Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach as much as I wish I did. It belongs to the brilliant Tite Kubo-sama.

Pairings: Shinji Hirako/ Ichigo Kurosaki

Chapter summary: 7 transfer students show up at Kurakara High, all of them very familiar, but even with them there, Ichigo still ends up fighting the Espada on his own. And what's this about Urahara unsealing something?

'thoughts'

flashback

/Zangetsu/

/hollow/

/Ichigo to Zangetgtsu or Shiro/

Un-betaed

Chapter 4: The Meeting that Changed Fate

"Do you think it will always be this peaceful?"

I glanced at him, unsure as to how I should answer. He was my lord, I was supposed to protect him, shield him with everything that I had, even if it was from the cruelties of the world. And he was young, so very young, and so innocently naïve. But he was also very understanding. And for whatever reason, I decided to give him an answer. In time, even without me telling him, he would figure how this works out, so why not tell him now.

"The chances of times like this lasting are very slim. In order for something good to happen, or continue to happen, something else has to suffer. Not every area can stay peaceful" He knew his voice had taken somewhat of an ominous tone, as memories from his past assaulted him.

"Like the equal exchange and the balance of powers?"

His voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "That's very similar to it, but at the same time very different. Only one side gets the benefits. The one that was suffering has to fight for it to end, for there to be peace and it is only in this way that they will ever gain true freedom."

"Like soul society and here?", though it was staged as a question, I knew it was rather fact then suggestion.

I sighed as a familiar reitsu washed over me, mentally rolling my eyes. Of course our bonding time would be interrupted by him.

"Busy protecting our young lord Yuki-fukutaichio?"

That damn accursed name…

"Is that not what you're supposed to be doing…baka-taicho?"

It was a sunny day that next morning. The birds were chirping, dogs barking and people yapping at each other with a rare few talking to themselves. However, no matter how lively it was in the city, it paled in comparison to what was going to happen at Karakura High.

Keigo raced down the halls, eyes bright with childish delight as he passed students and made sharp turns around hallways as he made his way to his own class.

"Ichigo!" he yelled as he reached the class's door, not in the least bit minding the ruckus he was causing or the looks he was receiving. "Ichigo!" he said loudly, but in an overly excited voice that annoyed Ichigo as he reached his friends desk.

Said friend just glared at him through slanted eyes. Surprisingly, Ichigo had recovered enough the previous day to attend school today, though he still had a cold, though this time it was because of his own making. Perhaps his healing had something to do with Hachi's kido or maybe it was Orohime rejecting his sickness and healing the bond between his soul and body.

"What Keigo?" he all but groaned out in a snappish tone. His tone did not in the least bit surprise the brunette. His friend (and secret but not so secret now crush) looked like he had been put through hell with his hair messier than usual, bags under his eyes and slightly paler skin.

Still though, it was best to save Ichigo's pride then point anything out. So he grinned, "We're having transfer students Ichigo! 7 of them! Here in Karakura! Hardly anything interesting happens here!"

That wasn't true, as it would turn out; Karakura was really not all that boring. Of course, you had to be able to see hollows for that to be true, but oh well.

"I hear that there is this babe among them that really hot", there were stars in his eyes.

Golden eyes just rolled over in fondness. Hid friend was so predictable.

He leaned back, closing his eyes. Keigo stayed silent, noting not for the first time how worn out his friend looked. He really should have stayed at home.

A cool hand suddenly pressed against his forehead, drawing a noticeable flinch from him. His eyes opened and stared into the worried brown eyes of Orohime. She was leaning down a bit, peering at him.

"Kurosaki-kun" she murmured, keeping her hand there.

Ichigo began to relax slowly as he got used to her touch. Her hand felt really nice against his hot forehead. He had gotten sick again last night when he went to bed with wet hair and the fan on. He really should have known better.

Chads presence seemed to wrap around him protectively from behind him as he walked back in the room. He was in charge of school duty today and so could not walk with him to school this morning. Not for the first time did he wonder if they really did care for him, but still doubts lingered. He was afraid, that even though they had powers, they would get hurt and that also they would abandon him. He had come to that realization last night after they had left his house. Still…they were going to be hovering around him like flies today.

Noise started to filter from the hallway in the direction that Keigo had come from. Voices that made his and a few other heads snap up.

"What do you mean you don't know what room he's in" a somewhat familiar voice yelled. A familiar female voice the he never thought he would hear here.

"Just follow his reitsu; the idiot still can't contain it. Besides, I've only ever been here twice" this time the voice was definitely male and sounded affronted.

But still, the whole can't contain the reitsu thing…'Is undoubtedly about me'

"What an ugly way to find him"

"There you go again"

"I still can't believe that they won't allow a sword into this place"

"You still brought a wooden sword"

"Will you all just shut up"

The door to the classroom slid open, but the face that walked in was not the person, or rather people that they were expecting. The person who opened the door was a blonde male, and someone that was very familiar to Ichigo.

"Shinji" his name slipped out in a whisper, no louder then s pin dropping, but the blonde still heard it, or maybe he just felt his leaking energy. Either way, Shinji looked over to him, and as their eyes met, he felt himself freeze. He couldn't move away from that piercing, knowing gaze that looked through him. Why was he looking at him like that? Like he knew Ichigo better then himself, like he knew something that he himself did not. He gazed at him with such intense emotion that Ichigo felt like he was going to faint. Why was their such a protective gleam in his eyes. Did he honestly just come to this school just to protect him like Mashiro (and yes, he did remember her name. For some reason, the feeling of doom was intense at the thought that he might forget her name so he had hers and the rest of their names all memorized) had said? Then it all seemed to stop, he could move again as the emotions in his eyes seemed to disappear.

"Ichigo", Shinjis said in a loud enough voice.

