Silver and Gold
Part Two: The Hollow
A Bleach Fanfiction
By: Lycanwolff
Author's Note: SO IT BEGINS! Part 2 of this crazy ride! Just a tidbit of information, if you haven't read Silver and Gold: Part One: Past to Future, you should because otherwise this won't make much sense. If you haven't, off you go, otherwise, enjoy because let the second ride begin!
Part Two
Chapter 1
Four years had changed her entire life. Four years ago, she was alone, being used as a tool for whomever could pay her with food and drink. She was wounded, terrified and very much wanted to fade into obscurity where she would be forgotten forever by anyone and everyone.
All that had changed four years ago.
Over the course of those four years, she had become strong, healthy, powerful even. She had made friends, found herself wrapped in the warm embrace of a family with a man she had come to feel was another father to her. She had known fear and had overcome it, had learned to embrace her power and to accept who she had been in the past, but not to let it consume her future.
She thought about all of it as her and Captain Byakuya Kuchiki ran through the Dangai on their way to the World of the Living.
Their cloaks billowed behind them as they ran with the slow cascade of Kōryū current washing down on either side of them. It sounded like lava flowing across rocks, low and thunderous until the flow disappeared beneath the roughened rock upon which they ran. She could see the glowing white not far in front of them, beckoning for them to rush through and be free of the enveloping darkness that surrounded them. It was crushing darkness, choking darkness, terrifying darkness.
Just as the darkness began to weigh her down, to slow her and run the risk of being caught by the Kōryū, they reached the beckoning white light at the other end.
The doors of the Senkaimon opened up into a low valley next to a fast moving river that roared with a constant whoosh, below a small concrete bridge. Nyruki's sandal clad feet touched down on soft grass that was colored a dark emerald thanks to the light of the full moon overhead. The sky was as clear as crystal and the soft breeze gently fluttered through their cloaks with gentle billows that barely opened the cloth enough to show their Shihakushō.
But the air was not refreshing, instead it had the scent of mildew that crinkled Nyruki's nose.
"Where are we?" She asked as the door to the Senkaimon closed and vanished behind them, leaving no trace behind.
"Karakura Town." Byakuya said as he scanned the area they were in, keeping his hood up.
"It kinda smells." Nyruki huffed and wiggled her nose.
"It's the river. It's a slipway." Byakuya said as he grasped her hand and started for the large embankment that led up away from the offending river.
At the top of the embankment, Nyruki got her first glimpse of Karakura Town. It was far, far different than the Seireitei, being a tightly gathered cluster of square buildings that all looked like varying degrees of each other. The roads were dotted with light poles that illuminated large swaths of the black pavement, but left areas of shadow between them. The streets were completely quiet and the only noise that echoed through was the constant chirp of crickets.
"Where do we go now? This place is... huge." Nyruki asked, popping an eyebrow as she scanned the area.
"We'll find a place to stay for the time being while we begin our investigation. Come on, this way." Byakuya said before flash stepping across the street that Nyruki followed without question.
"I'll just follow your lead on this, Captain." Nyruki said as she followed him down an alleyway towards the next street.
"Avoid any light for now. There is a Shinigami who patrols this town outside of Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends and if he see's us, he could report back the Gotei 13. As it stands, he has possibly already sensed us." Byakuya said, flash stepping again across the street and into the opposite shadow.
Nyruki did the same and both darted down the next alley between two large concrete and very square buildings. She felt as if they were glaring down at her.
As they reached the other end of the alley, Byakuya stopped and pressed up against the wall to peer around the corner.
"What is it?" Nyruki whispered as she tried to take a peak for herself.
"Karakura has an unusually high number of people whom are spiritually aware. It is better if we aren't seen." He said, seeing no one and starting to skirt around the wide open parking lot, still keeping to the shadows as best he could.
Nyruki followed close behind, "So how do we keep ourselves hidden? Get gigais?"
"Exactly."
Byakuya grasped her hand once more and led her across the dark strip between two light poles and shot down another alley. They traveled a short ways before coming to a decently sized dirt lot with a shabby looking van parked next to a small, seemingly out of place shop that didn't match the surrounding buildings.
"Where are we?" Nyruki asked as she looked up at the overly large sign hanging above the awning of the shop's sliding front door.
"Kisuke Urahara's. He's a Shinigami whom was exiled a little over a hundred years ago." Byakuya said quietly as he entered the light of the dirt lot and went to the front door.
"An exile? Should we even be looking at contacting this guy?" Nyruki asked in a harsh whisper.
