Don't own Bleach
Urahara didn't want to be here. He wanted to be in his shop thinking of ways he can help get Utsumi and Yoruichi home. This was what had popped into his mind. He was apprehensive about the reception he was to receive. He knew he wasn't their favorite person because of what happened but he needs to talk to them. He decided to come alone. He'd rather not have Tessai with him for this. They might get the wrong idea that they were for trouble.
He walked into the warehouse, looking around for any sign of his hosts. He should have done this sooner. This is long overdue, we wondered if they would be willing to leave the past in the past. I doubt it he thought as he remembered one of them was his former Lieutenant. He smiled as he remembered their bickering and fighting. He would always have fond memories of her no matter how she felt about him these days. He worried about them, not all the time, when they crossed his mind and he saw their bodies with hollow masks and hollowfied body parts it's one of his biggest regrets.
He found a set of stairs leading down, he followed them down to find a large orange barrier surrounding two combatants. He saw the large figure first, the group of smaller people outside the barrier. It didn't look like they knew he was here or if they even cared. He approached the group imagining them all drawing their swords and impaling him and sticking him to the wall.
The skinny blonde haired one stood up first and said, "I didn't expect to see you again, Kisuke." He said blankly. "What could possible bring you here?" He'd asked.
Kisuke laughed nervously, "Well the thing is, Shinji, I want to apologize, I know I wasn't the one to do this to you but I failed to fix it and for that I'm sorry." He said his head bowed.
The short blonde girl stood up next and shouted, "It's not you're fault Kisuke. It's not like you planned for this to happen!"
Shinji scowled at the short girl, "Hiyori, stop shouting at him and let him get to the reason he's really here for." He said looking at Urahara knowingly, "C'mon Kisuke, don't think I'm stupid."
Urahara nodded, "I think it's best if I tell you all at the same time." He said look pointedly at the barrier. "How's it going anyway?"
Shinji looked up and thought for a moment, "It was tough, it took a while but we got through it relatively unscathed." he said not wanting to go into details about what it was like to put more guilt on his shoulders.
Urahara nodded knowing that he was keeping something from him. "I understand." They waited in silence until the two combatants were finished inside the barrier.
The group of exiles regrouped together with the large frame of Hatchigen Ushoda being surrounded by them. Shinji Hirako seemed to be the leader of the group. The skinny blonde man commanded respect with just a word or a look. Stood next to him was Urahara's former second in command, she was short with blonde hair, Hiyori Sarugaki. Behind her, was the former Lieutenant of Squad 8 Lisa Yadomaru. Wiping his face with a towel next to her was the silver-haired, tall and muscular Kensei Muguruma. Rojuro Otorbashi, Love Aikawa and Mashiro Kuno were sat in front of them. Shinji spoke first, "Why are you here Urahara?" the blonde man asked.
Urahara didn't know what to say, he couldn't ask them for help. He couldn't help them when they needed and seeing them had just reinforced that, "I thought I'd let you know that there are still some in the Soul Society who believe we were the victims of Aizen's schemes." He started but was interrupted by Hiyori.
"So what, Kisuke? It doesn't matter anymore, we're done. We were tossed away like trash. Take your Soul Society and leave use alone." she said.
Urahara turned to Lisa Yadomaru and said, "I don't know your relationship with him or if there was one but it was your third seat Utsumi Kaito. He's in the Soul Society fighting for you, all of you, trying to find something on Aizen to prove he's guilty."
Lisa looked stunned. She knew Utsumi, she wouldn't say she knew him well, but he was always polite enough, hard-working. He didn't have anything to do with it, why is he risking his life to try to help them? Her face must have given away what she was thinking because she saw Urahara smirking at her.
Urahara looked at them all, "I know what Lisa's thinking. 'Why is he doing this?' I know why he's doing this. It's because he believes that it's the right thing to do." He said
Hiyori scoffed, "Yeah right, what does he want from us if he manages to pull it off?" She asked skeptically.
Urahara smiled, thinking of his friend, "Nothing, nothing at all. He isn't like that, for him it's all about doing the right thing. I just thought you should know."
Lisa had been silent since knowing who it was. She was curious, just how strong was Utsumi now. He was just a Third seat and a generous Third seat. She'd tried to talk the Captain out of promoting him but he'd insisted. "Kisuke, last time I checked, Utsumi wasn't anything more than a Third seat. What makes you so sure about him?" she asked
Urahara smiled wistfully remembering the months training with him, "Well, for months we'd train every other day. He got strong, really strong. He had training from Tessai, Yoruichi and myself. In just a few months with us he's improved massively, he'd easily beat a Captain one on one."
The group looked around and Shinji whistled, "Okay, so why are you telling us?" He'd asked what was on everyone elses mind.
Urahara smirked, "Well if he succeeds and Aizen innocence is questioned, I figured with you guys around to tell your side of the story it could tip the balance in Kaito's favor."
Shinji smirked, "We'll talk it over and get back to ya." he said essentially dismissing Urahara, who bowed and left with out a fuss. Shinji left the group and called to Lisa to follow him. They moved far enough away from the group to have a private conversation, "How well do you know this Utsumi? Do you think he can take Aizen?" he asked.
Lisa looked thoughtful. What did she know about him. When they were in Squad 8 together they passed in the barracks, he'd let her go through the doors first. If she was carrying a large stack of papers he'd help with doors or lighten her load. He'd be polite and hard-working. He'd had potential back then but what is he like now? She couldn't really say. "He was polite and hardworking. He'd train really hard, harder than most. However that was then. He's probably changed. The potential was there to grow. If he trained as hard as Urahara had said, then he could give Aizen a good fight at least.
Shinji nodded, "What do you think we should do?" He asked
She thought for a moment before responding, "It's as Hiyori said, it doesn't matter anymore. I think we should leave them to it and get on with our lives." she said.
Shinji nodded, "I think that's for the best, go let the rest know what the plan is." Lisa nodded and headed off the group. "Whoever you are Utsumi Kaito, good luck."