Tatsuki's sudden appearance threw the whole gang for a loop. Even Yoruichi and Urahara were surprised.
"Tatsuki, glad to see you got my message." Kaichou said as Tatsuki nodded.
"Glad you invited me Sensei." Tatsuki replied as all eyes turned back to Kaichou.
"Sensei?" Ichigo asked surprised.
"Yes. Sensei. From Friday evening to Saturday Afternoon, I helped guide Tatsuki to use her spiritual energy. She still has more to learn but at least now she can do more than provide moral support. Think of her as a temporary replacement for Uryu until he can find a way to alter his powers." Kaichou said as Orihime threw her arms around her friend.
"Oh Tatsuki I'm so glad you can join us!" Orihime rejoiced.
"Hey at least I can keep whatever pervert guys there are in the Soul Society away from you as well as murder the ones that make her cry." Tatsuki said with a grin.
"So when do you suppose we should tell Yuzu about this?" Karin asked, pointing her thumb over to her still sleeping sister.
"I'll tell her when she wakes up in the morning. She might take it better coming from me." Ichigo said as Isshin nodded.
"I couldn't think of anyone I think she would prefer more." Isshin said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.
"I'll be getting the Reishihenkanki ready for tomorrow. It's going to be an all-nighter." Urahara said as Kaichou nodded.
"Mind if I lend a hand? I'm pretty handy when it comes to technology. I am a part time scientist after all." Kaichou said as Urahara nodded.
"Sure, I'll appreciate the help. I know Tessai will too." Urahara said as Kaichou turned to Tatsuki.
"I assume you did some packing?" Kaichou asked as Tatsuki nodded.
"Yes Sensei, I'll go do some additional packing since we don't have to leave until morning. I had a bag packed already in case we were pressed on time." Tatsuki said as she headed for the door.
"All Soul Reapers on the other hand, should stay here for the night for added protection." Soi Fon said as Toshiro and Yoruichi nodded.
"I agree. We need top security on this." Yoruichi said as she turned to Orihime, Chad, and Uryu.
"You three may want to go pack as well. You do want to go to the Soul Society prepared right?" Yoruichi asked as they nodded.
"Oh yes, I'll go pack real quick. Rangiku, do you want to help me pack?" Orihime asked as Rangiku sighed.
"Love to, can't. I have to stay here and guard Yuzu. You go on ahead though." Rangiku said as Orihime shrugged and headed for the door with Chad and Uryu.
"(Sigh) I'll get Yuzu to bed." Ichigo said as he gently picked up his sister and carried her up the stairs.
"I guess this means I'm finally going to get to see your home eh Toshiro?" Karin asked as Toshiro nodded.
"Yes but hopefully I'll be able to get you and your sister into the Soul Reaper Academy." Toshiro said as Karin pondered.
"That sounds cool. You think you could give me some tips to help me look cool in front of the other kids?" Karin asked as Toshiro arched an eyebrow.
"Kids? What are you talking about, most of the students at the Academy tend to be around the same age group as Ichigo. You and Yuzu would be the youngest ones there." Toshiro said, causing Karin to grumble.
"Great, last thing I need is for more people to pick on me because of my age." Karin sighed.
"With any luck, you won't have to worry about that. Yuzu's status will most likely warrant a bodyguard. Bodyguards for people of that level are usually Lieutenants or higher. She'll most likely get to choose her bodyguard too." Toshiro explained.
"Do I get a bodyguard?" Karin asked as Toshiro sighed in frustration.
"Probably not but stick with Yuzu and her bodyguard can probably double as yours." Toshiro replied as Isshin approached.
"Karin we probably should get packed then get to bed. We're going to have a long day ahead of us all." Isshin said as Karin sighed and nodded.
"Please tell me you're not going to bodyguard me." Karin asked as they reached the top of the stairs. Isshin froze at that comment.
"Why not?! You don't want your old man to be your valiant defender?! I am a Captain you know and Captains are some of the strongest in the SOOOOO!!!" Isshin grunted as Karin leapt up and kicked him down the stairs.
"CAPTAIN OR NOT YOU'RE STILL ANNOYING!!!" Karin shouted as she watched her father roll down the stairs.
"It amazes me how such a skilled Captain can be so, so..." Toshiro said as he searched for the word.
"Human?" Yoruichi asked while in her cat form and on the counter.
"Shockingly that word seems to fit his description perfectly." Toshiro replied.
Early the next morning…
Ichigo was sound asleep in bed when he felt something moving around on top of his bed.
"Huh?" Ichigo moaned as his eyes cracked open to see…
"(Sing-song) Good morning."
"YAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Ichigo screamed as blood spurt from his nose at the sight of a naked Yoruichi, wriggling on her back while on his bed.
"HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THAT!?!?!" Ichigo shrieked.
"I always get the same reaction from you no matter how many times I do it." Yoruichi giggled as Ichigo quickly threw the sheet over her.
