Athen is an OC. Amaya is an OC. Dave is an OC.

Chapter Twenty-two

If Life Is A Highway…

Ichigo looked out at the road scenery. Nothing but dry dusty conditions for miles like one of those western movies you expected tumbleweed to cross the highway at any minute. He didn't know where they were but he figured they were still in California just by looking at the license plates parked around the Motel.

If this is near the ocean where the hell is all the water?

The people he dealt with knew he wouldn't take off especially now that he knew Rukia was in the other room. He walked to the other room and started to knock on the door. He almost punched Mark who swung the door open before he had a chance to knock.

Mark's giant headphones slipped to his neck as the music continued to blast. He stepped aside letting Ichigo inside the room. Ichigo looked around the ordinary room and sat the bag Pearl gave him on the floor.

Meanwhile Mark resumed his music listening as he leaned back in a chair with his boots up on the table. Ichigo noticed the jacket hanging off the back of the chair. The boots were the kind motorcyclist use and he figured the dark green motorcycle parked outside had to be Mark's. Instantly he felt envious.

Mark didn't speak or seem like he wanted to fight Ichigo. The man just sat listening to music and ignoring him. Ichigo was unsure of what to do. Just what did these guys want?

"You'll find out; I'm not as crazy as my wife," Mark's said smiling as he took off the headphones and turned off the music.

It was almost as if he were answering Ichigo's unspoken question. Everything felt bizarre to him.

"You two are married," Ichigo asked as Mark's words finally hit him.

"Yeah, were always together so on a whim I just figured why not and we did it," Mark said.

"Oh," Ichigo really had no response to give he just stood there uncomfortably in silence.

"You're stuff is in that closet. I kept things organized so if you do the same…I have no problems with you. I sleep by the door so that's your bed," Mark said pointing out the twin bed before adding, "No worries; Pearl won't bother to come by."

How was he reading what was in my head?

Ichigo headed to the closet and slid the door open. Dry-cleaning bags and hangers clicked together on one side getting his attention. Ichigo moved the bags to the side and heard a familiar voice.

"ICHIGO!" Kon called out.

"Kon?"

"You Shinigami use the mod-souls and we figured that you'd need them for whatever," Mark said.

"I was wondering how I ended up back in my body. Did you use the same drug on me that you did on Rukia," Ichigo asked. The anger returned to his voice as he tried to stay calm.

Ichigo thought he had outsmart the enemy. He managed to hide Kon's Gigai. Because Kon was in plush form he would likely be left alone…at least Ichigo counted on that. Switching to Shinigami form he was ready to fight the enemy but they turned the tables on him.

He had no choice but to follow their instructions. When their plans fell apart they were angered because Kon was missing and further angered that Rukia left before they could set their plans in motion.

"Fighting me won't get you very far. I'm not really interested in fighting you…yeah I have no reason to do so," Mark said answering his thoughts again.

"Sorry but I don't believe all you said was part of your plan. I don't remember everything but I know I talked to Kon before I woke up at that airport. Rukia interfered somehow and now you are just reaching," Ichigo said.

"You think so," Mark asked.

"I know so," Ichigo replied.

"You've heard of mind readers before haven't you," Mark asked.

"What does that have to do with anything," Ichigo asked.

Something like fear crept into his mind at the mention of mind reading. What is this feeling? Haida had strange abilities like him maybe he's an ordinary human with spiritual powers. But Pearl said they weren't Shinigami…He didn't feel right, could this guy be controlling him?

"Right now a name flashed in my head as clear as anything, Haida. She isn't like me but has a different ability. Fascinating, so am I correct…as if I even need to ask," Mark said.

"You can read my mind," Ichigo asked.

"I try to block it out most of the time. Yes, that's part of what I do but I don't feel like telling you anymore. Besides you can already feel it can't you," Mark replied.

"Pearl can read minds too," Ichigo asked trying to search his memory for evidence.

Mark laughed for a minute and nearly fell backwards in the chair.

"Not at all; my ability allowed for our change of plans. We knew Rukia would come for you and I could see how lost you felt after she left. Both of you dance around it but you're hopelessly in love with each other. I had the toughest time blocking those images from my head…believe me.

As for Kon, spirits can't be seen at the airport getting on a plane by ordinary surveillance. I needed you're talented friends to be able to find out where you went.

On that note nothing was coincidental. When we found Kon and Rukia things were set in motion. We still need that Gigai of his but had we known that Mod Souls could exist in stuffed toys we would have started with that and saved ourselves some time.

