Chapter Text
Prologue
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”
Ichigo looked toward Kisuke, eyes narrowed. “Why not? You’re just taking over my mission, nothing more.”
Nothing more? Did Kurosaki-san forget that he was still technically a criminal in the eyes of the Shinigami?
After the defeat of the Quincies, Kisuke was rewarded entrance back into Soul Society for his help during the war. The Seireitei trusted him somewhat again. He could enter the Shinigami World on his own free will.
But his job remained in the Real World, you could even say that he turned out to be the spokesperson regarding missions in the Human World.
With no real threat lurking around, no one really needed any Shinigami stationed here. The danger was gone, no Quincies left or at least none who caused trouble. And no self proclaimed Gods who acted as if they owned the place.
Aizen helped fight in the war. Shunsui freed the unruly brunet of his ties and Aizen cooperated in defeating them only to turn his back on them at the last minute and try to take over the Soul Palace himself.
It delivered the traitor a place in Hell instead.
High end criminals would end up in Hell, it wasn’t possible before the Quincy war since the Seireitei was certain of the Hogyoku conflicting with the underworld. Aizen wouldn’t be able to be chained down if the orb’s powers clashed with the charms in Hell.
But, Kisuke had searched for methods to remove the orb from Aizen. And he came up with the solution after Aizen’s second attempt in attacking the Shinigami world. The orb was removed and Aizen got a permanent place where he belonged, thought Kisuke.
The underworld was ruled by a different being, it didn’t fall under the Seireitei’s jurisdiction. And those who ended up in Hell would normally never get a chance outside of the underworld again.
Aizen by some miracle was set free anyway. His powers were still locked away, he was banished to the Real World and prohibited from entering Karakura town while residing in another city now.
But thinking further on the subject it was probably the reason Kisuke got the task of staying in the Human World. Although he hadn’t heard from Aizen; no news was good news.
Aizen wouldn’t be able to begin any trouble without his powers or his Zanpakuto. Ichigo got him out of his little daydream with his whining, “Well?”
He shook his head negatively. “I don’t know. I just regained the Seireitei’s trust and you’re asking me to break it again?”
Ichigo rolled his eyes, saying it would help Soul Society this way even if it was taking over someone else his job...
Right, cause missions weren’t strictly private he joked to the youngster.
“Oh come on Urahara-san they’ll never know you did it. It’s in the Real World after all. I promised Rukia that holiday for months. If I call if off one more time, she’ll never let me sleep in the bed again.”
“And that is my problem because? Oh wait it isn’t.”
Kisuke wasn’t going to take the risk. He didn’t want to end up being banished to a different city next. His life was just fine the way it was. He enjoyed all the peace he had gone without during the Quincy war.
“You’re not getting any younger Urahara-san. Staying in the shop won’t get you a girl. This mission could be a calling.”
As if, he didn’t want any girlfriend. He was gay. Besides Ichigo made it sound as if he was really old.
Wait a minute... “If the mission is in the Human World, why wasn’t I informed of it?” The younger man shrugged. “Probably cause it’s in Furukawa Town”
It was a bit further than Karakura Town but still stationed in the Real World. Strange, it got him slightly curious.
Ichigo looked gleeful when he asked for more information.
A strange death took place in the hospital of Furukawa Town. The physician’s report stated it was heart failure during surgery but apparently it was coupled with a high raise of spiritual pressure.
Well...medicine wasn’t exactly his area anyway. He told Ichigo it was better done by him. The youngster’s relationship with the Kuchiki made him a frequent visitor of the Seireitei. Ichigo combined his medical studies with a job in Soul Society. And so he became Vice Captain of the 4th division.
“They need your medical expertise.”
The Kurosaki shrugged. “Medical or scientific, it’s basically the same. It will only be for two weeks then I’ll take over again. So all you need to do is visit the crime scene and write down some reports. She’s dead already, I’m not asking you to help me with her surgery.”
Kisuke looked in disbelief at the other. After all he had done for Ichigo and still it wasn’t enough...
He told him that he would think about it which made Ichigo’s expression break out into a triumphant smile.
Going through the case when Ichigo disappeared he was thinking of looking into it. Truth to be told he was getting slightly bored. Supplying Shinigami and training beginners for the Real World was actually beginning to get quite tedious. And with lack of inspiration for any new inventions, a case could indeed be a calling.
And so he found himself the next day in the medical institution where the death of the girl took place.
He went down into the mortuary, where one of the nurses showed him the girl.
The room itself felt normal, no strange entities could be felt and at first glance the girl didn’t seem to be non human. Did Soul Society make a mistake?
