PROLOGUE:

"Well? Are you going to attack me, then, Abarai?"

Kaida turned away from Gin, glancing back at the little white-haired Captain. He was glaring at her with harsh distain. Momo's motionless form lay a few feet from him. Kaida let her eyes flick back and forth between the two, her grip on her Zanpakuto tightening.

"After all, this is your chance," Toshiro growled, narrowing those turquoise eyes at her, "No one would stop you. Everyone would believe you were completely justified in doing so. It's your chance to ruin me, even try to kill me if you wanted. Isn't that what you want? What you've always wanted?!"

Kaida stood rigid for a moment. Her heart seemed to be pounding into overdrive. Never once had she ever thought that she would be faced with this situation. The opportunity to ruin Toshiro Hitsugaya, once and for all… it was sitting here, right in front of her. She could have him arrested, locked up, sentenced to execution, or even more, kill him herself here and now.

"After all, you would believe him, wouldn't you," Toshiro continued, looking past her at Gin, "You would believe anything that put me in a bad light. Even something as outlandish as this."

Kaida looked from Toshiro to Gin, straightening and letting her hold on her blade relax. Toshiro blinked in surprise. Even Gin perked a brow, though that ever present creeper smile was still on his lips.

"I'm sorry, Toshiro," she muttered, making Toshiro crouch in a defensive position, obviously believing she was going to attack him now, only apologizing that she had to do it, but then she continued, "But I'm not about to believe that you would go about such means to get power from an outside source. You've always been determined to prove that you're perfectly capable on your own, you would never accept help from anyone or anything, including a super powered blade," she glanced at Gin, "Which means that Aizen's note was forged by some bastard trying to pin the blame on someone other than himself!"

And as Kaida turned to stand beside Toshiro for the first time in her life, Toshiro let out a soft breath, "Kaida…"

She glanced at him and smirked, "I win again, Toshiro."

Kaida would have never thought something like this would ever happen, her heated rivalry with Toshiro coming to a standstill and her actually standing to help him rather than do everything in her power to bring him down. And to think, she thought dryly, the set off for this only happened three months ago. Funny. It almost felt like years. And it was all due to that stupid human, carrot-top. Her standing side by side with her oldest and most hated rival? It was just one more thing she was going to have to kill Ichigo for.

*.*.*

THREE MONTHS EARLIER:

*.*.*

"Let's become Soul Reapers…"

Those four words changed Kaida's life forever. Standing upon the hillside of the graves of their three fallen comrades… she didn't remember much of it other than the sunset, and those words. She had been very young then, a child beside the young man on her right, and the young woman to her left.

Even though she was much younger than the other two, Kaida was placed in the same level as her them upon her entrance exams to the Soul Academy, even good enough to be placed in the advanced class. There was only one other like her, considered a prodigy with being so young but so skilled. It took her only one year to graduate. It felt like such a long time ago…

"Kaida, are you even paying attention?"

Kaida flinched and looked over at the female Soul Reaper to her right. She had raven black hair, a piece of it hanging down across her face like a slash between her deep blue eyes. There was an irritated scowl on her fair face, and Kaida laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Whoa, sorry, Rukia, it's just… this sunset…" she looked back out across the small town.

The two of them were standing atop one of the buildings, and the sun was slowly setting in the distance. Kaida could not help but feel nostalgia. Rukia's expression softened.

"I see, but this is hardly the time to be thinking about the past, Kaida," she said, "We have a mission to do."

"I know!" Kaida said, mock saluting, "Awaiting orders, Captain Kuchiki!"

Rukia rolled her eyes, "Don't let anyone back at the Soul Society hear you say that."

"Only because no one there has a sense of humor," Kaida said with a smirk.

"Come on," said Rukia, looking back down at the town, "I haven't sensed it for a while now, but let's go patrol. It has to be close."

Kaida nodded and the two jumped off the roof as the sun set completely leaving the town in darkness.