That's why you are only seeing me now. I was in Karakura while Pearl was in Los Angeles.

So you see if Rukia never came back we would have moved in a different direction. Because I found her thoughts our actions changed," Mark said.

Ichigo sat on the edge of the bed.

"What do we do next," Kon asked Ichigo.

"Why are you asking me," Ichigo said glaring at Kon.

"Rukia isn't alright. They did something to her and you can't just sit here with these two. We have to do something," Kon continued.

Ichigo tried not to think. Thinking about any plans would only lead to Mark's finding out. He hated the invasion of his private thoughts.

"You might want to enjoy the amenities, sleep or whatever," Mark said kicking off his boots, "Oh and by the way humming in your mind doesn't bury your thoughts. Don't worry I trained myself well enough to block out almost anything."

"Good to know," Ichigo replied.

"That little fantasy has nothing on what's going on through Kon's mind anyway," Mark smiled as he sat on the twin bed.

Ichigo turned a shade of red befitting his name and glared at Kon.

"Fantasy, Ichigo," Kon asked shrugging.

"This is too much fun," Mark laughed and fell back on the bed.

"Shut up."

"It's worse when people know and try to shield their minds. There's a trick to it. You know the most powerful spirits can master just about anything. Humans just don't know their own power…It's a good thing you're right. It keeps the balance…It's not easy listening…," Mark said.

Ichigo felt the weight of Mark's power. To hear so much all the time would be taxing on anyone. He thought back to his time with Amaya and how she said she didn't believe in ghosts. The way she saw him and the expression on her face when she began to see things…and her words that stung, 'I'm turning into a freak.'

Pearl was in this world with Mark. Those words he said earlier weighed more 'were always together.'

000

Pearl continued flipping through the television channels. Nothing interested her and Rukia continued to sleep. Pearl adjusted the volume a little with no results.

After an hour of morning news hijinks and idiocy Rukia finally stirred.

"We'll you're finally awake," Pearl said.

Rukia tried to talk but found that incredibly difficult. Pearl got up and grabbed a bottle of water from the table. Rukia sat up and took the water from her sipping it with caution.

"Don't worry it's not poisonous or anything," Pearl said.

Rukia didn't feel like joking she blinked to focus on her surroundings.

Pearl sat back on the opposite twin and said, "You must have realized that Ichigo is here."

"Who are you," Rukia asked.

"How rude of him," Pearl shot an angry glance at the wall, "I'm Pearl by the way."

"What do you want with me," Rukia asked.

"All I get is questions. We'll Rukia you're only here because we needed to make sure Ichigo helped us out. We couldn't be sure he'd do what we wanted without some…insurance," Pearl said.

"I see," Rukia said as she pushed herself into a sitting position and the room spun.

"The drugs will take a while to wear off. Don't blame Mark too much. You know those two are much alike in there," Pearl pointed to the room next door.

"Stop acting like we're friends having a chat. If I'm a prisoner fine just don't bother talking to me," Rukia said massaging her temples frustrated that her body would not cooperate with what she wanted to do.

Pearl continued unfazed, "They both want to protect. It's been a while since Mark was able to deal with someone like him."

"Someone like him," Rukia asked despite herself.

"Yeah we had others surrounding us in the past like you and your friends. Mark had a friend like Ichigo. They were inseparable," Pearl said.

"What happened," Rukia asked.

"Dave's was the name of Mark's friend; now he's just a traitor. Mark wants to save him. Ichigo gives him some hope," Pearl said.

"Oh, well then you don't know Ichigo well at all. He wouldn't do that to a friend," Rukia said standing up.

Despite the side effects of the drug she was determined to leave this room. Surprisingly Pearl made no move to stop her.

"I think all souls have this magnetic power and we're all drawn together," Pearl lay back on the pillow as Rukia struggled with the doorknob.

"Without a doubt," Rukia said back leaning her head on the door in frustration.

"You won't make it far. My ability," Pearl said grinning as the lock clicked several times.

"Fine I guess I'm not leaving," Rukia turned and slumped to the ground in front of the door.

"I'm glad we all met," Pearl said getting up and walking towards Rukia, "Too bad it couldn't be under better circumstances."

Pearl held out her hand and Rukia took it as Pearl pulled her up and helped her back to the twin.

000

"I suppose it's time we explain just what we're after to you guys," Pearl said.

"We're hunters," Mark said.

