Chapter 18:
It was early when Linnette woke up the next morning. The sun was barely over the top of the trees. Sunlight fell in weary shafts through the curtain and she watched its advance. Knowing how early it was, she tried to go back to sleep but was already wide awake. No matter how much she tried to get comfortable, she was too restless. She hid under the layers of sheets and blankets, looking at the duller shade her colorful sheets made in the thin light. It was like being in a fort or a mysterious cave made out of silk and cotton. Her bed was still warm from her body heat but the parts closer to the edge of the bed were cool. Finding it harder to breathe under the blankets, Linnette tossed them back and sat up, brushing her long hair out of her face.
Her room was dark and quiet. As she tossed the blankets back, she knocked one of her pillows to the floor. She hung over the edge of the bed to reach it and pulled it back onto the bed. She then rolled to the edge of the bed and stood on the carpeted floor. The carpet was cool under her feet but soft. She decided to do one of Victor's chores for him by making her own bed. It was easy to do on her own and it was hers, after all. She tucked the blankets under the mattress and set the pillows up the way he always did. She placed her favorite stuffed animals in front of the pillows and stepped back to admire her work. She liked the outcome.
She turned to the rest of the room. Everything was in its place, as usual. Toys picked up, clothes put away and books back on the shelves. She decided to get dressed and start her day. She had plenty of time before the others got up. She went to her closet and looked over her many outfits, trying to decide. She ended up picking a pair of black shorts that fit tightly around her legs and a long shirt which fit her like a dress. She brushed her hair in the mirror beside the closet and piled her pajamas by the door for Cedric to take. She would have taken them to the laundry room herself, but that involved going downstairs and through the living room where the light sleeping Byakuya lay. Then she would have to go past the dining room and the study before she got to the laundry room. She decided to wait.
Waiting got boring and Linnette wanted to do something with all this energy she had. She opened the bedroom door and looked into the dark hallway. Trying to be sneaky and have fun at the same time, she crawled on her hands and knees down the hall. She passed the bedroom which was occupied by Rukia and Rangiku. From the sound of things, they were still sleeping. She rolled like an egg over to the bathroom and crept inside.
After she was done, she left the bathroom and tiptoed to the staircase. She sat on the top stair and slid her way down one step at a time while holding onto the railing with both hands, trying not to make a sound. When she reached the bottom step, she peered around the corner into the living room. Byakuya had his back to her on the couch, apparently asleep. The kitchen was quiet and empty. Victor hadn't started breakfast yet. She had yet to look at the clock, but this alone told her how early it must have been.
She heard a car outside stop in front of their house and then drive away after a minute. She could see the taillights from the rectangular windows on either side of the front door. Curious, she went over to the door and tried to look outside. The windows were hard to see out of, as if someone had smeared gel over the glass. But was how they always looked. To get a better look, she opened the front door and looked out into the yard. The flag to the mailbox was up. The mail always came early to the house. She would see the letters on the table at breakfast. Putting on her shoes, Linnette went outside to fetch the mail. She closed the door on her way out. There was dirt on the stone walkway which was strange. Cedric always kept the yard so tidy. There was never any dirt on it. Either something had happened during the night or he had neglected to sweep the other day.
Dew glistened on the yard, clinging to the tiny blades of grass. The air was cold, making it feel like late fall. They had been having some warm days lately, leading many people to believe that it was summer. But it was still spring here. There were going to be days like this often, making her wardrobe confusing. She was never sure if it would be warm enough for a skirt or cold enough for pants. She liked wearing dresses, so she loved the warmer weather. What she didn't like were the bugs that came with it.
When she got to the mailbox, she opened the flap on the front and looked inside. There was mail, alright. She reached in and grabbed the white cluster and pulled it out. She closed the door and put the flag down with one hand while she flipped through the mail, counting. They had a new magazine and six letters. Since Ichigo was already here, she knew there wouldn't be any mail from him in this batch. She was always happy when she got mail from him. Nothing in the mail looked like it was for her. It was all official-looking. They must have been bills or whatever it was that adults got in the mail. She hurried back to the house, cutting across the dew covered grass, getting her legs and feet wet. When she got to the door, she held the mail in one hand and tried to open the door with her other hand. It wouldn't open. She moved the mail, trying to open it with her other hand. The knob wouldn't turn. It just made a click sound. It was then that she realized that she had locked herself out.
There was only one way to get back in. But she didn't want to wake the others. Maybe the back door. She held the mail in both hands as she ran to the backyard. Her shoes squeaked in the grass, getting even more wet. She reached the back porch and scrambled up the wooden steps. She brushed the wet grass off her legs and stepped up to the sliding doors. They, too, were locked. There was no doorbell to ring back here. On the plus side, Victor's study was right on the other side of the dining room which was where the doors faced. She knocked quietly, tapping the glass with the knuckle of her index finger.
"Victor?" she whispered.
There was no answer. He must not have heard her. She knew they always came whenever she was in danger and called their names, but she didn't want to shout. And she wasn't in danger so she didn't think that her calling their names quietly would work either. She tapped a little louder and called again.
"Victor?" She spoke as if he were standing right beside her.
A moment later, he was. He appeared in front of the door and slid it open for her. "What are you doing out here, sweetie?"
She held up the mail in her hand. "I went to get it for you."
He smiled and showed her inside. "We could have done that, you know. Why are you up so early?"
"I couldn't sleep anymore," she said with a shrug. She handed him the mail and he set it on the table. "I locked myself out, though. I didn't want to ring the bell and wake everyone up."
