Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 14

Kisuke observed the young man as he looked over the data he had given him. He had no doubt Ichigo was a Shiba, not with his looks, and yet he acted very little like most Shiba's Kisuke had known over the centuries. He'd seen the full file Sōsuke had compiled on the boy and there were more gaps in it than facts. He was a very unique being. He'd theorised a few times that his existence seemed to confirm which was amazing and had him itching to run tests.

He was smart, that much was obvious as they worked together. Then again, he'd made it part way through a medical degree and that wasn't easy. He wasn't a scientist, but they could work together, after all, Kisuke wasn't a doctor so for this project their different knowledge bases were useful. Maybe between the two of them they could come up with a cure for Ukitake.

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Shunsui paced his office, ignoring Nanao as she hovered worriedly, paperwork at hand. There had been no sign of Jūshirō anywhere, alive or dead, at least according to the Central 46. Would they tell the truth? Was his best friend, his brother, out there somewhere dying alone?

"Well, go one then," Nanao suddenly snapped at him and he blinked at her. "I can handle the Division, just find him," she smirked slightly, and he laughed but grabbed his hat and left the office.

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Karin smirked, watching as Yuzu drew Ichigo into playing with her while they worked. Being in the base was good for him, he'd relaxed a lot and he was definitely healthier. It was weird how easily he fit in with them, helping out in the kitchen as if he'd always been there. He felt…safe, had since the first day he'd arrived. Watching him with Yuzu, he really did look like a part of their family. Dad had said he was likely related to the Shiba, but it was more than that. She just couldn't figure out what.

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Sōsuke read the latest reports and then sighed, getting up to look out the window. So far, there were no sign of Kyōraku or any teams looking for Ukitake. How long would that last? The two men had been best friends for longer than most had been alive, as close as brothers, or if rumours were to be believed, lovers. He'd never seen anything to confirm or deny that idea. It didn't matter, either way, the man would search for Ukitake and if he tracked him to them then they needed to be able to get him to listen. He had no doubt they could defeat the Captain but not without some damage.

"Ya think we should have sent him back?" Shinji asked, tipping his own chair back.

"Ukitake could be a very useful ally to have," he admitted. "It's Kyōraku's reaction that has me concerned. I doubt he will be in a listening mood when he arrives."

"You're that sure he'll realise we have him?"

"You think he won't?" He may act lazy and try to sleep through his work, but he was incredibly smart and powerful. He'd been exposed to Sōsuke's Shikai before, but Soul society knew what it did and there was always a chance, a slim one but still a chance, that someone had worked out a counter.

"If we can get him on side though…" Shinji shrugged.

It would be quite the coup to have the Soutaichou's students with them, other than Yamamoto and Unohana they were the oldest Captains still with Soul Society. Would it be enough to stop the fighting? He doubted it but it might cause more people to consider that maybe they weren't the monster the Central 46 portrayed them as.

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Shunsui made his way through the abandoned town, hand on his Zanpakutō the whole time. He knew they had to have the place under surveillance but unless they wanted to send out Aizen or Hirako then he was likely to be left alone. There was a chance that Jūshirō was holed up in a damaged building somewhere.

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"Kyōraku-taichou is in the city!" Kanō called as he burst into the office.

"Where?" Shinji stood up, ready to move.

"Near the old high school."

Shinji looked to Sōsuke who frowned but then nodded and Shinji took off for the school, snagging Kensei on the way as back up, just to be safe. They moved swiftly towards the school; senses stretched to pick up on anyone else. Kyōraku was supressing his Reiatsu but he was a Captain and it was impossible to fully hide without using one of Kisuke's special close. He motioned for Kensei to take up a spot to watch at a distance and then appeared before his one-time friend, at least he had considered them friends.

"Fancy seeing you here Kyōraku-taichou," he greeted, seeing the other mans hand tighten on his Zanpakutō. He raised his own, keeping them away from Sakanade. "Relax, I come in peace, I don't want a fight."

"And why should I believe you?" he asked warily.

"Because we stopped the poison that was killing Ukitake?" he offered and Kyōraku tensed, eyes narrowing in anger. "He's still sick, but someone's been poisoning him for around one and a half centuries. All we've done is give him medical aid, he's been spending time with young Rukia now that he's awake."

"So you've got her too."

