Trial of Fire

Chapter 10
Shifting Winds

Kinomi woke up in her old bed in the living world, Kyattsuai by her side with another blade next to it she would have recognized had she suddenly become blind.

“ ‘tera?” She muttered.

“He left it here to make sure no one would mess with one of his cubs while she was out.” Kyattsuai’s voice came to her mind.

With a bit of will power she wasn’t even sure she could spare giving her current condition, Kinomi materialized Kyattsuai, the white panther appeared curled up at the foot of her bed, blue-green eyes staring at her and all wounds from their internal battle long gone.

“I did it, didn‘t I?” She asked with a wide smile.

Kyattsuai nodded.

Kinomi smiled, giving her blade two soft stroked and one to ‘tera as she let a small amount of pride and satisfaction overwhelm her for a moment before steeling it and reminding herself she had but taking one small step on the next path of her life. There was still a lot of work to do. Now that she had achieved it she needed to train it and learn it.

“Is Grimm-ji still here then?” She asked.

“Yes. I believe he is rubbing your form in Ichigo’s face.” Kyattsuai chuckled softly.

Kinomi chuckled to, knowing all to well how that conversation had to be going. Maybe she could pretend to be asleep a bit longer. She heard the door to her room open and Kyattsuai disappeared back to her inner world.

To her relief it was her Okaasan who entered with what appeared to be a pot of tea and a bowl of miso soup.

“I know you are awake.” Rukia stated, setting the items on the table beside her.

“Never could fool you Okaasan.” Kinomi smiled sitting up as her stomach declared its sudden desire for substance.

“Of course not.” Rukia smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed and passing her the bowl once Kinomi was sitting upright.

The food disappeared quickly and Rukia didn’t speak again until they both had a cup of tea and had taken at least two sips each.

“I am very proud of you. So is Ichigo, even if he can’t say so properly.”

Kinomi shared a chuckle with her mother.

“To think my own daughter would beat me…”

“Well, I have had a lot of continuous training, and Kyattsuai and I do get along pretty good.” Kinomi smiled, giving her zanpakuto’s blade another soft caress. “And Ojisama is rather over protective of you.” She chuckled.

Rukia nodded in agreement. Having been sealed and separated from her Zanpakuto for seven years hadn’t helped matters either. All of them had to work hard to renew the bond between them and their blades after seven years of complete separation.

And then there was the child raising. It was hard to train when you were raising two kids who had a higher reiatsu level then she did and was on regular call and duty. The kids didn’t realize how lucky they were with almost no worries.

And the last part they all knew. As talented as Rukia was, she just didn’t have the reiatsu level required to achieve, or hold it for long if she ever did mange to achieve, Bankai.

“How long was I out for?” Kinomi asked.

“Two days.” Rukia answered honestly.

“Woah. The house is still standing?” She looked around in awe.

Rukia chuckled softly.

“Grimmjow has only been stopping by on occasion to check on you. You know him and your Otousan.”

“Yeah. That’s why I am surprised the house is still here.”

They shared another laugh and finished their tea. With a large amount of effort for she was still feeling slightly weak, Rukia helped Kinomi out of bed and stayed close by as she got dressed, placing Kyattsuai on her hip and ‘tera strapped to her back with the blue ribbon.

The added weight was almost more than she could handle at first, but she felt strength return to her body as she took more and more steps and her body woke up and returned to the world of the living, so to speak.

She managed not to stumble down the stairs and was greeted by a grinning Taka who shared a hug of triumph with her before making her way to the living room where the others were gathered and apparently talking.

She was greeted with the loud cheers of her brother, Nel and Leon with the small smiles of pride from her Otousan and Grimm-ji. She blushed under the attention before Rukia forced her to sit down and not expend too much energy, even though she could feel her strength returning now that she was up and active again.

“Seriously Neechan, that was awesome.” Zan laughed.

“I can’t wait till we get back and you can show the others.” Taka beamed.

“Maybe not such a good idea.” Kinomi commented, sharing a quick glance at the other three.

Dawning and understanding lit their faces and the four of them shared a nod that confused the adults, but no one decided to comment on it at this time.

“Besides, I wouldn’t want to show everyone only to collapse on my face a moment later.” She chuckled. “I got a lot to learn still.” She pointed out. “After all, I don’t want to be as ignorant as Otousan was.” She laughed.

