Hey! This is a fanfiction, writing out an Alternate Timeline of the anime known as Bleach, a timeline which occurs within our real world! Inspired by real dreams I've had, this story is my outlet to write a story about said dreams. I hope you enjoy...
Hello everyone! This is my outlet for writing a Bleach fanfiction. First of all, HUGE DISCLAIMER!! There WILL BE SPOILERS for pivotal events in Bleach and its following light novels! If you don't want to be spoiled, don't read! If you want to be spoiled, or already know at least a summary of the events of Bleach, welcome to my passion project, DREAMS OF RUKIA! I hope you enjoy this story very loosely based on, and expanded upon, a dream I had!
I've never been the most popular person in school. I prefer it that way. I don't do well in the spotlight, but that in turn has made it difficult to make friends. Even halfway through college now, friend groups seem to just be a popularity contest - one that I perpetually lose. Not that it matters too much, as I have a few quality, long-lasting friendships and I'd much rather have those than hundreds of shallow ones.
Preferring to spend my time alone, I play lots of video games. Metroid Dread, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Dauntless, Destiny 2, and Dead Space to name a few. When I'm not playing games, I'm watching anime. I've always loved anime, but two years ago I became utterly obsessed with the widely-known anime known as Bleach. I LOVE Bleach, the story is so well written and the characters are very relatable. When I watch Bleach, I feel at home. Like I belong.
I've never dreamed about fictional characters before. Real people I know, yes, but never fictional characters. That is, until I had the strangest dream involving one of my favorite characters from Bleach: Rukia Kuchiki. I barely remember it, but we hung out quite a bit, the vast majority of the conversation has slipped my mind. But one sentence from her stuck with me.
"I'll see you again, Tsuchiya."
Upon waking up, I couldn't stop thinking about the dream I just had, or about Rukia. What did she mean? When would I see her again? Did any of that mean anything, or was it all just part of my dream? Eventually I blew it off. "It was just a dream, Tsuchiya. Rukia isn't real, she can't see me again." Still, I couldn't help but feel that something was amiss.
The following night, something terrible happened: I had a nightmare. Now, I know what you're thinking, "How is having a nightmare that terrible?" Well, my nightmares are terrifyingly realistic. They FEEL real, they SOUND real. Anyway, I was running through a forest near my home, running from one of my many inner demons, Berserker - a hulking humanoid beast with a large ibex skull for a head and a hole through its abdomen, who's frighteningly fast for its size. After what felt like forever, I stopped hearing footsteps behind me. I stop and turn around. Berserker has stopped in its tracks, looking straight downward.
There, standing directly in front of the behemoth, was...
"R-Rukia...?"
Now wearing her Captain's uniform, Rukia confronted Berserker, using her Zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki. She uses her First Dance, Tsukishiro, to create a column of ice, freezing Berserker completely, before cleanly cutting the monster in half.
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Silence.
After a long time, my mouth hung open, all I could mutter was "Wow". Rukia turns, smiling.
"Did you... Did you see that?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I have seen that?"
"Tsuchiya, you realize that makes you spiritually aware, right? Normal humans wouldn't even be able to see me without using my Gigai!"
"I... I didn't think about that. Rukia, I have SO many questions."
"And I can answer them, but not all at once. I don't have a lot of time, Tsuchiya, as I can only contact you in the dreamscape. Ask away."
I thought of a few questions. For one, Rukia was wearing a Captain's uniform, but by the time she became a Captain her hair was much longer - not her short bob cut from the second half of the original story. Something was clearly different here.
"First, tell me who you REALLY are."
"You don't remember? Rukia Kuchiki, Captain of Squad 13 of the Court Guard."
"I figured, but wanted to clarify anyway. So, you look different from the last time you visited me. Why?"
She smiles wide. "Oh, I just got a haircut. You like it?"
"Heh, of course I do. So, how's Renji?"
"Who?"
I froze. What was this about? Surely Rukia knew Renji, I mean they had to be married by now! Shocked, I reiterated.
"You know. Renji Abarai, Vice Captain of Squad 6?"
"I don't know who you're talking about. The Vice Captain of Squad 6 isn't this 'Renji Abarai' you speak of, tawake."
My heart sank. Something was SERIOUSLY wrong! Does Renji not exist in this timeline? Who's in his place? Instead of pressing further, having been caught off-guard and flustered by being called 'tawake' by Rukia, I asked one final question.
"Ok. Well, one final question for now. Why me? Why protect me?"
"Silly Tsuchiya. For one, it's my duty as a Soul Reaper to protect the Human World, and all those within it. Secondly, you're special, Tsuchiya Isoruko."
She takes my hand in hers, and then...
I wake up to my alarm. Groaning, I turn it off and get up. Of COURSE it had to end on a cliffhanger. Thanks a lot, brain.
"Ugh, that was weird. How did I dream of Rukia twice in a row?"
Contemplating it, I go about my day, constantly wondering what could be happening in the dreamscape. I had so many questions, and wouldn't know more until the following night. It was as if I now looked forward to sleeping, more than ever before. I HAD to know what was happening, I HAD to know why Rukia called me special, but most importantly...
Well, that's Chapter One! Hope you enjoyed it so far, I can't wait to write out this story in full! This story will be a lengthy one, so buckle in if you're here for the whole ride!
