Chapter Twenty Five
It was late at night when the door opened to reveal Tatsuki. "Sorry, I'm late. It took longer than I thought." Tatsuki announced as she walked into the threshold of their apartment, dropping a cooler box by the door and taking off her shoes. "I brought you a bur-" She paused upon looking up to see Orihime and Rukia in the living room. She was even more surprised to see Ichigo leaning forward with his hands balled into a fist over his mouth in what she liked to call his 'angry thinking pose'... the pose where he was letting the information he was told marinate before going on a rampage. "I should have brought more burgers..." She whispered to herself before going over.
"Tatsuki..." Orihime greeted, but it was not a chirpy 'I haven't seen you in a long time' greeting. It was sad and melancholy.
"Arisawa-san?" Rukia mused in confusion.
"What's going on?" Tatsuki asked.
"I'm fucking killing everyone of them!" He concluded as he stood up and Tatsuki rushed over to stop him from charging out of the house. "Tatsuki, out of my way."
"Ichigo... we can talk about this... okay?" Tatsuki tried to calm him down. "Just breathe."
"You will not tell me to fucking breathe when they are trying to execute my sister!" Ichigo yelled at her and Tatsuki looked just as shocked as him and turned to Rukia.
"Have you all lost your goddamn minds?" She looked at her. Rukia sighed, staring at the floor. "I'm calling Chad."
"Chad?" Ichigo questioned.
"I know you're not going to let me go with you so at the very least Chad should go with you so you don't go on a rampage." She said. "I'm still trying to find more relatives of people who have gone missing to submit their DNA so that I can find out just how many people were at that factory with Karin."
"You found a lead?" Ichigo asked.
"Kakeru has been compiling information for me." She said.
"You're still letting him in on this?"
"Of course not!" Tatsuki said in exasperation. "I'm doing the best with the resources I have. This isn't about that... this is about Karin. Wait for Chad and go get your sister. Just... don't do anything that will jeopardise the situation even more."
"... Should I come with?" Orihime asked and they turned to her. "I... I only came to check in on you guys so if I'm overstepping my boundaries."
"That is up to you guys to decide." Tatsuki sighed before picking up her phone to call Chad and walking to her room.
"Well... Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime asked.
"I think you should stay here." He sighed. "Keep Tatsuki company. Plus, I'm sure Ishida wouldn't be happy to find out you disappeared to Soul Society."
Orihime frowned. "I guess you're right."
Tatsuki popped out of her room. "She is her own person, she can go with you guys just in case one of you gets injured." She pocketed her phone. "Chad is on his way."
"Then you should come with!" Orihime insisted
"I'm of better help if I'm here." Tatsuki sighed as she went back to the doorway to pick up the box before putting it on the table. She put on rubber gloves and looked through it. "Just make sure to tell Ishida in case he wonders where you are."
Tōshirō never thought he would see the day he was relieved to put on his work uniform again. He knew the feeling was a temporary though. The work aspect of his life was draining and he couldn't even remember why he chose this route any more.
He put on his haori before heading for the door. He opened it only to be surprised by someone jumping back to avoid the blow from the door swing. "That was a close once." She sighed in relief before looking up at Hitsugaya and raising an eyebrow at his wide eyed expression of shock. "... Being stared at this intensely is definitely not normal, correct?" She joked. Her deep, raspy voice took on a lazy and comedic tone. He doesn't know why he expected her voice to change. She still sounded the same. "Aren't you going to invite me in?" She teased.
"What... are you doing here?" Hitsugaya asked, finally finding his voice.
"Does it matter?" She asked. "Obviously this is a dream." Hitsugaya's words were lost. His vocabulary head vanished and all that was left was his facial expression of pure shock, confusion and horror. "So... you on your way to work?" Karin asked, leaning against the doorframe with that lazy, goofy smile of hers, the one she uses to tease people with.
"I... aren't you supposed to be at the first?" Hitsugaya asked.
"Does it matter? It's a dream." She took a step towards him and he took a step back. "What? You think I'm going to hurt you?"
"Just... cautious." Hitsugaya explained.