“Oi.” Ichigo protested.

Unheard by all but Ichigo twin voices laughed in the mans head, one high pitched, the other deep. Like wise no one heard the snarled ‘Shut the fuck up’ that was sent towards said two voices.

“It could be worse, Ichigo-san.” Taka pointed out.

“Yeah, at least her hair turned white and not blue.” Zan finished.

More spluttering and growling ensued from Ichigo while the others laughed at the thought.

“I need to get back to Hueco Mundo before Nel-chan’s pets wreck the whole place.” Grimmjow stood up and stretched, then looked at her expectantly.

“Oh, you want ‘tera back? And here I thought you had giving her to me.” Kinomi chuckled.

“You wished.” He snorted.

Kinomi took Pantera off her back, then jumped into Grimmjow’s arms and gave him a huge hug with a whispered, “Thank you, Grimm-ji, for helping me achieve Banaki,” before handing him his zanpakuto back and returning to her chair.
With a wide smile and a wave, he and Nel disappeared with a bang of Sonido before the feeling of a garganta being opened and closed came to them, indicating they had returned home.


The summer passed quickly, and once again they were permitted to spend time in Hueco Mundo, this time four days instead of two. Since high levels of reiatsu was dangerous to the humans of the living world Kinomi had been unable to practice her new ability and the prey they found in Hueco Mundo during the trip wasn’t worth using more then her Shikai, and even that was arguable.

She had hoped they would find more adjucas, or maybe even come across the one they had last time, but there was no such luck. The adjucas were just too smart to be stupid enough to tangle with the group and the lesser hollows and dim witted menos were hardly enough to practice on unless they attacked in a large group.

Leon was able to deal easily with the regular hollows, but he lacked the reiatsu to do serious harm to the menos and was required to use his Resurrección to have an easier time dealing with them. If anything it gave him the much needed practice in his released state.

It was evening on the third day, they would need to return tomorrow, and then in another four days return to soul society. Kinomi was half tempted to just stay here where there was no political intrigue she barely understood.

She had been debating on bringing up their problem with Grimm-ji, knowing he would never tell her otousan about it and if they did need an out it would be good to know they had a reference point on the other side of the garganta.

She weighed the decision in her mind and could not find any bad points to telling him. The worse thing he would do would be to ‘hell and heaven forbid’ show up and kill the nobles himself, doing all of them a favor as there really was no connection between him and them that anyone outside of their little group knew about.

Somehow she doubted he would do that though, the nobles were not even sport to her and it would be far more trouble then it was worth to take them out. Now maybe if they were as strong as her Otousan or Kenpachi-sensei he would, but the nobles were definitely no where near that level.

Deciding it wouldn’t hurt and could aid them, she turned just in time to see him join her on the dune, the three other kids and Nel talking down below and paying them no mind. She was surprised to note he had a somewhat serious expression on his face as he joined her.

“Something has been distracting you.” He commented.

She nodded her head in agreement, her eyes going to her brother and two friends.

“Things have not been going as well in soul society as my parents would have everyone think.” She admitted.

He spared her a glance.

“The noble houses see Zan-kun and the others as threats.” She decided to start with. “Not just them, but me as well. They see us as a danger, although I think the real target might be Byakuya-otooji, or more specifically the Kuchiki house.

“However their assault is against all of us and that has brought onboard a lot of powerful and not so powerful people. I know Byakuya-otooji and a few of the other taichou of noble houses have been combating it, but it is a real threat.

“Already some of the brats of those houses have tried to frame us and even attempted, rather poorly, to kill us. Other then Taka and I the others have been hiding their strength to give the Noble Cabal less ammunition to use against us.

“So far the table had been rather balanced as we got most of the gotei 13 on our side and seeing as how we are all attending Shinoreijutsuin it is a shinigami affair and thus under their jurisdiction. However the reforming of Central 46 could work against us as they do take into account what the nobles want seeing as half of the council comes from the noble houses, both lesser and greater, and what ever they rule is above even Yamamoto-sotaichou’s powers to reject.

“In such an event we will either have our reiatsu permanently sealed, or be put to death. I have no fear for Zan-kun or I. Otousan isn’t technically part of the Gotei 13 or Soul Society and he would tell them exactly where to shove it and take us and leave if need be, but the others…

“I am the oldest, I am the strongest. It is my duty to take care of them and I will not sit back and watch them be punished because Aizen,” she snarled the name, “ordered their parents raped for some stupid experiment of his.”

