AN at the End of the chapter.

Ichigo knew that something was wrong when he woke up.

Usually it was to his father's battle cry that woke him; he'd let his body react on its own and send him through the window, or just punch him in his face until he was rendered unconscious. But this morning he woke up by himself, sunlight falling gracefully onto him, almost as if pleading for him to be lazy. He was a naturally fast at waking up, but he found his eyelids heavy, and his body sore. It was almost as if he was pushing his limits just opening his eyes.

Giving into his body's pleas, Ichigo closed his eyes again, content with sleeping the day away. Just one day, he thought. One day won't hurt.

Suddenly he saw her face again, as if it was painted the back of his eyes. Her brown hair, so unlike his, falling gracefully down to her back in a ponytail. Her smile was so loving just as he remembered. Even her eyes were just as they should be; the same soft brown that enveloped him in love and warmth.

"Okasan…"

Ichigo's eyes snapped open, revealing the reality of his isolation. He was alone in the world, left to deal with the problems that were created by the generation before him. His heart felt empty, but that wasn't new to him; he had had that feeling sense he woke up with his mother's bloody body covering him. For a long time he hadn't feel empty. With Rukia's intrusion on his life, the adventures and friendships that came soon after that had made him feel like a someone. Like he mattered in the worlds that he helped protect.

But then Ichigo had lost his powers, and the feeling of loneliness from the seclusion from what he put his life into, had come back weighing him down like his burdens from before. He had put his whole life into helping them, and they hadn't even been considerate enough to visit. It was the heaviest thing he ever carried during his loneliest time, and the only thing that kept him going was the hope of a possibility to see his friends again.

And he did. But only because he was forced to take measures into his own hands, and obtain powers in his human body. That didn't turn out the way he had hoped, as he was betrayed by the very man that had given him his power, and was saved by his friends from Soul Society. Then everything had gone back to the way it was supposed to be. His powers where back, the people he cared for were back in his life, and no big threats on the horizon. Ichigo had thought his life was back to as normal as it could be.

Then the quincy had attacked and his life was thrown into a loop once again.

The quincy!

Ichigo sat up, and immediately gasped from the pain that shot through his body. Memories flashed through his head, a hurricane of information and experiences washing over him like a tidal wave. He remembered the bastard busting through his window, messing up his bed in the pocess. His fight with the weirdo, and then Nel coming to the Human World, going to Hueco Mundo to stop the Quincy invasion then being trapped in a Garganta and listening to the invasion of Soul Society, and finally busting out of the quincy made cage to challenge Yhwach only for his Bankai to be broken. He remembered his trip to the zero divisions' headquarters in the Soul King's Palace, and his failed test with the zanpakutō, his father's story about his mom and his heratige (He was a quincy! Who would have thought?), his reattempt, and success, at the zanpakutō test, and then his departure to Soul Society.

He remembered arriving in time to save Kenpachi, then-

Pain exploded in his head, and, despite the sun shining brightly through the window, he only saw a black void, empty and hollow; calling him, sucking him in, it was only by sheer will-power was he able to snap back to himself, and focus again.
Panting, Ichigo threw the sweaty covers off himself, and stumbled out of his room; nearly tripping over something soft and warm. Stumbling slightly, Ichigo managed to catch himself on the doorframe to his room. Looking down, he felt his breath catch in his throat.

"Karen…. Yuzu…" Unbidden, tears stung his eyes. He didn't know why, but he was elated to see His sisters' alive.

Alive…? For a split second Ichigo saw his sisters bloodied and dead laying in the dirt; small and frail and dead. But as soon as it came it was gone. He sank to his knees, tears streaming down his face.

Yuzu seemed to be clinging onto Karin, with her arms wrapped around her twin's midriff. Karin, herself, clutched her brown haired sister tightly around her shoulder. Yuzu's hair was out of its customary twin ponytails laying in a state of disray, and the yellow blanket that covered her and Karin he recognized as Yuzu's, also.

What are they doing out here? Ichigo asked himself, unable to take his eyes off his sisters before him, they looked so innocent and small. Where they… waiting for me? Why? How long where they out here? Why are they even outside my door? Have they been here all night? Why didn't dad put them in their rooms?

