Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Bleach and Final Fantasy Tactics.

New Resident

In a place unknown, Argath Thadalfus was lying on the ground and was regaining consciousness and he glanced around and started to get up.

"Where am I?" Argath asked as he looked around.

Argath stood up and remembered when he fought Ramza at Limberry Castle. Argath became bitter at the memory.

"I lost twice," Argath said angrily, "first at Ziekden and now at Limberry Castle," Argath swung his arm, "I shouldn't have lost. Not to that damn spoiled coddled brat. No, I won't be denied… I will kill him, I will kill Ramza Beoulve!"

"You say Ramza Beoulve?" A male voice asked.

Argath was surprised and he looked and saw an old man in dark armor and the old man was actually Goffard Gaffgarion.

"Huh, who are you?" Argath asked and he pointed at Gaffgarion, "Answer me."

"Hey now, take it easy," Gaffgarion said with his hands up, "I'm Goffard Gaffgarion and you seem to have a grudge against Ramza Beoulve."

"Hmph, what is it to you if I do?" Argath responded as he stopped pointing, "You would do best to leave my sight knave."

"Now, now, there's no need for that," Gaffgarion said as he put his hands down, "besides, you're not the only one with a grudge against Ramza Beoulve."

"Oh really?" Argath replied, "Are you saying you have a grudge against him as well?"

"Yeah I do," Gaffgarion said, "I lost my life to him… he really messed things up for me."

"Hmph, I see," Argath said.

"It would benefit well for you two with where you are now and I can provide you two the means to do what you desire," Another male voice said.

"Huh, who's there?" Argath asked as he turned around.

"Someone who's willing to aid us," Gaffgarion said.

"It is as he says," The male voice said.

Someone appeared and it was an elderly man with a cane and had a bit of a Hollow mask over his right eye.

"Really?" Argath said, "Who are you?"

The old man grinned, "Bansui Amatsuki."

Ivalice

Within the Royal Castle of the Lesalia Royal City, the capital of Ivalice, Delita was walking as he was about to make his appearance to the public. It had been nine years since he had ascended to the throne and became king when he married Ovelia. It was widely known throughout Ivalice that Delita was the hero who ended the War of the Lions that split Ivalice into two. History would speak of his heroism and deeds for years to come. Delita felt good for himself that he got to where he was. Of course almost no one knew the truth of how Delita got to where he was and it was something that Delita confessed to himself and understood as he felt miserable of what he did to Ovelia even though he acted in self-defense, he still felt rotten about it. There was also the fact that a few years ago, he learned that Orran was burned at the stake when he wrote his paper regarding the events that had occurred and he suspected that it had to do with Ramza. He also suspected that the Church of Glabados branded him a heretic and took the papers that he wrote as the truth and concealed them. Delita was upset learning of Orran's fate and he had no idea what had happened to Valmafra afterwards as well. He knew that she had been with Orran ever since Delita let them both go but he had no clue what happened to her after Orran was burned at the stake. Delita felt depressed in how things had turned but he resolved himself and went on and vowed to keep the peace of the kingdom for the sake of the people. Delita got to the balcony and addressed the people who were all cheering his name and praising him speaking of him being the hero who ended the War of the Lions. Delita gave his speech celebrating the ninth year anniversary of the end of the War of the Lions. Meanwhile someone was watching as they were standing in the air and it was a Shinigami and it was the same Shinigami that had sent Ramza to the Soul Society.

"Peace based on lies," The Shinigami commented, "the true hero is the one who you considered your friend and yet he's the one who branded as heretic for killing a demon and standing against the Church of Glabados's corruption," The Shinigami sighed sadly, "it's no different from the fact that the history of the Soul Society that is told is based on lies as well. It would seem that this place Ivalice and the Soul Society has the telling lies being common."

The Shinigami disappeared and Delita suddenly felt something but when he looked, he didn't see anyone or anything that was out of the ordinary.

"Guess I'm just imagining things," Delita said in his head.

Unknown Place

"The Soul Society?" Argath asked.

"Yes, that where Ramza Beoulve is currently residing," Amatsuki said.

"And what is this Soul Society?" Gaffgarion asked.

