Bleach (c) Tite Kubo
Black and Blue
Contingency
Despite their words, Kisuke and Rukia did linger in the hallway for a few moments. And in spite of his valiant efforts otherwise, Ichigo fell back asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
First and foremost relieved, Rukia lets out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding before making her way down the hallway and into the main shop floor.
"I'll report in to Captain Hitsuguya and the others that Ichigo's regained consciousness. Though given his current condition, I don't think a debriefing is on the table any time soon." Rukia announces when she spots the front door.
Sadly, the world beyond is illuminated by a murky cloudy grey, far darker than it should be in the mid morning. She supposes it's an appropriate enough backdrop, given the hard news they'd just had to impart to Ichigo. That being said, they're not entirely without hope and Ichigo did seem inclined to the idea of expanding his other combat capabilities while they worked on a solution for his more immediate problem.
Rukia questions if she should've been so quick to volunteer teaching Ichigo Kido, but frankly she didn't exactly hold much regard for rules and regulations these days. Especially with how deftly their enemy manipulated their own laws to plunge the Seireitei into chaos, leaving them a hair's breath away from total civil war.
Not to mention Ichigo would stew in his own shortcomings if he wasn't given something to direct his energies towards, and that would make him both useless on the battlefield and just a plain miserable sight. Though how long that distraction would last is anyone's guess.
Rukia turns to find Kisuke standing behind her with a curiously blank expression in the doorway, "Between the two of us, I think the best idea would be to keep this issue of his Zanpakutou quiet. If Captain Hitsuguya caught wind of the full extent of the damage, he'd do everything in his power to bench Ichigo in the coming conflicts. We both know that wouldn't end well."
"Indeed. The young Captain appears to be taking the causalities of this recent invasion as a personal failure despite attempts to convince him otherwise." Kisuke reveals with a faint curl of a forlorn smile that vanishes in an instant. "It's a sobering reminder that our enemies have managed to outpace us without our realizing, a troublesome situation on all fronts I must say. And no matter how well intentioned the Captain might be, Ichigo has never exactly been receptive to those kinds of sympathies. Something rather typical of teenaged behavior if you ask me."
"Maybe so. For now, the only thing we can do is regroup and reassess our standing while we prepare for the next invasion." Rukia says.
Kisuke offers a sigh of his own, tipping down the rim of his hat to shield his tired eyes, "Ms. Kuchiki. I think we're both well aware that this whole affair will undoubtedly affect Ichigo more negatively than he'd ever let on, despite our best efforts to curtail the damage."
"It will. That's why we need to get moving as fast as possible on that front. You said you could obtain an Asauchi. How long do you need?" Rukia ventures cautiously.
Though it's against her orders the seed of an idea forms in her mind.
"True, I do still have enough friends left in the Soul Society's underworld who owe me a favour or two. Large enough to procure what we require. Given proper time and preparation I could obtain one for Ichigo to use in place of his old blade. However, coincidentally, I do believe there's something currently in your possession that would serve our purposes quite nicely." Kisuke pins her in place with a knowing look.
Rukia's momentarily taken aback before scowling at him, "You were snooping through my belongings." she accuses.
Kisuke unfurls his fan, covering his beaming wide grin and playing the fool, "Me? Now now, I'm scandalized you would ever suggest such a thing, Ms Kuchiki. I am but a humble shopkeeper. I would never dare dream of invading the privacy of one of my most valued customers. Think of the customer service complaints! It'd destroy my business entirely and I couldn't possibly afford that."
Rukia is supremely unimpressed and her expression demonstrates as much.
Kisuke closes his fan with a short, sharp clack.
"However I believe it's a fair assessment to say you, or more specifically the Thirteenth Division, were snooping first. Wouldn't you agree? In fact I believe a mutual acquaintance was gambling on it," Kisuke raises an inquisitive eyebrow, "Bar certain exceptions, Shinigami don't typically carry around more than one blade. Nor do they have use for Asauchi once they've obtained their true Zanpakutou. And I am an observant man. The way you were carrying your sword and had it bound when you'd arrived was unusual, as though you were unused to it. The others dismissed it as some pre-mission ritual or jittering nerves, given the unfortunate events during your last trip to the Living world, so they didn't think to question it further. Especially since more crucial matters occupied their attention. However anyone who observed the way you moved could see you were unnaturally compensating for an additional weight. Am I correct?"
Rukia glances away. She's silent for a minute before responding. "Clearly I wasn't anywhere near as subtle as I'd hoped, was I?"
"You're a straightforward and honest soul, Ms Kuchiki. They're traits to be admired, but those same traits make it easy to detect when you're being furtive." Kisuke answers frankly, he tips his hat down before making his way to the ledge of the pit and taking a seat on a cushion.
"I am just as informed about what happened to our mutual acquaintance sixty years ago as you. If it's not bold to say, I daresay even more so given I'd had the opportunity to closely examine the affect effects of that incident in great detail over an extended period of time. Given the amount of resources and connections at Captain Ukitake's disposal, it's not a difficult leap in logic to deduce he managed to procure that Asauchi discreetly, intending for you to deliver it to Former Lieutenant Shiba as a replacement for Nejibana's original blade."
