A/N: Bah, I can't get passed my new found Bleach addiction. So, here's what I hope will become a collection of one shots, whether they be sweet and sensitive, or goofy fun. Cuz, if I tried to write a full story, I'd never get it done. Just ask my fiancee. He knows.

I want you to know who I really am

I never thought I'd feel this way towards you

And if you ever need someone to come along, I will follow you,

and keep you strong

Rie Fu, Life is Like a Boat

Life is Like a Boat

---EDS--

-Into the Fire-

The bowels of Hell quite literally opened up in the middle of the street. Only those sensitive to such things knew. Others simply bipassed it, barely understanding why they moved from their path to avoid that place.

Ichigo knelt at the precipice of the hole in the ground. The screams of Hollows called him here--as they did Orihime, Ishida, and Chad. And, of course, Rukia. She stood next to Ichigo as he peered in the pit of the collapsed street.

The feel of it was unbelieveable. Her skin crawled as the crushing force of so many dark spirits seeped from this fallen place. Rukia wrapped her thin arms around her small frame and waited for something--ANYTHING--to happen.

Ichigo stood next to her, half-looking at her out the corner of his eye. As always, his brow knit together in a scowl or as if in deep concentration.

"Pretty big hole." he said, calmly

Her mouth fell open. Was that all he could say? He had to feel the horrific powers coming out of the hole!

"I hadn't noticed." she smirked

He shrugged, then turned to face the others who waited patiently and fearfully.

"It can't be helped. Let's go." he turned back to the hole then took a step closer

Rukia's arm slammed into the center of his chest, shoving him back an inch or two. Ichigo stumbled, but quickly reclaimed his ground. When he stood straight once again, he stared at Rukia, who currently glared daggers at the young man.

"Are you crazy! Reckless! We don't know what's in there! We can't just jump."

His eyes narrowed at her.

"Yes, we can." he said, sounding full of himself, as usual. "What do you guys think?" he looked back to the others.

Ishida nodded, taking a step forward. His dark hair blowed in the heated wind. Red shine danced in his glasses, thanks to the fire...or perhaps it was the red gui he made just for the occasion. It suited him, making his skin look as pale as a ghost. Considering where they were headed, it seemed right.

"I, for one, can handle it. I don't know about you, Soul Reaper." he said to Ichigo, brushing by him, then leaping into the pit.

Rukia knelt down just as Ishida disappeared into the abyss.

"Ishida!" she yelled out

Orihime came next. She smiled nervously to Ichigo, then touched one of her little blue star clips in her long hair.

"As long as we're all together," she said with her softly sweet voice, "We can do anything, right?"

She moved to the edge of the hole. The skirt to her uniform was blowing wildly against her trembling legs, thanks to the stormy wind coming from the pit. For a brief moment, she looked down to Rukia. To keep her friend from worrying, Orihime gave her a gentle smile.

"See you down below." she said, then jumped in

Chad came last. The lumberingly tall man moved to Ichigo, towering over him. For a long moment, the pair looked at each other, warrior to warrior...man to man. After that passed, Chad simply raised a hand, giving Ichigo a thumbs up. Ichigo gave his friend a grin. Chad followed the others into the hole.

Now, only Ichigo and Rukia remained. Rukia stood up as Ichigo watched closely.

"Idiot!" she yelled at him

"Don't worry about it." he said to her, still sounding cocky

He grabbed her hand, squeezing it tightly. She held her breath for a moment as their hands touched. Something passed between them..a glint of light in each other's eyes. Something undescribeable and unsaid. She couldn't find words thanks to the shock the touch gave her.

"After all, I'm going in there...and I'm bad-ass." Ichigo added, effectively ruining the moment.

His hand pulled her closer so that he could wrap his arm around her waist. Her face frowned while her mouth opened, completely ready to yell, but she didn't have time. Before either of them could think, Ichigo lept into the pit, holding her tightly at his side. Always by his side.

A/N2: Well, the fiancee yelled at me about how I ended this. I just want any readers to keep in mind that this piece is just setting up the feel of my writing style and how my one shots will go. Geez...men...that's all I'm going to say about that.