I Am SSOOOOOO Sorry!!!! I've been so busy, I can't even begin to explain. But literally, the ONLY day I have off is Wednesday, and I do chores all day then so I've been squeezing this in for thirty minutes each day. Which isn't a lot, mind you. But alas, I have a pole up on my profile for all of the users who want to vote on the stories pairing. The choices are RukiaxMei or RenjixMei. The results shall be read at the end of September, and I'll write a tid-bit of the pairing (like the V-Day Special) that is in the lead so far. However, on January 1st, 2010, I shall close the poll and write up who won. However, since only users can vote in the poll, I will still count the reviews for the story as votes. So far it's 2-1, Rukia's favor. Vote now or forever hold your peace! Anyways, do have fun with the chapter, please. As I'm sure we all believe it's a hilarious thing to see Mei covered in slime. I'll try to draw up a picture of her, y the way, but I suck at drawing, so feel free to draw something up and send it to me so I can see!

Disclaimer: I own Mei and all my OCs, the plot, the polymorphism technique, blah blah blah, so on and so forth. I own nothing beyond that, though.

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"Long time no see…" The figure began, lifting up his goggles to reveal sharp brown eyes and a wary look. "Remember my face?" The connection between the two was obviously one of anger and impatience. Ichigo stood, an aura of danger floating around him.

"Abarai Renji." Ichigo didn't hiss or spit the name, something, Mei noted, she would've done.

"That's unexpected, you even remember my name." The figure spoke as he walked down the few remaining stairs before him. "You have a pretty good memory."

"Thanks for the compliment." Ichigo returned, though it was clear to all that neither had meant their words.

"Who… who is this guy? Compared to the ones we've met before, he has a totally different spirit pressure…" The sound of Ganju's voice was shaky, though Hanatarou's was completely terrified.

"That… that person is… Abarai Renji… vice-captain of the sixth division!"

"Vice-Captain?!" Ganju looked to Hanatarou in a mix of shock and fear.

"I'm really surprised, I had always thought you were killed by Kuchiki-taicho's attack." Abarai walked forward, Ichigo soon to copy the movement.

"Ah, oi! Don't go, Ichigo!" Ganju called, reaching for Ichigo.

"No, Ganju." Mei shoved her left arm out to stop him. He looked to her in a mixture of shock and outrage. "As much as I'd like to fight him, it's Ichigo's battle. Let him be." Ganju stayed silent, but watched fearfully as the two opponents kept their sport up.

"I don't know how you survived, but it's very impressive. Worth complimenting." He drew his zanpakuto. "However, it's all over now. I've said this before, I will kill the one who stole Rukia's power. If you're still alive, then her power cannot be restored." Ichigo reached for his zanpakuto as well, and they both rushed each other.

"Back then, didn't you want to take her away to kill her?! What's the point of saying that now?!" Ichigo sped into a full out run, Zangetsu raised for attack. Abarai stood his ground, moving into a fighting position with his own zanpakuto. "I must keep moving forward!"

"That will depend on if you can defeat me or not! Come, if you have the guts! Don't you like to risk your life?!" Their swords met in a clash, the tone of metal on metal rang out in Mei's ears. At that point, Mei zoned Ganju and Hanatarou out, focusing instead on the fight. They kept clashing, again and again, until Ichigo snapped at something Abarai had said. "Roar, Zabimaru!" Abarai seemed to be angry at what Ichigo said, because his zanpakuto went into its shikai form, a sword that lengthened like a whip, and was made up of many tooth-like square blades. Abarai thrust it at Ichigo. Mei, seeing how it was going to end, grabbed Hanatarou, who was closest to the small building to their right, and yanked him out of the way just in time. He yelped, but was silenced when Ichigo's body crashed through the building. The fighting was continued from there as Mei watched with worry. She had almost lost Ichigo once, she didn't want it to happen again. She clutched her arms to her to prevent herself from going to his aid. Ichigo charged Abarai, dodging his attacks. When he swung down, timing perfect, Abarai dodged and slashed at Ichigo, cutting deep into him. Mei's breath was caught in her throat, and she had to cover her mouth to stop the chocked cry that would've escaped. But as Mei's feet stay frozen into the ground, Abarai's sword swung down upon Ichigo.

