Chapter 3
"What?" Rukia had to grip at Renji's robes to keep him from leaping at the Division 1 captain. "It's impossible! We can't just- "
"You can, and you will." Commander Yamamoto spoke quietly, but no one could ignore the authority in his voice. Renji stepped back in line and looked around the room in disbelief at the other Captains and Vice-captains assembled there. No one besides him expressed even a hint of emotion.
"It's been 5 years since Aizen Sousuke, Tousen Kaname, and Ichimaru Gin have betrayed us. We knew that Aizen would return stronger than ever, and now his preparations have succeeded. He has amassed a hollow army so large that they are capable of ripping the seams between the spiritual worlds. Our defenses here in Soul Society will not last. It is only a matter of days before that rip tears the sky open. And when his army comes forth, he will know exactly where to find the Hougyoku." The commander paused and let his grim words sink in. "That is why we are sending an elite team to guard the Hougyoku and attempt to hide its presence from Aizen."
"The time has come." Commander Yamamoto beckoned for Rukia to come forward. She had to concentrate on every step she took so that the trembling of her body would not betray the fear she felt in her heart.
"6th Division - Capt Kuchiki Byakuya"
Kuchiki Byakuya stepped forward silently.
"9th Division - Capt Hisagi Shuuhei"
"Yes, sir"
"10th Division - Capt Hitsugaya Toushirou, Vice Capt Matsumoto Gin"
"Sir!"
"And 5th Division."
Rnnji had stepped forward when Rukia had. But his vice-captain, Hinamori Momo took a timid step forward and gave a response that was barely audible.
"Don't leave out the 10th division!" Zaraki Kenpachi's voice boomed. Yachiru poked her head out from behind his spiky hair, "Yes! Ken-chan would enjoy this very much!"
Commander Yamamoto gave a nod of approval and allowed Kenpachi to step forward. Satisfied, he addressed those standing before him. "Your mission is to protect Kuchiki Rukia to the death. The fate of all souls rest in the power of your sword. Those of us who remain will begin to fortify Soul Society immediately. We are about to head to the battlefield!" He began the chant of the Gotei 13, and soon all voices in the room began to chime in and became a thunderous roar.
"Promise! Even if the ground may split, we will come back alive to this place!"
It started with a tiny sliver. At first Ichigo thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, so he rubbed them and stared back up into the sky. What started as a thin black line now took the shape of a crescent, like a black moon. Something was wrong. He exchanged looks with the others and confirmed that he was not the only one that felt it. And then from the crescent emerged a familiar form. A menos pushed its way out into the human world followed by a dozen or so large hollows before the black hole closed up behind them.
The effect was instantaneous. Ishida drew his bow and began readying an arrow. Chad's arm transformed and Inoue called out the names of her fairies. Only Ichigo took a step back.
It took only a few minutes to see that they were outnumbered. Blood dripped from Ishida's fingertip. "Kurosaki! This isn't a time for you to zone out. Get into your spiritual form and fight!"
Ichigo was unable to answer him. He could do nothing but watch as the hollows closed in on them until all four of their backs were up against each other. The menos opened its mouth to fire a cero but then there was a blinding white light followed by what sounded like a bunch of loud explosions. The cero never came. In fact, even though he was blinded by all the debris in the air, he could not sense the presence of a single hollow. Finally the dust started to settle and he could make out the outlines of their rescuers coming towards them. The first person he saw clearly was a girl in an unmistakable black shinigami uniform. With hair tied back in a ponytail. And wearing a red hat.
"Yo! Ichi-nii," Karin smirked at the disbelief on her brother's face. Especially when behind her came Tatsuki, sandal-hat man, and three others, Tessai, Ururu, and Jinta, he recognized as workers from the same store. "Urahara's Shop, at your service.
A/N: I'm back and ready to stick with this story all the way to the end. Thanks for reading! I'll be updating soon!