Hearts of Glass, Steel, Fire and Ice

Ichigo shivered slightly and pulled his cloak more tightly around himself. In the daytime, the winter weather could be chilly, but at night sometimes it was downright unbearable. And yet, as a part of the Night Watch, Ichigo had to bear the cold.

At fourteen years old, he had finally achieved his dream of joining and training in the Night Watch. While he didn't have near as much free time as he used to, Ichigo found that he actually preferred having such a rigorous training routine. Sometimes, when he was really focused on learning a new technique, memories of his mother and her death ceased to plague and guilt him. However, at times like these, when all he had to occupy his time was vigilant watching over the area where he could see both the Arrancar Forest and the Shinigami River, his gaze would constantly shift to the exact spot where his mother's body had lay sprawled on the ground before townspeople had come to carry her into Karakura.

Masaki's death had been mourned by nearly all in the town as she had been well known for her kind and generous nature. On holidays, Masaki had never failed to send a basket of freshly made treats to the men of the Night Watch who were not able to join in the festivities. She had been hospitable to all who had entered her home and only said kind words to others.

It had taken all of Ichigo's strength just to make it through that day and even the week without completely breaking down. Crying was unseemly for a young man who claimed he wanted to become a part of the Night Watch and he refused to be branded as a weakling by anyone.

As for the others, Karin, Yuzu and Orihime had cried along with everyone else, but Ichigo had been surprised to see his father so solemn and stoic. The loss of his wife had sobered him up so much that Ichigo once or twice almost wished that Isshin would do something stupid like he used to. Then Ichigo wouldn't have to feel like he had stolen the life away from both his parents.

After Masaki's burial, Isshin had pulled Ichigo to the side and told him that he wasn't to go blaming himself for Masaki's death. What had happened to her had been a tragic accident or incident and that Masaki would say the same thing if she were there.

'Only she isn't here,' Ichigo thought to himself, 'And it is my fault for not protecting her. She had to jump in front of that panther to keep me from getting hurt because I was too scared to do anything.'

And so despite the best efforts of everyone from Isshin to Karin to Yuzu to Kisuke, Ichigo could not find a way to forgive himself. He couldn't move on. Every day the burden and grief those memories placed upon his heart grew heavier and heavier. However, he had become very adept at shouldering that burden and carrying it around without anyone else knowing of its existence. He could act and pretend that he was getting better and that he could handle. With everyone else believing that he was fine, Ichigo felt as if he was getting rid of even a small amount of his shame.

However, what Ichigo didn't know was that Orihime was not at all fooled by his act. She could see that Ichigo was still haunted by his mother's death and that he obviously blamed himself. Her heart ached to see him in such a state, but as much as she wanted to help him, she wasn't sure how she could. She had made a promise as well as Ichigo that day and so far she had failed to keep that promise. If she didn't confront him soon, Orihime felt sure that something was going to happen.

That night, something did happen.

At first, Ichigo thought he was hearing things and so ignored the sounds and simply pulled his cloak more securely about his chest and shoulders. However, as the minutes passed, Ichigo's ears began to pick up very distinct sounds and they sounded more and more like words so he began listening more intently in spite of himself. There was a voice singing within the sound of the winter wind blowing and Ichigo couldn't help but listen more carefully to the haunting music.

The rain-dampened cheek
The traveler with the gentle gaze
The nostalgic music that resonates softly
I wander among memories I can't remember.

While the voice wasn't depressed or tragic sounding, Ichigo noticed a certain air of melancholy and longing in there. It sounded as if the voice were actually the sound of his own soul and emotions being given life. The sorrow and guilt he felt over the death of his mother was being put to song.

My dream flies away on tiny wings
To the place where our feelings won't disappear;

As the voice kept singing, Ichigo noticed that it was becoming clearer. Looking around, he saw what looked to be a figure inside a swirl of snow. The whirlwind of snow drew closer to where Ichigo stood guard on the wall and as it came, Ichigo could now see that the figure being borne along by the winter wind was a young woman.

Just the two of us
Going beyond the distant ocean and sky.

When the young woman was close enough that Ichigo could make out her face, he saw that she was beautiful. Her skin was as pale as the snow dancing around her while her jet black hair stood out in stark contrast. She was clad in a white fur cloak that covered her completely, but Ichigo could just make out the color of her dress. It was midnight blue with silver stars seeming to shimmer in and out of focus all over the skirt.

However, it was her eyes which really arrested Ichigo's attention. A deep sapphire blue with just a hint of violet and despite the fact that the moon was behind her back, the woman's eye shone with an inner light almost like moonlight. In her gaze, Ichigo saw those same emotions being displayed through the windows of her soul as her voice was communicating through song.

