Lex Talionis
Chapter 15
He felt…warm, and soon noticed that he was laying on a soft surface. "I must be in the next life," he mused as he merely lay still with his eyes closed, reveling in the comfort. However, two thoughts interrupted his relaxation: if he was in the next life, why did he still have his memories, and why wasn't he alone?
There was an absence of warmth on his face, as if a shadow had been cast and his head was now within it, but the rest of his body continued to enjoy the comfortable temperatures. He didn't particularly enjoy the sunlight whilst growing up, the dangers of the Fushou District may have contributed towards that learned behavior, as he only truly felt safe in the pitch blackness of the night; however, the warmth he was feeling was certainly helping change his opinion.
He soon realized that the presence he felt next to him was the likely culprit for the shadow cast on his face, and so with great displeasure he opened his eyes. As his eyelids separated, and his irises adjusted to his bright environment, his sight regained focus and was met with the image of a young girl. He lay there, his expression unchanging, and simply gazed into the eyes of this girl. She had shaggy light blonde hair that just barely touched her shoulders, copper tone skin, and an eye color that matched her hair. Her face was quizzical as they stared into each other's eyes, and he detected what could only be described as a cheerful smile, which lasted for only but a moment before all hell broke loose.
"Why the hell are you just lying there dumbass!" she yelled before stomping her bare foot directly onto his face.
Ichigo was a bit caught off guard, not only with her drastic change in demeanor, but also with how quickly she brought her foot down; her foot that was now grinding from side to side on his face as she fumed above him.
He lifted his hand and grabbed hold of her ankle, which caused her to stop rubbing her foot in his face and take pause. The instant his hand connected with her ankle he couldn't help but notice the smoothness of her skin; the warmth that spread throughout his body at the contact, however, was overwhelming both physically and emotionally for reasons he couldn't fathom. She had visibly reacted to his touch as well, but he was far too distracted to notice. He gently lifted her foot off his face and placed it on the ground, which he soon recognized as sand.
Ichigo slowly lifted his body as he remained seated on the ground and was thoroughly shocked at the sight before him; he was inside his inner world and it was daytime.
Ichigo glanced towards the young girl with question upon question to ask her, "Who are you child?" he asked while trying to stand up.
Her eye twitched as her arms began to shake and hands balled up into fists. After standing up and brushing sand off his clothes he looked up at her just in time to see her foot connect with his face as she spin kicked him several dozens of yards across the sand looking very much like a rock that had been skipped across water.
"I'm not a child…" he heard her scream along with several expletives he was sure no child should know while he bounced across the ground. He eventually planted his feet in the ground to slow himself down, but not before he was kicked in the back of the head, causing his face to vault directly into the ground.
She then proceed to land on his back and stomp the back of his head further and further into the sand while swearing obscenities.
Ichigo lay there, getting stomped on by this young girl, and couldn't comprehend how she was able to attack him with such ease, much to his confusion. He placed his palms on the ground and pushed himself up from the ground, wiping sand off his face with one hand, and stood upright once more.
He looked at the young girl who now stood in front of him with crossed arms, knitted eyebrows, and a look of indignation for lack of a better word.
"Who are you?" he asked once more while omitting any comments in reference to her age, lest he want to be kicked in the head for a second time.
With what could only be described as a triumphant huff, she uncrossed her arms and walked past him along the beach. Ichigo decided it was safe to follow and caught up with her, now walking side by side with the temperamental girl.
"My name is N***ō" she replied while sparing him a glance.
Ichigo's eyes narrowed, a sense of déjà vu hitting him, "I'm sorry, I didn't quite understand what you said."
She grabbed his face while propping her feet on his hip as he was over a foot and a half taller than her in order to bring her lips to but a breath away from his ear, inhaled deeply, and yelled at the top of her lungs, "My name is Nikkō!"
He grimaced in pain as his right ear ached from the loud intrusion, but surprise soon overtook his pain, "Nikkō…" he thought aloud before stopping in their walk.
