SailorStar9: After getting the prologue out, this is Chapter 1 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.

Pairings: Ishida/Hasu, minor pairing Hitsugaya/Karin

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny. Heck, even the pairings aren't mine.

Chapter 1: Hitsugaya Moves! The Attacked City

Some time later...

"The Onmitsukidō were beaten?" Hisagi echoed in disbelief.

"Impossible." Matsumoto breathed.

"Not the whole team, but several were." Hitsugaya corrected. "It seems those monsters cut through their stomachs. In addition, it seems that these monsters that the Bount set loose sucked out a living human's soul and escaped."

"Terrible, huh?" Yumichika noted. "What an unattractive way to attack."

"Captain Hitsugaya, what is their objective?" Kira asked.

"The Onmitsukidō are in charge of collecting information." Hitsugaya answered.

"The real world?" Matsumoto noted.

"Yeah, I want you four to go." Hitsugaya confirmed. "I've already informed them of our intent."

"Why us?" Hisagi inquired.

"Our specialty is taking care of the monsters that pop up, even if they aren't Hollows." Hitsugaya reminded.

"So, our target is the monsters?" Kira asked.

"That's not entirely correct." Hasu voiced, approaching the frontal assault team with the official mission scroll in hand. "Your real target are the Bount."

"Ano..." Yumichika voiced. "This is pretty dirty work, right? For the Lieutenants, this is no big deal. But why should someone like me, who abhors ugliness, have to..."

"When I talked to Zaraki, he said you had the most free time." Hitsugaya answered flatly.

"No way!" Yumichika gasped.

"What?" Hitsugaya deathpanned.

"Nothing." Yumichika turned aside, shedding anime tears. "I see."

"I get the feeling the Bount are planning something a lot worse." Hasu concluded, handing the mission scroll to Hitsugaya. "We can't just rely on Ichigo and Abarai to settle this. Everyone, I'm counting on you."

"Yes, madam!" all four Shinigami chorused.

Later that night...

"This!" Mayuri droned, finally unlocking the sealed data. "This is it! This is the data of the Bount. I don't know who hid it, but this is what happens when you mess with me. However, this is exceptionally interesting. Who would have guessed the Bount had such a secret? I wonder if I can't get my hands on a Bount and conduct some research. It would be simplest if I went to the Real World myself, but I don't have that much free time. Nor do I have the time to tame those Shinigami prancing around the Real World to study the Bount. I wonder if there is a good method I could use? What's this?" he gaped when additional data came up on screen. "I see. So this is why they specifically needed a Quincy. Someone who can constrain Reishi and disperse them, forcefully converting that power into strength. If it was that man, then... Nemu, go to the Winter Princess to request for Item 9141 she has in storage and go to the Real World. If we are able to get that to him..."

Meanwhile...

"Captain Kuchiki, I beg your pardon." Rukichi knelt before his Captain, bringing a letter.

"What is it?" Byakuya turned. "Is there an intruder?

"The details are still unknown." Rukichi replied. "But a field officer delivered this. A secret message from Lady Tula and Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusei."

"From Tula-sama and the Captain-Commander?" Byakuya echoed. Opening the letter, he read the contents. "And on a night with such a beautiful moon..." he noted. "Such a pity." he walked off, leaving a confused Rukichi.

Early the next morning...

"I see." Byakuya noted, after hearing Tula and Yamamoto's request. "But..."

"While it's difficult to believe, there is certainty." Tula stated. "If it wasn't, we won't have gone through the effort in summoning you. Despite Captain Kurotsuchi's numerous attempts to hide it, he can't deceive our eyes. And considering the disturbance from last night, there is a possibility that they are setting the stage of a sabotage. Among the Shinigami, there is a traitor."

"Could Aizen be...?" Byakuya prompted.

"I wouldn't say it is not a possibility, but I don't believe he would help the Bount." Yamamoto refuted.

"So then..." Byakuya trailed.

"I know the number of Shinigami that have failed." Yamamoto declared. "This investigation should finish in time. More importantly, we have a favor to ask of you."

"Among the Four Noble Families, the Kuchiki Family is charged with compiling the history of Soul Society." Tula stated. "Are there any records of the Bount? Could you please look into this?"

"Understood." Byakuya accepted the order.

Omake: Kon-sama's Ultimate Shinigami Illustrated Guide

Outside the Bount cave hideout...

Ichigo: Let's go.

Renji: Wait a second.

Ichigo: What is it, Renji?

Renji: (Digs into his sleeve) Well, before a battle, you need to fill your tummy, you know?"

Rukia: Is that the onigiri you got earlier?

Ichigo: (Twitches) Seriously, we don't have any time here.

Renji: Shut up. If I don't eat, then I won't be able to use all of my power. (Bites into the onigiri and turns red) It's hot! (Spews out fire from his mouth)

Rukia: (Looks at the bitten onigiri that was tossed into her hands) It has super hot peppers in it.

Ichigo: (Sweatdrops like everyone else) Like that to the end, huh?

SailorStar9: In the next chapter, Hitsugaya is tasked with defeating the Bounts, and Yamamoto gives a standing order to kill all suspected intruders without hesitation. In the Rukongai, the area outside the Soul Reaper fortress of Seireitei, the Bounts Kariya and Koga defeat the Soul Reapers sent to capture them. Meanwhile, Ichigo and his friends enter the Soul Society, and Yoruichi explains that Ichinose, a Shinigami under Kariya's command, manipulated Mayuri opening the gate into the Soul Society.