Disclaimer: I do not own DP and never will.

Rukia stares at herself in the mirror, satisfied with what she finds. It has been quite a while since she has gone undercover, but she is sure her skills haven't rusted in the least. Staring back at her is a young, petite teenager with short black hair. She has a small nose, slim figure and rather modest chest. Her complexion is pale, yet still healthy looking. Although the slant of her purple eyes is not too apparent, it is definitely there. She could pull of being only part Japanese, something that should help avoid suspicion. After all, she is trapped in some western, English speaking city. Furthermore, Rukia doesn't appear ghostly in the least, despite not even wearing a gigai.

Nodding to herself in satisfaction, Rukia smooths down the knee-length purple skirt she is, ah, borrowing from the recently abandoned store she found herself in. This store was one of the first useful places she wandered across after finding herself trapped in the city by a perplexing green kido shield. Figuring it was the Soul Society's way of isolating the anomaly, Rukia is not too alarmed. For a top she wears a pretty winter white blouse, accompanied by white sandals and a couple of colorful bangles along her wrist. As a finishing touch, she has a crossbone hairclip that has a built in purple bow painted to one side of the skull. She would be disgusted if it was the real deal, but finds this plastic hairclip rather cute (even if she'd prefer a chappy the bunny one). One might think that it is unwise for a spy to wear such flashy apparel, but that is the point. She won't try to keep her head down. Instead, she'll act like every other confused and frightened human girl pushed into such a situation. No one will expect her to be a hundred and sixty year old lieutenant of those 'angry Japanese samurai ghosts', as she vaguely overhead the broadcast in the store television describe her scouting party to be.

The only issue with this otherwise perfect outfit is that there is no place to put her zanpakuto, and she can't exactly go carrying it around in the open. She frowns slightly, glancing around the small retail store for anything else for her to borrow. She grows increasingly concerned when she initially finds nothing suitable. All of the backpacks are too small length-wise, and the idea of leaving behind her dear Sode no Shirayuki is simultaneously heartbreaking and anxiety-inducing.

Rukia gives an audible sigh of relief when at the very back of the store, yet to be set out for the public, lies a fairly large purple duffle bag. It is just large enough to fit her sword and will help explain why no one has ever seen her before. Quickly collecting it and storing her sword inside, she lugs the bag toward the front door- adding additional clothes supplies to it as she goes. (Rukia is sure to remove the price tags as she does.) She feels somewhat guilty at the blatant thievery, but determines it to be for a good cause.

"For those who have for some reason forgotten the locations of the bunkers, a list will appear momentarily." Rukia is lucky. She was just about ready to walk out the door when she heard this from television screen. Eager for this information, she whirls around and stares intently at the small screen. She squints her eyes, wishing she had something to write with as a list scrolls down. It is… difficult for her to interrupt, to say the least. Her spoken English may be very good thanks to her time at Karakura High and later individual studies, but the written portion has been difficult to get the hang of- it is just so different from Japanese. She tries sounding out a couple of words she sees under her breath. It doesn't seem right, and Rukia hopes it may only due to English names sounding weird in general- and not because of a mispronunciation on her part.

The screen abruptly switches from the mundane list to a scene so bizarre the girl finds herself jolting back a bit. She blinks rapidly, wondering for the first time if the television was left on some science fiction show instead of the actual news. The reporter is currently showing off the town's main line of defense… Rows and rows of human piloted machines- like mechas, from Ichigo's silly yet amusing 'anime' shows. He told me those were fiction! Was he lying to me…? No. Why would he? Not to mention, Ichigo can't lie to save his life. So then why…

"TO THE EXTREME!" The shout interrupts her thoughts, and she watches incredulously as a duo in ridiculous outfits are interviewed by the reporter.

"Ghost hunters? These two are ghost hunters? How ridiculous!" Rukia chortles, speaking quietly to herself in Japanese. The mechas might have given her a worried pause, but now she is more at ease. "They remind me of Don Kanonji. If they do have any reiatsu to speak of, I doubt it will be any more than his." Shaking her head to herself in scolding of her initial worry, Rukia quickly exists the shop with one mission in mind- to find one of these bunkers and glean as much information as possible from these humans.

Quiet gasps and the quick patter of footsteps echo throughout the town, followed swiftly by loud thumps as windows and doors are slammed shut. A freakshow is strolling through town, both in the literal and figurative sense, and the good people of the Soul Society Rukongai want nothing to do with him nor his equally ghastly companion! "My dear Lydia- just what have we stumbled upon?" Freakshow muses to himself with his signature diabolical (or more accurately disturbing) grin. Dressed in gothic attire from his glory days as ringleader of Circus Gothica, Freakshow wears a black trench coat, black bowl hat, red tie and red lipstick. His skin is a sickly gray and he wears red eye contacts. The overall effect, ironically enough, makes him appear more ghostly than any of the plus souls in this literal ghost town.

