Disclaimer: I AM KUBO TITE! I OWN BLEACH!

Seriously now, did you believe me? I didn't think so either. No, I don't really own bleach.

A/N: I'm planning to write up one or two chapters every week if at all possible. Just one more chapter before we get into the action…just please bear with me. Thanks to Hassun for reviewing!

The Beginning:

Kurosaki Ichigo

I woke up in the early morning to a beeping noise. That is, the beeping noises of a very familiar cell phone. It was more muffled now than it used to be, since it came from the room next door instead of my closet. It usually meant that another annoyance had come. And yet, when I glanced at my substitute shinigami badge, the eyes didn't glow like they usually did when a hollow was detected.

I heard feet running down the hall, then the door to my room was thrown open. Of course, it was Rukia. I sat up.

My first reaction was that she could go and take care of the hollow herself. Why need bother me?

Then I realized that she looked very different from a usual order from Soul Society, and she actually looked scared. One word from her explained it all.

"Aizen."

Oh crap. Oh SHIT. That guy spooked me even now, half a year since we got back from Soul Society. He could take down other captains in one blow without even chanting. And this phone call meant he was finally making his move.

"They say that they can attack and create a pathway to western Rukongai at noon. Urahara-san will open the Zenkaimon. We are to find any help we can, and meet at the shop at half past eleven."

"Create a pathway? Aizen already has taken over Rukongai?"

"It seems so. His purpose right now seems to be to destroy Seireitei, so all the souls in Rukongai have temporarily evacuated. The other shinigami plan to make a sortie so that we can get inside."

"So we have three and a half hours. I'll go tell Ishida, you find Chad and Inoue. Meet back here in an hour."

"Understood." Rukia left through the window.

I stretched and got up. I dressed as fast as I could, then I ran downstairs and out the door as fast as I could, ignoring the cries of "Ichi-nii!" and "Eat your breakfast!" Ishida was usually at school early, so I went to find him there. As soon as I saw him, I grabbed his shoulder and dragged him behind some bushes.

"What is it now, Kurosaki?" he asked

"Aizen."

The word seemed to make an impression upon him just as it did with me. His eyes widened.

"We meet at the Urahara shop at half past eleven. Try to find as much help as you can."

"I'll be there."

My part of the job done, I went to class. Inoue and Chad weren't in class, so I assumed Rukia had contacted them. I told sensei that they were probably just sick.

Ishida Uryuu

"Try to find as much help as you can."

Unfortunately, that would mean my father, Ishida Ryuuken. His going to soul society and fighting alongside shinigami would happen perhaps after the world ended, and only then. But I didn't have much choice. I walked to his clinic, trying to decide exactly what to say.

I entered his office.

"Why aren't you in school, Uryuu?" he glanced up.

"Soul society is under attack by Aizen Sousuke. He is commanding an army of hollow. They want any help they can get." I explained unhurriedly.

He pushed back his chair and stood up. "And I suppose you think I would be willing to go."

I noticed the danger and tried to extricate myself from a potentially disastrous situation. "No, but I thought you would want to know that the entire world is in danger. I also thought you might want to know where I was going, and that there will be nobody to defend people against any hollows that might appear in Karakura because almost everybody who is capable of combating hollows is going to Soul Society."

"Very well then. I will not stop you, Uryuu. But I will not lower myself like you have, to associate with the shinigami." He sat down and resumed his work. I took the hint and left for the meeting place.

Kuchiki Rukia

Finding Sado and Inoue was a relatively simple task, as they both were in their homes. Since they both lived alone, it would be easier for them to leave than it would for Ichigo. All it took was his name for them to drop what they were doing and come running out the door.

I wondered whether to tell Tatsuki-chan or not. She would probably worry if Inoue went missing for a while, and she also seemed to have some amount of spirit energy, so she might become targeted by stray hollow. Since we were all going to Soul Society, there would be nobody to protect her or any others that were attacked.

Inoue, however, solved the problem for me by saying "I've already explained to Tatsuki about shinigami and the whole problem, she can cover for us in school."

So we began the trek to the shop.

Kurosaki Ichigo

About halfway through class, I realized we had missed a group of very powerful beings. So I dashed out the door and went to pay the Vizards a visit.

Standing outside the barrier, I let my spirit energy leak for a moment. That was far more effective than ringing a doorbell. They took the barrier down and I walked into the building.

"Ichigo!" Hirako looked at me. "What brings you here?"

"Aizen has attacked soul society."

"Well that wouldn't be too good for us either if he succeeds."

"No, I didn't think it would." If the Vizards came, he would decide that without my pestering him. After our short conversation, I went back out.

The walk to the Urahara shop was uneventful. When I got there, I found Rukia, Chad, Inoue and Ishida already waiting there. Urahara-san was there as usual, and Yoruichi was in her human form.

"So shall we get going?" I was impatient to set off and find out what was happening on the other side.

"We're still waiting on somebody."

"Who?" Rukia, Chad, Inoue, Ishida, Urahara and Yoruichi were all in front of me. Who else was there?

"You'll see."

The door slid open. "Sorry I'm late, Kisuke." A familiar face appeared. A VERY familiar face. DAD was a shinigami??? "Oh, hi Ichigo!"

"Why the heck are you here?" then I noticed the shinigami robes. "And why the heck are you a shinigami?"

"Why else would you be a shinigami? Your mother certainly wasn't one."

Urahara and Yoruichi were the only ones that weren't surprised.

I never even expected that dad was a shinigami. But under the circumstances, not much shocked me any more. "Alrighty then, dad's also a guy who can see dead people. Let's get going."

