Hi guys!

I really want you to read this story again, because I re-edited it and it's 100% better now, I promise.


CHAPTER 1


Akon from Shinigami Research and Development Institute of 12th Division after hearing the alarm, came to the lab probably as fast as Yoruichi Shihoin herself.

He read screen statement twice and then once again to make sure it wasn't some kind of sick joke. Considering that the only ones, who had access to the lab were Rin, Hiyosu, Kuna and Torue. They were people he trusted with his life, but knew they weren't bright enough to fool him like that. And Nemu and Captain Kurotsuchi's sense of humor was below twenty precent, so yeah.

It meant trouble, and in case of trouble always go to one person you can dump those problems. In this case – on Captain Genryusai Yamamoto.

This one time he regreted working by the desk in the lab his whole life, he clearly forgot how to propeply use shunpo and how much strenght in takes.

By the time he stood before the door to 1st Division, he could barely catch his breath.

After the voice from inside told him to come in, the door opened to dimness and absoulute silence. Akon ran his fingers through his sweaty dark locks, corrected his white laboratory coat and tried to maintain composure. Even if the papers placed messily in his pocket could make all of them grab their heads in dimsay, it still was the Captains' Meeting he was interrupting.

Well, manners were the last thing he rather do then, but years of living in the Soul Society taught him one thing – Genryusai Yamamoto was an grumpy old gentleman, who thought only about manners and a tea.

Right now, at the end of the carpet he looked suprised and pissed – a mix Akon preyed he would not see again directed at him.

„What is that important, combatant, to interrupt our Captains' Meeting?"

Akon cleared his throat, remembering that other captains were also in the room with them.

„I'm sorry, Head-Captain, but it's the matter of the utmost importance and it can't wait." He pulled up his sleeve and checked his watch attached to the wrist. „Precisely four minutes and twenty five seconds ago we received an alarm from the device that records af the Hollows' activity in Karakura Town in the World of the Living..."

Mention of Kurosaki Ichigo's hometown got their interest.

„And what about that?" Head-Captain asked, knowing fully well that he isn't waiting for any good news.

„Hollows... they... multiply themselfs. Very, very fast. And if we consider all the records from the last three months, there are now nine times more Hollows in Karakura than before. Compared to the statistics of the Madarame and Ayasegawa's investigation about disappearing souls in the Rukongai and the Soul Burials in the Karakura and any presence of the souls and humans..."

Hitsugaya Toshiro, Captain of the 10th Division had enough of that unintelligible gibberish.

„What's your point, combatant?", he asked slightly irked.

Akon sighed, defeated. That's why he worked in Shinigami Research and Development Institute. There was no need to talk to others, much less explain them something they will never understand.

He looked at his captain with hopeful eyes. „Captain, you know what's going on, right? Can you explain it the way they all understand?"

Kurotsuchi Mayuri waited patiently for this moment, having more or less idea what his 3rd Seath had been raving about.

„Ah, yes, you foolish creatures need simple words... Seems like disappearing souls from Rukongai are connected to the World of the Living. Hollows in Karakura don't have many souls to eat lately, which I've been telling you for weeks now, and they're starting to get more hungry. We did nothing long enough, only waiting until their spiritual preassure will get to the point that they'll start to attack humans. But, of course, I am able to prevent this".

„What do you suggest we do then, Captain Kurotsuchi?"

Kurotsuchi Mayuri took one step forward, not caring in the slightest he didn't ask for permission to do so.

„I suggest to send a research group to Karakura town with Captain Hitsugaya as the lider", he said simply.

Old man brows rose in curiosity. „Why captain of the 10th Division?"

„Normally, I wouldn't trust anyone to do research mission without my supervision, but as I need to stay here, I think Captain Hitsugaya will be the best choice. So far he is the only plausible choice I'd agree. I don't trust any other od these fools to actually have some idea about research and not destroying every opportunity to get potential samples, because of their recklessness. And, frozen by his zanpakto, samples will help me solve the problem."

