…A Good Deed…

/Warning/: This chapter contains, cursing, sadness, maybe fluff, Ichigo being a BAMF while glaring at people, Byakuya nearly break his Kuchiki's façade to scream his head off, and the secrets will be out! And who knows what! All the reviews are appreciated.

"Talking"

"Thinking"

…Flashbacks or dreams…

"Zanpakuto or Hollows talking"

Chapter 2

If one thing was ever known, it was that Kuchiki Byakuya wasn't fazed by anything or anyone, he was just a… well, a rock… unchanged no matter what took a place in front of him, no matter how gory it was, bloody, painful, or God forbid if something was cute, the man will still look like how he did in the morning, looking at you with a blank face and bored eyes, making you feel like you were two inches tall, and that this was not your place, and that was on his good days, you don't even want to cross the man when he had a bad day… everyone was at the end of that look, even the Sou-Taichou, and everyone was affected by it to some extent, though the only one who didn't seem like he was even bothered by it was the Sou-Taichou.

So to actually see the man displaying some emotions on his face publicly? Well, that was the day the world was going to end, everyone agreed on that and all the Captains shook on it, even Ginrei and the man they were talking about was his grandson, but the said grandson was displaying emotions on his face! He was gazing at the hollow in front of him with wide eyes and dropped jaw, and that was more concerning then anything, they can even see the Sou-Taichou taking a battle stance as if he was ready to help, which made all the Captains tense.

"Why did you help us?" Yamamoto Sou-Taichou questioned, which made the orange-haired Espada turn his pinning gaze from Byakuya to the old man, a dark smile taking over his face making everyone shift, especially when the rest of the Espada behind the man did nothing but look at them with bored looks as if being here was beneath them.

"Oh, don't get me wrong, but I didn't help you because of the kindness of my heart." The Espada stated putting a hand on his chest in mockery, which made the Sou-Taichou press his, lips tightly together, creating a thin line. "The only reason we 'helped' as you liked to say, is because we were already planning to kill Aizen, the man messed with the wrong crowd, and obviously he wouldn't leave unscathed for the treasons he did against us." Cero Espada explained, a scowl taking over his face as he snorted his eyes glanced at Byakuya before returning to the commander with a cruel smile. "You did make a good distraction though, don't be harsh on yourselves." These words made the Sou-Taichou snarled and take a step toward the Espada, but the orange-haired man only grinned widely showing his sharp teeth.

"You killed many good men and women today! And you are telling me that you used us as a distraction?" Everyone can feel the anger rolling out of the old man in waves suffocating them, making lesser Fuku-Taichou shake in their places as they backed away from the angry man lest they became his target.

"And you killed billions of us, good and bad, but we didn't cause a revolution against you." A woman with green wavy hair stated, rolling her eyes at the commander, before inspecting her gloved hand in wonder, her words making everyone tense. "Some Hollows are good, some are bad, but the common thing between us is that we didn't ask to be turned into monsters, but we did because you were weak and inefficient, unable to protect those who needed help or simply refused, so we went to live in Hueco Mondo devouring the bad of our kind hoping to lessen the burden of protecting souls, but what did we get? You end up doing raids on us every year, to kill our mates and children, attacking us even when we wanted nothing but peace, so I think a small number of you being killed won't affect you that much, after all, you are like cockroaches." The woman hissed as she turned her poisonous green eyes to the commander like she was ready to attack.

The woman's words made the rest of the Espada tense, like they were ready to fight, like being reminded of what the Shinigami does to them, made their blood boil, but a harsh look from the Cero Espada made them flinch and back away, exposing their necks to the man and relax their stand, and it made everyone wonder how strong the man truly was if he was able to gain submission by a glance. "As Nel Tu said, those who die today, are a small price for the billions of Hollow you travel to Hueco Mondo to kill, if you were really a good people as you always claim, then kill the Hollow that infests the human world, those are the one who you should be wasting your Shinigami on, not the innocent of my people who wanted a peaceful life." The doubts and fear start crossing over a few Shinigami's faces at the words they heard, wondering if they were true.

