Chapter 13: Chapter 13

(Half A day Later – Early Morning)

As the announcement reverberated across the Serietei and faded to nothing for the next few hours, Fukutaicho's were being gathered to await orders at the Deputy Meeting Chamber Two. Naruto moreover chose to wait on the roof as opposed to inside; he liked the fresh air he got whenever he was outside.

He glanced at the second arrival. A girl he knew as Hinamori Momo, the Fuku-Taicho under Aizen Sosuke of the Gobantai. He had seen how dedicated in her work she was as well as the commitment to her Taicho. And using the devotion she had for him would be more than an advantage for Aizen.

As time passed and he watched the clouds go by, he caught two new arrivals and jumped down and got off the railing.

"Hmm? Kuchiki-Unohana – Fuku-Taicho" greeted Iba Tetsuzaemon, he adjusted his sunglasses and wrinkled his moustache as Naruto nodded to the man "Good ta see ya" he said aloud as Naruto smiled a bit "It's good to see you, Renji-san" he looked to the pineapple hair styled man.

Renji merely nodded getting a raised eyebrow from Naruto, since when was he so quiet? As they went into the meeting room, Iba and Renji spotted Hinamori as Naruto sat down at chair and leaned back on it as she spoke "Abarai-kun" she greeted, slight surprise after these fifty years.

"Iba-san" she greeted next, getting a nod.

"Hinamori? Only you two are here?" he questioned, looking between Naruto and the Gobantai Fuku-Taicho. "It seems that way" Hinamori responded, shrugging slightly as a female voice sounded out from the doorway in a lazy fashion "That's because Fuku-Taicho's are always scattered across the Soul Society like busy little bees" Rangiku Matsumoto sighed as she looked a bit weary "It looks like it'll take a day at least for all of us to gather".

"I couldn't reach our Taicho at all either" she finished "What a bother" she muttered under her breath, probably on the lookout for the one who recommended to her Taicho that Toshiro should take away her pay for the sake.

"Mmm…who was the Taicho of Rangiku-san's squad again?" questioned Renji, looking at Iba for some information.

"Toshiro Hitsugaya" cut in Naruto, surprising that the Noble Clan Heir would speak up; he was relaxing slightly on a leaned chair near the wall.

"Ah…the supposed Boy genius" he remarked in annoyance "She's got it rough" Renji finished in a murmur to himself.

"Abarai-kun" Hinamori got his attention as he turned his head as did Iba "Have you seen Aizen-Taicho lately?" she asked in concern while no one noticed Naruto listening in "N-no, I haven't" responded Renji, somewhat hesitant

.

Naruto caught It and immediately caught that Aizen had talked to Renji and it had to do with a specific subject "He's been acting strange for a while" Hinamori murmured "He was weird for a whole meeting too" she said more to herself.

"But when I asked, he wouldn't tell me anything" Naruto caught that by sending some reiatsu to his ears and listened in closely as he didn't show it.

"I don't know what to do…" she whispered to herself while Naruto sighed inwardly, another pawn for Aizen." Don't worry" Renji tried reassuring Hinamori's doubts as she looked up at the fiery red headed man.

"Nothing's wrong" that only rattled Naruto's nerves more as he continued "The summons will be reminded soon to, I'm sure of it" he tried sounding confident, but Hinamori nodded slowly in contemplation.

Naruto saw the narrowed eyed look on Renji's face before sighing inwardly. The pieces of Aizen were set, and the board was the Soul Society.

(Later That Night – Captain's Meeting)

Soifon stood near the Sotaicho and Unohana Retsu, Naruto's mother. She glanced discreetly around the room but most prominently Aizen.

Soifon waited for Gin Ichimaru as the old Sotaicho spoke.

"You've come" he announced, seemingly to no one as the doors to the Ichibantai creaked open , Gin came into view with his usual closed eye look and grin that unnerved others.

"Sanbantai Taicho, Ichimaru Gin…" Yamamoto started, Gin stepped forward "What's all this?" he questioned in a mocking tone "I suddenly get called in and come ta find such a big ol hootenanny. The taicho's who run Soul Society all gathered here just fer little ol me?" he queried, tilting his head in the slightest.

"I guess not" he murmured to himself as he walked through the two rows of taicho's "Ah…I don't see the Jusanbantai Taicho" Gin looked at the position of Juushiro Ukitake then at the faces of the taicho's "Somethin happen?" he asked.

