A/N: Hi there~ This fic is a collab between Scaehime, Uxintaa, and me. This my first fic ever, besides poems, and Scaehime's first Kuroshitsuji fic, so, while we welcome concrit, no flames please!

Uxintaa: This is my second~! Please Enjoy~!

Scaehime: My commentary, along with translations for the Japanese terms, will be at the end of the chapter.

Esmi: I hope you enjoy reading our fic! ^^

We don't own Kuroshitsuji or Bleach; they belong to Yana Togoso and Tite Kubo. We do, however, own our repective OC's.

(Yumi's POV)

If you have never had to deal with airport traffic, you are lucky. I had finally found a place to park, in a temporary lot I might add, at Nashville International Airport, and now I was waiting for Jesa-chan. She had called to say that she and a couple of her newer friends wanted to visit, so we worked out a time and date. Now I just had to wait for them to show up. So, there I stood with my long chestnut hair in a loose braid and my emerald eyes scanning the crowd for my friend, behind the frames of my glasses.

And there she was, looking just as excited about life as ever. "Yumi-chan! Hisashiburi!"

"Jesa-chan! Hisashiburi desune!" I called back, smiling slightly.

"Hey, remember I mentioned I was bringing a couple friends?" she asked.

"Yes, I do remember you saying something about that," I replied. "I presume they are the young lady and gentleman behind you?" I asked, motioning to the people behind her.

"Yup," Jesa affirmed, a grin firmly fixed on her face as she introduced us. "Yumi-chan, Kurosaki Ichigo and Kuchiki Rukia. Rukia-chan and Ichigo, Moriyama Yumi."

"Kurosaki-san, Kuchiki-san, hajimemashite! Watashi wa Moriyama Yumi desu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu," I said, bowing politely to Kuchiki-san and Kurosaki-san.

Kuchiki-san bowed back. "Yoroshiku onegaishimasu."

Kurosaki-san merely waved and said, "Yo," at which Jesa-chan rolled her eyes. I merely ignored Kurosaki-san's lack of formality.

After she unceremoniously dropped her luggage, Jesa-chan gave me a tight hug and asked about her cats. "So, how are the fuzzballs?"

"Brea and Raya are just fine, Jesa-chan," I told her. "They are at my house, probably asleep."

"They do sleep a lot, don't they?" she replied with a chuckle.

"Yes, I suppose they do," I acknowledged.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Are we taking a taxi, or did you drive here yourself?" Jesa-chan asked, a large smile taking over her face at the thought of seeing her "fuzzballs" again.

"I borrowed a neighbor's vehicle for us to use." I motioned to the neighbor's car just behind me. I opened the trunk of the 4-door sedan. All three of my honored guests heaved their luggage into the trunk and entered the car. I took my place in the driver's seat and waited for them to fasten their seatbelts.

The quiet purr of the engine accompanied the sounds of a radio station. It was easy to slide onto Interstate-24 southbound, just outside of the smaller town of Smyrna. I pulled onto back roads, preferring them to the busy streets. After I turned onto the street where my house was, I parked in the neighbor's driveway. Once I returned the keys to the owner, I led my honored guests to my own home, a two-story, red brick Victorian-style house.

(Jesa's POV)

I quickly shed my shoes after entering Yumi's house and immediately called for my fuzzballs. "Raya, Brea!" As I whistled for them like I used to, I wondered if they'd remember me.

"I think your cats still recognize your whistle, Jesa-chan," Yumi said from behind me, much more calmly storing her own shoes in the rack against the wall.

I nodded as I saw them peeking around the near corner. "Yeah, there they are." I bent down and scooped them up into a tight hug. "I missed you two so much. I didn't think I'd ever get to see you again after I moved to Japan."

"I am glad you are able to see them again, Jesa-chan," Yumi told me. "I took care of them as I thought you would have done."

"Thanks so much, Yumi," I said, smiling contentedly.

"You are very welcome, Jesa-chan." Yumi returned my smile. "However, should we not show Kurosaki-san and Kuchiki-san to their guest rooms?"

"Oh, right…" I felt my cheeks warm with my embarrassment. "I kinda forgot all about that, what with seeing my cats again after so long."

"I know you are glad to see your cats again, Jesa-chan, but you should not have forgotten about your honored guests," Yumi reprimanded.

"Technically, all three of us are your guests at the moment, ya know," I countered.

