[A/N] Okay, you guys can all thank RedtheAmazing for the earlier update. Her peer pressure caused me to get my ass in gear and finish it early:)

Thank yous and replies to reviewers:

DarkFlame Alchemist: Yes, it was a very long chapter and thank yeww

Leyshla Gisel: Haha yeah. I feel bad for Wadatsumi... I mean he has to share Nicole's inner world with Hina all the time XD


The next few days were quite uneventful. They stayed at the Kanamori household at night and patrolled Fujisato town in the morning and afternoon. There was nothing out of the ordinary, which was strange. There also weren't any hollows to be found like they expected there to be. There should have been at least one or two, but there was none. It was unusually peaceful.

What they also couldn't figure out is why the Kanamori's could see them. Yes, their Spiritual Pressure was a little higher than usual, but they could tell it wasn't always that way. They had to be around something, or someone, that had even higher Reiatsu then the Spirit seeing humans. They had begun seeing spirits when the crevice in the forest appeared.

This led them to the son, Kazuma Kanamori. He was the only lead that they had to anything and he hadn't come home yet. The day he was supposed to come home, he called in and told his parents that he was staying at his dorm at the University for another week.

His mother did, however, forget to tell him that the two "travelers" had made themselves at home in his room.

They had searched for anything suspicious or unusual in the home. They even re evaluated the pit in the forest, but found nothing but the unusual Reiatsu they had felt before. They had felt something like it before, but just couldn't put their fingers on it. It was most similar to that...of an Arrancar's.

"So you really think Kisuke will know what's going on?" Nicole said as she flash-stepped beside Renji. They were stumped and he knew just the people to ask. Of course, he could have called and asked his Captain, but the less talk with Byakuya, the better. So here they were, heading to Karakura Town.

"He always has some information, and even if he doesn't him and Yuroichi will find out something."

"Yuroichi?" Nicole paused, "Oh, Do I love that woman." She grinned as he rolled his eyes. Nicole and the cat lady had always gotten along well, which wasn't always a good thing.

"Of course you. You guys could be sisters if you looked alike." He continued to Shunpo faster, forcing Nicole to speed up.

"I don't think I will be turning into a cat anytime soon... though I still want to know how she does that."

He began to increase his speed as he spoke in sarcasm, "Right."

"Well don't you? It's pretty cool." He went faster, her keeping up right beside him.

These two were so competitive sometimes.

"Sure, but it's not like she will ever tell us." He began clenching his teeth speeding up in front of her.

"Renji," She growled gaining beside him. "Cut it out already!" She flash stepped gaining a lead of a couple feet.

He quickly took the lead back,"No way! You first!"


They stopped on a rooftop and collapsed panting. They had raced the entire way there and had gotten there hours earlier than expected.

Stubborn asses is what they were.

"You...have gotten... faster." He said through breaths. She grinned proudly before sitting up and making her breaths more even.

"Thanks. I've been practicing so I could beat you!"

Renji smirked as he sat up beside her, "I think you just admitted that I'm faster than you."

"Did not! That's just what your ego heard," She narrowed her eyes at him as his smirk grew wider. She shook her head and stood, backing down from the staring contest they were heaving, "Let's just go find this Kisuke guy. I've been wanting to meet him since the war with Aizen."

"I can't believe after all of that you never actually got to meet him, much less stay in the world of the living."

"Yeah, Well..." She paused, "My captain, my Lieutenant, my third seat, and my fifth seat were out goofing around. Somebody had to run the eleventh squad." She sighed and ran her hand through her hair, "The only time I did get to fight a good fight was when we went to save Orihime and when we faced all of those Espada."

"That's right. To be honest, I didn't actually think you were going to come and help us with the Orihime situation."


"Renji! Rukia!" Nicole yelled as she ran to catch up with them. She had caught the two walking towards the Senkaimon.

Renji turned around as his eyes grew wide, "Nicole! What are you doing here?" He asked as Rukia looked at her with a blank face. She had her Kuchiki facade on. Nicole slowed down facing the two.

"I heard about what happened with Orihime. The two bozos told me." She exhaled and put her hands on her hips.

"They did, huh?" Renji cocked an eyebrow and crossed his arms, "That still doesn't explain why you are here."

