Rain is pounding on the windows heavily, bringing fresh, chilly air into the room through half open door, the spot around the doorstep slightly wet already. The day is edging towards the end and it's becoming rather cold.
"Do you mind if I close the door, Ukitake-san?" murmurs Ichigo and not really waiting for an answer he gets up to slide the door close, grimacing a little at the same time. An aversion towards rain has never really disappeared, each time dragging him into a foul mood when it is pouring. There's a characteristic click of wood clashing lightly against wood as the door closes, the sound of pounding rain outside easing.
"Now, Kurosaki-san, I believe there are some issues that need to be discussed," Ukitake smiles once Ichigo is back sitting in front of him. "I was asked by captain commander Yamamoto to handle this and I think the matter is indeed important."
Ichigo tilts his head to the side, waiting patiently for the man to continue and idly rubbing the upper side of his palm with his hand, briefly startled at how smooth the skin feels; he is used to his old body and it still amazes him how young his spiritual form truly is.
"Your human body is old," Ukitake more states than asks. "Your case is much more different than any other soul. We believe that once you die on Earth, it will feel as if you were just separating your soul from your body. It is already more of a gigai than actual body to tell the truth. A shell, you would say."
Ichigo nods. He has figured that much earlier.
"What is important is what you are planning on doing after?"
"I… haven't thought about it yet."
Ukitake stays silent for a moment. "I see," he finally says. "I won't hide we are hoping to have you in Gotei 13 to strengthen our troops. That will of course require tutoring you for a while, but it is nothing that cannot be done. However if you refuse, we would like to know what you are going to do instead."
Ichigo resists the urge to laugh bitterly. Of course, He is too powerful to just live without being controlled.
He shrugs. "I don't know. I like fighting." He pauses. "But I don't think I'm any good at just following orders," he smiles sheepishly.
Ukitake beams. "Then you are willing to join Gotei 13? Excellent!" He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table, and winks. "There's one spot for a captain empty, Kurosaki-san."
Ichigo snorts. "No way! I'm not a leader type of a person."
"You would be surprised." Ukitake leans back, never taking his eyes of Ichigo. "Anyway, this can wait. Your plans for future are what matter the most. For now, you are still a part of the living world and there's no need to worry. More tea?" The man smiles and reaches for a tea pot.
*
It's merely a feeling, scratching somewhere at the back of Byakuya's mind, but it is strong enough to be impossible to ignore.
Something is wrong. He's missing something.
He looks up at Renji with a small frown present on his face and doesn't speak. Renji doesn't ask, but stares at him attentively through half-lidded eyes and Byakuya can't shake off the feeling the other man looks like a lazy predator, battering his tail onto the ground. It's the feeling that never goes away.
His frown deepens and he stares down at his hands resting on his lap.
Renji lets out a "tsk" and shifts on the pillow. "So," he finally speaks. "Captain Kuchiki stands against captain commander Yamamoto's decision?" His voice is full of mockery, but Byakuya knows that somewhere deeper, there is also concern.
"No. Captain Kuchiki fully endorses captain commander Yamamoto's decisions-"
"…but Byakuya disagrees?"
Byakuya hesitates only for a brief moment. "Yes."
Renji tilts his head to the side like a curious child finding a new piece of the world to discover. "And ya invited me here because…?"
"I do not wish for you to interfere either, be it for your own reasons or Rukia's distress. The consequences of doing so will be far greater than when you were just a lieutenant."
Renji falls silent at that, tapping his fingers against the wooden table as if he's considering the other man's words. Byakuya knows he isn't, though. By the way Renji still watches him through half-lidded eyes and the distant expression, he knows Renji puts two and two together, calculating everything Byakuya has said up until now. And Byakuya doesn't like it, because each time it feels as if he's being analysed. And he probably is.
Renji lets out another "tsk". He shifts again, his fingers still on the table. "Ya found a way ta avoid standin' up against Yamamoto's orders, but still havin' it yer way." It's not a question, but what follows is definitely a demand. "Tell me."
