"That is my final decision and the decision of Central 46." The Head Captain said gruffly to the gathered Captains and Lieutenants, slamming the end of his cane to the floor.

"But-" Rangiku attempted to argue, only to be silenced by a heated glare. Kadin frowned but said nothing.

There was no arguing now, some sighing heavily, a few sharing concerned glances at what they were to do now. Ichigo, standing at the end of one of the lines since he was important but not really a Captain, scowled at the decision. How was he going to check up on his sister if he couldn't go there?

Someone opened the doors and their attention turned to the entrance, surprised to see a familiar face. Twenty-five people bowed while the Head Captain simply lowered his head as he was sitting. Ichigo just crossed his arms, wondering what the white haired being was doing here.

"Soul Prince, you've come back again." The Head Captain frowned. If the boy had come here himself than he disagreed with his decision in the report.

"I can see you were all just about to leave." He replied. "I'll ask that you stay."

"What are you up to, eh?" Shunsui grinned cheekily.

"I was given a report on the Head Captain's decision to enter this war, but I have to disagree with his decision to not let you train in the Soul King's Realm."

"I cannot let the Soul Society remain unguarded." Yamamoto grumbled.

"I understand." Toshiro nodded, turning to the two behind him. Senjumaru and Tenjiro stood on either side of the doors. "I'm not about to let it be unguarded either."

There were some murmurs of excitement at the thought of getting the Head Captain to change his mind.

"Those who wish to stay are welcome." The prince continued, looking back at the Head Captain. "Nakryin will still come here to help those who want it. I won't force anyone to choose either option."

Silence stretched through the hall as the old man chewed on that thought. If he was honest with himself, the only reason he wouldn't let his Captains go was because he was worried about lack of security in the Seireitei, but Hitsugaya had just offered him a solution to that. And the Central 46 wasn't about to go against the Soul Prince, so there was no need to seek their council. Senjumaru had made her point before that their Spirit Energy would increase quicker under the heavier air of the king's realm.

"Very well." The Head Captain grumbled. "If you're willing to leave your Royal Guard here in order to train us, I see no reason to refuse."

There were sighs of relief around the room and a few of them beamed.

"I'm glad you agree." Toshiro nodded. "Those who wish to go can meet me at Kukaku Shiba's place. I will only wait for a few hours." 'And here I thought I'd get a week or two alone with Karin.'

The prince turned and was gone as quick as he'd arrived. They were starting to expect him now, these random appearances of his to check on his old home.

"Well, I suppose those who want to go best prepare to depart soon." Yamamoto spoke up, standing and also leaving. It didn't take long for everyone to file out and head back to their respective barracks.

"We're going, right Captain?" Rangiku asked the silver haired man as they returned.

"Of course." He smiled. "I'm definitely not one of the strongest Captains so I'd like to try and fix that."

The strawberry-blonde grinned and rushed off to grab her things. They weren't sure how long they'd be staying considering the hassle of moving the Tenchuren back and forth between the realms.

"Not going?" Shinji looked to his petite Lieutenant.

"No…" She replied nervously. "I'm not very strong, I don't think I'd be able to go…I'll keep the squad running for you, Captain Hirako."

The blonde frowned but let it go. He trusted Momo to do just that so he saw no reason to inquire any further.

Such actions were happening throughout the Seireitei as those strong enough to go chose whether or not they wanted to go and began packing. They had a few hours to do so as well as select officers to run the squads in their absence. From afar the Seireitei would seem peaceful but in separate barracks there was lots of running around and panicking. Minds were changed constantly. After all, who wouldn't want a chance to go to the Soul King's Realm?

Toshiro awaited those going patiently at Kukaku's place, the Shiba family already prepared to send the Tenchuren back to his realm. Ganju, one of the youngest of the family and one of the bull riders, attempted small talk but was quick to realize that the white haired prince was not very talkative.

'So the protective brother is going to be showing up early.' Hyorinmaru huffed. 'It shouldn't be that hard to lose him.'

