Hey, just trying this fandom out. It's kinda sad, but I think it ends sort of happily. This is all my imagination, so no flames about the plot. I was surprised that this particular take on Ichigo's death/afterlife hasn't really been done. So I was interested in exploring it. This will only have two parts and then I'm done. I am not returning to it. Please enjoy, and don't forget to both check out my other stuff and click one of the three buttons down below. Enjoy and happy New Year!

Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to a mangaka king, Tite Kubo.

Part One: Preparing for Departure

Groans escaped from Ichigo as he lifted his 98 year old body up to adjust his pillow. Aches and pains were constant companions now. He never thought he would miss getting beaten up by Arrancar, other Shinigami or even his father. Those bruises at least went away and left him stronger. But he was happy with how his life had gone. His wife, Orihime, had passed on four years earlier. Rukia said they were still searching for her soul to bring to the Shin'o Academy. Everyone was positive that she would be a soul that would develop powers. Chad was still hanging on. He now lived in Yokohama, spending his time watching wrestling and boxing matches with his grandson. Uryu had disappeared some twenty years ago, becoming a traveling doctor or something like that. Occasionally he would send an untraceable note, but other than that, nobody knew what was going on with him.

Kazui entered the room. His orange hair sticking up all over head, just like father's had in his younger days. "Hey father. Rukia's coming over later."

Ichigo nodded, "She'd better. It's almost my time. I can't take eating another stupid pill or hearing another creak in my back." Ichigo had never feared death for himself. Friends waited for him on the other side.

As the years past, the 13 Gotei visited as often as they could. But being immortal (if they avoided any unfortunate happenings or illness), Shinigami did not always have the best idea how much time passes in the moral world. Rukia and Renji visited the most often with their daughter. Kazui had learned how to use most of his substitute soul reaper powers by getting his butt kick by himself or Ichika Abarai, Rukia and Renji's energetic daughter.

Speaking of which, he could faintly sense Rukia's presence. Sure enough, the window to his room blew open and Rukia hopped in. "Hey Ichigo, how are you hanging on? Oh, hi Kazui."

"Can't you Shinigami come in through the door like respectable people?" Ichigo asked lightly.

"Only for respectable people," Rukia replied, shutting the window with a bang.

"I am respectable. I helped save the world," Ichigo said with mock indignation.

Rukia, unable to counter that, turned to Kazui. "Any hollows recently?"

Kazui shook his head. There had not been a hollow attack for some years in Karakura Town. For now, peace had settled.

It was a good a time as any to pass into death. Ichigo's body was tired. He loved his family and friends, this world, but it was time to start again. He could feel his soul stirring restlessly as if trying to untie itself from his body. Any day now he knew Rukia would come and pick up his soul.

He had asked Rukia to perform Konso to transport him to the Soul Society. Kazui had offered, but it hadn't felt right to have his own son do the honors. Everything had started with Rukia, it needed to end with her as well.

It was strange to get old, watching his muscles grow soft, his bright orange hair turn white and then fall out, while Rukia and the rest of the soul society looked not a day older than when he had first met them at age 15. He didn't regret it. He had live a long, rich life always surrounded by people he cared about. Even the presence of the hollow inside of him for the last decade had grown fainter. His hollow had been quiet for decades, ever since the last of Yhwach's essence had disappeared, but still a constant pressure in his head. Now, if Ichigo tried to retreat into his mind, he knew he would see the hollow laying down on the glass building, smirking to himself.

"What's the Gotei 13 been up to recently?" Ichigo asked coming back into reality.

Rukia started, "Oh nothing much. I've been helping train recruits sometimes or kill whatever new dangerous hollow has appeared around the borders."

Ichigo listened intently. He wished he could visit the Seireitei one more time in this life. But he was far too weak. He wished that a soul was able to retain most of its memories after being brought to the Soul Society. But that didn't happen often. Sometime souls did remember their living lives, but sometimes not, and often after a long period time, the soul's memories would fade. He wondered if his spiritual pressure levels would be the same in afterlife; if he would remember anyone.

Ichigo's mind drifted off again. At some point he remembered Rukia saying she had to head back. As she said good-bye, the look in her eyes told him the next time they saw each other would be when he was dead.

Kazi also decided it was time to head off to bed. He kissed his forhead. "Night. I'll check on you in the morning."

Ichigo smiled at his son, "Night. Don't worry. I know I'm in good hands."

His son left the room and shut off the lights.

Stay tuned, Part 2 will be out in the next day or two.