Hello, and welcome to the first episode of my new ongoing Bleach fic entitled, "Blade of the Shinigami." Now I know what you're thinking, "Did he just call this an episode?" YES! I've decided to playfully present each chapter as if it were a single episode of the series. I hope you can envision things as I do which I think, would make the read that much more enjoyable.

For those familiar with my work in other fics (Namely my popular fic entitled, "Naruto: Chronicles of the Seventh") you should know how I format my chapters. Basically I will begin as always by stating that I do not own Bleach including any of the characters and/or settings. I will also respond to any reviews in the area before the new chapters and also take a moment to give you any pertanent information regarding the story such as any delays you may expect in the release date. Speaking of release dates, this fic is on a bi-weekly schedule. Anyone who has read my previous work will know that I am very particular about my release dates. In other words, nine times out of ten when I say a new chapter will come out at a certain time I will make sure it comes out on that day.

Now for the warnings. This fic is rated M. Here's the thing, I am a big fan of the Bleach series but I've always fealt that the entire premise of Bleach would have been better if it were less PG and more M. That means more violence, more gore and more well...everything! So here's the deal, WARNING! THIS STORY CONTAINS GRAFFIC VIOLENCE, GORE, CURSING, SEX AND DRUG USE. For those looking for graffic sex, look elsewhere. Sexual situations will be mentioned but I wouldn't consider this to be a lemon per se. But this is definitely an adult series. No kiddy stuff with talking stuffed animals will be found here.

The themes you will find in this series are: Adventure, Supernatural, Mystery, Horror, Romance, Suspense, Angst and Tragedy.

