It felt strange to be in Soul Society again after such a long time. Ichigo was surprised how little had changed. Rukongai was still the same bustling place it had always been, and it didn't seem the lower districts had gotten much better. For some reason, Ichigo had expected everything to be different.
Ichigo absently trailed behind Byakuya and Renji as they led him through the streets of the 15th district. He was certain they had gone out of their way to pass through an upper district. It would be like Byakuya. He didn't care all that much. It gave him more time to try and puzzle out why he was there.
The two Shinigami had shown up in the middle of the night, pulling him out of bed and shoving his soul out of his body. They had barely given him time to write a note to Rukia, and another to his family, before pulling him through a portal made by Hell butterflies. He had to admit, it was a much more pleasant way to travel then the time they had first entered Soul Society.
He had tried to question Byakuya and Renji, but Byakuya being Byakuya, he wouldn't say a word. Renji seemed to have no idea, and Byakuya was in no hurry to tell either of them.
Ichigo sighed dramatically, earning him glances from passerby, and lazily placed his hands on the back of his head. Putting on a bored face, he called to Byakuya for what had to be the tenth time.
"Oi, Byakuya! Why the hell am I here?"
To his immense surprise, the Shinigami Captain turned back to the orange haired Representative. His bored expression put even Ichigo's best efforts to shame.
"Commander General Yamamoto has summoned you," he said in his usual monotone, and turned back to face front.
This new bit of information, however small, sent Ichigo's mind into turmoil. The last time he had met the Commander General was during Rukia's rescue. Even then, the General had done nothing more than sic his Lieutenant on Ichigo. Certainly, it had been his choice to make Ichigo a Shinigami Representative and then send Rukia to be the permanent protector of Kakakura Town, and for both of those Ichigo was grateful. But as far as Ichigo knew, both those actions had first been suggested by others, and then they had been backed up by other Captains. Yamamoto would have had little choice.
So why show an interest in Ichigo now? Sure, he and Rukia had begun to get…involved, but nothing as great to attract the attention of such a powerful man. A few kisses had been shared, nothing more. Hell, he hadn't even gotten her top off yet!
"Hmm? What was that Ichigo?"
Ichigo blushed; he hadn't realized he had spoken aloud.
"Ah…Nothing Renji, I was just thinking."
Renji narrowed his eyes, obviously suspicious, but he let it go. "Whatever then. We're almost there anyway."
Ichigo nodded and Renji turned around again. A tinge of red still hovering around his cheeks, Ichigo firmly pushed the image of a half-naked Rukia out of his head and returned his brooding.
"You will leave your Zanpakutou here."
Ichigo scowled. "Why?" he asked, placing a protective hand on Zangetsu's blade.
It was Byakuya's turn to frown, though it was little more than a twitch of the lips. He eyed Senbonzakura, which he had placed on a table only moments before. Satisfied that the hilt of the sword was within reach, just in case, he returned his attention to the Shinigami Representative before him.
"It's rude to carry your sword here. It means you don't trust us."
"Oh." A bit sheepish, Ichigo gently set Zangetsu on the table next to Senbonzakura. Standing again to his full height, he smirked and gestured to the Captain.
"Lead the way, Byakuya-taicho."
Byakuya frowned, certain he was being baited, but maintained his composure and strode out of the room, Ichigo easily keeping pace behind him.
Despite his age, the Commander General of the Thirteen Divisions cut an imposing figure. It was the first time Ichigo had really looked at the man, and despite his ancient appearance Ichigo was awed. The reiatsu emanating from Yamamoto was intense, despite the obvious efforts to control it.
Byakuya bowed low to the man. "Commander General, I have brought you Kurosaki Ichigo, as requested."
Yamamoto acknowledged Byakuya with a nod, and turned his attention to Ichigo.
"Yamamoto-taicho," he murmured, and surprised everyone, even himself, by bowing even lower than Byakuya.
Yamamoto nodded in approval, a single eye peeping open to study the bent Shinigami before him.
"Rise," he said, and Ichigo did so. "It seems you have learned some humility since we last met. I am impressed."
Ichigo nodded. "Commander General," he said, and made eye contact. "Why have I been brought here? Surely any orders could have been sent through Renji, or even Byakuya…taicho."
The General nodded. "You are correct. Unfortunately, this is to be a very confidential mission. Not even the Captains can know, and I am taking great risk in allowing Kuchiki to hear this."
Ichigo was startled, and from the way Byakuya widened his eyes slightly it was obvious he hadn't heard this before. Unconsciously, both men leaned forward.
"You are both aware that Aizen has his sights set on obtaining whatever power you command, Kurosaki. He has nearly killed you multiple times, and will keep at this game until he wins. Truth be told, he is almost stronger than me in power, and the force he commands will overwhelm us, even with the Captains and Lieutenants fighting freely. We have but one chance to defeat him, and even this chance is obscure."
Byakuya interrupted. "What is this?" he asked. "I haven't heard anything about any new possibilities."
"It is a possibility I have only recently discovered, and you are the first I have shared it with. You may be well the last, for I am not even near to confirming it is possible."
"In any case, if he gains your power, Kurosaki, he will become unbeatable. I cannot allow you to fall into enemy hands."
"Won't any Captain hold the same power as I do?" Ichigo asked. "Any one of them could tip the scales just as easily."
"True," Yamamoto admitted, "But the Captains are much more protected here in Soul Society than you are on Earth. Beyond that, your power is much different than any Captain I have met in my time. Simply that you, a human, managed to gain Shinigami powers at the level of a Captain is remarkable. That is enough for Aizen to want to gain your strength."
"While you remain on Earth, you also put innocent lives in danger. Most people can't see the spirits that endanger their lives, so they cannot evade the danger. Even your friends, who see everything we do, can get in the crossfire, and we will need their powers in the war that is coming. It is far too risky for you to remain on Earth. It is especially dangerous for Kuchiki Rukia, who Aizen knows is close to you."
"You want me to leave Earth?" Ichigo cried, shocked. "I can't! My life is there, my friends are there! There's no way I could leave!"
"You misunderstand me Kurosaki. We don't want you to leave Earth…" Yamamoto opened both eyes, a rarity for him, and looked the shaken Shinigami in the eye.
"We want you to die."
Author's Notes
Woo! First chapter of first fanfic! I'm sorry it's not very long, I can't seem to get much more out of it. I'll try to do better on the next chapters.
I would love some reviews!
Also, if you liked the story, I'm in desperate need of Beta readers. Let me know if you're interested!