Does Man Make The Monster?
Chapter 26
Breaking the Rules
(A/N Hey, at the end I have a pretty cool announcement to make. I've created an original story of my own completely of my creation. It's getting close the Halloween season so I figured I'd share it. Please, check that out in the note at the end of the chapter. It can be found on the sister site, FictionPress.)
SOUNDS/sounds
Thoughts
(Last Time)
"I need a sample from you to make that gigai. I just need you to open your mouth for me," he said as she hesitantly opened her mouth and got a good sample with something akin to a swab. "You can close your mouth now."
Akane closed her mouth as Urahara fiddled with his kit a little more.
"Wouldn't it work better with…?" Akane pointed at her body.
"Either," Urahara shrugged. "That's it for now. I'll be back tomorrow and to discuss the modifications. That should be the fun part."
"You'll forgive me if I don't have much enthusiasm about it," Akane said as Urahara closed up the kit.
"Hey, think of it this way, now you can have the body you always wanted. If you wanted brown eyes, now you can have brown eyes, any shade. It'll be that simple," Urahara said, setting the kit on the bedside table and reached for her body. "For now though let's get you back in your body."
"Please!"
Once again Ichigo found himself sitting in his door staring up the stars again. Everyone was asleep given it was the dead of night. He sighed, resting his head against the door frame. If he could sleep like a normal person just for once he'd be super happy. Being alone and left to his thoughts was not a good thing. He reflected a lot on the fight with his family. It had been a few days now and it was still smoldering a good bit. One little thing could set everything on fire again.
Karin and Isshin were still mad at him and poor Yuzu was torn between them as a neutral party. She wasn't siding with anyone and just wanted everyone to forgive and forget. Ichigo would like that, too, but his pride was getting in the way. Isshin was pretty much the same way. It was a fight just to see who would say sorry first. Honestly, it should be him and he knew it. He was the one that wanted to talk and blew up first. He had let his anger and frustrations get the better of him and he just lashed out. Isshin being his father wasn't going to just sit there and take lip from him.
"Idiot…" he muttered in a hushed whisper, squeezing his eyes shut. "That's all I am…"
He slowly opened them as turned to look at ground. He wasn't just confrontational towards his family. He's snapped at a few others such as Jinta the other night and he even had the audacity to snap at Tessai just once. Just once. He was not going to do that again. Thankfully he hadn't snapped at the others. If he actually snapped at someone like Hitsugaya or even Matsumoto things would only take a turn for the worse. Toshiro was tolerant but Ichigo knew better than to risk it.
Maybe he should just give in and tell his family he was sorry. It would finally let things to cool down and burn out. He rubbed the back of his neck as turned to the sky again. He'd do it in the waking hours. He got to his feet and shut the door before walking back to his bed. He knew he wasn't going to fall asleep anytime soon but his neck was getting a crick from looking up at the stars.
He pulled out the cards next to his bed and started setting up a game of solitaire. It was about all he could do. He wasn't in the reading mood and he found no titles that interested him. He was not happy when Matsumoto found it funny to slide in an erotic novel into his weekly book stack.
He in turn slid it into Jinta's own little stack by the door when no one was looking. Ururu found it before Jinta did. She beat him black and blue for something he didn't even understand. She then took it and was currently reading under the covers when she thought Orihime was sleeping. Ichigo was not intending for Jinta to get his butt kicked but he wasn't going to tattle on himself either.
He finished laying out the cards and just began the game when the door slid open, catching him off guard. He snapped his head toward the entrance and saw Toshiro standing in the door. Ichigo had a puzzled look on his face and set the cards down on the floor. This wasn't normal nor was it a good sign. Did he do something he wasn't unwear of? He was pretty sure everything he did was well within the guidelines.
"I hope I'm not bothering you," Toshiro said dryly, stepping in and shut the door behind him.
"Not really, no," Ichigo answered. "I don't really sleep all that much."
"So, I've heard. You hardly sleep much at all," Toshiro said, grabbing a fluffy cushion and sat down in front of Ichigo.
"About 3 to 4 hours. Five on good nights," Ichigo replied still not sure what Toshiro wanted at this early hour. Might as well ask the obvious question. "Is something wrong?"
"Depends… I'm not trying to be nosey and butt into family squabbles but I would like it if you can get this mess cleaned up," Toshiro stated bluntly. "Given that Isshin was the former captain of this squad there are still some people that look up to him. Your petty fight is bleeding out into some of my men and I don't need this to escalate into something it shouldn't be. This private matter of yours could turn into something nasty against you."
"Oh… I see… I didn't know it went that far…" Ichigo breathed, casting his eyes down towards the cards on the floor. "I was already thinking about talking to Dad anyway later this morning."
"I hope you do. You're not the only one I told this to. Your dad knows this as well," Toshiro said. "I want both of you to come to some sort of consensus and bury this argument for good. And I mean for good."
"I understand. I'll get up with dad and fix things," Ichigo nodded. "I didn't think this would expand out…"
"It shouldn't have but it did, unfortunately. I want it nipped in the bud and quickly for everyone's sake," Toshiro warned again. "I know acting like Mr. Perfect is killing you and if I could allot you more freedoms I would. Any more will have to be approved through the head-captain and, if deemed necessary, they go to Central 46 for approval."
Ichigo cringed at the mentioning of C46. Whatever did he do to them to be treated like this? Some of the other Vizards were now holding captain positions once again. What made Ichigo so different from them? Was it really because he was now truly a hollow and they're using that against him? He didn't understand what he did to incur this sort of punishment as he felt it was. He helped save both the Spirit World and the Living World. Not understanding what he did ate at him every single day. He looked back up a Toshiro with a heavy scowl. Maybe he should finally ask this burning question now that no one else was around.
"Level with me, Toshiro. Why am I really treated like this? I'm under the impression that they are doing this only because I'm a hollow and that they are scared of what I might do," Ichigo spoke in a very steady voice. "I don't think that's all of it. I think there's more to it than what I'm being fed."
Toshiro curled his lips into his mouth for a brief moment, contemplating those words. Ichigo was looking for a solid answer. It was true that the Central 46 did fear him. They feared him as much as they did Kenpachi if he should ever cut loose and turn on Soul Society. Despite that the battle crazed captain was still given his freedom to go and do as he pleased. Why was Ichigo, a praise hero, treated so poorly?
Everything Ichigo did in the past he did for everyone's benefit. He went against the grain with his brash actions. Some of those actions of course could be considered questionable but they paid off in the end. Why was the Winter War Hero really put in such a horrible position? Toshiro clicked his tongue and rubbed the back of his neck. It was his title as "the hero" that put him here. If only he could have just stayed human for the rest of his life… Or if just regained his shinigami power things might be vastly different. Part of this was hollow bigotry and it was being used against Ichigo.
"Part of this is bigotry and fear. That much is indeed true," Toshiro finally answered as Ichigo waited for more of an answer.
"Anything else you'd like to add?" Ichigo's face was very cold. "The Vizards have their freedoms and I'm stuck in here under lock and key basically. It makes me sick knowing that."
