way in ANY realm or world that he’d allowed his little sisters to marry that gorilla! “What about Ganju?”
Kūkaku almost snorted at that. “The day my little brother claims he has a girlfriend or lover; I’m demanding to meet her before I’ll believe it.”
“Harsh.” Tatsuki snickered, still covering Orihime’s mouth with her hand, even as her girlfriend kissed her palm.
“Ganju will find his special someone eventually, I’m sure.” Yoruichi said with a cheshire grin. She wondered what kind of woman would capture the rough man’s heart for a moment and couldn’t help but imagine a seemingly soft and gentle woman…with a killer punch to knock some sense into Ganju when he went too far.
Rukia sighed, feeling the tension that had still been on her heart in Kūkaku’s presence ease a bit further. ‘The Shiba Clan seems to be a bit different than the Kuchiki Clan.’ The Kuchiki were warm and close with family within their home life, but upheld a cool and composed demeanor outside, as was befitting of a Great Noble Clan. The Shiba Clan, obviously, believed in a much more lax demeanor and freedom of expression while being very close and warm with family at all times. ‘I still need to apologize for that night though…for what I did.’
Ichigo refocused the conversation, even if he let his eyes roam over Kūkaku and Yoruichi’s forms one more time, much to both women’s clear approval. “What else do I need to know right now?” He reiterated his question from earlier.
“There are duties that each Great Noble Clan must carry out for the Soul Society.” Kūkaku answered simply. “You’ll need to learn a good amount of things before you can help with such duties, but we’ll take care of that in time. Our most sacred and important duty shouldn’t come about any time soon, so you don’t have to worry about it for now. I’ll save that lesson for last.”
“What kind of duties do the Great Noble Clans have to deal with?” Ichigo silently hoped that it wasn’t something he’d need to be in Soul Society to handle too often. He still had a life to live in the human world, after all.
Rukia smiled as she answered Ichigo’s question first. “All five of the Great Noble Clans have their own duties, but the three oldest of them have sacred duties passed down from time immemorial. The Kuchiki Clan has been charged with compiling and protecting the history of the Soul Society. That includes every notable date, event, incident, and each law made, changed, or abolished. This incident with Aizen, Gin, and Tōsen turning traitor and abandoning Seireitei has likely already been recorded and added to the long history that the Kuchiki clan protects.”
Yoruichi had a rather serious expression as she spoke of her clan’s sacred duty. “The Shihōin Clan are also known as the Tenshiheisōban (Guard of the Heavenly Granted Armaments), we are the caretakers of all of the Hōgu (Treasure Tools) and the Bugu (War Tool) which were bestowed on us by the gods. We have been protecting them all since long before the Thirteen Court Guard Squads were formed.”
“The Shiba Clan specializes in fireworks, we use them for any celebration or rites within the Soul Society that require them. Specific rites and rituals are performed around the Soul Society and within the Seireitei at various times of the year and they cannot be completed without Shiba Clan fireworks because only a Shiba can make our fireworks.” Kūkaku told Ichigo the most relevant of the Shiba Clan’s sacred duties. Technically, there were two duties performed directly for the Reiō, but Ichigo didn’t need to know about them just yet, and possibly wouldn’t for decades.
“Alright…” Ichigo felt like there was something very important about the Shiba Clan’s work…almost like an instinct, but he set his curiosity aside for the moment. “I’m going to need time to process everything.” He looked at Orihime, Tatsuki, and Rukia before turning to face Yoruichi and Kūkaku again. “As for anything romantic… We’ll have to talk about it together before making any decisions.”
That got warm and loving smiles from Tatsuki, Rukia, and Orihime.
“I’d like to try.” Orihime admitted with a cute smile and a giggle as she looked at her loved ones.
“I knew I liked you for a reason, Orihime.” Kūkaku laughed brightly at the younger woman. “You’ll fit right in within the Shiba Clan.”
Yoruichi grinned at Tatsuki. “What’s wrong, Tatsuki-chan? Don’t you want a get closer with your sensei?”
Tatsuki’s cheeks burned despite her desire for them not to. ‘Damn it, she’s so hot!’
“Let’s go over the rest of what we need to know first, please.” Ichigo requested, looking at the happily smiling and eager Orihime on his right and the actually blushing Tatsuki on his left.
“I think that would be for the best too.” Rukia was adorably blushing and she wasn’t even the focus of any teasing. ‘I’ve gotten used to the affection of Orihime, Tatsuki, and Ichigo, but…’ The fact that she’d learned to ‘appreciate’ the beauty of other women after falling in love with Tatsuki and Orihime wasn’t doing her any favors as Yoruichi and Kūkaku both confidently showed off their curves.
Kūkaku grinned at them both but agreed. “Alright. It’s time you learned about the Shiba Clan symbol, the trembling current, Ichigo.”
-Kurosaki Clinic-
“Dad? You’ve been shivering for a while now. Are you cold? Do you need a blanket?” Yuzu asked her dad with a gentle and caring smile.
“Daddy would love a blanket, sweetie!” Isshin declared with a bright smile. Yuzu giggled and happily went to get him a blanket.
Karin, watching from the couch where the TV was turned on to Yuzu’s favorite show, raised an eyebrow at her dad. “Really, Goat Chin? It’s like seventy-eight degrees in here.”
Isshin put his hand to the side of his mouth and staged whispered to Karin. “Daddy thinks someone may be plotting against him.”
“Uh huh…I’m sure.” Karin said with a flat expression of total disbelief.
“Masaki! Our daughter is being so cold to me!” Isshin cried out as he ran to the giant poster of his wife.
Karin sat up and tossed one of the throw pillows at her dad. “Will you please take down the poster of mom already?! You weirdo!”
-End Chapter-
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Ichigo and Rukia have a rather steamy morning~
But it’s TOTALLY to help Rukia recover from being stuck in the Senzaikyū…just for that, really. Kek!
Rukia is like a little succubus when she’s in the mood. Hehehe~
Kūkaku and Yoruichi tell Ichigo the truth of his heritage. Thanks to having his girlfriends with him, Ichigo doesn’t fall into a spiral of questions and feelings of anger or frustration. He’s able to steady himself and ask questions while learning the truth.
Isshin and Urahara are SO getting punched when Ichigo gets back!
Yoruichi and Kūkaku also make sure that Ichigo knows that they’re interested in a relationship with him and his girlfriends. Much to Ichigo’s surprise and Orihime’s immediate approval! Hah! Tatsuki has to help pump the brakes before Orihime makes herself a bigger harem!
The Shiba Clan is about to have a lot of work to do. Ichigo will become part of it over time, as will Karin and Yuzu in the future. But since it seems that the Shiba prefer to establish their vassal houses through blood ties…what might that mean for our favorite gravity-wielding Shinigami?
Keep reading to find out!
Until I get your reviews, later!