A/N: I'm going to try and update weekly (every 7 days(. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to update this chapter before midnight so it took me 8 days which I'm EXTREMELY sorry for. I'd like to thank my one reviewer, Asj Johnson. You made a few great points and I greatly appreciate. I don't think I deserved such a wondrous blessing but as Moses' mother in Prince of Egypt sings, "If the gods give you a blessing, you don't ask why it was sent," I shall be grateful and leave it at that. A quick reminder, this is set immediately after the first movie, Memories of Nobody. I am trying my hardest to keep away any spoiler but they seem to be leaking out of the cracks which I apologize for. I'll keep trying, though! So, please, anyone is still with me, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Rated T for insurance.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own most of these characters; they strictly belong to Kubo Tite-kun. Kishu Sorata is my O.C. but I borrowed his name from another anime. I'd like to see if it rings anyone's bells. There's a tiny little thing that is mimicked from goth4ever's Abusive Nightmare (a greate one-shot!) and I'm sorry if this troubles you any, goth4ever. If it does, let me know. I am not selling this product so I will not at any time make any profit for this story. The only time anyone will be paying is for the ink if that person decides to print this piece of work. I will also declare that I borrowed some favorable lines from other televised programs and literature.

Time Warp

Chapter Four

The sun hovered a few feet above the horizon in the early morning and the birds began to sing in delight. Unlike the birds, Ichigo was trying to get some Z's with his chin rested on his folded hands.

"Uh-oh, looks like the new guy's slacking off, Sorata-kun," teased a feminine voice.

"I wouldn't mess with him," came Sorata's voice. "He's not used to a decent day's work."

Ichigo opened one eye to glare at the other man just in time to see the girl kick the broom he was resting on right out from under him. After a 90 degree face plant off the cobblestone ground and into the dirt, Ichigo looked up with a twitching brow to the culprit.

"What was that for," he growled.

"It's a lot better consequence than if the captain or lieutenant caught you like that," she said between giggles.

"You know, she has a point," Sorata said as he wrapped his arm around her slender shoulders. "Here," he said as he offered his other hand.

Ichigo ignored the hand and pushed himself up to sit on the cobblestone path. "Who the heck is she?"

"Who, her?" Sorata grinned as he pointed to the girl in question. "She's just a 7th seat to some but to me she's the love of my life!" He leaned over to kiss her numerously on her rosy cheek which only caused the girl to giggle uncontrollably.

Ichigo watched in annoyance as she attempted to push the 3rd seat away once he started to twirl her long raven hair between his fingers.

"Sorata-kun, stop it," she giggled."

"You're rather energetic today," Ichigo hissed. Neither he nor Sorata got any sleep since they were up all the night with Ukitake messing with that stupid Hollow. He had almost got away to his room but just as he slid open the door Sorata pushed him away to start morning chores. And here he was.

"Are you kidding? When my dearest is in my sight my heart flutters and if I wanted to I could fly!" Sorata grinned broadly as a waterfall of tears rolled down his cheeks. "It is she who inspires me to pick up my sword every night and pick up this broom," he said as he raised his broom high above his head, "every morning!"

Ichigo smacked his forehead hard before falling back into the dirt once more. "It's too early for this," he groaned.

"Kurosaki!"

Ichigo's eyes shot open and he sat abruptly to look over to the lieutenant. He didn't have to look to know it was Ukitake; the deep voice was easy enough but it was the hint of a scolding behind his name that gave it all away. Ukitake looked angry at first but the pale man smiled instead and beckoned for Ichigo to come over.

"Dun, dun, dun," the girl squeezed out before she and Sorata broke out in laughter.

Ichigo tried to silence them with a glare but they ignored him and walked away. The substitute shook his head and pushed himself up. As he headed towards the lieutenant, he began patting away at the dirt on his shihakushou.

"What's up?" he asked but Ukitake looked confused. "What did you want," he said when the older man started looking to the sky.

"Oh, well," he started, "as you can guess it wasn't your body we discussed at our meeting. I wasn't sure if I got to tell you or not last night so I thought I could now. I just had a meeting with Squad 12 and we'll see what they come up with. Oh, and here," he said as he pulled a small gourd out of his sleeve and handed it to Ichigo, "this should give you a boost through the day. It's made by Squad 4 but surprisingly it's pretty good as well."

"You mean, like an energy drink?" Ichigo looked at the gourd questionably but noticed the lieutenant was confused yet again. "Never mind. Thanks." He nodded in respect and turned to leave.

"Kurosaki, I'm not done," he said as he pulled at the boy's shoulder. "I know it's tiresome to do these chores but we all need to work together and fairly. And the more you act like a normal shinigami the more you fit in. And I think that…what is it?"

Ichigo blinked a couple times when he realized he'd been staring at the older man. "Oh, sorry, it's just that," he said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Are you okay? I mean, you look really pale and those bags under your eyes…it's concerning." Ichigo didn't mean to sound rude about it but he couldn't just ignore the man's condition.

