Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

AN: Long Chapter, a lil Ichiruki play-fighting (we all know that's how they show affection and just gives them an excuse to have their hands all over one another), a lil reveal, and a lil Bleach-y randomness…

Enjoy!

Metal

Chapter 14: Death is Who I Am

The breeze continued, playful, tugging at hair and clothes, ruffling the fronds of grass and the petals of the blooming flowers. Yet no one moved.

Uryu wasn't sure how many minutes passed before he felt entirely too awkward to remain still. He shifted and cleared his throat gently- setting everything into action once more.

"You know then? You know you're…" Rukia's voice sounded steady enough, but Ichigo could pick out the slightly horrified quality to it.

He finally blinked- bringing an end to his own shocked stupor and looked to the healer, "Hanatarou- did you-"

Hanatarou shook his head in anxious denial, waving his hands in the air, "No, no- I didn't! It's not my place to inform anyone…" He looked from Ichigo to the woman in front of him, who was once more focusing on the strings she was re-weaving around her fingers. He sighed, watching her dark green-nailed fingers elegantly make patterns of the surgical thread. "She just knew. It was the first thing she said when she woke up." He explained quietly.

Her dark eyes open, gazing up at the ceiling her slightly husky voice had startled him, "So… this is death. It's very… sterile." She had wrinkled her nose slightly then and he realized she was smelling the (division-made) cleaning agents- the scent of sage always strong to those unaccustomed to it.

Silence claimed the space around them again.

It was nearly unfathomable for a soul to comprehend their death with such ease. A soul arrived in the Rukongai with little to no memory of any other life. One was nearly a blank slate at that point- though aware enough of the fact that they were slightly displaced and needed to find something- perhaps someone that might make sense. The word "afterlife" wasn't used in the common tongue of the districts beyond the Seiretei. To awaken in the Rukongai was simply to awaken to the only life there was. There was nothing before.

It wasn't unheard of that some might have fragments of their memories- bits and pieces of understanding about people or places from time they couldn't claim. But for the most part, no one was expected to have knowledge of the fact that they were now beyond the realm known as "mortal". It was different for everyone however; those with a higher level of spiritual pressure had more of an understanding of the "unfathomable" realities as they were.

And of course a soul reaper had to know the principles of life and death- had to be equipped with a basic understanding of what it meant to live in the afterlife. But still, to look at it objectively- was no easy task. To know and understand death was an undertaking in itself.

"So… Ms. Amarys, I take it you…understand where you are?" Uryu was the one to break the quiet first. He did not do well in atmospheres fraught with awkward waiting.

In all honesty he was rather surprised that Ichigo wasn't blurting out "why" "what" or "where" questions due to the intensity of the air. He smirked a little, but when he glanced at Kurosaki he could see the reason he was holding back and it had nothing to do with differing to delicacy for the time. The orange-haired teen's gaze was on his shinigami partner. Ishida understood instantly why his friend was refraining from bombarding the soul with questions.

With a sigh the woman started to shake the string from her fingers, tugging at it where it had become tangled around the flesh. Finally, free of the threads, she pushed a hand back through her hair and in this movement, Uryu's attention zeroed in on the white dressing wrapping her wrists. There was bandaging around her neck as well, from the base to below her chin. The slashes in her pristine white tank top- bleached of its grotesque stains- much like his uniform- showed glimpses of the further binding around her torso and chest.

He felt a wave of anger and revulsion hit him as he remembered the state they had found her in only hours earlier.

Still, Unohana and her team had done a fine job. The shallow cuts that had been up and down her arms were nonexistent. And despite the fact that she had been mortally wounded and in surgery not so long ago, she moved with no hesitation. She did not wince as she rose languidly to her feet.

When she swung around to face him, wavy dark hair crashing against her cheek as she fixed very dark eyes on him, Uryu blinked, realizing he had been staring.

He flushed, but instantly made to gloss over his embarrassment, "Forgive me. We have not been introduced. Ishida Uryu. I-,"

Before he could finish she frowned at him, "You're not dead."

He gaped at her. But before he could think of a sufficient reply- rather staggered by her accuracy, she turned her head to look over at Ichigo.

She pointed to the orange haired boy almost accusingly, "Neither are you."

Silence did not reign for quite so long this time.

"How do you know that, Amarys?" Rukia asked quietly. She had been watching the young woman this whole time with an expression Uryu could not quite place.

