AN: First off, I would like to thank 5 wonderful people Star Princess, Duskblood, Shadow Pain, Denidene and Lunar Iris for consistently reviewing my last story from the beginning. You guys really made my first story fun to write. So, I am dedicating this short story to you.

Second, this is story is AU and because it's AU, it's a bit OC. While there are Shinigamis, the characters other then Ichigo are not. The Seireitei is filled with noble "Houses" instead of the Gotei 13.

Third, I don't own Bleach. If I did, I would kill off half the characters and get tons of hate mail. Hahaha!

Lost and Found

By: Abarai Starsha

Part I

"Come on Rukia! We're going to be late for the ceremony if you don't hurry!" Orihime called out to the woman who was currently locked in her bedroom.

"Just a second!" came the reply.

"Is there anything I can do to help you? I am your Maid of Honor." The orange haired woman asked as she fiddled with the lace on her teal kimono.

"I know, and I love you, but I really hate this thing!" Rukia said as she opened the door. Orihime gasped. Rukia was dressed in a white wedding kimono which had designs of flowers etched in pearls across the bottom. Her raven hair was pulled up and held in place by a silver comb. Just a hint of eyeliner was around her big violet eyes. Her lips painted crimson. "I can't get this hood," she said with a defeated sigh holding it out to her best friend.

"What are you going to do without me?" Orihime asked, "I can't believe you're going to be moving to America with him!"

"I know, but it's good for his business. I wish I could take you with me. I'm not going to know anyone or anything. I'm not as good with the language as he is. Oh…Orihime, tell me I'm not making a mistake?"

"Rukia! Trust me, it's not going to matter where you live. You love him with all of your heart and soul and he, the same. Love like this is so rare. It's like you've found your soul mate. Come on, he's waiting for you."

"Thank you, my friend." Rukia and Orihime hugged before leaving the apartment.

When Rukia woke up she was dazed, confused and lost. She was lying in a field off the side of the road. There were people running all around her, paramedics, police, firemen and sirens were wailing non-stop. They were running to the road. She stood up, walked a few paces only to collapse again.

Much later, she woke up in the same field, only this time things were quieter. Rukia put her hands on her head, trying to remember what she was doing out here. The ceremony, she was on her way and fell asleep in the car? No. She wasn't sure but she knew she had to get moving. She had to get to the temple.

Not bothering to look at the road, Rukia ran to the temple which was a few blocks away. The doors were open, waiting for her. When she entered she found it was empty. Confused, she searched and found nothing. Not only was the place empty, but it looked like no one had been there for several weeks.

"Toshiro?" she called out. "Toshiro-sama! Are you here?" There was a small noise coming from the back of the room. Rukia's eyes grew wide and she screamed.

"Hey, hey! It's ok! I'm not here to hurt you," said the man with bright orange hair. He was dressed in black robes and held a sword twice the size she was. His free hand was waving in front of her.

"What do you want?" she asked backing up.

"I'm here to send you on."

"On? On where? I'm not going anywhere. I-I'm to be married today." Rukia said. She was starting to panic.

The orange haired man sighed and ran his free hand through his hair. "I hate this part."

"What part? What are you talking about? Where is everyone?"

"Ma'am…"

"Rukia. My name is Rukia."

"Come with me."

"No."

"No?"

"No. I need to stay here. Toshiro-sama is coming and we're going to be married today. I told you."

"And I told you, you need to come with me. I need to send you on before you turn into a hollow."

"A what? Look, I don't know who you are-"

"Kurosaki Ichigo. I am a substitute shinigami and I need to send you on to a place called Soul Society. It's a beautiful place where your soul will be able to rest. I hate to tell you this, but you died. Looking at things, I'm guessing you were part of that freak accident a few weeks ago."

"Shinigami?" she asked. She turned to him, her eyes wide and wet. Ichigo looked at her and sighed again. Rukia looked down at her wedding kimono and noticed for the first time it was dirty, torn and reddish brown. The blood was concentrated in her chest. Her eyes narrowed, "How?"

"Like I said, there was a freak accident a few weeks ago. A man was hit and killed by a car while trying to save a girl who was in the middle of the road. The accident caused a pile up, but no deaths. Then this one car got there, but was blindsided by an ambulance. Several injured one death."

Rukia's memory flashed back to the car.

"Oh my, Orihime! There's a huge pile up ahead, I hope everyone is alright. Can you see? You have the better view."

"Rukia, there's a man under the car I can't see much, but he has white-"

"No!" Rukia said, backing away. "No!"

"Look, I'm sorry,"

"Stay away! Stay away!" Rukia said as she took off running. She ran out of the temple, she ran past the field, she ran and ran and ran.

