"Dad? What are you doing here?"
Isshin looked at where the voice came from. He saw Ichigo and just like the usual, he jumped and kicked Ichigo which sent Ichigo flying. Everyone looked at them amused.
"So, this is where you have gone into. Do you know how much Karin, Yuzu and me have been worried of what has happened to you?!" Isshin exclaimed.
Ichigo stood up and countered Isshin with a kicked that sent Isshin flying.
"I just got out of the medical department and you had to kick me that hard!" Ichigo said. They started bickering. As everyone watched amused, Soifon walked up to Yoruichi and asked.
"I'm surprised, they really did come. I never thought they will."
"Well, let's see…" as Yoruichi recounted how.
~0~0~0~
A hell butterfly came, flying in Yoruichi's window.
"Ukitake-taichou, Hisagi-fuku-taichou and Shihoin-san, you are requested by the Sou-taichou."
Moments later, the three shinigamis are in front of the Sou-taichou.
"I have a mission for you Ukitake-taichou and Hisagi-fuku-taichou. After telling you you're mission, I will ask for Shihoin-san if she wants to help." The Sou-taichou said.
All of them nod.
"As you have known, two royal guards were sent here to deliver an order from the royal family."
They stayed silent so Yamamoto continued.
"But, the royal guards request that the taichous, fuku-taichous, ryokas and they be present as they announce it." Yamamoto said while looking at Yoruichi.
"So, the royal family wants us to be present, huh?" asked Yoruichi.
"Yes, you, the shinigamis banished more than a hundred years ago and also Isshin."
"I'll help" Yoruichi answered.
"Are you sure?" Ukitake asked.
"Hai, it's time for them to clear their name and be grant access back here. Kisuke never mentioned this to me but I am sure that he wants to be back. If not, then he wouldn't do things he does for Soul Society. And lastly, I want to know what this order is about that the royal guards are even requesting for us."
"Then, I will be looking forward to your arrival then. And if they say that they don't want to come back, please tell them that they only had to hear what the royal guards are about to say and they can go back or go anywhere they want. Dismiss… and Shihoin-san, arigatou." Yamamoto said.
~/~/~/~
The Senkaimon opened and out came Yoruichi, Ukitake and Hisagi. Urahara was a little surprised as to why only Yoruichi came back and with her are a taichou and a fuku-taichou.
"Hoho, this is a little startling. Why is a familiar face coming out of the Senkaimon with Yoruichi-hime?" Urahara said in a sing-sang voice.
"Kisuke, let's head back to the shop. Also, tell Tessai to be there." Yoruichi said seriously.
"Hai." Urahara said noticing the serious atmosphere.
~/~/~/~
"So, Ukitake-san. What do I owe for this visit?" Urahara started.
Inside the room were Urahara, Yoruichi, Hisagi and Tessai.
"I will be direct to the point then. The Sou-taichou with the request of the royal guards or to the extent, the royal family requests for you to go back to Seireitei together with them." Ukitake answered.
"I see, but aren't we banished and hunted for our crimes? How can we be sure that this is not a trap for us?"
"The central 46 who judged you of your punishment have been murdered by Aizen. He confessed everything he did but unfortunately, he was able to escape." Yoruichi answered.
"My apologies for the interruption but I don't see where the royal family or the guards have anything to do with this. Aren't the Gotei Jyusantai and the royal guards having separate powers?" Tessai asked.
"Usually yes, but the royal guards where suppose to deliver an order for the Sou-taichou when Aizen goes out in the open. If it weren't for the royal guards, we may have lost several lives." Ukitake said with a hint of sadness.
"Well, this is a problem indeed but as you know, I've come to love the life in here and I am not sure if I had already forgiven Seireitei for what they accused me. Especially them, I don't know if they could forgive Seireitei for banishing them and hunting them like they where some wild dogs."
"We know that. Genryusai-sensei told us that you only had to hear what the royal guards want and after that, you are free to decide what you want to do. So please, I beg of you come back with us." Ukitake finished while kneeling and bowing his head.
"I have to ask them first. If they are willing to atleast hear the orders then I might go." Urahara finished.
"Kisuke, I know you never said this to me, but you want to go back to Seireitei right? This might be your chance." Yoruichi reminded.
"Who knows." He countered.
~/~/~/~
"So, that's the whole story." Urahara finished telling the vizards what has been told to him. With him were Ukitake, Yoruichi and Hisagi.
