The entire group had made it over to the Soul Society safely. The Captains and Lieutenants immediately headed to General Yamamoto while Ichigo, Rukia, Chad, Orihime, Tatsuki, Uryu, Karin, Nel, Isshin, and Yoruichi headed straight to the Kurosaki Estate. Yumichika and Ikkaku had gone back to the Squad Eleven barracks while Hanataro had gone back to the Squad Four Barracks.
An hour had passed and all the Captains had been gathered in the meeting hall and were standing in a single file row before General Yamamoto.
"This meeting shall come to order! Several hours ago, the key girl, Yuzu Kurosaki, has been kidnapped by the LeBlancs!" Yamamoto said as the Captains look stunned and started murmuring to each other.
"Order. ORDER! Our objective now is to prepare to defend the Soul Society and the World of the Living from attack!" Yamamoto declared.
"General, with respect, why not just send a team of Soul Reapers to Le Mort Regne and retrieve her? We have the technology and certainly the numbers to do so." Kaichou said.
"The LeBlanc's numbers are greater than our own. I will not send anyone to their deaths." Yamamoto replied.
"But sir-!" Kaichou pleaded but was interrupted.
"ENOUGH! We do not have the numbers to take on the LeBlancs on their land. What is known is that her Zanpakuto was left in the hands of her father. Without her Zanpakuto, she cannot focus her strength to open the gateways into the World of the Living or into the Soul Society! The King is still safe." General Yamamoto said as Kaichou looked distraught.
"But as long as they have her, there is still the risk of attack! We must act NOW!" Kaichou pleaded.
"Captain Wrangler! Another outburst and you will be expelled from this meeting! This is your final warning!" Yamamoto warned as Kaichou angrily looked away from the General in silence.
As the meeting continued, she glanced towards Mayuri Kurotsuchi and blinked twice. Mayuri gave a slight nod and put his hands in his sleeves. He then pressed a button on a small metal armband inside his right sleeve.
In the Lieutenant's waiting room, Nemu suddenly looked straight forward before standing up from her seat.
"Lieutenant Kurotsuchi, is something wrong?" Nanao asked curiously.
"I need to expel bodily waste fluids. I will return soon." Nemu replied as the other Lieutenants groaned, face palmed, or both.
"Ugh, when she gets back we need to tell her the meaning of the phrase "too much information." Renji grumbled as the other Lieutenants voiced their agreement.
At the Kurosaki Estate…
The tone of the group was generally somber. No one said a word. Karin was taking advantage of the moment to try and learn to talk to her Zanpakuto. She wasn't having much success and Rukia noticed.
"What's the matter?" Rukia asked curiously.
"A friend of Ichigo's told me that you can talk with your Zanpakuto. I'm trying to figure out how to do that." Karin said as Rukia smiled and picked up Hekireki Megami's sealed form.
"First it helps to have the sword drawn and placed somewhere near you where it is physically out of your hands." Rukia said as she stabbed the Zanpakuto straight into the ground in front of Karin. She then drew Sode no Shirayuki and stabbed it into the ground next to Hekireki Megami and sat down next to Karin.
"Second you have to calm your mind and relax. Take slow deep breaths." Rukia explained as she and Karin closed their eyes.
"Third you need to envision your Zanpakuto before you and accept whatever visions come into your mind." Rukia said. A moment passed and finally Karin found herself in the strange soccer field of her mind.
"Well done Karin, you did it!" Hekireki Megami's spirit said with a smirk.
"Huh…it doesn't look any different around here. I would have expected things to change a bit." Karin said as Heki chuckled.
"Changed how? Just because you've got Bankai and that you've managed to cage your Inner Hollow, doesn't necessarily mean things would change here. Oh and I want to thank you." Heki said, causing Karin to arch a confused eyebrow.
"Thank me for what?" Karin asked.
"For letting me play in that soccer game the other day. I had a blast." Heki said as Karin smirked.
"Well we would have been creamed otherwise. But I'm not exactly here to talk. I heard that talking to your Zanpakuto can make you stronger. I need to be stronger if I want to help my sister." Karin said as Heki nodded.
"You're right. Now come on, we've probably got a limited amount of time before your concentration is lost." Heki said.
Meanwhile, Rukia was busily speaking with Sode no Shirayuki when her concentration was disrupted by the sound of someone grunting next to her. She opened her eyes and looked next to her and saw Ichigo sitting by her with Zangetsu stabbed into the ground in front of him.
