Not a Mob: Psycho

"Are you really leaving...?" asked Orihime, having followed Ohta to the entrance of the secret area, located in the side of a cliff overlooking a verdant forest.
Half-turning to stare at Orihime over his shoulder, Ohta briefly considered telling her they weren't friends. However, as her healing hadn't simply removed the scar on his chest but every single one of them, he ultimately replied, "See you around, ginger snap. Look after my cat for me while I'm gone."
Though she wasn't fond of the idea of Ohta going off on his own, Orihime smiled when he called her 'ginger snap.' Bar a few outliers like Ichigo and Uryu, Ohta typically only gave pet names to those he cared about. At the very least, that's what Orihime had heard from Tatsuki. Yoruichi, however, knew the truth. Rather than to exhibit closeness, Ohta used pet names to distance himself from those attempting to get close to him, evidenced by how he called her cat and never once used Karin's name after she began training with him...
"Be safe," said Orhime, her smile exuding the radiance of the Sun as she added, "And if you get injured, I'll be here waiting for you..."
Raising his hand to show he had heard Orihime's parting remark, Ohta promptly vanished from view. In his wake, Orihime spent several minutes simply staring into the distance, her smile gradually fading until it became an expression of concern, tinged by a trace of longing. Shortly after that, her ears began burning as the image of Ohta's naked form pervaded her mind for the umpteenth time...
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After meandering through the underground tunnels for hours, allowing him to move about undetected, Ohta eventually emerged in the district patrolled by Squad 12. According to Yoruichi, the Captain of Squad 12, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, would be out of commission for at least a few days. Squad 12 also had an antagonistic relationship with Squad 11, so Ohta assumed it would be the safest place to explore, gather information, and avoid Zaraki...
While Ohta didn't fear the battle-crazed Captain, their brief encounter had made him marginally more cautious. If Zaraki hadn't held back, Ohta knew he could have been killed in the first blow. His psychic barrier had offered him virtually no protection against Zaraki's sword, and if the man removed his eyepatch, Ohta knew he would become drastically more powerful. The tiny band of black fabric may look inconspicuous at first glance, but it was an advanced Reiryoku-devouring device, devouring and sealing up to 80% of Zaraki's power in his base form alone...
Fortunately for Ohta, around the time he emerged from the underground, Zaraki was napping on the bridge connecting the Seireitei's Hall of Justice to the Tower of Penitence that Rukia was being kept in. He believed that Ohta would make a beeline for the Senzaikyū when he learned about the advancement in Rukia's execution date. Instead, after being informed of the change by a very 'cooperative' member of Squad 12, Ohta returned to the underground tunnel system in a phenomenal mood. After all, with the date being moved up, it meant he would be reconvening with his favorite spider bunny nearly two weeks sooner...
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[August 6th, the morning of Rukia's Execution]
Interrupting Ohta's meditation, as she was want to do, Yoruichi appeared before him in her human form, crossing her arms as she questioned, "Are you ready? Only two hours remaining until it's showtime."
Instead of answering Yoruichi's question, Ohta opened his eyes, asking, "What about the edgy strawberry? Did he succeed in attaining Bankai, or am I carrying this shit show alone...?"
Shrugging her shoulders, Yoruichi replied, "It's hard to say. He obtained 'something,' but it's unlike any Bankai I've ever seen. It's more of a state of spiritual compression, drastically increasing his speed and power but lacking the x-factor most Bankai are known for. What about you? Is the temperamental puppy dog still ignoring you...?"
"Something like that..." replied Ohta, rising to his feet and rolling his right arm. The truth was that the jackal had agreed to lend him his power, but there were some conditions attached. He demanded that Ohta 'discard his fetter and claim what was his.' This might sound like he was referring to Rukia, but the reality was far more 'primal.' The shadowy jackal hated how Yoruichi and other women took advantage of his 'forbearance,' so it expected him to either 'cut them loose' or take them for everything they were worth...
