A/N: Hey, y'all; I'm finally back with chapter two of 'A Portal to Another World'! Thanks to 'team natsu and wendy 4 life' and everyone else who has favorite, alerted and commented on the first chapter, I've finally gotten re-inspired to work on this story. Hopefully if you've stuck around with me for this long, you'll stick around with me even longer as I try to continue it. College has taught me that starting with alarm clocks is not a good idea, because it leaves people wondering what happened before then… I'll probably still use that method, though… xD Anyway, this chapter may be a little iffy because I'm really not good at physical fight scenes, we'll see what happens. Tallyho! x3

Italics is the thoughts or dream sequences

Bold italics is the surprise voice

Disclaimer: I do not claim to own any part of the Bleach franchise and make absolutely no profit whatsoever off of writing this story. No matter how much I wish I did.

Claimer: I do however own the OCs portrayed in this work of fiction. Sadly, I also gain no profit but faithful readers from the creation of these characters and the shenanigans they may get into throughout these stories I write. x3

Chapter 2: Training with Shinigami and our first swords…

Setsuko's P.O.V:

It was a bright sunny day; there was lots of snow on the ground though. The beginning of the winter season. It seemed oddly familiar, yet slightly different, though I couldn't quite place my finger on it. I mean, aren't all winters pretty much the same here? Sun shining, snow falling… snow falling… that was what was different. While the ground was covered in a thick layer of snow, there was no fresh falling snow from the sky. The snow never stopped falling in our town.

"Why isn't it snowing anymore? I've gotta check this out." I whispered to myself.

I got up from my favorite window seat which had the perfect view of our yard, swing set connected to the tree-house fort my sister and I had built together on our 14th birthday when our parents started fighting. It was an escape for us. That fateful winter day 2 years later when our parents got into the car accident that ultimately ended their lives, that ended a bit of our lives too, didn't it… They were fighting again, while in the car that day. It was a little too hot that day, oddly enough though; it got way too cold in the house when we got the news later that night. We got this house and everything our parents owned after they died. The one thing our parents agreed on was my sister and I having a good life even should they not be in it with us. We've been living here on our own for a year now, it was hard at first, but we're adults now. It's better than a foster home splitting my sister and me up. Anyway, I wasn't supposed to be thinking about that.

I wiped a lone tear from my eye, put on a light winter jacket, some gloves and my snow boots and walked out the glass double doors to stand in the backyard and explore the fallen snow. The second I stepped outside and into the snow, I sank up to my ankles.

"Well, at least the night's snow fall was still heavy." I thought aloud, trudging my way to the swing, sitting down.

I looked up to the sky and thought it was a little warm today too. Maybe, I'm imagining it. My emotions are all out of whack.

"It really is a beautiful day, though." I smiled up at the sky and swung back and forth a bit.

A sparkle in the distance, high up in the clouds caught my eye and I stopped swinging momentarily to get a better look. I watched as a snowflake fell slowly down from the sky to land on the tip of my nose. I couldn't help the wide grin that spread across my face. And, I started laughing. Just a little laugh, that grew uncontrollably and wouldn't be stopped. I laughed so much that I fell off the swing and rolled around in the snow, clutching my sides as before I knew it, the sky was filled with beautiful sparkling snowflakes of all different shapes and sizes. Eventually I laughed myself out, sides and cheeks hurting; I looked back up to the sky, watching the now gorgeous heavy snowfall as I made a snow angel.

I lay still for a moment, just basking in the bright sunlight, enjoying the 'warmth' of the cold as I closed my eyes, laughed one last time, and relaxed happily.

'Setsuko, do you like my snow?'

I heard a faint whisper in my ear; startled out of my blissful rest, I sat up and looked around for the voice that interrupted my peace.

"Hello? Who's there, who said that?" I asked a little scared.

'It is me, Setsuko; I created this snow for you. Don't you like it? It's my masterpiece.'

"You 'created' the snow? How could you do that, isn't it just frozen rain?"

I asked the voice, and it laughed at me. It laughed!

