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Description
Chapter 15

The low hum of machinery was steady in the underground facility. Luminescence flickered from the large computer screens, giving the otherwise darkened room a eerie glow. If anyone from the Research and Development Institute walked in, they would see a exact copy of one of the main labs. The setup worked, much like the inventions the lone man in the room had stolen from Captain Kurotsuchi.

Saburou mulled over the most recent failure. The father and son were far more formidable than the other Quincy he had disposed of so far. The others had been extremely weak, some not even knowing what they were. He almost felt sorry for killing them, but it needed to be done to stop a disaster from happening. He had to finish his work here before he moved on to the real dangers that existed. He should have guessed this would be a greater challenge. After all, Kurosaki and Ishida were part of the group that had helped defeat Aizen.

One of the computers bleeped and he turned his eyes to observe the readings. He read through the lines of code results. He wasn't surprised by the reveal, but he was annoyed he hadn't found out about this before now. Kurosaki had Quincy blood flowing in his veins. Observing Ryuken Ishida while he was attacking Kurosaki had peaked his suspicion. The things he had heard him say through the connection of the needle pointed to it in a subtle way, but it was enough to get him to find out the facts for himself.

Saburou picked up one of the orange hairs he had taken from Kurosaki's bedroom. He had picked the strands from a hairbrush after he and Ishida went their separate ways last night to deal with Ryuken. In some ways it was a even better way to test than a blood sample. He looked closely at the strand, absently thinking about how unique the hair color was. He brought it to his nose and sniffed, his sense of smell so sharp that he could get the aroma of his shampoo. He put the hair back with the others on the glass lens with a pleased smile. Kurosaki had been a interfering obstacle, but now he was a target that needed to be destroyed as much as Ryuken and Uryu.

Kurosaki did have siblings, the two young sisters. It was best to dispose of them as well. It was likely the two would pick up Quincy traits, given time. He would have to be thorough if he was to succeed in his mission. If the fools in Seireitei would only open their eyes, they could understand that he was trying to save them all from destruction. Their continued protection of these Quincy was disheartening as well as preposterous. He had faith though, that when all his work was done, he would be hailed as a hero by the very people trying to stop him.

His remaining three comrades were, at the moment, keeping a lookout for the shinigami that hunted for their base. So far they were far off the target, but the hope of it staying that way would not last. Saburou stood from his seat and walked over to the silver reflective globe he had mounted on a pedestal that focused a fair amount of reishi. The object allowed his connection with the needles, enabling him to speak to and control the victim as he wished. Once the needle turned to ash, the connection was utterly lost. The one in Ryuken though, had been partially saved somehow. He touched the silver sphere with his fingertips, the surface smooth and cold. Perhaps the connection had improved since his last attempt.

He focused, concentrating to get even the slightest connection. Much like a radio, he got ghost like static with a very light undertone of voices. It was something, but he could not distinguish what was being said, or even whom of his enemies was speaking. If he could only filter the unwanted static somehow, but it would take time he did not have to come up with something. He withdrew his hand, cursing under his breath. He couldn't let this set him back. Brute force would not be enough to finish this job. There were too many helping protect the targets, and the needles were practically useless now that they knew about them. Now that Captain Kurotsuchi was helping them now as well, most of the inventions would probably not suffice, even with his added affects to them.