"He may be exiled, but Soul Society owes him a great deal. He's trustworthy." Byakuya said before he readied himself to knock.
He hadn't even touched it, but the door slid open anyways by the hand of a massive man with his hair braided into tight rows to make parallel lines over his head. His arms alone were as big around as Nyruki's thighs and he towered, outright, over Byakuya, enough so that he looked down on the noble.
"I'm sorry, but we're closed." The man said in a deep voice that made Nyruki twitch with the urge to flee.
Byakuya reached up and pulled back his hood, revealing his face to the man whom instantly stood up straighter.
"Lord Byakuya? I wasn't aware the manager was expecting you." The man said as he opened the door a bit more and stepped aside to let them in.
Byakuya stepped inside, "He isn't."
"Captain Kuchiki? My my, what brings you here to my store at such an hour?" Said another man, wearing a long green robe with a green and white striped hat over his shaggy blonde hair.
"Urahara... I take it you sensed us coming?" Byakuya asked as Nyruki stepped inside the shop.
"I knew the second the Senkaimon opened. That spiritual pressure was immense." Urahara said as he sat down at the mouth of the raised hallway at the back of the store.
"I figured you would have known of our arrival." Byakuya said as he shot Nyruki a glance.
Nyruki reached up and lowered her hood, which not only brought her face into view, but the collar around her neck as well.
"Who is your friend?" Urahara asked, resting his hooked cane across his lap.
"This is Nyruki Sawada. I'm sure you've heard of her from Captain Ukitake's requests." Byakuya said evenly and with his typical neutral expression in place.
"Ah... This is her. A rather capable looking thing if you ask me. Why bring her here?" Urahara asked as he cupped his own, stubble covered chin.
Byakuya drew in a long breath, "We are-"
"We're here outside of Soul Society business and need a place to stay." Nyruki interrupted, stepping up next to Byakuya and standing up straight with confidence.
"What business?" Urahara asked.
"We're tracking a Hollow." Nyruki said simply.
"I see."
"And we need gigais. Two of them and I am willing to pay." Byakuya said flatly.
At the mere mention of the prospect of earning some money, Urahara sat up straight and beamed with a wide grin that showed every tooth in his mouth.
"Oh? I'm being presented with a chance to earn Kuchiki money?" Urahara swooned, hugging his cane like a doll.
Byakuya sighed, "Yes."
"Then by all means! Tessai? Get a room set up for them please." Urahara said as he stood.
The massive man closed the door and bowed before he started down the hallway behind Urahara to carry out the order.
"I see you're as money hungry as ever, Urahara, but thank you for providing us a place to stay. As Nyruki said, this is outside of Soul Society business." Byakuya said.
"Any chance to earn a few Kan is a worthy chance. I would've let you stay even if you hadn't offered to pay." Urahara said as he crossed his arms that were deceivingly thicker than the robe offered to see.
"It is appreciated." Byakuya said, reaching up and untying his cloak.
"Is this Hollow you're hunting the same one Captain Ukitake inquired about?" Urahara asked as he offered his arms out to take the cloak.
Byakuya nodded, "It is."
"Wait... What? Papa asked you about this Hollow?" Nyruki asked, untying her cloak and laying it out in Urahara's awaiting arms.
"A Hollow roughly encountered somewhere outside of the 80th District of the Southern Rukongai, about four years ago. Yes." Urahara said with a pleased smile.
Nyruki's eyes slightly widened, "That's it."
"I know. He had wanted to know anything I could dig up, but I'm afraid there wasn't much." Urahara said as his smile dropped from his half hidden face.
"I was greeted with the same outcome when I assigned some Kuchiki familiars to search the Great Library." Byakuya said.
Urahara turned and started for the back of the shop with Byakuya and Nyruki close behind as he stepped up into the raised hallway. He deposited the cloaks into a small closet and lead them down the hall to a modest room with a low dining table, a book shelf and a small table with an old fashioned phone sitting on top of it.
"Sit. I'll have Jinta bring us some tea." Urahara said before vanishing.
Nyruki blew out a nervous sigh as she sat down and rubbed the back of her neck, only looking up when Byakuya sat down next to her.
"I'm sorry if I spoke out of turn." She said quietly, massaging the base of her neck with both hands. She was tired.
"I am not angry. It probably sped along the process. We're safe here." Byakuya said, offering her an ultra soft smile and kind eyes.
Nyruki smiled back, "I like being safe."
