Hello! Bonjour! Gutentag!

*ahem* Anyway, I started this a while ago and never got around to doing anything with it. I got this idea to kind of do a Bleach version of Warehouse 13…or a Warehouse 13 version of Bleach…I don't know, it's kinda Warehouse 13-ish and what not. Not really enough to call it a crossover, but you know. So basically, no zanpaku-to or anything like that, but there's still sort of a supernatural thing that plays a part. And I'll probably add this into later chapters, but for future reference, there's 13 different "teams" "divisions" "groups" whatever, and the captains are gonna be the head people at each one. For the sake of this, Rukia's with Byakuya in his "insert thing" so yeah. Have fun! You don't have to know what Warehouse 13 is to read it, but if you do know what it is, good for you! :D

I don't own Bleach or any other thing I may accidentally mention in here.

Chapter One—New Recruit: Agent Strawberry

Twenty years ago, a group calling themselves "Souls" formed together. They were a group of thieves and smugglers that tracked and sold the world's legendary artifacts (like the Holy Grail) and even the not so legendary ones (Benjamin Franklin's key that was tied to the kite he supposedly flew in a lightning storm) on the black market. After a string of odd, unexplainable murders, the government created a new group who took on the name "Soul Reapers". The Soul Reapers have been stopping deals and catching dealers in the Souls for years, never making themselves known to the world. The youngest member was a raven-haired girl named Rukia Kuchiki. At the age of fifteen, she joined the team led by her older brother, Byakuya. Now, at the age of nineteen, she was practically his second in command.

Rukia sat in her brother's office, waiting to be assigned to her next mission.

"I'm sending you to catch one of the Soul's best known dealers." Byakuya slid a picture across the desk toward her of a man with silverish hair and a large grin. "I take it you've heard of a man named Sosuke Aizen?"

"Of course," she said nodding. Sosuke Aizen was one of the most infamous of the Souls. Rukia was a bit confused by the question however, seeing as the man in the picture was clearly not Aizen.

"This man is Gin Ichimaru, Aizen's right hand man," Byakuya continued, answering her unasked question. "The two of them handle the more…dangerous items."

Rukia nodded again, patiently waiting for the rest of the information. Was Byakuya sending her after this man?

"I'm sure I'll be able to handle it," she said slowly. Byakuya cleared his throat.

"Actually, the Agency has declared this too dangerous for an agent to tackle alone. Especially one of your age. You will be taking this mission, but not by yourself."

Rukia's eyebrows furrowed together slightly over dark violet eyes. She knew Byakuya had become very overprotective over the past few years, even though he never showed it on the outside. The feeling that the Agency weren't the only ones involved was slowly growing in her mind. "Are you coming with me?"

Byakuya shook his head, "No, they've assigned you a partner."

"Renji?" Rukia asked, keeping the hopeful tone out of her voice. Renji Abarai was the only agent around their division who was close to her age. He was only twenty and had bright red hair with black tattoos that covered his forehead. These were usually covered by a white head band that he always wore. The two of them had been fast friends when Rukia had joined and been that way ever since.

Again Byakuya shook his head. "Agent Abarai is being sent on another mission. You've been partnered with a new recruit: a boy by the name of Ichigo Kurosaki. He's only eighteen, but, I've heard, shows promise."

She was being partnered with a new recruit on a mission that was deemed too dangerous to go alone? Now she knew Byakuya had something to do with it. Rukia quickly dismissed these thoughts, focusing instead on the information about her new partner.

"Ichigo? Doesn't that mean—?"

"Strawberry?" Byakuya finished, sounding as unamused as he always did. "Yes, I know, but the Agency has taken a liking to him. He'll be here shortly. The two of you will leave once he's ready."

Rukia rose from her chair and bowed, aware that she was being dismissed.

"Yes, Nii-sama." She turned and left the room, carrying the folder with the mission details close to her chest. Renji was waiting for her at the end of the hallway.

"New mission?" he asked.

"Why else would Nii-sama call me into his office? Tea and cake?" Rukia replied sarcastically.

"Yeah, I suppose he's not exactly a family man is he?" Renji shrugged. He cleared his throat. "I, uh, I've got a mission too, thanks for asking. A bust on a deal about ten minutes from here."

"I already knew. I didn't need to ask."

Unable to think of a witty comeback, Renji just looked ahead. They came out into the open commons area to see an orange-haired boy walking toward them, a bag slung over his shoulder.

"You Rukia Kuchiki?" he asked. His voice was very loud and sarcastic sounding. This'll be fun, Rukia thought. She nodded at him anyway.

"Yes, that's me. You're Ichigo, I take it?"

"Yeah, the guy at the door told me to look for the short kid with purple eyes," said Ichigo, crossing his arms behind his head, a scowl plastered across his face. Even though he was at least a foot taller than Rukia who was only a whopping four-foot, nine-inches, she didn't appreciate the comment. Renji stood behind her, struggling to keep the smile off of his face.

"I suppose I should go get briefed on the mission or something," Ichigo shrugged. "I won't be long, we'll leave soon."

"Yeah, sure, whatever," Rukia growled. She knew she was shorter than most of the people around her! She didn't need Agent Strawberry to remind her. Rukia smirked at the nickname and decided that from that moment on, she would refer to him as such. Renji seemed to be trying very hard not to look amused at her frustration.

"So who's this Ichigo kid supposed to be?" he asked.

"My new partner apparently," said Rukia, glaring at Ichigo's retreating back. The smile began to slide off of Renji's face.

"'Partner'? You've never had to have anyone help you before."

"Yeah, well 'the Agency' seems to think otherwise. I think it's just Nii-sama being overprotective." She sighed and smiled up at her friend. "Anyway, unless one of us dies on this next mission, I'm stuck with him."

Renji knew she was joking, but that didn't seem to help the situation any. Rukia looked at the watch on her wrist.

"I better go get ready. See you, Renji."

"Right, bye," he said vaguely. Renji watched her leave, hand still in the air in a half-hearted wave. "See ya, Rukia," he said, even though she was out of earshot. "Don't get hurt…"

Renji smacked himself on the forehead. Smooth move, idiot, he thought. When are you gonna man up and tell her?

So, yeah. First chapter's kind short, but these things do seem longer on paper. Whatever. They'll get longer (hopefully) as it goes on. You guys know the drill, read and review, let me know what you think, and if you don't agree with something or there's some huge plot hole that I miss later on, please point it out kindly and do not flame.