Chapter 48: Gotei 13 Invading Arc: Next Move

Minata's POV

"How in the world did we end up in this mess again Master?"

"Two words Mizukiri: Kagerōza Inaba." I say, my answer earning an annoyed groan from the blonde haired spirit. Me, along with a sizable number of the high seated officers of the Gotei 13, were meeting inside Ichigo Kurosaki's bedroom, listening and contributing to a discussion of the events that revolved around Inaba and the Dangai. Most of the lieutenants were here, along with the captains of the Sixth, Seventh, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Divisions. With all these high ranked officers stuck here in the Human World, it definitely makes one worried about the situation back in the Soul Society.

"Just think: hours ago, we were tasked to be a part of Captain Kurotsuchi's security detail, and somehow, we get stuck in the Human World, we find Inaba, confront him, he ends up escaping, and now here we are talking about the current situation in the ryoka's bedroom."

"Okay, for starters Kiri, the ryoka has a name. It's Ichigo. We don't need to call him 'ryoka' anymore," I advise as I try to listen to Captain Kurotsuchi's remarks. "And secondly, yes, what you said just now is true. However, what's done is done. We can't rewrite the past, no matter how much we want to."

"But I really, really want to . . ."

"I do too sometimes. I do too." I say as the shinigami around us start to disperse; some leaving through the window while others took the more conventional route and walked out the door. "Come along Kiri. Let's get some fresh air."

"That sounds lovely, and since this meeting didn't give us that much of a concrete plan to go by, I suggest we take a look around the neighborhood. . ." I hear her say as I follow a few of the lieutenants out the window. "It has been a while since we've visited the Human World hasn't it?"

"It's true that it has been a while since our last visit," I admit as we jump down to the sidewalk. "But it wouldn't feel right to just explore the Human World for a bit while a madman does who knows what back in Soul Society now would it?"

"Well, when you put it that way, it does sound pretty bad . . . Thanks for making me feel bad Master," says Kiri as a pout dominates her face. "I feel so much better now."

"You're welcome. Besides, someone had to talk you down to earth. You may have good ideas at times, but they're just not right for the current moment," I say with the simplest of shrugs. "So, do you have any other ideas you want to suggest?"

"None in the slightest . . ."she tells me as her face goes blank. Her eyes turn to face something behind me, so I turn my head to see Byakuya & Senbonzakura emerging from Kurosaki's front yard a few feet away. Up ahead, Captains Hitsugaya, Komamura, and Zaraki were standing on the roof, but quickly shunpoed out of sight, their reiatsu heading in the direction of a certain exiled ex-captain's shop. "Now why are they heading off to Urahara's shop now?"

"Urahara has figured out a way to open a door back into Soul Society. It's not completely foolproof, but it is the best that he could do on such short notice." says Senbonzakura, his gaze going in the direction of where the shop was.

"Thanks to communication being down between the two worlds, we have no idea what the situation is exactly in the Sereitei. Therefore, we have decided that it would be best for us captains to travel back there to see what can be done to stop the threat that is Kagerōza Inaba," Byakuya further adds as he turns to me. "Captain Kurotsuchi has declined our idea, saying that he will figure out his own way to travel back. While we are gone, it is expected that the rest of you will hold back here in the Human World."

"Inaba definitely wants that Nozomi girl, which means he'll definitely send some of his regais after her, or better yet, he'll come for her himself once he realizes you and the other captains are gone," I say, my comment gaining a look of slight annoyance from the Sixth Division Captain. "What? You know what I just said is a distinct possibility."

"Inaba will most likely send his regais, and with his control over the Dangai, he could easily come back here to the Human World and close the Dangai to any other travelers behind him, thus preventing shinigami in the Soul Society from coming here to help the rest of you." says the still annoyed looking captain, as if he didn't want to entertain the thought . . . I couldn't blame him.

"You mean, preventing you captains from coming back if that was the case, right?" I ask as I notice our zanpakutos talking to each other a few feet away.

"If you want to be specific," Byakuya reluctantly admits as a small grin appears on my face. "The plan we captains came up with is at best risky, but also necessary. In this mission, nothing is truly for certain."

"When you put it that way, you do make a good point," I say, my eyes going toward the sky. "Just because Urahara has managed to create a doorway for you guys, doesn't mean you'll make it to Soul Society scot free, not with Inaba controlling the entire Dangai, the Kotōtsu included. And there's also the troubles that you'll have to face when you finally get back to the Soul Society. Who knows? You may end up fighting the reigai version of yourself."

"If that does end up being the case, I will just have to cut him down then," he counters, his tone hiding a slight trace of self-confidence. "As for the Kotōtsu, I'll cross that bridge once I come to it."

"Self-confident as always I see . . ." I say with a smirk, my comment earning me a sharp look from the sometime aloof captain. "Save the look for later Byakuya. You have a mission to attend to don't you?"

"You have me there . . . This isn't over between us Mina. We'll talk about your tendency to act snippy later."

I couldn't help but let the annoyance show on my face at his last comment. I tried to get one last remark in, but he quickly disappears with the slightest of smirks on his face, his reiatsu heading straight for Urahara's shop. When I turn my head, Senbonzakura is gone as well, and my own zanpakuto is staring at me with a bemused expression on her face.

"Whatever you do Mizukiri, do not laugh. Don't even chuckle."

"As you wish Master. As you wish."

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