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Chapter Text

After the end of the Winter War, Ichigo finds himself struggling to adapt back to normal life. He wouldn’t ever regret sacrificing his powers to defeat Aizen, would do it again in a heartbeat. But the weight of the consequences for his decision don’t truly hit him until he finds himself walking to school without the usual background chatter of ghosts to keep him company. 

To suddenly be without something that had been with him his entire life hits Ichigo far harder than he expects it to. 

On top of that all of his friends have started awkwardly avoiding him and won’t even bring up anything Shinigami related if they can help it. Conversations tapering off into silence whenever he gets close and even their rooftop hangouts don’t feel welcoming anymore. He hasn’t seen any of his Shinigami friends in weeks and Karin has started sneaking out behind his back and going to Urahara’s. Ichigo comforts himself with the knowledge that Hat n’ Clogs will keep her safe. 

Ichigo goes through the motions during school and every day that drags by with the distance between him and his friends getting wider feels like a stab wound directly to his heart. He’s sitting in his guidance counselor’s office where she expresses concern for his dropped grades and fucked up attendance. He had been a top student before everything to do with Shinigami had barged its way into his life but with the war going on his grades had fallen significantly. 

“Kurosaki-san are you listening?” Yokino-sensei asks in exasperation. 

“Yes, sensei.” Ichigo blinks his eyes away from the window where he can see his Chad and Orihime rushing off. Yokino-sensei sighs before pulling out a pamphlet from one of the dozen stacks of paper precariously balancing on her desk and handing it to him.

“This is a student exchange program that you meet the requirements for. I think it would be a good opportunity for you to experience another culture.” 

Translation: Get the fuck out of this little town and away from whatever has you so depressed. 

“I’ll think about it.” Ichigo takes the pamphlet without looking at it and leaves before she can add anything else.

He intends to just shove the thing into his desk to be forgotten about but then he actually takes a look at it. Its an exchange program with Italy of all places, he was kind of expecting America. The program schedule is incredibly flexible and is meant to get students deeply involved in Italy’s cultural customs. If he went he would be living with a host family. It really did look like a lot of fun.

Ichigo had always wanted to go traveling when he was older, when the girls were more mature and could look after themselves. But the twins were still only twelve and this program was set to last two years. Could Ichigo actually bear to leave them for that long? 

Turns out it didn’t matter if Ichigo could because as soon as Yuzu finds the pamphlet she sits him down for an interrogation. He expects tears or yelling or just generally unhappy feelings about the possibility of him leaving. Ichigo fidgets with his tea as he sits in silence letting her take in what all accepting would entail. He prepares himself to say he isn’t going and that she doesn’t need to cry before Yuzu looks up at him and the words catch in his throat. 

“You should go to Italy.” She tells him with glassy but determined eyes.

“What?” Ichigo honestly wasn’t expecting that.

“Go to Italy.” Yuzu repeats firmly. 

“But-” She cuts him off.

“Ichi-nii, you’ve been looking after us for years now. And while I don’t know everything that's going on since no one will tell me.” Ichigo winces guiltily suddenly feeling like a hypocrite for being upset with his own friends for keeping secrets. “I do know that your hurting right now and that everyone is being really weird and reticent. So maybe going somewhere new will be good for you. It’ll be a fresh start for you to get better.”

Ichigo doesn’t really know what to say to that. Yuzu gets up from her seat and moves around the table to hug him tightly.

“I just want you to be able to smile again.”

His decision to leave pretty much solidifies then and there.

Yuzu handles telling Karin while Ichigo works up the nerve to talk to Goat Face to sign the consent forms. The old man surprisingly doesn’t fight him on it instead enthusiastically telling him to go and signing off on all the necessary paperwork.

All thats left to do really is pack his things and talk to Urahara. 

The damn shopkeeper hadn’t out right been avoiding him like everyone else but he was definitely distracted with something. Everytime Ichigo dropped by he was either sent away or left to his own devices to wander around the shop alone. 

While Ichigo appreciated being trusted enough to wander Urahara’s home without being supervised, going so long without seeing the stupid shopkeeper bothered him a lot more than he really wanted to admit. 

Walking into the shop Ichigo made his way to Urahara’s lab knocking on the door three times hard to make sure he hears. Dumbass got absorbed to easily into his experiments and forgot everything else. Thankfully it doesn’t take long for him to answer this time.

“Ah, Kurosaki-kun?” Urahara’s hair looks wild and unkempt. His hat no where to be found and while Benihime rests in his hand, Ichigo sees no sign of his customary fan.

“We need to talk.” That felt more foreboding then it really had any right to be.

Urahara gives him an unreadable look before stepping out of his lab, locking it back as he does and gesturing for Ichigo to follow him. The two settle into the sitting room as Urahara busies himself with making a pot of tea.

“What did you wish to talk about?”

“I’m leaving.” Ichigo just gets it out there no sense in dragging it out. He isn’t expecting the way Urahara just freezes in place like a statue.

“Leaving?” Ichigo finds himself pinned in place by a sharp stare.

“I accepted a student exchange program. I’m going to Italy.” 

Urahara just stares unblinkingly for so long that Ichigo starts feeling as if he’s somehow done something wrong, said the wrong thing. 

“I see. You probably wish to get away from all of this, huh?” Urahara gives him such a fake ass smile that Ichigo feels the need to gag. “I understand. Well do have a wonderful trip Kurasaki-san! I-”

“Stop.” Ichigo cuts him off before Urahara can work himself up any further. “I’m going because it feels like no one really needs me here anymore. My guidance counselor though it would be good for me and Yuzu thinks so too. So I’m going, I wanted to tell you so that you wouldn’t be caught off guard if you came looking for me.”

He suddenly feels ridiculous. Ichigo doesn’t have his powers anymore, he can’t help with anything going on, there isn’t any reason for Urahara to come looking for him. But the shopkeeper had grown on him and Ichigo knows he’d hate it if Urahara suddenly packed up and left without a word to him.

Urahara just stares at him with that frustratingly blank look for another long minute.

“How long are you going to be gone?” He finally asks.

“Two years.” Ichigo would be eighteen when he comes back. 

“I see. Its good that your taking an interest in broadening your horizons. Who am I to discourage the pursuit of knowledge?”

Ichigo rolls his eyes so hard it hurts his head before reaching out a hand. Urahara stills even harder when he places it on top of his hatless head.

“Look after the girls while I’m gone, will you?” Look after my family while I can’t, Ichigo doesn’t say. He thinks Urahara hears him anyway.

“Mah, Kurosaki-chan I’ll take good care of your sisters.” No harm will come to them while I’m here, his eyes promise.

