"Thanks Urahara-san," Tatsuki said as she and the others headed to the back room and waited for Rukia. While waiting, Tatsuki started pacing.

Rukia's outfit was a little ripped, but other than that she was fine. She then headed into Kisuke's shop and noticed the look on Kisuke's face. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"I haven't seen anyone...but I heard someone talking about using a doll, if that helps anything." Tatsuki said, hating the fact that she felt so helpless.

Rukia's eyes widened lightly in surprise as she heard the word 'doll'. No, it couldn't be. We killed all of them... Rukia thought as she recollected her memories of their fights against several of the soul-eating monsters they termed "Bounts"

"I thought I saw someone looking at my house last night before I went to bed. I didn't get a good look at them . I'm sorry if its not much information."Hoshi said , feeling guilty she wasn't of much help.

Urahara's eyes widened at the word doll too. If it were Bounts ,then Soul Society "It does help Tatsuki . I seriously hoped we wouldn't have to deal with these people again , but unfortunately the evidence points to Bounts." He noticed the confused looks from Tatsuki and Hoshi , along with the shock from Rukia and Ichigo.

Ichigo growled and muttered a small curse. He remembered fighting the Bount Army and how they almost took over Soul Society. "This could be bad, especially if there were still some people that were left over from the invasion before," Ichigo thought out loud, still confusing Tatsuki and Hoshi.

"Ichigo, what are you talking about?" Tatsuki finally asked as she got tired of being out of the loop, especially since she was being targeted by one of these so called Bounts. Ichigo apologized and explained about the Bounts to both Hoshi and Tatsuki.

(excessive energy at work balanced by 6 expert songs in a row? Yes please)

Hoshi tensed up when Ichigo told about the Bounts. " Why would they target both me and Tatsuki?" She said after a while.

" I don't know why. It could be possible that they would want to get revenge for what happened . Rukia , I think the Captains need to know that the Bount are back . Ichigo , you should let the others know too. I don't want any of them to be caught off guard in case the Bount decide to target them too. " Urahara said. He would also let Isshin and Tetsu know just in case they would be needed. He hated to interfere with their lives , but knew they had to both be careful " Just keep your eyes and ears open for anything else out of the ordinary. "

( Haven't had much energy today. been really busy at work lately. )

(that sucks. I had to race around a couple buildings and deliver Express packages)

"I'll let the Captains know, but Urahara is telling the truth. These dolls have various powers so be careful," Rukia said.

"I'll let the others know. While I hate to say this, I hope its just revenge for what we did the last time around and not because of something else."

" I agree. We can't let them get what they want. What ever it might be . I think it would be best for Tatsuki and Hoshi to learn Bankai in case of a major attack. " Urahara wasn't sure if either Tatsuki or Hoshi had learned Bankai yet, but knew they might need to know it just incase. " I also suggest training on weekends if that works out with you and the others. " Urahara knew that Ichigo's friends had been training the last 18 months . It would be a good idea for them to be able to learn to trust one another .
( That sounds tough . )

(it isn't really)

"Training sounds like a good idea," Ichigo said, also knowing that he couldn't use Mugetsu ever again. Zangetsu said he would die if it was used a second time, but was starting to show him a new technique all the same. He, however, didn't know if Tatsuki or Hoshi acquired bankai yet or not.

" I hope to see you all on Saturday . " He said after they had talked a bit more. He saw the three head toward their homes . " Rukia do you know if there are any rogue shinigami here in Karakura? The ones I know of wouldn't assist the Bount ." Urahara said meaning Tetsu and the Visords . He knew Tetsu was in contact with Soul Society often and the Visords didn't want anything to do with Soul Society . He remembered the one that had been with the Bount before. .

" Ichigo , do you think it would be alright if I asked Chad to walk with me to school again? " Hoshi asked as they headed toward her house. She knew Ichigo would be with Tatsuki and Orihime. She knew she should have asked Ishida this morning , knowing he lived a little closer to her than Chad did.She did appreciate very much that Chad had walked with her when Aizen was after her.

"Not yet, but that doesn't mean their is one out there," Rukia said after Ichigo and the others left. "I'll ask around and if nothing else, nii-sama should be able to tell me something," Rukia continued on. She would head back to Soul Society later today and start investigating.

"I think that's a good idea actually," Ichigo responded, not entirely liking the fact that his friends were targets for the Bounts.

" I just asked because of last time, but it wouldn't hurt to ask around. I'm going to let Isshin and Tetsu know about the Bount. I hate to involve them, but I don't want either of them to be caught off guard in case something bad does happen.

" I'll ask him tomorrow then. See you guys tomorrow and thank you for walking with me home." Hoshi said with a smile, even though she was scared of being followed." She waved and headed inside .

"Good point. I'll still ask around, and if nothing else, I'll alert the Captains to the Bounts possible rise again. I don't want what happened last time happen again," Rukia said with conviction before she went to her room. After everything that happened, she was a little tired and wanted to take a nap.

"Alright, and no problem," Ichigo said as he waved back in response after she headed inside. He then started walking with Tatsuki to her apartment. He knew that usually she would complain about this and say that she could take care of herself due to her tomboy nature, but this was far from usual.

Hoshi went inside and greeted her dad. Tetsu noticed something was bothering Hoshi but would let her tell him. Hoshi changed into casual clothes and helped with dinner. She read a book until it was time for bed . She looked out her window ,but didn't see anyone out there tonight, but she knew that someone was watching.

She woke up the next morning to the sound of it raining outside. Hoshi tensed a little hoping that her dream didn't come true. She grabbed her school bag and headed down for breakfast, knowing her dad had already left for work. She made her lunch and put it in her school bag. Hoshi ran toward school and sat on a bench inside, knowing she was early again.

"something bothering you again Hoshi-san?" Ishida asked when he saw her.

I was followed again today. I'm scared about being alone. " She said solemnly ,not mentioning about the return of the Bount just yet. She knew it was best to wait until Orihime and Chad arrived.

Ishida didn't know how to respond to that so he sat down next to her and pulled out a small paperback book and started reading to pass the time. Every once in a while he glanced over to Hoshi to make sure that she was alright.

Hoshi looked out the window and waited for Ichigo and the others. She was glad Ishida had decided to stay. She knew she had heard voices behind her on the way to school. That's what had her so scared . " What did they mean?" She said out loud in a quiet voice.

Ishida heard her and rose an eyebrow. "What do you mean Hoshi-san?" Ishida asked inquisitively.

Tatsuki walked with Ichigo to school and was glad that Ichigo wasn't making a totally big deal out of her being a target. Once they got to the school she grinned lightly, hoping that nothing would happen while she was close to her friends. "Hey Ichigo?" She asked as he looked towards her. "Thanks...for not making a big deal about all of this."

"Don't mention it. Besides, I know you hate being the damsel in distress, and if I tried doing that you'd kick my ass," Ichigo responded honestly, which made Tatsuki quirk a smile before they both headed into the school grounds.

" I heard voices behind me . There were two people, one asked why a lowly Seer is so important to them. The other said she was part of a prophesy. I didn't hear anything after that because I ran as fast as I could. The whole conversation spooked me. I hate that they called Seers lowly. Why would they say that?" Hoshi said feeling hurt by those words. It reminded her of what Aizen had called Mr. Fuji that day in the cemetery 3 years ago.