(See bottom of page to find out why this is so short/bad/ crappy. I have legitimate reasons, I promise. This chapter was written about 2 years before the next one, attempt to enjoy.)

Forever Hereafter

(U-1)

The story unfolds in a world far away, but very similar to our own planet Earth, one of three interlocking universes, three separate ideas. Reality bends along these lines, the truth told in one universe is a lie or a false prophecy in the others. Here, in this post-war 'perfect world', our story is set. But not all of the cast resides 'here.' Some of them must travel from an outside 'elsewhere' to reach the 'here.' The physical location used in the following paragraph is a small outskirt city near Tokyo, Japan of this 'here.' A small town of about 13,000 residents, Karakura Town is home to a seaside port industry as well as several of Tokyo's major company headquarters. We enter this world 523 years before the rest of the story, with a current time of 7:49 p.m. as the door of a small convenience store swings open wide, the bright welcome bell chiming in synch with the automatic gate.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Genryusai!" The shopper called back cheerfully, a bag full of groceries clutched in her tiny fists. Turning eastward, away from the fading sun, the small girl figuratively bounced along the marble walkway towards her home. As she walked, humming a happy tune, the girl felt the warm air around her disappear, replaced by stagnant nothingness.

"Rukia Kuchiki." From nothing, the rocky tone spoke, and the girl visibly cringed, looking around for any sign of light. "You have been chosen by the master. Be honored and follow on."

The raven haired female let out a small shriek. "What are you? Where are you taking me?"

"I?" The gravel tone scraped against the air, the young Kuchiki flinching backward in shock. "Am Hollow. So very Hollow." It paused, as if speaking was mentally draining. "Where will we travel? Elsewhere."

(Top layer of the Elsewhere)

"So, Kurosaki is headin' out after the daughter?" Two men stood side by side in a hallway, their surroundings bleached pure white. A faint sound with no source fluttered above their heads. The speaker wore a flamboyant pink coat and straw hat. His partner, a similar but white jacket. Both were gazing intently at the mobile phone on the pedestal before them, the only black in the white, expecting an answer. They never received an answer.

(Near-bottom layer of the Elsewhere)

Breath came to him heavily, his chest heaving to a non-rhythmical beat. The air reached upper billions in temperature, the boy's sweat evaporating before it hit the floor. The walls were a heated putty, forever melting and reforming, reshaping. The ground held the appearance of a cobblestone walkway, but acted like the walls, a tar. In this heated nightmare, Ichigo Kurosaki continually lifted and dropped his feet, the churning ground parting as he walked. He turned down a nearby hallway, then paused by a wood door, catching his breath. He wore a tattered white shirt and faded chalk-colored jeans. His eyes were furrowed, brows knitted, and his mouth in a fixed scowl. No one saw this, vision impeded by a face-covering white mask, with a blue stripe trailing vertically down the center. His right hand gripped the rough cloth that covered his sword's hilt, the rest of the violently twisted weapon slung casually over his shoulder. His left hand, coved by a white glove, turned the metal knob of the door, swinging it open even as he darted inside. The room, in contrast to the red exterior, was a light blue and white combination, with smiling bunnies decorating the walls.

"This is the bottom of Elsewhere, correct?" He questioned the room's inhabitant, his hidden dagger pressed to her neck. The raven-headed girl seized up when he made contact, shivering violently. He lowered the blade and she turned to face him. Ichigo's scowl deepened. Here she was, the Daughter of Lower Elsewhere, the Princess of Hell.

"Lady Kuchiki?" He asked, and she nodded her head. "Oh good," he continued, grabbing her wrist, "Lady, I'm here to kidnap you, thought you'd like to know."

Rukia's, this was in fact the same girl from before, mind froze as she was dragged along down the halls. Half a century later, and she had a chance to get out of Hell, only to be kidnapped again. 'The irony.' She spoke.

"Hey you, tall guy," It was true. Her kidnapper was almost six feet, and she barely reached five, "Thanks for uhh… kidnapping me, but who are you?"

The carrot-headed man grunted, dragging her through another hallway maze. "Why do you care, you demon-midget?" His tone was sarcastic, very disrespectful. At this point, Rukia felt herself get angry. She kicked him in the back of the leg roughly, jumping away. He yelped in annoyance.

