Disclaimer - I do not own either Bleach or Kingdom Hearts!

(Note – The numbers don't mean anything, they are simply there for breaks in the story.)

Thanks to:

Bug349 - for reviewing. I appreciate it.

MaryCherry11 – Thanks for pointing that out, I hadn't realized. I'll make sure to use the correct term in the following chapters. (Or just say 'in the black get up' or something along those lines). And I wasn't offended in the slightest. I was glad you took the time to tell me.

Also Thanks to all those who have alerted this story. I forgot to add 'Alerts' in my notes last chapter.

~ 9th Chapter Begins! ~

Last Time – Claire almost gets killed by a man using blue lances but is saved by a brown haired male with a revolver. A small little meeting took place at Urahara's shop.

"Come on Ichigo! Speed it up!" Rukia shouted ahead of the orange haired male. "Don't tell me a little tiredness is too much for you?" The black haired girl taunted lightly.

Scoffing lightly Ichigo choose to ignore the others words and increased his pace till he matched Rukia's, "Do you think this is Aizen's doing?"

Huffing slightly, Rukia glanced at the other briefly before staring fixatedly ahead, "Like Urahara said 'It's possible'. But I'm not entirely sure."

Ichigo blinked confusedly, his brows furrowing, "Why not?"

"If Aizen was behind it, why would we only feel a pulse? Not to mention a 'strange' pulse? Why not an Espada or Arrancar? I really doubt Urahara wouldn't have felt a portal opening or a hollows presence, and what about the Soul Society? They would have alerted us to."

"That's true." Ichigo muttered.

"But we still need to be on guard Ichigo, it could still be a trap."

"Yeah I know Rukia."

The rest of the trip was made in silence. Both pondering what the strange pulse could be and mildly enjoying the silence of the early morning.

Finally they reached the park. Looking in at the entrance, the park gave off an eerie feel, most likely the pulses doing.

Rukia entered first, eyes narrowed as she surveyed the area, Ichigo a few paces behind.

Nothing out of the ordinary caught her attention, the farther she got the more she thought Urahara was messing with them, that or his senses were off.

She heard a grunt from Ichigo and figured he was thinking along the same line.

When they were about at the center of the park, Rukia's eyes caught sight of something. At first she thought she was just seeing things but the little shimmer she had seen was defiantly there.

"Ichigo." Rukia murmured quietly, "Do you see it?"

"Hmm?" Ichigo came up besides Rukia to better view the area. After a few moments of staring at nothing, his eyes caught sight of a soft yellow glow. It seemed to flicker, shimmer. It was suspended in mid air; it could almost pass as some kind of portal. It distorted the air but only gave off a yellow color.

"Yes. What do you think it is? Ichigo asked, taking a few steps towards it, only to be jerked back by Rukia who had a hand wrapped around his arm.

Raising an orange eyebrow at his female companion, he made to move forward again.

"Don't go near it Ichigo! We don't know what it is!" Rukia shouted, attempting to pull Ichigo back.

Sighing Ichigo stopped moving, "And if we don't get closer we won't be able to figure out what it is." With that said he pulled free from Rukia's grip and moved towards the yellow shimmer, ignoring Rukia's angry grunt of disapproval.

As he got closer, it looked like the shimmer was getting brighter. When he was just a few paces away he slowly lifted a hand out towards it, ignoring Rukia's shout of "Don't." Weirdly Ichigo felt as if the yellow shimmer was calling him. Just as his hand touched the shimmer he froze.

His eyes glazed and he could only stare fixatedly at the shimmer, deaf to all other noises. In less than a second the yellow shimmer pulsed and he was sucked into the shimmer. Not hearing Rukia's concerned shout.

~ Traverse Town ~

Shifting slightly Claire moved carefully into a better sitting position, being mindful of her injuries. After she was as comfortable as she could get she focused back onto the fight clashing before her.

So far it looked even, neither having any difficulty in blocking or evading an attack. She had to admit they were both amazing fighters. Lucky for her she was out of the way of the fight and unless they directly aimed at her she was relatively safe.

The black clad man used the wind to aid in manipulating his lances while also being able to hover in the air. The guy that saved her took to slashing and swinging his big silver revolver. Occasionally launching fire at the other, this was done only when the lances were used and no wind was involved; seeing as fire feeds wind.

