Soldier

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1. Reviews are welcomed, flames are not.

Sorry for the short filler chapter. We'll make up to you next chapter. Promise. Also, please forgive us for mixing Japanese with English, consider the translation spells are still active.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Chapter 29: Came An Answer

Harry stepped back and away from the loud posturing from the wizards that thought they had a say in the planning.

It had been pure chaos when Ichigo and his companions had stepped out of the Veil. It didn't take long for the Captains of the Gotei 13 to gain control of the situation. Two of them were obviously more scholars than fighters. They were the ones that took charge. At least that's what it looked like to Harry.

However, what caused most of the young wizard's amusement was Dumbledore.

The elderly wizard couldn't seem to make up his mind on whether to stay at the Department of Mysteries or follow those going to Azkaban. Harry had the feeling that the old wizard couldn't decide who he was the most afraid of – Harry, Ichigo or the Captains. If he only knew . . .

Harry had already decided to stay behind at the Ministry, mainly because he wasn't really needed at the prison. In fact, he was certain he would be in the way. No, he'd better stay at the Ministry. Just in case he was needed to run interference between the Unspeakables and the Captains who remained behind.

"I will be staying here," Harry affirmed the moment he was asked what his preference was. "I would just be in the way at Azkaban, and probably spoil certain people's fun if I went." He gave a pointed look to the very tall captain wearing an eye patch and spiked hair who was grinning manically at Harry's cousin, Ichigo.

"Wise decision, young man," the white-haired Captain Ukitake agreed, turning to his fellow soul reapers. "So are we decided?"

"I think we are," commented Captain Kyoraku, pushing back his straw hat. "You and I, along with Lieutenant Nanao and Rukia, will be staying at the Ministry and going through records."

"I will be staying as well," stated Captain Kuchiki. "My lieutenant, Abarai will be going to the prison with the rest of the force." He gave a bored look to his red-haired lieutenant who just shrugged.

"I remain as well," Kisuke Urahara chimed in. "I want a look at their research before it's destroyed."

"We'll be staying with Harry," Sirius said, giving a look at Remus who gave a nod back. Personally, Sirius would've loved to return to his former prison cell and destroy it, but he had vowed never to step foot in that hell-hole ever again. Remus was just glad that Harry was being sensible about this and not going.

"I think I will go with you then, to Azkaban," Albus Dumbledore said, finally deciding the lesser of the two evils. Harry was simply relieved that the old fool would be out of his hair.

"So the rest of us will make the assault," Captain Hitsugaya confirmed coolly.

"Che. This is gettin' boring," snarked the tall, one eyed Captain Zaraki Kenpachi. "When are we leaving?"

The pink haired girl on his shoulder giggled. "I hope Kenny has a good fight."

"Are you sure you want to take her with us?" asked a concerned Madam Bones. "Azkaban is no place for a child."

"Che. She's safe enough," Ichigo answered instead, looking over at the child. "If he can take her to Hueco Mundo without trouble, she won't have any problems at your prison."

"They should be afraid of her," piped in a tall, bald Soul Reaper.

"What I want to know is – how are we going to get there?" asked Renji.

Ichigo glanced at Albus and exchanged a knowing look with Renji Abarai. The teen wouldn't put it past Dumbledore to try something stupid.

Harry saw that the other two – Ikkaku and Yumichika – were also eager to get going and gave a slight shudder. He was thankful he'd decided to stay out of this fight.

In the back of the British teen's mind Muramasa was complaining, disappointed to not be going along; but he had to agree with his master's reasoning. Harry didn't have that much combat experience and had realized he would only be in the way.

The zanpakuto spirit was once again reminded how Harry was so very different than his former master Kuga. Harry didn't hunger for power, but for family and stability in his life. Two things his former master had sacrificed for his ambition.

"By boat. It's in the middle of the North Sea and the only way to get there," Madam Bones informed them. "Port-keys and apparation to the prison are impossible. Wards are in place that prevent it."

The Unspeakables, still not too sure about this group of fighters who were suppose to be captains from the Afterlife, decided to send a couple of their people along. The rest of them remained behind to hide all the files if they could.

"Don't think we'll be able to stop them from completing their mission?" their Unspeakable guide asked Harry as they were escorted through the Department.

Harry sighed deeply and shook his head in disbelief. "You really do not know what you are dealing with, do you?"

The Unspeakable didn't seemed too worried, dismissing the young wizard's question casually.

"If I may ask, how do you know these people?" their guide inquired quietly.

"I first met them last summer. I met Captain Kuchiki here, through Ichigo and Kisuke Urahara," Harry told them looking over at the blonde shopkeeper and not seeing any reason to hide the truth.

"I met Ichigo last summer when he took out two dementors sent to kiss me. If he hadn't arrived, I would've had to do under age magic.

"Urahara-san pointed out that if I had used magic to defend myself I would've been in trouble with the Ministry, or dead. It was a win-win situation – for whoever sent them."

"I see," Captain Ukitake interjected. "So you're spiritually aware?"

"All wizards are to some extent, sir," Harry told them. "Ghosts and spirits gather around magic nodes and ley lines, especially at Hogwarts. The school even has a poltergeist."

"What about Hollows?" asked Rukia, with some concern. "We don't get many reports from this part of the Living World."

"There aren't many, not that I have seen," Harry replied quietly as they were lead into a high-vaulted chamber lined with wooden file drawers from floor to ceiling. "Normal English people are not that spiritually aware, and our beliefs are different than those in the East. I know of several ancient castles and keeps that have been haunted by spirits for centuries. One of the most haunted is the Tower of London. It has a very bloody past and wherever there is great violence and bloodshed there are usually ghosts."

