After some convincing, Ichigo finally calmed down and sat inside the secret cave with the others. Yoruichi was the only one moving outside because she could turn into a cat and could blend with her surroundings easily.
"I will find some information, so stay here until I return." She left after saying those words.
No one said anything at all since she left. Ichigo looked focused, Orihime worried, and Sado... Well, he never talked a lot to begin with.
Shirou, on the other hand, was thinking about the future. What would he do from here on out? Right now, he only lived to protect his family. Nothing else mattered. But if everything went well...
Well, it was too early to think about it.
But if he returned unharmed, then he wanted to do something.
"I want to go to Glastonbury." He muttered to himself.
However, due to how quiet it was in the cave, everyone heard him.
"Glastonbury?" Ichigo asked, confused. "Why Glastonbury? Isn't that in England?"
"Ah, you heard me?" Shirou scratched his cheek awkwardly, "Well, I want to meet someone."
"Someone?"
"King Arthur."
Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "Arthur? Who is that guy, someone famous in England? Is he your long lost friend?"
"It's King Arthur from legend, Ichigo-kun." Orihime explained to Ichigo. "You know, the one from Camelot, with a magical sword."
"Wait, the one with a stone?" Ichigo asked. "You're joking, aren't you?"
"It is a joke. A stupid one." Shirou grinned at him.
A false hope of meeting her again. Of course that should be impossible. This world—this universe had no connection with his previous life.
If there were, then Shirou wouldn't have come to the Kurosaki household. No, he would be dead in the alley where he fought Gilgamesh. Or maybe, he would be dead the moment the Great Fire of Fuyuki occurred, leaving him charred.
Dead. He was dead and his previous world wasn't this. Just a corpse without any goal in life but to save people. Someone that didn't even have the chance to be saved.
All this time, he had been dreaming.
A long dream—denying his real hope. No more would he do that.
He would be selfish for once.
"Anyway, I will go there after we return. Dad will probably understand that."
At the very least, he wanted to thank her directly. Visiting her tombstone would be a good thing. He had nothing to lose.
More than that... He longed to meet her again.
To once again cook for her, seeing her happy expression as she devoured the food, to see her sleeping face as they laid down together, and even to tease her to make her pout, he missed them all.
No, that would never come again.
'Just a fleeting wish...'
His heart hurt, but there was nothing he could do to make the pain stop.
He could only endure.
And he would.
It didn't take too long before the cat returned.
"It's me." Yoruichi appeared from the small door that was used to enter and exit the cave. She stepped inside and scanned the room quickly, her eyes darting around.
Everyone looked tense and nervous as she approached them. Her gaze landed on each person for a second before she stopped in front of Shirou.
"I found something interesting, Shirou. Come with me. There are some things that we need to discuss."
Noticing the serious atmosphere, Shirou nodded and stood up. They left the cave together and went out into the forest.
Once they were far enough away from the others, Yoruichi stopped walking and turned to face him. Her eyes were sharp and focused. There was something she needed to discuss.
"What is it, Yoruichi-san?" He asked her.
"The Soul Society is in a serious situation." She began, returning to her human form and crossing her arms, "First of all, the killed Captain is called Aizen Sousuke. That man was killed with twin western swords, and Captain Ichimaru Gin blamed the intruder for killing him, the Ryoka. You know, your sword fits the description of the culprit."
"..."
"Also, they're searching for you specifically. The intruder that beat Captain Kenpachi and injured Renji."
Listening closely, Shirou could guess where the conversation would go. However, his guess missed.
"Not all Captains agreed. If my guess is correct..."
"Someone planned everything from the start, including Rukia's execution."
"Yes." Yoruichi nodded. "There's a possibility that the Central 46 has been infiltrated, and there might be a traitor in our midst. I have a feeling we'll find the answers to these questions if we continue on our path, though."
"Central 46...?" Shirou raised his eyebrows at the name.
"Think of it as their government. They are the ones that decide what to do." She said simply, "They lived in their Compound and ordered everyone around in Seireitei."
"And you're sure that they were infiltrated?"
"Nothing is certain in this world, Shirou. We only have a few clues that lead to it. If the execution is really rushed, then that's one clue." She shrugged her shoulders.
"And no one knew you until you infiltrated Seireitei. Knowing Byakuya, he would definitely report you and your power to Central 46, but nothing happened. Kisuke tried his best to keep your information sealed, but that also has its limitations."
Which was strange in itself.
Either Byakuya kept a secret about him or he reported him but the perpetrator behind the plan stopped any investigation on Shirou.
Both were bad, but the latter one seemed to be a more logical explanation. After all, they could use him as a scapegoat for everything, and he would be framed as the enemy.
A strange person who used strange weapons. Shirou already knew that Urahara already tried to find information about his weapons, ability, and everything else since he trained with him since he was 9 years old.
Even after he trained him, Urahara still couldn't figure him out. It was like his ability was something that never existed before, like he was a glitch.
And if someone found out about it... He could easily be a target for everything.
That's why he asked his father to protect the family before he left—in case something unexpected happened.
"Anyway, I will make a dangerous proposal, Shirou." Yoruichi looked at him seriously, her gaze intense and determined. "You might have to be a sacrifice for us to win."
"... What do you mean, Yoruichi-san?" Shirou asked, confused.
A sacrifice? That didn't sound good.
Yoruichi paused for a moment before speaking again.
"Sorry, let me rephrase that." She coughed into her fist lightly and cleared her throat. "What I meant was... If we want to succeed in our plan, then you will have to fight someone strong enough to stop us. Many of them."
Smiling wryly, Shirou scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"You mean, like a distraction?" He asked hesitantly, "Or bait? That doesn't sound too appealing to me..."
"Not exactly–" She trailed off, looking thoughtful for a moment. "--Well, yes and no. For now, I plan to utilize Kisuke's secret base to train. I can only train Ichigo and yourself for a short amount of time, but with enough effort, you might survive whatever comes to you."
Yoruichi then looked at him intently. "So, are you willing to take the risk?"
Taking a risk... That was easy for him.
The fact Yoruichi only approached him meant she trusted him. And she had a plan, something he could rely on.
"Please tell me the details."