Nicole gave him a "no duh" look as a smile grew on Rukia's face. She knew why she was here.

"You want in, don't you?" Rukia said as Nicole smirked.

"Yep! Can't let Renji hog all of the fun ya' know!" She patted his shoulder as she sauntered passed them. Renji blinked, not understanding why she was wanting to come.

"I thought you didn't like Orihime?"

"I never said that," She turned around, but continued to walk backwards, "I just think that her personality is... aggravating, but just a little bit!" She winked and turned back around.

Renji rolled his eyes before running to catch up to the brunnette. Rukia smiled coyly and shook her head before speeding up next to Renji.

"You two were made for each other." She laughed as their bickering came to a stop.

"Ha, Ha. Very funny Rukia." Renji sarcastically replied as Nicole kept silent. She didn't know how to respond to Rukia sometimes. They were friends, but not very close as she was with Renji.

"Funny? Who said I was joking?" Rukia's smile grew wider as his eye twitched. He was about to retort when Nicole spoke, changing the subject.

"Senkaimon, isn't great to see you!" She laughed before running closer to it, "Now let's go kick some ass!"

"Wow, she really is in the Eleventh Squad, huh?" Rukia observed as the fourth seat laughed loudly and cheered with her fists in the air about getting to fight Arrancars.

Renji sighed before nodding, "Yeah. She hasn't gotten out much since the war started either..."


"Hey now. I already told you I don't have anything against that girl, she's just so damn happy and optimistic all the time." She defended her self. Just then, they heard something from below.

"Oi, Renji! and... Nicole?" The familiar voice spoke, with a little more shock added to her name. They looked down to see no other then Ichigo Kurosaki himself.

"Hey there, Ichigo!" Renji said before jumping off the roof to greet him. Nicole skidded off and stood beside him.

"Good to see you again, Kurosaki! It's been a while!" She punched him on the shoulder and grinned. He grunted and rubbed the bruised spot.

"Well I see you haven't changed." He sighed before giving a slight smile. "So what are you guys doing here?"

"We have a mission over in Fujisato Town and we just thought we'd stop by Urahara's shop." Renji explained, "I figured me and Nicole would need some Gigais anyways."

"Ah"

They all began walking down the sidewalk before Nicole rubbed her stomach and pouted, "I hope he has some food, all of that running has made me hungry."

"Agreed!" Renji grinned rubbing his own stomach. Ichigo smirked and shook his head.

"Sometimes I think you just go there to mooch." He said making Renji's eye twitch. Renji quickly got in his face as his eye began to twitch also.

"I am not a moocher!"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!"

"You don't have to get so mad about it. I was just stating the truth."

"The truth? Why you little..."

They continued to bicker as they walked down the streets with their heads butting against each other and fists clenched to their sides. Nicole just walked behind them and laughed. It had been several years since they had seen each other, yet they still acted the same way they did when Ichigo was fifteen. Hell, they acted the same way when he was eighteen and the Gotei 13 helped him get his powers back.

"Oi, Ichigo!" She called out making them both look back.

"Yeah?"

"Say, How old are you now?" She asked as Ichigo blinked.

"Twenty-two, Why do you ask?"

Nicole smirked as she walked past them, "Oh, Nothing~ It's just that you haven't changed much either." Renji held back laughter as Ichigo's signature scowl returned and he ran after her.

"Oi! What is that supposed to mean?"


It was Two O'clock in the afternoon by the time they made it to Urahara's candy shop.

During their walk Ichigo had informed them on how things had been going in Karakura Town. Him along with Orihime and Chad were attending Karakura University while Uryu went to a more renowned place of schooling. Even though they all were further away in distance and busier with adult things, they still found time to keep each others friendship. One of the main reasons was Orihime. She had made them all promise to have dinner together once a week before they left college...

Which leads us to why they had bumped into Ichigo on the streets in the first place. It was his turn to host their little get together, and was on his way to pick up Yuzu since his cooking skills were limited. He had moved into an apartment that was still close to home, so there was no need to drive.

Unfortunately, he had been so stunned when he saw the two soul reapers that he didn't remember what he was suppose to be doing in the first place until they were in front of Urahara's shop. They briefly said their good-byes before parting. Nicole and Renji watched as Ichigo walked around the corner.

