Ichigo and the group entered the main meeting hall where the Captains stood in two parallel rows, save for Captain Yamamoto at the front.

"We have debated and decided that it would be in the best interests of preserving the host to the King's Key's wellbeing if Yuzu Kurosaki were to attend the Soul Reaper Academy. We have also authorized Karin Kurosaki this privilege as well." General Yamamoto said as practically everyone sighed in relief.

"But what about mine, Karin's, and Yuzu's aunt? What of her fate?" Ichigo asked.

"We have not decided her fate yet. This meeting was to discuss whether two humans with spiritual abilities should be allowed to attend the Academy. The hearing for Captain Wrangler will begin once all the documents from Central 46 headquarters on the matter are retrieved from the archives. Until that point Captain Wrangler will remain in the Penance Cell. And this meeting is hereby dismissed." General Yamamoto said as the Captains started to disperse.

"Ichigo." Captain Ukitake said as he approached, "I have a place near the Academy and I believe it will make an excellent place to stay. It's only a couple minutes of running from the Academy even."

"Thanks Captain, it means a lot." Ichigo said as Kyoraku approached.

"What Jushiro isn't telling you is that it was initially the Kurosaki estate back when your family was nobility. Your aunt made him caretaker of the estate before she was exiled." Kyoraku said as Ichigo blinked.

"Dad is this true?" Ichigo asked as Isshin nodded.

"Yep. Kaichou and I grew up there so it'll be just like old times eh Jushiro?" Isshin asked as Jushiro laughed.

"Indeed it will be old friend. I've had it kept clean and ready for occupation ever since Kaichou was exiled." Jushiro said.

"Well I guess we should go then." Ichigo said, but as he turned he found himself blocked by a certain 11th squad Captain.

"Ichigo." Kenpachi said as he grinned down at Ichigo, "I hope you're planning on sticking around, I've been eager to challenge you to a fight."

"Uh thanks-I'll-think-about-it!" Ichigo yelped as he ran out of the room.

"ICHIGO! COME BACK AND FIGHT ME!!!" Kenpachi shouted as he chased after the fleeing Ichigo.

"Looks like Ichigo and Squad four are about to become well acquainted." Isshin said as Jushiro and Kyoraku nodded in agreement.


At the Kurosaki Estate…

"WHOA!!! THIS PLACE IS HUGE!!!" Yuzu exclaimed in awe at the sight of the old family estate. It was fairly large, not as big as the Kuchiki manor but still nothing to sneeze at. It had a nice spacious outdoor area with a small Koi pond under a few blossoming cherry trees near one wall.

The manor itself had several rooms inside. There was plenty of room for everyone, provided some people shared rooms. Orihime, Tatsuki, Karin, and Yuzu each agreed to share a room, while Ichigo, Chad, and Uryu decided to share another. Isshin got his old room which was across the hall from Kaichou's old room which sat ready and waiting for her return. Rukia was naturally going to stay with her brother at the Kuchiki estate. Nel was also allowed to stay with the girls, despite her protests that she wanted to stay with "Itsygo."

Even then there were three extra rooms minus a kitchen, dining hall, several bathrooms (all of which were surprisingly modern), and a room everyone guessed was a work room. In the work room were several photos of a young Kaichou and Isshin, along with their relatives. What surprised everyone was that Kaichou looked exactly like Karin when the former was young.

"You know if it wasn't for the fact that everyone would wonder what happened to us, I think we should live here permanently." Ichigo said as he relaxed on the soft grass. Ichigo had managed to escape Kenpachi by simply using the latter's sense of direction (Or lack there of) to is advantage.

"That and your family doesn't technically own it anymore." Uryu said from atop a fair sized boulder near the Koi pond.

"I wouldn't mind seeing that change. I could get used to this place." Ichigo said with a relaxed sigh.

"Unfortunately Ichigo, that won't happen." Rukia said as she approached.

"Why's that?" Ichigo asked curiously.

"Because of a single simple reason. You're still technically alive, as are your sisters. Your aunt was exiled by the Central 46 and your Dad is retired and technically violated Soul Reaper law by retiring to the World of the living. Your family's noble status is no more. You're only fortunate that Captain Ukitake was able to acquire this estate." Rukia explained as Ichigo sighed.

"Why is retiring to the world of the living so bad?" Chad asked.

"Because it's technically considered living a second life after you've died the first time. All Soul Reapers are the dead, and as such it is considered unfair for a Soul Reaper to live a second life and thus illegal." Rukia explained.

"So how do you get away with attending school with us?" Ichigo asked.