She glared at him darkly, arms crossed over her chest. He grabbed her wrist more tightly, marching onwards. "My name is Ichigo Kurosaki, like I said, I'm taking you away."

Rukia tried not to laugh, afraid he would cut her with the knife. Or that huge blade on his back "Well then, Strawberry, you can let go of me, I can walk by myself." She ignored his grunt. "Thanks for helping me though, I never thought I'd be saved."

Ichigo would have stopped, but that went against his training. "What do you mean, saved? You sick of being a princess or something, demon?"

"I am not a demon." She hissed, as they approached Ichigo's entry point, far away from the fortress's main gate. "I'm a human girl, thank you very much for asking."

Ichigo snorted his reply, helping her through the hole. As he passed her through and attempted to step though himself, she noticed a flickering shape behind her savior.

"Ichigo!" She shrieked, watching the shape draw a silvery piece of metal. Without hesitation, Ichigo grabbed the long hilt on his back and lifted the massive cleaver, twirling it aloft as he spun, breaking the assassin's dagger and ripping through plate armor. The man fell back and Ichigo used his cloak to clean the sword, sheathing it. Without speaking, he turned and heaved himself out of the room, landing next to the girl.

He tore off his mask and threw it behind him, breathing in fresh air. Taking her arm, gently now, he led her around the predominantly red courtyard and into a swirling white gate.

(Top Layer of the Elsewhere)

"Not only did she leave voluntarily, she probably saved me." Ichigo finished his report, nodding to the short girl sitting tightly bound on the floor.

The pink clothed man removed his straw hat from his head, placing it in his lap. "So, what do you suggest we do with her, Ichigo? Can she be used to draw out the Demon King?"

"No, my Lord." Ichigo shook his head. "The girl is still only human, and she's been through enough already. I vote we let her return to Earth, and live normally."

The King grinned, waving a hand. "Well, you can take her back then. Good job on the mission, Ichigo." Ichigo grinned back and nodded, untying the small girl hurriedly. She flashed him a thumbs-up then stood and bowed to the seated men.

"Thank you for helping me. I hope you have a good day." They laughed, turning over another piece of paper. Ichigo smiled faintly, following her out.

"Well, I guess I'm gonna escort you back home now, Mi'lady." Ichigo said quietly, looking away. Rukia smiled, punching his shoulder lightly.

"You idiot, I've been away for over 500 years, I never said I wanted to go back." Ichigo stared, open-mouthed, his eyes wide. The huge sword still on his back made this scene very comical to the short girl.

"You want to stay here?" She nodded, her face reddening slightly.

"Don't get your hopes up, Strawberry. I'm not here for you, you know." Ichigo smiled, running a hand through and messing up her hair.

"Whatever Rukia. C'mon, I'm hungry and it's past lunchtime." They both headed out the massive white doors, which closed behind them with a bright yellow light.

(Back inside)

"I'm sure he'll be happier now." The white haired man began, looking up from his papers. The man in the pink yawned lazily, his paperwork scattered around his desk.

"Yeah, I guess so." He laughed, and then yawned again. "Rukia, you played your small part in this game well…. I suppose it'll once again be up to you to guide Ichigo forward. May Fate guide your heart, and safe be your journey." As he spoke, a silver orb flashed before his eyes, then faded back into nothingness.

(-)

And there we have the slightly altered rendition of Forever Hereafter. In between writing the disaster wreck that is Soul Guardian, I decided two years was a long enough wait. Time to turn the one-shot into the 'full' story I promised. Essentially, it's a 3-part web of connected one-shots and minor plot. I decided to not update this chapter like I had originally planned, since... I'm the author. I can do crap like that.

The writing for this chapter, as I originally stated, was a 10th grade paper that begged fro a knight in shining armor rendition of Bleach. And then Rukia's plot bunnies invaded. The rest of the stories, I hope, will answer some questions posed in this chapter, and secretly convert you to Ichi/Ruki fanboy/girl.

No, seriously, if you like this story, and your buddy is an IchiRuki hater, link them to this. I fully support this epic pairing of adorableness.

That is all, thank you for your time.