The whole group had returned to the Kurosaki Clinic, where Yuzu was resting comfortably in one of the recliners in the living room. Kaichou was sitting on the floor next to her. Karin was asleep on the floor, resting her head on Kaichou's lap, and with bandages wrapped around her head.

Ichigo and Isshin had returned to their rightful bodies, Isshin's having been temporarily abandoned in the parking lot and carried to the clinic by Kaichou. The Soul candy spirits and brought all the Gigai of the Soul Reapers to the clinic as well and they were now being inhabited by their rightful owners.

The Wrangler was standing with her arms crossed next to Yuzu, her sunglasses and bandana still covering her face.

"So what's going on? Why did those things attack us?" Toshiro asked, being the first to break the silence.

"The LeBlancs are attracted to Yuzu's spiritual pressure. Within her soul lies an object of great power that the LeBlancs want so that they can open up the barriers between our world and theirs." The Wrangler answered.

"Forgive my skepticism but why is Yuzu Kurosaki of any worth to them?" Toshiro asked.

"Because she is the key." The Wrangler said, causing Toshiro, Soi Fon, Yoruichi, and Urahara to blink in disbelief.

"The what?" Kisuke asked in shock.

"You heard me." The Wrangler replied.

"What are you talking about?" Ichigo asked annoyed.

"I'm talking about the King's Key." The Wrangler said as everyone but the Kurosaki's, Orihime, Chad, and Uryu froze in disbelief.

"The what?" Ichigo asked.

"The King's Key. The key that can open a temporary hole in the barrier that separates the secret realm the King of the Soul Society lives in from the other worlds. But overthrowing the king isn't the sole interest of the LeBlancs…at least I don't think so." The Wrangler explained.

"Why's that?" Rukia asked.

"I think overthrowing the king is only one of their goals, the other is to open the gates of their world so that they can enter ours more easily. See, the King's Key not only opens the portal to the King's realm but it can open portals to other realms as well…the LeBlanc's realm included." The Wrangler explained.

"Captain Kurosaki did you know about this?" Toshiro asked as Isshin, who had been leaning next to the poster of his late wife the whole time, gave a smile.

"I did, yes. You see, about ten years ago when my wife was pregnant, we were visited by a member of the Royal Guard…" Isshin said as he started to explain.


Flashback…
Karakura Hospital.

Isshin Kurosaki was pacing anxiously in the currently empty waiting room of the maternity ward. Masaki, his wife, had gone into labor a few minutes ago and Isshin's heart was pounding. He glanced over at one of the chairs to see his five year old son, Ichigo, sound asleep. The boy had been excited about becoming a big brother but had worn himself out.

The image of a sleeping Ichigo brought a smile to Isshin's face. He didn't notice a pair of men in matching black business suits enter. They both had a strange symbol on their lapels. One of them spotted Isshin and motioned such to his partner.

"Captain Isshin Kurosaki?" one of them asked as Isshin stopped pacing.

"Captain Kurosaki? I haven't been called that in ninety years. You two must be from the Soul Society." Isshin said as he turned towards them. Then he noticed their lapel pins.

"Oh, you are from the Soul Society…you're members of the Royal Guard." Isshin said with an arched eyebrow.

"Yes sir we are. We've been sent by his majesty the King of the Soul Society on a special mission of the utmost importance." The first said.

"I see. So what's this got to do with me?" Isshin asked curiously as the second opened the palm of his left hand flat and then punched it with his right, causing an energy wave that caused Isshin to burst from his Gigai and into his Soul Reaper garb.

"His majesty has it on the utmost authority that there is a traitor within the ranks of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. Who it is and what their motives are is currently unknown to us however." The second said.

"Any leads?" Isshin asked as the first shook his head.

"No. But his majesty fears that the traitor will attempt to acquire the key that leads to the King's realm and over throw him. What do you know of the King's key?" the first asked.

"I know that you need one hundred thousand souls to form it, and that's all I know." Isshin said as the two looked at each other.

"You are correct Captain, there is that method of creating a key, but there is another more simpler way to obtain the key. There is a preexisting key that the King deliberately left in the hands of the Commander of the thirteen court guard squads when they were first created so long ago. Since then the key was lost until we finally found it last year. It was recovered by the Royal Guard and the King has held onto it since. However he fears that in the event this traitor should forge the key successfully, he wants the Soul Reapers loyal to him to have the original so that they might come to defend their King." The first explained.

