AN: After my mother past away last month I've decided that writing is my chicken noodle soup for the soul so here I am again with a new story. I'm still working on Plight of Nobility but I also wanted to push forth another idea I've had for some time. I've already written out the outline for this story for the next couple of chapters.
This story is an AU and rated T for language. Rating may change as we go along. Thanks goes out to niteryde as always.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the characters. Now without further ado, here it is... "A Link to the Past".
"Come in, Kurosaki-fukutaichō. We've been waiting for you."
Stepping into a well lit room, eighteen-year-old Ichigo stood at attention. His body was as solid as a rock; he didn't make any sudden movements. He didn't even pay attention to the men and women of great power and strength that stood on either side of him.
He refused to acknowledge anyone that was not the one who had initially summoned him to stand before the council of Shinigami-taichō's. Directly in front him stood one man, an elder man who exhibited power and strength far surpassing all those in his presence.
He was a man of medium height with long cuts and scrapes along his bare head. His age showed through the long thick white eyebrows that met near the center of his forehead and a long flowing white beard that reached his midsection. His black and white Shihakushō resembled the same as those who stood on the left and right of Ichigo, right down to the white haori that hung loosely off his back and shoulders.
Standing as straight as someone his age was capable of doing, the elder grasped a long wooden staff in his hand and forcefully slammed the end of it onto the floor.
"Kurosaki-fukutaichō, do you know why you've been summoned here?"
The teenager scoffed in irritation. Folding his arms against his chest, he turned his head upward in a sign of anger and disgust.
"You tell me, old man. You're the one who told me to come here."
"You will bow and show your respect to the of the Gotei thirteen-sōtaichō, Kurosaki-fukutaichō." A tall individual spoke as their dark yellow eyes cast an angry glare in the teenager's direction. "Don't you dare disrespect him."
Unfazed by the scolding he just received, Ichigo turned his attention toward the source of the anger. A sly smirk formed beneath the bridge of his nose as he gazed upon the wolf like facial features of his lecturer.
"What's with all the hostility, Komamura-taichō? Did I say something to upset you?"
"Insolate little brat. Why you are the one chosen for this mission is far beyond my comprehension." The squad seven-taichō turned his attention toward the sōtaichō. "Forgive me sir, but he doesn't deserve this opportunity."
The words "mission" and "opportunity" peaked Ichigo's curiosity. The circumstancing involving his being called for was a mystery. Having served the Gotei thirteen for most of his young life, he could not recall being summoned once during all of that time to the first division barracks.
"To clarify what Komamura-taichō addressed I have decided to send you, Kurosaki, on a mission to the world of the living to retrieve someone of great value to us."
Ichigo's eyes formed into narrow slits.
"Old man, you're sending me to the world of the living to bring someone to you?" He scoffed. "I'm no errand boy. Find someone else to do this for you."
The sōtaichō remained calm even though those around him were anything but. Those witnessing Ichigo's blatant act of disrespect did everything they could to keep their swords in their sheaths and their mouths shut. It was very difficult to say the least.
"It has been decided. You will leave in less than one hour. Arrangements have already been made. Try as you might, there will be no getting out of this, Kurosaki."
Ichigo huffed in anger. It was clear he had distaste for being ordered around. Releasing his arms from the vice grip they were once in, he casually began to rub the back of his neck. He thought it pointless to drag the conversation out any longer.
"Fine. I'll get going then."
"Wait a minute," the sōtaichō called out, stopping Ichigo's movement but only retaining the view of the teenager's back. "Once you make it through the Senkaimon you will be given all the help you will need to succeed."
"All the help I will need, huh?" Ichigo wasn't the least bit impressed. "And just who will help me when I get wherever I'm supposed to be going?"
"Your questions only take away from valuable time that could be spent elsewhere. Once you have what you need you will proceed to the home of your father, Kurosaki Isshin."
