Chapter Text
Waraji and tabi clad feet slap down on the impersonal tiles that make up the floor of the 12th Division, as the young Substitute Shinigami walks down the deserted hall. The orange haired, 16-year-old, named Kurosaki Ichigo was scowling as usual, but there was an air of annoyance about him that was not a part of his default demeanor. Due to this and Ichigo’s poor control over his reiryoku some of his reiatsu was bearing down on the environment around him. Sending most shinigami scrambling out of his vicinity.
Normally, this Division would be the last place Ichigo would be, but he was there for a reason. With his reiryoku back up to par and the addition of his Full-bringer powers the Central 46 was getting antsy. Being far from stupid, Ichigo knew that they were more than likely in fear of him. And not just because of his strength and power, but because of Ichigo’s personality. If he thinks the Central 46, or anyone for that matter, was in the wrong, Ichigo would not be quiet about it. Central 46 also fears that most shinigami would follow his lead after everything that has happened.
Not even an hour ago, Yama-jii had called Ichigo to a meeting and told him to get some non-invasive tests done with Kurotsuchi. And so, Ichigo at first put up a fight with his words. Like hell he would just do what they said for no reason. Eventually Yama-jii told him why, or at least more of a why then the first time. Long story short, the Central 46 was feeling scared of his until now unquantified powers. Ichigo knew that it would be best to just get it over with, and he is glad for the tests not being of the invasive nature. There is no telling what Kurotsuchi would do to him then if given the chance.
Currently stalking the halls of the 12th Division, Ichigo was trying to find that painted clown. Ichigo would try to sense the man’s reiryoku, but that has never really been a viable option for him if they were not his close friends. For a second Ichigo thought he heard Kurotsuchi’s voice not that far away. Not that it really helps since he has not heard it again in the few seconds that Ichigo paused in his walk. Huffing in frustration, Ichigo picks up walking again. Since he heard Kurotsuchi that must mean he is somewhere close by.
With that logic, Ichigo starts to open doors on either side of this hallway he was in. A few held gadgets he had no name for, others he wished he never opened and one looked to be a chemical lab of some kind. That was why Ichigo had not opened any doors previously as he knew there were things he definitely did not want to know that resided here. Soon he came to the last door of this hallway on the right side. His eye was twitching and he silently swore to never open a door in here ever again after this one.
The door slid open with ease and revealed a room in complete darkness. Ichigo was unable to see anything or if anyone was in it. His hotheadedness and morbid curiosity compelled him to take steps into the room. Calling out a few times, “Kurotsuchi! Clown-face? Are you in here? Nemu-san?”
No voices called back, but a clatter of metal on tile was heard from the darkness. Leading Ichigo to believe someone was in there and just messing with him. He would not put it past Kurotsuchi to do something annoying like that. Growling with the two-tone voice of his Hollow coming through, Ichigo stomps further inside determined to punch Kurotsuchi when he sees him. It was not to be, however, as Ichigo trips over something and his flailing arms knock into various things. Unintentionally, this turns on a device that was just resting on one of the tables. It beeps loudly once before shooting a beam directly at Ichigo, who was conveniently right in front of it.
A swirling, colorful vortex consumed him. Before Ichigo knew it, he was experiencing the sensation of falling while also feeling like his body was being ripped apart at the seams. It was painful, so much so he could only scream until he lost consciousness in what felt like an eternity.
Slowly awakening with his conscious mind registering pain first thing, Ichigo tried to open his eyes, but his lids felt heavy. In fact, after pain, a great heaviness was all Ichigo felt in his extremities. Ichigo just managed to twitch his fingers which made him register a soft fabric under his palm. This brought to Ichigo’s attention that he was laying on his back in something soft, presumably a bed. Ichigo could now feel the pillow under his head as well as the thin blanket covering his body. Smells and sound hit him next. It was almost too much, bringing a smashing headache with so much input. Making his brain question where he should focus.
Ichigo gives up on moving and focuses on the smell of herbs and flowers. The air smelt clean and fresh. Next, Ichigo focuses on the sound of birds and other small animals scurrying about to his left. This tells Ichigo that he was at a place smack-dab in the middle of nature most likely as he could hear the roaring of a waterfall not that far away as well. A shuffling sound to his right alerts Ichigo to the movement of another person there with him. Having focused on all these other things, his sharp pain just went to a dull ache, and with the knowledge of someone else there Ichigo started to tense up.
