Bleach: The Alternate Tale

by blackout2010

We all know that Ichigo Kurosaki was a human who became a Shinigami, but what would happen if he was always a Shinigami when the events of bleach happened, perhaps an altered story. Very minor crossover with Sakura Wars. A/U A/T. Contains incest in later parts.

17. Sussano reaches for the truth

Author's Announcement:

Firstly I would like to address something with everyone that I know will come up at some point or another so, if you could please open up another tab and click the review section and look for Kalisticksmaster, you can read along. I am not trying to tear this person down but merely wanting to address something I know is going to come up, and wish to do now (s/he just happened to open that can of worms). So I would ask that you don't skip the unknown review section since it's primarily related to it. And you use the other tab to keep track of the arguments (read as debate/defense). After the chapter is over if you wish to comment to me or him/her that's fine (if you don't that's fine as well). Remember, you guys help me more than you think. So I just want your honest opinion (won't necessarily change anything) but I will try to be more cognizant of things, and certain rules. Remember I am not tearing this person down whatsoever and will NOT tolerate, belittlement of said person. You can have your opinion but don't make any personal attack of any kind, after all I prefer to perform what I preach…most of the time (hey I'm honest).

To unknown reviewer known only as 'Kalisticksmaster'

Firstly interesting name, sounds kinda sciency-mathy.

Moving on, ahh no need to feel guilty, all is forgiven (I guess…). If it's for actually leaving a review now, don't worry I've gotten into a story before and kept hitting the next button and after a few chapters realize that I forgot to review. Or their's just really nothing to comment on, it was good and answered whatever question I might have had. So it's up in the air.

Ok now unto Subaru Kujo. As I've said before just because someone seems radically over powered doesn't mean their unstoppable, you just need the right key to victory, though I guess I should elaborate.

1. I've read a bit to what a mary sue's personality is like (Thank god tvtropes!), and clearly deem her a failure in that regard. Back in chapter one, Subaru wasn't overtly hostile towards Ichigo, but really didn't care about his safety either (which she later explains is a fault of hers). When the deal was made she clearly stated that it would be more of a dishonor on Soifon's record to have this fail rather than be concerned (like a normal person) about the new recruit and make sure he fits in and adapts. So now we'll move unto the more physical aspect.

2. For the information that could destroy soul society. It was for all intents and purposes a lie (or at least a great exaggeration), meant to make Ichigo back off. She does also answer to Soifon and Omeada since they are her superior officers, unless it's Onimitsukido related then she only answers to Soifon (which was explained to Ichigo like in 2-4). Also Soifon would and is, the most knowledgeable in terms of relevant information, Subaru would be the one who know the most in general since she has to sift through and figure what's important and what's trivial, to give TO Soifon, not that she could remember it all since that'd be unbelievable, and I don't think she has photographic memory at least to my knowledge. Besides knowing how Yamamoto likes his tea doesn't help on the battlefield (unless this was a crack fic).

3. You do hold some amount of water with the captain being on a different level but hear my side before we make any final judgments. Firstly, any normal -maintained- sword should be able to cut cloth (Haori), if it can't it's either a VERY faulty sword or extremely durable cloth in which case you don't need armor (but that's isn't the case). Secondly, if their such a huge power difference, then why is it that Rukia Kuchiki was able to KILL two arrancars, one of them being an ESPADA, if she was essentially a non-name officer, and the other two are about the equivalent to a Captain with Vizard powers (D roy maybe exception since he was fraccion but still…).

3. (cont.) And then there is the fact that Aaroniero Arruruerie (9th Espada aka Jar head), had his resurrection in full release and she STILL killed him in the end (not to mention he stated to have eaten approximately 33,560 hollows [OMG!] and 1 fuka-taicho[Kaien by that one hollow]). If there really is a vast power difference that always in full effect (which Tite Kubo seems to ignore every now and then), Rukia should have died there, as her San no mai, Shirafune should not have penetrated the glass surrounding Jar Head, and should have ended up her hurting herself with recoil damage. While at the same time in Karakura Ikkaku Madarame who possessed Bankai got his ass kicked by Fraccion, the fraccion wasn't even in release mode ok. This guy defeated the third seat of the most powerful division with no added power, how does he lose whereas she wins? Even before then when she fought against Grimmjoww, she was one-shoted by the unreleased/weakened 6th Espada, while elsewhere it took full power of about three captains and one vice captain just to defeat FRACCION.

3. (cont.) In fact let's go even further back to when Ichigo defeated Kenpachi Zaraki, if what is stated about canon to be true then Ichigo shouldn't have lived [I didn't say win I said live, which he kind of died but not what I meant], before or after the power bonus of death. I say this because Ichigo was only a soul reaper for about 2 months (give or take), with one of them being with Urahara, in that time he was even with Renji at 1/5 power, but dispatched by Byakuya. Ok, he awakens his Zanpaktou and get's stronger fine, please remember the fact that Kenpachi Zaraki BEAT the previous captain (albeit a lazy one) with just a sword ok. He beat a Taicho who I assume can use Bankai with just his sword. Answer me this 'How does that work?', Ichigo couldn't even hold a candle to Byakuya without going Bankai, how was he able to live let alone defeat against an opponent who did go full force (which is practically Bankai for Zaraki) and actually hurt him, without knowing Getsuga Tensho, Bankai, and being weaker at the time. I get the fact that he did get some power up from dying, but logically speaking, that would be like saying he got powerful enough to defeat Bankai Yamamoto with just Shikai since that is about the power difference at that time. You also can't use the defense that 'well Isshin was a previously a captain/royal guard member so that's where he gets it' you can't use it because at the time we didn't know that. So as much as I'd like to conform to the rules established it's literally impossible since, even the author doesn't follow his rules established, so what can I do but follow them to an extent, I can't do it to the tee. I'm not trying to sound like an A-hole whose going off on a tangent (though I suppose reading it as is, I would have to disagree with myself), but you gotta work with me here and see my side of things. I don't make judgments on something until I've looked at it from all sides and viewed all the evidence, so if it's not your thing, I can't help you but I do need some wiggle room. And please continue on.

4. Subaru could only at base line (scratch damage though depends on where their struck) hurt Soifon and maybe Toshiro when it comes to uphill fighting, and it get's limited to only Soifon if Shikai is used. Bankai no, about 75% chance of hurting herself and 25% that no visible affect happens. She has also clearly stated she isn't 'built for a fight', she fights underhanded, since she has virtually little overall strength and nonexistent defense, she relies on her Zanpaktou to cover her weakness and attack, though it's still more a defensive measure since it's more attuned with doing her job than actual combat.

5. This one was kind of a last minuter, but you stated that Gin is a prodigy. That really doesn't mean much in SS. Reason being on Bleach wikia, in just about every Reaper profile it states that their either 'Master swordsman', 'Expert Swordsman', or 'Sword specialist' (just an example). I'm going to quote a Disney/pixar movie that best summarizes what I'm going to say "And when everyone's super. HAHAHA! No one will be.- Syndrome 'The Incredibles'" If everyone was a master or expert on something, then logically speaking everyone is simply average. Two sword masters would have an incredible fight, a city of sword masters, well there'd be so many incredible fights you would start to comment on some being more boring than others. In the fic, everyone has various ranges of skill example. Senna has three modes of fighting: Staff, Sword and Dual. With Staff she's probably above average given it's her choice weapon, Sword maybe average or subpar given she just recently got it, Dual horrible/Beginner she's only started it. Ichigo: Sword = Great, Hand to Hand=Good (I'm trying), Kido=So-so (really only healing). See he's not a master or expert at everything, hence the difference. So being a prodigy in canon terms doesn't really mean much considering everyone is supposedly good at everything, which you can even go look for yourself, and tell me how many times you see one of those three repeated.

So long story short with no Zanpaktou, she equals a fragile speedster, with she borderlines glass cannon territory, but still she knows a minor healing kido and one offense kido, so she has to fight underhanded to win depending on circumstances. Ok now that the part that makes me sound like a douche bag (I'm really logic oriented) over let's go to the positive part (grass is always greener after all)

I'm glad you found the 'training' between Kisuke and Seen funny, I wanted to put some comedy in cause it felt like forever since I actually had a good smile/laugh while making this. Yeah, you might have a point with the extra pairing, I do acknowledge that if I did do it, it would either be nowhere near the depth or detail as Ichigo and Soifon, or that it would just be kinda skimmed over in the epilogue (if and when I get there). At the very least there will be a one-sided Senna/Mirokumaru as to whether it's reciprocated I don't know, though it makes me wonder if Senna would have just finally given in for the sake of sanity. Only time will tell…

Final note, I couldn't tell how far or close they are to being in character, so I just kinda decided to portray them in the way they struck as the most memorable with maybe some deliberate changes. I'm sure that some people might not like that but I guess I'll cross that bridge when we get there. Anyway thanks for the review and sorry if makes me sound insensitive, I just prefer to look at everything from any and all possible angles, and that fact that Tite Kubo ignores his own rules on occasion has left me with somewhat of a gap to fill.

[Now resuming normal unknown review response section]

To Afrothunda

Well, I pretty much condensed a lot of information into one, and had to at least some things. But if you're happy I'm glad. As for Summaer school, yeah but it could be worse.

To Hitmanforyou

I can't recall off the top of my head if I answered back to you. But if I didn't here you go. Rest assured that they will meet eventually and that I hope you as well as everyone else will throughly enjoy, I put a lot of effort into the meeting scenario I had written, now I just need to shuffle a few things around lay some down, and things will really connect and hopefully be memorable!

Now unto our matinee advertisement section!

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Blackout2010: Alright! Everyone out there I have an important announcement to make! Due to popular demand this story will now become a gigantic harem/mass orgy lemon fic! There will be: Lemons, three-somes, four-somes, whatever comes after four-somes, Yuri, BGB, GBG, Orgies, BDSM, Submission, Yanderes, Tsunderes, Incest, Dominations, School girls, Maids, Mikos, Futanaris, and last but certainly not least tentacles, with possible insemination! So come one and come all and truly enjoy such spectacular new story!

Ichigo: (Is he ok?) Blackout have you gone mad?

? :What are you talking about?

Ichigo (turns around): Blackout! But then whose that?

Blackout2010?: I'm the real me that persons a faker!

The PA system crackles on

Aizen: Greetings, followers of the true heir to all things eternal. It is I, your god and king, Sosuke Aizen-dono. Now I would like to ask you to quiet it yourselves, as no doubt hearing my voice has sent you all into an inspired fanatical frenzy ready to riot, but I must ask you to wait and listen.