"Hmm... is that so?" Karin took another step towards him and he took a step back, maintaining that distance. "So... how's it going? It's been a year."
"I... uh... it..."
"Still not a chit-chatty person I guess... my bad." Karin chuckled a little but Hitsugaya still looked confused. "Look, Hitsugaya, contrary to what you think, I'm not angry at you."
"You're not?" Hitsugaya was baffled.
"A little upset, sure but I'm not angry." She took another step and he actually stayed in place this time as she moved in closer. "I missed you." She admitted before raising her hand to run through his hair. "Didn't you miss me?"
"I..." The lack of words caused Karin to frown.
"Guess I wasted my time, huh?" She was about to pull away but Hitsugaya held onto her wrists in a quick reflex.
"Stop... I'm just..." He sighed, his brain acting like an old computer than needed a jumpstart. "I'm sorry... I wasn't... expecting you here."
"Expecting?" Karin echoed. "In your dreams?"
"I... I'm just... a little..."
"Surprised?" Karin asked and he nodded.
"Yes, that." Hitsugaya said.
"Well, at the very least, if you're not going to tell me how you feel... show me." She claimed, taking a step back with him in tow and closing the front door. She had a mischievous smile on her face and her onyx coloured eyes had this twinkle in them that he hasn't seen in what felt like years.
She placed her hands on his neck before standing on her tip toes. "Show me exactly how you feel." Karin whispered before pressing her lips onto his.
Hitsugaya felt like this was all a trap. Something did not feel right but when his lips fell on hers, suddenly that feeling went away. He was soft and hesitant at first but when he pulled away to look at her, really look at her, he was tired of dancing around how he felt. Their lips met again but this time, neither of them were holding back as he unleashed everything he felt: all the regret and the relief just melted away. He held her against the door, hooking his hands around the back of her knees before lifting her up a bit higher. This isn't right... his rationale told him but his actions were doing the complete opposite. The soft sighs and hums coming out from her mouth were addictive. His lips left hers and down her neck, biting and gnawing softly on her skin as she tipped her head back and gasped.
This isn't right. His mind came at him again and he tried to ignore it.
"It must be fun using me, huh?" The words left so suddenly that he wasn't even sure if it was real but he stopped abruptly and looked up at her. The glee that was in her face before disappeared and was replaced with a cold stare of resentment. "I'm not worth your time other than to fuck around with, isn't that right?"
This isn't right.
Hitsugaya tried to pull away but Karin stopped him. "No, no. Don't pull away now. Don't act self righteous and respectful all of a sudden."
"That isn't true."
"Then what is?" She asked. "You've used me, lied to me, abandoned me to get fucking executed—"
"That wasn't my intention."
"Then what was?" She asked. "Funny how all of a sudden, you can talk but two seconds ago, you couldn't even tell me."
"But—"
"You are fucking pathetic!" She spat. "The well respected Captain who is secretly a fucking pig! You don't care about anyone but yourself. Admit it!"
This isn't real.
"That isn't true."
"Look behind you." Karin instructed him bitterly and Hitsugaya pulled away and turned around. The scenery had changed to sand dunes and a place of eternal night. A figure was chained in the sand, kicking and screaming as they were pulled through. They were bloodied and battered and the clothes on them were tattered and singed.
"Please stop! Please!" The voice screamed and the screams were familiar. Hitsugaya turned around and Karin was no longer behind him. "Stop! Please! I'm sorry!" The person cried. The figure pulling her stopped and removed the bag over her face. "Please..." Karin's lip quivered as she cried. "I don't know what I did! Just let me—" She screamed as the figure hurt her.
Hitsugaya!
The captain awoke with a jolt, breathing heavily. The air around him was cold when he realised his breath condensing in the air and he looked around, realising that the room was now covered in ice and frost. Hitsugaya... The voice that he now recognised to be Hyōrinmaru's called out to him. Tōshirō ran a hand through his hair, feeling more and more aggravated. "Fuck!" He hissed angrily.
