Stand in the Rain
Shadow of an Echo
A/N I'm sorry if this chapter reads a little choppy. I have been sick again lately and have been undergoing tests and waiting for results, it's been nerve-racking to say the least.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Refugee
Turns out Starrk didn't know much more about why Gin would turn on Aizen than they did, but it was true all the same. Gin had a very large part in getting Ichigo out of Las Noches alive. Szayel had drugged the Shinigami with Gin knowingly allowing himself to be included, but he was given a lesser amount letting him wakeup first and it was his interference that kept everything off the monitors so Aizen couldn't go back and see what happened.
Starrk did end up describing what Aizen was trying to do, and that just made the others more fervent in getting to the soul society quickly so they could start spreading the word.
The arrangements were swiftly made to travel to soul society. Seeing Jyuushiro again even if it was just over the monitor made both Ichigo and Shunsui's hearts soar. They hadn't been able to talk much, or they would risk being discovered, but they might get their chance during the trip if they timed everything right.
It was decided that Shunsui, Isshin, Kensei, and of course Ichigo would be heading over for the meeting. They just had to collect Lilynette, which didn't take long though they did get another very serious warning to keep her safe or there would be hell to pay.
When they got to soul society Ichigo kept Lilynette pressed protectively against him while the others positioned themselves around them covering both of them from all sides. By the time they reached the meeting hall only the Fifth squad had no one to stand for them, but presumably they would be voiced by one of the others, probably Toushiro.
Yamamoto did not waste time, "Captain Kyouraku, explain this situation at once." He ordered.
"In our patrols of the living world our group has discovered a few people we believe could be very important potential allies. I advise you not to dismiss us out of hand." Shunsui responded calmly in his usual somewhat lazy tone, but he was all serious beneath that and anyone who knew him could read that loud and clear.
"And just who is in this group? I see you have brought two half-breeds with you," Scorn was evident in Yamamoto's tone as he looked over Kensei and Lilynette.
Anticipating the move Ichigo reached out to grab Lilynette by the back of her shirt as she tried to lunge away from him and towards the Head-captain in anger, "Calm down Lilynette, we warned you this could happen." He spoke to her lowly, which was true, this was not something they had not been prepared for.
Kensei jumped in to cover up the exchange between Visored and Arrancar. "We want to stop Aizen as much as you do, but none of us can do it alone, myself and the seven others you attempted to execute a hundred years ago are willing to come fight with you if that is what it takes to bring him down." He was very careful to say with and not for, their orders would come through Ichigo just like the Arrancar, but he didn't think that needed to be stated explicitly.
"You are risking a lot returning like this, for what reason have you made such a bold move?" Yamamoto asked shrewdly.
Shunsui answered in Kensei's place, "We have information straight from Aizen's forces about what he is planning for the living world. It concerns all of us, human, Shinigami, and Hollow. He can't be allowed to finish what he started."
"And you trust this information?" That was the implication anyway.
"Absolutely," Shunsui insisted, "There is no doubt in my mind. The Espada who informed us of it has entrusted us with his Fraccion so you would be more inclined to believe us." He explained while gesturing to Lilynette.
"You have got to be kidding!" Izuru couldn't help it, he had taken the Captain's spot for the Third squad and had intended to stay out of the way, but that wasn't happening. "She's just a child."
This time when Lilynette reacted, Ichigo didn't stop her since she didn't try to move away from him. "I'm not a child! Arrancar do not age, plus how can you say that when that Captain over there isn't any bigger than me!" She pointed sharply at Toushiro, he had caught her attention as soon as she had gotten a good look at him.
"She's telling the truth Izuru, Lilynette is at least a century old." Ichigo added on, "And she really is a Fraccion."
"Which Espada is your master?" Yamamoto probed directly, making the volatile girl bristle again.
"He is not my master!" She practically growled. "Coyote would never treat me like a servant, we're partners."
"Coyote? As in Coyote Starrk; the Primera?" Jyuushiro recognized.
"Yes," Lilynette admitted, looking at him curiously. She picked up caution instead of contempt from him, it was a nice change from the head-captain's blatant disgust. "Guess you weren't expecting that one huh?"
"No, not really," He agreed, smiling gently at her, "If he is the one who sent you, then does that mean he is one of those intending to ally with us?"
