"So, I'm now the 2nd Division Lieutenant, and Ichigo is the 3rd Seat." Ren raised his eyebrow as he stared at the armband he had just been given. He had been officially appointed as the 2nd Division Lieutenant, and the division itself was being relocated to the Human World to handle any incidents quickly and efficiently.
Although the 2nd Division was relocating, they wouldn't be alone. Selected individuals from other squads would accompany them, and everything would be under the control of Suì-Fēng—alongside Ren, now the new Lieutenant of the division.
As for Ōmaeda, he had been reassigned as a 3rd Seat in another Division, since he was far too weak and had only achieved the rank of Lieutenant due to his noble status.
"Kind of… you have the authority of a Lieutenant, but you're not really bound by anything." – Suì-Fēng said in a soft, feminine tone she rarely showed, her cheeks slightly flushed as she looked at Ren.
"Alright." – Ren nodded indifferently, pinning the Lieutenant badge to his chest. As for Suì-Fēng's bashful look, he noticed it but ignored it, assuming Yoruichi must have done something to influence the pure, straightforward girl.
"In the past two days, a base has been under construction in Karakura Town, and it should be ready soon. If you wish to return, I can take you there as well." – Suì-Fēng added, since traveling with a Shinigami required the guidance of a Hell Butterfly to avoid getting lost in the Dangai.
The Dangai was a weaker segment of the Dimensional Gap, and without a Hell Butterfly it was all too easy to get lost. Even the strongest Shinigami needed them to avoid being swallowed by the Kōryū or Kōtotsu.
"Fine, I'll be there on time." – Ren gave her a casual wave before heading back to the Kuchiki Clan estate. Since the end of the recent chaos, he had been staying there with the others. Today, he was set to go with Rukia and Ichigo to visit Kūkaku and the others. Ren was curious about his relatives, while Rukia intended to apologize and clear up the long-standing misunderstanding between herself and the Shiba Clan.
As Ren walked through the quiet corridors leading to the estate's back gardens, he noticed how the air of the Soul Society felt different… heavier, more tense. Not only because of Aizen's revelations, but because the entire world itself was changing.
Ichigo was waiting for him by the gate, leaning against the stone wall with a faint smile.
"Late, as usual." – Ichigo said in a joking tone, though he seemed more mature than before.
"I was listening to a lecture from a small-sized Lieutenant." – Ren replied coldly, pointing at his new badge, which made Ichigo chuckle.
"By the way, Suì-Fēng seemed a bit flustered. Did you do something again?" – Ichigo asked with a half-suspicious smile.
"Nothing… as far as I know." – Ren answered as he passed Ichigo and moved toward the carriage waiting for them.
Rukia arrived moments later, wearing the white clan kimono, but her hair was tied more simply than usual, as if she didn't want to stand out as a Noble today.
"Let's go." – she said quietly as she stepped into the carriage.
The three sat inside, and the servants quickly lifted the carriage and carried them toward the Shiba Clan estate.
"…" – Rukia sat silently, leaning slightly against Ren as though seeking comfort and security. She was about to face one of her greatest fears, and she couldn't help but crave the sense of reassurance Ren gave her. Ever since he had saved her, he had become her anchor and source of calm—something she leaned on, consciously or not.
Ren didn't say anything, nor did he push her away. He simply turned his head slightly toward the window, his eyes reflecting a trace of deep thought as he watched the scenery change.
Ichigo, meanwhile, noticed the interaction, but chose not to comment. A faint smile tugged at his lips for a moment.
—
"Are you sure this isn't an insane asylum instead of the right place?" – Ren asked Ichigo, his expression stunned by the scene before them: a bizarrely designed house that no sane person would have built, surrounded by people drinking and dancing, while cannons launched fireworks into the sky.
"Yeah, this is the place." – Ichigo said with a relaxed shrug, clearly used to the chaos.
"Looks more like the home of barbarians than a former noble household." – Ren muttered under his breath, walking toward it with visible reluctance, embarrassed at the thought that these people were his relatives.
"That's rude, Ren." – Rukia scolded, pinching his side. Though she agreed with him, it wasn't proper to voice such thoughts aloud.
"I know… but it's the truth." – Ren murmured lowly, gently moving Rukia's hand away without responding directly, then added as he eyed half-naked men racing to launch fireworks:
"Is it normal to be greeted with a mortar shell?"
"Oh, don't worry. That's just a Shiba family welcome." – Ichigo replied casually, waving at one of them.
Suddenly, a huge explosion roared from the rooftop of the main building. A pink cloud of smoke rose, and a familiar silhouette emerged.
"You bastards!! Who dares enter without permission?!" – a fierce yet spirited voice rang out, before its owner was revealed.
Shiba Kūkaku—her short black hair whipping in the blast's wind, her prosthetic arm glowing with fire—glared down at them from the rooftop of her eccentric home, grinning wildly.