"I bet Rukia would have enjoyed seeing him." Renji let a small smile cross his lips. He had found out a long time ago about how Rukia felt about the spikey orange-haired man. Though she would never admit it, he knew. He was best friends with the small woman after all.

He had no jealousy as others would argue. Truthfully, he had let any romantic feelings towards Rukia fade long ago. They had dissipated when he left the Rukon District, and became a Shinigami. He almost snorted out loud at the thought. It seemed like a ridiculous notion to him now, she was too much like a sister.

Nicole nodded as she glanced at his face. His smile was neither scornful or somber. It was peaceful and content, yet amusement sparkled in his eyes. For some reason she would not know unless she developed a power to read minds... and how handy that would be.

Then, knocking them out of their thoughts, a voice spoke out from behind them.

"Well if it isn't the moocher! And look, he brought a Mrs. Moocher along with him!"

They could hear the smirk coming from the person behind them.

"Jinta!" Renji growled facing the younger red-head. Nicole stared at Jinta curiously before walking closer and getting in his face.

"Why are you looking at me like that lady?"

Nicole laughed as she thought of a new way to tease Renji, "Sorry, sorry! It's just that you have to be Renji's spawn or something. I mean look at your hair!" She began laughing louder as the two said red-heads bagan to fume.

"No way on earth would I be related to this Pineapple head!"

"Right, and no way would I have a kid as stupid as this one!"

"Right- Hey wait a minute!" Jinta began to retort, only to be interrupted by the door to the shop sliding open.

"Now now. No need for fighting. After all, we now have a beautiful young lady in our presence."

And there he was. The honest, kind-hearted businessman he was: That's what he liked to think.

"Are you Kisuke Urahara?" Nicole asked as said man walked out of the shop covering his face with a fan. He snapped the fan shut and tipped his hat forward as he stopped in front of her.

"Why yes I am! And who might you be?"

"I'm Nicole, the fourth seat of the eleventh squad. It's nice to meet you Urahara-san." She bowed politely, which was a rare thing to see Nicole do. She had great respect for the man, since she heard of how he saved her brother during the War.

"No need to be so formal." He looked up and smiled scanning the woman. "Of course, you are Captain Aoki's older sister." He then bowed, with his mischievous smile still in place, "It is very nice to meet you."

Nicole grinned as Renji smacked his forehead. Kisuke was such a suck up and the only reason she was buying it was because he had helped save Aoki's life.

"Oh, I see we have visitors!" A tall dark skinned man peered from the door. "Please, Come in."


The sky was dimming as they sat at the table drinking tea with the Urahara household. The wryly group intrigued Nicole, especially with how they interacted with Renji. They haven't even eaten yet and they were calling him his favorite word: Moocher.

Thankfully Kisuke still had the spare room and an extra cot to boot so they could stay the night. They had to, in order to receive the Gigais and the rest of the supplies they had ordered. Fujisato could last a day or two without them, it didn't seem to need them at all.

"I suppose I should start dinner. It's getting late and I have two more mouths to feed." Tessai said as he stood and walked in the kitchen.

"Wait." Nicole said causing him to stop at the door way. She stood and stretched.

"We came here unexpected, so you don't have to cook us anything."

Renji's eyes grew wide at her words. Who said she could take his food away too?

"Nicole, what are you doing?" He growled, only getting a grin from her. She grabbed his hand and pulled him up as she walked to the door.

"Don't worry about feeding us tonight Tessai. I know somebody else we can high-jack food from for tonight."

Renji allowed himself to be pulled through the front door as the scheming woman continued walking, "Nicole, Where the hell are we going?"

She stopped and let go of his hand before speaking, "Well, you want to go see how the rest of our human friends are doing don't you? We can do that and get free food if we just so happen to stop by Ichigo's new place." She winked and smiled slyly, making Renji grin.

He loved how devious and clever she could be sometimes.


They walked up to the apartment building that they had followed the remnants of Ichigo's reiatsu to. It was lit up and they could see people moving on the other side of the windows.

"I think he's in that one." Nicole pointed to a door with a plaque engraved with a number: 253.

Renji nodded and smirked, an idea forming in his head, "How do you feel about making surprise entrances?"

"I like how you think, my red headed friend."