Approaching Yoruichi, Ohta left the dark-skinned woman feeling at a loss for words as he cupped her chin, tracing his thumb along her bottom lip as he said, "Do not fail me..." with a smoldering expression and tone. His words and actions confused her greatly, but she felt equally excited when he released her chin and sauntered past her, slapping her ass and saying, "Let's go." in the same commanding tone.
Turning to stare at Ohta's back, Yoruichi narrowed her eyes and remarked, "Someone's in a feisty mood...". When Ohta seemed to ignore her, walking away in silence completely, she then transformed into a cat, leaping onto his shoulder and purring, "Slap my ass like that again, and I'll take you on the spot..."
Surprising Yoruichi once again, Ohta flatly remarked, "I just might if you stop entrusting the world's fate to teenagers, get off your ass, and earn it..."
Turning to meet Yoruichi's gaze, Ohta asked, "What kind of 'Defender of the Realm' sits on their ass and watches others fight to protect it?"
Furrowing her brows, Yoruichi huffily contended, "You 'know' it's more complicated than that..."
"And 'you' know I don't give a fuck," retorted Ohta. "Either fight with me from now on or back the fuck off and stay out of my way. If shit's going to be thrust on my shoulders regardless, I'll be the one to decide how I deal with it..."
"..."
Though she wanted to protest by pointing out she had spent the last hundred years preparing for the coming confrontation, Yoruichi couldn't deny that she and Kisuke were forcing a tremendous burden onto Ohta's and Ichigo's shoulders. Matters of the Soul Society should be handled by those native to it. 'Conscripting' a bunch of high school students to fight against people trying to supplant the closest thing to a God in the current world was more than a little unreasonable...
Interrupting Yoruichi's reflection, Ohta said, "Don't get your skin-tight pants in a bunch. Even if you continue doing jack shit, I'll kill Aizen, that Yhwach bastard, and anyone else who threatens the 'balance' you're so desperate to protect. Just don't be surprised when I send the Shihouin Clan a massive fucking invoice for doing your jobs for you..."
Exhaling a scoffing chortle, Yoruichi noted, "You're beginning to remind me of when we first met and began interacting. I like it, but don't take things too far and say something you shouldn't. As playful as I appear, you should know I'm a very prideful woman. I 'always' give as good as I get..."
"Well, if you want to 'get' anything, start giving," countered Ohta, adding, "And no, that isn't an invitation to continue tempting me. I want to see you actively working to resolve the threats we've discussed&mdash;something other than leaving things to me and an angry strawberry with mommy issues..." Feeling increasingly annoyed, Ohta's brows furrowed as he added, "There are absolutely no guarantees that Ichigo will be able to acquire the power necessary to defeat Aizen and Yhwach. What you and the creepy candy store uncle 'should' have been doing for the last hundred years is training like the fucking world depends on it..."
"You're starting to piss me off..." muttered Yoruichi, her feline expression morphed into a deep frown. At the same time, however, she couldn't deny Ohta's words. It wasn't like she hadn't trained at all over the past hundred years, but she definitely could have done more. Instead, she trusted that Kisuke had a plan, dedicating most of her time to gathering information to keep him apprised of Aizen's movements, misappropriating materials from her Clan's storehouses to supply his store, and liquidating personal assets to finance his experiments. All in the name of their friendship and the love she once believed he had for her...
Biting Ohta's cheek hard enough to draw blood, Yoruichi leaped from his shoulder and said, "I need some fresh air," before disappearing, leaving perfect outlines of her feet within the stone comprising the underground pathway. In her wake, Ohta reached up to touch his cheek, taking note of the blood on his fingertips as he remarked, "I knew my words would come back to bite me but come on..."
Responding to Ohta's utterance, the familiar voice of the shadow jackal said, ("You have kept your end of the bargain. Just this once, I will lend you my power...")
"Don't you mean 'my' power?" countered Ohta. His Zanpakuto Spirit was an extension of himself, so even though they had distinctive egos, they were ultimately the same existence.
Ignoring Ohta's remark, or at least pretending to, the shadow jackal said, ("Listen closely. My name is...")
Hearing the name of his Zanpakuto, Ohta's eyes briefly widened before a toothy grin developed across his face...
