"You ever notice how easy it is to find these things?" Goten asked. Trunks couldn't agree more, but every one else seemed to know better. They regrouped back at Capsule Corp. Gathering back before the dome they knew so well, each one returned with a Dragon Ball in hand. Goten and Trunks had one each as did Piccolo. Vegeta and Goku for their part brought back two each completing the set. They set each of them on the ground and prepared their next move.

Their plan seemed simple enough. Get the Dragon Balls to summon Shenron and ask him take them to the place King Kai told of. Surely if anyone could decipher the ill omen foretold to them it could be the eternal dragon. Even Dende seemed sure of that when Goku told him of what he knew, and Dende wasn't even sure what the answer was himself. So if Earth's guardian agreed it made it easier for them. It seemed they were all agreed on that point, but Piccolo brought up another interesting one.

"If we only have one wish. What will we do about the others?" he asked with crossed arms and a stern glare, contrasting very much to the excitement of everyone else. Their excitement gave way to silence after that. Trying to find an answer to that seemed harder than trying to find the balls themselves.

"Well" Goku pondered aloud being the first to answer the Namekian "we can always use the other to bring us back here" Goku eventually said "If it's as far away as King Kai said it was, maybe we'll need em" he concluded. After all, they weren't sure of where they would be heading exactly.

"So we'd have to wait four months" Piccolo pointed out seriously yet again. No one seemed to have an answer for that. Then again they don't know how long this would take. Maybe it wouldn't take that long, or maybe it would take longer. And no one seemed to like the idea of being stranded so far from home with possibly no way back. After deliberating on it eventually they decided that one of them should stay behind to keep an eye on things here at home and to wish them back if needed. Gohan since he had tests coming up had volunteered himself, though Piccolo and Goku would have wished him with them. But if they needed extra help no one doubted Dende could work something out or that even the Namekians would be willing to help. And if King Kai knew of this threat and of any danger they were in, he could certainly contact Gohan to bring them back.

With that settled there was only one thing to do now.

"Alright. Ready everybody" Goku asked as he stood over seven small balls. He looked to back every one else who each gave him an answer in their own way. Goten and Trunks stood behind him on his left as Vegeta and Piccolo stood opposite them on his right. The two young boys jumped up and down cheering Goku on. Piccolo merely nodded.

"If it has to be done, let's do it now" he concluded. Vegeta hadn't moved or said any word at all, not since his initial outburst from before. His stance was like Piccolo's with his arms crossed, but unlike Piccolo and the boys his body was bladed away from Goku and the others and he looked to him over his shoulder. But even Vegeta's sullen silence told Goku that he was eager for what awaited them. Goku nodded in reply to them and turned back towards the seven balls and put his arms out and spoke the words to call the dragon forward.

As soon as he had finished the balls suddenly lit up on the ground; shining even brighter than the sun in the sky illuminating all around them as everything else started to dim and turn black. Some of them covered their eyes the brighter they got. Others looked on with even more enthusiasm. No matter how many times they did this, it was impressive each time.

Then a beam of light grew brighter overcoming the balls before it shot out of them reaching high into the sky. The bright beam began to sway and swerve into the sky quickly taking the form of someftooone they knew quite well.

"I am the eternal dragon!" Shenron roared across the darkened skies once he took shape. His voice ruptured through the air as if it was an earthquake, but the group before him hardly even stirred.

"Yeah we know" Goten quipped innocently. The dragon let out a grumble at that. He had to be used to them by now.

"What is your wish?" he bellowed and Goku stepped up to let himself be known. Shenron acknowledged him silently, but Goku didn't speak up at first. He merely stood there at the base of the dragon and his long, winding body. Silence overtook the group as everyone else looked on in anticipation for what Goku would do next and what Shenron's reply would be. But nothing happened and the longer they waited the more impatient some in the group became. Vegeta began to tap his foot impatiently and his crossed arms squeezed at his biceps.

"Come on Kakarot!" he shouted from behind "We don't have all day!" Vegeta egged him on.

"Well.." Goku scratched his head and Shenron looked at him curiously "it's just..." he continued, but paused again in doubt. It sounded like he was struggling with something. Every one leaned in with anticipation. He then turned back to them "I just don't know if he can do it" he chuckled uncomfortably with a childish smile on his face.

