Hey everyone, this is my second story for bleach and also my second story for fanfiction. It won't be perfect but I hope you like it anyway.

Sorry if I made any mistakes in this chapter.

Please no Flames, but Constructive criticism, advice and ideas are accepted, as it will help me write this story and improve it.

I don't own Bleach, Tite Kubo does, I only own the OCs, plotline and Ideas(some have been inspired though)

Word count: 3537 in 6 and half pages.

Warning some course language, some sexual reference, and there is violence. Also there are some OCs but they only help the story work and the characters might be oocish but this an AU story afterall.

Thanx to Kvothe Arliden and glon morski for reviewing last chapter.

Remember if you have any questions about the fic just ask.

Sorry about the lack of updates but I was busy again, school and stuff.

Chapter 3: Fate Just Loves Me

Rukia's POV

I awoke early the next morning. The sun had not even breached the horizon yet. Something felt wrong and yet the others still slept. I got out of bed and headed to the main room, where Berry-Chan slept. Careful not to wake anyone, I paced in and saw the bed made up and not a sign of him. I sprinted back to my shared room and tore the door open. Nel shot up, startled at the sudden awakening. "The stupid idiot's gone." I cried still disbelieving that he'd left and while hurt that badly. He had a damn death wish!

I sped away back to where he slept, Nel chasing me. I slid on my knees stopping near his pillow. I noticed a slight bulge under the covers on the pillow and I tore them off. On it was a large bunch of precious stones probably worth more than all the currency that has ever passed through this house. On top of the pile lay a folded letter. Shaking, I picked it up, wondering why this was all here.

I opened it revealing some writing scrawled across the page, rushed and messy but readable and in its own way smooth and elegant.

By the time you read this letter, I will be long gone and you will not find me again.

I'm sorry if this causes pain for you, even though I'd not understand why.

For I am nothing but a stranger to you and shall remain so.

I can't stay with you, I do not belong among you.

I'm an outsider, an outcast and always will be.

For someone like me it is far easier to be alone and less complicated.

Know you have my gratitude for saving my life, for sharing with me what little you have to offer.

And so I leave you my part of the take, the very reason I was injured for.

I would give more but I can't give what does not belong to me.

Thank you and Goodbye.

Berry-Chan!

The damn bastard was so bloody stubborn, he couldn't even give his real name. He was so damn frustrating and pigheaded. He just had to leave, just had to push away a chance to belong. He was wrong, he had a place here he just didn't see it.

"Ruk, what does it say?" Nel asked anxiously.

"He says goodbye and thank you. The jewels, he left them as a reward for helping him. That they're the reason he got hurt. The damn fool." I answered both sadly and bitterly.

Slowly, I stood and handed Nel the letter and trudged back depressed to our room. I wondered whether Berry-Chan's words would really ring true. No! I decided. I would find him again, he would not die alone. I dressed but took my time before sneaking out of the room, and stealthily crossing the dimly lit main room, trying not to get Nel's attention. I reached the door and I thought I was home but Nel stopped me. Damn it she'd noticed. How does she do that?

I groaned. "Nel, I have to find him." I whined.

"I know the boys are already getting ready, just let me get Rangiku." She replied simply, she headed back up the hallway to the room and I followed. She paced to Ran's side and shook her gently. She awoke fairly easily, surprisingly. They traded a few murmured words, then Ran nodded and changed herself. We walked down to the main room and there were the boys ready and waiting for us. To my surprise Toshiro was there as well and so was a sleepy Yachiru. I smiled warmly. We always stuck together and I was glad for it.

"So? Where do we start?" Renji asked handing Rangiku Berry-Chan's letter.

She scanned it quickly and absently answered Renji. "The rogue council."

"What? How can you know that?" Kira asked stunned and awed both at the prospect and Ran's confidence and the rapidness she'd come to that conclusion. And he wasn't the only one.

"This." She responded and simply pointed to the line where it said 'And so I leave you my part of the take'. I looked up confused and she sighed. "He said my part of the take, not a part of my take. He's working for someone, obviously rogue since he stole it. And all underhanded business is done at the Rogue's council court, so we go there." She explained rationally.

"Fuck! What the hell is Berry-Chan into?" Renji asked cursing. Ran shrugged and rolled her eyes before walking out of the room. We stood there motionless before we followed her out. We entered the sun's morning rays heading to our destination.