'I can't be selfish, I'll get over it.' Toshiro replied. 'As much as I want to I can't just forget about them and focus on Karin.'

He paused as someone arrived; Shunsui and Jushiro along with Nanao and Rukia. So Squads Eight and Thirteen were leaving their squads to the Third Seats.

"It really is good to see you again." Jushiro smiled warmly as they approached where the young prince sat. "How have you been?"

"I've been better." Toshiro shrugged. "It took me a while to get used to all the new faces."

"I'll bet." Shunsui grinned foxily. "How are the royal girls in your realm, eh?"

Quirking an eyebrow at him to say 'seriously?', Toshiro ignored the comment, his thoughts straying instead to a certain Substitute.

Ichigo arrived and his thoughts were quickly scrambled. Right, Karin's brother would be watching him now. This was going to make things difficult for them.

"How's Karin?" The orange haired Reaper asked immediately.

"She's only been there without you for a day, I'm pretty sure she's fine." Toshiro sighed. 'Though I wish you'd be gone longer.' Hyorinmaru laughed.

The young man grunted, suspicious, but said no more.

Over time the others willing to come began to arrive. The Head Captain was staying to keep the Thirteen Court Guard Squads running and his Lieutenant never left his side. Soi Fon had reluctantly left her Lieutenant in charge, with an order to her Third Seat to keep an eye on him, and was also coming. Squad Three was staying, the Squad Four Captain was going, as was the Squad Five Captain. Toshiro hid his slight disappointment at Momo's refusal to go.

Squads Six and Seven were also sending both Captain and Lieutenant, though once they made it there Iba decided he'd be better off staying and left. Squads Nine, Ten and Eleven were also going, including Ikkaku, and, to finish it off, Lieutenant Nemu would also be going, her 'father' having other interesting things to do but still wanting information on the Soul King's Realm.

"I suppose that's everybody." Soi Fon pointed out. "Can Lieutenant Kusajishi even go?"

"Would you like to try and separate her?" Kukaku snickered.

The assassin looked towards the tiny, pink haired child sitting on the giant Squad Eleven Captain. She paid no attention whatsoever to the conversation, giggling happily.

"If she can withstand Zaraki's power she can survive the Soul King's Realm." Toshiro said, standing. "If that's everyone we best be going."

"Oi!" A voice called out.

Yoruichi arrived in a flash, utilizing Ruala's teachings in Flash Step, along with Kisuke.

"Don't think you're leaving us behind, Ice Prince." The she-cat smirked.

"It's a good thing we got Kurosaki's message in time." Kisuke beamed, eyes hidden by his hat to hide any nefarious scheme planning.

"Anyone else?" Hitsugaya questioned with a frown. The two that had just arrived shook their heads. "Alright, now we can leave."

With only a little bickering they all managed to fit inside and the Shiba family sent the Tenchuren back to its home realm, those inside who were new to this experience surprised by how little of a jolt there was during launch. They were at the Soul King's Realm in no time and filing back out, faces lighting up in wonder or shock at the scenery around them. Others hid their excitement while two or three truly just did not care.

"The air here is definitely heavier with Spirit Energy." Sajin noted, all of them able to feel, even if only a little bit, the pressuring feeling in the air. When they focused back on Toshiro, most of them could no longer sense his Spiritual Pressure, as he'd let it rise to the level he normally kept it at in his home.

"This way." He called back behind him as he headed forward along the Vestibule Road. "And please don't attack my dragon."

They looked confused, wondering if he meant Hyorinmaru, before a large blue dragon flew over them, circling back around with sweeping movements of his wings and landing next to their guide. Toshiro greeted Myndræl with a smile and a pat before he started walking once more, the ice drake walking with him. Thankfully they were used to Dyrilæn and did not react in any sort of threatening manner to his presence.

"Where's Karin?" Ichigo questioned, still worried about his sister being alone with the young prince, especially after how friendly they seemed with each other during the twins' birthday.