"What's so funny? I learned that in school!" I shouted a little miffed at the voice laughing at me.

'Well, technically, yes it is 'frozen' water, young one. And, yes, I did create the snow. I have the ability to manipulate air and water to create snow and ice as well.' The voice said to me.

"Interesting… Okay, so you make snow, but why did you make it for me?" I asked confused.

'I wanted to make you happy, and to be able to communicate with you.' The voice responded.

"Why would you care about how I feel, or even want to talk to me? Why am I special?"

'We are connected. However, you are not aware of me, and all I have done for you. I want us to be together, I see though that you are not ready.'

"Not ready for what? I don't understand! Who or what are you anyway?" I asked loudly, standing up and looking to the sky again.

'It is not time for you to know these answers. Soon; soon, all will be revealed…'

The voice echoed before fading out and the snowfall around me started to die down.

"Wait! Don't leave me! I don't want to be alone, talk to me; tell me your name! Anything, please!" I shouted to the sky as the snow on the ground and in the sky started to flurry angrily around me until I couldn't see anything but a blurry shadow in the distance.

"Setsuko, where are you; I'm home!"

I heard a familiar voice shout out to me from inside the house. Haruko… I turned to the sliding glass doors which I had apparently left open. Tears I didn't know I had been holding in dripped down my face, and I ran into the house. With one last fleeting glance at the sky, the snow settled on the ground again, shadowy figure gone, snowfall gone, I wiped my face putting on a smile and closed the doors walking in to the living room to greet Haruko back from the store…

Wake up, wake up, your alarm is going off, wake up, wake up, Setsuko wake up, it's time to wake up, wake up now, wake up now, I can go on all day, wake up, you know you've got work to do, wake up I say, I'm getting angry, wake up, Setsuko, wake up now, wak-

"Ugh… what the hell is that annoying noise?" I grumbled, as I literally rolled out of bed.

I looked around groggily, and saw my bag vibrating and a light flashing from inside of it.

"What? Is that my cellphone?" I reached my hand into my bag, and pulled out my little red cellphone which was now shouting at me to wake up, bright bold golden numbers reading 5:10…

"5:10, shit, where am I?" I looked around, seeing what appeared to be someone's sleep quarters from Bleach…

"Awe, SHIT! I'm in the Bleach world. I forgot! My phone still works here? I figured it'd be too high-tech… Wait…" I looked back down to my phone which was still shouting at me, I turned the alarm off, staring at the screen which now read 5:15…

"CRAP! I'm supposed to meet up with Renji to train at 6!" I jumped up from the floor, grabbed my bag and ran out of my room to the showers to get ready for Renji.

I washed myself quickly and dried off, swiftly getting dressed in a thigh length tight red off the shoulder shirt with loose sleeves going down to my elbows and a pair of black spandex shorts which stopped just above my knees. Running, back to my room, I closed the door, and checked my phone again to see that it was now 5:45. I quickly brushed out my hair, put it up in a high ponytail, and slipped on my black knee-high boots from yesterday. I applied a light layer of pink eye shadow and checking the time again, ran out my room at 5:50.

The training grounds I was supposed to meet Renji at weren't very far from the 6th division barracks. There was supposedly a forest behind the sixth division barracks, I hadn't known about from the show. I was excited to see it; it'd be nice to spend more time alone with Renji as well…

I closed my eyes briefly as I opened the front doors and the sun, even though it had just recently risen shone brightly into my face and blinded me. I felt something cold land on my head and melt almost immediately. Opening my eyes I was met with the first snowfall of the year… It was so beautiful; I couldn't help the wide smile spreading across my face.

'Setsuko…'

'That voice…' I thought to myself, spinning around in circles looking for the location of the voice.

I saw a mini tornado of snow heading into the forest, and, suddenly reminded of my dream, I followed, sprinting briskly to catch up to the figure controlling the snow.

'Why did I have that dream again? It's been a year since I last dreamt about that day, not that I don't think of it often enough.' The flurry of snow drifted further, faster, and I sped up to a run.

