Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, otherwise Bleach would become a shoujo love story in which many fans would hate me!
Summary: They'd gone through so much trial together, suffered and sacrificed for one another. They trusted one another completely, and could understand one another with one look, and yet they were only friends. Friends missing that last element to take them to the next level. Ichiruki AU.
Hello all! It's been a long time since I've posted a new story! I'm excited to post this story and I feel I've worked hard on it! This is an AU story based in Soul Society, and it was so much fun to write! This first chapter is the prologue that I'm posting today, and then I'll post Chapter 1 and on Wednesday and every other chapter on the following Wednesdays.
Please read this and review! Would appreciate it yall!
The Missing Element
Chapter 1
The pitter patter of rain drops hit the cold stone ground.
Usually she didn't care if she heard someone crying. After all, living in Rukongai, she heard cries each and every day. Being poor and often starving for food did that to people.
But something told her to investigate and find out who the person was.
This cry she heard was—painful and agonizing. The sobs that escaped the person seemed to be suffering an immense and deep pain. She couldn't ignore it.
Rukia was only a girl—roughly the age of ten years old, at least, that's what she looked like. People aged differently after they passed away.
Turning a corner to an old abandoned shed, Rukia could hear the crying growing louder.
"It's coming from here," She thought to herself. Finding the entrance, Rukia threw the large shed doors opened.
Her eyes instantly fell wide in shock as she looked at the scene in front of her.
A boy with bright orange hair who looked about the same age as her was sitting on the ground, crying and screaming in agony.
Lying in front of him was a woman on her stomach, blood everywhere. Rukia had already started being able to sense the reiatsu of others, and the woman had none.
She was dead.
Rukia had no idea what to do. She'd seen many terrible things growing up in Rukongai, but nothing this like this.
The boy didn't even seem to notice she'd come inside.
"Mom!" He cried. "Mom why!"
Rukia could feel tears in her eyes. This woman was his mother?
Deciding to be brave, Rukia walked over to the boy and leaned down next to him.
"What's your name?" Rukia asked.
The boy looked at her with empty and broken eyes. "I-Ichigo," He mumbled. And then, his crying became more hysterical. "I-It's my fault she died!"
Rukia's eyes went wide once again.
"What do you mean?" Rukia asked.
The boy, Ichigo, squeezed his eyes closed. "If I hadn't gotten into a fight with those guys, she wouldn't have been killed!"
Rukia didn't know a thing about this boy, but something about him told her that he was a good person that loved his mother.
She placed an arm on his shoulder, causing him to look at her once again.
With a warm smile, Rukia said "It's not your fault, I know it's not. You cannot blame yourself."
Ichigo shook his head. "My mom was protecting me from those bad men! But if I had left them alone, this wouldn't have happened!"
"You're just a kid, like me. You didn't know what would happen."
Rukia looked at the lifeless body in front of him, feeling terrible for this boy who had lost his mother.
"Is there anyone else in your family?" Rukia asked.
Ichigo shook his head.
"We should do a burial ceremony for her," Rukia said. "Whenever you are ready, of course."
"Why are you helping me?" Ichigo asked, tears still streaming down his face.
Rukia smiled again. "Because I know what it's like to lose someone you love so much, and not have anyone to turn to."
Ichigo began sobbing loudly again, and Rukia only comforted him.
"Rukia-san! Oi Rukia-san!" A loud, barking voice called.
Rukia snapped her eyes open and jolted upward, looking at her surroundings.
She'd had another dream from her past, although that particular memory was not Rukia's favorite.
"Hello, Rukia-san!"
Standing directly in front of Rukia was Kiyone, a bubbly girl with short hair.
Rukia scratched her short dark hair, knowing it was probably a mess.
"Did you forget what today is?" Kiyone asked.
Rukia's eyes went wide as she leaped from her sleeping futon.
"How could I forget? What is wrong me!" Rukia cried, hurrying up to change into her shinigami robes.
"This is so not like you Rukia-san," Kiyone whined.
Rukia glanced in the mirror to brush the tangles out of her hair.
"I know!" Rukia cried. She bolted out the door, Kiyone following behind.
How could she be running late on such an important day?
The dream she had was a memory from a ninety years ago. She was now roughly the age of one hundred and ninety, although she physically was nineteen.
Rukia was a very organized, well-together girl. She was the girl that arrived early at events, always followed the rules, and was poised. Although Rukia was rather short and petite, she often demanded attention. Rukia was full of confidence.
Being the adopted sister of Kuchiki Byakuya had that effect on her.
"There's no way we are going to make it in time," Rukia whispered.
They had to get all the way from the barracks of division thirteen of the Gotei thirteen, all the way to Seiretei headquarters. If only she was just a little faster.
Rukia lived in Soul Society, a place where people went once they passed away. There were two main parts of Soul Society. The first was called Rukongai, which had fifty different districts, some districts being better than others. People who passed away went there first and usually lived there peacefully.
