The Death Trilogy Overture: Death & The Strawberry

The Death Trilogy Overture: Death & The Strawberry was a major conflict detailing the first time Ichigo Kurosaki met Rukia Kuchiki and became a Shinigami in charge of protecting Karakura Town from Hollows.

The conflict started when Rukia arrived at Ichigo's house lead by a Hollow's scent. She was injured by the Hollow and had to pass her Shinigami powers to Ichigo.

Ichigo agreed to help her protect the town from Hollows while her powers were restored, which led him to numerous battles against different Hollows.

The conflict ended when Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Lieutenant Renji Abarai were sent from Soul Society to take Rukia as a prisoner. Ichigo lost his Shinigami powers while trying to prevent this and had to be aided by Kisuke Urahara to get them back. After undergoing training with Urahara, Ichigo, along with Orihime Inoue, Yasutora Sado, Uryū Ishida and Yoruichi Shihōin, left to Soul Society to rescue Rukia.

Prelude
After arriving home late, Ichigo Kurosaki finds a strange woman in his room. Believing her to be a burglar, he kicks her but she explains that she is a Shinigami. Ichigo does not believe her. She becomes angry and binds him with Kidō. After the Shinigami tries to explain things once more, Ichigo hears a loud voice. She mentions that it is odd that a Human was able to hear it before she was and she goes to find the source. Ichigo, not wanting to sit by idly as his family is in danger, manages to break the Shinigami's spell and rushes downstairs to find a Hollow. After Ichigo unsuccessfully tries to fight the Hollow, the Shinigami manages to wound it and tells Ichigo that due to his high spiritual concentration, the Hollow's target was most likely him. Ichigo blames himself for his families injuries and the Shinigami turns around to tell him that that is not what she meant. Ichigo goes to fight the Hollow but as it is about to hit him, the Shinigami jumps int he way, taking the blow and becoming grievously wounded. Unable to continue, she presents Ichigo with a choice: become a Shinigami temporarily to save his family. Ichigo accepts and she introduces herself as Rukia Kuchiki as she stabs her Zanpakutō into him. while she only meant to transfer half of her power to him, all of it is transferred and Ichigo is transformed into a Shinigami. Rukia remarks that she has never seen a Zanpakutō so big before as Ichigo is able to defeat his first Hollow.