A/N: Hey guys! This is my first IchiRuki story ever and I'm really excited to share my ideas with all of you! If you've read the summary, I bet no one's ever written something like this (I think). Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Finding Who We Were

Chapter 1: The Forgotten

The Soul Society's air was cool and light. Clouds were scattered across the starry sky and everything seemed to be fast asleep with the exception of the chirping crickets.

The crickets' melody was soon interrupted by the sound of tacking shoes against the porcelain grounds that lined and weaved around the buildings in the Seireitei. Nanao Ise ran through the streets bound for the 1st Division barracks with a small stack of papers clutched under her arm.

She knew that reporting to her captain took priority over alerting Captain Kuchiki, but something in her heart told her otherwise. Still, Byakuya would soon find out regardless of what she did. She only hoped that he could be at peace with it, knowing that no one gave up. How anyone was going to break the news to Kuchiki's lieutenant, Renji Abarai was beyond what she could imagine.

Although these recent events didn't effect her emotionally as much as it was bound to effect others', it still pained her to know that something like this could happen. And all in one night.

Nanao made her way towards her captain's chambers only to find him sitting outside on the wooden porch, sipping sake and gazing at the star filled sky. The female shinigami panted lightly as she caught her breath.

"Nanao, what's gotten you so worked up over? You've got such a dreadful look on your face. It's unbecoming of a beautiful, young woman such as yourself to wear a dire frown," Captain Shunsui Kyoraku said slowly without even looking at her.

Nanao straightened herself and grasped the papers in one hand as she pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose with the other. Ignoring Shunsui's remark, she went straight to business. "Captain Kyoraku, I have the report for you from the battle in Karakura Town."

"Alright," he reached out to receive the report papers from her.

"Shunsui!" Jushiro Ukitake called out as he touched down at Shunsui's side.

"What is it Jushiro? You seem pretty worked up yourself." Shunsui took a pause and changed his expression to a more serious one. "Did you go yourself?" he asked.

Jushiro stood all the way up before replying while looking downcast. "Yes," was all he said.

"Worried about your lieutenant?" Shunsui asked further.

"I wasn't, until I got there."

"Hmm, I see." Shunsui looked back over at Nanao, "I'm not much of a report-on-paper type of person. Mind just telling me what happened instead?"

"Very well then, I've already looked over the papers myself," Nanao began.

"Good, glad I can always count on you, Nanao."

Nanao again ignored his remark and continued. "The attack was mounted by a former shinigami who went missing in action many years ago. His purpose is still unknown, but it appears that he had been planning his attack for several centuries. He attacked solo and unexpectedly. We can't find any evidence hinting to his plans before he actually carried them out. He covered his tracks perfectly."

Shunsui looked back down at his sake, "Did we win?"

"Yes... however," Nanao stopped herself there.

"Any casualties?" he asked, knowing what the look on both of their faces meant.

Nanao opened her mouth to speak but then clamped it shut and looked over at Jushiro. Jushiro gave her a nod, letting her know that he would tell him.

"Yes, there were two casualties. Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki and lieutenant of the 13th Division, Rukia Kuchiki."

Shunsui tilted his straw hat so that his eyes were shaded from the moon light and let out a sigh. "The man's strength sure did prove formidable. How unfortunate."

A moment of silence fell between the three as they took time to morn the deaths of their comrade and ally. Suddenly their attention was drawn to an abrupt presence bowing on one knee respectfully in the presence of the Head Captain.

The lieutenant of Squad 6, Renji Abarai lifted his head to speak. "Head Captain Kyoraku, I apologize for interrupting. I heard about what was going on in Karakura Town. I'd like to ask permission to go there to provide backup," he stated without waver.

"Hm?" the Head Captain gave him a look. "I'm afraid you're too late for that. The threat has already been defeated."

Renji looked slightly surprised at first, but soon recovered. "That's great! I shouldn't have been so worried. Ichigo and the others always seem to handle things somehow."

"Lieutenant Abarai..." Nanao started.

"Hm? What is it?"

Watching his face turn from a smile to a frown pulled at Nanao's heart. She guessed the two captains were thinking the same thing as she was. Why did he have to appear at such an inconvenient time?