"I fully understand that…"
"So what is it?"
Toshiro ran a hand down his face and let out a long, breathy sigh.
"It's not that easy to explain."
"Just simplify it the best you can."
Ichigo wasn't going to give up until he had an answer he could hold onto.
"You're a wild card and it's that uncertainty—"
"That's the fear part and I'm very well aware of that."
Toshiro pinched the bridge of his nose. This was not going to land well. He wasn't supposed to say anything about it. It was an order after all. That's all he had to say. It was a gag order and he couldn't break it.
"I'm forbidden from disclosing—"
"Disclosing what? If I know something of the truth it might put my worries to rest."
"Or it might make them worse. You're not supposed to know for your own protection."
"Everything is for my own protection here lately. Why is everything so guarded when it involves me? I would really like to know. It's eating me from the inside out," Ichigo's irate glare deepened as he tried to keep his temper in check around the young captain. "What is it that keeps me subdued like this? Gag orders and protocols be damned, I want an answer, Toshiro."
"I can't divulge anything, Kurosaki!" Toshiro shook his head. "I can't tell you anything more than you already know, end of discussion."
"You can't or you won't?" Ichigo was struggling to contain his temper that much more.
"Both! You'll be better off not knowing why things are the way they are," Toshiro stressed through his teeth. "I can tell you this at least. It was my own screw up and leave it at that!"
Toshiro realize he probably shouldn't have even said that much. Dammit! Ichigo's pulled his lips back into a small snarl as he glared at the small captain.
"What did you do?" Ichigo growled, his talons digging into the floor mats. "Answer me, Toshiro."
Toshiro really screwed this up. If he just got up and left it might cause a scene with Ichigo going after him. That could be disastrous on everyone if that happened. He knew Ichigo wouldn't physically act to but even verbal disagreement with the young captain could put Ichigo into confinement and not under his orders either.
"I opened my damn mouth about you not knowing what the repercussions were going to be! You have to understand that! I didn't know what was to come," Toshiro snapped back, getting to his small feet. "I should have kept you to myself from the start and came up with a different plan! When everything happened I thought I was helping. Isshin wanted a safe haven in case things turned sour and they did. In order to do that, I had to reveal you to the Head Captain and Central 46. Otherwise you wouldn't be here. Honestly, I think you would have been better off not being here."
"What a great time to have hindsight! I'm suffering from these 'repercussions' still not knowing why?" Ichigo hissed. "You opened your mouth, okay. You did it to protect us, fine. But you still haven't actually answered me. Why am I stuck in this shithole?! It's frustrating the hell out of me!"
"You don't need to know for the last damn time," Toshiro yelled. "I've told you more than I should have already! I'm to blame for a lot of this stuff indirectly and I can't fix it. You want to talk about frustration?!"
"Yes, let's talk about frustration since the topic is on the table."
Toshiro and Ichigo turned to the door to see Isshin leaning against the door frame. His arms were crossed and an unpleased scowl on his face. Toshiro was trapped at this point. He had a Kurosaki to the front of him and Kurosaki to the back of him. This was not going to end well.
"Dad?" Ichigo breathed as Isshin walked in and closed the door.
Isshin, however, made sure to lock the door, which was something Toshiro neglected to do. He even put up a barrier for extra measure to keep prying ears out. The young captain wasn't anticipating this bitter discussion and took none of those precautions. This made things private, just how it should be. Ichigo was one thing to deal with but Isshin was another. Isshin knew the inner workings of Soul Society far better than his son. The former captain might still have some strings hanging around here and there that he could pull if need be.
"Just what is really going on, Toshiro?" Isshin asked bitterly, walking over to the young captain and looked down at him. "You opened your mouth about him under the pretense that you were helping us—"
"I was helping and still am but it got out of hand like most things here. You know I would never intentionally hurt you or your family," Toshiro retorted up at Isshin. "If I knew this was going to happen—"
"What?! What happened to put my son into this position?!" Isshin growled out. "I've been wondering that myself since day one."
Toshiro gnashed his teeth in frustration and anger. He knew better than go against the orders of C46. He couldn't open his mouth to say what really was going on. He was trying to save his hide and everyone else's by obeying.
"Answer me," Isshin growled.
"Don't boss me around! You no longer have authority over me need I remind… You… Oh-no…" Toshiro's already pale face blanched even more.
Bad choice of words. Really bad choice of words. Toshiro was quickly slammed into a wall with Isshin holding him up off the ground by the front his uniform.
"Don't pull that rank bullshit with me! Not even once," Isshin growled, pushing Toshiro harder into the wall. "Now! I want you to tell me what's really going on here! You had to report him but what did Soul Society really want out of him for being here?! I'd rather hear it from your mouth than from some shady backdoor rumors."
"I-I can't! I really can't," Toshiro choked out, trying to push off the wall but he could get the leverage to do so. "Please, you have to understand the truth is better not knowing! Put me down!"
"Toshiro, I like you, I really do, but my son comes first in all this. You screwed up and you're screwing yourself over more by not answering me," Isshin barked. "I'm trying to be very civil about this. You may have a child's body but we both know you are far from being one! Why is my son being held like some glorified prisoner?!"
Toshiro knew better than to cross Isshin but did it anyway out of arrogance. He looked away from Isshin and balled his hands up. This was not going to end well. Once the truth was out all hell was going to break loose. He whipped his head around to look at Ichigo.
"I never should have indulged you at all from the start," Toshiro spit out before turning back to Isshin. "Simplified as per request. Atom bombs are powerful and feared weapons! They must remain contained and supervised at all times to prevent accidents! Is that simplified enough for you?"
You could hear a pin drop at that very moment. Isshin said nothing and released his grip on Toshiro's uniform. The young captain landed roughly onto his feet and fixed his clothes. He kept his bright teal eyes focused on the ground and he unconsciously covered his mouth. Well, it was now out in the open. Of course once word got to the head-captain and C46 that he blabbed… Shit was really going to hit the fan now. Screw it at this point.
"They wanted to keep you literally contained and hidden away like a secret weapon. Everyone that knew you struggled to prevent that. I was allotted to keep you in my division…"
"Because we trusted you most?" Isshin asked and Toshiro gave a tiny nod.
"Yes…"
"That's why you've been allowing us to get away with so much shit. You feel obligated to let us sneak around unpunished because of your own damn guilt!"
"I made that clear already. When I first proposed the idea to the Head-Captain he seemed fine with it. But when he told Central 46 they only saw a weapon to prevent another 'Aizen' from rising," Toshiro looked back over at Ichigo. "Being the hero was the worst thing you could be. We kept up the front that you know… We played on the fear and hollow bigotry storyline. They didn't want you to know the truth for very obvious reasons. You're a weapon, a tool to them. All these threats about killing you… You're too valuable to do that. It's a scare tactic to keep you in line if you are to remain unchained. Killing you would be their last resort if they can't get you to conform."
"And what of the rule that said I could go back to the Living World if I felt that I needed to," Ichigo said and Toshiro looked way. "Was that a lie, too?"
