A frequent question I get is how long do I plan to keep part 1 where Ruby is in the bleach verse. It may look long, but right now, I estimate around 30 chapters. Because while it may not look like that now, once things get going, it will pick up pace much more than it does now. I want to write a story where it's the journey that makes readers feel like they have experienced something unique and memorable rather than specific events. That's why I'm trying out this narrative of storytelling. So I hope you'll follow through with me till the end, because I'm enjoying this story as I write it as much as everyone else!

Also regarding the timeline. Bleach cannon is extremely confusing and filled with holes. So I have my own, more linear timeline of when and how events occur. So its different from cannon but I will still write them in such a way that it makes sense. This will be explained in upcoming chapters.

Chapter 4: Rose meets Jaguar

"Come again?! Did you just say you sneezed out a bala?!" came a very bewildered Lilynette. "That sounds so stupid, how does that even work?!"

"Ehehehe well….that just kinda…happened in the heat of the moment I guess?" said Ruby sheepishly.

After their brief introductions, Ruby and Lilynette slowly began talking about different things, though the latter didn't have much to say really considering the pair never travelled out a lot. So naturally, it fell on Ruby to continue making some conversation or risk having an awkward silence between them. Starrk, of course, remained on the floor, sleeping. It DID start with an awkward silence however, with Ruby unsure what to talk about and Lilynette not having much to talk about, but Ruby's adventures and Lilynette's eagerness to know more about the world she couldn't explore eventually broke through.

"But now, I can fire a bala whenever I want! I've even by changing the reishi concentration and compression, I can make them faster or slower or larger or smaller. See?" said Ruby, charging a bala and forming a small ball of crimson reishi. The ball changed sizes, sometimes becoming larger, sometimes smaller and sometimes dimmer or brighter. Finally, Ruby decided on making it as small as a small rock, glowing bright red. She aimed away from the pair and fired it into the sky. The crimson orb sped away unbelievably fast, almost invisible to the naked eye. The two of them however, were able to track it as it made its way further and further away into the sky until it disappeared.

"Huh, that IS sweet" said Lilynette, whistling and watching it disappear. "What about a cero?"

"A Cero..? Well, I have tried firing a cero, but I can never get it to work most times. I have asked my companions and big-sis to teach me and they did give me some tips but it either explodes in my mouth or its just another bala" replied the cheetah in a disappointed tone.

"How strange…normally cero is the first thing a menos knows by instinct to discharge. Balas are a lot more difficult given the precise control one needs to manipulate such a small amount of reishi" wondered Lilynette, "In that case…." she said, rubbing her nose. "Why don't I teach you? It may not look like it, but a cero is my specialty! In fact, let's have a deal. You tell me more about the outside world, and I'll teach you how to fire a proper cero. How's that sound?"

"That's sounds sweet! I'm all down for it!" said the cheetah excited, her tail matching her enthusiastic tone.

"Specialty my ass. Do you mean the same cero that cant even kill a regular hollow?" trailed off Starrk in a small, bored voice.

"Starrk you bastard, you pretend to sleep all this time and NOW you speak up?!" And so the green haired arrancar began promptly kicking her partner who was making mock 'ow' sounds as if he was too lazy to even pretend to sound hurt. Ruby watched the duo confused, and was soon filled with stifled laughter.

"And what's so funny?!" retorted the smaller arrancar, a vein popping in her head.

"Sorry, sorry…!" breathed Ruby, "Its just interesting to see a scene that I usually see back at my lair and never see other hollows being so…social. It's really a nice change of pace when something or someone isn't trying to kill or eat me for getting to close, ehehehe" she replied. Then she gasped, as if realizing something. "Speaking of which, I think I really should head back now, I've stayed away for much longer than I should have. Urgh…I'm gonna get another earful from big-sis again". She remembered the last time when she strayed off too far, got lost and returned home after an eternity only to be confronted with Harribel's death glare. This time would most likely be the same, probably worse.

"Huh, you're leaving? Oh well, I guess you have other places to be too" Lilynette sounded a bit disappointed "Will you be back here again?"

"Hmm? Sure, why not? After all, you did promise to teach me how to discharge a cero right? But whether I'll be able to find this place again is another question" said Ruby deadpanned. Usually, Ruby could find her way back by retracing her steps, though that also relied on how well she could track her own scent and reishi in the trail she had traversed. But when she crossed a place multiple times or during those times that she would get lost tracking something else, her own trail is lost to her. So many a times, it took her a while before she could retrace her steps.

"Well, if you can find the menos forest from your lair, then you should be able to get here pretty easy" said Lilynette, scratching her head. "Our reaitsu should be detectable from there. So if you know the way from the menos forest, go that way" said Lilynette, pointing her finger.

