the ones they blame

prologue; life as we know it

Fifteen years flew by. The War itself was swift, concluded within a year, but the damage was grave; lives were left, loyalty tested, memories destroyed, hopes dashed.

The healing was quick, at least in the physical sense. The wounds were soothed away by the Fourth Division, walls and buildings were constructed, and most importantly, the system was re-structured to create a perfect world.

No one talks about The War. Everyone is safe and happy. The one who leads them will guide all to a better future. Fifteen years on, and they are all content. Soon, the memories will return to haunt them all, but at least for now, everything is perfect.

The Fifth Division Captain, Kurosaki Ichigo, awoke with a start when a thick stack of papers slammed against the desk. Eyes laden with sleep, he shielded himself against the blinding white of the hakama before him, "Rukia?"

"I've finished this stack. The one Keigo brought over is still untouched," she declared flatly, a twitch of irritation creeping into her voice as she mentioned their third seat. Ichigo straightened up and re-arranged his own white hakama, removing the blanket that had somehow ended up around him, "sorry, I guess I fell asleep."

Kuchiki Rukia frowned disapprovingly as she took the blanket from him, "late night with Renji?"

"What? No! I mean, we were out helping Hollows."

"Well, I refuse to be stuck here with your paperwork. This is the last time," she said, her trademark glare pressed steadily onto him.

Ichigo smirked, "fine, fine, I'll bring you out to play next time, my lieutenant."

"Am I interrupting something?" a voice drawled out from the hallway. The Third Division Lieutenant, Grimmjow Jeagerjaques, was leaning against the door, an identical smirk spread across his features.

"Lieutenant Jeagerjaques," Rukia greeted him, her frown deepening. Ichigo knew Rukia was never comfortable around Grimmjow, but he never could figure out why. To him, Grimmjow felt like an old familiar foe, someone he might have clashed with, but eventually reconciled with.

"Grimmjow, what's going on?"

He rolled his eyes, "Captain sent me to remind you about the scheduled Captains' Meeting. He is convinced both you and your lieutenant will forget."

Ichigo felt Rukia flinch indignantly beside him. "I didn't forget," she stated, "I was just about to chase him off to the Assembly Hall."

"Ah! Grimmjow! Fancy seeing you here," a new voice rang out with a flash of bright green as its owner appeared in the doorway, grinning at Ichigo.

"Nel!"

Neliel tu Oderschvank, the Ninth Division Captain, was all smiles as she regarded the group, "Ichigo, you heading to the Assembly Hall?"

Ichigo nodded and rubbed the top of Rukia's head, "I'll be back soon." She glared at him again as she pushed his hand away, "please, take your time." She quite literally kicked him out of the door and pushed it shut, effectively shutting out both him and Grimmjow. The blue-haired shinigami shrugged and slipped out into the night.

"What's on the agenda today?" Ichigo asked as the two proceeded to the meeting.

"Oh, the usual, I suppose. The distribution, the recruitment, the Hollows," Nel replied, twisting her hair around as she spoke.

They exchanged brief information about the events that happened within their own divisions, but there was nothing much to report. Life was blissfully uneventful.

They arrived at the Assembly Hall and were happily greeted by a couple of the captains, namely Ukitake Jyuushiro and Kyoraku Shunsui. The other captains merely acknowledged them with a nod. A few others didn't even bother with any pleasantries. Ichigo could understand why Kuchiki Byakuya was always cold towards him, but he could not comprehend the blatant contempt from the Third Division Captain, Ulquiorra Schiffer. After all, Ichigo got along just fine with Grimmjow, his lieutenant. (But he was convinced Grimmjow had issues with Ulquiorra as well. He had always wondered how they managed to work together.)

Apparently, they were the last to arrive. Minutes later, the Captain of the First Division and the leader of Gotei 13, as well as the entire Soul Society, stepped into the hall.

"Good evening, my dear captains," Aizen Sousuke smiled.

Elsewhere, in another different plane, Urahara Kisuke continued to force his way out of Hell, Benihime, by his side, both unaffected by the fires that constantly licked at him.

A/N: No, it's not an alternate universe. Yes, it's a future fic. More will be revealed subsequently. (Yes, I like to be cruel like that. Review, please? So I'll write faster?)