"WAIT! Why am I seeing you now? Why are you running from me?" I shouted to the snow in front of me.

I blindly ran ahead, pushing branches out of my path trying desperately to catch up to the being. Not looking where I was going, I ran right into something hard and toppled forward onto the ground taking whatever it was with me.

"Ugh… What did I run into?" I mumbled, sitting up and rubbing my head slowly.

"That would be me…" a deep voice rumbled from under me, the vibrations shaking me a bit.

I looked down to see I was sitting atop a felled Renji Abarai…

"EEP! I'm sorry, Renji!"

I jumped backwards off of Renji, and bowed my head in the snow apologetically.

Renji's P.O.V:

I heard a girl shouting in the distance, and turned to look in the direction I had taken to enter the forest. I felt the spike in Reiatsu before I saw a mini snow tornado being chased by Setsuko…

"What is she doing?" I wondered aloud to myself as the tornado got closer before disappearing a foot away from me, Setsuko didn't stop running though, her eyes closed, mine widened as I watched her run right into me, both of us crashing into the snow below us.

The next thing I knew Setsuko was bowing her head into the snow apologizing for slamming into me and knocking me down.

"Don't worry about it, Setsuko."

I couldn't help a light chuckle from escaping my mouth as Setsuko looked up to me with wide shy eyes, and a blush adorning her cheeks.

Her blush only deepened and she looked down to the snow as she heard me laugh.

"Hey, what happened? Why were you running so fast with your eyes closed, and who were you yelling at?" I asked her quietly.

"U-um… No one, nothing's wrong. I just wasn't looking, I didn't want to be late…" she muttered still not looking up at me.

"You know, strangely, I don't believe you." I told her slowly.

Setsuko's P.O.V:

My eyes widened and blush deepened as Renji caught my lie.

"I'm not lying… Not completely anyway…"

"Well, what's the whole truth? Tell me, you seemed in distress." Renji persisted.

"Can't we just start training…?" I asked quietly, playing with the snow in my hands, not wanting Renji to think I was insane or something for chasing a snow tornado.

The air got colder, and some of the snow around Setsuko started shifting a bit around her. Renji could feel her Reiatsu getting stronger all of a sudden.

'Well, now; this is an interesting turn of events.' Renji thought.

"Calm down, Setsuko. I just want to help. Will you tell me what got you in such a rush?"

"I guess…"

I sighed and took a deep breath, before starting my story.

"What day is it, Renji?" I asked slowly.

"It's November 20th, why?" Renji asked curiously.

"I thought so, that makes sense now… Well, you see. Every November 20th with the first snowfall of the year, comes the dreams…" I said softly, thinking of what I would say next.

"What dreams?" Renji asked carefully.

"So, the thing is that ever since my 16th birthday I've been having these reoccurring dreams. Dreams about the first day I started hearing and seeing it…"

"What is it?" Renji asked interest peeking, having an idea what exactly this was all about.

"That's the thing; I don't know what it is! It just came to me on my 16th birthday, it made it snow, and spoke to me. It told me that we were connected, that it wanted to make me happy and be able to communicate with me… But, it said I wasn't ready then. If I wasn't ready, why would it come to me in the first place?!

It made such beautiful snow, the fresh falling snowflakes that day… I remember it so clearly; the way it felt on my face, the cool breeze, the bright shining sun, the sound of its voice…"

Renji sat there, quietly listening, patiently watching the snow spinning unnoticed around me as my Reiatsu spiked yet again.

"So, you had the dream again this morning?" Renji asked being careful not to upset me.

"Yeah… I hadn't really realized it at first because I was so shocked to wake up in a new environment. I honestly was rushing to get here on time; I didn't want to leave a bad first impression on you. On my way though, I witnessed the snow falling and entranced by its beauty I was shocked to hear the voice again."

"It called out my name, and started up a snow tornado, running away from me and leading me here. You know the rest…" I finished my story, having never looked up to Renji once.

"Hmm… Well, you know I think I know what's happening?" Renji asked.

I lifted my head, surprised to hear that finally looking Renji in the eye for the first time that morning.

