Here are just a few notes before reading. 1. I don't own Bleach...I am not that creative or smart. 2. Gin is a good guy. Not because I like him (he creeps me out) but I love Rangiku. So this is for her 3. Ichigo did kill Sosuke Aizen in my FanFic. So he is not in prison in the Seireitei. 4. This is my first FanFic so please R/R. I know I am not a great writer but I love it so much.
Chapter 1
'It is just another gloomy day in the dark, depressing life of Ichigo Kurosaki.' Ichigo thought as he scowled up at the dark sky. 'I defeated Aizen for crying out loud
and saved the world. Can't a guy catch a break?'
Some days were better then others but today Uryu slipped out in the middle of class to fight a hollow. When ever that happened Ichigo always felt bitter, angry and frustrated. Even a little embarrassed and jealous, he was the one who protected others. That is even what his name meant. But now to his shame he was being protected. He did not hate Uryu, Chad or even Orihime. It was not their fault he lost his powers. He just hated being weak. Ichigo was usually good about suppressing those emotions behind the mask of indifference but today was different.
Orihime had confessed her love to him. Ichigo was not sure if she was trying to make him feel better or if she did have feelings toward him. It didn't matter. He hated hurting his best friend but the boy honestly saw her as nothing but a friend. And Ichigo knew that Uryu was interested and trespassing on others territories was not something the former Shinigami did even if he was interested in her. Now in a foul mood Ichigo went to his secret spot after school instead of home. It was a little wooded area by the river. No one ever came there so years ago he claimed it as his own. It was a secret that he and his Mom had shared. Not one of his other family or friends had never been or even heard of it.
"Alone at last." Ichigo said to himself. "Why did Orihime have to spring this on me now? It has only been three months since I lost my powers, Mom. I am still trying to adjust. Does she not know what I feel? Can she not see how Uryu feels? Damn it all, Mom, I hate hurting my friends." With that last thought he slumped on the log. Hot liquid running down the orange head's cheek shocked him at first. Then Ichigo began to wonder about his situation.
"So why am I crying Mom. Is it that I miss my friends from the Soul Society or is it losing my powers and my responsibility? Is it because I am hurting my friends or am I just missing you Mom?" Ichigo's voice became soft thinking about the woman he loved and missed so much. Suddenly an oddly familiar voice jolted him out of his depressive musings.
"If you were to ask me your problem is all that and more." Eyes wide with surprise and a touch of fear the former guardian of Karakura town leaped to his feet. Looking all around, Ichigo saw no one. "Hey, who is there? Where are you?" Ichigo waited for a response. "Alright guys quit playing. How did you find me? I know its not Chad and Uryu would never sink so low. Renji was it you?" There was no answer so Ichigo began to panic. "Toshiro? Please stop playing games. Yumichika? Ikkaku? I might not have a zanpakuto any more but I can still kick your asses. Urahara, if it is you I will kill you." Still only silence answered him. In desperation he called out, voice cracking with despair and loneliness. "Please stop playing with me, Byakuya? I would even take Kenpachi please just tell me I am not going crazy." Giving up the youth fell to his knees.
"I am sorry Ichigo but you were so off base until you started in on the captains. I was waiting to see if you would say my name or not." The warm gentle masculine voice drifted in Ichigo's ear. "But I guess it was to much to hope for."
"I must be going crazy. I lost my ability to see and hear ghosts unless you had a gigi but I still did not see anything." Ichigo left his head down. He was pissed off and not up for playing games. "I did not want to scare you so I hid myself." Ichigo still refused to look up. With a mournful sigh the tender voice said calmly. "I am Sosuke. Sosuke Aizen."