Disclaimer: I do not own bleach and hopefully never will. the suspense would be gone and i wouldn't do it justice.

Time: shortly after Azen, Gin, and Tousen leave the Seireitei

Ichigo

"Here you go, Ichigo," says Ukitake as he hands Ichigo a palm-sized badge with a skull on it.

"What is this thing?"

"It's a substitute shinigami badge! It was made for you, as it detects any nearby hollows, and separates

your soul from your body, when you press it to your body, like this." replied Ukitake.

"Well, thanks I guess Jūshirō, but does it insert a mod soul?"

"Sorry to tell you this, but no it doesn't, so you need to put your body in a safe place first."

"Oh that's great! Last time I got a mod soul I ended up with a perverted freak named Kon. Every time I

used him, I was afraid of what he would get into."

"Umm that's kind of weird. Did it have anything to do with Urahara Kisuke?"

"Actually, yes, yes it had everything to do with that pervert."

"Alright then, Ichigo, if you're ready its time to get you back to the real world."

"Okay then, thanks for all your help"

*5 minutes later, at the Senkaimon *

"Rukia, what are you doing here? I thought that you were recovering at Urahara Shop."

"I was Ichigo, but I've been fully healed by Orihime"

"Oh that's great! But I still don't understand; what are you doing here?"

"I came to say goodbye, Ichigo. You're a human, and you have to live in the real world. Even if you have shinigami powers, you have to stay there, and protect Karakura Town from Hollows. I can't come with you, because I am a true shinigami, and I can cause a disturbance if I go with you, as my powers are back." said Rukia.

"You're staying here? After they try to kill you? You're just going to rejoin them, without even an apology?"

"Yes Ichigo, I am. I am a shinigami AND a Kuchiki. My place is here, Ichigo, no matter where I wish it was."

"So just like that, you're staying here. Well I guess we've had a good run, eh, midget? I'll see you around."

Rukia agrees, then quickly runs off.

"Dang, what's gotten into her? You have any ideas, Jūshirō? You are her captain, after all."

"I think that your leaving affects her more than you may think, Ichigo. After all, you may not know this,

but Rukia was something of a recluse, especially after my former Lieutenant Kaien Shiba was killed by

her blade."

"WHAT! WHEN WAS THIS?"

"Oh it was many years ago. I'll tell you the story some other time, but the short of it is that his body was controlled by a hollow."

"I never knew that she was reclusive. She always seems so… open and… angry all the time, at least around me"

"Yes well, you're the first person to open her up in many years."

(Sigh) "Well I guess I'll miss her. I can't stay here, can I."

"No, unless you were formally recognized as a shinigami, said goodbye to your human friends, and had your body destroyed. So no, unless that were to happen, probably not."

"Destroy my BODY? Wouldn't that KILL me?"

"Actually no, it just means you would need a Gigai to be seen by humans."

"Ichigo Kurosaki, the Captain-Commander wishes to see you. Also, there is a Captains meeting, Ukitake Taichou."

"AHHHHHH! Dang it Byakuya! Next time make some sound to warn people, instead of just showing up like that!"

"I'm sorry, Kurosaki. I thought you had improved enough to notice me. It appears that this faith was unfounded."

"Yeah well, I'm still not the best at detecting reiatsu, and your shunpo is excellent, Byakuya." said Ichigo

'What? Ichigo Kurosaki complimenting me? I think that somewhere, hell is freezing over. Actually, I kind of like this nice Kurosaki. Maybe I was wrong with disagreeing with Yamamoto Sou-taichou.' thought Byakuya

"Thank you for your compliment, Kurosaki. It's the first time you've shown me any respect at all."

"Sorry, Byakuya, but it's the first time that we've had the chance to talk off the battlefield."

"There is still room for improvement, as you should at least call be Byakuya-Taichou."

"Sorry, but if my power is about the same level as a captain, I refuse to use the captain title as it subconsciously suggests that I am weaker than said captain."

'Well, not what I was expecting from this brash young lad. But all the same, it's a good reply. Maybe my sister's falling for this… man… was not the worst thing to happen to her, as I thought. He is also very powerful, and he would be able to easily defend her if need be. My defeat at his hand is proof enough of this.'

"What was it you said about a captains meeting, Kuchiki Taichou? And Ichigo's presence required?" asked Jūshirō

"Yes thank you for bringing me back on topic. The captain-commander has requested a captains meeting, and wants Ichigo to be there."

"Do you know what it will be about?" asked Jūshirō

"I believe that it will be about Ichigo, and possibly his future with Soul Society." Was Byakuya's only response before he shunpo'd away.

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