White Rain

Chapter Nine: plan of action

"I'm going. Whether you like it or not." she stated setting her foot down. 'Damn it all Ichigo, I am a lieutenant as you should be taking orders from your higher ups. Not the other way around.' Rukia thought to herself.

'I hate the thought of her going out there, even if she is heavily protected. I don't want to have to find her turned into a hollow, but she seems dead set on going. There's no way to stop her from doing what she wants.' Ichigo thought to himself as he let out a hesitant sigh while running his hand through his hair. "Okay, Rukia. But if you insist on going out there I want you wearing a lot of protective layers. And to let one of us know where you are at periodically." Ichigo said. Rukia smiled as she saluted Ichigo. The substitute shinigami rolled his eyes as Shiro burst out laughing in the back of his mindscape.

*She is a regular spitfire!* Shiro stated.

The other Vizards two gave Ichigo a look, signaling that this was a bad decision. Ichigo didn't really care. He cared for Rukia's safety of course but, allow this argument of whether or not she could go was pointless and a waste of time. They gathered up tons of coats for Rukia to slip into. She also put on gloves and a poncho. She was now ready to leave with the rest of them, and be protected against the white rain. Before the group headed out Shinji took out a map of the Seireitei opening it up.

"Kay we have already checked out Squad Twelve barracks. That leaves at least eleven other barracks to check out let alone the main hall." stated Shinji.

"I think we should check out the main hall last. Besides that is where the heaviest amount of rain is as no doubt that Hakurai will be in that area." stated Ichigo.

"I agree with Ichigo. We should split up and try to check out the other barracks and meet back here in an hour." replied Kensei.

"If we encounter any other hollowfied shinigami try to subdue them. It is the only way to prevent them from hurting us and any others as we don't want to try to kill them. We have to figure out a way to reverse these changes." added Rukia. Once the plan was put in place the four of them left the prison tower heading back out to the rain.

Rukia was checking in her squad thirteen area, Shinji was checking in his squad five area, Kensei was checking in his squad nine area, while Ichigo was given squad four area.  Squad four was the healers of the Seireitei.  The rest of the group knew that Ichigo played an important part of saving the whole Seireitei.  The rest of the group hoped that Hakurai wouldn't put the pieces together and send every hollowfied Shinigami after Ichigo.

*Hey Shiro I have been thinking.* Ichigo stated as he walked around the Seireitei keeping his senses open. 

*Well that is new.  But tell me what is on your mind?* asked Shiro.

*Do you remember back to the time when Rukia was possessed by that hollow twins who were actually two kids she used to look after before she became a shinigami?* asked Ichigo.

*Yeah I remember.  What about it?* replied Shiro.