Ichigo leaps back, twisting to the side to avoid the sudden expansion of Renji's zanpakutō. One of the hooks slices through his shihakushō sleeve before it suddenly snakes around Ichigo.
Ichigo hums before he suddenly twists in the air and slides Zangetsu's blade against Zabimaru's. Ichigo curves Zangetsu and swings down and backwards, aiming for Renji's chest while he falls right below the expanded zanpakutō.
"Flower Breathing. Sixth Form: Whirling Peach."
Ichigo lands on Renji's zanpakutō and uses it as a springboard, not even wincing when one of the hooks slices through his calf. He barely has his feet touch before he jumps back, avoiding another whip of Renji's blade.
"Flower Breathing. Fifth Form: Peonies of Futility."
Ichigo charges forward underneath the blade and slashes upward before suddenly slashing left. Renji's eyes widen before he pulls back his zanpakutō to block the blade, only for it to slice downwards and catch his knee before he could fully dodge. Ichigo twists to avoid a third whip of Renji's blade before slashing diagonally, catching onto a shihakushō and slicing it open. Ichigo slashes upward again and slices through Renji's new goggles.
Renji pulls back his zanpakutō before swinging downward, only to suddenly change and block a slash from his right shoulder and across his chest. Ichigo doesn't flinch when one of the hooks embeds into his arm and wrenches away to thrust forward, piercing through Renji's shoulder. He wrenches up before swinging back down again, only for Renji to fall forward and land an open-palmed uppercut at Ichigo's jaw. Ichigo feels his eyes water, but he continues his final slash towards one of the Shinigami's arms as he stumbles back.
Ichigo charges forward without a moment's hesitation and thrusts forward, twisting his zanpakutō to slash up across Renji's left arm. Fourth Form: Crimson Hanagoromo.
Ichigo tenses his jaw when he feels multiple hooks slicing through his shoulder when his blade embeds into Renji's shoulder. Ichigo feels his grin widen before he jumps back to avoid another attack from Zabimaru, spinning in the air to avoid the hooks. One, two...
Ichigo watches through his peripherals as the whip blade aims for his back and almost laughs in his glee. "Three!"
He twists in the air and lands on the blade of Zabimaru, making Renji grunt in shock. Hanatarō gasps while Ganju watches in awe while Ichigo leaps directly into Renji's face with barely any weight on his feet.
"I've got your number now... Renji-san~!" Ichigo exclaims brightly before he twists his body to land a kick right across Renji's face. Renji flies in the direction of the kick, toppling over many trees.
Ichigo lands in a graceful kneel, grinning brightly with all of his teeth bared. He giggles quietly before he expertly flicks off the blood from Zangetsu's blade.
"He‒he just kicked Abarai-fukutaichō... he just k-kicked Abarai-fukutaichō through a-a tree..." Hanatarō mutters, trembling like a leaf in both awe and terror. What is he?
"Holy shit...!" Ganju hisses out from his teeth with a hand on his head. Kurosaki Ichigo is one terrifying son of a bitch.
"Ukitake-taichō!" Rukia greets in such a heartbreaking tone of relief. Jūshirō doesn't let his anger nor his frustration escape his thoughts and smiles brightly towards his subordinate.
"Kuchiki-san, how are you doing?" Jūshirō greets back, sitting in front of the cell.
Jūshirō watches Rukia practically collapse from physical weakness in front of the bars, ignoring the chair "graciously" given to her by the 6th Division. She was pale, more than usual, and she had lost quite a bit of weight. Bags were under her eyes, yet she did not look tired. Rukia was‒for the first time since... since Kaien‒Rukia was alive.
"As well as I can be, Ukitake-taichō... but I will be better, I promise," Rukia states as if it was a fact.
Jūshirō blinks and stares at the young noblewoman for a long moment. A small huff leaves his mouth before a serene smile grows on his face.
"You've become stronger since I last saw you before your mission," He comments sincerely, making pale cheeks turn a rosy red in embarrassment.
"I-I don't know what you mean‒or what you're talking about, Ukitake-taichō!" Rukia vehemently denies with a scowl, so unlike her mask of lonely coldness from before. Much more lively–no... much more human-like.
