Author's Notes: It's been a while I know, longer than I had planned for between updates but things in my own life have not really been the best since my last chapter. As it stands, I can't commit to a posting schedule, only offer that every chapter I do post will have meaning and hope you think it is worth the wait.
This chapter, in particular, took a while to get down as I wanted to get it done by the one year anniversary of this story, but some parts were hard to nail down the way that I wanted. Every scene has a purpose, some just laying the groundwork for the plot even if it isn't immediately visible.
But now that this chapter is written, I have started to work on the next and it is one I am hoping will be able to share with you by the end of the year or the start of 2020. It's one of a few major surprises I have planned to change the course of the canonical TYBW arc.
I encourage you to leave your reviews as I like to know what my readers are thinking. Thank you for your support.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
Chapter 8: Conversations with Dead Men
Riruka didn't get up immediately, she lay on the mat and just waited. She didn't want another tearful exchange, looking to the side she saw the sleeping form of Orihime. The orange-haired girl looked content, she wasn't about to ruin it or cause any more grief for herself or those around her. Enough damage had been done, there was no point causing any more.
These people had been kind to her, more than she deserved. More than any of them deserved. They had been enemies, had manipulated them all without a single care. To brush that off, you had to be very callous and cold, and while many of them were. They still had things the clung to, and if these people were willing to show mercy and respect to them in spite of that.
She couldn't be anything but grateful.
But it was time she left.
They were busy, too focused on other things to worry about her. It was time she left.
Rising gingerly from the mat she moved for the door, tiptoeing to it and then opening the door she hoped for a clean getaway. Although to her surprise she found the imposing form of someone standing there, clearly waiting for her to step out. She let out a shriek of surprise and fell back, flustered by the unexpected guest.
"Ichigo…" Riruka muttered before she felt a vein bulge on her head. "You ass! Why did you have to scare me like that!?"
"I'm actually looking for you." He replied, before giving her a beckoning wave.
She followed him out of the Shoten, outside she found a makeshift coffin, hastily constructed. Beside it was Urahara, he was doing some finishing touches.
"Is... is that...?" She asked.
Ichigo nodded, walking forward and running a hand over the coffin. He exchanged a few words with Urahara, before they parted and the shopkeeper returned to the store. Leaving herself and Ichigo alone in front of the shop.
"I got the Gotei to release his body," Ichigo said, turning to her. "I know you were close, so I wanted to know, was there a place you think we could lay him to rest?"
Ginjo was many things, not often very vocal about his past. But there were some things that she knew and a single place came to mind. The Fullbringer allowed a sad smile to grace her lips. "Yes. I know a place."
The Twelfth Division was abuzz with activity, its scientists and researchers hard at work trying to advance the technologies of the Soul Society. Hundreds of different projects were underway, some for the division and others personal, one such as the project being run by the current Head of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi examined the Substitute Shinigami Badge, going over its inner mechanisms and reading the data he was extracting from its internal data banks. This technology was young, relatively speaking it as it was only three decades old. Something he developed on his own, per request after all.
But oddly enough he found that some of the inner mechanisms and surveillance devices had been disabled. A lot of valuable data was missing, and he would need to rack his brain and try and figure out the details he missed. What he would like to know is how he was able to disable all these functions; the Badge was durable and shouldn't have been affected.
He suspected that the Badge was used as a focus for his powers, after all, it was shown through Ichigo Kurosaki's badge that there was massive power fluctuation moving through his badge. It was never designed to channel such large quantities of power, storage yes, but never releasing them or channeling. So the influx and expulsion of the power might have damaged it to the point were its inner components malfunctioned.
"If I only had the body, I would have liked to experiment on him, based on the reports he had several unique properties. Including having hybrid abilities, now that is rare," Mayuri thought.
He cursed Yamamoto's refusal for handing over such a valuable cadaver. It could hold untold information regarding these Fullbringers and their abilities. But he had to get sentimental and break the rules, going out of his way to appease the boy. Honestly, for someone who was considered wise, the Captain Commander was making unsound choices as of late.
"Master Mayuri, I have returned," Nemu announced, his Lieutenant and daughter stepping into the room.
