-1Return

Ken slowly opened his eyes to see the ceiling of a room. He had felt better before but he could tell he was getting better. He slowly sat up to take a look at his surroundings.

"Where am I?" he asked to no one quietly. There was no response, but he wasn't too surprised. Ken was wearing a white robe when he looked at his chest. He tossed the blankets aside and stood up. He felt weak, but his strength was returning to him slowly. Ken walked to the door and opened the door and some one was there. The surprise of the door opening caused the person to fly back like a klutz.

"I'm so sorry," the person with a young voice apologized. When Ken got a good look at him, it was a Soul Reaper.

"What are you doing?" Ken asked.

"Sorry," the Soul Reaper apologized, "I was ordered to check on your condition."

"What?" asked Ken, "oh, is there a truce currently?"

"More than that," the Soul Reaper stated, "we're allies now. By the way, I am Hanatarou, of squad four."

"Call me Ken," Ken replied with a smile.

"I know your name," Hanatarou stated, "your friends told me your name."

"I see."

"Also," continued Hanatarou, "it seems the one called Xavier has disappeared." Ken looked at Hanatarou with a serious look.

"No one knows where he is?" asked Ken. Hanatarou nodded his head.

"Yes, this is what I was told by Captain Unohana."

"Who's Captain Unohana?" Ken asked curiously.

"I am," a soft feminine voice came from behind Hanatarou. He jumped and stumbled to the side.

"I think you scared him," Ken joked.

"I'm sorry," Unohana apologized, "I didn't mean to."

"It's alright Captain," Hanatarou said while rubbing his head. He then went about cleaning up the mess that he made when he stumbled.

"So," Ken went back to the subject at hand, "Xavier hasn't been seen recently?"
"Yes," Unohana replied, "however, that is not the reason why we are here today."

"We?" Ken asked in confusion. Suddenly, the girl that looked like Lily came from behind Unohana; however, Ken made no movement or expression of shock.

"Lieutenant Isane," Hanatarou greeted her.

"Your name is Isane?" asked Ken.

"Yes," she replied.

"Well," Ken said happily, "what can I do for you?"

"Why were you shocked to see my face?" she asked curiously. Ken was at a loss for words. Unohana then left with Hanatarou.

"What do you mean?" Ken finally asked, "at the time, we were enemies and I was trying to confuse you." Isane didn't looked convinced.

"You're lying," she replied, "I want the truth." Ken sighed. Suddenly, Ishida rushed into the room.

"Ken," he said with a smile, "I'm finished repairing your cloths too." He tossed Ken his old cloths, good as new. Ken wasn't too surprised; after all, he wore simple clothing.

"Thanks Ishida," he thanked Ishida, "by the way, have you seen Xavier?"

"No," Ishida replied quickly, "we're searching for him now." He then ran off.

"Oh well," Ken sighed, "listen, I am going to change now, so could you please leave." Isane nodded her head and left the room. Ken quickly changed his cloths and left the room as well. Before Isane came across him again, he would start searching for Xavier, and he knew where to look. Ken ran to the destination where he thought Xavier would be, Kukaku Shiba's house.

He was flirting with her, Ken thought, I can't think of any other spot than here. Ken knocked on the door, and Ganju answered it.

"Hey Ken," he greeted Ken cheerfully, "how is it going?"

"I'm all better now," replied Ken, "I was wondering if I could talk to your sister." Ganju nodded his head and showed Ken the way. After about a minute or two, Ganju opened a door to reveal Kukaku sitting in her usual attire.

"Well," she greeted Ken, "if it isn't Ken."

"Hello," Ken stated, "may I sit down?" Kukaku motioned for him to sit and Ken did so.

"What's on your mind?" she asked.

"That obvious," Ken asked. Kukaku nodded her head, "well, everyone is looking for Xavier, but no one can find him." Kukaku looked serious.

"Sorry," she apologized, "but I don't know where he is."

"I see," Ken sighed, "so you haven't seen that blue haired bastard anywhere?"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A BLUE HAIRED BASTARD?!" Xavier's voice shouted from behind a wall. Kukaku looked shocked, but Ken wasn't too surprised. Suddenly, a bright blue house cat jumped from a wall and went towards Ken. Ken quickly dodged the charge and grabbed the cat's tail.

"I figured you were here," Ken said with a smile.

"Good job," Xavier said sarcastically, "now if you don't mind, let me go. Holding my tail like that hurts." Ken gently put Xavier down and he went over to Kukaku.

"How did you know he was here?" she asked curiously.

"I could tell that he was very interested in you," Ken replied, "I figured that the most likely spot would be with you."

"Very good," Xavier complimented Ken, "it's true too. I just recently asked her out. We're dating now." Ken smiled.

"Good for you. I hope that you two will be happy. But why were you hiding from us?"

"I don't want to go back to the world of the living," replied Xavier, "everything I want is here." Ken remained silent.

"I see," he finally said as he stood up, "then I won't tell a soul, or a Soul Reaper for that matter." Xavier chuckled.

"Don't get me wrong," he reinsured Ken, "you are still my friend, but I am staying here." Ken nodded his head and left without another word.

******

Ken met up with Chad, Orihime, Ishida, Yoruichi, and Ichigo at the gate that would take them back to the world of the living.

"Where's Xavier?" asked Chad.

"We couldn't find him," explained Ken, "so, my guess is that he wants to stay here." Everyone stared at Ken.

"Are you sure?" asked Ishida.

"It's just a guess," replied Ken, "but it's the best one that I can come up with." Everyone nodded their head. Soon the gate opened and everyone rushed through. However, it ended up like the experience when they entered the Soul Society. However, they made it safely and landed on a flying carpet. Urahara, hat and clogs, was at the helm of this flying carpet.

"Welcome back everyone!" he greeted them. Ken looked down and saw his house.

"Can you drop me off here?" asked Ken. The carpet descended to the house that Ken pointed to. Ken hoped off and stared at his house. After a horrible yet enjoyable adventure.

I'm home, he thought, I'm home.

Epilogue

Ken got out of the car and was greeted by Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, and Ishida in front of the air port.

"So," Ichigo greeted Ken, "leaving today?"

"Yeah," replied Ken, "my mother got a very important call and we have to go back to America for a time."

"Do you know when you will be back?" asked Chad. Ken shook his head.

"Nope, but I'll call you guy's as soon as I get back home here."

"We'll hold you to that promise," Orihime said happily.

"Don't worry," Ken reinsured her, "I don't want you guys to kick my ass when you find out that I didn't keep my promise." They all laughed.

"Don't get into trouble," Ichigo warned him, "I won't be able to bail you out."

"I know," Ken said as he picked up his bag, "but that was my line." They shared one more laugh as Ken walked into the air port. While waiting in line for the metal detector, Ken's mind wonders.

Xavier, he thought, that lucky blue bastard. I bet he is having a great time with Kukaku.

In the Soul Society, Xavier was sitting on Kukaku's lap in his cat form. The sky was clear as they sat and stared into the blue void. Suddenly, Xavier shivered.

"What's wrong?" Kukaku asked Xavier.

"I think that hot head is talking about me," Xavier replied evilly, "I owe him a hit the next time I see him." Kukaku laughed.

"You can tell when he is talking about you?" she asked curiously.

"Instinct," replied Xavier, "and right now, I don't care about that. I am going to enjoy this moment." Kukaku smiled and went back to staring at the sky.

I wonder when I'll see that hot head again, Xavier thought, I have to hit him twice now.