Hoshi had caught up to Tatsuki and waved once she saw Rukia .

Rukia waved back and grinned. "Hey there Tatsuki-chan, Hoshi-chan," Rukia said with a grin on her face, glad to see two of her friends.

" Hello Rukia-san! It's wonderful to see you again!" Hoshi said with a smile and went over toward the building. She needed to rest after learning how to air walk.

Tatsuki grinned when she saw Rukia. The last time they saw her was right after the Winter War as they came to call it. "It's good seeing you again Rukia-chan," she said with a grin.

"It's wonderful seeing you both again. I hope too much hasn't changed?" she asked.

" Not too much really . We're Seniors this year. How have you been? " Hoshi said wondering what else she should add. She knew Tatsuki would also tell Rukia what was going on.She wasn't sure if she should mention about Ichigo or the increase in Hollows .

Rukia grinned as she heard that Tetsu was still overprotective of Hoshi, sometimes wishing that her brother was the same. However she was glad to hear that not much had changed. "I've been doing alright," she responded with a small grin.

Tatsuki waited for Hoshi to finish before telling Rukia about Ichigo and his new job, as well as how he was starting to regain his spiritual powers. She then talked about Ishida, Chad, Orihime and everyone else and wished there was something she could do to help the naturally born shinigami.

" Rukia-San , do you need a place to stay while you are here in Karakura town? " Hoshi asked after they had talked a while. She hoped that she could help .

"I was going to go back to the Kurosaki clinic, if it was alright with Ichigo and his father," Rukia responded.

" I'm sure it would be. I'm not sure if Ichigo can see you yet though. But if you aren't able to stay there, I'm sure either me , Tatsuki , or Orihime would be willing to help. I know my dad would be willing to help."Hoshi said. She knew her other friends would want to help Rukia if she needed it .

Rukia grinned at the offer. "Thanks Hoshi-chan and I'll remember it, just in case." The shinigami said.

"I wouldn't mind you bunking with me, if it comes to that," Tatsuki said. "Although, what brings you back here?" Tatsuki asked in curiosity.

Hoshi wondered too, she hoped Ichimaru Gin hadn't escaped his prison. She was afraid of anyone who was part of Aizen's plan. Hoshi still had nightmares of being hurt by Aizen. Why she did she didn't know.

"There have been rumors of several Hollows being ordered to target one Kurosaki Ichigo before he can get his powers back. Where the rumors started we have no clue, nor do we know if there is anyone actually ordering them to do so," Rukia stated.

" Is that why there have been so many Hollows lately? " Hoshi said with a slight shiver, since last night still bothered her. She knew if Ishida hadn't come when he did, both her and Tatsuki would have died. She wouldn't let him get hurt." What can we do to help? " Hoshi asked.

Rukia nodded at the first question before sighing. "You'll have to talk to both your shinigami spirits first, and if that doesn't work, then Kisuke. You'll need the ability of Bankai to help me, if its who I think it is that's trying to attack Ichigo." Rukia said, glad that they wanted to help.

"After you get Bankai, I'll tell you all the information I know." Rukia promised the two girls.

Hoshi nodded, thinking about what Rukia had said. She wanted to know who wanted to hurt Ichigo. She would talk to Indigo-san about Bankai tonight. Hoshi heard a clock chime six o' clock and got up from where she was sitting." I need to head home Rukia-san. I hope to see you again soon." Hoshi said with a smile.She would have stayed longer ,but her dad was out of town at a job site.She frowned when she thought about heading home to an empty house again.

Tatsuki nodded as well, also thinking about what Rukia said. She wouldn't admit it to anyone, especially Ichigo, but she wanted to know who was trying to hurt Ichigo and prove why it wasn't a good idea to try attacking one of her friends. Tatsuki saw Hoshi get up after the clock chimed six, not knowing that she was home alone again. "I should probably get going as well since it's getting late," Tatsuki said, as she, too, got up. She needed to talk to Ryuenjin as soon as she could about Bankai.

Hoshi waved goodbye to Rukia and Tatsuki heading home. Once inside she shifted back into her body. She made herself some rice and cooked some vegetables ." I know I'll see dad tomorrow night . I hope Indigo-San thinks I'm ready for Bankai."Hoshi thought as she ate. She placed the leftovers in a container, they would be her lunch tomorrow.

