The Broken Souls of the Seireitei

A/N: I really tried to finish this, but I want all of the info to be in one chapter, so this is like half done. More will be posted VERY soon. And ARIGATO to Tite Kubo for finally telling us some of the divisions the vizards were in. I was waiting around on that because it will be pivotal to this story. Thanks for reading and hope you all N'joi.


***Thanks, Orion Shadow, for being my extra set of eyes***



Ichigo found himself smiling as he walked to the 6th division. He was glad that his taicho gave him permission to go visit with Byakuya, and that he didn’t ask questions about why he wanted to go. He never took Toshiro to be the nosy type anyway, but Byakuya had briefly taken him aside after the meeting broke and sternly reminded him to obey Toshiro, and then jokingly added to treat his taicho better than he had ever treated Isshin. Eyes rolling and hands roaming for pockets to be shoved inside of, Ichigo grumbled agreeably. A tickling finger traced his hand and he looked and saw stars dancing in Byakuya’s eyes, stars that made him blush. The elder simply winked at the dumbfounded teen and sauntered away, Renji in tow. Ichigo’s heart fluttered, but only for a moment as he spotted the despondent looks on his sisters’ faces. Karin looked more angry than sad, but Yuzu looked as if someone had shot her. And as for father of the year, he had already swooped Kira up and was dragging him back to the 3rd.

Ichigo walked up the creaky steps to the main office of the 6th and didn’t bother to knock as he walked inside, through the foyer, and to Byakuya’s office. He briefly noticed the stoic scrolls and paintings that were hanging in the hall, probably some heirlooms from Kuchiki manor. He paused and gingerly fingered one of the scrolls before Renji jumped out at him, scaring the crap out of him.

“I thought I smelled pussy,” Renji joked, punching Ichigo on the arm.

“Nah, that’s just your upper lip,” Ichigo smirked and punched him back, and soon they were tussling in the hallway.

“Abarai fukutaicho! What the hell are you doing?” Byakuya’s irritated voice floated over to them and Renji shoved Ichigo off of him and tried to walk back to his taicho’s office, only to have Ichigo grab him by his left leg and pull, causing Renji to fall down inside Byakuya’s doorway.

“Get off of me!!” Renji yelled, kicking his free leg at Ichigo.

“Fuck you!” Byakuya stifled a laugh at Ichigo’s retort.

“Fuck you!” Renji screamed, wiggling away from the teenager’s grasp. Byakuya had enough. He walked from behind his desk, making Renji nervous. He knew his time had come, and quickly prayed that he would make a pretty corpse. Byakuya stuck his head out of his office and stifled another laugh at seeing Ichigo wrapped around Renji’s leg for dear life.

“Kurosaki fukutaicho. Does Hitsugaya taicho know you are here accosting my fukutaicho?” Byakuya’s tone was dry and cold, and it made Ichigo furrow his brow. He released his death grip on Renji’s leg and drew up on his knees.

“Yah.” The teen gave a careless shrug, and it annoyed Byakuya. He tried a more direct approach.

“Why are you here, Kurosaki fukutaicho?” The words came off harsher than he meant, and he paused at seeing Ichigo’s face fall.

“I wanted to see you. And I have. Nothing has changed, apparently.” The last phrase hit Byakuya upside the head and Ichigo stood, brushing his hakama off. He turned, and was surprised to see Byakuya in front of him. He forgot he could move that fast.

“I didn’t mean that the way it probably sounded. I just…” Byakuya met his eyes but then looked away. “I just don’t want you getting in trouble to come and see me.” The finality was small and quiet, and Ichigo gave him a gentle smile.

“I know, and thanks for trying to keep me from getting detention with Toshiro taicho. But he was glad to see me leave, I think. He probably misses his Matsu-Matsu.” Ichigo leaned against the hallway wall and smiled at Byakuya while he fingered the green scarf around his neck. “Can I at least kiss you?”

Byakuya peered back into his office at Renji, who was pretending to sign his paperwork. “Abarai fukutaicho!”

“Yes, taicho?” Renji squeaked, his voice several octaves higher. Byakuya nodded his head. “You can leave. You’ve been a good slave today.” Renji’s ears colored, but he nodded and stacked his paperwork neatly before walking back out into the hall.

“Hey, there’s gonna be another get together tonight at Tsumiyo’s, if you guys would like to come. Hopefully Momo and crew won’t be there to show their asses. Thank you for letting me off early, Kuchiki taicho. Have a great night,” Renji said, giving him a small bow. Byakuya nodded at him and Renji took the opportunity to punch Ichigo in the back before running off laughing.

