Urahara sat slumped against a wall in the twelfth division. His former third seat (now captain) was glaring at him from across the room, nose up in a disdainful manner. The blonde had been there all night, pouring over research notes, attempting to figure out how he could further help Ichigo. Absently, his gaze passed by the crazed scientist and to the pedestal where the Hogyoku sat. It was contained in a black box, numerous seals intertwining with one another and holding it in place. Letting out a long-suffering sigh, he stood and stretched, grimacing as his back popped. "What is it" he didn't dally with playful jokes today, far too much was on his mind. Mayuri stilled, his eyes narrowing on his former captains' figure. With a grunt he swept around in a flourish, commenting over his shoulder "be sure to clean up when you're done." Even he knew better than to agitate the genius in such a state. It left a sour taste in his mouth, having to back down from his former captain, the man that he would pass. But he had better things to do anyways.
Urahara watched him leave with narrowed eyes, well aware of what he was thinking. Once he disappeared into the darkness of the hall, the blonde let out a soft sigh, padding over to stand in front of his creation. There was no way to destroy it, and it irked him to no end that he had yet to find a solution to that. The consequences of having this abomination was a bloody war and who knows what else. He tipped his head forward as guilt shadowed his eyes, and with a large exhale he shook his head minutely and continued to stare. Glancing over to the monitor on the far right he noted the purple dot. It hadn't moved in hours.
"How is he?" Yoruchi's voice reached his ears, glancing down he crouched to pet behind her ear. "Physically, he's well. His reiatsu, what part of it we're able to detect, is stable and his vitals are fine" Yoruichi swiped at his face, leaving three thin lines of blood. A chuckle escaped the green clad scientist as he picked her up and let her perch on his shoulder. "You always did know how to drag me out of my thoughts.
"Just the stupid ones" she murmured, rubbing her face against his cheek. "You think too much, Kisuke." An uncharacteristic snort escaped said man as a wry smile tugged at his lips. "You're just noticing this?" Another swat to his face was the only answer he received. Just as he was about to begin his dramatics, a shrill alarm rang. Whatever he had been about to say flew to the wind as the scientist whirled round to glance at the monitor. An entity had appeared 20 feet from Ichigo, the reiatsu signature was known, so why-
Kisuke inhaled sharply "Go to him now Yoruichi! I'll inform the other divisions!" At the tone of his voice the assassin didn't ask for more information, all that mattered was making sure her target was safe. She rarely heard him talk with any sense of urgency, she wouldn't question it. Already she was half way out of the building, having changed to her faster human form, she hoped she made it on time.
A small sense of relief filled Urahara as he felt Yoruichi disappear like lightning, even as he typed away furiously on the keyboard. He felt Mayuri run in, his reiatsu slightly disturbed. When an alarm rang, it usually contained itself to the twelfth division, and from there they would send out messages to the captains. This one was different though, it rang throughout all of seireitei, warning everyone to be on high alert. He knew the man behind him took in the readings, his crackling laugh echoing throughout the whole room.
"So, they finally came."
R_R
White hair lay around Jushiro in a pool, the wind gently lifting his locks to and fro. Brown eyes stared up at the blue sky, gazing at the fluffy clouds that passed by without a care. His hands, which were extended above his head idly fingered the crisp grass. Next to him sat Shunsui, who had chosen to stay propped up on his left arm, his eyes half shut in his relaxation. Another breeze lifted his pink haori slightly and ruffled his lose locks of hair. Tilting his straw hat forward slightly, he looked down at the white-haired captain and smiled when he caught his eye, speaking without words. It was the first time they were able to lay on the grass since the war, paperwork and repair efforts making their life busy.
"Did you ever think…" Shunsui looked away, contemplating the unfinished question from his friend. "No, I don't think any of us did" he stated with a sigh and a shake of his head. "Not even Aizen." There was a brief pause at the mention of the name, and thoughts of where the man now resided lingered in their minds. "We were given plenty of hints," Jushiro murmured "and we picked up on none of them." A chuckle escaped the brunette as he glanced back up at the sky squinting at the brightness of the sun. "Don't worry Ju, his heart is still in the right place. If he wanted any sort of vengeance, I'm sure he would have had it by now." A slight cringe left the white-haired captain, unable to meet his friend's eyes. He couldn't help but think the worst, after all they've done to the boy. He looked back up to the sky, taking note of a particularly oddly shaped cloud. It almost looked as if a vertical hole had been made in it, the bottom of the cloud trailing down, like something had broken free. Before he could mention it though, a shrill alarm blazed to life around them, jerking the two captains from their sleepy haze.