We paced through the waking city toward the crooked centre of town. People were waking all around us and as they came out into the streets we hid. We stayed to the shadows as much as humanly possible.

Soon the sun was well above the horizon and we continued to move silently without anyone's notice. An hour later, we finally arrived at the great hall of the rogues. People milled around and we joined the crowd, waiting to gain entrance.

This was where the criminal factions talked, made alliances and outlined rules and territories. See Rukongai, the more dishevelled part anyway which was most of the town, was run by the crooked, the nobles had limited power in the lower districts at best. Our section was under Zaraki Kenpaci. He was a fight loving barbarian but his opponents had to be worthy. He found it useless to fight the weak. However, he expected us to survive on our own. He did not protect us but neither did he demand tax for something he didn't do or for our right to thieve on his turf. With that we were content, it was easier to excel and lead a better life under him.

The council was designed to keep peace between them and for the most part it worked.

After half an hour of waiting in the queue, we finally made it to the entrance. The mercenary guards stopped us, asking what our business was. All Rangiku had to do was flirt a bit, show her cleavage a tad and batt her eyelids and we were in with no problem and without having to say our intentions. The poor bastards were head over heels for her in seconds, they didn't know what hit them.

Instantly someone was waving us toward us. I glanced and saw startling teal hair. Ran smiled warmly and head to the teal haired man, leading us to him. The moment we reached him, Ran and he embraced like old friends.

"Grimmjow! How are you?." Rangiku exclaimed cheerfully to her seemingly old friend.

"I'm good, whatta bout you?" He asked, smiling wickedly as he spoke.

"Good, all of us are though Nel misses you... a lot." Rangiku answered smirking devilishly as she mentioned Nel.

"Aye does she? Good, cause I do too. But why are ya here? The council has not been graced with yar presence fer years Ran. Not since ya were younger and even then yar visits were rare." Grimmjow asked curiously.

"I'm looking for someone, a boy." She answered easily, hinting at a need for help.

"Oh a boy! He must be handsome to make ya chase him. It seems all the fine bachelors and non bachelors should despair at yar fall from the ranks of singles." Grimmjow teased, his tone coloured with dramatic dejection, but his eyes were glinting with mischief.

"Oh he is exceptionally good looking but the men need not despair just yet, as it's not like that. He's a friend." Rangiku counted flattered at the compliment within the tease.

"Ah lucky men then. So what's his name? Maybe I can help." Grimmjow offered helpfully, my hopes rose.

"No name, we just call him Berry-chan. He has amber eyes and his hair's orange. A white wolf is usually at his side." Ran answered her tone apologetic. "Do you know him?"

"Aye. Dangerous young tyke he is. Luke contracted him into stealin a few valuables. Kid would get a fifth of whatever he managed to get his hands on. Which I bet ya, will be substantial." Grimmjow informed truthfully. I felt my heart thump at his words. And I was right... he was dangerous.

"How'd Luke get him?" Renji questioned gruffly, meeting eyes with Grimmjow's teal eyes.

"Mere chance. One on his men spotted him escape a group of pursuers and offered him a job. He said yes. He didn't have much choice, seems he'd managed to steal somethin frem Luke and well... Luke wasn't happy. He made the deal, one job and one job only." Grimmjow replied dubiously. I tried keeping my face calm but I don't know if I succeeded. He stole from Luke. He wasn't just dangerous, he was downright suicidal.

A din arose as Grimmjow spoke and low and behold, there stood Berry-Chan, fists clenched and glaring at a man, I knew to be Luke. Always the centre of trouble. "What cha know, e did it!" The tavern keeper exclaimed from behind us, in surprise.

"Well done, boy! More than required even without your part. I think it might be good if you stayed on." Luke implored obviously impressed. He was a handsome man, blond haired with green eyes. He was leanly muscled and the kind of lean that one tied with thieves all the time. He seemed to be educated from the way he spoke.

"No thanks, I'll pass." He replied turning away, only for his way out to be blocked.

"See boy, you don't get to choose. Work with me or well say goodbye." Luke stated offering an ultimatum.

"I said no." Berry-Chan huffed, looking like he was getting thoroughly annoyed. Rangiku pulled us away and led us to the entrance. We followed and soon stopped there watching the spectacle from a closer vantage point.

