Here we are again! I hope the wait was worth it for everyone! Even though I've been at home taking a need breather from work this past week, I haven't had much time or energy to write. I'm trying to get back on a semi-regular schedule, 1 chapter every two weeks, but I've never done well with deadlines, so we'll see how that goes.
Small warning for the 1st part: Aizen is a horny bastard and I have no control over him. Nothing explicit happens, just his pov.
Many thanks to Alysaldria for proofreading when I have neither the inclination nor the talent for it!
Please enjoy and leave a comment on your way out!
Chapter 29: Expectations exceeded
Sousuke regains full control of his body and mind as he is bodily thrown through a barrier and lands dazedly at his Captain's feet. Hirako hauls him up and checks him over. He is being unusually attentive and worried. Not that Sousuke can really blame him, what they've just gone through… He can still feel Kyoka Suigetsu's warped presence in the back of his mind, like an itch he can't scratch or clothes where the fit is just ever so slightly off. The mindless rage and endless hunger have abated fortunately. Thanks to his husband it seems.
He turns around to look at Ichigo. Brave, beautiful, reckless Ichigo, who has taken on five high seated officers and came out on top. Who is currently wiping the ground with arguably one of the best combatants in the Gotei 13. Who somehow managed to control the monsters Kurotsuchi has made of them on his own and has only become stronger because of it. Who has seemingly unlocked Bankai and is familiar enough with it to confidently beat their asses with it.
And what a Bankai it is! It seems Ichigo never fails to surprise him with anything — Sousuke hopes he never will. His two swords from Shikai — build for powerful hacking and slashing — have been replaced with a sleek katana, almost indistinguishable from his sealed form except for its midnight colour and the chain that connects it to Ichigo's arm. And the delectable outfit that comes with it of course. Sousuke hasn't seen Ichigo show this much flesh ever! If only they weren't in public. He'll take pleasure in slowly peeling back all those layers and finally exploring Ichigo's body.
He's been oh so patient ever since their courtship began and especially since he'd managed to marry Ichigo a few weeks back. He hadn't tricked Ichigo into it. Not really. If Ichigo hadn't wanted it as much as Sousuke, the words would never have left his lips. Nor would their essences have coalesced so quickly or easily. They had been made for each other and Sousuke had been smart enough not to waste this one in a lifetime chance. But he is also smart enough to see that Ichigo isn't ready yet for anything physical.
The image of Ichigo becoming undone in his arms still lingers in his mind and it fuels the warped voice of Kyoka Suigetsu egging him on to rip the barrier apart and simply take what he wants. What they want. To consume in a different way. To become one at last, completely and irreversibly, without knowing where one ends and the other begins. Only Sousuke's rigid control, perfected through decades of self-denial and patience, holds him back from taking what is his. Ichigo would resent him for claiming him in such a public way and Sousuke doesn't want others to see Ichigo without the mask he presents to the world. It's a battle hard-won between him and the monster inside, but in the end Sousuke is still the master of his soul.
— And is the monster whispering devilish things truly so alien? Hasn't he always carried this voracious hunger and desire within him? Ichigo awakened its interests, Kurotsuchi merely brought it to the foreground. —
Within the other barrier, Ichigo brings the short lieutenant to a standstill. For a moment she looks like she is going to throw herself at him again, but then her mask fades away and she sways. Ichigo steadies her with a hand on her shoulder. He has thrown his Zanpakutou over his shoulder in a move that is too well-practiced to be anything but a habit. Sousuke can feel the others tense around him and despite his trust in Ichigo he tenses as well. They all remember the mindlessness that ruled them before Ichigo kicked the shit out of them and brought them back to sanity. Are they going to have to do the same for him?
The answer turns out to be no. Ichigo simply rolls his head to work loose his muscles and sheaths his Zanpakutou, resealing it. His clothes change back to the outfit Sousuke has seen him wear for practice missions. — Unfortunately so, Sousuke rather liked the view. — He looks at them over his shoulder, revealing the mask has disappeared as well. He's gratified to see that the long hair has remained though. Ichigo looks exceedingly handsome with it.
"You can drop the barriers now. It's over," he calls out.
Sousuke would expect him to sound tired and weary, but Ichigo never lives up to expectations. He seems born to shatter them just by virtue of being himself. Instead, he sounds rather chipper and like he could go another few rounds. Which is frankly ridiculous. Where does he store all that energy and reiryoku?
