Chapter 3

Karakura Town

After Ichigo disappeared all his friends became anxious. They had contacted Soul Society about what happened and they said they would do everything they could to help.

"Urahara we need to know if Ichigo is in Hueco Mundo somewhere," said Rukia, worry in her eyes.

"Don't worry so much about that Kuchiki-san. I know for a fact that he is not in Hueco Mundo. He is in another dimension, although you could worry about the fact I don't know if that dimension is dangerous or not. However, take comfort in the fact that I can open a portal there, although it will take some time," explained Urahara.

"Urahara-san, how do you know Ichigo is in another dimension? And for that matter how do you know exactly which dimension he is in when there are probably thousands or millions of different dimensions out there?" asked Renji, who had been healed by Inoue.

"It's called being prepared Abarai-san. When I was training Kurosaki-san before he went to Soul Society to rescue Kuchiki-san..." at this Rukia became happy thinking about Ichigo saving her, "I put a tracking device on him that lets me know exactly where he is at all times. It works from other dimensions too," replied Urahara.

"That's a relief. Arigatou Urahara for helping us find and get to Ichigo," said Rukia.

"Not a problem. Everyone make sure you are at my store tomorrow night. By then I should have opened the portal to the dimension Kurosaki-san is in. Hopefully it will be ready, but that depends on Soul Society's cooperation in letting us open a gate to another dimension and the parts I requested."

Naruto's World

Ichigo and Team Kakashi were jumping through the woods on their way to the Uchiha hideout. Tsunade had wanted more information on the Uchiha Clan and sent some ANBU to inspect their land. The ANBU found the Uchiha Clan's secret meeting place and some valuable information. The most important parts is that the Sharingan can control the Kyūbi and the locations of all the Uchiha Clan's hideouts throughout the Fire Country. So Tsunade sent teams of ANBU out to all the hideouts to scout for Itachi. One of the teams reported back saying that Itachi is in the hideout they were scouting. Immediately after finding this out Tsunade ordered all the other ANBU teams to come back to Konoha and sent Team Kakashi along with an unexpected addition to the Uchiha hideout Itachi was in.

"So when are we going to reach the Uchiha hideout?" asked Naruto.

"We should be there in a couple of days," replied Kakashi.

"So you guys really want to save this Sasuke person, huh?" asked Ichigo.

"Ah, I made it a promise of a lifetime to Sakura-chan," said Naruto smiling.

"I'm helping Naruto and Sakura because I want to help them save their bond with Sasuke," said Sai.

Sakura hung her head a bit after hearing what Naruto said. She had seen what Naruto's promise to her did to him. The boy would go to any lengths to fulfill his promise to her, even turn into a mini Kyūbi and lose control of himself. Sakura feels bad about that and is concerned for Naruto.

"Naruto don't worry about that promise anymore. I'll help you save Sasuke-kun. You don't need to do it by yourself," said Sakura.

"Sakura-chan I never go back on my promise. It's my ninja way. Don't worry about it. It's no problem. I'll bring him back for sure this time and then you can be happy again since you'll be able to be with him," replied Naruto.

"Naruto...," said Sakura, then quietly "I don't love Sasuke-kun anymore. I love you."

However, no heard her say that except for Ichigo who was jumping right next to Sakura. Ichigo looked at Naruto and smiled a bit before frowning.

"Naruto has someone who loves him. He's lucky although I'm sure that this won't turn out okay. It seems that Naruto used to love Sakura, judging from this promise he made to her, but I can see it in him that he doesn't love Sakura anymore. Probably believes that she'll never love him back. I'm not going to interfere in this though. Ain't my style."

After a couple days of travel they reached the Uchiha hideout and the ANBU team stationed there went back to Konoha.

Urahara Shop

Rukia, Renji, Ishida, Sado, and Orihime had gathered in the training area under Urahara's Shop. Urahara himself was standing in front of his own personal senkaimon (world penetration gate) that had been modified a bit. The modifications were necessary to open a portal to the a different dimension.

