Chapter Seventy:

The darkness was a familiar sight, consuming and enveloping, all except for the brilliant pale blue reishi pathway which stretched out from beneath Ichigo's feet. He was moving at a brisk jog, with the black cat form of Yoruichi perched on his shoulder.

"I can't believe how much he's changed." Byakuya heard Renji mutter from behind him.

The noble glanced around curiously towards the redheaded Shinigami, "What do you mean?"

Renji almost flinched, apparently not expecting his comment to be heard, he spluttered, "Well... Ichigo lead the way through the Garganta to Hueco Mundo... He could barely muster a path safe enough for him to use, let alone the rest of us. Chad nearly fell to his doom at one point because it snapped under his feet."

Eyebrows rising at the explanation, Byakuya turned his attention forwards again, taking a moment to inspect the path beneath his own feet. There were no weaknesses, no fractures. It was perfect. And Ichigo was currently speaking rather animatedly with Yoruichi, who had opted to join them on their journey back to Soul Society. Which meant his concentration wasn't even focused on what he was doing. It was a subconscious action.

"His growth is terrifying really." Rukia breathed, as if sensing her brother's thoughts, "Do you think he will ever stop getting stronger, Nii-sama?"

The Kuchiki heir's first reaction was to rebuke her for such a question, it was illogical at best, and yet he bit his tongue to silence the voice which would have followed, staring at his fiancé's back as a more honest answer came forth, "I don't know. I suspect, as unbelievable as it may be, that he would do whatever it takes to gain greater power if his loved ones were in danger from a foe he couldn't defeat at his current level."

"I wonder if it is because he was originally a Human." Renji thought aloud, "Maybe it makes him more... Absorbent of power."

"Perhaps." Byakuya resisted the urge to shrug, "Or perhaps that was the true power the Hōgyoku gave him. Never ending pools of power."

"Does it scare you, Nii-sama?"

"Scare me?" He frowned down at the smaller Shinigami.

Rukia bit her lip, considering her words carefully before she spoke, her eyes trained on Ichigo's form, "Someone as strong as that... Soul Society could deem him a threat or, in a bizarre twist of fate, the Royal Guard might call upon him."

"Why would either of those things scare me?" He asked, "If Soul Society deem him a threat, I shall do whatever is within my power to overturn their decision. If the Royal Guard decides they could make use of his power, I would rejoice with him and celebrate his promotion. He has been through so much, Rukia, for him to live his life as his chooses... Is all I could ever desire of him."

"Perhaps Ichigo is not the only one who has changed dramatically." Renji flashed the noble a grin.

"I'm quite sure I don't know what you mean, Abarai Fukutaichou." Byakuya shot him a stern look, but it was softened by the tiniest of quirks at the corners of his lips.

"Hurry up you three, or we will be leaving you behind." The deep baritone of Yoruichi's cat form called out to them, "The exit is right ahead. I suspect we will have a welcoming committee."

"I'd be more worried if we didn't considering how I left." Ichigo muttered, "Fuck knows what they are going to do when they see me like this." He waved a hand towards his altered form.

"They won't attack on sight." Byakuya stated calmly as he caught up and began walking at his fiancé's side, looking right ahead towards the brightness which began to stretch out before his very eyes.

"Well, fingers crossed." The strawberry muttered, tangling his fingers with his lover's and giving a gentle squeeze.

They broke through the barrier only seconds later, bursting forth into the familiar sights of Seireitei. Immediately recognisable as the barracks of Division One, the five of them were surrounded by members of the Stealth Force, Soi-Fon at their head with her Zanpakutō already in Shikai and pointed towards them.

Byakuya saw the woman's confusion as she scanned his face, and then Ichigo's, Renji's and Rukia's before settling on the fluffy form of her former Taichou, "Y-Yoruichi-sama? What is the meaning of this?"

