49 Prelude to Finality

Seeing Ichigo battling desperately against a middle-aged man with long, messy brown hair, a goatee, and dim sunglasses whose body was garbed in a shadowy cloak, Ohta asked, "Who's the old dude...?"

"That man is the manifested spirit of Ichigo's Zanpakuto," replied Yoruichi, sitting atop Ohta's shoulder in her cat form. "Our group was attacked by the Captain and Lieutenant of Squad 12, Kurotsuchi Mayuri and Kurotsuchi Nemu. Ichigo, Chad, and Uryu defeated him, but it was a close battle."

"Let me guess, you didn't help...?" asked Ohta. Yoruichi was the Captain of Squad 2 before Soifon, but more than that, she was the prodigious former Head of the Shihouin Clan. Except for a few outliers, she should be able to body just about any member of the Gotei, especially with 'help.'

"You know the reason..." muttered Yoruichi, a serious expression adorning her feline visage as she observed Ichigo, stating, "After battling Kenpachi, you should have a better understanding of how dangerous some Captains can be. Aizen is likely more powerful than every other Captain combined, sans Yamamoto..."

"And you believe Ichigo will be able to surpass him someday...?" asked Ohta, feeling 'very' differently as he watched said strawberry getting his ass handed to him. Even now, he couldn't execute the most basic movement techniques, so he was running around and dodging desperately despite the old man, very clearly, pulling his punches...

"You had at least a decade to refine your powers and months of training with a Captain-level Shinigami," contended Yoruichi. "Even if you include the time Ichigo spent as Rukia's substitute, he's only had his powers for a few months and has received very little training. Despite that, he's already able to contend with Lieutenants and take on weaker Captains, albeit with Ishida Uryu contributing quite a bit to the fight..."

"Speaking of which, where is the poindexter...?" asked Ohta, having seen neither Uryu nor Chad since he awoke in the secret area.

"Who knows?" replied Yoruichi, shrugging her shoulders as she added, "They're definitely around here somewhere. Why? Planning to give them some pointers...?"

"Does that sound like something I would do?" asked Ohta, nearly scoffing at the idea.

"Ordinarily, no," admitted Yoruichi. "However, you did tor–I mean, teach Ichigo's kid sister how to strengthen her mind and develop her mental, physical, and spiritual energies. Considering her heritage, she might just become a monster herself in the future."

Though Karin was unable to manifest and utilize psychic abilities in the twenty or so days they trained together, Ohta couldn't deny that she had improved quickly. She possessed an almost intuitive ability to manipulate energy, and her mental fortitude was far beyond most adults. If she were to train under someone like Uryu or become a Shinigami, she really might become a monster...

Amused by Ohta's contemplative silence, Yoruichi adopted a feline smile, asking, "Thinking about investing in the future...?"

Contrasting Yoruichi's expectations, Ohta replied, "Something like that..." while continuing to think. Yoruichi had challenged him to form a society that could endure for ten thousand years, so if living in Soul Society was as tedious as it seemed, he might consider forming an organization of his own. He would likely need to work closely with the Soul Society to avoid being 'purged' like the Quincies two hundred years prior, but if he helped them defeat their enemies and groom talent, they should leave him be...

Believing she knew what Ohta was thinking, Yoruichi proposed, "If you're thinking of forming a group of your own, I could support you as the Head of the Shihouin. Before the formation of Central 46 and the establishment of the Gotei 13, we used to have representatives in the human world. That practice fell out of favor here in the East, but it's still fairly prevalent in the West."

Before Ohta could propose moving westward, Yoruichi added, "If you're considering heading west, I'd advise you to reconsider. The Soul Society West Branch might be more 'modern' than the East, but that's only for the time being. They go through cycles of destruction and restructuring every few hundred years, and there are hundreds of organizations fighting to be the next group in control. The political landscape of the Seireitei might as well be heaven compared to that hellscape..."

"I'll take your word for it..." replied Ohta. However, as someone that had grown up in a western society in his previous life, he knew how backward even their most 'progressive' ideologies could be. He had also acclimated to life in Japan, so he would probably stick around unless he was 'forced' to leave.

"Then, how about it?" asked Yoruichi, nuzzling her face and head against Ohta's cheek as she playfully appended, "Want me to become your sugar mommy~?"

"And let you have actual sway over my decisions?" questioned Ohta. "The hardest of passes..."

"Don't be like that," said Yoruichi, claiming, "As much as I enjoy teasing you, you know I wouldn't force you to do anything against your will, well, barring scenarios with world-ending stakes. Now, come on...you know it would be better than building an organization from scratch..."

("She has a point...") thought Ohta. However, as he was still more than a little annoyed about what had transpired a few days prior, he answered, "I'm not going to make decisions about the future in the present. We still need to rescue Rukia and body Aizen. I'll worry about other shit when it's relevant..."

"Then, when and if you return to the human world, I'll have a gift waiting for you," said Yoruichi, revealing, "I own a small mountain estate with an attached shrine just outside of Karakura Town. You're free to stay there and use it if you want..."

Making Yoruichi a little annoyed, Ohta responded with a curt "Hard pass.". Fortunately, before she could complain, he immediately followed this by saying, "If you really want to set me up with a place, make sure it's in the city and has a room like the one under Urahara's shop. If you can do that, I might seriously consider your offer from before..."

