Bleach/Fanfic Recs

Yeah, we know that specific whitening cleaning product is popular among a lot of people, but you'll have to settle for stories about a lot of restless spirits (and Ichigo) trying to kill each other... again.

These are recommendations made by Tropers for Bleach fanfics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic of your own to the list, but remember to use the template found here.

You can also add to the current recommendations if you want. Refrain from posting Conversation in The Main Page though; that goes in the discussion page.

Status guide:


 * Complete: Exactly What It Says On the Tin.
 * Ongoing: The fic is being updated on a regular basis, or has received an update after a significant absence.
 * Dormant: The fic has not been updated in a fairly long time (several months to a year or more) but the author has not pronounced it dead.
 * Dead: The fic has not been updated in several years, or the author has specifically said that it will not be updated.

Note: Fics listed as Dormant or Dead will be changed to Ongoing if/when they receive updates. If you see a rec with a blank status, and you're familiar with the fanfic, please add the correct status.

Authors and Websites
ncfan
 * Recommended by nimloth, seconded by User:Bookwormtiff
 * ncfan has written hundreds of character-centric one-shots, most of which are rather angsty and always offer interesting takes on all characters. Particularly the Ishida family.
 * Seconded. Her work is all beautifully written and she has some of the best oneshots I've ever read.
 * Also thirded. She's shot well past the thousand-story-mark, and anything she writes is quality.
 * The fanfiction "Entropy" featuring nearly 200 Ishida family centric one-shots deserves special mention.

Darth Ammonite
 * Recommended by User:Of Science
 * Anything by Darth Ammonite is amazing. Her stories have wonderful humor combined with excellent characterization. Funny enough to make one reviewer literally wet themselves with laughter. (Be warned.)

Incandescens
 * Recommended by User:Of Science, seconded by User:Bookwormtiff
 * For that matter, everything by Incandescens is pretty amazing. Beware of the Slash, though.
 * Incandescens has a way of writing which just flows and works so well. There's a noticeable tinge of sarcastic, deadpan wit in many of her more humourous works, and yes, she normally writes a type of hilarious, though subtle, crack. (Sounds weird, but there it is.) Her serious works, though, are literary works of art. Oh, there is a considerable amount of slash, and she writes a lot for her OTP threesome, Ukitake/Kyouraku/Nanao.

Debbiechan,
 * Recommended by User:Space Chief
 * Anything by Debbiechan, especially for Ishida/Orihime shippers.

Reaper's Union
 * Recommended by User:Hremsfeld.
 * An RP set in an alternate universe; no canon characters.

CrazyNinjaPenguin
 * Recommended by User:Rabukurafuto.
 * Crazy Ninja Penguin is an excellent writer of thoughtful Girls Love lemons with emphasis on characterization and sweet moments (albeit with a minor Rouge Angles of Satin problem). Just be aware that, as a Girls Love lemon writer, every single story, without fail, contains at least one graphic sex scene between female characters, but there's more plot than porn here.

Case13
 * Recommended by User:Croaker.
 * Case13 - aka 'Fosfor' on some forums - is a master of recasting stories in interesting ways. Stray Cat Strut, for example, takes the idea of Ichigo's early growth in spiritual strength and has him end up training with Yoruichi a couple of years before the start of the series. He and Tatsuki go after Grand Fisher together, and the results are ... impressive. Excellent characterization and a true talent for the crossover cameo, and some truly delicious alternate universes. Sadly, he seems to have burned out on fanfiction in general, so for now, consider his works as Dormant, if not Dead.

Yemi Hikari
 * Recommended by User:Raptyr.
 * Specializing in just about anything except hardcore romance, Yemi Hikari is the go-to author for Hitsugaya fans. She often writes in the fanon belief that Isshin Kurosaki was the previous Captain of Squad 10. Regardless of this, she showcases a tight familial bond with the members of Squad 10 (and Gin). Most of the stories are light, but some are definitely serious. Recommended are the Fics Admiration, and the two spinoff series Understanding and the Sub Ubi series, both of which do contain darker notes and are not for the faint-hearted.
 * To note, there are actually two camps on Hitsugaya Toshiro's characterization. One side leans towards writing him as an adult type of character, while the other leans towards writing him with a childish side. Yemi Hikari falls into the second group.
 * It needs to be forewarned that Yemi Hikari's weak point is her grammar and spelling, so be forewarned about this, particularly in her older works.

peroxidepest17
 * Recommended by jeun
 * peroxidepest17 has written a large amount of drabbles and fics for Bleach, with the drabbles collection hitting 500 chapters. There are a lot of different pairings and focuses, but most of the works flesh out the characters or are good for a laugh. There is some het but most of the pairings are Boyslove pairings. Do note that most of it was written around the time of the Soul Society Arc and can therefore diverge from canon.

Allen the Musician
 * Recommended by Tanglemorph
 * Allen the Musician has a series in progress that takes place several years after the Winter War. It can be a little hard to discern the exact placement of the fics chronologically sometimes, but they are all worth a read. I won't spoil anything, but keep in mind that war has it's tragedies.

rii no ame
 * Recommended by User:Bookwormtiff
 * rii no ame's writing is comparable to poetry. Many of her oneshots/fics are full of introspection and angst, but these factors are the highlights of her work. She also has a talent of getting into the characters' thought processes, which can be quite interesting to read. Warning - Her stories are mainly BL, though she does write a tiny bit of het, most prominently Ichi/Ruki. You're fine if you read the T-rated ones, but the M-rated fics are truly hardcore Yaoi, so be very, very careful.

Dictionary Ink
 * Recommended by User:Bookwormtiff
 * Dictionary Ink writes for many fandoms, and has a very nice collection of Bleach drabbles. Her style is peculiar as it contrasts and moves between choppy abruptness and eloquence, but somehow it flows and makes for an engaging read every time. Her OTP is Nnoit/Nel (she's one of the only writers that specializes in this pairing) and her fics are het.

MJLCoyoteStarrk
 * Recommended by ultimomant
 * Most of this author's fics are Starrk/Harribel, Ulquiorra/Orihime, Ichigo/Rukia. I especially recommend Kick About, Destroy, Bind, an alternate-universe fic set in the old west.

General Fics
''Stories focused on the family and the friendly relationships of the cast. Plot-focused stories or light day-in-the-life stories. Pretty much anything that isn't focused on romance.''

Skin of Ice by hersheyman
 * Recomended by uncannybeetle
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: A take on Toshiro Hitsugaya's origin, from his childhood with Hinamori to his promotion to captain. Deals with questions unanswered in the manga or anime such as why he did not want to become a shinigami/soul reaper, though it does take some minor liberties with the canon at times. Recommended for all fans of Shiro-chan.

Musings by Namikaze Artemis
 * Recommended by luciamalpense.
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopis: A short one-shot strongly hinting at Ichigo being Kaien's reincarnation. First half of the story has Rukia musing over her thoughts of Ichigo and Kaien. Second half has Ichigo musing over his weird feelings of deja vu. Well written and interesting.

Corazón Roto A Hollow's Story by Mysteryguy12
 * Recommended by Feranard
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: When a young man dies, he becomes a hollow. This is the story of that man on his journey to overcome his insatiable hunger and become as human as he possibly can, an arrancar. Interesting story, take a look.

Devil's Smile by Silent_Sky
 * Recommended by Sweetcove
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: In the depths of Hell, a demon war unfolds. As the violence spreads, Ichigo and the Shinigami come under attack by forces spawned in Hell's darkness. Allying with mysterious demon hunters, Ichigo and Toshiro must turn the tide of war or face annihilation.

Deon by Lambotrist
 * Recommended by crackersdon'tmatter
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: "You all remember Don Kanonji right?" There's Don Kanonji, and then there's Deon. Or the other way around.

Chivalry by Random One-Shot
 * Recommended by User:Comartemis, User:Kitsu, Sheliak
 * Status: Likely Dead (last updated 11-14-10 as of 5-11-12. Author is still active, though).
 * Synopsis: A knight is not soon parted from her princess. Tatsuki pulls an Ascended Extra when her spiritual powers awaken to protect Orihime just before the start of the Soul Society arc.