Ichigo spends the rest of the evening just sitting with Urahara and drinking tea. Its good and he finds himself feeling lighter than he has in a while. 

The day he boards his flight Ichigo does one last check to make sure he has everything packed and finds a credit card with his name on it and a phone with a number already listed inside.

The first six months in Italy are the most peaceful experience Ichigo has ever had. Like all things in Ichigo’s life he manages to pick up Italian incredibly quickly despite how he only started learning when he arrived. It was really a necessity since his host family doesn't speak Japanese and broken English could only get him so far. 

The people were interesting as well as the various programs the teachers had scheduled for the students to do. Everyone was for the most part welcoming and patient with the foreign exchange students. Bar the occasional asshole that was just a raging racist. Ichigo honestly hadn’t expected to enjoy the experience as much as he was. 

There were no Shinigami, no friends awkwardly avoiding him, and while he’d never admit it openly (and barely to himself) no sisters that he had to keep an eye on. He loved the twins with his whole being but for the first time since their mother died Ichigo had the opportunity to just do things purely for himself. 

It was strange but not a bad strange. Going out and just exploring however he liked, not worrying about the weeks grocery list, or having another crisis dropped at his feet with a new enemy to fight was a nice change of pace. Not that he would ever trade any of that for any amount of peace but having the opportunity to actually figure himself out without adding other people to the mix was in a way refreshing. 

And also incredibly lonely. Ichigo kept finding himself turing as if to share whatever food he was trying with Orihime, his eyes catching on different styles of clothes that he thought Uryu would find interesting, or missing the steady presence of Chad at his back whenever his hair inevitably caught the attention of some less than savory people. 

He missed sitting in Urahara's shop drinking tea and training with Yoruichi, he missed Rukia’s terrible drawings, Renji’s bullheaded personality, and having to deal with whatever bullshit the Shinigami had found themselves in that week. Ichigo missed how things used to be with his friends. 

That loneliness was probably what prompted him to actually attend the shady meeting he’d been invited to. 

Ichigo Kurosaki you are formally

 invited to the gathering of the Seven Strongest.

The only other thing written on the plain white card was an address and a date. It was by far the most shady thing Ichigo had ever scene and had him calling up Urahara before he could think better of it. 

‘All it says is the Seven Strongest?” Kisuke’s voice filters through the phone as Ichigo sets about making himself a late dinner. His host family was already asleep and Ichigo knows himself well enough to know he won't be able to go to sleep knowing someone was in his room.

Not that breaking in was a hard thing to do (his host family didn't really have much in the way of home security) but it was the principle of the matter.

“Yeah, along with an address and date.” 

“Looks like six months is the longest you can go without finding trouble. I’ll look into it and see what I can find Ichigo-kun.” That was another new change that Ichigo found himself happy about. After one to many sleepless nights Ichigo had started sending pictures and random texts to Urahara. 

The man didn’t always respond at first but after about a month of Ichigo stubbornly refusing to stop, Kiskue had started sending him random pictures and texts as well. Ichigo couldn’t help the warm smile that tugged at his lips hearing his name coming from the other. 

“I assume you’ll be attending the meeting?”

“Probably.” Ichigo would admit to being incredibly bored. The easy peace was relaxing and nice but after a year of none stop action he found himself bored out of his mind with nothing but school work to do.

Kisuke just hummed distractedly, he was probably running another experiment. Ichigo didn’t interrupt his thinking just continued cooking in silence.

‘Ah, its late over there for you isn’t it? Get some rest, you shouldn’t head into any new trouble on no sleep Ichigo-san.”

“Hm, night Kisuke.” Ichigo heard Kisuke choke and abruptly realized it was the first time he’d called him by his first name instead of Hat n’ Clogs. He hung up before the other could interrogate him or more likely get caught up in some weird guilty feelings. Kiskue had the biggest guilt complex Ichigo had ever scene and he was not dealing with it so late at night.

Chapter Text

The meeting place turned out to be a villa on the outskirts of Florence. 

Ichigo did not appreciate having to trudge through the woods in the muggy ass weather of Italy just to reach it. He’d tripped on no less than three tree roots and had sweated through is t-shirt. He was regretting the jeans he was wearing desperately wishing for shorts instead. He was going to blame his less than satisfactory appearance on the fact he is in human form, he hasn’t been able to train properly in months, and the fucking humidity. This humiliating display is not his fault. 

Opening the door to the villa Ichigo finds himself on the receiving end of five different pairs of eyes. Not that he gives a damn about that instead lamenting the fact Italy apparently didn’t believe in fucking air conditioning and scans the room for the seat closest to the window. 

There were only two seats left around the long table and Ichigo slinks over to the one at the head of the table and directly in front of the open window. Yoruichi would laugh herself sick at the pathetic image he made melting into a puddle as soon as he sits down. It takes Ichigo five minutes before he can lift his head and observe the people around him.

To Ichigo’s left (and looking unfairly unbothered by the heat) was a man in a three piece black suit that just excluded ‘I’ll kill you and you wouldn’t even realize your dead’ vibes. The guys eyes were so dark they looked like blackholes and Ichigo decided pissing off someone who could wear that shit in this kind of weather was not something he ever wanted to do. The lone woman in the room sat to his left, she wore cargo pants and a white tank top with combat boots, there were dog tags handing form her necklace. Military then, probably former since Ichigo didn’t think the others in the room were exactly law abiding citizens. 

Ichigo wasn’t really certain what the person sitting next to Military Lady was, they wore a dark purple cloak that covered them from head to toe. The only thing visible being the upside down red triangle tattoos on their cheeks. Not the oddest tattoo choice Ichigo had ever scene but still strange. Sitting across from them and next to Mister Deadly was a chinese man. Ichigo didn’t wear traditional Japanese clothing but he would have to see if their was anything like what the man was wearing because it looked breathable and beyond comfortable. 

The last person gave off such mad scientist vibes that Ichigo was immediately reminded of Kisuke. Except this guy look incredibly bored and apathetic to everyone in the room as he stared blankly at the ceiling. His hair was the brightest shade of green Ichigo had ever scene and for once he was glad to not be the only one with odd hair.  

All in all it was a group of vastly different and interesting people. Which meant that Ichigo was now fucking certain that this ‘Strongest Seven’ bullshit was either Shinigami related or Ichigo had stumbled across a new supernatural faction or something. 

Because their was power in the room. It wasn’t reiatsu, Ichigo wouldn’t be able to sense it if it was but it still felt like spiritual power. Ichigo ignored the budding hope inside his chest, this power wasn’t reiatsu, but maybe it could give him back what he was missing. 