Almost despite himself Sousuke rushes towards his beloved, patting him down to check for injuries. He's beyond relieved that they've both survived this nightmare whole and hearty. And if he takes the opportunity to subtly grope Ichigo while he's fussing over him, that's no one's business but their own. It's not like Ichigo is complaining and his is the only opinion that matters.
"Are you alright?" he asks softly, cupping Ichigo's chin and stroking his cheek with a thumb.
Ichigo throws him a confused look, as if he doesn't really understand why Sousuke is so distressed and fussing over him so much. Which doesn't make sense! Sousuke understands that Ichigo has fought in a war, has seen and done unspeakable things, but having your soul tampered with should really elicit more of a response!
"Yeah sure," Ichigo responds. "How are you feeling?"
Before Sousuke can respond to Ichigo's question — and really, it's infuriating how Ichigo always seems to care more about others than himself! — Kyoraku interrupts with a question of his own.
"What exactly is over? Actually, what in the world is going on here?!" He sounds a little perturbed, not that anyone could blame him. Sousuke would very much like to hear the answer to those questions as well.
Unfortunately for them, Ichigo sheepishly shrugs his shoulders. Sousuke is close enough to see a flash of panic in his eyes and the tell-tale tremble of his lips before answering that means Ichigo is not going to tell the complete truth. "Umm, I'm not really sure what Kurotsuchi has done, but it should have settled now for everyone? In the short run at least? No one should go batshit anymore I think?" he says, voice lilting into questions for every sentence he says.
It's complete and utter bullshit. Sousuke has spent long enough with Ichigo by now that he recognises what a lying Ichigo looks like. Oh, he hasn't spoken a lie. Ichigo is very careful to avoid doing such a thing. But the whole act he tried to sell around it is as fake as Sousuke's glasses. He's done it reasonably well, better than he possibly could have when they'd just met, Sousuke will give him that. But he sees right through it nonetheless. And he doesn't doubt Kyoraku does as well. The man is much smarter than he likes to come across. Ichigo knows something about the situation. Knows a great deal about it, most likely. The question is, how much will he admit to knowing and share with them once they have more privacy to discuss things?
"And once it was clear Ichigo had matters in hand, we rushed back as fast as we could. It still sucks how long we took to break the seal, but in the end it all worked out, I guess?" Rangiku finishes her recounting of the day.
Once the other half of the rescue party had disappeared under the ground, Ukitake-taichou had taken a seat and requested an account of the events of the past hours. Kaien had thrown him an impatient glare, but the Captain had ignored his Lieutenant and had encouraged them to start talking. Rangiku had taken the lead, with the others occasionally jumping in to impart their perspective. She had taken it as a chance to practice giving mission reports and revelled in being able to tell the story. She hadn't even embellished things all that much! Not that they really needed embellishing, it was outlandish enough as it was.
With each word, Ukitake-taichou and Kaien look more and more worried. She can't really blame them. If she'd heard the story instead of living it, she'd be out of her mind with worry for Ichigo as well! She's still worried in fact. The sound of that echoing voice will hound her into eternity. However, she also has faith in her friend. If anyone will survive this fucking mess and come out on top, it's Ichigo.
Ukitake-taichou takes a deep breath and pinches his nose, before giving them a proud smile. "You've all done well. Although I cannot in good conscience approve of your decision to follow Ichigo into what turned out to be a very dangerous situation, I am proud of how you've applied your skills and mind to get out of that dangerous situation. I'm sure all of you will be an asset to whichever division you enter."
Rangiku beams back at him. To get praise from a Captain, especially one as old and distinguished as Ukitake-taichou, was a gift beyond anything anyone of them could wish for. Maybe they wouldn't get punished for their recklessness after all! Okay, that's probably too much to wish for, but perhaps they won't be punished as badly as Rangiku had feared. In any case, it doesn't look like they will be expelled from the Academy and banned from entering the Gotei 13.
Kaien has just picked up pacing — had there not been stone beneath his feet, but earth there would be a hole 10 ft wide and 5 ft deep — when they hear people approaching from down below. Rangiku shoots to her feet and wipes some dirt and dust from her clothes. She helps up Nanao while the boys get up on their own. Ukitake-taichou stays seated, radiating serenity.
Kyoraku-taichou comes up first and he exchanges a look with Ukitake-taichou, whose eyes seem to convey a hundred things. Rangiku feels worry squirming in her stomach. What has happened? Did any of the Captains or Lieutenants die? Is Ichigo okay? Of course, Ichigo is okay, else they'd be restraining Kaien before telling him that kind of news!
