Chapter One

An Unexpected Meeting

"So, this place has a lot of strong hollows?" Ichigo asked as they flash stepped toward a place about two hours outside of Tokyo.

"Yeah, there's this clan of assassins that live near there, so there's a lot of spirits that congregate," Renji said.

With them, they had Yoshiaki Tanabe, a trainee from the sixth division. He was struggling to keep up with Renji and Ichigo, so they kept having to slow down a bit for him. He was young and was supposed to start patrolling the World of the Living on his own soon. Renji had stopped by Karakura Town to see if Ichigo wanted to come with him to clear out a nest of hollows that had been troubling the area.

"Here we are," Renji said as they landed near a small group of trees.

They could immediately hear the sound of the hollows in the trees. Yoshiaki looked around. He was a petite man with short, black hair and piercing brown eyes. His uniform was standard and his Zanpakutō was at his hand already as they examined their surroundings. He turned to Ichigo and Renji.

"Sirs? How will we proceed?" he asked.

Renji exchanged a look with Ichigo. "Want to just wade in and see what we find?"

Just then, there was a loud hollow scream followed by an extremely human sounding yell. Ichigo and Renji both took off, leaving Yoshiaki stunned for a moment. He then followed. Ichigo and Renji appeared above the trees, looking down in a clearing where a man with a shaggy mop of brown hair was in an altercation with a twelve-foot tall hollow. The interesting part, though, was this human was holding his own against the huge adversary.

"Well, look there," Renji said. "That reiatsu feels familiar."

"He's a Fullbringer," Ichigo said. "Let's go," he pulled Zangetsu and flashed down.

Ichigo slashed down the back of the hollow, surprising it and splitting its mask down the middle. The huge creature dissipated, leaving the human that was fighting it staring at Ichigo as Renji and Yoshiaki landed beside him.

"Yo," Renji said as he nodded at the human.

"Who are you people?" the stranger said, looking between them.

"We're Shinigami. I take it you've never talked to our kind before?" Ichigo asked, putting Zangetsu away.

He shook his head. "No, I've only been seeing the white-faced monsters for a little while, since I recovered from nearly dying," he said. "I've never talked to anyone like you before. I remember seeing some of your kind nearby when I nearly died, though, and I've seen them from afar, but none ever came this close to me."

"I'm Ichigo Kurosaki," Ichigo said, nodding at him. "And this is Renji Abarai and Yoshiaki Tanabe."

"I'm Ohma Tokita," he said, not bowing or anything. Ichigo smirked, thinking he liked this guy already.

"Well, Ohma, do you want to know more about this?" Renji said.

"Yeah, I do. I want to know how to fight those things like you did," Ohma said. "What are those things, and where do they come from? And why can I see them now when I never did before?"

"First, it would probably be good to explain to you all this information. Yoshiaki, why don't you explain about hollows," Renji said, nodding at his junior.

Yoshiaki looked at him, eyes a little wide. "Um, well, see, hollows are the spirits of humans who have passed on and haven't been able to cross over. They have attachment to the world, and they're a plus first, and…"

"Ah, that's getting confusing," Ichigo said. "So, basically, a hollow is the remaining spirit of a human that couldn't let go of the world. Shinigami purify those souls by using our swords, called Zanpakutō. We also perform Konso on souls that have yet to pass on but are just hanging around in the World of the Living. Hollows result from a soul staying too long and being unable to pass on."

Ohma frowned but nodded slowly. "Okay, so these hollows, they're dangerous?"

"To other spirits mostly," Renji said. "They'll consume spirits of other people that have yet to pass on. So, we try to purify them before that happens. Though sometimes, their actions are seen as unexplained events in the human world."

"A hollow can wreck a human structure if it's powerful enough," Ichigo said, looking at him.

"So, I can see them now. I never used to," Ohma said.

"Yeah, sounds like you became spiritually aware when you nearly died," Renji said. "And you have an ability called a Fullbring that allows you to fight hollows like that one."