The second part was called Seiretei, where the shinigami lived. A shinigami's job was to eliminate hollows, who often tried to eat the souls of those in Soul Society, or souls left in the human world. A shinigami also was to help protect against anything that threatened to destroy Soul Society.
There were thirteen different squads in Seiretei, and Rukia just happened to be the fourth seated officer of the thirteenth division. It had taken her a long time to get to where she was, but she was proud.
In fact, today she was being moved to the third seat.
Rukia mentally slapped herself for waking up late. Of all the days to sleep in…
To their luck, Rukia and Kiyone reached the Seiretei hall with a few minutes to spare.
"I can't believe we are moving up!" Kiyone cried. Kiyone was taking Rukia's fourth seat.
A tall man with black hair walked up to Rukia and Kiyone.
"You did remember to pack a lunch for Ukitake-taichou, right?" The man, Sentarou asked.
Kiyone's face suddenly turned red as her hands balled into fists. "I thought you said that you were going to bring lunch!"
"I made his lunch yesterday, so it's your turn."
"No I did, therefore it's your turn!"
"No, I made his lunch, and you made his dinner!"
"No no, I specifically remember that I made his lunch, and you made his dinner!"
Rukia walked away from the two, getting a headache just from listening to them. They fought like that on a regular basis. The thirteenth division had the kindest most compassionate captain of all the Gotei thirteen. Ukitake was an understanding man with a warm smile. He was sick with tuberculosis, therefore Sentarou and Kiyone made his food for him daily to help ease the stress he often had to take on as captain.
All the divisions were pretty different. The first division was run by Yamamoto, the oldest man in all of Soul Society with a long white beard who held a great power. He was the leader of the entire Gotei thirteen. Just to name a few other divisions, the fourth division was the medical and healing division led by Unohana. The sixth division was led by Rukia's brother, Kuchiki Byakuya and was a very strict squad. The eleventh was led by Zaraki Kenpachi and was known for being rough and enjoying the battlefield. The twelfth division was led by Mayuri and was mainly for research and science.
All thirteen captains and vice captains were present at the Seiretei headquarters, but today was a special day. Not because Rukia was being promoted in her squad, but because a new vice captain was being promoted to the thirteenth division.
A smile touched Rukia's features again as she looked for her best friend.
He was rather easy to spot as he was rather tall and had bright orange hair.
Rukia suddenly worried that he was going to be late. He was pretty different from Rukia. He was laid back, didn't care much for structure, and was often tardy to any event.
She did have some things in common with him, like how stubborn they both were. He also had a lot of confidence like her, although at times she felt that he had a little too much confidence.
A hand touched her shoulder, and Rukia turned to see her captain standing next to her with a grin.
"Have you seen Kurosaki-san?" Ukitake asked.
Rukia shook her head. "No I haven't taichou, I'm sorry."
Ukitake frowned. "I shouldn't be surprised; Kurosaki-san tends to run a little late at times."
Rukia also sulked, realizing that if she'd woken up earlier she could have gone to his room to make sure he was up. Once again, of all the days to sleep late…
"Oi, I'm here. Sorry!" A familiar voice shouted.
Rukia couldn't help but chuckle as she saw Ichigo walk into the large room, all eyes on him. She noted that her brother glared at Ichigo, along with captain Soi Fon of the second division and Hitsugaya of the tenth.
"Kurosaki-san, you are just in time," Ukitake said, pulling Ichigo over to them.
"Sorry, I overslept," Ichigo apologized. Even though Ichigo had a scowl on his face, Rukia knew that he really was sorry. Ichigo always had the same scowl on his face.
He looked at Rukia, giving her a grin.
Rukia couldn't lie, she was damn proud of Ichigo.
Today, he was being promoted to vice captain of the thirteenth division.
She remembered when they joined the division 50 years ago.
They were just little newbies that had no idea what was going on around them, and now look at them. Seated officers of the thirteenth division.
Yamamoto stood at the end of the line of captains and vice-captains of the thirteenth division, slamming his large cane on the ground to catch the attention of others. Ichigo, Rukia, Sentarou, and Kiyone all stood behind their captain.
"Today, we are here to honor a member of Soul Society who has shown leadership, courage, bravery, and strength. It is due time that the thirteenth division have a new vice captain grace their presence, and that person we are honoring today is to be promoted to such position," Yamamoto paused. "Kurosaki Ichigo, and Ukitake-taichou, please come forward."
Rukia smiled as Ichigo and Ukitake walked forward. Ichigo stood in front of Yamamoto.
"Ukitake-taichou, it has been upon your request that Kurosaki Ichigo become your new vice captain," Yamamoto stated. Ukitake nodded in response.
Yamamoto then turned to Ichigo. "Kurosaki Ichigo, by becoming a vice captain for division thirteen of the Gotei thirteen, you represent Soul Society as a whole. You have duties and responsibilities that you must fulfill such as being a leader to the members of your squad, helping your captain out in times of need, protecting the members of your squad from danger, and attending meetings as required. Do you accept this position?"