"Having trouble Ichigo?" Rukia asked with a smirk.
"I can't hear Zangetsu. The old man must be deaf or something." Ichigo grumbled.
"Ichigo your Zanpakuto isn't deaf. You just need to relax." Rukia said as Orihime nodded.
"Uh-huh, when I want to relax I just think of a room full of puppies and kittens all curled up and napping. (Sigh) I feel relaxed already." Orihime said with a smile as she laid down on her back in the grass.
"I don't think that's going to work for me Orihime." Ichigo mumbled.
"Actually I think of a room full of cute white rabbits, all sleeping." Rukia said sheepishly.
"I like to relax to guitar music." Chad said as Uryu instantly whipped out a bag of sowing materials.
"I think we know how you relax Uryu." Ichigo said.
"I relax by meditating. I know it sounds weird coming from me but it was something my karate instructors all told me and, let me tell you, it works." Tatsuki said as Yoruichi smirked.
"I usually take a bath or go swimming when I try to relax. Want to head to the pool Ichigo?" Yoruichi asked with a wink as Ichigo's eye twitched in annoyance.
"I'll only drown you." He said with a frustrated tone.
"Aww, you're so mean Ichigo." Yoruichi replied, puckering her lips a bit as she spoke. (This is known as the boo-boo face)
"Shut up, I'm not the kind of guy that goes into a pool with naked women." Ichigo replied.
"What about naked men?" Rukia asked teasingly as Ichigo glared at her as if saying "WTH are you thinking?!"
"Are we talking naked men as in, that cute Lieutenant from Squad Nine, or is it the one from Squad Three? Ooh what about Rukia's brother?" Nel asked as Tatsuki chuckled.
"What about Renji?" Tatsuki asked as Nel scoffed.
"I'm not into guys with tattoos." Nel replied.
"Says the woman with a large number three tattooed on her back. And don't talk about my brother that way, its creepy!" Rukia groaned.
"Oh come on Rukia, we're just teasing! It's the only way we can keep from collapsing into despair at the current situation." Tatsuki said as the group fell silent again.
"Hey Nel, can you talk with your Zanpakuto?" Ichigo asked as Nel shook her head.
"I'm afraid not. The Zanpakuto of the Arrancar are different than the Zanpakuto of the Soul Reapers. We can't communicate with them. They are simply a vessel that contains our original form, allowing us to literally resurrect it in times of need. That's why the released form of our Zanpakuto is referred to as Resurreccion." Nel explained.
"So your Zanpakuto has no avatar or spirit of its own?" Rukia asked curiously.
"Nope." Nel replied.
"You know, ever since Karin used that thing to bring her Zanpakuto's spirit out into the open the other day, I've wondered what your Zanpakuto's spirit looks like Ichigo. Yours too Rukia." Tatsuki said.
"I must admit I am curious as to what Zangetsu and Sode no Shirayuki look like. I wouldn't mind seeing Chuushuunomeigetsu too." Uryu said as Isshin chuckled.
"He's a great guy trust me." Isshin said as Ichigo rolled his eyes.
"Dad you're complementing yourself when you complement your Zanpakuto. Stop being so vain." Ichigo grumbled.
Before Isshin could say anything, a Hell Butterfly appeared and landed on Yoruichi's finger.
"Hmm…We've got a message from Lieutenant Kurotsuchi. She says that we're all needed at the Soul Reaper Institute immediately. She also says tell no one that you got this message." Yoruichi said as Karin stood up and sheathed her Zanpakuto.
"Then let's go see what she wants." Karin said as they headed for the institute.
At the Soul Reaper Institute…
The group arrived in record time to the front doors where they were greeted by Nemu.
"What's going on Nemu? Aren't you supposed to be with the other Lieutenants in the waiting room?" Yoruichi asked curiously.
"I will explain on the way, but we must hurry." Nemu said as the doors opened and she led them inside. As they passed through the usually busy institute, they saw all the cubicles and consoles deserted and abandoned.
"Where is everyone?" Uryu asked.
"They are hiding out of fear of being used for experimentation. The threat is currently false but the deception was necessary to get them out of the institute for a while." Nemu replied.
"What's going on Nemu? Why are you doing this?" Tatsuki asked confused.
