One Tin Soldier

Chapter 31: Come the Morning After

The next morning Harry and Kon, who was still in Ichigo's body, were met in the Ministry Atrium by an Unspeakable and the petite Soul Reaper, Rukia Kuchiki. Sirius and Remus would meet up with Harry after the exams. However, a minor problem had developed, much to Harry's dismay.

"Your exams have been moved to the Hall of Mysteries, for your safety," The Unspeakable informed him. "It would be for the best."

"Nee-san!" Kon shouted as he took a dive at the small Soul Reaper.

"Can it!" she said, giving the mod-soul an upper cut to the chin. "Behave yourself."

"Any news?" Harry asked, grabbing Kon's shirt collar, before they moved through the Ministry.

"All the prisoners have been relocated to the Holding Cells and they're being evaluated to see how insane they are," Rukia said with disgust. "They're thinking of using that open Senkaimon that this Merlin created, before it's destroyed."

Harry made a sound of disgust. "What do the captains say?"

"They're against it. Even though Society laws and traditions say Dangai have been used in the past to deal with hard core prisoners."

Harry agreed with the captains. He couldn't wait to see how Ichigo felt about it. It should be interesting to watch that debate.

~~

The last of his exams didn't take long. Harry was just finishing up his last practical when the last group of people who had gone to Azkaban walked in.

Ichigo arrived as his normal Reaper self, with his over-sized Zanpakuto strapped to his back. He was covered with cuts and bruises as well as a ripped and bloodied Shihakusho.

"What happened to you!?" Rukia shouted at him.

"Kenpachi happened," Ichigo groused with disgust as he grabbed Kon by the arm. The mod soul protested as Ichigo stepped into his body.

Ichigo coughed and spit out a blue green pill. He caught it in midair. "Kon didn't give you any problems?"

Harry gave a slight smile. "Let's just say he didn't like Sirius' house any more than my godfather does. It was a quiet night."

"Good!"

"Harry, my boy, why are you still here?" came Albus' voice off to one side.

Harry sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He had hoped to keep the headmaster ignorant of his plans. Oh well.

"I came to see how my cousin fared," came the obvious answer.

~~

It was midafternoon and Harry once again stood by the stone arch of the Veil along with the Soul Reapers, Sirius and the Unspeakables. It would be destroyed once the Captains and their Lieutenants left through the portal.

Staying behind in the Department of Mysteries were Kisuke Urahara, Captains Ukitake and Kyoraku along with Lieutenants Nanao and Rukia. They were staying at the Unspeakables expense, to make sure all the notes and files on the Gate, as well as the Dementors, were destroyed, and to share some research. It was going to take some time.

The captains found the Department of Mysteries fascinating and wanted to share some knowledge with them. The research here was more in depth than what could be found in the Soul Society.

"Uh...before you go." Harry glanced over at Captain Kuchiki, who gave him a slight nod. It was now time to bring some closure to the whole Koga disaster. He had discussed this with the Head of the Kuchiki Clan earlier. "There's something I need to do."