42 Orihime dips

(3rd Person POV)

The next day, the group of Shinigami were inside Orihime's home and were calling the Seireitei to inquire where Orihime was. When they managed to get through, instead of Yamamoto, Ukitake was seen and took his place. 

"Where is the Head Captain?", Hitsugaya asked.

"I had him switch over to me.", Ukitake said.

"Why?"

"Because I'm the last person who saw Orihime Inoue before she went into the Senkaimon. Judging from your reaction, it doesn't seem like she's arrived over there.", Ukitake said.

"Oh no, she definitely arrived here. I felt her energy close to Ichigo last night before she disappeared.", Toji said.

"What? What do you mean? Where did Inoue disappear to? Do you know anything Toji? Ukitake?", Ichigo said.

"I'll tell you what I think. The two guards I sent through the Senkaimon with her came back alive. From what they've told me ... We believe that Orihime Inoue has either been abducted or killed by the Arrancars. But now that Toji tells me that he felt her last night, it is far more likely that she has been abducted.", Ukitake said.

"Abducted?"

"Captain Ukitake! Saying something like that ...", Rukia said.

"I know ... I don't want to say this either. I was just stating the worst possible scenario. We know that Orihime Inoue was attacked by an Arrancar and then disappeared with that Arrancar. Or at least later."

"That's it?! You've got to be kidding! She only disappeared, but you say she's dead?! Toji says that he felt her last night. That tells us that she is still alive. We only have to find her.", Ichigo said

"Look at this. I was seriously injured yesterday! No one here could heal my wounds! But I woke up this morning healed without a trace! And ... Here! On my wrist! I can sense Inoue's spiritual pressure! So Toji must be right ... she is still alive.", Ichigo said and showed his hand and wrist.

Yamamoto took that moment to also come to the discussion. 

"I see.", he says, "That is unfortunate ..."

"Unfortunate? What do you mean?!", Ichigo asks.

"If it is as you say, then Orihime Inoue is indeed alive. But at the same time, it means that this is an act of treachery."

"Treachery?"

"If she had been abducted, she wouldn't have had the time to meet you. The fact that she healed your wounds and disappeared means that Orihime Inoue went to the Arrancars of her own accord.", Yamamoto explained. 

"You idiot-", Ichigo screamed but Renji stopped him from speaking further. 

"Stop! You'll just make things worse if you talk any more.", Renji said.

"I understand what you're saying Head Captain Yamamoto. Therefore ... I, Renji Abarai, member of the Hitsugaya advance troops and Lieutenant of Squad 6, will head to Hueco Mundo to bring the traitor, Orihime Inoue, to her senses!"

...

"You mustn't. We now know that the Arrancars are ready for battle. All members of the Hitsugaya advance troops are to return immediately and defend the Soul Society.", Yamamoto said.

"Are you saying that you want us to abandon Inoue?", Rukia asked.

"Indeed... We cannot risk the whole world over one life.", Yamamoto said.

"Unfortunately Head Captain, I cannot follow that order!", Rukia said.

"I thought so ... I'm glad I took precautions in case something like this happened...", Yamamoto said, making the others wonder what he meant by that. 

"... I want them all here. Is that understood ... Toji?"

"Indubitably."

"What? Captain Fushiguro is here to make sure we don't run off? So you expected this to happen and he wasn't really here to keep an eye on Karakura Town?", Hitsugaya asked.

"Of course he was. Captain Fushiguro had a few tasks when he went to the World of the Living. And he has completed them all splendidly. I expect you all back here.", Yamamoto said.

.

.

"All right ... Then I won't ask Soul Society to help me, but at least tell me how I can get into Hueco Mundo. Inoue is our friend! I'll go save her myself!", Ichigo said with a determined tone. 

...

"You mustn't!", Yamamoto answered.

"What?"

"We need your help in this battle ... I won't allow you to go about on your own and die for nothing! Stand by until you receive orders! That is all!", Yamamoto said and finished the call. 

"All right then ... let's go everyone.", Toji said and had everyone go into the Senkaimon he opened. 

Before he left, he looked back at Ichigo and winked at him. 

"Trust your heart Ichigo ... remember what I taught you and you will grow powerful and be successful. Don't worry so much. Sometimes the easiest answer is also the right one."

.

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(Toji POV)

I walked through the Senkaimon and arrived at Soul Society. I knew that Yama-ji would want to speak to me right away. He was smarter than others gave him credit for. All those years of being the Head Captain and being a Shinigami had to leave their mark. 

But this time, his plan wasn't that good. Aizen would expect Yama-ji not to allow anyone to follow Ichigo into Hueco Mundo and that was what he planned on. Had he gotten help, then that would have disrupted Aizen's plans and given them some advantage. 

But that was now a bit different. Aizen must have prepared for me as well. If I'm right, then he must have used the Hogyoku to create one or two Arrancars that should deal with me. Another option is that he has created some kind of Kido to seal me. The last option is that he has found a way to get Tousen from the Underworld to become a Hollow in his army. 

If he increased the difficulty in Hueco Mundo, then he could expect more help from Captains but that was not a good plan. I made sure that Ichigo was now strong enough to deal with Espada of Ulquiorra's level. Even with his Secunda etapa. That was no problem anymore. I had to talk with Yamamoto about this. 

.

