Hi everyone!

This is my first fanfic so I hope you like it. I love Ichiruki, and after reading many stories I thought I would give it a try and write a story myself . This story takes place after chapter 423 "Farewell swords" of the Bleach manga.

*I do not own any of the characters.*

The story will start off with Rukia's POV, and whenever someone speaks I will do quotes ""

Although Orihime and Renji might try to win their respective love's hearts, this will be an Ichiruki story. Also, I like Renji and I don't mind Inoue as long as she stays away from Ichigo haha

Chapter 1

**Karakura Town**

The day was calm and sunny and the sky was clear with only a few white clouds passing by. Who would have thought that in such a beautiful day I could feel the complete opposite inside? I tried to internally prepare myself this whole time so that when he finally woke up I would not appear so conflicted. Kuchiki Rukia, why can't you pick up a few tips from your brother? Nii-sama would not wear his emotions on his sleeves…

And so we went outside. It was then that I noticed it finally hit him. The saddened expression on his face told me he knew this was the end. The end of being able to see ghosts, the end of being a Shinigami, our end? ...We could not look at each other in the eyes for several minutes. Our friends stayed away as if by instinct knowing that we needed space, seeing something that although we felt we could not express, we could not say. And so he finally said, "Give my farewell to everyone", and I said "sure", for once not knowing what to say.

When we finally looked at each other our eyes got lost in a pool of unexpressed and heartbreaking emotions. Oh Ichigo, what a pathetic face! Any other time I would have punched you, kicked you, or any other form of random "cheering up" that only we would share, but not today. I did not have the strength, and truthfully speaking I know I had the same pathetic face or perhaps worse.

I opened a senkaimon and went through those nostalgic doors without looking back. I could not turn around to say goodbye. Chad, Ishida, and Inoue would understand.

…

"Ichigo"

"Ichigo?"….a few more seconds passed.

"Kurosaki-kun!" Inoue said with a smiling face.

"Sorry everyone, my body must still be adjusting from being back after being unconscious for so long." Ichigo turned around and gave them a faint smile as he started walking towards them.

"Don't worry Kurosaki-kun, the important thing is that you're back!" Inoue said in a cheering voice.

Everyone went back inside and Ichigo's family greeted them.

"Onii-chan I'm so happy you're up!" Yuzu said as she went to hug her older brother.

"Did Rukia leave already?" Karin said crossing her arms, interested but pretending not to care.

"Yeah." Ishida said as he adjusted his glasses. It was uncomfortably quiet as everyone looked around the room not knowing what to say.

"NOOOOOO! My third daughter left already and I didn't get to give her a hug goodbye!" Isshin said (breaking the icy awkwardness) with tears running like a fountain down his face, trying to be his usual self.

Everyone sweat dropped as Yuzu and Karin turned beet red from embarrassment.

"I'm sorry everyone, I'm feeling a little light headed so I'm going to go to my room." Ichigo said smiling with his eyes closed as he broke his embrace with Yuzu.

"Kurosaki-kun…"

"Yes?"

"hehehe umm nothing. I hope you feel better." Inoue said embarrassed. She did not mean to be heard by him.

"Thanks Inoue" He said as he walked up the stairs. When he got to his room he closed the door behind him and stared out the window. A tear fell down his face as he tried to suppress the rest that threatened to fall.

"I have to be happy. I have no reason to be sad. We defeated Aizen, my family and friends are fine, and she's back in her world…where she chose to stay that time, and where she truly belongs now…"

He threw himself on the bed, hugged his pillow, and closed his eyes trying to calm his mind…

**Inoue's apartment**

"So what are you going to do?

"What do you mean Tatsuki?" Inoue said, pretending not to know.

"Well, don't get me wrong I don't have a problem with Kuchiki, but I never really liked the fact that Ichigo got involved with her. He went through hell for her when he "rescued" her from being executed because he feels she changed his destiny for the better, but honestly I don't see how you could not make him just as happy."

"I guess I feel the same, I'm just so confused because Kuchiki-san was always so nice to me that I felt bad for even thinking or feeling that way."

"Well not to be mean or anything, but now she's back in her world and you and Ichigo are in yours. I hope you make the best of it." Tatsuki said giving her a wink and Inoue gave her a nervous but genuine smile.

Well there's chapter 1. I hope you guys enjoy it!

Please review, let me know what you think, if I should keep going, etc.

Thanks