Hoshi still felt the presence when she got inside, knowing she was safe inside of the house. " You alright Elva? " Hoshi said as she sat in a chair. She would start supper in a little while. " I hope it wasn't a Bount that was following me and Elva . Though it felt like a Shinigami. " Hoshi thought to herself as she sat there thinking.

"I am now," Elva said once they entered Hoshi's house, feeling the wards go up around them once Hoshi locked the door. The feeling that she had was that a shinigami was keeping an eye on them, but wasn't sure as to whom

Byakuya watched Hoshi and the Plus spirit that was with her from outside the wards created by the girl's father. He hadn't meant to scare either of the two with his presence.

Tatsuki was still wondering just whom was chasing after her. Knowing that her place was probably not safe at the moment, she walked at a briskly pace to the Kurosaki Clinic.

" Would you like to watch me start dinner? " Hoshi said , having the feeling she would be safe in the kitchen. She looked out the living room window curiously , wondering if she would see who was watching her.

"I would," Elva said, not stating that she didn't trust being alone at the moment. The reiatsu she felt from one of the sources was extremely strong and someone or something that she didn't want to trifle with.

Hoshi didn't see anyone , but knew they were still there. She went into the kitchen to start the water for the noodles. She then got the leftover chicken out and cut it up. She heard her dad pull in the driveway , and wondered if he knew who was watching the house.

Tetsu sensed that there was a Captain nearby. He would for a little bit before going inside in case he was needed for something.

Tetsu was helping with dinner and debated on telling Hoshi about who was watching her. He knew that there were a few high level Shinigami in Karakura, which made him wonder what had happened and if the fight against the Bount was going to happen sooner rather than later.

Hoshi was quiet during dinner , not wanting to worry her dad anymore than he already was. She finished helping with the dishes and went up to her room to read the book she had borrowed from the library. She was still thinking about Ishida and the Shinigami that were here in Karakura , wondering what was going to happen next.

Elva watched both Tetsu and Hoshi cooking. She knew that she couldn't eat since she was a spirit, but she still wanted to watch. She wondered if Tetsu knew about the high level shinigami that was watching them earlier. She also wondered why the high level shinigami was watching them in the first place and was going to ask Tetsu after they finished eating.

" Is everything alright Elva-chan?" Tetsu asked the young Plus , when he noticed she didn't follow Hoshi upstairs.

"um...I wanted to ask you something," Elva said lightly hoping that Tetsu wouldn't mind her asking about the shinigami that was following them.

" What about? " He said in a kind voice. Tetsu didn't want Elva to feel intimidated by him being a Shinigami, knowing that Seers sometimes were uncomfortable around people with higher spiritual pressure.

"Did you ask that Shinigami to look after Hoshi-chan?" Elva asked. It took her a lot of confidence to ask the question and hoped that he would answer.

"I'm sorry I didn't. I know she and Tatsuki are in danger of being hurt by the Bount. There must be something else going on that I don't know about that would cause another captain to be sent to the Living World. I do have an idea who it is that is watching Hoshi. " Tetsu said. He hoped he would find out why Byakuya was here , if he was allowed to know the reason that is.

"Do you think he or she would hurt Hoshi-chan?" She asked. She didn't want to go up against a shinigami like that if she didn't have to.

" I don't think he would hurt Hoshi. I'll try to find out as much as I can ." Tetsu said, as he looked out the living room window, not sure if the house was still being watched .

Elva hoped that Tetsu would try his best to find out why the shinigami was following them before heading upstairs.

Tetsu went out in the backyard to see if he could sense anyone close. He didn't want to go too far, and leave Hoshi by herself. He did sense a shinigami nearby, but wasn't sure if it was the one he wanted to talk to.

" Everything alright Elva-chan ? " Hoshi asked concerned about her friend. She still was worried that the Shinigami was still watching, but couldn't sense anything.

Byakuya noticed Tetsu walk outside of the house and a few meters away from the house. Not far enough to be away from Hoshi and Elva if they needed his assistance, but enough of a distance to where the noble could feel the ex-captain's reiatsu. Having a feeling that he wanted to know what was going on, he made himself known to the ex-captain.

Nodding, Elva responded that she was alright and thanked her for her concern. She was still worried about the shinigami that was watching them, but knew that Tetsu was most likely taking care of it if it was a friendly shinigami. She just wished that she wasn't too terrified of whoever the shinigami was.

Tetsu sensed Byakuya coming closer and hoped Hoshi wouldn't be afraid if she sensed him.


Hoshi sensed a strong presence nearby and tensed up. She didn't fell she and Elva were in danger ,knowing her dad was close." I think we are safe Elva-chan." She said in a whisper and kept her guard up in case she wasn't safe.

Byakuya waited until Tetsu asked the question that the noble knew he was going to ask and waited there in silence.

Elva hoped that Hoshi was telling the truth. She knew that her father was strong, but didn't know about the other shinigami.

" I hate to be so blunt Captain, but what's going on that I don't know about? " Tetsu said, in a concerned tone , having the feeling that something was about to happen and that it had to do with both Tatsuki and Hoshi being targets .

Hoshi wanted to see who the other Shinigami was and got off her bed." I'll be right back Elva-chan. I want to see who my dad is talking to. I'll be back as soon as I can ."Hoshi said, seeing a scared look on her friend's face. Hoshi had to know if she could trust the Shinigami that was nearby.

"That is understandable. I know Tatsuki-chan has Yoruichi-sama keeping an eye on her and is in safe hands with Isshin nearby. " Tetsu said , sensing Hoshi nearby. Tetsu knew she wanted to see who he was talking to. He also wondered if it was the rogue who injured one of Hoshi's friends recently, but didn't ask.

Hoshi was in the sunroom looking to see who her dad was speaking to." I wonder if that was the shinigami who has been watching me. I can see he's a captain , but I don't know who he is " Hoshi thought to herself , wondering if they knew she was there. She wondered what she should do, not sure if she would be admonished for watching.

Elva followed Hoshi and looked with her as well. She knew she was scared, but her curiosity was overriding the fear and wanted to know just who was talking to Tetsu. She just hoped that whoever it was hadn't come for her. She didn't want to go until she knew her brother was safe, only then would she go.

"Exactly, but the thing is...if Yoruichi-sama or Isshin-san use too much of their reiatsu to protect Tatsuki, the Gotei 13 may come looking for them. If they do, they're going to want to execute Yoruichi-sama and Kisuke-san. It is a wish of mine to not have that scenario pan out." Byakuya said lightly.

" I know they both will be careful." Tetsu replied solemnly, not wanting that scenario to pan out either. " How possible is it that the rouge Shinigami was the one who attacked a few nights ago?" Tetsu asked. Urahara had told him earlier about the attack on Ishida and it made Tetsu uneasy that the Bount were going to that extreme.

Hoshi couldn't hear what they were talking about from where she was watching . She was glad Elva was with her. Hoshi was starting to feel afraid again and hoped she could trust the captain her dad was talking to .