Lex Talionis
Chapter 12
He felt pain, but that was nothing new to him. He felt tired, but that was something he came to expect in his line of work. He opened his eyes yet again, wondering when the time would come that his eyes remained closed.
The cuts that littered his body were a mild throbbing pain and stung slightly, but the one that went from his shoulder to waist was far more than just uncomfortable as he winced in pain trying to lift himself up, contracting his abdominal muscles in doing so and as a result agitating the gash that ran the length of his upper body even further.
He looked up at the ceiling and immediately knew that he was in the 4th Division, much to his displeasure. However, before he could dwell on that thought any further a voice interrupted his musings, "Welcome back."
Ichigo glanced to his right, and there sitting next to his bed was Lisa, seemingly unharmed and at full health.
"You are...well?" Ichigo asked, noting the dryness in his mouth likely from a lack of water.
"Ah. Captain Urahara managed to create a cure, most of us recovered within several hours while it took others an entire day, but we've all been cleared for active duty," she explained.
Ichigo felt a moment of relief that his hard work had paid off, "How long have I been unconscious?" he asked curiously.
"Two days," was all her reply.
"I see," he stated simply before he rolled on his side and pushed himself up from his elbow, causing far less pain than his last attempt to sit up.
"I don't think it's a good idea for you to be sitting up, Fushou-san," a voice from the far side of the room said.
Ichigo didn't need to look to know who it was, but quite frankly he didn't want to see anymore of her or the 4th Division, so he continued to stand himself up and eventually he found himself standing warily on his two feet.
Thinking of anyway to get himself out of here, he merely turned his head in Unohana's direction while maintaining eye contact with the floor and said, "Central 46 has been awaiting a report for two days, the longer I remain here the longer everyone remains in the dark to this betrayal."
"The Central 46 and Gotei 13 can exercise patience in this matter, your wounds however, cannot," Unohana said softly, but clearly wasn't backing down so easily.
Ichigo was already putting on his uniform, although he didn't tie it together as he didn't want anything pressing against his wounds so he left it open, exposing his bare chest covered in cloth wrappings, "I will be fine, you worry unnecessarily, Captain Unohana," and with that he walked out of the 4th Division's healing ward.
He felt like he could breathe a little more easily after having left the 4th Division grounds, but he was noticeably affected by the wounds, despite his strong facade.
"Captain Unohana is starting to dislike you, I think," a voice said beside him as he felt a soft hand come up around his right on his ribs, while his left hand was soon draped over a shorter person's shoulder to lean on.
Ichigo glanced to his left and saw Lisa once again, "What are you doing?" he questioned.
Lisa merely gave Ichigo a skeptical look and walked with him down the road, not dignifying the question with an answer.
He couldn't exactly blame her, he surmised.
So they walked in silence towards the Central 46 chambers, with her gently helping him make the trip a little more bearable as he winced in pain every so often while at the same time he tried to ignore the close contact they shared.
Eventually they both found themselves in front of the Central 46 chambers and Ichigo bid her farewell and entered, neither looking forward to nor dreading this meeting, simply remaining neutral. Neutrality offered the easiest route for him to deliver this report, and given his injured state he was quite content with something easy.
He stood in the center of the room, present in front of the wise men and judges, awaiting for permission to speak.
"Lieutenant Fushou Ichigo, your arrival is most unexpected. From our last report by the 4th Division you were still unconscious," one of them said.
"I awoke only a few moments ago. I thought it prudent to give my report as soon as possible so that you, the Central 46, would be up to date on the recent events that occurred several days ago," Ichigo replied.
There was a soft murmur among the Central 46, likely just shared remarks and nothing more.
"Very well, Lieutenant Fushou Ichigo, you may report your findings," the same man said.
Ichigo lightly nodded his head, "Thank you."
"As you very well may be aware, Lieutenant Aizen Sōsuke committed numerous crimes and validated his guilt with his betrayal of the Gotei 13 and departure from the Seireitei," Ichigo began.
"Lieutenant Aizen Sōsuke was the one behind the disappearance of Rukongai citizens and the Shinigami involved in the investigation. He was experimenting on them," he continued.
"What were the nature of his experiments, Lieutenant Fushou?" a member asked.
Ichigo glanced towards the direction of the voice he heard, "Hollowfication."
"Hollowfication?" another asked, wanting clarification much like the others within the chambers.
"Yes, Hollowfication. He discovered such research in the Spirit Library," he explained.
