Ichigo and his zanpakuto spirit kneel in front of a very angry Rukia as she lays into the two of them. Her face red with anger with the antics from Ichigo and his hollow self. The other soul reapers can only watch as Rukia stamps her foot on White's head for launching a gran rey cero at her brother, a cero which was strong enough to bring the entire mountain down on their heads. Her anger with Ichigo himself stems from the fact he willingly let White take over his body. Meanwhile Byakuya himself is being tended to by Unohana making sure that any wounds sustained from the battle with his inner hollow aren't life threatening. "I don't let my hollow out all willy nilly now do I? You two have a lot of nerve pulling that crap especially in front of the captain commander! I swear you two morons share twelve brain cells between the two of you, I can't believe I'm going to be marrying someone so stupid! Well don't just sit there! Explain yourselves!" Rukia demands, once again hitting both of them.
"He offered to take over after I got stabbed, I thought it was the best call at the time since Byakuya's hollow was much stronger than I though it'd be. How was I supposed to know that it could use his Bankai?!" Ichigo protests in defense of himself.
"What about you, mr I'm gonna shoot a gran rey cero indoors and under a fucking mountain?" Rukia asks, turning her attention to White.
"I knew he could stop it, besides would you rather have gotten skewered by all those swords he was throwing around? I forced him to turn his attention solely to me, stopping him from attacking everyone in the room." White responds, after Rukia takes her foot off of the top of his head, the hollow returns a smirk to her. "Besides, Ichigo has the only sword you like being skewered o- Gahhh!" White's innuendo is cut off with Rukia kicking him in the face sending him flying to the otherside of the room.
"You owe me big time Mister." Rukia says as she points at Ichigo. "I'm going to return to the 13th division to return to my duties. I'll decide on what I'm gonna do with you later." She says before walking away.
"Well well, not even married yet and you're already in the dog house. Can't say I've ever done that before." Isshin says as he walks up to his son before ruffling a hand through his hair.
"Shut up. I'm already in deep with Rukia and I don't need you doing that shit too." Ichigo grumbles before standing up and pushing past his father. "Oi! Zangetsu, quit screwing around and let's go. We have work to do." White pops his head out from the stone face of the cavern wall, shaking dust and pebbles from his hair as he does so.
"Oh I like her, you picked a good one King." Zangetsu grins before dissipating into spirit particles and returning to Ichigo.
"Sorry about him doing that, it seemed like it was a good idea at the time." Ichigo says, noticing the head captain's gaze on him.
"While normally I would reprimand you myself for doing something so foolish, I believe that Kuchiki Rukia has done that for me. When she has warmed up to you again, I ask that you tell her to come see me. With Aizen having gone quiet for the past month, he may be plotting something against your friends in Karakura town. I shall be sending her to collect them while you continue to train and fulfill your duties, Lieutenant." Yamamoto responds, his face hiding an iota of amusement.
"That reminds me, do I get paid for taking over Lieutenant Hinamori's spot? Shinji was talking about it a couple days ago when we had to do budgeting for the squad." Ichigo asks, causing the head captain to chuckle to himself.
"That's already being taken care of, Lieutenant Kurosaki. I'm having Urahara convert your pay in soul society to Yen which you can use in the human world. Your father already set up a bank account just for that. As for your schooling, your mod soul Kon has taken over and I apologize for not clarifying this earlier." Yamamoto responds as he too begins to exit the training facility. "Seeing as you demonstrated Hado number 88 against Kisuke earlier, you are going to resume your Kido training in the morning after you get the paperwork done. Do that a hundred times, and Bakudo number 81 a further thousand and I'll consider not deducting the cost of the property damage you caused thanks to the exploding Getsuga you launched this afternoon."