Just as Byakuya's smile widened, it vanished as the door slide open and Urahara returned, taking a seat across from them. He removed his hat to reveal his sandy blonde hair that was mussy and disheveled, falling to just above his shoulders with a strand that plummeted straight down the middle of his face and framed his nose.
"So... Are you planning on bringing Ichigo into this unofficial Soul Society business?" Urahara asked with no trace of humor on his face.
Byakuya noticeably straightened, "I... haven't decided yet."
"Hmm. I see. Well, if I may provide my advice, you should." Urahara said evenly.
"That's the orange haired boy I've heard about isn't it?" Nyruki asked, releasing her neck.
"Hmm? You've never met him?" Urahara asked.
Nyruki shook her head.
"Oh, well now's your chance. You should consider bringing him into the fold, Kuchiki." Urahara said.
"It's worth considering." Byakuya said dully with the clear expression that said he wasn't too thrilled about the idea.
"Things around here have been pretty slow lately and Ichigo has been getting a bit antsy for something bigger than small fry. He and his friends have been coming by here a lot lately asking if anything's been going on." Urahara sighed as the door slid open and a small, red haired boy entered with a tray in hand.
"Here, Boss." The boy said with a rather grumpy and tired look on his face.
"Thank you, Jinta. Sorry to have woken you so late. Off to bed you go." Urahara smiled big.
Jinta set the tray down in the middle of the table and left without another word while Urahara poured two cups of tea and slid the cups to his guests before pouring himself a cup with two cubes of sugar.
"As far as Ichigo Kurosaki goes, I'll think about it." Byakuya said as he took a sip. The tea was rather good.
"You're going to need clothes for your gigais and Kan isn't an accepted currency in the World of the Living." Urahara said as he stirred his tea.
Byakuya's brows furrowed a bit, "You don't have proper clothes available here?"
"Nothing that won't make you... um... stand out." Urahara snickered.
"I see. Then it would appear I have little choice." Byakuya sighed.
"Good! You should go immediately." Urahara beamed wide suddenly.
"And why would we do-" Byakuya started only to be interrupted by a knock at the door of the shop.
"Now who in all the realms-" Urahara breathed as he rose and headed off to answer the door.
"Busy place." Nyruki said softly as she stretched out her legs underneath the table and crossed her ankles.
"It usually isn't. Our arrival didn't go undetected." Byakuya said as he relaxed his brow.
"My fault." Nyruki cringed.
Byakuya shot her a sidelong glanced, but smiled for a moment before Urahara returned with an even bigger grin on his face and more company by his side.
"You're in luck! It looks like he came to you."
Urahara threw an arm out, forcing the door to slide all the way open, which revealed the recently arrived company.
"Byakuya!" The orange haired boy reeled with wide brown eyes and mouth agape.
"Ichigo Kurosaki." Byakuya said calmly.
"W-What're you doing here?" Ichigo gaped, still stiffly standing in the doorway.
"I would rather not explain right at this moment, as it's late and I am hoping to retire for the evening shortly." Byakuya said with his eyes trained on his tea instead of the young man standing in the doorway.
Ichigo pursed his lips together as he stepped into the room and sat down next to Urahara across from them.
"Who's this?" Ichigo asked, pointing at Nyruki.
"I'm Nyruki Sawada of Squad 6." She said.
"You're in Byakuya's squad? You must know Renji then." Ichigo grinned.
Nyruki nodded, "Doesn't that answer itself?"
Ichigo's grin vanished, "I was just asking," He grumbled and eyeballed the collar around Nyruki's neck, "You must be that spiritual pressure I sensed earlier."
"She is. She is a lot like you in the regard that stealth is impossible. Her spiritual pressure is too great to fully conceal." Byakuya said evenly.
"Kinda makes what you're up to harder doesn't it?" Ichigo asked, resting his elbows on the table.
"And why would you say that?" Byakuya glared.
"The cloaks in the closest. You're here on unofficial business. I know sneaky when I see it." Ichigo grinned crookedly.
Byakuya sighed, "Then you would be correct."
"I knew it. So what is it? You sneak into Karakura town with a Shinigami with enough spiritual pressure to rival me and you're hiding out at Urahara's. This better be good." Ichigo said.
"I will explain in the morning, Ichigo Kurosaki. In the meantime, I find myself in the unfortunate position of asking for a favor." Byakuya asked with an inward growl.
Ichigo sat up straight, "A favor?"
"We are in need of proper clothes for our gigais that will blend us in with the people of your town and since you and I are of similar builds, you are my only option." Byakuya groaned. It was clear he wasn't thrilled about asking.
