A/N: If you haven't noticed yet, you will. I've decided to implement a little time skip after most chapters. Nothing major will be missed, obviously, but it requires a little brain power on your parts to connect the dots. Hopefully it isn't too hard to do. If you feel like I'm not doing a good job with them tell me how to fix it! I want to try and keep this going throughout this fic (for any chapter that I can do it for, obviously I won't do it if I'm splitting battle scenes or if I left you hanging off ye olden cliff), so constructive criticism is welcome. If you just say "I hate it. I hate your story. I hate you." then I can't really help you there.

Amethyst eyes glittered in amusement. Rather than vocalize anything, the eyes closed tight. He allowed his senses to extend around him, focusing on nothing but the world in his presence. He felt the tug. It was the tug of something powerful, perhaps someone powerful. He could figure that part out easily, whether or not this being was from this world or his own, but there was no fun in facts. Opening his eyes to see for himself, he found himself staring into the golden eyes of a lithe black feline. He raised an eyebrow; this was certainly not what he expected.

"Well hello." Lelouch smiled warmly, "And how do you suppose you got in here?"

He reached out his hand slowly, making no sudden movements to avoid startling the creature. The being before him was no simple animal—hat much he was certain of—and no matter how much it tried to conceal its power he could still route it out.

'Quite the interesting little thing, isn't it?'

An instant before he would brush his fingertips against its coat, the cat leapt back, eyes flaring with more emotions than a cat should be able to perceive.

Fear.

Wariness.

Excitement.

Curiosity.

He decided to vocalize his thoughts.

"You are quite the interesting little thing, aren't you?"

"I knew something was off about you."

It was a deep baritone, certainly far deeper than Lelouch had been expecting. With a cat from his days alive for comparison, Lelouch half expected this cat to be of the fairer sex.

He decided to vocalize his thoughts.

"Interesting. I thought you were a female cat."

"Whatever gave you that impression?"

Was the cat mocking him? There was a glint in those ever-expressive eyes that was not lost on Lelouch.

"Would you care to explain what exactly you are?"

"Why can't I just be a cat?"
"In your world, you can be whatever you want to be, I suppose. But here, in this world, you are certainly not a cat. Oddities exist in this world, but even a spirit animal—passive guardians of nobles—only have the ability to communicate when they show their true form. You do not look like a ferocious lion to me."

"The fact that you know of the passive guardians confirms what I wanted to know. I'll take my leave now."

"You're free to stay." Lelouch invited calmly, "Curious cat or ferocious lion, some milk sounds pretty good right now."

"You know, the only reason I like is the silky texture." The cat sounded defensive.

"Would you rather I got you some glue?"

"Smartass." With a swish of its tail, the feline disappeared into the small kitchenette of his apartment.

Lelouch followed, chuckling when he saw the cat pawing at his fridge door.

"No matter how much spiritual pressure you possess, you are still limited by your form I suppose."

Oddly enough, the cat insisted he pour its milk into a glass and set it on the bar. Rather than leap up onto the bar and lap at the milk, the feline looked at him for a moment.

"You live alone?"

Lelouch nodded, "Did you think I too would sleep in Ichigo Kurosaki's closet?"

Ignoring him, the cat requested he turn around. Not caring if it was got gone when he turned back around, he did as it asked.

As soon as he did so a gust generating from a pulse of energy flung his hair forward, obscuring his vision. There was a slight fog that had set in on the room, and Lelouch scanned the room for the cat. Finding no feline, but grinned as he saw a figure resting comfortably on his couch, glass of milk in dark-skinned hand.

"Let's talk." The feminine voice washed over him, causing him to grin widely.

"Now this is a surprise!"

Not Lelouch's Pad

School had long since ended and the sun was soon to be retiring in the world of the living, but Ichigo's day was far from over. Standing between him and his traditional route home was a tall man. Stubble on his chin accented what struck Ichigo as a devilish, eager smirk, but a bucket hat shadowed his eyes preventing Ichigo from knowing his true intent.

"And you are?" Ichigo prompted cautiously, his tone rife with warning.

