Beyond Death

by Girl-of-Action

Hit by a drunk driver of all things, Ichigo's human life comes to an abrupt end. Believing he knows what is beyond death, Ichigo expects merely to reappear in his shinigami form- not flung over fifty years into the past, to when Aizen's plans are coming into fruition and a single misstep can change the entire course of the future as he knows it. Time Travel AU. Discontinued.

7. Chapter 7

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and never will.

Warnings: Violence, language, blood&gore...

-DIVIDER-

Kurosaki Ichigo's POV…

I idly pick at the bandages wrapped tightly around my chest as I sit in the back of the Nakashimas' wagon, Hatsu-san giving me annoyed glances all the while. When I had returned from the fight with Ikkaku, the woman had, instead of panicking and fussing like I'd probably thought she would have before our, uh, argument, she instead quickly stitched and bandaged the wound while giving me a sound, verbal beating all the while. With the way she acts now, I honestly have no idea how I ever could have thought that she's even remotely similar to Orihime. Instead, she's currently more like Rukia, except less violent, more deceptive and much less chappy the rabbit obsessed, I guess...

On another matter, I've been thinking of ways to get to the World of the Living. Meiji told me the location of one of Aizen's hidden labs, but I'm leary of going there. I doubt Aizen left the place unguarded, and I wouldn't put it past him for it be completely full of booby traps. Even if I managed to get past all of that, I would have no idea what to do. They don't exactly discuss dimensional transportation in high school science labs. No, I'd have more luck making my way to the 12th and intimidating one of the scientists into help me. Of course, I'd have to break into the Seireitei, but that's not something I haven't done before. I'll have the scientist open a gateway to the World of the Living for me and will bring him along too, just to make sure he doesn't drop me half way around the world from Urahara's shop. After I'm back in Karakura, I'll ditch the shinigami and head straight for Hat&Clog's place. He'll get me to Hueco Mundo, and probably figure out what the hell is wrong with the Soul Society while I'm gone.

Yeah, that sounds like a solid plan. I nod to myself, relieved. It took me only, what, three days to get my act together? Pathetic. But at least I have my head on straight now. I'm coming, Orihime!

"We're almost there, Shinigami-san," Nakashima-san says, glancing back at me from where he sits at the head of the wagon, holding the reigns to the mulls. Already I can see the city in the distance.

"How long do you think?" I ask.

"No more than an hour."

I nod, offering them my first real smile. "Thanks." He returns the smile and dips that large straw hat of his to me in response. It has gone pretty smoothly since last night. We've passed a few unsavory looking folk going the opposite direction of us, but once catching sight of me idly cleaning Zangetsu on the wagon, they were quick enough to look away and concentrate on their own journey.

"How long will you stay?" I give a questioning grunt. "With us, I mean, after we arrive?" It's Hatsu-san speaking. I look at her, but she doesn't meet my gaze, merely watching the largely desolate scenery as our little group carries on.

I don't hesitate to answer. "As soon as you get settled in…. and I guess, after one last meal." After all, I've only had two meals over the course of the last three days, and I don't know when I'll be getting my next. It shouldn't take too long to scarf down a few things before heading out to the 12th. "But as soon as I finish, I've got to go," I reiterate firmly.

Nothing is said for the next few minutes.

Then, "It would take several weeks for us to become safely settled in," Hatsu-san says slowly. "So… I suppose…. If you ever find yourself in need of a place to stay during that time, you would be welcome back with us."

I make a small sound of surprise, looking at her curiously. A few of her long strands of brown hair have fallen into her face, and as she speaks to me she delicately grabs them and winds them back into the fold of her high hair bun. Her honey brown eyes stay fixed on the side of the dirt road, and her light pink lips are pursed into a small, resolute line. I wonder what she is thinking. I'd thought she'd never want to see me again after last night's embarrassing miscommunication.

Although she isn't looking at me, I offer her a small smile. "Thanks." Even though there is no way I plan on sticking around any longer than I feel I need to, it's still nice to know that I have a friendly place with the Nakashimas if I need it, especially with all the crap that I've been through the last few days.

Finally Hatsu-san turns her gaze toward me, lips twitching upward into an almost half smile. Then she scoffs quietly and shakes her head. "Don't thank me. It is just practical that I offer."