Blackout2010: This guy is so full of himself…

Aizen: I regret to say that I seem to have misplaced Kyoka Suigetsu, and with it the land you all no doubt dream and envision with me ruling above all is slightly delayed. I would ask of you not as Aizen-dono the great or the revolutionary but as the man, to assist me in locating her. For all the non-believers out there, if you happen to find it and return it, I will offer you the chance to kneel before me and swear eternal loyalty within my ranks.

Ichigo: Wow…just wow…

Aizen: Thank-you for listening to me, the words of your god. I am here, I am waiting, and I will not be hindered, so break your chains and follow me, praise thy lord.

Random Voices: All hail Aizen-sama! All hail Aizen-sama!

The PA system cracks off…

Blackout2010:…(turns to the opposite) hand it over…

Blackout2010?:…fine

The fake one hands it over revealing Dark Mirokumaru

DMiro: I doubt anyone was gonna believe it anyway.

Blackout2010 (relieved): My reputation is safe…

Ichigo: Since I'm not needed I'm gonna go…[walks off]

DMiro (disappointed): Ah! Brother wait, you didn't try and hit me or punish me! Come back I've been bad, hit me! Giving the cold shoulder doesn't stoke my fire!

Blackout2010 (pulls out a mirror and looks):…where did she come from?

Senna: Hey blackout!

Blackout2010 (turns): Senna, you are such a kinky freak, it's not even funny!

Senna: W-what? I don't get it! What did I do?

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When Sussano reaches for the truth…(6)

(Six days later)

"Good, good much better!" Keisuke said as Ichigo's Zanpaktou pressed against his own causing the manager to exert more force to avoid being pushed back from the blade's collision.

The two Shinigami continued their dangerous sword ballad, with their only onlooker being Tessai, as he was currently having Ein train his body by out maneuvering Ururu and Jinta while using Keisuke's latest invention, 'the shoes of running fast'. The tanned man could only wonder how the man bought into the idea without seeming even mildly suspicion, he silently guessed maybe Ein just didn't have a sense of humor and took things too seriously, Tessai shrugged as he continued to hold up the barrier keeping this team and the female team inside, and keep the reiatsu exposure to a minimum.

Speaking of the female half, Yoruichi was currently monitoring Senna's spiritual pressure output, teaching her how to let it out more freely which would result in her strikes and cut being that much more effective, a good post workout exercise. While she was definitely no Ichigo, in terms of raw power and skill, she did put just as much effort into her studies, and provided a rather unique wind powered Zanpaktou. Having explained to Yoruichi that the good Mirokumaru would be teaching her how to utilize her weapon and teach her abilities, the cat goddess decided to focus on fighting and training her body, while trying to incorporate whatever abilities she picked up in the time span of a week.

"Come on focus more! If my knives can still break your concentration as you levitate than how are you going to center yourself in a panic or cushion your enemies blows!" Yoruichi yelled out to the meditating girl who was riding her staff about 20 feet in the air.

"Sorry." She apologized as she started to dig deeper and bring out more energy, while ignoring the cuts on her arms, legs and shoulders from the various throwing projectiles.

Several more hours past before Keisuke called time as Ein had returned from his journey from the Samgawa riverside and back with the in hot pursuit Jinta and Ururu, who had used specially made Gigai which would kill their presence and allow them to chase unhinged much to the older man's chagrin.

The two tired but dedicated protégés stopped their current activities, and went over to the man that could only hear spirit and see the Gigaied Tessai. The older man was drenched in sweat and clearly out of breath from the activities he'd been enduring alongside the two kids, Ichigo had to admit he was pretty tough for a human at least.

"M..mas..ter…finally (huff) (huff) done!" the sweat covered man said with a huge grin despite his exhaustion, it had certainly been a long time since he ever needed to run

Tessai nodded his head in a masterly way, while he inwardly wondered how the man had lost the two speed demons not that entirely matter this point since they had kept him preoccupied for the last day of training.

"All right boys and girls, you can have the rest of the day off, so Senna return to your body and don't disturb me as I need to go check up on a few things, make some preparations, and then we'll be on our way. Please go to sleep early because we have important work tomorrow." declared the clad in green blond, as he sheathed Benihime. With his announcement made Keisuke didn't waste another second in departing the dubbed SS infiltrators.

"Weeeell, I think I'm gonna go take a nice shower and maybe a cat nap!" said Yoruichi as she stretched her arms as she walked away, as she departed she looked over her shoulder and at Senna "And don't forget to meditate before going to bed, remember we need as much strength as you can muster for this to work!"

"I won't." Senna said to her other sensei

'Of course pussy-san!' the dark half mockingly cat called, which caused Senna's mood to drop again since she had quickly come to the realization the darker half was much more vocal when she was outside her inner world.

"Senna. I need to head back home, to prepare a few things, so I'll be back tonight. Stay safe, and enjoy your day off." The ear pierced father figure of Senna informed his daughter as he followed in the general direction that he came from, hoping to find the stairs in the vast desert of desolance.

Once all the previous company was gone, the dark haired girl turned to her male counterpart who had remained otherwise silent thus far "Hey Ichigo, can I talk to you?"

"You kind of already are." Ichigo teased lightly

"Haha! Very funny." She said mockingly

"Glad to make you laugh." Ichigo dryly deadpanned, which made Senna bury her face in her palm

Fighting back her irritation, Senna continued to try and get back on track "I wanted to ask you some things, if that's alright." The moon cleaving wielder merely turned to face Senna fully and gave her his undivided attention "Tell me, the spirit of your Zanpaktou, does it ahh, I don't know, are they hard to get along with?"

"Hard to get along with?" quoted Ichigo 'If you only knew the half of it sister.'

'Fuck you!' the all white Zangetsu yelled out in protest

'Hey I didn't name anybody, but the fact that you take offense is noted.' The carrot top quipped, and returned back to Senna to ignore any retort the shadow might have "Give it some time and you should be able to hash some things out, but if not you might have to fight him or her and win their respect."

Senna's face remained neutral as she continued looking at Ichigo, her mind wandering a bit before returning "Thanks, I guess. (Sigh) oh well, I have a score to settle with her anyway."

The slightly tan girl pulled her Zanpaktou close to her body and clenched it with both hands and closed her eyes as if to attune herself to the spirit more. Casting his eyes down, Ichigo saw the bandaged left arm of Senna "Hey are you ok?" he asked as he pointed to her wrapped arm

Senna opened her eyes and looked down before breaking out in a awkward smile "Oh this? I just kinda had a cramp in my arm. See some of my wind power forces me to spin my Shakujo in a circular motion to generate an attack, I wasn't all that good at it for the first three days so I had to go really fast to have any use. But I managed to work with Mirokumaru and understand her more, so by the fourth day I didn't have to go nearly as fast, now I can do it rather easily, though I guess I didn't put enough ice on it to avoid getting a knot. Not like it matters since, we'll be taking it easy the rest of the day."

"Yeah." agreed Ichigo as he started to walk away from the younger teen "I'm gonna get some food you want some?"

"Sure."

So the two teens left the training field together quickly and easily navigated the indoor design of the Shoten and arrived at the Kitchen where they were surprised to see Uryu, getting ready to head out somewhere. "Hey Uryu-kun! How have you been?"

"I've been well Senna-san. Just doing my own training for the invasion tomorrow." The pale teen's eyes scanned up and down the still Shinigami formed girl "You seem to have gotten stronger." His eyes then shifted over to Ichigo "As have you. I supposed success might not be beyond our reach."

"It'll be tight, but I think we can pull it off." Ichigo stated throwing his two cents in, using this chance to bolster their morale as they went in, which seemed to work by the smirk on Uryu's face

"You're right, as long as we focus on getting the Hogyoku and saving Rukia, we shouldn't have any problems, aside of course from the 13 captains."

The female in the conversation looked to Ichigo "Hey Ichigo who exactly are the captains of Soul Society, I want to know their names, so I can try and avoid them."

"Well the best way to identify a Taicho is to see if their wearing a white Haori. If they got one it's a captain, in which case try not to act suspicious, since you should otherwise blend in with the other Shinigami, but more than likely the division's members are going to know if your part of their squad or not and attack you."

"But how come their going attack me if I blend in?" asked Senna in confusion since he just said a captain wouldn't recognize him, instead of Ichigo answering her it was Uryu "The reason you'll be attacked is because once we enter Soul Society, it will only be a matter of time before the captain's declare that anyone not of the division will be taken into custody minus captain's and Fuka-Taicho's since they are easily recognizable. So you'll be alone making you fall victim to that order, while the groups of Shinigami hunting us will be exempt since they can prove what division they are."

"Exactly. That's why you should try and avoid hanging around a place for too long. They'll just keep coming and if a Taicho see the wake of destruction behind you they'll follow it and find you."

A bead of sweat rolled down the side of Senna's face at the odds "Ok I'll be careful. So whose are the thirteen Taicho is charge."

"Yes, can get that information as well so I can pass it unto uncle." Uryu requested in accord with Senna

Ichigo crossed his arms "Unless it's changed it should be in order: Sou-Taicho Yamamoto, Soifon, that fox-faced bastard who I don't know, Unohana-chan, The asshole Aizen, Byakuya Kuchiki, Komamura, Kyoraku, Tosen-san, My friend Toshiro, Kenpachi something, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and Ukitake-san. Out of all of them you should avoid 1,2,3,5,6,7,11 and 12 as they're either the strongest, ruthless or plain psychotic of the bunch. With Unohana, Kyoraku, Tosen, Toshiro and Ukitake being the more merciful should you get caught in a battle against them."

Senna nodded her head as she would keep that information close to heart when the operation began "Got it, thanks."

"Yes, thank-you Ichigo. That was most informative, I'll be sure uncle knows." said the Quincy as he departed from the room.

Seeing that their guest was gone, the pair returned back to the original reason for their coming, which was food. Quickly preparing some food, the two enjoyed a nice quiet late afternoon/evening dinner. After finishing their food the washed their dishes and retired for the evening to conserve their strength.

(Next morning: Day of departure)

All the members of the infiltration team had woken up early, and were enjoying their last breakfast in the human world. Every one of them didn't feel the slightest bit of nervousness, as they were filled with confidence and vigor that came from the intense training that they had put their bodies through.

After finishing breakfast they enjoyed some small talk before heading down to the training field once again for their departure. The teams saw a circular gate looking thing that seemed to be about 6 feet across in each direction, which was hooked up to a small ramp. Next to the upward walkway, was an assortment of various objects, packages, and scientific doohickeys.

"Ok, boys and girls. I would like you to take a moment to make sure you got everything, while I start this machine up." said Keisuke, as he walked over to the strange electrical equipment near the bottom.

"Well I'm plenty ready!" Senna declared aloud as she stretched her arms feeling great.