"Consider it done," responded Yoruichi, a triumphant melody to her voice. Ohta was the type to always repay his debts, in one form or another, so if she could set him up with the things he asked for, Yoruichi was confident he would return the favor if she had a request for him in the future.

("Now, if only I could get him to stop behaving like a prude...") thought Yoruichi, the image of Rukia appearing in her mind. She genuinely couldn't understand why Ohta was so 'fixated' on the petite Shinigami. However, if that fixation endured long term, she could definitely take advantage of it...

Unaware of Yoruichi's thought, Ohta continued to observe Ichigo getting his ass kicked for a few minutes longer before returning to the tiny abode near the hot spring. He hadn't eaten anything since their departure from Kukaku's, so while he wasn't looking forward to having Orihime pester him as he ate, Ohta could tolerate it since she was preparing the meals...

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Around the time Ohta was recovering from his battle with Zaraki, Rukia was gazing out the window of the Senzaikyū with a listless look on her face, staring at the massive polearm that was typically reserved for the execution and 'cremation' of Captain-class Shinigami.

As Ohta suspected she was, Rukia was presently regretting how 'selfish' she had been in the weeks leading up to her capture. She knew there was a possibility she would be executed, yet she still had the 'audacity' to fall in love with a human boy, not even a tenth her age. She felt as though she had forced Ohta into his current position, and while it initially made her heart race, knowing he had kept his promise to come for her, she quickly became depressed. After all, even if Ohta were somehow able to rescue her, their story was virtually guaranteed to end in tragedy. Soul Society would never let them go, and even if they did, she would never be able to repay Ohta's dedication...

"I'm such a fool..." muttered Rukia, as, despite all her misgivings, she still yearned for the man who had claimed her as his own. The weeks they had spent together made her the happiest she had ever been. Thus, while she regretted robbing Ohta of his 'agency,' entangling him in her affairs, Rukia wished she could return to that time and extend it indefinitely...

*shik* *shik* *shik* *shik* *shik* *shik* *CLUNK*

Interrupting Rukia's melancholic reverie, the swords barring the entrance to the Senzaikyū retracted, followed by the door dropping downward with a loud clunk. To her tremendous surprise, Rukia turned around to find her brother was the one entering the chamber, escorted by four men wearing masked robes.

For the first time in her life, at least as far as Rukia could recall, Byakuya looked directly at her as he coldly informed, "I have come to apprise you of Central 46's most-recent decision regarding your sentence..."

Before continuing, Byakuya turned his gaze to the guards, saying, "Leave us..." in a cold, commanding tone that left no room for discussion. He had no authority over the four men, and leaving a visitor alone with a prisoner violated more than a dozen ordinances, but the four immediately lowered their heads, bowing before summarily excusing themselves. Arguing with the Head of one of the Four Great Noble Families was a good way to end up dead or have your career run aground...

After confirming the quartet wasn't monitoring them with his spiritual sense, Byakuya returned his steely gaze to Rukia, surprising her further by stating, "That Ryoka you 'liaised' with in the human world has thus far defeated two Captains and survived a confrontation with Zaraki of Squad 11. Another, with the support of his allies, managed to severely injure the Captain of Squad 12, Kurotsuchi Mayuri..."

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Byakuya flatly remarked, "It would appear your sudden and inexplicable fondness for humans was not without its merits. Those two, Yamada Ohta in particular, are exceptional, even by Soul Society's standards..."

Staring at Byakuya with eyes as round as saucers, Rukia wanted to reply but couldn't find the words. She had 'never,' not in the forty years since her inclusion in the Kuchiki Clan, heard Byakuya praise another person...

Closing his eyes, Byakuya dropped the bombshell he had volunteered to convey, stating, "Regrettably, the actions of your errant 'associates' have led to Central 46 determining you are too much of a liability to afford the customary amount of time to repent your sins. The date of your execution has been moved to three days from now..."

Though she abruptly felt weak in the knees, Rukia managed to remain on her feet, forcing a smile as she said, "Thank you for being the one to bring this news to me, brother..."

Opening his eyes, Byakuya startled Rukia by asking, "Have you given up?" with a certain 'edge' to his otherwise neutral tone.

Lowering her gaze, Rukia's furrowed brows trembled as she replied, "If it would convince the Soul Society to let Yamada Ohta and his friends be, I would offer my life right here and now..."

"I see..." muttered Byakuya, promptly turning around as if he intended to leave without further discussion. Before exiting the chamber, however, he softly asserted, "The moment you chose to fall in love, your fate was no longer your own to decide. That boy is staking his life to 'reclaim' you. Do not tarnish his convictions with your folly..."

Finished with what he had to say, Byakuya departed without turning to see Rukia's reaction or await her response. She looked nearly identical to his late wife, so he couldn't stand seeing her in pain or duress. His heart wrenched when he heard her collapsing behind him, but as he had been assigned a very important mission, he couldn't afford to turn back or look her in the eye again. After all, in exchange for allowing him to convey Central 46's amended judgment, he had vowed to hunt and kill each of the invading Ryoka with his own hand. At least that way, he could ensure they died without having to experience too much suffering...

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(A/N: For those of you who think this is out of character for Byakuya, you should re-read the manga and novels. He is easily the most sentimental character in the entire series xD...)