Kai awoke early the next morning rubbing his sore head. There was a dull throb, but nothing to major. He stood with slight difficulty having to stretch out his back. It was incredibly stiff.

"Mother…" he cried as he heard his back crack in several places. Kai looked around the room. It was nothing special a window, a closet, and a bed. The reaper's uniform jacket and zanpakuto were placed in the corner of the room. Kai wore his bottoms, but his sandals and socks had been removed. He left the room to find the house empty except for Jinta who was sweeping the kitchen. The pink haired boy quickly placed the broom behind his back as Kai looked at him raising an eyebrow.

"Good morning, Master Zetsumei."

"Good morning…." He paused trying to remember the boy's name, "Jinta and you can call me Kai."

"Right Master I mean Kai."

With a smile Kai stepped outside into the garden. Urahara and Tessai were quietly sitting under a tree. Tessai was reading a book and Urahara had his head down in thought. Yuroichi wasn't around. Tessai put down his book and looked up at the reaper. He immediately jumped to his feet saluting Kai.

"Good morning sir!"

Kai smiled, "No need to salute, Tessai I am no longer an official soul reaper."

"But you're a legend and such a person as yourself deserves the utmost respect."

"So I'm told." Kai sat down in front of Urahara who had looked up at him with a smile, "Good to see you're alright."

"Is there any reason as to why the hollows have more power then usual?"

"I haven't heard anything, but that means jack squat. I've been contacting my "people", but so far they are aware of the matter, but don't have an answer or possible theory to it." Urahara put a hand to his chin and looked at the tree thinking.

"What is it?"

"Well one resource did say something quiet odd. There have been disturbing reports coming in about hollows attacking humans."

"That's true because when I fought the hollow that was attacking Tatsuki he wanted her soul. I've never seen that before."

"These are strange days both here and in the soul society."

"How does Ichigo fair?"

"He's fine. He should wake up soon."

Kai nodded and looked around at first he was searching for a black cat knowing Yuroichi's preferred form, but then she stepped through the gate. She smiled at him as Kai stood to greet her. The two hugged. She rubbed the back of his neck affectionately.

"It's good to hold you again." She whispered in his ear.

"It's good to know your touch again."

The two stood like that for a moment reacquainting themselves with one another again before Urahara coughed causing the two to separate. Kai looked to the bucket hat man.

"What is your actual plan of action to rescue Rukia?"

Urahara smiled, "I plan to train Ichigo. Getting him ready. And storm the execution grounds with your help of course," he smiled, "Yuroichi here has done a little recon mission and has discovered that some of carrot top's friends possess spiritual abilities. Tatsuki happens to be one of them."

"No…I don't want her dragged into this. It's safer is she stays here." Protested Kai.

Urahara shrugged, "Fair enough. She'll stay here."

"Let me guess you're going to ask for Kukaku's help. She's the only one able to get outsiders into the soul society."

"We plan to use her cannon."

Kai nodded, "I will enter the Soul Society through the conventional way. They can't deny me access. If I am as respected as everyone says I am along with this legend bullshit. I should have no problems."

"Yuroichi's a legend. I'm a legend, but we can't simply waltz back into the Soul Society. But you on the other hand are still held in high regards there so you shouldn't have trouble so my sources tell me."

Kai nodded and entered the house followed by Yuroichi. He went into his room to fetch his sword.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Well before Urahara trys to kill Ichigo by disguising it as training I want to see what kind of swordsman he is."

Yuroichi laughed as she kissed his bare back, "Urahara trying to kill Ichigo with his training will only make the boy stronger. Helping him to release all of his spirit potential. You've experienced that before."

"On more then one occasion." He turned and kissed her. Kai had almost forgotten what she tasted like what the feel of her lips was like. But he relished in the moment even if it was brief and she too felt the same way.

"WHERE THE HELL AM I?!" shouted Ichigo.

"Uh…Carrot top is up." Kai strapped the sword to his waist putting it behind him. He kissed Yuroichi again before heading to training grounds below the shop.

PLEASE REVIEW. I ENJOY FEEDBACK EVEN IF IT ISN'T POSITIVE. I LIKE KNOWING WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF IT AND HOW THEY THINK IT IS GOING! THANKS AGAIN!