Author's Note: Let me just start off by apologizing for the delay in publishing this chapter. It has been an extremely busy week, and next week is only busier. Secondly, let me say that I did not check this chapter for errors. I am extremely tired and need sleep, haha. So please excuse me if I have several errors in this chapter.
Nekura Enzeru: Haha, I love that aspect about Hitsugaya too ; - P. And thanks! I actually am a huge fan of the vizards (primarily Shinji *cough*) and love their interaction so I want to incorporate as much of that as I can. And I KNOW! I can't believe I made Yama-jii into such an asshole. But I guess someonehas to be the bad guy in this (well other than the bad guy I've made short hints about ; - P).
MrsKurosaki x: Haha thank you muchly for the favorites add! And Rukia will totally get her man ; - P. If she didn't, all would be losttt!
kaiserkawaii: yesss, an update! And look here, another one! Though admittedly this one was a bit longer of a wait. Sorry!
Anonymous: I wasn't aware that I had mentioned Kiyone so much! Sorry! I guess if I did it's only cause her captain seems to be the most injured at the moment? Had to have someone dishing out the mega-Ukitake love.
Chapter Four: With Our Heads Held High
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"With our heads held high, we walk the unmarked roads."
Ichigo was sprawled out onto the sandy ground, his hair matted to his forehead. His breaths were extremely labored and there was an expression of annoyance gracing his features. Ichigo watched as Mashiro skipped over to him and hovered just above his head. If he weren't so exhausted, Ichigo probably would have strangled her.
"Forget it, Shinji-chan, Berry-tan will never learn kido. He sucks almost as much as Kensei," she proclaimed cheerily.
"Hadou #31, Shakkaho!" Kensei shouted pressing his palms forward. Everyone watched as a burst of flame flew at Mashiro's boot, and melted it.
Suddenly Ichigo roared and started rolling around on the sand wildly. Mashiro's boot had been right next to Ichigo's head, and now Ichigo was attempting to salvage his damaged hair.
"Nice going, Kensei, now Berry-tan will have to go to the hair dressers with me tomorrow!"
Kensei grimaced as Ichigo stood up and looked at him angrily, "Sorry Ichigo…wrong target."
"There seems to be a lot of that going around today," Shinji muttered as he dumped a water bottle onto Ichigo's head. More shouts were heard and the sound of a fist connecting with flesh, before Shinji was hunched over on the ground; His face a mask of pain.
"I was only trying to help!" Shinji wheezed and glared up at the youngest vizard.
"By soaking me with water?" Ichigo snarled before squeezing water out of his clothing, "Can we just continue?"
"You still have the energy?" Shinji questioned seriously. The way Ichigo had been just moments earlier suggested otherwise.
"Not really, but I want to accomplish something before we call it a night," Ichigo replied and shifted his gaze towards Hiyori and Rose, who were busy sword fighting on their own.
"Alright then try it again. Byakurai is one of the most basic forms of kido," Shinji paused and ran a hand through his already messy hair, "If something doesn't happen by the end of the night, then we should probably switch back to vizard training."
As Ichigo attempted to produce a Byakurai, Shinji had lazily started to duel Love and Lisa. Although all of the vizards, Ichigo included, were excellent swordsman they had decided that it was important to monitor the others' fighting style in order to create new combination attacks using various styles in case they ever faced a difficult opponent.
Hiyori, having just finished learning two of Rose's techniques, collapsed onto the ground near Ichigo and took a long drink from her water bottle. She watched as the former shinigami-turned-vizard exerted all of his effort into casting the kido spell.
"You're hopeless, Ichigo. I don't think you'll ever learn kido. How do you expect that shinigami trash to ever love you if you can't even protect her with, that?" Hiyori taunted, gesturing wildly.
Ichigo snarled in her direction, "Shut the hell up! You don't know enough about her to judge whether or not she's trash. And this –," He held up a hand, "Byakurai –," he was cut off as a large flash of lightning emitted from his hand and crashed into the mountains beyond. Flabbergasted, Ichigo stood staring off into the distance, his mouth hanging wide open.
