Thank You

Prologue; 1st Part - Quincy

Dr. Ryūken Ishida drove steadily towards his destination, the music from the car stereo not registering to his busy mind. He was on a mission; make his submission to the Matsuyukisou Elders and to the Leader of all Quincy's, the Kissh ōten Head.

He was exhausted physically, for there had been a major accident the night before his departure, Isshin Kurosaki was maxed out, as well as his own staff forcing him to descend from his office to assist in the trauma area. He was exhausted mentally, for some time in fact, ever since the Kurosaki boy, Ichigo, had become a shinigami. At first, it was due to that female shinigami but then he had to go and make himself a shinigami when he lost those powers.

None of it would have been a concern to him if his son Uryuu had not gotten involved; initially there was no harm for his son had considered the boy an enemy. Of course, when Uryuu had decided to join that boy on a quest against Soul Society to save that same female shinigami he had put his foot down but to no avail. Uryuu had left with Ichigo Kurosaki, returning having saved the girl but without his Quincy powers.

It seemed like an easy solution back then; make him an offer to help regain his powers on the condition that he disassociated himself with that boy, but again to no avail. Uryuu regained his powers, but defied him once again. He had barely managed to keep the Matsuyukisou Council Elders from passing judgement and sending Quincy assassins into Karakura Town when the Bount incident occurred and once again, his own son, Uryuu, was in the midst of it all.

Encouraging Soul Society involvement into human affairs which was specifically the domain of the Matsuyukisou Clans to police over, was treasonous; a relationship of any kind – platonic, friendship or otherwise – with a shinigami was further treason, all of which Uryuu willingly committed.

Ryūken was an Ishida, of the Ishida clan, one of the very few clans outside of the Matsuyukisou Noble Clans to have survived from the Quincy-Shinigami war. It was only due to a past service by an Ishida Clan member to the Matsuyukisou that allowed him to seek and gain clemency for his son, therefore keeping the Matsuyukisou and their assassins at bay. The Matsuyukisou had promised to keep away from Karakura Town, and allow the situation to be sorted without their involvement, they willingly overlooked Uryuu's treasonous acts and further promised to keep out of Karakura Town in future situations unless called upon.

The time to be called upon was now, Ryūken had lost all patience; the situation had been building up slowly but surely, a situation that was excessively dangerous for his son and his other teenage friends. They may all have spiritual powers but they were still young, more importantly, they were alive unlike the shinigami.

His conscious sparked awake to the surroundings; he slowed down the car his eyes alert, searching for the singular white blossom tree that would mark the hidden road that lead to the Matsuyukisou land. He spotted the tree; its tiny white blossoms a refreshing taste of color amidst the rows or evergreen trees and shrubs that lined the road. Slowing down completely he turned sharply into the shaded road; trees grew majestically tall oneither side, as if sentinels, stoic watchers standing guard as witnesses on his long ascent to address the Council Elders and Quincy Leader. The covered road wound itself slowly up the mountain face, in-between the trees he could catch glimpses of the beautiful valley below him.

He noted to himself that anyone in the valley looking upon the slowly ascended mountain face would never guess there to be a road upon it. The road was well hidden by the tall trees, and the large Matsuyukisou estate at the peak was further in, out of reach of any curious eyes from down in the valley.

Finally the end of the long shaded road came to view, turning he came to a familiar stretch of road framed on either side by white blossomed trees – the same kind that marked the turn into the private road. These trees in full pure white bloom appeared like royal guards in comparison to the trees that had lined the shaded road just before. Slowly he passed under the blossoming branches; the Matsuyukisou Manor in all its splendour coming to view, he stopped in front of the stone steps that lead to the huge double entrance doors, two Matsuyukisou Quincy's stood on the stairs awaiting him.

They descended the stairs as he got out of his car, leaving the key in the ignition; he bowed to them when he stood in front of them.

All Matsuyukisou members were descendents of the noble Quincy clans, and all Matsuyukisou Quincy's were trained Quincy assassins, skilled to carry out orders against Hollows, Shinigami, Humans, or fellow Quincy's.

They nodded to him in reply, the larger of the two walked past him and seated himself in the driver's seat of his car, he turned the ignition and drove off in his hired car.

