~Lab Sweet Lab~

“Family”: (continued)

Sitting around in his lab, Kisuke sat talking to Isshin explaining to him what took place to put them back in Karakura, reassuring him that everyone that was a captive in Las Noches had been returned home. It did not matter if they were in the Maze or in the palace.

He also told him about the restrictions on Aizen and the hollows with Kita, but the same limits also applied to Kita with them. Continuing their conversation, Kenji left the lab and went to get them something to drink.

After being gone for a few minutes, Kenji returned with their drinks, his father telling Isshin that he was going to Soul Society to inform Kyoraku and the others of what took place. He figured they were as confused as his and Isshin’s family.

Kisuke looked at Kenji and smiled as he took his drink from the tray, “thank you, son.”

Isshin took his drink as well as all three men then froze in place.

Moved

“Where the hell is all this coming from, Kita? And don’t you dare tell me it’s because you feel as if you have intruded on us enough.” Kisuke questioned her.

“This is odd~, especially since you just came up from talking to Kenji.” Gin added giving her a keen look.

Kita’s head shook, “Kenji and I just talked and it made me think about some things, and he is right. Now that things have kind of calmed down we need to take advantage of the time we have before it gets crazy again.”

She lied, but she smiled through it and tried to make up for it with a truth.

“You need to help Kenji get on top of his training. I need to set up house in the old place and make it mine, Gin, and the kid's place and not my parents. Plus, I need to find a job still.”

“I thought you were going back to work with Isshin in the clinic?” Kisuke asked.

“I have not talked to him about that yet. So I don’t know if that is still possible.”

Kisuke gave her a questioning look as he adjusted his hat. “This talk is not over with.”

“But it is,” Kita stated, “when I leave here I won’t return. Not for some time anyway, and I think it would be best if you just tended to your family and left mine be.”

“Family is not just blood Kita.” Kisuke nearly growled.

“I know that, Kisuke.” Kita’s eyes started to burn, but she fought back the tears. “But for now, I think it’s best that it stay blood.” Kita released Gin’s hand, stepped around the table, and gave Kisuke a tight hug. “I love you, and I always will. That will never change.” She pulled back from the hug and looked at Gin. “You can stay if you want, but I am going home with the boys.” Kita turned and walked toward the lab door.

Gin turned to Kisuke his look telling him that he would get to the bottom of this one way or another. Kisuke nodded in return as he watched Gin walk off toward Kita.

“Now where is that son of mine?” Kisuke asked as he put his finished project away and left the lab as well.

Moved

Aizen entered the lab with the quiet assurance of a shadow, moving deliberately towards Kisuke, his rival and brother. Kisuke, sitting with his back to the door, turned slowly in his chair, his gaze sharp and unyielding beneath the brim of his hat.

“How is she?” Kisuke inquired, his voice smooth yet carrying a hint of curiosity.

Aizen’s lips curled into a smirk as he rounded the table to face Kisuke. “She’s managing as well as can be expected,” he replied, coming to a stop directly across from Kisuke.

Kisuke’s eyes narrowed. “You know he will find her. And when he does, there will be consequences.”

“Then I suggest you put a leash on your snake, Urahara,” Aizen said, leaning forward with his hands resting on the edge of the lab table. “Aside from the divine realms, this is the safest place for her.”

“That’s not the point,” Kisuke snapped, his jaw clenched in frustration, “and that wasn’t the plan. She needs to be with the children.”

Aizen’s gaze hardened. “The children are currently safest with their fathers. Until Shosei is dealt with, Kita remains hidden under the Kido’s cloak. That was the agreed-upon strategy.”

“It’s not just Shosei. We need to find a way to destroy the Hōgyokus. Their existence is a perpetual threat,” Kisuke said, adjusting his hat as he met Aizen’s stare. “And remind me, why did we end up volunteering to deal with the Mad Scientist’s creation?”

Aizen’s expression shifted slightly, revealing a trace of frustration. “You want the Hōgyoku, don’t you? It has already rejected me twice. If I went after Shosei, it would be expected. Besides, this leaves Kita vulnerable.”

“We can handle that,” Kisuke retorted.

“Can you?” Aizen raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with skepticism. “If you’re so confident, why did you come to me for assistance?”

Aizen’s gaze remained unwavering, his tone smooth and calculated. “Very well, Kisuke. Collaboration it is, but let’s not forget: my assistance comes with its own conditions. If we’re to work together, ensure you uphold your end of the bargain. I expect nothing less than complete commitment from you, as I will offer the same.”

Kisuke leaned back slightly, a sly grin forming under the brim of his hat. "Full commitment, huh? Coming from you, that almost sounds like a threat."

Aizen’s smirk widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Consider it a promise. We both know half-measures won't suffice. The Hōgyokus demand our undivided attention."

Kisuke nodded slowly, his mind already racing through potential pitfalls and strategies. "Agreed. Our first step should be understanding why the Hōgyoku has taken a liking to Shosei. If we can unravel that mystery, it might give us the insight we need to deal with this mess."