She was silent as she wrestled with her rage at the arrogant nobles, her fingers clenched so tight she was drawing blood with her nails. Grimmjow remained silent beside her.

“If the council rules against us we have a way to escape. But, that way brings us here.” She turned to face him, noticing the confusion in his eyes.

“Leon-kun,” she smiled softly, “can open a garganta, and has already done so as a demonstration. There is a place we have been training in secret, not even our parents know about this, that works a lot like Shinji’s warehouse in that it conceals reaitsu. We all agreed to meet up there should we ever be voted against and Leon-kun would open the gate for us to escape through. That would bring us here.”

Silence between them as he digested all she had told him. Political crap really wasn’t something on his agenda, but she could see the silent fury welling in his eyes even if outward he remained impassive.

“The halls of Las Nochas are very empty.” Was all he said.

She smiled at him in silent thanks, her gaze going back to the three other teenagers.

He had long ago learned from Ichigo, though he would never admit it, that when someone was fighting for something, especially their friends and family, it made them a thousand times stronger and able to overcome obstacles they might not have been able to otherwise.

They returned to the camp below, joining the others as if they hadn’t just had a serious conversation about possible, major, life altering events. Kinomi prayed it never came to that day, even if it was kind of exciting to think about returning to live here, but she would miss the friends she had made.

Kenpachi-sensei, Yachiru-chan, Ikakku-tiachou, Yumi-taichou, and Ukitake-tiachou to name a few. She knew Leon and Zan would miss Soi Fon-taichou and heaven forbid Reina-chan and Barbo-kun leave the comfy noble life they lived.

Well, hopefully it would never come to that decision and if it did she had early warning systems in place. They had even gone so far as to have a few emergency bags kept at their hide out incase they did need to flee.


Akata stifled back a yawn as the voices of Central 46 droned over him. The full council had yet to be reformed as there were still fourteen unfilled seats, but enough had been selected to at least get the ball rolling.

It had taken him ages to learn this cloaking kidou found in the hidden records of the Gotei 13, but find and learn it he had. Now he sat silently in a corner of the main lab of the 12th division, the other occupants oblivious to his being their as they went about their works.

He had a pair of head phones on to keep the voices to himself as he idly took notes and gathered data on a note pad. No one noticed the small, black cord that ran hiding along the wall with a million other cords that connected to the organ shaped main computer, or the small program running in the back ground, its Icon cleverly hidden.

The meeting had been going on for hours now and it appeared as if they were trying to decide who the other fourteen members should be. Setting his notepad aside he pulled the soul society version of a laptop onto his lap, the data of central 46’s records on display on the screen before him.

Without a moments hesitation he continued to alter files as he saw fit, directing the ignorant men, and few women, down the paths he wanted them to travel in their selections as they viewed the files.

If all went well he would have several little sheep he could manipulate situated in the command chamber simply because he understood how they thought or out of shear blackmail from some nice little tidbits he had discovered on their files, which were now modified. His Otousan would have been proud of him for the ease in which he manipulated them.


Kinomi and Taka struggled under the weight of all the crap they were bringing back with them.

“Five items. I swear to god next year they are only permitted to ask for five bloody items.” She grumbled. “Especially Yumi-taichou and Yachiru-chan.”

“Well, Kenpachi-sensei may ask for a lot, but it is light weight.” Taka pointed out, indicating the mettle tins full of various tea leaves. “And at least Yachiru-chan doesn’t ask for five thousand pounds of candy anymore.”

“No just fifty pounds of the most expensive chocolate that can be found.” Kinomi grumbled. “I mean Leon-kun might have had a list a mile long, but it was all just makeup and other crap his Okaasan wanted, other then the bolts of expensive silk Reina-chan had requested. Seriously, can’t she find silk at home?”

“Probably. But the fact it’s from this world makes it worth that much more than the equivalent back home.” Taka pointed out.

“Indeed. Still, I swear next trip, Yumi-taichou, Ikakku-tiachou, and Yachiru-chan: LIMITS.” She grumbled.