"I don't care JUST PUT ON SOME CLOTHES!!!" Ichigo shrieked. Down the hall Isshin could be heard shouting…
"Well done Ichigo, you're now a man!"
"SHUT UP DAD AND STOP BEING A PERVERT!!!" Ichigo shrieked as he held the sheets over Yoruichi's naked body.
"You know you're pretty cute when you blush like that." Yoruichi replied while being pinned under the sheet, causing Ichigo to whimper.
"Just get dressed! Turn back into a cat! Something! Anything! Please!!!" He pleaded as Yoruichi sighed with a grin.
"You're just no fun Ichigo." Yoruichi said as she morphed back into a cat and walked casually out of the room. Rukia then opened the closet door with a serious look on her face and her hands on her hips.
"Do you have something you want to tell me?" Rukia asked as Ichigo gave her an exasperated look.
"What-I-no-me-ah-ooh-dit-bach-ugh." Ichigo stuttered before fainting.
"I thought so." Rukia said with a knowing smirk.
Later…
After having recovered from the shock of the morning, Ichigo entered Yuzu and Karin's room to find Yuzu sitting up in her bed and holding "Bostov" close. She looked depressed.
"Hey." Ichigo said as he sat down at the foot of her bed.
"Dad says we're going somewhere special. He says it's because I've got something very important inside of me. He also said that you would explain it to me better." Yuzu said as Ichigo sighed and nodded.
"Yeah. Well you remember last night when we were attacked by those monsters?" Ichigo asked as Yuzu nodded.
"Do you remember that I and a whole bunch of our friends were dressed in those black robes with swords? Even dad?" Ichigo asked as Yuzu nodded again.
"Well. The truth is we are what are known as Soul Reapers. We help the spirits of the dead pass on into the afterlife, to a world known as the Soul Society. I'm only a Deputy Soul Reaper, but dad and Aunty Kaichou are both full blown Captains and the Captains are some of the most powerful Soul Reapers around." Ichigo explained as Yuzu looked worried as if in thought.
"But you're more powerful Ichigo, I can feel it. You've got this aura that's far greater than Toshiro's. Even Dad's isn't as powerful as you." Yuzu said as Ichigo smiled and ruffled her hair.
"That's our Spiritual Pressure or Reiatsu you sense. Believe it or not, you were born with the same amount of spiritual pressure as Karin, but your soul was picked to hold a very important object to both us and the Soul Reapers. See the Soul Society is ruled by a king, and the king lives in another world different than the Soul Society, and in order for his loyal servants to get to him from where they are, they need the key. Well Yuzu…you are that key." Ichigo said as Yuzu looked down at her chest then back up at Ichigo.
"What's going to happen to me Ichigo?" Yuzu asked worriedly.
"We're going to get to go to the Soul Society, and you're going to learn how to be a Soul Reaper and seal that key inside of you away so those monsters that attacked us last night can't get us anymore." Ichigo explained as Yuzu gave a small smile.
"Will you go with me?" Yuzu asked.
"Of course I will. So will Karin, Dad, Aunty Kaichou, even Rukia…who is NOT my girlfriend." Ichigo said as he started tickling her, causing her to giggle uncontrollably.
"Yes she is!" Yuzu giggled, causing Ichigo to increase his tickle attack.
"Is not!" Ichigo replied while laughing.
"Is so!" Yuzu giggled. The exchange continued for a while, even though the two didn't notice Rukia watching with a smile from outside the door.
Finally the tickle war was over; with neither side the victor since Ichigo gave up but still refused to admit Rukia was his girlfriend.
"So, do you want to go to the Soul Society and learn how to be a mighty Soul Reaper?" Ichigo asked as he held out his hand to her. Yuzu smiled and grabbed a hold of it.
"Oh sure you're just going to run off and leave the cute adorable fuzzy mascot behind again!!!" Kon shouted as he leapt up onto his feet.
"Bostov! You're alive!" Yuzu said happily.
"Actually his name is Kon." Ichigo said as he smashed the doll under his fist.
Later…
At Urahara Shop in the underground facility, the group stood prepared to pass through the Reishihenkanki to the Soul Society.
"I've prepared several Gigais and artificial souls that will masquerade as you while you're gone. I've done my best to mimic your personalities and memories in these mod souls so that no one should notice that they're fakes." Urahara said to the group.
"Did you make sure to include some kind of instruction for mine that keeps that pervert Chizuru away from Orihime?" Tatsuki asked as Urahara stood still for a moment.
"Yep I sure did, no worries!" Urahara said before quickly leaning over to Tessai and whispering, "Remind me to add that to Tatsuki's mod soul."
"Okay boys and girls; remember the rules of passing though here. Don't stop running until you reach the other side." Kaichou said as she donned her sunglasses and bandana. Yuzu and Karin were quickly picked up by Chad.
"Is everyone ready?" Toshiro asked as everyone nodded.