"The Jusanbantai Taicho is on sick leave" reminded Tousen, not looking at Gin.

"Again?" he had surprise this time "I hope he gets well" there was some sarcasm detected in the tone while others frowned at his lack of concern.

"Quit jokin around" cut in Kenpachi in an annoyed manner "Ya think that's why you're here? You teme, I heard you went off to play with some Ryoka. You failed to kill them, the hell is with that?" he crossed his arms while a dark look crossed his visible eye.

"Hmm…their still alive?" Gin murmured in a quizzical fashion "My my, skill must a be dulled" he shrugged as if it were nothing important.

A low chuckle came from Mayuri "Cut that act" he said snidely "There's no way a Taicho of your skill would be unable to complete defeating a group of mere Ryoka" he finished in a smug, arrogant tone.

"Ah, wonderful a fight between old men" muttered Toshiro to himself mostly.

"That ain't nice" cut in Gin as he rubbed the back of his head "It's like your sayin I let go of them on purpose." He ended with some trace of sarcasm.

"That is what I'm saying!" insisted Mayuri,

"Shut up Kurotsuchi" cut in a bored Kenpachi "I'm talking with him right now" he grinned a little despite the situation.

The two moved closer between Gin as he still had his hand on the back of his own head "Or do you want me to kill you?" he asked slightly blood lusted in killing this clown.

"What was that!" demanded the deranged scientist of the Junibantai. "How absurd" Soifon muttered under her breath, Shunshui tipped down his sakkat "My my, such high tensions today." He said in a lazy fashion.

Byakuya said nothing as Yamamoto cut in on their head butting "Stop that! How disgraceful." He scolded as the two backed off reluctantly with glares at each other.

"But I suppose that exchange explains why you have been called here" Yamamoto continued "Your recent independent actions and letting the targets escape, how about it?" his eyes opened "Have you any explanations Ichimaru?" he asked dangerously.

"I do not" he responded in an easy going fashion while others looked at him in a slightly disturbed manner.

"What was that?" Yamamoto asked at his reluctant Sanbantai Taicho. "I don't got no explanation. It was my absent minded mistake. I got no excuse, I'll take any punishment-" he tried ending.

"Wait a moment Ichimaru" cut in Aizen in his soft tone while Soifon heard the deceit in the tone she listened closely, playing shogi and getting rubbed off of Naruto was worth the while.

"Before that, I want to ask you something."

Before anything else could be said, the alarm went off and no one but Soifon noted Gin's grin widening.

Intruders in the Serietei! Intruders in the Serietei!

Yamamoto growled in annoyance before eyeing the taicho's "With this disruption, you leave me no choice in the matter" he said seriously "This meeting is dismissed as I will inform you all of dealing with Ichimaru-taicho's punishment later".

He continued "All taicho's are to report to their stations and prepare for battle stations" at this, everyone turned and began to leave. Soifon was the second to last to leave as she caught a conversation between Gin and Aizen.

"Saved by the intruder alert" remarked Aizen as his back faced Gin's "Convenient timing, is it not, Ichimaru?" he questioned suspiciously.

"Why don't you just come out and say it, now hmm?" Gin uttered softly "You're not making much sense." He replied.

"Did you really think you would get away with this?" he questioned softly, continuing "Just remember, don't underestimate me, Ichimaru" he walked away as Soifon continued to do so and had heard the conversation by channeling some reiatsu to her ears.

Toshiro Hitsugaya looked on suspiciously while glancing at Soifon's back as she left.

(Ichibantai Halls – Outer areas)

Soifon walked at a brisk pace as she contemplated what she heard, made it sound like Gin was a traitor. "How did the meeting go?" a calm toned voice sounded out while she glanced at the balcony to see Naruto leaning on the railing with his arms crossed. She wasn't at all surprised to see him, as he was her Fuku-Taicho and friend.

"As usual" she responded while the Kuchiki-Unohana looked at her as she strode forward, next to him on the balcony.

"Details? Or any…"

"Gin and Aizen spoke to each other" Soifon started, and described the words she had heard earlier from both their mouths. At this, Naruto frowned just as the object impacted the shield of the Serietei. The two watched as electricity and lightning built up.