"Ha! I thought that would work. Shinji, look! I got the asshole to make it work!" Hiyori was practically beaming as she took in Ichigo's bewildered expression, "Now if you could just manage to do it at will, you're all set."
Shinji strode over to the pair and raised an eyebrow at Hiyori, "Maybe we should just let ya taunt him during our battles. With attacks like that, we'd sure as hell win."
Hiyori took off one of her sandals and slapped Shinji across the face, who shouted in pain.
"Hiyori! What the hell was THAT for?!!?" Shinji whined, rubbing his sore nose.
"Idiot! We'd win the battles anyway," she huffed before grabbing her sweater-jacket.
"Unless anyone has any objections," she growled out looking over at her fellow vizards, "We should hit the sack. Long day tomorrow."
"Doing what?" Ichigo questioned, having been snapped out of his reverie by Hiyori's attack to Shinji's face.
"More training, dumbass," She looked around at everyone once more, "Let's go."
There was a collective sigh as everyone followed Hiyori into the house. The three girls departed with a brief 'good night' before heading upstairs. Love, Kensei, Hachi, and Rose also departed for the downstairs bedrooms. The remaining two were Ichigo and Shinji, who were currently sitting across from each other at the kitchen table.
"I know this isn't exactly the kind of life you imagined you'd be living, Ichigo, but at least you're living," he paused and raised a hand as Ichigo went to interrupt him, "What I have to tell you is important. Before we became vizards, we were all captains and lieutenants in the Gotei 13. We all had friends and lives within those positions. Then, as you know, we became vizards. Not of our own free will, mind you. After that, things went down hill. We lost friends, and were sentenced to die. But we kept our integrity and individuality intact. As long as you remember who you are, Ichigo, then everything else will fall into place. Some people – like us – will stick with you. Others will be against you. Those others are the people that don't matter. This is your life and these are your decisions. We can guide you as much as you want, but ultimately you have to make the decisions for yourself," He looked up at Ichigo seriously.
"You're not a kid anymore. The day you took Rukia's shinigami powers was the day you gave up your childhood. I wish it didn't have to be that way, but that's how it is. The only thing you have left to do is focus on daily preparation, and most importantly, focus on keeping your heart in tact."
Ichigo looked up at Shinji with newly found respect. He hadn't realized how much insight and wisdom the older vizard held. Ichigo was used to seeing the goofy and laid back Shinji. This serious side wasn't something he was used to. Shinji's words, however, had a profound meaning to Ichigo. As long as had his heart and his mind, things would be okay.
"I don't think I ever was a kid," Ichigo murmured quietly.
He drummed his fingers lightly on the table before making a silent decisions, "Although I went along with the idea of coming here with all of you, I'd like to keep that decision. I'd like to stay as a member of the vizards. Permanently," Ichigo added at the end.
Shinji looked at him in surprise, "Are you sure you should be making that decision so early? Once this is over, if you want to go back to being a shinigami --."
"I'm positive. I never really fit in with the shinigami anyway. Besides, who knows how long it will be until this is over," Ichigo replied tiredly.
Shinji pushed his chair backwards and stood up. He placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder and locked eyes with him, "Alright then, Ichigo Kurosaki, welcome to the vizards. We're happy to have you. Now go get some sleep."
Ichigo couldn't disagree with that. Yawning loudly, he stretched his arms over his head before making his way to his room. Closing the door behind him, he walked into the spacious bathroom to his right and flicked on the light.
Gazing into the mirror, his reflection startled him. Dark circles rimmed his eyes, making him look extremely hollow. How fitting. Ichigo set about to brushing his teeth. After finishing that, he was about to head off to bed when a silver glint shimmered in his peripheral vision. Turning back towards the mirror, he watched in shocked fascination as a small silver orb formed on the glass. If that wasn't odd enough, the orb was bubbling and spreading rapidly. Soon the entire mirror was covered in sizzling goo. Ichigo reached out and touched the liquid, and the world went black.
