"Thanks to Kisuke's being the perfect scapegoat, Aizen was able to continue his plans in secret. I don't know exactly what those plans were. For a time, I believe he was unable to move as he wanted because Kisuke hid the item he wanted the most. Until Aizen learned more, indirectly, from Kisuke's research. Somehow, he learned that the key to his plans was not gone as he had feared.To obtain it he would stoop to any means."
Juushiro stood up, narrowing his eyes, anger brimming in his voice as he continued into the history of someone under his protection.
"Aizen killed everyone in Central 46, took their place in framing Rukia Kuchiki, and condemned her to die in the worst way we shinigami could use, a method usually only used for executing captains of extreme power.
"Many wondered at the sentence, but only Shunsui and myself of the Gotei 13 stood against Central 46. We destroyed the ancient power that would have destroyed her."
He sighed. "It should have ended there. But Aizen was way ahead of everyone."
"He had already faked his own death, a final manipulation to those young people that held him in high esteem, creating waves of chaos and grief, and when his method to destroy Rukia didn't go as planned, he revealed himself and still made to kill her and any who had revered him and stood in his way."
Juushiro closed his eyes.
"Byakuya saved Rukia in the last minute, and your captain, Toshiro, found out the Aizen's scheme, nearly losing himself in the process. They also became victims of his betrayal.
One of Aizen's numerous victims was his childhood friend, Hinamori-chan, Aizen's most loyal follower and lieutenant."
Juushiro stopped talking for a moment. He opened his eyes and faced Tsukiro again, features grim. "So many would have followed him to the grave, and instead, he tried to break them in the cruelest way possible."
"All to obtain the Hougyoku."
Tsukiro was appalled. As he was still in the academy when all this happened, he never got the full truth until now. He was lucky not to have been a part of all that madness, however he would fight for those who had. It was his duty to fight next to his comrades.
"The Hougyoku, created by Kisuke and Aizen, is a small item with vast amounts of power, created to transcend the boundaries between Hollow and Soul Reaper. Kisuke built his for good, hoping to bolster shinigami better against brutal Hollow attacks. Aizen built his on his search for power and experimented with the citizens of the Rukongai, and later, the several captains and lieutenants. He continues to use it to make his dangerous arrancar army in Las Noches. When it was first created, Kisuke said that the power that emitted from the Hougyoku was like nothing he had experienced before, and it is a creation that cannot be destroyed." Juushiro returned to his seat on the flat rock.
Like usual, Tsukiro remained silent as he allowed this knowledge go sink in. Now he understood why Aizen was so dead set on using the Seraph for his own gains, and why Yamamoto was so ticked when she wasn't captured. More importantly, he understood why he had just become public enemy number one in Aizen's eyes.
He sensed Kotaishi's unrest in the back of his mind. Tsukiro wasn't feeling very calm either. Subconsciously, he rubbed the back of his neck, grazing the tips of his hair. It was times like these that he wished Sensei and Otou-san were here. They would know exactly what to do in this situation. Just like they always did.
Juushiro laid a hand his head. "I think that is enough for today, Tsukiro. I'll answer your other questions tomorrow. I might have pushed you too far as it is. You're as pale as a ghost." He let his hand rest on his head for a moment longer before removing it, reaching into his haori and pulling out a small bag.
Cupping the boy's hands, he set the bag in Tsukiro's and untied it, revealing the dozens of varied sweets from Rukongai, along with a few from the Karakura Town.
"I hadn't originally thought to tell you all the details of Sousuke's evil in one day, but I believe that knowledge is the best protection against him I can give you for the moment. Take as many as you want now to clear you mind and save the rest for another day. "
He stood. "And no matter what you do, remember why you wanted this. Don't let the knowledge and feelings pulled from such information overwhelm you. Remember that you do not have a personal vendetta against Aizen."
Tsukiro got a rush of an emotion that he hadn't felt in a very long time. As Ukitake placed his hand on Tsukiro's head, warmth flooded his soul. The touch was soothing and made him feel very young. He could remember two people who could make him feel so safe and protected, and one of them was dead.
Not knowing what to say, Tsukiro stuttered and muttered, "T-thank you, Captain."
Tsukiro looked down at the sweets then shook his head in an attempt to be rid of his nostalgic feelings.
No. They're gone now. They're out of my reach. I won't be seeing them again.
Part 6: Revisiting the Past
Part 6 (Juushiro Ukitake): Preparation for the Coming Storm
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This took FOREVER. Hope you enjoyed it. Sorry for the long read.