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Staring at the giant glaive that would soon reduce her soul to ashes, Rukia felt neither fear nor grief. Rather, as Ohta hadn't reemerged since his fight with Kenpachi, she felt relief. It wasn't easy to imagine Ohta fleeing out of fear, but she prayed that was the case. The Soul Society might not forgive him for his intrusion, but if he returned to the human world and lay low, he could enjoy a few more years of life...
"Have you made your peace...?" asked an incredibly ancient-looking man with a somewhat pointy bald head, numerous scars covering his face and body, long eyebrows that framed his face, and an even longer beard that extended to his knees, fastened by purple bindings. He supported himself with a large wooden cane, but no one in the whole of Soul Society would dare to consider him old and weak as the kanji emblazoned on the back of his Haori denoted him as the Captain of Squad 1, Captain-Commander of the Thirteen Court Guardian Squads and most powerful Shinigami to have ever lived, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
Adopting a faint smile, Rukia replied, "I have. And thank you for giving me one final moment to reflect..."
"Hmmm..."
Though barely half the Captains had shown up as instructed, Yamamoto nodded affirmatively, responding, "Very well. Then the time has arrived for your execution. Before that, have you any last words?"
Exhaling the faintest of chuckles, Rukia replied, "If I can be permitted a bit of selfishness, I would ask that the Ryoka who invaded Soul Society be allowed to return to their lives in peace. They are good people. Their lives should not be ruined trying to save their friend..."
"Hmmmmmmmm..."
Closing his eyes, Yamamoto looked like he was seriously considering Rukia's request. Fortunately, while the defeat of two Captains and the injury of several Lieutenants was no laughing matter, there had been no loss of life. In fact, based on the reports he had received, it seemed like the 'enemy' Ryoka had gone out of their way not to seriously injure or kill their opponents.
Surprising nearly everyone present, Yamamoto opened his eyes and said, "Agreed. Your last request will be honored. Assuming there are no further incidents, I shall allow the Ryoka to return unharmed."
Feeling even greater relief, Rukia exhaled a laughing sigh, a genuine smile developing across her face as she replied, "Then I can die without regret."
Nodding his head, Yamamoto said, "Then let us begin." In truth, he had no intention of letting Ohta and the others return, but as a final kindness to a girl he didn't believe deserved the punishment she had been assigned, he didn't mind telling a gentle lie...
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(A/N: And his name is...!)

As her body was slowly raised into the sky, bound in a crucifixion pose, Rukia closed her eyes and recollected the days she spent with Ohta one final time before the Sokyoku, having transformed into a giant flaming bird, completely incinerated her soul. She suspected that Yamamoto was lying to her, but she chose to believe in her former Captain-Commander's words, muttering, "Please don't come, Ohta..." as a single tear rolled down her cheek.
"Funny. You usually say the opposite..." responded an all-too-familiar voice, a response Rukia initially thought of as an auditory hallucination until she felt a hand on her butt...
"So, you into bondage now?" asked Ohta, drawing Rukia's disbelieving gaze as she turned her head to find him standing behind her.
"Ohta..." muttered Rukia, her voice pained, her brows trembling, and her eyes watering. At the same time, however, she couldn't help smiling as she weakly cried, "You really came..."
"You'll get used to it..." teased Ohta, kissing Rukia's crown before staring down the giant flaming chicken observing their interaction with merciless eyes. The Sokyoku was said to possess the power of a million Zanpakuto, but based on what Ohta could sense, someone had either tampered with it, significantly reducing its power, or the information provided to him was false...
"So, this is the reckless Ryoka that has been making a mockery of the Thirteen Court Guardian Squads..." muttered Yamamoto, his silvery-grey eyes seeing through the depths of Ohta's power instantly.
"Impressive for one so young. A pity..." added the old man, subsequently stamping the ground with his cane as he commanded, "Proceed with the execution...!"
Seeing the flaming chicken flare up, preparing for its charge, Ohta used Shunpo to position himself in front of Rukia, a wispy black aura beginning to rise from his body as he thought ("This better fucking work...")