"Oh~ isn't that Ichigo? Did you come to join the party?" – Kūkaku's grin widened as her eyes fell on the unmistakable orange-haired boy. Then her gaze shifted to the other two.
The moment her eyes landed on Ren, they lit up. She recognized him instantly from Ichigo's descriptions, realizing he must be her other cousin. And she had to admit—he was far more handsome than Ichigo had described.
Finally, her eyes fell on the last figure, hiding partly behind the silver-haired one, staring back at her with fear, shyness, and guilt.
At that sight, Kūkaku's playful expression vanished, replaced by a cold seriousness as she fixed her sharp eyes on Rukia.
"What do you want?" – Kūkaku's voice rang out, hard and direct.
Faced with that gaze, Rukia couldn't meet her eyes. She stared at the ground silently.
"Wait, Nee-chan!" – Ganju quickly ran over to calm her down. Though he still hated Shinigami, especially Rukia, who had killed his older brother, he tried to soothe his sister. He knew the truth now – "This girl is Kuchiki Rukia. She fought alongside Ichigo and the others, risking her life to save them."
"I know." – Kūkaku's voice cut in again, silencing Ganju – "That's why I'm asking her why she's here."
"Sorry!!" – Without hesitation, Rukia bowed at a ninety-degree angle to both Kūkaku and Ganju – "I know this is late, but I apologize. I was a coward… I couldn't face you until now."
"So, I'm sorry…" – she repeated, her voice full of guilt and regret, but Kūkaku interrupted her.
"No need to apologize so much." – Kūkaku said, scratching the back of her head awkwardly, clearly not used to such genuine apologies.
"But…" – Rukia began, raising her head slightly, worried that Kūkaku's refusal meant she still hated her.
"I said that's enough!!" – Kūkaku snapped, suddenly appearing right in front of Rukia. Without hesitation, she punched her square on the head.
"Ow!!" – Rukia yelped, clutching her head in both hands, staring wide-eyed at Kūkaku.
"That's to make us even." – Kūkaku said, turning her back and walking away, sparks still crackling from her prosthetic arm after the punch – "You really were a coward… but you came here today. That's what matters."
Rukia froze in place, then bowed once more—this time in silence. Tears shimmered faintly at the corners of her eyes, but did not fall.
"Hah… such a sentimental one." – Kūkaku muttered, waving a hand without looking back – "Come in before you miss the food. Ganju roasted an entire cow this time, though I doubt much of it's left."
"Come on, let's go." – Ichigo nudged Ren lightly in the back – "Before she starts shooting at us again."
"This family gathering is clearly abnormal." – Ren muttered as he walked inside, glancing briefly at Rukia – "Are you alright?"
"Yes…" – she answered softly, then smiled faintly – "I think I'm… better now."
—
Hours later, the Shiba household's celebration was in full swing.
Laughter, chatter, even fireworks nearly crashing onto Ichigo and Ren more than once.
Ren sat by the back veranda, staring up at the sky, lazily stirring his finger in a cup of cold tea.
Then Kūkaku approached and sat beside him without asking.
"So you're my handsome cousin—the one with a reputation as a seasoned womanizer." – Kūkaku said with a teasing grin, not caring about the fact that their shoulders were literally touching.
Though she hadn't planned to reveal their family ties, it seemed Ren had figured it out while in Seireitei and told Ichigo, so there was no point in hiding it anymore.
"Kind of. Everyone has their interests, and mine just happens to be a strong one for beautiful women… especially older ones." – Ren said casually, casting her a meaningful glance that made her face momentarily freeze in surprise.
Kūkaku was undeniably stunning, with dark black hair, emerald-green eyes, a generous chest, a willow-like waist, and a well-shaped, firm figure. She was beauty of the highest grade.
"Hahaha! Am I on your radar of beauties too, then?" – Kūkaku smirked after her initial surprise, not expecting her cousin to be this bold.
"Well, I'm just a simple man who likes giving love and care to all the beautiful women in the world." – Ren said with a calm smile, as if it didn't matter much—though he knew perfectly well the effect of his words.
"You're a hundred years too early to try chasing me." – Kūkaku grinned as she stood up, patting Ren's shoulder – "If you still feel the same after a century, maybe I'll consider going on a date or two with you."
Ren chuckled lightly, replying with a sly smile:
"I'll keep that offer in mind, but don't expect too much from me in the next hundred years."
He glanced up at the sky, filled with scattered fireworks, and added with a faint seriousness:
"But no matter how chaotic life gets, I can't deny… having you here makes things more fun."
Kūkaku smiled softly, then sat back down beside him, gazing at the stars and colorful lights above.
"Maybe that's the real strength of the Shiba family… the ability to create chaos and laughter even in the darkest times."
Ren didn't need to reply. In that simple moment, he felt there was a promise—a bond that would not break, no matter how much time passed.
...
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