Dearest Readers,

I do not own Bleach. This includes characters and any related material.

Warmest wishes and happy reading,

Ms. Suvarian

CHAPTER 01: The Challenge

SIX YEARS FROM LAST CHAPTER'S ENDING

Shinigami bustled back and forth around the beeping machinery. It had been hours ago that the latest appearance of the strange creatures attacked. Everyone was working hard to gather information for the Captain of the 12th Division. He had been busy studying the particles of energy from the attack that occurred several days ago when the alarm signaled the most recent attack. It had been a shock to realize the latest location occurred in the Human World.

Sending out a few of his subordinates to collect some data during the Captain's meeting had proved a wondrous decision. Not only had they managed to gather spiritual particles, the group required evidence.

What they returned with was a strange device. It was heavy and looked like a large chunk of metal. The material it was made of was nearly indestructible. After closer study, it was determined the device was used for surveillance.

But the question was: What does someone from Soul Society need to survey in the Human World?

That was what Captain Kurotsuchi had tasked himself with answering.

He had spent the last few hours trying to decipher the meaning of all the symbols etched into the egg-shaped device. They were woven into delicate patterns that overlapped in a special sequence. After determining the pattern controlled the information stored inside, Kurotsuchi was careful to allow no one else to touch the device as he broke the code bit by bit until the last of the symbols faded.

"Oh-ho."

The shinigami in the room jumped when the device began to float barely an inch above their Captain's waiting hand. Lines appeared along the device as if it were an egg with a cracked shell. Those lines burned blue while the rest of the device turned white. A faint glow from the white patches mimicked the light of the many monitors in the room.

"I see."

Though worried of irritating their venomous Captain, one of the lower ranked shinigami in the room asked what everyone else was wondering.

"What do you see?"

"The recorded information, imbecile," he snapped angrily before looking to his Lieutenant who stood patiently further away. "I'll need to examine a few things on this device. Call for a Captain's meeting."

Akon turned to do as ordered. He paused to look to his Captain who called for his attention once more.

"Have them bring their Lieutenants, too. Nemu will come with me in your place. Continue working on evaluating the particles left from the attack."

"The Lieutenants," Akon echoed with a touch of confusion in his tone. "What you see in that device is that dire? Or does is involve them, too?"

Looking over his shoulder with a serious look that hadn't been present in his eyes since the war with Aizen, Kurotsuchi confirmed what Akon was most worried about.

"Both."

It wasn't long before everyone was gathering for the meeting. All the Captains were present with their Lieutenants. The once vacant positions had all been filled. The Gotei 13 was whole once more. Still, each shinigami felt like something was missing from the company. Everyone knew what, but no one had dared to utter that person's name openly the last seven years.

"What is this about?" Soifon's agitated tone broke the silence created after everyone had been ordered by the Commander to form a circle. Kurotsuchi moved from his spot between Nemu and Yachiru to stand in the middle of the circle.

"Patience. I'll start from the beginning," Kurotsuchi snapped with just as much irritation.

"As you all know, we've been dealing with an unknown enemy the last few months. It started out as a missing soul here and there. Recently it became a mass of souls all disappearing at once. The reiatsu left behind at each scene match. This confirms the same attacker is responsible for the missing souls. I've determined the signature is not that of a hollow. If anything, the signature resembles a shinigami."

"Oh-ho. We're dealing with one of our own?" Shunsui looked amused as Nanao hushed him with a jab to the rib.

"Not exactly. It only resembles a shinigami."

"An unknown vizard?" Shinji looked thoughtful as he shared a glance with the other vizards in the room.

"No. Similar, but no."

"Then what the hell is the enemy," Kenpachi demanded. He was ready to leave. The meeting was boring and he didn't like Kurotsuchi's riddles.

"Unknown...for now." Pulling the egg-shaped device from his robes, Kurotsuchi held it before the members gathered. "Though the only real evidence gathered in this world are the remnants of a strange reiatsu, my subordinates were able to collect this from the attack on the Human World."

"Human World?" Hitsugaya showed the first signs of interest. It was new information to everyone that the Human World had been targeted by the same assailant attacking districts in Soul Society. Only the Commander had been given information beforehand.

Nodding, Kurotsuchi continued. "This device is used for surveillance. Based on reports from the team sent, this was spotted near where the attack happened. A few humans were killed, but no one has been reported missing. The particles of energy collected were an exact match to the ones found here."

"Where...where did the attack happen?" Ukitake's quiet inquiry asked what everyone was secretly wondering.

"It did not involve the location of the brats from the invasion," Kurotsuchi said with a wave of his hand. "It occurred in a nearby city with a higher population."

"I see," Ukitake mumbled. He sighed in relief. Beside him Rukia breathed the breath she had been holding, too.

"However," Kurotsuchi began with a harsher tone of warning, "I will not say a member of that group from those times wasn't involved."

