Exhydria

(n.) The winds which are accompanied by rain.

Hey everyone, welcome back to chapter 56, beginning with the new arc, and setting up the future a bit. Read on and enjoy!

Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo

X = Used to indicate change in perspective or timing/scenery.

Zangetsu-Ossan speaking.

Shiro speaking.

X

Ichigo shifted slightly where he leaned back against Zangetsu's broad chest, serenity listing on the breeze that ruffled his locks and wrapped around the sideways buildings of his inner world; glimmering in the lightly overcast sunlight as clouds passed lazily overhead. Shiro sprawled over Ichigo's legs in a mess of curled limbs was purring; a rumbling sound that filled the air in a faint humming lull, as Zangetsu stroked slow fingers through Ichigo's hair.

The three parts of the same soul basked in the relative peace of Ichigo's soul, taking the time to simply be in each other's presence after the hectic last few weeks and the endless turmoil of war that always seeped beneath the surface of Ichigo's carefully constructed mask. Slowly, almost idly, Ichigo's gaze slid over his inner world, the water lapping at the heels of the buildings like the gentle ever extending ripples of a lake, and the greenery that blossomed and overcame the many cracks in the exterior of the mammoth skyscrapers. It was pleasant to see the world that had so heavily been rain swept for a near endless amount of years, close to something peaceful, though still lingering with the last dredges of the war. Ichigo knew his two spirits enjoyed the change of weather as well.

"Ichigo."

The Quincy portion of the young Shinigami's powers rumbled, deep voice resounding through the cascade of buildings and falling around them as the syllables of his name lilted on the air. Humming in reply Ichigo tipped his head back to glance into the yellow visor of his older Zanpakutō spirit, and to the crystal blue eyes sparkling behind the glasses. The old man was gazing at him with an immense fondness and pride, even as a furrow of thought made itself known creasing the brows behind the yellow visor.

"What are you planning for the countless invasions that will soon dawn upon Soul Society?"

The spirit asked softly, gently as if to cushion a blow, hesitant to interrupt the tranquillity, but following their sense of duty. Ichigo cringed faintly wanting to continue basking in the silence and warmth but sighed knowingly even as Shiro lifted his head, acrid gold eyes glowing the hollow spirit chortled and asked with a touch of mocking and sardonic humour, "Do ya even remember who came first?"

"The Bounts."

Ichigo responded with a huff, easily recalling the first invasion, as it was much like the pebble that trickled a landslide. Shifting his legs minutely and displacing the spirit curled over them; who fixed Ichigo with a heat-less venomous glare before resettling, Ichigo gave the spirit a reproachful look before settling once more. Zangetsu tugged lightly on Ichigo's hair, half admonishing even with the amused smile dancing over the older being's lips, as he succeeded in bringing Ichigo's attention once more to the older spirit's question.

The young Captain sighed and ran a hand over his face before responding, "Urahara will probably let us know when the Bounts start acting up, as with probably everything else in the mortal world, remind me to brief him, so we'll just have to wait for that to occur. But once it does we can make sure they can't touch Ishida, the twins, Masaki, or Ryūken, and hopefully save the female who aided Ishida. Then there's the Captain… Amagai right?" Ichigo paused and tilted his head to check with Zangetsu who held a bemused expression at Ichigo's inability to remember names, even as he nodded, leaving him to continue, "and there's the princess and the whole ninja executioners tied in with that, but with the Shiba Clan still esteemed and all that we can probably shelter her there well we deal with the Captain with father issues. Though I suppose he won't be a Captain in this timeline ne? And we don't really need any lieutenants of the like so?"

The orange-haired Shinigami trailed off unsure, a shrug of his shoulders betraying his lack of idea on the matter, Shiro shifted to glance at the two but said nothing, even as Zangetsu behind Ichigo hummed and replied, "It is likely he will try to proposition for some position of high diplomacy or honour, perhaps a false pretense such as an emissary of the Spirit King. Or perhaps he will seek to disrupt the fragile peace between the two worlds that the end of the war has brought."

"Through the Espada?"