"So you are saying we should send help to Kurosaki Ichigo? And that he is going to Hueco Mundo anyway.", Yama-ji asked me.

"Yes. You and I both know that he will go there and then play right into Aizen's hand. And I believe that you were planning on sending someone to take care of that anyway.", I say.

"You know nothing. I was not planning to send someone to deal with the problems of Kurosaki Ichigo. But I understand where you are coming from. However, if you are so sure that he will go there, then tell me how he would do that and why you didn't stop him?"

"Well, Urahara Kisuke is in the World of the Living, so that is pretty simple for him. As for why I didn't stop him, I guess you could say that if the roles were reversed, I would also go there. He's my student, and even if he only was so for a month, I have gotten somewhat attached to the young man."

"How is his progress?"

"Marvellous. I believe he is already Captain Class and probably even a strong Captain as well. If I had to guess, I would say he is capable of dealing with any Espada that comes his way. The only problem is that Aizne probably also knows about his training with me, which leads to the problem of him making either more or stronger Arrancar to stop Ichigo."

"So you're saying that we should send someone to make sure that he is safe? Why would I waste manpower if I knew that Aizen would come for Karakura Town?", Yama-ji asked me.

"Well if you do send someone, that would probably be in Aizen's calculations. I believe that he wants us to send someone after Ichigo. However, I don't believe that he is ready for a powerful rush. So how about, instead of sending multiple Captains that you will miss in the fight against Aizen, you just send one ...", I tell him my plan. 

"I see. So you want to go yourself ... that could work. When do you believe Kurosaki Ichigo will go to Hueco Mundo?", Yamamoto asked.

"I think either in one or two days. But more like one. He used to have the problem of having to shoulder all those burdens he put on himself. But now it is different. He might still have the burden he put on himself and will try to protect everyone, but unlike before he is now strong enough to shoulder them. I don't think Hueco Mundo will be a problem if I go there as well.", I tell him.

"Very well then. You are to get your things in order and are then to watch over Kurosaki Ichigo. I give this responsibility in your hands. So make sure not to mess around, is that understood Toji?"

"Hai hai ... I don't mess around that much though ..."

"Out with you. Make sure this goes well. Or I'll have to send more Captains after you to clean up your mess."

"Haha, alright."

.

.

I make my way to the 3rd Division barracks to search for Kira. That guy must be very busy right now... and I am about to help him. 

"Yo Kira, I'm back ... for a moment.", I say and greet Kira who is in my study doing paperwork. He looks up and greets me.

"Welcome back Captain Fushiguro. How was your assignment in the World of the Living?", he asks me.

"Well, it was alright I guess. Quite fruitful but still it leads to more problems. Aizen is making his move it would seem. And that means that Ichigo is involved as well. For some reason that man has an obsession with the boy. Might be a fetish..."

"So, what does that mean then? Are we to gather and prepare for war?", Kira asks me.

"Indeed it does. But you will be briefed on that by the Head captain himself. I am going to have to go to Hueco Mundo because one of Kurosaki Ichigo's friends has been abducted by Aizen and he will therefore go to get her back.

This in turn means that I now have been chosen to go and follow Ichigo to Hueco Mundo and try to make sure that Aizen's plans are not going to work. That seems to be impossible though, but you never know.", I said.

"Then that means ..."

"Yes my friend, I'm afraid that you will have to continue to stay here and act as the temporary leader of Squad 3. But worry not, I am here to help you."

"You are?"

"Indeed. Here take this.", I say and give Kira a jug with some fluid inside. 

"What is this?", Kira asks.

"... Sake obviously..."

"Sake?"

"Sake."

"..."

"Well, then Toodles", I say and disappear from the room leaving a bewildered Kira behind. When he understands what just happened he begins to scream.

"Captain!!!!"

.

Oh my, what a powerful voice Kira has. I knew he had it in him. How proud I am of him that he finally got out of his shell. I was getting worried that I would have to annoy him forever. That is quite a hard task. 

I make my way to Shunsui and Jushiro's location. Those two are drinking some sake instead of preparing for war. Must be because Yama-ji hasn't made it public knowledge. 

When I arrive I can see Shunsui, Jushiro and their respective Lieutenants enjoying the short period of peace. Jushiro must have just taken a break after the debacle of Orihime was revealed. Good for him. He should use some time to gather his strength. But he doesn't yet know that he is far healthier than he knows...

"Yo Toji, what brings you here? Is the mission in the World of the Living finished?"

"Hey Shunsui, Jushiro. Well you know, after the Orihime girl went missing, it became clear that Aizen was preparing for the upcoming confrontation and was ready. I got a new task from Yama-ji. So I'm heading to Hueco Mundo soon."

"So he's ready then, eh? Quite bothersome if you ask me. And here we are enjoying some of the sunlight, instead of getting ready. Is Yama-ji going to call for a Captain's meeting soon?", Shunsui asks.

"Probably. I'm just here to tell you about it and to enjoy some of the same suns you lot have been."

"So how strong is the Ichigo boy now? Did you train him hard enough? Or did you go easy on him as per usual?", Shunsui asked.

"Nah, I went a bit harder than normal. I have the perfect Zanpakuto for that sort of thing. He went through quite a transformation. You'll be surprised when you see him.", I tell them.

"Oh? Interesting."