Ichigo blinked, just having realized that his eyes were beginning to water from keeping them open for too long. Everyone's attention in the classroom was drawn to them, probably wondering how this kid (if only they knew) knew Ichigo.

He resisted the urge to face palm as he felt almost everyone's heated gaze on him. He hated being the center of attention, a result most likely of being point out constantly for his hair since as far back as he could remember.

"Kurosaki-kun" Orohime mumbled, "Who is he?" She had heard him when he spoke what she assumed to be the boys name. She was rather hurt though, at the way that he gazed at him. There had only been one other time when Ichigo had ever looked at someone like that as far as she knew, and that was Rukia after they had rescued her. The fact that Ichigo looked at this male like that, with that weak expression that she was sure he did not even realize giving, showed something. It showed that for some reason or another, Ichigo trusted this male. And the blonde, this Shinji, seemed to have a strange protective aura over Ichigo, gently cocooning him, but it wasn't reitsu. She could only see it because of her power. Something was going on here, and for the first time, she was willing to do anything to figure it out. First thing on her list: figure out there relationship.

Now how to answer that. Saying I don't know him would have been stupid, since not only did the blonde obviously know him ( he couldn't say stalker since that would bring a heap of trouble, and he didn't think Shinji would like being called that), however, he could not call him friend since they had just met the previous day. Besides he knew almost nothing about him

"He's just an aquitence of mine"

Hirako frowned a bit hearing this, having made his way over to the young vizard. He was kind of hoping that Ichigo would call him a friend in response to the girl, but he still knew that him saying anything like that was unlikely. Still, didn't hurt to dream right? He still remembered what Kisuke had told him and the others yesterday and knew what he had to do. Still, it was hard to believe that something like that had happened, or was even possible.

"That's kind of mean Berry-chan" he mock pouted, inwardly he was laughing with glee at the highly affronted glare he was receiving from said strawberry and the slack jawed expression he was getting from the rest of berry's friends.

'Oh yes' he thought with glee, 'yesterday's incident with Mashiro did not prove to be false.

Ticks began to form on Ichigo's head, and he gritted his teeth, 'this guy…' "Baka blonde"

Shinji just grinned an even wider grin, happy at the response. He got worse from Hiyori, and she was way older then this kid and had come up with lots of interesting names to call him. Before he could provoke him more, the teacher walked in, followed by the other 6 transfer students. It didn't take a genius to realize that they were all soul reapers. The unease they showed at being confined in their gigais was enough confirmation to him. Their unease was very apparent, or perhaps he was just that good.

The rest of the class settled down, watching as the new transfer students stood in front of them. They whispered excitedly to one another, in voices that they thought were low but rang loudly in the trained soldiers ears.

"Hey, isn't that Kurosaki's weird cousin?"

"That blonde is hot!"

"Who the male? I didn't know you swung that way?"

"No you idiot, the female with long blonde hair and the big breasts!"

"What's with that white hair?"

"Screw that! What's with him! He looks like a kid!"

"Maybe he's a midget?"

"Doesn't that girl look familiar?"

"No, but does that guy have feathers in his eye?"

"What a freak" (no offense intended)

"Look that guys bald"

"Badly"

"That blonde knows Kurosaki"

"Wonder if their related?"

"Who knows"

While all this was happening, the others, (orohime and Chad. Ichigo and Ishida sensed them a while ago and figured out who they were) were staring at the transfers. It was Renji, Rukia, the captain and lieutenant of squad 10 HItsugaya and Matsumoto, and squad 11's 3rd and 5th seat Ikkaku and Yumichika.

All of them looked annoyed (except for Rukia, Shinji, and Rangiku) for being talked about like they weren't even there.

Renji was holding Ikkaku and Rangiku was holding Yumichika, stopping them from attacking any of the humans that were talking bad about them. "Don't listen to them talk. It's just needless human prattle"

That didn't help matters, nor did it calm them down. What did help was the mention of how Zaraki-taicho would be upset to have 2 members of his squad, 2 elite members of his squad, shame him in the human world without their even being a fight.

Hirako just gazed at them with a calculating look, one that was not ignored by Hitsugaya. His eyes narrowed, 'there's something not quite right about him'

"Ahem"

Ichigo stared at them, not quite sure what to think. He was happy to see Rukia, Renji and the others, even Toshiro seeing as how they had become friends during his recovery after the bount incident. However them being here gave a dangerous feeling. The fact that Kurakara was playing host to a shinigami captain, 2 lieutenants, and 3 seated officers (Rukia challenged the 4 seat of the 13th squad and came out victorious), plus the others (namely his nakama and Urahara Shoten) did not bode well in his. Was Aizen ready to make his move? If so, did that mean Karakura town was destined to become a battle ground for those who dwelled in the realm of the dead?

"AHEM"

His attention riveted to his sensei, noting her annoyed look and twitching eyes. He was not the only one, the rest of the class's attention riveted to her.

Her black eyes glittered dangerously, "as you've probably heard" here she glanced at Keigo, who grinned nervously, "we have several transfer students. Please introduce yourselves to the rest of the class"

Ikkaku looked like he was going to start mouthing at her for treating him like a child, but thankfully Renji still held him back. He glanced at Rukia, pleading with her to start.

"Rukia Kuchiki" she gave her little bow. Some girl's giggle3d, and even Ichigo couldn't resist smirking. She really needed to read up on the times, perhaps he should get her a book. How to fit in the modern era shouldn't be so hard to find. No one curtsied in Japan anymore, today females bowed just like the males.

"Renji Abarai"

"Ikkaku Madarame"

"Yumichika" he said in a bored voice, looking at his nails in a bored fashion

"Rangiku Matsumoto" she jumped a bit, winking at the boy who called her hot earlier, giggling a bit when he blushed at the way he gazed at her bouncing breasts

"Toshiro Hitsugaya", eyes closed, arms crossed, he ignored the squeals from the girls in the classroom who mashed over how 'cute' he was.