Ichigo questioned wearily, half considering the suggestion with an expression of consternation, even as Zangetsu conceded with a nod. Shiro huffed and fixed Zangetsu and Ichigo with a disbelieving stare as if questioning their sanity, he commented, "He's not strong enough to control any of them, not the survivors, che which is as it should be. I doubt he would be able to manipulate them, Harribel is smarter than that. The only thing he could get his Zanpakutō on would be the Gillians or maybe a few Fracción from Barragan, and that would be business as usual."

The words lingered in the air for a moment and received a general air of agreement, the logic well-founded even as the orange-haired Shinigami idly placed a visit to Hueco Mundo on his near endless list of things to do, before Ichigo half amused half genuinely curious asked, "Do you really think he would try to be an emissary of Kami?"

Zangetsu only flashed a smile, scarily reminiscent of the predatory teeth filled grin of the Quincy king, before it was gone the next second and Ichigo's heart resumed its regular rhythm within his chest. The somewhat quiet air lingered for a moment as Ichigo continued to recall the past with some fondness before a thick sadness soured it and a frown marred Ichigo's features. Emotions battled across his eyes in flashes as he sat in the suddenly heavy silence words bitter on his lips he stated, "After that was Muramasa."

A general thrum of sadness and a myriad of other emotions, ranging from anger to hope, surged through Ichigo's inner world in a bright flux of reaitsu, causing the clouds overhead to darken and rumble ominously even as they continued to drift about calm and docile.

Shiro growled a deep sound that betrayed the hollow's irritation with the deranged Zanpakutō spirit, even as Zangetsu's arm tightened around Ichigo's chest in a protective hold. Ichigo's lips curved slightly into a barely-there smile at the protectiveness of his spirits, as his reaitsu reached out to wrap around the two who had guided his sword ever since he had awakened his Zanpakutō.

"We should kill him immediately then we don't have to deal with his mind-warping."

The hollow-like spirit suggested, double tone raspy and filled with rage as it warbled about them, Zangetsu behind Ichigo was quiet, though the Shinigami could sense the older spirit's silent agreement with Shiro's idea. A part of Ichigo felt the same, the part(s) of him that had suffered when the Zanpakutō used his power to control Zangetsu, and they had been forced to fight, wielder against Zanpakutō. Another part of Ichigo was reminded of the betrayal of the spirit's wielder, the sad death, Muramasa who in the end had only been loyal to a fault, and incredibly lonely. It reminded Ichigo in a small way of himself, the aftermath of the Final Getsuga Tensho and the loyalty he had felt for the Gotei 13.

Sensing their wielder's indecision, Ossan lightly advised, though with fairly well-concealed bitterness, "You can try and save the Zanpakutō spirit Ichigo."

"I know. It's just, what if he controls you guys?"

Ichigo responded heatedly concern wrapping its way around his heart as he bolted up in a moment of restlessness, before falling back against Zangetsu's chest with a quiet exhale. Shiro scoffed at the statement, but Ichigo could see a fear in the spirit's eyes, one that lingered with all of them as the skies grew overcast and the air crackled with ozone.

"Then he will control us, and you will break his control. But we are not so weak as we once were, we are united in a different bond than perhaps Muramasa can comprehend."

Ossan said, voice lingering with warm emotions and the familiar promise and riddles that saturated all of the Quincy spirit's words. Shiro, head resting atop Ichigo's knee chuckled eyes alight with taunt and glee and added, "Getting sappy old man, but I agree ain't nothing going to tear us apart that we can't fix."

The statement brought a small smile to Ichigo's features, as reaitsu swelled between the three and for a moment the sense of rain vanished, the bond between them pulsing and vibrant. The rain returned in full force pattering above their heads a half minute later and cascading lightly against the glass as a light prelude to what could come with the force of a tsunami, as Ichigo's thoughts dipped once more.

Both spirits turned concerned eyes to Ichigo, even already knowing their wielder's mind and the dark trail they had fallen to. Ichigo shifted aside a shudder and responded timid and hesitant, "What if He breaks our Bankai again?"

It was a tremulous question, drawing forth images of battle, and the resounding emptiness that had shattered and swelled at the start of the Blood War, echoing events only three months prior. The spirits shared a glance over Ichigo's head, communicating wordlessly, before their reaitsu rose encircling Ichigo in promise Shiro growled, "Nothing is going to tear us apart king, not some Quincy bastard, not some megalomaniac, not even Kami."