Alright, so that's enough of the talk. Here is Episode One of Blade of the Shinigami. Please leave a review when you're done. Thanks.

~~~~~~Tokyo – Present Day~~~~~~

"Ichigo, Ichigo," she said as she shook him. Ichigo awoke to the sight of his mother hovering above him. "Time to get up little Ichi," she said with a warm smile.

Ichigo smiled, "Ok ma, I'm up." Ichigo's mother smiled and left the room as Ichigo took one last stretch before getting up. It was Friday morning and he had to get up and get ready for school. Ichigo sat on the side of the bed and scratched his orange hair and yawned. He looked around his messy room. Clothes were strewn about everywhere and books sat haphazardly on his desk. Ichigo got up and began looking through the piles of clothes until he located his towel. He walked towards the door but stopped when he saw a picture frame on the floor. Picking it up, he smiled as he looked at the picture of him mom, dad, his two sisters and himself. They had posed for pictures last year during New Years. Everyone was smiling and happy. Ichigo smiled and put the picture back in its proper place on his desk next to his laptop and padded to the bathroom.

When he got to the bathroom he tried to open the door. It was locked. Ichigo knocked and said, "Hello! Who's in there?"

"It's me," answered his little sister Karin.

"How long are you gonna be in there Karin," Ichigo asked.

"How rude," Karin yelled. "You're not supposed to ask a girl how long she is going to be in the bathroom Ichigo! That's against the rules!"

"Rules," Ichigo asked. "What rules! What the hell are you talking about! There's no rule against that!" Ichigo knocked on the door harder "C'mon Karin! Let me in! You've been in there long enough! I gotta go!"

"I said wait," Karin yelled.

"Damn it Karin, I gotta pee," Ichigo yelled as he banged his fist on the door. "Let me in you little bug or I swear I'll…!"

"Just give me two more minutes," Karin yelled.

"Fine," Ichigo said. "You got two minutes." Ichigo began to pace back and forth in front of the bathroom as he fought the urge to wet himself. When he finally couldn't hold it anymore he knocked on the door. "Alright Karin, times up," he yelled.

"One more second," she answered.

"No way," Ichigo yelled as he stepped back from the door. "I'm coming in whether you're ready or not!" Ichigo ran at the door and lowered his shoulder just as Karin, cup of water in hand, swung open the door a second before Ichigo could make contact. Unable to stop, Ichigo flew into the bathroom and stepped onto the bathroom rug and slid head first into the toilet, coming to a crashing stop.

Karin walked up to Ichigo who was moaning and rubbing his head as he sat next to the toilet. "That's what you get for being impatient," she said as she poured the water from her cup on Ichigo's head.

"Impatient," Ichigo said as he gritted his teeth. "Come here you," he yelled as he lunged for Karin.

Karin jumped out of the way and stuck her tongue out at Ichigo before running out of the bathroom. Ichigo got to his feet and slammed the door shut as he grumbled to himself.

After a warm shower and a change into a fresh pair of clothes Ichigo ran downstairs. As he ran towards the kitchen, Ichigo found himself ambushed by his father who immediately placed him in a headlock. "Dad," Ichigo screamed, "You psycho! What're you doing! Get off me!"

Ichigo's father screamed back, "A warrior must always be prepared for anything Ichi! Look at that will ya? Even as old as I am I got the drop on you!"

Annoyed and with his head pounding, Ichigo slipped his foot between his fathers' forcing him to loose his balance. Using this brief moment, Ichigo twisted his body and threw his father over his shoulder, crashing to the ground.

Isshin slammed his head against the wall as he fell to the ground. "Well, well," Isshin said as he rubbed his head, "Isn't this a fine thing. Treating an old man like this is shameful!"

"First off," Ichigo said, "You started it. Secondly you're not that old and you're as strong as an ox. And thirdly don't start acting all frail just because you started a fight but got you're ass kicked!"

Ichigo's father laughed a huge, hearty laugh. "Yeah son," he said as he motioned for Ichigo to help him up, "Guess you're right! You're not a little kid anymore. You're almost as tall as me now." Ichigo reached out and pulled Isshin to his feet. "You've gotten pretty strong," Isshin said with a smile. Without warning, Isshin then threw a punch directly at Ichigo's face with incredible speed. Ichigo reacted and quickly caught his fathers' fist. "And you're speed and reaction time is top notch," Isshin said while smiling.

"Alright you two," Ichigo's mom said as she poked her head into the hallway, "Breakfast is ready. Enough of the rough-housing."

Ichigo and his father walked into the dining room and sat at the table where Ichigo's two sisters were already seated. "Ichi," Yuzu said as she held her favorite teddy bear, "will you be able to be at my recital tomorrow?"

Ichigo smiled, "Don't worry Yuzu, I won't miss it." As they ate Ichigo heard a familiar voice calling from outside. Getting up, Ichigo ran to the window and outside stood Mizuiro and Keigo. Ichigo ran and picked up his book bag and said, "Ok, I'm outta here! See you guys!"

As Ichigo ran out the door, Keigo ran up to him, "Damn Ichigo, you're always late. Let's go or we'll be late for school."

As the three walked Ichigo noticed Mizuiro was reading a book on law practices. "Mizuiro," Ichigo said, "Why are you reading that?"

Mizuiro closed the book and said, "Well, if I want to be a lawyer someday I might as well start reading up on it."

"Ahhh," Ichigo said and placed his hands behind his head, "Dude we still got another year before we even graduate high school! If you keep spending all your time studying and reading you'll be burned out before you even get to college."

"Well," Mizuiro said, "Success begins with knowledge and the greater the knowledge, the greater the success. Speaking of which have either you decided on what college to attend." Hearing this Ichigo and Keigo just looked at each other and laughed.

As Ichigo laughed, out of the corner of his eye, standing in a nearby doorway, Ichigo saw a dark skinned woman staring at him. Ichigo at first hesitated and then looked again only to see that she was gone. His face grew grim as he remembered her. Everywhere he'd gone lately it seemed that this woman was there in the shadows…looking. Who was she? What did she want? He hadn't told anyone because he didn't want to seem crazy. But now he knew he was being followed by this exotic beauty.

"Hello," said Keigo as Ichigo snapping out of his deep thoughts. "Earth to Ichigo! What's up with you dude?"

Ichigo looked back at the empty doorway. "Nothing I guess," he said.

After fifteen minutes the three boys arrived at school and as they made their way through the throngs of people, Ichigo saw his other friends Sado and Uryu. Ichigo waived as he approached and said, "Hey guys, what's up."

"Hey Ichigo," both Sado and Uryu responded as they all made their way into the school. As Ichigo and his four friends were about to enter their classroom, he heard someone call his name. Turning around he saw Tatsuki who ran up to him and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Hey," she said, "I called you last night. How come you didn't call back?"

"Sorry," he said, "I was beat and fell asleep early."

Tatsuki smiled and said, "Its ok baby. I just wanted to make sure you'd be coming to my party tonight."

Ichigo smiled and kissed her, "Are you joking? This is your seventeenth birthday party Tatsuki. I wouldn't miss it."

"Mr. Kurosaki, Ms. Arisawa" Ichigo's teacher said as he stood watching, "I hate to break up this little make out session but do you two mind sitting down so I can begin my class?" Embarrassed, both Ichigo and Tatsuki find their seats amid the giggling laughter of the class.

"In the modern world few believe that the spirits of the deceased live on once their lives have ended. Most prefer to believe that once their friends, family and acquaintances leave this world they live on only in memory. They believe spirits can not affect the living world. Unfortunately this is not always correct. Sometimes those who leave us are unwilling to do so. They fight to hold on to the lives they once had and in their desperation become something they never intended. They become demons. Unholy creatures that feast on the flesh and souls of the living. Tormented and cursed to walk the world and never finding rest. But a special, chosen few of mankind are given the power to help cleanse the world of demons and allow these tortured souls rest. We are children of destiny. Part of an ancient sect that has seen the rise and fall of nations. We are the Gods of Death made flesh. We are the blade in the shadows. We are The Shinigami."

- From the Holy Book of Origin.

Blade of the Shinigami

Episode One: Paradise Lost