"Ha! So that snake has shown his true colors and openly betrayed the Gotei Jyusan. And to think he did it while there were royal guards in the area, what a moron." Shinji said.
"Never! Why would I come back to that place that once treated us like shits? A hundred years ago they want us dead, now they want us back just because they are quite low on taichou level shinigamis and the royal family are now in their neck. Serves them right." Hiyori spat.
"Now, now that's not nice Hiyori-san." Urahara said.
"Now, do remember that this is your chance to clear your name and be granted access back to Seireitei and also do you really want to hide yourselves forever and try fighting Aizen all by yourself? It will be easier when you have allies." Yoruichi chipped in.
"I'll go. Keeping any revenge only makes you feel bad. I atleast want to know what is happening." Hachigen said.
"A common enemy... They say banding together in the face of a common enemy is humanity's bad habit... But that's wrong. It's not a bad habit, but an instinct that all living creatures possess. The truth is the spiritual bond formed in those instances is—" Rose was slapped in the back by Love.
"Shut it Rose, you only had to say yes if you want. I'll go to. I want to clear my name. Anyway, those central 46 are dead now. We had no one to take revenge to but, Aizen. Killing him will be easier if we could get as much help as we can."
"Let me think about it." Kensei said.
"Muguruma-taichou, do you remember me?" Hisagi said.
"You! You're that kid right?" Kensei answered.
"Hai, ever since that day you saved me, I did my best so I could become a strong shinigami like you to protect the souls who were in need. And now, I am the fuku-taichou of the 9th division and I have you to thank for that. Arigatou, Muguruma-taichou. Please, lend us your strength." Hisagi said.
"Wuhu Kensei, you are an idol now. Hey, hey let's go to Seireitei Kensei, I want to see what has changed. Onegai, Onegai, Onegai…" Mashiro exclaimed.
"Fine, fine just shut up Mashiro before I tear you to pieces." Kensei said seemingly annoyed.
"I'll go; I want to see how Nanao has been doing." Lisa said.
"Are you sure it's Nanao only? What about your beloved, Shunsui?" Shinji teased.
"Want to die where you are standing, Shinji?" Lisa asked.
"Chill, sheesh people here really don't know how to be cool and hip. I'll go but not as an ally of Seireitei but as an enemy of Aizen. I still have a score to settle with that unhip and uncool boy. So, what about you Hiyori? You gonna just slumped here all alone?" Shinji said.
"Fine, but I'll just hear what these guard dogs have to say and then I'm outta there." Hiyori said.
"That's good to hear. Now Urahara-san, your answer?" Ukitake asked.
"If they are so willing to go, then I don't have any reason not to. I am sure that Tessai will be going once I tell him my decision."
"Yokatta! Now, only one more to go." Ukitake sighed.
"One more?" Urahara asked.
"Hai, the last person requested, Isshin Kurosaki."
"Isshin? Oh my, isn't that pushing your luck a little too far." Urahara said.
Just then Yoruichi and Urahara suddenly looked at the entrance of the make-shift home of the vizards.
"Kisuke, did you feel that?" Yoruichi asked to which Urahara only nods.
"Nani? What's wrong? We didn't feel anything." Hiyori said.
"Just now, I felt someone spying at us by the door but when I turned it was gone." Yoruichi answered.
"Are we being spied? By who?" Ukitake asked.
"You sure, this isn't a trap Yoruichi?" Shinji asked.
"Iie, the Sou-taichou could've asked me or just used a special kido if he ever wants to trap you and not send someone who he realize that might be uncovered, especially with two ex-covert ops here." Ukitake answered.
"Then, it must be one of Aizen's underlings huh? Trying to spy on what the Sou-taichou wants to do. Afterall, it's not every day you see a taichou, fuku-taichou and a former taichou be sent here on an urgent mission." Love said.
"Then, we must hurry." Hisagi said.
"Nope, let's visit Isshin tomorrow. It's night time now, his daughters are back in the house and if we were being followed, they might be endangered." Urahara said.
~/~/~/~
Urahara, Yoruichi, Hisagi and Ukitake are in front of Isshin's door in their gigais.
"Oh Isshin-san, it's your good o'l friend Kisuke. Let's have a friendly chit-chat. I've missed you so much…" Urahara said in a sing sang voice.
Everyone looked at Urahara with a big sweat drop on the head.
Isshin opened the door and let them in.
