((Thank goodness! It has been a lonnggg while since I have watched bleach O.O))

Renji was sad that he couldn't answer that. "Well, I didn't really get that far with Urahara since I was so concerned with your safety... I am sorry." He clenched his teeth and felt his face heat up. "That's why he is calling a bit later."

Hikari nodded. " It's a lot of information to process. I hope my dad is safe somewhere. " She said and heard the phone ring. She went to pick it up and handed it to Renji. " It's Urahara. "She said.

Renji got up slowly without a word. He walked over to Hikari and grabbed the phone. "Hello."

Hikari went to the back room to give Renji some privacy. She still needed time to let all the infomation settle

" Hello Renji. I presume you have told Hikari-san about her father and Soul Society?" He asked." I have more information about Daichi. He is in hiding at the moment, and is safe for now. " Urahara said, having received some more information

Renji passed on the information to Hikari quickly by steeping into the back room and smiled reassuringly. "Thanks Kisuke... any other information?" Renji pulled her out to where he was. "Stay here." he mouthed.

" Also from what I was told, Daichi's relatives have been spotted in the Living World. That's why he left a year ago, but it's assumed that they are after Hikari. They have the ability to control hollows and possibly want to use them to unlock her Shinigami side. If that happens they could use her power to get to Daichi." Urahara said,glad that Renji was with Hikari. He knew Daichi would be relived that his daughter was being protected.

"So as long as I am here to protect her that can't happen?" Renji was relieved but he was worried at the same time. What was in store. There were so many questions to be answered.

" Right. I wouldnt be surprised if you were sent here in the first place to protect Hikari. Daichi said he couldn't tell me yet what the plan was or who else is involved. But keep your eye on things. These members of the Komatsu's are very devious and will do anything to get Hikari. " Urahara said.


Hikari was hopeful that her dad was still alive. She hoped she could see him again someday. She still would go to his grave tomorrow, knowing that was the honorable to do.

Renji's eyes widened. "They sent me here to come get Ichigo and deliver a message. That explains why I haven't seen him. I bet they didn't tell me because I would usually turn down stuff like this. I will keep an eye on things. I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary." Renji looked at Hikari and looked back at the wall a moment later. He didn't know how to feel. It was weird. "Why didn't they tell me? Why couldn't they tell me that Ichigo wasn't even here."

He turned around and grabbed Hikari's hand. He gave it a reassuring squeeze. "I am turning into a softie." "Well Kisuke, I will make sure that I take care of her. I just have one more question." Renji let go of her hand and pointed toward the door and mouthed just give me a minute alone.

Hikari nodded and went up the stairs, she hoped everything was alright.


" Sure. What's the question?" Urahara asked,wondering what the question was.

Renji waited until Hikari was out of earshot and sighed. "Kisuke, Hikari is in danger... Why did they pick me to come here? There are other capable and stronger people that could be here to protect her. I know I am strong but I don't think this is going to be a "one man job" ya'know. The question is... What do I do now..? Do I live here and protect her or do I escape with her. I don't want her to get hurt. She could die." Renji barely got the last word out. He really had gone soft. He would've been over confident and probably would have dropped all of this by now and retreated. "I have been around Ichigo for to long." He scoffed and muttered into the phone.

" I don't know why you were picked. She should be safe as long as you are with her. I suggest you stay here in Karakura, but if things do get bad then flee with her to Soul Society. It's just a precaution , but my source said that they hope it doesn't have to come to that point. " Urahara said, knowing if Hikari did go to Soul Soicety she would have to remain there and grinned at the thought of Renji getting soft , thinking it suited him better.

Hikari sat in the reading nook she had in the stroage room. She was thinking about all the happy times she had with her dad and wasnt sure how to feel about the things he kept from her. She knew it must have been hard for him to keep this information from her.

Renji was suspicious about this 'source' Urahara had. "I will stay in Karakura town until then... check in and update. Bye " He hung up and shook his head. "This is so weird." Renji reflected on the past 24 hours and tried to piece everything together. He wasn't the brightest color in the crayon box ya'know.((Haha... I feel mean xD But it is true!))

After the call ended Renji went upstairs and knocked on the door. "Hikari, I am finished. Should we finish lunch?"

Hikari heard Renji's voice and went to the door. " Sounds good to me. " She said as she opened it. She wasn't feeling hungry , but was going to eat anyway , knowing she needed her strength.

He raised an eyebrow when she opened the door. Something was... off. How can I cheer her up...? Renji went down the steps and felt spiritual pressure. It wasn't that strong but it was there.

Hikari went down the steps and sat down at the small table." Renji-san? Would you like to come with me tomorrow to the cemetery? " She asked, knowing she didn't want to go alone in case a hollow would get her. She still felt she needed to be there. Hikari thought she sensed her grandmother in the room. Hikari had often felt the kind presence when she felt sad over the last year.

"Sure Hikari, I wouldn't mind coming." He wondered why she wanted to go to the cemetery. He felt the spiritual pressure again. Renji was sure it wasn't a hollow. It seemed as though it was in the apartment. "Hikari... do you sense anything?" Renji was looking around as he asked. It was weird. If a spirit was running around somewhere it could be turned into a hollow and that is the last thing they needed.

" I do. I think it's my grandma. " Hikari said with a small smile.

Emiko Harada two years ago didn't want to move on. She knew Hikari still needed her for encouragement. She knew there was a Shinigami in her old apartment and kept hidden , not wanting to pass on.

"You know that could mean she is in danger right. She could turn into a hollow if the enemy gets ahold of her." Renji didn't want Hikari to have to go through another loss of a family member. "I won't force her to pass on, it'll be our little secret." Renji winked. He wasn't supposed to not send a soul to the soul society. It was against the rules. "Oh well"

" I don't want her to be forced to harm me. I just want her to be at peace. Maybe if you tell her it's for my safety. " Hikari said hoping her grandma would finally be able to rest in peace.

Renji sighed. " Are you sure? She seems at peace looking over you." He looked to his left where he could feel the presence. "You can come out." He smiled a little bit, trying to seem friendly.

" I just want her to be safe." Hikari said as she saw her grandma appear in the room.She was happy to be able to see her grandmother again.


Emiko appeared and smiled at the sight of Hikari, but was wary of the crimson haired male. She knew he was one of those who helped the spirits pass on to the next life.She didn't want to leave, but knew her chain of fate was getting very short.She would pass on to the next life if that was the only option she had.

Renji noticed the chain, it was short. Maybe 4 to 5 links left. Renji spoke up. "Have you been okay? No one has tried to harm your spirit right...?" He noticed Hikari brightened up at the sight of her grandmother. The bad thing was everything was about to come to an end. He knew that it might be hard for her grandmother Emiko to pass on.

" I have been alright, though I don't like it that those Hollows are after my Kari-chan." Emiko said using the name she always called Hikari. " If I pass on, can you promise those things will not bother her anymore." She assumed those wanted her since she was a spirit now and staying here was putting Hikari in danger.

"Of course. I am here to protect her. Are you ready to pass on now of would you like to talk to Hikari for some time?" Renji was prepared to leave on cue just incase they wanted some time alone. He wanted Hikari and Emiko to be at peace with eachother. It was hard to lose a loved one so he would understand if they needed some time to talk.