Does Man Make The Monster?
Chapter 20
A Favor Granted
(A/N Oh, my goodness. It took me forever to get this out. I rewrote, I subtracted, I added, and reworked just about everything from the original concept of this chapter. It was crazy. I hope it's well worth the wait. Please enjoy.)
SOUNDS/sounds
Thoughts/writing
(Last Time)
"You're a damn coward, Arima! You won't even stay and watch what you started," she chided. "You know this is wrong! You're just a damn bast—Ugh!"
She was hit the mouth with a hard fist to shut her up. She heard the door shut right after. She clinched her teeth as the pivoting blades scrapped each other as they opened wide. The man tightened his grip on her hair as the other came in and started to just hack away at her hair. She tried not to react too much but they started pulling harder as they went. They forced her neck back as far as it could go which also put a strain on her shoulder from the pulling and the back of the chair was pressing in. A third man held down her legs as she started to kick up at them.
"You only brought this on yourself," the man holding her legs down said. "If you had just cooperated in the first place this wouldn't have to happen."
She said nothing as she tried to fight her tears that started to burn her eye and dampened her eyelashes. At times she could feel the cold blades slide long her scalp. She knew this would only escalate from here and in the worst possible ways imaginable. This was to show Ichigo that Arima was making good on his threat. They yanked down once more and she finally let out a short scream. If she ever got out of there she was really going to make those responsible pay for this. She was innocent and they knew it but they didn't give a damn.
(Present)
Toshiro sat at his desk, looking across it at Ichigo, sitting in a chair. Isshin already warned his son what this little meeting was truly about. When Ichigo first walked in he knew something was wrong given Toshiro's extra stern face. The young captain let out a long sigh and sat up completely straight.
"I'm not going to be gentle about this and I'm putting my foot down. Central 46 has made it more than perfectly clear that you aren't allowed too many freedoms and I am here to enforce that. You can't do whatever you want whenever you feel like it," Toshiro said with a hard, stern voice. "This isn't like your glory days. Central 46 was absent during that time and so you had your way with things but now it's different. Our governing body is back in place and since you have chosen to live in Soul Society you are bound by our rules. Do you understand that?"
Ichigo let a sharp huff and gave a muted nod. His crossed arms, tightened even more.
"This is for all of our safety. Yourself and your family's as well. I am in charge of you. Anything you do directly falls back onto me. You act out and I get the reprimand from higher up," Toshiro stated. "There isn't much tolerance for you and I am begging you, Ichigo, to behave. As stated, once your seals are produced and in place more restrictions will be removed."
"I understand…" Ichigo grumbled and Toshiro sighed.
"I know you, Ichigo, you're just as headstrong as your father. You may understand but that doesn't mean you are going to obey. Let's get to the big issue. Your loved ones still down in the Living World that we could not protect. From here on out there is nothing more that can be done for them."
"Why not?" Ichigo snapped.
"We are spirits and such we need to deal with other spirits not the living. We protect the living, this is true but that's as a whole. Individuals are not our priority. "
"What about those people you had in the CCG earlier?" Ichigo stated. "Can't you use them to help Akane?"
"They were only there to help protect you and no else. As it stands now if I give in to your demands I will be reprimanded for aiding you and you will be punished as well. No contact means no contact. I cannot send anyone down there to rescue her. This is no longer my problem I am sorry to say."
Ichigo unfolded his arms and clinched his fists.
"You have to do something! I can't just let her stay there. They're going to give her the same treatment as a ghoul. They know I won't stand for it!"
"That's just it. They know you will come for her. You just pretty much stated it is a trap. Do you think giving yourself over to them for her sake will help? I don't. I don't see how that will help. Staying here in the long run will cause less damage. I know she means a lot to you—"
"She's my partner, dammit! Would you let Matsumoto be tormented like that?"
"This isn't about me this is about you!"
"I'm being serious! If she or Momo were in trouble what would you do?! You would go after them," Ichigo hissed at the small captain.
"I also have the authority to do so. You do not. Understand the position that you are in right now, Ichigo. You are in no place to be making demands or asking for requests. My hands are tied because of you. If I helped your friend that will show Central 46 that you have control over me and that can't happen. Not ever. I have my own neck on the line for you as it is. Just for once do as you are told!"
"But that's my partner down there," Ichigo shouted and jumped to his feet. "You can't just let them hurt her!"
"What part of 'my hands are tied' do you not comprehend? If it was up to me personally I would help her and you know that! But this is the Spirit World and that is the Living World. We exist together but we should never mix. We already exposed enough of our world when Urahara protected you and your family the other night. We exist in shadow and we need to stay there, unseen," Toshiro rubbed the sides of his head with slow circles. "Ugh! If you go down there and help that means you stay down there, permanently. If the shit hits the fan you will never find refuge here again. Don't screw up a good thing. You are here with your family and you're safe. You can't help everyone. It is impossible to do so. And if I hear she's your partner one more time I'm going to scream!"
"So you… You really won't help?" Ichigo gnashed his teeth.
"It's not that I won't it's that I can't. Tomorrow I'm lifting one of your restrictions. You are now permitted to have visitors starting at 8AM. Keep pestering me and I'll retract that."
"So that's it?" Ichigo huffed and shook his head. "No help from you?"
"I am done with this discussion. Go bother someone else. I can't help you."
"So just like that, it's over?"
"Let me say this again. Go bother someone else. I can't help you."
"Oh, so I'm a bother now?!"
"No. Listen again… Go. Bother. Someone. Else," Toshiro stressed through his teeth. "Get it?"
Ichigo just stared at him with a mixture of anger and confusion. What's that supposed to mean?
"You don't… What I did say you were allowed tomorrow?"
"Visitors…?"
"And… What did I say after that?"
"To bother someone else because you can't help? I don't get what you—oh… Ohhhhh, right," Ichigo looked a little surprised at his revelation.
"I'm glad you understand now. Just don't go overboard tomorrow," Toshiro said, leaning back in his seat. "I will keep your escorts busy for a while. Please make the most of your time."
"I understand and thank you," Ichigo sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
"You still can't leave Soul Society and help her. Keep that in mind," Toshiro stated, bluntly. "Make sure you choose wisely."
"I understand that, too. I'll make sure," Ichigo nodded.