"My master sent me a message during the meeting that the Soul Reapers were not going to act on rescuing Yuzu Kurosaki from the LeBlancs." Nemu explained.
"What?!" Ichigo, Karin, Rukia, Uryu, and Tatsuki exclaimed in unison.
"While I do not know of the reasoning behind this decision, my orders were to get you to the Arch and get you to Le Mort Regne before the meeting adjourns in the meeting hall." Nemu explained as they entered a room with a large device that looked similar to the "Arc de Triomphe" in France.
"Wait…you mean you're sending us to rescue her anyway?" Ichigo asked.
"Won't you get into trouble?" Uryu asked.
"Indeed. But the plan was not just my master's own idea. It was originally concocted by Captains Ukitake, Kyoraku, Unohana, Soi Fon, Komamura, and especially Captain Wrangler. Captains Kuchiki, Zaraki, and Hitsugaya as well as General Yamamoto are unaware of the plan. It is theorized that if you are deployed to Le Mort Regne, against orders to the contrary, that the Soul Reapers will have no choice but to deploy in full force." Nemu explained.
"I never realized that most of the Captains were on our side." Tatsuki said.
"Tatsuki, it's not so much Yuzu that they worry for, but the Key. Remember, if the LeBlancs find a way to open a passage way into the World of the Living without Yuzu's Zanpakuto then there could very well be no stopping them." Yoruichi explained.
"So I guess it's up to us. Let's do this!" Ichigo exclaimed as he drew his Zanpakuto. Nemu nodded and moved over to a control panel. After pressing a few buttons, a large black bulge suddenly started to appear in the center of the archway. It then started to open up and expand until the sight of an empty grass pasture on the edge of a forest appeared inside.
"Hold on Yuzu…we're coming for you." Ichigo said as a green light atop Nemu's console turned green and Nemu gave a nod to the heroes. They immediately ran for the portal with their weapons primed, passing through without a problem. Before Uryu passed through however, Nemu flash stepped in his path. She then grabbed him by the collar and kissed him hard on the lips.
"Be careful." She said to him as Uryu quickly kissed her again.
"I'll come back Nemu. I promise on my pride as a Quincy." Uryu said before he ran through the portal which closed behind him.
Nemu then turned and gave a nod to an unseen figure in the shadows. It was a Punishment force member who quickly flash stepped away. Nemu wasn't at all far behind him either.
In Le Mort Regne…
Ichigo and the others found themselves atop a grass covered hill with a small tree line along one side. Yoruichi was scouting the immediate area while the others waited.
"So do you think we're in the right place?" Ichigo asked.
"Definitely." Nel said as she pointed to the towering castle in the distance.
"Oh man, that's at least a day's walk from here! Longer if you consider the fights we're definitely going to be getting into." Tatsuki said.
"It doesn't matter how long we have to walk or run or fight. We're here for one reason and one reason only. To get Yuzu back." Ichigo said with a determined scowl as he glared at the castle.
"This place is much like the Soul Society. Everything's made of Reishi here." Uryu said as he ran a hand over the grass.
"So that means any former Bounts we encounter will be at their peak in terms of strength." Rukia said.
"From what you guys have told me about the Bounts, it sounds like we don't want to run into them at all." Tatsuki said.
"I don't care what it takes; I'm going to enjoy putting my blade through these bozos along with several billion jolts of electricity." Karin growled.
"Easy, Karin. You still don't have your Bankai yet. Who knows, maybe you will while you're here." Ichigo said as Tatsuki, Orihime, and Nel glanced at each other with knowing expressions.
"Oh I've got Bankai already Ichigo. I've even used it a few times. But I've got one little ace up my sleeve that you're never going to see coming." Karin said with a smirk as Ichigo arched a confused eyebrow.
"Huh?" he asked.
"You'll see." Karin replied as Yoruichi returned.
"The area seems to be clear up ahead. There doesn't seem to be any sort of wall or perimeter defense around the edge of the city but I wouldn't put it past the LeBlancs to have some kind of secret defense or something." Yoruichi explained.
"Then I guess it's time. Let's go." Ichigo said as he glared directly at the two towers on the LeBlanc castle.
Standing on the balcony, looking towards the hill in the distance, stood Yuzu with a small yet definitely hopeful smile on her face as tears of silent joy ran down her face.
"You found me."