Yeah. Friendly place with the Nakashimas, right here.

-DIVIDER-

Hitsugaya Toshiro's POV…

I lean again the ancient, moss covered tree, taking a moment to regain my breath. I look down, stretching my toes and feeling the cool mud underneath them. It is a relief, and will serve me well when treading on the scathing, worn and weathered ground of the city. At least, that is, until the mud dries into a disgusting hard shell. I might as well enjoy it while I can. I wiggle my toes deeper into it, giving a soft sigh of contentment. As I do so I hear quiet, quizzical sounds and give a small start of surprise, looking up to see a girl and a boy about my age. I've seen them around before; their family just moved from a lower numbered district, a rarity in and of itself. It just goes to show how well the newest trading settlement is doing.

I halt my rambling thoughts in favor of quickly reminding myself to smile. Don't mess this up, Toshiro! First impressions are everything. I tell myself sternly, and listening to my own advice I do my best, twisting my lips upward. My back is stiff as a bored as I wait for a response from the two. The boy looks healthy and lean for his age, dressed in simple blue with a dark blue sash tied around his waist. The girl is very pretty, with black hair that almost seems to shine in the sunlight and big, innocent looking brown eyes. She wears a plain green kimono with a large, red bow tied around her middle. The pair share a look, the girl seeming to question her somewhat older brother with it. Should I… Should I make the first move? I… don't have to do anything major, just a simple hi and- Ah, but no. The older boy offers his sister a small, strained smile and slight shake of his head. The pair run off together, their bare feet hardly making a sound as they flee deeper into the woods surrounding northwest side of the city. I stare after them until they disappear from view, which isn't too long of a wait. My head slumps downward and I stare mournfully at my feet, the small pleasure the coolness of the mud gave me earlier, now like a distant memory. I move away from the tree I've been resting by and continue my journey toward the city…

Why are they afraid of me?... I haven't done anything to them… But it seems to me, that everyone is afraid of me… Is is my bright silver hair? Or perhaps it is the unusual color of my eyes that frightens them. Could it be because I am distant toward people I don't know? A soft clinking comes from my fisted hand as I pick up my pace, and I slow down again at the sound to glance at the coins in hand. I feel a pang of guilt. No, not everyone is afraid of me. Not Granny. I remember how kindly she welcomed me to her home when I woke up for the first time in the Rukongai, lost and afraid. Alone. And more recently, I remember the smile on her face when I offered to go buy us sweets. She… I'm worried about her. She's been looking rather ill lately, and now seems thinner. Could it have anything to do with them, those strange dreams I've been having? I think Granny became ill around the time I began having them, although she insists that she's fine, I know better.

I pick up my pace again.

Maybe, if I can figure out just what is wrong with Granny, the next time Momo visits I can ask her to buy some special medicine in the Seireitei for Granny… Well, if Momo ever visits again. The last time she visited, I said something I deeply regret. "If that academy of yours is so great, why don't you just stay there instead of visiting us?" I'd been so jealous and petty, hearing about all the friends she'd been making, and the kindness of the wonderful 'Aizen-taicho'...

…. Stupid. So stupid! She used to visit every time she had a day off... The last time I saw her was almost a year ago. She said before she left last that she has finals and would have to get settled into her new division- "Oh, I hope it's the fifth!" -, so it would be awhile until she could visit again, but surely it doesn't take this long!... When I told Granny my thoughts, she had only patted my hand comfortingly and told me to keep my faith in Momo, that a year is nothing in the grand scheme of things… I want to keep faith in Momo, I really do, but as each day slips by I begin to wonder… Maybe this is for the best. No doubt Momo has achieved her dream. She's in that 'Aizen-taicho's' division that I used to hear about so much, helping him with his vision for a better world, a better Soul Society as a whole, and not just for those in the Seireitei- for those of us in the Rukongai as well. This bustling trade center is a testimony to that, one of Aizen-taicho's social experiments he arranged only a few years ago, just before I arrived. Now Momo's a part of his plans, just like she's wanted from the first time she saw him. Part of something greater than just surviving… I'm happy for her. Why wouldn't I be? Momo and Granny have been the only people to treat me as an actual person, instead of some type of freak of nature.