"Is it true?" Jūshirō asks, his words purposely vague to anyone outside of those in his division. It wouldn't do well for anyone to listen in and discover his conspiracy with the noblewoman.
Rukia immediately becomes serious and nods her head once. "Yes. All of it."
"...you're different." Jūshirō can't help, but deviate from the subject once more. How can he not?
Rukia had always been cold; not like ice, but like snow. She had a refined grace to her which had unfortunately been overshadowed by her loneliness and unfortunate isolation in the 13th Division. Despite being an adopted member, she had every right to be a Kuchiki... yet she was better than most of the members. Kinder, softer... and darker.
She hid it well, almost too well, her past life in Hanging Dog. Jūshirō had heard the stories–nightmares really–about that specific district. He understands why the young soul hid her past... just like Abarai Renji. Children don't survive in Hanging Dog... and they don't leave, not without having a shard of that district forever embedded in their hearts.
Whatever had happened to Rukia in the Living World, that shard is more apparent than ever. And Jūshirō knows it will never be able to be hidden again.
Rukia's expression softens, and yet becomes infinitely more solemn. "I... suppose so. A lot had happened in the Living World, things that shouldn't be possible."
"The ryoka, they're here for you," Jūshirō comments, making the imprisoned woman laugh quietly in guilt-ridden happiness.
"I'm not surprised. So foolish." Rukia continues to smile while wiping away her tears. "Ichigo promised he would come after me. He doesn't think it's right when I was never given a trial."
"Is that why?" Jūshirō questions vaguely. Rukia nods her head, her smile disappearing.
"When I... heard the alarms, I knew it was Ichigo. I knew then. There was a chance I could help. I... I am not so naive to hope for everything to be resolved before my execution, but I will help," Rukia answers just as vaguely as her captain. They couldn't trust the walls after all.
Jūshirō smiles and stands up from his spot. "You are my subordinate, Kuchiki-san. Things will get better. Shunsui and I will make sure of it."
Rukia blinks at the mention of Shunsui before stifling a smile of relief. So, it was her plan to have both of them know her thoughts on this strange matter. She truly is a Shinigami of the 13th Division; Jūshirō's so proud.
"Goodbye Ukitake-taichō... and rest well," Rukia says quietly while giving the sickly captain a bow.
"Goodbye, Kuchiki-san." Jūshirō turns and leaves. He has things to do and plans to conspire. Hm... will Abarai-kun be able to help?
It truly did not make any sense; not one bit of this situation made any sense.
Jūshirō drinks the last of his medicine with a thoughtful frown. "Kuchiki-san's grace period has been shortened to 25 days. That's unheard of... what is the Central 46 doing?"
He stares out of the window of the Ugendō, frowning even more. It's becoming more and more clear; at least one captain, most likely two, are manipulating the Central 46... or posing as them. But, that has to be impossible!
Maybe... is this execution order a message? A cry for help? Something so unheard of to catch the attention of the Gotei 13, so they could be saved? Hm... no. The alarms would sound and a full lock down would happen.
"...I'll go with Shunsui and personally request an audience," Jūshirō mutters to himself, grabbing his chin. That would be the only way, currently, to be able to see what is truly happening with–
Thousands of knives surround Jūshirō's throat. The heavy scent of petrichor suffocates his lungs with wisteria flowers wrapped around his throat like a noose. Jūshirō devolves into loud coughing right before the entire Ugendō shakes from whatever is happening outside.
CREEEAAAAK! BOOM!
The unknown, and much too heavy, reiatsu is quickly contained to a stinging sensation, almost like nettle. Jūshirō continues to cough loudly while he struggles to exit the Ugendō.
"Duìzhǎng?! Duìzhǎng!" One of his senior unseated subordinates, Fàn Huian, sprints over with wide eyes. She reaches the white haired captain in time to support his weight before he could collapse to one knee.
"Wh-what's happening?" Jūshirō asks, wiping away the blood falling from the corner of his mouth.
Huian glances over at where the rest of her division had started to sprint towards a fallen wall of the 13th Division border, dust and smoke billowing up into the sky. "I don't know! But, I think someone got launched through the wall. We have it handled, Duìzhǎng!"
"Block anyone outside of the 13th Division from entering! If it's the ryoka, we take them alive!" Jūshirō orders before he uses shunpo and ends up in front of the fallen wall.
