Prologue: The Beginning
"Wake up," said a warm and welcoming voice. "You're not dead are you?"
As I open my eyes, I started seeing a blurry shadow in from of me. My head was hurting like crazy. After a few seconds, I was finally able to think clearly and my vision cleared up. In front of me was standing a red haired boy with small eyes, wearing some dirty and ripped clothes. Behind him, I saw a few timid children hiding behind a tree, looking at my direction.
"..." I tried to talk, but so sound could come out of my mouth.
"Are you alright?" asked the boy. "You must be new here."
"I..." After a little more struggle, I was finally able to make a sound. "Where am I?"
"This is the 61st district of Rukongai. You are in Soul Society, the place where souls go after death."
"After death? Does that mean that I'm dead?" I asked, trying to recall what had happened to me before I passed out. Without a success, my mind remained blank.
"You don't remember?"
I shook my head. There was nothing in my head. I did not even know who I was or what I looked like.
"Well that's odd. Anyways my name is Shuun and I and the leader of this gang," he said proudly while pointing at himself. "What's your name?"
"I can't remember," I said while lowering my head.
"That's ok," he said as he lent me a hand. "I'm sure you'll remember it later. Meanwhile, how about I call you Alice."
I took his hand and stood up.
That was the very first memory I had.