The sun was setting as everyone gathered in the dining room. Ichigo had brought a still recovering Rukia and Uryu was helped to the estate by Nemu who humbly attempted to back out of joining in on the meal but Uryu convinced her otherwise. Renji was invited since he helped Rukia over. Yoruichi was even invited and the Shiba clan was too. It was quite a group in the dining room that evening, but Kaichou didn't care she liked having large numbers of people over for dinner.

"So you and Aunt Kaichou traveled around for the whole one hundred and ten years?" Ichigo asked Yoruichi who chuckled.

"Oh the stories we could tell you. Like the time Kai inadvertently started the Flapper trend in nineteen twenties America." Yoruichi said mere seconds before getting hit by a small chopstick full of rice.

"Get your stories straight Shihoin, you were the flapper!" Kaichou retorted.

"But you were the seventies hippy." Yoruichi taunted.

"Shut up that never happened!" Kaichou said as she reached for her gun.

"(Psh) Then why do I smell baloney coming from your mouth?" Yoruichi asked as Kaichou's eye twitched.

"Oh you wanna go cat gut?" Kaichou asked as she leapt onto her feet.

"Bring it on bird brains!" Yoruichi retorted as they both growled at each other.

"Come on you two don't fight! We've already had enough fighting for today!" Yuzu pleaded as she wedged in between them. They both looked down towards her, and then at each other, finally they both nodded and sat back down.

"So…" Isshin said in an effort to change the subject, "…how was everyone's day?"

He was greeted with cold stares from practically the whole table.

"It was just an innocent question." Isshin whimpered.

"My whole day was spent recovering in a squad four medical bunk. Not all that exciting if you ask me." Renji grumbled.

"That's because no one asked you." Ichigo muttered.

"What was that? You dare to mock me?" Renji asked annoyed.

"Oh leave it alone you two…Neither of you suffered as bad an injury as Uryu or I did." Rukia grumbled as she elbowed the two in the ribs.

"I still can't believe that my arrows caused that Bount, Yoshi, to become that…monster." Uryu grumbled as he sipped his tea.

"The LeBlancs are the result of those arrows Uryu, and you had no clue that the Bount would end up like that, but I'm glad that Mayuri found a solution to your problem." Kaichou said as Nemu nodded.

"Captain Wrangler, may I ask you a question?" Nemu asked.

"Shoot." Kaichou replied.

"Where did you get your knowledge of the LeBlancs? You seem to know much more than you let on." Nemu asked as Kaichou sighed.

"Well…truthfully it was something I stumbled upon when I was Captain of squad fourteen. Kukaku might know what I'm talking about. But in my research on the Quincy's, I stumbled upon a few sporadic references by a few Quincy doctors regarding patients who had been shot by their arrows and lived to tell the tale. Apparently some of them had been brought to states of near death and as they did they claimed that they could see strange creatures wearing what appeared to be bone like armor coming to retrieve their souls that were invisible to both Quincy and Soul Reaper alike. I had to know what these creatures were but at the time I didn't know how other than to recreate those circumstances mentioned in the references." Kaichou explained.

"So what happened then?" Nemu asked as Kaichou glanced towards Kukaku.

"Nothing happened with that research for a while until after I was exiled from the Seireitei. I managed to escape the guards and return to my lab and collect all of my notes on the subject before joining Yoruichi and Kisuke Urahara in escorting the Visoreds to the world of the living. After that it was about ten or twenty years of sightseeing thanks to Yoruichi's suggestion. But then after a while I bumped into Isshin who was at medical school at the time, where I crashed with him for a while. He suggested that I should get a hobby and continue my research since we both still had our Soul Reaper abilities so I decided to start seeking out the Quincy's. My search led me to the parents of one Soken Ishida…yes Uryu, the parents of your Grandfather." Kaichou explained as Uryu looked thoughtful.

"My grandfather's old journal did mention a former Soul Reaper who was researching the Quincy's…was that you?" Uryu asked as Kaichou smiled and nodded.

"Yes. Fortunately they had adopted a feeling towards Soul Reapers that was most friendly, and it didn't take much for me to get them to help with my research. Besides one of them was a doctor. After months of studying their abilities and the like, I didn't seem to have an answer regarding the visions of those creatures. I finally realized that my initial theory of recreating the prior situations was the only solution." Kaichou said as everyone glared at her in horror.

"You…you didn't…you didn't do what I think you did, did you?" Uryu asked as Kaichou remained silent then slowly lifted the side of her shirt, showing a several decade old scar at her side.

"I did…your great-grandparents used a Steele Schneider and stabbed me here in an effort to bring me close to death. It took a lot of convincing though…but in the end, it worked. On the very brink of having my Soul chain breaking, I saw them. The LeBlancs and I were able to talk about who and what they were. I assumed that they figured there was no harm in telling me since I would become one of them soon, so they practically spilled their guts. Fortunately Dr. Ishida kept me alive but still on the brink of death long enough for me to get some satisfying results…then he revived me." Kaichou explained as Yoruichi pondered.

