Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo while RWBY belongs to Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth

Chapter 17: Camaraderie

"What? They're already gone?" Ruby asked Tatsuki in the lunch hall, upset.

"Yeah. They left somewhere around 5 or 6 in the morning," Tatsuki answered.

"Where are they going for their mission?" Weiss asked, picking up a slice of a red apple.

"They're heading over to the City of Mistral first," Tatsuki said.

"I see. That explains the early leave. It takes at least seven hours to fly between Mistral and Vale," Pyrrha said.

"If that's the case, then they're probably there by now, right?" Yang wondered.

"Probably," Mizuiro said. "Although, it'll be about six o'clock in the afternoon over there."

"I remember Rukia saying something about this being a collaboration mission. Who are they working with?" Jaune asked.

"A fourth year team called IRYS. They attend Haven Academy," Orihime said.

"What are they like?" Ruby asked.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Guardians of Remnant *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Rangiku...can't breathe..." Ichigo wheezed at the woman hugging him tightly.

"Awww. But aren't you happy to see me?" Rangiku Matsumoto asked, letting go of Ichigo and pouting. Fortunately, Ichigo saw through the ruse. She is a beautiful woman who can turn the heads of many men and maybe even some women. She has a long, wavy strawberry blonde hair, light blue eyes, a beauty mark under the left corner of her full lips, curvaceous, and very well-endowed. Very more so than Orihime. Ichigo wonders how Rangiku isn't suffering from back aches. A hot pink tank top that shows off her curves, a white open vest, dark magenta capris with a white belt, and white sandal heels. She has various metallic bracelets on her two wrists. Her weapon of choice, Haineko, a dark red whip, is strapped to her belt, along with two ninja scrolls.

"What about me, Rangiku? I'm happy to see you!" Kon said. "I'll be even more happy if you let me hug your-." He was swiftly punched by the woman when he got too close to her ample breasts.

"Took you guys long enough," the leader of IRYS, Ikkaku Madarame, grunted. He is a tall, muscular, and bald man with dark eyes with the corners painted a scarlet red. He wears a black kimono-styled shirt with torn sleeves and the kanji for luck (運), a white karate obi, and brown baggy trousers rolled up to his calf. He wears waraji-styled sandals and a gold-plated shoulder plate on his right arm with the kanji for dragon (龍) printed on it and orange fur around shoulder. Resting over his shoulders with his arms hanging over lazily is his weapon, Hozukimaru, resembling a regular katana and a wax-colored sheath with a red tassel at the end.

"You're timing is rather ugly," Yumichika Ayasegawa said. He is a beautiful man, almost rivaling Rangiku's beauty. His hair is shoulder-length in a bobcut with the strands framing his face cut shorter and wisteria eyes. He wears an orange long-sleeve turtleneck shirt, a peacock green kimono, and an orange sash over his shoulder and around his waist like an obi. He wears navy blue pants and black boots with tan armor. His emblem is on the corners of his kimono sleeves color peacock blue. He has feather accessories protruding from his hair on both sides of his head. Also, both his eyes now sport extended lashes. Resting on his left hip are his two blades, Fuji Kujaku and Ruri'iro Kujaku, twin katana swords with four sickle-shaped blades that fans out when activated. Fuji Kojaku's hilt is wisteria and it's blades are blue that gradients to green from the tip to the guard, whereas Ruri'iro Kujaku's hilt is azure and the blades are green that gradients to blue from the tip to the guard.

"Be quiet!" Ichigo shouted. "Shouldn't we have met up over where the mission is located?"

"Professor Lionheart wishes to speak with us first. We better get going," the fourth and final member Shuhei said. He has dark gray eyes and he lets his short, spiky, black hair fall against his face and comes down near his ears. He wears a black/red leather vest over a dark gray ripped muscle shirt, darker gray jeans, and black boots. He wears a choker around his throat and matching armbands on both upper arms and black leather fingerless gloves. He also three scars straight over his right eye that lead down his cheek. Additionally, he has the number "69" tattooed on his left cheek, as well as a blue-striped tattoo running across his left cheek and over the bridge of his nose. In a holster strapped to his back is his weapon, Kazeshini, taking the form of two Kusarigama-like weapons, each with two scythe blades, with one inverted, giving it the resemblance of a pinwheel. The blades are connected to a spiked rod tethered together by a long chain. The blades are currently downwards.