"Duìzhǎng!" Huian clicks her tongue before she waves towards the crowding Shinigami. "Ukitake-taichō wants the ryoka taken alive! Block anyone who is outside of our division!"
Jūshirō waves a hand around, waving away the smoke so he can inspect the scene. He blinks in surprise when Renji, heavily injured and clearly concussed, stumbles out of shunpo in front of him.
"Abarai-kun?! What happened?" Jūshirō reaches over and helps the lieutenant to the ground before he could collapse onto his face.
Renji laughs loudly, blood spilling out of his mouth. "Just a simple fight... damn you really were sick, you bastard!"
The smoke slowly dissipates and someone slowly walks out from the fallen wall, waving a hand in front of their face with a light cough.
Jūshirō can't help the gasp that leaves him. "Kaien?!"
"Ara, ara... Pineapple-san, I would very much appreciate it if you would keep from staining my haori with blood. It takes forever to wash it out!"
A boy, exceptionally young–too young–stood with blood dripping down his arms and a torn up haori falling off of his broad shoulders. A sharp face, almost exactly like Kaien's, was stretched wide by a blank smile and tawny brown eyes almost glittered like gold in the evening sun.
"You–"
"Ichigo-san! You kicked him too far!" A familiar, and terrified, voice shouts out before two figures run over to the scene. Hanatarō was shaking like a leaf as he immediately checked over the boy who looked so much like Kaien–no, Ichigo. His name is Ichigo–while the other person punched Ichigo against the back of his head.
Wait, that symbol. That's‒
"Ow!" Ichigo grabs his head and turns to face the Shiba. "Gandhi-san, why do you keep punching me! It hurts!"
"You fucking idiot! We needed to sneak into the 13th Division to see the captain! Not demolish one of their walls and get all of Seireitei's attention!" Shiba Ganju berates the ryoka loudly before grabbing the collar of Ichigo's weirdly designed shihakushō to shake him around. "AND MY NAME IS GANJU!"
"What are you talking about, Gandhi-san? Renji-san is the one to bring all of Seireitei's attention to us! Are you sure you don't have a concussion?" Ichigo asks with a worried frown and a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"NO! Why you‒" Shiba Ganju releases Ichigo's shihakushō to grab his own face with a frustrated yell.
Hanatarō laughs nervously, finally noticing their more than slightly astonished audience. "U-uh... I-Ichigo-san...?"
"Mm? What is it, Hanatarō-san?" Ichigo asks curiously, glancing over at the incredibly timid, and currently terrified, healer. Hanatarō points over at Jūshirō; the ryoka blinks and follows the finger, finally noticing the captain, and the dozen or so Shinigami staring at them.
Tawny brown eyes blink before a blank smile is plastered on. "Oh! Moshi, moshi! My name is Kurosaki Ichigo and I'm here to talk with Kuchiki Rukia-san's captain! Apparently she has a plan to help uncover her framing and the conspiracy surrounding it and I would love to help!"
"Is he serious?" Many Shinigami sweatdrop as the thought passes through.
"Ah‒that would be me!" More Shinigami stare at their captain in shock at his composure. "Ukitake Jūshirō, Captain of the 13th Division. Nice to meet you, Kurosaki-san."
Ichigo claps his hands with a bright gasp and steps forward. "How wonderful! It's nice to meet you too!"
"–here! Hurry!"
"Oh no!" Hanatarō runs forward, grabbing Ichigo's haori. "We have to go! We can't get caught!"
"Kiyone! Sentarō! Take the ryoka and hide them! Hanatarō, start healing Abarai-kun!" Jūshirō orders quickly.
"U-Ukitake-taichō?!" Hanatarō blinks with wide eyes before the two co-3rd Seats suddenly appear next to Ichigo and Ganju. Ichigo jumps, not unlike a cat, with his arms curled near his chest. Sentarō and Kiyone both give their captain a salute.
"Yes sir! I'll make sure they're so well-hidden, not even Kyōraku-taichō can find them!" Kiyone shouts loudly before she wraps her entire arm around the Shiba's neck.
"H-hey! W-wai–aaaack!" Ganju gets practically choked from the Shinigami's chokehold once she uses shunpo.