Mei's heartbeat echoed in her ears. She could feel her blood run cold, and her eyes start to water. Her whole body felt like it was going to break, the misery she felt was all-empowering.

Yet she didn't allow herself to scream. Her eyes widened with terror, and it seemed like time had slowed. But just as the sword was going to hit him, Ichigo's hand shot up and grabbed the blade. Within an instant, her whole world seemed to crash down, back to normal. Ichigo slashed at Abarai, light blue energy streaming out of the tip, and cutting into Abarai's own body. The attack shattered his goggles, sending back his fiery red hair into the air. He stood still, and Mei could tell he was in a moment of completely overwhelming anger and sadness. He started to speak something, but Mei only caught the last of it.

"Damn… I really am a tramp down to my bones… I hate myself." He grinned as if he had found humor in some sort of irony. "I bark at the star but I don't have the courage to jump and grab it." Something entered his eyes. Mei wasn't sure what, but whatever it was shocked her down to the core. He stumbled forward suddenly and grabbed Ichigo's collar. "I never once won against Kuchiki-taicho… ever since Rukia left… I train everyday but I still failed… he is too strong." His fist started to shake. "Fighting to get Rukia back… is nothing but an impossible dream to me…" Mei started to catch on to his drift. "Kurosaki, I'm probably shameless for doing this, but I have to ask you! Please!" The man was starting to beg, Mei noticed with pity. "You have to save Rukia!" Ichigo's eyes saddened, as if some understanding of the man's motives ran through him.

"…Yeah…" Abarai fell, with Ichigo standing for a moment more before doing the same action. All three rushed over, Ganju screaming Ichigo's name, Hanatarou in a state of shock, and Mei with a sort of serene calmness about her. She'd kick his butt later, she decided, but for now his life came first. Her eyes widened as Ganju began to pick up the body of their friend, some energies were approaching fast.

"Hurry up! People are coming! Hanatarou, do you think the sewers are still empty?!" He nodded, and with Ganju dragging Ichigo, the went back to the sewers entrance. Mei slung the door open, ushering in Hanatarou, and holding Ichigo while Ganju started his decent. The footsteps were getting closer, they were just around the corner. "Ganju!" Mei yelled, getting his attention, he was almost to the bottom already. "Catch!" She threw Ichigo's unconscious body down the hole, and in one quick motion, slipped in while shutting the door behind herself. She fell through the air, and realizing that nobody had their hands free to catch her; she twisted her body sharply to land in the sewer water. A giant splash sounded almost in exact time as when the yelling started to come from above. Mei sunk into the disgusting liquid, sneering at its discoloration and slimy feel. She shot herself up once her toes touched bottom, coming to the surface while gasping for air. Ganju propped Ichigo up against the wall, extending a hand for Mei as she swam closer. She gratefully took the offer as she was hoisted up, coughing for a full breath of air.

"Are you-" Ganju began, but was cut off by Mei's hand over his mouth. She pointed a finger up to the entrance and he jerked back, not liking the feel of the liquid on his face. Nodding, he gathered up Ichigo as Mei stood, smiling to Hanatarou who was giving her a fearful look. She shoved her thumb to motion to the sidewalk they had. He nodded and led the way to a safer place. They went until they found a room where Hanatarou could heal Ichigo in peace. In fact, it was a series of rooms. So while Ichigo, Ganju, and Hanatarou went into one, Mei headed for the one beside it. "Oi, where are you going?" Ganju asked, watching Mei's back as she walked.