"Indeed Ichigo, your vast reserves of power will prevent such an event from occurring, and we will be reforged if fate proves to have once more a cruel sense of humour." Zangetsu reaffirmed as Ichigo shuddered but nodded, drawing on the comfort of his spirits as he controlled his breathing and banished the clouds hovering menacingly around them. The sky was still grey, and the sunlight was faint but Ichigo settled once more into a calm state with the aid of his spirits.

After what felt like an eternity spent in silence and as Ichigo pulled himself back together, Zangetsu wordlessly passed Ichigo a sake cup, the clear liquid glinting in the light reflecting off the skyscrapers. The Shinigami nodded his thanks and shot the bitter liquid down enjoying the burn and the resilience of life it flourished as it warmed his insides. After a minute Ichigo passed the refilled cup to Shiro, who pouted at the liquid but shot it down anyways with a bitter curl of his lips. Of all the things, Shiro had never developed a taste for alcohol, some of it was perhaps instinct, but the rest was the pure incomparable strangeness of Ichigo's soul; not that Ichigo had ever been a fan of alcohol until Shunsui badgered it into him.

"What will you do about Gunjō, the man who kidnapped the twins and brought them to hell?"

Zangetsu asked, drawing Ichigo's attention towards a new purpose, a new direction and back onto the previously unfinished conversation. The young Shinigami scrubbed a hand over his features once more, something dark flashing deeply in his features and cracking about the air before it passed, and he considered it for a moment before replying, "I don't think he will attack the twins, they've shown no sign of having hollow powers. He likely won't even attempt to break out. The only reason he tried in the original timeline is because of the battle against Ulquiorra where I died. Without that, there is no one possessing hollow powers strong enough that has been seen."

"Shinji?"

Shiro suggested with a half growl and a moue of concern hidden beneath it all. Ichigo furrowed his brow at the comment mind drawing back to what the blond had relayed of his battle against Grimmjow, which had been told with a rakish cheshire grin and blazing eyes.

"I don't think he rose from the dead, but I'll keep an eye out on the blond. If Gunjō does decide to target Shinji as his jailbreaker I'll just stop him and inform Shinji, maybe alert the Hell guards about their escapee."

Zangetsu nodded against the back of Ichigo's head and Shiro rumbled in agreement; the hollow-spirit more than happy to dish vengeance to the spirit who had tricked their wielder and injured their family.

"What bout the girl you had the hots for, Senna? And those freaky Rungokai twins?"

Shiro drawled questioningly where he stared up at Ichigo with bright wide eyes, like a cat peering out from the inky night. Ichigo suppressed a groan at the thought of all the invaders and challengers still yet undiscussed and silently prayed for a lull in between it all, even as he wondered how he had lived through the first Winter War.

Zangetsu chuckled, the sound reverberating through Ichigo's chest and filling him with warmth as the older spirit replied to the unconscious thought, "Through pure will and determination Ichigo."

The hollow spirit giggled at the statement and the redundancy of it all, knowing it had been, above all else, an amalgamation of things; Ichigo's blood-line, his learning curve, and as Zangetsu had stated his willpower.

Taking a moment to cement his thoughts, Ichigo thought back to the two questions he had been distracted from, half irritated Ichigo sat up and reached over to swat the bleached copy over the head for the comment. Shiro hissed at Ichigo with narrowed eyes before he pouted, knowing it was a well-deserved hit for the comment about crushes and settled down once more as Ichigo did the same.

"If Senna appears, I'll talk to Kisuke, and tell him what Senna is. If we can deal with Ganryū pre-emptively then there will be no need to alert the Shinigami of her presence. The kids from Rungokai… we'll just have to make sure that an eye is kept on them, it will be less likely for anything to happen with the shift in Rungokai but it still possible, and if it does still happen we can leave a recorder reminding ourselves of Rukia in case of an emergency."