Without thought, the two of them extended their senses far, searching for anything out of the ordinary. They found it, three strong signatures scouring all of the seireitei, as if looking for something. They both stood and nodded grimly to each other, silently agreeing to go to the closest one. Reaching out once more thy discovered that the one closest to them had stopped and without further ado they ran straight for it. A sharp intake of air next to Shunsui made him glance at his partner in worry, noting the wide eyes and slightly faster flash step. "Ichigo," that was all the encouragement he needed as he increased his speed, Ju keeping up easily. Whoever was here had found Ichigo.
Just as the two were nearly there, their instincts screamed at them, and simultaneously they both ducked, narrowly dodging the swipe of the sword. Skidding to a halt they took a step back, distancing themselves slightly to take in the scene. The man stood from his outstretched posture, slowly bringing his sword down. He took in the two captains and an easy smile graced his features, "it's been far too long." Shunsui returned the smile, tipping his hat up slightly to get a better look at the member of the Zero squad. "So, it has" he replied, noting that the two of them weren't going anywhere anytime soon if this was their opponent. Now they knew though, Ichigo would be safe, but what they wanted from him was another matter altogether.
Without a word Shunsui plopped down and reached for the sake he kept in his haori. Patting the grass next to him for the man who had nearly killed them to come join them. And exaggerated sigh left Jushiro as he sat down far more gracefully, both looking at Nimaiya expectantly. He walked towards them and sheathed his sword, plopping down and taking an offered cup of sake. "I suppose you'll want all the juicy details, I would like some also." With a raise of their cups, they each tilted their heads back and began to drink.
R_R
Purple hair streamed behind Yoruichi like a banner, taunt against the wind as the goddess of flash used every ounce of her famous speed to reach her student. The air around her seemed to shift and she dug her heels into the ground, growling at the man who stood in her path fiercely. Her eyes shone a brilliant gold as she lunged, striking down hard with her left leg only to be caught and flung back. "Move!" She hissed out, crouching low and preparing for another leap, eyes wild. "Don't you know who I am, Shinigami?" The man drawled, lowering his gaze as he took her in. "I'm well aware, all the more reason to make sure you don't stop me." With a huff, the man tilted his head back and laughed, his shoulders shaking in his mirth. "You cannot stop me, stop us from preforming our duty, unless of course you'd like to be tried for treason" Yoruichi paused and smirked back. Now it was her turn to play dirty.
"And do you really think Ichigo would allow his beloved teacher to be put through that?" The smirk that had also been playing along the man's face vanished as he took her in once more. "Teacher, huh" He clenched his fist and let a sneer cross his face. "I'm not sure what you could have possibly taught him, goddess of flash" he let out with disgust lacing his tone.
Yoruichi stood, eyeing him before a slow smile played across her features. "Jealousy doesn't seem to suit you so well, Tenjiro" she purred, eyes narrowing in mirth as the man in front of her smirked back. "I'll show you something to be jealous of."
Before Yoruichi could reply, she found herself put on the defense, blocking a flurry of blows, muscles straining as her eyes widened in shock. She didn't have time for this! "Don't get distracted" that was her only warning, crossing her arms in front of her to block the blow, she found herself being flung back into a far wall, unable to stop and unable to lessen the impact. Smashing through the stone she coughed and quickly stood back up, flaring her reiatsu and emerging generally unharmed. Placing her hand on her hip she scowled and flared her reiatsu twice in succession, Kisuke would know.
Sinking low, she readied herself, "is that all you've got?"