Ukitake frowned for a moment before smiling again. "It's nothing. Perhaps it's my old age after last night," he said with a nervous chuckle. "Don't worry about me." He waved the question off and pointed back to the fallen broom. "Go back to your chores, Kurosaki. I have work of my own to do."

Before Ichigo could mutter another word, Ukitake was out of sight at a miraculous speed. He crossed his arms and looked at where Ukitake was just standing.

"C'mon, Sorata-kun, let's go bug the new guy some more!"

"I don't think that's a good idea, darling."

The familiar and irritating voice could be heard around the corner and he didn't want to stay and find out what that malicious girl's next plot was. "If only she wasn't a girl," Ichigo growled as he rose up his fist.

***Early Evening***

Ichigo finally finished his chores and survived merciless torture from Tweedle-dee and her love sick puppy, Tweedle-dum. That maniacal woman did nothing but torment and taunt the 'new guy' because of her superiority as a 7th seat.

"Whatever!" Ichigo nearly flew the door right off the paneling as he slid the door open. It took everything in his power not to kick the door down but he was pretty sure his foot would go flying through the paper and it would just be counterproductive. He let out a groan as he plopped face first into the welcoming futon.

Or so he thought it was welcoming. Instead, his face got a nice hug from not a pillow but small beads. He lifted his head to investigate what had spilt on his pillow to find rock candy. With a confused interest, Ichigo propped himself up on all fours and traced the candy to its source which was a crumpled up cloth on his side table with a near melted candle. Ichigo crawled over to pick up the cloth carefully between his index and thumb. After carefully analyzing the cloth, Ichigo recognized it as the candy Kyouraku had bought for Ukitake.

"When was…how did…what happened?" That's when everything clicked. Ukitake probably came looking for him when the substitute wasn't in his room. He pictured a cinematic view of Ukitake walking in and dramatically dropping the bag onto the table when he noticed Ichigo gone. The thought gave Ichigo an awkward smile and made him chuckle nervously.

"I better give this back to Ukitake. It was a gift from Kyouraku after all," Ichigo said after shaking the cinematic thought from his mind. He collected as much candy from the table as he could (the pieces not stuck in the wax or on his face) and tried to tie it neatly back into the cloth. Unfortunately, it's looked nowhere near circular. But, pathetic as it was, Ichigo still felt obligated to return it.

He walked his way down the wooden passageway until he finally reached Ukitake's room but just as he was about to knock he could hear familiar voices beyond the paper door.

"…and you still have your head? I don't understand how Yamamoto-soutaichou spares you like that," Ukitake's voice came through.

"Well, it must be my charm that gets Yama-jii so merciful."

There was a chuckling between men.

"I thought you promised me a good night's rest? You look awful."

"Well, there was a mishap out in the fields last night—"

"And what were you doing out in the fields?" Kyouraku asked, nearly scolding it seemed.

Ichigo, now with his ear literally pressed to the door, swallowed hard.

"Just some quick check-up on the men but…there was a Hollow just out of my squad's jurisdiction. It was quickly captured and brought to Squad 12 and I had counsel with Yamamoto-soutaichou. We'll probably have another captain's and lieutenant's meeting soon."

Ichigo wanted to sigh in relief that Ukitake didn't throw him under the bus.

"I don't understand why you fold your clothes, Jyuushirou. They're just going to be thrown in a tub anyway."

"Well, it's a lot easier to carry them like this and if I can make anyone's job easier, I will."

"Hey," there was a pause, "are you going to explain how you got blood on your shihakushou?"

"Oh that?" Ukitake responded quickly, "My hand got struck by one of those pods while fighting the Hollow and I applied pressure here to stop the bleeding. I was in mid-battle. You know how rushed it gets out there."

"You got struck by a pod? Did you inform Yamamoto about that?" The rustle of clothes and the stomping of feet could be heard through the door.

"Shunsui, it's okay," Ukitake reassured. "It did nothing more than break skin; the pod is lying in the woods, probably being investigated as we speak."

"Juu…"

"Please don't give me that face, Shun. Besides, it's been hours and I'm still willful and free."

There was a long pause.

"Sh-Shunsui? What're you doing? Stop that, that tickles!"

"Oh, Juu, this is payback for lying to me last night."

"Shun! Get out of there!"

Ichigo turned stone gray with a horrid look on his face.

"Juu-kun, how long has it been? You and I both know this'll make you feel better."

"Oh…Shun…stop or I'll—"

"Or you'll what? Don't be asking me to stop unless you really want it," Kyouraku teased.

"Shunsui, please I'm going to—"

Just as Ichigo was about to lose his lunch, the door swung open, sending Ichigo flying to the floor.

"According to his face, I'd assume he believed our little tall tale, Jyuushirou," Kyouraku said proudly with the brightest grin on his face.

With great hesitation, Ichigo looked up with his flattened face to see the two lieutenants with their arms crossed and smiles on their faces.

"Well, Kurosaki, I didn't see you the prying type," Ukitake said as he uncrossed his arms.

Ichigo had to agree. Perhaps a little bit of Kyouraku or his father was rubbing off because Ichigo was feeling the need to investigate Ukitake a bit. What, with his health and all.