Rukia knows she can't stay mad at Ichigo forever, despite how much of an idiot he is at times. Then again, with how powerful of an enemy they were facing it might have been the right call. She knew her brother's hollow would be strong but to be that powerful mere moments after it had manifested was astounding. To her best guess, Byakuya's inner hollow was a Vasto Lorde like herself considering it fought a half dozen captains to a standstill. Then again, it could also be his sword that allowed for that to happen. She knew that at the very least his hollow was an Adjuchas class, but she still didn't know what Ichigo's was. She guessed that Ichigo is also an adjuchas but when the though crossed her mind her inner hollow laughs at the idea. "You really think I would mate with a hollow that isn't a vasto lorde? No, their weakness disgusts me. Ichigo is our king for a reason as he is a Vasto Lorde like us," Hoakita says. It had been a little over an hour since she left the training grounds. With the last of the documents she needed to fill out regarding a promotion done she yawns, her body greatly fatigued from the battle with her brother's hollow.
"Yo." Ichigo greets as he opens the door to the thirteenth division offices. "Sorry about earlier, I don't want you to be mad." He says, prompting Rukia to smirk at his apology.
"It was stupid, irresponsible to do with your level of power and could have gotten us killed." She says causing him to shrink slightly. "However, Nii-Byakuya's hollow was as strong as an Adjuchas or maybe even Vasto Lorde. While it was dumb it was probably the better move to make against a hollowfied captain." He brightens up when she says this. "It doesn't mean I'm going to share my bed with you tonight mister. I'm still mad at you."
"I know, Yama wanted me to talk to you about going to the human world." Ichigo explains as the two of them exit the office and walk beside each other along the sidewalk through the seireitei. Though her anger towards him doesn't stop her from intertwining her fingers with his as they walk. "He thinks Aizen is going to make a move against my friends. He asked me to speak to you about it. He wants to talk to you in the morning so that's probably what he'll bring up."
"Out of all of them, I think he might go after Orihime because of her powers though he might go after you or me as well." She responds, their evening stroll heading in the direction of the Kuchiki estate. "Do you think you could kill him? If the time comes?"
"I'll do what I have to." He responds, his resolve firm and unwavering. "He's threatening my home town, my sisters, my friends and you. If he lays a hand on any of them, I'm going to kill him."
"Good." Rukia responds, "What about the arrancar?"
"They're working for an evil man without knowing what he's up to. Grimmjow wants to overthrow him but I'm not sure what the others will do. If I can, I will spare them. Maybe once all this is over they can be allies."
"Your innocence is something I love about you Ichigo, but remember you probably won't get the opportunity to spare them." Rukia says as she leans her head on his shoulder.
"You're the one that took my innocence." He responds, causing her to blush slightly. "I'll see you tomorrow when you get back. We can go get lunch with our friends and catch up with them." He says as they arrive at the Kuchiki estate. "I love you." He says as he pulls her in, kissing her gently on the lips.
"Goodnight strawberry, I love you too." She states after breaking from the kiss, after saying these words she kisses him again before finally parting from him. She smiles at him one last time before heading into the estate for the evening.
The following morning, Rukia received her orders from Yamamoto to return to Karakura town and retrieve Orihime, Sado and Uryu to bring them to soul society for their own safety. Ichigo himself was already training in the kido corps training grounds and had likely been there since dawn. Electing not to interrupt his training, to just tell him she'll be right back from the human world, she makes her way to the thirteenth division senkaimon gate preparing to head to the living world. As she passes through captain Jushiro's office the white haired man greets her as she enters. "Ah, Rukia, how are you this morning?" the older man asks as she enters his office.
"I've been requested to go to the human world to bring Ichigo's friends here." She answers, her usual formal tone taking over her voice. "The head captain believes Aizen's next move will be to either attack them or kidnap one of them in order to get to Ichigo."
"Don't forget, you have a target on your back as well… Lieutenant Kuchiki." Captain Jushiro says, as he stands from behind his desk and produces the wooden plaque armband signifying her new rank as a lieutenant. "I've been trying to promote you for three decades, when Captain Kuchiki pulled the forms he submitted to block your promotion I immediately requested you be promoted to my lieutenant. With your hollow powers you're probably the strongest in the division now." Jushiro explains as he ties the plaque to Rukia's left arm. "Congratulations Lieutenant Kuchiki, and congratulations on your engagement."