They made it to the shop, the wagon full of goods they were bringing back straining under the weight of all the packages as both girls pulled on the handle. If it wasn’t for the fact that the 11th, both former and current, didn’t treat them so well with special treatment and training Kinomi swore they would never bring this much crap back.

In truth it was a small price to pay for all the 11th, current and former, had done for the two girls and while they grumbled about it, Kinomi and Taka were actually quite happy to pay them back for all they had done for the two girls.

The portal opened, the wagon dragged through, and the arrival on the other side was a relief as the two girls were able to unleash their reiatsu to help them haul the wagon, something they had to restrain while in the living realm.

They did the usual route to ditch the most weight first. Yumi-taichou, Ikkaku-taichou, and then to the 11th for Kenpachi-sensei and Yachiru-chan, who as usual met them at the gate to claim her sugar before escorting them to Kenpachi’s quarters.

Kinomi and Taka joined Kenpachi, a pot of tea already ready and waiting for their arrival. Both girls proudly showed off the leaves they had managed to gather this trip, including the ones the had found from other countries they thought he might like to experiment with.

It was Taka who broke first and told Kenpachi that Kinomi had achieved her Bankai, causing the man to look at her in a bit of surprise. Kinomi blushed and informed him it was just the once and she had passed out almost immediately after activating it.

Now that the cat was out of the bag, Taka took great delight in describing Kinomi’s appearance, which brought the taichou to fits of laughter as he was rather familiar with the little squabble Grimmjow and Ichigo had with each other.

“I don’t want too many people to know about it, what with those the stupid Noble Cabal, but I really do need to train it with someone who knows something about it and can keep quiet about me having it.” Kinomi sighed once the laughter of her form died down.

“Ikkaku could probably help.” Kenpachi suggested. “He had his, it’s a combat type, and would not talk about it.”

Kinomi nodded her head at the suggestion. She had really wanted to train with Kenpachi but everyone knew he still didn’t have his and to feel that type of level of reiatsu around him would be throwing up red flags all over the place.

But Ikkaku, she could easily hide her reiatsu under his and it was not uncommon for him to go out training alone or with Yumi-taichou, who she knew could also keep a secret. With all the stuff she had brought back from the living world for them they were bound to owe her half their souls.

“Yes, I think that would work nicely, especially if Yumi-taichou joins us like he usually does when Ikaku-taichou spars. Everyone would just assume it was the two of them. Thank you Kenpachi-sensei.” Kinomi smiled in relief.

She would of course continue training in their hideout, but she really needed someone who had a clue about Bankai forms to assist her with maintaining hers.

“Maybe Ken-chan and I will come out to watch.” Yachiru suggested.

“O, before I forget, how many lasted the two months?” Kinomi asked eagerly.

Kenpachi laughed and Yachiru smirked at the question.

“Four quit the same day after you and Taka-chan gave them the run down.” Yachiru answered.

“Seriously?” Taka asked with a laugh.

“Hmm. Maybe we should talk to Yamamoto-sotaichou about looking at revamping the combat classes. If it hadn’t been for Otousan and the Vizard I wonder if we would have even won the war.” Kinomi pondered darkly.

“Either that or it just means Kenpachi-sensei would have had even more fun.” Taka pointed out, leading them all into another round of laughter.

“Well, we got to head out, school first thing in the morning. Year five here we come.” Kinomi cheered.

“And this time we get to participate in the living world exercises.” Taka cheered.

“You mean slaughter.” Kinomi chuckled.

“I’ll be routing for you, Pantera-chan, Taka-chan.” Yachiru offered.

“You two better be on the top.” Kenpachi smiled dangerously.

“If we aren’t I’ll let Yumi-taichou dress me for a month.” Kinomi offered.

“And I’ll let Ikkaku-taichou shave my hair.” Taka added.

“Deal.” Kenpachi agreed.

“If you ask me Pantera-chan offered the bigger deal.” Yachiru chuckled.

That led them all in another bought of laughter as the girls thanked the 11th’s Taichou for the tea and headed back to their homes, ready to start another year of boring classes.

“Two more years to go.” Kinomi chanted to herself. “Two more and then Taka and I can officially join the 11th.”

As always when she thought of the 11th she ran her hand along the sash until her fingers found the stitched in kanji for 11, Pantera, and the Yarrow flower. She almost never took the sash off, or the feathers and bell in her hair. So help the fool dumb enough to try and keep her out of the 11th.


