Chapter 1: The Lost Cat

Normal POV

The senkaimon opens up revealing Captain Hitsugaya, his lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, Rukia Kuchiki, and squad 6's lieutenant, Renji Abarai. They land outside of Karakura Park as the sky turns to mid-afternoon.

"Remember, we're only here to search for the source. Once it's found we'll return back to Soul Society", Captain Hitsugaya orders. "Is that understood?"

Renji and Rukia nod their heads in understanding, but Rangiku says, "Oh Captain! Why can't we have a little fun? We are in the world of the living! We should enjoy ourselves in the time being. I think the stores might have new cheap products I can buy! Oooooo!"

A pulsating vein appears on Toshiro's head. He sighs, mainly because he didn't want to lose his nerve to yell at his vice-captain. "No, we can't Matsumoto. The faster we find the soul the quicker it'll be for our mission. And may I remind you if it falls into the wrong hands then both existence of the living and the dead will perish. It is our mission to return it to Seireitei alive. Honestly, it's bad enough you begged me to let you come, but it's worse if I let you stay and not do any paperwork during my absence. For all I know you might have a sake party in my office or other shenanigans you have in your devious mind."

Rangiku pouts and says, "You're no fun Captain."

"Captain Hitsugaya is right", Renji agrees. "For all we know this soul can be already in danger right under our noses. It's better to protect it now than later."

Rukia nods in agreement to her childhood friend. Rangiku continues to pout since her since her drinking buddy didn't side with her. The four shinigamis sense a very familiar spiritual pressure coming their way. They turn to see the substitute shinigami, Ichigo Kurosaki, running towards them. He stops running and pants in exhaustion before speaking up.

"Hey Rukia, Renji, Rangiku, Toshiro-"

Toshiro's eyebrow twitches for a moment. "That's Captain Hitsugaya to you, Kurosaki."

Ichigo rolls his eyes. "Whatever. What are you guys doing here anyway?"

"There has been a report of a soul who released its spiritual pressure last night. I have orders from the Head Captain to retrieve this soul back alive after performing a konso on it."

"And you brought Renji, Rukia, and Rangiku to help you out? If I were you I'd leave Rangiku behind since she's the vice-captain of your squad."

"True but if you were me you'll realize how much paperwork your lazy subordinate leaves behind during your absence. How would you feel about that?"

"Fine I get your point...Oh, yeah! Speaking of souls have you seen one running past here?"

"Ichigo, we just got here", replies Rukia. "And no, we haven't. Is that the reason why you're not in school right now?"

Ichigo angrily makes a fist in front of them. "Yeah, that's right. When I find him I'm going to give him one hell of a beating before doing a konso on him."

"Hold on, this soul is a male...AND YOU LOST HIM?"

"Don't go blaming it all on me, Rukia! Karin told me he ran after he saw my dad going up to his body! I even took a look at him, and let me tell you he looked like he was sleeping on the street. And did I mention his body was lying in front of my HOUSE! Here's another thing-"

"Wait, Kurosaki", Toshiro interrupta. "You said his body was lying in front of your home?"

"Yeah. When I looked at him his body was a bit pale but he looked quite healthy for his age. He must've died from an illness last night."

"Did you say 'last night'?" Toshiro can't help but think if, somehow, Ichigo's discovery connects to the mission. It is plausible.

"Are you deaf? Yes, I thought that. Thank goodness his body didn't turn to ash in front of me. Do you think the soul I'm looking for is the same soul you're looking for?"

"It's a possibility." Renji replies. "The way you describe his death matches the report from squad 12. Now all we have to do is find this missing soul. What does this guy look like Ichigo?"

"Lucky for us I brought his Sweeper ID with me even though I was in a hurry. Here, see for yourselves." Ichigo gives the license to Renji. Then, he passes it to Rukia. Next one up is Rangiku.

"Wow! He's hot!" she yells at the sweeper's picture."If he was my age I would totally date him!" She gives it to Toshiro as he studies the piece of plastic in his hand.