Slapping his hands together, covered in black gloves that resembled the visage of a wolf or jackal, Ohta shouted, "Balance the Scales, Kuroinu no Anpu...!"
In response to Ohta's shout, his usual Shihakusho exploded, leaving him shirtless but granting him a hooded, shadowy black cloak that cast a shadow over the upper half of his face and had two pointed ears sticking straight up. In place of his hakama, he gained a pair of black trousers and a black belt with a jackal-themed buckle. He was also barefoot, but there were bandages wrapped around his forearms and calves as the gloves he had been wearing became angular black tattoos around his wrists.
Though the observing Captains, Lieutenants, and supporting members of the Gotei had no idea what Ohta was planning, absolutely none of them expected to see him charge head-first at the Sokyoku, his eyes glowing like white flames within the shadow of his hood as he sported a notably sharp-toothed smile...
Despite feeling his skin crack and burn as he approached the Sokyoku, Ohta's smile broadened as he shouted, "Eat shit, Kentucky Fried...!" in a laughing tone. As he did so, he caught the pointed beak of the Sokyoku with his left hand, feeling a powerful, soul-destroying surge penetrate his body. Ohta felt like his insides had charred and vaporized, but the feeling only lasted an instant as he punched forward with a highly-telegraphed, seemingly innocuous punch...
*KAKROOOOW-!*
As a sound akin to a thunderclap reverberated through the bodies of everyone present, Ohta's punch 'obliterated' the entire left side of the Sokyoku. His body was blackened, and magmous cracks had formed across it, but the smile on his face didn't fade in the slightest. Instead, he burst out laughing as the body of the Sokyoku promptly plunged from the sky, forcing those below to flee as it dispersed into a tidal wave of soul-destroying flames on contact...
Continuing to cackle, giving off more of a hyena than a jackal vibe, the hazy white flames representing Ohta's eyes appeared to form tears along their periphery. He couldn't even begin to describe the pain he was in, but it was marginally outweighed by how ecstatic he felt.
"Capture the Ryoka...!" shouted Yamamoto, the only person who hadn't retreated from the Sokyoku's flames. Fortunately, just as he shouted, two figures appeared, flanking the old man with their hands on his shoulders.
"Come on, Yama-jii, let's have a chat..." said one of the figures, a middle-aged man with an unkempt appearance, facial stubble, and messy brown hair fastened into a loose ponytail. As he wore a straw hat and a flowery pink kimono over the usual Captain's attire, Ohta immediately recognized him as the Captain of Squad 8, Kyoraku Shinsui.
"You dare lay your hands upon me?" asked Yamamoto, staring at the two men, each his former students, with slightly widened eyes.
In response to Yamamoto's words, the second man, possessing delicate features, kind brown eyes, long white hair, and an unmodified Captain's outfit, replied, "We'll explain everything once we change venues..."
Though Yamamoto could have easily stopped the two men, he permitted Kyoraku and the white-haired Captain, Ukitake Jushiro, to whisk him away via Shunpo. He intended to discipline the two Captains, regardless of their explanation, but as he had watched over both men since they were snot-nosed youths, Yamamoto decided to hear them out before determining to what extent they needed to be punished...
With Yamamoto being 'escorted' away by Kyoraku and Ukitake, the only remaining Captains atop the Sokyoku Hill were Soifon, a motherly woman with braided black hair running down the center of her body, a massive man with a basket on his head, and Byakuya. Their Lieutenants were also present, but Ohta didn't consider them a threat, even in his current state. Rather, due to the pain he was enduring, he felt more powerful than ever before...
"Meep meep~!" mused Yoruichi, seemingly appearing out of thin air as she grabbed Soifon by her collar, carrying the slightly blushing Captain away at high speeds. At the same time, Ichigo, Chad, Uryu, and Orihime made their appearance, the orange-haired 'hero' leading the pack as he charged forward with his cleaver-like Zanpakuto, shouting, "Leave these guys to us, Ohta! Take Rukia and run!"
Recognizing Ichigo, Renji abruptly exclaimed, "It's you! The human who stole Rukia's powers...!"
