Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and RWBY. Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo. RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth and the late Monty Oum (rest in peace you saint of a man).

A question one would ask why type this up? Simple – why not?

Chapter 5: Invade Soul Society

Ruby and Ren waited at 1 o' clock in the morning. They were surprised to find one of Ichigo's friends, a man of big build but a humble mood by the name of Chad. Ruby was no good with sensory type of stuff as a Soul Reaper, but Ren could tell he had considerable spiritual power. He was going with them.

Ichigo arrived and was surprised to find Chad with Ren and Ruby.

"Chad." said Ichigo, "What are you doing here?"

"Rukia saved my life." said Chad, "I want to help her out if I can. I'm going too."

"Huh." responded Ichigo.

"What? Are you deaf or something?"

This one was new. He was tall for someone Ren's age and even had that same sharp look in his eyes. He wore in clothes all in white with stripes of blue and wore a glove on his right arm.

"What?" said Ichigo, "What are you doing here, Uryuu?"

"I don't take defeat well." said Uryuu. "Especially at the hands of a Soul Reaper. So I'm going too."

He looked at Ruby and Ren, who wore similar clothing to a Soul Reaper and had Zanpakutos. Uryuu said nothing, but Ruby could tell there was a hint of disgust in his eyes upon them.

"Looks like were all here and accounted for."

Last was a girl with even brighter orange hair than Ichigo. She wore a simple red dress and white pants, and there was a pair of jewelry in her hair. Ruby knew her as Orihime from the fireworks.

"Hold on a second." exclaimed Ichigo, "What the heck is going on here?"

"Yeah, I'm at a loss too." said Ruby.

"You're a little slow on the uptake, aren't you Ichigo?"

The male voice came from down on the ground, where there was nothing except a cat that approached Ichigo. Ruby and Ren didn't think much of it until the cat spoke again.

"Kid. don't tell me you didn't notice the increase in their spiritual energies." said the cat, "You need to be more observant than that if you plan to go into the Soul Society. While you were training to regain your Soul Reaper powers, the three of them have been training in their own way. You ought to be thanking them."

Ichigo, Ruby, and Ren were speechless until their minds finally processed what was happening. "Did that freaking cat just talk?!"

"His name is Yoruichi and he's-"

"EEEEEEHH!" squeaked Ruby as she jumped into her Semblance and grabbed Yoruichi into her arms. She petted the felines head and nuzzled his cheeks to her face. "Oh my gosh, a talking cat! You're so cute. So, so cute and fluffy. I should bring you to Zwei and you two would become best friends. Oh, I just want to pet you for eternity."

"Ruby, please stop." pleaded Yoruichi, but he began to like the soft caressing on down the back. Ruby was just that good with animals.

"Okay, okay." announced Kisuke, clapping his hands to get their attention. "Let's bring the party inside. There are things we cannot speak outside.

Kisuke brought them to the underground training grounds. Orihime was in awe of the expanse that lay before them.

"Wow!" exclaimed Orihime, "This is so incredible. Who knew there was something this humongous just below the shop. Isn't it amazing?"

"I know right." agreed Ruby.

"Your attention please." said Kisuke, "All eyes over here. Voila."

With a snap of his fingers, Kisuke summoned a hollow square from the ground. He explained, "This is the gate that leads into the Soul Society. It's called the Senkaimon, or Tunnel World Gate. First, before explaining..."

Without warning, Kisuke tapped Ichigo on the head and released his spiritual body from his real body.

"How about a little warning next time?" grumbled Ichigo.

"Listen here." said Kisuke, "The Soul Society is known as a spirit world. Unless you're in spirit form, it is impossible to enter the gate. Right now, only three of you can cross right now. Ichigo, Ruby, and Ren as Soul Reapers. The gate here will convert the rest of you into spirits as well."

"Alright let's go-" said Ichigo before being poked by Kisuke's staff.

"There's a catch." said Kisuke, "The window for you to pass through is only four minutes long."

Everyone gasped in shock. Kisuke continued, "If you don't make it out, you'll be trapped in the Dangai, the world between all realms."

"How will we make it?" asked Orihime.

"Go forward." said Yoruichi bluntly, "Remember what I taught you about the connection of the heart, mind, and soul. You must have no doubt, have no fear."

"You definitely have no fear, Ren." Ruby told Ren.

"We all know this, or we wouldn't be here." said Ichigo, taking a step forward in front of everyone else, "Quit with all your preaching and let's do this thing now!"

"Yeah!" cheered Ruby.

"And if you understand if you lose," said Yoruichi, "you can never return back to this life again."

"Then all I need to do is win." said Ichigo.

Ruby smiled. That sounded like a cheer Team RWBY would do. She was in the exact same of mind.

Tessai and Kisuke opened the gate and hollow square illuminated in blue light.