"That is very true, but you are more like family than a guest." Yumi chided.

"Hence, 'technically.'" I chuckled at the frown she gave me. "But we're getting off track."

"Yes, I believe we are. Kurosaki-san, Kuchiki-san, if you would please follow me." Yumi stated, grabbing the attention of Ichigo and Rukia. She lead them upstairs, and I followed, still with one cat on each shoulder. The steps looked recently reboarded—that old squeaky stair didn't make a sound as I stepped on it—and the walls recoated a pastel green—rather than that weird shade of maroon they had been the last time I saw them.

"Hey, Yumi, is the room I used to use still available?" I asked. "The one with the hammock bed?"

"If you mean the one that your cats are always sleeping on, then, yes," she told me.

"Awesome," I cheered, entering "my" room and flopping down on the hammock.

"Kuchiki-san, you will be staying in the room next to Jesa-chan's, and, Kurosaki-san, you will be staying in the one across the hall," Yumi mentioned, pointing out the rooms to Rukia and Ichigo.

Rukia peered into the room next to mine and squealed. "Bunnies!"

"Would you please explain what just occurred, Jesa-chan?" Yumi asked me, clearly confused.

"Rukia is obsessed with Chappy the Rabbit and anything bunnies, and you gave her the room with the bunny wallpaper." I paused. "In fact, she even brought along the giant Chappy plushie I bought her in return for destroying Urahara's fan. I have no idea why I went with the biggest one I could find, but she likes it, and that fan is annoying, so I consider it worth the effort."

"How annoying can a fan be that it would require you having Kuchiki-san destroy it?" she asked. "I am sure this Urahara-san did not appreciate what she did," she mused.

"Very annoying," I sighed. "He brings it out any time he's trying to be amusing, or any time he's not being serious, just about. Which is most of the time. And he has about a bajillion others, so it's not like he couldn't replace it. Now that I think about it, I wonder why he has so many. Oh, wait, I think Yoruichi mentioned she likes shredding them with her claws when he annoys her." I chuckled at that thought.

"He sounds like a rather tiresome character to be around," she stated. "He reminds me of someone I know," she muttered with a slight frown on her face. "Well, at least your cats have respected my furniture and not caused any damage to my belongings," she said thankfully.

"Yeah, they're good like that," I replied as I let my fuzzballs jump down.

Just then, I heard a groan from Ichigo. "Why orange? Who paints bedroom walls orange? You know what? Fine. I don't care."

"I am terribly sorry, Kurosaki-san, I had not been informed that you were not particularly fond of the color," Yumi said sincerely.

"Eh, sorry, Ichigo," I said. "I forgot she had that room."

"Now that we are all settled, would you like anything to eat or drink?" Yumi said, leading us to the dining room.

"Potatoes," I replied. "Something with potatoes, please."

"I believe I can accommodate you with that, Jesa-chan," Yumi replied. "And you, Kurosaki-san, Kuchiki-san?"

"Do you have any chocolate milk?" Ichigo asked.

"I do believe I have some," Yumi said with a nod. "Would you like me to get you a glass, Kurosaki-san?"

"Yes, please."

"Oh, got any root beer?" I asked. "They only had off-brand Coke and Dr. Pepper on the plane. I don't even like on-brand Coke and Dr. Pepper. Well, Coke I can tolerate, but Dr. Pepper is Jensen's thing."

"Of course I have root beer, Jesa-chan," she said. "You told me that you would be visiting, so I went to the store to purchase some for you."

"Cool, thanks," I replied. "Potatoes to root beer ga daisuki. Not together, though. I haven't been daring enough to try that yet." I ignored the weird looks I got from my rambling, as usual.

"And you, Kuchiki-san?" she asked Rukia.

"I'm rather partial to juice boxes," Rukia answered, garnering a chuckle from me and an eye-roll from Ichigo.

"I am terribly sorry. I do not have juice boxes, but I do have juice of various flavors," Yumi said contritely.

"Do you have strawberry?"

Ichigo and I shared a glance, I amused, he resigned about what Rukia had decided was her favorite flavor.

"Yes, I believe so," Yumi confirmed. "I will return momentarily."

"I'll come help," I declared.

"Thank you, Jesa-chan, it would be much appreciated," Yumi said, accepting my offer.

(3rd person POV)

"So, what do you think of this Yumi character?" Ichigo asked Rukia after Jesa and Yumi left for the kitchen..