End Chapter 50
"The Black Wrangler: Behind the Scenes…"
The camera clicked on with Isshin holding the camera pointing at his mirror.
"HELLO READERS!!! It's time for a very manly pastime…Spying on girls!" Isshin grinned as he quickly bolted out the door, passing a confused Aizen in the hallway. Isshin reached Women's Dressing Room A. and stuck the camera through the door. Curiously there was music playing inside and it sounded suspiciously like Zattsu Otoko (The Manly Dance) from the Bleach Rock Musicals. Inside were Kaichou, Unohana, Yoruichi, Kukaku, the Executioner, Nel, Nanao, Orihime, Tatsuki, Rangiku, and Halibel doing the Manly Dance with Unohana doing Kenpachi's part and Kaichou doing Ikkaku's part.
"Kataritsugareru otoko ni narutee nara tango chirimen!" Unohana said. (If you want to be a man that's talked about…Tango silk!)
"Akafun doushide odore, tsukitsuki no mai!" Kaichou said as she raised her sword over her head in both hands and did a variation of Ikkaku's Lucky Dance with the other women. (Dance in a red loin cloth doing the Lucky-Lucky dance!)
"Dare yori mo masugao ni nare!" Unohana said as the women repeated…
"Dare yori mo masugao ni nare!" (To become a more manly man than all others!)
"A two piece bikini that says "Sexy" on the rump would work perfect for me." Rangiku said as Kaichou shook her head.
"It's not about appearance; it's about being a man at heart! Got it?!" Kaichou asked.
"Ossu!" Rangiku replied as she stood at attention.
"Kataritsugareru otoko ni naritee nara…" Unohana said. (If you want to be a man that's talked about…)
"Asa, hiru, ban!" Kaichou added. (Morning, day, night!)
"Namamugi, namakome, namatamago, namamugi, namakome, namatamago!" Nanao said quickly. (Raw wheat, raw rice, raw egg, raw wheat, raw rice, raw egg!)
"Otoko taru mono meshi wa nama no mama kue!" Unohana said as the other women replied…
"Otoko taru mono meshi wa nama no mama kue!" (If you want to be a man, eat your food raw!)
"But I don't eat things raw." Halibel said.
"Not my problem, now JOIN IN!!!" Nel said as she shoved Halibel into the group and they all immediately started doing sit-ups for a few seconds before flipping over and doing pushups while Kaichou and Unohana supervised.
"Kataritsugareru otoko ni naritee nara!" Unohana said as they all leapt onto their feet. (If you want to be a man that's talked about…)
"Yossha mazu, nanore!" Kaichou shouted as the Executioner stepped forward. (First, say your name!)
"I am the Executioner of the LeBlancs!" the Executioner said proudly as the women cheered.
"Fureru ashi wo hakama ni kakusu na!" Unohana said as the women replied…
"Fureru ashi wo hakama ni kakusu na!" (Don't hide your shaking legs under your hakama!)
"I can't help it when around Kurosaki-Kun." Orihime said nervously as Tatsuki slapped her on the shoulder while rolling her eyes.
"Kataritsugareru otoko ni naritee nara!" Unohana and Kaichou said in unison as the women replied…
"Kataritsugareru otoko ni naritee nara!" (If you want to be a man that's talked about!)
"Then fight me! Come at me!" Unohana yelled as the women suddenly broke into dance. Isshin turned the camera around to face him at this point. He wasn't alone now with Aizen, Ichigo, Uryu, Toshiro, Gin, Mayuri, Renji, Stark, Grimmjow, the General, the Collector, and several other male cast members with looks of "WTH!?!?!"
"What the hell has gotten into them?" Ichigo asked confused.
"I don't know but I am now very afraid." Aizen replied as the other men nodded in agreement.
"I don't know if I can look at Halibel and Neliel the same way again." Grimmjow said.
The music then stopped inside and Isshin scrambled to turn the camera back around.
"Well that was fun." Kaichou said as she caught her breath.
"I hope this helps us all to better understand our male costars. Any questions?" Unohana asked with her usual caring persona.
"Yeah did anyone hear something coming from outside while we were doing this?" Tatsuki asked as they all looked towards the door. Instantly the sound of a stampede thundering away from the door was heard as the camera pulled away and shook violently. Then Isshin dropped it.
"Oh SH-!" static.
End