Ichigo spoke softly, slowly putting together the rough foundations of a plan as they always attempted to do now, even if it was more than likely many of the plans would fall apart with a single whistle of the wind. Zangetsu nodded and kindly did not mention the incident with Tōshirō that would also soon draw close. Soul Society had changed, and it would be likely that Ichigo would be able to convince the Soutaicho and the Captains to avoid prosecuting the youth, especially as he was only (temporarily) a lieutenant.

"The Fullbringers."

The name was stated with a venomous hiss as Ichigo tensed in Zangetsu's grip at the name Shiro had spat out. Restlessly Ichigo's hand drifted to the pommel of Zangetsu's sealed form as he took a calming breath and announced, "He won't make his move for a bit; it's likely he knows the twins have Shinigami powers, or he will if he meets Chad. But we'll arrange an 'accident' for Tsukishima as soon as possible, the rest will be easier to manage, especially if we alert Soul Society to it, then the twins won't need to be involved."

Ichigo's voice was decisive, the cold steel of a general reinforcing every word as Ichigo's cold eyes surveyed the distance in thought. Shiro hummed at the idea, content with the plan and taking out Tsukishima, one who had caused great pain to their wielder.

"What if the twins do become involved, for an unspecified reason, perhaps to train with Chad and train their hollow spirit, which will not have manifested like yours Ichigo as they never experienced the shadowed shaft. Soul Society may take notice of their powerful souls."

Zangetsu spoke gently baritone lingering with the protective warmth that extended faintly to Ichigo's family, always the voice of reason between the three. Ichigo wanted to shake away the words, the idea of the twins even experiencing a fraction of what Ichigo had experienced while fighting with Zangetsu (and while the memories were almost equally weighted by the good, no teen needed to grow old so fast), but forced himself to look at the whole picture.

"If that does happen we need to have Kisuke alert us as soon as possible, Isshin or Masaki could probably talk to the twins and Chad. Maybe offer hollow training ourselves? But if Soul Society did find out about them, we try to keep it as hush as possible, the Soutaicho won't likely search into their background, because he already knows it, the only thing we would need to maintain is that we persist in keeping as little contact with the mortal world as possible. If the twins are trained, then there is no need to interact with them till they have entered the afterlife." Ichigo stated decidedly, even as a weariness filled his eyes at the thought of all the planning and complex enemies they would face, and the entanglement of his family. Zangetsu hummed reaitsu wrapping around the young Shinigami and pulling aside such thoughts as the plan was easily agreed upon as a rough base, Shiro rumbling softly in agreement.

The quiet once more filled the air as Zangetsu continued to idly run a hand through Ichigo's bright orange locks, and Shiro purred like a content cat sprawled over Ichigo's legs. The young Captain leaned back and closed his eyes at the faint thrumming peace of the moment, absorbing the ambient warmth and sense of safety for a single second of eternity.

Cracking an eye open as a thought occurred, Ichigo peered up at Ossan who was studying the buildings towering around them, and the greenery decorating it, with a far away eye, one that remembered. The refined spirit glanced down into Ichigo's eyes feeling the presence of his wielder's attention as the Captain asked, "Did you feel it in Hueco Mundo?"

The older spirit blinked in mute surprise before a serious expression stole over his normally stoic features and Zangetsu nodded eyes crinkling and dark, even as Shiro growled like a cat with its hair bristled.

"It was almost familiar but…"

Ichigo trailed off unsure on how to continue, Zangetsu hummed in reassurance, reaitsu surging around Ichigo and brushing aside the unspoken fears and worry with a soft presence. Shiro's ochre eyes, like looking into the sun with their intensity, connected with Ichigo's own and the spirit said, "Don't worry King we'll handle whatever comes our way. No hesitations or you'll die."

Ichigo tipped his head back and laughed freely at the hollow-spirit parroting the words Zangetsu had first spoken that first meeting and continued to speak whenever a motivational speech was required. It had almost become something of a mantra, one that resounded and wrapped around the core of Ichigo's personality,

The three settled once more into a companionable silence, and Ichigo let his eyes drift shut, basking in the sensations of his inner world. The caress of the breeze as it sung where it wrapped around the inverted buildings, the rustle of nature perfuming the air with the scent of rain and life, and the presence of his Zanpakutō wrapped around him, reaitsu flowing between the three in an endless cycle.