Ichigo's eyes widened, "You wanna borrow some of my clothes?" He gripped the back of his neck, "I uh... I guess that'll be alright. Don't get mad at me though if you end up looking like a teenage boy."
"I am not a teenage boy anymore." Byakuya glared hard at the only teenage boy in the room.
"You could pass for one." Ichigo snickered.
Byakuya glared harder, "Please refrain from embarrassing me. For once, have some class."
Ichigo lowly laughed, "Well, you could either trust me, or come with me to my place and go through my closet."
Byakuya groaned, "I shall accompany you to your home. Knowing you, you would return with something flower printed just to spite me."
"I thought you liked flowers. Hell, you fight with 'em." Ichigo continued to snicker.
The glare that adorned Byakuya's face was priceless, as he bore holes into the boy across from him.
"I do hope you are quite done." Byakuya sighed as he finished his tea and set down his cup.
"Yeah, I'm done. How tall are you?" Ichigo asked as he shifted his gaze to Nyruki who as resting her head in her hand.
"5'7." She said just before a yawn ripped through.
"Hmm... That's way too tall for anything Karin and Yuzu have. Maybe... Inoue? No... She's tiny." Ichigo mused to himself as another appeared in the door.
"What about any of the stuff Rangiku Matsumoto bought? Did she leave anything behind at Orihime's?"
All eyes shifted to the door to see another, thinner teenage boy, this one with jet black hair and long bangs that were swept to the right side of his face. His eyes were a deep blue and he stood rather shorter than Ichigo.
"Ishida? When did you show up?" Ichigo asked with a bit of a surprised look on his face.
"Just a minute ago. I'm surprised you beat me here." Uryū said as he slid the door shut behind him and took a seat.
"My my, what a party we have." Urahara smiled.
"I don't mean to intrude, but I sensed an immense amount of spiritual pressure. I thought it could be Kurosaki, but I followed it here." He said as he studied the woman next to Byakuya whom had fallen asleep with her head on the table.
"It's her." Byakuya said a bit quieter so not to risk waking her.
"I see. I think Matsumoto left some of her clothes at Orihime's." Uryū said as he helped himself to some tea.
"That will do," Byakuya said lowly, "Urahara, can I task you with looking after her? I will put her to bed before I accompany Ichigo Kurosaki to his home to insure my pride isn't sullied." He added.
"I'm not feeling the love here." Ichigo grumbled and crossed his arms.
"There is none to be felt."
Byakuya pulled himself to his feet and knelt down next to Nyruki, scooping her up into his arms without trouble. She was a woman of average height, but her weight was lithe. She was thin, but strong and easily handled by Byakuya's arms.
"Our room?" Byakuya asked, cradling Nyruki against him with a firm grip.
"This way." Urahara said softly.
He led them down the hall to another door and slid it open. It was an empty room, save for the pair of futons that had been rolled out on the mat covered floor with several feet between them. Byakuya entered the room and gently set Nyruki down on one of the futons and covered her with the plain blanket up to her chest.
He took a moment to study her and she seemed so peaceful. Her features were relaxed and her hair splayed out in a wide arc around her head. The white locks that hung against her face obscured her subtle cheekbones, so he gently brushed them aside and tucked them behind her ear.
After a few moments, he rose to his feet and quietly left the room, shutting the door without a sound before going back to the dining room where Ichigo, Uryū and Urahara conversed amongst themselves as they waited.
"I filled them in with what I could. I hope you don't mind." Urahara said as he poured himself another cup of tea.
"Of course you did," Byakuya sighed, "I am ready to go whenever you are, Ichigo Kurosaki." He said.
Ichigo climbed to his feet, "Come on."
"I'll contact Orihime and see what we can do for... what was her name?" Uryū asked, looking at Urahara.
"Nyruki Sawada."
"Yes, her." Uryū nodded.
"Thank you, Uryū. I trust you won't allow her attire to be... Matsumoto." Byakuya sighed and rolled his eyes while he shook his head.
"I won't." Uryū smiled.
With that, Byakuya followed Ichigo from the shop, trusting that Nyruki was in good hands under the fully capable and watchful eyes of Kisuke Urahara, his employees and Uryū Ishida.
The night was cool, but pleasant as they walked, never saying a word to each other under the light of the full moon. The quiet gave Byakuya time to reflect on what they had done, having run from Soul Society and abandoned their duty to finish what Nyruki had started. He didn't regret what they had done, but he worried that it would all be for naut, as he genuinely had no idea where to start.