"For now, you're dismissed," Toshiro said, getting to his feet and walked over to the door and escorted Ichigo out into hall were Matsumoto was talking with the Squad 1 members. "Behave tomorrow."
"I will," Ichigo said, heading over to his escorts and Matsumoto.
"Oh, are you finished?" Matsumoto asked, turning to see Ichigo walking over to them.
"Yeah, I'm done," Ichigo said with a faint smile. "Isn't it about time for dinner?"
"It is," Nakamura stated. "You ready?"
"Yeah," Ichigo shrugged.
"Well, then let's go," Nakamura said. "Nice very talking to you, Lieutenant."
"You too," she waved at the men. "Take care now. Bye!"
Nakamura and Watanabe flanked either side of Ichigo and walked with him outside and toward his barrack. Toshiro couldn't under any circumstance be directly involved in helping Ichigo. Not him or his squad. He was allowing visitors as a way for Ichigo ask the others under the radar. But even his closest friends couldn't just go. It would have to be someone's underling already stationed in the Living World so nothing looked suspicious. He was going to have to put his trust in complete strangers if this was to work. He shuttered a little as he continued walking.
"Cold?" Watanabe asked.
"Just a chill," Ichigo answered, looking toward the man at his left.
Watanabe shrugged as they neared Ichigo's lodgings. His night shift escorts were already waiting for him at the door and it sounded like his friends and family were already waiting inside for him.
"Well, this is where we leave you," Watanabe said, patting Ichigo on the shoulder. "Fujimoto and Tanaka will take you from here."
"It's not like we have a choice," Tanaka sighed, pushing up red framed glasses.
"Don't sound so happy about it," Ichigo snorted walking up towards the door.
"Oh, hahaha," Tanaka mocked.
"Your family and friends are already inside waiting," Fujimoto said, sliding open the door and light pour out of the room. "Oden's on the menu tonight."
"Sounds good," Ichigo said, walking into the room. "See you two later."
Ichigo walked in with his night escorts behind him. He couldn't even eat a meal without them. This was ridiculous. Hopefully, when his seals are put into place they would lighten up the escorts. He sat down around at the table with everyone else. It wasn't long before diner was brought in and sat out for everyone. Ichigo couldn't talk openly to anyone about what Toshiro said. It might be just as well; the less people that knew the better.
They talked about various things and traded stories. It the usual same old same old as it was any other night. Ichigo did say that he was allowed visitors starting tomorrow morning. Dinner came to an end and everyone just sat around and continued talking. At one point someone pulled out some cards and they started playing various games.
It got later and little by little people started to head back to their quarters. Isshin was the last to walk out the door. Ichigo escorts stayed of course. He preferred his day escorts over these two. Once the ice was broken Watanabe and Nakamura were pretty nice people and they got along well enough. Tanaka and especially Fujimoto weren't as enjoyable to be around. Both of them made it quite clear that they had very little tolerance for him. They also wouldn't engage in conversation with him too often. They were never agreeable with anything either.
It was just as well they were the night escorts. He slept during that time and wouldn't have to put up with them all that much. It was only before bed and after he woke did he have to deal with the obnoxious pair. A lot of times they thought Ichigo was sleeping but he would just wake up in the middle of the night and just lie there. Their words were muted but they weren't hiding anything they were saying. Both of them had said some pretty unsavory things about him and his loved ones. He bit his tongue hard during those times and never brought it up come morning. He didn't need to start anything with them given the current state of things.
A few people were let in to clean up the last of the food while Ichigo got ready for bed. Neither he or his escorts said much to each other. He fixed his bed how he liked it before turning off the light and snuggled down into futon. He couldn't wait until morning when he could see his friends. He let out a long sigh and closed his eyes for the night.
Morning rolled around and Ichigo woke up fairly early anxious for the day. He spent a good part of the night planning what he wanted to tell his friends. He hated having to ask something like this so soon but there wasn't much else he could do. Toshiro promised to keep his escorts busy during that time. Hopefully he could get the poor woman some help.
He got dressed for the day and Fujimoto and Tanaka took him down to the common room. To his surprise he saw Yoruichi nestled down between Tessai and Urahara and Isshin was sitting across from them. She had only arrived about an hour before Ichigo had walked in. They had been bringing her up to speed with everything going on in Soul Society. She was surprised that Ichigo had suggested the wearable seals and that Central 46 agreed.
Of course Ichigo had to ask how everything with the CCG went. She told him that they had officially moved out everyone last night. The main investigators had returned to Tokyo a couple of days earlier than the rest of the team. They went as far as to investigate Uryu, Ryuken, Chad, Tatsuki, Keigo, and Mizuiro. Of course the last three had no part in any of this but the CCG was going to leave no stone unturned. She warned him that the CCG still had their eyes on Karakura Town and that they would for quite a long time.
At 8 in the morning Ichigo's escorts changed hands back to Watanabe and Nakamura. The pair also brought quite a group of people with them. He was a little flabbergasted by just how many had waited to see him. Honestly, he shouldn't have been that surprised. Leading the charge was Rukia. She was dead set on being the one to meet him first with Renji right on her small heels. Shunsui was there and along Jushiro. There was even Ikkaku and Yumichika. Those two were clearly there in place of Kenpachi for obvious reasons.
"Ichigo," Rukia waved happily as she raced towards him, grinning ear to ear.
"Hey, Rukia, long time no see," Ichigo waved back at her.
"I've missed you so much, you stupid idiot," she exclaimed before jumping up and stomped him square in the gut.
The force of the impact caused Ichigo's feet to slip out from under him. He landed clear flat on his back. He found it hard to hold his breakfast down right after that. One hand covered his stomach and the other covered his mouth. His escorts stood there in dumb shock as Ichigo slowly rolled into a painful ball.
"Ru…Rukia… Wh-what was that for?" Ichigo gagged with a few pained tears in his eyes. "What—what kind of gr-greeting was that?"
"A long overdue one," she smirked, looming over him, her arms tightly crossed. "How is it that this is the only way for you to come back to us, huh?"
"This w-wasn't by choice," Ichigo groaned, cradling middle as he slowly sat up still bent in half.
Renji stood right behind her looking down at him shaking his head. Ichigo looked up at him with a grimace.
