A few words from the author: I would like to say a big thank you to all who took time to read my story, and a bigger thanks to all who reviewed.

Author's notes: This is a flashback sequence describing Ichigo's first experiences in Vietnam, it also introduces some new characters.

Notes on the Text: Once again, no disrespect of any kind is intended toward those who served in Vietnam, I humbly apologize for any offence taken by any reader who served or knows someone who served in Vietnam. Though the author has researched the events described at length some Bleach-centered historical inaccuracies will exist.

Legal mumbo jumbo: Bleach and its characters are property of Tite Kubo.

Enjoy

November 20, 1967, 1600 local time; one mile southwest of a U.S. military outpost near Buon Ma Thout, Vietnam

A CH-47A "Chinook" transport helicopter had picked up its cargo from the airfield in Saigon and was heading towards its destination, its twin rotors spinning furiously. The inside of the helicopter was packed with all sorts of crates and supplies, with some of the supply boxes serving as crude benches for the eight passengers. Inside the tubular frame of the chopper the dull glow of the lights cast several shadows on everything and the late afternoon sun could be seen through the round windows. Ichigo and the six other passengers were coming in fresh out of basic training to reinforce an outpost near Buon Ma Thout, code named "Rukongai".

"Ichigo... ICHIGO!! WAKE UP!!"

Ichigo woke up from his dosing to see the face of Ishida, who was sitting next to him in the helicopter.

"Get your stuff together, we're two minutes away from our LZ (landing zone)"

Ichigo shook off the daze he was in and started to gather his belongings.

Ichigo, Ishida, and the other passengers had come out of the same boot camp and had become very familiar with each other during that time. Next to them sat Chad, who was contemplating the gold coin on his necklace, his standard issue combat uniform was slightly too large, even though Chad was considered large by most people. Next to him was a man named Renji Abarai; his hair (or what was left of it after the "buzz cuts" received by everyone who went through basic training) was a dark red, almost crimson. He was sitting there reading a book and looking very bored.

The other three passengers were seated in a circle on various supply crates playing poker.

"I'll bet two cigarettes and one stick of gum." said a bald headed soldier. His dog tags read Ikkaku Madarame, but everyone called him "cue-ball", which annoyed him during boot camp. He was also the best hand-to-hand fighter during basic.

"I'll see your bet and raise you another two cigarettes." said another who wore a green bandana over his brown "buzz cut", Ganju Shiba was his name.

"I fold." said the man sitting next to Ganju. The man had blond hair and a very skinny build with a bony face. His uniform, like Chad's, was slightly too large. His dog tags read Kira Izuru.

"Me too." Ikkaku said, throwing down his cards.

Ganju started to pick up his winnings while the rest of the men gathered their respective belongings. Thirty seconds later the chopper had landed in Rukongai, its twin rotors kicking up a small cloud of dust on the flattened dirt area that served as a crude helipad. The back of the chopper opened up and a tall man wearing a tiger stripe camouflaged "boonie hat" which matched his tiger stripe uniform, and he wore some black "flip-flops".

"Welcome to Vietnam." he said.