"Thank you captain." Rukia says before bowing to her captain. "When I get back, I'm sure Ichigo is going to be surprised."
"I'm sure he will be quite surprised. He's come quite far in the few meager weeks that I've known him. Kaien would be proud, Lieutenant." Jushiro says, turning his attention to the departed lieutenant of the 13th.
"Byakuya asked that when we have kids, we name our daughter Hisana. I think we should name a son after Kaien." Jushiro chuckles to himself hearing her say this.
"He would be honored to have your son named after him, though if you take Ichigo's clan name your son will also be Kaien Shiba." Rukia smiles hearing her captain say this, "I think I've held you up long enough. Keep your guard up and come back quickly."
With a nod, Rukia exits out the back of the office towards the senkaimon. She lifts a finger to the air allowing a hell butterfly to flutter up to her before she speaks. "Unlock." She says, causing the senkaimon to open. With her guide before her, she takes a step forwards through the gate before vanishing in reiatsu being led through the Dangai by the guide. "How are the others going to react to the news that Ichigo and I are going to get married? Orihime probably will be upset." She thinks to herself as she's guided through the dangai. The hell butterfly brings her through the strange slow world before exiting through another senkaimon and into the human world. She enters into Urahara's shop and is greeted with the sight of Captain Toshiro and his lieutenant waiting for her to arrive. The white haired captain arches an eyebrow when he sees Rukia's lieutenants band. Rangiku is quite excited to see Rukia again, immediately running up to the petite woman before wrapping her up in a hug. The shorter soul reaper finds it difficult to breathe as she's squished into Rangiku's gigantic breasts.
"Rukia! Oh it's so good to see you again!" She says lifting Rukia up off the ground and twirling her about before setting the lieutenant on the ground. "Is it true? Are you really going to get married to Ichigo?"
"Yeah," Rukia responds, "It was only announced a couple days ago and he hasn't proposed in private yet it was more the announcement of the clan marriage between Shiba and Kuchiki. I think Isshin is going to give Masaki's engagement ring to Ichigo, so he can propose to me with it. He showed it to me yesterday and it was beautiful." Rukia explains, causing Rangiku to squeal excitedly.
"Matsumoto." Toshiro says getting the attention of both women, "I believe lieutenant Kuchiki isn't here on a social visit."
"Oh, right, sorry about that." Rangiku says as she releases her grip on Rukia. "What brings you to the world of the living?"
"The head captain asked that I get Ichigo's friends to come with me to soul society." Rukia explains.
"Oh, let's go over to Orihime's apartment together then! I've been staying with her while we're stationed in the human world, she's an amazing cook!" Rangiku exclaims before grabbing Rukia's hand and dragging her out of the shop much to the protests of her captain.
Across town, Uryu perks up when he senses Rukia having appeared in the world of the living, it had been almost six weeks since they had heard anything from her and Ichigo. While the mod soul inhabiting Ichigo's body still attended class for him, it was clear that Kon was an entirely different person than Ichigo. He went along with Keigo and Mizuiro's antics about hitting on girls and just being an all around pervert. However Kon has managed to keep Ichigo's grades up, if anything he at least deserves some credit. Across the classroom, he notices both Sado and Orihime also react to the resurgence of Rukia's spiritual pressure but Orihime frowns when Ichigo's doesn't appear. Thankfully the school day ends shortly after they sense Rukia appear in the world of the living. As they exit the classroom, Kon wanders off with Mizuiro and Keigo to probably head to the arcade leaving the three spiritually aware humans back in the classroom.
"Seems Kuchiki-san is back to the human world. Though, Ichigo didn't come with her." Uryu says as they walk down the steps of their school and towards the sidewalk. "If she's come here without him it's probably for a reason."