"That's right, Nikkō," she repeated while pointing her thumb at herself as if to state the obvious.
Confusion was quite evident on his face, but he had far too many questions to get wrapped up in his musings, "Am I dead?"
"Che, as if I'd let that happen. Of course you're not dead!" she chided.
"Then what am I doing here?" he asked.
He felt weight on his shoulders and soon realized she was sitting on them, and while her legs came underneath his neck and wrapped around it, she soon began hammer fisting the top of his skull while yelling once again, "I'm finally able to drag your stupid ass in here for a heartwarming introduction and you have the balls to ask a question like that!"
"Heartwarming?" he thought dryly as she continued pounding the top of his head.
"What are you to me?" he asked ignoring her punches.
She ceased in her assault and simply sat on his shoulders with her legs wrapped around his neck, her elbows now resting on his head as she wore a look of consideration, "I'm the sun to your world," she said rather proudly at her explanation.
"I am already in possession of a Zanpakuto…" he stated but was cut off with another punch to the top of his head.
"It's not like I moved in yesterday dumbass! I've been here since the place was built, you just never answered my calls," she grumbled, but rested her chin on his head, obviously sour about something.
Ichigo considered her words before asking additional questions and analyzed what she had said, "Their names alone indicate that there is some relation, but why do two spirits inhabit my soul? I remember the day Gekkō entered my dreams as though it were yesterday, I certainly don't remember this young girl…" he thought while noting her body shifting around trying to get more comfortable on his shoulders.
"Where were you when I met Gekkō?" he asked.
He didn't need to see her face to know that she was clenching her teeth angrily, "Gekkō, that little brat! When I find him he's going to be in such a world of hurt," she said more to herself as he could hear her fist punching her open hand.
After several more seconds of her talking about hurting Gekkō, she calmed down and planted her chin atop his head once more before replying, "I don't know how, but we got split apart."
"Split?" Ichigo questioned.
"Yes, split!" she emphasized with another punch.
"We used to be one, but something split us apart and I woke up here," she explained while gesturing at the sunny beach in front of them, "and as much as I screamed, yelled, and shouted you couldn't hear me."
A question soon came to the forefront of Ichigo's mind as he recalled the one thing Gekkō said each and every time he visited his Zanpakuto, "Did you find her?"
"He wanted me to search for you…" Ichigo thought aloud.
"Of course he did idiot!" she replied, "Zanpakuto are not meant to be divided into two beings."
"So why now?" he questioned.
Her head now dropped down so that they were both staring at one another, it would have looked quite humorous as her legs remained wrapped around his neck, body lay over the top of his head, and face was practically touching his own while upside down, but the expression on her face evaporated any humorous descriptions for their appearance.
"You stopped repressing me…" she replied with a melancholy tone, "the day you pushed those memories of loss and pain into the depths of your soul is the day I went along with them. Those memories were finally allowed to confront you right before you fell unconscious, and since you were weak enough I was able to drag your sorry ass down here," she finished with a light punch to his cheek, and he soon discovered that her physicality wasn't a means of doing him harm or expressing anger, but rather a way to show affection, albeit in an odd way.
She ran her small hand through his bangs and scalp, the warming sensations being unlike anything he had experienced in his life as he closed his eyes at the feeling, and her voice took on a much softer tone than what he had heard thus far, "Accept who you are, Ichigo."
She gently kissed his forehead, and as he opened his eyes he found himself in what he instantly recognized as the 4th Division, with its Captain standing beside his bed.
"How are you feeling Fushou-san?" Unohana asked kindly.
"I…" he paused as he soon realized who it was he saw looming over him in the Seireitei after he had fallen to the ground, "I feel better, thank you Captain Unohana," he said, trying to convey his sincerity. Whether she noticed or not he wasn't sure, either way she smiled at him affectionately and began a diagnostic Kidō over his body.