Hoshi cleaned up the kitchen and then went upstairs. She got in her spirit form so she could talk to her Zanpaktou spirit .Hello Hoshi san." Indigo said with a smile she knew that Hoshi was here to talk about Bankai ,knowing her weilder was ready to learn.

" Indigo-san I have something to ask . Do you think I'm ready to learn Bankai?" Hoshi wanted to know if she was.
" I do think you are ready. You're able to use the main ability of me very well and know another move . I'll teach you if you would like me to . If I may ask why do you want to know Bankai?" Indigo asked with interest. " Someone or something is after Ichigo. I have to be able to protect him until he regains his abilities back. " I know you will be able to protect him. I will teach you. You need rest. Visit me tomorrow and we can discuss this in more detail. Im glad you asked me."Indigo said with a smile.
Hoshi was glad that Indigo would teach her,and headed to bed once she shifted back into her body.

Tatsuki went back home herself after saying goodbye to Rukia and Hoshi. Once inside, she shifted back into her human body before making herself a small batch of ramen after her stomach growled at her. After her dinner, she got ready for bed. However, before going to sleep, she once again shifted to her shinigami form and held her Zanpaktou blade out on her lap before slowly starting to meditate.

What brings you here so late hatchling?" Ryuenjin asked after he saw Tatsuki open her eyes, seeing her standing there for a few seconds, as the dragon-like spirit was about to ask again, Tatsuki spoke.

"Am I ready...for Bankai?" Tatsuki asked, almost waiting to hear the negative answer, but that never came.

"Yes," Ryuenjin spoke, right after she asked her question. There was no hesitation in his voice, that was how sure he was that Tatsuki was ready to begin Bankai training. "I won't lie to you Hatchling, the training will be hard, much harder than what you had to do the first time," he explained. "However, may I ask you as to why you want to learn Bankai so soon?" The spirit asked as Tatsuki explained everything that happened the previous night with the several Hollows and with what Rukia told them.

"Alright. Now then, you need to rest. Visit tomorrow and I can tell you the finer details of what will happen for you to gain my bankai. And Tatsuki?" He asked as the girl looked at him inquisitively.

"Yes Ryu-kun?"

"Thank you for asking me, now go get some rest Hatchling," he said as Tatsuki nodded, fading from view. He knew that she went back into her body and to sleep, however, he knew that in order for her to use him in a fully released state, she would have to get over her deepest fear.

Hoshi woke up the next morning and got ready for school . After eating breakfast , she made some hard boiled eggs and sliced them. She put the slices on the rice and vegtables that were in her bento box. She grabbed the matching chopsticks and put them in her school bag. Locking the door she went toward school. She was in deep thought , thinking about what Indigo would have her do to achieve Bankai.

Tatsuki woke up earlier than usual and felt odd. She thought about going back to sleep for a few seconds before she had to hurry to her bathroom and started throwing up. Not good... she thought to herself. She couldn't be sick. Not today...

Hoshi sat down on the bench and waited for her friends. She kept her senses high incase of anything unusual . She hoped Tatsuki would be there today. She wanted to tell her that she would be training for Bankai soon. Hoshi would start as soon as she got home from school. She knew it might take a while, but was willing take the time to learn.

(Sorry about today, been busy)

Ichigo appeared a few seconds later with a light frown on his face, hoping that Tatsuki was okay. Usually she met him on the way to school but today she wasn't. He hoped that she was doing okay and would check up on her after school.

Ryu, is this part of the test for Bankai? Tatsuki asked, especially since she was feeling fine last night.

"I don't know, although I don't think it is, since I haven't even started the test..." Ryu stated. "Hold on. You may feel a little weird, but I can at least try to bring your temperature down a little," the spirit said as he started doing just that.

Tatsuki felt a little better and assumed that it was working. "Thanks Ryu-kun," she said.

Hoshi saw Ichigo come through the gate without Tatsuki. This concerned Hoshi since her friend was fine yesterday . She was glad today was a half day. She would check on Tatsuki before she went home to start her test. " Morning Ichigo . Is Tatsuki alright?" She asked.

( I understand . )

"I don't know. I was going to check up on her after school let out," Ichigo said, feeling something different about Hoshi.

" Can I go with you? Don't forget today is a half day." She said reminding him. She wondered if she should mention that she would be training for Bankai soon, but decided not to unless he asked . Hoshi did notice that his Reiastu was stronger than it was yesterday.