Hello everybody and I finally have chapter 2 for ya'll. It's slightly longer than the last one. I hope you enjoy it and always review. Still new to writing anything this long so if you find any inconsistencies within the story then let me know in your reviews or PM me. Talk to you later and thank you for reading this.

Shiroi Kage

Ichigo walked exited the garganta over his hometown, Karakura town. The sun shone over the town as the afternoon bustle started to swing into high gear. His eyes shifted over the landscape as he fiddled with his white uniform. He had been granted permission to leave to see his family by Aizen-sama but he was required to wear the uniform and he only had a couple of hours to do it. He had said that his friends had left for Soul Society so their sensors in the area wouldn't be checked as often as they should so he had that window to work with.

A boom signified his movement from the sky to a large ferris wheel. Staring out over the buildings he locked onto his old home, it felt like years but it had only been a month and a couple weeks. Preparing to zoom closer he was stopped by a familiar signature that stopped before him. It was at least captain in strength and a second was about to join it. Frowning he looked over the figure that would stand in his way and his eyes widened.

"Hat and Clogs? What are you doing here?" Tipping his hat to shadow his eyes Urahara frowned at Ichigo. The shopkeeper shifted into a comfortable stance but all the lessons from Aizen allowed the Arrancar to see that he was ready to strike at any time.

"I'd have to ask you the same question hollow-san." Ichigo openly gaped at the blond.

"It's me, it's Ichigo!" Urahara shook his head and drew Benihime.

"I'm afraid that you don't look nor do you feel like Ichigo, so I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Clouds started to roll into the area as Ichigo drew his own blade and frowned. Why wouldn't he believe him, he just wanted to see his sisters again, he didn't have time to prove that he was the same Ichigo. Sangre had been right, this was a bad idea but he couldn't go back empty handed. He couldn't leave without telling them he'd be back. His face contorted into a scowl as he regarded the shinigami standing in his way.

"I really don't want to do this but if you won't move out of the way then I'm going to have to force you to move." Before he could blink he had a blade at his throat and Urahara was in front of him with Benihime drawn and laced with killing intent.

"Hollow-san, I will not allow this to pass. Prepare to be purified and maybe your friends will find you before they return." A second later, Urahara was the one with a blade at his throat as a boom shifted the air around the two. Ichigo smirked at Urahara's frown. The Arrancar then sonido'd a few meters in front of the shopkeeper.

"I don't know what you remember from before but Aizen-sama has opened my eyes to your lies. He told me of my father and mother, things you and he tried to hide from me." Urahara frowned as he shadowed his eyes under his bucket hat. "He has been training me to fight the shinigami for taking Rukia away from me. You don't have to be my enemy but if you stop me from talking to my sisters with what little time I have left then I am left with no choice but to fight you Urahara."

"I'm afraid I can't allow that to happen." Ichigo's scowl deepened as he lunged at the shopkeeper. Crossing blades he could feel the intent behind Benihime, pure blood lust but there was something deeper than that, hope? It was so faint that he questioned if it was even there or he was going insane.

The two separated and Ichigo had tanked a red blast of energy from the former captain's zanpakuto. It scored a small gash on Ichigo's side that revealed a black tattoo but nothing that could identify what it was in full. Ichigo sighed as he started to build up his reiatsu as he pointed a finger at Urahara.

"If you continue to stand in my way then I'll just force you to yield." A small ball of blue energy formed at his fingertip. Before Ichigo could release the cero, he was stopped by something as his vision was distorted for a moment. When he could see, a second later, he was greeted by someone he hadn't expected to see in such a manner. Time seemed to freeze as Ichigo stared at spiky black hair with a scruffy black beard to match.

"Dad?" Thunder boomed as the area was illuminated by a brilliant white flash.

Shiroi woke up in a cold sweat. Blinking he stared up to the stars that drifted overhead. Feeling Yachiru shift in her sleep to his left he sighed. Taking a deep breath he reeled in his reiatsu and settled on making some tea. Slowly rising he grabbed a makeshift set and started to heat some water that they liberated from a nearby village.

Over the last several years that Shiroi had spent travelling with the soon-to-be Captain he had learned a great many things about the history of the Seireitei and the Soul Society as a whole. It would seem that in its early history, when Yachiru was a child, the Soul King had created the Central 46 in the center of the realm and appointed 5 individuals of great knowledge and power to run the noble clans that would in turn shape the Soul Society to become a better and safer afterlife.