Old Soldiers by Moczo
 * Recommended by Tom
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: Urahara joins some old friends for a longstanding tradition. Post Soul Society arc, preArrancar.

Nexus by Halm Vendrella
 * Recommended by Vellaen
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: The first outbreak of the Black Death rages across fifteenth-century Asia and Europe, straining the abilities of the shinigami and their comrades to the breaking point. When the Gotei Thirteen's western counterparts, the Soulguard of Avalon, make an urgent plea for help, three Captains are dispatched, duty-bound to help however they can, even with their own Soul Society in turmoil. Meanwhile, a knight of King Edward's army finds himself thrust into the midst of a chain of events that threatens not just his own life, but all he has ever known.

Treading Icy Waters by windlily
 * Recommended by User:RFD Blaze
 * Status: Complete
 * Pairing(s): None really to be honest, as the story seems more focused on the interactions between the characters.
 * Synopsis: The board has been laid out. The pieces have been set and moved. The pawns are scattered across the floor, and Ichimaru's fingers are wrapped around a stark white bishop. That's another check, little taichou. The game has only begun.

''Lord of Winter by Cymru na Alethaira.
 * Recommended by Quilly Quiller
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Synopsis: A canon-compliant elaboration on Hitsugaya's backstory, following him from Academy all the way to Captainship. It's only six chapters long, but it's also updated regularly, averaging about one new chapter a week. Very detailed, very in-depth, and very well thought out, it avoids most of the cliches of canon-compliant backstories and elaborates on a lot of aspects of the Bleach-verse and the Gotei 13 that canon never fully explores.

Come Back Soon by justjoy
 * Recommended by Fiery Darkness
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: A collection of thoughts covering various characters in the Bleach universe. Rather short series, with only 12 (equally short) chapters, but well worth the time to read. Some chapters made this troper sniffle.

Til Death Do Us Part by Alice of the Vanguard
 * Recommended by User:Weaver
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: The last thoughts of the Espada, from Yammy to Aaronierro.

Hinamori's Apprentice by Kalow
 * Recommended by User:Zero Sennin
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: As Ichigo prepares himself to take his place amongst the Soul Reapers in Seireitei, a tragic accident sets the stage for a more mature, but still wounded Momo Hinamori to make a difference in the life of a certain Kurosaki.

Understanding by AbstractError
 * Recommended by User:Darksidevoid
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: There have been two equally eloquent summaries for Understanding since This Troper began reading it:
 * We will serve, in life, or in death, the Primera thought. There is no way out; there never was. He made us all just so that we will serve.
 * "˜What is it, Byakushi?" Sousuke Aizen asked, kindly. "˜Is the world suddenly too large for one so small?"

Bleach: Another Side Another Story by Darkstrings
 * Recommended by Unlimited_Archer
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: 13 years before the hollowfication incident occured, Kyle Tobias was just a kid before dying. Then he was trust into the position of Lieutenant in the ill fated 14th squadron of Seiretei. As he learns to use his powers, he finds himself smitten with the captain of his division, the motherly Shino Nakazume. As Shino and Kyle fall in love his friends from the material world find themselves used as pawns for a rouge shinigami, they too join the 14th. Later, a group of renegade Quiny attack Seireitei leading to a small scale war that puts Shino and Kyle's love to the test. However, Kyle's happiness at finding love is shattered in the cruelest way...

More of You, Less of Me by Virgins-and-Surgeons
 * Recommended by scribblechan, Cinderflame
 * Status:
 * Pairing(s): Some are hinted at, such as Ichigo/Orihime, Renji/Rukia, etc., but mostly the fic focuses on Aizen and Ichigo. And not in that sense, either.
 * Synopsis: "Aizen is dead, and the Winter War has been won. But the Lord of Las Noches is yet alive, either in the insanity or in the soul of the very Hero of the Winter War that slew him. And he's not going to be satisfied until Ichigo's stark raving mad...or worse."

Watercolor World by Lady Azar de Tameran
 * Recommended by PhyreNyx
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: One Shot. Her entire universe is a tapestry of colors. Blues and pinks and greens. Bright like giggles and little girl kisses. But sometimes, she opens her eyes. And there is no laughter.

The Road to Seireitei by Hasty. (Warnings for a largely Wretched Hive setting and one or two very brief mentions of pedophilia.)
 * Recommended by Sheliak
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: Follows Kenpachi and Yachiru from shortly after her adoption to shortly after he takes over Division 11, with Ikkaku and Yumichika guest starring for a little while.

Break in the Dark Grey Sky by Elixir of Tears
 * Recommended by Caellach Tiger Eye
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: The aftermath of the winter war, from the inside of Hinamori Momo's mind, if she were unable to heal. - Oneshot

Deathsong by LoquaciousQuark
 * Recommended by Bakageta89, User:Bookwormtiff
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: "Post-series. An accident has unexpected ramifications, and Ichigo suddenly faces a new life and a new threat in Soul Society. Living is never as simple as it seems."
 * Pairing(s): Technically Ichigo/Rukia, but that is not the main focus of the fic.

A Protector's Pride by NeoRyu777
 * Recommended by Kyman102, Gore17, Lord Gale
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Synopsis: An alternate way of looking at the story from the Vizard arc onwards (The Bounto arc is briefly mentioned), Ichigo confronts his Hollow problem by facing it head-on. This troper likes to refer to it as "What if the characters in Bleach had two functioning brain cells?" Answer: Some of the more ridiculous moments are neatly smoothed over.

burning for you by incandescens
 * Recommended by Rain Krystal
 * Status: Oneshot.
 * Synopsis: A story about Hinamori. Fire doesn't need light in the way that it needs oxygen.

A Series of Firsts by selfavoidingwalk
 * Recommended by Rain Krystal
 * Status: Completed.
 * Synopsis: A series of first in Hinamori's life, and the story of the people who came to visit her while she was asleep.
 * Comments: This runs in anachronistic order, which makes it a little confusing, but it's still a very satisfying read. Heartbreaking at many points, and chilling at others, this story gives a good look into the world Hinamori built for herself around her captain.

Of Princesses and Puddles by Kia
 * Recommended by Sheliak
 * Status: Oneshot, complete.
 * Synopsis: After his fight with Ishida, Mayuri oozes home by way of Eleventh Division and encounters Orihime. A lovely take on Orihime- eccentric with a streak of practicality, and not helpless despite not being a fighter. Fits in between canon scenes in the Soul Society arc.

Twenty Ways to Die by Aishuu
 * Recommended by Sheliak
 * Status: Oneshot, complete.
 * Synopsis: Character snapshots of many of the Soul Society/shinigami cast, focusing on their deaths- or in some cases, death in general- and their reactions to it. It was written several years ago, and some details have since been contradicted in canon.

Benediction by Cymru na Alethaira
 * Recommended by Dellanotte
 * Status: Dead & removed from profile.
 * Synopsis: "It is a knighting of sorts, as each of the Gotei Thirteen take turns to empower the blade that will return Ichigo's shinigami powers. Each of them imparts a gift, a wish."
 * Comments: Set in the midst of the Xcution Arc, with some of the speculations likely to be Jossed in the near future... But nobody cares, because the character analysis and well-wishing/BadassCreed that defines each speaker translate into 27 full counts of Crowning Moments of Heartwarming.

The New Ruler of Hell by Manga Fan 9000.
 * Recommended by evilbody
 * "Status": Complete
 * Synopsis: A 28-chapter What If, about the arrancars who went to hell and attempt to take over and escape it. Well written and characterization of the arrancars are very close to the originals.

For Want of A Nail
Hogyoku ex Machina by Mac Ceallach
 * Now has its own page.
 * Recommended by Caellach Tiger Eye, User:Bookwormtiff
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: "In the final battle with Aizen a different choice is made, and now Ichigo and his greatest enemy have gone back to the beginning. His best friends are powerless, his allies don't know him, and everything he loves is in danger. No non-canon pairings."