Aizen’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of condescension in his tone. “You’re always so eager to understand, Kisuke. Sometimes, the why is less important than the how. But very well, let’s indulge your curiosity. If the Hōgyoku has chosen Shosei, there must be a reason worth uncovering. Just remember, any insight we gain only strengthens our position. Don’t let your fascination with the details distract you from our ultimate goal.”

Aizen’s gaze remained cool and calculating, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “I trust you understand the stakes, Kisuke. Gin’s fixation on Kita is indeed a delicate matter, and while your confidence is noted, it must be matched by vigilance. The safety of Kita is non-negotiable, and any misstep could be catastrophic. Ensure that Gin and his associates are kept firmly in check. We cannot afford the luxury of errors, not with so much at risk.”

Kisuke’s smile widened, his eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement. “I wouldn’t dream of letting things slip through the cracks. Gin’s fixation with you is indeed a tricky matter, but I’ve got all the angles covered. I’ll keep him and his crew on a tight leash. And don’t worry—if anyone gets too close to finding Kita, I’ll set them on a different path.”

Aizen’s gaze sharpened, his tone laced with a hint of menace. “I appreciate your confidence, Kisuke, but Gin and Vacanze have come dangerously close to uncovering Kita’s location. Are you certain your measures will be sufficient? I suggest you reassess your approach with Gin. When it comes to Kita, Gin is relentless.” Aizen gave Kisuke a knowing look, “If Kita’s whereabouts are compromised, the consequences could be dire for all involved.”

Aizen turned to leave the room, a hint of menace in his voice. “I trust I won’t need to factor that into my calculations, Kisuke.” He paused at the entrance, his hand resting on the door handle. “Ensure that Gin remains distanced from the stronghold I’ve established to protect Kita. If you fail in this, I might be forced to test his abilities firsthand.” Aizen opened the door with a measured grace. “It would be quite unfortunate to have to create such a predicament, leaving Sojiro to face the loss of his father.”

Kisuke adjusted his hat, a playful glint in his eye. “Aizen, you’re not just dealing with Gin when it comes to Kita. She’s got a whole support network willing to go to great lengths for her.” He leaned forward slightly, a hint of amusement in his voice. “You should remember that from all the trouble she’s caused you. Even Tervaden’s stepped in and given you a run for your money over her, and he’s actively searching for her as well. Kita’s got more allies than you might like to admit.”

Aizen let the door close behind him and turned back to face Kisuke, his expression cold and composed. “Perhaps it’s time you informed your allies of the plans we’ve devised to ensure their precious Kita’s safety. Do keep in mind, Kisuke, that my cooperation has its limits. I will fulfill my part of the arrangement, but should circumstances force my hand, the consequences will be yours to bear.” With that, Aizen’s form began to dissolve into the shadows, his final words lingering in the air. “Make sure you keep Kita safe. The line between cooperation and conflict is a thin one.”

"Forge":

Vacanze sat in Urahara's lab, finally tackling the task he should have completed two weeks ago—forging arrowheads. He thought of another who should have been by his side, crafting a wedding ring for the love of his life. But from what Urahara had shared after returning from Kita's home, Ichimaru was still in a funk. And who could blame him? He had faced more than his share of trials over the past decade—hell, the past century. He had nearly lost his life during the Winter War and survived the oppressive rule of the Soul Society, only to be thrust back into turmoil for a woman who wasn’t even the one he’d initially sought to avenge.

This was a new chapter in Gin Ichimaru's life, one that, if foretold, would have sounded absurd. Here he was, a family man with a son, a foster child, and a woman for whom he would traverse the depths of hell—and back. Kita had saved Ichimaru from the edge countless times, a fact Vacanze had lost count of, but it was a two-way street. Ichimaru had pulled her from darkness as well, even if her hands were still stained with blood. Vacanze doubted that even if he had remained in Las Noches, he could have stopped it; war has a way of consuming everyone, including those loyal to Aizen. The Takeover had left its mark on all of them, dragging even the innocent of the human realm into chaos. Most were blissfully unaware of the forces at play, interpreting the devastation as mere acts of God—though that wasn’t far from the truth.

Now, a new threat loomed—one capable of obliterating existence itself, from Soul Society to Karakura to Hueco Mundo. This menace could tear apart the world, or even the universe, and now Kita found herself caught in its crosshairs, thanks to Urahara’s meddling.

So, yes, Vacanze understood Ichimaru’s turmoil. He deserved a break, a chance to escape with his family, to leave the country behind. But Vacanze suspected that wouldn't last long; Urahara and Aizen had an uncanny knack for tracking down Ichimaru and Kita, as if they were implanted with tracking devices. Not that they were, of course. Vacanze, however, had always known where his Jewel was, thanks to the ring Ichimaru had asked him to forge years ago. As long as Kita wore that ring, he would always know her location. And if the ring ever went missing, he would find it to return it to her. It was the very connection Ichimaru had wanted—a bond that no one else could decipher.

And Ichimaru would have it as soon as he had cleared his head enough to take on the new challenge of forging the wedding ring he would finally place on his lover's finger.