"Not very well," Ohma grumbled. "My punches were barely doing anything to that thing."

"You just haven't realized the extent of your power," Ichigo explained. "I was a Fullbringer for a while, long story, but it took time to reach my full potential."

Ohma nodded. "How do I do that? Reach my full potential?"

"Well, through training, mostly," Renji told him.

"I know how to train. I don't know how to train for that," Ohma said, looking at him seriously.

"Well, you have to train in using your new powers," Ichigo said. "It would take a lot of work. But I have a friend that is also a Fullbringer that might be able to help, too," he looked over to Renji.

"Chad?" Renji asked.

Ichigo nodded. "I think he'd be willing to work with him. And I can help, since I went through the training with Xcution. It'll be a bit different, but it should work." Ichigo looked back at Ohma. "That is, if you want to do that. We can meet you back to where I'm from and help you train."

Ohma looked to think about it a moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. I just have to let the people I'm staying with know I'm leaving, and make sure my doctor is okay with me training on my own."

Ichigo smiled at him. "Alright, make your way to Karakura Town, and we'll find you when you arrive," he said.

-oooooo-OOOOOO-oooooo-

Ohma wasn't sure what was happening, but he knew he wanted to find out. This Kurosaki and Abarai seemed to know what they were talking about, and they certainly took care of that creature that didn't seem bothered by Ohma's punches. He'd never seen something that wasn't harmed by being punched like that, and he wanted to know more about them. He had a basic understanding now, but he knew he'd need more if he was going to do something about them.

He found his way to the medical bay where Dr. Hanafusa was doing something. Ohma didn't ever ask what he was up to, but he figured he was busy.

"Ohma," he said as Ohma approached. "Where have you been? You missed lunch."

"I want to go to Karakura Town and train with a couple people there that I met," he said simply. He saw no reason to draw out the explanation.

Hanafusa blinked but looked at him for a minute. "Karakura Town? I don't think I've heard of it. It must not be very big."

"So, what do you say?" Ohma asked.

"Well, medically, you're cleared to train as you wish, though I'd want you to limit the use of your advance for obvious reasons, but you seem to have learned control of it," Hanafusa said. "You'll need to talk to Erioh though."

Ohma nodded and excused himself to go talk to the old man of the Kure clan. He was sure Erioh would agree to let him go off on his own, after all, if he was medically cleared, he couldn't do much to stop him. He found him in the large sitting room.

"Gramps, I'm going to leave for a while," he said to him with a nod.

"Where in the world are you going?" Erioh asked, frowning deeply.

"I met some people from Karakura Town, and I want to go train with them."

Erioh looked at him for a moment. Raian was sitting nearby. "What, I'm not good enough for you?" he growled.

"It's not that. These people have a different way of fighting that I want to learn," Ohma explained. "I think I've taken my training here as far as it will go. This will give me a chance to see some new styles that I might come across," he looked over as Hanafusa came into the room. "Dr. Hanafusa has said it is okay for me to go."

"Well, if that is what you really wish to do," Erioh said, still looking a bit worried. "And if Dr. Hanafusa has given you the medical clearance."

"Medically, he's sound," Hanafusa reiterated.

Ohma nodded his thanks to Hanafusa and looked back at him. "I'll leave in the morning."

Erioh still looked unsure as Ohma walked away, but he couldn't very well stop him. It wasn't like he was being held against his will. He was here by his choice to heal, and he had done that, and he had trained as much as possible with Raian and the other Kure.

-oooooo-OOOOOO-oooooo-

Setsuna Kiryu still wasn't sure what to make of these people. He'd been with them several months now. He had awoken from a near catatonic state after several months being like that. After the events on Ganryu Island, he'd escaped and managed to make his way to Koyou University. Tomoko and Shion had found him and taken him in to help him. He'd started seeing these white-faced monsters and these people in black robes, too, which he found to be interesting. He hadn't approached either, but he saw them fighting each other now and then.