"I think we can dispense with the formalities, Soi-Fon Taichou. Please stand down." Another voice said, familiar in it's relaxed tones and yet just a little harder than it used to be.

Looking around sharply, Byakuya felt relief coil inside his chest at the sight of Kyōraku approaching them, flanked by Nanao and Ukitake. The man looked almost exactly the same as he recalled, straw hat and pink kimono still in place, but there was no excusing the new weariness which seemed to weigh down his shoulders, the shadows that made his eyes seem older. Such was the pressure of being Sou-Taichou.

"Welcome back, Kurosaki-san." The new Sou-Taichou's eyes were fixed on the strawberry, clearly assessing the change to his appearance, "I see your mission was finally a success. Come, we'll go somewhere quiet and talk everything over."


Sitting back slowly, Ichigo rubbed his forehead, "That's everything, more or less. Earlier on this morning I finally got up to speed with the last bits of my Hollow's memories and discovered that Aizen's planning to use the population of Karakura town to create an Ōken, so that he can break into the Soul King's Palace, kill him and take control. That's why we rushed back, we've only got a month to prepare some kind of retaliation, there was no way we could wait for the Senkaimon to open again."

Kyōraku made a noise at the back of his throat, eyes closed and fingers pressed together against his lips, deep in thought as he seemed to mull over everything he had been told, "Admittedly, we began to fear all of you had perished in Hueco Mundo. When the two month mark hit... I was considering the possibility that we would have to find a new Division Six Taichou, on top of Division Three, Five, Eight and Nine. I'm relieved that isn't the case."

"But this business with the Ōken..." Ukitake folded his arms, frowning deeply, "It is extremely worrying. To think Aizen would go this far. Are you sure he still intends to go through with it? If your story is true, he decimated his own Espada. He will have little to no backup."

"He doesn't need backup." Byakuya muttered, "He is vastly stronger than we initially thought. Even more so now he has subjugated the Hōgyoku. With or without an army of Arrancar to support him, his attack will happen."

"It's troublesome..." The former Taichou of Division Eight opened his eyes slowly, "And what of you, Kurosaki-san? By your own admission the reason it took so long for you to return was because you returned to Aizen's side. Ukitake and I were understanding last time we discovered your affiliations... But can we be truly certain you are no longer serving him this time?"

"There is no proof I can give you... Apart from my word." The strawberry replied honestly, dabbing his tongue across his lips, "As you know, I turned on him well before the events of Sôkyoku Hill, and it was only possible because of Byakuya's help. What happened in Las Noches wasn't me. But it will also never happen again."

"How can you be so sure, Ichigo-kun?" Ukitake asked, his voice wasn't at all accusing, it held genuine concern and curiosity within its depths.

"As I explained, I have my Hollow's respect and have proven that I am rightfully in control, which means I can't lose control again. Literally, even at the risk of my own life I physically can't force my Hollow to take over. We're... Synergized."

"I believe you." Kyōraku said quietly as he rose from his chair, hands resting on the desk as he considered his words, "As you know, Ukitake and I broke you out of Division Two because we were dissatisfied when Yama-jii refused to send rescue for Byakuya-san... And despite the personal risk involved by taking things into your own hands, Kurosaki-san, Abarai-san, Kuchiki-san... You succeeded. And in so doing, were able to bring us a lot of information that will be of great use."

"We couldn't have done it without the help of Ichigo's Human friends, Kyōraku Taichou." Rukia said gently.

"Indeed, they sound formidable, we are fortunate that you have such unique friends." Ukitake mused, "Still, as Ichigo-kun appears to be somewhat unique himself, it is oddly fitting."

"I can't really argue with that." The strawberry chuckled faintly, eyes softening slowly as he began to relax.

"I will call an urgent meeting later today, if possible I would like you to attend Byakuya-san and recount your version of events. I believe we should inform the other Taichou of everything we know, we must all be on the same page if we are to win against Aizen." Picking up his straw hat thoughtfully, the man sighed, "Before I dismiss you however, there is one last thing we must speak of. But I require your word that it will not leave this room."

