A/n: This is pretty much a continuation of chapter 4, but can be read as a stand alone if you don't remember it.
Ichigo had been expecting it, but there was still something arguably wrong about the entire situation.
As he had thought, the moment Rukia appeared in a hasty and clumsy flash step, Ichigo knew it was time to hash out the half-baked, somewhat crazy plans he had already been wistfully making in his head. He knows, instinctively that there will be people taking his side without him even needing to ask, but he also knows he will have to fight people he had once considered comrades.
It should say something about him, about the ways war has changed him, that he honestly doesn't care.
So when Rukia tells him Central 46 has ordered his containment -and if not possible, his death- he is not surprised and he does not explode as the slight raven head probably expects him to.
Instead Ichigo takes a deep breath and starts making his way towards the Urahara Shoten.
"Rukia." He calls to her as serious as he can when she hesitantly takes a position besides him. "You are my best friend." He tells her without preamble. "What about you?"
Rukia doesn't stumble in her walk but her violet eyes harden in a way Ichigo hardly ever gets to see. "Renji is my husband, but you are my best friend. What kind of best friend would I be if I wasn't there for you when you were there for me?"
Ichigo gives her a sidelong gaze before nodding and continues striding forward. He thought as much, but it's good to have confirmation -to have it be said out loud.
"I'm going to tear it all apart and rebuild it from scratch." He tells her.
The raven head merely nods as if that were obvious and reaches out to open the sliding door as they arrive at the shop. "Do you have a plan beyond 'defeat anyone who gets in the way'?" she asks him vaguely humorous.
Ichigo snorts as he removes his shoes and steps into the living room where he can feel Kisuke's reiatsu eagerly awaiting him. "I have some plans, but Kisuke will probably tell me they are crap and make new ones anyway."
The blonde snaps his fan open and hides his face behind it like always but Ichigo can see the shadowed and weary gaze anyways. "Ma Ichigo-san, I would never be so rude."
"Save it." Ichigo tells him. "We have a new battle to plan, have you chosen your side?"
Kisuke quirks a smile that the orange head can only see because it wrinkles the corner of his eyes. "I'm offended Ichigo-san. I've always been on the same side, and that won't change anytime soon."
Ichigo rolls his eyes but doesn't point out that Urahara Kisuke has always been on his own side -the winning side- and that means that right now it coincides with Ichigo's side. They both know though, that if push comes to shove, if it's between the corrupt asshole government as well as those who follow their orders and Ichigo, there is no competition.
"I'm getting Aizen out." He tells Kisuke in a matter of fact tone that brooks no arguments. "Powerhouse vehemently against the government sounds like a good person to have on our side."
Rukia gasps but Ichigo keeps his eyes steadily on the shop keeper instead. If he can get Kisuke to understand- to agree- than no one else will be a problem.
"Have you checked?" Kisuke asks somewhat vaguely.
The orange head nods. "Aizen and I knew this day would come."
Kisuke's gaze only seems to darken further. "What did he tell you? He's a mastermind with words you know."
"I know." Ichigo agrees. "But I already denied him once, not so long ago really when I jokingly mentioned Central 46 would think we were plotting world domination or something just as ridiculous." He takes a deep breath and quotes one of Aizen's statements from that day. "We could. Make the world bow to our feet and overthrow those corrupt men from their pedestal."
"You told him no." Rukia interjects in a statement that only slightly sounds like a question. She seems a bit surprised too, which Ichigo finds somewhat interesting.
"I told him that wasn't the answer, and I still think as much." He tells her.
Kisuke drops the fan and now Ichigo can clearly see the smirk playing on his lips. He's on board- or well, as on board as a manipulative man like Urahara Kisuke can be. He probably has back up plans for his back up plan of the back up plan.
"Well then, I think we should get this show on the road." Kisuke states as he slaps his paper fan onto his empty hand. "For today is the day local hero, Kurosaki Ichigo says no more."
Ichigo falters for half a second before he turns back to nod at Rukia with a steady expression. He wonders, if anyone else has noticed how eerily similar Kisuke and Aizen can be.
-Page Break-
"We're doing what?!" Renji exclaims in a harsh whisper as he trails besides Rukia.
Ichigo is walking in front of them, out in the open and daring anyone they pass to attack him. No one has tried thus far, but then again, they have yet to meet any of the higher seated officers or the Captains and Lieutenants so that makes sense.
"Quietly." Rukia hisses as she jerks an elbow into Renji's side. "Urahara will begin gathering everyone together in the living world. We have to do our portion here."
"But-" The red head stammers as he shifts his attention from Rukia to Ichigo. "Him? Really? What did the Visord say?"
Rukia falters but Ichigo easily picks up the conversation. "Kisuke already messaged them. Obviously no one is happy, but they know why it makes sense."
Renji groans but doesn't put up further protest. It was all a lost cause anyway, when Ichigo makes up his mind there is nothing he or anyone else can do to change it.
"And I suppose we are just going to waltz in though the front door?" He asks instead.
Ichigo laughs at the indignant expression on his face. "I do it all the time anyway. While I take care of this, how about you go ahead and spread the word to our allies? You should know who they are anyway."
The red head snorts but doesn't deny that. "By the way, Kuchiki-taicho said he would be sticking around in the mean time."
"Tell him to make sure and pull out if he's any kind of danger." Ichigo tells him but knows Byakuya will stick around until the last minute if he can. He may have given Ichigo his loyalty, but he still has a clan he wishes to protect.
"Yeah, yeah." Renji waves off and flash steps in the general direction of the 6th.
Rukia gives him one last piercing gaze before moving towards the 13th as well.
All alone Ichigo is free to do his own thing and he takes advantage of that to twist and grasp reality in a way that has him standing at the end of the hallway leading to Aizen's cell.
He makes his way down the steps and is not surprised in the least when Aizen's soft timbre echoes the narrow halls.
"Any news," he asks like he always does and probably expecting the same answer Ichigo gives. "Ichigo?"
"Someday is today." Ichigo tells the other sternly and knows he will understand without a second of hesitation.
The smile that curves the corners of Aizen's mouth is as genuine, as it is expectant.
Not to be continued…
A/n: So this one is a bit shorter than last, though still a bit longer than my usual. Oh well, I doubt anyone is complaining.