"WHAT?!" everyone shouted at him. "After all the trouble of getting them?!" Vegeta's irritable voice rang out after.

"You dare disrespect me?!" Shenron roared from above in just as much disbelief and frustration as every one else.

"Easy, easy I didn't mean it like that" Goku turned back to him putting his hands up defensively. "It's just that we need to go somewhere, but we don't know where it is yet. And I didn't know how to put that in the form of a wish" he finally explained.

"Goku" Piccolo groaned covering his face to hide the embarrassment.

Shenron groaned and rolled his red eyes "Try me" he insisted in a growl.

Goku took in a deep breath and then exhaled. Now or never. No reason to turn back now.

"Shenron" he asked looking up to him. His voice not childish or clueless this time, but determined just as he was before "Can you take us to the land with the tailed beasts and deadly swordsman that King Kai told me of?"

Shenron was quite for a few moments. Silence came back over the group in the aftermath of the request. Doubt began to seep into them and the longer Shenron didn't speak the more it grew, "Is that your wish?" he asking sounding somewhat concerned, as if he was unsure of what was being asked. Goku nodded his head furiously, but none of the others were relieved yet.

"But you see the swordsman aren't from the same place" Goku explained to him, hoping more details would help them more "King Kai said they would show up there too, though" he said all that and more as he continued rambling on as Shenron just seemed more than content to listen to each and every detail. But he also seemed to be doing something else. A twitch or snuff from his nose made it seem like he was looking for what they were asking for. "And he said it was like they were an entire world away" Goku finished. And at that moment Shenron reacted

"Oh" Shenron let out his voice more lively now "Why didn't you just say so." As soon as he said they all started to glow bright gold, just like Shenron himself. Everyone's reaction was shock at first.

"Are we going Super sayain?" Goten asked confused as he looked himself over.f

"I don't feel like it?!" Trunks replied just as concerned. He then pointed up and across "Look! Piccolo's doing it too"

"No!" Piccolo said as he broke his stance "This must mean he's granting our wish!" he said almost in disbelief

"And taking us where we need to go" Vegeta clenched a fist

"Alright! Thank you Shenron I knew you could do it!" Goku let out, his eagerness eclipsing even the children. He looked around from everyone and his own golden aura to look up to Shenron "So where are we going?" he asked looking up to the dragon wide eyed in anticipation.

"You'll find out soon enough" Shenron answered his voice slow and rumbling again "The swordsman have just entered.. just like you"

"What-" before he could even ask or receive an answer the Z warriors disappeared in a flash of golden light.

When the light faded, they didn't see Shenron, the Dragon Balls, or even West City at all. Goku felt like if he looked up he could see the at the last second the Dragon balls shooting up and being scattered for their second wish later on. Only he didn't get that chance. It felt like he blinked and missed it. Only he didn't blink.

Goku couldn't believe where he was at first. He rubbed his now wide eyes and then blinked before peering forward. And what he saw made his wide grow even wider in disbelief.

"Ahh" Goku's mouth gaped open. There he was at what was no doubt a mountaintop. All around him for as far as he could see were the peaks of countless other mountains. And high up along with them in the clouds were cracks of thunder and flashes of lightning.

He'd climbed many mountains in his life, but he could tell one thing from looking at all of this. If he was here right now then his wish had come true and he was as far away from Capsule Corp as you could be. And on top of that, it meant that there was an entirely new world for him to explore and new challengers to face.

Standing at the peak of the mountain, he took in more of the sight of the raging storm of lightning before him. But the more he took in the more his giddiness returned. And he couldn't help but share that with the people who came all the way with him.