"Of course." Byakuya said instantly.

Ichigo nodded, "I swear it."

Only after Yoruichi, Rukia and Renji had also sworn themselves to silence did Kyōraku speak again. He seemed troubled, each word spoken weighing heavier than the last as if he was taking a painstakingly long time to consider them.

"Kurosaki-san, I hope you will recall that Ukitake and I mentioned that Yama-jii was not behaving entirely like his usual self?"

"Yes I remember. It was part of the reason you wanted to get me out of Soul Society." He nodded again.

"Correct. Correct..." There was a stagnant pause before he hummed, "I fear our instincts were far closer to the mark than we realised. As you know, Yama-jii and Sasakibe Fukutaichou were assassinated in your absence..."

"Yes... I'm very sorry for your losses." The younger Shinigami frowned deeply, "I swear on my life, I had no idea there was an assassin in Seireitei still. As far as I was aware, I was the only one... I didn't even know about Grimmjow until Sôkyoku Hill."

"Please do not concern yourself, Ichigo-san." Ukitake smiled sadly, "We are not accusing or blaming you for this."

"There are certain details concerning Yama-jii's and Sasakibe's deaths which we have not openly discussed with anyone besides Unohana Taichou. Naturally, she examined their corpses upon discovery so there was no way of keeping it a secret." Kyōraku took a breath and stared out of the window for a long moment, "It appears that both the Sou-Taichou and his Fukutaichou were dead for around two and a half months. Placing the time of their assassinations just before Byakuya-san was kidnapped."

"What?" The Kuchiki heir's eyes were wide with disbelief, "But... There were Taichou meetings as normal..."

"Yamamoto was at the meeting after Kuchiki Taichou was taken!" Renji exclaimed, "How is that possible?!"

"I know it is confusing..." Ukitake clasped his hands behind his back, "However, it is entirely true. The corpses we found... Had already gone through several stages of decomposition."

"How?" Rukia's voice was little more than a squeak.

"We aren't entirely sure, or at least I wasn't until Ichigo-san explained what happened in Hueco Mundo. The Espada you defeated, Aaroniero... He had shape shifting powers." The white haired Taichou was frowning faintly, "Well, I wonder if perhaps our assassin has similar abilities. Allowing him to murder a target while simultaneously taking their appearance to take their place."

Ichigo gulped hard, "If that's true... Such a Hollow would be monstrous to track down. They could be anyone... Have there been any more casualties that we know of?"

"None confirmed." Kyōraku stated, "At present only those within this room, and Unohana Taichou, are aware of our suspicions. However, it would explain why Yama-jii was acting a little differently to normal, and it would explain the state of the corpses we found. As soon as they were discovered the assassin went to ground, no sightings since..."

"But..." The strawberry paused, "If he was taking on Yamamoto's form and Sasakibe's form there must have been times when the two were together. Which potentially means some kind of cloning ability as well."

"We had considered that possibility." Ukitake confirmed, "It is imperative no one outside this room learns what we have discussed. If we are correct, if the assassin is a Hollow capable of taking forms and duplicating their body we must be incredibly careful in our investigation."

"Of course." Byakuya said instantly, "If there is anything we can do in the meantime please feel free to lean on us all."

"You have our gratitude." Kyōraku offered a small strained smile, "In the time being, I suggest the four of you head home, and get some proper rest. Yoruichi-san, if you wouldn't mind staying I would like to discuss something further with you."

Ichigo rose to his feet alongside Byakuya, Renji and Rukia, and together they left the man's office, making their way through Division One in silence. His mind was alive with questions, doubts, worries... He couldn't believe how understanding Ukitake and Kyōraku had been, despite them having known about his past it was still a gamble for them to trust him so much. But... His true anxiety lay with Aizen's assassin.

