Hello everyone, we are here with another chapter. A huge thank you to everyone who commented and reviewed on the last chapter. Things are picking up and some familiar faces are going to be making appearance soon. Some things will be similar to canon at first but it won't end that way. Anyway, read on and enjoy!
X
"What happened Zangetsu?"
"I don't know Ichigo."
X
Ichigo woke up with the sense of something wrong, it was a pervasive feeling the kind that settled on his chest and made every breath heavy. Ichigo glanced around his room with narrowed eyes before his gaze fell to the window, raindrops trickled down the glass and there was a faint trace of reaitsu that he couldn't identify.
He picked up his phone and the ominous feeling grew as he saw a text from Chad. It read simply: Orihime missing, Tatsuki in hospital.
Four simple words. Maybe simple was the wrong word. A flurry of emotions shook themselves through Ichigo's chest, confusion and shock played their way through his thoughts as he questioned how this could have happened. It wasn't a simple kidnapping (was there even such a thing) not with Tatsuki in the hospital which meant there were more powerful forces at work. Which left two possible options; Soul Society or Aizen.
But why Orihime? Ichigo shut his eyes with an exhale, it was too early for this but Ichigo couldn't afford the haze of sleep to dull his thoughts not when Orihime was missing. Oh God Orihime was missing, his sweet friend who hesitated to hurt a fly but was so strong and determined, had grown so much only in a year, who was family to him; missing.
He was getting off track. The question was why? If it was meant to hurt Ichigo then any of his friends could have been taken, but it would have been smarter to take one of his sisters (that was a disturbing thought) or they would have taken Tatsuki as well. That meant it wasn't wholly an attempt at psychological warfare but it was something else then. Why Orihime?
Ichigo rose to his feet numbly stumbling through the motions of making his bed and dressing as he considered it. What made Orihime stand out amidst the others? Not her gender because they would have taken Tatsuki too. They all had unique powers, Chad's were tied to a Hollow aspect, Uryu Quincy, Tatsuki had naturally high reaitsu from spending so many years with Ichigo, but Orihime didn't, she was the exception. No Hollow aspect, no Quincy, no long years of exposure to Ichigo's frankly monstrous reaitsu. So, it was about her powers, her ability to reject had near limitless potential as Kisuke had casually mentioned once.
So that was another answer. Mayuri was a sick psychopath but he was also smart and it would only be detrimental to start infighting in the middle of a war. Which of course left Aizen.
Another flurry of emotions tightened Ichigo's chest, his hands curled into fists as he stared out the window at the grey sky. He could feel that anger once more, there beneath the other emotions seeping and heavy till it was speeding his breathing and telling him to open a Garganta and find Aizen. Because Aizen had kidnapped one of his friends likely to experiment on her, he had brought her to Hueco Mundo (Ichigo was beginning to see a pattern of people he knew including himself getting kidnapped), he could kill her at any moment.
How could he!
Ichigo growled and the sound was weird, like it had been pitched down on a computer and Ichigo stilled and inhaled slowly, similar to the meditative techniques he practiced as a kid until he felt calm enough. Ichigo reached up with shaky fingers to feel his face but there was nothing and he let out a sigh of relief not certain what to feel. All he could see was Rukia's terrified eyes and the darkness of the mask staring up at him, he hadn't spoken about it to anyone yet, even though he knew he needed to. Instead he had been training relentlessly in an attempt to get his Bankai hoping it might clear things up.
The door to his room slammed into the wall and Ichigo leaned to the side as his father flew through the room with a cry and outstretched foot and crashed into the wall. Ichigo glared down at his father and for good measure, as he began to wail, kicked his side and said, "Goat-face you can stop."
He didn't stick around to hear his dad's response as he exited the room and barreled down the stairs sending a quick text to Chad who was still at the hospital and one to Uryu. Yuzu in the kitchen stumbled out still blearily rubbing at her eyes and Ichigo's heart settled like lead in his chest when he thought about it. Kami. It could have been Yuzu. Could have been Karin.
"Where you going Ichigo?"
"Out," Ichigo replied curtly and then feeling guilty for snapping at her stepped closer and swept his sister into a hug, she was getting tall, and continued, "Things are going to get serious soon. If anything, ever happens don't hesitate to use your powers okay and go to the Shōten; Kisuke will protect you guys with his life."
