Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach
A/N: Book three has a rough outline done already. I am accepting recommendations for plots, bad guys, good guys, and pairings for books 4 and 5. For those of you who are die hard Renji fans, don't worry, I have plans for him but it won't be until book 4 or 5.
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"You are late, Kurosaki Taicho!" Hitsugaya reprimanded the orange haired man in a demeaning tone.
Ryuu watched as Kurosaki's brow twitched in annoyance at the pipsqueak captain on the end. Inwardly she sighed. Once again she was doing something she did not want to do. Byakuya had gotten out of the panel by saying that it was a conflict of interest, the bastard. Even Zaraki had an excuse; he simply stated that he had already decided to slay Kurosaki in battle. Ryuu knew that she fell somewhere in the middle of those two, she was not quite as indifferent as Byakuya and not as blood thirsty as Zaraki. So for at least the rest of the day she would be stuck here with the captains she liked to think of as pipsqueak, grab-ass, sleepy, and of course, captain mom for a whole day of berating captain clue-less.
"Whatever, Toshirou." Kurosaki grumbled in reply.
Akai could actually feel the annoyance flying off of the young man on the end, "I believe I have told you countless times, it's Hitsugaya Taicho!"
"Well now that everyone is here, how about we get started." Shunsui interrupted with a droll tone and a cocky smile.
"Yes, starting with you telling us why you opened a gate without clearance and abandoned your post for two days for an excursion to the living world, Kurosaki?" Hitsugaya leaned forward and narrowed his green eyes.
"Just for the record, of course!" Ukitake jumped in to calm the tone of the interview.
"Personal reasons." Kurosaki replied without meeting any of their eyes. As a matter of fact Akai noticed that he was doing his best to keep his eyes fixed on a crack in the flooring.
She couldn't blame him, who would want to discuss their personal relationship problems to a panel of stuffy captains.
"Can you please elaborate, Kurosaki Taicho?" Unohana asked in a sugary sweet tone.
"No."
This time, Akai did not hold back her sigh; this was getting them nowhere fast. She decided to cut to the chase, "Kurosaki Taicho, just tell us what the hell you did while you were over there so we can move on."
He brought his head up to glance at her for just a moment before looking away again and rubbing the back of his head. "I went to Urahara's and got a gigi. Then I went and rode the subway for awhile…"
"Kurosaki, what is this 'subway'?" interjected Shunsui.
"It is a form of transportation in the world of the living." Toshirou butted in with the answer using a continued air of superiority.
Akai sagged further down in her seat. At this rate it was going to take all day to get through this. She was very annoyed with Kurosaki for inconveniencing her like this, but at the same time she had done dumb shit before as well.
Kurosaki shot an angry look at Hitsugaya before continuing, "Yeah, it's like a train, I guess. Then I went to my old home and stayed with my family."
A long silence filled the room. Everyone was waiting for more of the story, including Akai. Apparently Kurosaki did not plan on mentioning his altercation with Byakuya.
Finally Unohana filled the silence, "Can you please give us a list of everyone who you had contact with while there?"
Ichigo sighed loudly, he was getting tired of this already and they had only just started. "Kurosaki Yuzu, her children, Kuchiki Byakuya, and Urahara… oh and Karin."
"Is this 'Karin' one of Urahara's agents?" Asked Ukitake.
Ichigo felt a little concerned about the question. Certainly Ukitake was keeping tabs on his sibling that had high spiritual pressure. It was unlike them to not know about something of that nature. The only thing that Ichigo could come up with quickly is that Urahara and his dad must have done something to keep her hidden from the Soul Society. However, what Ichigo could not figure out quickly was their reasoning for it.
"Yeah." He decided it was best to not elaborate farther than that.
"We have the report from Kuchiki Taicho that states you were concerned about the stealth force coming after you. What reason do you have for this, Kurosaki?" Toshirou inquired as he flipped through a couple of pages in front of him while avoiding eye contact.