"Run as fast as you can." Kisuke advised.

"Got it, Mr. Urahara." said Ruby with a smile, just before the gate pulled them into the Dangai.

As soon as they entered the Dangai, all that ran through their thoughts was to run. Ichigo, Ruby, Ren, and Yoruichi were ahead of the group. As far as Ruby could tell, the walls around them were trying to swallow them up. Yoruichi was saying something, but Ruby was far too busy running to hear.

Ruby was bit worried when Uryu was lagging behind, but she found comfort when Chad decided to carry him on his shoulder. Even the added weight didn't slow the big man down. Then, a bright yellow light caught Ruby's eye.

"Yoruichi, what is that?" exclaimed Uryu.

"It's the cleaner." said Yoruichi, "It comes through the Dangai every seven days to clear out the passage way. It's our bad luck that today is that day."

"Better really start running then." replied Ruby, getting faster.

Despite even her speed, the cleaner was gaining on them. Ruby saw Orihime and Ren look back and reiatsu brimmed from their hands.

"Zan Ten Keshu: I Reject!"

"Bakudou 81: Danku."

They casted a clear and orange force fields which stopped the cleaner in place. There was just enough time to escape before a blinding light took over them. Ruby felt her feet leave ground and she knew all too well.

"Ren," called Ruby, "landing strategy."

The group entered a new world and crashed into ground. None of them made any decent landing, especially Ichigo who's head was buried in dirt. None of them had any serious injuries unless you count hurt pride.

"I know it was going to be tough getting through the gate." said Uryu, as he pulled out a second cape.

"Guys, isn't this great?" said Orihime, "We all made it, and everything's okay."

"It's not okay." snapped Yoruichi as the cat headbutted Orihime in the eye. "I told you not to expose your spiritual powers in there. We're fortunate the cleaner only made contact with the shield area. And you Ren, I outta-"

The group just realized that Ruby and Ren were nowhere in sight. There was no two other points of impact.

"Ren, Ruby." called Ichigo, "Where are you?"

"Up here." called Ruby.

They looked up and to their surprise found Ruby and Ren on the rooftops without a scratch on them. Ruby waved down on them with a big smile.

"How did you get up there?" demanded Ichigo.

"It's called a landing strategy." answered Ruby, "Everyone at Beacon does it."

"It really is quite simple." added Ren.

"Listen." interrupted Uryu, "Doesn't is seem awfully quiet around here?"

"Yeah." agreed Ichigo as Ren and Ruby jumped back to the ground. "Is this place really the Soul Society?"

"Yes." confirmed Yoruichi, "And the specific area we are in is called the Rukon District. It's here in the Rukon District that souls come to love when they are first arrive in Soul Society. It's right on the perimeter of the Sereitei where Soul Reapers live. The Rukon District has the greatest population in all of Soul Society."

If that's true then where is everyone?" wondered Uryu.

"Hey," said Ichigo, looking to the distance where the buildings were more pristine with yellow roofs, "look at those buildings over there. Why do they look so different from everything else."

"That's not of our-"

"I know that must the Serei-whatever the heck you call it." said Ichigo, running off to the cat's shock, "Let's go."

"Right behind you." said Ruby as she ran alongside Ichigo.

"Wait!" cried Yoruichi, "Stop you idiots."

"Ruby, I don't think-" said Ren.

"Let's go, you Soul Reapers!" cried Ruby and Ichigo. Suddenly, they stopped dead when a whole line of towering walls landed before them. They stretched all the way to the left and right as far as the eye could see, and were so tall it was impossible to climb. Dust clouds kicked up into the air.

"Well, well." said a deep voice upon Ruby and Ichigo, "It's been a long time since anyone tried to pass through the spirit gates without a travel permit. And I don't get many guests these days."

Ichigo gasped at the sight of humanoid that was half as tall as the wall.

Ruby exclaimed as her face paled. "He's huge."

"Welcome, little man and tiny girl." said the giant, "I am known as Jidanbo, guardian of this gate."

Jidanbo revealed a hatchet larger than Ruby and Ichigo's own bodies. His eyes were solely on Ichigo.

"Sooo cool." said Ruby, fangirling over the giant hatchet.

"Whenever you're ready," challenged Jidanbo, "give it your all. And good luck."

Ruby and Ichigo's friends were in awe at the guardian's immense size.

"What kind of creature is he?" asked Uryu.

"We don't have those in Remnant." noted Ren.

"He is simply known as Jidanbo." explained Yoruichi, "He was chosen among the very best warriors to guard the Hakuto Gate. Countless foes have been defeated by Jidanbo for three centuries."

"If that's so," said Ren, pulling out his dual blades Kakushifokkusu, "we'll have to attack in a coordinated fashion, even if Ruby and Ichigo can hold their own."