"Really, what's happening? I'm not going crazy, right?" I asked, getting up on my knees, moving closer to Renji to make sure I didn't miss anything he had to say.

"You were exhibiting signs of your special abilities at an early age, I'm sure. Any moments before your 16th birthday when the temperature around you would take a sudden dive, or the winter snow would thicken around you?"

"Yeah, how did you know…?" I questioned, shocked Renji could discern that from my story.

"I can see, right now, your Reiatsu has been spiking throughout your relaying of your story, the snow around you was also reacting in a mini tornado, it got at least 5 degrees colder as well."

"I believe that the figure you saw and heard before might have very well been a spirit pleading for your help. Or it may have wanted to help you as well. I can't be sure what it is exactly, but I don't think it's malicious. I may not be the best person to talk to right now however. I can tell you that you have a link with the cold, snow and ice. I suggest you speak with Hitsugaya-taichou after our training today. We will still be training." Renji ended with a smirk.

"Wait, what?! I still have to train? Not fair…" I grumbled childishly.

Renji's P.O.V:

"Haha, come now, I'll go easy on you. No weapons. Just our bodies and our minds…" I smirked.

"Psh; well, no offense, but if it comes down to brain-power, I've got this battle in the bag." Setsuko retaliated with a bite of chilly air down my spine.

'Oh, this'll be fun…' I thought to myself as Setsuko stood up, seemingly forgetting about her troubles momentarily to spar with me.

Setsuko charged at me, pulling back a fist to punch me in the gut. I dodged, and she skids to a stop inches from a tree that was situated behind the spot I was previously residing in. Turning to glare at me, she stood her ground, waving me over to make the next move.

I smirked and ran a zigzag path to mess with her vision a bit, sliding across an icy patch of snow, stopping behind her and grabbing her shoulder preparing for a flip. She seemed to be expecting that however, and dropped to a crouch, swinging one leg around the other and catching my legs, sweeping me off my feet and onto my back. She pounced on top of me, and preparing for another punch, caught me in the shoulder before I flipped our positions, pinning her to the ground instead.

She didn't seem to appreciate that though, as I saw a faint blush pass across her cheeks before disappearing only to reveal an icy glare, I suddenly froze on the spot; the temperature dropped several more degrees in the short seconds between her blush and glare. I felt my blood run cold, as I heard her growl a bit, snow raging around us. I looked back and forth from Setsuko and the growing snowstorm, eyes widening. Within that moment of indecision, she flipped our positions again, pushing me down into the snow and propelling herself back into a handspring landing on her feet, and instantly charging me again.

I barely had the time to register her sudden strength, as she flew at me with the speed of a roaring blizzard. I flipped myself back out of the snow pile and landing high above the ground in a tree, surveying my surroundings, watching as Setsuko was momentarily confused as to where I ran to.

This sparring session was turning out to be much more intense than I had expected it to be…

-A-P-T-A-U-

About 5 hours later, Setsuko and I were both laying in the snow, breathing heavily after an intense fist-to-fist- training session. We were both littered with scratches and bruises wherever skin was visible and I'm sure hidden away as well. She was tougher than I gave her credit for, even without knowing how to control her Reiatsu or having any weapons.

"Hey, Setsuko; it's lunch time. Why don't you go get washed up and have some lunch? I'll talk to Hitsugaya-taichou and ask him to schedule a meeting with you later. You did a great job in your first fight with a Shinigami. Rest now, and get your energy back up. Tomorrow won't be so easy." I told Setsuko as I walked her back to the barracks for a well-deserved rest.

"Thanks Renji, for listening to me." Setsuko said, leaning up on tip-toe to place a kiss on my cheek before scurrying away into the barracks without another word.

All I could do was blush, as I watched her run away. As the doors closed I cleared my throat and walked briskly to Hitsugaya-taichou's office to present him with my new findings and request a meeting with Yamamoto-soutaichou.

Haruko's P.O.V:

"So, if this is hand-to-hand, no weapons, shouldn't your Shunpo be considered a weapon? I can't do that yet, it's not fair, Byakuya!"