"A shape shifting Hollow..." He said under his breath.

In none of Shiro's memories had Aizen ever mentioned such an assassin. He was clueless, in the dark. He hated it. Aaroniero had been bad enough, but this Hollow... This assassin... Somehow they were strong enough to kill Yamamoto. That alone was terrifying. How could anyone be that powerful? How could they remain hidden for so long?

"Let us retire to the mansion for now." Byakuya announced as the vast gates closed behind them, "I believe we could all do with a little homely comfort after everything. And once there we can talk in safety."

Smiling at the idea of finally resting back against plush cushions and plump seating, Ichigo reached out and took Byakuya's hand in his own, linking their fingers comfortably as they strolled through Seireitei together, Rukia and Renji just behind them. He forced his concerns aside for the time being.

There was something incredibly liberating about being back, while the air was a little less dense with reishi, and the ground strangely hard compared to the familiarity of Hueco Mundo's sand, it felt for the first time like Ichigo could truly consider Soul Society his home. He was still a Human at his core, but his body and mind was entirely Shinigami, and his soul... His soul was a blend of everything that made him who he was. Human, Hollow, Shinigami.

"You look happy." Byakuya commented quietly.

"I am." He dared to admit, "I spent so long wanting to understand why I had no memories, why I had no feelings, and for years I believed the only way I would find those answers was to help Aizen. But you were right, when you told me he was making it worse and not better. I'm not one to believe in predetermined fate, but... It feels like someone had a hand in guiding me to you. Because sure enough, from the moment I joined Division Six my life changed, I changed."

"I often find myself wondering if the Soul King gives us all little nudges in the right direction. Perhaps to him we are pawns that need guidance, or a gentle reminder of where we are meant to be going. It's a nice thought, to believe he pushed me towards you, and you towards me." The raven haired Taichou smiled faintly.

"I never used to believe he existed, you know? Aizen was so sure the heavens were empty, that no one was watching over us." The strawberry chuckled quietly.

"And what do you believe now?"

Looking skywards, and allowing a small sigh to escape him as he felt the warmth of the sunlight on his face, he allowed a smile to grace his lips, "I'm fortunate enough to have lived lives in all three worlds, and to remember them. I don't think something as beautiful as life and death could have appeared from nowhere, without some kind of... Helping hand."

"I used to think that beauty was upholding tradition and defending one's pride," Byakuya looked up as well, watching the few spattered clouds drift by, "I didn't stop to truly see the beauty of the world around me until I met someone who was equally blind to it."

"If you two get any more sentimental I'm going to start mistaking you for Ukitake and Kyōraku." Rukia giggled, grinning at her brother and her best friend.

"If our relationship lasts as long as theirs has... I'll be a very happy man." Ichigo replied coyly, smirking as he watched the smaller Shinigami's eyes widen, "What? You didn't know they were an item?"

"Wait... Really?" Byakuya asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What, you didn't know either?" Ichigo frowned, "Renji, you knew right?"

"Uh... No..." Came the confused reply from the redhead.

"Seriously?" The strawberry ran a hand through his hair thoughtfully.

"How do you even know something like that?" Rukia poked his ribs.

"Oh come on, how can you not know!" He exclaimed, "Spend ten minutes in a room with them, and really look at their body language. They are always close together, when seated they are almost always angled in such a way that they are facing each other more than anyone else present. They finish each other's sentences and know what the other means before anyone else. You don't get that kind of bond from just being best friends. That's a bond that goes soul deep. Look at how Kyōraku is whenever Ukitake has a relapse. He's torn apart by it."

"Holy shit." Renji breathed, "You're right."

"At this point, I'm amazed that you are still capable of surprising me with your skills." Byakuya sighed, "But yet again, I find myself surprised."

