The light tapping of fingers against the keyboard could be heard in the apartment, the only light illuminating from the large computer screen in a back room. The display reflected off a pair of glasses that sat on the bridge of the person's nose, eyes scanning the information. Headphones blaring music, the female took a sip of water before scribbling down some numbers and setting back to work.
It was well into the early morning, around three to be exact, when the front door unlocked, a set of footsteps walking closer. "Isabella?" a cool voice questioned. However, upon hearing the music coming out of the headphones and realizing how engaged she was he knew the reason there was no answer. His foot kicked the leg of the rolling chair, making her fingers stop. Removing the headphones, them resting on the shoulders, her head craned backwards.
"Knew you'd show up sooner or later," the young woman muttered.
"Is that anyway to greet an old friend, Izzy?" he smirked.
Sighing in annoyance, the chair turned around so they were face-to-face. "Hello, Ginjo. To what do I owe this visit?"
"I need information."
"Of course you do. Otherwise, you'd forget I was even here. On who?"
"Isshin Kurosaki and Kisuke Urahara."
"That's too easy, you know? They've separated themselves from the Society for so long it's as if they fell off the face of their earth. Security has lacked greatly on the older files because they think no one is interested any more."
"Which is why I want you to look into it. You can even find information that is lost or buried deep in the other archives of the Society."
"Fine. Tomorrow I can start looking. I have a client right now that I'm finishing up on."
Ginjo nodded before dropping a paper bag on the desk, and setting down a large slurpie cup. "Get to it."
"Yes, sir," Isabella answered sarcastically, pulling out a hotdog from the bag and eating it hungrily.
"If it wasn't for me you'd forget to eat."
"Sorry, but my love for computers and research comes first."
"So I've come to notice."
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Isabella tapped her fingernails against the desk in thought, looking over all of the notes displayed on the screen, and running over a list of other possible places to gather up information. "Showdown... check. Captain positions... check. Squad Twelve creation... check. Hollowification incident... check. Soul Society background... check. Present background... check." Sighing, the young woman got up from her chair, stretching and carrying the collecting garbage to the wastebasket in the kitchen. "I feel like I'm missing something... But what...? What else have they done that I don't know about...?"
To help her think, Isabella cleaned the dirty dishes in the sink. "Well this is a sight," a voice sounded, chills running up the girl's spin. "It's been a while since I've seen you up and away from your computer, let alone cleaning."
Ginjo approached from behind, lower back leaning against the counter top beside Isabella. "What's on your mind, Izzy? Don't tell me you couldn't do your job."
That earned him a glare. "No, I got my job done, Ginjo," she growled in irritation. "I was just thinking that I might be missing something."
"Like what?"
"I'll tell you when I know." Drying her hands, the computer genius turned away to head back to find out more, when Ginjo's leg shot out, foot resting against the island opposite him. Isabella cocked an eyebrow. "Something on your mind, Ginjo?"
"You're eating before going back in there."
"I'm not a child."
"No, you're not. You're a grown woman. However..." The man got very close to her emotionless face. "I bet you haven't eaten since the last time I came over, meaning over twenty-four hours."
"Not hungry."
"The hell you're not." Ginjo narrowed his eyes. "What's with you? You've been eating less and less, Isabella."
"Just don't have the appetite."
"You better not be getting soft on me and forcing yourself not to eat to have what humans call, 'The Ideal Supermodel Body'."
"Please, I could care less about my image." Reaching behind him, Ginjo forced a tin into her hands.
"Eat." It was an order.
"Fine," she huffed, snatching it away. "And I'm not doing it because you're forcing me to, it's because you got it in the first place."
Ginjo rolled his eyes, retreating into the living area. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Until I get all of the information I asked for I'm staying here."
"Oh, Ginjo, won't you come in and stay a while," Isabella spoke sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
"I got you food."
"And I'm getting your information. Fair trade, but now you're pushing it."
"Fine, what do you want in return?"
"Information. Why are you focused on Isshin and Kisuke?"
"You're a human. You won't understand."
Isabella cocked an eyebrow. "Says the man who comes to me for Soul Society information. You can find your information somewhere else if you're going to act like that."
"Fine." The apartment went silent. "I take it you know about Ichigo Kurosaki."
"Isshin's son. His name comes up everywhere in the Soul Society's files. I read everything on the Aizen incident to the Showdown. Pretty impressive. Too bad he lost his powers. Why do you have an interest in him?"
"Because we're going after him."
"By 'we' you mean the Xcution Organization."
"Exactly. We're going to try bringing out his own Fullbring."
