VIII.
Overrated Loyalty
Dated: Gotei Thirteen Era Four
The Reaper sits once more on the edge of the massive cliff on the end of the Hill of Crucifixions. His head is hung low in thought, and his right elbow rests on his left leg. His other leg hangs limp over the enormous cliff. He is unhappy. He has nearly lost all of his power. He is running out of time. It is then that a memory strikes him.
Many years before, Karite Ikatsue stood at the very spot he would go to sit many years later. He looked out over the massive fortress of Seireitei, observing his work.
"I was wondering when you would get here." He remarked to the man behind him.
"It's time we settled this."
"I settled things long ago. You never could. That is your fault, and not my problem. If you desire to fight, tell me."
The other man glared down on the back of Ikatsue's neck. "It is your fault. Your fault that he lies, dead and gone, beneath the earth."
"His death was his own doing. He forced my hand." Ikatsue responded, apathetically.
"Your hand is never forced by anyone but yourself."
Ikatsue laughed. He wasn't used to being quoted.
"Very well. I will fight you."
He turned to his antagonist, staring with two perfect eyes into the young, perfect orbs of his enemy.
He reached onto his back, drawing the long spear that sat there. He released his Bankai, using only the force of his mind. Then, the battle began.
I wish I will still in the shape to do that. Ikatsue paused. "Still… he raised this place up perfectly. There must be hundreds, if not thousands of Shinigami here."
He looked up at the rising sun, smiling. His plan would come to pass sooner than he had anticipated.
"So… what have you figured out so far?" The captains questioned Unohana and Soifon as they waited again for their late commander.
"Very little." Soifon commented. "He merely insulted my capabilities for most of the time that we talked."
Unohana lifted an eyebrow. "Really? He was more than willing to comply with me. Well, I figured out that he's older than Yamamoto-sama… or at least, he claims to be."
"No way. He's gotta be lying. He isn't even as old as Ukitake or Shunsui, let alone Yamamoto." Hitsaguya commented. "Does he seem… a little strange to you guys?"
"In what way? He's no more eccentric than Yamamoto-sama, except being up and about a bit more." Mayuri retorted.
"No… I mean, like when he used reiatsu to reform his hand. That wasn't his reiatsu… or at least, not the same reiatsu that he used on us when he first came here... And, back then, when he tore off his jacket, it turned into blood on the ground."
"Actually, come to think of it, I've been losing guards the last couple of days." Soifon commented. "And…"
Their conversation was interrupted by Ikatsue pushing his way through the massive double-doors.
"Oh. You seem to have started without me. Well… I think I can find the way to Fifth Squad by myself." Ikatsue commented. "Go about your business. I'm fine by myself."
"Who said you needed to go to Fifth Squad?" Byakuya asked.
"Well, I just assumed that since I've been touring each of the squads in order the past few days that I would proceed to Fifth Squad next."
Unohana piped in. "Do be careful with their Fukutaichou. She's a bit stirred up…"
"By Aizen-sama's departure? I'll keep that in mind." And as quickly as he had come, he walked away.
"That's exactly what I mean. He's… almost unnaturally casual. And, do you remember how much of an asshole he was those first few days he was here? Now, he's all nice and friendly." Hitsaguya continued.
"I wouldn't go so far as to say he's friendly, but at least now we can put up with him. But what I want to know is how does he know about Aizen?" Shunsui answered the younger captain.
"Well… I really have no idea. But… I mean, he was able to keep all of us at bay using only his reiatsu before, but then when he was fighting Kenpachi in here, he almost lost. And that move at the end… was that Kidou, or Shunpo… or what?"
They all paused, thinking.
"Something's up with him." Ukitake agreed.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he was onto our little plan." Mayuri commented, ever the pessimist.
"How could he know?" Byakuya asked, coldly.
Well… I suppose it's more fun for me to put up with their little plan. It will be fun to see how much they've figured out at the end. They'll have at least blown my cover story, but I doubt they can make it all the way to my secret. And what the hell did they do to my sword?
Ikatsue walked slowly toward the Fifth Squad offices. Since his last individual trip to third squad, he had figured out the layout of Seireitei. The Medical headquarters passed on his right as he walked calmly down the cobblestone streets. In his wake, Shinigami huddled together, chatting hastily amongst each other about Yamamoto's disappearance, and the new Commander-General.
Karite Ikatsue pushed open the doors of the Fifth Squad headquarters, walking inside slowly.
Is that him?
His steel toed boots echoed on the shining porcelain floor as he walked.
No… It can't be…
The halls were surprisingly unoccupied. His gaze locked itself firmly on a pair of double doors at the end of a large hallway.
It is him. He's come back for me.
He walked up to the doorway, rapping on it gently with his knuckles.
Ikatsue pushed open the door gently, after waiting for a reply.
"Aizen-Taichou… you've changed."
He was immediately met with a young girl, who wrapped her arms around his waist in a death-grip as she began to sob gently into his red jacket. A few drops of a viscous red liquid fell with the tears.
"I am sorry."
Hinamori Momo looked up. The man's voice was unfamiliar.
"I… Oh, my." The girl stepped back, turning her head away from the strange man. "I'm so sorry. I just thought…"
"That I was your Taichou?" Ikatsue laughed in a way that made Hinamori want to shy away in fear. "I'm so sorry to disappoint you. I know of the man, but I'm afraid that I am far from the man you think you know. My name is Karite Ikatsue."
She looked deep into his inky black eye. It seemed to reach out and seize her every thought. This man was strange. Something about his was… wrong.
"Well, Karite-Sama…"
Ikatsue lifted his arm, setting it over the much smaller girl's shoulders. "Come with me."
The sun set over Seireitei, causing the ivory fortress to glow in a noble, golden light.
"This is… beautiful."
Ikatsue sighed. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
"What is your name?" He asked.
"Hinamori Momo, Karite-Sama."
"Well, Momo-chan… I am sorry to tell you this…"
"Is this about Aizen-Taichou?"
Ikatsue sighed again. "What the others have told you about him… it is true. I have seen it with my own eyes. He has joined…"
"No. Don't say it."
Ikatsue stood up. "Very well. It really does not matter if you're ready to accept it. You know the truth now. If you want someone to talk to… well, I really have noting better to be doing."
Hinamori stood quickly as Ikatsue began to walk away. "Where can I find you?"
"Where do you… Oh, you don't know. I am the new Sotaichou. Does that answer your question?"
Not bothering to wait for an answer, he walked away.
"How is the plan coming?" The white clad Shinigami asked from atop his throne.
"Pretty well, Aizen-sama. We've got lucky, too. Old Man Yamamoto disappeared." Gin Ichimaru reported.
Aizen lifted an eyebrow at his old companion. "Yamamoto doesn't just disappear into thin air. Who is acting as the Sotaichou?"
Gin laughed. "Sorry, Aizen. We only figured out about Yama-jii being gone yesterday."
Aizen pondered for a moment on what to do. Finally, a plan sparked in his mind.
Rukia stood quietly, black robes rustling in the wind, as a gate to Seireitei materialized in the sky over the "real" world. She was caught horribly by surprise at who stepped out of it.
"Ukitake-Taichou?"
The white haired man stepped out of the portal "Rukia-chan! How are you?"
Rukia paused. "What are you doing here?"
The man laughed gently. "Well… really serving as your brother's messenger. When you get a chance, get Kurosaki-san, and come back to Seireitei. Something's going on up here.
"Aizen?" Rukia asked plainly.
"No. It's not something you would expect. Believe me."