~~~~~~Later that Evening~~~~~~

Ichigo grabbed his coat and ran out of the house on his way to his car and said, "Ok, I'm leaving. See you guys later."

"Hey there," Isshin yelled out. "Curfew is midnight big guy."

Ichigo responded, "I got it," as he ran out the door.

As Isshin listened to his son drive off, his wife Masaki approached with a cup of tea. "Boy's growing up. It seems like he has no time for his old man anymore."

Masaki gave him his cup and kissed him. "He's just being a teenager," she said. "He loves you very much. We all do." And with those words they fell into each others arms.

~~~~~~Meanwhile~~~~~~

Man, Ichigo thought as he drove along. Tonight's party is gonna be awesome. I hope Keigo was able to get that keg of beer. Ichigo quickly observed the present he brought for Tatsuki. I hope she loves this, he thought. He had spent a small fortune on the necklace and, as this was also their one year anniversary he wanted it to be special. Ichigo began to recall how he and Tatsuki and gotten together.

They had been friends for years. They had met each other at Karate school when they were kids. He never really thought of her romantically until last year on her birthday when, while they were talking, she suddenly kissed him. After a short awkward moment, Ichigo had a sudden urge to kiss her again. So he did; for a long time. And after awhile, she explained to him that she had had a crush on him for years. That night they decided to be a couple and Ichigo never regretted it.

It was then, out of the corner of his eye, he once again saw the dark skinned woman. She was standing at a street corner and stared intently as Ichigo drove by. Suddenly filled with anger at the thought of being followed, Ichigo pulled over and hoped out.

He ran to the corner where she stood, but the woman was gone. "Who are you," he screamed into the night sky. "What do you want? I know you can hear me!" Sick bitch, Ichigo thought to himself as he walked back to his car in frustration.

The party was in full swing as Ichigo pulled up to Tatsuki's house. As he entered he saw dozens of people dancing and drinking. Making his way through the house, Ichigo saw Tatsuki, who was speaking to Chizuru and Michiuru. Sneaking up behind her Ichigo put his hands over her eyes. "Guess who," he says and she turns around and hugs him. "I hope you guys don't mind," he says, "But I need to take the birthday girl to the dance floor."

~~~~~~Meanwhile~~~~~~

"Are you going to stay up long," Masaki asked as she got comfortable in the bed. Isshin stood at the entrance to the bedroom and looked at his wife lustfully. Despite how long they had been together she was still the most beautiful woman in the world to him and right now he wanted her.

"Well," he said as he slowly approached, "We don't have to go to sleep right away. Ichigo is out and the girls are asleep."

Masaki, knowing her husband well, knew exactly what he wanted and smiled wickedly. As Isshin got into bed he passionately kissed her and began to probe her body. Suddenly, they were interrupted by the sound of broken glass. Startled they stopped what they were doing and Isshin rose from the bed.

"What was that," Masaki asked.