A smile twitched on Amarys' face and she cocked her head to peer at Rukia, "I suppose my secret is safe enough given the present company and the fact that my life has already ended…" She took a dramatic pause her smile widening before responding cryptically, "Death has been on my lips since the day I was born. A taste in my mouth. Knowledge of it has danced along my tongue at every moment."

"'Death Is Who I Am'." Rukia murmured the song title as she met the girl's gaze yet again.

"You really are a fan." The singer acknowledged in a warm tone, a full smile gracing her face.

A blush highlighted Rukia's alabaster cheeks, and she bit her bottom lip, nodding.

It's uncertain who she stunned more with this shy expression.

Ichigo quite possibly looked floored. Uryu blinked several times. And Hanatarou could not help but blush himself, his own lip in the grip of his teeth as he thought: She really is a princess! Such a lovely look.

A dreamy sort of sigh escaped the Fourth Division shinigami and Ichigo closed his gaping mouth- his face relaxing into a scowl. He rolled his eyes and folded his arms over his chest.

What's the big deal? She gets like this about two things that I'm aware of-her brother and Chappy- both stupid things if you ask me. She's just star-struck. For a moment he wondered why it bothered him and then quickly convinced himself that it didn't with a brisk shake of his head.

"Lyrics from a song?" Uryu had recovered with his usual ease.

Amarys eyelids grew heavy over her eyes as she gazed at the young man in white with chagrin, "Not everyone in the industry is fake. I write what's real- what I know."

Ichigo frowned with a brief scratch at his chin, "Ugh… What exactly are you saying?"

The girl's eyes narrowed further for a moment and then she lifted a brow at the shinigami-daiko, "Do I know you?"

Before Ichigo could scowl and gruffly reply Rukia was next to him- her elbow in his stomach, "Stop being rude, fool! Introduce yourself."

He groaned, but managed to growl at her, "Shit Rukia! Talk about rude- you abusive chibi!" Wrong thing to say. Rukia's fist connected with the boy's jaw in a swift uppercut (easier for her to do than usual as he was still doubled over in pain).

"Ichigo! How dare you insult me in front of our guest!" She had turned fully to him, heated navy gaze trained on him even as he stumbled back, his hands flashing to his now aching jaw.

"Bitch!"

Uryu sighed, slumping slightly in defeat as his two classmates began a fierce debate that was not likely to end anytime soon. His spine straightened in an instant however when he realized the young woman had stepped up to his side to watch the argument with clear interest.

He looked down at her, she wasn't much bigger than Rukia, but like the diminutive shinigami had a rather impressive presence despite her size.

"Amarys." She spoke quietly, "I know you already said my name. But I didn't want to be called rude for not offering my name to someone I don't know."

Uryu couldn't help but smile a bit. He adjusted his glasses, "Don't worry. Kuchiki-san only ever hits Kurosaki for that. Occasionally her other friend, Renji. But I assure you, you're exempt from her wrath."

Before she could reply, a shadow fell over them both and a voice behind them inquired, "What about me, now?"

They turned simultaneously to see the red-headed shinigami looming over them with a krewked smile.

"Abarai-san." Uryu blinked.

"Yo!" Renji saluted the Quincy with two fingers.

"So everyone around here is pretty rude, huh?" The singer said dryly as she turned back around to watch the continuing exchange of un-pleasantries between Ichigo and Rukia.

"Oi!" Renji protested with a frown.

"Oh! I see I'm right on time for another spat between the two love birds!" Rangiku's chipper voice floated in on the breeze.

When the words reached their ears, the couple turned to see the gathering of their friends watching them with both amusement and boredom and instantly drew away from one another.

"Stop inferring something is going on!" Ichigo snapped, scowling at Rangiku a moment before he crossed his arms over his chest and looked away from the group stubbornly.

Rangiku blinked in innocence, "What do you mean, 'inferring'? The sexual tension is so obvious-,"

"S-s-sexual ten-tension?!" Ichigo screeched.

"Rangiku-san!" Rukia protested.

They were both incredibly crimson.

Rukia of course managed to gain control of her emotions with more ease than Ichigo and remarked haughtily, "Rangiku-san, please don't jump to such silly conclusions. That would imply some sort of attraction to this-," She gave the boy a sidelong glance, "Strawberry."

Railing and sputtering protests that no one could quite understand, Ichigo abruptly swung around to her and barked, "You're not helping with the pet names!"

Rukia's blush was furious once again and she shouted, "Id-Idiot! It is not a pet name!"