"Rangiku-san has been staying at my place while her squad is here, we haven't had to deal with any hollows since Ichigo and Rukia went to soul society. That Shinji guy that came to our school for a day vanished when they went too." Orihime says as she balances along the little beam that separates the road from the sidewalk.
"Think they're going to head there? The Kurosaki's have been gone since Ichigo and Rukia left as well but I don't know why they went with them." Sado says, this being the first time he's spoken all day.
"Probably, Rangiku-san is heading that way too from what I can tell." Orihime says as the little group heads towards Orihime's apartment.
It doesn't take long for the group to make their way to Orihime's apartment. The subtle little home had been where she grew up, one of her aunts paid for the apartment so she hadn't needed to worry about funds or for food. The orange haired girl had always been happy to invite people over to her house, considering Sado, Uryu and Tatsuki all had keys to her apartment. She offered Ichigo one but he turned down her offer. As the three get to her apartment, she unlocks the door, finding Rangiku and Rukia sitting at the kotatsu kneeling table in the center of the room. When Rangiku started staying with her, Orihime had given her permission to use the stuff in her pantry and fridge so she wasn't surprised that the bustier orange haired woman had prepared tea for herself and Rukia. The busty lieutenant greets them happily as they walk inside the small apartment.
"Orihime! Sado-kun! Uryu-kun how are you?" Rangiku greets as Orihime sets down her backpack on the couch near the door. The other two take off their shoes as they step inside before joining the two soul reapers at the table.
"I'm doing well," Sado says as he takes a seat at the table.
"It's been a while, Kuchiki-san." Uryu says before noticing the arm plaque that she's wearing. "I see you got promoted. What are you now?"
"Lieutenant of squad 13. Ichigo is the substitute lieutenant of squad five since Lieutenant Hinamori Momo is in the psychiatric ward in the fourth division… she didn't take Aizen's betrayal well or Captain Hitsugaya stabbing her on accident." The three are shocked hearing that Ichigo is now a lieutenant, for the moment at least.
"What brings you to the human world, Rukia?" Orihime asks as she takes a sip of the black tea prepared by Rangiku.
"I'm under orders to bring you all to soul society for your protection. Head captain Yamamoto believes that Aizen will try to attack you to get to Ichigo. I know you don't think highly of the soul reapers as well as soul society in general Uryu but Aizen was stronger than multiple captains and now has an army of his own with at least four vasto lordes." Rukia's words cause the quincy to go quiet. "We also need you to help train Ichigo, we found out something about him from Captain Isshin Shiba. His mother, Masaki Kurosaki was a Quincy."
"Isshin is a captain?" Orihime questions
"He was captain of squad ten before disappearing 25 years ago, turns out it was to the human world to save Masaki Kurosaki and then get married to her. He is now the reinstated co-captain of squad ten." Rangiku explains.
"My father never spoke much of Masaki, only that he was supposed to marry her." Uryu says, "Quincies married inside the family between cousins at least to keep the Quincy blood pure, she was my father's cousin and that makes Ichigo my cousin."
"Will you help him?" Rukia asks, locking eyes with the black haired quincy.
"If only to help a fellow quincy then I shall. My father won't be happy that I'm going to soul society even if it is to avoid Aizen. What about you? Did you and the strawberry get anywhere with training your inner hollows?" Uryu concedes.
"Yes we did, would you like me to show you?" Rukia asks before standing up, revealing a second sealed katana at her side. The others notice her second blade as even Rangiku hadn't seen the other sword.
"What's with the second sword?" Sado asks, seeing the red wrapping of the second blade at her hip. As she stands the others notice that her gi under the shihakusho is also a deep crimson red as well as her fingernails and lips.
"When I defeated my inner hollow, I gained her sword." Rukia explains, "Kisuke believes that because my inner hollow was exposed to the unsealed Hogyoku for so long she had become an arrancar and when I defeated her I gained access to her powers and her sword."
"An arrancar?" Orihime asks.