"Because it's part of my standing orders to protect Karakura town. As long as I complete my orders, I am allowed to live there however I want. It's an accepted practice since many Soul Reapers get bored if spending their entire time on duty so that's why they're allowed to use Gigais to blend into human society. Using Gigais also help to hide our spiritual presence from the spiritually aware." Rukia explained. Karin and Yuzu then emerged from the house in matching white and red Academy uniforms.

"Hey Ichigo check it out!" Yuzu said as she performed a little spin to show off the outfit, "Aren't these uniforms better than the ones for our real school?"

"Yeah, they are really." Ichigo said with a nod.

"Good because there's one here for you too." Karin said with a smirk as she held up a blue one in Ichigo's size.

"Huh?!" Ichigo asked confused.

"Oh didn't I mention? General Yamamoto personally put you on the list of students. He feels you could use the experience too and this way you can keep an eye on Yuzu too." Rukia said with a smug expression.

"Ugh, great just when I thought I was escaping school for a while, here I am getting sent to school in the afterlife!" Ichigo groaned.

"Quit complaining, it'll be nice to not be the only one who can use Kido in this little squad of yours." Rukia said as Ichigo gave her a curious look.

"Squad? What squad?" Ichigo asked as Rukia chuckled.

"Oh it's just what Captain Ukitake refers to you, me, Uryu, Chad, and Orihime as. He calls us the Substitute Squad." Rukia replied.

"Don't forget Tatsuki though." Ichigo said as Rukia nodded.

"Hey don't worry about Kido son. I never got good grades in my Kido classes. Fortunately Kido is optional for Soul Reapers so long as your fighting skill is good enough." Isshin said as he emerged from inside the house.

"That's only if you plan on joining squad eleven, and I'm sure Captain Zaraki would be eager to have you. He'd probably make you third seat if he had the opportunity." Rukia said as Ichigo shuddered.

"No way am I joining any squad." Ichigo replied quickly.

"Aww that's too bad. I heard Captain Ukitake say he would be honored to make you an honorary member of squad thirteen." Rukia said as Ichigo sighed.

"Thirteen's the only squad I would even remotely consider joining." Ichigo replied.

"Jushiro's a good guy. You might not know this but he and I were classmates along with Kaichou and Kyoraku. We were also good buddies with Unohana, even though she was a fourth year by the time the four of us joined the Academy." Isshin said as Rukia and Ichigo gaped in surprise.

"Naturally Ichigo's family is Soul Reaper royalty." Uryu mumbled as he got up to leave.

"Where are you going?" Chad asked.

"To go see if I can alter my powers so those damned LeBlancs don't get stronger from my using them." Uryu replied as he walked out of the estate.

"He's going to get lost." Ichigo said as Rukia nodded.

"Don't worry; I know where he's going." Yoruichi said as she flash stepped in.

"Really? where?" Ichigo asked.

"He's going to the last person he knows to be of any use here in that subject…and his greatest enemy." Yoruichi said as everyone looked at each other in confusion.

"Where and who is that?" Rukia asked.

"Simple. The Twelfth division headquarters, where his nemesis, Mayuri Kurotsuchi currently resides." Yoruichi replied.

"Why Mayuri? Besides the fact he's creepier than all get out?" Ichigo asked as Yoruichi sighed.

"It's not my place to say. If Uryu wants you to know, he'll tell you." Yoruichi replied as she approached Isshin.

"So, you ready for Kaichou's hearing?" Yoruichi asked as Isshin nodded.

"Yeah, I'm as ready as I'll ever be." Isshin said as he turned towards Ichigo and the others.

"The hearings are for Captain and Lieutenant Level Soul Reapers, both former and current, only. I'm sorry to say this but none of you are allowed into the meetings except for Yoruichi and me. We'll try to be back with the verdict as soon as possible." Isshin said as Ichigo and the others nodded understandingly.

"Dad, be sure to try and bring Aunty Kaichou with you when you return okay." Yuzu said as Isshin smiled and knelt down to her level.

"I'll do my best. But keep a chin up and a smile on your face. That's what will keep her safe and sound." Isshin said as he ruffled Yuzu's head before flash stepping away with Yoruichi.

"Just curious…what's the worst that can happen to her?" Ichigo asked.

"Well that depends on her record. If she was like Aizen, which is doubtful, she would be executed. If she had an overly positive record and they decide to uphold the original exile order she could be banished to the world of the Living but stripped of both her Soul Reaper abilities and her Zanpakuto. Hopefully they'll chose to overturn the Central 46's decision and simply have her listed as retired. She'll probably never regain her official authority as a Soul Reaper captain but she could very well be allowed to serve as a Soul Reaper in a substitute position like you." Rukia explained.

