"It isn't Aizen?" he asked, shocked.

"I'm impressed," Nel said as she looked around at the place. "How in the world did you get something like this," and at that she waved her hand behind her to mention the landscape behind her. She also mentioned that she would train here for a little bit, just to make sure her skills weren't rusty.

" It isn't. Though don't expect me to tell any one of you Shinigami who my master is. I would rather die. " Xeres said confidently.

" I built it myself. Alright. Would you like me to let Ichigo you are here? " Urahara said, seeing that it was getting late. He still didn't sense Isshin or Tetsu in the area and hoped things were not getting bad in Soul Soicety.

"What about a hint then, hm?" Toushiro asked. He knew that Tetsu had his own questions to ask. He would have asked them for him, but he knew it would be a better idea if Tetsu asked them, especially since it concerned his daughter.

"I'm impressed," Nel said as she considered Urahara's suggestion for a few seconds. "Only if it's not going to be an inconvenience to him, seeing as I don't know what time it is," Nel responded before seeing the man nod. "You know...I know you told me you were a friend of Ichigo's, but I don't think I ever got your name," she commented.

" I can't do that. It would ruin the surprise. I can say though, it is someone thought dead, but is very much alive." Xeres said.
" What sort of plan does your master have?" Tetsu asked, hoping it didn't involve Hoshi again.
Xeres gave a smug smile " He wants to complete the plan that Aizen had failed to finish. He also wants that lowly Seer girl that Aizen needed to complete the plan." Xeres said, hoping to get a rise out of both the Shinigami.

" I'm Kisuke Urahara. It probably would be best to let Ichigo know tomorrow, since it's getting late." He said .

Toushiro sighed lightly, knowing that it was too much to ask, but it was worth a try all the same.

After letting Tetsu ask his own questions, he was annoyed at what the answer was, but resisted the urge to growl when he called Hoshi a 'lowly Seer'

"Thank you for helping me Kisuke," Nel responded as she agreed to seeing Ichigo tomorrow. She wondered how he was going to react seeing her back in her adult form.

" Anything else you Shinigami want to ask me before I leave?" Xeres asked, hoping he wouldn't have too fight to get away. His fighting arm was getting better, but still was very numb.
Tetsu fought back the urge to show how angry he was at what the Arrancar said. He knew it wouldn't do any good to lash out.

" You are welcome Nel. Are you ready to head up the ladder and see where you will be staying. " Urahara asked, and made a mental note to contact Ichigo tomorrow.

"Can't think of anything else Xeres," Toushiro said. "Although...I do want you to give your master a message: Tell him or her that he or she can try completing what Aizen started, but your master will share the same fate as that traitor," Toushiro said as he finished.

Nel nodded at Kisuke's suggestion, curious as to what her temporary quarters would be like."

" I will tell him. " Xeres said , putting the emphasis on the word him. He knew he would be punished for failing at his mission , but hoped his master would be pleased that the Shinigami would now be trying to figure out the identity of the new ruler of Heuco Mundo. He left through a Gaganta and headed toward Los Noches.

Tetsu wondered who the new threat was, having a few suspicions, but not ones that made much sense.

Tetsu knew he would also get some grief for letting the Arrancar go. He hated the fact that Hoshi was in danger again, and hoped she was safe. " I wonder why Xeres needed to collect souls? Could it be possible that his master is attempting to make another Hōgyuko?" Testu asked, hoping that wasn't the case.

" Sounds like a good idea. " Tetsu said, hoping Kisuke was a few steps ahead like he always was.


Hoshi had said goodbye to Tatsuki and Ichigo a few hours before and had gotten ready for bed. She hoped that her dad would be home soon , feeling a little uncomfortable alone. Hoshi didnt want to be a burden to her friends and was determined to defend herself as best she could. She didn't sense anything out of place , but made sure her guard was up as she slept.

"Thanks," Toushiro replied before using a shunpo to get closer to the barracks of the General Captain, knowing that Tetsu was right behind him.

Ichigo climbed into bed before quickly falling asleep, hoping that tomorrow would be a little more eventful. He just hoped that whatever or whomever had sent those Hollows after Hoshi would not try again, although he did wonder just what was going on. For once, Ichigo wished that his father was home so that he could ask him all types of questions.

Tetsu was right behind Captain Hitsugaya to give his report on the recent events. He hoped he would be allowed home soon after, if only to make sure Hoshi was safe.


Hoshi dreamed of the faces of the Shinigami again. It had been a while since she had this one. The faces of the ones she had not met were still fuzzy to her. She also dreamed of ones with masks, and felt she couldn't trust most of them. Though one of a female with greenish hair she felt she could trust. She woke up suddenly and calmed down, wondering if the last face she saw in her dream was Ichigo's friend Nel. Hoshi laid back down , hoping that when she woke again her dad would be home.

Hoshi woke up when she heard her alarm and was glad to sense her dad again. She got in the shower and then got dressed. She grabbed her school bag after she had put her hair in a ponytail , and headed down to eat breakfast. She knew her dad was probably at work already and wondered when he had got home. She put her lunch in her bag and headed out the door. She kept her guard up as she walked ,having the feeling she was being watched. She started to run toward the school and was glad to be finally in the school gates , sitting on the bench she usually did. Hoshi had the dream she had the night before still on her mind and wondered how it fit with the others she had the previous week.

Hoshi was glad to see Ichigo and the others coming toward the school. She hoped that today would be a normal one , having the feeling that things were about to change.

Hoshi waved back . Morning. " Hoshi said with a smile once they were closer.

" Hope you guys slept well. " She said. She continued to talk with Ichigo and Tatsuki until the bell rang for class. She got up heading toward class suddenly getting a feeling she would meet someone today. Hoshi shook the feeling knowing she needed to keep her focus. She sat down and got her homework out and passed it to the front. She took notes until the bell rang for lunch and waited for her friends at the door.

Urahara sent Ichigo a text saying , "Be at the shop after school since he had a big surprise in store. He knew Ichigo would be surprised to see Nel and hoped he would bring Hoshi and Tatsuki along.

"Somewhat," Tatsuki said, not wanting to explain her nightmare to Ichigo and Hoshi. She talked with Hoshi and Ichigo until the bell rang, surprised that Ichigo wasn't too disturbed about some of the topics that the two girls talked about. At least they weren't gossiping about stupid things...

Once class started, Tatsuki took notes until the lunch bell rang. Grabbing her lunch, she was glad to be outside on the top of the roof although she was curious as to why Ichigo was looking at his phone with interest

Ichigo felt his cellphone vibrate during class but ignored it for the time being, opting to wait until lunch to read the text message from whomever sent it. Once the bell for lunch rang, he grabbed his lunch and made his way to the rooftop. Curiosity getting the better of him, he grabbed his phone and flipped it open. Meddling with the phone for a bit, Ichigo saw the text message and was curious as to what Urahara had in mind. He just wondered if Hoshi and Tatsuki wouldn't mind going along, knowing that the others were busy today.

Hoshi was glad to be on the roof and took her sandwich out to eat. She did wonder why Ichigo was looking at his phone with interest, but decided it wasn't her business.


Tetsu arrived at the Kurosaki Clinic wondering what Isshin wanted to talk to him about. He had arrived home late and managed to get a few hours of sleep. Tetsu had a message on his cellphone to meet his friend during the lunch hour. Tetsu assumed this must be important and knocked on the side door. He knew this was the only time during the day they could talk without others over hearing their conversation.

Isshin opened the door when he heard the knock on the side door. "Tetsu, we need to talk," he replied as he let his friend inside.