Aiyo poppet! What's crackalacking? I'm back, did you miss me?

Here it is, an all new story, I can't wait to know what you think about it! Though I must warn you, I will be slower to update this one, I have school and college to work for too. Bear with me, sugarplum!

So without further ado, I present to you, Beneath the Rocks! It all starts out on a warm spring evening, not very long ago...

Chapter 1

We live in a strange world, one in which miracles are found in the places we least expect. Adventure lies not upon the shores, but in the vast oceans, and it is only in letting our gazes drift and our hearts dream that we form a sort of meaning in our life. For who would have thought that a dusty old book in a dusty old library would have led to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the century? Not me, that's for sure! But that is what happened, and what I am about to narrate is proof enough that we should never take anything for granted. For when the pages guide, follow… when the rocks speak, listen… and when the hearts waver, believe….

"What a waste of a weekend! Simply went on a wild goose chase to return with empty soda cans!" grumbled Ichigo Kurosaki, as he fell heavily on the plush sofa. His wife, Orihime, who was often the victim of his outpours, sat patiently listening, sipping on her cup of jasmine tea as she did so.

"We went all the way to Hiraizumi for nothing!" he sighed in exasperation. The woman smiled in understanding and offered him his share of tea, which he gratefully accepted.

"So you didn't find anything in the cave, then? Nothing at all?" she asked quietly.

"Not what we were expecting, anyway. Where there was supposed to be remains of Roman pottery, we unearthed crushed Pepsi cans and toffee wrappers! These tourists! How long will they keep pretending they have some sense?!"

The auburn haired woman giggled. Although it was a shame, she couldn't help herself as her husband comically described the failed expedition again. As an archaeologist, and a famed one at that, he knew better than anybody else that it was only natural if sometimes the efforts expended would be in vain. But that didn't stop Ichigo from cursing the outcome, nonetheless.

Ichigo Kurosaki was a researcher at the department of Archaeology, Tokyo University, who, despite his young age, became well known for his contribution in the discovery of ancient tablets at Omori. He specialized on prehistoric archaeology and ethnoarchaeology, which basically was a fancy word to say that he discerned ancient lives from modern remains. When frustrated, he wasn't the most approachable man, but he had a heart of gold and a keen mind that inevitably drew people to him. Orihime Kurosaki, his wife and best friend, was a high school history teacher and self-proclaimed author. She would often write books and articles on her husband's works and findings of the most varied sort- from intellectual papers to adventure stories for children- and recently it would seem that she'd have to name her next work, 'The Goose Chase for Soda Cans'. It was times like these Ichigo was grateful Orihime was there when he returned from work, she would just laugh and make some tea and pump her fist in the air saying that it was just one mystery less from the next success.

"Don't worry Ichigo-kun. That's just one mystery less from the next success!" she chirped right on time. He gave her a tired smile and closed his eyes, the smell of jasmines clearing his muddled thoughts.

"Well… I'm planning to host another exhibition at the school!" she supplied, diverting the subject. He hummed in approval. "Last year was about the History of Fashion, am I right?"

"Yes" she said, "And this year, I was planning on doing it on the History of Lost Civilizations!" she clapped her hands in glee.

"That's good, Hime. Tell me what you need, I'll get it for you." he replied automatically. She shook her head. "I still haven't decided everything, but the children are all very excited! We still have two months to go!"

"Good. Let me know when I can help you." He stretched his arms and stood up abruptly. "I think I'll go for a jog, get my mind off of things for a while." He announced, and Orihime nodded. He always went out for a jog after a long day at work. Getting his shoes and bottle, he called out before he left.

"Be careful, Ichigo! Come back soon!" came the resounding reply.

II

It was a cool night, and the park was a little packed, but peaceful all the same. The trees whispered their quiet secrets, and the moon shone brilliantly against a twilight sky. But there were hardly any stars, thanks to all the city lights. It was one of the few things Orihime regretted, Ichigo recalled, that she wasn't able to see a night sky chandeliered by as many constellations as there are grains of sand on the beach. Still, the few up there were good enough for her. After a good hour's worth of running, he finally stopped for a sip of water, when his eyes fell on the distant dull building of the public library. Through the trees, he could see the words etched into the marbled stone- 'CITY LIBRARY.'

Having some free time on his hands before dinner, he decided to take a quick look around, and before his mind had caught on, his feet had already taken him to the familiar great doors of the public library. He pushed through, taking in a big whiff of the scent of old books and wooden furniture that was so characteristic of the place, and greeted the librarian as he passed by.

