Don't Own Bleach

Utsumi, with Yoruichi on his shoulder, enters the area surrounding Squad 8's barracks. After the battle against Kurosutchi, the Shinigami headed straight there to investigate or see the scene. Yoruichi had kept her eyes open on possible sneak attacks. She was here to protect Utsumi, to watch his back while he was focused on his mission. She wouldn't let him down. Utsumi was getting odd looks from his old Squad mates. He didn't know what they knew, if they'd been told about his sudden absence. He kept a watchful eye on them and silently hoped that none of them attacked. He was close to seeing his Captain again. This was only the first part of what he needed to do. He had already had two fights that didn't have to happen, he doesn't need anymore unnecessary violence. He wanted to speak to his Captain as soon as he can.

Thinking back to what she had seen so far. The way Utsumi had handled himself against Kurosutchi and from what he had told her about the battler before she arrived, Yoruichi had been impressed so far. She hadn't been there to see him train with Kisuke or battle the Shinigami that came to the world of the living. Although she felt his Reiatsu during that fight. She was proud of the progress he had made by the time she made it here. They took their time, avoided battles and stayed out of sight, but they made it. She wanted to see this through to the end but she knew she couldn't do that. She'd known that when she came here. He'd have to finish this by himself, that doesn't mean she can't be there to help him. She looks at Utsumi from her position on his shoulder. His blue eyes have dimmed since he had left Urahara's, they seemed almost too serious, there was no light in them. It scared her a little that this crusade of his is going chip away at his soul. She vowed there that she would be there no matter what happens.

The first part of his mission was almost over. It had taken him longer than he wanted, but it was better that way as he managed to avoid several unnecessary battles along the way. Utsumi rounded the last corner before the Squad 8 barracks to be intercepted by a Shinigami. She was short with tied back dark hair and glasses, "Captain Kyoraku would like to see you in his private quarters." She said before turning on her heel and walking away. That was weird he thought to himself, Yoruichi had the same thought.

They traveled through the district to Kyoraku's private quarters. They found Ukitake standing with the Captain outside. Yoruichi hopped off of Utsumi's shoulder and walked at his side as they approached the two Captains. "Captain Ukitake. Captain Kyoraku." He greeted the two friends.

The two Captains looked at each other and nodded, Kyoraku motioned for them to go inside. His home was a nicely styled, simple yet elegant home, with a rack full of Sake bottles and long couch up one wall with a small table in the corner. "It's not exactly up to the Kuchiki residence standards but it's home." he said. Kyoraku and Ukitake nodded, "Utsumi, it's good to see you again. Although I wish we had better news." Kyoraku and Ukitake looked grave, "We did some asking around discreetly, however, several witness have accounted for Aizen's whereabouts during the night that the Shinigami and souls went missing. I'm sorry. "

Ukitake looked apologetic, "I don't trust Aizen. He may be a Lieutenant, soon to be Captain as I hear it, however there is something shady about him. I don't know what to suggest. We need a confession or proof to contradict the witness testimonies and he doesn't seem to be the confessing type." He said. "You could always beat it out of him." He joked.

The thought interested him, he wished that it would be that simple thought. If it were he would have just done that before leaving the Soul Society in the first place. Utsumi looked at the black cat on the floor. She may not be human but he can tell the look in her eyes. She doesn't think I can beat him he thought. Maybe she's right, maybe he can't beat him. Does that mean he shouldn't try? He can feel his Zanpakuto spirit objecting vehemently. It's a moot point anyway, he can't fight Aizen here, he can't get near him. He glares at Yoruichi before responding, "It doesn't matter anyway. I can't get near him." he thought for a moment, "Could you get me in to see Head Captain Yammamoto?"

Kyoraku looked like Utsumi grew a second head, "You think you can take on Old Man Yamma? You're wrong. No matter how much you may have improved, you'll still be no match for the old man." he said refusing his former subordinates request.

Utsumi shook his head, "I don't plan to. If I'm honest from here on out it's all a long shot. I'm going to see if Yammamoto knows anything about what actually happened that night, maybe if I tell him what I know then maybe he could change his ruling and talk to Central 46 on their behalf.."

Kyoraku, "To what end? Even if he knows something who's to say that he won't turn around and kill you on the spot? He won't change his mind, not without solid proof"

This wasn't as helpful as I had hoped. Utsumi hadn't considered that, "What would you suggest then?"

Ukitake had an idea, "We call Aizen out, we face him and hope he confesses. Or we can find evidence of what he's done in his private residence." he says.

The idea of calling him out had its merits, planting a seed of doubt in the other Captain's minds about him, it may not change the decision but it could make him look less of a boyscout. However if they find evidence at his residence then call him out, it'd make things much harder for him to deny. Utsumi thought for a moment, "Like you said he wouldn't confess, not now that someone has been sentenced for his crime. I think that the best option would be by going to his private quarters." he says.

Yoruichi nodded, still not talking in front of the two Captains. She doesn't like the idea of Utsumi going to battle Aizen. Brazenly attacking a Lieutenant of the Gotei 13 without proof should never be plan A.

Kyoraku looked at Utsumi, "Well I guess we better let our cat burglar" giving a pointed look at the cat in Utsumi's company, "get going. Just know that once you leave here, we can no longer be seen aiding you. We won't join the battle but you can't call on us to help." he said.

Yoruichi hopped up on Utsumi's shoulder and they walked out on their way to Aizen's home. Luckily for them that the Squad 5 district was close by Squad 8 so it wasn't too far of a walk. They planned to take a break and regroup before entering. They left the Squad 8 district behind as the approached the gateway. They found an empty building nearby and took stock of what they need to do and for some much-needed rest.

The silence that used to be companionable was now tense. She couldn't think of anything that she'd said or done that could switch the atmosphere so drastically. Yoruichi noticed the glare he'd sent her way earlier but she couldn't think what she could have done to deserve it. It's not as if she'd said anything. "Hey Kaito did I do something to upset you?" she asked in her cat voice.

Utsumi thought about it for a second before realizing that he's being ridiculous. What had she done, exacltly? Nothing. All she had done was show concern, which at the time, he misunderstood. He sighed, "Nothing."

Yoruichi's brow furrowed as her cat face scrunched up, "Nothing, I don't understand. If it's nothing then why are you acting like I did something to offend you?"

Her companion looked down ashamed, "It's my mistake, I thought you looked at me as if you couldn't believe I can beat Aizen. It's like you just stopped believing me." He stopped and looked at Yoruichi who looked at him with big golden eyes, "Like I said it's nothing." He said with a self-deprecating chuckle moving to the other side of the room.

Yoruichi didn't know what to say. She'd played many scenarios through her head and not one included Utsumi losing to Aizen. Even in the scenarios she had always believed in him to the end. She leaped and landed on Utsumi's chest looking up directly at him, "It's not nothing. You have to know that Kisuke believes in you, Tessai believes in you. I will always believe in you." she said curling up on his chest and falling asleep.

Feeling the weight on his chest was comforting. It allowed to know that Yoruichi would be there when he woke up. Utsumi noticed his feline companion had fallen asleep on him before he could reply so he just whispered to the air, "I won't let you down."