Ms. Ochi's glare and dark smile quickly quited the class.

"Shinji HIrako, and yes, it is spelled with the character for common" he was rubbing the back of his head, an easy going smile on his face, but his eyes were sharp and stsring at Ichigo.

Chuckling filled the room at the blondes comment and apparent easy going nature. He would definitely be fun to have around.

"Lets find some seats for you" Ms. Ochi said, glancing around the room, taking in all available seats.

Rukia started to walk to her old seat, confident that she would get it. Besides, it was her seat, as if she would let anyone else have it. And she would be saving the teacher the trouble of having to look for a seat for her, just an added bonus.

"Shinji-kun you may take the seat next to Ichigo-kun"

Her eyes widened as her seat was givien to that blonde new kid that came in with them this year.

Shinji walked past Rukia, giving her a dark smirk of victory. Her eyes widened, terror filling her as he smiled and passed her completely. Her body began to shake, blood going cold./ Then it5 was gone, as if that feeling had never been persent in those few moments as he sat down.

She could feel Renji glancing at her worriedly, but she couldn't bring herself to look at him as she went to her newly assigned seat. For the rest of the class, she kept quiet, sparring only a few glances at this blonde and Ichigo, worried for her friends sake.

Why did this guy scare her so? Why did he seem so victorious at being able to sit next to Ichigo? Was he an agent of Aizen? Or someone else entirely? What did he want with Ichigo? And why did it feel like she had just lost something to him, something important?

These thoughts plagued her for the rest of class until the lunch bell rang.

Mizuiro stood up and stretched,an eye open as he surveyed his friends, "Whose turn is it to treat today?"

Keigo jumped up, anrms wide, "Its Ichigos turn today"

"No, its Mizuiros turn today" Ichigo muttered, scowl on his face. He was sweating a bit, something that Chad noticed but chose not to comment on. "Isn't that right Chad?"

The big guy nodded, and from out of nowhere pulled out a sand brown calendar.

Mizuiro and Keigo looked at it, taking note of the name in each date. Sure enough, just as Ichigo had said, Mizuiros name was in todays date.

So it was with many tears in his eyes that Mizuiro departed glancing sadly at his wallet and dragging Keigo along behind him, regardless of his struggling.

Ichigo sighed, 'those 2 will never change'

"Strange friends you have strawberry" Renji said from begiend him.

Fsaster then the red head could dodge, Ichigo punced him in the face. "Don't call me that you damn pineapple"

Renji held held his nose, glaring at the substitute shinigami. "That hurt you damn mozron"

Ichigo smirked darkly, "It was supposed to hurt you idiot. Cant figure that out for yourswelf"

Renji glowered at him. "I'm not an idiot nor am I a pineapple"

"So anyway", amber eyes got hard. Friends they may be, this wwas in no way a social visit. "Why are you here?"

Tension rose between the small group, and the humens had a feeling that it was something bad. "We've gathered intelligence suggesting that Aizen will make his move against us soon. We were stationed here since the 12th division believes he will very likely attack here."

"But why would Aizen strike here?" it was Orohime who asked this question. She and Ishida had made their way over to them after the bell had rung, well, after Orohime had said she would catch up with Tatsuki and Chizuru later.

"We don't know yet, but it may have to do with the spiritual energy that leaks off this town. There are so many weaknesses in the dimensional plane where here that it would be easy to open a portal from anywhere. Besides, this is te place where the ryoka who stopped him in the Seireitei live, it is a prime target" Ichigo and Rukia couldn't help but wince at that. Ichigo blamed himself in the fact that he nearly got everyone killed and that he didn't kill Aizen there which was now putting everyone in danger. Rukia winced because this all began because she gave a spiritually aware human her powers.

Ikkaku snorted, "either way, I hope these arrancar give a good fight "he reached for his side, probably aiming to grab Hozukimaru. His eye twitched in annoyance when he grabbed nothing and was reminded that he was in a gigai.

"Whats an arrancar?"

"An arrancar is a hollow whose removed his mask and gained shinigami powers in the process. Their very powerful, most likely since most of them were vast lords before their mask removal. Those kind of hollows are the only ones that could ever gain enough sanity to do something like that. From what we've gather from Urahara-san, the Hougyoku has the power to break down the barrio between hollow and shinigami" Renji relpied. "Usually the only kind of hollows that are strong enough, or have the mind to do something like that are the vaste lords"

"Vaste lords?" this time it was Chad who asked.

HItsugaya sighed, walking away from the window, arms crossed. "Urahara-san really didn't explain the levels of hollows to you did he?"

Blank looke greeted him, though there was some recognition in Ichigo's eyes. "Levels? Hueco Mundo?"

Yumichika and Ikkaku started to walk away, bored with the current conversation. "While you educate them, we'll scout the area" was the response the others got when they asked where the 2 of them were going.

"Hueco Mundo is where the world of the hollows live. Where the human plane is where the living live and the soul society is the home for the purified souls of the dearly departed and the shinigami, Hueco Mundo is the home for the cursed souls of the dead that feed of others. Do you follow?"

The small captain received 4 nods.

"Now the levels of hollows are as follows: Gillian, the weakest, followed by the adjuchas, and then the vaste lordes. The weakest of the Gillian are the newly formed hollows, while the strongest is the Menos Grande, much like the one that I heard you fought not to long ago"

Ishida and Ichigos eyes widened. "No way" Ichigo muttered in shock, "are you telling me that that thing is considered amongst the weakest?" he exclaimed

Silence only greeted him.

"Damn" he cursed

"Language Ichigo" Toshiro chided

Renji snickered as the substitute flushed red.

Ishida glanced at Hitsugaya, 'it sounds like he's chiding a small child, give or take the fact that Ichigo is a child to him and acts like it half the time, but do you honestly say something like that to someone that you've just started to call friend? Still…' he stored away these thoughts for later.