No one said anything as Ichigo observed and he didn’t bother trying to start up conversation either. Their was still ten minutest left before the meeting was to start afterall and their Seventh wasn’t here yet.

Renato was beginning to find himself underwhelmed with this meeting. 

When he had received an invitation to a meeting of the worlds Strongest Seven he had been excited to attend if only to meet people that could actually pose a challenge to himself.  

Now sitting in a villa with an ex-military, a Chinese Triad, a miserly informant, a scientist, and a teenager of all things dashed those thoughts fairly quickly. The only thing Renato could think of that any of them would have in common is their Flames. Which meant they weren’t here based on their reputation or prowess. 

Which pissed him off to no end.

And only had him staying in his seat because Renato did not half ass anything. He would see this through if for no other reason than to kill the asshole responsible for thinking he could manipulate the Worlds Greatest Hitman.

Observing the Sky sitting at the head of the table Renato noted that the kid must be asian. He was clearly struggling front he humidity and hadn’t wasted time sitting in front of the window before faceplanting on the table. Sweat dripped down his head as he steadied his breathing and only after five minutes had passes did he deign to look up at everyone else in the room. 

His hair was a bright orange and Renato had to wonder at the potency of the kids activation for it to have dyed his hair. Looking over at the resident scientist, Verde, if he recalled correctly had had a similar experience with his own flames as his hair was a bright green. Perhaps this wouldn’t be a complete waste of his time. Now all that was left was for the Cloud to show up. 

As the clock ticked down Renato snapped his eyes toward the Sky who suddenly tensed sitting up and scanning the room. Renato did the same as he sensed and saw Mist Flames coalesce together on the ceiling. 

“OW FUCK!” A figure dropped out of the Flames landing hard onto the ground.

“Now that were all here, lets get started shall we?”

A man stood in the corner wearing a checkered mask and Renato could feel the weight of the flames in the air. Sky flames permeated the air in response, agitation clear for all of them to feel and Renato flicked his eyes back to the young sky sitting beside him. It didn’t appear to be a conscious action but if the brat didn’t want to be scooped up by a Famiglia then he was going to need to learn control quickly. 

“Who are you?” The ex-military woman demanded. 

“This is a meeting of the Strongest Seven of the generation.” Checkerface (as Renato has now dubbed him) ignored her. “You should feel honored to have been chosen.”

“And what is this meeting meant to accomplish?” Verde asks dully. The first sign of any emotion Renato had scene since he’d sat down.

“You all will be going on missions together. You’ll be rewarded generously for each one you complete of course.” Checkerface snaped his fingers and manilla folders appeared in front of them. 

As Sky brat flips his open and promptly chokes at what he finds, Renato flips his open as well. Renato doesn’t blame him for his reaction, the amount offered is an exorbitant amount of money. 

“Why together? What happens if one of us refuses?” Sky brat asks, scowling harshly. 

“I don’t believe any of you will be refusing.” Checkerface says ominously. 

Renato follows the Skies gaze as it flicks down to something on the floor. He’s abruptly reminded of who can only be the last member of their little group struggling on the floor against mist constructed weights. This guy thought he could threaten and boss them around did he? 

Renato moves at the same time as the Chinese Triad member does. A blink and the disorienting feeling of falling follows him into darkness before he’s harshly slammed back into his seat. The others that hadn’t moved stare with wide eyes at the scene.

“This will be your first assignment. I expect you all to work together.” And with that the bastard disappears in a puff of indigo flames. 

“UGH FINALLY!” The Cloud throws himself up onto his feet gasping dramatically for air. “That fucking asshole! I am totally not joining his stupid band of criminals!”

Renato watches dispassionately as the kid(?) dashes out the door, the rest of them sit in tense silence for about ten seconds before another wave of indigo flames is spiting the Cloud right back into the room. Renato tunes out the irritating screeching in favor of looking over the ‘mission’ folder.

“Right.” The Sky brat sighs as he drags a hand over his face. “How about we introduce ourselves? I’m Ichigo.”

“If you must know I am the Great Skull-sama! Greatest Stuntman in the World.” The irritant boasts proudly and arrogantly. 

Wonderful thats two civilians to keep track of, Renato thinks dispassionately as he flips through the pages of the report. Its a fairly simple retrieval mission all things considered. Something to get them all accustomed to one another no doubt. 

“Lal Mirch, Rain.” Ex-military introduces after a beat of silence when no one else speaks up.

“Verde, Lightning.”

“Mou, Viper. Mist.”

“Fong, Storm.”

“Renato, Sun.” Renato stands from his chair to look at the two civilians in their midst. At least the Sky is showing some promise from the weary way he eyes Renato like he can sense the threat he poses. “And you must be our Sky.”

He points out the obvious purely for the brats benefit and as he thought only receives a confused scowl in return. 

“Explain.” He demands.

“Mou, how annoying. The Dying Will Flames of the Sky. There are seven being Rain, Lighting, Mist, Sun, Storm, Cloud, and of course Sky. I expect to be paid for my services.” Viper rather generously pipes up.

“I’m a broke collage student. I can pay you back in the form of food if you want.” Ichigo replies as he looks over his own folder. “So any ideas on why we all were gathered?”

“Most likely for our flames.” Fong answers benignly. It rankles more than just Renato he’s sure that their skills aren’t what has brought them here. Ichigo just scowls harder and the flames in the air condense and press with his irritation.

“Stop that.” Lal snaps at him.

“Stop what?” 

“You need to learn control, your flames give you away. There practically blanketing the room right now. How the hell have you avoided getting snatched up by a famiglia?”

Ichigo blinks in confused surprise before his eyes lose focus a bit. The sky flames in the air don’t lose their potency nor do they dissipate entirely but they do concede to more or less just surround the sky. Its more control than Renato was expecting from a civilian, now if only that damn Cloud could do the same. His flaunting was getting on his nerves.

“Is that better?”

“Good enough for now.” Renato pulls out a map. The assignment has a deadline for the end of next week, best to get things sorted out now so they can all leave.

The Cloud lets out another loud shriek as Lal apparently loses patience with his flame flaunting and shoots a warning shot at him. The Sky losses control of his flames in response and they spike in the air once again. Renato could already tell this was going to be a very long evening.

Ichigo ends up wandering into his host families house late that night. His host family had thankfully become accustomed to his late night wanderings and had stopped fretting or trying to contact the police every time he failed to show up for curfew. Ichigo felt a little bad for stressing them out but not enough to consider stopping. Besides he did well in all of his classes and showed up for the required class trips so they left him alone and didn't nag him about anything else.

