Summary: AU She was in pain and he was confused. But is that all there was to it? Bound together by the past, old and new memories collide in unexpected ways. IchixRuki

My first venture into Bleach fanfiction! Hope you guys like it! And if you don't… hope you can tell me why so I can make it better, thanks!

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. If I did, the manga would probably have the same artistic quality as Rukia's pictures… actually that's probably something I wouldn't mind seeing for a good laugh…

A Familiar Embrace
Chapter 1: A Change in Plans

Rukia was never a big fan of these kinds of parties, but she didn't hate them either. She just wasn't in the mood to mix and mingle with people she hadn't seen since high school and others whom she had never seen before. Even the handful of people she did know couldn't get her to introduce herself to too many other people. But Renji convinced her that she needed to get out of her apartment. It was the start of the New Year for heaven's sake. A new year, a new start. She just felt a little out of place. She had been over at Renji's house before, but then it was just her, Renji and other close friends hanging out. She wasn't used to there being so many bodies, and so many strangers in such a familiar place. Oh well, just being around other people was probably a good thing for her; she did admit it was better than sitting at home watching mindless TV.

She was standing next to the punch, which she vowed not to have any more of after realizing that there was a little something extra in it to kick start the party and that it wasn't just punch made from Minute Maid concentrate, when the red-haired, tattooed Renji tapped her on the shoulder.

"Oi Rukia, there you are. I was looking everywhere for you."

Rukia looked up. "Obviously not everywhere if you didn't even think to check next to the snacks. Where, I might add, I was stationed at for at least 10 minutes," Rukia smirked as she reached for the tortilla chips. Whoever thought of guacamole was a genius.

"Whatever. Just save some for other people will you? Anyways, you gotta see this. Shuuhei just got here and he got a new tattoo. It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen."

"Even more ridiculous than the one's doodled across your face? This I gotta see." Rukia smiled with a twinkle in her eye as she tucked a stray strand of black hair behind her ear and popped the tortilla chip in her mouth, leaving a scowling Renji at the table.

"Mine are unique and works of art, Rukia! They happen to harbor deep meaning! Are you listening… Oi, Rukia! And you're going the wrong way." Renji put his hands on Rukia's petite shoulders and led her toward the noisy crowd congregating by the door.

Standing by the door was Hisagi Shuuhei, surrounded by large group of girls who were admiring the new "69" tattooed across his face. Shuuhei was always level-headed and never seemed to show any unnecessary emotion, but having so much estrogen surrounding him and bombarding him with questions about his tattoo and what it meant was obviously making him uncomfortable. Hisagi Shuhei was never one to beg, his pride didn't allow for it, but this was the one time that he didn't mind looking for help. Knowing this, Renji enjoyed watching Shuuhei squirm uncomfortably for the next few seconds, Shuuhei's pleading eyes boring into his. Finally Renji relented, chuckling as he proceeded his way through the crowd.

"Oi, Shuuhei! Get your ass in here, Kira is pissed that his drinking buddy isn't here." Renji pushed his way through miniskirts and tube tops, put his arm around Shuuhei and gave a little bow to the estrogen-tinged crowd surrounding them.

"Ladies, if you'll excuse us, Shuuhei here has a bottle of sake with his name written on it, and if you're really curious I'm sure Shuuhei will be happy to show what his tattoo means later tonight."

Rukia smirked as she watched the heat spread from Shuuhei's neck to the apples of his checks, his blush and embarrassment threatening to take over his features as he opened and closed his mouth in protest, not really sure what to say to Renji's outrageous proposal and insinuation. Looking around, Rukia wasn't sure if Shuuhei or the girls looked more embarrassed as illicit images of Shuuhei floated through their heads. Rukia grinned. She couldn't pass up the opportunity to make Shuuhei even more uncomfortable.

"So Shuuehi, what does the tattoo mean?" Rukia asked, playfully leaning close to Shuuhei almost leering at him. He refused to meet her playful gaze, proceeded to turn an even darker shade of embarrassment, if that was possible, and just quietly said,

"It's a secret."