"But why wouldn't they have said anything? Do you think anyone else has realised?" Rukia tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"Probably Nanao and Lisa, and maybe Kaien." Ichigo shrugged, "I imagine things were different for them when they got together, if it was as long ago as I think it was... Two men being in a relationship probably wasn't viewed as acceptable behaviour."

"Belligerent narrow mindedness." Byakuya hissed.

"Quite." He agreed, "It's probably become a habit to live their lives in secret."

"That's... Kind of sad." The redheaded Fukutaichou pouted.

"As long as they are happy, that's all that matters." Another shrug, "Regardless... If Byakuya and I are together as long as those two have been... I'll consider sentimentality worthwhile."

They were still chuckling by the time they reached the gates to the Kuchiki Estate, it didn't appear as if anything was out of place after their absence but Ichigo instantly groaned as he sensed Byakuya's annoying cousin within the mansion.

"What is he doing here?" He grunted.

"Your new found ability to sense reiatsu is going to take some getting used to, I'm certain you detected Norio a good second before myself." Byakuya shook his head, "Nevertheless, I am pleased he is here... It will give me chance to deal with the remaining dents to the Kuchiki pride."

"What do you mean? What dents?" Ichigo asked, frowning as he received no answer.

Byakuya was already striding up the pathway towards the entrance to the mansion forcing the other three to hurry after him, the lights were on despite the time of day and the closer they drew to the house the more of the ongoing commotion they could hear coming from behind the closed doors.

The strawberry wasn't sure what surprised him more, the familiar patronising tone of Norio's voice which was unexpectedly raised in a formidable shout, the harsh sound of a slap snapping against skin followed by a female crying out in pain, or the look of apocalyptic rage on Byakuya's face as he stormed up the steps and threw the front doors open with all the subtlety of a rampaging Hollow.

"You will not lay another hand on my staff." The Kuchiki heir's voice was as cold as ice as narrowed steel eyes glowered murderously at Norio.

"Y-You're back." The Head Elder spluttered, his hand was still raised, palm pink from the strike he had delivered.

"Excellent, you have eyes in your head." Byakuya was rarely sarcastic towards anyone other than Ichigo, and more recently Renji, however it rolled off his tongue effortlessly as he strode forwards, crouching carefully beside the servant woman who was covering on the floor, "Momoru, you have my deepest apologies that this was allowed to happen. I will see to it that such an event never repeats itself."

"B-Byakuya-sama!" She peered up, the red welt on her cheek standing out prominently against her pale skin but it appeared forgotten when she saw him, "We feared the worst! I cannot believe you have returned home at last!"

"You may go and inform the rest of the staff of my return, tell them that whatever orders they have previously received from Head Elder Norio are to be dismissed as folly uselessness. Once you have done that... Please retire to your quarters for the day and recover." He helped her to her feet with all the tenderness of a gentleman and ushered her away, offering the smallest of smiles as she continued to mutter about how good it was for him to be home, even as she disappeared from sight.

"I thought I detected a flash of your reiatsu at Division One earlier today, I thought perhaps I was imagining things." Norio's voice was as cold as ever.

The fact that Byakuya didn't response immediately made Ichigo's arm hair stand on end, the nobleman was so rarely rude to anyone... Even his own family. He couldn't help but notice that his fiancé's cousin has changed somewhat in the two months since he had last seen him, his waist length black hair had been cut above the shoulders; his lone kenseikan which had formerly rested at his left temple now sat atop his head; his blue eyes were weary and hesitant where once that had been icy and determined, and despite their age gap of four years the first spattering of silver hairs brushed through the other man's locks were prominent.

That wasn't all. Norio was clad in one of Byakuya's own ceremonial kimonos and his reiatsu filtered through the mansion like a stench of rotten fruit.

"How long after my capture did you move yourself into my home? How long did it take you to begin abusing my servants?" The current Kuchiki Clan Head hissed, eyes like daggers.

"It was believed you were dead, and that your party of rescuers had failed. The Council of Elders insisted that I fill the position until proof of your fate was discerned." Came the sharp tongued response, Norio's jaw set in a tight line, "How did you escape Hueco Mundo?"

