A.N.: This is a request by draxon.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Urahara Shop
All Ichigo could hear was the pounding in his heart as ten sets of eyes locked onto him. He knew it was only a matter of time until he would be forced to face the music for his relationship with Halibel. It was just a matter of when, not if.
But when had just became right now.
The boy was frozen with fear as he stared at the ten captains, the Soul Reapers crowding Kisuke's living room. The shopkeeper himself sat over by the window, Yoruichi sitting next to him. The looks on their faces told Ichigo all he needed to know.
This was not going to end well.
The captains had formed a wide circle in the middle of the room, the table pushed to the side. Ichigo scanned the faces of the various captains and saw how grave their expressions were, particularly the Head-Captain's, Soi-Fon's and Byakuya's.
"Ichigo Kurosaki," Head-Captain Yamamoto addressed. "You have much to explain. Sit," he commanded, pointing to the center of the circle.
For a moment, Ichigo was frozen stiff but he quickly shook off his terror and walked forward. Ukitake and Kyoraku moved aside to let Ichigo through. Ichigo sat down in front of the old man. He looked over at Yoruichi and Kisuke for some kind of solace. While Kisuke's eyes were unreadable from beneath his bucket hat, Yoruichi's kind eyes told Ichigo to be strong.
"Why are you all here?" Ichigo asked.
While the old man sat in silence, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, sitting behind, Ichigo, merely sneered. "Really? You haven't the slightest idea why we would all come to this dismal dwelling? Oh I think you do…" he snickered.
"Ichigo," Byakuya interjected. Ichigo turned to face the man. The man's eyes were narrowed and stoic, as if he was trying to piece together a puzzle. "Let's not dance around the issue. We know."
Ichigo swallowed hard. "Know? You mean…"
"About the Hollow."
The Head-Captain spoke up, turning Ichigo's attention back to him. "Ichigo Kurosaki, we have come here today to discern whether or not you are an ally to be trusted or an enemy to be eliminated."
Ichigo's face turned sour. "An enemy? You think I'm on Aizen's side?" He gestured to the bruises on his face. "One of his Arrancar almost beat me to death! You think I did this to myself?"
"It does not matter what we think, only what we know," Yamamoto said, his slant eyes opening up to let Ichigo see his ancient eyes.
Ichigo crossed his arms. "You don't know anything about me."
Mayuri chimed in again. "Oh really?" When the boy turned around to look at him, Mayuri merely leered at him with his crazy smile. "Very well then, why don't we all go over what we know about you, Ichigo Kurosaki?"
"Mayuri, you-"
"Hush, boy," Mayuri hissed before he started to count off his fingers. "Let's start off with the fact that we know that moments after your chance encounter with Rukia Kuchiki, a Hollow immediately attacked you. We know that since you became a Soul Reaper, you have been under the secret guidance of an Arrancar, one of Sosuke Aizen's minions. We know from Rukia Kuchiki's testimony that night after night you've drugged her to meet with this Arrancar to receive her instructions."
"Rukia?"
"We questioned her when we learned the truth about your secret," Captain Ukitake said.
"In addition," Mayuri continued, "we know that through your tutelage under this Hollow you've gained strength that exceeded that of a mere Substitute, even before Kisuke Urahara helped you restore your powers. We know that Souske Aizen used you as a distraction during his little subterfuge, in order to steal a power that you were trying to steal yourself."
"I was trying to rescue Rukia! Not the Hogyoku!"
"In this case, to save one was to save the other. He was aware of your existence, and knew not only when but how you would arrive. We know that Aizen left you alive when he could've very well killed you on top of the Sokyoku Hill. Oh, and we know that the Arrancar is not only romantically involved with you but carries your child. Not only does she live with you, but you now have access to reach Souske Aizen at a moment's notice. So tell us, Ichigo?" he smiled wickedly. "Does that sound about right?"
Ichigo couldn't help but go pale. When Mayuri put it like that, it really sounded damning for him.
Unohana put a hand on Mayuri's shoulder, quieting him. "Captain Kurotsuchi, while everything you said was the truth, I believe we should hear Ichigo's side of the story."
Behind Ichigo, Soi-Fon scoffed. "What's to hear? Mayuri summed it up pretty good." Her eyes gleamed with malice as she stared at Ichigo. "He's clearly in league with Aizen. The facts are clear."
