Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or its characters


Prologue-Unknown Thread

The distant sounds of screaming and yelling could only be drowned out by the loud sound of blood pumping faster and faster through her body.

Keep moving. Keep moving

The silent motivation pushed the raven-haired girl to move faster. She was close, she just knew. If anyone asked how she could sense the powerful presences of the strange monsters, she wouldn't have an answer. Yes, having the power to sense creatures was a high deem quality from where she came from. Yet, it was still rare, especially considering her background.

After all to anyone who knew her, she was just Kuchiki Rukia, a young noble.

Yet, that wasn't who she was. A young noble wouldn't be caught running through the streets late at night. A noble would not be rushing off to fight monsters. She was no noble, no she was a person who wanted to fight. To help protect others.

Yes, that is who I am.

Rukia's internal thoughts were cut short as a loud, unmistakable screeching reached her ears. A monster was nearby or better known by its specialty name, a Hollow. She was sure there was one hiding somewhere nearby, attacking another poor, defenseless village.

Too bad, the Seireitei wouldn't blink an eye to another village attack. No they wouldn't waste energy raising a simple hand to help those less unfortunate than them. After all, they were all nobles, special people born to have a better life than those lower than them.

That thought made Rukia's blood boil. She wasn't like them. She was willing to help others and was willing to slip underneath her lady-in-waiting's vigilant eyes in order to fight Hollows.

Now here she was rushing towards the danger, not really caring if she got hurt or not. Cloaked and running in the shadows, she was sure she wouldn't be caught by any patrollers. She was outside the main skirts of the city now and usually soldiers were rarely ever spotted this far away.

Pulling the cloak tighter, Rukia was still cautious this far. Even as a noble she had to hide her identity as she know her family would be ruined if found out. At least I'm trying to help she thought bitterly at her fellow nobles' snubbed attitudes.

Another screeching cry stopped Rukia in her tracks as her violet eyes widen at the display before her. The village before her almost seemed obliterated with buildings and homes completely smashed and destroyed. People were scrambling everywhere for the possible of hope of safety. Regrettably though, there were a few already dead from the unknown and unpredicted attack.

Unfortunately most of the villagers couldn't see the Hollow, instead all they would see is an outline or blurry figure at most. It was an unforgiving creature for those with not enough spiritual power to see or sense it. Rukia could only envy them for the visibility part. After all, Hollows were never pleasant to look at.

The one in front of her was no exception. It was large, twice the size of most she has seen. Its unique, characteristically white mask covered its face as the rest of the body looked like a demon creature as it sat hunched on two of its limbs. Her eyes naturally fell on the hole in his chest as it was always the characteristic that confused her. How could any creature have a part of their internal body missing and still be such a threat?

Mmmm, you smell nice. Rukia cringed at its low sadistic voice called her as it turned its attention towards her. Not being intimated by its size, Rukia quickly held her hand out calling her inside power to help her once more. A small light illuminated from her hand as an object quickly formed.

Her hand grasped onto the form of a hilt and she pulled the weapon in front of her demonstrating the sword that appeared out of nowhere. Though she didn't yet know how to use her special power with her sword, Rukia could still feel the power flowing from inside her into the weapon. She wouldn't hesitate to use its strength, and defeat the enemy before them.

The Hollow shot an arm out, its bloodlust growing. Rukia quickly step to the side as she raised her sword and brought it down on its hand. The Hollow was quicker as it retracted its arm and shot it out at the smaller figure once more.

Jumping over its hand, Rukia grinned as she finally managed to make contact, producing a deep cut into the monster's arm. Its recognizable scream filled the air as it jumped back allowing a larger distance between them.

"Don't think that will help you," Rukia said smugly quickly covering the distance between them. The Hollow seemed to retract back, only adding to Rukia's pride. This will be easy she thought while dodging its attacks once more.

Jumping up, she brought her sword down ready to destroy its mask. She gasped when her sword came into contact with nothing but air.

"What!?"

Something slammed into her body, sending Rukia flying into the hard ground. Regaining her senses, she glanced up to see what attack her only to see nothing. Damn where did it go she thought angrily. Does it have the power to disappear? She found that strange since no Hollow has been able to do it before.

Rising to her feet, the same similar presence caught her attention again. Her head twisted side to side in order to find the place where it was coming from. Cursing to herself, Rukia abandon her now torn cloak and pushed all her strength into her legs in order to run faster.

It distracted me. It's after something else, and I was just getting in the way. What or who is it after?

As she was running, Rukia allowed to herself to be absorbed by surroundings of the once peaceful village. No structures were left standing anymore and she saw many bodies lying around. She cursed to herself again, knowing her smugness got the best of her and possibly left more to die than should of.

I'm still not strong enough.

Shaking her head, Rukia pushed those thoughts aside. She had no time to wallow in self-pity about her weakness. There was still time left; she needed to kill that Hollow as soon as possible.

Another scream cut into her thoughts. Yet, this scream wasn't the useless calling of a Hollow, no it was different full of fear and apprehension. A scream of a human being.

"Leave her alone!"

Rukia's confusion grew as she heard a shout of man in the distance. Was someone really trying to fight the Hollow, they're foolish! With a new renowned push of energy, the petite noble found herself in-between a standoff between the enemy and a strange young man with bright orange hair.

"Who the hell are you?" His voice was cold and accusing, but Rukia did not shrink back. Instead she looked directly at him and when her violet irises met his golden ambers, time seemed to halt for a second.

