The Lost Shinigami

by makoto x chelia

Takumi Urahara, believing himself to be a human who could see spirits yet with no real powers within the crazy world of Shinigami's, and Hollows, went through life trying his best with what little he had to work with, but that changed when he met a certain Shinigami, the same for Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki, and their adventure began, digging into his past, to fight for the future.

19. The break in!

Hello, and welcome to the next chapter!

Oblivious IJ; It might happen, you never know~ Hehe, indeed it really has. That would be rather funny.

Clarent excalibur; Yeah, Takumi's on Kenpachi's list alright, and he wont stop until he's got Takumi in his grasp. Yeah, I do believe it should have happened, it would be great development for Orihime, which will be shown through this series. Toshiro's adorable yeah~ She could do something like that, or co Lieutenant or something, wanting to prove she can do it without Aizen around, and yeah she could become Rukia's, we never found out who Rukia had as her Lieutenant. Yeah, that would be pretty cool. She'd be a good member to have in the harem. That would be pretty cool of Kinhime.

Miraculous Psychic Hero 100; Thanks very much! I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Yeah, I thought it would be pretty cool, and they'll have some moments between them. Not really dislike, it's more like she wants to fight against him. Soi Fon does, and Yoruichi is apart of it, but it isn't the whole reason why she seems to dislike him. She is yeah, we'll have to wait and see what happens with Toshiro, and Nemu.

Skull Flame; That's Takumi for you, if he can't beat them, he outsmarts them! It seems that he does yeah, and he's quite lucky. They do yeah, we'll see a few things happening in the future. Yeah, Takumi just strolled in there, with his Gigai, and basically had a Q&A with them. That was his plan though, he was working out which he could get on side, which weren't, and who he'd have to fight to get what he needs. We will find out more about their relationship in the near future. No, no I don't mind. Yeah, Kisuke's dealing with his own troubles back in the human world with Zombie Chizuru. She's interested in many things, and yeah, it could be a ploy to try and get rid of Takumi so she can have all of the girls to herself.

ShadowUzumaki55; He surely does yeah, but it managed to pay off for him, he understands his opponents more now, and who he has to be on the look out for, who he could potentially get on his side, and he met Aizen...so that's gonna be quite fun when we get towards him among other reasons. Yeah, Mayuri hates him for a numerous reasons. They did yeah, I always felt like Orihime should have met back up with Sora, it would have been great character development. Hehe, Kukaku and Sora have something going on between them huh. Giselle is quite the mysterious girl, so Kukaku is unsure of how to deal with her. It could happen where they meet again.

Silver crow; Thanks very much! For now it didn't but in the future it might. Orihime's been reunited with her sibling, I think it could be good development for Orihime, it's a shame it didn't happen in canon, and yeah, Karin and Yuzu met up with Yuichi! Rukia's aware of him being there now yeah. It seems that they are. It is quite sinister, though for Takumi it doesn't bother him, neither does it Yuzu. He has yeah, and he did see her briefly. Momo and Takumi had some interesting conversations it seems~ He probably would have been around back then, so he'd at least know about Takumi. Aizen seems to have some resignation when it comes to Takumi, since he's rather unpredictable. Yeah, Karin's growing more, and Kukaku's realized that thanks to Giselle. Yeah, Takumi wanted to know more about them, so what better than making a flashy entrance like that? It seems something's going on between him and Yamamoto. He probably would have if he was there. Yeah, he's alright with Kenpachi, he knows Kenpachi is powerful, but he's not intimidated, cautious though. Yeah, a few Captains wanted Takumi, though not in the traditional sense~ Even Unohana got in on the action. Oh yeah, we'll be getting interactions between them in the future, Aizen and Takumi are going to have quite the battle, not only of powers, but of minds as well. Soi Fon's got her reasons that we'll reveal soon, Byakuya's have been hinted at but will be explored more, and Mayuri, he's Mayuri so yeah~ Ooh yeah, Kenpachi's very excited. No worries, just shows you're interested which is great! I can't reveal much, but we'll see how Takumi handles things like that and have glimpses of it. No, he doesn't really repress anything, what you see is who he is, he doesn't really have anything to repress. Kinhime's quite loyal to him yeah. He does yeah, I don't hate Iba or anything, but we don't even know what his Shikai does. Is it even allowed to be co Captains? I know there can be co Lieutenant's but I haven't seen that with Captains, it's a cool idea mind you. Yeah, they wont become involved with Aizen. Yeah, that's what I think. I know, ironic it seems. It would be cool. Yeah, Orihime is going to get more involved in fights. Sure, they could do~ That would be a funny nickname. Soi Fon and Takumi's relationship will be more addressed as we go through this arc. Yeah maybe that could happen. It would be pretty cool huh. He could do something like that with the limiters. Yeah, Takumi let in Shunsui about what was happening subtly. Sure, that could happen. That would be cool, I could see that happening with Komamura.

Andrew123456; We'll find that out in the future~

A fan; It will be revealed in time.

Well, with those lovely reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!

---

The break in!

Walking through the street, was a young Rukia. She wore a kimono with a flowery design on it. She looked to be quite young, and beside her, was a young boy wearing tattered clothing that was barely held together.

In said street, many members of the district they were in gathered to see a few Shinigami walking through the street. Though from where they stood, they couldn't see the faces of the Shinigami, and could only see one tall Shinigami, strolling through the area, with a younger Shinigami trailing off behind him.

"What's going on over there?"

Renji wondered, Rukia furrowed her eyebrows.

"I don't know. Lets check it out."

Rukia, always so confident, strolled forward through the crowd with Renji following after her. Pushing their way through the crowd, they made their way to the front of the crowd, looking on at the Shinigami.

One was Shunsui, who seemed relaxed, and was looking at the beautiful women around with lecherous eyes, and beside him, there was a young boy, with blonde hair and seemed to be around their age, which surprised them more than anything else.

"W-Wow, he's...he's our age Rukia."

"He looks it anyway...and he's a Shinigami? I didn't know you could even be a Shinigami at that age. He must be talented."

"I'll say. Though I bet he's totally stuck up."

Rukia rolled her eyes.

"You're always so pessimistic."

"Don't use words I don't understand!"

Rukia let out a small laugh, while watching the Shinigami interacting. Something about how both seemed...normal. She always assumed that Shinigami acted more noble, but the two before her, weren't acting as if they were better than anyone else. They just acted, as if they were trying to blend in with the situation around them.

Shunsui was trying to get more of the women's attention, while the boy was pulling on the Captain's clothing to gain his attention, and drag him along.

"Alright Captain, you can't keep staring at the girls all day."

"Awww, you're no fun."

He complained, but the boy pulled him along.

"We have to get back to the Seireitei anyway Captain. You have to fill out a report." Shunsui looked at the young boy with a begging expression. The boy exhaled slowly. "You want me to fill out the reports don't you?"

"Well, if you insist~"

"Hmmm, I'll fill them out, if you have a meal with Hiyori-chan."

Shunsui felt like a dagger had just entered his heart.

"N-No! Every time we meet, she calls me Baldy, and attacks me for no reason! I didn't mean to antagonize her! I didn't know she was going to be standing behind me when I joked about her name, did I?! You can't do that to me!"

"Well, that's the price you pay for badmouthing people behind their back, Captain~"

He let out a cheery laugh, which made Shunsui let out a cry.

He then reached down, picking up the young boy, and held him out to the women.

"Look at how cute he is! He's so young and a Shinigami! I'm taking care of him personally~"

"So, you've resorted to using me to pick up girls now?"

The boy sweat drops while Shunsui adopts a large grin.

"It works if girls think you are a wonderful Father figure. They eat that stuff up."

Shunsui replied while sticking out his tongue at the boy who rolled his eyes.

But the adult females all cooed at the appearance of the young boy.

"Awwww, he's so precious~"

"He's so young to be a Shinigami, but he's too adorable for words!"

Shunsui gave a knowing smile to the boy.

"See that? It works."

The boy rolled his eyes, flipping around and slapped Shunsui upside the head, making him cry out.

"No slacking off."

"You're too serious, you know that?"

"Hehe, only when it comes to having you do stuff~"

The boy laughed out as he, and Shunsui unwillingly began walking back towards the Seireitei.

The boy waved with Shunsui towards the crowds as they continued walking away.

However, as they passed by Rukia, and Renji…

They felt something come over them.

Like all of their energies had been zapped out of their bodies. Renji held himself a little bit better than Rukia did, but he wasn't looking so hot either.

Rukia's eyes widened, and she began falling forward from the draining she felt…

But then the boy with blonde hair appeared before her, catching her before she could fall.

"Whoa there, are you okay?"

Rukia looked up into the eyes of the boy.

Something about the look of them, made her feel complex about many things.

She didn't quite understand what had just happened, but he had caught her.

"It seems that you have some spiritual energy." The boy brought out what seemed to be some food, and gave it to both Rukia and Renji. "Here, eat this, you probably got overloaded by the presence of Captain Shunsui and myself. Have that and you'll begin to feel better."

The boy petted Rukia on the head, while Shunsui slyly moved in beside him.

"Picking up girls, are we?"

"N-No, I don't know what you're talking about!"

The boy denied it, pulling away from the pair as they began eating the food.

Filling their stomachs, they did feel their energies return to them. Rukia's eyes looked at the boy that was waving towards them as they walked away, and she needed to know something.