“Aren’t you gonna go beat him up and defend my honor?” Ichigo demanded, pointing at the quickly departing Abarai. All he received was a coy smile in return.

“You deserved that punch. You shouldn‘t have been humping his leg like that.”

Ichigo’s mouth hung open. “That ain’t fair. You’re such a jealous hime bitch. Would you rather me be humping your leg?”

Byakuya pretended to be bored. “Been there, done that. Bought a haori that said it. Wore it. And then I- ”

“Okay! I get it. Just shut up and kiss me; that’s all I came for. Just to make out and stuff. If I wanted to talk to a Kuchiki, I’d go find Rukia.” Byakuya laughed at the impatient teen and bent down and gave him a gentle peck on the forehead.

The teen was incensed. “You treat me like crap when I get here and that’s all I get? I’ve had relatives give me sexier kisses than that! You can do better,” Ichigo pushed, not noticing the ever darkening look in his lover’s eyes.

“Oh, something like this maybe?” Byakuya captured Ichigo’s lips in his, grabbing him and holding his body tightly against his own. Ichigo moaned at the contact of Byakuya gently rolling his hips, and felt his knees weaken when he opened his mouth to receive the hot thick tongue that begged for entrance. Byakuya cupped young ass cheeks and lifted the boy easily to carry him inside the office. As there were in all the divisions, there was a small anteroom that held a comfortable futon, a couple of changes of clothes, and also a small washroom to freshen up in case a night was spent in office trying to catch up on work. He closed the door and lay Ichigo down on the futon and smiled at him, giving him another mouth watering kiss. Hands roamed, pieces of clothing went flying, and soon, both men were naked and erect on the futon, writhing against each other.

“Ichi-koi…I really am sorry for being cross with you. I’d assume you realize I care deeply for you.” Byakuya’s words washed over Ichigo like warm rain, and he shuddered feeling the breath on his sensitive neck.

“I know. I probably shouldn’t have fought with Renji. We can be rather rambunctious together.”

Byakuya laughed. “It reminds me of myself and Kenpachi-san. He brings out all of my character flaws, but he is wonderful company.”

Ichigo pouted. “Not better company than moi.”

Byakuya smiled, rubbing his nose against Ichigo’s. “No, not at all. Kenpachi-san doesn’t let me kiss on him.” Byakuya’s face looked mischievous and Ichigo cocked his head and stared at him, but received nothing in return. Kuchiki grinned. “Are we going to go join the other derelicts tonight?”

Ichigo shrugged. “I was kinda wanting to just spend time in you. I mean with you.” He returned the mischievous grin and reached to kiss Byakuya again. He rolled on top of him and straddled him, kissing his pale neck softly, making him moan.

“Niisama! Are you here? Where you at?! Bya-kun! Where are you?” Rukia’s voice filled the office, and the door knob was clicking as she was trying to unlock the door.

“Shit!” Byakuya practically threw Ichigo off of him and cleared his voice. “Rukia-chan, what is wrong?”

“Are you using the bathroom?”

Byakuya blushed and threw a pillow at Ichigo, who was silently laughing. “No…”

More door knob jiggling. “So what are you doing? Why can’t I come in?” Her voice was whiny, and it was killing his erection.

“Rukia. What do you want?” The voice was testy, and Rukia just would not go away.

“Are you fucking Ichigo? I can’t find him either. Ichigo?”

“What? What?!!” Ichigo answered both Rukia and then Byakuya when the latter gave him a death stare.

“Ichigo is in here with me, Rukia.”

Rukia paused. “So why didn’t you just tell me that before?”

Byakuya gritted his teeth. “Hold on one second,” He said to Ichigo before standing up and walking to the door. He cracked it open to look at his midget of an adopted sister.

“May I help you?” He asked, standing at an angle so it appeared he was just shirtless instead of completely naked. Rukia glared at him.

“Are you having sex?”

Byakuya bristled. “I was about to make a heartfelt attempt to. But someone keeps asking me questions.”

Rukia looked confused. “Oh, you mean me.” She chuckled, and if her brother had had on pants, he would have opened the door all the way to slap her. Instead, he took a deep breath and looked at her pointedly.

“Did you want something, Rukia-chan?”

“Yeah! Me and some of the others are going out tonight.”

Byakuya nodded. “Yes, I know, Renji already invited us.”

Rukia looked confused again. “Oh. I was just coming to let you know I was going to hang out, not really to invite you. I’m just kidding!” She exclaimed after Byakuya gave her a look that could kill. “Okay, okay, I’m going. Tell Ichigo I said hi, please.”