"Renji, why don't you stay awhile and just listen to the rest of our conversation? There isn't an easy way to explain what happened. So I suggest that all you do is listen," Shunsui told him.

Renji's worry returned. He had a million questions racing through his head and he wanted them to be answered. But he said nothing and sat down all the way onto his knees.

"Good," Shunsui remarked, noting Renji's compliance. "Now then, Jushiro, since you were there, was a konso performed on Kurosaki?"

Ichigo...? Renji thought in disbelief.

"Yes, I performed it myself. When I arrived, Orihime Inoue could do nothing for him. He refused to go at first, he was too concerned over the status of my lieutenant," Jushiro held back the emotion in his voice.

Renji let out a gasp and almost stood all the way up, Rukia?!

Only Nanao looked over at his reaction, so he sat back down but kept his eyes wide open in shock.

"I see. Ichigo Kurosaki will have already appeared somewhere in the Rukongai. With his level of spirit energy, I'm sure he'll become a Soul Reaper sooner or later. He'll find us if we don't find him first," Shunsui told Jushiro.

Then he turned to Renji to speak to him more directly. "As for Rukia Kuchiki, her soul will be recycled and she will appear in the body of a newborn in the living world. How long that will take is anyone's guess. But she will have no memory of her past life with us and she will look different and likely act different. She will become an entirely new person. It will be nearly impossible to find her again."

Renji lowered his head and balanced himself with his hands so that he wouldn't have to look at everyone watching for his reaction. Both Ichigo and Rukia were dead. He would never see Rukia ever again. Surpassing Captain Kuchiki suddenly seemed pointless. Without Rukia, what would it matter anyway? Without Rukia, he couldn't remember why he always wanted to become stronger.

He had to keep his eyes as wide as possible to keep from crying. He stared down with his eyes glazed over at the wooden planks and scratched them a bit as he tensely balled his hands into fists.

He gritted his teeth hard and contorted his face. He couldn't speak. No words would justly express the turmoil in his heart. All purpose and understanding escaped him and he wanted to scream.

His peer and superiors watched him crumbling before them and each of their frowns only deepened. None of them could completely understand the way he was feeling at this moment. They could only watch in silence.

After another moment, Captain Kyoraku decided to speak. "There is still the matter of telling Captain Kuchiki."

"I will tell him," Captain Ukitake offered. "I am her commanding officer, therefore it is my responsibility."

"No," Renji cut in. He never lifted himself up as he spoke, "I will be the one to tell Captain Kuchiki."

"Are you sure about that Renji? You know you don't have to," Jushiro said, mostly concerned about how that would effect Renji emotionally.

"I'm sure. I want to," he stated with a concerning amount of serious determination in his voice.

"Alright Renji, you can be the one to tell Captain Kuchiki. Now that that's decided, I want everyone to go home and try to sleep. We will alert everyone of tonight's events tomorrow," Shunsui urged them.

Nanao nodded and was the first to leave. She knew it was likely that Captain Ukitake would want a private word with her own captain.

Renji finally stood up and left without uttering another word. Both captains stayed quiet until they could no long hear either lieutenant.

"Here," Shunsui handed his bottle of sake and his little cup over to Jushiro. "You probably need it more than I do."

"Thanks," Jushiro took it, but they both knew he wasn't planning on drinking any. Still, it was better if he had it than Shunsui. In fact, they were both a bit surprised Nanao hadn't tried to confiscate it from him.

When Jushiro didn't move or say anything, Shunsui decided to ask, "Did you want to talk about it?"

Jushiro was slow to respond. "No, not now. We'll talk about it later."

"Of course."

With that, Jushiro left and went back to his courters. Captain Kyoraku let out a sigh. He set the report papers at his side and leaned back on his hands. He looked back up at the moon, "This never does get easier."

Despite it being so late, Renji knew his captain would be awake and in his office on a night like this. He hadn't been the only one to hear about what was going on in Karakura Town.

He stood outside his captain's door for a while, contemplating on whether to go in and tell him now, or to wait until morning. He stared at the door trying to imagine how his captain was likely to react and if he could even take seeing his captain's reaction.