As Ichigo opened his eyes, dark clouds passed overhead. Lightning flashed in the distance, signaling an impeding storm. He stood up and looked to see that he was in his inner world.
But how?
"Because we called you here, idiot," His hollow sneered at him from his right. Ichigo turned to see both his hollow and Zangetsu standing side by side.
"What is this all about? And what was that silver shit all over my mirror?" Ichigo crossed his arms over his chest and raised an aggravated eyebrow at the duo.
"That was an illusion," Zangetsu stated simply, not bothering to elaborate on the incident, "Ichigo, we brought you here because your father is in danger."
"What?!" Ichigo screamed, terror creeping its way throughout his veins. The worst possible scenario that Ichigo had conjured up during the beginning of this whole mess was now becoming more and more realistic.
"At approximately 11:45 pm, last night, Jushiro Ukitake went into cardiac arrest," Zangetsu stated slowly and Ichigo's expression became bewildered, "He's fine. Unohana was able to stabilize him. Yamamoto, however, was deeply perturbed by the incident."
"Basically, what the old man is tryin' to say is this: Yama-jii got pissed about the incident and ordered Soi Fon and her division of shit heads to bring your dad to the soul society. He was placed under arrest until further notice," his hollow interrupted.
Ichigo's head started to spin. He felt as if he was going to be sick. He didn't want his family to be in danger because of this whole mess, but now – it seemed – that they were.
"How can he do that?!?! It's not my damn father's fault that Ukitake went into cardiac arrest!" Ichigo's reiatsu was flaring wildly, so much that his hollow had started to grimace at the pressure.
"Listen King, If you want I can come on out and we can burry those assholes into the ground," his hollow smiled at him wickedly.
"You have no idea how much I wish that were a possibility," Ichigo stated angrily.
"Yet you can do no such thing," Zangetsu stated firmly, "Which is why your inner world is in such a state of chaos."
Ichigo didn't reply. It was true. Lately the source of his angst was in knowing that he wasn't in a position to do anything for anyone.
He sighed heavily before a thought struck him, "Wait a minute. How are you two getting all of this information?"
"Oh that," his hollow grinned before producing something in the palm of his hand. As Ichigo looked closely, he noted that the object was a hell butterfly. A green hell butterfly.
"Urahara is a freakin' genius. He stole one of soul society's hell butterflies and modified it. Now it will relay messages only to us," he gestured between himself and Zangetsu.
"Why you two?" Ichigo questioned curiously.
"Because, King, it would be too dangerous to send this baby to you directly. It might've been intercepted. Instead, Urahara sends it through your spiritual world."
"We will update you with information as necessary, Ichigo. If we bring you in here too much it might have dangerous effects on your health," Zangetsu added softly.
"Yeah because making me think my mirror is melting isn't unhealthy enough as it is," Ichigo muttered, "What about my sisters? Who's taking care of them?" he asked suddenly.
"Ah, Urahara and Yoruichi temporarily moved into your house to take care of them. Yuzu and Karin are fine. Yamamoto won't harm them. They're too young."
And anyone that's not too young? Ichigo thought, terror once again making an appearance as he listened to Zangetsu's words. How many people would have to be arrested or killed until Yamamoto was satisfied that Ukitake was going to be okay or that Ichigo himself was apprehended and killed? He couldn't bare the thought of losing any of his friends. He especially couldn't imagine losing Rukia.
"What about Rukia? Have you heard anything from her?" Ichigo asked hopefully.
"Only what we heard from Urahara. Apparently divisions 13, 6, 10, and 11 were suspended of their operations because of the riots they were instigating in your favor," Zangetsu replied.
Ichigo's eyes widened. He had the full support of at least four divisions? He had almost started to believe that all of soul society was against him. Hearing the news that he had some support in soul society made him feel more at ease. Especially knowing that those four divisions would try and help his dad.
"Also, Rukia wanted to give ya this message," his hollow said, holding out the butterfly towards Ichigo.