"Good evening Kurosaki-sama! How was the Hiraizumi expedition?" inquired the old man behind the desk. The archaeologist let out a sigh. "We didn't find what we were expecting, Ibuke-san. I just came in for a quick look, now."

"As you please, Kurosaki-sama. There is another man here, maybe of your circle; though I didn't quite catch his name… you might walk into him."

Ichigo ran his fingers through his bright locks, the last thing he needed was one of his colleagues smacking him in the back and inviting him for an embarrassing coffee. Scowling at nothing in particular, he acknowledged the old man and walked towards the section for books on ancient civilizations. Scanning the titles, he pulled out a large one that seemed appropriate for Orihime's tastes; it had artful pictures and lots of words. Flipping through the pages, he didn't notice a shadow close in on him. Just as he turned the page to the Celtic tribes of England, he gasped at the voice that greeted him.

"Hello there, Kurosaki-san. Sorry to have frightened you." said the man with a civil smile. He was tall and well-dressed and he held a thick book in his hands. Ichigo looked up to his face for just a second before knitting his brows. "Good evening, Aizen-sama." Well that's just great. Somehow he'd expected it of himself, to run into a senior professor of his department and not the ice-cream vendor. Ah… life can be so cruel. Aizen Sousuke, desite being Ichigo's senior, was in no way old and crouched but rather, he was a relatively young and successful man in his own field. A pleasant sort of personality most would say, but there was always something mysterious about him. Nobody really knew anything about him, what they did know was usually superficial. But his charisma made up for it, and his professionalism was envied yet admired.

"So what brings you here? I heard your expedition was not satisfactory." He noted. Ichigo stiffened. "That's true; we didn't find anything of real value. I came down here to look for a book my wife needed."

"That's commendable of you." The dark haired man gestured towards the book in question. He looked through the pages thoroughly. "Ancient Civilizations… now there is an archaeological mystery worth uncovering. It's incredible how an entire history can lie so well hidden for centuries to pass, under the very ground our feet trod." He stopped at a strange page, one on Celtic tribes. "Where do you think we can expose such a wonder?"

Ichigo glanced at his superior, before replying vaguely. "In Egypt maybe. Or even India. Some place where there have been past records of populations thriving." Aizen merely shook his head. "You see, everyone already knows that there are hidden cities in India and Egypt, even in South America, but the real adventure is to discover a secret nobody knew… something completely forgotten."

Ichigo stared dumbfounded. "Well, we can only do that by accident. Considering the lack of options we have, Antarctica might be our next destination."

"Usually by accident, I agree, but what if there were a place everybody thought was a legend, or maybe it was too insignificant to be remembered? It is that kind of treasure that is worth seeking." His companion frowned then asked. "Do you know of such a place?"

For a moment, the tall dark haired man stood rigid, almost hesitating before he replied. "No. At least, none of which I can be too sure. And there lies the mystery."

"What brings you here, might I ask?" inquired Ichigo noticing the hardback neatly tucked in the man coat pocket. "Nothing confidential, I came to do a bit of research on this." Ichigo regarded the worn leather cover of the book he'd been handed, and ran his fingers over the impressed title- 'The Detailed Works of Arthur Redmund'.

"An Irish explorer. I must say I found it rather dull." pointed Aizen. Just then, somebody's phone rang, and Ichigo scavenged through his pockets in haste.

"Hello? Yes, Hime! I'm fine; I'll be home in ten minutes. Yes I'm sure. Alright then I'll see you soon. I love you too." he smirked at the quizzical man before him and apologized. "I really should be going; my wife will send out the navy if I'm not back in time. Good bye, Aizen-sama." He dashed for the door, not looking back. Signaling to the old man behind the desk, he hurried out to the streets and jogged back home, finally making it with a minute to spare and a racing heart.

"Ichigo-kun, you're just in time! Were you at the library?" asked the young woman with a hug, helping him with his sweatshirt. " Yes, and I met Aizen too... how did you know that?"

"I saw the book." She stated simply and picked up the large leather-bound hardback from his pocket. Ichigo groaned when he saw it, ploughing his fingers through his already windswept hair. "Sorry Hime. I meant to get something on Ancient Civilizations for you, but I guess I took Aizen's in a hurry." He scratched his head in mortification, but she just laughed. "That's alright! Thank you for being so thoughtful! We can read this in the mean time, you can get yours back soon enough!" she chirped. The man breathed in relief; of course she would wave it off and giggle about it; that was just the way she was. But when his stomach indicated that it was time for supper, the book was forgotten and the dinner table attacked.