Yamamoto interrupted, quieting the quarreling captains. "Be that as it may, Captain Soi-Fon, I believe that we should hear what Ichigo has to say for himself. Ichigo," he addressed. "The evidence does not speak well for you, as Captain Kurotsuchi pointed out. However, in light of all that has happen, I feel that I must give you the opportunity to explain yourself. We cannot act rashly anymore. Not when Souske Aizen is involved. But I will warn you now…" his eyes narrowed, showing cold fury in his withered expression, "do not attempt to deceive us or attempt to do something foolish. You are standing on the edge of a knife. I am giving you one chance to proclaim your innocence. I do not need to explain what will happen if I find you to be on the side of the enemy…"
It was then that Ichigo noticed that all ten captains, even Unohana and Ukitake, had a hand on their zanpakutos. Ichigo felt cold sweat drip down the side of his face. If the Head-Captain gave the word, the captains would pounce onto Ichigo and turn him into a pincushion. He had his combat pass in his pocket but he knew that even if he had the time to pop out of his Human form, even with the help of Kisuke and Yoruichi, the odds were not in his favor if the captains found him guilty. "I don't have anything to do with Aizen,"
Byakuya leaned back, his hand kept firmly on Senbonzakura. "Then prove it, Ichigo. I have convinced everyone to give you the benefit of the doubt." Ichigo turned to the captain, surprised that Byakuya of all people was the one to give him the chance to explain himself. "Tell us the truth."
Sighing, Ichigo began his tale, starting the night that he met Rukia. The captains listened quietly as Ichigo explained how he met Halibel, how he trained with her off and on and how she was able to help him avenge his mother by bringing Grand Fisher to him. When pressed, Ichigo confessed that he did fall in love with her and that they did have intercourse right before he left for the Soul Society, which led to her becoming pregnant.
Ichigo didn't know how long he talked. All he knew was that he was scared. Under the scrupulous eyes of so many powerful captains, he wasn't feeling like the strong Soul Reaper he was. As Ichigo finished his tale he turned back to the Head-Captain. "I swear I never met Aizen until Rukia's execution. I'd never even heard of him until then."
Soi-Fon found this all hard to believe. "Are you seriously telling us that you spent two months together with this Hollow and never once told you who she served? What kind of fools do you take us for? Like Mayuri said, Rukia shows up on his doorstep and a Hollow just out of the blue attacks you, despite you claiming you've never seen a Hollow before. Not only are you a liar but a poor one at that!"
"Soi-Fon, that's enough!"
The short captain blushed when Yoruichi suddenly walked over to the circle, glaring at her former subordinate. "Lady Yoruichi…"
"Kisuke and I already had this talk with Ichigo. We've already concluded that he's telling the truth." She turned to the Head-Captain. "Yes, Ichigo was trained by an Arrancar. Yes, he even fell for her but he is not our enemy. And besides, what about the Arrancars that came to drag Halibel back to Hueco Mundo? Barragan beat Ichigo within an inch of his life! Are you telling me that was just some show?"
"Lady Yoruichi." All eyes turned to the small Captain Hitsugaya, who'd remained silent up until now. "While I don't fully believe that Ichigo is in league with Aizen, we must also harbor the possibility that Halibel is acting on his behalf. Now that she's with child, Ichigo is completely vulnerable to his influence."
"We already discussed that," added in Kisuke, who was busy sipping tea.
"Maybe you have, but I think we all deserve to hear it from Ichigo. Ichigo," his aquamarine eyes stared at the boy intently. "Answer us this, if you were forced into a situation where Aizen made you pick your child or your friends and family, which would you choose?"
"What kind of question is that?!" Ichigo shouted.
"Answer the question!"
Ichigo could only ball his hands into fists and stare at the floor. "I don't know…"
Toshiro sighed. "I see…"
Yamamoto spoke next. "Since we are on the subject, there is a matter that is just as serious to consider. You may not have any relation to Aizen, but you are a Soul Reaper, Ichigo Kurosaki. It is your sworn duty to exterminate all Hollows that would seek to do harm to the inhabitants of both the Soul Society and the World of the Living. Despite knowing this, you not only allowed yourself to be trained by a Hollow, an Arrancar at that, but you began a relationship with her and even impregnated her. This is a serious offense. A love between a Soul Reaper and Hollow is not only unbelievable, it is downright sacrilege."
Ichigo glared at the man, hating how he reduced Halibel to just another mindless Hollow. "Halibel isn't just a Hollow!" he said defiantly. "She's…special. She's unlike anyone I've met before." He looked down at the floor again. "She might be a Hollow, but she's more human than anyone I've met. And she's helped me far more than anyone else, even when she had no reason to. And besides," he looked up and stared Yamamoto in the eye. "A love between a Human and a Hollow isn't forbidden, is it?"
"Hmmm…" Yamamoto tilted his head back. The other captains, who'd murmured to themselves while Ichigo was talking, all went silent. They could tell that the time for talking was over. Now all that was left was for Yamamoto to pass his judgement upon Ichigo. Both Yoruichi and Kisuke waited with bated breath. Even with all Ichigo had said, what would the old man's decision be?