"Yes, yes, get me a siphoning disk," Mayuri said, barely even acknowledging her presence as the work in front of him was a more important use of his time than frivolous greetings. "I need to collect whatever spiritual energy is left in here."
Whatever power was still stored in this badge he could analyze what made it tick, if this was some sort of mutations of the Hollow energies mixing with normal humans it opened a new avenue for him to experiment with.
"This would have been so much simpler if I had that body, but now, I am forced to rely on scraps," Mayuri muttered.
"Ichigo Kurosaki seemed to wish for the body of Kūgo Ginjo to be returned so that he could lay it to rest," Nemu stated.
"Obviously, the Captain-Commander got soft and gave back the body out of sentimentality," Mayuri said disdainfully. "Just because he is the Substitute he got off scot-free, the old fool actually disobeyed so many laws just to get the boy back his powers. Powers that not so long ago, many called the mark of an abomination. Hollow and Shinigami powers mixed together. You can never expect anything in this world anymore, always chaotic."
The Captain-Commander of all people actually broke protocol and gave back Ichigo his power, that was something none had expected. Although Mayuri had an inkling that many other officers and Captains had also conspired to restore the Substitute's power. In the end, the venerable Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto decided to help.
There was going to be hell to pay later and Central was going to have a field day with this. The only reason he grouched was that if those blowhards decided to get uppity he might have a few people he didn't want breathing down his neck. Next thing he knew he could be sent back to the Nest of Maggots, it was irritating to avoid that after Kisuke Urahara was made to be a traitor. He didn't want to do it all over again.
"Anything else of note?" Mayuri inquired, barely paying attention as he continued his work.
"Following the allocation of Kūgo Ginjo's remains to Ichigo Kurosaki the topic of conversation shifted to another matter," Nemu stated. "Pertaining to his continued cooperation with the Gotei 13, the manifestation of a Quincy Sword, and a possible invasion in the future."
Mayuri stopped his word, it took only a moment to digest what had been said, but still, his mind was going several hundred Ri a second right now. "…what did you say?"
"Ichigo Kurosaki has given word on continual…"
"Not that you damn fool!" Mayuri barked, rounding on her and grabbing her by the shoulders. "About the sword! What Quincy sword?!"
"Ichigo Kurosaki manifested a sword with the five-pointed Quincy star. He then explained that Captain-Commander Yamamoto failed to kill a Quincy Along with mentioning of a Quincy army under the leadership of a Quincy known as Yhwach." Nemu reported in her normal monotone. Her face expressionless as always.
A sharp contrast from the expression on her father's face, he could not believe what he had just heard. He felt both caught off guard and elated, he had not expected this event to occur so soon but he knew it was coming. So many new variables are in place, he had to figure this out quickly, every second counted.
"Why didn't you just tell me that from the beginning!" He snapped, pushing her aside and rushing for his terminals, he needed to get to work, nothing else mattered.
"But you have always stressed the need to be thorough and start from the begin—"
"Enough!" Mayuri snapped. "I don't need you to recite your thought process. I want to know what Kurosaki had to say after he manifested his Quincy powers! Every word!"
Nemu did as such, recounting every single word said to him, including adding in the other Captains' input. Even the Captain-Commanders denial, it was almost amusing to hear those words again, he had heard them over two years ago when he first proposed the Quincy's survival to him.
It would appear he was right. Even if Ichigo was not a credible source he knew that the boy didn't say things unless he had facts. Given what he had just done, that was proof enough.
The air was clear today, it was a good day.
He felt the clean crisp air enter his lung, warm and filled with the fragrance of several jasmine flowers. It was soothing, after today's events he needed some time to calm himself and wait. Nature was calm and peaceful, unchanging even as the millennia passed by, it had been that tranquility that had kept him centered.
In trying and difficult times one always needed to find a way to unwind without having to resort to some drastic measures. His old friend often tried to drink issues away or nap, but he was more of a 'smell the flowers' kind of man. For him, this was the best way to let go of all his troubles, even those that seemed to be unwilling to let go.
Kūgo Ginjo was one such issue.
It was one of the lowest and more depressing points in his career as a Captain. In had been a moment that had dashed all his hopes, hopes for a young man that had the drive and will to be more than just human. Ukitake believed that Ginjo was destined to bring about great change for the Soul Society, to leave a mark that might change things drastically.
