A/N Sorry for such a long wait between chapters, life took some unexpected turns but I'm now back to writing and I hope to continue this if anyone is still interested! So although this chapter isn't action packed there will be more to come :)
Chapter 2 – The Special Guests
The walk to the head captain's quarters were uneventful, Rukia followed her brother in silence. Attempting for the who knows how many time that day, she tried shaking that icy chill going up and down her back, she was certain now that it wasn't the wind that was causing it. As much as she wanted to tell herself that she was just going crazy and that everything would be fine, she couldn't deny that this was more than just chills. That foreboding feeling was back and in full force this time, she steadied her nerves because the last thing she wanted was to be a bundle of agitated energy upon entering the head captain's room.
As they neared the gate she saw Renji who was apparently standing guard, looking prepared for a fight as usual. His red hair seemed to be getting a little longer than he usually wore it but that didn't stop him from looking fierce, "Oi Renji! What are you doing here?" Upon hearing her voice as they approached the gate, Renji looked their way and instantly snapped to attention upon seeing his captain. "Captain I have done as you said and kept everyone from entering!" Byakuya nodded his head, "Well done Renji keep your post until you have been told otherwise understood?" Snapping a smart salute and still not acknowledging Rukia he replied, "Yes captain! I think you should know that Ichigo has come in as well though but he had permission from the head captain." Byakuya remained silent and walked past him, as Rukia felt a look of confusion cross her face. Why Ichigo would be invited to greet these guests she didn't understand, was he involved in all this?
Stopping for a second she called out to her brother, "Nii-sama I will be just a moment I need to talk with Renji." Crossing her fingers and hoping he wouldn't mind she saw Byakuya turn and look back at her, "Very well but don't take too long, as you know we have only a few minutes." With that he walked through the gate and proceeded to enter the head captains building. Breathing a sigh of relief upon seeing him disappear into the depths of the building she turned to Renji. "So how did you get guard duty?" Renji scratched the back of his head and smiled down at her, "Your brother just came to me this morning and said he had a job for me, I was to keep everyone from coming into this building except for any captains and select personnel. In all honestly there hasn't been anything going on today and I have no idea why I got this position but it's whatever."
Smiling to himself, he looked into the distance. "I thought Ichigo was going to need a hard smack upside his head with Zabimaru, but then a hell butterfly came down and I was informed he could pass. He looked so smug when I had to let him pass I just about hit him anyway." Scoffing at this last part he seemed a little jealous of the fact that Ichigo was allowed in. He then looked back down at her as if he just realized she was accompanying Byakuya. "Wait, you're going in as well aren't you? Is there something going on in the head captain's office that I should know about?" She looked into his eyes wanting to tell him the truth but if Byakuya found out she had spoken of these guests; she was sure the patient Byakuya who had caught her snooping wouldn't return it would be his captain Kuchiki form that would come out.
"Nothing is going on Renji, for all I know he just asked me to come because you had other duties obviously. Just because I'm going to the office doesn't mean I'm in trouble again, least not that I know of." She laughed a little hoping this was a good enough reason for him; she had always been a terrible liar. "Besides that I didn't even know Ichigo would be here, I wonder if that hot head got him into more trouble, maybe I'm here to vouch for him for all I know." Looking at the buildings entrance she knew that she had to get going, she didn't want to miss anything especially since Ichigo was here as well. "I need to go catch up to my brother, but I'll keep you informed later alright? You just stay out of trouble!" Without even giving him a chance to respond she ran forward and up the steps to the offices.
As she passed into the cooler air of the main hall she breathed a sigh of relief as her skin was covered in a small layer of goose bumps. For the first time that day they weren't caused by her dream or any of the worries it had created. She could see her brother quite some ways ahead of her, he certainly moved fast even when he wasn't using flash step. Quickening her pace in an attempt to catch up to him, Rukia didn't want to lose her chance at this meeting. Falling back into step with Byakuya, she saw a familiar orange head of hair leaning against the wall waiting outside the door to the head captain's office. Rukia felt her eyes widen slightly as she beheld him, it had been a couple months since she had seen him last.
He had filled out in that time, she could see some muscle definition under his white shirt and long black pants, which only helped to accentuate his tan he had gotten. His hair had gotten longer as well, it rested just above his shoulders. His bangs hung over his forehead now, almost hiding his eyes. As these thoughts crossed her mind, those eyes suddenly looked up and locked onto hers. He smiled warmly upon seeing her, and after giving a nod to Byakuya, pushed off from the wall.
"How did I know that you would find a way to join us here Rukia?" He was smiling as he said it, but she could almost sense the tone behind it that what was about to be talked about was serious. "The better question is how did YOU manage to get invited idiot?" Rukia fired back, but she put enough warmth into it so that he would know she wasn't upset. Still smiling he looked down, "Actually your guess is as good as mine miss Kuchiki." Raising an eyebrow, "Since when in the hell am I Miss Kuchiki?" Rukia squinted her eyes as she asked, because he had never been so formal with her. Running his hand over the back of his head Ichigo grinned, "You have always been Miss Kuchiki, I'm just trying to keep the mood light is all. No need to bite my head off!"
