"What do you mean you're here to help?" Ichigo said.
"How much clear could that be?" Karin said. Ichigo didn't understand why his sisters came to the Soul Society.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, we must attend the meeting at once." Byakura said.
"Okay, but we're not done talking about this. You two, come with me." Ichigo said as he an all the others went with Byakura. They arrived in the meeting area where all the other captains were waiting.
"Ichigo Kurosaki and lieutenants Kuchiki and Abarai, this meeting has been called for you to tell us of something you've uncovered in the world of the living." Toshiro said.
"Hey Toshiro! How's it going?" Karin said.
"Karin, why are you here? Ichigo, you brought your younger sisters?" Toshiro said.
"I didn't, they followed me. That's not important right now." Ichigo said.
"Head Captain, we have troubling news. During our time in the world of the living, we met a small group of humans." Rukia said. "Somehow they have obtain zanpakutō and a technique like the flash step."
"Are they substitute soul reapers like Ichigo Kurosaki?" Yamamoto asked.
"No sir. They were humans like any other person. They wore no clothing of a soul reaper." Renji said. "What's more is they also have the ability to absorb spiritual energy. They claim that if they strike a soul reaper with that technique, he or she will be absorbed completely."
"But how could any human have that ability and not be a soul reaper?" Ukitake said.
"Captain Hirako, you and the other visors have lived in the world of the living for about a hundred years. Have you ever seen anything like it?" Komamura said.
"Sorry, but no." Shinji said.
"This requires some investigating. Do you have the identities of at least the leader?" Yamamoto said.
"Yes. A female named Masara." Rukia said.
"Do you have any information on this Masara?" Yamamoto said.
"Excuse me." Orihime said in a shy tone. "I know someone who would know more about her than we do. He would be here in the Soul Society, but we need to find him."
"If you think this person you speak of can help, we will locate him." Yamamoto said.
"Hold on, there's something else." Ichigo said. "I know who Orihime is talking about and he'll talk to her and us. In the meantime, Miss Unohana and Kurotsuchi we need your help with something."
"And what would that be?" Kurotsuchi said.
"Chad and Orihime had their powers stolen. We were wondering if there was a way you two can restore them. Kisuke couldn't, but maybe there's something either of you could do." Ichigo said.
"A chance to do what Kisuke Urahara could not, it sounds too good to pass up." Kurotsuchi said.
"I be glad to help." Unohana said.
"Chad, I want you to stay here so they can find that answer. If they can with you, maybe they can with Orihime." Ichigo said and Chad understood.
"Mayuri, you better not dissect on Chad or you'll have an arrow through your head and it will be more powerful than when we fought." Uryu said.
"I make no promises." Kurotsuchi said.
"You don't need to worry, I'll make sure he doesn't do anything dangerous." Unohana said.
"Karin and Yuzu, I want you to stay here so we can talk about you being here." Ichigo said.
"But Ichigo…" "Not another word." Ichigo stopped Karin from speaking.
"So who is this person you speak of?" Yamamto said.
…
Rukon District
Orihime and her friends went out to the Rukon District. They came across a small home with Chad, Karin, and Yuzu staying in the Seireitei. Orihime felt nervous to face this person for she hasn't seen him in so long.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" Uryu said.
"We checked and this is where he lives now." Renji said.
"Are you ready Orihime? You haven't seen him in such a long time and I don't want you to be overwhelmed." Ichigo said.
"I'll be okay." Orihime said. Rukia stepped forward and knocked on the door until it was opened by Sora Inoue, Orihime's older brother.
"Can I help you?" Sora said.
"Big brother!" Orihime said and got his attention as he could not believe he was seeing her.
"Orihime!" Sora said with his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open. Orihime was finally able to bring a smile with tears in her eyes as she ran into her brother's warm embrace.
…
The Seireitei
Yuzu and Karin looked out through the entire Seireitei. They found it an amazing place as they saw how nice it looked, like it was a high class city from the old days.
"I can't believe Ichigo always comes here, but isn't he suppose to be dead to do it?" Yuzu said.
"I think he only comes here when he has to. It doesn't look like the kind of place that he would hang out all the time." Karin said.
"You would be right." They both looked behind them to see Toshiro.