"I'm not my father," Ichigo said in a growl, "I don't pry." He pushed himself up and offered Ukitake the small pouch. "I just came to return this to you. I found it in my room today. How many times do I have to tell you? I don't like sweets." Ichigo didn't much approve of lying but Ukitake saved his rear end so he wasn't about to sell the older man up the river.

"Oh," Ukitake blinked. "That's right, I'm sorry. I just figured you'd want some assistance this morning to help you get up." Ukitake gave a sincere smile as he picked up the pouch and placed it on his desk. The lieutenant had already stripped off the black over shirt and started shrugging off the stained white undershirt to put back on a clean one. "Now, Shunsui, shouldn't you be getting to work? I believe it's your squad on perimeters tonight."

Kyouraku looked over to his friend, skepticism clear on his face but nodded. "Alright, Jyuushirou, I'll let you get away with it today." Kyouraku strongly but carefully patted Ukitake on the shoulder which made the younger lieutenant smile. "Take care of yourself."

"You know me, Shun," Ukitake said as he waved to Kyouraku's departure.

Just as Kyouraku passed Ichigo out the door, the lieutenant gave Ichigo a look that the substitute couldn't decipher before Kyouraku walked out of sight.

"Well, Kurosaki, shall we be off?"

Ichigo turned back to Ukitake, who was completely dressed in a clean shihakushou, with an arched brow. "We're going somewhere?"

"Once you go to the well and wash your face. It's covered in filth." Ichigo just stood there confused. "I figured you'd be hungry after a day's work and staying up all the night before. I know this great place just on the outskirts of the Seireitei that I think you'd enjoy."

It didn't take much to convince Ichigo to accept free food so he headed his way to the well within the Squad 13 barracks to give his face a good scrub. He was long finished but leaned on the stone wall of the well with his arms crossed under him, staring down at his own reflection.

"I don't get it," he said with an aggravated huff. "Why is he being so damn nice? I dragged him out late last night, causing us both to lose sleep; I made him lie to Kyouraku for damn sakes!" The thought made him want to throw himself down this very well. That was probably the worst thing about it. He couldn't think of many reasons that would make him lie to Chad or Inoue or Tatsuki so for Ukitake to have to lie to his best friend…"Damn it," Ichigo exclaimed as he slammed a fist down on one of the stones. "And now he's treating me? I don't understand it. Why isn't he mad?"

"Maybe because there's no reason to be angry."

Ichigo swung around to look over to Ukitake as the lieutenant walked up to him.

Ukitake tilted his head in slight confusion to Ichigo's alert look on his face but he then lightened up the evening with a smile. "I'm sorry about that mess in your room. I just got done cleaning it up so you won't have to worry about that."

Ichigo's confusion was starting to turn to anger with Ukitake's generosity. "Why'd you lie to Kyouraku?" The question sounded harsh, not like he meant for it, but he needed to ask.

"Are you serious? Is that why you're so upset?" Ukitake asked with a small chuckle. "Kyouraku is very skeptic with strangers. He's usually very great with reading people but he told me he has trouble figuring you out. If he found out you were out late on the battlefield he'd assume wicked of you."

Ukitake gave a reassuring smile but Ichigo saw right through it: More lies. He could tell the lieutenant was troubled with lying to Kyouraku. He could tell that Ukitake was hiding the true reason to lying to Kyouraku. Another spiral of questions that made him want to scream.

Then, that must be the Valley of Screams.

Ichigo's thoughts trailed to HItsugaya's voice, causing all other thoughts to go blank.

Blanks. Again, that word rang in his head. Ichigo could see white creatures with red pointy hats surround him before getting blown away in leaf-filled wind. He could remember Urahara's description of the Dongai Precipis World and how the Valley of Screams was made. He remembered the Shinenju would also destroy the Valley of Screams but for some reason the idea made Ichigo grow sour. The idea of giving away the Shinenju made Ichigo angry but he couldn't fathom any reason not to trust Ukitake enough not to give the lieutenant (captain at the time) the Shinenju. Why was he so protective?

Suddenly, his train of thought was interrupted by a harsh chain of coughs.

Ichigo looked to Ukitake in curiosity to see if he was alright but his eyes shot wide in concern. Ukitake was staggering on his feet with one hand covering his mouth and the other pressing hard into his chest.

"Ukitake?"

To be continued…

A/N: I'm not happy with the way I ended this chapter and this is an altered ending but the earlier ending made the story move WAY too fast. I hope this won't slow it down too much though...By the way, a couple chapters ago, a reviewer mentioned that it'd be impossible to find Ichigo's body in the Soul Society. This is true and I was never planning on that happening but I was hoping with as confusing as the situation already is that the reader might actually ponder if it really was his body they found. Of course, this would be impossible. It seems my readers are smarter than I hoped...And, of course, if they're any questions, comments or concerns, let me know and I will attend to it as soon as possible. And if you'd like, I have a bonfire coming up so I'll take some flames as well. Thanks again for reading!

Ta-ma ai-ma-sho!