"Isn't it typical of the Soul Society to act first, ask questions later?" Barked Ichigo in reply.
"Kurosaki Taicho, please do not be upset, we are simply trying to get to obtain clarification." Unohana smiled sweetly with her reassurance. Ichigo shivered lightly, he could never put a finger on what was so terrifying about the woman, but she was just that, terrifying.
Ryuu's voice cut through with a rough edge to it, she was clearly frustrated, judging from the thin line of red that rimmed her pupils. "Kurosaki! They just want to know if you have turned traitor or not. Just tell them you didn't sign any deals with the devil, knock up any human girls, or compose any contracts to work for Hueco Mundo!"
"What!" Ichigo responded to her rant with a tone of disbelief.
"That is what they want to know. Why else would a shinigami, a captain no less, take off without warning to the world of the living." Ryuu answered in a softer tone while leaning back and crossing her arms. The way that her eyes narrowed on him made Ichigo realize she knew the whole story.
"It's nothing like that. I just went home to clear my head for a bit." Ichigo directed his words straight at the captain of division three.
He watched as her shoulders slumped in apparent defeat. Was that not the correct answer? It was the truth after all. Why would Ryuu look so unsatisfied with that?
"So the living world is still where you consider 'home' to be, Kurosaki Taicho?" Ukitake had now sat up a bit and looked at him with worry written all over his face.
Abruptly, Ichigo realized his slip, and what the repercussions could be. By all rights he should not even be able to remember his life as a human, but he did. Out of consideration of his unique position they had allowed him to retain his memories when he came here. Although he knew it would have been easy for them to remove them. They certainly had the technology. Not to mention that when he arrived in the Soul Society all of those years ago he could have come via Konso instead of through the gate.
"My sister's are still there, I will not deny my bonds still existing in the human world, I shouldn't have to either." He stated plainly.
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After several hours of questioning, Ichigo finally exited the room and left division one where the inquiry was taking place. Most of the questions were just repeated over and over again until they got a step by step report of every movement he made in the world of the living. They had once again questioned his motives for going there, but he did not feel as though it was anybodies business.
He was not about to tell them that he left because he could not possibly bear the pain of hearing Rukia tell him they were over. Nor could he tell them that he had left because Renji had betrayed him in the worst way possible. Both of those things were personal matters that had nothing to do with the Soul Society, the Seireitei, or his division.
Ichigo watched his feet as he wandered down the brick paved road in the fading light of late afternoon. He could not believe how long they kept him in there. The members of the panel would discuss the meeting of today and tomorrow morning, bright and early, Ichigo would find out what their decision would be. Maybe they would strip him of his title and send him to live outside of the Seireitei. However, that seemed very doubtful as Ukitake would not want someone with his power running around unchecked. The maggot's nest was the other option, or some other sort of confinement. Ichigo found that he was having a hard time caring and his thoughts were undoubtedly dark. Without Rukia by his side none of this made any sense. He honestly didn't care what they did, he just… well he just didn't know how he was going to go about things now.
With perfect timing Ichigo looked up to see the tattooed face of Renji coming his way. The other man was looking at the paperwork in his hand and had not yet noticed the orange haired captain standing in his path. Fury filled Ichigo as he saw Renji going about his life in such a normal manner, while he had to deal with everything.
"Renji!" Ichigo roared the name, causing the crimson haired vice-captain to snap his head up and freeze in place.
As Ichigo took large, purpose filled strides toward him, Renji stuttered out, "I-Ichigo, uh…"
Renji's statement was cut off by a fist smacking him hard in the mouth. The pineapple went flying several feet before crashing into a wall. Before Renji could recover enough to regain his feet, Ichigo was in front of him with a pale blue look of murder in his eyes.
"I swear Renji… I swear, if you ever fucking hurt her…" Ichigo's tone was low and dangerous before he was interrupted.
