Chapter Text
Chapter One
Black butterflies fluttered around the capital of Soul Society calling upon the captains of each division within the Gotei 13 military. A reserved man with onyx hair swaying on his back entered the First Division’s meeting hall without announcing himself and took his place swiftly. His Lieutenant, Renji Abarai had taken his position behind Byakuya Kuchiki as did other Lieutenants take their positions behind their Captains. Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain of the Sixth Division scanned the room and saw every Captain and Lieutenant was present; except for the Third, Fifth and Ninth Captains. The loss of three Captains had weakened the Gotei 13 military; There were lieutenants and seated commanders who were able to take charge of the divisions. When the Captain Commander entered the Hall, the room feel silent, his cane clicking against the floor walking towards the centre.
“An intruder has entered the outskirts of Soul Society,” The Captain commander had announced. There were little reactions from the captains, as they had dealt with intruders before. Everyone waited for the Commander to continue, “The individual has breached three separate layers of the Senkaimon security network without detection.”
That finally got everyone’s attention. The captain of the Second Division and commander of the Stealth Force stepped forward with a harden expression and bewilderment, “Without detection, how?”
Byakuya waited for Captain Commander Yamamoto to answer, “The alarms were triggered only after the individual had already entered Soul Society.”
That finally drew everyone’s attention. The flamboyant Captain Kyoraku of the Eigth Division smile disappeared, “That’s troublesome.”
A young boy with white hair stepped forward, “Have we identified them?” he asked.
Captain Yamamoto answered, “No, Captain Hitsuqaya.”
Captain Hitsugaya of Division Ten responded with a follow up question, “What do they want?”
The Captain Commander brushed his beard, shaking his head, “Unfortunately, we do not know anything.” His eyes moved across the room taking in the attention of his fellow colleagues. He saw an unfamiliar look upon one of his captains who never showed any form of emotion.
Byakuya Kuchiki frowned slightly, this is a problem, he thought to himself.
An enemy who announced themselves was predictable.
An enemy who attacked was understandable.
An enemy who entered Soul Society and did nothing was neither.
And this was the problem. The Gotei Thirteen had no information regarding the current intruders.
The Sixth Division Captain asked the next question, “What have they done since entering?”
“Nothing dangerous,” First Division Captain replied.
Silence again.
“What do you mean?”
“It is exactly as I said.” The Commander paused, “The have not attacked any Shinigami. They have not damaged any structures. They have not attempted to access the Central Underground Assembly Hall.” The Commander watched his Captain’s process the information he had given, “I have sent out Shinigami, and the intruders are in four districts.”
“So, what,” Kyorako responded, “are they sightseeing?”
The Captain Commanders voice was firm, “I’ve been told they are searching, and we do know what or who they are searching for.”
When the Commander finished, the doors of the meeting hall had opened. Everyone turned their heads to the familiar reiatsu’s entering the hall. Bright orange hair wearing the same attire as the Gotei Thirteen Military Ichigo Kurosaki walked in first, followed by a man with glasses and dark hair, Ishida Uryu, taller than both men Chad Yasutora and last was Orihime Inoue. The four humans had grown into mature adults; they no longer had their teenage years hanging on to them. Some Captains like Shinsui Kyoraku and Jushiro Ukitake and waved at Orihime, and she waved back at them with a bright smile. Byakuya watched as the two Captains smiled back at Orihime. “My my, Orihime you’ve grown so much,” Kyoraku said aloud.
“Not really,” Orihime replied scratching the back of her head.
There was still the same long orange hair, the same warm expression, the same tendency to look around a room as though she expected to discover something interesting in every corner. Now, there was greater certainty about her. She no longer walked into a room wondering if she belonged. The four humans had been in Soul Society for several weeks now, their presence had been a matter of necessity and had become useful after the war with Aizen Sousuke.
Each person had their own strengths to support Soul Society; Ichigo Kurosaki had the ability to adapt to different forms of combat made him valuable, Ishida Uryuu had proved particularly useful when dealing with unfamiliar spiritual pressure, Chad Yasutora possessed strength that required little explanation, and Orihime… Byakuya had watched her for too long, his eyes averted to the Captain Commander. He noted the difference of her powers; which were not merely repairing wounds but rejected time and space. The distinction mattered.
“Glad you could make it,” Captain Ukitake said, his smile sweet.
“What’s going on?” Ichigo asked.
“An intruder has entered Soul Society without being detected until now,” Byakuya was the first to answer, and Ichigo’s expression had immediately become serious.
“Where?” Ichigo asked.
“We are trying to determine that,” Captain Hitsugaya responded.
Uryuu adjusted his glasses, “Have you detected their reiatsu?”
Soi Fon answered, “Intermittently.”
“I doubt they are suppressing their reiatsu, there would be still fluctuations. Instead, the readings disappear entirely.”
Captain Mayuri smiled widely, “How fascinating.”
“They are probably using a different technique,” this sparked everyone’s attention, “or they are not moving through Soul Society in the conventional way.”
Byakuya considered the possibilities, “Can you determine which?” His eyes locked on to Ishida.
“Not yet,” Uryuu responded.
“Then determine it.” From the outside it was as if both men were arguing over what is the next possible outcome. However, people like Byakuya Kuchiki and Ishida Uryuu thought very differently and calmly.
To Ichigo as he glanced between them, “Why do you two sound like you’re arguing?” For whatever reason Ichigo’s comments made Orihime smile.