Momo and Granny.

Now just Granny.

Because Momo is gone now, gone to a better place with higher goals. The sooner I accept this, the better.

My hand tightens around the coins given to me. I should concentrate on the person still with me. I'll buy some sweets and start searching for help for Granny in the city. They may not like me, but if I tell them it is for Granny, they might help. She is one of the city's elders after all… After I make a less than pleasant trip to the sweetshop, I head to the marketplace. I'll start my search there first.

I perk up when the market place comes into view and I weave and bob my way through the mass of bustling people. Now that I'm at the market place, where exactly here should go to first…? Maybe if I-

SLAM!

"Just what do you think you're trying to do?!"

I nearly jump out of my skin at the brash yelling, and so do most of the people near me. We all turn to gawk at the exchange taking place. A young looking male dressed in a beige cloak and a simple rag wrapped around the top of his head stands nearby. One of his fists is pressed heavily against an expertly crafted wooden stall and the man leans forward with lips slightly pulled back into an angry snarl. Next to him stands a young lady, and although she is facing away from me, I can tell she is beautiful, even with her simple kimono and long brown hair done up tightly in a bun. I watch them with all the fascination one would an approaching train wreck, fearing for them, but having no power to stop the oncoming crash. This is because the person the male is picking a fight with is none other than Yasuda Kuma, one of the most well-respected and powerful people of this city, with practically half if not more of the citizens at his beck and call, what with all the things he has his greedy little fingers in. He also happens to set the price for several goods in the market, because he can afford to sell products at outrageously low prices… So usually, if he tells someone to jump, they don't even pause to ask how high. They're already up in the air.

I don't feel too much pity for the male though. It's pretty obvious he's a complete moron. No, I feel sorry for the young-appearing lady with him. My worry over her fate is the only reason I dally about any longer.

"Shin-" she starts to say, only for her companion to brush her off.

"No, Hatsu-san. This man," he spits the word out harshly and I nearly wince at the sound of it, and when the guards shadowing Yasuda takes a threatening step forward, only to be ignored by the moron and regarded frightfully by the woman. My breath catches in my throat, willing for her companion to Shut. Up. He doesn't seem to get the deadly vibes I'm sending out towards him, nor the ones from the imposing guards. "-can't talk to you like that." He's speaking in a yelling whisper, somehow. As though he's trying to keep his voice down, but practically anyone within a ten foot radius can hear him crystal clear.

"What are you, her husband?" Yasuda asks, chuckling good naturedly. He's amused, probably the only reason why his bodyguards haven't acted.

The beautiful lady is quick to shake her head in a clear no. Smart woman. The moron on the other hand only grinds his teeth and gives out a gruff, "No."

Yasuda spreads his hands out welcomingly. "Then what is the problem? The dear lady and I can talk business tonight and we'll have this all settled by morning."

Slowly the moron's hand unfurls as he straightens his posture. "Business…" He mutters with an eery calm, the surrounding market place suddenly so quiet you could hear a writing brush drop. "Business you say…" One of the woman's hands wraps around the moron's closest arm, her nails digging in in warning and as well as pleading, but her silent plea goes unheeded. A hand darts out and suddenly the moron is viciously shaking a shocked Yasuda by his collar. "Business, my ass!"

Chaos breaks loose.

On second thought, perhaps it'd be for the best if I come back later. I duck my head, doing my best to protect it and keep out of the way at the sudden stampede of people vacating the area. I see my chance, a small space between buildings, only big enough for someone my size. I could easily slip through a be on my-

THUMP!

I see stars. And feel a heavy, oppressing weight on top of me. I can't move. I can't breathe. I groan quietly. So does, I now realize, the person on top of me. I squint, my eye sight clearing and I see… My breath catches. It's Yasuda. Had he fallen on top of me? I look past him. No, there is the moron, one hand outstretched. Had he managed to throw Yasuda one handed? And the bodyguards? Whimpering at the moron's feet. I look on in horror as the man strides forward, yanking Yasuda off of me and carelessly throwing him off to the side. The moron goes to crouch in front of me. "Hey, are you-"

I stare at him as his brown eyes become more focused and his expression becomes disbelieving. "T-? Ah, geez, I'm really sorry." He tells me sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. He extends his other hand to offer me help back up.

