Author's Note: Yay~~ Third Chapter is here. For those that may not know, I'm going to release a chapter every week, probably during the weekend, when I have time.

Some people have asked about Orihime, Chad, Uryuu, etc. I will put them in the story soon. ^^

Disclaimer: Oh, Bleach. I don't own you. -.-


Chapter 3: Reunion

Rukia got up, hooked her Zanpakuto back to her white obi sash, and took a deep breath. After a couple of days of wallowing, she was ready to get back to her duties. Just as she was about to march out of her room, Kiyone suddenly charged in.

"Vice-Captain, the Captain just called for you to meet in his office," the 3rd-seat officer said.

"The Captain did?" Rukia curiously inquired.

She fast-walked her way to Captain Ukitake's office, thinking what he would need her for as soon as she got up from bed. She slid open the shoji door and sat down in front of her superior.

"Did you call for me, Captain?"

Ukitake quickly got to the point. "There's been an unusually high number of hollow sightings in Rukongai, and for some reason, almost all of them have been concentrated at Inuzuri."

"Eh, Inuzuri?"

The Captain nodded. "Right. That's why I want you to go to Inuzuri and investigate the situation. Since you grew up there, I thought you would know the area best."

Rukia realized this mission was a good way for her to keep her mind off of her troubles and get back to her daily routine. "Yes, sir. I'll depart immediately."


"Get back here, you thief!"

Here we go again, thought Ichigo.

He ran while clutching a large jar of water, escaping to where he and Yumi resided. The merchant was catching up, however, and was ready to hit Ichigo with a huge bat. He swung, but Ichigo quickly stepsided the blow.

It seemed that, even if he lost all of his memories of the human world, he maintained his quick reflexes, which Yumi predicted he had developed in the real world.

Flashback - A few days ago

"So what's your name? Where did you die?" Yumi asked.

After a slight pause he said, "Ichigo...Kurosaki Ichigo." Ichigo was worried. The name he just uttered seemed to be plucked from thin air. But it seemed right.

Why is that name so familiar? he thought.

And then he realized the meaning of her second question.

"D..ie?" he thought he had heard wrong. "I'm dead?"

Yumi nodded. "Yup. Everyone that dies in the human world comes to Soul Society, and this is Rukongai, where most of us live."

She dragged Ichigo outside and pointed to a large tower on top of a tall cliff. "That's Seireitei, where Shinigami reside."

This was a lot to digest for Ichigo, and he just stood silently. He attempted to answer and his mind went blank.

"I can't remember...where I died," he said uncertainly. "I can't recall anything at all..."

Yumi peered at his face inquisitively. "Nothing at all? Not even who your family was?"

Ichigo shook his head.

She pondered it for a while before shrugging. "Don't worry," she said as she put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "You'll start a new life here."

End Flashback

He was almost there when he heard a roar and saw everyone run away. Even the merchant who was chasing him didn't think a jug of water wasn't worth it to bargain his life.

Ichigo turned around and saw a huge beast above him. It had a white mask and was almost as tall as the trees. It was looking for prey and locked his eyes on a person with bright orange hair.

Ichigo lamented his upcoming death. Again.


Rukia also heard the roar. She followed the direction of the reiatsu and took out her Zanpakuto.

"Mae, Sode no Shirayuki! Some no Mai, Tsukishiro!"

A pillar of light surrounded the hollow and the white light solidified into a cylinder of ice.

Ichigo watched amazed as the ice shattered, taking the monster with it. He then saw a female clad in black robes, and realized she was a shinigami.

He made her way to the black-haired girl to say a word of thanks.

Rukia turned to survey the scene and was relieved when she saw no one injured or dead. Her eyes met with an orange-haired male who was walking towards her. It was only after a few seconds before she realized who she was facing.

Ichigo bowed in front of her. "Thank you, Shinigami-san."

Rukia put her hands on his shoulders with wide eyes. "I-Ichigo."

She couldn't believe her eyes. She found him, just like he said they would


Mae, Sode no Shirayuki - Dance, Sleeve of White Snow

Some no Mai, Tsukishiro - First Dance, White Moon

Oooohh, the suspense. XD

While you wait for the next chapter, give this one a review. ^^