Takasugi

He is not afraid of the girl. That would be laughable.

He just doesn't like it when people follow him around. It's very irritating. Almost as irritating as the perm-face and his ridiculous… lover? They are lovers, right? Who would want to be in that kind of situation with Gintoki of all people? Seriously, what…

The girl is irritating.

And following him everywhere. If the bathroom didn't have a lock, he's sure she'd be there with him, watching him take a shit. Not, that he does that in an odd fashion, he does nothing in an odd fashion. Screw what Gintoki said! The perm-head doesn't know shit.

At least he can take out his frustrations on that drunken Shinigami Gintoki seems to have adopted along with a few others. It's like Kabukichou all over again. Only with Shinigami. Who he doesn't hate exactly, but they remind him so much of the amantou taking over their government sometimes. Which is why he's in the human world to gather allies to overthrow that idiot who thought it would be a good idea to make himself king over a species not his own. If he'd done it in Soul Society, Takasugi wouldn't care one wit. But he's done it in his new home.

So the bastard needs to die.

Byakuya

He… is being delayed. Purposefully so.

And he doesn't mind overly much.

Because juice boxes are a marvel and he has to try every flavour. Every flavour.

Soutaichou did say not to return until he found out everything.

Kisuke

Gintoki has a bloody past. More bloody than Kisuke's own, in some ways. With more betrayal in it. But he has friends who will not only die for him, but live for him, too. Very competent friends. Who also remember their past.

Too bad Gintoki likes them so much. Except for Butterfly-kun. But he would miss him, so there is nothing Kisuke can do.

In any case, the preparations for the Arrancar's coup d'état are going well, Yamamoto Soutaichou is sending them more and more captains with surprisingly easy weaknesses to exploit and Kisuke has his mind occupied.

And body.

Ichigo

There isn't much that would throw him for a loop any more. Not with so many Shinigami and Arrancar about. Not with Sakata around.

But the appearance of a spiritually aware girl dressed in red to match her hair carrying around an umbrella and speaking with a fake Chinese accent… throws him for a loop.

She is wilful and strong, kicks Hollow ass and has made friends with Karin. Under the name of Hayato-kun. Which is just…

In any case, she is a disturbing individual on par with Sakata. That observation holds true, even when they first meet.

Watching the ever unsurprised man go still at the sight of her is something Ichigo will never forget. Seeing her eyes widen and a huge smile break out in her face is nothing short of heart warming. They proceed to hug, then he gets the shit kicked out of him until he offers her some pickled seaweed.

Then, she is greeted by the one with the long hair as "Leader! We have been awaiting your arrival!" and a welcoming sign from the disturbing duck-man. The weird one just laughs obnoxiously. The moody one just 'tsk's and turns away. Which prompts her to attempt to kick the shit out of him, too.

Gintoki

Only Pattsuan is missing. The Shinsengumi will turn up sooner or later, he's sure of that, but Pattsuan is missing.

Can't be too long now.

Not with Kagura here, having invaded Kisuke's bedroom to sleep curled up next to Gintoki. Not with them getting along through card-games and pickled seaweed which Kisuke keeps on stock.

Can't be long.

… (a while later) …

So Pattsuan went and did the least sensible thing ever and enlisted in the Shinigami Academy. Gintoki proceeds to sign him out and kidnap him to the living world.

Neither Shunsui, nor Joichirou say anything. Byakuya doesn't seem to register much beyond his juice boxes and if he does, he doesn't care.

Kisuke

Watching Gintoki with his kids is the most adorable thing. And the most disturbing. But Kisuke can deal with disturbing. Has done his entire life, in fact.

He only mourns that he and Gintoki rarely have any alone-time together any more.

Until the Kurosaki family takes the kids on a trip with them.

And then they get themselves kidnapped. But they free themselves just as everyone arrives to break them out. So, all is well.

They are almost ready to usurp the usurper now.