It turned out that Ikkaku and Yumichika were more then willing and pleased to help Kinomi gain more control over her bankai, and their private combat lessons continued with Ukitake-taichou, although they were becoming less frequent as the academy was now focusing more of group efforts.

Leon and Zan continued to meet up with Ukitake-taichou and Ggio-san, the former requiring to be in attendance to monitor the later. After school they would hang out at the 2nd.

Yazucena was so average that no one even noticed her and that gave Kinomi and Taka a sense of relief. To keep the girl safe they didn’t have anything to do with her at school and as a result she had acquired her own little group of friends, most of them shyish like her and no doubt most of them would end up in the 4th. To make up for it she accompanied them when they went to train with Ikkaku-taichou and Yumi-taichou to heal their injuries and of course joined them at the S.T.C, shortened for Secret Training Cave.

Barbo and Reina hung out with them at school during lunch and at the S.T.C. Other then that the two remained on the Kuchiki estate but did attend every formal gathering together.

While Barbo had agreed to let the Kuchiki elders pick a bride for him as part of their agreement to accept him as their heir, with the way the Noble Cabal was going, and the fact there were so few eligible female nobles at the moment as well, they may just let him take her hand.

Of course they lived a very long time so there was also a chance it could be a hundred years before a suitable bride could be found. Until then it was not uncommon for a male heir to have a ‘female companion’ nor was it frowned upon unless kids started showing up.

Akata they saw very rarely, although he did occasionally meet them at lunch time and never at the S.T.C, in fact he didn’t even know where it was nor seemed interested in it. His talents were not in combat anymore then Azucena’s was.

Galgo also meet up with them every lunch and at the S.T.C. Other then that he could be found dozing with Stark and Shunsui wherever they happened to be napping at. The last count had eighty seven distinct knowing locations and Kinomi suspected there were at least a dozen others Nanao-fukutaichou had yet to discover.

5th year was hell in the sense that Kidou was a nightmare, and since Kinomi had Shinigami powers she was required to attend the classes. The only upside she felt was that even if she couldn’t cast the spells she would at least learn them so she could counter them if need be.

She also often volunteered to be the target when they were learning the binding spells. She took a great amount of joy busting out of them much to the cringe of the teacher and the one casting the spell.

She wanted them to know she was strong. She wanted them to think twice before coming after her or her friends again. So far it seemed to be working. Not a single student had come after them and to her shock she was actually approached by one of the brats from one of the noble families.

She had been weary at first of the young woman who had approached her, at least until the student introduced herself as Shihoin something the other Kinomi hadn’t caught or remembered.

She wasn’t directly related to Yoruichi, but rather some distance cousin on the fathers side twice removed or some nonsense like that. Kinomi never did or would understand how noble families worked.

“I am sorry, Shihoin, but what interest could your family possible have with me?” Kinomi asked after the girl had poured her a cup of tea and introduced herself.

“As I am sure you are aware giving your unique family relationship with Yoruichi-sama and Kisuke-san, the Shihoin are the heads of the assassination squad.”

“Yes. However I believe Soi Fon-taichou is currently the head of that division.” Kinomi noted.

“Soi Fon remains the head much the way a retainer rules while waiting for a prince to reach the age and knowledge to become a king. She remains head only until an appropriate heir comes of age.”

“I see. What does any of this have to do with me?” Kinomi asked.

“The Shihoin is unique in that only females become our matriarchs. It is your Okaasan, Kurosaki-san, who we would normally approach, however we are unable to approach her at this time, as I am sure Kinomi-san is aware, Kurosaki-san has been sent on a mission and is not due to return for some time.”

Kinomi nodded in understanding, bidding the woman to continue.

“While the head of the Shihoin will always be a woman, that does not stand to say we do not recognize the combative prowess of the male half. It was recommended by Soi Fon-taichou that we might look at, and possible admit to the family, your younger brother, Zangetsu-san.”

Kinomi blinked in surprise. They wanted to adopt Zan-kun? That was half laughable and half a great honor that left her speechless for a moment while her brain processed that they were asking her for permission to adopt her brother.

“Please clarify what you mean by adopt?” Kinomi asked, wanting to make sure they were thinking the same thing as nobles did seem to have a strange way of looking at things.