"Hmm, that object must be made up of extremely dense reiatsu to pierce the anti-reiatsu shield" he said, musing about the situation. Soifon eyed it as the different signatures were scattered like beacons of fire across the Serietei. Her eyes hardened, this was the perfect distraction used by Aizen.

"What now though?"

Naruto glanced at Soifon before pondering as she spoke "We could keep our cover by sending out patrols, the movement would be obvious".

"Yes" Naruto conceded "But it's most likely that the Onimitukido will not be moved out. Think about it, the Central Forty Six would send out our orders to capture the intruders now, not let them go about" he pointed out; Soifon frowned with thought "That is, with Aizen manipulating the Central Forty Six".

Soifon had wide eyes on that, impersonating the highest body of government that the Soul Society had was a sure way to get a death sentence by the Sotaicho "Then…"

"We can do nothing" Naruto finished for her, slightly grimacing as he flickered out with a shunpo and Soifon followed, side by side.

"What about the "Pawns" Aizen has?" Soifon asked over the wind "If he's manipulating Goteijuusantai members…" she trailed off.

Naruto stopped on a top with shingles on as Soifon was on the lower part "Most likely key people under his command" the Kuchiki-Unohana started "Gin, obviously being Kira Izuru. Aizen with Hinamori Momo…."

Soifon didn't disagree on that; she knew full well she was devoted to the Gobantai Taicho. Now, that would be a more than suitable person for that game of chess.

Beginning again with shunpo, their thoughts mostly playing out the situation.

(Ichigo Kurosaki's Location)

Sand

That's all there was. He got up and sputtered out the sand with a cough. Kaien Shiba he glanced at, he would know the area better than he did.

"Damn man, glad I learned the old ways" Kaien muttered to himself as dusted off his being and glanced around the area "Ok, lets get going."

"That way!" they said in unison, pointing in opposite directions "No, listen to me!" they protested, growling at each other.

"Man, so loud for intruders, eh Yumichika?" quested a bored toned voice with a slight edge of eagerness to it. "Yes, in quite an ugly manner" the other remarked as Ichigo and Kaien looked to see their new arrivals.

Kaien grimaced; these two were the top fighters of the Juichibantai. Yumichika Ayasegawa was the effeminate man, the current fifth seat of the Juichibantai. Next was a man who looked bald and had some paint under his eyes, this was Ikkaku Madarame, third seat of the Juichibantai.

"Oi, the hell are you doing with the Ryoka Kaien-Fuku-Taicho?" demanded Ikkaku while Ichigo's brow twitched in annoyance that he was being ignored.

Kaien shrugged fluidly before crossing his arms "What does it look like? I'm helping Kuchiki-san" he explained simply "Sorry guys, I gotta go with my heart on this one" he steadied his gaze into a serious one, one that surprised even Ikkaku.

Said man sighed aloud "Man oh man, Kenpachi-Taicho will hunt you down like an animal you know" he pointed out, shaking his head at that fact "Ah well, a fight is a fight I suppose" he said thoughtfully.

Yumichika nodded in agreement before eyeing Ichigo "And who is this ugly intruder?" he asked dismissively while Ichigo growled, Kaien stopped him and spoke "Take it easy, these guys are strong" reluctantly albeit, the orange haired teen backed off.

Ikkaku jumped off the wall as did Yumichika, the two landed, Ikkaku started to grin "Alright, I'll take ya on Kaien" he started, but arched a brow when he saw the response.

The now-former Fuku-Taicho shook his head in response to that "Nah, you can have carrot top here", he jabbed a thumb over his shoulder while Ichigo fully gaped "W-what?" he demanded, glaring slightly at the "twin" of his.

Kaien sighed dramatically "Well, you want to show your strength, right?" he asked rhetorically, patting him on the shoulder before jumping out of the sand hole and landed on the wall "Good luck, I'm cheering for you!" he waved before flickering off in a shunpo, Yumichika followed in response as Ikkaku was left alone with Ichigo.

"Che, what an ass" he muttered, drawing an amused chuckle from Ikkaku "Yep, that's Kaien-Fuku-Taicho at certain times" he pointed out before looking at Ichigo oddly "Aren't you going to run? That's usually what happens with intruders here" he pointed out logically since they were near the Juichibantai.

