Hanashiro, Neko, Gin, and Hotokegi emerged from the Garganta in midair over Karakura Town.

"Wow, its daylight here!" Neko said in awe.

"Night and day is different in each world, Neko. Hueco Mundo seems to be the only world that doesn't have a daytime cycle…that's unless you're inside Los Noches." Hanashiro explained as Gin chuckled.

"Ah but at least there it was always just the right temperature. It's rather hot out here today." Gin said, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"So where do we-…" Hanashiro was about to ask before he heard…

"Ban-KAI!!! Tensa Zangetsu!"

He quickly drew Kuroseika and spun just in time to have Ichigo's blade slam into him, driving him back a fair distance.

"It seems that we've been discovered already." Gin said as he turned towards the park where Captains Ukitake and Kyoraku were flying up to meet them.

"Gin Ichimaru, what brings you back here so soon?" Kyoraku asked politely.

"Such a warm reception. We're here to surrender. I plead guilty and throw myself at the mercy of Rangiku Matsumoto." Gin said extending his arms with the palms of his hands facing upwards as if expecting a pair of handcuffs to be slapped on them at any second.

"Yeah um, we're here to surrender like he said." Neko said with her hands up in the air.

"Does someone want to stop Kurosaki from murdering his own flesh and blood?" Gin asked motioning towards Ichigo as he attempted to kill Hanashiro who kept dodging and blocking his attacks.

"What are you talking about?" Tatsuki asked as she hovered up with them, still glowing with flames.

"All in due time but shouldn't we be locked up first?" Gin asked.

Meanwhile, Ichigo flew in with a swing of his sword, nearly dealing a deadly blow.

"Ichigo! Hold on! I SURRENDER!" Hanashiro yelled between attacks.

"You put Rukia into a coma! Like I'm going to show you any mercy!?" Ichigo yelled angrily. He then prepared to strike again but he instead heard…

"Santen Kesshun! I REJECT!!!"

Before he could swing his sword, the triangular shield of Orihime's fairies appeared. They both looked down to see Orihime smiling up at them both. Hanashiro slowly landed down on the ground near her and quickly opened up the bag from around his shoulder. He then smiled as he reached in and pulled out an unscathed Enraku.

"I'm back, Orihime, as promised." He said as Orihime started tearing up and quickly threw her arms around him with a smile on her face.



Later…

In the underground training area, Hanashiro and Gin were both trapped inside of separate Kido barriers being generated by Hachi and Tessai. Neko and the still masked Hotokegi were bound with special metal handcuffs on their wrists and ankles. Ichigo, Byakuya, Unohana, Toshiro, Kenpachi, Jushiro, and Shunsui were standing in a line before the two prisoners. The Visoreds, Arrancar, Kisuke, Yoruichi, Isshin, the entire Karakura Defense Squad, and the additional reinforcements were also present to witness the "interrogation." The respective Zanpakutos of the four had been confiscated and now Isshin held Hensen Tatsujin in his hands.

"Why have you returned to the World of the Living?" Toshiro asked interrogatively.

"We're no longer serving Sosuke Aizen. I have no reason to anymore. I have disowned him as my father." Hanashiro replied.

"You expect us to believe that bunch of crap?" Grimmjow asked.

"Silence, Grimmjow." Halibel hissed.

"Why? From everything I've heard, your whole reason for siding with him was because he is your father. You seemed content to serve him for that reason alone. What is it that changed your mind?" Toshiro asked.

"I refuse to be party to the plans of a man who seeks to overthrow all that the Soul Reapers stand for. I might not be a Soul Reaper anymore, but I'm certainly not an Espada either. I know where my allegiance lies and I'm willing to try and redeem myself in any way I can, even if it leads to my own execution. I only ask that I be allowed to say my peace." Hanashiro said as the Captains looked at each other. Unohana, Jushiro, and Shunsui nodded in agreement. Byakuya didn't respond, signaling he abstained from the vote. Ichigo abstained as well, only standing with an angered scowl on his face, glaring at the traitor.

"Very well." Toshiro said as Hanashiro reached into his robe and pulled the hairclip necklace out from underneath it. Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Shinji looked at each other first with surprised looked then with knowing smirks.

"I think we're about to hear a little story." Kisuke said as he and the other two approached the Captain's line.

