68 Aftermath (2/2)

Aizen then looked towards Itsuki as a small smile formed at the edge of his mouth before the rift closed dictating the end.

Itsuki remembered part of their talk,

”…so Itsuki, want to make a non-aggressive pact…”

Itsuki just looked the chessboard, waiting for Aizen to speak,

”… one where you don't directly act against me, and I won't directly target and kill your close ones.”

Itsuki knew that there was no point in beating around the bush in this meeting as he carried on looking, moving his bishop. Aizen was able to read his intentions as he continued while moving his rook,

”It seems like you agree, however I will be at a general disadvantage as they will act against me, so I'll add another clause…”

Seeing the traitors leave, the 4th squad relief teams came to take care of the injured while Itsuki made his way to Byakuya. Unohana had just come from treating Toshiro and also made her way treat Byakuya.

”You're all beaten up.”

Byakuya looked at Itsuki as he smiled,

”Whose fault do you think it is?”

Rukia tried approaching but was stopped by a Shinigami,

”Let me go!”

”The captain is und…”

Itsuki looked at the Shinigami before ordering,

”Let her go.”

The Shinigami immediately let her go as Rukia ran next to Byakuya.

”Byakuya-nii-Sama…”

Looking at Rukia, Byakuya decided to tell her the truth,

”There is something I need to tell you…”

Byakuya was breathing heavily from the injuries he took when protecting Rukia,

”…It's about my wife Hisana and why I adopted you…Do you know the reason why you were adopted?”

”Yes, it was because I reminded lady Hisana of her younger sister.”

Byakuya looked calmly at Rukia,

”That's right, that is the lie I told them to feed you. You didn't remind Hisana of her younger sister, you are her younger sister.”

The more Byakuya spoke the more shocked Rukia got. It was difficult for her upon knowing that she had a blood elder sister and was still alive. It was also the wife of her elder brother who always wore a veil whenever she met. At first, she thought that she was trying to keep a distance but finding out that she had too much guilt to look at her, broke her heart. Unknowingly, tears fell out of her eyes as Itsuki pat her head.

”The only ones who know the truth is me, Hisana and Itsuki. Back then, I faced a lot of opposition when I tried to marry Hisana and it was due to Itsuki that she was properly taken care of. It was also Itsuki who saved your sister from death. I faced more opposition when I adopted you, I promised Hisana that I would protect you. No matter what, I wanted to fulfil the promise I made her. Due to this, even if it was opposed by Itsuki, I made an oath in front of my parent's graves that this was the last time I broke the rules.”

Byakuya looked calm as Rukia got sadder the more she heard,

”Then, upon hearing your death penalty being decided I didn't know what to do, that's when Itsuki came and just said to trust him. I didn't know if he predicted other's saving you…”

Itsuki felt embarrassed taking all the credit. Although Ichigo did play his role, just like the anime, for Byakuya, it looked as if Itsuki had predicted it all.

”…Rukia, I'm sorry.”

Unohana then told Itsuki and Rukia to leave. Itsuki looked at Ichigo being healed by Orihime before making his way back to the 2nd Division HQ. Everyone got their well needed rest after these chaotic days were over and the next day, Itsuki had an unexpected visitor, Rukia had come to visit.

Itsuki was sat on the Onmitsukido captain's seat while Rukia stood there fidgeting slightly. She was currently out of her prison clothes and was wearing a purple kimono. She knew that Itsuki wasn't much of a talker as she stood there looking for words to bring out.

She opened her mouth and closed it, repeating the process for god knows how long. If someone saw this scene, it looked like a young girl confessing her love to her crush with the blush she had on her face. Itsuki finally couldn't take it as he just stood up and started walking. Indicating for Rukia to follow they ended up where Ichigo and his group were currently staying. He shunpoed in, grabbed Ichigo and threw him onto the training ground just outside.

His friends were shocked by what was happening and thought it was an enemy attack. The three made their way outside only to see the back of Itsuki and Rukia further away and Ichigo collapsed on the floor with his legs dangling in the air.

Rukia was shocked with Itsuki's action and Ichigo was still confused with what was happening. Ichigo then pushed himself up and saw Rukia next to him,

”Hey! Rukia, what is the meaning of this?!”

Rukia didn't know how to explain to Ichigo as she looked at Itsuki. Seeing Rukia act like this, Ichigo also looked towards Itsuki only to see him throw the two a wooden sword. Catching hers, Rukia seemed to realise that Itsuki had read her intentions and Ichigo was still lost.

Rukia got into a stance as Ichigo looked at the wooden sword, then at the wooden sword that Itsuki was holding back. He continued to look back and forth at the swords then seemed to realise something but Itsuki had already struck.

Itsuki knew that Ichigo was still recovering, but with Orihime here, she could use her healing abilities on Ichigo. Orihime looked at the back of Itsuki and remembered the night when she met the figure who pressurised her with pure reiatsu. Asking for the captain with 'beautiful gem-like eyes', she found out that it was the captain of the 2nd Division, the strongest after the captain-commander himself, Minamoto Itsuki.

Itsuki was thinking of something else as he struck Ichigo's head,

”…I'll add another clause, you will guide that human Ryoka boy for a bit.”

'I couldn't screw canon then, so I'll screw it now! Aizen, you would rue the day when you made that clause!'

Rukia had a shocked look on her face when she saw Ichigo getting taken down in one move, while she gulped and took a step back when Itsuki turned towards her.

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Author's note

Still too soon for his bankai.

There still are many parts to be revealed from the talk with Aizen.

Some might think that what Itsuki has done is stupid but remember, he can be the most clever guy with a IQ of 500 but his intelligence would still be limited to the author's.