Chapter 6: Keeping the Peace
As Ichigo and Yoruichi are running through the Seireitei, they come across Rukia and Byakuya at an intersection. Rukia gives a saddened look, but Ichigo gives a determined one. They go their separate ways again.
Ichigo and Yoruichi continue to search. The two even head to the Rukongai. They search crowds and make it to a clearing. Ichigo then receives a call from his phone.
"We've located her," says Byakuya.
"Is she alright?" asks Ichigo.
"She exhibits no signs of harm. You may come to the Kuchiki Manor to visit her."
Ichigo hangs up and looks at Yoruichi. "They've found her."
"Well thank goodness for that."
—
"I'm fine, really! Oh, that's plenty, I can't eat anymore!" says Orihime to the servants of the Kuchiki Manor offering her sweets.
Rukia is standing by as Orihime is sitting on the bed.
"Please, Inoue, it's the least we can do," says Rukia.
In the next moment, Ichigo and Yoruichi come into the room, and this startles Orihime.
"Kurosaki-kun! Yoruichi-san! I… I'm so sorry to have worried you."
"It's fine, Inoue," says Ichigo. "We're just glad that you're safe."
"What even happened?" asks Yoruichi. "And where's Kenpachi?"
Orihime looks down. "Zaraki-san… it looks like he still needs his space. But he never did try to hurt me! Actually he…"
Everyone is intrigued but Orihime keeps to herself.
"I'm sorry. I promised Zaraki-san that I wouldn't say anything more than that."
"Inoue…!" says Ichigo.
"But if I'm fine, there's no real incident right? Zaraki-san will be okay?"
"As this did not require further escalation, we are considering this matter to be closed," says Byakuya, entering the room. "It seems that Zaraki-taichou has also now returned to his duties."
"So he's back at Squad 11?" asks Ichigo.
"Ichigo!" says Rukia, as they watch him start walking.
"Kurosaki-kun, please!" says Orihime, and Ichigo turns back to see a teary-eyed Orihime.
"Please let Zaraki-san be. I'm okay, really. Please, Kurosaki-kun."
Ichigo looks down and says, "I understand. Sorry for worrying you, Inoue."
He heads out of the room, and Orihime looks troubled.
As Ichigo is walking outside, he recalls Tatsuki's words:
Orihime… She's always thinking about others' happiness first, so much that it overwhelms her and often makes her cry.
She'll even excuse other people's behaviour to keep the peace. You know it, too, don't you?
Maybe she can excuse others' behaviour to keep the peace, but I can't, Ichigo thinks, heading out.
—
Ichigo heads to Squad 11 and is a bit weirded out by the situation.
Masks? he wonders as he walks through.
"Yo, Ichigo," says Ikkaku, sitting on the roof above. He also seems to have a mask, though lifted atop his shaven head.
"Ikkaku," says Ichigo. "I want to speak to Kenpachi."
Ikkaku makes a face. "I'd advise that you not sour our Captain's mood right now."
"Ikkaku!" Ichigo says.
"I know, I know, he didn't have to involve your friend. We feel that way, too. But everything is fine now. Can't you just let things rest?"
"What's all the commotion out here?" asks Kenpachi, who appears to be wearing one of the masks.
Both Ichigo and Ikkaku are thrown off by his appearance.