Clutched in his hand is a staff with a certain red orb that quite a few people in Amity and ghosts in the GZ would find very, very familiar. He strokes the glassy surface with loving care as he gazes at this primitive (if organized and clean) little town. "Tch. We don't have time for this…" he bemoans suddenly, tapping his foot in a quick, irritated rhythm. "It took me several years to get this blasted orb back together! And what are we doing? Not recreating my beloved Circus Gothica, that is for certain!" He paces, in a rage.

Lydia looks sympathetically at her master, making a shape of a large dome in the air with her ectoplasmic powers. The green dome fades a couple of seconds later. Seeing this, Freakshow responds. "Yes, yes- I know you can't enter until the shield is down and I'd never go without you…" He waves a hand flippantly. "If only we were a bit closer when the shield came up! How to proceed though? I can't imagine us finding anything useful in this worthless little town..." He glances around some more. The road is white tile and clean. Short buildings on both sides are arranged neatly (all currently locked tight). Truthfully, it all looks far too idyllic for his taste. In fact, he finds himself disgusted and doesn't hesitate to show it. "What is this? A detailed set to a movie? Some sort of chinatown? And how annoying! I don't see any sign of technology anywhere…" He just finished speaking when the town bursts into motion.

"Stop where you are!" Freakshow is puzzled. Around the corner and out from various buildings pour out men with various weapons- mainly curved swords. Freakshow vaguely recognizes them as katanas, although with only the most basic definition attached to the name. 'Fairly long, curved, sharp Japanese samurai swords…' Although the men who wielding them certainly do not appear as Samurai, but instead some half-baked milita.

"Ah, gentlemen," Freakshow purrs in delight, causing a few of the men to step back at the weird tone of voice (even if they don't understand a word). "Could any of you perhaps tell me where I am? Certainly this wretchedly sunny place is not the heavenly Ghost Zone..." He mutters the last bit under his breath, although Lydia with her enhanced hearing picks it up just fine. She forces herself not to roll her eyes at her master's words as she floats two paces behind him. She might like the Ghost Zone herself, but only the gothic and ghost obsessed Freakshow would call the place 'heavenly'.

Freakshow waits for an English response, yet none is forthcoming. Instead the men continue to take up their positions in surrounding the two beings, whispering amongst each other meanwhile. "What are these creatures? Arrancars?"

"No you fool! There are no bones anywhere on them. And look at that one! Her skin is green! Her eyes are glowing red and she has bizarre symbols all over. These things are something new altogether."

"Shit. Where are the shinigami? Shouldn't they be on top of stuff like this?"

"Shut up. We're the town's militia! It's about time we live up to the honor."

Freakshow doesn't seem concerned in the least at being surrounded nor outnumbered. Instead he merely watches this back-and-forth with a bored frown. "Tch, I can't understand a word coming out of their mouth," he complains to no one in particular. He turns to his companion. "Do you, my dear?" Lydia shakes her head negative. "A pity… Not that you'd really be able tell me what they are saying, even if you could."

The townsfolk tense and listen intently when they hear the intruder speak up for a second time. "What language is that?" one wonders in discomfiture and well-founded wariness.

"Speak normal Japanese, you freak!" another barks aggressively, raising his sword threateningly. The sunlight gleams off the gleaming surface of the blade. It might not be a zanpakuto, but the blade has been well cared for and can certainly do some damage.

Freakshow might not be able to speak Japanese, but he is no idiot. He knows when he is being insulted and outright threatened- and he doesn't like it one bit. Deciding to take the initiative, he says offhandedly, "Lydia, take care of them." Lydia obediently raises her arms. The militia is horrified when they see the strange markings on her glowing green body begin to move.

The screams that originate throughout West Rukon District 10 do not last for long- and are soon followed by a disturbing, indefinite silence.

"And so you see…" Sniff. Sniff. "I was separated from my transfer family and have no idea where to go!" Rukia trembles slightly, wiping away a nonexistent tear as she turns her head away. She stands in the middle of an all but abandoned main street, pouring her heart out to the first noncombatant humans she caught sight of. Their arms were full of suitcases and bags as the hurried off somewhere, incapable of driving to their destination when the street is littered with abandoned (or crashed) vehicles. Rukia was lucky to find them- they seem to be the last citizens still out in the open.

And so, perfect for hearing Rukia's 'tragic' tale.

"Oh, Papa!" The hispanic girl cries after hearing the other girl's tale, pulling her into a tight hug. Rukia yelps at the unexpected act by the teenage girl. Used to Orihime's glomps however, Rukia soon relaxes and 'shyly' hugs the girl back, burying her face in the other's pink clad shoulder. "We just have help her!" The hispanic teenager pets the girl's hair as she would an especially cute and sad kitten.