I open and close my mouth like a suffocating fish on land. I notice out of the corner of my eyes citizens cautiously poking there heads of buildings doorways, from their crouched positions behind stalls and various other hiding places… It's at this moment that I realize; I can't be associated with this guy! If I do, I'll be even more ostracized than I already am. What little life I have here will be gone! So I do the only thing I can. Closing my eyes for this split second, one fisted hand springs forward and catches the moron right on the face. "You're insane!" I yell. "Get away from me!" Using the opening I created, I wiggle away from him and jump to my feet, running the moment they touch the harsh ground.

-DIVIDER-

Kurosaki Ichigo's POV…

I slowly go to stand, watching Toshiro round the corner down the road as I gently rub where he hit me on the cheek. I guess I'm not really surprised anymore, about people I know and care for treating me like a complete stranger. What stuns me is not why he reacted the way he did, but how he reacted. Who closes their eyes while they punch? Moreover, when does a captain of the Gotei 13 punch like that? He definitely should know better. Then again, he wasn't dressed like a shinigami at all. Instead, he looked just like some kid, and with no shoes no less… In fact, right now, I think he is just some kid, and not a captain or shinigami at all.

The pieces fall into place.

I think I know now…

I think I know what's happened.

It's not that no one remembers me…

It's that no one has ever met me. At least, not yet.

"BEHIND YOU!" I whirl around, just in time to catch a katana aimed for my neck. By the blade. I grimace. Shit! It doesn't hurt me, but I'd agreed with the Nakashimas that I'd try to keep a low profile-

I stare at the groaning bodyguards, in fetal positions on the ground, the reality of what I've done settles in. So much for that idea. I think solemnly to myself.

The man whose blade I hold stutters, looking even more terrified when he tries to pull it out of my grip and fails without even managing to make a scratch. Instead I scowl, pulling his weapon toward me and smashing my fist against Yasuda's would be rescuer's face. More follow, intent on impressing the big boss and getting his approval by taking me down, is my guess... In all honesty, I hadn't meant for it all to get this much out of hand. I only wanted to rough the guy up a bit, make him think twice about trying to coarse every pretty girl he sees into doing 'business' with him, even worse how he subtly threatened to drive them out of town if Hatsu didn't agree.

I tentatively step between the mass of beaten opponents, making my way to Hatsu-san. She's standing with her back pressed firmly against the building behind her. She stays very still as I stop in front of her. "Thanks for the warning earlier," I say. No response. I frown, waving one hand in front of her face some. "Hatsu-san, it's over. You can relax now." Nothing. Where's that subtly intellectual, verbal spitfire personality that I've learned over the last day to be the real Hatsu-san? I'm starting to get worried. "Oi, Hatsu-san, are you hurt? Say something."

"Shinigami-san... You've…" Her expression darkens. "You've ruined everything!" I jolt back at the intense ferocity behind her hissed words. She goes on before I can get a word in edgewise. "I was seen with you, and after you've done this, do you think my uncle and I will be welcome here?! At best, we'll be boycotted and forced to move. At worst, we'll be dead as soon as you leave."

"I… Hatsu-san, I didn't mean-"

"She's right." At least, I think that's what the 'businessman' says, as his jaw must have been dislocated after I threw him. I look to see the man struggling to get up, face contorted into a vicious look. "Because of your actions I'll make sure they never have a life here! I want you all out of my city by sundown or else-"

"Else what, Yasuda?"

"Officer Suzuki!" Yasuda garbles in surprise. Quickly recovering he demands, "Arrest this man!" while shoving an accusing finger in my direction.

The officer ignores this and goes on bitterly, men in matching uniforms appearing on scene, all with solemn or angry expressions, but those expressions are thankfully not directed at me. "I asked you a question. 'Else what?' What would you do if you couldn't bully families into doing what you want? Kill them?" Yasuda sputters indignantly. "Of course, I wouldn't know. I don't know a lot about your business, not because I don't know where to look, but because of my own cowardice." He strides forward. "No longer." Taking Yasuda roughly by one arm, he drags the larger man to his feet. "Yasuda Kuma, you are under arrest for blackmail, theft, threatening law enforcement, invasion and destruction of private property, and host of other crimes no doubt."