Chad was surprised by the current set up as the group was preparing to make their way back to Soul Society. This was somewhat nostalgic... minus the presence of Ūryū, it was still pretty reminiscent of when they made their way to Soul Society to free Rukia from the same circumstance. "Sado." Sado looked to Rukia who joined his side. "What is going on?" Rukia asked as she looked before them. Ichigo was still talking to Tatsuki about the contents of the box as she examined them while Orihime was off to the side on the phone.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"... As in, with these three." Rukia asked. "I hate to be nosy but I am confused. Who is Orihime talking to?"
"Ishida." Chad said.
"Why?" Rukia asked
"The two of them are engaged." He clarified and Rukia stared in confusion.
"Eh?" She wondered. "But I thought—that her and Ichigo..."
"It's been two years since they decided to call it quits." Chad explained.
"But... why?" Rukia asked. It has been years since she has spoken to any of them and now by circumstance, she was here with them yet so much has changed.
"Ichigo says he got dumped and Orihime says she got dumped." Chad said. "Neither of them want to talk about it."
"And what about Tatsuki?" She asked.
"They just live together because they went to the same university and rent is cheaper." He explained. "Ichigo used to live alone but after the rent at his old place went up, he talked to Tatsuki about getting a place together. She was living on campus."
"...So..."
"That's just the living situation."
"This is all so weird." Rukia said
"It's weirder if you've been here this whole time." Chad said before checking his watch. "We should get going soon."
"You're really reliable huh? You didn't even ask questions. You came straight here." Rukia noted and Sado sighed.
"Ichigo is a good friend of mine. If he needs me for something, I'll be there just like I know he'd be there for me." Chad said. He loved all his friends and everything they have done for him. Ichigo was his closest friend and that would never change. Ichigo wasn't one to call for help unless it was something pressing. Having Tatsuki call and say it was about Karin was enough considering what she just went through. He was just surprised by Orihime being here.
"I'm ready to go." Orihime announced but Ichigo and Tatsuki were now bickering.
"Huh? I thought you didn't want me anywhere near Soul Society." Tatsuki said.
"I don't. But I can't just leave you here with all the evidence." Ichigo complained.
"So what do you suggest?" Tatsuki said. "I doubt I'm important enough to be targeted."
"I'm not taking that chance."
Rukia stepped forward. "What's going on here?"
"All of a sudden, Ichigo wants me to come with." Tatsuki said.
"All of a sudden?" He scoffed
"Aren't you the one who tells me to mind my own business!"
"This isn't even about minding your own business! You're finding evidence about Aizen when we don't even know where the fuck he is!"
"I doubt he cares!" She hissed at him.
"And I can guarantee he does." Ichigo claimed.
"I will be fine."
You will be alone."
"I'll call Kakeru if something goes wrong."
"What is a cop with a gun going to do?" He yelled. "Go to Keigo or something!"
"Asano?" Tatsuki hissed at him as her eye twitched. "Are you insulting me?"
"Enough!" Rukia reprimanded the two and they were still glaring at each other. "Tatsuki, what exactly have you found about Karin's disappearance?"
"So far, I identified 27 civilians who were there with her from the blood in the bucket. There are still more DNA markers that are unknown." She said
"How many?"
"It's hard to tell. I can only tell once I've exhausted them." Tatsuki explained and Rukia sighed.
"I understand Ichigo's point in wanting to keep you safe if you have the evidence. Soul Society only needs a few to confirm a crisis and 27 is more than enough." Rukia explained.
"I sent Yuzu the damn files and she's right there in Soul Society... what happened?" Rukia had no answer. "No matter, I'm doing this for the victims whose families don't know where they are. Not everything is about that messed up place you guys keep talking about."
Rukia looked shocked by that revelation. "... Tatsuki-chan..." Orihime made her aware of her tone and Tatsuki sighed.
"I'm sorry if that was harsh but it's the truth." Tatsuki said. "From everything I have heard about this place, they have a habit of centering themselves in a conversation that isn't even about them. I cannot even imagine what would warrant them thinking executing an 18 year old is proper etiquette especially considering the conditions she was in. Aizen was pronounced missing for a while now, wasn't he? Where are the shinigami searching for him?"