"Welcome Ishida-sama" spoke the remaining Quincy; he was smaller than the other was and younger too. He had dark navy hair and blue-green Ocean colored eyes, he was reasonably tall and lean but still muscular, he looked to be in his early 20s no older than 23 or 24.

"Thank you, I owe much to the Matsuyukisou and am grateful for being granted an audience with the Council Elders and our great leader, Kisshōten-sama"

"You are welcome Ishida-sama. I am Ryuusei Fubuki; I believe I can speak for all and say that the Matsuyukisou will be forever grateful for the services fulfilled by the Ishida Clan during those trying years of old."

"You are too kind; forgive me for not knowing and addressing you properly Fubuki-sama" replied Ryūken, bowing low before the younger man. The Fubuki clan was the second noblest clan of the Quincy Nobles, if there was ever to be no heir in the Kisshōten clan the Fubuki clan Head would take the position as Quincy Leader. This young man was obviously the heir or head of the Fubuki clan, since he was obviously senior in rank to the larger Quincy that had seen to his car. If this man was just a younger brother or a cousin, there was no doubt to Ryūken that he would have instead be dealing with that other Quincy and this young man would have seen to his car. As it stood he was present before Lord Ryuusei Fubuki, second to the Quincy 'throne'.

The young man just gave a small smile in reply and led him up the stairs and through the large entrance doors; he followed him down the marbled hallway exiting out French-doors into a courtyard. At the centre of the courtyard there was the same kind of white blossomed tree as before, beneath the tree stood the Quincy Leader, Kisshōten-sama.

"Kisshōten-sama wished to speak with you in private before the formal appointment" spoke Ryuusei Fubuki, nodding to Ry ūken before returning the way they came.

Ryūken made his way slowly to the Quincy Leader, self-conscious of this private audience with the Quincy royal.

"Kisshōten-sama; RyūkenIshida, your humble servant" he spoke when he stopped behind the Quincy leader, bowing low and keeping his head down until summoned.

"Dr. Ishida, you have returned. I could hazard a most intelligent guess as to what brings you here today to address my council and myself…this concerns your son and his other friends am I correct."

"Indeed Kisshōten-sama" he replied, raising himself up and nodding

"I suppose this also includes that shinigami boy, that Kurosaki!"

"Yes, Chad Yasutora and Orihime Inoue are the remaining company that my visit before you concerns"

He was answered with a nod, the Kisshōten leader looked away from him, back to the white blossoms upon the tree's branches; a long pause followed before those piercing emerald eyes returned to rest upon him.

"Are you aware Dr. Ishida that this land here is not the only land owned by the Matsuyukisou, this land here was only purchased in the early days of my grandfather's rule. Are you aware of the true Matsuyukisou Clan lands?"

"Yes, I know of the true land and its location Kisshōten-sama" he answered

"Then you would also be aware of the tale attached to that land, of the barrier surrounding its entirety, protecting it from outsiders."

"Yes, my father told me of the tale that brought about that barrier. Only Quincy's can pass through and thus reside in the lands; no Shinigami, Hollows or Humans can enter."

"Aye, that is indeed what has been told, but the truth of the barrier is that it only allows whom it deems worthy to protect. Naturally Quincy's have always been able to pass through the barrier wall but that is not to say that a non-Quincy cannot enter, for it is very much possible for such an occurrence."

Ryūken confused at the relevance of the information to his own cause remained quiet and was answered with a smile "As you are aware I am an only child, every Kisshōten since the Quincy War has been an only child. The man who led you here was Lord Ryuusei Fubuki, Head of the noble Fubuki Clan; in the absence of a Kisshōten heir the Fubuki Head will arise as the new Quincy Leader. However, 2months ago a young man – no older than Ryuusei – was found in the Matsuyukisou lands, I soon after adopted him as my younger brother."

Kisshōten now had a sibling, therefore cutting off the Fubuki Head and pushing him to 3rd in line; Ryūken was uncertain as to why he was being informed this. Was the Fubuki clan aware, was there a possible 'civil' war looming, and was this Kisshōten-sama's way of asking him where the Ishida loyalty truly lay, and what of this young man? It was unusual that an outsider be adopted into a noble clan, even more so into the royal Kisshōten clan; obviously there was something about him.

