At Karakura High, the class was dismissed for lunch and all of Ichigo's group was gathered on the roof. Nel, Momo, and Nemu seemed to be having trouble, opening their juice boxes. Fortunately it was only the known Soul Reapers and their allies on the roof at the moment.

"How does one open this device?" Nemu asked curiously as Uryu looked the box over.

"Was there a little plastic straw on the back of here?" Uryu asked as Nemu shook her head, "Hmm…it may have fallen off. Fortunately I keep a spare in my lunch box."

"You keep a spare straw in your lunchbox? Why?" Ichigo asked rhetorically, not really wanting an answer.

"A small case of paranoia stemming back to my days in elementary school…a bunch of fools would beat me up and take the straw for my juice box. So I just learned to pack an extra." Uryu explained.

"Kinda like how I had to learn to fight to run of the punks who targeted me for my hair." Ichigo said.

"That and to survive your dad." Rukia added.

"Yeah, what was that this morning Ichigo? It was like a war erupted in your room." Momo asked as Ichigo rolled his eyes.

"My dad's something of an insane idiot when it comes to me. I think he did it after having to patch me up after getting beat up so many times." Ichigo explained.

"Ichigo's had it rough because of his hair for years. I should know because I've fended off a few of the creeps who would, for him. Same thing with Orihime but she's just too nice to harm anyone intentionally…unless it's a Hollow." Tatsuki added.

"Why would anyone target Orihime out of spite?" Momo asked confused as Tatsuki shook her head in frustration.

"(Sigh) Oh boy. Well…consider Orihime's orange hair. That has been the longest cause of grief for her and in the recent years, her chest size has started attracting people of the perverted kind…Chizuru being the most frequent irritation." Tatsuki explained.

"Oh…I think I get it." Momo said as she continued to struggle with her juice box. "Do you know how to open this?"

"Yeah give it here." Tatsuki said as she pulled the plastic straw from the back and removed it from the plastic wrapping before poking it through the box and handing it back to Momo.

Meanwhile Rukia noticed Nel eating quietly in a corner by herself, and keeping a keen eye on Ichigo.

"Hey Nel! Come over here and join us!" Rukia called as Nel shrugged and complied.

"I would have thought your lunch consisted of artificial souls?" Renji asked, receiving a cold stare from the Tercera Espada. Nel then whipped out her notepad and scribbled something next to Renji's name, causing him to sweat drop.

"Wha-what is she writing? WHAT IS SHE WRITING?!" Renji asked in a panic as Nel pocketed the notepad and returned to her meal.

"You know it's kinda strange not seeing you without your mask and face tattoo Nel. It looks nice." Rukia complemented as Nel smiled.

"Thank you Rukia. It does feel strange to look in a mirror and not see my mask. I am kinda attached to it you know." Nel giggled.

"If I may say so myself…you are much more beautiful without that ugly Hollow mask." Yumichika said as Nel blushed.

"Aww thank you. I think your eyebrow feathers look nice too." Nel said with a smile.

"Really you think so?" Yumichika asked bashfully as Nel nodded.

"Yep-yep! I like your hair too." Nel said as Yumichika immediately sat down next to her and they started gabbing.

"I have the worst feeling that they're going to start planning a shopping excursion soon." Renji mumbled, causing Ikkaku to squirt apple juice from his nose in laughter.

"Shopping?! Did someone say shopping?!" Rangiku exclaimed as she popped up. However everything was interrupted as Uryu and Nel quickly leapt to their feet as if sensing something. Nel sniffed the air a couple of times.

"What? What is it Nel?" Ichigo asked. Suddenly all the Soul Pagers started ringing.

"LeBlancs?" Ichigo asked worriedly.

"Hollows." Nel replied as she donned her glove and face palmed, shedding her Gigai and returning to her basic Arrancar form.

"I can deal with it in a matter of seconds, I'll be back soon." Nel said before she Sonido'd away.

They then heard the distant howl of a Hollow off in the distance.

Nel appeared in the middle of the street where a rather large Hollow appeared. Without missing a beat, she opened her mouth with a large gasp like she was sucking in a Cero but instead the Hollow suddenly started to glow with red energy and instantly was sucked into her mouth, leaving only the mask behind to crack and then crumble into dust. Nel smacked her lips a few times before wiping her mouth. She had eaten the Hollow.

