"Thanks Moto-chan. There might just be hope for you yet," he said jokingly before heading off to find the two females. 'Hm...that actually wouldn't surprise me,' he thought to himself before shaking his head lightly.

"Alright, as long as you're sure," Katia replied before nodding at Hoshi's suggestion of getting a present for Uncle Tetsu.

"I'm sure. " Hoshi said grabbing her house key and her purse. She didn't want a bad feeling spoiling her dad's birthday, even if she wasn't exactly sure what his real age was.


Tetsu wondered what Isshin had planned this year and knocked on the door of the clinic. He could sense Nel was here in Karakura and feared things were not well in Heuco Mundo.

Yoruichi was feeling frustrated since Coin and Snow were giving her a hard time. She had never met anyone so set on keeping a secret. She knew Soi-fon had called her in to help and didn't want to let her little bee down.

Katia grabbed her purse as well before following Hoshi out the door. She hoped that her cousin was okay, but since she said that she was, Katia chose to believe her.

Isshin grinned as he opened the door. "Happy Birthday Tetsu-kun!" Isshin shouted with a large grin on his face.

Soi-fon mentally scowled at the trouble that Coin and Snow were giving to the both of them. She had never known anyone that could resist either her or Yoruichi-sama's ways of questioning. It was starting to irk her that neither of them were yielding any information out.

Hoshi was glad to see the cafe in the distance and that it seemed to be bust. " It must have good food."She said with a smile and wondered what she would get. She had read it served dishes from other.countries as well as Japan. She always liked to try new foods.

" Thank you Isshin-kun. "Tetsu said with a grin. " I'm glad to live to see another birthday. " He said thankfully, knowing there had been times when he feared his life was over. He knew his best friend understood how he felt.

" I hate to ask Mayuri-Taicho for a sample of that truth serum he offered. I don't want to even think why that man has that stuff Little Bee. " Yoruichi said as they were taking a break.

"It must be, if there's already a line. I hope we don't have to wait too long..." Katia said as she noticed the growing line that was outside the building. Then again, she had heard that they served foreign foods here as well as normal Japanese cuisine.

"Don't mention it. Now then, what great concern has you to come here, especially on your birthday?" Isshin asked in a serious tone. He knew that Tetsu coming over here, especially on his birthday, merited some type of concern.

"That makes two of us. And I don't even want to think what he would want in compensation for us to be using the drug..." Soi-fon replied. As intelligent as the current twelfth captain was, he could be just as cruel and torturous. She had a feeling that they only knew of half the things the captain did to Nemu, his "daughter".

Hoshi was glad the line was moving fast and that the food smelled good. She was trying to think of what would be a good gift for her dad, and knew she and Katia would find something he would like.

" Just the usual. The Capatins are concerned about the strange things that could be happening in Heuco Mundo. Kisuke hasn't been able to check on Nel-san and I'm sure that can't be good. I'm just worried that Hoshi and Katia are in great danger." Tetsu said, knowing that both girls were good fighters, but he had a feeling someone was after the both of them.

" I think the best way to get them to talk is putting them both in isolation. They would be separated like they are now, but wouldn't see or speak to anyone for days. They still would be fed, but they wouldn't have any contact with the outside world. We can hope that this technique will be the one that will force them to talk." Yoruichi said and sensed Captain Hitsugaya in the area.

Katia was glad that the line was moving fast, as she wondered what to get for Uncle Tetsu's birthday. Although all the good smells were interrupting her thoughts...

"You always worry about them though, just like how I always worry about my children, even if I don't show it," Isshin said. However, the fact that Kisuke couldn't check in on Nel-san troubled Isshin. "I just hope that Nel-san is okay. While I may not like the idea of an Arrancar being a companion of my son, I know he sees her like he does his sisters which is why I haven't said anything," he added. He respected Nel for what she was doing, but years of being a shinigami were what made him distrust her.

"That might work..." Soi-fon thought as she thought about how it would work for them. It would almost be like with what they did to Rukia when she was considered a traitor to the Shinigamis, but this would be worse...much worse. She also sensed that Captain Hitsugaya was in the area and what seemed to be him heading closer to their position.

" What sounds good? There's a lot to choose from." Hoshi said once they were in view of the menu board. She hoped she could narrow down her choices before it was their turn.

" I hope she is too. I do trust Nel, but I know it's because she trusts us Shinigami. I also have the feeling the Captains want me to come back again.I know I don't think like I did before and that's why I can't go back for good. I know eventually I will, but I feel my place is still here in the Living World." Tetsu said. He knew that wouldn't be until both Hoshi and Katia had graduated, but still wanted to be around when the girls got married and had families of their own.

" Hello Captaim Hitsugaya. It's nice to see you stop by." Yoruichi said with a smile when she saw the younger captain get closer. She hoped he didn't object to the idea they had concerning Snow and Coin.