A light gasp snapped him back into reality.

"Oniisan … you're awake…" Yuzu's voice seemed frail. He felt a pang in his chest at how shocked and broken she sounded. Her brown eyes were wide and shining almost disbelieving, as if seeing someone come back from the dead. A single tear leaked out from her eye streaking down her face, leaving a watery trail behind.

"Ichi-nii, you're crying," Karin stated bluntly. She had her head turned away from him, so he couldn't see most her face, but he did see the corner of her mouth curve upwards. Fully registering her words, he wiped away the rivers that seemed to flow from his eyes.

"No I'm not," he said, his voice sounding hoarse, almost childish, even to his own ears. "It's just that when I woke up, my room was really dusty, and, uh, I, um, got something in my eye," He finished lamely. He turned away from his sisters, furiously rubbing his eyes. He heard a giggle from Yuzu, and stopped to smile down at her. "Where's the old goat at? And why are you guys sleeping here?"

Immediately Yuzu turned away from him, a shadow covering her face and her body became deathly still. Karin's eyes snapped to his, and when she spoke they eyes seemed to try to convey a deeper meaning into her words.

"We would have slept in your room," she said her voice sounding dead, "But the door wouldn't open. And dad…. da…. Otosan is-"Her voice failed her, and tears stared welling in her eyes as her body racked with sobs.

Ichigo started to panic. Karin hadn't cried sense their mom died. She had always been the strong one of the two. While Yuzu cried, Karin helped her up, dusted her off, and took care of whatever problem they had. For her to be crying now, something bad must have happened to their dad. But Ichigo knew his father, he had been a captain of the 10th Division of the Gotei 13 and had a bankai, He would be able to take care of himself. He probably hasn't come home for a while, he thought. They are probably worried over him and me.

"Yuzu, Karin," Ichigo said. When they turned to him he gave them a smile. "I'm sure dad's fine, let's not worry about it." He reached out and ruffled their hair, ignoring their looks of astonishment. "How about I take you guys out today?" he asked, his smile broadening when Yuzu grinned herself.

"Yeah," she said, and then she smiled, and for a second Ichigo saw his mom floating beside her the exact same smile displayed on her face. She was so much like their mother it almost worried him

"Come on, Ichigo. Time to go!"

Ichigo cleared his throat. "Okay, go ahead and go get changed, I'll meet you guys downstairs for breakfast, and well go after that. Alright?"

Flashing him one last smile, Yuzu stood, taking the blanket with her, and stalked down the hall to her room. After her door shut, Karin finally shifted from her spot. She wore her soccer shorts and an old shirt of his for some reason. Resting her hands on her knees, she bowed her head to him, a shadow coving her eyes.

For a while she didn't speak, and the silence between them stretched until Ichigo contemplated talking first. Without warning She threw her arms around his neck, holding tightly too him. Under normal circumstances Ichigo would be too stunned to react, but, thankfully, his body reacted on its own, and her wrapped his arms around her. Only later would he realize that Karin had cried during their embrace.

"Thanks, Ichi-nii," Karin muttered, her voice thick with emotion. Without another word she let go and stalked to her room. Quickly standing up, Ichigo returned to his room, and grabbed a pair of clothes and walked to the bathroom. As he passed the stairs, he smelled food cooking, and couldn't help but smile as his stomach grumbled.

How long has it been sense I had Yuzu's cooking, he wondered idly. In all honesty, he couldn't remember, but he couldn't wait to eat. Her food was delicious. Grabbing a towel from the hall closet as he passed, He entered the bathroom, and immediately started the shower, turning the temperature high enough so that steam flooded through the room. Discarding his clean clothes onto the sink, he took off his shorts, t-shirt, and boxers before steeping under the hot stream of water.

An involuntary groan escaped his lips. He didn't think that his body hurt all that much, only a little sore; but now he felt like his body was going to explode, like every molecule in his body wanted to escape from his skin. Slowly the pain ebbed away, and Ichigo gave a content sigh, feeling his muscles loosen. He stood still for a while, letting the water run rivers down his body, content, until-

"Ichi-nii," Karin's voice called out "I have to brush my teeth." Muttering curses to himself, he quickly, and reluctantly, washed up and got out of the shower. Quickly putting on his boxers with '15's made from strawberries, he put on some black pants and a plain white t-shirt. He grabbed his dirty clothes before heading out, nearly runny over his sister in the process.