He left a mark. A bloody depressing one.
Ginjo had turned from them, murdering several Shinigami in the process and disappearing without a trace. He had hidden away for decades, out of sight, and they knew not if he was alive or dead. To this day they could never understand why he had turned on them, why he had betrayed them.
From what was said by the advanced party sent to aid Ichigo, Ginjo believed they had betrayed them. How he did not know, but what betrayal he seemed to have suffered through Ukitake had no idea. But whatever he went through had been enough to twist the once good man.
He had not thought that the revelation of the Badge would be so harrowing for him, to feel so violated. It was his belief that if Ginjo discovered the truth he would make the choice himself, to looks past such things and do what he feels is right, that was his belief. If it was the cause of his descent than he had grossly overestimated Ginjo, or maybe he had been too fickle and cold to consider the sense of mistrust he had shown towards the young man. Maybe that was the case, for now, he felt the same dread in his chest as he waited to hear from the Captains on Ichigo and what he plans to do now.
The sound of footsteps told him someone was approaching, he didn't turn or speak up. Just waited for them to say something, but first they took a seat next to him and looked out over the horizon. They were quiet for a few minutes.
"Nice view, never changes. Never gets old." He said.
"Why do you think I come here?" Jushiro replied, smiling slightly.
"Well not that much of a view of the public baths, especially since we can only see the men's side," Kyoraku said, giving a cheeky grin, but he sighed after a moment. "Ichigo left."
"And the badge?" Jushiro asked.
"He's taking it with him," Kyoraku said, smiling ever so slightly, he was pleased, he wasn't the only one. "He trusts us, says he want to continue to work alongside us."
Ukitake felt relief, actual relief that spread through his entire being. The young certainly are those that outshine the old, and they never truly see just how bright they are. Ichigo was no exception, he had blown away all expectations, and become something he hoped he would become.
"That is good to know," Ukitake replied.
The peaceful few minutes there were spent in silence, and it came time to depart they did it together. But the elation of the scenery and the news did not last as they descended the hill.
"Not all good news though," Kyoraku replied, his expression solemn. "I am sure you read the reports."
Ukitake nodded, he had read them, and from the looks of it, Kyoraku had confirmed them when he attended the Captain's meeting. Ichigo Kurosaki had the powers of a Quincy, a heritage that they had not expected the young man to possess. A Shinigami father, which likely pointed to his mother being a Quincy, and then having Hollow powers. Such a thing… unheard of, inconceivable.
"What else was said?" Ukitake asked.
"Yhwach is apparently alive and has an army waiting to attack when the mood suits him," Kyoraku said. "We are looking at another Shiloh here."
That might be an understatement; Shiloh had been where the original Gotei 13 had fought Yhwach in the World of the Living. It was a massive chaotic mess, said to have nearly been the end of the Quincy and Shinigami. They knew about the war, where many others did not, and right now they were truly afraid of it erupting one more.
"How did the Captain-Commander take the news?" Jushiro asked.
"Not well, but he is in a foul mood right now. Not long after Ichigo left he received a summons from Central 46." Kyoraku said.
"Do you think this pertains to Ichigo?" Jushiro asked, but then had a thought. "Maybe about the Quincy? About Yhwach?"
"If I was making a bet, I am certain that it is both."
It was not often he was summoned so abruptly by the Wise Men of Central 46, usually, there is a cue to wade through before one receives an audience. Even when directly summoned they often had to wait, he certainly could have used the time.
To manage his own thoughts and correct his humor that had become unbalanced. The revelations revealed by Ichigo Kurosaki were things he had no choice but to take seriously, to ignore them could invite disaster and ruin onto the Soul Society.
More than likely he would have to deal with the fallout of his actions regarding giving Ichigo Kurosaki his powers, although he had little idea as to why the sudden urgency. Something was amiss here, he did not live so long and have so much authority because he catered to others and bowed to their wishes.
"Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto, you are here to face the judgment of this Council. You are accused of treason against the Soul Society and the laws of this council."
The words did not surprise him, although given that they had not made the charges stick or outright say he was guilty of treason meant they were trying to cow him. This is why he had done this himself, why he had aided his fellow Captains and Lieutenants in restoring Ichigo Kurosaki's power. He may have done it for honor's sake but there was also the reason for protecting the Gotei from possible civil war.