Shunsui grabbed Ichigo's arm forcefully snapping him out of his anger fueled rampage, "Kurosaki Taicho! This is hardly the place for a brawl, ladies are watching."
Ichigo took a deep breath and looked around carefully only to notice that a large crowd had been drawn to the action. He saw the look of disappointment and fear on many of the faces and felt instantly ashamed of his actions. It did not deter him from the fact he had something to say, and he was going to say it.
Reining in his spiritual pressure, Ichigo shrugged Shunsui's hand off before turning his now normal brown eyes back to Renji. Ever so calmly he stated, "I swear Renji, if you hurt her… it will be the last thing you will ever do."
From there Ichigo turned and made his way through the gathered crowd leaving Renji still sitting in a heap on the ground. Renji was not surprised at being hit, he was not surprised at being threatened with death, what he was surprised about were the words that Ichigo had said. Climbing back to his feet with a hand from Shunsui, Renji stared in the direction that Ichigo had left in. Ichigo had just told him not to hurt Rukia, almost as if… almost as if Rukia was his.
Shunsui butted into his thoughts, "Abarai fuko-taicho, I don't suppose you feel like telling me what that was all about?"
"Kyoraku Taicho!" Renji bowed lightly to Shunsui to show his appreciation and respect, "It was nothing; it will not happen again sir."
With that Renji took off as fast as he could for the Kuchiki estate. He had to know the truth; he needed to talk to Rukia. Maybe she had decided to give him another chance.
Shunsui watched the young man race off and lifted his hand to pull his hat down a little lower over his face, "Hmmm, this might be interesting."
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Byakuya felt the rieatsu of his vice captain at the gates before any servant could announce the visitor. Quickly Byakuya rose from his desk and stalked in a flurry of scarf, haori, and raven hair to the front gate to stop any foolishness that was about to take place. As he approached the scene he could already hear his subordinate barking at the guards to let him pass.
"Renji, what are you doing here?" The captain of the sixth division asked in a deadly calm voice, efficiently silencing the argument happening between the guards and the pineapple.
"Taicho." Renji bowed deeply to Byakuya, immediately raising the stoic mans suspicions. "I need to talk to Rukia, but these men will not let me pass."
Only due to years of practice, Byakuya was able to keep his face a mask, "These men are obeying their orders. What reason do you have to call on my sister here?"
A small amount of joy tinkled in the back of Byakuya's mind when he watched Renji tense. He wondered what his next words would be, and if he would be disappointed in them.
Renji's eyes narrowed and hardened, "It is a personal matter Taicho, and I mean to talk to her by whatever means possible." The red head moved his right hand to Zabimaru in a lightly challenging manner.
Byakuya found that he was not disappointed in his vice-captain. He liked the younger man, even though he would never tell anyone. Until the time that Renji had attacked him on Rukia's execution day, his vice-captain had been just another subordinate. However foolish it was, the man had stood up to him and that took courage. Since then their relationship had become easier, and Renji had proven himself as a capable and reliable soldier that would carry out his orders exceptionally. This situation that had arisen with his sister was unfortunate, but once again Byakuya found himself respecting Renji's foolish attempts.
The problem though, was that Renji had lost this battle years ago, without knowing apparently. For a moment Byakuya considered letting him into the manor to see Rukia. It was only a momentary consideration though, mostly because his sister was very busy preparing for the meeting, and she had not had a chance to speak to Kurosaki yet. Byakuya knew that if he let Renji in to talk to his sister now, things would only become infinitely more convoluted.
After his careful considerations, Byakuya answered Renji's threat, "Leave. You have no purpose in this place."
Renji grasped the hilt of his zanpakuto and made to unsheathe the weapon, but a gloved hand wrapped around his wrist in a flash as his captain shunpoed to halt his actions. "Any warrior can revel in victory, Renji, but only the best can accept a fair loss." The captain of the sixth division met the eyes of his vice-captain sternly as he said the words.