Orohime was smiling happily. Rangiku, who was miraculously quiet, was looking at her captain strangely.

Ichigo growled low in his throat, only to start coughing.

"Hey man" Renji said in alarm, "Are you ok?"

Ichigo gave him a frosted glare as he massaged his throat. "yeah", he muttered, "just surprised". He turned to Hitsugaya, "Back to the hollow levels"

Toshiro just smirked, but he continued none the less. "Next, after the gillians are the adjuchas. Gillians who've devoured enough of their own kind undergo a transformation, becoming smaller and gaining something akin to a human form. Their powers increase and they begin to regain the sanity they lost when becoming a menos. A captain can easily defeat one without too much difficulty. The last level ids the vaste lordes" here he took a pause, teal eyes staring seriously at the humans. "The vaste lordes are the strongest of the hollow levels. It's said that should 14 of them attack the seireitei it would be destroyed. Their appearance is that of an almost human, only with a mask. They are stronger then each individual captain"

Silence

All of them could comprehend the danger that came with this admission. Should Aizen even gain 10 of them, this war would be finished before it even began, or in the least turn the war to Aizens favor.

Something suddenly occurred to Ichigo, "What about the arrancar?"

Teal eyes shined with some hidden meaning, perhaps pride, but that was impossible, before it flickered out. "arancar, because they have shinigami powers, fall under the title hybrid. Due to a lack of knowledge, we can't exactly say what their powers might be. We do know, however, that a group of arrancar, called the Espada, guard Hueco Mundo" he finished.

A hollow has the potential for a near unstable growth rate power wise, and combine that with a shinigami ability, these arrancar…are very dangerous.

Ichigo turned toward Shinji, finding the blonde staring right at him, not truly paying any attention to the teens around him that were trying to get him involved in their conversation. His eyes were knowing, and Ichigo shuddered. There, right in his eyes was the answer to the question that Ichigo unknowingly asked.

Yes, he, along with the rest of the vizards fell under the category of hybrid. With their inner hollow and hollow mask, they were the main shinigami equivalent to the arrancar.

A hand suddenly clasped his shoulder, jerking his attention away from the other vizard. "Ichigo-kun" he looked behind him to find Ms. Ochi, "can you come with me". He nodded, already knowing what she wanted.

"See you guys in a few minutes" he gave a half hearted wave as he left the rest of the gang.

Renji looked toward Rukia, "all right Rukia, spill." He said, drawing everyone's attention, "what's got you so quiet? You didn't even draw like you usually do when you or someone else was explaining the hollows to Ichigo"

She gave him a somewhat shaky smile, "really Renji, nothing is wrong"

He gave her a look.

"Kuchiki, explain" the 10th squad captain ordered.

"That blonde, Hirako" she glanced up at the blonde, who was now paying rapt attention to the brunette that was talking to him, "he unsettles me. Earlier, when he sat by Ichigo, he acted so victorious. I think that he may want something with Ichigo" she looked troubled, "He may be one of Aizens"

Rolling his eyes Hitsugaya started to walk away, "don't worry about him, He is strong, and can take care of himself". While he was walking, his eyes never left the blonde head of the other transfer students as the blonde followed the same path that Ichigo took with the sensei. His eyes narrowed.

Regardless of what he said, this Shinji Hirako bared watching.

Ms. Ochi led Ichigo to the teachers longue, saying hello to her fellow sensei's. She made her way to her designated area, "Ichigo are you really well enough to be here?"

His scowl lightened, eyes losing their edge completely. Ms. Ochi was definitely his favorite teacher.

"I'm alright. My fever has gone done from what it was and I don't think I'll make anyone sick as long as I don't cough on them. I will be able to last the day"

She nodded and smiled, "that's good". She looked over toward the door, "seems I cant keep you her" she mock pouted, "I'm a bit surprised as to how well the transfer students like you"

Amber eyes glanced at the door where she was looking, and their, leaning on the door frame, was Shinji. His tea colored eyes were staring straight at him. He stopped leaning on the door when his eyes caught Ichigo's, and with a meaningful glance, walked out into the hall.

Ichigo knew what that look meant, and for the hell of it could not seem to figure out why he knew. They had just met…right? His stare practically screamed /Cpme here'Was it just him or did the blonde seem different from the day before.

Ms. Ochi glanced at her favorite student and resisted the urge to giggle. Things were goanna get more interesting around here. "I think he wants to talk to you"

The dead pan look and the stare the screamed 'duh' nearly sent her into another fit of giggles. She shooed him off, hiding her smirk behind a pleasant smile.

Once he was out of the room, her eyes closed in a fox like gesture as a wide, bone chilling smirk appeared onto her face.

"Oh yes. Things are most certainly getting interesting around here"

Ichigo walked down the hall with Shinji a few steps ahead of him, hands shoved in his pockets, tense.

Suddenly, he stopped, and before Ichigo took his next step, he found himself pinned to the wall. He couldn't contain the flinch the physical contact did to him. Tea eyes looked down at him, hard, yet somehow very caring.

"We need to talk. And there'll be no runnin away from you"

He gulped

The shinigami and the former ryoka had retired to the schools roof for lunch, seeing as that's usually where the guys eat. Mizuiro and Keigo had come back with food; rice balls, some sandwiches, tea and juice along with some popsicles to cool them off from the hot summer afternoon sun. Luckily enough, they had bought a lot, so there was enough for everybody, including a missing carrot top.

"Where is he" Renji growled, staring at Ichigo's food hungrily. He would have eaten it to if it wasn't for the fact that Chad was guarding it. He was a lieutenant, for crying out loud. One with a bankai! He needed food, even more so in this world since there wasn't a lot of reishi for them stabilize on, and the food helped them to sustain their energy. He couldn't afford to be weak. He ignored the voice in the back of his mind telling him that Ichigo needed to eat more then he could not only because he was live and had a bankai, but also because he had a lot more energy than him.

