Afire Love (Bleach: Ichiruki)

XXVI

Third Person

"Shunsui." Jūshirō Ukitake flung open the doors to Captain Kyōraku's office, determination on his face. Nanao's eyes widened at Ukitake's rude interruption, and also at the helpless shinigami who was not supposed to let anyone in.

But Shunsui held his arms out, welcoming his best friend in.

"Jūshirō!" He grinned.

But his grin shifted into a concerned expression when Jūshirō didn't wear his normal cheerful smile.

Ukitake shut the door behind him, walking up the Kyōraku's desk.

"We have a problem." 

Shunsui rose his eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips. "That doesn't surprise me. Lately, we've had countless problems."

Jūshirō narrowed his eyes. "This problem concerns the survival of Soul Society."

Shunsui sighed, rolling his eyes as he leaned back in his chair.

"Please tell me its not something as terrible as Yhwach suddenly being brought back to life." Kyōraku joked, letting out an amused laugh afterwards.

But Ukitake stayed silent. He didn't laugh along with Kyōraku. Instead, his glare softened.

His eyes told it all.

Shunsui was up on his feet in instant, the chair flying back. Nanao backed away slowly, her eyes widening.

Anger, fear, confusion. Shunsui'd expression spoke it all.

"He's alive?" Kyōraku yelled. That was the first time in a long time he had ever risen his voice. And he only did that when his emotions were beyond anger.

"He never died." Ukitake said.

Kyōraku's reiatsu spiked, as Nanao stumbled on her feet to stay upright. Ukitake matched his intense and angry gaze.

"His soul has been in Rukia's body, along with Asami's soul, ever since the end of the war. Yhwach has been absorbing the Soul Queen's soul, along with her powers, day by day.

Asami will be dead by tomorrow if we don't do something right now."

"Who else knows about this?"

"Byakuya Kuchiki and Ichigo Kurosaki."

Kyōraku snapped his head to Nanao.

"Nanao. I need you to call a Captain's meeting here right away. Make sure Lieutenant Kuchiki is not present. And have Captain Kuchiki lead the meeting at my order."

"Yes sir." She said quickly before disappearing from their sight.

Kyōraku moved his attention back to Ukitake.

"As for us, Jūshirō, we'll be heading up to the Soul King's palace. Right now."

•

The Captains stood in their sections among the two lines, as Captain Kuchiki stood at the head, since Kyōraku had ordered him to lead the meeting.

Captains Kyōraku, Ukitake, and Kurotsuchi were the only ones not present in this meeting.

But Yoroichi and Urahara were present.

"Kuchiki. What the hell are ya doing?" Captain Zaraki asked.

He only ignored him.