It had been three days since the reinforcement Soul Reapers had arrived in Karakura. Since then, there had been no sign of any enemy activity. Meanwhile however, inside the castle, all ten of the Espada slowly entered the meeting room. They each had been given their number but Arupejio remained the Primera Espada. Yuukaku Sakebu was the Segunda (2) Espada, Kiza Joufu was the Tercera (3) Espada, Abura Kousotsu was the Quatro (4) Espada, Angela Skullini was the Quinto (5) Espada, Ungaii Kyonshi was the Sexta (6) Espada, Shuyou Fushimatsu was the Septima (7) Espada, Ni Skullini was the Octava (8) Espada, Aoi Skullini was the Noveno (9) Espada, and Midoriiro Skullini was the Decima (10) Espada. They silently entered, taking their seats in numerical order from right to left around the table.
"So…" Ungaii said with a bored tone, "…what do you think this meeting's about? Ya think Lord Aizen's going to congratulate us on acquiring our Bankai?"
"Lord Aizen has his own reasons for calling us here Kyonshi." Arupejio said.
"Well I hope whatever it is; I hope we get to use our Bankai against someone soon!" Ni said excitedly.
"Your over anxiousness will only make you vulnerable to your enemies attacks. Calm down and only use your Bankai when necessary." Yuukaku said calmly.
"You're just afraid of what we can do is all." Aoi said with a grin.
"Yeah, you just fear our power when all three of us release our Bankai." Midoriiro said with a grin.
"Since when have a lowly Octava, Noveno, and Decima been allowed to address one of the ranking top five Espada in such a manner?" Abura asked.
"Yeah, you three better shut up or I'll make you regret having spoken a word." Kiza said.
"You will find that my brothers are all talk and no show. They're just blowing hot air." Angela said as she leaned back in her chair.
"Oh we are certainly a productive lot. Infighting already." Shuyou said lazily.
"Shut up you old dust mop. At least some of us have been productive." Angela said as Yuukaku nodded.
"I agree. Training the Primera Fraccion was an honorable gesture. Though I suppose that you got something out of it as well." Yuukaku said as Angela nodded.
"I did. I gained more experience. Though I've got to say that the Primera Fraccion is deceptively strong and quite well skilled. Takes after her brother I suppose." Angela said as Arupejio gave a silent smile and nod. Before anyone could say anything further, a door on the side opened and from it emerged the veiled woman again, pushing a tea cart.
"Lord Aizen, and Captains Ichimaru and Tosen humbly apologize for their tardiness. Would anyone like a cup of tea while you wait?" the woman asked gently. Yuukaku, Abura, Angela, Shuyou, and Aoi raised their hands.
"With respect madam, I only drink the tea my Fraccion makes. She's quite skilled." Arupejio said with a small smile as the woman gave a nod.
"I do not mind at all." The woman replied as she went about pouring cups for each of the ones who raised their hands. Soon the large doors opened and everyone fell silent in an instant. Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tosen, (with Wonderweiss close behind) emerged from within. Aizen with his typical grin on his face.
"Good morning my dear Espada. I see that Hotokegi is following her instructions." Aizen said as Arupejio looked at the woman with curiosity.
"Hotokegi? Is that your name?" Arupejio asked.
"It is my given name sir." The woman replied.
"More specifically, it is the name of her Zanpakuto." Aizen said as he sat down at the head of the table with Gin to his right and Tosen to his left. Once again Wonderweiss just sat between Tosen and Aizen on the floor, his eyes and hair being the only things visible of him at the moment.
"Hotokegi. Compassionate heart. Seems appropriate for one whose spiritual pressure seems to be at peace all the time." Yuukaku said with a sip of his tea. Arupejio silently pondered. He didn't see a Zanpakuto anywhere on her. Perhaps it was concealed or she didn't carry it with her all the time.
"Thank you sir." Hotokegi said softly as she served Aizen his tea.
"Now then, let's get down to business." Aizen said as Hotokegi silently pushed the tea cart towards the door, with Wonderweiss close behind.