Byakuya turned toward his lover. “Rukia said hi, please.” Ichigo smiled and nodded. “Tell her I said go away.”

Byakuya smirked at Ichigo and turned back to Rukia. “I don’t mean to cut this short but I’ve been waiting all day for this.” He slammed and locked the door, making her chuckle in the process.
*******************

“Retsu! Retsu! Come out here!” Zaraki screamed through the 4th division, holding Nemu protectively on his chest. Iemura and Isane both came to see what was wrong, but he shoved both of them easily away, only wanting to deal with Retsu. Being the jealous twit that she was, Isane glared at Matsumoto, not noticing the poor, broken girl that was barely breathing in Zaraki’s arms. Casting hell glares at each other, Matsumoto and Isane stalked around each other as they passed in the waiting room, and even Iemura’s vivid diary details wouldn’t capture the red tinged reiatsu pouring from both women.

“Zaraki taicho, what is all this fuss? Have your boys been fighting again?” Retsu called from one of the rooms sweetly. She walked into the hall and nearly screamed at seeing the mangled child in Zaraki’s arms.

“Please help her, Retsu,” Zaraki nearly begged, frightened that Nemu hadn’t stirred in his arms for awhile. She beckoned for them to come into one of the side rooms, and he briefly turned when Matsumoto lagged behind.

“Come on, Ran! What are you waiting for?” He snapped, glaring at her. She gave Isane one last bitch stare down before walking into the room, closing the door.

Retsu had set about turning on lights and getting medical supplies to administer to Nemu. Zaraki lay her down on the bed gently, the now dried blood making their haori stick to each other. Retsu looked at him for a moment and sighed. “This is the work of Kurotsuchi taicho.”

Zaraki nodded slowly as he turned on a faucet and filled a bucket with warm water. “How did you know?”

Retsu paused and dipped a cloth into the water to clean Nemu’s face. “When he experimented on those Quincy, he did things like this to them, and tried to send them to me so that I could ‘fix’ them. Like a bad child that would purposely break his toys, wanting me to repair them. I hate him,” She vehemently declared, her voice dropping. Nemu was a sweet girl with a soft smile. Why would Mayuri do such a thing? She wanted to be sick, but it was her job to take care of the sick, not be one of them.

“Zaraki taicho. Can you step out for a moment? Matsumoto taicho and I need to undress her to assess her wounds. Once Matsu-sama helps me with that, you all can go wherever you need to.” Retsu nodded at Matsumoto and the buxom woman headed over to her mangled friend, nearly crying at seeing her lying there.

“Retsu.” Zaraki’s voice was low and serious. “Promise me that if he comes looking for her that you won’t release her to him.”

Retsu sighed. “She is his fukutaicho, and if he asks for her, I’d have to release her.”

Zaraki angrily shook his head, his reiatsu spiking.

“Kenpachi. I cannot keep him from her! Just think if Kusajishi fukutaicho was ill and I kept her from you. How would you feel?”

“I would never rape Yachiru.”

“I know that. But I’m saying I can’t keep her from her taicho. Maybe you all should do something about him.” She raised her eyes at Zaraki and pointed at the door. “I’ll send Matsumoto taicho out accordingly.”

Zaraki reddened and stormed out of the door. They heard him to tell someone to ‘get the fuck out of his face’ and guessed correctly the injured party was Isane. Retsu sighed and turned toward Nemu, who was breathing very shallowly.

“Help me take her haori off. Be careful, we don’t know the extent of her injuries,” Retsu said gently, removing the soiled clothing. Nemu jerked unconsciously, trying to scoot away from them. Retsu patted her soothingly and she stilled, allowing them to take the clothes off and clean her. Matsumoto’s hands shook as she removed her obi, grimacing at the dried blood and urine that had seeped into it. She felt tears fall from her eyes as she looked at her friend’s small, naked body. Huge eggplant colored bruises were all over Nemu’s neck, torso, arms, and legs, and her sides and back were a painful shade of red. Her pretty face was swollen and looked like she was trying to hold air in her cheeks. There were several cuts on her body also, and when Retsu parted Nemu’s legs to survey the vaginal damage, Matsumoto nearly vomited. Fresh blood seeped from the opening, and her anal cavity was just as bad. They cleaned Nemu as best they could, Matsumoto opting to wash and rinse Nemu’s hair, mostly because she couldn’t bear to look at the hell between the girl’s legs.

