Chapter 33

Ichigo's eyes widened at the news, his body trembling in anger and shock, "Execution...?! Why?!"

Shirou remained quiet, listening to the red haired man silently.

"I don't know, I don't know... but it has something to do with you, I think. Giving your power as a Shinigami to a human, that's not something that could be overlooked easily."

"But it doesn't warrant an execution." Yoruichi interrupted, her eyes glared sharply at the Shinigami, "The sentence doesn't match her crime."

"That's what I thought at first. But the Central 46 Court was firm with their decision." Renji defended, "The execution will be carried out in 25 days. Rukia has accepted her punishment."

Absurd.

The news was absurd. The situation was absurd.

Everything was just so messed up.

Shirou's silence was heavy, everyone could feel that his reiatsu somehow leaked. The subtle control was broken, and it seeped out. It wasn't as overwhelming as before. Instead, it was cold, like an icy cold blade. 

His eyes showed nothing, only pure darkness. His mouth remained shut tight, forming a frown. Memories of that night returned in a flash before quickly fading away.

And Ichigo, on the other hand, was in rage.

His spiritual power was spilling everywhere. It leaked out and created pressure on everyone, even Urahara felt it.

"Hey... Is this the one that Rukia gave her power to?" Renji muttered, looking at the orange-haired boy.

Ichigo then screamed, "Execution...?! For something small like that...?!" His reiatsu began to grow more and more, making the whole store shook.

"Calm down." Shirou warned him in a low voice.

"Calm down my ass! How the fuck I am supposed to calm down in a situation like this?!"

"Because it's a situation like this that we need to stay calm." The older twin retorted back. He sighed and looked at Renji with a serious expression, "Renji-san, are you here to hunt me and Ichigo?"

The question caught Ichigo and Renji off guard.

Renji shook his head and replied, "No. I only passed by on my patrol and murmured to myself. But I am too tired, so I don't know who heard me."

"I see, thank you for telling us." Shirou said in a grateful tone. His voice was still cold, and he seemed to have calmed himself down.

Nothing would be gained if they were to act rashly. Shirou had learned that many times, especially after the last Grail War. He would not be impulsive this time. He wouldn't make the same mistake again.

He was going to be stronger.

Taking a deep breath, he looked at Urahara, who only smiled in amusement in return.

"I know that you will do it, so please." Shirou spoke in a whisper.

Understanding what he meant, the shopkeeper nodded his head, "Leave it to me."

***

The night passed as Renji left them. His task was complete. There was nothing he could do now, only waiting for the result.

Returning to Soul Society, the Shinigami was greeted by Byakuya in the 6th division barrack.

"Where were you?" The Kuchiki noble asked as soon as Renji arrived, causing his body to jolt slightly.

Looking at the captain, Renji gulped. He was sure that the man knew where he went, so he couldn't really lie about it, could he?

"I was given an order to patrol Karakura Town and just returned. They will send another Shinigami from the other squad to take over." He answered in a calm voice.

Byakuya looked at his lieutenant's eyes before walking away, "Good work."

Sighing in relief, Renji then asked, "Captain, I have something I want to ask. Why did Rukia-"

"The decision has been made. It's not our place to ask or to question." Byakuya replied in a harsh voice. His face was as stoic and expressionless as always. "We are the enforcer of the law, and it is our duty to ensure it's being fulfilled. No matter how harsh it might be."

With that, the captain left. He didn't turn his head to see Renji again as his lieutenant was still rooted in his place, unable to comprehend the decision.

He clenched his fists tightly and glared at the ground.

'Damn it! I can't just watch. I don't care if I will go against Captain Kuchiki or the entire Soul Society. I have to do something.'

He then turned to the building where his childhood friend was currently detained, his expression serious.

***

In another part of Karakura Town, a young man with glasses could be seen walking down a long corridor. Moonlight seeped in, illuminating his way. His footsteps echoed on every step he took, his mind was occupied by a certain auburn-haired boy.

Kurosaki Shirou.

The name was familiar to him, a classmate who was always asked by other people for help. He was a normal person, a kind boy who wouldn't refuse any help. That's what Ishida Uryu thought.

