Chapter 3
Author notes: Hey guys, before getting into the actual story I just want to take a quick moment to apologize. The goal was to put out one of these every week or so, but that has just become impossible with my schedule. I still have a passion for this project, but my major allows me very little time to do these kinds of things. Personal matters also came up, and dealing with them made it difficult to write. I feel as if you guys deserved an explanation, as well as an apology. I promise I will put one of these out as often as possible from here on out. I cannot guarantee every week, but I will do my best! Hope you enjoy the new chapter! Also due to a recent comment I have changed the format of the stories. Let me know what you guys think in the comments! Thanks
I do not own bleach, this is a non-profit fan fiction
(The Captains have gathered in the main chamber to discuss the events that have taken place over the past two days. All is silent, as Ichigo begins to explain…)
"Thank you all for coming. As all of you have no doubt already heard, a man was found outside of Rukongai's main gate by one of Squad 11's patrols yesterday. Seeing that he possessed a zanpakuto, he was taken into custody before having his wounds treated. After regaining consciousness, he demanded to speak with me personally. I obliged, and as we talked he revealed to me some very interesting information. He claims that he was once involved with a terrorist cell bent solely on the eradication of the Soul Society. This group of men refer to themselves as the Tartarus, and according to him they should not be taken lightly. They have apparently undergone extensive experimentation, brainwashing and, training to mold them into formidable warriors. These methods have robbed them of any humanity that they once had, turning them into monsters. They are creatures made with one purpose in mind, to kill shinigami." Ichigo pauses for a moment to let his words sink in. Many of the Captains look skeptical but hold their tongues for now. "Now as the protector of the Soul Society and its people, I cannot let such claims to go unaddressed. I have decided to send a specially constructed team to provide reconnaissance on this new threat."
Sui Feng is the first to state her opinion on the matter, stepping before Ichigo as she begins to speak, "Head Captain, with all do respect I see no point in putting together a team when my squad specializes in things such as this. Why complicate things when you already have an elite team at your disposal?"
This grants Sui Feng a number of approving murmurs from the other Captains, but Ichigo is quick to interject. "In most situations you'd be right. But these Titans are not easy to fool. According to the prisoner, they have extremely acute senses making them highly sensitive to movement and Reiatsu. This paired with their superb combat ability makes them extremely lethal. You said so yourself, your squad specializes in things such as reconnaissance and assassination. If your men got pulled into close quarter combat, it'd be a slaughter."
Anger flashes in her eyes as responds through gritted teeth, "Do you think so little of us Kurosaki?"
Ichigo can feel the venom in her words seeping into him, but he stands firm and offers his rebuttle. "On the contrary, I believe Squad 2 to be irreplaceable. If something were to happen, and we were to lose you or a number of your men, it'd be an insurmountable loss. You will still be leading this team Sui Feng, as you are by far the most qualified to do so. You will select three of your best men to assist you in scouting their base, as you are supported by an elite vanguard. Renji Abarai, Shuhei Hisagi and, Ikkaku Madarame will stay in the rear and only act if provoked. So if everything goes off with a hitch, they will stay hidden and out of your way. However, should you be discovered and pulled into combat they will provide support. I have no doubts that you and your men will go undetected Sui Feng, but I must air on the side of caution."
She bites her lip to keep herself from protesting further as she steps back into line with the other Captains. "Is there anything else anyone wishes to say before this meeting is adjourned?" Ichigo waits patiently for a time, giving the other Captains every opportunity to bring up any grievances.
Toshiro Hitsugaya decides to speak, stating in his usual cool tone, "I understand you want to air on the side of caution Ichigo, but this team seems a little excessive to me. Two Captains and two Vice Captains on the same squad for a simple reconnaissance mission? Doesn't that seems a bit much?"
Ichigo contemplates this for a few moments, but ultimately decides to stick to his original plan. "Again, in most situations I would have to agree with you. But it doesn't look like we're dealing with just any enemy here. Captain Kuchiki can attest to what I'm about to say, as she personally carried out the operation to treat our prisoners injuries. The man claims that he was one of the twelve elite Titans, known as the Acropoli. Rukia and I have both felt his Reiatsu, and have concluded that it is easily on par with the majority of the Captains. If Cronus really has such deadly men at his disposal, I'm not gonna take any chances."
