Kuchiki Rukia, current Lieutenant of the 9th squad, and Abarai Renji, current captain of the 9th squad, were meandering around the slum known as Inuzuri or the 76th district of the Rukongai 5 years post winter war, 3 years after Kurosaki Ichigo disappeared.
"Rukia why are we 'ere again?"
" There was a significant amount of reitsu detected out here you idiot. If you had paid attention to the debriefing you would know that."
Renji just grinned. They had both been promoted shortly after the war. Though their celebrations were cut short when Ichigo disappeared not to long afterwards. The Seireitei had been thrown into chaos. One of the strongest shinigami had just disappeared off the map. For months they searched and found nothing. A routine run to the world of the living gone awry. Ichigo's body had been demolished by a stray cero blast. Other then the slight irritation of the Death berry nothing seemed wrong until they had tried to go back through the Senkaimon. He had gone in but never come out.
Rukia and Renji walked in companionable silence though the slums. It continued like that for some time till the sounds of clashing swords could be heard in the distance. Exchanging a quick glance they hurried off in a sprint towards the commotion.
When they got within 100 meters both froze from the sight in front of them. None other then Kurosaki Ichigo with his distinguishable mop of bright orange hair and zanpaktou in the shape of an elegant yet deadly cleaver fighting a Rukongai resident with a nameless katana. Neither Renji nor Rukia could make out what they were fighting over till they heard Ichigo bark out.
" You slimy piece of shit! Attacking two defenseless kids!! What's the matter with you! You yourself feel no hunger and you go after them! Pathetic!" His voice rough and filled with barely suppressed anger.
He charged once again with his cleaver out to the side. The resident just smiled and brought his katana up to block until his opponent disappeared before his very eyes. Reappearing behind the thug Ichigo placed the blade at his jugular, amber eyes simmering. Then smirking at his opponent's apparent distress as the katana snapped in half not even a second later.
" You are going to leave this district and never return because of I ever hear of you returning you won't live to see another day." He commanded his tone cold and emotionless.
The thug nodded and ran off. Ichigo sighed and ran his hand through his unruly locks of bright orange hair as he placed his cleaver on his back between his shoulder blades on his dark brown slightly tattered yukata. He then walked over to an alley between shacks and crouched down amber eyes scanning the darkness.
" Yuuki Kai its safe now. He's gone."
A few moments later two kids no older then 10 dressed in tattered brown yukatas walked out of the alley holding on to each other for dear life.
The girl who had shoulder length brown hair, chocolate brown eyes and a tanned slender frame looked up at Ichigo with watery eyes.
" Thank you Ichigo-niisan (sp)"
Ichigo just chuckled softly and placed a hand on her shoulder.
" It was no biggie guys. Now try to stay outta trouble huh? And you know I'll come at every beck and call."
Yuuki nodded enthusiastically then grabbed Kai's hand and ran off.
Ichigo sighed once more and stood up back facing the captain and lieutenant. He began to walk off when his name was called out.
"ICHIGO!!" Rukia yelled. Her eyes shining and a grin plastered on her porcelain features as her and Renji casually walked over to their newfound friend. But the reaction from their strawberry isn't what they expected at all. Ichigo did the exact opposite of what they expected. He faced then and crossed his arms a calculating and speculative scowl on his face.
"What does a captain and a lieutenant from the Gotei 13 want with me? A lowly Rukongai resident. And how do you know my name." His eyes calculating and his tone slightly sarcastic.
Rukia's jaw dropped in disbelief. 'How could this idiot… wait he's lost his memories hasn't he…' A feeling of dread settled in the pit of her stomach.
Renji saw his partners' distress across her face and stepped forward. His stance, expression, and tone impassive.
" Look kid, how we know your name isn't important. But what is important is the amount of reitsu your carelessly emitting. Your starving aren't you? Come with us and you'll learn to control that and gain some other skills."
Ichigo just scoffed then closed his eyes. Renji and Rukia shared a glance then turned back to him. Rukia opened her mouth to say something but froze when the reitsu he had been carelessly throwing around all but disappeared.
When he opened his eyes the look was just short of a glare as he responded.
" I don't need trainin' but because for some reason I feel like I know you I'll tag along. Could be interesting."
Renji nodded stiffly, turned and disappeared. Ichigo grinned then followed, disappearing as well. Rukia was, to say the least, shell-shocked. Mixed emotions ran rampant through her. Elation, disappointment, and most prominent an emotion she hadn't felt in years. Hope.
A/n: Okay so this came as a random idea inspired by Darcio's Familiar faces. Though obviously different it will have its similarities. The title for now is Lost and Found, I couldn't think of anything better for an on the spot idea.
I hope you liked it!! And that you READ AND REVIEW!!! I value opinion greatly.
Next chapter should be up soon!
~Animelover