Finally, the ancient Soul Reaper lifted his head. "Very well then. Ichigo Kurosaki. While you are no longer trustworthy, I find that your words do not have any deception behind them. And while your history with this Hollow may be suspect, you are still a much needed asset for the battle against Aizen. However…" his eyes once again turned fiery as he gripped his cane. "Consider this a stay of execution. If for any reason we find even the slightest hint that you are colluding with Souske Aizen, you will die. We will be keeping a close eye on both you and your Hollow friend while she is still with child. But mark my words…"
Yamamoto moved with such speed that Ichigo didn't even realized he had a blade at his throat until a sliver of blood began to trickle down his neck. He held his breath as the powerful old man towered over him.
"A union between Soul Reaper, even a Substitute, and an Arrancar can only create a monstrosity. If your child poses a threat to the Soul Society, it will be disposed of. If you try to stop us, you will die with the child and its mother."
"You-"
"Silence, boy," Yamamoto threatened. "You are in no position to bargain. You lost your path of retreat the moment you accepted this woman's offer to become her pupil. I speak for the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. As a deputy on our behalf, that includes you. Which means my word is law. Understand?"
Ichigo remained silent, glaring up at the old man. However, when he heard nine sets of swords being unsheathed, he soon found himself surrounded by all ten captains, their swords pointing right at him. It sent a very clear message to Ichigo: his precarious position had only become more perilous.
"I…understand."
The Head-Captain nodded to the other captains who all sheathed their swords. "We will take our leave then. However, I will keep Captains Kuchiki, Unohana, Hitsugaya and Soi-Fon as well as their respective lieutenants here in Karakura Town to prepare the necessary measures for our battle as well as to keep an eye on you." His sword transformed into a cane and he walked away from the terrified Ichigo.
Kisuke and Yoruichi, both of whom were sweating buckets as the tension in the room grew, let out a sigh of relief once Toshiro left and closed the door behind him. Pouring himself some more tea, Kisuke took off his hat and wiped his sweaty brow. "Well, that went better than expected."
Yoruichi crouched down next to Ichigo and pressed a rag on the cut on his neck. "You alright, Ichigo?" she asked, although she knew that even someone as strong as Ichigo had to be terrified out of his wits.
"That was…worse than I expected…" Ichigo said, taking deep breaths. He felt exhausted, like he'd gone through a gauntlet only to barely crawl over the finish line. "I was terrified they were going to kill me."
Kisuke moved the table back to the center of the room and passed a cup of tea over to Ichigo. "Drink. Take a breath and try to calm down. It's over. For now, at least."
Ichigo drank a cup of tea and then a second one. By the time he finished the third one his hands finally stopped shaking. "I'm surprised they even gave me the chance to explain."
"I'm amazed that it was Byakuya who gave you the chance," Kisuke noted. "When they suddenly showed up on my doorstep and demanded to see you I was worried. And when Mayuri painted a rather unsavory picture of you, I was all but convinced that the Head-Captain would pronounce you guilty."
"How'd they know about all that? I mean, I know that Rukia must've told them a lot but…"
"I have a few ideas. But for right now, just be glad you were able to avoid being executed by the skin of your teeth," Kisuke warned. "I did warn you what might happen when they discovered Halibel, Ichigo."
"I know but I didn't think they'd find out so soon."
Yoruichi crossed her arms and sat back. "It must've been when Barragan and his men showed up. So many people battling in one place had to catch their attention."
"Indeed. Ichigo, my advice would be to go home and rest. Just remember," he pointed a finger at the boy. "You have to walk on eggshells from now on. Now that the captains are on to you, you have to play it razor, and I mean razor, straight with us if we're to help you."
"I know. Thanks guys for sticking by me," Ichigo said with a small smile. "I was worried I got you two in trouble as well."
"We're already fugitives from the Soul Society, Ichigo. We're used to being under fire."
Nodding, Ichigo thanked the pair and got up. He left the shop and headed home. When he arrived he found it empty. In the kitchen he found two notes. One was from his father, stating that he and Yuzu were going to Karin's soccer game. The other was from Halibel, which said that she was trying to find shelter for the Tres Bestia.
Slumping up the stairs, Ichigo wished that this was all just a bad dream. 'I'm aching all over. I got the crud beat out of me by Halibel's friends. And now the Soul Society knows about Halibel and me. What am I going to do?' He pressed his forehead against the door to his room. It seemed so long ago when he was just a normal teenager who just so happened to see ghosts. 'This day can't possibly get any worse…'
Ichigo opened the door to his bedroom…and his day suddenly got very, very worse…The boy stared in abject horror when he saw who was in his room sitting on his bed.
"Hello, Ichigo," Souske Aizen greeted with a sly smile. "I was hoping to have a word. Is this a bad time?"
To be continued