This was centuries before he arrived. To find out that what eventually became the Gotei 13 was actually just simple guards in 5 squads that were headed by the clans? It made the hybrid's head hurt.

Taking a sip of the tea he hummed at the taste. It was a good thing he had convinced Yachiru to help him get them. Worth the time investment. A stir in the reiatsu of his friend let him know that his companion was awake. Waiting for her to join him by the fire, he started to pour her a small cup of tea. Keeping tabs on the surrounding area he was already aware of the approaching signature but decided to put it to the side in favor of making the tea worth her waking up.

Looking up with the tea already in his hands, he makes room on the fallen tree for Yachiru. She nodded her thanks to him and they sat in silence under the darkness as the light of the flame danced on their skin. A soft breeze shifted their hair in it's movements.

"You don't sleep much do you?" Shiroi swallowed his tea as he shook his head.

"Not really a need to." He let a small smile dance on his features as she struck his shoulder. It would have shattered his bones if he didn't have his hierro up. Even though it didn't hurt him as much as it should have it still elicited a small groan of pain as he rubbed the damaged limb. Throwing a half-hearted glare to her he sighed.

"It's nothing to worry about." His eyes couldn't stay on hers as he shifted focus back to the fire. Taking another sip he felt her eyes stay on him. She really wouldn't leave him alone about this. "What do you want from me?" This seemed to anger her as her reiatsu spiked and a heavy amount of killing intent was set on his shoulders.

"I don't know what's been going through that thick head of yours but even people like us need to sleep every now and then and I have not seen you sleep longer than a couple hours since we've been travelling together. What's bothering you and don't lie, I'll be able to know." Turning to face his newest headache he didn't fail to see why everyone seemed to fear the future captain in his timeline. She had a point though, even if he didn't want to admit it.

'Half-truths are always more beneficial than full lies Ichigo.' The lesson from Aizen still clear in his mind. It was that training from the mastermind that allowed him to fool the threat that followed his Sensei's death.

Gripping Sangre for strength he let out a sigh. Better he faced this now, before it came to bite him in the ass later. He shifted his focus to the stars above as they danced against the black backdrop of the sky.

"Decades before we met, I had family, friends. Sometimes it's hard to forget. To push all the memories aside to deal with the moment." Turning to face her she could see the tightness around his eyes, the small sad smile that graced his lips.

He watched her turn her focus to the fire and he followed her example. Uncomfortable in the silence that had settled between them he almost forgot the reiatsu that had been dancing around his senses for the last hour or two.

"We have company." The simple remark snapped the hybrids company out of her thoughts as they raised their reiatsu to signal the other signature that it should approach with a healthy amount of killing intent so that they knew if they ran then it would have nothing but death at its doorstep.

Shiroi was surprised when the Kenpachi threw him a mirthful glance.

"You think it's one of Yamato's goons?" Shiroi couldn't help the low chuckle that escaped his lips as he thought back on their last encounter with the Kingpin. He was an intimidating man himself with that nasty ability of his but his lackeys were nothing but cannon fodder. It was almost pitiful.

"I'm kinda hoping it's someone a bit more interesting." They settled into a peaceful silence with neither knowing just how right the hybrid would be.

After a few minutes a figure stepped out of the shadows. As their person became more clear it was revealed to be a man that appeared to be in his late 20's, sporting a massive grin. He wore a long sleeve, deep blue kimono with a contrasting bright orange obi. The obi was embroidered with small fireworks and dazzling colors but the most prominent feature of the man was a small symbol embroidered that had Shiroi taken aback. He'd recognize that symbol anywhere. The symbol of the Shiba. Slung over his shoulder was also his zanpakuto that was tied with a clasp that centered on his chest and took the shape of a small cannon.

The Shiba gave a casual bow and rose to lock eyes with the two.

"My name is Shiba Hideki, 2nd Head of the Shiba clan. Might I ask your names." Shiroi turned to give a questioning glance to Yachiru and she nodded. He shrugged his shoulders and gave a return bow that the current Kenpachi imitated.

"I am Kage Shiroi-"

"-and I am Unohana Yachiru, the 1st bearer of the title Kenpachi." Hideki seemed pleased with their responses as his grin widened.

"Pleasure to meet the both of you. I have an offer to present to the both of you from both the Central 46 and their current head of defensive operations, Yamamoto Shigekuni."