"You had me quite concerned, Fushou-san. The injuries you sustained, while life threatening if untreated, shouldn't have caused you to be unconscious for so long," she commented as he began moving around his stiff limps.
"How long have I been out?" he questioned.
"Seven days," she replied simply, "and your reiatsu fluctuated quite dramatically in that time."
"Suppressing those emotions…my past, and this is the damage it caused by letting them out of their cages," he thought while the last words spoken to him by Nikkō rang throughout his mind, "accept who you are."
"Has anything occurred during my recovery that requires my attention?" he asked, trying to get a handle on this new outlook on life.
"Not that I am aware of," Unohana replied after ending her diagnostic spell, "your wounds have all healed quite remarkably, even with seven days. You may leave at your discretion, but I would request once more than you do not make a habit out of this, Fushou-san."
Unohana left his room giving him privacy to change back into his uniform. After adjusting his clothes to be more comfortable and fitting both his badge and Zanpakuto on his person, he took a breath and exited the 4th Division, again.
As he stood outside the 4th Division and let the rays of sunlight bathe his body, he couldn't help but think about how he felt. In what felt like just yesterday he was an emotional mess and ready to die. However, now he felt as though a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
He didn't feel different, but at the same time he knew that he had changed. Accepting that his family had died, regardless of who was responsible, and coming to terms with the fact that he couldn't have done anything to prevent it, freed him from the shackles of guilt and vengeance. He could now carve his own path in life, a new road to take for himself, and in that moment he realized what had changed. For the past seventy-four years he was dead, and today he had been brought back to life.
His emotions and feelings were still difficult to understand, but today it became easier, if only slightly. His state of mind notwithstanding, he still needed to fill the void left by his revenge, and he imagined that finding a purpose in this life could quite possibly take even more time than embracing his emotions would, and so he opted for what still plagued his mind: discovering the truth.
Ichigo's thoughts then drifted to the incident with Amagai and considered how they might react if they learned the truth about him and his original intention to join the Gotei 13; hiding the truth from them would do him no favors, nor would it do them if they learned the truth under similar circumstances as he did with Amagai.
Decision made, Ichigo summoned a Hell Butterfly and relayed a message to the 8th Division Captain before making his way towards the Seireitei exit for the Rukongai.
He was in no hurry and much to his surprise was enjoying the weather. As he passed by the 11th Division's entrance, however, he caught sight of a man he did not recognize under no apparent affiliation with the Gotei 13 mid-swing in an attack against what he surmised to be the 11th Division Captain. This observation lasted all but a moment in time, and in the following moment he had flash-stepped across the space of half the division and landed a kick on the assailant's ribs, which vaulted him across the other half of the division into the wall.
Relieved that his strength and speed had not diminished after all that had transpired over the past two weeks, he was a bit caught off guard by the fact that he was actually stronger and faster than before.
His observations, however, were interrupted by a rather deep and gruff sounding voice, "What the hell ya think you're doin' trash?"
Ichigo glanced to his right, and there stood a rather large man. He had a dark complexion, dark hair, dark eyes, and two spiked piercings below his lips; overall he had a very rough appearance.
"A man not within the Gotei 13 was going to attack you," Ichigo replied stoically.
The large man chuckle, "That small fry challenged me for my position and title."
Ichigo didn't react to his statement, which the Captain took for confusion.
"I'm Kiganjō Kenpachi, Captain of the 11th Division. Kenpachi is the title given to the strongest Shinigami. Ya can only sit where I'm at by killin' me, so trash flock from all of Rukongai to get what I have," the Captain said rather full of himself.
Ichigo had to refrain from sighing at the stupidity of this man and replied simply, "My mistake, Captain Kiganjō."
As Ichigo left the 11th Division, the man who had impacted the wall finally dug himself out, and although drops of blood ran down his face and coated his stringy black hair, it did nothing to detract the crazed smile creeping across his features and into the scar on the left side of his face.
