Warning: I am not an archaeologist or a tomb raider. Please excuse any inaccuracies (if there are any) in the story. Also please take into consideration that I am merely taking a creative license.

This is my first time writing a Bleach fanfic. It is very AU and the story will be written in a new style. The semi-important scenes (generally) will be written as a journal entry (in Megumi's POV), but the important scenes will mostly be written in third-person narrative style. All names are written as last name and then first name. (For my Kuroko no Basuke fanfic readers, my editor just needs to finish editing, so that I can publish the rest of the chapters.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

"And why should I help you?" A twenty five year old female tapped her finger on top of the desk, hardening her gaze towards the young twenty three year old heiress of the Kuchiki Family.

Rukia took a step forward. "Meigetsu-san, this is a great opportunity for you."

"Kuchiki-san-" She sighed.

"Please…" The heiress smoothly interrupted with a content smile. "You can call me, Rukia."

"Well… Rukia-san. It is a great opportunity but…" This is when Meigetsu Megumi frowned. "You are essentially asking me to raid tombs."

She faltered before continuing. "Well… That's… But you have been searching for Soul Society for such a long time. Isn't it about time that your research comes into fruition?"

"Even so, it goes against my values as an archaeologist. I refuse to tarnish the tombs for wealth and prestige." Megumi turned her heel and picked up a few papers off the ground.

"I see. Well...I will come back again." Rukia bowed and proceeded to exit the room.

Megumi leaned against her desk, staring at the floor unhappily. Her hand tightened into a fist as the papers crinkled into folds. She shut her eyes tight and shook away her unpleasant yet tempting thoughts.

"Megumi." A white haired twenty five year old male interrupted her thoughts. His tan skin glistened from sweat. The towel around his neck indicated to Megumi that he had finished his kendo session. "If you really want to go, then go. You can just stop them from taking anything of cultural value."

Her eyebrows furrowed. "Hitsugaya-san. Aren't you supposed to be with Hinamori-san right now? Why were you doing kendo?"

He wiped his skin with the towel again. "Her fiance is helping her out, so there's no need for me to be there too… And since I didn't get to exercise today..." The smirk graced his lips for a brief moment before it turned into a frown. "Don't change the subject."

She rubbed her temples. "...I just don't know. How am I supposed to stop them when I don't even know what they want?"

He took a sip of water before slamming the cup down onto the desk. "Then are you going to let them do whatever they want in the domain that we researched and wanted to look at for ourselves for so long?"

"NO!" Her fists shook as her electric blue eyes flared with underlying passion. "I won't let them."

"Then you have your answer." He motioned to her rose pink head briefly as he walked by her. "Sometimes, I think you think too much - even more than me."

She stopped herself from rolling her eyes and then proceeded to re-tie her medium long hair. "Whatever. I'll listen to what she has to say the next time she comes by before making a complete decision." She quickly sighed. "Hitsu-"

"I'll follow whatever decision you make." He sat down on his chair. "I trust you." His turquoise eyes locked with hers.

"Okay."

"I have already hired a personal doctor for the aftercare of every expedition we take on. His name is Ishida Uryuu." Rukia crossed her arms as she informed the two bodyguards.

"He's a good one. I'm amazed you got him to agree." The twenty three year old male grinned. He scratched the back of his head, messing with his orange hair.

"So will you take on these expeditions now?" A tint of impatience colored her voice. "I met your condition."

"Yes." The twenty six year old male's green eyes focused on the heiress. "Kurosaki Ichigo will act as the main bodyguard, while I will act as backup and guide us to safety in dangerous environments." His short messy black hair enhanced the rigid frown on his face.

"Basically, Ulquiorra means that we'll be taking on the expedition." Ichigo points to the calm male.

"In that case, here you go." Rukia handed the easygoing man a letter. "This will tell you the location, time, and date, along with what items you need and what you should probably expect during this expedition. You will also need to sign a waiver that says that during this trip, the Kuchiki Family is in no way liable for your injuries or death."

"Wonderful. Very likely to die, huh…" Ichigo grimaced before accepting.

"If it makes you feel any better, I'll be signing it myself as well." Rukia murmured to the man. He laughed a little uneasily at that.

"I'll go." The twenty three year old female slammed her hands against the table enthusiastically. Her eyes almost sparkled. "I'm going. I'll definitely go. I accept!"