"Maybe he's looking for us" Rangiku chirped around her popsicle. It was grape flavored, and she steadily ignored the sulking Mizuiro who starred as the popsicle that he bought for himself be devoured by the new student.

"No" Keigo said in one of his moments of complte clarity. "I don't think that's it. We almost always eat up here on the roof, so he should've looked here first", glancing at Renji, his fist, unknown to the others, started to shake,, " Ochi-sensei called him right?" the red head nodded, "then there is nothing to worry about. Ochi-sensei and Ichigo have a strange relationship. They are like reletives looking out for one another"

Renji's eyes widened in panic. He knew for his time in the academy that teachers tend to favor their own relatives and punish those who mess with them, something that he learned in his first year there. Even if Ochi was a humen, he was stuch in his gigai, and that made him as weak as a humen with kido. "Is she", he might not to mess with berry-head when he was at school.

"No. we asked him that already and he said they had met when he was younger. Of course, that was after much pleading on our part and breaking down his 'its none of your business' thing with him"

Chad stood up suddenly, drawing everyones attention, "I'm going to go find him"

Renji glanced at the tea, sandwhich and popsicle at his feet. With the giant gone…

Chad picked up Ichigo's food and took it over to Orohime. "It's Ichigo's" she nodded. She too had seen the hungry glance the lieutenant had given it. Perhaps he would like some of her lunch?

"I'll go with you" Renji said to Chad as he jumped up. "I could get some food while we look for berry-head"

Chad nodded and they left for the door that led to down stairs. They made their way to the second floor where they heard a bang. Peeking around the edge, they saw Ichigo against the wall, Shingis hand on either side of his head, blocking him form escaping. Chad got ready to move, but Renji stopped him. Something wasn't right, that was what his gut told him. And he had a feeling that some of his answers would be answered if he just stood their.

He could feel sweat beginning to form against his brow from the close proximity he was to the blonde as his breath breathed down on him and his steel gaze was never ending. "Shinji?"

"You seem quite happy today" the blonde murmered, staring down at the the child vizard. Because that was what he was. Hiyori may look like a child, and may act like one most of the time, but she was atleast 200 years older then this kid. A kid that shouldn't be to casual about touch right now since what happened and nearly happened yesterday. "Too happy considering the circumstances"

Ichigo realized almost immediately what Shinji was talking about, and managed to contain his flinch. He didn't want to remember. "What are you talking about?" he lied, trying to play it cool. He failed miserbly when his voice came out shaky.

Shinji's eyes gleamed. He saw the flinch the boy managed to prevent, but years of reading body language was on his side, and realized that the boy infront of him was trying to avoid yesterday all together., Frowning, he knew what he had to do, and he would hate himself for a while. "Perhaps this will jog your memory" his voice was cold, and amber eyed widened notably. Before Ichigo could even attempt to escape, his waist was captured in a near bruising grip, a hand going under his shirt to his nechline, and forcing his hand through, he gripped Ichigo neon hair, fisting it back and exposing his vulnerable neck.

He started struggling, and he did it bad. He was against the wall, pinned against his will, and someone was touching him. His hands surged from his side, moving uncoordinated punches that had no strength in them. "Stop" he whispered.

Shinji stared at the sad site in front of him. He heard from Urahara how the boy had grown up, and from his own memories of the boy, this wasn't like him. Hie eyes narrowed, "Pull yourself together "was whispered dangerously next to Ichigo's ear. Immidetely, Ichigo stopped struggling. Shinji didn't raise his voice above a whisper, not wanting to draw the shinigami and humens attention to what he was saying. Hidden from Ichigos eyes, he smirked. When he wasn't around and the kid started acting like this agin, those 2 should be able to snap him out of it.

Ichigo stopped struggling the moment Shinji told him to stop. He sagged a bit, panting in cold sweat. It dampened his forehead as he tried to regain his bearings. He didn't know why his body or his mind had taken to following the blonde, but he did realize this; there was something oddly hypnotic about the way Shinji talked to him, his voice sending a fine tremor up his spine. He listened as the blonde spoke to him,.

"I know it wont disappear over night, but you've got to get over that fear. You cant pretend that nothing happened, because that just makes it worse. And when the truth come crawling out, you wont be able to handle it. You cant just act like you weren't almost raped!" his voice had risen at the end, but not because of any emotions he could be feeling like Ichigo though. No, it was so that their two spies would be able to hear what happened.

He gaped at him, wide eyed and shocked. He never expected the blonde vizard to be so blunt. The shock was quickly replaced with a maddening rage. Just who the fuck did this guy think he is?

Shinji, relieved at seeing the fire back in his eyes, released the teen. Big mistake. As soon as Ichigo was released, he fave the other a mean right hook, right in the face, the blondes head twisted to the side in surprise.

Shinji, startled, gently touched his cheek, feeling the skin begin to sweel. Their had been reitsu in that punch, acting up on its masters anger. He looked at Ichigo, and noticed that it was not the will to get over what happened that made the fire burn, but anger, anger at him. Shinji could feel his own temper dangerously begin to rise at the site, at the…this child acting up, and it didn't help that his hollow was encouraging it.

"Don't tell me what to do!" the berry hissed, eyes slit and narrowed dangerously; to bad Shinji had seen scarier. "You don't know anything"

That was all it took to make Shinjis temper snap. How dare this brat punch him when he was just trying to help. He shoved Ichigo againt the wall harshly, getting a loud grunt from the teen. Frightened, but angry amber eyes stared back into furious tea colored eyes.

