Hey! It's that time of the week again, yeah sorry for the wait! So let's get this show on the road!
Thanks for the awesome reviews! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach it belongs to – okay, does anyone care about this thing?
…
When Ichigo finally arrived at Urahara Shoten, the senkaimon had already closed and only Urahara stood there.
"Where is she?" he asked, eyes narrowed. The shopkeeper smiled at him knowingly before whipping out his fan to cover his face, eyes glinting with mirth.
"Ah, Kurosaki-san you're back, I hope it wasn't serious, is Karin-chan alright?" He asked from behind the fan, knowing that Ichigo could just hear the smile in his voice.
"She's fine", he snapped impatiently knowing the annoying man in front of him already knew that, "Where is Rukia?" he bit out while trying to quell his bubbling frustration.
Urahara snapped the fan shut and dropped his arm, all traces of humor gone from his countenance as he turned to enter the shop. "Come with me Kurosaki-san, I am sure you have a lot of questions for me." He said seriously as he entered the shop.
"Damn straight." He muttered as he followed him inside.
…
"WHAT?!" most of the captains chorused at the same time.
An emergency captains meeting had been convened after Rukia spoke to the Soutaicho. In minutes all the captains were standing in their designated spots in front of the Captain Commander.
Rukia was standing at the back of the room where she had been explaining the situation. As expected, everyone, except Zaraki Kenpachi that is, was less than happy to learn that Aizen had begun moving.
"What do you mean Aizen has started moving? I thought the Hogyouku would remain dormant for another year at least." Hitsugaya asked gruffly.
"Tch, whatever, I've been itching for a fight, this is perfect." Zaraki said his eyes flashing with excitement as a feral grin spread on his scarred face.
"I see fighting really IS the only thing your Neanderthal brain can comprehend." Mayuri sneered. "It's not that surprising really, he probably awakened the Hogyouku forcefully." He added, waving his arm dismissively, like it was nothing.
"This news could not have come at a worse time", Ukitake said thoughtfully, "We still haven't really settled everything since the incident when Aizen left, reconstruction of the destroyed buildings has been completed but the squads are still a little disorganized, not mention, the three vacant Captain slots are making the shinigami uneasy."
"How are you even sure that he has really started moving?" Soi Fon asked, her voice condescending.
"I, along with the Substitute shinigami's friends that reside in Karakura have encountered a new type of hollow, what is known as an Arrancar according to Urahara Kisuke. This hollow type is stronger than any hollow I have ever faced, even stronger than a Menos Grande", gasps and murmurs sounded in the room as many eyes narrowed.
"According to Urahara Kisuke," Rukia continued after a nod from the Soutaicho, "a hollow becoming that strong must have been as a result of direct exposure to the awakened Hogyouku. He said this is something everyone here is already aware of, and that it wouldn't be a surprise to hear that he suspects Aizen is trying to make Espada. However, it appears his target is only Karakura town. He said no other part of the world has been attacked besides it."
"Is that all?" the Soutaicho asked after a shocked silence.
"Hai"
There was a pause, as the new information sank in. everyone stood at attention when the captain commander pounded his cane on the ground with a bang.
"Kuchiki Rukia, you will return to the real world along with 10th squad Captain Hitsugaya Toushiro and 6th squad lieutenant Abarai Renji for support should any more Arrancar and or Espada attack the town. The rest of you organize your squads. We will not let Aizen do as he wishes, even if it means war, he must be stopped at all costs. Dismissed!"
"HAI!".
…
"Rukia, are you well?"
"Hai, Nii-sama."
The Kuchiki siblings were walking to the 6th squad barracks to get Renji. Hitsugaya had gone to make his own preparations as they had been instructed to leave in an hour.
"Has Urahara Kisuke found a solution?" he asked as they walked, knowing she knew he was referring to her illness.
"Well…no, not yet."
"I see" he answered then frowned in thought for a few seconds. "It appears Kurotsutchi-taichou has not been able to find a cure either, and now with the preparations for the imminent battles to come, I do not think he will pay much mind to his search."
"I see." She answered softly, unable to think of anything else to say. He glanced down at her briefly before facing the road again.