Ichigo sighed, "Why do I end up with the stubborn midgets?" he asked no one in particular considering he was alone. Midgets. The last guy he performed the konso on was short. He was the guy who saved the girl. He didn't want to cross over either. Come to think of it…shit. Ichigo went after Rukia.

Rukia reached the river and fell to her knees and screamed. A few minutes later, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"I know where your Toshiro is."

Rukia gasped and looked up at Ichigo. "Where?"

"The man who saved the girl, the one who was killed, I sent him on to Soul Society."

"H-he's in Soul Society?"

"Yes, I can perform konso on you and you'll be able to find him, on the other side," he hated saying that part knowing it's almost impossible to find someone unless they had spiritual pressure.

"Fine. Do it." She said. There was hope in her eyes. Ichigo silently wished her the best and tapped her forehead. In a glow of white light, she faded into the ground as a hell butterfly appeared.

Ten years later…

Rukia made her way back to the little shack she shared with several others. It had been another long day of work and another long night of searching and she was exhausted.

"I don't know why you go out every night to look for him. You're never going to find him," said a tall man who had bright red hair tied in a pony tail. He opened the front door for her and gave her a scowl.

"You know why, Renji."

"Yeah, yeah, undying love, humph." He said walking into the one room shack. "Isn't it payday?"

"Yes, here," she said, giving him a few coins from her pocket.

"This is it? I thought you were going to the 50th district today?"

"I did, there wasn't much call for a seamstress there. I'll ask Yoruichi-sama if I can try one of the lower districts tomorrow." Rukia flew across the floor after Renji slapped her across her face. He ran to her side and picked her up by her throat putting his face in hers.

"You know I could just sell you off to a whore house. I could make a lot of money on you with your figure and those odd eyes of yours. Out of the kindness of my heart I took you in when you got here. You owe me." He said as he threw her back down to the floor.

Rukia gasped as she struggled to fill her lungs with air.

"You think this place is cheap to rent? Everyone has to do their share or we're all out on our asses. Once that happens I won't be able to keep any of you away from those dirty men. Do you understand?"

"Yes," she squeaked. "I'll do better tomorrow."

"You had better or I'll end those evening searches."

Rukia went to the corner of the room where one of two dirty futons lay. She took off her sewing apron and rolled it up into a pillow. In it held all of the things she needed for her trade. Since crossing over she found herself in the 78th district, one of the poorest of the 80 districts on the west side of Seireitei, where the rich nobles lived.

The 78th didn't offer much, a lot of one room shacks and whore houses. This is the district those rich people came to when they didn't want to be found. When Rukia awoke here, she instantly found herself being assaulted by one such man. He grabbed her and threw her against the side of a shack house. He pressed himself on her and tried to kiss her when Renji came out of that same shack. He grabbed the guy and beat him within an inch of his life. He not only saved her, but he gave her a place to stay and hooked her up with Yoruichi-san who found her a job as a seamstress.

Yoruichi had a business empire. She controlled the odd jobs in the districts on the west side and laid out who could work where. She was a beautiful noble woman who lived in Seireitei with her husband Kisuke.

Rukia curled up and quickly fell asleep, she didn't see Renji as he watched her sleep nor did she notice when the others came back. There were five of them that stayed there and several others who crashed there as needed.

Renji had a soft spot for distressed women and tried to help as many as possible. He was separated from his sister when they got to Soul Society. It took him many decades to find her and when he did, he found she was working at a whore house. One night a rich noble came and had more than the usual fun. He ended up killing her. When Renji found out, he was crushed and he swore he would do anything he could so that others wouldn't have to turn to that just to survive.

The next day Rukia was awake before the sun was up. She picked up her apron and carefully stepped over and between the other huddled bodies and made her way out of the shack.

Outside, she yawned and stretched being careful not to stretch her back too much as it was still painful from yesterday's "discussion" about money. She made her way to the river and washed up. She looked at her reflection and tried not to notice the bruises on her face and neck. Renji was kind in that he tries to help people as best as he can, however he has a harsh temper. She dried off and got dressed. She put her apron on over her ragtag kimono and smoothed it out.

By mid morning, she had made her way back to the 50th district. She went to the shop Yoruichi had set up but didn't find the elegant woman there. Instead there was another seamstress already at work.

"You must be Rukia?" she asked, "Yoruichi-sama has a special project for you. Here," she said handing her an envelope. The girl went back to her work.

Rukia took the envelope and opened it.

Rukia-chan,

You are one of my best seamstresses and I am personally requesting your help. A good friend of mine will be getting married in three months and I would like for you to help with her dress. She is requesting some intricate detailed work that I know you will be able to handle.