What he needed was something big, something that would throw them into confusion and perhaps separate them from one another. Yes, something that could throw the whole town into disarray. The doubt he had been feeling began to evaporate as he thought of a plan. It was so perfect that he didn't know why he hadn't thought of it before. Stealth and wits had not gotten him results, but perhaps this would. Saburou smiled and touched the ring he wore, summoning his three companions to return to him. They had plans to make.

~~~

The needle was suspended in a odd substance of Urahara's making, the look of it as clear as glass, the texture like a soft rubber. It was held in a apparatus of metal pincers that kept it in place. Looking close, Isshin could see where one end had started to disintegrate away. He wondered what was in the stuff that was keeping the needle from crumbling like it was supposed to. Urahara's quick thinking was the only reason they had most of the object still intact.

"Is Ururu alright?" Isshin asked as he stood close by while Urahara typed information into his computer.

"Alright and completely unaware of what she did so far."

"She remembers nothing at all?"

"No."

"How does Ryuken remember any of it?"

"My only answer to that is, he was supposed to die after he killed Uryu. Perhaps the man who owns the voice that spoke to him didn't feel it necessary that he forget. That or he made a miscalculation, but with how clever he seems to be, I highly doubt that's the case. Let's just take the enemies overconfidence and use that in our favor," he added with a dark smirk.

"Noted," Isshin said with a soft chuckle. "Ururu is no longer under control of it?"

"I scanned her," he said as he picked up a device that looked similar to a hand held x-ray machine. "The needle isn't there. Just a small pinprick left behind. I got a reading off this little guy and searched through the shop. Took me a while, but I found this in the back room not far from where I had been storing the bracelets." He handed Isshin a small clear container with the ashy remains of the needle that had been placed in Ururu. "I scanned everyone else as a precaution as well. Everyone is clean."

"You haven't scanned me," Isshin said, placing the container back down.

"That's true. Though I haven't been either," Urahara said and smirked.

"Give me that goddamn thing," Isshin said and snatched the machine from his hand. "Turn around." Urahara did as he asked and when he scanned him he was relieved to see his friend was not under the influence of the enemy. "Check me. Damn if I want one of those things in my flesh." He stayed still while he made sure he was clear.

"All good," Urahara said. "Oh, how is the woman Ryuken asked you to check on?" He scanned the suspended needle and took another reading.

"She was fine. I kept an eye on her for a while to be sure. She went to work, and appeared to have no ill effects from her experience."

"Good. Ryuken will be relieved to hear it."

"Is he still resting?"

"Begrudgingly so, but at least he is. He and his son are very much alike. I doubt either would admit it though."

"Stubbornness runs in their blood as much as their pride." Isshin left Urahara to his work and went to see just how begrudging Ryuken was. When he entered, Ichigo and Uryu were sitting nearby on watch. Ryuken was sleeping rather soundly for having thrown a stink about staying.

"Was she okay?" Uryu asked, his voice low as to not disturb his father's sleep.

"Perfectly fine. I don't think they will bother her again."

"I hope you're right," Ichigo said and stood up. "Even I didn't think they would go so far as to use someone that doesn't even have anything to do with this."

"Never underestimate a enemy, especially one that is determined to kill, Ichigo. Remember that."

"Yeah," Ichigo agreed softly, looking over at Uryu.

"Any other news?" Uryu asked.

"Not so far. They're still searching outside town."

"That doesn't sound very productive," muttered Ryuken, eyes still closed with a slight frown on his lips.

"You're supposed to be resting," Isshin said.

"That is a little hard to do when you're all talking around me."

"Sorry," Uryu said.

"No, it's alright," he stopped him and sat up. "I'm rather fed up with all this resting." He looked to Isshin as he slipped his glasses on. "It appears a replacement babysitter has arrived. You two, go on. No need to watch over me anymore." He waved them along. "Besides, I need to speak with Isshin."

"Fine," Uryu said and took Ichigo by the hand to drag him out.

Isshin could see Ryuken was still bewildered by their son's relationship, his eyes on their clasped hands as they left the room, but the anger that was there before was no longer present. At least for the time being. He would make him see reason himself if he had to. Those boys deserved some kind of happiness, especially with this madness going on around them.

"It is going to be hard for me to get used to that," Ryuken said, once they were gone.

"But you're okay with it?" Isshin asked in a way that suggested he would twist his arm if he wasn't.

"I think so," he said, straightening his glasses. "They're men now. They should have the right to make their own decisions, even if I don't quite understand it yet." His face fell, showing vulnerability that he had been keeping bottled up. "I tried to kill my own son, Isshin, and yours. How can you not want to throttle me?"

"You weren't in control of yourself at the time and you damn well know it. Don't dwell on this. Uryu and Ichigo wouldn't want you beating yourself up about it either. Besides, I got my lick in when I knocked your ass out on the way back here last night."

Ryuken laughed a little as he relaxed. "Ah yes, I remember that as well. Thank you for stopping me. I was being rather unruly. The whole damn situation is embarrassing."

"That part is over now."

"Agreed. Now," he looked at Isshin, "what is this about them still searching outside Karakura? They won't make progress doing that."

"I know. They're making their way inward as they go as best they can. It's a lot of area to cover and we need more help. I think Renji said a few more would join in the search today."

"They should be checking buildings, large ones in fact."

Isshin nodded. "With the way they are able to hide themselves, they could easily do that."

"I have a particular one in mind. The old hospital. It's abandoned, and I know that there is a huge sub-basement beneath. It's perfect when you think about it. No one has been in that damn place since that moronic ghost show made that big production there."

"Ah yeah, Don Kanonji." Isshin smiled about it like a fond memory.

"Yes, that idiot," Ryuken muttered, vexed by his friend's appreciation for the ridiculous. "Getting on with my point. We should check it out."

"We?"