She stood up, and took off running towards him.

"H-Hey Rukia!"

Renji complained, but she ignored him, and continued on.

She attempted to reach the boy once more, but because she had just eaten and began regaining her energy, she was unsteady on her feet, so her legs gave way, and fell forward on her face…

Or so she thought.

At the last second, the boy appeared before her, catching her fall.

"That's twice today. You seem to be quite unstable huh?"

Rukia's face contorted to confusion.

"D-Did you just say I'm unstable?"

"In the sense of standing and running."

The boy put his hands up in defence while Shunsui chuckled.

"You aren't picking up girls the right way."

"I'm not trying to pick her up." The boy spoke, and turned around. "Well, goodbye young girl. You must have a good level of power to stand in our presences without fainting, especially Captain Shunsui's. You should try and harness that power to become a Shinigami. We could always use new strong people."

Rukia listened to what he said, but still…

She needed to know something.

"Wait, what's your name!?"

Rukia needed to know.

The boy turned around, and gave a bright smile.

"My names Takumi, Rukia-chan."

Rukia's eyes flew open at how he called her name.

"H-How did you..."

"I heard your friend call your name, Rukia-chan. Goodbye. Maybe we'll see one another again soon~"

Rukia watched as he began walking away with the Captain, unaware that her life had been changed from that moment on, and that Takumi, would become important to her…

---

Renji was having many conflicting feelings at this moment, as he sat within the room with most Lieutenant's. Only a few were absent, like Yachiru from Squad 11, and Nemu who had received word from her Captain to return back to Squad 12's Barracks.

With Rukia trapped.

With Takumi roaming around.

Things seemed to be happening, and he couldn't do anything about it.

He couldn't save Rukia himself.

He had to take on the whole Soul Society for that, and he simply didn't have the power to do that.

But he did know someone that was attempting it right now.

"Takumi...what are you going to do? Are you going to save Rukia…? Can you save Rukia…? Damn it...this feeling of inadequacy...if he was caught, would Rukia be let free…? If he was found...damn this, I can't think straight...my head hurts..."

Renji clutched his hands tightly thinking about the situation at hand.

As he was, Momo came closer, seeing the distress on her friends face.

"Hey, Renji-san, don't look so worried, I'm sure the Captains are going to be doing their best."

"Yeah, I guess...say, Hinamori, when you saw Takumi, did he seem cocky? Or confident?"

Momo cocked her head sideways.

"Why does that matter?"

"Because...they might seem similar, but they're worlds apart. Could you tell me please?"

Momo pondered what Renji was actually saying, and thought deeply about it.

"Well...I guess if anything, he was truly concerned for Kuchiki-san."

Renji's eyebrows turned downwards.

"He was...huh."

"Yes, it seems as if he was going to do what it takes to save her. He didn't even seem concerned that the Seireitei would be on him. I don't know what kind of relationship Kuchiki-san and Urahara-san share with one another, but it seems that he is willing to do what it takes to save Kuchiki-san. Did that answer your question?"

Renji slit his eyes.

He thought about what Momo had said.

Takumi was willing to allow everyone to come after him if he could save Rukia.

And he right now was just moping around…

No.

He couldn't just do that.

He didn't have the power to save Rukia.

But he did know that Takumi wasn't going to stop, and he was very resourceful.

He might not be the strongest, but he had heard that he dueled with Byakuya, and managed to injure him.

And to him, that was more than he had done before, so he was sure that Takumi would be able to bring out something amazing.

"Renji-san?"

Momo called, seeing that Renji had gone silent.

Renji's eyes flickered, meeting the young woman's who held concern for her.

"Oh, Hinamori, what's wrong?"

Renji tried to be as polite as he could be, but considering the situation with Rukia, he didn't know how successful he actually was with that.

"Is something the matter? You went quiet...did I say something?"

Renji shook his head immediately.

"No, you didn't say anything...in fact, you helped me along."

Momo cocked her head sideways as Chojiro, the Lieutenant of Squad 1 came rushing through the door.

Momo, and several other Lieutenant's gathered together, and saw the panicked expression in his eyes.

"It seems that we've all been given assignments regarding Takumi Urahara, it seems that he made an appearance at the Captains meeting." The Lieutenant's went silent while the man carried on. "So, we have been tasked into returning to our barracks and receiving orders from our Captains. But no doubt, we will be most likely allowed to use our Zanpakuto's in the Seireitei, considering this a war time event."

"Is it really going to be a war? But it is one man."

Marechiyo, a large man eating snacks argued, while Nanao pushed up her glasses.

"This one man must be deemed very dangerous for it to come to this."

Izuru, a man with blonde hair, some covering one of his eyes, spoke up.

"If it's war, then he has to be as dangerous as we've heard. But can he really do anything against us all? He's a single man, we are many. He couldn't possibly take us all on if we are going to be confronting him."

That's what Izuru thought about the situation anyway.

But some didn't believe that would be the case.

"It's that kind of thinking that will get you killed." Rangiku warned seriously, to the surprise of others. "We have to remain on guard. One man, a hundred men, it doesn't matter. It still is a threat to the Soul Society that we have to be wary about. We've all heard that he managed to fight Captain Kuchiki and draw blood from him. We have to presume he's gotten stronger, and if that's the case, then we could all be in trouble. We can't underestimate him."

Chojiro agreed with a bob of his head.

"Exactly, this is going to be a very tough battle for us all, we have to succeed somehow."

Momo, who was at the back of the crowds, chuckled awkwardly.

"Well, this has turned very serious, hasn't it Renji-san?" Her eyes looked back nervously to Renji and saw that he was gone. "Renji-san, what are you doing…?"

Momo express her concerns, hoping that Renji wasn't going to do anything reckless. But seeing him gone after speaking about Takumi and Rukia, Momo knew that something had happened with Renji, a changed had occurred within him, and had come to some sort of decision.

---

"Come on Ken-chan! Lets find him!"

Yachiru exclaimed with a childlike sense of wonder, patting Kenpachi's shoulder again and again.

Kenpachi leapt through the Soul Society, breaking walls with his heavy foot steps, and pushing off said walls, trying to find any hint as to where Takumi would be.

Though he didn't know where Takumi was.

He didn't even have an inkling.

All he could think about though was the fight at hand, and what he could do.

"I know that, but I don't know where he is."

Yachiru's pink cheeks puffed out, while waving her finger in a random direction.

"I think he's that way!"

"But that's the way we just came from."

Kenpachi complained, but Yachiru remained vigilant.

"Don't trust me then, but that's where I feel he's coming from!"

"Ugggggh! Alright, I'll look!"

Kenpachi turned heels, and shot off like a lightning bolt, leaping onto several buildings, going in the completely opposite direction that Takumi actually was in.

Kenpachi landed on the ground, as Yachiru said "He's over there for sure!" so Kenpachi followed after her directions, running through the street, and then she announced "Go right!" so that's what he did…

But he came to a dead end.

"Yachiru, just admit you don't know where you're going."

"I do know where I'm going! I meant take the next left, not right! Oops, my mistake~"

Kenpachi let out a large sigh, and continued chasing after the wild goose chases that Yachiru was putting him on in the case that he would finally be able to get a fight with Takumi Urahara, Kenpachi truly couldn't wait for this to happen.

---

Just after what had happened with the Captains, Takumi ended up laying on a bunch of boxes, he had made a barrier outside akin to what Hacchi had shown him that hides spiritual pressure for the most part. He wasn't as good as Hacchi, but he has had time to spend just relaxing on his own, and coming up with some plans and strategies for what he was going to do next.

He took out what seemed to be some images of the group of Captains.

Overlooking each, and putting names to faces, Takumi's eyes glanced at Aizen, and narrowed his eyes slightly, but then he looked at the other Captains, and began making plans on what he was going to do.

"Squad 8's Captain Shunsui-san seemed to be on my side, he didn't hold any negative opinions about me. In the first part of infiltration, you need to make some powerful allies, and he is definitely powerful. He seems so relaxed, but the levels of power coming off of that guy, I know that I can't beat him even now after all the training I did with Yoruichi-chan and Dad, so I can't face him down. Byakuya...I wonder where I scale to him now…? Am I still weaker...or could I be at his level? Only time is going to tell...damn this day, it's been quite difficult."

Takumi continued overlooking the Captains.

Each one seemed to have something about them that would worry most.

But he was sure that he'd be able to do something against at least one of them if he put his all into it.

His eyes drifted to Toshiro, and smiled gently.

"She was adorable, I can hardly believe that she's a Captain...but, she also felt strong, befitting a Captain of course...and then there's that Kenpachi Zaraki-san, he seems to have it out for me...no, that's not quite accurate, he seems to like fighting strong enemies. I wonder if I could have that power on my side...he wouldn't be easy to win over...but, if I could have a powerhouse like him in my back pocket, then we'd be able to fight and survive this situation at hand."

Takumi thought about making an alliance with Kenpachi. Judging on how he acted during the initial meetings, he knew it would be a difficult fight if he tried to fight him right now, and even if he managed to win, he only had so many supplies, so he wasn't going to go for the big guns right away.

He went over the other guys and girls within the Captains, glancing at Soi Fon who he remembered from the meeting, and how she seemed to hate him with a passion. He just wished he could remember what it was that she hated about him, and if he could make it right or not.