“Thank you for helping me with her. I know things between you and Kotetsu fukutaicho are terse at best, and I wanted to examine Kurotsuchi fukutaicho as soon as possible. I had given Hanataro an elixir to give to her for when things like this happen, but who knows? Perhaps he took it from her. But thank you again for your assistance.” Retsu turned back to Nemu, but was halted by a hand on her shoulder.

“Will she be alright?” Matsumoto’s voice was small and chibi-like, so unsure.

Retsu was silent. Matsumoto bit her lip and nodded, walking quietly out of the door. She barely noticed Isane, who was sitting on a chair, her face red and tear streaked. Zaraki was outside, pacing ruts into the ground. She walked up to him and placed a hand on his bicep, making him visibly relax.

“Is she gonna be ok?”

Matsumoto shrugged. “Unohana taicho doesn’t know. I think we need to let Ishida-san know about this.”

Zaraki winced. “Yeah, I was hoping it wasn’t gonna come to that.” He scratched his neck and kicked at a rock. “So I guess we need to get Ichigo and go to the ryoka world, right?”

Matsumoto nodded silently.

“He’s probably at that party. Let’s go find him.” Zaraki squatted to let Matsumoto on his back, and looked at her squarely when she didn’t move.

“I can tell him. You don’t have to come along,” She said somberly. Zaraki shook his head.

“Ichigo is pounding my best friend and he’s one of the only half decent fighters I’ve ever known. It would be pretty asshole of me not to help him crack the news. He might need someone to knock Ishida out if he goes berserk.”

Matsumoto nodded. “Makes sense. Thank you, Kenpachi.” He looked at her and grabbed her, giving her a strong hug. In that fragile moment, something dawned on her. A wave of emotion hit her and her knees buckled as she started to sob. He cradled her as she cried, holding her protectively just as he held Nemu. She allowed herself a few weak moments before pulling away and wiping her eyes.

“I’m so sorry…”

Zaraki shook his head. “Don’t be. I have my days too. And I’m a sucker for beautiful women crying.” He flashed a smile at her before allowing her to hop on his back to head to Tsyumiyo’s.
******************

“99 bottles of sake on the wall, take one down, pass it around, 99 bottles of…sake!!!” Rukia drunkenly slurred, holding her glass of sake, accidentally spilling some of it on Renji. The get together was in full swing, Tsumiyo’s hostesses had flushed cheeks from the compliments and tips they were receiving. Yes, as long as Momo, Kiyone, and Isane didn’t come by, the rest of the shinigami were more than welcome. Especially Yamamoto-san.

“Easy, easy,” Renji coached, attempting to take the glass from her sweaty hand.

“Oh stop, Abarai-kun. Let the lil’ baby whore have fun!” Yumichika’s light voice carried over to him has he winked a multi colored feathered eye at him. He was slightly dismayed that his taicho had not shown up, but also thrilled that his former taicho hadn’t shown up either. She had mentioned she was going to pick Rukia up, but when Kuchiki fukutaicho showed up missing a Matsumoto, Yumi smiled to himself, thinking Zaraki was giving it to her good.

“Why are you grinning like a retard?” Ikkaku snapped, angry because no one would buy him a beer.

“Who do you not notice here?”

Ikkaku quickly scanned the room. “Taicho?” Yumi nodded and gestured for him to continue.

“And…Mat…su…mo…to?”

Yumichika snapped his fingers and motioned for a waitress to come over. “Perhaps you aren’t as dumb as you look,” He said, batting his eyelashes. He handed his bald friend the frothy drink, and Ikkaku gulped, whoring his intellect for gas inducing ale.

“Hey, speak of the devils!” He said, motioning at the door. He couldn’t see very well, what with being intoxicated and all, but he made out the spikes in Zaraki’s hair and Matsumoto’s breasts.

“I’ll go greet the beautiful people,” Yumi said, patting Ikkaku’s hand and saving him from a drunken trek across the room. He was also much more sober and could tell that his previous thought as to what his former and current taicho were doing was not the case. Either that or it was horrible sex. Before he could reach them, Rukia stepped out in front of him and wobbled in front of Rangiku.

“Hey…you’s didn’t come to get me. You’re just like Ichi-kun and Bya-sama…always forking,” Rukia said, her mouth slurring. Zaraki couldn’t help but be amused.

“Forking?”

“Forbling! Fubbing!“ Rukia clamored drunkenly, nearly falling on Zaraki. Matsumoto grimaced and pulled up a chair to plop Rukia down in. Just as she did that, Yumi came over and smiled at them.

“There’s dried blood on your haori,” He observed to Zaraki, who shrugged nonchalantly. Yumi looked confused, and looked down at Rukia, who was struggling to keep her head up.