Rukia and Renji couldn't help but laugh. Making fun of Shuuhei was just so entertaining.

"I'm gonna go find Izuru. I need a drink." And so Shuuhei walked off, oblivious to the fangirls on his heels, who acted like, rather badly one might add, that they weren't following him.

As amusing as everything was, Rukia couldn't help but look with sad eyes at the scene before her as Shuuhei walked away into the crowd of half drunk girls and guys.

How could girls be so pathetic and trail after guys like that? Don't they see that he doesn't even know they exist? People can be so sad sometimes, Rukia thought, and girls can be the worst of the lot sometimes. Girls throwing themselves at some guy. Girls scantily clad to get the attention of some guy... Girls thinking that he really cares, that's he's genuinely interested, that the words he says in the middle of the night, words he says when they're alone, that they aren't just to score a quick lay. They think that they would never be amounted to just a fling or just a night of fun, unless they wanted it to be. They never think past the moment. Never think that 95 of the "relationships" forged tonight will boil down to nothing or result in someone holding the pieces of their broken heart in their hands. That they will spend the next few months trying to piece it back together, only to give it to someone else they think they can trust. Someone they believe will treat it with care. And instead, the cycle of pain just begins again. Just begins…

"Rukia!"

"Huh?" Rukia's snapped around to look at Renji. His shouting brought her out of her mental rant. He had been trying to get her attention for quite some time, and as Rukia looked up at Renji she saw the concern in his eyes.

"Renji. I'm fine, I'm fine. Really. I'm fine." Rukia repeated as she saw the look of disbelief on Renji's face. The more the repeated herself, the more he doubted her. The battle of wills finally ended when Renji sighed.

"Okay, let's just pretend for a moment that I accept the fact that you think you're fine. But I'm still worried about you. I know you're strong Rukia, but remember I'm always here for you 'kay?"

Rukia opened her mouth to protest, to insist once more that she truly was fine, but thought better of it. She nodded and smiled up at Renji, trying to ease the worry on his face. She looked around, sighed and shook her head in an attempt to clear it. She was here, her friends were here, maybe she'll meet some new cool people; she might as well enjoy herself.

"So Renji, where's the booze?" Renji was a little taken aback by the sudden change in topic and tone. That and Rukia had never been a big drinker. She could hold her liquor, which was surprising for her small stature, but she rarely asked for the stuff unless she was with an intimate group of friends. Seeeing Renji's reaction Rukia laughed.

"I just wanted to know where Rangiku was." This time it was Renji's trun to laugh, he tipped his head towards the living room and lead the way.

"Do you even know anyone at the party, Keigo? Or are you just here to try to pick up chicks with your non-existent game? I can't believe I let you talk me into coming here. If Chad doesn't get here in the next 10 minutes I'm leaving." Ichigo's amber eyes stared off into the distance, a vague look of boredom on his face.

"That's cruel Ichigo! You would pick Chad over me?! And I happen to be doing you a favor! You've been so mopey and moody these few months! You need to get out more! Have more fun! As your good friend I figured it would do you some good to meet some new people. As your good friend…"

Ichigo was only half listening to Keigo, but when Keigo uncharacteristically stopped his rant without any interjections from Ichigo, he was a little confused.

"As my good friend you what?" And so Ichigo turned around to see Keigo engrossed in conversation with two girls. He sighed. Nothing less form Keigo I guess. So why am I here again? This is ridiculous. I'm going home.

As Ichigo made his way toward Keigo to let him know the change in plan, something caught his eye. A tall red haired guy was making his way across the room, but it was the tiny black haired girl laughing and following him that captured his gaze. His eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of her face and saw how beautiful she looked. He averted his gaze to the floor and stared at no point in particular as he contemplated this new factor in his plans. His eyes softened and his lips unconsciously stretched into a little smile. He might just stay after all.