Your gentle gaze illuminates me
In the dark night
I want to see you.

For a few moments after the song ended, both Ichigo and the young woman simply looked into one another's eyes. Then Ichigo let out a breath he didn't even realize he had been holding. The young woman tilted her head to the side and studied Ichigo for a time. Then she gave Ichigo a small sad smile before turning and continuing on her way.

Before he could stop himself, Ichigo leaned forward and said, "Wait! Who are you? Are you all right?"

The young woman paused before slowly turning and looking at Ichigo with a new interest in her eyes before she asked, "You can understand me?"

Ichigo blinked and said slowly, "Yeah, of course I can."

The snow and wind that seemed to keep the young woman aloft picked up the pace slightly so that she was able to float back to the Karakura Wall. Drifting over the wall, the young woman was set down next to where Ichigo was standing. Despite the fact that she was more than a head shorter than him, Ichigo could help but be in awe of this young woman. Something about her eyes said to him that she was wise beyond the years that she appeared to be.

In her low voice, the young woman said, "This is the first time someone has actually understood my song. There are some who have seen me, mostly children, and can hear my voice, but you're the first to hear my song."

The only thing Ichigo could think to ask was, "Who are you?"

With a small smile, the woman said, "I am called Rukia. What is your name?"

"Ichigo. Ichigo Kurosaki. Member of the Night Watch."

Rukia's eyes searched Ichigo's for a time before she said almost to herself, "I wonder…"

Ichigo blinked at this last comment and asked automatically, "What?"

Rukia blinked, seemed to come to herself and then said, "Nothing really. You remind me of someone I used to know, I think."

It was Ichigo's turn to blink, only this time in complete confusion, as he asked, "What do you mean? Don't you know?"

Shaking her head, Rukia said, "The memories aren't very clear. Every other thought that runs through my mind is about this person. They were very important to me, I know that much, but I can't remember why or who they were or even what happened to them. You and that person have the same eyes though, I know that much. And very similar hair."

Rubbing his own bright hair ruefully, Ichigo scowled as he said, "I can't help what kind of hair I was born with. My mother-" he stopped himself and his scowl became darker, more pained.

Rukia's eyes filled with understanding as she said, "So, you have lost someone important to you as well."

Turning away, Ichigo said in a slow monotone, "Yeah and it was my fault. She died because of me."

For a time, neither spoke. Ichigo kept looking out over the frozen landscape while Rukia kept her gaze focused on Ichigo. From her expression, one could see that she was trying to make a decision, a rather difficult decision, and a life-changing decision. Then her eyes took on a new light and the decision was made.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, member of the Night Watch."

Ichigo turned to meet Rukia's gaze.

"I don't think it's an accident we met tonight. You are hurting and unable to forgive yourself for a mistake made in your past. I have the ability to help you start afresh if you will let me. You will leave behind your life here and all the pain of your past if you will come with me."

Rukia's eyes took on a serious light as she finished, "However, a normal human cannot survive where I must go."

Even though she didn't say any more, Ichigo knew exactly what she was trying to tell him. He didn't even stop to think about anyone or anything he might leave behind. The guilt had been weighing him down for so long, Ichigo could feel himself straining to be out from under its oppression.

Returning Rukia's gaze with determination, Ichigo said firmly, "Let's go."

The next morning, the only traces of Ichigo Kurosaki that the other members of the Night Watch could find were the footprints he had left behind. Search parties were sent out and when after two weeks no other traces were found, he was presumed to be dead.

At first, Isshin, Yuzu, Karin and Orihime kept hoping and believing that the rest of Karakura was wrong, but as the months went by and spring approached their faith dwindled.

And so were life-changing events were set in motion.

Author's Note:

I'm not really pleased with how Ichigo and Rukia met and everything, but the story really isn't even going to be about them anyway. If you have not read the story of 'The Snow Queen' I'll just let you know that the characters Ichigo and Rukia are portraying show up for a little at the beginning and then the end, but the entire story really centers around Orihime's character and her adventures.

The song Rukia sang is from the manga/anime Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles by CLAMP and was originally sung by the Princess Sakura. It will have more significance later, but we'll save that explanation for later chapters. The song is beautiful and I highly recommend listening to it. You can go to YouTube and type in 'You Are My Love' and the artist is named Yui Makino. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! :)

So, everything has been set into motion and I think the next part of the journey should be really interesting. If you have any questions, I'd love to answer them as best I can! Also, critiques and suggestions for anything that you think might help with the story would be greatly appreciated!