There was another murmur amongst the Central 46, likely at the fact that such information was in their own databases, "Perhaps, Lieutenant Fushou, you should start at the beginning," a member stated.
Ichigo inwardly sighed, if only they had a chair in the center that he could sit in, standing long enough to give this kind of report surely would be a strain given his still healing wounds. However, he was the eager one to leave the 4th Division under the pretense of having to deliver said report, so he couldn't exactly complain about his predicament.
"Of course," Ichigo said calmly.
"The evening in which the investigation team went missing, I was updating the patrols and came across Captain Kyoraku. During our conversation I noted something strange. He had acknowledged Lieutenant Aizen on the second floor of a nearby building and yet I could not see nor sense him. If I did not trust my senses and had not been ordered by you, the Central 46, to investigate the person in question, I may have very well paid a visit to the 4th Division. However, I do trust my senses and I was ordered to investigate Lieutenant Aizen, so I suspected that what Captain Kyoraku paid witness to was in fact an illusion of some kind," Ichigo explained.
"I concluded that he initiated this illusion to have an alibi so he could operate freely in the Rukongai with the investigation team, as the timing was beyond coincidence. After realizing that he wasn't within the Seireitei, I searched Lieutenant Aizen's quarters along with Captain Kyoraku and we discovered three vials containing some kind of liquid with Hollow reiatsu," Ichigo said before he was interrupted.
"Would these vials be what we now know to have been the cause for the investigation team's transformations?" one of them asked.
"Yes. It is also the cause for the vanishing souls within the Rukongai and the original investigation team sent out by the 9th Division. I entrusted Captain Kyoraku with handling the vials while I went out to the Rukongai in the hopes of discovering what Lieutenant Aizen was doing and quite possibly save the investigation team. My deductions proved correct upon my arrival when I soon bore witness to Lieutenant Aizen revealing to Captain Hirako that he had betrayed him. Not long after, I came across both Captains Urahara and Tessai who were concerned for their subordinates and enlisted their aid in the investigation of Lieutenant Aizen. I surmised that Lieutenant Aizen had need for an alibi because he planned to leave a survivor, more specifically, someone to take the fall so the investigation into Lieutenant Aizen's experiments would come to a halt. Given that most would point towards Captain Urahara as the most likely suspect, I guessed that he was the man Lieutenant Aizen had in mind. Who else would have knowledge of Hollowfication other than the Head of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute?" he asked rhetorically.
"Excuse me, Lieutenant Fushou, but did you not say that such research was in our very own databases in the Spirit Library?" a member asked.
"That is correct. However, it might be likely that one would have to know what to look for, at least that is my theory. I instructed both Captains Urahara and Tessai to retrieve the investigation team and find a cure for their ailment while I distracted the traitors. I killed Tōsen Kaname, a member of the 9th Division, who was aiding Lieutenant Aizen in this betrayal. Not long after, Aizen and I engaged in battle," Ichigo stated.
"What evidence do you have to implicate Tōsen Kaname of the 9th Division, Lieutenant Fushou?" a man interrupted.
"He attacked both Captain Hirako and Lieutenant Sarugaki. Furthermore, Lieutenant Aizen admitted that Tōsen Kaname was involved in this betrayal. Following my verbal distractions towards the traitors, Tōsen Kaname attacked me and it made the most sense to eliminate at least one of them so I could adequately distract them from noticing Captains Urahara and Tessai," Ichigo explained rationally.
"Very well, please continue Lieutenant Fushou," the man said without further questioning.
"Now, at this point I had come privy to the information that Lieutenant Aizen's Zanpakuto had the ability of complete hypnosis, and to come under such effects I speculated that I either had to bear witness to his Shikai, or it was an ability exclusive to his Shikai. Therefore, I had to implement an aggressive strategy and lure Lieutenant Aizen into a false sense of security to ensure he would not use his Shikai, and prove the innocence of Captain Urahara and the guilt of Lieutenant Aizen. Lieutenant Aizen was sure to realize that I could not come out of this exchange alive, because as fate would have it, I had witnessed him in the Spirit Library during my time at the Shinigami Academy. He was well aware that he couldn't risk having anything tied back to him, and I used this to my advantage," Ichigo said.
"Hold on a minute. Why were you, an academy student, in the Spirit Library? That place is off limits to students, let alone accessible to them" one of the elders spouted.
Ichigo sighed quietly, "I had to look elsewhere for Kidō. With all due respect to the instructors at the Shinigami Academy, I was beyond the level of spells being taught to my fellow students."
