------ Chapter 4 – Visitors --------

He felt a hand running through his hair. Another one followed the traces of his tattoos. He kissed soft lips. Begging for more he bit gently. He heard a small gasp.
The lips parted and he explored the sweet tasting cavern. His own hands caressed soft skin sending shivers over the other's spine. He let go of the now lightly swollen lips and nibbled at his lover's ear. A moan followed and his love tilted his head. He bit down gently in the exposed neck, marking the skin.
His lips found the other's again. Their tongues fought passionately. He granted his lover's tongue access to his mouth.
They broke apart with a moan. A hand found its way down to his butt, stroking. He placed a trail of kisses on his love's jawline caressing his back and neck.
„Renji..." The soft voice moaned his name.
He looked up, staring into deep brown eyes.

He moaned but not of pleasure. Renji opened his eyes slowly. The sun was almost gone.
„Finally awake? Took you long enough. I never thought that being hit by your own attack could send someone to such hot dreams!"
Renji could nearly see Zabimaru's suppressed grin.
„I suggest you take a cold shower. A very cold one."
Che, if you saw the dream... : who was I with? I can't remember clearly.
Renji continued to wonder about the strangely realistic dream.
„Oh, didn't you see? Well, you were a little... distracted." Zabimaru mocked.
Shut up and tell me, if you are that clever.
„No, it's more interesting this way."
Wait, what the fuck were you doing in MY dream?
„You dragged me into it. It's not my fault that I saw everything."
„Bastard!"
„Who are you talking to??"
Renji turned around and was greeted by Isshin.
„Zabimaru annoyed me."
„And he is right. You can't help anyone if you knock yourself out."
Isshin pointed to Renji's head. Renji reached to his forehead. He felt a nasty cut. Blood dripped down.
„You should take a soak in the healing spring, afterwards come to the living room."
„Any news?"
Renji's voice was filled with hope.

„This grey pisses me off. It's pointless to which side I look. Everything is grey. And what isn't grey, is black then."
Ichigo wandered about the paths.
„Don't know what you have against this colour. " Hichigo said sarcastically.
„Stop complaining and search the old man instead."
Cabu flew ahead and chirped irritatedly.
Very funny, Hichigo. And how should I do that? Everyone knows that I'm bad at sensing reiatsu.
„Says the one who could locate a weak soul overlayed by a living soul a while ago."
„What are you talking about?"
Ichigo was paralysed.
„You heard me! You are really a fool. Even when your own power wasn't awake yet you could sense the boy's soul within the little bird, couldn't you? And now you want to tell me you can't sense any reiatsu that is stronger than a normal soul? You're really pathetic, king. How could you ever beat me?"
His hollow's words were like a punch in his stomach. How could he forget? But there was something else...
Why do you know?
He asked suspiciously.
„I'm stuck in your damn head. It's boring here if you aren't in a fight. So I watched your memories a little bit."
You did WHAT? Hichigo, you might live in my inner world but you're not allowed to invade my privacy.
„It's your own fault. It's easy to view your memories cause you won't control your reiatsu properly."
So his lack of control was the reason, again. But he could change that now.
„Hey, let me have my entertainment. Che, you're boring, king."
Ichigo grinned.
„Meow! Meow!"
Cabu sounded excited.
„Hey, Cabu. What's up?"

--Splash---

Before he could react, he was hit directly in his face with something wet and slimy.
„Urgh, Cabu, what's this?"
He rubbed his face and looked down at his now black hands. They were covered in a black mess.
„Meow!"
Ichigo could have sworn that his little friend grinned. It hovered in front of his face, carrying a strange black plant. Ichigo blinked and stared down at his hands again.
„I don't think, I want to know what this might be, do I?"
Cabu chirped and placed the plant in Ichigo's hands. It rubbed its ears. Ichigo frowned, but closed his hands around the plant and imitated Cabu's motions.
The plant secreted a slimy substance. When Ichigo opened his hands again, Cabu immediately landed on them and bathed in the strange substance. Then it hopped over Ichigo's arms up to his face, leaving a pitch black trace.
„Ok, ok. This might be disgusting but it can hide my pale skin. That should make it more difficult for those creatures to find me."
Cabu seemed to be pleased and flew to a branch and waited while Ichigo spread the substance over his head and arms. When he couldn't see anything of his skin anymore, he looked up to Cabu.
„Pleased?"
Now he easily blended in with the bleak environment. Cabu meowed and landed on his shoulder.
„Fine, let's find the old man."

