Hey Guys its the Weekend so that means update time. Those of you that have been here since the beginning I am not going to be able to update as much as I used to the Chapters are going to get a little more complex. I am shooting for weekend updates from now on.

That being said I hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Thank you so much for the reviews I am at 70! I thank each and every one of you!

DISCLAIMER: COME ON KUBO! TO MANY DANG FILLER CHAPTERS I WANT TO SEE ICHIGO KICKING ASS AND RUKIA TELLING HIM HOW SHE FEELS!

_Chapter 14_

A new Mission

The alarm went off and was as annoying today as it had been for the last four days. Ichigo had never liked to get up early. As a matter of fact in the last year he could count the days that he had been to work on time on his fingers. That was of course until his girlfriend had completely cut him off from the little amount of physical attention he was able to get from her. It wasn't like they weren't curious about other things. It was just that he didn't want to give Byakuya any reason what so ever to bring Senbonzakura out to play. It was true that at his current level he was pretty sure he could outrun the Captain's razor sharp flower petals. That didn't mean by no way that he wanted to test that theory out. Byakuya had a keen intellect and he knew that every since his fight with Kenpachi the man had probably been training to be able to counter Ichigo's new power. He was not one to be at a disadvantage during a battle. His girlfriend's big brother, one of the most powerful Captains in the Gotei had told him that she was to remain unspoiled until after the wedding. He wasn't taking any chances.

The day after Rukia had threatened her affection to him he of course had forgot about it and was late to work. When he went in for a good morning kiss he was met with a round house to the face instead. Bewildered by her actions for a second he winced when he remembered her threat.

"I thought you were kidding!" he whined

"Not at all, you are cut off from my kisses until you are here ON TIME for one week straight. Maybe next time I won't have to go to these extreme measures mister" Rukia was loving this. She would be able to watch him squirm for a full week. Oh he would do it, of that she had no doubt, the question was how badly should she torture him. Smiling when an idea came to her mind she decided to be just a little naughty. Laughing inwardly at his protruding scowl she slowly walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Rukia what are-?" Ichigo stopped when he felt her lips on his neck.

Pulling away from her little fun she looked deep into his amber eyes with a so very devious look on her face.

"Did that feel good?"

Good? Ichigo didn't think the word was enough to describe the lightning that had flashed through his body at her lips touch.

"Wha...what? Yeah that felt amazing. What was that for?" Ichigo stammered.

Pulling her body closer to his she ran her hand slowly down his back she could see his eyes rolling back from pleasure. Putting her mouth close to his ear she whispered in the sexiest voice she could muster. She was new at this after all.

"Do you want to feel more?" Grabbing his hand she placed it on her butt and he immediately started to squeeze.

"Yes I do...Rukia I..."

Taking this as her cue she quickly pulled away and started to walk towards their office door. Smiling back at him she saw that he had the expression of someone just ran over by a train.

"I guess you should get to work on time then HUH?"

Staring back at her with the largest scowl she had ever saw she could swear she saw daggers coming from his eyes. He still couldn't form words from being so tongue tied. This was going to be a very fun week.

"But...you...why...RUKIA! Stop laughing that wasn't funny!"

Just as she was going to tell him just how funny it was a hell butterfly flew in and landed on his finger. She watched as he listened to the message.

"What's up?"

"We're on. The Captain Commander has called a meeting for Captains and Vice-Captains in fifteen minutes. Let's go Rukia. Isamu!"

Hearing his name their third seat rushed into the room.

"Yes sir Captain Kurosaki!"

"How many times do I have to tell you it's Ichigo?"

Smiling Isamu replied the same as he always did. He truly liked his Captain as did all the men.

"At least one more time Captain Kurosaki sir!"

Shaking his head Ichigo sighed.

"Rukia and I have been called to a meeting by the Commander. Hear take these morning announcements and mission assignments and hand them out. I am leaving the squad in your hands until we return."

After handing the reports to Isamu he and Rukia vanished. They both knew Isamu took his duties very seriously. There was no need to stick around and explain things he would see that everything would get done accordingly.

