11
Locked
…
Slow, steady, even breaths. Dodge, fall in, swipe. Shink. The Hollow roared as it fell to the ground seconds before dissolving. Ulquiorra breathed in deeply, pushing away guilt as he absorbed a few stray spiritual particles. His returning Arrancar abilities had made him hungry for them again. It was with the upmost restraint that he refrained from attacking them as a source of nutrition once more.
Sliding his blade back into its sheath, Ulquiorra rushed to his gigai. He slipped into it effortlessly, then ran around the corner. Orihime stood there waiting for him, the morning sun glinting off of her hair. Her violet-gray eyes glistened. No, not with sadness or fear, but with sheer life. The Hollow inside Ulquiorra growled in a lusting hunger.
"That was fast," Orihime commented.
"Do not think that being in the World of the Living has caused me to lose my skills, Orihime," he replied, making a point of saying her name.
She smiled at this. "Do you think being in Soul Society would make it easier, though?"
"I have no insight on this matter," he replied. His voice gave no indication that anything was wrong. Good. He didn't have any plans of letting her know that his death was to soon be expected or that he knew of this fact.
"If we do all get moved, will you miss it here?" she persisted.
"That question is pointless," he stated. Then, seeing the spark fade from her eyes, he amended, "Places hold no value if they are empty."
Her smile returned. "So everything will be all right as long as we're all together, right, Ulquiorra?"
"If you think so," he said. He forced the corners of his lips upward ever so slightly. It was such a soft, almost sad smile.
She gasped. "You're smiling!"
"Your attitude has become strangely infectious," he lied. He watched as the small expression brought a new level of brightness to her demeanor. She began laughing and babbling away. His faked smile melted into a more relaxed one. This is how he wanted her to remember him. These soft-spoken words, these meaningless actions…if they erased some of the scars he'd left on her by his own hand, then it was worth it. With nothing else to leave her, then the impression that she'd succeeded in changing him-curing him-in some way was all he could do.
Right now, she had no idea.
She was clueless.
Oblivious.
But, he thought, some things were better left unknown. As much as he would like to leave her with the better half of himself, he selfishly wanted the same: to leave seeing her smiles rather than her tears. If, like Toshiro, he remembered anything once he was reborn into Soul Society, he didn't want it to be of injuries he'd caused this girl.
He'd rather dream of her smiles.
That way, maybe, he could wake up smiling himself.
He was pulled out of his thoughts as Orihime tugged on his arm. He caught the hint and they began to walk. They took their time, moving without any rush. Next to him, her steps had a little skip in them. Her eyes shone a little brighter. He captured the memory in his brain.
Orihime Inoue used to be a confusing, annoying being to him.
Now, he hoped that he would one day remember this moment, frozen, just as it was.
…
"We're really going to Soul Society?"Nel asked, her mouth and eyes wide open in awe. Then, she began to pout. "But I like it here. Ichigo, don't make us!"
Ichigo gagged as Nel jumped up to hug him tightly, bawling like a small child and begging. His bones were being crushed.
"E-Easy there, Nel," he choked out. "It won't be that bad."
"But I'll miss you guys!"
He patted her on the back in what was meant to be comforting, but really ended up as just awkward. "Um, there, there. It won't be that bad and…it's not like you'll never see us again."
Pesche and Dondochakka eyed the carrot-top suspiciously. "You're not lying to us, are you, Ichigo?" Pesche insinuated.
"What? Of course not!" the boy denied. "Why would I lie to you guys?"
"So we'll go down without a fight!" Dondochakka suggested.
Ichigo slapped his forehead. Sometimes, those two could be regular migraine machines. He still wasn't used to them being here…or not dressed up in ridiculous attire. Pesche-blonde-haired, golden-eyed, and lanky-was strange of a sight enough. Put the well-muscled, red-headed giant form of Donodochakka beside him and that was even worse. He'd as of yet to figure out how the stunning Nel fit into this awkward little equation. She made their group appear even more bizarre, if anything.
Looking back at the trio, his face softened. "I'm not lying to you. At this rate, they're going to drag me there, too, and even if they don't, I'll come visit."
"P-Promise?" Nel sniffled.
"Yeah," he said. "Promise."
Her face brightened. "That makes Nel very happy."
Ichigo sighed. "Nel, what did we say about third person?"
"Oh," she muttered. "Right. I am older and more mature. I am not trapped as a child anymore. So…that makes me very happy."
"Good," the carrot-top said. "You know, I think you'd get along great with Yachiru."
"Who's that?" she asked, gray eyes growing in wonder.
"She's…well, I don't actually know how old she is, but she looks maybe six, about this tall,"-here, he put his hand a few feet off the ground-"has bright pink hair, and loves to play."
"Aw!" Nel screamed. "She sounds so cute!"
"And I don't think you'll have any problem with Kenpachi, her guardian I guess, either," Ichigo thought. "Actually, he'll probably love you. He's fanatical about anything tough and strong."
She grinned at this. "Then I'll make sure to be the toughest and strongest."
"Thatta girl," he cheered, patting her on the head.