"It's a hollow that shed its mask and gained the powers of a soul reaper. A few of them attacked soul society about a month ago and we managed to capture a higher ranking one called an espada. I killed an espada during that attack, the tenth rank one by the name of Yammy." She explains before lifting a hand up to her chest. With one of her fingernails she draws a straight line up the center of her chest causing the reiatsu around her to become frigid and appear a lavender hued black. She draws her hand upwards towards her face and opens her hand as it gets to face level causing the reiatsu leaking from the mark she made on her chest to clad her face. Suddenly the reiatsu in the room becomes almost suffocating as the line on her chest rips open into a perfect circular hole through her chest. The reiatsu concealing her face shatters revealing a porcelain white hollow mask with blue curved markings on the left side of her face over her eye, on her cheek and under the mask's teeth. The fox mask stares at her friends with an empty expression but seeing the hollow mask and hole on their friend causes the other four to stare at her in fear. She slips her finger up to the mask and pulls it aside revealing a set of black and amber eyes beneath it.
"The other espada, one named Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, said that Aizen called me the Caballero Encima. The Lord of Vasto Lordes." Rukia explains as she pulls her mask off her face and holds it up for the others to see. The three humans shudder hearing the twisted echo to her voice.
"Are you going to tell them the other news you have, Rukia?" Rangiku asks, getting the vizards' attention. Rukia dissipates the mask back into reiatsu as the hole in her chest closes.
"Yes, The Shiba family has been reinstated as the fifth great noble house. Because of this, my brother has elected to arrange a marriage between myself and the heir to house Shiba." Rukia says as she sits back down at the table.
"He engaged you to Ganju? But that guy is an idiot." Uryu says their antics with the brother of Kukaku had left a bad taste in his mouth.
"No, I'm engaged to Ichigo. Kukaku and Isshin had said that he is now the heir of Clan Shiba after it was reinstated. Since his father is a noble, he's now a member of the clan. His name has changed to Ichigo Shiba but he only goes by it for formal gatherings with the other noble families. Around us and the seireitei he still goes by Kurosaki. " This causes Uryu, Sado and Orihime to go quiet as they try to process the information.
"I… didn't think Ichigo would even do anything formal like that." Uryu says after digesting the information. "I mean, congrats and everything but I didn't even know you two were a couple."
"My hollow had a part in us getting together, but usually clan marriages happen with members having not even met each other." She explains, "Though you're right about Ichigo not liking the formal stuff, he almost killed the head of clan Omaeda when he kept insulting me and his family. He partially hollowfied in front of everyone and I'm pretty sure he almost gave Lord Omaeda a heart attack."
"That sounds more like Ichigo." Sado chuckles to himself, "Orihime? Are you alright?"
"Y-yeah…" She says, barely able to hide the tears in her eyes. "I-I hope y-you and Ichigo a-are happy together."
"Orihime?" Rukia questions, the orange haired girl's teary eyes starting to leak tears down her face. "I-i'm sorry, I didn't realize you had a crush on Ichigo."
"I-it's alright… let's just change subjects." She requests, "When do we leave for the soul society?"
"It's best that we leave now, but Ishida-kun may need to get some things that he needs to train Ichigo. From there we're going to go through the senkaimon back to the soul society. Ichigo has been training in the kido-corps as well with the head captain to control his spiritual pressure. He's gotten pretty good at suppressing it. He can get it down to the sealed level that Lieutenants and Captains are forced to use when we enter the human world." She says causing Uryu to snicker slightly.
"About time he figures out how to control that ridiculous amount of reiatsu he has. On the topic of inner hollows, how strong is Kurosaki's hollow?" Ishida asks as they stand up from the table to prepare to leave.
"He is able to defeat my brother while using his bankai and when he was hollowfying." This causes them to freeze in place hearing her say this. "Captain Urahara and Mayuri have gotten permission to use Kisuke's research into hollowfication to give captains and lieutenants the ability to hollowfy and become vizards. This is because the lowest members of Aizen's army that we have fought are stronger than most every single seated officer below the fourth seat. Captain Hitsugaya and Captain Shiba are next to go through the process. Ichigo's hollow is a special case to say the least. His hollow is also his zanpakuto Zangetsu, and he is a vasto lorde like myself."