Rukia's lips press in a thin line.
Despite reassurances from her former superior officer, and Kaien's frustrated order to get over it, the guilt of that night still haunts her, though their conversation has removed much of its sting. Even if he'd survived through means unknown, the fact is she forced Kaien to suffer that misery in the first place and will be a millstone around her neck for the rest of her days.
Kisuke continues when Rukia doesn't respond, "Since I'm aware you've encounter him at least once, I'm sure it's plain to see Kaien doesn't require a spare blade. Which conveniently enough leaves it open for our purposes. And I can't help but wonder if the reason you neglected to reveal that piece of information is because it would simultaneously reveal a hidden capability of the combat pass Ichigo carries with him."
"Why do I suddenly have the feeling of being interrogated..." Rukia mutters rhetorically to herself before exhaling a heavy breath, she's uncharacteristically evasive in her answer, "I don't have the authority to speak to about that."
Kisuke shrugs as though it doesn't matter, "Perhaps not, but you must know he'll find out eventually. Presuming he hasn't had notions about it already. That boy might be quick tempered and stubborn to a fault, but he's far more clever than most people give him credit for. For all we know, he might've already asked our aforementioned mutual friend for confirmation of his suspicions."
"If Ichigo had any ideas, he hasn't shown it." Rukia replies, and then stronger, "Besides, Ichigo isn't that kind of person. Even if he did discover what the combat pass does, he'd understand our reasons. We're not his enemies. The only reason he came into conflict with the Soul Society in the first place is because of Aizen and his damnable scheming."
"Be that as it may." Kisuke lets the matter settle before gazing up at her with calculating grey eyes.
"But since you brought up the subject of adversaries, I must ask you one thing: You don't suspect he might be an enemy?" Kisuke prompts.
Rukia glances at the Shopkeeper, perfectly aware he isn't referring to Ichigo this time.
"Captain Ukitake didn't." Rukia says hesitantly, she folds her arms across her chest, "I trusted the Captain's judgement."
"I imagine he wouldn't. Captain Ukitake is an eternal optimist, yet also man plagued by more regrets than you and I could possibly imagine. If any man or woman had the opportunity to soothe just one of them, wouldn't they?"
Rukia doesn't respond, knowing perfectly well she feels the same.
"But I must ask what about you? What are your thoughts on the matter?" Kisuke inquires pointedly.
Rukia hesitates again, trying to formulate the words. "I have to admit when the Captain told me, I had my doubts. And hopes too, terrifying as they were. Even after our encounter, after Kaien saved my life from the Espada, he did so while wearing a Hollow mask. He'd proudly identified himself a Visored. Visoreds are criminals and terrorists, or so the story goes. No matter how hard I tried to puzzle it all out, I'd always come to the same conclusion that he'd betrayed everyone somehow, either willfully or through some form of coercion. Maybe an exploited life debt. But the accusation tasted wrong. I knew there had to be more to the story."
"And now?" Kisuke observes her carefully.
Rukia meets his eyes steadily, "After speaking with Kaien, hearing the things he told me about that incident... not just the fight against Metastacia but the Hollowfication incident a century ago. Coupled with Aizen's involvement, everything only made too much sense. He was trying to exonerate all of you. But Aizen sprung a trap on him before he could and silenced the last dissenting voice against him."
"That is indeed how our sad little tale unfolds I'm afraid," Kisuke laments quietly, "But I presume you're still concerned that he now carries a Hollow within him?"
"The Lieutenant's obviously managed these past sixty years, but... I suppose I'm only worried. Perhaps. rightly so." Rukia admits.
Rukia wasn't privy to the official reports, but she had heard rumours about Ichigo looking control of himself during his battle with Byakuya. Then there's Metastacia's corrupted visage, a sight forever engraved into her memory; that malformed ghoulish effigy deprived of all light, reason and humanity, leaping towards her with murder in its fangs. A twisted visage she hopes never to see again.
Kisuke then offers Rukia utmost sincerity, "For whatever it's worth, allow me to offer this reassurance; despite numerous unavoidable physical changes, the colour of his heart remains the same."
Numerous physical changes? Was that meant to imply there was more to Kaien now than the ability to summon a Hollow mask? Rukia remembers he joked about 'being built different' when they spoke. She simply believed it was his characteristic manner of using jovial humour to make an uncomfortable subject more palatable. But was it only that? Was that really an innocuous comment or was it a casual admission of something more?
Kisuke continues, interrupting her train of thought, "After we'd found him, for certain, Kaien was lost for a time. Who wouldn't be after enduring such a harrowing trial? But he is still the man he always was at his core. As for the Hollow within, it's a power he's mastered; like Shikai or Bankai. I guarantee you his grasp on that power is far better than most. What's the old expression? Give a Shiba a new toy in the morning, he'll be making fireworks by midday."
