Neko is reunited with family

A few weeks after Kyo became the newest member of the Kurosaki household, a certain Soul Reaper was feeling the effects of his disappearance.

"Where did that blasted cat go?!" Neko bent over in unimaginable agony.

"I still don't get it. Why is it that you always end up in pain whenever that fur ball vanishes for a couple of weeks?" asked Urahara confused.

"Because there's something inside my soul trying to break free and if it succeeds, you'll all be in danger."

"What are you talking about Neko? What's inside your soul?"

"A Hollow. No wait, let me rephrase that. A soul that was eaten and became a Hollow that is contained inside me."

"How is it contained?! I've never heard of anyone containing a Hollow inside someone before!" said Tessai.

"Back during my original life, I was attacked by a monster with a large hole in its chest. I had no idea what it was, and I was terrified. When it tried to eat me, I split into 3 souls. One was a creature, one was human, and the last was a cursed Zodiac cat. The creature form was eaten by the Hollow and became one itself. When the Hollow ran away, the creature tried to eat the human soul and was trapped inside him by an enchanted bracelet. The bracelet then disappeared into the Zodiac feline and was never seen again!"

They listened to his story in disbelief.

"So the orange kitty has the bracelet inside him," said Ururu.

"But that still doesn't explain…"

"Look the creature inside me before was held back by the bracelet and now it's contained so long as the cat remains close by. Without it, the Hollow Creature is stronger and attempts to break free!"

"So that's why you keep the fur ball around all the time," said Jinta.

"Anyway I got to get ready for tomorrow."

"It's that day again isn't it?"

"Hai. It's been 6 years since she left."

"Well, Jinta will cover for you."

Neko bursts out laughing.

"Jinta?! He can barely reach the counter, let alone operate and explain things to Soul Reapers!"

"HEY!"

"You might as well use the rest of the day getting ready for tomorrow, Neko."

"Arigato, Urahara-san. I'm glad I chose to live here than with my family. They're probably having that silly family meeting right now!"

At that, Neko went upstairs to get ready. The event that he was referring to was the death of his mother. Ichigo had been with her at the time it happened. He still blamed himself for her death.

THE NEXT MORNING…

"Well, I'm off to the grave."

"See you tomorrow Neko."

Neko headed to the cemetery where his mother was buried. He had a hard time because of the Hollow Creature inside him. He wound up meeting his family on the way there.

"Hey, Neko, long time since I saw you!" called Karin and Ichigo.

"NEKO! Where have you been all this time?!" growled his father.

Neko promptly inserted his foot to his father's hairy face!

"Back off you freak! I show up every year don't I?! Why do you always harass me about where I live?" growled Neko. Ichigo laughed in the background.

"Nice one bro. Though, why don't you live with us anymore? We never get to see you at all until the anniversary!"

"Work and Club activity. I like the shop, and I enjoy hanging out with the owner."

The childish father interrupts him: "Be that as it may, you are still a member of this family and you belong at the clinic!"

"Did it ever occur to you that maybe if YOU grew up I might move back in?!"

Karin and Ichigo burst out laughing.

"Well, let's get going."

And the Kurosaki family all headed to the grave site together. (With a run in with Rukia anyway…)