Ichigo took the creature in his hands and listened intently as the message was given to him. 'I feel the same way. See you soon, Ichigo.' Ichigo couldn't help but let a small smile grace his features. Rukia loved him. Rukia Kuchiki was in love with him. Somehow, someway, Ichigo would get through this whole mess knowing that.
"It's time for you to go," Zangetsu stated suddenly.
Ichigo whirled towards him, "Now wait a minute! I'm not done –,"
The world went black once more.
Opening his eyes, Ichigo allowed his annoyance to take over for all of two seconds before he heard banging on his bed room door.
"Ichigo! It's one thirty in the afternoon! How long are you going to sleep? What are you doing in there? Open up or I'll knock the door down!" Shinji's voice floated into the room and Ichigo bolted off of the floor.
One thirty in the afternoon? Sure enough the sun was shining through his window. Ichigo groaned. He hadn't even gotten any sleep. Traveling to his inner world didn't exactly give him rest. Also, on the plus side, now he had muscle cramps from lying on the floor for so long.
Ichigo quickly walked to his door and opened it. He was greeted by the image of Shinji holding a fist in the air, as if to knock on his door again.
Taking in his appearance, Shinji dropped his hand to his side and his eyebrows furrowed in concern, "Ah, Ichigo, what happened? You don't look so good."
"Is everyone here? I have some news," Ichigo replied and walked past him towards the kitchen.
To his surprise, everyone was already gathered either around the table or the kitchen counters, their attention focused on him and his haggard appearance.
"I got some information from my hollow last night," Ichigo stated and watched as a bit of an uproar occurred. Multiple questions were thrown his way at once and Ichigo held up a hand, "Just shut up and let me explain."
"I wonder how far they are going to go," Urahara mused out loud as he poured himself and Yoruichi some tea.
"It doesn't matter," Karin suddenly appeared in the kitchen, taking both adults by surprise, "They already took away Ichi-ni and dad. They can't do much else to hurt us," her eyes filled with moisture and she looked away.
"Karin.." Yoruichi started but was waved away. She watched as Karin's shoulders sagged as she made her way back into the family room.
"We have to do something soon, Kisuke. All these events are killing those girls emotionally."
Urahara nodded his head, somberly as he glanced off in the direction of Karin. The usually stoic girl could be heard crying on several occasions over the past week. Urahara couldn't blame her. It was one thing to be separated from your brother. It was another thing entirely to be separated from both your brother and your father.
"Ah, Yoruichi, you never did say what you discussed with Soi Fon that night," Urahara pressed suddenly.
"It wasn't so much of a discussion," Yoruichi recalled the night she had been trapped by Soi Fon while in her cat form, "She was bitching about my alliance with 'that dreaded Kurosaki boy' and then broke down in tears at my supposed betrayal. So I did what any feline would do in that situation," she paused and smiled maliciously, "I clawed her face and ran away."
"I really doubt that's what most felines would do," Kisuke whispered, grimacing at the mental images.
"I guess I probably didn't help sway her position on the whole matter, but Soi Fon would have done what she wanted anyway. She's so uptight," Yoruichi sighed heavily.
"Oi, Kisuke, I almost forgot. Ichigo's friends are sleeping over here tonight. I told them it would be better if they did. If the second division is planning on pressing everyone for information tomorrow, I'd rather they'd do it while we're all together. Especially since – as former members of the second division – we know what sort of methods they will try to use for that process," Yoruichi shared a worried look with Kisuke.
Yes. He certainly knew what kind of methods the second division would try and use tomorrow, "We'll have to avert that kind of situation at all costs."
Yoruichi nodded her head and sipped her tea slowly. She started going over procedures in her head before her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the front door. Both herself and Kisuke were on their feet immediately. They walked towards the door, stealth mode completely functional, and readied their weapons. Neither one of them could sense any reiatsu coming from behind the door. Standing back, Yoruichi opened the door at a distance with her foot and readied herself for an attack.
Her muscles immediately relaxed as she took in the appearance of Tessai, Ururu, and Jinta, all huddled together under Urahara's reiatsu-hiding cloak. She moved off to the right and waited for them to enter the household before she closed and locked the door again.
