Author's Note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is AU.
For Mama
All eyes in the room turned to look at Urahara. Ichigo just raised an eyebrow. He hoped whatever his father's friend had up his sleeve would work. Rukia just gripped his hand tighter.
"Ms. Shihoin and I have come across information that implicates Dr. Aizen in framing Ms. Kuchiki for plagiarism. There are documents to corroborate this as well as testimony from another faculty member."
Yamamoto frowned. "Bring me the documents."
Urahara stepped forward and deposited a thick file on the table. Yamamoto opened the files and began leafing through the papers. The room was extremely silent. Ichigo squeezed Rukia's hand, trying to encourage her. This could all work out after all. Yamamoto looked up from the papers.
"Who is the faculty member who says they corroborate this information?"
"That would be me, Mr. President, sir." Dr. Gin Ichimaru's voice rang out in the room.
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. He had not expected that at all. Ichimaru was the head of the sociology department, and if Ichigo had expected any professor to manipulate a student into getting expelled, it would be Ichimaru, not Aizen. Still, if the man could get Rukia off the hook, Ichigo would accept his help. Ichimaru wound his way through the crowd to the front of the room, his ever present smile never leaving his face. Yamamoto held a whispered conference with his colleagues on the university board.
"This meeting will be postponed. The board needs to speak with Dr. Ichimaru, Ms. Kuchiki, and Dr. Urahara and Ms. Shihoin in that order."
Rukia turned to look at him wide eyed, and Ichigo smiled at her. It looked like they had a chance after all.