The Day Before Tomorrow by: Daricio
 * Recommended by Muninnigu H
 * Status: On-Going
 * Synopsis: "Aizen is taking over. The situation looks bleak. And Urahara Kisuke suddenly remembers a device that may save them all. Unfortunately, nothing ever goes exactly as planned... Ichigo-centric. Time Travel gone wrong."

Substitute School, First Semester by Zero-Sennin
 * Recommended by Ianho, User:Bookwormtiff
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: What if Rukia had only given Ichigo half her power, as she meant to, that first fateful night? A non-depowered Rukia, a Soul Society that doesn't immediately call for her execution but conscripts Ichigo instead and a whole new way of looking at Ichigo being a Shinigami is the answer to that question.

Downfall by Shadow's Forge
 * Recommended by EvilPinky
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Tropes Entry
 * Synopsis: Ongoing alternate universe story which features a major deviation from canon Bleach: What If Sosuke Aizen--and, by extension, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tosen--are not, and never were, the villains. Instead of those previously mentioned three, a trio of powerful Soul Reapers whom nobody had suspected are the ones rising in rebellion. Several other changes are also present, such as canonically dead characters appearing alive and well, and other characters--such as the Espada--holding different ranks from canon.
 * Pairings: Not a central part of the story, but still an interesting dynamic. The only established couples thus far are Gin and Rangiku, and and Byakuya. There are suggestions of developing relationships between others (Toshiro/Momo, possible Sosuke/Momo, Shunsui/Nanao, to name a potential few) and, because of the nature of the story battling ships might get turned on their head. (If Ichigo/Rukia and Renji/Rukia are major players, what happens if  was still in the picture?)
 * Now it's got it's own page!

Hammered Down by Tomas the Betrayer
 * Recommended by User:Darksidevoid, User:Revlid, User:Zeitgeist Glee
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: A forbidden encounter, a chance conversation. Rukia Kuchiki is about to discover what some people are willing to do for the good of Soul Society.
 * Now with its very own page.

Bleach 200+ by Kurohana Frost In the dank backstreets of Karakura City a lone boy of 16 had his first encounter with a hollow. Dieing while saving another he awakes in Soul Society to be greeted by the Gotei 13. You see the hero from 200 Years past dissapeared after his victory and neither of the two worlds has seen him since. The boy's name, Keichi Kurosaki. Believing him to be the reincarnation of that hero they induct him into their ranks. A war is brewing between the Reborn Quincies, the Arcane Soul Society, and the shadows that watch both. Is a second Genocide Inevitable.
 * Recommended by User:Rai Burnout
 * Status: Hiatus due to writers block.
 * Synopsis: 200 Years Ago, a man named Ichigo Kurosaki saved Soul Society and the mortal plane from the aspirations of Sousuke Aizen.

The Vizard Trilogy, by An Origami Fish - installments as follows:
 * Part 1 - Veiled Path
 * Part 2 - Hollow Intentions
 * Part 2.5 - Hollow Intentions: The Other Side of Life
 * Part 3 - Unmasking the Future
 * Recommended by Serroco
 * Status: Dead & removed from profile.
 * Synopsis: Quoted directly from the fic:
 * For Veiled Path - "Soul Society is in ruins after the second war with Aizen, a perfect target for the Vaizard. Can Ichigo make peace with the darkness inside of him in time to stop a relentless foe? Or will everyone he holds dear be swept away by their thirst for vengeance?"
 * For Hollow Intentions - "The Vaizards have emerged from the shadows, advancing mercilessly on the Seireitei, intent on total victory. Ichigo must come face to face with his worse fears as the Vaizards threaten everything he holds dear."
 * For Hollow Intentions: The Other Side of Life - "Picks up where the initial Hollow Intentions left off regarding the Soul Society story-lines and is part of the second part of the Vaizard trilogy. Can the Shinigami win over the Rukongai and turn back the advancing Vaizards, or will they meet their end?"
 * For Unmasking the Future - "Ichigo and his friends have beaten back the Vaizard onslaught, but at great costs. How many more must be sacrificed to end the war? The events of the past have shaped the future and everything has come to a head."

After The Fairy Tale Ends by Frozen Shattered Roses
 * Recommended by: Cinderflame
 * Status: Dormant (last update January 2010)
 * Synopsis: To be a Vizard is to be a criminal in the eyes of the 46. With Aizen's fall Ichigo is cast out, allowed to escape for his service to the Seireitei. What happens when he sneaks back in?

Calm After the Storm
 * Recommended by Ciabella
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: "They had all seen things that no teenager should. Pain, suffering, death, killing just to ensure your own survival. War. At the age of 15, they had seen things veterans fives times their own age have nightmares about. Complete! Sequel is 'Contagion'."

Five Ways Kurosaki Ichigo Didn't Become a Hollow by digigirl132
 * Recommended by Legal Assassin
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: Exactly What It Says On the Tin. Five points in the Bleach storyline where Ichigo becomes a Hollow.

Secrets, Twists and Chaos by MeteorLeopard
 * Recommended by Dellanotte
 * Status: Ongoing, Updated as of October 2011
 * Pairing: Hitsugaya/Karin, slight Renji/Tatsuki
 * Synopsis: In which a certain infamous filler never happened, another one has a new spin placed on it, and Hitsugaya-taicho ends up investigating a human girl with Reiatsu and fighting experience. The girl in quesiton, Kurosaki Karin, has a much higher level of Reiatsu than in canon, thanks to the Nail:.
 * Comments: Despite being a blatant Shipping fic and having a fairly cliche title, "Secrets, Twists and Chaos" is a well-written, hilarious little story that manages to spin a whole new set of character interactions and bonds. The author manages to avoid a God Mode Sue Karin even while giving her genuinely scary powers in keeping with the Kurosaki family. Also manages a pretty good character exploration of Hitsugaya, who has no idea what he's gotten into, and realistic implications of the ensuing situation ( to visit!).

The First Guardian by Flameal Ashcrow
 * Recommended by Love Psycho
 * Status: On Going
 * Pairing: Ichigo/Rukia
 * Synopsis: What if Kurosaki Ichigo was a lot more curious as a child? What if this led to him having an inquisitive mind? Just how much would this change the course of history? Let's find out, shall we?
 * Comments: The trope Crazy Awesome definitely comes into play. Ichigo is portrayed as very smart....but probably even more crazy than Urahara. His Zanpakuto - who doesn't seem to be Zangetsu - is almost as nuts. Their conversations remain the highlight of the fic. Since Ichigo has been training before he met Rukia, he is much tougher than canon Ichigo at this point. The author wonderfully deals with this by putting it on "Hard Mode" which keeps Ichigo from getting too powerful too soon.
 * This troper rather enjoyed this story until chapter 11. The idea that not only can Ichigo  but also owns a car, a condo, and his own warehouse just reeks of Marty Stu at age 15. However, this troper will also admit that Ichigo's insistence on calling Kon "Megatron" is rather amusing.

The World in Black and White by Kyrial Halcoryn
 * Recommended by Love Psycho
 * Status: On Going
 * Synopsis: (AKA, Why Not To Flatshare With A Hollow And A Shinigami At The Same Time If You're A Quincy.) Being a Quincy and flatsharing with a Vasto Lorde and a stalker shinigami sent on a mission to purify said hollow is not good for your health. Being forced to carry out said shinigami's duties is not fun, either. Having said Vasto Lorde attempt to use puppy-dog eyes to persuade you to keep an Adjuchas in your apartment... well, that's just plain disturbing. Features bipolar!hollow!Ichigo with a thing for candy, pyromaniac!spy!Uryuu with button-induced genocide mode, cats that are not, in fact, cats, a mod soul not named Kon, Chekhov's Gunmen, a whole lot of minor characters being more badass than they are in canon, black humour, quite a bit of misunderstanding, and no ridiculously overpowered substitute shinigami. At all.
 * Comments: An interesting take of an alternate path, in which Ichigo died with his mother and then attached himself to Ishida by chance, eventually becoming a Hollow. But, since it is Ichigo, he remains sane and keeps up the friendship. Then Rukia is sent to investigate and all hell breaks loose. Very funny, especially since Ichigo is positively giddy at times. The Quincy Encyclopaedia and Omakes that shows up at the end sometimes are rather informative and funny. Essentially the original Bleach but with Ishida Uryu as the main character.