Without waiting for his Captain's permission, Renji charged toward Ichigo with a fiercely indignant scowl. His catastrophic defeat against Ohta had damaged his pride in more ways than one, so while he was secretly over the moon about the possibility of Rukia being rescued, he intended to get in a few good licks against the other human who had embarrassed him in the past...
Prompted by Renji's errant charge, the other Lieutenants, sans the inordinately tall and busty Lieutenant of Squad 4, charged forward to provide support. As for their Captains, all three kept their gazes firm on Ohta, a looming sense of dread emanating from the core of their beings as the air and ground around them began to tremble violently.
Running the fingers of his right hand through his hair, an action that caused his hood to come off, Ohta revealed that it wasn't just his cloak that had pointed ears. His eyes also shifted from white to crimson, but if you looked closely, they were actually pitch black, the red hue emanating from the upside-down triangles that had replaced his pupils.
Maintaining his toothy grin, Ohta asked, "Are we about done here? If so, I'm going to take what's mine. Get in my way, and I may not kill you, but you 'will' suffer..."
Responding to Ohta's provocation, the 'man' with the basket on his head shouted, "You are the fiendish Ryoka who attacked Tosen! The only fate that awaits you here is just retribution...!"
Exhibiting none of the usual flair and posturing, the inordinately tall man drew his sword and struck a pose like he was about to smash it into the ground like a hammer, shouting, "Bankai...!" in a barking tone.
Though Ohta had been apprised of the capabilities of every Captain, his eyes widened slightly as he had to crane his head, looking up despite the fact he was in the air. The basket-headed man was the Captain of Squad 7, Komamura Saijin. As for his Bankai, Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō, it took on the form of a giant exceeding one hundred meters in height, its colossal body garbed in samurai-esque armor as it raised its massive sword in the same posture as Komamura.
"That's one big bitch..." muttered Ohta, unmoving even as Komamura's Bankai descended toward him like the blade of a guillotine, only several thousands of times larger. It was an exceptionally intimidating sight, but Ohta just raised his left hand, grinning like a demon as the colossal blade impacted an invisible barrier, creating visible cracks in the air as a massive shockwave spread through the area.
"What sorcery is this...?" muttered Komamura, eyes widening beneath his mask as blood leaked from his right palm. It felt as though all the force of his blow had been reflected back at him, fracturing the bones in his wrist and forearm.
Noticing Komamura's condition, Ohta chuckled and said, "Looks like we have bad compatibility." before punching at the giant's chest. His attack didn't make direct contact, but a large impact crater formed in the giant's breastplate as both it and Komamura was sent skidding backward, the latter coughing up blood that leaked through the thin slats in his bamboo mask.
"Such power..." muttered the motherly-looking woman, Captain Unohana Restu of Squad 4. Her expression conveyed concern, but if one were to look closely, there was an excited glimmer within the depths of her deep blue eyes. No one, not even Ohta, noticed it, but it was definitely there...
Turning his gaze to the two remaining Captains, the crimson triangles in his eyes focusing on Byakuya, Ohta asked, "Any more volunteers...?" in a cheeky tone.
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Byakuya said, "Captain Unohana, Lieutenant Kotetsu, please go tend to Captain Komamura's wounds. Leave this one to me..."
Without waiting for the duo's response, Byakuya unsheathed his elegant-looking Zanpakuto, holding it in a reverse grip with the point aiming at the ground as he said, "Bankai..." in a cold, resolute tone. At the same time, he released his hold on his Zanpakuto, its blade sinking into the ground as if it were falling into a stagnant pool, creating visible ripples as the sound of a water droplet echoed through the area.
As the world around him became dark, followed by several giant blades materializing in two rows flanking Byakuya, Ohta felt goosebumps across his body as the ostensibly apathetic bishonen muttered, "Senbonzakura Kageyoshi..."
In response to Byakuya's words, the massive blades flanking his body burst into innumerable, glowing pink flower petals. It was a captivating sight to behold, but even in his current state, Ohta felt his skin prickle as the petals swarmed around him, several cutting deeply into the invisible barrier surrounding his body.