"Is everything okay Ichigo?"
Yuzu asked pulling back slightly to stare up at him, she was too good at reading him, Ichigo's lips pressed into a thin line and he shook his head, "There's a war with the Shinigami and I'm being drawn into it. But I won't let any harm come to you two, I promise."
His little sister looked like she might cry, the Quincy cross around her wrist seemed to glint in the light of the kitchen as she nodded her head. Ichigo sighed seeing the shadow of his mother there as he stepped back and ruffled her hair, "I'll come back."
"I know you will Ichigo."
Yuzu said with a smile and Ichigo tucked it away as she turned back to the kitchen. Ichigo turned towards the front door and saw his dad standing near the clinic doorway arms crossed over his chest and an uncharacteristically serious expression on his stupid face. Ichigo paused in front of his dad and stared into his eyes for a long moment, he could see his spirit fully now, a kimono of burning embers, and eyes that flickered; Ichigo hadn't let either know that he could see spirits.
"Protect them with your life."
It wasn't a request. Isshin stared at Ichigo for a long moment before he nodded once. Ichigo turned the conversation finished and tugged his hoodie over his head as he stepped outside. He wouldn't force his dad to tell him the truth, Ichigo had dropped enough hints over the years, had waited patiently and he would continue to wait; it didn't matter anymore.
Ichigo burst into a quick flash step crossing over the roof tops as the rain drenched his hoodie and reminded him of that day, he still felt just as powerless. He stared at the city around him feeling as if he was seeing it for the first time, maybe like he was really saying goodbye for the first time.
The hospital loomed over him as he landed at the back of the building, he had been here often enough with Uryu to steal certain Quincy supplies or to just generally be a nuisance. He stepped through the back door ignoring the damp feel of cloth against his skin as he stepped into the elevator and followed Chad's directions; no one stopped him.
Tatsuki was on a hospital bed, she looked small like he had never seen her before. Tatsuki always seemed larger than life, undefeatable and to see her like this was strange. Ichigo glanced around the room, it was small with a few uncomfortable plastic chairs that were currently unoccupied. Ichigo settled into one of the chairs with a heavy sigh and stared at Tatsuki, she had a cast on one of her arms and one of her legs were suspended, her face was pale and he could see a bruise on her cheek.
He had so many questions but those fell away in the face of the anger because they had hurt Tatsuki, had hurt his friend and he had been powerless to do anything, she had been hurt because he had dragged her into the war, no, she had been hurt because of Aizen.
Ichigo exhaled and focused on his reaitsu he cast a quick diagnostic and pushed the anger at bay as he focused on his friend. Tatsuki needed him right now, more than she needed Ichigo to be an impulsive hot head and storm off to go fight Aizen, even if he wanted to.
He focused on the fractures first and ignored the information that if he wasn't healing her, Tatsuki would have had to undergo multiple surgeries and probably would never have been to use her arm the same way again. It was fine because he could heal her. Aizen was still a fucking bastard.
The door to the room creaked open as Ichigo finished, she would still need to rest for a few days but she could do that at home. He glanced at the door ready to glare a nurse out of the room but it was Chad and Uryu. Chad had a bruise on his face and he looked worse for the wear, but when he saw Ichigo he smiled slightly.
Suddenly, Ichigo felt really tired, not just from healing Tatsuki but it was like the weight of everything was suddenly on his shoulders and all around him and he could see how far from over it already was and how much blood he had already lost.
Uryu glanced at Tatsuki and then at Ichigo before he nodded and said, "Do you know the situation so far?"
"Know Orihime's missing."
Ichigo ground the words out as Chad settled into the seat beside him, warm and grounding in a way that Ichigo could really use. Uryu nodded and bustled around the room pulling out a pair of surgical scissors to cut the casts off; being the son of the head doctor had its perks.
"Orihime had a sleepover with Tatsuki last night, from what she's told me, the Hollow from earlier, Ulquiorra, appeared and threatened to kill all of us if Orihime didn't go with them. Tatsuki obviously refuted him and he attacked. Orihime went with the Espada."