If the Captains and officers were willing to break rank for one individual than it would not be so strange that if Central made attempts to arrest them there would be a conflict that could tear the Gotei apart. Best he be labeled as the sole perpetrator in this, they had little they could use against him, little to charge him with, little to hold him over.
"You willingly restored the powers of the human, Ichigo Kurosaki, ordering your Captains and Lieutenants to give their powers to restore them."
"This is a military matter, not a civilian one, the actions of the Gotei in matters of military importance cannot be questioned. Given the circumstances that I am sure you are aware the consequences of not acting in this matter could have led to unforeseen consequences," Yamamoto replied.
"Do not attempt to mislead this council Captain-Commander, we are well aware of your motives in this along with what you are hiding. This was not a military matter but a personal one, that in itself is a gross overstep of your authority."
"It is better that an ally remains as such than be lost to an enemy, especially from one so loyal," Yamamoto replied.
"Is it wise to consider a Quincy an ally?"
That was something he had not expected, although it should have been expected. It seems that Central has been able to gain access to some of their reports, reports that he was certain had not been allowed to be distributed.
"You allow your own sense of honor and pride blind you to the facts, this is not the first time you have turned a blind eye to glaring issues, particularly threats."
"That is correct. First, there was Uryu Ishida, a pureblood Quincy, who aided in the invasion of the Seireitei two years ago."
"Now we learn that Ichigo Kurosaki, a boy who also possesses Hollow powers, has been restored to his previous strength. Did you not think to consider the ramifications of your action?"
These barbs came from all across the room, from faceless men and unknown people.
"You cannot expect these actions to go unpunished, reforms will need to be put in place to stop the gross misuse of power that seems to be running rampant in the ranks of the Gotei 13."
"It is not within your authority to make changes to the structure and power within the Gotei 13, this does not fall within your jurisdiction," Yamamoto stated, his words firm and his stance unmoving.
He had built the Thirteen Court Guard Squads to combat the Quincy, he had strong-armed the noble family, Central 46 and many others into creating this organization. He used force and sheer infamy to make it what it is, and he was not going to let some assemblyman dictate how he runs it.
"You are too far behind in the time Captain-Commander, your ways and method are inadequate."
"Silence."
There seemed to be a silent exchange from above, near the chairmen that lead the council, the four seats were in silent discussion. He knew that each of those seats was connected to the Four Great Noble houses, they were influential in Central and as much as the Council was meant to be impartial there was little that could be impartial when the four greatest noble houses ruled over it.
"Captain-Commander Yamamoto. We do not wish to demean or insult you. Your actions and leadership these last thousand years have been exemplary and have without a doubt proven fruitful for the Soul Society. But the Gotei was formed in a time of war, when soldiers were needed to fight off the enemies that sought to consume us. Those times have passed and it is time for us to look to new methods of protecting the peace."
He was soft-spoken, respectful as well, but that did not mean much when a room was full of vipers.
"How do you intend to achieve that?"
"Consolidate the Soul Society from anything that wishes to disrupt the peace and security we have. If we are threatened, in danger, we must ensure that all is barred from reaching these sacred walls. For that, we have this decree: Ichigo Kurosaki is forever banned from society so long as he has a living body. If he does, the Gotei is to treat him as the delusional outsider that he is. The Soul Society is under our governess and we will protect it from all forms of danger, from outside of it, to within."
Yamamoto narrowed his eyes but nodded his head. He departed without another word.
He had so many suspicions as of late, right now he had no idea how to make sense of them or those men in there. Wisdom was a virtue that seemed to elude most of them, although more sinful things might be driving them to do this.
But time is needed to uncover this madness. For now, he would need to inform his Captains of the development, they needed to be made aware of Centrals decree and take the appropriate steps. He couldn't afford to let any of them be charged for treason, not now, not when it is becoming so dangerous.
Yet as he moved from the chamber a Hell Butterfly appeared, landing on the top of his staff and giving him a message. He narrowed his eyes, it seemed that he was not the only one to call for an assembly.
But for someone to do so was not in the norm, only he could call for such an assembly, and he certainly had not called for it.