"What kind of offer Shiba-sama?" Shiroi spoke for the both of them for now as Yachiru hadn't really the tact necessary yet. The Shiba seemed to be caught off guard at the words though. Holding his hands in front of him he took a step back.

"Please, for the love of the Soul King, don't add honorifics. Hideki is fine or Shiba-san around the other nobles. As for the offer, we are expanding our military and have several openings. Myself and some fellow members of the current guard were sent out to find the strongest we could and from your frequent clashes, you both have been found to fit the bill to be leaders among the new guard."

This threw Shiroi off for a second. He could feel the Kenpachi keeping an eye on him and Hideki but he couldn't get a grip till he felt a hand squeeze his shoulder. Turning he found the determined blue eyes of his companion. That combined with the soothing reiatsu of his zanpakuto allowed him the ability to nod dumbly to the Shiba. This was new. Just how far back in time was he?

Unohana Yachiru

She didn't know what to think about the offer. It held the promise of other strong people to fight but since she had met Shiroi, she hadn't felt the need to kill as often. Sure she would go out while he slept and kill the strongest reiatsu in the area but that wasn't nearly as often as it used to be. She had changed, for the better or worse she didn't know but she had changed.

Following the noble they were led to the center of the Soul Society in front of a large building. It seemed to span for dozens of meters in either direction. In front of the large building was the number one inside of a diamond. The structure wasn't fully complete as there were many workers still laying the foundation for a garden just behind the building and both powerhouses could feel multiple massive reiatsu's inside, including the dragon.

Opening the door, Hideki introduced the two as they stepped into the room. The room was massive, more so than it initially appeared on the outside. A high ceiling and large red walls reached up to the half built roof with the rafters being the only portion of note above the hall. Sitting in a chair at the far end of the hall was the dragon. She could see the small up turn of his lips that gave away his smirk.

"May I present, Unohana Yachiru; the first Kenpachi, and Kage Shiroi!" The hall went silent at the Shiba's declaration and a loud chuckle was heard from one of the many people currently standing before Yamamoto.

"So they got you too!" The man stepped forward and both the new arrivals grinned as they charged each other to clash blades. Unohana with her blood thirsty gleam while Shiroi held mirth and surprised everyone with playfulness in the twinkle of his eyes. Grins adorned all three of them as they broke apart and sheathed their blades before the man gripped Shiroi in a bear hug and picked him up and off of the ground.

"It's good to see you again Yamato." Shiroi had nothing but joy at seeing an old enemy and rival.

"You as well, both of you. I assume you two will be joining the rest of us for the ceremony and brief?" Yachiru watched as the two men conversed as they headed towards the larger group and started to introduce him to the rest of those in the chamber. Smiling lightly she approached as well, the gleam in her eye alerting all that she was not to be messed with and found solace in the fact that she, at least, wasn't the only female there.

When Yachiru took the position of Captain of squad 11, she didn't think about all the paperwork that went with the position. There wasn't too much that she was drowning but they were coming out with new forms every year. Her door opening alerted her to the arrival of her friend for the last couple decades. Kage Shiroi. His long hair now only reaching to the nape of his neck instead of his lower back. Those dichromatic eyes, so easy to get lost in and his smile. It had taken years after becoming Captain for her to get him to smile, he also seemed to do it more often around her but she had a feeling that it was more likely because he was more comfortable around her.

"What can I do for you Captain Kage?" Holding his hand to his chest, Shiroi took a step back in shock. Mouth agape as he started to fall backwards in mock hurt. Actually starting to fall backwards he held his hand out and tried to grab something before he hit the ground. Reaching out her arm she grabbed the falling Captain and giggled as she helped him to his feet again. Dusting himself off Shiroi bowed in thanks.

"Can't I just drop by to talk with my favorite Kenpachi?" Yachiru shook her head with a smile as she threw a questioning glance at Shiroi. She wasn't amused.

"I'm the only Kenpachi." Shiroi sighed and his features settled into a frown.

"Yamato and Shiba wanted to speak with us on Yamamoto's behalf. Apparently there's something happening in the Rukon." Yachiru tilted her head in question but Shiroi was already out the door and Shunpoing away.

After catching up to her old friend she finds him at a small ramen shop in the Rukon. Asking where he is, she is led to a back room and finds Hideki Shiba and Kiseki Yamato sitting with Shiroi. Her friend waves her over and places a sound barrier around them as they wait for their food.

