Eyyy told you I'd have the next chapter done quickly!

Chapter 2

- Flowers -

It could have been centuries or seconds, passing through the invisible threshold of the living and the dead. It was true peace, the purest of comfort. But then, it was as if gravity suddenly worked again.

He could feel the ground upon his back, laying there in the warm sun. Something tickled his face… grass? It smelt like grass. Ichigo opened his eyes, squinting at the harsh light. A meadow… He was in a meadow of all places. What had happened? What was… oh.

The memories came slamming back to him like a brick to the face. Everything. His life. His family. His death. And he remembered it all? From what he understood, memories aside from ones name was rarely kept when they passed on. But then again… he was a substitute Shinigami. Maybe those with higher spiritual pressure could retain such things? And lord knows Ichigo had enough of that to remember his life several times over.

The orange haired teen sat up slowly, head still spinning from that rush, and glanced down at himself. He was in his Shinigami uniform. But his blade was nowhere to be seen. He frowned. Nothing about this was normal. He was never really normal to begin with but this was getting ridiculous.

When he was sure he was strong enough, Ichigo stood up slowly looking around in confusion. This was just some field… Many flowers growing here and there, even some trees. Ah, a house in the distance! A stone and straw thatched house. His eyes squinted beyond, seeing more trees, making up a forest. Beyond that… mountains and a…

"Holy shit."

Even from this distance what could only be miles away, a massive castle stood roost atop the highest mountain. Its silhouette was clearly western make with tall towers and spires. Ichigo shivered. There was something about it that made him feel very small. His eyes looked back to the house and nearly jumped as he saw a figure standing in front of it staring straight at him.

He hesitated but cautiously waded through the grass, wishing he had his zanpaktou on his person more than ever. He neared closure and he got a better view of this stranger, arm beckoning him to come closer. An old wooden fence divided meadow and the path to the house. So the stranger met him halfway, approaching the barrier between them with a kind smile looking up at him. An old woman in a faded dress and shawl gave him a toothy smile.

"Hello dear. You have grass in your hair."

Ichigo blinked and put a hand to his head to feel out the grass. The stranger giggled and reached out, grabbing him by the front of his clothes and yanked him down to her eye level. Ichigo squawked but otherwise held still as the old woman's hands rough with age gently brushed out bits of grass in his hair.

"L-Lady-"

"Hush now, I've just about finished…There we are dear. Good as new~ Now then, have you just awakened? Or were you just taking a nap in my flower field hm?" she gave his cheeks a few pats and released her hold on him. Ichigo stood properly and eyed the woman oddly. "This is the first time I've ever been here…"

The old lady smiled sadly and gestured him to follow her along the fence, reaching a gate which she opened to let Ichigo pass instead of climb over. "So young… Well I'm sorry to have to explain everything to you, but it isn't the first time I've found people in my fields either so I suppose I should be used to it by now…Well first off dear. Do you remember your name? You can call me Baba."

"Ichigo… Kurosaki Ichigo…I'm dead aren't I?"

Baba looked mildly surprised at his question. "Indeed you are young man. You remember your death then? Only the spiritually strong in life can do such things."

"I can remember everything, not just my death- Oi!"

Ichigo was suddenly taken by the hand by the old woman who was surprisingly strong despite her appearance. She tugged him along into her home without much of a word. The old stone house was well lit with every window open bringing in sunshine and the scent of flowers. It was a simple setup, a large table taking up the most space with many chairs of different shapes and styles. The table itself was already set with tea and a disarray of different cups. It oddly reminded Ichigo of that book Through the Looking Glass.

Baba had him sit down at the table and served him tea, practically shoving the cup in his hands. She looked so…worn down suddenly, watching him with such a sad expression. He gestured for him to drink while she began to finally speak. "Things like this shouldn't happen, remembering who you use to be. It can be…maddening, remembering your previous life, let alone your death. You only hear stories about that sort of thing. We forget most of ourselves in the cross over to the afterlife so we can start anew. And in all my years of finding new souls in my fields, I've yet to know one that has recalled everything from his life. Just how spiritually strong does one need to be for such a thing? And it seems like your sanity is intact… Just who were you Kurosaki Ichigo?"

Ichigo savored the bittersweet tea, mulling over his thoughts, wondering exactly what to say. He still wasn't even sure where he was. Baba watched him carefully, reaching out a wrinkled hand to pat his arm gently. "I'm sorry. You've only just arrived here and I'm interrogating you. Please, take as much time as you need to come to terms with everything." She left the table to fuss about the room picking up a few odds and ends, cleaning up the area a bit. Ichigo absently noted there was a lot more signs of life living in this house aside from just this little old woman. But he focused back at the matter at hand, staring into his teacup.

He was dead now. There was nothing else to be done about that. It was violent and sudden. But thankfully as far as he could recall, it happened so quick that there was no memory of pain or agony. Just the fear, the longing of wanting to see his family again. Gods, would he even be allowed to? His zanpaktou was still nowhere in sight, was he still even a Shinigami? And how long had it taken for his soul to materialize here?