"So what does this have to do with me?" Isshin asked confused.

"We know that you are retired but that you still possess all of your Spiritual energy from your days as Captain of the eleventh squad, despite the fact you have masterfully masked it. We had quite a hard time finding you Captain. The King wants you to be the guardian of the original key." The second explained.

"Me? But how?" Isshin asked confused.

"The best way to hide the key is by fusing it with a living soul. But not any ordinary soul can work, the prospective host must have spiritual pressure of its own and it must be done within a certain window of opportunity after the soul's birth into the human world. I am referring to when a child is born. Right now we sense the spiritual pressure of your currently unborn child a-." the first said but was interrupted by Isshin.

"Children. Twin girls. I know because I'm a doctor myself and I performed the ultrasound on my wife personally." Isshin corrected.

"How lovely." The second said with a smile.

"Anyway, we sense that they both have equal amounts of spiritual pressure. We only wish to hide the key within one of them." The first said as Isshin thought.

"The key gives off a spiritual pressure of its own doesn't it?" Isshin asked as the two Guards looked at each other.

"Not in its sealed state like it is now. Like a Zanpakuto, the key exists in three forms. It's sealed form acts as a sponge for spirit energy and reduces the amount of the host's excess spiritual energy to ten percent or lower. It doesn't absorb the vitally required spirit energy that it necessary for all spirits to survive. The host will only be able lucky to even sense spirits much less see them." The first explained.

"The key's Shikai form restores the host's spiritual energy but with that comes a cost. If the host is not careful of their emotions, the key will inadvertently weaken the barriers between this world and the others, such as Hueco Mundo and the Soul Society. While that might cause a sudden influx of Hollows we fear that it might cause something else. We were not informed of what this other consequence might be I'm afraid." The second added.

"The Key's Bankai form will allow gaps to open between the barriers between the world the host is currently in and the King's world. The Key's Bankai form will also provide a substantial amount of additional spiritual energy to the host." The first said as Isshin pondered.

"Do I have a choice with this?" Isshin asked.

"The king wouldn't force this upon you so mercilessly. He is giving you a choice to make Captain. His majesty will understand if you refuse and no consequence of any sort will come upon you if you refuse. But he does humbly remind you that if you do refuse, the hollows will be more attracted to your family. Your son's and your daughter's combined spiritual pressure will be something of an attraction for them." The second explained as Isshin played out both scenarios in his mind.

Accept the key and have a reduced risk of hollow attack but open the possibility of someone coming in search of it and place the host in a different kind of danger or refuse it and have an increased risk of hollow attack. It was a hard choice, one that he couldn't make lightly.

"Can I have a minute?" Isshin asked as the two nodded.

"Certainly." The first said as they backed away.

Isshin sat down next to the still slumbering Ichigo and looked at the boy. The thought of his children being killed by a hollow made his stomach churn and knowing how rarely the Royal Guard associated with the Soul Reapers, he figured the identity of the Key's host would forever remain a secret.

"Okay…do it." Isshin said softly as the two Guards bowed and walked away.


End Flashback…

"After that, Yuzu and Karin are born and they merged the key with Yuzu's soul. I was the only one who knew after that because the two guards performed a ritualistic suicide to keep the host's identity a secret." Isshin said as he finished explaining.

"You mean you never told mom?" Ichigo asked as Isshin motioned to wait a minute.

"No I did tell her and she agreed that it was ultimately safer this way. But how it entered Shikai form is a mystery to me." Isshin said as the Wrangler sighed.

"I might be able shed some light on the situation." The Wrangler said as Ichigo glared at her.

"Yeah what did you do to my sister?!" Ichigo shouted angrily.

"I didn't release its Shikai form if that's what you're assuming. If anything I tried to seal it back up but I couldn't. The key is resistant to outside interference. Only Yuzu can seal it back up." The Wrangler explained.

"But how did she unleash it's Shikai in the first place?" Ichigo asked as Urahara pondered.

"It's possible that she subconsciously released it out of fear when that Hollow attacked her. She might have wished for an ability to defend herself and inadvertently released it. If that's the case then Yuzu is going to have to learn to seal it back." Urahara explained.

