From Reconnaissance to Reunions and Hot Springs

Disclaimer: My name is Anemone. I've sold my soul to Jesus, and since then I've had no fun. Alas, I do not own Bleach.

Dedicated to Sly-sama because she asked for a little TouShu goodness, and it sparked this lovely idea.

Prologue

Shuhei Hisagi entered the Head Captain's office. Steel gray eyes scanned the room before focusing on the older man at the desk. "You wanted to see me, Captain Yamamoto?"

Old Man Yamamoto wasted no time. With a deep intake of breath, as if preparing for a long winded speech, he said, "I want you to gather the most capable members and lead a reconnaissance mission into Hueco Mundo."

Shuhei hated recon missions. They were boring. Gathering information, keeping logs of said information, this was not his style. He was a man of action. Dark gray orbs filled with irritation, and he fought the need to protest.

"This is not the time for protests!" The Head Captain slammed a fist onto the desk, the sound carrying through the room with a ring of finality. "The Winter War is upon us and we need to know everything we can about our enemy. Leave now and gather people you seem capable to accompany you. You leave at dawn."

()()()

Tracking down Rangiku would be easy. Getting to her before she got saké in her was another matter entirely. Luck seemed to be on his side, the black haired male caught the champagne blonde just as she was heading into a bar.

"Oh Shuhei-kun! Have you come to join me for a drink?" Her powder blues were hopeful.

"We have no time for drinking, Rangiku. You're coming with me to lead a recon mission in Hueco Mundo."

"Nonsense! There's always time for drinking," the girl persisted, almost popping out of her robe when she began to pull the protesting man inside.

"Rangiku, wait-!" Reasoning with Rangiku when saké was involved was really a lost cause.

"Just one drink. If you do, I'll come with you!" Rangiku's voice was light, airy and melodic. Seemed he hadn't gotten to her before the saké had.

"Alright, just one drink."

Why he thought the big breasted champagne blond was a "capable choice to accompany him" was something he was starting to question.

()()()

One drink with Rangiku had quickly turned into two which had somehow morphed into five. By the time he found Renji, dragging the giggling blue eyed blond behind him, he was more than tipsy.

"H-Hey, R-Renji," Shuhei slurred and stuttered. "Whatcha doin'?"

Renji's brows furrowed. From the looks of things, Rangiku and Shuhei had been out drinking. Without him. "What do you two want?"

Rangiku giggled and threw herself onto the red haired man. "Head (hic) Captain (hic) Yama-(hic)-moto wants all of us to go to Hueco Mundo. And I think you should go find Ichigo-kun and make him come too."

Renji raised a brow. "We're going to Hueco Mundo?"

Shuhei nodded. "That's the plan," he said leaning against the wall for support. "We gotta leave at dawn."

"Alright, I'll go find Ichigo." Renji sighed.

Rangiku squealed with excitement. "Bring everyone else too! You know, those friends of his."

"That would probably make it easier to convince him…." Renji trailed off, a little lost in thought.

Rangiku let out another squeal of excitement, pulling the two men into a hug. "This is going to be so much fun," she said, mushing the faces of her companions into her cleavage.

If Shuhei hadn't been wasted, he might've scolded the champagne blonde about how this was a recon mission and those definitely didn't qualify as fun. But with a little alcohol in his system, all he did was smile and nod.

()()()()

Ichigo dropped his pen, essay forgotten, when he heard a thud on the roof of his house. Judging by the late hour, this could only be a Hollow, Arrancar or Shinigami. With a sigh, he stood up and walked over to his nightstand.

The instant he opened the draw, he wanted to slam it shut again.

"Where have you been Ichigo? I, Kon-sama, greatest creation since sliced bread, do not appreciate being left in that small space for so long. I'm claustrophobic. You know this!" The little plush lion was always so obnoxious and energetic.

"Shut up, will you? I don't have time for your ego right now. If you could be quiet, I wouldn't have to stuff you in there to hide you from my family."

"Someone as amazing as myself shouldn't be hidden- Mmmphf!"

Ichigo cut Kon's rant short by stuffing a hand down the lion's throat and removing the little pill that was Kon's real body.

With a flash of blue, the orange haired teen was in Soul Reaper form and with a shout of, "Don't mess up my body," he was out the window and onto the roof.

"What the hell are you guys doing here?" In the glow of moonlight, Ichigo was greeted by Renji and a very intoxicated Shuhei and Rangiku.

"We're here to recruit you for a recon mission to Hueco Mundo." Renji said, voice carrying the authority of a Lieutenant of the 13 Court Guard Squads.

"But I just got back! Why would I wanna go there again?"

Renji looked thoughtful for a minute. He couldn't just say "Some eye candy would be a great thing to have in that barren wasteland" nor could he say "A drunken Rangiku insisted that we bring you and your friends along for entertainment." Then an idea hit.

"We need someone who's familiar with the Espada and the land." It was so obvious; he didn't know why he hadn't thought of it instantly.

"Makes sense. But the person who's really familiar with the Espada and the way Aizen does things is Inoue." Ichigo said.

"They've all gotta come too!" Rangiku sang, swaying back and forth, clinging to Shuhei's arm.

"What's wrong with them?" Ichigo questioned, pointing to the drunken couple.

"They dipped into the saké. It was the only way Rangiku would come." Renji explained, pinching the bridge of his nose. He was slightly irritated at the actions of his companions, even more irritated that he wasn't invited.

Ichigo snorted. "Of course," was all he said.

()()()

"What are you doing here, Ichigo?" Rukia's silver blues were full of irritation and a slight hint of curiosity. She was irritated because the orange haired boy had interrupted a very passionate moment with her Hime-chan, but she was curious as to why said boy was dressed in Shinigami attire when there was no Hollow to be sensed.

"Renji, Shuhei and Rangiku showed up at my house-." Ichigo began.

"Is something wrong? Why would they only contact you?" Rukia began to fire questions.

"If you'd stop interrupting me, I would tell you." Brown sparkled with amusement. "They want us to go with them on a recon mission to Hueco Mundo."

"But I can't leave Orihime-."

"She would have to come too." Ichigo said softly, scratching the back of his neck as an awkward pause settled.

"I can't make her go back there." Rukia's voice rang with firmness.

"I want to help, Rukia." Orihime came out from the next room. "I'm the only one who knows the layout of Las Noches and most of the Espada."

"Orihime I don't think-." Rukia tried to protest.

"I can do it if you're with me."

Rukia practically melted, scooping the girl up in a loving embrace and a kiss that held passion. "Alright," she breathed into the girl's ear.

"We'll go with you, Ichigo-kun." Orihime said.

"I'll go find Chad and Uryu." With that, the orange haired Shinigami disappeared into the night.

()()()()

Convincing Chad and Uryu to accompany him and the others to Hueco Mundo had been simple. Well, it had been simple when Chad unleashed those pleading brown eyes on Uryu and the Quincy had been powerless to do anything aside from what the shaggy haired male wanted.

"Fine, Kurosaki. We'll go with you." Uryu said grudgingly.

"Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?" A teasing smile lit Chad's face.

"Great! We're leaving at dawn, so get your shit together." Ichigo said with a wave before he left for home. Hopefully he could catch a few minutes of sleep before their mission began.

()()()

To Be Continued!