"Wow! Are you seeing this guys!" he exclaimed as he looked at the mountains all around. He was so excited that he hadn't heard any of their answers, not realizing there were none "I knew Shenron would come through for us! Wherever we are" he said as his head moved from side to side, but not behind him where everyone else was when he last saw them "Now where do you think we are?" he pondered with a hand on his chin as he looked up even higher into the sky. "You think this is some far off planet in another galaxy? Dah!" he rambled and then shrieked as a stray strand of lightning came right at him and he jumped out of the way only to have it strike the very tip of the mountaintop he just stood on. "Eh" he shrugged "Phew" he let out a relieved sigh as he hunched over "That was a close call" he let out "But" he stood himself back up straight, his demeanor becoming more serious as he did "I suppose we've always had our fair share of close calls. And we'll only get more now that we're all here" his eyes focused on the valley of lightning before him and the flash of it reflected into his eyes, reflecting his warrior spirit. He still heard nothing from his friends behind him. "Come on guys" he let out a soft chuckle to help lighten everything up and reassure them. Were they so awe struck they had nothing to say? He knew he couldn't contain his excitement, but the rest of them were stunned speechless it seemed. "Don't be so worried" he tried comforting them as he turned around to face them We'll get out of this alri-" he stopped short and couldn't finish the sentence. Because when he finally turned around he realized he was speaking to no one. And he was entirely alone.

"Heeyy! Where are we?" What's going on?" Goten and Trunks asked together as they looked around. They were fortunate enough to have each other, but there was still no sign of either one of their fathers or even Piccolo despite that they were just standing beside them when Goku made his wish. They stood up wide eyes and curious at the rocky basin they found themselves in. The two of them found themselves very much in a place like Goku though they didn't know it. Mountains surrounded and them on all sides though theirs lacked the distinctness of the lighting that Goku's had.

"What now?" Goten tugged on Trunks shoulders.

"Goku..." Piccolo let out a grumble as he found himself in an area as green as he was "Well, it seems we've got our wish" Piccolo commented aloud looking around, but he didn't see anything familiar about it. Just.. tree's all around him. He was surrounded by a dense forest on all sides. With the exception of the dirt road, he stood in the small opening among the trees and leaves he looked completely lost. And it didn't look like this road had been used recently. In isolation Piccolo looked up to the sky overlooking the forest. It seems if there was one chance for them being reunited it was back home "Gohan.." he said "I hope you can save us if you have to". But until then it seems they would have to do their part and find each other first.

But for everything the four of them saw, at least they saw something. Something that the fifth member of their group could not say.

"Kakarot" Vegeta grumbled as he clenched his fists "Trunks?" he rotated his head. When he saw nothing he turned it further. Vegeta looked all around at where he was, though to be honest that was hard to tell given all the thick fog and mist all around him. He shifted around in place to try to find out exactly where that was, but he could hardly tell that he was standing on a rock at this point if he couldn't feel it between his boots. "Have you left me here?" he asked aloud, but received no answer. His voice carrying itself away into the abyss was the only thing he heard except for the distant sound of water in the distance, though it could not be seen. Somewhere in the unknowable edge of the fog had to be something, however. Eventually, he had turned all the way around until he came around in a complete circle. Or at least assumed as much since he could hardly tell what that direction was. "Fool" he spat " You made your wish, but couldn't be bothered to keep us together" he gritted his teeth. But then he eased his clenched jaw "It matters not. I know what I must do" he spoke aloud to himself "Where ever you all are, I'll find you when this is done. Sit wherever you are and figure everything out because I know what I have to do!"

Vegeta buckled down before he bounded up into the sky, the mist parting only slightly for him as he took to the air. He tried to go higher and higher, but it seemed the mist just rose with him, making it seem as if he was stationary. He stopped sullenly in the air and looked around. He couldn't see that was clear, but perhaps stranger was that he couldn't sense anyone either. His senses were all murky and distorted deepening his scowl the more he realized it. And that only made it worse than it already was. He rotated around before he decided he could do that no more. "First thing is to get out of here" he powered up again "As fast as I can" he said before he took across the sky tearing into the mist. Had any of his companions been around and tried to stop him it would do no good. He was already too far away to hear him but even if he could he wouldn't care.

He would find his way out of this place. But he would run into something first.

Trouble.