Then he heard a voice on the other side which made him jump. "Renji, don't just stand there. Enter if you've come to speak with me."

The voice was soft spoken yet commanding, just like the norm for his captain. Renji opened the door and immediately took to one knee in a bow.

Byakuya had his back facing Renji and was standing behind his desk looking out his window. "What is it Renji?" he asked when Renji said nothing.

"Captain Kuchiki, I am here to report the outcome of the battle in Karakura Town."

"Very well then, continue."

"Sir, the shinigami who had turned traitor was defended in battle. Their were two casualties on our side," he said, stopping there as he hesitated.

Byakuya waited a minute to see if Renji would finish on his own. "And the casualties were?"

Renji stayed quiet as he again hesitated, preparing himself for what came next. He took in a deep breath, "Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki."

There was another silence between them, but this time much longer. Renji looked up to see if he could tell what expression was on Byakuya's face, but he had no such luck.

Finally Byakuya said something, "Very well. You may go."

Renji nodded even though he knew Byakuya wasn't looking and stood up to leave.

"Renji..." came Byakuya's voice, stopping the lieutenant in his tracks. "Thank you for telling me."

Renji was shocked and it took him a second to say, "Sir," to affirm Byakuya's thanks as he left to let him be.

Many Years Later

Ichigo Kurosaki panted as he stood before Captain-Commander Kyoraku, Captain Shinji Hirako and Captain Sajin Komamura, sword in hand. He fell out of his stance and sheathed his zanpakuto.

"Very impressive Ichigo," Shunsui said under his straw hat. Ichigo turned towards the captains waiting to hear their decision.

"We'll need a moment to discuss this. You mind stepping out for a bit?" Shunsui asked him.

Ichigo shook his head and stepped out into the hallway. He slid himself down the wall so that he was sitting, expecting that this would take a while like always.

When Ichigo first appeared in the Soul Society, he was in district 67. He had no memory of his life before and he had to learn about how life worked in this world fast in order to survive.

Although all he knew to start with was his name, he picked up on all of the important things to know about this world fairly quickly. He kept to himself and people didn't bother him.

One of the first things he picked up was that only souls with high spirit energy would aged and grow hungry. The reason he found that out of all things so quickly, was that he woke up hungry.

Even though he was strongly against the idea of stealing, he knew that if he didn't, he would die and most other people wouldn't even if they went without food. He did what he had to to survive, but never anything more. He was careful never to take more than he needed and to never take from the same place twice.

For that reason, he traveled a lot. Mostly just back and forth from the districts around the 67th, but he did go all the way up to district 53 once before. It was three years before he was found by a member of the 13 Court Guard Squads.

He was asked to become a Soul Reaper. At first he didn't know how to react to the request. But he knew that if he had a way to put the power that caused him to steal to use, that would be much better than remaining where he was.

He was put into the Soul Reaper Academy and graduated six years later. He probably would have been able to graduate early if he weren't so awful at kido. During his time at the Academy, the lieutenant of Squad 6 befriended him.

Ichigo had no idea why the lieutenant would go out of his way to meet him and make friends with him. He even seemed to know more about Ichigo than Ichigo did himself. Though he wrote it off as good perceptiveness.

When he joined a squad, he chose to join Squad 13 under Captain Ukitake. He was immediately given the 4th seat position, which pleasantly surprised him.

He was actually given offers to join both Squads 6 and 11 as well. He turned down Squad 6's offer because he refused to be a subordinate to Renji Abarai. He seriously considered accepting Squad 11's offer, but then after meeting them, he declared them all lunatics for their own reasons.

It only took him a year to achieve bankai, and for that reason, he was soon promoted to the rank of lieutenant. He's held that position ever since then.

He was surprised that he was placed on Squad 8 when he was promoted instead of just taking the lieutenant's spot for Squad 13. The way he'd heard it, Captain Ukitake didn't want a new lieutenant.

In all honesty, Ichigo thought it was ridiculous not to choose a lieutenant after such a long time. He figured it would probably just be simpler to promote one of his 3rd seats to the position. He had two of them after all.

