32 Chapter 42: First Meetings

I sat in my office of Division 9, filling out reports. Shuhei came in with another stack a dreaded moment.

"Here's another for you" He said putting it down

"Thank you, and how's the morning training coming along?" I sighed

"Good, I would say some of our men have become more proficient and effective" He answered

"That's nice" I said

Taking a look at the clock seeing it was my lunch time.

"Well you better go get something to eat Vice-Captain, don't want you to go starving" I advised getting my lunch from under my desk

Shuhei bowed and left, I would always forget to pack lunch. When Nemu heard this she would make it for me. Repeatedly telling her she didn't have to, but she insisted since she had little free time.

"Kakashi" Captain Utitake

"Utitake? What brings you here?" I said as the smell of curry hit my nose

As I began to dig in a photo of Shinji Hirako flew on my desk. He seemed to be dressed in a school uniform of sorts. Glancing at it as I took a bite of my food.

"When was that taken?"

"This morning" he responded

"Really?" I asked taking another bite

"Yes, Captain-Commander saw this as suspicious so he'll be keeping an eye on Ichigo"

"Why Ichigo?"

"That's supposedly his schools uniform, no other reason to go their except for a substitute Soul Reaper" he answered

"I suppose, but must'nt let this distract us from Aizen he could jump from the shadows anytime" I warned

"Again"

"What?"

"Everyone believes they've figured it all out, but you're still ahead of them" Captain Utitake answered with a smile

Finishing my lunch I placed the empty box back where it was.

"Not at all, I'm more observant than most" I retorted

Utitake didn't say a word more, leaving with wave. I sank in my chair picking the photo up. Shinji seemed to normal even as he was my senior. I still remember my fight with him and the others. Not my most pleasant memory, but one worth the reminisce.

"Sir, time for your Captains meeting" Shuhei reminded

"Very well..." I sighed

Captains Council Chambers

As everyone surrounded the eldest began to speak.

"As you all know former Soul Reaper Shinji Hirako as been spotted in the living world, he is a fugitive along with others and haven't been seen in over a century" Captain-Commander Yamamoto spoke

"Do we know why?" Soi Feng asked

"It seems he's interested in Ichigo Kurosaki" I answered

"Do we have any trail to where he has been be hiding?" Captain-Commander asked

"No, he's covered his tracks" Soi Feng answered

A long silence came and the Captain-Commander in deep thought. That was when a subordinate came into the chamber.

"Emergency, unknown assailants have attacked Ichigo Kurosaki!" He shouted

"Is he alive?" Sajin asked raising his voice

"Yes, but gravely injured"

"We must send someone" Captain-Commander suggested

"I will" I answered

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, if I'm right about his savior they'll trust me with caution"

"Alright then go"

Gates

"Captain Hatake! When will you be back?" Shuhei asked

"By tomorrow, hold down the fort" I answered quickly before leaving

"But sir-!"

Human World

"I'm going to have to visit some old friends"

Urahara's Shop

I knocked on the door waiting for a few moments. The midday sun hovering over the shop, suddenly the door opened to see a young girl.

"May I ask who you are?" She said shyly

She was tiny with dark purple eyes, almost cartoonish. Kneeling to her eye level showing a warm smile.

"Is your owner around?"

"Not yet-"

"Kakashi! Old friend!" Kisuke said joyfully

He had came around the corner with Tessai carrying Ichigo and Chad.

"Seems you've been busy" I said

"Yes, well you know how kids are"

Entering his home Tessai began to heal the two young men.

"So what brings you here?" Kisuke asked taking a sip of tea

"Shinji Hirako"

"Oh? So you've heard?"

"You could say that, it was strange that he appeared just after Aizen disappears" I suggested

Kisuke being himself just grinned, pouring me a glass of tea.

"We had a run-in today, Arrancar came and attacked Ichigo" He responded

"Arrancar?"

"Something you don't know? I'm kinda shocked"

"Tell me"

"You know how Shinji and the others were able to obtain their powers?"

"No"

"The Hogyoku, it some how breaks the barrier between Soul Reapers and Hollows he seemed to reverse engineer his Vizard process" he explained

I was never able to understand the science, but could understand most of a situation.

"How many do you think he made?"

"Hundreds maybe, unsure but we did manage to hurt one of their numbers" He answered

"Hmmm...this is troubling"

"I know one of them did some pretty bad damage to Ichigo and Chad" he explained

"Let me see"

Sliding open a door I could see Chad and Ichigo. Tessai seemed to have healed most of the damage, but I could still see the scars.

"So what should we do?" He asked

No further information on the enemy, that was bad in itself. I couldn't give a proper plan, but to wait and trap.

"Wait, and when they come trap them it's the only plan I have" I answered

"Good for now, but when the fighting happens I trust you'll have something better" He hoped

"I will"

A Few Hours Later...

Sitting with an open book, Ichigo began to open his eyes. He didn't seem to remember where he was. Shifting eyes he shot up, checking himself for injuries.

"You're okay, Tessai healed you and your friend" I said still focused on my book

Ichigo stared at his friend and sighed with relief. Cautious of me he held up a tight gaurd.

"Why are you here?"

Closing my book as the long discussion was seen.

"I was actually here for your friend Shinji Hirako" I answered

"Shinji? Why him?"

"He was once a former Soul Reaper, but was exiled and has stayed from us ever since" I explained

"So you must know something about these Espada?" He asked the question filled with hope

"Espada?"

"That's what those two called themselves"

"I see they might be a elite squad or a different faction, but no unfortunately I don't" I answered

His eyes dropped a bit, as reopened my book. An unexpected surprise happened, as Rangiku, Ikkau, and Renji appeared.

"You three? Why are you here?"

"We were assigned here, it seems an anomaly was found here Captain Mayuri" Rangiku answered

"About that-"

A massive amount of energy was felt almost like weights. Since we're wearing seals our power was shrunk immeasurably.

"We need to move" I said

"Let me get ready-" Ichigo began

"No, you're staying" I interrupted

"What!? Why!?"

"You're not ready, and you just recovered from your own fight we'll handle this one" I answered sternly

"Alright! Let's go!" Ikkaku shouted

Karakura Town

We stood above a building scanning the town. I could feel a strong energy coming from its center. Surrounding it was small anomalies possibly more of these 'Arrancar'.

"You three get the others, I'll go after the main signature" I ordered

Ikkaku was surly disappointed since he always chased after the stronger enemy first. We all scattered to our assigned position, as I stood in a fourway intersection. Looking around calmly I didn't see anyone.

"So I finally meet a captain"

Looking up a man in white robes bright blue eyes and hair with a jaw bone stocking out his face. My eye was drawn to a Zanpakuto, no one outside Soul Reapers could wield one.

"You must be one of Arrancar I've been hearing so much about" I responded

"You seem rather calm" he grinned

Placing his hand on the hilt of their weapon. Narrowing my eye my body tensed up. In a instant he flashed just barely seeing the blade out the corner of my eye. Stepping out the way fast enough that missed, as he smiled ear to ear. A few short strands of my hair were cut. Standing a bit straighter focusing my blade on the Arrancar.

"Who are you" I demand

"Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez" He grinned

AN: sorry if its rushed