"So I guess we'll just have to wait and find out won't we?" Ichigo asked as the others nodded.


At the Hearing…

The Captains were seated around a space in the center of the room at a semi-circular table. From left to right it was Ukitake, Kenpachi, Komamura, General Yamamoto, Soi Fon, Unohana, Byakuya, Kyoraku, Toshiro, and Mayuri with Yamamoto sitting square in the center of the semi-circle. The Lieutenants were standing behind their respective Captains (With Yachiru hanging from Kenpachi's back in light of her height).

Isshin and Yoruichi were seated to the side outside the semi-circle. In the center were four points where the accused would be attached to by the bindings attached to the collar around the neck. The accused would only be brought in for sentencing so Kaichou was absent.

"Now that we are all assembled, let the hearing commence. Lieutenant, read the charge." General Yamamoto ordered as his Lieutenant cleared his throat.

"The charges or I should say charge, as formally pressed by the Central 46, approximately one hundred and ten years ago against Fourteenth Division Captain: Kaichou "Black Wrangler" Kurosaki is one count failure to comply with Central 46's orders to cease the research into restricted subject matters as sealed by the Central 46. The sentence handed down by Central 46 was banishment to the World of the living with complete removal of Soul Reaper abilities. The sentence was not carried out successfully as subject escaped to the World of the living with Soul Reaper abilities intact." Lieutenant Chojiro Sasakibe read.

"Thank you Lieutenant." General Yamamoto replied, "Now that we have heard the charge, we are now obliged to review the record of accused and then weigh it against the seriousness of the crime."

"General, may I make a statement before we proceed any further?" Ukitake asked as Yamamoto nodded. "I would like to ask if anyone present here knows what this restricted subject was that Captain Wrangler was researching to provoke such a response from Central 46?"

"I do." Yoruichi said as all eyes fell on her.

"Then please enlighten us." Mayuri said as Soi Fon's glare burned holes in his head, not that he noticed…or cared.

"She was researching the Bounts." Yoruichi said as half of the table groaned.

"Is that what she was researching?!" Mayuri asked in disbelief, "They banished her for following a scientist's natural instinct?!"

"At the time researching the Bounts was forbidden. Central 46 wanted it covered up and they were willing to toss anyone out to keep it that way." Yoruichi replied.

"Now that we know the cause for the charge, let us move on to reviewing her record." General Yamamoto said as Kyoraku, Ukitake, and Isshin snickered. Unohana gave a knowing smile. They then opened their individual copies of Kaichou's file.

"Only one demerit in the Academy for using Kido against a fellow student?" Mayuri asked curiously as Kyoraku started whistling innocently.

"Captain Kyoraku I assume you know this student?" General Yamamoto asked as Kyoraku nodded.

"That student would have been me sir." Kyoraku said as Ukitake and Isshin snickered.

"I was witness General, I can testify that Kyoraku was making advances towards her and she used Bakudo number 1, Sai, to restrain him." Isshin said as Byakuya gave an annoyed sigh.

"With all due respect, former Captain Kurosaki…but can a current Captain conf-?" Byakuya asked as Ukitake, Kyoraku, and even Yamamoto raised their hands.

"I was teaching the class at the time." Yamamoto said as he scratched the demerit off the file, "That one can be dismissed as frivolous. The next offence is…physical abuse of a superior ranking officer. I assume that was you again Kyoraku?"

"No actually that was Isshin. They are siblings after all so that really doesn't count." Kyoraku said as Isshin snickered.

"Yeah I kinda deserved that…besides I had a tendency to sleep too late and she would wake me up the same way I do Ichigo…violently." Isshin chuckled.

"He does wake the Deputy Soul Reaper in a quite unorthodox fashion." Toshiro said as Renji and Rangiku nodded in agreement.

"We'll probably hear them quarreling in the morning tomorrow." Renji mumbled.

"Heh-heh, I got that from her. See she did that to me every morning since we lived in the same house. It kind of became a family tradition to attack each other in the morning." Isshin said as Yamamoto scratched off the offence.

"That one is frivolous as well. As is the next one, and the next one, and the next one…ah here's one, hesitating to kill a hollow." Yamamoto asked curiously.

"She liked to see if she could reach the soul of the person inside and try to convince them to surrender peacefully. She'd do that by using Bakudo on them and then have a therapy session. If they were the murderous kind who didn't care she didn't hesitate, same went for if they broke free. I witnessed her doing this once. Despite her outwardly, err; insane demeanor beat a heart of caring and generosity." Ukitake explained.