I shouted at Byakuya from a great distance as he had used Shunpo to avoid my punches and kicks. I had yet to land a single hit because he wouldn't play fair.

"First of all, it is Kuchiki-taichou. Secondly, there is no such thing as 'fair' when it comes to battle, and thirdly, Shunpo is a skill learned, not a weapon." Byakuya responded coolly.

I sighed heavily, catching my breath as I looked to the ground trying to calm myself. It wouldn't be good to snap in front of Byakuya, at least not yet anyway…

"Well, if you're gonna be like that, maybe I should just walk away and find someone who'll actually teach me some fighting, instead of running away like a coward."

I barely turned around and took a step when Byakuya was suddenly glaring down at me inches away from my body. I froze, gulped and looked up slowly, hiding my sudden fear with a glare of my own.

"Bya- Kuchiki-taichou?"

I asked correcting my slip-up quickly so as not to anger him even more. I knew what powers he possessed and did not want to be on the receiving end of them until I could defend myself better.

"Haruko; I will have you know, I am no coward. And, I could have you bowing before me in a second if I were to simply loose my Reiatsu. It would be wise for you to think carefully of your next response before uttering any words from your mouth."

Byakuya told me calmly as he steeled his expression, waiting for my response.

I wouldn't be deterred though, when I wanted something I got it. Even if force was necessary.

Before he could react, I dropped to ground, and executed a slide behind him, lifting my leg to kick him in the back. I actually caught him off guard, and he flew forward a few feet before doing a front flip, landing perfectly. 'Oh shit…' I thought to myself as he turned his head slowly to look at me again.

What surprised me though was the slight shock on his face. It only lasted a millisecond before it was replaced again with his usual stoic expression. He didn't seem mad, nor disappointed. He just seemed like, well, Byakuya Kuchiki. I couldn't tell if that was good or bad.

"Well, Haruko; I will admit that you may have caught me off guard this one time. I will assure you it will never happen again, and it will never leave this moment in these here woods. Am I clear?" Byakuya asked calmly, steeling his gaze on me.

I couldn't help but to agree, nodding dumbly.

"Now that that has been cleared up, shall we continue with our training?"

I smiled briefly before hardening my gaze on Byakuya as he awaited my next move. I ran up to him, and he didn't Shunpo away, however, I could still only graze his robes with my strikes. I suppose that lucky kick was just that. Luck…

Byakuya's P.O.V:

'This girl… She is young, but strong. I truly was not expecting anyone to ever even think to attempt striking me from behind. Least of all, not after being locked in my gaze, threats fresh on the air. I am sure she knows of my past achievements. This one is strange indeed.'

Byakuya thought to himself, dodging every punch and kick sent his way from Haruko. She was getting better though, that last kick almost landed.

'Her Reiatsu is growing stronger every minute. I can see it now, almost feel it. However, she does not seem to notice it. Perhaps…'

I let loose a fraction of my Reiatsu, causing Haruko to stop in her tracks, fear flashing behind her eyes momentarily before she glared at me.

"Hey! Cut that out, I don't need the extra pressure pushing down on me in this snow that's already weighing me down. God, it's so cold…" she added that last thought to herself.

"So, you can feel my Reiatsu then?"

"Of course I can! I could sense it long before you even let out that extra bit just now. Makes sense since you are one of the strongest captains in the Gotei 13…"

Haruko said this a bit blushingly, almost spitefully? Was she angered, jealous of my strength?

"You know, I respect you a great deal and all, but, it really is unfair for me to be pit against you right from the start. I can't even land a single attack!" Haruko said loudly.

"Hmm… Better to start with the best, rather than having to waste time, climbing the ladder."

She simply sighed, catching her breath before getting back into her fighting stance and waiting for me to make the first move this time. She's getting braver. Riskier.

'This one will be fun. I should bring this up to Yamamoto-soutaichou.'

I thought to myself, as I rushed at Haruko and posed to strike her in the side with a kick, which she skillfully evaded with a cartwheel. She was learning fast.