"Toshiro, how's it going?" Karin said.
"Oh it's your boyfriend!" Yuzu said.
"I'm not her boyfriend! I happen to be a captain of the thirteen court guard squads." Toshiro said.
"You're a captain, but aren't you about the same age as us?" Yuzu said.
"I might look like it, but I'm actually hundreds of years older than you." Toshiro said. "So what made you two come to the Soul Society to begin with."
"It was Karin's idea." Yuzu said.
"We just want to see if there's something we can do to help Ichigo. He's always been there for us and we want to be able to be there for him." Karin said.
"That sounds just like you, but it could be dangerous." Toshiro said.
"I don't care anymore. If Ichigo is willing to put himself on the line like that, I should too." Karin said and Toshiro actually admire the fact that she would go this far for her brother.
…
Sora's Home
Sora let them in his house and treated them to a nice meal. He took the dishes and started washing them.
"Need some help?" Orihime offered.
"It's okay. You are my guests and I am the host." Sora said.
"So this is really Orihime's brother?" Renji whispered.
"Yeah. They came to my family clinic when we were twelve. He died in a car accident and I found out that it was Orihime's brother about three years later." Ichigo whispered.
"So what do I owe the pleasure of seeing my dear sister with her friends after all this time?" Sora said.
"We needed to talk to you about someone. Do you know a girl by the name Masara?" Rukia said. When she did, Sora dropped a plate and it broke against the floor.
"Where did you hear that name?" Sora said.
"Not just heard, we've met her." Renji said.
"Sora, is it true? Is this Masara really our sister?" Orihime said. Sora tried to get a hold of himself.
"Yes." Sora said. "I was eight years when she was born so she's seven years older than you, Orihime. Our parents were abusive as they beaten both of us. Our father was always drunk and our mother was a prostitute. Both of them always argued and took it out on us. Around the time Orihime was born, Masara couldn't take it anymore and ran away. I must admit I was tempted to go with her, but when I heard our parents would kill Orihime by the time I became eighteen so I held out for three more years. As for Masara, she lived with our grandfather. She believed he was the only person that cared for her. When he died, she disappeared and I haven't heard from her since."
"Sora, why didn't you tell me we had a sister?" Orihime said.
"I was afraid, afraid of getting pulled back in to that horrible family." Sora said. "I was afraid I would lose you too. I tried to find a trace of her, but there was nothing."
"It's okay. You were protecting your youngest sister from a horrible family." Ichigo said.
"But now we have a problem." Renji said. "You sister has become some sort of threat. She holds a zanpakutō with a group of others. She wants to destroy soul reapers, do you know what that is about?"
"I'm sorry, but no. I'm surprised she would know about soul reapers. I didn't know about them since that night I turned into a hollow and tried to attack Ichigo." Sora said.
"Thank you giving us this information." Rukia said. "At least we have an idea on who our enemy is. Now we just need to know why she's doing all of this."
"Orihime, you should stay here. You haven't seen your brother in so long." Ichigo said.
"As much as I love to, we have work to do. I promise to come again one day, Sora." Orihime said.
"I'm just glad I got to see you one more time." Sora said.
…
The Seireitei
Another captain's meeting was called as Rukia reported what Sora has told them.
"I see, so this is Orihime Inoue's older sister." Yamamoto said. "However, it is still unclear to what her motives are or how she even acquired this power."
"I'm afraid I have troubling news as well. Even with the combine efforts of Captain Kurotsuchi and myself, we are unable to restore your friend's power." Unohana said.
"I could have figured it out, but I was kept from cutting your friend open. What a waste." Kurotsuchi complained.
"If that's the case, Chad and Orihime will have to take my sisters home." Ichigo said.
"No way. Ichigo, I'm not going anywhere. I'll find some way to help out." Chad said.
"Me too." Karin said.
"I want to help too, but how can we if don't have anything to fight with?" Orihime said.
"There might be another solution." The doors opened up and Yoruichi came through.
"Yoruichi, why are you here?" Ichigo said.
"Kisuke has thought of a solution. It won't give back Chad and Orihime's powers, but it wil give them the ability to fight." Yoruichi said. "They have to become soul reapers."
To Be Continued…