Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

The tunnel between worlds opened up before him as he sped toward the light. He exited and crashed into the concrete in front of the Kurosaki residence with a loud thud. He rubbed his head and stood back up.

"That's the last time I let those guys test out their express spirit transport on me." He looked around and didn't see or sense his target anywhere nearby. Looking up, he saw Rukia in the window.

"Hey Rukia, where's that orange-haired freak?"

A surprised Rukia thought quickly and grabbed her pad and a big sharpie.

"He's at. Urahara's. Shut up. you idiot. They can. hear you."

"Oh"

"Don't give me "Oh"; get out of here before they see you."

"Thanks"

"Get out of here!"

The shinigami burst into flash steps and left the clinic far behind. Yuzu got curious about the huge thud and voice she heard muffled outside the door and went to investigate with Isshin. They peeked outside the door and saw nothing. Further investigating they saw Rukia in Ichigo's window.

"What happened?"

"A stray dog came and chased a cat over the fence. He must not have been too bright, because he can right into that wall in his pursuit. I yelled at it to shoo it away. After I yelled at it a few times, it ran off."

"Phew, I'm glad it's gone. Was it scary?"

"Not especially, but it did have bright red hair."

"Weird. What are you doing in Ichi-nii's room?"

"Uh, um… I wanted to draw and I lent him my pad the other day for a school project."

"Ah"

"Phew" Rukia said as she turned back around. "I wonder what Renji has to say to Ichigo"

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Renji arrived at Urahara's shop about a minute later. Jinta and Ururu stood on the front porch. Jinta was sweeping mumbling something about Ururu cheating at janken. Ururu bowed politely as Renji arrived.

"Welcome back freeloader!" Jinta waved with a grin.

"Stop calling me that!"

"Nah," Jinta chimed back pulling down his bottom eyelid and sticking his tongue out.

"You little punk…"

"Ho ho ho perhaps we should all come inside. If you keep making such a ruckus you'll scare away my customers," the man in hat and clogs said as he waved his fan.

The four of them went inside and sat around the table. Tessai brought some tea in and sat among them.

"So what brings a lieutenant all the way to my humble little shop?"

"Actually, I came to give a letter to Ichigo. Rukia told me he was here."

"Oh yes, he's down in the training room sparring with Zangetsu. Ururu will you be a dear and go fetch our guest."

"Yes" Ururu said as she left the table and headed down to the training room.

Ururu opened the trap door and descended into the training room. Ichigo and Zangetsu were clashing quite fiercely and the grunts and yells echoed all around the room. Finally separating, the two started catching their breath.

"Uhno Kurosaki-san, Lt. Abarai is here to see you."

"Ok, I'll be right up. That's enough for now Zangetsu." Zangetsu disappeared, he sheathed him upon his back and Ichigo followed the little girl as he wiped the sweat from his face with a towel he had laid near the ladder.

"Oi Renji. What are you up to down here?"

"Yamamoto sent me to give you this" Renji replied handing him the letter.

Ichigo tried opening the letter by ripping the end, but found it to be impossible. He tried every way imaginable to open it, but couldn't get it to give up its contents. All the while, Renji was laughing his butt off.

"Hey, how do I open this thing?"

"Just put your thumb to the seal. It'll unlock from there."

"Why didn't you tell me that earlier?"

"You reminded me of this chimp I saw trying to figure out how to break open a coconut."

"You callin' me a chimp baboon boy?"

"It'd explain why your brain is built incredibly wrong."

Tessai cleared his throat, "Perhaps you should open the letter."

"Uh, yeah" Ichigo said pressing his thumb to the seal. Inside the letter read as follows.

From the desk of the Captain-Commander Gotei 13 Yamamoto-Genryusai,

It has come to our attention that you are no longer to be counted among the living. As such, I am officially naming you to the Gotei 13 as a probationary member. You will receive full membership upon the end of your training under Kuchiki-taicho. While your battle skills are not to be questioned, your kidou skills and military tact and courtesy are greatly underdeveloped, as well as your knowledge of the functioning organization of Soul Society. Normally, your arrival would have ushered you into the academy, but your death comes at an interesting time. That is why this letter was sealed from all but you. The following information is considered to be on a need-to-know basis and is for your and Lt. Abarai's eyes only. The Spirit Prince is to arrive from the living world tomorrow. He is to depart from Urahara's training ground at sunset. You two are to escort him to Soul Society as his personal bodyguards. Upon arriving, Captain Kuchiki will rendezvous with you and escort the three of you to Kuchiki manor where Kurosaki will be his live-in bodyguard as well as the captain. During the time, you are to guard the prince; you will take lessons to improve on your shortcomings. When Captain Kuchiki deems you worthy, you are to be given the opportunity to become a captain, because we can scarcely afford to have you in any other position considering your ability to use bankai. In conclusion, welcome to the Gotei 13 and we are counting on you. Please do not disappoint.

Sincerely,

Captain-Commander Yamamoto-Genryusai

Ichigo laughed slightly after they finished the letter.

"What so freakin' funny?"

"Well…"

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Well there you go. I hope you've enjoyed it so far. Next time, barring a plot bunny hulking out or goodbyes taking too long we should see a long awaited meaning.