Victor bent down and kissed the top of her head sweetly. "You did a very good job. Just one little mistake. You had some good ideas, didn't you? How considerate."
He let her sit in the office for a few minutes before he went to start breakfast. He knew the noise would wake the others who were close by. Linnette wasn't bored with the new magazine they got. She kept herself busy with the pictures while he cooked. Soon, everyone started to wake up and rush to the only bathroom in the house. Despite getting to bed late, Byakuya was the first one up and ready. Then others started to shuffle slowly into the room to eat.
Yumichika got a rude awakening when he rolled over to find Cedric staring at him. Startled, he sat up and backed against the couch. "What are you doing?!" he hissed.
"Watching you sleep."
He frowned. "Yeah, that's not creepy at all…"
Cedric stood up, moving away from the couch, sensing his discomfort. "It's interesting. Everyone sleeps differently. Since we never sleep, we don't know what it's like. The only person we ever see sleeping is Linnette. It's interesting to see how other people do it. We can compare."
"Well, study someone else, would you?" Yumichika stretched, getting off the couch. "Is there food prepared?"
"Victor should be just about done if he isn't already."
"Good. I'm starving."
Cedric watched him leave then looked at the other end of the couch. During the middle of the night, Hanataro had somehow found his way over to Ichigo's side and was currently sleeping on his chest. Cedric nudged him gently, trying to rouse him. "Hanataro."
He lifted his head, Ichigo's shirt sticking to the side of his face from the drool he left behind. Hanataro wiped the drool off the corner of his mouth and looked around sleepily. Then he saw who he was using for a pillow and leapt back. "Wah! Sorry! I didn't mean to sleep on you like that-" He stopped there realizing that Ichigo was still asleep and unaware of anything around him. He wasn't even aware that Hanataro was on top of him.
Cedric helped him off the couch and guided him toward the kitchen. "Get yourself a seat before they're all gone."
After sitting at the table for a few minutes, Rukia kept taking peeks into the den, trying to see movement of any kind on the couch. All she saw was a tuft of orange hair. Annoyed, she let out a groan. "How long is he going to sleep? Everyone else is already eating."
"More for us," said Ikkaku who was on his second helping of eggs and bacon.
Rukia set her fork down and stood up. "I'm going to go get him." She went into the den and stood by the arm of the couch where Ichigo's head was resting. "Hey, wake up, Ichigo."
He didn't move.
"I said wake up," she said louder.
He twitched but didn't open his eyes.
She gave his shoulder a few taps. "Wake up, I said."
He moaned and brushed her off with his left hand.
She slapped his forehead next. "Get up!"
"Nuagh!" Ichigo turned his head away from her and scratched his forehead. "Whaaat?"
"Get up and eat something. It's morning."
He rolled over, trying to ignore her.
"I can keep this up all day if I have to. Get up," she demanded, poking him behind the ear.
Whining and contorting his body to try to escape from her prodding, he finally responded with a grouchy "Alright! I'm up! God, get off my case…"
Satisfied, Rukia returned to the kitchen. "He's coming."
Linnette had finished eating and carried her plate over to the sink to be washed. On her way back to the table, she saw Ichigo, walking unsure into the room. He leaned his body against the doorframe and tousled his hair with his hand with a yawn. He had yet to open his eyes. He wasn't awake yet. When his eyes finally were pried open, they slowly came in to focus on Linnette.
The yellow eyes got bigger. And he smiled. "Well… this sight is worth getting up for."
Noticing the hiss in his voice, the others turned and saw that Ichigo's Hollow was once again in control.
"How long have you been..?"
"Huh?" He looked at the Soul Reapers. "I have no idea. I was asleep. You woke me up, remember?"
So Ichigo was never awake. His Hollow was in control all along.
He turned back to Linnette. "So… My little princess… Got a morning serenade for me?"
She didn't respond.
"Oh, come on. It's better than coffee to get me going, I'll tell you that. Just… ju… st…" The light left his eyes and he fell forward onto the kitchen floor.
"Are you ok?!" Linnette asked, worried.
Ichigo lifted his head and looked at her with brown eyes. "I… I think so. How long was I out?"
Cedric pulled him to his feet. "Hard to tell."
After breakfast was eaten and the dishes were in the sink, Victor returned to the table, refilling everyone's cup. As he poured Byakuya's, he spoke. "Aren't you going to tell them what happened last night, Byakuya?"
Rukia and the others turned. "What? What happened?"
Byakuya knew he had to tell them. It was important. "Last night, it happened again. I went after Ichigo. Victor stopped me and Ichigo was unharmed."
"Again?" said Rangiku. "So they went after him again?"
"No, just me."
"Just you? Weird."
Rukia's mind was already at work trying to solve the case. "So it was just my brother last night… There must have been something he was doing different than the others. There must be a reason why he was the only one effected."
"We established last night that it most likely has to do with consciousness," said Cedric. "Last time this happened, only two were effected. During that time, Hanataro was taking a nap on the couch. This time, Byakuya was the only one awake so he was the only one effected. Also, they never remember the reason for the attacks. They remember doing it but not the reason. Plus, they only return to normal when something disrupts their consciousness. Like, say, a hit to the head or passing out. Restricting blood flow to the head…"
"That does make sense…"
Byakuya set his mug on the table, ready to hold an after-breakfast meeting. "There must be a common denominator. This isn't just happening at random. We have to figure out what's triggering this. So far we've managed to rule out location, since it's happening in the Soul Society as well. It has nothing to do with Linnette or these men. We've established that as well. What else are we missing?"
