Pairings: No new ones arrive... still mainly Toshiro and Ichigo
Warnings: Ehehehe, nothing worth warning about happens
Second chapter here! Thanks to ninjapanda for reviewing. I hope that the second chapter is good/better than the first. Its pretty awesome to actually update on time! Well I've rambled on enough for the moment. I'll give you this disclaimer and then you can read! See you at the bottom!
DISCLAIMER I DON'T OWN BLEACH OR BLEACH CHARACTERS I OWNLY OWN THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN PUBLISHED BEFORE NOW.
Yoruichi ran through the Dangai at fast pace. Easily keeping ahead of the cleaner. Soon enough she was reaching the point she was suppose to leave from. There was a small square of light a few meters ahead of her. She leapt through it once she was close enough.
She appeared a good distance from the ground. She shunpoed to the nearest building landing gracefully. "Alright. Now first thing first, I need to learn when the next captain meeting is."
Yoruichi figured that she could of course go to the head captain and have him call for a meeting but that would take a large amount of time, unless of course there wasn't going to be a meeting for a while. She shupoed to the first division barracks.
She headed towards the head-captains office. As she neared there she saw that the meeting hall doors were closed. She moved off to the doors. Inside she heard a low muttering.
"Oh?" Yoruichi hummed. "Am I that lucky?"
She quickly crossed to the upper levels of the first division. She found the area where she could peer into the room and see if there was a meeting taking place without being detected. She had found this awhile back, when she used to be captain of the 2nd.
Inside the ten remaining captains stood in their designated spots. There were still gaps in between where the traitorous captains used to stand and where the captains stood. The Head Captain was rambling about the overall running of Seireitei. Several of the captains wore serious expression, the other captains just looked bored or distracted.
They were nearing the end of the meeting and the captains could tell that they were. As there was more stirring around the group. Just as the Head Captain was about bang his staff down Yoruichi appeared in the meeting hall.
A murmur of surprise ran through the crowd at the Flash-Goddess's sudden, and seemingly random, appearance. The Head-Captain even opened his eyes in a mild surprise.
"Yoruichi Shihoin." The Head Captain mumbled.
"Head Captain." Yoruichi inclined her head to Yamamoto.
"What are you doing here, Yoruichi?" Captain Kyoraku asked politely.
"I come with news from the world of the living." She stated plainly.
"We get that back at the division. Nothing you need to report." Captain Kurotsuchi grumbled.
"Eh? But how would you get reports if your here?" Yoruichi inclined her head. "Besides would you even tell them of your discovery or write it off as not major?"
Seeming to not here the question the 12th division captain remained quiet. Yoruichi huffed in satisfaction.
"What news do you bring?" Head Captain Yamamoto asked the former second division captain.
"As of about two hours ago, five strange spiritual pressures appeared in Karakura town. The Substitute Shinigami Ichigo Kurosaki engaged the owners of the pressure. As of an hour ago Ichigo Kurosaki's reiatsu disappeared completely."
There was a ripple of noise between the captains. As well as slightly surprised looks, and maybe a concerned one from Captain Ukitake.
"Disappeared?" The Fourth Division Captain asked.
Yoruichi nodded. "Yes. It was gradually weakening but it suddenly vanished. From what Ichigo's friends described, it would seem that a band of renegade shinigami are behind this. He was also badly hurt, he must've been barely conscious or unconscious when his friends arrived."
"You said that Kurosaki's reiatsu disappeared. Is it safe to assume that he perished?" The small Captain of the Tenth asked.
"No. Ichigo's friends seem to claim that while badly injured he was still alive." Yoruichi was facing the prodigy. "But then by that report it doesn't mean that he's alive either."
There was another ripple of noise. It seemed that most of the captains were in a sound mind that it would be a shame if the substitute perished. Yamamoto banged his staff down to signal for quiet.
"Why do Kurosaki's friends think that it was in fact a group shinigami?" Yamamoto addressed Yoruichi.
The female in question cleared her throat. "They were wearing clothes that cannot by called anything but the shinigami uniforms. There is also a very large possibility they were wielding zanpakutos. But they aren't any that I'm familiar with."
The captains were silent for this fact. Yoruichi smiled to herself. She was actually doing a favor to Kisuke. "Captain Kurostuchi, you look like you have something to say?"
The captain in question sent the Flash Goddess a glare. The other captains turned to look at him as well.
Kurostuchi gave what seemed like an annoyed sigh. "My division recently stumbled across a anomaly in Hueco Mundo. After scanning it, it didn't appear dangerous. My squad is studying it further to determine what it is exactly."
The rest of the captains shared a look but didn't seem like they were that surprised. Yoruichi crossed her arms. Of course they could be connected or maybe its a coincidence. Hopefully they'll help us find Ichigo.
