Hello, all! After a very long hiatus, I have returned! I do hope to work on this story more, as it was the beginning of my writing and I would surely like to finish the story! Thank you, one of my good friends, for asking me to work on this again. I have been in a writers slump for a while and this got my creative juices flowing with all kinds of new ideas coming in for Jonouchi and his friends! There are so many other original writing projects that I've started that it's ridiculous, and I am somewhat ashamed that I allowed Jonouchi to take as long of a break as he has! I'm finishing my first ever book soon, titled MERCY, which has consumed a good 6 years of my life now. The draft is done, but like the beginning of THIS series, I need to go back and rewrite some of it (because back in 2009 when I started it I was not much of a writer! HAHA!) I feel that I have improved beyond my own expectations, and hope to have more time for this fanfiction AND my book! So please, favorite, review, etc! I would like feedback, I am always open to constructive criticism. Now without further ado, let us return to the Soul Society and see what has been going on there!

Chapter 28 – Extraction Underway

"So, run the plan by me again." Night had fallen on the Soul Society, and while this normally meant a quiet and desolate Seireitei, the Guard Squads were on high alert since the kidnapping of Squad 13's Vice-Captain, Kalinda Yochi.

"You're impossible..." A woman in a Captain's robe remarked as she walked alongside Squad 5's Captain Sanosuke. The white haori that she wore donned the insignia of Squad 9, her long black hair swaying from side to side as she walked at a hurried pace. Their respective Vice-Captain's followed close behind them, trying to keep up. "Seriously! How many times have we been over this already?"

"I'm just making sure that I have all of the details and that you're not forgetting to tell me anything important!" Sanosuke defended, panting as he tried to keep pace as well. She certainly had long strides in her step.

"Pay attention this time!" She scolded, turning on her heel to face her comrade. "We're to meet the Squad 3 Captain in the physical world, as well as a few of his companions. Our goal is to infiltrate Hueco Mundo with a small squad of Soul Reapers and retrieve Kalinda Yochi before Aizen even knows we are there. It's a stealth mission, but apparently Captain Jonouchi has requested the assistance of a few of his most trusted peers. Despite their inability to perform well during a stealth mission, it seems." Her remark, directed at Sanosuke, was calloused.

"You think I can't do stealth?" Sanosuke was annoyed at her sudden accusation.

"Do you even understand what is meant by 'stealth' mission?"

"O-Of course!" He defended. "We need to be sneaky!' She sighed.

"Child..." She remarked, turning to continue walking. "We move quickly and quietly. We dispatch any Hollow or Arrancar that stand between us and our target, and we dispatch them swiftly. We cannot give them an opportunity to notify their companions of our arrival. We move as one unit. It is imperative that we operate in sync with one another flawlessly, less we run the risk of ruining the element of surprise." Sanosuke nodded as she wrapped up her explanation. "Any OTHER questions?"

"Yeah..." His eyes opened wide as he walked, staring off into space. "I never realized 'surprise' was one of the elements..."

"SANOSUKE!" She shouted, swinging an open palm at him. He ducked just in time.

"I was kidding!" He defended, hands in the air. "But in all seriousness... Where are we going?" There was a sharp pain in the back of his head as she successfully landed a blow with her palm, forcing him to stumble forward. He barely managed to regain his balance before he fell on his face. "Again, kidding!" He rubbed the back of his head with a whimper. Something else suddenly hit him as well, a thought. "Wait! YOU are one of Jonouchi's most trusted peers, yet I have NEVER seen the two of you together in the short time you've been a Captain!"

"We have never met." Her statement was straightforward and to the point.

"Then how were you invited along!?"

"I have a particular skill set that Captain Uchiki has requested to utilize for this mission."

"That's false." Aya was the first of the Vice's to speak.

"Excuse me?" Her Captain Scowled.

"You overheard Noah and I talking about it and demanded you tag along. You see, Miss Ruisa here absolutely hates being left out of the loop, especially when the task is risky and can get her into trouble. She's a glutton for punishment." Aya responded nonchalantly.

"Y- You brat!" Her Captain, Ruisa, scolded with a look of embarrassment. "That is completely untrue!"

"Is it?" Aya grinned, one eyebrow raised.

"And that's CAPTAIN Lovely to you! You will address me as your superior so long as you are going to have that attitude with me!" She took a deep breath, regaining her composure the best she could. Her cheeks were still slightly puffed, pouting. "Fine. She finally admitted. "I demanded... But once the 3rd Squad's Captain learned of my skills he was hard pressed to turn down my demands!"

"That's because they were demands..." Aya sighed.

"Quiet!"