"But that would involve training on a Soul Reaper level!" Renji said as the Wrangler shrugged.

"Well then what better place to get her the training she needs than the Soul Reaper Academy?" the Wrangler asked as she approached Ichigo.

"What are you thinking?! Take Yuzu to the Soul Society?! Can't Mr. Hat-n-clogs do it or Yoruichi or hell even dad would be better than going there!" Ichigo argued.

"Actually son I agree with her. The Soul Reaper Academy is much better equipped to help train her, and what's more if she loses control of her emotions and more of those creatures get through then at least she'll have a veritable army of Soul Reapers there to protect her." Isshin said as Toshiro nodded.

"Captain Kurosaki is correct. The Academy may not seem like the best choice to you Ichigo but it is by far the safest. Also take into consideration that once the Captains are informed of the situation they will devote their very lives to protecting her. She does after all hold the key to the King's realm, and the protection of such an important device would immediately be made top priority." Toshiro added as Ichigo conceded the point.

"Okay then. I guess we're going to the Soul Society." Ichigo said as he turned to his friends.

"I'm not going to make you guys go if you don't want to. You can certainly stay here if you want. It's your choice." Ichigo said as Orihime smiled and quickly hugged Ichigo.

"Oh Ichigo, how could you think that I wouldn't join you?" Orihime asked as Ichigo shrugged.

"Chad what about you?" Ichigo asked as Chad stood up and nodded.

"I may not be of any use anymore but perhaps I can find a way to change the effect my arrows have on the LeBlancs. I'm going too." Uryu said as Ichigo nodded.

"Rukia what about you?" Ichigo asked but Toshiro interrupted.

"Rukia is an active Soul Reaper; she has no choice in the matter. She is accompanying us to the Soul Society." Toshiro said as Ichigo blinked.

"Us? You're going to Toshiro?" Ichigo asked.

"It's Captain Hitsugaya and yes, myself, Rangiku, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Renji, Captain Soi Fon, and especially Rukia are all going with you to the Soul Society. It is our duty to protect the King's Key from harm and keep it out of the wrong hands." Toshiro replied.

"Oh." Ichigo said sheepishly.

"Mind if I tag along? I could be of some use to you guys after all." Yoruichi asked as Ichigo nodded.

"Sure…just stay dressed." Ichigo pleaded as Yoruichi grinned.

"I'm not making any promises Ichigo." Yoruichi chuckled.

"Wait I just had a thought. What will happen if we all suddenly leave, there will be no one to protect Karakura town from the Hollows." The Wrangler said as Kisuke smiled.

"Leave that to me. I can probably get the Visoreds to keep watch while you're gone." Urahara said as they heard someone clear their throat. They looked around and saw that Karin was wide awake with her arms crossed.

"Don't I get a say in this?" Karin asked.

"H-h-how long have you been awake?" Ichigo asked nervously, fearing his cover was blown.

"Ever since dad started explaining how Yuzu has some sort of powerful key in her soul that's been there ever since we were born." Karin answered as everyone sweat dropped.

"You know it wouldn't exactly hurt her to get some Soul Reaper training of her own. Then she can provide more assistance and probably help take over some of your duties when you can't Ichigo." Urahara suggested.

"Huh, a whole family of Soul Reapers. That's a thought." Rangiku said as she scratched her chin.

"No that's ironic." Rukia said with a smirk. It took them a moment before remembering that members of the Kuchiki family did indeed tend to become Soul Reapers.

"Just curious Karin, how much do you know about all this?" Ichigo asked.

"I've known you were a Soul Reaper for a long time, and I've known that Toshiro and Rangiku are too. Toshiro explained everything to me after saving me from a hollow while you were off doing something heroic." Karin explained.

"Well since it's true confessions time, I suppose that I should make a quick explanation." The Wrangler said as she turned to Ichigo.

"May I borrow your Deputy Soul Reaper badge?" she asked as Ichigo arched an eyebrow and handed it to her.

"Ever since the King's Key entered its Shikai form, I've known that I've had to keep an eye on Yuzu at all times, in order to study what had happened. I truthfully didn't expect it to be the King's key until Isshin explained it all to me the night I arrived but before that point I knew needed to watch Yuzu carefully. To that end I had Urahara construct a Gigai for me." The Wrangler said as she walked up to Kaichou and pressed the badge against her chest, causing her to cough up a dark blue soul candy.

