Okay, I bet you're all wondering why I chose Bleach...Well...At first it was a difficult decision. My mind started thinking of possibilities then it struck me hard. The 'entity' that's been causing havoc will arrive here and the plot will begin to unfold...It won't be until the next realm when truths are revealed but this one will begin the revelation.

So...On with the show!

Disclaimer: The Kingdom Hearts Franchise, Dragonball and all its incarnations, and Bleach, their characters, settings, etc, belong to their respective creators. All original characters, settings, etc., belong to ME!

Chapter 22: Urahara

"You took out thirteen Hollows in one go? Nice going…"

Hikari had been taken to a place called the Urahara Shop. Here she was promptly sat at a table where a man in a straw hat and flowing robes regarded her with cool eyes. Throughout her travels, Hikari could tell when there were people of strong fighting abilities. This guy before her, was one of those people.

"So…" He fashioned his hands into his sleeves, a look of interest in his eyes. "Ichigo and Rukia said you fought with some...Key thing?"

Hikari produced the Keyblade, set it down on the table. Urahara stared at the weapon most strangely. It was a look of...Recognition?

"You know what this is." Hikari deduced by his expression.

"Well...I have an inkling...Mind if I…?" He gestured to the Key and she nodded. Slowly he took the object in his hands. As always the Keyblade vanished, reappearing in Hikari's hand.

"It's...very temperamental." Hikari stated.

"Well...It's a very powerful weapon...One not many can wield...At least that's the legend." He gave her a stare. "And I've got a feeling you're not from the Seireitei...And it's obvious you aren't from Karakura...So...Exactly where do you come from kiddo?"

Hikari went silent. Should she even say?

"You know it is not permitted to speak of other realms, Urahara." A black cat jumped onto the table. Wait...Did that cat...Just speak? "Leave the girl be."

"Yuroicihi!" Urahara was glad to see the cat. "About time you got here."

"Yes well when Hollows suddenly start ganging up, one tends to return." Yuroichi stared at Hikari. "You are most likely the reason for our current Hollow problem."

"Me?" Oh great, they were blaming her for something!?

"Hollows are these giant black monsters with white masked faces." Urahara explained. "They're the monsters you defeated." His eyes seemed to look past her, right into her very soul. "And I can see why they would want you...You've got a pure soul...That's rare these days."

"Rare nothing...It only happens in children." Yuroichi sat down on the table. "And even then children's souls are corrupted. Yours...Has no corruption...No soul has EVER accomplished that. Especially someone your age."

"So...These things...These Hollows...Want my soul?" Hikari asked. She had been told she had a pure heart, past down from mother to daughter but...a pure soul? Was it a packaged deal? A pure heart and soul?

"Yep...And we've got to get you outta here before an army of them gains a whiff of you." Now Urahara held a frown. "I'd take you to the Seireitei but...There's a problem there…"

"The Seireitei?"

"Our realm's version of the spiritual plane." Yuroichi told her. "You will be safer there."

"Yeah...Though the people there aren't typically...Nice to strangers…" Urahara sighed. "But again, there's a problem...We haven't been able to contact the Seireitei for a few days. Something's up and I was about to send Ichigo and Rukia there to investigate…The last communication I had, they said the intruder alarm went off...Apparently someone has...Yet again...Invaded the Seireitei."

Hikari went cold. "What...Will they do with the intruders?"

"Kill them most likely…" Urahara scratched his head. "Gotta say this happens way too often, you know…"

Hikari rose to her feet, a sudden overwhelming feeling of dread encompassing her very being. "Take me there NOW!"

"Whoa! Chill out, we'll-"

"You don't understand." She stared at both cat and man. "Those intruders are MY friends! They came here with ME! They must have been taken there after we left the last realm!" She stared at Urahara. "They aren't there to hurt anyone! We're just trying to save our own realms! That's all!"

"Alright...Suppose I believe you…" Urahara raised an eyebrow at her. "The Seireitei isn't a very nice place...They'll act first and ask questions later."

"All the more reason to take me there so I can save my friends!" She reasoned.

The shop owner gave a chuckle. "Man...This brings back memories." He huffed. "Alright...But Ichigo and Rukia are going with you. They know more about the Seireitei than you do and could very well keep your friends from getting killed by mistake." He eyed her. "I've just got one piece of advice…Don't die."

Rukia and Ichigo had been introduced a few minutes later. It didn't take them much long to trust Hikari because they had seen what she could do.

"So...Your friends huh…" Ichigo huffed. "Geez...You'd think the Seireitei would be a bit better in their security after the last time this happened…"

"Yes well they didn't expect some orange haired teenager to go blindly in to save one of their own." Rukia retorted. "This is different...Seems to me this is all just one bit misunderstanding."

"It is." Hikari said. "They aren't going to hurt anyone...We just...Got lost…"

"Don't worry." Rukia gave her a smile. "We'll handle it…"

"Thanks." It sure was a relief to know she had someone at her side.

I miss Shin and Max...I hope they're alright...

The portal took them to a place that was very different than Karakura Town. The Seireitei seemed like nothing but high white walls and pristine streets. Nay a thing stirred here. Hikari felt a chill down her spine. This place was creepy in it's own way.

"I don't like this." Ichigo raised his blade.

"Agreed." Rukia also held out her blade. "It's too quiet."

Taking their lead Hikari brandished the Keyblade. "I take it this is supposed to be a busy place." It looked like it had been deserted not but a few days ago. Wait...Didn't Urahara say they had lost communication from here?

"Be on your guard." Rukia instructed. "Anything can happen here."

Her words spoke truth...They came down the street, thirteen people wearing black and white robes. They were quite an odd bunch...One of them, with spiky white hair, appeared to be nothing but a child. Another, a rather buky one, had an odd hair style...Were those...bells in his hair? And what was with the eye patch? Not that Hikari should judge...her own companions were a dog man and a short purple alien.

"What the hell's going on here?" Ichigo frowned at the thirteen figures that stopped in front of them, completely relaxing upon their presence

"You know them?" Hikari asked and Rukia nodded.

"The captains of the Gotei 13. They lead the shinigami squads here." Rukia sheathed her sword. "They are our comrades."

When swords were drawn, Hikari frowned.

"Oi!" Ichigo balked. "The hell-"

Hikari held out a hand towards him, her face displaying her thoughts.

"They aren't your comrades anymore…"

Yes...She could see it...With the black clothing it was hard to tell but it was there…resting upon each captain's chest.

The black hole...of Nothings.

Next Time: The Seireitei