Ichigo picked up there, "Of course he is, or he would have never trusted us with her. Starrk is very protective of Lilynette." There was a warning there for anyone who thought to listen. "Starrk is the one who told us what Aizen's plans were, and it was on his suggestion that we are attempting to make a deal between us." They did have the same idea, but Starrk managed to bring it up first so he got the official credit for the plan.
"So what is the bastard planning?" Kenpachi demanded, that was enough fooling around.
Shunsui answered, "He is trying to make a King's key, and to give him a better chance of getting to the soul king without interference he is going to unleash utter chaos. The moment it is created he will open a gateway to the Living World from Heuco Mundo. The reason for the increased activity in the human world is he is getting a feel for where he should make the key compared to where he should make the gate according to who has the most spirit pressure to draw the rampaging Hollows to them. In other words, whatever doesn't get obliterated in making the King's Key will get caught up in a massacre that we will be so busy trying to suppress that he can walk right into the King's dimension."
"Why would any Hollow object to that?" Komamura inquired logically.
"Because it would work." Lilynette responded bluntly. "Aizen manages to do that and he will destroy everything, not just one world, but all of them. He's not going to the Soul Kingdom to shake hands, he wants to take over, and you have never seen how he rules but I have. Trust me, he expects obedience in exchange for his accommodations, but Hollows of any kind are not good at groveling. He has already killed at least three former Espada, proving how readily he is willing to sacrifice warriors, and those were just the ones who've died since he recruited Coyote and I. We will fight against him if it means we get to keep breathing when the war is over."
"So this is self-serving?" The disdain in Yamamoto's voice was thick and heavy.
"Yes, but can you really afford to turn us down?" There was no point in lying. "If you ally with us you not only get warriors but also informants, plus a researcher. Over half of Aizen's top fighters are in on it."
"She's got a point," Soi Fon realized. "I'm guessing there are some conditions on this, right?"
With that Lilynette laid out the compromises they would be willing to make, watching as acceptance slowly grew among the officers, the last to truly object unsurprisingly was Yamamoto. "I do not want all of you in the same place." He immediately objected. "If we agree to give this farce a try you will each be assigned to different squads."
"Not all," Shunsui reminded. "The one point Starrk was adamant on was that the Fraccion stay with their Espada. Lilynette should remain with him, and Tesla with Nnoitra"
Kensei interjected there as well, "Mashiro stays with me." He insisted.
Yamamoto inspected the line of Captains with a sharp measuring gaze. "If even one hybrid is refused by a Squad leader, none of them will be allowed to stay. Make your choice now of which will join your squads; you have already been informed of your options. Captain Soi Fon, you will begin the selection."
"Squad Two will take in Hachigen Ushoda," She claimed without hesitation.
Izuru spoke next, a bit slower, but no less sure of himself. "Rojuro Otoribashi." He was the former Captain of the Third, he would fit well and help take some of the pressure off Izuru's own shoulders.
Retsu looked at Lilynette, "I would like to invite you and Coyote Starrk to join Squad Four."
She glanced at Ichigo, gaining a discrete nod, and the little Arrancar answered Retsu, "Alright, we will go to your squad."
Following that a familiar voice spoke for the Fifth. "I would suggest you allow Shinji Hiroko to regain his old position." Shunsui encouraged.
Yamamoto immediately refuted, "No. That squad has neither Captain nor Lieutenant to stand guard, I will not allow a hybrid to run around unchecked."
"I will stay with him." Ichigo interrupted. "I'm a substitute right? Then let me fill in the empty spot. I will stay with Shinji at the Fifth until we can convince you none of those I am bringing will harm a single soul here without just cause."
"Why would I allow such a thing when you are obviously an ally of his?" Yamamoto challenged, but in doing so he gave Ichigo a chance to defend his point.
"Because who would have a better reason to make sure he behaves than the one who vouched for him in the first place? I have as much, or more, to lose as he does if something goes wrong." Ichigo pointed out calmly.
Toushiro involved himself there, "I agree with Substitute Kurosaki, Head-Captain. He would have the best reason to keep all of them in line; friend or not."