"Maybe it has to do with food?" suggested Rangiku.
"Not likely," said Yumichika. "At this house, we've all been eating pretty much the same thing. I don't think it's that. Same thing goes for the water. But what about where we're sleeping? Hanataro, Byakuya and I all sleep on a couch. Could that be a factor?"
"Then how do you explain the Soul Society?" asked Ikkaku. "It can't be that either. Besides, this happens when we're awake. We sleep at night, when it doesn't happen."
"I was just throwing it on the table."
"Maybe it has to do with whoever is close to Ichigo at the time. I mean, it seems to happen a lot around him. Could he be a factor?"
"No, because Byakuya was with him when it happened and everyone else was in the house. Only one person was with him at the time. And the first time this happened, no one was near him. But I agree. Ichigo does seem to be a factor."
"We're all Soul Reapers. Could that be a factor?"
"Let's back up a minute," said Rukia. "Aside from us, who else was reported behaving this way?"
Byakuya thought back to his report to the Head Captain. "Captain Hitsugaya reported it. Many people witnessed it, too. Renji reported it happening to him a couple of days ago after the fact. A few other Soul Reapers reported it, but they didn't know it was a problem. Word hasn't gotten out. All we have to go on are the people who report it. No one was told to come forward. Aside from them, Captain Ukitake reported it as well. But he was in bed for the past few days and wasn't feeling well. He thought it was a side effect from his medication. At least that's what Renji reported when he went to visit him. He was too weak to leave the bed, but he said that he found himself very obsessed with Ichigo for a few minutes. Then it went away."
"Even with Renji?"
"Yes. He never did anything about it. He just reported a feeling that was there and left in the next minute."
Rukia repeated the names to herself then shook her head. "I'm not seeing a partner. There must be something they all have in common. I know it happens at random, but why is it even happening at all? And why now all of a sudden? What are we missing? What's the common denominator? Why us? Why Ichigo? What are we missing? We have to be overlooking something…"
The Soul Reapers were silent, thinking. They started to repeat what little they already knew, trying to see if they could draw anything from what little information they had.
While they did this, Victor's brain was hard at work trying to solve this. He started to link things together. Slowly. The Soul Reapers were here on a mission. According to Byakuya it was more or less fake. It involved Ichigo. They weren't sure how. People were acting strangely in Karakura Town. The mission wasn't about a Hollow. Linnette's voice would have had an effect otherwise. They were after Ichigo. Attacking without injuring him. Byakuya, Hanataro, Yumichika, Ukitake, Hitsugaya, Renji… Soul Reapers… Ichigo… Karakura Town… Soul Society… Hollow… Soul Reapers…
Victor lifted his head, a theory forming quickly. His eyes lit up. He may have found it. The common denominator. But he had to make sure.
"I think I know what you have in common."
They turned. "Oh? What is it?"
Victor looked at the Soul Reapers gathered at the table. "How many of you went after Ichigo? Who went after him? Raise your hands."
Ikkaku rolled his eyes. "We already know-"
"Raise your hands. Who went after Ichigo?"
Byakuya, Yumichika and Hanataro raised their hands.
Ikkaku scoffed, knowing that this wasn't going to change anything. They already knew who went after him. They lowered their hands. They were humoring him at the moment. But that all changed in the next moment.
Victor's eyes seemed to glimmer as he spoke his next question cryptically. "How many of you are former Hollow Reapers?"
The same three people raised their hands. Byakuya, Yumichika and Hanataro all stared at each other open mouthed.
"H- Hollow Reapers..?"
"That's the common denominator?"
"Come to think of it, Captains Hitsugaya and Ukitake were Hollow Reapers and so was Renji. A lot of Soul Reapers were."
"But Captain Unohana ran tests. The virus is gone. Everyone's cured. Eveyone's been normal for months. Why would it change all of a sudden?" Now Rangiku was getting very, very nervous.
"That's right," added Rukia. "Besides, the Arrancar responsible for this is dead. He claimed that in his death, the virus would be lifted. Veneno's dead so there's no reason for this to be happening."
Ichigo's heart skipped a beat. No, more than that. His heart was pounding against his ribs and doing summersaults in his throat. Veneno wasn't dead. He was, in fact, alive. Ichigo had spoken with him often and snuck away to see him. Gave him gifts, saw after him when he could. The pounding of his heart was deafening. It was pounding so much, he was starting to get dizzy.
Noticing that Ichigo had become very withdrawn at this point in the conversation, Byakuya looked at him. "Is something wrong, Ichigo?"
"Huh?" Ichigo flinched. He was shaking.
There was no way that this was all Veneno's doing. There was just no way. Things didn't add up, but it all made sense. There must have been another explanation. But this seemed like the most logical one.
"Ichigo? Are you alright?"
He looked at the people now staring at him intently. He felt like he was on trial. Even the kitchen light seemed brighter. But its light wasn't burning him half as bad as their stares.
"Is there something you're not telling us?"
He tried to calm himself down. He swallowed hard. This heart seemed to beat faster for a moment then slowed to a better pace. It was an improvement but it wasn't at its natural rhythm. He had to defend Veneno. He couldn't have done this. It didn't add up.
"Well… you know that Arrancar that you guys are talking about? Veneno? The one who made some of you guys Hollow Reapers?"
"Yes, yes? What about him?"
"Well…" He swallowed again. "He's sort of… He's… not dead."
Byakuya's eyes narrowed. "Run that by me again?"
"Veneno is alive and he's in the Soul Society."