“We’re not arguing,” Uryuu corrected.
“Exactly.” Byakuya confirmed, in his usual stoic manner.
Captain Kyoraku, Captain Ukitake and Captain Kenpachi had giggled a little at how the two men approached a conversation. Orihime covered her laugh with a single hand, Byakuya looked towards her. It was a small thing; her laughter. He returned his attention to the meeting ignoring something insignificant.
“The intruder was last seen in the northern district,” Yamamoto said. “All divisions are to increase patrols.”
“Should we assume they are hostile?” Rukia asked behind her Thirteenth Captain.
“Not Yet,” Captain Yamamoto stated, “Right now we keep our distance and determine if they are a threat.”
“Situational awareness,” Orihime said aloud. Orihime was listening with intent not distracted or frightened. She did at times learn to take meetings seriously. No one ever expected her to be the observing type. That too was knew as Byakuya’s gaze moved toward her.
Captain Unohana turned towards Orihime, “Inoue-san, your abilities will be required if there is an attack. Could you remain with the fourth division.”
Orihime nodded in response, “I understand.”
“But…” Orihime continued, everyone turned to the girl, what could she object to, Byakuya wondered. “I’d very much like to accompany the teams?” Orihime had undeniably changed, she is now requesting she take a chance at her own life. Several captains who had grown close to ger looked at her questionably.
Ichigo was the first to object to this, before he could even get a word in Orihime turned to him, “I’m not saying I should fight.” There was determination in her eyes looking towards Captain Unohana. “But if people are injured, I can help immediately instead of waiting for them to arrive at the Fourth Division.”
“That is reasonable,” The Fourth Division Captain replied, with a thoughtful look on her face.
“We are only observing first,” Captain Yamamoto spoke up. He had one hand in his bread brushing it through with a thoughtful look. “Lets us observe first, then determine what to do after.”
Ichigo sighed, his voice for only Orihime to hear. “You always do this.” Byakuya was in front of the humans, and he was no eavesdropper. Though they are only an arm’s length away. Byakuya saw as Orihime smiled replying to Ichigo, “And you are always worried.” Her eyes sometimes squinted when she smiled.
Both Chad and Uryuu had quickly defended her, “She can handle herself,” Ishida said behind Ichigo.
Chad was nodding in agreement, “She can take care of herself.”
Ichigo crossed his arms, angrily, “Whose side are you on anyways.” Orihime simply laughed behind her hand trying not to be obvious in the meeting hall.
“Captain Kuchiki, the northern district will be under your command.”
Byakuya nodded in response, “Understood.” His eyes moved towards the humans, “Kurosaki, Uryuu, Yasutora, you will accompany myself and Renji.”
“All of us?” Ichigo raised an eyebrow.
Renji stepped out from his Captains shadows, “Seriously you’re questioning your abilities now.”
“But what about her,” Ichigo looked towards Orihime.
Grey eyes met Brown eyes, “Inoue-san will remain with the fourth division until we determine the nature of the threat.” She’s a healer after all; it was logical for her to remain back in Seriteri away from any danger. Nothing more.
The sun was beginning to set. There was still light out, though many towns folk in the northern district began to disappear from the street into their homes. The Sixth Divisions most capable seated Shinigami members joined their Captain and Lieutenant alongside the three male humans. They moved through the northern district swiftly using shunpo, it was quicker to move through the district. They reached the edge of the district where there was no pulse around. Only trees and the unruly wilderness beyond the edge.
Uryuu had noticed something, “Stop!” He was abrupt, and everyone stopped. They watched as Uryuu crouched and touched two fingers to the ground. He analysed the little specks of reiatsu, “It’s residual reiatsu.”
Byakuya walked towards him, “how long?” he questioned.
“Minutes.” He spoke.
They unsheathed their swords from the grasp of their respectable scabbard. Eyes were searching for something that was here for a moment. “There!” Chad pointed towards the canopies, where a figure stood proudly leaning against a thick trunk. This person was dressed in all black concealing their bottom half of their face. The figure did not move even when Ichigo had shouted obscene words towards the figure. Byakuya had raised his hands in response, urging Ichigo to seize speaking.
The figure spoke, “I have no quarrel with Soul Society.”
“Then leave,” Byakuya replied, his sword in one hand, though ready.
“That is not possible.” The voice was calm as if their plan was already in motion.
“Why?” Byakuya’s response was immediate
“We are searching for something.” The figures eyes were not concealed; therefore, its gaze carried on pass the Shinigami towards the walls of the Seireitei. Byakuya’s face hardened as he followed the figures line of sight.
“Who are you searching for,” Byakuya asked for the right question.
“Not who… what.” The figure then vanished.
“Seriously!” Ichigo cursed.
“They’re fast,” Renji commented at how fast the opponent moved.
“That wasn’t an escape,” Ishida pointed out.
Byakuya agreed, “No it wasn’t.”
“Did he want us to find him?” Chad asked.
Byakuya nodded, “I believe so.” A flutter of bells was heard, a Hell Butterfly appeared, floating towards the Sixth Division Captain. He listened. His expression changed. “The intruder has been sighted again.”
“Where?”
“Fourth Division.” Byakuya had already moved leaving the group behind. He heard Ichigo shout her name. He did not wait, he only continued. Byakuya had a feeling of certainty. A feeling which needed to be confirmed Orihime Inoue was safe.