A few hours later, the two were seated against the wall side-by-side, scrutinizing the book in wonderment. It was an old piece, dating back to 1859, and on the very first page were two words inked in black, written in an old style of cursive. Two words- Allen Stephens. Ichigo thought it curious, but judging by the faded black of the ink, he concluded that this book must be too old to be possessed by its original master. And so he turned the page.

It mainly described the adventures of an Irishman by the name of Arthur Redmund. Though it was extensively detailed and difficult to comprehend at times, it still served as an enthralling read. Redmund had apparently travelled throughout the British Isles, narrating various accounts, from the beaches of Wales to the lakes of Scotland, and the mountains of Ireland to the castles of England... some of the scenes he described were so exotic! He recounted various incidents of his journey, the people's folklore, the forgotten heritage, and recited it all from the perspective of a daring surveyor. The print was small and often indiscernible, there were smudges and stains and torn pages too. Yet the couple persisted, barely noticing the ticking clock.

"Of the many adventures I've encountered, the greatest secret I've learnt is that which nobody knew." Orihime read out, faking an Irish accent. Normally, Ichigo would have rolled his eyes, but something about that sentence she'd just enunciated that rang a bell. He scanned the page once more, glancing at the very same words he'd heard not long ago from Aizen.

"It was a fine day, spent with the Cornish people of Sancreed, and I'd been taken to the ancient village of Carn Euny. A magnificent place, it was! The remains of roundhouses and animal fences still stood proud against the green carpet, but what remained of the hutments was nothing but solid stone. There were caves, many caves, something the Cornish call 'fogou', all of them so delightfully mysterious. One solemn day, I chanced upon a fogou, hidden from the open sky beneath the ground, and as I hiked through the damp spaces and slippery rocks, to my utter astonishment, I found a…"

"Hmm? Orihime, what's wrong? What did he find?" Ichigo asked impatiently. She frowned aberrantly, and brought the book closer to her face.

"It isn't very clear. The writing's been smudged and the paper scratched. The words 'astounding discovery' and 'entire city' and seem to make the most sense. And look, Ichi-kun," she handed him the book. "There's something written in another language too."

Her husband narrowed his eyes at the poorly expressive paper. True enough, there were foreign words, Gaelic or Cornish most likely, scribbled on the yellowed sheet; a simple four lined scrawling in an unruly script. Ichigo continued reading what remained of the rest of the account.

"When asked, my friends didn't understand what I was talking about. I told them, insisting that I was not being disillusioned by my imagination, that I really did make the stunning discovery, but they refused to believe me, saying that they should be more aware of their own home than a stranger like me. Offended, I offered to take them there, yet the rains prevented our endeavor for many days. What was worse was the earthquake that assaulted our village, for though it was small and caused no major damage, the cave that was already so well-hidden was lost, buried under the mass of boulders that hindered my progress. In vain, I tried, but I never found that fogou again. I soon left with a heavy heart, and my friends were at the very least sympathetic. The secret discovered was still a secret, but I refuse to take it with me to my grave. So for whoever finds these last words of mine, know that there is an unsolved mystery out there, and know that beneath an unconquerable mount of rock lies a hidden city, which was once glorious under the open skies. Do not let my efforts be in vain."

Ichigo stopped his narration and sat quietly, pondering over what they'd just read. Stealing a glimpse of his companion, the startled expression on her face was enough evidence that he wasn't the only one struck by the force of these words. The book went on to describe the excavations up north of England, but it was shut silently. It was only after a long while that the eerie silence was broken.

"Ichi-kun?" she asked meekly. "Do you think… could it be real?"

He inhaled deeply, unsure of his response. The book looked genuine enough, the author authentic, and the descriptions vivid. As far as Ichigo was aware, his knowledge of pre-historic English archaeology assured him of the fact that the ancient village of Carn Euny was undeniably real, in fact it was among the best preserved ancient villages in the south west of England, occupied from the Iron Age until late Roman times. If he remembered rightly, it was known for the dilapidated foundations of Neolithic stone houses, and an intriguing 'fogou' or an underground passage system. But none of those passages were discovered to have led to another village altogether, as far as he'd learnt. Could it be he was wrong?

"Ichi-kun? What's the matter?" Orihime asked worriedly. He shook his head and gave her a small smile. "I'll ask Urahara about this business, maybe it's already been unearthed since it's been over a hundred years. It is strange, isn't it?"

"Yes… but, what if it's still hidden?"

