Author's note: The idea for this story came out of the fact that I've never been able to understand how Rukia couldn't defeat that hollow. As the summary hints, there will be other differences from canon, but for now most of the changes in the storyline will be a result of that first incident. Anyway, thank you to the folks who've reviewed! Constructive criticism is most welcome and appreciated.

Chapter 2: Awakenings

Rukia opened her eyes. Aged wooden panels stretched out above her. She was back in Soul Society. Sitting up, Rukia glanced around her. She didn't recognize the room she was in at first, although she was definitely sure that she was in the Kuchiki mansion. The stately atmosphere and well polished furniture made it immediately identifiable. Then, Rukia remembered that when she had first been accepted into the Kuchiki family, Byakuya had shown her her room and told her that it would be there for her, should she ever have need of it. It had been a few decades since she had stayed there. Recently, Rukia had been staying in the barracks in 13th Division, hoping that if she lived among her fellow division members that they might eventually stop thinking of her as nobility.

"But why here?" she wondered aloud. If she'd been recuperating, which the bandages on her chest seemed to indicate, why bring her here instead of 4th Division, or even her own division?

Her ponderings were cut short by the door to her room sliding open, revealing the subject of her thoughts. Byakuya stood calmly in the doorway, taking note of his adopted sister's condition. "I see you are alert. I will have someone bring you food, as you are no doubt hungry."

Rukia's stomach chose that moment to embarrass her by growling in agreement. Blushing, Rukia replied, "Yes, nii-sama. May I ask…why was I brought here instead of 4th Division?"

"You were brought to 4th Division," Byakuya replied, frowning slightly, "Evidently you do not recall. Your wound was close to your heart and required Unohana-taicho's personal attention."

Rukia's eyes widened. She had been that close to death?

I must've passed out after I felt that guy's hand…the guy! How could I have let him die? And his family! What happened to them?

But she had to wait to voice any questions, as her brother was still talking and it would be tantamount to suicide to interrupt him.

"…and I am aware of your division's 3rd seats' tendency to be…disruptive. Therefore, I thought it best that you convalesce here, rather than in 13th Division," Byakuya finished.

"Arigato, nii-sama, for thinking of my well being," Rukia said, bowing her head. Byakuya merely nodded and turned to go. Rukia bit her lip, speaking up just as he was out the door, "May I ask…what became of the humans I was protecting? Some of them were…injured…"

Byakuya glanced back, blinking, "I was not made aware of the details of your encounter. Yet…I am certain you performed to the best of your abilities." And with that, he left.

Rukia stared after the normally stoic captain, surprised by his stiff attempt at encouragement. Replaying the events of that night in her head, she stared miserably at the pristine wall in front of her.

That's just it nii-sama: I could've done more…

XXXXXXXXXX

"Good morning, Kuchiki-san!" exclaimed Rukia's white haired captain, upon her return to 13th Division the next day. "How are you doing with the recovery?"

"Very well taicho," Rukia replied, smiling warmly. Although she was still overcome with guilt due to her inability to save the orange-haired boy's life, Rukia was happy to be back in her division once more. Ukitake-taicho was one of the closest things Rukia had ever had to a parental figure, and her brush with death had reminded her just how important family was.

The sickly man smiled back, "My my, you gave us quite the scare there for a bit. Please, have a seat. Tea?"

"Arigato," Rukia said, accepting the proffered beverage and sitting on the floor across from Ukitake. "Can…can I ask how I was rescued? I don't remember coming back to Soul Society."

"Ah," Ukitake breathed, sipping his tea, "I believe it was Kurumadani Zennosuke who found you."

"Eh? Who?" Rukia blinked in confusion.

"He is 11th Division's 15th seat," he elaborated. When Rukia continued to look puzzled, Ukitake sighed, "He has a rather large afro…"

"Oh!" Rukia said, finally comprehending, "Yes, I remember him now. But why was he sent?"

"When the hollow's large reiatsu was detected in your area, 12th Division contacted the nearest available shinigami, who happened to be Kurumadani-san. Unfortunately, they reached him while he was in the middle of his own battle and thus he was unable to aid in your defeating the hollow."

"I see. I was wondering, taicho, about what became of the family the hollow was attacking…" Rukia inquired, hesitantly.

