Chapter Sixty Six:
Ichigo released a sharp gasp as his back hit the floor, instantly leaping to his feet as he drew Zangetsu up defensively and took in his surroundings. Sandy, dusty rock faces, large boulders and a false sky that extended further than his eyes could see. This was familiar... This was safe.
"Welcome back to the World of the Living, Kurosaki-san."
The strawberry looked over his shoulder, legs turning to jelly as he was met with the familiarly goofy grin, green and white hat, and walking cane. He let out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding, feeling his body sag as he lowered his Zanpakutō before he rushed forwards and threw his arms around the shop keeper.
"U-Urahara-san... How did you... When did you..."
"Calm yourself Kurosaki-san. Everything is alright." The blond rubbed his back soothingly.
"Is everyone alright? I'm not sure if they were injured..." Ichigo pulled back quickly, turning to check on the condition of his friends.
The strawberry froze, blinking as he found his friends already encircled in a vibrant orange bubble. Confusion touching at his senses as he saw that Orihime was asleep. Chestnut gaze roaming the area, his mouth fell open as he cursed his idiocy for not noticing the largely built man before.
Rotund in shape and insanely tall, with short pink hair and a matching moustache the man was sat cross legged with his dinner plate sized hands held up, seemingly controlling the flow of the orange barrier. His eyes were small but warm, kind. He smiled gently as he saw Ichigo's gaze.
"My apologies for startling you, Kurosaki-san. My name is Ushōda Hachigen. Please, call me Hachi." There was a polite bow of the head from the large man as he spoke, his expression never once changing as he took in the strawberry's appearance.
"I... Uh..." Swallowing, Ichigo tried to make sense of his own thoughts, "I'm sorry... What are you doing?"
"Hachi possesses similar abilities to Orihime-san, his are called Time-Space Barriers, namely with the ability of Time-Space Regression which allows incredible levels of healing." Urahara murmured, "If they did sustain any injuries, you needn't worry, your friends will be fine, Kurosaki-san. Hachi has put them into a deep sleep for the time being to allow them to rest. Don't worry."
"I... I see... That's good." He let out a long breath as his mind caught up, "How did you... I mean... The Garganta..."
"There will be time to explain everything once everyone is awake to hear it. For now, I suggest you sit down and have something to eat. You look dead on your feet." The blond's voice was calming but firm at the same time.
Unable to find a good reason to argue, Ichigo sat down against one of the boulders, tipping his head back and allowing himself to relax completely. Part of him couldn't quite believe they had escaped Hueco Mundo, his heart was heavy for the Espada who had sacrificed themselves for them, and his heart ached for Gin's final request.
Gin...
Did this mean he was on their side? Had he been spying on Aizen all along or was it a recent change of heart? Or was he playing games? He'd seemed genuine, seemed serious... But it was Gin, he was almost as good at lying as Aizen was. But... At the end, when the Garganta had closed, Gin had been fighting along side Starrk... He'd been slowing Aizen down... Didn't that mean something?
Ichigo must have fallen asleep at some point, because the next thing he was aware of was the sound of hushed voices arguing nearby. He recognised two of the voices but the third was new.
"I don't give a fuck how powerful he is, are we sure he's on our side?" The new voice hissed, "I ain't willing to risk Aizen clocking onto us being alive unless there's a damn good reason for it Kisuke."
"You're acting like he doesn't already know, do you really think that man misses anything?" Urahara's voice was just as muted but was as calm as ever.
"Even so, do you trust him that much? They've been missing for two months, fuck knows what he did in that time." That was the new voice again.
"If you'd sit down and wait until he wakes up, we will explain what happened while we were... Away." Byakuya. He sounded annoyed, it was subtle and probably not noticeable to anyone unfamiliar with the noble's more discreet personality shifts.
"Don't bother waiting," Ichigo muttered as he sat up slowly, craning his neck to loosen the stiff muscles, "Who could sleep with you three whispering so loud?"
Opening his eyes at long last, Ichigo glared across at the three men. They weren't far away from him, stood in an awkward triangle. Byakuya's arms were folded in an uncharacteristic display of frustration. Urahara was wafting his fan in front of his face, hat currently missing from his attire. The voice he hadn't recognised belonged to an average height man, he was lean but broad shouldered, with jaw length blond hair and a straight cut fringe, his eyes were narrowed, brown and currently fixed solely on the strawberry haired Shinigami.
Sighing loudly as he got to his feet, he finally took the time to revert to Shikai. He was glad to see Byakuya seemed fully healed.
