Memories of a Broken Soul

Chapter 7: Noble clans

Disclaimer: I do NOT own bleach. Or maybe I do… wait no I just remembered I really don’t.

“Normal speech”

‘Thoughts’

Flashback/Dream

#7#

“Ichigo…?”

Ichigo was shocked out of his daze the second he felt a warm and patient hand on his shoulder. He blinked, trying to clear his vision because for some reason he couldn’t quite see as well as he was supposed to –he blamed it on the surprise. The orange head turned his rather lost eyes in the direction of his raven haired father to try and see if the man was joking or something but he was only meet with hard resolve.

Ryōtarō in contrast softened up upon seeing a rather new and rare expression on Ichigo’s face. He had never seen the orange head so open and for some reason that didn’t bode well with him. It was kinda unnerving in a way.

Ichigo sighed, realizing how the Shiba head was in fact serious and recognizing the resolve in the others green eyes for what it was. It would be uncharacteristic of him to not see it and for some reason that sole fact reassured him. He didn’t think he would be able to speak to his father if the man himself wasn’t sure of what he was doing.

“You do realize what you’re doing, right?”

The raven head nodded, being fully satisfied with the fact that Ichigo catched onto his determination and deciding to take full advantage of it.

“Yeah. I know perfectly well what I am doing. And believe it or not I took a long time to sit down and think… I only just decided this morning and I am not going to postpone this. We’re running out of time.”

“You mentioned something like that earlier as well. What do you mean?”

Ryōtarō narrowed his eyes as he stretched out his senses just to make sure no one was around. This was not something he would like anyone to hear so he would take no chances.

“The elders are starting to advance. I don’t think it will end nice for us. More like use the clan head as a puppet and I just know their gonna do something soon. All the other clans are the same, no exceptions and almost everyone is just sitting down and doing nothing… though I think the Shihōins are putting a decent fight.”

“And what does this have to do with naming me as heir?”

“Like I said earlier; I need you by my side. I can’t stand up to the elders alone and more so with Gen making my life a living hell. You, however, have stood up to the elders and have outmaneuvered them each step of the way. Almost as if you know exactly what to do to get under their skin without them being able to do anything about it and that is precisely what I need right now.”

“What about Haruka and Wataru? I think they have as much right as I do if not more to claim the post.”

The raven head sighed as he shook his head to try and harden his next words. He really couldn’t show the depths of his denial for this option but even then he tried to convey it just the same.

“It won’t happen. In public eye you’re my full-fledged son so there is no way to say they have more right. The elders will put a fuss and take away the only opportunity I have at naming my own heir… Besides, the kids won’t be able to bear with the insults and taunts. We need a cool head with an equal stubborn personality and I think that just about describes you. We can’t leave them to themselves or the bastards will end up doing something unforgivable… I think it’s time we regain full control of the clan.”