There was a crash and Ichigo jumped. Victor had dropped one of the mugs in the sink, staring at Ichigo in a rare state of shock. Ichigo didn't mean for it to come out like that. But he couldn't stop himself from saying it.
"What do you mean he's alive?" Rukia was out of her seat and leaning forward.
Ichigo really felt like he was being lectured by an angry parent for lying.
"Wait, wait, wait… If he's alive… No, no. Wait a minute…" Ikkaku was beside himself. "Are you tell us that the bastard responsible for nearly ruining everyone and everything in the Soul Society and in the World of the Living is alive and kicking? AND he's hanging out where we sleep? AND that no one's doing anything about it?!"
"Is anyone aware of this?"
Ichigo answered honestly. "Yes."
"And they allow this? To let him go free?"
"Just let me explain!"
"Then go ahead and explain why you've been sitting on this kind of information and doing nothing about it! You were withholding information all along!"
"Just a minute!" Ichigo was out of his seat and yelling at the Captain. "I found out about this by accident!"
"And you never told us!"
"I was told not to!"
"By who?!"
"I… I can't answer that!" He couldn't rat out Akon like that. "But listen to me! Veneno isn't dangerous."
"What makes you so sure about that?"
"Because…" Ichigo remembered what he witnessed. What Akon told him. Everything Veneno said and did. "Because he doesn't remember anything. He has amnesia."
"So? That doesn't mean that he's any less dangerous th-"
"Just listen, ok? Please!" Ichigo tried to keep his tone as calm as possible. "Veneno's been working as a Soul Reaper. They put him to work. He's a different person. And he doesn't have his sword with him. He's weaponless."
"Ichigo, he could be hiding it," said Rukia.
"There's more. If he's really responsible for all this, then why aren't you guys Hollows? Huh? His powers allow him to infect people and make them Hollowfy. You're not. No one is. He's not doing this."
They looked at one another.
"He's not the same guy from before. This is different."
Ikkaku glared at Ichigo. "Is that where you've seen sneaking off to all the time? Visiting him?"
"I was just making sure of the same thing you guys are. He can't be doing this. He's got Soul Reapers around him all the time, watching him. The powers are different and he doesn't even remember what he did before. He has no idea that he's even an Arrancar."
Ikkaku sat back in his chair, shaking his head. "I don't believe it. No way."
"It's like Rukia said. It could all be an act."
"The guy's dangerous."
"How could he not be dead? I don't understand this…"
"He must be the cause of it. No doubt about it."
This was why he didn't want to tell them in the first place. He knew this would be their reaction.
"I think Ichigo's right."
Everyone looked at the young girl standing beside Ichigo. Supporting him like she always did.
"If Ichigo says that he's not dangerous than he's not. I believe him."
"Sweetie," Victor bent down to be at eye level with her. "You remember what that man was like. He's a bad person. Evil and dangerous. You know what he did."
"But that's no different than what I did in the past and I'm not evil am I?"
That threw everyone off guard. Victor and Cedric both looked very unbalanced.
"I turned people into Hollows, too. You never said that I was a bad person. Not once. You never told me that I was dangerous. I did the same thing. Does that mean that I have to die, too? Am I going to be killed because of what I did?"
Ichigo's heart was racing again.
Victor looked hurt. He was at a loss for words. He didn't know what to say to that. She was right. She was the same way. Never, not once, did he or Cedric ever call her a bad person or evil.
"I knew it from the start. We are similar. He's lonely, like I was. That's how we tried to make friends. We wanted a chance at happiness. That was the past. I know better now and I'm a better person because of it. Veneno's the same way. I'm sure of it. He's not evil. I changed. Why can't he?"
Victor didn't move. He looked like a toy that had wound down and stopped.
Linnette turned to the Soul Reapers to get their word on it. "Right? I changed. So can he. We're different but the same. Ichigo saw good in me and here I am. Look at what happened because someone had faith when everyone else said there was no way. There's a chance that Veneno is different, too. You just have to believe that someone can be good, no matter how bad they seem. Ichigo believed in me and he believes in Veneno. Can't you, too?"
She spoke from the heart. Every word rang with truth and meaning. It was powerful and moving.
Then, at last, Victor moved. Still on his knees, he reached for Linnette and pulled her in, hugging her. He pressed his nose into her spine. It almost looked like he was crying. Cedric, too. They were both overwhelmed by her powerful emotions. They were connected far beyond what could be measured. A profound, indescribable understanding.
If Ichigo hadn't believed in Linnette, who knows what would have happened? It was because of him that she was saved. Ichigo had regretted not being able to do the same for Veneno. Now was his chance.
But it was up to the Soul Reapers to decide what would happen from here. Their word would decide if he could continue or not.
Everyone was silent, keeping their eyes down. It was up to the Captain to speak for them and decide their next move.
Byakuya's face was unreadable. Ichigo knew it wouldn't be easy to convince him to go along with what he wanted, but he had hopes. At this point, all he could do was hope.
"Be that as it may…" he started. "I can't condone this."
"You're not condoning anything. You just have to-"
"There is an Arrancar in the Soul Society." There was a long pause after he said this. "That cannot be overlooked. Nor can the fact that he almost successfully destroyed the Soul Society. No one's forgotten the past caused by him. What happens next deserves more than a minute conversation and a fraction of people thinking that he's changed his ways."
"He doesn't remember anything. He can't remember what he did. You're going to punish somebody for that? It's totally unfair!"
