Tite Kubo is the awesome creator of the amazing characters used here. I'd like to thank him because he lets us use his characters for any fanworks...
Pairings: Slight Ginjô x Ichigo and Urahara x Yoruichi.
Warning: Allusions to death.
Deep thanks to SakaSandora who has accepted to beta that story.
Deep thanks for the reviews, favorites and alerts.
For the moment, I need to set up some things... So it's calm.
Chapter I: New Doubts
Ichigo listened once again to the old woman in front of him. He was supposed to investigate another crime lord that ruled over the city, the former lord being Aizen. He bore through her tears and accusations; apparently she couldn't help herself from crying because of the way she had been treated. She wanted to tell the young man how much she suffered, through beatings, and how hard it was to live under that man's orders.
She let her emotions get out of her body and soul, she wanted peace and she hoped to get peace thanks to the young redhead man that sat in front of her. She believed investigators could help everyone and Ichigo felt himself obligated towards the old woman. He wished to help everyone coming in his small office.
- Could you repeat your story, Ma'am? Ichigo asked. I'll register all your testimony.
The small woman smiled softly, despite her tears, repeated exactly word for word all of her testimony. She wanted to be clear and sure that horrible man would be sent to jail soon even though she couldn't know that Ichigo had worked a whole year to gather enough information about the man. She even told him some names she heard in the crime lord's office and she wished these people would be punished too.
- I want to add, they wanted to gather enough drugs and weapons to take over the city.
Ichigo frowned and watched the old woman and listened carefully the next part of their conversation. That was new information and he wasn't supposed to miss any part of her speech. It seemed to be very important and he had to listen her.
- Could you add any other information? Ichigo asked her.
The old woman seemed to fear what she told the young man, it was like she wasn't supposed to tell him anything about that plan. She looked like she wished to leave directly after saying that sentence and Ichigo wished to hear more, even though she couldn't tell him anymore. He had to let her leave and he promised himself to ask her more the next time they would talk.
He opened the door for her as she seemed too preoccupied about her future and Ichigo understood her perfectly. Every time they met, she told him all she knew. She was precious for him and he started liking her more than he should, that old woman was like a grandmother for him. He lost his own family because of a crime lord and was an orphan. He fought every criminal because of that murderer that he couldn't forgive and forget.
- Good bye, Ma'am. Ichigo said absently.
He wished to tell the man how much he hated him and wished to kill him even though he knew revenge wasn't the sanest way to defeat a criminal. He would also be sent in jail and he didn't want to face his adoptive father who was his teacher at police school. He loved the man despite his changing moods and he knew his adoptive father (and superior) wouldn't appreciate it at all.
He helped the woman walk all the way outside and into his car to drive her to her home. He knew she didn't get the chance to attend driving lessons and she had to call a cab to be able to reach Ichigo's office. He let her climb in his own car because he wouldn't call a cab at this time - because drivers could be corrupted - to send her to her home. Plus he knew she wasn't safe anymore because she gave him so much information. He preferred to protect her all the way. It was his duty after all.
They didn't talk at all and the old lady seemed rather displeased to be seen at the young man's side yet she knew she didn't have the choice at all. She knew she might be killed because she was with him and she didn't want to die. She wanted to see her grandchildren growing up and playing with her. She also wanted to celebrate Christmas with them.
- Thank you young man.
Ichigo decided to buy her some items to be sure the old woman's cover wouldn't be ruined because of him. Going to a shop was a good excuse for them to tell others she needed help even though people might say she had her children for such things.
- We might tell them there is a new organization which helps old people, you don't mind? Ichigo asked.
The old lady seemed pleased to hear such a good excuse and she let a short breathe run out of her body. She would sleep better that night knowing she had an excuse to be seen in his presence. She didn't want her family to cry over her dead body.
- That would be quite nice. An old woman needs help after all, the old woman smiled cheerfully.
Ichigo smiled at her in return, he enjoyed her company and he was sure he would miss her company after the crime lord's imprisonment. She was like a ray of light thanks to her smile and kind congratulations about him. She loved him like if he were one of her grandsons. She treated him in the same way and Ichigo found it quite cute.
