10 advanced chapters on my Patreon: Fiction Haven
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Ichigo and Retsu spent the entire sunrise looking at each other in the eye. Their maniacal gaze had disappeared, replaced by a soft and playful gaze. They didn't forget what ended fifteen minutes earlier but didn't think much of it. They accepted that had happened and there was no need for further discussion.
"I am planning to marry Yoruichi," Ichigo began, causing Retsu to raise a delicate eyebrow. "We are nothing as of yet, but it still makes me wonder if I am betraying her. What are we?"
"We are what you want to be, Ichigo-kun," Retsu intoned softly. "You are an adult. You don't need verbal confirmation to know what is going on."
"Do you think Yoruichi thinks that way too?" Ichigo hummed. "Then, am I cheating on her?"
"Shinigami are not human, no matter how similar we look. We lived once and accept that we are no longer alive. We have long abandoned the way of the living. Similar as it may be our culture, we possess different moral values and ethics. No one bats an eyelash at whom you pair with unless you are a noble."
"Are you insinuating that Yoruichi won't mind me two-timing?"
"I can't say about that. People, after all, still have preferences," Retsu shook her head faintly. "But I won't mind. As long as I find the reason why you have to do it, I will let you care for another woman. When it gets annoying, I will remove the variables. You may hate me, but you won't run away from me. I will make sure you can't," she finished with a face-splitting eerie smile.
"Hm. You are so cute, you know," Ichigo smiled softly as he caressed Retsu's hair.
They got out of bed when they got down from their madness-induced state. Retsu took a bath first as she was to leave for Soul Society with her subordinates. She didn't need to take a bath but liked the feeling. Besides, she was living among the living, so it was only proper to live like one even though Ichigo's family knew she was a Shinigami.
Ichigo got out of his room and went downstairs. He found Rukia helping Yuzu in the kitchen. His presence alerted Rukia, prompting her to look at him. Rukia's cheeks reddened and she immediately turned her head away. Ichigo wondered briefly what made her so flustered before realizing Retsu had accidentally torn his T-shirt during their makeout session, leaving him bare-chested.
Ignoring the midget, Ichigo went behind Yuzu and hugged her. Yuzu yelped but soon leaned on Ichigo.
"Morning, Onii-chan."
"Morning, Yuzu. You seem to be cooking a sumptuous meal."
"Yes, it is. Your favorite food!"
"Do you need any help?"
"No, please, sit down and wait."
Ichigo nodded and bent down to kiss Yuzu's head. He had gotten too tall, so it was quite a chore to do that. Was it inconvenient? No. He would never deem anything he had to do for his sisters an inconvenience. He had lost the chance to treat his sister right in his last life. He knew how painful it had felt—it scarred him—so he didn't want to miss another chance.
Ichigo waited on the sofa, ignoring the subtle glances Rukia sent him. Retsu finished her bath not long after and Ichigo immediately took his turn. A few minutes later, he was in the dining room with everyone, dressed in his school uniform. They ate breakfast mostly in silence. Only Ichigo actively engaged with Yuzu's animated conversation. Karin and Retsu would occasionally join in, but Rukia remained silent.
"Are you not told to return to, Rukia?" Ichigo spoke to her for the first time since the morning.
Rukia frowned before answering, "We are told to keep looking over Karakura until further notice. Aizen is much too unpredictable; he might invade us any time soon. It is better to keep watch."
Rukia didn't know about the upcoming Las Noches Conquest. Although Retsu told Ichigo that Tōshirō had informed her about it privately, the talk confirmed that Rukia wouldn't join them in Hueco Mundo. That was a good decision. Rukia might be somewhat awesome in the future with her Bankai that developed out of nowhere, but she was still inadequate. She would do better in the Human World.
The breakfast was done and Ichigo left with Retsu. Their meeting point was Ishida Hospital where the 300 victims of the second Arrancar Invasion—had been reduced to 278 people—were admitted. Among the subordinates that Retsu brought with her was Hanataro. The meek medic greeted him cordially whereas the rest reverently.
Ichigo acknowledged the greeting with a nod before clawing at his face. His Hollow Mask covered his head, causing Retsu's subordinates to flinch. Ichigo didn't want to scare them, but he had to do it. His Hollow power was suppressed while he was in his physical body, so he had to call out the mask to perform Descorrer.