"Short periods with escorts only, no contact with old friends, and it has to be cleared. I don't actually see them letting you stay in the Living World. Again you're too valuable to them to just let you slip through their fingers," Toshiro grumbled.
"Technically I'm still living!"
"Technically that means nothing to them! You can't live there anymore. That banishment thing about you leaving to stay there—"
"Another scare tactic?" Ichigo asked and Toshiro nodded.
"It was added on to that long list of rules forced on you. It was a way to make you stay by using your family as a motive," Toshiro shook his head in disgust. "If you fled from Soul Society you'll have everyone out looking for you. Mostly Squad one and two; not a duo you want tailing you. You're tied here and you can't leave on your own power when you wish it regardless of what they told you."
"You knew all this and couldn't tell anyone?" Isshin snapped. "You played a long like everyone else. I can't believe you would do this to us, Toshiro."
"It's not like I had a choice. If I had told you earlier you would have bolted by now and be hunted down by Soul Society. If you ask me that's more terrifying than the CCG," Toshiro snapped back. "Everyone closest to you… Me, Matsumoto, Abarai, Kuchiki, and so on… We'll get the brunt of this as well. Central 46 has a nasty habit of not listening to reason or compromising. If we aren't captured by Central 46 we'd most likely be running right beside you."
Isshin let out a long sigh resting the back of his shoulders against the wall.
"You're just doing your job and I understand that very well. You have to look out for your men in this," Isshin sighed, trying to calm down. "Ichigo, the bottom line is that a lot of high seated officers like Toshiro, Matsumoto, Kuchiki, Abarai, and so on really respect you. I'm guessing any outrageous actions by you will bleed out them."
"I'm not following…" Ichigo looked a little confused. "If it's just me why go after them?"
"We are loyal to the Soul Society there is no doubt about that. It's beat into us the moment we step foot into the academy. However those like Abarai and Kuchiki will follow you if you ask them and a few others without much question. It's the collateral damage thereafter," Toshiro grumbling sitting back down on his cushion. "No matter what generation of Central 46 is ruling… They're still the same. If a few people act up more than double can suffer for it if they deem it. They've gotten worse after Aizen killed the last Central 46. Stricter to the point that a lot of people don't like them. Once bitten twice shy you can say. They are taking every precaution to prevent another disaster."
"I'm still missing the point…" Ichigo's confused expression only deepened. "I'm not a threat. I'd never attack anyone here. I'd rather take the bulk of their rage than have others suffer."
"Your presence back here in Soul Society has started a bit of unrest," Toshiro grumbled. "This is damage control."
"What?" Ichigo looked between his father and Toshiro.
"At the start, this new Central 46 was very popular and more flexible, people liked them. But over time they started to fall out of favor and people started to dislike them a great deal," Toshiro groaned. "We put up with them like the loyal dogs that we are and with this time of peace we didn't do anything about it. So, again to simplify it. Ichigo, you are very popular in Soul Society for your deeds and Central 46 doesn't like the competition."
"So…? They take me in to make them popular again?" Ichigo asked, scratching his head. "They're hiding behind me?"
"Yes, and all the while turning you into a secret weapon under your own nose. Everything dealing with you was just a front for them to ride on your popularity. The bulk of Soul Society thinks that Central 46 is helping you and your family, making them look good," Toshiro breathed, pointing a small finger at Ichigo. "The Captain-Commander and I were trying to help you but leave it to the government to ruin a good thing."
"So, my kid's popular, no surprise there. He is also strong and they fear that. It's just…Why is he so restricted?" Isshin asked, looking down at Toshiro. "Central 46 wants him as weapon which is stupid. They should know by now Ichigo would help Soul Society if they just asked. So why is he…? It's not his strength they fear, is it?"
Toshiro shook his head. It was more complicated that than that.
"Yes they scared of his power but Ichigo is also a low-key political figure if you believe that," Toshiro answered.
"Low-key? What do you mean by that?" Isshin and Ichigo spoke in unison.
"I just stated that Ichigo is popular with a lot of people. Central 46 wants to ride on Ichigo's popularity for their benefit while controlling his influences to the people," Toshiro grumbled and crossed his arms. "If everyone sees Ichigo behaving and following the government's rules they will continue to do the same. If they see Ichigo start acting, well, like Ichigo, people will start questioning the system. It was a gamble on their part as well. They are hoping the pros outweigh the cons."
"So, I have some political power here…? Sweet! Are—are you serious?" Ichigo pointed at himself with the dopiest grin. "Like, really, are you serious?!"
Ichigo seemed to be beside himself in this new bit of knowledge. He never would have imaged such a thing. It was also eating the ruling part alive. Oh, he was going to love this.
"Don't get carried way, Ichigo! I know that look. You're not supposed to know anything of this so don't get excited about it," Toshiro snapped at him. "For now, neither of you know anything about what I just said. If one word, just one, reaches Central 46 hell will rain down upon us."
Ichigo went to open his mouth.
"DON'T GET ANY IDEAS!" Toshiro finished up and quickly Ichigo shut his mouth.
"But we still can use this to our advantage," Isshin pushed off the wall to stand closer to Toshiro and Ichigo. "If Ichigo really is that popular and if we market him right…"
"If. Big if. Central 46 is hell-bent on making sure Ichigo stays under their thumb. If he wriggles out just a little too far… Squish," Toshiro clicked his tongue. "Figuratively and possibly literally."
"Politics, they'll kill ya and I'm the last person to be joking about this," Ichigo grumbled. "Why do I keep upsetting governments to the point they want to ruin me or even kill me?
"Simple. You're a people person, not a government person. You're what the people want and not what the government wants so they'll use and abuse you," Isshin said, sitting down beside Ichigo on his futon. "Toshiro, I was being serious about marketing Ichigo's popularity."
"I know you were. It's risky though. They'll know there was a leak and the first person they'll run to is me and I have no safety net," Toshiro snorted. "It might not be so much as the marketing as it is the timing. People are already sold on him, that's not the problem. It's a matter of when, where, and how. If Central 46 can keep their popularity and Ichigo can build on his… Uh… No… No, it's too far out to be thinking of this."
"C'mon, Toshiro, I need something. I don't want to stay here like this," Ichigo moaned. "I would rather be staring down the barrel of a CCG gun than have to live here as a tool for Central 46."
"I know but you're stuck here right now. If we do try to push you over with the people it will have to be very subtle and at the right time. That could be a long time from now," Toshiro pointed out. "It's not as simple as just charging in and hoping for the best."
"Damn. I miss those days…" Ichigo pouted. "Everyone got away with something…"
"Yeah, there was no Central 46…" Toshiro sighed.
"I know… That's why I miss them…" Ichigo sighed. "By the way… How do you know about the atomic bomb but simple things like juice boxes and convenient store sushi amazes all you guys?"
Toshiro and Isshin looked at like Ichigo suddenly grew an extra head.
"The atomic bomb was something we had to do deal with obviously," Toshiro looked at Ichigo like he was an idiot. "Thousands upon thousands of people died that day and the months that followed from the radiation. It was a historical event, not a modern novelty item."
