The Blind Sage

(A Bleach Fanfic)

All rights go to Tite Kubo

It was morning in the Seireitei, and Rukia Kuchiki woke up from a restless night of sleep. She rose from the futon shakily, rushing over to the toilet in the adjoining room to vomit as the memories came rushing back. After some time, she rose, dressed, and made her way down to the dining room.

Her brother Byakuya took one look at her and rose to inspect her. "The nightmares again, I presume?" He asked, placing a warm cup of jasmine tea in her hands. Nodding in appreciation, she sat down across from him and began to recount the nightmare. It was the same nightmare that had plagued her for five years. Byakuya had hoped that after so much time had passed the memories and nightmares would fade, but still, they had not.

Byakuya rose and held out his hand to his sister. "Come, I am doing what I should have done all those years ago. We are going to the fourth and seeing if there is any cure for these nightmares. You cannot perform your duties well if this keeps continuing." Rukia bowed to her brother, and the two started to get ready to flash step to the fourth division when they were interrupted by a Hell Butterfly. Byakuya lifted his hand, allowing the animal a place to land to deliver its message.

All Captains and Lieutenants report to the fist division for a meeting.

Rukia looked at her brother and the two flashed out of their house, heading for their new destination.

Head Captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto sat in silence, his eyes closed as he waited for his subordinates to enter the meeting hall. His lieutenant Sasakibe stood beside him. The old man softly tapped his cane against the floor in impatience. He wanted to get this over with as soon as possible, as this wasn't going to be a very happy meeting. I'm getting too old for this, he thought to himself as the captains and lieutenants filed in. Finally, all of the highest-ranked officers in the Gotei 13 had assembled.

"I have called this meeting because orders have come down from the Royal Palace. We must prepare for war. It seems that the Quincy are once again moving. Due to this, all Captains and lieutenants are to start training immediately. Your third seats and below will handle the day to day operations of your squads. Training is your only objective."

Shinji Hirako stepped forward. "Sir, from everything I've heard about your old war I don't think most of us are up to the task, even if we have a month to train."

Kyoraku nodded in agreement. "Old man, you said that the current Gotei doesn't hold a candle to past generations. If we ask the royal guard maybe they can…"

Yamamoto slammed his cane into the floor, slightly raising his reiatsu to interrupt his student. "I know this Shunsui! Which is why I have asked Kisuke Urahara if he has a solution to this problem." There was a collective groan as they heard the name of the slightly insane candy store owner/inventor. They turned as the doors opened and Kisuke walked through. The officers turned to look at the man, only to involuntarily take a step back.

Urahara walked through the doors, head hung down. There were no quips or quirks, or sarcastic jokes made at the expense of others as he softly walked past the captains and lieutenants. Even Soi-fon had nothing to say to the disheveled man before her. He was missing his trademark hat and fan and his hands shook slightly as he began speaking.

"I know you don't want me to be here for one reason or another. And I sure as hell don't want to stand before you. The very sight of you makes me ill, and I can only stomach it for so long. But since you thought that a great way to come here would be to threaten my wards, I had to come." Several heads snapped to look at the head captain, who looked impassive as ever. Toshiro Histugaya's eyes widened in disbelief. The old man had done what? Sure, Kisuke was not affiliated with the Soul Society, but that didn't mean using force was necessary.

Urahara continued, his voice hard and angry. "But I do have an answer for you. There is a way to beat this so-called Quincy king. And the answer is to call upon the man that stopped the last madman that threatened to destroy this place. Ichigo Kurosaki." At his word, the head captain's eyes fully opened, and he stood. The rest of the people in attendants' faces held different emotions. Guilt, sorrow, excitement, and outrage.

"What do you mean Ichigo Kurosaki? The boy perished at the end of the winter war due to a hollow that consumed him after he lost his powers!" Soi-fon exclaimed in anger but was suddenly smashed into the floor by the release of Urahara's reiatsu. Some of the captains drew their blades halfway out of their sheaths before Urahara reeled back his power.

"Are you talking about the official story, that you told his family and friends Captain Soi-fon? Or the actual story about eight captains and eight lieutenants leaving him for dead, to be eaten by a hollow after thinking they had killed him? Which one were you talking about pray tell?" Urahara shouted and the woman, who had barely risen to her feet.