As the city's law enforcement floods the market place, arresting the beaten mercenaries now just barely regaining their wits, Hatsu-san and I share a mutual look of hope and relief. I offer her a tentative smile, trying to communicate assurance and apology with the gesture. She only shakes her head some at me, her relieved expression transforming to one of determination as she marches off to speak with Officer Suzuki. As soon as she does, I spot a mane of orange, wavy hair some distance behind where Hatsu-san once stood. With Hatsu-san no longer blocking my view, I can blatantly see one Masumoto Rangiku staring with wistful interest at me. Noticing that I'm returning her gaze, the vibrant shinigami flashes a coy smile and with a quick and playful wink, somehow proceeds to disappear into the growing crowd of the market place.

-DIVIDER-

Matsumoto Rangiku's POV, a few minutes earlier…

"If you ever want to become a man, then stop crying and stand up for yourself!"

"Hey, what happened wasn't my fault and I'm not crying, so let go of me!" The boy yells in my face as I hold him up by his clothing, tears of frustration near leaving his eyes, and- what is that? Reiatsu? It must be, and quite a bit of it too. All of that reiatsu in this little boy… It's pretty startling to say the least, could this be-? But no, reports said that that boy appears older, and with orange hair like mine, right? Some even said that he possesses Shiba-esque characteristics, none of which match this cute kid, who has bright white hair and ice blue eyes.

"Hmm," I mutter thoughtfully, tilting my head cutely to one side as I study the kid. I'd found him being more or less bullied by the store owner, when the man had the nerve to treat the boy like some lower class freak he only tolerated for the money the boy brought with him. I became even more furious when the boy didn't even try to stand up for himself and decided to step in and speak out. However, now that I really look at the kid, he doesn't seem as weak-spined as I first took him for.

Fed up, the boy rudely slaps away the hand holding him and hops back. "I said let go!" Then snatching his candy and change he runs off. I try calling for him but he doesn't listen. I ponder for a moment catching up with him, something I could easily accomplish, but I quickly dismiss the idea. It's pretty clear that approaching the child with something as life changing as 'You need to become a shinigami pronto, hon, else you might really hurt someone,' will not go over well with him, especially after such a poor first meeting with a shinigami. I guess I'll have to swing by sometime tonight after my shift and find him. That shouldn't be too hard, untrained as he is and with his peculiar reiatsu now committed to memory.

Speaking of peculiar reiatsu, that other one from earlier still has yet to simmer down. For the past five minutes or so it has been in a constant state of… not panic, nor anger… more like intense agitation. And it's quickly rising. I give a small sigh. I suppose I'll have to go check it out then. It'll take me further from my patrol route, but if I use shunpo that shouldn't be too much of an issue… First things first though… I turn on the sweet shop owner, giving him a writhing glare that he's quick to shy away from. I demand what I want in a clipped tone and he quickly complies, before trying to insist I can have it for free. With a firm shake of my head, I set down what I owe and am soon on my way, head held high.

A little while later I stand in the sky, looking down on the mess before me and the two young-appearing adults below, one of whom, the male, is the source of that rather heavy, agitated reiatsu. Now this… this one has to be the boy from the reports. He's definitely not a trained shinigami, and although the color of his hair is hidden (the most distinguishing feature he has according to the reports), just how many strongly spiritually gifted kids can be discovered in the Rukongai in just one week? One is a special find, two is a rarity. Three? All but impossible. Maybe I should get a closer look though, just the same… My sudden appearance on the market place ground goes largely unnoticed with what's happening, the defeat of a mass of mercenaries and the arrest of, not the assailant, but the merchant to have hired the mercenaries it seems. Huh, weird. But I'm sure the officer knows what he's doing, this is Aizen-taicho's pet project after all. Usually the only official law enforcement in the Soul Society are the shinigami, the kido corp and the onmitsukidō, so basically only those with substantial spiritual pressure can be, and moreover are expected to be, law enforcement. Only now and in this social experiment has those with little to none reiatsu been allowed to join any form of official law enforcement.