The meeting of the ‘Seven Strongest’ had dragged on for hours with everyone arguing and butting heads. Skull was a lot to handle and Ichigo honestly wouldn’t have found his rather colorful personality to be out of place amongst the Shinigami. Renato was clearly used to being the smartest and strongest person in the room and seemed intent on taking charge. Something that Lal Mirch took exception to and had tried to wrestle leadership from him. Verde had quickly lost interest in anything going on as soon as that weird mist guy had left and Viper didn’t pitch in anything without adding a price tag to it. Fong didn’t seem to bad so far but he also hadn’t voluntarily spoken up to add anything to the conversation either. 

All this to say that nothing had really gotten done in terms of their mandatory participation in the up coming mission. It wasn’t as if Ichigo could come up with anything considering this was an infiltration mission and while he had experience making the plan wasn’t his forte. But he’d probably have to come up with something if the others couldn’t get along long enough to work together. 

He kind of missed the days where he could just run head first into a situation and beat it into submission. Long winded plans and details were something he left to other people to worry over, usually that person being Kisuke. Ichigo would honestly feel a hell of a lot better about this if Kisuke was with him. He finds himself dialing the shady shopkeepers number as soon as he’s settled into bed.

‘Mah, is it safe to assume things went sideways?” Is the first thing the asshole asks him.

“Not exactly.” Ichigo scowled up at his dark ceiling. “I’m stuck with a bunch of weirdos for the foreseeable future. Guy in charge gave us a mission to do together but at least the pay for it is fantastic.”

“Oh? Do tell.”  

Ichigo spends the next thirty minutes rehashing everything that had happened and that he could remember that might be relevant. Kisuke takes it all in quietly and only speaking up to ask a clarifying question or for Ichigo to elaborate on something. 

“Dying Will Flames of the Sky, I came across some information on it during my research. It appears to be a separate form of spiritual energy, not unlike reiatsu but certainly different in form. This power is something that comes directly from a persons soul. It typically manifests when one is undergoing extreme stress.”

Which was Ichigo’s whole life in a nutshell. 

“Renato called me a Sky. Is that important?”

“From what I understand each element has a characteristic they embody. The Rain is Tranquility, the Storm is Disintegration, the Sun is Activation, the Mist is Construction, the Lightning is Hardening, the Cloud is Propagation, and the Sky is Harmony.”

“What the hell is ‘Harmony’ supposed to mean?” Ichigo watches the twinkling stars outside his window as a few lights from outside pass by here and there. 

“I am uncertain. All I could find is that these other elements gather around and protect their ‘Sky’. It was certainly emphasized that they were important to the other individuals.”

“Fantastic,” Ichigo mutters sourly. “Anything else you can tell me?”

“Nothing that will be particularly helpful at the moment. I’ll look into the other individuals that you’ve found yourself involved with Ichigo-kun, in the meantime simply keep your guard up.”

Ichigo hums absently, it had been a long day and he was exhausted. Kisuke’s voice is familiar and steady even through the grainy speaker of his phone and he allows his eyes to close at the sound.

“Ichigo-kun? You still there?”

“M’ere.” A sigh reaches his ears at his lackluster reply.

“Get some sleep Ichigo-kun. I will call you back when I find out more.”

Ichigo doesn’t bother hanging up the phone as he falls asleep. 

Chapter Text

Ichigo goes about his day as normal. He checks in with his host parents, turns in his homework to his teachers, and makes the obligatory small talk with the other exchange students that is required of him. And then as soon as he confirms there are no scheduled outings he escapes back out into the streets of Italy to wander alone until dinner.

Or he would have if Renato hadn’t tracked him down as soon as he was by himself 

“Ichigo Kurosaki. Sixteen, from Karakura, Japan. Currently here on a two year student exchange program. Living with Mr. and Mrs. Russo as your host family.” The irritating bastard rattles off like he’s saying a grocery list. “You are currently at the top of your class grade wise but only participate in mandatory activities.”

“Are you stalking me?” Ichigo raises an unamused eyebrow at the Italian asshole. 

“Come now, forced together our group may be but you didn’t really expect me to leave our designated Sky unattended did you?” Renato scans the streets as he talks and Ichigo just barely catches sight of those annoying suit bastards that have been bothering him turning tail and running. At least Mister Deadly And Annoying is actually good for something. 

“I still don’t know what that means. What’s so important about being a Sky? And why would you have to be worried about me being alone?”

Kisuke will likely have the answers Ichigo’s looking for at some point in the near future but he might as well get as much information as he can from the source. He’s known the shopkeeper long enough now to know that Kisuke likes to cross reference his information. 

“A sky is harmony. And you shouldn’t speak so loudly about what you are, brat.”

“That explained literally nothing.”

Renato doesn’t answer after that no matter how much Ichigo pesters so he drops teh subject. Instead of sightseeing Ichigo decides to shop around, going to little stores and picking up knick knacks that he thinks the twins will like. The girls will like any souvenirs Ichigo gets them but he tries to get stuff that reminds him of them anyway. Maybe over break he could convince Kisuke to bring the twins down to visit for a little while. The idea brings a small smile to his face and Ichigo makes note to bring it up to the shopkeeper at some point. 

Even with Renato acting as an effective deterrent and bodyguard the suit bastards seem intent on bothering Ichigo today. He didn’t know what the assholes wanted from him as they kept talking in fast paced Italian. 

Thinking about it more Ichigo is honestly surprised he was able to keep up with yesterday’s conversation as well as he did. Maybe that was why Fong hadn’t spoken up much? Did he not know Italian? Ichigo will have to ask if Fong speaks Japanese, maybe he could convince him to teach Ichigo chinese.

A gunshot rings out. Ichigo looks over the group pointing guns at him and saying something threateningly. Right, suit guys were bothering him. Before he can move however Renato is stepping in front of him and pulling out his own gun. The suit bastards don’t last long after that. 

Ichigo breaths in, and stares at the pile of dead bodies absently noting that Renato had led them into a secluded alley way before the group had confronted them. He breaths out, he allows Renato to guide him along the back alleyways and back onto the street that he knows will take him to his host families house. 

He breaths in, looking into those blackholes for eyes and seeing indifferent amusement instead of regret or remorse. He breaths out, turns and walks to his host families house. Ichigo doesn’t stop breathing until he makes it inside, locks the door, and gets all the way up to his room. 

Ichigo stares at his shaking hands as he sits down on his bed. He thinks distantly that he and Kisuke underestimated what it meant when the Sky was described as important and protected.