Spreading his hands outward in a swift, sweeping motion, Ohta expanded his barrier from the usual three meters to more than twenty. Furthermore, he flooded the area with a tremendous volume of psychic energy, causing the interior to fill with pink, purple, and blue light that formed ever-shifting geometric shapes, similar to the interior of a kaleidoscope.
Raising his brows slightly, Byakuya hesitated for the briefest of moments before sweeping his right hand forward, condensing tens of thousands of petals to serve as a spear, piercing deeply into Ohta's psychic barrier but ultimately failing to reach him.
If Byakuya was surprised by the potency of Ohta's defense, he was nearly left slack-jawed by what happened next. Beyond altering his appearance, Ohta's Zanpakuto possessed a simple but terrifyingly effective ability. It balanced the mental energy in his body, converting two-thirds to spiritual and physical energy. His maximum psychic output decreased as a result, but as Ohta's power was fueled by rage and other powerful emotions, his power steadily increased as the fight dragged on.
Punching toward the petal-comprised spear, Ohta seemingly 'obliterated' them from existence. As damage sustained by a Bankai could never be recovered, this meant Ohta's attack had decreased Byakuya's effective power 'permanently,' causing the usually stoic Captain's scalp to tingle as he adopted a serious expression and condensed petals in his right hand to form a super concentrated mass of spirit energy, ultimately taking the form of a sword...
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(A/N: What do you guys think of Ohta's Zanpakuto? Pretty badass, no?)

Seeing Ichigo battling desperately against a middle-aged man with long, messy brown hair, a goatee, and dim sunglasses whose body was garbed in a shadowy cloak, Ohta asked, "Who's the old dude...?"
"That man is the manifested spirit of Ichigo's Zanpakuto," replied Yoruichi, sitting atop Ohta's shoulder in her cat form. "Our group was attacked by the Captain and Lieutenant of Squad 12, Kurotsuchi Mayuri and Kurotsuchi Nemu. Ichigo, Chad, and Uryu defeated him, but it was a close battle."
"Let me guess, you didn't help...?" asked Ohta. Yoruichi was the Captain of Squad 2 before Soifon, but more than that, she was the prodigious former Head of the Shihouin Clan. Except for a few outliers, she should be able to body just about any member of the Gotei, especially with 'help.'
"You know the reason..." muttered Yoruichi, a serious expression adorning her feline visage as she observed Ichigo, stating, "After battling Kenpachi, you should have a better understanding of how dangerous some Captains can be. Aizen is likely more powerful than every other Captain combined, sans Yamamoto..."
"And you believe Ichigo will be able to surpass him someday...?" asked Ohta, feeling 'very' differently as he watched said strawberry getting his ass handed to him. Even now, he could execute the most basic movement techniques, so he was running around and dodging desperately despite the old man, very clearly, pulling his punches...
"You had at least a decade to refine your powers and months of training with a Captain-level Shinigami," contended Yoruichi. "Even if you include the time Ichigo spent as Rukia's substitute, he's only had his powers for a few months and has received very little training. Despite that, he's already able to contend with Lieutenants and take on weaker Captains, albeit with Ishida Uryu contributing quite a bit to the fight..."
"Speaking of which, where is the poindexter...?" asked Ohta, having seen neither Uryu nor Chad since he awoke in the secret area.
"Who knows?" replied Yoruichi, shrugging her shoulders as she added, "They're definitely around here somewhere. Why? Planning to give them some pointers...?"
"Does that sound like something I would do?" asked Ohta, nearly scoffing at the idea.
"Ordinarily, no," admitted Yoruichi. "However, you did tor&ndash;I mean, teach Ichigo's kid sister how to strengthen her mind and develop her mental, physical, and spiritual energies. Considering her heritage, she might just become a monster herself in the future."
Though Karin was unable to manifest and utilize psychic abilities in the twenty or so days they trained together, Ohta couldn't deny that she had improved quickly. She possessed an almost intuitive ability to manipulate energy, and her mental fortitude was far beyond most adults. If she were to train under someone like Uryu or become a Shinigami, she really might become a monster...