"Agreed." said Yoruichi, "The first thing we need to do is - AAAH!"

To his dismay, Chad and Uryu ran ahead to help Ichigo and Ruby against the giant. They completely ignored the cat yelling at them to get back. However, Jidanbo saw them coming and swung his axe into the ground to create a wall of ground between them and his two opponents.

"What are you, country bumpkins or something?!" bellowed Jidanbo, "We're civilized folk here. Battles are strictly fought one-on-one."

"Then why am I here?" noted Ruby.

Jidanbo finally realized that he hadn't noticed Ruby standing beside Ichigo the entire time. He escaped a gasp and started chuckling a little behind his lips.

"He-he-he." laughed Jidanbo, "Sorry, little girl. You'll just have to wait your turn after I finish with orange spikey head."

A vein bulged on Ruby's forehead and she snapped, "Little!? I'm sixteen, and I got here first."

"Just do as he says." said Ichigo, then it hit him, "Wait, you're sixteen?! Wow, you look a lot younger than I thought."

"Aww, he's complimenting you." said Summer.

'Really, Mom?!'

"Just let me handle this on my own." said Ichigo, "It'll be okay."

"Are you insane, Ichigo?!" argued Uryu, "There's no way you'll defeat that guy on your own."

"Listen," said Ichigo, "remember when I was training with Mister Hat and Clogs? He said it was gonna take me ten days to regain my Soul Reaper powers. In fact, it took me only five. So what do you think I did for those remaining five days?"

"Knowing you probably goofing off." retorted Uryu. Ruby smiled on the other side, knowing he was at fault.

"I fought with Ruby the whole time." said Ichigo, "I'll admit she's a complete monster. She has strength and speed that beyond human. We fought every day to see who was better, nonstop for five days and five nights."

"I see." said Uryu, "And you regained fighting instincts."

"Wrong again." said Ichigo, drawing Zangetsu, "In those long hours, I gained tremendous strength and stamina I never thought possible."

Ruby stepped back to give Ichigo and Jidanbo space. She smiled, fully confident that Ichigo was going to win this.

"You could have attacked me the entire time." said Ichigo.

"Hmph." responded Jidanbo, raising his axe, "You really are a country bumpkin. When someone is being nice, you should always say - thank you!"

Jidanbo brought down the giant axe upon Ichigo, sending out a wave of force and dust. Despite the overwhelming power, the dust settled to reveal Ichigo completely unfazed with Zangetsu raised in a lazy defense. Instead of surrendering, Jidanbo let out a laugh that threatened to sweep everyone off their feet. He brought down another swing with the clap of thunder, but it had no effect. He brought down more strikes after another without stop and counted. Ruby had to hold in a snicker when she saw Jidanbo struggling to count up to ten. Ten!

"You have to admire his spirit." commented Summer.

His last swing was from the side, and it was his most powerful as it knocked away all the rubble. Ruby had to cover her eyes from the flying dust.

"Got him," said Jidanbo, "I think."

It was no surprise to Ruby when the dust settled to find Ichigo fine. He merely moved Zangetsu to the side to stop the axe.

"If you're done," said Ichigo, pushing back the axe, "it's my turn."

"I'm not done." cried Jidanbo, "I just have to bring out some more weaponry."

He reached into his cloak (I don't know what the heck the name is for the clothes shinigami wear), but his face dripped with cold sweats. A crash got Ichigo and Jidanbo's got their attention, and their jaws hanged when they found Ruby had stolen the second axe. She was looking around it like a fan girl had met her idol.

"Sooo cool." squeaked Ruby, "It has a blunt function. That could be useful for smashing the ground like earlier. Then the blades would come out, but how..."

Ren sighed. "Just leave it to Ruby to do something like that."

Jidanbo snapped and raised his axe. "It makes no difference. I'll smash you flat."

Before his axe made impact, Ichigo swung Zangetsu. The blade not only destroyed the axe head, but it sent a whirlwind that almost knocked everyone off their feet. Jidanbo was silent as he held a broken handle. Ichigo settled Zangetsu onto his shoulder and looked up at the giant.

"Well," said Ichigo, "are you going to say something, or just stand there?"

"My axe." whimpered Jidanbo, tears swelling in his eyes, "My axe is ruined. Why did you have to do it? Why did you have to break my babies?!"

"Yeah, Ichigo," said Ruby, sympathizing with Jidanbo, "why did you have to destroy his axe?"

"This guy acts so tough, but..." said Uryu.

"He's just really soft on the inside." noted Ren, "Reminds me when my friends Nora accidentally broke her hammer. She wouldn't stop crying until I made her a new one. Since then, I always woke up to a bunch of pancakes in the morning for a whole month. I want to say it was pleasant."

"Look, I'm sorry about your axes." apologized Ichigo.