“Ah, I would not do that young one. Your muscles are already quite sore, I believe. It would not be wise to tighten them all up again.” Came a soft melodic voice just to the right of his head. Ichigo hears the person walk closer to his bedside. Ichigo’s brain seemed to short circuit for a moment as he tried to process what was said. Admittedly, while it was a soothing voice it seemed that the person was speaking in English or something like it. Not his native tongue of Japanese, which threw Ichigo’s mind into overdrive thinking of why that would be. In a split second decision, Ichigo forced his head to turn to the speaker and for his eyes to slit open.
It took a moment, but Ichigo’s vision unblurred and he saw an ethereal being standing before him. The being was tall, taller than his friend Chad* even though it’s hard to tell by how much laying down, slim and ageless. There was a faint glow about the person’s body too. Worn across the shoulders is a long gray sleeveless cloak and a bright silver circlet upon the brow. Most striking were the shining grey eyes that gave away that this person has been around for a long time and has seen many things. With pitch black hair flowing down just past the shoulders it seemed like liquid. Ichigo would say that this person was male, but he’ll wait a bit more before decisively saying so.
Ichigo hoarsely asked in English, “Who are ya ‘n where ‘m I?”
If Ichigo was not staring so intently at the person he would have thought the expression worn never changed. However, Ichigo was, and so he caught the slight creasing of the eyebrows being drawn down. “You speak like no one I have ever heard,” their eyes seem piercing for a moment before softening ever so slightly, “I am Elrond, Lord of Rivendell. The last peaceful home of the elves. More specifically you are in our Halls of Healing in a private room. How are you feeling?”
“You have been unconscious for two days since we found you. An elf on patrol came across you not far from here with many small cuts all over your body, since you lost quite a bit of blood and you were just passed out on the ground they took you back to me.”
“I-I,”Ichigo coughs and barely manages to spit out, “Wa-water, please.”
Moving gracefully, Lord Elrond pours water from a plain pitcher into a ceramic cup that was on the bedside table. Ichigo catches a glimpse of a golden ring with a blue stone** on his hand in between coughing. Lord Elrond stoops over the bed, lifts Ichigo’s head up with one arm and gently presses the cup to his lips with the other. Ichigo with his eyes watery and short of breath feels the cup and takes several gulps of the cool water. It soothed his dry and aching throat. Automatically saying thank you as Lord Elrond took the cup away when it was empty and laid his head back down, Ichigo began to deliberate over the information given to him.
It appears that Ichigo was no longer in the Seireitei much less Japan, and has wound up in a place called Rivendell. This person claims to be an elf and that there are elves here, which while shocking it is not the worst thing to happen to him. No being sent to wherever here was, was the problem. Should he be direct and tell this elf that he has no idea about this place or should he be somewhat cautious? Well, being blunt and direct has yet to steer him wrong.
“I must thank you for helping me. My name is Ichigo. I feel...okay enough. If I needed to ‘m sure that I could get up soon.” Ichigo was being honest. He was grateful for these elves' kindness and healing him. Despite his body being in immense pain not too long ago, Ichigo has an iron will and will do what he needs to do. Plus, it does help that the pain has mostly gone away and he isn’t so overwhelmed by his senses anymore. “Though, if ‘m honest, I have never heard of Rivendell or knew that elves were real. Not that it is that surprising considering my life.”
Lord Elrond blinks, taking a moment before replying, “That is good, you have no need to thank me. Never knew elves being real? I realize the time of the elves is dwindling, but as far as I am aware most of the men-folk know of us being alive, at least through stories. Where are you from, if you do not mind me asking?”
Ichigo shifts under the covers, attempting to move more now that his body seems to be responding. Lord Elrond notices him moving around, “Do you wish to sit up?” Ichigo nods, and so Lord Elrond helps him up and situates his pillows to prop him up. Feeling much better, Ichigo looks back over to Lord Elrond, “Thanks. Well, I am from the town Karakura in Japan.”
“Japan?” Lord Elrond slightly frowns in obvious confusion, “I have never heard of either of those places being on Middle Earth.”
Ichigo closes his eyes before he scowls while gritting his teeth. He worried something like that might be the case. No Shinigami has told him about there being a realm or dimension being called Middle Earth, so is this place not connected with the afterlife then? Hitting him like a strike from his hollowfied Zangetsu, Ichigo realizes his sisters are not here. Not his family, friends or even allies. Then Ichigo wonders if there is a way back and if so he is determined to find it.
“I see that is not a pleasing thing to hear for you.”
Ichigo snorts before replying, “That is quite the understatement.”
Lord Elrond just sits there patiently as Ichigo speaks. No surprise or any other kind of emotion is expressed on his face. But Lord Elrond has a feeling that this young man might be the cause of many surprises in the future.