Yamamoto banged his staff. "Captain Kurostuchi, I want you reporting anything you know about the anomaly. Captain Hitsugaya take yourself and a few other high ranked shinigami and go with Yoruichi to the world of the living and see what you can find there."
There were nods from the two captains who received orders. "Meeting adjourned. Yoruichi, stay here for a moment."
The captains slowly filed out. Soon the only two left in the room were the Head Captain and Yoruichi herself.
"Head Captain?"
"I am only doing this because this could threaten the Soul Society, and we owe Kurosaki that much."
"Sir? If I may ask a question?" Yoruichi asked a nervous waver in her voice. There was a nod of confirmation from the old man. "Why Captain Hitsugaya?"
"I have a feeling it'd be better for him to do something than just sit around waiting for any form of news. Its bad for morale when the Captain is looking like he's about to bite off the head of whoever approaches him."
Yoruichi nodded. Satisfied with the answer. Yamamoto seemed not have anything more to say so the Head of the Shuhoin clan turned to leave. She made it to the door and passed through without interruption.
As she was exiting the meeting room she was stopped by the all too icy Captain of the Tenth. "Captain."
Toshiro seemed to lose what he was about to say, his mouth opening and closing for a few seconds before he uttered out a "We're leaving first thing tomorrow."
With that the prodigy turned and left. After all he had to get a small squad ready. It wasn't a question on who he was going to bring but if their captains would allow them to go.
He steeled himself as he shunpoed to the Eleventh Division. As he expected Captain Zaraki was sitting out on the porch watching a few of his squad members duel one another before turning in.
His third and fifth seat were sitting next to him, the former in the middle of being attacked by the excitable eleventh squad Vice-Captain. The fifth seat seemed to be watching with amusement.
The four of them noticed his approach at the same time. "Hey its Captain Whitey!" The pink haired girl chirped. Toshiro briefly wonder when she had gotten the cross bone hair clips. Though he was quickly annoyed as he realized that he had been called that annoying nickname she gave him.
"Wha' brings ya here?" Captain Zaraki asked him.
Ikkaku took advantage of the fact that his Vice-Captain was no longer attacking him. He wiped off the drool that coated his bald head while Yumichika gently scolded Yachiru about biting people's heads.
"Captain Zaraki I have a request." The white haired boy stated.
Zaraki snorted. "Ya wan' ta borrow a few of my squad members righ'?"
Torshiro looked slightly abashed and was about to speak when Zaraki cut him off. "Ya probably want Ikkaku and Yumichika."
Toshiro was honestly surprised that the bulky captain knew what he was going to ask before he did. Though he suspected that it was because they were searching of Kurosaki that he'd get those most familiar with the teen. Toshiro simply nodded.
"Fine by me." Zaraki stated. "Ask 'em if they want to go."
Just as Toshiro was about to ask he was cut off once more. This time by the loud third seat. "Hell yeah I'm going! What about you, Yumi?"
Yumichika looked at the bald man and laughed slightly. "Was there a doubt that I wouldn't go?"
"I didn't think you'd say no I was just being polite and not assuming things like you told me to!"
"Sometime you can assume things. Especially if it involves going to the World of the Living. Someone has to make sure you stay on target."
Ikkaku was about to retort, and Toshiro sighed. He hadn't even told them the mission yet. That was the eleventh for you act first and never think. "We leave first thing tomorrow morning. Don't be late."
The two eleventh members nodded. Toshiro said his farewells as he left the eleventh division. He sighed, he turned towards the thirteenth division. Two down, two to go. After a fairly short walk he made it to the thirteenths barracks.
Captain Ukitake was walking around his garden and his faithful Vice-Captain was walking behind him. They appeared to be in the middle of a conversation. Toshiro approached slowly not wanting to disturb them.
"Captain Hitsugaya." Captain Ukitake smiled pleasantly.
The raven haired shinigami inclined his head towards the icy captain. Since it appeared that Rukia wasn't trying to strangle anyone at the moment it would seem that she hadn't heard the news yet.
Toshiro silently thanked the sickly captain. Otherwise he'd have hell to pay from the small shinigami if he didn't take her.
"Captain Ukitake. I would like to request to borrow Vice Captain Kuchiki for my mission in the real world." Toshiro politely requested.
Ukitake turned to face his Vice Captain. "Well do you want to go?"
Rukia looked startled at being addressed by her captain so suddenly. "Captain Hitsugaya where would we be in the human world?"
"Karakura Town." The young captain answered without hesitation.
Rukia looked happy at that fact. "May I?"
