36

When Ichigo got back to the 4th division, with the help of his new map, he spoke to Ukitake, Kyoraku, and Unohana about what happened when he pursued Hozukimaru.

"Are you sure it was Byakuya that stopped you?" Ukitake asked unsure.

Ichigo nodded his head. "Yes, I'm sure." He pointed at Shiro with his thumb. "I asked him if he saw him too, and he did," The orange-haired teen said.

"But that make no sense," Brielle said while shaking her head. "Why would Byakuya betray us when he was willing to kill his own sister for the law?" She asked.

"Don't ask me. I'm just saying what I saw," Ichigo stated.

"Maybe he got tired of bein' told what to do," Shiro said with a giggle.

"I think we should find information about Muramasa. It's possible that we'll find the reason as to what happened to him for him to do what he's doing and why," Brielle mused.

There was silence for a few moments until Unohana started to speak. "I remember that Muramasa's master was Koga Kuchiki. Captain Kuchiki might have thought that this is his responsibility. I can't say anymore, it's not my place," Unohana said.

Brielle let out a low growl. "We're in the middle of a crisis right now. I don't want to hear whose place it is to say anything when the enemy is trying to kill us. We need to know this enemy before it's too late." The dragon-Hollow didn't stop growling when she spoke.

The three captains turned to face each other and sighed in defeat. "She's right," Kyoraku said.

"We would have to ask the Kuchiki elders for permission to look into Muramasa. They're the one with the information you're looking for," Ukitake said.

"Well, I can' go," Shiro said. "They'll kill me the moment I try to step foot into that place, all because I'm a Hollow."

"Me neither," Brielle sighed.

"They would kill me for just being rude. If they're anything like Byakuya then I don't know if I would be able to stop myself from killing them," Ichigo said.

"They're not that ba-" Ichigo, Brielle, and Shiro stared at Ukitake like he grew a second head. "Okay, they might be that bad."

"If not worse," Kyoraku said with a light laugh.

"So who would be going then?" Ichigo asked.

"We can't, because we have work to do here. Sorry, Ichigo, but you'll have to go," Kyoraku told the hybrid.

Ichigo's eyes widened. "What? WHY?!" He demanded.

"Because you're the only one free," All three captains stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"But… I don't know how to talk to nobles…" Ichigo said in a child-like voice while bowing his head and pouting.

Brielle put her wing on her brother's shoulder and smiled. "Don't worry, I know what to do. I'll stay in your inner world and tell you what to do and say. Sound good to you?" The feather-winged dragon asked. Ichigo just looked at his soul sister in the eyes while his were child-like for a moment, and then nodded. "Good."

Ichigo breathed in deeply and set his face to that of determination. He turned to the three captains. "Where can I find the Kuchiki elders?"


Ichigo was looking at his map, and then look at the building in front of him. "This seems to be the right place. Now, how do I get in?" He said under his breath.

'Go to the guards in front of the gate, and ask him if you can see the Kuchiki elders,' Brielle instructed.

Ichigo did as he was told and walked up to the two guards. When the guards saw him they went into a defensive stance. "Halt, who are you and what are you doing here?" Guard no.1 demanded.

Ichigo bowed low, and then came back up. "My name is Kurosaki Ichigo, and I wish to speak with the Kuchiki elders, if I may?" He did not like how he had to talk, but if he wants to get in he'll have to listen to Brielle.

Guard no.1 and 2 shared a glance, and then guard no.2 ran off to the elders.

'Now, we wait,' Brielle sighed.

"This is gonna be the borin' part, isn' it?" Shiro asked.

'Yup.' Ichigo could feel his sister nod her head.

They waited for about ten minutes when guard no.2 came back. "They said you may enter," He said.

Ichigo bowed again while saying, "Thank you." When the teen walked in through the gates, there was a servant waiting for him.

"If you will be so kind as to follow me to the meeting room," The old servant said. Ichigo and the servant walked for about five minutes till they were in front of the door leading to the meeting room filled with elders. "Here we are Mr. Kurosaki." Ichigo nodded his head in thanks, and then walked in.