When the girl moves from the boy's side to speak with the officer, I see my person of interest clearly for the first time. He's not the cute kid I'd expected from a Shiba-esque child. The white haired little guy from earlier is more akin to that, he has the idea of cuteness down pat. But this one? Although he does have the Shiba's signature features, his scowl throws me in for a loop. What I would consider a foreign expression on any Shiba (and believe me, I know the clan well!), looks right at home on his face. I wouldn't describe him as 'cute' either, though I have to say, he does look pretty attractive, in a ruggedly handsome kinda way. Too bad he's way too young for me. Still, nothing wrong with teasing him a bit… I see him staring back at me, and offer a sweet smile and a playful wink before stepping back and letting the growing crowd of the market place overtake me, hiding me from view. I leave the premises and return to my patrol route with a thoughtful air. I still plan on coming back for the younger looking one tonight, no one knows about him yet and he needs help, but as for the older… I think someone else will be more interested in seeing him.

-DIVIDER-

Hitsugaya Toshiro's POV…

I gnaw on my slice of watermelon with a look of intense concentration, determined to keep my gaze away from the taller boy next to me. I'm only here for the watermelon, I continue to mentally assure myself. As soon as I finish every little piece he lets me have, and one or two he doesn't so I can take some home for Granny, I am leaving. With that in mind and my favorite treat in hand, all in all I'm not actually regretting this meeting. I get free, juicy, mouth-watering watermelon out of it and the other has yet to say a single word to me since we sat down just outside of Main Street Ryokan Inn. He only stares at me while slowly eating his fruit, and while a bit unnerving, it doesn't bother me to much as long as I keep my attention firmly away from him.

This meeting, besides being one of good fortune in the end, is also ironic. When on my way back home, I'd purposely taken a longer route in order to avoid the marketplace and the one who started the brawl there, though in all honesty I hadn't expected to see him again either way, at least, not in such good condition. I'd expected him to either be in jail, dead, or beaten to near death. Not strolling by with his girlfriend, their arms piled high with groceries. I'd swerved to avoid the pair as soon as I saw them of course, but the apparently not-so-moronic male (he's still alive, isn't? He must be doing something right, though what that something is is a mystery to me) saw me before I could and caught up to me, even while carrying so much stuff. He'd smiled that awkward smile at me again and asked if I wanted to talk. He didn't seem so shocked when I returned his question with a flat 'No' and tried to walk away. Then he offered me food if I would just sit outside of the inn with him a bit. I'd eyed him warily, wondering why in the world this guy had taken an interest in me of all people, the freak and outcast of this city (not that he's much better, but still). I was about to refuse when I saw it, the watermelon. I haven't had a slice since Momo brought some home all those months ago, Granny and I just haven't been able to afford the succulent treat on our own…

Have I mentioned yet how watermelon has a way of making even the most unfortunate of meetings seem so much better and brighter? Now if I can just get through this without him speak-

"So…"

Damn. I try to ignore him. Maybe he'll drop whatever it is he has in mind if I don't recognize that he said anything.

"... You must be really hungry, huh?"

I give a small snort of incredulousness.He seems incredibly happy by my small show of attentiveness to his words by the way he perks up, even with that default, slight scowl he has in place. He nods to himself. "Yeah, you do look kinda thin…" He rambles on. "You know, if you don't eat properly, you'll stunt your growth. Believe me, if you don't do something about it you could stay looking the way you do now for decades." I turn to give him a weird look after his bizarre words. There is a glint in his brown eyes, like he's in on a joke that I know nothing about.

I roll my eyes at his nonsense and say, "Fool. There's no need for food in the Soul Society. Isn't it obvious that I just like watermelon?"

He seems dubious at my words for some reason. "Really? You've never felt hungry? Not once?" I give a grunt as I finish my slice, licking my fingers and spitting out the seeds. He raises an eyebrow at my actions. I stick out a hand towards him hopefully, wanting another slice. The older boy cuts one for me, but cruelly holds it hostage until I answer his questions.

I sigh and does as he wants. For the sake of watermelon, I think. "Really. No, not once." Though now that I think about it, I don't actually have any idea what hunger feels like, so I can't know for sure... but it's not like I'm going to tell him that. He just makes this thoughtful, doubtful 'hm' sound as he passes another slice over. "Hm?" I ask before digging into the food.