"Oy King, sleeping beauty is waking up."

Shiro's raspy voice interrupted Ichigo's semi-meditation and pulled the Captain from the quiet with a few blinks to awaken his senses. Ichigo glanced once back at Zangetsu, the two sharing a nod before Ichigo glanced to his hollow-spirit and grinned disappearing from his inner world in vaporous trails of wispy black.

Ichigo blinked rapidly as the almost fluorescent light of the Fourth pierced his eyelids and illuminated his surroundings, a familiar cot, similar wood panelling to all the walls of the Fourth, and an open window letting in cool air. Shifting in the uncomfortable plastic seat, Ichigo uncrossed his legs and tucked Zangetsu back into its sheath, and finally allowed his eyes to trail to Byakuya.

The Kuchiki noble was still clinging to the last dredges of sleep, eyes closed and expression soft, all the cold ice of the Kuchiki exterior and hard-worn stresses melted away in the face of sleep. It wasn't always peaceful sleep, for either of them, but being in the presence of each other seemed to help soften the blows of the night, hence Ichigo's continuous presence in the Fourth.

The ebony of Byakuya's hair seemed stark in the overbearing white of the division and against the pale cream sheets, almost strange with the lack of the Kenseikan holding the long strands in place. The Captain shifted on the cot, and the medical gown shifted with the movement revealing the bandages still wrapping his torso to Ichigo's careful study. The older Captain's wound was almost completely healed, more a thin line of inflamed skin, rather than the critical wound it had once been. It was likely Unohana would free the Captain of the Sixth today, which Ichigo was more than excited about.

The Fourth, while a place of healing was never Ichigo's desired place of residence; but as any good partner should Ichigo had spent more than a few hours at Byakuya's bed. Rukia had also come a few times, limping through the doorway with her still bad left leg, and the almost permanently white tipped fingertips, she had worn that careful concealing expression that did little to hide the depths of her emotions as she stared at her brother before collapsing beside Ichigo.

Byakuya's reaitsu reached out around the room as silver eyes revealed themselves with a flicker, and lazily slid over to study Ichigo as the Captain woke from his slumber. Eyes still hazed with sleep glowed with an inherent warmth where they locked onto Ichigo's own.

"Afternoon Captain Kuchiki."

Ichigo greeted with a warm grin that morphed into a smirk at the eye roll he received for the greeting even as Byakuya responded with an indulgent smile, "Good afternoon Captain Shiba."

The two held eye contact for a moment more before splitting off into soft laughter that filled the room with warmth. After regaining his breath Byakuya shifted on the cot, sliding carefully up into a seated position, the Captain barely managed to hide the wince the movement provided.

"How are you feeling Byakuya?"

Ichigo asked, honest concern lining his voice as he carefully continued to study his partner, noting the light purple under his eyes, and the thin veneer of sickness that still clung to him. Byakuya closed his eyes in thought for a moment before he responded, "Less like I've been sliced in half, but still a fair bit tired."

"I think we're all a little exhausted."

Ichigo replied honestly sharing a small smile with his partner even as he responded with a wink, "Though you managed to skip out on most of the repair work, lucky bastard."

Byakuya chuckled at the comment and grinned teasingly before settling once more against the bed he questioned, "Was Rukia here earlier?"

"Yeah, she was sobbing by your bedside again."

The younger Captain responded gaily with a knowing wink, Byakuya rolled his eyes at the answer but some of the tension pressing into the Kuchiki head dispersed at the news his younger sister was alright. The Captain of the Sixth, in between the mad flurry of time fighting and preparing for the final assault, had harboured a worry for one's sibling that would make Kaien proud.

"She fought really well huh?"

Ichigo commented with a proud grin, recalling fondly the numerous days they had spent in the training sale with Kaien tossing the midget around. Byakuya cracked a smile across from the orange-haired Shinigami and replied, "Indeed it is likely she will be promoted to lieutenant soon."

The Captain of the Tenth nodded, mind absently drifting to his own lieutenant before re-centering on Byakuya who was staring at Ichigo with an amused expression. Ichigo huffed and reached over to lightly swat his partner over the head, even as Byakuya dodged the attempt and the two shared a quiet laugh.

