AN: Okay, this one is a little short, but it's just a transition chapter so that I can get to where I need to be. Thanks to those of you who are following this story and those who have reviewed. I am grateful for your support and hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: (Since I forgot the last two… oops) I don't own Bleach, except for laundry, but even then technically it's not mine

Chapter 2: Past is Present

"I have called you all here so that we may discuss some pressing information," Yamamoto-soutaicho stated, looking out at the other captains. "Before we start, I must stress the importance of this information. Under no circumstances is this information to leave this room. Is that understood?" The other captains murmured the agreement. "Very well. Ukitake-taicho, I shall let you explain."

"As you wish, soutaicho. Two days ago, my fourth seat was sent to scout out the Rukongai. She sensed the presences of a minor hollow, and headed in the direction of the reiatsu. On her way there, another reiatsu was detected in the same area. This reiatsu was much stronger than the other hollow, almost on the level of a captain."

A murmur went through the captains as they tried to think of what might have that kind of spiritual pressure.

"But what kind of reiatsu was it? Was it a hollow's or a soul's?"

"That is the trouble, Hitsugaya-taicho. The reiatsu was neither," Ukitake responded.

"Then what was it?" asked Hitsugaya.

"Well, when my fourth seat arrived, she defeated the hollow, which had already been injured once. By the time she had arrived, the other reiatsu had disappeared. The only other beings in the clearing were two souls, who she learned were called Amaterasu and Kohaku."

"So was it one of the souls?" Kyoraku-taicho asked.

"From what she described, my fourth seat felt that it was a cross between a soul reaper's and hollow's reiatsu. She said that she had never felt anything like it."

"Could it be an Arrancar?" Zarachi-taicho inquired, eager for a fight.

"No, we would have sensed them if it was. But this is where the information gets sensitive. Of the two souls, it seems that the reiatsu came from the boy named Kohaku. He told my fourth seat that he had apparently died three months ago, met Amaterasu, and has been staying with her since then. What was truly defining was the color of his hair."

"And what would that be?" Kyoraku-taicho asked.

"It was bright orange."

All of the captains stood in shock. They began looking for words, but couldn't find any. Finally, everyone started throwing out contradictions and questions. They were only silent once again when Yamamoto-soutaicho slammed his cane down on the floor.

"It seems that he has appeared after all this time," he said, looking out at the captains.

"But he's been dead for fifteen years, why would he just now appear?" Hitsugaya-taicho asked.

"We do not know. But this is why the information must not leave this room."

"But what are we going to do about this?" Soi Fon-taicho asked.

"For now, nothing. But we must keep an eye on him. After fifteen years, we have found the hero of Soul Society, Kurosaki Ichigo."

AN: Sorry for it being so short, but I will update again soon, so please don't get to mad at me! As always, please review and let me know how I'm doing. Any and all suggestions, ideas, and questions are welcome. Arigatou!