"Congratulations are in order I believe, Kissh ōten-sama, for your brother"

"Indeed Dr. Ishida, and it is my brother where lies something interesting. As I've already said he was found in the Matsuyukisou lands, he had managed to enter through the barrier"

"He must possess great spiritual power for a human, to have entered into the land"

"Aha! There, you see. You have assumed that he is human!" Kissh ōten-sama replied in excitement

"Not human! So he is a Shinigami then?" However, before he was given his answer, Fubuki-sama returned to announce that the Council Elders had assembled and Ryūken Ishida's appeal before them all was to begin. Kissh ōten replied with a nod, and returned inside the Manor, Ryūken following solemnly behind, regardless of the Ishida Clan's standings with the Matsuyukisou, Uryuu's life was still at risk of being renamed a traitor.

Ryūken waited outside, entering when called, he seated himself on the singular oak chair the faced Kisshōten-sama, the Council Elders and the Royal Matsuyukisou Quincy assassin-guards. Like his previous visit, a servant presented him before Kisshōten-sama, the 8 Matsuyukisou Council Elders and the Matsuyukisou Quincy assassins. The Matsuyukisou Quincy's dressed in the traditional apparel; white boxing-like shoes, white baggy genie-like pants, and a white gothic-hooded jacket with long tailcoats lined with silver, there were also two silver lines down the middle hiding the inner zip at the front. The apparel's design was such that it kept the gender and identity of the Quincy ambiguous; there could be female Matsuyukisou Quincy's but it was impossible to tell with the garment worn. Kisshōten-sama and the Elders were the only faces that could be seen, the Quincy assassins always wore their hoods up during summons and missions.

The arrangement, he noted was different; for instead of 10 Matsuyukisou Quincy's that had been present at his previous appeal, there was now 11, for unlike before there was now 2 Quincy's sitting on either side of Kisshōten-sama. Though hooded, he recognised that Fubuki-sama sat at Kisshōten-sama's left, for the Quincy that seated to the right was obviously shorter than Fubuki-sama's height if he were to stand. Obviously, the Quincy on Kissh ōten-sama's right was the new brother, the adopted Kissh ōten, which made sense since now Fubuki-sama was 3rd in line. The Council Elders sat on either side of Kisshōten-sama after Fubuki-sama and Kisshōten-kun, behind them all stood the remaining nine Matsuyukisou Quincy's. Ryūken recognized one of the hooded Quincy's by his build and height, as the one that had seen to his car.

"Let us begin; state your purpose Dr. Ryūken Ishida, Head of the Ishida Clan" spoke Kisshōten-sama

"I have come to request for the involvement of the Matsuyukisou into the affairs in Karakura Town. As you are no doubt aware, last winter Soul Society waged war against the shinigami traitor, a former captain, Sosuke Aizen. He, along with fellow traitors Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen –former-captains of the Gotei-13 – survived and escaped. The Hōgyoku, created by Kisuke Urahara – another former Gotei-13 captain – is still within the hands of Aizen, though its power has weakened. My son, Uryuu along with the shinigami-human Ichigo Kurosaki, and the uniquely spiritually powerful Sado Yasutora, had travelled to the world of the Hollows, Hueco Mundo, to retrieve another uniquely spiritually powerful human, Orihime Inoue, from Aizen. They achieved their objective and returned to our world to assist the Gotei-13 in the fight against Aizen and his army of hollows, modified with the use of the Hōgyoku to gain shinigami powers. Most of Aizen's Espada, Arrancars – hollows with shinigami powers, were killed in the war as well as the remaining of his army. However, the Gotei-13 failed to put an end to this affair, Aizen and his valuable associates are still at large, and still possess the means to create another army. I humbly request for full involvement of the Matsuyukisou to ratify the Aizen situation."

The Council was quiet, it was protocol for the Kisshōten head to have the first word; silence reigned for what seemed like eternity until finally it was broken. "You do realise, Dr. Ishida that you are placing your own son at risk by coming here insisting upon our involvement. Your last appeal was to save your son, and keep us away from involving ourselves into those affairs, such affairs that are our right and duty to address. Our last agreement consisted of overlooking your son's blatant acts of treason and keeping out of Karakura Town, until called upon. We, however, where of the mindset that you would have taken control of your son's actions or at the very least guided him in such a way that he could fulfil his Quincy duties without associating himself with that human-shinigami boy, but it seems you have failed in that regard."