"You should be." snapped Ruby.

"...But I couldn't just let you keep swinging them. Although, I could've just knocked it out of your hand."

Ruby grabbed the remaining axe and held it to the crying giant. "Hey, it's okay. I'm sorry that my friend is a jerk. Here's your other axe. It's very cool, and I know you put your heart and soul into it."

Jidanbo looked at Ruby with tear filled eyes. He not only took the axe back, but also rested his giant hands gently around Ruby.

"Even though you're my enemy," sobbed Jidanbo, "you're so nice. Instead of thinking of your quest, you're actually concerned for your opponent. What a sweet person you are, my tiny little friend."

"It wouldn't be a quest worth taking if I can't help people." Ruby responded with a smile, "It makes sense to console someone even if they are a giant."

Jidanbo got to his feet. "I'm nothing but an embarrassment of a man. I'm a total loser. You little girl have done a victory greater than besting me in combat that spikey head did. No, little one, you've defeated as a man. And you're a girl."

"Don't beat yourself up." consoled Ruby.

"Good job, petal." said Summer.

"I have been the gatekeeper for three centuries." said Jidanbo, "Never have I lost a challenge, but you are the first to defeat me. Therefore, I, Jidanbo, grant you passage through the Hakudo Gate."

"Thank you, Jidanbo." said Ruby.

The others rallied with Ruby and Ichigo, and all made space for Jidanbo. He dug his arms under the gate and everything started shaking with a deep creaking. Ruby could see the strain on his face as he lifted the gate that was twice as big as he was. Ruby's smile grew wider as Jidanbo successfully lifted the gate, but Ichigo could tell something was off in his stance.

"Jidanbo, what's wrong?" asked Ichigo.

Ruby and Ren followed Ichigo and looked up to see Jidanbo stricken with terror. They looked in his direction to find a pale man in a white flowing vest over his black robes. His hair was a dull silver and his eyes appeared to be closed to Ruby.

"Who is that?" asked Ren, his senses on the fritz of danger.

"That is the Captain of Squad Three." said Jidanbo, "Gin Ichimaru."

Ruby senses or rather her eyes sensed an incoming danger. She sprang to her feet to Jidanbo's left arm.

"Cast off the void, Mazazoru."

Once Mazazoru was unsealed, Ruby used a shot to gain more speed. She swung her reaper at something that zipped like a blade and successfully deflected it away. Something crashed into the ground, then instantly disappeared.

"What the heck was that?!" exclaimed Ichigo.

Gin tilted his head on sight of Ren and Ruby. He was perplexed by the strange reiatsu they emitted, no less as to who they were of course.

'This throws an anomaly into our plans.' thought Gin.

Ruby couldn't quite tell how, but she knew Gin's sinister gaze was on Ren and her.

"Who," asked Gin, "might you be?"

Ruby and Ren said nothing. Gin turned to Jidanbo.

"What are you doing opening the gate?" asked Gin.

"I lost in battle," said Jidanbo, "so I had no choice but to open the gate for them."

"What you're saying makes no sense." responded Gin, "A gatekeeper who loses doesn't open the gate. When a gatekeeper loses, it mean death."

Ichigo charged down at Gin, and they clashed blades for a moment. Ruby joined in the mix, and the captain and her became a blur of motion as their blades clashed at similar speeds. Suddenly, Gin locked down her reaper to the ground.

"You're," said Gin, "quite fast."

"Why you..." growled Ruby, "How could you do that to someone who's on your own team?"

"Someone who stoops to such low tactics," said Ichigo, "deserves to be killed."

"You sure are some fearless kids." said Gin, releasing his sword from the ground. Ruby dodged out of the way in a dash of her Semblance, leaving petals in her wake.

"Ruby, Ichigo." cried the cat, "You must stop and retreat."

'Ichigo.' thought Gin, 'So it's him. But who is this girl and that other young one over there? They both appear to be Soul Reapers, but there's something off about them. Like they don't belong here.'

"So you're Ichigo Kurosaki." said Gin, walking back, "All the more reason why I can't let you pass."

Gin suddenly took a stance and Ruby could feel a pressure unlike anything she felt before. Her clairvoyance tingled again of danger, and it was directed at Ichigo. Her feet moved at full throttle to get in front.

"Look out, Ichigo." cried Ruby.

"Impale, Shinzo."

Gin's blade extended with the speed of a jet. Instead of Ichigo who raised Zangetsu, it hit Ruby square in her chest. Her Aura held, but she lost footing as the blade pushed her, Ichigo, then even Jidanbo back passed the gate. They flew over tens of meters before crash landing into the street.

After Gin retracted his blade, he waved goodbye. The gates closed before them and there was no way to get through with captains now at the gates.

Finally in Soul Society. Next Chapter is The Shiba Clan.