The clogs clacked rhythmically on cement, the man's grin widening as his cane swung up to his shoulder, "My name isn't important, what you need to know is that I run a candy shop a few blocks down the road, and you—" his index finger flicked up the brim of his hat, making eye contact for the first time, "—are Ichigo Kurosaki. Boy do we have a lot to talk about."

"How so?"

"I'm sure you've already reached a conclusion in your head. Your senses tell you something is off about me, I am not quite like the rest of the people in this world—you're right about that."

Ichigo narrowed his eyes at that, but chose to stay quiet, which seemed fine as Kisuke had plenty to say.

"Wholes, Hollows, Shinigami. These terms aren't new to you no doubt, but they are mere names. The beings that bear these names, you are quite the stranger to them. Rukia Kuchiki probably hasn't told you who or what sh—"

"How do you know Rukia?" Ichigo burst out, stopping the enigma's rant.

"Well that's a simple one: she's a Shinigami, I'm a Shinigami."

Ichigo's mind wandered back to early that day:

A girl had stood in front of the class, her name written on the whiteboard in impeccable calligraphy.

"It is read Kuchiki Rukia." She stated formally, "It is a pleasure to meet you all."

Ichigo stared her down, and she stared right back. Something was off about her; he sensed at least that much. Why did she transfer into his school? Also, why the hell was she ignoring him? She sat behind him, sufficiently distracting him the whole day with her mere presence. During lunch, she ate with Orihime Inoue and Tatsuki Arisawa—the one thing that wouldn't surprise Ichigo all day. Inoue always reached out to the new students; it explained why her friend group was so large, but somehow she managed to garner all their affections easily. She was quite the mystery to Ichigo. She feared him for some unknown reason, but continued to reach out and try to befriend her. Ichigo tried to extend the same kindness, but Tatsuki always yelled at him before anything could be forged.

Rukia, however, was still watching him even as he ate. It unsettled him. If he were Keigo Asano, his jumbled mind would reach the conclusion that she was into him, but he wasn't that unobservant. The stare was calculating; she was taking his measure. For what purpose he didn't know, but he would make sure to stay alert around her from now on. Something had changed since he saw her this morning, something to do with Soul Society perhaps? Odd that he hasn't sensed Renji since this morning either.

Come the beginning of the final class of the day, Rukia was not present. She stumbled in fifteen minutes late, apologizing about how she desperately had to use the restroom and how it wouldn't happen again. Ichigo wondered about that instance and the circumstances behind it. A hollow attack hadn't occurred, so what was going on? Maybe he was reading too far into it, but then again maybe he wasn't. The confused looks Shinji was sending him certainly did absolutely nothing to mollify his curiosity.

The day had concluded uneventfully, and the timeline eventually took him to where he was now: standing off a couple paces from this enigmatic figure.

"So you're a Shinigami, huh?" Ichigo snorted disbelievingly, his mind finally back in the present.
"A being of the afterlife that cleanses Hollows, and helps Wholes find their way to the Soul Society, yes. I do that."

"And how come I haven't sensed you before?" Ichigo retorted. This man perplexed him, even interested him, but he wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of knowing that, "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here. If your enigmatic ass really is a Shinigami, are you the reason Rukia was playing hooky today?"

Urahara shrugged, "Indirectly, I suppose I am. I'm sure you saw the relatively powerful hollow yesterday. It's the first one to come here in a while, but I think that has something to do with your ever-increasing Reiryoku. Unfortunately for you, you will soon become the target of more powerful Hollow attacks. Although the circumstances may be exogenous, the fact remains that they are coming for you. Your exceptionally powerful Reiryoku will attract them like moths. Soon you will be a danger to yourself and your family."

Ichigo's eyes widened, "And how do I stop it?"
"You train to be a Soul Reaper."

Ichigo snorted, "I am a Soul Reaper, dumbass. And I suppose you train me?"

Kisuke ignored his question; instead he chose to unsheathe a blade hidden in his cane.

"You wanted to know how I know Rukia? Well, who do you think is housing her during her stay in the world of the living?"

Ichigo widened his eyes before glaring at the offending blade.

"That's quite the knife you keep in there." Ichigo growled, "Just who the hell are you?"