"I'm not sure to tell you the truth...a lot of those things sound tasty," Katia replied as she looked over the menu once the duo could see it. It was a good thing that the menu was separated by countries, otherwise she wouldn't know what she wanted to try.

"I would think that your daughter would want you to stay here in the world of the living, but that is not my choice to make. Whatever you do decide on doing, I will support you on that Tetsu, you know that. Either way though...I think you should tell the others," Isshin said.

"Hello Yoruichi-sama, Soi-fon," Toushiro replied to the two ladies as he noticed Coin and Snow. "They're still giving you problems?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

" I think I'll get the spaghetti and bread stick dish." Hoshi said as they got closer. She liked spaghetti and it seemed like this one would taste good.

" Thank you Isshin." Tetsu said. He knew that he had a few years to decide, but knew it would be better for him to bring it up soon to Katia and Hoshi now rather than later. "So how is having some help working out?" He asked a little bit later. He was glad that Naomi was getting some experience as a doctor and knew she would be a good one.

" Like usual." Yoruichi said." We do have an idea that should make them talk, but it is a bit extreme, even for Squad 2 standards." She said.

"That actually sounds good," Katia replied, "although I think I want to try the Chicken Salad," Katia added.

"You're welcome," Isshin replied. "And it's actually good to have Naomi helping me out. I may actually be able to have some more people be able to come to me if they need it rather than going to Ryuken," he answered after thinking about it for a few seconds.

"There's something that is considered extreme, even by squad 2 standards?" Toushiro asked, surprised. "Anyways, the reason I came here was to let you know that Kisuke got a guest, and she doesn't seem in good condition," he said, hoping the way he worded it would interest Yoruichi.

Hoshi placed her order and then waited for Katia. She would help pay for both their meals and then they both would have enough for a gift and a special dessert. The dessert would be easy, but knew the gift would be a little bit harder.

"It's good for the both of you. . "Tetsu said." I'm also concerned that soon Hoshi and Katia will have to go to Soul Society. Most of the captains do trust the visions the girls have, but I know that they all want to meet the Seers behind the visions. Apparently it's a tradition among Seers to be invited, but it hasn't occurred in at least 80 years.I'm thinking Jessica-san was the first Seer in a while to visit. " Tetsu said feeling uneasy.

"There is, but I'll tell you later. Who is the guest?" Yoruichi asked concered. She had a feeling it was Nel-san, since they hadn't heard form her in a while and knew about Kisuke's trouble getting to Heuco Mundo.

Katia placed her order after Hoshi did, surprised when Hoshi wanted to pay for her meal as well, wondering why she did just that. Once they found a seat, Katia told Hoshi that she didn't have to do that for her.

"But Jessica was a special case. Speaking of which, how is she doing? Also...I think it would be a good idea for Tatsuki to join them as well, especially since she hasn't seen Soul Society before," he said.

"Nel-san, though it seems as if something is going on in Hueco Mundo. Nel-san had to revert back to her child form in order to get through. Something, or someone, is making it very hard or impossible to open a gate into the deserted wasteland," Toushiro said.

Hoshi started to eat ant thought the food was great. " How is your food?" Hoshi asked Katia after they had been eating a while and had been thinking of a gift to get her dad.

" Jessica is much better, as are her parents The Williams family is now under the protection of the Soul Society. Tetsu said not sure of much of the details. " That would be a good for Tatsuki to go with them. Captain Hitsugaya , Captain Kuchiki and Captain Ukitake have offered the girls safe haven once they do arrive." Tetsu said , since it was those three he trusted the most.

" That doesn't sound good at all. I know for some time the Soul Society has suspected someone taking Aizen's place. But we still don't know who it is. I've head everything from Tosen Kaname to Ashido Kano being in charge. " Yoruichi said mentioning a former member of Squad 10 , who had gone missing a very long time ago. Though she had a feeling it could be someone long forgotten.

"It's very good," Katia replied after swallowing the bite that she was eating. "Still, you didn't have to pay for mine as well. I could have bought it, but thanks," she added after a few moments.

"That's good to hear, and Shiro-kun should at least protect them, but it's good to hear that others will as well. Also, I wonder if the Commander would want to see Tatsuki's shikai and bankai," he said.

"It wouldn't surprise me, but until I hear from Kisuke, I'm assuming that Nel is still sleeping," Toshiro said, wondering on just whom would be trying to take over Aizen's spot of organizing the Hollows.

" You're welcome. " Hoshi said. " I like the food too. " Hoshi said. " What do you think dad will like for a gift?" Hoshi asked. She wondered if her dad would ever sketch again like he had when her mom was alive. He had taught her a little bit about drawing and she missed seeing his sketches.

" I'm sure he will want to see Tatsuki's Zanpaktou, as well as Hoshi's. " Tetsu said. " I better get back to the office soon. It's always good to spend time with you Isshin-kun. " Tetsu said with a smile.