Then they went to her home. Ichigo had disguised himself like a physician. He didn't want to be recognized in the area, he had already sent several people in jail from here. He knew that if anyone recognized him, he would spend a hard time in their hands.
She thanked him for getting her home and she offered him some tea. He didn't mind it and it seemed the old woman knew his tastes. He loved green tea with mint. She gave him a huge piece of cake because she thought he was too thin. Then they talked about different subjects such as neighbors and Ichigo learned new things about the crime lord even though she didn't mean it. Then she asked him about his personal love life and Ichigo didn't answer to all her questions. He was a bit bothered to tell her anything because of his job as investigator. He had to protect himself after all. So he acted as if he were a shy person. He took a look to his watch and he saw it was time to leave.
- Good bye, Ma'am, it was a pleasure.
The old woman smiled and let him go. She bowed to him as he left.
Ichigo drove to the police station while thinking of what the old woman had said to him. It seemed the crime lord really wanted to assault the city. It was truly bothering idea and he knew it would the most important information he had to report to his superior. He knew his superior would be interested in that information and would do the best he could do to stop the crime lord.
He knocked the main office's door and wait for an answer.
- Yes?
Ichigo entered the room and bowed to the man who sat on a black chair. His superior was a rather cheerful person, a blond-haired grey-eyed man. Urahara Kisuke was a good-looking man and his spouse Yoruichi never missed an opportunity to remind him he belonged to her.
- Urahara-san, Ichigo bowed.
Kisuke smiled at his adoptive son and he remembered the way his father asked him to take care of him if he died. He preferred to not think of that otherwise he would miss his joyful smile. There was still a lot of regret for what happened that day.
- You never called me "father", Ichigo.
Yet he didn't mind at all, Isshin was at least Ichigo's father and Ichigo would be extremely embarrassed and shameful to call another man "father". Ichigo had a great sense of honor and he thought calling Kisuke "father" would ruin Isshin's memory. Ichigo smiled with embarrassment at the man and he responded like always when Kisuke asked him that:
- I love you, but you are not Isshin.
Kisuke watched the young man directly in his eyes and smiled proudly.
- Your father was a great man and I regret his death profoundly.
Ichigo preferred to avoid that conversation to focus on his current investigation's report.
- We have important news about the crime lord, we know more about his true goals. He seems he is greedy towards our city. He wants to take over it and we have to act before he can.
Kisuke watched the young man carefully. He knew Ichigo would act alone like he usually did, yet when they succeeded in sending Aizen to jail; Ichigo had listened and worked as a team member under his own orders. Yet with this new crime lord, he would give him the chance to lead the group.
- Don't act alone at least. Choose your some trusted people with whom you might be ready to shove this man off his throne. They need to be cautious and discreet.
Ichigo received several files about different policemen; he knew he had to choose people among them. And he knew Urahara would be glad to know who Ichigo chose before acting.
- Okay. I will send you the list when it's ready.
Kisuke watched him as he started to leave before adding:
- Don't miss your chance; I want to see you at the head of the district one day.
Ichigo stopped any movement to watch the man, stunned. He never knew Kisuke wanted him to replace him when time came, that wasn't expected at all. He wished he could be prepared for that day. He didn't openly thank the man yet he kept that information in his mind. He knew he couldn't disappoint Kisuke.
- Before you leave that office. I'd like to tell you Ginjô called me.
Ichigo was about ready to leave the office but stopped and watched his superior once again.
- Why? Ichigo asked.
Kisuke watched him with disappointment as if he couldn't believe what he heard from Ichigo's companion.
- You watched it again yesterday.
Ichigo's eyes were full of anger; he disliked Ginjô to give out information such as that.
- That man destroyed my life and I wish to know why he acted in that way with these people.
Kisuke watched Ichigo calmly:
- In that case, you should go to see Aizen in jail to hear why he acted in that way.
- It's not enough. Bye Urahara-san, have a nice day.
Ichigo slammed the door without taking a look back at Urahara.
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