Sorry for the late update, been over a year, but I guess for me the original fiction does come first in terms of creativity. I do have a rough idea of what I want to do for the next updates, and I hope to try for at least once a month updates.

Fifty Years Later

Darkness fell upon Karakura Town as Kuchiki Rukia, vice captain of Thirteenth Company, exited the senkaimon. "This doesn't seem like the work for a vice captain." Rukia thought. "Just because they detected reiatsu that was stronger than a rank and file doesn't mean that they should send an officer." Rukia looked in the direction of the reiatsu. Rukia's disdain turned to shock. "It feels stronger than a vice captain's, maybe even stronger than a captain's!" Rukia realized.

"You'll be just fine!" her captain, Shiba Kaien had said. "All you need is confidence in yourself!" Rukia didn't know what was seen in her, nor did she understand why he promoted her to such a high position. All Rukia had been able to do was accept the promotion, and not let it get to her head.

"What am I doing?!" Rukia rebuked herself. "I should complete the mission that I was assigned!" Rukia began walking towards the location of the strong reiatsu, with each step wondering how anyone in this town could emit such strong reiatsu.

"There's one more thing..." Kaien had said before she left. "Karakura Town is the location of the exiled Twelfth Company Captain, Urahara Kisuke. The man is eccentric, but from what I've heard, he's still willing to lend a hand...for a price."

"What do we have here? Could it be some sort of period actor?"

Rukia heard the voice from behind her, which the voice seemed to have almost a singing tone to it. She turned and found a man standing behind her. "Urahara Kisuke, I presume?" Rukia asked, an all-business tone that would have made the discussion serious with any other shinigami, but oddly enough, it didn't phase the former captain.

"Who wants to know?" Urahara asked, with a mischievous tone.

"Kuchiki Rukia, vice captain of Thirteenth Company." Rukia replied. "I'm investigating odd signs of reiatsu."

The explanation of her presence would have thrown anyone off, but Urahara was unreadable with the shadows of the night covering his face. "I see, so I guess my reiatsu experiments were making Soul Society panic?" Urahara said, his voice dropping the mischief. "Well, you can tell your superiors that there won't be any more disturbances from now on!" Urahara turned to walk away.

Rukia had the feeling that Urahara knew more than what he was letting on. "If you don't mind, I would like to continue my investigation." Rukia said, sternly. "I was told that you may be of assistance, and I am willing to pay for your help."

Urahara turned his head. "I guess the Kuchikis are more than willing to part with money that they don't need." Urahara said, sarcastically.

Rukia walked up to Urahara. "No, my brother wouldn't allow me to spend money for assistance from someone like you." Rukia replied. "It's my captain who authorized it."

"Leave it to Ukitake to help a small businessman like myself out." Urahara said. "You know, he's always been my favorite captain."

"Wrong again, he's not the captain anymore." Rukia said, as though she was enjoying telling Urahara that he was wrong. "Captain Shiba has been commanding Thirteenth Company for the past twenty years."

"Well, I suppose it was about time for Ukitake to pass..." Urahara looked at Rukia, she looked as though she was going to tell him that he was wrong. "...he didn't die, did he?"

"Captain Ukitake retired, as his illness was beginning to affect his ability to fight." Rukia stated.

Urahara sighed. "Well, if you aren't willing to leave, then I might as well let you come and stay at my shop." Urahara said, as he walked away.

Rukia looked at him, blankly.

"Come on, I'll show you the experiment tomorrow. It's late, and I want to get at least twelve hours of sleep."