Chapter 11 : Awaiting Execution
Kaze Akurei glared at Hitsugaya. "What the hell do you mean!?" he shouted.
"It's just as I said." the 10th Squad Captain replied with a sorrowful frown.
"But you said they had no evidence against him." Koukeisha stated. "How could they arrest him when they have no evidence?"
"Apparently, Captain Tosen paid the court a visit and gave them his story face to face. Zaraki went to defend him, but it didn't make any difference." Hitsugaya turned to leave but stopped. "Ukitake left a message for you guys. He said 'if there is anything I can do to get him out of there, I will do it. But until I figure that out, it's best to keep silent and wait."
Jonouchi quietly sat in his cell, watching the Squad 4 members come and go. It was Squad 4's job to feed the prisoners and clean their cells. He didn't know why, but he felt no anger or sorrow about being put on death row. "Excuse me." he heard from the halls. "Pardon me. Excuse me." The boy clumsily fell into the room as the other Squads pushed past him. Something Jonouchi had noticed in the few hours of being in the cell. Squad 4 is treated like trash. They're given all of the lousy chores.
He heard the lock to his cell click, and turned his head. It was the boy who had tripped coming into the room. He had black hair, middle length. He locked the cell behind him, and set his cleaning supplies on the floor next to him. "Excuse me sir. But I'm sup... supposed to clean your cell."
Jonouchi couldn't help but laugh."Don't worry about it." he said. Jonouchi caught the kid eyeing him a few times. Anytime they would make eye contact, the kid would gasp and quickly look the other way. He seemed to stay on the opposite end of the cell too. "You don't have anything to worry about." Jonouchi said. "I'm not going to hurt you."
"They say you killed Captain Aizen..." he whispered. "Is it true?"
"No..." Jonouchi frowned. "I wasn't the one who killed Aizen. Although, everyone seems to think otherwise."
"Then you're in here for a crime you didn't commit." Hanataro gasped.
"That's right." Jonouchi frowned. "But I suppose I deserve it. I didn't do too well as the 3rd Squads Captain." he frowned. "It was a lot harder than I thought. I've just caused too much trouble for people. If it wasn't for me, Rukia wouldn't be on death row. And Ichigo would still be alive."
"Wait... You know Rukia... Rukia Kuchiki?" Hanataro asked.
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"I was... Her caretaker as well." he frowned. "She was kind to me, even though she was a noble."
"Really?" Jonouchi asked, listening intently.
"Yes. She was very kind. She told me of this Ichigo, too. A boy she met in the human world."
"Yeah. She gave her powers to save a family of humans and this is how the Soul Society treats her."
"I know, it's truly terrible." he said, rinsing out his mop. He unlocked the cell and left, carefully closing it behind him. "Good bye, Captain." the boy said. Jonouchi's head turned.
"Captain?" he asked.
"You said yourself you didn't commit those murders. Rightfully, you should still be Captain, and you shouldn't be here. Just like Rukia."
Jonouchi frowned. "Thanks." he said. "What's your name?" he asked the kid as he was walking out. The boy paused and managed a small smile.
"Hanataro Yamada. 7th Seat of Squad 4." he said. As he left, Jonouchi once again spoke up.
"Hey, Hanataro!" he called. Hanataro peeked his head back in the door.
"Yes, Captain?" he asked.
"Can you stop by again sometime? I have a story I'd like to share with you."
"Oh... Of course."
"Thanks, Hanataro." Jonouchi said, lowering his head. He had begun contemplating the events that had taken place over the last few months. All of the pain and sorrow he had caused. He knew he was better off dead.
Later the next day, Hanataro had returned, and Jonouchi told his story. How he came to Soul Society, become Captain, and hurt so many people in the process. He could see the tears of sorrow in Hanataro's eyes. "I've let so many people down. Even the one I loved hates me." he whispered. "I know I'm better off dead. I can't cry. No matter how much I want to, I can't. I guess it's because what I want is coming true. I won't be around much longer to hurt anyone. Everyone will be happy. She will be happy."
Hanataro didn't say a word. It was as if he couldn't. Jonouchi just sighed. He got up and walked to his bed and took his shoes off. He laid down and stretched on his bed. "Sorry for wasting your time. I just had to tell someone."
Hanataro remained silent, eyes fixed on Jonouchi's shoes. "Captain. What's that paper?" he asked.
"What paper?" Jonouchi was puzzled.
"In your shoe. The left one."
"There's no paper..." he said, checking. He reached for his shoe, and out fell a little folded up paper. He unfolded the paper and inside was a letter.
