A new collection of Bleach drabbles/one-shots more for my enjoyment than anything. This one will much more closely follow actual event from the series and include a variety of characters/pairings. Not a lot of creativity on my part, but expansion and exploration will hopefully occur.

All creative talent credited to Tite Kubo. I am just leeching off his genuis

*Spoilers for the end of chapter 1.

Taking the Plunge

He learned Death's name at the tip of her sword, blood on both their faces.

"It's not shinigami," she corrected with a shaded smile that promised more to come. "It's Kuchiki Rukia."

"I see…" he paused to commit the name to memory even while his mind urged that there was no time. His family's unconscious bodies lay scattered about him and their attacker was shaking off Rukia's last desperate defense. "I'm Kurosaki Ichigo. Let's pray this doesn't end up the last greeting for the both of us."

An enraged screech resounded through the air, Rukia's blood still on the Hollow's tongue as it started towards them. Her pressing warning brought him closer and swallowing thickly, he reached out to grasp the blade she had extended like a fatal invitation. Ichigo was almost embarrassed to find that his hands shook slightly against the cool metal, but Rukia's hands were sure as she guided her sword to hover over his chest, a breath east of his heart.

Cold sweat on his forehead and the roar of his heart in his ears, Ichigo anchored himself on her steady, intent gaze. "Let's do it."

The ground shook under the Hollow as it let lose another scream. Ichigo gritted his teeth in anticipation and Rukia's dark eyes gleamed an unnatural azure under the streetlight. Their heads bent closer, glossy ebony and a shock of orange tipping towards each other like works of gravity against a backdrop of somber gray.

"Yes."

The sharp ripping of cloth, a spray of blood, the explosion of power.

Barely past being strangers, they took the plunge.

If anybody has a particular scene they want me to dedicate a chapter to, I'd love to try it out. Let me know in a message or review.