"Please don't hit me, too," Ichigo said, finally sitting up straight.
"I won't. Besides, I told her to hit you extra hard for both of us…" Renji answered, looking down at his old friend.
"I couldn't tell…" Ichigo groaned.
"I can hit harder—" Rukia rolled up a sleeve and balled up a fist.
"NOO! No, you hit me hard enough, thank you!"
Nakamura stepped up and cleared his throat as Ichigo staggered back to his feet, still rubbing his stomach.
"Lieutenants, if you don't mind please refrain from striking him or any kind of harassment towards him," he said as Rukia and Renji looked at him oddly. "We're to keep him calm and kicking him the gut is not a good way to achieve that goal."
"So you're saying if I put him headlock like this and grind my knuckles into the top of his head like so that would against the rules, right?" Renji asked, doing just that.
"Ow! Renji!" Ichigo cried out, squirming to get free.
"Yes, that would be," Nakamura nodded. "So if you don't mind…"
"What if I forced his hands behind his back like this?" Yumichika asked, pulling Ichigo's arms behind his back.
"And what if I picked his legs up like so?" Ikkaku asked, picking up both of Ichigo's legs off the ground.
"Hey, what you guys doing?" Ichigo asked with worried surprise, being suspended in the air.
"On all accounts, yes! Now put him down this instant," Watanabe snapped, stepping in front of his partner. "What part of 'keep him calm' do you not understand?"
"Okay, but what happens if we kidnapped him?" Rukia asked as the group suddenly shot off, running with Ichigo completely in their grasp.
"That's the worst yet," Nakamura snapped as he and Watanabe went to give chase. "Come back right n—"
"Oh, calm down, you two," Shunsui said, grabbing them by the back of their robes. "He's in capable hands."
"Capable? Lieutenant Kuchiki just kicked him square in the stomach and now they've kidnapped him," Watanabe snapped. "The head-captain has ordered us to escort him at all times! This order also comes from Central 46."
"Don't worry about it. Jushiro and I will be watching over him, too, for a bit," Shunsui said with a smile. "He'll have two captains, two lieutenants, and high seated officers all in the same space with him."
"That's not the point! We have to report whatever we see to the captain-commander if something—" Watanabe was cut short.
"We'll take the heat if something should happen," Jushiro said, walking around them. "I highly doubt anything will."
"Look, this isn't open for debt," Watanabe snapped as the captains turned around to look at him. "I just said this order comes from the higher ups."
"Don't be hard-asses. Seriously, nothing's going to happen," Shunsui said, adjusting his kimono better on his shoulders. "You should be grateful to Kurosaki. Without him who knows how things would have turned out. Show him a little respect just this once."
"We can't leave him alone," Nakamura bit out.
"Please understand that Kurosaki hasn't seen them in years. I'm sure there is a lot of catching up to do and I'm also pretty sure he doesn't want you two eavesdropping in on everything," Jushiro added. "Just do this one favor for him. He risked so much for Soul Society and now we're treating him like some type of prisoner. He deserves a lot more respect for what he's done for us. Shunsui and I are only here for insurance purposes so you don't have to worry."
"We're still worried," the pair chanted.
A throat was cleared behind their backs. They turned to meet the annoyed face of Toshiro. He had heard them arguing and had enough. It was a simple request it couldn't that hard to grant.
"Just give them an hour to be alone. No more, no less," Toshiro said, standing behind the group. "Like Captain Ukitake explained; we are treating him like a prisoner because of something he could not control. He came to us for help and this is the so called 'help' we are giving him. You can overlook one hour. He hasn't shown any hostility to anyone."
The escorts looked at each still unsure. This could mean more than their jobs if something went wrong. Should they or shouldn't they?
"Just let them be," Shunsui said, getting their attention. "Nothing is going to happen. Promise."
"Fine… Just one hour," Nakamura said, still looking rather unhappy. "It starts now. So if you want to talk to him you better do it now."
"Much obliged, gentlemen," Shunsui half waved and started to walk off with Jushiro and Hanataro. "Until later."
The Squad 1 men turned to look at Toshiro to already see him gone. They looked around the area not seeing him. They had one hour to kill. So what do they do with that free time?
Ichigo sat on his futon with a very shocked expression on his face as he looked at the photo in his fingers. He could hardly believe what he was seeing. During his absence Rukia and Renji had gotten married and had a daughter. As far as looks went Ichika took more after Renji than Rukia. Ichigo could only hope everything else about girl took more after her mother. Not that there was anything wrong with Renji, of course. He handed the photo back to the proud father.
"She's already an apprentice?" Ichigo asked and Renji nodded with a wide grin.
"You better believe it," Renji said, happily. "She's doing very well in her classes, too."
"Bother has also been very good about getting her extra lessons," Rukia added.
Maybe the poor girl will take more after Renji after all. Ichigo was going to keep his mouth shut on that.
"So this is really you, huh? I can't say that you are very… Well, uh…" Yumichika mumbled.
"You can look at me, you know," Ichigo snapped as Yumichika kept his face pointed in the opposite direction. "I'm not that damn ugly!"
Ikkaku sighed and forced Yumichika's head to face Ichigo.
"The captain wanted us to come by so we can tell him what we thought of you being a hollow now," Ikkaku stated bluntly. "Of course he's been barred from the grounds for obvious reasons."
"Obviously… So what are you going to tell him?" Ichigo asked and Ikkaku shrugged.
"Well… I mean you're certainly not the same brat that broke into the Seireitei all those years ago. That's for sure. Huh… I can see why they are being so careful with you. You would be a good challenge for the captain."
"Well, whatever you tell him about me, lie. I don't need him rushing over here. I don't want to fight him because Central 46 will have both our heads if he does. Like those two said. I am to 'remain calm.'"
Ichigo even did the air quotes to emphasize the last part. He crossed his arms and groaned. He really didn't need Kenpachi running in going after him just to fight and see who would come out the victor.
"So, where's your old man at?" Renji asked, stifling a small yawn. "I haven't seen him or your sisters."