She immediately scowled. "Ichigo, you're the one telling me to act my age, so you should stop treating me like I'm a kid."
He looked totally bewildered at this. Nel had no choice but to laugh at his facial expression. After hearing the noise, the shock melted into a warm smile.
That's when Ichigo's phone rang.
This would be perfectly fine if it wasn't the phone Soul Society had given him. Happy mood vanishing, Ichigo picked up. "Yeah?" There was a pause. "No, she's not." Then, "I'll be right there."
"I something wrong, Ichigo?" the aqua-haired woman inquired.
"It's nothing," he assured, heading for the door. "Urahara needs me to come over. Soul Society has agreed to negotiate the terms on being relocated. He…wants me to bring my little sister, Karin."
…
Toshiro strolled anxiously toward the Urahara shop. Under the stress, he was unknowingly trying to copy Ulquiorra's fluid walk, as if doing so would also lend to him his older brother's patience. He'd just received a call from the scientist, saying that his presence was required right away. Katashi would be coming as fast as possible, as would Ukitake and Matsumoto.
There was to be a meeting concerning the details of the plan.
The mere thought caused his pace to quicken. This could decide everything. Faces flashed through his mind. They were all the people who would be affected by this one moment. As he thought, familiar reitasu appeared close by. He was near the shop now and he wasn't the first arrival.
Pushing the door open, the young captain strolled in. He immediately spotted Ichigo and Karin sitting by the low table. The mere sight of the orange-haired imbecile caused Toshiro to remember the bag in his hand. As a dysfunctional sort of greeting, he threw it.
At Ichigo's head.
"I think you misplaced something," the white-haired boy growled.
"What the h-, Toshiro?" Ichigo mumbled, rubbing a sore spot.
"That's Captain Hitsugaya, to you," Toshiro responded coldly.
Choosing to ignore the comment, Ichigo looked in the bag. Surprise struck as he pulled out Kon. "Where…?"
"Somehow," Toshiro answered, "that thing found its way into Matsumoto's room."
Ichigo had the decency to look embarrassed. Glancing down at the stuffed lion, he noticed something odd. "Hey, how come he isn't moving?"
Toshiro tossed a little green pill with the simple explanation, "It wouldn't shut up."
Ichigo snorted. "You know, I think I'll keep him like this for a little longer."
"Hey," Karin greeted, waving. She looked exhausted.
The boy nodded to her.
"Ne, Toshiro?" Karin called. "Why are they making Ichigo go to Soul Society?"
"Because-"
"Hey! How come you let her call you Toshiro?" Ichigo demanded.
"Because she's not an idiot," he retorted flatly, "nor is she a Shinigami, least of all a combination of the two."
Ichigo scowled at this.
"Now, if you'd let me finish," Toshiro snapped, "I was about to say that the reasons behind his relocation are to stop spreading his reiatsu everywhere, therefore attracting Hollows, and because…" Toshiro pulled a face, as if this news was distasteful. "…because they want him to fill one of the open captain positions."
"What?" the two shouted in shock.
Toshiro rubbed his sure-to-be-damaged ear. There was an odd ringing in it still. In response to their outburst, he replied, "So we are all in agreement that this is a disastrous idea."
"But what about the others?" Ichigo protested. "What does Soul Society want with them?"
"From what I've heard," Toshiro answered, "they think Orihime would be a fantastic addition to Fourth Division, Zaraki is already 'calling dibs' on Sado, and I have no clue why they want your Quincy friend there."
"I think you're missing a few people," Ichigo noted.
"Shinigami Academy," was all he said. "Most likely."
Toshiro noticed Karin stiffen.
"It's one of the aspects Ukitake and I are arguing against," he informed. "This simply proves that the recent rash of disorder has caused corruption to spread. Soul Society has never willfully recruited help from the World of the Living and I can't believe that they would so easily steal such a large number away from it to place into the ranks, regardless of spiritual abilities."
"You seem rather upset about this," Ichigo noted.
"I would rather they not force yet another soul into following a path they do not wish to, especially if there is no dire need," Toshiro clarified.
Ichigo noticed the haunted look in the boy's eyes as he mentioned this. By his stress on the word "another," Ichigo could tell that this was a road the boy had already traveled. Remembering the dullness that stole over Karin once he told her Soul Society wanted to relocate them, he compared it with Toshiro's cold, hard demeanor. It was a warning.
However, Karin was a little more oblivious.
"Another?" she questioned.
He averted his teal eyes from her. "I will go no further into this matter."
The tense moment was broken by a shrill cry. While Ichigo and Karin jumped in alarm, Toshiro only shook his head. Looks like the rest of the party had arrived. The trio watched as Matsumoto and Ukitake filed in, the former partially supporting the latter as he coughed. The eccentric woman's head perked up.
"Captain!" she squealed. "I didn't know if you were here yet. And Karin! You, too! I thought it was just Ichigo."
"Ah, hello, Captain Hitsugaya," Ukitake greeted.
Suddenly, Ichigo remembered what Ulquiorra had said about a neutral barrier erecting itself around Karin and Toshiro. Ukitake and Matsumoto might not have been able to feel them until entering the room. He cast quick glances between the two young ones. They didn't seem to know nor care about this phenomenon.