"So you're hunting an invisible Hollow, hmm?" Ichigo finally broke the silence, walking along the sidewalk with his hands on the back of his head.
Byakuya just nodded.
"Sounds intense. It's no small fry is it." Ichigo said with suspicion of what the answer would be.
"I don't think so, but I can't prove it." Byakuya said simply.
"Need help?" Ichigo asked.
Byakuya sighed, "I imagine now that you know, it will be near impossible to keep you out of this."
"Damn straight. I'm aching for a good fight and this sounds kinda fun." Ichigo smiled as he looked up at the cloudless sky.
"You can't just enjoy the peace, can you." Byakuya deadpanned.
"It's been long enough. Knowing you guys, something's bound to pop up sooner, or later." Ichigo said with a scoff.
Byakuya just glared.
"Does Rukia know you're here?" Ichigo asked.
"She does not and I would like to keep it that way. This does not involve her, or Renji, or anyone else." Byakuya said, clasping his hands behind his back as he walked.
"Breaking the rules again, hmm?" Ichigo hummed as he popped an eye open and shot Byakuya a sidelong glance.
Byakuya lowly grumbled, "It is for a good cause. Nyruki cannot rest while this Hollow is still out there."
"And you're helping her? What's your deal?" Ichigo scoffed.
"I'm not sure I know what you're referring to."
"Bullshit. Yes you do. Is she a friend, long lost family, girlfriend, what? You're not one to just bolt under the radar." Ichigo said, dropping his arms and stuffing his hands into his pockets.
"That is no business of yours." Byakuya said stiffly.
"Uh huh... Girlfriend it is." Ichigo grinned.
Byakuya's brows furrowed hard, "Ichigo Kurosaki... Do not simply assume you know the answer because I refuse to tell you. It is just that... No business of yours."
"Right... We'll see," Ichigo scoffed, "We're here."
Ichigo turned to head for the waist high front gate of the Kurosaki Clinic that led straight into the house portion of the home. The stone pathway was groomed well enough, having had the weeds that broke through the small cracks between each stone, pulled not long ago and the grass was freshly trimmed.
Ichigo slipped a small key into the door and unlocked it, swinging it open into a darkened foyer where he removed his heavy shoes and slipped on his slippers. Byakuya didn't bother as he followed him down the hall, up the stairs and through a door with a plague handing on it, printed with the number 15.
"Try not to make too much noise. If my Dad finds out you're here, he'll lose his shit." Ichigo said quietly as he opened his closet to reveal the collection of clothes for Byakuya to rifle through.
"I am well aware of your father's ability to over-react. I figured out where you got it long ago." Byakuya said just as quietly, waiting, as Ichigo flicked on a small light on his desk.
With the soft light, Byakuya began to sift through the clothes, passing by regular t-shirts and pants that were a bit too ratty for his liking. It was very much the closet of a teenage boy.
"Don't you have anything nicer than this?" Byakuya asked with a popped eyebrow as he showcased a rather well-worn t-shirt printed with the number 15 on it, over a giant red strawberry.
"Other side." Ichigo smirked as he sat down on the edge of his bed.
Byakuya replaced the annoying t-shirt back into the row and slid the doors over to expose the other side which was full of button down shirts, thin blazers, jackets, zip-up hoodies and pants ranging from jeans, to slacks.
"Much better." Byakuya mumbled to himself as he began to rummage through the clothes.
"Bring me into this, Byakuya. I can help." Ichigo said from his bed, having laid down to wait while the noble picked apart his closet.
"It appears I have little choice." Byakuya sighed as he pulled a light gray button down shirt from the closet and held it up to examine it.
"Nope. I'll just follow you guys if you leave without me." Ichigo smirked.
Again, Byakuya sighed and returned to searching through the clothes, "Fine."
Ichigo sprang up from the bed, "Perfect. So where're we starting?"
"Unfortunately, I cannot answer that. All we have to go on is limited information and we are not even sure if this Hollow is here." Byakuya said as he set the gray button down shirt over the back of the office chair at the desk.
"Hmm... It's a good thing you decided to bring me into this. I happen to have an information source." Ichigo grinned smugly.
That earned the teenager a backwards glance, "Is that so."
"Course. How do you think the crew and I've been keeping Karakura so clear? It's certainly not because of that afro dude you clowns've got running around here." Ichigo said with a grumble.
"I see." Byakuya said as a pair of dark colored pants caught his eye.
"We'll hit them up tomorrow." Ichigo said, still with a smile across his face.
"Them?" Byakuya glaced back over his shoulder again.