"Oh, they're not here right now. A couple of Toshiro's men took them to see Kukaku and Ganju. He hasn't seen them for over 20 years and my sisters have never met them. Orihime is doing something with Matsumoto. Urahara, Tessai, Yoruichi, Jinta, and Ururu are at the old lab looking through their remaining items for what they want to keep and what they need to get rid of," Ichigo answered, looking a little disappointed. "I really wanted go with my family today but I'm stuck here until I get my seals in place. Even then I need escorts."
"What seals?" Rukia asked, looking a little worried.
Ichigo scratched the back of his head and sighed.
"To make Central 46 more at ease with me I proposed I use wearable seals like what Kenpachi wears," Ichigo said, glancing over at Ikkaku and Yumichka. "It will diminish my power and of course they agreed to the idea. Until they are on me I'm still highly restricted."
"That's the biggest load of bullshit I've ever heard," Ikkaku grunted out. "Are they that fucking scared of you?"
"You would think your past actions would have prevented this," Yumichika sighed, pushing some hair out of his face. "But government will be government I'm sad to say."
"Yeah, I know. Central 46 wasn't a thing during the war. Aizen made sure of that," Ichigo pointed out. "I had a free pass at that time. Not now… If I wasn't like this… Then I'm pretty sure things would be vastly different."
"Yeah. You might even still be downstairs if that was the case," Renji pointed out. "You wouldn't even be here."
"I know…" Ichigo groaned.
Rukia cleared her throat. There was dead seriously look on her face.
"So… What's really going on with you, Ichigo?" Rukia asked. "And I mean beyond you becoming a hollow, the seals, the escorts, and the uprooting your family and the others."
Ichigo just looked at her awestruck. Wow, right to that? Okay then… Did Toshiro drop a hint to them or something?
"Did Toshiro say something to you…?" Ichigo asked.
"Well, more to us," Jushiro said, walking into the room with Shunsui behind him. "He was rather cryptic but we figured out something must be wrong."
Shunsui shut the door behind them as the pair walked over to sit with the others. So, Toshiro was still helping but indirectly. Ichigo guessed that's about all the young captain could do.
"Go bother someone else…" Ichigo whispered to himself.
"You say something?" Shunsui asked and Ichigo shook his head.
"I was just talking to myself. So, you got a message?" Ichigo asked and the captain nodded.
"We each got a hell butterfly roughly stating that something was still wrong down in the Living World. We know nothing beyond that," Shunsui explained with a small shrug. "You mind explaining everything to us?"
"It's too long if I tell you the whole story but… I worked as a ghoul investigator down in Tokyo and when this all started I tried to distance myself from them. Toshiro found out and well… He came up with the idea to use a gigai that would act like I committed suicide," Ichigo was feeling a little uncomfortable telling them this story. "That should have been the end of it. I went back home to Karakura Town and was doing okay. A friend from Tokyo was kidnapped. I panicked and dragged the others with me back to Tokyo. Things with him turn out—okay-ish… However, going back there got me caught by another investigator that had always hated me. Toshiro found out and alerted us to be ready to move. Orihime ended up getting in trouble, too. We all came here for protection but that left one critical person I couldn't help; my partner and senior officer, Hayashi Akane. She's in custody of the CCG right now as a means to draw me out. I'm almost sure she's being tortured just to drive in that nail."
"I see… You want someone to get her out of there?" Jushiro asked and Ichigo nodded.
"I can't do it and you know I would given the chance. I would do anything to get her out of their hands," Ichigo stated with a good bit of panic.
"But there is yet one more dilemma," Shunsui spoke up. "Let's say she's set free where does she go? She'll have the whole city looking for her. She might end up back in their hands."
"And before you ask, no, you can't bring her here," Jushiro stated quickly. "We can't keep bring the living here. This is a realm for spirits, not the living. We shouldn't even be involved at all, honestly."
"I was told the same thing," Ichigo hung his head. "So you can't help me?"
"Now don't put words in our mouths," Shunsui stated. "We can help but keep in mind that whoever helps her can only take her so far. It will be up to her to take care of herself once she's set free. We can at least do that much."
"I'd take what I can get, Ichigo," Rukia said. "Even if all they can do is release her back into the city. She'll be out of their hands and it will be up to her after that."
"So that's all you can do?" Ichigo asked and they all nodded.
"She's not like Orihime, Chad, or Uryu, is she? Does she have any special gifts?" Renji asked and Ichigo shook his head. "So she's just a normal woman?"
"Yeah…" Ichigo breathed.
"Then we truly can only help her so far," Jushiro sighed.
"If she had a gift would things be different?" Ichigo asked.
"They might be but you said she doesn't have any," Jushiro answered, lightly shaking his head. "The best we can do with the circumstances given to us is just to release her back into the streets and pray she finds shelter somewhere. She doesn't have anywhere she can stay, is there?"
"What about that friend you mentioned you went to save?" Ikkaku piped up. "Couldn't she just shack up with him?"
"Don't say shack up and that would be like setting a match in a container of gasoline. That particular friend is a ghoul and Akane is an investigator," Ichigo quickly clarified. "There is another place but it'll be the same story just about. She'll be wanted and I doubt they'll want to harbor her given that they are ghouls, too. Especially, with the history Akane has with one of the women there."
"Another match and gasoline?" Renji asked.
"Toss in some fireworks, too, while you're at," Ichigo groaned, flopping back onto his bed.
"That bad?" Rukia asked.
"That bad," he nodded. "Akane lost an eye thanks to her. It won't go over well if they meet again."
"So…? That's it then. She has no place we can drop her off at?" Shunsui asked.
"Oh, wait… No... I don't know. There is an old house I took refuge in while in Tokyo with everyone a couple weeks ago. It's a rundown piece of crap but it'll keep her out of sight," Ichigo said, staring up at the ceiling. "That's about all it will be good for. There's nothing else special about it."
"Some shelter is better than no shelter," Jushiro smiled. "We'll work out something and at least have her taken as far as that house. We're going to need all the information before we do anything. Like what she looks like, where these locations are, and so on."
"Better do it fast before your escorts return. We don't want to run out of time," Shunsui stated as Ichigo got back to his feet to get a pen and paper from a desk.
He quickly wrote down the address for the CCG location and where she might be held up in said building. He also gave the road name and the landmarks around where the old house sat. He then rummaged through some of his belongings and pulled out a photo of her. He handed everything over to Shunsui.