Mister Deadly And Annoying had annoying had apparently stolen his phone at some point because when he checks it expecting a text from Kisuke he is instead confronted with ‘Tutor-san’. Why in the hell Renato would name himself something like that Ichigo has no idea but he sure as fuck isn’t going to be taking any kind of lessons from the bastard.

Ichigo’s only got room for one sycophant in his life and that spots taken up by Kisuke. He ignores the little voice in his head pointing out the long list of other mentally unwell people Ichigo has called friend.

After their little adventure the day before Ichigo had decided to just sit at home and calm the hell down. It wasn’t as if this was the first time he’d seen people die but it was the first time it was an actual living breathing normal person. Death apparently hit different when it was more than just a Shinigami or a Hollow, good to know. 

Whatever, its not like it was the killing that Ichigo had a problem with. He’d killed his fair share of sentient hollows, and fought alongside Shinigami who had done the same. Killing was most likely what Renato did for a living and it wasn’t Ichigo’s place to tell  him to stop. He’d let it go for now, but if he kept killing people just for antagonizing him then it was going to become a problem. 

The whole thing had also gotten him thinking about Kisuke. He knew objectively that Kisuke and Yoruichi were former Omnitsukido. That the two of them had killed people in cold blood thousands of times. Ichigo wouldn’t begrudge Kisuke for the life he led to survive nor does he hate Yoruichi for the system she was born to rule. 

They both have their reasons and if it was to protect the people they care about he knows they would kill again. And hadn’t Ichigo? He’d killed Ulquiorra, had been actively trying to kill Grimmjow. And several others because if he hadn’t gone in with the intent to kill they would have cut him down without remorse.

So no Ichigo isn’t bothered about the killing. He’s bothered about the fact Renato did that completely unprompted and without even bothering to tell him anything or help him understand. The asshole had just left him on his own afterwards.

Honestly the whole interaction told Ichigo quite a bit about what kind of person Renato was. He’d have to keep a closer eyes on Skull, the poor guy didn’t deserve to face Renato’s particular brand of bullshit. 

Anyway back to the number in his phone. Mister Deadly And Annoying had texted him to meet up at the villa at four o’clock sharp. No doubt to once again try going over their mission plans, not that Ichigo had much hope for that working out any better than last time. 

That weirdo mist guy likely wouldn’t let them just not participate so with that in mind Ichigo dragged himself out of bed, let his host family know he was going out, and set out on the long walk to the villa to meet up with criminals. Because that was just what his life was turning out to be apparently. 

Ichigo texted Kisuke just to be safe. The girls would freak out if he died on them so soon.

“You actually showed up, good.” Is the first thing Ichigo hears as he steps inside the villa.

Lal and Fong are settled at the table looking over a map, they glance up when he enters. Fong gives him a gentle smile and Lal just nodes sharply before going back to what ever it is she’s doing. Renato is of course lounging in a chair with his feet on top of the table looking entirely to pleased with himself.

“I am not dealing with your bullshit.” Ichigo says flatly before settling himself beside Lal. 

For her brash nature at least she wasn’t going to kill a group of suits right in front of him. Probably. Hopefully. The military had standards didn’t they? Whatever. Point was Ichigo was going to sit beside Lal and ignore Renato as much as possible.

Verde, Viper, and Skull are still missing, though. Ichigo’s eyes scan over the room and land on a warped looking spot on the far left wall. 

“Are Verde and Skull coming?” He asks the wall. 

“Who knows?” Lal mutters as she circles a spot on the map. 

“Mou, Verde is not coming and Skull skipped town.” 

“HOLY SHIT!” Lal suddenly shrieks and fires at the wall. Ichigo gives her a look and eyes the way Fong has suddenly broken the arm of his chair. Renato looks far to entertained and is eyeing the chaos with amusement.

Ah, maybe it had only been the two of them that had known Viper was there.

“Mou, your paying for the hole in my cloak.” Ichigo doesn’t see a hole, but he guesses that isn’t the point.

“How long have you been here?!” Lal demands and angry flush to her face.

“Long enough.” Is Vipers dry reply. 

“If you all are done messing around, we have a mission to plan.” Renato sets his feet down and comes over to look over the map. He pointedly sits beside Ichigo. 

Ichigo ignores this and looks over the map and blueprints settled onto the table. The building they need to break into is located in a secluded section of forest about three miles from any civilization. The item they need to retrieve is in a safe on the fifth floor of the building. 

The group goes over listing all the entry and exit points of the building. As Ichigo settles into it and listens to Lal and Renato talk he finds himself finding the whole thing kind of fun. He’s used to a very different kind of breaking and entering. Going over blueprints and accounting for guards so thoroughly before breaking into a place was definitely a new experience. Shinigami for all their strength and power were sorely disorganized and disjointed. They tended to simply swarm whatever area had the most activity or spiritual pressure. Kind of like ants in that regard.

Ew, that sounded like Aizen. 

Ichigo pointedly moves past that thought before he can vomit and goes back to listening to Renato and Lal argue over where they should enter. Lal wants to go in through the back entrance point while Renato wants to enter through the side door instead. Ichigo isn’t really certain why it fucking matters, he personally would like to enter through the balcony on the second floor instead of ground level. He says as much just to break up the arguing between the pair. Maybe if their busy listing all the ways that isn’t a good idea they can call down and compromise. 

Except the two stare at him then stare at the blueprints and then stare back at him for a solid minute instead of doing any of that. Ichigo is abruptly creeped out.

“That is not a bad idea.” Lal concedes thoughtfully.

“Hmm, it would get us past the ground level security points and if we make it up to the third floor there's a stairwell that goes directly to the fifth floor.” Renato looks pleasantly surprised when he looks back up at Ichigo. 

Ichigo stares at both of them feeling wrong-footed and disturbed. He abruptly stands up from his chair and decides he’s done with their little meeting for the night. 

“Well its getting late and I’ve got a two hour walk. Later.” 

He leaves before they can say anything else and they thankfully don’t try to stop him. Besides they had made good progress tonight and whatever else they decide on they can just fill him in later on. 

Chapter Text

It really is a simple mission. The only reason they wait so long before heading over to complete is because with so many head strong individuals involved theirs no clear leader to give orders. 

Renato personally intends to take that position, Lal for all her military experience is simply not accustomed to the deeper workings of the Mafia. And the others have so far proven unreliable, disinterested, or simply to inexperienced. Renato has no intentions of following someone inexperienced. Of course that doesn’t mean he won’t take into account their strengths, this group is proving to be full of potential.

The little Sky for example is proving to be quite capable if a little rough around the edges. His control of his flames needs work but he already has a base to build off of, its mostly just that he lacks practice and experience. That and the density of his Flames is nearly overwhelming, its no surprise that he’s struggling to keep them contained. 

