Hello everyone! This is my first post as a member of FanFic, so I appreciate any constructive criticism. I'm developing a plot which will then lead to a yaoi situation, with a slight twist. This first chapter is rated Teen, mostly for language (The M rating is an umbrella for the whole story). I hope that you all enjoy it, I am trying my best at a good story! With out further adue...

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and I am not profiting from this story in any way.

Chapter One: Of Souls and Secrets

It was that look again. That same smug look he always made. It was enough to send him raging, an indelible fury simply from rolling his eyes. He wanted to just crush his body and go on with the rest of his life. Yet here his adversary stood, his eyes aloof and emotionless, while his own fists were clenched, his brow moistened, his teeth clamped together in a thin grimace.

"It's not my problem, carrot top. What you do with your things is your business." casually gesturing to the limp wad dangling in his hand.

He slammed his fist down into the table. Damn him. How can one kid be so frickin annoying? "It's all your fault. You're the 'Home Eq' geek. Explain this to me!" With that, he opened the other hand to reveal a small stuffed animal that resembled a lion, his head encircled with a baby bonnet. "I mean, WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!"

"How do I know that you didn't put that on him yourself?" He glanced at the accessory, a brief flicker of a smile passing over his face. "I can be held accountable for every little thing you do, Ichigo Kurosaki."

"DAMMIT! Why would I put such a ridiculous thing on-" furiously shaking Kon in his hands, then realizing that he was disorienting the poor creature inhabiting the stuffed lion, quickly placed him on the table. "I didn't ask for the commentary, Mr. Homemaker. Just fix it."

"I am actually in the middle of some very important business," stating plainly, fluffing out his carefully crafted doily.

Ichigo could literally feel the veins popping out of his head. He slapped his hand to his forehead in disgust, then pointed menacingly at the cute needlework. "You call THIS important?! All I know is that you better have this done when I come back, or I'm going to stick that piece of cloth right up your -!"

Just then some of the cuter upper class girls enrolled in the home eq class walked past, whispering and giggling to each other, pointedly at Ichigo. His expression changed to a strained smile. "Heh heh." He strode to the door and cast a sideways glance at Uryuu.

"See ya later, pal! Remember that thing I asked you to do for me alright, friend? Catch you later!" His smile quickly dissipated into his usual scowl. I can't let anyone know that guy gets to me so easily. It's bad for my image. I don't know what it is about him, but every time I see him, I just want to wring his scrawny little neck.

In his ponderings, Ichigo did not notice the shadowy figure looming in the corridor adjoining his. While he was heading to his classroom, he felt a sharp tug on his collar, knocking him flat on his back.

"YOU need to come with ME." The ominous form declared, dragging his body to the nearest exit.

"HEY, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE -!" Ichigo protested, struggling against the current.

"Keep your voice down, you idiot! Do you want to draw attention to yourself?" she said as she pushed through the double doors leading outside to the recreational area behind the school.

"I wouldn't resort to yelling if you act CIVILIZED about these things! RUKIA-!" was the last sound heard before the exit door latched shut.

"There has been a hollow sighting, about two blocks away from the school."

"And?" Ichigo tugged away from the hold, unfortunately ripping his uniform in the process. "AGH! THAT'S JUST GREAT! Now I have to ask Uryuu to fix my shirt too!"

As Ichigo grumbled to himself, Rukia continued. "I wouldn't have dragged you out of class for something trivial. This particular hollow has eluded soul reapers for centuries. It has been a while since it has been sighted, and it is unknown as to what has brought it out of hiding."

From the window, Uryuu could see Rukia and Ichigo talking, or at least what it could be called remotely. From the third floor, it appeared as if Ichigo was flailing his arms about in some sort of interpretive dance.

"YOU CAN'T JUST PULL ME OUT OF SCHOOL WHENEVER YOU FEEL LIKE IT! I mean it's not like I mind getting out of class, but I would like to have a CHOICE!" Ichigo ranted.

"Get over yourself Ichigo. The Code of the Soul Reaper is much more important that some measly Algebra or English class. People's lives are at stake!"