"Need to avoid that Soi Fon-san, she seems to not be on my side. And then there's that Mayuri...so that's the guy that made Nemu-san is it? I can see why she is the way she is, from our interactions, he's clearly unhinged, and he does seem to be the type that doesn't allow others below him to express opinions."

Takumi threw his head backwards, while releasing a small yawn out of his mouth.

He was a little tired, but he wasn't going to allow that to overcome him now.

"Alright, I need to go and find Shunsui-san and see if there's anything I can do with his assistance...but, I don't know where he is...I need to have someone tell me where Squad 8's Barracks are so I can meet up with him...yeah, time to do this."

Takumi exhaled, and put his equipment away.

Then he walked towards the exit of his little area that he had set up for himself to have a little rest.

Upon walking outside, he looked around and saw that he was alone, so he decided to go and find some people so he could find Shunsui, and hopefully begin to make some changes.

---

As that happened, Mayuri came back into his lab, and threw a glass bottle against a nearby wall, startling the members of his staff, while Nemu looked on with a calm expression on her face, something that was the norm for her.

"Mayuri-sama-"

"Shut up Nemu!" Mayuri exclaimed with anger on his face. "That damn Takumi made a fool of me...how dare he do this…?"

Nemu watched as Mayuri walked off towards his private lab.

He stayed in there for a few minutes, before coming out with a few gadgets of his.

"Mayuri-sama, what are you intending to do?"

Mayuri gave a dirty smile on his face.

"I'm going to kill that Takumi Urahara of course."

"But, wouldn't that be against the orders of Central 46?"

Mayuri laughed at what she said.

He found it rather funny.

"That's ludicrous my dear girl, who cares what a bunch of idiots think? Do you go to idiots when you need a plan?" Nemu went to answer when Mayuri did it instead. "Of course not! You go to the intelligent people, and around here, that's lacking very much. Yamamoto doesn't know what he's doing, and Kyoraku is on his own planet. And as for that damn Zaraki, that oaf is going to cut into my plans of taking that damn boy out myself. Hmph, not if I have anything to say about it. I'll find him myself, before anyone else can. He's mine."

Nemu didn't say anything.

She couldn't.

However, she thought about Takumi fighting against Mayuri.

Mayuri wasn't scary because he was strong.

It was because he had many gadgets that could be used against other people, and he always prepared.

She wondered if Takumi would be prepared for Mayuri, and what would happen if they came face to face with one another.

"Come along Nemu, lets try and find him before anyone else does."

Nemu felt conflicted for the first time in her life.

She didn't believe that this could happen.

On one hand, she had to always follow Mayuri's orders.

But if she did, she would end up having Takumi die as a result.

She didn't want Takumi to die.

She liked him.

"I..."

"What Nemu? What's wrong now you docile girl?" Mayuri demanded from her, and when she didn't respond, he reached for her hair, but she recoiled, which surprised Mayuri a little bit. "Whats wrong with you girl? I never allowed you to gain understanding on that level."

"No, that's not it Mayuri-sama...I have a meeting with the other Lieutenants about what has been happening regarding Takumi Urahara. I am not supposed to miss this important meeting, so I cannot accompany you."

Mayuri found it suspicious.

Nemu never argued.

She never even attempted to disagree with him.

So he knew something about Nemu wasn't right.

It seemed like she was going through something.

"Ugggh, fine, whatever! Go to your damn meetings! But we will be having a conversation later Nemu, I do not like this new attitude of yours."

Nemu bowed her head.

"Yes, Mayuri-sama, as you wish."

Mayuri scowled at Nemu, he truly didn't like what was happening with her. This new Nemu seemed to be gaining something that he thought he had robbed from her, and that was the ability to defy orders.

He wished for her to grow, but in ways that he could control.

Not in the ways where she would openly defy him.

Mayuri huffed, and walked out of the room, while Nemu watched him leave.

Once he was gone, Nemu looked down at herself, and couldn't believe what she had done.

Defying Mayuri…

Was it possible that she was capable of doing that?

She didn't know, but she was sure that this was going to come back and bite her.

Even then, she wasn't regretful of what she did.

She finally managed to speak her mind to Mayuri.

Though it was a small victory as she hadn't said everything she had wanted. She got what she wanted across, and that was her defiance. However, she also wondered if she could do the same if so many people weren't around.

---

Meanwhile, Shunsui lays his head on the table before him, in his office as Nanao comes storming in. Her eyes flicker between Shunsui, and the reports within her arms, and then back to Shunsui once more.

"Captain, is it true what I just heard?"

"It depends, what did you hear?"

Nanao releases a small breath, she didn't want to play any games at that moment.

"Takumi-kun's in the Seireitei, and he appeared at the Captains meeting?!"

Shunsui releases a chortle.

"It seems to be the case. I guess that he's come to save the damsel."

"But Captain, if he stays in the Seireitei, the more bloodthirsty ones are going to try and detain, and possibly kill him. Aren't you worried that he has come here?" Shunsui seemed to ignore Nanao for the moment which irritated her. "Captain, aren't you listening-"

"He said something that intrigued me."

Nanao was surprised her usual laid back Captain was speaking so seriously.

"A-And, what is that thing Captain?"

Shunsui's fingers enclosed around one another, getting into a serious thinking position.

"He insinuated that something was happening within the Soul Society, and with Rukia Kuchiki-sans execution. He suggested that we ask about if he could replace Kuchiki-sans execution with his own."

Nanao's eyes widened with shock.

"H...He wants to die for Kuchiki-san? Is he that mad? He can't do that Captain, it is...he can't do it."

Shunsui shook his head.

"No, I think he was testing something, and by the way that he seemed to act, its as if something is happening without my knowledge on the subject. And if that's the case, then I want to see where this leads. Clearly, he knows something is going on, and I can't exactly go and contact him myself, in case people are watching...but even if they weren't, I don't know where he is..."

"Captain, what are we going to do?"

Shunsui smirked slightly, and also slyly.

"Aah, that crush on Takumi is going strong even now, isn't it?"

Nanao's face turned bright red, pushing up her glasses in abject feelings.

"T-That's nothing Captain! I keep explaining that you're wrong about that!"

Nanao was being bashful about what was being said.

She didn't like the expressions on Shunsui's face either.

A teasing expression that was giving her a hard time.

"Hahaha, if that's what you say Nanao-chan! Either way, I hope that you can do a few things for me."

Nanao wondered what these 'things' would entail.

"Captain, are you going to defy Central 46? I care about Takumi-kun just as much as you, but if we do this..."

"He wouldn't come here without a reason." Shunsui straightened his back. "I know it might seem random, but that boy doesn't do random things. He's discovered something here, and I must admit that what's happening with Kuchiki-san seems to be rushed, and not normal for Central 46, something is clearly happening. At least it is clear enough for me, and that interaction between Takumi, and the rest of us Captains, just confirms it for me. I know it to be true."

Nanao could see the passion that Shunsui was giving.

He truly believed what he was saying.

While she held reservations about it, she did trust in her Captain.

"Captain, what are we going to do?"

Shunsui cocked up an eyebrow.

"Are you planning to become involved? It will be dangerous."

Nanao realized that.

Even then she has steeled herself.

"Leaving it to just you doesn't suit me Captain. Tell me, what can I do to help?"

Shunsui adopted a smirk.

"First of all, you can..."

Nanao listened to what Shunsui was saying, and couldn't believe it.

But she had to believe in her Captain, and she had to make sure she did what she could to save Takumi herself.

---

Hanataro came by towards the area that was Squad 6's Barracks, and was going to be doing a duty of cleaning Rukia's cell once more, like everyday that he would do it.

But when he got there, he was surprised to find that the cell was empty.

"W-Wait, what's going on? Where is Rukia-san?"

Hanataro didn't quite understand what was going on.

It wasn't even near her execution date, and she was already gone.

Panicking, Hanataro rushed towards the nearby Squad 6 member who said "Don't touch me!" in a condescending manner, causing him to back away slowly.

"S-Sorry, I didn't mean to get so close...but, I have to ask about Rukia-san, what's happened to her?"

He tried being brave about the subject, but he saw the man's eyes narrowing at him even more, so he shrunk under his gaze. The guard rolled his eyes with annoyance for the Squad 4 member, and wished that he didn't have to speak to him.

But to get rid of him faster, he explained the situation as quickly as possible.

"I guess grunts like you wouldn't have heard. She's been moved to the Shishinro."

Panic entered Hanataro's heart.

"B-But, that can't be true! Rukia-san is...s-she is..."

"You're no longer required here, you can leave now."

Hanataro wanted to argue.

He truly did.

But in the end, he knew that arguing wasn't going to get him anywhere, so he just bowed his head, and walked down the lonely corridor that was the Squad 6 headquarters, he just hoped that he didn't run into Byakuya as he was intimidated by him.

As he made it towards the exit of the long hallway, the door opened, revealing Nemu to be stood there, with her usual melancholic expression on her face.

"Ku-Kurotsuchi-san! W-What's going on!?"

Nemu looked calm as her eyes flickered between the man before her.

Nemu didn't speak for over a minute, she just stared at him, as if she was trying to understand something important.

"E-Erm..."

"You wish to save Rukia Kuchiki-san, don't you?"