"Yes ma'am!" Aya's voice squeaked as she nearly jumped out of her skin from her Captain's sudden outburst.

"That reminds me..." Noah spoke now, rubbing his chin in thought.

"What is it?" Sanosuke asked his subordinate.

"Well... Yourself, Captain Lovely, and Jonouchi are all taking part on this mission. That is three out of thirteen Captains. And two Vice-Captain ranked Soul Reapers, Aya and myself, are also a part of this mission to rescue one of our fellow Vice's..."

"Yeah? What's your point?" Sanosuke felt this wasn't going anywhere.

"My point is we are infiltrating the realm of Hollows. How did we get the clearances from the Captain Commander for such a mission to take place. He doesn't strike me as the kind of man to allow such a high risk mission."

"Yeah!" Sanosuke turned quickly to face Ruisa. "How did Jonouchi get permission to enter Hueco Mundo from Captain Commander Yamamoto!?" Ruisa sighed.

"He didn't! The Captain Commander does not know we are going to Hueco Mundo! We're taking the Senkaimon to Karakura Town to meet with Jonouchi and the others, and we will be taking an alternate route into Hueco Mundo! This way we can't be tracked by the Soul Society. We can get in, extract our target, and leave! If we're lucky we will be back before they notice we're even gone."

"You really think Yamamoto won't notice?" Sanosuke was surely skeptical. The old man was frightening, after all.

"Captain Hitsugaya is acting as a diversion so that this mission will be possible." Aya stated.

"I really don't think Captain Hitsugaya is the kind of guy to act as a diversion." Sanosuke added, still skeptical.

"Oh, he doesn't know that he's a diversion. He thinks the issue he took to the Captain Commander is a real matter that has to be dealt with. And from what I've been told, it will keep the others busy for a while..." Aya's information amazed even her Captain.

"What in the name of the Soul King could be so important that it would keep everyone else's attention while we are on this mission and they wouldn't notice we are missing?" Ruisa asked, eyes wide.

"Classified." was Aya's response.

"I am your Captain and you will disclose this information to me!"

"Nope. I can't."

"And why not!?"

"Because I don't know what the 'important issue' is? Kou-chan is the one who is responsible, and she didn't tell me. Goddamn woman's a genius..."

"If she's involved, it can't be anything good..." Noah sighed, Sanosuke cringing.

"The 3rd Squad's 3rd seat Koukeisha? Is she really that frightening?" Ruisa asked.

"Innocently." Aya's response made Noah and Sanosuke nod. "And it's Acting Vice-Captain now. Until Kaze-kun returns to his position."

"Any word from him?" Noah asked, though he knew it was a touchy subject. Aya was very fond of the boy, and he could see the sadness in her eyes.

"No... It's been a little over a month with no word. We've had a task force out to search for him but we haven't turned up any leads..."

"I'm sorry..."

"It's not your fault. Emotions were high and words were said. There's no changing that. And he's stubborn. Hopefully he comes around and returns home with a slap on the wrist." Aya sighed, Noah giving her a thumbs up.

"We're here." They both snapped to attention, realizing they stood before the Senkaimon that would take them to Karakura Town.

"You're putting a lot of faith in this plan..." A black haired Soul Reaper that Jonouchi had only recently met, a sibling of his fiance, Kronin, stated as they looked over the map that Jonouchi's acting Vice-Captain had drawn up.

"No. I'm putting ALL of my faith in Koukeisha." He put a hand upon her back, giving her a smile that she accepted with gratitude.

"Look. I have spent the last three weeks with those Vizard, who did everything they could to get me to a point where I could at least semi-control my Hollow powers for a brief time in a very short time span. I have faith in Kou's plan, and I have faith in the abilities that my friends possess."

"The Espada were formidable BEFORE Aizen took over. Now that they have someone giving them direction and purpose... Well, there is no telling how much stronger they have grown. We spent the past three weeks preparing for this, but what makes either of you think that they haven't been doing the same?" Kronin looked between Koukeisha and Jonouchi.

"I never said I thought they would just sit around. In fact, I'm counting on the fact that they DID prepare for us."

"Why would them preparing for us go in our favor?" Kronin's smile was smug, as if he couldn't believe the words from the woman before him.

"Goyo Maximinios." Koukeisha's statement of that Arrancar's name perplexed Kronin.

"Yeah?"