Giving a quick apology to Karin, Ichigo went to his room, dumped his clothes in his hamper, and grabbed one of the only things actually hanging up in his closet; his black over shirt. He didn't usually wear it, but it looked like it might get windy later so he shoved his hands though the sleeves before starting to head out. He stopped, though, when his phone started to ring on his desk. Heaving a sigh, Ichigo crossed the room again, and grabbed the phone, freezing at the screen.

It was Urahara calling, which didn't scare him much. What stopped him in his tracks was the date.

It was three weeks after the start of the Invasion of Soul Society.

How long have I been asleep, Ichigo wondered in shock. What happened? Is it over? As Ichigo was about to answer the ringing stopped, and the screen to the phone went blank.

"Oniichan," Yuzu's voice rang. "Your breakfast is going to get cold!"

"Be down in a second," he called. He tucked the phone in his pocket, before grabbing his wallet and keys to the house. The world had done without him for over a fortnight, they could live without him for a day. He conveniently didn't think about the possible end of the war.

He was rolling up his sleeves when he made it to the first floor.

"Ichi-nii?" He glanced up; surprised that Karin had beat him down. "Why do your pants always have that chain on it?"

Hm? Glancing down, he saw what Karin was asking about. Connecting two belt loops, a chain hung over his right pant pocket. Opening his mouth for a smart remark, Ichigo stopped himself, and paused for a second almost laughing at how intense Karin's gave was, before shrugging his shoulders, and folding his sleeve one last time.

Karin nearly face-plated into her food, while Yuzu giggled at his antics. Catching what they were wearing, Ichigo felt his usual frown come into place on his face. Karin wore just regular beige shorts with a dark blue long-sleeve shirt with a single stripe wrapping around her right sleeve. Yuzu, true to her girlish nature, wore just a light yellow sun-dress and he spotted her floppy sunhat resting on the counter in the kitchen. They weren't wearing anything inappropriate, it's just that they would grow up to be very beautiful women, and he would have to keep the stupid race of men, who only thought with the head between their legs, away.

He suddenly had a very strong desire to punch a certain white-haired captain in the face.

"Oniichan, are you ok?" Yuzu asked, her voice like cold water bringing him back to reality.

This has been happening too much, lately. "Yeah," he said walking over to his place at the table. "I'm fine." He quickly inhaled his breakfast: a meal of and omelet, toast, a bento, with miso soup. It was delicious.

Ignoring the looks of astonishment from his younger siblings, Ichigo brought his dishes to the sink, and called over his shoulder. "Hurry up, girls. It's already ten. Half the day is almost waisted." He heard the clinking of chopsticks on plates, and smiled to himself.

Five minutes later, the tree of them were outside. After locking the door, Ichigo turned to his sisters and grinned. "So what do you guys want to do?"

A tick mark appeared on Karin's head. "You mean to tell me, that you don't have a plan for what you want to do?" Her baseball cap covered her eyes, and the sight would have been intimidating if it wasn't for the fact that she was his sister.

Chuckling he turned to Yuzu and cocked an eyebrow.

"Could we take a walk through the park," She suggested. "The sakura trees have bloomed, and I didn't get a chance to see them, before…" Her voice trailed off, and he caught Yuzu casting a glance at Karin, and the almost imperceptible shake of her head. "Anyway I'd love to go see the sakura trees in the park.

Deciding to ask them about their strange behavior later, Ichigo stuffed his hands inside his pockets and started walking into the direction of the local park.

" 'Kay," He said. "How's school?" Immediately Yuzu picked up the conversation.

"Great! I made the 'A' Honor Role, and the teacher asked me to tutor some kids in the class, and I might even get to be on the Student Body Council." Yuzu kept rambling on about how great she was doing in school, but Ichigo only caught every other word.