The young Captain bows slightly, accepting Ichigo's response before returning to his position in line. This time, the room remains silent. Seeing this as a good stopping point, the Head Captain adjourns the meeting, but not before ordering Sui Feng, Renji and, Kenpachi to accompany him to his office. Upon entry, Ichigo get strait to the point. "Sui Feng, please make sure your men are prepared as soon as possible. Kenpachi, please inform Ikkaku of his role and catch him up to speed. Renji, you are going to serve as the second in command for this mission. Meet me at the main gate tomorrow at dawn, and be ready to leave immediately." The three nod in agreement, and begin to leave. Before making it to the door, Renji stops in his tracks. He turns to Ichigo with a questioning glimmer in his eye.
"Are they really as strong as you say?" He inquires, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Ichigo looks down at the floor boards while breathing deeply. He lifts his head to the Captain as he responds, "Be on guard."
Renji stands for a few moments more as a serious look slowly crawling over his features. He clasps the hilt of his Zanpakuto as a wild grin emerges between his lips. "Good, I'm always looking for a good fight."
With that, he slips through the door, leaving a stunned Ichigo behind him. A chuckle is his only response to his old friend's brash remark. "Some things never change I guess," Ichigo thinks to himself as he takes his place behind his desk. It is at this moment that Ichigo realizes that something is amiss.
"Wait a minute, where the hell is Rukia?" Just as this thought crosses his mind he notices a single piece of paper sitting in the middle of his desk. Lifting the paper in order to get a better view, Ichigo begins reading.
"Dear Ichigo,
I did as much paper work as I could. I decided after I woke up drooling on your desk that I had reached my stopping point. I am going home and going to bed, good luck with your work.
Love, Rukia"
"Least she left a note." With a big yawn and a stretch, Ichigo fortifies his mind for the exhausting task before him. His pace is sluggish as tomorrow weighs heavy on his mind. For some odd reason, he cannot seem to shake the uneasiness creeping over him. Like a noxious fog it completely envelopes him, clouding his mind and keeping him from his work.
"What the fuck is wrong with me?" He wonders as rises from his chair. "It's probably just exhaustion, some sleep will do me some good."
Ichigo begins the long trek back to his quarters. With dragging steps, his tired feet carry him at a sluggish pace. The commotion of the day had distracted him from his exhaustion, but now he is feeling the full effects of his sleep deprivation. He trudges along, each step a battle as he slowly gets closer to his home. After a long and arduous walk, he sees his house standing before him. He marvels at just how beautiful of a sight it is as he rushes to the door, reaching for the handle as quickly as possible. Just as his fingers curl around the handle, a small voice rings in his ear.
"Um…Ku…Head Captain Kurosaki," a small voice chimes with a mix of excitement and nerves.
"Oohhh no no no no no….you've got to be kidding me right now…of all the times for someone to come to visit it HAD to be today?!" He turns to see a bubbly little girl standing before him, a sheepish smile planted on her face. He hides his true feelings as best he can while mustering the little energy he has left. "Hanako! What a nice surprise!" Ichigo exclaims, laying the façade on thick.
The girl's sweet smile fades as her jaw nearly hits the floor. "Oh my…Ichigo when…how long has it been since you last slept?!"
He is thrown off guard by the sudden question, but answers honestly. "Oh uhh….two days now I believe."
Hanako's eyes grow wide as she throws herself into a tizzy. She pushes Ichigo toward the door, scolding him as she does. "What are you doing?! Don't you know that's bad for your health?! Did you even stop to think what would happen if you were too sick to work? Rest is important! Get your butt to bed mister!"
