LOTUS

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, or any characters from Bleach…

A/N: My first Bleach fic! I'm going to be using both English terms and Japanese terms mixed together such as "Hell Butterfly" I will actually call it that since I have watched more of the dubbed anime, and have only read a few chapters of the manga, so sorry if anyone gets confused about things like that… anyway ENJOY!

Takes place right before the beast swords arc

PROLOGUE

"A Shinigami eh?" A cold voice asked from across the table.

"I know it's a bit much, but, if it keeps us away from Lotus we can handle it, it's a big enough payout to keep us at bay for a little while." The young man replied, sliding a slip of paper with an image on it to the other.

The two men sat at a square table inside the old shop, which was mostly empty except for an aged, withered man behind the counter eyeing the two men, more particularly the one to the right, crouched up against the corner of the wall. Rough blue jeans, a little too big draped over his legs with tennis shoes, a black jacket with a hood fur lined with hazel. His face was concealed by a black mask; large purple eyes were gazing out from the round slits, where his mouth would be shape splattered with white paint, a zigzag line which curled into a broad smile, like the teeth of a beast.

Both men were dressed oddly, but, the one to the left had a more subtle look to him. Wearing a white shirt with light blue pinstripes, grey suspenders over the top, grey pants and a pair of black dress shoes. Half moon spectacles hung over a large pointed nose, blocking a set of sharp hazel yes. The black hair atop his head combed neatly to the right, and a thin layer of stubble extended across his mouth.

"Brax, listen." The young man had warmness to his voice.

The one with the mask lowered his head a bit, indicating that he had accepted the other's request.

The man with the glasses turned his eyes to the shopkeeper, who immediately turned and froze with fear. Then he continued.

"I think this is a little heavy, it's suspicious that anyone would take this risk, especially considering I've never even spoke to the client in person."

The masked one let out a chuckle. "Why is this suspicious? We are the most skilled workers anyone can hire in this particular business, besides I got no problem as long as the reward is nice and tasty." There was the cold voice of the other, no older then the other judging by his voice.

"Do you take comfort in being so insufferably arrogant?" The bearded one replied, rolling his eyes.

"They don't say "Arrogance is bliss", but, I guess it works just fine either way." The masked one remarked, snickering lightly.

"I haven't officially accepted the job, but seeing as it's such a… delicate situation I doubt we're in any place to decline."

"Well then, Katsuo, if we don't have a choice, why bother asking my opinion." This time the masked did not snicker or chuckle, his eyes were not glaring wide and his voice was calm.

"We can run, this could easily be a trap, there's a chance they're still after us." Katsuo seemed distressed.

The other one placed his hands behind his head and leaned back, and closed his eyes, sending himself shooting into a distant memory. A brisk salty breeze barrelled against him for split second, then he returned to the stillness of the shop.

"Been six years since we bumped into those guys, they were a little more than we could handle back then, but we've gotten stronger, doubt those guys could withstand a measly poke from me these days." He said, his eyes still closed and more chuckles followed his reply.

"I'm guessing that's a yes then, we're going to accept the contract?" The hazel-eyed one gazed down at the slip of paper.

"It's just business nothing personal, in fact you aren't bad looking. I'm sure if our circumstances were different we could be good friends, but, unfortunately for you we're not… Rukia Kuchiki."

CHAPTER 1: TWIN SERPENTS

Ichigo sighed as he passed through the bustling hallways of his high school.

"Karakura Town hasn't been this quiet in weeks." He stated to himself as he passed a huge crowd of students.

"What was that Ichigo?" A voice said from behind him.

He glanced back, a girl with short black hair and hazel eyes stared back at him, looking curious.

"Nothing Tatsuki."

He strolled up to the classroom, and took his usual seat, greeting Orihime, Chad, Uryu and Rukia. The classroom had the same dull look as the hallway, white with rows of desks all facing the chalk board, there was a supply teacher today, he was just starting to give introductions. Ichigo wasn't paying attention blanking the short, plump man's voice out, and enjoying the view outside. A great yellow sun was shining intensely and just the right amount of clouds spiralled around the massive orb, that's when he noticed it, almost like a ripple shooting across the sky in a split second, he looked towards his companions, but, by there calm expressions they hadn't noticed anything.

Ichigo chose to forget it and went about his day, moving from class to class looking up at the sky for anything unusual every few minutes, the bell had just gone off signalling the end of third period, Ichigo was wandering around the halls at the time, when a familiar voice called out to him.

"Ichigo do you feel that?" It was Rukia looking a bit concerned.

"Feel… what?" Ichigo replied.

"That Reiatsu," She paused for a second then shuffled through her pockets, pulling out a silver flip phone and fiddling with the buttons. "It feels pretty strong, but there aren't any hollows near by, and it isn't anyone I recognise."

"Damn, can't this town be normal for one day?" Ichigo complained.

"We can't be sure if its actually a threat, but we should keep our guard up, and inform the- Rukia suddenly stopped.

"Huh, Rukia, what's the matter?"

"They're getting closer, there's two of them and they're moving fast!"