Leaf Village

Naruto stood before the Hokage and the council of elders, telling them of the revelation he had just heard from the Toad Sage. Skepticism, concern and disbelief were rampant, but he told them everything he knew. And he believed every word of it. Tsunade hunched over at her small desk was attentive to him as he spoke; Shizune was over her shoulder as the elders sat around her. Aside from Naruto it seemed Shizune was the most concerned out of all of them at this point. Kakashi for his part seemed slumped away in a corner leaning against the wall. He seemed aloof, but was actually the most attentive of all. Sakura stood behind Naruto nodding to everything he said for it was the first time she heard it all as well.

"So a man of great power will do battle with the nine tails?" Tsunade asked when he finished. Naruto nodded.

"But he isn't alone. He'll have others with him?" Kakashi added to which his student nodded again.

"Wandering swordsman among them" Sakura confirmed.

"That makes two then" Tsunade reaffirmed.

"It could be an army" Shizune suggested.

"It could be nothing" Shikaku rebutted "Nothing we don't already know" he insisted "Perhaps this man is just another way of speaking of the Akatsuki. Naruto has already fought against one of them alone" he reminded them of his battle with Pain "And these Akatsuki are missing-nin. Perhaps that it was he meant by they're not Ninja's. And we know they have one of the Seven Ninja swordsman among their ranks" Everything he was saying certainly sounded plausible and his interpretations of this vision certainly began to sway some of the elders as evident in the look on their faces. Many it seems we're being converted to his line of thought "This is just a distraction. Something warning us of something we already know"

Naruto grumbled at Shikaku and how he dismissed everything he had barged his way in to tell them. He didn't blame him exactly, but it didn't feel right to him to just discard everything he came all this way to tell them. Grumbling he took a step forward and was going to yell everything again at him. Fortunately, he was stopped by a calmer voice.

"Perhaps" Kakashi agreed coolly from the corner. Naruto and Sakura looked to him as he sat there leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He had everyone else's attention as well "But if you were listening you'd know that he said there were two groups. So we can't interpret these swordsman to be in league with them the same way as Kisame Hosigaki" . Shikaku said nothing to that and Naruto and Sakura were relieved to see Kakashi was on their side. Not only that, but he seemed to be swaying many of the elder back to their side. And the Hokage as well. "The same line of thinking makes me believe we can rule the Akatsuki out as the ones were being warned about. As much as we may not want to hear it" he admitted. A brief silence overtook the group as he paused "Still.." he said and, his calm voice and collected demeanor had changed now as he lowered his head to look to his lap. A hint of warning and darkness was in his voice. Something that unnerved everyone else in the room. "If this man can fight with a tailed beasts, those with him may be just as powerful" Kakashi said. He had stunned everyone else in silence. The last thoughts on their minds were not Shikaku's dismissals, but Kakashi's warning. Eventually, it was their leader who broke the silence.

"Is that all?" Tsunade asked turning to Naruto who nodded again. She let out a sigh. "Well, this isn't something we need to deal with right now" she said as she sat herself back upright "Especially not with a war coming."

"And these people in the vision seem to be unaligned in the war" Kakashi added attentively.

"Yet they do battle with the nine tails, they must be working with the enemy" Shikaku said coming back to the conversation now.

"The vision said they were not ninja's. They likely have no sides in the war" Kakashi repeated.

"Then what do they want?" Shizune asked.

"Are you saying a new threat is emerging?" Tsunade inquired looking to him.

"Until we have more to go on…" Kakashi pondered "I would say yes" Kakashi admitted.

Tsunade sighed again closing her eyes and dropping her head this time "Naruto" she said getting the boys attention. And when she looked up to him she asked "Are you sure about all this?". Her voice was stern and in no mood for his antics. If she was going to do something about it, it had to be in full faith of it.

"Yes" he stated confidently. What else would the old man want to do if not warn him.

"And you haven't left out a single detail?" she pressed him.

"No" he responded flatly.

"Well..." she mulled it over rolling her eyes as she did "as much as I want to, it seems we can't ignore this. Perhaps this may be a good thing that we know this is coming" her voice now more agreeable now that the path was clearer with Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi insisting so "Naruto you were foretold to do battle in this vision correct?"

"Yes" he nodded and agreed again "I fight with the man of great power, perhaps even more"

"Then until further notice I will have you safe guarded by a squad of special ninja" she, with surprisingly levity in her voice ordered with a bang on the table " You won't run into trouble with them around I'm sure of it. And when this man of power comes, we will be ready, and so should you" she pointed to him.