"Yeah. There's two of them, but same place. I'll give you more of the details tomorrow." Ichigo said as he laid back down.
Byakuya sighed as he pulled the dark slacks and examined them, debating, or not, if they would fit. Yes, he and Ichigo were the same height and very near the same weight, but the teenager seemed to prefer clothes that fit tighter than he would have liked.
"Does your father, perhaps have a pair of pants he wouldn't miss?" Byakuya sighed heavily, still examining the pants.
Ichigo loudly scoffed, "Not only does Dad have two inches on you, but he outweighs you by at least thirty pounds. Anything he's got is gonna hang on you like a tent." He snickered.
Byakuya's brows furrowed, "I guess I have no choice." He grumbled before laying the pants over the button down shirt he had already chosen.
After a little while, he settled on an outfit that he hoped wouldn't draw too much attention. In addition to the light gray button shirt and dark colored slacks, he had plucked a plain navy blue zip up hoodie and black light weight jacket to complete the look. Now all he needed was a pair of shoes, and those came in the form of a dark pair of loafers that were plain and easily forgotten.
"I suppose this will do. Thank you, Ichigo Kurosaki." Byakuya said as he neatly folded his chosen clothes and set the shoes on top of the pile to complete the bundle.
"You ever gonna drop my last name?" Ichigo grumbled.
"No."
Ichigo waved him off, "You will eventually."
Byakuya simply glared at the teenager as he picked up the bundle of clothes, "I am heading back to Urahara's shop."
"I'll go with you-"
"Unnecessary. I know my way." Byakuya said, heading for the door.
"Oh, no you don't. I'm coming with you. How else am I gonna explain the door closing?" Ichigo said as he hopped up from his bed and followed the noble from his room.
"It matters not to me." Byakuya said as he walked down the stairs.
"Sure it does. You don't want my Dad giving you a hard time." Ichigo grinned wide.
Byakuya glared for a moment, "True."
They reached the foyer where Ichigo slipped on his regular shoes and opened the door, holding it open for Byakuya to step through before he followed and shut the door as quietly as the latch would allow.
It was getting terribly late, as the moon was well into its descent towards the horizon. The sky was still dark and twinkled with starlight above and Byakuya was beginning to feel the strain of having been awake for so long. He was tired and wouldn't be able to stay awake much longer.
Before he could stop himself, a stiff yawn tightened in his jaw.
"Wait... Wait wait wait... Did you just yawn?" Ichigo asked with a smirk across his face.
"It happens. Don't goad me." Byakuya warned with a glare.
Ichigo puts his hands up in defense, "Alright... Alright. It's just kind of weird you being here without your hair things and captain's coat... Or Rukia and Renji for that matter."
"Do not inform them either. Things in the Soul Society are... tense in regards to Nyruki's abilities." Byakuya said.
"Hey! Why does she get to get called by her first name and I don't?" Ichigo glared with hands on his hips.
"Because she has done nothing but show the upmost respect for my position as captain and head of the Kuchiki clan. You do the same and I'll think about dropping your surname." Byakuya said stiffly as he turned the corner to head down an alley that would shorten their trip.
Ichigo huffed, "It's the modern age, Byakuya. Get with it." He rested his hands on the back of his neck.
Byakuya's throat rumbled with growing irritation, "You grate on every remaining nerve, Ichigo Kurosaki."
"Remaining?"
"The rest are reserved for Mayuri Kurotsuchi." Byakuya rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"That is actually something we can agree on." Ichigo shrugged.
Byakuya huffed a puff of air as they reached Urahara's shop just as Uryū Ishida was closing the door behind him.
"You get ahold of Inoue?" Ichigo asked, dropping his arms back to his sides and slipping his fingers into his pockets.
Uryū nodded, "I did. She said she'd take a look and bring some things by in the morning. I'm headed over the Sado's place to-"
"Your entire group has already been contacted?" Byakuya asked, trying not to reel, but it happened anyways.
"Hey, don't look at me, Byakuya. I didn't have to say anything. It's your girlfriend's fault we can sense her from across town." Ichigo said.
Byakuya's brows furrowed hard, "She is not my significant other."
"Yeah, whatever. We'll see." Ichigo shrugged and grinned.
Byakuya's throat rumbled again, but it calmed near instantly, as his exhaustion simply wouldn't allow for it any longer.
With a sigh, Byakuya opened the door and stepped inside.
"Meet here tomorrow morning and we'll proceed with the investigation." He said before shutting the door, intent on going to bed.