"So, we're leaving later today since you're all sufficiently healed to the point people in the living world won't ask uncomfortable questions that we don't wanna bother answering." I said with my arms crossed over my chest as I looked at the gathering of friends who helped me invade Heaven for my amusement and dunking on Aizen's plans with my mere existence.
...there was also something about rescuing Rukia from her unlawful, which was actually lawful but should have been swept under the rug with the power of nepotism, execution but that was basically just a side quest where I looked cool and messed with people.
Ichigo groaned. "You are making it sound like we came here for a vacation instead of saving Rukia."
"You came here to save Rukia. I came here to reconnect with my ancient Quincy roots by humiliating powerful Shinigamis and looking awesome, stop looking so smug Ishida. Every Shinigami you managed to humiliate was a weakling."
"I forced a captain to use his final release." The bespectacled, and far less handsome, Quincy said with a frown and I rolled my eyes at him.
"I said what I said. Now, does anyone have any questions?" I clapped my hands and looked at the gathering, and the raised hand of Orihime.
"Can we get bread before leaving?"
"Your wish is my command, I will bully someone into bringing a huge loaf of bread to us before we leave." I snapped my fingers at her and felt very proud due to how happy she looked. "Any other questions?"
"Yeah." Tatsuki said with a frown before pointing beside her. "Is she really coming with us?" Where Aura was sitting with a serene expression.
"Yes, but if anyone asks she was with us from the very beginning." I said with a nod.
"Why?"
"Because I may have hypothetically killed her former employer," I said, shrugging, "and she may have hypothetically told me that she'd follow me if I did that. Also, she's strong. Useful, you know?"
Tatsuki crossed her arms and looked away with a sigh. Yeah… there was definitely a serious conversation in my near future.
"Okay people, it's time to move. I'll come after I had a little talk with some people and meet you guys at the gate." I gestured them to move which they did, even if Ichigo and Tatsuki seemed somewhat reluctant to do so.
As they all moved past me, I grabbed Aura by the arm and looked at her in the eye.
"Did you get what I asked you to?"
"Yes." The Fullbringer said with a nod before pulling a small black box from her back and gave it to me, which I dropped into my shadow.
"Keep an eye on them in case someone tries something." I said and turned around without waiting for a reply.
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"I am surprised you actually gave that badge to him." Kyoraku said with a raised eyebrow as he looked at Ukitake. "You think he might end up being another Ginjo case?"
"No, I trust Rukia's instincts when it comes to him." The white haired captain said with a smile and Kyoraku had to stop himself from commenting on how those instincts may have been a little biased due to how the orange haired human looked, there was no need to open old wounds.
Not to mention the boy had challenged the whole Soul Society in order pay back a debt to a friend so those instincts were probably right anyway.
"But this will make things easier when the next Central 46 start to make a nuisance of themselves concerning him."
"There is some time till the next batch is selected." Kyoraku said, but did not disagree with his friend. "Speaking of next batch, did you see their Quincy friend? The strong one who made fun of Aizen and got off scot-free from the meeting with Yama-jii."
"They said he had to talk to some people," Ukitake replied with that same serene smile. "And I guess that talk is now." He said as he turned around, and found himself face to face with the Quincy in question.
"And here I was hoping to surprise you." Cain said with his hands in pockets. "When did you realize?"
"Around the time your friends left through the Senkaimon," Ukitake answered pleasantly.
"And yet you still talked about that little badge of yours out loud?" Cain tilted his head. "Should I be insulted?"
"Not at all." Ukitake shook his head with a smile. "But some part of me told me that you were expecting something along these lines."
"Oh, I was." Cain said with a chuckle. "I just wanted to hear whether you'd admit it or not."
Kyoraku chuckled softly and adjusted his hat. "You know, you've got a bad habit of testing people. One of these days, someone is going to call you out on it in a very violent way."
"Then I will have a very fun interaction to look forward to." Cain said as he looked up at the sky before looking at them, his smile gone. "But not today."
"So, what was it you wanted to talk about?" Kyoraku said as he pulled his hat over his eyes.
"The future, obviously." Cain said, never breaking eye contact with Kyoraku. "Specifically the future after this whole mess with the traitor that has been pulling your government's strings for who knows how long and you lot no longer feel the need of my friends."
"...that's quite a pessimistic way of seeing things." Ukitake said, his voice soft and slightly sorrowful as he looked at the Quincy.
"I prefer the term realistic, you people are not exactly known for being nice to potential changes to status quo."
"And your people are remembered as saints?" Kyoraku asked with a smirk, which became real when Cain threw his head back and laughed.
"Hah! No, we were cunts as well. The remaining ones just don't have the self awareness to accept that like I do."
"True enough." Kyoraku chuckled. "Though I doubt you would have any problems, especially after what you did to Tokinada."
"...I do not know who that is." Cain said, but his words were very contrasting with the smile on his face. "But he sounds like a whiny little bitch."
"He does have that kind of name." Kyoraku said, a genuine smirk on his face as he did not think about how there had been an extra passenger who looked very similar to a woman he once saw in Tokinada's mansion. "Guess it must have been Aizen."
"Still not sure who we're talking about but I think you might be correct." Cain said with a chuckle as he turned around. "Whelp, this was fun but there are eager fans waiting for my return." He then took a step forward before stopping and looked back at the captains with a serious look on his face. "But allow me to give you a final warning."
"Beware the fragmented deity, my friends. Beware the parts that are left of him." He said, his gaze steady as he looked at Ukitaka before smiling. "So long!" And walked through Senkaimon.
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