"What?!" Rukia and Renji both jolted forward at the same time. Their relationships had been closest to the group from the human world who worked tirelessly to aid Soul Society in the defeat of Aizen.

"I'll ask this just once before I proceed." With the device now glowing the way it had in his laboratory, Kurotsuchi pinned Rukia with his gaze. "What was the last you heard of Kurosaki?"

The whole room bristled at the mention of the beloved orangette. Not a single one of them had spoken to her since she lost her powers. Rukia and Renji saw her off before the last of her powers faded, but neither had dared to approach afterwards.

It was later ordered that no one was to interfere with her life after an outburst from Karin. The Commander himself ordered no one to disturb her life. After Ichigo left the area under their supervision, they had no way of seeing her. And after Karin refused to speak to them anymore from her anger towards them, the shinigami couldn't even ask her family how she was doing.

The occasional mission in the Human World allowed Rukia and Renji to meet up with Inoue and the others. To their shock, not even Inoue and Ishida were permitted information about Ichigo. The whole of the Kurosaki household had deemed them unworthy of asking. If they wanted to know so badly, they would have to go see Ichigo.

It was something everyone seemed fearful of doing. What was once pity had turned to shame. Ichigo had been trying her hardest to pursue a successful future. Instead of supporting her, everyone had turned to her with pity. They all should have known better. It wasn't Ichigo that couldn't move on. It was everyone who had fought with her that couldn't accept she wouldn't be with them anymore.

The Kurosaki family's anger was just. They were fully in the right. They supported Ichigo when she needed it most. It was the shinigami and her schoolmates that were in the wrong. In the end, they all failed her. Now, the shame was something they had to carry. Even if Ichigo did come around, no one knew exactly how to face her. Exactly how to ask forgiveness.

"Ichi...Ichigo left the town with Sado-kun after her final year of school. She began classes at a university in a difficult program. The last information we were permitted to have reported her completion of the university's program. The last time Karin-chan was willing to share anything about Ichigo, she said that Ichigo had been given a great opportunity and would travel. She was to leave Japan."

"I see." Kurotsuchi turned his gaze back to the object that was glowing much more brightly. Jumbled sounds were horribly muddled under a high-pitched static reverberating from the device. "Much time has gone and went since then?"

"Yes," Rukia confirmed tensely. A shadow of cold anticipation settled everyone. The intensity of everyone's focus on the device tripled when just a barked word echoed through the static. It was faint and barely audible, but the sound was still unmistakable to all. "She left just over six years ago."

"Hmm. Then her travels should be finished. Which would explain this."

Kurotsuchi swiped his finger swiftly across the device to draw a symbol unfamiliar to all others in the room. He sat the device on the floor and appeared in his previous spot between Nemu and Yachiru a moment later. The parts of the device that mimicked the appearance of a cracked eggshell burned brightly. A faint light domed around the object before it sank into the ground. A circle of white-light bordered by a brilliant blue appeared where it had once been. It stretched to fill the space created by the group's circle. An entire scene sprang to life in a detailed projection seconds later. A harsh gasp sounded as Rukia's knees buckled underneath her. Ukitake rubbed her back soothingly. No one said anything. All eyes were on the projected image of Ichigo in what appeared to be a greenhouse.

The projection was highly detailed. The three dimensional imagery so realistic Rukia had thought Ichigo was standing in the middle of the circle of captains.

But it wasn't the Ichigo she knew. No. This Ichigo was different. Her appearance was nothing like it had been. She was older. Her form much more mature and womanly. This Ichigo was a far cry from the fiery teenager they had all known.

"No way," Renji whispered. "That can't be...Ichigo?"

"It is," Shunsui commented with a low whistle. His eyes held just as much surprise as the others. "No mistaking her. Time has certainly came and went. It has done the world a great service in its passing."

No one commented as they watched Ichigo carefully examine a plant hanging just over her head. There was nothing they could say to rebut his claim. Sure enough, Ichigo had grown into something exceeding mere beauty. Not just in body, but in presence. The way she carried herself held something that wasn't there before. And even through a projected image it caught and drew the attention of others to her.

"Whoa," Rangiku exclaimed as the scene changed suddenly.

This time Ichigo was displayed on a bench. She had her eyes focused on something outside the boundaries of the circle. Though her gaze was on something unknown to them, they knew whatever she saw was something of great importance. Otherwise, Ichigo wouldn't hold such a gentle expression.

"This device has many short visual recordings of Kurosaki," Kurotsuchi explained as the scene changed once again. This time the young woman was walking during a light rain wearing a revealing sundress. She appeared to be laughing at something with a knowing grin as she walked by Shinji who had fallen into stunned silence when the image seemed to look directly into his eyes. "It records her within a certain range. Anything out of that range can't be seen. There are exactly sixty-three recordings on the device. Observe for a few moments. Let us see if you notice anything strange."