"Don't" this time it was Shinji that hissed, "tell me that I don't understand. I am well aware of that fact. But hiding from your problems makes you weak" he felt the body beneath him sag, and he continued on in a more gentler voice. "Last night Mashiro said we'd protect you, and we will. Your one of us" he gently brushed his hand againt the teens cheek. "We'll protect you so that nothing like that will ever happen again" he stepped back, smiling a soft, reassuring grin that was not like his usual ones, "even if its against Aizen or the soul Society"

"Why" Ichigo whispered, "is it because I'm just a vizard?" he looked at Shinji, eyes unguarded.

Shinjis breath was taken away as he looked into the teens unguarded eyes. 'So thats where you've been hiding'. Ichigos amber eyes had lightened to a pale gold. He wasn't scowling or frowning or smiling. His mouth was slightly parted, breath escaping from him thanks to his previous excertions.

That was the breaking point, the catalyst that set Shinjis mind on a vacation. It all depended on his answer. If he said the right thing, Kisukes plan should work, but should he say the wrong thing, everything would be set back, maybe even on a permanent hold.

He gently supped the substitutes face with his hand, face going gentle. He knew how to answer this.

Ichigo gasped a bit at the feeling of Shinjis calloused hands cupping his face, brushing his thumb in caressing movements over now flushed cheeks. The gentle look was making him feel strange, a turning, or was it fluttering, feeling in his gut. He didn't know when he had relaxed around him, he only knew that it felt right. The former anxiety he felt being alone with him, regardless of the fact that he knew he wouldn't hurt him, was gone. Just what, just what was going on? "Shinji?"

"Its not because you are one of us," dear kami, what was this boy doing to him, " that's just part of the reason", hopefully this boy wouldn't prove to be the end of him before they got him back, "you're special, and it's the right thing to do", curse Urhara, why couldn't he do both of them at the same time, "and its what we want to do, and no one makes us, or rather myself, do anything that we don't want to"

And that was that. He knew he said the right thing by the gentle smile on the boys face. He couldn't stop the victorious smile on his face. Ichigo was theirs once again.

However, there was something that Ichigo hadn't realized, being in the mind frame that he was. Shinji referred to him as a vizard, even though he hadn't faught Shiro yet (though he didn't want to that was for sure). He had referred him as one of them. It was the one thing that neither of them realized had slipped, tha fact that Ichigo was already one of them…

Renji and Chad rejoined the others on the roof before Ichigo could catch them spying, deep in thought.

Ichigo had almost been raped the day before? He was a vizard? The blonde one too? What was a vizard? Were they friend or enemy to the shinigami?

Chad felt horrible, He should have went with his friend yesterday, instead of listening to him. Maybe something like this would not have happened.

The others noticed their silenced and troubled looks. The girls had separated while they were away, opting to eat their lunch downstairs under a tree where it would be notably cooler. They wanted to get to know Rangiku and Rukia better.

"Is something wrong?" Hitsugaya asked

Chad didn't say anything, but Renji, if anything, looked more troubled. Did he tell the captain, his superior in rank, what he had seen? Or did he keep his mouth shut hoping for he best and not tell everyone what happened to Ichigo. The later would save Ichigo's pride. But the first one could do damage to him, humiliate him. While living in the Rukongai area, he had seen many attempts and successful rapes. It was enough to make him despise thoses who did it. A part of him, though he hated to admit it, disliked the victoms for not being strong enough to stop it, and for making him lose whatever was left of rose tinted glasses that covered his eyes from the cruelties of the world. Never, had he ever though whan meeting Ichigo Kurosaki, that something like that could happen to him.

Seeing that white haired captains expectant look, he decided to tell the truth, just not all of it though. "Him and Hirako were talking"

They didn't need to ask who 'him' was. Rukias earlier statement filled his thoughts. Could Hirako be with Aizen?

The door to the roog opened, revealing Ichigo. What made them tense though, was the face of Shinji that leaned over shis shoulders.

"He guys, whats for lunch?" he questioned as he made his way over to their little corner.

Mizuiro took it all in stride that the fact that the new transfer students were eating with them. It wasn't strange for Ichigo to bring them strays, not to mention they all seemed drawn to him. Originally, it was just Ichigo and Tatsuki. Tatsuki took in Orohime, but that really was it. He introduced Chizuru to Tatsuki and Orohime. Believe it or not, she used to be really shy and got picked on a lot. He didn't know how or why, but after Ichigo took her in her personality slowly changed. She became more outgoing and opened up. He also introduced the three of them to two other girls that were shy, and all of them became friends.

Ichigo took Keigo in who used to be a thug that got into trouble a lot. His father had thrown him out, and he sole things from various people, even did drugs for a while, regardless of his age. He had just been hanging out with the wrong crowd. Ichigo adopted him in a way, and helped him get over his past. It was the whole reason that Keigo was the way he was know. He had patched things up with his family, and didn't get into trouble a lot like he used to.

As for Mizuiro himself, he used to have anger problems, still did infact, it just didn't show as it used to. He had problems with everybody and every little thing that they sdid. His parents spoiled and dotted on him as a child, and he can very easily admit that he was spoiled. He pissed off a lot of people with his snappish attitude and houlier then thou ways. One day, he pissed off the wrong people (who ironically happened to be Oshima and his gang), and they beat the crap out of him. Ichigo found them beating on him, and proceeded to knock the shit out of them. After that, he got adopted into his little group to. Later on, the new transfer student joined the group, and he had to wonder how Ichigo found these people. Chad looked tuff and strong, yet Ichigo calls him a teddybear. Still, Chad joining just cemented what Mizuiro realized a long time ago. Ichigo, for his gruff mannerisms, was a very kind person.

So it was of no surprise to him when the transfers began to talk to him and sat down with the rest of the group and acted like friends of Ichigo. Still, there was something strange about the relationship between this group of transfers, their mannerisms. The short one, he acted like he was in command. He didn't know why, but something told him that it would be important to keep an eye out for these people.

