Chapter 3: I'm surrounded by idiots

A/N: So this story has been completely rewritten. I have made some major and minor changes to both characters and story line. I have never owned Bleach so please save your lawsuits. Let me know what you guys think and please try to keep flames to a minimum. I hope you all enjoy this new adventure.

~OoOoOoO~

Hotaru slept for most of the day, not realizing how exhausted she really was. It would take her a few days to regain her strength which posed a problem for her. She didn't want to be seen as weak and have hollows attack in waves. It was nearing sunset when she finally awoke to the sounds of someone cooking in the kitchen. Orihime must be home from school. She kicked off the covers and rolled off the futon, the cool carpet against her hands and knees. She tested her limbs and extremities making sure everything moved the right way before attempting to stand. Luckily her legs kept her weight as her movement drew Orihime's attention.

"You're awake, good. Oh yeah, Domon-san came by and wanted you to call him as soon as you awoke. Sounded urgent." Hotaru couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her.

"It always is with him. That smells delicious. May I join you Inoue-san?" She brightened and nodded happily chattering about things. Hotaru watched her quietly, folding the futon and putting it away before bending down to collect the box. A sharp ringing filled her ears as several images flashed through her mind. She stood over the small box studying it carefully. The seal should be holding, there shouldn't be a way for Byakko to escape quite yet. She searched her mind for a possible answer when Suzaku answered.

"It is possible young one that whom ever is supposed to wield Byakko's immense power is within several hundred kilometers of this location. It is also possible my brother is angry for our disturbance of his slumber. I sense the other shinigami approaching." That caused Hotaru to smile softly, trust a tiger to be lazy and not want to be disturbed. Orihime began to bring out dinner as Hotaru helped her set the table.

"Here let me help you with that. I wanted to thank you Orihime-san for letting me stay with you. I don't know how long it will be but I still wanted to say thanks." Orihime smiled at her brightly and they ate dinner. Orihime catching Hotaru up on what had been happening lately in the human world, mostly just high school gossip. Hotaru was glad for the distraction from her overwhelming task that was ahead of her. She counted down backwards from 50 as she ate and listened to Orihime. By the time she reached 1 there was a knock at the door. Orihime stopped talking and smiled apologetically at Hotaru.

"Gomen...Be right back." She smiled and went to answer the door. It appeared to be Kurosaki Ichigo and Domon with others right behind them. They must've sensed all the reiatsu that was flowing from this place. Hotaru held the box in her lap as they all piled into the rather small apartment. Domon was watching her carefully, almost waiting for an explanation but she had none to give. At least none that she would tell humans, much less one that would spill the beans at the first chance they got. No this was her mission and Domon was here to make it seem official. She held Domon's gaze, almost challenging him to say something. Ichigo took care of that however,

"What's that?" She gently soothed the ancient wood, the power humming softly similar to a sleeping cat.

"What I came here for. It is up to the others what happens to it. It not something that should be left in the living world. The leaking reiatsu alone would draw hollows for miles." Ichigo seemed to accept that answer but Domon was intently watching her.

"What do you mean?" Hotaru said nothing as she just barely lifted her right hand off the lid. Byakko's reiatsu lazily curled from the box, the tendrils of power curled and unfurled, watching warily. Sure enough the howl of hollows could be heard in the distance as she placed her hand back on the lid of box, dampening the signature of the reiatsu. She wasn't quite sure how she did it but she did. The screams of the hollow were approaching quickly, with the thought of a free meal. She watched the others intently. Ichigo and the tall darker skinned man, Chado if memory severed right, were both looking out the window. She saw their shoulders tense, both were flexing their hands in preparation. Allowing a small smile to grace her features she answered the unspoken question that both humans were unknowingly presenting.

"Ichigo-san, if your that worried about it then you'd better off taking care of the problem yourselves. I'll watch after her." Ichigo's aura flashed surprise before determination set in as he nodded and held up the badge that Ukitake had given him, forcing his soul to separate from his body. Chado rose, smirking and followed his friend out the door. She turned harsh emerald green eyes on Domon, her lips curling back ever so slightly. Useless shinigami.

"Stay here. Don't leave the apartment for any thing. Got that?" He was stunned to see this new side of her but quickly nodded as she shuunpo'ed away. He let out the air he didn't know he had been holding as he glanced back at Orihime. Her eyes shinning in concern. He gave her his best confident smile which she returned.

Hotaru was on the roof, still holding the box of Byakko's. Her eyes never left the two humans amid the swarm of hollows. They looked to be having fun, though trouble was approaching. Too many hollows were approaching them. Only so many the two could handle. She could feel Suzaku stirring in her mind.

"They can't handle all of those hollow by themselves. Shall we?" Hotaru smiled and removed her hand from the lid, letting the reiatsu flow freely as she lifted herself off the roof to face the incoming horde. Hollows stopped their attack on the humans, smelling something much more appetizing near by. The screams resumed as their nimble bodies twisted and contorted before rushing at her. Ichigo and Chado chased them, trying to get there first only to be met by a wave of heat. It felt like the air in their lungs was burning, they coughed and dropped to the roof to find it suddenly easier to breath. Ichigo looked up to find the air being scorched by reiatsu. The hollows having seemed to realize their mistake turned and fled but the heat seemed to follow them where ever they ran. It wasn't easy to watch as hollows suddenly burst into ash, raining down on them. All the soul lights hovered where the hollows had disintegrated and that's when they heard the sound of a flute. It was beautiful and yet, haunting. Suddenly, they were pulled to the ground and something was pushed into their ears. This startled them both as they turned to see Domon glaring at the burning inferno.

"Cover your ears." They quickly did so and the sound dampened. They watched in fascination as the lights floated toward the inferno and then slowly disappearing. Then as quickly as it had come everything vanished. The cool night air rushed into their lungs, relief flooding them. Their eyes adjusting back to the dim lightning from the street lamps before their gaze fell on the retreating form of Hotaru, holding the box as she jumped off the roof and went back inside. Ichigo looked at Domon, who's eyes never left Hotaru.

"What was that about?" Domon shrugged, pulling out a small quill and a scroll to jot this down.

"I have no idea but I will get to the bottom of this. You'd best go back inside. It's nearly midnight."

Hotaru reentered Orihime's apartment, smiling at the joyful voluptuous girl. Orihime smiled back at her, a question on her face.

"Don't worry, they won't be bothering you anymore." Orihime sighed happily as the others reentered the apartment before gathering their things and heading home for the night. Tension passed between Hotaru and Domon that was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

"That was an interesting display. Good night, and I'll send this report to taicho." Hotaru's eyes narrowed. She didn't trust Domon at all, he could be a problem later.

"I'll send mine as well. Good night." She shut the door in his face and helped Orihime clean up before they retired for the night.

~OoOoOoO~

Oh wow! That wasn't what I had expected at all to come out when I started writing it. Anyways, hope you guys stay tuned and enjoy!