The Student Body Council? He wondered. Wow. Ichigo was thoroughly impressed. They only asked kids in the top ten percent of their class, and then as a first year it was only the top two percent. It was quite an impressive feat. The Student Body Council had asked him to join, but only after his second year.

"…I commentated our last basketball game, too. Which reminds me, Karin made the varsity soccer team."

That stopped Ichigo in his tracks. He glanced back at his black haired sister. "The varsity soccer team?" Karin threw her arms behind her head, and walked past him without looking at him.

"It's nothing special," she mumbled.

Well throw me to Hell, Ichigo thought amused. Is Karin… Blushing!? Imitating her, Ichigo glanced up at the sky. "We'll have to play again." He stated. "But I still don't think it's possible for you to beat me," he finished smugly.

"Idiot," Karin replied her eye twitching dangerously. "You're like a rusty car compared to me."
"Then what are you? A slug?" A tick mark appeared on her head, but she smiled, almost scaring him. "At least I can still get places, and a lot quicker than you too?"

"Yuzu thinks I can beat you." She stated confidently. "Right?"

"Well…"

"YUZU!"

They continued on like that throughout their walk. Light witty banter was exchanged until their focus was captivated by the beautiful scenery of the surrounding area. When they got to the park, a spacious clearing of buildings for trees, with a small creak running through it, they found themselves staring in awe at the beauty of the sakura trees. They were so caught up in observing the trees that they almost did see the kites. From then on, they lost themselves in a whirlwind of fun. For three hours they stayed at the park.

They (Ichigo) bought a kite and participated in a kite race which they didn't win, but they had fun. Then they participated in a foot race (Ichigo won), and even had a (not so) friendly game of soccer, between Ichigo and Karin (Again Ichigo won, much to his sister's carnage).

After they got a light lunch, they then went to the movies. Deciding that the best way to waist the day away, was to let Karin and Yuzu each choose a movie they wanted to see, Ichigo had to buy two whole sets of tickets (Not cheap) for each of them. Karin chose a scary action movie, with lots of explosions and fighting (He lost the circulation in his arm because of Yuzu), while her twin chose one that was a remake off of a fairy tale that everyone knew. After that, Ichigo bought dinner, curry; they all decided it was time to go home.

"Wait, I want to go somewhere first," Ichigo said. Both his sisters looked at him expectantly. "I want to go see mom." He was both their faces fall, and worry cross their faces. "Is something wrong?" he asked impulsively. Mentally he cursed himself. He had planned on asking them when they got home, but he juat had to do something stupid.

"… Ichi-nii w-" Karin started, but Yuzu spoke over her

"We just haven't been to go see mom in a while," Yuzu said quickly. "That's all."

Their lying. Ichigo knew they were hiding something from him, but he couldn't figure out what. Deciding to figure out himself, he just nodded and waved down a taxi. The ride to the cemetery was silent and tense, and Karin and Yuzu seemed to be having an argument with their eyes, when they thought he wasn't looking. He decided to let it slid. They were his sisters and wouldn't keep something away from him unless they knew he would react badly. With that in mind he steeled his resolve and waited patiently.

When they arrived, Karin threw Yuzu a hard look, before trying to address him.

"Ichi-nii-"

"Come on," he said taking out his phone. Three missed called, two voice messages, and its 7:45. He sighed. It'll take a while for us to get back home, and the girls still have to take baths, and they have school tomorrow. And so do I! "I want to pay my respects to mom, and get home. I need to get you guys in bed by ten or dad'll kill me."

He started walking, not checking to see what they would do, and, after a second, he heard them following.

The walk wasn't too long, and he after about five minutes he saw his mother's headstone, but… something was wrong. Was that other one there before? Or that close? It's almost like someone had their grave planted right next to hers, but that wasn't possible, the only person that would have that position was-

He froze, a dozen metal blades cutting his heart.

It can't be. It's not possible. There's no way he's gone. But one glance at his sisters crying faces, he knew.

Sprinting to the two head stones, he read the newest one in dread.

Kurosaki Isshin

Devoted Father, Husband and Friend

He leaves three children to join his wife

May his soul have no regrets

It was a simple rectangular piece of grey colored marble, with white flecks spotting it. Underneath, a bundle of wilted flowers rested on his head stone.