"Was that those months you spent in the hospital?" Yoruichi asked as Kaichou nodded.

"That was it. What was the excuse I gave you?" Kaichou asked as Yoruichi shrugged.

"I think you said you had an appendectomy or a miscarriage or something like that." Yoruichi said as the room fell eerily silent.

"Miscarriage?" Rukia asked curiously.

"Relax Rukia I've never been pregnant before. I did act as a temporary foster mother for a kid once but that's a long time ago and it was a favor that I was returning for an old friend and it's an old story." Kaichou explained.

"Oh that would have been awkward." Renji snickered.

"Shut up." Rukia grumbled.

"So what's the plan for tomorrow?" Ichigo asked.

"The Ryoka alert has been lifted with the death of those three LeBlancs and so the Academy is open again for tomorrow…however General Yamamoto has called all of us to the meeting chambers, first thing tomorrow. Apparently something's going on that could mean trouble for us all." Kaichou said.

"Soi Fon did say that there were some suspicious activity with the Senkaimon during the Ryoka invasion and she fears it could be a certain trio of traitors up to no good again." Yoruichi said as the room fell silent again.

"No…you can't be serious! Aizen again?!" Ichigo growled.

"Augh! We just dealt with that weasel! I thought the ex-Espada had finished him off!" Renji growled.

"We don't know that for sure and we don't know exactly if it is Aizen but we'll find out soon enough." Kaichou said. She then felt Momo's spiritual pressure rising next to her.

"Peace Momo, he's not going to get you here. Besides I don't think you're quite ready for an immediate confrontation with him at the moment." Kaichou said as she placed a hand on her Lieutenant's shoulder.

"I know it's just…the thought of him makes me sick now." Momo said as many in the room nodded in agreement.

"You're not the only one." Renji mumbled.

"Let's get this conversation to a different subject huh?" Tatsuki suggested as everyone shrugged.

"Yeah like how Uryu here hooked the mad scientist's daughter." Ichigo said as Uryu and Nemu blushed nervously.

"Well…uh." Uryu stuttered.

"He said I was flawless." Nemu replied almost instinctively.

"Flawless eh? And how would you know Ishida?" Yoruichi asked curiously.

"Steady Shihoin. You were the one who got the phrase "Curiosity killed the cat" started." Kaichou taunted.

"It was the one time! And you weren't complaining." Yoruichi retorted as half the room sweat dropped. Isshin nearly puked.

"Ugh please I don't think I want to hear about this." Isshin groaned.

"Oh please. Isshin your mind is as filthy as a garbage barge. Besides Yoruichi was talking about Disneyland in California. She was curious to see if the stinking pirates ride had real rum so she snuck over as a cat and nearly got killed by a water moccasin that decided to make the waters in the ride its home." Kaichou explained.

"Oh." Isshin said as he blushed nervously.

"Anyway, we've gotten off topic. I take it that being called flawless is quite a complement for you eh Nemu?" Kaichou asked as Nemu blushed and nodded.

"My father says otherwise. He says that being flawless means there is nothing more to look into regarding that particular field. He claims to be thankful for the fact that there is nothing that is flawless in the whole of the universe." Nemu explains.

"We really need to get you out from under your "Creator's" thumb for a while. I respect the fact that you rightfully believe he's your father but real fathers do not act like that to their daughters." Kaichou said as Isshin nodded.

"She's got a point Nemu. You don't see me acting the way Mayuri does towards Yuzu or Karin do you?" Isshin asked.

"That's because you're too busy being annoying half the time to be anything else." Karin grumbled.

"Aww come on Karin you don't mean that about your old man now do you?!" Isshin asked as Karin rolled her eyes.

"Just give it a rest dad." Karin groaned.

"Why? I'm just crazy about my girls! Yes sir that's me the proud father!" Isshin proclaimed excitedly as Karin finally had enough and drew her Zanpakuto.

"Surge, Hekireki Megami!" Karin shouted as a bolt of lightning shot from the end of the blade and struck Isshin, sending him into the wall.

"(Impressed Whistle) Nice shot there kid. You've been practicing." Renji said as he and Karin bumped their fists together.

"Toshiro gave me plenty of practice. He even said that I should talk to Yoruichi about using something called a Tenshintai?" Karin said as Yoruichi nearly choked on a grain of rice.

"How did he know about that?" Yoruichi asked as soon as she recovered.

"Well…uh…ooh how do I put this without getting into trouble?" Ichigo pondered.

"Ichigo? You told him about that?" Yoruichi asked curiously as Ichigo shrugged.

