Disclaimer – I do not own either Bleach or Kingdom Hearts!

Warning - see first chapter

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

09/2011 - Revised Chapter.

~4th chapter Begins! ~

Last Time - "Now that all of that has been taken care of, this meeting is officially over! Dismissed!" Head captain Yamamoto thundered.

The sound of running water died in the rather silent room as the door slid open. Claire stepped out of the stall grabbing a towel and wrapping it around her. She grabbed the second one and began drying her wet hair as she stood before the mirror.

It felt so good to finally have a shower, she hadn't had one since this mess happened and it was really great to feel clean again.

Aeirth was busy doing whatever in another room and while she had been roaming around the house came upon the bathroom. It was much too tempting to pass up so without so much as a second thought she took a long warm and relaxing shower.

Claire set the towel down and grabbed a comb that lay on the counter and ran it through her hair; the tangles didn't stand a chance.

Replacing the comb she picked up her clothes and pulled them on, seeing as she didn't have anything else. She had left her sword in the room with Alec, he was watching over it for her, even if he didn't realize.

Claire opened the door and strolled out into the corridor meeting with a cold blast of air, causing her to grit her teeth in irritation.

She entered the room that contained Alec, eyes roaming; there had to be something to do. In the corner of the room a desk took hold of her curiosity, she headed over. Placed in rather neat piles were papers some of them blank, besides them stood pencils in different lengths.

Claire reached over and grasped some of the blank paper and pencils and trailed over to the couch to sit. Perhaps some drawing would help feel like old times…

*********88

In a room at the far end of the house, papers rustled in the rather silent room. It had been close to being a good length that she had been in Traverse Town.

Aeirth knew what a risk it would be to travel but it was safer to go alone, Leon and Cloud having grudgingly agreed.

She had hoped to find something of use in Traverse Town that could aid them or even people willing to aid in their cause that being much more likely, but not a thing here looked promising. She had searched the entire city; this house was the last…

She would have to leave soon, it had been too long and Aeirth couldn't get the uneasy feeling that they needed to leave as she had had since the night Claire and Alec arrived.

At least she wouldn't be returning empty handed, not that Claire and Alec would likely be of much help. She would have to wait for King Mickey's say on the situation…

Unconsciously Aeirth brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, unusual for her as she rarely needed to do such a thing.

Gripping a few of the useless papers Aeirth placed them in a pile in the corner, while standing. Tilting her head a tad she stared at the closed door, ideally wondering how Claire was faring and if Alec had awoken. Knowing that probably wasn't so since Claire would have come to inform her.

Sighing Aeirth strolled out the door and headed for the shower, a nice warm shower would hopefully drain away some of her unease.

*********88

A long corridor in white, stretched until it rounded a corner. The air was thick yet quiet, and not a soul was around.

As she moved down the empty corridor a tingling feeling shot down her spine, yet as she glanced all about… she saw nothing.

She rounded the corner in an attempt to leave the feeling of unease behind. Another long white corridor greeted her, as she traveled farther down it; it felt like she had gone down the exact same one.

About half way down the corridor, cracks slowly formed in the walls; dust fell as the walls started to tremble…

She sped up in hopes of finding a safe area, but the farther she got the closer she seemed to get to the chaos.

The cracks grew, and as she paused to stare at the growing lines of the crack a red liquid trickled out of the cracks. She moved closer as more of the liquid started to flow, she slowly raised her hand and touched some of the liquid. She pulled back, her hand coming back with red. She brought her hand up to her nose to smell, and the smell of iron reached her…

She jerked away from the wall and furiously tried to wipe her hand off as she stared in growing horror at the blood that was coming down the wall.

Blood…

Taking a deep calming breath she turned away and with a quicker pace then before heading down the corridor, praying that she was just imagining things.

The end of the corridor came in sight and with a hint of relief she surged forward and rounded the corner. Darkness greeted her, the entire area in pitch black, as she moved she rammed into something… or someone. It felt like a body she had collided with but with it so dark it was hard to tell, she stepped back; intent on turning around, only to freeze.

Her whole body seemed frozen, she couldn't seem to move, breathing heavily her eyes sought out anything before her. Something in the shadows moved and a slice of fear ran down her body and she started to thrash, anything in order to move… with no luck as she remained glued to her spot.

The darker shadow moved and came closer, a figure emerging. She could see white and as her eyes went to where they knew the face was, a silent shout fell from her lips.

Her vision began to blur and as she felt herself plummet finally able to move, the last thing she saw was a pair of blue eyes with such intensity staring at her as darkness enveloped her.

Claire jerked upright from her position on the couch, sweat marring her face; her breath uneven as her drawings lay scattered before her.

Shakily Claire rose; her eyes landing on Alec, who still remained unaware to the world. Once she was sure he was fine (Other than still being unconscious), she staggered forward. As she came beside the couch in which Alec laid; she grabbed her sword and placed it on her back. She had a blue ribbon connected the sheath.

Running a hand through her slightly damp hair she let loose a shaky sigh and left the room. She ventured down the hall and out the front door.

In the back of her mind, noting that Aeirth told her not to leave and yet… she needed to… she needed to calm down and a walk sounded just the thing.

