Chapter 27: Plan to Save Rukia

Everyone is in shock by what Byakuya has just announced. "I can't believe he would do this to his own sister, especially now when she is not able to defend herself" Renji says angrily. Ichigo is pacing back and forth worried about Rukia and his unborn children, "I should have killed him years ago, but Rukia wouldn't let me. She was always to soft hearted." Ichigo turns to Hitsugaya "what is the likelihood that Byakuya will be able to get what he is after?" "I am not sure he will have to bring his case to all the captains and elders of the soul society. There are many who do not approve of the relationship that you and Rukia share. Those would side with Byakuya. Also there are a number that believe she should have been executed all those years ago and they too most likely will side with him. Then you have many like myself that do not care one way or the other and would most likely side with you. Rukia also has several friends that would save her. However, I am not sure if our side would out number their side. What we need is someone who is related to Rukia to step forward and become her guardian." "Well can I marry her?" Ichigo asks "and then she would be my wife and I would be her guardian." Hitsugaya shakes his head, "the soul society would never buy that." "Well can I prevent them from terminating the pregnancy" he asks hopefully. "I don't know Ichigo…I don't know."

Everyone in the room remains silent wondering how to prevent Byakuya from hurting Rukia. Ichigo looks around and notices that Yoruichi is no longer in the room. "Where did Yoruichi go, I would like to apologize to her for my anger?" Urahara glances at Ichigo, "she said she had some business that she had to take care of and would be back as soon as she could. Now let's talk about how we are going to reunite Rukia with her soul. The hardest part of this will be…well actually the entire thing will be difficult." Urahara glances around the room to make sure that everyone is listening. "I have only heard of this working once, many centuries ago and the methods that were used are unclear. Everyone in this room knows that when a soul leaves the body it is ferried to the other side by a soul reaper less it linger to long and turn into a hollow. However, this is not the same for someone who sacrifices their soul for something. Their soul remains on another plane for a month then fades away as if it did not even exist. The soul loses its memories day by day until it fades away. There is no mention as to where the plane is or if each sacrificed soul has their own plane. However, from the research that I did I was able to discover that most planes such as these lie in the dream realm. The dream realm is almost like a middle ground between our world and death. So if Rukia's soul is anywhere it would be there." Ichigo stands up, "let's go then, let's go find her."

Urahara looks at Ichigo, "slow down there cowboy, it will not be easy to reenter the dream realm without someone who is connected to it. Also we need to come it with a way to locate her soul or we will be looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack. What we need is someone who has a connection to Rukia." Ichigo is about to speak up, but Urahara stops him "no more than a bond like you two have, we need a familial connection, we need a blood connection. I would suggest sampling the blood of the babies, but they would never survive the procedure this early in gestation. Rukia had a sister who died. If we can somehow collect some of her DNA then I may be able to create a device…like a divining rod…that can help lead us to her soul." Hitsugaya speaks up, "how in the hell are we supposed to accomplish this, you know that every person who dies in the soul society is cremated. There will be no remains left of her." Urahara smiles, "Byakuya believe it or not is a sentimental person. He has a shrine dedicated to her that contains a lock of her hair that will have the DNA material we require." Ichigo looks at Urahara, "Byakuya is not going to give us that lock of hair willingly." Urahara laughs heartedly at the thought of Byakuya willingly handing over his beloveds hair, "can you imagine it…sure here you go guys, take her hair…save Rukia. I take back all I said about wanting to kill Rukia and her offspring." Urahara sobers up some, "no we are going to have to break in his house and steal it."

Everyone in the room looks at Urahara like he has lost his mind. "How do you suggest that we break into his house" Ichigo asks him. "I thought that you would never ask. It will require the assistance of Yoruichi though. If she doesn't come back soon then we will meet her in the soul society." "I wonder what kind of business she had there…something to do with stopping Byakuya from killing Rukia." Urahara nods his head, "I assume that is what she went there for, but she didn't tell me. All I know is that she was ready to kill Byakuya, if I hadn't have restrained her…it would have been a mess." Everyone looks at Urahara in shock, none of them had noticed he had restrained Yoruichi. "I didn't even notice you had to restrain her, I knew she was angry…" Ichigo trails off. Hitsugaya chimes in, "you don't think she went to the soul society alone to confront and kill Byakuya do you. If she is caught they will kill her on sight. No questions asked." Urahara seems perplexed, "well I never thought of that, she may indeed do that. I wouldn't put it past her to go stroll into his home and kill him. Well change of plans, we will not wait for her to get back we will go get her now. Orihime, I want you to look after Rukia while we are away. Ichigo when we get there try to keep your emotions in check…the last thing we need is for you to go hollow."

Rukia is staring up and the clear blue sky above her wondering how long she had been here. She sees a woman walking towards her who looks familiar, but she can't place her. "Hello" Rukia tells the woman "isn't it a nice day today?" The woman nods, "do you know who I am?" Rukia looks at her closely, "you look very familiar to me, like we may have met before somewhere." The woman smiles at her, "my name is Sode no Shirayuki and we have been together for a long time." Rukia searches the woman's face trying to recollect her. She is having flashes of her life outside this world. Although many of the pictures are a blur. The suddenly it dawns on her, "you are my…zanpakuto." Sode no Shirayuki smiles at her, "yes I am your zanpakuto." Rukia sighs, her memories are fading fast. She knows that there are many things that she has forgotten. "I wonder how everyone is, although when I say this I am not too sure of whom I am referring to." "Do you remember Ichigo" her zanpakuto asks. Rukia nods, "I love Ichigo, but even his image is starting to fade. I wonder how long I have until I lose that." Sode no Shirayuki looks at the lost girl sitting before her and could tell she was sad. "Losing something dear to you is never easy, but in time the pain will fade. In this realm the pain will fade quickly because you will cease to remember why you were suffering." Rukia nods her head and sighs, "is it really better to forget who you were?"