Haruko's P.O.V:

I had just finished my training session with Byakuya and was currently heading to the sixth division's showers to wash off all the sweat and grime form being thrown around by him all morning. 'I can't imagine what I'll look like after a sword fight with him…'

I looked myself in the mirror; examining myself of all the bruises and scrapes I now had littering my body. I sighed and shifted my gaze behind me in the mirror when I heard the door opening to see Setsuko walk in looking just as worn as me, if not worse. 'Hmm… I wonder what Renji looks like.'

"'Sup, sis?" I asked her as she looked up to see me.

"Hey, Haruko; are you done with training too?" She asked me with a smile.

"Yeah, how was it with Renji?" I asked, smirking as she blushed.

"You know… It was fighting, no big deal…" she said softly, looking away from me.

"Haha, I'm sure. Who won?" I asked her.

"It was a tie. I think I did manage to get a few more blows in, though it was pretty evenly matched. You should see him." She smiled up at me.

"Haha, a tie, riiight… I'm sure he was just going easy on you." I told her with a smirk.

"Shut up, Haruko! I'm serious; I have crazy unknown powers that tipped the battle in my favor!"

'Unknown powers? Does she mean Shinigami powers?' I thought curiously.

"Of course you do, what do you mean just because you can move so easily in the snow? You saw the snow today; there's way too much for me. I forgot it was the 20th. First snowfall of the year… At least it was nice and sunny."

"Haha, you're just jealous that you can't maneuver in snow like I can. And, I thought the temperature was just right, maybe it could've even been colder." She said with a smirk.

"Whatever, let's just get washed up, so we can eat lunch. I'm starving after that workout; did you eat breakfast?" I asked Setsuko as I got undressed and into a stall.

"Nah, I was rushing. I had that dream again and woke up late…" Setsuko responded almost in a whisper.

"You mean the same dream about that day you were home alone while I went out grocery shopping?" I asked, knowing exactly what dream she was talking about. She had the same one every year on the 20th of November.

"Yeah, that one…" she responded softly as I heard her clothes rustling and her getting in a stall and turning on the shower.

"Was there anything different about it?" I asked, wanting to see if she was okay.

"… No. Just the same exact retelling of that day, nothing new." She responded after a pause.

I had a feeling she wasn't telling me the whole story. Something else must've happened. If not in the dream, sometime this morning… could she have seen something again?

I didn't press the subject, not wanting to upset my sister. I would get answers soon though. I mean we are in the perfect environment for these supernatural occurrences happening.

A few minutes later I had finished my shower, dried off and was getting redressed. I pulled my deep purple tank top back on and pulled up my black skinny jeans with the holes in the knees making them easier to move in. I brushed out my hair and pulled it into a messy bun, sliding on my blue converse and went outside to wait for Setsuko.

A few minutes after I got outside, Setsuko emerged with her hair down, hiding behind her bangs. I didn't question it; she did this sometimes when she was stressed or sad.

"Come, on, Setsuko. Let's go stuff ourselves with some tasty food, okay?"

I linked arms with Setsuko and pulled her along with me to the dining hall to find some lunch. I looked down to see Setsuko with a smile barely peeking out of her veil of hair. I smiled too, knowing that the day would get better.

Renji's P.O.V:

"Toushirou, Renji's here to see you!" Rangiku called out to Toushirou loudly, letting me in to his office without waiting for an okay.

"Rangiku, could you be a little more respectful and lower your voice?" Toushirou asked quietly, veins in his forehead throbbing angrily.

"Haha, of course, Toushirou!" Rangiku said happily.

"And, it's Hitsugaya-taichou!" Toushirou shouted angrily as the big-breasted red-head skipped out the door.

"Yes, Taichou!"

"That women…" Toushirou grumbled.

"Excuse me, Hitsugaya-taichou? I'd like to speak with you about Setsuko Satomi." Renji asked, clearing his throat to get Toushirou's attention.

"Ahh; yes, Renji, what would you like to talk about?" Toushirou asked with a sigh, unsure what he had to do with one of the mysterious new twins.