"So what's all this about?" She turns to Shiroi and pins him with a glare. He takes on a serious expression and pulls out some papers before handing them to her. Looking them over she frowns. Several members of squad 9 had gone missing with no remains being found. Looking up she hands the papers back with the files of all those missing to Shiroi.

"We, our group and the Yamamoto suspect some uprising that might be happening in response to our new military system. It would seem that nobody really likes that their lives are in the hands of criminals. She nodded her head. It made sense, she wouldn't in their shoes but who better to protect the people than those that already controlled them. It didn't bode well for the future as all those in the reports were from minor noble families. Those closer to the people.

She guessed it was only a matter of time before something happened but what could they do to suppress this kind of uprising from happening. It seemed inevitable.

"What does he plan to do?" Yamato shrugged and Hideki frowned before he moved to stand before Shiroi pinned him with a glare till he reluctantly sat back down.

"Right now we're waiting on the dragon to manage to get an answer from central but they don't really think it'll be an issue, he's pushing the subject though so they might just tell him to do what he wants to shut him up. They seem to think that he has started to get overconfident in his skills." it wasn't surprising, it was on Yamamoto's request that the Gotei had been made. Central was still getting used to sending more of its members to join but the intake was slow at best.

"Onto a better subject I heard you two were planning a date?" Yachiru gained a slight tint to her cheek but stood up and drew Minazuki and held it at the offending Shiba's throat.

"I believe you have been mistaken dear friend. Yachiru and I were simply planning to head to the outer districts to battle once more and finally put to rest who was the strongest between us. Nothing more." Feeling Shiroi's hand on her shoulder, she lowered her blade and sheathed it but maintained her glare. Yamato was sitting back with a smug look on his face as he watched the Shiba get what he deserved.

The four friends had quieted after that as they waited for their food. Soon it came and they started eating. Yachiru could feel eyes on her and when she looked up she found the two across from her looking to her left. Turning she found Shiroi sitting with an empty bowl but sitting as if nothing was happening. A noise from the two brought her attention back to them as they seemed to stifle their laughter. Looking back down to eat her chopsticks met the table and she froze. Slowly looking back at Shiroi he was holding some noodles in his chopsticks and froze as he slowly turned to meet her eyes. Panic flooded his features as he vanished in a blur of shunpo.

Hideki and Yamato burst out laughing before a cold feeling crawled over them as they looked back at the Kenpachi to see an insane glimmer in her eyes that reminded them of who she was and what she could do. They couldn't have left faster in their own flurry of shunpo. The only sound left was Yachiru's calm breathing till a snap sounded through the room with Shiroi no longer there to maintain the barrier.

Slowly rising from her seat and pushing in her seat she went out in search of her prey. He would pay for doing what he did. Nobody steals food from a Kenpachi and leaves unscathed.

Yamamoto Genryusai

Yamamoto was starting to get frustrated. He had just been sent out of the Central 46 chambers empty handed again and it was all due to their arrogance. He swore if they didn't pay him then he would kill them all. He hoped that one day someone could take his place as the Captain Commander so he could retire and kill them in his retirement. The Gotei had only been around for 30 years and it already gave him a headache. Before he met with Central he had to quell another smaller uprising in the 32nd district in West Rukon. It was starting to become a problem and now he had another captain at his neck trying to get his people back. He didn't know what to do. Stopping he got an idea. He didn't have to do anything but what if someone else did?

Walking swiftly back to his office he started work on drawing up an order that Central couldn't refute. For once he felt that he could do something for those 'Defenders' that he called Captains.

Standing before the assembled Captains Yamamoto sighed. He watched with wary eyes as the Captain of the 5th sulked as he kept throwing glances at the Captain of the 11th while his 9th and 10th Captains held knowing smirks. He feared for the future of his Gotei if these were the beginning of it. It took him 20 years to teach them everything he knew and they all were familiar with each other's bankai's abilities and could work as a team to fight anything that sought to destroy the Seireitei, the name the nobles had set for the central point of the Soul Society.

Raising his reiatsu, the room fell silent as he began the meeting.

"I call this captains meeting to order. I have summoned you all here to discuss the disappearances in the Rukongai." The voices in the room rose as the dragon closed his eyes. Throwing his pressure down on the children in the room he opened his eyes to watch as most started to sweat with only a handful able to withstand the weight of his reiatsu.