Komamura, Soi Fon, Jyuushiro, and Byakuya all nodded with the assessment, making up Yamamoto's mind for him. "Very well, but you will suffer the same fate as your charge should harm come to anyone as a result of his actions."
"I understand, nothing will happen." Ichigo promised while concealing the huge sigh of relief threatening to break out. He had managed to secure a place with someone who knew about his baby, and in such a way that it looked like he was covering for Shinji and not the other way around.
"Captain Kuchiki, continue with the assignments," Yamamoto ordered getting things back on track.
Byakuya obeyed, having used the time spent debating to think hard about his choice. "Hiyori Sarugaki will have a place with Squad Six." His was a full squad with both Captain and Lieutenant in Soul Society, he would take on a Lieutenant level Visored to spread the strength out between more squads.
Komamura had his answer ready, and made his choice without prompting, "Love Aikawa is welcome with us." Like Izuru he was keeping the origins of each person in mind as he chose.
Shunsui also did not hesitate, "I will be taking my Lisa back." No one was surprised.
"Rather than taking in anyone I would like take Captain Kyouraku's spot in the Living World, and use my Squad for information exchange." Toushiro decided. "I went last time and I am ready to do it again."
Yamamoto again objected, "I assigned Captain Kyouraku for a reason; he will complete his task."
"With all due respect I believe the situation has changed enough to leave room for regrouping," Retsu jumped in unexpectedly. "We have more information as to the activities in the Living World, and with the changes I truly believe Captain Hitsugaya is fully capable of heading the mission."
It was hard to argue with that reasoning, so Yamamoto didn't, he trusted Retsu's judgment just as much as his own. "I will allow the change. Lieutenant Hisagi, your turn was skipped, make your selection now."
"Kensei Muguruma and Mashiro Kuna," Once again the decision was made without a shred of hesitation, "I know it is asking a lot to have two Visoreds in a squad with no captain, but I truly want them to rejoin the Ninth." He knew exactly what Yamamoto's opinion would be.
"I will stay with them." Every single person started in surprise as they realized who had spoken. "I was once a Captain myself and have a completely clean record, I left with permission. Allow me to stand by my son through this war." Isshin argued. He was keeping his promise to Ichigo and his granddaughter even if it killed him.
"You wish to return as well Isshin Kurosaki?" There was a note of shock even in Yamamoto's voice. On his exit he had agreed to a power seal and had every intention of staying in the Living World, especially after building his family.
"I will stay long enough to protect Ichigo, when this war with Aizen ends I will go back home to my children once more." Isshin explained. "This will not be permanent."
"You I trust." Yamamoto admitted. "You have a place here until the end of the war." With that he observed the last three captains without any expression. "The three of you must make a decision."
"Give me the strongest, I don't care which one as long as they're tough." Kenpachi insisted, itching for a good fight.
"The strongest other than Starrk is Nnoitra, and he will have his Fraccion too." Ichigo informed.
Kenpachi nodded, "Then I will take them on."
"The researcher will come to the Twelfth," Kurotsuchi chose unsurprisingly.
Ichigo once again filled in a name, "You are talking about Szayelaporro Granz." He couldn't stop the shudder at the thought of those two in the same room, but it was better than throwing an innocent into the squad just to become one of Mayuri's experiments.
The wicked grin that came over the masked Captain at seeing the instinctive response in Ichigo was chilling. He was too pleased with that arrangement.
All eyes landed on Jyuushiro as he was the last in line; everyone knew who the last choice was. Grimmjow was arguably the most violent of the Espada, and paired with a squad of pacifists would be like putting a lion in with lambs. Yamamoto was actually hoping that it would come down to that, if Jyuushiro turned Grimmjow down then the all or none clause he had given would take effect.
Too bad Jyuushiro was stronger than he appeared as he stood tall under the scrutiny. "Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez has a place with us. My Squad can handle him. I have faith in my members, and in Ichigo, he knows the Espada well enough to know which are worth allying with."
"Is this arrangement everyone's final decision?" Yamamoto requested confirmation, and received an overwhelming response of consent. "Then the motion to include Hollow hybrids into our war plans has been approved. The defectors must arrive within a week's time if they wish to gain their places here." He decreed.
"Lilynette, is that enough time?" Ichigo asked quietly, wanting to know if they would have to fight for more when he wasn't sure Yamamoto would give up any more ground than he already had.
