Seireitei

Rukia: What is it, Renji?  Has the days of my execution...been pushed forward?

Renji: In less than 14 days, you will be executed.  I'm transferring you to...the Senzaikyû Shi-Shinrô, the Repentance Palace Four-Deep Cell.

Later 

At the Seireitei, a group of men, led by Renji, a Soul Reaper with red hair and Lieutenant of the 6th Division, along with four hooded figures are currently escorting a young woman named Rukia to a white tower while having a piece of cloth covering her head.

Once entering the tower, the men proceeds to remove the restraints from Rukia.

The reason for this escort was because moments ago, it was announced that Rukia's death sentence was moved forward to 14 days.

Renji: Can you see it, Rukia?  Out that window...

It pans to the window.  And outside, on the hilltop is the large, spear-like weapon, being held in place with four ropes, and a wooden posts.

Renji: The Sôkyoku...  The instruments that will end your life.

Rukia remains silent, as she has a somber expression.  One of the men walks up to Rukia.

Escort: You may stare out that window each...and repent your crimes...  That...is why this is called the Repentance Cell.  Your hands, please.

The escort hold up two fingers in his hand and points at the bonds that ties Rukia's arms behind her.

Escort: Untie!

The bonds unravel off of Rukia's wrist and into the collar of her neck.

Escort: Lieutenant Abarai...  Thank you for escorting the prisoner.  Now...we must go.

Renji: Eh?  Very well.

Before Renji left, he turn back to Rukia and walks up to her.

Escort: Hey!  Lieutenant?!

Renji places his hand on Rukia's shoulder and moves close to her ear.

Renji: Here's a tidbit...  Of idle gossip for you.  Yesterday...  Some new Ryoka entered the Soul Society.  There were five of them.  One of them...was a Soul Reaper with a sword as tall as he was.  A Soul Reaper with orange hair.

As soon as Renji mentioned Ichigo's description, Rukia looks at him with a look of surprise on her face, a look that shows life in her eyes.

Later

Renji could now be seen walking through the barracks, thinking about Rukia's expression, not too long ago.

Renji's thoughts: All these days...  Seeing her...so alive... 

As he was thinking to himself, he then thinks about Ichimaru, who encountered the Ryoka, earlier.

Renji's thoughts: Ichimaru intercepted him...  Could he really be alive?  It was probably better that I didn't tell her that part...

???: Hey!

Renji stops when he heard someone calling to him.  He looks to see someone waving at him.

???: Hello!

Renji: Captain Aizen...

The one called Aizen is a Soul Reaper with short, brown hair and brown eyes, and wears the same black shihakushō like Renji, but with the addition of the white captains coat.

Aizen: It's good to see you...Renji.  Do you...have a moment?

Renji follows Aizen the storage room, where the won't be seen.

Aizen: Hmph...  It's been a long time, hasn't it?

Renji: Yes...

Aizen: How many years has it been since I lost you to Kenpachi?  You're in Squad 6 now, aren't you?

Renji: That's right.  Um...

Aizen: Eh?

Renji: What did you want to talk about?

Aizen simply smiles before going to the curtain before closing it.

Aizen: Renji...  You're...close to Rukia Kuchiki, aren't you?

Renji: Huh?  Well...  Er...

Aizen: *reassuring Renji* There's no need to hide it.  I know you've been friends since your days in Rukongai.

Renji calms for a bit.

Renji: Yes...

Aizen: *being serious* I'll get to the point.  *looks at Renji* In your opinion...  Does Rukia deserve to die?

Renji: *⁉️* *confused* I'm...  I'm not sure I understand.

Aizen: Do you think it's strange?  Her crime was the unauthorized loan of her Soul Reaper powers and an overlong absence from the Soul Society.  I've never heard of anyone getting the ultimate penalty...  On top of that, the immediate return and disposal of her Gigai was ordered...  And her stay of execution was shortened from 35 to 25 days.  And of course, the use of the Sôkyoku for a Soul Reaper below the rank of Captain...is unprecedented.  I can't help but think...that someone is behind this.

Renji was shocked about this new information.

Renji: Captain Aizen...  What are you getting at?

Aizen: I have a bad feeling...  Renji...  Maybe I...

But before Aizen could finish his theory, the two of them hears the alarm.

Voice: All Captains!  All Captains!  Report immediately for man emergency conference!!

Back at the Shiba House

Upon finding out that Ganju was Kukaku's brother, and that Ichigo's one of the guests, both Ganju and Ichigo started fighting.  But, Kukaku is able to put an end to it...in her own unique way.

Kûkaku: CUT IT OUT!!!

Orihime, Chad, Uryû: (O_O) She took them out with ease!!

Sora: That's my Kûkaku for ya.  Ain't she sweet? ☺️

Uryû: How is that supposed to be sweet?!

Kûkaku: What that hell's wrong with you guys...  Attacking each other the moment you meet?!

Ichigo: *groans and rubs his head* Dude, you kicked me without warning...  Must run in the family.

Ganju: (Q_Q) BUT. SIS!  *points at Ichigo* THAT JERK--

Kûkaku: *kicks Ganju* Don't back talk!

Kûkaku then turn her head to Ichigo, who is now terrified of the one-armed woman, as she marches towards him and grabs him by the head before lifting him up to her eye level.

Kûkaku: Listen to me, you little shit!  This is my house!  It's my way or the highway around here!

Ichigo: *trembling* I...  I'm sorry...ma'am...

Kûkaku: All right.  *let's go of Ichigo* As long as you understand.

Ichigo finally collapses back down.

Ichigo: *whispers to Ganju* Your sister's scary...

Ganju: *whispers back* Tell me about it...

Kûkaku: ALL RIGHT!!  EVERYBODY UP!!

Everybody (minus Sora): Y-YES, MA'AM!!

Kûkaku: Now then...  Shut your mouths and follow me!

It then cuts to them walking through a different hallway in the house.  Uryû looks around to see that it's more bright.

Uryû: Wow...  There are a lot of lights down here.  I don't see a generator...

Kûkaku: We grow "hotarukazura" here.  In the holes on the ceiling and on both sides of the wood paneling.

Uryû: Hotarukazura?  Is that some kind of plant found only in the Soul Society?

Kûkaku: *ignoring Uryû* Okay.  Here we are.  Open it, Ganju.

Ganju: *runs to the door* Yes!

Uryû: ...............

Ichigo: *whispers* Don't you hear?  It's her way or the highway.  I guess that means she can ignore us.

Ganju: Opening door!!  Here we go!!

Ganju then opens the door.

Ichigo: Oh!

Uryû: What the...?

In front of them is a large cylinder-shape object that happens to be the lower part of the chimney they saw outside earlier.

Ichigo: What's this?

Uryû: It's huge!

Kûkaku: I'm going to launch you guys into Seireitei with this!  *points upward* Through the sky!

Ichigo and Uryû: (O_o) THE SKY?!!

Kûkaku: I'm Kûkaku Shiba... 

Kûkaku: Rukongai's premier fireworks expert!

To be continued

Sora: In the next chapter, four of our guest are going to learn how to concentrate their spirit energy, in order to get into the Seireitei.  But they better do it quickly, or otherwise the the person their trying to rescue will meet a tragic end.  To do that, they're going to need my wife's fireworks launch pad.  

Next time: Flower Crane Cannon