A/N: Sorry for the wait, guys. Holidays are nuts around here, haha. Also, I apologize if this one reads a little sloppy, as I wanted to get all this information down before we could move on with the actual story. All the information in here is VERY IMPORTANT! Do not skip! Unless, of course, you WANT to be incredibly lost. I hope you like this weird little thing I added to the Bleach universe. In the end, it really is a rather odd concept. Thank you, too, for all the favs and follows. I really appreciate the reviews as well. I didn't expect such a positive response to this silly little story of mine.

Thanks again guys! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not, and will not ever own rights to Bleach. The OC, unfamiliar plot dynamics, and overall story concept are mine, though.

Chapter 3

I probably would have been less surprised if someone had shoved Pansateru through my gut. Never return home again? What was this – some kind of joke?

"Th-that one guy!" I spluttered. "Gin whatever… are you saying he knows? So he's going to tell them about me?"

The cat looked back at the closed gate, contemplating it and the man behind it, with shrewd yellow eyes. He turned back, feline features curious as he studied me.

"I…I don't know if Ichimaru actually knew," he said tentatively. I hadn't known him long, but I didn't think he was the type of person who was often uncertain. "Otherwise, you would be on the other side of that door, at this very moment. Or, I suppose, it's possible that he just doesn't care. If he'd had the intention to turn you in, he would have taken you when he had the chance. Either way, I don't think he's going to be a problem."

"Oh. Good," I said, not so much relieved as I was just completely baffled.

He glanced over my shoulder, "Ah, Ichigo is coming this way. It looks like he is uninjured." Yoruichi met my eyes again, "I will consider our options for now and speak with you a bit later."

"What!?" I squawked. "You can't throw something like that at me and just walk away! What do you mean? What's an Abjune? Why can't Soul Reapers touch me? What the hell is going on?"

"Calm down," the cat, Yoruichi, snipped. "I told you I'd explain more thoroughly, but this really isn't the time or place. You don't have anything to worry about right now, so relax. Once we enter the Seireitei, that will change, but until then, you have nothing to fear."

"You have a very round-about way of offering reassurance," I muttered. "Doom; doom not now, but definitely doom later."

The feline shrugged, "I've been told that's never been one of my strong points, yes."

I gave an inelegant snort at that and leaned my head back until I could see Ichigo jogging in our direction. He stopped behind me and looked down at my upturned face with a frown, "Why are you just sitting there?"

"Oh, you know, just thought it was a good time to do some sunbathing. Indulge my girlish whims and all."

He stared down at me for a long second, "That's a joke, right? Cuz, if it isn't, I'm gonna punch you in the neck."

"Please don't," I responded. "I'm dizzy enough as it is."

…

The sun was just starting to go down when Yoruichi approached me again.

Orihime and I were chatting with the kind man who'd taken us in when the cat wandered through the door, a considering look on his face. When Yoruichi spotted us sitting there, he said, "Ah, just the two I was looking for."

Two?

He turned to the old man, "May I ask if there is a private room for me and my companions to hold conference?"

Perhaps startled by the sophistication of Yoruichi's speech – or more likely by the fact that the cat could speak at all – the man fumbled to reply, "Y-yes, oh yes! Uh, right this way. Do you need anything else, sir?"

"No, that's quite alright," the feline declined politely. "Your assistance is greatly appreciated, but a room is more than adequate for the moment."

The man stood from where he'd been sitting beside his daughter (adopted daughter really, though that fact didn't seem to matter to them at all.) He escorted us to a far corner of his home, where a small room was situated, and then with a low bow, he scuttled away.

"Close the door, would you," Yoruichi sat in the center of the room as I did as told. I joined him and Orihime, but it was a moment before he spoke again. "I know you're probably wondering why I asked Orihime to be here. The answer is quite simple: she is also an Abjune."

She cocked her head, confused, "What's an Abjune?"

I scanned my friend, half believing that this revelation had altered her physically, "She is?"

Yoruichi nodded to my question, "Yes, she is, albeit a dormant one. You, on the other hand, are completely active."

"Is being an Abjune a… bad thing?" Orihime asked, worriedly gnawing at her lip.