She nodded, "We have been ready to flee ever since we helped you escape, just in case Aizen managed to figure out what we had done."
"Good." That was a huge relief, and it made him brave enough to step forward and ask Yamamoto a question. "Would we be allowed to stay and inform the Squads more about the people they chose?"
"No, wait for that until they get here." Yamamoto decided, disappointing but not surprising Ichigo. There was no way they could sneak away long enough to talk to Jyuushiro; their reunion would have to be postponed.
It did not take long to return home after that, Starrk waiting anxiously with the other Visoreds, total relief washing over him at seeing Lilynette back with him safe and whole.
"So what's the verdict?" Shinji asked almost immediately.
"The only condition Yamamoto refused was keeping all of you together, most of us will be assigned to different squads but he did allow the Fraccion to stay with their Espada, and Mashiro will be with Kensei." Ichigo informed. "Everything else went pretty much exactly like we thought. Yamamoto is not happy about this, so expect to be watched closely and monitored almost constantly for the first few weeks."
"At least they agreed and we won't just be sitting around waiting for the apocalypse," Rose tried to look at the only bright side.
Starrk spoke next, "What kind of time do we have?"
"A week, though sooner would be better." Shunsui responded.
"Give me a day and I will have them here," Starrk promised. "We want to get this over with as much as you do."
Love nodded, "Don't doubt it, you guys actually have to live with that bastard."
Ichigo had to ask before he left, "Are you going to tell them about the baby?"
Starrk paused, then sighed, "Ichigo, even if I didn't they are going to know as soon as they look at you. That cub is strong. I'm not going to say anything there, I will take absolutely no chances in letting word get out, but you are going to have to prepare yourself for them to find out about her."
"And we have your word they will not hurt the baby when they realize she's there?" Shunsui asked seriously.
"No one is going to harm her," Starrk reassured before returning to his task.
Isshin's voice reached them, "I need to go check on the girls and explain what is happening." He explained before following Starrk from the cavern.
The others settled down to wait, Ichigo curling against Shunsui, dozing, he was tired after the stress of the day. They had managed to achieve their goal though so he couldn't really complain.
Everything happened fast after that, there was a rush to make arrangements with the humans fighting in the Living World, they were making a check point at Urahara's shop that Harribel would be using to talk with the Shinigami assigned in Karakura.
Starrk and Lilynette had not been kidding when they claimed the others were ready to move at any time, and soon enough six Arrancar stood in the Visoreds' hangout, looking around in interest at the unusual training yard.
It did not take long for Ichigo to be noticed, "Ha, would you look at that, a little pet is on the way." Nnoitra was the first to comment, drawing the other Arrancars' attention and sparking an overwhelming amount of anger in Ichigo.
"Don't you ever call my daughter that again!" He growled out, reaching for Zangetsu and stepping forward menacingly. "It will be the last thing you ever do."
"Oh I'm so scared, not like you can do much with a kid in you," Nnoitra dismissed, only to bring a hand up to a bleeding cheek a few moments later, the shallow slice was already knitting back together but there was blood all the same. Ichigo had flash stepped forward, cut him, and stepped back faster than even he could track. Whatever had happened since his release, no doubt Ichigo had gotten stronger.
Grimmjow's trademark deep laughter resulted both from Ichigo's actions, and the dumbstruck look on Nnoitra's face. "You asked for that."
"Oh shut up!" Nnoitra ordered his subordinate, but like usual Grimmjow ignored him and kept laughing until it was his turn to look Ichigo over measuringly; he seemed to debate with himself a moment before nodding slightly and starting to move towards Ichigo.
As the Espada grew closer to Ichigo, the other Visoreds and Isshin came up to stand around him protectively, "No, let him through." Ichigo requested, seeing no malice only curiosity and seriousness on Grimmjow's face. He firmly believed that Grimmjow would not have saved him only to turn around and kill him.
That did not go down well with Shunsui causing Starrk to reach out and grab Shunsui's arm preventing him from charging. "Just wait." He commanded quietly, "Grimmjow is not going to hurt them." It took everything Shunsui had to yield to both Ichigo's and Starrk's wishes but he eventually lowered his hackles and simply watched.