"Got it" Naruto said clenching his fists "but.." he paused and his voice cracked and everyone looked to him concerned. "could I request the special ninjas to guard me?" he asked a little too giddily for her liking. But Tsunade found the drastic reemergence of his grin and enthusiasm nauseating.

"Naruto this isn't the time to disr-"

"Lady Tsunade" Kakashi spoke up with a raised hand that he finally uncrossed "I request permission to lead this ninja group"

Tsunade looked him over before answering "I could think of no one more qualified, permission granted" she said confident in her new decision and the direction it was taking.

"Thank you ma'am" Kakashi said as he got up and walked over to his students, his hands casually tucked in his pockets "Now what do you say we go round up a team to guard you? It'll be a good idea to surround yourself with people you trust"

"Sounds great Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto responded energetically. "Hey Sakura!" he turned to her excitedly "You wanna be my bodyguard?!". She was shocked by his outburst at first.

"Do I have a choice" she shrugged, but then rebounded confidently "I'm ready for anything let's go!"

As suddenly as he came in Naruto ran off bursting through the door with his teammate-and first bodyguard- and teacher to go recruit a squad worthy of protecting the nine tails fox.

"Tsh" Tsunade let out "That boy" he mused "Trouble always finds him"

Soul Society

He wasn't surprised to see that they would start at the Senkaimon. Though it wasn't the large rectangular door flanked by two great pillars at the end of the path they walked that tipped him off to it. Instead it was the gathering beneath the closed door that confirmed his suspicion. A swath of figures from toweringly tall and menacing to short and stunted, to stern and rigid to flirtatious and open. Standing there waiting for him were six high ranking and very distinct figures. Regardless they all wore the standard black robes of the soul reapers, yet the more distinguished of them noticeably wore a contrasting white cloaks over it that made them stand out more.

Upon seeing him approach with Rukia, the other woman of the group threw her hand up and waved wildly at them while the men shared disgruntled looks.

Though she was the first to greet them, she wasn't the first to speak with them. That went to another lieutenant who Ichigo and Rukia knew all to well. He tucked his hands into his robe and walked over to them breaking the formation they had.

"Took your sweet time" Renji 'pleasantly' greeted him and Rukia respectfully did to her brother, Renji's captain behind him.

"Didn't know I was such a prized commodity" Ichigo shot back to him.

"Your not" Renji quickly shot back

"Well then next time just take off without me. I didn't even know what this was till just a few minutes ago. I didn't even want to come!" Things had certainly heated up pretty quickly. Truth be told Ichigo still didn't know what it was they were doing, but was now in too tense of a standoff with Renji to ask. A giggle escaped from Rangiku as she watched it all. Uninterested in all this her captain Toshiro Hitsugaya rolled his eyes and draped his scarf around his mouth to hide further from the childish antics. Something his lieutenant looked over.

"Captain" Rangiku peered down at her superior officer "Are you cold?" she asked concerned

"I'm fine" he grumbled. "Let's just get going" But she didn't seem to hear him.

"Well let me warm you up" she said diving down to his height and forcefully bringing him into a big hug, where his head disappeared in-between her massive chest. If any one was listening they could hear some type of muffled protests as his arms flailed wildly around, looking like a headless figure looking aimlessly for his head.

"Enough of this nonsense" Kenpachi barked as his sword leaned across his right shoulder, tired of waiting and ready for action. Sprouting up on his other shoulder was a little pink haired girl; his lieutenant who had just about the same enthusiasm her captain had.

"Yeah! Let's get goin'!"Yachiru cheered his every word very loudly from his shoulder.

"Ah! That's my ear" he recoiled and turned his head to her.

"Hehe your funny Kenny!" she giggled poking a finger into his cheek.