"You noticed, too?" Rukia said.

"I'm not as bad at sensing reiatsu as I used to be, Rukia," Ichigo said with a sigh.

"True," Rukia conceded. "Moriyama-san's reiatsu is difficult to sense, not just because she has excellent control, unlike a certain someone."

"Yeah, Renji still has trouble with kido," Ichigo said, ignoring Rukia's attempt to taunt him. "But, yeah, Yumi's reiatsu is like it's half-shinigami, half-something else, but the only mix we've come across is shinigami-hollow, like mine or an arrancar's. Hers… The other half almost feels like shinigami, but… not, at the same time."

"Hm, yes, that does sort of fit."

(Meanwhile, in the kitchen)

Kuchiki-san appears to be pure zanpakuto-wielding shinigami. Yumi pondered as she poured a glass of milk for Ichigo. However, Kurosaki-san is different, darker, almost as if he were part hollow. I do believe it would be best to keep an eye on him. If he turns out to be a threat to Jesa-chan, something will need to be done.

While Yumi concerned herself with the dark strains in Ichigo's reiatsu, Jesa was thinking about her old friend. Yumi's worried about something. She didn't seem preoccupied at the airport, but at some point on our way here, it started growing. Without my kyoukan, would I have picked up on that, though? It's been a while since we last saw each other, so is it realistic to say I can just tell? Addressing the metaphysical representation of her powers, Jesa added, What do you think, Nee-chan?

It's probably fine. You and Yumi were as close as sisters before you had to leave, and that's not a bond so easily broken, came the reply.

You're right, as usual. Thanks. Jesa turned her attention outward and addressed Yumi. "Something bugging you?"

"I am terribly sorry, Jesa-chan," Yumi replied, unwilling to alarm Jesa and unsure if she knew about the darkness hiding in Ichigo. "It is nothing you need to worry about," she added dismissively.

"You sure?" Jesa knew Yumi had something on her mind, but she understood the value of privacy.

"Yes, I am perfectly sure, Jesa-chan," Yumi said adamantly, desperate to change the subject without making Jesa suspicious.

"Okay, if you say so." Jesa sighed, recognizing that Yumi just didn't want to talk about it for now.

"We should probably take the drinks to the honored guests, Jesa-chan," Yumi said, finding a safe topic.

"You and calling people 'honored guests,'" Jesa commented with a chuckle. "It seems like such an out-dated term, but if you didn't use it, I'd wonder who you were, and what you'd done with the real you."

"Either way, let us return to the honored guests before they become suspicious," Yumi said, shaking her head but still smiling while she picked up Ichigo's class of chocolate milk.

Jesa's reply was to burst out laughing, glad she wasn't holding anyone's drink yet. Once she finally managed to calm down, she picked up her soda and Rukia's juice, and followed Yumi back to the dining room.

(Ichigo's POV)

I was about to reply to Rukia when Yumi and Jesa returned with the drinks. Jesa had that look she gets when she's about to say something she thinks will be funny. I briefly wondered if she could use her kyoukan to mimic a poker face.

"Honored guests, we have your drinks," she said.

"Must you, Jesa-chan?" Yumi said with a wry smile.

"Yes, I must. I live for giving people a hard time." She paused, tilting her head a bit. "That, and helping people."

"I would really prefer it if you find something else to live for," Yumi sighed.

Jesa is going to twist that somehow, I just know it, I thought, ignoring Shirosaki's snickers.

"What, instead of helping people?"

"I have no problem with you helping people, and I even find it noble of you," Yumi criticized, chastising Jesa for twisting her words around.

"I know. I was just messing with ya." Jesa's stupid grin hadn't budged in the slightest.

"Jesa-chan, you really should start acting seriously. We do have honored guests to entertain," Yumi said, reprimanding Jesa for goofing off.

"I'm entertained," I commented. Sometimes Jesa's silliness could be contagious. She even made Toushiro laugh, the first time she met him!

Suddenly, my arm stung a bit. I didn't bother asking why Rukia felt the need to swat me. I just flicked her forehead instead, still watching Jesa and Yumi.

"Doesn't my amusement count for anything, Yumi?" Jesa bantered.

"I am most pleased you find me so amusing, Kurosaki-san," Yumi said, ignoring Jesa, but smiling like a certain captain of the fourth squad as she handed me my glass of chocolate milk.