"There are search teams in Rukongai as we speak."
"Yet his last possible sighting was on Earth with nearly hundreds of people possibly missing under his belt." Tatsuki huffed before turning to Ichigo. "Look, I understand your concerns, but I need to at least find these people. I wasted time, Ichigo. I brushed what happened to Karin to the side. I don't want to be like all the other officers and lab techs at that police station who look at things like this and ignore it because it hurts when someone you love never comes home and you're left wondering 'what?'"
"But you can't help them if they get you." He said.
"I can't help them either if I don't know who they are." She said
"Can't we help you carry the stuff you need so that you can continue testing there?" Sado asked and they all turned to him. "We can figure out a safe way of transporting it."
"Sado-kun probably has a good idea." Orihime said. "I... just don't like it when you two argue... at least this badly."
The two looked at each other and sighed. "Fine, you win." Tatsuki said. "Help me pack these. But they need to be transported carefully so we'll need to split up. Ichigo and Rukia can go ahead of us and I'll stay behind with Sado since I'm oh so weak."
"No one said you're weak." Ichigo scoffed.
"Are you not the one who wanted me to stay with Keigo?" Tatsuki asked in annoyance
"To use him as bait while you escape." Ichigo said and Tatsuki was surprised.
"That... isn't such a bad idea... but what happens afterwards, Deathberry?" She asked and Ichigo kissed his teeth in annoyance.
"You're coming anyways so it doesn't matter." He said and Tatsuki rolled her eyes before starting to pack her box.
Haruki was not one to wake up early but when she heard shuffling near her, she couldn't help but wake up to go check. Yuzu was out of her futon and Haruki went into the living room to see her putting on her shoes with the woman from the hospital waiting for her at the door. "Were you going to tell us?" Yuzu froze at Haruki's voice
"Haruki-chan, stay here."
"No." Haruki claimed before putting on her shoes. "I'm coming with you. You aren't doing this alone."
Yuzu looked conflicted. "She can come. We need three witnesses anyways." Yuzu looked between the gray haired woman and her little cousin and nodded, probably knowing that she wasn't going to take no for an answer.
Matsumoto wondered what was taking her Captain so long. He couldn't have forgotten that his suspension ends today... Matsumoto thought as she flashstepped to his house right towards the end of Seireitei. It wasn't that he was late for work... he just wasn't early he normally was. Besides, a personnel from the first dropped by to pass him a message and it would have been a waste for him to go by the office in that instance anyways. She paused by the door when she felt an odd amount of reiatsu from the inside. She had not felt this much since Hitsugaya was a small child.
She searched for the key on his porch and let herself in. "Taichō?" She asked as she opened the door but was surprised to see Hitsugaya cleaning up. Did he... turn his place to ice? Matsumoto thought to herself. "Did someone attack you at night?"
Hitsugaya looked up at her and he shook his head. "What is it you came for that couldn't have waited until I arrived?" His voice was low and his eyes looked tired.
"I... An officer from Ichibantai came by. You're requested to be present before the sōtaichō." She said.
"Isn't Kurosaki's hearing this morning?" He asked quietly.
"Ah." Matsumoto nodded. "You know... I can carry on cleaning up and you can... go."
"That won't be necessary." Hitsugaya said. "I'll see the sōtaichō after the hearing."
"But it is an immediate request." She clarified
"But the hearing is first. Whatever he needs to tell me, he can say afterwards."
"Taichō!" Hitsugaya stopped and sighed. "What has gotten into you? Why is your house covered in ice and why are you being so secretive nowadays?"
There was silence.
"I'm sorry for being a hypocrite." Her Captain sighed before standing up. "And I'm sorry for making it difficult for you. Thank you for covering for me when I was unable to do my job." He bowed and Matsumoto was still confused and baffled. He straightened himself up. "I'll go since I was summoned."
"Okay... I'll take care of this. You go." She told him and Hitsugaya handed her the wash cloth before leaving.
"What is going on with him?" She mused to herself quietly. "He looks so... miserable."