Chapter Twenty-seven
If You Don't Know Me What Matters…
Rukia listened to the decision of the Central 46 about her unauthorized disappearance in the World of the Living.
"Time after time you've displayed such questionable decision-making. I'm really surprised at Captain Kuchiki's allowing such behavior. To think he'd allow the continuing stain on his family name," The mystery voice said.
"But you can't argue the results," Ashido spoke up.
Rukia gave him a look pleading with him to be quiet.
"We'll get to you in a second," The mystery voice said.
"How long is my sentence," Rukia asked.
"Six months," The voice answered.
"I understand," Rukia said.
"We'll closely be watching the situation with Ichigo," The voice continued.
"The situation," Rukia asked.
"Your unique relationship is something we don't necessarily have all the insight into," The voice answered.
"That has nothing to do with my sentence," Rukia said.
"Come now don't be naïve. There are reasons for our rules you aren't the first Shinigami to come across such emotions. Why do you think these rules exist in the first place? What is unusual about you two are what are of interest to us," Another voice spoke up.
"Meaning," Rukia asked.
"Let's just say there are negotiations and Ichigo seems to be alright with our agreements," The first voice spoke up.
"I don't understand this," Rukia said.
"Ordinarily we wouldn't even allow the one being punished to speak in this form. As you can see we are being lenient with you still," The second voice said.
"What do you mean by agreements," Rukia asked wondering just what Ichigo agreed to.
"We'll allow you to say goodbyes," The voice answered.
"My sentence is six months are you saying I will not be able to return," Rukia asked.
"In that time we will see just how normal Ichigo's life can be without your interference," A voice said.
As if that is the problem, Ashido thought to himself but said nothing.
"If after this time he hasn't moved on you can return and we will step aside letting you two be," The voice said.
"And if he has moved on," Rukia asked.
They ignored her continuing, "There are guidelines that we will have to go over but this experiment should be interesting."
"I can't believe that you would play with people's lives. What difference is my interference from what you are doing," Rukia asked.
"The confidence in the Central 46 has been damaged because of recent events. Embarrassing incidents that involved the two of you have caused us to re-evaluate our stance. As a way of balancing out these things we aren't taking such a harsh stance with you. At the same time we don't want to set precedence for that kind of behavior," A voice said.
"Understanding our place we have a lot of damage control to do. An abandoned Shinigami in Hueco Mundo who should have had backup. The incident with Sôsuke has remained a mark on us. The recent infiltration by that Goblin and countless other things," Another voice added.
"Of course to you it seems cruel simply because you've spent too much time in the human world. As time goes on perhaps your mind will be clear. It is the least we can do for you given all that you've been through with those Keiei," One of the anonymous voices spoke for the first time.
The Visoreds, Bounts, Mod Souls and the list goes on, Rukia thought.
"We've taken several steps to make a treaty with those we've harmed over time. We can't change our stance on some issues that exist out there like the existence of Mod Souls. For example Kon," The voice said.
Rukia's heart squeezed with the fear she didn't mean to involve Kon in this entire ordeal, he was harmless.
"Kon?"
"Don't worry we haven't had him destroyed. We're leaving him in the human world. Continuing part of our original treaty he will stay with the Kurosaki's under their guidance. Of course if he causes any problems we have no choice but to take action," The voice said.
Rukia smiled despite herself.
"The Quincy your friend Uryû is another clause in the treaty. While there is no making up for the loss of his entire clan perhaps we should reach out to him the last of his kind," Another voice said.
Perhaps all these things would have boosted her spirits if she were free to go. Maybe that is why Ichigo agreed to all this in the first place. Everyone would be safe. She could see him in 6 months' time.
"There is one small thing you should know about," the voice interrupted her thoughts, "Ichigo can't know about the 6 month time line. As far as he knows it is a 60 year sentence."
"But that's a ridiculous amount of time why would he go along with that. He won't fall for that," Rukia said.
"He will and that will happen in your goodbyes," The voice said, "It is the only way he will attempt to move on. We are aware of your wedding ceremony. Giving him a short time like 6 months is just too easy for someone who willingly made a commitment like that," The voice said.
"I don't need to test him or play games. Can't I just finish my sentence as it is," Rukia said.
"These things aren't up for discussion. Lieutenant Abarai will escort you back to say you're goodbyes you have three days," The voice said.
Rukia watched as the panel darkened. The sentence was final. So that was what it was to receive the judgment of the Central 46 in person.
There was no need to worry about it as long as Ichigo could still move he would come for her. This would be more trouble than she knew.
000
Rukia finished telling Byakuya of her time in Hawaii. A pained expression crossed his features but he struggled to stay detached from the information given to him. He didn't really know what to do with the news.
This morning before the talk with Rukia he was preparing to argue for clemency about her sentence. The reasoning then was to protect the family name but now she was critical to finding out the truth of Hisana's appearance in the World of the Living.
Without a word he swiftly headed for squad one's barracks. Easily finding Head Captain Yamamoto he told him of what he learned. He asked to go to the World of the Living to investigate.
Enraged at the denial he immediately busied himself trying to get any information on Hisana from his side in the Sereitei. With Rukia soon to be locked away the only person he could rely on was Renji who continued to be stationed in Karakura town as a substitute for that area.
There were so many things he wanted to ask as he paced the floor of the Kuchiki compound. Did she move on…Did she remember him at all?
Hisana told Rukia that they ran away from home at a young age. Rukia also told him that the memories she had were false the imagination of the people behind their abduction. Byakuya listened to these false tales and looked at the few mementos Rukia produced. There were no indications that she knew him at all so his hopes were low. Then to know that she was out there but left in the world of lies did little to comfort him.
For all Byakuya knew the woman could be a look-alike used by the enemy. His heart felt that simply wasn't true. None of it mattered if she did not remember who he was.