"Ms. Kurosaki." Tessai said catching the girl's attention "If you could force yourself out of your body, while I take care of it, that way your body won't die of starvation."

The woman smiled "No problem." and forced her spiritual body out of her earthly body, before handing it over to Tessai who held her like a sleeping child.

"Just don't try anything with it Sensei, she is still my daughter and is still underage!" warned Ein, who was decked out in a all white business suit with a brief case in his hand, feeling slightly wary with leaving her with an older man. Tessai gave his word that he would do nothing along the lines to the scruffy pierced eared man.

As Keisuke continued pressing buttons in rapid succession and flipped some levers on the device he turned his head over to Yoruichi who was standing next to a stereo that was placed their the day prior by Keisuke. "My oh so lovely assistant Yo-chan if you could please hit the play button."

The brown goddess looked at the stereo real quick and with a shrug, kneeled down to pressed the 'play' button

[Ride of the Valkyries- Richard Wagner]

The music got the gathered's attention. They then turned their attention back to Keisuke who was pressing all the button's like a madman. The green clad ex-Taicho, started to laugh in a highly exaggerated tone as he flipped one more switch causing the device at the end of the ramp to crack with static electricity. The electrical current between the circular portal solidified and turned into a vibrant green light and expanded to encompass the opening completely.

"It's alive! It's ALIVE!" Keisuke exclaimed in a maniacal fashion as he erupted into a mad case of laughter and threw his hands up to high heaven causing the three trainees to sweat drop at his stupidity.

Yoruichi tilted her head with a bemused smile "Are you done Keisuke? We have things to do you know."

Urahara's laughter died down as he returned…to normalcy? "ahah…huh…yes. (Ahem) Please you may stop it." he said

[Ride of the Valkyries end]

'Hey Ichigo you sure you want to throw your lot in with him?' Hichigo asked skeptically, since that display did not make him anymore endearing

'I would reconsider if I had a choice.' The carrot top admitted reluctantly

Beside Ichigo his fellow trainees Senna and Ichigo we're having similar mental thoughts

'Did I step into a sci-fi manga?' the Shinigami garbed girl asked herself since people never acted like that, at least the sane ones she had acquainted herself with

'What an idiot…'/'He's certainly something' the two sided Zanpaktou agreed in their own ways

'He knows how to set the mood' the man in the business suit said in his head mildly amused by the actions, though embarrassed to have witnessed it

"Uncle I thought we'd agreed to use Beethoven for our departure music." Uryu gripped as he adjusted his glass with his free hand since he too had a briefcase. The thinkers of the group could only face vault and just decided that their weirdness must run in their family tree.

Keisuke merely laughed at his grand nephew's observance of detail "Yes, well I had a change of heart." He tried and justified. He then pulled his hat off and looked to the recovering trio "All right the portal is up and running so let's go. Tessai you know what buttons to press once were on the other side."

"I do and good luck, sir." Tessai said giving a farewell to the infiltrators, as they all disappeared into the gateway, following right after the other. Once Uryu had finished entering in, Tessai flipped a few switches and pressed the abort key, permanently closing the gate for his side.

(Dangai Precipice world)

Coming out of the portal the group, immediately stopped to ensure that everyone had made it through. "So is this Soul Society?" asked Senna as she and her father looked around the black surrounding nothingness, that seemed to form together before becoming undone, which seemed similar to a cave during an earth quake

Ichigo spoke up to answer the question "No, right now we're in the Dangai Precipice world. Just think of it as the road between the human world and Soul Society."

"Well explained Ichigo. Now if there are no more questions let's hurry we don't want the other end to remain open for long."

The team continued down the path at a moderate running pace to minimize time consumed. As the approached the light at the end of the strange dark tunnel, Keisuke gave the command for them to stop. "All right, Ichigo, Uryu try and minimize the amount of spiritual energy your releasing, since the gate here is gonna be easily seen by other in the Rukongai and we don't want to much heat this early in." He turned to Yoruichi "If you could transform, that would be greatly appreciated since you stick out quite a bit."

The group took the advice and adjusted their spiritual powers, while Yoruichi kittyfied herself and jumped unto Senna's shoulder to enjoy the ride. "Alright let's go." Said Ichigo as they finished

Stepping through the gate the team noticed the old feudal era town around them…and that they were dangling twenty feet in the air with no support underneath them. All the men quickly took notice of this and with the exception of Ein flash stepped to the ground in relative safety, while Senna was dangling in mid air with her free hand on her Shakujo as it slowly levitated downward in a safe landing.

'I'm really glad I picked that up so quickly.' Senna mentally congratulated herself as her feet softly touched the ground

"Oww…" the crater making man known as Ein grunted out as he tried to dislodge himself from his man made pot hole.

The rest of the team gathered outside of the spot Ein landed and had a make shift meeting "Alright, so from where we are, we should be just south of the south gate guarded by Jidanbo." Affirmed Keisuke, as he looked over in the direction of the Seireitei and noticed the Seki Seki rock wall was down but Jidanbo wasn't outside the gate, meaning someone had come out earlier.

The blonde Genius turned and saw that Ichigo had also seen the sight and was feeling a little edgy now, since he hadn't expected reaper on reaper combat so early in. "We need to get out here." Ichigo said matter-of-factly

"Don't worry we have a safe house, where we can discuss things." Uryu stated as he tapped Senna on the shoulder to break her appreciation for the authentic looking Sengoku era town.

Picking up Ein the team disappeared in a burst of speed towards the safe house. Not a moment later did two individuals arrive on the scene "It should be right around here!" yelled Shinjiro as he lead the way to the spot, where that giant rift opened in the sky over Rukongai having saw it in the distance and felt some strong energy signatures.

Subaru looked around the nearby surroundings and saw nothing particularly out of the ordinary; she closed her eyes to get a feel for the spiritual energy as well. After a moment she reopened them and frowned since she couldn't really make whose it was, and noted it didn't seem to go in the direction of the Seireitei. "Shin, do you think you could tell where this energy is going? My senses seem unable to differentiate between the energy signatures."

The samurai shook his head "That's not really my area of expertise, but I think it's going that way." He pointed out of the town and seemingly to the great wide open area "But this energy signature is fading quickly, and it's really scrambled. Follow me, let's see what we can find."

(Ichigo and co.)

"So what does this place were looking for, look like?" Ichigo asked of Keisuke, since they had stopped their flash step trekking and resumed walking, until they came to a hilly valley that seemed to be a great distance away from the feudal city.

"Trust me. You'll know it when you see it." said Keisuke as he continued to move his head from the left and right in searching for Kukaku's place.

"Relax Ichigo-kun. Take in the sights, it's not often that you get to see such beautiful scenery if that town is anything to go by." stated Senna with a cheery smile that expressed her excitement in being here

Ein turned to his daughter "Ehh, you forget he's from here so it might not seem all that special to him." He said correctively

"I guess…" The daughter said back

Mean while the super genius of the group was still trying to remember the direction to the place 'Let's see she likes to move around once a hundred years, so she should still be there.' He worked in his head as he continued leading the unknowingly lost group. His eye then caught a familiar land mark and soon recovered his bearings "Oookay people we just need to turn right here at this rock and go east and we'll be there. So let's pick up the pace and get moving." He instructed to them, while Ein grabbed hold of Senna and rode a float her Shakujo.

Within a matter of moments the strange team of companions we're standing before an extraordinary building. Though for Ichigo, Uryu, Senna and Ein, they agreed that it being extraordinary wasn't exactly a compliment. The building hand two large muscular arms sticking out of the ground holding what looked like an advertisement that said 'Shiba Kukaku, the fireworks master of Rukongai!'. Behind the gate of manly arms and the shack like house was a huge shaft that almost seemed to divide the sky from where they were looking.

"People…live here?" Ichigo asked in a deadpanned way

"Well of course, Ichigo. It clearly has a sign announcing the presence of others." Yoruichi said in her masculine cat voice, as she sat on Senna's shoulder

Unbeknownst to the team, they were being watched by two individuals who kept an intense focus on them. When the gathered people seemed to walk towards the house, they pulled down on the lever that was disguised as a tree limb. The lever caused the ground underneath the team to flip underneath them and send them to the basement floor for interrogation.

(Elsewhere)

"Huh?" Shinjiro said aloud, before wincing as he touched his head from the sudden severing of Ichigo's groups spiritual trail

"W-what is it!" asked Subaru worriedly

"I-I lost it!" he exclaimed. He closed his eyes to try and find any clue but the reishi particles were far too diluted to be reconstructed into finding the path. The dark haired man sighed as he looked around the surrounding area and saw hills, plains, trees, forests and general nothingness in most directions.

Subaru shook her head "That's alright we'll split up and look." She pointed her arm to the left towards the forest area "You go that way, while I check out the area over there. If you find whoever or whatever it is, try to determine if it's a friend or foe, before engaging. When you're done searching your area flare your spiritual energy to let me know, and I'll do the same."

Shinjiro nodded his head since it was sound plan so far "Alright. Just be careful yourself" he warned "and if we don't find anything, we can go back to our walk." He then added with a friendly smile

"I will." She said with a lazy waving of her hands as she started off in her own direction. The man of the pair quickly stretched his arms before quickly proceeding into the forest area keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary.

(Ichigo and Co.)

After falling through the false ground, the team started sliding down some kind of chute until another trap door opened and they then crashed into what they assumed to be the basement of some kind of underground complex.

The strawberry blond of the group was the first to get up and assisted Senna, while Yoruichi was pleased to have the teenager off her body. Uryu was working the kinks out of his neck, while Keisuke was laughing next to Ein.

"Hahahaha! That was so much fun!" declared Keisuke, who was then promptly shut up by Ichigo's fist

"You knew that was going to happen didn't you?" the Shinigami accused in a gritted tone

"Course!" the blond said chipperly as he sat back up, which was met by another fist to the face.

The antics between the two were cut short when the shoji door on the far end of the room opened up and two giant twin looking monks. The one on the left was wearing a yellow muscle shirt with matching martial arts pants and had a red hat on his head, his assumable brother wore a white muscle shirt with matching pants and the same red pointed hat on his head.

"Who are you evil trespassers?" the duo proclaimed in one voice

Ichigo moved forward to answer "Look we're-

He didn't get to finish when the pair started spattering many questions at him in rapid fire succession

"Are you villains who seek to rob our master's home?" asked the yellow one

"Are you Rogue Shinigami who have fled Seireitei?" the white one inquired

"Are you a salesman who has gotten lost?" the first one said again

The constant questioning and not allowing him to at least answer started to wear Ichigo's nerves. After about the fiftieth question, he got fed up and hit one of the two giants in the face "Will you shut up, and let me answer!" the male teenager yelled as tick mark throbbed on his head

"B-brother dearest!" the one in yellow cried out as he went over to his kneeling brother who was clutching his face and sobbing from the pain of being hit by the bad man who invaded their master's home.