Nemu interrupted Hanataro, and he had to wonder if she had planned that out, though it did seem unlikely that she would even bother trying to trick him, considering who he actually was.

Hanataro was surprised that she would say something like that.

"T-That's! O-Of course not! I can't...I-I wouldn't do anything like that to endanger the Soul Society-"

"I have been watching your interactions with Rukia Kuchiki-san for the past few days, and I have seen that you wish to make sure that she is safe, but you currently do not have the power to do anything other than watch helplessly from the side."

Hanataro's eyes began to lower, knowing that Nemu was right.

Hanataro didn't have the power to save Rukia, he couldn't do anything to give her assistance.

"I...I guess that you're right..."

"However, it doesn't mean you are useless." Hanataro raised his head to meet Nemu. "If you want to help out Rukia Kuchiki-san, then I suggest coming with me, and making sure that a certain someone is able to survive."

"A-A certain someone...wait, do you want to help out Rukia Kuchiki-san?"

Nemu continued to stare on with her melancholic expression.

"My feelings regarding the situation are complex. However, your healing abilities are needed. Please come with me if you wish to save Rukia Kuchiki-san."

Hanataro continued to be surprised.

But he did want to save Rukia, so he didn't have a reason not to go with her, and she was a Lieutenant of the Gotei 13, so he merely obeyed what she wished for him to do, and followed after her quickly.

---

Later on, Kukaku watched as Karin and Yuzu were playing with Yuichi kindly.

She recalled what had happened with Giselle the previous night, and towards the girls before her.

What they were in relation to her.

"Being Isshin's kids...it's almost fate that they appeared now. Kaien, you'd approve of me giving them some secrets of the clan, right?" Kukaku already knew the answer, pulling forward. "Yo, it seems that you're relaxing."

Yuzu turned to Kukaku with a bright smile.

"Yes, thank you very much for your hospitality."

Kukaku shook her head, acting kinder than usually would do.

"No need to thank me. By the way, can I ask you something?" Karin and Yuzu nodded slowly. "So, you gained your powers recently, right?"

"Well, yeah I guess. Though I've been able to see spirits for years now, and Yuzu recently was able to see them. Around the same time that we avenged our Mom who was killed by a Hollow."

Kukaku was mildly surprised that she had heard that from Karin.

"I see, your Dad, is back in the human world, right?"

"Ooh yes, he's back there. Hehe, if he knew what we were doing, he'd be so worried for us."

"Your Dad...erm..."

She didn't want to ask for the name as she didn't want to reveal she knew of their connection, but she also wanted to confirm what Giselle had said. She indeed did feel something for the twins, but she also knew that it could be a coincidence, and she didn't want to tell anyone the secrets of the Shiba Style that she thought that they could learn.

"Our Dad? What about him?"

Karin seemed confused by what she seemed intent about him.

"Nothing really. Just curious about what he would be doing right now."

Kukaku nodded a single time as she spoke, while Yuzu curiously tilted her neck.

"By the way Kukaku-san, what is your relationship with Sora Inoue-san?"

"Pft!"

Kukaku did a spit take, while Karin grinned like a Cheshire cat.

"Yeah, what is it with you two? Lovers?"

"Th-That's not your business! Honestly, asking such things!"

Kukaku turned around, and walked out of the room.

Once she did, she saw Giselle stood there with a goofy smile on her face.

"You wanted to know their Dad's name, didn't you?"

"I didn't know if I could believe your words, so I'd get it right from them, though I don't know how to approach the subject."

Giselle tittered, opening the door, and gave a cheerful wave.

"Hey girls, what was Masaki-chan's husband called again?"

"You mean our Dad?"

Karin wondered with a question mark above her head.

The young woman responded with a nod, thumbing her skirt.

"Yeah, I totally forgot. I wanted to pray for him, as well as Masaki-chan. You know, that weirdo that goes "Yuzuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" and "Kariiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin!" as his crazy ways are. But for the life of me, I don't remember his name."

"Ooh, that's understandable. It's Isshin."

Yuzu explained, Kukaku widened her eyes ever so slightly, as Giselle glanced at her.

"So it is, thanks Yuzu-chan. Well, sorry to disturb you, see you later~"

The young woman whistled as she walked away. She glided past Kukaku who bowed her neck, then moved forward.

"Hey girls. Since you're going to the Seireitei, there's something I want to share with you."

"...What exactly? Should we go and get Orihime and Giselle?"

Karin thought that it would make sense that they all should be privy to what was going on.

However, Kukaku shook her head.

"No, this is just something for you. I saw the potential for you to use it while training yesterday. So how about it?"

Karin and Yuzu glanced at the other, before shrugging for her to continue.

---

Takumi began running through the Seireitei, trying to find where Shunsui was, but each time that he found a member of the Gotei 13, something would happen that Takumi didn't like.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

"Monsteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!"

"Don't kill me pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase!"

Takumi released a sigh as the next bunch of Shinigami ran away from him.

"Oh come on! Please talk to me! I need to find someone!"

He released a small sigh out of his nose while continuing to look around for anyone that could give him some directions, but he couldn't find anyone that would be able to help him.

They'd run away as fast as they could away from him.

"At this rate, I'm never going to find the way towards...yeah, I need to think of something here..."

Takumi threw his head back, folding his arms, and thought of a new plan on how to get through this situation.

His eyes caught the sight of some more Shinigami, and he waved towards them, as they froze.

"So, hey guys-"

"T-That's Takumi Urahara!"

"We're going to die!"

"He's going to kill us!"

"Please leave us alone!"

They turned and ran away once more.

Takumi released a small breath, knowing that it would be futile to chase after them.

He became slightly frustrated with that, looking around his immediate area, before leaning against a wall.

"At this point, I'd take Kenpachi Zaraki-san, this is getting ridiculous."

SMASH!

Takumi heard a smashing sound coming from behind him, so he looked and saw at the distance, that Kenpachi in fact was running along. However, he went in the opposite direction after rounding a corner.

"Yeah, he's this way Ken-chan!"

"You better be right Yachiru!"

Takumi cringed.

"Okay, I take that back, I don't want to deal with Kenpachi-san anytime soon."

Takumi whistled innocently, and turned to move away from Kenpachi.

He ran down a long street, hoping that he'd come across anyone.

He also pondered where Rukia might be, though he guessed that it would be somewhere that he would find to be quite the difficult journey to get too.

But he still wouldn't give up for her either.

After running for a number of minutes…

He stopped.

He felt eyes were on him.

He couldn't get a good read on where it was though.

Takumi's eyes shot upwards, and left, and right.

But he still didn't see anyone...but he definitely knew something was amiss.

Something was happening and he didn't like it.

"Alright, if anyone is here, come out right now."

Takumi demanded, his eyes looking for even a hint of a presence.

But he didn't see anyone moving.

Takumi's finger lifted up, aiming towards the left and right hand sides of the area, and announced "Byakurai." shooting off the lightning blasts from both fingers, towards the locations that he had placed his fingers…

But nothing happened.

Even then, he knew that something was amiss.

But for now, decided to keep running along in the hopes he'd find Shunsui's area…

And he was right to be suspicious.

He was being followed.

Using some kind of camouflage technique, Mayuri was following behind Takumi, his body blending in with the walls. Stepping forward, his deranged eyes went towards the fleeting Takumi, and his sadistic grin grew larger, and larger on his face.

"Haha, so he noticed my presence. I guess that even he is skilled enough to sense my spiritual pressure despite me trying to hide it so well. Then again, he is a tricky bastard to handle. Hmmm, now I have almost been discovered, I have to strike when he's not able to keep tabs on me."

Using his camouflage technique once more, he blended in with the walls, and began chasing after Takumi, the deadly scientist was closing in on the boy…

---

Meanwhile, everyone was ready for the launch of the cannon ball, standing just outside of the cannon that was going to fire them up into the Seireitei, though some were nervous about it, some like Orihime was determined to go and find Takumi before anything bad would happen. They didn't want to waste anymore time. Orihime, Karin, Yuzu, Giselle, and Yoruichi seemed ready for the task before them, while Ganju steps out, wearing what seems to be a battle uniform.

"Geez, are you going to be coming with us or something?"

Karin grins out, while Ganju huffs.

"I'll do what I want!"

"Is that it? It seems that you're up to something."

Karin gave him scrutinizing eyes, which forced Ganju to release a small groan.

"My older brother...he was betrayed by his Shinigami partner, and was killed. Because I was so young, I never got to understand why he didn't speak about the Shinigami in a negative way, why didn't he speak out about them? If I go with you guys...maybe I'll be seeing what you told me about Karin Kurosaki, about these so-called kind Shinigami. I need to see them with my own eyes, so I'm going to go with you guys."

Karin and the others didn't seem to have a problem with it.

Though Karin does make something a point.

"This isn't a revenge mission, got it?"

"A-Ah..."

"We're there purely on a rescue mission. Look, I get the feeling of wanting to understand what happened to a dearly departed one. Both Yuzu and I suffered the loss with our Mother, and wanted revenge, but it can go in a bad direction. So you better keep a level head in there, got it Ganju?"

Ganju ground his teeth, that's where Kukaku came into the conversation.

"She's right Ganju, don't become lost in your anger. And also, if you're going to go, I wont stop you. But it is going to be dangerous. So don't run away from the fights, and give it everything you have, understood?"