The Captains meeting had already started but they were waiting for a certain orange haired Captain and his raven haired lieutenant to arrive. The assembled captains all turned to a commotion outside the doors.

"I don't know how you wind up late to everything idiot! I mean we left as soon as we got the message!"

"It wasn't my fault Rukia! I made a wrong turn!"

"How did you make a wrong turn we come here all the time!"

"I was just distracted midget get off my back! Stop! That hurts Rukia! Ouch!"

The doors opened and a very irritated Kuchiki princess strode in confidently with a smug smile. Looking behind her several Captains chuckled when they saw Ichigo sprawled out on the floor. When he finally got up and walked in there was a grin on nearly every face looking at him as he took his place in line. One particular set of gray eyes did not look amused at all.

The Captain Commander couldn't help but be amused at their antics. Truly one of his most powerful trump cards had met his match. Ah to be young and in love.

"Captain Kurosaki glad you could join us. If you are ready we can start this meeting now."

Ichigo bowed his head in apology.

"Forgive me Sir."

"Ichigo it looks like Rukia is still whipping you into shape. I am glad to see my former lieutenant is doing her job well." Jushiro smiled

"Beating him into shape is more like it." Shinji added

A loud resounding crack sounded the beginning of the meeting.

"I have called this meeting because research and development has reported some very strange occurrences around the area of Karakura town. These reports are very disconcerting and may warrant investigation. Captain Kurotsuchi step forward and report on what you have found."

The mad scientist of squad 12 stepped forward. He was wearing his usual flamboyant attire the man was more of a mystery then the squad he ran.

"Thank you Captain Commander. There have been several large hollows of at least Adjuchas level in the area of Karakura lately. This in itself is not entirely unusual. The area is charged with spiritual energy that will attract hollows of that level. Captain Kurosaki and his lieutenant can attest to this as they were both stationed to protect that town at one time."

He looked towards Ichigo and Rukia asking for their assessment of his conclusion. Ichigo stepped forward.

"Captain Kurotsuchi is correct during our time protecting the town it had been increasingly rare for a low level hollow to appear. Gillian and Adjuchas level hollows were more common after a time. I had thought that perhaps the higher level hollows had been taking out the lower level ones themselves. What do you think Rukia?"

Stepping forward her brow was creased in thought.

"I have to agree. In the beginning low level hollows were commonplace. The longer I stayed there they became more rare. I had thought it was because of Ichigo to tell they truth. He never has really been able to curb the spiritual energy that flows from him. Even now that he has been working on it it still flows out like a river."

Standing silently Captain Kurotsuchi nodded his head in acquiescence.

"Yes. That was my first thought as well. Not only Captain Kurosaki but his father, Urahara, and Yourichi are all present in that town too. Not to mention that Quincy and the rest of Kurosaki's friends. It was believed that so many high level spiritual pressures were attracting the high level hollows to congregate in that town. However, with Kurosaki here in the Soul Society now and most of his friends in different towns pursuing their education the high level of spiritual pressure has greatly receded. The number of high-level hollows appearing in the town should have significantly decreased. It has not. It has increased. Even more alarming then that is that when we dispatch one our men to take out the hollows that appear when they arrive the hollow is nowhere to be found. As if someone or something is getting to them before we do. The only viable hypothesis that I can come with is that there is something or someone in that town with a very high reiatsu that we do not yet know about. This person or persons are responsible for the influx of hollow activity. At this time it is impossible to ascertain if they are on our side or not. They seem to be eliminating the high-level hollows as they appear so we can assume that they are knowledgeable in combat. However we cannot assume that they are doing us a service or just getting the hollows out of the way. I have communicated with Kisuke Urahara and he has noticed several spikes in unknown reiatsu during the times when these hollows appeared. Upon investigating he was unable to find a source of these reiatsu signatures. I believe that we need to dispatch a squad to investigate the source of these strange reiatsu signatures and ascertain if there is an unknown threat."