"Well, you see the thing is when I was training with her today, I learned a little about her past. And, I have the feeling that you may be the only one who can really help her with growing to learn how to deal with her problems and use them to her advantage."

"Why is it that you think I can help her and not you, who learned of her problems and were left in charge of her?" Toushirou asked, eyes closed, seemingly bored with the conversation.

"Her Reiatsu is awfully strong for a normal human who came here through a TV. And, she told me that on her way to our designated training area she was following a mini tornado of snow."

"A tornado of snow you say?"

Toushirou opened his eyes at the mention of snow and his attention perked up.

"Yes, and she said that she's seen these snow tornados before and heard voices. Seen blurry figures…"

"Hmm… I see. So, she doesn't know what's happening to her?" Toushirou asked.

"No, she doesn't understand any of it."

"TOUSHIROU!"

Rangiku shouted from outside of Toushirou's office before the doors opened again, only this time revealing Byakuya. 'Now Byakuya's here too? It must be the other twin…'

Toushirou sighed, rubbing his temples in annoyance. "What is it Byakuya?"

"I've requested a meeting with Yamamoto-soutaichou and he has told me to bring you and Renji along as well." Byakuya stated his business briefly.

"Yamamoto-soutaichou has requested me and Renji, after Renji just coming to talk to me about Setsuko, I can only guess that you spoke to him about Haruko?" Toushirou asked Byakuya.

"Yes, that is true." Byakuya responded.

"Well, let's not keep Yamamoto-soutaichou waiting then, shall we?"

Toushirou stood up from his desk, and lead Byakuya and Renji out of his office, telling Rangiku to hold down the fort while he was gone.

"Get your paperwork done, Rangiku; I must attend a meeting with Yamamoto-soutaichou."

"Awe, there's so much to do though. Can't I just go home early today?" Rangiku pleaded.

"No, do your work now and you'll be done soon enough."

And with that, Toushirou and the sixth division Taichou and Fukutaichou walked out of the room and headed to the Soutaichou's quarters.

Yamamoto-soutaichou's P.O.V:

"Yamamoto-soutaichou, it is I, Hitsugaya Toushirou with Kuchiki Byakuya and Abarai Renji as you requested." Toushirou politely greeted as he and the two bowed outside of Yamamoto-soutaichou's curtains.

"Yes, you may all enter." Yamamoto-soutaichou said slowly.

The three entered the Soutaichou's quarters and stood before him, politely waiting for him to speak first.

"I hear news from Byakuya that Haruko is showing some great progress already. I figured there would be news of Setsuko as well from Renji?" Yamamoto-soutaichou asked.

"Well, yes, sir; I actually do have some news I was going to bring to you. How did you know that I would be speaking with Hitsugaya-taichou though?" Renji questioned.

"I could sense immediately when the girls first arrived that Setsuko had a connection with the winter season. This morning's snowfall seemed to be thickened unexplainably for a brief time as well, and I had sensed a fairly new Reiatsu, recognizable as Setsuko's."

Toushirou's eyes widened a bit hearing that someone else had ties with the winter.

"So, I am sure you now understand why I requested your presence as well, Toushirou?"

"Hai, Soutaichou. I understand, however, I will need a bit more information from Renji as we were interrupted by Byakuya bringing us here." Toushirou turned his eyes briefly to Renji's, swiftly looking back at Yamamoto-soutaichou.

"Yes, I have heard of Haruko's strong Reiatsu; I have not heard of Setsuko's growth yet, kindly fill us all in, Abarai-fukutaichou." Yamamoto-soutaichou commanded.

"Of course, Yamamoto-soutaichou; I was just explaining to Hitsugaya-taichou of a story Setsuko told me this morning. On her way to meet me for training this morning she had seen a mini snow tornado, which I saw momentarily as well, and she followed it, having heard a voice call her name."

The other 3 in the room watched Renji closely and listened to his story carefully. Renji continued, making sure to not leave out any important details.