The chair clattered to the ground as Ichigo rose to his feet, it was like the storm inside his soul was bubbling up through his skin and flushing through him as Ichigo's hands clenched into fists and he could feel the heave of his reaitsu beneath his skin in response to emotions. He was… He had to… He had to save Orihime. He was going to kill Aizen. He needed to…
"Breathe Kurosaki."
Uryu snapped and Ichigo exhaled roughly and nodded. He could see the concern in Uryu's eyes feel Chad's unspoken questions, but he didn't have any answers just the anger stewing in his gut going hot and cold on and off again.
"I'm going to speak to Kisuke, I'll talk to you guys soon."
"We'll make sure Tatsuki gets home safe."
Uryu promised as Ichigo righted the plastic chair and pressed his fingers lightly against Chad's, whose reaitsu reached out to lightly brush against his, Ichigo nodded with as much of a as smile he could muster. Uryu settled a hand on his shoulder as Ichigo paused in the doorway.
"Be careful Ichigo."
"I will."
Ichigo responded but the words didn't sit right on his tongue as he spared a last glance at Tatsuki, still and silent in the hospital gurney, he hated it and he hated Aizen for doing this to her. Ichigo turned and slipped out of the building, the rain had lightened to a drizzle but the skies were still grey and Ichigo couldn't help the sullen expression on his face as he picked up into a flash-step.
The Shōten looked like something out of an animated movie or an old folk tale shrouded in the misty rain with the windows casting spots of warmth onto the ground. Ichigo inhaled, everything felt too fast, too much but he couldn't afford to stop not now. Not when he had no idea what was happening with Orihime, at that moment she could be tortured, experimented on, she could be dead and he would have no way of knowing. Ichigo supposed at least he knew how it felt from both sides now.
"Dark thoughts kid?"
A voice asked and Ichigo glanced up from the steps where he had stopped when that last thought had sunk in. Shinji was sitting on the steps a mug in hand staring at Ichigo with a concerned expression. Ichigo sighed and slumped to sit beside Shinji, it was cold but he barely felt it through his already damp hoody.
"Orihime's been kidnapped by Aizen."
"Fuck, kid."
Shinji swore and then Ichigo was being dragged into a hug. He resisted for a moment before he surrendered because it was Shinji and trying to refute Shinji was like talking to a brick wall. It was nice after a moment; Shinji was warm and the world didn't feel quite so dark.
"What if she's dead?"
The words burst out before he could stop them and Ichigo tucked his head down not wanting to see a grim certainty on Shinji's face, not willing to fan the hopes of flame just yet either. Shinji sighed and peered at the horizon for a moment before he replied, "It's unlikely, Orihime is, and I hate to say this, more valuable alive. Aizen wants you to rush in there, you know how he is and this time it won't be like last time either."
Ichigo nodded mildly reassured but still upset that he would have no way of knowing.
"That's not all that's bothering you, come on spill kid."
Shinji prodded bumping his shoulder against Ichigo's and passing him the mug. Ichigo took a sip and muffled a frown of displeasure it was hot, otherwise it tasted like crap must have been the coffee maker because only Kisuke used it.
Ichigo considered it for a long moment it kept happening and he couldn't figure it out, Zangetsu still wasn't being forthcoming, and Ichigo could barely control it, hell if he was being honest, he couldn't control it and with Orihime gone the stakes were rising ever higher.
"It keeps happening. I just get so angry, and its like nothing else matters. When Grimmjow attacked I barely stopped to heal Rukia and she was afraid of me and I can't handle this right now when now more then ever I need to be control. I feel like a monster and I know I'm not but that doesn't make that voice in my head shut up. And what if I can't protect my friends, then I'm useless. I just… what's wrong with me?"
"Hey it's okay," Shinji settled an arm around his shoulder and waited until Ichigo looked at him before he continued, "You still have control Ichigo, when we lost control, we literally weren't ourselves, you were able to stop yourself long enough to make sure Rukia was okay. She was scared because she didn't understand what was happening, remember the Vizard are a recent addition to Soul Society.
"There's nothing wrong with you Ichigo. You have Hollow in your soul something was bound to pop up eventually. But honestly, I think you grew up too fast kid, saw too much shit. You act like you're fine Ichigo and we get it okay but you had to help us with our own souls, you were kidnapped, you saw your mom be killed by a hollow, that's going to lead to some repressed shit. You think you're fine but I think you're just ignoring it, ignoring the Hollow part of your soul.