"He is still an Arrancar," Byakuya said. "However, it's impossible to think that one would be allowed in the Soul Society and no one would take notice of it. I suppose it is possible that he is on a short leash of some sort. It's doubtful that they would overlook this fact…"
Ichigo wanted to say something but knew that the Captain's mind was in a delicate balance so he remained quiet.
Byakuya stood up. "I can't overlook it, either. But… for now… I won't do anything about it."
Ichigo blinked in surprise. He didn't think it would be this easy to win him over.
"We were sent here for a mission. We cannot return unless called back. We still have things to do here."
So that was his excuse.
Byakuya looked down at Ichigo with his usual stoic stare. "I will not inform the other Captains of this. Not yet. I will need proof that he is rehabilitated. I doubt he has changed his ways. Just know that if anything happens to anyone, I will report this new information. To the Soul Society or to us."
Ichigo knew what that meant. If anyone started to act strangely again, whether it be here or elsewhere, Byakuya wouldn't stay quiet. The next time he or anyone else tries to capture Ichigo or attacks anyone without just cause, Veneno would not be kept safe. This also meant that if Veneno did anything the Soul Reapers considered bad, he would be dealt with the same way they would any other Arrancar.
This didn't make Ichigo feel any better, but it didn't make him feel any worse, either. For now, Veneno was safe. But he still had to prove that he was no longer a threat to anyone.
Byakuya walked into Victor's study, finished with the conversation. After that, the Soul Reapers started to disperse. Ichigo remained where he was. His body wouldn't move. There were too many things going on inside him at the time.
Rukia chased after her brother. She walked timidly into the study. "Um… Brother?"
Byakuya looked up from the shelf he was browsing through. Rukia was a strong person, but she always showed her more timid, shy, sweeter side around Byakuya. Whether it was out of respect or love or something else, he did not know. But he found that it was harder for him to turn her down and listened to her when she did this. He would respond better to this Rukia than the one that yelled to get people to listen to her.
"Um… may I speak with you for a moment?"
He nodded.
"I just wanted to say thank you for giving Ichigo some time and not reporting this yet."
Byakuya looked back at the shelf. "It's just as was stated before. This doesn't sound like his doing. Veneno's power is different. He has the ability to turn people into Hollows. We are not becoming Hollows. The girl's song had no effect on us. It must be something else. But I will still need proof."
Rukia walked further into the room. "Linnette did put up a good argument before. They are very similar. Veneno did to the Soul Reapers as she did with the humans. She was turning human beings into Hollows. She was infecting so many people. It's hard to overlook how similar they were. And she is right. We didn't kill her for it like we're trying to do with Veneno."
"Only because she's human." Byakuya ran his hand over the book spines with his right hand, looking over the titles printed along the side. "That was never brought up. It was never brought to her attention. Our laws forbid us from harming a human. Even though she was responsible for all that chaos, legally, we could do nothing about it in terms of harming her. Veneno is an Arrancar. We're allowed to kill him."
"That is true, but… Linnette was saved. In different ways. Ichigo offered an alternative. I mean… they both did what they did for the same reasons. They were lonely and scared."
Byakuya's hand stopped over a worn out book spine, listening.
"When Linnette did what she did, she was a different person. But she wasn't evil. She was considered an enemy, but now look. Now she's a great ally. Before, she didn't know that it was wrong and she did come across as a bad person, but that's mostly due to her upbringing. Her past and the way Victor and Cedric were raising her. They told her that she couldn't do anything wrong and that everything she did was perfectly ok. Their logic was that they were there to please her and keep her happy. No one likes being told no and denied what they want. It's upsetting. And they cannot bring themselves to upset her. So they never told her no. Ichigo was the only one to ever do that. He showed her another way to be happy. Really and truly happy without hurting anyone. She's different now. She's a better person because of him introducing another way."
Byakuya's eyes weren't moving. He was focusing on her words and how she said them.
"He believed in her. And Ichigo believes in Veneno. Linnette sees herself in him and she also wants him to change for the better. Just like she did. She knows he isn't a bad person, just like how she was. She truly believes that Ichigo can save him. And… I believe it, too."
She meant every word of it. He could hear it in her voice.
"I know… When I saw what he did to you. What you became… I hated him. I hated him for what he did and I wanted to see that he was done away with for all the pain he caused so many people. He started to take away all the people I care about. People I'm close to. Like you and Renji, Captain Ukitake…" She sighed heavily. "He went after Ichigo, too. Relentlessly. And I was relieved when I was told that Ichigo had stopped him. But Ichigo regretted it. He told me that he felt like he had made a mistake. And for a split second, he felt like he had killed Linnette."
Byakuya lowered his hand and, without looking at her, said, "I know how important this is for Ichigo. Which is why I'm giving him a chance… so he can have one." By giving Ichigo a break and not reporting this, he was giving Veneno a chance as well. A second chance to do right. Or a second chance to attempt it again and maybe succeed this time around. That was what Byakuya was afraid of. But maybe he should give them the benefit of the doubt and stay put for now. He didn't want Veneno to revert to his old ways. But if he wasn't given a chance, how would they know?
"Thank you, brother."
He nodded and started to look over the books again.
Rukia bowed her head as she left the study. On her way out, she saw Cedric standing in the corner of the dining room, hidden in a shadow. He must have been listening. Rukia waited for him to say something but he didn't. After staring at her for another minute, he lowered his head in what looked to be a bow.
She didn't understand it at first, but she had guesses.
He lifted his head and looked at her with the same eyes he gave Ichigo. They weren't threatening. They were welcoming. Caring. Respectful.