"Found her stumbling around with no food or water. She's fine," he carefully drew out a photo from a pocket and tossed it over. It was a picture of Rukia sitting at Ukitake's bedside and Kyōraku carefully picked it up.

"What do you want?" he asked suspiciously.

"Peace," Shinji shrugged. "We didn't start this war and we never wanted it. We aren't monsters. Do I look like a raging Hollow to you?"

"No," Kyōraku admitted after a minute. "But this whole thing could be one of Aizen's illusions or anything."

"Well, you've got a few choices here. Option one; we fight which would be a pain and I will point out I'm not here alone. Two; you come with me peacefully and see them both for yourself and then we either let you go, or you can stay and see the truth. Three; we part peacefully right here. So what'll it be?"

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Shunsui stared at the man who had once been his comrade, his friend. He hadn't seen him since before the experiments and how could he be sure he was seeing him now? Aizen hadn't taken the field except for that attack on their base in several years but against him? Yeah, his being there could draw him out. So did he trust what he was seeing and hearing or not? He would have trusted the Shinji he knew but this Shinji held a Hollow within him, waged war against his own comrades…his own Division, those that hadn't followed him in deserting anyway. Could he trust a word he said?

Shinji was different, serious in a way he had very, very rarely ever been. His hair had been cut a lot shorter at some point, but the brown eyes were the same, even if it was odd seeing him without his uniform. There was nothing about him that screamed soul eating monster. He seemed…sane and in control. Was everything they supposedly knew wrong?

They had Jūshirō and Rukia though, what else could he do but agree? "Alright, guess I get to see the famous rebel base." Nanao was going to kill him for taking the risk but what choice did he have?

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Sōsuke glanced at the message Kensei had sent, they were bringing Kyōraku in. this was either the biggest mistake ever or the chance to begin bringing things to an end. Everything was changing and it all began with young Ichigo. What would happen next? Yamamoto coming to surrender? Central 46 dropping dead? The Soul King showing up to stop the war?

He went down to meet them when they arrived, sending a message to Kisuke to have young Rukia and Ichigo with Ukitake. Even if he'd heard Ichigo described, seeing him in the flesh would likely be enough to throw him off balance for a moment, just in case he was thinking of trying something.

He saw the three enter and was surprised to see Kyōraku without his pink kimono, Captain's haori, or hat. He didn't think he'd ever seen him without them, but he'd likely ditched them so that he wouldn't stand out as much when he left Soul Society because he doubted very much he had permission to leave.

"Kyōraku-taichou," he greeted.

The older man studied him warily. "Aizen." His greeting was tense and lacked any honorifics but that wasn't surprising.

"Your word there will be no violence? We have wounded and children here," he warned and saw the surprise at that but Kyōraku eventually nodded.

"I won't start anything," he offered and Sōsuke nodded, that was fair and the best he'd get from the man.

"I believe Kisuke is currently with Ukitake, he and Ichigo are working together to see if there is anything more that can be done for him."

"This way," Shinji motioned and Kyōraku eyed him again before following Shinji towards their small hospital.

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Shunsui followed Shinji into a building, seeing the way everyone around stared at him with fear which was uncomfortable. He wasn't used to having so many look at him like that, but he was their enemy. And there was the proof there really were kids in the base, a teenage girl stopping and staring with wide eyes before rushing away.

Then a young man appeared in the doorway to one of the rooms once they were in the building, watching them through glasses, distaste and anger clear. He glanced at Shinji before turning and going back into the room.

"Don't take that personally, Ishida has good reason to hate Shinigami after what Kurotsuchi did to his Grandfather."

"Kurotsuchi?" he asked in confusion.

"About five or six years ago, he got his hands on the soul of a Quincy."

"That boy…"

"Is the second last Quincy and he knows what was done to his Grandfather," Shinji told him before reaching for a doorknob. ""In here." He opened it and stepped back.

Shunsui glanced at him and then stepped inside, immediately looking at the bed where Jūshirō was sitting up, Rukia at his side while Urahara did something with some equipment. Shunsui stared in shock at the young man with him, Kaien? No…this had to be the boy, Ichigo….the resemblance really was amazing though.

Jūshirō looked up and green eyes widened in shock. "Shunsui?"

He moved to the bed and hugged him. "Don't you ever do that to me again!"

TBC…