"Hrmm.. the menos forest..? I suppose I could manage. Eh, it'll work out fine!" she said enthusiastically to herself. "Welp, time to get going. It was nice talking to you two! See ya later, Lilynette! Stark! Teach me how to discharge a cero next time!" and off she went. The arrancar duo watched her as she walked away faster and faster, as the decreasing pressure from the arrancar duo on Ruby lessened the further she went.

"That was…..nice" said Lilynette, to no one in particular. "You think she'll be back?"

Starrk just looked at the sky, lost in thoughts. He hadn't really been part of the conversation, but even he had to admit, it HAD been a memorable time, albeit really short compared to the eternity he and Lilynette had spent in utter solitude devoid of any contact. However, even that short spell of activity had etched an unforgettable memory on both of their minds. Just being able to picture such a scene happening every now and then did make him happy. Starrk could not really explain it, but Ruby had a certain warmth to her presence. Being around her made you feel at ease and her cheerfulness and easy-going attitude augmented her persona.

"Probably. A better company than a certain green haired arrancar for sure" he said lazily, once again prepared to receive Lilynette's kicks and let out his mock 'ow ow ow' noises.

"Uwaah…this is really bad" said Ruby to herself, deadpanned as she raced towards the direction Lilynette pointed to. She was running on low, and she still had a long way back home. Not to mention that the menos forest was likely teeming with enemies. Sure, most of the inhabitants of the menos forest were Gillians, which even in her current state, she could manage. But it would really by bad if she ran into an adjuchas.

The quartz trees of the Forest of Menos poked out of the underground caverns where they lie, indicating that she was not far off from her destination. Ruby had considered two options; hunt a few Gillians and replenish herself temporarily, or to bypass the Forest by remaining on the surface, taking a longer route by going around which would avoid enemy encounters but posed the risk of her collapsing due to hunger and fatigue. The first option didn't seem that bad, but it was risky because she could run into an adjuchas instead of Gillians, which would turn real nasty. On the other hand, if she was successful, not only would she be able to sate her hunger and recover some strength, but she would reach her base much sooner too. Hence, she decided with option 1.

She descended lower and lower into the caverns of the Forest of Menos, the moonlight becoming more and more dim. She, however, could see just fine. She could make out the massive pillars of quartz trees scattered all over, their tops reaching for the heavens above. Immediately to her side, she spotted a group of Gillians travelling aimlessly.

"Nice!" Without sparing a single thought, she sprinted for the nearest one and sank her fangs into the shifting robe-like body of the nearest Gillian. She could feel the Gillian's reishi and blood drain into her mouth, the taste of it somewhat bland but filling.

"Urgh, it tasted a lot better when I was a Gillian" she told herself. It's not like she needed to or wanted to drink the blood, but as she took a bite, some of it unavoidably went into her mouth. The gillian's of course, tasted the worst. Atleast with an adjuchas the taste blended in with the flesh. One slash here, then a bite. A bala to the floor to propel herself in the air towards the mask and then another slash and a bite on the shoulder. Then a jump to the next one and another bite at the neck. And then finally, she raced down the back of the last one, hit the ground, stopped, turned around, and lunged at the mid section with her mouth wide open, ready for her finishing strike. Except, it never connected.

The cheetah adjuchas watched as another white figure lunged at the last Gillian from the left, taking a good chunk from it and shoving it to the ground in front of it. With her momentum carrying her forward, she used her limbs to gracefully land and turn around to face the newcomer. This newcomer had the body of a Jaguar, deep blue eyes with white, hollow bones covering its entire body like armor, a thin, bony tail which was colored black at its tip, just like its paws. It was already devouring what was supposed to be her prey. Though she wanted to avoid trouble as much as possible, she really couldn't let this one slide. And besides, this was just one adjuchas.

"Hey! That was my prey!" she said protesting. The jaguar adjuchas narrowed its eyes, looking at her with a questioning and predatory look.

"Your prey?" it growled. Judging from the voice, Ruby understood that she was facing off against a male adjuchas "You have some nerve waltzing into my domain, hunting in my territory and then dare accuse me of stealing? Better choose your words carefully, BITCH!" And then he lunged at her, his aggression open for her to see. Ruby could barely leap out of the way.

"Uaaah that was close..!" That guy wasted no time in closing in on her. From the way he moved, she could tell they were of similar size and build, though he was slightly bigger than her and probably a heavier attacker than her. That didn't mean Ruby was completely disadvantaged however, for she could tell that she was definitely faster and more agile than him. He's similar to me, she thought. This would be an interesting fight, one that she didn't want to run away from. So far, none of the adjuchas she'd fought were built like her. For her, this was a good opportunity to face off against one and perhaps even learn some new ways of battling by observing her opponent. And besides, even if she was hunting his prey, he could've been lees of a prick about it, but instead he just pissed her off.