I turned my head to see through the crowd in time to see Berry-Chan dodge Luke's men, who attempted to restrain him. He moved unlike anything I'd ever seen before despite his injuries. He managed to break away from his attackers. Sprinting through the crowd, he weaved and ran, passing us as he exited. And of course Shiro was at his heels.

Automatically, we followed and came in time to see two mercenaries attack him. One held a long dagger, one side was edged with razor sharp teeth, the other a clean seamless but none the less sharp edge. The second mercenary had a short sword which by comparison to the dagger was rather unremarkable.

The dagger wielding mercenary reached him first. He slashed and I could see he was skilled, my heart rose into my throat in worry. Berry-Chan was unfazed and caught his wrist, snapping it, he snatched the dagger from his limp hand. In a fluid movement he drove it up through his jaw. Without slowing, he ripped it back out, blood spurting wildly, and spun slitting the throat of the second mercenary.

He dashed away again, he turned a corner and had disappeared by the time we reached alley. We'd only been thirty seconds behind him, yet he was gone and so was Shiro. All there was a dead end. When Luke's men arrived, we slunk back not wanting to incur their wrath. They searched the area thoroughly from what I could see but came up with nothing.

We backed further away from the dead end and I chanced a look up, following my instincts. I thought, funny how seldom people look up, because there he was standing on the roof. Looking grim, as he stared down. His face was splattered with the blood of men, he'd killed so callously. He turned and sprinted away, running across the rooftops and leaping the gaps between them.

A flash of white in the shadows caught my eye. Shiro stood there getting impatient, wanting to follow his master. But he seemed to be aware that moving now, would give him and in turn his master, away. So he waited.

"How the hell did he get onto the rooftop injured?" I asked loudly in confusion when Luke's men had left.

"He would have scaled the wall, using what gaps he could find." Grimmjow replied from behind, causing our little group to jump in surprise. None of us knew he was there.

"He was injured. It would be extremely painful for him to climb not to mention impossible because of it." Toshiro counted disbelievingly.

"Aye, I know. Trust me, I know. If I were you I'd leave him alone." Grimmjow his eyes and voice hard and deadly serious.

"No... we're going to find him." Rangiku disagreed, dismissing Grimmjow's words.

"No! Ran leave him be. He's dangerous and he hates being forced into things or being crowded. Stay away from him. Now I'm taking you home and the lot of you are going to pack and leave that house." Grimmjow ordered demandingly. I stopped myself from snapping at him, knowing that'd be rude.

"We can't just leave home." Yachiru whined. "We got no other place to go."

"Sure you do. Don't you Rangiku? The old fortress is abandoned and no one but me, you and Nel know where its and it's still on Zaraki's land." Grimmjow informed smirking.

"That'd be great except it's been locked since they left." She argued raising her brows in scepticism.

"No, was. It's been reopened." Ran broke into a smile and nodded. A silent message, passing in between them.

As they headed off, I saw Shiro start padding away keeping to the shadows. I followed him. I'd find the others later, for now I was going to find Berry-Chan.

Ichigo's POV

I growled as I sprinted and leapt across the rooftops. Rukia had seen me. How she'd known I was up there was a mystery. I cursed as I slipped because of my distraction. I bit my lip as one of the tiles dislodged and fell to the ground with a clash! Why do I always get distracted on rooves with shingles? I mean come on, there weren't even that many in this area! I steadied myself on the thick yet rotting support beam. Running on that, so I wouldn't risk freeing any more tiles.

I jumped another gap to a thatched roof. I hissed as I landed, causing pain to my chest would. I stayed on the thin beam careful not to become unfocused again. And I ran, as fast as possible for me in this state. I reached the roof's end and jumped not realising the separating gap was larger than the others had been. I just managed to catch the edge and hung. However, with my arm and chest injury, I caused myself a great deal of pain and found that I had no strength whatsoever to pull myself up. Slowly, my fingers slipped and my arm became more agonising and eventually I dropped.

I the clothes lines that hung between buildings and were full of clothes slowed my fall but I still landed hard on the partially cobbled street below. I hit the ground landing on my feet sooner than I thought I would. The impact jarred my ankles and knee joints, badly. I stumbled forward falling face first.

I didn't get up. I couldn't, I didn't have enough strength. I laid there content to regain some energy through not moving. Soon, I heard the padding of paws that could only be Shiro. I brought my fingers to my mouth and whistled sharply.

Shiro came to me at a sprint and it he slowed early taking a few metres to stop and even then he passed me. He had to pad back to me. He licked my face worriedly. So innocent when I'm injured but when I'm fine, I swear he's a demon from hell.