Ichigo was the only one who saw good in Linnette when she did those things in the past. It was because of him that they all changed for the better. Rukia had fought to protect Linnette in the past and showed the same care Ichigo had for her. In spite of the past and its horrors, she believed. Linnette believed that Veneno could be saved in the same way she was. Ichigo believed the same. He wanted to try. And now Rukia.
Was this why he was bowing to her now? Was Cedric grateful?
It was hard to read Cedric because he spoke less than his brother and rarely told people what he was feeling or thinking. And yet, Rukia found that she could understand him better by just watching him. Sometimes you learn more by watching than you do by listening.
A Captain's meeting was held that afternoon in the Soul Society to discuss the recent events concerning Byakuya's group and what had been happening to the Soul Reapers. The meeting was short two Captains which didn't go unnoticed.
"Where is Captain Ukitake?"
Shunsui raised his hand to answer. "Uh… Jushiro's still not feeling too well. He told me to send his regards."
"Does he need me to stop by?" asked Captain Unohana.
"Nah, nah… He's doing ok, kinda sorta. He told me that he was just feeling really weak, is all. He didn't think he could make it to the meeting. Poor guy could barely sit up without help. And even then it looked like he was going to tip over."
"Tick-tock!" Mayuri said loudly, tapping his wrist with his long fingernails. "Can we speed this up? You called me away at a bad time."
"Quit complaining," muttered Soi Fon. "Your team can do fine without you around for a few minutes. It's another few minutes they can have with their limbs still attached to their bodies…"
"Shows how much you know. I was told not to conduct experiments on Squad members anymore, so there."
"Too many complants about their third arm running into things."
"Oh, one time! One time I did that."
"The point is you did it."
"Let it go, woman!"
"Shall we begin the meeting?" asked Yamamoto. The others quieted. "Now… Captain Byakuya has informed me that he and several of the members on his team have started to behave strangely. They all become obsessed with Ichigo Kurosaki and attempt to capture him at random. It's been brought to my attention that they are not the only ones to experience this. So far, two of our Captains have fallen victim to this as well. Captain Hitsugaya, would you care to explain and share with us your experience?"
Hitsugaya stepped forward. "To be honest, there isn't much to report. I know that I attacked another Soul Reaper to get to Ichigo. And I know that I drew my Zanpakuto. I remember using it. I remember attacking. However, the reason why I did it escapes me. I can't remember why I did it. I know I rampaged for a reason, but why? I cannot remember that important detail."
"Is there anything else?"
"No, sir. Nothing else to report. The vital information we need I don't have. That's all I know."
"So you remember doing it?"
"Yes."
"Did you feel as if someone were controlling you?"
"No, sir. My actions were my own. I moved as I pleased of my own free will. It was as if I were acting on orders. As if you or someone of higher rank told me to do it. As I said, I can't remember the reason for my attack. I'm sorry."
"I see." Yamamoto looked to Unohana next. "Did you find anything while he was in your care?"
She shook her head. "No. He's in perfect health. I ran several tests. Nothing came up."
"So someone told him to do it but he can't rememeber who?" asked a puzzled Shunsui.
"That's what it was like, but I'm not even sure if I was ordered to do it by anyone. It just feels like it was. I think it's on account that I can't remember," said Hitsugaya.
"Ahh…" Shunsui sighed. "Well, this is going to be a real pain to figure out. I can see that right now. Is that all we got?"
"Several other Soul Reapers reported feeling strange, but no one went on a rampage like the Captain."
"Yeah, this is weird…"
"Wasn't Captain Ukitake effected as well? How did we find that out? Did someone see him do it?" asked Captain Komamura.
"I heard about it from Renji," answered Shunsui. "He said that he had gone to visit him and see how he was doing. He told Renji that everything was normal, except for one thing. He said it was minor. But a little while before Renji showed up, Jushiro wanted to take a nap. But he couldn't do it. Said he was too restless. Then suddenly, all he could think about was Ichigo. He was obsessed with him to the point where he wanted to leave his bed to go look for him. He actually tried, too. He didn't get far. A minute later, the feeling was gone and he laid back down."
"So he tried to go after Ichigo?"
"Sort of. I'm not sure. I'm only hearing it from Renji. But Jushiro didn't think much of it. He thought it was his medication," said Shunsui. "But that was when Renji thought there might be something wrong with him since he had a similar feeling a while ago. He said it went away quickly."
"Was Ichigo around them at the time?" asked Soi Fon. "This might be his doing after all."
"I doubt it. He only saw Renji for a minute before he went to the World of the Living. He didn't visit Jushiro at all."
"No, but didn't he see him in his office before he was sent on that fake mission to the World of the Living? That could have done it. He also saw Captain Hitsugaya before he left as well. They're all connected. I think Ichigo might be doing this. It's got to be him. Just like our theory."
"You're reaching, Captain Soi Fon," said Shunsui. "Besides, there are other Soul Reapers who were effected and none of them had ever met Ichigo before. They only heard about him. Ichigo never made contact with any of them. So I doubt that theory still applies."
"Don't you think it's strange that it started in Karakura Town and every one of these people become obsessed with the guy?" Soi Fon snapped. "It has to be on account of Ichigo Kurosaki!"
"We don't know that. He's not acting out of the ordinary and he's completely in the dark about all of this."
"He could be playing innocent!"
"He's become our friend and ally. He even showed concern when Captain Hitsugaya was hospitalized. I seriously doubt this is his doing. Besides, how could he? He's never displayed powers like this before."
Soi Fon turned her head away in anger. "It all revolves around Ichigo. It's got to be him."
