63 The Star (1/2)

”Indeed”

Byakuya simply said these words as he looked at Itsuki. Itsuki just shook his head and proceeded to enter the Senkaimon with four of them following.

On their way, Renji started speaking,

”Some time ago, there was a report stating that high level reiatsu was released in the area, apparently a Gillian made an appearance and an unknown Shinigami defeated it…”

He carried on reporting things like, a sudden gathering of hollows, reports of hollows being killed by someone or something unknown. Basically, all of Ichigo's exploits during him becoming a Shinigami. While Itsuki and Byakuya kept their stoic faces, Soi Fon and Hinamori got increasingly astonished the more they heard.

The sun was currently setting as it blessed its dying rays over Karakura town when a senkaimon appeared in the middle of the streets. The pedestrians around them were oblivious to this as they went on with their lives.

'Modern society…'

Although it wasn't exactly modern, as to when Itsuki died in his previous life, he did feel a sense of familiarity with it.

Itsuki then turned to Soi Fon,

”Wasn't someone sent to find her?”

”Yeah, I think his name was Saido Eikichiro”

Itsuki remembered this name from the anime. The first Shinigami that confronted Rukia on Masaki's death anniversary, not that it happened now considering Itsuki did save her. So Itsuki thought that the story must've followed a similar yet different plot considering the actions Eikichiro took was extremely similar to the anime.

By the time they found traces of Rukia and reached the Kurosaki clinic, it was already dark. Itsuki knew exactly where she was but Byakuya and Itsuki didn't do anything. Seeing Rukia running out, the three subordinates were all astonished,

”That girl, I only sense a bit off strength from her, did she lose it?”

Soi Fon was the most knowledgeable form the three,

”No, a Shinigami doesn't just lose their powers, she has given it to someone. A human most likely…”

”Wha…”

Renji and Hinamori were astonished when the heard this before Soi Fon continued,

”You do know what the punishment is for such crime.”

Facing Soi Fon's deadly look, the two gulped and ran after Rukia.

Itsuki looked at the two tailing her and back at Soi Fon indicating for an answer. Although Soi Fon felt this, she ignored him and went after the two.

Byakuya saw this and a small laugh left his mouth before being filled with worry. He knew what the crime was, he knew the punishment and he knew the oath he made. Although other couldn't see it, for Itsuki, it was as bright as day. Patting his shoulder, he reassured Byakuya and indicated to show himself and lead the arrest. He then sent a message for Soi Fon and Hinamori to stay in the shadows.

The scene played out exactly like the anime.

Renji confronted Rukia and chastised her for only noticing him when he called out. He then attacked her until Uryu Ishida appeared.

Uryu Ishida was fair skinned teenager of average height and a slender build. He had straight black hair the framed both sides of his face while glasses fell over his blue eyes.

Itsuki was on the side-lines watching it play out. The only reason he could think of why Aizen had sent him out was because he was plotting something, or was he thinking too much into it. Aizen is someone who's one move will have a tremendous impact on the people around him. Different people will think differently but still make him into a perfect being. One may think he was benevolent while the other would think he was strong.

”Renji talks quite a lot”

Hinamori's voice brought him out of his thoughts. As they watched on.

Soi Fon on the side also spoke,

”I didn't expect there were any Quincy's left”

The three saw Renji about to kill Ishida when they felt another reiatsu approaching him. It was quite small, so they never paid much attention to who it was, yet Itsuki knew exactly who it was. Creating a flashy entrance of striking his sword on the ground, an orange headed Shinigami made himself known.

”That guy…”

Soi Fon found him familiar,

”…doesn't he look like Lieutenant Kaien?”

Hinamori nodded while Itsuki narrowed his eyes. This was taking too long, no wonder this scene took two anime episodes. Itsuki decided to make a move and silently appeared behind Rukia. Apart from Byakuya, no one noticed him there as Ichigo got his first ever power up and started thrashing Renji. While he was thrashing Renji he saw something reflect off Renji's sword. Three figures had appeared behind Rukia and looking at her expression she didn't know they were there. Pushing Renji back, he jumped towards Rukia as the figure in the middle raised his hand.

Renji was surprised by this, why did he jump back?

Time seemed to slow, as Rukia was also shocked by the changes, why did he suddenly jump towards her?

Byakuya had had any change on his face as Ichigo shouted,

”Get away from Rukia!”

Rukia was further shocked as someone had appeared behind her, and looking at the reflection in Ichigo's eyes, she was once again shocked.

”Ichigo, NOO!”

As soon as she said that a figure appeared behind him and pushed Ichigo down while another pointed her sword at Ichigo's throat. Rukia then felt someone rubbing her head and turned around to only see Itsuki behind her. Seikyo squawked on his shoulder as she started to feel sleepy.

Ichigo watched Rukia fall asleep in front of him as Itsuki picked her up and took her to a senkaimon Hinamori opened. Ichigo felt a sense of déjà vu seeing the youth's white hair.

Soi Fon who was on top, shunpoed to Itsuki's side as Ichigo got up.

”Wait! I said WAIT!”