"This is her, huh? Hey, she's not bad looking," Shunsui said, bring the photo in closer. "Get anywhere with her?"
"Don't you even start that! Look, she had her left eye torn out a month or so ago so she won't look exactly like that but it'll give you an idea," Ichigo said as Shunsui handed the photo over to Jushiro to look at. "That's about all I can give you. So I take it one of you have some men stationed there in Tokyo, right?"
"Neither of us have men there but we know who does. Toshiro couldn't contact him directly given that they share the same city. So he's most likely going through us to avoid a direct trail," Shunsui said with a smirk.
"So then who else is working Tokyo other than Toshiro's men?" Ichigo asked and the pair of captains looked at each other and grinned. "That is not reassuring. Well, who is it?"
The captain yawned as ran a hand through his straight cut, blond hair. He looked at the paper and the photo in his hand. There was even a cloth wrapped box. He weighted the item in his hand. It was pretty heavy, honest. What could be in it? Shunsui had just sort of nonchalantly passed it off to him clear out of the blue. He read over everything and snorted at the request. What was in it for him? Most likely nothing. That carrot top just arrived and already brought problems with him. He walked into his office and saw his lieutenant working on some papers at her desk.
"Oi, Momo, I got something for you," he said walking over to her, holding up the box. "I need a hand with this mess."
"With what?" she asked as he sat the items on her desk. "What is this? Who is this a photo of?"
"Her name's Hayashi Akane. Someone Kurosaki knows down in Tokyo," he snorted brushing his blond hair out his face. "It looks like she's in some sort of pickle and he wants us to get her out of it."
"Captain Hirako, sir, when does this need to be done by?" she asked, looking through the paper. "It's going to take some finagling from the way this looks. Let's see… Ah! We're going to have to break into a prison to rescue her? This can't be a good idea."
"Yeah. It's a rather tall order. I guess he wants it done soon," Shinji stretched his arms into the air. "Kyoraku didn't really say much about it. Just that an 'old friend' needs a big favor. I saw it was Living World related and figured it had to him given he just came from there. He just can't stay out of trouble."
"So, how do you think we should go about this? If the captain-commander finds out… This could be bad news for us. Uh… And then there's the planning we need. Like finding the right people, the locations, the times, and not to mention how to get them their gigai."
"Please. I know how to get some questionable items from point A to point B. Give me credit where credit is due," Shinji said, picking up the long box again. "Besides, I guess he earned one little favor."
Two men dressed in nicely pressed suites stood at a distant corner of the street looking at a large government building. This was going to be interesting. The men had a very rough idea where to look for their target but nothing more. They looked at the odd devices in their hands recalling that it created a barrier around them that made them invisible to the living only in a very limited field.
They moved towards the building and started looking around the area. There were a couple of armed guards by the door. They had to get past them first to get this whole screwball plan rolling.
"Sakai, how do you think we should do this?"
"I'm thinking, Miyamoto. I guess we… I guess when the door opens we push our way in behind that person."
"So, we better hope we don't hit anyone," Miyamoto said, cleaning off his blue rimmed glasses with his tie and put them back on. "By the way are you sure this is how you tie and tie? I've never worn one. Have you?"
Sakai turned to look at his partner with an annoyed look in his scruffy face. He looked at the purple tie and shook his head. He turned his brown eyes back to the building.
"Looks like shit. Should have gotten the clip on like I did," Sakai grumbled as he started moving a little closer to the building. "I never thought I'd be wearing a suit."
"Does it really look that bad?" Miyamoto asked, trying to adjust it. "It can't be that bad…"
"Leave it alone. Besides they're not going to see us too much if we can help it," Sakai said, stopping behind the bushes just off the property. "Get that weird device ready. Looks like a group of three so are heading towards the door. We can use them to get in."
Miyamoto nodded activating the small rod in his hand as did Sakai. They moved closer to the door as the small group climbed the steps. They quietly fell in behind them. The three men flashed their tags at the guards. The door buzzed and the lock clicked open. The group walked in completely unaware of their extra guests.
Well, they were inside but where to now? This building was a huge to search for one person. They moved over to a quiet corner out of the way. They huddled behind a large fake tree. Sakai pulled out the instructions again to study. They would have to go downstairs from where they were. Elevators were out of the question, they would have to take the stairs. They would still have to be careful but at least they had more wiggle room than being stuck inside a small space.
They found the stairs quickly enough and hoped these were the right stairs. A woman opened the door coming out and they quickly ducked in. They looked over the railing. There were several flights spiraling down. Sakai looked at the paper instructions again.
"This is going to take a while, isn't it?" Miyamoto whispered into his partner's ear.
Sakai rubbed the sides of his head trying to reduce his building headache.
"I am so asking for a bonus after this mess," Sakai grumbled and started down the stairs. "C'mon, let's get this over with. Standing here isn't going to do us any good."
After about an hour in they still hadn't had much success. This place was huge and they didn't seem to get be getting anywhere. This would be really horrible if this wasn't even the right building. The instructions were so vague that there was really nothing to go off of. They managed to get a better idea where certain things were after finding a couple directories.
Hopefully a good lead would turn up sooner or later. This was such a hack job. They had no idea what do. Suddenly Miyamoto stopped in the hallway and Saskai ran into him.
"What are you doing?" he asked, looking at where his partner was looking.
Miyamoto pointed a group of souls huddled together talking in little a nook. Now they were getting somewhere. They moved across the hall towards the group of 5 souls. Maybe they knew where the woman might be. It would sure make things easier than wondering around blindly.
Sakai and Miyamoto stopped behind them studying them a little. They didn't seem to notice they were being watched. Being in gigai the group of spirits most likely knew no different. Most of them had some rather short chains. That's not a good sign.
"Not to interrupt but we could use some help," Sakai said just loud enough to get their attention.
The group spun around and looked at the pair behind them. One man was short and little bit stout with a scruffy beard and dark gray hair. He was dressed in a navy blue suit and red tie. His partner was a good bit taller and thin with dark maroon hair and blue glasses. He wore a slate grey suit with a purple tie that was tied so bad it hurt to look at it.
"Are they addressing us?" a girl with light lavender hair asked, looking over at the pair of Shinigami.
