Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, its characters or any of the characters that are going to appear unless stated otherwise.

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Author's Note: The events take place at the end of the Fake Karakura Arc. The Gotei 13 and Vizards succeed in defeating the top 3 Espada, but failed to capture the tratorious Aizen and his cohorts, Tousen and Gin. In Hueco Mundo, Yammy retreats as he begins to get overwhelmed by Ichigo, his friends, and the four other captains. Urahara succeeds in opening the Gargantas into Hueco Mundo to retrieve the trapped heroes. The Vizards disappear in the commotion, returning to their hideout to avoid a possible fight against some of the Captains. Yamamoto then declares all the Gotei 13 to return to Soul Society to plan out for the coming Winter War…

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"GOOD MORNING, ICHIGO!" Almost on cue, Isshin Kurosaki attacks his son with a flying kick in order to wake him up for school. Prepared, Ichigo successfully counters his father's kick by catching it and throwing him into the wall. Losing conscious, Isshin says, "Nice…counter."

"Dammit, I'm not in the mood for this, Dad!" shouted Ichigo. Considering the exhausting fights, the repeated stabbing, slashing, and exploding against him, it makes more than enough sense not to piss off Ichigo at this point. Feeling rushed, Ichigo quickly got dressed, grabbed a quick breakfast, and immediately left for school without saying good-bye to his sisters. It seems he didn't want his attitude to rub off on his sisters.

-----Karakura High School-----

"ICHIGO!" screamed Keigo Asano, attempting to surprise Ichigo once more. Unfortunately, he clothesline'd himself into Ichigo's arm as he waved 'hi' back to Keigo.

"Jeez, just calm down, Keigo. You don't have to charge out like that every morning," Mizuiro Kojima, not too far behind Keigo. He simply said, "Good morning Ichigo," before entering the classroom.

Having calmed down a bit since his wake-up call, Ichigo simply replied by saying, "Hey Mizuiro." Reaching down, Ichigo started to drag Keigo by his leg, making sure he doesn't get to class late.

Inside the classroom, Ichigo spotted Uryu Ishida and Yasutora Sado (a.k.a. Chad) off in the corner. Ichigo simply waved to them and said, "Hey guys." Uryu replied with a "Good Morning," while Chad simply smiled and nodded. Looking around, Ichigo asked, "Hey, did you guys see Orihime yet?"

" I doubt it, since she's just arrived." Turning towards the sound of the voice, Ichigo saw his childhood friend, Tatsuki Arisawa, with Orihime Inoue close by. Orihime waved to Ichigo and his friends and shouted, "Hey Ichigo!" Ichigo himself smiled. It seemed Orhimie returned to her normal self, and pretty quickly, too.

In seconds, Orihime shrieked, revealing that the class lesbian, Chizuru Honsho, is groping her breasts as they speak. "Oh, Orihime, I've missed you so much. I've missed you just as much as I've missed squeezing onto your-"

"GET THE HELL OFF OF HER!" shouted Tatsuki, prompting her to kick Chizuru off of Orhimie. Like a cannonball, Chizuru sailed through the air before crashing into the wall of the classroom., leaving a small dent in the wall where she hit it. Slowly getting up, Chizuru soflty said, "As always, a strong kick…maybe stronger?"

"Jeez, will you give it a rest, Chizuru," stated Tatsuki, "Do you enjoy injuring yourself like this?" Tatsuki seemed to be more on-edge than usual. Since she looked after Orihime like a sister, along with Orihime's disappearance, it was as easy to explain her mood as well as Ichigo's.

Again, Ichigo smiled to himself, thinking, "After everything that's happened, it's as if nothing has changed." The school bell started to ring and soon school is in session.

-----Karakura High School, Rooftop-----

Its lunch hour in Karakura High School, with Ichigo, Chand, Uryu, and Orihime eating together up on the High School rooftop. Rather than just a casual conversation, the four of them started to go over what the hell is happening.

"So," Uryu said, "the Shinigami just leave us defenseless?"

Ichigo quickly stated, "No. They're not. I mean…they just wanted everyone together for a meeting back in the Soul Society, so I have no idea what's going on."

Uryu then stated, "So, the Gotei 13 are going to leave us in the dark while they plan? Don't they trust us?" Ichigo started to cringe on that thought, remembering how the Gotei 13 thought that Orihime turned traitor.