Ichigo cautiously walked into the entrance hall, flanked my Renji and Rukia on either side of his form, "I may have played something of a part in that."

The Elder's eyes widened as he fixed his gaze on the strawberry, "You." He breathed, snarl forming on his lips, "I believed you dead, Kurosaki, with the amount of time you went missing for."

"No such luck, I'm afraid." He replied with a snort.

"What the hell did you do to yourself?" Norio breathed, looking him up and down.

"I told you once before, cousin," Byakuya pursed his lips, "Ichigo is unique."

"Indeed... Uniquely capable of escaping sticky situations." The blue eyed Shinigami muttered venomously.

"Something you would know a great deal about." The current Kuchiki Head retorted calmly, lifting his chin defiantly, "How much did Aizen buy you for, Norio?"

"What?" Ichigo, Renji and Rukia gasped in unison.

Eyes narrowed, Norio glared at his cousin, "How did you know?"

"The Arrancar were talkative." A short answer.

"Tch, of course they were." The Elder folded his arms, "My terms were simple. In your absence I would be named the next Head of the Kuchiki Household, in order to fulfil that role-"

"You would have to be cured of your infertility." Byakuya finished for him, "So Aizen promised you a way to have children, so that you could continue the Kuchiki line in your own image."

Ichigo recalled the man mentioning his infertility briefly when he had brought the Hell Butterflies for them to use at the Kuchiki Senkaimon, "That's why you helped us escape Soul Society! You knew Aizen wanted me to go to Hueco Mundo, so you gave us a helping hand."

"I didn't expect Abarai and Rukia to join you, it was a bargain really... Getting rid of three of you for the price of one. Finally cleansing our Clan of common blood that should never have been allowed inside." Norio's voice was like acid, spitting at each of them in turn.

"So you aided Ichigo in leaving Soul Society so he could launch his rescue mission, you allowed Espada to open a Garganta in Soul Society to allow them to kidnap me, you fed Aizen information about my engagement to Ichigo... Are there any other crimes I should be aware of before I bring judgement upon you?" The Kuchiki heir was surprisingly calm as he recited all he knew about Norio's actions.

"You have no power over me... No authority to pass judgement. I have surpassed you Byakuya!"

Byakuya's back straightened and his eyes narrowed as his voice grew strong, "Norio Kuchiki," he pointed at his cousin, the air seeming to weave with indiscernible reiatsu winding around every syllable, "You are a traitor not only to the Kuchiki Clan and her previous heads, but to the Kuchiki Council and her previous Elders. I accept your confession of assisted kidnapping; espionage; attempted murder and treachery upon the Goeti Thirteen in front of my witnesses. Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki, and Renji Abarai... For formality's sake I ask you to confirm your willingness to witness this judgement."

"I, Rukia Kuchiki of the Kuchiki Clan, accept that I am a witness to this confession, to the crimes of the accused... And to the righteous judgement cast by my Clan Head." Rukia spoke immediately, her eyes narrowed with determination as she glowered at Norio.

"I, Renji Abarai Fukutaichou of Division Six, accept that I am a witness to this confession... To the crimes of the accused, and to the righteous judgement of Kuchiki Taichou." Renji sounded less certain, Ichigo could sympathise. It was a very formal position to be thrust into without warning.

The strawberry haired Shinigami tensed as their eyes came to rest on him and he sucked in a breath, "I, Ichigo Kurosaki Head of the Shiba Clan and Third Seat of Division Six, accept that I am a witness to this confession. To the crimes of the accused. And to the righteous judgement cast by Byakuya Kuchiki."

Ichigo closed his eyes and lowered his head as he finished speaking. Norio's dislike for him had been immediate, the moment they had met the man had been venomous and loathing, and he couldn't help but wonder what had made him so bitter and twisted... That he would go so far and betray so many.