"Of course hija," the big hispanic man agrees, wiping an actual tear from his own eye. "We can't abandon this young lady! Tell me, senorita. What is your name?"

Rukia pauses in her emotional sniffling. It is fortunate that her face is still hidden in the teenager's shoulder, as it hides the sudden change of expression. Shit. Rukia thinks bluntly. She hadn't thought of a name. How could I prepare my attire, backstory and everything else but not my own name! She can't very well call herself Rukia. Well, she could, but it wouldn't seem right. What if these people hear talk of Kuchiki Rukia fukutaicho- or translated to English as Lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki? As unlikely as it is, someone might catch on. It would be sloppy on her part for everything to fall to pieces just because she used her real name.

So, Rukia speaks the first R western name that pops into her mind. "Rachel," she says, although the name sounds awkward rolling off her tongue. Thankfully though, the humans chalk it up to merely her being emotionally distraught.

"Well Rachel, I am Fernando Hernandez and this is my daughter Paulina." He proudly sets a large, hairy hand on his daughter's shoulder after she and 'Rachel' separates.

Rukia resists the urge to do a customary bow, and instead shyly (and somewhat stiffly) extends a hand in greeting. "It's a pleasure to meet you," she says politely, lacing as much sincerity as she can into the single phrase.

Paulina looks somewhat amused as she daintily shakes the hand. "You'll do." Paulina determines suddenly, speaking so quietly under her breath that they hardly sound like words.

Rukia blinks owlishly. "Pardon?" she questions lowly with her slight accent.

"I said, it's true! It really is a pleasure to meet you," Paulina responds sweetly, not missing a beat. Rukia is somewhat suspicious until what Paulina says next completely shuts down Rukia's brain. "I can't wait to show you around the mall after this latest ghost fiasco is all over!"

Latest… ghost… fiasco… Her mind races a thousand miles per minute, repeating over and over those three words. She wonders if she is translating it correctly, for surely those three words can't imply what she thinks they mean! Latest… ghost… fiasco… Meaning they've gone through something like this…. BEFORE?! Rukia screeches internally, somehow managing to keep a calm, outward facade.

Mr. Sanchez grows increasingly concerned. After all, Senorita Rachel seems a bit too calm, almost like she is no longer processing the world around her. "Come, chicas. We are already late to the bunkers, and it grows increasingly dangerous the longer we stay outside." He lays a gentle hand on Rachel's shoulder, the dazed girl only moving when prodded to.

"Please, Papa." Paulina rolls her pretty blue eyes in fond exasperation before throwing 'Rachel' a sympathetic glance. "Don't scare the poor girl by saying such things! It's only a ghost attack, and we are well prepared." Paulina takes out some lipstick and taps a silver band on her wrist, then an odd silver belt wrapped snuggly around her waist. Rukia can't help but stare at Paulina like she is crazy, not seeing the use of these seemingly random objects. Paulina goes on blissfully, oblivious to Rukia's reaction. "Besides, I'm sure my love will find a way to save us soon enough~"

At the edge of town everything is cast in a eerie green glow, caused by the sunlight filtering through the ghost shield above and around. The sounds of multiple shuffling feet, vehicles, various and equipment are heard as people do what they can to bolster Amity Park's defenses. Yet, despite the urgency of their own tasks, these brave men and women of Amity Park are sure to part ways for the meeting of two important people. "Dr. Fenton." The man in navy blue tilts his hat respectfully to the woman in teal blue.

"Chief." Maddie nods politely back as she sets her hands on her hips. The ghost huntress is fully decked out in ghost hunting equipment. There is not a hook on her specter deflector belt that is free of one gizmo or another. With the hood of her hazmat suit pulled over her head and goggles adjusted accordingly (not to mention a giant, high tech bazooka attached to her back) Maddie Fenton is quite the sight to behold. "Where's the ghost?"

"This way, ma'am." The police chief turns smartly around and begins marching towards the ghost shield at the edge of town. They pass the reporter crew, small pocket groups of armed militia, the police car line ups, the various licensed hunters lurking about, the row of manned ecto-skeletons and their most important defense- the ghost shield itself. Beyond it, a single figure waiting patiently. Maddie can't make out colors too well through the vibrant, neon green shield- but she approaches she notices several details. The ghost is a he. He has long hair, loose fitting clothing and a kind smile. When Maddie stands a few feet from him, only separated by the inch shield, the ghost bows.

Maddie doesn't return the bow. Instead, she crosses her arms loosely and regards the ghost coldly. "I am Maddie Fenton of the Amity Park city council. I have been chosen to speak on behalf of the mayor and city. You wanted to tell us something?"