Since this is such a big job, we have arranged for you to move into the servant's quarters in the House of Hinamori. I understand how your current living arrangements are working so I have enclosed some money to cover your share for Renji. Make your way to the west gate of the Seireitei. Bring the attached invitation and someone will escort you.

Make me proud,

Yoruichi.

Rukia couldn't believe it. She read and re-read the letter. While part of her was elated and honored to work on something so important, her heart fell as it would be three months of not being able to search for her love.

She made her way back to her little shack in the 78th to find it empty. She put the envelope, letter and money under Renji's futon and took the invitation. She hoped Renji wouldn't be mad at her and hoped the money was enough for him to let her come back at the end of the three months.

The sun had long since set and Rukia was exhausted when she reached the west gate. She had never been to any district higher than 40 before and was surprised at how nice the houses and people she encountered were. When she got up to district 37 a woman offered her a ride in her carriage to the 5th as she had business there. Rukia gladly accepted the ride and felt bad that she had nothing to offer the nice woman.

Rukia sighed. Now that she was here, standing at the gate she was having second thoughts. She turned around and looked out at the cities and districts before her. She looked at the home fires that burned the torches and lamps that lit the streets.

Where are you? She thought. Ten years was a long time. Maybe Renji was right. Maybe she never would find him again. Her heart ached with her memories. How she wanted to feel his arms around her, how she wanted to hold him. Even in death she could not forget the little things about him. The way he squinted when he heard something he didn't like or the way he tried to maintain a cold exterior when his heart was anything but. How sensitive he was about his height and his white hair. How she missed him.

"Are you going to stand in front of the gate all night or do you have some actual business here?" Rukia jumped as the voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned around and held up the invitation Yoruichi gave her. The guard took it and grunted. "Wait here," he said. Rukia didn't get to see much of him other then he was as tall as he was round.

She heard voices and then the doors opened. Standing next to the gate was man half a head taller than her. He was of a normal stature, not really muscular and had blonde hair that was almost shoulder length.

"You must be Yoruichi's Rukia." He said flatly. "My name is Kira and I am in charge of all of the servants for Lady Hinamori. That will include you from now on until the wedding in three months." He looked her over as his face changed to one of disgust. "We will provide you a proper uniform. You will take these rags and burn them. You will not address anyone and will only speak if asked a question. This includes the other servants. Everywhere you go and every move you make will not be done unless I have allowed it. The only other person you may listen to is Lady Hinamori. Do you understand, rat?"

"Yes." She said in a small voice. He cocked his eyebrow at her. "Yes, Kira-san." She corrected herself.

"I see you must have been disobedient in your previous employ," he said indicating to the bruise marks on her neck, "Not surprising coming from a rat like you, but don't worry. I know how to deal with you if you get out of line."

Rukia sighed inwardly and swore she would kill that orange haired shinigami that sent her here. He was probably a car salesman in his previous life. The bastard.

They walked in silence for what seemed like forever when they finally reached their destination. It was dark so there was not much to see. Kira led her through a set of huge double doors and down several circular stairs. When they got to the bottom, she could see a line of doors. It reminded Rukia of some kind of medieval dungeon. He led her through the hallway of doors when they reached the end. The last door he opened with a key and motioned for her to enter.

"This is your room for the duration of your stay. I will come for you in a few hours when the day formally starts and introduce you to the Lady. I expect you to be fully presentable by the time I come back or you will be punished." With that, he turned and left. She heard the key go back into the lock and a firm click sound. Rukia sighed again.

She looked around her room, as expected since she thought they were in the basement or dungeon, there were no windows. In one corner there was a futon, the other held a small wardrobe. Between the two was a nightstand that held a basin and an oil lamp which was the room's only illumination. She opened the wardrobe and found her new uniform. It was a simple white kimono.

Rukia took her apron off and rolled it like she has for the past ten years. She used the wash basin and scrubbed the dirt from her travels off as best as she could. She dried herself with the other towel and carefully folded both neatly. Her muscles were screaming and her bones aching when she finally laid down on her futon. Out of habit, she curled herself up into the corner and fell into a fitful sleep.

The next morning, Rukia woke up and changed into the white kimono. She straightened her futon and put her apron on just as she finished she heard a key slip into the lock on her door.

Kira walked in without a knock and surveyed the room. The same look of disgust came over him as he eyed the dirty water in the basin.

"The Lady wishes to see you. Do not forget what I told you last night."

Kira led her back through the dungeon and up the set of spiral stairs. When they reached the top the door opened into the main hall of the manor. The hall was huge and elegantly decorated in colors of white and gold. Other servants were about running here and there between the rooms. They all had the same white kimono Rukia had.

Kira led Rukia through the hall and up the stairs. They took a left which led to the east wing. He stopped outside a set of golden doors and told Rukia to wait there. He went inside. Rukia could have sworn she heard a female moan, but brushed the thought away. Several minutes later, Kira came out and nodded for Rukia to come in.