"Er, yes…I have the report here somewhere…" Ukitake muttered, shifting through some papers beside him, "Ah! Here it is. Let's see…four family members…one deceased, that's the boy…one of the girls had a broken arm…and the father had a minor head injury, probably hit from behind. Oh and their memories have been altered, of course. I think they've been led to believe their family member was killed in a collision with one of those metal machines. What are they called? They're like horseless carriages…"

"Cars," Rukia supplied absently. She couldn't help but feel terrible. Because of her, those sisters had lost their brother. And they wouldn't even know the truth about his death. It was all her fault!

"Kuchiki!" Ukitake shouted, bringing Rukia out of her wallowing.

"Hai!" Rukia answered quickly, eyes whipping around to focus back on her superior.

"Are you alright?" the captain asked, concernedly, "You seem a bit out of it."

"I'm fine, taicho," Rukia said, smiling weakly, "Just eager to return to duty."

"Well, okay then…" Ukitake replied, not believing her for a second. Being well over 500 years old, the pale-faced captain had plenty of experience reading people, and Rukia was definitely preoccupied about this incident. However, Ukitake Jūshirō also knew when not to press someone and now was definitely one of those times. Rukia would open up when she wanted to. Despite not being born into the Kuchiki family, Rukia had definitely acquired her brother's habit of keeping everyone at arm's length when something was bothering her. Instead, Ukitake chose a different tact, "I suppose you're impatient for something engaging after all that bedrest?"

"Yes taicho, I am ready to return to my post in Karakura," Rukia responded.

"Hmm? Karakura?" Ukitake said airily, feigning indifference, "No, your new assignment is to patrol Rukongai's 41st district."

"What?!" Rukia nearly shouted, before remembering who she was talking to, "I apologize, Ukitake-taicho! I just…I did not expect to receive a new assignment so quickly. I had thought that I might return to Karakura…"

"No, I'm afraid not," Ukitake interrupted, "It's been decided that a seated officer should be stationed in the area you formerly occupied, given the strength of the hollow you faced and reports of increased hollow activity in the area. Also, after the injuries you sustained, you deserve a little break, don't you think?"

Rukia nodded uncertainly, still dissatisfied by this sudden change. How could she atone for her mistake doing mindless patrols in a middle of the way district?

Jūshirō knew it was a flimsy excuse. Rukia was more than strong enough to be a seated officer. He was well aware of her brother's insistence that Rukia be held back from promotion. He was unsure if it was due to Byakuya's belief that she was weak, or because of some misguided attempt to protect her. Either way, Rukia's advancement was being hampered. Ukitake had objected, of course, but the name Kuchiki held a lot of sway among the chambers of the 46. Even if he had gone to Yamamoto-soutaicho, he doubted it would have made much of a difference.

In the meantime, the white-locked captain hoped that giving Rukia this particular assignment might take some of the weight she seemed to be feeling off her shoulders. "Kuchiki-san…" Ukitake said slowly, "you are aware that there is no possible way to predict where new souls arrive in Rukongai, correct?"

Rukia started, surprised by the odd question.

Where is this coming from?

"Yes, taicho," she murmured, "many friends of mine looked for their families for years without finding them."

"Indeed," Ukitake agreed, finishing the last of his tea, "However, what most people do not know is that certain areas of Rukongai are more likely to receive the recently deceased. This is simple statistics, or so Kurotsuchi-taicho informs me."

Rukia's eyes widened, her brain going into overdrive, as she hoped her captain was implying what she thought he was. "Taicho, are you saying that-"

"Now don't interrupt Kuchiki-san," Ukitake admonished cheerfully, smiling at her impatience, "As I was saying, 12th Division has recently published their studies, indicating that the 41st district is where most newly deceased souls are likely to arrive in Soul Society."

Rukia didn't know what to say. If she could find the orange-haired boy, maybe, just maybe, she could atone for her failure. At the very least, she might be able to apologize or make the afterlife easier for him.

Anyone who could break my bakudō would definitely be a candidate for a shinigami.

"I take it you're no longer so eager to return to the living world, eh?" Ukitake said, smirking slightly.

"No, taicho. I don't know how to thank you," Rukia replied, bowing.

Ukitake smiled, "No need for that. Now hurry off. I've had Kiyone-san and Sentarō-san both draw you a map of the area you'll be guarding."