"Well, no," Yoruichi said slowly. "In fact, if you two weren't Ryoka, and had been escorted by a Soul Reaper, you would have been allowed into the Seireitei immediately with highest deference."

"So then, why can't we tell anybody? If we would normally be so welcomed, why is now any different? Is it dangerous to be a Ryoka and an…an Abjune? How do we – " I shut my mouth as more questions developed behind my teeth, forcing myself to be patient.

The cat faced me and my inquiries with a level stare, "You both are too valuable to our society to truly fear for your lives. Your biggest concern is that, if you are caught, you will probably never be allowed to leave. As you are both still part of the living world, with family and friends you wish to return to, I would even bet that you would be looking at a life of near imprisonment. There are people in the Seireitei, as well, that would be all too eager to abuse and manipulate you two. I know of one, especially, who would chew his left arm off for a chance to rip you both apart and study you."

"I don't understand. Wh-what do we have that they want?" Orihime asked, voice hitching ever so slightly. I didn't fault her for the tremor when I felt nauseous, myself, at the thought of someone experimenting on me.

"To answer that, you need to know that 'Abjune' is a word from a language so old that it no longer has a name. There is no way to translate it exactly, but simply put it means: Divine Soul," Yoruichi paused as he seemed to consider his next words. "They are called this because, not only are they beings capable of great power who possess incredibly unique gifts, but also, and most crucially of all, an ability – in any realm, even this one – to have children."

It took me a moment to realize the significance of that statement, because, in the living world, near every woman can have a child. In the spirit world, however, there were only souls. Sometimes it was easy to forget that they were dead, that they really weren't flesh and blood. And, if they didn't have flesh and blood, they couldn't make another being of flesh and blood. Here, to create a new life, they would have to literally create another soul. But, wait, the only beings who could do that were…

"Gods," I whispered, locking eyes with Yoruichi. "That's why they're called Divine Souls. Only a divine spirit can create a soul."

Yoruichi nodded, "Yes. That's indeed the reasoning behind the name."

"Are we only Abjunes because we are technically still living?"

"That's a good question Orihime, but the answer is no. Your souls are Abjune; having a living body has nothing to do with it."

Orihime leaned back with a nod of understanding as I asked, "So we can create another soul? All by ourselves?"

Yoruichi hesitated, before shaking his head, "No."

"No?" Orihime and I both echoed in confusion. He repeated, "No. The process is done much like it is in the living world."

Forgive us if we both stared at him blankly. He sighed and narrowed his eyes upon us, like we were being deliberately obtuse, "How do you make a child in the living world?"

"Well, when a Mommy loves a Daddy, very much…," Orihime started winsomely. I clapped my hand over her mouth before she could delve any further into the birds and the bees – although, with Orihime, it would be less birds-and-bees, and more rainbows-and-kittens or, possibly, rainbow kittens.

I felt sweat bead at my neck as I told her, gently, "I think he means we need a partner."

"Yes, like the living exchange genetic information to create a new life, you can exchange Reiatsu with your bonded and create a new soul," he nodded.

Orihime tugged my hand off her mouth to ask, "What's a bonded? Is that like a husband?"

"Er, no," Yoruichi hesitantly shook his head. "Well, sort of, but it's a lot more complicated than that. Marriage is basically an agreement to be a couple. That bond is insubstantial; it's a theory of existence, not a state of being. A Reiatai, what we call the bond, is a literal tying of two souls."

"That sounds kind of romantic," my orange-haired friend blushed as she admitted this, and if I wasn't so freaked out, I might have agreed. As it was, I jumped up, "Whoa, whoa, slow down a sec. Look, we came here to rescue Rukia. What does it matter if we can technically get hitched and pregnant? That shouldn't affect what we're doing."

"We can get married and have babies in the living world, after all," Orihime chimed in, a bit unnecessarily.

"I know," the cat sighed. "That's why I'm telling you all this. The more informed you are, the more likely you'll be able to prevent the bond and leave this world without anyone figuring out you're Abjunes. Luckily, I know a way to mask you from those who still remember what to look for. I can't guarantee that you won't still bond with someone or be found out, but if you really are committed to rescuing Rukia, then it's your choice whether or not you want to risk it."