"Yeah… That really was a dumb question, wasn't it?" Ichigo felt like a fool and looked away from the captain. He even gave a sheepish grin. "That was really dumb…"
"Also… We don't talk about it…" Isshin breathed.
"Like Popo's first rule of training…?(1)" Ichigo grumbled under his breath.
Isshin slowly turned his head to look at Ichigo with a rather nasty glare. Toshiro didn't catch any of it. The young captain only knew it was a joke but didn't understand the context. Isshin slung his arm back and hit Ichigo hard in the back of his head.
"OUCH! What the hell was that for?" Ichigo snapped, holding his ailing head.
"I worked Nagasaki!"
"Sorry, I didn't know! You didn't have to haul off and knock the eyes out of my head for it!"
Isshin huffed and crossed his arms tightly over his chest. He then gave a subtle smirk.
"It's still funny though… Just don't bring it up again, okay…?"
"Yeah, I won't bring it back up…" Ichigo sighed and then sat up straight, realizing something. "Hey, wait a minute! If you worked at Nagasaki just how freaking old are you?"
"How… H-how do you not bother to ask these sorts of questions?" Toshiro gaped at Ichigo. "You did the same thing with me when you didn't know that your father was once my captain."
"I'm dense. I'll admit it," Ichigo snapped at the icy captain and then turned his attention back to his father. "But seriously, Dad, how old are you?"
"Old enough," Isshin grinned, flicking Ichigo in the nose. "And I bet you can't even guess."
"Don't play with me! Seriously, how old are you?"
"I said take a wild guess."
"And other thing! How do you not have radiation poisoning?!"
"Uh, spirit, remember? Different plane of existence."
"We can still touch and move real world things!"
"Still a different plane of existence. Now about your best guess of my age…"
"You are insufferable even at the best of times! Hey! NO! Get off me! Off, Goat Face! OFF!"
Toshiro shook his head at the pair and ran a hand down his tired face again. Isshin had Ichigo pinned the floor and wasn't about to let his push him off. At least the fight between Isshin and Ichigo was resolved. Now he was left with the aftermath of spilling everything to the Kurosaki men. Toshiro knew right now that was only going to make things harder. Now that Isshin and Ichigo knew of the political problems of Soul Society there was no telling what this was going to bring about. He still didn't feel right about blabbing the way he did.
His head was now on the chopping block if something should happen outside the confines of Central 46's rules. Maybe Ichigo still has his luck and things would turn out for the best. Even still Toshiro knew they would have to go through hell to get there. For now only these two would know and hopefully it would stay that way for a long while.
A man in his late-50's stepped outside and locked up his house for the day. He ran his hand over his black hair with a streak of grey on the right. Despite everything going on with his daughter, life still moved on. Hayashi Katsuo headed to work like he always did. It was a good job considering he worked at a bank.
He didn't want to go but the world didn't stop because he wanted it to. He walked a block down to his usual café. It was right next to the bus stop he took to work and it made things easier. He walked in like usual and waited in line. There were 5 people in front of them and the one at the counter seemed to be having a problem with the staff and the product. It had to be one of those people. It was too early for people to be acting like this. What he wouldn't give to at last have a quarter of that man's energy right now.
He felt someone slide in behind him and paid no mind. Hopefully this would be resolved shortly and things could start moving quickly. He had 15 minutes to catch the bus and at the rate this mess was going it might be a while. Maybe he should just forego his morning cup and just leave.
"Mr. Hayashi, correct?"
He turned to look at the woman that was standing behind him. She was pretty young thing with mocha skin, long dark purple hair held up in ponytail, and she had a pair large bright amber eyes. She was very well built, athletic clearly, and had on a great big smile. Not bad. If he was like 30 years younger… Maybe…
"Yes?" he answered, pushing up his red frame glass. "May I assist you?"
"I want to talk to you about something, if that's all right?" she said, her smile never wavering.
"About what…?" he grumbled, narrowing his green eyes at her. "If you're a reporter or some ass from the CCG…"
"Neither…" came her simple reply. "I'm an independent party."
"Tch… Yeah, right…" he turned away from her. "Leave me alone."
"Every year growing up for her birthday you took to the karaoke café 3 blocks from here. She has a small scar on the bottom of her foot from stepping on some broken glass in the kitchen when she was 7," she whispered into his ear and his eyes widened. "She had a pet goldfish all of three days before her curious orange tabby named, Aiko, knocked the tank over and crushed it. The tank's gravel was pink and purple. Do I need to go on, Mr. Hayashi?"
"No… You've made your point," he said, feeling her hand on his shoulder.
"Come with me, please," she cooed in his ear.
She gave his shoulder a small squeeze and out the front door they went. What did this woman want from him? How did she know all that stuff anyway? There was no way she could have known the color of that tank's gravel. He turned his head to talk to her when he felt someone arrive on his left. It was a blond man this time with a strange striped hat. Katsuo was thinking of bolting and getting away from them.
"This is for you. Vanilla latte with two shots espresso and sugar packets," the blond awkwardly handed him his usual drink. "I didn't know you found him that quickly. I barely saw you step out of that café as I arrived and then I had to run to catch up to you."
"Uh, where is this from?" Katsuo asked, looking at the unmarked cup. "Smells good but I'm not just go to…"
"This way," she steered him down into small area just off the main street.
There was a bench waiting for them a little ways off. Okay, this was far enough. He put his feet down and went to fight against her. He had had enough of this. He didn't know who these people were or what they wanted.
"Let go of me," he snapped, only to have both the man and the woman lift up under his arms and carry him the rest of the distance. "That's it! HEEELP! SOMEONE! HEEEELP!
"Cry all you wanted, Hayashi. You're past the barrier wall," she said as they sat him down gently on the bench.
"What do you people want from me? Anybody! Hey! I need help," he called toward road but no one even looked their way.
"I told you they can't hear you. Hell, they can't even see you," she said, reaching into her coat pocket. "You're not being kidnapped—"
"This is the textbook definition of being kidnapped," he bit back.
"Now, I can see where she gets her temper from and her skepticism," the blond snorted, lightly tapping his cane on the pavement. "Hayashi Katsuo, we needed to talk to you without the prying eyes of the CCG watching us. We wanted to let you know that Akane is safe and she wanted to get in contact with you."
Katsuo just stared up at the man dumbfounded and then back at woman as she fiddled with her phone. He slowly turned his attention to the coffee in his hands before setting on the ground. She was safe? Was she really? They had to have had close contact with her to know such things like the scar on her foot and tank gravel.
"Here."
Katsuo looked up and saw the phone presented to him. He hesitated.
"Take it. Go on. It's a secure line."
At the words "secure line" he snatched the device from her fingers and put it to his ear.
"M-moshi moshi…?" he's whole body was starting to tremble.
"Hey, Dad… H-how are you?"
He clamped the free hand over his mouth as he gasped. It really was Akane after all these long weeks.
"Oh… Wh-where are you, sweetie? Are y-you okay?" he asked his eyes started to tear up. "There have been no signs of you in weeks… I was fearing the worst."