"If you are all quite about done" a thin menacing voice chided them. The commotion amongst them died out as they all turned as the Captain of Squad twelve made himself known and a grim silence followed his voice. Ichigo realized it now that Mayuri had appeared, it wasn't so hard to beleive in what they were about to accomplish. "I have calibrated the Senkaimon to take you exactly to your destinations, just as requested by the Head Captain. But I must remain here to make sure it is stable and functions properly" As he spoke Ichigo took notice now on the side of the Senkaimon behind Mayuri. There seemed to be something resembling a control panel besides and connected to the Senkaimon. Something he knew had not been there before. It had many knobs, levers and buttons to it. And it was guarded preciously by the lieutenant of Squad 12 Nemu even as Mayuri was still so close to it. Ichigo's eyes focused curiously on it as Mayuri continued "Now whether any of you come back or in what condition is none of my concern" he waved his hand dismissing them all easily. "However, I am most interested in the findings of this world your about to enter." He no doubt recalled the fortune he had recovered from Hueco Mundo and was always in the pursuit of even more. His black and white face highlighted the horrifying grin plastered on it. "So please do be considerate and bring back whatever you come across. Plant, person. It's all the same to me" he rolled his hand and motioned to himself. They could only imagine his preference between the two.

"Then let us not delay" Byakuya spoke up. He made his way towards the dimensional gate. The lieutenants made way for him as he walked by; his fellow captains were less obliging. He put himself in between the Captains of Squads twelve and eleven who grimaced at him as he stood between them. Ignoring their glares he shoved past them. As he passed by Yachiru tried to reach out and grab his scarf, but missed and almost fell off Kenpachi's shoulder ending up dangling off of the torn edge swinging her legs wildly. Byakuya put himself before the closed gate. Kenpachi instantly lined up next to him on his right, his shoulder violently brushing against his in the process as Yachiru steadied herself on it. Renji took his place to the left of his Captain. But it was short lived as Rukia budged in and pushed him farther down the line they were making to be closer to her brother even though he was Renji's captain. Squad ten lined up to the right of Kenpachi with Toshiro being dwarfed by his fellow captain as Rangiku came beside him. And they were all ready for this daring new mission into this bold new world. Three captains and four lieutenants. And their progress was to be monitored by another Captain and lieutenant: these two in charge of research and development. It's a strong showing, especially seeing them all together. Only the substitute was left behind.

Of all of them selected for this one of was the captain of the combat division and bearing the title for the strongest of his generation, the other was a child prodigy and the third the head of one of the great noble families. Each one accompanied by their lieutenant, save Rukia. But perhaps that's why he was here. Only he wasn't standing with them now.

"Ichigo" Renji called back more agreeably this time "Are you gonna make us wait any longer?". Without a word said Ichigo took his place with the rest of them standing beside Renji and on the edge of the line.

Mayuri retreated away not taking part in this, but ready to play his own. He passed Nemu and set himself up at his control panel. Knobs were twisted, levers pulled, and the panel responded with a droning hum with 'beeps' and 'boop's' to accompany it. Ichigo thought this strange, but another thought crossed his mind.

"Don't we need Hell Butterfly's to guide us through?" he asked Renji as they faced the door.

"They're confused" Renji answered blandly "Apparently they can't guide us to these worlds. So we need his help" he nodded off to Mayuri who typed away. Ichigo was a little unnerved by that. And would have retorted if the door hadn't suddenly started shift and break open. He now peered forward in excitement.

The door opened to reveal a crisp blue sky overlooking a lush green forest. Tall mountains could be seen in the distance. Ichigo took in a deep breath. This is what he was brought here for. Why wait? He took a step forward, ready to go. But a hand on his shoulder stopped him yanking him back. He looked behind to see Renji stopping him.

"This one's not for us" he told.

"Hm?" Ichigo let out "One?" before he could get an answer Kenpachi stampeded over him.

"OUTTAMYWAY!" "KENNY!" he heard above his head as he was trampled.

Cringing he looked up yet again to see Kenpachi run off and jumped through the Senkaimon "There's gotta be somebody strong out here and I'm gonna find em first!" he gargled. Yachiru laughed all the way down. Following him though courteously not over Ichigo were Toshiro and Rangiku who before jumping through turned back and winked at every one else before she followed her Captain who went with more professionalism.

Once on the other side Kenpachi slammed down landing with a hard thud. He shot his head up and looked around to see what this new world had for him. And as the Captain of the Combat Division he wanted only one thing and he didn't see it here now.

