Sunset in Heaven

Chapter 16

The Senkai Gate opened before them and the two males went out into the night. There were still several traces of reiatsus here and there, but no one was fighting anymore. It seemed the Shinigamis had finally gotten their zanpakutous back.

'I'm ashamed of myself.' Ichigo heard Muramasa's voice inside his head. 'I should apologize to everyone... though I don't think they will ever forgive me for using them.'

"We won't know until we try." Ichigo simply voiced inside his head before he and Byakuya started to walk.

Just then, many reiatsus came approaching and Ichigo stopped in his tracks when he recognized the other Shinigamis' reiatsus. Byakuya stopped beside him and they quietly waited for the owner of those reiatsus to appear. The owners immediately did after some more seconds. The other Taichous and Fukutaichous appeared before them and their haori and Shihakusho fluttered behind them when they suddenly stopped.

"Byakuya Kuchiki and Ichigo Kurosaki," Soi Fon stepped forward. "The Soutaichou is awaiting your report."

Renji and Rukia immediately followed and padded towards Ichigo. All of them were still beware of Byakuya who appeared unfazed by all the gawks and stares.

Ichigo stepped forward and everyone's attention turned to him. "Everyone, I am here in place of Muramasa, who apologizes for his wrongdoings. He doesn't need your forgiveness, all he needs is for you to hear his apology." He bowed quickly in apology before he straightened up again. The others were about to argue and complain, and most likely ask why he was doing it for a rogue zanpakutou, but Ichigo's expression remained unreadable.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, I believe that chatter will have to wait." Byakuya voiced coolly when the others started asking questions. "The Soutaichou is waiting."

"Yeah, I know." Ichigo said before he waved his goodbye to the others.

Ikkaku narrowed his eyes. "Why is there another zanpakutou on Ichigo's back?" Renji and the others also saw that but they decided that questioning Ichigo would have to wait later. Only Rukia realized it. The reason why Ichigo apologized on behalf of Muramasa was because the teen was now Muramasa's master. It seemed the others would either respect him more or fear him more.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ichigo paced back and forth as he waited for his turn. After a while, the door opened and Byakuya walked out with elegance and grace befitting for a noble like him. Ichigo watched as the other man passed him without uttering a word, though dipping his head a little, and disappeared into a corner before the teen entered and closed the door behind him.

He had been inside the soutaichou's office once, back when Juushirou was still alive. And now that he thought about it, it felt like a long time ago when that happened. His life still wasn't as complicated... and wasn't as agonizing. He let out a long sigh before he walked over to Yamamoto's table. Chojirou Sakakibe stood behind the soutaichou like a bodyguard just like the last time.

"Before we start, I want to confirm where your allegiance lies." Yamamoto started. "Aizen said that you know who he is. But you never told anyone about it."

Ichigo's eyes hardened. "My allegiance is with the comrades of my father." He sighed before he continued. "I haven't told anyone because I believed that you see Aizen as someone so kind and exemplary in everything he did. It's my words, a child who grew up in Rukongai, against his, one of the Gotei 13 Taichous. And besides, I have no evidence to prove my testimony. It will only create a ruckus." Yamamoto looked thoughtful for a while before he nodded. Ichigo fiddled with his hakama. "And... actually, I did tell someone." Yamamoto arched an eyebrow. "Eh, Kenpachi... But he told me not to tell anyone else because it might become troublesome."