"She explained to me that she had seen these snow tornados several times in her life, and heard the voice before as well. She told me of a recurring dream she has this day, the 20th of November every year since her 16th birthday she's had this dream. She said that in the dream she would remember the first day these weird things started happening, the first time she heard the voice. That first day was of course November 20th. Setsuko explained how the voice came from a blurry figure, she could not tell what it was, but it told her that it was making the snow fall around her. And it spoke to her of them being connected and wanting to communicate with her.

It told her that she wasn't ready to know who it was and everything about them. As she was relaying this information to me, she got gradually angrier and the snow around her lifted into an angry flurry, her Reiatsu was spiking and the temperature decreased several degrees as well. When we fought she sent chills down my spine, the temperature lowering even more, she seemed a skilled hand-to-hand combatant and held her own against me well as you can probably tell."

Renji gestured to himself, showing off some rather noticeable bruises and scratches. He continued quickly.

"When she had calmed, her Reiatsu returned to a normal almost unnoticeable level. And the snow around us relaxed, the temperature returning to normal as well. I can't get that icy look in her eyes out of my head, as she stared me down, planning out her next moves carefully. She's small and she may seem weak, but she is anything but that."

Now, Renji turned to Toushirou.

"I came to talk to Hitsugaya-taichou because I believe the figure she'd been seeing and the changes in the snow she witnessed that day and in her dreams were caused by someone who is indeed connected to her. I believe she is communicating unknowingly with her Zanpakutō in her dreams. That first day, it must have wanted to speak with her so badly. I can vouch for her extraordinary Reiatsu, though her ability to see and communicate with spirits however is lacking and that is why she couldn't make heads or tails of what she was witnessing. I believe Hitsugaya-taichou can help to train her to communicate with spirits as well as making that connection with her Zanpakutō considering his early contact with his own." Renji ended his long-winded speech, shocking everyone in the room at his knowledge on the situation on hand and knowing to seek assistance from Toushirou.

"I see. So, our twins have some inner strength that is now coming to light. It must be being in the Seireitei and the need for protection in their training sessions. I shall send for them to be brought to us and we will make ready preparations for what direction to take their training."

Yamamoto-soutaichou sent a messenger to retrieve the girls for him.

Setsuko and Haruko's P.O.V:

"Why do you think the Soutaichou wants to speak with us, Haruko?"

"I don't know, Setsuko. We'll find out though, won't we?"

The two girls followed the messenger to Yamamoto-soutaichou's quarters, and after being let in stopped on the spot, seeing Byakuya, Renji and Toushirou there as well. 'Well, this just got much more interesting…' both girls thought together, looking at each other and gulping.

A/N: Okay guys, that's the second chapter; FINALLY! xD It starts off kind of angsty and I have no idea where that came from, but, I learned in English 100 in college that a good story needs backstory. So, I figured, flashbacks are cool and effective in moving the story along as well. And a dream sequence works even better, I was consulting with roxas' billa kaulitz on how we should go about revealing our characters' abilities. She agreed with me that dreams involving these supernatural occurrences would be a good way to bring up the whole thing. I also researched quite a bit more into the actual Anime Bleach to make sure it was possible to experiencing these things at a young age and unknowingly making things happen around you based off of your hidden powers (Toushirou Hitsugaya). x3

I think the middle of the chapter was pretty okay, not too bad with the angst anyway. Then, the ending kind of went right back to it again. I don't know what's happening with me. Oh, well; I intend to ATTEMPT to update every day, which I really shouldn't, so I'm not making any promises. I just want it to be like the story is happening as we (readers) go about our normal lives, to make it seem as if it really is happening in an alternate dimension of some sort. I'm weird. x3 Each chapter will be another day at some point, so I'm going to work hard to get this out to you guys regularly. I'd like to give thankies to everyone who waited patiently for me to continue; and early thanks to whoever starts reading now. Whoever reads all the way through this and reviews gets a shoutout and a cookie! Love you all; next chapter will be up 11/21/13 sometime. Hugs and kisses for everyone! 3

Ja Ne

Kalypso-Fox