So engrossed in the fight Claire was rather stunned when the black clad male avoided the fire and launched a wind power lance attack at the other effectively stalling the male.

It was just enough that gave the violet eyed male time to charge at Claire on the pavement not too far away from the action. A blue lance pointed straight for her chest as the male glided at her. That grin etched on his face locked forever in her brain.

Her injuries prevented her from moving as well as her shock at the sudden turn in the fight. Fear coursed down her spin, panic fixed on her face; the fear took over. As the lanced closed in, Claire screwed her eyes closed and jerked her head down; letting loose a loud strangled scream.

A yellow light burst forth in response to the scream, all anyone saw was a flash and the black garbed male was thrown backwards. The second he righted himself his attention focused on the girl.

Or would have if it wasn't for the black clad male with orange hair standing before him; a confused, lost expression on his face.

Grunting in irritation at all these interruptions, the violet eyed male glared at the idiot before him. "Where did you come from?" The broad-shouldered male asked snappily. He was certain that save the three of them the area was clear. Not that he cared for the newcomer; it just meant another person he could kill. It was 'how' he'd gotten there that interested him.

"Um…?" Was the intelligent reply. The teenager glanced to the side then the other before settling on the male in black who had spoken. A hand came up to scratch at his head, his expression still confused. "What happened to the park?" He muttered lowly, more to himself then the other.

"Park?" The violet male questioned. No such parks existed in Traverse Town. That meant he was from another world. It still didn't explain his sudden appearance but he doubted the teen knew. And besides he was going to kill all three of them here and now so it really made no difference.

Ichigo stared at the two strange men in front of him as well as taking in the area's view. In the back of his mind, noting that he couldn't feel or see Rukia. He had never seen them or this place before. Clearly he was no longer in the park with Rukia and… eyes widening, Ichigo felt his brain sputter and blank as he gazed at the strange black creatures off to the side.

'What in the world are those?' He had never seen such things before; they couldn't be hollows, could they? They certainly didn't look like it.

'Well they don't seem to be causing any problems right now.' Ichigo thought. So he turned his focus onto the male with the blue lances, and the brown haired male.

They didn't feel like a soul reaper, they certainly weren't dressed like one. So who were they?

"No matter." The violet eyed male muttered, startling Ichigo out of his thoughts.

Ichigo's eyes narrowed as the male shifted stances and looked a few seconds away from attacking. A gasp from behind him jolted his senses and tingled his spin. 'There was someone behind him?'

Focusing, Ichigo lifted his right hand and gripped the handle of his sword as the male took a menacing few steps towards him. Adjusting himself; Ichigo positioned into a defensive stance as he brought his blade in front of him.

"What do you want?" Ichigo questioned more to the threatening figure of the black clad male then to the revolver caring male slightly behind the other.

"Want?" The male hummed thoughtfully, with a fixated grin on his face. "Why to kill you… and the girl." He paused for a few seconds as if hoping to come off dramatically. "And the annoying nuisance behind me."

Stiffening slightly, Ichigo gripped his sword tighter; the slight hitch of breath from behind him caused a wave of protectiveness to well up inside of him.

"Why?" He demanded. He didn't know the situation but there was no reason to kill another living person. Hollows he could understand but a living breathing person he could not.

Chuckling softly the male pointed a lance at Ichigo, "No reason. I'm just going to kill all three of you."

"What!" Ichigo blurted. Anger took control and Ichigo wrestled momentarily with himself to not bolt forward and slug the guy.

"What right do you have to kill someone else! Let alone for no reason!"

"You're annoying." And without farther delay the black haired male shot his two lances, powered by his 'wind' at Ichigo.

Determination stole over Ichigo's face, and in a backhanded motion shouted, "Getsuga Tensho!" A blue light, almost crescent looking, shot from the blade and collided with the lances. A brief power play took place before the lances were over taken and swallowed up by the blue light. The light dissolved before reaching the slightly shocked male.

"Not bad kid." An impressive look on the male's face; his eyes unreadable but if one looked deep enough a calculating gleam was visible.

"What's your name?"

Ichigo pursed his lips as he regarded the other, "Ichigo." Briefly his eyes flickered to the stone faced male farther back.

"Strawberry… huh." He stood deceptively, giving the impression that he wasn't going to attack as his eyes stared into determined brown ones. "Names Xaldin. A pleasure."