She quickly Sonido'd back and entered her Gigai.

"That was fast. What did you do, use Cero on it?" Ichigo asked curiously.

"If you really must know…I ate it." Nel said casually as she bit into her sandwich again. The group fell very silent, very fast.

"You…ate it?" Ichigo asked surprised as Nel nodded.

"Yes. We Arrancar can consume the lesser Hollows to grow stronger and heal our injuries. All that remains afterwards of the original Hollow is its mask which quickly crumbles away into dust." Nel explained.

"I thought Arrancar could only eat human souls?" Renji asked curiously.

"I can if I wanted to but that would totally negate my reason for being here. I would only consider it if the person was a threat to Ichigo or someone close to him. I would never eat a human soul, simply because I wanted to." Nel explained.

"She's right. If she did, then the Captains could consider it as a betrayal and then try to kill her for it." Renji added.

"Well we're glad you're on our side Nel." Ichigo said as Uryu nodded.

"Yes, and thanks." Uryu said as Nel arched a curious eyebrow.

"For what?" She asked.

"For saving me from Yoshi yesterday. I couldn't remember if I thanked you or not." Uryu said as Nel shrugged it off.

"Don't worry about it Uryu, it's no big deal. You would have done the same for me if our situations were reversed." Nel said as Uryu nodded. Then Shinji appeared on the roof with his lunch in hand.

"Okay Soul Reapers…I want answers. Why is there an Arrancar amongst us?" Shinji asked curiously.

"Well hello to you too Shinji. Yes we're enjoying our lunch quietly." Ichigo said sarcastically.

"Perhaps if we explained it to you Shinji. See Nel here helped us to destroy the Hogyoku as a thank you for Ichigo's protecting her while she was stuck in a baby like form." Orihime explained.

"The Hogyoku is destroyed eh? And she helped? How curious. I would never have thought an Arrancar would help to destroy that which gave it their power in the first place…but wait does that mean Aizen's dead too?" Shinji asked as everyone shook their heads.

"Sadly, no. Aizen and his lackeys are still alive and on the run but the Arrancar and Hollows aren't on their side anymore." Ichigo replied.

"I see. Well I won't interfere then. I'll inform the others to not attack her." Shinji said as he waved farewell.

"Visoreds…such odd characters…and not exactly beautiful either." Yumichika said before Ikkaku smacked him upside the head.

"Idiot, that was Squad Five's Captain before Aizen. Captain Shinji Hirako." Ikkaku explained.

"You know him?" Renji asked curiously.

"Sort of…we lived in the same district of Rukongai, only I was a kid and he was a full blown adult. His hair was much longer back then too but I'd recognize those teeth anywhere…except that Nnoitra guy, he threw me off slightly." Ikkaku said.

"Would he remember you?" Ichigo asked as Ikkaku laughed.

"Me? Nah, I hardly ever saw him but I knew him well. Before Captain Hitsugaya came along, he held the record for being the youngest Captain." Ikkaku replied.

"Uh guys, I hate to break up the reminiscing but I think we need to get back inside." Ichigo said, pointing to his watch and they quickly scrambled back inside.



In the Soul Society…

Kaichou was sitting behind her desk at the Squad five barracks, writing down some notes as she heard a knock at the door.

"Come in." she said, as the door opened and in walked Shunsui Kyoraku.

"Shunsui, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Kaichou asked with a half smirk.

"Just thought I'd pay an old friend a visit." Shunsui replied innocently.

"You want or need something from me don't you?" Kaichou asked knowingly.

"Actually yes, but its legit this time. The old man put me on a special team to try and piece together what information we have about the LeBlancs and compare notes. Mayuri said that you're the person to talk to about it." Shunsui said as Kaichou smirked. She then opened a drawer on the desk and pulled out a thick envelope from inside.

"These are copies of my research notes that I've compiled ever since I began my research into these creatures." Kaichou said, handing Shunsui the envelope.

"This will shave some time off." Shunsui said as he tucked the envelope in his robe.

