Authors note: This is a very short chapter, and it doesn't explain the backstory of a lot of new characters, but it has a lot of action and suspense. This chapter introduces the two Zaraki clan members sent to kidnap Rukia Kuchiki, as well as go further into the relationship between Ichigo and Uryü.

Chapter 3: The Strawberry and the Egg

Subway station (Zaraki clan hideout), West Berlin

Name: Ikkaku Madarame

Age: 19

Hair: None

Occupation: Assassin

"Are you sure you want to assassinate Ronald Regan? Kenpachi will probably not be pleased." Yumichika Ayasegawa asked as he took off his mask to style his hair in a mirror.

Ikkaku Madarame stared at his partner. "Why the hell are you fixing your hair?"

Yumichika put his mask back on. "Well, unlike you, I'm beautiful."

"So? We are on a mission to find a girl, and I guess kill the president. This has nothing to do with your looks."

Yumichika laughed. "If you had good looks like me, you would understand."

"Whatever." Ikkaku grabbed his pistol and placed it in a bag. "Anyway, are you sure that you want to assassinate him."

"Of course I am."

"Good. I'll kill the president, and in the chaos of the crowd you grab the girl." Ikkaku did not care if Zaraki approved of his plan or not, he was looking forward to this. He had been fighting and traing for as long as he could remember. Zaraki found him at the age of five, living on the streets. The captain trained him, and raised him to be a ruthless warrior.

Ikkaku and Yumichika began to walk to the exit stairs. Suddenly, a teenager stepped in front of them. The teenager had orange hair.

Subway station, West Berlin (Ichigo's POV)

Ichigo stood across from two masked men. They both had guns.

"Move it, kid." The taller one said.

The other masked man tried walking around Ichigo, but Ichigo jumped and kicked him in the jaw. The man fell to the ground in pain.

Ichigo looked at the taller man. "I'm sorry for interrupting your little assassination attempt, but I'm afraid I overheard you two talking."

The masked man took off his mask, revealing a shiny bald head. "Ha! What makes you think that you can stop us." He pulled out a gun. "I think you've heard too much information to be kept alive."

Ichigo knew he had little time to think. He grabbed the bald guy's wrist and twisted it. The bald guy yelled in pain and dropped the gun, but swung at Ichigo with his other hand, knocking him down. The other man on the ground grabbed him, and the bald guy began to punch Ichigo repeatedly in the face.

"So you want to fight? Let's fight." He punched Ichigo's nose, and blood began to pour out. He began to laugh, but suddenly stopped. Ichigo looked behind him and saw a giant man standing there. It was Yasutora (Chad) Sado.

"Who the hell are you?" The bald guy walked over to Chad.

"My name is Yasutora Sado."

"Nice to meet you, Sado. My name is Ikkaku Madarame, and this is Yumichika." Ikkaku pointed at Ichigo. "You better run away, Sado. See that orange haired kid over there, that's what will happen to you."

Chad just stared at him.

"Are you retarted or something? I just told you to leave."

Chad continued to stare at him. "No."

Ikkaku tried jumping at him, but Chad pulled his fist back and hit Ikkaku right in his forehead. He fell to the ground unconscious."

Yumichika looked stunned. Ichigo took it to his advantage and broke free of his hold. Yumichika tried grabbing him again, but Ichigo kicked him again in the jaw.

"Ichigo, are you okay?" Chad asked as he helped him stand up.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for helping me."

Chad looked at the two bodies. "Did you know them?"

"No. I overheard them talking about killing the president." Ichigo looked up at Chad. "Why were you here?"

"This is where I sleep sometimes." Chad responded. "I heard shouting, so I came to investigate."

"Oh." Ichigo had no idea Chad was homeless. "You could sleep at my clinic if you want."

"No, I'm fine sleeping outside. I've been doing it since I was young." Chad glanced at a clock on the wall. "Are you going to that speech?"

Ichigo had forgotten about the speech. He had already missed most of it, but he still wanted to hear some of it. "Yeah. Are you coming?"

"Yes, I'm coming. I'll catch up to you later."

Brandenburg gate, West Berlin.

Rukia Kuchiki was not enjoying herself. She wasn't a big fan of speeches, no matter who gave it. To top it all off, she couldn't see anything either.

"Ichigo drags me out here, but ditches me?" Rukia started to walk away. "I appreciate everything he's done for me, but I can live on my own perfectly fine." She began to turn around and walk away, but noticed Ichigo coming. He was bloody, and his clothes were ripped up.

"Hey, sorry I'm late." He said when he got to her.

"What happened to you!?"

Ichigo rubbed his arm. "Two gang thugs attacked me."

"Are you okay? Why did they attack you? Who were they?"

Ichigo looked at the ground. "I'm okay, but I would have died if my friend Chad hadn't shown up." He scratched his head. "They attacked me because I tried to stop them from leaving. They were apparently attempting a kidnapping and assassination."

"Oh my god." Rukia looked stunned. "You fool, why would you try to stop them?"

"What was I supposed to do? Let them carry out the plan?"

"Well... No... But..."

Ichigo smirked. "Exactly." He walked over to the crowd. "I'm going to watch the rest of Regan's speech. Want to stay?"

Rukia stood speechless for a moment. "Are you CRAZY? You're covered in blood."

"So?"

"What do you mean 'so'? Do you not care how others think about you?"

Ichigo turned to face her. "If I did, I would have dyed my hair black."

"You're comparing blood to hair?"

Ichigo sighed. "Fine. I'll go home."

The sky was dark by the time Ichigo and Rukia made it to the clinic. Rukia was about to walk inside, when she noticed Ichigo had stopped. He stood frozen in place, placing a finger to his lips when she looked at him.

"We're being followed." He explained. "Show yourself."

A dark figure walked out from behind the neighbor's house. "How did you figure out?"

Ichigo looked at him. "You didn't do a good job at hiding it. You were literally walking a couple hundred yards right behind us for the past ten minutes."

"Maybe I wanted you to find me." The figure stepped into the light of a street lamp. He was tall and skinny, with long hair and glasses.

Ichigo seemed relieved. "Oh, it's only you. Uryü Ishida."

Uryü Ishida clenched his fists. "Why don't you shut up, and let me talk."

"What did you say!?"

"I said, shut up and let me talk." Uryü smirked and pointed to Rukia. "This girl is from East Berlin, am I wrong?"

Rukia was taken back by this. She'd never even seen this kid before. Ichigo also looked shocked.

"You don't have to answer, Kurosaki. I already know the truth." Uryü continued. "I know all about her and how..."

"Maybe it's none of your damn business, you creep." Ichigo cut in.

Uryü smirked. "Fine, I'll leave you two alone, but I must say something first."

"What?"

Uryü began to whisper. "They will try to take Rukia. Just like the men today." He started to walk away.

"Wait! Who? What? Taking her where?" Ichigo tried shouting to him, but Uryü had vanished.