"That is certainly a story for another time. However, I am no enemy of yours. Join me at my shop if you want to be ready when shit hits the fan. Also, join me at my shop tomorrow morning if you want to know why shit is about to hit a fan."

Urahara smiled, pleased with his comments, before turning his back on the overtly curious substitute soul reaper who certainly wasn't about to let him get away so easily.

"Wait."

Far from a request, the single word was a spoken command; his tone rife with leadership, Kisuke couldn't help but halt his geta clad feet, "Yes?"
"I need an address if I'm going to meet you later."
"Ah, I suppose you're right." Pulling out a small white card, Kisuke held it out to his left. Ichigo followed the item with his eyes and, suddenly, it was falling. The slender hand that held it against gravity had vanished.

"Damn flash step." Ichigo huffed indignantly, beading at the knees to examine his souvenir, "Urahara Shōten, huh? Well then, looks like you have some explaining to do tomorrow, Mr. Urahara."

Lelouch's Pad

Yoruichi gripped a burgundy jacket around her bare torso tightly, body bending as she prepared to leap out the window.

"You know" Lelouch crossed his arms and strode up close to her, "You really didn't explain what it seems you revealed yourself to explain."

Yoruichi chuckled, "That's the idea! It's called a cliffhanger; they keep the reader interested and willing to return for more."

"You know" Lelouch approached ever closer, "You're not the first strange woman to come into my life and shake things up."
"Had a bad experience with an ex?"
Lelouch snorted mirthfully, "Hardly."

Yoruichi's eyes glittered in amusement, but beneath them was a raging sea of premonitions regarding the composed boy before her. Was this Kisuke being impulsive, or did he really think this guy would be on their side in the coming conflict? She saw his eyebrow raise and she realized she'd been staring. Her grin recovering in full force, she turned back to the window,

"If you want your clothes back, come to the Urahara Shōten tomorrow morning. I promise it will be worth your while."
Lelouch didn't have the time to formulate a witty retort; the only warning he got was a slight tensing of his grey pants before she was gone.

"Troublesome woman." Lelouch growled, "Doesn't she know a person needs a destination before they can set sail?"

Urahara's Shop

Just as Kisuke was about to shut the door to his shop, a deeply tanned foot placed itself in the way causing his eyes to light up.

"Yoruichi!" Opening the door, allowing her entrance, "How did it go… whose clothes are those?"

"Lelouch Lamperouge." She listed the name, "He's quite the interesting person. Kisuke I don't know about him; he gives off a bad vibe."

"Does he now…" Kisuke rubbed his chin, appearing to be deep in thought, "do you always borrow the clothes of men who unsettle you?"

"Shut up." She huffed indignantly, giving him a light bop on the head, pushing his hat down against the bridge of his nose. Kisuke let out an equally indignant squeak. Not bothering to wait while he fixed his appearance, Yoruichi continued, "How'd things go with Ichigo?"

"He's quite the hot headed person." Kisuke mocked as he brushed his hair to this side and that with this fingers, "He was rather mad when I left him hanging."

"Did you answer any of his questions?"
"Literally ignored every one of them."

Yoruichi gave him a disproving stare.

"Alright, fine. I answered a few." Kisuke reluctantly relented, "You're always so mean to me!"

Before they could say anything further, a knock sounded from the store door.

"Who would knock at this time of night?" Grey eyes narrowed in thought as he strode to answer, making sure to keep his cane in his dominant hand. Yoruichi followed closely behind him, but just out of sight.

Cracking open the door, Kisuke poked his head out.

"Helloo~?"

A flash of pink and the figure was directly in Urahara's personal space, "Presumably you are Mr. Urahara."

With a gasp Kisuke quickly darted back inside his shop, his right hand gripping his chest as he tried to slow his heavy breathing, "Jesus Christ!" He breathed in a shaken tone.

"Shunsui!" A much smoother voice than the previous one admonished, "That wasn't polite!"

"Oh relax, Jūshirō!" Shunsui Kyōraku turned his head to call to his childhood friend, "Kisuke isn't quite old enough to have an induced heart attack yet, at least I think so. He's alright, isn't he Yoruichi?"
Knowing she hadn't been within visual range of the Squad 8 captain, Yoruichi assumed a defensive pose as she walked slowly towards the open door, which still happened to be occupied by Shunsui—no. A pale hand gripped the back of his floral kimono and lightly jerked him away.