The infiltration team merely sweat dropped by witnessing such a scene between three men and weak heart. Thankfully they supposed another person appeared at the door "Aggghh, someone shut that blubbering idiot's trap!" the enraged woman yelled out as she appeared

The woman was taller than Senna, and was just about as big in the chest area as Yoruichi. She was wearing a revealing red top with a strange spiral design that looked like a reverse question mark. Wrapped around her head was a strange cloth that exposed some of her rough black hair. One of her arms was apparently removed for some reason as a wooden prosthetic arm was where her right arm should have been.

The no doubt rough woman looked over at Ichigo "Did you cause this Shinigami?" she asked quickly nudging her head to the crying men

Ichigo looked over and said in a even tone "Yeah, sorry-

The woman quickly slammed her fist into the man's gut and kicked him to the other end of the wall shocking Senna and Ein of this woman's strength "Sorry doesn't cut shit!" she yelled as Ichigo picked himself off the floor, also not expecting this kind of strength from the woman even if she was a Shiba "This my house and you're on my property, Shinigami. So you'd best get the fuck out now, before I change my mind about not killing you this instant!"

"It would be appreciated if you'd refrain from killing Kukaku." Yoruichi spoke up as she walked over towards the intimidating woman

The fiery bombshell looked down at the floor in disdain, as she stared at the cat, a malicious grin started to break across her face "Well, Shiroganehiko, Koganehiko, you brought me Yoruichi." She then kneeled down to the cat's level "So tell me what brings you to this part of the woods? Last I heard you were on the wrong side of the law." She then looked over at the rest of the group and noticed Uryu and Keisuke "Huh, looks like most of the gang's here." She then turned back to the black cat "Sounds like something exciting is gonna down."

The black cat turned away and started to head for the door "Let's have a small chat."

Roughly an hour later and room relocation and the situation was explained to Kukaku Shiba. "You're kidding?" she said humorlessly "Why should I get involved with Soul Society again?"

"Were not asking to get involved Kukaku." affirmed Keisuke "We just want you to do one little favor."

The noblewoman of Shiba took a quick swig of her sake bottle as she stared at her two friends "And what about those kids out there?" she asked, since Yoruichi and Keisuke had asked them to wait outside while they dealt with the fireworks expert

The woman mode cat girl spoke up next "Most of them are going to be going with as they are exceptionally strong, the only exception would be the elder man of the group whose known as Ein."

"So I'm babysitting him?" she asked skeptically with a raised eyebrow

"Of course not, he's free labor for you and feel free to kick his ass to keep him in line, until we return." offered Keisuke, willing to sell the man into practical slavery for this favor

The fake armed woman had a look of intrigue at the prospect of someone else to kick around aside from her idiot kid brother and his boar riding gang. "Well, I guess. But first…" she then stood up and looked out the window "You better do something about that strong reiatsu signature heading our way, otherwise nothing I do is gonna help this little invasion of yours."

"We'll get Ichigo and the others right on it." The blonde keeper of Benihime stated as he got up from their negotiations.

(Outside the room)

The remained of the team were gathered in a medium sized room, Uryu was sitting at the small table his brief case open which had some small black vials, and some needle and thread to sew with, which Ichigo did crack a joke at. The two Kurosaki's were talking with the other two twin's that worked as servants in the Kukaku home, while Ein sitting on the ground of the far side of the room, also peering into his rather large brief's cases contents.

The shoji door opened and Uryu's grand uncle stepped out "Ok, everyone I need your attention." He said clapping his hands together twice to make sure they were listening "I got the first part of the plan set up, however we got a soul reaper heading our way. At the current rate of pace he or she is gonna be here within a matter of minutes." He turned to where Ichigo was sitting "Ichigo, I want you to head out with Uryu and Senna to find this person and dispose of them."

"You want me to kill one of my comrades?" Ichigo questioned, not too keen on having to kill his allies "I get the fact, that we're gonna have to fight them, I have no problem with that, but isn't killing them gonna assist Aizen in the end?"

"That's why I said dispose. Honestly, you could kill the person if you want it's at your discression, but I need them to stay away or at least not interfere with the plan or alert Soul Society to our presence."

"Fine." He said as he pushed himself away from the table he was sitting at "Let's go." He commanded to his team as he grabbed Zangetsu

(Shinjiro)

"Where the hell am I?" the samurai in Shinigami clothes asked himself as he passed by some more tree that looked remarkable familiar like the last pair of trees he'd seen like twenty minutes ago. The man let out a tired sigh, as he stopped and rested for a moment "I can find my way around New York City itself, but I get lost in the country side that's familiar to my native homeland." The third seat then dropped his head in shame "Uncle would be so disappointed in me if I was still alive, and he found this out." He shifted his gaze over to some of the nearby foliage "And for some reason, I can't sense anything around me! I just hope Subaru isn't flaring her energy and I can't pick it up…"

Unknown to the lost Samurai he was being observed by Ichigo and company, who had managed to avoid a similar fate due to the fact Uryu was highly familiar with the area nearby Kukaku's place, at least this time around. The strawberry leader of the group frowned at seeing his sempai.

'Great, Shinjiro of all people.' He mentally cursed at the predicament, he wasn't expecting having to fight a familiar face so soon. He closed his eyes and steeled himself 'No, this good. This will weaken the other reapers a bit, since they'll lose one of their big guns, and just maybe…'

"Wait here. (1)" commanded Ichigo who didn't wait for their reply as he dropped down to the forest floor behind the samurai. The crunching of leaves and branches rang in the ears of Shinjiro who instinctively turned around hand on the hilt of his Zanpaktou ready to perform a quick draw to fend off any would be attackers or hollows who got the drop on him.

Taiga's breath escaped him as he saw the form of Ichigo Kurosaki rise up slowly from his landing, and stood up tall with a somber look on his face the green leaves of the tree he had fallen from fluttering in between the two men

"K-kohai?" the older man choked out, seeing but not believing who was less than ten feet away

"Hey, Shin." replied Kurosaki as he pulled out Zangetsu from it's resting place, already anticipating the fight between them. A small necessary evil for the sake of the afterlife.

As if on cue, the other's swordsman's face changed from peaceful surprise to vengeful hatred "YOU!" he hollered as he drew his Zanpaktou and slammed it against Ichigo's Zangetsu, who was holding out rather well against the angered man.

"Listen to me Shinjiro! It's important!" Ichigo yelled against the grinding steel as he pushed back Shinjiro whose sandals skidded against the dirt floor, trying to at least reason somewhat with him.

"Important?" he quoted as his sword's blade touched the ground as he lowered his arm. He had to close his eyes and try hard not to laugh 'What does he know of importance? He's probably going to blabber on about ego.' he thought bitterly, before returning Ichigo's gaze with a hard one of his own

With the woodland area clear, with the exception of Uryu and Senna above them, the two swordsmen continued glaring at the other waiting to see which would make the first move. After no further attack had been made, Shinjiro calmly moved his hand to his sheath and spoke "You don't know how I feel about you right now Kohai. A part of me is overjoyed to see you alive and well, but the other part…" he undid the band tying the sheath to his side "the more dominant half" he finished as the sheath fell to the ground with a dull clatter "wants to rip you apart for all that you've done!"

"It's not like that Shinjiro." Ichigo said with a distinct frown, trying to save the situation

"Enough! I don't want to hear it!" Shinjiro yelled out as his anger started to boil over, which he then re-raised his Asauchi at Ichigo as he sunk into a battle stance. Memories of all the times they shared flooding in between them and the hopes and dreams they had shared, Shinjiro shrugged them off since he had placed absolute trust and faith in Ichigo, and hoped one day he would lead the Soul Society to prosperity.

A dream that he came to the conclusion would never happen now, and would damn Soul Society to fire.

"Do you remember what I once told you?" he said back in a quiet voice "I said that if you ever hurt Shaolin or broke her heart I'd fucking kill you…I swore it on my Yamato Honor, and I AM NO LIAR!" he gripped his sword and pulled it back enough to where it pointed at Ichigo "Curse those who cross you! Muramasa! (2)"

The man's blade emitted a red light as the blade itself became coated in a very dull dark gray that reminded one of a sword that was never given any maintenance and was merely dragged from one battlefield to the next. Muramasa lost about six inches in length, which seemed to emphasis it as a close range weapon, while gaining a seemingly dark aura about the sword.

Ichigo swallowed the lump in his throat that had formed from nervousness, since he knew if he wasn't careful Muramasa would really screw him up with its special ability.

"On guard!" the blood thirsty samurai yelled as he charged forward determined to end the man he once called friend. Ichigo counter by swing his zweihandler at the shorter blade stopping the enraged man in his tracks though he knew it would take more than that to stop him.

Pushing his weight down he brought Zangetsu closer to cleaving the man's neck, seeing that the sword was approaching the samurai quickly flipped the blade over and stabbed into Ichigo's shoulder making him wince in pain as it entered and was violently ripped out, a dull gray streak covering the wound completely as they broke apart.

Having been struck Ichigo countered by kicking away Shinjiro sending him rolling across the ground to which he flipped over and landed back on his feet, with just enough time to raise his guard up against Ichigo's renewed assault. The two swordsman's blades bashed and clanged back and forth as nether could get an edge over the other.

"Hrrrah!" they both yelled as they returned to a dead lock, each one glaring into the other's eyes, one filled with hate the other with determination.

'Time to use that!' Ichigo stated as his reiatsu began to flood his blade and push his sempai back, throwing his shoulders forward he launched his opponent backward, as he still continued to guard against the crescent wave until he slammed into one of the many trees around them causing an explosion of reiatsu.

"Whoa." Senna said in awe of her brother for such an attack

'He certainly could match most of our opponents. I almost feel sorry for whoever gets in his way.' Ishida noted having known firsthand the power of Ichigo

"Sempai's tough. He's not down yet." Ichigo said to himself as he raised his guard up

Sure enough out of the smoke came a still clothed but panting Shinjiro "Is that your best!" he asked mockingly, his blood still boiling hot. He then flash stepped by Ichigo and slashed him on his right shoulder and arm before slashing his back.

Ichigo quickly wiped around as he tried to cover his blindside while seeing out of his peripherals that the wounds were covered in a large gray area and probably noted one going across his back, now he had to be careful, as he was now approaching dangerous territory with Muramasa.

'Alright, if remember correctly. I should be fine so long as he doesn't make contact with one of those grayed areas again.' Ichigo reminded himself, since during the year long stay and getting to know Shinjiro he'd become very familiar with the blood thirsty half of Shinjiro's Zanpaktou and it's cutting ability.