They flash-stepped to the back of the building and landed on the fire escape, opening the window and jumping in. They had landed in Ichigo's bedroom. The bed was against the wall across from the window and the door was to the right of it. Beside the door was a desk and a small dresser. Nicole went to the desk and briefly looked around before finding a picture frame turned over.

"Hey, Renji. Check this out." She spoke in a softer tone as she held the picture up so she could examine it closer. It was a picture of Ichigo and Rukia. His arm was draped over her shoulder casually and they were both smiling fondly towards each other. Renji stood next to her and looked at it as well.

"Well, I'd be damned." He muttered as a smile formed on his face. They both looked so happy and comfortable with each other. Rukia barely smiled like that these days, only when someone mentioned the orange haired man did she beam like that.

"They should be together." Nicole spoke sitting the picture frame back on the desk properly.

Renji looked at her curiously while she turned to look at him. "What?"

"Ichigo and Rukia love each other. We have all known it for a long time." She sighed and rubbed her face. "People who are in love should be together and that is that. Even if they are from two separate worlds, what's life if you aren't happy?"

He shook his head and smiled fondly at her. Her and Rukia may not have gotten along all the time, but she truly cared for her friends happiness, "You know, that was pretty deep."

"Uh." She blinked before turning around and laughing nervously, "I was just saying! They would be so much better off if they got off their stubborn asses and hooked up already. Sheesh!"

Renji laughed, and sooner or later she did too. The laughter died down and they smiled at each other a little longer before realizing why they were there in the first place.

"Oh, Right! Food here we come!" She grinned and walked to the door.

Renji followed, "I wonder how they have all changed."


Ichigo, Chad, and Uryu sat on the sofa watching a game show as Yuzu and Orihime were in the kitchen finishing up dinner.

Yes, they let Orihime in the kitchen.

"It has to be 'C'."

"'C'? You are clueless, Ichigo. It's definitely 'B'."

"It couldn't be 'B'. There's no way a beaver could do that to a tree, Uryu."

"Oh, and you really think a goose would leave a mark like that? Maybe you need to go back to middle school."

"What did you just say?"

Chad spoke, interrupting their argument, "Well I think it's 'A'"

They both blinked at their quiet Hispanic friend before taking a moment to think and then nodding their heads.

"That sounds about right."

"Well, I suppose a platypus would be a good answer, but I still think 'B' is a more suitable one."

"Uryu!" Orihime exclaimed before tackling said man in a hug, "I actually did it! Yuzu is such a good teacher! She taught me how to make *Gyoza!"

Uryu's face turned a slight rosy color as he tried to remove his head from the beaming woman's chest. In the end he failed and his words were muffled, "That's great Orihime. Now can you please get off of me? I'm about to suffocate down here."

"Oh, Sorry!" She released him and stood back up grinning as he remained gasping.

Ichigo smirked, "Can't you two wait until you get home to get all mushy?"

"Why you-" Uryu started, only to be interrupted by the orange-haired girl.

"Sorry Kurosaki! I just couldn't help myself I was so happy! I added a few special ingredients, so be prepared for a surprise~"

They both nodded and smiled at her until she left, exchanging wary looks afterward.

Chad shook his head as he was the first brave soul to head to the dining room, "This should be interesting."

"I guess we should go too... It might hurt her feelings if we don't" Ichigo scratched the back of his head as they both stood.

Uryu sulked as they walked slowly to the kitchen, "Maybe it won't be too dramatic. Oh, who am I kidding? Optimism doesn't really- OOF!"

"Hey, watch where you're going, damn Quincy!" Nicole rubbed her butt and stood back up from the spot on the ground she had been knocked into.

Renji came from behind her, rolling his eyes, "Baka. I told you not to go so fast down the hall."

"What happened?" Orihime, Yuzu, and Chad ran from the dining room to see what all the commotion was about. Their eyes grew wide as they saw their visitor's faces.

"RENJI? NICOLE?"


[A/N] HAHA! I picked an awesome place to stop, huh? Well, there is chapter six! If you haven't noticed, I have done an IchiRuki pairing in here along with other ones:)

*Gyoza - Chinese ravioli-dumplings (potstickers), usually filled with pork and vegetables and pan-fried.

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