"Wait, prevent the bond? Are you saying we don't even technically have a choice in this? We could be bound to complete strangers, with little to no likelihood of ever seeing our families again, and be forced to be what basically amounts to a glorified broodmare?" I growled at him, near shaking with the force of my disbelief and frustration.

Yoruichi eyed me harshly, his face curling in a snarl, "Your kind has earned this world's respect a thousand times over, on an individual basis, and for the miracle that is their nature. I know it's not an ideal situation, but do not demean yourself, and those who came before you, with words you say in fear."

I felt a knuckle pop as I tightly curled my fists, "I didn't ask to be an Abjune."

"No," the cat said. "You were just born one."

I stared at him for another tense moment, questions and doubts swirling in my head. Suddenly I felt the light touch of fingers against the back of my hand. I looked at my best friend, completely lost. She offered me a reassuring smile, though I knew uncertainty was eating at her too. There were times when she was so much braver than I, times when all you had was faith. I wanted more than faith, more than the belief that, no matter what, it'd all turn out okay.

"Fine, it's great to be an Abjune – I'm honored, really – but just not now and not for us." I turned my hand so that could hold onto Orihime's as I carefully eased down to sit beside her. We both looked over to the feline. I took a heavy breath, "But, I know we…we will do whatever it takes to save our friend and protect the others. It was our choice to come here, and now it's our choice to continue forward."

Yoruichi analyzed us both, those bright eyes in shadow, "Very well."

"So," I started, feeling a tad awkward after my blow-up. "You said you could hide what we are, or something? If we do that, we should be pretty safe, right?"

"Safe isn't the word I'd use, but it's as close to it as you're going to get. It should keep you guys from being actively sought – well, not for that reason, at least. Being a Ryoka makes you a target, regardless, unfortunately," He rose to his feet, and we watched as he began pacing. "I'll need help to do the chant, which means I need to find someone we can trust. Hmm, I think I know just the person, too. Luckily we'll be heading that way anyway…"

Me and Orihime both exchanged a confused glance as he trailed off. We waited for several minutes in his thoughtful silence before Orihime tentatively asked, "Uh, Yoruichi?"

He started, "Oh, sorry. I was just considering some things. Where was I? Oh, yes. The charm. Well, you should know that the disguise isn't permanent, and the more you use your gifts, the faster it will fade."

"How long will it last?" Orihime asked.

"About sixteen days; less if you use your abilities too much," Yoruichi flicked his tail, pausing in his pacing to glance at us. "Luckily, you two are in a group full of talented individuals. If you can depend more on them and less on your powers, the charm will last a good while. As frustrating as I know it will be to take to the sidelines in this venture, it's going to be your best course of action. However, if you get separated, do not hesitate to use your powers. Trapped in this world is still better than dead."

"I don't think either of us like the idea of standing back and letting other people fight for us, but I get that we won't have much of a choice," I admitted grudgingly as I shared a glance with Orihime. She nodded in agreement.

"Just so you know, you will be more at risk than Orihime, as only an active Abjune can be bonded," He shook his head, claws digging into the tatami mat as he looked over at my best friend. "Dormancy is not uncommon, but it just might work in your favor."

"Why?" Orihime asked softly.

"Well, an Abjune must experience a powerful pure emotion to become active. That might not sound too complex, but every Abjune is activated by a specific and different emotion. Some are rather easy: rage, joy, love, hate, etc. But others are more difficult: doubt, betrayal, serenity, faith. Keep in mind that I'm saying pure, not mixed emotions but one, pure, emotion. How often to you feel one way, and only one way?"

I suppose I could see why that would be tricky. Orihime asked, surprisingly, "What was yours, Hiwarai?"

"I don't know," I told her, a bit startled, because that was completely true. "I mean, the first time I called Nekomi was – "

"No," Yoruichi interrupted. "The activation of your powers is completely different. Your power is usually activated during times of desperation, danger, or out of a need to protect."

"Oh," I mumbled lamely. "Then when…?"

Suddenly, the cat was standing in my lap, looking into my eyes. I flinched in surprise, but froze when he hissed at me to keep still. I felt energy flair and sucked in a sharp breath when I felt that energy sink into my skin.

"What?" I whispered, amazed and a touch frightened by the sensation.