In the living world Renji entered Urahara's shop. He could hear clearly the voices coming from the living room. He went into the room and saw Isshin and Urahara sitting on cushions at the table next to Rukia, Chad and Orihime. Tessai stood in the door frame which led to the kitchen. All of them were focused on a huge screen that showed a certain white haired captain.
„Finally, everyone has gathered. Took you long enough, Abarai-fukutaichou. How is the status in town? Any news?"
„Hitsugaya-taichou..."
„No changes here. There is no sign of Ichigo."
„Neither is here. The library research hasn't brought any results up to now. Ukitake-taichou and Kyouraku-taichou will continue the research in another part of the library. The description of the gate doesn't fit with any of the known dimension's gates but they won't give up."
„Thanks for the report. Is there anything else, Hitsugaya-taichou?"
Isshin asked when the short taichou hesitated.
„Be careful, the Arrancar seem to look for something in Karakura. They have been seen many times in the last few days. Don't get into any traps. We'll sent you support as soon as possible."
The screen went black.
„Arrancar in Karakura? What are they looking for?"
„Che, as if there aren't enough problems right now."
„Hollows, a freeloader-san who can't pull himself together and now Arrancar. My, my there's a lot to do!"
Renji opened his mouth and closed it again without saying anything. He wanted to reply but Urahara was right."
„I'll go on patrol."
He simply said and left.
„What a fool! He trained the whole day and now patrol? I'll go with him. He can't care for himself at the moment and how does he plan to fight a simple hollow not to mention an Arrancar? I'll bet some sense into him!"
Rukia promptly left her gigai behind and followed the other shinigami.

Ichigo and Cabu followed the weak trace that the boy had found. Finding Zangetsu was difficult. Ichigo's zanpakutou was sealed and the distance long. But he felt better now, because he did not wander around without any idea of a direction or a goal.
The weather changed. It got colder and it had started to rain from a mass of dark grey clouds. Ichigo's shinigami uniform could not keep him warm anymore. Within several minutes he was soaked to his skin. He heard an unhappy meow from his shoulder followed by a tiny growl.
„You're hungry, too. Sorry, little one, seems like a day with only water for us. Luckily we've found that stream an hour ago. Not that I hold it against you, but your home isn't very hospitable for strangers like me. I have to hurry back home before I'm gone for good."
The rain mixed with the black substance on his skin, revealing traces of white skin.
„Great...now I'm looking like a reversedly-striped zebra. Or even worse...grey like the rest of here."
He chose the next grey tree and sat down, leaning against the tree trunk.
I hope the others are alright...
His thoughts drifted off. His eyes went blank...

Ichigo opened his eyes and saw a jungle. Huge trees, proud and strong on bright green gras. Rain fell through the ceiling of treetops.
'It's warm here. Even the rain isn't that cold.'
He touched a trunk on his right side. He could almost feel the life under the bark. The world shone in living colors, welcoming him. The wind blew gently over his skin, giving the boy a feeling of comfort and being protected.
It seemed to be the complete opposite of the grey dimension.
Ichigo walked around, admiring every tree and flower. He compared the scenery with the rainforest in his schoolbooks. Distracted by the new world full of life he missed the movement behind him.
A shadow followed each of his steps.
After a few minutes he reached a lake. It was peaceful like the whole world. Raindrops created little circles in the water.
He sat down under a tree next to the lake, staring into the deep blue water.
His vision changed. Instead of pure, deep blue water he began to see different things. Rukia barking at Renji, about how he dared to go out on his own in times like these.
„Ichigo is still missing and you are searching for trouble. What's wrong with you?"
„I can't sit still and do nothing!"
---Slap--
Rukia hit the redhead. Both of them were not in their gigais.
„First you knock yourself out in training and now you go on patrol. You're not in the shape to fight against a hollow."

Renji lowered his head. Rukia had followed him and tried to convince him to make a break.
„Ichigo can't fight hollows right now, so somebody else has to do it."
„But not you! Our back up will arrive soon, then we can plan the patrols. Nobody should go out alone when Arrancar are roaming the living world."
Renji sighed, rubbing his aching head.
„Ok, no patrol. May I go for a walk in the park? Alone?"
Rukia narrowed her eyes and glared at him.
„I want to think about some things..."
„Promise me that you will call for help when a hollow or something else appears. And you don't throw yourself into a fight if it isn't necessary.!"
Renji gulped and nodded very slowly. Rukia seemed to be pleased.
„Don't walk to the park. Stay close to the shop! If you really want to be alone, go to Urahara's training area."
Rukia added and left him to give him some space. Alone with his thoughts he headed into the opposite direction.