The Captains all took this information in. Shunsui Kyoraku spoke up first his stoic lieutenant standing next to him.

"Perhaps we should not send a full squad so much activity would surely increase the amount of hollow activity. I propose that we send a small team no more than five or six to observe and report. The team should be strong enough to defend themselves if the worse happens so at least one Captain should accompany the team."

"I volunteer!" All heads snapped to Ichigo who still had a habit of blurting out of turn.

"Please try and show some restraint Kurosaki" Byakuya shook his head as he reprimanded who was essentially his future brother in-law.

"I apologize for my outburst. I was just saying I volunteer to lead a team to Karakura. I have not been able to get back there since I came here and I know my sisters are probably missing me like crazy. It is high time I made a visit."

All of the Captains thought about this for a second before Jushiro spoke up.

"It is true that Ichigo probably has the best knowledge of the area. It seems like a perfectly logical decision to have him lead the team."

"It would be a strategic advantage to have such knowledge of the area if there is a threat." the usually quite Soi-Fon, Captain of Squad Two added.

Stepping forward the Toshiro added his thoughts.

"I agree that Captain Kurosaki would be the best choice to send. If we are sending a small team of five to six shinigami I think that they should be at least seated members. If there is an enemy we do not want the team to be overran and have Kurosaki facing whatever is out there alone until help could be sent. Even with his power I wouldn't want to send him out there against an unknown threat. We know that whatever is there is at least powerful enough to defeat an adjuchas. Which means that if there is more than one enemy it could get difficult even for Kurosaki. Not to mention the fact that he will have the restriction on him so he will not be as powerful as he could be."

Nodding their agreement the other Captains turned to the Commander searching for his thoughts. Having paid close attention to all of the opinions of the Captains that had spoke up he had already formed a plan in his head. This was going to be the first time that Kurosaki was to lead a mission in the living world since coming to the Soul Society. Ever the teacher he decided to make it a test for his young captain.

"Captain Kurosaki, you will assemble a team of six seated Shinigami to accompany you to the world of the living. Your task will be to take as much time as you need to discover the source of these strange reiatsu signatures. If you encounter opposition you are to do everything in your power to overcome it. At least one member of your team should be from the fourth squad so that you have medical assistance if you need it. Do you have any questions about your assignment."

Shaking his head and already ready to go Ichigo was truly excited that he would be able to see his family again soon.

"No sir I will gather the team and head for the senkaimon soon as everyone is ready."

"Very well, your team selection does not have to be only your squad members. I give you permission to take whoever you think would be the best assets to the mission."

Ichigo was glad that the commander made this point. He had already decided he wanted Renji to come along and didn't want to have to ask his soon to be brother in law permission to take his lieutenant to the living world for awhile. He still would of course to keep the peace between them but the worry of Byakuya saying no was now gone.

With a firm plan laid out the Captain Commander banged his staff against the ground signaling the end of the meeting. Captain Unohana approached Ichigo as the rest of the Captain's went about the various things they had to do.

"Captain Kurosaki do you have an idea of who would you would like to take with you out of my squad?" her sing-song voice belayed the fact that she was one of the oldest and most powerful Captains.

"Yes I have Captain Unohana, I only really know Hanataro Yamada he has helped me on several occasions. If I was to bring anyone with it would be him."

Smiling Captain Unohana nodded.

"Yes he is a very capable healer. I will return to my barracks and inform him to meet you at the senkaimon."

She turned to walk away but Ichigo called out to her.

"Captain Unohana, please remind him to bring his zanpakuto with him just in case. I know he misplaces it sometimes."

Laughing Unohana said she would.

Renji and Rukia met him at the door to the chamber.

"Who are we taking with us?" Renji asked

"Us? What makes you think I want to take you?" Ichigo retorted

"I am going you stupid Strawberry! Somebody has to be there to watch your ass if you wind up doing something stupid!" Renji yelled back

The two of them continued while Rukia sighed. She knew that Ichigo was probably going to ask Renji to come. The two of them would probably never admit it to each other but they were very close. She started to walk away as the two of them started to wrestle on the ground. She did not feel like stopping them right now she has to go pack for the living world. There was no question in her mind on whether or not she was going if Ichigo was going she was going that was all there was too it.