"I'm not a therapist Ichigo, I can't lead you like you lead us. I don't know your soul; you have to figure this one out. But just remember that you're not alone, we're here to support you Ichigo. You have time, I know it doesn't feel like it but you do."
Ichigo wiped at his eyes and pretended it was the rain as he stared away from Shinji and sniffled unsure how to process the tight band around his chest.
When Ichigo felt composed enough he turned to Shinji and with a watery smile he said, "Thanks Shinji. I think I need to speak to Zangetsu."
"Go inside first, we don't need you catching a cold now."
Ichigo nodded and settled a hand on Shinji's shoulder for a minute before he headed inside. The Shōten was warm it felt like cookies fresh out of the oven or cozy winter nights inside as Yoruichi opened the door and there was a sad expression on her face as she stepped aside and nodded at the room down the hallway. Ichigo pressed a smile onto his lips and walked down the hallway.
"I presume you heard Ichigo?"
"Yeah. Tatsuki was hurt, she's better now but she'll need to rest."
"And we need to move forward."
Kisuke stated grim and Ichigo nodded fingers cold in the pocket of his jeans as he settled across from his uncle and reached out for the cup of tea; Kisuke knew him too well. Ichigo stared at the liquid for a long moment before he stated, "I need to meditate. But later?"
"Later."
Kisuke agreed and there was something sad and guilty on his face and then Ichigo closed his eyes.
X
The slip between reality and his Inner World was usually fluid, the gentle transition of waking without alarms and only the press of the sun. It wasn't this time. Ichigo was jerked suddenly and forcefully into his Inner World, like his stomach was jerked out of his chest or the crash of a roller coaster before it stopped.
Thunder cracked through the air near deafening, all consuming, and lightning split the air in broad swathes of fire as Ichigo fell freely through the air towards the shrouded mists below. Instantly, he was soaked, the cold that had been pervasive outside a thousand times worse chilling him to the bone and beyond, the very marrow of his being.
Panic swelled in Ichigo's chest, it was not a logical sort of panic, it was fear so instinctive that Ichigo couldn't place it as his breath stopped in his lungs and he careened in near slow motion towards the mists below, the ones that shrouded the streets so thick they seemed solid. He could feel them reaching out towards him, beckoning him below the familiar skyscrapers of Karakura and to something unknown.
"Ichigo."
He stiffened at his name and his eyes searched through the chromium glass, bouncing reflections of him, past the brittle trees with yellow leaves about to fall. There on a skyscraper starring down at him, Zangetsu.
Ichigo reached towards Zangetsu straining towards his spirit and then the mists swallowed him and the world above vanished.
Darkness enveloped Ichigo, thick as the night without stars he searched for anything but could only feel the occasional drop of cold rain as he free fell for what felt like ages. The panic and fear began to subside but, in its place, Ichigo wasn't sure what was brewing, curiosity maybe at the part of him that he had never explored, or maybe a darker emotion.
The ground was beneath him suddenly and Ichigo crashed into it with a large crack, dust billowed around him and finally the darkness that surrounded him fled to shades of grey. Ichigo rested limply in the crater tilting his head towards the wash of grey lights as cold water pelted his skin, distantly he still could hear the roar of thunder but it was quieter now; muffled.
Slowly, Ichigo rose to his feet, the rubble beneath his feet shifted and Ichigo glanced around at the edges of shadows that surrounded him. Where was he? Ichigo clambered carefully out of the crater the phantom sensation of pain drowned out by the cold, by the rain.
"Ichigo run!"
A voice called, a familiar voice. Ichigo whirled around searching for the owner of the voice but there was no one.
"It's just a spirit dear."
The voice said again and oh. Ichigo recognized it now. He whirled around searching for her but there was still nothing, though the shadows seemed to be retreating slightly. Ichigo pressed his lips together and called out, "Mom?"
Silence.
Then the darkness warped, shifted, and there he could see her in the distance.
