Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach; that belongs to Kubo Tite-sensei. I don't own the song, either. However, Kubo-sensei did miss my birthday, so... oh, let's stop with the dreaming and get on with the show!

Abarai Renji, Lieutenant of Sixth Division, was walking down an abandoned hallway one afternoon in the Sixth Division's headquarters. Light was streaming through the high windows, giving it a feeling of warmth. The bluebirds were singing sweetly, a mild breeze waltzed through the treetops, and small clouds drifted across the azure sky.

Today was going to be another perfect day in the Seireitei, the shinigami mused.

He continued to wander down the hallway. Without realizing it, he came upon the hallway that led to his and his captain's office. On the slightest of whims, he turned the corner and found himself passing by the office door. This act, seemingly innocuous and unworthy of notice, would set the course for all future interactions between Captain Kuchiki Byakuya and his lieutenant. What those interactions would be like… well, I'll leave that to you, dear reader, after I finish my tale.

As Abarai-fukutaichou walked by the office door, he heard something that he had never heard before. It was pleasing to the ear, and soothing to the mind. A questioning expression grew across the stray dog shinigami's face. He was so tempted to investigate, but the urge to stay where he was and take in the relaxing sound overrode the momentary curiosity.

"It must be some kind of mortal music," he whispered to himself oh so quietly, "'cause I've never heard that song before."

He then noticed a small crack in the door. The aforementioned curiosity flooded back with an all-new urgency, as the song reached a climax that was simply… well, the dense lieutenant simply couldn't think of the words to describe how wonderful the sound was. He crept towards the door, taking pain-staking measures to keep his movements unheard. He carefully peeked through the minuscule opening. Little did he know that what he would see would forever change him.

"… And I need you now tonight

And I need you more than ever.

And if you only hold me tight,

We'll holding on forever.

And we'll only be making it right,

'Cause we'll never be wrong together.

We can take it to the end of the line,

Your love is like a shadow on me all of the time.

I don't know what to do,

I'm always in the dark.

We're living in a powder keg, and giving off sparks.

I really need you tonight.

Forever's gonna start tonight,

Forever's gonna start tonight.

Once upon a time I was falling in love,

But now I'm only falling apart.

Nothing I can do;

A total eclipse of the heart.

Once upon a time there was light in my life,

But now there's only love in the dark.

There's nothing I can say;

A total eclipse of the heart."

The rising, jubilant, yet mournful song had come from the most unlikely of sources: (Do I really have to say it?) Kuchiki Byakuya-taichou.

As Kuchiki-taichou vocalized the rest of the melody, Abarai-fukutaichou's mind began some sort of evil machination, one that would alter their futures forever. However, one cannot expect diabolical plans from Abarai Renji that were Aizen Sousuke-caliber, (Don't kill me, Renji fans!) but he did manage to come up with something that would be nearly as devastating.

He decided to contact his good friend, Kurosaki Ichigo. Oh, the fun they were going to have.

A/N: Well, ladies and gentlemen, there goes the first chapter of my first ever fan fiction. I hope you liked it, and, if you're so inclined, please drop me a line about what you thought of it. Thanks!

The song is "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler. Check it out on YouTube; it's boss.

(If you haven't noticed by now, there will be a lot more Byakushi torture, so stay tuned!)