When Riruka said that she knew a place that they could bury Ginjo, Ichigo was thinking it would be some area that no one would come out to. Someplace where he could be laid at rest in peace. An isolated apple tree grove seemed as peaceful as it could be, yet that was not was what gave him pause.
"Riruka? What are these?" Ichigo finally asked, looking at half a dozen grave markers in the ground.
"Our predecessors," The young girl said somberly. "These are the graves of the first generation of Xcution that Ginjo gathered, back when he was still a Substitute Shinigami."
The first generation of Xcution. Ichigo had a sinking feeling he knew what had led to Ginjo's sudden defection. But he needed to learn more. "What can you tell me about them?"
"Ginjo never really liked to talk about his past so much. More often than not, his words would be tinged with bitterness and hatred, mostly towards the Shinigami."
Ichigo nodded, remembering how lost in himself Ginjo was towards the end, letting all of his frustrations and anger felt but also his wish to simply let it all end.
"One day, Ginjo left the group. I was still new, I was still a kid."
"You still are a kid."
"I am not!" Riruka snapped before composing herself. "I ended up following him here. I was trying to be quiet as he was just speaking to nothing, he caught me in the end. That's when he showed them to me. Don't know if he was lost in the moment, or if he just wanted to humor me. Told me about his past, of how he had been a Substitute, and during a hollow hunt, he came across humans with powers. Powers not like the Shinigami."
"Fullbringers," Ichigo stated, receiving a nod.
"He never reported them. They weren't killing Hollows or destroying souls. In fact, they wanted to be rid of their powers. So he helped them however he could, forging bonds with them. They were his family..." She trailed off, her tone ominous.
"Riruka, what happened?"
"Ginjo returned to the place they all called home, only to find masked Shinigami standing over the dead bodies of his friends with bloody Zanpakuto."
To say Ichigo felt unsettled would be an understatement. He thought maybe this was just Riruka wanting to pain the Shinigami as being villains once more, like how Ginjo did during their battle. But when Ginjo had tried to paint himself as the victim, it had been all about his powers being taken, about how he felt wronged as a substitute and was hunted.
What Riruka was saying was not hateful, malicious, or a lie to be told. It was something she believed to be true. "I don't understand. In all that time we were fighting, all the time he tried to convince me about the Shinigami, why wouldn't he have said something about that?"
"Ginjo doesn't like to speak about his past much. With regard to the previous Xcution, I think only Tsukishima and I were the only ones to know anything about them. Tsukishima because of how close he was to Ginjo, me because of following him that one time. But even then, it's painful. Just thinking about them, he associated that with the pain of how he saw them die," Riruka said somberly. "I think, in order for him to move on, he had put them out of his mind, far enough that he would never think about them except in the need to avenge them. Isolating himself like that it changed him, and not for the better. Tsukishima did nothing but encourage Ginjo because he couldn't ever conceive calling him out on his problems. To him, Ginjo was perfect. If Ginjo felt enraged, it was justified and we should just help him."
The silence permeated the area for a few minutes, as Ichigo took in her words. "Ginjo became lost within his own anger disdain. His burden to get revenge for friends he had couldn't even bring himself to speak about, it would have lead to another tragedy but he couldn't see it, none of them could. None of us had the strength or the will try to change Ginjo," she said, looking up to Ichigo with a grateful expression on her face and with tears running down. "But you changed all that. You set Ginjo free Ichigo. He may be dead, but he is finally free of his burden and I am grateful for that."
"... I only wish it wasn't necessary," Ichigo replied. His substitute predecessor was more complex than he thought. Was it by choice that Ginjo never shared it, or was he so lost to his burden that he couldn't say it.
Whatever the reason, the facts remained. Ginjo was dead and Ichigo was still alive.
It was time for him to lay Ginjo to rest.
Arriving back at the First Division he found his Captains outside, waiting for the rest to arrive. They seemed surprised that he was walking up the steps, usually, he was within waiting for them.
"Captain Commander?" Sajin murmured, obviously perplexed.
"I see you have received the message, as did I. Which of you summoned us all here?" Yamamoto demanded, he had no time for insubordination, not at a time like this.
"Wasn't us," Kyoraku replied, shaking his head. "We all got a message as well."
