Yes, another chapter so soon. And I did try and update my other fics first but this one has attracted my attention at the moment. I have some...interesting things planned out for upcoming chapters. Some will probably be slightly predictable and some will not be even close to predictable. After all...who says that all of the shinigami live in the Seiretei? Thats just a very small portion. This is going to a very long and fun ride for Ichigo. That's to say the least. But we will be seeing the shinigami we all know and love. Don't own Bleach. Just the animal guardians and Kari.

"So let me get this straight." Kari said in annoyance after Ichigo had to spend the last three hours explaining everything "After you lost your powers you got these powers to see special guardians of the shinigami. Guardians in the forms of animals. My guardian which is a shark came to you and told you that I can give you back your powers?" she asked.

Ichigo nodded "Yes. And Captain Hitsugaya of tenth squads guardian told me it's a very low chance. And that the death rate is higher. What confuses me is that the guardians only protect the shinigami." he said with a raised eyebrow.

Kari shuddered "Ex-shinigami." she said sharply, standing and pacing.

For a moment she was silent before stopping, looking at him curiously "I'm going to guess since you know bankai you know what you inner world looks like right?" she asked.

Ichigo blinked but nodded. "Describe it to me." she said.

Ichigo frowned but easily recalled the images of his inner world "Sky scrapers. Lots of skyscrapers. And whether up and down was normal or off depended on Zangetsu." he told her.

Kari sighed "Figures." she muttered.

She then sat down, facing Ichigo seriously "So here's the deal. I am an ex-shinigami. However I still have my zanpaktou. With it I may need be able to get your powers back but it's a long shot. In the process though it will be anywhere from a cinch to taking an eternity. After all, my zampaktou isn't always that reliable and I haven't seen your inner world." she said. Ichigo frowned. Sounded about right. The dragon had said it could take days or an eternity.

Question is...what was her zampaktou's power if it could be the one thing that could help him? And how?

"So exactly how are we going to do this?" he asked.

Kari smirked, leaning forward "We're going to find your inner world and Zangetsu of course." she said.

Ichigo blinked.

What?

She leaning back casually, seeing his confused look "My zanpaktou's ability is taking me into other shinigami's other worlds. Every single one. We are going to find if we find yours we find Zangetsu. If anyone would know how to get your powers back it would be him." she said earnestly.

She then became very serious "But," she warned "We will be trying to fin one world of millions of shinigami. And I don't know if they are empty or not. We could be facing friends, family, and foes and throughout all you must keep your identity secret unless you want this to fail. I am strictly forbidden from doing this and if they find out I have been I will be sentenced to death. I have gathered very valuable information by talking to the zampaktou. And if anyone realizes your alive they will look for you and it's all over. But since they won't know it's you they will see you as they see me when I invade. An unknown being in a worl where we shouldn't be. And it will be worlds they have full power. It will be very dangerous. You may even be killed by a close friend. Are you willing to take that risk?" she asked gravely.

Ichigo nodded without hesitation "I knew there was a risk involved but for some odd reason I could see this threat clearly when my father couldn't. I want to find out what these things are and for that I need power. Even if it takes a miracle." he said quietly.

Kari smiled at that "I like your attitude. Alright. I'll help. But I need time to prepare. We need to get outfits that will hide who you are. I have some for me but you may be a problem. But I do have some stuff I can trade for clothes in the back so that shouldn't be to much of a problem. I also need to fully prep you on what we will experience. And even with me telling you it will still be disconcerting so keep that in mind." she warned.

Ichigo nodded but internally he just hoped the guardians were right about her. It seemed that as much as she was cautioning him...a good deal of his safety relied on her as well. And that was not something he felt so confident about...

break

The next morning Ichigo was in a deep sleep on the couch, a faded grey blanket resting over him to keep out some of the cold. It wasn't much but Kari apologetically explained that was all she could spare.

Though it did the trick and Ichigo slept quite nicely. He only wished his wake up had gone as well. "Good morning!" Kari shoted as she slammed the door open.

Ichigo jolted awake, looking at her tiredly "What time is it?" he asked. It had taken them till about five to get to sleep. This seemed way to early to be up.

Kari smiled brightly as she tossed him a bundle of clothes "Ten. I let you sleep in a little. So I went on ahead and got those at town. You should be able to wear them to hide who you are. That way we can keep at it until we find Zangetsu and regain your shinigami powers." she said.

Ichigo frowned, looking at the clothes sceptically to see a pair of black sweats, a grey hoodie, a black scarf, and sunglasses "And what will this do for me?" he asked.

Kari frowned before pointing at the bathroom door "Just change. We're going to get started today so hurry." she said.

Ichigo sighed heavily, rubbing his sleep deprived eyes before freezing as he realized something "Hold on...you got less sleep than me. How can you be so upbeat so early?" he demanded.

Kari smirked "I've had all morning to wake up. How else?" she asked easily.

Ichigo sighed once more but headed towards the bathroom without protest, quickly changing though leaving the scarf off. But when he got out Kari practically tackled him, pulling the scarf from his hands and wrapping it so it covered his face.

She then put his hood up and smiled "Perfect. Now nobody will recognize you unless your hood comes down so we have to avoid that." she said.

She then grinned as she headed to her own room "Be right back." she said.

The red head couldn't help but stare in surprise at her sudden departure. She was like a whirl wind out of control. A crazy, strange, random, hyperactive, brown headed whirl wind! He couldn't help but flinch at the prospect of spending a long time with her.

Fervently he hoped they found Zangetsu quickly. "Enjoying your stay so far?" Ichigo barely suppressed a groan as he turned to the shark.

"There has got to be another way to become a shingami." he begged. And he never begged.

But the stubborn shark shook his head, floating around lazily "Nope. There is one other but it's already been in motion since you gained the ability to see us. Problem is it's just as dangerous and we have to find it ourselves as guardians. But it could be hidden in either Hueco Mundo, earth, or Soul Society." he said. Ichigo groaned, sitting heavily on the couch. This was so ridiculous.

Suddenly the door opened and a highly reluctant Kari in mirroring colors. " really don't like this. It doesn't fit at all. To bland." she muttered behind her own scarf.

Ichigo couldn't help but wonder how she ever got far enough being a shingami to use her zampaktou. Then again...maybe she didn't. She then walked over to him and he noticed she had something fairly small wrapped up in some old rags. she took a deep breath, removing the rags to show a dagger.

She then unsheathed it and held it at arms length, her eyes closed "Are you ready for this?" she asked.

Ichigo nodded "I am." he answered.

Kari nodded before taking a deep breath.

"Dream Shin'nyu Suru."