The jaguar growled, slowly circling around her, studying her with his unwavering blue eyes. Ruby tensed her body, ready to leap at a moment's notice. She knew she couldn't openly attack, she would be more successful trying to evade than attack. With every forward step the jaguar made, Ruby would take an evasive step in the other direction, while still circling around him. This didn't escape the jaguar's notice however, for one could tell by how increasingly irritated he became.

Having had enough, the blue-eyed adjuchas took another lunge at her, swiping his right paw at her face. Ruby dove to her right, but the jaguar's claw did connect this time, leaving a noticeable claw mark at her left abdomen. Ruby immediately turned around just as the jaguar landed after his attack, his neck left open for her to strike at. Not wasting the small window of opportunity, Ruby pounced, fangs bared, aiming right at Grimmjow's throat. He retaliated by jumping back, therefore making ruby crash into his face, sending them both tumbling about.

Grimmjow's head felt heavy, his vision blurred. He shook his head vigorously, trying to make the dizziness disappear. The silver eyed adjuchas was also recovering from the same effect. But because he was studier, naturally the impact was less taxing on him. Grimmjow charged up a cero, the crimson orb slowly growing to the size of small melon, illuminating the features of his face a blood red hue. Ruby barely had any time to react, and she knew from the reaitsu she felt from the cero that it would be over if she got hit with it. She fired a bala towards the ground, propelling her to the air. She could feel the cero's crimson death beam barely touch her nose as it skimmed past her.

That was waaay to close…! But now I have a chance!

Ruby fired off 3 more balas in succession, aimed at the jaguar staring at her from below. The first one went through the hollow hole on his mid back. The second one missed, hitting the ground next to him instead. The third one hit him on his front shoulder, knocking him down. It didn't blow a hole through, but that sound she heard definitely meant broken bones.

Grimmjow reeled in pain, grinning wildly. He felt stars dance around his shoulder area, feeling numb and his muscles around that area not responding. Nothing long lasting though, for Grimmjow's regeneration would take care of it soon enough. All adjucha class menos and above had instant regeneration to some degree, and although his wasn't particularly powerful, minor injuries like this one would be healed just fine. Ruby was still mid-air. Grimmjow grinned, drew back his body like a spring, ready to leap upwards towards the cheetah adjuchas.

"Heh, in that position, she's as good as mine!". It was a sound strategy. Ruby's movements should be limited in mid air, allowing her almost no freedom to avoid any incoming attacks. Though grimmjow's front shoulder was injured, his other limbs would still powerful enough to launch him towards the now falling Ruby. Mid air, he would deliver one strong bite to her throat, immobilizing her and use her body as a cushion to minimize the impact. And then, he would finish her off.

That was the plan, atleast. And as he would learn, things don't always go according to one's plan. Ruby did something completely counterintuitive, putting him off guard completely. She fired a bala off towards the sky, using the momentum gained to propel herself towards him, her front limbs swiping at him with her claws outstretched and hooking onto him. The two of them spiraled towards the ground at an incredible speed, while both were trying to claw, rip and tear at each other, trying to shake the other one off.

*craasssshhhh*

Clouds of dust kicked up as the two adjucha took a sick crash to the ground. Grimmjow's already injured shoulder completely dislocated, he had bite and claw marks all over his neck, upper abdomen and limbs. Staggering, he picked himself up from the dirt. Ruby on the other hand suffered the most of their fall. Given her light body and springy body, she might have taken the fall better had she landed on her feet. But because of the tousle the two of them had, Ruby crashed to the ground head first. Her body too, like Grimmjow's, had bite and claw marks all over her body. Her left hind leg was bent in a very awkward angle, sticking out in a way it wasn't supposed to. Her lower jaw suffered fractures, while some of her canines had snapped.

Her head was still woozy. She coughed out blood violently, struggling to even get up.

U..uuuu…

She couldn't even make tangible words in her mind. All she knew was that now would be a good time to get away, if she even could. She couldn't tell how badly the jaguar adjuchas was hurt and if she would have the opening to escape. She should've been more wary of her surroundings, she scolded herself. If Harribel ever heard about this, she wouldn't hear the end of it. She just focused on standing up, and trying to limp away, one bit at a time, as much as her legs would allow her. Her healing was also slowly kicking in, making it slightly easier with each passing step. Her canines were already growing back, and her jaw was also mending itself slowly. She was heavily out of breath too, so sprinting was out of the option. Her vision became slightly clearer, allowing her to get a better look at her opponent. Seems like he wasn't unscathed either, as she'd suspected. But he still was in a better shape then she was.

"Gah….hah…hahaha….ah…hah..." laughed the Jaguar, taking heavy pauses in between to catch his breath. "Not bad, shitty brat! I haven't had this much fun in ages…! Tell me your name"

"Ruby…Rose…hah….hu…" gasped the ex-rose huntress.