Ichigo's heart lurched as he walked forward towards her, before he broke into a run. She turned to smile at him, and it was that smile that was all the warmth that he had forgotten how much he had missed, the one that highlighted the faint crows eyes and Kami Ichigo wished he had gotten to see his mom grow old, she would have been gorgeous even then, age would have suited her.
"Ichigo."
She said and turned to face him fully. That's when Ichigo noticed the blood. He was too far, Ichigo reached out but every step seemed to pull him back farther and as he watched her expression twisted to one of pain and the figure of the Hollow, Grand Fisher, loomed behind her and Ichigo couldn't breathe.
"Mom!"
He called out and her eyes stared through him, the blankness of the dead.
Then she was gone.
Ichigo whirled around with a cry searching for her but instead there was only the crater washed out in grey light; there was something in it. Ichigo stumbled forward water dripping from his hair and onto his face mingling with the tears there. Ichigo stood on the edge of the crate and peered down past the debris to what could only be described as a… creature, it was an off white and as familiar to Ichigo as his reflection in the mirror.
He stumbled forward and the creature twitched and shifted until it stood in front of him, pale white, an exact copy with black sclera and acrid yellow eyes and all Ichigo could smell was the desert.
"Ah the young Kurosaki."
A voice said. It wasn't the mirror copy. Ichigo twisted his head and the darkness surged forward swallowing the hollow copy, and he was alone.
"So young and impertinent."
The voice lectured and Ichigo took a wary step back as the shadows bended around a figure until Ichigo could make out the slick slide of hair and eyes that were terrifyingly empty, alone, the emptiness of the universe before the big bang; nothing.
Aizen shook his head and studied Ichigo like he was a bug and out of the darkness acrid yellow eyes peered at him, surrounded him, they were clawing at him and Ichigo was frozen trapped by Aizen's gaze, a butterfly pinned to a board. The scent of blood and the desert filled the air, Ichigo was nine again and powerless, afraid oh so afraid.
Laughter filled the air as Aizen tilted his head staring down at Ichigo shaking his head he said, "Such a pity I expected better of you Ichigo, I expected a challenge."
The darkness surged forward, liquid in nature like a wave and the Hollows bled back into the darkness. Ichigo stumbled back searching for the washed out grey, anything that wasn't the claustrophobic darkness.
"He's just a kid."
"Yeah but we need him."
Voices spoke bouncing around him, Ichigo straightened and closed his eyes for a moment trying to think but caught up in everything. Then the screaming started. Ichigo flinched back trying to escape but they were coming from every direction and the rain was the only thing that was tangible as Ichigo clapped his hands over his ears and sunk to his knees.
He opened his eyes and spotted drips of white in front of him. He looked slowly up and stared at the Hollow, no, Shinji, he smiled an off-piano grin with yellow eyes and there was something stuck to him, dripping white around his shoulders with Sakande's smile.
She was screaming. Ichigo whirled around and the other Vizard were there, horribly misshapen, no longer symbiotic, parasitic, beyond parasitic, monstrous. Ichigo shrunk back as Shinji took a step forward the white substance squelching against the pavement.
"You think you could fix us. You can't even fix yourself kid."
Shinji, no not-Shinji spat, the words vitriolic and distorted. Ichigo shook his head mouthing the word no over and over again as he closed his eyes and curled into a ball, he just wanted this to be over, he just wanted Zangetsu, wanted to talk to Zangetsu. He couldn't even say it wasn't real, this was a part of him, some part of him.
His fear, his insecurity, doubt, anger, all of it lived here.
The screaming stopped.
Ichigo remained curled into a ball as the rain continued to pelt his head. Something settled onto his head. Ichigo shifted startled and glanced up, the Hollow copy of himself was staring down at him, acrid yellow eyes in a sea of black. Ichigo was frozen staring at the mirror of himself, a distorted, reversed mirror. All of him, his fears, angers, hate, him.
Oh.
Ichigo stumbled forward and wrapped his arms around the Hollow mirror tucking his nose into the shihakusho, the scent of the desert thick as he sobbed, "I'm sorry," over and over again. Slowly the Hollow's arms wrapped him, they were warm, no they were hot, the sun itself causing steam to curl off of his clothing, blaring through the cold that had settled into his bones.
