Night encounters

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and Star Wars. They belong to their respective owners.

This story was proofread by Zanthraxone! Thanks man!

'zanpakuto' - thoughts

"zanpakuto" - speech

Seireitei , Sixth Division barracks holding cells

Rukia was sitting on the hard bed in her Spartan cell, afraid to sleep. Couple of days after her sentencing, the dreams started. They were strange, confusing and often turning into nightmares. Last night, she dreamed of a man, who at first she thought was Ichigo. It began, with her walking beside a male with Ichigo's face and orange hair, through a low tunnel, strewn with debris and covered with dust. They were accompanied by a tall, bald man wearing yellow robes, which contrasted with her snow white, simply cut outfit. The "Ichigo", who was leading the trio, was outfitted in black, flowing robes, which looked made specifically for him. In a way, his clothes were an essential part, completing his image. The bald man asked in an odd but somehow familiar accent "Is it worth it, Revan?" The previous night, she had dreamed that short sequence multiple times, awakening just as the orange haired man was opening his mount to answer. That dream was accompanied by other, which she could never quite remember - just a sense of violent combat and impending doom. Needles to say, Rukia didn't get much rest that night.

Her lips parted, murmuring softly "Revan" ,she was testing each syllable of the word, wondering why that name sent shivers down her spine. Deep down, far below her conscious thoughts the Kuchiki heiress felt a connection with the owner of the name. During the dream she could swear that she was "feeling" his thoughts and feelings, if that made any sense. There was a great sadness, unshakable determination and ... love!? 'Who the hell is Revan? Why does he have Ichigos' face?' she wondered. And why, when thinking of the person in her dreams she felt even more regret than she was feeling toward herself for causing Ichigo's demise? She knew that the chance of Kurosaki surviving her brother attack were slim, and even if he had managed to live - then his connection to the spirit world was severed forever.

Her thoughts were rudely interrupted by abrupt, explosive release of reiatsu from two distinct sources. One was definitely captain Ichimaru. The other spiritual power was oddly familiar, yet she was not able to recognize it. The pressure was coming from the direction of the Gate of Pure souls. The ebb and flow of Reiatsu indicated a battle. She had hard time believing it , despite what her senses were telling her. Was Seireitei under attack? She wondered what was happening. Minutes later the odd presence suddenly disappeared. "Ichimaru won." she muttered sadly. The snake like captain wasn't one of her favorite people, to put it mildly. Soon exhaustion took its toll and sent her in restless slumber. Rukia was dreaming again.

She was walking on a grass covered plain, and had nested amongst low hills - no higher than two hundred meters. A strange hound, colored soft brown, like a light cocoa - milk mix, and covered with irregular white spots. Every few seconds the beast was stopping to look at her and bark playfully. Light, warm breeze swung the knee high grass, in a calming manner. In the crystal clear sky, the local flying fauna was lazy gliding in the air upon leather wings. It was tranquil, relaxing scene, which could not alleviate Rukia's inner turmoil. She was a "guest" in a gilded cage, while the galaxy burnt in the flames of civil war. She wasn't trusted by the Jedi, no matter that she was one of their own. In the eyes of most beings in the Republic, she was guilty by association. As far as the Jedi were concerned - she was either a ticking time bomb or a tool to be used against the Dark Lord of the Sith. Darth Revan. The Great Traitor. The man who sundered the Jedi Order, the general who turned on the Republic, taking a full third of the fleet with him. That's how the galaxy saw him - as a traitor and a monster. She bristled at the thought. For her he was Ichigo Kurosaki - a Jedi Knight, who dared defy the Order and led hundreds of Jedi against the Mandalorians. He was the general who stopped the clan's onslaught. The man who was responsible for slaying Mandalore himself ending the Mandalorian wars. More importantly he was Ichigo Kurosaki, her husband. The man she still loved. The one she abandoned after Malachor V. Intellectually, Rukia knew she did not cause his fall to the Dark side. Yet, there was that nagging voice in her head, one that was gaining strength each day. She could hear a ghostly whisper on the wind - "You left him in the shadows."

Rukia turned her head to the left, haunted eyes searching for the sound of the voice. The hound stopped confused, left paw hanging in mid - step. The animal shook its massive head and looked around, its ears moving like echolocators. "You were his lifeline during the war, the one keeping him sane. And you ran away at the critical moment." Rukia's attention was caught by her hound's growling. She looked to the right to see a ghostly outline of a woman hidden by a dark cloak. The apparition used it's dark gloved right hand to remove it's hood, revealing a distorted mirror image of Rukia. The Jedi could see a mockery of her face - gaunt, brimmed by dark sickly looking veins and softly glowing yellow eyes. "You were terrified. I can sense it , even now you reek of fear. "her double hissed. Rukias' hand moved to the hilt of her saber, just to grasp air. Her light saber was back in the Jedi enclave, confiscated until the masters made their mind about her fate.