"It's probably one of the girls sneaking out to get a snack," he responded, "Wait here, I'll check it out." Isshin then left the room and silently went down the stares. As he reached the ground floor he walked into the living room and saw that one of the windows was not only broken, it looked like it was ripped right out of the wall.

"Hello Isshin," came the low raspy voice. Isshin quickly turned and in the corner of the room stood a tall, thin man. Flanked to his left and right where what could only be described as four masked, four legged wolf-like creatures with deep yellow eyes.

Isshin stood in terror at this sight and seemed more concerned with the man in the middle. He was tall and wore white jeans with a dark black, sleeveless shirt. It seemed that he wore half a helmet on his head and was the palest man Isshin had ever seen. He had deep emerald green eyes and green makeup around his eyes that made his face appear as though he was constantly crying. "Please Isshin," he said, "That is the name you choose to go by, isn't it? Don't act like you don't recognize me. Did you honestly think you could just disappear forever? You had to know we would find you eventually."

Isshin instantly grew calm then turned and looked out the nearby window. "Fine," he said, "You want me? Fine. But my family…"

The pale man interrupted him, "Can't be ignored either. I am here to deal with all of you."

Isshin turned to him with a look of anger plastered on his face. "No," he said, "they have nothing to do with this."

Emotionless, the man responded, "They have everything to do with this. Your eldest son might have escaped for now but we will deal with him. In the meantime we can't have your three other children running about. Your wife's life was forfeit the moment she chose to be with you. And your children's' fate was sealed the day they were born."

Hearing these words threw Isshin into a rage and in his right hand, a long kitana blade appeared as if out of thin air.

"I see," said the man, "So you didn't give away all of your power then?" Isshin charged at him as the creatures next to the man charged to attack. Isshin easily destroyed the creatures with two deft blows to their heads and quickly moved in towards the pale man.

Isshin swung his sword at the man's head with incredible force. The man just stood there. He neither moved nor showed any sign of concern. As the sword came down upon him he raised his hand and blocked it with his forearm. "You might not have sealed away all your power," he said, "but you did seal away too much to beat me Isshin." Isshin grunted and desperately pushed his sword at the man to break his defense. The man merely stood and watched him, his face still showed no sign of a single emotion. It was as if he were a living statue. "You should know," he said, "I do not enjoy doing this."