"There's no evidence of that," said Unohana. "We would have never known anything was amiss if Squad 12 hadn't caught it first. Wasn't it your lab that first discovered it, Captain Kurotsuchi?"
"They were only glitches on the screen," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "There's nothing to indicate that there's a serious problem."
"We removed Ichigo from Karakura Town thinking that it would help the situation. If he was the cause then his removal would rectify the problem," said Komamura. "It started to work at first, but the glitches are still showing up. This means that there's more to it than we thought. Even Ichigo himself showed up on your systems as well. Didn't he?"
Mayuri shrugged. "I don't see it as a problem."
"You said that those glitches were similar to Hollow patterns. Wouldn't that mean that people, including Ichigo, are Hollowfying?"
"Not necessarily. Those were just glitches. We thought there was a problem with the system itself. Everything seems to be fine otherwise. And glitches are glitches. Nothing is happening to those people or to Ichigo. It means nothing."
"It calls for further investigation," said Soi Fon. "We have to figure out what connects all these things together aside from Ichigo himself. What do they all have in common?"
"Since I couldn't find anything, maybe Captain Kurotsuchi can," said Unohana.
The Head Captain nodded. "That's not a bad idea. Captain Kurotsuchi, I would like for you to investigate what's been happening-"
Mayuri gave a loud, obnoxious groan. "Head Captain, with all due respect… I have enough on my plate as it is. My Research Team alone has gone without sleep for days just to keep up with all your demands. Everyone in my Division has worked without rest for a long time. Relentlessly! If it's not something you assigned, it's what other Squads are giving us to do. We're overworked enough as it is! We can't handle any more tasks! And if Unohana can't find anything wrong, what makes you think we can?"
"Physically they're fine," said the Captain of Sqaud 4. "This must be a mental issue."
"Then get them a shrink."
"What I mean is, there could be a toxin effecting their brains, making them do this. You're an expert on poisons. Surely you can come up with something. It could always be a poison I cannot detect."
"True, there are toxins like that that don't effect the body but the mind only… But you're giving me nothing to work with here. How do we know they're connected? I don't even have a timeline to go on."
"Well, when did you first detect the glitches in your system?" asked Shunsui.
"I don't know… Ten days ago, maybe?"
"We started to behave strangely shortly after that," said Hitsugaya. "No one reported it before those glitches showed up. It's within the ten day mark."
"So what? Nothing significant has happened in that time frame to even indicate that…" Mayuri stopped. Ten days ago, Soul Reapers, Karakura Town, Ichigo Kurosaki, Hollow glitches, laboratory… His yellow eyes grew wide, mind slowly putting things together. "Oh. Oh, crap." Mayuri started to inch his way towards the door.
"Where do you think you're going?" asked Soi Fon.
"You want me to conduct a little research, don't you? If I'm going to do anything, it has to be now while everything is still fresh in my mind." He looked at Yamamoto. "If you'll excuse me…"
"The meeting isn't over yet."
"Well, feel free to continue, but I have to leave. I'll let you know what I come up with." Mayuri's feet kept moving as he spoke, getting closer and closer to the door. With a hard shove of his hand, he threw it open and stormed out into the hall. "Nemu! Nemu, come here now!"
His Lieutenant jumped down from the ceiling and landed by his side. "Yes, sir?"
"We're going to the lab. Move it!" Mayuri shoved people out of his way, sprinting down the hall with Nemu at his side. There wasn't a moment to waste.
With Veneno spending his free time in the dojo with members from Squad 11, Akon managed to find some time for himself for a change. He didn't want to leave Veneno alone in case something happened, but he seemed to be able to handle himself for the most part. And if he didn't find an outlet for all that energy and power he held in his body, he was going to remain restless. This way he could let it out and sleep through the night. Akon balanced the log book on his face and tilted his head back, trying to rest his eyes for a few moments. Mayuri had collected some of the data Akon had written down in its pages and copied them into his computer. Akon withheld the information regarding the dreams Veneno had been having constantly. He wasn't comfortable telling his Captain about them yet. He had actually grown to care about what happened to Veneno and didn't want him to be taken apart. Not unless they had no other choice in the matter.
The laboratory door swung open with a bang and Mayuri strode into the room with his Lieutenant at his side. "Akon! Come here!"
Judging by the Captain's tone, he was in some sort of trouble. Akon jumped off his chair and ran to Mayuri's side. "Yes, sir, Captain?"
"Where is that log book of yours? The one I asked you to keep on the Arrancar?"
"Uh…" Akon held it up. "Right here, sir."
Mayuri snatched it away. This was a little odd. He hadn't looked in the book for a few days now. Mayuri started to type things into his computer but it didn't look like he was copying the notes. He was opening documents and pulling up screens. He was doing three things at once. His hands flew over the keys, working at an incredible pace. Akon wanted to ask him what was going on, but thought better of it when he saw the look on Mayuri's face. He was trying to figure something out. He wasn't panicked, but he looked like he was desperately searching for answers to a question that had been plaguing him for some time.
The screen lit up with more information. Mayuri's hands stopped moving as he read. "Damn it!" Mayuri smashed his fist against the keypad.
Akon was dying to know what had him so upset. He no longer cared as long as he had an answer. "Captain, what's wrong?"
Mayuri tried to calm his anger. His head hung low as he tried to speak calmly to his 3rd Seat. "You're aware of the strange happenings in Karakura Town and some of the Soul Reapers here, aren't you? Captain Hitsugaya's rampage and whatnot."
"Yes, sir. How could I not?" There was no explanation for that attack.