Shinji stepped towards his old friend. "What do you mean? The kid wasn't…" Shinji trailed off as he looked at the captains, all but the Visords, Kenpachi and Kurotuchi looking anywhere but him. Shinji stumbled and sat down on the floor hard. He and the Visords had rejoined because they felt like they owed it to the little strawberry that had saved their lives and cleared them of the charges placed on them a century ago for hollowfication. Now he was finding out that the same organization that he and his friends pledged themselves to had killed the kid. He couldn't believe it.

Some of the other Visord reactions were quite similar to Shinji. Lisa took one look at her captain, Shunsui with betrayal in her eyes. Shunsui began to speak but Lisa just walked out of the meeting. Rose, Love, and Kensei were quick to follow. Hiyori helped her captain to his feet and walked with Mashiro towards the door. She stopped, looking at Rukia and Renji, who had their heads down in shame. "Did you help?" When she didn't get an answer, she pushed Mashiro out the door and turned back to the two. "Your silence speaks volumes. And you both have the nerve to go to Karakura and visit his family and friends. Screw this place and all of you. Bet Ichigo wishes that he hadn't saved your asses five years ago. Murderers." She hacked for a second and proceeded to spit on Renji and Rukia, spittle splattering against their faces. With that final action, Hiyori followed her friends out the door.

Shinji stared at the head captain with hate in his eyes. "Why old man? He had already lost his powers, but you didn't think that was enough?"

Yamamoto slammed his cane in the ground. "He was a security risk, and a danger to himself and others if he ever regained his powers. It was decided before the first response team was launched against the Arrancar. We cannot have pity for those who pose a threat. He was painlessly put down."

Urahara snorted with laughter. The head captain turned to him, releasing his reiatsu in displeasure. "Painlessly? You left him powerless, hollows swarming around him. But again, you underestimated the boy. He is quite alive." Rukia gasped in shock, a small bit of hope glimmering in her eyes. But it was quickly dashed when Urahara glared at her. "That isn't something to celebrate for you. The only people that have known about him being alive is Yoruichi and me. He almost strangled her when she mentioned the Gotei. So, as you can guess, he's not too happy about being stabbed in the back and left for dead. Unfortunately for you, he's your only hope now, and getting him to help you will be difficult, if not impossible. A start would be giving back his power. He can now sense spirits, so you will be about to talk to him."

With those words, Urahara strode out of the room, his step much calmer and steadier. Shinji followed him, only stopping to rip off his captains Haori and throw it and Yamamoto's feet.

The doors smashed closed as Shinji left. The captains and lieutenants sat in silence. Yamamoto dismissed them after telling them that he would be sending three captains along with their lieutenants to find the ex-substitute soul reaper and bring him back to the Soul Society.

Rukia flashed stepped to the Sokyoku hill, her emotions all over the place. She had managed to contain her tears in the meeting as Urahara reminded her of what she had done. Now that she had escaped the eyes of her brother, she fell to her knees, tears falling down her face.

Renji found her sitting near the old execution stand, weeping. He sat next to her and slowly put his arm around her. "He is still alive shrimp." He said, trying to comfort her. "Soon we'll be able to see him again. After a while, it'll be like the old days."

Rukia looked up at him with her tearstained face. "After what we did to him, you really expect him to forgive us? Let alone help us?"

Renji smiled, trying to seem more confident than he felt. "Sure! The Strawberry isn't one to hold grudges! He fought the entire soul society to save you. It may take him some time, but he'll get back to what he was before."

Rukia slowly smiled. "I suppose you're right Renji. I hope he'll forgive us and help." She wiped the tears off her face and the two rushed to their quarter to prepare to leave.

Meanwhile, in the human world…

Shinji was sitting on the floor of Urahara's shop, waiting for a response from the eccentric ex-captain. When he and the rest of the Visords returned to the world of the living they vegan to pressure Urahara to tell them where Ichigo was. Hiyori and Lisa were about to head off to Ichigo's house when Urahara stopped them.

The man held his trademark fan in front of his face, his tone growing somber and reserved. Shinji wasn't happy with the tone, as the only time he had heard it was when he and the others were recovering from Aizen's experiments. It was a bad news tone. And not the 'Oh I stubbed my toe bad', this was the 'someone has either died or will die badly'.