"Ano…do I need two maps, Ukitake-taicho?" Rukia asked.

Ukitake rolled his eyes, "No…I gave the task of making a map to Kiyone, but made the mistake of asking her in the same room as Sentarō…"

Rukia chuckled. She could just imagine the kind of scene those two would've made competing to see who could draw the best map.

"Don't tell Sentarō-san," Ukitake said in a stage whisper, "but I believe you'll have better luck with Kiyone-san's chart. Her handwriting's always been much easier to read."

XXXXXXXXXX

Just outside the door, Kotetsu Kiyone was making some rather rude faces and gestures at Kotsubaki Sentarō. Sentarō responded by mouthing the word "boogerface" at her and giving her a noogie.

XXXXXXXXXX

Back inside, Ukitake was seeing Rukia off. "Well, sayonara, Kuchiki. You'd better get out there. Rukongai doesn't patrol itself, you know!"

Rukia bowed again, turning to go. She didn't feel back to normal, per se, but this was a start in the right direction; she knew it.

Ukitake watched her go. He knew he had lifted Rukia's spirit somewhat, but something still needed saying. Following her to the door, he put a hand on her shoulder. "Rukia-san," Ukitake said kindly, "It was not your fault."

Rukia stopped. Everything she had been feeling and denied feeling the past few days came crashing in on her as she felt her captain's comforting hand on her shoulder. Trying to keep it together, the petite shinigami replied shakily, "A-arigato, Ukitake-taicho. But…the boy…he…he looked like…Kaien-dono…"

Ukitake didn't know what to say. To Rukia it must seem like she had failed her friend a second time. Knowing there was nothing he could say to make it right, he merely squeezed her shoulder tighter before letting his hand drop to his side. Shaking slightly, Rukia opened the door, barely noticing Kiyone and Sentarō as they rolled past her, grappling with one another in a silent, but vicious, wrestling match.

XXXXXXXXXX

Ichigo opened his eyes. Above him stretched a bright blue sky, flecked with many clouds.

Something's off…Why are those clouds sideways?

Beneath him, Ichigo felt a hard surface, almost like concrete. Sitting up, Ichigo's jaw dropped as he took in his situation: he was sitting on the side of an immense bluish skyscraper, amid a sea of other, similar buildings. He gaped openly at his impossible surroundings. "What…what is this place? Is this a dream?" Ichigo wondered aloud.

"This is no dream, Ichigo," a deep voice sounded behind him.

Ichigo spun around, his ridiculous environment momentarily forgotten. A man in a long, flowing, black coat stood before him, atop what appeared to be a flagpole.

"Oi, ossan! Who're you?" Ichigo asked bluntly.

"Who am I?" the man said, adjusting his visor as he stared down at Ichigo, "I'm Xxxxxxxx."

Ichigo stared at him blankly, "Uh…what was that? And where am I?"

"Hmm, it seems you cannot hear me yet. As for where you are…you're where you've always been," the stranger replied.

"What?!" Ichigo barked, "I've never been here before. Now, last thing I remember, a hollow was after my sisters 'cause of me, so I need some answers fast, or else I'm going to kick your ass!"

"No," the man countered, "Now is not the time. Rouse yourself!"

Ichigo suddenly felt as though the world was tilting. Falling backwards, he began plummeting towards the ground far below. Yelling in anger and horror at his predicament, Ichigo flailed wildly as the streets beneath him came rushing towards him.

XXXXXXXXXX

Ichigo opened his eyes. Above him was the blue sky of mid-morning, filled with fluffy, not-sideways clouds. Looking to his side, Ichigo recognized his surroundings as a park close to his house. Ichigo sighed, touching his hand to his chest in relief. However, his panic returned in full force as he felt an unexpected weight on his chest. Sitting up, he looked down at his torso in alarm. Protruding out of his school uniform was a chain: he was a ghost.

XXXXXXXXXX

Japanese Translations and Bleach Terminology:

Nii-sama- honored brother (nii meaning brother and -sama being an honorific of respect and station)

-taicho- captain/commander

Arigato- thank you

-san- a general honorific for someone, polite and not familiar

Hai- yes

Rukongai- wandering soul city (the poorer part of soul society)

-soutaicho- Commander General

-dono- a respectful honorific (moreso than -san, less than -sama)

Ossan- guy, dude