Bleach: Fan Works by YemiHikari
 * Now has its own page.
 * Recommended by User:Beary Scary
 * Status: Temporarily on hiatus while the author improves some of her older fanfics.
 * Synopsis: What happens when badfic writers start watching Bleach? They write bad fanfiction of course. Story within a story concept.
 * Comments: Completely unlike any story that I've ever read, fanfiction and professional fiction alike. What YemiHikari does is a Deconstruction of badfic tropes by posting the stories of badfic authors that she invented - yes, fake authors, their perverted visions of canon Bleach characters, and their "original characters" collide in a truly enjoyable story. It's even more enjoyable for those who've been exposed to badfic tropes. The story starts off rather humorously, but gets more serious as it goes on.

Not Quite as Planned by cerokun
 * Recommended by: Lustheron, Ivaryna
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Synopsis: Ichigo was a bit slow to pull Zangetsu out as his Inner World crumbled. The result ends up not quite as Urahara had intended.
 * Comments: Yes, Ichigo is an arrancar in this story. Far better than it sounds. Once the group reaches Soul Society, things very quickly diverge from canon. Highlights include

Crack Fics
Uninvited Guests by Moczo
 * Recommended by User:lanky, User:Ack Sed, User:mrsusuitakumi
 * Status: Complete.
 * Synopsis: Take the 11th Division. Add just a tiny handful of crack. Release them into 10th Division. Watch the resulting spiral of chaos and disaster steadily engulf Soul Society in ever-escalating madness. Carefully pare any remaining seriousness from the concept and execution and replace with a double helping of funny. Drink...but...very...carefully.
 * Additional info: Now has it's own page.

The Short Life and Death of Ishida Hubert by Empty Gun
 * Recommended by Fai-Mommy
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: A young Uryuu gets a pet rabbit and Ryuuken learns that kids can't be trusted to take care of their own pets.

There's Something About Zaraki by drakensis
 * Recommended by User:Keltena
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: An argument about Yachiru leads to Hitsugaya and Renji learning that she's achieved bankai. What they weren't expecting were the details of the matter...

Scary Shiny Glasses by Lady Nightspike
 * Recommended by User:Little Serge
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: Billed as having been "inspired by the TV Trope", this story is basically a collection of 4 little mini-stories focussing on Uryu Ishida's... glasses? Each story is funny in its own right, and comes together quite well as a whole. It has Uryu play the Scary Shiny Glasses trope perfectly straight, as well as focussing on how the glasses just seem to make Uryu's "look".

Remember the King by drakensis
 * Recommended by User:Balesirion, User:Akatsuki Daybreak
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: Aizen stands victorious over Soul Society, and prepares to confront the King. But startling secret is about to be revealed...

Deicide by fuocoso
 * Recommended by User:Marq FJA
 * Status: Complete
 * Pairings: one-sided Chizuru/Aizen
 * Synopsis: Aizen has prepared a defense for every type of assault imaginable...except one. Slight spoilers through chapter 410.

Inferno by Frozen Shattered Roses
 * Recommended by User:Nitramy
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: All the captains of Soul Society have one thing in common. All have achieved Bankai. There has never been - and never will be - a captain of the Gotei 13 who has not achieved this level. For some of them, it's just difficult to admit...

And Thus Nothing is Sacred by Dellanotte.
 * Recommended by Writing For Loons
 * Status: Possible Dead Fic
 * ''Synopsis: "Once upon some time, there was a kingdom ruled by Queen Chizuru, who was in love with the fair maiden Orihime, who was straight. Unfortunately, hilarity would ensue in the worst ways possible..." in the form of Chizuru trying to force a sex change on Orihime in order to keep her throne, Orihime escaping into the woods and meeting seven dwarves, and bad cellphone coverage.

Please Stop Eating The Hell Butterflies Written by Mistress Nika "Kusajishi-fukutaicho - Please stop eating the Hell Butterflies"
 * Recommended by Raptyr
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Pairing: Ichigo/Everybody, one-sided Momo/Aizen, Ulquiorra/Orihime, Yoruichi/Soifon, Ikkaku/Yumichika (maybe...), one-sided Everyone/Ukitake, Gin/Everybody
 * Synopsis: A general bulletin board featuring rules and regulations to the Gotei Thirteen. Written in a list-type format (Not as bad as it sounds!), the rules featured are utterly ridiculous, and are guaranteed to make you either burst into laughter, wet yourself, or cry. Often all three.
 * To give you an idea of the hilarity involved, this quote:


 * Comments: Warning! Please do not eat or drink while reading. The author is in no way responsible for you choking to death due to your laughter.

Things Shinigami are not allowed to do by Gnosismaster
 * Recommended by: Chabal 2
 * Status: ?
 * Pairing(s): Ichigo / Everyone
 * Summary: Every few generations, the Shinigami start a slightly serious, slightly humourous list of 'Things Shinigami are not Allowed to do'. It is the only written evidence that Captain-General Yamamoto has any trace of a sense of humour.
 * Synopsis: Like the above, a long (very long) list of things Shinigami are no longer allowed to do, clearly inspired by the list of Things Mr. Welch Is No Longer Allowed to Do In An RPG.
 * 343c) Shinigami are hereby forbidden from performing Soul Burial on Optimus Prime's Spark for two reasons. One, it is in no danger of becoming a Hollow, due to it getting a new body every few months. Two, do you want to see a truck becoming a Shinigami?
 * 343d) The last question of 343c was rhetorical, damn it.
 * So. Many. Crossovers. Seriously, what's real for Shinigami and what's entertainment seem completely arbitrary. Still, the funny does not stop... and how the Hell does Gin keep getting into the Seireitei? I thought Yamamoto dealt with that with the Kuchiki Law.

A Hollows Daily Routineby ''Greg TH. The Eleventh Espada''
 * Recommended by: The G
 * Status: Complete
 * Pairing(s): Ichigo/Rukia, Mentioned Renji/Rangiku (But the pairings aren't the main focus of the fic.)
 * Synopsis: Due to Ichigo using a rather odd word in an argument with his hollow, Hichigo starts to think that Ichigo swings another way. Ichigo denies this but the Hollow eggs him on about it, Ichigo sets out to prove that he's straight, and it just so happens that the lovely, female Rukia is alone in the room with him...(Contains Lime/Implied Sex)

Cards by dishrag_chan
 * Recommended by: Twiddler
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: Ichigo is kidnapped and taken prisoner to Hueco Mundo. He starts playing cards out of boredom. A few of the Espada join in. Hilarity Ensues, while managing to keep everyone in character.

Cooking for Espadas by chairomori
 * Recommended by: Twiddler
 * Status: Complete, sequel in the works
 * Synopsis: Orihime, allowed a rare moment of freedom in Las Noches, comes across the kitchens and decides to cook up something to share with everyone.

if you go down to the 11th today by deadpoolhulk
 * Recommended by: thedarkestday
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Synopsis: A strange story involving a version of Bleach with such little regard for the forth wall that Aizen has chosen not to kidnap Orihime because he read the manga in advance and knows it ends badly for him. Meanwhile a group calling themselves "the chaotic neutrals" are moving behind the scenes and a timetraveling Yachiru is trying to prevent the story from becoming another dark and edgy "Aizen wins" fanfiction. It also has several funny discussions on Bleach, it's plot holes, and fanfiction as a whole. And Yachiru gets the coolest Bankai ever.

The Division Exchange Program by AngelaD.Pangie
 * Recommended by: Zashiki Warashi
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Synopsis: Division Eleven: Bloodthirsty monsters. Division Four: Peaceful healers. In an effort to improve inter-division relations Central 46 has launched the Division Exchange Program. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite have the effect hoped for...