“Rukia. Listen to me. I was on the way to get you, and something bad happened.”

Rukia giggled. “What? One of your titties slip out of your jacket? My titties are so small!” She complained, grabbing her own breasts behind her haori. She jiggled and squeezed them before reaching for Matsumoto’s. Zaraki slapped Rukia’s hand away, causing both women to stare at him. Zaraki shrugged and placed his hands behind his back, antsy to find Ichigo and hoping the girls wouldn’t think him weird.

“You can play with my chest later. But I need to find Ichigo. Something bad has happened to Nemu.”

Rukia’s eyes widened, and she looked at Yumi. Then she looked at the blood on Zaraki’s haori and started to cry. “What happened? She was scared the other day! What happened, you gotta tell me!” Rukia sobbed, wrapping her arms around herself and rocking back and forth. Matsumoto knelt and hugged Rukia, whispering in her ear what happened. Rukia stood and walked with her outside to discuss what had went on, and also where Ichigo was.

Yumi looked at Zaraki, and Zaraki sighed. “I’m sorry I made you cry earlier. If I could have kept you guys, I would have.”

Yumi flashed a smile and shrugged his shoulders. “ ‘S alright. When I thought about it, it was really a compliment. To go from a 5th to a 2nd is a big deal, with no ugly numbers to deal with. It worked out very nice for me, and I love my Fatty Matty!”

Zaraki frowned. “Is that what you call Rangiku? Fatty Matty? That isn’t nice, and she isn’t fat. She’s just round.”

Yumi looked at him and laughed. “You are quickly becoming her swain, aren’t you?” He teased, giving him a wry smile.

Zaraki smirked. “The Zaraki Gallant. It could happen. But first, Nemu-hime must be rescued, and then perhaps I could focus on Rangiku-hime.”

Yumi laughed. “Care for a drink, O’ Zaraki Gallant?”

“No time. But you owe him one,” Rangiku said, coming up behind them. “Rukia says that Ichigo is with Byakuya at the 6th. She says they were…and I hope now they are done,” She said, slightly blushing. Rukia came in behind her, almost completely sober upon learning the news of the vicious rape of her friend. She looked at the blood on Zaraki’s haori and tears welled in her eyes. She briefly hugged Matsumoto before sitting down, in shock.

“Take care of Kuchiki fukutaicho. I just gave her some disturbing news, and she probably needs to go on ahead and go home.” Rangiku’s directions to Yumi were concise, and he nodded, his eyes wide. Something indeed was very wrong, and what was that comment about Nemu? He watched the two taicho leave, and after telling Ikkaku and the others goodbye, he gathered the sullen Rukia and walked with her back to her division, not wanting to know what news could turn an unruly, loud, drunk woman to a quiet, reflective, sober girl.
****************
Byakuya woke, his eyes adjusting to the dim light in the room. He wiped his face with his hand and yawned, looking over and smiling at his sleeping lover. He bent his head and gently kissed Ichigo’s bare shoulder, causing the teen to stir and shift, but not wake up. There was gentle rapping on the door, and Byakuya narrowed his eyes, wondering why Kenpachi and Matsumoto were outside his door. He threw on his hakama and tried to smooth down his hair as he answered the door.

Zaraki’s fist was headed toward the door and he almost hit Byakuya in the face, as he was looking at Matsumoto when he was knocking. “What the hell, Yaku? We’ve been standing here knocking for like twenty minutes. Don’t tell me that kid put you in a coma,” Zaraki teased, grinning his sharp canines at the 6th division captain. Byakuya was not impressed.

“Ugh, don’t call me Yaku. Zara,” He added, giving his friend a cunning look. He looked at Matsumoto and back to him and winked, and Zaraki made a face as Matsumoto stepped forward, her breasts nearly knocking Byakuya over.

“Rukia told us Ichigo was here. We need to talk to him. It’s…important.” She was businesslike and not smiling, and Byakuya was confused. He looked at Zaraki, who frowned and nodded.

“Ok, give me a moment to get him presentable. He will be right out.” Byakuya closed the door gently and walked over to Ichigo, who was waking from his sleep.

“Why are Kenpachi-san and Matsumoto-san here? Did they want to hang out? Tell them go ‘way,” Ichigo garbled, still half sleep. Byakuya lay down on the futon beside him and stroked wild orange hair, pulling gently. “Wake up. They said they needed to talk to you and it was important.”

“Mmmm…tell Rangiku I don’t know where the tv remote is.” He pulled the covers over his head, wanting everyone to shut up.

“Ichigo.” Byakuya poked him. “Ichigo!”