"Wait you mean you're not our aunt?" Ichigo asked as the Wrangler paused and turned away from the Gigai which slumped against the wall. The Wrangler then removed her hat and sunglasses and then pulled her bandana below her chin. She was the spitting image of Kaichou.

"Actually I am your aunt Ichigo. I needed the Gigai because I had used up too much strength in trying to seal the king's key to perform a rather strenuous ability known as Gigai shaping." The Wrangler explained.

"Gigai shaping?" Toshiro asked confused but Yoruichi answered.

"Its how I can transform into a cat and back at will. There are three stages to it. There is an animal stage where you transform into a creature that best reflects your personality like a Zanpakuto. In my case, my soul represents a cat. The Wrangler's animal stage is that of a Great Black Hawk." Yoruichi explains.

"So you were that Hawk that Yuzu thought was going to eat Yoruichi!" Toshiro exclaimed.

"Yep that was me." The Wrangler chuckled.

"The second stage is the human stage, which is basically when you can return to your original form. The only problem with that is that you return completely naked. And Ichigo knows that for a fact quite well wouldn't you Ichigo?" Yoruichi teased as Ichigo turned a crimson red and sweat dropped.

"Dah! Not intentionally!" Ichigo groaned as Yoruichi and the Wrangler chuckled.

"Yoruichi you have a filthy mind." The Wrangler said as Yoruichi nodded.

"So?" she asked back.

"I love it, but just remember that he's my nephew and I would kill you if you tried anything serious." The Wrangler said as Yoruichi shrugged it off innocently.

"Oh you aren't any fun B.W." Yoruichi replied with a mischievous smirk.

"So what's this third stage of Gigai shaping?" Rangiku asked.

"Oh that's easy. The third and most difficult stage is adding clothing over the Gigai. I've managed to reach a point where I can do it more easily but I am far from mastering it." The Wrangler said with a shrug.

"So tell me this. If you really are my aunt, is your name really Kaichou Kurosaki?" Ichigo asked as the Wrangler thought for a moment.

"Normally I don't do this unless I'm around people whom I feel close to but yes. My true name is Kaichou Kurosaki. My full title however is Captain Kaichou Kurosaki, fourteenth division, alias The Black Wrangler." Kaichou said with a grin.

"So I guess being a Soul Reaper is something of a family business huh?" Ichigo asked as Isshin shrugged.

"Well being a former noble family does have its perks." Isshin said as Ichigo and Karin were the most astonished of the group.

"Whoa-whoa-whoa wait! We were one of the Soul Society's noble families?!" Ichigo asked as Kaichou nodded.

"Former noble family yes. We fell from grace when I got exiled. Isshin had already given the clan a small but noticeable black eye when he chose to retire to the world of the living. I just happened to sink the ship." Kaichou said with a sigh.

"Great. I'm clan royalty." Ichigo grumbled.

"Eh you get used to it. Look at it this way; at least you can technically consider Byakuya an equal now." Rukia said as she playfully elbowed him in the ribs.

"No she said ex-noble family." Ichigo replied.

"So shouldn't we tell Yuzu what's going on?" Karin asked.

"Yeah we should shouldn't we?" Kaichou asked as Isshin nodded.

"That and make arrangements for Ichigo, Karin, and Yuzu to be absent." Isshin said as Kaichou snapped her fingers.

"Oh if it's alright, I've got one more person to add to our little excursion team." Kaichou said as she walked over to the front door.

"Who?" Ichigo asked confused.

"Someone that I've been giving some training since my arrival here in Karakura town. She spotted me by accident when I first arrived. I could sense her potential and when she explained that she was friends with you Ichigo, I figured that she might come in handy in helping you out in the future." Kaichou said as she opened the door, causing everyone to stand stunned at the sight of the person who stood outside the door.

"No way!" Ichigo said stunned as the person entered.

"I don't believe it." Uryu said equally stunned.

"Why do you act so surprised? Don't you know a friend when you see one?" the person asked.

It was Tatsuki Arisawa.


End Chapter 9.

Surprised?

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