Yamamoto scanned across the room and to every one of his Captains, he saw one was missing, he knew who the culprit was. Should have expected nothing less from that man. He moved forward and pushed open the door, to no surprise he found Mayuri Kurotsuchi standing in the center of the meeting hall waiting for them.
"What is the meaning of this Captain Kurotsuchi?" Yamamoto asked, his patience has worn thin already.
Kurotsuchi didn't speak. Instead, he walked over to the left wall and ripped a panel out. The entire wall was crammed full of electronic devices and gadgets that the Twelfth Division seemed so fixated on using. He had obviously replaced that wall with those crude contraptions for some inane reason, likely to flaunt somehow as he made a show for his fellow Captains.
"Is there a reason this is inside my Hall Captain Kurotsuchi?" Yamamoto asked.
"This wasn't installed by me," He answered, expression blank and eyes pointed. "I already disabled this one and the others I already removed from my Division Barracks. I simply wanted to have a show and tell to hammer the point in."
He wasn't being arrogant and boastful, the matter was serious enough that even the Head of the Research and Development Department was worried.
"We have traitors within our squads. Shinigami who are not loyal to their Captains, but to the new Central 46," Mayuri announced as he narrowed his eyes. "I am certain you figured out something was amiss when you were called before Central Captain-Commander."
Mayuri was not one to mince words.
"The only way Central 46 could have learned about our plans with Kurosaki, not to mention his heritage, something that was only accessible from reports that have not been filed. But also discussed from within this very room, was by spying on the meetings we held only a few short hours ago." Mayuri said.
The news was not pleasant to hear, the idea that they were being spied upon and their conversations listened to was a major breach of security. In a way some of them found it ironic, they had feared that Ichigo Kurosaki may turn on them for knowing that they had him under surveillance, now they were in his shoes.
Although the ramifications of such a thing were not to be taken lightly. Who was listening to them was not to be considered benevolent. Anything that can be used against them or others could be dangerous, and given what they had just discussed there was no telling what kind of consequences might come from this.
"I also assume they spoke of Yhwach?"
"No, that is a matter that they saw no reason to broach, and neither does it need to be," Yamamoto replied only to see the frustration on the scientist's face.
"Stop this indulging in this delusion, Captain-Commander," Mayuri said. "You cannot deny it any further, the evidence I have and with Ichigo Kurosaki's testimony all but confirms what I have been telling you. In fact, it explains a few odd occurrences as of late."
"Occurrences?" Shinji inquired.
"There has been a rapid increase in Hollow deaths in Hueco Mundo, along with the World of the Living. In fact, this has resulted in measures taken to ensure that the balance does not shift." Mayuri stated. "I gave the order sixteen days ago to purge several thousand souls in the Rukongai in order to counter the effects of the Hollow deaths."
The atmosphere in the room immediately became tense as that as something none of them was aware of. A purge of life on that scale could not be carried out unless it is sanctioned by the Captain Commander.
"You broke the law," Yamamoto ground out, his voice like rumbling thunder, showing his disapproval at being undermined. "You went and carried out a purge without properly informing me."
"I did so because of how rapid the balance was declining, in fact, I am certain in the next few days I will need to carry out several more." Mayuri countered, his tone cold and detached. "Given that this is likely connected to the Quincy, I expected you to push this under the rug and ignore it."
"Stop acting all high and mighty Kurotsuchi," Toshiro scoffed. "You don't care about the welfare of the people."
"Not in the same sense that all of you do perhaps but I do very much care for my own life," Mayuri stated, before looking into Byakuya's direction. "Aside from Captain Kuchiki, I am the only one that understands anything about the coming calamity right now, and unless you stop ignoring the facts we are looking at a major collapse of the Balance."
"You can't be serious," Sui-Feng questioned.
"Do you know me to make jokes, assassin?" Mayuri returned. "You know you cannot explain away the facts. There is damning evidence to support the Quincy have returned. I told you this two years ago when Uryu Ishida appeared. I am telling you now, we cannot afford to ignore this."
Yamamoto didn't want to believe it, because it meant failure on his part. For so many years he believed that all the bloodshed and misery he inflicted had meant something. Instead, it only showed that he failed to do what was needed. End the single greatest threat to the balance there was. A threat that may return.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, you believe his words?" Yamamoto inquired.
