Chapter 6- Disturbing Developments

In Karakura town, life was going on as usual, at least for the most part. Ichigo and his friends went to school and hung out together most days. Hollows appeared now and then and Ichigo and Rukia took care of them. Things seemed to be going so smoothly. Almost too smoothly for Rukia.

It was a Friday, and Ichigo and his family were having a movie night. As the gang laughed and joked about the movie, Ichigo could tell something was bothering Rukia. She sat and watched the movie, but it didn't seem she was really watching it. Her mind was elsewhere and Ichigo could tell. As the movie came to an end, the gang disbanded and everyone went to bed. As Ichigo and Rukia made their way upstairs and into his room, he confronted her.

"Hey, is there something wrong Rukia? You weren't very talkative tonight." Ichigo asked as he sat on his bed and watched Rukia walk to the closet. Hearing him, she stopped and turned to him.

"Its nothing Ichigo. Why would something be wrong? Everythings been great the past few days." She said in a somewhat normal tone. Before she could give him a chance to respond she ended the conversation with a short "Goodnight Ichigo" then crawled into her bed and shut the door.

Sure. I'll find out what it is sooner or later Rukes. Ichigo thought to himself as he lay in bed and was soon asleep.

The next morning Ichigo was woken up by a shrill sound coming from somewhere in his room. Jumping out of bed he immediately knew it was coming from Rukia's closet. What in the world could that be?

Walking to the closet he slowly opened the door. Upon opening it, he could clearly see Rukia was not there, but her soul pager was going off like crazy. Picking it up and flipping it open he could see it had picked up several hollow signatures nearby.

"Rukia! Where are you!?" He yelled as he ran out of the room. As he ran down the hall he collided with her just as she was exiting the bathroom.

"Ow! Watch it moron!" She yelled as she pushed him away and rubbed her forehead.

"No time for fighting, there's three hollows out there according to your soul pager!" Ichigo yelled and began running for the door. But before he could reach it, Rukia grabbed the back of his shirt and yanked him back. "What the hell are you doing? We've gotta take care of this!" He yelled as he struggled against her.

"Calm down Ichigo. There aren't any hollows around. This pagers been broken for the past week now. I've already placed an order with Urahara for a new one."

"Huh? Are you sure?" Ichigo asked quickly, glaring at her. "Yes Ichigo, I'm sure. Use your head. Do you feel any spiritual signatures nearby?"

Glancing around for a second, Ichigo had to admit, he didn't feel any abnormal signatures anywhere. Shaking his head he agreed with her. "Sorry. I guess I got ahead of myself." Rukia just scoffed. "Forget it. I should've told you. That's my bad."

Sighing, Ichigo turned and walked back to his room and put the soul pager back in the closet. Just as he was about to go back to bed, the pager went off again. Irritated, he picked it up again and was about to throw it against the wall when he suddenly realized it wasn't a hollow alert. It was a message from Urahara. Ichigo quickly read it and then headed downstairs to see Rukia.

From: Kisuke Urahara
To: Kuchiki Rukia

Rukia, there's been some disturbing developments in the Soul Society. There are scattered rumors that a new Central 46 is being appointed to run the Seireitei. But there is a lot tension building. It seems these new men are not to be trusted. Please meet with me at my shop at five o'clock.

Bolting downstairs, Ichigo grabbed Rukia, who was just about to get her breakfast. "What the-….Ichigo!" Pulling her out the front door, Rukia finally broke free of Ichigo's grasp. "Ichigo! What the hell is wrong with you now!?" Ichigo said nothing, but showed her the message on her pager. Her eyes went wide after reading it.

"A new Central 46? But how can that be? Commander Yamamoto is supposed to have full discretion over Soul Society until this tragedy has passed." She said in a puzzled tone. Finally Ichigo spoke. "Yeah. This doesn't sound good. Especially coming from Urahara."

Nodding in agreement, Rukia continued. "Come on, let's go inside and get ready. I think we've got a long day ahead of us Ichigo."

Later that day, Ichigo and Rukia headed to Urahara's shop. Urahara was quite pleased to see the two of them. "Please come in. We have a great deal to discuss." He said as they made their way inside. Once they had settled, Yoruichi greeted them and brought them each a cup of tea.

"Thanks Yoruichi." Ichigo said as she placed a cup in front of him and Rukia. Then Urahara walked in and sat across from them, sipping his own tea. "So I see you got my message, excellent." He started.

"Whats going on Urahara? Why and how is this happening?" Rukia asked without hesitation. There was a level of real concern in her tone.

"Why is not really clear at this point. But the how is very clear indeed." He said, setting his cup down. "Well? What is it?" Ichigo pressed.

"Well, a group of highly recommended officials is poised to replace Central 46. And unfortunately, the law of the Seireitei states that there must be a government in place. Even in times of emergency, such as Aizens betrayal. That's how they are seizing power. The real concern is, that after I did some research on each branch member, I noticed that each of these men had ties to Aizen in some way in the past. This is something most don't know, since many don't look that far back. Especially in these times of war." Urahara finished, waiting for his words to sink in.

"Isn't there something Yamamoto can do?" Ichigo asked quickly. Shaking his head, Urahara explained. "I wish he could. But as you know, the thirteen guard squads are under the direct jurisdiction of Central 46. There is little he can do without being called a traitor himself."

Rukia shook her head in disbelief and retorted. "So you mean there is nothing we can do about this? We just have to sit back and let it happen?" Urahara nodded slowly. "Unfortunately yes. There is little anyone can do, unless the members pass unjust laws. In which the court guard squads could vote to remove them from power. But its only after the fact."

Yoruichi, standing in the corner, spoke now. "This is most disturbing."

Ichigo and Rukia looked at each other blankly. "Disturbing developments indeed."