The bell on the front door jingled again.
"Hello!" Orihime called, strolling in. Tatsuki was by her side, followed closely by Ulquiorra. The pale man seemed distracted by something. Then, his eyes met Toshiro's and he nodded in greeting.
The room was beginning to get crowded and as Chad and Uryu finally made their appearance, Ichigo began to wonder if they were exceeding the maximum capacity of this place. Already, the image of a fire marshal coming in to shut down this massive gathering of Shinigami and otherworldly gifted humans came into his head.
"Alright, everyone," Urahara called, clapping his hands for everyone's attention. His eyes drifted around the room nervously. This place could easily explode at any given moment. There was barely enough room for the communication screen.
"Urahara, where are the Espada?" Ichigo questioned.
Sweat began to drop from the man's forehead. "Well…you see…they, uh, escaped last night. However, not to worry, because I can always track them down if need be."
The tension spiked.
"Now," the scientist said, "we are about to open communication lines with Soul Society. This conversation is to discuss the plan. Is there anyone who has any questions beforehand?"
No one spoke.
"Good." Urahara felt like slamming his head into a wall rather than go through this. "Now, if you'll just wait a few minutes…"
Soon, the screen crackled to life behind him. He skittered out of the way as a face appeared. The Head Captain. In the background, several other captains and members of Seireitei also stood. It felt like they were about to discuss war strategy.
"Head Captain Yamamoto," the room greeted, bowing in synchronization. This was followed by quiet curses as heads occasionally bumped into the others around them. Had this very important man not been watching, a brawl might have occurred.
"I understand," the Head Captain replied, "that there has been discontent with the plan to relocate all individuals with high reiatsu to Soul Society. To avoid violent conflict, I ask you to voice your complications regarding it so that we may possibly find a more tolerable solution. I will warn you in advance, though, that your requests may be turned down should they be deemed threatening to Soul Society. Recall the reason this plan has been decided on. We wish to bring peace both to the World of the Living and to Soul Society."
"Sir," Toshiro spoke up. "I understand this and with all due respect, I ask for you to allow the humans to stay here. They cause no immediate threat and if there was some way to restrain their reiatsu, Hollows would not be so often drawn here. If this cannot be done for those we had previously labeled ryoka, then I simply ask that Karin Kurosaki and Tatsuki Arisawa be granted exemption."
"Denied."
Toshiro subtly winced. "Head Captain Yamamoto, surely, there must be some way to work around this. Possibly a joint operation that would allow those individuals to stay in the human world while remaining in contact with Soul Society."
"I agree," Ichigo added. "We haven't done anything to cause harm here and things are running just fine without being changed. There's no need to do something so extreme, especially where Karin and Tatsuki are involved."
"Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya and Ichigo Kurosaki," Yamamoto declared, "that would defeat the purpose of this. We must pull forces out of Karakura Town in order to lead interest away from it. Containing reiatsu would not be enough. We cannot use it as a stronghold and risk the possibility of it being overtaken and turned against us. Keeping a centralized base there could become a threat to us."
"By doing this, you are taking away their rights and punishing them for a crime they have not committed," Toshiro argued.
"Stand down, Captain Hitsugaya," Yamamoto ordered. "I believe you are too personally connected to this issue and it may be clouding your judgment. Your input will be further disregarded."
Seething now, Toshiro bowed reluctantly and backed away. Ulquiorra gripped his younger brother's arm firmly to keep the boy from making any rash movements.
"What about the Espada?" Matsumoto piped up. "They only came here searching for a peaceful solution and aid concerning the havoc in Hueco Mundo, which has become our concern due to the high rate of Hollow attacks."
"My decision on that matter stands as is," Yamamoto announced. "If we aid in controlling that region, it would only make it easier for that group to come to power and lead them against us."
"Is that your reason behind plucking out the Vizards, too?" Ichigo demanded. "Technically, they aren't under your authority anymore."
"Neither are the Quincy," Uryu noted.
"The Vizards can be considered escaped criminals and accomplices to Kisuke Urahara, Yoruichi Shihoin, and Tessai Tsukabishi, making their capture under our jurisdiction. The same can apply to the Quincy considering the unresolved war."
"Is that what you call it?" Uryu demanded. "An unresolved war? You tried to completely exterminate us! I am one of the last of my kind! In any case, that was many years ago, before I was even born. It could not possibly apply here."
"Head Captain Yamamoto," Ukitake voiced. "I have to agree with them. Not to be disrespectful, but these reasons are coming across more like loopholes."
"Are you accusing me of ulterior motives, Captain Ukitake?" the elderly man asked in a steely tone.
It was at that moment that they all knew. Yamamoto had made up his mind coming into this. He had never considered changing the plan. It was simply a show for him to refute all their points with logical and legal reasons. He wanted them to know that he held all the power in this. They could do nothing. They were nothing.
Their fate had been decided before that screen even blinked to life.
…
Thank you: fan girl 666, -SoManyUpsAndDowns-, and Azublue.