Realizing his pathetic attempt at reprimanding her had rather made the situation worse; Ichigo again turned his back on her. He forced a smug expression and glanced back at her out of the corner of his eye as he folded his arms over his chest, "Huh. Could've fooled me. You use it often enough. Wanna confess to somethin', huh Rukia?"

It was really rather predictable when Kuchiki launched herself at the boy knocking him to the ground as she cried, "Not in your life, moron!"

The scuffle becoming background noise, Uryu pasted a smile on his face, trying to hide the fact that he was embarrassed to be associated with the two.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Amarys. What were you saying before?" He turned to her.

He tried to ignore the fact that Rangiku and Renji were now standing together sharing some snacks as they observed the fight, calling each move before it was made. He resisted the urge to smack his palm to his forehead.

The young woman didn't take her eyes from the now physical debate either and when she spoke there was no emotion in her voice, "That's right… Well, as much as I hate the title- in life I was what some called a Death Diviner."

Once more she had managed to blanket the atmosphere with silence and stillness.

There was a stone bench at the base of the cypress and as Amarys took a seat the shinigami and Quincy gathered around her. Rangiku, never one to hesitate in even the most awkward of situations, took a seat on the other end of the bench.

Hanatarou sat seiza next to Renji who had dropped into a cross legged seat on the ground in front of the bench. Ichigo, Uryu, and Rukia remained standing, completing this circle around the soul.

"Death Diviner… I've heard it mentioned briefly..." Uryu prompted as he pushed his glasses up with a gloved hand.

With a sigh, Amarys replied, "From what I understand, in every generation of my family there is always one. But for the most part- the power is few and far between. But it is known among the Roma Ruskas as a venerated and feared title."

"A Romani." Uryu said, then glanced at his fellows and explained, "A Russian gypsy."

The girl nodded, looking at him a moment before looking away, leaning back on her hands as she closed her eyes, "I was told at the orphanage that my grandmother was a diviner and her mother before her. It skipped my mother- probably because she was to die so young- a needle in her arm." She spoke in a tone that did not suggest so much bitterness as resignation with the knowledge.

A collective shiver took hold of the three that understood this reference to the mortal reality of drug overdoses.

Renji, his arms folded over his broad chest, said, "I've never heard of- a diviner or whatever. What exactly is-this power?"

Amarys smiled a bit, this time a slight edge to the expression. She gestured with one hand to Uryu.

He blinked, but gave a nod in understanding, "I believe the title is rather self-explanatory-,"

The red-head grunted at this, shooting a glare Uryu's way which the Quincy ignored.

"A person able to divine a person's fate- one that has knowledge of others impending death." He cupped his chin with his hand as he mused further, "I imagine you are also rather sensitive to beings associated with death as well. Which is why you were able to tell that Kurosaki and I are- well- not among the-ehem- ranks." He glanced up at the woman and found her eyes trained on him. She smiled. He blushed and dropped his gaze to the ground.

"So- when we met, Amarys… You knew?" Rukia queried.

The singer gave a briefly apologetic look, "Forgive me if it seems like a deception. I did. But the longer I linger around those that death embraces- the more it awakens things in me I had tried to keep at bay my entire life. I liked you- so I wanted to ignore it." Rukia frowned but when Amarys smiled she tried to return it.

But the expression was unconvincing and Ichigo sighed silently.

This is a lot more complicated than anyone thought… I don't think even the captains are gonna be thrilled with this little revelation.

"Let me get this straight. You know when others are going to die?" Ichigo's brows twitched. He was not sure how he felt about someone human having such a "gift".

The woman nodded slowly and closed her eyes again, letting the sunshine filtering between the leaves hit her more directly- tilting her head back.

Rangiku leaned forward on her elbow, her chin in her hand as she mused, "Does that mean you knew…"

In response Amarys chuckled, "No. I've known I would die young- but did I know how or when? No… I certainly did not expect it to be this soon!"

Rukia flinched at this, but took a breath, "Well… There are… circumstances that- well, its best if you are made aware of."

"That's right," Renji rose to his feet. For a moment he looked almost reluctant, but the expression slid away to be replaced by assertiveness, "The Captain-Commander will want to know that she's awake."

"Hold on, Renji!" Rukia stiffened turning toward him. But Amarys was already rising to her feet, with unconcerned ease.

"It's alright," The singer shrugged, "I was getting bored."