Amused by Ohta's contemplative silence, Yoruichi adopted a feline smile, asking, "Thinking about investing in the future...?"
Contrasting Yoruichi's expectations, Ohta replied, "Something like that..." while continuing to think. Yoruichi had challenged him to form a society that could endure for ten thousand years, so if living in Soul Society was as tedious as it seemed, he might consider forming an organization of his own. He would likely need to work closely with the Soul Society to avoid being 'purged' like the Quincies two hundred years prior, but if he helped them defeat their enemies and groom talent, they should leave him be...
Believing she knew what Ohta was thinking, Yoruichi proposed, "If you're thinking of forming a group of your own, I could support you as the Head of the Shihouin. Before the formation of Central 46 and the establishment of the Gotei 13, we used to have representatives in the human world. That practice fell out of favor here in the East, but it's still fairly prevalent in the West."
Before Ohta could propose moving westward, Yoruichi added, "If you're considering heading west, I'd advise you to reconsider. The Soul Society West Branch might be more 'modern' than the East, but that's only for the time being. They go through cycles of destruction and restructuring every few hundred years, and there are hundreds of organizations fighting to be the next group in control. The political landscape of the Seireitei might as well be heaven compared to that hellscape..."
"I'll take your word for it..." replied Ohta. However, as someone that had grown up in a western society in his previous life, he knew how backward even their most 'progressive' ideologies could be. He had also acclimated to life in Japan, so he would probably stick around unless he was 'forced' to leave.
"Then, how about it?" asked Yoruichi, nuzzling her face and head against Ohta's cheek as she playfully appended, "Want me to become your sugar mommy~?"
"And let you have actual sway over my decisions?" questioned Ohta. "The hardest of passes..."
"Don't be like that," said Yoruichi, claiming, "As much as I enjoy teasing you, you know I wouldn't force you to do anything against your will, well, barring scenarios with world-ending stakes. Now, come on...you know it would be better than building an organization from scratch..."
("She has a point...") thought Ohta. However, as he was still more than a little annoyed about what had transpired a few days prior, he answered, "I'm not going to make decisions about the future in the present. We still need to rescue Rukia and body Aizen. I'll worry about other shit when it's relevant..."
"Then, when and if you return to the human world, I'll have a gift waiting for you," said Yoruichi, revealing, "I own a small mountain estate with an attached shrine just outside of Karakura Town. You're free to stay there and use it if you want..."
Making Yoruichi a little annoyed, Ohta responded with a curt "Hard pass.". Fortunately, before she could complain, he immediately followed this by saying, "If you really want to set me up with a place, make sure it's in the city and has a room like the one under Urahara's shop. If you can do that, I might seriously consider your offer from before..."
"Consider it done," responded Yoruichi, a triumphant melody to her voice. Ohta was the type to always repay his debts, in one form or another, so if she could set him up with the things he asked for, Yoruichi was confident he would return the favor if she had a request for him in the future.
("Now, if only I could get him to stop behaving like a prude...") thought Yoruichi, the image of Rukia appearing in her mind. She genuinely couldn't understand why Ohta was so 'fixated' on the petite Shinigami. However, if that fixation endured long term, she could definitely take advantage of it...
Unaware of Yoruichi's thought, Ohta continued to observe Ichigo getting his ass kicked for a few minutes longer before returning to the tiny abode near the hot spring. He hadn't eaten anything since their departure from Kukaku's, so while he wasn't looking forward to having Orihime pester him as he ate, Ohta could tolerate it since she was preparing the meals...
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Around the time Ohta was recovering from his battle with Zaraki, Rukia was gazing out the window of the Senzaikyū with a listless look on her face, staring at the massive polearm that was typically reserved for the execution and 'cremation' of Captain-class Shinigami.
