Chapter Ten

The FBI

Note; This chapter is actually taking place while Karin, Yuzu and Hitsugaya are at the zoo. Just so there's no confusion. Enjoy.

Straightening his tie, Isshin then turned his attention to the clock. He then glanced at his watch then turned his attention to the windows. It was easy to tell he was expecting someone important, and was also worried about something else.

"Relax dad" Ichigo said from across the table. "They'll be here when they get here. You know how the FBI are."

"You didn't have to stay here Ichigo, this isn't something for you to worry about"

"Actually it is" Ichigo responded. "I've noticed Hitsugaya has been getting real close to Karin."

"Huh? Really?" Isshin asked. "Interesting."

"What do you mean interesting?!" Ichigo snapped. "We have a billionaire staying at our house falling for one of your daughters and my younger sister!"

"Well, at least she found someone rich"

"Damn it dad don't you care?!"

"Of course I do!" Isshin snapped. "Ichigo's there something you have to understand about being a father. Even if I act like I don't care or act like a complete jerk it doesn't mean I don't care about you kids, just the opposite. When I joke around saying foolish little things like 'at least she found someone rich' I'm hiding my fears, my worries and my concerns. Like you I've noticed Hitsugaya has been getting closer to Karin, and in the end I'm afraid he'll break her heart or hurt her in a way that you or I can't help her with. However, as worried as I am... I'm her father. As her father, as a father in general, I'm going to take a step back and let you guys live your life. Grant it there will be times when I step in and stop you or redirect you, but I'm not the type of father who will stop happiness. That's something your mother taught me, god bless her soul."

Ichigo opened his mouth to say something but closed it again. Thinking for a minute he thought about Hitsugaya and his past. He also thought about Karin and what it would mean to her if he left one day, leaving her in the dust like so many rich men did to young women.

He was pulled into reality though when there was a firm knock on the door. Rising to his feet he watched as Isshin straightened his suit and tie then walked over to the door. Taking a deep breath Isshin opened it and put on his best smile. It was the FBI.

"Is this the Kurosaki residence?" a tall man with thick hair asked.

"It is" Isshin responded.

"I'm Agent Kyouraki Shunsui and this is Agent Ukitake Jyuushiro, we're here about one of your patients"

"Yes, please come in" Isshin said moving aside. "This is my son Ichigo."

"Hello" Ichigo greeted politely.

"Hey"

"Greetings"

"Please have a seat" Isshin said directing them to the sofa. "Can I get you gentlemen anything to drink?"

"Water, if you please" Ukitake responded tentively.

"Certainly"

"I'll get it" Ichigo said moving towards the kitchen door.

"Thanks" Isshin replied.

After waiting for a few seconds Isshin made his way over to the couch Ichigo had been sitting at and sat down across from Kyouraki. They waited for a breif minute before Ichigo was back with a pitcher of ice water and four cups. Setting the tray everything rested on, on the table Ichigo sat down next to his father and waited. It only took a few seconds before Ukitake cleared his throat.

"I understand you have some questions and concerns to address?"

"Yes" Ichigo and Isshin responded together.

"Why here?" Ichigo asked after his father hesitated a minute. "Why send Hitsugaya to our house instead of someplace safer where he could be watched by your men."

"It was too much of a risk" Ukitake responded. "We know that whoever killed the rest of the Hitsugaya family wanted all of them dead, as soon as they find out that Toushirou is alive they will come after him."

"So you still haven't caught the man"

"It's a complicated case son" Kyouraki replied. "A lot of leads to follow, not to mention everyone who wants to take credit for the murder of the Hitsugaya family. We have to rule out every lead before we can find out who did it."

"Was there no evidence?"

"Destroyed in the explosion" Ukitake responded. "If you don't mind me asking, is Mr. Hitsugaya around at the moment?"

"No, he's out with my daughters" Isshin responded. "I do have one question though, why would you place Hitsugaya with us, with his name still intact? Why not use witness protection for him?"

"We believe whoever planned the killing of the Hitsugaya family would look into witness protection for him"

"So you think whoever planned this is pretty high up on the status line?" Ichigo asked.

"We can't say for sure" Ukitake responded. "Without any evidence it's hard to find factual leads, without those leads, we can't point any fingers to anyone who is in the higher areas of society."

"Did the Hitsugayas' have any enemies?" Isshin asked. "I'd like to know in case someone shows up at my house asking about him?"

"No, not that we know of"

"Just the normal enemies in the business world"

"What about Aizen Sousuke?" Ichigo asked. "He was the second richest man, with the Hitsugayas' outdoing him."

"We checked into that son" Kyouraki answered. "He was surprised to hear about the death of the Hitsugaya family, gave us full access to everything in his power. There's nothing linking him to this case."

They fell into silence for a minute, in that time Ukitake had begun to cough slightly. Reaching forward he poured himself a glass of water and drank half of it down. Watching him Ichigo thought of a new assault of questions.

"If I may," Ichigo began. "Why'd you take this case Mr. Ukitake if you're sick?"

"Mr. Hitsugaya was a friend of mine, when Toushirou was born he asked me one thing, that if anything were to happen to him or anyone in his family that I would take the case and look after those who were left. I cannot break a promise to an old friend"

"Don't they usually pull you from the case if it's personal?" Isshin asked.

"Yes," Ukitake responded. "However, the director of the FBI, Mr. Yamato, believed that it would be best if I took the case since I knew the Hitsugaya family. This is, after all, a top priority case."

"I see"

"Mr. Kurosaki" Kyouraki began. "If it's alright with you and your son of course, we'd like to monitor Hitsugaya and make sure he's safe."

"Of course"

"Why?" Ichigo asked growing suspicious.

Ukitake and Kyouraki exchanged glances before returning their attention back to Isshin and Ichigo.

"Two weeks ago a nurse who had direct dealings with Toushirou was found dead in her apartment. The other night the doctor who sent Toushirou here was found in the river, the autopsy revealed he had been tortured before he was killed"

"Someone found out Hitsugaya was alive?" Isshin asked turning pale.

"Yes" Kyouraki responded. "That's why we want to post constant surveillance around Hitsugaya and your family, we were going to start today as soon as we left-"

"You haven't been watching him?" Ichigo suddenly asked.

"N-no" Ukitake coughed.

"Not at all? Not even to check up on him before this?"

"No"

"Ichigo" Isshin said turning to his son. "What's gotten into you?"

"The other night!" Ichigo said. "The other night Karin said she seen two guys in a suit watching her and Hitsugaya, remember she said they took off all of a sudden like the devil was after them."

"What did these men look like?" Ukitake asked.

"She couldn't see them good enough" Ichigo responded. "I think she said one had silverish-white hair and the other brown hair."

"Where are they now?!" Kyouraki and Ukitake asked jumping up.

"At the zoo" Isshin answered. "Is something wrong?!"

"We have to go, you two stay here in case they come back. Lock all the doors and windows and don't let anyone but us in, got it?!"

"Y-yeah!"