"Xaldin?" Ichigo repeated. Not fooled by the others demeanor.

"Is there an echo in here?" The male mocked lightly.

Scoffing, Ichigo shifted slightly, "If you plan to kill me or them, then you have to go through me first." He stated with steely resolve.

"Oh? How noble of you."

Before anything else could be said the brown haired male strode forward, putting focus onto him. He readied his revolver as his eyes caught Ichigo's before staring at Xaldin. "If you want to kill anyone you also have to deal with me."

"Tch." Xaldin eyed both males, debating. "I'm not scared of either of you."

Still…

There was something about the orange haired male, 'Ichigo'. Not only the odd way he had arrived but that attack of his…

Closing his eyes briefly, the 'wind' vanished as well as all of his lances. "Another time then." Turning his back on the two (and Claire) he leapt and disappeared.

Ichigo stared confusedly at the empty space as the un-named male swung his revolver and launched a 'firaga' (fire) at the still motionless black creatures, disintegrating them.

Ichigo fixed a startled look onto the other, "Why'd you do that?"

The brown haired male regarded him coolly, while lifting his weapon straight up to rest on his shoulder. "They would have attacked."

"Really?" Ichigo muttered unsurely, placing his sword back on his back; the other male striding towards him.

Blue eyes surveyed the injured girl still on the ground. "Come, we should get your injuries taken care of."

Ichigo turned to face them, getting his first look at the girl. She looked warily between them and Ichigo couldn't fault her for that.

"How do I know I can trust you?" The girl demanded.

The revolver bearing male kneeled so that he was eye level with her, his features softer than before. "If I or Ichigo," He gestured behind him to the orange haired male; "wanted to kill you then we would have done so already. Plus we would have just let Xaldin kill you if we meant harm to you."

Inhaling sharply she studied the kneeling male, searching his eyes for any ill intent.

She couldn't deny the other's words, he had saved her and so had Ichigo, even if that had been unintentional. His words to Xaldin had proven that he didn't want to kill her and he hadn't even looked at her.

Lowering her eyes to the ground she nodded stiffly. Her body was aching, all she wanted to do at this point was lay down.

"What's your name?" The orange haired male asked softly as he bent slightly forward, his hands on his knees as he stared at the blonde girl.

Letting loose a shaky sigh Claire lifted her stare to the warm brown orbs. Her breath hitched slightly as she stared deep into Ichigo's eyes. There was something about them…

Strangely enough they made her feel… safe.

"Uh… hey? You okay?" Ichigo asked, slight concern tinting his voice.

Startling slightly in surprise, Claire blinked nodding in answer to his question.

Shifting her focus back to the ground she murmured; "Claire."

Ichigo straightened at her reply, "Nice name." He turned to the quiet male besides him, "And you? What's your name?"

Not even sparing a glance at the other male, the brown haired individual stood, "Leon."

Ichigo couldn't hold back his snort, earning an unreadable look from Leon, though he made no comment. It was then that Ichigo noted the scar that trailed down his face diagonally.

"Can you stand?" Leon questioned the fair haired girl. "I have a friend here that can heal those injuries."

"I-I think…" Claire uttered unsurely.

"It would be best to hurry… more of them are bound to come."

Leon's words reminded Ichigo that he had no idea what those black creatures were and was curious as to exactly what they were. And Leon seemed to know. He'd ask later.

Ichigo glanced away from the two to better look at the Town. There were a set of stairs not too far away that led to more buildings, a café of some sort off to one side and what looked like light poles stood in front of the stairs. They gave a soft glow but bright enough to view the area despite the dark of the sky. The buildings, he noted; looked like they had seen better days.

Ichigo turned back to see Claire attempting to stand and Leon with his arms crossed.

Beads of sweat rolled down her face as she pushed off the pavement with her hands, ignoring the sharp jolt of pain from the action. Her breaths coming in shallowly as she struggled to move her aching and slightly numb body.

Gritting her teeth in determination, she got to her knees and pushed off of her feet and slowly rose to a slouched standing position. She wobbled unsteadily, her legs shaking. Tilting her back slightly she balanced herself out and once she was sure she wasn't going to fall she let loose a heavy breath.

Stealing herself, Claire avoided looking at the two males and glanced around the Town. Trying to remember which way would lead back to Aeirth's place. Her eyes halted on an object not too far from her and she took a wavering step forward.