Gingerly, I raised myself into sitting position against the mudstone wall. I groaned as the pains of my body assailed my body again. I let my head fall into my hands, breathing hard. I think I left a tad early. I chuckled at the thought, at least, I'm alone again. I raised my head as I heard soft footfalls move closer to me.

Soon, Rukia emerged into the deserted side street. She smiled brightly as she saw me and I swore. "Damn it. Why the fuck, are you here?"

"I'm here to fucking help you." She retorted harshly back. I paused looking at her shocked. She swore, I'd never heard her swear before. She began laughing at me, most likely at the shock strewn across my face so blatantly. "Don't be so stunned. I did grow up in Rukongai." She stated still chuckling.

I snapped out of it and scowled at her. "Good for you. Tell someone who cares." I announced with fake cheer. Rukia pouted angrily at me and my comment. Shakily I forced myself to stand. Rukia took a few steps toward me, reprimanding me for standing but I wasn't paying attention. My senses were focused down the street as I heard voices. Beside me I realised she'd gone silent, she'd heard them too.

"Come on! I swear I saw a girl alone. She went down here. Hurry up!" They were after Rukia. I growled, suddenly feeling protective. I hated men like them. Who'd take advantage of a loan female.

I backed up to the dead end pulling her with me. She fought me as I did but I ignored her struggling. I reached the stone wall and kicked a brick in which I knew to be a lever. Lucky I was in an area I knew. A stone door slid open and I pulled her inside, Shiro following. I turned and kicked the counter lever closing it again. The tunnel was room like, old and dully lit, soon it thinned becoming an actual tunnel. Few knew of them these days, and for the most part they remained untouched.

As the door shut I heard their voices again, far clearer than before. "See, ain't no girl, fool. Ya dragged me on a wild goose chase." Said a second gruff voice, who sounded thoroughly annoyed.

"I saw her. She was a pretty little thing. Runs with that red head... Abarai, somethin." The first speaker argued.

I clamped Rukia's mouth shut with my hand just as she was about to gasp in shock. However, it didn't go entirely to plan. When I covered her half open mouth, she bit down on my hand. I clenched my jaw, to prevent any sound or angry retort from coming out. Finally, when I heard them walk away, I let her go, shoving her away whilst prying my hand out of her mouth. "God damn it! Did you have to bite so hard? Actually, did really need to bite at all?" I growled furiously as I examined the indentations she left on my hand. Not to mention the blood she'd managed to draw.

"You surprised me!" She countered. I rolled my eyes at her stupid answer. "Look sorry and thank you. I didn't even know this was here." She apologised looking around curiously.

"Not many people do." I muttered back, heading further down the tunnel. Now not only did I have Shiro beside me but Rukia too. Oh fun. As if I needed two biters. I tried ignoring her and the resurfacing pain as I walked but it was difficult. And soon I found myself limping from my still jarred ankles, clutching my arm close to my body.

I failed miserably at ignoring her too, getting annoyed, I finally got fed up with her following me and looking at me with concern. I stopped and scowled darkly. "What the hell do you want?" I snapped frustrated.

"To get out of this tunnel a different way to the one I came in. Since I don't know them, I figure I should stay with you." She answered sweetly. I snarled deeply, she just smiled girlishly.

I whirled and walked at a brisk pace unheedingly of my soreness, heading to the closest exit. Opening it, I walked out and she followed.

"See we're out. Now leave me alone."

"No." She answered simply. Curse her damn stubbornness and curiosity.

I groaned, part in annoyance, part in agony. It was hopeless. I was so damn frustrated and angry at not being left alone, mixed with apprehension and a whole lot of other things I'd rather not admit. Plus the pain just made my patience all the more thinner. "For God's sake. I don't want to be bothered by some stupid runt of a girl, whose mother was probably a whore." I snapped aggravated. I didn't really mean what I'd said but I did really want her to leave me alone.

Her eyes alit with rage and her hand instantly came flying across to hit my face. The moment the slap made contact. I blanked, the whole world suddenly went dark. And when I opened my eyes, I was shocked not ready for where I'd wake up at. Oh, how fate really loved me. What a bloody bitch.

Third chapter finally up, again short, hopefull next one will be longer.

Thanx for reading everyone I hope you enjoyed it.

So please come back and review.