To this news, Ichigo spun around. Deep seated anger billowed from his eyes as he took a bold step toward the Sōtaichō and reached back toward the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
"Bastard! I refuse! I refuse to go anywhere near that disgrace of a Shinigami!"
"Bakudō sixty-one, Rikujōkōrō."
Ichigo grimaced as he found his arms, torso and overall body unable to move as six lights collided into him, pinning him in place. A rush of obscenities flourished from his lips as he gazed upon the one who had stopped him from moving forward. Amber met gray as student gazed upon his one and only teacher.
"...what the hell do you think you're doing?"
The sixth squad-taichō, Kuchiki Byakuya, averted his eyes away from the individual he had trapped in his well-established Kido attack.
"Sōtaichō, sir, this boy has no respect for you or even his own taichō. I would never question your wishes but I must speak up now. He will fail this mission and become a failure just like his father before him," the second division-taichō shouted as she stared angrily at Ichigo.
"You better take that back!" Ichigo shouted while fidgeting against his restraints.
"Ichigo," Byakuya spoke in a calm voice, yet a serious tone swiftly followed. "You have disgraced me as my second in command. Nevertheless, I support the sōtaichō decision and with my recommendation we both support you going to the world of the living. If you still want that opportunity then you will see fit to remain silent for the remainder of this meeting."
Growling, Ichigo held his tongue and listened half heartily as the taichō's talked amongst themselves. He listened with contempt as they spoke of his inability to follow orders. His enthusiasm grew in size as the sōtaichō called the meeting to an end and he was released from his bonds.
He kept his eyes forward, staring only at the back of the sixth division taichō's head as the two parted ways from the rest of the leaders. He could hear the chatty whispers of those around him and it only continued to bring his blood to a boil.
The sixth division taichō and fukutaichō casually strolled as far from the first squad barracks as quickly as possible. Keeping his eyes firmly on his taichō, Ichigo froze as Byakuya suddenly stopped mere inches from the sixth squad barracks. Anticipation was beginning to set in as Ichigo prepared himself for the stern lecture from his commanding officer.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, you are to head to Sōkyoku hill immediately. A taichō will be waiting for you."
"Uh...sure...is that all?" Ichigo was more than surprised at the conversation he and his taichō were having after his less than admirable performance earlier.
"Are you expecting something else?" Byakuya took notice of a feigned look in Ichigo's eyes. "Your behavior was one I wish to forget. I suggest you get going before you witness my true feeling toward your actions today."
There was no need in being told twice. With an affirming nod, Ichigo used his well mastered technique flash step and vanished from sight. As he raced through the Seireitei, he couldn't help but hear his taichō's words replay in his ears. He was single handedly given an opportunity and his crass behavior had almost ruined everything.
As miffed as he felt over embarrassing the man who trusted him enough to garner the fukutaichō position, he felt a twinge of anger as he remembered what awaited him on the other side of his journey through the Senkaimon. He hadn't spoken to the man or the woman titled as his parents in all of his eighteen years of living and now he was being forced to be around them thanks to one mission.
As Sōkyoku hill came into view, Ichigo climbed it with ease. His eyebrow rose slowly as he gazed upon the taichō of the thirteenth division smiling and waving in his direction.
"Ah, you made it. I hope Byakuya didn't give you too much of a verbal lashing after you two left," Ukitake-taichō, exclaimed with a gleeful look on his face.
"Is this the gate?" pondered Ichigo. He was in no mood for idle chit-chat. "Open it up so I can go."
"Take it easy. Don't be so impatient. You will have plenty of time once you venture inside. You'll make it to the world of the living in no time at all, so relax for a little while."
Ichigo shook his head as he watched members of the Kido corps emerge and walk toward the gate one after the other. It didn't take long before they recited a rather quick chant and opened the doors of the Senkaimon with ease.
"Sorry, Jushiro, but I have to get going. The sooner I get there, the sooner I can do whatever it is I have to do to return here. I won't have to make any unnecessary stops along the way."
"Unnecessary stops...are you talking about your father?"