"The Soul Society is basically the afterlife," Amatsuki said, "most souls dwell there until they are reincarnated to the Human World. It's also the place where the Gotei 13, the Onmitsukido, and Kido Corps are based."

"The Gotei 13?" Argath asked.

"Onmitsukido?" Gaffgarion asked, "Kido Corps?"

"The three military branches that protect the Soul Society and the soldiers there are called Shinigami," Amatsuki explained, "in other words, Death Gods. A Death God takes the souls of those who pass and guide them to the Soul Society. A Shinigami was the one who guided Ramza Beoulve to the Soul Society."

"How do we get to the Soul Society?" Argath immediately asked, "Where can I find that bastard so I can kill him?"

"Hmph, it's most likely that he is already in the Rukongai within the Soul Society," Amatsuki said, "that place is where souls go when they end up in the Soul Society. However, there are 320 districts in the Rukongai and it will take time to find him. Not even Shinigami can control where the souls end up when they take them to the Rukongai."

"Hmph, wherever he may be," Argath said, "if he's there, then I just need to go there and kill him right there and then."

Amatsuki grinned, "Then in that case…"

Amatsuki brought out something and showed Argath and Gaffgarion and it was a stone. Argath was surprised as well as Gaffgarion as they both recognized the stone.

"That's an Auracite," Gaffgarion said.

"Indeed," Amatsuki said, "this is actually just one of the Auracites that Ramza Beoulve had been collecting. In case you weren't aware, Ramza Beoulve and his party had been collecting Auracites on their journey, some from the Lucavi that they had defeated. You would recall Argath as it was an Auracite that brought you from the dead."

"Yet I still lost…" Argath said bitterly.

"I guess I didn't realize that there were more about the stones and the Zodiac Braves," Gaffgarion said, "but still how did you get it? In fact, how much do you know?"

"Everything," Amatsuki said with a grin, "I know about the history of Ivalice, the events that have occurred, and I know what is happening right now in Ivalice. I have observed from behind the scenes for a long time…" Amatsuki looked in glee, "Oh I know, Argath, I'll tell what became of Delita Heiral."

"Huh, what should I care about that common animal?" Argath replied annoyed.

Amatsuki told Argath about what Delita became and he was shocked as well as disgusted.

"You lie!" Argath said furiously, "There's no way that common trash is now the King of Ivalice."

"Would like to see for yourself?" Amatsuki asked.

Argath was surprised and Gaffgarion just looked at Argath and then closed his eyes.

"So Lord Dycedarg failed in his ambition," Gaffgarion said in his head.

District 40 of West Rukongai, Takame

It had been nine years since Ramza arrived in the Soul Society's fortieth district of the west side of Rukongai. Events happened when he arrived and within a week, a lot happened. Nothing much had happened since the conflict between the Shinigami and the Toga Clan that he was a part of which ended with the death of the leader Reddo Toga who was killed by Kosei Kotobuki who was part of the Toga Clan as well. Things had calmed down since then as the Toga Clan was disbanded and Kosei left to become a Shinigami. Relationships had also changed with not only with the Matsuzaki brothers in a positive way but the relationship with Takeshi and Satsuki which ended up being strained as Satsuki's noble heritage was revealed. Ramza pretty much did what he did being in the district and he had people associated with who he can consider as friends. Ramza was amazed at the years that had passed as he felt that went by with a blink of an eye. Ramza was now walking through the forest and he had a wooden sword with him. It was given to him by Yuji who kept it around in his home. Ramza suspected that it had to do with the fact that the Matsuzaki brothers had connections in the Seireitei as he learned a day after the conflict nine years ago. There was a sudden presence that was felt and Ramza was surprised.

"What was that?" Ramza asked, "Is someone here?"

Ramza looked and went to where it came from. Ramza went in deeper in the forest and saw what he believed to be the source of the presence that he felt. What Ramza saw was someone leaning on the trunk of a tree and was not moving and was near the field of blue spider lilies.

"Someone's here," Ramza said, "Wait, could it be someone who died and came here in the Soul Society, the same way that happened to me?"

Ramza went over to check on the person thinking that there was a new resident going to be living in the district. Ramza saw that it was a young woman that had long light brown hair. Ramza looked closer and he was shocked as he actually recognized the woman. There was no doubt in his mind as he recognized the woman.