Ganju nods his head with a resolute face.

"You're right. I'll do my best."

Kukaku nods her head slowly, looking between each and everyone of them, before seeing that they looked ready to go.

"It's time to go then."

The others began getting closer, while Karin points a finger at Yoruichi.

"So, can you like...I don't know, create a cannonball?"

Karin wasn't so sure, while Yoruichi gave a questioning look.

"You do know that I was there when training Takumi, right?"

"Of course, I'm not an idiot, it's just I didn't see you firing off any energy blasts or anything so how am I meant to know?"

Yoruichi releases a chortle, and jumps on the sphere in Karin's hands. She then pours her power into the sphere and creates a cannonball with no effort, she was quite adept about doing that.

While Yoruichi did that, Kukaku turned to Ganju.

"Ganju, we'll be going with the Flower-crane cannon launch method number two. Can you handle that?"

Ganju bangs on his chest, showing pride with his expressions.

"Of course I can do that."

Kukaku seemed to be satisfied about what he said.

"Alright then, everyone get inside of the cannon. I'll launch you guys from there."

The members of the group began entering the cannon. Before Orihime could, Sora took her hand, and stared deeply into her eyes.

"Don't worry Sora, I'll be back soon."

"I know...now go and find Takumi-kun and give him my best."

"Hehe, of course~ Leave it to me!"

Orihime gave one final nod, before entering the cannon. They stood in a circle around, and Yoruichi was on the sphere itself in her form. Karin and Yuzu glanced at the other, before hearing Yuichi shout "Goodbye big sisters!" which made them smile. Giselle herself looked on with a goofy expression on her face.

"Now everyone, once we get in there, it is imperative that we stick together, and not take any unnecessary risks. If you encounter a Captain class Shinigami, then you run away from them, and think about reuniting with Takumi, and finding Rukia. We aren't there for anything else."

"But, what if it comes to a place where we have to fight?"

Karin wondered to the cat who let out an exasperated sigh.

"I know where you're coming from, but this is a very dangerous place we're entering. If there's no other choice, if you can't run away anymore, then yes of course fight to defend yourself, but only when you have no choice."

Yoruichi's words rung within everyone's heads, and wondered if they truly would encounter Captains and if Takumi was fighting a Captain right now, and if he was, then they hoped that he was safe.

From outside, Kukaku began the launch procedure, as Yoruichi said "Combine your energy to produce a cannonball around us." which everyone began doing just that, forming a dome of energy around them.

Sora watches from the outside, seeing the top of the cannon come off, revealing the opening. Then Kukaku takes out her ribbon, which wraps around her forearm, which is ignited into flames, and she slams it down onto the ground.

"Watch this, they're about to go up in an explosion!"

Kukaku said to Yuichi who clapped his hands together.

The flames travel towards the cannon, and unleash a mass of smoke, before the cannon releases the cannonball into the sky in a strong explosion, Sora watched the sphere go high into the sky, and sighed deeply.

"Orihime...please be careful."

Kukaku could see that Sora was saddened that Orihime chose to go, so placed a hand on his back.

"Don't worry, she'll be fine."

"Y-Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just I haven't seen her in so long, and now she's going to a place I can't protect her...but I'll be fine….she'll be fine. With Takumi-kun, she'll be fine, he promised to always keep her safe...but, Kukaku-san, tell me straight. Do you think they can do it?"

Kukaku looks on with a complicated expression on her face.

"I don't know. That's how I honestly feel. I don't know, but I do know that they're determined...I hope that determination is going to get them through this." Kukaku's eyes watch the sphere go higher into the air, and smiled gently. "I guess that's it Ganju, good luck, and be careful."

Showing some of her vulnerable side, Sora placed a hand on her shoulder, which Kukaku grabbed with her hand, and held onto it, as they disappeared into the sky.

---

Nanao was on a mission.

She could move around without anyone really noticing her at all.

She moved quickly, wanting to get ahead of this situation.

She pondered where though…

Where could she look?

Where was Takumi going to be?

She had to find him for her Captain.

She knew it would be dangerous, but she wasn't going to stop looking for him.

While she was doing that, her Captain was doing something else entirely.

She moved through the Seireitei as quickly, and efficiently as she could. Going off every little bit of information she could pick up, likely movement patterns, based on what Shunsui had told her, and also, based on how she knew Takumi personally.

He might have lost his memories, but from what she saw, he was still the same Takumi, with or without memories.

She didn't draw attention to herself however, and was checking on various posted Shinigami through the Seireitei. Because it was so vast, she began near her own Squad Barracks, and moved from there, expanding outwards and hoped for the best.

Then she came across two Shinigami that seemed to be slacking off in their duties.

"Madarame, and Ayasegawa, what do you think you're doing?"

Ikkaku, a bald man with a sword over his shoulder, and Yumichika, a flamboyant looking man stiffened at their names being called.

Turning towards Nanao, she gave a no nonsense stare.

"A-Ah, Lieutenant Ise, what are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you this myself. What are you doing here? I know your post wasn't here this morning, so please explain yourself immediately."

Usually, these two men would be quite strong and would defend what they were doing.

But, with Nanao before them...they were afraid by what was happening.

She was a scary woman.

Especially due to the fact that Nanao's eyes were burning on their forms.

"Y-You see, we decided to take a break. That's all~"

Yumichika tried to smooth it over with Nanao, but she wasn't having any of it.

"So, you are saying you've abandoned your post?"

"N-No, that's not it!"

Yumichika tried to reason, but once more Nanao wasn't quite thrilled with this either.

"For skipping duties like this, I will have to make a report."

Yumichika and Ikkaku weren't thrilled with that idea.

They didn't think their Captain would say anything to them, but others might and they didn't have time to be bothered with getting any punishments or anything of the sort.

But then from the sky, a huge explosion catches them all off guard, Nanao's eyes going up towards it and thought about what was happening, and more importantly, if Takumi was apart of it, and if he was, what she was going to do next.

---

Back with Takumi, he continued running through the area, well aware that he was being followed, though he could only guess at who it was. He believed it to be either Aizen, Gin, or Mayuri. He didn't think that any of the others would try and hide in the shadows like this, and honestly it was something that irritated him.

He wanted to fight this person, but he didn't know exactly where they were, and one false move, and he knew that he was going to be done. This person was being extra careful as to keep themselves hidden from plain sight.

However, Takumi wasn't going to allow this person to get the better of him.

"Bakudo 27: Kyokko."

Using the bending light technique, Takumi's body was hidden away from the vision of Mayuri, who smirked.

"Simple Kido, so he wants me to be baited. Alright then boy, have this."

Mayuri took out what seemed to be missiles, and pressed a few buttons on a controller he had. The missiles fired off from different locations, trying to throw off the location of where Mayuri actually was, and had the area look like ground zero from how many explosions were going off.

Mayuri wasn't fooled, he knew that wasn't going to take out Takumi, so he flicked what seemed to be some liquid in a tube, which was released into the air, and went around the area, seemingly being attracted to something, following it towards the desired location.

"With that bacteria designed to follow after electrical signatures, this will soon find that damn boy, and when I do, he'll be skewered, and he'll be killed out of this world. Sorry who want this boy alive, I simply can't let him live. That damn Urahara, and his brat Urahara kid, they both deserve to die."

Mayuri watched as the bacteria headed for the far right hand side, which made Mayuri smirk, and bring out what seems to be a new drug, which Mayuri threw at the desired location.

"What's going on?!"

Mayuri grinned devilishly at the voice, and charged forward, his blade being withdrawn, cutting through the smoke, and pierced what seemed to be Takumi's form.

"Hahaha! Do you like my nerve freezing agent!? You wont be able to move now boy! You're..." As the smoke cleared, he realized that it wasn't Takumi, it wasn't even a Gigai, it was electricity shaped in his form. "No, it can't be! You couldn't have set that up so quickly!"

Mayuri seemed to be in a daze.

He could hardly believe what was happening.

It seemed insane to someone like him.

But he didn't know where Takumi was, if this lightning clone thing was left in his place.

"What do you think I've been doing the whole time you've been following me asshole?!"

Takumi appeared up above, and swung down his blade, releasing a large bolt of electricity for Mayuri's form. Mayuri's eyes narrowed, but then he smirked, bringing out what seems to be some kind of drug once more.

"And do you think I've not prepared for you, boy?" He threw the drug above him, which seemed to block off the electricity all together, absorbing it into the liquid. "I know all about your electrical attacks, I have planned for your lightning based abilities. So don't even try and do that with me you neophyte! Shall I tell you what a neophyte actually is boy?!"

"I already know what a neophyte is. Shall I tell you what a sadist is? Because that's what you are. Also, you're arrogant. You say you've prepared for me, but I'm not going to just sit back, and watch my demise."

Mayuri began laughing as if he had found this to be a funny joke.

"Alright boy, don't try and think you're better than I am."

"I never said anything like that. But I think that you have a major superiority complex."

Mayuri pulled closer, so Takumi began moving backwards.

"Afraid of me?"

"Not of you, you messed up clown creature."

Mayuri pondered being called a clown creature, and found it rather amusing.

"Funny, I can't remember you being this funny. But that doesn't matter. What does is, aren't you curious about how I was able to find you?"