"So... Who are you?" He asked, looking at the stranger.
"Shinji Hirako." The blond answered.
Eyes widening momentarily, Ichigo sucked in a breath, "Division Five's Taichou before Aizen. I heard you were dead."
"Heard?" Shinji smirked, "Or were told?"
"You tell me, sounds like you have a grudge against Aizen." The strawberry shrugged.
"Ichigo," Urahara interrupted, "You should remember that the first time you came here, after your Hollow side first revealed itself, I told you that there were others who had survived Aizen's Hollowfication experiments, although they differed from you, due to them having been Shinigami when they were afflicted."
"Yeah, I remember." He murmured, eyes never leaving Aizen's predecessor.
"Hirako-san and Hachi, as well as six other former Taichou and Fukutaichou, are those survivors." The blond store owner explained, "It was while saving them from execution that myself, Yoruichi-san and Tessai were exiled. You'll meet Tessai upstairs, he was away during your last visits."
Blowing out a breath, Ichigo shoved his hands in his pockets, "Well I guess that would explain the suspicion. I'd... Probably doubt me too. Look, I'll explain what I can, answer any questions you want but first... I have to know! Is everyone else okay? Orihime? Renji? Rukia? Ishida and Chad... Are they... Are they doing okay?"
"They're fine, Kurosaki-san." Urahara's hand was gentle on his back, "They are resting upstairs with Yoruichi-san and the other Visored."
"Let's head up there," Shinji had already begun walking towards the ladder leading up into the store, "I'm sure everyone is just as eager to hear what you have to say."
Rolling his eyes, Ichigo followed, hearing Urahara and Byakuya fall into step behind him. He paused long enough to sheath Zangetsu on his back before he began to climb up into the store. When he reached the top and clambered out into the familiar dining room, Ichigo was met by several inquisitive gazes.
The first thing he truly noticed was Rukia, Renji, Chad, Orihime and Ishida sat at the round table in the middle of the room with Yoruichi, they were drinking hot tea and eating a mountain of food between them, aside from looking extremely tired and more than a little underfed, they all seemed to have been healed to excellent health, his mind instantly at ease as he received smiles from them all.
The second thing he noticed, was the looks he received from the people he assumed were the other Visored. They were all as cautious and sceptical as Shinji, except for Hachi who gave him a polite wave as they locked gazes. He returned the gesture and turn turned on his heel, helping Byakuya up instinctively.
It was as he took a seat against the far wall, noticing how everyone's eyes followed him, that Ichigo observed another stranger in the room, he was tall and muscular, dark skinned with cornrowed black hair and a handlebar moustache. The rectangular glasses on his face concealed his eyes completely due to the reflecting light.
"This is Tessai, who I mentioned downstairs." Urahara announced, noticing Ichigo's stare, "He was the Taichou of the Kidō Corps at the same time that I was Division Twelve's Taichou."
"A pleasure to meet you, Kurosaki-dono." The man's voice was gruff and grumbling, but there was no hostility.
"Likewise, I'm sure." The strawberry cleared his throat, shuffling his feet as he picked absent mindedly at his shihakusho, only noticing in that moment that his sleeves had not been restored with the end of his Bankai, his tattoos remaining on full display.
He felt stressed beyond words, and extremely tired despite his earlier nap. He assumed it was due to the adrenaline wearing off. But he knew he couldn't back away from this conversation, he had a responsibility to everyone present to explain. To answer their questions.
"Well... I guess I'd better start at the beginning." He sighed.
Ichigo told them everything he could now remember, filling in the gaps for those already aware of his history while making clear everything for the Visored who knew nothing. He started with his childhood encounter with Aizen, recounting how he'd been taken to Soul Society, explaining how he'd met Rukia and Renji, and how once he'd gone to Shino he encountered Aizen for the second time.
Shinji hadn't seemed surprised to learn that Aizen had taken Ichigo under his wing during his studying years at Shino Academy, according to the blond Visored, it sounded like something Aizen would do. Apparently that was enough of a reason for his story to be believed.
He had expected to be embarrassed when he explained his relationship with Aizen. The sex, the training, the manipulation that he'd been blind to for so long, sure enough he didn't tell them everything. But it was kind of cleansing to get it off his chest. Ichigo couldn't help but notice Byakuya's tension, he knew the noble still held a lot of guilt on his shoulders for not having poached him for Division Six before Aizen had managed to sink his claws in.
