Ichigo sat on a hill rubbing his hands over his face. He was tired, he had been fighting for so long. He looked to his left and smiled at the girl he had gone through so much for, she was worth it. Orihime was chasing butterflies, she was so innocent it was a bit scary. He was glad she was safe now and her short stint in Hueco Mundo hadn't left a permanent mark on her. Yet when she thought none of her friends were watching she would fall silent and brood, her eyes darkening and all happiness seeming to leak from her. It was all Aizen's fault, that bastard had done this to her and he was going to pay! The smile on Ichigo's face disappeared, now being replaced by grim determination, the fight wasn't over but it was good to relax, even for a short while. Aizen had survived, as had his top four Espada; Stark, Halibel, Barragan and Ulquiorra. At the thought of the emerald eyed Espada Ichigo balled his fists, it was him that forced Orihime into submission, into going quietly to Hueco Mundo to save the lives of her friend. He had snared her with his lies and deception, trapping her as a prisoner in her own mind, a slave to her fear. He looked over at Orihime again and relaxed, she was back home, she was trying to let things go, maybe he should do the same. Sighing he lay back on the grass, observing the clouds for a short while before closing his eyes and letting the breeze blow softly against his face.
Isshin Kurosaki sat at the table with some smoking hot tea in front of him. He wished for a beer but didn't want to offend his hosts generous hospitality, then the thought crossed his mind; hospitality be damned! "Hoy Urahara get me a friggin beer will ya, tea is no good!" Urahara casually walked into the room, the cane concealing his Zanpakto (Benihime) loosely held in front of him. "Ah Kurosaki senior, I am afraid we are out of beer. It is tea or nothing I am afraid"
"Well guess it has to be nothing then. So what do ya want to talk about? I can't stay long, the girls will begin to worry. And what if Ichigo finds me here, he isn't ready to find out just yet I don't think"
"Ah well will he ever be," Ishhin just shrugged his shoulders and looked expectantly at Urahara, waiting for him to break the silence. Urahara glanced down and sighed, it made fear explode inside Isshin's chest. He had known this man for a long time now, never yet had he displayed what he was now, total and absolute despair. Urahara looked up and met the others eyes purposefully. "They have come for me, I knew they would but hoped I was wrong." Isshin just looked at his friend, mouth wide open, at a complete loss for words. He had to say something, Urahara looked so desperate for something or else he wouldn't have called for Isshin. "When are you ever wrong Kisuke!" Urahara laughed, something he seemed to not have done for a long time. Finally he quietened and leaned forward, "I guess you have a point"
"Youirichi-sama why do you have to go? And where the hell are you going?" Soifon confronted her mentor and idol, how could she let her go after finally getting her back after 100 years of exile? "Sorry Soifon, I cannot stay. The reasons I left Soul Society in the first place still stand, I was banished and I accept that, hell I even welcome it. If you have any need of me just call, I will come by your side. However I need to be with Urahara now more than ever." Soifon spat on the floor to show her contempt for the man, she blamed him for Yourichi being banished from Soul Society! That and she had never rated him as a warrior or even being, he was a coward who preferred the others to do the fighting for him. He wouldn't last two minutes with a true warrior like Soifon, and then the thought struck her. "How about this Yourichi-sama, I shall fight for you?" Yourichi raised her eyebrows, amused at her protégés reluctance to let her go. "I shall fight this Urahara for you, the winner gets to keep you by their side, showing they are more capable of protecting you." The smile that had graced Yourichi's perfect face disappered to a look of utter annoyance. "Oh and you think I need protecting?" Soifon realised her error and looked towards the ground, blush reddening her pale white skin. "I didn't mean any offence Yourichi-sama, of course you do not."
"Besides you underestimate Urahara, you would loose." Soifon looked up and it was her turn to display anger, "me loose to that hat wearing freak! As if, I'd wipe the floor with him!" Yourichi smiled again and shrugged, she really did enjoy teasing Soifon. However what she said wasn't any less true, Urahara was sure to win, none really had a true measure of his strength. "I have to go, goodbye Soifon." Before Soifon could muster any response, or hindrance whichever way you look at it, Yourishi flash stepped away. Soifon felt her fury hit dangerous levels, balling her fists she breather one word with such venom he may have dropped dead if he was present, "Urahara!"