"Hiroko eating with us?" it was their own little code that these new outsiders would not be able todeciper for a while. It sounded innocent to them, but what was really being said was "are they ok for us?"

"Yeah" "their alright". There was the strawberry stamp of approval. If Ichigo was alright with them, then he would tolerate their presence.

"Mizuiro! Why is Ichigo so close to the transfers! Are they his new best friends? Is he replacing us?" Keigo shouted.

Everyone stared at them, but Mizuiro knew how to take care of him. "Why, what do you mean ?" and so the tormenting begins.

Ichigo sat down with a huff, scowl firmly set in place and Renji was in awe of his acting. He didn't hardly act any different then before, and the little un-Ichigo like tendencies could be chalked up o him being sick.

He was really surprised to find Ichigo and Hirako alone like that. He didn't even sense the carrot head. Wait…he couldn't sense him! Just like this morning, when he felt for the kids reitsu, it wasn't theure. Not in the hidden sense, but more like someone was hiding it. Could Hirako…?

Ichigo's scowl turned into a frown, "Where are the girls?"

"They decided to eat down stairs by the old gingko trees to get to know Rangiku better" Keigo mumbled over his chicken sandwich after losing to Mizuiro in their little debate.

Looking over the roof and listening clearly, he could hear their giggling and Rangikus little laughing, saying that all of them should try sake with Orohime vainly arguing that they were under aged. His attention turned back to the rest of the gang, specifically Mizuiro as he handed Ichigo his lunch.

Keigo, finishing his sandwich, noticed something off about Ichigo. His cheeks weren't flushed red with fever. "you feeling better?"

Ichigo grunted a yes over his lunch or a lettuce, ham, Swiss, and tomato sandwich. Sparing a glance at the blonde sitting next to him, he remembered the bottle that he received from him.

Hachi had felt bad about not being able to fully cure him of his cold. He liquefied his healing kido and asked Shinji to give it to him. Liquified kido was brilliant for healing sicknesses and small cuts, but really count help in ways of bleeding injuries. He'd have to thank the vizard for his thoughtfulness next time they met. Apparently Hachi had created liquid Kido by himself He could thank him later he supposed, they were supposed to go to Urahara's after school then head back to their base.

Feeling a tap on his shoulder, he glanced, not seeing Renji snicker a bit. Looking to his other side, he felt his hand hoplding his lunch be grabbed. Whipping his head around, he saw Shinji with glittering eyes and a wide smile taking a bite out of his lunch.

"M-my sandwich" he sputtered, "Why'd you do that?"

Shinji's smirk got wider, "I was hungry"

"Then get your own damn sandwich, better yet your own damn lunch!"

"But Ichi" Shinji had a mock pout on his face, "your lunch is a lot tastier then anything I would buy"

"W-what?"

Everyone laughed at Ichigo, who had the grace to look embarrassed at his shout.

"So why does Urahara-san want to see me?" he and Shinji were making their way toward Urahara Shoten, school being let out now. He walked a few paced behind the older vizard.

Shinji continued on with a bored expression, "told you it was a surprise", taking out his hands from his pockets, he whirled around, "we have to get their before those shinigami do"

"And why do we have to do that?"

"Told you it was a surprise" Shinji was definitely sounding annoyed now.

/Ichigo?/

Ichigo stopped midstep at the urgency he heard in Zangetsu's voice. /Old man/

/Somethings coming/

/I agree with the old man. Something hollow with shinigami powers is here. Probably those arrancar that whitey was talking about/

Amber eyes widened, 'arrancar!'. Immidetely he began searching, extending his senses. 'There', his eyes snapped open in the direction of Karakura's reserve park, the area Tatsuki went to with Orohime and the harate club to practice. From the feel of it, their were 2 arramcar. Chad was on his way over there toward them, that was a…

'Wait', Orohimes energy suddenly depleted, and Chads, who had just powered up, went out. He reached into his pocket and grabbed Kons pill. The mod soul had complained that morning about always being left alone to Yuzu's ministrations, so he had decided to bring him with him today. Good thing too. Out of his body and in his shinigami form, he prepared to shunpo away.

A hand grabbed his own, stopping him. "Don't worry about them. I feel Urahara and Yuruichi on their way over there" He started to drag Ichigo back toward the shop, ignoring the mod soul that occupied ichigo's body.

Kon looked on in amusemsent and shock. No one beside nee-san had ever dragged Ichigo like that.

Ichigo scowled darkly and yanked his hand back. "I wont just run away" he growled and completed his shunpo.

"No one said anything about running away". Shinji scratched the bach of his head, sighing deeply. "Really now" he said in an exaggerated exhsusted voice, "the boy is no where near gull power and he still goes running off" he resumed walking to Urahara's and called over his back, "mod soul, you might as well come along with me"

Kon ran to catch up with him, "who are you? And how do you know I'm a mod soul?"

"I was their when you kind was created and subsequentially destroyed" he said bluntly.

Kons in Ichigos body eyes widened, 'what'

"Come out Kisuke" the blonde called out. Infront of them, the exiled shinigami and Yoruichi appeared .

"Yo" the amber eyed lady said, grinning widely. "long time no see Shinji"

Kon stared hard at her, before launching himself at her. 'My land of eternal fluffy pillows!'

Yoruichi knocked him away.

"Wheres Ichigo?"

The trees in the area had all been cut down and destroyed, the broken, dead bodies of the karate club layed in the rubble, eyes opened in shock, mouths opened in a silents scream, blood pouring out.

Orohime gazed a the broken body of her long time best friend, who layed heir on the hard ground, not moving. Tears gathered in her eyes, "Tatsuki…Tatsuki! Wake up! Wake up! Please!" she sobbed. Putting her hands on her pins, she called "I reject", and while her healing shield appeared, there was nothing she could do. Tatsuki was dead.