He shrugs. "Hm," he confirms. As time passes by he seems to garner this depressed vibe about him. Is it because of me? Something I said? Or maybe something I didn't… After all, here he is sharing his food with me, seemingly only for the sake of my company, and I haven't exactly been a good companion… I feel a small pang of guilt for the way I've been treating him, having been treated that way myself earlier today. Here someone is finally trying to get to know me instead of avoiding me like the plague, and the only thing I can do is act distant.

I clear my throat and he glances at me. "... Where do you and your girlfriend come from?" I ask for lack of anything better to say, and half expecting him to refuse to answer. After all, the motive could easily be that they are running from something, or someone. Moving is particularly difficult in the Rukongai.

He straightens up some and throws the seed in hand to the side before saying, "Hatsu-san is not my girlfriend. I'm acting more of an escort or bodyguard for her and her uncle… and we came from district sixty." I nod thoughtfully. So he's a mercenary then. I give him a quick once over. I suppose that makes sense. We don't speak too much after this, and when we do it's over the simplest of things, from weather to city politics, nonsensical subjects that have no real purpose besides proving us to be poor conversationalists… But even so, for the first time in awhile, I remember what it's like to enjoy the company of a peer.

-DIVIDER-

Change of POV… Onmitsukidō Fifth Seat Operative

As part of the Onmitsukidō, it's often our job to locate lone targets in the vast nation and dimension that is the Soul Society. Our network spans it all, from the Seireitei to the outermost districts at the edge of known territory in this dimension. When something of note occurs, we know of it, some times even before it happens. Easy enough then, to locate an untrained boy with supposedly no understanding of our ways. Still, I'm a bit underwhelmed. It did not even take us a full day to locate our target, and when we, or at least I, find him, all he is doing is eating watermelon and other assortment of fruit with another young boy. I let out a small breath, backing into a shaded alleyway from my current observatory spot. I stretch out my senses, taking cautionary measures to make sure nothing is lurking about, watching me. I'm annoyed however when the target's overflowing reiatsu offers interference, and I can't be sure that no one isn't skulking around. It would not do if I was caught with my modified Denreishinki, as I am in average Rukongai attire and free from the usual masks and black garb of the onmitsukidō. Being caught with something like the Denreishinki would be a dead give-away for what I really am... I can't have my face associated with my duties, it could easily compromise future missions.

Reluctantly then, I distance myself from the target until I feel confident with my ability to sense for nearby threats. Behind an unoccupied shed of an old house, I slip out my modified Denreishinki and make a quick call to my partner for this mission, telling him of my location. He assures me that he'll arrive here within the hour and without any wasted commentary, we conclude the call. It's nearly done then. I'll wait for my back up before approaching the boy, for while I'm almost sure I could handle him, it is not the onmitsukidō corp way to underestimate or make assumptions of our targets- no matter how friendly he has presented himself to be and especially when he is largely an unknown. Until then I'll keep him within sight, a simple task with this target no doubt. In all honesty, I find this mission all too boring and ridiculously eas-

A sickening crunch and piercing pain that dulls into disbelieving shock.

... No… No way...

A blade has pierced me from behind, right through the heart. If I hadn't ducked my head and tried to dodge at the last split second, there is no doubt that it would be through my head instead.

From the feel of the blade, it's no ordinary katana either. Zanpakuto! I twist my head around, looking with wide, bloodshot eyes at the source of the blade, or lack thereof. The long blade protrudes through a slight hole in what appears to be merely a pocket of air a few feet away from me. The small gap, similar to a garganta with how it floats in mid air, excludes a multitude of bright color. Kido cloak! How had my assailant managed to get so close to me while performing kido, and without me sensing any form of reiatsu?! I've used this spell so many times myself, a kido spell designed to wrap around your person, giving you perfect camouflage. I know the signs of it! How-?

My mind buzzes with a multitude of thoughts in the two seconds the shock makes me freeze up. Meanwhile the blade retracts from my gaping wound, leaving me breathless and my heightened reiatsu the only thing keeping me temporarily alive. Blood dribbles from my mouth; all is deathly quiet. I can't feel my heart beating anymore. I can't feel my heart at all. There's a gaping hole through my chest. I'm about to die. I can't die in vain!

