SailorStar9: This is the start of the new arc of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts? Read and review.

Pairings: Ishida/Hasu, minor pairing Hitsugaya/Karin

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.

Prologue: Reunion, Ichigo and Rukia and Shinigami

In Soul Society...

"Is that so?" overlooking the Squad 10 barracks, Hitsugaya received the message from the Squad 2 messenger. "Understood. I'll leave immediately."

All over Seireitei, the other Captains had also received similar messages and were hurrying to the Squad 1's meeting room.

"Thank you for responding to our sudden invitation so quickly." Yamamoto started the Captains' meeting. "We shall begin our Captains' meeting at this time."

In Squad 12...

"There's no response today." one of the researchers was monitoring the sensors. "I'm tired."

"Standing guard is pure torture if nothing actually happens." his workmate agreed.

"Hey, Rin."Hiyosu turned to the sweets lover. "Quit nibbling on all the candy. Go make us some tea. You worthless twerp."

"I'm sorry." Rin apologized. "Right away. There's a response!" he reported when the alarms went off. "Location 3600 to 4000, eastern sector of Karakura Town. Requesting corrections and acquisition."

"How everything doing?" Akon asked from the door, Hiyosu was already typing furiously.

"Good timing, Akon." Hiyosu replied. "Take a look. They've come."

In the Squad 1 barracks...

"Reporting in." one of the Squad 2's messenger ninja presented himself. "This is a report from the 12th Squad. We have picked up on Arrancar located in the eastern sector of Karakura Town. There are two of them. Going by their Reiatsu, strength and stability, we believe that they are the real thing."

Almost a week later...

"So, where is it?" Ikkaku asked, walking down the Karakura High School corridor that led to Ichigo's classroom.

"I don't know." Matsumoto replied.

"Hey now." Abarai cut in. "Didn't you have a memo with you when we left?"

"I lost it." Matsumoto answered.

"What the heck are you doing?" Ikkaku snapped.

"Then, you lead us, Renji." Matsumoto insisted. "You're used to the real world, aren't you?"

"You've been here before, haven't you?" Renji fired back.

"I was just here for a moment." Matsumoto defended.

"Quit complaining." Hitsugaya hushed the group. "Just search for his Reiatsu."

"Whatever." Ikkaku huffed. "How can these people wear these clothes?"

"Students here are required to wear them." Renji reminded.

"You sure know your stuff." Matsumoto beamed.

"Leave me alone." Renji retorted. "There's something not quite right about your uniform." he looked at the busty blond.

"Even so, these things are so tight." Ikkaku complained.

"Why don't you untuck your shirt like us?" Yumichika suggested.

"Like hell." Ikkaku snapped. "If I do that, I can't stick my wooden sword into my sash."

"You're not supposed to have even a wooden one." Renji pointed out.

"Shut up." Ikkaku fired back. "You're the ones who said I couldn't carry a real one."

"It's not we who say so." Yumichika reminded. "Didn't Hasu-hime remind you time and again that it's the law here in the real world?"

"I just don't understand." Ikkaku growled. "What kind of stupid law says that you can't carry a real sword?"

"It's not so bad." Matsumoto shrugged. "I kind of like these clothes."

"You're the only one who's happy to be dressed like this." Renji pointed out.

"Shut up, you guys." Hitsugaya rebuked. "Don't start a commotion. Just walk quietly."

"Okay." the others fell in line.

"Here we are." Hitsugaya stopped in front of the classroom. "This is the room. Open it."

"Morning." Renji greeted Ichigo who was on cleaning duty. "How ya been, Ichigo?"

"Renji." Ichigo gawked. "Ikkaku. Yumichika. Rangiku. Tōshirō."

"It's Captain Hitsugaya to you." Hitsugaya twitched.

"Why are you guys here?" Ichigo asked.

"Orders from above." Renji responded. "We're to prepare for the coming battle with the Arrancar by entering the real world and joining forces with the Shinigami Daiko, or so we were told."

"Arran..." Ichigo trailed. "Who?"

"What's up with you?" Renji echoed. "You were fighting without knowing who your enemy was?"

"Idiot." Rukia retorted from the window in the back. "The guys who tore you up the other day. It's been a while, hasn't it, Ichigo?"

Omake: Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide

Ganju: (Sitting outside a house with a pot simmering in broth) Thanks so much for inviting me to your cookout.

Hanataro: (Returns with a basket of vegetables) I brought the ingredients.

Unohana: (Looks at the cooking vegetables) Oh my. There doesn't seem to have any meat. You simply forgot, right? However, I have prepared some.

A boar's snort was seen simmering in the pot.

Ganju: This is good.

Hanataro: Captain, where did you get this meat?

Unohana: I caught it outside the gate a little while ago.

Ganju: (Panicky tears) Oh, Bonnie-chan!

SailorStar9: In the next chapter, at Ichigo's house, Hitsugaya explains Aizen's plans for the Arrancars and the different types of Hollows. Now that's done, read and review.