Welcome to the Family

10 advanced chapters on my Patreon: Fiction Haven

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"Do you have any regrets from your past life?" Ichigo asked after some time.

"I honestly don't even remember anything about my past life?" Masaki rubbed her head awkwardly.

"I see…"

Ichigo thought hard. Even though the woman before him could no longer be considered his mother, he didn't want to leave her fending for herself alone. She could have a good life as a Shinigami, but he would rather die than let her be under the care of Gotei 13. As unlikely as it was, he didn't want to risk getting her to be held hostage.

He soon found his answer the moment he remembered that he had a family in Rukongai. They were rambunctious but good people nonetheless. He hadn't properly introduced himself as a Shiba heir, but he had a feeling Kūkaku already knew. He was sure she wouldn't mind letting Masaki, her aunt, stay with her.

"Why don't you stay at my family's house until you figure out what you want to do?"

"Eh, I don't want to trouble you more than I already did," Masaki politely declined.

"Will you feel more comfortable if I say this is my attempt at wooing you?" Ichigo said with a glint in his eyes.

"Eh…"

Masaki didn't know how to react. Her eyes frantically looked around for answers before eventually settling on the ground. Ichigo snorted in amusement, causing her face to redden. Returning her gaze to Ichigo's face, she met his teasing smile. Her heart hammered in her chest. She couldn't help it. Ichigo was attractive and she was a maiden, after all.

"Jokes aside, that is the safest place you can be now."

The mood quickly turned solemn. Masaki glanced around and then looked at Ichigo questioningly for his remark.

"Am I weaker than these children or am I specifically targeted?"

"Souls age differently than physical bodies, especially in an area with scant Reiatsu. They may qualify for children based on their looks and mentality, but they are way older than you. They know how to survive in this place more than you do," Ichigo explained. "On top of that, not everyone is accepting."

Masaki glanced outside and met the hostile glares some of the adults shot her. She was taken aback but got Ichigo's point. Even so, she didn't immediately accept Ichigo's offer. Even if Ichigo assured her the children would fare better than she did, she didn't feel right leaving them behind. Of course, she didn't dare ask Ichigo to bring the children too. She would be spitting on his face by doing that.

After a few seconds of hesitation, she eventually nodded in acceptance. Ichigo smiled lightly before extending his hand. Masaki grabbed his hand gently and then yelped as he swiped her off her feet. She didn't expect him to carry her. Ichigo turned to his female companions. It was at this moment that Masaki registered the presence of the two beauties.

Yoruichi sent Ichigo an inexplicable look for a moment before nodding solemnly. Retsu shot him a thin, sincere smile that looked comforting. Masaki wondered why they looked sad for Ichigo but didn't say anything. She could only think of silly reasons and she didn't want to accidentally blurt them out.

'They are not jealous of me, are they?'

She cast the thought away as soon as Ichigo told Yoruichi to take them to the Shiba's residence. Ichigo then told her to hold tight and she complied without issues. Ichigo's body jerked slightly and everything turned into a blur. Ichigo would stop occasionally and that was when her heart beat. Every time they moved; it stopped beating. At least, that was how she felt.

Roughly an hour later, they arrived at the Shiba's residence. Masaki's first impression of the residence was similar to everyone who saw it for the first time. Given the gigantic stone hands holding the banner of her name, Masaki decided that Kūkaku was eccentric.

In front of the residence, they were greeted by Shiroganehiko and Koganehiko. The two big men weirded Masaki out at first, but she was relieved to find them normal the moment they spoke politely to Ichigo.

"Are you here for the Mistress, Ichigo-sama?" the twins asked in unison.

"Did someone force you to address me that way?" Ichigo asked in amusement.

"We only deem it proper to address a person of your caliber that way. Of course, if it inconveniences you, we will gladly stop doing that."

Ichigo waved his hand lightly. The twin guards bowed politely and then took them inside. Masaki looked around in wonder but also wondered why Ichigo hadn't put her down. She was delighted to be carried by such an attractive man but could walk by herself. On top of that, she began to feel intimidated by Yoruichi and Retsu's gaze. She didn't need to be a genius to tell that they had feelings for him.

Ichigo eventually let her down when they were in front of Kūkaku's room. Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko stepped aside and then slid the door open for them. The first thing that Masaki noted when she saw Kūkaku was the fact that her shirt couldn't accommodate her torso. The bountiful pair she had seemed to be ready to burst out of it.

"Do you have any business with me, Ichigo?" Kūkaku asked coolly, puffing smoke out of her mouth.

"I want to drop someone off," Ichigo answered, putting his hand on Masaki's head. "You will do me a great favor if you can take care of her."

Kūkaku turned her gaze to Masaki, causing the orange-haired beauty to squirm. She took her eyes away from Masaki and then looked at Ichigo inquiringly. She seemed to have an idea of what was going on but wasn't sure if it was true. Ichigo sent Yoruichi a gaze and she immediately pulled Masaki away from him. He stepped into the room and then slid the door close.

Kūkaku kept her position as Ichigo approached her. She stared at him silently while smoking on her pipe. She only stopped smoking when Ichigo sat cross-legged before her. Even then, none of them said a thing for a while.

"Are you not going to say a thing?" Kūkaku frowned.

"How much do you know about me?" Ichigo calmly asked.

"Just enough to know that we're cousins."

"Then, it will be quick. That woman is my mother."

Kūkaku blinked before lamenting mentally that she had killed her pipe. She was glad to receive a family but knew there was more to the story. With a shrug, she asked about what happened to her aunt. Ichigo explained the situation. She listened to him raptly and could tell one thing.

"That woman is no longer your father's wife or my aunt. Her past life is irrelevant regardless of how she looks or behaves."

"…I know."

"Then, you shouldn't treat her as such."

Ichigo frowned and stared at Kūkaku sternly. Kūkaku realized how she had sounded to him and promptly apologized.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to sound harsh. I just want you to move on," she explained softly. "Imagine yourself in her position. Are you going to easily accept it when a young man your age suddenly calls you 'Mother' or treats you like one? Everyone dies and turns over a new leaf or tries to. I am sure your mother is here for the same reason."

"…I know." Ichigo sighed. "So, are you going to receive her?"

"Of course, I am. Do you think I am going to abandon a family?" Kūkaku smirked.

"Thank you." Ichigo smiled gratefully.

"She has to work for me, though. I wouldn't make her work if she was the mother who birthed you, but she is not, is she?"

"I don't mind that. I think Masaki doesn't want to be a freeloader either."

"Planning to put your claws on her already, eh? Keep it in the family, right?"

Kūkaku laughed at her joke. Ichigo shook his head with a smile. He could return the barb but was not in the mood. Masaki's appearance quite shook him. He needed some time to get back to his usual mood. He stood up, planning to tell Masaki the good news. He was about to walk to the door when Kūkaku stopped him.

"I heard you are planning to do some crazy stuff," she remarked.

"Did you hear that from Yoruichi?" Ichigo said curiously.

"I guess that is a given, but that is not what I want to say. Are you just visiting to drop that girl off and leave? As much as I love my family, I don't think I can overlook your insolence."

Ichigo turned around to face her. "Miss me?" He opened his arms, eliciting a snort from her. He smirked a little at that. "Don't worry. I am planning to stay here for a day before leaving. I want to get Masaki accustomed to the environment first."

Kūkaku stood up and then surprised him by hugging him. His mind quickly registered the soft biological pillows pressed against his chest. He soon ignored it and returned the hug. His cousin welcomed him to the family and he couldn't help but smile.