Chapter 41: Shiba's Anger

Hanataru opened his eyes as he regained consciousness. Breathing out a sigh of relief as he found himself intact. Looking to his side, he found Lieutenant Isane awake and looking up the now inaccessible way out. "Yamada, good you're awake." she stated as she calculated that it would be futile for either of them to try to escape this way. "We need to make our way to the next junction in order to leave the sewers."

Looking up Hanataru was that the ladder up was completely destroyed and the entrance was steaming. Either there was a fire in the other side of there had been a collapse of some sort. That was when he remembered grabbing his senior officer and pulling her down just as Captain Ichimaru had tried to kill them. "I know a short cup ma'am." he then noticed how she was limping. Bending down, he examined the gaping sound on the side of her leg.

"I got caught by the ladder as we fell." she explained blushing lightly as his hands touched tender skin. "I've already used some healing kido to stop the bleeding. I will be fine Lieutenant Yamada." she assured him as she began limping away him.

"Um..." he began causing her to turn towards him. "The short cut is this way." He pointed the opposite way she was heading. Sighing, she turned back towards him. Taking the lead, Hanataru realized how now would have been a good time not to forget his sword back at the barracks.

Ichigo turned towards his cousin who was starting at Isshin with a frown. "I guess this means you'll be going back to Kukaku." Before he began looking at Rukia like she was something disgusting.

Ganju still had a frown upon his face as he turned to look at Ichigo, his eyes burning with determination. "Oi, Ichigo. Who is that woman to you that you were talking to."

"Huh?" Ichigo questioned with a raised eyebrow before scratching the back of his head, his three friends listening in for his answer. "Rukia." he answered as he crossed his arms over his chest. "She's my friend. "

"Idiot." Ishida mumbled under his breath, Chad nodding in agreement.

Orihime giggled. "Hush." she said quietly before glancing at Shiro, who winked at her. He was listening to his idiot brother too. Orihime blushed red.

"You're one to talk." Ishida muttered. He didn't understand how someone as sweet as Orihime could be crushing on someone like...Shiro. He knew the other boy was a former hollow turned human, but still...It didn't make any sense.

"You have no idea who that woman is!" Ganju growled, his hands turning into fists. "She killed my brother."

By now, the captains present could hear Ganju's claims. "Kaien. Right?" Ichigo asked, remembering Rukia talk about the man with such devotion. She also told him about the night the man had died. "Yeah. I know." his answer surprised Ganju. "He went out to kill the hollow possessing his wife only to be possessed by it. He fought to regain sanity and control, but was quickly losing the battle. Captain Ukitake's condition flared up at a critical time, forcing Rukia to fight Kaien. She struck him when he fell upon her. He died thanking her for killing him and asking forgiveness that it had to be her that had to do so."

"Tsh." Ganju felt disgust towards the story. He didn't believe it. He still believed she was a murderer.

"Rukia respected your brother and used everything he ever taught her to ensure I wouldn't be stupid and get myself killed." Ichigo told him trying really hard to defuse Ganju's anger. "And if you don't believe me, I'll hit you over the head until you do!" Ichigo grinned as he raised his fist at Ganju.

"I'd like to see you try!" Ganju growled as he raised his fists.

Ukitake sighed a breath of relief as stress melted out from his shoulders. Isshin's chuckle was heard by the older captain. "You're laughing?" Kyoraku inquired having heard the Shiba boys yelling.

"Ichigo has always had an unusual ability to draw people towards him, both violent and kind ones." He sighed. "This also meant he had the ability to escalate something or cause it to dissipate." His eyes softened. "I heard what happened to Kaien and was worried that someone from my clan would take this moment to get revenge. Looks like I worried for no reason." He watched Ichigo dodge Ganju's strike only for his quieter son come up behind Ganju, wrap and arm around the other man's neck and not release him until he fainted from lack of oxygen.

"About your other boy?" Ignorant began knowing full well that he wasn't the only one noticing the hollow-like features of reiatsu .

"Perfectly normal." Isshin told him. "It took me forever to notice it and get passed his hollow features, but he is normal." He smiled as he watched his two boys for a moment. "Just different. "

Ukitake chuckled. "That's good to know." His voice then grew more serious. " However, now we have to find Aizen."

Kyoraku nodded before looking back at Isshin. "Any idea's where he would go?" Before Isshin responded the file on the ground suddenly moved before lifting away and revealing the two healers from the fourth. Both looking relieved at seeing their captain along with the others.

M-Angel: Looks like I was able to get another chapter out a lot sooner that I thought I would. So who would be up for me writing a one-shot Halloween story this month? Just curious is all.

Zeynel - Well, we know that; but Aizen doesn't! Yes, he would've felt it connect.

Xiyou-Chan - Sorry! Didn't mean to scare you. As for the couples, Ichigo/Rukia and Shiro/Orihime.

Jharrell819 - Thanks!

Bob19h - I could do a one-shot story about that.

Murder leo - Thanks!