A sharp pain struck her head with a quick flash of light blinding her for a split second. Wh-what…was that?

The small distraction caused Rukia not to notice the arm shooting out at her nor did she comprehend the solid figure crashing into her side, throwing both of them tumbling to the ground.

"What the hell are you doing? Do you want to get killed?!" She glanced up to see the orange-haired man nearly on top of her. It registered in her mind that he had saved her, but his juvenile attitude made Rukia immediately reject any thanks she had for him.

"What am I doing? Don't worry about such stupid notions. You need to run!" Rukia almost laughed despite their situation as his face took in shock and she swore that he had twitch. Obviously the fool was not use to being talked back to.

"Run? Are you kidding? This is my fight and no midget is going to intervene."

"Midget?!" Rukia shouted as she shot to her feet. The man watched as she narrowed her eyes giving him a death glare. It would be imitating he thought truthfully if she wasn't a couple of feet shorter than me. "Who are you calling midget?"

Enough talk, let me eat both of you! The Hollow who was getting bored with the human bickering had jumped into the air and was now aiming to smash his prey underneath his strength. He wasn't expecting both humans to jump apart seconds before he could crush them.

The orange-haired man scowled at the creature, truly not happy with the interruption. "Hey! I was talking here." The Hollow turned its attention towards him, eyes glowing with hunger. The man didn't back down instead he smirked at the Hollow. "Oh well. I guess you're ready to restart our fight, huh."

Screeching in response, the Hollow attacked him. The man managed to dodge and at the same time picked a piece of sturdy wood, ready to counterattack. Another attack came from his right, and before he could react, the man saw a glimpse of dark clothing before the attack was halted mere feet from him.

"Fool! What do you think you can do against a Hollow?"

The teen scowled at the dark-haired woman who was now holding off the creature's arm. He was initially shocked at her speed and he was very interested how a squirt like her had a sword on her. Yet, his deep pride got the best of him. She was protecting him. He hated being protected by others.

"Oi, midget, this is my fight. So back off!"

"Your fight?" The woman scoffed back as she dodged the Hollow's arm trying to sideswipe her. "This is no fight for a kid. You can't do anything anyway. Why risk your life?"

Taking a quick moment Rukia looked at the man for his reaction. She was surprised to see the amount of anger and hurt crossing the other's face. His hands were clenched tightly to the side, and she could tell he was fighting his emotions inside.

"I need to fight," his voice came out quietly, but firm. "I need to protect them. This monster…attacked my family! How can I stand by and not help them!"

Rukia was taken aback by his passion as confusion swept over her. His family? Her mind recalled the shouts she had heard before she arrived here.

"Leave her alone!"

"Y-your family?" Her voice resounded uneasily as her violet eyes gazed over him and fell onto two small figures lying not too far behind him. They were two young girls, and Rukia could only pray that they were still alive. He was trying to protect his family, how could she reason with that.

Dragging herself back into reality, Rukia felt another surge of power surround her. The power was immense and she was confused who could possibly have so much it. Turning her head quickly, she came into contact with intense amber eyes and she could see the power radiating off the man's body.

How does he have this much power? I've never felt anything like it before.

You smell better than her. I can't wait to devour you! The Hollow screamed as its body flew towards the young man. Though the man had immense power, he had no way to control it and direct it to fight the Hollow.

The man didn't realize this as he stood motionless while the creature aimed its hand out towards him ready to claw him to pieces. Rukia, though, knew this and without hesitation put herself in between the two opponents completely forgetting about her own weapon.

Blood spattered the ground as the small woman dropped on her knees, her body wracked with pain. The Hollow bore down on its new prey missing the glint of silver before the sword cut into the top of its mask.

The Hollow shrieked in pain, jumping back putting some distance between itself and the humans. Rukia glanced up in confusion of what happened. Ignoring the pain, she turned her head to see the man standing in front of her, holding her sword in a defensive position.

When did he..?

"Hey! What kind of idiot move was that?" Rukia was taken aback by the bitterness in his voice and saw him scowling again. "You yell about me getting killed when you just jump into a middle of attack. Jeez, how stupid can you be, midget?"

Though his voice was laced with anger and callousness, she still thought she could hear the undertone of concern. He was concern about her, wait that made no sense. They didn't even know each other.

"What…"

"Just shut up and watch."

The same pressure poured from him again as Rukia watched with wide eyes. He was forcing his power into the blade of her sword. The blade started glowing with resonance of his power and even the possibility of this happening, confused her.

There is no way my Zanpakuto can take another's spirit energy. It's unheard of.

"Wait!"

"Didn't I just tell you to shut up and watch, midget?"

Whatever possessed her too, Rukia would never understand. Her body moved without thought or reasons her mind ceasing all of her commonsense and rational judgments. She reached up and pulled tightly on his wrist. The man glanced down at her with confusion and irritation. She merely grinned at him. "It's not midget, idiot. It's Kuchiki Rukia."

A smirk crossed his face as another pulse of renewed energy surged through both of them. "And it's Kurosaki Ichigo." A bright flash of light engulfed both of them, before all Rukia saw was darkness as she fell into it.


A/N: So here is my first attempt at a Bleach story, so hopefully its not too bad. Sorry if its a little confusing but i promise it will make sense as the story goes on, after all it is AU. Hopefully the characters weren't too OOC and I know it was short, but longer chapters will come! Please review and tell me what you think.