"Well he was curious as to how I achieved Bankai so quickly so I just told him and he seemed impressed." Ichigo replied.

"Hmm." Yoruichi pondered.

"What is a Tenshintai?" Karin asked curiously.

"It's a device invented by Kisuke Urahara to help drastically decrease the amount of time it takes for a Soul Reaper to achieve Bankai, the final stage of a person's Zanpakuto. Ichigo and Urahara have both proven the method to be effective, but Ichigo broke the record of three days by reaching Bankai in only two." Yoruichi explained.

"You reached Bankai in two days? It took me years!" Renji exclaimed.

"It was when Rukia was going to be executed! I had to get strong enough to counter Byakuya's Senbonzakura Kageyoshi." Ichigo argued.

"Hey I wasn't arguing I was just voicing how impressed I was!" Renji replied as Rukia groaned.

"Oh will you two please stop fighting! I'm trying to eat in peace!" Rukia pleaded.

"Sorry." The two replied sheepishly.

The room remained eerily silent for a long time after that. Finally Ganju spoke up.

"Hey what about the piece-o-crap Soul Reaper, Ichigo tell us how he swooped in and rescued his girlfriend this afternoon." Ganju taunted and was only fortunate that he was out of Kukaku's reach.

"Watch it Ganju, you're begging to get killed saying that in this crowd." Kukaku warned/threatened.

"Yeah watch what you say about Rukia!" Ichigo growled as Rukia arched an eyebrow but remained silent.

"About Rukia?! Heh I was talking about how mister daring hero thinks he's better than us!" Ganju taunted as he and Ichigo leapt to their feet.

"You want to walk back to your place, or do you want to have to limp there?" Ichigo asked as Ganju grinned.

"What? Are you insulted that I linked you with Rukia?" Ganju asked before Ichigo quickly decked him, sending him across the room. Ichigo charged after him to start opening a six-pack of pain on him. Nel and several others attempted to intervene but they were stopped by Isshin, Kukaku, and Kaichou.

"I know what the boar-riding-ape man was thinking so he deserves what he gets." Kaichou said as Kukaku nodded.

"YOU WANNA DIE APE-MAN?!?!" Ichigo shouted angrily as he started clobbering Ganju but was kicked off and stumbled into the yard.

"I just wanna hear you deny it!" Ganju shouted as he body slammed Ichigo.

"How romantic, to have two men fighting over Rukia." Orihime said dreamily.

"If only one of them wasn't Ganju." Rukia grumbled.

"Heh, looks like Ichigo isn't faring too well…ooh then again maybe not." Renji cringed as the brawl progressed.

"(Sigh) This is an unfortunate reason to fight…but it's still entertaining!" Nel said as she sat on her knees, excitedly watching the two brawling in the yard.

"Come on! Admit it! You're in love with her you fool!" Ganju taunted as Ichigo kicked him to the ground then started crushing his foot into Ganju's crotch.

"Have you noticed something peculiar? Every time Ganju tells Ichigo to admit his love for Rukia, he doesn't say anything; he doesn't confirm or deny it. Instead he just stays silent." Yoruichi said as Rukia realized the implication.

"Ichigo?" Rukia asked silently. Finally Ganju had Ichigo pinned underneath him with his arm pinned up against his back.

"Come on! Admit it! Say it and I let you go!!!" Ganju said as Ichigo grunted with pain.

"ALRIGHT!!! I admit it!" Ichigo shrieked as Ganju froze with a smirk on his face.

"Was that so hard?" Ganju asked as Ichigo glanced nervously over at Rukia.

"Ichigo." She whispered. She was stunned as a tear ran down her face.

"I knew it." Yuzu said as she silently rejoiced. Ganju climbed off of Ichigo and returned towards the group, only to get decked by Kukaku and land in the Koi pond.

"Oh hey not cool! You'll scare the fish!!!" Kaichou freaked as she scrambled towards the pond. Ichigo however was sweating bullets as he and Rukia stared at each other. He suddenly flash stepped into thin air.

"ICHIGO!" Rukia yelled as she limped to where he was standing a moment ago.

"Relax…I think I know where he went." Yoruichi said as she quickly caught Rukia from falling.

"Where did he go!? I have to know if what he said was true! I have to know!" Rukia cried, her true feelings shining through as clear as day.

"Let him go…he didn't want it to come out this way." Yoruichi said.

"You knew?!" Rukia asked in shock.

"It was hard to miss. Yuzu's the one who called it though." Yoruichi replied.

"But why did he run away?" Rukia asked confused.

"He's just as confused as you are…if not a bit embarrassed." Yoruichi said as Rukia silently cried.

"You don't understand…I…I feel the same way about him." Rukia said with tears in her eyes.

"I know. Like I said, it was hard to miss." Yoruichi said as Renji approached.