"Goyo has been in power in Las Noches for some time now. The fact that he came forward as the 5th Espada, a position that he has held for a prolonged time, means that Aizen has not replaced him. Jonouchi, when his Hollow had control of his body, easily overpowered the Arrancar. They're weak." Koukeisha apologized to Jonouchi for the insinuating that he wasn't all that powerful himself, since he couldn't fight the Espada without help from his Hollow side. Jonouchi was not offended of course. "From what we know, once a Hollow removes its mask and becomes an Arrancar, it gains an insane boost of power. But after that boost, there is not much an Arrancar can do to improve their power. They basically max themselves out once they removed their mask. A Gillian cannot become an Adjuchas. An Adjuchas cannout become a Vasto Lorde. They are at their limits. And Goyo, he was a Gillian-class Menos before he removed his mask. Seeing as there are ten seats to be held by the Espada in Las Noches, chances are there are less than five Espada that are greater than Gillian-class. No matter how much training and preparation the Espada do, they will not increase their Reiatsu by much. They can impove their physical strength, speed, and skills. But as far as Spiritual Pressure, we have been improving while they are already topped off."

Kronin stared at Koukeisha, jaw open.

"You're starting to drool a little." Jonouchi smirked at Kronin, who had just a moment ago doubted his Vice-Captain. "OW!" Jonouchi had been smacked upside the head from the comment by Kronin.

"How do you know all of that?" Kronin asked, impressed.

"Hollow classes are common knowledge so long as you paid attention in the academy!" She gave a disapproving stare.

"Not that!" Kronin let out a frustrated growl at her assumption that he did not focus in class. Jonouchi kept his mouth shut. He knew little about Hollow classifications, which he attributed to what Koukeisha had just accused Kronin of. Spacing out in class. "The hierarchy of the those in power in Las Noches! How did you get such information!?"

"For one, I keep up with history. Both Soul Society, and what we know about Hueco Mundo and Las Noches."

"And how did you draw THAT?" He asked, pointing to the map on the table before them.

"I've been inside Las Noches? Duh." She shrugged. Kronin laughed. "As if I'd believe a lie as obvious as that!"

"It's not a lie." She stood, grinning. "I've been there many times in the past."

"Yeah? And my job takes me there fairly often myself!"

"So, is my map outdated? Has the layout changed?" Koukeisha asked with a grin.

"Well... No... I'm not familiar with many of the rooms and hallways you've drawn up, but for the most part it looks accurate."

"And yet you believe I've never been inside?" Kronin looked at her, eyes narrowed momentarily.. He finally sighed, sitting up.

"Just who in the hell are you?" He knew a normal Soul Reaper, even most Captains, would not have this information about Las Noches.

"I am Koukeisha Karasu, 3rd Seat and Acting Vice-Captain of the 3rd Squad of the 13 Court Guard Squads." She grinned smuggly, which just agitated him more.

"Not what I meant!" He slammed his hand down on the table, causing it to shake. Jonouchi had jumped up and caught it just in time.

"And you are Kronin Hisoka, he who holds a seat among the members of one of Soul Society's most elite and covert special operations units, Masked." At the mere mention of the name "Masked" Kronin shot up from his seat, Zanpaku-to in hand. Jonouchi hadn't even seen the two move before it was already over. Koukeisha too was standing now, but her blade remained sheathed. Kronin's Zanpaku-to had been enveloped in pink-opaque box of light that burned his flesh and forced him to drop it.

"You bitch!" He came at her with his fist but she held her fingers out just as she had done for his Zanpaku-to.

"Ah! I'd stop if I were you!" Koukeisha spoke, pink static springing from the tips of her fingers.

"Release Ryujin no Banyuu!" He commanded, the veins in his forehead becoming visible from his anger.

"The spell will wear off in a few minutes, and there will be no damage to your blade. I used a disarming spell that the academy has deemed outdated and no longer teaches. That's all. Now settle and sit. I don't blame you for attacking me, especially upon the mention of Masked."

Kronin caught his breath, not taking his eyes off of Koukeisha. "HOW do you know about Masked?" He asked through gritted teeth.

"I am good friends with Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Well, what you can consider 'friends' with a mad scientist. Other than Squad 1, 12 is the only other Squad aware of Masked. That is only because they monitor the Senkaimon and unauthorized travel would not slip past the eyes of the great Mayuri."

"But you even knew my name..." He growled, fists clenched and knuckles white.

"Yeah, you introduced yourself to me, silly!" Koukeisha laughed as she let herself fall back into her chair. She watched with a grin as Kronin's face flushed red from frustration. She loved antagonizing.

"And now HE knows!" Kronin thrust his chin in Jonouchi's direction. "Masked is a Black Ops organization! If too many people know about us then jeopardizes the entire group! Central 46 would be outraged to find out that Squad 1 is operating behind their back!"

"If you remember correctly, Central 46 are currently all dead. So you've really nothing to worry about." Koukeisha's comment seemed to let Kronin relax a bit. "There are temps appointed currently. But they're not permanent. Besides. The only ones that know are you, myself, and Captain Uchiki. We will keep your secret from the others, you have my word. You provide security for the Soul Society that many others are incapable of providing. I would never jeopardize Masked."