The force apparition caked in sick pleasure: "Foolish girl! You were the one person in the galaxy who could have prevented the rise of Revan. Instead you abandoned him! You were so afraid of becoming me as to run away! You caused all of this! "Rukia saw Ichigo laying on darkened street. His black robes were sliced open to reveal a deep slash on his chest. Cool rain was pouring on his bleeding body, a crimson stream leaking down the street.

She was awoken from her nightmare by Renji's arrival at her cell door. Rukia shook her head, trying to awake. The only thing she remembered from the dream was Ichigo as she last saw him - dying in a pool of his own blood. A fate brought by her own actions. He looked at her sadly. She stared back with dark circles under her eyes. "Renji." she greeted with hollow voice. He had to suppress a glare. It was entirely carrot top's fault! That bastard had stolen her powers; her condition was that meddler's fault! He grated with barely controlled voice "Seireitei's security was breached two hours ago." She numbly nodded. He continued "Captain Ichimaru fought a Ryoka. They were evenly matched." Rukia raised an eyebrow at that. Holding your own against any captain, however briefly was nothing to scoff at.

The redheaded Shinigami continued "The intruder managed to suppress his reiatsu and escape, before reinforcements arrived." He looked her in the eyes, wanting to see her reaction at his next worlds. "The Ryoka", he spat "had orange hair." at that Rukia's eyes widened. The next words struck her speeches "He called himself Revan."

Stupid dreams! She didn't know any Revan! Thinking about the man from her dreams, picturing his face in her mind, she was startled. It was Ichigo's, all right. His face in the dreams was mature, at least half decade older. Despite its uncanny resemblance to Kaien, the face was without a doubt Ichigo's. Rukia stiffened. She had changed his life greatly, caused him great suffering.

"Ichigo." she said quietly.

Renji exclaimed "What is with you and that bastard!" he growled. "It's his fault!"

"Why?" she asked boldly. "Why do you hate him so much? If I haven't given him my powers, the hollow would have killed him and his family. Is it such a crime for a boy to be given the power to save his little sister?!" Rukia screamed at him.

Renji shook his head unable to answer. It was the will of Central 46. It should be all the answer, he needed, right? It was his duty as a lieutenant of squad six and a Shinigami. That was the law he had to uphold, even when it condemned his childhood friend. He looked at Rukia for a moment longer and silently left, mentally cursing the damn Ryoka, the law and the injustice of it all. Small, treacherous part of his heart wondered why he wasn't doing anything to save her.

At the same time, in the vicinity of 11th division

Ichigo sneezed again. He hoped that he wasn't catching a cold, if a soul could get a cold. He looked at the map, provided by Urahara and wondered what will be the best way to 6th and 13th division's compounds. They were practically side by side in the south east corner of Seireitei. The problem was his location - after the encounter with Gin, he had ended near eleventh division. If the info given by the crazy scientist, was correct, they were Soul Society's version of Mandalorians. Bunch of battle hungry maniacs, without the redeeming feature of the Mandalorian honor code. And Gin, the man wasn't just a snake as portrayed by that huttspawn Urahara. No, he was more like a fox, a very interesting man indeed. Especially considering, what Ichigo had felt when he crossed zanpakutos with him. He was looking forward their next meeting.

Kurosaki stowed the map in one of the pockets of his battle robes and headed east. He intended to sneak by 9th division compound and reach the training areas, which he hoped to be deserted at this time of night. Then he intended to check the fourth for Rukia's captain who, thanks to his sickness was a frequent visitor there. According to Hat and clogs, Rukia's boss would be sympathetic and might help rescuing his subordinate. If the captain wasn't there, Ichigo would have to choose whether to head for the sixth and rescue Rukia (if she was still imprisoned there), or search for Ukitake at his division. His thoughts were interrupted by mental slap on the back of the head, promptly delivered by Divine Night. Once again Kurosaki was too deep in his thoughts that he failed to keep attention on his surroundings. 'Damn, I have to stop doing that before I get my ass killed.' Just as Revan was reaching a side alley on the deserted street he was walking on, the substitute came face to face with duo of Shinigami. He was stopped in his tracks by the sight and stared.

One was a muscular, bald man with small red markings in the corners of his eyes. The other was a feminine in appearance, with colorful feathers on the corners of his eyelashes. He also had peacock feathers tucked on the left side of his shoulder length hair. Ichigo thoughts could be condensed in his colorful exclamation "Dafuq?" That was prompted by the bald mans actions. He started a dance, if you can call it that with straight face, and was repeating "lucky" with a sing song voice. The second one looked over Ichigo appraisingly and said "The robes aren't too unfashionable, but what's with the mask? It's ugly! An eyesore that must be removed!"