"Despite not having her hood, it's really her," Ramza said, "Meliadoul."

Meliadoul Tengille was the one laying on side of the tree. Meliadoul was wearing a light lime green robe with golden sash and flower patterns on the robe. Meliadoul started to open her eyes and she was looked and saw Ramza.

"Ramza?" Meliadoul spoke.

"Hello Meliadoul," Ramza said happy to see one of his allies from Ivalice.

Meliadoul was shocked and quickly picked herself up and looked around.

"Where are we Ramza?" Meliadoul asked.

"We're in the Soul Society," Ramza answered.

"Wait, are we really in the Soul Society?" Meliadoul asked as she looked around, "Are we really in the afterlife?"

"Indeed we are," Ramza said.

"I see," Meliadoul said, "so we really are here…" Meliadoul looked at Ramza, "You're here as well…"

Ramza nodded happy to see Meliadoul. The woman in question rushed over and gave Ramza a hug much to Ramza's surprised.

"I'm so happy to see you again," Meliadoul said, "after that battle and that explosion, I didn't know what happened. The next thing I knew, I was alone. There was no one around. I didn't know what happened. Seeing you here makes my heart glad."

Ramza smiled and hugged Meliadoul back.

"I'm happy to see you again Meliadoul," Ramza said happily, "I had no idea what happened. Thank goodness that I get to see you again."

"I feel the same way," Meliadoul said happily.

Afterwards, Ramza explained things to Meliadoul about where they were in the Soul Society and the circumstance and in turn Meliadoul mentioned the Shinigami and it sounded like the same one that Ramza faced.

"I see," Ramza said and then he nodded, "anyway since you're here, why don't you come with me. I'll show you and teach you what I know. I'll also introduce you to some people. They really helped me out when I arrived here."

"Very well," Meliadoul said with a nod, "I trust you Ramza."

"Let's go," Ramza said.

Ramza and Meliadoul walked together and spoke to each other as they walked as Meliadoul had questions for Ramza and Ramza asked things to see if Meliadoul knew.

Seireitei

Shinigami were in various places and some were talking to each other while others were making purchases from shops and stalls. People were suddenly noticing people as they were walking by. The people that the others were noticing were the three members of the Gotei 13's 12th Division. The one in the middle was the 12th Division Captain Kisuke Urahara along with his lieutenant Hiyori Sarugaki and his 3rd Seat Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Soon, Shinji Hirako who was the Captain of the 5th Division came by and Sosuke Aizen who was actually the Lieutenant of the 5th Division followed him. There were three more people that came by and they were members of the 10th Division. The one wearing a haori was a red haired man and he was Seigen Suzunami, the Captain of the 10th Division and the two with him were actually his co-Lieutenants, Matsuri and Fujimaru Kudo who were not only twin siblings but also Seigen's adoptive children.

"Oh Kisuke and Seigen, good morning you two," Shinji said.

Kisuke and Seigen looked and saw Shinji and Aizen.

"Hey, morning Shinji," Seigen greeted with a smile.

"Hmm, good morning Captain Hirako," Kisuke said with a smile.

"I told you to call me Shinji," Shinji complained, "You really are such a pain."

Kisuke chuckled in response, "Ah sorry about that. I don't mean to be a pain."

Shinji sighed, "Anyway…" Shinji saw the twins and smiled, "good morning Fujimaru and Matsuri."

"Morning Captain," Fujimaru greeted with a grin.

"How are you Captain Hirako?" Matsuri said with a smile.

"I feel great," Shinji said with glee, "thank you for asking Matsuri. You're so sweet."

"Oh Captain," Matsuri replied flattered as she blushed.

"Shinji, could you not hit on my daughter," Seigen said as his eye twitched.

"Yes Captain, it's highly inappropriate," Aizen said as he looked embarrassed.

"Oh c'mon," Shinji said.

"There's no harm," Matsuri assured, "Captain Hirako is being friendly."

"Of course you would say that," Fujimaru said shifting his eyes.

"Oh, good morning Mayuri," Shinji said to Kurotsuchi.

"Yeah, morning Mayuri," Fujimaru said.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi looked at Shinji and Fujimaru with annoyance.