Takumi showed a sly smile on his face, showing that he wasn't afraid at all.

"I'd guess a few ways you could have found me. You probably realized the Gigai I had only had a limited signal range, so I couldn't of been all the way back at the gates and sent it off towards that location. So you already had a range limit in mind, then either you heard the screams of others, or you managed to track down my residual energy left behind from when I used Flash Step a few times. How am I? In the ball park?"

Mayuri, rather than be surprised, he began laughing.

"Hahaha, you're right! But even if you knew that, then why would you...unless you were wanting to lure me in, is that it boy?" Takumi shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I can't be surprised to say the least. It would be something you'd do. Though I do hate you, I have to admit that you aren't an idiot unlike the majority of people around here. Though I'm clearly superior in every way."

Takumi rolled his eyes, he couldn't believe someone could be so arrogant.

"Heh, you like hearing yourself speak all the damn time, don't you?"

Mayuri's eyes grew more and more with his anger.

"You dare..."

Takumi rolled his eyes, and pulled his sword backwards.

"I dare alright. I know what you are. You can't even be called a Shinigami with what you do to people."

Mayuri released a loud chortle that even made the most hardened people be frightened. Though Takumi didn't seem to be all that worried. In fact, he seemed to wish to take on Mayuri himself.

"Does it matter?! The intelligent thrive, and the idiots fall! It is the basics when it comes to how the world works! You don't see idiots like Kenpachi Zaraki running the Seireitei! Though Yamamoto isn't much better, he's completely stupid in the ways that he acts, and reacts. He is a senile old man that's on his last legs!"

"Do you just disrespect everyone around you?"

Takumi had to question that.

He wasn't even respecting his Captain Commander.

He knew that disagreeing could happen, but someone of such status, he thought that he was being very rude to Yamamoto when Takumi, while not agreeing with everything that Yamamoto was saying, could see that he had earned his place, so he respected that title.

"I respect the intelligent, the people that actually have a standing in this world. Not the weak minded fools that this world seems to love dishing out. But enough of that now, if you're good, I'll keep you alive for...lets say twenty minutes? I do love playing with my new experiments!"

Takumi held a hand to his sword as Mayuri held his own blade.

He raised it to his chin, pressing his chin against the blade, and showed a dirty grin on his face.

"Now, it's time to activate my-"

"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Kenpachi came bursting through the wall, swinging his blade for Takumi, who grimaces, jumping backwards avoiding the heavy blade which dug into the ground all together, slicing it up, while Yachiru appears on Kenpachi's back.

"Yahoooooooooooo! Well done Ken-chan! That was amazing!"

Kenpachi's lone eye gleamed as he looked towards Takumi. Takumi almost froze under the eye of Kenpachi, who seemed to be ready to fight there and then. Though Takumi briefly wondered how Kenpachi had found him, he guessed it was because of the explosions that Mayuri had set off, which lured Kenpachi to that location.

"There you are..."

"H-Hey Kenpachi-san, what's going on?"

Takumi chuckled nervously.

He only had one Captain before.

But now that there were two Captain's stood around him, he did feel afraid.

"You know what I want. So take out your sword, and lets fight right now."

Takumi gave an awkward smile on his face.

He wasn't exactly thrilled about fighting Kenpachi at that moment in time.

"W-Well you see, that's not really something that we could do right now Kenpachi-san...perhaps, if you help me, I'll fight you-"

"No, we need to fight immediately."

Takumi cringed at the words that he had used.

"But, Kenpachi-san, be reasonable."

"No, lets fight right now."

Mayuri looked increasingly pissed off as Takumi stood between them at the same time.

Looking at the eyes before him, Takumi could see that the pair were getting ridiculously angry.

That's when Mayuri exploded upon Kenpachi with his angry expression that went on for miles.

"Oi! Zaraki! Don't start this shit again!"

Mayuri complained while Takumi glanced at the Captain with a crazy appearance.

"Kurotsuchi, you are becoming increasingly annoying! Why do you keep getting in my way?!"

"Tch, for an arrogant fool such as yourself, you should know the reason why, so don't get in my way, and piss me off either. Now leave, this is a battle of the minds, something that you couldn't hope to become apart of, understand that?"

Kenpachi became ticked off, and squared up to Mayuri who did the same.

The pressure around them grew intense while Takumi stared between them.

But then he felt something hop onto his shoulder, and looked to see that it was Yachiru, perching herself on his shoulder.

"Hey there!"

Takumi gave a soft smile.

"Hey yourself, it's nice to meet you."

Takumi replied warmly, as Kenpachi yelled "Bastard!" at Mayuri, while Mayuri called him "Imbecile!" while continuing their argument. It looked like they were going to come to blows, and Takumi hoped that Kenpachi was going to beat Mayuri as out of the two of them, he liked Kenpachi marginally better.

"So, are you going to fight Ken-chan soon? Please say yes, Ken-chan really wishes to do battle with you!"

"Aah...well, that's a hard question to answer. I need to do something's before I fight...Kenpachi-san."

Yachiru becomes excited, pulls closer to Takumi's face, and gives a childishly big grin.

"Really?! You'll really fight with Ken-chan?! He's super excited! He hasn't talked about anything other than his fight with you Taku!"

"Taku...seems a lot of people call me that. Heeeeh, say...erm, pink haired girl, you wouldn't know where Shunsui Kyoraku-sans location would be, would you?"

Yachiru tilted her head.

"Hmmm? Why do you want to go there?"

"Because...I wish to ask him a few questions and have some allies. Some friends."

"Ooh! Become Ken-chan's friend! Ken-chan likes strong people!"

Takumi didn't know if that was a good, or bad thing at all.

"Y-Yeah, that sounds great...but I still need to do a few things, and your Captain seems super strong. I don't want to let him down."

"Ooh he's the strongest ever! And don't be silly Taku! You wouldn't let him down!"

Takumi chuckled awkwardly, and he wasn't sure what he was going to do…

But then an explosion happened behind him, startling not only him, but the others that are around.

His eyes turned back to see in the sky, a bright flash had appeared, and scorched the sky with a brilliant light, and if Takumi was right...then help had arrived.

---

As that was happening, in mid-air just outside of the Seireitei, Karin and the others sailed rather fast towards the Seireitei, and could see the beautiful city as it was, and comparing it to the Rukongai, it wasn't even a contest.

"For a city that's supposed to be corrupt, it's really beautiful."

Yuzu's comment made Giselle give a weird smile.

"I know what you mean, it's quite nice. But don't forget, we're supposed to be storming this place...ugh, I feel as if we're going to be dealing with something scary rather soon...ooh! Maybe we're going to see a Captain!"

"Don't joke about it, it might happen."

Karin said it while hoping that they didn't come across any Captains anytime soon.

She also wondered what was happening with Takumi right now.

If he was fighting or if he was doing something else entirely.

Ganju pulls out what seems to be some parchment, and overlooks it as quickly as he could.

"Alright then, I'm going to start the second part. Everyone, adjust your spiritual energies to match my own."

They began doing just that, while Karin was having some trouble. Since she had so much energy, she couldn't keep it as low as that so easily.

"Karin, try and keep your power lower. I can't match that level of energy."

Yuzu expressed while Orihime nodded.

"It's too strong. Karin-chan, please keep trying."

"I'm trying! I'm trying!"

Karin complained, exhaling but because she was so strong, she wasn't able to fully match the power that Ganju was using. They also became closer towards the large barrier before them, Giselle giggled out awkwardly.

"Maybe we should have sorted this out before we set off on how to balance out our powers."

"You be quiet! I didn't know that this was going to happen! I'm not used to lowering my power to match Ganju's!"

"Are you saying I'm weak?!"

Karin wondered how she was going to word her next sentence, as they clashed into the barrier that was surrounding the Seireitei. And as soon as they hit the barrier, their bodies float around in the air, a vortex beginning to surround their bodies, Yoruichi grimaced before looking to the others.

"Ooh no, because we couldn't match it...we have to stay together! Everyone, grab the person nearest to you!"

Immediately, Karin grabbed Yuzu, and holds onto her tightly.

"Are you alright Yuzu? I've got you."

"Y-Yeah, I'm good, thank you Karin!"

Yoruichi landed on Orihime's shoulder who smiles awkwardly towards her.

"I'll just sit here if it is all the same."

"Of course!"

Ganju's body began floating away from them, and he let out a cry.

"Oh no! No! No! No! No! No!"

Because of the whirlwind being whipped up around them, Ganju's body was being blown away.

"Hehe, seems like he's going along~ Well, I'll get him~"

Giselle begins moving forward, Orihime's eyes widening.

"Wait Giselle-san, it's too dangerous!"

"But, I'm more likely to survive on my own than Ganju is." Ganju looked offended. "No offence Ganju, but we're...yeah, sorry about that. If you want additional power, I'll Zombie you."

"I don't know what that means, but I'm scared!"

"It's nothing to be scared of, it will make you apart of the Zombie family. Together, forever~"

Ganju began crying at the thoughts of being a Zombie and how that was going to affect him mentally.

But Giselle didn't seem to care, and winked.

"It's going to be awesome, can't you tell~?"

Ganju put a hand to his mouth, and continued crying, knowing that something was wrong with Giselle.