Ichigo scowled in contemplation. Surely Aizen would know about this, he seemed to be quite passionate about the subject. But if he did, why did he keep it so ambiguous? A fellow archaeologist, there was nothing to fear. Since it was his finding, he'd get full credit… then why the secrecy? He didn't want to admit it, but Ichigo had a bad feeling about this.

"But this is an excellent addition for my exhibition!" Orihime cried, sitting up on her knees. Glancing up at the clock that showed half-past nine, Ichigo stood up straight and made for the phone. "Where are you going?" Orihime followed.

"I'm going to call Urahara, tomorrow will be too late."

The dial tone sounded loudly, and soon enough, a slow dawdling voice answered from the other end. Urahara Kisuke was the head of the Archaeology department, and one would hardly tell that under the lazy drawls and casual attitude was a shrewd and intellectual person. He was reliable at the most critical of times, but his mood swings were uncanny. Still, he was the best person to turn to for information, and that was exactly what Ichigo was after at the moment.

"Yes it's me, Ichigo. No I don't need your fan! Be serious, man! I want you to tell me all about a Mr. Arthur Redmund and the Carn Euny ancient village. I'll explain later. Yes, R-e-d-m-u-n-d, yes it's a 'd' for dango! Alright then, let me know as soon as possible. Arigato, goodbye." He raised his eyebrows in exasperation as he replaced the handset. Orihime was busying herself with the futons, gingerly laying out the blue sheets. Soon enough, as promised, Ichigo received an e-mail from his superior.

"Dear Ichigo-san,

Arthur Redmund, Irish explorer and adventurist. Known for his travels across the British Isles. As regards Carn Euny, nothing of great importance. Known to have spent a few days with folk of Sancreed, apparently was shown the ancient village. His visit was cut short due to an earthquake, which prevented further exploration of the Cornish area. Believed to have written one book, two copies of it, adorned with the title- 'The Detailed Works of Arthur Redmund'. One believed to have been kept for himself, the other given to an American friend. No existing record of two items. Died in England in 1875 of excessive loss of blood due to hiking accident. No record of having had family, though brother is known but not significant, spent much time abroad.

That's all I could gather. Hope it helps. My regards to your wife.

Yours,

Urahara Kisuke"

"Well that's interesting…" murmured Ichigo, tapping his finger on the table. Orihime knitted her eyebrows and pouted. "The poor man, he died of a hiking injury! He probably didn't have anyone to care for him, either…" her voice was shaking.

"What?" he turned his gaze to his flustered wife, and coughed in bewilderment. "That's not it, Hime. Well yes, it is a pity that he ended the way he did but, look at something else. He'd written only one book and made two copies of it, one of them probably on our table. I wonder how Aizen got hold of it in the first place…"

"You mean… it's an unregistered copy?"

"It has to be, because even Urahara didn't know of its existence. Where then is the other copy?"

"With the American friend?"

"No… the one we have is probably that one, since Aizen has been to America countless times and the name on the first page seems to be of American origin."

"Urahara-san's message could also mean that this hidden village was never found again, to date." Orihime mused.

"Yes… is that what Aizen is after? Will he be going to England soon, in pursuit of the discovery? I better ask him myself, just to be certain."

"Just… be careful Ichigo." She voiced quietly. Her husband turned to face her, his eyes softening. "What do you mean?"

"If I know you, you'll go off to the English countryside hunting down this secret too. You've always been suspicious of Sousuke-san, so you may end up doing something drastic." She played with her fingers nervously. He sighed and stopped her restless digits. "Don't worry, Hime. I promise nothing will go wrong. Now, let's get some sleep."

Soon, the two were lying in the dark, each one wondering about the events of the evening. It could end up another wild goose chase, but it seemed to be a lot more enthralling than a usual mystery. A hidden city under the rocks! It was too incredible to be considered serious, but to an archaeologist, even an old dusty piece of stone could mean something priceless. Ichigo thought over the various possibilities in apprehension, his musings interrupted by Orihime's noiseless whisper.

"Oh, Ichi-kun? I noted down those Irish words in my diary, I thought you might want them later." He grinned at her observation, and pulled up the sheets to her chin. "You think of everything. Don't you? Goodnight Hime. Sweet dreams."

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So... watcha think? ^_^ I do hope you like it, the story is still just vaguely outlined in my head so... yeah.

Review folks! There's nothing an author loves more than a really long review, well you know, other than dark chocolate! Even if it's just a 'Thankyou', I'll be happy!

Love you all, and take care sugarplums! (i missed that!)

God bless us, every single one!