Refusing to shy away, the strawberry haired Shinigami told them the extent of his work for Aizen. The assassinations, the spying, the man's plans to bring down Soul Society, and to rise up and become a God. It sounded insane when he said it aloud, and not for the first time he couldn't believe he'd been so willing to help.
Taking a break for food and drink, Ichigo only paused for a few minutes at a time, briefly going over what had happened once he had been transferred to Division Six, expressing his gratitude for Byakuya and Renji never giving up on him; explaining how Aizen had come to realise where the Hōgyoku was and the subsequent battles on Sôkyoku Hill.
It was only when he began to talk about their rescue mission in Hueco Mundo that he showed any sign of strain, his eyebrows furrowing as he spoke of how loud Shiro's voice had become and how he had struggled to resist the urge to give into his Hollow side. The borderline physical pain that had come from resisting during battle.
He grew more relaxed again when he spoke of finally achieving his Bankai against Aaroniero, and the consequent event of being able to lay his family to rest. Though his tranquillity was soon lost when he reached the point of recounting Ulquiorra's attack. He couldn't bare to go into detail, he skirted around it without making eye contact, despite overcoming so much already he couldn't help but recoil at the memories and the shame that had chained him down.
"So... What about what happened today?" Shinji asked, folding his arms over his chest as he leaned back, "Out of the blue Kisuke called us here for a rescue mission. He said he'd received word from Hueco Mundo that you needed help."
It was in that moment that Byakuya spoke instead, although his eyes fixed on Urahara, "You were Starrk's contact. The 'World of the Living agent'... How long were they feeding you information?"
"Long enough." The blond replied, "The messages were brief, lacking details. I barely knew who I was speaking to. But they told me that today was the day, that you'd need help escaping Las Noches. So we coordinated a time for me to open a Garganta... And they'd get you all to the Sands."
"I can't believe I didn't realise." The noble muttered, "The Espada and I devised a plan to bring Ichigo back. I bound Shiro with Kidō before using... Bakudō: 101."
"Wait, you did what?!" Urahara barked, his usually calm temperament abandoned, "Do you know how dangerous that was?"
"Of course." The noble raised one eyebrow, "But there was no other way. And it worked. I sent Shiro's consciousness back into the Inner World so that Ichigo and he would clash."
"Mm, thanks for that." Ichigo grumbled, remembering the fight as he rolled his shoulders, "I wouldn't have won that battle if Zangetsu hadn't helped me. He made me remember things... Promises I made... He made me remember what I stand for and... He made me accept myself. That acceptance made me stronger, I wasn't afraid to show my full power anymore."
"Thank goodness for Zangetsu then." Byakuya murmured.
"Is that the reason for your... Different look when you appeared? Because you accepted yourself?" Orihime asked, wiping her mouth as she finished eating.
Ichigo allowed his fingers to trail across his tattoos, "Yeah... And I guess all these tattoos mean I'm officially the Head of the Shiba Clan now."
"I believe that is indeed the case." Byakuya agreed, "Undoubtedly if you were to contact Kūkaku, you would likely find her tattoos have disappeared."
"I remember her saying that would happen." He mused, sighing softly before clearing his throat again.
"If you hadn't appeared when you had Nii-sama would have... And then I... I owe you everything." Rukia said quietly.
"You owe me nothing. It was my fault you were all in danger to start with."
"So what happened next?" Yoruichi asked, leaning forwards as she pointed at him, "I doubt that Espada brand happened for no reason."
"They fought. Ichigo, and Shiro." Chad's voice was rough.
"Wait, in the real world? Not in your head?" Love asked, he was a brown eyed man with a spiked black afro and mirrored sunglasses, Ichigo was already fond of his laid-back attitude.
"Yep," Renji folded his arms, "It was quite a spectacle."
"It was nothing special. We fought first inside my Inner World, I realised that the only way I could dislodge the balance enough to escape and have a chance to retake control was to 'kill' us both in the Inner World. So by applying the same injuries to both our forms at the same time, Shiro would be forced to either heal us both or let us both die. He healed us both and fled. But it was enough to allow me to work my way free." The strawberry rolled his eyes, "Anyway, afterwards, I realised that I had to weaken him, get him to a point where I could force him to listen to me instead of his instincts... To be honest... Aizen kind of helped in the end. When Shiro challenged his motives and realised he was being used he merged back with me willingly."
"So this is a permanent change?" Lisa, who had barely looked up from her erotic manga, now fixed him with her bright turquoise eyes, "Do you have a Hollow hole?"
"Uh..." He stared for a long moment, trying to ignore the pages of the magazine that were currently hanging open in her lap, "Yeah, its permanent. And no, I don't have a Hollow hole."