"Ulquiorra," said Isshin, "you have never enjoyed anything in your life."

~~~~~~Meanwhile~~~~~~

Tatsuki pulled Ichigo into her parents' bedroom and swiftly closed and locked the door. Ichigo walked over to her parents' bed and sat and watched her. Tatsuki seemed visibly nervous as she walked up to him. Before she could say anything Ichigo produced a small jewelry box. "Happy birthday Tatsuki," he said.

Tatsuki jumped onto the bed and giggled, "Thank you Ichigo!" She opened it find a beautiful gold necklace with a heart shaped pendent. "Oh god Ichigo," she said, "This is amazing. Thank you!" Ichigo took the pendent from her hands and stood up and walked behind her. He then reached around and put the necklace on.

Tatsuki turned to face Ichigo and looking into his deep blue eyes knew the time was right. She reached up and they kissed passionately as they fell into the bed. After a moment, they separated. "Ichigo," she said, "I want to do it. I want you to be my first." Ichigo seamed taken aback by her words.

"Are you sure Tatsuki," he asked.

"Yes," she responded, "I've never been surer of anything." Once more they embarrassed and fell into a passionate kiss as Ichigo began to remove her shirt.

Suddenly they heard the screams of many people downstairs and it caused them to stop. "What's going on out there," Tatsuki said.

Ichigo looked annoyed as he said, "It's probably Keigo. He might have had one too many and is streaking around the house again." Then they heard more screams that now sounded like the screams of terror. Ichigo got to his feet as Tatsuki put her shirt back on.

"Those screams aren't because Keigo is streaking," said Tastuki.

"You obviously haven't seen Keigo naked," Ichigo said with a smile.

Ichigo opened the door and walked into the hallway and out to the landing and was greeted with chaos. All around him people ran about in panicked terror as four large masked monsters tore through anyone within range. Below the feet of one of the creatures Ichigo saw Keigo, his body torn to ribbons. Ichigo stood dumbfounded as Tatsuki ran to him and gasped at the sight. "Ichigo what are those things," she asked as she grabbed hold of his arm.

"I-I don't know," Ichigo said. It was then, Ichigo saw that one of the creatures had spotted Mizuiru, who was hiding under a table, and leapt at him. Mizuiru clambered out from under the table and ran towards the kitchen as the creature was in pursuit. "Mizuiru," Ichigo screamed as he tried to go after him only to hear Mizuiru's blood curdling screams and blood splash out from the kitchen.

Tastuki grabbed Ichigo who still tried to go and fought to pull him back. "Ichigo,' she screamed as tears ran down her face. "We have to get out of here, Mizuiru is dead! We've got to go!"

Finally realizing she was right Ichigo led her back into her bedroom and towards the window. Sending, her out to the ledge first, Ichigo followed and the two of them used the gutter to climb down to the ground. As they arrived they were shocked as one of the creatures burst through the wall nearby. Spotting them, the creature slowly made it way towards them as they desperately tried to run away.

"Hey you ugly fuck," Chad screamed from behind the creature. "Don't worry yourself with them! I'll take you down myself!"

Ichigo looked in shock as he saw Chad threatening the beast. Chad, he thought, what the hell are you doing?

Chad looked at Ichigo and thought, Ichigo you're my best friend. I won't let this thing kill you as long as I can stand. "Ichigo," Chad screamed, "Run and I'll by you time!" To their horror before he could respond, another creature leapt out of the second story of Tatsuki's home and landed on Chad and bit down hard on him ripping away a large chunk of his shoulder and neck. His maimed body fell limply to the ground.

"Chad," Ichigo screamed as once again the beasts all seemed to focus on him. Ichigo and Tatsuki again ran as the beasts chased them. As Ichigo ran he saw a headless body lying on the lawn and based on the clothes he knew it was Uryu. Ichigo's head was spinning. In one night alone he had lost all his closest friends at the hands of creatures that seemed more demonic than natural and here he was, running for his life as these same creatures chased him.

Ichigo looked back only to see that two more of the creatures had entered the chase and now they were running from all of them. Ichigo and Tatsuki turned sharply at a corner and ran down a deserted street only to see another, even larger creature awaiting thier arrival. Surrounded, Ichigo led Tatsuki down a nearby ally way and desperately tried to open any of the nearby doors. But they were all locked and as he looked ahead of him, to his absolute horror, he saw a large wall blocking his path. They had come to a dead end.

Ichigo and Tatsuki turned and faced the five creatures as they slowly approached. They saw the large menacing teeth and heard their bestial growls. Ichigo stood in front of Tatsuki, "Get back Tatsuki," he said, "I'll…..I'll do something." Seeing a metal pipe on the floor Ichigo quickly picked it up to defend himself. "Alright you ugly motherfuckers," he said, "let's do this. Come on!"

Ichigo then lashed out at the closest creature as it got within range and struck it in the head. The beast lurched back from the blow but quickly composed itself and swung it large paw out, slashing Ichigo in the upper arm and chest and forcing him to drop his weapon. Ichigo fell back, landing in a nearby pile of garbage and using the momentary opening, the creature lunged at him.

