A/N: Well, I'm going on vacation/orchestra tour tomorrow, which means I probably won't have much time to write and update. So that means I'll put up four chapters today! Hooray! And I don't know when the next update will be, so I apologize in advance.
As promised, Sojun Kuchiki shows up this chapter!
20: Homecoming
"Welcome home, Father!" Sakura bounded over to the man in the doorway, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace.
The dark-haired man let out a low 'oomph' as Sakura knocked the air out of his lungs, but wrapped his arms around his daughter affectionately nevertheless. "Hello, Sakura. It's good to be back."
"Father!" Byakuya's voice sounded from behind them.
"Hello, Byakuya," Sojun said, smiling at his son.
Byakuya looked as if he was debating whether or not to run over and give his father a hug. In the end, emotion won out over his dignity and he ran over too, embracing him happily. "How was the mission?" He asked eagerly, eyes shining with excitement at the prospect of a good story.
Sojun laughed, a deep, rich sound that both Sakura and Byakuya had found comforting since their childhood. "It went very well. I believe it's safe to say that the Hollow problem is solved for now."
Byakuya was not satisfied with this vague answer. "Well, what happened? What were the Hollows like? Was there a fight?" His slate-gray eyes were shining with enthusiasm, awaiting an answer.
Sojun smiled. "Let's sit down, shall we? Then I'll tell both of you the full story."
xXx
Sojun settled onto a pile of cushions in the main living room, Sakura and Byakuya sitting down beside him. "So?" Byakuya urged impatiently. "What happened down in the World of the Living, Father?"
Sojun sobered slightly, as if reliving the experience. "As I said before, Byakuya, the mission went very well." He hesitated. "However, I must admit that I was worried when we came across the first Hollows. They were different from the usual."
Byakuya sat up a little straighter, eyes widening. "What do you mean, different?"
Sojun stayed silent for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts. "I'm not quite sure. They were definitely more powerful than your average Hollows. And they managed to sneak up on us; we weren't able to sense their reiatsu at all." A worried look crossed his features, but he quickly smoothed his features into a more serene expression.
Sakura and Byakuya exchanged glances, having both seen the change in their father's face. "Why is that?" Sakura asked softly.
Sojun shook his head, at a loss. "I am not sure, Sakura. I don't know how they managed to hide from us. But they did, and that is a very dangerous thing."