"Then stop saying 'Masked'!" Kronin groaned, Jonouchi laughed. Of course the laugh was short lived once he received another back-hand.

"Instead of causing your teammate brain trauma BEFORE the mission, why not wait until we've successfully extracted Miss Yochi and returned home and THEN take out your frustrations on the poor kid?" Kronin's eyes widened with surprise, as did Koukeisha's. They both spun in their seat to look behind where Jonouchi was seated. Two figures stood behind Jonouchi, who was already on his feet. He had felt no spiritual pressure, but these two had snuck in! One man had dark blonde hair and stood about seven feet tall, black spots in his spiked hair near the nape of his neck. He wore white pants with a sash holding a katana. A white toothed necklace hung around his neck, as well as a headband shaped like a cat's skull. The other wore white ninja garb, most of his face covered in a white ninja hood that hid his face. In the center of both of their chests, the large hole. Arrancar!

Jonouchi had drawn his weapon, slashing at the taller, blonde threat. His hands suddenly burned severely, forcing him to release his Zanpaku-to. The same pink box had appeared around his as had appeared around Kronin's. Koukeisha's hand was up, pointed at Jonouchi. "Koukeisha what are you-!"

"You're early, Regulus!" Kronin smirked, and Koukeisha had rushed forward and thrown her arms around the blonde Arrancar's neck.

"Andreja! Long time no see!" She laughed as he patted her on the head.

"Chill out, Kou. It's been a while, but you're still as hyper as ever!" The blonde known as Andreja chuckled.

"You... KNOW them?" Jonouchi looked from Kronin to Koukeisha. Both nodded, Kronin a bit more serious while Koukeisha nodded quickly multiple times.

"She had asked UN/masked to get involved with your little dilemma. Apparently Kronin had gone to Regulus too. While it doesn't effect us directly, we found it in our interest to involve ourselves in this cause." Andreja explained.

"UN/masked?" Jonouchi looked back and forth between the two newcomers. They were Hollows that had removed their masks. This much was obvious. But calling themselves UN/masked was a little cliché."

"They're the Las Noches equivalent to the Soul Society branch." Kronin spoke. "We work as a team on a variety of missions. Chances are Aizen doesn't even know they exist, even the Espada are clueless. UN/masked is a Soul Society driven force inside Hueco Mundo."

"Still, I wouldn't put it past him. Aizen is incredibly smart. I'm sure he knows all about Masked as well." Andreja grinned at Koukeisha's new information.

"The rest of UN/masked remained in Hueco Mundo. They're awaiting your arrival, Jonouchi Uchiki." Regulus stated, Jonouchi's eyes wide. He didn't expect to be working with Hollows. He looked at them questionably. "Look... I understand your prejudice... But the world is not black and white. There is a lot of grey. We didn't ask to become what we are. But we do not regret what we have become, either." Jonouchi's mind flashed back to Kaze, and the things Kronin had said.

"Yeah... I know..."

"Aizen is planning something." Andreja spoke up. "I don't care if you're prejudiced or not. For now we have to put that behind us, or not only will Hueco Mundo and Soul Society fall, but the physical world as well!"

"Speaking of Aizen..." Koukeisha turned to Jonouchi. "Are you going to-"

"Yes." Jonouchi nodded, eyes full of resolve. "We are doing this for Kalinda. Aizen is a problem for another day and another time. We get her home safely. We avoid Aizen if we can help it."

"Good." Koukeisha smiled, happy to see that he was looking beyond his hatred of the former 5th Squad Captain.

"Gin, Tosen and Aizen should not be a problem. We'll get you in as close to the holding tower as possible. It should be a straight shot from there. Even the Espada should be no issue, for around this time they are all gathered in one place, the throne room.

"Great news!" A females voice called out, everyone snapping to attention. In walked the 5th and 9th Squad Captains, Sanosuke and Ruisa, with Noah and Aya close behind.

"Gang's all here, it looks like!" Sanosuke grinned, making eye contact with each individual in the room. "So when do we roll out?"

With a tap of his fingers on the air in front of him, Regulus opened a Garganta. "Now is a better time than later."

"You heard Lizard-breath!" Andreja grinned, running through the portal and motioning for the others to follow. Jonouchi and Kronin both scooped up their Zanpaku-to, each looking to the other's unshakable resolve. Nodding, they charged behind the Arrancar that lead the way.

"Kalinda!" Jonouchi shouted, his voice echoing through the void. "Wait for us! We're coming to take you home!"