"Ok, now that everyone is here we can begin," said Urahara, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention.

"This gate with some modifications I did using some parts received from Soul Society will allow us to go to the dimension Kurosaki-san is in. When I open the gate everyone will go through one at a time, understood?" asked Urahara.

"Understood Urahara-san," said everyone.

Urahara turned towards the gate and muttered some words. The gate came to life and a white energy formed between the red columns that outlined the senkaimon.

"Alright now if everyone would kindly go through one at a time now," said Urahara.

Rukia went through the portal first, since she wanted to find Ichigo the most. Everyone else went after her in the following order: Sado, Ishida, Renji, Orihime, and finally Urahara himself. Urahara needed to go with them to open the gate back home or else they would be stuck in that dimension forever. The group walked through a black tunnel with a light at the end marking the exit.

"Ichigo, I'm coming for you," thought Rukia as she exited the tunnel.

The group exited the dark tunnel and emerged in the middle of a large forest. The trees were huge. There is a road that cuts through the middle of the forest in both directions.

"So Kurosaki-kun ended up in a place like this?" asked Orihime, thinking about the kinds of animals or creatures that lived here (crazy one I might add).

"It seems so. You know this place doesn't look dangerous at all. It looks serene and peaceful," added Ishida, pushing his glasses up a bit.

"Come on guys stop talking. We need to search for Ichigo," said Renji.

"Renji's right. We need to find Ichigo as soon as possible. While this dimension seems peaceful we don't really know what's here. There could be dangerous enemies elsewhere like where Ichigo is," stated Rukia, who was anxious to see the man she loved again.

"Fine, fine. I get it. Now how should we go about looking for Kurosaki?" asked Ishida.

"Ah, that's easy. Remember I told you guys I have a tracking device on Kurosaki-san. Just follow me and we'll find him in no time. And if all else fails just search for his reiatsu," said Urahara, who began to run towards Ichigo.

Everyone else ran following Urahara, except for Rukia. Rukia sensing Ichigo's reiatsu and his location used Shunpo to get to him faster.

"Wait Kuchiki-san. We should stick together," said Orihime.

"Don't worry Inoue. I'll be fine. I'm just going on ahead," Rukia shouted behind her at the group.

Rukia was gone from everyone's vision in a flash.

"Jeez, seriously what has gotten into her?" asked Renji. "She has been acting strange ever since Ichigo disappeared."

"Abarai-san, you really don't see it do you?" asked Urahara.

"See what Urahara-san?"

"Kuchiki-san is worried about Kurosaki-san..."

"Of course she's worried about Ichigo. We all are," shouted Renji, red in the face because he is angry at Urahara for implying that the rest of them weren't worried about Ichigo.

"You didn't let me finish Abarai-san. Kuchiki-san is very worried about Kurosaki-san. She would be broken if anything ever happened to Kurosaki-san. That's why she has been strange," said Urahara.

"Don't tell me...Urahara-san you're not serious? Are You?" asked Renji, shock on his face.

"I thought as much," said Ishida.

"What is it? Why is Kuchiki-san acting like that?" asked Orihime, clueless about what everyone else was talking about.

"Inoue-san can't you see? Kuchiki-san is in love with Kurosaki-san," said Urahara.

At that Orihime stopped running. Everyone else also stopped and turned around to look at Orihime. Shock was written all over her face.

"Inoue are you alright?" asked a concerned Ishida.

"Kuchiki-san loves Kurosaki-kun?" asked Orihime, her voice shaking.

"Hai, Kuchiki-san loves Kurosaki-san. Most likely Kurosaki-san loves Kuchiki-san back although both of them are oblivious to each other's feelings," said Urahara.

"I see. Thanks for telling me that Urahara-san," said Orihime as she put on a happy face.

The group resumed their trek to Ichigo's location. Orihime was thinking as she ran.

"So Kuchiki-san really loves Kurosaki-kun and he loves her too. It all makes sense. I shouldn't get in Kuchiki-san's way even though I love Kurosaki-kun too. After all Kuchiki-san was the person who changed Kurosaki-kun's world. They really understand each other."