Giselle swims forward, and grabs onto his body. Ganju freaks out, as she throws him towards Karin and the others, but she herself is pulled backwards away from the others, Yuzu looked on with a very worried expression on her face, before all of them are separated because of the high density winds around them.

---

Seeing the explosion in the sky, Nemu who walked along with Hanataro, pondered what was happening and where they should go towards.

Knowing that it probably was Karin and the rest, Nemu's eyes drifted towards the nervous looking Hanataro.

"L-Lieutenant, what do you think that explosion was in the sky?"

"I suspect that it will be the Ryoka."

Hanataro's eyes widened with worry.

"T-The Ryoka?! But that will be dangerous, right!?"

"Yes, it will be dangerous for them if we do not make a move soon. Now, that they have arrived, Takumi Urahara shall be revealing himself rather soon, so we should also begin making our moves. But, which one should we be going towards?"

"I-I don't know, but this is rather worrying!"

Nemu glanced at the boy who seemed to be showcasing a worrying expression on his face.

"Let us go immediately..." Nemu paused however when she felt something happening. "...Actually, maybe we should go somewhere else instead..."

"H-Have you felt something?"

Nemu didn't know how to reply to that.

She wasn't sure what she was feeling.

All she did know was that she'd have to do something.

---

Meanwhile, Rukia sits alone within her cell, looking through the window which seemed so small to her.

She felt as if something was happening.

Something that she couldn't control.

Peering at the sky, she saw a flash of light, and it looked as if it had opened to her.

"What the hell…?"

Rukia pondered what was happening right now.

It didn't make sense as to what was going on.

"Is that Takumi…? Or is it something else? I wish I could sense what was happening beyond these walls...I just can't seem to think straight right now...Takumi, or whoever that is, please make sure that you're safe."

Rukia prayed that would be the case.

She didn't want anyone to die because of her.

But that was becoming a serious problem that they would be doing something like that.

---

Meanwhile, Takumi watched on as the others seemed dumbfounded by what was happening. He saw that the explosion had split off in different directions, and different energy signatures were going in the different directions.

Takumi knew that his friends might have been split up, and he worried that one of them was on their own, and if that was Orihime or Yuzu, then they would be in trouble on their own.

He believed Karin, Yoruichi, and Giselle could handle themselves against most threats, and Yuzu certainly could take Seated Officers he believed, even Orihime could, but if they came up against a Lieutenant or worse, a Captain, then they were going to be in danger, and he couldn't have that happen, he had to protect them somehow.

But he didn't know how he was going to do that with two Captains right beside him.

"These Captain's are dangerous, but there are other Captains out there. I need to make sure that the girls are protected. Especially the likes of Orihime-chan and Yuzu-chan. But, if these guys follow me...no, I have to take the chance to protect the girls just in case. Though Karin if she's separate from Yuzu, she's going to follow after her sister no matter what. So Orihime-chan might be in danger...damn it, I'll have to make a break for it before these two can get me into a drawn fight..." His eyes looked to the Captains who seemed to be looking at the sky, one with intrigue but also a psychotic expression in his eyes, and the other with a battle crazy grin across his scarred face. "Though it seems that they are preoccupied with what's happened to pay attention to me, which I'm glad for."

Mayuri and Kenpachi continued to stare at the explosion in the sky, and both had some...interesting reactions to the explosion.

"What the hell is that? Something for me to experiment on? Hmmm, I hope they aren't weaklings that die from a single experimentation."

"I don't care, can it be strong fighters?"

"Is that all you ever think about?"

Mayuri dead panned Kenpachi who scowled towards him.

"I've had just about enough of you. Do you want to fight me? Or are you going to hide in your lab like always?"

Mayuri developed a tick mark above his head.

"You dare say that to me?! Who do you think you are you maggot?! I could take you any day of the week! You are a brute who relies on pure power! People with intellect can actually battle with the minds, don't you understand that you oaf!?"

Kenpachi truly didn't like Mayuri.

And for good reason.

Takumi thought that while they were fighting, he would take off.

But as he tried running, Yachiru clung to his back.

"L-Let go please."

He whispered so the other Captains didn't hear.

"Nope, I have to make sure you fight Ken-chan. If I'm with you, Ken-chan will find us again after he's killed clowny back there."

Takumi thought 'clowny' fit Mayuri quite well with how eccentric he dressed.

"E-Even then, I have to go now..."

"Then I have to go with you Taku! Lets keep going forward!"

"But, wont your Captain be worried if you go off on your own?"

"Naaaaah, I'm with his enemy and future best friend!"

Takumi gave her a quizzing look, but continued running after the area that he thought Orihime would be.

"Okay, so I guess we'll be partners for a little while."

"Yup, so go that way!"

Yachiru points left, but Takumi points right.

"I'm pretty sure it is that way though."

"But, I know it is this way!"

Takumi could see the young girls determination, so he sighed.

"You seem to know the area better than I do."

"Yup, yup! Trust me, I know a short cut!"

"I hope so..."

Takumi was led in the direction that Yachiru was giving him, and hoped that it would be the right way.

Kenpachi and Mayuri continued to throw their insults with one another, but as they were…

Kenpachi was the first to notice that Takumi wasn't there.

"Crap, he's disappeared. Look what you've down now you messed up clown!"

"Don't put this on me! If you had just left us alone, I'd be fighting him and killing him as we speak!"

"As if I would, he's my prey, and I wont give him up to someone like you!"

The Captains had another stare off, glaring and raising their powers as high as they could do.

---

Giselle came sailing down to the ground, and used her Quincy powers to form an arrow, and shoot it off, allowing her to ride onto it, using her abilities to change the direction of the arrow, so it would sail down to the ground, at a good pace, allowing her to land perfectly.

"Ta-da!" Giselle bowed her head, seeing that there were a number of Shinigami stationed around her. "Oh my, it seems that we've come face to face with the evil ones~"

"W-Wait, who the hell are you?!"

One Shinigami snapped at Giselle who remained calm, twirling her hair around.

"I don't know about that. But, please don't attack me, I wont be able to take it!"

Giselle freaked out, scrunching her hands together adorably.

The Shinigami around her were perplexed.

She didn't want to get attacked?

It seemed obvious.

But why was she acting strange?

That's what they didn't know.

"Heh, this is a Ryoka! We should take her down now! We could get rewards!"

Giselle watched as the Shinigami charged for her, and slashed at her, cutting her arm, which released some blood from her body. The blood splattered across the man's face, which began making his eyes twist around in a very weird manner.

"Ooh, you cut me, I'm bleeding. What am I going to do about that now~?"

Giselle pondered playfully as the other Shinigami watched the blood that hit the Shinigami began to change him. His eyes whitened out, and his body slunk down, hunching over as if he was about to fall down to his feet.

"H-Hey man, are you okay?"

One of the comrades of the Shinigami asked him, only for his eyes to turn back, his face looked docile, but he was growling, and his whitened out eyes looked so terrifying that the Shinigami jumped back.

"W-What the hell?!"

"Did she do something to him?!"

"I-I'm scared! Keep her away!"

Giselle watched as the Shinigami's began moving backwards, Giselle showed a disturbing smile that could frighten most, and muttered "Who wants to become my Zombie?" before pulling forward with her wicked smile being shown brightly.

---

Orihime and Yoruichi had managed to land on the ground safely.

Orihime used her Santen Kesshun ability to stop the impact of the ground hurting her, and sat down on the ground, looking left and right, seeing small storage areas.

"Ooh my, we've been separated from everyone Yoruichi-san. What are we going to do?"

"Yes, that's quite the conundrum. We should search for our allies. But it is going to be difficult with all the Shinigami now going to be on high alert for us specifically. Even then, I think we should hide for the moment, gain our bearings before going back out there and trying to find our comrades."

Orihime nodded slowly, but her eyes seemed to be distant.

"Taku-chan...everyone, be safe."

"Don't worry, they're resourceful people, they can survive until we find them."

Orihime knew that Yoruichi was speaking the truth.

But it didn't make her feel any better about being separate from the others, and wished them luck before taking off with Yoruichi.

---

In the meantime, Karin, Yuzu and Ganju plummeted down to the ground, while screaming about what was going to happen.

"Ooh God, how are we going to stop our fall huh?!"

Karin yelled while Yuzu grimaced.

"I don't know Karin! Can't you do that net Kido technique that you Shinigami have?!"

Karin showed an uneven smile on her face.

"Y-Yeah, I'm not so good with Kido, so I don't know how to deal with that yet..."

"B-But, what are we going to do?!"

Yuzu cried out, as Ganju, wanting to do something, so he swung his palm in a circular motion, and thrusted his hand down to the ground as they came closer and closer to the ground, yelling "Turn to sand, Seppa!" which released red energy, and turned the ground below them into a sandpit, saving them from terrible damage.

Yuzu comes out of the sand first, coughing from the sand that she had been thrusted into.

"*Cough* *Cough* T-That was rough..."

Karin popped her head out of the sand, her eyes heading for Yuzu who gave a soft smile.

"You okay Yuzu?"

Yuzu scratched the back of her head sheepishly.

"Hehe, I think I'm okay...wow, it really saved us. Thank you Ganju-san..." She looked around, but couldn't see Ganju. "G-Ganju-san?"

"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!"

She heard a moaning coming from underneath her, so she moved backwards, then Ganju came shooting out of the sand, coughing violently.

"Ooh, are you okay?"