"Great, that's what we need, Kurosaki to get even more ridiculously strong. I'll meet you all at Urahara's shop in an hour. I'm going to speak to my father and collect the things I'll need to help train Ichigo in using his Quincy powers." Ishida says before excusing himself with a bow and leaving Orihime's apartment.
Uryu stands silently in front of his father's desk waiting for a response from the silver haired quincy. Ryuken had forbidden Uryu from having any more dealings with the shinigami, however his son had explained that he isn't helping the shinigami, they are trying to keep him safe. Ryuken was aware of what Aizen is plotting, having been informed by Isshin himself shortly before the Kurosaki's left for soul society. Part of the reason why he didn't want his son dealing with Shinigami is that when he himself dealt with them last Isshin had inadvertently taken away the woman he was supposed to marry. Though, that was in the distant past now and he understood that Isshin had to remain close with Masaki. The white haired man presses his fingers together in deep thought, his glasses reflecting the screen of his monitor causing the lenses to be illuminated in a bright white light.
"What do you know of Sosuke Aizen?" Ryuken asks, not moving from his pose of deep thought as he speaks.
"He stopped Ichigo's bankai blade with a single finger." Uryu answers, though his father doesn't show a change in emotion he is surprised at this statement. "He also defeated several captains almost effortlessly, he performed a high level kido without an incantation and nearly killed the 7th squad captain Komamura."
"Are you afraid of him?" Uryu stiffens slightly at this question but answers truthfully.
"Yes." This statement causes Ryuken to sigh heavily before moving his hands away from their pressed together position. He reaches down to a drawer underneath the desk and opens it. "Ichigo and his fiance Rukia Kuchiki are training to become strong enough to defeat him."
"Do you think that's possible with just his powers as a soul reaper?" Ryuken asks as he roots around in the bottom drawer of the desk for a moment.
"No, however he has gained the ability to utilize his hollow powers on top of his current abilities." Uryu answers as his father pulls out a package from the desk drawer before closing it.
"Masaki was infected by a hollow the night that she met Isshin, from what Isshin had told me before he left she passed the hollow inside her to Ichigo when he was born. Since he is the son of a soul reaper and hollowfied quincy he is a Gemischt Quincy like you. The twins, you and Ichigo are the only half blood quincies left." Ryuken explains as his son opens the box in front of him, inside it is a gauntlet and five pointed cross. "These were Masaki's Sanrei glove and her Quincy cross. If you're going to remain friends with Ichigo and continue to work with him and the shinigami, you're going to teach him the proper path of his bloodline."
"Rukia suggested that I train him to utilize his Quincy powers against Aizen. He has an army of arrancar and at least 4 of his espada are vasto lorde. However he is afraid of Rukia's power since she was able to use Ichigo's bankai after she hollowfied but also wounded Aizen before he escaped. He called her the Lord of Vasto Lordes." Ryuken goes quiet for a moment after hearing this.
"Shinigami believes that quincies shouldnt exterminate hollows as it would upset the balance of this world. That is partly true, however we act as a filter to prevent the world of the living and of the dead from becoming overpopulated by destroying hollows completely so that they won't be reborn." Ryuken explains. "Remind them of that, Ichigo is a good kid, he wants to do what's right. But sometimes, doing what's right for the greater good goes against our morals. I allow you to go with them to soul society, if it will keep you safe."
"I will, and we will defeat Aizen." Uryu says with a bow before collecting the items his father had given him and leaving the room. "Be safe, father."
"Don't fall behind on your studies." Uryu nods before exiting the room allowing his father to return to his work.