"Bastard! I'll kill you!"

"Shut up you damn pineapple head! Take that!"

The two of them did not notice who was watching them with growing irritation until it was too late. Razor sharp cherry blossoms descending on them instantly stopping the fight while gaining yelps of pain from both of them.

"Kurosaki, Abarai I believe that the two of you have other things that you could be doing right now. Shall I give you some encouragement?" Byakuya looked at the two of them with steel gray eyes and sent more blossoms their way. At this point both of them had gotten to their feet when they saw the blossoms coming their way the both turned and ran. Yelping occasionally as they bit into them. Neither saw the small smile spread on Byakuya's lips as they ran.

"I do not believe I will ever get tired of that." chuckling to himself Byakuya walked toward his barracks.

After a couple of hours preparation Ichigo and Rukia were heading towards the senkaimon to meet the others. They had laid out a training routine for Isamu to give the men. Neither had any fear of letting him take the reigns of the squad while they were gone. He had done it for a long time by himself after all. Ichigo had thought it would be hard to decide who to take with him but it wound up being much easier than he thought it would be. Approaching their destination they saw everybody had already arrived. Renji and Hantaro were talking about kido. As much as he tried Renji was absolutely abysmal with kido. He was probably asking for training. Ikkaku and Yumichika were both lounging near the gate. Ichigo deadpanned when he saw Toshiro and Ranking waiting as well.

"Hey what are you guys doing here?"

Toshiro walked up to him motioning him away from the others. Ichigo followed a little perplexed.

"What's up Toshiro are you guys coming with us?"

"I was going to ask you if we could. Ichigo something about this just feels strange to me. I have had an incredible sense of foreboding ever since the Captain's meeting. I have talked with the Captain Commander and told him what I have been feeling. He said that if you agree I could come along as well. I just feel like you need another Captain with you."

Ichigo thought about it and scratched the back of his head.

"What are you feeling?"

Blue eyes looked up at him.

"Dread. I have a feeling that you are going to need my help. Something is coming Ichigo."

Ichigo studied his friends eyes and decided to tell him something he had not even told Rukia yet.

"I do too Toshiro. I have had a feeling for a while now that something is not right. I can't put my finger on it and it may be my imagination, but for the longest time I have felt like I have been watched."

Toshiro's eyes widened at this he let Ichigo finish before asked any questions.

"I do not know what it is man. I have felt it for awhile now I haven't even told Rukia about it. I thought it was nothing until the meeting. When that crazy guy from squad 12 was talking the sense that something very bad was coming was almost overwhelming. I am glad you are coming man. I think we are going to need your sword."

Toshiro could not believe it. Ichigo had just exactly described the way he had been feeling for quite some time now Even before the meeting. He looked at his friend with slight worry in his eyes.

"We need to be on our toes on this one Ichigo."

"I agree. Let's gather the others and get moving. Some of you can stay with me at my house. I am sure Chad, Inoue and Ishida will able to help out as well. Not to mention Hat and Clogs."

The two of them walked towards the senkaimon where everyone is waiting. They all looked to Ichigo when he stepped forward.

"Alright guys I am sure all of you know what are mission is. We need to find the source of these mysterious reiatsu signatures. I want each and every one of you to stay on your toes and pay attention to everything. I have a feeling we are going to meet something out there. We need to be ready. Does anybody have any questions?"

Looking around he saw the resolve in the faces around him.

"Okay then let's go."

Okay I know I said that the bad guys would make an appearance in this chapter but i had to figure out a way for Ichigo to meet up with them. What better than a meeting in Karakura town? Lots of things are coming. Keep reading.

I have almost figured out what I want to do with all 10 of the bad guys. I just need a couple more ideas from you guys. Once again I will credit everyone whose ideas I use.