"I'm all right for the m-most part, Dad. Really… I'm in a safe place and I'm being taken care of. It's not what I would have—picked but… They mean well and they have been watching over me."
"Wh-where are you now? I-I want to see you! Where are you at?"
"You can't see me. I-I want to see you, too, but not r-right now. The CCG has to be tailing you to see if you h-have had contact with me. These two weirdos operate outside of the norm and thanks to them I can talk to y-you right now."
"Is… Is there any way I can reach you if I-I need to? I don't like this. I don't know how I can help you. Wh-what can I do for you? Just tell me and I'll do it!"
"I-I… I need you… I need you to st-stay strong for the next f-few days. What you're going to see in the news… Don't believe any of it! Do you understand me?! Don't believe what you see or what the CCG tells you! It's g-going to be hard on you but it's not true… This is the only way for me to be free from the CCG and I don't like it any more than you do."
"Y-you're scaring me, Akane. What are you talking about? Sweetie, don't do this to me. Not now. Don't tell me it's some stupid stunt!"
"Well… It's not normal but it really is ingenious once you think about it… Among so many other things… Just know that I am not going to be h-harmed no matter what you see. The CCG will m-most likely bring you in for some questioning after the event. Just… I'm… I'm going to be faking my death and it's going to be hard on you… J-just please understand that no matter what you see or what th-they tell you it's not true. It will happen tomorrow evening around 11. You will most likely get a call within an hour or two of that. W-wait three days after and come to where you are now."
"Akane, this is very stupid of you I don't care what you say! How are you going to do this, huh? I don't understand how you are going to fake your death? I can't see you making something out of it like that fool you were partnered with. You are not even a strong swimmer! And I still can't believe he left you to face this alone! When you need him most he's most likely sitting at the bottom of the bay playing patty-cake with Godzilla!"
"PFT! Hahahahaha! The v-visual of that right now! Hahaha! I'm cr-crying! Hahahaha! I can't get that out of my head! Haha! Oh… Wow… Ha! I-I needed that but… But seriously what I'm going to be doing is f-far more subtle. I'm not going to end up like him, promise. Just know that everything is a fabrication for the CCG's entertainment. If they think I'm dead they will leave us alone and I won't be hunted down anymore. That's why I'm doing this. Otherwise I'll be stuck hiding for the rest of my life. I don't want that. Just let me do what needs to be done."
"Who are you staying with at the very least? Are you staying with these two?"
"No, I'm staying with some others… The two you're with now are the orchestrators of this plan. They are old friends of Ichigo's."
"That doesn't reassure me in the least. Not at all," Katsuo drawled, looking at the odd pair standing around him. "They've pretty much kidnapped me, I'll have you know!"
"We did no such thing," the blond snorted. "We just needed to get you to a safe location to do this."
"You forced out of the café to come here," he snapped back. "And then both of you picked me up and tossed me onto this bench!"
"DAD! Don't exaggerate things!"
"No, no, we did do the last part but we didn't toss him," the blond man said, leaning into the phone a little.
"See?! Exaggerate! Dad, just please follow their instructions or everything will be a total waste. If that happens things might turn out worse not just for me but for those giving me refuge."
"I would just like to know how you are going to fake your death. I just want an idea of how this is actually going to work and how you think this will help. I would like to know the details of this little plan of yours."
"Right now… The less you know the better it's for your own safety. We don't need you to know how it will happen. The shock from you needs to be real. We can't give you any more info than the time we start things."
"I still think this is totally foolhardy on your part, Akane! Why are you go so far with this? Can't you just skip town or something?"
"The CCG has extensive knowledge of family and friends. Anyone close to us is being watched constantly so it's not just you. I can't just run to a cousin's house and hope that things blow over. I'm doing this whether you wish it or not. I just… I just need to know that you'll be there for me when everything is over with. You are the only one to know I'm doing this. I couldn't and wouldn't trust anyone else. Please… Please, Dad, just trust me and those two weirdos with you. Just remember that whatever you see in the following days is not real no matter how much it seems to be. Please, be safe… If things turn out well… I'll be seeing you in a few days."
"I would really like to see you, too, sweetie. I'll do what you want me to but I'm not going to like it."
"I never said you had to like it! I just need you to cooperate with me and these guys!"
"And I never said I wasn't! Don't get snappy with me!"
"I'm not getting snappy with you since it was you that started it! You're turning this into an argument!"
"I'm doing no such thing! So don't take that sassy tone with me either!"
"You're infuriating and I love you!"
"You're obnoxious and I love you, too!"
"Good bye!"
"Bye! Here's your damn phone!"
Katsuo handed the phone back to the woman who quickly hung it up. He sat on the bench with his arms crossed, looking rather huffy. The pair sighed. That was one way to end a conversation they guessed. They had never seen that before. The woman put the phone up and fixed her coat.
"Is she really going to be okay doing this plan of yours?" Katsuo asked, looking at the woman and then at the man. "I want no actual harm coming to her! None! Do you understand me?!"
"Quite well, Mr. Hayashi," the man replied, dryly. "Tomorrow around 11pm we will kick start everything into motion. Three days after that we need you to come back here around 9:30 at night. We and your daughter will be waiting for you. Remember, all that happens from here and until then is fake. Not matter how real it seems to you, understand that your daughter is safe. Have faith in us and in your daughter."
"You're not going to tell me anything either about what you have planned for her, right?" Katsuo asked as the man and woman shook their heads. "I figured as much. If I do find out that you've hurt her I'll chase you down myself!"
"You're going to be at the back of a very long line. The CCG is looking for us, too, which is why we're not dropping our names as a precaution for you," the man said, straightening his hat.
"That makes me feel sooo much better… Tch… So you know… Uh, knew her partner, Kurosaki?" he asked, looking at the blond.
"I like to think I'm a good friend of his. Even taught him how to fight when he was younger," he hummed only to get elbowed by his friend.
"It's was more of a joint effort," she stated. "Don't take all the credit."
"True, true…" he nodded.
"Do you know why he did it?" Katsuo asked, looking at the pair in front of him. "Akane was downright sick after it. I suggested she stay with me for a while but she decided to remain at her apartment. I do live clear across the city and for work she needed to stay there. That was her excuse. There was a controversy around it. The 'official' cause was poor mental health. Akane just felt that wasn't it to some degree but isn't denial part of grieving?"
"Denial is most certainly part of grieve process. It's not uncommon to have such thoughts," the man said.
"But was that really why he jumped?" Katsuo asked, narrowing his eyes.
"A little. Most of it was physical, which caused some of the mental issues," he answered, dully. "I guess you could say he was battling a childhood illness. It went dormant and came back suddenly."
"Cancer?"
"No, but it was devastating to his body none the less."
"I see…"
The aging father sighed again. That made a little bit more sense he guessed. He liked Ichigo but he didn't like Ichigo. It was an odd mix. He didn't like Ichigo for being brash and so forward with him. His initial thought of the man was that he was a punk. He looked it with his spiky, bright orange hair and the way he carried himself. He was an overall goofball. It didn't help that he noticed Akane might have had a little something for him, which irked him, too. Katsuo had a certain expectations and Ichigo wasn't matching his ideal model of a man for his daughter. He was also 8 years younger than her and Katsuo wanted someone older for her.
