A/N: I do not own Bleach or any of its wonderful characters.
Ichigo's eyes widened as he beheld the slight figure of the girl propped up on her pillow, speaking to Captain Unohana.
It could be no other. The long, lustrous purple hair and her flame colored irises. Ichigo watched in disbelief as the girl gestured and spoke, in a way that was so familiar to Ichigo in his mind.
He clutched the window railing tighter and stared harder at the two women in conversation. Renji looked at his friend in concern.
"Do you know the girl, Ichigo?"
Ichigo racked his brains for the right words. "What do you think, punk?" No way was he going to show weakness around Renji.
"I'd say you know her pretty well, from the way you were gaping at her. She's pretty fine. I might ask her out, if you're not going to." Renji smiled slyly. He had no intention of asking her out, it was just an attempt to get on Ichigo's nerves.
At that, Ichigo visibly stiffened and glared at Renji. If looks could kill…
"Just kidding, relax man. From your expression I can tell you're totally into her. Looks like Rukia is in for some competition…"
"Just shut up and let me in. I want to speak to her."
Renji smirked and knocked the door lightly, opening it and beckoning for Ichigo to come in.
Captain Ukitake was waiting for the pair, his hands folded and deep in thought. When he saw Ichigo and Renji, his eyes immediately brightened.
"Substitute Shinigami Kurosaki Ichigo, I appreciate you coming down from the real world. I'm her in old man Yama-jii's stead, who has apparently dozed off again."Ukitake paused to roll his eyes. "We found a Shinigami unconscious in the world penetrating tunnel not too long ago." Ukitake paused againto allow them to digest the information." You may be wondering why we called you of all people down Kurosaki, it's because the girl has been muttering your name since we recovered her. We need to ask you if you know her."
Ichigo nodded, already aware of the events unfolding around him. "May I see her, Captain Ukitake?"
"Yes, all right, Kurosaki."
Ukitake beckoned Ichigo to follow, and with Renji at their heels, the trio walked down the corridor to the room they had initially passed. Ukitake mirrored Renji's previous actions, discreetly knocking the door and holding it open for Ichigo.
Ichigo's heart thumped wildly. Was he dreaming? He was going to be face to face with the woman he was supposedly in love with, after totally forgetting about her for over a year and having only recently re-acquired his lost memories.
xXx
Senna breathed deeply. She had been talking non-stop for a full eight minutes to the supposedly Fourth division captain about the last thing she could recall. How she had received orders to explore the dangerous Valley Of Screams. She watched the expression on Unohana's face, unsure of what to expect.
Unohana furrowed her brow uncertainly. Seventh Division Vice-captain…? She would have to ask Captain Kuchiki to go through the Soul Society records on past Vice Captains. If this was true, then what were they going to do? Assign her a new squad and continue as if nothing had happened?
Senna suddenly remembered something. "Hey, Captain Unohana, did you find my sword, Mirokumaru?"
"Yes, it's by the door." Unohana replied serenely.
Just as Senna was about to get up and retrieve her Soul Slayer, there was a soft knock on it and a man with long white hair and a Captain's haori opened the door and held it out to someone else outside.
There was a sharp intake of breath, and he stepped into the light. He was tall, and powerfully built, with an enormous sword strapped to his back. His hair was a shocking bright orange, and his eyes, which were currently wide with disbelief, were a striking orange, not much unlike hers. He had a strong jaw, and had rugged bad-boy good looks.
Senna felt nostalgia overwhelming her, but she didn't know why. This face was alien to her, but utterly and completely familiar at the same time. She automatically blurted out the first thing that came to her mind, "Do I owe you any money?"
She thought she saw a ghost of a smile play on his lips, but he just stood there are continued scrutinizing her intensely. Unsure of what to say, she muttered, "It's rude to stare…"
Then, he suddenly said in a restrained and hoarse whisper, "Senna…?"
Senna was taken aback. She had never seen this guy before, yet he already knew her name. "How do you know my name?"
He paused, thinking really hard before speaking. "You may not remember, but I know you, and you know me… At least, I think I do…"
Senna laughed and scrunched up her face, and titled her head sideways. "You're really weird, Mister. You have a scary face." She giggled at his confused expression. She didn't know why, but she automatically liked the man before her, even though this was their first time meeting.
For Ichigo, emotion was coursing through his heart. She didn't recognize him? But it was definitely her. Her face, her personality, even the words she used. The little hand gestures she made when she was talking. She was there, now. With him, for real, and this time, made out of not just memories.
Watching Senna laugh and smile made Ichigo feel strangely buoyant. It was as though a weight on his heart had been lifted. Then, he silently promised himself, You're here. I won't ever let you go again. I'll keep you with me, even if I have to get to know you all over again.
Ukitake and Unohana watched the two converse with veiled interest. It was quite clear that Senna did not know him, yet Ichigo had this ever-present look of disbelief on his face, as though he expected the girl to vanish in a puff of smoke. But if she did not know him, why was she muttering his name over and over again unconsciously?
Senna continued to stare at Ichigo's face and giggle. She felt terribly immature, but she couldn't help but laugh at the weird, almost constipated expression on the guy's face. He appeared to be concentrating very hard on something.
Senna waved her hands over Ichigo's spaced out face. He snapped out of it, and he suddenly grinned. "Maybe I haven't introduced myself, I am Kurosaki Ichigo, substitute Shinigami of Karkura Town."
Senna suddenly stiffened. Kurosaki Ichigo? Why did that sound so familiar? "Again, she saw in her mind's eye, a raven swopping down on her, its black wings billowing out behind it. As it came nearer, it turned into a man with flame colored hair in a black robe, wielding a long black sword-"
Senna shook her head and re-ordered her jumbled thoughts. Ichigo was now looking curiously at Senna. She tried to cover up her momentary spike by adopted a cheery voice, "Ohayo! I don't know how you know my name, but let me formally introduce myself. I am Minami Senna, 7th divisions Fukataicho!"
For Unohana and Ukitake, the mystery deepened. Why did she suddenly stiffened when Kurosaki introduced himself? Both could only ponder.
A/N: I'm done here! Please review, I'm really sad, I only got 3 for the last chapter. Hope you guys would please comment on my writing!