"Lead the way then," Ichigo said.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Guardians of Remnant *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hey, Lionheart!" Ikkaku called out, abruptly opening the door to Haven's headmaster, startling the poor man. The tray containing the tea set given to him by Ozpin fell from his grasp. Thankfully Uryū uses his Semblance of light manipulation to stop the fall and places the set neatly on the table, even placing the teacups around for them at the ready.

"Ah, uh, thank you, Mr. Ishida," Prof. Lionheart said to the Quincy. He scurries over to the table to apply tea to each of the cups. "P-please, have a seat." They do so.

"So, what's the deal, Lionheart?" Ikkaku asked. "Why can't we go on our mission right now?"

"Mr. Madarame, you should really work on your manners," Prof. Lionheart chided, chastising him like a father to his son. "And to answer your question: There is a disturbance of sorts occurring over the region between Anima and Menagerie."

"Disturbance?" Ichigo questioned.

"Yes. A tropical storm is currently underway. Because of this, all flights to those areas are postponed," Prof. Lionheart explained.

"Tch, it's only a stupid storm," Ikkaku dismissed.

"And you are only students," Prof. Lionheart retorted. "I'll be damned to allow all of you to go to your deaths before you could realize your goal."

"Then what should we do now?" Ikkaku asked.

"Take today off," Prof. Lionheart said. "The storm should pass by tomorrow." Wordlessly, Ikkaku gets up with a grunt and leaves the office.

"Apologies for Ikkaku's ugly behavior," Yumichika said.

"There is nothing to apologize for," Prof. Lionheart chuckled. "Team IRYS has been a part of this institution for almost four years. I have long since been acquainted with Mr. Madarame's attitude. Please, go enjoy the day." With a nod from everyone else, they get up to leave. "Oh, before I forget. Mr. Kurosaki, please stay for a moment."

"Oh, okay..." Ichigo said, somewhat awkwardly and remained in his seat.

"It was nice seeing you again, Prof. Lionheart," Rukia said.

"Likewise, my dear," The Haven headmaster said.

When the door closed, Ichigo turns to Prof. Lionheart and asks, "What is it you want to talk about?"

Prof. Lionheart leans forward, placing his elbows on the table with interlocked fingers. "How are you fairing?"

"...Pardon?"

"Prof. Ozpin has informed me not too long ago about the possibility of you and your team graduating this year. I just wanted to know how you and your team are doing," Prof. Lionheart said. "I may not be your headmaster, but I can't help but worry for every student who enters my school."

"Thanks for the concern, but nothing is official yet," Ichigo said. "We still have time to think about it."

"Well, that's good to hear," Prof. Lionheart said with a smile through his beard and mustache. "I have confidence that you and your team have the means to become fantastic Huntsmen. But, of course, give yourselves time. There is no need to rush. I'm sure that you are still a little shaken over what happened in the Sakuya Forest." The mention of the place made Ichigo clench his fists.

"Yeah," Ichigo gets up from the table to moves to the door. When his hand touched the handle, he heard the man say,

"Have a good night, Mr. Kurosaki."

"Yeah...thanks. You too."

As he leaves and closes the door, Ichigo failed to see Leonardo Lionheart's solemn, almost guilty, face.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Guardians of Remnant *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So, what now?" Ichigo wondered.

"I'd say we go over to the Gintonbo Tavern. They have really good rum there!" Rangiku said.

"Hey, Pachinko Head!" A small voice called out. An angry vein pulsed on Ikkaku's shiny head.

