A/N: I really love pairing Senna with others besides Ichigo, since there's so many dynamics to explore. As stated in the summary, this is set directly after the return from the Valley of Screams, and the AU will go from there, exploring a developing relationship between Uryu and Senna.

Title: 100 Themes Challenge
Author: TheEnchantedDreamer
Chapter 1: 1. Introduction
Word Count: 1,267
Pairing: Uryu x Senna

It was over. The Valley of Screams had been destroyed, and things were seemingly back to normal. Or whatever normal could be considered for Senna. Waking up just two days prior to everything falling down in front of her. But this was good, it was calming. The problems surrounding her had vanished.

She found herself holding onto the sleeve of Ichigo's shihakusho. It felt dirty, and parts of it were stained with blood. "Ichigo-"

"Ichigo!" Another voice broke through the crowd that had gathered, causing both of them to turn in the direction of the voice. The motley crew of shinigami and human stood by the river bank, the shinigami filtering out slowly as they returned to the Soul Society. Before Senna knew it, a girl with black hair, slightly shorter than herself appeared before herself and Ichigo. "You made it out..."

As her amber eyes locked onto the other girl, Senna recognized her as the shinigami who was with Ichigo when she first met him. Quickly she retracted her arm from his sleeve. bringing it to her chest. She kept talking to Ichigo, just who was she? How close were they?

"Of course I made it out! I made a promise, and I keep my promises," Ichigo said, while glancing over to Senna, breaking Rukia's gaze. "Senna's safe, and that's what matters."

A small smile to her, and he began walking over towards his group of friends with Rukia - the girl with copper hair, the boy with glasses, and the tall tan boy, who looked much older than he probably was, and the shinigami with red hair, like a stop sign.

Her eyes locking on the sight, Senna noticed just how close Ichigo and Rukia were as they walked together, and just how fast, and close, the other girl moved towards Ichigo once he met up with the clump of teenagers.

"W-what about me?" She asked softly to herself, not sure whether or not she wanted to be heard.

Before she could decide, Senna noticed someone looking in her direction. Had he heard her? A guilty look plagued her face at the thought. He was on the outskirts of the group - the boy with glasses. Blinking a couple times in confusion, she saw him look to the group, and then back to her before simply wandering away.

She didn't know that while he had an understanding with him, exactly just how much Ishida Uryu loathed Kurosaki Ichigo at times. This, among everything else, just seemed to be another triumph for the shinigami. She didn't know how he had no desire to be there to witness it.

Relaxing her shoulders, Senna watched him walk away alone. Nobody in the group even seemed to notice he was leaving - they were all fawning over Ichigo - especially those girls. Looking around, inspecting the grounds even further, she noticed how the other group - the man in green, the children, and the tall man with sunglasses had disappeared. She never even felt them leave.

There was no point to stay where she was. She didn't want to either. Not when Ichigo was over there. Eventually turning around, making a full circle, Senna realized how alone she really felt. And how, if nothing else, there'd be no harm in following the other boy. She moved quickly and quietly, not wanting Ichigo to notice her at this point.

She kept her eyes on the lanky figure, who was walking at a casual pace.

"So, you're the shinenju?"

Gasping, Senna stopped in her tracks, not realizing just how aware the raven-haired boy was. He sensed her following him?

"I have a name, you know!"

"Strange, Kurosaki didn't mention one," he said while turning around to face her. Walking closer, Senna began to close the gap between them, as he stood still.

"I do, whether Ichigo told you or not - you're his friend, so you must know how he gets."

"Whoever said I was his friend?" The boy asked while pushing up his glasses, concealing his eyes from her.

A silence fell between them as she wasn't sure how to reply to it. He was right after all, he did simply leave once it was established that Ichigo was alive.

"I don't feel much like his friend right now either."

"Even though he didn't tell us your name, he still risked his life to save you. In my opinion, that's friendship."

"Would you risk your life for Ichigo?"

This time, she was the one who stumped him. He turned his head away from her. By now, they were only a few feet apart, and she could see the light pink flush on his cheeks even though he tried to avoid her eyes.

"I suppose I'd have no choice."

"Maybe that's how he felt about me...and my name is Senna, just to let you know."

Turning back to her, his glasses were no longer a reflection, but she was able to see through the glass. And through the glass, her eyes met his, and she smiled.

"Senna..." he stalled for a moment. Likely shocked over the lack of family name, she figured. She never even thought to give one. She didn't remember it, even now. She couldn't give one if she wanted to. "My name is Ishida. Ishida Uryu."

She tilted her head. Ichigo did the same thing when he introduced himself - by giving his family name first. She didn't like that. She wanted to call everyone by their given name, as she wished to be called.

"At least you're more polite than Ichigo was, Uryu."

She could tell how struck he was when she used his first name. She simply observed him, and his red face, and raised eyebrows.

"Is something wrong?"

He was speechless, however, his mouth slightly hanging open in awe. Was she trying to be impolite? Especially after just commenting on Kurosaki's usual rude behavior? He thought to himself those things and more. After a few more moments of silence, and perhaps looking a bit like a dead fish, Uryu regained his composure, causing Senna to let out a sight of relief.

"Of course I'm more polite than Kurosaki. He's a bit of a neanderthal. However, I must tell you it's a bit strange to be addressed by my given name."

"Ichigo is just...," Senna began while looking over her shoulder. No sign of Ichigo..."rough around the edges. I want you to call me 'Senna', it's my name, so that's why I want to call you 'Uryu' since that's your name."

Looking down at the petite girl, she looked to be around his age. She was in shinigami robes, yet he still didn't think of her as such. She was only a collection of memories after all. A collection, he had to admit, which wrapped itself in a very adorable package. He cursed his brain for allowing him to think such a thing, especially of another girl who seemed only to pine after Kurosaki. A pink flush still showed on his cheeks, causing her to giggle.

"Is that okay?"

As he let out a long breath, he concentrated on her, locking her eyes with his if only for a second. Maybe this would be a good thing. After all, the only other living Ishida, Uryu wanted nothing to do with. The more he thought about Senna's request, the more he liked the idea. With a small upward curve of his lips, he nodded once, before pushing up his glasses.

"I could certainly warm up it, Senna."

And she returned his smile, ignoring the calls of Kurosaki Ichigo from afar.