Urahara led us down into the basement of his shop. He opened the Zenkaimon and we stepped through. Rukia had a hell butterfly, so we didn't have to deal with any trouble in the in-between dimension. As soon as we stepped through into Soul Society however, it was a world of chaos. Shinigami and hollow were fighting all around us.

As soon as we stepped through, a familiar voice called "They're through! Retreat!" Shinigami began pulling back toward Seireitei.

It looked bad, so we headed back toward Seireitei too. As soon as we entered the gate, it slammed shut behind us. We finally got a good look at our rescuer.

"Renji!" Rukia exclaimed.

"Hey! C'mon, there's a important meeting going on right now, they're waiting for you."

"Who? What?" Important meeting? Must be a meeting of captains or something.

"Oh, and they requested me to welcome Kurosaki Isshin, Urahara Kisuke and Shihounin Yoruichi back to Seireitei."

We followed Renji back into a building. Inside, all of the captains and vice captains were seated. In addition, Ikkaku and Yumichika were also there.

"Welcome back to Soul Society." Commander General Yamamoto sat on a chair upon a raised platform. "This time, we welcome you. To former captains Shihounin Yoruichi, Urahara Kisuke and Kurosaki Isshin, we apologize for your exile. We have decided that you were not to blame for that incident and that it was our misjudgment. We beg you to help us against Aizen."

"Sure, of course we'll help." Dad was the one who responded.

"Thank you. It has also been decided that should you consent, you will reassume your former roles."

"What about the current captains?"

"Captain Soifon has already agreed to work as Shihounin-san's Vice Captain. Former Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri is no longer a captain, as he has locked himself in a laboratory to attempt to create a better version of Kurotsuchi Nemu, who has disappeared and is thought to be dead. He will no longer fight, and is essentially useless to us for now. Former Captain Aizen has betrayed us, leaving his seat, your former seat, empty too."

"Sounds good to us."

"Again, thank you. Please take a seat."

Hitsugaya Toushiro

Cushions were brought out, and everybody sat down. "There are also a few other changes we would like to make. Firstly, upon request of 10th Division Captain Hitsugaya Toushiro, Hinamori Momo is transferred to the 10th Squad as Vice Captain."

Hinamori looked surprised. She glanced at me. I kept my face expressionless. If she were with me, Aizen would have a much harder time getting at her.

"Matsumoto Rangiku is therefore commanded to take over as captain of 3rd Division."

Again, surprise, and in this case happiness at her promotion. Fool! I wanted to tell her. Being higher ranked meant you were more likely to die in a war situation.

"Iba Tetsuzaemo will return to the 11th Division as 4th seat."

Komamura spoke softly, but we could all hear him. "I will open Tousen's eyes myself. I wish to face him alone."

Tousen was Komamura's closest friend, so I could understand his sentiment.

"9th Division now is leaderless. Tousen has deserted, and former Vice Captain Hisagi Suuhei is missing, presumed dead. We have spread many of the former 9th division members among the other divisions, and we have also selected a few from each division to join the 9th division. We would ask that Kurosaki Ichigo assume command of 9th division as captain."

Kurosaki looked surprised and clueless. Fortunately, Kuchiki-san took charge. She nudged him.

"He accepts." She spoke for him.

"Good. Kuchiki Rukia and Abarai Renji have both been chosen to act as the vice captains of the division. The other former ryoka also may choose to join that division."

Nobody expected that. First for Kurosaki to become a captain, then to transfer two powerful shinigami to server under him was unheard of. Then again, an attack of this scale against Seireitei was unheard of anyway, as was a human who had achieved bankai and could defeat captains.

"This meeting is adjourned."

Kuchiki Rukia

Something like this happens, and Ichigo the idiot just sits there dumbfounded, so of course I have to step in and save his reputation and image. As we walked out of the building, Renji and I were presented new arm badges denoting us as Vice Captains of the 9th Squad. Ichigo was also presented with a captain's cloak, which they thoughtfully made the same style as his father's.

"Ichigo. We should go meet your division." That was the obvious thing to do.

"Huh? Oh, right."

"And make a good impression. Impressions are important." Renji had more experience with a seated rank than I did.

"Okay then."

Most of Seireitei was milling around outside the building. They were clearly staying in groups by squad. The captains all headed to their respective squads, 2nd, 5th and 12th squads being especially surprised.

"Ichigo. That's the 9th squad over there." Renji pointed out a group of people.

We walked over to the squad. Noticing Ichigo's captain cape, whispers immediately started.

I heard, "Who the hell is he?"

"Idiot! He's the leader of the ryoka that attacked a few months back."

"He looks pathetic. I'm not following him."

"Are you serious? This is the guy is the guy who beat Kenpachi and Byakuya!"

"What? Really?"

"Hey listen up! We're the new guys in charge." Renji shouted over the hubbub. "This is your new captain Kurosaki Ichigo!"

So he met his new squad. They introduced themselves; he introduced himself, Ishida, Sado and Inoue. They showed him the squad's barracks, and we moved in. Then the six of us, four former ryoka and two shinigami, met in the captain's room and caught up on what had happened. Renji filled us in with the details of the war so far.

"So Ichigo, how come you get to be the captain?" Renji laughed. "Whatever you did, it worked."

"Congratulations Ichigo!" Inoue grinned at him.

"Hey Ichigo, this doesn't mean we're letting you boss us around, you know." Just because he was now my commanding officer didn't mean I was going to let him tell me what to do.

The door slid open. "So, my son's a captain now."

"Ah! Kurosaki Isshin-san!" We stood to greet him.

"All settled in? Good. If you ever need anything, just come over to the 5th squad barracks and we'll help you."

And so we joined the shinigami in the war against Aizen.