"We are not killing them! We are purifying them so that they will be able to enter Soul Society and live their lives in peace and happiness!" Sou-Taichou tried to explain, tried to make the man see it from his point of view, after all, they weren't bad people, they sower to protect all souls, even if they were Hollows! And the only way to purify Hollows is by breaking their masks with their Shinigami Zanpakuto.

"That is the most delusional case I had the misfortune of hearing in my long-ass life, and I spent the last year with Aizen, which by the way he was far away from a pleasant company." Those words were followed by a blink and an eyebrow-raising from the Cero Espada, making the commander grit his teeth. "Did it ever... I don't know… occurs to you, that the Hollow you 'Purify' was pregnant? The child will not survive and will die, or maybe you never thought that you were killing a child, a father? A mother? A sibling? Did it never cross your mind?" That gained the man nothing but silence which made him nod his head at the silence that he heard. "You know, we could have been content to watch Aizen finish you off and then kill him, it wasn't like it was a hardship, the man was weak even with that shiny stone he has, but unlike you, we are creatures who stand by our vows and promised, and I promised him…" He pointed at Byakuya who was avoiding looking at anyone in the eye while shifting in his place. "…That if he ever needed me, I will be there to help, though I never expected that he will become one of you, not after what happened, you really do delude your young." The Espada huffed, looking at Byakuya with narrow eyes like he was waiting for the man to explain himself.

"How… how do you know Kuchiki-San?" Ukitake spoke after he saw that Byakuya was clinching his Zanpakuto hard like he was deep thoughts with no way out of the dark place he threw himself into, and that made the man concern, considering that he never saw Byakuya if he wasn't confident to take on the world by himself.

The Espada turns his gaze to the man with the white hair and he gave a sharp smile like he was going to destroy someone with the next words he planned on saying. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Those were the Espada's words and everyone knew that it was just mocking words that no one will get the answer they wanted from.

"If I remember correctly, you have paid your debts to me a long time ago, meaning that killing Aizen was a way for us to be indebted to you... but as the two of us agreed I will be the one responsible to for paying the debt, and you know I stand by my word." Byakuya finally spoke, sheathing his Zanpakuto as he did, an action that made the Captains' eyes widen because if Byakuya sheathed his Zanpakuto, it meant that he doesn't want any fighting to take a place, but they don't even know Cero Espada will stab them in the back, everyone was shocked at Byakuya'a actions and all refuse to act as careless as the dark-haired man.

The Espada gazed at Byakuya with amusement coloring his face. "Maybe, maybe not, or maybe I decided to help out of the kindness of my heart…" The sharp smile was back again when the man said those words, looking at Byakuya challenging him to say otherwise, which to their surprise the man did speak after rolling his eyes.

"Whatever 'Kindness' you had in your heart, I am sure it vanished a long time ago after that day, you are not the kind of person to let go of your grudges, it's in your feline nature." Byakuya replies dryly, which made the Cero Espada pause for a second, before he was laughing, and not a mocking laugh but a genuinely amused one, and everyone was shocked at that, and a little scared to be honest, and when the Captains turned to the Espada they saw the same expression on their foes' faces.

"You know what, I like him." Peep the woman with green hair 'Nel Tu' as the Cero Espada called her after a while, the words she spoke made all the Espada tilt their heads to look at Byakuya before giving hums and glances to their fellow Espada female like she was crazy which she ignores, though the pale Espada with the green eyes was glaring daggers at the Captain.

"Ichigo…?" A voice choked, which made everyone turn behind to look at Shiba Isshin who finally return from his mission of removing the injured to a safe place, the man was gazing at the Cero Espada like he was seeing a ghost, his hands were shaking as he took a step after the other as tears clouded his eyes. "I-is that really you, Ichigo?" The man's voice cracked as he asked that question.