Orihime, less-than cheerful since this morning, said, "But, shouldn't it be over now? Aizen doesn't have an army anymore-"

"No," Uryu quickly said, "He can easily make another one with the Hogyoku, and maybe an even stronger Espada. We can't forget about that." All four of them nodded in agreement. If the Espada they faced only had a few Vastro Lorde Arrancar, then an entire Espada full or Vastro Lorde Arrancar would be real trouble.

Chad spoke up with, "Well, they may not be taking any chances the next time around."

Ichigo agreed, "Yea, but we still don't know what they're planning."

"Don't worry. I'll tell you once it's all taken care of," said a familiar voice. Turning a towards the sound of the voice, Ichigo and his friends are surprised to seem a good friend: Rukia Kuchiki, in her Gigai and school clothes.

Confused a bit, Ichigo said, "But I thought you were supposed to return to the Soul Society, like Renji and Byakuya?"

Rukia replied, "Yes, but they assigned me this mission as a messenger for everyone here."

Uryu then asked, "Then, do you know what's going on, Rukia?"

Rukia shook her head, saying, "Not immediately, but they'll inform me with a hell butterfly to give you the details."

Orihime then asked, "Details? For what?"

Rukia sat down next to Orihime and explained, "Captain Yamamoto begun an emergency Captain and Lieutenant meeting today. Though I'm not sure what the full details are, but it may involve the people who helped us against Aizen."

Ichigo was surprised for a moment, and then asked, "You mean, the Vizards right?"

Nodding, Rukia stated, "Not just that, but something that could change the Gotei 13 forever."

-----Soul Society, Seireitei, First Division HQ-----

In the great HQ of the First Division, Captain Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto stands before the remaining captains from the other divisions: Captains Soi Fon, Retsu Unohana, Byakuya Kuchiki, Sajin Komamura, Shunsui Kyoraku, Toshiro Hitsugaya, Kenpachi Zaraki, Mayuri Kurosachi, and Jushiro Ukitake.

Looking over to Jushiro, Shunsui said, "You alright? You shouldn't be attending this meeting after what you've been through."

Jushiro nodded and chuckled a bit, saying, "Its alright. Orihime did a nice job of healing my wounds, and Retsu gave me the O.K. to attend."

Mayuri, impatient with all the waiting, said, "Enough of this procrastination. There are important things to take care of."

Oddly enough, Kenpahci agreed, "Yea, force once Mayuri has the right idea. Why start the meeting today instead of yesterday, Old Man?"

"Because," Yamamoto stated bluntly, "Our bodies and minds are still recovering over the events from these last several days. In all rights, we should have lost against Aizen yesterday."

Insulted, Soi Fon shouted, "Nonsense! We had the entire fight under control."

Yamamoto retorted with, "No, we did not. Our forces were split in half, our defenses crumbled and if not for the arrival of the Vizards, Aizen would've won the day. We cannot leave ourselves in such dissaray. That is why I propose an alliance with the Vizards for the coming Winter War!" Almost all the faces in the room when up with that statement, while few remained unaffected by it.

Sajin then stated, "Captain, as you know, I fought alongside them in battle and have seen their strength up close. Their only wish is to see Aizen pay for his crimes. That goal alone is enough for us to join forces."

"Have you lost your mind, Sajin," Soi Fon shouted. "Why should we trust these monsters to join us when they betrayed Soul Society years ago?"

Sajin firmly stated, " Cause this monster knows how it feels to be an outcast. They at least have each other. And besides, you have seen their willingness to work with us. We cannot deny this opportunity."

Toshiro spoke up with, "I agree with Captain Komamura. They may be the edge we need to stop Aizen once and for all."

Shunsui nodded, "Seconded."

Jushiro nodded, "Thirded."

Kenpachi shrugged his shoulders and said, "Why the hell not? If I'm lucky, maybe I'll get a chance to fight them up close and personal. I'm in."

Grinning, Mayuri said, "Their unique abilities should prove useful to us in the coming war…and if one happens to die…"

Retsu simply smiled and agreed. Byakuya simply nodded in agreement.

Soi Fon, finally had enough of this, huffed a bit and said, "Fine."

Yamamoto then stated, "It is unanimous. We will attempt negotiations with the Vizard as quickly as possible. Now, on to the next order of business. As you know, we are short-handed with Captains due to Aizen's betrayal."

Worried, Toshiro asked, "Are you saying-"

"Yes, Captain Hitsugaya. It is time for the election of the newest Captains."