"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked.

"He means that I've fulfilled a vow that I made years ago before I became a Soul Reaper. I've found out who I really am. This hairclip is proof. It's the matches the one I gave Orihime which is the same one my biological mother gave me before sending me away to Rukongai." Hanashiro said as Isshin stepped up closer to inspect the necklace. Finally he smirked.

"It's genuine." He said as the bystanders started murmuring amongst themselves.

"What difference does that make? So he's found his mother. Big deal." Ichigo scoffed as Hanashiro looked straight at him.

"It makes a huge difference. My name, the one that I was born with, is Hanashiro Kurosaki of the Kurosaki Clan." Hanashiro replied as the crowd fell silent. Even the Captains were surprised, even Byakuya's eyes were widened. The only ones not surprised were Kisuke, Yoruichi, Tessai, Shinji, and curiously, Isshin.

"What?! Impossible! It's IMPOSSIBLE!!!" Ichigo yelled.

"YEAH! No way an Aizen can be a Kurosaki as well!" Karin yelled.

"Would you at least give me a chance to explain?!" Hanashiro asked quieting the two dissenters.

"I don't know the story. My mother never had enough time to tell me herself but she said that there were several people here who could vouch for my claim." Hanashiro said as he turned and looked towards the three former Captains. Soon all eyes were on them as well.

"Miss Yoruichi? Is it really true?" Yuzu asked.

"It is. Kisuke, Tessai, Shinji, and I were there one hundred and eleven years ago when Hanashiro here was born. Kisuke, being the only one who knew anything about childbirth helped, Kaichou deliver. Tessai provided a special Kido anesthetic to help Kaichou out as well as using a Kido barrier to hide his already high level of spiritual pressure. I got to play midwife, and Shinji just happened to be one of the few who knew about Kaichou's pregnancy." Yoruichi explained, giving Hanashiro a smile the entire time.

"Kenny, where do babies come from?" Yachiru asked, causing nearly the entire room to sweat drop, Kenpachi included.

"I'll tell ya later brat." Kenpachi said as Yachiru shrugged.

"Okay Kenny." Yachiru replied with a naïve smile, satisfied with his answer.

"So what you're saying…is that Arupejio and I are actually related?" Ichigo asked.

"Cousins actually." Shinji corrected.

"Would one of you then be able to provide us with a testimony of what exactly happened?" Toshiro asked.

"Well I can actually go one better. If you'll just allow us to turn back the hands of time for a moment, all will become clear. It all started one hundred and eleven years ago, the morning before the Vizard incident, when the Soul Reaper Women's Association was preparing to vote to induct its newest member…" Kisuke said as he started to tell the story…



111 years ago…

Captain Kaichou "Black Wrangler" Kurosaki, Captain of Squad Fourteen, a historical research and recovery division of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, sat on the front porch of the Kurosaki Estate. She was taking a sip of tea when she noticed something move behind the bed of Hanashiro flowers near the Koi pond. She sighed and reached for her Zanpakuto.

"You've got five seconds to get out of there before I start swinging the chop hand, Shunsui." Kaichou said as the Eighth Division Captain poked his head up from behind the flowers. One said flower clutched in his teeth.

"Ah your ability to distinguish a person's Reiatsu is impressive Kaichou." Shunsui said as Kaichou's eye twitched.

"I didn't have to sense your Reiatsu to know it was you Shunsui. You're the only one who tries to pull this stupid stuff…you, and Isshin, before my idiot brother left. The trick with you is that-..." Kaichou said before quickly thrusting her elbow back, smashing it into Captain Shinji Hirako's crotch as he attempted to sneak up on her. "…-you're always the diversion."

Shinji promptly fell to the floor behind her in the fetal position and praying there wasn't any permanent damage. Kaichou simply continued drinking her tea.

"You're cruel, Wrangler." Shinji whimpered.

"It's what you get for trying to sneak up on me Shinji." Kaichou replied casually as Retsu Unohana entered the estate grounds and noticed Shinji's distress. She immediately knew why however.

"You're so violent with some of the other Captains, Kaichou. But I'm certain it was well deserved." Retsu said with one of her smiles.

"Yeah it was Retsu. So is the Women's Association meeting today?" Kaichou asked as Unohana nodded.