The Espada tilted his head, gazing at the man like he was wondering where did he saw him, it wasn't long before the Espada's eyes widen, but he blinks a few times as if trying to regain himself. "…Kurosaki Isshin?" Those words were spoken with uncertainty, but their effect was great as they saw the man sob and rushed to pull the Espada in a tight hug, something that everyone, Espada and Shinigami tensed at, but when the Cero Espada didn't react badly to the connection the Espada relaxed and gazed at the man who was hugging their leader with strange looks while glancing at each other with confusion…

This was going to be a long day… Yamamoto thought…

"Where are we going, Kaa-San?" The chatters of excitement filled the car, causing a pleasant background noise to everyone, especially when the car was filled with nothing but light conversation and laughter, jokes and reassuring words, making hearts warmed and expand with happiness, the question made the two adults gaze at each other with a knowing smile, and the man turned his attention to the road as the woman turned in her seat to gaze at her son who was looking at them with excitement shining in his eyes.

And that more than anything made the woman own smile widen and happiness to take over her, she was so happy and grateful to see that look on her son's face, especially when he was so sick for two weeks, not a week ago, making her hold into her tears as she held his hand reassuring him that when he gets better they will go on a picnic and enjoy their time, he just has to get better, and their boy did, he got better, and he was with them now, excitement shining in his eyes making the woman glance at her husband who nodded before turning to the child to tell him the exciting news.

"We promised you all a picnic in Karakura's national park when you get better Ichigo." The woman said those words gently, and those words were followed by happy squeals from the children as they all jump in their seats, chattering and making plans about what they were going to do, Karin and Yuzu talked about collecting flowers to make Ichigo a crown, while Ichigo puffed his small chest and informed them about his plan to go on a treasure hunt, and maybe even catch a fish or two, which made Karin and Yuzu squeak and plead with their brother to take them with him, the five years old too attached to their brother that they left their original plan just in hope of following him around like ducklings.

"Beautiful… isn't it Masaki?" The man said as he gazed at the children through the review mirror, causing the woman to smile and give a chuckle when the small girls start pulling their brother's arms, both of them wanting their brother to be on their side, which did nothing but cause the boy to pout at that, promising that he will do one activity with each girl before he went on his treasure hunt.

"Yeah, it is, Isshin, it is…" The woman breathed out as she gazed at the children with a gentle look in her eyes, taking in how the three of them laughed together and annoyed each other in the name of fun, with no care in the world, no fear, only the fun and happiness they are feeling at this moment.

.

"Don't go too far!" Masaki called out as she and her husband sat their camp, her words made the children call out in affirmative as they ran around the place, even going as far as to splash in the stream they decided to camp near, the childish action only succeeded in making the woman chuckled and shook her head, especially when Isshin nearly ran to join the children if she hasn't pulled him back to help, ignoring his pout and pleas with her.

"Come on Ichi-Nii, this is the best spot to gather flowers!" Yuzu squealed as she jumped into the flower bed not that far from their camping spot, and Ichigo nodded his head at her words as he surveys the place, making sure that the two girls won't wander too far and hurt themselves, even when there were iron rails that stopped people from going near the edge of the cliff that was not far from their spot.

"Karin! What are you doing, come back!" Ichigo called out when he saw that his sister was away from the two, gazing at the cliff with a frown on her face. "Karin, what are you doing? Kaa-San said to not go there come on, Yuzu is waiting." Ichigo spoke softly as he pulled the girl back when she starts walking to the rails, not wanting his mother to hear them and punish them for disobeying.

"But… but Ichi-Nii! There is a girl standing on the edge, look!" Karin pointed to the girl, with wonder in her eyes, wondering why a girl will stand on the edge like that; Ichigo blinked and turn to where his sister was pointing, a frown taking over his face when he saw that the girl was looking at him and his sister with a creepy look on her face.

"Karin… go call Kaa-San…" Ichigo whispered uncomfortably, not wanting that strange girl to keep looking at his sister like that, and he didn't want her to hear their words too, the girl only smirked though and jumped from the edge which made Karin cry out in alarm and rush to save the girl ignoring Ichigo's calls for her to come back.