"The reason I called you here is that it is time to test your new abilities in actual battles. Your mission will be to defeat an entire Soul Reaper Squad." Aizen said as the Espada looked at him curiously. The three Skullini brothers and Kiza grinned excitedly, Ungaii smirked, Abura leaned forward in curiosity, and the rest remained silent and emotionless.
"Which Squad did you have in mind?" Ungaii asked curiously.
"It is probably a Squad that few of you are familiar with. A special detachment of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, known as the Karakura Defense Squad." Aizen said as Arupejio and Angela's eyes widened.
"Never heard of them." Ungaii scoffed but Aizen ignored the comment.
"They are permanently stationed in the World of the Living, protecting the town of Karakura, which stands as a nexus of spiritual energy. For our plans to succeed, we must defeat the city's protectors. Do not take this battle lightly, because the members of this Squad have forced me to change my plans on several occasions. Be especially careful of their Captain, one Ichigo Kurosaki. You will know him by his orange hair and Black Bankai." Aizen said as Abura smirked.
"Heh, sounds like you're describing the Lieutenant here, at least with the orange hair." Abura snickered.
"Ichigo Kurosaki is not to be underestimated. I've spent some time with both him and his squad. I know that they're a small Squad but that they're not to be underestimated either." Arupejio said, receiving surprised glares from most of the Espada.
"You've what now?! You've spent time with them?!" Ungaii asked in disbelief.
"It was before the uprising. I was following Lord Aizen's orders. I was gathering intelligence on who we would be dealing with. On that note, should you come across anyone who looks or feels like a Soul Reaper yet wears a Hollow mask…run." Arupejio said, receiving confused looks from the Espada.
"As an added precaution, I will be sending Wonderweiss, under the care of Hotokegi along with you. Now that you know what must be done, I bid you all to take the time and prepare yourselves and your new Fraccion for battle. You have five hours to prepare yourselves." Aizen said as Arupejio turned towards Gin.
"Will you be joining us Captain Ichimaru?" Arupejio asked as Gin tapped his chin in thought.
"Sounds like it might be fun." Gin replied with a fox like grin.
"Gin, I am leaving you in charge of the mission. Remember to let the Lieutenant deal with Kurosaki himself." Aizen said as Gin nodded.
"Will do, Captain Aizen." Gin said.
"Then you are all dismissed. Remember to meet in the courtyards in five hours." Aizen said as the Espada silently stood up and started heading towards the door.
"Lieutenant, could I have a word with you first?" Aizen asked as Arupejio paused.
"Yes father." Arupejio said as the others left ahead of him. Now it was just him, and the three Captains.
"Please, sit back down." Aizen said, gesturing to Arupejio's chair. Arupejio complied. He wasn't sure what the whole thing was about.
"You have done well in performing your duties Lieutenant. For that, I would like to reward you with a special token of gratitude." Aizen said as Arupejio arched an eyebrow.
"What is it father?" Arupejio asked as Aizen pressed a button under the table. Instantly a rectangular secret panel in the center of the table slid open and from inside of it arose a long wooden box, about the length of a sword.
"Open it." Aizen said as Arupejio complied. He slowly opened the box and arched a curious eyebrow at what lay inside. It looked like an ordinary Katana but its blade is the black with white edge. It also has no guard and has a white cloth wrapped around the hilt and dangling down a bit from the end as well.
"A Zanpakuto?" Arupejio asked confused.
"Try and hold it." Aizen said as Arupejio slowly grasped the hilt of the sword. Instantly he felt a rush of power start to flow through him. A power he had never felt before. It was strange yet eerily familiar to him, as if he had sensed it once before but he couldn't recall where or when he had sensed it.
"What is this?" Arupejio asked in breathless awe of the power surging through him.
"It is called Hensen Tatsujin. It is a rare Shape Shifting Zanpakuto. It is without a wielder and it has chosen you to wield it in its original master's stead. It has a Shikai and a Bankai. Consider using it in battle against Ichigo Kurosaki when you encounter him." Aizen explained as Arupejio picked up the black sheath hidden within the box and placed the sword inside of it. He then concealed the sheathed weapon under his robes.