The ghost is undeterred by the lack of respect returned. He merely continues to smile, giving the human woman a quick once over. If he is surprised by her apparel, which is more suited to a warrior than a diplomat, he doesn't show it. "I am Jushiro Ukitake, Captain of the Thirteenth Division of the Gotei 13. I have been chosen to speak on behalf of the Soul Society and thank you now for taking the time to see me." Maddie purses her lips, but nods in recognition of the thanks. She is pleased to find that Jushiro, unlike his comrades, speaks near perfect English. It will make threatening the ghosts easier at the very least, if negotiation falls through, Maddie decides. Jushiro goes on, clearing his throat lightly. "I would like to make it clear first, that your city's appearance here is as much a shock to us as it seemed to be for you and your people."

"So you are saying your 'Gotei 13' and 'Soul Society' had nothing to do with the forcible removal and transportation of my town? Nothing at all?" Maddie inquires stiffly, staring the ghost down. Not all ghosts are terrible, she's realized this for some time now- but Maddie is still a ghost huntress and she still firmly believes that these particular ghosts are no friends.

Jushiro nods. "That is correct. In fact, we were hoping you could shed some light as to what happened and why you are here."

Maddie scowls. "Very well. It is quite the simple story. Once upon a time, it was an entirely average day at Amity Park, with the people of the fair city going about their everyday business... when quite unexpectedly, in a flash of light brighter than noon accompanied by what seemed to be a mild earthquake, the fair city of Amity Park in a place far removed from our country and even our very world. As for our first encounter with the inhabitants here? To be greeted by madly raving Japanese ghosts, waving around swords like they are about to loop someone's head off. And when we raise a shield in self defense? It is prodded and attacked by the very same ghosts… Only when our shield manages to withstand all, do these ghosts finally decide to initiate negotiation."

Maddie takes in a deep breath before leveling Jushiro with a challenging look. "Now tell me, Mr. Ukitake, why we should trust a single thing you say?"

Jushiro blinks his eyes owlishly at the challenge, taken aback by the human's blazen attitude. She is either the best or worst kind of diplomat... Well, Fenton-san is quite the storyteller, if nothing else. Outloud, he gives a weary sigh. "I don't suppose it will do any good now, but I do apologize for what must have been taken as an attack on your home. Yes, your shield was tested, but it was not with the intention of harming your people in anyway. Within the last few years the Soul Society has withstood several invasions of sorts, and so we have taken to airing on the side of caution…. When we saw your city suddenly appearing next to our capital, a strange shield raised and what seemed to be the preparations for a mounting attack inside… Well you tell me, Fenton-san, why we should believe a word you have to say." The last sentence is spoken very softly, and even through the green shield Maddie can see a hint of sadness in his eyes. Despite using her words against her, there is no real challenge in his.

Now it is Maddie's turn to blink and stare blankly. She lets her arms unfold and drop to her side as she regards the man in a new light. We landed next to their capital? If this is true, no wonder they were so hostile initially. Although he could be lying…. Still, perhaps there is some hope for negotiation yet. "You make a fair point," she admits grudgingly. "Hopefully this all is just one big misunderstanding- although I don't fancy the idea of a third, unknown force at work here."

"Neither do I," Ukitake concurs, relieved to have gotten through to the human. "Which is why I believe it is paramount to exchange information and get to the bottom of this as soon as possible."

Maddie hums for a moment, then nods curtly once more. "An equal exchange. A question for a question."

Ukitake smiles brightly. "Excellent. Let us sit down for this- and please, ask the first question."

Just when Maddie is about to comply, a large explosion rocks the foundation of the Soul Society. Maddie drops into a high crouch, instantly and warily scanning the area for danger… But fortunately for her, the explosion did not originate from Amity Park. Oh no- it originated from the Seireitei, in flare of bright violet. Maddie appears confused by this, and looks to Ukitake for explanation, but he is no longer paying any mind to her. Instead, he stares towards his capital with wide brown eyes and breathes only a single word- a single word that Maddie has to strain to hear.

"Aizen."

Girl-of-Action- Oh? You thought they would sit down for some tea to work out their problems peacefully and nothing bad would happen? There wouldn't be much of a story then, would there? xD

Anyways- the fic lives! Give a big thank you to Astral Demon, my new cowriter for this story who has been a big inspiration and help when it comes to brainstorming and betaing. If not for her, I don't know when I would have gotten around to writing this chapter.

Also, a big thank you to Insanity Pie who wrote one of the largest reviews I've ever had. Thank you as well to everyone else who has faved/followd/reviewed. Please tell me what you think of the chapter! The addition of Rukia and her reactions? Freakshow in the Rukongai? How Amity has responded to this emergency? And of course, the apparent escape of Aizen.

Next chapter will be all about Karakura and GZ~! I will try to alternate between the two. One about Amity/SS, and the next about Karakura/GZ, back to Amity/SS and so on and so forth.

Until next time~ Thanks so much for reading!