*.*.*

Ichigo laid down, his body exhausted. It had been a long day, what with seeing yet another ghost that wanted help from him, and the explosion later… That thing… he had seen a monster, a straight up monster, and it had been chasing the ghost he had helped earlier that day. But that hadn't even been the weirdest part…

Those girls…

Ichigo had been certain that that creature was going to kill him, with its strange almost skeletal clown like mask, huge black bug-like body and pincers… He thought he was dead for sure. But then they appeared out of nowhere, almost like… like phantoms…

The first had raven black hair. She had really been the one to destroy the creature. Wearing a black kimono, she had unsheathed a katana from her hip and in one sweep cut the monster in the face, blood pouring outward. She had landed like a cat even though it appeared she had jumped from one of the ten story tall buildings above.

That was when the second girl arrived, this one younger, with wild fire red hair that hid one of her eyes. Her tiny body landed next to the first girl, and she too wielded a katana, though its sheath was strapped across her back. Her kimono was a bit tattered at the sleeves, and she wore a red scarf that partially covered her face.

"Good hit!" she told the first girl in a cheery tone, beaming at her.

"Pay attention!" the black-hair girl scolded just as the creature brought down a massive pincer.

Both girls jumped out of the way, though the red-head only just barely made it. She laughed nervously.

"Whoa! I think you made him mad!" she said.

"This isn't a game!" the black-hair girl snapped.

"Fine, I guess play time's over," the red-head's voice grew darker and she grinned wickedly at the creature as she landed and pushed up off the ground, the hand wielding the blade held back.

She twirled and swung the katana down hard, severing the pincer limbs off completely.

"Ten points!" she cried when she landed, giving the other girl a thumb's up.

The black-haired girl had sighed heavily, "You know that's not going to kill it… you have to aim… for the mask!" she charged, raising her blade high as the ugly creature raised its head and let out a bellowing wail.

Bringing down the blade, Ichigo saw the result of the cut, but never when the sword made contact, the speed was that intense. The mask split in half along with the rest of the body, and then it faded away, bursting into small fragments of black, like a mixture of scattering flower petals and ash being taken up by the wind.

And it was gone.

"Heh, great job!" the red-head said, beaming, "Of course, I softened it up for you."

"Oh shut up…"

They began to walk away.

"Hey- hey wait!" Ichigo called after them, but in a blink they were lost in the crowd of people running about to see what happened.

It appeared no one but he had seen the monster or the two mysterious girls that had defeated it. So what did that mean? More ghosts? He had never seen any ghosts like that beast before. Nor had he ever seen a ghost so able to manipulate the living world. That thing had torn apart an entire street. Physically ripped it to shreds. So there was no denying it happened, Ichigo couldn't chalk it up to imagination as much as he wanted to.

So who were those girls?

Two butterflies fluttered in through his open window. Ichigo gasped and sat straight up just in time to see two figures walk into his room… through the wall. He stared. It was the two girls from before!

"H-hey!" Ichigo stammered, pointing at their backs, "It's you two!"

"You're sure it's going to show up around here?" asked the red-head, her small hands laced behind her head, frowning at her comrade.

"Of course I'm sure, can't you sense it?" the black-hair girl asked sharply, "It's getting close."

"Well I sense something other than just the Hollow," said the red-head, "Seriously! Feel that spiritual pressure? It feels weird!"

"You've been saying you can sense some kind of spiritual pressure since we got here, and I don't feel anything but the Hollows," said the black-haired girl.

"That's because you're not as perceptive as I am," said the red-head snidely.

"That's ridiculous, we both know that there's a reason you're with squad eleven, Kaida, and that's because you're only main skill is using your Zanpakuto."

"Hey! That's not true, I can use some Kido!" Kaida said in a huff.

"HEY!" Ichigo shouted, getting irritated that they were both completely ignoring him, "Who the hell are you two?!"

Kaida looked at him as the black-haired girl began looking around the room.

"We'll have to be ready for when it comes, Kaida, perhaps we should set up to ambush it… it's no ordinary Hollow," the black-haired girl was saying.

"Hmm…" Kaida said, looking pensive and stepping toward Ichigo, who, despite himself, scrambled back against the wall.

