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Rukia nodded silently, her expression calm, signaling that she understood.
Chōjirō Sasakibe raised his hand, and two mbers of the First Division stepped forward, ready to escort her to the prison under their jurisdiction.
"Vice-Captain Sasakibe, allow to take Rukia there. Would that be acceptable?" Shiraha asked with a faint smile, halting their steps.
"Well, well, then I'll trouble you, Captain Shiraha," Sasakibe replied without hesitation. To him, it was of no consequence who delivered her. Rukia was already within the custody of the First Division; there was no escape. Entrusting her to Shiraha made no difference.
"Captain Shiraha, please let go with you!" Renji interjected desperately.
"Renji, return to the Sixth Division," Byakuya ordered firmly. "I must first report to the Captain-Commander."
"But, Captain Kuchiki—"
Renji's protest was cut short when Byakuya raised his hand. His cold eyes left no room for argunt. "This is an order."
"Yes, Captain Kuchiki." Renji's reply was bitter, reluctant, but final. He turned and withdrew, suppressing further resistance.
Byakuya followed Sasakibe toward the First Division to et with Yamamoto Genryūsai, while Shiraha took Rukia, accompanied by two First Division guards, toward the detention cells.
On the way, Rukia spoke softly. "Brother, thank you for what you did earlier."
She knew very well that against Ishida Uryū, Shiraha had held back. He had not dealt a killing blow, only stripped Uryū of his fighting strength, leaving him unconscious. Had Shiraha pressed just a fraction harder, Uryū's life would have ended.
"What? You don't bla for letting Renji strike at your friend?" Shiraha ruffled her hair lightly, smiling.
"How could I? I know, my lord—you must have realized Ichigo was coming, so you let Renji act to buy ti."
If Shiraha had truly intended to kill Uryū, he had no need of Renji at all. It had been deliberate, a way to stall until Kurosaki Ichigo arrived. Yet though Uryū had been spared, Ichigo might not be so fortunate, having suffered his chain of fate and soul sleep being destroyed along with other wounds that could prove fatal. Rukia's heart sank at the thought.
"Don't worry. Kurosaki Ichigo isn't so easy to kill," Shiraha said gently, seeing through her worry. "He's tenacious, and I'd wager Urahara Kisuke has already saved him."
"Really?" Rukia's gloom gave way to fragile relief. A small smile touched her lips.
"Since when have I lied to you?" Shiraha's smile was light, reassuring.
"My lord… thank you," Rukia whispered. She gazed at Shiraha's face as if to etch it into mory.
They reached the prison soon after. More than a dozen First Division guards stood watch outside. Rukia stepped into the cell, then turned back and called, "Brother, please help apologize to Brother Byakuya."
She knew she had committed a grave cri—bestowing her powers upon a human, a violation certain to bring the harshest judgnt of Central 46. Imprisonnt for centuries, at the very least.
"Rukia, you should say that to your elder brother yourself," Shiraha replied, still smiling.
"My lord, I won't have the chance…" she murmured as she leaned into the corner of the cell, her eyes lingering on his departing figure.
Leaving the prison, Shiraha turned toward the Seventh Division barracks. Rukia was now securely in custody, which ant Aizen's plan was already unfolding. By tomorrow at the latest, Central 46—under Aizen's secret control—would deliver its sentence.
What Shiraha had not expected was to find Kira Izuru and Hinamori Momo waiting outside his office.
"Captain Shiraha."
Both bowed respectfully upon seeing him.
"Captain Shiraha," Kira began cautiously, "rumor has it that you, Captain Kuchiki, and Renji went to the world of the living to capture Rukia. Is that true?"
He had little standing to ask such a question, yet his friendship with Rukia compelled him. He, Renji, and Momo had all entered the Academy in the sa year as her, and their bond endured. When Rukia's reiatsu had vanished, Momo had grieved. When she learned Rukia lived but had given her Shinigami powers to a human, both she and Kira had been consud with worry.
"Yes. Rukia has been brought back and is now confined in a First Division cell," Shiraha confird with calm ease.
"Captain Shiraha… what will her sentence be?" Hinamori asked, her voice fragile, barely concealing hope. She could not imagine death would be the verdict.
"Central 46 will begin her trial tonight. The official ruling will be announced tomorrow," Shiraha said smoothly, withholding the true decision. Telling them now would only breed chaos.
"You should both return and rest. Especially you, Hinamori—Kira is already a Third Seat, yet you are still Sixth. That difference in strength will not do." Shiraha brushed her hair gently, smiling.
Hinamori's heart raced, her face warming as he passed her. "Captain Shiraha, I'll work harder. I won't let you down," she whispered, watching his retreating figure.
The next morning, Shiraha erged from his quarters and headed toward the division grounds. As captain of the Seventh Division, his daily duties were few—protecting the Seireitei's inner court, suppressing rebellions, and overseeing matters usually handled by Tetsuzaemon and Komamura Sajin.
Then, the voice of Chōjirō Sasakibe rang across all of Seireitei, amplified by Bakudō #77: Tenteikūra.
"All captains, vice-captains, and seated officers of the Gotei 13, hear . I am First Division Vice-Captain Chōjirō Sasakibe. This is the official decree of Central 46 regarding the trial of Rukia Kuchiki."
All who held concern for her—Byakuya, Renji, Ukitake, Kira, Momo—ceased what they were doing and listened in silence.
"The sinner Rukia Kuchiki, while on assignnt in the human world two months ago, transferred her powers of a Shinigami to a human. This unlawful act resulted in the ergence of an unregistered Shinigami. She remained hidden among the living world thereafter, evading capture. Such conduct is a grave violation of Soul Society law.
Our judgnt is thus:
First, the criminal Rukia Kuchiki is to be held temporarily within the Repentance Cell of the Shūshōin, the Palace of Penitence.
Second, after one month, she shall be brought to Sōkyoku Hill. There, the Sōkyoku will be released, and her soul utterly destroyed.
This is the decree of Central 46."
The transmission faded, and silence fell once more over Seireitei.
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