Rukia did not reply. Questions were popping into her mind right and left. She wanted a chance to speak to Amarys alone- to try to ease her own uncertainties as well as give the woman a chance to voice hers. As easily as she smiled and spoke, Rukia knew the singer could not be so indifferent to all that was going on.

But it would all have to wait. Reporting to the Captain-Commander at this point was any of the present shinigamis' duty.

Renji gave Rukia a long look before speaking, "I'll go report to the First. You should have awhile before a captain's meeting can be called. Take her back to recovery for the time being."

Unfurling gracefully, Rangiku also rose, "I'll be getting along too! I don't remember if I actually checked in with my captain, yet." She tapped a finger against her chin as she tried to remember whether she had glimpsed her captain's irritated frown at all that day.

"Ah, I suppose Iemura-san will be wondering where I've run off to as well." Hanatarou rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish smile.

For a moment the normality seemed to impress itself on Rukia as a smile twitched on her lips and she shook her head. But just as her expression was beginning to dim once again, Ichigo started across the lawn, clasping his hands casually behind his head.

"Yeah- let's get goin too. Oi- Hanatarou- you guys have a cafeteria in here somewhere?" He called back, his autumn orange hair afire in the full sunlight as he moved beyond the shade of the tree.

Renji snorted and clasped Ichigo on the shoulder, falling into step next to him, "Hungry, Kurosaki? As I recall you didn't do too much fighting- so what's up with that?"

"Shut up!" Ichigo grumbled as he gave the Six Division Lieutenant a glare as they strode further, "I don't wanna hear that from a bottomless pit moocher like you."

Uryu's brow twitched as the arguing began. It was sad that he was the only mature male- excluding Hanatarou- who could be counted on to conduct themselves appropriately. He sighed, but drew himself up as he adjusted his glasses and excused himself, "Pardon me, but I think I'll try to keep the peace for the time being." He gave a nod- carefully avoiding the new soul's eyes and turned away.

Rangiku giggled and pushed her thick locks behind her shoulders as she too walked toward the gate that everyone had previously ignored, "See you later then." She waved over her shoulder and offered a smile, "I'm Rangiku by the way. Take care, huh?" With a wink the strawberry-blonde was on the other side of the railing and headed in the opposite direction of the two men who were currently swapping insults in increasingly loud voices and the determined Quincy trailing behind.

Hanatarou chuckled, but when he felt the remaining two's gaze he blushed and bowed to them both quickly, "Ugh, excuse me then. It was n-nice to meet you Ama-chan. Glad you returned safely, Kuchiki-san."

A genuine smile on her face Rukia nodded, "Ah, thanks Hanatarou."

One last glance at the two revealing the bright red flush of his face and Hanatarou scurried away.

The sun passed behind a cloud, the light dimmed and the mood seemed to darken as well.

"Seems like you're all very close… But this really isn't heaven, is it?" Amarys stared at nothing.

Brows drawn inward in reluctance, Rukia shook her head, "No… It's not…" The cloud drifted away lazily-the yellow warmth returning with strength, bringing a confident smile back to the shinigami's face.

"But there's a lot of good done here… A lot of good people." Rukia assured gently. Her smile softened as she heard a reprimanding shout from Ishida echo down the corridor. She gave a chuckle and then turned to the soul. "Why don't you come with me? Captain Unohana might be back and well…she's a little scary when displeased."

Amarys slowly faced the fuku-taichou. The warmth in the other woman's expression had the intended effect and she returned her smile.

The lieutenant's optimism did not wane as they began to walk, "I'm sorry that I wasn't present when you awoke… I wanted to greet you properly… But I'm glad Hanatarou was there… He's cute, isn't he?"

The girl laughed and agreed, "Ah- pretty damn adorable." Rukia chuckled, nodding emphatically.

Just for a moment she forgot that every second counted, that danger was bearing down on them all and the soul at her side could be used to destroy them. Briefly it was a relief to slip into an easy sort of companionship as though she had known this person all of her afterlife and had no doubts about the future.

But reality was down the hall. Reality was waiting beyond the First Division's doors. Reality was in the World of the Living where the enemy waited with a curled smile. And at that moment reality was stepping foot through a realm door and onto the sands of Hueco Mundo.

AN: Next chapter:

A shinigami gets recruited to the wrong side setting the god's plans into motion. The captains convene and the singer is forced to face the truth of her death. And everyone gets a little down time as they wait for the god's next move, which might lead to a little Ichiruki fluff. Fun!