It didn't take Ichigo long to exit the Seireitei and enter the Rukongai; fortunately he didn't have to wait long for the 8th Division Captain either as he was already there.
Kyoraku observed Ichigo's approach and gave him a friendly smile, "It's nice to see you up and out of bed Ichigo-kun!" the Captain said with relief.
Ichigo simply gave an appreciative nod as they now stood in front of one another.
"I'm curious, why did you ask to meet me out here Ichigo-kun?" Kyoraku asked as they walked through one of the closest districts to the Seireitei, the commoners observing them with silent awe.
Ichigo halted in his steps, apparently deep in thought, "I'm going to pay one of the east districts a visit and thought it prudent to invite you," he stated before looking at the 8th Division Captain.
Kyoraku chuckled lightly, "You see now Ichigo-kun, today is my day off and I don't think there are any pretty young ladies in Fushou District this time of year…" he said as if trying to wiggle out of going before Ichigo interrupted.
"Worry not, Captain, we're not going to the Fushou District. Where we are going I have not been in several decades and besides…" Ichigo paused as he slightly bent his knees and a smirk graced his face, "every day is your day off," he said before flash-stepping away.
Kyoraku couldn't help but chuckle before chasing after Ichigo with a flash-step of his own and they both ran east.
The trip was silent, not much being discussed as they ventured further away from the Seireitei. Despite the conversation that was soon to follow upon their arrival of his destination, Ichigo couldn't help but compete with the 8th Division Captain by steadily increasing the speed of his flash-step, curious to see if the laidback Captain could keep up with him. Ichigo was pleasantly surprised to see that Kyoraku had no trouble keeping up with his speed, and almost laughed at the Captain's knowing smile, indicating that he knew what Ichigo was doing.
The light hearted fun had to be cut short, unfortunately, as they had arrived and Ichigo stopped abruptly at the district's entrance, his breath getting caught at the sight before him.
Kyoraku too couldn't help but gaze upon the district without feeling a semblance of sadness.
"64th District of East Rukongai, Sabitsura," Ichigo said, breaking the silence they shared upon arriving, "it hasn't changed at all since I was last here."
The buildings still remaining looked as though they were on their last minutes of life, their once brown and beige colored walls littered with black scorch marks. The fields, paths, and nearby vegetation all bore similar colors and were void of life.
"What happened here?" Kyoraku thought aloud.
"Quincy used to live here," Ichigo stated, thoroughly catching the Captain off-guard, but Ichigo patiently waited for the Captain's response, his nervousness increasing with each passing moment as he let the words digest.
The Captain looked at Ichigo, then back at the district, then back at Ichigo again, before settling on the horizon, "When you asked me about the Quincy…" he said, letting it hang in the air.
"Ah, I was, or rather still am, trying to find out what happened here," Ichigo confirmed for the suspecting Captain.
"I fled from Fushou District when I was a child out of fear for my life," Ichigo began, obviously struggling with telling this story out loud and to another person, let alone being comfortable saying it to himself; saying something aloud is as good as acceptance, sharing something personal with another is as good as trust, but not having the resolve to accept one's harsh past and losing a friend in the process of sharing said past will task a person's mental fortitude, and here he was doing both at once.
"I was taken in by the Quincy who lived in this district, more specifically, a woman. I became her son and she became my mother. She trained me in every way of combat that I could learn and when I grew strong enough I started paying visits to the Fushou District, helping the locals with the thugs and gangs," he paused, clearing his throat and shaking his head before continuing on with his story.
"On one particular day of going to the Fushou District, upon my return the entire district was set ablaze. It's strange that the district still bears the scorch marks when the fire was put out over seventy years ago…" Ichigo observed before resuming, Kyoraku listening with open ears and concern evident on his face for Ichigo, "I was told by one of the survivors that my mother, along with two children I helped care for were murdered by the ones who started the fires; apparently my reiatsu signature had garnered their interest and was what led them to our district in the first place."