In a second the hallway was blasted with sound, first a huge explosion, then the sound of crumbling rock, then students poured out of the classrooms running and screaming. Ichigo and Rukia were now surrounded by dust, both of them had taken cover behind the wall to their left. Muffled voices could be heard from the around the corner.

"Are you trying to kill us both? She's not alone!" A young man yelled over the sound of the building crumbling above them.

"Well, you make it a lot better by screaming." Another one replied quite calmly, despite the other's distress.

Ichigo burst out in front of the two men.

"Ichigo, wait!" Rukia shouted attempting to grab his arm and failing.

Ichigo saw the extent of the damage, one of the entrances had been completely ripped clean off and there was now a giant hole leading out into the school grounds.

The two men just looked at Ichigo for a bit, clearly surprised by his entrance, Ichigo was surprised as well.

"These guys look like idiots!"

A thin tall man, about 6, 1, with brown, neatly combed hair and half-moon spectacles and another thin man, this one a bit shorter than the other with his face covered by a black mask with a white smile painted on it glared at him.

"Who the hell are you?" Ichigo barked.

The two glanced at each other.

"Uh… are you talking to us?" The one with the mask asked slowly.

"Who else would I be talking to idiot?" Ichigo retorted.

Ichigo paused as he noticed the both of them were carrying weapons, the masked one had a sword strapped to his jeans, on his left side, hanging just under his fur-lined jacket the handle was gold with black grip and the guard was a black hexagon-like shape. The other had his sword fastened onto his back, Ichigo could see the silver handle, with black grip and blue guard shaped like a cross, over his shoulder, this one immediately raised his arm, grabbing the sword, but leaving it sheathed.

"Me and my associate here have come to meet with someone, so if you wouldn't mind… stepping aside." The man with the mask declared, snickering lightly.

The other man exchanged an uneasy look.

"What the hell are you doing here, what do you want?" Ichigo demanded glancing over his shoulder at Rukia, who was now stepping forward.

"Just move along kid! This doesn't concern- The one with the mask nudged the other before he could finish and pointed towards Rukia.

"Stand down!" Rukia ordered, Ichigo looked at her with confusion on his face, "They have Zanpakuto, maybe they are part of the soul-society."

"They don't look like any shinigami I've ever seen."

Suddenly the masked man ran towards, drawing his sword with his right hand mid-charge and slashing towards Ichigo, Ichigo dodged, diving to the right, letting the opponents blow crack through the brick wall leaving a gaping mark.

Ichigo than jumped out into his shinigami form from his, now lifeless body, harbouring the giant sword Zangetsu on his back.

Ichigo then countered, slashing downwards at the man's back, Ichigo's masked opponent made a swift spin and blocked with his blade horizontal, he then freed his left hand from his swords grip and threw a punch at Ichigo's head. Ichigo jumped back, avoiding his enemy's blow.

"What the hell are you doing, why'd you just start attacking me outta the freaking blue?" Ichigo snapped angrily.

"I made the assumption that you were going to try and protect your friend over there, so I figured I'd just eliminate you from the picture now." He explained casually.

"May I ask why you want to attack me?" Rukia asked jumping out of her gigai.

"I'm afraid we're unable to answer that question, even if we wanted to, we were hired, we know nothing about the situation." The brown haired man, was keeping calm, and both his arms were back at his sides.

At that moment Chad, Uryu and Orihime came sprinting from around the corner.

"Ichigo we were all the way on the other side of the school we got here as fast as we could!" Uryu yelled, noticing the two mysterious figures and immediately putting up his guard.

"Uryu, Chad, Orihime, stand back! They're carrying Zanpakuto."

"Yeah! Now this is a party, and, seeing as there is so many of you I'll take the liberty of introducing myself! I'm Braxis!" The masked man said laughing wildly.

The five of them paused for a few seconds.

"You guys are a rude bunch of guests you're supposed tell me your names now." Braxis said a bit of disappointment in his voice.

"Brax, quit being an idiot and just finish them." The other one commanded.

"Forgive my friend Katsuo here, he tends to be an ass when he meets new people." Braxis announced with a chuckle.

"Shut up! We were supposed to finish quickly, but you have to waste time on some stupid introduction!" Katsuo retorted.

"What? Are you getting cold feet?" Uryu hissed as he armed himself.

"Nope, my feet are quite warm." Braxis replied

"SERIOUSLY! That was a terrible joke!" Ichigo screamed, although the others ignored his outburst.

"Braxis, we have to leave, I'm serious." Katsuo said furrowing his brows.

Braxis turned his gaze towards Katsuo and gave him a curious look.

Suddenly there was a flash of movement, and Katsuo jumped upwards to dodge a swipe from a silver flash.

"Captain Hitsuguya!" Rukia exclaimed.

A short white haired figure appeared in front of Katsuo, along with a tall blonde woman, and a man with red hair pulled back into a ponytail.

"Looks like we showed up just in time!" Rangiku said joyfully as she observed the situation.

"Who the hell are these freaks?" Renji shouted.

Braxis scratched the back of his neck and gazed at Toshiro.

"Aww shit, a captain."