Then, he was attacked by one. It wasn't very big, about the size of a man, and he had reached toward it, and instead of twisting with Raksasha's Palm, the creature had twisted grotesquely without him touching it. He was staring at the downed creature, when one of the black-robed figures came up to him. He had been a plain looking man, but he had sharp eyes lined with black. With him was another man, this one wore brightly colored shorts and a t-shirt with a sarcastic saying printed on it. They had asked if he wanted to learn more, and out of sheer curiosity, Setsuna said of course. He'd gone with them, and they took him to a strange place that was set up outside of Tokyo. It was in an abandoned warehouse of some sort and looked like some sort of mad scientist's lab.

The one in the black robes introduced himself as Seibei Yoshizawa and called himself a Shinigami. He told Setsuna that only special people could see him and the white-faced monsters they called hollows. Considering that Setsuna had never seen such things before, he had no reason to doubt this man. He explained what the hollows were, spirits of the dead that hung onto the world too long and told him that his companion could help him learn to use his power to fight them. The other man, Sho Hagiwara, said he was something called a Fullbringer, and that was what Setsuna was. He explained that one of Setsuna's parents had survived an attack by a hollow before he was born, and some of that power passed on to him. Considering that Setsuna couldn't be sure about his parents, he didn't have reason to doubt him either.

Setsuna had told these people about his story, where he came from, and the recent tournament. He explained about Ohma, and Seibei had promised him that they'd do what they could to find Ohma again. Setsuna had no other recourse at the time, so he decided to take a chance with these people.

"They've moved," Sho said as he came into the warehouse they were holed up in just outside a small Tokyo suburb called Karakura Town. "At least, the Shinigami has. He's coming back with another couple of them."

"Still got a hard on for that odd Shinigami, have you?" Seibei snorted as he looked up from the papers he was going over.

Setsuna frowned, wondering what that was about. He was lounging on a sofa that was somewhat torn up and left behind by whoever had used the warehouse before them. This wasn't the first time Sho mentioned a Shinigami he was following, but it was the first time Seibei had commented in such a way. Setsuna had to wonder what exactly that meant.

"You know as well as I do, he's an ideal research subject for you," Sho said dismissively.

"But that's not why you want to capture him," Seibei said without looking up. "You want him for yourself."

Sho snorted and walked out of the room again, leaving Seibei with Setsuna. Setsuna looked over at him. "What's that about?" he asked.

"Sho has a thing for the odd Shinigami that used to be a Fullbringer. I'm not sure what he wants to do with him, whether he just wants to torture him for some reason, or if he just wants to fuck him once we acquire him. Doesn't matter to me, as long as I get a chance to do my research, that's all I care about. I've told him that it doesn't matter what happens otherwise." Seibei shrugged. "Humans," he muttered. "Driven by desire."

Setsuna frowned, something about the whole situation not sitting right with him for some reason. So far, he'd gone along with what they'd wanted from him, but this was something different. Seibei was talking like he wanted to kidnap this Shinigami. He wondered, though, how he would accomplish that, considering the powers that these Shinigami had.

"What do you intend to do with him?" Setsuna asked, not moving to get up from his position.

Seibei looked over at him. "I want to know how he managed to become a Fullbringer and then lose his powers. I've been watching him for a while, along with the Fullbringer friend of his, but I can look at a Fullbringer anytime since I have you and Sho here. What I need is a Shinigami that has evolved past needing the Fullbringer powers." Seibei paused. "It might reveal something interesting, or it might be nothing at all. I will only find out by running tests on him."

"How are you planning on doing this, then?" Setsuna wondered aloud.

"Oh, I have plans for everything," Seibei smirked and left it at that.

-oooooo-OOOOOO-oooooo-

Ohma got off the bus at Karakura Town and looked around. It was small; not as small as Kure Village, but it was definitely smaller than other areas. He noted that his senses were sharper now, for whatever reason. Perhaps it was this Fullbring thing, whatever it was.

"You came," he heard and looked over to see the orange headed Shinigami from before, but he was dressed casually now instead of the black outfit.