"Who are you callin' 'Pachinko Head'?" Ikkaku growled. Appearing before them is a small girl, maybe 5-years-old. She has short pink hair and red eyes. She wears a white, short-sleeved shirt with a dark pink denim dress, white socks and mary janes matching her dress. Nestled in the left side of her hair is a white crossbone hairclip.

"Why, it's you, Cueball!" The little girl giggled.

"It's either Pachinko Head or Cueball. Pick one, brat," Ikkaku demanded at the smiling girl.

"Ikkaku, be mindful of who you're speaking to," Yumichika warned.

Ikkaku scoffs. "She's heard worse from her old man." The little girl nodded.

"It's true. Kenny says a lot bad words that makes Re-chan really, really mad," she said. She notices team IURR. She beamed with glee. "Icchi! Ruki-Ruki! Pencil! Ren-Ren!" She runs to give Rukia a hug.

"It's nice seeing you too, Yachiru," Rukia said, hugging the girl back.

"Of all things to call me, why 'Pencil'?" Uryū questioned as he adjusted his glasses.

"Because you're as thin as a rake," Renji responded. Uryū glares at him.

"Hey, where are you guys going?" Yachiru asked.

"We're planning on getting some dinner," Ichigo answered.

"Ooh, can I come. Please?" Yachiru asked, her eyes sparkling hopefully. Ichigo looks at the members of IRYS.

"As long as no one is stupid enough to give her alcohol," Ikkaku said.

"Still, let's go ask Dr. Unohana," Rukia said.

"Okay!" Yachiru agreed, taking Rukia's hand as they head to the nurse's office.

"Excuse me. I need to speak with the headmaster," a rather sultry, female voice said from behind Ichigo. He turns to see a woman with black hair and golden amber eyes. Something gleamed in her eyes. "Oh, is that you, Ichigo? It's been a long time." Accompanying her is a dark-skinned girl with red eyes and mint green hair, a boy with gray blue hair, and another male with long red hair.

Ichigo narrow his eyes at the woman. "..." Why does he feel like he knows her? "..." This woman, she... "Who are you?" Ichigo asked dumbly, confused.

The woman chuckled. "Boy, they weren't kidding about your observation skills."

"Huh?"

"Ichigo, she's Cinder Fall," Rukia clarified. "Leader of team CAME (Carmine)?"

Ichigo blankly stares.

"We met her during the last Vytal Festival when it was held in Mistral," Renji said.

Again, Ichigo looks on, getting more confused.

"She's the one who we fought against during the tournament," Uryū added in. Still, Ichigo remained puzzled. His teammates sighed in defeat. "You're hopeless, Kurosaki."

The woman, Cinder, chuckled again. "Oh, don't worry about it. It's just a part of his charm."

"Do you want to join us for dinner? We're going over the Gintonbo Tavern," Rangiku said.

"That's nice of you, but I'll have to decline," Cinder said politely. "My team and I need to speak with our headmaster."

"Oh, well go right ahead. Sorry about that," Rangiku said, moving out of the way.

"It's fine." Cinder said as she and her team walk by. As she did so, she says to Ichigo, "Hope to see you again at this year's Vytal Festival."

Ichigo stares as the woman and her team head to the headmaster's office. While he has zero idea of who this Cinder is, despite having to have encountered her before as his teammates likes to bring up because of his inability to recognize some people, he does...sense something from her. He can't pinpoint what it is, but there is something peculiar about her. His was pulled from his thoughts by Ikkaku. "Come on, let's get going."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Guardians of Remnant *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The Gintonbo Tavern was as busy as ever. Crowded with local residents, Haven students, Huntsmen, and members of the yakuza.

Rangiku lets out a sigh of pleasure from the sweet taste of rum. "Nothing says relaxing like a nice glass of Malibu rum. Or two. Maybe three." She giggles. "Or even seven!" She downs her seventh glass. Seating on opposite seat beside her are Shuhei and Renji, who are already under the table with Shuhei resting his head on the table and Renji leaning back on his chair. Seating at the table with them are Ikkaku, Ichigo, Yumichika, and Uryū, enjoying a meal. As for Rukia and Yachiru (with Kon in her grasp), they are at a separate table just next to them, drawing and coloring as they ate. Rangiku slams her glass down. "Whoo! That was good. Ready for another round boys?"

