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.

Early Stages
The next day, Ichigo discovers Rukia is gone and his family has forgotten about the incident. He arrives at school to find Rukia, who can't return to the Soul Society because she has lost her powers. Rukia takes him to a nearby park where he is forced to fight the Hollow Hexapodus in order to protect the spirit of a young boy. By doing this, he accepts to help Rukia to do her job as a Shinigami.

Ichigo and Rukia meet Orihime while training. Ichigo tells Rukia about Orihime’s brother who died three years ago. A Hollow attacks them later in Ichigo’s room and escapes. Rukia tells Ichigo that Hollows are souls of formerly normal humans. They chase the Hollow to Orihime’s house, and it turns out to be Orihime’s dead brother. Orihime apologizes to him for not praying for him, and he asks Ichigo to kill him so that he won’t lose himself and try to devour Orihime again. Orihime bids him farewell as he disappears.

Chad finds a speaking parakeet, which is said to be cursed and keeps it. He is later admitted to the Kurosaki Clinic with grievous wounds. Rukia tells Ichigo that Chad’s wounds smell of a Hollow. Chad escapes from the clinic and hides with the parakeet. Rukia and Ichigo find him, but Ichigo has to take Karin back to the house, so Rukia is left to chase after him. They are caught by a Hollow chasing Chad and the parakeet. In order to protect the parakeet, Chad helps Rukia to fight the Hollow, even if he can’t see it. The Hollow takes the parakeet hostage, so that Chad won’t fight anymore, leaving Rukia alone. When the Hollow takes the upper hand, Ichigo finally arrives to fight. Ichigo fights the Hollow and its exploding leeches while the parakeet tells Rukia the story of how he was deceived by the Hollow. Ichigo listens the story from the Hollow itself, and enraged by it, kills the Hollow, who falls to Hell instead of being purified since it had committed terrible sins when it was alive. Ichigo finally performs Konsō on the soul of Yūichi trapped inside of the parakeet, who promises to let Chad carry him when they meet in Soul Society.