Tears spilled from his eyes, and he practically felt his heart shatter. He heard his sisters sniffling behind him, but couldn't draw the strength to comfort them. His world had literally just changed. He would have to take care of his sisters, and the house, and the clinic, and…

"When… When was the funeral," he asked.

Yuzu sniffed. "A week and a half ago," she said. "It (sniff) wasn't very large, b-but a, uh, Urahara-s-san came about 26 other people."

Ichigo fell to his knees, reaching a shaky hand out to touch his father's grave. He traced the lines that would be the only thing strangers knew about him. It's so short. Ichigo told himself. What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to support Karin and Yuzu by myself? What would you do? What happened, Otosan?

He stayed there, crying until, he couldn't cry anymore. At some point he felt Yuzu and Karin kneel beside him, wrapping him in their arms. Wiping the tears away from his cheeks, and glanced up at the starry sky, realizing that the sun had set long ago. If he remembered correctly, most of the stars that were visible died hundreds of thousands of years ago; if that was so then why were they still there? Why could he see them?

'They stay because we still remember them' a soft voice said, startling him, and making his eyes widen. It was like the wind speaking to him; only he knew that he would hear it during a storm. 'We remember them because they help light the darkness we call the night, and stay with us as long as they can, but only as long as we remember them. They represent out memories and hopes, our highs and our lows. They stay because we need them to stay, and when we forget they have no purpose and so they spark out of existence. Don't become immersed in them, live to create new ones. So the night becomes brighter and more hopeful. They are memories, Ichigo, to remember them.'

Bowing his head, Ichigo clenched his teeth, the nails on his hands cutting into his palm painfully. Yeah, that's right. Detangling himself from his sisters, Ichigo stood up.

"Come on, Yuzu, Karin. We have to go home."

"Oh good," A gruff voice said. "He's stopped his bitchin' and now he can fight."

Ichigo whirled around, and unconsciously pulled his sisters behind him, so that he was between him and the assailants.

There were four of them. All hooded with zanpakutō hilts poking out from under their long cloaks, save one. One was really tall, a little taller than him, while the other three seemed to be shorter. Two of them, obviously women, were only about half a head shorter than him, while the last one was only marginally taller than Rukia, he guessed. But it wasn't her. He saw a tuff of pink underneath her hood, and even a flash of white teeth. He realized quickly enough that they were from Soul Society judging from their sword hilts, but he didn't lower his guard. They were all very tense, and could mean his and his sisters harm.

He wouldn't let them harm his sisters.

"Yuzu, Karin," he muttered low enough so that the others wouldn't hear. "Do you see them?"

"Y-yeah," Yuzu said equally low. Internally he smiled. Her spiritual pressure was finally high enough to see them.

"Good. My body is going to fall soon, and I need you to catch it, or at least slow its fall, then run as fast as you can. Got it?"

"Ichi-nii-" Karin started.

"Yes," Yuzu said.

"Ichigo,"The same gruff male voice said. He slowly reached up and withdrew the hood covering his face. "Why didn't you answer when we called?" The now unmasked man grinned. "That hurt our feelings."

"Kenpachi," Ichigo growled. The man's face was scared as ever, with his signature eye patch, and spiky hair. "If I remember correctly, the last time I saw you, you were groveling at some girl's feet." Kenpachi's grin only widened.

"Oh, looks like you got your balls back, cryin' in front of a stone like that. Why don't you come with us, and we can have a good spar t'get all that negative emotion out, eh?" As he spoke he slowly drew out his zanpakutō, and resting it on his shoulder. Out of the corner of his eye, Ichigo saw the only tall women with a sword grasp its hilt. The other women tensed more, while the shortest figure remained motionless.

If Kenpachi's here, then who are the others? Unahana? Nanao? Who's the last figure? What do I do? Ichigo's mind was buzzing with questions, but he didn't let it show on his face; only analyzing his opponents.

"Sorry, Kenpachi," he said, his eyes flickering between the four people before him. "I can't take you up on that offer. Maybe in a couple of years."

"You really should come back to Soul Society with us, you're greatly missed." He was smiling now as if he was expecting his reply.