"The boy is a terrible liar unless he can fool my daughter and the rest of you than he certainly has come up in the world," Mayuri responded.
There was no point in arguing anymore, but it still left issues that he would be forced to deal with. Central had told him that this was not a time for war, mobilizing his forces without their express permission could have consequences that may set them back before they can prepare.
"Regardless of what any of us may wish for, by the order of Central 46 we cannot openly prepare for war," Yamamoto stated, opening his eyes to look over the captains. "However, that does not mean we will do nothing. I know what Yhwach is capable of and I will not allow myself or the Gotei to be taken out like lambs to slaughter. Find those you know that can be trusted, bring them into your confidence. We must prepare for what is to come."
"What about Ichigo?" Kyoraku inquired.
"He has been labeled a threat to the peace of the Soul Society, barred from entering the Seireitei and Soul Society until he no longer possesses a living body," Yamamoto replied.
That was something that surprised them, but they did not speak up, it only made it more obvious of the conflict that they are about to face. If their ally was not going to be able to join, they needed to find other prospects.
The Captains nodded, moving from the chamber and heading back to their own Squads.
All but one.
"Is there something you wish to speak of in private, Captain Hitsugaya?"
"Captain-Commander, if we cannot act openly, and if Central is restricting us and the Gotei… then perhaps we should look towards gaining help from an unlikely source."
Yamamoto looked back the youngest of his captains, an appraising look on his face. "What source is this?"
"I cannot tell you, but know that this asset does not pose a threat to the Gotei or Soul Society,"
Yamamoto read between the lines. A possible criminal element but one that would not be against them. "Can this asset be tied to us in any way if he or she were to be captured be forced loyal to Central 46?"
"No. If he were to be captured, there would be no reason for anyone to believe he would be aligned with the Gotei."
Yamamoto considered his options carefully. This would be a rogue operation, using an asset he would know nothing about, leaving the execution of orders to Captain Hitsugaya, and while insulating himself and the Gotei from fallout, could easily go badly. But if this is only the beginning of what Central 46 had planned with their so-called 'plans for the future', his course was clear.
"Then you may act as you see fit, so long as the honor of the Gotei is never compromised."
They buried him underneath the old grove tree.
Huddled between the graves of his former friends and family, it was the best place for him, in life and in death he would always be surrounded by them. He wasn't much one for farewells, he could only give a silent goodbye that none other than himself could hear. That would be enough, no more words needed to be said.
Riruka did the same. There were a few moments of silence between them, and she was the first to turn and walk away.
"You won't stay?" Ichigo asked her, knowing she would leave.
"I don't have a place here. I think it's best for me if I just move on," Riruka replied. "I'd ask if you'd just forget about me but I know you won't ever forget us."
"Why would I want to forget you?" Ichigo asked honestly.
She didn't reply, but her steps slowed for a moment. He wouldn't want to forget them, for all that was done and all that he had been through he didn't blame them, he didn't hate them. He understood pain, maybe not as identically as them, but he understood what it is like to lose, to be lost and helpless and feel like everything is gone.
They gave it all back to him. In a way, no matter how this had ended, they were like another family for him.
"Goodbye," Ichigo said.
He wouldn't ask her to stay, it wouldn't be right. Not for him, not for her, she needed to go her own way.
"Goodbye." She returned, walking into the woods, the shadows of the high canopy wrapping around her and stealing away from sight.
Turning back to the grave, of a man that he considered a friend, an enemy, and fellow substitute, he gave one final farewell. Now was not the time for remorse or grief, he had faced enough of that in the short time as a Shinigami and the many months without his powers. It was time for him to prepare.
War was on the horizon, his enemies would not wait and neither would he.
He would rest, recover, and plan. There was an enemy he needed to face, and he was not going to be unprepared.
"So this is the end of it, the path we started on," Riruka muttered, looking up at the leaves of the trees and spying the light barely breaking through the canopy.
She had been waiting for this moment for years, everyone in Xcution had been waiting, to get to the moment where they could avenge their predecessors. To accomplish the mission Ginjo had set them on, to make those that had wrong their kind and him.
It had not ended how they had thought, how they had hoped, but all the same, it ended on a bittersweet note.
"I hope you are resting well, no longer having to plot and scheme." Riruka said.