"I'm well enough. I'm not going to lay here while all of you do the work. That bastard attacked my employee, then made her attack me. I don't even want to think about what might have happened last night if Ichigo and Renji hadn't been there to stop me. I will help you find these rouge shinigami. Understood?"

"Understood," Isshin agreed. "I'll get everyone gathered. I think it's time to have another meeting and end this." He turned to go.

"Isshin."

"Yeah?"

"About Ichigo." He lowered his voice. "When I attacked him, I didn't tell him about his mother, but I said enough that I think he knows something is going on. In doing so, the enemy may have heard through the connection. It wasn't my intention to reveal anything." He sighed in frustration. "I didn't mean to do any of it."

"I know. I'll tell him when the time comes."

"Listen to me, Isshin," he said as he got up to stand before him. "If they know, then he will be more of a target as much as I and Uryu are. Your daughters will need protecting too. Murderous men like that, will kill them given the chance."

"Nothing is going to happen to any of them, or you." Isshin insisted. "Now, get cleaned up and dressed. We have work to do." He left him to get ready and made his way back to speak to Urahara.

"What are you all doing?" Isshin said as he stopped in the doorway. Ichigo, Uryu and Urahara were by the suspended needle, the three of them staring at the object in silence. He was about to say something else when he heard a voice speak, one he had never heard before, and then another. He walked over and looked at the needle curiously to find the voices were coming from it. "Is that..?"

"Our elusive enemy, yes," Urahara said. "Don't worry, they can't hear us. I've made sure of that with a few adjustments," he said softly.

"Do you hear what they're saying? We have to stop them. Hundreds of innocent people could die if they do this," Ichigo said.

"We have the upper hand now," Urahara said.

"But we still don't know where they are," Uryu said.

"Your father has a idea about that," Isshin said. "I think he's probably right, but until then, can you somehow track where they are using this, Urahara?"

"It will take a bit of fiddling, but I can surely pull that off, yes." He looked at Isshin, eyes a shadow under the brim of his hat. "Now, what was Ryuken's suggestion?"

Description
Chapter 15

The low hum of machinery was steady in the underground facility. Luminescence flickered from the large computer screens, giving the otherwise darkened room a eerie glow. If anyone from the Research and Development Institute walked in, they would see a exact copy of one of the main labs. The setup worked, much like the inventions the lone man in the room had stolen from Captain Kurotsuchi.

Saburou mulled over the most recent failure. The father and son were far more formidable than the other Quincy he had disposed of so far. The others had been extremely weak, some not even knowing what they were. He almost felt sorry for killing them, but it needed to be done to stop a disaster from happening. He had to finish his work here before he moved on to the real dangers that existed. He should have guessed this would be a greater challenge. After all, Kurosaki and Ishida were part of the group that had helped defeat Aizen.

One of the computers bleeped and he turned his eyes to observe the readings. He read through the lines of code results. He wasn't surprised by the reveal, but he was annoyed he hadn't found out about this before now. Kurosaki had Quincy blood flowing in his veins. Observing Ryuken Ishida while he was attacking Kurosaki had peaked his suspicion. The things he had heard him say through the connection of the needle pointed to it in a subtle way, but it was enough to get him to find out the facts for himself.

Saburou picked up one of the orange hairs he had taken from Kurosaki's bedroom. He had picked the strands from a hairbrush after he and Ishida went their separate ways last night to deal with Ryuken. In some ways it was a even better way to test than a blood sample. He looked closely at the strand, absently thinking about how unique the hair color was. He brought it to his nose and sniffed, his sense of smell so sharp that he could get the aroma of his shampoo. He put the hair back with the others on the glass lens with a pleased smile. Kurosaki had been a interfering obstacle, but now he was a target that needed to be destroyed as much as Ryuken and Uryu.

Kurosaki did have siblings, the two young sisters. It was best to dispose of them as well. It was likely the two would pick up Quincy traits, given time. He would have to be thorough if he was to succeed in his mission. If the fools in Seireitei would only open their eyes, they could understand that he was trying to save them all from destruction. Their continued protection of these Quincy was disheartening as well as preposterous. He had faith though, that when all his work was done, he would be hailed as a hero by the very people trying to stop him.

His remaining three comrades were, at the moment, keeping a lookout for the shinigami that hunted for their base. So far they were far off the target, but the hope of it staying that way would not last. Saburou stood from his seat and walked over to the silver reflective globe he had mounted on a pedestal that focused a fair amount of reishi. The object allowed his connection with the needles, enabling him to speak to and control the victim as he wished. Once the needle turned to ash, the connection was utterly lost. The one in Ryuken though, had been partially saved somehow. He touched the silver sphere with his fingertips, the surface smooth and cold. Perhaps the connection had improved since his last attempt.

He focused, concentrating to get even the slightest connection. Much like a radio, he got ghost like static with a very light undertone of voices. It was something, but he could not distinguish what was being said, or even whom of his enemies was speaking. If he could only filter the unwanted static somehow, but it would take time he did not have to come up with something. He withdrew his hand, cursing under his breath. He couldn't let this set him back. Brute force would not be enough to finish this job. There were too many helping protect the targets, and the needles were practically useless now that they knew about them. Now that Captain Kurotsuchi was helping them now as well, most of the inventions would probably not suffice, even with his added affects to them.

What he needed was something big, something that would throw them into confusion and perhaps separate them from one another. Yes, something that could throw the whole town into disarray. The doubt he had been feeling began to evaporate as he thought of a plan. It was so perfect that he didn't know why he hadn't thought of it before. Stealth and wits had not gotten him results, but perhaps this would. Saburou smiled and touched the ring he wore, summoning his three companions to return to him. They had plans to make.