Ichigo paused as he got out of the sand pit, dusting himself off "What's the point?" he asked back with a shrug of his shoulders "Even if I ran, you would catch up with me anyways" he turned a sharp gaze to Ikkaku who paused, considering his words before nodding slowly as if he was trying to understand Ichigo "Fair enough" he began and a long pause covered the area before Ikkaku shot forward, clashing blades against Ichigo's cleaver.

(Uryuu's Location)

Ganju Shiba was not having a good day, so far he had encountered a strawberry with a temper to boot, then he had been looped into this grand escape that was getting off to a bad start. He rubbed his face which was covered in soot, why did he have to end up with the Quincy of all people?

He had to admit, he hated Kaien's luck at times.

"So, is she alright?" he asked as he leaned on the wall, but kept a wary eye on the surrounding area to make sure that no Shinigami were coming. The Quincy nodded as he patched up the last of Orihime's injuries during the fall.

"She will be" he pushed up his glasses smugly "Luckily I carried a first aid kit with me" he fished it out and Ganju twitched, he was always with the weirdoes.

"Okay…" he murmured, slightly disturbed at his attitude of preparedness. They perked up hearing Orihime mumble something in her unconscious state "Kurosaki-kun…that's Peter-san, not Pooh" Uryuu, deciding not to hear the rest of that shook her gently "Inoue-san" he said loudly before getting bonked upside the chin by a now awake and cheerful Orihime.

"Kurosaki-kun!" she said to herself, sounding relived before going "Oww" she clutched at her upper arm and blinked upon seeing some bandages there. "Hmm...Ishida-kun?" she queried, blinking as she saw him holding his throbbing chin.

"I'm alright, Inoue-san" he assured, rubbing his nose for a moment before getting up "Oh, okay" she responded cheerfully as Ganju cut in "I don't know about you guys, but we should move out of the area. Shinigami will likely investigate the crash here" he said exasperatingly, and didn't feel like taking on a Shinigami that had a chance at killing him.

Uryuu nodded, refocusing on the situation before they took off down the alleyway, as they passed an intersection area that was ways away, a voice spoke up "Have a nice entrance?" it asked, amused.

Uryuu snapped as he spun, drawing out his Quincy bow in a flash of light, pointed at the book spine of one Naruto Kuchiki-Unohana who was reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms as he leaned on the wall that was nearest to them. "Snappy, aren't we?" Naruto asked, snapping his book shut as he revealed himself, the Quincy lowered his bow albeit a bit, he was undecided on whether to trust Naruto or not, but that didn't stop him from being wary of an enemy.

"What are you doing here?" he asked dangerously as Ganju gulped, baking away slightly "Kuchiki-san?" asked Orihime, tilting her head slightly "Are you helping us?" she asked hopefully as Naruto shook his head, making her sadder.

"No" Naruto responded finally "I've my own worries" he spoke a sigh slightly. Ganju blinked "Hang on, aren't you supposed to capture us?" he asked, slightly disturbed by the quietness of the place.

"When I'm ordered to, yes" he spoke with a shrug "Also, Uryuu-san" he directed his attention to the lone Quincy "If you encounter a man wearing an odd outfit and has a fascination with experimentation, avoid him" at Ganju's paling, he knew who Naruto was talking about.

Uryuu furrowed his brow and narrowed his eyes at the Kuchiki "And why should I?" he asked snidely at the Shinigami.

Naruto paused "You think I don't know about your hatred?" at his stiffened spine and reiatsu increase, he hit a sore spot "That anger is like a snake, eventually it consumes itself in its own hunger" he spoke with a sagely tone "You will be your own harbinger of destruction if you continue upon this path" he vanished in a shunpo as Uryuu shot multiple arrows at where Naruto was, he reappeared on a ledge, with one leg hanging off in a sitting position.

"What do you care, Shinigami!" he spat out, aiming Kojaku at him. Angered by the sore spot Naruto had hit. "I am neither an ally nor an enemy" he remarked vaguely after a few moment's silence before mysteriously before vanishing in a shunpo, not to be seen again.

Orihime shivered for a moment and looked at Uryuu curiously "Um…Ishida-kun?" she winced at his anger filled eyes when he turned "What did he mean?" she asked timidly as he calmed down, taking a deep breath.

"It's nothing" he responded dismissively, but for some reason, he couldn't help but have those words rung in his head. Banishing those thoughts, he focused on the current objective.