She was a little girl but he had seen her cut off the limbs of a giant monster. She reached back and grabbed the hilt of her blade. He held up a hand, "Hey! Stay back, you aren't cutting me up with that thing!"

Kaida blinked in surprise at his words and her single visible eye got big, making Ichigo realize it was the color of a setting sun, a brilliant golden amber.

"Wait- just- a- second!" she said in short little bursts, then glanced over at her companion, "Hey Rukia?"

"Kaida, I'm trying to concentrate on a plan here, what do you want?" the other girl asked without turning.

"I think this guy can see us," said Kaida casually, pointing back at Ichigo.

"Wha- Of course I can see you!" Ichigo cried, anger bursting out, "Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my room?!"

"Hm?" Rukia turned, perking a brow, "What, that's impossible… ordinary humans can't see us, Kaida, don't be foolish."

"But he just responded to me and he's making eye contact," said Kaida, frowning at Rukia.

"But…" Rukia looked at Ichigo.

"Hey!" Ichigo shouted at her, "Answer me! Who are you?!"

"He's the guy we saw earlier today…" said Rukia.

"Oh, he is!" Kaida said, beaming, "The one we saved from the Hollow! T'sup carrot top?"

Ichigo narrowed his eyes. He always got shit for his bright orange hair that stuck up in all directions.

"How very strange," Rukia stepped forward, grabbing Ichigo's cheek and turning his head this way and that, "He looks perfectly human, but he must be defective in some way."

Ichigo smacked her hand away, his temper flaring, "I'll show you defective!" he made to swipe a punch at her but she jumped up and he felt a foot land on his head, pushing him off the bed and onto the floor. Kaida laughed.

"I think he's funny! Can we keep him?" she poked his back and Ichigo rolled over and away from her.

"Kaida, he's a human, not a pet…" Rukia sighed.

"Who are you people?" he demanded.

"You want to know?" asked Rukia, looking down at him thoughtfully, "Then I'll tell you. We're Soul Reapers."

Ichigo blinked, "You're… what?"

"It's simple, carrot top!" said Kaida, beaming at him, "We help the dead pass on to the Soul Society where they can be at peace, but more than that!" her eye gleamed and she gripped the hilt of her katana, making Ichigo brace himself instinctively, "We fight Hollows."

"Hollows…?" Ichigo echoed, "You mean… that thing in the street today… that was a…?"

"A Hollow, yes," said Rukia, who didn't seem to share Kaida's wild enthusiasm, "A dark spirit that seeks to devour the souls of both the living and the dead who have not yet found peace."

"So it was trying to eat the soul of that ghost girl?" asked Ichigo, perking a brow.

"Oh, so you could see her too?" Rukia nodded, "Yes, well, it appeared it was after her at the time, but we think that there is something else drawing so many out. Another Hollow, one much stronger than the one you saw earlier, is on its way here."

"Here?" asked Ichigo, eyes wide, "But why?"

"I'm telling you, Rukia, it's that weird spiritual pressure I'm feeling!" said Kaida, looking over at the other girl.

"There's nothing but the presence of Hollows, Kaida, you must be mixing it up," said Rukia, looking out the window, "In any case, whatever it's after is around here somewhere."

Ichigo sat there for a moment then shook his head, "No way! I don't believe it!"

"What?" Kaida blinked, looking at him.

"This Soul Reaper and Hollow crap," said Ichigo, getting to his feet.

"Wait, how can you say you don't believe in Soul Reapers when you can see ghosts?!" Rukia demanded.

"Tch, well I've never heard of Soul Reapers before, and frankly, your story just sounds too incredible," said Ichigo flatly, "I don't believe in anything I can't see."

"But… you can see us!" said Kaida.

"Yeah, and I'll admit you two aren't human," scoffed Ichigo, "The two of you are obviously just some very confused ghosts. So why don't you go play your Soul Reaper game somewhere else, brats…"

"Brats?" Rukia glared darkly.

Ichigo didn't like the sudden anger in her eyes. He almost took a step back. Rukia looked up at him and held out her hand, "Bakudo number one," she said, and then, louder, "SAI!" she thrust out her hand in a swiping motion toward Ichigo.