"Ruby rose eh? I shall remember that name as the one who's managed to wound me this much and give me this much fun in a fight! But too bad, this is where I end things..!" he growled , slowing moving towards her. Ruby could only scowl.

Stupid, foolish Ruby! See what wandering around in foreign territory got you..! Aahh why didn't I tell Big sis before coming here…?! If only I had a little more time I could regenerate the damage…..eaten by this jerkwad, I cant believe this is how things end, thought the rose huntress to herself bitterly.

A white pointy object cut in between her and the jaguar adjuchas.

"That's far enough, Grimmjow. You'll leave this little one alone" said a soft, feminine voice.

"Haah?! And who the fuck are you supposed to-" Before the jaguar could finish his sentence, this newcomer literally bashed him with the white pointy object, which Ruby now recognized as the spear she'd seen on the Green haired adjuchas from before. So that meant….

The cheetah looked up, and found the familiar form of the antelope adjuchas she'd set out to look for in the first place. Her kind, hazel eyes were looking directly at her.

"The FUCK was that about?!" snarled Grimmjow. "First this shitty brat steals my prey and then you waltz in like nobody's business interrupting my fun. Who the hell do you think you are, bitch?!"

"I have a perfectly good name, that of Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. If that's too much for you, you can call me Nel" she said calmly, "This little one is under Harribel, and she asked me to find her. You know what that means, don't you? But if you still insist on continuing, I'll be your opponent. I wonder how you'll fare with your body in the condition it is"

"Tch" he spat out. There wasn't a hollow around that didn't know the infamous Tier Harribel, the Vasto Lorde said to be the second strongest being in all of Hueco Mundo. None dared challenge her, or they risked being hunted down. She was also known for her infamous antics of recruiting weaker female adjuchas to protect them but everyone knew that they always travelled in a pack. So what was this one doing all by herself?! Was she mad, abandoning the protection that came along with travelling together in Harribel's faction?

But none of this had ever mattered to Grimmjow. To him, her threats and antics meant nothing. If she came after him, he'd deal with her, plain and simple. But he really was in no condition to fight another adjuchas and he wasn't prepared to throw his life away in vain. He would get plenty of chances later and since he knew where Ruby would be, he could always settle things whenever he so pleased. But for now, he'd have to bite his teeth and suck it up. He felt like horse shit, but that's just how life was sometimes, like horse shit. Grimmjow could only growl in frustration, staring at the two of them. Finally, after what seemed like ages, he turned tail.

"This isn't over yet, shitty brat. We'll settle the score another day, mark my words. The bitch may have saved you today, but that wont happen next time-"

*bash!*

"That's Nelliel to you" she said once again.

"Fuck you" he growled, and slowly disappeared.

"Quite the unpleasant fellow, isn't he?" asked the green haired adjuchas to herself. "Well then little one, how are your injuries looking?"

"I think I'll live. But…thank you so much Miss Nel, I really thought I was a goner!" said Ruby, lowering her head.

"It's nothing really. I'd say you did a much better job fending him off for so long. So before any more trouble appears, let's head off, shall we?" she offered. Ruby nodded in agreement. Her head was swarming with questions but she'd save them for when they hit the sands. There would be plenty of time to talk then. For now, she just wanted to focus on recovering her strength and more importantly, brace herself for Harribel.

So as you can see, I had fun introducing one of my favorite characters in bleach! I took this long for this chapter because I really didn't want to mess up Grimmjow's character. I hope I've done him justice, as well as for Nel. I spent quite some time thinking up how to script this chapter and I hope I didn't disappoint! You may be wondering how all these guys end up meeting each other in the vast expanse of space the Heuco Mundo is. Well, there's a reason for that, but one that wont appear anytime soon. Right now, I suggest you take it for what it is.

And yes, as you can imagine, I'm focusing on releasing a chapter within 4-7 days but because of that the length is limited to 3000-4000 words per chapter.

Responses to reviews:

5h1n Z3r0: Ahaha yup, looks like the world is a small place indeed :D But yeah, as I said, there's a reason why all of them meet each other one after another. It'll come….eventually. The timeframe, ah yes. I want to mention that the canon timeframe of events is REALLY confusing and filled with holes. So I'm gonna have my own timeline of events. This is a crossover after all, I think its good to do that. I will explain exactly how in the upcoming chapters. Also, cannon from Bleach will be altered to suit my story. Not by a large margin though. I will not, at the very least, consider the novels and extended universe. That much is a given. Thanks for the support as always!

Firewyrm2: Yeah actually I do! I estimate around 30 chapters. Because it may look like things are relatively 'peaceful' now, but once it picks up, it'll go faster.

RandomName3064: Exactly. This is something that will appear when Ruby goes back to Remnant. For the people in the bleach universe, they don't know the Ruby from RWBY. And besides, even if they did know her, it isn't strange that a person changes their personality based on their experiences and their origins and the physical changes to their being.