Yuzu gently asked, only for Ganju to turn to her with anger.

"Hey! You almost drowned me! What is it with you people and stepping on me like that?!"

"I-I didn't mean too..."

"Don't you yell at her!"

Karin snapped at Ganju who grimaced.

"A-Ah, sorry didn't mean to yell. Almost drowned in sand, that's not so bad I guess..."

Karin rolled her eyes, pulling her body out of the sandpit, looking around the area, the street that they had landed on.

"Great, though we managed to land, we don't know where the others are. We'll have to meet up with them."

"This wasn't in our plans, huh Karin."

Karin nodded at Yuzu.

"Right...well, either way..." Karin, Yuzu and Ganju felt chills going down their spines, looking up the wall nearby, and saw three Shinigami stood there. "...I guess that we wont have a chance to search for anyone."

Yuzu pulled backwards, getting out of the sand as did Ganju.

"Karin...there's three of them, and their spiritual pressure is strong..."

The three that appeared before them, was Nanao, Ikkaku and finally, it was Yumichika. Ikkaku steps forward with a blood thirsty grin on his face, his eyes landing on the young woman before, Karin, and grinned even more.

"So, our opponents are girls, and a guy huh? Heeeh, it feels like the girls are stronger than the guy though."

"Hey! I resent that!"

Ganju complains while Karin murmured "It's true though." before touching her sword.

"Look, we don't want to fight, but we will if we have to."

"That's too bad because we do want to fight."

Karin didn't want it, but she knew, and the others did too, that they would have to battle this enemy before them. They would have to fight, and win their matches against these strong Shinigami that were before them.

---

Yachiru ended up taking Takumi somewhere else. He went through some man made tunnels, he guessed that Yachiru probably had made them. He also was slightly curious about why she seemed okay to help him out like this, though he took a guess it was because of her Captain and him fighting at some point.

"So, where are you taking me anyway Yachiru-san?"

"Follow me! These tunnels come out right where we need to go!"

"I hope so..."

He murmurs while Takumi was led by Yachiru continued leading Takumi somewhere. He hoped that she'd take him somewhere nice, but knowing his luck, he was going to end up somewhere that he didn't like at all.

Yachiru made it to a wooden door, opening it and stepped into a rather fancy looking corridor.

"Here we are! Bya-kun's house!"

"Bya….a-as in Byakuya!?"

Yachiru threw her hands up happily.

"Yup! This is his house!"

"You took me to his house!? W-Why?!"

"Because you want to get closer to the explosions! We are super close now! Follow me!"

Takumi grimaced, and quickly sensed around him...but couldn't find anyone nearby. He didn't feel any strong spiritual pressures, that he would have some trouble with anyway.

Yachiru then grabbed Takumi's hand, and began leading him away.

However, while walking down the fancy corridors, he caught the sight of a picture...and the girl looked like Rukia. It looked like a shrine to Rukia, while Yachiru pulled Takumi's hand even more.

"Come on Taku!"

"Y-Yeah...but, that picture. It's Rukia-chan, right?"

"No, that's not Rukia Kuchiki!"

Takumi gave Yachiru a strange look.

"But, it looks like her...erm, so if it isn't Rukia-chan, who is it?"

Yachiru went to answer, when they heard noises coming from behind them,

"No time, lets go!"

Takumi agreed with Yachiru, grabbing her, and threw her on his shoulder. He dashed through the corridors, and saw how fancy it truly was, Takumi thought "Damn, he lives in style, as expected of a noble." but something else came to him.

Something about this place seemed…

Familiar.

He seemed to recognize some of the more noticeable things that couldn't have been changed.

When shooting outside, he saw that there was seemingly a river flowing through the courtyard before him, and some fish were swimming through the water around. Yachiru's eyes widened happily, and dragged Takumi over to the large body of water.

"See these Taku? I set them free sometimes!"

"That's...erm, sweet...I think?"

Takumi pondered that since it seemed to be Byakuya's personal fish, and if she did 'free' them then that meant she stole them from Byakuya, and if he saw it, he'd probably have to stop her as while Byakuya wasn't his favourite person in the world, he didn't think that Yachiru should steal from him.

But then Takumi's eyes shot left, having felt a pressure.

He was surprised, he didn't think that Yachiru would actually get him this close.

But she did, and he mentally thanked her.

"Orihime-chan...she's close."

"Hmmm? Did you say something Taku?"

Takumi grabbed Yachiru and threw her on his back.

"Come on, we're leaving!"

"Awwww! But I wanted to play with the fishy some more!"

"We can play later! Remember, I have to fight Kenpachi-san!"

"Ooh yeah! Then lets get going!"

Takumi rushed forward out of the gates, or that was his plan when a bunch of guards appeared.

"Thinking you can invade the Soul Society!"

"More importantly, the Kuchiki residence!"

"That warrants death!"

The guards withdrew their blades, but Takumi could feel that they didn't have spiritual powers that even met Orihime's own, so he pulled out his blade, and murmured "Sorry about this." and did the technique that Gin did to the other when they first met, increasing his spiritual pressure, which began to overtake the guards bodies.

Chills ran down their spines, their eyes began to water, and foam formed at their mouths, collapsing down to the ground, falling to their knees, and some fell flat on their faces.

Because of Takumi's spiritual pressure, they couldn't take it, and fell unconscious because of the intense pressure Takumi was releasing. Yachiru seemed to be quite fine, she was swaying side to side on Takumi's back.

"Wow Taku! You knocked them out! Ken-chan is going to like that!"

Takumi gave a timid expression, he didn't want to deal with Kenpachi.

"That's...wonderful. Now we should be going."

Takumi pushed open the gates, and ran forward at high speeds. Takumi dashed through the streets, sensing Orihime's pressure, and also sensed Yoruichi's pressure with her, so she was glad about that at least.

However, as he made it closer, and closer, coming out into a big wide space, with some white stairs before them, Takumi could feel Orihime's pressure a bit further up the stairs, but when he tried getting closer, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a blade heading for him, so he took out his sword, and clashed with the blade, sparks going off between their blades, before Takumi pushed it back, taking a stance with Yachiru sitting on his shoulder.

"My, it's Red Monkey! Hi Red Monkey!"

The one who appeared was Renji, who looked on baffled that Yachiru was sat on Takumi's shoulder, waving towards him.

"L-Lieutenant Kusajishi, w-what are you doing here?!"

"I'm here for Ken-chan! He is going to fight Taku here, so I have to make sure Taku doesn't die until then!"

"I-I see..." His eyes went towards Takumi who narrowed his eyes. "So, you did come to the Soul Society."

"I did yeah, I'm intending to rescue Rukia-chan."

Renji placed a hand on his own sword.

"You think that you can do it?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to try at least. So, what are you going to do exactly? Are you going to stop me?"

Renji clutched his sword tightly.

"If you are delivered to the Central 46, then Rukia could be rescued, right?"

"I don't know."

Takumi didn't deny or confirm it.

He genuinely didn't have the answer.

"What do you mean, you don't know?! You have to know! This is because of you in the first place! If you didn't...then Rukia wouldn't be in this situation! I have to take you back, and they'll let her go! That's all I can do!"

Takumi knew now that Renji was going through something.

His head was muddled, he wasn't able to think clearly.

He didn't know what he could do to lend assistance.

He didn't even think he'd be able to help out at all.

"I don't have any answers to the questions inside of you. Even during the first time I saw you, it seemed like you were torn about taking Rukia-chan, and I get it, you're a Shinigami, and you don't want to defy Soul Society. But I am also sorry that if you get in my way, then I'll have to become serious in fighting you Renji."

Renji narrowed his eyes ever so slightly.

"Is that so? Last time in the human world, my powers were restricted. This time, I wont falter, and will fight you, and bring you back to the Captains, and Central 46!"

Takumi took Yachiru, placing her down onto the ground.

"Yachiru-san, step back, okay? I don't want you to become hurt."

"Okay! Get him Taku! Don't lose until you fight Ken-chan!"

Takumi chuckled lightly.

"Right, don't worry I don't intend to lose here." Takumi swung his blade forward, and pointed it at Renji. "Sorry Renji, I will have to go through you to save Rukia-chan. You might think taking me in will save her, but I'm almost positive that it wouldn't do anything to help Rukia-chan at all. In fact, I think that it would make it worse."

Renji didn't quite know what he meant.

But he had to do something to save Rukia, and this was the only way that he could do.

He had to bring Takumi in so he could save Rukia, no matter what.

---

End chapter!

So we've gotten into the thick of things now! Takumi's been confronted by Mayuri, and Kenpachi, narrowly managing to get away from them, with Yachiru tagging along so Takumi would fight Kenpachi after doing what he was doing. At the same time, it seems that Shunsui has sent Nanao to do something for him, we'll learn more about that rather soon. Speaking of Nanao, she, along with Ikakku, and Yumichika, have confronted Karin, Yuzu, and Ganju, so they're going to have a battle with one another, as is Renji who's confronted Takumi, believing that bringing him in is what is going to save Rukia.

Well, until next time, thanks for reading!

Takumi; Orihime, Rukia, Yuzu, Karin, Nemu, Giselle, Liltotto, Momo, Soi Fon, Yoruichi, Hiyori, Nelliel, Tier, Rangiku, Toshiro (fem), Nanao.