"Keiei is what we're called," Pearl added.

"I've never heard of that," Ichigo said looking to Rukia who shook her head.

"In monster movies you might have heard of Zombies before. We hunt them," Mark said as if talking about the weather outside.

Rukia looked at him as if he were crazy saying, "I think I would know about these so called-

"They are called the Gong-Si," Pearl interrupted, "Gaki comes from a nickname given their leader."

"Zombies have leaders," Ichigo asked finding all of it hard to believe.

Mark continued, "Their leader is named Athen but he goes by several names. Most of the time he's known as Athen to the human world but he's also called Stephen, Travis…you get the picture he changes it based on where he goes."

"In your world you said he's known as Gaki," Ichigo asked.

"Sometimes," Pearl answered, "Athen is more common to humans."

"This Athen or whoever sounds very European to me is that where he's from," Rukia asked.

Mark continued, "We don't have all the details about him. One thing we know is he was once a Keiei like us. The origin story has changed a lot as time passed."

"How do people turn into these Zombies," Ichigo asked.

"Before a soul can turn Hollow they are put under a Noroi, a sort of curse…or spell I guess you can call it. They aren't slow like in the movies. There are some truths to the movies I suppose…They are mindless so they are easy for me to spot. A full-blooded Keiei has the ability to find them because they lack any type of thoughts.

"We can't sense spiritual pressure like you can. The Gong-Si has an ability to hunt out souls. Once a human life is taken they become infected. Their soul is permanently dissolved. To Keiei it looks a lot like acid burning through metal," Mark paused. He could hear their thoughts and agreed with the pictures in their minds.

Permanently dissolved are these guys kidding.

"Can't a soul be saved," Ichigo asked.

"That is a Shinigami's territory. Like I said before these creatures we deal with are soulless. The Soul Society has no interest in them once they turn they are off the radar," Mark said.

"I find it hard to believe that we have no knowledge of these creatures," Rukia said.

"Allow me to continue then," Mark said looking to Rukia who simply nodded for him to continue, "anyhow in the past the Gong-Si numbers were higher but in modern times the numbers remain fairly low so the need for Keiei diminished.

There was never any one leader or one collective group of hunter. We all existed like islands. Or independent like the police department from city to city."

Then the Gong-Si's are like scattered criminals, Ichigo thought.

"Exactly like any ordinary criminal from city to city motivated independently," Mark answered looking at Ichigo.

"What changed," Rukia asked.

"Athen went rogue one day. He nearly wiped out the Keiei…Yeah I guess it is like the Quincy…A few of us are randomly spread out in hiding. We were caught so we are trapped in a spell of his," Mark answered.

"You're not Zombies though," Ichigo asked.

"We can't zombify without a special talisman and spell. I'm not even sure what you would call the process. That's just the word that Pearl made up one day. We can't be overtaken like humans," Mark said.

"Athen wants the talisman and spell for some reason; at least we're sure of that much," Pearl said.

"And you are looking for this talisman," Rukia asked Pearl.

"We're looking for the talisman. At the same time we are trying to find some of the survivors of Athen's annihilation. We're looking for the ones who are buried alive in America," Pearl replied.

"Why can't Pearl use the same abilities that you seem to have," Ichigo asked.

Pearl spoke up, "the story I know of began thousands of years in the past. A spell caster and enforcer of the balance between us and them came from a Native American tribe. Mark's abilities are inherited from that bloodline. A hunter from the blood lines of the ancients is born with abilities. The rest of us have to work to unlock whatever powers we have."

"You're not from one of the blood lines," Ichigo asked.

"No, like I said I was born into a Chinese-American family. My bloodline is very weak and I only discovered I could eradicate these zombies when I met Mark," Pearl said.

"I'm full blooded," Mark said, "that is why my powers are so strong."

"There aren't any more of his kind left and that is why we need the help of you and your friends," Pearl said sincerely.

"To do what, find a talisman and what this spell caster character,"

Ichigo asked.

"They are going to sacrifice the spell caster," Pearl said.

Rukia spoke up, "Mark is the only one left isn't he."

Ichigo looked at her confused.

"Yes and I'm sure if they have their way they will use me as a backup…sacrifice," Pearl said.

"Athen has ties to the Soul Society and that mole is the one keeping all eyes off of his activities. Whatever remained of our kind's leadership was wiped out in the massacre. There are pockets of resistance but few and far between.