Ichigo wasn't about to stand and discuss the blemish that had abruptly reappeared in his life. Without uttering another word he dashed through the open doors, not even waiting for the lone hell's butterfly to catch up. The sound of his name being called echoed throughout emptiness he was now sprinting through.
He had no intentions on turning around. A sense of urgency overwhelmed him with every step he took. He didn't have time to waste fraternizing, not when there was something he had to do. That something, if done quickly, could potentially keep him from seeing those he had no intentions on conversing with. It was all mapped out in the corners of his mind. All he needed to do now was execute that plan the minute his foot touched down in the world of the living.
What felt like hours passed slowly, bringing nothing but irritation to Ichigo. He screamed in anger the more he ran. He was surrounded by darkness and nothing else. The only sound emulator through it all was the sound of the hell's butterfly as it casually continued to accompany him through the barren tunnel.
"Get there in no time at all...my ass! I've been running forever! Where is that stupid exit anyway?" Ichigo shouted to no one in particular.
His attitude adjusted immediately as he laid witness to a replica of the door he used to begin his long, exhausting journey. His speed increased as the door became closer and closer. Soon he found himself rushing through the door and emerging in a room that looked more like a cavern.
Jumping out onto the floor, Ichigo was astonished by the area he now found himself in. There were nothing but long stretches of rocks and small crevices that made up the walls and a partial area of the floor. Unanswered questions flourished deep within his mind as he contemplated where he now stood.
"You made it. Glad to see that you're here, Ichigo."
Turing around, Ichigo found the source of the voice. Approaching him were two men, one slightly taller than the other. The gentleman on the left had short blonde hair covered beneath a green and white hat. He wore a Shihakushō, similar to Ichigo's that was green instead of the standard color black that all Shinigami wore. He wore a black coat with what appeared to have white diamond patterns along the bottom half of it. Taking note of his attire, Ichigo glanced at the man on the right.
He was a tall, tan-skinned, muscular man with his hair twisted in black cornrows, black sideburns and a thick black mustache beneath his nose. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of shaded rectangular glasses so Ichigo couldn't get a look at his eyes. The unidentified man's attire was something Ichigo took notice of. He wore a white shirt with jeans but it was the blue apron tied around his waist that caused Ichigo's eyes to roll around in a circle.
"What is this? A love nest for two guys? I'm out of here."
Ichigo prepared to leave but a firm hand on his right shoulder kept him in place. Glancing over his shoulder, his face paled as the tan-skinned man was now inches from his face.
"And where do you think you're going?"
"Get off of me!" Ichigo pulled himself free of the man's grasp. "Who in the hell are you anyway?"
"My name is Tessai, Tsukabishi Tessai. This handsome gentleman beside me is Urahara Kisuke. He's the owner of the shop you're standing in."
"Shop?" Ichigo glanced around. "What shop? I don't see any shop."
"It's upstairs. I'd be more than happy to give you the grand tour some other time but you're here on a mission, aren't you?" said Kisuke as he finally approached the two.
"What do you know about my mission? Are you the one the old man said would help me out?" questioned Ichigo.
"Why yes I am. Tell me, what do you know about the mission so far?"
"I'm here to retrieve someone important, that's the gist of it. Why don't you tell me why I am here?"
"You're here, Ichigo, to locate someone who has disappeared amongst those in the world of the living. The last person assigned to look over the people in this town. It seems they have decided to stay here against their orders and now the Soul Society is requesting they be brought back for questioning."
"Yeah right, questioning? We all know they will be imprisoned for failing to follow orders." Ichigo shrugged his indifference. "So who is it that I'm supposed to find and drag back to the Soul Society?"
The brim of Kiskue's hat shielded his eyes from view but the smirk on his face was undeniable.
"Kuchiki Rukia."
Ichigo appeared stunned by the news. His eyes blinked slowly and his mouth opened slightly. Had he heard correctly? Kuchiki? He only knew of one person with that last name and that was his taichō. He had no idea there was another member of his family within the Soul Society. Having created a persona that kept him isolated, Ichigo was more than pleased with himself. He knew nothing about anyone's personal life and in return they knew nothing about his. His life was in balance, at least in his eyes.