Her body shook and tensed and dread washed over her as she lost her balance, her body not able to hold her weight, she pitched forward only to be stopped by a pair of strong arms.

"Here let me help you." Came the strong determined voice of Ichigo. Blushing lightly, Claire stood still as Ichigo worked it so that they could move side by side.

Ichigo settled his gaze on the sword before them and glanced at the blonde, "That yours?"

A jerky nod was Ichigo's only reply.

Making their way towards the lone object slowly Ichigo called out, "Hey so where is this friend of yours?"

"Never mind that." Claire interjected before Leon could speak. "I have to get back, and then we can find Leon's friend. It shouldn't take too long… my injuries aren't life threatening." Claire quickly added at the small noise Ichigo made upon hearing that.

Ichigo glanced at Leon before sighing, "Well if you're sure." Not hearing any arguments from the other male Ichigo decided that it wouldn't be a big deal to do it Claire's way.

Upon reaching the abandoned sword Ichigo glared at it before tilting his head to the silently following male, "Hey can you grab that?"

~Urahara's Shop~

A frantic Rukia paced before a quiet blonde individual, ignoring the offered cup of tea from Ururu. She had just explained the events at the park and could not keep still in the silence that followed her retelling.

What irritated her was the fact that Ichigo had the nerve to ignore what she said about caution and then vanish! She couldn't even sense him and it was common knowledge that Ichigo had horrible control. And what was more the second Ichigo was gone the strange yellow shimmer also vanished leaving her alone in the empty park.

"This is unsettling." Urahara's quiet, stern voice broke through Rukia's thoughts and Urahara was given her full attention.

"What do we do?" Rukia inquired, gripping her hands together.

"There's not much we can do."

"What?" Rukia asked startled, having been expecting a different response.

Sighing, Urahara picked up his cup of tea and took a long sip, savoring the flavor before leveling a stern stare at the worried Soul reaper across the circular table.

"You said that the second Ichigo came into contact with the 'yellow shimmer' he vanished. And so did the shimmer. With 'it' gone we have no way of going after Ichigo. Also we don't know what happened or where the yellow shimmer led."

Rukia's eyes fell to the brown table in frustration.

"It's possible that the 'yellow shimmer' will reappear and with it Ichigo. Until then I suggest you go back to trying to find Claire."

Closing her eyes Rukia sighed heavily knowing that Urahara was right.

"Rukia?" She had been so focused on the conversation at hand that she had failed to notice the two new presences.

"Huh…?" Startled Rukia spun around to look at Renji and noted that her brother was with him. "Did you find her?" Hope sparking in her dark eyes that the girl might have finally been found despite the fact that they were searching blindly with no clues; she was somewhere.

Renji blinked somewhat startled before a scowl stole over his features and he scoffed. "No we had no luck. Besides the fact that it's late, we suddenly couldn't feel Ichigo. Captain Kuchiki thought it would be wise to come here, and find out what's going on."

The spark died and her eyes lowered, letting out a breath of air Rukia lowered herself at the table as Urahara went on about the prior events; once Captain Kuchiki and Renji were seated.

Once Urahara was finished silence settled.

Rukia promising herself to deck Ichigo once she saw him. While she heard Renji mutter under his breath about how 'idiotic' Ichigo was. Renji wasn't one to talk, he certainly had his moments.

She shifted her attention to her brother, who sat with his eyes closed; she couldn't read his expression. Though that wasn't new, not many could.

"Renji."

Renji straightened at his Captain's monotone voice. "Yes Captain?"

"I want you to stay and help Kinshiba find Claire. Rukia and I will return to the Soul Society and inform the Head Captain." The noble explained, opening his eyes and staring at the exiled soul reaper. "It would be best to inform him in person."

"Yes Captain."

Rukia stood as her brother did.

"We'll send word if we find her." Urahara promised.

With a curt nod the captain of the sixth division turned to leave, Rukia following suite after a quick bow to the shop owner.

~ End of Chapter Nine. ~

This is my longest chapter by far!

I hope that Xaldin and Leon weren't too out of character. I haven't played the games in a year or two. But I did watch a YouTube video on Xaldin and I did do some reading on their personality and what not.

Sorry for any grammar mistakes and OOC.

The yellow shimmer… mah. I couldn't think of anything else. (Yellow glow…?) Oh well… There is a reason it's yellow though.