Just then Ichigo remembered something detrimental. It felt as though someone had slapped him across the back of his head. "I LEFT KON WITH URYUU!" Ichigo's grimace etched deeper into his face as he rubbed his chin in thought.

"Don't worry about that, we have other resources. Right now we need to get somewhere secluded and away from innocent civilians." She said, heading toward the evil source.

From the classroom window, Uryuu noted their pace as they headed away from the building. "Looks like something is going on and they didn't even bother to let me know about it. Hmph." Stuffing his things into his backpack, he hurried out of the school. "It seems like I'm going to have to invite myself to the party." He murmured to himself as he slid into the alleyway adjoining the street Rukia and Ichigo traveled.

The creature loomed into view a few blocks later, and the urgency of Rukia's tone was justified. The hollow easily stood as tall as a five story building, and was covered in long sharp spikes. Its body writhed within itself, and its form took on the long spindly essence of a snake. Several short clawed arms ran along its body in two lines that the hollow used to erect itself. The hollows grotesque mask stared blankly at the two of them with unseeing eyes, like two black holes burning into their souls.

Seeing them made the hollow feel agitated. It decided to let loose a huge bellow in their general direction.

Spit and slime drenched the poor unwilling victims. Ichigo wished that he had picked sooner to take his corporeal form. He decided to show his agitation by letting loose his own huge bellow. "ARGH! This is GROSS!"

Uryuu followed the commotion. "The best prey is the type that makes itself known – like the loud and obnoxious" he said to himself. "I'll never have to worry about Ichigo getting away."

Ichigo wiped the slime from his face on the sleeve of his uniform and readied his stance. "I've had enough of this guy! All I've seen of this threat of yours is some goop and bad breath. I can take this guy out and be back at school in time for lunch." He thought about the promising meal of tempura shrimp and rice. "LET'S GET THIS OVER WITH!"

Rukia adjusted her glove. "We need to find some cover. Let's go behind that building over there." Ichigo ran after Rukia to the opposite side of the building, and as he turned the corner, he felt the cold slap of leather on his forehead. He looked just in time to see the telltale skull on her palm make contact with his face. He could only manage a snide remark in response to the surprise attack. "Damn you, Ru-…" His body collapsed, leaving the soul of Ichigo, continuing the comment. "Kia! Why do you ALWAYS do that to me! You get some kind of enjoyment out of that, don't you?!"

He didn't see the smile on Rukia's face as she ran past him. "No, not really." she said, matter-of-factly. "It's my job." She threw a sideways glance at Ichigo. "Well, are you ready?"

His thin scowl turned up at the corners. "I'm always ready."

Ichigo customarily ran up to the hollow to challenge its presence. "HEY! YOU! What do you think you're doing around here! Didn't you know this is a no ugly zone?" His Zanpakuto slid easily from its sheath, displaying its awesome size.

Rukia and Uryuu had one simultaneous thought: Was he crazy!?

Apparently, the hollow did not even notice Ichigo. The original instance at which it spewed goo seemed to be a fluke.

Nothing makes Ichigo angrier than not being heard. His eyes were like daggers as he spoke.

"DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME? I JUST TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE UUUUUGGGGLLLLLYYYYY!!!"

The hollow breathed in deeply, now realizing the smell of a particularly tasty soul. It seemed to be coming from a small source very close by. Upon inspection, he observed a small orange haired object hopping around making some agitating sounds. It was waving a sword the size of its body around, seemingly trying to get attention. Feeling a bit peckish, the monster loomed over the morsel. It was the hollow's lucky day it seems, for not only was the snack it was about to ingest a source of powerful energy, it was also a soul reaper.

"Why, hello there little one. You are fortunate enough to become my dinner." It's arms elongated, adding several sections to its already dangerous barbs. "Is there anything you wish to say before I ingest you? Not that it really matters, anyway." Its voice was raspy and deep.

The creature lunged at its prey. It curled around the area that Ichigo stood. Now that the creature was close enough, he could observe tiny serrated spikes along its body, gnashing and grinding together as its body writhed. Suddenly, this situation got a little trickier.