"Now.." he looked around "Where could they be?" he asked aloud looking around

"You just listen to me Kenny! I know where you gotta go!" Yachiru said once he collided with the ground ready to enable him further. "That way!" she randomly pointed a small finger out and he blindly following her directions charging into the woods drilling through the trees and uprooting them. He left behind Squad 10 in the process, but they didn't seem intent on following him anyway. Kenpachi's maniacal roaring mixed with Yachiru's girlish giggles could be heard no matter how far they went.

It was quite the spectacle to be seen through the still open doorway. Even less so if you were used as the doormat.

"eehh.. bastard" Ichigo groaned from the ground and picked himself up for the second time that day "I don't like being a doormat" he shook the dirt off himself. "Now where..." he would have asked every one else where they expected to go. To follow Kenpachi or just hope they bump into him later to bring him back. But then the Senkaimon closed right in front of them. Ichigo was ready to protest, but it seemed his frantic attitude was lost on his comrades.

"Don't worry" Renji said "They have their orders and we have ours"

"Hm" Ichigo let out confused again. The group had been halved now. All that remained was the Squad Six captain and lieutenant along with Squad Thirteen represented by Rukia. Ichigo recalled now that before he was run over Renji did say something weird. "Yeah, you said this ones not for us. What's that mean?" he asked.

Renji and Rukia shared perplexed looks as Byakuya seemed intent on not getting involved himself.

Renji and Rukia broke out in a smirk "What do you think it means?" Renji said withholding his answer as if it was already obvious.

"It means you didn't answer me" Ichigo said "And you haven't told me why we're going there either"

The two of them were taken back. Rukia burrowed her head down realizing she hadn't ever answered him and Renji rubbed his head awkwardly.

"It's the same as always" a calm placid voice spoke. All looked to their side as Byakuya spoke unnerving the two lieutenants as he had to get involved "Something's gone awry in these worlds and we have tasked with correcting it. It'd be no more simple a reason"

"Yeah" Ichigo began again much to the displeasure of Rukia and Renji "but-"

He stopped short as a bright light overtook him from behind. The sound of the door opening was heard, and it cast a new light upon them. Ichigo being the closest turned around to get a good look. The door opened again to a similar sight. A blue sky, yes, green forest, yes, but this one was in the distance. Instead, this one had an industrious city not too far away. The architecture was a bit strange he thought, but distinctly modern and familiar making him wonder what the point of this was at all. A sign above it revealed it's name. Once Ichigo never heard of before. 'West City'

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Rukia asked. Before Ichigo could even register an answer he was kicked off his feet and through the door into the bright new world.
Plummeting down face first was definitely not how he wanted to start this day off. The fresh air violently swirled around his body as he tried to regain control as the ground got closer and closer. As he fell all around him, he saw every one pass him by to the ground below.

Byakuya fell with grace, Renji with tenacity to match his days in the eleventh division and Rukia with elegance to match her elder brother. They all fell below landing on their feet leaving him behind. Well, he was tired of keeping every one waiting today.

Swinging around Ichigo flung himself upright right as his feet hit the ground.

Crouching he picked his head up to view the area around him. Just.. trees and grass. Nothing out of the ordinary here, despite what Byakuya said. Not an impressive start in his opinion. There wasn't a sign of a single human being around despite the city behind so close.

"Alright" Ichigo picked himself up "So where do we go-" he turned around to ask every one else what the objective was.

The thing is when he looked up they were all gone too.

Annoyed that they made such a fuss about him being there and then ditching him the first chance they got. He just started walking off. Cursing under his breath and stomping all over the ground he headed off aimlessly. Now the feel of the ground was all too familiar to him at this point, so when he knocked his foot against something hard he assumed it to be a stone.

That was until it rolled away.

Ichigo stopped and looked down to it as the rolling came to a slow stop. Looking at it in the light sure made it look funny. It looked almost orange. Further inspection and another judge from it confirmed to be not just orange, but not a rock at all. Now he was somewhat curious.

Picking it up he realized it was some kind of ball. It had a one red star one it.

Next Time: First meetings usually warrant introductions