As Ohta suspected she was, Rukia was presently regretting how 'selfish' she had been in the weeks leading up to her capture. She knew there was a possibility she would be executed, yet she still had the 'audacity' to fall in love with a human boy, not even a tenth her age. She felt as though she had forced Ohta into his current position, and while it initially made her heart race, knowing he had kept his promise to come for her, she quickly became depressed. After all, even if Ohta were somehow able to rescue her, their story was virtually guaranteed to end in tragedy. Soul Society would never let them go, and even if they did, she would never be able to repay Ohta's dedication...
"I'm such a fool..." muttered Rukia, as, despite all her misgivings, she still yearned for the man who had claimed her as his own. The weeks they had spent together made her the happiest she had ever been. Thus, while she regretted robbing Ohta of his 'agency,' entangling him in her affairs, Rukia wished she could return to that time and extend it indefinitely...
*shik* *shik* *shik* *shik* *shik* *shik* *CLUNK*
Interrupting Rukia's melancholic reverie, the swords barring the entrance to the Senzaikyū retracted, followed by the door dropping downward with a loud clunk. To her tremendous surprise, Rukia turned around to find her brother was the one entering the chamber, escorted by four men wearing masked robes.
For the first time in her life, at least as far as Rukia could recall, Byakuya looked directly at her as he coldly informed, "I have come to apprise you of Central 46's most-recent decision regarding your sentence..."
Before continuing, Byakuya turned his gaze to the guards, saying, "Leave us..." in a cold, commanding tone that left no room for discussion. He had no authority over the four men, and leaving a visitor alone with a prisoner violated more than a dozen ordinances, but the four immediately lowered their heads, bowing before summarily excusing themselves. Arguing with the Head of one of the Four Great Noble Families was a good way to end up dead or have your career run aground...
After confirming the quartet wasn't monitoring them with his spiritual sense, Byakuya returned his steely gaze to Rukia, surprising her further by stating, "That Ryoka you 'liaised' with in the human world has thus far defeated two Captains and survived a confrontation with Zaraki of Squad 11. Another, with the support of his allies, managed to severely injure the Captain of Squad 12, Kurotsuchi Mayuri..."
Narrowing his eyes slightly, Byakuya flatly remarked, "It would appear your sudden and inexplicable fondness for humans was not without its merits. Those two, Yamada Ohta in particular, are exceptional, even by Soul Society's standards..."
Staring at Byakuya with eyes as round as saucers, Rukia wanted to reply but couldn't find the words. She had 'never,' not in the forty years since her inclusion in the Kuchiki Clan, heard Byakuya praise another person...
Closing his eyes, Byakuya dropped the bombshell he had volunteered to convey, stating, "Regrettably, the actions of your errant 'associates' have led to Central 46 determining you are too much of a liability to afford the customary amount of time to repent your sins. The date of your execution has been moved to three days from now..."
Though she abruptly felt weak in the knees, Rukia managed to remain on her feet, forcing a smile as she said, "Thank you for being the one to bring this news to me, brother..."
Opening his eyes, Byakuya startled Rukia by asking, "Have you given up?" with a certain 'edge' to his otherwise neutral tone.
Lowering her gaze, Rukia's furrowed brows trembled as she replied, "If it would convince the Soul Society to let Yamada Ohta and his friends be, I would offer my life right here and now..."
"I see..." muttered Byakuya, promptly turning around as if he intended to leave without further discussion. Before exiting the chamber, however, he softly asserted, "The moment you chose to fall in love, your fate was no longer your own to decide. That boy is staking his life to 'reclaim' you. Do not tarnish his convictions with your folly..."
Finished with what he had to say, Byakuya departed without turning to see Rukia's reaction or await her response. She looked nearly identical to his late wife, so he couldn't stand seeing her in pain or duress. His heart wrenched when he heard her collapsing behind him, but as he had been assigned a very important mission, he couldn't afford to turn back or look her in the eye again. After all, in exchange for allowing him to convey the Centra 46's amended judgment, he had vowed to hunt and kill each of the invading Ryoka with his own hand. At least that way, he could ensure they died without having to experience too much suffering...
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(A/N: For those of you who think this is out of character for Byakuya, you should re-read the manga and novels. He is easily the most sentimental character in the entire series xD...)

Chapter 50: The Stage is Set