Planning Pandemonium
…
Ulquiorra placed a book on a shelf, oblivious to the world around him. His mind was still stuck on last night. Toshiro ended up telling him about the nightmare, although he didn't go into much detail. He said the whole thing had been hazy. After all this, the only thing Ulquiorra had said was, "It is not real, Toshiro, and it never was. You have been over thinking lately and this is simply the stress on your subconscious, understand? All of this…it will go away soon enough. The memories will stop coming and so will the nightmares."
Ulquiorra's fingers paused in their actions. He'd said those words so smoothly, so confidently. Toshiro had believed him. The man closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against the wood. Toshiro had lent him his trust again and Ulquiorra…Ulquiorra had lied to him.
He remembered when he'd held Orihime captive, she had wanted him to lie to her. She wanted him to assure her that her friends would be alright, that she shouldn't worry. Right now, wasn't he telling that same sort of lie to Toshiro?
"All of this…it will go away soon enough."
For Toshiro's sake, he had to hope it would.
"Katashi Hitsugaya!" a loud man called. Ulquiorra looked over at his boss. "You're off the clock."
Ulquiorra nodded solemnly, putting away the last of the books before checking out. Hands in his pockets, he made his way down the street, squinting against the bright sun. He walked straight past Orihime's apartment, Ukitake's, and into the more desolate part of town. There, the Urahara's shop came into view. Reiatsu clung thinly around it, but Ulquiorra knew that it was only being temporarily contained and was little more than a ticking time bomb.
He strolled inside, not bothering to look at the other occupants before taking a seat at the low table. The others-which consisted of Ichigo, Rukia, Uryu, Chad, Orihime, Toshiro, and Matsumoto-stared at him blankly. They stopped once Urahara strolled in, Yoruichi close behind.
"Alright, Matsumoto," Urahara called, "what's this big news ya dragged us all out to hear?"
The woman's expression became serious, something that was an automatic red flag. "You are all aware of how uncoordinated Soul Society has become in these past few months and due to this, they have been opting for plans to regain stability. Captain, I know, has already heard some of the options, but they have recently finalized one."
"We're not going to like this very much, are we?" Ichigo asked.
Matsumoto gave him a sympathetic smile. "Probably not."
"They planned this without two of the captains present?" Toshiro demanded. "I find it rather suspicious that they would wait until both Captain Ukitake and myself were away."
"I would think that might be because both of you did not turn in an Espada when given the chance and the orders," Ulquiorra cut in.
Toshiro's frown deepened. It was a valid point. During his suspicions that Ulquiorra may have in fact been his long-lost older brother Katashi, he'd hid the former Cuatro Espada from Soul Society. Ukitake had assisted in this. Was Seireitei's trust in them failing now?
Matsumoto resumed her report. "While that may be possible, I'd think you'd like to hear the plan first. Seireitei has issued a warrant to relocate all individuals of Karakura Town with high reiatsu into Soul Society." She took out a piece of paper. "They gave me a list of names, but I think you already know most of them."
Toshiro rubbed his forehead. "Read it anyway."
"Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime Inoue, Uryu Ishida, Yasutora Sado, Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihoin, Tessai Tsukabishi, Jinta Hanakari, Ururu Tsumugiya, Tatsuki Arisawa-"
"Tatsuki?" Ichigo exclaimed.
Matsumoto bit her lip, glancing over at a nervous Orihime. "Twelfth Division has received reiatsu alerts that traced back to her and reports from patrolling Shinigami that she's been fighting Hollows while you were rescuing Orihime."
"Wait, so does that mean…" Ichigo froze, looking like he was about to have a break down. "Matsumoto, is Karin on the list?"
The woman nodded. "Karin Kurosaki. I'm sorry, Ichigo."
The teen leaned back heavily, unable to think.
"This is ludicrous," Toshiro protested.
"I'm not even finished yet," Matsumoto lamented. "They also want the return of Ulquiorra Schiffer/Katashi Hitsugaya, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, Pesche Guatiche, Dondochakka Bilstin, and-since the news of the other Arrancars' offer-Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, Kaeliel Aratashi, Ira Tenta, and Ari Tenta."
"Please tell me that's all," Uryu said, his tone unwavering.
"Seireitei is also trying to contact the Vizards and several others were considered before being labeled as having no consequence," Matsumoto replied.
"Who else is there left to consider?" Ichigo demanded.
"Yuzu Kurosaki," she answered, much to Ichigo's displeasure. "She may not have abilities yet, but Soul Society was wary since both of her siblings are already on this list and she may develop higher reiatsu later. However, they decided against it because she does not yet know of Soul Society or Shinigami and her reiatsu is not at a point of concern. I wouldn't doubt that an eye will still be kept on her, though."
Ichigo sighed. "Anyone else?"
"Keigo Asano, briefly, because of his interactions with Ikkaku and Yumichika," Matsumoto mentioned, "but he thinks everything is a movie and, again, he's not much of a concern. That's all."
"Yeah, for now," the carrot-top mumbled.
"I have to discuss this with the Captain Commander," Toshiro announced.
"Ah, Captain, I need to talk with you first," Matsumoto piped up. She swung the boy around the corner and into the empty shop.
"What is it?" he asked.
Her crystal blue eyes held a deep sorrow and pity in them, all aimed directly at him. She found it hard to make her mouth form the words. "Captain, about the Arrancar…I neglected to mention something in there. They…they don't just want to relocate them."
"Well, obviously," Toshiro said. "Letting four highly powerful Arrancar run loose would be disastrous. What method of restraint are they planning on?"
Matsumoto's lower lip quivered. She looked like she was about to cry. He didn't understand. "Captain, they don't want to use restraints. They want us to purify them. All eight of them."
"Eight…" Toshiro's eyes went wide in comprehension.
"I'm sorry," she half sobbed. "They've ordered you to kill your brother."
…
In case you did not understand that last part, Toshiro was not counting Nel, Pesche, Dondochakka, and Ulquiorra. He was only thinking of Grimmjow, Kaeliel, Ira, and Ari.
Thank you to my chapter 8 reviewers: -SoManyUpsAndDowns-, Azublue, Hatsune-chan, and rachel-angelhero.