"Shh," Yoruichi said, "It's okay, I'm releasing some of my Reiatsu, and you're absorbing it. As an Abjune, you can not only withstand but also absorb spiritual pressure."

"And why are you doing that?" I asked, feeling more than a touch exasperated with all this new information being tossed at me.

"So I can see your soul reacting."

"Thank you. That explains so much," Yoruichi didn't break eye contact to scowl at me, but I felt his sharp claws digging into my knees. I winced. Alright, message received. No sarcasm.

"If I can see your soul, there is a chance I'll see the thread of emotion that activated it. Granted, it's mostly guessing, but I think it will work."

I let him do his thing while I stewed in skepticism.

"Ah! There." He blinked, pulling away. I watched him go back to sitting in the center of the room, feeling a bit disoriented when the spiritual pressure suddenly cut off. "Hmm, that's unexpected."

"What was I?" I demanded; the whole lurching-about-in-suspense thing was rapidly losing its charm.

"Curious."

"What is?"

"No, that's what you felt: Curiosity," He clarified, laughing softly.

As I mulled that over, Orihime asked, "Can you guess what mine will be?"

Yoruichi shook his head, "I'm sorry, I can't predict that."

"Oh, no, that's okay," she quickly reassured. "I didn't really expect you could. I just thought I'd ask."

He nodded kindly, "Just be careful, regardless, as it's not always possible to tell when you become active. Being dormant right now is a plus, but the drawback is you could activate at any time and not even know it."

She nodded sharply, eyes uncharacteristically firm and expression serious. I'd been thinking back, trying to remember all the times I'd been exceptionally curious, but no one specific time jumped out at me. I thought the moment would be as unmistakable as any significant change in my life. Could such an important thing have occurred completely beyond my notice?

"So, we'll just both have to be careful, that's all," I assured my friend, squeezing her hand gently. She tossed me a familiar, glowing smile. "Though, hopefully, the charm will keep us safe."

"Well, not perfectly safe," the cat said, abruptly. When we looked at him for clarification, he dipped his chin and gave us a firm look, "I want you both to very clearly understand that the charm does not prevent a bond from being formed. It only hides your nature, not nullify it completely. As long as they don't know what you are, it is incredibly unlikely that the Reiatai will occur. The process is fairly complex and it's near impossible for it to be made unconsciously. I wouldn't push your luck, however; as it would benefit you both to be cautious."

"Well, what do we have to do keep from bonding, even accidently," I asked.

"I think I should explain how the bonding process works. Hopefully, that will then make it easier to avoid. To start, the bond is formed in three stages. They do not necessarily need to occur in the order I describe them, but in a traditional ceremony, the sequence is as follows:

"First is what's called the Di-Yi, the moment of first skin-to-skin contact. This must be accompanied by significant interest. That interest can be out of curiosity, attraction, or something else – it doesn't really matter. You'll know the stage has been passed; as Abjunes are always able to tell when the initial bond has been formed. I'm not sure what it's supposed to feel like, but you'll apparently know."

"Will they?" Orihime leaned forward with an anxious furrow in her brow. "Know, I mean."

"No, they only feel it when all three stages have been passed and the bond is fully formed," he paused to make sure we understood, before continuing. "The Second stage is basically just second contact, though it doesn't need to be skin-to-skin. There has to be good amount of time between the first contact and the second, as the first is meant to absorb a large amount of Reiatsu and test it for compatibility. If it's not strong enough, it's automatically rejected, and that initial bond quickly fades. If it's strong enough and compatible, second contact solidifies that bond."

"Strong?" This time, I was the one who interrupted. "What do you mean? I thought we could bond with anyone?"

He firmly shook his head, "No, remember what I told you about not letting any level six Soul Reapers touch your skin?" I nodded, vaguely recalling him saying such a thing. "Well, level six means strong Lieutenants and Captains basically. Only their Souls are strong enough to withstand the energy drain one undergoes when creating another soul."

"Why do they need to be Soul Reapers?" Orihime queried.

"Good question, I think it has something to do with them being better able to protect the Abjune and her young," he began clinically, like some sort of ninth grade biology teacher. "But it also has to do with the next stage, which requires them to battle. Here is where your Guardian, Ichigo, comes in."

"Guardian?" My best friend asked blankly. "Hiwarai already has a Dad, she doesn't need a guardian."

