It's hunting season. Part I.
(Post-Fullbringer Arc)
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Ichigo finds out from Karin where she was when she was attacked but she can't remember what the guy looks like. He heads for the alley way once Isshin and Yuzu are up to date with everything. They weren't please and kept nagging for more answers but he shuts them down every turn just reminding them that this is a problem he's gonna fix.
Orihime left to go home just an hour before who called him moments ago to let him know she'll be staying at Uraharas until her kitchen is fixed. The smell in her apartment from the fire is too much to stay in at the moment. He's just glad no one was hurt, they completely spaced out the oven being on once they heard Karin was hurt.
He walks into the alley and notices the blood dried on the ground. His gut clenches tightly, guilt eating him alive. This was all on him. He closes his eyes and he's pulled into his inner world without warning.
Ichigo blinks. He's on the side of a skyscraper and the clouds are not the beautiful blue they used to be. Instead it's looking ready to storm, or have a tornado...
'King.' Zangetsu appears before him, robes bustling in the wind. 'Mind clearing up the skies?'
Ichigo rolls his eyes, "You know I can't control that."
'Oh ya? So ya mean once you stab the man who stabbed your sister this won't clear up?' A loud patronizing laugh comes from the white haired hollow version of himself.
"Shut up... you know where I can find the scumbag? By all means, be of some use to me for once!" Ichigo glares.
'What fun would that do ya? That's the best part of defeating your enemy, it's hunting them!'
Zangetsu returns the glare.
'Use your senses you were taught. Or have you been smoking so much you forgot how to do that? Come on, be of some use for once!' Zangetsu takes his sword and lunges at him striking down.
Ichigo meets his attack with his own sword. "I don't have time for a lecture!" He huffs and turns away. "I'm leaving."
'Remember Ichigo... hunting is the best part,' He hears the laugh echo throughout his head. 'Ya used to be good at that.'
Ichigo opens his eyes and he's still standing in the alley way and when he looks up he finds something he didn't pay attention to before. He walks over and picks up the empty can, the brand called MELLO getting his attention.
Could be the guy who stabbed Karin.. maybe he was drinking this while he waited. "Fuck!" He slams the can on the ground.
—-
Orihime is sipping a cup of tea in Urahara's guest room along with Rukia, Renji, Yoruichi. They were going over what happened to Karin and the discussion that was had. Orihime didn't want to let them know but hesitantly told them anyway, Captain Hitsugaya was probably going to say something anyway. She still felt like she was backstabbing Ichigo, she also didn't see anything wrong with Ichigo smoking now and again.
She closes her eyes. How can she judge him after everything they have been through? Easy answer, she can't. He deserves everything. She loves him.
"You did the right thing, Orihime." Yoruichi consoles her rubbing her shoulder. "We know it's not his fault. But he does need to cool his jets on smoking so much, especially if it's got thugs coming after his family."
"Obviously." Renji grunts. "Where is he anyway?"
"Out looking for clues on who did it." Orihime says. "Karin doesn't remember her attackers face."
"I'm sure that won't stop him. I better go after him." Renji stands up ready to head out. "Wait." Urahara stops the red head. "I think you should take this."
The ex-Captain going over to a drawer in the room and takes out a black box looking device with two prongs at the end and gives one to Rukia and Renji.
"What is it?" Renji asks looking at it confused.
"It's a stun gun, you're gonna want to use this on the humans instead." He smiles, eyes glinting. "I suggest the groin and face."
"Thanks, but I prefer my sword." Renji states. Rukia scoffs and smacks him.
"You know we can't actually kill these guys." She puts hers away.
"That's right, or there might be serious repercussions for killing a human."
Renji laughs, "Oh is that right? After everything we got away with we care about rules now?"
Orihime can't help but smile at that. After healing Karen she was shook up with how bad the girl was hurt. She knows without a doubt Ichigo's sister was close to dying. For the first time in her life she felt disdain and she wanted the people responsible punished, and she knows she can rely on Renji and even Toshiro to help Ichigo with this.
Rukia will be good to hold them in line... or at least cover up the crime. She looks over to Yoruichi who is sharing a look with Urahara.
"Just be careful." Yoruichi says firmly. "Humans are messy creatures and we don't need any more problems. I'll be handling the Hollows in the area with Urahara."
Orihime sets down her cup. "I'm going to go get Chad and Uryu."
"Let's meet back here later tonight, or if you have new information." Urahara closes his fan and gets up himself. "Remember, no killing please!" His smile is strained.
—-
"I told you to wait for me!"
"Yeah well.." He spits.
Ichigo is sitting down on the ground. His lip split and nose bleeding, shirt torn, and six thugs all knocked out across the ground of the warehouse.
"You took too long."
"You know if one of these guys are the ones who did it?" Toshiro glares at the scum around him. The one guy who is moaning some has Toshiro walking over to him then kicking him in the gut silencing him.
"No, but I'm going after every single one of them. Want to help?" Ichigo looks over to the Captain.
"You don't have to ask." Toshiro says before looking over to the new comers.
"We're coming too!" Renji shouts from the doorway. Rukia, Chad, Ishida and Orihime walk over to them.
"Then let the hunt begin." Ichigo growls.