"Ah, you nearly gave us a heart attack," Yoruichi accused Tessai before following the trio into the kitchen.
"My apologies, Yoruichi-sama. We thought it would be best to arrive in such a fashion so as not to be detected by the second division."
Urahara nodded his head, beaming somewhat, "Excellent tactics, Tessai-san. I hope the others remember to wear their cloaks as well."
Tessai motioned towards Ururu and Jinta, "Why don't you two go and cheer up Yuzu and Karin? I'm sure they could use some friends right now."
Jinta's face lit up at Yuzu's name and he dragged Ururu behind him, "We're already gone!"
It wasn't until Jinta had completely left the room that Yoruichi decided to comment on the several bags Tessai was carrying, "Tessai, why do you have so many bags?"
"Ah, these are groceries. We have many people staying at the Kurosaki's tonight, so I thought I would buy groceries for at least the next couple of meals while they stay here."
Urahara nodded again, pleased with Tessai's thinking, "And the kido spells?"
"All of the protection magic has been cast around the respective buildings," Tessai replied and the other two sighed in relief.
Housing everyone at the Kurosaki's meant that all other households would be left unprotected. The adults were forced to go to great lengths to ensure that all belongings were safely guarded behind various kido spells.
Tessai brought the bags further into the kitchen and started to unpack the groceries. He pulled out various pots and pans and began preparing dinner. The others were expected to arrive at 5:30. It was 5:00 now. If they didn't arrive in half an hour, it had already been decided that Yoruichi and Tessai would go out looking for them. Tessai prayed that they wouldn't have to.
"Inoue, are you almost ready?" Tatsuki asked impatiently as Chad, Ishida, and herself waited by the front door. It was already 5:15. If they didn't leave soon, the others would think that they had gotten into some serious trouble. Tatsuki tightened the black cloak around her neck and glared at Uryuu pointedly.
Fearing for his safety, Uryuu disappeared into the upstairs portion of the house, in search of his girlfriend. He found her sitting at the desk in her bedroom, fiddling with what appeared to be a locket. As he came up behind her, he realized that the picture in the locket was of her brother. Orihime turned and looked up at Uryuu, tears filling her eyes as she dropped the locket into her bag and heaved the bag over her shoulders.
"Uryuu, you don't think the same thing will happen to Ichigo, do you?" she questioned innocently.
Ishida wrapped Orihime in a tight embrace and buried his head in her hair, "Of course not. Kurosaki is strong. He'll figure out a way to get out of this mess."
Orihime smiled slightly at that before Uryuu gently lead her downstairs. Tatsuki let out an audible sigh of relief before the four left the house. The minute they stepped off of the property, a blue glow momentarily lit up the house before subsiding. If they hadn't been previously notified of the protection kidos being placed on the house, they probably would have been fearful at the sight. However, they mostly just ignored it, and started the journey to Kurosaki's house.
They were about a block away from the aforementioned house when they felt an overwhelming reiatsu in their wake.
"What's this?" Ishida breathed, his eyes alarmed, "This is a captain-level reiatsu."
"Correct," said a voice from behind them.
The four turned to see Captain Soi Fon, leader of the second division, standing only feet away from them. Her appearance was noticeably different than the last time they had seen her. She had bloodied claw marks down each side of her face. All four had some idea where that had come from.
"Would you like to tell me where you're headed?" Soi Fon asked in mock politeness.
"Not Particularly," Tasuki replied abruptly.
Soi Fon's nostrils flared in annoyance and she considered drop-kicking the outspoken girl before she restrained herself. The only orders she had been given were to extract information using any means necessary. She wasn't allowed to kill anyone. Yet.
"This would be a lot less painful for all of you if you would just speak up about Kurosaki's whereabouts," Soi Fon stated, meeting each of their gazes.
"Even if we were aware of Kurosaki's present location, what makes you think we would tell you?" Ishida questioned scathingly.
