The Meeting Place

Well, here is my newest Bleach story, inspired by Ken Navarro's instrumental song "The Meeting Place." It'll be an IchiRuki pairing. I hope you all will enjoy this story. Please review!

"We don't meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason."

It had been nine years since Ichigo's dear mother, Masaki, had passed away. Ichigo was only six years old then, but he still had vivid memories of his mother and that was the one thing that no one could take away from him, his memories. Ichigo had two sisters who were kind and loyal to him, but his relationship with his father, Isshin, had become more and more strained over the years since his mother died. They fought more and more often, and the fighting was getting so bad to the point where Ichigo was considering going out tonight. He hardly ever went out besides going to high school ever since his mom died, but he didn't want to keep fighting with his father, either.

Ichigo walked out of his house as the sun was beginning to set, igniting the sky in a fiery orange. Before Ichigo knew it, he had come to a stop at the entrance to a park, and, not knowing where else to go, he shrugged his shoulders and began to walk down one of the dirt paths. After about five minutes or so of walking, Ichigo came upon a lake that had some benches scattered around it, and the scene was absolutely stunning. The lake shimmered and sparkled as the sun set just over the horizon, coloring the water a mixture of orange, purple and red. Ichigo stared at the scene in awe for a few minutes before he noticed some small rocks lying on the ground and, noticing that he was alone at the moment, picked up a few of the rocks and walked over towards the lake to begin throwing the rocks along the water, something that he used to do as a child when his mother would take him to the park. Ichigo then threw the first rock to try and make it skip along the water, but it landed without bouncing into the lake.

"Damn, I haven't done this in so long I forgot how I used to do it."

Ichigo then took the next rock and, when he threw it, to his surprise, it skipped a couple of times before finally falling into the water. As Ichigo was about to thow the last stone in his hand, he heard footsteps coming closer to him from behind, but he didn't bother to turn around as he figured that it was just someone passing by. However, as Ichigo threw the last stone in his hand and went to pick up more, he heard a voice say something from behind him.

"I see you're into throwing rocks."

Ichigo didn't turn around, but he answered the question all the same.

"Yeah, that's right. I've been doing this ever since I was little. It's just a pastime of mine."

"Is it because your mom always used to bring you here and you did this every time you came?"

That made Ichigo stop in his tracks, and he turned around to see a beautiful woman with slightly long raven hair and large, beautiful violet eyes.

"How did you know that? I've never told anyone about what I do here, not even my own family!"

"Because, you may not remember me, but I remember you, Ichigo."

"How in the hell do you know my name, and how do you know about my mother? Just who the hell are you?"

"We used to play together when we were little. We would always play here, right in this small spot by the lake. However, after your mother died, you told me that you didn't want to come here anymore, because it made you think about your mom."

The memories of him playing with this woman when they were little began to come back to him, but he still had not asked her what her name was.

"And what's your name? I'm still not entirely sure who you are."

"My name is Rukia Kuchiki. We used to be the best of friends when we were little kids. Your mom even called me your girlfriend because of how we were together so much."

Ichigo was still shocked at what he had just heard. He couldn't believe that he wasn't able to remember his closest childhood companion, and the fact that he had encountered her here of all places shocked him the most.

"Rukia, I still don't remember everything about you, but it's great to see you again after all these years. What's it been, eleven years almost?"

"Yes, that was the last time we played together, when you were six and I was eight. I'm so sorry about your mom, Ichigo. You and her were really close."

Ichigo then noticed that Rukia was wearing a ring on her finger, and he deduced that she was getting married soon.

"Rukia, why are you wearing a ring? Are you getting married?"

"Oh, this? No, I'm just wearing this ring that I bought years ago. I always thought that it was beautiful."

"Oh, well, I'm surprised no one has proposed to you yet. You are really beautiful."

Rukia blushed at his comment and turned to go, but Ichigo called to her again.

"Am, Rukia? Maybe we could meet here again tomorrow. I mean, it was great talking to you and I thought that we could talk again tomorrow."

"That sounds great, Ichigo. I'll come at the same time tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure, I'll be here."

"See you tomorrow, Ichigo!"

"Yeah, see you then, Rukia."

Rukia then turned and went down the path she had come, while Ichigo took one last look at the sparkling lake before heading home. Unknown to both of them, however, was that there was a man watching them both from a distance, wearing an unusual cross and, after Ichigo and Rukia parted ways, the man smiled coldly and said to himself.

"Ichigo Kurosaki. I'll be seeing you soon, very soon."

So, what did everyone think so far? I know this chapter was kind of short, but give it time; this story will keep getting longer as it progresses. I didn't want to spoil it, but that mysterious man at the end was none other than Kugo Ginjo. Please review!