"I've told the both of you repeatedly that I prefer to maintain the formality and to address me as Kurotsuchi," Kurotsuchi berated, "the two of you are such bothersome men."

Shinji and Fujimaru just looked at Kurotsuchi and were annoyed.

"Man, you're such a pain," Fujimaru said.

"Seriously, what a douche," Shinji said.

"Oh by the way," Shinji said as he realized something, "Kisuke and Seigen, have the two of you heard the latest news?"

"What latest news?" Kisuke asked.

"Huh?" Seigen responded.

Before Shinji had a chance to say anything else, he was viciously kicked in the legs by a very angry Hiyori. Shinji fell on the ground and held his legs while glaring at Hiyori.

"What the hell was that for Hiyori?!" Shinji asked with anger.

"You didn't say hi to me yet!" Hiyori said upset, "You got some nerve to greet everyone else but not bother to greet me!"

Hiyori grabbed Shinji by his collar and his hair.

"Why the hell should I bother saying hi to you in the first place?!" Shinji shot back.

Shinji and Hiyori were at each other's throats and Kisuke laughed nervously while Seigen, Fujimaru, and Matsuri just looked at them and were annoyed and they were annoyed with Hiyori's reactions and antics.

"Should we try to stop this?" Matsuri asked.

"Don't bother," Seigen said, "there's no point. I realized that years ago."

"Right, right…" Fujimaru replied.

"Oh by the way," Aizen said, "have any of you heard yet?"

"No we still haven't," Kisuke said.

"Heard what?" Seigen asked, "What is it? What is the latest news?"

"So you two haven't heard about the violent deaths that have occurred in the Rukongai?" Aizen asked.

"Hey!" Shinji said as he was able to free himself from Hiyori, "I was going to say that," Shinji gave a thumb up, "Nice going Sosuke."

The others were surprised in what they heard.

"Wait, violent deaths?" Kisuke asked.

"That sounds very disturbing," Fujimaru said.

"Yeah, it is," Shinji said with a serious expression, "for the past month, people have started to vanish and the cause is unknown."

"They vanish?" Kisuke asked, "As in they just left and never came back?"

"You dumbass, that's not vanishing, that's just running away," Shinji replied, "If that was the case, no one would bother. No not this, this is different… they literally vanished. Gone without a trace as in it's meant that they evaporated leaving only their clothes behind. If they died and became Reishi, the clothes they were wearing would disappear with them but they didn't die, they vanished alive unable to retain human form. That's the only explanation I can think of."

"Unable to retain human form," Kisuke said.

"You're right Shinji," Seigen said, "this is unnatural."

"It is but what could possibly make the residents of the Rukongai vanish like that?" Matsuri asked disturbed.

"This is not good," Fujimaru said as he pondered about the whole thing.

"What else is there Shinji?" Seigen asked.

"I don't have anything else," Shinji replied as he stood up, "I wasn't there much. I'm just telling you all what I heard from Captain Unohana. Now you all know what I know," Shinji turned around, "well at any rate, the 9th Division has already arrived on the scene to investigate."

Fugai, Rukongai

Members of the 9th Division had arrived to investigate. The one leading was Kensei Muguruma, the Captain of the 9th Division. Along with him was Heizo Kasaki the 3rd Seat, Shinobu Eishima the 4th Seat, Kaname Tosen who was now the 5th Seat in the division and had his face covered, and Izaemon Todo the 6th Seat. One member was behind them and it was Mashiro Kuna, the 9th Division Lieutenant.

"Hey Kensei," Mashiro spoke, "Hey! Are you listening Kensei? What do you mean by unknown?"

Kensei stopped and faced Mashiro annoyed.

"Quiet already!" Kensei said, "Unknown means unknown. Quit your annoying babbling already!"

"What's wrong with you?" Mashiro replied back, "A captain can't just investigate unknown without knowing what it is first."

"We don't know! That's why it's unknown!" Kensei explained.

"Yeah but an advance party was already sent out first," Mashiro point out, "ten people. You could have just waited for them to report, but no, 'I'm Kensei, I can't wait…'"

Mashiro was mocking Kensei and Tosen was trying to get her to stop.