"You are to refrain from battle unless absolutely necessary, and if possible, leave all fighting to Hitsugaya-taichou and Abarai, until the cure is found that is, am I understood?" he more or less stated than asked as he stopped walking. They had arrived at their destination.
"Hai, Nii-sama." She answered as she stoped beside him.
He nodded and opened the door, coming face to face with Renji who had been reaching for the handle on the other side. "T-Taichou!" he exclaimed as he took a step back, "the meeting is over already?"
"Where were you going Abarai?" Byakuya asked as he pointedly glanced at Renji's unfinished paperwork on his desk. His eyes flashed when he realized Renji was trying to sneak away early for lunch…again.
"Er…well you see- huh? Rukia? Is that you?" Renji asked, momentarily forgetting the question and his captain when he noticed her behind her brother.
"Hey Renji, how are you?", she asked as she stepped forward.
"Eh fine, same old same old, where have you been, you just disappeared!", he said loudly as he clapped her on the back making Byakuya eyes narrow when she coughed.
"Rukia is a lady and a noble, not one of those savages you call friends from the 11th squad, she should be treated accordingly, you will refrain from hitting her in the future if you wish to keep your arm" he stated coldly as he glared at his shaking lieutenant who seemed to suddenly remember he was there, "am I understood, Abarai?"
"H-Hai T-taichou…" he stammered out, the murderous reiatsu choking him. He let out a sigh of relief when it disappeared when Rukia spoke.
"Well…we should be leaving now; Hitsugaya-taichou is waiting for us, come on Renji" she said hastily grabbing his arm to pull him away.
"Why? What's he waiting for us fo- OW!"
"Can it, I'm saving your butt", she whisper-snarled to him as she pinched the arm she had grabbed. She then turned to flash a smile at her brother, who was frowning at them.
"I'll explain on our way there, goodbye Nii-sama, we are leaving now", she said a little too loudly as she pushed Renji out the door.
Byakuya let out an agitated sigh as he closed the door behind them.
…...
"WHAT? No way! Arrancar? Espada? You're kidding right?" Renji spluttered incredulously as they walked towards where the senkaimon was being opened. Rukia had filled him in on everything, except her illness, as they had walked from the office to his place to get his stuff. They were now on their way to meet Hitsugaya–taichou.
"This isn't a joke idiot!" she snapped back, "Aizen is seriously on the move."
"Where have you two been?", Hitsugaya snapped irritably, interrupting them.
"Ah Hitsugaya-taichou, have you been waiting long? I apologize" Rukia said going into noble mode to appease the irritated chibi taichou.
"Whatever, let's just hurry, what if Arrancar or Espada attack while you two are goofing off here?"
"Aren't you just trying to escape before your lieutenant knows you're leaving for the real world Hitsugaya-taichou?" Renji asked with a sly grin on his face.
"Don't mention it she might be –"
"TAICHOOOOUUUU!"
Hitsugaya flinched and turned to see his lieutenant, Matsumoto Rangiku, running up to them, with unfortunately for him, one of those backpack/purse thingies (what does she call that thing again? He wondered) on her back.
"What are you doing here Matsumoto?" he asked flatly, when she had reached them.
"What? I'm going to the real world with you guys, duh, you weren't trying to leave without me were you, ta-i-chou?" she sneered suspiciously. Renji and Rukia sweat-dropped but Hitsugaya just rolled his eyes and turned to the gate as four hell butterflies came out. 'Did everyone know she was coming?' he thought irritably as he glared at the extra butterfly.
"Perish the thought Matsumoto", he drawled sarcastically. "Let's go." He snapped as he ran into the gate, the other three following close behind.
…
"So, what you're telling me is that some weird bugs are going to slowly eat Rukia's soul until she disappears?" Ichigo asked skeptically. The shopkeeper sighed tiredly and rolled his eyes. He had been explaining Rukia's condition to the blonde for almost 2 hours.
"Ma, Kurosaki-san…it's not exactly like that.."
"Okay, you know what, forget that…you are going to fix this, right?" he stated, not making it sound like a question.
"I'm already working on that Kurosaki-san, I assure you I will find a cure." He answered seriously.
They sat in silence for a few seconds after Ichigo nodded. A few more seconds passed before Urahara suddenly whipped out his fan to cover the grin that had appeared.
