A.N and here's the beta chapter!

Aftermath

Ichigo made his way along the line of dead bodies, they...no, he, had lost sixteen people. Ichigo didn't even want to think about the people he had killed yet, he may not have given the order, but he had meant to, it had even been his idea. He stopped at the end of the row next to a man kneeling over a body, damn he had been hoping the guy would have left by now, he really didn't think he could stand the anger and ridicule of someone's close friend, not now, but he had put it off as long as he could now.

"I was wondering when you would get to me, Kurosaki-taicho" the man said as he stood.

Ichigo shifted uncomfortably, he had hoped the man wouldn't notice he was being avoided "Who were they?" he finally asked

"It's my sister, my real sister, not one I chose in Rukongai… We got lucky."

Ichigo's heart and stomach plummeted, he didn't know why but this man's opinion on his failure was so very, very important. How would he feel in his shoes? Devastated, he knew that much.

"So what do you plan to do now taicho?" the man said as he stood.

"I don't know; I really don't. I knew people would die in this but I never really realized what that meant." he didn't mention the impact it was having on himself; he still had nightmares about Ulquiorra since his memories of the incident had returned. Today would be another such memory, one of a growing pile.

The man laid a hand on his young commander's shoulder as he broke the silence, "Don't give up," he said as a sad smile spread across his face, "she talked me into joining you, you know? We lived in south Rukongai but we knew the rumours, everyone did. My sister wanted to change that so badly, it's why we became Shinigami in the first place. She talked me into that to." He said with a small laugh

"Never underestimate the power of a younger sibling" Ichigo said returning the smile "but I just don't know if this is worth it now, are we-, am I, just forcing my views of how they should live on them and not thinking of what they want?"
"You're thinking like a living person not a Shinigami, we don't judge the living but we don't live by their rules either, ours aren't as fluid. Anyone who slays another human being in anything other than defence of one's self or another is a murderer sentenced to hell; even then it's a bit iffy. The rules don't bend just because a court finds them innocent or calls it manslaughter. The only thing that spares them that fate is grief and remorse, I'm not talking about something like depression or suicide but they need to know and acknowledge what they did was wrong and the pain they have caused others."

"So how does this situation play into it? I just planned and killed dozens of people, even if I didn't directly do it I'm still responsible" Ichigo wondered aloud.

"That's it right there, you know it was wrong even if it needed to be done and that's all the difference in the world. You aren't turning away and saying "it's all for the greater good" or "its war" and that matters more than you think."

They both stood there, side by side in contemplation. One filled with thoughts of the past, the other the future

"Hey, can I have your name?" Ichigo asked the older man as he made to leave; he had a funeral to arrange.

"No" he said after a moment of thought "I don't want you to look out for me over anyone else, and you need to realise that we all feel this way. Remember, you asked for volunteers, we're all here because we want to be. We aren't afraid to die for what we feel is right so don't you be afraid to lead us."

The man departed, leaving his young taicho with his troubled thoughts of what was to come and how the eleventh division, and his friend Kenpachi in particular, existed and functioned inside the unbending rules of the afterlife

...

This was starting to border on stupidly rude. Did they really think he hadn't noticed them? That they could shadow him without being noticed? He was the most skilled leader of his house in generations and one of the Gotei 13's top taichos. They had to know he knew about them, and yet they were still doing it! It was getting worse than Kurosaki...no, it was worse, his lack of formality was born from a closeness to him, a deep loyalty and respect for what he stood for and, dare he even think it, friendship. This was just stupid, stupidly rude. Some part of him wondered if they would follow him into the Ottori compound, to have even trespassed on their land was idiotic.

"Welcome Kuchiki-sama, the clan leaders are expecting you. I will be your guide" the gatekeeper spoke as the taicho of the sixth and head of one of the five great clans approached.

"My thanks, though I must say the speed of their response was unusually fast. In my time leading my clan I had come to the conclusion the Ottori counsel disliked rapid action, they usually prefer to think things out and look at as many different views and angles as they can" Byakuya inquired

"That is normally the case, yes but this situation calls for quicker movement. Just because they don't like doing it doesn't mean they can't."

"That seems to be happening a lot lately"

Byakuya froze in his steps, he couldn't believe it. He had felt his 'escort' stop once he entered the building but it seemed one had gotten over eager and followed him into the home of the Ottori. It was a sickening breach of law and protocol, then the man's Reiatsu winked out. Byakuya turned to his guide questioningly. The Ottori guards were of a higher calibre than the Kuchiki's, after all even if they got past them, the clan itself would deal with the intruders, they were the core of the military, every man and woman was well trained.

"Ah sorry for not telling you on arrival Kuchiki-sama, but our leaders spread word to the other clans. This is a serious situation after all."

The Kuchiki head spread his senses out, this time paying close attention to everything in the complex.

"The Shihouin are here, why" he asked. He could even sense Soifon's muted presence now that he looked closely.

"You would not be overly familiar with their Reiatsu, untrained in its use as they are Kuchiki-sama. They are all here Kuchiki-sama, all bar Shiba-sama, or is that Kurosaki-sama now? The Shihouin in particular are deeply offended by the situation."

"Yes, I can see why they would be." he muttered as started walking again. Even for him it wouldn't do to keep the combined leaders of three great clans waiting.