Grimmjow did not speak until he was less than a step away from Ichigo, eyes tracking downwards to stare at where Ichigo's daughter was curled up inside him. He reached a hand up and lightly ran a finger down Ichigo's abdomen. "Is this my cub?"
"No," Ichigo admitted, putting his own hand over his baby to comfort himself. "She's too young to be yours."
"Pity, she's strong," Grimmjow commented, but didn't back away like Ichigo suspected he would. "So who's is she then?"
"Mine." Shunsui claimed, shaking off Starrk's hand and coming to lay his strong arm around Ichigo's shoulders.
"Ah, that explains it then," Grimmjow realized, sensing the power the elder Shinigami possessed. "This is going to be interesting." He admitted before there was a light smirk flashing across his face. "Although I do seem to remember telling you to get stronger Ichigo, not knocked up."
That caused Ichigo to bristle in irritation, "Well it's not like I planned this!" He objected. "I love her, but she could have picked a better time." He did not want his baby coming during a war, if he lost her he wasn't sure he could survive it.
Szayel was glancing side-ways at Starrk evaluating the Primera, "You've known about this for a while." Statement, not a question.
"Yes." He answered anyway. "I've known since Findor's attack."
Szayel's sharp gaze landed back on Ichigo, where Grimmjow was still teasing both him and the Shinigami that claimed Ichigo as his mate. "I can see why you didn't compromise him. This is something we could use."
"You don't want to say that," Starrk warned, indicating the wall of protectors Ichigo and the baby had. "And truthfully that is only one part of why I covered for him. You saw what he survived, we owe him for that, I will not be responsible for taking his child away from him."
"I didn't say anything about taking her away, now did I? I only said the truth." Szayel reminded. "By the way do you see what I do?"
"Depends on what you think you're seeing," Starrk hedged. There was something he hadn't shared, but he wasn't going to admit it unless Szayel proved he wasn't just fishing.
"That baby has two layers of protection, not just the normal one from the father." Szayel responded, a bit cranky at being called out on his observation skills, but at the same time keeping himself from outright challenging Starrk; that would not end so well for him.
"Wait so you're trying to say the kid has three parents?" Nnoitra asked incredulously, coming up to stand by Starrk and Szayel.
Szayel shook his head, "No, not an extra parent, just extra protection."
Ichigo and Shunsui heard them, even through Grimmjow's teasing, Nnoitra wasn't the quiet type by a long shot. Ichigo felt the arm around him tighten, "They can feel Jyuushiro on you too even without him knowing about our daughter, and that proves just how much he loves you." Shunsui realized with pride and happiness flooding him.
That got Grimmjow's attention, making him look shrewdly between them, "I thought you said that cub was yours?"
"She is," Shunsui insisted, "It just might not be blood. She is either literally mine or she will be born to the two people I love most."
"And what would you have done if she was mine?" Grimmjow demanded harshly, a hint of his volatile temper coming to the surface.
"Loved her anyway." Shunsui replied immediately. "You think we would just abandon Ichigo so easily? We know what happened between the two of you, he told us everything, why would we reject your child if she was a result of you saving Ichigo?"
His eyes narrowed suspiciously, looking at Ichigo this time, "And you? What would you have done?"
"The same as him, I would love her and raise her the best I could." Ichigo insisted, his hand over his daughter again. "If this was your baby she would be safe with us."
A slow nod, "I believe you." Grimmjow realized, "We need to get going soon," Starrk interrupted in the lull of the conversation, "Aizen and Tousen will be waking up soon. If we are not gone by then they will attempt to track us down." This time it had been Gin that drugged the other two, they were afraid of using the same person more than once to trick him, it might not work the second time.
"One thing before we go," Ichigo added, as people began to assemble for the trip over. "No one in Soul Society outside of the people in this room know about the baby, none of you are to say a single word about her unless we are completely sure there is no one in hearing range. The Shinigami will be just as dangerous for her as Aizen."
"Something tells me that is a story meant for a better time," Szayel realized. "Starrk is right, we only have about half an hour before the drug wears off, we need to get moving."
It took a little bit to get everyone moving in the same direction, it was a fairly large party of people, but they were eventually entering the Senkaimon opened by Shunsui, taking them right to the First Squad's barracks.