R_R
Ichigo found himself slung over a slim shoulder, the breath knocked out of him and his limbs numb. It had happened to fast for him to respond, one minute he was watching the leaves drift in the breeze, and the next he was gasping for air. Trying to take in his surroundings he strained his eyes, noticing that he was circled by 5 men, fully clad in black from head to toe, and the one who carried him stood in the center of the circle. There was a woman leading them ahead as he was carried off in a flurry of flash step. Ichigo heaved as a shoulder dug deep into his gut from a particularly hard landing, coughing and wincing at the pain. Still, he was unable to move his limbs. Flaring his reiatsu, he tried to overwhelm whatever it was that was numbing him, but he could feel nothing. "Don't try to move," the woman at the front tossed over her shoulder. "As long as that cuff can take in your reiatsu, you won't be able to. So just sit tight." Ichigo scowled, or at least he thought he did. Ignoring her, he continued to flare his reiatsu, trying to will whatever it was way. What was it with people putting shit on his wrists? The orange haired teen paused, glancing down at the reiatsu suppressing band Kisuke had given him, taking in the slight tear in the fabric-like material. They were only designed to suppress half of his reiatsu, so if he let it all go…
Once again Ichigo flared his reiatsu, this time he didn't limit himself. He could feel the men carrying him beginning to strain and he pushed further, noticing the tear getting wider as he began to glow blue. Red reiatsu soon joined in and streaks of white followed, startling Ichigo with the meaning of such a thing. Now even more desperate he pushed, feeling the man cave to his knees and with a final flare, the bracelet snapped. Unfortunately for him, it seemed they were a duo, and both his reiatsu suppressing bracelet and "white away" one was rendered useless. He felt the warmth seep back into his arms as his skin turned white. As soon as he was able to twitch his fingers he flung himself off the man carrying him, wherever the man had been touching Ichigo was disintegrated. "It is you" Any chance Ichigo had for playing this off was gone at the look on the woman's face who now stood in front of him. Her long black hair was pin straight, a white haori draped her shoulders and a large golden moon decorated her hair. She looked regal, standing in the clearing, surrounded by the ancient trees. He didn't reply, instead he stood on shaky legs and glared at her, noting that the black clad figures were no longer straining under his reiatsu, it was beyond their ability to comprehend. With a quick thought Ichigo flung the cuff off his left wrist and slammed down hard on his control. Immediately, everyone fell to their knees, the woman was the only one having better luck, flaring her reiatsu until she was able to stand. The others however, were prostrated on the floor, not a sound coming from them.
"Denka" The heavy voice came from behind and Ichigo spun half a step to his right, keeping both occupants in view. He only relaxed slightly when he saw the imposing figure of the leader of the Gotei 13. The aged captain nodded to the woman who in turn nodded back, making him once again raise his guard as he narrowed his eyes at the two. "What's going on?" he took a step back from them both, hand itching to go to the sword that was no longer there.
Yamamoto opened his smoldering eyes as he took in the form of the young prince in his true form. With a glance at the woman across from him he let out a sigh, surprising the youth. Now, the truth was out, he would be unable to help him. Gripping his cane tightly, he came to a decision. "My duty" and without another word, the twisted wood around his sword burned away as Ichigo watched, purple eyes wide in horror. Even with all his reiatsu, there was no beating experience. "Explain yourself!" The ancient Shinigami raised a brow at the uncharacteristic behavior, noting the young man also seemed slightly confused yet standing his ground. He didn't say anything for a moment, taking in the cautious features of one of the men he swore to protect.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, former substitute Shinigami, now known prince of the realm, it is my duty to escort you back to the safety of the palace" Yamamoto rumbled out, putting his sword at the ready. "With or without force." White hair was lifted slightly in the breeze that swept by the clearing. Ichigo knew, that had he not regained his memories, he would have missed what the old man meant. He had turned a blind eye to Ichigo being there, but now that his identity was out, Yamamoto's hands were tied. He nodded slightly at the captain, noting the regret and relief in his flaming eyes. A grim look crossed Ichigo's face as he took in his odds. He was without a sword, but he was not helpless. He reached up, his hand in the shape of a claw as he prayed and hoped this would work. He was part hollow, this was just how he knew how to call upon this particular power. "Please," he murmured so low he doubted anyone heard. With a swipe down across his face Ichigo felt his mask form, this one though, was not familiar. It held a significant weight and a heavy aurora of darkness, more than usual. His musings were interrupted abruptly as he heard a gasp from the woman to his left, "Denka!" He swiftly looked over, noting that she too had drawn her blade. Perhaps, this wasn't the best of ideas then.
Instincts roaring, Ichigo jumped back, a sword narrowly missing his mask. Just as he was about to retaliate Ichigo found his vision covered in green. "Oh my, it's been such a terribly long time Yamamoto-san!" Kisuke's cheery voice halted everyone in the clearing. Ichigo couldn't help the snort that escaped him, glad the mask covered his blush as the woman raised an eyebrow at him. A second later Ichigo furrowed his brow, the scientist had met with the old man just the other day. "So it has" Yamamoto's response confused Ichigo further, as he kept his mouth shut and took in the scene.
"Ah yes, Urahara Kisuke, the one responsible for letting our prince be altered and nearly killed on multiple occasions." The snap of a fan was heard as Urahara brought it up to his face, narrowed eyes briefly looking at the woman before he tilted his head back, catching Ichigo's eye. With a wink he turned back to eye the old man.
"Yamamoto-san, am I to understand that this man had no affiliation with you and is an exile?" The slim woman's voice fluctuated slightly as she turned her sharp gaze to the ancient Shinigami. If Ichigo hadn't been so close, he wouldn't have noticed the barely there nod that the scientist gave to the old man. "That is correct."