"What for? Aren't there enough of you?"
"Feh, who says we're going to keep him. After Ichigo fully releases the power of his Fullbring, I'm going to take it from him for our own use."
"So you're just manipulating him."
"Exactly."
Isabella sighed. "You never change, Ginjo."
"What makes you say that?"
"You know exactly what I mean. Remember when you first found out about my older brother and me? You persuaded me at first to gather some information after you disappeared from the Society. It was a couple of months later when I finally realized what you truly wanted: my skills."
Ginjo grinned. "Yes, you did call me out on it. Even your brother, Ulquiorra approached me."
"He never liked the fact that I worked for you. Thought I should join him with Aizen."
"Why didn't you?" he asked, turning on the television.
"There's a difference between humans and Arrancars. I'd rather be under the radar and unknown. Even Aizen didn't know Ulquiorra was my biological brother."
"How did that happen?"
"Died of cancer in his throat. That's why his hole was placed so strategically."
"So I take it you hate Ichigo since he killed him."
"No, I don't." Ginjo was surprised to hear this. "I don't care what happens outside my human existence in this world. I'm actually happy now that he is finally at rest and not brainwashed by an egotistical Lord from the Society. Whatever he's doing now is not my concern."
Cleaning up the scraps of food on her plate, Isabella paused. "But what is he doing now...? Training... But how does the Soul Society...?"
"Izzy?" Ginjo questioned.
"How does the Soul Society feel about his involvement with Fullbringing? I'm sure that Isshin would've picked up on the activity or Kisuke." Determination in her eyes, Isabella fixed her glasses. "I'll be back..."
Fingers flowing over the keyboard, Ginjo listened to the clicking of her speed typing, smirking. It was nearly four in the morning when Isabella's room fell silent. The sound coming from the television was a distant murmur, the girl's mind focused on the information in front of her.
The Soul Society was planning on returning Ichigo his powers if Ginjo made a move. They were well aware of his involvement with the teen, and knew what he was planning. Cursing under her breath, Isabella ran a frustrated hand through her hair. "I told you to be careful," she grumbled. Noticing the time, the young woman stood and retreated into the shower.
Ginjo was fast asleep on the couch, Isabella emerging from her room wearing a black, baggy, hooded sweatshirt. Looking at the papers in hand, the girl set it softly on the coffee table before letting herself out into the streets of Karakura Town.
The morning was cool, the sun slowly rising in the distance. Isabella leaned against the outer wall to the clinic, staring at her shoes absently. "Early as ever, Isabella." She looked up, spotting the doctor who had opened the door from the inside.
"Hello, Dr. Kurosaki."
"Please, call me Isshin. Come on in. I'm all ready for you."
An hour later after running tests, and the man looking over his notes and the results from the head Ishida Hospital as the room went silent. "I have it, don't I?"
Isshin sighed heavily, scratching the back of his head. "Yeah, Isabella, you do. Looks like it's hereditary based on your family background."
"Let me guess, I can't do anything."
"I'm sorry... but no..."
"How long?"
"Based on your present weight, the inability to sleep, and the continuing, rapid decrease in your weight... not long... A month or so at most." Isabella said nothing. "I can give you some medication to help with the possible pain that could come, but that's really all we can do."
"I don't have any money, so no thank you." Isabella stood. "I'll call you if I need anything, Doctor. Thank you."
"Isabella..." She stopped. "I know you're involved with Ginjo."
"I knew you knew."
"What did you tell him?"
She turned around, looking the man right in the eye, remembering the final page to her research.
'The Soul Society has decided to not bother themselves with the boy Ichigo Kurosaki, and sese him now as a threat. If he decides to ally himself with the Xcution Organization, they will not hesitate to kill him and will declare war against the former Substitute Shinigami, Ichigo Kurosaki. Acquiring his Fullbring it will fall right into the Xcution's hands, and they will fuse themselves with his power. The Xcution does not have to worry about the Soul Society attacking them personally.'
"Why did you say that?" the man asked.
"He tricked me into working with him in the first place. I still have yet to deceive him like he did me. What a better way to get Ginjo back. He needs to learn his lesson to not get too arrogant when things are going his way. I guess you could call it my final 'gift' to Ginjo before I finally pass over."
Isabella disappeared.
Ginjo was not present when Isabella returned to her apartment, finding the research gone. "Goodbye, Ginjo."
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Ginjo was pissed beyond reason. The former Reaper finally realized what he had been doing was wrong, that he was wrong. However, what made him angry was the fact that Isabella had lied about the Soul Society getting involved. Isshin had told him on the battlefield of the young woman's plans.