"On that island." Toshiro motioned to the biggest one with the waterfall tumbling off its edge, a forest somewhat visible atop it. "Most likely still with the Greenleaf Family, one of the most powerful Royal Families."

"The Greenleaf Head is his aunt." Myndræl added.

"Myndræl." Toshiro frowned up at the dragon; he hadn't intended to tell them that. The dragon lowered his head in apology. "But yes, Sylfie Greenleaf is my aunt."

They saw something red lift off of the island and head towards them.

"And now Karin is heading our way." Toshiro pointed out with some sarcasm to his voice considering that information was quite obvious. "We can meet up with her in the palace."

Just like Senjumaru had done for him, Toshiro led them all to the lowered stone platform, Myndræl lifting off to meet them in the palace, and whispered a small phrase, the platform rising while taking barely any of his Spirit Energy to do so. Yachiru watched this with fascination, jumping off for a moment to peer over the edge as they rose up. Being the closest, Byakuya had to pull her back before her head got crushed between stone as they arrived inside the palace. A few of them were excited now as they realized they were inside the palace of the Soul King. They wondered if they would have the honor of meeting him.

They followed Toshiro along the same path he'd once been guided through, except he did not go to his father's floor. Kirio had told him about a floor designed for having many guests that were there for training, which is exactly what they needed. Plus it had a large open area for easy access by the dragons. Toshiro wondered if any of the dragons would partner with them as they had for him and Karin, but somehow he doubted that. Karin was lucky that hers was one of the more tame wild ones, and the other five or so dragons that were friendly towards humans showed no possible relation to anyone here, as the dragons always seemed to have similar powers as their partners.

"All the rooms are open for use." He turned and said to his followers as they made it to their destination.

The floor was simple and reminded most of them of the Kuchiki Manor. The main room had several couches and tables for lounging and socializing and was pretty big, though there was a large area near the wall where the ceiling opened up and the floor turned from the soft wood of normal homes to solid rock, a few scratches already across it. It was there Myndræl and Dyrilæn sat with Karin next to the latter, the girl darting over and greeting her brother with a quick hug.

"You didn't give me time to power up, idiot." She snapped at him playfully. Ichigo laughed.

"No can do, kiddo." He ruffled her hair, causing her to scowl at him.

"Get settled in." Toshiro said to them, catching their attention. "When you want to begin just send a Spirit Butterfly." He let one such white butterfly rest on his finger before it fluttered away. "They work the same way as a Hell Butterfly."

"What will you be doing?" Rangiku questioned, wondering what her former Captain was always busy with.

"I'm still training myself." He held his right hand up, showing his birthmark with only one symbol on it.

That done, he left astride Myndræl and towards Dragon Isle. Karin wondered what he was going there for, having expected him to head to the Kingdom of Magika.

"So you've already been here." Ikkaku caught her attention.

"Yeah but I haven't been on this floor." She shrugged. "There are a lot of them, try not to get lost."

"But you could at least tell us how things work here." Rukia suggested and the Substitute nodded.

The large group of Soul Reapers separated off into rooms, some doubling up if it was available to keep themselves close together. Karin decided to share a room with her brother, knowing full well the orange haired Reaper didn't agree to her being alone with Toshiro.

Later that evening she sat with her dragon, looking out towards Dragon Isle. The young prince had gotten out of there as fast as he could, it seemed, proving Sylfie's point that he was trying to distance himself, to remain neutral.

Sighing, Karin waited no longer and asked Dyrilæn to take her to the island. She hadn't gotten the chance to tell him about the idea she'd come up with that could possibly earn him two more marks anyway, so it was a good excuse. The others didn't seem to find any reason to keep her as she took off upon the scarlet dragoness and away from them.

Well, not all of them. Rukia and Rangiku kept Ichigo forcefully in his seat. He wasn't about to mess this up.


Ugh I hate these late posts. I'm posting at school so can't talk now. Enjoy!