"To find a place to change. Unlike you, I'm covered head to toe in sewer junk." She turned to her left, entering the wide and empty room. There, before anything else, she checked to see if the clothes in her bag were still dry. Thankfully, they were. Mei sighed, not liking the fact that the outfit had to be used so soon into their time here. The day she had called Orihime, she had told her to bring the kimono's to Soul Society as spare outfits. Thankfully, they had planned ahead. Sadly, she had to use the kimono so early, she was certain it was only going to get dirtier than her other clothes. But Mei would rather have wasted money than to remain in the disgusting outfit she was in now, so as she changed, she let her hair down. It wouldn't be good to get it all tangled up while it was in a ponytail. She changed without a problem, feeling happier already that her clothes were no longer clinging to her body. Mei hated being wet. Detested it, in fact. She much preferred being dry, with the exception of showers or baths. Her hair fell down to her back, scrunching up from the waves the moisture had produced in it. She frowned, having forgot a brush or comb. She pulled it over one shoulder, her nose scrunching up from the putrid smell the sewers had put into it. Dear God, Mei thought in disgust, I bet I smell terrible. I need a shower! Mei's frown turned into a content expression when she heard the sound of Ichigo's voice, then a thud. Turning her old clothes inside out, she shoved them into her bag. Zipping it up and slinging it over her shoulders, she headed into the room where the others were. She walked up behind Ganju, who hadn't seemed to notice her, as he explained his reasoning for whatever he did.

"Shut up! At least I stopped him! Do you have a problem with how I do things?" He asked Hanatarou harshly, who had stopped dragging Ichigo's body over to the area he wanted to stare at Mei. She raised an eyebrow at the situation, so that's what the thud was for. Ganju knocked Ichigo out to stop said Strawberry's escape.

"Ah, I get what's going on now. Good job Ganju, I see that I can trust you with the welfare of our Strawberry friend. But stop bullying Hanatarou, okay? He's done nothing to you." She walked past him and around to Ichigo's side. "Is he going to be okay?" Her question seemed to jerk Hanatarou out of his daze, but he stumbled on his words.

"Uh, yes! H-he his wound wasn't as harsh as I had first thought." That was when Mei caught sight of the mask by Ichigo's side. Her eyes widened, then dangerously narrowed. Her uncle must be planning something. He never did anything without a cause, so what was the cause for the mask? Mei, for once in her life, decided she didn't want to know. She sighed as she leaned back, lazily running her fingers through her hair. It wasn't thin, but it wasn't thick. She frowned at the thought. She was plain and ordinary, that was all she ever was. So why was she cursed to be a princess? She had to admit she was curious about her heritage, but what she wanted was far from what she got. Disliking the topic of her thoughts, she moved on to the scroll in her bag. Getting it out, she began to study the words written down, content with the situation now that Ichigo was safely in Hanatarou's hands. She'd seen enough of the guy by now to know who's side he was on. She started up from where she had left off earlier.

All of these are the following side effects of polymorphism:

A Deep Toned Voice (Both genders have this problem, it is most often used to the advantage of a female spy).

Eventual relation to the chosen animal (Those who chose cat will see better in the dark, dogs better hearing, monkeys increased strength or stamina, so on and so forth.)

Addiction to the ecstasies of the animal (Catnip) while in animal form.

Beware of the consequences or animal form, as some lose themselves in the transformation, and become the animal.

But moving onto the transformation itself, it's relatively simple. Picture yourself in your mind, then the chosen animal inside of you, and slowly shrink yourself or enlarge the animal until you are the one inside of it. Complete relaxation is needed at first, as it is hard to focus. Meditation helps with the process. When you turn into the animal, your clothing will be not be affected by the process. Hence why transformation back is nude, and usually done in the utmost privacy. To reverse back, simply reverse the process you went through to get into the animal form, and you shall change back. Complete focus is needed for this, too. Never try too… Darkness surrounded her once more.

----- Later, the next morning

A light snoring and the sound of shuffling woke Mei up slowly from her deep sleep. She groaned softly, she was having the best dream. Rukia had- the thought jerked her awake as she remember where she was and why she was there. She sat up suddenly as orange spiky hair came back into her sight. Ichigo leaned against the wall, Zangestu at his side. He raised an eyebrow at her, why she did now know.