"Rangiku, Shuhei and I didn't make it past four," Renji groaned.

Rangiku pouted. "Hmph. Lightweights. How about it, Ichigo? Wanna have a go?"

"I'll pass." The woman frowns. She looks at the others to see they are not interested either.

"Renji, Shuhei, please drink some more with me!" She whined. Reluctantly, the two complied. Soon, all three are even more plastered. Flushed in the face and singing horribly, even knocking some things over. Some drinks were spilled, nearly ruining Uryū's and Yumichika's food.

"If you excuse me, I'm going somewhere else to finish," Uryū said, taking his plate and getting up.

"I second that," Yumichika said, doing the same. They move over to where Rukia and Yachiru are at.

"So, Ichigo. I gotta ask you somethin'," Ikkaku said.

"Yeah?" Ichigo said while he gathered some rice curry in his spoon.

"What's this about you guys over at Beacon playin' babysitter?"

Ichigo pauses in mid bite. "Where did you hear that?"

"Got a call from Mizuho telling me that her brother was calling her, whining and ranting about how he got saddled with a punch of freshmen a month back," Ikkaku said. The fact that the bald man still has the girl's number was shocking to Ichigo, despite the how much Mizuho annoyed Ikkaku. Of course, if you take in account to who she is related too...

"I see. It's more like taking on apprentices, if anything. We're more in a trial period than anything official yet. If things go well, it might get added to the Huntsman Educational System," Ichigo said, stirring the straw in his drink. "It's more is just us monitoring their progression and help and train them when need be."

"Is your team part of it, then?" Ikkaku asked.

"Yeah, we are," Ichigo answered.

"What's the team called?"

"An all-girl team called RWBY."

"Are they strong?" A grin started to form on Ikkaku's face along with a spark in his eyes. Ichigo couldn't help but smile. Typical of Ikkaku ask if they're strong so he could take a crack at them, regardless of gender.

"That depends. All I can say they can hold their own in a fight." Ichigo was not wrong. Despite her size, Ruby is a force to be reckoned with, even when she lacks much in the hand-to-hand department. Ichigo deeply hopes that Tatsuki can rectify that while he's gone. Weiss is very much skilled, her pride in her prowess almost rivaling Uryū's. Blake can definitely turn the tides thanks to her Shadow Semblance. As for Yang...well, Yang is Yang.

"Heh. If you're the one to say that, then they must be strong," Ikkaku said, grin growing wider (maybe even wilder).

Ichigo nods. For the rest their time at the tavern, Ichigo looks around the place, taking in the scenery. His eyes eventually fell to other table where the rest of the group is. He notices that Yachiru and Rukia somehow coaxed Uryū and Yumichika to draw with them. He could see their work from where he is seating. Yachiru's drawing consists of stick figures, which is expected of a 5 year old. Rukia's is, of course, bunnies. Only Uryū's and Yumichika's drawings look good enough to be in an art museum.

A loud thump from his table made Ichigo turn to see that Rangiku, Renji, and Shuhei has passed out. He glances over at Ikkaku, who was shaking his head. "I'm not gonna be the one to carry Rangiku."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Guardians of Remnant *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So that's how it is, then," Cinder said.

"Y-yes. If you go now, then you'll have plenty of time to set things up," Prof. Lionheart told her.

"All right then," Cinder said, getting up from her seat and leaves, the rest of her team follows. Before she leaves, she tells Prof. Lionheart, "Remember, Lionheart~." She places a well-manicured finger to her lips.

"Yes. O-of course," Prof. Lionheart said, looking down. Cinder nods and walks off.

Her eyes glow menacingly.

I hope I got everyone still in character.

Next Chapter: The Mystery of Erika Island