"I will use it only as a last resort father. I would rather like to believe in my own abilities first." Arupejio said as he stood up and walked away. As soon as he had left the room, Tosen turned towards Aizen.
"Do you think that is wise, entrusting him with that particular Zanpakuto?" Tosen asked as Gin turned towards him.
"Captain Aizen is only doing what he believes is going to ensure success. He has everything planned out, don't you Captain Aizen?" Gin asked as Aizen sipped his tea.
"You are correct Gin. Now then, you may want to go prepare for the battle to come." Aizen said as Gin nodded and headed for the door. Aizen and Tosen did the same.
Meanwhile in the World of the Living…
"Come on Karin! Get your butt out here now!" Lilynette yelled into Karin and Yuzu's room. Loly and Menoly stood behind her with their arms crossed.
"She's not going to respond well to the yelling Lilynette." Menoly said as Lilynette rolled her eyes.
"Shut up Menoly." Lilynette mumbled as the door finally opened, revealing Karin in a white tee shirt with black tank top over it and a red pair of shorts. On her head was her prized red baseball cap.
"Shut up all three of you! If it wasn't for the fact that it still hurts to move real fast, you would be flattened against the wall!" Karin threatened as Lilynette smirked.
"Well it's nice to see you're recovering nicely. But hey, the three of us were wondering if you wanted to, I dunno, go out and hang out or something." Lilynette said as Karin smirked back.
"Sure. You mind if I invite Yuzu and Toshiro?" Karin asked as the three Arrancar shrugged.
"Sure. The more the merrier." Menoly said as they headed for the stairs. Downstairs, Stark sat on the couch, waiting patiently for the four girls in question to arrive from upstairs. He wasn't expecting Ichigo to walk in the front door with grocery bags in hand.
"DAH! What the hell?! Stark what are you doing here?!" Ichigo asked as Rukia walked past, also with bags in hand.
"Careful Ichigo, don't drop the eggs." Rukia said as Yuzu, Isshin, and Hanataro entered behind her..
"Captain Hitsugaya let me in. I'm acting as chaperone for Lilynette and the two Numeros." Stark said as the four girls came down the stairs. Toshiro emerged from the underground passage way at the same time.
"Hey you mind if we borrow Karin for a while? She hasn't been out of the house in days and we're bored so we're going to, I dunno, hang out somewhere." Lilynette said as Ichigo shrugged.
"Sure just don't let her do anything overly strenuous." Ichigo said as Karin turned towards Toshiro.
"Hey Toshiro, you want to come with us?" Karin asked as Toshiro nodded silently.
"Can I come?" Yuzu asked as the four nodded.
"Sure, we were going to ask you anyway. We thought you could use some time out from under your "Captain's" shadow." Lilynette said with a smirk, receiving a dark glare from Ichigo.
"Lilynette, if Ichigo decides to obliterate you for provoking him, please be advised that I'll probably be the one holding you down." Stark said as Lilynette sweat dropped and the seven of them headed for the door, leaving Ichigo, Rukia, Hanataro, and Isshin alone on their own.
"Well I guess that means it's just us, right kids?!" Isshin asked in his usual insane dad mode only to find that both Ichigo and Rukia had vanished without warning, leaving only Hanataro.
"Well I guess it's just us, huh?" Hanataro asked as Isshin nodded.
"Yep. Want to help me start with dinner?" Isshin asked Hanataro nodded. Over in the Kurosaki House, the secret door flew open and Ichigo and Rukia both burst out, nearly colliding into a certain Tercera Espada.
"Left home alone with Isshin again?" Nel asked casually as the two nodded while catching their breath.
"It is a fate worse than death." Halibel said before taking a sip of tea. Orihime and Rangiku were sitting next to her on the couch while her Fraccion sat on the hearth. Orihime was still wearing the Hanashiro hairclip. Halibel and the Fraccions very presence baffled Ichigo.