Over those few short years his daughter was partnered with Ichigo, the young man started to grow on him. He had a strange sort of endearment to him he had missed on their first meeting. His forwardness was just blunt honesty and that goofiness was just his personality he wasn't being rude. His brashness was a just his passion to help others regardless how he went about it. It was all in or nothing. Despite all that he still wasn't his ideal model for his daughter. She never acted on anything and he seemed oblivious to it. They kept their partnership professional, which Katsuo was thankful for.
When he heard about the suicide that morning he gave his daughter a call to see how she was feeling and to see what happened. He called in such a panic that he didn't watch the full report. His knees hit the ground when she told him that she watched the whole thing and couldn't reach him in time. It had hit him hard, too, but it just tore Akane to shreds. She said she went to jump after him despite not being the best swimmer. Another investigator had to hold her down and talk sense into her. She later put up a front to push through work.
"He was interesting… I've never seen such a person. He was the biggest damn goofball I'd ever seen," Katsuo grumbled.
"He's mellow compared to his father, I can assure you," the woman answered, Katsuo looked at her in shock. "But when Ichigo needs to face something important he's dead serious and a sheer force to be feared."
"Well, she often said that he wasn't as goofy as he appeared to be," Katsuo said, shaking his head. "I can't see him as being anything other than that."
"Ichigo can also be moody and melancholy," she replied. "He wears many different faces. He just chose to show you his more happy-go-lucky side."
"Maybe… What else do I need to do? To prepare for?" he asked, leaning back on the bench.
"This is going to be all verbal so I hope you have a good memory. We don't need a paper trail," the blond said, taking in a deep breath. "You already know that you need to act like the grieving father and I don't see you screwing that up. Follow the CCG's instructions on how to handle her and all that. When you arrive at 9:30 3 days from now we're going to have to explain more things to you but your daughter will be waiting for you, unharmed."
"When you said 'handle her…?' What does that mean?" he asked, scrutinizing the blond. "It sounds like they're going to have a body… How the hell is that not hurting her, huh?!"
"Uh… Well… Maybe just a brief…?" the man tapped his cane lightly on the ground.
"Very brief…" she shrugged. "Just to get the idea, perhaps. No more."
"Fair enough," the blond grinned and picked his cane up off the ground. "This isn't going to hurt."
The woman walked to Katsuo's other side. He shrunk back in his seat. What were they going to do to him? The man flipped his cane around parallel with the ground and pointed it at his face. Katsuo saw a strange emblem on the end; a strange skull in black, white, and blue flames.
"You're not going to hit me with that, are you?!" he jumped to his feet. "Now hold just a—"
He never got to finish his sentence when the cane slammed into his forehead. He stumbled back to the ground just missing the woman as he went. He forced himself to sit up on his elbows to look at them. Not going to hurt his ass! He looked over at the woman seeing her holding up his limp body from under his arms. Wait a minute his body? That was him? Was that really him? He sat up the rest of the way as she stood over him with his lifeless body. He just stared in shock unmoving, unsure of what to do.
"Hold still," she said, moving in a closer.
He snapped out of his daze as he leaned over with his body.
"Wait! What are doing n—"
A moment later he found himself face down on the cold ground. He sat up with a start and began feeling every bit of his body; his face, shoulders, chest, sides, and legs. Nothing seemed out of place. He heart was just racing and his breathing was heavy. What was that just now? He started to breakout in a cold sweat and he turned to look back at the pair behind them. His face scrunching up a anger.
"What the h-hell did you just do to me?!" he yelled in fear and anger. He clambered to his feet to face them directly, hands balled into tight fists. "There was no way you could have been holding me…! I was on the ground so how did you get that duplicate…?! Who the fuck are you people?!"
The pair looked at each other and then back at him with knowing grins. Katsuo took a shaky stepped back away from them. This was more than just uncomfortable.
"We're the people that are going to save your daughter," the man said with a smug tone. "And what I did to you just now… Is only step one of our plan to free her from the rabid dogs planning to rip her apart."
"I'm still mad at you," Karin snapped, driving a finger into Ichigo's chest. "Did you actually say sorry to our old man or not?!"
"What does it matter?!" Ichigo snapped back, pushing her hand down. "It's water under the bridge now! It's over and done with so stop catching an attitude with me, Karin!"
"It matters to me! Did you or did you not actually say sorry?!" she barked. "You're not giving me a straight answer so I'm going to go with, no, you didn't!"
Ichigo rolled his eyes and walked around her having enough. She hadn't talk to him all day and now just after dinner decides to speak her mind. Too bad curfew wasn't for another 2 hours. He didn't want to hear and put up with her bitching for that long.
"Don't just walk away when I'm talking to you," she huffed, putting her hands on her hips.
"You're not talking to me you're fussing at me. There's a large difference," Ichigo grumbled and kept moving. "It's over with. Just drop it and leave it alone. And me, too, for that matter."
"I just want to see you actually say it to him," she stumped after him as he hurried to the sanctuary of his room. "Don't think going to your room is going to stop me. The door is not soundproof."
"Oh, how I wish it wa-a-as," Ichigo said in an irritated but sing-song voice. "You're getting on my last nerve."
"You've spent all of mine! Just walk up to him and say you're sorry. I'll leave you alone after that," she spat, grabbing the back of his shirt. "Don't be pigheaded!"
He stopped and faced her directly. She was just asking for it. He glared down at her and opened his mouth. He quickly snapped it shut with a hard gnashing of his teeth. He was biting his tongue something fierce. If he said what he was thinking it would only start another war. Not only that but she was liable to sucker punch him in the teeth for it.
He growled at her before he turned around in a huff. He hurried his pace even more but she dogged his every step. He was not getting away from her anytime soon it seemed. It might be subdued a great bit but he could still use sonido and leave her in the dust. She couldn't follow him then. He debated but she would be bitchier when she caught up to him again.
"Ichigo, stop right now," she demanded.
Ichigo just decided to break into a simple run. He wasn't that far from his room and even at an average speed he was just out of her reach.
"Get back here," she hissed, following him with her arm out stretched hoping to grab a fist full of cloth.
He didn't even turn to look at her. His bedroom door was wide open. He jumped the two small steps and slid in a little. He quickly whipped around and went to shut the door. She managed to get a foot and arm in the door first. He tried to push be back out as she fought to keep the door open.
He saw the board to lock the door not too far from him. He reached out with his foot and tried to grab it with his toes. If he could force her out, hopefully without hurting her, he'd be able lock the door and keep her out.
"Let me in, idiot," she demanded, getting a little more leverage to opened the door as Ichigo stretched farther and farther to get the board with his foot. "It just simple request!"
"I'm not letting you in just so you can bitch at me more," he retorted, putting his hand on her face and tried to force her back. "I don't want to hurt you so just do us both a favor and back down!"
