Disclaimer: Bleach is copyrighted by Tite Kubo (characters, series, and concepts). The only elements that shall be exclusive to me will be my OCs and their respective original content.

I would appreciate it if any reader would point out any errors that I overlooked (I proofread the chapter). So enjoy!

Ghouls & Gigai

After the celebration was cleared out and students sent back to class, the Rookie 5 was summoned to the 1st Division Headquarters of the Seireitei. Inside at the Main Assembly Hall, the five Soul Reapers stood shoulder-to-shoulder facing their ancient superior, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto. The Captain-Commander himself and the remaining twelve captains of the Gotei 13 were inside the location.

"So, sir," Raidon spoke up maintaining his polite and respectful posture, "If you do not mind me asking, why have you brought us here?" Yamamoto's response was momentary silence but actually answering his question, "I will tell once one of our captains manages to actually get here."

Sure enough, there was a breach in the line of proud captains; one to be precise. Hono huffed agitatedly, "What how long that's gonna take…" A white-haired captain looked at the gap soundlessly and thought, "Is there ever going to be time when he's actually on time?"

"Hey, Old-Man Yama!" A jubilant voice called out, "Sorry I'm late! Had some last things to attend to!" A person suddenly appeared, via Flash Step, to obstruct the break in the line. "Will there ever be a time when you actually are present at a desired time?" The snow-haired man whispered in inquiry to his adjacent friend. "Like I said, there was last minute business I needed to do." The guy responded.

"Now we may begin." Yamamoto announced, "Raidon, to answer your question, you five will be chosen by a captain and escorted to the Human World to perform a Soul Burial. This will also be a chance for you to perform your Gigai effectively."

Hono scratched the back of his head and surmised, "So, in layman terms, we're going to be cherry-picked, have to bring in a kid's soul, and practice associating in the Human World?" The Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 nodded and responded, "Percisely. Now, captains, first come, first serve, so-"

Before the senior citizen could finish, five captains suddenly Flash Stepped in front of the five respective members of the Rookie 5.

The tardy, flamboyant Soul Reaper appeared in front of Aizonde. "Hey, remember me, kid? I'm Shunsui Kyōraku and I'll be your guide until further notice." The dual-blue haired Shinigami recognized the man instantaneously and cracked a cool smile, "Really now? You're not going to win my friendship with dango, are you?" Shunsui gave a force, sarcastic laugh and replied, "Really funny, rookie."

A bulkily built, rough-looking Soul Reaper with black hair almost fashioned like a starfish was in front of Hono. "Heh, I figured you would get to this point." A somewhat psychotic grin appeared on the thug's face, "Zaraki Kenpachi." Hono cracked an imitation smirk in attempt to have his boldness be comparable to Kenpachi's. He replied, "Well, what did you expect? Now I get to knock you down, pal!"

An ebony-haired Shinigami with slate grey eyes and a cool composure was in front of Raidon. "Hn. I see you adhered to my advice. I am Byakuya Kuchiki." He introduced. Raidon respectfully bowed his head and proclaimed, "An honor to acquaint you, Captain Kuchiki." Byakuya nodded slightly and said, "I hope you realize things only become tougher from this point on. You're not in the Academy anymore." Raidon reassuringly smiled and stated, "I realize that. I'm ready to take anything on."

The aforementioned white-haired Soul Reaper was in front of Tsu Lung with a proud smile on his face. "If you were to come this far, it seems you have headed my advice. Jūshirō Ukitake." Tsu Lung smiled appreciatively and nodded, "Yes I have."

A short and petite, black-haired Shinigami and the remaining person of the Rookie 5 soundlessly gazed at her with frighteningly similar indifferent countenances. "…Soi Fon…" The captain introduced. "…Yukimano…" The dark emerald-haired female introduced herself back.

"Hm!" Yamamoto grunted in catch everyone's (even some of the disheartened captains without "apprentices") attention, "Well now that you youngsters have gotten yourselves acquainted. You know your task. Go!"

"Yes sir!" With that, the Rookie 5 and five of the captain Flash Stepped out of the vicinity.