"No, I'm addressing Santa Claus," he snorted softly, crossing his arms and group took startled step back. "All right. Listen up, I need some help and I'm assuming you know your way around. Have you seen her around by chance?"
The group looked at them in shock like deer in headlights. Sakai's was not in the mood for this. He wanted to find the woman and get out of there ASAP.
"Have you seen her or not?! Yes or no!"
"SHHH! Don't raise your voice, Sakai. They'll hear us!"
Miyamoto quickly clamped Sakai's mouth close as a pair of women walked by and stared hard at the empty the space where they thought they heard a man just yell. The women looked at each other before quickly hurrying off a little rattled.
"Don't get us caught. Watch your temper," Miyamoto whispered. "Hey, we're just wondering if you know where she is? We were told this building but we haven't had much luck."
There was a slow blink from the group. Finally the blond stepped up with a nasty grin stretched across his face.
"So, what? Were you investigators once or something?" the blond ask, walking towards them a little bit.
"No, sir. We're shinigami," Miyamoto answered with a sweet smile, closing the gap between them. "We would very much appreciate it if you could direct us to the woman in this photo."
Miyamoto took the photo from Sakai and held it up to the blond. He and his group looked it over.
"Shinigami, huh? I don't believe you one bit," the blond reeled back a fist ready to punch. "You're just a filthy invest—"
He stalled instantly finding a red ball of light on the end of Miyamoto's finger that aimed right between his eyes. The red ball slowly got bigger and bigger. The blond was frozen to the spot in shock.
"Now we can do this the nice way or the nasty way," Miyamoto smiled a little wider. "You get two choices. You can help us find her or I can blow your head clean of your shoulders."
The group blanched and their leader was sweating bullets. The red energy ball was slowly glowing in size.
"You can be terrifying when you want to be, Miyamoto," Sakai said, stepping back a little.
"I-I've seen her," a man with long black hair piped up towards the back. "She's the next floor d-down. Human, right?"
"Are you sure it's her?" Miyamoto asked, flipping the photo around to him.
"Yes. I h-heard she was here because of something her p-partner did," the man said, daring to take step forward. "They usually d-don't house human prisoners here."
"So then why is she here in this place?" Sakai asked.
"Well, I think if I-I heard correctly she's being used as bait for her old partner and they've m-made deals with some of the other ghouls here to help capture him f-for better privileges," he answered, keeping his distance.
"And that just makes a bigger mess of things," Sakai moaned, rubbing the side of his head. "So now we have to work our way through ghouls as well. Nothing is ever simple."
"So we can't just grab her and bolt like planned," Miyamoto sighed, putting his hand back to his side the energy ball fading. "This is going to take more than just the two of us and a lot more planning."
"Yeah, well, we're keeping this on the down low, remember? Less people the better," Sakai grumbled, leaning up against the wall. "We're just going to have to rework things."
"That's going to take time we don't have."
"You think I don't know that?"
"Um, sirs, if I might make a suggestion," a lavender haired girl said, pointing up at the ceiling. "Can you maybe pop one of those? For like a distraction, I mean. To buy time if you need it."
The shinigami looked up at the ceiling and saw the nozzle for the emergency water system.
"Hey, yeah, you bust one and a lot more go off," the blond said.
"False… Only that one will go off…" Sakai grunted
"How do you know that?" Miyamoto asked.
"Eh, I tried once out of boredom about 12 years back. Made a mess in one area but that was all," Sakai drawled. "You would have to set off a series of them to do any real good. The water smells like shit, too."
"Hoodlum," Miyamoto exclaimed.
"Don't make me hit you."
"Hey, so you'd have hit more than one?" a brunette with bob-cut asked.
"Yeah, and…?" Sakai drawled.
"Hold it! Why should we even help them in the first place?" the blond yelled. "The girl is an investigator, right?"
"At this point 'former' would be more accurate," Miyamoto stated.
"Doesn't matter! She's still an investigator and we don't owe them any damn favors," he snapped. "Figure out everything else on your own. You know where she is and you were given an idea."
"I would watch that tongue of yours," Sakai bit back. "We're not people you really want to tangle with."
"And as it stands now we don't need to tangle with anyone," Miyamoto said quietly as another group came by. "Let's just head on down. They don't know we're here. We still have that to our advantage."
"Yeah, you're right. No point standing here and arguing," Sakai huffed and turned on his heel.
They only made a few steps before they hear edsomeone clear their throat.
"Um, sirs… Just g-go down one level and take the main hall until it forks. Go r-right and she in one of those cells," the man with the black hair said quickly.
"Thank you," Miyamoto replied with a small wave.
The pair quickly hurried back to the steps. Just one more floor and they would at least have the target. When they got there they were a lot of guards on this floor. This couldn't be good. They practically tip toed their way down the hall. These men were practically armed to the teeth. Best not the blow their cover too soon. They would have to at least wait until they acquired the woman. They took the right at the fork and looked down the long corridor still riddled with guards. Were they always this bad and were waiting for something to happen?
They dared not speak to each other. They had to start here and work their way down. They started looking for something like names on the cells or little windows to peer into. They were about midway down the hall when Sakai motioned Miyamoto over to the cell. They looked through the small window and found her on a bed. Her hands cuffed in front of her and her feet in binds as well. The long red hair in the photo was nothing but a short chopped mess. She looked like hell. A far cry from her photo that they had. The lock was electronic; it required a card and number combination.
At this point they decided this was the end of subtlety. Miyamoto faced one way Sakai faced the opposite. First thing's first. Disable the immediate guards and then worry about freeing her.
"Bakudo #1: Sai!" they chanted out in unison.
The guards suddenly dropped in wave down the hall moving out from the center out. No doubt the other guards will soon be upon them giving the yelling and cursing these guards were doing.
Sakai turned to the lock. Best to blast the whole thing out at once.
"Hado #31 Shakkaho," he took a step back and held out his hand.
The red ball of energy flew out of the palm of his hand taking the lock and handle with it.
"Sakai, not to rush you or anything but…" Miyamoto ordered, holding his hand up aiming farther down the hall. "Grab her and let's bolt before things get worse!"
Sakai tossed the cloaking device just to save time and showed himself. She just stared at the man that suddenly manifested in front of her. She didn't understand one damn thing that was going or who he was or what he wanted. He was dressed in a suit and tie like any other investigator. He quickly rushed her.