Alternative Universe Fics
Re:Hollowfication written by CrystallineX.
 * Recommended by mrunsmiley.
 * Status: Complete.
 * Pairing(s): Karin/Hitsugaya, Tatsuki/Renji is hinted at.
 * Synopsis: After surviving an attack from a Hollow, Karin finds herself developing Hollow powers of her own, as well as dealing with her feelings for a particular white-haired Shinigami. And when Aizen himself gets involved, things really start to take a turn for the worse.

Winter War written by incandescens, liralen, and Sophia Prester. (AU)
 * Recommended by dafox22, Sheliak
 * Status: Ongoing.
 * Synopsis: An AU that takes place following Ichigo's party heading for Hueco Mundo, it follows a group of survivors after Seireitei (Soul Society) has fallen to Aizen. Aizen has won. Seireitai is occupied. The Resistance is weak. Winter is here. There may not be a spring. Nothing is sacred and no one is safe. We are the last line of def- Diverges from continuity somewhere in the Hueco Mundo and Fake Karakura arcs.
 * Now has a trope page.

Hell Butterfly written by Allriyan (AU)
 * Recommended by sweece
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Synopsis: When Aizen rips Ichigo's family apart, how much will he sacrifice to save them? The key to survival lies only in the claws of his inner enemy, and for Karin the road to redemption is paved with butterfly's wings. Set from Hueco Rescue arc onwards.

Pain Without Tears written by madmanmay. (AU)
 * Recommended by User:Dhomochevsky
 * Status: Possible Dead Fic.
 * Synopsis: Set during an alternate universe Winter War, where a severely weakened Soul Society passes an edict for the remaining Lieutenants to participate in "Bankai training" under a specially selected Captain. Following the death of Captain Unohana, an unfortunate Kotetsu Isane is left in the hands of the monstrous Mayuri Kurotsuchi, and things can only get worse from there...

Heir Apparent by KnightoftheWord
 * Recommended by Tom
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Pairing(s): Ichigo/Rukia; it's not really anywhere near the focus of the story though so I think it still qualifies as a general fic.
 * Synopsis: The war is over, but the aftershocks still shake Soul Society. New captains and lieutenants step up, including a certain carrot-top and his raven-haired sidekick. But sinister forces at work, gathering strength while nursing a 200 year old grudge.

Reverse the Pendulum by adrien skywalker
 * Recommended by sweece
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Pairing(s): None that are really important to the story and most of the ones that do feature are fairly atypical.
 * Synopsis: Due to unforeseen events, the Kurosaki family is forced to relocate to the Soul Society, where they get caught unwittingly in a web of Lies, Deceit & Treachery. However there is one thing that no one realizes, their eldest son, Ichigo, is the Hollow King

The Shining Dark by Triple Helix
 * Recommended by: User:Zeitgeist Glee and Navllyk
 * Synopsis: "Ichigo Kurosaki, talented pilot with a troubled past, and Rukia Kuchiki, covert operative of the G-13, must find a way to work together to face an uncertain, perilous future. Familiar storyline reimagined as an epic sci-fi narrative." Essentially, take Bleach, Mass Effect and a dash of Firefly, stick them in a blender together and out comes an excellent AU Bleach fanfiction. (First of a planned trilogy.)
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Pairing(s): Ichigo/Rukia, references to Urahara/Yoruichi

Project Tatterdemalion by Vathara
 * Recommended by Sheliak
 * Page: Project Tatterdemalion
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: “What if Hollows were caused by an alien virus?” Science fiction AU. Project Tatterdemalion was investigating a mysterious virus called Madsen’s Hollow. Obviously, something went wrong.
 * Sequels: Project Asclepius, Project Thoughts. The series is still in progress, but all individual stories posted so far are complete.

White Noise by Suk-fong
 * Recommended by Dellanotte
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Pairing(s): HitsuKarin/past HitsuHina, IchiHime/past IchiRuki, past JintaYuzu
 * Synopsis: "Because death never stopped us." A creepy little High School AU in which a teenage Karin and her loved ones cope with the deaths of the rest of their loved ones. Often enough, while a "Dark Angel" goes about giving them nightmares and guilting them into trying to raise the dead.
 * Comments: Delightfully cynnical, creatively nightmarish as some of the stuff Kubo himself comes up, and skillful in the twisting of canon. Unlike most fics with massive Angst, this one is combined with several amusing plot twists and just enough hope spots and Oh Crap moments to keep the audience wondering what the HFIL will happen next. May exist mainly to torture the cast.

Getting It Right by D_U_A_L_I_T_Y_x2
 * Recommended by Zashiki-Warashi
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Pairing(s): Ichigo/Orihime, Rukia/Renji,
 * Synopsis: He killed Aizen but he hasn't won. They died, all of them. Now he has a chance to save them again, and this time he was going to get it right. In which the Winter War ended in a Pyrrhic Victory for Ichigo, and Urahara chooses to send him to an Alternate Universe where Orihime is the Substitute Soul Reaper.

Xenodochy by the milliner's rock
 * Recommended by Dellanotte
 * Status: Complete
 * Pairing(s): Many. Central pairing evolves into Hitsugaya/Karin.
 * Synopsis: "Toushirou & Karin. AU. — He keeps dreaming of this place, night after night, a recurring dream that is never the same."
 * Comments: A Real-World AU in which every time Toshiro dreams, he's Alice in Wonderland. While the Mind Screw starts here (perhaps this thing should be placed in the Crack Fic section), it only gets worse as the characters begin to correspond to people in the waking world whether he's met them yet or not. Reincarnation may or may not be involved, but the audience is left to wonder just as much as Toshiro whether he's psychic or off the deep end. The whole way, the author seamlessly blends the two worlds in a rather natural coming-of-age story... in only four chapters.

Silence, by Grimm-Inuoka004.
 * Recommended by pommykun
 * "Status": On-Going
 * Pairings: Slight Ulquiorra/Orihime.
 * Synopsis: "Isn't it just grand, to see but cannot smell, to look but cannot eat, to hear but cannot comprehend, to touch but cannot feel? He thought it was." An AU on Orihime being sent to Hueco Mundo and meeting a pre-Aizen Ulquiorra and a band of lizards. Very interesting, worth the read, and explores a What If or two.

Shipping Fics
Stories focused on the romantic relationships between the cast.

The Bride of the Death God by caledon (AU)
 * Recommended by sweece
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Pairing(s): Ichigo/Orihime
 * Synopsis: A plague descended upon the village, and to appease the God of Death, they offered him a bride as a sacrifice.

Touched and First_Contactby peppermint_quartz
 * Recommended by User:Sarshi
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Pairing(s): Aizen/Gin
 * Synopsis: Two fics that follow Aizen/Gin through the same events. "If anyone should ask why I loved you, it is because you are you, and I am I." "I will not say the words you crave. I will not break the spell you cast over me." Absolute, sheer brilliance. The characters are hot and awesome and absolutely frightening.

Conversing the Dragon by BlackBelt
 * Recommended by User:The Desert Harvester
 * Status: Complete
 * Pairing(s): Hitsugaya/Rukia
 * Synopsis: "Now the head-captain of Seireitei; Hitsugaya is suffering from stress and many other problems. Seeing his distress a rather concerned Rukia hopes to comfort him by talking-no harm can come from that correct?"

Rules Drawn in Red by Annwyd
 * Recommended by User:Joie De Combat
 * Status:
 * Pairing(s): Byakuya/Hisana, Yoruichi/Soi Fong
 * Synopsis: A Byakuya study focused on Hisana/Rukia, with Yoruichi/Soi Fong as Beta Couple

Setting Sun, Rising Moon by Jaina
 * Recommended by User:Horngeek and Alacron
 * Status: Complete
 * Pairing(s): Ichigo/Rukia
 * Synopsis: "At the end of his life, it's time for Ichigo to become a real shinigami, but with death comes unexpected challenges not the least of which is that presented by seeing Rukia again for the first time in years."