He had been consumed in the end, the goal was in sight and he was drooling with anticipation. The worst kind of anticipation, he had changed and been altered by that need for vengeance. It was better that it ended this way, that he had not come to the end and been consumed by his own villainy.
Ginjo was never the villain. He was just a poor lost soul like the rest of them.
"Now I am lost again. Wonder where I will wander off to." Riruka said, stepping from the forest and looking out over the city. "Where to from here? Where do I run to? What do I do?"
"You know, running isn't ever going to solve anything for you."
Riruka blinked hard, not expecting someone else to be there. Behind her no less, and it was a voice that she did not recognize, or maybe she did. She wasn't certain at this point, but she had a feeling in her gut this was someone she knew. That was not a good thing. Turning back she looked to see who had snuck up on her, no one was there. But at the same time they were, the voice was familiar and she had an inkling on who it was. But she couldn't be sure, why was she here?
"Getting my memories back to normal after the manipulator bought it, I can honestly say I wanted to give you Fullbringers hell to pay." The decidedly female voice said before letting a resigned sigh. "At least I did until I heard your story. You're just a damaged little girl, hurt by the world around her, a world that couldn't understand her."
"Shut up!" Riruka sapped back, trying to regain some form of control, ready to book it the moment she knew which direction this unknown speaker had come from. "Who do you think you are, a creepy voice in the woods? What could you possibly know about my pain!"
Someone emerged from the shadows under the canopy, turning to the direction she reached for her Dollhouse Gun. It never left the holster because of the person that came out and she saw her face.
This girl wasn't a threat. At least she wasn't supposed to be. She was just some girl from Ichigo's school. She didn't even know her name.
The person that had snuck up on Riruka had a slight smirk on her face, taking a bit of enjoyment from Riruka's expression. "You're so concerned about being judged by what you can do, that society won't accept you. Maybe it's true for this society. But what if this wasn't the only society for an option."
"What are you talking about?" Riruka asked.
"I want to do for you what someone else did for me. Offer you a chance to go to a place you could go and not be judged as you have felt for so long by others. A place where your Fullbring would not be the strangest thing you would see. A place where you can be accepted for who you are rather than what this world expects you to be."
Riruka was silent for what appeared to be minutes, trying to make sense of what was being told to her. She knew that there was much to this world that was not known to her, there was a lot out there she didn't understand. But how the hell did this girl expect to know anything? Riruka knew a lot, having learned from Ginjo and a few others that they had crossed paths with, there was no way she knew more than she was letting on.
"Who are you again? I don't even remember your name."
The female figure simply smiled as she gave her response. "Who am I… I'm just a Knight."
The park was empty, he was thankful for that at least.
The last thing he wanted was for someone to come by and think he was sulking, making up some story that he had been dumped by a girlfriend or that he didn't get a perfect score on his history exam. It wasn't like that at all.
Uryu wasn't someone who sulked.
Brood would be a better word to describe how he felt. He wasn't stewing in his negativity, he was channeling them as he tried to wrap his brain around his father's actions. How he hid so much of his family and races history from him, continually tried to push him away from this path and force him into normalcy.
It was near hypocritical. Beyond his own desire to avenge his mother, even his aid in restoring his powers after he lost them in the Soul Society, his father was never one to follow his own words. Cold and aloof and not caring of anyone else, a habit and trait he picked up from the man.
He felt something briefly register on his senses, Hollow energy, fast approaching.
"... I don't have time for this."
Standing up he summoned his bow and planned to blow this Hollow away so he could think. But as he turned he hesitated, this wasn't a Hollow, not in the obvious sense.
"An Arrancar?"
Standing at the end of the park was an Arrancar, reddish hair and garbed in a familiar white. But there was something off with the design, too crisp and form-fitting, it spoke of regulation over casual clothing. The buttons and belt, the cuffs and neatly tied shows.
It was a uniform, one that was finely pressed and clean. A single glint of silver could be seen dangling from his wrist. Bearing a symbol he had not thought to see worn by an Arrancar.
"Who are you?" Uryu demanded, recognizing the Quincy cross upon the chain dangling from his wrist.
"My name is Asguiaro Ebern. I am one of the Vanguard of his Majesty and I have come to end your impure life."