"I think you would tell me if what you held most precious was at stake," Soi Fon replied mysteriously.
Before anyone could question what she meant, there was a blur of color and Yoruichi appeared between Soi Fon and the quartet.
"I think that's enough for today, Soi Fon, using scare tactics isn't going to get you anywhere," the former second division captain said icily.
"Fine, after all, we do have an appointment for tomorrow. I'll just get my answers how I see fit then," Soi Fon retorted before she disappeared altogether.
"Yoruichi-sama, what does she mean by 'how she sees fit'?" Orihime questioned, worry gracing her features.
"Nothing, don't listen to her taunts. Let's get back to the house. Tessai has dinner prepared and is already mad enough that I left to fetch you guys without him."
Isshin Kurosaki sat on the plain white cot in his cell and envisioned himself beating Yamamoto upside the head with one of the metal bars from his cell for about the hundredth time. The old man was going completely insane. He had no purpose or right, even, to arrest Isshin and bring him to soul society. The ass even had the nerve to bring up charges against him and the union of his dead wife just to find a good enough reason to arrest him. It was all becoming a bit ridiculous.
The only benefit was that Yama-jii was probably making himself look like a dumbass in front of his subordinates. Well, those that weren't following him like loyal puppies. It aggravated Isshin most of all that he had to be separated from his girls. They had already suffered enough trauma and pain in the last week. They certainly did not need more.
Isshin stretched his arms and stood up before peering out of his cell. The only thing he could make out was an endless wall of white going both ways. It was bad enough that he was stuck inside the tiny cell, but he didn't even have much of an atmosphere or anything to keep him remotely occupied. The only source of entertainment he had had the past few days was thinking up different ways to kill Yamamoto. And even that had ended when he started to think about strangling the old man with a hula-hoop. He had had no idea where that idea came from.
A faint noise caught Isshin's attention and he waited for the noise to come closer. Soon his vision was filled with the sight of a grown-up Byakuya Kuchiki. Isshin's eyes widened in surprise as he stood back slightly from the cell.
"Byakuya Kuchiki. My, you've really grown up. You look good."
"And you look awful," Byakuya commented. Typical Byakuya.
"Right. Is there some reason you came all the way down here? Other than to taunt me?" Isshin commented tiredly.
"I came to notify you that – presently – I am hosting a party with some friends. There is a bountiful amount of food. All of it being fresh produce of course. The Kuchiki's only serve the finest. The strawberries are among Rukia's favorite, naturally. I think she's planning on taking some to her friend Lurichiyo of the Kasumioji clan. Considering we have many left overs, I could put in a request to replace your current food with some of my own, if you'd like."
Byakuya couldn't believe he had actually said all of that. He still wasn't entirely sure as to how Rukia had managed to convince him to use such a stupid means of encryption. Isshin understanding something like that was totally absurd. Most likely the man probably thought he was insane. Which was ironic considering Isshin was usually the insane one.
Isshin had been focusing intently on every word that spilled from the older Kuchiki's lips. Amazingly enough, Isshin had realized the minute the word 'food' came out of Byakuya's mouth, that it was an encoded message. Now all he had to do was decipher what it really meant. It was obvious why Byakuya had done this. Not only were there many guards that could over hear their conversation, but there were also security cameras almost everywhere in the prison.
Isshin knew immediately that strawberries was in reference to his son, which inadvertently meant it was in reference to himself. He had heard enough cracks about that in his son's life time. So far Isshin knew that there were a group of people working on some plan to take Isshin to the Kasumioji clan. He just had no idea why he would have to go there of all places.
Isshin glanced back up at Byakuya, "Actually I think I'll accept your offer."
Byakuya could immediately tell that Isshin had understood, on some level, what his message had really meant.
"Oh and Byakuya?" The elder Kuchiki turned to Isshin questioningly, "Why are you doing this for me?"
"I owe it to you," Byakuya smiled – a rare sight – "Besides, I think everyone is fond of strawberries."
Isshin nodded in agreement, "Yes, I imagine they are.."