Disclaimer: I don't own bleach, I do own my OCs however
This fanfic takes place after the fight over Fake Karakura Town with assumptions to what the outcome would be.
Chapter 1: The Ronin
The Commander General stood in the doorway to the main hospital of the Fourth Squad barracks. Chaos met his eyes as medics of the for mentioned squad rushed around a large admitting area where several wounded lay on stretchers. He took note of the fact that several of the wounded were Gotei 13 Captains as well as their officers.
Yamamoto turned to the Fourth Squad officer who had been assigned to relay the progress reports of the patients to him.
"Relay to Captain Unohana that I wish to be kept updated hourly," he instructed as he turned to leave. The officer bowed low, "Yessir, Commander General, sir."
Yamamoto noted the strange sensation of walking by himself to the First Squad barracks. His Vice Captain had also been injured in the fight against the Arrancar. The fight had been brutal and they had nearly lost. They would have lost if it had not been for them.
Yamamoto sighed deeply. Yet again a judgement of his had been proven wrong. The Vizards themselves had also been double-crossed by Aizen, as had Urahara Kiske. The only person who had believed in their true innocence had been Shihouin Yourichi. And as such she, like the rest had been labeled a traitor to Soul Society. The fact that the lot of them would still fight along side the Gotei 13 was beyond noble at this point. In the end it had been the Vizards who had finished off the Espada and Arrancar. Only Aizen, Gin and Tosen had escaped.
And so this was why as he opened the door to the Captains meeting room that Commander General Yamamoto had a sense of déja vu as familiar faces stared up at him yet again. And a few new ones of course.
"Inoue Orhime," Yamamoto called the auburn haired, human girl stepped forward, "your actions have shown that you are still notably on the side of Soul Society." The girl bowed in consent. "Then I will ask that you please go now to the Fourth Squad barracks and assist with the healing of those in need of it."
"Hai." Orhime left eagerly. On return fro HM* she had wished to accompany Unohana and her vice captain to help, however she had been forbidden to till she had spoken with the Commander. Those now left were Urahara, Yourichi, The ex-Kiedo captain and the Vizards. All others were in the hospital.
"I trust that all past differences can be temporarily put aside. I do not expect any of you to not be bitter, however there are still greater issues at hand. Aizen Souske is still at large along with Ichimaru Gin and Tosen Kaname. For this reason, we must take all information collected thus far and determine what Aizen shall do next." The Commander turned towards a man standing to his right. "Urahara Kisuke, what do you predict?"
Urahara looked out from beneath the shadows of his white and green striped hat.
"It is possible that the Arrancar we fought, as well as the Espada, were mere test subjects."
"What!?" the muscly, white haired Kensei stepped out of ranks. "Are you implying Kisuke that the Espada we just faced were not the real threat?"
"It is a possibility," Kisuke answered in an uncharacteristically dismal tone.
"Why do you say this Kisuke?" The purple-haired, dark skinned woman next to him asked.
"It appeared as if Aizen was merely observing the fights, he never participated. Neither did he encourage the involvement of Ichimaru or Tosen. He also kept the Hōgyoku well hidden and that could only mean future plans of using it."
"Speaking of the Hōgyoku Kisuke," a tall man with a mustache and glasses spoke up from the opposite side of the room, "would any of those injured in HM* be at risk of hollowfication?"
"I have considered it and taking into account that Aizen is a rather cunning man, it would benefit him by buying himself time if we had to restrain and fight against our own colleagues if they were to hollowdify. Therefore it would be best if we put all those who were involved in the Hueco Mundo mission to be quarantined and kept under observation temporarily."
"That's kinda a pain man, to be making our numbers even smaller."
Kisuke turned to look at the man that had spoken. "I agree Shinji. That is why I have a suggestion to put forward." A small smile played over Kisuke's lips.
"Well lets hear it then, "The Commander ordered.
"I was just thinking," as he spoke he pulled a fan out of his robe and opened it. "Considering that Soul Society has already recruited the help of three exiles and eight Vizard, maybe it wouldn't hurt to bring in another outside group."
"Oh and which group would this be?" the Commander asked flashing his eyes at the ex-captain.
"I suggest we bring in - The Ronin."
The tense silence broke after that.
"The Ronin? Who the hell are they?" the short Hiyori exploded.
"Aren't they freelance killers?" The elegant, Rose questioned.
"I thought they were a myth," Kensei declared with folded arms.
"I don't understand," moaned Mashiro.
"Why do we need them? Haven't we proved the Vizard are strong enough against even the Espada?" a haughty Lisa interjected.
