Note : This is an AU fic, meaning that some characters will probably be OOC. Don't like, don't read, don't flame. Thank you.

I don't own Bleach. There, I said it. Now you can't sue me.

Chapter 1 - First Case Scenario

— 7:30 am; a block away from the local police station —

Ichigo Kurosaki was very pleased with himself. As of this morning, he was officially moved into his apartment. And to top it all off, he might just get to work early for once.

He rounded the corner and found himself directly in front of the police station. As he neared the back entrance he usually used, he found that he wasn't the only one who came to work early. Lieutenant Abarai was leaning next to the door, smoking a cigarette.

Of all the people at his new job, Ichigo found Renji Abarai easiest to get along with. A tall redheaded man covered in tattoos, Renji was a lazy cop with an eye for detail : a skill that made him a valuable member of the police force. He looked up as Ichigo passed.

"Oy, Kurosaki, think you'll finally get a case today?" Ichigo grinned. Leave it to Renji to know that Ichigo Kurosaki had not yet received his first case. Even after two weeks, the captain had him doing desk work and event security. And you weren't really considered a detective until you had your first case.

"Maybe, Abarai. I'm feeling pretty lucky today." Lieutenant Abarai smirked.

"Lets hope so, Kurosaki. We need some fresh blood in the homicide department." Ichigo laughed at the tattooed man's joke. Renji himself gave a small chuckle and - putting out his cigarette - went inside the police station, Ichigo following shortly after.

— 7:40 am; Police Station —

Ichigo sat down at his desk, opening the case files he had been set to filing. It was mundane work – sorting the old cases into three categories: manslaughter, murder, and breaking and entering. Occasionally he would come across a complex murder or an incredibly well-planned robbery; but that was about as exiting as it got.

He sighed, resigning himself to his paperwork. Just as he began reading through the first file, a shadow fell over his desk. Ichigo turned around and found himself face-to-face with Byakuga Kuchiki, chief of police. He jumped back a little. A tall man with long black hair and a permanently serious expression, Captain Kuchiki could be very intimidating. Byakuga threw a thin folder onto Ichigo's desk.

"Get your head out of the clouds, Kurosaki. You've got a case to solve." Ichigo's jaw dropped. A case? Now? Today? Sure he had told Renji he was feeling lucky, but this...

He regained his composure and managed to work out a response.

"Yes sir. Thank you." Byakuga was unfazed.

"Don't thank me yet, detective. It's a simple robbery, just citywide merchandise thefts."

"Merchandise thefts?"

"Yes, detective, merchandise thefts. A bunch of objects relating to a certain Chappy Bunny have been stolen from people's homes. Probably just an attention seeker or a crazed fan-product or creator." Ichigo was confused.

"What do you mean, 'product or creator'?" Byakuga sighed.

"The Chappy Bunny franchise was created by the popular TV star, Mizuki Kuno. For all we know, these thefts could just be another one of he crazy fans." Ichigo nodded. Fan worship was a surprisingly large motive for crime. Burglaries, threats, even murder had been committed for the sake of a celebrity idol. Byakuga scowled.

"Don't think this will be an easy case because of an easy motive, Kurosaki. Some cases are more than they appear."

Ichigo nodded, already thinking through the facts. Mizuki Kuno was known for her obsessed fans-reports of people stalking her were becoming commonplace. Of course, there was always the remote possibility that she had committed the crime herself to attract attention. After all, once being stalked became an everyday thing, the media wouldn't really print anything short of criminal acts. The tabloids would have a field day even if she got caught.

Ichigo got up and headed for the nearest computer, planning on conducing a quick search on Mizuki Kuno. What he found only confirmed his suspicions. Her fan club was steadily losing members, declining(in size) as her media coverage did. It wouldn't surprise Ichigo if one of her loyal stalkers - or even the Mizuki Kuno herself - had conducted the thefts to boost the actresses failing reputation.

But he was getting ahead of himself. Ichigo returned to his desk and opened the folder, scanning the rough summery of the case. The robberies were roughly scattered around the university area, spreading out in a ripple from one of the nearby apartment buildings. Wait, that was the same apartment building he lived in...

Ichigo grinned. So that was why Captain Kuchiki had come to him with the case. Being new to the neighborhood gave him the perfect excuse to question the building's occupants. He stood up, storing the case file in his bag. It was time for Ichigo Kurosaki to meet the neighbors.

So, there you go. Chapter one, weird title and all. Please review. Please. Even 2 reviews will make me a very happy authoress. And a happy authoress updates faster.