"What?! No way! I'll make sure that not even the 12th Division can find them, Ukitake-taichō! You can count on me!" Sentarō shouts while wrapping an arm around Ichigo's waist.
"W-wait! What are you doing?!" Ichigo asks before yelping loudly when Sentarō uses shunpo to chase after Kiyone.
"You can't even hide from Ukitake-taichō! How the hell will you be able to hide the ryoka?!" Kiyone shouts over her shoulder with a snarl pointed at her co-seat.
"Ukitake-taichō?!" Hanatarō turns towards the captain with wide eyes.
Jūshirō smiles sincerely. "We'll talk later. Heal Abarai-kun and follow my lead."
Hanatarō blinks before smiling nervously. He nods his head with a nervous laugh. He's gotten way too far in this, hasn't he?
"Ara, ara! I would very much appreciate it if you would put me down, Ropehead-san! I'd also like to know why you're taking me away from your captain!" Ichigo states with a strained smile.
"Trust in my captain!" Ropehead shouts proudly. "I don't know why he wants to hide you, but it must be for Kuchiki-san!"
"Ara, ara... if you say so, Ropehead-san! But, I would like it if you would stop carrying me like a doll! It's quite embarrassing, you know," Ichigo speaks brightly, still a little bit peeved at being carried as if he weighed nothing.
While he is the Demon Slayer Corps main doctor and usually supervises his Butterfly Estate more than going on patrol, Ichigo takes great care to be physically healthy–well, as physically healthy as he can be with his aversion to food and his... circumstances–to lessen any chances of being ambushed and killed by demons when he is sent on missions.
"In the event Ukitake-taichō needs me to carry him, I have to be able to carry the weight of anyone! And my name is Kotsubaki Sentarō! Third Seat of the 13th Division!" Ropehead exclaims.
Ichigo blinks before his strained smile fades back into its blank mask. "Kurosaki Ichigo, as I said before! Nice to meet you, Ropehead-san!"
"‒off of me! I can't fucking breathe, you wretch!" Ganju shouts loudly while he struggles to try and get the arm choking him off.
"You're the wretch, you bastard!" Shirt-collar shouts back, pulling her arm more to stop Ganju from speaking.
Ichigo squeaks when he's suddenly thrown into some kind of building, landing on top of a pretty comfortable futon. He lifts his head in time to watch Ganju be thrown into the building and land face first into a chabudai, breaking it in half.
Ganju growls loudly and sits up, holding a hand over his bleeding nose. "What the fuck are you doing?! Why was Ichigo thrown onto a futon and I got the table?!"
"Ara, ara, Gandhi-san! You can't predict where you throw people!" Ichigo raises his hand to cover his mouth, only to wince with a hiss when he messes with his injured shoulder. He looks down before sighing softly and pulls off his haori.
"Why were you fighting Abarai-fukutaichō?" Shirt-collar asks, sliding the shoji doors closed behind her and Ropehead. Ichigo spares her a glance before smiling and goes back to inspecting his injuries.
"He wanted a fight! Well‒he wanted to make sure I would be strong enough to go against your captains and lieutenants in a fight. He doesn't believe that I can save Rukia-san, that fucking idiot!" Ichigo answers cheerfully.
Zabimaru is quite a formidable weapon. It rips when it tears through its enemies with the hooks. Not many can be a continuous opponent against such a weapon.
"The captains are on another level... but I sure as hell believe you'll save Rukia." Ganju shudders like he's recalling a horrible memory. "You kicked that asshole through a tree! What do they feed you humans?!"
"It was four trees, if I counted correctly, Gandhi-san‒and I'm sure whatever food you have here in Soul Society is the same back in the Living World," Ichigo corrects brightly before he rips off the sleeve of his shihakushō. He bites the torn end and tears it into two thinner strips.
"Here! There's no need to do that!" There is a blur of black movement in Ichigo's peripheral. His body tenses for the kick to the head and his stomach drops.
Ichigo flips back and grabs Zangetsu's hilt. A cold hand grabs his neck, stopping him from attacking Shirt-collar.
"He is not here. We are not there, Ichigo," Mirai speaks calmly, keeping his grip secure.
Ichigo blinks slowly and stares into the wide grey eyes of Shirt-collar. Ichigo releases a slow breath and crouches, releasing Zangetsu.