Ichigo's eyes twitched." No one! NO ONE badmouths my mask! "He roared, stunning the soul reapers. It was a classic from his time as a Jedi and later a Dark Lord of the Sith! More importantly it could stop couple of high powered blaster bolts! It had saved his life many times! More importantly, the original mask had been a present from his wife, given to him on the day when they gad left for the Mandalorian wars.

He briefly wondered where that outburst came from. Until now he hadn't remembered the origins of the mask. It just was a part of his armor. Ichigo didn't have time to think about it, because the Shinigami got out of their brief stupor and drew swords. Ichigo activated his lightsaber, assuming Diem Jo stance, with his weapon held in two - handed grip above his head and its blade angled upward and slightly behind. "Who are you two anyway?" he wondered aloud.

The bald man answered: " I'm Ikkaku Madarame and the peacock to the right is Yumichika Ayasegawa. " Said colorful bird glared at his partner.

"You can call me Revan. "Said Ichigo and attacked, unleashing powerful overhand blow at Ikkaku. The strike broke through the Shinigami guard, the tip of the lightsaber searing a line over Madarame's right eyebrow. In the next moment, Kurosaki was forced to parry an angry diagonal slash by Yumichika , which was the start of series of furious attacks. Ichigo fell back few paces, waiting patiently for an opportunity to go to the offence, while weaving an impenetrable barrier with his lightsaber. He fell back a step, the feathered man following, thus gaining more distance between the Shinigami.

Revan decided that this was a good moment to go to the offense. He deflected Yumichka's next slash to the side, causing him to overextend. Ichigo's following riposte, made a shallow slash on his opponents chest, causing him to jump back with a painted cry. While the lightsaber cauterized the wounds which they caused, preventing blood loss, the burns made by the energy blades hurt a lot, much more than a similar wound inflicted by regular blade.

While his partner temporally retreated, Ikkaku stood against Ichigo and declared "Nobiro Hōzukimaru", after placing his scabbard at the bottom of his weapon's hilt. His zanpakuto was enveloped in white light for a moment, which faded to reveal a naginata with slightly curved blade and red horsehair tassel on the pommel. Madarame went on the offense, using his weapon superior reach. Ichigo was forced back by multiple stabbing attempts. When the next attack came, aimed at Revan's left shoulder, Kurosaki lunged forward, his lightsaber used as a lever to push the naginata away from his body. Ichigo moved toward his opponent, his blade scraping the length of the spear , burning a long gash in its wood frame. Madarame smiled at that shouting "Sakero Hōzukimaru ". The naginata split into a three part staff connected by metal chain. The weapon twisted around Revan, its blade flying at his head. Ichigo promptly dropped on his knees, the blade cutting few stray hairs from the top of his head. Channeling the Force through his legs, Kurosaki surged forward, before Ikkaku could recover himself from his failed gambit. Ichigo delivered a devastating slash, which carved Madarame from left shoulder to his right hip. Mercifully enough, Revan had held back, so the Shinigami was merely critically wounded instead of cut in two.

Yumichika cried out seeing his friend so grievously wounded. Revan lowered his blade and said " Answer couple of questions and I'll let you treat your friend." The feminine Shinigami briefly glared warring emotions visible on his face. Concern for his friend won and the shinigami complied, sheathing his zanpakuto.

"Where is Rukia Kuchiki?"

Ayasegawa looked at him sadly for a moment. "She should be at sixth division holding cells."He answered. Ikkaku coughed a glob of blood and stated: "She is on death row. What have you got to do with such a ..." he was interrupted by a silver blade pointing between his eyes, accompanied by monstrous killing intent. "Choose your next words carefully shinigami, for they may be your last!" Revan hissed with barely restrained anger..

Madarame gulped. This man's killing intent could rival his captain's. The bald man, in uncharacteristic display of common sense stuttered: "... such a fine lady?"

Behind his mask Ichigo smirked, his anger slowly dissipating. "Do you even know what her crime is?" he asked. They both shook their heads in denial.

"She gave me her powers, so I could save my family from a hollow. She was wounded at the time! If she didn't do it we all would have died." The substitute glared at them. "Is your government so prideful that it prefers a shinigami to die instead of temporally giving her powers to one of the living temporally?" Kurosaki scowled at the duo.

The wounded men were left speechless. Ichigo deactivated his lightsaber and left, melting in the midnight shadows. Yumichika kneeled over his wounded friend, trying to stop the blood loss. Madarame muttered "They can't execute her just for that, right? There must be more to it..." he trailed off.

The fourth was a bust. Infiltrating it was a child's play. Once inside, all he needed to do was to find one of the night nurses in the hospital and use the good old mind trick on her. According to her, Ukitake was released the previous day and was resting at his division. Ichigo slipped out unnoticed and headed to the thirteenth. The possible help of a captain would be invaluable.