"Orihime… Don't you think that you should think about it before deciding on such a big decision?" Another twenty three old asked her with a huge sigh. His tall figure was a big contrast from Rukia.

"Sado! This is the best chance I'll get to even see such cultural relics and maybe… MAYBE WE'LL EVEN SEE GHOSTS!" The sparkle in her eyes grew brighter.

He buried his face in his hand. "That's your main goal, isn't it? Ghosts…"

"We can see if ghosts are truly incompatible with technology." She grinned, picking up her latest technological invention. "To think that I would get such a miraculous chance."

"I don't like ghosts, so I'll be your backup then."

"Sounds good to me!" Orihime then turned towards Rukia. "So when can we start? What do you need?"

"Uh, well…" The heiress seemed a little overwhelmed by Orihime's unexpected enthusiasm. "I'm surprised that you accepted that so easily… Don't you have several award ceremonies for your technological contributions coming up soon?"

"Who cares about some award when I can meet ghosts!" In the background, Sado gave a resigned sigh.

"But you're known as a genius when it comes to technology. I would have thought that you would have declined my offer-"

"Your offer is once in a lifetime. I can earn more awards in the future if I wanted to, but going into tombs?! When can that happen to me in the near future?" She swirled in her seat and grasped Rukia's hands. "I can't wait. I have to take this chance now before I regret it for the rest of my life."

Rukia's smile twitched as she gave a nervous laugh. "If you wish…"

"I have thought about your offer, Rukia-san." Megumi crossed her legs, leaning against the back of her chair. "What is it that you want from this expedition? If you cannot tell me, then I am unwilling to accept such an unclear motive."

Rukia sighed a little. "Is there no way for you to agree?"

"That is my condition. As long as it does not pertain to taking cultural relics for personal prestige and wealth, then I might consider your offer more positively."

Toushirou plopped down in the seat next to Megumi. "In other words, this is your only chance in trying to convince us to join your expedition. After all, Soul Society isn't that easy to find - even with the information you might already have."

"...I will tell you the truth." Rukia closed her eyes in resignation. "Do you know of my older brother, Kuchiki Byakuya?"

"Of course, except he disappeared a year ago and no one knows of his whereabouts." Megumi waited for her to speak. "And that's why you're now the heiress."

"Yes…" She clasped her hands together. "A year ago, my brother went on an expedition to discover the Soul Society Empire. However, at one point in his journey, we lost contact with him."

"Am I to presume that you believe him to be alive?" Megumi's gaze never wavered.

"..." She nodded hesitantly. "I know that it's hard to believe, but-"

"I understand, Rukia-san." Megumi twirled her side bangs thoughtfully. "I am sure you have reasons as to why you believe your brother is still alive and that it is not without evidence."

"..." Rukia gave a short curt nod and then gazed at the ground with a sad expression.

"I do not need you to show me your evidence or give me your reasons. That is just invading your own personal privacy." She paused before continuing. "So I am assuming that we will be entering the tombs that your brother has gone to, correct?"

"Yes." Her voice was soft for once.

"And that you will only take the items that give clues as to your brother's whereabouts?"

Her voice turned a little stronger. "Correct."

Megumi watched the young heiress carefully. "If you will allow us to handle those items with care and let us submit those items - if they are of cultural value - to the government for further inspection after the expeditions, then I will consider your offer."

Rukia's eyes brightened with hope. "In that case-"

Immediately, the female archaeologist interrupted. "However, you will need to promise us this through paper. I do not accept verbal promises."

"Of course! I am more than willing!" Rukia leaned forward with enthusiasm. "I will later send you the new contract." She then stood up, bowed to them once more, and exited the room happily.

After a few minutes of silence, Toushirou got up from his seat. "I'll start preparing for the long journey then."

Megumi's electric blue eyes narrowed as a sense of genuine discomfort pooled into her mind. "Why do I feel like this…?" Her rose pink hair feathered down, hiding her disturbed expression from the world.

"Megumi?" Toushirou called out to her.

She stiffened. "Yes?"

"...Are you okay?"

"Perhaps…" She stood from her seat, taking a deep breath. "Soul Society's waiting for us. Let's not keep it waiting." A confident smile graced her lips as she joined Toushirou in packing. He smiled a little before neutralizing his expression.

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