He keeps his back pressed against the wall while smiling blankly. "I would very much appreciate it if you wouldn't come towards me so suddenly, Shirt-collar-san. Please."
"Y-yes... sorry! I... I know kaidō! I can heal those injuries!" Shirt-collar grins brightly. "I'm not as good as my sister, but I can handle wounds like that, Kurosaki-san!"
"...thank you, Shirt-collar-san. Kaidō-Rukia-san had used that before... but she never explained it to me. What is it?" Ichigo asks curiously, obviously changing the subject before it could even be delved into.
"First you don't even know kidō, and now you're telling me that you don't know kaidō?!" Ganju exclaims, making Ichigo blink.
"...isn't kidō magic?" Ichigo questions, uncertain with his own conclusions he had made. He twitches when Shirt-collar coughs loudly, hiding her mouth with her hand and Ropehead simply laughs behind his.
Ichigo feels his cheeks warm as he frowns. "What? Am I wrong? You have to speak an incantation to cast kidō‒just like magic. Right? Why are you laughing harder? It isn't nice to laugh at people!"
Hanatarō keeps his head low, keeping constant focus on the injuries Ichigo-san has given Abarai-fukutaichō. If he keeps his head down, he won't be noticed. If he keeps his head down, he won't be noticed. If he-
"Ukitake-taichō! Is everything okay?! What happened?" Kira Izuru, lieutenant of the 3rd Division, slides to a stop in front of the 13th Division captain and Hanatarō.
Fuck. Why did it have to be Kira-fukutaichō?!
Hanatarō swallows, and by the grace of the Soul King himself, manages to keep his hands from shaking too much. Keep his head down. Keep his head down. Keep his head down.
"I don't know," Ukitake-taichō lies easily, "but we need to call the 4th Division. Abarai-kun is severely injured."
Hanatarō snaps his head up with wide eyes. Is Ukitake-taichō-is he trying to get him more involved than necessary?! What is he–
"Y-yes! I'm trying–trying my best to keep him stabilized, but we need to call for the emergency medics j-just in case," Hanatarō speaks urgently, somehow keeping all of his terror and panic out of his voice; probably not his expression though, but that's okay. Just don't be suspicious. Don't be suspicious. Don't be–
"Abarai-kun!" A shout echoes through the somewhat destroyed space. Hinamori Momo, lieutenant of the 5th Division, runs forward with wide eyes and concerned fear surrounding her.
Fuck.
"Who attacked Abarai-kun? Was it the ryoka? Why is he here?" Kira-fukutaichō asks, still calm and collected. Hanatarō continues to heal Abarai-fukutaichō's injuries and ignores the stare he can feel pointed at the back of his head.
"I assume so. I had asked Abarai-kun earlier to come by and help me find some missing paperwork from his division and he likely confronted the ryoka on his way. I have my division looking for the ryoka. We sensed their reiatsu head in two different–" Ukitake-taichō suddenly curls over with a hand to his mouth.
"Oh no! Ukitake-taichō!" Hinamori-fukutaichō rushes forward to keep the captain from collapsing from his coughing fit.
"Ukitake-taichō!" Hanatarō almost stands up, but quickly stops himself before his hands leave Abarai-fukutaichō's injuries.
"–fine! I'm fine." Ukitake-taichō coughs some more into his hand, waving away the others rightful concern for his well-being.
"Keep Abarai-kun stable..."
Hanatarō blinks before smiling nervously. "Y-Yamada Hanatarō... 7th Seat of–of the 4th Division, Kira-fukutaichō..."
"Keep Abarai-kun stabilized, Yamada-san. Hinamori, help Ukitake-taichō to the barracks. I'll call for the emergency medics," Kira-fukutaichō orders, taking control of the situation.
"Y-yes!" Hinamori-fukutaichō starts walking slowly towards the 13th Division barracks after giving a slight bow.
Oh no. Oh no. Ukitake-taichō's leaving. Hanatarō will be alone with Kira-fukutaichō. Oh no! He's going to be arrested–he's going to be arrested! What can he do? Think. Think!
"A-ah, I'm–I'm fine, Hinamori-san," Ukitake-taichō says, stumbling with every other step.
