Mayuri Kurotsuchi's division surrounded the Kuchiki mansion. They stood in a battle ready stance with the evil twisted Captain at their helm.
Byakuya, appeared at the gate, barring his entrance, Renji stood to his side and Rukia the other. Hell butterflies flooded out of the entrance they had just stepped from, flying towards all supporters Byakuya could think of.
"You will not enter my house." He uttered with conviction his eyes narrowed towards the man he despised.
"We must search for the Espada. You are either wishing to capture him to further your own means or harbouring him with intent to hide him. Now which is it?"
Ichigo stood back against the wall of the entrance listening through the open door. Hichigo stood directly in front of him his head tilted to the side as he listened too.
"You and your men will not step one foot onto my property do I make myself clear?" Byakuya spoke again.
"It would be a shame to fight you." Mayuri purred with his evil smile.
"I would not taint my blade with your blood. This matter, if you deem it important enough, will be pursued through the appropriate channels."
"Smart man that." Hichigo whispered to Ichigo. "Ain't he?"
"Shut up and listen!" Ichigo scowled.
"You realised anything about him yet?"
"Your not inside my head right, now, but that doesn't mean you can start to piss me off again!"
"Ohh, you have got your memory back." Hichigo smirked. "Touchy. Too touchy when I mention your boyfriend."
"Hichigo! This is not the time!" Ichigo had barely had enough time to register that his brother appeared in the grounds before the 12th appeared.
"When's the time then? Bed time or will you be busy then?" Ichigo shot his elbow into his brothers ribs and watched him step back with a grunt. Hichigo suddenly realised that not knowing what was happening in Ichigo's life was frustrating. He wanted to know!
Byakuya watched his men arrive and unfold around the 12th. Every one of Kurotsuchi's men had two of his own. Renji trained these men everyday, he knew the were far superior, but he really didn't want any blood spilt.
A flash of captains cloaks and Byakuya noted the appearance of not two but four Captains who positioned themselves between Byakuya and Mayuri.
"Yari Yari. This looks a little heavy don't you think Ukitake?"
"It does." Jūshirō agreed with Kyōraku. Hitsugaya slowly drew his blade and Unohana looked at the sight with dismay.
"What seems to be the problem?" The respected medic asked the genius 12th Captain.
"There is an Espada in there. I wish to take it for experimentation. It seems that our esteemed noble does not wish me to step on his premises and I can only surmise that he is protecting the creature. He is in league with Aizen."
"That's a rather wild accusation." Hitsugaya voice spoke what they were all thinking. "You have proof?"
"Not letting me capture the target."
"Is not proof."
"Maybe we can all come in and talk civilly about this Byakuya?" Kyorahu, thought fondly of the fine sake Byakuya kept.
"I do not permit that man to step in my home without the correct permission of the 46th."
"Well that seems a little far fetched too Byakuya."
"I have been accused of being a traitor."
All things considering Jushiro mulled over the situation, Byakuya is rather subdued considering the slur against his name and pride. "Kurotsuchi, these things can take a long time to process. Would you trust me to investigate for you? I can report my findings to you in a much shorter time. That is if, Kuchiki Taichō also trusts me to be impartial?" Jūshirō Ukitake suggested. "The other Captains here can witness the search and confirm my findings?"
"I agree." The evil man nodded with reluctance.
Jushiro looked to Byakuya.
"May I have permission to enter?"
"You may." Byakuya stepped aside. "Rukia, Abarai, if one man from the 12th or the captain step onto the grounds, you have my permission to take action."
"Hai Hai." Renji bowed.
Ichigo grabbed Hichigo by the collar and the two men ran out of the entrance into the study.
Byakuya swept his gaze over the entrance and lead his guests into the smarter reception room he usually greeted official guests in. He ran the servants bell and looked to the waiting captains.
"Well?" Jūshirō looked to the younger Captain.
"I thank you for coming."
"Well?" Jushiro pressed further.
"You do not believe that I am a traitor?" Byakuya looked to the man.
"No. I do not. But I do believe that there is some truth to claims, but I do not know what truth I'm seeking."
"Jushiro!" Unohana said surprised. "Do you realise what you are saying?"
A servant entered the room and bowed their head awaiting instruction.
"Tea." Byakuya stated. "And send find my guests. Send them both in." She bowed further and slid backwards from the room.
"Guests?" The snow topped child prodigy asked.
"Ichigo…" Byakuya stated looking up as he stepped into the room. "And his brother." He completed his sentence as the Hollow stepped in.
A collective gasp passed the Captains, who all but Unohana drew their swords.
Ichigo drew Zangetsu and stood in front of Hichigo wielding the twin sword, Byakuya flash stepped to stand beside him, but he did not draw Senbonzakura, but with the ability of senka, he didn't need to.
"Quite remarkable." Unohana spoke awed by the vision of the twin boys. "How?" She approached Ichigo.
"Get them to put their swords away first." Ichigo stood looking at the others warily.
"Ichigo, we would never normally wish to fight you." Tōshirō explained.
"You strike him and you strike me."
"Please gentlemen." Byakuya rested a hand on Hichigo's shoulder. "This is Ichigo's inner Hollow. No this is not the first time I have met him but he rescued Ichigo and I believe he has a something that would prove his allegiance to us."
"Prove yourself." Ukitake demanded. Hichigo stepped between his protectors and pulled a long green hilted blade from his side and handed it to Byakuya.
"Aizen's zanpakutō Kyōka Suigetsu!" Hitsugaya said surprised. "You killed him?"
"Or mightily pissed him off." Hichigo grinned. "I left him a little hot under the collar."
"What did you do?" Ichigo turned to ask him.
"I got these." He pulled out two syringes from his side pocket.
"No." Ichigo stepped back away from them recoiling from their sight.
"It's the answer Ichigo. It's the only way."
"But…" His eyes were wide and his head was shaking. "Last time."
"It restores us, is that not worth it? Isn't this what you wanted? Or have I been replaced?"
"You only just appeared Hichigo, I think Ichigo just needs some more time. He has not had it easy since his return."
"No and neither have I!" Hichigo spun to Byakuya. "I got them, every last one of them. I slit their guts, their throats, poisoned them, maimed them…I have the blood of more Hollow on me than you will in a life time. You saw what he was like when he arrived. I did it, for him. I did it because of what they did to him." Ichigo put his sword back on his shoulder. "I made a promise." Hichigo finished and Ichigo turned his brother around. "I made you a promise and I kept it. I might be a Hollow but hollow is what I feel without you."
"I know." Ichigo nodded. "Put the sword away." Hichigo swung Zangetsu onto his shoulder and let Ichigo's fingers clasp the syringes.
"Without you, I would be dead. I could have died many times and you saved me I remember all that. I might have my memories back from before too, but it doesn't mean I don't remember what happened to me after these was given to me last time. The pain…and losing you." He handed them to Unohana. "I would suffer it all again if it meant we were joined again, even if is scares the pants off me." He looked intently at his hollow and sighed. "I'll do it."
"Ichigo! You are no longer a vizard!" Byakuya raised his voice in alarm. "You stand with your own powers. No more rejection from people who do not understand you. No more being identified as a threat to soul society. Don't do this. Don't let Hichigo do this to you."
"I've spent my life being different. I've been ridiculed, threatened, beaten and rejected. That's what I am. A contradiction. Hichigo is me, we are the same person. He was always inside me, always part of me. We were never meant to be separated. I understand it all now. This isn't a choice, it's putting right something that should never have happened." Ichigo's eyes implored Byakuya's. "It doesn't make me a different person to the one you know."
The air in the room was heavy and uneasy.
Ichigo faced Unohana. "Do it."