"Lieutenant, please stop," Tosen pleaded, "you're doing it again."

Kensei couldn't stand that his lieutenant was acting up and mocking him again and was ready to do something but two of his subordinates held him back.

"No Captain, please calm down," Shinobu pleaded.

"She acts like this just to annoy you," Heizo pointed out.

"First of all, when did I ever say that you should come along?" Kensei asked as he freed himself from his 3rd and 4th Seat, "You don't need to come along. So go home, take a shit, and go to sleep, idiot!"

"Boooo, I'm your lieutenant so I have to always be with my captain," Mashiro replied back in a mocking tone, "You're the stupid one for not knowing that Kensei."

Kensei clenched his teeth in response.

"Stupid!" Mashiro added.

Kensei was furious and about to teach Mashiro a painful lesson but his four subordinates stopped him and held him back pleading him to not give in to Mashiro's taunts. Mashiro was on the ground whining and complaining about not wanting to deal with things.

"Captain, what should we do?" Izaemon asked.

Kensei freed himself again and sighed.

"Just ignore her," Kensei said.

Kensei turned around and walked a bit and then there was a sudden roar and it surprised Kensei. Kensei and his subordinates moved in and they saw that a four legged Hollow was attacking a few kids. One of the kids urged the others to run away and they did it out of fear for their friend's safety. The members of the 9th Division rushed over to protect the child and Heizo, Shinobu, Tosen, and Izaemon attacked the Hollow with their swords, however their sword slashes wasn't enough to even stop the Hollow, much to their frustrations and then Kensei ordered his subordinates step back as he decided to handle it and they did what they were told. Kensei faced the large roaring four legged Hollow and held his Zanpakuto horizontally.

"Blow it away," Kensei said as he activated his Zanpakuto, "Tachikaze!"

Kensei swung his Tachikaze and multiple air blades of wind formed and the giant four legged Hollow was cut up before it exploded and was destroyed into pieces. Kensei sighed with relief as he resealed his Zanpakuto and sheathed it. Heizo, Shinobu, Tosen, and Izaemon joined up with him.

"Is everyone alright?" Kensei asked.

"Yes sir," Kensei's four subordinates said in unison.

The boy that had black hair and dark gray eyes that had stayed behind to protect his friends looked on and was amazed at what he had just witnessed. He felt the strength leaving his legs and he fell on his knees on the ground. The black haired boy started to cry. Kensei approached him noticing the kid crying.

"Hey, what are you crying for kid?" Kensei asked.

The boy didn't say anything and was still crying.

"You're alive kid," Kensei said, "you should be happy about that."

The boy was still crying and Kensei just looked at the boy and then he gave a bit of scary smile with a hostile expression.

"Laugh kid!" Kensei demanded with his hostile tone.

"That's asking too much Captain," Shinobu said disturbed at what he was seeing.

"No, it's not," Kensei replied as he went and got the boy up on his feet, "stand up kid."

The boy continued to cry as he wiped tears from his face.

"What's your name kid?" Kensei asked.

"It's Shuhei," The boy answered still tearing up, "Shuhei Hisagi."

"Shuhei, is it?" Kensei replied, "That's a strong sounding name so you should stop crying!"

Shuhei just looked at Kensei and started crying again much to Kensei's surprise.

"Huh, why are you still crying?" Kensei asked puzzled, "I said stop," Kensei sighed, "unbelievable…"

"Kensei!" Mashiro called.

Kensei looked and saw Mashiro running towards him and then she stopped.

"Mashiro, where the hell were you?" Kensei asked upset.

"Listen while I was hiding in the bushes," Mashiro interjected annoying Kensei on the fact she had just shamelessly admitted in hiding and not doing her part, "I found something on the ground," Mashiro showed Kensei a robe, "look, it's a Shihakusho."

Kensei was shocked and the other officers were shocked as well.

"And look," Mashiro continued pointed at the ground, "there's more… ten in total."

"Wait, did you say ten?" Kensei asked shocked again.

Kensei, Heizo, Shinobu, Tosen, and Izaemon looked and saw that the other Shihakushos on the ground and they were disturbed as it implied what it had meant.

"Captain, they must be…" Shinobu spoke.