Humble Shopkeeperby Sarshi
 * Recommended by KD Heart
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Pairing(s): Ichigo/Urahara with hints of Yoruichi/Urahara, Ichigo/Rukia and many background pairings.
 * Synopsis: "Ichigo doesn't know in how much trouble he is, but Kisuke does, and attempts to rescue him. Which leads to smashing into a tangled web of plotting and manipulations. Beware the slow start, slashy lemons, mad characters and convoluted mind of the author." Includes enough humour to balance out the drama (or the other way around) and some very well rounded original characters.

One Last Declaration by libekory
 * Recommended by Snowy, User:Ack Sed, User:Lafein, sardns
 * Status: Complete
 * Pairing(s): Ichigo/Orihime
 * Synopsis: Ichigo takes Orihime to the graveyard to meet his mother. One-shot.

Through Endless Sands by Geofount
 * Recommended by Ody
 * Status: Complete
 * Pairing: Mostly one-sided Ulquiorra/Orihime
 * Synopsis: Orihime talks to the dead. One-shot.

Klutzy Princess meets Dorky Hero by Enelya87
 * Recommended by User:Lafein
 * Status:
 * Pairing: Ichigo/Orihime
 * Synopsis: "A series of drabbles and oneshots about the beautiful/dorky/sexy/angsty/happy/twu wuv couple, IchiHime."

The Pirate Queen by RukiLex (AU)
 * Recommended by User:Arc Varanus
 * Status:
 * Pairing(s): Ichigo/Rukia mainly
 * Synopsis: An AU Bleach adventure/romance set on the high seas. Ichigo is Captain of the H.M.S. Vincent, a British Royal Navy sailing ship patrolling for pirates off the United States and in the Caribbean. Rukia is Captain of the pirate ship, Soul Warrior, with some unusual abilities. Who are the pirates and what secrets do they hold? Rated T for mild sexual situations and violence.

Run Ichigo Run by Franchise
 * Recommended by Marlee Cross, User:Enunciability
 * Pairing: Ichigo/Anyone female...yes, even Chizuru.
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: Mayuri sends Nemu to Karakura Town with a poison dart intended for Ishida. She winds up hitting Ichigo with it by accident. It effects Ichigo differently than it would've Ishida (originally, it was meant to ), and makes every woman Ichigo interacts with fall head over heels in love with him.

Forget To Rememberby fourwalls
 * Recommended by User:Weaver
 * Status:
 * Pairing: Ryuuken/Lisa, sort of.
 * Synopsis: A pair of one time lovers meet and talk about their very brief relationship and the product thereof.

Orange and Orange Doesn't Mean Love by XxStrawberry PrincessxX
 * Recommended by Random Passer By
 * Status: Complete
 * Pairing: Ichigo/Rukia, one-sided Ichigo/Orihime, implied Ishida/Orihime
 * Synopsis: Trouble for Mr. and Mrs High School, there is a new girl in School. Terribly written Die For My Ship fic that horribly bashes a main character for no good reason. Rated M.

So by JasoTheArtisan
 * Recommended by Belisaurius
 * Status: Complete.
 * Pairings: Soifon/Grimmjow and yes, I know.
 * Synopsis: Aizen suddenly withdraws from the battle of false-Kankura town, leaving Grimmjow, Ulquiorra, and Szayel-Aporro to be captured by Soul Society. Grimmjow is held captive by the Second Division.
 * Sequels: Anonymous (complete) and Heroes (in progress). Form a Two Part Trilogy with the first story. There's also a bit of a genre shift- the sequels are AU/alternate future with the focus split a lot more evenly among the cast rather than focusing on Soifon/Grimmjow.

This Twisted Tryst by a certain slant of light
 * Recommended by Pavlovas
 * Status:
 * Pairings: Grimmjow/Orihime
 * Synopsis: Protection, domination... affection? Thirteen macabre drabbles on the wicked romance of Orihime Inoue and Grimmjow Jaggerjack.

Notes on a High School Scandal by Jaina
 * Recommended by Hindugoddess
 * Status:
 * Pairings: Ichigo/Rukia
 * Synopsis:The worst rumors are the ones that could be true. During Rukia's stay as a Karakura student, she and Ichigo find out just how true that is.

Love Me, Sensei by Eclipsing
 * Recommended by User:CCIB
 * Status:
 * Pairings: Ichigo/Rukia, Renji/Tatsuki, implied Ishida/Orihime
 * Synopsis: Someone new moved into Rukia's neighborhood and she absolutely despised him since he started calling her a midget the first day they met. But it was unexpected when she saw him at school, but he's not a student...then that means!

Sexy Captain's Curse by C.Queen
 * Recommended by Kari
 * Status:
 * Pairings: Zaraki/Soi Fon, Ukitaki/Nemu, Gin/Ran, Nanao/Shunsui, Renji/Rukia, others.
 * Synopsis: Matsumoto theorizes to the Shinigami Women's Association that high spiritual power equals low sex drive. Unfortunately, the Shinigami Men's association happened to be eavesdropping...

Distance by lacewood
 * Recommended by Lavode
 * Status: Complete
 * Pairing: Karin/Chad, very G-rated
 * Synopsis: Karin is 15 and thinks she may have a crush on her brother's friend - much to her annoyance.

Let The Games Begin by Narutolovesraman
 * Recommended by Caellach Tiger Eye
 * Status:
 * Pairing: Ichigo/Rukia, Ichigo/Orihime, Ichigo/Tatsuki - final pairing is unclear
 * Synopsis: With Aizen defeated, Isshin approaches the Gotei 13 in hopes of securing the help of the *bored* Captains in meddling with the love life of his son, Kurosaki Ichigo. The three candidates? Inoue Orihime...Arisawa Tatsuki...and Kuchiki Rukia.

The Roots of Heaven by paperiuni
 * Recommended by kph2pt0
 * Status:
 * Pairing: Ichigo/Renji/Rukia
 * Synopsis: After the war, Renji and Ichigo find themselves in a strange land of the dead seeking a lost friend. The hope of Rukia's recovery grows slimmer every day; loyalty, courage, memory and bonds of love are tested along the long road home.

Ichigo and the Beanstalk by Nate Grey
 * Recommended by Cyberxigbar
 * Status: Complete
 * Pairing: Ichigo/Orihime, Rukia/Nemu, Rangiku/Hanatarou, Unohana/Komamura, Hitsugaya/Kiyone, Renji/Ururu
 * Synopsis: Ichigo accidentally kills Kenpachi Zaraki. He thought people would mind, but instead they want him as 11th Division Captain. Saying no would be smart, but this is Ichigo.
 * Comments: This is-technically-a Shipping Fic in that the story revolves around the ludicrous pairings. This story, however, nearly reaches the insanity of Uninvited Guests, with such gems as Soi Fon teaching Ichigo how to give Yoruichi proper foot rubs (Of course, considering Soi Fon's behavior in canon...), Yachiru's Zanpakuto, Byakuya giving Rukia and Nemu his blessing, and Ururu  The main plot tends to be overshadowed by the sheer crackiness of this fic, but in the end, who cares?

Vicioux's Stories
 * Recommended by Iaculus
 * Pairings: Ulquiorra/Neliel, Grimmjow/Soi Fon, Renji/Byakuya, Ukitake/Nemu, and hints of Starrk/Yachiru. Oh, and some Ichigo/Rukia, as well as the strong likelihood of some Hitsugaya/Rangiku in the future.
 * Synopsis: The works of vicioux, a Fanfiction.net author specialising in Crack Pairings, comprise a single, shared universe that begins with Call You By A Different Name and continues from there. The war is over, Aizen is dead, and the small group of rogue arrancar who helped make it happen are slowly integrating into Soul Society with... varying degrees of success. However, a new threat stirs from their pasts, and Hueco Mundo may not be done with them or their new friends yet...
 * Tags: Occasional lemon, mild and even more occasional slash.