"Are all the Arrancar deciding to pay a visit to this area or something?" Ichigo asked.
"Actually we were about to go shopping. Lieutenant Kuchiki, would you like to join us?" Sun-Sun asked from behind her sleeve.
"Actually Ichigo and I were about to go out on patrol." Rukia said as Rangiku smirked.
"So that's what you two call it." She said with a wink, causing Apache and Mila-Rose to snicker before being silenced by a glare from their mistress.
"Oh well. I guess we should be going then." Nel said as she and the others headed for the door.
"Bye Ichigo, call us if you need us!" Orihime waved.
"Hang on we'll walk you out." Rukia said as she and Ichigo fell in step.
"I know Renji and Momo are both on patrol, so where's Tatsuki?" Ichigo asked curiously.
"She, Chad, Madarame, and Yumichika, are on their own little shopping excursion." Nel replied.
"What about Uryu…wait, never mind, he's with Nemu isn't he?" Ichigo asked as Nel nodded with a smirk.
"Essentially." Nel replied as Ichigo put Kon's Soul Pill in his mouth and Rukia popped a Chappy Gikongan into her mouth, both shedding their bodies.
"Alright, we'll be on patrol if you need us. Kon, behave. All of you Arrancar feel free to eat him if he misbehaves." Ichigo said before he and Rukia flash stepped away. Nel, Apache, and Mila-Rose gave Kon hungry looks, causing the mod soul to sweat drop.
"Come on, let's go. We can just beat him up if he decides to try and perve any of us." Rangiku said as they started walking down the street.
"But isn't he in Ichigo's body?" Orihime asked as Halibel shrugged.
"His wounds will heal." Halibel said with a shrug. Despite being surrounded by four or five of the biggest breasted women he had ever known to exist, Kon was very afraid at that moment as he followed obediently after them.
A little later…
Stark and the girls, plus Toshiro, had arrived at the soccer field they had won dominance of a year ago. Karin sighed semi-despairingly at the reminder she couldn't play for a while.
"Guys, do we have to come here?" Karin asked.
"We're just stopping here to take a break Karin. We're not here to play at all." Lilynette replied before getting a soccer ball plowed into her face.
"HEY! WHO DID THAT?!" She roared. She then saw Jinta and Uluru, with Jinta pointing at the meek Uluru. Knowing better, Lilynette pounced at Jinta and started beating the crap out of him. (A/N: I'm a proud Jinta basher.)
"How troublesome." Toshiro said as he shook his head.
"Hello Uluru, how are you." Yuzu asked as Uluru nodded meekly.
"I'm fine. What about you?" Uluru asked with her usual soft voice.
"I'm okay. Karin needs a boost of spirit however." Yuzu said as Karin approached. No one noticed (or cared) as Stark decided to have a moment of narcolepsy and fell asleep while standing up.
"I heard about that. Are you feeling okay Karin?" Uluru asked as Karin nodded.
"Yeah I'm feeling fine. Still hurts if I move too fast but other than that I'm fine." Karin said.
"Her wounds are almost healed. In truth I don't believe she should have left the Soul Society until they were healed. The Reishi filled air would have hastened her recovery." Toshiro said as he approached.
"So what are you guys doing here?" Uluru asked.
"Just hanging out." Loly said as Menoly nodded.
"Yeah we're just-." Menoly said before she and all the others sensed a sudden surge of massive spiritual pressure. Stark was even rousted from his nap.
"I think the attack that we've been waiting for has begun." Toshiro said as his eyes scanned the city, finally resting on a large black tear in the middle of the sky. More appropriately, it was a Garganta. Standing at the front, with his Fraccion at his side, was Arupejio and the Espada. Standing amongst the Espada were four additional Fraccion, plus one traitor Captain, one Espada level Arrancar and its mysterious female caretaker.
"You all know what to do. Now go." Arupejio said as each of the Espada and their Fraccion disappeared in a flash step.
The Battle of Karakura Town was just beginning…
End Chapter 34