Title: Encounters
Author: Spirix
Genre: Drama/Romance/Action
Rating: T for teeny-bopper
Pairing: Ichigo/Renji ...ish

Spoilers: None, AUish
Summary: They say the events surrounding a first meeting foretell the relationship around two people.
Warnings: Lots of violence, character deaths.

Disclaimer: As much as I wish I do not own Bleach.
Distribution: Too lazy to post this anywhere else.

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VI

Pickled Choices

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Morning was an insane event. Renji cursed as he fought the sleeping bag that had wrapped around his legs. He already hated this odd place he was stuck in. Uryuu and Ichigo were already out of the tent but that didn't stop him from blaming the whole thing on them. He stood up in a huff before remembering the tent being too small the stand in. The tent collapsed on top of him.

The sounds of snickers through the canvas mad his face glow red. He thrashed and let out vaguely animalistic cries before a set of familiar brown eyes peered into his with glee between the folds.

"Good morning Ren!" Ichigo managed to snicker out, "Having problems already?"

"Fuck you," was all Renji could think to say as he kicked away the last remaining hold of the vicious tent.

"If you two are done," Uryuu said snidely as if talking to naughty children, "I would like to scope the area and get a feel for the inhabitants here."

Ichigo pointed and laughed at the superior tone. Renji joined in momentarily. Who did Uryuu think he was? What kind of person used a word like 'scope' anyways, freaks, that's who. Renji proceeded to tell Uryuu that and was the recipient of an oddly coloured dirty look. Even with their new vibrant looks, Uryuu looked like a nerd instead of cool, end of story.

"I do obviously." Uryuu pushed his glasses with his fingers. "Just because you have the vocabulary of my thermos does not mean that all are like you."

Renji wanted to retort but their black clad guide had just arrived. The red head watched the emotions shift no Ichigo's face as his friend became quite. The tragedy of the previous day was still too fresh for relaxing smiles and conversation. Renji gave him a shoulder hug and glared at the girl. She was too short to bring about so much sadness because he was definitely her fault.

"C'mon Ichii, looks like we need ta'go." Renji gave the hug a quick squeeze and let go. It was time to head out.

The small parade made its way through the camp along a dirt, well used road. Renji saw what looked like wagon grooves instead of tire tracks. Did they go back in time? He thought about how awesome that would be while Ichigo shadowed him silently. The pristine white tents made Renji feel dirty; especially since they were the only things too look at. He wondered where all the people were and asked. Rukia explained that they were not allowed to see Ichigo until he was cleansed of the mortal world. What did that even mean? Was he too dirty to see people because he was alive? Did that make everyone dead?

Renji shivered and walked closer to Ichigo. It made him feel slightly better.

"This way," Rukia stated in huff and pointed to a massive gate. They stood in front of it for what felt like hours of silence before it opened slowly with an ominous grown. Big clouds of dust were raised, blocking Renji's view of what was beyond. He peeked sideways to Ichigo, but the younger of the two was distracted. He kept turning his head as if looking for a sound that only Ichigo could hear. Well… at least Ichigo didn't look as depressed.

"Hello there intruders!"

Renji looked back at the settling cloud. A man with slit eyes and a white over coat like the brother walked over, a small skip to each step.

"Ichimaru-sama, they are invited," Rukia spurted out, her face going pale. Uryuu was standing next to here looking just as sickly. Ichimaru didn't spare her a glace. His fox face was focused only on Ichigo.

"So," the words slipped between the man's lips like greased snakes. Renji barely stifled a growl. "You are the one said to save us all. Think you can live up to the expectations of thousands, boy?"

It wasn't a question. Ichigo was wearing a dark expression, not responding so Renji stepped up.

"He can," Renji sneered. He didn't know what this guy was talking about, but he wanted to show a united front against the man.

Ichimaru's sly grin became wider as he withdrew a small sword. Renji recognised it as being similar to the one Ichigo had, but it was very short. "I guess you won't mind me testing ya then. Pierce Shinsou!"

The small blade glowed white. Renji opened his eyes wide and could feel the tendrils of panic rising. What was happening?!

:Dodge right and grab that berry kid!:

Renji didn't question the strange voice. He hooked Ichigo's elbow and flattened them both to the right, barely missing the blade as it extended at a high speed. Renji watched with wide red eyes as the blade retracted for another attack.

"That's enough." It was the brother!