Captain Uchiki,
Most likely by the time you get this, I didn't make it back. I know that my actions lately have caused you a great disliking of me, and I am truly sorry. I was hoping to keep you from getting involved in this, but I had no choice. I know you believe that I was the one who sent for Rukia Kuchiki's capture, and you are correct. There is a traitor among us. I was only using Rukia to draw them out. They need an execution to fulfill this goal. The true goal is not the execution of Rukia, but to steal a certain item. This persons true goal is the Soukyoku. The seal of the Soukyoku is broken only during executions, and is said to possess the power of one million Zanpakuto in its blade. In its cross, it's defensive power is just as great. When it pierces a Shinigami during an execution, its power grows dozens of times greater. The person who devised this plan to execute Kuchiki Rukia plans to use the Soukyoku to destroy not only the Court of Pure Souls, but all of Soul Society. Unfortunately, I haven't been successful in discovering who the traitor is. Captain Uchiki, I need your full cooperation to capture this person. You and I are the only ones who know about this, and seeing as I will most likely not make it back with my life, you are on your own. I'm counting on your success for the future of the Seireitei.
My Deepest Apologies,
Captain Aizen
Jonouchi's mind was racing. He was the only other person who knew, and he was locked up. He couldn't do anything. The only thing he knew was to get out and find help. "HANATARO!" he shouted, grabbing the bars to the cage. The young boy stubbled and fell, fear scared at Jonouchi's sudden attack. "Hanataro! PLEASE!" he shouted. "You have to go find someone! A Captain! Captain Hitsugaya! Please tell him I need to see him immediately!"
"But I don't..."
"GO!" Jonouchi shouted. He noticed the scared look Hanataro was giving him. "I'm sorry..." Jonouchi sighed. "I didn't mean to yell, but this is urgent. Please..." he begged.
"Right." Jonouchi's heart was beating fast as Hanataro ran from the room. In moments, he could be out of this cell.
Hanataro's footsteps echoed down the hall as he ran. He quickly turned the corner and fell to the ground as he hit something. He looked up and it was the Squad 9 Captain, Kaname Tosen.
"What's your hurry?" Tosen asked.
"I have to find Captain Hitsugaya! It's urgent! Jonouchi is calling for him!"
"You can get back to work. I'll be sure to inform Captain Hitsugaya. You don't need to worry. Return to your Squad" Tosen replied.
"Thank you, Captain!" he saluted, returning to his Squad.
Kaname Tosen entered the room, and Jonouchi rushed to the door. "Captain Tosen!" he shouted. "You have to inform the others! I found a letter from Captain Aizen!" he said, tossing the letter to the Captain.
The 9th Squad Captain slowly opened the letter and read it. There was a moment of silence.
"Well?" Jonouchi asked. "Aren't you going to do something?"
"Of course." Tosen replied, and turned around.
"Thank you Tosen!" Jonouchi replied happily.
"Not a problem. This is obviously a forged letter. Did you think you could get off that easily? Place the blame on another individual? I don't know where you get these ideas from, but they're not the product of a healthy mind."
Jonouchi paused, anger rising. "WHAT!?" he shouted. "What the hell do you mean FORGED!?"
"You copied the Captain's handwritting. Because this isn't it." He held the letter up, and it caught fire. The ashes slowly crumbled into the trash can in the doorway. "It was a nice try though." Tosen frowned. "Also, Hanataro Yamada was in on this, yes?"
"WHAT!? NO!" Jonouchi shouted.
"Then how did you get the paper?"
"I found it in my shoe!"
"And you didn't notice it was there until this morning?"
"Well, no..."
"I'll be sure Hanataro Yamada is punished for this. Do not worry." Tosen said, leaving the room.
"YOU BASTARD!" Jonouchi shouted. "TOSEN!"
Several days passed. Hanataro would come in to clean the cell, and leave. He didn't hold any grudge against Jonouchi, and for that he was grateful. Hanataro told Jonouchi about what was happening in the Seireitei. There were sightings of intruders in the Court of Pure Souls. Five people had penetrated the gates, and were now loose. A 3rd Seat, two Vice-Captains, and two Captains are in the 4th Squad infirmary. Hanataro told him that there were two humans, a guy who makes fireworks from the outside the gates, a Quincy, and an orange haired Shinigami. Jonouchi was happy to hear this news. He now knew Ichigo was alive. Hanataro also explained how six other Shinigami were helping them. They were mainly lower class, but were doing remarkable.
In a few more days, Jonouchi was taken to the Repentance Cell, a tall tower that overlooks the execution grounds. There, he met Rukia again. She was still alive. Their execution dates had suddenly been drawing nearer and nearer. Each day they would move the execution forward. This continued to happen, and eventually, the day came.
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Sorry, the end was kinda rushed, but I didn't wanna add too many details and bore you all. If you watch the show, you know whats going on with the Ryoka(intruders), so I don't need to explain it. The 6 other shinigami are characters that I have made for future chapters, so keep reading to see who they are!