"It is. They're meeting in the Squad Eight meeting room in a few minutes." Retsu replied.

"It's why I'm here and not there. For some odd reason Lisa won't let me attend the meetings." Shunsui said, tapping his chin while receiving a wry glare from Kaichou.

"Can't imagine why." She said sarcastically before turning back to Retsu. "So what's this meeting about anyway?"

"It seems that Captain Shihoin of Squad Two and the Punishment Force is requesting that her subordinate and protégé, Soi Fon, be admitted into the Soul Reaper Women's Association. The rules state that we, as founders and the chairmen of the Association, must be present for the vote and then preside over the subsequent induction." Retsu said as Kaichou nodded.

"I didn't think you had to be reminded of the rules Wrangler, you wrote half of them after all." Shunsui said as Kaichou glared at him.

"SHINIGAMI CHOP!!!"

The two Captains were walking towards the barracks when they heard an explosion from nearby. Neither of them was particularly fazed however. They then paused, allowing a group of frightened Soul Reaper men to run past in terror, away from the source of the explosion.

"It seems your Lieutenant is at it again." Retsu said as Kaichou nodded. Soon a one armed woman, with raven hair, Rangiku rivaling breasts, and a Lieutenant's armband on her remaining arm, came flying around the corner.

"COME BACK HERE COWARDS!" Lieutenant Kukaku Shiba yelled, shaking her remaining fist at the fleeing Soul Reapers. She then noticed the two Captains standing next to her.

"(Ahem) I assume then that you're ready to attend the meeting?" Kaichou asked as Kukaku sweat dropped.

"Uh…yes ma'am." Kukaku replied as she dropped in line with the two Captains. She had lost her arm in a recent experiment with Kisuke Urahara, the Captain of the Twelfth Division, who (along with Kaichou) was trying to develop a device called the "Flower Crane Cannon." Her arm had been lost due to her using too much Kido and subsequently her entire arm exploded. She and Kaichou got along well. A sisterly bond seemed to exist between the two.

Soon they had reached the Squad Eight Meeting room. As they entered they immediately noticed all the members sitting in a random seating order around a trio of tables all facing towards the center of the room where a pair of podiums sat in front of a chalkboard.

Seated at the tables was a bored looking Twelfth Division Lieutenant, Hiyori Sarugaki, the young Eighth Division Officer, Nanao Ise, with Eighth Division Lieutenant and Women's Association Vice-President, Lisa Yadomaru sitting and reading a story to her from a large book. Then there was Squad Two Captain Yoruichi Shihoin with her young protégé Soi Fon sitting and discussing something irrelevant to the rest of those gathered. Ninth Division Lieutenant and Women's Association President, Mashiro Kuna sat stuffing her mouth with rice cakes. The discussion suddenly stopped when Unohana, Kaichou, and Kukaku arrived. Everyone instead leapt to their feet in respect.

"Be seated ladies." Unohana said as she and Kaichou made their way to a pair of seats at the center of the table. Kukaku simply grabbed the last empty seat available. Lisa proceeded to stand at the podium at the left while Mashiro stood at the podium to the right, continuing to stuff her face with rice cakes.

"This meeting of the Soul Reaper Women's Association shall now come to order. Before we begin with today's main topic, is there anything to report?" Lisa asked. Hiyori raised her hand.

"Yes Lieutenant Sarugaki?" Lisa asked.

"I could use suggestions on how to knock down a dumbass guy." Hiyori replied. She was obviously referring to Kisuke Urahara and pretty much everyone knew it.

"Ah! Subsection C, page one thirty one of the "Soul Reaper's Women's Association Guidebook to Acting Ladylike," no swearing in the presence of Association members who are considered minors by terms of age." Yoruichi reprimanded, referring to the presence of Nanao Ise (and perhaps Soi Fon but the latter was noticeably older than Nanao) as Lisa nodded.

"Captain Shihoin is correct Lieutenant Sarugaki. That would be your fifth violation of this rule within a meeting since the last two meetings. The rules clearly state that the President must decide on the punishment." Lisa said, turning towards Mashiro, still eating rice cakes.

"Madam President." Lisa said in an effort to get Mashiro's attention, to no avail. "MADAM PRESIDENT!!!"

"What?" Mashiro asked.