"Who do you think you are?" Norio growled, "You're the same arrogant little boy you were when we were kids, thinking you are better than me just because Sōjun was born first! If my father had been born a year earlier it would be me living here! Everything you own was handed to you on a silver platter just because of who your father was! He was pathetic, he could barely even serve on active duty!"

"You bastard." Byakuya swallowed, "My father... Was a kind man, not a fighter by nature."

"He was weak, sickly and unfitting of the position he held!" Norio sneered.

Ichigo tensed, eyes falling on Byakuya's shaking hands, he could feel the rage bubbling beneath the wall which had been raised. He could only imagine the pain his fiancé was feeling, to confront his own cousin as a traitor only to have his father's name smeared by Norio's malice.

"Bakudō 61: Rikujōkōrō." Voice surprisingly even, Byakuya approached his cousin as the six shards of energy impaled him, sucking in a breath the current Division Six Taichou spoke, "You desire death, an easy escape from the crimes you committed. And it would be more than easy for me to deal death, however I believe such an action would only bring dishonour upon the shrines of my father and my late wife-"

"Oh stop with your smug superiority, no one cares, brat. Your pride has been shattered for decades." Norio mocked.

"- As the current Head of the Kuchiki Household, I will enact my right to judgement. I find you guilty of the crimes you have confessed to. Guilty of aiding an enemy of the Goeti Thirteen. Guilty of espionage. Guilty of assisting in my own kidnap. And guilty of attempting to end the current bloodline of the Kuchiki Clan-"

"I should have ended you myself when I had the chance!" Norio snapped.

"- For the crimes committed, the crimes found guilty of and the crimes you have confessed to, I cast you out. Never again may you use the name Kuchiki. Never again may you step foot upon Kuchiki owned land or property. Never again may you take a position within this Clan. You will be struck from all records. You will be struck from all last will and testaments. You will be struck from this family-"

"You will lead this family to ruin! Mark my words! It will all crumble because of you!" Norio struggled against the Bakudō restraining him.

Byakuya reached out, unclipping the single kenseikan from his cousin's hair, inspecting it momentarily before he clenched it in his fist and shattered the refined material into little more than dust, "- I, Byakuya Kuchiki the twenty eighth Head of this Clan, banish you for all eternity and surrender you to the Goeti Thirteen so that they might also bring judgement against you for your crimes."

Ichigo flinched as he heard a familiar crackle of Shunpo, his gaze snapped around in time to see Yoruichi arrive inside the mansion, followed by Soi-Fon. Neither women looked happy, and Ichigo quickly deducted that they had been listening to the conversation while hidden.

"Soi-Fon Taichou, Yoruichi Shihōin, I am entrusting this criminal to your care. See to it that all necessary procedure is followed. Should you require the testimonies of my witnesses, send for them later today." Byakuya barely spared the women a glance before he began walking towards the grand staircase, "Rukia, Renji, Ichigo... Come. We were sent home to relax and recover after our experiences in Hueco Mundo. This lowlife dog will be dealt with by others."

"Nii-sama..." Rukia hesitated for only a moment before she hurried after him, Renji following close behind her.

Ichigo however, lingered, looking at Norio as the man was bound and gagged properly, the strawberry released a small sigh, "If you think for even a moment that Aizen was ever going to uphold his end of the bargain and give you what you wanted then you're even more of a fool than you seem. He truly is the greatest manipulator out there. If it was just me you'd hurt, I might have felt sorry for you. But you hurt Rukia, and you hurt Byakuya. Turning on them because of your own pitiful pride. I wish you a long, healthy life, Norio, so that you may reflect on what you threw away."

He watched the man's blue eyes narrow hatefully before they were concealed behind the same black material used to gag him before nodding to Yoruichi and Soi-Fon. Ichigo released a small breath and hurried up the stairs to rejoin his lover, and his friends.