"Well, we've been trying to find an answer to that." Mayuri's hold on the book increased. "Turns out it's my fault. It's my doing."
"… What?"
"I brought back that Arrancar, Veneno."
Akon blinked and moved closer. "But, sir… what does that have to do with anything?"
Mayuri rubbed his forehead with his right hand, letting out a sigh of frustration. "It'll take hours to accurately explain it to you, given this data. But I'll try to sum it up in ten minutes…" He gestured to the screen. "You're aware of what Veneno was like when he first emerged from his incubation tank, correct? How he didn't know anything and was like an infant? That's because he was rebooting, so to speak. Well, no… Even that's not the correct term…"
"You managed to save his mind and DNA, right? Are you saying that there's something going on with them?"
"No, no… Let's start over. Alright, now… You're aware that he infected all the Soul Reapers and turned them all into Hollow Reapers, correct? Well, I was informed from Ichigo that Veneno claimed that they could only be cured in the event of his death. Technically, he never died."
This was surprising news. "But, Captain Unohana said that they were cured. There was no trace of the virus or anything in their systems."
"She's not wrong. It's true that the virus is no longer present. The problem is that they are still connected to Veneno subconsciously. They may no longer be Hollow Reapers, but they are still connected. Though, neither party is aware of it. Which brings me to this." Mayuri pointed at the screen. "The Veneno we are aware of, the one who's with us at the moment, isn't the real Veneno."
"So… What are you saying? He's a clone or..?"
"No, of course not! How foolish… Basically his body is running on autopilot. There are two separate consciousness. The old Veneno and this one. You see this frequently with amnesia patients. He's relearning everything all over again. It's not that they lost their memory so much as it is that they cannot access them. They still possess them, but they're not aware of it is more of the thing."
Akon tried to wrap his head around the idea. He knew what Mayuri was talking about, but he was trying to see the Captain's logic. "So… this Veneno…"
Mayuri went on before he could finish. "The real Veneno with all the memories is still with us in that body. He's just laying dormant inside that body of his. Veneno isn't fully awake yet. So this one, the one we see everyday, is taking over in his stead. With me so far?"
Akon understood. "The real Veneno isn't awake yet. It's kind of like sleepwalking in a way…"
"Not really. But this Veneno isn't aware that there is a second self in his subconscious. But when he wakes up, he will be aware of everything this outer self has done in his place. At least, that's how it will be if my theory is correct."
"How do we know when he'll wake up?" Akon asked.
"Something has to trigger it, just like with any lost or forgotten memory." He opened to one of the pages in the book. "You said here that he suffered from headaches ranging in pain. And you also wrote down the time and location of each to the best of your ability. The most severe one was when he went into the lab, the same lab where he was 'created', right?"
"So you think that being around a familiar place where some sort of trauma occurred triggers flashes of memories to return?" That explained the headaches and the dreams. "Then why didn't he freak out when he saw you? You were the one who experimented on him in the first place."
"It might be because I was there when he first opened his eyes. He got used to me before he started to develop. Why do you think children bond to their parents or whoever is raising them at a young age? He got used to me because I was the first one he saw. And he trusts you because you've taken care of him all this time. Very simple."
That also made sense. But the matter at hand still wasn't explained. "Ok, but what does any of this have to do with the Soul Reapers going nuts around here?"
"It has to do with the subconscious. As I said… They are still linked. When I brought him back, it started a trigger in those he infected in the past. They're picking up on his subconscious desires. That's what they're reacting to." Mayuri put the book down, having no further use of it at the moment. "I heard that Veneno was extremely interested in Ichigo Kurosaki when he tried to take over. Wanted someone to rule by his side and so he wouldn't be alone. He saw something in Ichigo that made him want to pursue him. He desperately wanted Ichigo as a companion for some reason. I'm not sure of his reasoning. However, that desire is still strong in his subconscious. And that desire was passed to the former Hollow Reapers. They're reacting euphoniously to what he wants and feels in his mind. He wants Ichigo, so do they. Again, neither party realizes this."
"How can that be? If that's the case, then why isn't everyone like this?"
"It happens at random to random people. There's no control over it or reasoning. It just happens."
"And me? I was a Hollow Reaper, too, at one time. Why haven't I been effected?"
Mayuri already had an answer for that. He answered quickly. "It could be that you've spent so much time with Veneno that you've put up a resistance. Either that or this affect only occurs in certain people. Maybe some people are more susceptible to it than others. Luck of the draw again."
It was all connected. Ever since Veneno was brought back, people have started to behave strangely. They were all after Ichigo, the same way Veneno was in the past. Influenced by an emotion and not logic. Veneno, that Veneno, wasn't awake yet. He was still dormant, trapped within his own body while this one took over. The Veneno Akon knew now was a lie. He was just talking to someone who was half-asleep.
"But…" Mayuri continued. "Eventually, he will regain his memories and wake up fully. It's only a matter of time."
Now Akon was worried about history repeating itself. Veneno hated Soul Reapers. Anything could happen. "How long do we have?"
"How should I know? One good trigger is all that it takes. I can't say for sure. The mind is a tricky thing."
"Do you think there's the possibility of him… trying to take over the Soul Society again, Captain?"
He shrugged and started to close the screens and shut things down so no one else could walk in and see what they were looking at. "Hard to say. He might. But you never know. This Veneno is different but they are the same person. He may change his mind. There's no way of knowing. But when he does wake up, we better be prepared for anything that might happen."
Linnette brings up a good point, doesn't she?
Thoughts?
Please review! ^-^