The conversation paused as they reached their destination. Several Unspeakables were busy going through files only to freeze in mid-movement as Captain Kyoraku tipped back his straw hat and whistled. "This reminds me of our library. Where do we begin?"

Everyone turned to the Unspeakable, who gave a long sigh. "There isn't any way to talk you out of this?"

Captain Ukitake shook his head sadly. "We take a dim view of the Living World dealing with the After Life. There are laws that we live by, and they must be obeyed."

"But centuries worth of research. . . "

". . . Must be . . . destroyed," Captain Ukitake finished as he started to cough. "Sorry, du- . . . always gets . . . me." He started to cough up blood the longer he coughed.

Harry decided to stay with the frail, white-haired captain. He tried to wave Harry off as the others started gathering up the files and going through them. It was dusty, tedious work. Harry did ask the Unspeakable about allowing a house elf down here.

"We have our own," the hooded wizard replied. "Why're you asking?"

"I would like to call mine, to run a couple of errands for me," Harry answered, giving the still coughing captain a concerned look.

"I see," their guide nodded as he followed Harry's gaze to the hacking captain. "There should be no problem as long as he's discrete."

With that, Harry called Dobby and asked for some water and sandwiches. "Oh, and Dobby, could you bring Captain Ukitake a potion for his cough? He's having problems breathing with all this dust."

"Make sure it isn't pepper-up. He needs one for the lung irritation," Remus interjected as he waved his wand over the captain.

"Dobby will, Master Harry Potter sir," the elf squeaked, bobbing his head.

When the little elf popped out, Captain Ukitake waved away everyone's worry as he protested, "You don't need to concern yourself. . ."

"What was that creature?" the young woman, Nanao, standing beside the frail captain adjusting her glasses asked.

"That was a house elf," explained their guide. "They are magical creatures that must bond with a wizard, witch, or magical family or lose their magic. It's a symbiotic relationship. We give them magic and they work for us."

"Many of the muggleborn try, from time to time, to free them but really don't understand their nature," Remus snorted. "They do almost no research and stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the elves' need for such a bond."

"I see," remarked Captain Kuchiki with a raised eyebrow as the little elf popped in with a large platter of sandwiches and pitchers of water.

"Sirs drink this. You's feel better soon," Dobby coaxed, holding up a vial to Captain Ukitake. "Itsa healing potion. Healer Lady at Hoggywarts says it clears lungs and fixes 'em up good."

The captain's eyebrows shot up at the poor pidgin language of the little creature. Taking a sniff, the wheezing captain made a face.

Harry thanked Dobby before assuring the captain. "I know it smells horrible. It'll taste even worse, but it won't hurt you, Captain. Hogwarts' potions master is the best in the country, and one of the best in the world."

"You do realize that we are not wearing gigai, ne?" Rukia asked as she sat several files down on the table beside them. "That potion may not work?"

"What's a gigai?"asked the Unspeakable.

"A false body," Captain Kuchiki answered, giving his sister a cold glance. "We are in our soul form. Humans without any spiritual energy would not be able to see us."

"All potions are magical in nature," Remus assured the captains. "It takes magic in a person for the potion to work. If what I am reading from my diagnosis spell holds true, it should work on him with no problems."

The pale captain downed the drink in one go. After sputtering and grimacing, for the first time in his long after life, his cough seemed to ease. A few minutes later, the astonished, cough-free captain returned to his work breathing easier.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

It was getting late and the captains were still looking over files. Harry realized he needed to get some sleep and dinner as he had two more O.W.L.'s to take the next day.

He quietly excused himself only to be waved off. Before he left Harry grabbed Kon, who had fallen asleep near Rukia, and started to head out. Ichigo had entrusted his body to Harry to keep safe and he wasn't about to allow the Unspeakables to get their hands on him for 'study'.

No one really paid that much attention to their leaving, except for Captain Kuchiki. He did stop Harry at the door to the Department of Mysteries.

"Is he behaving himself? There is no need to call him out, your answer will suffice."

Harry smiled, knowing full well who the 'he' was. "Yes, he is. He's been brilliant! He keeps the nightmares away for me and helps me study for my exams. Of course, he's also been great in dealing with the wizards who think because I'm underage I don't know what I am doing. Both Dumbledore and Snape have tried to read my mind and he took them to task. Taught them a lesson they'll never forget."

"I see," the stoic captain said."They can do that, read minds, I mean?"

"So it would seem, sir," Harry replied. "He gave both a good scare and a warning. They haven't tried again. Although the old man has tried to confiscate my 'blade' since Halloween."

The Captain's mocking snort greet Harry's last statement.

"Kurosaki has been keeping me informed of your activities and I am pleased." The stoic captain's bored look changed to a look of pride.

Harry gave a slight bow as a warm feeling flooded him at the praise. Muramasa also purred in the back of his mind. "Thank you, my lord from the both of 'us'. Now, if you will please excuse me, sir? I need to get some rest for tomorrow. I still have two more heavy exams to take before I can relax. Come on Kon, Ichigo'll be upset if you don't take care of his body."

"But I want to stay with nee-san," came a sleepy whine from a table near the petite lieutenant.

Harry reached back and grabbed Kon's collar, dragging the orange-haired teen from the chamber. If Ichgio had been in his body Harry would never have dared attempt pulling him along in this manner. His cousin would've pounded him into the dirt!

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Thanks for all the nice reviews. We hope that the next chapter lives up to the hype.

Until next time. – GF and The Frau

gigai – artificial body used by the Soul Reapers to move around in the Living World.

Ne? – right?