"You want me to go drag his lousy bum back here?" Renji asked as Yoruichi shook her head.

"That won't be necessary, he'll be back. He just needs some time to collect his thoughts." Yoruichi replied as she helped Rukia to the porch where she sat down.

"Alright then, but if you want someone to stick with you then just say the word and I'll stay." Renji said to Rukia who gave a small smile.

"Thanks Renji." Rukia said as Renji sat down next to her.

"Unfortunately that's not going to be for any longer than a few seconds." Kaichou said with a groan as she approached with a Hell butterfly on her finger.

"Uh-oh I think I hear the bell tolling once again." Yoruichi sighed.

"You guessed it. That Captain's meeting has been bumped up to now and all Lieutenants are requested to report along with their Captains, so Renji, Nemu, you two better get to your respective Captains pronto." Kaichou said as she quickly grabbed her Captain's robe.

"Are former Captains allowed?" Isshin asked as Kaichou nodded.

"That was mentioned Isshin." Kaichou said as she donned her robe. Nemu quickly gave Uryu a kiss on the cheek before flash stepping away. Renji sighed and gave Rukia an annoyed glance until Rukia motioned for him to go, and he did so reluctantly.

"Okay then folks we'll be back as soon as possible. Tatsuki, make sure the girls get to bed on time if Ichigo doesn't come back before then." Kaichou ordered.

"Yes Sensei." Tatsuki said with a nod before Kaichou, Momo, Yoruichi, and Isshin all vanished in a flash step.

Rukia was still sitting on the porch as the four left.

"Don't worry Rukia. He'll be back and I'm sure he meant what he said." Orihime reassured.

"I don't doubt that he did Orihime…I just wish…I just wish he had told me so when he asked me what we were a few days ago." Rukia said with a sigh.

"Kid let me tell you something about the Kurosaki clan…" Kukaku said as she walked up, "…they're not often the type to lie when it comes to serious issues like this. That's something I've always admired about Captain Wrangler, she's never lied to me or to anyone except for those she viewed as her enemies. Consequently she'll tell you the truth about her opinion of you but she still makes one hell of a convincing bluff at poker."

"So…does that mean Ichigo didn't say that just because he was under duress? He said it because he meant it?" Rukia asked as Kukaku shrugged.

"If he can ever get past his fear of letting his true emotions show then yeah…he meant it." Kukaku said before grabbing Ganju by the ear.

"Come on Ganju, let's go home. You've caused enough damage for tonight and there's a lot you can do to atone for it in the morning." Kukaku growled as Ganju whimpered after her.

For the remainder of the night, Rukia sat on the porch with a slowly growing smile on her face as she looked up at the stars.


End Chapter 25.

What will happen at the Captain's meetings? How will Ichigo and Rukia's relationship fare now that their secret is out? Is Aizen really in the Soul Society again? Find out in the next chapters.

Soul Reaper Illustrated Guide.

Nanao Ise and Rangiku Matsumoto pass through the entryway to the Kurosaki Estate where they see Kaichou walking from the kitchen area towards the hallway into the manor with what looks to be a tea tray with several cups on it and at least two teapots.

"Captain Wrangler, may we have a moment of your time?" Nanao asked as Kaichou paused, glanced down the hall then at the two women.

"Sure but make it fast." Kaichou replied.

"Well we were wondering that since you are one of the founding members of the Soul Reaper Women's Association, if you would be willing to host one of the SRWA's meetings here sometime." Nanao asked as Rangiku made a pleading gesture.

"Well…I've got a previous arrangement and I'm kind of hesitant to break it right now." Kaichou said as the two women arched their eyebrows in confusion. Then Kaichou smiled and waved at someone behind the two.

"Hey Shuhei! Glad you could make it!" Kaichou shouted, causing the two women to turn and freeze in disbelief as they watched Shuhei Hisagi enter wearing a black cape, sunglasses, no shirt, brown leather belt, and his regular Soul Reaper pants and white tabi socks with sandals. Kaichou and Rangiku both shared leering gazes as their eyes followed him inside, Nanao was holding onto her glasses in shock.

"Was that…No…it can't be." Nanao said as she quickly dashed inside, nearly knocking the tea tray out of Kaichou's hands in the process. She found the door where Shuhei had passed through, threw the doors open and froze in disbelief at what she saw, jaw appropriately dropping to the floor in the process.

Inside were all eight members of the Soul Reaper Men's Association in their club uniform.

"Wha-?! What is this?!" Nanao stuttered in shock.

"It's called a single woman's dream, Lieutenant." Kaichou said with a cheeky smile as she sashayed inside with the tea.

"Wow…she is smart." Rangiku said as she peaked inside and Nanao's head drooped down.

"She's also very, very, desperate." Nanao whimpered.

End