But that was far from what he really was. Kurosaki Shirou was a strange person. And if that wasn't enough, Ishida learned something interesting about him. Something that made him doubt his own knowledge and everything he knew about him.

That boy said that he was a Quincy, like him. A proud race that protected humanity from Hollow.

For a few days, Uryu had investigated him, but the result didn't show anything. No matter where he started or looked, Shirou's existence couldn't be traced to his father. He was just a son of a clinic doctor, born and raised in Karakura Town. 

There was no information about his mother, and his father's family didn't seem to be connected with the Ishida family at all. 

No record or anything.

As if it had been erased intentionally.

It was too clean, too perfect for someone to just erase the information like that. The boy's birth was mysterious. It was like someone had tried to hide it. His existence was hidden from the eyes of others.

Even so, Uryu had the confidence that the boy was a Quincy. 

He could see and sense spirit, fought, and his technique was different from any other. It was distinct and alien.

When fighting against those hollows, Uryu saw him using Hirenkyaku, and that confirmed his suspicion.

Because he couldn't find anything in his house's library, Uryu decided to confront someone who might know about it.

He stopped in front of a door leading to his father's office.

He didn't want to talk to this man, not after everything that happened between them. But there was no one else, he had no other clue to pursue.

The young man knocked on the door and entered without waiting for any response. He didn't feel like wasting time to hear any reply from his father, not like he would even give any in the first place.

However, the other party replied.

"Enter."

Uryu was slightly taken aback by his response, but he regained his calm and opened the door. The room was dark with the only light source being from a desk lamp. The figure of his father, Ishida Ryuuken, was visible on a chair. He was looking out from the window.

"What are you doing here?" The man asked in his usual cold tone without turning to him.

"I want to ask something." Uryu answered in a flat tone.

"What is it?" Ryuuken inquired.

"Tell me about Kurosaki Shirou. What does the name mean to you?" He demanded, his voice filled with anticipation. He waited for any reaction.

Nothing at all. Not even a twitch.

Ryuuken didn't show any emotion and continued in a calm manner, "I don't know that name."

"You must be kidding me!" The young Quincy couldn't help but shout in anger.

The man only snorted. He didn't look amused. Instead, his face showed clear annoyance at his son's behavior.

"So, you have come to me, to ask for that name? Are you asking me whether you can befriend him or not?" Ryuuken scoffed. "What an immature act."

"That-"

Uryu wanted to say something in anger, but he knew that wouldn't get him anywhere. It would only make the other man annoyed and angry. So, he tried to suppress his emotion.

"-I am sorry for raising my voice, but I need to ask about him. After all, that boy is a Quincy."

Silence descended upon the office.

Ryuuken finally turned to face Uryu. Nothing could be seen on his face, he was just as stoic as always. But he seemed to be slightly surprised by his son's claim, his eyes narrowed slightly.

"So, you can't answer that?"

"I can't." Ryuuken replied. His voice was heavy as if the name was a heavy burden on his shoulders. It was full of regret, something Uryu rarely saw or heard.

That alone was enough for him. At least he confirmed that his father knew Kurosaki Shirou's existence and the fact that he was a Quincy.

Uryu sighed. His eyes showed disappointment.

"You won't answer me with anything about him, will you?" 

The bespectacled boy questioned in a mocking tone. He snorted, raising his chin to look down at the man who used to be his father. Not anymore, at least for him this man was never a father. 

"You've always acted like this, feeling better than anyone, with a cold attitude. But when I ask, you won't answer anything. I'm not expecting much from you, I never do. But why can't you answer a simple question? Is it because you hate him?"

Ryuuken didn't answer and Uryu snorted.

"I don't have time for this." Uryu then turned and walked out. His scowl expressed his disappointment and anger toward Ryuuken, "Good night, Ryuuken."

Never would Uryu call that man father. Not after what he did to his mother's corpse, not even burying her in a proper place.

***Chapter End***

While the others are preparing something, Ishida seems to get caught up in Shirou.

What the heck bro? Is he secretly... I meant, I won't say it but eww...

Anyway stones!! Next chapter might drop faster if I get a lot of stones!

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