"OUCH!"
"I'm sorry!"
He quickly let go of her in a panic only to have her grab his horn and pull hard! He clunked his head on the door and frame as she pulled his head outside the room.
"OWW! Damn it, Karin! Don't pull on me like this," he yelped, now fighting to stay in his room as she put her full weight into pulling. "Owowowww! My ne-e-eck! Ah! Stop it! C-cut it out!"
Suddenly she did just and backed away from the door. She had a horrified look on her face as she bowed awkwardly and bolted away from his room. Ichigo fell back onto his butt, rubbing his abused horn and then his neck. What the hell? She didn't have to get that physical with him. He slammed the door close and finally grabbed the lock. He slipped the board into the track and let out a very long heavy sigh of relief. She was finally gone at long last. He closed his eyes and fell over backwards to the floor as he caught his breath.
"Shit, I hurt like hell… Why does she have to be in full bitch-mode this evening…?"
"Ahem!"
Ichigo snapped his eyes open, spun over onto his stomach, and propped himself onto his elbows. In the chaos he never even registered that someone was in the room with him. That would explain why Karin bowed and ran away clear out of the blue. He craned his head up to see her Honor, Oshima and her guards. Captain Unohana and Toshiro were also in the room. They were all looking at him with a mixture of worry, horror, irritation, and amusement. One poor guard was holding this mouth closed to keep from laughing out loud. The all mighty hollow was just manhandled by his little sister.
"Uhhh…" he just laid there in a stupor at his unexpected guests.
"Kurosaki, up… Up…" Unohana half whispered and subtly made a gesture to sit up.
"Huh…? Oh! Oh, shhh…," Ichigo snapped to attention and pulled his knees under his stomach and bowed keeping his head facing the floor. "Y-your Honor, Oshima, good evening! I apologize that you h-had to witness that just now. I-I was not aware of your presence or th-that you would be arriving this evening. Please, excuse my rudeness and lack of attentiveness just now."
You're really laying it on thick, aren't you? Toshiro mentally grumbled. Thankfully she seems to find this whole thing amusing and hopefully she'll forgive it.
"Your younger sister, I presume. I have two of my own so I know the struggle of being the eldest," she sighed, brushing a bit of hair from her face. "As for me arriving this is my usual inspection day and time."
"Oh… I'm sorry, your Honor, it clearly slipped by mind," he spoke into the floor. "I wouldn't have dawdled arriving here otherwise."
"You had your hands full and I'll overlook it just for the entertainment of that. Just don't make a habit of forgetting and being tarty," she said, taking a few steps towards him. "You may stand, Kurosaki."
Ichigo got to his feet and stood up straight. She circled him as she studied him. She checked his mask and claw caps. She wanted to make sure everything was how she left him the last time they met. Nothing seemed out of place and Unohana hadn't reported any new or worsening health issues. Well, majors ones at least.
"Captain Hitsugaya, other than that incident just now, has he been behaving accordingly?" Oshima asked, turning to look at Toshiro.
"Yes, your Honor, he has been following his instructions perfectly. There was a small family issue these last few days. The bulk has been resolved and what you witnessed just now was just a small holdover," Toshiro answered. "It should clear up shortly."
Toshiro gave Ichigo a hard look that said, "fix it and fix it soon." He might as well or Karin wasn't going to leave him alone be anytime soon.
"How is your face faring since the adjustments?" she asked, looking at Ichigo's face.
"The issue has cleared up, your Honor," he answered.
"That's good… Have you been dealing with any other personal issues?" she inquired.
"No, your Honor. Just what Captain Hitsugaya has already stated," Ichigo replied. "I have no other personal issues at this time."
"Well, then it seems everything is in order. Your living quarts look very tidy," she said, looking around.
"He's good a keeping this area clean, naturally. I also do inspections regularly to make sure everyone maintains their area," Toshiro spoke up.
"I'm glad to hear it. Yes, I think I'm done here this evening," Oshima said, looking Ichigo up and down one last time. "You do look tired though."
"I'm fine, your Honor. I just didn't sleep that well last night," Ichigo answered, trying to look a little more awake.
"You look a little too haggard for it to be just one night," she mumbled under her breath. "Captain Unohana, tell me… Has he been getting enough sleep?"
Ichigo struggled to keep a straight face and not to twitch. Damn it!
"He does suffer from a bit of insomnia at times. We've been working on remedying the problem," she answered. "It's been a slow process. Other than that there's nothing else, your Honor."
"Insomnia, huh?" she looked at his tired face again. "Are you anxious about something?"
"No, your Honor. It was just because of the fight and I'm still adjusting to this place," he said as she put a hand and his chin and turn head from some to side to study him.
"You've been here quite some time now, Kurosaki, to still be adjusting to living in Soul Society," she pointed out and let go of his jaw. "If you have an issue and wish to address it do so now."
Oh, he had plenty of issues but he couldn't complain about them. They may just impose more rules on him and restrict him that much more. He wanted to scream it all out at the top of his lungs but kept his tongue locked up tight. Telling her the truth would most like condemn him. He couldn't and wouldn't risk what little happiness he had.
"That frown of yours just deepened," she noted. "What is troubling you, Kurosaki?"
"M-minor issues," he said as she tried to look him in eyes but he kept turning them from her. "They're nothing of great importance, your Honor,"
"Yes, but what are they?" she hummed.
Toshiro opened his mouth but quickly shut it as not to make a serious mistake. Unohana was pressing her lips together as well as she watched the situation unfold. If Ichigo didn't answer Oshima it could end poorly for him. If she was kind she'd drop the matter and leave it be without repercussions. It was obvious to everyone that spent any time around him to know what his "troubles" were. One was literally staring him in the face at this very moment.
"Kurosaki, I'm asking you a direct question," she stated, grabbing his chin again and forced him to look at her. "What is bothering you so we can get it remedied?"
"First, your Honor, can you please get off my foot?" he asked as she looked down.
Her eyes widened a bit. She actually was standing on his foot. She lightly lifted her foot off his toes and set it back down a couple inches away. She turned her attention back to him.
"I was not aware. I do apologize. Now, can you actually tell me what is bothering you?" she repeated. "If I have to ask you again you won't like the outcome of defying me."
He wasn't going to like the outcome regardless. Damned if did and damned if he didn't. He looked over to Toshiro and Unohana. They couldn't do anything to help him either just from the way they were looking at him. Oshima looked like she was growing more irritated by the second at Ichigo's silence. He didn't know what to do. He couldn't get out of this mess no matter how much he wanted.
"Kurosaki," she almost hissed and squeezed his jaw. "You're not going to answer me?"
"They're just personal issues," he spoke just to fill in the dead space. "That's all they are. I'm trying to sort them out little by little."
"Enough excuses. This is your last chance," she warned.
Unohana and Toshiro felt the guards around them tense, ready to act on orders. There wasn't one damn thing they could do. Oshima wasn't taking Ichigo's mediocre answer. He couldn't just blurt out that it was Central 46's tyrant hold on him. In this case silent might be golden.