"You recall what Muramasa does don't you!" Shinjiro said as he blocked and parried another one of Ichigo's blows before trying to go for one of the various gray spots only to be denied by the young swordsman skilled bladesmanship

"Of course!" the strawberry grunted back 'Who could forget a blade that cuts you once for each and every grey spot on your body at the same time!'

"Good! That's means you'll forgive me for fucking up your corpse!" he screamed as he continued his blade duel with Ichigo, though he noticed it was becoming something of an uphill battle for him 'Damn, was he always this strong? A year ago he was practically forcing me to use Shikai, and now…now…he's beating me.'

(Elsewhere)

Far away from the battlefield, Subaru Kujo had stopped her walking and decided to sit down and release her spiritual power. Her investigation and chosen path had ended being something like a circle as it took her back to Rukongai and after questioning some of the soul, had come to the conclusion that nothing odd came this way. So she would wait until Shinjiro was done, before the two would perhaps return back home. While it was still mid day they did have quite a walk back. 'I wonder what I should do for Shaolin-dono.' The third seat thought as she laid back waiting for her husband's signal

(Ichigo v. Shinjiro)

The two men were going at it, though the fight seemed to still be going in Ichigo's favor despite the both of them bearing all kinds of cut marks and scars on their body. Shinjiro's hakama was a mess as it was drenched in blood and sweat from the fighting against this incredible opponent, his normally bobbed hair was pressed against his forehead. Ichigo was looking slightly better as he was missing only the right half of his hakama and his shoulder area, though he was still cautious as he had five gray streaks on his right hand side, one his cheek, the huge one on his back and the hole like one on his opposite shoulder. He was deeply grateful that he managed to stop Shinjiro from connecting to one of those spots.

So far…

Gathering his strength Ichigo slashed one of the nearby tree's horizontally before bringing his blade back and knocking it away like a baseball. Shinjiro quickly ducked over to the side so as to avoid the wooden projectile, and ran to finish this fight.

The pair's blades we're about to connect when Shinjiro changed things up "Kaze Kabe!" he yelled as the wall of wind strengthen himself in front of him and absorbed the blow whilst keeping him in place, while the samurai of the 1920's finally slashed his mark on the man's arm.

"I got you Ichigo!" Shinjiro yelled as all the gray marks on Ichigo's body lit up "Steel Flash!"

Ichigo let out a howl of pain as, all the gray marks on his body exploded with blood and pain, as if he had been re-sliced in all of those areas at once. The strawberry Shinigami staggered forward and fell to one knee, as he tried to catch his breath but wasn't given the chance as Shinjiro tried to put him out of his misery.

Little did Shinjiro know he would once again fall to clever deception, as Ichigo had done back a year ago "Sorry Shinjiro!" he yelled as he shot his elbow back into the vulnerable stomach of his friend, before spinning around and kicking him so hard he flew into one of the nearby trees and bounced off it

As Shinjiro struggled back to his feet he raised his head to see Ichigo standing several yards away with his sword raised up to the sky, white reiatsu blowing upward and encasing his body "But I can't lose here!" he then brought his sword crashing down as the white light went surging too the weakened samurai and engulfed him

…suga Tensho! Ichigo mentally heard the word, bringing him closer to finally learning the full name of the attack he had used much more readily

(Subaru)

Subaru shot up from her lying state as she felt a huge spike in spiritual pressure and enormous light in the distance that she gauged was where her husband would be. As she got up preparing to leave, she cast a glance a Seireitei in hesitation as to whether she should go inform them. 'No, what am I thinking.' She refocused on the task at hand 'I'll go get Shinjiro, and hurry back.' A morose thought then panged her 'if he's still alive…'

With that she left in the direction of the fading light pillar.

(Ichigo and Co.)

When the ray of light was over, Ichigo saw that after being slammed back through a tree by the exploding white energy from Zangetsu, the samurai hit the ground hard and fell into a near crumpled mess. Taiga's body began to stir slightly despite the massive damage he had sustained from the move, though it was only enough to lay on his side which left him defenseless as he couldn't grip his sword, and watch as Ichigo slowly approached him, his Zanpaktou resting against his shoulder. The teenage Shinigami continued walking forward in silence until he stood above his sempai and removed his blade from his shoulder.

Shinjiro looked into the brown eyes of his former friend "I..will not…surrender to…you!" he said defiantly, before spitting in the face of Ichigo 'Damn. We were right about his potential but not his heart.'

The spat upon man merely wiped it away without a second thought before kneeling down and extending his hand towards Shinjiro's body. Within a moment a light green energy pulsated from it and flowed unto the hurt samurai's body. 'Healing?' the confused Samurai confirmed at seeing the man start to treat his wounds

The pair sat in silence with their audience above them looking on wonder what would happen next. The quiet work of Ichigo was broken when he spoke up "Shinjiro, it's about time you listened to me. I didn't betray Soul Society, I was framed by the real traitor."

Shinjiro's tired eyes kept their linger gaze on him, but he kept his mouth quiet even though many thought were swimming in his head about what he meant and what he knew. "The traitor I speak of was also the one, who framed Keisuke and Yoruichi." Ichigo turned his head to stare into his friends eyes "Their not a fault. Believe me, I know how you felt when you saw that one person you loathe the most, but it's misguided. Shinjiro-sempai, I need your help, please, come with me and I'll answer the questions you have my friend."

"I-ichigo…" stuttered out Shinjiro, as he started to re-see the man he called friend not the one accused of being a traitor

"Come with me, Shinjiro. Soul Society is in danger from a traitor within." Ichigo warned desperately trying to convince him to help out

'His blade didn't radiate any evil…the core of his soul hasn't changed but it felt more convicted then before.' the wounded but fast mending samurai thought positively to himself "…fine. I'll trust you, friend."

Ichigo loaned his shoulder to his friend as he steadied himself so that they could return to Kukaku's place and they could talk and explain the situation in more detail, while also rest. An hour later and they team returned back, though Ichigo was outside giving a synopsis of what had occurred after he left Squad two that fateful day. Shinjiro merely took the information in, with occasional nodding of the head signifying his attention still focused on Ichigo.

"And that's what happened." Finished Ichigo as he looked into the surprisingly calm face of his friend, who seemed to be dwelling on the information, as his lips moved from side to side as if he wanted to say something but he couldn't

After his lips stopped swishing back and forth his hand pressed itself against his leg as he sat on the patio of Kukaku's place "Alright. I'll help for now Ichigo-sama. But I have to ask in earnest, do you think you can take down Aizen without so much as knowing Bankai?" he questioned quietly "If he has the power to overthrow Soul Society, then he must be ridiculously strong, what chance do we have?"

Ichigo remained silent, as he really didn't have an answer to that question. As things stood he could argue that he was strongest person on the infiltration team since Keisuke and Yoruichi had been out of fighting for the last fifty years, and only starting to get back into practice. Senna was about a fourth or third seat in terms of skill now, while Uryu couldn't really be placed since he fought differently.

The strawberry was going to open his mouth to try and reassure him, when the voice of Keisuke Urahara interrupted "That's what the Bankai training is going to be for." He stated from the shoji door, as he stepped outside having nearly finished his plans for the infiltration. He walked over and handed Ichigo what looked to be a small map that showed an X mark near the second division. "Ichigo, I want you to head to that spot after causing a little bit of havoc, there either Yoruichi or myself will be there to start your Bankai training." The blond gave a bob of his head in Shinjiro's direction "The kid here has a point, this mission can't just hinge on us. We need your help and right now, you're our best chance at stopping the execution and saving Rukia and obtain the Hogyoku."

The ex-Taicho then turned back to Shinjiro "As for you Taiga-san, we're gonna need you to also cause some havoc and if possible get a few other Shinigami to help us out." He said with a serious face before wiping out his fan and grinning "The more the merrier after all."

'Help out? OH!' Shinjiro mused to himself, before remembering Subaru who was probably still out there looking for him "Ichigo-sama, Subaru she's here with me. If we go find her maybe we can convince her to help us out as well." He said with a grin at slowly reuniting the gang

Ichigo smiled "Right lead the way."

And with that the two flash stepped off, in search of a way ward wife.

(Ichigo and Shinjiro)

"Ichigo-sama, would you hang back a bit, while I calm her down and restrain her, we don't need any more violence today, and I'd rather not hurt my wife." The samurai requested as they sped through the country side following the still blasting her reiatsu spy

"Got it. I'll suppress mine, and won't move in till you restrain her hands." He replied as he slowed his speed down considerably and started to mask his spiritual signature underneath Shinjiro who started to broadcast his, while the once Kohai hid amongst some tall grass.

Not moments later did, an agitated Subaru show up to where Shinjiro was, her mask down and tears streaks going down her face, as if she'd been crying. She ran over towards Shinjiro and buried her face in his chest and pounding her fist against his still ripped Hakama "You idiot! Do you have any idea how worried I was about you! I've been looking for you for past two hours, where were you! I…I thought you died!"

Shinjiro's relieved face turned into a bitter frown as he didn't mean to do that, though he didn't have a lot of say in the circumstances "Easy, easy. Su-chan. I'm alright. I'm not going anywhere." He said gently as he stroked the back of her head and pulled her in closer

She stopped gripping his clothes and pulled back so she could wipe away her tears. It was then that she noticed that he looked like a wild man with his ripped clothes; several closed cut marks and dried up blood "You're a mess." She said softly as she appraised him "What happened?"

"Let's sit down." The man said guiding the both of the two the grassy hillside. "But first I need you to give me your wrists ok."

"My wrists?" she said questioningly at his rather bizarre request through she still extended her arms out to which he clasped them firmly before flaring out his reiatsu

"What are you-" she didn't finish as Ichigo Kurosaki former fourth seat of the second division appeared in her line of sight behind Shinjiro. It took only a moment for her eyes to blip between the two of them and her own anger started to rise. "Ichigo." She said maliciously, wishing that the man would drop dead again.

"Calm down Subaru." The husband firmly told his wife, which made her look at him like he had grown another head

"Are you insane, Shinjiro?"

Shinjiro hardened his steely glare at her which caused the spy to flinch since he wasn't one to stare down someone without reason "Please, Su-chan. Just listen to me. Ichigo wasn't a traitor. It was part of Aizen's plan."

"W-what? Aizen? But that doesn't…" she quickly shut her mouth as she saw the softening of Shinjiro's eyes and quickly looked towards Ichigo who still looked the same as always. She lowered her head and stared at the grass 'Shin-kun isn't one for lying…so we were fooled?'