"I take it by the look on your face that you knew nothing about Rukia. Although she is the younger sister of Byakuya, she shares none of his aristocratic tendencies. She keeps to herself. Being famous is something she never truly adapted to but it's hard to avoid it with the last name of a noble clan."
"So what's her deal, this Rukia person? Why is she still here? How long has she been here?"
"All you need to know about her is right here," Tessai intervened as he handed Ichigo a manila folder. "She currently attends a local high school in the middle of town."
"She attends school here? She must be in a gigai then, am I right?"
"She is. I made it for her to help her blend in around town," Kisuke admitted.
"So then it's your fault she's here living like a human. Why don't you just go and get her yourself? You obviously know where she is. Can't you track that gigai you created?"
"Well...I could but I'm a busy merchant. I barely have time here so how can I go gallivanting around town looking for a girl? I could never do that."
Ichigo frowned as he watched Kisuke shield his nose and mouth behind a small fan. He imagined the grin perched upon the shopkeeper's face at his less than amusing performance. Ichigo wasn't fooled.
"You're full of shit but fine. I'll find her and drag her back here. Don't blame me if you gigai is destroyed in the process though."
"Such language," Kisuke swatted his fan from left to right. "I've constructed a gigai for you as well. You will find it upstairs."
"I won't need any gigai while I'm here. This mission won't take too long."
"If you say so but it will be upstairs if you need it."
Ichigo scoffed at Kiskue's offer. He wasted little time finding his way toward the ladder that would lead him upstairs and on whis way with his assignment. He was determined to do what he had to do as quickly as possible without any guidance or aid from anyone.
"Good luck Ichigo. I'm sure this will be a piece of cake." Kisuke shouted.
Ichigo ignored the shopkeeper's cheerful farewell and made his way out of the underground passage. Emerging inside the shop, he brushed past the uninhabited version of himself lying prone in a chair and took off out the door. He took to the sky immediately and raced as fast as he could toward his new destination.
Perched on top of a metal fence, Ichigo thumbed through the folder given to him earlier in the day. He was solely focused on the content that resided in his hands. His eyes skimmed casually over the information written on a single piece of paper. It was vague, to say the least.
"Is this some kind of a joke?" he muttered aloud.
The paper didn't give much of an insight on his intended target. Not even a picture was included. Instead all Ichigo knew so far was his target had been living in the world of the living for a month and a half and occasionally vanquished hollows from time to time. Other than that he had no apprehension on just who the Kuchiki girl was.
"This is stupid." He tossed the folder over his shoulder and jumped down onto the school grounds. "I'll just find her myself."
Walking along the school foyer, his head turned at the sound of chatter and footsteps somewhere on the right side of the school yard. With haste and curiosity, Ichigo ventured to the right and paused as he watched students converse amongst themselves in various activities. Some were standing about while others were engaging in some sort of human activity.
Ichigo wasn't sure and frankly he didn't care. He had one goal in mind and now that he found the lot of students his next step was to find the one in particular he was sent to retrieve.
Appearing on the field, Ichigo surveyed each female he passed by, pondering if she was the one he was looking for. Irritation was beginning to settle in as he began to release he was fighting a losing battle.
"Dammit, which one of these girls is she?" he shouted angrily.
His antics went unnoticed by those around him. In his current state no one could see him and knowing that set him at ease, momentarily. The last thing he wanted to do was cause a scene. He watched with disinterest as a few females casually jogged along a path that went around in a circle. Deciding he had nothing to lose, Ichigo walked toward the field where a few girls were running and chatting amongst themselves.
"Alright, let's see what you can do, Kuchiki!"
Ichigo's head turned around so fast he could have gotten whiplash. His eyes grew wide as he glanced from left to right to locate the one named Kuchiki. His eyes fell on a petite young girl with short black hair standing in front of two other girls.