"I'll tell you where Kurosaki is. I'll even come with you. But I don't know how he will react to all of us being there. I've only visited him once in these five years, and we never spoke face to face. Only Yoruichi has seen him, and she has been quite tight-lipped about the whole experience. She wouldn't talk to me for the next month following the visit."

Kensei whistled in surprise. For Yoruichi to not speak to her old friend for so long, something horrible must have happened to the boy. Beyond even the fact that he was almost killed. Kensei turned his attention back to Urahara as he continued.

"From what I can tell, someone, either a hollow or more likely Soi-Fon, tried and failed to cut his throat. His voice was hoarse and quite soft when we spoke. What other damage was done to him; I can only guess." Urahara muttered. Hachi stared at the man, eyebrow raised, a question forming on his lips. Urahara answered it quite soon, however. "Hachi, you're probably wondering why I didn't heal it with Kido." He looked at the pink-haired man, who nodded in confirmation. "As I said, I never saw him. The only reason he spoke to me was that Yoruichi begged him to. She told me she tried to heal him, but for some reason, his wounds were unresponsive to healing Kido for whatever reason. I can't search for any other types of cure, as he refuses to see me or even speak to me since I visited last."

Love spoke up for the first time. "Who all knows he is alive? I presume everyone in the world of the living?"

Urahara shook his head. "Only his sisters, Yoruichi and I knew that he was alive, per his request. He flat out told me that if I informed Isshin he would find a way to kill me. I decided to respect his wishes." Urahara stood off, brushing crumbs off his clothes and marched towards the door. "Are you coming?" He asked, walking out the door. The Visords got up and followed the man, hoping that their old friend was truly not as broken as Kisuke said.

Kisuke led them into the forest south of Karakura, his cane tapping on the rocks as he followed a path only visible in his head. After about an hour's walk, they reached an old Shoji style house that looked somewhat unkempt. As they entered the house, Shinji stumbled on a metallic object. Picking it up, he saw that it was a cheap beer sold in convince stores across Karakura. As his eyes adjusted to the dimly lit house, he could see stacks upon stacks of empty beer cans thrown carelessly on the floor. Lisa and Rose stifled a gasp as they saw the cans. From the number of cans, Ichigo was in far worse pain than they had initially realized.

"So…Kisuke Urahara." Came a soft voice from the next room. "Despite my wishes and my warnings, you brought soul reapers to my home." The voice was gruff and sounded as if it was in pain.

Shinji walked up to the sliding screen that stood between Ichigo and him, only stopping when he heard a loud growling. Ichigo laughed as Shinji jumped back from the screen, yelping in fright. The laugh continued for a few moments before it turned into a hacking cough. Everyone in attendance winced as they heard it.

"My apologies. My voice isn't what it used to be. Back to the question at hand. Why are you here?"

Hachi stepped forward. "Ichigo, we came as soon as we heard you were alive, we wanted to see you?"

There was some shuffling behind the screen. "Thank you Hachi. I am sorry that I concealed the fact that I lived from you. However, you all were deep in enemy territory. And I was afraid of telling you because if he told you while you were still involved in the Gotei 13, they would have a great chance of finding out."

Kisuke stepped forward, his fan fluttering in front of his face. "About that Ichigo…"

Ichigo snorted in anger. "Let me guess. Something or someone is threatening the Soul Society."

Kisuke almost dropped his fan in surprise but quickly got control of himself "H-How…"

"I still retain the slightest amount of spiritual pressure. I am not blind to what happens in the realms of the dead. Plus, Yoruichi keeps me well informed. I do believe she is going to have words with you about keeping secrets." At Ichigo's words, Kisuke paled considerably. Hiyori snickered at the man's predicament.

"I do suppose I owe you Visords the 'pleasure' of seeing me alive." More shuffling came from behind the screen. The Visords and Kisuke leaned forward in anticipation. "Move aside Chisana." The screen slid open, and as one the Visords reflexively recoiled.

Ichigo had shoulder-length hair that looked like it had been unwashed for days. The once fiery orange now had streaks of grey running through it. He looked thin and frail, clothes barely hanging onto him as he slowly shuffled towards them. All of this paled in comparison, however, to the boy's face.

He was blind, that much was obvious. Five-inch-wide slashes trailed from his right temple to his left jaw. His eyes were wide open and milky white. He smiled faintly at them, clutching desperately at the staff that tapped the ground, showing him the obstacles on the floor. "I would say its nice to see you," Ichigo said, with a half-smile. "But as you can probably tell, it's pretty difficult."