Ryūken Ishida bowed his head to hide the conflicting emotions that arose, anger, sadness, frustration, humiliation, all played across his features; he exhaled deeply calming his nerves before returning his attention to the Quincy Leader.

Kisshōten-sama, seeing that Ryūken had composed himself, continued "We have kept ourselves aware of all the events that have come to pass in Karakura Town since the Kurosaki boy become a shinigami, we are also aware of all the events that have occurred in Hueco Mundo and Soul Society centering around Kurosaki Ichigo and your own son Uryuu Ishida. However, due to our previous understanding, and the debt the Matsuyukisou owe to the Ishida clan, we spared your son and kept away, hopeful that our involvement would never be called upon. From our own reports, and your own information, such hope was in vain." All was quiet again, deathly quiet.

"Hmm…leave us…all of you! The Council and myself will discuss this privately, there will be no negotiations" Kisshōten-sama clarified before he could interrupt; "we will discuss this affair and decide the course of action."

There was no avoiding it, he had to leave and pray that his son would be spared, but of course even if Uryuu was not spared that would not mean he would accept such a fate for his son, if appeals failed, he would turn to his bow. Ryūken stood up and bowed low to the Council Elders and Kisshōten-sama, and left the room along with the Matsuyukisou Quincy's; even Kisshōten-kun and Fubuki-sama stood to leave with the other Quincy's.

Ryūken made his way to the courtyard, and began pacing under the white blossomed tree, he looked up at the snowy petals hoping to find peace in its beauty but instead it furthered his discomfort, over an hour passed.

"Either way your request will result in death, Ishida; quite against your nature as a doctor in fact" spoke Fubuki-sama approaching him, his hood down, revealing his youthful face but old eyes. Eyes that knew death, death of a hollow, a human, a shinigami, this was a young man but a grown warrior. "Are you ready for that, Ishida? Are you ready for death…for war? Because, either way, they will be the result of this tête-à-tête"

"I have no choice in the matter, my son is in danger"

"Yes, and on both sides, I suppose he is unaware that you are here. Does he even know of the Matsuyukisou? You have never been a patriotic Quincy!"

"He only knows of the Matsuyukisou from the old tales centred on the Quincy War, he is not aware that the council still exists till today. Though I may have been lax in my duties as a Quincy I have never been lax in my training,"

Fubuki-sama smiled in reply, understanding the underlying meaning behind such an answer.

"Hmm, I've never doubted your skill as a Quincy…tell me though, has your son discovered his bow's name yet? Is he even aware of such? Forgive me for implying, but you seem to be a poor father in terms of teaching him about all things Quincy. Since your own father's death you have shielded him from the truth, most of his life he was even unaware that you yourself had Quincy powers. What do you hope to achieve from this, even with favourable involvement, what do you plan on telling your son once this is finished, will you help him achieve his own bankai?"

"There is a life beyond this" he gestured widely to the beautiful grounds of the courtyard, and the Manor at large, "I am proof enough as a doctor, a successful doctor running my own hospital."

"That is true, but there is a life within this! Though not a noble, the Ishida clan has been considered in high regard for decades now, Uryuu would be accepted if he wished to join our ranks as a Quincy for the Matsuyukisou. He only needs further training"

"If the highest form of this life would mean allowing my son to become an assassin, then I'd rather he end up as a janitor" he sighed and stopped pacing, his hand rubbing the back of his neck absently, "Forgive me, but he is my son, he is so young, too young to know death. He is just a child, who are we to deny him of his youth; I want him to have his youth, I want him to allow himself to experience youth before it is lost to him like it is lost to us all eventually upon coming to age."

Fubuki-sama smiled sadly, "He is lucky then to have such a father. Elder Yue has forever been saying that it is only among the very young and very old, that youth is admired. I pray that the final decision is in your favour"

"Thank you, Fubuki-sama."

They stood in companionable silence under the blossoming three, until the silence was interrupted. A Quincy crossed through the courtyard, heading for the doors on the other side that led to the private quarters; his hood still hiding his face. Then two Quincy's stumbled quickly out of the door he had just come, following him, they shrugged off their hoods revealing that they were twins. The twins looked even younger than Fubuki-sama; they had short messy coppery hair, fair skin and mischievous hazel eyes.

