"Yo," said Renji Abarai as he sat on Ichigo's floor next to his bed, his zanpakuto Zabbimaru leaning against his right shoulder.
Ichigo's scowl returned ten-fold, "just what are you guys doing here?"
Sitting on Ichigo's bed, Rukia crossed her arms over her chest, not looking too pleased, "Good to see you too, Ichigo."
"Seriously, I want to know why you're all here," the substitute Soul Reaper demanded. "And please, make it quick."
"We're here on orders from the Head Captain himself, Ichigo, we don't need any more reason for barging in here despite it being your room," Toshiro Hitsugaya, Captain of Soul Reaper Squad 10, stood near the window, looking as serious as ever. "And you'd better pay attention, because why we're here concerns you and your friends as well."
This got Ichigo's attention, and he didn't need any more reason other than that, "Alright, I'm listening."
Rukia's expression eased, "Let me ask you first, have you noticed anything weird happening as of late? Any souls or Hollows acting out of place or out of the ordinary?"
Ichigo thought about it for a moment, coming up with a quick answer, "No. Nothing I've noticed anyway. Why?"
"Well, old man Yamamoto has been feeling increased amounts of spiritual pressure here in Karakura Town, and we've been sent in to investigate," Renji said.
Ichigo put his bag down next to his dresser, "Well, like I said if there was anything worth noting I would have taken care of it already. Maybe Yamamoto was a bit off with this time?"
"The Head Captain is not always right, but for something like this I'm guessing it is not just a hunch. However, he might have noticed something you didn't, Ichigo," Toshiro said, walking away from the window. Though he was shorter than everyone else in the room, there was no doubt that his presence alone was enough to warrant attention. "So, until we figure out whether or not this is just a minor problem or something else, we're going to be staying in town until we're told to return to the Soul Society."
The idea that it could be something big affected Ichigo and he nodded, "Alright, but like I said before, there's not enough room for all of you here."
Rukia stood up; she was a bit taller than the 10th Squad Captain as she stood next to him, "Don't worry about that. We know your rules. Besides, the rest of us will be staying all over town until orders pop up."
This raised Ichigo's eyebrows a bit, "Wait how many of you are there here and now?"
No surprise, but Toshiro spoke in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone, "There are many of us here already, but Ikkaku, Yumichika, Momo, Rangiku, as well as Captain Kuchiki are already here-"
Ichigo's surprise was not hidden, "Wow, Byakuya is here?!" He looked over at Rukia, the look she gave him was serious. If the 6th Squad Captain was in town then that meant the situation was even more serious than Toshiro was letting on.
Rukia spoke next, "Byakuya was the one who informed us of the Head Captain's orders. As such he's the one in charge."
"Geez..." Ichigo scratched the back of his head; he knew he had to be on his toes from this point on. Byakuya being around would not always fun since he rarely gave a chance to relax to his subordinates. That and he was pretty serious to boot.
Toshiro looked out the window again, "Rangiku is already checking in with Orihime and asking that she say with her, but for the sake of not causing a panic we're not sharing any crucial information with anyone other than Soul Reapers."
So no one else will get hurt over what might be a small matter, and Ichigo knew he had to follow the orders, "Okay then. I'll keep an eye out."
But, how was he gonna keep this kind of thing from everyone else, including Orihime?
"You're dating!?"
Orihime raised her hands as Rangiku suddenly hugged her tightly, nearly driving the air out of her body, "Rangiku...I can't...breathe..."
The air rushed back into her as the Soul Reaper Lt. let her go, and Orihime felt dizzy.
"How long have you been going out with him? Have you done anything major? Details honey! I need details!" Rangiku said, grabbing Orihime by the shoulders.
"N-Nothing big! We've dated and we hang out like normal, but alone and-AHH!"
Orihime was hugged again, and she swore it was worse than the last one, and Rangiku was overcome with excitement, "You see? I knew one of you would eventually do something to get the other, though I honestly thought it'd be faster than this-hm?"
Orihime went slack in Rangiku's arms, and this finally got the Soul Reaper to let her go, and Orihime tried to regain her composure, taking in deep breaths to try and refill her lungs.
"Oh, sorry, got a bit too carried away didn't I..."
Orihime, regardless of the fact that she thought she had a few fractured ribs, smiled, "It's alright..."
"I'm was just so glad you got your man. I mean least you didn't wait until you were too much older. Those who wait miss out, you know," Rangiku said, throwing her hair back past her shoulders.
Orihime stood back up straight, and then saw that there was someone else in the doorway. A girl with semi long black hair tied in a bun in the back, standing in her Soul Reaper uniform and politely waiting. Orihime knew who it was. Fifth Squad Lt. Momo Hinamori. "Momo? Nice to see you."
The Lt. nodded slowly, "Ms. Inoue, glad to see you again." She walked on into the apartment, closing the door behind her before she went on over to take a seat on the sofa.
"By the way, not that I don't mind the visit, but is there something I should know? I mean, it's not every day we get the Soul Society to visit Karakura Town for no apparent reason..." Orihime said, following Rangiku to the sofa, eager for news.
"Well..." Momo started, but was cut off by Rangiku.
"It's just for a precaution Orihime, no need to worry about it," the taller woman said, smiling. "But I was hoping that you'd let us stay here until we return to Soul Society. That okay?"
Orihime's expression widened, "You mean you two and Toshiro?"
"Just until this whole thing blows over," Rangiku concluded. "Maybe a few days but not long at all."
No hesitation on her part, Orihime smiled, "Of course you can. Though one of you will have to sleep out here-"
"Oh no worries, we'll just have Toshiro be out here while we bunk in your room," Momo laughed.
The girls all laughed at this, but Orihime couldn't help but feel like there was something was being kept from her.