"Do you have any tangible proof?" she asked as she began to settle down which in turn caused Shinjiro to release his grip on her hands, since he knew she wasn't going to try and trick them

Ichigo sighed as he scratched the back of his head "No, all I really got is here say, and the fact that my Senkaimon unit went missing right after running into a Taicho with silver hair and creepy smile, but I know there's more enemies than just him, after all one man can't overthrow Soul Society."

'Not to mention that bitch Grand Fucker and what he said back in the cemetery.'

"You mean Gin Ichimaru." She said stating the man's name, to which Ichigo confirmed 'So…he's still him, which means…' Subaru allowed herself to smile "There's still hope."

Shinjiro smiled as well having caught her meaning "True, but he needs all the assistance he can get. Which is where we come in, as vassals of the Kurosaki-Fon household; we must serve and protect our lordship and his wife (3)."

The other two could only dumbly 'huh?' at the third seat's words which brought a sad frown unto the Shinigami's face "I thought you said that you were going to marry Shaolin, was that not true?"

The female third seat perked up at the news "Really?" as she looked at her husband before turning back to an embarrassed Ichigo

"Y-yeah, but I left the ring in my room." He said bashfully. To his surprise when he glanced back he saw that both of the third seats were on their hands and knees bowing before him in submission.

"Fear not, Ichigo-sama, we will do our best to assist you in your utmost endeavors."

"W-what?" Ichigo said saying the only thing that could explain his confusion 'Ichigo-sama. What the hell's wrong with them?'

'Would you look at that, hey king you picked up two little pets, you gonna keep them!' Hichigo mocked to his light side

'Shut up.' He bit back to his inner hollow "Look you two please don't call me Ichigo-sama ok. Ichigo is just fine."

"Of course Ichigo-dono." replied the still kneeling samurai

The strawberries eyebrow twitched in annoyance at the next honorific "Ichigo." He stressed

Subaru was the one who responded next "Of course, sir."

"Ichigo." He said growing more frustrated now

"Hai, Master." Shinjiro replied as he tried to hide his smirk behind his still bowed head

"You two are doing this on purpose aren't you?" he asked the seemingly obvious question

"Whatever are you talking Goshujin-sama?" the female replied back, her head still bowed though she too was having fun messing with Ichigo.

Ichigo finally having enough put a hand to his forehead and shook it, clearly annoyed by his newly acquired vassals…who were idiots. "Just follow me, and don't cause any trouble until things are fully explained ok?" he said turning away to head back to Kukaku's place

The samurai and spy combo stood up fully "But, of course, Your Excellency." They said as they started to tail behind Ichigo determined to annoy him as much as time permitted.

"Just stop talking to me." He semi-ordered, since he know had to deal with Hichigo in his mind scape and his constant quipping about the events and adding –sama to his king ending.

While Ichigo was busy dealing with his problem while leading the two back to home base, Shinjiro turned to back to Subaru and spoke in a low whisper. "It seems everything isn't the same, but it is at the same time."

The pale girl nodded her head "True, but we'll know for sure when we get to where Ichigo is taking us. In either case, time is short and most definitely not our side."

The dark eyed samurai touched his wife's hand "Let's hope we can stall things enough for Ichigo to become what he once was, otherwise this is going to be for nothing, and sis will still die."

"Pray for a miracle…" she said in quiet concern as they continued following their leader and friend.

Having continued walking the trip back was mostly quiet and uneventful. As they approached the main building using the front entrance, the two third seats stopped and marveled at it one feeling inspired by such a design, the other dreading of who or what they were going to meet.

Approaching the Shoji door, Ichigo knocked "Hey it's me, and I got some more help."

The door slid open and the once blonde Keisuke Urahara had dark black hair and regular Shinigami clothing. "Ahh, good you're just in time…I just came up with a slight adjustment in the plan, that'll work wonders for us." He then looked back to the new Shinigami he hadn't met yet, before turning back to Ichigo "Bring them inside I've already fed Ein a sleeping pill so he'll be out for at least a day and a half, plus with being trapped in Kukaku's basement, we won't have no problem discussing the plan."

"As long as you tell me why you dyed your hair," Ichigo said as he and his new servants followed him inside.

As they walked towards the meeting room Keisuke leaned over towards Ichigo "So you did explain to them what's going on right? They're not gonna try and kill Yoruichi." He asked since he didn't know how much Ichigo had talked to them, but Ichigo had told him about the others in the anti-Yoruichi squad.

Ichigo turned his head slightly "Well, I told Shinjiro and he spoke with Subaru, and they haven't done anything hostile since then, so I'm guessing they won't try anything but I don't think Yoruichi-san and them should stay around each for too long."

"I'll take it into consideration." He said as he opened the door revealing the rest of the infiltrators. As everyone took a seat around the table and looked towards Keisuke, he unfurled a map showing the topography of Seireitei. "All right boys and girls, let's go over the plan one more time. Also pay attention because I decided to change things up."

"Like what?" asked Senna from her spot beside Uryu and Kukaku

Keisuke looked over to her spot and smiled "I'm glad you asked see originally, I was gonna have Kukaku-san launch us using the flower crane cannon in the back but I decided against it after we got Shinjiro."

"Me?" said man questioned as he wondered what he inspired from the once blond Shinigami

The mundane looking scientist nodded "You see now we have a better avenue of entry. What we're going to do is this, Shinjiro after this meeting is over I want you to go here." He moved his finger from the corner of the page and moved it to the east gate "Talk to the gatekeeper and tell him that you and a bunch of Shinigami are going to be coming through here tomorrow, and to open the gate for you, if he asks about orders tell him that your leader sent a hell butterfly ahead, but we just wanted be sure you'd be expecting us."

The samurai nodded his head as he could do something like that rather easily. Next the leader pointed to Kukaku's place on the map "Once that's been pre-established, everyone is going to hit the south gate."

"We're hitting Jidanbo's gate? That's not gonna be easy." Uryu commented as he was familiar with the rumors surrounding the impenetrable south gate guarded by Jidanbo the south wall

"Normally yes, but Ichigo and Senna should be more than enough," pointed out Uryu's granduncle "Besides the both of them, or at least Ichigo, is stronger than me back when I was their age. Besides we need Ichigo to hit that gate more specifically for the gate keeper to let it be known who's still alive."

Ichigo spoke next "I think I see where this is going which explains the hair dye."

"Right, I had my dear nephew bring me some human world hair dye and after modifying it a bit, it became instant hair dye. After hitting the gate I'll put some in your hair, that way when we reach the east gate, all the Shinigami will be looking for an orange haired Shinigami, not a black haired one."

"That's all well and dandy, but what the hell am I supposed to do?" asked Kukaku in slight irritation

Surprisingly it was the human mode Yoruichi who spoke "What we want you to do is tomorrow, to launch the flower crane cannon and have a cannon ball hit the barrier above the Seki Seki rock, that way it'll throw them into a panic and think either we successfully infiltrated but got separated or we're attacking from the outside in which case they'll send some reapers out to look for us."

"But why won't they just send people after initially seeing us at the south gate?" asked Senna since it seemed rather slow responsive on the enemy reapers part.

"The reason is news only travels as fast a Soul reaper or if you're lazy a hell butterfly." Ichigo explained "Jidanbo can't leave his gate so after we force him to send a hell butterfly to alert Soul Society of our presence and leave which he'll assume is an arrogant declaration of war, we'll sneak in through the side, and since most of us are wearing reaper gear we'll be let in and crane cannon will be a flashy but mere distraction."

"I see we'll be inside long after the east gate keeper hears such information." Said Subaru deeply impressed by the plan and sheer genius behind it on Keisuke and Ichigo's part. "But what happens after we're in?"

"Umm, who are you? And why are you here?" Senna asked since she didn't know the ninja-looking person beside the guy she knew as Shinjiro, and even then she barely knew him

"We're here to help Ichigo." Shinjiro answered as he scratched his cheek in embarrassment "Don't worry we won't cause any trouble."

Senna nodded her head "Alright." She then turned back to the shinobi person and extended her hand "Hi, I'm Senna it's nice to meet you sir."

The third seat pulled down her face mask and tried to speak in a calm correcting tone, as she lightly shook the girl's hand "Subaru Kujo, and I'm Shin-kun's wife."

An uneasy silence passed between the pair, as the both of them continued to stare at one another, while Senna sweat dropped at her unseen mistake "Ahh…but you…ummm" she tried to put the ideas in her head into socially acceptable words

"Don't worry I understand." Subaru replied kind of knowing her apprehensiveness for the hard to spot social blunder

Back at the end of the table Keisuke clapped his hand "Great, now that everyone's friend let's continue the plan. But Kujo-san raises a point, 'what happens afterwards' firstly we'll divide into two man teams, me and Uryu, Senna and Subaru, Shinjiro and Yoruichi and lastly Ichigo you get the mystery fighter that Kukaku promised." He then turned to Kukaku "Which speaking of where is he?"

The wounded fireworks master tilted her head away and noticed the time on the clock "He'll be here in 3…2…1…"

"Don't kill me I'm sorry sis for being late!" a large muscular man yelled as he crashed into the room's shoji walls while riding a giant boar like creature that had the Kanji for 'Bonny' on the side. The boar came to a screeching halt as it sent it's rider across the table, above a ducking Ichigo and straight into the hard wall.

Ichigo slowly got up from his chair and gazed at the man who was now on all fours shaking the comb webs and migraine that he no doubt gained from the harsh landing. The partner of the guy looked up towards the ceiling and spoke as if he was talking to another person above them that no one could see "Please kill me now." He said in a soft plea

His request however was denied as the rest of the group saw the rider get up fully. The man was a little shorter than Ichigo with dark black hair like Kukaku's but it fanned out in the back, while two side burns remained visible. On top of the man's head was a white bandana with red explosion-like marks and just underneath the man's cap was a pair of goggles. The man's clothes was a white tunic and black vest with a red obi, and a hilt exposed the hilt of some kind of weapon.

The ones who arrived from the human world immediately noted that he'd look exactly like Ein, if his nose was smaller, skin a bit tanner, dressed in a white business suit and had a slightly rugged expression and goatee.

'Wonderful…' Ichigo thought with a face palm

The still nameless boar rider turned around having dusted himself off and looked at the gathered crowd. He was about to speak when his temper flared at seeing so many Shinigami gathered in his and Kukaku's house "What are you stinking soul reapers doing here?" he asked in disdain

"That's enough Ganju." commanded the female Shiba as she leaned on the table with her good arm "You're gonna helps these people out, for the good of the universe or shit like that. You're gonna put up with it and deal however…" she proclaimed turning back towards Keisuke "feel free to kill as many reapers as you want."

