"You're going to the Soul Society," Orihime exclaimed joyfully. "Oh is it important."
"I don't know," Ichigo stated as he ate his lunch with his usual group of friends. "Renji made it sound as if it was. But he was tight lipped about it."
"How unusual for him," Uryu stated.
"It might be a secret," Chad stated.
"Yeah might thoughts exactly," Ichigo stated. "I don't know if I'll be home soon or not. Just in case I am please make sure that Kon is acting like I would around this time."
"This time oh," Orihime stated. "I forgot that it was so close to that day."
"Yeah," Ichigo stated. "If I'm not home by than I'll go to a spot where there's a view of a river for her."
Orihime smiled sadly at the person she so loved. "We'll do our best," Chad promised.
"Thanks guys," Ichigo stated and looked up the sky frowning.
"The forecast did say it should rain tonight as well," Rukia stated as she appeared in the doorway of the rooftop.
Ichigo nodded absently. "I don't know if I'll be back by tonight," Ichigo stated. "Anyways can you also help keep an eye on Kon for me. You know how he can be."
"Actually I'm coming with you as well," Rukia stated as she sat next to Ichigo and Orihime. "I want to know what's going on. For one thing Renji is being oddly secretive and another whenever you go to the Soul Society trouble always seems to follow."
"That's not true," Ichigo protested, "remember that time. . . Uh. . . Er. You know what forget it."
"Ha you can't even find one single time," Rukia stated confidently.
Ichigo growled as he looked away from the short black hair girl as she gloated. "Oi Ichigo," Tatsuki called out throwing him a cloth bag.
Ichigo caught it and opened it to find a picture of his mother in it. "You're insane dad said to give this to you," Tatsuki explained. "Had to punch that guy at least six times before he finally got the idea to leave me alone. Said something about you probably having some issues that you might want to solve."
"Man that guy," Ichigo sighed rubbing the back of his head.
Tatsuki looked at her long time friend before leaning against the rail and asked, "I heard the rain last night and saw you walking by my house again."
Ichigo didn't answer and traced the picture of his mother in favor instead. Rukia looked at her friend with the corner of her eyes. Ichigo sighed and continued eating.
They arrived at the Shoten with Ichigo still carrying his bag. "You big Moocher," Jinta shouted as he ran after Renji with his broom.
"This place is as lively as ever," Ichigo sighed and then shouted. "Hey Hat and Clogs!"
"Ah Ichigo right on time," Kisuke smiled as he held up his fan futher obscuring his face from the others. "Abarai-san has already told us don't worry I'll set up the senkaimon in as second come in."
"Thanks Kisuke," Ichigo stated as he popped in the mod soul.
Kon exclaimed as he was in Ichigo's body. "Hey watch it," Kon called to Ichigo.
Ichigo carefully removed the picture of his mother from Kon's hand and stated, "Kon I'm going to the Soul Society behave until I come back okay."
"Jeez always with the orders," Kon complained.
"Finally you took your time Ichigo," Renji scoffed and then turned to Kisuke. "Why didn't you tell me that he arrived."
"Oh he's here well look at that," Kisuke laughed.
Renji growled before turning back to his two friends who were standing by the japanese sliding doors. "Alright lets go," Renji called.
"We were just waiting for you," Ichigo stated. "What tired from being chased by Jinta?"
"What was that," Renji growled before advancing the much younger being, "you got a lot of-."
"Shut up you idiot," Rukia shouted as she planted her foot into his shin. "Seriously you said it was urgent."
"Er right," Renji stated. "Kyoraku-taichou wishes to meet you in his squad barracks."
"Oh I don't think I've ever been there," Ichigo said as they ran through the dark and dreary place between the two worlds.
"Yeah I don't think you've been to most of the squads huh," Rukia stated. "I think if I remember correctly squads 1,2,3, 5,7,8,9, and 10 right?"
"I visit Hisagi and Chojiro often talks about Shakespeare with me most of the time," Ichigo stated. "Rangiku and Toshiro are nice to have conversations with."
"So basicly just 2,3,5, and 8 right," Rukia stated.
"I just haven't been around to it okay," Ichigo stated.
They ran in silence and Ichigo took a peak at the picture of his mother. Ichigo ran forward with determination. They landed on the ground and Ichigo looked around. "Oh Ichigo I was wondering when you would get here," a man with a pink kimono called with a smile.
"Oh Kyoraku-taichou," Ichigo stated looking at him.
The much older man laughed joyfully and stated, "Junshiro did say you were coming. Well follow me. Rukia Junshiro wants to see you as Byakuya-boi with you Renji."
"Huh," both Rukia and Renji called together.
"But Ichigo," Rukia started.
"Don't worry I'll show him where my own barracks are," Shunsui stated with a smile. "Nano has prepared some tea for us. For some reason she wouldn't allow us to drink sake."
"I don't drink," Ichigo stated, "I am underage after all."
"Oh is that so," Shunsui laughed as he started to walk.
"Ichigo," Rukia called worriedly.
"Don't worry," Ichigo stated. "Just do as you're told. I'll meet up with you guys later."
Rukia and Renji didn't look convinced, but did as Ichigo had insisted. "You have good friends, Ichigo," Shunsui stated as he lowered his straw woven hat lower.
"Yeah," Ichigo stated. "To tell the truth I'm surprised by how many I can call friend now."
"Oh," Shunsui stated in surprise. "Have you not always have friends?"
"My first friend is Tatsuki," Ichigo stated, "she became my friend after I knew had passed away."
Shunsui watched as Ichigo's hand tightened around the picture in his hand before he too looked away. When they finally arrived Isa Nano stood in front of the door with her clipboard in her hand. "I see you didn't go lazying around again," Nano stated.