-8th Division Headquarters-

"Um, Kyōraku-san?" Aizonde said as he obediently followed his superior, "Aren't we suppose to be in the Human World, not here?" Shunsui heartily chuckled and responded, "First of all, we're friends here. Call me "Shunsui." Secondly, we're going to see if someone wants to accompany us. Soundlessly and without anymore words, Aizonde stuffed his hands into his pockets continuing to follow the 8th Division Captain.

"Nanao~chan!" The flamboyant captain suddenly bellowed, "Oh, Nanao~chan! Please come see our newest Soul Reaper~!"

Upon completion of his call, someone Flash Stepped in front of Shunsui and Aizonde. "Yes, Captain Kyōraku?" A feminine voice asked. Her glasses reflected the sunlight of the Seireitei, blocking sight of her beautiful blue eyes. Her black, pinned-back hair swayed slightly in the breeze. Lastly, she was carrying what seemed to be an encyclopedia.

Shunsui placed his hand on the rookie Shinigami's shoulder and said, "Nanao-chan, meet Perfecture Aizonde, one of the most recent graduates to the Shinigami Academy." The female identified as "Nanao" lifted her free hand and adjusted her glasses, destroying the glint and revealing her eyes. "Greetings." Aizonde stated as he removed his right hand from his pocket and extended it to Nanao. "Ise Nanao. Please to meet you." Nanao said as she grasped the rookie's hand for a shake. Gentlemanly, Aizonde guided Nanao's hand to his lips and kissed it.

The 8th Division Captain cracked a sly grin at the happening and chuckled, "Looks like you got a boyfriend, Little Nanao-"

POW!

"How many times have I told you…" The raven-haired lieutenant of the 8th Division growled as she tautly grasped the sides of her encyclopedia, "Stop calling me that!" She yelled. Shunsui was down to the ground after being struck in the cranium with Nanao's large textbook. Although taken aback at the rather uncharacteristic display, Aizonde sustained his cool composure and asked, "What is the problem being addressed as "Little Nanao"?"

The pragmatic Soul Reaper diverted her attention from the captain to the rookie. "If you know what's good for you…" Nanao said whilst purposely adjusting her glasses so that Aizonde could perfectly see her sea-colored eyes, "You will not address me as that…" Although unmoved by Nanao's "intimidation", Aizonde decided the most intelligent method at hand was to heed the lieutenant's advice. The dual-blue-headed male approached the raven-haired female casually and used his index finger to push Nanao's glasses back to their original position. "I hear you loud and clear, Miss Nanao." Aizonde said with a smirk. "Anyway, let's go. We were assigned a mission." With that, Aizonde began to walk away.

Nanao was left flabbergasted and her stunned stutters proved it. Shunsui, with a large bump on his noggin, saw this and vigorously laughed and said, "Well, you're not so little anymore, Nanao-cha-"

POW!

-11th Division Headquarters-

Hono, with his arms crossed over his chest, followed the 11th Division Captain to a dojo. "Kenpachi, why are we here?" He asked disdainfully. "You'll find out soon enough, rookie." The gruff Soul Reaper responded as he slid open the entrance to the dojo.

The two were immediately greeted with all rough-'n'-tough members of the 11th Division sparring to their heart's content. Kenpachi sadistically grinned as he saw the rigorous training taking place, "Hey, that looks like fun. Mind if I join?"

Everyone suddenly froze at the voice of their ruthless captain. "Captain Kenpachi!" The strong Soul Reapers that were just sparring pitilessly were reduced to a mere spectacle of cowardice. Yumichika Ayasegawa, the only person not relegated to a quivering status, glimpsed at the confused newcomer standing beside Kenpachi. "Hm. Finally someone with a tolerable face around here." He commented.

"Boys," The 11th Division Captain proclaimed loudly and roughly patted the back of Hono, "This here is Hono Teiduhura, one of the graduates. He'll be hangin' with us until further notice."

