Prologue.
A myriad of colours painted the world now that spring had finally shown itself. Where once the streets had been dull and grey with winter and cold, they now flourished with colour and light. Flowers of every kind scented the air and spirits where lift high. Walking down the road towards his house was no longer such a chore, seeing as he enjoyed watching the people live their lives. Kurosaki Ichigo, now in his final year of High School, quickly hopped down the last steps of the stairs and rounded the corner into his street. A ball shot passed him and he grinned, jogging after it, catching it and tossing it back with a laugh. The kids who had been playing soccer a bit down the road hollered their thanks and went back to their game. This was what the world was meant to be like.
He turned again, repressing the skip that threatened to enter his step and rummaged around in his school bag for his keys. Finally locating them, he unlocked the front door and entered the house, taking his shoes off and putting his jacket on the coat rack before moving into the living room.
"Yuzu, Karin! I'm home!" His sisters always liked it if he gave them a shout to announce his arrival, that way they didn't have to worry about him not getting home at all. Opening the fridge, he scanned the content for a can of soda, but had to give up his search in favour of ducking.
"ICHIGOOOOO~!" With an annoyed sigh, Ichigo grabbed hold of the foot that had been trying to kick him and flung his father to the side, managing to avoid the window this time. Kurosaki Isshin yelped as he ended up flat against the wall, only to jump up and give his son a thumbs up. "Good job, my boy! I can see that my training is finally paying off!"
Ichigo merely rolled his eyes as his father went on a rampage against his late wife about how awesome and hip his son was now, choosing to go up to his room to get some homework done. He'd rather do it now than after dinner, since he wanted to go for a jog before sleeping. Taking the stairs three at the time, he entered his bedroom and firmly shut the door behind him, not wanting to be disturbed by anyone.
Sighing, he dropped himself on the bed and stared at the ceiling. It had been over a year, easily. The day he had lost not only his powers, but the ability to see his friends as well. It hurt to think about it, so he tried to avoid it, but on days like this, whenever he felt happy and content, he knew that it would happen. He'd feel guilty, like he wasn't missing them. Sometimes he just wanted to share his day with them. To come into his bedroom and find Rukia in the closet. To be woken up by Renji sitting in the open window or even by Ikkaku and Yumichika yelling at him from the streets to get his ass up and moving. And the thought of not being able to see them there, to not even hear them if they would be standing next to him right now, it hurt a lot more than he let on.
Rolling over to his side, he faced the window and remembered all the times he was pissed off at people for entering through it instead of the door. What he wouldn't give for that to happen now. With an irritated huff, he scratched his head and sat up. As if moping around right now would change anything. He knew damn straight it wouldn't. So, he would get that work done and go for that run. Stretching before he got his book bag from the floor, he crossed the room and ungracefully dumped himself on the swivelling chair. This wouldn't take too long, would it? Opening the first book, he glanced at the assignments and immediately felt a grimace come over his features. Oh man. Dumping his head on his desk, he groaned. It would take for fucking ever.
"Well, I see some things haven't changed." A deadpan voice came from his window and he sat up so fast that he was sure the muscles in his neck were no longer connected.
"Rukia?"