The tattooed man swallowed before removing his grip from the sword, causing Byakuya to release his hold on Renji's wrist.
Renji spoke in a defeated tone, "You're saying I lost then, huh?"
Byakuya did not answer with words; instead he just awarded the crimson haired man with a hard look. Renji turned away before running a hand over his tightly contained hair. A part of Byakuya felt a little bad for the man as through his foolish actions he had lost his two closest friends in one night. The Kuchiki noble was not so cold as to see this as an appropriate punishment for his actions, and Byakuya hoped that eventually the trespass would be forgiven. Then again, this was the Soul Society, lives were very long here. Since Byakuya was now expecting a child with the woman that had once tried to murder him in the street, he was certain that the three young people would be able to repair their bonds.
As Renji walked slowly away in an incredibly dejected manner, Byakuya turned his eyes toward a figure that was standing about a hundred yards down the street in the other direction. The man in the distance was leaning against the wall and leaking rieatsu like sieve. Byakuya watched as the captain of the fifth division pushed himself off the wall and walked away.
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Ichigo had thought that he wanted to take the time to go and talk to Rukia. He thought he was finally ready to hear the words come from her mouth. Nevertheless as he got closer to the Kuchiki compound his heart felt heavier and his steps slowed. He was almost thankful when he caught sight of the two men standing at the gate in the distance. Stopping to lean against the wall he watched their interaction from a distance. They were too far away to make out their words, but Ichigo watched their actions with interest. Renji put his hand to his sword and Byakuya halted him. More words were exchanged. Then Renji departed peacefully as Byakuya remained to watch him go. Ichigo wondered what the two had spoken about. Maybe Renji just reported to Byakuya what had happened.
Ichigo was not good at sensing light rieatsu, but he could feel the eyes of the sixth division captain land on him. It didn't frighten him; Byakuya had never really frightened him. When they had first met all those years ago in the world of the living, Byakuya had frustrated him, angered him, but he did not frighten him. For a few short moments Ichigo stood and stared back at his fellow captain before turning and leaving. While Ichigo did need to talk to Rukia, he barely had the courage to do so, and he was not in the mood to deal with Kuchiki Byakuya tonight. Especially after a full day of dealing with the panel. "Tomorrow" he promised himself, "tomorrow I will face her."
As he walked, Ichigo noticed little things, a restaurant where Rukia and he had shared a meal, a bench where they had sat, a vendor where they had argued over something to buy. Eventually he found himself at an area that could best be described as a park. It was nothing like the parks in the living world. This area was just a half circle of grass with a large tree growing in the middle of it. The area did not belong to any of the divisions or noble houses, and it had no real use other than just being there. A slight smirk accompanied the slight pain in his chest as he looked at the peaceful scene. Walking over to the tree he put his hand against it and thought about one of his fondest memories.
Flashback
They had just finished dinner at a nicer restaurant and now they slowly meandered their way toward the thirteenth division. Ichigo had never called their little outings 'dates' but that is how he felt about them. He had been captain of the fifth division for just over two years and had most of the kinks worked out, despite the fact they were still only at about 65% capacity. New recruits were coming in and transfers were being made. Ichigo had lured Yumichika away from the eleventh division to become his vice-captain only six months after taking over. It had been no easy task as Yumichika had always stayed near his partner Ikakku, but after promising him swank new quarters and telling him he could still accompany Ikakku on any mission the delicate man was swayed.
Everything had been going great in his work life, but he still was having problems moving forward with Rukia. He glanced over at the short woman walking beside him. Rukia never minded his prolonged silence, as long as he wasn't moping. She still had no qualms about kicking him out of any funk he fell into, but Ichigo was not certain how to move things to the next step. Sometimes he wondered if they had been 'just friends' for too long. When they were new, when the feelings first started to develop, they had been at war and there was no place for them. Now in a time of peace, Ichigo was having trouble finding the right time to make his intentions clear.