Byakuya straightens up, his lips pressed tightly together.
"Please," Renji adds, rolling his eyes.
Relaxing just a tiny bit, Byakuya averts his eyes from Renji. "Soul Society learns on its own mistakes, Renji. There has already been a case of a series of disappearances. No, let me rephrase it – a series of complete vanishing. That had included only Rukongai, however now the only ones vanishing are noble children, especially of the Shihouin clan. Captain Yamamoto takes it seriously and we should all do the same. The Second Division is to examine this phenomenon and no one else's to interfere."
"Byakuya, I was at the captains' meetin'. I know what was said."
He narrows his eyes at Renji, but other than that he ignores the comment and continues. "It's obvious captain Yamamoto won't take disobeying him lightly, in this case especially. That is why the only person who can be involved is someone not belonging here, but powerful enough to fight against all odds."
Renji snorts, mockery back in his eyes. "Sorry, Byakuya, but I can't imagine ya askin' him fer help."
"There are some situations shame must be ignored for the greater good." There is no hesitation in his words.
His expression softening, Renji doesn't laugh this time. "Yer just pissed 'bout Fuura-san, aren't ya?"
*
"No shit, Byakuya," Ichigo says firmly, before repeating, each time louder, "No, no, no."
Byakuya flinches. "I heard you well enough the first time."
"Then ask someone else, dammit! I'm not gonna risk my life for a person I don't even know."
Resisting the urge to sigh, Byakuya stands still, his eyes half-closed as he stares at the other man's face. "I could repay you, if me asking for a favour is not enough." He feels his pride rebelling against his words. He shouldn't have to plead; Kuchiki does not plead, Kuchiki demands.
Ichigo lets out a dry laugh. "But I don't know you either. Sorry, Byakuya, find another fool to deal with it, I'm not that nice." He waves his hand in goodbye and turns to leave when Byakuya's cold baritone freezes him in place.
"Fool is, I believe, said too harshly. There is no need for you to risk your life. There is, however, a need for your comfortable position out of Soul Society and strength." Byakuya's voice doesn't waver even once, businesslike, cool and distant, not too low, never loud nor high. "I would gladly take this matter in my own hands. I would never disobey direct orders, though. That said, isn't this obvious why I chose to speak with you?"
Scowling, Ichigo gives no response, but in an instant Byakuya knows he won. And as the man spares him one last glance before walking away, he's certain Kurosaki will be back. Maybe not tomorrow, but Ichigo already made up his mind, even if he may still not be aware of that fact.
Byakuya lets his body relax, a feeling of accomplishment washing over him. He's not sure if he isn't sending the man to a definite death, but if this is what it takes to protect the family he leads, then it's fine with him. He will not hesitate. There are some prerogatives far more important than a life he doesn't really care about. A sacrifice, yes, that would be it.
And if Kurosaki comes out of it alive – good. Byakuya will show him a proper, albeit discreet, gratitude and that'd be the end of a story. How simple.
But he knows it isn't. If Kurosaki won't come to him quickly, the number of disappearances may drastically increase. If he won't tell Kurosaki as soon as possible all the trails he suspects can be useful, chaos might erupt and there will be no way of handling the matter delicately as it should be done.
Byakuya sighs and resumes his walk to the Thirteenth Division on a lunch he promised Ukitake long ago. He already can predict it won't be too optimistic, given the circumstances, and is not thrilled at all at the thought of small chat with his erstwhile teacher.
But before the building of the Thirteenth Division can be seen, a Hell Butterfly is sent to Byakuya and the man can recognize the Butterfly as a Kuchiki clan's property. Listening to the message, he freezes still, his face a perfect mask with a cold fury boiling underneath his skin, crawling in his veins, making him see red.
The boy's name is Yuuki and he is Byakuya's little cousin.
He vanished yesterday's evening and not even a trace of his weak reiatsu has been detected ever since.