No one said anything for a long time. Countless scenes were displayed before them all. Each scene bringing another tinge of guilt and pain as the projected image of Ichigo appeared to interact with them. The presence of the smiling Ichigo reminded each of them that they had done nothing to support her happiness. In the end, after all she had done for them, they only offered pain.

"They don't show anyone else," Ukitake said quietly after more than forty scenes had faded before the group. "And it seems the surveillance is being cut shorter and shorter. Each scene cuts off abruptly, too."

"Yes," Kurotsuchi confirmed. "Which means the point of this surveillance is to watch Kurosaki."

A few faces hardened at this. Rukia's reiatsu bristled with anger and worry before calming at the touch of Ukitake's hand atop her head. She relaxed under his supportive gaze.

"Your second observation is correct, too. The scenes were getting shorter and cutting off abruptly because someone was attacking the device recording her. Though they destroyed them each time, the data recorded is simply transferred to the next device."

A long pause rested between the Captains and Lieutenants. Confusion and relief pressured the air in equal measure. Though all were glad Kurosaki hadn't been harmed, it was puzzling who could be protecting her without being spotted by the device.

"I know what everyone is wondering. Perhaps this will provide some answers," Kurotsuchi said clearly just as a scene with Ichigo picking berries with a relaxed expression switched to one that shocked everyone.

"She's hurt," Rukia breathed in horror.

Sure enough, the Ichigo they all saw was injured. Blood ran freely from some hidden wound on her shoulder. Trails of crimson rolled down her right arm. The skirt she wore seemed to have been burned and torn in several places. Smoke could be seen floating around the woman as she walked shakily forward.

The scene rolled with her as the device recording her changed positions to reveal a terrible accident. A small shop had been destroyed. It had appeared in several other scenes beforehand. It was a coffee shopped Ichigo frequently visited.

Pausing in her steps just a moment, Ichigo's head snapped to the side. She bolted towards where Byakuya stood. At his feet appeared a heavily injured adult male. Glass shards and burn marks decorated his body. A large wound on his side bled freely.

Ichigo was already ripping a large piece from her skirt. Kneeling down beside the man, she pressed it roughly into the wound. It was soaked in moments. Turning slightly, Ichigo pressed her leg up against the wound so she could freely use both hands to rip open his own shirt. Her expression turned grim as her hands trailed across his skin.

"Lady Kurosaki!"

The sound of someone calling for Ichigo startled the room. The unknown voice carried through the static in alarm. A moment later several civilians appeared within the scene. Running into it from different directions.

"Has someone called for help? We'll lose him if a team doesn't get here soon!"

Ichigo's voice snapped through the air like summer lightning. Her eyes cut at the group surrounding her as one of the men tried to touch her shoulder.

"I'm fine. Answer me. Now."

Her voice booked no argument. The three men jumped away as if suddenly shocked. The two women leaned forward with tears in their eyes.

"We called as soon as the explosion happened."

The woman who had spoken earlier broke into a flood of tears. The other tried to comfort her as she stared to the man on the ground. Ichigo spared the two a glance before setting her eyes on the man who had tried to touch her shoulder. She nodded towards him while grabbing the ends of her shirt.

"Hibiki will take you two to his apartment across the street. Stay there and rest. You'll have to be interviewed."

Ichigo yanked the shirt over her head as she spoke. The tight shirt underneath with dainty straps was stained with blood. The wound on her shoulder now visible to all eyes in the room and around her. A hiss escaped the man named Hibiki.

"Make sure you care for your own wound. Would do us no good if our local doctor couldn't attend to us."

"Doctor?" Renji looked both surprised and proud at this new piece of information. He wanted to let out a cheer for her, but he kept his mouth shut and eyes on the two men left standing beside Ichigo and the injured man.

"I'll do all I can for Daichi. Masaru, go keep everyone from the building. Kenshin, take his phone and call his sister. She should be home right now."

Masaru disappeared without another word. Kenshin, however, appeared frozen. He looked at the blood staining Ichigo's hands as she pushed her shirt under Daichi's head to support his neck. When he made no move towards the wounded man, a growl sounded from Ichigo. He blinked as her fingers dug into the man's pocket to produce the phone for him without hesitation.

"Go. Call. Now."

The words held a heavy weight that had the man bolting up and moving. Ichigo's entire focus was on the injured man. Her own wound didn't cause her pause. She called for Daichi to respond again and again. Her entire being was trying to hold the man to the world. It was moments later two men appeared in the scene. They ran quickly towards Ichigo. She brushed away their concern for her injuries and reported the condition of the man laid beside her.

She stood a minute later to give the medics room. Her shaky frame moved on unsteady feet. Before her knees could give out from loss of blood, a familiar body appeared as if out of nowhere behind her. A grateful expression graced her face. A warm smile welcomed the man who scooped her up in his arms without hesitation.