"So he finished up healing your shoulder too." Mei blinked and looked down at her slightly dirty kimono. Dust and dirt covered it while she had been sleeping. She sighed, realizing what had happened. Hanatarou had to knock her out again so he could heal her. Did he not have a way to heal when the patient was awake? Or was it too painful? That was probably it, she decided.

"Stop standing there and help me up." She commanded, reaching out her right hand to him. He nodded and took it, pulling her up. Mei's muscles felt sore and tired, nothing that couldn't be worked out after awhile of running. "Thanks." He nodded, then grabbed Zangetsu and attached it to his back.

"Was he alive still when we left?" Ichigo asked her, Mei swore she had heard a hint of concern in his voice. Mei nodded, feeling through her hair to make sure it was dry before she put it up. He just nodded as well, looking down and going into deep thought. She studied him for a moment, pondering what he was thinking about. "Do you think he-" Ichigo started suddenly before Mei interrupted him.

"Yes. I think he meant it." She looked to the floor, thoughts on her goddess as Ichigo nodded again. A curious thought struck her for a moment, and she pondered how Ichigo would react. Mei decided she'd give it a try. "Hey, if I tell you a secret, will you answer my question?" He looked up at her, an eyebrow raised.

"I'm not sure if I should, it could be dangerous or dirty, whichever you're in the mood for right now." Mei gave him a sarcastic look.

"Haha, very funny. Just do it." He shrugged with an 'okay'.

"I'm a princess." Laughter was his first reaction, but as his body shook and he bent over clutching his stomach, he caught sight of Mei's serious face. He eventually quieted down, realizing that his laughter was not meant to happen.

"Right, um, how?" She shrugged.

"My dad was some to-be head of some noble house that used to rule here in Soul Society." He just nodded awkwardly, disliking the oddness of this revelation. His eyes got curious however, when Mei started to speak: "Do you love Rukia?"

He was stunned into silence. Him and… Rukia? Mei felt her heart pound when she saw his expression. Shock and confusion. She had hit the nail on the head. Nodding, she stiffly walked out of the room to leave him to his thoughts.

"W-wait! You don't just ask that then leave! I never answered! And what was with that expression?!" He yelled, realizing she had it all wrong. He sped out of the room to see her nudging at Ganjyu gently with her foot, ignoring him.

"It's fine if you do, it doesn't mean anything really. It's just a question." He grabbed her arm by the elbow and swung her around to face him.

"Like hell it's 'just a question'! And you don't just ask that sort of thing when someone's not expecting it! Kami, Mei! How the hell'd you get that in your head?" She looked him in the eyes with a tough expression. So he didn't? But his reaction clearly showed he did. So which was it? Her face betrayed none of her thoughts.

"Your actions betray your words, I don't know which to go by." His face fell, and they began to stare each other down. Mei was just about to slap him to make him let go of her when a voice interrupted her actions.

"What's going on?" Ganjyu asked before he looked down to his lap. "EH?! Drool!" His attention switched to Hanatarou "Why the hell are you drooling on my leg?! Ah! You drooled all over my only set of clothes!" He stood up suddenly, knocking the still sleeping Hanatarou onto the floor. When Mei moved to go check and see if he was okay, Ichigo promptly let go of her arm. But not before they shared a look saying 'We'll finish this later'.

"He's too tired, a little drool is no big deal." Ichigo spoke to Ganjyu ask Mei crouched down beside Hanatarou.

"I-Ichigo! You're awake! Are you… okay?" Ganjyu spoke hesitantly spoke after he got over the initial shock. Ichigo smiled at him.

"Yeah, thanks to him. You should be good, too. Hanatarou went to heal your wounds after he got done with mine and Mei's." Ganjyu looked over his shoulder at where Mei was loading Hanatarou onto her back carefully. He then walked over and took Hanatarou onto his from Mei, who thanked him. "We have to make it this time." Ichigo spoke, gathering the two's attention.

"Let's go, to the Senzaikyuu!"