Secrets of the Past - Chapter Four

'She was your what,' Ichigo shouted looking at Kat.
Kat looked back at him with a half smile, 'I told you I was a family friend.'  Urahara, followed by Renji and Rukia burst through the door.  Renji and Rukia had no idea what was going on.  Ichigo looked back and forth at Kat and Isshin stunned.  He didn't know what to say.  'Her name is Sora Katsumi,' Isshin said as Kat looked over at him, 'she was my lieutenant when I was captain of Squad Nine.  Right before I joined the Royal Guard, she went missing.'  Ichigo tried to take all the information in.  He was not only learning about the stranger that stalked him but also things about his father he never knew.  He knew his father was a shinigami but never guessed that he was a captain.  He never asked about the whole story.  But it all of the sudden made so much sense.  'Ah, I see you made it,' Urahara said behind Ichigo with a smile.  'I'm assuming this is the clarification you wanted,' Isshin said looking past Kat at Urahara.  'I thought you might appreciate seeing an old friend.  Especially one you risked so much for.'
'Hey, I didn't ask for that,' Kat said crossing her arms.
'What,' Ichigo said, 'there's more?'
'Oh, there's an entire story but we really don't have time for all that,' Kat managed to get out before Isshin cut her off.
'If you are asking my son to put his life on the line, he at least deserves the whole story.'
'Well, you tell him your side on your time.  Because I've already stated my reasons,' she said before she turned and walked towards the door past everyone.
'I suppose her attitude hasn't changed much,' Isshin said as he approached Urahara.
'Not in the slightest,' he replied as the walked inside.

Ichigo was still confused but managed to collect himself was they walked inside.  The answer to his questions only brought more questions.  'We'll talk later son, ' Isshin said as they entered the room Kat was in.  Once everyone was settled, Kat began to catch everyone up on the plan and the events that led up to it.
'I understand that you guys  are led to believe that Aizen can't be killed.  But that's simply untrue.  However, I'm the only one that will be able to deliver the final blow.'
'But why you,' Renji asked.
'Because of our physical bond  We are related therefore connected.  Plus, it won't be all me.  Urahara is working on something that will rival the hogyoku.'
'So what do you need our help for,' Rukia said curiously.
'To wear him down basically.  He may not have his zanpakuto but he is still powerful.  You see, that was all part of his plan.  Ichigo losing his powers, him getting locked up.  He figured with Ichigo out of the way, I would help him escape and we could take over Soul Society.'  Everyone sat in surprise as Kat continued, his plan was for me to eventually be let free from Hueco Mundo where he left me confined and to break him out.  What he didn't take into account was that I would never do that.  But I played along.  I didn't want him to know I was immune to his zanpakuto.'
'How did you know I'd get my powers back,' Ichigo asked.
'It was more of a hope,' she said turning to him, 'I told you I could do it with or without you.  Its just easier with your help.'
'How do we know we can trust you,' Rukia said skeptically.  Kat then realized of the five people in the room only two of them were there and know what really happened to her.  She had heard most of what had happened in the past few years and could understand their cautiousness.  But she would never turn her back on Soul Society.  Or Isshin.
'Listen, I was a lieutenant once myself,' Kat said looking at Rukia and Renji, 'my job was to protect Soul Society at all cost.'  Kat's temper stated to flare a little, 'I would never do anything...' Isshin cut her off. 'You can trust me right,' he said looking around at the group, mainly Ichigo, Rukia and Renji.  They all silently agreed.  'Then you can trust me when I say I trust her.  I would put my life in her hands any day with out any thought of hesitation.'  He looked over at Kat.  It made her feel good to know he still trusted her.  Even though she felt that he probably shouldn't.  'So anyways, we still have kinks to work out and Urahara still needs time on his end up we should be ready to go by the end of the month.'
'That's a little over two weeks away,' Ichigo said with a hint of worry.
'You have done more in less,' Kat said to him with a smile, 'it will be enough time.  This project shouldn't take long.  Renji, Rukia, I need you to be my ears in Soul Society.  They have no idea I even still exist and I'd like to keep it that way for a while.  Don't do anything out of the norm but do pay attention to any happenings you may hear about Central 46.  I'm leaving it to you guys to tell me when the best day to break in is.'
'Break in,' Rukia questioned.
'I'm not exactly going to stroll in for visitation and be allowed to do what I need to do.  So yes, break in.  Sin now, ask for forgiveness later.'  Renji and Rukia knew they were potentially putting their jobs and lives on the line but they also know they would never be able to forgive Aizen for what he had put them through.  They knew it was best to help.

The group when their separate ways after the meeting.  Kat was standing alone watching Ichigo say goodbye to his friends.  Isshin quietly came up and stood next to her.  She seemed to be deep in thought.  'You don't need to beat yourself up over what happened.  It was my choice,' he finally said to her.
'Who said I blame myself,' she replied stubbornly.
'Sora, I know you better than that.  I couldn't tell you then so I'm telling you now.  I chose to come after you.  My choice, not yours.'
'All the more reason I owe you this.'  She turned and looked at him, 'I promise I won't let anything happen to him.'
'I know you won't.  I meant what I said in there.  But, don't do this just for me.'
'Trust me, I'm not.  But I do appreciate everything you have done for me.'
'I know.'