The pair settled comfortably with each other in the silence, listening to the quiet hum of background noise that made up the Fourth, the soft white noise of technology, the gentle shuffle of paper, and the warm reaitsu that was like rays of sun after a rainstorm that saturated the air.

After a minute, with the gentle nudge of Shiro, Ichigo scrubbed a hand over his features and idly ran his other hand over Byakuya's own drawing the attention of the Kuchiki. Byakuya studied Ichigo with ever-piercing eyes, ones that had always seemed to divine everything from Ichigo before he could even say it, glimpsing a fraction of what Ichigo was going to say.

"The peace is not going to last."

Ichigo stated solemnly, glancing away for a moment, desiring to say that the war had finished, that the peace would linger for at least a century before the Quincy made themselves known. But he couldn't, Byakuya deserved to know when he had shared everything else with Ichigo and had supported his partner through all else, accepting his more time bending reality with no protest.

Byakuya frowned at the statement, the way it lingered stale on the air between them before the Kuchiki furrowed a brow in curiosity and asked, "When? The war only officially ended a week ago."

Ichigo mirrored Byakuya's frown at the response, agreeing with the unhidden demand that they should deserve a break from the invasion attempt. Reluctantly Ichigo sighed and directed his attention away from his own petulant whining to Zangetsu's approval and focused on the question that was still hanging upon the air.

"It could be anytime now. The ending of the war has left a vacuum for challengers to attempt to usurp the Gotei 13."

The orange-haired Captain responded with a note of exhaustion bleeding through his voice even as Ichigo grasped Zangetsu's hilt with careful fingers. Byakuya winced at the words as if they were swords driven through his chest, even as he studied Ichigo closely.

"And you dealt with all of these invasions in your own timeline?"

The Captain of the Sixth asked cautiously, voice lined with weariness and support. Ichigo nodded lips slipping into a frown as he replied, "Yes, but during the Winter War."

Byakuya didn't succeed in hiding a grimace at the words, likely trying to imagine fighting a full-blown war, with other factions opposing you at any given moment. Byakuya's hand settled over Ichigo's in a silent gesture of support even as he asked, "How many?"

"About seven different invading forces, or incidents," Ichigo replied with a sigh and a shrug, as if to display the helplessness of the situation, before he drifted into silence for quiet retrospective moment, gaze studying Byakuya he spoke slowly, "However, one of the situations will probably affect you more so."

Ichigo received an elegantly arched brow at the elusive wording, one that demanded Ichigo drop the subtly and state whatever needed to be stated. Better a band-aid ripped off, then a slow dragging sensation.

"It's about Kuchiki Koga, and his Zanpakutō Muramasa."

Byakuya stiffened, aura suddenly cold at the mention of the disgrace to the Kuchiki clan, even if the reaction was tempered by Byakuya's more liberal thinking compared to the other nobles. Steel grey eyes slowly dragged over Ichigo, pulling at every inch of his will, as if searching for the truth in his words, even already knowing their verity

With a surrendered exhale Byakuya's head dipped as he quietly asked, "How? Koga was locked away by the Soutaicho."

"His Zanpakutō escaped capture and fled to Hueco Mundo where he devoured the hollows seeking to sustain himself and his power. In my timeline he hatched a plot to use the spirits of our zanpaktou, which he could control, to halt us as he found the location of Koga's prison and released the Kuchiki… Muramasa was misguided, loyal to a fault and when Koga was free, he stabbed the spirit. It ended with you fighting Koga, and I dealt with Muramasa."

Ichigo told his partner slowly, gaze distant as he stared past Byakuya and at the far wall, echoes of the battle sounding through the air, and the acrid taint of Muramasa's corrupted spirit almost present upon his senses before Ichigo shook away the faint traces and refocused on Byakuya as Zangetsu washed away the lingering sensations.

Byakuya was staring at his hands bunched into fists on the pale cream blankets, stark in contrast to the monochrome colour. With a searching grip, Byakuya's hand closed around Senbonzakura drawing strength from the blade, even as silver eyes bore into Ichigo from beneath a tangle of feathered bangs.