Head-Captain nodded, „Do you have any objections, Captain Hitsugaya?"

Captain of the 10th Division shook his head and he turned to Kurotsuchi. „What do you need?", he asked, voice calm and cold as always.

„Hollow's soul and whichever soul from Karakura, for sure. And any anomality in reiatsu of humans you can get would be nice. Try to check Kurosaki Ichigo's dummies, he calls his 'friends'. Everything may be caused by variations in reiatsu in the World of the Living and we know by now, if something bad is happening there, it probably have something to do with that boy. My division will examine samples of the souls from Rukongai collected by Ayasegawa and Madarame." After a short pause he added, „Take those two with you, Captain Hitsugaya."

Kurotsuchi turned to Head-Captain once again. Only Akon could see slight frown of worry on his captain's features. „Can I take care of more important things now or you have some other task for me, Head-Captain Yamamoto?"

„No, I have not. You and your subordinate are dismissed"

Shinigami in the mask turned to exit the room, and Akon, before he followed, said, „I'll inform Madrame and Ayasegawa to join Captain Hitsugaya at the Senkaimon. I also will try to contact Kurosaki Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia to stop looking for Eltracto and come to the Karakura town as fast as they can. Kurosaki have to know what's going on in his city".

Captain and his subordinate from 12th Division left the room.

Head-Captain Yamamoto tapped his cane against the floor, then spoke, „As you heard we have a matter, as in Soul Society and in World of the Living. You must swear me you'll do everything you need to don't let this information leave this room. Captain Kurotsuchi will take care of analyzing those matters, but we, first of all, need to maintain peace in our world."

Captains swore in unison, palms spread on chest just below the heart.

Yamamoto continued, „We'll create two teams that will take care of the problems. The first group, led by Captain Hitsugaya, is designed to go to Karakura and provide samples Captain Kurotsuchi needs. You will carefuly observe the entire city. If it has something to do with Kurosaki Ichigo, let us know imediately. Captain Hitsugaya?"

Hitsugaya Toshiro knelt in front of the Yamaoto Genryusai. „Yes, Head-Captain?"

„Do you understand how serious is your mission? Do you know we can't waste more time?"

„Yes, Head-Captain", was all Hitsugaya said.

„Decide now who will go with you to the World of the Living. I hope you'll station at Inoue Orihime's apartment, I want you to be able to communicate with Soul Society. You have my permission to as for help of Urahara Kisuke. But be careful what you're saying in his presence. Let him know only things he needs to know, nothing more. As well as with Kurosaki Ichigo, when he arrives."

„Of course, Head-Captain. I'll take Madarame and Ayasegawa with me, as Captain Kurotsuchi and his suordinate requested. I rather want to have with me my Lieutenant, Matsumoto Rangiku. I think also of Lieutenant of the 6th Division, Abarai Renji. He knows Karakura town well, better than any of us, and he's a friend to Kurosaki. I'm sure his knowledge will be useful. Of course if Captain Kuchiki's agreeing for this."

„I agree", said Captain of the 6th Division without a single glance in Hitsugaya's direction.

„So it's decided. Madarame Ikkaku, Ayasegawa Yumichika, Abarai Renji, Matsumoto Rangiku and Kuchiki Rukia are now on your command, Captain Hitsugaya. Go immediately. You are dismissed."

When Hitsugaya Toshiro left the room, he heard only few next word from Head-Captain Yamamoto, „Second group will patrol Soul Society. Captain Sui-Feng, I hope your division will take care of that..."

Captain of the 10th Division sighed deeply, it turned out he won't take that planned day off to visit his grandmother in Rukongai this week. Nor another.

Matsumoto will be disappointed that the captain did't have time for a day off, but he had a feeling she'd be delighted to hear that they're going to Karakura again.

He, on that matter, wasn't even in the slightest happy about it.