What's the chance she's actually met Unohana? Shirosaki commented, distracting me from the smile of doom.

Somewhere between zero and one, I would presume, Zangetsu-ossan deadpanned.

Duh, anyone who knows anything about probability could tell you that, even if they knew nothing of the supernatural, I mentally replied in the same tone as I took a sip of my milk. Mmm, chocolate.

"Anywho," Jesa said, interrupting my mental conversation, "here's your juice, Rukia."

All amusement died at the next sound: a hollow roaring not far off. I tensed, glancing at Rukia, hoping she had a plan.

(Jesa's POV)

I noticed Ichigo glancing at Rukia and decided to take the lead. "Why don't I show you around my old hometown, Ichigo, Rukia? It'll be nice to re-familiarize myself with my old favorite places."

Rukia quickly joined in. "Sure, I'd love to. I think you mentioned good climbing trees at some point."

"Jesa-chan, are you sure that is the wisest course of action at this point?" Yumi asked in concern.

"Um, why do you ask? Has the town changed so much that I'd get lost?" I replied, wondering if Yumi had heard the hollow, too. As far as I knew, she didn't have any abilities beyond seeing ghosts, but maybe she had gained powers somehow since we had last met, too.

"No, I am just concerned, as it is so dark out at this late hour," She responded a bit nervously.

"So I'll take a flashlight," I said, thinking quickly.

"If you insist on going out, I would rather you not be the only one who knows the town. Do you mind if I accompany you?" she asked almost insistently.

I glanced at Ichigo and Rukia, then replied, "Yumi, we'll be fine. I'm not going to get lost, and even if we do, I'll have my phone with me."

"Very well, if you must insist on going out, I will not stop you," she relented, albeit begrudgingly.

"Thanks, I…" I paused, unsure quite what to say. "Thanks."

"You had best get going before I decide to change my mind, then," she stated as if she might actually follow through on that.

I nodded as I anxiously checked that I still had on my necklace, the sealed form of my power, you might call it, and then followed Ichigo and Rukia out of the house.

(Yumi POV)

I had better follow Jesa-chan. With that hollow out and about, she could get into serious trouble. Her reiatsu will likely attract it, I thought as I left my house shortly after Jesa-chan and her friends did. It would be best if they do not know I am following them, unless Jesa-chan actually does attract its attention after all.

A/N: This is Scaehime, or Scae. Jesa is the OC/author insert I originally created for my pure Bleach fic, Bridge the Gap, Kyoukan! I originally did not intend for the friend Jesa left her cats with to be an important character, but then Esmi wanted to write a collab fic with me, and she created Yumi. Uxintaa joined in soon after. Her OC, Calirre (Ca-lee-err-ra), will show up in five chapters or so. I'm doing my best to fix any spelling and grammar errors those two come up with, but I'm not perfect, so I may have missed some. While they are focused on adding other parts of this a/n, I'm going to say that they have really loud laughs… Ouch. Jesa and I both have sensitive ears. *Uxintaa sweatdrops* I was wondering if they'd notice… Apparently, they did.

Esmi: To learn more about Calirre, you can read Uxintaa's fic, Demon's Song. Cue the entrance of Scae the Grammar Nazi!

Scae: She had that written as "Grammer" Nazi… *sigh*

Esmi: *rolls eyes*

Scae: Ignoring that, if there's a scene you find particularly amusing, let us know. I'm wondering if anyone else bursts out laughing at the line these two did.

Esmi: I totally second that idea!

Uxintaa: Guys… I totally need to work on Demon's Song~ *sweatdrop* Below this are Chapter Translations!

Translations:

Hisashiburi (desune): It's been a while.

Hajimemashite: How do you do?

Watashi wa Moriyama Yumi desu: I am Yumi Moriyama.

Yoroshiku onegaishimasu: Nice to meet you.

Potatoes to root beer ga daisuki: I love potatoes and root beer.

Zangetsu-ossan: Old Man Zangetsu

Esmi: Now for some acknowledgments:

We would like to thank Paxloria, theangeloffandoms, tardiscompanion101, and zara nicholson 1 for all the advice they have given us in the creation of this fic. ^^

Uxintaa: We tried to make this a cool opener, and do hope you all have enjoyed! Until next time!

All of us: ^_^ Ja Ne! (See you!) Please review. Reviews are as good as potatoes and root beer (according to Scae).