"Yeah," he nodded as he walked over toward him. "You promised to help me train."

Ichigo nodded back and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Sure, come on. I'll introduce you to Chad."

They walked for a while, and Ohma wondered how old this guy was. He wasn't very good with ages, but he looked to be not much older than school aged. He opted not to say anything, though, just following him as he led him through town. They eventually came to a shoten.

"We'll start here. Chad's already here. I told him that you were probably coming to town today, and he wanted to be ready for you. He hasn't been around a lot of Fullbringers the last couple years, though." Ichigo led Ohma into the shop and to a trap door that led into a basement that opened up into a huge area.

"Yeah, it's a special training area that Urahara set up," Ichigo explained as they came down to the ground.

"I can't believe all this is down here," Ohma said, looking around.

A guy taller than both of them came over. He was darker skinned with shaggy brown hair and a goatee on his chin. He was wearing a sleeveless shirt and a pair of plain jeans. Ohma noted a tattoo on his upper arm on one side. He nodded to Ohma.

"Ohma, this is Chad. Chad, this is Ohma, the guy I met outside that assassin's village with Renji yesterday," Ichigo said.

"You are a Fullbringer, too," Chad said.

"I guess so," Ohma responded.

"I can help you learn about it," Chad went on and Ichigo smiled a bit.

"You're a pretty big guy. I take it you know how to fight?" Ohma said, narrowing his eyes as he looked him over.

Chad shrugged. "My power is in my arms," he said, and as Ohma watched, he transformed his arm as though liquid covered it and solidified into some kind of armor. Then, he did the same thing to the other arm. One arm looked more armored than the other, but he couldn't tell a lot more than that.

"This is called Brazo Derecha de Gigante," Chad said, holding up his right arm. "And this is Brazo Izquierda del Diablo," he said, indicating his left arm. "I defend with the right, and attack with the left."

Ohma nodded. "I just started punching one of those monsters. It didn't do much, though."

Ichigo crossed his arms and put a hand on his chin. "Hmm, there is usually some sort of focus. Do you have anything on you that would be especially important to you?"

"I don't," Ohma said.

"Well, why don't you and Chad spar some and then you can test out your abilities against him," Ichigo said and stepped back.

Ohma nodded, pausing to pull the t-shirt over his head. He heard Ichigo make a strange sound and looked over at him. He was staring a little wide eyed at him.

"I take it you work out a lot," Ichigo said, looking him over.

Ohma looked down and nodded. "I've been training pretty hard. I'm a fighter in the Kengan Matches."

"Kengan Matches?" Ichigo frowned. "What's that?"

"It would be better that you do not know," Ohma said, nodding at Chad. "I'm ready."

Chad took a stance and Ohma attacked. Chad blocked him with his right arm, and to Ohma it was like hitting a steel shield with his fist. He'd never landed a hit like that on another person before. He stepped back and regrouped, trying to think of how to break through his defenses. However, he had yet to make an attack. Perhaps letting him attack and using Weeping Willow…

Of course, Ohma's thoughts were taking place in the span of seconds as Chad came forward and attacked with the transformed arm. Ohma moved to use Weeping Willow, expecting it to work, and instead found himself unable to completely redirect the flow of power in the blow. He moved to block and used Indestructible to absorb the power behind the blow. Chad stepped back.

"You're not using your Fullbring yet," he commented.

Ohma blinked. He supposed he was right. He was just using the Niko style so far. "I'm not sure how."

Ichigo stepped up again. "You have to focus like you did when you fought the hollow. Something in that fight made you bring out your Fullbring," Ichigo told him.

Ohma nodded, closing his eyes for a moment to focus on what he was feeling then. He then opened his eyes and stepped forward, attacking with Ironbreaker at the same time as summoning that same sensation as before. The sensation centered in his heart, it felt like, and expanded outward. This time, his strike hit the shield, but instead of simply feeling like he struck something metal, he pushed Chad back. He looked at his fist, seeing a strange pattern that looked like the blue of his veins amplified on his skin.