Ichigo yelped as his arms suddenly twisted up behind his back and he felt face forward, his entire body becoming rigid.

"Wh-what?! What did you do to me?!" he cried.

"Paralysis," said Rukia, smirking down at him, "I've used what's called a Kido. It's useless to struggle against it, you're only wasting your energy," she crossed her arms, "I may look young to you, but I've lived ten of your lifetimes. I would kill you here and now if it was not against my order for your insolence!"

"Hey, calm down, Rukia," Kaida said, laughing lightly, "He's just confused, I mean, really, how can we expect him to go along with this when he's never met a Soul Reaper before?"

"Kaida, on the other hand, is much younger than me, and sometimes she doesn't understand that as Soul Reapers, we demand a certain kind of respect," said Rukia harshly.

"You're too serious!" laughed Kaida.

"We can't all be children," sighed Rukia, closing her eyes.

Ichigo struggled against the invisible binds on his body, "Damn it! Let me out of this!" he cried.

Kaida went to the window, looking out, "That's weird I can't sense the Hollow anymore…" she said.

Rukia glanced back at her, "What?"

"Seriously, I- oop!" the girl pulled something from her pocket as it began to beep. It looked like a cell phone to Ichigo, "Wait whaaaaaaat?" she frowned at it, "Rukia, this says it's on the other side of town! I could- AH! Rukiaaa!"

"What?!" Rukia demanded, "Kaida you're going to give me a headache…"

"There's two!"

"What?"

"There's two Hollows!" said Kaida frantically, waving her arms around, "One's on the other side of town and the other is almost here!"

Rukia hissed in annoyance, "It can't be helped. Kaida, go get the second Hollow, I'll stay here and cut off the other."

"You sure you can handle it on your own?" Kaida asked with a smirk, "This one seems like quite the baddie."

"Kaida, just follow orders!" Rukia snapped.

"Alright fiiiiine, sheesh, you're too serious, Rukia… lighten up. Shouldn't take me long with the small fry on the other side of town, and I'll be back."

"Good luck," said Rukia.

"Take care, carrot top!" Kaida said, smirking down at Ichigo.

Ichigo spat, "Shut up, you little brat…"

Kaida giggled and jumped out of the window, vanishing.

"What did she mean, the other one is heading this way?" Ichigo demanded the remaining Soul Reaper.

"It's nothing I can't handle, don't worry," said Rukia.

But then one of Ichigo's sisters screamed from downstairs.

*.*.*

Kaida sheathed her Zanpakuto, glancing around as the Hollow vanished into particles. It had just been a low class one, but it had been intent on attacking a human that had been out for a late night jog. Kaida had gotten there just in time, and the Hollow had only given her a little trouble with how evasive it was. But no matter, it was dead now. And as she looked across the town, she realized that she could barely sense Rukia's spiritual pressure.

"Oh crap!" she hissed and took off at the run, jumping up onto the buildings and racing back toward where she had left Rukia and the human.

She knew she shouldn't have gone, but it was like Rukia had said, it couldn't be helped. They had two Soul Reapers and it would be irresponsible to not take advantage of that and rid two Hollows when they happened to pop up at the same time in different areas. But still, Kaida felt partially responsible. Rukia was in trouble, she could sense how weak she was. But how- how could someone like Rukia Kuchiki be bested by a Hollow of this degree? Yes, he was stronger than most, but even so, this was Rukia they were talking about.

And then something new happened.

That strange spiritual pressure that Kaida had been feeling in the back of her mind since they arrived suddenly exploded. She blinked in surprise, nearly faltering in her running. What was THAT? There was no denying that that weird feeling existed now. It was stronger than ever!

"Could it…" Kaida breathed, "N… no way…"

She sprinted on, and landed on the street of that orange-haired human's house just in time to see that very same human wielding a massive Zanpakuto, and cutting the Hollow into two. It vanished into particles and Kaida stood there in absolute shock.

"…T… T'sup carrot top?" she stammered.

Ichigo looked back at her. He was wearing a kimono. He looked… he looked like a Soul Reaper.