"Yeah, there's no doubt about it," Kensei said.

"What, what?" Mashiro asked, "Are ten sets important or something?"

"You're such an idiot Mashiro," Kensei said, "ten… that's the same number of members of the advance party."

"But these were taken off, right?" Mashiro replied.

"How can they be taken off with the sashes still tied?" Kensei asked, "How could they have taken off their socks with their sandals still on?"

Mashiro looked on confused and Kensei turned to his other subordinates.

"Shinobu," Kensei said.

"Sir," Shinobu answered.

"Contact Central 46," Kensei said, "Souls have vanished and we have Shinigami casualties."

"Yes sir," Shinobu said.

"Izaemon," Kensei said.

"Sir," Izaemon replied.

"There may be an unknown pathogen that disintegrate souls," Kensei said, "make a request to the 12th Division to send lab personnel."

"Understood sir," Izaemon said.

"Heizo," Kensei said.

"Sir," Heizo replied.

"Have the main division stand by and send tents," Kensei said, "we'll set up camp here tonight."

"Yes sir," Heizo said with a nod.

"If this is the work of an enemy targeting Shinigami, they'll eventually target the Seireitei," Kensei said, "we'll crush them before they get anywhere near the Seireitei."

"Yes sir," The 3rd, 4th, and 6th Seats said.

"Move out," Kensei said.

Shinobu, Izaemon, and Heizo left to do what they were assigned to do while Tosen and Mashiro were still with Kensei.

"Captain, what about me?" Tosen asked.

"Kaname, you come with me," Kensei said, "We'll be checking the area."

"Understood," Tosen said with a nod.

Kensei turned to Shuhei and told him to head home before it got dark. Shuhei nodded and then noticed the tattoo on Kensei's chest. The tattoo was the number 69 and Shuhei was in awe when he saw it. Kensei, Tosen, and Mashiro left to check the area with Mashiro mentioning that she wasn't a 'camping person'.

District 40 of West Rukongai, Takame

Satsuki was shocked as she had her eyes twitch. The reason she felt that way was because Ramza was with Meliadoul who was being introduced as a new resident in the district and how Ramza found her and the fact that he actually knew her from before as they came from the same place as Ramza said.

"I see," Yuji said.

"So you're Meliadoul Tengille," Yashiro said, "and you know Ramza."

"Yes," Meliadoul said, "Ramza and I are close allies."

"I see," Yuji said and then he smiled, "it's nice to meet you Meliadoul. I am Yuji Matsuzaki," Yuji turned to his right, "this is my younger brother Yashiro."

"Hi there," Yashiro said with a nod.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Meliadoul said with a nod, "Ramza has spoken highly of you two."

"Has he?" Yashiro replied surprised.

Yashiro looked at Ramza and was surprised that he would say positive things about him after what happened nine years. Satsuki approached Ramza and Meliadoul and she stared at Meliadoul. Meliadoul felt a bit uncomfortable of the stare that she was getting from Satsuki.

"Um hello," Meliadoul said.

"Hello there," Satsuki said and smiled, "I'm Satsuki Akechi, it's nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you," Meliadoul said, "I take it that you're also one of Ramza's friends."

"Yes," Satsuki said and suddenly wrapped her arms around Ramza, "in fact, we're very close… very close."

Ramza was surprised at Satsuki's action and looked at Akechi Clan's second daughter.

"Satsuki, um, what are you doing?" Ramza asked.

"What do you mean?" Satsuki said with a smile, "I'm just showing how close we are."

"Well I see that you two are quite… close," Meliadoul said, "but..." Meliadoul grabbed Ramza's hand, "I believe that Ramza and I are just as close if not closer."

"Um Meliadoul," Ramza spoke.

Meliadoul looked determined and Satsuki just stared at Meliadoul and Ramza sighed wondered what was going on while the two Matsuzaki brothers looked amused.

"You have quite an interesting friend Ramza," Meliadoul said.

"Ramza, you really do have quite the friend there," Satsuki said as she was moving closer to Ramza.

Meliadoul responded by getting closer to Ramza as well and Ramza was confused and sighed as he didn't know what was going on.

That's it for the chapter. Next chapter: A night of treachery and a year later, a decision is made for a new path to take.