invitation to their engagement party for the shinigami couple or not, knowing that Rukia was close to her time. But he had anyway. They were their friends and Chad didn't want to leave anyone out.

And now look where that decision landed them.

Seeing movement from the corner of his eye, he pushed his guilty feelings aside and tucked his phone back into his pocket, ready to make amends and carry out Ichigo's request. "I'm sorry Urahara-san, but I'm going to have to ask you to stay where you are." Chad stated calmly as he stepped in the shopkeeper's path.

Kisuke froze in place with one foot comically held in the air, smirking. "What? Don't tell me they're mad." He murmured disbelievingly while peeking out from under the brim of hisin, knowing he didn't have time to screw around like this and slowly withdrew Zabimaru. He needed to get to Rukia, now.

Giving the shopkeeper one last glare, he turned and stuck out his zanpaktō to open the senkaimon while speaking over his shoulder. "None of this matters to me. Ichigo can cut your damn throat if he wants. I'm going on ahead."

"There's no need for violence. The gate is ready. I knew you'd be here shortly." Kisuke boasted cheekily and sighed as Ichigo also lowered Zangetsu to argue with Renji instead of raining mayhem down on his head.

Flinching from a quick burst of heat against his thigh, he rummaged around in his pocket for the source of his discomfort. Kisuke stared at the small stone in the palm