Chapter 2: All Too Familiar

As he waited together with the others for the gate to open on the day of departure for Karakura Town, Toushirou felt a certain heaviness about him. He couldn't figure out what was causing him such anxiety. He had done this several times; dimensional travel was nothing new to him. He hadn't forgotten anything or anyone. As a precaution, he glanced through the small crowd to count heads. 'Vice Captain Matsumoto, Vice Captain Kuchiki, Vice Captain Abarai, Vice Captain Kira, and Captain Shihoin. That's a lot of people to be going for one person, but all are here.' Still, he could not shake this heavy feeling.

He didn't have to worry about it too much longer for the gate was activated and Head Captain Yamamoto began the commencement. "Captains and Vice Captains, You have all made this journey at least once in your lifetime so I trust that you are familiar with the procedures and the traditions. You are to arrive in Karakura Town without any disturbance and disperse into your groups from there. I will now give you your assignments."

Everyone paid close attention to his words as they checked their belongings and made sure to not forget anything, quietly whispering about the reason for splitting up into groups to retrieve one person. "Captain Yoruichi Shihoin, Vice Captain Izuru Kira, and Vice Captain Renji Abarai. You are to proceed to Kisuke Urahara's residence and deliver him this letter of summons. Captain Toushirou Hitsugaya, Vice Captain Rangiku Matsumoto, and Vice Captain Rukia Kuchiki. You are to go directly to the home of Ichigo Kurosaki and inform him of his summons. All of you are to report back to headquarters via. Soul Pager by midnight tonight. Good luck and safe journey to all of you."

Murmurs and whispers broke out amongst the group. "Yamamoto never previously said anything about seeking out Urahara…" … "So that's why he wants all of us to go…" … "I wonder what he is being summoned for…"

As the murmurs died down, Yamamoto began to enter the crowd. None really took notice until he reached his target. He rested his hand on the young, white-haired captain's shoulder, jarring him slightly. Toushirou was not expecting to be approached by his Head Captain, but turned to face him respectfully. "Yes, Head Captain Yamamoto?"

The bearded captain smiled softly at him and pulled him aside, "I need a private favor from you."

Toushirou was floored and a bit nervous that Yamamoto was asking for a favor from him, but was curious nonetheless. "Yes Sir, what is it that you require?"

The elder man pulled a small envelope from his haori and discreetly placed it in the palm of Toushirou's hand. "This is a third summons, but not a public one. I want you to tell no one of this one and deliver it personally and privately to the recipient. My reasoning behind it is that if word were to get out that I was requesting or even allowing the contents of it to come to pass that it would cause quite a stir in both the Seiretei and the world of the living. I would much rather have everything set in stone and in working order before I announce my decisions. The name of the recipient will be visible only to you and said person. You will find it on the back of the envelope near the seal. I trust that you will not have a problem with this?"

Toushirou shook his head slowly, though still slightly puzzled, and placed the letter deep in his own haori. Before turning away to return to the group, he met eyes with the Head Captain and asked one more question, "Sir, if you don't mind me asking, why did you choose me for this task and not someone you might trust more?"

Yamamoto smiled and placed his hand once again on the younger captain's shoulder. "I entrust you with this because I believe that you are one of the people in this group that is most familiar with the recipient. I also trust that you are the most likely in this group to keep your mouth shut long enough to get the job done as directed. Is that reason enough or do I need to continue?"

Toushirou quickly replied, "Oh, no, Head Captain Yamamoto, that is plenty reason enough. Thank you and I will do as directed."

Yamamoto smiled again and answered, "No, Captain Hitsugaya, thank you."

With that, the older Soul Reaper turned and walked back to his post as the younger Soul Reaper returned to the group. Rangiku immediately bounded over to her captain, "Ooh…what did he say??" she prodded.

Toushirou stuck to orders and glared at her brashness. "I am not permitted to say."

At those words the group quickly turned to him and continued to interrogate him. Toushirou could feel his irritation building. Suddenly, as his anger peaked, the air grew sharply colder and thinner in response to his sudden change of mood. This caused everyone to retreat slightly at the acute reaction. Rukia spoke, "What is it, Toushirou? What's the matter?"

His blazing jade eyes pierced through the faces of all that questioned him as his lips parted to respond in an icy tone, "He pulled me aside and spoke to me privately for a reason. If he wanted all of you to know, he would have announced it to the group. Now if you would focus on the tasks you were given we could end this nonsense and get on with this mission. The longer we stand here the longer this will take to complete. Now move."

All parted for him, none wanting to cross him any further in the mood he was currently in for fear of a good tongue lashing and hypothermia.

As the group proceeded through the shimmering gate into the tunnel that led to the world of the living, all were silent in reverence to those who had fallen in previous transitions through worlds. It was in this silence that Toushirou decided to look down at the name on the back of the letter. As his eyes scanned the thick paper, they widened as the glowing gold letters materialized into an all too familiar name, Karin Kurosaki.