"No," Tatsuki screamed as she threw herself in front of Ichigo, taking the full brunt of the beasts attack. Tatsuki's limp body fell to the ground and blood gushed from the open wound on her back.

"Tatsuki," Ichigo screamed as he tried to grab her but he was suddenly dizzy and realized he was losing consciousness. Angry and desperate, Ichigo could feel the hot stinking breath of the creature as it closed in. "Damn you," he said, "I don't know what you are but I am going to fucking kill you!"

Ichigo burst forth in a sudden explosion of power that forced the creatures back. Stunned by the display Ichigo stared at his hands and body that now began to glow bright blue. But then, as quickly as it happened, his power disappeared and Ichigo felt weakened.

"Damn," came a voice from behind the creatures, "I got here too late." Startled by the noise the five creatures turned and Ichigo was able to see that is was a woman who was standing there.

The woman was short with jaw length, black hair. She wore a short grey skirt and black top with black knee-high boots. "I was hoping I could save more than just one person," she said, "but I guess I'll have to be happy that I could save just one."

Ichigo stared at her, dumbfounded that such a little woman would stand against these things and seemingly be unafraid. It was then he noticed that, in her hand, she held a sword. Instantly the woman charged at the creatures and with little effort began to dispatch them. Cutting off their heads or simply cutting them in half. Ichigo watched in wonder as one by one the creatures fell and seemed to deteriorate before his very eyes.

As the last of them fell, the girl calmly walked towards Ichigo as she sheathed her sword. "You there," she said, "Are you alright?"

Ichigo suddenly snapped back to reality and scrambled to check on Tasuki. As he picked her up he knew she was already gone and he stared at her body in utter shock for what seemed like forever. Gently he laid her down and passed his hands over her eyes, closing them and it was then he noticed that he was covered in blood, her blood. Ichigo felt tightness in his chest and without warning, he cried.

The girl watched for a few moments before interrupting, "Hey," she said, "Ok. Enough of the crying already. I need you to tell me why they were after you."

Ichigo rubbed his eyes, "I-I don't know," he said, "All I know is that they showed up and killed everyone. I guess they just wanted to kill me."

"Bullshit," said the girl, "They were after you for a reason. They were after you specifically. Why?"

"I said I don't know," Ichigo screamed.

"Well," the woman said, "I'm afraid that's not good enough." She then walked up to Ichigo and grabbed him by his collar and dragged him to his feet. "Those things bypassed a lot of other people and went after you," she said, "That's not something they normally do. And they never run in packs like that. I need to know why. Also, just before I got here I saw what you did. You were glowing. You were able to knock those demons back with your Riatsu. How did you do that? Civilians shouldn't be able to harness their Riatsu like that."

Ichigo was confused, "Demons? Riatsu? What the hell are you talking about? I don't know how I did any of that!" It was then something dawned on Ichigo. "Wait," he said, "you said those things were after me. Is there any chance they might have gone to my home?" The woman looked away from Ichigo and he could tell what her silence meant.

"Damn," Ichigo said as he wrenched free from her grasp and sprinted out of the ally only pausing to look at Tatsuki. Tatsuki, he thought, I'm sorry. I'll find out what's going on and I'll make whoever's responsible pay. The woman stood and watched Ichigo run out away. She then looked down at body of the dead girl. Slowly she walked over to body and knelt beside it and clasped her hands and said a silent prayer.

Ichigo ran back to Tatsuki's place. When he arrived he saw police cars and ambulances all around and people who had survived scattered about. One of Tatsuki's friends saw Ichigo and ran over, "Ichigo," she yelled desperately, "God Ichigo, those things, they killed so many. They killed Chad, Uryu, Keigo and Mitsuiru." Ichigo was desperate to get to his car and quickly brushed her aside. "Oh God Ichigo," she said, "Where's Tatsuki? We can't find her! Was she with you?" Ichigo paused and looked to the ground. After a moment he looked to the girl who, understanding his silence and pained look burst into tears. Ichigo then ran to his car and frantically drove off.

Ichigo drove like a man possessed. He weaved threw traffic and didn't stop for a single red light. Within ten minutes he had arrived at his house and could see police cars and ambulances parked out front. Ichigo swiftly hit the brakes causing the car to come to screeching halt in the middle of the street. Without turning the engine off, he jumped out the car and ran towards the house. A throng of people surrounded his home as he fought through the mob of neighbors and onlookers. As he arrived at the entrance he was intercepted by his next door neighbor.

"Ichigo," the middle aged man said as he grabbed him. "Ichigo wait!"

"Let go of me Sasaki-san," Ichigo yelled as he fought to get free. Several officers saw the commotion and came over.

"What's going on here," one of the officers asked.

"That's my family in there," Ichigo yelled as the officers fought to restrain him.

"Who are you," another officer asked.

"Kurosaki Ichigo," Ichigo said. "This is my home! Where is my family!"

"Son, stop," another officer said. "Just hold on! We can't let you in there!"

