1-1 After the Battle

We've got a critical patient here!

Take him to room 203, hurry!

Captain Unohana, was it really the right thing for us to do, to remain here in the barracks? We might've saved more lives if we'd been out there with the rest of th...

Isane.

We can't let our feelings dictate our actions. The natural reaction would have been for us to leave our posts out of concern.

............

But I know you are not so short-sighted that I need to explain to you why that would have been wrong... We both know you're wiser than that.

Right. I'm sorry, ma'am! Forgive me!

There's no need for tears, Isane.

"Do not leave the Squad 4 barracks," he told us. "No matter what." Who knew that when the Head Captain gave us those orders, they would be the last that he would ever give?

This came for you, sir.

Kisuke Urahara wanted you to know he's alive and well and that Orihime Inoue and Yasutora Sado are both safe, too.

That's about it, sir. We don't have any more details than that.

All right.

Ichigo! You need some proper medical treatment as well. Why don't you come along with me.

Naah, I'm okay. They already looked me over and bandaged me up.

Come on, I'm not just talking about those scratches on your face! I can tell you've been seriously wounded!

Rukia and Abarai just got out of surgery.

They're no longer in critical condition. They're stable now. Just call me if you need anything.

Ichigo...

Rukia! Hey, you shouldn't even be talking.

She just said we're in stable condition, or have you gone deaf on top of being dumb?

Dumb, huh? Looks like your mouth is working just fine.

Ichigo... I knew you'd come to help defend the Soul Society. Thank you.

Of course I came. A little late, though. Can't say I was very much help.

Shut up. You drove off the leader of the enemy's forces. If you hadn't done what you did, things would've gotten a whole lot worse.

So hold your head up high, you damn idiot.

If you say so.

Pardon the intrusion, sir! Captain Kurotsuchi wants to see you, regarding your Zanpakuto.

...!

So typical, he's always running off somewhere, no matter what the situation is. I wish he'd sit still and think of his own well-being for once.

Captain Hirako, did Ichigo seem different to you? He seemed troubled.

Yeah, I couldn't help noticing that as well.

Though to be fair, his Zanpakuto was broken. He's exhausted and disappointed he couldn't do more. But I wouldn't worry about him too much.

I don't know... I think there's more to it than that. It seems like he's dealing with something else. Something serious that he's hiding from us.