A warm hand rubbed gently up and down Ichigo's back and the Hollow chuckled, it was a familiar chuckle. Ichigo pulled back slightly and glanced up into Zangetsu's face. He was different, he still had something of Ichigo in him in the same way an artist can't help but incorporate a piece of them in it, but his hair was grey now, dark grey, one eye brown and one gold, he smiled at Ichigo. One warm hand settled on Ichigo's jaw and tilted his head until Ichigo could stare into Zangetsu's eyes.
"It's okay Ichigo."
"It's not."
Ichigo replied a promise to try to be better. Zangetsu tilted his head until he was resting his forehead against Ichigo's, he was warm again, the rain that fell was that of the spring, or a summer shower. He sighed something uncoiling in his chest, the shadows of what his own soul had conjured lingered but the edges had been dulled enough to handle.
"It's okay, you're not supposed to know the answer to everything immediately."
"I'm not a robot."
Ichigo replied and grasped Zangetsu's hands tight, Zangetsu squeezed back and for a long time it was the two of them in the darkness. Eventually, Zangetsu was the first to pull away he brushed a hand through Ichigo's still damp hair and said, "You should return, the others will be at the Shōten soon."
"But."
Ichigo protested not sure what he wanted to say, only knowing that there was more, all bundling up inside him, like a ball of static. Ichigo inhaled and asked, "Do you think I'm ready?"
"Yeah."
Zangetsu replied and Ichigo nodded with a faint smile before he stepped away and closed his eyes, the darkness faded to grey.
X
When Ichigo opened his eyes, the room was basked in the half-light of evening and he was alone. Groaning at the feel of tense muscles Ichigo rolled his neck and glanced around the room, he was alone, the tea was cold and the door closed. With a sigh, Ichigo rose to his feet and padded out into the hallway following the faint tug of Kisuke's reaitsu.
He wasn't really sure what he felt. At peace? Reassured? He knew better now but there wasn't time to sit and actually process everything that had happened so Ichigo pushed it aside until he had another moment of peace. It wasn't healthy but war bred bad habits apparently.
He paused outside the door to one of the larger sitting rooms and listened to the faint sound of laughter, noise, the feel of his friends' reaitsu. Orihime's absence was an open wound, it felt like the absence of a constellation in the sky, making the world somehow darker. Inhaling, Ichigo straightened his shoulders and pushed open the door.
It seemed everyone was there. Kisuke had probably forced Tessai to drag out the long table in the centre of the room with rows of those cheap plastic folding chairs, though they were currently unoccupied. He could see Shinji and Hiyori arguing in one corner, and it twisted something in his gut so he glanced away. Tessai was talking with Hachi while Yoruichi lounged on a nearby couch pretending not to listen while also watching the room with narrowed eyes.
Kisuke was the only one seated at the table, he had a row of mugs in front of him and a stack of sheets that he was writing on fervently. Ashido was sitting in a chair talking casually to Rukia while Renji sulked beside her. He could see Chad and Uryu curled on the couch and between them… Tatsuki.
"Tatsuki aren't you on bedrest?"
Ichigo questioned, not at all curiously. The room stalled but Ichigo watched as his patient went very pale and the others were caught watching with a mix of terror and intrigue, the sort of spectacle one couldn't look away from. Uryu scoffed and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose (it was always as ridiculous as it sounded) and replied, "She's not doing anything physical it's fine Kurosaki."
He huffed and debated the merits of arguing that the meeting was probably going to be the exact opposite of relaxing but he knew it was pointless she was already here and trying to move her would be similar to trying to stop Ichigo; impossible. Crossing his arms over his chest Ichigo turned and faced the rest of the room nodding at the others before he walked forward and settled into one of the uncomfortable folding chairs near Kisuke.
It was a silent signal and the others slowly began to trickle to their seats.
"Good conversation with Zangetsu?"
Kisuke questioned as he scrubbed a hand over his face, Benihime was staring at Ichigo with narrowed eyes and when Ichigo glanced at her she raised a brow and dematerialized, which was an interesting reaction. He shrugged the matter felt personal something not to be talked about and altogether too fresh to even consider discussing.
"You could say that."