Ukitake smiled. "I asked you if you wanted to go. So if you do then you have my permission. Captain Hitsugaya, you may borrow my Vice-Captain."
Toshiro nodded. The older shinigami left the two of them alone. Rukia raised a questioning eyebrow at him.
"You'll get the mission details tomorrow." Toshiro stated.
"Figured. Who else it going?" She crossed her arms.
"Madarame-san and Ayasegawa-san. Hopefully Captain Kuchiki will allow me to borrow Vice-Captain Abarai. Of course my Vice-Captain will be joining us as well."
Rukia nodded. Then pursed her lips. "Must be a tough mission for so many high ranking seats."
"You have no idea." Toshiro sighed.
Rukia eyed him trying to get any detail out of him. But the frosty captain wasn't giving anything away. Having no more questions. She turned to leave. "Brother will let you have Renji. If its in Karakura town, Renji will get to go because he knows the area. Plus I'm going."
Toshiro nodded. "Captain Kuchiki also knows the mission and heard the report."
Rukia shot him a confused look but said nothing. She returned into the thirteenth's barracks. Toshiro was left alone. He groaned. How the hell did you get in this situation Kurosaki?
The white haired captain figured he'd walk to the sixth's barracks. Not wanting to surprise the haughty nobleman. Toshiro thought back to the captain's meeting. When Yoruichi had said that Ichigo's reiatsu disappeared he felt his chest constrict in panic and he had to ask if Kurosaki was dead. He felt hope when she said that he wasn't dead but they didn't know if he was alive.
How strong were these people if they could bring Kurosaki to his knees so quickly and by that amount. He was nearing the sixth division's barracks where he could feel Vice-Captain Abarai's reiatsu surge. He must be practicing.
He walked in to the grounds to see that he was correct. Abarai was in shikai and panting. The head of the Kuchiki clan was watching his Vice-Captain with little interest. He turned his head when he felt the icy reiatsu of the tenth's captain.
"Captain Kuchiki-" Toshiro was cut off.
"I already assumed that you'd be asking." He turned to where his Vice-Captain was destroying targets. "Vice Captain Abarai come here."
The red-haired shinigami quickly strode over to him as he sheathed his sword.
"Yes Captain?" Renji asked once he was standing a few feet from the two captains.
"You'll be accompanying Captain Hitsugaya on a mission." The nobleman said.
"Er... Okay." Renji said dumbfounded. "Captain Hitsugaya?"
"We leave first thing tomorrow. You'll receive your mission details then."
Renji blinked. "Sure."
Toshiro turned and walked away. Now all he had to do was order his slacker of a Vice-Captain to come along with him. Not that she wouldn't if he didn't order her, he still needed to get some respect back after being cut off so many times in the space of an hour.
As he walked through the Tenth's gates he noticed that the atmosphere was more lax that it was when had left this morning. With a certain knowing he headed towards the office he shared with his Vice-Captain.
Waking into the office he felt a vein pop as he saw how disorganized it was. "MATSUMOTO!"
There was a rustling over by the couch and his Vice-Captain popped up from behind it. "Captain, why're you yelling?"
"Why do you think?"
"I don't know that's why I asked you." She said tiredly.
"You're drunk." Matsumoto was about to deny it when Toshiro cut her off. "We have a mission. Be ready early tomorrow. We're going to the world of the living."
"Why?" Matsumoto asked. She sensed that there was something wrong with her Captain when he walked in so she thought that she'd try to improve his mood but that plan failed miserably.
Toshiro debated with himself. He guessed that telling her wouldn't be a problem. He didn't tell the others because he didn't want the eleventh squad members to be the only ones not to know and he figured that it would motivate them once they were in the world of the living instead of stewing over it all night. Plus he wasn't sure of all the detail himself so he was going to explain the best he could. It ultimately landed on Yoruichi and Urahara-san to tell them what really happened. Powers of the "shinigami" and other details that Yoruichi didn't say during the meeting.
Still, telling his Vice-Captain was his job, and she wouldn't act rashly at the news. "Kurosaki is missing."
"Eh? No way!" The strawberry blonde's eyes widened.
"Yes. He was kidnapped by some group that look like shinigami and have weapons like our zanpakuto. They may be renegades but at the moment we aren't sure."
"What was Ichigo-kun's condition last time he was seen?" Matsumoto asked, her eyes worried. She had grown fond of the boy during her time staying in the World of the Living, and also he avenged Gin's death so he had grown on her.
"According to Ichigo's friends. Bad." Toshiro sat down behind his desk. "They said he was barely conscious or already unconscious. They couldn't tell what type of wounds he had. Yoruichi said that before his reiatsu vanished it was nearly gone."
"It vanished?"