"Your sentence for Lieutenant Sarugaki's violation?" Lisa asked.

"Umm…go get everyone some rice cakes! The marshmallow kind!" Mashiro ordered as Hiyori rolled her eyes and walked off in compliance.

"Things are kinda lax in the S.W.A. Wouldn't you say Retsu?" Kaichou asked as Retsu nodded.

"Yes but only slightly." Retsu replied.

"I have one thing to report. I've been having difficulty with a certain superior officer not of my squad and I could use a suggestion on how to deal with him." Lisa said.

"Captain Hirako of Squad Five?" Kaichou asked with a bored tone.

"Uh yes ma'am, how did you know?" Lisa replied with a surprised expression.

"Leave Hirako to me, I'll deal with him. He won't be bothering you any more when I'm through." Kaichou said with a dark smile.

"Okay? Um if that's all of our reports, then let us move onto our main topic of the evening. Captain Shihoin I believe that you would like to recommend someone for membership?" Lisa asked as Yoruichi nodded.

"This is Soi Fon. She's one of my Squad Two members. She's loyal and trustworthy. I've already arranged it so that she will eventually be my successor as Captain of Squad Two and so with that, I call for a vote of induction." Yoruichi said.

"Second." Kukaku said, raising her hand.

"Motion called and seconded, all in favor please raise your hand." Lisa said as all of the present members raised their hand.

"All opposed?" No hands rose.

"Motion carried unanimously. Chairwomen Unohana and Wrangler, I believe the rules call for you to make the induction greeting?" Lisa asked as Kaichou and Unohana moved around to the podiums. Hiyori then returned with a box of rice cakes, setting them in front of her chair on the table.

"Miss Soi Fon, it has been decided that you are to be welcomed into the Soul Reaper Women's Association, with welcoming arms." Kaichou said proudly. Soi Fon suppressed a smile in an effort to act humble.

"Please do your best and strive to be all that you can be. But always remember that you are a woman and a member of the S.W.A. The women of the Fourteen Court Guard Squads will be looking to you to be an example to them all." Unohana said with a comforting smile.

"Ain't that right ladies?" Kaichou asked as they all leapt up onto their feet.

"Yes ma'am!!!" they replied in unison. Kaichou instantly turned on a hidden record player causing music to start playing. (Music Cue: Bleach Live Bankai Show Code 002: "Josei Shinigami Kyoukai") The women quickly pushed the tables, chairs, and podium, up against the wall before gathering in the center and singing together…

"Senjou ni ikiru watashi tachi (We live on the battlefield)
isamashiku kekki sakan (We're valiant and vigorous)
sore koso ga takaki hokori (That is what we're proud of)
Onna no kagirinai kanousei misete ageyou (We'll show you the unlimited potential of women)
hito wo shiritakya mazu onna wo shire" (If you want to know about humans, first you must know about women)

Then they started walking around in a clockwise circle around Kaichou and Unohana who stood back to back, singing…

"Josei shinigami kyoukai tadaima kaigichuu" (The Female Shinigami Association, is in meeting right now!)

Then the women stopped, and Lisa stepped forward…

"Odai ichi dame na otoko no korogashikata" (First Topic: How to knock down no good men)

Then the women started walking the opposite direction…

"Josei shinigami kyoukai tadaima kaigichuu" (The Female Shinigami Association, is in meeting right now!)

Then the women stopped and Kukaku stepped forward…

"Odai ni ibaru otoko no keotoshikata." (Second Topic: How to kick down cocky males.)

Then they all sang together…

"Hallelujah! Hallelujah! -lujah! –lujah! –lujah! –lujah! – lujah!"

Then Kaichou and Unohana stepped forward and sang in unison…

"Dewa honjitsu mo utsukushiku mairimashou" (Then let us go with grace today.)

Then the rest of the women sang…

"Kamisama ga tsukutta ikkyuuhin (God's number one creation)
onna desu mono (That's a woman!)
onna desu kara (It's a woman!)
hai otsukaresama kaisan" (Okay! Good work! Meeting over!)