"There's something you're not saying. You can tell me Ichigo, I'm here for you. We support each other."

The Captain of the Sixth stated a mix of chiding and accusing with concern and reassurance hiding away beneath it all. Ichigo brushed a hand over his arms at the accusation, mind remembering the feel of fighting Byakuya once a lifetime ago before he looked into his partner's eyes and responded, "To deal with Koga, you pretended to convert to Muramasa's side. But you were actually holding up the honour of your clan, or trying to, by dealing with the blemish of the Kuchiki clan personally."

Byakuya's eyes widened as he took in the knowledge before a pointed glance was sent Ichigo's way and the older Captain responded, "I am far less strict when it comes to duty Ichigo, as you say I don't have a pole up my ass."

The comment brought forth a huff of laughter as Ichigo slumped minutely in the plastic chair regarding Byakuya with unhidden fondness. The Captain of the Sixth studied Ichigo for a moment before he spoke quietly, voice heavy with conviction as if pulling the whole of the universe behind his words and locking it into place, "Whatever happens, future, past, present we'll get through it together."

Ichigo kind of almost sobbed at the words, but instead valiantly smiled a watery smile and nodded, eyes burning with a sea of emotions that reflected and frothed in Byakuya's own eyes.

"Guess we shouldn't tell Kaien our wedding vows huh?"

The younger Captain suggested with a mischievous curl of his lips and light sparkling merrily in his eyes. Byakuya stared in blank surprise for a moment before he tipped his head back and laughed; the sound clear and bright ringing through the small room as Ichigo joined his partner.

After a minute the laughter died down and the two were left sitting in a warm silence, words unspoken floating calmly on the air, unaddressed and unhurried. A knock on the door broke the peaceful reverie as it slid open to reveal the amused features of the Captain of the Fourth.

Unohana studied the two younger Captains with bemused eyes, ever sharp and catching, as she glided into the room, all elegant grace. The female Captain bowed her head in greeting to the two, and as they repeated the gesture she announced, "Kuchiki-taicho I'm going to run a diagnostic scan, and if everything is in good condition you will be free to check out. However, I am cautioning extended rest and no over-strenuous activities."

The Captain finished with one of the perfect smiles that radiated something menacing and warning even as a pointed gaze was directed between the two younger Captains. Byakuya nodded serenely, expression placid, even as underneath Ichigo could spot the terror any even remotely sane person felt upon words of caution from the female Captain and the thought of disobeying them.

Ignoring the faint blush decorating his cheeks, Ichigo idly watched as Unohana performed the scan. Hands hovering above Byakuya's torso sheathed in an earthy green glow that seemed to radiate and draw from the air around them.

After a moment Unohana drew her hands away, a generally satisfied air about her as she stated, "You are almost completely healed Kuchiki-taicho, please be cautious and don't strain yourself too heavily or you may pull the still healing muscles of your stomach and cause the wound to open internally."

Byakuya winced slightly at the grim delivery but nodded his acquiescence carefully, Unohana smiled, the pleased sort of smile one saw on the face of a predator who had captured its prey, but a smile nonetheless. With barely a breath in between the Captain of the Fourth turned to face Ichigo and asked, in a thinly veiled demand, "Ichigo can you come speak with me in the hallway?"

Ichigo wanted to flee at the suggestion, duck out the windows at that moment and run, escape from too intelligent, too piercing eyes, instead, Ichigo slumped in his seat for a moment before nodding weakly. Running was an effort in futility he wasn't prepared to engage in. The young Captain had known the intervention, if that was what it could be considered, was coming; he had only delayed it by hiding away from Unohana.

Casting a reassuring look at Byakuya who was watching a strange blend of amusement and worry, Ichigo slipped from the chair and followed Unohana into the hallway, the rustle of Shinigami distant in the closed space. The Captain studied Ichigo openly, none of the serene too peaceful expression masking her features, just a simple expression as she studied Ichigo.

"You need to talk about the war."

She stated simply in the tense silence that stretched like beaded ropes between the two of them, no asking why Ichigo hadn't appeared to speak to her, or any other thousands of questions. Simple, blunt and to the point, Ichigo appreciated it even as he wanted to shy away from any thought of it whatsoever and bask in the idea of peace that resounded throughout his soul.