"Not a legal guardian, a literal one," The cat told her, a hint of amusement in his voice. "A Guardian is usually drawn to protect an Abjune, but either has no interest in bonding with her or is incompatible. Most Abjune cross over and are given a Guardian by soul society, but you, Hiwarai, already have one."

"Wait…does that mean that the only reason my brother cares about me, is because I'm an Abjune?" I felt the presence of something dark and numb in my heart at the thought.

Yoruichi looked shocked, "No, not at all. Ichigo loves his family and friends fiercely, and you are no exception. He cares about you because he's your brother, but he protects with abnormal fierceness because he's your brother and your Guardian."

"Oh," I glanced down at my lap sharply, not wanting them to see the relieved tears building in my eyes. Ichigo drove me crazy sometimes, but the idea that he only cared about me because he was supposed to, scared me quite a bit.

"Besides, guardianship is usually temporary, unless, like in your case, they are related or friends. One point of a guardian is to protect. The other point is to fight," Yoruichi seemed to consider his thoughts, trailing off for a long moment.

"In the third stage," he continued. "The Wuji – a male soul that has the potential to bond the Abjune – battles the guardian. They have to be of similar fighting ability and have similar soul strength; at least at the point the battle occurs. If the guardian concedes, at any point, that they are equal, or that the Wuji is in fact superior, then the final stage will be passed and the Wuji will become Taiji – full bonded. In ceremonial battles, the Abjune's protection is then entrusted to the bonded male."

"That seems more than a little sexist," I grumbled. "I can very well fight my own damn battles. And what's with the whole passed from one guy to another?"

The cat quirked his head at me and said, "You do know most the people here are hundreds of years old, and the traditions around Abjune go back thousands more. Feminism and equality are still rather modern in the living world. Even a hundred of years ago, it was fairly rare for a woman to know how to defend herself. A very long time ago, before guardians were established, it was actually rather common for bonds to be forced on an unwilling Abjune. Consent and abuse weren't even concepts here until about six hundred years ago."

"That's insane! I thought being an Abjune was a freaking honor!" I yelled, completely unable to believe this bullshit.

"You guys are able to do something that it was once believed only Gods could do. That doesn't mean that Abjune, or women in general, have always been treated well. Sexism is not exclusive to the past, either. I can name only six esteemed female Soul Reapers that I know exist today – one of which is now locked up, awaiting execution. If you want to jump on a soap box and fight for equality, then do it in your world. There are too many old fashioned minds to change."

"You sound bitter," Orihime noted.

Yoruichi shook his head, "I apologize for my harshness. Circumstances here are not awful, but I also want you to understand what you are facing. It's always an uphill battle here."

"Anyway, knowing what you know now, I feel much better about your chances," Yoruichi said, changing the subject and moving on.

"Speaking of knowledge," I started. "How is it that you just so happen to know all about this stuff? Did you guys all take Abjune-Sciences at some point or something?"

Orihime also turned to look at the suddenly sheepish looking cat, "Well, no actually. It isn't common to know much about the Abjune, and even what I know is nothing significant. In fact, most information about your kind is stored in a library only a few can access in the middle of the Seireitei."

"Then how do you know so much?"

"Seventy years ago, the last known Abjune, a woman named Nanami, gave me a scroll with a black seal on it and told me to memorize its contents. She said, 'One day, you'll need to help two young Abjune, and the only way you'll be able to do that, is if you know everything in this scroll'. As you can guess, Nanami had the power of foresight. She must have predicted that we would meet, and, apparently, that you would need my help."

"That's incredible! Power of foresight, wow," Orihime's voice was brimming with awe.

"She was an incredible woman, too. She was centuries ahead of her time, and is likely the only reason Soul Society is as forward as it is now. Still decades behind the living world, but still," I could tell Yoruichi held nothing but the utmost respect for this woman. I could see why he would, she sounded amazing.

And yet…

"You said 'was'," I pointed out. "Is she dead – or whatever this world's equivalent is."

"Yes," Yoruichi said, with a solemn little bob of his head. "She faded from this world not long after she gave me the scroll. Fortunately for us, she is survived by her bonded. It is possible that he might advocate for you two, if ever you are captured."

"Who is he?"

