Hi!

Anyways - I'm redoing this story from the fanfic, 'Students for War,' and I really think this is better.

I hope everyone likes this....

And, this fanfic, is, once again, for KoriChi - who gave me this brilliant idea to begin with.

Thanks to everyone, this story will continue to thrive.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach - THANK you verrrrry much.

5th Division Captain - a surprisingly reoccurring open seat for Captain - either by deficincies, betrayal, or banishment had all of them been purged from office.

And yet, Soul Society kept this tibit quiet - 5th Division would be in a panic if it remained Captainless, surely, the Shinigami would avoid 5th Division Captain's position should they know of the aristroic history behind it...

But it wasn't cursed, the other Captains confined to themselves, it was merely a stroke of bad luck that led to this reoccurance...

...right?

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The sun sinks lower and lower into the evening sky.

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Ichigo reached for the stack of paperwork - diligently working until the late hours of night, and now, the early hours of morning. Resultingly, the stack had lessened to a mere trifle of what it had been before he had picked up on the slack.

Kurosaki Ichigo - once a mere representation of a Shinigami, in outlined Soul Society history - had morphed from a banished ryoka to 5th Division Captain.

Ichigo stared blankly at the resultant amount of paperwork he had left, before sighing, and picking up his pen once more.

It had been 194 years since his promotion to Captainity.

Of course, his upheaval in position had brought its share of happiness, tears, betrayal, and, worse of all, sorrow and loss.

"Kurosaki-taichou!" a familiar voice called - sharp and curt in volume. Ichigo had gotten around to nicknaming it as, 'the Devil's voice.'

"Come in," he called - lifting his pen momentarily from the paper.

The door slid open to reveal a Shinigami. The insignina of vice-captain was wrapped around her sleeve.

"The sou-taichou called for a meeting, Kurosaki-taichou." Her voice was softer now - a harsh contrast to Devil's voice.

Ichigo dropped his pen. "Right now?" he demanded.

"You missed it, taichou," the fukataichou said, respectfully. "The sou-taichou has excused your absense. He understands your neccessarity for paperwork."

"He should," Ichigo growled - not bothering to keep the venom from his voice. "You took my place, Tatsuki?"

Tatsuki nodded. She had become a Shinigami. Once Hinamori asked to take a step down, the stress and weariness of betrayal finally chipping in, Ichigo had reinstated Tatsuki as his vice-captain, as Hinamori took the rank of 3rd-seat.

Sometimes, though, he really regretted his decision.

"What was the meeting about?" he asked.

Tatsuki profferred a scroll to him. "We have a new mission assignment."

"Another one?" he asked in disbelief. "This has to be my 20th this year..."

"Open the scroll," Tatsuki said shortly. "Our mission starts tomorrow."

"I kinda noticed," Ichigo remarked cryptically.

Tatsuki shrugged - finally releasing her tension, and easing.

Ichigo opened the piece of paper - scanning over the file with hazel eyes.

After a brief moment, he finally looked up - eyes wide and incredulous.

"Apprenticeship?" he finally choked out.

Tatsuki nodded dejectedly. "We're to make sure the souls remain out of Aizen's reach."

"You have to be kidding..." he scanned the scroll once more, with far more observant eyes. "...Rukia Kuchiki, Ishida Uryuu, Sado Yasudora, Inoue Orihime? Why four people?" For some reason, the names rung a bell in his head - a dim bell he couldn't put a hand on...

"They have potential reiatsu valves," Tatsuki sighed. "And one of them's a Quincy."

"A Quincy?" Ichigo repeated. "You mean one of the Exterminated Kinships?"

"Nearly exterminated," Tatsuki corrected quietly. "Two still live."

"Ishida Uryuu..." The name sounded vaguely familiar - like all the names. A fierce wave of pain erupted from his mindset. A painful memory - he shied away from it.

Tatsuki nodded.

"And my paperwork...?"

"Hitsugaya-taichou will take care of it," Tatsuki broke through, cleanly.