"What," Ichigo yelled. "Let me pass! I need to find them. Where are they!"

The officers looked at each other sadly, as though they were silently drawing straws as to who would deliver the sad news. Finally one of the officers spoke up and said, "Son, I'm sorry to say, but…you're family…they…were attacked by what looks like a wild animal…they…they didn't make it."

Ichigo felt his legs give out and he fell to his knees. His head was throbbing and his vision instantly blurred over. He felt like he had a sudden fever and a wave of nausea hit him as Ichigo vomited on the ground in front of him. "He's going into shock," yelled one of the officers. "Someone get a medic over here!"

Two medics ran over and quickly laid Ichigo on his back and began inspecting him. "Hey kid can you hear me," one medic asked as he flashed a light in Ichigo's eyes. But Ichigo didn't respond. It was as if he were catatonic. He could feel people crowding around him. He could see the sad faces of neighbors looking at him with such pity it only made him feel worse. He could see his neighbor Haru Sasaki. Dad had argued with him over his dog digging up his lawn. Ichigo remembered the two arguing so passionately he thought they would come to blows. But his dad suddenly stopped yelling and burst out in laughter. Realizing how silly this all was both men laughed and dad invited Sasaki-san in for a drink. Sasaki-san promised to keep his dog inside after that.

Ichigo could see the little boy who lived down the block. What was his name, Ichigo thought. Haru, was it? Karin would turn beat red every time she saw him. Ichigo teased her relentlessly over her obvious crush. And there was Emiko Yoshida, the old woman mom would spend Sundays drinking tea with. She had lost her husband a year ago and had no children. Mom said she felt like spending a few hours with her on a Sunday was the least she could do. Mom always did kind things like that. And Mai was in the crowd too. She was two years older but she and Yuzu were the best of friends. They were practically inseparable. Was she crying? His vision was too blurry to properly tell. But it looked as though she was. Don't cry Mai, Ichigo thought. These guys are lying. Yuzu isn't dead. None of them are. They're alive. They have to be. They…they…oh God! They… … …

Ichigo was pulled out of the darkness by the sounds of the medics tending to him. He wasn't sure how long he had been unconscious but he could tell he was in the ambulance. He had an IV stuck in his arms and he shaded his eyes from the bright lights coming from the ceiling of the ambulance. "Calm down kid," the medic said. "Everything will be fine."

Everything will be fine, Ichigo wondered. Ichigo wondered if the medic was trained to say that to everyone. As if those words could reassure him now. Ichigo had the sudden urge to punch the man in his face. Instead Ichigo forced himself to get up. He could hear the stupid medic asking him to lie down but Ichigo ignored him as he pulled the IV from his arm and pushed the doors to the ambulance open.

Ichigo stumbled out into the night and looked at his house as the police walked in and out. Two policemen walked up to him and began to ask him questions about where he had been and if there had been any problems with wild animals in the area. "Of course not," Ichigo said. "Where in the middle of fucking Tokyo you fucking moron!"

Ichigo looked up and saw a familiar face in the crowd of onlookers. It was the same girl who had saved his life back in that ally. She was staring directly at him.

Ichigo brushed off the officers who were still speaking to him towards the girl who had turned and began walking out of the crowd.

Ichigo pushed through the crowd and ran up to the girl and grabbed her by her arm forcing her back into a darkened spot where no one could see. "You," he said, "you know what those things are don't you? Back in the ally you called them demons! You know what's going on? You know why they're after me?"

The woman merely stared at him and looked deep into his eyes where she could see a feint blue glow. "What's your name," the girl asked.

"Kurosaki…Ichigo Kurosaki," he responded.

The girl seemed for a moment to be surprised. "Kurosaki," she whispered. "Then you must be…"

"Ichigo," she said, "I don't know why they are after you. But I think I can help you find out, if you come with me now."

Ichigo looked back at his home that he once shared with his family. Tonight he had lost everything that was precious to him; everything that mattered. If he stayed here all the officers would have would be more useless questions. This woman, at least may have answers. And that's what he needed most.

Ichigo looked at her and let go of her arm. "Alright," he said, "If you can help me understand what's going on then I'll come with you."

The girl stared at Ichigo, still unable to believe what she saw within his eyes. "Fine," she said, "But I warn you. What you're going to learn may be too much. You need to keep an open mind."

The woman then turned and led Ichigo away from his home and towards a red Toyota that had been sitting idle. "Get in," she said as she climbed into the drivers' seat. Ichigo quickly ran around and got into the car. "By the way," the woman said, "my name is Rukia." And without another word, Rukia drove off into the inky night.

~~~~~~To be continued…~~~~~~

On the next episode: Ichigo searches for more clues and finds more than he bargained for.

Blade of the Shinigami: Episode 2

The Gods of Death

"Draw your sword all ye saints and sinners."