The next thing Renji noticed was a dull pain in his stomach, then he crashed against a wall.
„What the fuck..."
„Oi, a shinigami alone and totally distracted. I need answers right now and you'll be the person to give them."
Renji looked up and stared at a smirking face.
„Grimmjaw..."
„No time for niceties. Tell me, where is the is the carrot top. Answer quickly and I'll grant you a quick and painless death."
Renji's thoughts raced.
„You don't know? Isn't he in Hueco Mundo?"
He could feel the other's reiatsu expand.

Ichigo clenched his teeth. His eyes glued to the images in the lake.
„Renji, why don't you fight?" He muttered.
He could see how Grimmjaw drew back for another blow, gathering his reiatsu to deliver a deadly blast of cero.
Ichigo's panic grew.
„RENJI, DODGE!!!!!
He screamed with all the force his voice allowed.
His vision blurred. The jungle was exchanged with deep darkness. Warmth with cold.

Panting heavily, Renji sat on the floor inches away from a big black hole. Grimmjaw was stunned. The blast should have ended the fight.
Ichigo? That was his voice. But...
„So...do you want to fight already? If I can't fight against Kurosaki, then I might as well kill his friend."
Grimmjaw grinned. Renji couldn't recall what just had happened. But he was still alive. He reached for Zabimaru.
„HOWL ZABIMARU!"
He jumped. Grimmjaw's attack split the floor.
„Why doesn't he come to rescue you? Aren't you friends?"
Grimmjaw teased. Renji clenched his teeth in anger. He attacked. Zabimaru missed the blue haired man by inches.
„Oi, why are you angry? Unsure about your friendship?" Grimmjaw continued teasing.
Weapons crossed. The grin on his face never faded. He jumped forward, pinning the redhead shinigami on the ground.
„Or do you wish there was more than friendship?" He whispered in Renji's ear.
Renji's eyes narrowed. His temper flared.
"Bastard! That's not your business!"
Renji's reaction gave him away. Grimmjaw had just unknowingly voiced one of his secret desires.
Grimmjaw's grin grew wider. It didn't even fade as Renji slammed his knee into his stomach, crashing him into the next wall.
„What do you want from me?"
Renji panted. He brushed away a strand of his crimson hair. It was soaked in is own blood, leaving red traces over his face.
„I'll only get what Aizen wants. And now answer. Where is he?"
„Hell if I know!"
„Then there's no use for you!"
The Arrancar retreated to ready himself for a powerful attack. His weapon crashed down.

Renji opened his eyes slowly when the hit did not rip him apart. He had not noticed he had closed them.
It reminded him of when Ichigo had rescued him and Rukia from Aizen's attack.
But it wasn't Aizen who had attacked and there was no sign of Ichigo. Instead of bright, orange hair and a blowing coat he saw white hair and a white haori.
„I thought I told you to be careful."
Renji stared at Hitsugaya's zanpakutou. It was crossed with Grimmjaw's. Grimmjaw jumped back.
„Grimmjaw, quit playing and return. We're on a mission!"
Grimmjaw looked up and glared at Ulquiorra.
„Spoilsport!You're ruining all the fun!"
Ulquiorra was completely unfazed, simply ignored Grimmjaw and opened the portal. Both Arrancar disappeared.

Hitsugaya stared at the fukotaichou who got on his feet slowly
„So?"
„I'm sorry? But I now know what they are looking for."
„And that is an excuse for getting into a fight?"
Renji ignored the teasing comment.
„They are searching Ichigo. That means, he isn't in Hueco Mundo anymore."
„That leaves two questions. What do they want and where could Kurosaki be?"
The shinigami looked up to the stars.
First I see Ichigo in my dreams and now I hear his voice... I' must be going nuts.
„It really was his voice."
WHAT? How? Where? Why?...
„Find the answers or find him. Or... maybe you'll find the answers if you find him."

Ichigo woke up from Cabu's shrill queaks. He thought his head might burst.
Shit... what was that? A dream? But why am I so tired?
„You activated your reiatsu in your sleep... Careful!"
Ichigo was overwhelmed by coldness. Not only from the weather. A strange feeling seemed to creep up his spine. Not from skin to bone. It started in himself. It felt like something powerful was drawing close.
„Hichi, don't play with me!"
Ichigo tried to brush the feeling away. The coldness stayed. Cabu crawled under his kimono, shivering. He was soaking wet from rain and the growing slowly manifesting power somewhere in the distance didn't calm him.
„That's not me!"

