Chapter Six: Facing Reality
The events of the day before had convinced Rukia that she could no longer put off a trip to the Soul Society. Ichigo, although slightly surprised to hear she would be leaving immediately, seemed to understand. He offered to come with her, but she told him she preferred to go alone.
Not long after, Rukia found herself walking from the main Senkai gate towards the Thirteenth Division barracks. This sprawling building had been her home before her fateful posting to the Real World, despite Byakuya's protests. In the end, she had agreed to spend her free days at the Kuchiki home, which seemed to placate him.
Captain Ukitake was seated in front of the barracks when she arrived. Preparations for the upcoming battle with Hueco Mundo appeared to have done his poor health some good, and he smiled broadly at her as she approached.
"Ukitake-taicho," she said formally, bowing in greeting.
"Rukia-chan," he said lightly, "so nice to see you. I wasn't expecting your visit."
"Developments in the Real World have necessitated that I…," she broke off as he laughed softly.
"Rukia-chan, why so formal? We are friends, are we not?"
"Of course, sir, but…"
"I thought that after the incident at the execution grounds, you might feel a bit more relaxed around me," he said, smiling again. As always, his manner put her at ease, and she found herself smiling back, if only a little. He had, of course, risked both his rank and nearly his life to help Ichigo stop her execution.
"I'm sorry, sir. I meant to say, I needed to speak with you," she said.
"No need to apologize, Rukia. I'm always happy to talk with you." Ukitake gestured to the large garden behind the barracks, and they walked over to a small bench on which she had spent many hours listening to her beloved Kaien-dono, the former Thirteenth Division Vice-Captain. It seemed a lifetime ago to Rukia.
As they sat in the warm morning sun, she told him about what had happened at Urahara's training ground two days before, and about the encounter with the Arrancar. She did not tell Ukitake about the voice in her mind, or the woman she had seen, nor did she tell him about the incredible passion her newfound powers seemed to arouse in her. Even in the Soul Society, it was not a good thing to hear voices in your head, especially voices telling you to harm those closest to you.
Ukitake listened intently. After she had finished, and for what seemed like a very long time, he said nothing, his face contemplative, clearly deep in thought. Finally, he said, "I am honored that you have entrusted me with this information. I am sure this is deeply unsettling to you, Rukia."
"Yes," she said.
"I think you are probably correct in assuming that your transformation is directly related to Hueco Mundo and your contact with Aizen Sousuke. For that reason, I ask that you permit me to share this information with the Captain-Commander."
She nodded, "Of course." She hadn't expected anything different. The commander of the Gotei 13 had a right to know.
"I also ask that you permit me to take you to see Captain Kurotsuchi. He has studied the Soul Society records concerning the Hogyoku and he may be able to explain what has happened to you," he said.
This last request took Rukia aback. Kurotsuchi Mayuri's reputation for experimenting on living beings, as well as his complete lack of morality, were well known in the Soul Society. The thought of Kurotsuchi poking and prodding her made Rukia's insides turn sickeningly. Still, she thought, if Captain Ukitake felt that Kurotsuchi's scientific genius, twisted as it was, could help her understand her situation, she would endure it.
Her concern must have been apparent in her expression, because Ukitake quickly added, "I will stay with you while he examines you, if you wish." She nodded, relieved.
The rest of the day was spent at Captain Kurotsuchi's research facility. Under Ukitake's watchful eye, Kurotsuchi's behavior was tolerable and his examination was relatively painless. It was late in the afternoon when Kurotsuchi announced that he could offer at least some preliminary observations as to Rukia's condition.
"Yours is a very interesting case, my child," he nearly hissed, "very interesting, indeed."
"Get on with it," thought Rukia, impatiently, noting that Kurotsuchi's penchant for torture appeared to extend to the psychological, as well.
Apparently believing that the proper stage had been set for his pronouncement, Kurotsuchi continued, "There is no doubt that the Hogyoku is responsible for your transformation, Kuchiki Rukia. There is also no doubt that the hollow transformation is progressing, and that it will continue to progress until you have completely changed into a hollow."
Captain Ukitake, seeing Rukia's dumbfounded expression, asked the question Rukia could not bring herself to speak, "What can be done to stop her becoming fully hollow?"
Kurotsuchi smiled, almost gleefully, "Nothing at all. Clearly Urahara Kisuke has no idea how to stop it, or he would have already explained to Kuchiki-chan how to do so. The Vizard will not be able to help, either, since this is not a hollow transformation brought about by damaging a person's soul chain such as Kurosaki Ichigo's. Perhaps Aizen Sousuke possesses the means to halt the transformation before it is complete, but Kuchiki-chan is clearly not in a position to ask for his assistance."
"Sick bastard," thought Rukia miserably, "he's enjoying this."
"How long do I have?" she asked, forcing herself to look directly into Kurotsuchi's face.
"I calculate somewhere between six months to a year," he answered, still smirking.