Ichigo's heart stopped at the realization that his sisters and father would have been waiting at the airport for a plane that was never coming. How would they find out? When would anyone notice a whole plane of people not arriving? His sisters were going to be destroyed by this. Ever since their mother died, he had done his damnedest to always be there for them. And now he was the farthest he could ever be and there was little he could do about it.

Something fell into his teacup, he noticed through the haze of his vision. Tears. Why? Why was he now breaking down of all times?

Frail gentle hands cupped his face, raising his head too look at kind green eyes. "Don't hold it in dear. You can't keep all that suffering inside you. It's ok." Her soothing wise words followed up with her bringing Ichigo into her arms. She smelt like the lavender growing in the fields. Soothing. Accepting. His vision blurred more and Ichigo's arms found himself hugging her back, burrowing his face into her shoulder.

He cried. Hard. He couldn't remember crying this much since his mother. But it seemed like now that it started, he couldn't let up. Everything was coming out, the stress of the battles he's fought, the worry and need to protect his friends and family, the gut wrenching despair of knowing he was well and truly dead, leaving so many people he loved behind.

He wasn't sure how long he was there crying, but eventually the tears stopped coming. Baba had been quiet the entire time, rubbing his back soothingly and just letting him know she was there. As he seemed to have calmed down, she pulled away and took a handkerchief from her pocket, offering it to Ichigo with a smile and a pat on the cheek.

"Let me get you another cup of tea yes? It'll help, I promise."

Ichigo watched her prepare a fresh pot of tea and looked down at his hands. "I think I remember so much because I was associated with the spirit world while I was alive." Baba paused while opening a jar of tea leaves and frowned in confusion. "You were a part of this world already? How?"

"I was a substitute Shinigami. I was given the abilities of one."

Now Baba looked even more confused. "Given powers? Wait… Is a Shinigami… like a Soul Knight? They protect souls and spirit world." Ichigo cocked his head at the off title and nodded hesitantly. "I think so? Protecting those in Soul Society, made of thirteen divisions and captains?"

"Huh… which Soul Region gave you your abilities? Maybe you can find your people again?"

Ichigo was now more confused than Baba was. What was a Soul Region? "W-Wait… Do you know what Soul Society is?" Baba huffed at the question and set down their refilled tea cups, giving Ichigo an amused look.

"Well I'd assume it's the name of the Soul Region you came from yes? There are so many, it's normal for not everyone to known them all. Especially if you're just a citizen. I know the larger Regions of course, but I'm guessing Soul Society must be one of the lesser known ones, yes?"

Ichigo shook his head in disbelief. "H-Hold up. First off. Soul Society is massive! Extremely big! And I thought that was where ALL wandering souls go!" Baba eyed the boy in front of her with a growing realization as to what Ichigo was trying to explain.

"Oh dear… You had no idea did you? You thought your Soul Region was the only one? Oh my dear boy, that would be impossible! Even if we stay in the same Region for our spiritual lives, everyone knows this. And they're all connected. If given the means, one can travel and see them all. So maybe we can get you back to your people hm?"

The orange haired Shinigami took a deep breath, trying to comprehend this new fact of life. There were other 'Soul Societies' and one could travel between them? Why had he never heard about any of this from his Shinigami friends or any of the captains? Why had he not once seen a 'visitor' from another Region? Did none of them know? It sounded like all these other 'societies' knew about themselves though. And the most important question. WHY did he end up in this one when he died?!

"Wh…You said you don't know a lot about the Regions Baba. Do you know someone who would?" Baba smiled and sipped her tea, giving a nod as she set her cup down. "Any Soul Knight would know the answers you seek! Sounds like you'll need to wait for one to come around this area, or just make the journey to Camelot yourself!"

Ichigo stared at the chipper old woman for a few silent seconds before reacting. "P..Pardon… C-Camelot?!"

Baba laughed at the boy's reaction and gestured out the window to the ominous massive structure on the mountains. "The castle, Ichigo dear. The one I saw you gaping at when I left my house~ That is Camelot. The center of our Reigion, Avalon. I've never been to its walls, but I've heard through travelers it's a magnificent sight to behold. There you will find the divisions, their Knight Captains and of course the Knight Captain Commander. Ah, their school is there as well. Most who have high spiritual power eventually go there in attempts to become a Soul Knight themselves. It would definitely be the place to begin your search home my dear. What do you think?"

Think? What did Ichigo think?! He thought he was going insane! New Regions, Avalon, Camelot! Fucking Camelot! Was he dead or was he in some sort of coma fantasy dream?! He needed answers…and more tea. Baba sure knew how to make a cup.

"I think? I think I can't catch a damned break."

Do I still got ya? Curious about what comes next? Where the hell is Avalon? Where the heckie is Ichigo's zanpaktou? And how are people dealing with his disappearance? Stay tuned~

Ah! The song the pushed me to finish this chapter was 'Sick Boy' by the Chainsmokers. Dunno why, its was just addicting and kept it on repeat haha

Kudos and Comments give this fic the lifeblood it needs to continue. I greatly welcome them both 3