"So we're looking for a 24-year-old spirit wondering around in Karakura Town, alone, with hollows searching for him as well? This might be a little tricky since we can't sense his spiritual pressure at the moment", Renji says.

"Alright, Abarai, you'll search in the south wing. Matsumoto, you'll go north," She nods her head as she assesses her order(trying to think of how little work she has to do…lol) "Kuchiki will be in the west and Kurosaki in the east. I'll be checking around and in the park area. Go, we don't have much time."

They all nod and run towards their destinations, leaving the ice captain alone. He sighs and thinks, 'Might as well start with the inside first.' He flash-steps from the park, leaving only a puff of dust behind him.

Toshiro's POV

'I've searched for hours around this park but nothing, not even a hollow, was there. I can't sense anything out of the ordinary here. I guess I should search around the park this time.' I thought to myself. But before I went to do that, my soul pager beeped. I open it up, and to my surprise, a hollow is near in my destination (I mean really near). I am about to take care of it when my soul pager starts to continually beep.

I stare at the soul pager's screen in shock. More hollows were forming around me in a circle! How could I have not sensed them? I was certain this sector was cleared from my previous scannings. Guess I didn't search it well enough. The hollows come closer and closer to me. I unsheath Hyourinmaru as I prepare myself for their first move. A hollow from my 11:00 side comes toward me first. I slice him in half easily. Two more hollows come in from the opposite direction- and I slice them like the previous one. Another pair comes in my direction, but they are supposed to be dead since I sliced one's head off and cut the other's arm and mask!

I jump back to the center, waiting for the next attack. I look at the position I'm in. There is a plethora of hollows around me! Why would they all be here in the park? But of course! They're all searching for the powerful soul! That must mean that Train Heartnet is not far from my location. But I can't leave my spot now! If I do then the hollows will continue with their search, but if I don't there's a chance I might not make it out of here alive since I'm facing every type of hollow, except for menos and higher, in front of me. It'll be a miracle if I live through this...

Train's POV

It takes me a few hours of running like mad, but I finally manage to get away from those things. My safe destination ends up being deep within a park, in a heavily wooded area. I stick my head out of the bush I'm hiding in a bit. It sure looks pretty deserted, even before the sun goes down. I slowly crawl out of my hiding spot and stand up.

"I DON'T UNDERSTAND!" I yell to the Heavens. "I'm dead already! Why didn't I cross over? What am I supposed to do? Stay here and get eaten by those creatures?" Even though I know I won't get an answer, I still feel a bit disgruntled. I sigh in defeat and walk on the path with my hands in my pockets. In time, my surroundings turn to darkness, and my only source of light is the moon in the sky. I realize the moon's brightness lights up the sakura trees around me. It holds this amazing beauty that can take anyone's breath away. My eyes go back to staring at the moon once more. Funny how I never noticed how beautiful the moon looked back when I was alive. Sure I gazed at it a lot but when you're dead it's different. Perhaps it's because this might be my last night here on Earth before I leave… if I leave to Heaven. Who knows, I have a fifty/fifty chance of going to Hell for all the hideous things I have done.

'But, I am contrite!' I think, trying to re-assure myself that I would not go to Hell. My thoughts wander back to my surroundings.

I enjoy my time alone when I hear a roar and the sound of a blade cutting flesh. My instincts keep telling me to turn back but my subconscious tells me otherwise. It's like arguing about something pointless to myself. I finally make up my mind and run towards the sound. When I come near it my eyes widen at the sight before me.

A young boy with snow white hair and teal eyes that look so delicate they could be bijou, wearing a white long coat, is fighting those things by himself! But even with his swordsmanship it's obvious he's outnumbered and if I don't do something soon...he's going to be their midnight snack!


A/N: Listen up, Reading Dudes! I've made a poll in my profile saying "If Train Heartnet was a soul reaper, which squad would he be in?" The most votes will be in this story! Thank you for reading!^-^