Squad 8 still doesn't have a captain, so Ichigo does the work of both a captain and a lieutenant. He still feels bad for his 3rd seat who used to do all of Ichigo's work on top of their own. It's been 14 years since his promotion to the rank of lieutenant.

If you were to add all of that up, he's lived in the Soul Society for 24 years. In all that time, he still hasn't aged all that much. He looks to be about 18 or 19 years old.

It only took a couple minutes for the door to be opened back up. Ichigo stood and Shinji let him back in. Ichigo walked back so he could sit in front of the captains.

Once Shinji was seated, the Head Captain decided to speak. "It seems we were unanimous in our decision so I'll just come right out and say it. We don't believe you're ready to be promoted to captain," Shunsui was blunt.

There was a silence and Ichigo looked shocked. "What?" he said softly. He abruptly stood up, "You've made me take the Captain Exam for the past three years! If you want me to take the exam so badly then why don't you pass me?! Heck, why do you even have me take the exam if you're just going to tell me I'm not good enough?!"

"We were hoping that you would figure out what you're missing on your own," Sajin said as he crossed his arms.

"What I'm missing?" Ichigo echoed.

"Yes, in all the time you've been a part of the 13 Court Guard Squads, I've never seen you smile once. You're always so serious Ichigo," Shinji said with a dull and bored expression.

"So? What does me not smiling have to do with anything? And isn't it necessary to be serious in battle?" Ichigo retorted.

"I didn't mean in battle, I meant all the time, everyday about everything," Shinji gave a nonchalant reply.

"Doesn't it only matter how I preform in battle? Isn't that what's important to become a captain?"

"No, that's not the only thing that's important," Shunsui lifted his head to look at Ichigo. "Character is just as important as fighting ability. Old man Yama always made it a point to emphasize that part of the exam."

To Ichigo's knowledge, he had never met the former Head Captain, Genryusai Yamamoto. But based on all that he's heard about the man, it was hard to argue against anything people remember him saying.

Character? Ichigo thought. "Then that's not something I can fix," he said looking downcast.

"Not something you can fix?" Shunsui repeated. "You have all the right things in you Ichigo, you just don't remember it."

Don't remember it? Why did he say that? Why do they all act like there's something they're not telling me? Comments like that always frustrated Ichigo. No one would ever say anything more, they would just peak his curiosity and then drop it just to torture him.

Ichigo let out a sigh, "Fine, then I should probably go. I still have a lot of work to do." Ichigo started towards the door but was stopped when Shunsui said something else.

"Actually I'd like to give you an assignment."

Ichigo turned back, "What kind of assignment?"

"Well, you see, I really do want you to become a captain. We really do need to fill the empty spots in order for everyone to finally relax a little. I think I know just the thing that can get you there."

"And that would be?" Ichigo asked slowly.

Shunsui grew a soft smirk that was in no way taunting. "I want to assign you to Karakura Town for a few months. I think you can find what you're missing there. Or at least you'll find some help in finding what you're missing."

"You want to assign me to a town? But I'm a lieutenant, and my squad doesn't even have a captain. That would mean that my 3rd seat would have to do all of my work and their own."

"You're 3rd seat has done it before, for years in fact. Three months won't kill them. Have a little faith in your subordinates."

"It's not that I lack faith in them, I just don't want to leave them behind with all the work I should normally be doing," Ichigo corrected.

"I see. My mind is made up, you need to go to the world of the living in order to grow."

Ichigo turned his head away with a scowl in place. "Fine, I'll do it," he said in defeat.

He then left to return to his barracks. He still had no idea what he was going to tell his poor 3rd seat.

"Karakura Town, eh? Are you hoping that by sending him back to the place he grew up, he'll remember something?" Shinji asked getting up from his cushion.

"No that's not it, I'm hoping that someone there will remind him of who he was," Shunsui answered.

"Someone? Three months is a long time to be on assignment," Sajin reminded Shunsui.

"I'm aware, but I figured he would need time to find this person, as they both aren't who they once were."

"Hmph. You sound secretive all of a sudden Shunsui," Shinji turned up his nose.