"Good. Oh uh, did Mayuri look overly busy when you saw him?" Kaichou asked curiously.

"As busy as he usually is, why?" Shunsui asked.

"Because I've got a special project I'd like to work with him on." Kaichou said as she donned her hat and headed for the door.

"Care to share with the uninformed?" Shunsui asked.

"Let's keep that a surprise shall we?" Kaichou said as they both started walking out the door but Kaichou paused with a scowl on her face and her eye twitching, "Shunsui."

"Yeah?" the Captain asked curiously.

"You can either move your hand…or lose it." Kaichou said as she slowly started unsheathing her Zanpakuto. Fortunately for Shunsui, he got the message and complied instantly.



Later in the World of the living…

The rest of the school day had gone without incident and the group of Soul Reapers had separated to go their separate ways. Ichigo, Rukia, Nel, and Momo were walking home together and had arrived home to find Karin standing by the door in her Soul Reaper form, tapping her foot.

"I was wondering when you were going to get here." Karin said with her arms crossed.

"Why were you waiting for me?" Ichigo asked.

"So you can go with me to Urahara's shop and teach me Bankai." Karin replied.

"I thought Toshiro was going to do that?" Ichigo asked.

"He is but you're my brother and you know Bankai already…Besides I want someone who I'm not afraid of beating up on." Karin said as Ichigo arched an eyebrow.

"And dad's not available because…?" Ichigo asked as Karin shrugged.

"Because he left a note on the fridge saying he's going to deal with some unfinished business in town and be home around dinnertime. His body at least is here, so I guess he went in Soul Reaper form." Karin said as Ichigo sighed in annoyance.

"Great. Well I guess homework can wait, come on Karin." Ichigo said as Rukia quickly pulled Kon from her backpack and yanked his mod soul capsule from inside it.

"You'll need this Ichigo." Rukia said as Ichigo swallowed the pill and separated from his body.

"What about you three? You coming?" Ichigo asked.

"Someone has to keep Yuzu safe while she's home alone. Besides it can give us time to bond. It's what the magazines call "girl time" whatever that is." Rukia said as Ichigo and Karin sweat dropped.

"I'm staying simply because it would be kinda pointless of me to try and teach someone to achieve Bankai when I haven't even achieved it myself. Besides Resurreccion usually comes naturally to high level Arrancar like myself." Nel said with a shrug.

"And being the only Lieutenant here, I guess I should stick around and keep some order." Momo said as Ichigo shrugged.

"Sure, whatever. Karin and I will be at Urahara's shop if you need us." Ichigo said as he and Karin set off.

"Finally I get to be alone with three beautiful women! I've been cooped up in that small backpack for so long that I feel so lonely." Kon said despairingly.

"Aww you poor thing!" Momo said as Nel's lower lip quivered.

"Yeah come here you!" Nel said as she threw her arms open and attempted to hug Kon but Rukia intercepted.

"Uh, you do realize he's just trying to cop a feel on you two?" Rukia asked as the two froze and their expressions turned to anger.

"Rukia how could you!" Kon yelped as he started running but Nel had quickly shed her Gigai and was using Sonido to catch up with him.



At Uryu's house…

Uryu was doing his homework as Renji instinctively went about cleaning out of fear of being called a moocher again. There was then a knock at the door. Uryu checked his watch then headed for the door.

"Expecting someone?" Renji asked as Uryu motioned to be silent. He checked the peephole then quickly motioned for Renji to hide, but the Lieutenant didn't get the message. There was another knock at the door.

"Uryu, are you alright?" a familiar voice (to Uryu at least) asked from the other side.

"I'm fine. What do you want?" Uryu asked back rather tersely.

"Can I come in?" the voice asked as Uryu sighed and motioned again for Renji to hide but again the Lieutenant arched an eyebrow.

"No." Uryu replied.

"Suit yourself." The voice said. Suddenly both Uryu and Renji sensed a sudden spike in spiritual pressure coming from outside the door. Uryu quickly opened the door, revealing…

"Uryu…I'm waiting for an explanation." Dr. Ryuken Ishida said impatiently.

"Father. I owe you no explanation." Uryu said toxically.