"So be it," and without hesitating the woman lunged at the blonde, blade at the ready only to skid to a halt when Ichigo buzzed in front of his teacher. The sword was at his throat but if the earlier conversation was anything to go by, he knew he would not be harmed. She quickly moved her sword away, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "You are able to understand me still?" Ichigo raised him mask to the top of his head, noting the weight and texture offhandedly. Purple on black eyes peered down at the woman "I'm not mindless." The woman bowed her head slightly "forgive me, I was not aware you already mastered that form, Denka." Though he wasn't quite sure about what she was talking about, Ichigo nodded and glanced back over his shoulder. His and Urahara's places had been reversed.
"What are the crimes committed by the man who stands behind me." The woman straightened at his voice, shoulders stiff as she replied, "high treason, kidnapping and intentional harm to the prince." Ichigo heard Urahara's fan continue to flutter nervously behind him, and he let out a sigh. "What are your orders, and by who were they given," he saw her hesitate to reply. By now the clearing had gotten far less tense yet it was still anything but friendly. "Ordered by the counsel of the soul king, Urahara Kisuke is to be executed on sight, Zanpaktou obliterated." Ichigo winced, no longer hearing the fan fluttering behind him nor sensing anything from the man for that matter. His mind raced as he thought. He had made a promise. Memories of his lessons when he was young filtered by, grasping at anything that could be of use.
"The soul king and his heir are the only ones that can overturn a ruling," Ichigo began as he eyed her down. Seeing where he was getting at she began to protest, "with all due respect Denka, you must be of age-"
"That you are right, and it seems to me that my 16th year has already passed, faster than intended but still of age."
"Denka please, each year is a thousand mortal years! You've yet to even reach your 9th!" Ichigo snapped his mask back on his face, knowing his distorted voice came out far more terrifying when forced to look at the face of his hollow. "To reach maturity, tell me, do I look like a child to you?" He would have to thank his former teachers, though cruel, they had taught him the art of technicalities. The woman bowed her head, hand clenching her sword tightly. Raven hair obscured her eyes from him as he looked down at her. "Your verdict, Denka?" Ichigo mentally sighed in relief, he could feel Kisuke loose much of his tension as his reiatsu uncoiled slightly. "Overturned." Without another word the woman nodded and raised her left hand to her ear, muttering into whatever device she held there.
Now that most of the tension had ebbed away from the small clearing they stood at, Ichigo released the control on his hollow power, letting it flow back into him to mingle with the other parts of his soul. The oppressive air leaving without a trace. Glancing at Yamamoto, he noticed that the man had resealed his sword and a sigh of relief left him. Noticing the look, Yamamoto moved forward and tipped his head slightly at the youth "perhaps it would be wise to take the coming… discussions elsewhere." The old man had given Ichigo an outlet for answers and he grasped on it gratefully. "Lead the way old man."
R_R
They were there again. Urahara sat at the low table, his eyes peering over his fan as it gently fluttered. Ichigo sat next to him, his snow white features impossible to miss against the dark room. Opposite of them sat the woman who had snuck up on Ichigo and two other men. All part of the Zero squad. Grey eyes took in the scene even as Kisuke gently extended his senses, relaxing slightly when he felt Yoruichi prowling on the wooden beams above them. The room was quiet, tea had been provided by Yamamoto's lieutenant who now stood guard at the door. Said tea was beginning to grow cold, leaving a bad taste in his mouth as Kisuke quickly put the cup back down. Glancing at Ichigo again he saw the youth far away in his own thoughts once again surprising the shop keeper. He had been sure that Ichigo would have made some sort of ruckus, but it seemed having his memories returned to him had taught him a sense of patience. Even he could see the members of the royal guard begin to fidget, though he doubted they would call it that. It was the little things, like how their fingers rubbed against the side of the cup more often or by how their eyes wandered more frequently. The soutaicho on the other hand held patience that was even beyond him. His old age probably having something to do with that. But if age related to patience, then… Kisuke rested his grey eyes on Ichigo once more, taking him in all over again. If the woman was right, then that meant Ichigo was far older than either of them, but she spoke of maturity as if-
"Are we just going to sit here staring at each other all day?" All eyes landed on Tenjiro as he crossed his arms across his chest, his mouth pulled down in a frown as he refused to meet anyone's gaze. With another glance at Ichigo, Kisuke could see that the young man was too lost in his thoughts to even be stirred from the statement. Tenjiro did have a fair point through. Carefully, he lowered his fan and promptly proceeded the poke the prince's temple repeatedly, and in the most annoying voice he could conjure up "Kuuurrooossaaakkkiiiiiii-saaaannn!" He didn't even have a chance to finish as he was cut off, feeling his body go weightless before it got slammed against a wall. "How dare you disrespect your future ki-"