"Sup? Hope you punks are worth my time." Hono arrogantly greeted. "You got alotta nerve, rookie!" A rowdy voice exclaimed getting up Hono's face. The Soul Reaper was bald and his zanpakuto was tied around his waist. "Ya damn right I do! Now get your bald head out of my face!" Hono spat. "Oh hell no!" The hairless Shinigami locked eyes with the flaming-headed tenderfoot, growling menacingly.

"Ikkaku, quit it. That's rather ugly behavior for greeting a rookie." Yumichika stated as he walked over, "My name is Ayasegawa Yumichika. Nice to meet you, Teiduhura-san." "…Dude, you look like some kind of hermaphrodite." Hono commented as he stared at how girly Yumichika seemed. The majority of the 11th Division exploded in laughter. The dark-haired narcissist felt a vein pop in his head out of anger. "Why you…"

"Alright! Listen up!" The 11th Division leader spoke up wildly. All of the Shinigami present ceased their actions and paid much attention. "We have a tradition here at the 11th Division…the rookie's initiation."

Jubilant and crazy grins appeared on the faces of the majority of the rowdy people. Hono was obviously confused in more ways than one, "What initiation?" He became even more confused when everyone started unsheathing their zanapkautos. "The initiation is…" Kenpachi suddenly Flash Stepped behind Hono, "WE GIVE YOU A ROYAL BUTT-KICKING!!!!"

"…Oh shit…"

BOOM!

-Karakura Town-

Unlike the last two groups, Tsu Lung & Ukitake, Yukimano & Soi Fon, and finally Byakuya & Raidon went straight to the Human World, Karakura Town to be exact. The three duos stopped on topped of building when they felt their target's Spiritual Pressure was close. "OK, you three, you know how to activate a Gigai, correct?" Byakuya asked, turning to the three graduates. "Yes sir!" Three of the Rookie 5 replied in unison. Ukitake coughed (covering his mouth) and added, "Even in your Gigai state, you can still detect our Spiritual Pressure. We'll follow you around in case Hollows crop up." After the 13th Division Captain finished his addendum, Soi Fon handed all three of them a piece of "candy". "That Soul Candy will allow you to separate from your Gigais in desperate times."

"…Soul Candy…?" the rookie trio questioned, disbelieving of the rather childish designation given to an important item. "Don't ask." The captains pleaded simultaneously.

-LATER-

Raidon, Tsu Lung, and Yukimano in their Gigai forms wandering casually and carefully among the streets of Karakura Town. Their Gigai forms were white versions of their Soul Reaper robes (minus any aspects that gave away their true identity). "Hm. I sense the kid, but I don' see him." Raidon announced. "You and the both of us." Yukimano replied. Tsu Lung was curiously looked around the avid environment in interest, "This place is rather lively." She commented. "I'll say. Wouldn't mind living here." Raidon concurred. "Focus, you two." Yukimano cautioned, keeping her eyes forward and intently.

Suddenly, many impediments to the reiatsu they were currently concentrating appeared. "What the?!" Raidon exclaimed in surprise. "Wh-what are all these other Spiritual Pressure we're sensing?!" Tsu Lung stated, quivering slightly. "Come on!" Yukimano commanded as she began to run with her friends trailing behind him.

Their frantic search led them to a plaza. Oddly enough, the plaza was devoid of humans, all except one. A lone youngster stood in the center surrounded by strange white and black creatures. "Are those Hollows?" Tsu Lung observed. "No…their Spiritual Pressure is greater…but they resemble Hollows." Yukimano said, unsure of what exactly was surrounding the child. Their appearance seemed that of Hollows, but more their exact appearance varied to humanoid, animalistic, deformed, demonic, and even angelic. But their exterior colors were combinations of white, black, and silver.

The three Soul Reapers immediately took out the gikongan provided by Soi Fon and put in their mouths. Instantaneously, their actual Shinigami selves separated from their Gigais. As they unsheathed their zanpakuto, Byakuya, Soi Fon, and Ukitake suddenly appeared beside them. "Just as I feared…" Byakuya said grimly, "We were sensing Combinado Hollows."

(A/N: "Combinado" means "Combo" in Spanish. In essence, I'm using the term "Combo-Hollows" to emphasize the point that these species of Hollows consist of more than one (but at most three) Hollows.)