“Perhaps adopt is not quite the right term, but more or less we are offering for him to live and train on the estate as a member of the family.”

“You mean like to ‘foster’ Zangetsu to the Shihoin? Not to claim him as one of your family but to train him as one of your own?” She clarified.

“Yes. Foster I believe is the most fitting term.”

“Was Leon Vega offered the same courtesy?” She asked.

“I am to speak with Matsumoto-fukutaichou this evening.” She answered.

“What would being fostered to the Shihoin entitle? Would they be locked up on the estate or would they be permitted to continue attending Shinoreijutsuin and to visit their family?”

“They would spend most of their time on the estate after attending Shinoreijutsuin and on the weekends training. Visits to the family would be permitted, however most of the focus is on training.”

“I can accept every Sunday evening. Would that be permitted to be worked out?” She asked.

“It would be acceptable.”

“I trust the Shihoin matriarch and family is aware of Zangetsu and Leon’s unique heritages?”

“They are aware.”

Kinomi pondered the offer. It was like a dream come true for Zan. It would be like Kenpachi-sensei offering to foster her. She would be all over it faster then a bear on a pot of unwatched honey coated fish.

“How soon are they expecting a response?”

“A response is expected by the end of the week.”

Kinomi nodded.

“I will consider the offer and see what Zangetsu wants. There would be no point in accepting the offer if he is not willing to go. An unwilling mule makes the trip twice as long and miserable for all around.”

The woman nodded in agreement with the strange analogy, although it was fitting. Kinomi excused herself at that point and returned home, pondering the offer and rather or not she even had a right to say yes.

Of course stage one was to see what Zan and Leon wanted. They only way either one would go would be if they both went. Knowing exactly where Zan would be at this time of the day she changed her course for the Kuchiki manor.

As she expected Zan and Leon were sparing in one of the back, private sparing grounds, Ggio and Rangiku watching from the shade of a sakura tree, the later resting her head in the formers lap.

The boys were oblivious to her arrival as she approached the two adults, Rangiku making no effort to move from her comfortable position.

“Kinomi-chan, what brings you here.” Ggio greeted her, causing Rangiku to turn her head to look at her.

“I just came from a meeting with a representative of the Shihoin family.” Kinomi answered, accepting their invitation to join them in the shade of the sakura tree.

“Oh?” Rangiku prompted, curiosity clearly in her eyes.

Kinomi nodded and explained what she had learned. Rangiku sat up as she digested the news, surprise writing all over her face while Ggio seemed weary, not familiar with the family at all.

“This is….” Rangiku couldn’t finish the statement.

For a woman who came from one of the worst districts around, the thought of her son getting fostered to one of the top noble families was almost too much for her brain to handle.

“I told them I would ask the boys first. No point in even saying anything if they don’t want to go. And knowing them if they both don’t go, then nether one would go, just like Taka-chan and I.” She smiled.

“I don’t know.” Rangiku clearly seemed torn.

On one point it was a chance she never got and it was a huge honor to be approached about taking a child in to foster, let alone to approach a common family that was not in high standing with a large number of other noble houses.

“It would appear that the Shihoin are declaring their allegiance to the Kuchiki family in their debate against the Noble Cabal.” Reina noted.

“A bold move giving the apparent success and rising power of the Cabal.” Barbo agreed.

“In a language the rest of us can understand.” Kinomi sighed, glancing over to where the two teenagers had just arrived from, clearly out for a stroll around the large gardens and having caught the conversation.

“They have put their hand in with us, most likely because they are interested in Zan and Leon’s skills.” Barbo answered.

“What’s with the gathering?” Zan asked, wiping sweat from his brow with a towel as he and Leon joined them, clearly having finished their sparing.

It was Kinomi who filled them in, both boys faces lighting up at the prospect of personal training of that level. Both had desires to join the 2nd and this type of training was exactly what they had been looking for.

“Oh god, neechan, please.” Zan begged.

“Yes, please.” Leon begged, looking at his parents.

“It might be best to run it past our parents first.” Kinomi pointed out. “I also didn’t stop to think to ask about our yearly two month trip to the living world. There is a chance you may be denied that if you agree.”

“How long this fostering would be is another good question.” Ggio frowned, not liking the idea of his son going too far out of sight with a family of Shinigami.