The door fell shut behind her, the cool night air helped soothe her as she got farther away from the house that at the moment felt more like a prison.

*********88

The sound of a door opening was the only indication that someone was living in the house.

The cold air nipped at her skin as Aeirth headed down the hall, her destination the kitchen. A nice warm cup of tea sounded great…

The room that contained Alec came into view, Aeirth stopped before the ajar room. With only a small tilt of her head Aeirth lightly 'knocked' on the door. After gaining no response she pulled the door open the rest of the way.

"Claire?"

The room was quiet and empty; Aeirth moved over to the couch and glanced down. Alec still lay quietly, but the room held no sign of the girl.

On the other side of the couch Aeirth caught sight of something; it looked like a piece of paper. Going around the couch Aeirth picked up the sheets of paper, upon a closer look Aeirth realized that they were drawings.

Clearly they had to have been done by Claire as she had never seen them before. The first drawing was of a beautiful water fountain surrounded by a garden. It must really be something in color…

The second drawing… Aeirth's eyes went wide as she took in the picture; she couldn't believe what she was seeing. She closed her eyes and reopened them only to meet with the same image… this was worrisome…

A frown marred Aeirth's features; with a shake of her head she left the room, pocketing the one drawing. Arriving in the kitchen Aeirth noted instantly it was empty, a sense of dread surged through her…

She hoped that Claire was somewhere in the house, she wouldn't have left? Right? Glancing at the front door only to find it unlocked.

Jolting slightly, she jerked forward a tad as panic seeped through her, her hand clutching at her head. Claire… had left the house… Anger welled up as well as concern 'I told her it was not safe to leave the house.'

Closing her eyes for a moment before sighing heavily while dropping her hand from her head. Aeirth turned from the unlocked door in thought.

Aeirth strolled over to the cupboards to make her tea; it was close to dinner time. 'If Claire doesn't show up then I will go and look for her.' She wouldn't worry until then.

~ The World of the Living ~

A pair of eyes traveled the area; the sound of life could be heard farther away.

Another figure appeared beside him, for the moment he chose to ignore him as his eyes shifted down to look at the crater before him.

"It's strange…"

Kinshiba blinked and tore his eyes away to glance at his companion. "What is?"

"Despite the Hollow appearances, err the Arrancars; we haven't had much trouble. It's like they don't care to attack us even though they know we're here."

Kinshiba sighed as he returned his gaze back to the crater, "It would be a waste of their time."

"What? What's that suppose to mean?" There was a bit of arrogance to his voice as well as confusion.

"The Arrancars are looking for something, and if they waste time fighting and trying to kill the soul reapers means the less chance of finding anything."

"Oh…"

"They want to find her first…" Kinshiba muttered to low for his companion to hear.

Kinshiba looked to the starry sky, eyes slightly glazed. 'My Lady, where are you? Are you alright? And Alec; is he with you?' So many questions and no answers, it was frustrating and upsetting, but there was one thing that was clear and also made him feel a small amount of relief. The Arrancars were avoiding the soul reapers as much as possible, which clearly meant that they didn't have the 'Ouin'; that Aizen didn't have Claire.

It was just a matter of time, and he would do everything he could to find them first.

Kinshiba was broken out of his thoughts by his companion, "Man, I was hoping to get to do some fighting."

A small smile crossed Kinshiba's face as he turned to face the other male, "Renji, I am sure you will get to fight soon enough. Just don't forget that the reason were here is to find Claire."

A scoff was heard from red haired male who bore blank lined tattoos, "I know. Doesn't mean I can't wish for a fight."

"Why, you in a hurry to lose?" A new voice spoke up.

Renji swung around to face the new speaker, furry etched onto his face; "You wish Ichigo! And I wasn't talking to you!"

"Hah, that just means you were worried I would over hear that you were afraid to lose!" Ichigo shouted back jauntily.

"What!"

Kinshiba sighed as Renji left his side, a struggle taking place behind him. Closing his eyes he silently prayed, 'Alec… please take care of her…'

"I can beat you anytime anywhere!"

"Cannot!"

"Oh, yeah!"

"Yeah, if I remember correctly I creamed you the last time we fought Renji!"

"You just got lucky!"

"Did not! I didn't know you were such a sore loser…"

"Argh, I'm not!" Renji shouted, simmering.

The arguing penetrated Kinshiba's thoughts as he turned away from the crater to glare at the immature duo. He couldn't believe that the Head captain put the two of them together, they argued practically every second. It was very irritating and could prove to be trouble.

"Enough!" A sharp but dull voice stated.

Instantly the bickering ended both letting go of the other's kimono and muttered quietly but loud enough to be heard, "Yes Caption Kuchiki."

The sixth captain turned his attention to Kinshiba, "Let's split up."

It wasn't much of a demand as it was to a request. Captain Kuchiki in some part respected him as close to any other captain. Kinshiba respected the older noble, for being dedicated and loyal and if anything for his ability to shut up the two bickering idiots so soundly.

Nodding, "Ichigo." Knowing the boy would understand, as he disappeared.

~ That's the end of chapter four! ~

So sorry that it took like two weeks to post but school comes first!

Sorry for any misspelled words and for any OOC!