Tumbling Down

Tumbling Down
(AU)
A gasp echoed from his body as he jerked upwards, panting slightly and running his hands through his hair

There was something strange going on, he could feel it beneath his skin

Even if he didn't know what it was

It was almost like the nagging feeling of nostalgia....

"Hello?" he croaked, rising to his feet and stumbling slightly as he rubbed his eyes

Something- no... everything...- felt strange and familiar at the same time

Like he had been here, to this exact location, before... but maybe it had changed...

It was really the oddest thing...

"Hello?" he called again

A little more pronounced this time

He felt a sudden tap on his shoulder and turned around, jumping when he saw .. her...

A beautifull girl with dark raven terresses and a soft smile and knowing, sincere amythist eyes

"What can I help you with?" she asked in a voice twice as deep as he expected

"Well... to begin with, where the hell am I?" he challenged with a deep frown

"Does it matter?" the girl challenged with a shrug

He narrowed his eyes

"Ofcourse it matters," he insisted

"Why? What difference does it make?"

"It makes all the difference! It's... it makes a huge difference!"

"Why?"

"For one thing to distinguish if I'm anywhere near where I live..."

"What's to stop you from living here? Just... ignore all of the societal pressures and live here in the woods, nearer to the land?" she proposed

"Because that's crazy," he insisted with a frown

"I have things to do, responsabilities to take care of, people I know and love... I have a dog," he added as what appeared to be an afterthought

The girl chuckled softly, stroking her hair back as a few stray vines dripped down her arms and curved into her dress

"You're in my forest," she replied simply

"YOUR forest? You can't OWN a forest," he snorted

"Oh you're right, very right, I don't own it at all... the earth cannot be owned, it's a living, breathing thing just like everything else, and it needs to be shown respect.. the earth is alive, from the grass to the trees to the ocean... from the animals to the humans to ... me," she added with a small smile

"And what exactly ARE you then?" he challenged

"A Nymph," she replied quite seriously, raising her palm and smiling softly as a flower grew from the center of her hand

"A .. a Nymph...?" he asked quietly

"That's right, and this forest that- as you pointed out, does not belong to me- is PROTCETED by me and you are tresspassing," she added, taking a step forward

"I... I'm sorry... I have no idea how I got here or where I came from," he said with a deep frown

"It's alright, you're here to help,"

"Here to help?" he snorted

"Yes, to help restore balance, restore peace, to return the land to the way it was, full of vibrance and color rather than this bleak excuse for a planet," she said with a tight hum of frustration and wat seemed to be disdain

"And what makes you think I'll help Nymph?" he frowned deeper

She chuckled, moving closer and placing a hand over his

"First of all, I DO think you'll help me, and the reason for that is sort of my private buisness," she smirked

He frowned, about to speak again when she interrupted

"AND another thing, I'm not 'Nymph', it's Rukia Kuchiki,"

A small smile passed over his features and he nodded

"And I'm Ichigo Kurosaki,"

~+~

Ichigo woke up with a gasp and placed a hand over his chest, looking around and swallowing, everything seemed to be in order....

He was in his house, the dog was on the foot of the bed and Rukia was on the other side... everything was normal...

Getting up, he stumbled towards the bathroom, deciding to take something for his pounding headache, and not seeing Rukia peek her eyes open as a small vine circled around from her fingers, crept up the nightstand table, and left a rose where he would look at the clock the next morning