In a split second one of my many poison dipped, hidden knives is out and flying toward my assailant. "Traitor!" I hiss with a vengeance. My assailant is either of the onmitsukidō or shinigami, of that there is no doubt. My knives are deflected with the zanpakuto, but I'm not deterred. I bring out my own zanpakuto, a wakizashi in sealed form. I need to get close, and quickly. My much shorter weapon is no good at this range. I use shunpo to augment my movements-

-and give off a strangled cry. He's fast! Bringing his zanpakuto about, the tip just manages to nick my eyes enough to blind them before I could completely pull back. However, I am not new to fighting blind, and if I must die then so will he! With a renewed burst of reiatsu, a series of complex movements, near break necking speeds and with just plain luck, I manage to get close and personal with my attacker. He catches my wrist before I can behead him in one, swift movement, but I am not deterred. With a flick of my free hand, another knife falls into place and I impale it into his closest body part- his thigh? I'm kneed harshly to my middle and sent flying. I land, crouched on my feet, but am kicked onto my back.

Dodge! Roll! Move! I'm stunned instead when for a split second an overwhelming spiritual pressure slams into me, holding me in place, and then- I die in vain.

-DIVIDER-

Hitsugaya Toshiro's POV...

"Something wrong?"

"... No," he responds after a moment, looking distant. "Just for a second though, I thought… Nevermind." He stands, brushing off a few seeds that had become stuck to his cloak. "Well, thanks for talking with me."

I give a curt nod, standing as well. "You're welcome." My eyes can't help though but to stray to the leftover watermelon one last time. I hear him chuckling quietly and force myself not to blush in embarrassment.

"Hey, feel free to take the rest home with you if you like it that much." My eyes light up.

"I- thank you. That's very kind of you."

"Sure, no problem." He gathers up his bags of food, letting me take what is left of the watermelon. "Later, Toshiro," he waves as he enters the Inn.

"Goodbye." I head home, a small smile forming at my lips. It's only a few minutes later that I realize that he never told me his name… and more importantly, I never told him mine.

-DIVIDER-

Girl-of-Action- So not as exciting as the last chapter, but I'm pretty happy with it~ We got Toshiro, so yay! I wonder if you guys expected him to appear in this story? In all honesty, I'm not entirely sure if I got the timeline right when it comes to Toshiro… but then I thought, fudge it. This is my story and I can take some creative license if I wanna. x3 Besides, Toshiro makes any story better, right? :3 We also got see a bit of Rangiku, and Ichigo finally figured out that he's back in time. Also, Denreishinkis are "Divine Messenger Machines". Basically the interdimensional cellphones that Rukia and other shinigami use in the anime. Hm, that pretty much covers my comments. Don't want to give you guys any spoilers after all~ On to the guest review responses!

Guest #s 1&2: Here is your more/update! Hope you guys enjoyed and thanks for commenting.

raicraxz: Bwhahaha~ suffer! jkjk I have a tendency to write cliffhangers, don't I? Hm, well, look on the bright side. At least it keeps you guys interested! Thanks for the review! (and giving me a name to respond to) ^^

Guest # 3: Grrr, I want to answer your questions so much, but at the same time I don't want to give away spoilers. xD I sometimes am more free with plot info through pms however, so if you really want to know you can make an account and I can give you some tidbits through there. It's interesting just the same to read your ideas and thoughts though, so thanks so much for the review!

Guest #4: Again, so many questions that'd I'd like to answer, but really can't lest I give spoilers. I will say however that what has happened to Zangetsu will soon be revealed… Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)

Special thanks to:

-shadownartuo666 for adding this story to his/her community called "ravenxrobin or any robin blackfire or jinx or any good fic welcome".

-Serena24 for adding Beyond Death to her community "All the stories I love".

And Sakiku for posting this story in his/her community "A Journey through Time and Academy Days."

So if you guys ever need more fanfics to read, go check those communities out sometime~ :)

And an overall BIG thank you to everyone that has favorited/followed either my story or me! I really appreciate it and can't help but smile every time I see a new alert appear in my email.

Please be sure to leave a review on the way out! Even a simple one-worded review is completely alright, and will encourage me to write even more! That's about it. Until later then. Ja ne~ (Cya~)