"I have one question," Urahara sat back, leaning on his hands, "What was Gin doing with you when I opened the Garganta?"
"Gin was playing the long game, I think." Ichigo bit his lip, "He asked me to tell Matsumoto that he was sorry."
"Perhaps Gin and yourself were in similar situations all along." Shinji mused.
"Perhaps." He simply shrugged, rubbing his forehead as he considered Gin's parting words, "He said... I was the only one capable of stopping Aizen. But that I wasn't quite there yet, that I needed to evolve a little more."
"Ichigo is the only Shinigami of Taichou class reiatsu who has never seen Aizen's Shikai." Byakuya informed the Visored.
"Truly?" The long haired blond Visored, who had identified himself as Rose, broke free of his disinterested air for a moment.
"Yeah." Ichigo nodded once.
"Damn." Love breathed, running a hand through his afro, "I reckon Gin was right then. You might be the only person who can stop him."
"Well... Fantastic." He stifled a yawn behind his hand.
There was a moment of quiet before Urahara slapped his fan shut, "I think we've questioned Kurosaki-san enough for tonight. He has been through a lot, he needs rest. Any further questions can be asked tomorrow."
Shinji got to his feet, stretching lazily before resting his hands on his hips, "Well, at the very least I'm pretty sure you haven't lied about anything, and it seems you have a genuine hostility towards Aizen. So, if you need our help, Ichigo, the Visored will be with you."
"Don't go making decisions like that by yourself, baldy!" Hiyori, who had been silent almost the entire conversation, suddenly jumped up and slapped the blond with her sandal, "Though, having said that... The idea of some payback does sound good."
"You little..." The de-facto leader of the Visored growled at her, but shook his head and shoved her teasingly, "Whatever. We've heard his story, let's head home. We can come back tomorrow to finish off this chat."
"We should be heading home as well." Ishida murmured, helping his wife to her feet, "Two months is far too long to go without hugging Kaida and Hotaru. I can't wait to just... Tuck them in and read them a story."
Ichigo got to his feet, shuffling awkwardly for a moment before he walked towards his childhood friends, "Thank you so much, for everything you did. I'm so sorry you were kept away from your children for so long... I'm in your debt."
Orihime hugged him tightly, "It was worth it, to see you reunited with Kuchiki-san."
"Just keep a lid on that albino bastard of yours from now on." Ishida smirked, but when he held his hand out to shake Ichigo's, the strawberry knew his warning came from a good place.
"I will." He promised, returning the thumbs up that Chad threw his way, he waited for the Humans and the Visored to leave completely before allowing his shoulders to slump through a mixture of regret, release and exhaustion.
"Go to bed Kurosaki-san." Urahara said from across the room.
"I will but there's something I have to ask you first." He turned slowly, looking at the blond.
"And what is that?"
"You... Were friends with my mum and dad, weren't you?" Ichigo saw the blond man's smile widen a little.
"Yes, yes I was." He nodded, "I knew Isshin for a long time, and after my exile I helped him with a Gigai so he could live as a Human with Masaki."
"Why didn't you tell me? When Yoruichi-san brought Byakuya and I here... You never said... You treated me like a stranger..."
Urahara got to his feet slowly and walked towards him, tilting his head to the side as he rested his hands on the younger man's shoulders, "Would you have believed me? Would you have remembered me? At that time your memories were a broken jumble thanks to Shiro's influence."
"Such things have never stopped you in the past." Byakuya commented from the sidelines.
The blond sighed deeply, shooting a silent glare at the noble before he looked back at Ichigo, "How was I to try and tell you anything about them... When you couldn't even recognise your own Godfather?"
Chestnut eyes widened sharply, staring up at him, "You're..."
"No way..." He heard Rukia and Renji say in unison.
Urahara offered him a small smile, "Believe me, treating you like a stranger was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, Kurosaki-san. But I had no choice. You had to discover the truth for yourself, even the small details."
"No wonder you were so willing to help me escape Aizen's clutches. It must have been killing you to know I'd been taken in by him."
"I know what that man's capable of. I'm also aware of what Byakuya Kuchiki is capable of. I found a great deal of solace knowing you had him on your side." Urahara squeezed his shoulder again, "Now, go to bed Kurosaki-san. Any further discussions can be done in the morning."
"I... I'll take you up on that." He replied, rubbing his eyes wearily before he trudged off, pausing in the doorway and glancing back at the Shinigami in the room, "Thank you all, for everything."