In the room was just what the hybrid expected, a room filled with old men and women. Ichigo had to hold back a sigh. He knew that this was going to drive him insane, more so than what Shiro has already done to him.

"Stat your name and business here," One of the men ordered.

'Just do it and get it over with,' Brielle told him.

"I'm Kurosaki Ichigo. I'm here to ask for permission to know about Koga Kuchiki and his Zanpakuto, Muramasa." The elders did not look happy at all.

"Denied. Now leave, and thank you for wasting our time." Ichigo was already about to murder these people. He calmed down and listens to his sister.

"Look, it's important that we know. Muramasa has returned and is destroying the Seireitei." This seemed to catch the old farts' attention.

"That is our business, not yours or the Gotei 13's."

'Brielle, what am I suppose to say now?' Ichigo asked.

The dragon-Hollow smirked. 'Tell them…"

"Fine, I'll leave. But know that if Soul Society is destroyed by the Zanpakuto it will be on you, because one of your own is working with them, and you won't tell us anything on how to stop them." When Ichigo finished talking, he was almost out the door.

"Wait!"

"Don't leave yet!"

"We'll tell you what you need to know." The orange-haired teen grinned in victory. But the elders didn't see it. He turned back around and sat down on one of the cushions.

"Shall we, ladies and gentlemen?" Ichigo said with a kind smile.


Ichigo doesn't know how long he's been there listening to the elders, and neither does Brielle, Shiro, Zangetsu, and Kikoo. Brielle was listening to the story along with Ichigo while trying to ignore with what the other three were doing. She would rather play Go Fish at this point if it meant something fun to do. The other three would be having a Battle Royale if the feather-winged dragon hadn't forbidden it. She needs Ichigo headache free for this.

'Sounds to me like the man was framed,' Brielle acknowledged.

"So let me see if I understand this. Koga was sealed because he killed these people that were from a rival faction and they said that he killed them to show off… Sounds to me he was framed. Show off? Not the best way of saying he attacked. Sounds like he was the one attacked first," Ichigo pointed out. "Though I will admit that killing the people that set it up didn't help him. That would have just given you even more proof that he did it for fun… Or try to get pay back, but in the wrong ways. As for Muramasa, he would have been fine. There was no way he would have lost control unless he was ripped away from his soul. But all the same, Koga's an idiot," The hybrid finished his rambling.

"That's right," A woman elder said.

"Well, now I know why Muramasa is doing all of this. He's trying to find his other half while also getting revenge." Ichigo stood up and bowed one final time. "Thank you; you have been a lot of help. I'll take my leave now." Ichigo showed himself out the door and front gate all the while thanking every god that he got out of that place.

TBC


How much do you guys think Ichigo wanted to kill himself? I know that I would want to shoot my head off if it meant getting the heck out of there! XD

Shiro: Or Grin Ray Cero them! X'D

Enj/Bri: Good point! ;) That manga chapter was AWESOME! X3

Ichi: You two need to calm down, or find a doctor. -_-

Enj/Bri: I don't trust those docs. I'll trust Aizen and Yhwach before I do that! O_o

Ichi: What's so bad about them? They're just trying to help. :/

Shiro: I never heard anyone leave that place once they go in. -_-

Enj/Bri: Not only that, but insanity is contagious. I'm almost 100% sure it is. Have you seen some of the things they do? *shiver*

Ichi: You mean heard? Those aren't real.

Aizen: No, they are. Look it up. Some of them even did Satanic rituals.

Enj/Bri: This gives me more of a reason not to trust them. :(

Ichi: Some of them are nice.

Shiro: Yeah, THE NEW ONES! XD

Aizen: And it's like talking to a robot from what I hear. They don't get attached to their patients. You of all people should know that that isn't going to work.

Shiro: He's right, King.

Ichi: I...I give up. :( I just looked, and their right. They're evil.

Enj/Bri: No offense to psychiatrists. Though I believe none of those people are reading this or else most of us would already be in the mental hospital by now.

Aizen: True...

Shiro: Please review! CX