The Date (Part 1)
Two days later, Byakuya had mustered another plan against Ichigo and Rukia; but unfortunately, the next day seen them in the meeting room debriefing with a failed idea attempt. The idea was sabotaged behind the scenes by Hanataro, who relayed the information to Toshiro, who took the steps needed to avoid the plan from coming to fruition.
"Our efforts are becoming more and more drastic." Said Byakuya to the club.
"More boring, if yah ask me." Kenpachi said, with his face leaned on his hand.
"I agree with Captain Zaraki." Said Yumichika. "If we actually did our own methods of splitting the two, as opposed to getting your consent, Captain Kuchiki, we'd be further ahead."
"Well, it's kinda obvious who's to blame." Ikkaku said.
"Yeah, half the plans we made, it's either Captain Hitsugaya or Ichigo's little sister that made it go bust." Shuuhei said.
"We may need to do a bit more spying." Kira pepped. "According to our latest reports, Ichigo and Rukia are arranging something special." This raised Byakuya's eyebrow.
"Lieutenant Kurotsuchi." Byakuya spoke.
"Yes?" Nemu said.
"Take 7th Seat Yamada to the World of the Living and spy on them." Byakuya ordered. Hanataro's eyes widened.
"L-Let's not be hasty Captain Kuchiki!" Hanataro pleaded. "I'm in no condition to make spying missions! I am a medic!"
"No excuses." Byakuya said. "Dismissed." Immediately, Nemu dragged Hanataro away with the latter making a huge fuss.
"Why the 4th Squader?" Asked Ikkaku. "He couldn't spy if his life depended on it without letting everybody in the Soul Society hear him."
"All new members must perform as soon as possible." Said Byakuya. "It puts their loyalty to the test. And for the most part, I believe 7th Seat Yamada's loyalty may lie elsewhere..."
It was a rainy day in the World of the Living for Ichigo and Rukia. Thankfully, they were inside, planning their special event. And just like they were told, Nemu and Hanataro spied on the two from the outside. They were both ringing wet; Nemu didn't mind, but Hanataro was trying all he could to keep himself dry.
"Ms. Kurotsuchi! How can you not hate being this wet?" Asked Hanataro, trying to use his sweater as an umbrella, but failing, as water gathered on it and ended up splashing him with it.
"Wetness isn't an issue I must concern myself over." Nemu said, still listening in on Ichigo and Rukia.
"I wish I had your vitality, Ms. Kurotsuchi..." Hanataro wailed. Meanwhile inside the warm and dry sactuary of Ichigo's room, the two were continuing their plans.
"Won't that be expensive, Ichigo?" Asked Rukia.
"Nah, why be stingy if it's a date we're on?" Asked Ichigo.
"True." Rukia said. This caught Nemu's undivided attention.
"7th Seat Yamada." Nemu called. "They are having a date."
"Isn't that nice?" Said Hanataro happily. But, he quickly changed his stance. "W-W-We'll get praise from Captain Kuchiki now!" Nemu ignored the double agent and continued spying.
"What kind of food will they have, Ichigo?" Asked Rukia, looking at the brochure of a high-class restaurant.
"I dunno, I guess it'll be all fancy stuff." Ichigo said. Rukia gave a giggle.
"Ichigo, 'fancy stuff' is a little vague, try narrowing your guess range a little." Rukia laughed. Whilst Ichigo and Rukia were planning, Nemu was taking a mental note of everything they were going to do. Eventually...
"Alright, we got it all planned!" Rukia cheered. "Tomorrow's going to be the best day ever!" Ichigo smiled at her enthusiasm, even though he was sure the culprits behind their arranged split-up were planning the opposite.
The next day, Nemu had given the Movement a report of the things that Ichigo and Rukia will be doing.
"A date, huh?" Pondered Kenpachi. "He's got time for that, and he doesn't bother comin' to me for a fight..."
"Dates are often ways to strengthen relationships." Kira said.
"Or destroy it." Byakuya said with a hint of opportunity. He then stood up. "Tonight, all of you will go to the World of the Living and see to it this evening turns into a disaster for them. This night, Ichigo and Rukia will be torn apart. We cannot let this opportunity slip past. Now go; prepare yourself for the night ahead." And with that, everyone headed for the door, pumped up by Byakuya's words; except for Hanataro, who went out normally. Byakuya remained in the room, however, planning his own scheme to ensure 100 percent success. "I'd best eliminate the opposition..."
Toshiro and Rangiku heard the words of Byakuya when Hanataro left through the speaker and the young Captain was mortified by their plans.
"This isn't going to end well if we don't act ourselves!" Toshiro whispered.
