Two Souls, One Story

Chapter 23

Ichigo and the gang worked throughout the evening hatching up a plan to get into the Seireitei. A foolproof plan. With Kaien's help, getting in and rescuing Rukia would be easy!

As the sun set, and the sky turned an eerie orange with a navy hue, it was time to pass those blasted gates.

"I refuse to believe this will work," Uryu muttered as they approached one of the gates, following behind the tall lieutenant. He was the only pessimist-realist of the group and had questioned every step they concocted. "How often do you smuggle in people?" Later, Uryu would have liked to make it very clear that this was the eleventh time he asked this, but was ignored the other ten.

Kaien turned his head over his shoulder and offered a cheeky grin. "Not gonna lie..." He shrugged, "This will be the first time I do it with complete strangers!"

Cue a line of disbelieving teenagers and one cat.

As if sensing Kaien's spiritual pressure, this gate parted open, rather than raise like the white gate. The Soul Reapers in charge had heavy bags under their eyes, barely registering Kaien's lieutenant badge under the moonlit night. Overall, neither of them looked very bright.

"Lieutenant?" The Soul Reaper acknowledged, finally noticing the badge. He leaned over to eye the gaggle of people behind him. "Uhhh... Who are they?"

"These are my guests." He smiled cheerfully. "My cousin and his family are visiting so I thought I'd show them around. Don't worry, my captain approved!"

All eyes were immediately on Chad and Uryu; the two very much not-related-looking pair.

"Hey, you gonna judge the adopted kids now too?" Kaien scolded them. "They're Shiba whether it's by blood or through adoption! What squad are you in? Huh?" He crossed his arms and frowned down at them. His immense height dwarfed the poor Soul Reapers just trying to do their jobs correctly.

"N-no, sir! Please come right in, and enjoy your stay... er... Shiba-san." The guards stepped aside for them to pass, eyes wide with terror.

Kaien nodded and turned to the group. "Come on, first I'll show you how to get to my house from here." He smiled warmly, his acting had improved tremendously over the years and he was proud of this fact. The group walked in, and for several minutes, and a turn or two, things seemed to go pretty smoothly. A couple Soul Reapers gave pause to look at the gaggle, but a glare from Kaien sent them running.

Until...

"Lieutenant Shiba. Guests are not permitted within the Seireitei at this time." A monotone female voice spoke from just behind the group.

Orihime was the first to jump in fright. "Gah! You scared us!"

"Crap... Nemu..." Kaien muttered under his breath, which made a bead of sweat roll down Ichigo's face. That... was not a good reaction.

Nemu seemed to look through Orihime and Ichigo, and directly at her fellow lieutenant. Her hands folded in front of her. She looked like a normal lady. Poised, proper, and docile.

Meanwhile, Kaien looked as if he wanted the earth to swallow him up.

"Ah C'mon, Nemu..." He smiled sheepishly. "They're family! Certainly I can let my family in?"

The girl slowly blinked, almost lazily, if that was actually a word in her vocabulary. Then, she slowly slid into a fighting stance. "None of these individuals are in the Shiba family genetic database..." She paused, only for a moment to look at Ichigo, then continued. "They're all humans. They will come with me for my captain for analysis."

Yoruichi's hackles raised. "Scatter!"

The teenagers did just so, leaving behind the two Soul Reapers.