I quietly stepped onto a sidewalk in Karakura Town. Yama-sama had sent me to help Toushirou's squad with the arrancar research. He thought it would be helpful to have more than one captain there.
I quickly made my way to Urahara Shoten to pick up my gigai. I tried to avoid Ichigo's house as best as possible. I knew everyone would be there, trying to convince him to let them stay, and I wanted to surprise Toushirou.
Thanks to shunpo, I was at Urahara's in a flash (no pun intended). I knocked on the door and waited impatiently for it to open. After what seemed like forever, Ururu finally opened the door.
"Hey kido. Is your boss here?" I asked.
"No need to ask. I'm right here." Urahara greeted, fanning himself.
"My gigai here yet?" I demanded.
"Hello to you too, Aleshi-taicho." He mumbled.
"C'mon, Rara-san! I need to hurry!" I whined.
"Alright, alright. Follow me, please." He said, walking towards the back.
I quickly began to follow, eventually walking beside him.
"Oh, I forgot to mention, I did tell one person you were coming." Urahara said.
"What?! Who?!" I shrieked.
"I told Uryu so he could make you some clothes."
"Oh. Okay then."
We reached the back room and he opened a door. Slumped in a corner was my gigai. Uryu had made me a sleeveless red hoodie, a black tank top underneath, denim shorts, and white with red leg warmers.
"Wow…this is really cute!" I gaped.
I slipped into my gigai and stretched a little. These things were always so tough to be in. I thanked Urahara, paid, and left. I hid my reiatsu, searched for Toushirou's, and then started on my way.
The clothes Uryu made me were perfect! They fit me nicely, the colors were perfect, and they were comfy. That quincy had talent. I'd have to ask him for some tips next time I saw him.
I stopped walking and looked up at the building I had ended up at. It was Orihime's apartment. I took a deep breath and began to climb the stairs.
I practically ran up the stairs to Orihime's door, anxious to see everyone. But, when I arrived at her door, I felt they were a little ways away. The roof, maybe?
I found her door and was able to hear Rangiku's voice inside. I got over excited and practically banged on the door.
It opened almost immediately and Rangiku glomped me. I hugged her back until I couldn't breathe.
"Ai-chan! I'm so glad you're here! Taicho's been so mean since we left!" she shouted.
I tried to breathe, but couldn't get any air. I tried to speak, but that was out of the question.
"Uh, Rangiku-san! I don't think she can breathe!" Orihime said.
"Oh! Sorry, Ai-chan." Rangiku said, letting me go.
I took a deep breath once released. It felt good to breathe again.
"Why're you here, anyways?" she asked.
"Yama-sama thought it would be best if there was more than one captain here." I shrugged.
"That's a good plan…Whoops! Forgot something…" she mumbled.
She turned to the door behind me and opened it. I stood against the wall, knowing full well who was on the roof.
"If you aren't doing anything else, you should really come in too!!" she shouted.
"…Shut up." Was the response.
I giggled silently to myself as Rangiku closed the door. She sighed and began to head into Orihime's apartment. I stayed next to the door to the roof.
"Aren't you coming in?" Orihime asked.
"Nope. I want to surprise Toushirou, and if I know him, he's gonna stay out on the roof for a while." I said, shaking my head.
"Then go! It'd be better for all of us if he knows you're here!" Rangiku said, pushing me out the door.
She got me out the door, and then closed it quickly. I sighed and looked over to the ledge. He was just sitting there, doing nothing. It's strange not to see him doing paper work.
I walked up behind Toushirou, wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed his cheek.
"Miss me yet?"