DISCLAIMER: Bleach owns me not the other way around ^.^

The tear between the two worlds was dark and daunting as it has always been, and yet Yuki felt oddly calm as ran through. Ichigo's reiatsu was so large and unstable that he was easy to locate and she ran through the thick darkness as if she could see a lighted path leading her to the orange haired shinigami. After about ten minutes Yuki came to a complete stop and concentrated. Yup that definitely Ichigo on the other side with Ishida and Chad, but where were Rukia and Renji, she closed her eyes and concentrated on Renji's energy they were a little off the mark but that's to be expected since Urahara didn't know where Ichigo and the others were. She unsheathed her sword and quicker than the eye could see she sliced open the void and stepped through.

"Wow so this is Hueco Mundo?" Ichigo asked astounded, it had taken them longer than anticipated to get to the world because of they didn't know where they were going and Uryu's reiatsu wasn't as stable as Ichigo's so Chad almost fell through when Ishida was leading.

At the sound of the garganta opening the three boys snapped around glaring at the intruder. Yuki stepped into the moonlight of Hueco Mundo with arms raised in a sign of surrender, "I come in peace I swear."

Uryu's eyes turned into comical saucers, "Yukina-san?"

"Aa, I didn't tell you did I? She's a shinigami she's been in hiding and has been lying to us this entire time," Ichigo explained curtly.

Yuki pushed him, "Hey I said I was sorry!" she pouted at the taller boy.

Ichigo's scowl twitched slightly into something that vaguely resembled a smile as he tried to keep an angry face, finally he gave up, "I know, I know," he laughed.

"I can't believe this," the Quincy stated in exasperation.

"How many others from are class do you think are special?" Chad asked quietly.

Yuki shrugged, "I dunno but I used to be the captain of the 3rd division so I was 'special' before any of you were born."

"We should get going, are you coming with us Yuki-chan?" Uryu asked while pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

"Hai!" Suddenly the sand behind her erupted and a child came running past them crying and screaming hysterically, behind her were two Arrancar and a giant worm. The four friends looked at each other before springing into action Ichigo took down the Arrancar with the hideous mask, Ishida attacked the skinnier one, Chad took care of the worm, and Yuki grabbed the child to make sure she didn't get hurt.

The girl gazed upon what the others had done to her assailants and began to wail loudly, "What did my brothers' ever do to you!" She cried with an obvious lisp.

"B-brothers?" Ichigo asked bewildered.

The Arrancar explained to them that her name was Nel tsu and her brothers' names were Donachaka and Peshe, the giant worm was their pet Bawabawa.

"But that doesn't make you siblings at all," Ichigo said earning a swift elbow from Yuki, the four Arrancar became stiff.

"If we're not related than what are we!" Nel screamed in dismay.

"Uh, never mind forget it you are related," Ichigo lied trying to avoid conflict.

Hours had passed and the group was attacked by guard of Hueco Mundo and thankfully rescued by Rukia and Renji who finally caught up, at the moment they were riding toward the castle on the back of Bawabawa.

"Ichigo why is she glaring at me?" Rukia asked from behind Yuki.

Ichigo looked down as Nel hugged his arm, "I wonder…" was all he said.

Nel's glare intensified, "what is your weelationsip with Itsygo?"

The entire group was shocked, "really popular with the ladies huh?" Renji teased causing Ichigo to get angry and a fiasco ensued. All the while Yuki was uncharacteristically quiet, she had time to think finally since Ichigo first enter the Garganta and remembered a promise he made to her, 'He promised me he'd help me fix my sister,' she thought dismally, 'And then he left and didn't even tell me he was going to Hueco Mundo where Aritsu lived…' Kurai-Tenshi remained quiet knowing the Yuki was trying to sort things out herself.

Ichigo turned around to the quiet girl, "Oi Yuki-chan, mind taking the pipsqueak for a second so I can beat the crap out of Renji?" Yuki had a far off look in her eye, something that just didn't sit well with Ichigo, he stared at her for a few more moments before he turned and whispered to Nel, "Nel-chan, can you go over and sit with Chad, I need to talk to Yuki-chan…it's important" he added when Nel gave him a reproachful look.

"Yuki-chan come here real quick?" Yuki's eyes snapped to him, the look was completely different it bothered Ichigo, "please?" he added. The others were in their own conversations and didn't even notice Yuki and Ichigo's sudden change of demeanor.

Yuki stood gracefully despite the fact that they were on a giant moving worm, and strode gently toward him before sitting down next to the substitute shinigami, "what's wrong?" he asked.

Yuki didn't answer, "Yuki?" he tried again trying to look her in the eye though the girl was looking straight ahead.

"You lied Kurosaki-san," she whispered. Her voice seemed broken, she felt like she was alone again dealing with an evil that was even greater than herself.

"Lied about what?" Ichigo whispered back scooting closer to the small woman so their legs touched.

"You said you'd help me find Aritsu, that you'd help me fix her…and that you'd protect me…" she drifted off slightly embarrassed that she brought up the last statement, it wasn't as if she couldn't protect herself.

"I didn't lie," he said in a hushed voice.

"If you didn't lie then how were you supposed to do all those things here in Hueco Mundo without me?" she asked with an obvious bite to her voice.