Shaking as she clenched her hands together Rukia glared at him, "I'll bite your damn head off if I feel like it jackass, we have never been formal with each other and I swear I'm going to deck you for that comment!" Rukia could see Ichigo's eyes widen and it brought her some satisfaction, until she remembered that her brother was right there next to her. With a sense of dread, she could feel the blood drain from her face as she turned her head towards him. The moment Rukia locked eyes with him, she knew that she had overstepped her boundaries, his eyes had that all too familiar steely look to them.
Rukia's mouth had ceased to work, it opened and closed again and again as she tried to create anything that could resemble words. Before anything could be said, the door opened and before the three of them stood the head captain. Raising an eyebrow as he took them in Genryūsai rolled his eyes, "Why am I not surprised that all this commotion is being caused by the two of you, Rukia Kuchiki and Ichigo Kurosaki. Byakuya, I would think that you would have come between them by now." Byakuya lowered his eyes towards the ground, "I'm terribly sorry head captain, it was never my intent to allow these two to act like children, especially when a meeting of grave importance is about to happen." Byakuya looked up during that last part to glare at Rukia once last time. Falling to her knees Rukia was finally able to form a cohesive sentence, "Head captain please forgive my outburst, I should have never gotten out of line in such a manner!" Rukia couldn't help but feel ashamed, not only had she lost her temper but she had mouthed off in front of her brother and the head captain had heard it as well!
Ichigo rolled his eyes as he turned, "Hey old man, it's not like this meeting had started yet, don't make a big deal out of it huh?" The only answer was a rumbling intake of breath as head captain Yamamoto stood up taller. "You would do well to remember Mr. Kurosaki, that it is I that invited you to this meeting and I can just as easily send you back to Karakura Town!" As Rukia stayed prostrated on the ground, she could sense the threat in the saying. She couldn't believer Ichigo was being so forward with the head captain. "Yea alright point taken, can we start this all important meeting then? I need to get back home before any more hollows attack." Ichigo wasn't beating around the bush, he clearly had something on his mind. Nodding in understanding captain Yamamoto seemed to accept this, "Very well, we shall begin momentarily go ahead and come in."
Rukia stood up and the three of them entered the office right behind the head captain. Seated around the overlook the various captains of the 13 court guard squads were assembled. "Nice of you to join us Ichigo, I assumed it was you making such a racket outside." Captain Hitsugaya coolly said as he glanced sideways at the orange haired man. Ichigo just waved his hand and didn't seem as if he would reply at all. Rukia was surprised by this, it's as if Ichigo really had matured somewhat since she had last seen him. Maybe he wasn't such a moron after all, although she was still upset with him over his comments before they had come in. As Byakuya took his seat, Rukia took a similar position just behind him. Taking his place at the head of the ring of cushioned seats, the captain banged his staff bringing everyone to attention. "Enough, let me remind you that we are all here for important business. The goings on of Ichigo Kurosaki is of no concern right now." As the room quieted down everyone turned their attention to him, and waited to hear some more as to why they were all there in the first place.
"As most of you know the hollow activity in the world of the living has drastically increased, we are unsure as to why this is happening but we are monitoring the activity very closely. After our chase of Aizen brought us into Hueco Mundo we had decided to send a team into the world of the hollows on a stealth basis regularly to keep an eye on them. As of a week ago we lost contact with the advance squad." The captains shifted in their seats and murmured amongst themselves as this news was processed. "Hold it! Let me finish before you make assumptions, because as of a 24 hours ago we received a hell butterfly from them. The reason for the secrecy will soon become apparent. I must warn you that something dark is happening in Hueco Mundo, and we must get to the bottom of this immediately!" Slamming his staff against the ground once again, the head captain brought the whispers and murmurs to silence.
Rukia felt a cold pit forming in her stomach as she processed the news, "Is this why Ichigo seems so agitated, and eager to return to Karakura town?" She glanced over at him, there seemed to be an almost urgent yet sad look in his brown eyes. A look she hadn't seen there since the early days of their comradery. Another bang from the head captain's staff brought Rukia's attention back to the events at hand. "We must work with the advance force and what they have to tell us to discover what is going on. Now everyone keeps your zanpakto in place, and if anyone moves they will have to deal with me…is that understood?"
There was enough of a threat in his tone that made all the captains simultaneously agree. "Good, alright Kagemori you may uncloak yourself. If any of them dare makes a move, I shall put a stop to it immediately." Before Rukia could react a gathering of dark energy came into the middle of the room into a swirling sphere. Just as suddenly as it had appeared it expanded and blew apart. Rukia felt her heart drop into her stomach as she instinctively grasped Sode No Shirayuki, as well as all the other captains grasping their own zanpakto hilts. Even Byakuya had gipped his despite the head captain's orders, and it seemed that only Ichigo was unfazed. She didn't have time to try and understand it, because before her crouched 6 hollows and they all had weapons drawn!