Her eyes were narrowed into slits as she placed all of her focus toward a third female standing on a mound with a large red ball in her hand. Ichigo watched as the female with the ball threw it forward. It bounced against the ground before it went sailing back over the head of the girl who initially held it moments ago.
Ichigo was confused but that all faded as he watched the one he was looking for race toward him. He stood right in front of her with his arms opened wide. This was going to be easier than he ever imagined.
His cocky bravado dimmed as his eyes locked with his target before she dashed past him and stopped just behind him. Anger overwhelmed Ichigo as he was left standing without the one he was he after in his arms. He quickly spin around and watched her, taking notice that she no longer had her eyes on him but on the game she was engaged in.
This only pissed him off more.
"You there, are you Kuchiki Rukia?"
The girl was silent as she inched further and further from a small dirt bag that she was once standing on. Her eyes never looked Ichigo's way. Seeing this made Ichigo question whether or not she was in fact the one he was after.
"I guess she isn't the one I'm looking for."
Ichigo prepared to turn and look elsewhere on the field but suddenly felt his body falling backwards despite his willpower to keep himself up right. Glancing toward his right he watched as the female he was just about to dismiss as the one he was sent to retrieve jumped to her feet and gave him a rather sly smirk.
She had taken his feet from under him. He didn't even notice her movements. It happened faster than he could comprehend. Before long he was sprawled out on the dirt looking up at the girl who had yet to tell him her name. The smug look on her face didn't set well with the embarrassed Shinigami as he quickly nipped himself back up onto his feet.
"What the hell is your problem? You're her, aren't you? You're Rukia."
The girl gave a curt nod to affirm Ichigo's suspicions. She was the one he was looking for. Satisfied with the news, Ichigo took a defiant stance and pointed in her general direction.
"Rukia, I'm here to take you back to the Soul Society. I'm in no mood to stay here in this ridiculous town longer then I have to so I suggest you get out of that gigai and head back with me now."
Rukia chuckled to herself then took off running as fast as she could. Perplexed, Ichigo immediately gave chase, insuring himself that he was not going to let her get away. His foot race came to a halt as Rukia stopped just inches in front of him and stood on another dusty bag.
"Just what do you think you're doing?" Ichigo demanded as he glared disapprovingly at Rukia.
Shaking her head, Rukia nudged her head upward to get Ichigo's attention to what was going on behind him. Turning around, Ichigo watched as a new female stood where Rukia once was. He glanced back and forth between the two positions before realizing what was going on.
"This is a game?" He shook his head. "I don't have time for this. We have to go now."
Ensuring the second baseman wasn't in hearing range, Rukia kept her foot on the dusty bag then crept closer in Ichigo's general area.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Taken back by her polite voice, Ichigo quickly shook his head and asserted himself as the dominant one of the two. Without hesitation, he grabbed her left arm and stared deep into her violet eyes.
"You're coming with me whether you like it or not. The sōtaichō has given me orders and I intend to follow them through. I'm no failure."
"I didn't say you were but-" Rukia pulled her arm away with ease much to Ichigo's surprise. "I'm still not going anywhere."
Gritting his teeth, Ichigo watched as Rukia once again ran away from him but this time he didn't give chase. He was upset enough as it was. There was no way he was going to engage in human activities. He watched as Rukia ran past a third bag then headed back to the area where she originally started from
He listened intensely as the girls to the left of the field cheered and chanted her name. He watched their faces light up in smiles, an emotion he didn't understand whatsoever. It was just a game, a stupid game at that. Turning around, he watched as one girl chased down the red ball while those on the field yelled for her to hurry up. It all seemed very pointless.
Turning his attention back toward the area where Rukia should have stood, Ichigo mouth gaped open at the realization that his target was gone.
Taking notice of the students that surrounded him, he could no longer find the one he had set his eyes on. It was as if she vanished into thin air. His anger was starting to show as he grit his teeth and clenched his hands into tight fists.
"She's not getting away with this."
