Soul Society

'So you need my help to find this Shinichi person?' Ishida asked, adjusting his spectacles. 'Why is he so important?'

'He is our only hope of solving a case. We need him.' Rukia pleaded. 'You need to help us.'

'Of course.' He closed his eyes and focused. A thin shred of soul power lingered in the room. Ishida grabbed the line and followed it, darting out of the room. Rukia and Renji followed as best as they could.

Ishida led them to an abandoned warehouse in the middle of Soul Society.

'I can feel his presence inside this building.' Ishida said. 'But I feel another much more powerful force inside.'

'That's gotta be the culprit.' Rukia exclaimed. She immediately made a beeline for the door.

'Rukia, wait!' Renji cried. 'You don't know who's there!'

'C'mon. We gotta help her.' Ishida said, drawing his bow. He and Renji leapt downwards, following Rukia. When they reached the door, they found Rukia on the ground, a look of fear on her face.

'Rukia!' Renji leapt forward. 'Rukia, are you okay?'

'Renji...I…' Rukia pointed at the door. Renji stared at the man standing at the door. He could not believe his eyes. He could not believe that the person standing at the door was actually one of the captains.

'Captain Mayuri! It was you!'

'Yes you fools. I can't believe that I managed to fool everyone into believing me. I guess I really do have the power to defeat a captain.' He paused and grimaced in pain. 'You can't pass. You will have to defeat me to pass.'

Ishida stepped up. 'Let me handle him. I can defeat him by myself. You two go save Shinichi.'

'Shinichi is beyond saving already.' Mayuri cackled. It was almost as though he had gone mad. 'Shinichi is DEAD!'

'GO! I can handle this!' Ishida yelled as he drew an arrow and shot it at Mayuri. He leapt up and avoided the arrow.

'Thanks Ishida.' Rukia nodded curtly and, with Renji, flash-stepped her way past Mayuri.

'Good going hero.' Mayuri laughed crazily as he swung his zanpakutō at Ishida. He dodged and fired several arrows at Mayuri. 'You will never defeat me with powers like that Quincy!'

'Then maybe I need to take it up a few notches.' Ishida replied calmly as he fired a barrage of arrows at Mayuri's direction.

Mayuri sidestepped the torrent of arrows and laughed. 'Your weakling arrows will never hurt a captain like me! Face me like a…'

'Maybe I didn't say it clearly enough.' Ishida said as he materialized in front of Mayuri, a huge arrow drawn. 'I need to take you out.' There was no time for Mayuri to even react. His eyes went wide as the arrow pierced through his body and came out through the back. Ishida leapt back, victorious.

'You haven't beaten me yet Quincy.' Mayuri spat, a pool of blood at his feet. 'BANKAI! Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō!' The huge golden baby appeared and sat down beside the wounded Mayuri. 'I don't think you can win this time Quincy. POISON HIM!'

The huge golden creature immediately began spewing out a poisonous substance at Ishida. Ishida tried to leap away but it was too late as the poison surrounded him. He began to falter as the poison began to take control of his system.

'Not so powerful now are you?' Mayuri laughed madly. 'Kill him Ashisogi!' The huge creature lunged at Ishida, who was lying weakly on the ground. Its body had sprouted blades and it was going to crush and impale Ishida. He waited for the end.

Suddenly a snakelike creature appeared and pushed the golden creature away. Renji reeled in his Bankai, Zabimaru for the second attack.

'Looks like you need some help, Ishida.' Renji called out. He lashed out at Mayuri, but his attack was blocked by Ashisogi. He leapt back and prepared another attack.

'Th-thanks Renji.' Ishida said weakly.

'No problem. Let me handle him now.'

'No, let's do it together.' Ishida said, struggling to his feet and forming his bow again. He disappeared and reappeared behind Mayuri, planting 3 arrows in his back. At the same time, Renji drew his Zabimaru back and lashed it with full power at the golden creature. With a roar, the golden Bankai swatted Zabimaru's attack away. Renji tried to reel in his Zabimaru but he was too slow as the golden creature lunged toward him and crushed him.

'RENJI!' Ishida yelled as he pulled a huge glowing arrow and blasted it towards the Bankai. The arrow impaled the creature and it dissolved in a golden shower of flames and gas. The exertion of the attack left Ishida weakened and he fell forward.

With blood in his mouth, Mayuri stumbled across to where Ishida lay. 'You….' He raised his zanpakutō and prepared to slash Ishida. Just as his sword was in a downward arc, another zanpakutō appeared out of nowhere and blocked his attack. In a quick counterattack, the blade slashed Mayuri across his chest. Mayuri stuttered backwards, blood flowing freely from the wound.

Ishida looked up. Renji held his zanpakutō forward, breathing hard. His robes were all torn and tattered and his hairband was missing, leaving his hair in a mess. He had a self assured smile on his face. 'Let's finish this Ishida!'

Ishida nodded weakly and drew an arrow. Renji charged at the bleeding Mayuri and brought his zanpakutō downwards. At the same time, Ishida let loose several shots from his bow, each arrow finding its mark in Mayuri's chest.

Mayuri was weakened by the initial attack and the violent double attack left him powerless. He slumped to the floor, into his own pool of blood.

'I…I lose.' He whispered hoarsely. 'I lose.'

Gateway to Soul Society

'At long freaking last. You would think that Soul Society would be much easier to access since I'm partially a Shinigami too. Jeez.' Ichigo muttered to himself.

'Yes, precisely why I followed you here. It is such a bother to come.'

Ichigo spun around so fast his neck nearly snapped. Standing behind him, in midair, was a boy all clad in white, wearing a matching top hat. He had a confident grin on his face and a very cheeky look, as though he made a living tricking people.

'Who the hell are you?' Ichigo yelled at the boy clad in all white.

'I am…Kaito Kid. And I am here to help Shinichi. Or should I say, Conan?'

'How did you know about him?' Ichigo was dumbfounded. Who was this mysterious person? What could he possibly know about Soul Society and Shinichi?

'That is for me to know and for you to find out.' The boy grinned. 'Now that I know the way here, I need to go finish up some personal stuff. Catch you later.' He waved and exploded into a cloud of smoke. Ichigo shielded his eyes and when he opened them again, the boy was gone.

'What the hell? Who was that idiot?'

Authors Note: Sorry for the very long lack of updates. I'm pretty caught up with assignments and everything. I'll try to update this story as much as possible. Thanks for staying with me all this while. =)

Oh, and reviews are very much appreciated.