The rookies looked at the 6th Division Captain incredulously, "Combinado Hollows?" Soi Fon proceeded to explain, "Combinado Hollows are multiples Hollows who have somehow merged together into one Hollow. That proves why they were releasing more Spiritual Pressure than usual."

The Combinado Hollows became dangerously close to the child. This prompted the Soul Reapers to act. "Sting all enemies to death!" Soi Fon exclaimed as she charged at the first line of Hollows, "Suzumebachi!" She passed them, swinging her dragger that was attached to her gold gauntlet. A butterfly-shaped stamp appeared as a result from contact and some of the Combinado Hollows were vanquished.

"Scatter….Senbonzakura…" Byakuya coolly said as his zanpakuto began to dissolve into cherry blossoms. Ultimately, the sole remnant of his weapon was the hilt. Before the Combinado Hollows could take advantage of his "opportunity", multiple cherry blossoms suddenly slashed them into numerous pieces. When the vibrant display of an onslaught was completed, Byakuya's zanpakuto rematerialized to its normal state.

Ukitake concurrently killed two Combinado Hollows and directed his attention to the three rookies, "Get the child! Hurry!" "Yes, sir!" Tsu Lung, Yukimano, and Raidon charged straight through the crowd of evil spirits with the captains making sure the latter's attention was on them. Eventually, the three Shinigamis made it to the cowering youngster. "We're here, kid," Raidon consoled as he wrapped an arm around the person, "no need to worry now."

"You would think that, wouldn't you?"

Unexpectedly, silver beams of reiatsu rained down toward the center (where the child, Raidon, Yukimano, and Tsu Lung were). The Soul Reapers were struck with the high energy attack because they were protecting the child. Startled by the sudden ambush, the Captains halted their action and redirected their attention from the Combinado Hollows to the new problem at hand.

Sadly, the ambush left the three members of the Rooke 5 on the ground; the sheer power even imploded the ground beneath them. "What is the meaning of this?!" Soi Fon exclaimed in shock. Byakuya then sensed another high reiatsu-induced being among them, "We are not alone…"

Then, proving Byakuya's instincts true, a booming/static-like noise sounded as a strange character appeared behind the unsuspecting child. The person was garnished with a white jacket with black triangles running across the torso area, a black sash, a white hakama with a black stripe running down the left portion of it, and black and white boots. Adorning his hands were off-white, bony gloves and, on his face covering his emerald, were modernized silver glasses with a half rim design.

Now that the person was adjacent to them, the three captains could instantly guess who they were dealing with. "You're an Arrancar…" Byakuya said, glaring indifferently at the supposed Arrancar. The shady character's gloved right hand gripped the flailing child mercilessly. "That I am." He said snapping the middle and index fingers of his left hand. More Combinado Hollows appeared, rising intangibly from the ground. "Farewell." The Arrancar said as he suddenly disappeared with the child.

"Hey!" Soi Fon yelled out, "Get back here!" No use. He was gone, and the Combinado Hollows lunged at the captains. Although they were prepared, the first line of Hollows was subjugated swiftly. Two more Captains suddenly Flash Stepped into view. "Sorry we're late!" Kenpachi, one of the two captains, apologized and he gruesomely lacerated more modified Hollows. "Had some prior business to take care of!" Shunsui, the other captain, added as he produced sharp gales of wind to slice up a good number of Combinado Hollows. "That's always your excuse…" Ukitake grumbled as he shook his head and coughed.

Nanao, Yachiru, Hono, and Aizonde tend to their unconscious comrades while the Captains dealt with the remaining Combinado Hollows. As this happened, another Combinado Hollow that actually was human stood far away on top of a building, watching intently. He somewhat resembled the Arrancar the Soul Reapers just met, but his outfit was silver and more form-fitting. He possessed a bar-like visor across his eyes. The visor had a thin black line that cinematically displayed blue smoke inside it. His attention was mainly focused on the Rookie 5. "Hmm…I wonder. Could an experiment be made with those Soul Reapers…?" He contemplated.