It was only a few steps before the ground shook, and a large chunk from the cliff broke and fell down, Karin's screams were heard and Ichigo yelled when he saw that his sister was about to fall, rushing to her to hold her small hand in his, her hand slipped causing Ichigo used both of his hands to hold her, bushing one of his legs under a big tree root that was showing, hoping the root won't break. "…Ichi-Nii… please…" grey wide eyes gazed at him, full of tears and fear as they begged him to not let her go, to not let her fall or her body will break into tiny pieces, sobs leaving her chest, as she pleads with him over and over again.

"I-it's OK, just hold on, don't l-let go!" Ichigo strained his arms to pull the girl, he can hear Yuzu's screams and cries in the background, followed by his parents' voices, that was what gave Ichigo the strength to pull his sister with one last shout, untangling his leg from the root, ignoring how much it hurt to move on it, as he pulled the girl away from the cliff, holding her in his arms as she starts crying loudly and holding into his shirt.

His mother's hysterical voice as she called their names made the two raise their head to see their parents running toward them with fear itching in their features, and Karin let out a sob as she let go of Ichigo and ran toward their mother, screaming and sobbing as their mother held her.

Ichigo let out a relieved sigh as he stood up, his right leg was hurting so much from how he twists it in the tree roots, he only took a step back toward his father who rushed toward him, before the ground shook once more, and the ground under Ichigo broke, he could hear the screams of terror coming from his father and mother, the sound of a monster shrieking, and his eyes widen when he saw the girl who pushed herself from the cliff float above him before turning into a monster and gripping his arm scratching it before he screamed a white beam that looked like an arrow pierced the monster's chest… and Ichigo, he closed his eyes as consciousness left him refusing to stay with Ichigo no more when he opened them…

He was alone…

"Do you know him, Isshin?" Yamamoto asked when he saw that the man was still holding tightly to the Espada, the Espada though seemed to be frozen in his place, not touching the man who was clinging to him either to push him away or to bring him close, what seemed like a dazed look was on the Espada's emotionless face.

"Oh, course I do! He is my son! He is my son!" Isshin's voice cracked when he repeated those words, tears were running down his face but there was a hopeful look in his eyes, like a dream come true, and it made Yamamoto pause, it was the first time in his long life he saw Isshin shed tears, even back then, the man was known for his smile and happy demander even in the toughest situations, and Yamamoto couldn't fathom how much pain and agony the man was through for him to cry at the sight of that Espada, the one who was supposed to be their enemy, what will Isshin do?

"It can't be." Those words were said by Byakuya and Isshin turn to him with wild eyes like he was planning to strangle the man for daring to try and shatter the fragile dream he was in. "It can't be because I met him, two hundred years ago, you only disappeared from Seireitei for twenty-five years." Byakuya explained with a blank face, though Yamamoto noted that it lacked all the harshness that Byakuya usually delivered his points with.

The silence that followed made everyone shift uncomfortably and avoid looking at Isshin whose tears start sliding down his face faster at those words. "Well, that's awkward…" Nel Tu muttered as she shifted, which made Ichigo twitch in his place but turn to face the woman with a blank face.

"Can you please drop dead?" He questioned the woman, already knowing her answer but still hoping for a miracle, the woman doesn't know when to shut up, usually her happy chitters started in the most awkward times… times Ichigo still refuses to remember even with the threat of death.

"But why? You will miss me when I go, who will bother you 24/7 when I leave?" The woman asked with wide innocent eyes, but for Ichigo, he knows that the woman was anything but innocent. "And anyway answer the poor man; I am sure he will like to know how you survived that crazy train with a yellow eye." The woman blinked innocently with a childish smile, the intakes of breaths behind Ichigo made the man close his eyes and count down from ten, trying to reason with himself that killing Nel Tu will do him more harm than good.

"You survived the Kōtotsu? When? No one can enter the Dangai unless… oh…" Mayuri questioned loudly before going silent, and that made Yamamoto let out a harsh breath through his nose and closes his eyes as he felt headache start throbbing in the front of his head…

This was going to be a really, really long day…

So what do you think?

We now learn what happened to poor Ichigo!

Yeah, I know another short chapter… but I discovered that this is the only way to keep with my thirty other ongoing stories.

See you soon!

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And tell me what you think…

Nazaki-Sama