"My apologies Shihōin-san" Ukitake now spoke, "He had a little to much at a bar before coming here, apparently his Gigai isn't quite as tolerant as his soul is."

"The soul of an alcoholic never rejects its lifeblood!" Shunsui yelled from his now seated position against the side of the shop, his straw hat resting in his lap as though it were a humble domestic feline.

Yoruichi sweat dropped at the all too familiar scene; however, these two wouldn't be in the world of the living without a very good reason. Yoruichi sighed as she put on her business face, "What can we do for you?"

"Oh yes, the business side of a friendly reunion." Ukitake smiled absentmindedly, but Yoruichi knew him too well to be fooled. The sick captain coughed lightly as he began, "As I'm sure you are aware, Lieutenants Renji Abarai and Rukia Kuchiki have been stationed here due to an apparent uptick in average Hollow Reiryoku, so I'll cut right to the chase. Where is Ichigo Kurosaki?"

Yoruichi's eyes widened, but almost immediately narrowed in suspicion, "What makes you think that name means anything to me?"

Jūshirō was about to answer, but before he could utter so much as a sound from his open mouth Shunsui stumbled by him, upsetting his balance and stealing the metaphorical spotlight.

"Is that a question we need to dignify with an answer?" Shunsui's eyes flashed as they fell upon the former twelfth division captain, "The Head Captain does not want a human involved in Shinigami affairs."

Ukitake bopped the tipsy captain on the head, "I told you that you're not supposed to do much talking here." Sighing in resignation, Ukitake showed his palms, "Go on. Ask away."

"What affairs?"

"Right for the throat!" Shunsui commented, smiling, from the background, but his one-liner went ignored for the most part.

"Aizen." Ukitake's expression fell, "The Soutaicho is getting suspicious of the fifth division."

Yoruichi gasped in shock, 'he actually made a move already?' But before she could voice her thoughts, Kisuke felt it was his turn to step into the conversation.

"There's no one he moved so soon, he only recently acquired the Hōgyoku."

Both squad captains raised their eyebrows, sharing a puzzled glance, "We'll have to sit down and talk about what you mean by Hōgyoku later, but for now: No, Aizen has not made any moves. However, the fifth division has been involved in all missions that resulted in mysterious deaths of Shinigami or Rukongai citizens. Just recently, Aizen volunteered the division to be a part of the advance squad to track down an "invisible" Hollow that killed a patrol squad from the 13th division."

"Couldn't he just be trying to be helpful? What makes you think he's doing it out of malice." Yoruichi asked in suspicion.

Shunsui turned his gaze to the bucket-hatted former captain, "You're testimony, Mr. Urahara. But at this point, we are so far off of our original goal my head is starting to hurt."
"Or you're starting to feel the effects of all that alcohol." Ukitake sighed, "Sorry to ask this of you, but do you mind if we impose on you tonight?"

Kisuke opened his fan, "Are you comfortable staying in the abode of a feared exile?"
Shunsui smiled lightly, "Rukia and Renji are safe and sound, so I think we'll be okay."
"What makes you think they're here?"

Shunsui lifted his right hand, thumb pointed upward and index finger extended; the remaining three fingers curled in a fist. He aimed down the sights and made a light *bang* sound. Kisuke and Yoruichi whipped around to find a bleary eyed Rukia staring at the four in confusion.

"What is going on?"

Looking passed Urahara she noticed Shunsui waving gaily at her.

"Captain Kyōraku?"

Ukitake peered mischievously over his friend's shoulder, making eye contact with his subordinate, "Why hello, Rukia!"
"Captain Ukitake!"

"Whose clothes are those, Yoruichi?"

"I thought the walk of shame occurred the following morning…" Ukitake trailed off uncertainly.

The deep chuckling of Shunsui and Kisuke contently smothered Yoruichi's annoyed growls.

A/N: A lot of character/character interactions. I promise this is all just setting the stage. The action will come soon enough. Patience, Young Padawan!

I like to think I have you guys trained to review, but I'll remind you anyway.

Until next time, amigos!