Kyoraku feared the answer to his question, but he had to ask, "Ichigo-kun…who did this?"
There was a silence. It wasn't awkward or tense, but much like the silence one would experience upon realizing that they were about to die. It's not fear that coats the air, or panic, but simply a pause in time as you observe what it is that will end your life and then the moment passes with time along with it.
"Shinigami," he replied softly, anger not detectable within his voice, only confusion.
Kyoraku walked towards Ichigo, who stood in front of him with his back turned, and gently placed his hand on Ichigo's shoulder before asking, "Ichigo-kun, why did you join the Gotei 13?"
Ichigo couldn't help but smile weakly, at that moment he appreciated Kyoraku's keen intellect more than anything else, for he made it easier to get through this recollection of his past, "When I was told of my family's death, I was ordered to retaliate against those responsible, I became a substitute for vengeance in their stead…at the time it was easier to embrace than confronting the loss of my family."
The grip on Ichigo's shoulder tensed slightly before relaxing, remaining still as Ichigo stood there unmoving and obviously pondering over old thoughts and memories.
"You needn't worry Captain Kyoraku…I gave up on my plan for revenge seven days ago," Ichigo said before glancing back at the 8th Division Captain, a relieved smile on the older man's face.
"However…" Ichigo interjected, "discovering the truth is something I will not give up on, I just…" Ichigo paused, struggling to find the words, but Kyoraku was kind enough to fill in the blanks, "Need to find closure?" the Captain asked.
Ichigo simply nodded his head slightly.
He then walked forward, the Captain's hand falling off his shoulder as Ichigo began pacing back and forth, "Things just don't add up."
Kyoraku raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean Ichigo-kun? I'm afraid this is the first time I've heard of this attack."
"Exactly my point, Captain Kyoraku; this occurred while you were a Captain of the 8th Division, and yet you've never heard of it nor are there any records of the official orders to assault this district. If the Gotei 13 were responsible, why cover it up at all? The Quincy extermination is on record, and the attack on this district pales in comparison as far as the death toll is concerned, so why make that public record but exclude this relatively minor incident?" Ichigo asked.
"I can only think of two reasons, Ichigo-kun. Either the Gotei 13 weren't responsible for this, or they're covering up something worse than this attack, and I can't help but think it's the former," Kyoraku replied.
"After investigating the matter in the Spirit Library and speaking with you, I came to a similar conclusion," Ichigo admitted before walking around the district as though he were searching for something.
"Then there's the matter of not sensing even a trace of Shinigami reiatsu within the district while the fires were still burning, an impossibility if the district was assaulted by a squadron, which is what would've been required to destroy it in the first place," Ichigo mused as he turned rocks over and knocked on the trunks of trees.
He stood directly in front of the tree and began taking equal steps, forward, backward, and sideways as he went in a seemingly random direction.
"If you consider all the facts and observations, it doesn't inspire credence when the man who relayed all of this devastating news has never had my trust in all the time I knew him," Ichigo stated with a grimace as he reached down into the ground through a hole.
Kyoraku paid no mind to Ichigo's behavior and focused on what he was saying, "Why didn't you trust this man?"
Ichigo's eyes widened slightly as he seemed to find something and began lifting his arm up from the hole, "He conducted experiments on me when I was first taken in by my mother, a condition for my staying in their district I imagine," he explained before standing upright and brushing the dirt off his arm as his hand clasped around an object before placing it within his robes.
Kyoraku stared down at the ground; the gears in his head were turning as he evaluated every piece of information Ichigo relayed to him, and then settled his gaze on the 2nd Division Lieutenant, "The only person who would know anything about this," Kyoraku said referencing the desolate district, "is Yama-jii."
Ichigo frowned, while he felt that Kyoraku could be trusted not to overreact to his intentions for joining the Gotei 13, he couldn't help but get the impression that the Captain-Commander would kill him where he stood if he had been made aware of his once existing plan of assassinating the Central 46.