"The current Captain-Commander: Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto," both Orihime and I blinked in astonishment at this answer.

"Captain-Commander," I repeated. "How high up is this guy?"

"He heads the Gotei 13, and generally is the Seireitei's leading authority, aside from Central," the cat expounded, seeming unconcerned that his answer only left us more confused.

"If he'll help us, why don't we just go and appeal to him directly?" Orihime asked delicately.

"I wouldn't recommend it as anything other than a last resort," Yoruichi said with a negating shake of his head. "He's surrounded by too many strong Soul Reapers, some that I trust about as far as I can toss them. No, we wouldn't stand a chance – at least not immediately."

"Then how do we get to him if we have to," I felt a bit frustrated that there was no clear course of action. Our plans so far had operated solely upon improvisation and luck. I doubted that would change any time soon.

"You should try to find one of two people who will likely be inclined to help you. The first is Unohana Retsu, Captain of Squad 4. She'd be the one I'd go to first, but if you can't find her or she can't help, then you should go to Ukitake Jushiro, the Captain of Squad 13. I can't guarantee that they'll help you, but they are the only ones I'd trust enough to try," he shook his head with a heavy sigh. I tried to memorize the names to the best of my ability and I knew that Orihime was likely doing the same. Hopefully, we wouldn't need this fallback, but if things got dire…well, it always helps to have a plan B.

Yoruichi padded closer to us, and pointedly said, "I think I've covered about all I can cover, girls. The only other advice I have to give you is to stick with the others. Hiwarai, it is crucial that you not get separated from Ichigo. Not only is he your Guardian, but isolation is extremely dangerous for you – both of you. If you do, by chance, get separated, stick to the deserted areas of the Seireitei. The only thing worse than being isolated from your companions, is being isolated and surrounded by enemies. Both of you are inexperienced and barely trained – don't give me that look, you know you can't deny it. Don't forget that you aren't invulnerable here.

"Oh, and if you see a man with a face painted like a skeleton," the cat added. "Run as fast as you can in the other direction."

We both gave him emphatic nods to show we understood.

"Should we tell the others about this?" I didn't exactly know what rescue mission protocol demanded in this sort of scenario, but I didn't think keeping secrets would be all that wise. Therefore, I was rather surprised when the black feline said, "No, I think not."

"Why? Wouldn't we all be in more danger if we kept them in the dark?"

"I don't doubt that Chad or Uryuu would have very little issue with you two being Abjune, but I ask you, Hiwarai, as the person who knows your brother best, what he would do if he learned what you two just learned?" The cat asked with a delicately arched brow.

I felt my stomach sink instantly, "Oh, I see what you mean."

"We could try to reason with him," Orihime suggested.

I gave her an incredulous look, "Have you met the bulldozer that is Ichigo's personality?"

My best friend winced, "You have a point… But, that still doesn't mean we can't tell the other two."

I sighed, leaning my elbow on my knee and my chin in my palm, "I think we could tell Chad, but Uryuu is a bit of a Chatty-Kathy. I don't want to take the chance of him slipping up and saying something in front of Ichigo."

We both looked over at Yoruichi for confirmation and he shrugged, "I have no objections to that. Chad is very discreet."

I nodded, "Okay, we'll just wait until we can talk to Chad alone, and then we can fill him in. Sound good, Orihime?"

"Mmhmm," she hummed with a nod.

"Is there anything else?" I asked of the cat.

"No, the rest can be discussed in front of the others," Yoruichi said as we all got to our feet. "From this point forw – "

"AHA!"

The sound of door slamming open, accompanied by that exclamation made all three of us just about jump out of our skins. I turned, heart racing to glare at the grinning teenager in the doorway.

"Found you guys," Ichigo trumpeted as he walked into the room and grabbed my arm. "Come on, dinner's ready."

I blinked up at him as he tugged me out of the room, "That's the reason you scared us half to death? Because you were hungry?"

He responded with a casual, "Psh, don't be a wimp. You need to prepare for jump attacks anyway."

And this guy was supposed to be my Guardian? What had I done to earn that level of cosmic justice?

"I swear, if Uryuu gets to those dumplings first, I'm going to bite his hand off," Ichigo grumbled.

Clearly, it must have been something unforgivable.