DV: We'd apologize for the long wait...but we really can't be bothered. Some authors update once a year. Geez, how do they keep any interest in their stories or even remember to write them?

US- No clue, DV my friend? At this point in time, consider the fact that the audience even got this a miracle. To all of the like, five or so supporters of this fic, rejoice! We have this, and maybe one or two more chapters in reserve to polish up.

DV: We have four more chapters already written after this one, but when we publish them is another matter. Despite that, I think both of us are losing interest in the Bleach fandom and are going to wrap up this story earlier than originally intended.

US- Like, I still plan to continue UWB (Far too much of myself emotionally put into the state of that fic), but I can't deal with this sidestory sapping my creative efforts from UWB. Onto happier news though, even once this fic is kicked to the curb, there are positive tidings on the horizon…

DV: Indeed. It was the fandom, not the collaboration, part that makes this hard to do. So we'll be doing more collaboration work in the future, just in different fandoms...one's that aren't on their deathbed...we hope.

US- Oh woe is me. UWB is literally me beating a dead horse but that I'm too freakin' stubborn to give up on. Oh well. Necromancy is always possible. So yeah- keep your eyes on the horizon, and revise your Greek mythology, you smarty pants, you.

Yoruichi I

The feline known as Yoruichi was having a terrible day. And to think that things had been going so well… at least until everyone besides her was captured. Even Ichigo, the supposed 'trump card' in this operation, had been easily subdued by Ichimaru Gin.

Yoruichi placed a feline paw upon her face, despairing at what Urahara had been planning when he decided it was a good idea to send a bunch of novice teenagers to reclaim Rukia (And consequently the precious treasure held within her). It's not like he had over half a dozen Captain or Lieutenant class fighters sitting around idly waiting to do something to get back at Aizen…

"Oh wait, he did." Yoruichi gruffly said to herself, seriously wondering why not even a single one of the Vizard had been sent on this mission.

Still, there was little she could do about the fact that she had been sent on a mission with no chance of success, because now she was going to have to make a chance of success. While Yoruichi was both beautiful and powerful, not even a goddess such as herself could single handedly rescue Rukia Kuchiki from her fate.

But, it was within her ability to even the odds- all she needed to do was ensure that she wasn't fighting alone. After all, she previously had been Captain of the Second Squad, removing her wayward charges from their predicament was well within her capabilities.

Thus her present placement, stalking out the defenses of the Seireitei prison. From her general observations it appeared that her former student Soi Fon hadn't changed up the defenses too much, but unfortunately they were on maximum security alert. All of the original invading Ryoka had been captured aside from herself, and only the other party were still at large. Therefore Soi Fon was putting a hell of a lot of effort to make sure that she kept her prisoners locked up while elsewhere the bulk of the Seireitei forces were dedicated to tracking the remaining Ryoka.

At this very moment, Yoruichi could sense five massive Reiatsu presences. Three Captains and two Lieutenants were presently waiting within the confines of the building, while several other higher seated division members had been brought in to bolster the defenses of the prison. Her chances at getting in and out again with her charges were at an all time low.

"Time for some up close reconnaissance," she mused, and vanished like a ghost. To her finely honed senses the world was slow, and she easily dodged patrols, pursuers, guards and all without even a single person noticing her. Truly she had missed the thrill of the eternal game of cat and mouse; the adrenaline and knowledge that one misstep could lead to total ruin was marvelous.

Slowly but surely, she crept closer to the prison, circling round it and observing every fault and weakness, memorizing every guard's position and movements, finding out just what she would need to be dealing with aside from the five big threats.

Then, she spotted something. Two of the outer guards were currently taking an 'unofficial' break (Which would have certainly pissed off her former student had she been aware they were doing this), leaning against a wall and smoking a cigarette each while gossiping.

A large grin came to her lips. "Well, this discovery is almost as valuable as a full saucepan of milk."

There was nothing Yoruichi could appreciate more than the gossip of light lipped guards- it was amazing what the grunts of any organisation actually knew. The former Captain ghosted across the rooftops until she found the perfect perch to watch the duo from without being caught.