Uryu breathes a sigh of relief as he leaves the hospital where his father works, the only thing left now is to head to soul society. Opting to head straight to Urahara's shop, he sends Chad and Orihime a text telling them to just meet him there. It's strange to think that a boy that a few months ago he considered his enemy will now be his student learning the arts of the quincy. On top of that he and Ichigo are cousins, though he doubted Ichigo would be all that surprised at the news their relationship probably wouldn't change all that much judging by how Ichigo interacts with his father. Though part of him does find some enjoyment in getting to train his rival, he's wondering how he's going to even begin his training. Getting to the entrance of Urahara's shop Uryu packs the items into a backpack before slinging it over his shoulder and sliding the door to the side. With a nod to Yoruichi, who is lounging on the counter in her cat form, Uryu walks to the back of the shop and down stairs to the underground training facility. As he walks down to the fake desert under the shop, Orihime and Sado are there seated on a small rock chatting with each other but Rukia isn't.
"Alright, I have what I need. Where's Kuchiki-san?" Uryu asks as he walks up to the two empowered humans.
"She said she needed to use the restroom." Sado answers.
"She looked a little nauseous and left to take care of herself. She should be back soon." Orihime says. " What did you bring Ishida-kun?"
"The things I need to teach Ichigo how to use his Quincy powers. If he's going to defeat Aizen he's gonna need all the power he can get." Uryu answers.
"What about Kuchiki?" Sado asks.
"She has her own powers and people to train her to further them. My father and I are two of the last living quincies who know how to utilize our powers. Ichigo's sisters have their own Quincy powers as well but they can barely see spirits much less use any power that they got from their mother or father for that matter." Uryu explains, "My father only let me come with you all to soul society so I can teach Ichigo and the twins."
"Everyone ready to go?" Rukia asks as she returns to the small group.
"You feeling alright?" Uryu asks, seeing the slightly pale look on the short woman's face.
"Yeah, the food I ate today just didn't agree with me." She says, a little embarrassed about having to excuse herself for feeling sick for a brief moment. "Anyone need to grab anything before we leave?"
"I have everything I need and Ishida grabbed what he needed." Sado responds as he stands and stretches slightly preparing for the journey ahead.
"I have what I need! And I brought snacks too!" The others shudder at the thought of being subjected to Orihime's… interesting culinary experiments.
"I think I'll pass on those Inoue, I haven't been feeling that well with my stomach." Rukia politely declines Orihime's offer. "If you guys are ready, I'll open the senkaimon and we'll head to the soul society. I have soul tickets for everyone so the cleaner in the Dangai wont be a problem so it's just a straight walk there." She continues, handing the three humans the blue and white soul tickets. After they take the soul tickets from her, Rukia walks a few paces away before speaking. "Unlock." She says calmly, causing the circular shoji doors of a senkaimon to open revealing the white void of the precipice world.
"Welp, let's get this over with. I hope you all brought your school work because we're probably going to be gone for a while." Uryu says as he walks up towards Rukia and then passes through the portal.
"We were supposed to bring that?" Sado asks as he follows suit, and shortly after so does Orihime with Rukia closing the portal behind them.
Meanwhile in Las Noches.
Ulquiorra slowly enters the throne room of Aizen having been requested for an audience with their leader. Aizen himself is sitting on his throne with a cup of tea in his hands calmly sipping on the liquid as he waits expectantly. The emotionless vasto lorde calmly walks across the marble floor of the throne room before standing before Aizen's throne. The most loyal of the espada kneels in front of their master before lifting his head up to meet Aizen's gaze. "As punctual as always Ulquiorra." Aizen says as he sets the cup of tea on a platter that one of the arrancar servants are holding. "You remember the last encounter with Kuchiki Rukia, yes?" Aizen asks as he stands from his seat and walks slowly around Ulquiorra.
"Yes lord Aizen." Ulquiorra responds, his voice just above a whisper. "What do you need me to do, my lord." The espada asks.
"Soul society has made their move on the chess board. They have sent Kuchiki Rukia to collect the friends of Kurosaki Ichigo." Aizen says, his words purposefully dragged out to emphasize the importance of the situation.