Ichigo settled with and he knew Kisuke's eyes caught the half truth when they stared at him over the rim of a coffee cup for a long moment, beady like a predator bird, before he let it go. Ichigo sighed and glanced around the table where everyone was now seated.
Kisuke appeared to have noticed the same thing as he shuffled most of his papers haphazardly to the side and regarded everyone for a long moment before he began, "As of twelve pm last night, the Espada known as Ulquiorra entered Inoue's room, where she and Arisawa were and demanded Inoue return to Hueco Mundo with him or he would kill everyone. Arisawa engaged in combat and was injured and Inoue was forced to go with the Espada. Current speculations towards the reason for her kidnapping are based on her powers."
The debrief set Ichigo's hair on end, he hated how clinically they were talking about this, hated that the whole situation was even happening. Tatsuki was glaring at the table and Ichigo could almost feel her helplessness, and it reminded him of the same feelings, of earlier. He hated feeling helpless.
"So, what's the plan genius?"
Shinji asked crossing his arms over his chest and kicking his feet up onto the table. Hiyori glared at his feet like they were a personal affront, they probably were, but remained seated. Kisuke drank from a random cup and grimaced before he directed his gaze to Rukia and asked, "What is Soul Society's position currently?"
Rukia frowned, the expression shadowed her eyes as she shook her head and replied in a grim tone, "Central 46 refuses to send in an attack force for and I quote, 'one soul' however, the Captain Commander has agreed to authorize a small unit of lieutenants and captains, likely the ones stationed in the Mortal World, if necessary."
"He has that power now?"
Ashido asked tilting his head to stare at Rukia, she frowned and stated, "Technically no but as we're in war time conditions, things are a bit looser and the democratic board of Rungokai also voted in favour of sending a small task force to serve as reconnaissance."
Ichigo watched the others' reactions, Hiyori looked surprised, Shinji contemplative, while Kisuke was nodding in acceptance.
"Basically, we have to ask nice but you're allowed to help?"
Yoruichi said with a grin, but her spirit had paused on her shoulder and Ichigo could see the shock on its features even as Yoruichi managed to make it look comfortable lounging in one of the plastic chairs. Rukia nodded and added, "Yes, though Captain Hitsugaya is insisting that some of our force stay here in case Aizen makes another move. Renji and I have clearance, if necessary, Ikkaku and Yumichika also have clearance."
"That's good," Kisuke said and peered at the table for a long moment before his eyes searched the residents of the table and he continued, "Currently our only course of action is an infiltration mission to rescue Inoue, leaving her in Aizen's hands will only hinder our forces, this will also serve as reconnaissance on the Espada."
"So, who's going right?"
Shinji drawled pinning Ichigo with a raised brow as if to suggest that he didn't have to volunteer. Ichigo rolled his eyes and glanced around the table, there people were his friends, his family, and if they went to Hueco Mundo they might not come back, he might not come back, at the very least he would be changed again by that endless sprawl of sand.
"I'll go."
Ichigo stated simply and caught Kisuke's eye, he nodded once in acceptance and it was enough. Chad nodded once in agreement and Uryu with a huff stated, "I might as well accompany you to prevent you from doing anything idiotic Ichigo."
"Am I allowed to come Ichigo?"
Tatsuki asked glaring at him with narrowed eyes hands crossed over her chest, she looked pale and tired. Ichigo knew that even if he said no she would still come and he really couldn't blame her because he would have done the same thing so instead, he said, "Yeah, but you're on defence until I say okay?"
She huffed but nodded and that was all Ichigo needed.
"I'll go for parental supervision."
Shinji stated with a shrug but Ichigo could feel his bloodlust half a table away which was great. Hiyori growled at him and replied, "You need supervision baldy!"
"As if midget."
And they were off again. Ichigo ignored the two of them and glanced at Rukia and Renji who were conferring silently, beside them Ashido was frowning staring into the distance. Kisuke coughed and set one of his mugs down and stated, "Decisions don't need to be made tonight. In any case we'll prepare for departure tomorrow. Currently let's focus on what we know."
Kisuke stared at Ichigo, because technically he had the best reconnaissance. Scrubbing a hand over his face Ichigo squared his shoulders and stated, "Aizen's base is Los Noches, it's the only structure in Hueco Mundo, its practically a maze. So far, there are estimated to be Ten Espada, we know three, Yammy, Grimmjow, and Ulquiorra, they all have Fracción similar to lieutenants. Open war fare in Los Noches isn't tactically advisable, we're looking for something more subtle, get in and get out."
