So, it's a whole new start for me. It's my first for serious attempt at a fanfic.

This particular one is based just after Ichigo and friends get back from Soul Society, but minus the Bount arc. There's no pairings in this one. It just introduces my OC Aki. Aki is from my own book [that isn't published, sadly]. So it forms a technical crossover.

Anyway, I don't own Bleach but enjoy!

Chapter One.
Aki.

Ichigo stared out the window. Since returning from Soul Society, paying attention in class was harder than usual. Orihime, Uryu and Chad seemed in the same predicament.

"Class, I'd much appreciate it if you all paid attention!" It seems Ichigo and his friends weren't the only ones spaced out today. Ichigo decided to at least look towards the board after the teacher's statement. "As I was saying--"

Ichigo's concentration fell elsewhere. His eyesight fallen upon the curve of a letter upon the screen up front. "--Exchange student."

Oh great, another one.

"Aki Alkanet." The teacher opens the door and unlike everyone else, Ichigo didn't bother to look up.

"Sorry about what I'm wearing. Since I only just arrived last night, it'll be tomorrow before my uniform is fit for wearing."

He looked up at the sound of her voice and he felt a strange feeling sweep through the room. Ichigo bothered to notice that she was wearing a blue tank and with faded jeans complete with fake tears and to cover her shoulders a dark blue jean jacket chokes at her skin.

This girl, Aki had a hair style similar to Rukia's, much to Ichigo's dismay. However, sandy hair stood in it's place, a sky blue streak across her bangs that match the shirt with unbelievable shade. A navy shoulder-hip bag slashes itself across Aki's stomach, she grips the strap nervously.

"It's not a problem. Would you mind writing your name out on the board?"

"Oh, no problem. I only request I write my entire name, it makes more sense that way."

The teacher nodded and Aki faced the board, and that's when the whispering started. Ichigo bothered to notice that none of them were bad, but glances from Uryu came first, followed by Orihime and Chad. They all knew something was weird about this girl.

When Aki stepped away from the board, that's when bad things were started to get whispered. She had finished writing her full name out in Kanji.

It translated into Sparkling Red Blood.

"Are you sure that's correct? I heard you're from America, after all."

"Oh, no ma'am. I'm quite sure I'm correct."

We all watched as the teacher double checked the papers and went pale. "Very well.. Umm, we only have one empty seat, by the window in the very back row. Is that alright?"

Aki nodded and followed the window to her seat. Everyone followed her with their eyes, "Now, now. You can all talk to Aki when lunch time is here. I expect you all to be kind to her," The teacher smiles and laughs kindly. Though she knew that after Aki's name, that might not be so easy.

After all the shit Ichigo's been through. He didn't care, he had to know.

It wasn't long before lunch, not even an hour. Why had the girl arrived so late? He shrugged it off and tried to understand what she was. Aki couldn't be a Shinigami.

When Ichigo stole a glance back at her, like glancing back was suppose to tell him something, he noticed she just stared out the window.

"Aki, are you listening?"

She didn't even look up, "Yes, ma'am."

"Then what is the answer to the question I just asked?"

"Seven."

Ichigo turned back and saw that Aki had been right. That was the answer. How could she know that when she hadn't even been looking?

Ichigo watches the clouds turn gray outside, and the trees rustle lightly in the wind. It might not be a good idea to go outside for lunch today.

By the time the bell rang, everyone was either swarming towards Aki or away from her. Ichigo watched as she made her way towards the door, answering random questions that he couldn't make much sense of.

Keigo makes his way towards Ichigo. "Did you see her, Ichigo? She has such a weird name but I think I've fallen in love."

Ichigo rolls his eyes, "Don't you say that about every cute new girl, Keigo?"

Keigo's conversation falls and he disappears, obviously wounded by Ichigo's words. Orihime makes her way up to Ichigo, "Ichigo, would you like to have lunch with us today?" Tatsuki stands behind Orihime, and behind her some other girls. Ichigo curtly declines before making his way up to the schools roof, hopefully to get some air before the storm hits.

When he reaches the hall with the stairs, that's when he watches someone run from the corner and up them.

He follows after her and when he reaches the roof, he notices she's holding onto the bars, leaning back and letting the wind brush back her hair. No one else is around.

"So you're Aki, right?"

She turns her head slowly, "Yes, Ichigo Kurosaki. I am."

"Who the hell are you and how do you know my name?"

"I believe you already know my name, Kurosaki."

"Answer the damn question." Ichigo scowls.

"My name is Aki Alkanet and I know about you from Kisuke Urahara."

"Mr. Urahara..?" Ichigo wonders, mostly to himself. Aki slides off the jacket and starts to pace around the roof.

"Whilst I'm here, he's letting me stay at his shop."

"What are you here for?"

"For two reasons. One, to help with the growing, err, what do you call corrupted souls again?" Aki ponders, her finger laying gently against her pink lips.

"Oh, yeah. You refer to them as Hollows. Second of all, I heard Aizen was after you. So for the most part, I'm to help keep you from getting you get your ass handed to you while you train."

"I don't need your help."

"Of course you don't. However, I'm not just protecting you."

"Wha--"

"Tell me something Kurosaki, do you think stuff that you did not know about, are the only things that exist?"

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"

"You didn't know about Soul Society and Hollows until they pretty much smacked you across the face, right?"

"Yeah, I guess.."

"What about the stuff you've heard about?"

"Will you stop playing these stupid games!"

Aki looks towards the door, "If you really want to know. Come to Urahara's shop for dinner tonight, they've asked me to cook since I'm staying. I think I caught them off guard by agreeing to it." She shrugs and that's when a group of kids come out and go towards her to trample her with more questions.