"Why should we be criticizing his initiative? If we had more students with his discipline Soul Society would be all the more secure!" another man argued in his defense.
Discussion began to rumble amongst the Central 46, however it was soon put to a stop, "The purpose of this is not to discuss the finer points of how Soul Society is run, we are receiving Lieutenant Fushou's report on this betrayal!" a man said with authority, thereby ceasing all whispers and talks.
"Continue," the man ordered.
"Because Captain Urahara didn't 'show up' in the way Lieutenant Aizen planned, he would have to alter his plan, which I was confident would have a hole large enough for me to exploit after this battle was over. I needed evidence that Lieutenant Aizen was not where his illusion verified him to be, and so I aggressively fought Lieutenant Aizen to create a believable opening in our ensuing battle to give the impression that I had died by his hand. Authentic enough that he wouldn't spend much time mulling it over and return back to the Seireitei with no delay. Sure enough, upon my return to the Seireitei, Lieutenant Aizen had a plan with enough flaws that his betrayal was evident to even the densest of minds. Unfortunately, I underestimated his strength in our battle and I was critically wounded when I confronted his betrayal," Ichigo finished.
There were several whispers, but he could make out a couple grunts of approval.
"Very well, if there is nothing else to add you may leave," one of them said.
Ichigo nodded his head slightly before turning and walking away, but not before another spoke up, "And Lieutenant Fushou..."
Ichigo turned around expectantly, curiosity in his eyes.
"A job well done," the man said appreciatively.
That caught Ichigo off guard, but he simply nodded his head in acknowledgment before exiting the Central 46 chambers.
As he exited the building he let out a deep breath, the likes of which he wasn't aware of holding, but exhaustion seemed to be catching up with him.
"You know, if we keep meeting like this people might begin to talk," a voice said off to the side.
It was as though he was having deja vu, there leaning against the side of the wall was Lisa, her long legs as glowing as ever in the moonlight.
"We, are not meeting. You, are simply following me around," Ichigo said offhandedly as he began walking away, not particularly in the mood to chat with the 8th Division Lieutenant.
"Here I was trying to be nice," Lisa said in mock disappointment, "My Captain wishes to speak with you, he asked me nicely if I could ask you in his stead...something about a pretty woman being harder to say no to than an old man," she said with a smirk.
Ichigo groaned tiredly. The 8th Division was much closer than the 2nd Division, and he had been standing for quite a while, so the rest couldn't hurt if all he had to do was converse with the easygoing Captain.
"Very well," Ichigo relented without too much resistance, which Lisa chalked up to his injuries.
She again helped him make the trip by allowing him to lean on her, however hesitant and uncomfortable he was at the whole idea.
Ichigo once again, found himself in the back room of Captain Kyoraku, drinking sake once more.
"Captain Unohana was quite upset at your departure, Ichigo-kun," the Captain remarked before he took a sip from his saucer.
Ichigo was lightly sipping his own, finding the numbing effects to be quite relaxing for his many wounds, "I do not like being around her," he said simply.
Kyoraku quirked an eyebrow at that comment, "Why? She's one of the kindest people in all of Soul Society," he said a bit taken aback at Ichigo's attitude.
Ichigo downed the rest of his sake in one large gulp before extending his hand for more, "She has done nothing to cause this dislike, she merely reminds me of someone I once knew."
Kyoraku generously refilled Ichigo's saucer, "I see," he replied before dropping the subject and moving on to something else, "I'm curious about something Ichigo-kun, I was hoping you might enlighten me a little."
Now it was Ichigo's turn to raise an eyebrow, "What may that be?" he asked before taking a healthy sip of sake.
There was a pause before Kyoraku spoke, "Tsuki no mitōshi," he said simply.
Ichigo paused mid-sip, staring directly at Kyoraku, his mind beginning to churn despite the alcohol in his blood, "Why?"
The Captain merely smiled in an attempt to ease the tension, "Simple curiosity, a bad habit I've had ever since I was a child I must admit," he said, recalling the many times Yamamoto verbally and physically reprimanded him for his snooping.
"How about I tell you about one of my Zanpakuto's abilities, in exchange for some details surrounding what we bore witness to in the meeting room," Kyoraku offered.
"Equal exchange," Ichigo mused silently, "Story of my life..."
"Very well," he agreed before chugging the contents of his saucer and outstretching his arm for more, which Kyoraku happily gave.
