WARNING: A spoiler for After the Fall is ahead.

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

Chapter 25: The Calm

The laughter is now echoing through his dreams.

"Ichigo…"

Shut up.

"Ichigo~"

Shut up!

"Hurry and find me~"

SHUT UP!

"Ichigo, wake up!" Autumnal brown eyes snap open just in time to see a fist hitting him in the eye.

"OW! The fuck is that for?!" Ichigo shouted at Renji.

"You were moaning in your sleep," The crimson-haired Faunus said.

"Was the punch even necessary?" Ichigo asked, rubbing his eye. "You could've woken me up like a normal person."

"It was the most effective way I could think of," Renji said. "Don't be a baby. Your Aura will make the pain gone in a minute."

"That doesn't make it hurt less."

"Yeah, yeah." Renji dismissed.

Surprisingly, Kon is still asleep despite the noise. "Mmmm…yes, Big Sis. I would like for you to feed me more grapes," Kon muttered in his on a pillow on the floor. Ichigo and Renji sweat dropped. No doubt Kon is having one of those dreams again.

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

Ichigo yawns as he and his team make their way to the Bullhead taking them to their next mission. "Had a rough night, Ichigo?" Rukia asked.

"Yeah, thanks to Renji," Ichigo said. Renji only stick a pinkie in his ear.

"Hopefully you have a reasonable amount of rest," Uryū said. Lirin is perched on his shoulder. "Do you have Kon with you this time?"

"Yes. He's in the pack napping," Ichigo said, pointing his finger at his carry-on. His mind went to his dream. That voice has been speaking through his dreams lately. He wanted to talk to his team about it, and then decided not to, not wanting to worry them.

"Is everything okay?" Rukia asked him.

Ichigo blinks at her. "Yeah, why?"

"You've been acting weird lately," Rukia said.

"You mean weirder than usual," Renji said. He grins mischievously at Ichigo's glare. Uryū fixed his gaze at Ichigo from the corner of his eyes.

"Hey, wait up!" They heard Ruby from behind. They the girl in red running to them with her team at her heels.

"Good morning, girls," Rukia greeted, bobbing a curtsy.

"Are you guys seriously going to leave without letting us see you off?" Ruby asked.

"Um, sorry?" Ichigo said. "We had to leave early so we don't have to deal with delays."

Ruby started to twiddle her fingers. "We just didn't get a chance to see you guys off in your last mission."

Yang crosses her arms. "And didn't you guys just finish a mission like a week ago? Have a break."

"Yang, that mission to Mistral was last month," Weiss said.

Uryū adjusted his glasses. "One mission per month is the quota for 2nd and 3rd years."

"What kind of mission is this one?" Blake asked.

"An A-Rank Village Security mission," Renji answered. "There is a village in the south of Vale having some issues with Grimm coming from Mt. Glenn. We're hired to watch the place until a professional Huntsman arrives."

"A-Rank…Isn't that reserved for 4th years?" Weiss questioned.

"Normally, yeah," Ichigo said, rubbing a hand behind his head. "But we have…special permission."

"Special?" Ruby wondered.

"It means they have an opportunity to graduate early this year," Coco said, appearing behind RWBY.

"Oh, hey, Coco," Ruby greeted. "What are you doing here?"

"Just got back from our own mission."

"What did you mean by 'graduate early'?" Yang asked.

"You guys heard all the stuff team IURR has pulled. So, our headmaster saw it fit to have them graduate early," Coco said. "Provided they pass the graduation exam first."

"Really? How come you guys never told us about that? That's so cool!" Ruby exclaimed.

The 3rd year team looks around bashfully, Ichigo and Uryū tries to stay looking cool but the red tinted on their cheeks gave them away. Rukia blushed. "…We're not that good."

Coco chuckled. "Now that's bullshit."

Uryū clears his throat. "Ahem…It's time that we get going. The longer we stay here, the longer the village is being tormented. Ms. Adel, please keep everything in line."

"Got it, Prez," Coco said with a mock salute.

"And as class representative, I'll assist her." Weiss said.

"You guys have fun," Coco said. "Be sure to call when you guys get back."

"Okay. See you guys later," Ichigo said. He turns around, his coat flaring behind. A memory flashes through Ruby's mind. The black coat was replaced with a white cloak as white rose petals drifted by.