"Sooo…Kuchiki-san told you about the situation herself eh? Did she say anything else?" he asked in a tone that made Ichigo uncomfortably on guard.
"What are you talking about?" he snapped.
He deflated and muttered under his breath, "Guess not…" before brightening up, his eyes shining with mirth as he closed his fan chuckling, "Well, Inoue-san was right, I guess you have to be the one to say it first, when she returns, you have to tell her Kurosaki-san."
"Te-tell her what? I don't have anything to tell that midget!" he snapped angrily, a slight blush betraying him.
"Kurosaki-san."
Ichigo froze at the sudden seriousness.
"You and I both know what Inoue-san said was true. With this war approaching, no one knows what we may have to face, anything could happen. Her illness isn't the only thing that could take her life."
"I know that."
"Then why haven't you told her about your love for her yet?" he asked bluntly.
"W-WHAT?!"
"Don't bother denying it Kurosaki-san, we both know it's true."
Ichigo huffed irritably, the blush darkening. "I wouldn't go so far as to say I love her..." he huffed.
"Which is why we are here having this conversation", the shopkeeper deadpanned, and then quickly covered his face with the fan when Ichigo glared at him. "Ma, ma, relax Kurosaki-san."
Ichigo puffed out a breath and scowled at the wall instead.
"So, are you going to tell her when she returns?" he asked slyly.
"I don't need you telling me what to do; I was planning to tell her sometime this weekend anyway." He huffed.
"Of course, of course you were Kurosaki-san", he said closing his fan. At the look Ichigo gave him, he hurriedly added, "Ah, why don't we go see how Ishida-san and Inoue-san are doing hmm?"
He quickly stood and opened the door, "Are you coming Kurosaki-san?" he called over his shoulder.
"Yeah yeah, whatever."
They walked down the hallway and stopped at a door. Urahara slid it open and walked in, Ichigo following behind him.
Orihime and Ishida were asleep on two futons next to each other. "Are they okay?" Ichigo asked worriedly eyeing his bandaged friends. "They will be fine." Urahara answered him as he entered the room. "Where's Jinta?" he asked looking around but not spotting the red-haired boy.
"Tessai-dono sent him to get another dish of cold water" Ururu answered in a small voice, not looking up from where she and Tessai were using damp cloths to lower the couple's fevers.
"What happened to Inoue? She seemed sorta fine earlier", Ichigo asked curiously glancing at the auburn haired girl that was lying before him. Tessai answered the question this time.
"Although Inoue-san sustained minor injuries, she pushed herself too far trying to heal Ishida-san. That coupled with the shock and stress she endured today was too much for her body to handle, she lost consciousness while healing him. She will be fine though, she should regain consciousness in a few hours. Ishida-san, unfortunately sustained some very serious injuries."
"How is he?"
"Well, he is stable thanks to Inoue-san, but he may not regain consciousness for a few days."
"I see." Ichigo answered, fist clenching as he looked at his unconscious friends, as regret at not being there when they needed him washed over him.
He leaned back against the wall as Urahara sat, silently watching as Ururu and Tessai worked. As he watched he pondered over his conversation with the odd shopkeeper sitting in front of him. He had been planning to tell Rukia about his feelings since that Wednesday afternoon when Inoue had said they were going to throw a party for Rukia. 'Was that really just 3 days ago? So much has happened since then. That was the reason I had gone for a walk that day', he thought to himself, 'I forgot that, I was trying to think of a way to tell her...' Ichigo didn't get to think out the rest as his thoughts got interrupted.
'Are you still on that whole hesitating thing? Look sir dumbs-a-lot, me and old man Zangetsu here know you gat the hots for lil miss short and fiery, or as I like to call her, the queen, since she can beat your as-'
'what he is trying to say Ichigo, is that as parts of your soul, you cannot lie to us about the nature of your feelings for Miss Kuchiki, we can tell they extend further than just being nakama –'
'Did you just call Rukia, Miss Kuchiki?' Ichigo asked flatly, making his hollow facepalm.
'Oh for the love of – we know you love her dumbass! THAT is what we are TRYING to tell your thick skull!' he snapped.
Ichigo was about to retort but Hollow continued ranting, 'everyone knows! Even your KID sisters, and after everything we have seen today, you're STILL hesitating to TELL her? You almost lost her again, idiot!'