Ichigo noticed the small park like area nestled in between the walls that lined the street. "What is that for, I've never noticed it before?" He asked Rukia.
Rukia stopped and looked at the area, "I don't know, I have never really thought about it."
She walked over to the tree in the center, suddenly intent on investigating. A smile found its way to Ichigo's face as he watched her. Rukia was always very curious and inquisitive, it was part of the reason she was so brightly intelligent. Ichigo followed her over to where she stood under the tree.
"Maybe it is an old forgotten memorial to something." Her words seemed so serious, as if this mystery had become the most important thing in the world.
Ichigo shrugged and dropped onto the ground under the tree to lay back and relax in the grass.
His relaxation was cut short by a soft kick in the ribs, "Oi! Midget, what the hell was that for?"
"Ichigo, if this is a memorial you are being disrespectful!" Rukia chastised him.
Reaching out he grabbed her ankle and swiped it out from underneath her, causing her to land rather ungracefully next to him. "You worry too much, Rukia."
"Baka." She responded lightly, and settled herself to lie back on the grass next to him.
Ichigo stared up at the leaves of the tree watching how the twilight turned the bright greens to darkened shadows against the night sky.
"Are you happy here, Ichigo?" Rukia's odd question broke into his study of the leaves.
He rolled to his side and propped himself up on his elbow so that he was looking down on her. The intimacy of their positions was not lost on him as he realized how close he was to her. His heart decided to speed up a bit as he considered his answer.
"No." He let a teasing smile pull at the corner of his lips.
Meanwhile she was looking back up at him, her face full of seriousness, "Don't tease me, Ichigo. Are you glad you made the decision to come here?"
He didn't know how he knew, but suddenly he realized this was the moment he had been waiting for. Using the hand that wasn't bracing him he reached over and brushed his fingers gently across her cheek toward her hair. His palms felt weirdly cold but her skin was soft and warm under his touch. Rukia did not flinch away from his touch, she just watched with a guarded look in her eyes. When his fingers reached her hairline near her delicate shell ears he ran his fingers through her hair and leaned in close to her face.
Rukia gasped very quietly as he leaned in close to speak, "Ah, I am glad."
Seven years of companionship, seven years of friendship, seven years together and Ichigo finally felt himself ready to have the courage. He gently lowered his face to hers and pressed his lips against hers. For a moment Ichigo wondered if it was a mistake as Rukia was as unresponsive as a board. Then her lips softened to his, returning the kiss, as he felt a small delicate hand wind its way into his hair.
It was a euphoric release that Ichigo had not been prepared for. Many times he had thought about kissing her, never had he imagined it would be like this though. Her lips parted and before he knew it they were in a heated match of tongue wrestling. The kiss had deepened and he was all but laying on her now as hands wandered and explored new territory.
Just as suddenly as the make-out session started, it ended when Rukia pushed him away to look up at him. Her eyes were wide and a bit of a blush had found its way to her pale cheeks. Ichigo decided that she was the most amazing sight he had ever taken in.
"Ichigo… I need to tell you…"
He silenced her with a quick and chaste kiss before responding, "It's okay, I know."
The demure look that had been on her face disappeared as her brows crashed down in annoyance. Rukia slapped a hand hard into his chest as she yelled, "Why do you always do that?"
Ichigo smiled brightly before pulling away and standing up. He reached out a hand to help her up, for a moment she looked like she was going to slap it away. Instead she sighed gustily and accepted his help by placing her small hand in his.
He walked her back to her division as she chastised him the whole way for being rude, but she didn't let go of his hand until they said goodnight.
End Flashback
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Only a few more chapters left in Book two! I want to hurry and finish them up before I go on hiatus for awhile. Off to Spain for business! Don't worry when I get back I will start Book three! Look forward to seeing the main pairing Yoruichi and Kisuke. Also we will get to see the continuation of the story for all of the characters seen in this story and from Red Dragon!
PLEASE R&R