Meanwhile Rukia had almost reached Ichigo. Said Shinigami was relaxing in a tree waiting for the time to attack the hideout. Suddenly, Ichigo felt a familiar reiatsu coming in his direction and he sat up.

"Rukia," said Ichigo. "I can't believe it. Rukia is here. No doubt about it that's her reiatsu."

"Huh? What did you say Ichigo? Someone is here?" asked Naruto who was sitting in the tree next to Ichigo.

"Ah, Rukia is coming here," replied Ichigo, who had a faraway look in his eyes.

"Is this Rukia friend or foe?" asked Kakashi, who was leaning against the tree behind Ichigo.

"Rukia is a friend of mine. A good friend of mine," said Ichigo.

As Ichigo said that Rukia appeared in the tree Ichigo was in out of breath. Rukia saw Ichigo and ran at him, her exhaustion suddenly gone.

"Ichigo!! I finally found you!" said Rukia, as she hugged the surprised man, oblivious to everyone else that was there.

"Rukia. I'm glad to see you too, but what are you doing?" asked Ichigo, red in the face from blushing and embarrassment.

"I just missed you so much," replied Rukia, tears in her eyes, as she let Ichigo go.

"I've only been gone a few days," said Ichigo, looking at Rukia with a perplexed look. "So tell me. Why did you just hug me like that?"

"I missed you. That's why I hugged you. Can't a friend hug you without being asked why?" asked Rukia, crossing her arms and turning away from Ichigo.

"Hey, don't you turn away from me. Dammit! Rukia! Are you even listening to what I'm saying?" yelled Ichigo.

"Of course I'm listening to what you're saying. It's kind of hard not to when you're yelling like that," said Rukia, turning back to Ichigo smiling. "So can't I hug you without being asked why?"

"Eh? Oh, yeah. Of course you can. I just wasn't expecting it with you being you."

Rukia became irritated after hearing that last remark. "Oh so are you saying you don't like my hugs? Is that it? Fine then I won't hug you again." said Rukia.

"No, Rukia that's not what I meant. I just meant that you usually don't show any affection or love to anyone. That's why I said I was surprised."

"So you're saying I'm incapable of showing affection and love? Ichi-" Rukia was interrupted by Ichigo pulling her in for an embrace.

"Rukia, I'm not saying that. I know you can show love and affection. Let's just put this behind us. I don't want to argue with you after not seeing you for a few days," said Ichigo.

Rukia's face was flushed as she stood there in Ichigo's arms. Ichigo was also blushing a bit though Rukia couldn't see it. Rukia then noticed that there were some other people in front of her.

"Ahem," said a voice behind Ichigo.

Ichigo let go of Rukia and turned around to face Team Kakashi. Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and Sai had been watching the whole thing with interest. However, it was time to infiltrate the Uchiha hideout, so Kakashi made their presence known again to Ichigo.

"Uh? Sorry, Kakashi. Guess I forgot you guys were still there," said Ichigo sheepishly.

"Ichigo, who are these people? Do you know them?" asked Rukia, looking at the 4 strangely dressed people in front of them.

"Ah, I know them. The blonde haired guy over there is Naruto, pink haired girl is Sakura, black haired guy is Sai, and the one with silver hair is Kakashi," said Ichigo pointing to each person he described.

"Ah. So Ichigo what are you doing with them? Did they find you and help you?" asked Rukia turning her head to look at Ichigo with sparkling indigo eyes.

"Actually when I came here I ended up outside their village. Naruto helped me find the Hokage. I thought she would be able to help me get back home, but since she couldn't I decided to go on Naruto's mission with him. That's how I ended up here with these guys," said Ichigo.

"So you're helping them with a mission?"

"Yup"

"Don't you want to go home now? Urahara and the others will be here soon," said Rukia.

"I know. I can sense them, but I don't want to go back at this moment. I'll go back when I'm done helping Naruto with his mission, okay?"

"Fine. Then, I'm staying too. I'll help your new friends too," said Rukia.