Nothing is said though and so they can only stand and watch as one by one the captured officers climb out of the underground lair. They seem alright. A bit worse for wear perhaps, like they have been in a battle — they probably have. What was Ichigo thinking! Oh wait, he wasn't, was he? — and rather exhausted. It's odd to see these people, who are thought of as untouchable by many in Seireitei and Rukongai, so clearly put through the wringer. One wouldn't even be able to tell whether or not they've won, except for the fact that they're still alive, but that's never a good indicator when Ichigo is involved, Rangiku thinks. He's the type to reform people during a battle, not kill them.
Ichigo is one of the last to re-emerge from the hole, only followed by Urahara-taichou and the third seat of the 4th. The contrast between him and the other officers is a stark one. Rangiku can barely tell he's fought at all! The hair is a new addition though, one she decidedly is in favour of. It's a pity she won't be the hottest orange haired Shinigami of Seireitei anymore, but she'll gladly pass on that title if it means the world will be blessed by Ichigo with hair down to his booty.
Once everyone is out, the Captain of the Kido Corps sets up a barrier around the shack. Kyoraku-taichou informs them that the officers that were captured don't possess the reiryoku reserves necessary to make the trip back to Seireitei in time for the sun to set, so they will camp here and set out the next morning. With a wry look in Urahara-taichou's direction he adds that it will also give them time to properly examine those that were captured to take scope of the damage done.
Rangiku winces at that statement. She can read between the lines. Kyoraku-taichou is questioning whether it is even worth it to escort the experimented-on officers back to Seireitei and if they do, what precautions need to be taken. It should have been expected. After all, those were HOLLOW masks! Heavens know what kind of damage Kurotsuchi — who by the way is bound a little too tightly, which is only what he deserves, the bastard — has inflicted on their souls.
Shigekuni stares out of the window, the setting sun washing him with its last rays, and stubbornly ignores the worry that is growing in his gut. Shunsui's message had been meant to put him at ease, but it has had the opposite effect. The vagueness had put him on edge. He hates not knowing things, always has, and age has not mellowed that particular weakness of his.
"Do you think we've gotten lazy, Jiro? he asks his Lieutenant, his better half. There is a wistful quality to his voice as he considers the arrogance that has landed them in this painful situation.
"No Eijisai, we've simply gotten old," Chojiro rebukes gently. "We've led for centuries, millennia in your case. Time leaves its mark on all of us eventually."
Shigekuni huffs. "You're not wrong. Do you even know how old you are? I don't. I stopped counting so many years ago I've even forgotten that number. We've gotten old and fat and used to peace. And now it comes back to bite us in the arse." He slams his fist into the wall next to the window. It hurts. When did hitting things start to hurt him instead? "I should have known better!"
Jiro comes up behind him and takes his smarting hand between his own. "How could you have known? No one could have predicted this, not even you, Eijisai! You cannot blame yourself for following protocol for what looked like a standard mission. You evaluated Kurotsuchi's threat level based on past behaviour and known parameters and sent out an appropriate force to deal with him. Some even called it excessive when you made that decision. Unless you suddenly were able to look into the future and hid that from me, no one can blame you. And you certainly aren't allowed to blame yourself!" His usually soft-spoken right-hand launches in a passionate defence of Shigekuni.
Ah, he is not worthy of the adoration of Chojiro. He is a lucky man indeed to have secured his devotion. And he always knows how to uplift Shigekuni's spirits.
"You are right, my old friend. But still, I will strive to do better and protect what is dearest to me. Today's events have shown me that we can no longer rest on past triumphs. It's time we take a more active interest in our subordinates," Shigekuni announces, feeling determined to turn over a new leaf.
"And get your hands on the Shiba boy as your next protege?" Chojiro asks with amusement lingering in the corners of his mouth.
Shigekuni has to sheepishly admit that yes, he doesn't want to miss the opportunity to take Shiba Ichigo under his wing. Shunsui and Jushiro have yet to act on their claim, it'd be a waste to let such talent slip by without refinement! And it's been such a long time since their last student, doesn't Chojiro miss the rambunctiousness of their children?
Chojiro rolls his eyes with fondness. "How about some tea before you start redecorating the dojo? Wouldn't want you to pull a muscle in your old age," he teases, indicating his receptiveness to another youngster running around in their private quarters.
"As long as it isn't that vile brew you insist passes for tea somewhere in the world. I'll go make a proper pot!" Shigekuni teases back and then hastens to the kitchen before Chojiro can retaliate.
Hundreds of years spend together, and they still can't agree on tea, he thinks with a fond shake of his head.