'You only get lucky so many times Ichigo, you are extremely lucky they received backup in time, you should learn from this, she would have gone without knowing of the love you harbor for her.' Zangetsu added.
'the old man is right King, you have wasted enough chances already, grow up and be a man and just tell her already, everyone is tired of waiting and sounding like broken records already.'
'What chances have I wasted?', he snapped back, the constant repition of the word love making him feel queasy.
'I can think of two from last night ONLY, there was the time on the roof at the party, when I suggested you use that opportunity, you just ran off blushing like a little schoolgirl and then in the closet when you were talking, if you were scared of someone overhearing you on the roof, that excuse doesn't apply to this one, no one would have heard anything, and that's another thing, what kind of man is scared of being heard asking out a girl, unless this is one of those, I'm too bad ass to love a girl, I'm gonna seem weak, my reputation..'
'I think he gets it…' Zangetsu cut in, exasperation apparent in his deep voice.
'WILL YOU BOTH SHUT UP!'
'Tell her!' they snapped back before fading completely.
'OI! Get back here damn it, I aint through with you two yet!'
But he was answered with silence. "Great…" he muttered to himself, "they're ignoring me again."
"Trouble in inner paradise, Kurosaki-san?" Urahara asked as he smiled at the strawberry with a smile that made him feel like the man had overheard the argument he just had in his head. He vaguely wondered where he kept that fan before he snapped back at him.
"Are you asking me to punch you in the face?"
Urahara quickly raised his arms in defense while simultaneously trying to placate with the teen, who shuddered as he wondered where the fan he had been holding only seconds earlier suddenly disappeared.
Ichigo almost sighed in relief when he felt a sudden burst of very familiar reiatsu, and then relief turned to confusion, when the one familiar reiatsu became four familiar reiatsus.
"Ah, I wonder who the extra company is, any ideas Kurosaki-san?"
But Ichigo was out the door before he had even finished the question. As he ran down the hallway he used his combat pass to transform into a shinigami. The senkaimon had just closed when he finally exited the shop.
He stopped in his tracks in front of the quartet standing before him. "Yo, Ichigo, it's been a while!"
"Eh? Renji? Matsumoto-san? And Toushiro? What are you guys doi- " he stopped talking when he noticed Rukia behind them.
"That's Hitsugaya-taichou to you!", Hitsugaya snapped, eyes closed in a scowl as one snow white eyebrow twitched in annoyance. He opened his eyes a few seconds later when he noticed the awkward silence and glanced around. Ichigo was staring at a very uncomfortable looking Rukia.
He disappeared in a flash step, making Rukia swallow self consciously when he reappeared in front of her.
"O-Oi what do you think you're –"
"You're coming with me." He growled as he disappeared with her in another flash step.
Hitsugaya, Matsumoto and Renji blinked at the spot they had been standing in owlishly.
"What the hell just happened?!" Renji snapped as Matsumoto squealed behind him, making Hitsugaya go from surprised to annoyed in a second flat.
…
Okay! Done! I am SUPER sorry I made y'all wait for this for the most part uneventful chapter, but I updated as promised.
I know I said Ichigo would have an anti-climactic realization this chapter, but then after reading through the fic, I remembered that Ichigo was already aware of his feelings since chapter 1, sorry for any confusion there!
Also I realized that since the fic started, it's only been like 4 days, there's going to be a time skip after next chapter.
For those wondering why healing Ishida was tough for Inoue, this was before she trained and got super amazing healing abilities, though I guess that was obvious.
Okay this fic will be complete in four chapters' time, so after that I want to start on one of two fic ideas I have, the first is a sequel to this fic and the other is a sort of Sister parallel universe fic to this one, a crossover of sorts I guess. I can't decide which one to do so I'm gonna let you guys decide!
I have a poll on my profile that explains the basic idea for both fics, I would love for you guys to vote and let me know which one you want to see first!
And while you're at it, feel freee to check out my first ever one shot for my first ever challenge!
Thanks a lot for all the reviews and support I've received so far! You have no idea how much it means to me as this was my first ever fic, I'm more comfortable in my writing shoes thanks to you guys, so ARIGATOU GOSAIMATSU!
Please keep reviewing and supporting me!
Much love,
Chelty-chan out!