"Do you wish for me to kill them, Lord Aizen?" Ulquiorra asks.
"No, quite the opposite in fact. I need you to intercept them in the precipice between Soul Society and the living world. I want you to capture Rukia Kuchiki and bring her here alive." Aizen responds as he finishes his circle around the room.
"What about the others?" The espada asks one again.
"We want to lure Kurosaki Ichigo to Hueco Mundo so that we can launch our attack on Karakura town. Let his friends relay the information to him, give him time to get out from under the thumb of Yamamoto and come rushing here. Then you will deal with him and the rest of his friends. I will handle Rukia Kuchiki myself after I have made the king's key." Aizen sits back down in his throne.
"It will be done, Lord Aizen."
"Go," Aizen instructs, Ulquiorra stands and bows to the lord of Hueco Mundo. The espada raises a hand to the air before pressing inwards towards it causing a garganta to form that's just big enough for himself. After he steps through the black void-like portal it closes behind him.
With Rukia.
The kuchiki princess keeps to her thoughts as she escorts Ichigo's friends through the precipice world. Behind her the three humans are talking about seeing their friend again for the first time in a couple months since Aizen's defection from soul society. She didn't want to have to pull his friends away from their studies and lives. Then again, when dealing with spirits and hollows, mortality seems to get in the way. As they walk through the precipice world she continues to think to herself. "I can't remember the last time I got sick, it must have been when we lived in Inuzuri with Renji and our old friends." She internally monologues, however her thoughts are pulled away when she feels a familiar dark and foreboding spiritual pressure she felt when they dealt with Yammy and the arrancar that attacked soul society several weeks ago.
"We're not alone." Rukia says before grabbing both swords from her hip. She rips the blades from their scabbards before holding them out in an offensive position. "It's an espada." She says firmly, the others don't know what she means by that word but ready their own powers instead of asking questions.
"Greetings, Caballero Encima." Ulquiorra states as he walks into view. "Lord Aizen has requested your audience." The pale skinned espada says in a calm tone as he approaches the group.
"Like hell I'm going to talk with that asshole." Rukia snarls, "He nearly killed me and Ichigo, do you think for a second I'd let him flap his gums in front of me before cutting his head off?"
"I have been instructed to kill Kurosaki Ichigo's friends if you don't comply. If you do, they will be unharmed." The espada says before lifting a finger pointing towards the group. As he does so a ball of light green reiatsu begins to collect on his finger. Orihime immediately pulls her hairpin spirits to create a barrier in front of the group in order to prevent Ulquiorra from firing the blast.
"Play along with him." Hoakita's voice says in Rukia's head. "You go with him, you can get close to Aizen and kill him when you get the opportunity. If this goes south, he's going to target them and not you." Rukia takes a moment to weigh her options, she could hollowfy and attempt to fight him, but she doesn't know the extent of his power. Additionally the tight confines of the precipice world don't work well for sword fights.
"How do I know you're telling the truth?" Rukia asks, prompting the others to protest this decision.
"Deception is akin to weakness, and weakness has no place in Aizen's army. I have been ordered to retrieve you and allow them live to tell Kurosaki Ichigo that you are now in Aizen's custody." Ulquiorra answers.
"You expect us to willingly lead our friend into a trap?!" Orihime shouts in utter disbelief.
"I do not, lord Aizen does. I harbor no ill will towards you. I am only carrying out Lord Aizen's will." Ulquiorra responds. "I guess that since you asked if I'm being honest then you intend on going with me?"
"Yes." Rukia responds prompting Ulquiorra to lower the charging cero. "I'm sorry, tell Ichigo that I'll find a way out of this." She apologizes before flash stepping in front of Orihime's barrier. Ulquiorra says nothing, instead he opens another garganta and motions for her to step through it. As she does so Ulquiorra follows shortly after remaining true to his word. Leaving the others stunned at what had happened.