"Secretive? Not at all," Shunsui smiled.

Renji was waiting for Ichigo outside of the Squad 1 barracks. When Ichigo appeared from around the corner, Renji left his leaning position against the wall to join him in walking.

"Ichigo!" Renji called out as he fell in sync with Ichigo's leisurely walking pace.

"Oh, hey Renji," Ichigo greeted.

"So, how did the Captain Exam go?" Renji asked.

"I didn't make the cut... again," he added an after thought. "Head Captain Kyoraku wants me to go to the world of the living for a while. He said it could help me grow."

"Sorry about that. So the world of the living, huh? Where will you be going?"

"A place called 'Karakura Town'. It's somewhere in Japan," Ichigo informed him.

"Karakura Town?!" Renji repeated a little louder than he would have liked.

"Yeah, do you know it?" Ichigo looked at him oddly.

"Hm? Well yeah, I've been there a few times." Renji's new understatement of the century.

Ichigo narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the redhead. "What's with this Karakura Town that you're not telling me?"

Renji realized that he had messed up with his earlier reaction. "Huh? Nothing. But..." he gave a short pause. "If you see anyone familiar while you're there, tell them I said hi."

Ichigo had no time to respond or question Renji as Renji spoke again. "Anyway, sorry I can't stay and talk longer. Captain Kuchiki's waiting for me."

And just like that, Renji had flash stepped away, leaving Ichigo confused and irritated. "What?" Ichigo whispered to himself.

There it was again, he had peaked his curiosity and then left, not saying anything else on the subject. Why would Ichigo know anyone in a place he's never been to before? It just didn't make any sense. But alas, that would of course be the question on Ichigo's mind for who knows how long.

Thanks Renji, Ichigo thought sarcastically in his head as he walked back to his barracks alone.

Later That Evening

Shunsui and Jushiro had rented out a private room for drinking. It was a good way to unwind and forget the worries of the day. It was also perfect so that they could talk without worry of anyone disturbing them.

"So Shunsui," Jushiro began after they had exchanged all their usual greetings and had gotten settled.

"Sounds like we're getting right to business," Shunsui remarked.

"I suppose. I heard you were planning on send Ichigo to Karakura Town."

"Ah, so the news has been traveling that quickly?" Shunsui asked.

"Well everyone was curious to know if Ichigo had passed the exam. Everyone has been expecting him to pass each year. So it only makes sense that the news would travel fast."

"Of course. So what do you want to know?"

"I was curious, are you sending him there in hope that his memories will return?" Jushiro asked.

"No, not exactly. The truth is that Captain Kurotsuchi has been keeping a close watch on Karakura Town ever since he realized Kisuke Urahara was hiding out there."

"Alright, so what's there that you want Ichigo to find?"

Shunsui pulled his straw hat to hide his eyes as he smiled. "Some very familiar reiatsu."

Jushiro gasped, "You don't mean...?"

"I do. It's the same as Rukia Kuchiki's," Shunsui finish for the white haired man.

"Do you really believe that it's her recycled soul?!" Jushiro asked sounding slightly desperate for confirmation.

"Yes, I do. Captain Kurotsuchi confirmed it some years ago."

"You've known about this for years?"

"That's right, but let me remind you right now. The girl we've found is not Rukia Kuchiki, she is a different person entirely, and she does not and will not have any of Rukia's memories. She can't become Rukia," he said to make sure his friend was on the same page as him.

"I understand," Jushiro said grimly. "If that's true, why would you send Ichigo to meet her?"

"Her reiatsu is still the same and because of that, the connection their spirits have will remain. If you remember, before Ichigo became a Soul Reaper with the help of Kisuke, it was Rukia who poured her spiritual energy into Ichigo. Since that moment, their spirits have been connected. There is no doubt that he will recognize her just by being near her," Shunsui explained his thoughts.

"I see, so by being around her, he will feel a sense of familiarity whether she looks and acts the same or not. That might bring back some of his memories regardless," Jushiro added.

"That's right. My hope is that by the time he returns, he'll be his old self again. We really do need someone like the way he was."

A/N: Yep, I know it's a lot of set up. Please review and tell me what you think!