"Yay~!" Rangiku cheered. "Ichigo and Rukia are going on a date! Maybe if I dress really nice, I can join them?"
"Matsumoto!" Hollered Toshiro. "This is serious! Byakuya's out to sabotage the date! We can't leave it to Karin or she'll be in danger!"
"Ichigo's sister?" Rangiku asked. "You sound worried for her." Toshiro blushed.
"You know what I mean!" Toshiro growled. "We have to do something before..." At this point however, a Hell Butterfly came through the window. Toshiro took it by the hand and his eyes widened. "Of all the times!"
"What did it say?" Rangiku asked.
"Squads 5, 7, 8, 10 and 13 have to go on a special assignment tonight to combat a group of Hollows on five different spots in the Rukon Districts. Better yet, Squad 4's to act as the medics for each Squad."
"Hmm? Why them Squads?" Asked Rangiku.
"It's a set-up." Toshiro said. "The Squads mentioned don't have members in the Movement. Byakuya must be trying to oust all opposing Squads. And I don't know how, but he must be on to Yamada too."
"What do we do then?" Asked Rangiku urgently. Toshiro laid back, trying to think of a plan.
"We'll have to hope that Karin finds a way to stop their plans." Toshiro said.
At that same time, however, Karin was heading for soccer practice around noon. She carried with her a soccer ball and was gently kicking it as she walked.
"Ichigo sure seems busy with Rukia." Karin said to herself. "I sure hope they'll be fine on their own while..." At this point, her cellphone rang. She unpocketed and seen on the phone screen to be Toshiro calling. Quickly she answered. "Yeah, Toshiro?"
"Captain Hitsugaya." Toshiro responded. "And I need you to be on your guard." The conversation couldn't be continued, however, because standing in front of her was Ikkaku and Yumichika. Karin was alarmed by this.
"Yo~!" Ikkaku said cooly, barring Karin passage through.
"Uhhh...Toshiro...I think we may have a little trouble..." Karin spoke, while taking slow unsudden moves backwards. "A couple of mean-lookin guys are here...They wear the same clothes you do...One of them's bald..."
"What?" Toshiro yelled in shock. "Karin! Run!" But she couldn't get the chance, as something really hard hit the back of Karin's head; like being hit by a train. But before Karin could go unconscious, she uttered one last sentence.
"Toshiro...help..." And then she hit the ground with a thud, dropping her football and her cellphone as Toshiro's voice made futile attempts to reach Karin. The attacker picked up the cellphone and spoke through it to Toshiro.
"You're done." And with this, the cellphone was crushed with the brutal man's barehands.
Back at the Squad 10 Captain's Office, Toshiro slammed the phone down.
"Rangiku! I'm heading to the World of the Living!" Toshiro said urgently. "Karin's been kidnapped by Zaraki!" Rangiku gasped in horror to this.
His guess was correct, as Kenpachi stood over the unconscious Karin and gave her a slight kick to roll her face-up.
"Get this girl some place where she won't interefere." Kenpachi ordered Ikkaku and Yumichika.
"No prob." Ikkaku said, hoisting Karin onto her shoulder. Kenpachi watched as the two took Karin away, and gave a smile.
"I can't wait to see the look on your face when I tell you I kidnapped your sister, Ichigo..."
Toshiro, after learning of Karin's predicament, began making preparations for the World of the Living, making sure his Hyorinmaru Zanpakuto was equipped.
"What about the assignment?" Asked Rangiku.
"I'm not going to let Byakuya watch me play the pacifist while Ichigo's sister's getting abducted!" Toshiro yelled. "I swore that I'd stop his plans to split Ichigo from Rukia and that's what I'm going to do, assignment or not!" Now ready, he headed for the door, but when opened, he revealed Captain Soifon, who was at the door the whole time.
"Heading to the World of the Living, are you?" Asked Soifon.
"That's my intentions." Toshiro replied.
"And any clue as to who will cover you during tonight's task?" Asked Soifon. Toshiro fumed.
"I don't have time to worry about Hollows, Captain Soifon!" Toshiro said, barging her way past her, but when he was half way past the corridor, Soifon intercepted with a Shunpo.
"Don't get me wrong, Captain Hitsugaya." She said. "I wasn't implying you to not drop your assignment." Toshiro lowered his eyebrows in confusion. "I'm saying that Squad 2 is taking your place tonight." Toshiro flinched at this and instantly bowed.
"You have my gratitude." Toshiro said in high dignity and stormed out as quickly as possible.
"Kisuke...Thank you." Toshiro thought, knowing full well that Soifon was acting out of love for Yoruichi and not for him. "Kurosaki...Kuchiki...Karin...hold on, I'm coming!"