Hanatarō blinks before he glances up, feigning a determined expression. "O-once the emergency medics get here, I'll come by to give Ukitake-taichō his medicine I-I was bringing it for him, H-Hinamori-fukutaichō..."
Hinamori-fukutaichō glances over her shoulder with wide eyes before she smiles softly. She nods her head before continuing to help Ukitake-taichō walk.
Oh fuck, he's getting involved. He's getting more involved. What the hell is he doing? Oh no... why does it have to be him?!
"You think it's Ichigo?" Tatsuki questions while blocking the sun with her hand to stare off at the billowing smoke in the distance. She leans away from the slanted roof to stare down at Uryū holding her ankles and keeping his head pointed straight down.
"It's a safe bet to assume. You and Kurosaki don't really do stealth," Uryū speaks somewhat harshly in his irritation at being used as a ladder. Tatsuki glares down at him before rolling her eyes with a huff.
"If a punch can work, then it works," Tatsuki states, going back to inspecting, what is most likely, a far-off battle.
Uryū rolls his eyes with a snort. "Idiots! Both of you."
"What was that?"
"Nothing." Uryū glances down each path, making sure no one was running towards them. "Are you wanting to start heading that way? Or continue onwards?"
Tatsuki hums while she jumps off of Uryū's shoulders. It wasn't like she was worried; Ichigo can handle most, if not all battles that come his way, she made sure Orihime knew how to fight, Chad hasn't lost a fight of his own yet, and Ganju is definitely boar-headed.
If Ichigo doesn't win a battle, it's either because he's been killed or he's making a friend and there is no in-between; definitely not when it comes to Ichigo.
"Whoever it is, they can handle it," Tatsuki states with a shrug. It would probably be better if they avoided the battle anyways. That smoke can be seen for miles.
"–this way! Let's go!" Both Uryū and Tatsuki snap their heads up at the shout before they hear rapidly approaching footsteps. They both clamber and sprint away from the footsteps, barely making it past the corner before whoever was running towards them turns onto the path.
They continue to run, not really wanting to have another Shinigami find them because of Tatsuki's reiatsu. Neither teenager notices the figure slinking out of the wall.
"That idiot!" Yoruichi curses under his breath, staring at the billowing smoke. "He's not making this any easier! I should have made sure we stayed together."
Orihime hums brightly while leaning over the roof tiles to get a better look; Chad grabbing her by the back of the shirt being the only thing keeping her from falling off.
"He's probably having some fun! Ooh! Or maybe he's having a tea party! I'd love to go!" Orihime exclaims brightly, making both Chad and Yoruichi sweatdrop. What an active imagination.
"We can use the distraction," Chad points out more to defend his best friend than to actually list off the good things about the obvious battle.
Yoruichi sighs heavily and pounces forward to fall off of the building. "Might as well. Soul Society will be on high alert tomorrow if they don't catch any of us, so we have to make some progress."
"Yes sir!" Orihime states with a salute before she jumps off the roof too. Chad follows silently.
"Ichigo, you idiot." Yoruichi starts to lead her two charges through the streets. "Stay alive until I can get to you. You can't beat a captain just yet!"
Ichigo braids a few white orchids around the wisteria flower he had picked, laying against a curved tree root and cracked cement. He effortlessly adds a few yellow orchids and a single orange peony.
He can't physically give this to Rukia, but at least the thought counts. And he needs something to do.
"Somethin' ain't right," Kazuki sneers as a sudden weight lays over Ichigo's back and shoulders.
Ichigo hums in acknowledgement. "I know."
"This is too fuckin' easy. D'ya think that sick one would trick us?" Kazuki questions, making Ichigo hum again.
"Rukia-san trusts him."
"There ain't been nearly as much alarm as this shoulda called for," Kazuki continues with a growl.
"Mmhmm," Ichigo hums in agreement.
Kazuki grits his teeth before punching Ichigo on his head. Ichigo cries out and turns around with both of his hands grabbing his head.
"Kazuki! That hurt!" Ichigo scolds loudly, making Kazuki sneer down at him.
"Then don't fuckin' ignore me!"
"I wasn't ignoring you!" Ichigo pouts with a small huff before he turns to look over at Mirai. He glares at the silent amusement he can practically see coming off of the man in waves before he rolls his eyes back towards his flower crown.
