Chapter 15: Taking a walk

The next day after Meiko and Keiji joined the group, a squad of soul reapers appeared in Karakura town. This squad consisted of squad ten's captain and lieutenant, squad eleven's second and third seat, and squad six's lieutenant. They stepped out of the Senkaimon and were greeted by Kisuke Urahara of all people. They were told yesterday that the informant would meet up with them upon their arrival. Guess he must've been it then.

"Well hello there." He started in his usual jovial tone.

"Cut the act Urahara." Toshiro started as he crossed his arms over his chest. "What do you know about Aizen's attack?"

Kisuke held his fan up to hide his smirk as he led the group inside his shop. He led them to a lab room with a computer on a desk. He went over and sat in a chair before accessing it. All the while, the others were a little fidgety at the moment. An attack could happen at any point in time.

"Well," Kisuke started as he turned in his chair to face them. "This information is solid. I heard it from an arrancar's mouth no less."

The group went wide eyed at this new information.

"Where is this arrancar Urahara?" Ikkaku demanded, itching for a fight.

"Yes. Where did you encounter it?" Toshiro asked afterwards, trying to keep the situation as stable as possible.

Kisuke smirked, knowing that this could possibly be a bad idea with a good benefit as the end result.

Kurosaki Clinic, the next day

Ichigo stirred from his sleep with the ever present feeling of being cuddled between Halibel and Neliel. He carefully wiggled his way out of their grips and got off the bed, making sure he didn't accidentally step on Mila Rose, Apache, Sun-Sun, or their two newest additions, Meiko and Keiji. It was a little tricky at first, but he managed to make it out of the room without waking anyone. When he was outside in the hall, Ichigo let out a sigh before heading downstairs. Yuzu wasn't up yet since it was so early, and both Hooleer and Wonderweiss were asleep on the couch. Since everyone was asleep, this gave Ichigo the perfect opportunity to go out and about. He put on some shorts along with a shirt and his shoes and went out the front door as quietly as he could. Once he was outside, he took a deep breath and left the porch. Today was a good day. The weather wasn't too cold but wasn't too warm either, giving it that perfect mix for walking weather. Ichigo looked up to the sky and saw that it was a clear day. The air was just right for the chibi and the atmosphere around him was so peaceful that he nearly didn't notice that he was being followed. Fortunately for him, it was someone familiar.

"Okay." Ichigo said out loud so the person could hear him. "If you don't come out now, then I'm gonna have to use my Yuwaku Shimasu on you again."

Almost instantly, the tall form of Yoruichi Shihoin appeared in front of him. She looked a little different since Ichigo accidentally resurrected her zanpakuto. True, she didn't physically look too different, but it was more what she was wearing that was different. She wore an orange crop top that exposed her toned body and her arms, and she wore tight black shorts that showed her ankles. She was wearing no shoes though, despite the weather, and she had a sword attached to the small of her back. She looked down at Ichigo and gave him a warm smile.

"Hello Ichigo." She said to him with a kind smile.

"Hey Yoruichi." Ichigo returned the smile with one of his own. "So, how have you been since last time?"

Yoruichi stretched herself a few times and answered him. "Well, Munraitokyatto was a hard ass back then, and still is now. Only this time she has way more fuel to push me to my limits now than back then. I've been readjusting."

"That's good to know." Ichigo said to her. "So what are you doing following me around for?"

"Straight to the point I see." Yoruichi chuckled out, stopping her stretches. "Well, I came here for two reasons Ichigo. The first is to do this." Without warning, Yoruichi lifted Ichigo up and brought him into a soft and warm hug. He embraced her as well. As the two had this tender little moment, neither realized that they were being watched from afar by a certain, bucket hat wearing man.

Yoruichi set Ichigo down and smiled at him. "Thank you Ichigo."

"For what exactly?" He asked in a sarcastically innocent tone. This caused the Goddess of Flash to chuckle a bit under her breath.

"For reminding me that I should've never buried this part of my soul." She tapped the hilt of her zanpakuto then leaned down to whisper to the boy. "And also to tell you that you and your friends are gonna be in for a fight some time in the next few days. A few soul reapers have been assigned to guard Karakura Town until Aizen attacks. They know that you have two new arrancar with you, so be careful Ichigo." She kissed him on the forehead before hearing Munraitokyatto bark out more orders for her.

With a sigh, Yoruichi stood up straight and smiled back to the chibi boy. "Looks like my little break is over. See ya Ichi." She said as she turned to leave, knowing she had just given him a pet name.

"Bye Chi." Ichigo said to her, giving her a pet name as well. That caused her to blush a bit before disappearing in a flash step.

Ichigo continued to smile as he walked on. Unbeknownst to him though for a brief moment, someone's spirit energy spiked for only an instant.

I'm back with this story now. Taking things slow for now. Much like the other stories now, shorter chapters, frequent updates.

I'll be updating Ichigo's New Zanpakuto's next along with Ichigo's Pets and Breaking the Bat. Those are next on my 'I'm back' list. See ya'll then.

PEACE!