"Have some confidents in me," Shunsui stated with a laugh. "I just went to go pick up Ichigo so he didn't get lost."
Nano stated, "Taichou, you have a bad habbit of wandering around and lazying about when there's work to be done."
Shunsui laughed as he sat down holding a piece of paper looking it over. Ichigo sat opposite of him and looked at him, "So why did you call me here. I know it isn't about plentries."
Shunsui sighed and stated, "Why don't you enjoy you tea until Junshiro arrives."
"I thought he called Rukia," Ichigo stated.
"It is true that he did call her," Nano stated. "However he wants her to help out with his paperwork so he can be here."
"Okay then," Ichigo stated picking up a cup.
Nano scribbled on her clipboard as he continued to drink. "Taichou," Nano stated. "What time do you fine suitable to train the newer members?"
"Hmm that's a good question," Shunsui laughed.
"Jeez taichou," Nano sighed.
"Is that paperwork," Ichigo asked her.
"Hmm why yes it is," she responded. "Taichou does fill it out but details like this he always leaves to me."
Ichigo held out his hand. "I've got time let me help out."
"Thank you but I don't think it is easy as you-," Nano started.
"Just let him," Shunsui stated. "He can't be worse than Zaraki now right?"
"I guess," she stated handing her clipboard over to him.
Ichigo looked at it and stated, "You double booked it you know."
"Wait what," Nano called out.
"Yeah you're SWA meeting is at the same time as your meeting with Byakuya it also says something about vacation," Ichigo stated. "Not only that but you left your noon for the same time completely blank."
Nano took it back to find what he said was right. "How did I miss this," she wondered.
Ichigo gave one of his rare smiles and stated, "In my high school I managed to get into the top ten of all my classmates."
Nano blinked in surprise as Kyoraku laughed heartily. "Well I'm impressed," Shunsui stated. "I would have thought you liked fighting."
"Tsk not if I can help it," Ichigo stated scratching his head. "I hate fighting unless I really have to, but unfortunately my I have a bit of a temper."
"A bit of a temper," Nano repeated. "Says the man that have single handle destroyed almost half the Seireitei trying to save only one person with a cat, and three other humans."
Ichigo blushed and looked away. "I was just trying to right a wrong."
"Maybe in your eyes," Shunsui stated. "Now we have to tread carefully or else we might anger you, huh?"
Ichigo looked further away and stated, "I don't want to be treated different, I get that enough as it is."
"My my," Ukitake Jushiro chuckled as he came towards them. "Having some fun are you, Shunsui?"
Shunsui laughed and stated, "Well now you're here I guess I should let him in our little problem huh?"
"Problem," Ichigo repeated as he moved facing Shunsui as Jushiro sat next to his oldest friend. "What kind of problem?"
Shunsui stated, "Well it isn't really a problem as of yet. However the people who have sent out these poems of sorts have promised to destroy everything here."
"Yes and that would cause a bit of a problem now wouldn't it," Ukitake agreed.
"A really big one at that," Shunsui stated and slid the paper he was holding towards Ichigo. "This is the poem they sent. Three men and one woman appeared near the Sekimon towards the west and threatened to get even with the Soul Society for the injustice they have received in the past. The woman scattered these saying only the one person can answer this poem. The person that it concerns will only have a chance if they answer all the questions."
Ichigo read:
"From one to five the time that is hated
We shall come and not be delated
The protector of all
The day the angel fall
We shall reappear
With only one chance to be repaired
One guardian's past shall be fulfilled
Only to one to the angel was killed
Ichigo turned pale as he read it over. "Something wrong Ichigo," Kyoraku asked, "you seem a bit troubled."
"Uh yeah it yeah," Ichigo stated. "I know some of the answers, but. . ."
"But," Kyoraku insisted as he studied the Substitute Soul Reaper.
Ichigo frowned as he thought of his mother. Ichigo sighed and stated, "I only know the date and time that's all."
"Well that's more than we know," Ukitake stated smiling. "What do you know?"
Kyoraku sighed and let the question he wanted answer drop, but kept a careful eye on Ichigo. "June 16," Ichigo stated. "At around sunset."
"Sunset," Ukitake repeated. "That's a rather broad time frame."
"I don't like sunsets," Ichigo stated with a smirk. "Never did as a child. June sixteen though that is a bit more complicated. As for the rest well. . ."
"So the poem is about you," Kyoraku asked as he took the paper back from Ichigo.
"Well it does say my name over and over," Ichigo stated as he crossed his arms. " 'one to five', 'one guardian', and 'the protector'. Different variations of my name. At least they didn't put strawberry."
"Hmm," Kyoraku stated. "You do realize that until this threat is dealt with you can't return home right?"
Ichigo nodded, and stated, "We figured as much."
"I'll set up a place at my barracks," Ukitake stated. "I'm hope that's okay with you Ichigo."
"Thank you Ukitake," Ichigo stated with a sad smile.
"Ichigo if you know anything else it would be very useful," Kyoraku stated.
Ichigo looked the kimono wearing captain in the eyes, and stated, "I don't know anything else."
Kyoraku nodded and said, "In your own time then. But I have to ask you do so within the time limit that was set for us."
Ichigo didn't answer and looked at the two older captains. "I'm going to inform Rukia and Renji about the change in plans," Ichigo stated.
"Ichigo one more thing," Ukitake stated making Ichigo pause with his back turned to the white hair captain. "I know you are quite use to everything, but I ask you to have an escort. With this new threat and you as the target, well one can never be too careful."
"I'll try to see if anyone will be willing," Ichigo stated. "Though they might be a bit busy."
Before they could say anything else Ichigo shunpo away. Leaving the two worried over the younger man.