"As ready as we'll ever be." Ichigo said as Toshiro then turned and gave Urahara a nod. Urahara then flipped the switch that activated the Reishihenkanki, causing the large square shaped portal to glow with bright purple energy, and the group quickly raced through.
Fortunately for them, the cleaner wasn't on duty that day and they successfully passed on through to the Soul Society without incident.
They came flying down in a rain of glowing blue meteors towards the West Rukongai district.
In the Seireitei, many of the Soul Reapers noticed this and soon the alarms were sounding.
"Alert! Intruders in the West Rukongai district! Repeat, Ryoka have infiltrated the West Rukongai district." The guards shouted as the large walls of sekkiseki rock fell into place around the Seireitei.
"What's all the racket about?" Kenpachi asked one of the passing members of his squad.
"C-Captain Zaraki sir! Ryoka have been spotted entering the Soul Society via the West Rukongai district!" the officer reported as Kenpachi looked up towards where the comets were descending. Soon the familiar grin spread across Kenpachi's face.
"Ichigo. You've come back."
In the Rukongai district…
The comets landed in close proximity to each other and everyone had regrouped in no time.
"For those first time guests, allow me to be the first to welcome you all to the Soul Society." Kaichou said as she removed her sunglasses and lowered her bandana.
"This is the Soul Society? I was expecting something more spectacular." Karin said as Chad put her and Yuzu down.
"Well I'm certainly impressed." Yuzu said as she looked around.
"Come! Everyone! We should head towards the Seireitei." Toshiro said as Isshin rocked on his heels while whistling innocently and Kaichou sighed and shook her head.
"What's the matter? Did you not hear Captain Hitsugaya's order?" Soi Fon asked as Yoruichi sighed.
"Don't you get it Soi Fon? Isshin is retired and thus has forfeited his permission to enter the Seireitei unless he has permission from either General Yamamoto or the Central 46. And Kaichou's banishment is still in effect so she can't enter period." Yoruichi explained.
"But the Central 46 were killed by Aizen and there aren't any plans to replace them…So General Yamamoto may be more willing to overturn the Central 46's orders." Toshiro replied.
"For the time being Captain Hitsugaya, Isshin and I will be fine here in Rukongai. Besides I've got a friend we can stay with here just outside of town." Kaichou said as everyone but Yoruichi arched an eyebrow.
"Yoruichi I believe you know the way." Kaichou said as Yoruichi nodded.
"I guess we should make sure that dad and Aunty Kaichou get to their friend's house okay." Yuzu said as the other Soul Reaper's hearts sank, realizing that they had no choice but to stay with Yuzu. Soi Fon however released a Hell Butterfly towards the Seireitei before joining the group.
"Then lead the way Yoruichi." Kaichou said as Yoruichi lead them off into the forest. Soon they came across the familiar but always unique sight of…
"Ganju's sister's place?!" Ichigo asked as Kaichou chuckled.
"Yep, I've known his sister for years." Kaichou said as they were instantly greeted by Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko.
"(Gasp) Captain Wrangler! We are honored by your return to us!" the twin guards said in unison as they bowed humbly and repeatedly to the Black Wrangler.
"Hey guys, is your boss in?" Kaichou asked.
"Ah, she is currently resting but Ganju is currently in. May we escort you into the house milady?" the twins asked as Kaichou motioned to carry on.
"You have quite the report with these guys. How do you know them?" Ichigo asked.
"Simple, they were the third seats of squad fourteen when it existed." Kaichou replied as they entered the house and started descending down the staircase.
"Have you seen how funny this place looks Karin?" Yuzu asked with an amused look.
"Hysterical." Karin replied in a bored tone.
"Hey if you like it so much, maybe we can remodel our clinic the same way too!" Isshin suggested before Karin kicked him in the face.
"I'D RATHER PIN YOU TO THE WALL OUTSIDE!!!" Karin shouted angrily. Soon they reached the bottom floor and the twins opened the door, revealing Ganju sitting bored where Kukaku usually was seated.
"Hey-hey! Ichigo! Long time no see!" Ganju shouted as he saw the Soul Reaper.
"Ganju." Ichigo said with a nod.
"Ganju is your sister home?" Yoruichi asked.
"Uh no not really. At least I don't think so." Ganju replied nervously. He was sweating buckets.
"Oh yes I am!" a muffled female voice from one of the side rooms shouted.
"Oh uh, allow me to introduce my sister Kukaku!" Ganju yelped as he opened the door, revealing a groggy Kukaku Shiba. She then started looking the group over but her eyes rested on Isshin. Isshin's eyes were twitching as he glared at her.
Suddenly.
"DAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" the two screamed in unison as they pointed at each other.
"What? You two know each other?" Ganju asked confused.
"Oh no not this again!" Kaichou groaned.
End Chapter 11.
Will our heroes make it into the Seireitei? Will the LeBlancs follow them to the Soul Society? Find out in the chapters to come.