Shinji laughed and enveloped the boy in a hug. "Your jokes still suck strawberry." He ruffled the boy's hair, earning a squawk in protest. The rest of the Visords smiled. Maybe Ichigo wasn't as far gone as they had been told.

Ichigo turned to Urahara, who flinched as he saw his pupils face. "Who are they sending Urahara?" He asked, his voice turning cold.

"Byakuya, Toshiro, Ukitake, Renji, Rangiku, and Rukia…" Kisuke trailed off when he saw the boy's face tighten in fury.

Ichigo raised his staff and smashed it into the ground, breaking the thin floorboards. "They want to make me into a weapon again, and they think that by sending her, they will get me to accept?" He snarled, his free hand grabbing Urahara by the shirt. Urahara looked at him in surprise. He thought that the boy could only see with his stick, but he was apparently wrong. His question was almost immediately answered.

"Want to know how I knew you were there?" Ichigo growled. "I have just enough spiritual energy to see the shapes of people with spirit energy. That and my hearing is great." Ichigo let go of his former mentor and walked shakily to a chair. He held out his hand and whistled loudly. A giant dog half as big as Ichigo leaped out of the room where Ichigo had been and trotted over to her master. Ichigo scratched the dog behind the ears.

The Visords looked at one another. No one really knew how to address the giant horse that Ichigo thought was a dog, so they just stayed silent.

"I'll tell you Urahara what I will tell those damned soul reapers when they come. I would rather let this new enemy, these Quincies, burn the Seireitei, Hueco Mundo and the world of the living down before I help them." Urahara's eyes widened at the venom in Ichigo's voice. "Those damned 'death gods' took everything from me!" Ichigo roared, his hoarse voice sounding strangled. Spittle flew from Ichigo's open mouth onto Urahara as he shouted at him. The dog rose from her position at Ichigo's feet to growl as well.

"I gave everything to those damned reapers. I almost had my spine severed by Aizen. I was killed twice by Ulquiorra! The last time he launched a Cero through my fucking chest! The only reason I lived was because of Orihime and Shiro! Then, when everyone lost to Aizen, guess who had to sacrifice everything to stop him?" Kisuke and the Visords looked down in shame as he spoke, veins bulging in his forehead as he slowly turned red.

"I lost my Zampakuto! I lost Zangestu and my hollow!" The Visords heads snapped up when he mentioned the hollow. They were confused on why he mentioned it. "Shiro and I may have hated each other and fought for control over my body, but he was at least there for me when I needed help! Which is more than I can say for you Urahara, my father or the Soul Society. Shiro and Zangestu sacrificed themselves so I could defeat Aizen! And then, when I had lost all of that, Yamamoto decided I was better off dead!" Ichigo dropped his staff and pulled off his shirt. A huge scar ran from his right shoulder to his left hip. "Almost cut me in two. Can you guess what blade did the honor?" The Visords shook their heads. Kisuke however, looked away.

"Sode no Shirayuki!" Rose and Love's eyes widened. All of the visords had expressions of shock and horror. They knew full well whose Zampakuto that was."

"Cut down by the person I lo…" Ichigo's voice dropped. Shinji and Lisa walked over to their friend and each laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "All the captains and lieutenants were there. Said that it was a mercy." Ichigo spat, hands turning white as he clenched the armrest of his chair. "Then they left me to get eaten by hollows. One slashed me across the face with his claws. Then all I saw was white."

Ichigo pulled a bottle of beer out from under the chair, opened it and took a long drink out of it. "How I survived I don't know. I found myself here, and I have lived here ever since. There was food here that I managed to survive on and eventually Yoruichi found me. She told me I had been missing for a year. I taught myself how to see using spirit energy, and I have stayed here since. The only thing noteworthy that has happened in the last few years was finding my beautiful Chisana." He smiled at the dog, who began to quietly lick his hand.

"You named your dog tiny?" asked Hiyori. In response Ichigo just smiled and scratched the dog a bit more. Suddenly the dog leaped up and howled. Ichigo's smile disappeared. He slowly rose, with the help of Shinji and his walking stick.

"I do believe more guests are arriving. Let's give them a warm welcome." He muttered, white eyes narrowing in anger.