"Admirable yet futile is probably the best way to describe it. I think in her entire time in the Soul Reapers, it only worked once, but that didn't mean she stopped trying." Kyoraku explained as Yamamoto scratched that one out as well…leaving no offences left yet a rather long list of achievements and commendations.

"I think since the Bount incident has been declassified, that the offence Central 46 banished her for is now void. Thus she has committed no crime." Byakuya said as everyone gave him a surprised look.

"I would have to agree. Logically since Central 46 is no longer in existence, her record is spotless, and the offence she committed is now a moot point." Mayuri said as Isshin smirked.

"She's smarter than you clown face." Isshin said as Mayuri blinked in disbelief.

"KILL THE BI-OWWW!!!" Mayuri yelped as he was suddenly hit by Bakudo number four, Hainawa.

"There's no reason to get verbally abusive Captain." Ukitake said with an innocent expression.

"You'll rot for that one Ukitake." Mayuri mumbled to himself.

"I would like to add that given our current state with only ten out of thirteen squads with active Captains and with one of the three other squads lacking both its Captain and Lieutenant, that we are in desperate need of new Captains. I recommend that we consider restoring Kaichou Kurosaki's rank of Captain." Yoruichi suggested as many of the other Captains nodded.

"Given the circumstances, I would have to agree. Her record speaks for itself. She is an exemplary Captain and has been a major inspiration to many of the current Captains present here." Toshiro added as Yamamoto gave a satisfied nod.

"Then let us make the decision now. Given the facts and from personal experiences, who here finds in favor of overturning her sentence?" Yamamoto asked as everyone (even a begrudging Mayuri) raised their hands.

"Then it is unanimous. Captain Kaichou "Black Wrangler" Kurosaki is cleared of all charges and her sentence is hereby overturned. She shall also be granted the option of regaining her title as Captain and if she agrees we will find a posting for her in one of the three available Captains positions." Yamamoto said as he turned and gave a nod to Soi Fon.

Soi Fon nodded with a stoic face and flash stepped away.

"I somehow don't think she'll go for the option of being made Captain again. The only reason she became a Captain in the first place was to try and restore some of the Kurosaki family's faltering image." Yoruichi said as Isshin nodded in agreement.

"Yeah but she is a people person…that's when she doesn't use the chop on them." Isshin said with a shudder.

"The what?" Mayuri asked confused.

"Make a stupid statement that pisses her off while she has her Zanpakuto and you'll find out." Kyoraku said with a smirk.

"Isshin seemed to be the most common recipient of it…along with any man who dared hit on her…or Unohana." Ukitake chuckled.

"It's not deadly but it hurts like hell." Isshin added.

"Memo to self, have Nemu tick her off and observe the following actions." Mayuri whispered into a tape recorder in his sleeve.

Soon Soi Fon and the guards arrived with Kaichou bound at the neck. Prisoners on trial of this kind were usually kept in a smaller version of the Penance Cell with soundproofing so that the prisoner would be ready to hear their sentence.

"Kaichou Kurosaki. Step forward." Yamamoto ordered as Kaichou complied.

"Do you have anything to say before we reveal your sentence?" Yamamoto asked as Kaichou glanced towards Isshin who looked somber.

"I have a request to make. If my exile is to be carried out, I wish for my Zanpakuto be given to either Karin or Yuzu, for the Kurosaki estate to be left in Jushiro Ukitake's capable hands, and for the will I've written to be carried out to the letter." Kaichou said as Yamamoto nodded.

"It will be done. Now then…Your sentence…" Yamamoto said as Kaichou remained emotionless.

"…has been overturned."


End Chapter 13.

Soul Reaper Illustrated Guide.

Shinji and Hiyori were laughing their heads off as they watched the spectacle of the Gigai with mixed up mod souls inside. Orihime acting like Tatsuki and fighting off Chizuru. Chad was acting like Orihime, Rukia was acting like Chad, and Tatsuki was acting like Rukia. Uryu and Ichigo didn't seem to have any noticeable differences in personality.

"What are you two doing?" Lisa asked as she approached her two fellow Visoreds.

"Come on Lisa! This is hysterical!" Shinji said as he quickly explained the situation.

"How could you do that?! What if Urahara finds out about this?!" Lisa asked as she then noticed something.

"I assume you didn't switch the mod souls for Ichigo and Uryu right?" Lisa asked as Hiyori stopped laughing.

"Nah, those two are disappointments. They're so alike that no-one notices anything different about them." Hiyori replied as Lisa sighed in frustration.

"At least I won't be the one to get killed when those guys get back." Lisa mumbled.

To be continued…