Ichigo has also proven to be very observant. The little Sky watches them as they make plans, takes in their suggestions and listens as they point out reasons why some are discarded in favor of others. When he adds his own suggestions they are sound and thought out, Renato (and Lal as well) refrain from pointing out some of their own thoughts to see if Ichigo will pick out certain things on his own. 

He has potential and Renato can see him turning into a capable leader if given proper guidance. 

Ichigo also has fighting experience. Fong had actually been the one to bring up the issue of bringing Ichigo with them. But the group their facing doesn’t have any Flame actives so Ichigo’s lack of control shouldn’t give them away. No the problem would be having to protect Ichigo and fight at the same time. 

Renato is still amused at the sheer offense on Ichigo’s face and the way his Flames had turned indignant at the suggestion that he couldn’t protect himself. It had prompted a sparing match between Fong and Ichigo. The whole thing had bee incredibly entertaining to watch. 

Ichigo wasn’t at Fong’s level in terms of fighting capability but what he lacked in experience he made up for with adaptability. Instead of trying to out pace Fong and keep up with his speed Ichigo instead focused his efforts on dodging. He had let Fong set the pace of the fight and for the first several minutes just watched his opponent. For every move thrown Ichigo was able to dodge even if just by millimeters. It was almost as if he was used to fighting opponents faster and stronger than himself.

And after he had gotten a read of Fong's fighting style Ichigo switched from being on the defensive to offense. It was a sudden switch that caught Fong off guard, Ichigo instead of moving back had moved in closer and connected a fist to Fong's throat. Before then redirecting Fong's attack to place himself at the others back and kick his knees in. Fong of course being more experienced than the other recovered quickly and put Ichigo on his ass ending the fight soon after. 

And even having lost the demonstration was more than enough to prove that Ichigo was capable of tacking on some low level grunts and able to keep up with a more dangerous opponent. He shouldn’t have any trouble keeping up with them on this mission and if he does find himself in danger Renato at least is assured that he can buy himself time for one of them to get to him. Not that any of them intend to leave Ichigo by himself for any length of time. 

The boy was their appointed Sky after all. It would just prove unsightly to leave him unattended.

Ichigo didn’t really know what to make of this situation. 

The mission had started out simple enough. They had managed to enter the building from the second floor balcony undetected and even get to the stairwell without getting caught. It was perhaps the smoothest start to any plan that Ichigo had ever been involved with.

Entering the stairwell however was when things started to go wrong. Whoever had made this building was apparently really fond of horror movie traps. The walls had fucking darts shooting out of them, the steps kept randomly falling and raising up, the lights had gone from a normal yellow glow to bright ass red, and to top it off a shrill ringing was sounding through the whole building. 

It was one of the weirdest situations Ichigo had ever ended up in but despite the near death at ever turn he found he couldn’t erase the grin on his face. Its just that this was the most fun Ichigo had had in months .

“Brat, hurry up!” Lal snapped from where she was reaching out a hand to help Ichigo up onto the raised steps a good ten feet higher than the were just a minute ago. How the fuck all of this was fitting into a stairwell Ichigo didn’t know but he was going to chalk it up to weird Mist magic. Kisuke had said they had the power of Construction. 

Taking Lal’s hand Ichigo puled himself up beside her, Fong just behind him from where he was taking up the rear of their group. Ichigo didn’t waste time getting up and moving after Renato and Viper who had taken point. It was kind of weird to not be the one in front or taking up the back. The others had made a point of keeping Ichigo directly in the middle of them with two people behind and in front of him at all times.

Ichigo didn’t know if that was because he was a civilian to them or if it was because he was the Sky but either way it was annoying. Or at least that was what he wanted to feel about being so obviously protected but Ichigo found that that weird warmth inside himself, the one he had only noticed after Lal had told him to get his Flames under control, was nearly purring in delight. 

It was the weirdest sensation that Ichigo had ever felt and was only adding to his inability to wipe the damn grin off his face. It was so wide that Ichigo suddenly had to wonder if he looked anything like his Hollow did when he grinned. 

For once the thought didn’t feel like a stab to the heart, just a dull ache in his chest accompanied by amusement. Ichigo hoped this was a sign that he could get better, that thinking about them wouldn’t always hurt like it had only just happened. 

“There at the top,” Viper pointed to a random spot on the roof. “We can get out from here.” 

It just looked like smooth wall to Ichigo but the longer he stared the easier it was to make out the faint shimmer and warp that he was beginning to associate with Mist Flames.

Viper floated(?) to the top and placed a hand against the shimmer. The illusion fell away like wet washi paper and a door was suddenly visible right above them. Viper went first and then Renato who reached down to help Ichigo up. As he reoriented himself Ichigo absently brushed some hair out of his face. It had gotten long, reaching just a little past his shoulders now. He’d probably need to cut it soon but he was finding that he actually liked the longer length. 

‘ Maybe I’ll let it grow out. ’ Ichigo thought as he took in the elaborate decorated room they were now in. 

Ugly looking paintings lined the walls in what looked like gold frames. Vases of equally ugly design were set up on pedestal and near windows to allow the soft lamp light to reflect off them and on the dark windows. Expensive looking furniture was set up in front of an equally expensive looking desk that sat an older Italian man. A quick count told Ichigo that their were twenty guns men all in the room with them.

All in all Ichigo would give it a two out of ten for intimidation. It wasn’t a one because this was the first time Ichigo had ever had so many guns pointed at him. It was quite a different experience from being faced with swords. His grin didn’t dim in the slightest and instead Ichigo felt anticipation rising up in him.

Damn, maybe he was a little more Hollow than he had realized. He could almost hear his Hollows feral laughter ringing in his head. Ichigo was pulled from his thoughts by Ugly speaking up. 

“Well isn’t this an interesting group. I did not expect the proclaimed Greatest Hitman would stoop to working with others.” From Ugly’s smug expression Ichigo figured the guy believed that they thought he was a bigger threat then he really was. 

Ichigo couldn’t help the snort he let out at the arrogance. Unfortunately this also meant he caught Ugly’s attention.

“And you brought a Sky with you?” There was genuine surprise on his face and once again Ichigo had to marvel at the apparent importance a Sky had.

Renato shifted so that he was in front of Ichigo and Lal stepped up until she was just a foot from touching his shoulder.

“Well since you know who I am,” Renato grinned darkly. “Why don’t you just hand over the contents of that safe you have hidden in the far right wall, and we’ll be on our way.”