"I heard associating with them is considered treason to the Royal crown of the shinigami," The extremely round Hachi commented with a frown.
After that everyone turned towards the Commander to hear his opinion.
"Give me a very good reason why Urahara Kisuke."
"Aizen has already seen the true power of the Vizard. Our trump card has been used. We need more power if we are to beat Aizen. We need to build an army within at least a month, and the Ronin can do that. They have the experience and the ability. They may be against the crown, but they are not yet against Soul Society."
The Commander took one glance at the rest of the faces present and knew that if this was left to a vote, the majority would be for the Ronin. There was one last thing to do then.
This was probably the most heart breaking of any Gotei 13 meeting ever held. The Commander now sat before eight captains all of whom were in the hospital of the Fourth Squad barracks. Captain Ukitake was temporarily being treated for his tuberculoses due to pushing himself too hard in battle. It could be said that this was the first time he had looked in better health compared to that of his colleagues. Next to and across from him sat, rather grumpy looking captains. Both Kenpachi and Mayuri were within a bubble like dome. It was a spirit shield invented by Urahara in order to monitor any hollowfication activity as well as prevent others who came into contact with the presumably infected from contracting the hollowfication. On top of having the bubble-like shield, Kenpachi was almost covered in bandages, while Mayuri was stuck in his bubble with none of his usual makeup. Next to Mayuri, the short tenth captain Hitsugaya was sweating profusely with the effort to stay sitting upright. His injuries had been some of the most critical. Next to him sat Kyouraku Shunsui. His arms were completely bound in bandages. He had taken on the first Espada. He had won in the end but not without the aid of his previous vice captain, Yadomuru Lisa. The fox-like captain Komamura was not present as he was lying in a coma in one of he hospital beds. The noble Kuchiki Byakuya, like Kenpachi and Mayuri, was also isolated in a hollowfication shield. His left arm and leg were bandaged. He did not show the obvious discontent that the other two showed for the shield but his slightly puckered brow indicated some kind of dissatisfaction. The head of the medical unit, captain Unohana, had her eyes closed with a slight frown on her pretty face and her lips set in a straight line. She was completely against the idea of any wounded getting out of bed, let alone seven of them. This was the closest anyone had come to angering her in centuries. Soi Fon, the second Squad Commander, sat next to the peeved healer. She was bandaged and looked quite nervous to be sitting next to the respected woman in her current state of displeasure.
The Commander sat before them. It was traditional to stand while conducting a meeting but because the captains were in no condition to stand, kneeling cushions had been used instead.
"It has been decided that Soul Society will be receiving further outside help."
"Hmf! Shouldn't we have thought of this before we went to war," Mayuri commented. His voice had a slight echo sound to it coming from the shield.
"We underestimated their power. Next time we will not be lucky enough to come through with just injuries."
"Who has offered to aid us Yamamoto-taicho?" Ukitake asked.
"There has been no help offered, we will have to recruit. But there could only be one choice if we are to defeat Aizen Sousuke."
"Commander," Soi Fon spoke up as a thought crossed her mind, "are you speaking of the Zero Squad?"
"No. Even though Aizen is targeting the King, the Royals are determined to stick to their own devices. Instead we will ask the Ronin for their support."
"Ah, calling out the big guns eh," Kyouraku quietly commented with a small smile.
"For those of you too young to recognize that name, the Ronin are a group of shinigami that were previously part of the Zero Squad. Technically speaking, once a shinigami enters the Zero Squad there is no leaving, ever. The members of the Zero Squad are entrusted with information of utmost secrecy which must never be revealed. This is why it is suggested that either the Ronin were exiled, or else they are guilty of treason. No one truly knows."
"Why are we trusting these Ronin if it is against the law, sir?" Soi Fon asked indignantly.
Unohana gave a small smile next to her, Kyouraku chuckled and Ukitake actually grinned.
"Because they were once one of us. Just as the Vizards have rejoined us, perhaps the Ronin will forgive and forget the past."
"Tsh," Mayuri folded his arms, "how many of these Ronin are there?"
"A bit ticked-off that none of this is in your data base, Mayuri-san?"
Mayuri ignored Kyouraku's accurate analysis.
"As we speak we are trying to gain contact with seven of them."
"Seven huh? What happened to the rest?" Kenpachi finally spoke up.
The old man let out a tired sigh, something which he never did around his subordinates.
"I believe they were massacred by the Kings guard a century ago."
That shocked everyone into silence.
"Till our scouts return with some news," Yamamoto stared out of the door opposite himself at the setting sun, "we wait."