"Just because you feel better now, doesn't mean you should stop therapy till it starts again Ichigo."

Unohana advised as the silence continued to stretch, motherly concern and affection filling her tone as she continued to study Ichigo. The orange-haired Shinigami nodded and replied, "I know, it's just… easy to enjoy the fragile peace while it lasts."

Ichigo didn't point out the double-edged sword of his words, only watching Unohana's brow crinkle; the ancient Captain's mind wrapped around his words carefully even as she let the silence drift encouraging Ichigo to speak once more.

"It's just, there's going to be more invasions soon, and I don't want to have to talk about the war now when I know it will be needed more when those start."

Ichigo said grappling with his words as he clenched a fist over Zangetsu's hilt. Unohana took the admission with her usual flawless serenity nodding even as swift eyes quickened at the idea of a fight, well hidden as it was.

"How long?"

Unohana asked carefully, eyes boring into Ichigo as if to help guide him to his own solution. Ichigo shrugged and responded, "It could happen anytime now, the power vacuum is there, all that's left is to rise up and take it."

"Then you can come to therapy until someone invades."

Unohana suggested with positive mirth listing into her voice as she smiled at Ichigo eyes twinkling. The younger Captain rolled his eyes but nodded in agreement with an exhale of defeat. The female Captain nodded, obviously pleased, and Ichigo conceded that the therapy wasn't actually the equivalent to torture, it was good for him, had helped Ichigo to become a better person. Sometimes he still just wanted to avoid talking about all the things that made up his fractured and mending soul.

The two Captains turned simultaneously as the soft flutter of wings, like a brush of the breeze against one's ear, filled the air and two Jigokuchō drifted into the corridor, elegant forms like glowing gemstones as one alighted on Ichigo's outstretched finger.

"All Captains and lieutenants please report to Sokyoku hill, the Soutaicho has gone missing."

Chōjirō's calm timbre announced in a strict manner, that belayed some of the lieutenant's hidden worry as Ichigo absorbed the message with wide eyes, the inkling of a suspicious burrowing its way into his skull and tapping at his nerves in a staccato rhythm.

Byakuya stepped into the hallway as Unohana glanced up from the Jigokuchō, shihakusho and haori settled firmly over his shoulders; though the Kenseikan were still absent (they took an insane amount of time to thread through Byakuya's hair). Unohana stared down the Captain of the Sixth for a moment, healer's eyes roving over his stance and eyes before she nodded once warning still absorbed into every line of her features.

Sharing a consecutive nod of agreement between the three Captains, they left the small corridor in a flurry of shunpo moving across the vast reaches of the Gotei 13 and Soul Society towards the Sokyoku towering above the rest of the world as the early evening painted the hill in hues of burnt russet and gold.

The three Captains landed with a rush of dust about their feet, as Ichigo slipped closer to Byakuya supporting his slightly swaying form invisibly as the Captains and lieutenants already gathered turned to face the newcomers. Tōshirō slid over to stand a half-step behind Ichigo after a moment, features in their usual cold and serious expression even as band-aid peaked out of the collar of the lieutenant's collar.

Chōjirō stood in front of the small group of gathered lieutenants and Captains; grave expressions decorating his features, and worry creasing his brow. Ichigo shifted uncomfortably as Byakuya beside Ichigo shot him a concerned look.

Before the lieutenant could announce anything, or organize a search party, a figure appeared a fair distance away behind the lieutenant. Long trailing white cloak with fur, unsettling ochre eyes, and who could forget the terrifying, stuff of nightmares, long claw-like nails.

Muramasa studied them all with cold apathetic eyes as if only seeing the pawns in a far grander game. Beside Ichigo, Byakuya stiffened as his gaze landed on the zanpaktou sheathed at the spirits side. And under Ichigo's breath, as his suspicions were confirmed, and Zangetsu bristled, the Captain of the Tenth could only release a quiet, "Fuck."

X

Thank you all for reading I hope you enjoyed the interlude between the start of the next arc and the last one, it was kind of a summary of some of what you guys can expect to see. Reviews/comments are always appreciated, till next time!

Globe!