57 Black Hollow (1/2)

'How did I get here?'

Itsuki was currently in the room surrounded by a drunk Soi Fon, Rangiku, Hinamori, Kaien, Rukia and various other people.

Rewinding time a bit, Itsuki was having his usual talk with Ukitake when Kaien barged in.

”Captain Minamoto, you can't refuse this, we will be having dinner over at my place”

Itsuki didn't have a chance before he was suddenly dragged out and taken to a noble manor that had the plaque stating,

- Shiba Clan -

Shiba Kaien was the head of the Shiba clan while Shiba Isshin, Ichigo's father, was head of a branch family. The Shiba family specialised in fireworks and was part of the four great families. Somehow, Soi Fon and Rangiku had gotten wind of this and joined in while Hinamori was always with Itsuki wherever he went. Rukia joined in when she saw her idol being literally dragged around.

Upon entering they were greeted by an average height woman with messy black hair. She had green eyes and an ample bosom. She wore a white skirt and a provocative red robe. Itsuki remembered her as Shiba Kukaku. It seemed either she hadn't gotten into an accident yet or due to saved Kaien and his wife, the accident was averted. Compared to the show, she was missing the bandages she had, and her right arm was still there.

”You're back Kaien-nii, you seem to have brought friends, luckily the food prepared is enough.”

Itsuki was being dragged by Kaien, so she didn't see his face.

”Who are you dragging?”

Kukaku could see the captain's haori the person was wearing, but not the number. Kaien suddenly remembered something and tried to hide Itsuki's face,

”No one, you don't need to know”

Kukaku couldn't hold in her curiosity as she sneaked up behind her brother while he was replying,

Seeing Itsuki's face, Kukaku was visibly shocked. Kaien saw this and sighed while he quickly dragged Itsuki away. Kukaku just stood in the same spot shocked.

”It seems that the guests are here”

Miyako's melodious voice was heard as she prepared the dishes. One by one, scrumptious dishes were laid out as the people started to dig in.

It was a happy festive mood as a small smile appeared on Itsuki's face,

'When was the last time I felt like this'

That was how all the members of the Shiba family were. No ounce of noble arrogance was found within them, they treated everyone equally and were a rash bunch.

Suddenly the dining room fell silent as everyone looked at Itsuki. The women had a blush on their faces while Kaien, the only guy, had a defeated look. Their youngest brother was out, so he wasn't there for the feast.

'So even Itsuki can smile'

The girls seem out of it as they continuously drank alcohol while Kaien drank out of depression. His wife and sister had joined Itsuki's fan girl club, quite literally. The rare merry night passed.

Time passed until the gears of fate started moving once more.

'Should be about now'

Itsuki was playing with Seikyo near the main Senkaimon.

Two reports had just come, firstly, there were some casualties within the 2nd Division from unknown causes within a certain district. The second one stated that Toshiro had just reported the death of a few Shinigami in the real world and Isshin was making his way towards the Senkaimon.

Knowing that it was time for the main character's parents to meet, Itsuki wouldn't miss this chance. Waiting for a while, Itsuki felt a presence nearing the gate as a voice was heard,

”Eh? Captain Minamoto?”

Itsuki turned around only to see a middle-aged man nearing. He had short, spiky black hair with noticeable sideburns and brown eyes. He wore the standard Shinigami attire with a sleeveless captain's haori with the number 10 on his back.

”What are you doing here?”

”Investigation”

Isshin knew that Itsuki was a man of a few words so he didn't find his way of speaking strange.

”Investigating what?”

”Deaths”

”What location?”

”Naruki City”

”Wha-? That's under my jurisdiction, what is the Onmitsukido doing the-”

Itsuki never glanced at Isshin as he interrupted him while they waited for the Senkaimon to be opened.

”Confidential”

”You-”

”I heard what you said to Rangiku”

This seemed to stop whatever he was saying. As her captain, Isshin knew the relationship the two had. Sweat poured down his face as he replied

”I don't know what you mean”

Itsuki didn't pursue the subject as the Senkaimon opened.

”Don't worry about the captain-commander, he already knows”

Itsuki walked in with Seikyo perched on his shoulder and Isshin following.

- Unknown location -

Within a secret base a lot of scientific stuff was happening. Tosen and Gin were in front of a set of computers when Aizen walked in,

”Any luck?”

”No, not even one.”

Gin replied while Tosen looked at the computer screen and continued,

”We've been successful in equipping hollows with the ability to hollowfy targets but it's too toxic…”