"You'll have to excuse me for this, miss, but… We don't have time," Sakai exclaimed, grabbing the dazed and scared redhead from her bed. "Miyamoto, keep a path clear. Here we come."
"I'm on it," Miyamoto said. "Let's go!"
They quickly rushed down the hall, Akane was tossed over his shoulder like a sack vegetables. At this point they needed to get out of the lower levels and upstairs. This wasn't going to be easy and it might result in some dangerous tactics. No doubt the stairwell was flooded by now along with elevators. They were asking to be boxed in.
"We're going to be shot," Sakai snapped as they face down a firing line.
Miyamoto's eyes looked up at the ceiling.
"More than one, huh?" Miyamoto muttered and took aim with small Shakkaho at the ceiling "Why don't I just take out the whole pipe?"
He released the energy ball and a few others moving down the ceiling taking out the pipe. The suddenly explosion startled them along with getting soaking wet.
"Get ready to make a jump," Miyamoto said, aiming straight up again.
"What are you doing?" Sakai asked a little slack jawed.
"You said make a path."
"Not exactly what I meant!"
"Meh…" Miyamoto shrugged and blew a hole clear through the ceiling and into the floor of the level above.
The pair jumped up and landed on the floor above. People were crawling from behind various items and peeking out from behind doors. What just happened? A few that were armed quickly took aim.
"B-behind you," Akane screeched.
Miyamoto quickly whipped around with another restraint spell. He hastily did a few more before taking aim at the ceiling again. With another loud blast the ceiling tore open and they jumped back up just before the guards and investigators rushed them.
No doubt their little trick was catching on to the floors above. Best to keep pushing through as fast as they could
"Who are you people?" she finally choked out. "You're hurting me!"
"Not our intention," Miyamoto said, looking over at her hanging off Sakai's shoulder. "Hold on just a bit longer, please. We're trying our best to help you."
"No! You're really hurt me," she cried, hitting Sakai's back with hard fist to his back. "Please, stop!"
"Just work through it," Sakai ordered as Miyamoto blew another hole in the ceiling. "One more floor after this!"
"Up," Miyamoto ordered and they jumped up again.
No doubt the floor was almost saturated with soldiers at this point. Sakai held on to Akane tight as he pulled loose one hand to use. He faced one way and his partner another way.
"They're they are!" a solider yelled as a wall of guards and investigators came at them.
"Bakudo #21!" Sakai shouted.
"21?" Miyamoto gasped.
"Now!"
"Okay! Bakudo #21: Sekienton!"
With one swift movement a large plume of red smoke engulfed everything around them. It was best they could do to give a brief distraction.
Hado #31 Shakkaho," Sakai shouted, holding up his hand through the smoke screen.
He made one last hole in the ceiling. They quickly jumped up as the bullets started to rain down on them.
Ground floor at long last. They were quickly greeted by a large group of armed men. They weren't going that way. They turned to see a few more and what looked like a few ghouls that they were warned about. What did they offer to get them to help out? Must be something good, that's for sure.
"End of the line," a guard ordered. "Whatever weapons you have put them down! Now!"
The pair looked at each other and the people that surrounding them. Miyamoto slowly started to raise his hands. They were expecting a weapon? Well, that got one.
"Get ready," Miyamoto whispered. "I'll make a clearing and you run with her."
"They're going to a break a line and flee," a female ghoul called out.
"How did she…?" Miyamoto gaped.
"Ghoul…Exceptional h-hearing," Akane answered, through clinched teeth and looked at the ghoul. "W-wait… I remember you… Ichigo and I both took you down about year and a h-half ago."
The ghoul grinned widely as did a couple of others around her. It didn't take Akane long to realize these were the ghouls she and Ichigo had worked on together to takedown. They were using the ghouls' distain from her and Ichigo as a weapon against them. Now that's just low.
"Oh, I remember. I remember you quite well," she snorted a wide toothy grin. "Look at every one of us here. You remember us, don't you? We were the ghouls that were beat down and imprisoned by you two. Now we get a chance for a little payback."
"Hey! Can we move this a little bit faster," Akane asked, hurriedly as her so-called rescuers.
"We're working on that," Sakai answered, looking over his shoulder at her.
"I do sho and you do sai?" Miyamoto asked.
"Whatever that gets us the hell out of here!"
The moment those words came out of Sakai's mouth a ghoul came down on Miyamoto. Not missing a beat Miyamoto jumped out the way. The ghoul's hand came down hard into floor. He quickly turned around only to get a full solid kick to the side of head. He went down in an instant.
"Hado #1 Sho!" Miyamoto called out making the spell work as hard as it could.
Several rows of men were forced back by an unseen force. The small group of three quickly started moving forward.
"Bakudo #1 Sai," Sakai called using his free hand to bind those that charge at them. "We're going to have to be more forceful. We can't keep being gentle with these assholes!"
"We could kill them if we're not careful!"
"We're going to be killed if we're not careful! Stop being so damn nice!"
"Look out," Akane exclaimed as two ghouls came right at them.
"Hado #4: Byakurai," Sakai chanted whipping around and took at them.
A blast of pale blue electrical energy came out of his finger Hit one ghoul in the right arm and another took a half his middle.
"Enough is enough!" Sakai shouted more than angry at this point. "Just get me the hell out of here! Shakkaho!"
He slid to a stop and blasted a hole in the closest wall. Can't find an exit make one like they did with the floors. He could see straight through the smoking hole to the street outside. Bullet came very close to hiting them as they ducked into new opening and moved as fast as they could. Once their feet hit the grass of the nicely trimmed lawn they bolted before anyone could get them cornered.
They came to stop in alley way to catch their breath. Sakai set Akane down behind a dumpster and out of sight. She was practically curled into a ball at this point. Tears leaked out through her squeezed eyes. She was clearly in a lot of pain.
"What's wrong?" Sakai asked, kneeling down to her. "Where does it hurt?"
"Ev-everywhere," she cried as he tried to uncurl her. "Stop touching me!"
"Stop fighting. Let me see how bad," he said as she remained tightly curled "I can't help if I can't see what's hurting you."