Ichigo slammed his fist against the table "Now hold on what's this about killing other Shinigami, we're just here to save Rukia and stop Aizen that's it."

Keisuke sighed as he took his hat off and began to fidget with it "I'm not saying to kill everyone you meet, but it does go into the next point in the plan."

"Which is?" asked Senna since she wasn't all that eager to be killing other people. Hollows she was fine since they'd go to a better place, but actually living humanoid people, she' couldn't bring herself to do that.

"The disposing of our opposition. Aizen's got the numbers game working in his favor, but because of the various precautions we've taken such as dawning reaper garb, and going through the side after most of the enemy is going to be concentrated at the south gate for a day or so, that won't matter. Once inside and we've all gone our separate ways, I want all of you pick a few fights and beat up some of the soul reapers. By doing this we'll send all the squads into a panic since they won't whose an enemy and whose a friend, which gives the edge since we know who our allies our and can talk our way out of trouble, which is why every team has an experienced Shinigami with them." He said glancing at Ichigo, Shinjiro, Subaru, and mentally nodding to himself "After that has been done I want everyone to make their way to the penance tower with the exception of Ichigo as I want him to get to a specific place for specialized training."

"I'm guessing you mean the Bankai training from earlier." he said repeating what was said before when he got handed the map detailing where to find some kind of cave. The shinigami then looked over at the other two Soul reapers "What about them?" he asked

"I want to make sure this works first besides, their semi-recognized people they'd be able throw things into further pandemonium if people saw they were traitors and on a more hopeful note, maybe they can get a few defecties to our side. We need all the help we can get." Keisuke answered

Shinjiro turned back to Ichigo "The gesture is appreciated, but I'm rather at odds with Muramasa unsurprisingly. Though the other half is more aligned, we both agree on not having to fight."

"I don't possess the capability to use Bankai, at least according to Norn." stated the samurai's wife from her chair "Not that I would be much help."

"Oh?" said Keisuke "And what exactly do your Shikai's do?"

Shinjiro looked at his wife and gave a 'why not' gesture, before the both of them got out of their chairs. Shinjiro went first "Well, I'll explain the first part of my Muramasa even though I hate the maniac. Muramasa was the second part of my Zanpaktou I awakened since it was the more conflicting part, Muramasa ability is that it leaves grey streaks upon it's ravaged victims and upon making contact again on one of those streaks well…" he trailed off and extended his hand towards Ichigo "You know the results. Though the good news is that you only get struck on each mark once, but it happens at the same time to all."

"Thank god for healing kido." He replied sagely

"However Muramasa is an evil bloody thirsty lunatic-"

Unknown to the explaining Samurai the two Kurosaki's sweat dropped 'Where have I heard that before?'

"and doesn't make a distinction between enemies or allies, so I could cut one of you and leave a gray streak which would light up along with the other when I activate it's special skill. Let see…oh he also unfortunately boost my aggressive responses to situations." He summarized with a thoughtful look "Any questions so far?"

The Quincy of the group spoke up "Is there any way to get rid of the gray streaks if we're cut?"

Shinjiro shook his head "No. I'd have to re-sheath Muramasa to make it disappear which would also make the enemies disappear." He then stopped and thought about it a little harder "Well I suppose if I went unconscious or died it would stop too but…"

He closed his mouth having finished that explanation and waited a second for any more questions. When none came he open his mouth again to lecture he supposed "The second part I'll show you now." He stepped back and drew his sword "Show them their humanity, Masamune." He said quietly as the blades edge flashed and small sucking sound could be heard.

Everyone looked at the sword which still looked like an ordinary katana and didn't change at all, and then looked around the room to see nothing had changed or happened, to which the teen calmly walked over to where Keisuke was and looked at him. "Could you try releasing your Zanpaktou, Urahara-san."

Hat and clogs then proceeded to do as instructed changing his cane back into a sword form before saying the release command. The result was nothing. The blade didn't so much as release the light showing it had changed into Shikai state, and his power output remained at the same constant level that it was prior to him walking over next to him.

"I think I get it." the scientist said aloud bringing together the various hypothesis of his head together and combining them

"Yeah as you can see, Masamune seals and negates abnormal power around me or directed towards me. So pretty much right now Keisuke you're only as strong as your endurance level, natural strength and hand to hand skill, while I retain my ability to use Kido, and flash step." Informed Keisuke as he returned back to his place beside Subaru "However, it's not perfect since the area of effect is only about ten feet around me, and once you're out." He alluded to which Keisuke tried again and was rewarded with Benihime ready to sing an opera of red

"Right, once you're out then you can just release your Zanpaktou on the spot. Also unlike most Shinigami, I don't get any stronger for releasing my Zanpaktou I remain however strong I was at the time of release. It also doesn't really work on people who already have their release out like Ichigo, but it does stop them from using certain long range attacks circumstances permitting." The male third seat finished his summary, before dropping down into a bow at the hips and resealing his Zanpaktou, as he stepped behind Subaru who looked towards Ichigo

"Master would you please stand beside me, oh, and grab that pen while you're at it." she requested, while Ichigo got up from his chair and walked over beside her. Once he was there his task accomplished, she looked at her left arm and maneuvered her right hand into the sleeve and pulled out the hilt of a short sword "Lament your fate, and change the outcome, Norn." She chanted as the blade activated before shrinking down to a small hand held balisong knife with a curved black handle

"Good." She took a step back leaving a small gap between them "Now everyone I want you to look at the pen in Ichigo's hand." She looked back at Ichigo "On three I want you to release it." she requested to which he gave her an alright "One, two three…" she counted down

When Ichigo dropped the pen he felt something cold race over him. His eyes then widened when he saw that the pen was floating in mid-air "What the?" he asked as he passed his hand underneath it a few times to make sure nothing was holding it up, he then turned to Subaru who was still quiet but seemed to be concentrating on something "You're making it float?"

"It's not floating Ichigo. Look again." She said

Kneeling down so the pen was eye level, he strained his eyes and then saw it, it was gradually falling "You're slowing it down." He stated his observation of the phenomena

"Not entirely, while I could do that if I wanted to, it's not what I'm doing right now. For a hint look at the audience."

Standing back up he turned to the gather individuals, and looked at them for a little bit, he didn't see anything off with them. They looked like they were looking on expecting something, he blinked as he tilted his head before glancing behind him and then staring back. He kept his gaze on them for a few more seconds until it hit him.

'Their eyes, they're not blinking at all.' He discovered and then turned back to Subaru, who noticed he caught on "You're speeding us up aren't you."

"Correct. Norn's power allows me to speed up or slow people or things down within three feet of me up to about 100x their normal amount, provide what I wish to influence doesn't exceed that range and the target of 100x times is only one and it's small, and the effect is diminished by the amount of objects or people I wish to influence. So the more people I focus my attention on the less the result. Though it works well for me since I can speed up or slow down to help our allies while hindering the enemy."

"Rather practical. You can avoid most hits if they aren't aware of your Zanpaktou's ability, while using the scientific equation of force equal mass times acceleration to increase the power of you own."

"Correct, however I can't keep this up forever since I'm limited to my own perseverance and energy levels, and I am also nowhere near as strong as you or Shinjiro nor am I built for battle. But I will assist, like Shinjiro, to the best of my ability for as long as I can." She commented as she bowed before her superior "Let's bring things back to normal speed. (4)" She said returning back to her stand position

Another cold wave washed over Ichigo's nerves as he saw the floating pen quickly accelerate and tap against the floor and roll away.

"Huh? Did I miss something?" commented Senna as she could have sworn she saw Ichigo's body blur for a moment before rubbing her eyes

"Perhaps it didn't work?" Uryu said since his keen eye didn't see anything happen with the pen, and was going to get up and investigate it to see if maybe there was a cut mark they didn't see.

"Please keep this information a secret as I am still apart of squad two as are you Ichigo." The pale girl asked the orange haired teenager who said he would.

Keisuke scratched his head not understand what happened but shrugged it off, since if Ichigo was cool with whatever happened he wouldn't push it and decided to finish the meeting "Well the talent show was nice, now to put the finishing touches on this meeting. No matter what happens try not to draw too much attention to yourself, because each team is on their own, but if you do end up going too far, then just keep going all out that way the other can slip in through the cracks and save Rukia, which in turn stops Aizen's plan, while we build an effective counter measure in Ichigo, but still our chances look grim. So try and remain focused on getting to that tower."

Everyone in the room nodded their heads in agreement. "I'll right, Taiga-san, you're off. Everyone else, get some rest, Kukaku take care of him, until we can get back." Keisuke dismissed giving a few last minute order and reminders.

The team got from their chairs and exited the room, while Shin went to go send his request to the gate keeper. Keisuke and Uryu returned back to their room, to make sure the Tenshintai was still in working order and to check their equipment, Yoruichi walked with Kukaku out back to go talk with her on the patio about something that seemed to be bothering her, while Subaru followed Ichigo and Senna to another room, since it looked like Ichigo wanted to talk to them about something.

(Yoruichi and Kukaku)

The two busty women sat outside the building looking at the Seireitei in the distance a bottle of sake in between Kukaku's fingers while Yoruichi was sipping from her dish shaped cup. "It's been far too long since we last spoke." Yoruichi said dreamily

Kukaku eyes moved away from the white city in the distance to the nekomata beside her "Heh! No kidding." She took a quick swig from the sake bottle "Can't believe the trouble you got yourself into."

Yoruichi grinned a cheshire grin as she moved her cup to receive some more sake "I'm surprised you're sending Ganju. Especially after losing Kaien." She stated seeing through the thinly veiled discomfort

"Ganju is his own man now. Yeah, I signed him up, but he needs to get past the petty grudge against the reapers." She set down her bottle and leaned back her arms cushioning behind her head "I admit it's because of my shallow outlook that I broke away from Seireitei, I was young and stupid. After practically raising Ganju on my own, I can't help but wonder what woulda happened if I at least thought things through."

Yoruichi quirked an eyebrow "You're regretting it?"

"Not necessarily. I absolutely love the freedom I got, but I'm just saying I could have been more aware of how my actions would affect the people around me. I just want break Ganju of that by having him work alongside you guys. You're reapers but you're different." She smirked to herself as she closed her eyes "You absolutely suck at what you do, and don't really follow the rules but you're trying to save the afterlife, and I think that's something Ganju needs to put things in perspective for him. I don't forgive Soul Society for causing the death of Kaien, but I do know he was just doing his best…" she opened her eyes and glanced at Yoruichi "besides that guy looks like Kaien, and since hair is going to be dyed black, I think he might just be quicker to accept and move on that's why I wanted him to be on his team."