"Again, sorry I can't take off. I have to take care of my sisters'." He felt Yuzu clench his arm tightly. Why are they here? Why are they treating me like a threat? Where the hell is their reiryoku!?

"Last chance, Ichigo," Kenpachi said, tapping the flat of his blade on his shoulder. "Come to Soul Society with us.

Is that what they want? Why didn't they just ask? Where's Hat n' Cogs? What do they want from me? Chewing on his lip momentarily, Ichigo let out a sigh. I can't leave; my dad just passed back into Soul Society at best, or is actually dead. I can't leave Karin, and Yuzu. "Sorry, Kenpachi, I can't. I'll come as soon as possible, but my dad isn't here and I have to take care of my sisters'."

"Then you leave us no choice, Kurosaki Ichigo," a distinctly female voice said. It seemed almost emotionless, and it sent a chill down his spine.

That voice…

"By decree of Central 48, enforced by Gotei 13, and accepted my Captain-Commander Shunsui Kyōraku, you, Kurosaki Ichigo, human, fullbringer, quincy, hollow, and shinigami, are too be tried in front of the captains and lieutenants for possible war crimes, and possible collaboration with the quincy over the Thousand Year Blood War. Your hearing will take place immediately after your arrest. Will you coply?"

Ichigo clenched his teeth; all the titles and crap fell on deaf ears. They wanted to take him to trial for the possibility that he had worked with the quincy? Ichigo wasn't the brightest, but if he had, then all of the shinigami in Soul Society would be dead?

That's bullshit. "No."

Immediately Kenpachi let loose a gleeful laugh and jumped at him swinging his sword in a wide ark. He heard Yuzu squeal in fright.

My sisters…

For the first time without the help of Kon, Urahara, or his substitute shinigami pass, Ichigo's soul left his body, and he immediately sprang into action.

Flashing in front of Kenpachi's, Ichigo grabbed his shorter blade on his right hip in a reverse grip in his right hand tightly. Ducking under the taller man's wild swing, he lashed out with his own blade; feeling the resistance as it tore through the flesh in Kempachi's side. Blood spraying from the wound like a fountain. It coated his forearm, but he didn't pay it any mind, and kept moving forward.

The woman, who had spoken before, had moved to draw her own zanpakutō, her stance widening, a gleam of silver flashing just above her sheath in the moonlight. Reacting quickly, Ichigo tossed his shorter sword from his right hand catching it in his left in a tight fore grip. Grasping the larger blade in his now free right hand, he pivoted on his foot, not a falter in his steeps. Pressing the short blade on the woman's neck, he swung his bigger sword down on Kenpachi's, who had managed to raise his in time to stop Ichigo's overhead strike. A gust of wind billowed around them tossing up leaves, and twigs.

For a second none of the three moved, until the woman spoke again.

"Come, Kurosaki Ichigo. We have your sisters', and your body."

Glancing over Kenpachi's shoulder, he was that she was right. The shorter of the two held his sisters in their arms, covering their mouth and nose, the other one held his body which didn't even have time to hit the ground.

Damn it, he cursed to himself. I was so caught up with these two I didn't see those two move. What the-

Out of the corner of his body's mouth, a dark red liquid leaked out, causing him to panic slightly. Why was he bleeding? He felt his chest tighten, and for a second he couldn't breathe. Suddenly blood spilled out of his mouth as he coughed violently. Falling to his knees he dropped his swords to cover his mouth only for blood to spill on them.

What's happening? He wondered, as he started losing consciousness quickly. He couldn't breathe and all the air was being exhaled from his lungs violently. Darkness crept into his vision quickly and the last thing he saw was beautiful dark hair.

"ICHIGO!"

Hello! I hope you liked the first chapter to The Night's Burning Pleasure. This is my first attempt at a Bleach story, so please send me your feedback, as it will be a great help and inspiration to me. I do take flames within reasoning. If I don't believe that the comment was necessary, it will be used to feed Natsu, or heat up my instant macaroni and cheese (whichever comes first).

Now, please review, and if you like look forward to another instalment soon.

See Ya!

~VigilantSempai~