"It's so nice to have a drinking partner who can hold his liquor, this is so pleasant," Kyoraku thought contently.
"My Katen Kyōkotsu makes children's games real," Kyoraku explained, which caught all of Ichigo's attention, "One of these games is Kageoni; whoever gets their shadow stepped on, loses."
Ichigo's eyes visibly widened until a smile graced his lips, "What exactly do they lose?"
Kyoraku smirked, "Who knows, it depends on the shadow I suppose," he replied vaguely. Whether he was being obscure as to not reveal too much, or because he himself hadn't revealed anything yet, Ichigo wasn't sure.
"My Zanpakuto..." Ichigo said, a thoughtful expression on his face as he pondered his sword, "likes to play a game."
This caused the 8th Division Captain to laugh a hearty laugh and beamed with what could only be described as happiness, "It must be fate that we became friends, Ichigo-kun."
Ichigo looked down at the remark, almost in disbelief at the idea, but he smiled nonetheless, "I suppose so, Captain Kyoraku."
"My Zanpakuto likes to hide, and Tsuki no mitōshi allows me to hide with him," he divulged, almost fearful that disclosing such information would bring him death upon the words reaching Kyoraku's ears. However, death did not come, a fear he was sure that developed from his distrust of everyone for most of his life.
Kyoraku took a sip from his saucer, consideration on his face before he asked, "By the way, you never told me your Zanpakuto's name."
Ichigo finished taking a sip before saying, "Gekkō."
Kyoraku's eyes widened slightly in realization, "Your Zanpakuto is light-based Ichigo-kun?"
Ichigo nearly choked on his sake before he contemplated the man in front of him, "Very astute."
Kyoraku waved off his outburst with his drink, "Come now Ichigo-kun, there's nothing to be embarrassed about," he said refilling Ichigo's saucer with more sake.
"I'm not embarrassed, only surprised you figured it out," Ichigo confessed.
The 8th Division Captain merely smiled and took another sip of sake, chuckling lightly as he exhaled the strong fumes.
Ichigo downed his full saucer, gaining an approving nod from the man in front of him. Kyoraku went to refill their saucers and noticed that the jug was empty.
"All out," Kyoraku said a bit sadly, but a smile still spread across his face, appreciative of the company regardless of how short it might have been.
"Lisa-chan can change your dressings and help you back to the 2nd Division for a good night's rest," Kyoraku stated before standing up and heading for the sliding door and just before opening it he looked back and said, "Thank you for coming, Ichigo-kun."
Ichigo was a bit uncomfortable with the affection in the tone of his voice, but nodded his head in acknowledgment nonetheless, that is, until Kyoraku opened the door to reveal Lisa with cloth wrappings in hand and a smirk on her face.
"Take off that uniform, Ichigo," she said almost smugly.
"Che, pervert," Ichigo remarked under his breath as he slid his uniform off his shoulders, stopping at the waist and remained seated while she began removing the old dressings.
Kyoraku merely chuckled at their interaction before he left the office altogether and went for a walk on the division grounds.
The old dressings came off his body relatively easy, but there were some that were stuck to the dry wounds and stung slightly when they were removed, but he remained still and unflinching. Her hands brushing across his bare skin made him so uncomfortable that the pain was almost a second thought as he remained tense throughout the whole ordeal.
As she applied new dressings, he wasn't nearly as stiff as he was at the beginning, but he was still eagerly awaiting for it to end. Thankfully after a couple of minutes she announced words of joy, "I'm done."
Ichigo quickly put his uniform back on and stood up slowly. Relaxing with the 8th Division Captain seemed to do a whole lot of good on his nerves, however the Lieutenant of said division undid a lot of that achievement, he was thankful to have come however.
"Thanks," he said before walking out of the office.
He inhaled slowly through his nose, acquiring a deep breath of fresh air, and exhaled slowly, calming himself down from Lisa's presence. However, as though the Spirit King found pleasure in tormenting him, he felt the familiar hands of Lisa come in contact with his body as she helped him stand and they both walked out of the division towards the 2nd Division grounds.
Much to his displeasure, she took the longest possible route, which was likely intentional given her desire to torture him at every opportunity.
The only distraction from this ordeal was that he noticed one of his subordinates, Amagai Shūsuke, entering one of the residential areas of the Seireitei where the nobles reside. He couldn't dwell on it much longer however, as Lisa seemed to be searching his body for a ticklish spot, much to annoyance.