My parents tried to keep that life separate from a normal human existence. For me it took their deaths to even realize my purpose here. It took loss for me to realize it," Mark said. He stopped only because of Pearl's admonishing him for saying too much.

"What are Athen's plans for us," Rukia asked.

Mark glanced at Pearl before she started to explain, "Somewhere along the line some of his followers started to gain a semblance of intelligence. I studied a little about the Hollows from your world and I know about what happened with the Shinigami war. Perhaps they are a little like the Arrancar, some sort of evolved creature.

Athen feels for these creatures like they are his children. These creatures are dangerous because I can't sense them. I can't read them. We know that Shinigami can sense spiritual pressure so I'm sure you can sense them."

"We know what you went through with Sôsuke so we were drawn to seek your help. Before we were caught we never would have thought to bother with you," Mark added.

"So," Pearl started towards the door, "take your time get ready for today and think about your answer. Will you help us or not."

"You already know our answer," Ichigo said giving a poignant look at Mark.

"Whatever," Pearl said over her shoulder, "we're getting breakfast at that dinner. Want anything while we're out?"

"No we're fine," Rukia said. Grateful to finally be alone but upset that they could never really be alone with Mark around.

"Juice," Mark said to Rukia who looked irritated to have her mind read. She sent mental daggers flying at him but he just shrugged it off and added, "Alright if you think of anything else there's room service of course but I wouldn't trust anything from that cook."

"Dully noted," Rukia said waving him off.

"Oh and vending machines and ice down the hall," Mark said from the door frame.

"So we could just walk right out of here," Ichigo said.

"You could certainly try," Mark said closing the door.

000

"Rukia what do you say to all this; you were so quiet," Ichigo asked sitting on the twin opposite her.

"Right…I am the thinker in this operation," she said giving meaningful looks to Kon and Ichigo.

"Now is not the time for your jokes," he scolded her.

"We both know the right thing to do…but I'm tired of this forced separation and that part of me thinks why not help them," Rukia said.

"The other part says what?"

"Jump in with both feet. Go help find their kinfolk, the talisman and protect them all while rooting out the mole in the Seireitei," Rukia said.

"We talked last night…Mark and I. He told me…is what he told me real about the way you feel about me," Ichigo asked.

"How can I deny it," Rukia asked self-consciously pulling her longer hair back over her shoulders, "I don't even know what he told you. Hasn't the way I feel been obvious all along anyway? Probably anyone could see it."

Ichigo stared at her for a moment wanting to say something but he wasn't even sure what. He wondered just what Mark revealed to Rukia in the time they had alone. Finally he spoke up.

"Let's help them out, my instincts tell me they aren't really bad people."

"We have to consider our friends. What about Orihime, Sado and Uryû," Rukia asked.

"You didn't even mention Renji or any of the other Shinigami," Ichigo pointed out.

"I'm mad at him still," Rukia said standing and busying herself with the air conditioner. She was much more than mad at Mark. His abilities were so intrusive and if she really wanted Ichigo to know something she would have told him. Her anger made it hotter and the uncooperative machine did little to help he mood.

"It is kind of hot in here let me," Ichigo stood up to help.

His hand grazed her hand sending a shock through her system.

"It is better that they stay out of it," Rukia said ducking under his arm and sitting back on the bed.

Ichigo smiled to himself adjusting the controls on the air before turning back to her saying, "I'm happy you came for me and that you're here with me. Besides what could they really show that I don't already know…or that you don't anyhow?"

Rukia smiled back and took the television remote trying to keep her mind clear. Television could clear your mind, she thought.

Ichigo joined her sitting on the opposite twin bed and stared blankly at the television.

Rukia spoke up, "You're the one who could get hurt by those things. I don't think you should be involved. It's too strange that they single you out and we still don't know what it is that they want."

"We don't know enough about any of this," Ichigo said leaning on his elbow facing her, "besides they are only keeping you here to insure my cooperation."

"I heard that but I'm too hungry to think about this anymore," Rukia said dropping the remote and stood up.

Food could clear her mind.

"I'll go get ready and we'll go over to that dinner or something," Ichigo said kicking his legs over the edge of the bed to get up.

"We're doing this," Rukia asked.

"It will be hard to let you go when this is all over," Ichigo said holding her hand before she started to walk any further.

"Don't-

"Never," he cut off whatever she was going to say, "I'll never let you go," Ichigo pulled her gently towards him kissing her forehead.

Rukia tilted her head and met his lips instead. She let go of all her worries as they parted to get ready for the day.