"Oi! Ulquiorra, wait up man, what's the rush aye?" called one of the twins, as they walked swiftly after him, but the other had either not heard or refused to, he reached the other side of the courtyard and quickly entered through the doors, disappearing into the Manor.

'Ulkiorra…elquiora? Why does that sound familiar? Derived from Spanish maybe, "El hombre que llora" – The man who cries?!" A former patient maybe?' thought Ryūken; it was nagging at his brain, the name sound vaguely familiar.

"Sheesh, for an emo dude he sure has his mood swings" replied the other twin as they stopped not far from where he and Fubuki-sama stood at the tree. Finally noticing the two, the twins strode up to them; "Hey there Ryuu…Ishida" they both spoke, "Name's Sazanami Uzume, or Saz" addressing Ryūken

"And I'm Isunami, but call me Isu, everyone does"

"Wait 'til you hear the decision"

"They're finishing up right about now"

"Should be out in a mo"

"You guys were listening in?!" Fubuki-sama stated more than questioned, not in the least surprised and with no hint of anger at such disrespect

"Yep, kind of had no real choice in that matter" answered Isu

"Couldn't leave Iorra to his own devices"

"Guy was eavesdropping first"

"We just saw it in our heart to assist him"

"Yea, you know, just in case his hearing might momentarily fade"

"And with no voice recorder in hand, we lent our ears to the task"

"Being the good Quincy's that we are"

"Always willing to assist our fellow man and all" they said in unison, smiling cheekily, their eyes were glinting in the sunlight.

They all turned towards the noise of a door opening, Kisshōten-sama came into the courtyard heading straight for them.

"Kisshōten-sama" they all spoke, bowing low, and were answered with a small nod and tired smile.

"Kuroshio has retrieved your car; it is parked outside at the entrance. Be at ease Dr. Ishida, your son will not be harmed, clemency in regards to Uryuu Ishida and his fraternising with the shinigami still stands. You can return to Karakura Town, my men and I will follow in 3days once arrangements have been finalised."

Ryūken's relief was short-lived; it was one thing for the Matsuyukisou Quincy's to be sent, it was something else entirely if Kisshōten-sama was amongst them. Kisshōten-sama was the most powerful Quincy, as expected from a Quincy leader; it would take the maximum power of all the Council Elders to be able to contend against Kisshōten-sama. Though Uryuu was safe it did not bade well that Kisshōten-sama would be a part of the Matsuyukisou party that would address the situation.

Ryūken was not the only one startled, even Fubuki-sama stuttered, "You're, you're coming too?!" he exclaimed, surprised and weary of such a revelation.

"Yes" came the only answer, "where is my brother?"

"Quiki's probably in his private quarters by now!" answered the twins; they were met with a questioning brow, a signal to explain further

"Head-ache" "Emotional-overload" Both twins answered in unison, they locked eyes in annoyance at the others answer, until rectifying and both answering "He got a headache from emotional-overload"

"The guy cracked half a smirk"

"And a quirked brow"

"Emotional-overload" they diagnosed in unison, nodding in a show of sympathy

"So he's resting his headache"

"In his room, like we suggested"

"Being the considerate Quincy's that we are"

Fubuki-sama rolled his eyes, shaking his had gently while chuckling, quite at ease with the twins' ways, but the seriousness of the situation sobered him quickly. Ryūken looked grave, his brows furrowed.

"You needn't worry about your son's friends, Dr Ishida. Ichigo Kurosaki, Sado Yasutora, Orihime Inoue and all other spiritually aware humans affected – yourself included – are safe and under the full protection of the Matsuyukisou" Kisshōten-sama answered, noticing his grave expression.

Relief washed over him like a wave, he let go of his breath he had not realised he was holding. Kisshōten-sama walked passed them all, heading in the direction of the doors that would lead to the hallway to the private quarters.

"I do not understand though" Fubuki-sama turned around as he called after, 'what…'

Kisshōten-sama halted halfway through the door, before responding, "Rukia Kuchiki must die"

'…is our mission'

AN; so that's the first part, the next part will be upload in a couple of days, maybe even tomorrow if i have time.

Reviews are sooo appreciated

til next time