She ripped her hand from his chin and stepped backed from him. Ichigo's body tensed knowing that something bad was about to come.
"Isolation," she snapped, turning to look at Toshiro. "Isolation and constant guard for a month. I'll be kind enough to leave him in this room. Do I make myself clear, Captain Hitsugaya?"
"Yes, your Honor, Oshima," Toshiro reluctantly bowed.
"Okumura, Shimamoto, Murai. You are now assigned to watch him over for the month," she said, looking at 3 of her 7 guards. "I'll rotate you out with others come morning."
"Understood," they chanted in unison.
They rushed forward and grabbed Ichigo, forcing him to the ground. He didn't even struggle in the least. She looked down at him as he just stared blankly at the floor.
"Maybe by the next time I see you you'll be a little more willing to answer when a question is given," she said with a bitter tone. "I'm far more lenient than the others. Be thankful I make the visits."
She looked around the room a little more. Her own frown deepening.
"Remove everything but what he needs," she ordered. "I'll be back in the morning to make sure everything is cleaned out."
"Yes, your Honor," Toshiro said with another bow.
"I shall take my leave now. I want you to adhere exactly to my instructions, Captain Hitsugaya," she said, turning towards the door as her remaining entourage circled her.
"I will, your Honor, and I'll make sure my squad and his loved ones know them as well. There will be no leniency should an order be broken," Toshiro affirmed.
"Take this time to reflect, Kurosaki," she said, looking over her shoulder one last time at him.
A guard opened the door for her as she stepped out of the room. Toshiro let out a faint sigh and looked at Ichigo while trying to hide his sympathy. Unohana had to do the same as they walked around him and towards the door. They stepped out without a second glance. The guard closed the door and locked it.
"Move to the corner," one ordered.
Ichigo walked to the empty corner without a fight. They searched him for weapons before going through all of his things as he remained staring at the wall. His anger was starting to get to him as he heard his room being ransacked. It wasn't too long before some of Toshiro's men arrived to start aiding in cleaning out the place. He couldn't look or speak to anyone.
Within minutes his room was stripped bare. He was ordered to step back from the corner. All he had left were a few lamps, his clothes, his bed, and toiletries. Everything else was gone. The door was shut and locked from the outside. The windows were covered and a barrier sealed the whole room off. There wasn't even one guard to sit with him. He just shuffled to his destroyed bed and slowly sat down. The room was dark save for the few lamps.
Maybe this was lenient. Actually it was, compared to where he could be sitting now. What would have happened if he actually told her the truth? He felt that it would have been a great deal worse. He pulled his legs to his chest and rested his head on his knees. One whole month stuck in this room and not allowed to talk to one single soul.
He raised his head and glared daggers at the door. His anger slowly grew more and more, since he knew the actual truth now. They were setting him up for failure. They really were trying to subdue and control him like Toshiro had mentioned. This wasn't right. After all the shit he went through and everything he sacrificed for them. This was what he got for his efforts? He was the shiny metal they wore and the secret weapon that they were keeping under lock and key.
"One month, huh?" he whispered to himself with a nasty grin on his lips. "Fine… If what Toshiro says is true and when I get out of here… I'll give them a reason to fear me."
(A/N So, that's the end of this chapter. I hope you all like this one. The tone at the end turned a bit dark, didn't it? Anyway, as I mention earlier I have a story out on FictionPress. Given that it's close-ish to Halloween I decided to drop a Creepypasta. What? I wrote a Creepypasta? Yes, I did. I've worked on it since March if you believe that. I've just been tweaking it this whole time and finally posted it a little while ago. Now my name on FictionPress is the same here Millie. M. Banshee and the title is Little Miss Lolly-Pop. If you like slashers this is just for you. Thank you, buh-bye!"
(1) For those that might not get the joke about "Popo's first rule of training" I'm going to direct you to Team Four Star's abridged series of Dragon Ball Z. Mr. Popo in the abridge series is not a nice person and is secretly an all-powerful evil being. The joke comes from when he's training the Z Warriors for when the Saiyans arrival on Earth. One of Mr. Popo's first rules of training is not to talk about it. Poor, poor Krillin.
Bonus Short
Second Chances
Urahara walked into the old house with Yoruichi as his side. Ryoko followed in behind them a bit puzzled as to what they wanted with her at this late hour. They used this poor house for just about everything it seemed. It did serve its purpose and there was no doubt about that. Now that they were here again she wanted to know what they were keeping secret.
"So, Fueguchi…" Urahara hummed and turned to face her. "I'm pretty sure you want to know why we brought you all the way here in the middle of the night."
"Yes, I would. Um, don't you need to be heading back to Soul Society for tomorrow morning?" she asked.
"In a little while," he stepped up closer to her. "Before we go we have something we wish to show you."
"Okay, what?" she asked as he and Yoruichi walked to the distant corner of the room.
"I hope you don't mind but while we were here off and on I started thinking about something," he said, facing her again. "And so I began to work on a little project outside everyone's eyes. Only Yoruichi and I know of this. Basically, when you weren't paying much attention Yoruichi and I were gathering little traces of you via your blood."
She touched the deep gash that circled his whole neck. She looked at him rather oddly as to what he what he was talking about.
"My blood?" she asked and he nodded.
"Yes, you see… I'm truly a good man at heart and I knew that I needed to help you in some way," he motioned her to come closer. "I'm giving you a choice. If you agree I'll give it to you and if you don't I'll just destroy it."
She was apprehensive as Yoruichi pulled a moldy panel away that was propped up against the wall. She then reached out and pulled off a black cover from a large item on the floor. Ryoko gasped and took a few panicked steps back. Tears started to build in her eyes as she looked at what sat on the floor.
"We didn't think it was fair that only Akane got her second chance," Yoruichi said, reaching out and gently took a lock of pale blond hair into her hand. "This gigai is yours should you wish to take it."
Ryoko collapsed to the filthy floor as she started in shock at her very own gigai. Where they actually offering her this? Could she have her life back and reunite with her daughter at long last? The body and face looked just like her but the blond hair was longer and had a nice gentle wave to it. The half opened eyes were a deep, stunning violet. There was even a cute little beauty mark under her left eye. Her mouth lightly hung agape as she studied it.
"We had to tinker with a few things but she's all yours if you want her," Urahara said stepping up to Ryoko and held his hand out.
"Aren't y-you going to get into trouble f-for this?" she asked as Urahara helped her back up to her feet.
"Oh, we'll get one hell of a tongue lashing, there's no doubt about that, but he won't hurt you," Urahara said, bringing her closer to the gigai.
"He who?" she asked, looking between them.
"Captain Hitsugaya," Yoruichi answered.
"Oh, him…" she breathed.
"Yes, him. Now, all you have to say is yes or no," Urahara said, patting her shoulder.
She looked at the gigai up and down as it sat on a sheet and dressed in nothing but a white robe. She could have a second chance that's all she cared about. Her tears started to flood her eyes more and pour down her cheeks.
"Y… Y… Y-Yes! I'll do it just so I can hold my baby again!"
Millie M. Banshee