The Xcution organization was gone, the members either dead, had disappeared, or lost their powers. Ginjo had just barely escaped death by a hair, but lost his Fullbring completely. Now, the man was making his way down the streets of Karakura Town, disguised in regular clothing. The door to Isabella's apartment was locked, confusing him. She never left her home. Looking around, Ginjo kicked open the door.
"Izzy!" he yelled in annoyance. There was no answer. "Izzy! I know you're in here!" Nothing. "Isabella!"
The computer was off, which was uncommon. Everything in the apartment looked as if it had not been touched in weeks. The only thing that caught his attention was a folded note on the counter.
Ginjo,
If you're reading this then you've probably have figured out that I lied to you. Sorry, but now we're even. You tricked me, now I tricked you. I'll be surprised if you're alive. I'm no longer living in this apartment. After completing your request for research on Isshin and Kisuke, I erased my entire hard drive. Everything I worked on for all these years is gone forever.
You're probably wondering why I did that, that I might be going crazy. I have a reason for everything I do, Ginjo. You noticed that I wasn't eating as much as I used to the last time you came over. A few months ago I went to the Kurosaki Clinic because something was bothering me. I took a few tests and the day I gave you the research I discovered I have stage three-stomach cancer. Without the money, nothing can be done, and they gave me only a month or so to live. I'm probably in the Ishida Hospital right now, or in my grave.
I apologize for lying to you. Believe me it wasn't easy, and a last minute decision. I hope that I will never have to be reborn as a Soul Reaper or a normal soul in the Society, or as a Hollow or in Hueco Mundo. I just want to die and be with my brother. I hope you'll come to join me too one day. If you get this message and I'm already buried six-feet under I just wanted to say goodbye, and thank you for making my life as a researcher interesting.
Izzy
Ginjo walked swiftly out of the apartment and towards the hospital. "I'm looking for Isabella Schiffer," he spoke to the nurse behind the counter. "Is she still here?"
"Let me check... Yes, fifth floor, room 542."
Ginjo sighed in mild relief, taking the elevator. Isabella looked skinner than normal, face pale, and dark circles under her eyes. An oxygen tube was hooked into her nose, and though the young woman's eyes were closed, he knew the girl was not sleeping.
"Izzy..."
"Knew it was only a matter of time before you came..." she answered tiredly. Her eyes slowly opened, locking on him. "Though I was almost certain you had died because it took so long."
"You lied."
"See, you're not the only one that can trick people."
There was a moment of silence that passed between them as the man examined all of the machines surrounding the bed. "How long...?"
"Any day... They've been loading me with meds to take away the pain. I'm not even able to keep food down anymore."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Didn't think you'd care."
He wanted to snap at that answer, but tried keeping a cool head, "What would make you say that?"
"Come now, Ginjo. You're very self-centered sometimes. And besides, for years you've referred to me as a researcher and nothing more. That was the only reason you came to see me."
"What if I was lying?"
"Then I'd say that was a sick joke and you're too late to change anything."
"But it is."
Weak, her shoulders barely shrugged. "You're loss."
"I can't do anything?"
"No."
"You sure?"
"You can bury me."
His eyes narrowed, teeth clenched together at how a blunt answer like that didn't seem to bother her in the slightest. "That's a sick joke."
"It's true though."
"How did this happen?"
"Hereditary."
Ginjo cursed under his breath. "Damn it, Isabella. Why did this have to happen?"
"Why are you so concerned?"
"Because I am!" he yelled. "You're dying, Isabella! This isn't a light matter!"
"I still don't see why this upsets you. I'm just another researcher."
"Damn it, Isabella..." The man sighed. "You were... still are more than that."
The corner of her lips twitched in a smile. "Well you picked a hell of a time to tell me."
Ginjo collapsed into a chair. "I screwed up..."
"I'll say."
"You're not helping."
"Wasn't trying to."
The room went silent, Isabella closing her eyes again. "Are you sure there is nothing I can do?" She thought for a moment. "Izzy?"
"You can stay with me, and continue to call me Izzy."
"I think I can do that."
"Good, then can you do something else for me?"
"What?"
"You can hold me."
Ginjo climbed into bed beside Isabella, careful to make sure not to hurt her failing body. Lightly pulling her into his arms, the young woman's head rested against his chest, hand lightly stroking the hair. "Like this?"
"Yes... Thank you."
"Izzy..."
"Hmm?"
"You were always more to me than a researcher."
"I believe you. Goodbye, Ginjo." That night she fell into an eternal sleep.
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