"I knew you'd come, Chad."

Rukia blinked in confusion. Her eyes meeting Renji's for a moment before returning to the scene. They were both thinking the same thing. It seemed impossible that Ichigo and Sado had stayed together all those years. It couldn't be that they were together. Neither of them could believe such a thing.

"I felt your distress. What happened?"

"Daichi was ahead of me. He was walking to open the shop. I had stopped because I heard something strange. I was on the ground the next second. The blast sent me flying. Daichi...he's not looking good. His sister has been called."

Sado had nodded before shaking out of his jacket. He draped it over Ichigo a moment later and tightened it before setting her against a nearby post. His forehead rested against her own for a moment as a medic approached the two quickly.

"Get yourself checked. I'll see if I can find any clue to what was the cause."

Surprisingly, Ichigo nodded in agreement and allowed the medic near. She was informing him of what she wanted him do get from his bag as he knelt beside her. The next moment Sado's gaze seemed to center on something far off. His wrist flicked ever so slightly. To anyone there, it looked like he had done so to relieve pressure in his wrist. To the trained eyes in the room, it was an attack. Sado had released a small amount of energy from his powerful fist and sent it flying towards what had been recording Ichigo. A moment later the scene ended.

"As you can see, it would appear he was the one responsible for destroying each device."

"Was that the last scene?"

"No," Kurotsuchi mumbled. "There is one more."

The way he answered put Rukia on edge. She held her breath and waited for her old friend to appear. The seconds ticked by. A scene sprang to life in front of them. Ichigo stood alone in what appeared to be a field of flowers. It was pouring. Her wet hair flying around her still frame as the wind caught it up in a harsh roar. Petals danced around her. She was the only steady thing in the scene. Her eyes held a cold fury that would not relent. When she spoke, her voice condemned without forgiveness.

"I tried to ignore you, but you've made me angry. I know your device is near recording me. I'll leave you with this message one last time. I am not a shinigami. I will not return to that life. You can not force me back. I'm a mere human. I have my own life. Stop your advances."

Ichigo's words stung those who were closest to her. It was like they were losing her all over again.

"I will not forgive you for what you've done. You think to involve the people of the Human World to force my hand. You're forgetting one thing. The Gotei 13 will come for you. They will stop you. All your actions will be brought to justice before their power. You've committed a grave crime against humans and souls. You will be punished. No evil will escape the Captains and Lieutenants. That is their sworn duty. My faith in them to follow their sworn duty is unwavering. They will not fail."

Rukia's eyes widened at Ichigo's burning declaration. Her blood boiled. Ichigo's words working magic that brought forth a strength and confidence Rukia hadn't felt in awhile. Ichigo always held pride in her comrades. She never lost that feeling, but Rukia and the others had felt she would turn from them after what they put her through.

"I'll put it as a bet, then. We'll see who catches me first. You or the Gotei 13. They aren't ignorant. They're all much smarter than me. They would have noticed a disturbance by now."

Ichigo turned suddenly. Her blazing gaze seeing straight through Byakuya. A smirk graced her face as the thunder sounded overhead.

"Come at me with all you got. I refuse to return to Soul Society, but I won't let you do as you please. I'm no victim that requires shelter. I'll take you head on. So, come. Come find me. Come get me. Try to capture my soul. I'm not so easily won."

The image disappeared when Ichigo turned once more. The light faded away. The device that had been recording Ichigo rose up from the floor fully deactivated. It tipped over with a thud. The sound thunderous in the tense silence of the room.

"Someone has put a mark on Ichigo," Shinji said suddenly. His tone a heated growl that tipped dangerously close to violence. "They want her soul."

"Why? Kurosaki doesn't have powers to steal. She doesn't even have spiritual energy, anymore."

Soifon's statement was met with uncertain silence. None of them could say for sure if Ichigo was powerless. She called herself a "mere human" in the scene, but that could simply be her expressing her identity rather than power.

"Whatever the reason, a challenge has been issued," Shunsui said roughly. His gaze thoughtful as her words of trust echoed in his mind.

"Yes. To see who can find Ichigo-san first." Ukitake looked to Rukia who was shaking with the strong emotions running through her. The strongest reading of anger he had ever felt from the small woman resonated through her spirit.

"Sounds interesting," Kenpachi laughed. Yachiru agreed quickly while pumping her small hands in the air.

"If nothing else, Kurosaki seems to know who the enemy is. It's vital information we lack. It would be wise to get to her before anyone else."

"I understand the situation." The Commander's voice silenced the whispers in the room. Cracking his eyes open, he looked around the room at his men. Not a single face looked hesitant. He nodded in agreement. "This is an order. All Captains and Lieutenants do what you must, but find her. Find Ichigo Kurosaki. And bring her before me."

"Sir!"