“Goddamnit!” The angry teen threw the covers off of him and stood up naked, his cock comically bobbing from him standing up so quickly. Byakuya pointed at the door. “Honey, we have guests. Go put on your apron and make us cookies and tea.”

Ichigo flipped him off as he got dressed. Byakuya looked confused again. “Abarai fukutaicho did that to me once. What does that mean?”

Ichigo grinned as he opened the door. He hesitated when Byakuya didn’t move. “Come on, they said they needed to talk to us!”

He shook his head. “No, they asked for you.” Ichigo frowned and pulled him up. “I have no secrets, and I won’t start tonight.” Byakuya reddened and averted his eyes for a moment as Ichigo pulled him into the main office. Matsumoto was sitting in a chair, arms folded and legs crossed, and Zaraki was looking at some of the scrolls on the wall. Upon closer inspection, Ichigo could tell that she had been crying. Clinging to Byakuya’s hand tighter, they sat together on the couch close to the door. Matsumoto turned her chair towards them and Zaraki came up behind her.

“Ichigo. I have some terrible news.”

“Is it Yuzu or Karin?” He asked, nearly crushing Byakuya’s hand in his grip. Strawberry blonde nodded no. “It’s Nemu. We believe that Kurotsuchi taicho viciously raped her, and she’s in a coma now. It’s bad, Ichigo. Zaraki taicho and I were on the way to get Rukia for the party, and I felt her…” She paused and took a wavering breath, aided by Zaraki’s comforting hand on her shoulder. Both Ichigo and Byakuya’s mouths were dropped open in horror and disbelief.

“Will she be alright?” Ichigo’s voice was so small, it was barely audible. Matsumoto could no longer look at him and bit her bottom lip as she turned her head to look at a wall scroll, silent tears running down. Ichigo was angry and hopped up from the couch, fist clenched in air.

“So what of Kurotsuchi taicho? Will he be punished? And is Nemu going to die? What about Uryuu?!…Oh Kami-sama…Uryuu.” Ichigo flopped back down, head in hands. “He’s going to die when he hears this. He asked me once if I was to become a full fledged shinigami to watch out for her and I promised and…and…” He swallowed the lump in his throat. He didn’t mind crying in front of Byakuya or even Matsumoto, but he felt strange being on the verge of breaking down in front of Zaraki. The man was so strong, he probably had never cried a day in his life. He held his head down, closing his eyes. Byakuya stroked his back soothingly and held him, his head on Ichigo’s side.

“Does Rukia know?” Zaraki nodded and Byakuya sighed. She had told him once about Nemu being afraid of her taicho, but he mistook it as her fear being respect. He didn’t know he used her as his private plaything, but then again he was a freak and the thought wasn’t too far removed from his awful character. “I assume you have come to go back to the ryoka world to inform the Quincy, right?”

“His name is Uryuu. We can at least call him by his name when we tell him his koi-chan is dead.” Ichigo said flatly behind his hands.

“She’s not dead,” Byakuya insisted, trailing off and looking at Zaraki for confirmation. He shrugged and put his hands out in an ‘I don’t know’ answer and Byakuya sighed as he held him. “We will be ready momentarily, just…give us some time, ok?”

Matsumoto nodded and sniffed, standing and replacing the chair. “We will be outside waiting.” She knelt beside Ichigo and hugged him, feeling him shudder in her arms. She kissed the top of his head and felt fresh tears of her own falling and fled before they fell. Zaraki stepped up and ruffled Ichigo’s hair and patted his back gently, murmuring his condolences and to be strong for his friend. He squeezed Byakuya’s shoulder before walking out to join Matsumoto.

“I’m such an asshole. I should have watched Nemu better! She’s sort of weird and quiet, just like Uryuu. I’d never figure anyone would want to hurt her. How will I tell him this? How?” Ichigo sobbed full fledged now that it was just him and Byakuya alone.

“Stop this. It isn’t your fault. Kurotsuchi is a vile, disgusting person, and hopefully this will open Yamamoto’s eyes to it. The old man can be quite blind when he wants to be.”

Ichigo sniffed. “He will want revenge. He hates shinigami anyway. Most of the time I don’t even know if he likes me.” He sniffed and wiped his nose and stood. “Come with me. For moral support.”