The inside of the room was huge. It had an elegant king size bed made up of golden linens and blankets. There was a wardrobe, a desk, a nightstand and a bookshelf with rows and rows of books. There was also a table with a vanity mirror that had the Lady's brushes and ribbons on it.

The room also had a set of double doors that led to a balcony. The room was light and airy, and definitely of noble class. This was the first time Rukia had seen a room like this, in life or death and was fascinated with it.

In the corner was a dressing screen in which the Lady emerged. She was short but taller than Rukia by several inches. Had shoulder length brown hair that matched her brown doe like eyes. She was also only in her undergarments. She walked to her vanity and started brushing her hair. She eyed Rukia in the mirror.

"Yoruichi sent you, huh?" she asked with no emotion.

"Yes, Lady Hinamori-sama." Rukia said bowing.

"Whatever, go ahead and take your measurements I'm already late for breakfast with my intended. He can get grumpy when he has to wait for me for too long." She stood up and Rukia pulled her well worn tape measure out of her apron and proceeded to take her measurements. Rukia stepped back when she was finished, everything written down.

"Kira, take her to the sewing room. She will remain there during the day. I have laid out sketches of what I want. You will inform me when she has the basic dress part completed so that I may approve it."

"Yes, Lady Momo."

Kira led Rukia back out of the bedroom and down the stairs. The main hall was lined with servants. Kira pushed Rukia into place at the end of the line. "This morning the Lady is having breakfast with her fiancée. He has been asking to look over her servants to make sure they are up to his standards before they combine houses. I'm afraid I will have to explain why you don't meet those standards. You had better thank me later."

Rukia glanced at the other servants and stood just as they did. The front doors opened and a line of people started coming in. The first few were probably servants as they were all dressed the same. The first person that stood out was a beautiful tall woman. She had long blond wavy hair and wore a flowing green dress with a pink sash that barely contained her huge bosom. She had piercing blue eyes and a stunning smile. She was gorgeous.

Behind her was a noticeably shorter man. He was dressed in a matching green shirt and black pants. His hair was white, long and disheveled as it defied gravity. His teal eyes were cold and calculating as he started surveying the line.

One by one his scowl deepened as he met the servants. Finally he got to the end. In a bored voice he asked, "And finally, this one is?"

Rukia looked up and gasped. She couldn't believe it, after ten long years of searching he was standing right in front of her. She met his teal eyes with her own. "Toshiro," she whispered. "Is it really you? I have searched…"

Kira quickly yanked her out of the line up and held her by her kimono. "My apologies Lady Matsumoto, Lord Hitsugaya we just obtained this one yesterday as Lady Hinamori's new seamstress. She obviously has not learned noble etiquette. I assure you she will be taught."

Rukia couldn't help it. She looked at the one man she dedicated herself to and asked again, "Toshiro?" With no recognition in his eyes, he turned away.

"Do you know her, Shiro?" Lady Matsumoto asked him.

"No." He said.

Rukia felt her heart break into tiny pieces as Kira turned her over to two guards. "First, is the punishment for embarrassing the Lady's staff, then I will give you your lesson." Kira said.

"No," she said, "No! I've been searching for him for over ten years. Ever since I was sent to Soul Society, he…" Kira grabbed her by the throat and threw her against the stone wall.

"If you understand anything, you will get this one thing into your head. Who you think you knew in the living world is dead. That life is over and done with. He is Lord Hitsugaya now and will be married to Lady Hinamori joining the two houses together." With that he let her go and walked away. One of the guards then grabbed her and took her to the basement by way of a different set of stairs on the opposite side of the hallway.

They led her down a similar corridor as the servant's quarters but stopped before getting to the last room. They pushed her through the door way of another room. It was empty except for two wooden poles with straps on them in the middle of the room. They proceeded to strap her wrists to each pole high above her head.

Guard number one loosened the sash to her kimono and pulled the collar away from her neck, exposing her back. Guard number two proceeded with the punishment and whipped her back ten times. He brought the whip down harder and harder getting madder with each whip as no matter how hard he struck her, she did not cry out.

When they were finished, the guards untied her and carried her to her room. There, alone, Rukia broke down and cried.

Her door opened not an hour later and instead of Kira's cold voice, Rukia heard one that was feminine. She had tried to focus, tried to get up, but the drying blood made her back too stiff to move, her crying made her eyes to puffy to see.

"Get her out of here and back to my manor. She is to be cleaned up and her wounds cared for."

"Yes, Lady…" was the last Rukia heard before she passed out.

AN: This was supposed to be a one shot, but it's turning out to be a 3 or 4 part story... oops.