" Will you let him know when he does call? I want to hear what Nel has to say about the situation in Heuco Mundo. " Yoruichi said. She knew they they would get Snow and Coin taken care of by then.

"I'm not sure what uncle would want for his birthday to be honest..." Katia responded, looking down. "I'm sure we'll think of something though," she said before taking another bite of her salad. After swallowing, a thought came to her. "What about a watch or something?"

"I'm surprised you're even working on your birthday, to be honest. If I could get away with it, I wouldn't be working on it," Isshin said as he agreed with Tetsu about the commander wanting to see both of their zanpakutos.

"I'll let you know as soon as I can, I promise Yoruichi-sama." Toushiro said.

" How about a sketchbook? Dad use to sketch things all the time before my mom died. He still does, but not as much as he use to." Hoshi said, feeling sad.

" I had a meeting this morning with one of the directors of the power plant today. They are working with an American company that specalizes in hydroelectric motors and soon they will be replacing the older motors that are used." Tetsu said.

" Alright." Yoruichi said with a smile and hoped Nel would be alright.

"He does? I didn't know that..." Katia said with surprise.

"Blah. Meetings suck. I understand they're a necessary evil and all, but still," Isshin said.

Toushiro also hoped that Nel would be alright and that he would get a call soon from the former captain.

" He does. He's really good too." Hoshi said. She hoped that he did like his gift, knowing he had often said he had wanted to start again.

" They do, thankfully this meeting wasn't as bad as I had thought. I was worried he wanted to send me to Portland again this year. Trust me when I say that city is stranger now than it was when I was there in college." Tetsu said shaking his head.

Urahara was tweaking a few kido spells that he hoped worked in case it was Aizen that was in Heuco Mundo, not wanting to admit that he had made a mistake with the sealing spell he used. He checked on Nel and saw that she was awake now." How was your nap? " He asked with a smile.

"I think that would be a great idea then. It sounds as if he would like that, especially since I haven't seen him draw," Katia replied as she finished her lunch.

Isshin chuckled at that. "After all of your adventures as a shinigami captain, you can say that a human city is stranger?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Fitful. I should have enough reiatsu to change back to my adult form, but right now it isn't necessary. Can you call Ichigo and the others please Kisuke? There's something going on in Hueco Mundo, something that is very wrong," Nel responded. Once they all were in the store, she'd change back to her normal form, knowing that it was easier for people to trust her while she was in that form rather than the child form she was currently in.

Hoshi smiled and finished her lunch also." There is a small art shop close by. I'm sure they have something that he'll like. We should also get some drawing pencils too." She suggested as she went to take care of her trash.

"It just had a darker vibe to it. Maybe it's because I wasn't aware of it then. Places can change over time and sometimes not for the better. It seemed to have a lot of higher level Hollows. I did tell the captains about that and they are discussing sending someone to investigate." Tetsu said.

I'll do that. Everyone should be done with their lunches by now.Is it I invite a few new people? Ichigo has a few more friends that I know would be willing to help." Urahara said. He would invite Naomi, since he felt she needed to know this too.

"That sounds like a good idea," Katia replied as she got up and disposed of her trash as well. She was glad that her cousin was able to think of something.

"Huh. First time I'm hearing about this, and usually I keep myself in the know when it comes to high level Hollows. At least someone is investigating it. What about that cop guy? Nick something if I remember correctly," Isshin asked out of curiosity.

"Are they people that Ichigo trusts?" Nel asked. If they were willing to help then that was okay, but she didn't trust any shinigami that Ichigo didn't, especially since the orange-haired shinigami was the reason why she was still alive to this day.

Hoshi was glad the store was close by and was looking at the drawing stuff they had. She wasn't sure which sketch book her dad would like the most.

" It was Burkhardt. I have a feeling he might be in some danger.Travis seems to understand why things are getting darker, since he's from Portland. He says it's the Reapers that hunt the Grimm that become the high level hollows when they die. I think that's why Nick was a bit cautious around me, since Shinigami some times translates to Soul Reaper in English."Tetsu explained.

"They are. They are Saya Adachi, Katia Yamada and Naomi Isobe." Urahara said mentioning a few of the new people, unsure if Nel had met Tatsuki and Hoshi yet.

"What do you think we should get Hoshi-chan?" Katia asked as she looked at all the different sketch pads the shop had to offer. There were so many...

"Perhaps someone can check it out? We could always ask Naomi or her parents maybe?" Isshin asked, wondering if there was any way they could help Nick out, assuming they could spare some people depending on what Nel had to tell the others.

Nel nodded as she heard the names, showing that she heard them. "What about Tatsuki Arisawa and Hoshi Matsuda, Ichigo's girlfriends?" She asked out of curiosity.