"Were you always this compassionate? I wonder if you're really the premier fireworks expert of Rukongai." Yoruichi teased since she knew on the inside Kukaku was kind of a softy, not that she let show with her commanding presence

A tick mark formed on the D bombs head "Ah shut it what do you know! I'm Kukaku fucking Shiba, and when I want something done or I want to do something, I don't let anything get in my way. I'm the number one fireworks MASTER in all of Rukongai, and I'm gonna give those damn reapers a show they'll never forget! (5)"

The two quickly shared a laugh before returning back to their drinking and enjoy the time to catch up on things. Yoruichi could only hope her meeting with Soifon could be as easy as this, though she wasn't willing to place any bets on it.

(Ichigo and the girls)

Steeping through the room that Ichigo was staying in, the girls sat upon his bed while he took to the nearby chair that was in the room. "Thanks for coming, there's actually a few things I wanted to discuss in private." The high powered fourth seat said as he turned his attention towards Subaru "I wanted to ask you something that I've been keeping in the back of my head."

"I will answer to the best of my abilities, Ichigo." She said flatly

Ichigo leaned against the nearby table while facing the girl "I know for a fact that you're older than me, and you've been in the second division for a while, so you might be able to answer a question I have. What I want to ask you is are there any birth records regarding in the number of children born from my mother Masaki Kurosaki? I ask because the only real 'hospital' would be the fourth division, and I doubt mother would have any birth records regarding it, since she never mentioned I had a kid sister."

The pensive third seat stopped and thought about it "No. I don't really know anything about that. Masaki-san, was long retired before I joined up, so I wasn't around then, but perhaps Unohana-taicho might know something regarding that, you've mentioned she was a family friend and considering her profession, she might have been at the delivery. Just something to keep in mind, when this is over."

Ichigo turned his eyes towards his to be determined sibling "Yeah, I wasn't expecting much but at least I got some kind of lead."

Senna frowned "So you haven't accepted it?" she said sounding a little hurt

"It's not that." He refuted, trying not to seem cold or distant about her reason for joining "I just I'm worried about you. I won't be there to watch your back, and it…scares me. We really just met, and we got a lot of time to make up for, I was trying to take an active stance in helping you and me, understand our own family."

Senna smirked shyly "T-thanks that-that means a lot."

"Don't worry, I'll ensure she goes the safest route to the penance tower." Subaru promised to Ichigo "But, I will have to report on occasion but she should be able to handle herself."

The ribbon wearing girl gave an affirmative nod as she kicked her legs up and hopped of the bed a big smile on her face "Just you watch Brother, I'll show you how much I've grown, since we first met!" she declared proudly thrusting her thumb at herself

Ichigo smiled care freely "I don't doubt it at all…now let's all get some rest."

"Good night, Ichigo/Night Bro!" the girl said as the left the room to go rest themselves

(That night)

As the sleeping form of Ichigo shifted over in his bed dreaming and hoping for the success in tomorrow's endeavor, the form of a man stepped out of the shadows. The man was slightly taller than him, with tan skin and a slight beard that went into a goat tee. His hand swept down from his spiky black hair, and rested itself against his cheek with an O tattoo on it.

The man was smiling "Hard to believe you're as strong as you are and haven't even fully awakened to my side yet." He closed his eyes and allowed a slight chuckle "I know I'm not the best dad, but I've had my eye on you ever since I sensed you in the human world. You probably never noticed though, since you always have your head in the clouds and scowl on your face." He then quietly walked beside the bed and kneeled down before shaking his head "I thought I lost you and Ma-chan after that fire and only found your sister. I wish I could have been the dad I once was…but I want you to know I'm always proud of you, and expect you to be the man of the house." He softly ruffled Ichigo's hair before standing back up his white clothes brushing against the side of the bed. He stopped before exiting the room a brown katana with a red hilt at his side "I don't plan on messing with your big hero moment, but I need to go fishing, if we see each other again. I promise to be more honest. Stay safe son."

As he exited the room, he wandered down the hallway, and opened another door and saw in the bed this time was Senna Kurosaki. Walking towards her he saw, that her eye lids were twitching as if she was living something, the man deduced it was probably training of some kind to send her in with confidence. Shifting his gaze from her face he looked at her hand that had the strange barely visible tattoo of a snake biting itself.

He placed his hand against it and closed his eyes "Mirokumaru." He said in a whisper "I know you can hear me inside of her, continue in making my daughter strong enough to survive the upcoming battle, but know that if you don't stop corrupting her body with your seal, I will have no trouble killing you. You work for her because you are a part of her, do not forget this, as you're body will also soon decay should you take over. Don't think I'm asking you to go easy on her, just bear it closely to mind." He then pulled away, but as he did Senna tossed over slightly

"mmm…tentacles…" she muttered out while her face turned into a frown from what he guessed was a kinky nightmare, which probably was response from his recipient

"Hmph. She at least has her mother's creative mind." He mused before stepping back and disappearing from the room at incredible speeds.

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Blackout2010: (sigh) finally that's over and done. Now, I need to focus on school cause I've been slacking off on writing this. So it may be a very long time before this gets updated again, I don't know. But I ask for your patience. Anyway I'll be trying to write when I can and will still be responding back to all the vocal people out there. Lastly thank-you everyone for helping me reach the 150 mark, you guys rock! So until next chapter, I'm out.

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The following out take/Omake was based on my own cognitive criticism of myself as I write the things down on the word document. I like to spin things that bother or annoy me into a way that entertains me. The concept behind it was the willingness and understanding that might have seen as unbelievable regarding Subaru not being suspicious of them, and going with them so quietly.

(Out take/Omake: Critical taste)

"You know I just realized something." Said Subaru as she continued following behind Ichigo and beside Shinjiro

"What's that exactly?" asked Ichigo from over his shoulder

"I didn't even bother to question if you two were really you and not some kind of shape shifting monster." She stated bringing the trio to an abrupt halt

"What the heck made you think of that?" Ichigo the de facto leader said aloud wondering where she would have gotten off to say something like that

The girl crossed her arms and said "Well I mean a giant rift opens up into the sky, Shinjiro and I separate, a giant explosion of reiatsu appears where he would be, and then suddenly the both of you are on understanding terms it seems…odd."

Shinjiro cocked his head back to Ichigo with a contemplative look "She does have a point."

Ichigo now turned around fully to address the sudden concern "Well, why don't you have Shin here, tell you something only you two would know. Would that help?"

The other man agreed "I don't mind."

"Very well."

The girl turned back to her supposed husband, and began to think of something to ask, but as the more she tried to find a question to ask, the more she couldn't really determine what would be something personal "You know what, why don't you share something and we'll see." She offered

"Share something huh? Hmmm…" the samurai brought his hand to his chin and looked up to search through his memory bank "I know. On your back left shoulder you have a birth mark that can only be seen when your topless!" he said with a dramatic point.

'Whooooa…' Ichigo thought

Subaru on the other hand closed her eyes and counted to ten in her head to stop herself from slapping Shinjiro across the face for his statement even if it was true. She was about to voice her confirmation of the statement but she took too long, and Shinjiro took her silence the wrong way.

"Not good enough? Then how abooout, oh! Your cooking is absolutely horrendous!" he said with a kid like smile

"W-what do you mean my cooking is horrible!" she asked hotly, she then pointed an accusing finger back at Shinjiro "You always told me that you enjoyed it!"

Shinjiro scratched the back of his head "Well, I do enjoy receiving your occasional lunches and dinners you make but…

"'But' what! I try very hard on making those dishes!" she said her temper starting to pick up for once

"I think that might be the problem…" Ichigo commented throwing in his two yen.

"What do you mean 'might be the problem'?" she asked turning back to her superior

Shinjiro sighed despite his still grinning face "I regret to say that while I do enjoy receiving such meals, consuming them is another matter all together."

"It-it it can't be that bad."

Shinjiro shook his head in disagreement "You burnt rice, Subaru. You burnt, one of, the main agricultural products of Japan and China, and you're Japanese yourself."

Subaru cringed under the criticism "ahh…w-well…"

Shinjiro calmly placed his hand on her shoulder in seemingly understanding "It's ok. I know for a fact your too busy at work to keep your nose in a cookbook, that's why I'll try and cook more often, after all I really can't rely on your for that particular request."

"Gee, thanks for rubbing it in!"

"Actually I've tried his cooking, it's pretty good." Ichigo commented further putting concrete evidence against Subaru's claims

Said girl looked back at Ichigo incredulously "Even you, your Excellency?"

"Yeah." He said ignoring her jab back at him

"Ha ha, don't worry. I don't mind being the cook for our invasion, I got nothing better to do when we're not fighting." Taiga joked lightly

"Fine then." The only girl of the trio said begrudgingly "but you're sleeping on the couch for all of next week, and you can cook for your own damn self."

Shinjiro winced at the stinging comment and tried to calm the wife back to him only for her to brush him off. "Come on let's get out here." The superior of the two said slowly enjoying that things were going back to the normalcy he once knew.

(Out take/Omake: Critical taste end)

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Number guide to explanations

1. I was tinkering with the idea, that the three of them should all attack him at once, but I decided against it. Reason being, Ichigo is more than a match for him at this time, since he's between Fuka and Taicho, besides Shinjiro really wouldn't fight at full power if he had to go against a girl, which would be an unfair advantage for Ichigo's side, and I didn't want him to seem overpowered with being able to fight off Ichigo, Senna (3-4 seat), and Uryu (fuka?).

, I know that Tite Kubo actually did make a Muramasa of his own (this was well after the fact I already made mine however, and wasn't aware of his). It does in fact have different abilities since mine was more based of the Wikipedia story of Muramasa and Masamune, and my own general knowledge of it's rumors. It can be found here: .org/wiki/Masamune#Legends_of_Masamune_and_Muramasa

3. That wouldn't be all out of context given Shin's background. But in case it's hard to understand. Shin and Su are the vassal (servants) to Soifon (master/mistress), if Ichigo were to marry her, he would be their master as well by marriage.

4. For Shin and Su's Zanpaktou and ability, I'm sure someone is going to give me some level of flak. Anyway, if you have a question or want explain it to you in simpler terms or break it down further PM me or review me (whatever let's me contact you). And I'll go over it and help you understand. Oh, if any of you out there want to use their Zanpaktou for your stories, Fanfic, whatever, go ahead just give credit where credit is do, that' s all I ask,

5. If it seems like she got over it quickly, I apologize. But if I were to try and give depth into her inner psyche and go into long explaination and character development, I'd never get to SS, heck if I were to do that for everyone I'd just be entering the Karakura arc now.

6. These were the two songs that helped inspire me (well along with everyone else (^8^)) the titles are: 'Sussano' by Daisuke Ishiwatari and 'Reach out to the truth' Shoji Meguroi