Byakuya couldn’t deny those imploring chocolate eyes. He stood and hugged Ichigo tightly, and for a moment was glad that he was not on the receiving end of the news his koi would soon have to drop. He nuzzled Ichigo lovingly and took his hand, practically pulling him toward Zaraki and Matsumoto.
******************

“There’s nothing good on tv tonight.” Chad complained as he flopped down beside Uryuu on the couch. The Quincy barely nodded, trying to work a cross stitch in a shirt he promised Ikkaku he would fix. The rowdy man was always tearing his sleeves of his school uniform, either by fighting or running from Keigo’s sister. He had also graciously volunteered to widen Matsumoto’s shirt for her so her breasts wouldn’t be on parade, but she had smiled innocently and pretended to not understand. After awhile, he gave up. They were her tits; she could do whatever she wanted with them.

“There’s never anything good on tv. You have five million channels and all of them suck.”

Chad smirked. “You could always go back to Chez Ishida. Besides, you like that Women’s Channel.”

“Lifetime? Oxygen?”

He shook his head. “No, the one that teaches you how to be a pussy and sow dresses and shit.”

Uryuu scowled. “I will remember that the next time you want me to fix something for you or embroider something cute for Ise-san.”

Chad tried to make up. “Hey man, I was just saying…don’t get your pick stitched panties in a bunch!” He laughed, harder when Uryuu threw a pillow at him. A tapping at the patio door made Chad get up to answer. “Hey Uryuu, miras aqui! It looks like we have some extra guests. Hola amigos! Que hacen?” He said, as Ichigo, Byakuya, Matsumoto, and Zaraki walked in. Uryuu looked at Byakuya briefly and smirked before looking away. The nobleman ignored him, knowing that the Quincy would be knocked down several pegs momentarily.

“So what brings all of you to mi casa? I have some homemade sangria if you guys want,” Chad offered, walking to the kitchen.

“Yeah, that’d be nice,” Ichigo called to him, looking at Uryuu. He walked over to him and sat gingerly on the couch, biting the inside of his mouth. He sat there quietly for a moment before Uryuu’s irritation climaxed.

“Is there something you want, Kurosaki? You disturbed my sewing kit.” Uryuu was annoyed and wondering why all these shinigami were around him staring. It made him…nervous.

“We need to talk to you, Ishida-san. To tell you something.” Matsumoto’s voice thankfully didn’t waiver, but Ichigo looked away at her saying that. Uryuu realized it was something very serious and put Ikkaku’s shirt down slowly.

“Ryuuken. You all had to kill him.” The voice was soft but strangely cold. Ichigo stared blankly at Uryuu.

“Not quite, but someone else that you love was indeed seriously hurt.” Ichigo inwardly cursed Byakuya’s smooth words. Uryuu sneered and turned his head slowly to look at the 6th division captain.

“You idiot. I don’t love him! I’d be happy if you had killed him. But whatever, since that wasn’t what happened, talk.”

Byakuya seethed, and Zaraki stepped closer, lest another fight break out. “It’s Kurotsuchi fukutaicho.”

Upon hearing Nemu’s name, Uryuu jumped from the couch and managed to move extremely fast, fast enough to grab Byakuya’s haori. “What did you do to her?” He asked in a tight voice, staring up at the stoic face. Byakuya managed to work a hand onto Uryuu’s chest and shove him backward, causing him to fall over onto the couch and into Ichigo’s lap. Ichigo restrained him as his friend tried to squirm out of his grip. Matsumoto ran over and stroked Uryuu’s hair, pleading with him.

“Ishida-san, please! Listen to me! Nemu was raped, by Kurotsuchi taicho. She’s in a coma now…please listen to what I’m saying,” Matsumoto implored, her words stilling the boy. He stared at her upside down from the awkward position Ichigo had him in and turned slowly right side up.

“Mayuri? Raped…Nemu…coma? I’LL KILL HIM!“ Uryuu roared, flailing about wildly.

“Damn it, help me hold him!” Ichigo said, trying to restrain the bucking boy. Byakuya and Zaraki came over and each took an arm as tears ran down Rangiku’s face. She knew that he deserved to know and expected him to be inconsolable, but she didn’t expect it to be this bad. Ichigo held his legs and Chad managed to come over with a needle and a thin belt in his hand.

“Zaraki-san, hold his left arm out as straight as you can,” Chad grumbled, wrapping the belt as tightly as he could around Uryuu’s arm. The boy kept thrashing as Chad slapped the nook in his arm, preparing to inject him. He managed to find a vein fairly quick and released the drug into Uryuu’s system, causing his movements to slow. Eventually he stopped thrashing all together and Chad pulled back, all of them panting from the struggle. Uryuu raised hazy, tearful eyes at Ichigo.