"Hey, did you hear that Captain Soi Fon's already headed off to her meeting?" Said the shorter guard.

"Well duh. I wouldn't dare skive off work if she was around. I swear she has a seventh sense for telling when work is being avoided."

"True, true." Shorty joked, patting his friends back. "Hey, you bring any sake?"

"No."

"Don't get like that! From that tone I can tell you have!" Shorty prodded Taller. "C'mon, just a sip!"

"No! Get your own booze, you leech!"

Yoruichi just listened, "Then again, grunts are grunts for a reason."

"Please! You never do your friend a favour!"

"Yes I do! I always give you some, you dumbass. Look, will you stop bothering me and let me smoke in relative peace if I give you one sip?"

Shorty nodded his head dumbly- to the cat he looked suspiciously like a bobblehead. She wondered if punching him in the face would cause the unconscious man's head to bob back and forth. "Sure!"

"Fine. But only just before we go back to work."

"Aaah! But who knows when the Captain will be back to rain on our parade? Can't you get it out now."

"She only just left, you dumbass. You know she's the sort of woman to arrive somewhere an hour early just so that she can ram that rod further up her butt by scowling at everyone else when they arrive on time, as if to judge them for daring to not appear before the deadline."

"What's the meeting about anyway?" Shorty asked.

Suddenly, the goddess of flash shot to feet, and she leaned in. This sounded like something she could actually use. "You know how we have those higher ups here to prevent all the captured Ryoka from escaping?"

"Yes?"

"Well, I saw a messenger sprinting to Captain Soi Fons door as if the devil was chasing her."

"So?"

"SO!?" Taller practically shouted. "You dumbass, there's news. Ever since they broke into the Tower earlier today and practically mauled Rukia Kuchiki the vast majority of the forces have been looking for them. That messenger means they have a lead. I wouldn't be surprised if this Captain's meeting is detailing just how they'll use that information."

Beat. "Wow, you're so smart."

Taller sniggered, and puffed up his chest. "I know, aren't I?"

"Hang on a sec, if we have a bunch of higher ups at prison today, then doesn't that mean we have just as strong a chance of being found skiving our duties than when Captain was here?"

Taller looked dumbfounded for a moment, but recovered. "Sure."

"And since there are five of them, doesn't that mean that even without Soi Fon we still have a five times greater chance of being caught?"

Taller rubbed his short beard thoughtfully. "You know, I never thought of it that way."

Meanwhile, Yoruichi struggled not to snigger at the antics of Dumb and Dumber, as throughout their conversation a Lieutenant had been listening in, not even bothering to hide his presence.

"Ahum." The second in command of the First Squad coughed loudly, causing the duo's attention to snap to him.

"Waaagh! Lieutenant Sasakibe…!"

"Yes, it is I. And just what are you two doing?" He smiled a smile which promised nothing good.

The Flash Goddess wished she could stick around to watch the idiots receive the mother of all scoldings, but with a Lieutenant of present, things were getting a little hot. Especially a Lieutenant as old and skilled as old man Yamamoto's second in command.

WIth a small smile, Yoruichi slipped off into the darkness, leaving no trail behind her. As she left she heard the Lieutenant's head turn to where she had been resting, but he saw nothing. For now though, the cat had been given a lot to think about. Just who were the other Ryoka, as they clearly weren't with her? They certainly weren't on her side as they had almost killed Rukia Kuchiki, but also seemed to be independent of Aizen.

Likewise, just what was the schemer planning? And what were the Captains going to be talking about?

Either way, she needed to do more research. She was in no state at the moment to infiltrate and break out the Karakura group. She would have to wait for an opportunity. All cats know how to bide their time for their prey to place themselves in a position of weakness, and as a stealth specialist she was used to patiently waiting for her foes defences to lower before planting the poisoned dagger in the targets back.

For now she would wait. There was no doubt that these other Ryoka would provide some distraction, and when they did, she would leap at the opportunity. Why oh why hadn't Urahara planned things out more so they might actually have a chance to succeed?