Protect – Chapter X (Side Story)

Spoiler Warning - This short story take's place in the middle of chapter 4 of Protect after Ichigo's first day of training. This contains a major spoiler past the part required to read Protect. If you have not finished episode 111 or volume 21 (chapter 187), read at your own risk.

Disclaimer - Bleach and all related characters used in this fanfiction are property of Tite Kubo-sama.
This short story is written by me, not as a collaboration.

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A street lamp flickered as it illuminated the road in front of the Kurosaki Clinic. The night was still, without so much as a trace of wind, but suddenly something stirred a couple of leaves along the sidewalk and they shot violently off the ground, blown by a short burst of air. A dark blur flew away from the small clinic. When it came to the end of the road, it leaped over the buildings and darted across the rooftops.

As it reached the eastern side of the town it dropped down and landed silently outside of a small traditional-style candy shop. The figure strode up to its doors raised its hand to knock but froze. There were other people in the store, fairly powerful judging by their reiatsu. After a moment of thought, he rapped quickly on the door and simultaneously let his own reiatsu flare for an infinitesimally small moment before shutting it down just a quickly. Almost instantly the door slid open with a rattle to reveal a tall, blonde haired man. He stepped out; his left hand perched atop his green-and-white-striped hat and the other grasping a short cane with which he closed the door behind him.

"What a surprise to see you here," he chimed quietly with a smile. "Forgive me for not inviting you in but I'm sure that you have noticed I have company. But what are you here for? And as a shinigami no less."

Isshin folded he broad arms. "It's faster along the rooftops." He glanced at the doors. "Who's here? I don't recognize their reiatsu."

"The 6th division captain and vice captain are staying here for a few days," Urahara replied in a casual tone.

"6th division?! What's going on?"

"As far as certain things are concerned, everything is alright," he mused. "But what are you here for, Isshin-san?"

The shinigami's eyes narrowed suspiciously but after a moment he answered. "Ichigo came home with a wounded arm today. Those weren't hollow wounds and your reiatsu was in the scars. What's going on? His involvement in Soul Society is already finished, isn't it? Then why is he here where you're housing captains?"

Urahara leaned back against the side of his store, reached inside his tunic, and drew out a paper fan with which he busied himself for a few moments. "Your son is training to become a captain of the Gotei 13," he said plainly, watching Isshin intently over the top of his fan. His vigilance was rewarded as Isshin's eyes widened and his arms dropped to his sides.

"What?!"

The fan hid the shopkeeper's slightly amused smile. "From what I've gathered, the 6th division captain, Kuchiki Byakuya, and vice captain, Abarai Renji, are on personal terms with your son and are acting outside of Soul Society's orders to prepare him for the trials that await. Today he was being taught kidou. His wounded arm was the result of a premature chantless spell. I healed it to a decent level."

"But why on earth…"

"Is it truly necessary for you to ask that question, Isshin-san?" Urahara interrupted. Upon seeing Isshin's vexed and confused expression, he sighed. He slid his fan shut and he smiled slyly, "What would be your reason for attaining captain level?"

Isshin stared back at him, his eyes wide with realization. "Don't tell me… He's doing it to protect people?"

"You two are very much alike in such respects," Urahara hummed as he stood upright.

"Does he have a chance?" Isshin's voice was firm and his expression serious, "Of becoming a captain… Does Ichigo have a chance?"

"Who knows?" Urahara yawned and shrugged, "He did survive breaking and entering Soul Society. If he can prove himself worthy of the position, he could get it." He glanced over at the black-haired shinigami whose brow was furrowed as he rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. "Does his involvement pose problems?" When Isshin did not reply, Urahara turned and placed a hand on the door. "Well, now you know. It's pretty late; don't you think you should be getting back home? Unless you have something else to ask?"

After a few moments' pause, Isshin sighed. "No. Thank you for telling me all of this, Urahara."

The storekeeper merely waved a hand as he walked inside and slid the door shut. Isshin watched the door for a minute or so before closing his eyes and turning away. He sighed heavily and looked up to the starry sky with soft eyes and a faint smile.

"To protect, huh?"