"There, you've got it now," Ichigo said, smiling at him.

Ohma glanced at him and returned the smile, unable to avoid it. "Now that I know how to do it, I can train on how to use it, right?"

Chad nodded. "Let's continue," he said.

Several hours later, Ohma sat on the ground, panting with exertion. Chad was sweaty, too, and both of them had become sore from the blows they had traded. Ohma had to hand it to Chad, he fought well for someone who hadn't been trained, but he started copying some of Ohma's moves as he went along, so Ohma couldn't help but show him a few things. All in all, it was a successful training. He noted that the pattern of blue veins showed up on his body in various places depending on the move he was using, so it was focused on whatever part of his body was being used.

"You've done well, Ohma," Ichigo said, nodding at him.

Ichigo, while he hadn't sparred with Ohma, had given instructions on using the Fullbring abilities and told him what to expect as he used it. He knew what he was talking about, even if he didn't seem to have the abilities of a Fullbringer anymore. He wondered about that, but he also didn't know him well enough to ask those kinds of questions.

Then, they all heard a screaming sound, and both Ichigo and Chad looked at each other.

"That was close," Ichigo said. "I'll take care of it. Meet you back at your place." He pulled a badge out and pressed it, and Ohma watched as he stepped out of his body wearing the black outfit from before.

"Be careful, Ichigo," Chad said as he left. He turned to Ohma and nodded. "We'll go back to my apartment," he said and led him out of the basement and out of the shoten.

"Should we wait for him?" Ohma asked, looking around and not seeing Ichigo.

"No, Ichigo will be fine," Chad said with certainty. "We'll meet him at my place when he's taken care of the hollow."

Ohma had a bad feeling, though, one he couldn't shake as they walked away. He didn't notice the man with the bucket hat watching him leave with Chad.

-oooooo-OOOOOO-oooooo-

The hollow wasn't anything serious. It was an easy kill, and as Ichigo landed, he wondered if the Shinigami on patrol had even had time to detect it. He turned and blinked, because there were three men standing nearby, staring at him. One of them wore a standard Shihakuso. He had black lined eyes that stood out more than anything. The other two were wearing casual clothes, one with long black hair and the other with spiked blond hair.

"You're coming with us," the Shinigami said.

Ichigo arched a brow and drew Zangetsu. "And why would I do that?"

"Because if you don't, your friend Chad and your new friend are going to die," the one with blond hair said with a smirk on his face.

Ichigo's eyes widened a bit. "You haven't done something to them. I just saw them."

"That's right," the Shinigami said. "And if you want it to stay that way, you'll come with us."

"I'm not just going to come with you like that," Ichigo shook his head.

The one with the long hair didn't seem as into the act as the other two, Ichigo noted. He seemed a little standoffish and unsure about the whole thing. They still stood there looking at him, either way. He wasn't sure what to do, though. He didn't want to gamble with Chad and Ohma's lives, but he wasn't going to just go with these people because they said so.

"You can't hurt Chad and Ohma that easily. They'll fight you," he said with a narrowed glance.

"Flow, Ensui," the Shinigami said, pulling his Zanpakutō. Ichigo took a stance, but soon felt strange.

Ichigo felt his eyes start to feel funny, and for a second, he thought something was wrong with his vision, but then he realized what he was seeing. Water was literally being sucked away from his body and into this Shinigami's Zanpakutō. He gasped and went down to one knee when a wave of dizziness went over him. His mouth was suddenly dry, and his whole body felt wrong. He looked up to see them coming closer and he tried to get to his feet again, only to feel the world spin out of control.

"Here, this will help," the Shinigami said as he came up to him.

Ichigo tried to pull away, but he wrapped something around his neck. Immediately, Ichigo felt like he was cut off from his power and he gasped, reaching up for whatever it was he put on him. The blond grabbed his hands, though and pulled them behind him, locking them together somehow. He was still dizzy and feeling strange, even more so now.

"I'll take good care of you," the blond said into his ear. "You're my perfect companion, after all."