"Ichigo?" Ruby spoke up. Ichigo looks over his shoulder. Ruby's brows farrowed and her eyes shined with worry, a rarity for the scythe wielder. She forced a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Come back safely." It reminded Ichigo of Yuzu, one of his younger sisters. His face softens as his scowl turned into a smile. He's nods and he and his team continue on to the Bullhead.

Yang turns to Weiss. "You do know that you aren't the only class rep."

"Oh, hush!"

Coco and team RWBY watched as the Bullhead take flight to its destination. Coco clasps her hands together. "All right, now that they are gone, let's have some fun."

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

"How is this fun?" Yang asked. She and the rest of RWBY are in the student council office, helping Coco and Velvet with organizing and dusting. The only one having any type of fun is Weiss.

"Don't worry. As soon as we finish, we'll have actual fun," Coco reassured.

"Actually, I do have a question," Ruby said.

"Shoot."

"How did you guys met Ichigo and his team?"

"That's the question?"

"Yeah, I wanna know too," Yang said.

Coco looks at the 1st year team, seeing that they are interested in knowing. "If that's what you girls want to hear, okay…"

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

One year ago, a day after the initiation.

Coco was turning around the corner when she bumped into a bright orange haired man. He wore a long, black coat, a white shirt with an orange design, black pants, and black boots. Strapped to his back is a large black sword, possibly bigger than Yatsuhachi's. "Sorry about that," The man said. Coco noticed that his eyes are a light shade of brown. He's handsome, that's for sure. Too bad Coco isn't interested in men.

"No harm done," Coco said.

A more slender male appeared beside the other. "You need to pay more attention to your surroundings, Kurosaki."

'Kurosaki' rolled his eyes at the slighter male. "Yeah, yeah. I heard it already, Ishida."

"Then listen." 'Ishida' is also quite the looker, and a Quincy to boot. That explains the so-called 'ethereal beauty' Quincys were said to possess. He wore clothes that would make someone think he came from the local church. Ishida looks at Coco. "My apologies."

"It's no problem, really," Coco said. She scanned the Quincy up and down. "Love your boots."

The Quincy smiled. "Thank you. If don't mind me asking, who designed your scarf?"

"A tailor from downtown Vale. Though, I wish he could've added something to it." The scarf itself was neatly designed with fine yarn, but Coco felt that it was missing something.

'Ishida' gets a closer look at the cloth. "Hmmm..." He then grins and snapped his fingers. He digs into a bag he's been carrying. He pulls out a black cloth fashioned into a flower.

"Oh boy…" Ichigo grunted.

Coco marveled at the flower now sewn on her scarf. She lowered her sunglasses. "I like it. You have good taste." That made 'Ishida' smile with pride.

"I swear. You should've become a seamster instead of a Huntsman," 'Kurosaki' said.

"Excuse me? Are you mocking my talents?" 'Ishida' inquired.

"Take a guess." Coco sweat dropped as she watched the two glare daggers at each other.

"Honestly, you two. We've just got back from a mission and you're already arguing?" A beautiful, petite woman with black hair and purple eyes said as she walked to them. By her side is a tall, tanned man with tribal tattoos and long crimson hair.

Realization hit Coco. "Wait a minute…A guy in black with a large black sword, a Quincy man in white, a petite woman, and a guy with tattoos and crimson hair…" A grin creeps from the corners of her lips. "You guys are team IURR."

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

"Really? That's it? That's how you guys met?" Yang said, disappointed. "I was hoping for some action."

"Yang…" Weiss chastised.

Coco merely smiled. "Sorry about that. Unfortunately, not everything involved fighting."

"Can't you give us something juicier?" Yang pleaded.

"Juicier, huh…Oh, I know one," Coco said. "Sweet Velvet over here dated Ichigo once." The bunny girl dropped everything she was holding.

"Coco! Did you have to tell them that?" She asked, her face a beet red.

"What? You dated Berry Boy?" Yang asked in disbelief.

"Y-yes…I did…" Velvet answered. "Is it really that surprising?"

"Kind of." Yang said. "Berry Boy didn't seem to be the type and with that scowl, I wouldn't be surprised that he scares away any girls interested in him."

"He was intimidating at first, but…" A fond smile appeared on Velvet's face as she remembered.

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

"Hey Hops. How's it going?"

"Do that leg work, bunny girl!"

"Think you can give me a lesson on multiplication?"

Velvet does her best to ignore the jeers and taunts. She hoped that if she continued to ignore them, they'll lose interest. She yelps in pain when some guy grabbed one of her ears.

"Are those things even real?" he said, giving the ear good yank.

"Ow, that hurts! Please stop," Velvet pleaded.