“You were ‘posed to gonna protect ‘er…you let ‘im do this…all shinigami are the same…all the same…all the same,” Uryuu garbled, his tongue all of a sudden feeling thick. His eyes fluttered and then closed, his skin flushed and sweaty. Ichigo held his head down in shame and gently released his friend’s legs, smoothing out his pants.

“What did you give him?” Zaraki asked quietly, all of them traumatized at the scene.

Chad removed and capped the needle and belt and got a cotton ball and tape from the sewing kit to place over the wound. “It’s called Seconal. And that’s all you need to know, Zaraki-san.” Chad was obviously upset at having to render his friend unconscious, and looked at Ichigo, who had no response to the attack on him.

Matsumoto walked to the kitchen and saw that Chad had not poured any drinks, but that a dresser with different pills of all sizes and shapes were inside. A fleeting thought was to take some of those pills to tuck into her obi for later, but that thought passed and she closed the drawer. If she had stumbled upon those pills only a few weeks ago, she would have been overdosing on the floor at that very moment. She opened the fridge and got out the bottle of sangria and started to drink, not bothering to get a cup.

“Matsumoto taicho, bring that over here.” Byakyua needed a drink just as much as she did, and she met him halfway as he took a few long drinks. Soon the bottle was passed around to all of them, all taking long drinks silently.

“How long will he be like this?” Ichigo asked, staring at Chad. His friend shrugged. “I gave him two pills worth, so he shouldn’t wake before morning. Help me get him into bed.” They picked him up carefully and carried him to one of the guest rooms, gently placing him down, Ichigo bending to hug him, tears falling on Uryuu’s face.

“I’m so sorry, my friend. I will make this up to you, I promise.” He stroked Uryuu’s hair and removed his glasses, folding them and carefully putting them on the dresser.

Byakuya was standing outside of the door when Ichigo walked out. He gave him a small, sad look, and took the guilt ridden teen in his arms. Not caring who saw, Ichigo cried again in Byakuya’s arms, the sound heart wrenching enough to make Chad’s eyes mist. Byakuya whispered sweet nothings to Ichigo and rocked him, and despite the horrible situation, Zaraki found himself smiling at the peace in his best friend’s eyes. He could see clearly what was between them, and found his eyes wandering to Matsumoto. She was watching them also, and when she turned back around, her eyes met his momentarily, before she quickly looked away and cleared her throat.

“We need to figure out a way to destroy Kurotsuchi. He needs to pay for hurting Uryuu. That man has ruined his life at least twice now, and he has to be stopped. But how?” Ichigo mused, pulling away from Byakuya and sitting down on the couch. Chad sat beside him, offering some nachos.

“Ishida could fight him maybe?” He offered, but Ichigo shook his head.

“Kurotsuchi pretty much owned him in the last fight.”

“Besides, Yamamoto wouldn’t allow it. Even if Uryuu won, he’d never let a Quincy become a captain,” Matsumoto added, scratching behind her neck.

Ichigo looked confused. “Captain?”

Byakuya nodded. “If Ishida-san were to challenge Kurotsuchi and win, as long as a minimum of two hundred members of the 12th division were watching, then he could take over as captain.” Matsumoto and Zaraki nodded in agreement. That was the infamous way that Zaraki acquired his position, after all.

Ichigo shook his head again. “This isn’t about that. This is about him getting revenge on a worthless sack of shit that hurt the woman he loves.”

Byakuya nodded. “I realize that, but hypothetically, if Ishida-san succeeds and Yamamoto permitted this, he would sort of have to take over as captain. And therein lies the dilemma. That could never happen.”

Ichigo huffed. “Stupid fucking Seireitei rules. You all thought I couldn’t save Rukia, but that happened, didn’t it? But I suppose the sheep still need a herder. He wouldn’t want to be a captain anyways. So what now? I mean, we need an answer for him in the morning, or else he’s gonna wreck shit, and Chad doesn’t have renter’s insurance.”

“Yes I do!” Chad declared vehemently, although Ichigo was right.

Byakuya sighed. “We need to see Kisuke and Yoruichi. I don’t know how this happened, but they are the smartest people I know, and will have answers as to what can be done.” He looked at Chad and nodded his head. “I apologize for this intrusion. You are welcome in my home at anytime.”

Chad smiled wanly and waved them off. “Ichigo, I’ll brief you tomorrow and let you know how he is doing. The stuff I gave him would drop a horse easily, so he should be docile for awhile. Enough time for Urahara-san to pull something from his behind to work.” Ichigo shook Chad’s hand and looked again at the room where Uryuu was briefly once more before following the others out of the door and down the alley to the Urahara Shop.




A/N: Are you thinking what I'm thinking? *evil stare*