“It would not be unsightly to have an advisor during the negotiations.” Reina spoke up, drawing the attention to her. “Seeing as how the Shihoin have made the approach about the potential of fostering, it is made clear they have no disagreement with our mixed heritage in addition to offering a great honor rarely bestowed upon the lower ranked.”

Noble polite speak for commoner.

“If it would please you Okaasama, I would be honoured to attend the meeting as an advisor as I am exceptionally versed in the intricacies of noble houses.” Reina offered.

“Once again, in a language the rest of us understand.” Kinomi grumbled.

“Reina is offering to be a translator from noble to common as well as keeping an eye out for any traps.” Barbo answered for her.

“That may be for the best.” Rangiku sighed, looking at her eldest child.

“No longer then a few years, and lots of visitation rights.” Ggio growled.

“They have already agreed to every Sunday night.” Kinomi answered. “I cleared that up at least.” She shared a knowing look with the other HMKs.

“Such a fostering would be in the interest of the Kuchiki house.” Barbo noted. “By accepting a person sponsored by the Kuchiki house the Shihoin are essentially acknowledging and supporting us.”

They sat down and wrote up a list of things they would like to see, Barbo and Reina assisting and translating commoner to noble in what the conditions would be.

Kinomi was not sure she even had the right to accept the deal on her parents behalf, but Zan threatened her to death if she refused this offer, assuming the deal was acceptable of course.

They had just finished discussing the idea when a servant came to inform Rangiku she had a guest. Reina rushed her mother back to their small home after thanking the servant and sending him to bring the guest to one of the nicer guest rooms, Barbo going with said servant to entertain the guest while the women changed.

Kinomi was dragged along and forced into one of Reina’s kimono’s, though she drew the line at her bell, feathers and sash. Reina huffed about it, but otherwise let it pass. Once she was sure they were presentable they entered the guest room, Barbo politely excusing himself as they arrived.

Kinomi didn’t understand half of the conversation, though she got the gist of it. In the end it appeared as if the two boys would be permitted to be fostered out under the following conditions:

Home every Sunday evening and for the full day on the 15th and 30th of each month.

They would continue to fully attend Shinoreijutsuin, including all and any outings and field trips.

They would continue their private combat lessons with Ukitake-taichou and Ggio-san.

They would be giving one week to spend during the summer vacation they always took to spend in the living world to visit family there.

The boys MUST attend one full month and if they decided against it they would be permitted to return home and call the deal off. This also gave leeway for Zan’s parents to return, kill Kinomi for agreeing, and get the boy out if they disagreed with the idea.

The deal would last for four years, or until the boys graduated from Shinoreijutsuin. At such time another deal could be brokered and the boys were guaranteed a position under Soi Fon-taichou in the 2nd that must be served for no less then five years unless a higher power, such as Central 46 or Yamamoto-sotaichou declared otherwise.

All in all it was a fairly good deal and Kinomi was finding herself jealous of Zan, although she would never admit it. Besides she had the 11th, current and former, in all their glory anyway without having to leave the house.

In the end they promised they would get back to them tomorrow with an answer. Kinomi was very hesitant in agreeing as it really wasn’t her place to say yes, but at the same time she was the silently elected leader of the HMKs.

Reina seemed shocked by the deal, commenting it was awfully generous of the Shuhoin and she wondered why that was so. In fact she was so worried over it she actually dragged them all the way to Byakuya’s office, despite the late hour, to get his take on the situation. Barbo agreed with her which was the only reason Kinomi and Rangiku let them drag them there at this time of night.

Byakuya seemed surprised by their arrival, but did admit them and listen intently to Reina’s account of the situation. In the end he just nodded as if knowing something they didn’t, which he probably did, and told them it should be fine and safe to accept the deal.

The next evening Zan and Leon held a victory celebration and started packing only the things they couldn’t survive without. Not that either one of them had a lot of possessions in the first place.


Stay Tuned to Chapter 11: Pain

The Nobel Cabal make a devastating assault against Kinomi and a close family member. In chapter 12 the next part of the story begins, the more adventurous part, and old enemies rise to fight again.

I am glad everyone likes Akata, he is his fathers son and one hell of a hacker/programmer :) One note since it wont be mentioned in the story anywhere since its background stuff. The reason Byakuya wasn't worried about anything was because he knew already that Yourichi was the one behind the offer to the boys.

As usual /love for the reviews.