Ichigo wondered if the security of Seireitei really sucked or all the little underhanded tricks shown him by Misson, from his time as Revan were that good. To be fair it was probably combination of the two. Soul Society security was focused on detecting Reiatsu, which outside of combat or using Shunpo, wasn't an issue for the substitute. His control had become instinctive. Being able to turn literally invisible, by shrouding himself with the Force helped too. (AN: A bunch of barley trained teens were able to cause chaos for days with minimal opposition and without being caught. For someone with even a part of Revan's training infiltrating Seireitei should be a walk in the park. )

It was in the hours before sunrise, when Kurosaki found himself in front of captain Ukitake bedroom door. He silently opened the door and entered only to find an emaciated, white haired man. The captain had problems breathing, each gulp of air he took in his lungs was accompanied by wet, rasping sounds. Ichigo closed his eyes, becoming one with the raging torrents of the Force. The ex Jedi extended his senses to the sick man. He could see Ukitake in the Force, the insides of the captain were raked by countless scars. Ichigo could see the cause - the disease was an ugly black mass, centered into the man's' lungs, with oily dark tendrils spreading through his entire body. Fucking tuberculosis! And If Urahara could be trusted; Ukitake had carried it for centuries. That explained the extensive scaring which Kurosaki could perceive - the disease had devoured the captain's tissues countless times only for the flesh to be healed, but it was for naught with the cause of his illness left untouched. Ichigo wondered when the Shinigami healers last compared notes with the doctors in the living world. Tuberculosis had been treatable for decades. His opinion of Seireitei's medics' competence took a sharp nosedive. After finishing the check up and deciding that he'll be able to help the man, a sly smile adorned Revans face .

"Captain" he said loud enough to awake the sleeping man. Jushiro stood abruptly, sleep laden eyes scanning his bedroom for the intruder, rapidly focusing on Ichigo. The shinigami was about to said something, when a vicious coughing fit forced him to double over , struggling for breath. For a moment, Ukitake was almost defenseless. Instead of attacking, the man in black robes kneeled next to the struggling for breath captain, muttering something about incompetent doctors. "Stay still" Ichigo commanded, placing a palm on Ukitake's chest. Jushiro's coughing subdued and he started to feel better. He was slowly beginning to breathe easier as well, the wet, rasping noises slowly vanishing.. The stranger was somehow healing him without using Reiatsu.

"Thanks" Jushiro was able to say as his breathing stabilized. "I don't want to seem ungrateful, but I believe that an explanation of your actions is in order." said Ukitake.

"Rukia Kuchiki"

Just two words, but the masked man was able to convey a great deal with the feelings, which could be discerned in the tone of his voice. Jushiro was certain that his guest smiled under his mask, while he said his subordinate's name. This man was in love.

The captain lowered his head and said "Despite my best efforts, Central 46 , haven't changed their decision."

"The last time, a Shinigami gave his powers to a human his punishment was six months prison." said Revan.

Ukitake raised an eyebrow at that. He was checking about that at the library, but was unable to find anything. He said so and asked about Ichigo's source.

"Kisuke Urahara." The exile, so this man was an acquaintance of that man, Curious.

"It is strange, isn't it? The way your government decided to treat one of its own." the masked man asked. "What will you do if they don't bulge?"

The captain was silent for a long moment. "I'll do what I have to do." he said finally, looking Ichigo in the eyes. An unspoken agreement passed between them.

AN: My take on Ukitake's actions from the anime are this: He was ready to do whatever it takes to protect his subordinate from an unjust execution, but he was going to exhaust all available legal avenues, before taking any drastic actions.

"Good! Very good!" Ichigo declared with jovial tone, grinning under his mask. "Let's fix you up first. This may hurt a bit. I am Ichigo Kurosaki, by the way. But I'm known as Revan these days. "

Ichigo gathered more force in the palms of his hands, making them shimmer like a mirage, and pressed them on Ukitake's chest. He was destroying the disease in the captains tissues, while simultaneously jump starting his immune system.

Hours later, Ichigo smiled with satisfaction. "All done! You will be tired for couple of days but after that, you should regain your strength rapidly." With that declaration, Ichigo's eyes rolled and he passed out utterly exhausted, causing Ukitake to shake his head in amusement. He called his third seats, Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentarō Kotsubaki, ordering them to stash Ichigo in one of the division spare rooms and make sure he is undisturbed. At that moment a hell butterfly came in with summons for Gotei 13 meeting. He stood up, taking a deep breath. The air has never tasted so sweet. He headed for 1st division headquarters, while thinking what to say to his friend Shunsui Kyōraku.

AN: Please review!