Everything happens in a flash, and before he even realizes what's happening, Ichigo is in bed tucked in with a warm milk in his hand. "What in the world…when did I get here? Hanako what are you doing? I'm fine you honestly don't need to…"
"Sush you!" Hanako scolds while waving a finger in the Head Captain's face. "You need some serious shut eye! Now close your eyes and go to sleep, I'll clean up a little around here and then be on my way."
"…who are you and what have you done with Hanako?"
"Shhhh! Sleep! Now!"
"Geez okay okay! Why do I feel like I'm being mugged?" Despite the surprising, and slightly scary change in Hanako's manner, he is thankful for the help. In a matter of seconds, the orange haired Shinigami drifts off to sleep, all the while watching the little Hanako buzz around his home.
-The Next Day-
Ichigo awakens in the early morning, long before sunrise. He stretches and looks around to find his home immaculate. The floors scrubbed, the shelves and tables dusted, the windows washed and the dishes done. Still in a dazed state from sleep, he stumbles around admiring the new condition of his usually filthy home. He had been meaning to clean it, but with his work schedule there had simply been no time. He spots a note on the counter close to a cup of coffee.
"Dear Ichigo,
Straitened up a little before I left, I hope you don't mind! It just seemed like you were behind on some stuff, and I knew I could help! Anyway, sleep well and try to take it easy tomorrow!
P.S. The coffee will probably be cold when you wake up, but it's still good! Just heat it up a little
Sincerely, Hanako"
A small smirk spreads across his lips as he finished reading the note. While heating the coffee, he makes a mental note to thank her the next time he sees her. With little to do at home, Ichigo is able to ease into his morning for once. After eating a hearty breakfast, he finds himself with nothing to do. On a whim, he reaches for the book he keeps on his coffee table. 'The Classic Works of Shakespeare,' one of the few things he brought with him from the world of the living. The edges of the book are worn and frayed, with pages stained and wrinkled from cover to cover. Having read every work at least four dozen times, Ichigo can recite every one by heart. Still, he cannot help but lose himself in the book every time he rereads Macbeth or Hamlet. Something about the classic writing style has always had a way of captivating him, even at a young age. This time, he decides to read Julius Cesar. For about two hours he loses himself in the words of the piece, placing himself in the shoes of the once powerful emperor.
He jerks himself from the world of Shakespere to find the sun beginning to break over the tree line outside. "Well, time to go." With the main gate so close to his quarters, Ichigo feels no need to rush. The first thing that catches his eye is Renji's fire red hair in the distance. "Maybe choosing the guy with the bright red hair for a stealth mission wasn't my best decision…"
"Yo, Ichigo bout time you got here," Renji yells, a hint of attitude in his tone.
"Shove it Renji, I said dawn and its dawn. Besides, Hisagi and Ikkaku aren't even here yet…"
"THE HELL WE AREN'T!"
Ichigo cringes as the scratchy voice rips his eardrums to shreds. He turns to find Yachiru walking toward him, Hisagi close in tow. The morning sun reflects Ikkaku's bare skull, prompting Ichigo to question his selection again. "Red hair, shiny head….I should've thought this out a little more…" Keeping this thought to himself, he chooses to take the civil route. "Morning gentleman, glad you could join us."
"Yea, yea, so where is Sui Feng, we should be leaving already!?" Ikkaku demands.
Renji responds in Ichigo's stead, "They left a few minutes ago to scout the road ahead, we have coms open with them just in case." Ikkaku nods, accepting Renji's explanation.
With everything squared away, Ichigo gives his orders. "Keep your com channels open at all times with Sui Feng and her unit. Do not engage the enemy unless absolutely necessary to do so, I'd like to avoid any casualties if possible. Keep all your information and findings detailed, and check in once you find the base. We are counting on you, good luck."
The three men bow slightly before responding with a booming, "Yes Head Captain!" And with that set out on their journey. The Head Captain watches as they slowly disappear down the roadway, heading toward their unknown enemy. Ichigo takes solace in the knowledge that he assembled the strongest team possible. With their power, they can certainly handle anything thrown at them. Turning his attention from the roadway, the Head Captain instead focuses on his duties, as well as all the things the future may hold.