Don't own Bleach
The battle was over, Aizen had escaped and the Soul Society began to heal their injured soldiers. Sokyoku hill was the first place to be seen to. Byakuya was being healed by Orihime's Soten Kisshun technique while the members of Squad 4 healed the other injured Shinigami. Yoruichi sat by Utsumi as Hanataro healed him. The little man was incredibly efficient at healing, he managed to heal Ichigo in one night, now, although his wounds are more extensive that Ichigo's, he's healing Utsumi's wounds quickly. Yoruichi had a tight grip on Utsumi's hand as Hanataro did his work. She kept looking at his chest to make sure it was still moving, just to assure herself that he was alive.
Being a member of Squad 4 had its ups and downs, but being here and saving lives like Ichigo and Utsumi. He was a proud member of the Squad. He focused intently on healing Utsumi as quick as he could. The woman holding his hand was nervous, he could tell so he did what he could to get Utsumi healed enough to wake him up. He didn't want to keep him asleep it was just better if he was, it wouldn't unnerve him as much. He looked at the golden-eyed woman as she was having a staring contest with Utsumi's chest, "He's going to be fine." he said, "I know I'm only a Seventh seat, but I can tell. He's strong he'll pull through." he soothed her as best he could in his own awkward way.
She looked at the little man, she smiled slightly. She didn't say anything, couldn't say anything. She didn't know what to say. She knew he was strong, she just hoped that this was the last time that she would have to watch him fight for his life. She had already watched him do it enough times. Just as she was about to let the stubborn tears fall, she felt a hand grasp her shoulder. She looked at the person, it was Ichigo, "Ichigo, what can I do for you?" She asked turning back to Utsumi.
He was bandaged up and ready to get some rest before heading home, "I was told we would be staying here for a week and Unohana wanted to take him back to their barracks." he said motioning to Utsumi, "Why did he do it?" he asked referring to throwing himself in front of Aizen for them.
She didn't look away from Utsumi once, "Why he fought Aizen for you?" She asked. He nodded in response. "I think that it's his story to tell. Just don't push him to tell you." She requested. Ichigo silently left to get rested up and healed.
Unohana gracefully floated down on top of her Shikai, a giant green sting ray creature. She ordered him to take Utsumi back to the barracks and it swallowed Utsumi and he disappeared into the creatures large mouth. Unohana grabbed Yoruichi and bought her on top of Minazuki. The large green creature ferried them across the Seireitei to the Squad 4 barracks.
The barracks were filled with injured Shinigami. Squad 11 mostly, as usual. They were noisy and rude but as soon as Captain Unohana looked at them with a sweet smile and in a calm voice said, "If you don't like what we offer here, you can always leave." The confidence of the Squad 11 members disappeared and they meekly went back to their business. Captain Unohana and her Lieutenant, Kotetsu Isane, made their way swiftly through the busy corridors to the area where they treated Ryoka earlier. They set up all the necessary equipment to help his Reiatsu and Reiyoku get back up before they wake him.
A few hours went by before she felt something. She felt pressure on her hand. Yoruichi slowly opened her eyes and saw two tired cerulean blue eyes looking at her. She blinked the sleep away, to make sure she wasn't seeing things. He's awake. Kissing his hand, she looked up at him. Noticing that he was staring at her, she asked, "What?"
He shook his head smiling at her, "Just happy to see you." He said, even though his eyes looked drowsy, they were the ocean blue that she had been drawn to all those years ago.
Yoruichi beamed, "Well, I couldn't let you be surrounded by these beautiful nurses by yourself now, could I?" She joked, before looking at him questioningly at him, "As much as I want you all to myself, Ichigo was asking after you. I'll bring him in now, then you're all mine." She turned and left before waiting for a reply.
She returned promptly with Ichigo following in behind. He was healed and rested after rescuing Rukia. He sat down on the stool next to Utsumi's bed. Yoruichi left the boys to talk. There was a tense silence that filled the room. Ichigo knew what he wanted to say, he had told himself the right words, how to say it but now it's all gone. He had no idea what to say. "Hey." He began looking at the wall behind Utsumi.
He had no idea why Ichigo would want to talk to him, "So, Yoruichi said you wanted to see me?" He asked trying to get Ichigo's mind on track.
Blank. Completely blank, Ichigo couldn't think of what he was going to say, I'll wing it was his thought. "I need to know, did you know about Rukia? Before this started? About Aizen?" He asked.
He came here to accuse me? Utsumi was insulted. He wasn't perfect, he knew that. But to be accused of being in league with Aizen and his schemes, he would not put up with it, his voice became cold, "What makes you ask that?"
Not deterred by Utsumi's tone of voice, Ichigo continued, "While you were healing, Uryu told me that Tousen recognized you. What am I supposed to think. We know next to nothing about you and you throw yourself in front of Aizen's blade for us. Excuse me for being curious!" He exclaimed folding his arms in front of his chest. "Didn't you also say that you know something about being on the wrong side of the Soul Society?"
He turned away, this is where the questions would be endless. He didn't want to answer them. He sighed, he didn't want to explain everything that happened. He knew that there would be more questions about Ichigo's own Hollowfication. "You'll get your answers, just not from me." He said, "I will tell you though, when the time comes, Aizen is mine." He said turning back to Ichigo, giving him a stare as if to see 'get in my way, I'll take you down as well.'
Recognizing the look in Utsumi's eyes, he nodded, "Anyway, I wanted to say thanks. For Aizen and for protecting Orihime." He said walking out waving his goodbye.