Ichigo cursed under his breath. He turned around and ran. He was no coward, but without any weapon and a reason to fight, running was the wisest choice. Whatever it was, it was too powerful and coming closer by the minute.
Suddenly a black figure appeared in front of him, pointing one arm to him. It looked human but it could be described as a living black coat. You could see neither a part of skin nor a limb. The coat reached to the floor. If it had hands they were covered. It radiated a fearful power. Ichigo moved backwards.
The power grew. Ichigo shivered. He turned tail and ran, using shunpo.
What the fuck...
There it was again. He glimpsed over his shoulder. The living coat had easily caught up to him. It was far quicker than him. Outrunning it was not an option anymore.

„Damn!"
The boy jumped to the left, barely avoiding being hit by a huge white energy ball.. It left an angry black hole. The living coat faced him again, making a horizontal movement with it's right arm.
The ground opened under his feet and he sunk in effectively kept at place. Trying to free himself he felt on his butt.
Cabu squeaked in fear. The living coat stood only several steps in front of him, lifting both sleeves.
Ichigo coughed. His whole body seemed to be squeezed by an invisible force. Whatever the monster did, it could kill him.

„Damn, king. Focus your reiatsu!"
Ichigo felt the energy of his hollow floating through his body. The creature doubled its efforts. Ichigo raised his hands. Every move cost him a lot of energy. He released all of his reiatsu in a bright flash. The boy felt his hollow's presence drifting away. Alarmed he tried to reach for it.
„I won't leave you, king. Not now. Hang in there!"
Ichigo concentrated on the coat. It wasn't impressed by their attack. Ichigo took everything he had for another strike, combined it with all of Hichigo's energy.

--boom--

Their combined reiatsu exploded. Ichigo only saw white stars in front of his eyes. He was exhausted and didn't realise his feet had come free suddenly. He closed his eyes.

Even in his inner world he lay panting on the floor. It was weird. He couldn't sense his hollow.
„Hichigo! Where are you?"
„King..."
He looked to his right where the voice had come from. It could barely be heard. Only a few steps away his hollow was in the same position as himself. Ichigo got up to his feet. He needed more than one try but finally stumbled over to Hichigo.
„Hey, what's up?"
He lifted Hichigo's head carefully. He was covered in blood. It contrasted with his white skin, hair and clothes.
„Good job, king. Seems you stay alive."
„Don't dare to die on me!"
Panic grew in Ichigo. His inner world became cloudy.
„If you die, I will die as well, you remember? These were your own words!"
Ichigo saw yellow eyes losing more light with every passing second.
„You won't..."
Hichigo's words were hardly a whisper. His breath rasped.
„Don't die..."
Ichigo had never liked his hollow but in the few days in this world he had been saved by him many times. Maybe they could get along in the future. They could change from enemies to allies.
Hichigo didn't hear him.
„...you...will...live...you're ...not...a normal...Vai...zard."
„What do you mean?"
Ichigo stared down on his other self.
„I'm... only... a...pro...duct...of...your...so...soul...an ex...periment"
„An experiment? For what?"
Hichigo's eyes lost their last spark of life. He got limp. Ichigo tensed.
„Hichigo? HICHI!"
He shook the limp body. It started to rain. He closed Hichigo's eyes, feeling as if he was ripped apart. He raised his head. His inner world looked weakened.
„What happened here? Why these wounds?"
Ichigo glanced at his dead hollow in his arms. His eyes went wide. Hichigo started to slowly disappear into thin air.
„What the...?"
Staring at his now empty hands he noticed his own wounds. He clenched his fists.
Whatever the living coat was, it had massively damaged his inner world.
Shocked he looked up, forcing himself out of his thoughts.
'The living coat...'

Rain and pain were the first things he noticed. Then a relieved chirp. He opened his eyes and was greeted by a black ball of fur.
„Cabu..."
He could barely move. Turning his head he saw the coat. It lay lifeless on the floor.
„We won... But at what cost. Hichigo…"
He was still unable to fully comprehend what had happened in his inner world. Only the huge gap left behind registered somehow.
He forced a weak smile.
„Hey Cabu...can you find us a shelter?"
The boy asked quietly. Cabu's reply was another meow and it took off. Taking a deep breath he stood up. He might be injured in his inner world but here he wasn't. Only exhausted and weak.
Ichigo examined the coat. Large black bandages fell from the cloth.
„Meow!"
„Have you found anything?"
The little chimera nodded. Looking down it landed on the bandages. Cabu picked them up and showed the way. Draping the coat over his arm Ichigo followed.

------ End Chapter 4--------

Note from the beta: I'm sorry to have caused further delay to getting out this chapter. I took some extra care with this important chapter. I'm always amazed by Archangel's writing skills and wanted to do this great work justice. Please leave her some reviews, I know she lives for them.