Kyoraku seemed to pick up on Ichigo's worries and soon abated them, "I'll go with you Ichigo-kun, I'm sure he won't kill you with me at your side," the Captain said, the light-heartedness of his voice creating a confusing contrast given the content of his words.
Ichigo considered his options, and decided that the truth was ultimately worth it even if he suffered injury or more likely loss of limb if the Captain-Commander was involved.
Ichigo relented a sigh before nodding and the 8th Division Captain patted him on the shoulder with an encouraging smile and Ichigo wondered how the Captain managed to remain so laidback given what they were about to do. Ichigo and Kyoraku soon both departed the forgotten district and made their way back to the Seireitei.
Their return trip was much like it was in their initial departure; Ichigo felt like he had moved to the next stepping stone in finding closure, while Kyoraku was glad to know that Ichigo felt like he could confide in the flamboyant man. They were both very much concerned about who was responsible for the destruction of the Sabitsura District, but getting things out in the open seemed to do a lot for their nerves, especially Ichigo.
As they both arrived at the Seireitei entrance, Kyoraku informed him that he would talk with the Captain-Commander alone first to mitigate the flak Ichigo might receive and so Ichigo opted to walk within the Seireitei and try to enjoy the still pleasant weather that existed prior to his departure.
That is, until a blade came screaming towards his face and he had to deftly avoid the attack by leaning backwards at a near ninety degree angle before bringing his legs up and flipping backwards.
"Ha! Great reflexes!" his attacker complimented.
Ichigo looked at the source of the voice and wielder of the sword that nearly cut his head off, and was mildly surprised to see the man he had kicked into the wall of the 11th Division. The difference now though is that he was wearing a Captain's haori, which led him to believe the previous Captain of the 11th Division fell in battle to the man before him.
"I've been looking all over for ya, and now we can finally cross blades!" the man bellowed almost gleefully before charging Ichigo with impressive speed considering it wasn't flash-step, and as the overhead strike came screeching down towards him, Ichigo calmly side-stepped the attack before leaping backwards to create distance between himself and the newly appointed 11th Division Captain.
His dodge only seemed to excite the man even further, as he withdrew his sword out from the ground and charged yet again, bringing with him powerful sword thrusts and slashes, all of which Ichigo dodged.
"Captain…" Ichigo said before realizing he had yet to learn this person's name, and his attacker seemed to realize it too as he paused in his assault.
"Zaraki Kenpachi, Captain of the 11th Division," the man said introducing himself before going on the offensive once again.
Ichigo continued to dodge the attacks, "Captain Zaraki…" he stated before performing multiple flash-steps to avoid a succession of very fast strikes, "it is against the law to be dueling outside a division, moreover you cannot fight a Lieutenant of another division without the express permission of said Lieutenant's Captain" he explained while ducking beneath the man's outstretched hand as the Captain tried grabbing hold of his head.
Zaraki seemed to finally register what Ichigo had said, and with what Ichigo imagined to be disappointment, the Captain pulled back his sword and sheathed it.
"Fuckin' killjoy," Zaraki stated before a smirk came across his face once again, "What's your name kid?"
Ichigo relaxed and resumed his normal posture before replying, "Fushou Ichigo, Lieutenant of the 2nd Division."
"Eh?" Zaraki questioned as he glanced up in an attempt to recall a memory, "Fushou…ain't that the 80th District in East Rukongai?"
Ichigo merely nodded in the affirmative, much to the Captain's delight as he began to chuckle.
"I'm from the 80th District of North Rukongai, Zaraki" the 11th Division Captain stated, continuing to laugh.
Ichigo closed his eyes in disbelief, the Captain thought the similarity in how they got their last names was an inside joke of sorts, the humor obviously fell short of Ichigo's understanding, but that didn't stop Zaraki from laughing.
"You and I will eventually figure out which district breeds the stronger fighter," Zaraki said with excitement, the underlying threat not deaf on Ichigo's ears.