Anger had not left Ichigo's body as he found himself standing back in front of Urahara's shop. It didn't take long for the shop keeper to venture outside with a small kid in tow. Ichigo didn't even give the child a second thought, his eyes remained on Urahara.
"Jinta, go inside and get Mr. Kurosaki his gigai. Something tells me he needs it." The small boy with red hair standing on Urahara's left grumbled and angrily stomped off to do as he was told. "So, how did it go?"
"Don't ask such a dumbass question, Urahara. You know how it went if I'm back here. That little...she got away from me but I'll find her, mark my words."
"I guess that gigai I created doesn't make it easy to track her movements. Who would have thought-?"
Urahara was silenced as Ichigo's elbow collided with his nose, knocking the talkative man off balance. Looking up, he watched as Ichigo loomed over him with a disgruntled look on his face.
"I don't know who you really are, Urahara. You're just a man in a hat wearing a pair of clogs. I don't even know if the rest of the Shinigami know what you've done here by creating that gigai but they will find out."
Rubbing his nose, Urahara made it to his feet and smiled. He wasn't at all fazed by Ichigo's idle threat.
"Oh stop, you aren't about to tell anyone what I've done. If you did that then the Soul Society would have to send in reinforcement's, wouldn't they? Aren't you capable of handling this assignment all by yourself? You are a fukutaichō, are you not?"
"How did you...forget it. Look, just tell me where she is and I'll get out of here."
"Why don't you go to your house? Your father would really be glad to see you. How long has it been since you've seen him?"
"Not that it's any of your business but it's been awhile. Just bring me that gigai you made. I'm getting tired of talking to you."
On cue, Tessai and Jinta emerged carrying a limp body of the gigai Ichigo passed by earlier. It resembled him from head to toe with the exception of its clothes. The limp body was wearing a white t-shirt with a screen print of an arrow pointing upwards, a pair of blue jeans and sneakers. It was a far cry from what he was currently wearing.
"Couldn't you have put that gigai in something else? I would never wear clothes like that."
"You would if you lived here. It's all the rage with kids your age. Now, do you need help getting in your new body? I charge extra for that."
"You aren't charging me shit, Urahara. I can manage on my own."
As the gigai sat upright on the floor, Ichigo quickly merged with the body, the two suddenly becoming one of the same. Standing up, he immediately began rotating his arms, already feeling uncomfortable.
"This gigai is a tight fit. Couldn't you come up with something better than this?"
"There is nothing better than that gigai you're wearing, I can assure you. Just wear it for a couple of days. I'm sure you'll get used to it." Urahara suggested.
Ichigo sucked his teeth loudly. "I won't be here that long. I'm going to find that girl and when I do…"
A sinister look emerged on Ichigo's face. He hadn't forgotten about her swift attack on him or the fact that she disappeared knowing full well that he was sent to bring her in. He couldn't wait to get his hands on her. He promised himself he wouldn't let her get away next time.
"Well, if you really want to find Rukia then I suggest you go visit your father."
Ichigo blinked his eyes as he allowed the words he just heard to sink in.
"My father? What does that idiot have to do with my finding Rukia?"
Again, Kisuke smirked as if he knew the biggest piece of gossip and couldn't wait to share it.
"You'll see when you get there. Trust me; you'll want to go visit your father."
Skeptical, Ichigo had little else to go on. With nowhere else to search, the young Shinigami turned around and began walking away from the shop. Shoving his hands into his pocket, he stopped moving and pulled out a white piece of paper in his left hand. Unfolding it, he read the contents silently to himself.
"In case you can't find your way home," Kisuke called out as he waved Ichigo adieu.
"Yeah right…" Ichigo muttered beneath his breath as he read the directions once more then shoved his hand and the paper back into his pocket.
He disappeared along the silent streets of Katakura town, less than apprehensive about returning to a place he initially had never been before. With his eyes closed, he walked along the sidewalk while muttering over and over beneath his breath.
"This place will never be my home…"