He asked a couple of questions but the more he asked the fewer answers he got.
“I can’t tell you everything. Maybe you should ask one of her doctors?”
He nodded and she gave him a list of the attended physicians, but the moment his eyes landed on that name, he cursed.
Since when did Aizen become a doctor?
He asked to speak with him immediately.
“I’m sorry sir but Dr. Aizen doesn’t work here. He owns a private clinic not far from here though.”
He got the address next and left to visit the so called doctor.
-0-
Kisuke glanced at the sign that read ‘Aizen clinic’.
There could be no coincidence Aizen was the culprit. But it was pretty stupid of Aizen to leave the evidence out in the open like that. And that easy to track down...
He waited until it was his turn to enter the office.
Aizen looked just like he always did; brown hair slicked back and self conceited expression. The only thing that was different were the glasses he had on.
Aizen looked good, he apparently had a great life outside of prison and Hell.
As soon as Aizen saw him, he stood up, smooth personality sliding in check instantly. “Urahara-san, I must say what a surprise in seeing you here.”
“Cut the crap. I know you had something to do with the girl’s death.”
His accusation was evaded without a word as the other calmly stated instead, “Oh yes what a tragedy that has befallen Yoko-san.”
Kisuke asked if the other confirmed the girl’s death, it was more of a statement than a question.
“Why yes of course, as a doctor I’m notified immediately of my patient’s death.”
A doctor? Yeah right.
He demanded to see some sort of certification for his practice. But Aizen obliged easily, showing him the piece of paper.
It looked authentic to him but still...
“Are you really that surprised of my intellectual capabilities?” Aizen asked with a smirk and shoved a package of cigarettes out of the way so he could sit himself on the edge of the desk, practically intimidating him when he kept looking his way.
“Saving people’s lives isn’t exactly your lifelong dream. Just admit that you’re responsible for her death.” he spoke nothing but the truth.
Still, Aizen kept looking intently into his eyes, trying hard to feign an innocent demeanour for sure, especially when he practically represented overconfidence. “False accusations can cost you here in the Real World. Better think twice before stating something like that. Don’t you think so Urahara-san?”
Well, well. The underlying sweet act had dropped down into a threat already.
“I’m not playing along with your games here, she died by your hands.”
He was getting worked up, emotions running high near the other. Normally he could keep his emotions from interfering with work but Aizen was an exception, especially with their past...
Aizen looked fleetingly at the door that was connected to the waiting room.
“Honestly you come here, barging into my office while spreading false lies and that during my consultations hours.” a perfectly manicured eyebrow raised. “Don’t you have any manners at all?”
Manners?... Said by a good one.
He kept standing in front of the other, determined not to leave until he found some clarity of Aizen’s involvement.
The silence and their death stare made Aizen return eventually to his desk, where he seemingly looked something up on the computer.
“But I forgive your outburst, medical vocabulary can be quite difficult. So let me translate her file for you.”
Was the other implying he was stupid?!
“Yoko died during surgery. Her heart failed, there’s nothing the attending physicians could have done to prevent that accident.” Aizen motioned to himself. “I’m not sure if you’ve noticed Urahara- san, but I’m not a surgeon. Merely a doctor.”
He refrained from remarking how the brunet had hacked into others in the past like one. It would get their somewhat civilised conversation nowhere. So he asked instead why she visited him.
“My patient’s affairs are none of your business. Surely you can understand that.”
He kept looking at the brunet.
“Naturally I referred her to a specialist when my treatment didn’t help.”
Was he trying to come away with it? Aizen could tell lies like no other, or was he actually telling the truth?
When Aizen removed his glasses, the white-golden ring around his finger caught Kisuke’s attention immediately. “You’re married?”
Aizen smiled, stood up and rummaged through the drawers.
“I cannot let you look into her medical record but I can refer you to her surgeon if that is of any help to you.”
He was then handed a business card, yet at the same time Kisuke was still somewhat shocked over the ring. His attention therefore lingered on the shiny diamond before he finally looked at the card, ‘Nobu Atsushi Cardiac Surgeon’
“Which happens to be my husband, perhaps he can give you more info on her.”
He widened his eyes, ‘husband?!’
“Are you really that surprised? I didn’t really make it a show I liked men but surely you haven’t forgotten our bond in our academy years.”
No, he definitely hadn’t. They were still the best moments of his life thus far. Sousuke was...Aizen was a liar and had betrayed him. The other wasn’t only responsible for the good moments in his life but also for the worst.
And the brunet would probably do the same to his current lover. One thing he was sure of though; Aizen’s involvement in the case was a given.
But staring at the business card he felt a strange sense of jealousy flare up.