"Ah, hi Kuchiki. Come to play?"

Renji helped Ichigo up while the two white coated men talked too quietly. Ichigo grunted a thanks and he too, turned his attention to what was happening. Rukia and Uryuu appeared by their sides. Nothing happened for a few moments then Ichimaru was gone. Renji blinked and cursed. If people like that could disappear at will then they were all in trouble.

The brother, Kuchiki, addressed his sister. "Rukia, if you cannot handle three humans, child-like humans at that, then how do you ever expect to excell in your examinations?"

He swished and almost floated towards them. He looked at Renji flickeringly and a chime went off in his head. Who was this man? He defiantly wasn't the voice form in his head but something about him made Renji stand straighter. His unbound main of crimson flicked in the small breeze. Renji watched him carefully, he didn't know why, but he was entranced.

Ichigo poked him hard in the ribs. "Are you still in there?"

The spell was broken. Renji turned his attention back to his friend and ruffled his hair a little more roughly than he intended.

"'course I am," he replied, but his mind was creeping back to the elegant Kuchiki.

He spoke coolly, "This way Rukia, children."

Renji gave Ichigo a shove, indicating that they should follow.

The sun felt good on Renji's skin. Ichigo's strength was returning in the warm rays. Renji kept his eyes on his friend but they kept flicking back to the Kuchiki unbidden. The man's black long hair swayed hypnotically back and forth with each posed step. Kuchiki paused outside a building with yet another symbol Renji didn't know. He really wished he could read.

"Welcome to the Shinigami Academy. First, you all need to be in proper attire and fed. I will not have half-starved mutts walking around my home. Rukia, see to it that they all receive what is required of all academy freshmen. When that is done bring them to the guest wing. Lunch should be prepared by that time. You are dismissed."

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"You will call me Kuchiki-senpai and that's final!" Rukia shouted as she glared at the three boys. Ichigo looked down at her then at Renji. He was so tall now…

"Pfft! When you can reach my chin, I'll consid'r it," Renji snickered back.

Rukia had brought them to the Kuchiki manor. Ichigo wanted to just stand in the front entrance looking up all day at the ceiling murals but Renji and Rukia's loud argument was distracting. There were men and women dress the same as Rukia, in black robes, battling from corner to corner. Some had swords while others controlled flame and large animals. Only a fraction of the people in the painting had that white coat. Ichigo wondered that it meant.

"Rukia-san, why do we have to wear these matching outfits?" Uryuu was fiddling with his blue hakama with distaste.

Ichigo rather liked them, the wide pants allowed for additional mobility. He wasn't too crazy about the white shirt with its small embroidered windmills, but it was better than his previous dirty clothing. All three boys had the same assembly of garments.

"Those are for students in the academy," Rukia answered patiently, shooting Renji a side glare, "and since you'll be going there, it's only fitting you dress that part."

Uryuu grabbed at each side of his bottoms and spread them out as if to do a curtsy. "But… these things are huge…I feel like I'm going to a ball."

"Hey, how wouldja like to be crunched in'ta a ball? Stop complan'in." Renji grinned at Uryuu, showing all his teeth.

"Brute, you don't scare me"

Renji's impossibly wide smile got wider. "Then why ya back'in up?"

Uryuu pushed his glassed up onto his face, very wary of Renji's slow and deliberate steps. Ichigo watched him turn tail and run down a hallway, Renji close on his heel. Rukia sighed and adjusted the white belt she wore. It contrasted with her black outfit.

The silence made Ichigo uncomfortable as memories began to rise.

"Rukia—"

"Sempai," she corrected automatically.

"RUKIA," he replied with emphasis.

"Okay, fine."

Ichigo took courage in how quickly she gave up and asked the question that had been bothering him endlessly. "Why am I here?"

She looked at him with her big blue eyes and blinked three slow times before answering. "Zangetsu-dono says you are the last of your clan, therefore you are destined to end the war one way or another."

"War?"

"Yes, between us and the Hollow clans. Ichigo, you are here to learn all you can and then make a choice." She hesitated and fiddled with her belt. "You see, without you, all is lost and saved. And with you, all is lost and saved. Your choice is the crossroad on which the worlds change."

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END

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Sorry so much for the wait. Life has been… life. I will be updating this more regularly but don't expect it weekly. Well I have to go to class. Hope you enjoy this short chapter to tie you over!

-Rix