His Breath Warm Against Her Hair Silver Harmony
 * Recommended by Rain Krystal
 * Status: Oneshot
 * Pairing(s): Aizen/Hinamori
 * Synopsis: Captain Aizen was always calm, always mild, always compassionate – it was what she knew made him strong.
 * Comments: A heartbreaking moment that takes place just before the Soul Society arc.

The Question selfavoidingwalk
 * Recommended by Rain Krystal
 * Status: Oneshot
 * Pairing(s): Aizen/Hinamori
 * Synopsis: Fate brings them together so they can tear each other apart.
 * Comments: A view of what could have been during the Arrancar arc.

letters from a thief by Dictionary Ink
 * Recommended by: Dreamy_Hunter
 * Status: Oneshot
 * Synopsis: AU, Rangiku worked in bar, and sometimes, there are letters for her with a little gift from a certain somebody.
 * Pairing(s): Gin/Ran
 * Comments: It is hard to find a good Gin/Ran, but this peice did it very well, leaving the readers wanting for more.

Illusion by Sariniste
 * Recommended by: siovon
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Synopsis: What is the truth behind Aizen's illusions? Why has he been watching Ichigo? Takes place after the battle between Ichigo and Aizen in chapter 420 of the manga. Ichigo has defeated Aizen, but what is the truth about Ichigo's future?
 * Pairing(s): AiIchi, yes, I know.
 * Comments: I know that the pairing is an odd one, but bear with me. I have to say that this is one of the best ideas for an alternate path Bleach could have gone down I have ever read. Everyone is surprisingly in character- especially Aizen- the idea is fantastic, and the slash is slow building and very well handled, considering the pairing. Definitely worth a read, since it has now come back to life after the author finished another (also fantastic) fic, and new chapters are being posted.

Enemy to Love by Moony Maraurder
 * Recommended by: Person Of Note
 * Status: Completed
 * Synopsis:
 * ''Pairing(s)": SzayIshi, GrimmIchi, and eventually (Though the latter is very, very slight.)
 * Comments: An interesting AU, humor, and very well written slash. At points, it's a dramatic, touching story, at others, it's hilarious, and pretty much every single character featured gets a chance to kick some major ass. There are some Rouge Angles of Satin (Handwaved by the author being Japanese.) but I was too absorbed in the story to really care.

Saying I Will by DameM
 * Recommended by Xavon, seconded by Nocturna
 * Status: Complete
 * Pairing(s): Ichigo/Rukia, Orihime/Ishida
 * Synopsis: To return Ichigo to his "Substitute Shinigami" status, Rukia is assigned to stay by his side, even to the point of going to college. And it all starts in the typical Ichigo/Rukia reunion fashion- at Ichigo's expense.
 * Sequel: The Kurosaki Affair (ongoing)
 * Comments: Funny, romantic, and intriguing. Dame M does a good job of keeping the Bleach characters true to form, while spinning out an incredible plot twist that still makes total sense with the canon.

Lull by Branch
 * Recommended by Sheliak
 * Status: Dormant; the author isn’t sure if she’ll return to it.
 * Pairing: Renji/Rukia
 * Synopsis: Focuses on a romance between Renji and Rukia following the events of the Soul Society arc (and ignoring all events thereafter, as well as the whole issue of Aizen). A Renji/Rukia love story and that doesn't shortchange either of their relationships to Byakuya, with a side of politics.
 * Comments: The romance is sweet and true to the characters, and the career path the fic suggests for Rukia is original and believable. While very much a shipping story, this fic also addresses the destruction of Soul Society's government and the need to reestablish it, and the need for (drastic) legal reforms (as Rukia points out, the Research Institute in its current form is a very bad thing). Also, details from historical Japan are used to flesh out Soul Society's culture, particularly customs about noble rank and marriage. If the arc remains unfinished, the Renji/Rukia love story is at a good stopping point, but a subplot regarding Gotei 13 politics remains unresolved.

The Heart Is Treacherous In Many Ways by Sisyphean Effort
 * Recommended by Doctor Morrison
 * Pairing: Ichigo/Ishida, Isshin/Ryuuken
 * Summary: History repeats itself. It's such a trite little bromide, but unfortunately true. Especially for Kisuke Urahara. Especially if it involves the last names of Kurosaki and Ishida.
 * Comment: Complete. This story doesn't so much as deconstruct the Generation Xerox concept so much as rips it apart in beautifully written prose. Written mostly in Urahara's point of view, it offers a very interesting take on his character.
 * Warning: Definately earns it's mature rating particularly after six in terms of lemons and violence.

Fade to Black:I'm Still Here by EllaBella1102
 * Recommended by Hollownerox
 * Pairing: Ichigo/Senna
 * Summary: The spring following the Winter War, Ichigo comes across an all too familiar red ribbon. "Don't worry, Ichigo. I'll help you remember, I promise!" the voice said as Ichigo plummeted farther downward towards the courtyard. T for Safety.R&R.Moviefic.Book I.
 * Status: Complete
 * Comment: A nice little fic exploring the possibility of Senna coming back from her state of nonexistence, good read and had some well thought out humor as well. Author has stated that they might be doing a sequel however nothing has come of it so far.

Through Endless Sands and The Load We Bear, both by GeoFount
 * Recommended by pommykun
 * Pairing: Both Ulquiorra/Orihime
 * Summary: Though Endless Sands is a dark, somewhat AU, somewhat narration, and very subtle story from Ulquiorra's view point after the kidnapping of Orihime. It focuses around their conversations, but more about Orihime speaking to her dead brother . The Load We Bear is the opposite and tells it from Orihime's point(though it stays third-person). It tells more of the two's interactions, and sticks to the anime(save for time).
 * Status: One-Shots, though it's safe to treat TLWB as a sequel.
 * Comment: Unlike most pairing fics on here/there, this doesn't so much as slap you in the face with it, but taunts you. I love the writing, and I love reading it in silence. It's worth a read, and some of the other stories Geo Fount made were pretty good. The first is an interesting look into Orihime's depressed side, but the second is a look into the differences between Ulquiorra and Orihime.

Libélula by 0Enidan0
 * Recommended by pommykun
 * Pairing: Little bit of Ulquiorra/Orihime; lampshaded through-out.
 * Summary: An expansion of Orihime's time in Las Noches; Aizen, with the hope of having Orihime join her ranks, intrusts Ulquiorra  to train her. Between interactions, Orihime and Ulquiorra start to get to know one another; time will tell what happens.
 * Status: Ongoing; one stated to be updated every two weeks.
 * Comment: Her first story, Enidan is proving to be a good author. As I type this, 16 chapters are out, and I loved every one of them. It's interesting to see a strong Orihime, and at this point, retcons are the last to come to mind about the story; I love Ulquiorra's character here, and how we're occasionally reminded on what a Jerkass he can be. I like the rare inclusion of other characters, and I never find myself wanting more; as the thing above this shows, you do not need more than just two characters for good fanficiton.

The Recovery of Salt by Luc Court
 * Recommended by amatakamata
 * Pairing: Gin/Ran
 * Synopsis: Spoilers for the Soul Society arc. A Rangiku and Gin fic. Trust is a delicate thing, and the breaking of it rarely comes clean.
 * Status: Complete

Breaking Routine by Inhuman Nexus
 * Recommended by Lord Gale
 * Pairings: Ichigo/Arrancar harem. Yes, I know.
 * Synopsis: When Loly and Menoly had initially decided to sneak out of Las Noches to go to The World of The Living, they had never predicted the ramifications it would cause, or the person they would meet.
 * Status: ongoing, though that's pushing it; the fic hasn't updated since Christmas, 2011.

Crossovers
''[[http://community.livejournal.com/quillofferings/tag/butterfly
 * Recommended by Sheliak.
 * Synopsis: A series of oneshots merging the Bleach and xxxHolic universes.
 * Je Chante Pour Passer le Temps by Aishuu. Byakuya visits a certain shop.
 * Cat's Paw by Aishuu. Watanuki meets Yoruichi.
 * Site Unseen by Aishuu. It's not for lack of candidates that Ukitake hasn't chosen a new lieutenant.
 * A Deal With the Devil by Aishuu. Aizen wants to make a purchase; Yuuko has misgivings.
 * April Showers May Bring Flowers by Sophia Prester. A young man buys a present for his sister.
 * Sons of Sagittarius by Aishuu. Ishida and Doumeki meet as children.

