Chapter 8- The New Rule Over Soul Society

Back in Soul Society there was great unrest as the new Central 46 took command. In his office, General Yammamoto stood at his window. Everyone is nervous about this new Central 46. I hope they do not give us reason to doubt them. If so, things are going to get very bad around here…. As he thought this, Captian Soi Fon entered.

"What is it?" The general growled, turning to face her.

"Sir, I came for a situation briefing. On the situation in Hueco Mundo." She said swiftly. Yammamoto wasted little time briefing her.

"Captain Sajin has just sent back a hell butterfly with some information. He and Zaraki engaged and defeated two arrancars while the others headed to the fortress where Aizen is believed to be hiding." He paused.

"Is that all commander?" Soi pressed for more information. Taking a breath, the commander finished his report. "However, he reports that Captain Mayuri and Vice-Captain Izuru's spiritual signatures have vanished…"

Soi was deeply concerned upon hearing this, and she quickly suggested another approach. "Sir, with all due respect, I believe we should send another group."

The general immediately answered her back in a gruff voice. "Do you not think I've suggested it to Central 46 already? They refused."

"But General please! We can't just leave them to die!" Soi raised her voice, her hands in fist's at her side. "For now we will stay this course until I can think of another plan!" The general yelled back. After a moment of silence, Soi Fon knew the general couldn't go against Central 46 either.

"Forgive me Commander." She said bowing then turned and left the office.

Meanwhile in the barracks of the sixth division, Vice-Captain Renji was talking on his soul pager to Rukia.

"We don't even know if Captain Mayuri and Izuru are even alive.." Came Renji's voice. "Are they going to send help?" Rukia asked urgently. She heard her friend sigh on the other end. "No…at least not now. This new Central 46 is shifty and they won't allow a rescue to be sent."

"…What do we do Renji?" Rukia asked, hoping he had thought of something. After a moment of silence, Renji answered. "Until we think of something over here, just stay put. I'll let you know when something comes up…" But Rukia couldn't accept that.

"No, I can't. WE can't. If Central 46 is governing the gates in Soul Society, then I'll go to Hueco Mundo with Urahara. He can help." Now Renji was concerned. "Rukia, you can't. If they catch you in the dangai they'll capture you and sentence you to death for offending their orders!"

"Then they'll have to kill me to stop me.." And the line went dead as she hung up. "RUKIA!" Renji yelled into the phone but she was already gone. Damnit Rukia. Don't get yourself caught. I'll help you as soon as I can. I promise.

At the Kurosaki clinic, Rukia turned to Ichigo, who had listened to the conversation. For a minute niether of them said anything. Then Ichigo finally broke the silence. "I'm not going to try to stop you. But I'm sure as hell going with you."

"You don't have to Ichigo. I'll be fine. Urahara will go with me." She said as she got her things together. "I don't care if he goes, I said I'm going." Ichigo retorted. Knowing there was no changing his mind, Rukia gave in. "Alright Ichigo. But what about the others? Sado, Uryu and Orihime? Are you going to tell them?" Rukia didn't want to put more of her friends in danger. But Ichigo's answer didn't help her at all. "Of course. We're all in this together. We've got to help each other don't we? That's what friends do."