~~~

The needle was suspended in a odd substance of Urahara's making, the look of it as clear as glass, the texture like a soft rubber. It was held in a apparatus of metal pincers that kept it in place. Looking close, Isshin could see where one end had started to disintegrate away. He wondered what was in the stuff that was keeping the needle from crumbling like it was supposed to. Urahara's quick thinking was the only reason they had most of the object still intact.

"Is Ururu alright?" Isshin asked as he stood close by while Urahara typed information into his computer.

"Alright and completely unaware of what she did so far."

"She remembers nothing at all?"

"No."

"How does Ryuken remember any of it?"

"My only answer to that is, he was supposed to die after he killed Uryu. Perhaps the man who owns the voice that spoke to him didn't feel it necessary that he forget. That or he made a miscalculation, but with how clever he seems to be, I highly doubt that's the case. Let's just take the enemies overconfidence and use that in our favor," he added with a dark smirk.

"Noted," Isshin said with a soft chuckle. "Ururu is no longer under control of it?"

"I scanned her," he said as he picked up a device that looked similar to a hand held x-ray machine. "The needle isn't there. Just a small pinprick left behind. I got a reading off this little guy and searched through the shop. Took me a while, but I found this in the back room not far from where I had been storing the bracelets." He handed Isshin a small clear container with the ashy remains of the needle that had been placed in Ururu. "I scanned everyone else as a precaution as well. Everyone is clean."

"You haven't scanned me," Isshin said, placing the container back down.

"That's true. Though I haven't been either," Urahara said and smirked.

"Give me that goddamn thing," Isshin said and snatched the machine from his hand. "Turn around." Urahara did as he asked and when he scanned him he was relieved to see his friend was not under the influence of the enemy. "Check me. Damn if I want one of those things in my flesh." He stayed still while he made sure he was clear.

"All good," Urahara said. "Oh, how is the woman Ryuken asked you to check on?" He scanned the suspended needle and took another reading.

"She was fine. I kept an eye on her for a while to be sure. She went to work, and appeared to have no ill effects from her experience."

"Good. Ryuken will be relieved to hear it."

"Is he still resting?"

"Begrudgingly so, but at least he is. He and his son are very much alike. I doubt either would admit it though."

"Stubbornness runs in their blood as much as their pride." Isshin left Urahara to his work and went to see just how begrudging Ryuken was. When he entered, Ichigo and Uryu were sitting nearby on watch. Ryuken was sleeping rather soundly for having thrown a stink about staying.

"Was she okay?" Uryu asked, his voice low as to not disturb his father's sleep.

"Perfectly fine. I don't think they will bother her again."

"I hope you're right," Ichigo said and stood up. "Even I didn't think they would go so far as to use someone that doesn't even have anything to do with this."

"Never underestimate a enemy, especially one that is determined to kill, Ichigo. Remember that."

"Yeah," Ichigo agreed softly, looking over at Uryu.

"Any other news?" Uryu asked.

"Not so far. They're still searching outside town."

