Chapter 26: The Beginning of the Invasion

Ichigo and Shiro sat in their homeroom class. The teacher's voice echoed in the background, but was on mute for both boys. After watching Rukia leave they had followed Urahara to his shoten where he revealed some things to them. After listening to him, the two brother's had gone home. Neither had slept very good.

Urahara looked at the two boys from under his hat. "Basically those two had taken Rukia were supposed to arrest her," he paused to save his paper can in front of his face. "however, now that they knew Rukia was set up things are going to get complicated very quickly." He took a deep breath, as if what he was going to say would change things. " you see, there is a traitor in Soul Society, but because he is very cunning and a master at manipulation, none have caught on and those who have, have had their reputation dragged through the mud and they made out to be the villain." He seemed very upset about this as his voice tightened, he also fisted his hand holding the paper fan. "I was one of those who figured him out, but I was too late; Shinji and the others paid for my mistake."

"Wait," Shiro stated holding his hand up. "You mean the traitor caused them to have their hollow sides?"

Urahara was impressed once more at how quickly Shiro had picked up on them having hollows. He was about to answer when Ichigo spoke. "They have hollows in them?" he inquired causing his brother to nod. " and they gave you shit for being a former one? What the fuck!?"

Urahara gave a nod. "Yes, Shiro. He created their hollows in them, but I helped them to regain control when I was suppose to kill them." Both young men looked at him with horror. "But couldn't do it. I thought I could stop the hollowfication and return them to who they had been before." He shook his head. "The time I took to do so was long enough that the traitor was able to make others believe I had done this despicable thing on my own." He then set his eyes on the two boy's with a seriousness in them. "He is the one who has set these accusations against Miss Rukia and I fear he will act on his plans very soon."

It didn't take a genius to understand why he was telling them these things. "What do you want from us?" Ichigo asked without hesitation.

Urahara looked at them with shame at having to request this of them. "Save Soul Society from him and reveal him for the traitor he is so they will have a fighting chance against his plans." As he spoke he bowed towards them so that his face touched the ground.

"As if ya gotta ask." Shiro spoke cockily. "Our friend is in danger now, we've gotta help her."

Ichigo nodded in agreement. "Rukia risked her life for us and our family on multiple occasions. We can't let one bastard have his way if it means she gets hurt."

Urahara smiled at their words with sorrowful pride. These two had surprised him on multiple times and yet he was once again surprised by their selflessness. I will need to get them help. Perhaps their friends? He had a feeling both boys would rip him a new one if they knew he was planning on sending their friends with them. "Thank-you." he said as he sat up. "I will train you for tens days and then you will go with Yoruichi to Soul Society."

Ten days. They had ten days to train and only a few to say goodbye to everyone. There was a strong possibility that this would be a suicide mission. They may never see their family or their friends again. They might die. The help rang signaling class dismissal, this helped to bring the two back to the present.

Yoruichi's black tail twitched in annoyance at Urahara's request. Damn that man. These are children! They didn't need this shit. Still, she understood his reasoning in getting them involved. If that man won the inevitable war in Soul Society, what stopped him from involving the people of the living world? Nothing.

She saw Orihime and the large man named Chad coming out of the school gates. It was hard to believe that everything was going to be riding upon the shoulders of these children. Standing she walked over to them. Orihime was the first to see her before Chad and was the only one out of the two not shocked that she could speak. Taking them to a secure location she began to tell them everything that had happened the night before and that Rukia, along with the rest of Soul Society was in danger. As soon as she mentioned Ichigo and Shiro's names, both were in on helping out.

Within the Seireitei where the thirteen court guards and their divisions were, Rukia Kuchiki stood nervously beside her captain; Jushiro had a frown upon his otherwise pristine face. The white haired captain was upset about the events that forced Rukia to have to come to the place they were. For the past two weeks the proceedings had been delayed, causing many to question why. Ahead of duo was her brother, Byakuya Kuchiki, who was finally able to give the report as to how and where they had found Rukia; along with the evidence of her innocence. Captain Kurotsuchi looked to itching at being able to bring forth some evidence as well.

As soon as the noble birthed captain was finished he stepped back into his place. Kurotsuchi spoke. "Upon examining the malfunctioning device, I found that Miss Kuchiki really had been sending daily reports. Unfortunately, because it had errors within its code, the reports weren't coming through." His gleaming yellow teeth showed as he smiled. "However, what was interesting wasn't the device but the gigai that was being used by Lieutenant Kuchiki. It wasn't one that I made! It's highly advanced with properties that could only be made by one person; Kisuke Urahara!" Gasps filled the room by those in the head captains chambers. Rukia's eyes widened. She had wondered what they had done with The gigai she'd been given.

The excited and confused voices began overlapping in the room causing too much commotion. A staff banging at the head of the room caused all to look towards the head captain, an old man with a long white beard and wrinkled face; Genryusai Yamamoto. "Kisuke Urahara, is one of the most wanted criminals of Soul Society." Yamamoto's voice, though old held strength within it. "Lieutenant Kuchiki, you will tell us where this man is! If you do not comply, actions will be taken against you."

All eyes turned towards the small young woman standing next to her kind and gentle captain. Determination filled Rukia. Her time with Ichigo and Shiro had changed her view on many things, Urahara included. There was only one answer for the demand of the Head Captain and nobody was going to like it. Opening her mouth to answer only for the alarms to suddenly begin going off as intruders began invading the Seireitei.

M-Angel: Sorry for the long wait on this chapter. I've been so very busy on my days off that I haven't had the time to write in awhile. So the invasion is about to begin. I hope every on is ready for the fight scenes! ^_^

H. Yazuki-chan - Aw. I'm so glad you like how I'm writing Shiro. I love writing his interactions. He's an interesting character.

Mokoshiroku115 - I think I answered before, but I am aiming for Ichigo/Rukia and Shiro/Orihime for the pairings.

Bob19h- I haven't decided on the bow. I may just combine the sword and bow like the magna did in the final arc. No on Shiro. I already revealed his Shikai and I've got a big surprise for his bankai.