The others nodded and Ichigo slumped back into the seat itching to pace or just meditate with Zangetsu. Chad bumped his shoulder against Ichigo's and he glanced into his dark eyes and spared a small smile before he returned his attention to the table.
"We could orchestrate a distraction."
Shinji suggested with a shrug, his eyes in the light looked like filtered gold and Sakande curled around his shoulders, Ichigo didn't look away. Kisuke hummed and nodded as he replied, "That's a plausible course of action. Perhaps if Soul Society can spare some of the other Vizard, you all have an immediate means of escape, that way one of you can stick with the retrieval group."
Rukia nodded at Kisuke's request and pulled out her phone likely to talk to her Captain. Still it was true, the Vizard could distract the Espada, gain information, and leave near immediately, they were all able to open Garganta now, though some were better than others.
If Ichigo could learn to use a Garganta it would be invaluable.
"I think that is all we can discuss tonight. Please get some rest everyone, those who will be part of the retrieval force please meet at the Shōten around noon."
Kisuke stated scanning their faces with something grim, Ichigo wondered if he was thinking this was the last time he would see them. Ichigo swallowed everything heavy with the threat of death over their heads. The others nodded and began to drift out of the room, well Shinji was chased out of the room by Hiyori and the others cautiously followed.
"You guys don't have to come."
Ichigo said turning to face his friends. Uryu scowled and shoved his glasses off his face with a glare as he replied, "Do you think so low of our moral convictions Ichigo? Orihime's our friend too, we're already in this war."
"I'm going to get Orihime back and then I'm going to slit Aizen's fucking throat."
Tatsuki added with a growl even though she looked a moment from passing out. Ichigo nodded and raised his hands defensively in front of his chest as he replied, "I don't doubt you guys, it's just we might not make it back."
His voice trailed lower until the last words were barely a whisper. Chad settled a hand on Ichigo's shoulder and said, "We know what we're getting into Ichigo."
Ichigo nodded and sighed, the whole day felt like a strange mix of too long and too many cut scenes as he said, "Go home I'll see you here tomorrow."
"Get some sleep Ichigo."
Tatsuki settled a hand on his shoulder and let Uryu help out of the room, his cousin was actually a softie beneath the tough exterior. Chad knocked his shoulder against Ichigo's and followed the two of them promising to look after Tatsuki.
Ichigo glanced around the room, Yoruichi, Kisuke, and Tessai were all speaking together in the corner, Ichigo could see the softness on his Uncle's features, the kind where he dropped his barriers, it brought a smile to his lips. Ashido was the only other person in the room, he was seated at the table staring blankly at the wall.
Frowning, Ichigo shuffled over and settled beside Ashido knocking his shoulder against the man's with a soft, "You okay?"
"I don't think I can go back there."
"That's natural, it's okay Ashido."
Ichigo replied settling his hand on Ashido's shoulder, Ashido shook it off with a frown and said, "It's not I know Hueco Mundo better than anyone, and yet I can't…"
"Then tell us what you can. But you shouldn't force yourself to go back the place that was literal Hell for you."
"Isn't that what you're doing?"
Ashido questioned softly and then immediately looked like he regretted the words. Ichigo frowned and replied, "That's different."
He received a dubious look for that but Ichigo shook his head and added, "Don't force yourself to do something you're not ready for, it won't end well."
"Sure are wise for a kid."
Ashido said with a small sad smile and ruffled Ichigo's hair before he continued, "I need to speak to Kisuke, go get some rest Ichigo."
Ichigo nodded and rose to his feet, his muscles were still stiff and greatly protested it but Ichigo ignored it. He nodded to Benihime and trailed out of the room, he could feel Zangetsu and all of the unsaid things bubbling in his chest; Ichigo wasn't going to sleep tonight.
X
Thank you all for reading! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, in the next one we are finally heading into Hueco Mundo for some meeting and reuniting. I also used the word darkness way to much in this chapter lol. Anyways, reviews/comments are always appreciated, till next time!