A pale hand had stopped the woman mid rant, her fury evaporating as she stilled. "You're not to touch him" Ichigo's low voice rumbled in the small room and Urahara couldn't help but widen his eyes at the sound of it. It was and wasn't Ichigo. He felt the hand that had grabbed the front of his haori loosen and he sat up, dusting off his hat as he looked for a distraction, his fan having been flung from his hands. "Yes Denka." Her voice was small and Kisuke couldn't help but notice that it did not seem to suit a woman like her. "My, my Kurosaki! I didn't know you cared for me so!" He smiled as Ichigo rounded on him and threw his hands in the air in exasperation, "kami forbid I ever be rid of you!" Urahara smiled and went back to sit near him again, the woman also going back to her own spot at the table at a slower pace, eyeing him in distrust. Urahara was used to such looks, so that didn't exactly bother him. What did bother him though, was that she was dangerous. They all were, and he had unintentionally let his guard down. "Now then, what is it that we can do for you?" Something hit Kisuke on the side of his head and he cringed at the impact, his fan would be in tatters by the end of this. Picking it up from where it landed on his right, Urahara snapped it open and smiled at their guests, completely ignoring Ichigo's irritation just because he knew it would make the teen angrier.
"We have our orders." He felt Ichigo tense next to him, though unsure why he didn't make to comment.
"And I told you the verdict was overruled, there is nothing left for you to do here." A slight shift made Urahara glance at the woman once more, her black hair framing her face as she straightened and spoke, avoiding gazing into Ichigo's eyes. "You only have the power to overrule the council's orders, with agreement of the spirit king and captain commander. I stopped my pursuit because your vote must now be weighed against your father and the captain." He felt his face pale at the thought, though surly the old man didn't hate him enough to kill him? Glancing at Yamamoto he was slightly startled to find the man meeting his gaze before he turned away once more. He could feel Yoruichi shifting restlessly above, could practically see her claws digging into the wooden beam.
"Then let us vote," and the confidence in which Ichigo said that made him pause, realizing it was silly to worry. Ichigo was still Ichigo, and he and made a promise. "Overruled," the deep voice stilled the air as the woman snapped her head to the captain, frown marring her face. "In light of recent events it has come to our attention that Urahara Kisuke has been framed and wrongfully exiled. My experience with our prince brings me to believe that I can also trust his judgment." A small smile played on his lips as he brought his fan up to his face, hiding his mirth. Now if she argued, she would question Ichigo's judgment, not the best way to start off a relationship. "Good, now that we have his vote, return to the royal realm and tell me what the soul king has to say" the woman was shaking her head before Ichigo could finish. "I apologize denka, but we cannot leave you unattended." A sigh left Ichigo as he ran a hand through snowy white locks, purple eyes boring down on her. Urahara wasn't sure but, perhaps Ichigo didn't know how…intimidating his presence was. "I was unattended for years and- "
"Yeah and look at what happened!"
"Tenjiro!" The woman snapped, her eyes blazing as she stared the man down. "While I am in charge of this operation I will not have you disrespecting the prince in such a way! Mind your manners!" A scoff was all that escaped him as he glanced away, and Urahara could see the faint bruising and scratch marks that showed his bout with the goddess of flash. He let a small smirk play along his lips, it seemed the man was annoyed enough to begin with having probably drawn even with his beloved feline.
"Denka, I apologize to say but it was not the council who requested you return, but your father." Ah, that would be a problem. The king's word was law and the blonde doubted Ichigo would find another trick up his sleeve. "And if I refuse?" The answer hung in the air, clearly startling the other occupants in the room. Those who did not know Ichigo anyways. The woman's eyes narrowed, her hand falling to the sword on her hip, "My name is Senjumaru Shutara, and I will not fail my king."
Author's note
So here we have a clue to Ichigo's age. That's definitely going to have some influence on personality but maybe not in the way you think (if I'm good at this story making stuff anyways). I'm also not sure if mi going to do this Quincy arc in this I have been debating several routs to take though so fear not!
Lots of explaining stuff still sorry for that but I need to create an AU here so this all can flow better later on.
Any questions and I'll be happy to explain or answer, if it won't give you any spoilers of course! Thanks for reading!
Ps. I may go back and tweak later, but don't worry it won't be anything totally altering.