"That doesn't sound very productive," muttered Ryuken, eyes still closed with a slight frown on his lips.

"You're supposed to be resting," Isshin said.

"That is a little hard to do when you're all talking around me."

"Sorry," Uryu said.

"No, it's alright," he stopped him and sat up. "I'm rather fed up with all this resting." He looked to Isshin as he slipped his glasses on. "It appears a replacement babysitter has arrived. You two, go on. No need to watch over me anymore." He waved them along. "Besides, I need to speak with Isshin."

"Fine," Uryu said and took Ichigo by the hand to drag him out.

Isshin could see Ryuken was still bewildered by their son's relationship, his eyes on their clasped hands as they left the room, but the anger that was there before was no longer present. At least for the time being. He would make him see reason himself if he had to. Those boys deserved some kind of happiness, especially with this madness going on around them.

"It is going to be hard for me to get used to that," Ryuken said, once they were gone.

"But you're okay with it?" Isshin asked in a way that suggested he would twist his arm if he wasn't.

"I think so," he said, straightening his glasses. "They're men now. They should have the right to make their own decisions, even if I don't quite understand it yet." His face fell, showing vulnerability that he had been keeping bottled up. "I tried to kill my own son, Isshin, and yours. How can you not want to throttle me?"

"You weren't in control of yourself at the time and you damn well know it. Don't dwell on this. Uryu and Ichigo wouldn't want you beating yourself up about it either. Besides, I got my lick in when I knocked your ass out on the way back here last night."

Ryuken laughed a little as he relaxed. "Ah yes, I remember that as well. Thank you for stopping me. I was being rather unruly. The whole damn situation is embarrassing."

"That part is over now."

"Agreed. Now," he looked at Isshin, "what is this about them still searching outside Karakura? They won't make progress doing that."

"I know. They're making their way inward as they go as best they can. It's a lot of area to cover and we need more help. I think Renji said a few more would join in the search today."

"They should be checking buildings, large ones in fact."

Isshin nodded. "With the way they are able to hide themselves, they could easily do that."

"I have a particular one in mind. The old hospital. It's abandoned, and I know that there is a huge sub-basement beneath. It's perfect when you think about it. No one has been in that damn place since that moronic ghost show made that big production there."

"Ah yeah, Don Kanonji." Isshin smiled about it like a fond memory.

"Yes, that idiot," Ryuken muttered, vexed by his friend's appreciation for the ridiculous. "Getting on with my point. We should check it out."

"We?"

"I'm well enough. I'm not going to lay here while all of you do the work. That bastard attacked my employee, then made her attack me. I don't even want to think about what might have happened last night if Ichigo and Renji hadn't been there to stop me. I will help you find these rouge shinigami. Understood?"

"Understood," Isshin agreed. "I'll get everyone gathered. I think it's time to have another meeting and end this." He turned to go.

"Isshin."

"Yeah?"

"About Ichigo." He lowered his voice. "When I attacked him, I didn't tell him about his mother, but I said enough that I think he knows something is going on. In doing so, the enemy may have heard through the connection. It wasn't my intention to reveal anything." He sighed in frustration. "I didn't mean to do any of it."

"I know. I'll tell him when the time comes."

"Listen to me, Isshin," he said as he got up to stand before him. "If they know, then he will be more of a target as much as I and Uryu are. Your daughters will need protecting too. Murderous men like that, will kill them given the chance."

"Nothing is going to happen to any of them, or you." Isshin insisted. "Now, get cleaned up and dressed. We have work to do." He left him to get ready and made his way back to speak to Urahara.

"What are you all doing?" Isshin said as he stopped in the doorway. Ichigo, Uryu and Urahara were by the suspended needle, the three of them staring at the object in silence. He was about to say something else when he heard a voice speak, one he had never heard before, and then another. He walked over and looked at the needle curiously to find the voices were coming from it. "Is that..?"

"Our elusive enemy, yes," Urahara said. "Don't worry, they can't hear us. I've made sure of that with a few adjustments," he said softly.

"Do you hear what they're saying? We have to stop them. Hundreds of innocent people could die if they do this," Ichigo said.

"We have the upper hand now," Urahara said.

"But we still don't know where they are," Uryu said.

"Your father has a idea about that," Isshin said. "I think he's probably right, but until then, can you somehow track where they are using this, Urahara?"

"It will take a bit of fiddling, but I can surely pull that off, yes." He looked at Isshin, eyes a shadow under the brim of his hat. "Now, what was Ryuken's suggestion?"