Bleach: Ultimate Alien Volume I by Grimlock the King of Stories.
 * Recommended by: hencej18
 * Crossover: Bleach, Ben 10 Ultimate Alien
 * Summary: From the fanfic: If Ben thought his life was crazy before, now he finds himself in the middle of a war between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo. But maybe, just maybe, Ben is the one who can make all the difference.
 * Synopsis: Ben Tennyson is whisked away to a place known as Huenco Mundo by . There, he will make an impact, forging new allies and enemies. However, there is a really big reason on why he was sent there in the first place. ..
 * Status: Volume I is complete.
 * Volume II is still ongoing.

Remnants of a Forgotten Dream written by FFPA. (AU, Crossover)
 * Recommended by User:The Desert Harvester.
 * Status:
 * Summary: A chess match to rival all chess matches has begun. A new soul arrives at Seireitei with reiatsu rivaling even that of their strongest. When forces appear to use this person for their own means, those closest to him must help keep him safe, or have him disappear altogether.
 * Synopsis: Uzumaki Naruto was a shinobi brought to Seireitei for use in a devious scheme, helped and befriended by Hitsugaya Toushiro. Due to his reiatsu, he moves up in the ranks at a remarkable speed until one fateful encounter with Kurosaki Ichigo leads him to lose his power altogether, finally explaining the reason for Ichigo's amazing reiatsu. It doesn't belong to him. It was stolen from another. The thing is … Ichigo has his own story just waiting to be told.

Order in the Court written by Incandescens. (AU, Crossover)
 * Recommended by User:Willy Four Eyes and User:Splitting Infinity.
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: A crossover with Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney about how the Seireitei court would handle the "death" of

Dead Like Bleach by glainfach
 * Recommended by @/ Akatsuki Daybreak
 * Status: Probably a Dead Fic
 * Synopsis: George from Dead Like Me is transferred to Karakura Town to work under Kisuke Urahara.

The Lone Flower series by Vathara (also found here, here, and here)
 * Recommended by User:Akatsuki Daybreak, User:Rogue 7, User:Comartemis, User:Kitsu
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: Takes the standard "Scoobies wear a different Halloween costume and keep the powers" plot with a twist. Buffy wears a kimono once owned by Juushirou Ukitake, pulling him out of the Soul Society and into Buffy's body when the spell is cast. After the spell ends, there are far-reaching consequences for both universes.

Stardust by Vathara
 * Recommended by User:Weaver
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: A Stargate crossover which has very AU take on Soul Society but manages to say surprisingly close to canon events. In the words of the fic's summary "five thousand years before the Stargate opens, contact with creatures of energy changes the way of life for an Alteran colony." The colony is basically Soul Society, just firmly in the land of the living and as for the creatures of energy, well I won't spoil it for you. Contains a number of plot twists that are semi-inspired by hints dropped in Bleach canon.

The Breaking the Fall series by jezaeiri
 * Recommended by User:Weaver
 * Status:
 * Synopsis: A BtVS crossover that starts just after the events of The Gift and covers what happens when someone (BtVS viewers will know who) spends, from their perspective, centuries in Soul Society and builds a fairly happy life for themselves, only to get yanked back into the world of the living a short time after they died, a world which they barely recognize.

The Dead of Winter by ForeverFalling86
 * Recommended by fullmetalpianist
 * Crossover with Harry Potter
 * Status: Complete
 * Synopsis: Hitsugaya Toshiro is sent to Hogwarts to investigate the presence of Dementors and protect living souls from them. Takes place in Harry's third year at Hogwarts.

FateBlack Reflection by Nameless Flame Wielder
 * Recommended by Bf
 * Crossover with Fate Stay Night
 * Synopsis: With Aizen's plans foiled in Karakura, Ichigo and his friends are called to investigate strange happenings in nearby Fuyuki City. Hang on, what the heck are Magi? And who's that woman who's calling Ichigo "Master?"
 * Comments: An absolutely excellent crossover. It blends the two worlds together perfectly by introducing the Bleach universe into the Nasuverse and seeing how it will affect the Holy Grail War while maintaining balance between both franchises. A must-read for people who like both Bleach and Fate Stay Night.

Waiting in Sin by Jerichos Phantom
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Rocommended by Rookie DA
 * Crossover with Harry Potter
 * Synopsis: Ulquiorra Schiffer is a very patient man. Ulqui-Hime Ulquiorra is Harry. Rated T
 * Comments: An absolutely wonderfully written piece of work the adaptation of Harry as Ulquiorra is masterfully handled and although the first chapter is a little short the length increase with each passing chapter. The plot is brilliant and will keep you begging for more and while mainly set in the HP world the addition of Bleach characters will have you pleasantly surprised with how they appear. There are many other things I could say about this, but that would spoil it for the rest of you.

A Memory of a Ghost by Cymru na Alethaira
 * Recommended by NGD
 * Crossover with Harry Potter
 * Status: Complete One Shot Story
 * Synopsis: When a white-haired boy transfers into Hogwarts as a third year, Remus Lupin wonders. Why is the name Hitsugaya Toshiro so familiar? And why does he have the feeling he's seen the boy before?

"Tales of Bleach trilogy" by Draconichero20 ("Bleach", "Tales of Symphonia" Crossover)
 * Titles (in order): "Unreal Society", "Return of the Samurai", and "Blades of Destiny"
 * Recommended by guywithnoname
 * Status: The first and second stories are complete. The third is ongoing.
 * Synopsis: It all begins with the Bleach cast virtualized into the land of Sylvarant as per an experiment by Urahara. From there, it follows the storyline of both the original game and the sequel before it moves to an original plot in the third story. Now has its own page
 * Commentary: Although the first two fics seems to look like a typical novelization at first glance, the author actually adds a few points to his rendition of the Symphonia storyline to keep the stories interesting. Definitely worth looking into in this troper's opinion, especially if one is a fan of Bleach and/or the Tales Series.
 * Tags: All 3 stories contain Lemons, hence their M ratings.

Soul Chess by Draconichero20 (Code Geass, Bleach Crossover)
 * Recommended by Rock2161
 * Synopsis: After the Zero Requiem, Lelouch goes to the Rukongai. There he meets Gin and Rangiku, and shortly decides to become a soul reaper. The story follows Lelouch as he becomes a soul reaper and rises through the ranks. See page itself for more details.
 * The author tends to update fairly regularly, and does so in chunks of two to three chapters in quick succession. Well paced and a great read. Unlike most Bleach crossover fics this troper has read, the main character doesn't gain power absurdly quickly and become captain level within a couple decades. Any OC's are well done and manage to not take over the story. This troper teared up when Lelouch  Lelouch proves to continue to be the Lelouch we all know and love, particularly when he

Mixed Spirits by incandescens
 * Crossover with Doctor Who, Fifth Doctor era
 * Status: Probably a Dead Fic, unfortunately.
 * Recommended by Sheliak
 * Synopsis: The Doctor- accompanied by Adric, Nyssa, and Tegan- lands the TARDIS in Karakura Town... right at the same time as Aizen is testing a new invention. The failure of this invention, complicated by the presense of the TARDIS, results in the Doctor switching bodies with Ichimaru Gin. Funny, with affection for both canons, and definitely worth checking out despite its status as a Dead Fic. It ends before the plot can really get underway, but the character interactions are inspired. Takes place just after the shinigami group is sent to Karakura, before the Arrancar show up in canon.

Harry Potter and the God of Death by Nesarna
 * Recommended by Peppermint Winds
 * Crossover with Harry Potter
 * Status: Ongoing
 * Synopsis: Getting recruited for another war wasn't quite what he had in mind when his father announced a family trip to England. But now that he's here, Kurosaki Ichigo finds himself pulled into a web of deception, government lies, and centuries-old conspiracies...