Disrupted🪭

8 - Shino Academy Tour

Ichigo and Ginrei sat across from each other at the kotatsu in the tea room. Ginrei sipped the tea in his cup as Ichigo did the same.

"So, you are going to your own time." He said.

"I am told about a week or so."

"I see... Byakuya will miss you. He has been so lonely with the death of his parents; you gave him the will to fight."

"He always had it... I promise he'll be a great warrior."

"So you say. Kurosaki-san, I have noticed that you harbor great power within you. I don't understand it but it seeps from you slowly. You hold back when you fight as if it will explode."

Ichigo looked at his hand. "What powers I have are no accepted here yet. I would be considered a threat."

"I see... He will not be pleased to be given up to the Shino Academy. He is not good with people."

"Definitely not."

"Go with him."

"Excuse me?" Ichigo said with a surprised look.

Ginrei sipped his tea again and then set it down on the table.

"He was hoping you would be there when he received the Kuckiki Clan Scarf in the Ginpaku Kazahana no Uzuginu ceremony."

"You mean that white scarf you got?" He asked, pointing to Ginrei's neck. "I thought that was just a neat accessory or something."

Ginrei, for the first time in the nine years that Ichigo had known him, gave Ichigo a look that he knew too well, for Byakuya had inherited it very well.

"This scarf is made of silk from the Silverwhite wildflower and is worth ten or more mansions. The passing of the scarf is an indication of the transition of the family head."

"You want him to be the head now?"

"No, but we thought you'd be here for the ceremony."

"Oh... but wouldn't that be a long time from now? Did you really expect me to stay that long?"

"With time there are so many different variables that have to be put into place. Though I have no doubts that Captain Urahara could do it, the process seems to still be very meticulous."

"I see..."

"Therefore, if you cannot attend the ceremony then the least you can do is see Byakuya off to the academy."

"I can do that."

"I am glad... though, can you really tell him goodbye?"

Ichigo looked down but nodded. "It will be hard but I can do it."

"Good."

************

Byakuya was practicing his swordplay in the courtyard the next morning as Ichigo watched him from the shadows for the moment. He sighed at having to tell him about the academy but walked toward the young man.

"Byakuya-"

"I know you're leaving." He said without looking at him.

"Do you?"

"I overheard you and grandfather last night." He turned to him. "You're sending me off to Shino."

"I have to."

"You could stay."

"I can't. The longer I stay here, the more time will change."

"But what if your staying is what makes me who I am? Or what makes things go the way they do in your time?"