"That sounds like a lot of police," Miyamoto hummed, looking out the alleyway listening to a horde of siren getting closer. "No doubt the CCG is out with them. We need to get her to that house and out of sight."
"We need to carry you just a little more," Sakai said, going to grab her again.
She painfully kicked out at him.
"Hey, stop that! Calm down! We're trying to help you," Sakai snapped at her.
"I've had enough of being tossed around like some rag doll," she snapped.
"That really wasn't intentional," Miyamoto said, walking over to her. "We kind of went in blind."
"What do y-you want with me?" she hissed, looking up at them.
"Nothing. We had orders to come rescue you," Miyamoto said, squatting down to her level. "Kurosaki, from what I understand, has been barred from coming here. A few strings were pulled and we were sent to get you instead."
"So, he couldn't come?" she asked, trying to sit up.
"No… He has some rather rough issues he's dealing with," Miyamoto said, reaching into his pocket and pulled out the box he was given. "I was told to give you this when things were safe."
"We're still not completely out of the woods just yet," Sakai said, looking back down at her. "Please, we just need to take you a little farther."
"I really hurt," she said with grimace on her face.
"I understand that and I'll carry you. I'll make sure it's not a long trip," he moved a little closer to her.
He finally got a better look at her. She was covered in wounds and heavy bruising. Her left arm just hung lifeless and was cold to the touch. Honestly, she needed to get to a hospital but law enforcement will be looking at ever hospital and clinic all over the city for her.
"Not good, not good," Miyamoto groaned, peaking around the corner of the alley. "They're closer than I first thought! We got some on foot."
"How close are we talking?"
"Way too close."
"Shit," Sakai growled. "Come back here."
Miyamoto quickly ran back over.
"Give her that box and the direction to that house," Sakai said as his partner dug through his pockets. "We're going to hide you here for now. We'll be a distraction."
"You… You are coming back, right?" she asked the men painfully looked at each other. "You are, aren't you?"
She was pleading heavily with her one good eye. She clearly didn't want to be left alone and honestly she was in no condition to be alone either. Miyamoto quickly rushed back to the alley's mouth.
"Hurry and hide her. They're almost here!"
"You never answered me," she asked, grabbing his pant leg with her good arm. "You are coming back for me?"
"I don't… See if you can't make it there on your own," he said, taking off suit coat and covering her shoulders. He quickly found some old plywood and a large moldy ceiling panel to cover her with. "We'll try to find you again. Just stay there until you think it's safe."
"Please, take care, miss," Miyamoto said as he and Sakai dashed out of the alley.
So she was alone again? She looked down at the wrapped box and the instructions in her hand. She had a hard time sitting up and an even harder time unwrapping the box. She finally got it open and found a note taped to the top she tore that off to read it.
Dear Mommy Dearest,
I am sorry that I can't be the one to come to your aid when you need it most. I want more than anything to be there for you, however, my new location has me put under lock and key. My sanctuary has also turned into my prison. In order to protect myself and my family I agreed to some rather unsavory terms that work against me. I had to go through some backdoors and cash in some favors in hopes that you might make it far enough to read this note.
I would like you to know that I am greatly ashamed that I hurt you the way that I did. I had no idea that "Grimm," as you call him, got your attention along with Mado's. I am sorry you saw that but he knew no better. I know that hurt you on a very deep level.
As for the night of the raid. It tried everything I could think of to deter you but when pushed came to shove there was no avoiding conflict. I also couldn't let you know it was me. I tried to put on a front but I'm a horrible actor, honestly. I go from emotionally hurting to physical hurting you. I tossed you around on the cement and beat you up pretty badly. I have no idea what sort of damage I did to you. I don't have that information.
That night I was there for another reason that just happened to coincide with the raid. It wasn't planned to be that way originally. I found out and planted some extra help hidden within the CCG. I thought everything was okay. I returned home once again and not long after "Grimm" told me that the CCG was coming for me and my family.
I protected those that were closest to me at the time. I couldn't reach you and I knew Arima wasn't playing when we confronted each other. I had to wait to get you help until I dealt with my own "punishment" so to speak. I am so sorry I put you danger. It should have never happened. Please accept this gift. It's not much but I'm hoping it's something that you can use to protect yourself with.
I'm going to try my hardest to see you again. I can't say when, where, or how but I will see you again. That is assuming you want to see me given all the misery I put you through. I lied and hurt my partner and I'm trying to deal with that fact. Please be safe and I hope you can forgive me.
Sincerely,
Your Ungrateful Child
She closed her hand into a fist, crumpling the paper. This was the best he could do for her? This had to be a joke, right? She pulled off the lid to the box in a huff and paused looking down at item within. She reached in with her fingers and picked up the handle of a large knife. It was a quinque knife; a standard rookie blade. She looked it over. It had been Ichigo's. She saw the number on the bottom of the knife recognizing it.
She picked up the other piece of paper with the location of the house. She wondered if she could make it there or not. Every bit of her was black and blue. Her left arm was literally dead. They focused a lot of time and effort into destroy that limb and they had succeeded. She shivered and pulled the coat close to keep warm in the cold night air. The rag she wore was worthless out here. It didn't help that her feet were bare as well.
She waited a while longer but it was getting to a point where she had to find some real cover and get out of the wind if nothing else. She painfully pushed back the plywood and the ceiling panel. The directions and the quinque were clutched in her good hand. She looked down at her naked feet and the chain. She could walk but never run with these on. Quinque are stronger than steal but did she have strength to break the links with that little blade? As it was she could barely stand on her own two feet and she only had one good arm. This wasn't looking good.
"Maybe, I can pick it?" she mumbled, looking down at metal bands that had cut into her ankles. She then looked at the cuffs around her wrists. "This is no better…"
She suddenly heard shoes smacking pavement and running towards her. Not good. She gripped the handle the best she could and faced the mouth of the alley as she back up behind the dumpster again. Just as she turned to face the entrance fully a young woman slid into view. She felt her heart skip a beat. It couldn't be her. Not now. Not at this time.
"Rabbit…"
(A/N I wanna cry this took so damn long to write and rewrite. You don't know what I went through. I hope it's okay for what it is. I really did work on this the best I could. Please tell me what you think. Thank you.)
Millie M. Banshee