"Why should we care?" He had expected this kind of response from her. Uchikibai Madoka. She had one of the largest sex/slave rings in the Rukon and had a hand in separation an immeasurable amount of families and killed at least double that number in her efforts. Ruthless and cunning. It's best that she is here under the watchful eye of himself and Central. That didn't mean he had to take her concern into his consideration. He couldn't be a hypocrite, he had killed more than all of the individuals in the room combined. He was a brash man in his youth.

"We should care because we are now the defenders of the Soul Society, granted we defend the Seireitei first but right now we are needed to quell the unrest in the district. The second that is done then you can go back to doing your regular activities." Nobody missed the malice in his voice but he didn't care. If any had a problem with it he could show them why he was put in charge of them.

Reflecting on his position he let a frown slip through his mask, he was just a glorified babysitter for these criminals. Simply because the Central couldn't do anything to stop them themselves.

"Sir, what would you have us do?" The voice of Kage broke through his thoughts as he took a moment to collect himself. Locking eyes with Kage he saw something, he didn't know what it was but something was off about the boy. He wasn't well known, just appeared out of nowhere and began to travel with the Kenpachi of all people. That look though, it had depth, a depth he hoped he never saw revealed to the world for he feared that the world wouldn't be able to contain it.

It was that look that made him send Shiba out to find the boy and the Kenpachi. When they first fought he found the boy next to the downed body of the Kenpachi. Calmly resting as if it was no issue. He felt that she was healed and figured he was simply waiting for her to wake but why? Why continue to let her live if he fought her in the first place and that's when he felt it. That killing intent so powerful he almost took a step back. In an instant the boy was behind him and he could feel his blade at his neck.

Yamamoto remembered that feeling to this day. The boy knew how to learn and stay in line but he feared the day he had enough of Centrals crap. Refocusing he answered the man's question.

"I'm going to send out 2 of you to the source of this and you have free reign to take care of the situation from there. The only stipulation you have been given is no killing of the innocent."

"How boring. Next time you call a meeting Yamamoto, make it at least worth the time." Tsunayashiro Taka started to walk out of the room before Yamamoto's spiritual pressure weighed heavily on her shoulders. Sweating she turned to glare at him but his imposing form just kept staring her in the eye.

"Next time you try to leave my meeting hall, request permission or I'll have you dealt with whelp." Struggling to stay standing she nodded before coughing and walking back to her position as the captain of the 7th while trying to maintain as much dignity as possible.

Yamamoto tried to ignore the snickering from Shiba and Yamato. Brushing it off as normal.

"Before this meeting is dismissed do we have anything else any of you wish to bring up?" Looking over his captains with a watchful eye he sighed when nobody spoke up he stood up. "Very well, if there is nothing more to discuss then you are dismissed, Captains Kage and Tsunayashiro stay behind."

Watching as the rest of his captains left the hall he walked into his office motioning for the two captains to follow. Entering he sat behind his desk and pulled a file out as Shiroi and Take joined him.

"What's this about Head Captain?" Yamamoto watched the difference between the two and nodded before sliding the file forward to Shiroi.

"These are the files associated with the missing members of 9th division. You both will be sent to the Rukon with the objective to eliminate the top brass of the revolutionary force. Kage, you will go in and act as one of them while Tsunayashiro will take her squad and yours to attack them." Both nodded but Taka held contempt that Yamamoto could see through. He really hoped she'd die in the upcoming war because he wasn't sure how long he would be able to deal with her.

"I'm curious Genryusai." He raised an eyebrow in response to the question as he watched a figure clouded in shadow walk out from one of his walls.

"It would be an honor." The being nodded before sitting down across from the old shinigami.

"Where do you plan to go with this?"

"The Gotei?"

"Indeed." Yamamoto stroked his growing goatee as the two sat in silence.

"We can't keep living like savages, you started with the nobles but I don't believe that is enough. They think themselves too high. I want the Gotei to provide what you promise to all those that come here. They will become defenders and figures to aspire to be. Even if they only let me have the worst, I'll show them that they can be the best and let them eat their words."

"Thank you Genryusai. I'm glad I picked you to lead them but I have a word of warning." Yamamoto looked back over to the figure with a questioning gaze.

"What warning?" The figure chuckled before rising back to a standing position.

"The shadows aren't as they seem but they will aid you when you need it most." After speaking it's piece it vanished back into the shadows leaving Yamamoto to think on it's words.