“Your outnumbered here,” Ugle sneered. He made a hand signal and the gunmen all aimed at Renato. “If you value your lives hand over the Sky. I’ll let the rest of you go free if you do.”

This whole thing felt like such a cliche. Ichigo had figured movie portrayals of mafia had it wrong from he real thing but was this actually what they acted like? It was just to funny that Ichigo had to bite his tongue and take a breath to keep from laughing. He ignored the deadpan looks from Lal and Viper. His Flames were probably projecting his emotions again. 

Instead of worrying about these losers Ichigo instead tried again to rein in his unwieldy Flames. Trying to get them to do what he wanted was like trying to dampen his reiatsu output. An exercise in futility and cause for deep frustration. It was like they were actively fighting against him but at the same time not? It was a difficult sensation to describe but the closest Ichigo could compare it to was his Hollow. 

It was like the power had a mind of its own. It did what it pleased without his input but at the same time it was him and was acting in accordance to how he felt. Ichigo boiled it all down to instincts and instead of trying to make it do anything had instead tried to match it to his Hollow instincts. That he apparently still had and wasn’t that a trip to learn. Even with two thirds of his soul missing Ichigo was beginning to realize that that didn’t mean he was more human than before. It just meant he didn’t have his powers or the beings that embodied them anymore, but all the instincts remained.

Gunshots abruptly pulled him from his wandering thoughts and the ‘fight’ started. It was really more of a massacre seeing as Renato killed fifteen of the twenty grunts within thirty seconds. Viper had thrown up a ‘shield’ around Ichigo and Lal to keep any bullets from hitting them but that didn’t really seem to be necessary since Fong caught and disintegrated all of the bullets. 

Ichigo was hit with the knowledge that Fong had been moving much slower during their fight so that Ichigo could keep up. He wasn’t sure wether to be insulted or appreciative about that. Ultimately he decided that Fong would make a good sparing partner in order for Ichigo to train his body back to (or at least closer to) what he once was capable of.

Ichigo and Lal didn’t even have to move in all the chaos. Looking back at Don Ugly, Ichigo took some satisfaction in the guys suddenly terror stricken face. The mission folder hadn’t said they needed to kill anyone, just to retrieve what was inside this guy’s safe. If it turned out to be something totally useless and pointless then Ichigo was going to be pissed.

“W-wait! I’ll give you the safe!” Don Ugly blubbered. “Ju-just don’t kill m-me!”

It was a really pathetic display and if this was how he acted after all his body guard were taken out then that just told Ichigo that this mission really did not need all five of them to be here. 

“Its good that you’ve seen reason.” Renato’s grin did not inspire good feelings.

All in all the mission was a huge success. Ichigo found himself in an overall good mood although disappointed that he didn’t get to fight. As they excited the building with Viper having mist magiced the safe inside their Flames, they were stopped by slow clapping. 

Misty Bitch (as Ichigo had named him) was standing off to the side of the building, hidden in the nights shadows.

“Congratulations on completing your first mission!” Came the guys falsely enthusiastic voice. “But I see that two of your number are not here.”

Ichigo felt a little unsettled at the guys observation for some reason. It didn't help that his body stiffened on instinct when he made eye contact with the creep. Ichigo didn’t know what this guy was but he was certain that he wasn’t just another Flame user. 

“Oh well, there is always next time.” Misty Bitch shrugged and raised his arms in a ‘what can you do’ gesture. “Your payment will go through in the morning. Your next assignment will be delivered at the end of the month.”

And then he disappeared into the shadows like the dramatic Bitch he was. Ichigo was entirely unimpressed.

Ignoring all of that Ichigo started walking back to the van they had all pilled into to get here. The others following after him. 

“Can you drop me off closer to town so I don’t have to walk two hours home?” Ichigo asked Renato as the other slid into the drivers seat. 

“Of course, piccolo cielo.” Was the Hitman's amused reply.

Ichigo decided he was done with dealing with others for the night. Sinking into his seat and ignoring them, Ichigo spent the ride looking out at the passing scenery. 

He ignored the warm ball inside himself that was purring in contentment at the company. 

Chapter Text

“AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!” 

Ichigo immediately slammed the door of the villa closed. He stood there listening to the sound of stomping feet and shattering glass, heavily contemplating simply turning around and going back to his foster families house. 

Ultimately he decided that it had been far to much effort to walk all the way here just to turn around now. Opening the door again Ichigo looked inside to see that Skull was still smashing and yelling without sign of calming down so he took the long way around to get to the kitchen. 

“STUPID FUCKING CREEP!! LET ME OUT OF HERE BEFORE I BURN IT DOWN!!” Skull screamed into the void. 

Ichigo wasn’t sure if Checkerface was listening but when there was no sign of a response he shrugged to himself. Keeping half an ear on Skulls little rampage Ichigo opened the -fully stocked- fridge and pulled out the pitcher of water. He set it on the counter and set about searching around the cabinets for a glass. Thankfully they were also fully stocked with seven color coded sets of dishware, weird but alright. Grabbing the orange cup he filled up his glass before heading back to lean on the frame of the living-room doorway to watch Skull’s meltdown. 

Ichigo watched as the manic stuntman pulled off wall decorations, threw furniture, and just all around punched holes into any available surface. Pressure weighed heavy in the air but Ichigo had plenty of experience wrapping his own spiritual pressure around himself to protect from the bite of others and while Flames weren’t the same the concept seemed to transfer over well enough. He ‘layered’ his Flames over his body and allowed his own ‘weight’ to combat Skulls, Ichigo carefully maintained it so that he didn’t accidently crush Skull. He wasn’t looking to pick a fight, Skull didn’t look like he really need one at any rate. Poor guy was just venting his frustration. 

By the time Ichigo had finished his water Skull was standing in the middle of the destroyed livingroom heaving like a madman and growling at anything in sight. 

“Feeling better?” Ichigo asked. 

“No.” Skull didn’t startle at his appearance. Ichigo hadn’t expected him to, he wasn’t really sure what a stuntman did but he figured you had to have some good situational awareness to to do dangerous things without getting hurt. “Why are you here?”

Ichigo shrugged he didn’t really have a reason exactly. He had been wandering around the streets Italy idly thinking about what he was going to do with the money he now had when he realized his feet had taken him down the path toward the villa. He hadn’t expected any of the others to be here considering that they were between missions. 

Skull violently scrubbed a hand over his face before stomping his way passed Ichigo and heading into the kitchen. He watched the Cloud open and close cabinets at random muttering insults toward their ‘two-faced creep’ of a benefactor. Rinsing out his cup in the sink Ichigo set out a towel to let it dry on before turning and digging around the hidden pantry that Skull had unearthed in his less violent rampage through the kitchen.