Ichigo was taken aback he didn't think about that before he left, he was solely worried about saving his friend, "I-i—"

"That's right you lied and now I'm doing this alone again," She stood but was swiftly pulled back down by Ichigo.

"I didn't lie, I was just preoccupied and too determined to think of anything but getting to Hueco Mundo and kicking Aizen's ass, I'm sorry, but in all honesty if I killed Aizen it would solve your problem and I would have been protecting you," he said his hand still holding her thin wrist.

"You're not alone, I'd never leave you alone," Ichigo hissed almost disgusted at the idea. "Think about it Yuki, I could have solved your problems for you."

Yukina snorted, "I don't need you to solve my problems for me—"

"Then what do you want?"

Yuki sighed and played with a tiny pile of sand that flew onto the back of Bawabawa, "I don't know…"

Ichigo groaned he'd never understand women, "Yuki…"

"I want my sister," she sighed. Ichigo wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his chest.

"I know," he whispered resting his head on hers. Rukia turned and then looked at Renji nodding her head towards Ichigo and Yuki while mouthing to him to be quiet.

There was something about Ichigo that drew her to him, she couldn't put her finger on it but if any other guy had tried to belittle her problems thinking that a hug would solve them would probably be dead by now, but Ichigo made her feel better.

"Itsygo, Nel is sweepy," Nel walked up to the two rubbing her eyes.

Yuki grinned, "Aw kawaii, we have been traveling for a while Ichigo maybe we should stop for the night…er day whatever it is." Yuki looked up at the sky extremely confused.

Ichigo nodded, "I guess you're right, oi Bawabawa break time."

The odd group of Shinigami, Arrancar, and humans filed off the worm and onto the soft sand, "I have blankets for everyone, don't cha know!" Dondachaka exclaimed as he opened his mouth and pulled out a bundle of blankets.

"Ew, I'm not sure I want to use them," Yukina cringed, the temperature was dropping steadily in the desert of Hueco Mundo and she knew that she would be needed the blanket.

"Don't worry Yu-chan Dondachaka's mask is only for storing stuff like bawabawa—"

"He stores that giant worm in his mask?" Ishida asked skeptically.

"Of course he does, Quincy-kun! Itsygo I'm sleepy can we go to sleep now?" Nel asked with a long yawn. Dondachaka handed everyone and blanket. Rukia and Renji laid on the outer right of the group, Ishida lay in the middle, by his feet Dondachaka, Peshe, Nel, and Bawabawa huddled together to keep warm, behind them Chad sat, on the left of Ishida Yuki and Ichigo laid down.

The area got quiet as each exhausted warrior fell asleep, though Yuki couldn't bring herself to close her eyes. Not only were thoughts of her sister running through her mind but she was freezing. With her teeth chattering quietly she thought about how close she was to her sister. Yukina wondered if she would be able to bring Aritsu to her senses or if she would have to end her twin's life. A shudder ran through her body as she hugged herself and rolled over to meet tawny eyes about two feet away from her.

She jumped, "Ichigo don't d-do that," she shivered, "you scared the pee out of me!"

Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows, "gross."

"It was a j-joke," she rolled her eyes.

"Cold?" Ichigo questioned, leave it to Captain Obvious.

"H-hai," she replied, Ichigo stared at her for a few more moments contemplating something.

His head inclined itself back and his voice sounded before he could stop it, "come here."

Yuki blushed, "b-but—"

"Are you cold or not?" Ichigo asked with irritation, it wasn't everyday he'd bit back his pride and invited a girl into his personal space.

"Yeah I am but—"

"Then shut up and come here already," he snarled.

'Boy that kid's not good with girls is he?' Kurai-Tenshi snickered, easily being ignored by Yuki. The violet haired girl sighed and scooted closer to the Substitute Shinigami. His body still moving on its own wrapped his arms around her, "better?" he asked, a light blush evident on his face.

"…yeah," Yuki blushed, laying her head on his hard chest. Ichigo couldn't believe he was doing this, actually what he couldn't believe was that she was allowing him to do it.

"Don't worry Yukina, we'll find your sister," he whispered.

Yukina lips formed a small smile, "Arigato Ichigo-kun."

"You don't have to thank me, I have to protect you," he said causing Yuki to roll her eyes.

"Ichigo-kun, you baka, I already told you I can protect myself," it was his turn to roll his eyes this time.

"Urusai," she snorted before she laid her head back on his chest and fell asleep to the rhythm of his heartbeat, things felt like they were moving fast to her but she couldn't help the undeniable attraction she felt towards human hybrid. The rhythm of his heart continued thumping, she breathed in and her nostril's filled with the sweet scent of his cologne that almost made her swoon.

His heartbeat continued, lulling her to sleep:

Thump, thump….thump, thump….thump, thump...

Until her heartbeat matched his:

Thump, thump….thump, thump….thump, thump….

The last two of the warrior drifted off to sleep, absorbed in their ignorant bliss of the imminent war that was nearing it's awakening.

Thump ,thump….thump, thump….thump, thump….

"That's right sister enjoy your sleep, your end is nearing…."Aritsu cackled as she watched the figure of her sister sleeping on Ichigo's chest, a war was brewing death would be certain.

Thump, Thump….Thump, Thump…Thump, Thump….