"So, it's true huh? That a shinigami of taichou level is in the area." Isshin said while looking at Ukitake.
"Isshin-kun, what are you saying? You should have been used to those kinds of high reiatsus. Afterall, there are so many taichou level shinigamis roaming around Karakura town, is it not?" Urahara answered.
"Ok, cut the chit-chat, what do you want?" Isshin asked seriously.
Ukitake started explaining everything to Isshin.
"Hmm, I see. So, that stupid son of mine is currently in your care huh? How's the moron?" Isshin asked.
"He'll be fine, but do heed that if you choose to go, he'll probably know that you're a –" Urahara was cut off by Isshin's answered.
"Hai, hai. I'll go. That Ichigo have the right to know why he has strong shinigami powers afterall and someone has to teach him but please keep this a secret to my girls."
"Ho, that was easier than what we anticipated. What made you say yes?" Urahara asked.
"Well, let's just say I got a friendly knock and saw a friend I haven't seen in years." Isshin answered.
"What are you saying? I'm always around." Urahara exclaimed.
"I know." Isshin answered.
~0~0~0~
"Well that was interesting. Kurosaki-taichou really, is a weird person." Soifon said.
"Nah, I don't think he meant us. I think someone personally asked him." Yoruichi answered.
"Who? The Sou-taichou?"
"Maybe? I really don't know who." Yoruichi said as she and the other occupants of the room watch amused at Ichigo and Isshin bicker.
Just then Yamamoto tapped his cane to the floor three times. All occupants of the room looked at him.
"I think that's enough humiliation of yourselves in front of the ones that requests you here. We may begin now, my apologies for the little commotion." He said after while looking at the back.
Everyone looked at the direction and saw the two royal guards leaning on the wall then push themselves off and started walking to the center of the hall.
"Shit, how long were they in there?" asked Ichigo.
"They've been there even before any of you had been here. They had been watching silently all this time." Sasakibe answered.
"And none of us noticed? They are excellent at hiding their reiatsus… very scary people err… souls" Shinji said.
When they were in front of everyone, the occupants formed a half-circle around them.
"Yokatta, Yokatta; looks like Sou-taichou was able to persuade everyone to come here afterall…" The male one said in a cheery voice.
"Now, I hope you are all ready to die…" he continued. Everyone tensed up as they felt killing intent starting to fill the area and the male reaching for his zanpakutou under his garment until...
He was bopped at the head by his female companion with her fist.
"This is no time for your jokes, Ichiban-keishu." she said.
"Itai!... Jeez, you're such a killjoy, Yonban-keishu." he answered while holding his head bump with two hands and crouching. Everyone sweat dropped and some have opened jaws as they looked at them amused and forgot his threat.
"Killjoy? Looked at how you tensed everybody here and you call me killjoy? If you forgot, we have a mission to carry out. So, be serious now." She answered while towering over him.
"Hai, hai you don't have to be so grumpy. Obachan." he teased.
"Who are you calling an Obachan?" She answered as she was ready to give him another bump on the head but she was surprised to see him already standing up and waving his hand signaling for her that it's time to start. She understood and she immediately reached for her sleeve, took out a blue scroll and give it to him then she took out a red scroll and opened it slightly.
"Well, now that the fun is already over. Shall we start this meeting then?" He asked in a serious voice.
He waited for everyone to get their composure back and then looked at the Sou-taichou.
"This meeting officially starts now." The Sou-taichou said as everyone starts to line up at left and right in front of the royal guards.
"Before we give the actual order of the royal family, please answer our questions with a Yes, a No, or an answer for an information that we may ask. Don't worry it won't be anything other than what has been happening in Seireitei, Hueco Mundo and the Living world." He said.
Everyone was taken aback; they didn't know the royal grounds have been taking tabs on what is happening.
The Ichiban-keishu motioned for his companion to start the report.
"This is the information we have. The report that has been gathered by us, the royal guards in the last hundred and ten years…" She started.
END OF CHAPTER 3
Translations: (Again only the new words will be in the translation)
Onegai – please
Gotei Jyusantai - 13 Division Imperial Guards
-hime – princess
Keishu – guard
Ichiban/Yonban – First/Fourth
Obachan – granny
Yokatta – That's good / I'm glad
Itai – that hurts / ouch
A.N:
The next chapter will be quite long. I hope you bare with me… The action will be a little less in the next chapters as I have to develop the characters I think hehe… ^__^ anyway please read and review…