"What do you think, Mirai?" The orange haired teenager asks, quietly hoping he and Kazuki are just being a bit paranoid.
"...a successful invasion, in some cases, calls for immediate martial law." Mirai watches the dark storm clouds fall down across an endless sky. "No one has yet to be caught, a high-ranking officer has been defeated, and one of the divisions has been breached."
Ichigo momentarily frowns at the concise summary before his expression fades into a blank mask. "If it isn't the general, then it's two highest-ranking officers..."
"The fox face fucker. He knew ya name," Kazuki speaks as he places all of his weight on Ichigo's back once more. Ichigo hums, still in thought while he tries to figure everything out.
Ichigo snaps his head up with a sharp breath. "A stooge!"
"Holy fuck!" Ganju screeches from where he sat messing with some kind of bomb-shaped sphere. "Can you at least warn a man before you nearly cause them to explode the explosive they're working on?!"
Ichigo blinks once, giving the area around him a cursory glance. He's back in what Shirt-collar had called the Ugendō. Mm.
"Ara, ara. Do you think it's smart to work on explosives that sensitive while we are currently hiding in plain sight?" Ichigo quips back smoothly, making Ganju growl under his breath. He picks up one of his tools and punts directly at the center of Ichigo's forehead.
Ichigo yelps before he bangs his head against the wall he was resting on. He rubs his forehead before glaring at the Shiba with a sharp stare.
"Gandhi-san! Don't throw things while in someone else's home! We're guests!" Ichigo scolds before he glances around the Ugendō once more.
Ropehead and Shirt-collar must have gone back to their captain. How much time has passed?
"Roughly three hours," Mirai answers calmly. "Those injuries, while not serious, took quite a bit out of you."
Ichigo frowns before he looks down at his freshly healed shoulder through his torn up haori. "Hopefully Ukitake-san won't take much longer. There is quite a bit we have to talk about."
"Ichigo..." The orange haired teenager snaps out of his thoughts and immediately turns his head towards Ganju.
The man was staring at him, appearing incredibly hesitant. "Do you–do you have any... family? Back in the World of the Living?"
Ichigo doesn't tense at the sudden question, but his hands twitch heavily. He stares at Ganju with dread pooling in his stomach.
"I should never–I shouldn't have asked..." Ichigo tries to scramble for anything in his thoughts for an excuse not to answer, praying to Kami-sama for an intervention at the same time.
Nothing happens as silence fills the Ugendō for at least a minute.
Ichigo takes a deep breath and fidgets with one of his haori sleeves. Fucking fuck, this is what he gets for trying to ease his anxiety over an answer he was already partially convinced about.
"...yes," He finally answers with a glance towards the closed shoji doors. Is running away from this conversation worth the risk of getting caught?
Ganju stays silent, returning the courtesy Ichigo had given him earlier. Ichigo keeps his eyes averted to avoid looking at a man who looks so similar to his father.
"I... have... two sisters. They're quite adorable, and are little terrors in their own ways," Ichigo continues slowly.
He doesn't realize his guarded and slightly panicked expression softens into something gentle and longing. "Yuzu and Karin are their names. I have–I had a mother. Her name is Kurosaki Masaki, and I still love her with all my heart. I love them all with all my heart."
"...and your father?" Ganju asks hesitantly.
Ichigo can't help the scoff escaping his mouth. He clears his throat and glances down at his trembling hands. He hides them in his haori and crosses his legs.
"...he loves Mama dearly, even now," Ichigo states shortly.
Isshin's love for Mama; his loyalty to her is the fool's only redeeming quality. Ichigo disdains the fact that his own father is still capable of devoted love, yet harms the children of his wife. He hates it so much...
Ganju goes back to his explosive and Ichigo broods silently. The giant elephant in the room is ignored. Both are not ready for the confrontation for two different things. And they will likely never be ready. But, that's a problem for the future.
Hey! Hope you all like the new chapter! Woo! Another chapter! Yes! I have been killing it with my updates (across my stories) this week!
Still really busy, but I'll try and get the next chapter posted before the end of the year. I can't believe it's already almost 2024... Ugh.
Anyways, I hope you all are enjoying the story so far! Bye.
WhovianWhoudini