"Do you? Then care to explain why there is a Soul Reaper in your apartment…nay why is there a Soul Reaper Lieutenant in your apartment…is there something you want to tell me son?" Ryuken asked curiously as he glared straight past Uryu and directly at Renji.

"Uh-oh." Renji muttered. He knew there was going to be trouble because he had heard of Uryu's father and his disdain for Soul Reapers and he knew it would be wise of him to remain silent.

"Simple. I don't hold a grudge against Soul Reapers like you do. That and there is more to this than you understand." Uryu replied as Ryuken elbowed past, not even making eye contact, and came to a stop in the center of the room.

"You broke your word son…you broke your word as a Quincy. What do you have to say for yourself?" Ryuken asked, not even looking towards the younger Ishida.

"That at the very least…breaking my word has kept the lives of many innocents safe and that as a Quincy I am sworn for doing exactly what is expected of us." Uryu stated as Ryuken remained silent.

"Explain." Ryuken finally said calmly. Uryu remained silent for a moment as he pondered how to explain it. Finally he had an idea.

"The life of a young girl is at stake. She is the younger sister of one of my classmates…a Deputy Soul Reaper…and it is his sister who is in danger. More than that, our entire race…the Quincy's, have been making a grave error in using our Reishi arrows for so many centuries…we've been creating a monstrous race of creatures with every foe we slay." Uryu said as Ryuken remained stationary and looked unfazed.

"These creatures are called LeBlancs…they are the spirits of the foes that we slay. Hollows, Bounts, their Dolls, Soul Reapers…whatever we kill with our arrows, becomes a LeBlanc. The LeBlancs live in a world separate from both this world and the Soul Society, like the Hollows dwell in Hueco Mundo only the LeBlanc world is their own." Uryu continued.

"He's right." Renji added.

"I refuse to listen to you, Soul Reaper." Ryuken said with a venomous glare towards Renji.

"But it's the truth." Uryu said as Ryuken gave a soft sigh.

"The girl you are referring to is Yuzu Kurosaki…the sister of Deputy Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki…Yes I know of your involvement with them…your trip to Hueco Mundo especially." Ryuken replied as Uryu's eyes widened in shock.

"Then why haven't you confronted me before now?" Uryu asked angrily.

"Because I convinced him not to." A familiar voice said from the still open doorway. Everyone including Ryuken turned in shock to see Isshin Kurosaki in his Soul Reaper form.

"Captain Kurosaki!" Renji exclaimed as he stood at attention.

"I'm retired Renji…remember that." Isshin said with a chuckle towards the Lieutenant before turning back towards Ryuken.

"Your son is telling the truth, Ishida. At this moment, the LeBlancs are plotting and planning on how to capture my daughter, Yuzu, in order to open up a hole between their world and ours. They're planning to invade both the world of the living and the Soul Society." Isshin explained.

"I have no reason to believe any of you. Uryu…this isn't over." Ryuken said as he walked out the door, slamming it behind him.

"That went well." Isshin said sarcastically.



End Chapter 28.

Soul Reaper Illustrated Guide.

Kaichou stood blocking the entryway to the Kurosaki estate with her arms crossed as the entire Soul Reaper Men's Association stood outside waiting for permission to enter. Lieutenant Tetsuzaemon Iba was at the front of the crowd.

"Why can't we use your estate again? You let us last time!" Iba asked pleadingly.

"There's a personal precedent involved here Lieutenant and I'm not budging on it. I do not approve of having such a disgusting and vile visage paraded around my estate. The sight of them just jiggling and shaking is just…bleh." Kaichou argued.

"But it's tradition!" Iba whined.

"Then tradition is going to have to change." Kaichou replied as Iba sighed in defeat.

"What if we put something over it?" Iba asked.

"Make sure it's loose and blousy and then we may just have a compromise." Kaichou replied as Iba smiled excitedly.

" Deal! Omaeda! Put a shirt on and make it a blousy one!" Iba shouted back to the Lieutenant of the second squad. Omaeda groaned and put his Kimono on.

"Thanks, the sight of those man boobs was just- (Shudder)." Kaichou said as she allowed the group to enter the estate.

The End