"Oh sure…" he rasped, "Now you show up…" and then he fell.

Kaida stood there for a moment, looking around. She spotted Rukia leaning against a pole a ways away.

"Rukia!" Kaida rushed to her, grasping her shoulders.

Rukia yelped in pain and Kaida pulled back, her hands covered in blood.

"Ah! What happened?!" Kaida demanded.

"Th-that human… is not normal…" Rukia gasped, "He broke my Kido… and went after the Hollow. I had no choice, if I hadn't jumped in front of him, that Hollow would have…"

Kaida glanced back at Ichigo's slumbering face and she sighed, "Oh, yeah, I get it, I see it now… He… he looks a lot like him…"

Rukia let out a small sound, almost like a whimper. Kaida looked back at her, "I'm sorry-" she began.

"No," said Rukia, her voice hardening, "Don't be. You wouldn't have gotten back in time to save him and his family, I knew it. So…" she looked at the massive sword beside Ichigo. Suddenly, it made sense to Kaida.

"Rukia!" she gasped, "You- you-?!"

"I had to."

"Rukia, this… you're going to get into huge trouble," Kaida whispered.

Rukia avoided her gaze.

"I only meant to give him half my power. But… he took all of it," she said.

"Yeah, and his Zanpakuto is huge!" said Kaida, "He was the spiritual pressure I've felt since we got here. The Hollows… they've been after him."

Rukia nodded grimly.

"Well this is just a crap basket, isn't it?" Kaida laughed.

"I can't stay in this form," Rukia gasped, "I'm too weak to even use Kido to heal myself."

"I could try!" said Kaida.

"NO!" Rukia cried, "I mean…" she added at the hurt look on Kaida's face, "Let's be honest here, you would probably do more harm than good."

"Killjoy," Kaida said.

"Looks like someone could use a Gigai."

Kaida turned, perking a brow, "Who…? Kisuke?"

"Heh, long time no see, Rukia, Kaida," said the man as he walked forward. He wore a green and white striped hat with a long brown coat and clogs on his feet. The rim of his hat cast his eyes into shadows and he smirked down at them.

"Urahara?" Rukia cringed a bit in pain, "You mean you have a Gigai I could use?"

"Of course," said Kisuke, tapping his cane on the floor, "After all, it's not very likely that the Soul Society will be willing to give you one after tonight."

Kaida looked from Rukia to Kisuke, "This is bad," she murmured.

"Kaida, perhaps it's best you return to the Soul Society," said Kisuke.

"What? Without Rukia? How can I, what will I tell them?!" asked Kaida.

"Tell them I sent you back," said Rukia, looking up at her, "I'm the superior in this mission, they'll believe that. Tell them I said to return because you would be of more use elsewhere, that the Hollow threat wasn't as bad as they thought and it only requires one Soul Reaper. That way… that way…" she looked away, not meeting Kaida's eyes, "That way when the time comes… you can't be blamed in any way."

Kaida sighed, getting to her feet, "I don't like this," she said, "I can't just leave you here, with all your powers gone!"

"Don't worry about me," said Rukia, looking over at Ichigo, "I'll make sure he is ready to face Hollows in my stead until I've recovered."

"But that won't help you when they find out, Rukia, you'll be in trouble!" said Kaida, "This is a huge offense!"

Rukia laughed, looking at her, "Stop being so serious, Kaida. It doesn't suit you to be like this. Where's the jokes and teasing?"

Kaida smiled lightly, then glanced at Kisuke, "You take good care of her, got it, buster?" she said sharply, smirking a bit, "You don't wanna set the firecracker off."

"Little prodigy like you? Of course not," said Kisuke, smiling lightly, "Don't worry, she's in good hands…"

Kaida turned to go, but Rukia called after her.

"Kaida!"

She turned, perking a brow.

Rukia held her gaze, "Please don't tell Renji," she said softly.

Kaida looked away, "Alright," she said with a sigh, "But he's going to kick my ass if he ever finds out I knew."

And so Kaida returned to the Soul Society. She did so not knowing what had just been set in motion, not realizing that this one night had changed everything.