"Because he was no longer in his range. That's what we're assuming. We're treating it as he's alive, but going in with the possibility that he will be found dead." Toshiro said. It pained him to think that Ichigo was dead.
He couldn't imagine those intense brown eyes no longer looking at him. Or how they looked when he was focused or fighting. Toshiro would miss the satisfaction of being able to pick Kurosaki out of crowd because of his hair.
Toshiro shook his head. He needed to not think those things. They were weird for an acquaintance, or possibly friend he wasn't sure, to think anyhow.
Matsumoto noticed this and stood up. She walked over to her Captain, she laid a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it slightly. "Don't worry we'll do everything we can to find him." 'And to bring him back alive. Went unspoken.
"I know you will, plus we have the other members of the team to help." Toshiro said.
"Others?"
"Madarame-san, Ayasegawa-san. Vice-Captains Kuchiki and Abarai."
Rangiku smiled. There was no doubt about the level of loyalty the team had. Rukia and Renji were close friends of Ichigo. Ikkaku and Yumichika had this weird thing with the orange-haired team, respect she supposed, though it could be because their captain likes to use Ichigo as a energy release when he needs a good fight.
The next morning.
Toshiro and Rangiku stood side by side waiting for the members of their team to show up. As expected Rukia was the first one to show up. She grumbled something about "incompetent fools who needed to learn how to tell time."
Renji showed up next. Grinning when he saw that Rukia was in the team as well. After waiting thirty more minutes. To which the prodigy's mood got steadily worse the last two members showed up.
Ikkaku and Yumichika walked up to the rest of the group. Ikkaku was still rubbing sleep out of his eyes. "Good morning Captain Hitsugaya." Yumichika greeted cheerfully.
It was a wonder how the fifth seat of the eleventh squad could always be in such a good mood in the morning. Even when most of the eleventh had hangovers or were waking up sore. It was a mystery but everyone accepted in as Yumichika being Yumichika.
"So what's the mission?" Rukia's arms were crossed.
"We're waiting for Yoruichi Shihoin." Toshiro stated.
The Flash Goddess appeared just as her name was spoken. "I'm here."
Toshiro nodded and the rest of the group gave various greetings. The purple haired woman spoke after the group quieted down. "You'll know when we get to Urahara's shop. I don't know that much myself, plus there might be new developments since last night."
The group was silent. Wondering what was going on exactly. But as they waited for the gate to open Yoruichi spoke once more. "Though the one thing that I know for certain is Ichigo is in trouble, and we're going to rescue him."
There was a dead silence. You could here the rest of the divisions start to get up for the day. The sounds of daily life continued but for the small group it seemed that time stopped.
"Ichigo is in trouble?" Rukia asked, to shocked to say much else.
"Very big trouble by the looks of it. It could be worse for us."
"How?" Renji asked.
"As I said Urahara knows more than either me or Captain Hitsugaya." Yoruichi said. "But Ichigo was attacked. From what his friends said, in critical condition, and then he was kidnapped."
Another silence overtook the group. Before Ikkaku spoke up. "What did they sneak up on him and surprise him? There's no way in hell that he would go down otherwise."
"No, they attacked him head on." Yoruichi answered. "I think Ishida said later that there were maybe two wounds on Ichigo."
"Two?" Yumichika cried. "He went down in two hits?"
The senkaimon doors opened up. The group of shinigami remained still. The impact of what they had just learned was still being absorbed. Only two hits? Was the thought of the majority of the group.
"Come on! Its our turn to save Ichigo!" It was Renji who spoke up. He had a determined glint in his eyes. The others soon mirrored the look.
Yoruichi nodded in approval and Toshiro allowed himself a smile that was barely there. Its our turn Kurosaki. This reminded him of the time that all of the captain that were able to fight stood in front of the substitute in order to make sure he wouldn't see Aizen's sword, so that they would have a fighting chance.
The group leapt into the Dangai. While they didn't have to run because they had hell butterflies they didn't want to waste anymore time. They reached the point where they were supposed to get out.
The seven of them soon found themselves in Urahara's underground training facility. Urahara was standing there. At first they thought it was to greet them and try to distract them from their goal.
Instead the Urahara in front of them was very grim looking. There was no trace of any of his usual cheeriness. Looking past him they saw the equally grim faces of Ishida, Chad, and Tessai, they also saw Orihime looking like she was about to cry, again by the redness of her eyes.
"Wha-?" Toshiro began.
"We have very bad news." Urahara simply said.
Boom! Cliffy! Sorry, I know a lot of people don't like ciffhangers. Oh well. As always leave your review below with you thoughts, it doesn't have to be deep and meaningful. Suggestions? Like last time leave them in the reviews or PM! Now to Chapter 3! Later! ~IF