These 2 monsters stood in front of her, nonchalant aat the death the bigger one had caused.

"That was boring" the bigger one said. The smaller one didn't comment.

A balst of energy rankled through the remaining trees, heading straight for the 2 arrancar. It was Chad, and he had his arm out.

"Orohime, you ok?" he said in his quiet, deep voice, bringhing his arm up in a half formed defense position.

"Chad" Orohime sobbed, looking up, "Tatsuki…Tatsuki is"

The giant put his head down at he stared at the fallen bodies of his dead classman. He had arrived too late.

"Are wither of them the one" the big one said. The 2 humans looked up.

"No Yammy" the smaller one said, "we're after a soul reaper, one with orange hair and a male"

Chad and Orohimes eyes widened, 'Ichigo'

Chad brought his hand up,, ready to attack, "sorry, but you're not getting him"

Yammy laughed, "and you think you can stop us?" he suddenly disappeared and appeared behind Chad. The Mexican was too slow and got punched into a tree, unconscious.

"Chad" Orohime yelled, running to hi side. "I reject" she said, starting to heal him

Yammy smirked at the human girl and her little shield. He appeared right in front of her, "stupid girl" he brought his fist up, and let it gane altitude before swirftly bringing it back down.

Orohime shut her eyes tight, waiting for death. She did not fear death, but embraced it. She had already been to the world of the dead, and feared nothing of it. Nothing happened though, no pain, no loss of awareness, nothing. Opening her eyes, she saw a black coat on a tall figure. Her eyes widened, seeing the messy orange hair and the reitu that washed over her in waves. "Ichigo"

"Sorry I'm late Orohime" he brought the bankaied Zangetsu down, "take care of Chad wil you"

Then he vanished, and the next thing Yammy knew was pain as his arm was cut off to nothing more then a stump.

"Aahhh-my arm, my arm!" He yelled, clutchinh at the stump.

"For killing Tatsuki and the others…for hurting my friends…and for being so damn ugly" he brought Zabgetsu up, readying his attack, "PREPARE TO DIE!" he wsung his hand down, "Getsuga Tensho". The black energy raced toward the still screaming arrancar. Smoke blocked throughout the area, covering the arrancar as the blast hit its mark.

/hes still alive prince/

/I know/

/Ichigo the smaller one is dangerous/

/Thanks Zangetsu/

The smoke cleared slowly, and the smaller one was not where he was previously. No, he was in front of the bigger one.

"Ulquiorra" Yammy purred.

Suddenly, Ichigo couldn't move. /What's going on?/

/Your bankai! Its still not used to being used in the human world/ Zangetsu said,. His voice was hoarse, for not only was Ichigo suffering from the effects, but so was he.

His spirit pressure was turning against him. He remembered what Yoruichi and urahara had told him. That he had learned bankai, that was a fact, but because he has hardly any experience, he had yet to fully master it beyond the basics. That was why whenever he practiced in the human world, his energy would turn against him the longer he was using Tensa Zangetsu.

/PRINCE! QUICK! USE MY POWER!/ Shiro screamed.

Ichigo tried, but it only made things worse. Yammy was infront of him, attacking him with energy filled physical attacks.

Ichigo fell to the ground in a heap. 'Why'

Ulquiorra looked at the shinigami, "trash. I don't see why Aizen-sama is worried about you"

Everything was going dark, black spots littered in his eyes, unsure of what had happened. He had lost. He had been defeated, but how? How could he lose? How could he have failed to protect his friends? Chad? Orohime? Tatsuki? They were all going to die, because of his weakness.

A wet feeling, a kind or stinging sensation began to form in his eyes. He duly noted that it was tears forming. How pathetic. He was crying at his own vulnerability, his inability to protect hose that last time that he had cried, had been when his mother died, and after Karin, Yuzu, and his father had cried at her death. It had been so long that he had even thought of crying.

Red light began to form in his sight. Why, why couldn't he control the hollow that was within him. 'Was Shinji right?' he thought sadly. He already knew the answer though. Fear from losing control to the hollow inside him had damaged his ability to fight. It practically made him helpless, to afraid of using his power in feat of using it against someone that he knew.

Fear. That felling again. He just couldn't seem to get rid of it. The very thing that Zangetsu hated him to show, the one thing that he should have been rid of with his training with Urahara and his battle with Zaraki. He was pathetic just like his hollow self had said. And he was trash, just like that bastard hollow of Aizen's had said, Ulqui… or something.

The red light was getting closer to him and the prone bodies of his friends behind him, reeking of the hollows spiritual energy.

"Sing Benhime!"

The red light suddenly exploded, debri from the surrounding area exploding along with it. A face suddenly came into his sight, but it was blury, just like everything else.

"Its ok now Ichigo. We'll take care of everything from here"

He closed his eyes, glad that they were here. They would help his friends. If they had died and he'd survive, he didn't think he could live with himself. "Thankyou Yoruichi-bachan, Kisuke-jisan". Everything went black.

"I suppose I was wrong Yoruichi" Kisuke mused, looking at his unconscious student. The two arrancar had just left, well, fleed according to Yoruichi. "It wasn't the vizards that he needed to meet for the seal to break, but infact the arrancar"

Yoruichi just picked up Orohime and Chad, both of them knocked out. "Come Kisuke. They need healing, and you need to release Ichigo. The seals deterioting too fast. Its dangerous" Kisuke nodded, and picked up Ichigo, holding him with a gentleness that he rarely showed. With a nod to Yoruichi, they disappeared.

End Chapter 4

AN: I never ever want another chapter this long again. Sadly, it looks like Chapter 6 is as long, if not longer then this chapter. At least typing chapter 5 won't be too troublesome.

Anyway, I would like to thank those that reviewed, you kept me typing this chapter! ;) Next chapter should be out sometime in June.

Press the button and review please! They make me typer faster