Ichigo sighed, closing his eyes. "...Everything's really going to change, isn't it?" he murmured. His voice was dark and laced with innumerable expressions.

Tatsuki's eyes softened. "I don't know," she uttered, honestly, before closing the door on him.

It was a long night.

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Morning shone through the cracks of an abandoned window - betraying the night once more.

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"Are you ready?" the sou-taichou asked. His voice was hard and chipper in it's brittle age.

Ichigo and Tatsuki nodded simulously - as they stood in front of the Sekai gate.

"Come back soon," Renji called - his words of farewell.

Tatsuki nodded formally.

"Good luck," Hinamori said softly, subconsciously squeezing Ichigo's hand, before taking a few steps back - eyes warm with emotions.

"Thanks."

It had taken forever for Hinamori to finally relieve herself from her delusions, but, time and careful consideration had finally allowed her liquid eyes to thaw out with emotions she hadn't felt since Aizen's departure.

The circular, traditional Japanese-style gate slid open - revealing a blinding, white light.

Ichigo hesitated - turning back to the farewell group for a few last words...

"...Goodbye..."

The Sekai gate slid shut.

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Ichigo walked steadfastly into the white light - stepping on thin oblivion.

"Ichigo..."

He ignored Tatsuki - lengthening his stride.

"Ichigo...?" Curiosity now laced her voice.

He paused. "What is it... Tatsuki?"

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

He picked up his pace once more - forcing his feet to move forward.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Tatsuki doubled her pace to match his. Damn.

"I know the reason you've never had missions in the Living World since you've become a complete Shinigami," Tatsuki offered, profastly. "This is your second, I think... the first was a mandatory for all Captains."

He lengthened his stride - taking advantage of his height and nearly breaking into a run.

"It's because of Aizen, isn't it?"

Six words with the power of break apart all of his fragile reality.

He froze - turning in her direction for the first time.

Tatsuki met his gaze with a cool, professionalized one - walking carefully, measuring her pace now.

"If you're curious, ask... if you want to annoy me to death..." Ichigo paused. "...Leave me alone."

"...Can't hide forever, Ichigo," Tatsuki muttered.

Ichigo ignored her - moving briskly now.

Too late.

The window shattered into a million tiny shards - breaking and contorted.

His memories - a near impossible attraction in his mindscape, due to his inner selves.

An inhuman howl ripped through the fragile air.

A Hollow.

He closed his eyes, ascerning now.

The Hollow disappeared into milky-white sediments as Zangetsu tore through it's hard flesh. It fizzed from sight.

Clapping was heard behind him - distinct, obnoxious, clear, confident.

He turned swiftly in the direction he heard it from - instantly regretting the action.

Hazel orbs widened.

Six distinct figures, prone in the light, were stepping forward - overly-confident, and clearly, this was planned out.

"It seems as if you can clear the Menos well enough," a familiar voice sounded - saturating the air with a confidence that was grinding.

The figments from his nightmares.

"Ichigo...?"

Ichigo pushed back the thoughts - walking briskly once again. His face was flushed pale white, though - a dead give-away.

Tatsuki didn't say anything - serving to say nothing.

They came at the end of the light spectrum then, and approached the world of the Living.

"Where to first?" Tatsuki asked, promptly, as they stepped onto cracked asphalt.

Ichigo closed his eyes - sending his reiatsu out like a beacon. Masked, yes, but spread out...

Six points reached him with radioactive sensitivity.

"Follow me," he called over his shoulder as he walked steadily across the pavement.

Tatsuki's pattering footsteps indicated she was all too clear on it.

"Where are we going?"

Ichigo hesitated only briefly before replying.

"The clinic... I have to settle loose ends before anything else."

Tatsuki nodded - hearing the last end that Ichigo hadn't spoken aloud.

I need to see if they're still here. His unspoken plea for his family - after a course of 194 years.

Hi!

Anyways - I changed it, yes.

But I hope you liked it.

-----thanks a lot.

And please review!