Ichigo flicked the air, opening the Garganta. He got into the tear first, followed by Retsu soon after. The others followed suit. They trailed behind him, maintaining a respectful distance. They reached the other end of the tunnel and stepped into the light. They arrived at Soul Society. Retsu bade farewell to Ichigo who was still inside the Garganta and watched as the tear closed up. With a serene smile on her face, she led her subordinate and went to give Yamamoto her report.
A few minutes later, Ichigo arrived at school. The bell rang as soon as he stepped into the building. Misato was already in the classroom when he arrived. Her eyes lingered on him longer than she intended, but she allowed him in without a fuss. Ichigo sat down and listened to the lecture. The class ended without conflicts.
Everyone gathered around his seat when recess came. All of them had a curious look, but only a few dared ask questions. Ichigo answered their questions with fabricated agendas before excusing himself to have lunch. Sado, Orihime, Rukia, Renji, Uryū, Rangiku, and Tōshirō followed after him as soon as he walked out.
Rangiku and Orihime occupied Ichigo's sides when they settled on the rooftop. Rukia looked slightly miffed but only scoffed at what she saw. Everyone took out their lunch. They ate silently, listening to Orihime talk about her recent failed dish and occasionally chipping in. They agreed that Orihime shouldn't be let near the kitchen.
Bang!
"We heard about the expedition! Are we going to be invited?"
"I am not interested in the expedition. I am here to make sure this idiot doesn't drag me along with him."
Ikkaku and Yumichika joined the group on the rooftop. The mention of the expedition caused many to frown, Tōshirō included. A dissatisfied look flashed across the petit captain's face as he glared at the bald Shinigami. The information wasn't necessarily classified, but that didn't mean you could casually spew about it.
"What expedition are you talking about?" Renji asked.
"Ichigo is going to lead an expedition to Hueco Mundo under the request of Gotei 13," Ikkaku answered, pointing at Ichigo.
Tōshirō sighed and Ichigo remained silent. The Shinigami turned their questioning looks to Tōshirō who ended up explaining the situation begrudgingly. The more rational ones like Rukia and Uryū remained silent whereas the brave ones like Renji and Sado expressed their intention to participate.
"I am not interested in the Shinigami business, but I think it is better to stay. Aizen's whereabouts are still unknown. Let the powerhouses deal with Las Noches and the rest should protect Karakura. In the worst-case scenario, even if we don't have many powerhouses in our hands, we at least have many people to counter Aizen," Uryū stated.
"I will follow Ichigo where he goes," Sado grunted. "I won't become a burden this time."
"Eh…I am not sure," Orihime muttered uncomfortably even though no one was pushing her to participate.
"Don't get too worked up. I am not the one who decides who can or can't go," Ichigo waved his hand dismissively. "The team will be designated by Gotei 13. My sole job is to guide them. Of course, they can't stop me if I want to bring some people." He turned to Tōshirō. "Do you happen to know whom my team will consist of?"
"Captain Kurotsuchi has expressed his unbridled interest in experimenting on Arrancars; I assume he will be part of the team."
"If he dies, it will be an accident, right?" Ichigo sneered faintly.
"What is that supposed to mean, Kurosaki?" Tōshirō's eyes narrowed.
"Haha! Just a tasteless joke. You won't get it unless your people have fallen victim to that clown's experimentation," Ichigo waved his hand with a smile but cold eyes.
Tōshirō stiffened and wisely dropped the matter. Uryū sneered openly but didn't say anything. The atmosphere was tense with no one saying anything for a moment. It took Orihime to talk about her horrendous idea for a dish to restore the atmosphere. Ichigo and Uryū remained quiet. Uryū was thinking about Ichigo's opinion of Mayuri whom he also hated meanwhile Ichigo was thinking about the people he would bring to Hueco Mundo.
Orihime should stay. Ichigo couldn't risk Aizen snatching her in Hueco Mundo. Uryū didn't seem to want to leave, so Ichigo would let him be. Sado wouldn't necessarily be helpful, but Ichigo wanted to train the gentle giant. Sado might not be able to go up against stronger Espada, but his power would benefit the Human World greatly if trained well.
The bell rang and recess ended. A decision was made.