Rukia clears her throat to stifle the involuntary snort of amusement, even then her good humour fades in a flash.
"Harrowing trial, as though coming back from the dead was as easy as overcoming a bad case of food poisoning or the flu." Rukia shakes her head, trying to crush down the weight of guilt deep in her own heart.
On a suspicion she asks, "Were you the one who brought him back to life?"
"Though it may appear that way; all I did was administer a vaccine and show him the path back home. His determination and will carried him the rest of the way." Kisuke answers honestly, his gaze lowers.
"I see," Rukia falls silent, contemplating his words, "At any rate, he only told me a little but I should thank you for liberating him from that hell. And doubtlessly, you have the gratitude of the Thirteenth Division. But I do have ask: do you have no idea what brought him back?"
Kisuke shakes his head.
"With assistance we'd managed to restore his sanity, so for certain definitions, yes. On the other hand, restoring an individual to life is another matter entirely. I admit to having several hypotheses about what might've been the catalyst for his survival. Each are as unlikely as the last, but there are precious few powers in this world, or any other, that can reawaken the dead." Kisuke replies somberly, "However, I believe you can intuit why he chose to remain in hiding for so many years, or rather why we'd convinced him of its necessity. And why he only chose the recent months to reveal himself again."
"Aizen." Rukia guesses, not that she needed to.
"Correct. Among other things."
Rukia frowns at first but her eyes widen in realization, "Wait, with Aizen gone, that means any obstacles that prevented him from contacting us would've been removed. Does that mean you knew he'd go after the combat pass the second Ichigo returned to the world of the living? If secrecy had been so paramount, for himself and the other Visoreds, why did you allow him to use it at all?" Rukia questions.
Kisuke says nothing, an indulgent half-smile pulling at his lips.
Rukia chuckles quietly to herself. "Wait, no. Let me guess; you didn't bother trying to stop him because he'd stubbornly barrel through any and all objections."
"What do you expect me to say, Ms Kuchiki? They truly are like-minded souls, Ichigo and Lieutenant Shiba." Kisuke points out with amusement and perhaps a fond exasperation too, "Impossible to change their minds once their course is set and damn the consequences. Pursuing their goals with such single-minded zeal its impossible not to get swept up in their wake. You could practically claim it as a family trait."
Rukia's eyes snap wide, "Family trait? Wait, you couldn't possibly mean to suggest-?!"
"Oh come now, Ms Kuchiki. Surely you don't believe their resemblance was mere coincidence?" Kisuke teases, making a show of shaking his head while tutting. "I'm disappointed, I thought for certain you'd of figured it out all-"
"You're putting words in my mouth." Rukia interrupts, despite her annoyance at his semi-condescension she smiles to herself, "I think that... I might have already known in some way. On some instinctually level, you could say. Part of me wished to dismiss it as some magnificent coincidence. But like you said, they are very much alike. I suppose I'm surprised that I'm as shocked as I am at that comment."
Rukia actually chuckles, with that conformation in mind, it explained practically everything about certain unusual attributes about Ichigo. "It's so astonishingly obvious that a blind man could see it when you give it more than a minute's thought. But I have to ask; does... Ichigo... ?"
"They have been spending a great deal of time together lately, I imagine its cropped up once or twice." Kisuke is sly as ever. Especially when a simple 'Yes' would've sufficed.
It explained Kaien's comment early too. That should things come to a head, Kaien would stand by Ichigo. A stance that makes too much sense when one accounts for the fact they are blood kin. The Shiba were loyal to their family above all.
"Heh. He really hasn't changed then." Rukia says, feeling some intangible irrational dread slip away.
Kisuke agrees but he becomes stern once more, "But if we may segue back onto the other subject matter at hand; the Asauchi."
Instantly, Rukia's mood drops, "What do you suggest?"
"Leave it with me," Kisuke instructs patiently, "When Ichigo has recovered, which I don't doubt will take a week at minimum, I'll inform him that my contacts have managed to ship me the sword for his use. After which time, I'll present him with the blade and your illusion will remain intact for a while longer."
"I don't really have much of a choice. Though I'm not particularly enthused by the idea of simply leaving it unattended." Rukia remarks grimly, "What if Ichigo or anyone else discovers you have it before you're ready? Won't that raise uncomfortable questions for you? And how you managed to get your hands on it? As you pointed out, they're heavily monitored goods."
"I promise you I have the ability to be quite discreet when I wish to be." Urahara reassures, "I have means to keep it well hidden from prying eyes."
It doesn't sit well with Rukia, even if she had a similar idea herself. Captain Ukitake might object to her entrusting an important piece of equipment to someone who's technically still an exile, but the Captain is an understanding man. He'd understand the necessity of the situation, and between Kaien and Ichigo, Ichigo definitely needed it more.
Rukia nods, "Understood, I'll get it for you. Please ensure you keep it out of sight. I don't want to end up in a jail cell again."
Author's note:
One Asauchi coming right up!
Edited: 27/4/2023 - Cleaned up the chapter's grammatical errors and spruced up the language a little.
Regards,
Aurora313