"Yes," Ichigo responded, his voice full of confidence. It gave Rukia chills.
"Please bow before me," Yamamoto requested.
Ichigo bowed low to the ground. "By accepting the position as vice captain for the thirteenth division, I give you this badge," Yamamoto explained, raising the badge in the air for all the squads to see. "By wearing this badge, you will fulfill all the required duties as a shinigami to Soul Society, and wear it as a symbol of the pride you have for your fellow shinigami."
Raising his left arm, Yamamoto slipped the badge onto his arm, tying it as necessary.
"Rise, Kurosaki Ichigo. You are now vice captain for the thirteenth division." Yamamoto declared.
Ichigo stood and turned to the rest of the Gotei thirteen as everyone clapped for him. Rukia knew she was grinning from ear to ear.
She just couldn't think of anyone who deserved the position more. The things that Yamamoto said about Ichigo were all true. He was courageous, brave, a leader, and strong.
He was her best friend.
Looking at the boy she'd met as a small child to the man he was now was just amazing to her.
All the other captains and vice captains congratulated him. When that was finished, Ichigo walked over to Rukia.
"Now you really have to follow my orders," Ichigo said with a smirk.
Gritting her teeth, Rukia punched Ichigo in the arm. "Baka! Don't let your new position go to your head!"
"That's what I get for becoming a vice captain?" Ichigo muttered. "Can't you just be happy for me?"
Rukia rolled her eyes. "Who said I wasn't happy for you? It's when you open your mouth that the happiness flutters away."
"What about you? When are you going to be promoted to third seat?" Ichigo asked.
"Later tonight, but enough about me. This is a big moment for you, Ichigo. You're a vice captain now. How does it feel?"
Ichigo shrugged his shoulders. "I don't feel any different. I knew for awhile that it was going to happen, so I've had time to let it sink in."
"Well should we get going to our squad? Becoming a vice captain doesn't mean you get the day off," Rukia insisted.
Ichigo sighed. "I guess your right," Ichigo mumbled. "Can I implement a new rule?"
"What?" Rukia asked.
"Instead of the vice captain doing all the paper work, the next seated officer should do it all."
Ichigo's comment earned him another punch in the arm.
"It's weird that we are such high ranked officers in a division now," Ichigo began. "It seemed like yesterday we were living on the streets of Rukongai, fighting everyday just to get some food."
"I think we learned a lot at an early age and became strong," Rukia replied.
Ichigo nodded in agreement. "Yah, I think so too."
The two then looked at one another. The warmth that Rukia felt as his hazel eyes fell on hers was amazing.
Ichigo knew how to calm Rukia with just a look.
In fact, there were many moments the two shared where they spoke nothing, yet they understood one another one hundred percent.
"Ichigo-kun! Ichigo-kun!" A familiar voice cried.
Ichigo suddenly grinned as a beautiful woman ran up to the two, a smile on her face.
The woman, Inoue Orihime, ran into Ichigo, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Surprised, Ichigo hugged the girl back.
"I'm so proud of you!" Orihime cried.
Realizing that Rukia was standing right there, Orihime pulled away from Ichigo, her face red.
"Ah, sorry Kuchiki-san," Orihime said, laughing nervously.
Rukia smiled. "I'll leave you two alone for a moment," Rukia said.
Ichigo gave Rukia one last smile before Rukia walked away.
Inoue Orihime was Ichigo's fiancée. The two were getting married in three months. They had met Orihime when they joined the Gotei thirteen fifty years ago. Orihime was friends with Rukia and Ichigo for awhile, until she confessed her feeling for Ichigo just five years ago. Ichigo told her he liked her back, and the two had been together since.
She could see how happy Orihime was, and she was happy for her friend. Orihime was a kind person who was in the fourth division. She had one of the best healing abilities in all of Soul Society.
Ichigo had a beautiful woman he was to marry, and he had just been promoted to vice captain.
Rukia cringed when a sudden bitter feeling swept throughout her entire body.
She hated the feeling she got. It sometimes came when she saw Ichigo and Orihime together.
At first she thought it was due to the fact at seeing Ichigo acting so—different with Orihime. He changed when he was around her, acting like a love-struck fool. It was annoying to witness.
But now that Rukia saw him, she could tell that he was happy, but the bitter feeling still didn't disappear.
It made her angry that she felt the way she did, but she knew she couldn't help it. Ichigo had been her best friend since she was just a kid, and now he was getting married. All the time they spent together would be cut in half, if more.
But Rukia supposed that it was apart of life. Things changed, and people changed.
Smiling, Rukia knew that she was enough of a friend to wish for his happiness.
Rukia only hoped that she could find her own happiness.
A/N: Ooh that was a fun chapter to write! I know not a lot happened but I mean come on, it's the first chapter. I have to introduce characters and the story and the plot. This is an AU story so even though the setting is still Bleach oriented, Ichigo and Rukia's background is very different (and a few other things related to Soul Society).
PLEASE REVIEW! XDDDD