Kyoraku suddenly appeared behind Ichigo and with a nod they both left, the 11th Division Captain still howling excitedly with the discovery of a strong opponent.
Ichigo and Kyoraku didn't waste time in reaching the 1st Division, and although the prospect of talking with the Captain-Commander didn't put him at ease, he walked towards the man's office with a collected mind and composed demeanor.
Kyoraku knocked several times on the office door, informing the Captain-Commander who was knocking as if the man wasn't aware of who stood but a few feet outside his office, only Kyoraku had such audacity.
"Enter," a voice bellowed from within, and so they both walked inside.
Ichigo wasn't able to take in the appearance of the office during Amagai's attack, what with smoke spewing out from it and debris littered everywhere it was rather difficult taking note of the scenery at the time, but now he could observe it at his leisure and noted that it had everything the Captain-Commander might need for work-related activities, but nothing indicating a personal touch.
Ichigo was broken from his observations when the Captain-Commander spoke, "Captain Kyoraku has informed me of all the pertinent details of your situation, Lieutenant Fushou."
Ichigo glanced at Kyoraku, whose expression remain unchanged and was casually scratching his cheek, his soft smile still adorned on his features as he supported Ichigo by standing with him rather than against him.
"I ordered no such attack on the 64th District of East Rukongai, otherwise known as Sabitsura. Admittedly, this is the first I've heard such report and can offer you no explanation, Lieutenant Fushou."
Ichigo wasn't surprised, but that left him with the unfortunate likelihood in that his information was faulty, and his source had thereby lied.
"However," the Captain-Commander growled out, the authoritative tone in his voice not missed by Ichigo, "it is important that you detail these experiments you were subjected to, as well as the names of the Quincy whom you knew of, Lieutenant."
Relieved that he wasn't going to be imprisoned or killed on the spot, Ichigo nodded his head slightly before finding his voice, "I do not know much of the specifics regarding the experiments I underwent, as I was only but a child at the time. However" he paused before reaching within his robe and pulling out the object he had retrieved from the ground, "I know that this artifact was an integral part to the experiments and I had to wear many incarnations of it throughout my life in the Sabitsura district," he said, placing the object on Yamamoto's desk.
"I can only recall four names: Äs Nödt, Royd, Lloyd, and Haschwald. Haschwald being the man who conducted the experiments and was my source of information regarding the circumstances surrounding the attack on Sabitsura," Ichigo elaborated.
Yamamoto examined the object now resting on his desk before looking up at Ichigo once more, "Kyoraku mentioned a leader of this Quincy group, what of his name?" he questioned.
"I have only ever heard him referred to as 'his majesty', but I do recall another name mentioned, although I'm not sure what it means…" Ichigo paused as the memories of his past seemed to reveal themselves in brief flashes.
"Vandenreich," Ichigo recalled aloud, and not a moment later he was blasted off his feet by a monstrous reiatsu, causing him to roll backwards and he struggled to stand upright; forced to maintain a kneeling position.
He lifted his gaze upwards as his head was being pushed down as well, and he saw the Captain-Commander standing, eyes wide open, with a fiery reiatsu flaring all around him, causing him to endure a very dry and intense heat being in such close proximity.
Kyoraku managed to stand, although his shoulders were visibly being pushed down, and if he could see his expression Ichigo would be sure he was just as surprised at Yamamoto's response.
"That man…" the Captain-Commander grit out, his expression bordering uncontrolled rage, but his anger was soon doused as the office doors burst open and the sight of Urahara Kisuke made him regain his senses, reeling in his reiatsu, allowing everyone in the room to breathe easy.
"My apologies for barging in on…whatever it was I barged in on," Urahara trailed off as his confusion momentarily overtook his worried features.
"What is it Captain Urahara?" the Captain-Commander bellowed, still not quite calmed down yet.
Urahara shook his head to regain his thoughts before replying, "One of my inventions has been stolen…it's called the Hōgyoku."