The women then gathered in the center again singing…

"Senjou ni ikiru watashi tachi (We live on the battlefield)
uruoi wo wasurenai (Don't forget to profit)
sore koso ga shin no tsuyosa (That is true strength)
onna no okubukai yutakasa (Show how deep and plentiful women are)
misete ageyou hito wo shiritakya mazu onna wo shire" (If you want to know about people, first you must know about women)

The women then started walking in the clockwise circle again singing…

"Josei shinigami kyoukai tadaima kaigichuu" (The Female Shinigami Association, is in meeting right now!)

Then they stopped and Yoruichi and Soi Fon stepped forward and sang in unison…

"Odai san hiyowa na otoko no kitaekata" (Third Topic: How to train up timid males)

Then the women started walking in the counterclockwise circle again singing…

"Josei shinigami kyoukai tadaima kaigichuu" (The Female Shinigami Association, is in meeting right now!)

Then they stopped and then Hiyori stepped forward and sang…

"Odai yon uragitta otoko e no fukushuu no shikata" (Fourth Topic: How to get revenge on men who have betrayed you)

Then the women sang…

"–lujah! –lujah! –lujah! – lujah!"

Then Kaichou and Unohana sang in unison…

"Dewa honjitsu mo azayaka ni mairimashou" (Then let us go with brilliance today.)

Then they all sang in unison…

"Jinsei wa marude daigekijou (Life is a large theater!)
yarase desu mono (Let us perform)
yarase desu kara (Got to perform)
hai otsukaresama tesshuu" (Okay! Good work! Split up!)

Then the women, except for Kaichou and Unohana who stood off at the ends, formed a single kick line while singing…

"Kyou mo ikite yuku warera arashi no (We're living today again as a storm…)
Josei! Shinigami! Kyoukai! (The Female! Shinigami! Association!)
kyou mo ikite yuku warera arashi no (We're living today again as a storm…)
Josei! Shinigami! Kyoukai!!!" (The Female! Shinigami! Association!)

And with that the music came to a close and Kaichou gave the women an approving nod.

"Well done ladies! Meeting adjourned." Kaichou said as the women started to disperse. Just then there was a knock at the door to the meeting room. Unohana opened the door to reveal a man in Soul Reaper uniform, bowing on his hands and knees.

"Can we help you?" Kaichou asked.

"Captain Wrangler! Captain Unohana! I've been sent by Lieutenant Kaien Shiba of Squad Thirteen! He says that Captain Ukitake needs medical attention and fast!" the man reported.

"Oh dear, we better hurry." Unohana said as she turned towards where Kaichou was standing just in time for her to see Kaichou blow a hole in the wall with Shakkaho and disappear through it. Unohana wasn't far behind.



End Chapter 46.

The song above was "Josei Shinigami Kyoukai" from the Bleach Live Bankai Show: Code 002.

"The Zanpakuto Alive"

Chimpette Zabimaru sighed in despair. She was staring down the most dreaded aisle of the entire grocery store...the cereal aisle. Zabimaru, as a whole, had been sent to get groceries since there were none at the house. Snakey was sitting on the ground behind her, picking his nose with his pinky and completely ignorant of the next aisle.

"Okay what's on the list now Chimpette?" Snakey asked bored.

"You've got the list idiot, you tell me." Chimpette replied.

"Here take it!" Snakey grumbled as he handed Chimpette a snot covered piece of folded paper. Chimpette wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"Snakey you idiot! Augh!" she grumbled as she unfolded the paper.

"Okay, besides the basics of milk, butter, eggs, flower, sugar, and bread, we have...ugh Sode I can't read your writing...and why did you have to draw little snow bunnies on here too?!" Chimpette grumbled.

"Maybe you're too dumb to read it." Snakey snickered.

"Shut up! Well I guess I'll have to translate it as best that I can." Chimpette replied as she moved on, inadvertently forgetting the…

"(GASP) CEREAL AISLE!!!" Snakey yelled excitedly as he raced down the aisle, unintentionally dragging Chimpette along with him by the chain.

Back at the Zanpakuto house...

"Well it seems that the shopping went well...but why did you get forty different brands of cereal?" Sode no Shirayuki asked curiously as Chimpette gave her a death glare. Snakey was sitting off to the side, opening cereal boxes and digging out the prizes inside of each one and then discarding the whole box.

"You ever try getting through a grocery store with a snot nosed kid trying to load down the cart on each aisle?" Chimpette asked angrily, glowing with red spiritual energy. Sode promptly backed away.

"I thought not."

End.