Oradour-Sur-Glane

Realization

DISCLAIMER: I don't own BLEACH. BLEACH is a property of Tite Kubo, and is not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only. This fanfiction story is only inspired by a real life event. Any resemblance to any real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Realization

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I let out a huge sigh after throwing another scroll into a table on my left without even looking. It landed with a small thud before skidding down and hitting the tatami beneath. Scrolls are now piling up, scrolls that contains reports regarding the search for Isshin and his family. I should be arranging them according to their date of arrival, however, they're all negative anyway. Somehow, Isshin and his family managed to disappear like ghosts in France. And with the on-going purging of Germany's leader, I worry that they're-

No. They're fine.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and I let out another sigh as I fix my glasses, my obi suddenly felt too tight around my waist.

Looks like I will have to trust that Sosuke. He's the only one I got. Even though the moment I first saw him, my whole being screamed trouble. That boy, is always smiling innocently, as if he's the nicest guy in the whole imperial court. But I know. I know that behind that smile, is a monster.

A koi jumping out of water caught my attention, making me look at that koi pond in that small garden just outside of my room. I let out another sigh.

Isshin, where the heck are you?

"Ryoken-sama!"

A voice interrupted my musing making me furrow my eyebrows a little before clearing my throat.

"Yes, come in."

The sliding door opened slowly revealing Kisuke, one of my most trusted emissary. He's sitting seiza-style on the corridor outside my door, his head bowed down a little, both of this hands palmed down on the floor to support his weight.

"What is it Kisuke? Any news?"

Kisuke lifted his head a little to acknowledge me.

"Yes, Ryoken-sama. It turns out hiring private investigators in France without letting Aizen-dono know is a good idea. They said they found where Isshin-sama stayed for these past few year. Neighboring towns confirmed that there is black-haired doctor with small eyes living in Oradour-sur-glane with his wife and son."

I felt my gut twist, I turned my whole body to face Kisuke, wanting to hear more. I knew that Sosuke is trying to hide something. It's not true that Isshin is that difficult to find. I knew it.

"... but, there a problem Ryoken-sama."

My eyebrows furrowed automatically.

"Just a week ago, the town where Isshin-sama and the young prince is staying was attacked by German soldiers claiming that everyone in town is planning to overthrow the Germans. "

I didn't notice that I'm already gripping the edge of the table in front of me.

Attacked.

What does that mean..

"Everyone in town, is dead Ryouken-sama."

"WHAT??!"

Kisuke lowered his head more as if asking for forgiveness for something that he didn't even do.