"'Please stop'!" the guy mocked.

"Do they even work?" one of his friends questioned.

"Let's find out." He pulls Velvet's bunny ear closer before screaming, "CAN YOU HEAR ME, FAUNUS TRASH?!" He and his friends laugh, disregarding the tears coming from the poor girl.

Then, the guy's friends were kicked from behind. Angry, they turn to the perpetrator. Their anger turned to fear. "I-Ichigo Kurosaki?" If looks could kill, then the bullies could have drop dead from the sight of Ichigo's heated glare.

"And what in hell's name do you shitheads think you're doing?" He hissed.

"N-n-n-nothing!"

"Then let go of her, idiot!"

"R-right!" The punk did what he is told and relinquished his grip on Velvet's ear. She backed away a little. She has seen the Grimm Reaper of Beacon from afar, noting his near-permanent scowl and gruff attitude. He was really a scary person. Seeing him now further emphasized it.

"Now, get the hell out of my sight!" He stumped the ground, enticing more fear into the punks. They runaway in fear and Velvet wasn't sure if she should do the same. "Hey," She squealed a little. She timidly turned to Ichigo. "Is your ear okay?"

"What?"

"Is your ear okay?" Ichigo asked again, his tone gentle. Velvet's eyes widened a little.

"It's a little sore, but other than that, it's fine," She answered.

"Go to the infirmary to have it checked. The guy screamed in it point blank after all." That's when Velvet finally noticed the ringing in her ear.

She winced. "Yeah, I guess you're right." Ichigo turns to leave. "Um…" He stopped and looked at her. "…thank you." Wordlessly, Ichigo turns back around and leaves.

But Velvet did see his ears turning red. She smiled.

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

After that, the two saw each other every now and again, exchanging minor conversations. Nothing much. That is until Velvet joined Prof. Peach's botany meetings, which Ichigo was a part of. It was there where Velvet got to see Ichigo's softer side as he carefully handles the plants. They started to hang out afterwards for their mutual liking for botany. It wasn't until Coco and Keigo called their excursions dating when Velvet and Ichigo decided to make it official. Velvet smiled fondly. "…It was nice."

"'Was'? You two aren't dating anymore?" Ruby asked.

Velvet's rabbit ears drooped. "…No. We're not. We've only seen each other for only 4 months. But, before anyone says anything, it's not Ichigo's fault. Believe me. Coco would have done something about it if that was the case."

"She's not wrong," Coco shrugged.

"Can you tell us what happened?" Ruby asked.

"Ichigo was just going through a tough time," Velvet answered.

"Did it have anything to do with the Bount case?" Ruby asked. Velvet looks over to Coco, who shakes her head.

"I can't answer that. That is something you need to ask Ichigo and his team." Ruby was afraid of that being the case. She recalled how Ichigo reacted when the Bount case was mentioned way back when they first met up in Jack's Java Beans. Ruby just wanted to know what happened because she was worried.

The doors to the student council room slid opened as Yatsuhachi Daichi and Fox Alistair entered.

"Oh, hey, Yatsu, Fox. Need something?" Coco asked.

"We just wanted to know what is taking you two so long," Fox said.

"And if there is anything we can do to help," Yatsuhachi added.

"Oh, yeah. We were in the middle of cleaning, but we got a bit sidetracked," Coco said.

"By what?" Fox asked.

"We were talking about team IURR with RWBY," Velvet answered.

"Team IURR…They are a formidable group," Yatsuhachi said. "I remember sparring with Ichigo…"

'And getting in trouble with Prof. Goodwitch because of the collateral damage.' Fox sent via his Semblance, Telepathy. Yatsuhachi gives him look and Fox grins coyly.

A ringtone of the energetic rock song, Caffeine, played from Coco's Scroll. She coolly takes it out of the right upper pocket of her black trousers. The caller is Rukia. She answers it. "Hey, Ru, how's it hangin'? You guys back already?" Her expression turned serious. "What?...Yeah, Ruby and her team are with me. What happened? Where are you guys?...'Kay, on my way." She ends the call and starts in a sprint, the others following. They were surprised to see Coco Adel run instead of strutting her casual walks. This is must be really serious.

"Coco, what's wrong?" Yang asked with urgency. "Where are they? What happened?"

"They're going to the infirmary. They were fighting Grimm and Uryū got hurt by one."

That escalated quickly. Am I the only one who likes to put their favorite characters through the wringer?

Next Chapter: Looming Danger