Picking at the various ingredient inside Ichigo found several items that he could use to make some Japanese dishes. There were some items that Ichigo recognized as being for Chinese foods but the majority of what was stocked was clearly Italian. Ichigo hadn’t been aware that there were so many different types of pasta. 

Picking up the container of rice and the unopened bottle of umami sauce. Maneuvering around Skull’s pacing form Ichigo opened the fridge to find the onion, chicken, and eggs. Finding all the necessary ingredients Ichigo placed the packaged chicken in a bowl and filled it with warm water to help it thaw quickly. Leaning down to the open bottom cabinets he pulled out the pots and pans he needed, absently closing doors as he made his way back to the sink to wash the rice. 

As soon as the water ran clear Ichigo set the rice in a pot and started the stove. Glancing over at Skull who finally seemed to be running out of steam -or at the very least stopped looking like he was going to set fire to the villa- Ichigo idly wondered what exactly had made him so angry. 

It didn’t take much longer for the small package of chicken to finish thawing and with a careful eye on the rice Ichigo began cooking the chicken. The angry muttering and stomping feet went quiet, Ichigo listened as Skull jerked a stool to the kitchen bar out and sat down. He allowed himself some amusement at the gusty sigh that left the others lips and glancing over his shoulder Ichigo observed the way Skull had draped himself over the counter. Face pressed down into the marble. Ichigo didn’t say anything to him just went back to his cooking. 

It didn’t take long for the food to finish and Ichigo pulled down two bowels. He kept to the color scheme because it amused him and loaded each bowl with rice, chicken, onions, and egg. Setting Skull’s down in front of him Ichigo pulled out his own stool a little farther from the other and tucked into his lunch. Ichigo felt it when the others eyes turned to look at him even as he kept his own on his food. Skull’s gaze Ichigo was quickly learning was a heavy thing, watchful and considering. 

The others flames danced on the edges of his senses and Ichigo violently strangled his own when they tried to leap up and mingle. He didn’t know much about what was and wasn’t considered polite for Flame etiquette, Soul King knew how many social interactions Ichigo had bulldozed his way through with the Shinigami, but he figured letting his so called Soul Fire brush against another's was rude. If they were a manifestation of ones soul like Renato had said (information that had taken many irritating interactions with the hitman to get) then it wasn’t all that different from when two Shinigami crossed blades. 

Ichigo had always been able to get a read on others when they fought. This couldn’t be much different, even if they were skipping a few steps. 

“What is this?” Skull asked him from where he was inhaling his rice.

“Oyakodon.” 

They sat in comfortable silence as they ate and Skull finally seemed to settled somewhat. No longer were his Flames permeating the air in agitation but settled over the room like a particularly heavy blanket. Ichigo wondered if his own did that when they slipped out of his control. As proving to be in line with most things of Ichigo’s life he struggled to keep his Flames contained and couldn’t really recognize just how much was slipping out. There was just so much , how was he supposed to know how much was to much? He couldn’t keep them all contained!

“Thank you.”

Pulling himself from his contemplation Ichigo turned to look at Skull who set down his now empty bowl. He wouldn’t call the other calm but it was the most settled he had seen Skull so far. Which wasn’t really saying much considering this was only there second meeting. Skull had after all immediately ditched them all after that first uncomfortable introduction. 

Ichigo gave him an assenting grunt before gathering up both their bowls and heading to the sink to wash them. It was surprisingly domestic and Ichigo found himself slipping back into familiar patterns when he would help wash up after Yuzu had cooked a delicious meal. 

At least it was until a loud bang and hacking coughing interrupted the comfortable silence. Both boys jumped and shared a look as they rushed over to the hallway leading deeper into the villa. Smoke billowed out into the house as a door slammed open and Verde stumbled out sounding like he was hacking up a lung. 

“HAVE YOU BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME!?” Skull shrieked in outrage. 

Verde didn’t spare them a glance as he dusted off the flames from his smoldering lab coat and pulled out a notebook. Ichigo could only sigh in begrudging nostalgia at the sight. How many times had he scene this exact scenario play out with Kisuke? He was beginning to think that all scientist were just like that.

“Ah, Verde? You’re hairs on fire.” Ichigo dully pointed toward the flames stubbornly trying to eat the other hair. He watched in fascination as the others green flames sparked - sparked! - and extinguished the fire. 

Maybe Ichigo could get some real answers from Verde now that the other was actually here for him to talk to. Renato was far to frustrating a source to deal with, Viper wasn’t cheap, and when Ichigo had pressed he found out that Lal didn’t actually know that much about other Flame types besides her own. He hadn’t tried asking Fong again since the other had just smiled creepily at him over tea before asking for another spar. 

He ignored Skull as the other started on another venting rant, he’d calm down once he got it out of his system Ichigo was sure, and instead walked up to the older man. 

“What do you know about Flame types?” Ichigo bluntly asked. Better to get to the actual heart of what he wanted when it came to scientists. He had talked to Kisuke enough that he knew if he wasn’t specific then he’d get the entire rundown instead of the overview. And while he was interested in what these new powers of his could do he didn’t actually want to stay in the villa the entire night talking about them. 

Judging by the way Verde’s mania bright eyes lit up after a moment of soulless staring he was probably going to be stuck doing exactly that. At least Skull was with him, the other trailing after them as Verde grabbed Ichigo’s arm and started dragging him back down into the basement.

Renato strolled confidently into the villa. The little sky hadn’t been in any of his usual locations so he figured the other had made his way here. (There would be consequences if he wasn’t though.)

Pausing in the doorway of the living-room Renato took in the trashed state of the furniture, walls, and decorations. From what he had observed he didn’t think that this was Ichigo’s doing and if it was, what had set the little sky off?

Surveying the room Renato made his way further into the villa, carefully looking over each room that he passed. Nothing else appeared to be destroyed and the kitchen had a few dishes laid out carefully upon a towel to dry. Frowning as he strained his ears to listen for any sounds of another in the villa Renato walked back out into the hallway.

BANG! FWOOSH!

Renato snapped his eyes over to the basement door as dark smoke blew out the open door and three figures stumbled out, falling over one another. 

“I told you not to touch that, Skull!” Verde hacked out as he glowered at the Cloud. 

“NO! You said not to touch the chart machine!” The other shrieked back. 

Renato watched as the both of them started arguing and turned his gaze to the floor where the little sky had laid out face down coughing. Ichigo jerked his head up and locked eyes with Renato, the boys expression all but begging him to save him from whatever situation this was.

Renato turned around to go make himself some coffee.