Reborn: Bleach Edition

1.9

Sticking to his word, Hajime invited Jushiro and Shunsui to Squad 9 Barracks later that night. When the two arrived, dinner was already made and set. A feeling of deja vu flooded Jushiro and Shunsui's senses.

"It's been a while since we had dinner together." Shunsui said, making small-talk.

"Hm, just like in school." Jushiro smiled as he thought back to when they were younger.

Fond memories popped up, making the group laugh.

Jushiro chuckled, "Remeber when old man Yama decided to make us his students?"

Hajime sweatdropped, recalling the memory.

"Shunsui," a much younger Jushiro whispered through the door, "I don't think you should do this." He tried to reason.

Shunsui smirked, but didn't give up. "Come on, Shiro chan," Shunsui continued to dig through drawers and looking under things, "The old man has to have magazines." He reasoned.

Hajime peaked his head over Jushiro's, "When you get in trouble, don't drag us into it." He warned.

"He won't be the one getting you in trouble," an old voice said behind the pair of heads looking through the door.

Hajime and Jushiro visibly stiffen, the former instantly recognizing the voice and reiatsu.

"Damn it, Shunsui." Hajime muttered before resigning to his fate.

"You're an actual asshole," Hajime muttered, still sour over the outcome. In the end, all three became old man Yama's students and the hellish training began.

Shunsui and Jushiro laughed at Hajime's comment.

"Now, now, don't hate me." Shunsui soothed, "If anything, you should be thanking me."

Hajime huffed and sipped his tea.

Shunsui chuckled at the younger's reaction before deciding to not beat around the bush. "So what's the real reason you called us here?"

Hajime glanced at his friends before deciding to reveal his doubts, "I believe... we have something... bigger that's taking place." Hajime made sure to word his sentences carefully.

Jushiro grew concerned while Shunsui quirked his eyebrow.

Hajime observed their reactions, and like he expected, Shunsui already seemed to develop the same doubts. "I don't believe the Ryoka have killed Aizen," Hajime said as he looked at Jushiro. Neither of them said anything so Hajime continued his explanation, "The Ryoka are teens, they have no killing intent, and haven't killed any of their opponents in battle." Hajime recalled how he passed Squad 11's third seat. Madarame was lying on the ground, his body surrounded by rubble and destruction. Hajime quickly deduced that the third seat had fought and lost. But Hajime looked over Madarame's body, his enemy treated his wounds before leaving. Hajime flared his reiatsu to get Zaraki's attention before leaving the third seat.

Jushiro and Shunsui nodded in agreement. Shunsui recalling his fight with the Ryoka. The children just wanted to get their friend and leave. They didn't want to hurt anyone.

"And," Hajime continued, "I'm suspicious of Aizen."

Shunsui nodded in agreement, "He's hiding something."

The group remained silent until Hajime decided to break it.

"Do you want to stay the night?" Hajime offered.

Jushiro looked out the open doors that lead to a courtyard, "Sure." He said when he saw the time of might it was.

Shunsui agreed as well.