Yamamoto was not expecting them back so quickly, and it was obvious from the way he scrambled to get the Captains gathered together again on such short notice. Though what he lacked in preparation did not seem to affect the others, and the last person to enter came about forty-five minutes later.
Observing and suspicious gazes came from both groups as Yamamoto started the meeting with three taps of his staff on the ground. "As per the agreement made you have been granted positions among the 13 court guard squads. The conditions this will first and foremost involve will be the placement of power limiters, Captain Kurotsuchi see to that now."
The limiters were a simplified version of a Hollow mask, much like Ichigo's own. The Arrancar and Visoreds were given the choice of where to place the mark, Nnoitra immediately starting to rub and scratch at the irritating mark inscribed on his chest, hating the weakness it brought, his distress plain to see.
There was a pause as Mayuri got to Ichigo, looking to Yamamoto for permission, only to be interrupted by Shunsui. "Not Ichigo. He is supposed to be in charge of Shinji, he can't properly do the job without access to his power."
"Allow the substitute his freedom," Yamamoto decreed. "Do not abuse this trust Kurosaki."
"I have no reason to do otherwise," Ichigo assured, it wasn't like the people around him would actually let him fight even if he wanted to.
"Now Kurosaki you may introduce your allies to their Squad leaders." Yamamoto ordered once all the limiters were placed.
"I already know who I am working with." Soi Fon informed as Ichigo directed Hachi to her, a small smile on the Visored's face; he was going home, or as close as he could get considering the Second squad had the closest connection to the Kido Corps.
Next he took Rose over to Izuru, "Rose this is Lieutenant Izuru Kira, he is the one who taught me Kido." Ichigo explained.
"Thank you for taking such good care of him," Rose told the young Soul Reaper honestly.
A bit of pride showed on Izuru's face. "Ichigo was easy to teach, and I enjoyed it too, I'm glad I could help." He admitted.
Seeing they were getting along, Ichigo moved to the next one, leaving Starrk and Lilynette in Retsu's care. He thought that was a particularly good match from what he had gathered about their personalities; both were incredibly strong fighters that only drew their swords when it was important.
He didn't need to introduce himself, so next was Hiyori to Byakuya. Too bad these two knew each other as well, and from the smirk on Hiyori's face Byakuya was in for a world of mischief, and Ichigo spared a thought to wondering what would happen if she decided to team up with Yachiru.
Love went to Komamura, and they seemed calm and willing to talk to one another, Ichigo was glad to see that. Things were working out as well as he thought they might, and it was amusing to him how much of a star struck puppy Shuhei turned into when he was reunited with Kensei, the matching number tattoos finally making some sense to those that didn't already know about the connection. It was so much of a commotion that Isshin slid behind him almost completely unnoticed, getting a kick out of the Lieutenant's obvious adoration. At least there was no reason to fear discrimination from this one; that was for sure.
Nnoitra and Kenpachi had already been sizing each other up, sensing the barely tamed battle lust lurking within the other, so when Ichigo told the Espada his placement there was a maniacal grin crossing his face. Tesla standing in his shadow just stayed quiet and out of the way so he didn't provoke the wrath of his volatile commander.
Szayel and Kurotsuchi studied each other like they were both itching to place their opposite into their own experiments. It was a match made in Hades, but it might just work.
"Grimmjow, you're with Captain Ukitake," Ichigo had finally reached Jyuushiro. "Now normally this is a time to tell you something like don't worry his bark is worse than his bite, but with him it's about the same." Ichigo admitted, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at the smirking Espada. "It's him that has to worry, for you, your bite is much worse than your bark."
"Wait, what the hell does that mean?" Grimmjow asked in irritated confusion.
A gentle smile from Ichigo was more terrifying than any war cry. "It means you don't want to push him too far no matter how calm he appears." Which was oh so very true.
His Jyuushiro was the strongest person he knew. Fighting through all the hardships in life while still being able to smile so fully was a testament to his strength, but he had seen Jyuushiro fight, there was no doubt if Grimmjow went against him, there would be a blue-tinged blood splatter on the ground.
And now they were back in the Seireitei, his two loves within reaching distance, and looking into Jyuushiro's eyes he saw nothing but hope and love. Ichigo could not wait to tell this gentle loving man about the baby laying under his heart.