Hey guys! Just wanted to say a few things before the story begins to give you a bit of background information. This is a fanfiction written by myself and a friend, Theoress. She had never written fanfic stuff before, but we both LOVE Bleach and she wanted to try and write something for it. So, I wrote up this first chapter as a sort of prompt and sent it to her. It's kind of like a game, I write a chapter, then she writes one, then it's back to me. So if you notice style changes, or an unexpected turn in the story, that's why. We don't coordinate what happens, and we can't change what the other writes, so it kind of keeps us on our toes and if one of us gets stuck, the other will help. That's why the chapters start off pretty short, but I promise they get longer. I really liked this story, so with her permission, decided to post it. It follows the manga up until around the 300's, with Orihime in Heuco Mundo and the others trying to save her. In the story, they did save her and some time has passed since then. Anyways, I hope you like it, and thanks for reading! Oh yeah, and neither of us own Bleach, we just love it :). Thanks again!

MissCyraf

Chapter One- Beginnings

"IIIIIICHIIGOOOO!" Ichigo snapped awake to the thunderous sound of his father's voice as Isshin threw himself at his son, barreling towards him with his feet outstretched before him. Purely out of instinct, Ichigo dodged, rolling off the bed out of his father's way. His target gone, Isshin couldn't change his direction, smashing into the headboard of Ichigo's bed and crumpling upon impact.

"What the hell are you doing, you idiot!" The orange-haired 18 year old screamed at his father, his usual scowl deepening into one of blistering anger. Isshin ignored his son's outburst, righting himself and abruptly launching himself again to tackle his son. Not expecting his father to do that, Ichigo didn't have enough time to do anything but brace himself, grunting as his father's weight landed on him. Shoving the older man off ruthlessly, Ichigo stood, planting a firm foot in his father's face. "You're even more retarded than normal! What's going on!" From beyond Ichigo's foot, Isshin started shouting, waving his arms out wildly.

"It's our son's last day at home, Mother! And look how he treats his loving father! How we've failed!" Rolling his eyes angrily, Ichigo retracted his foot, deciding to ignore his father's wild dramatics.

"Yeah, whatever…"

"Ichi-nii!" Ichigo glanced back over his shoulder, Yuzu was standing in his doorway, clothed in her usual apron with a spoon in her hand. Karin was leaning against the door frame, arms crossed over her chest as if bored. "Ichi-nii, I wish you wouldn't beat him so badly!" Ichigo scowled even more deeply. He deserves it…

"That idiot deserves it." Karin voiced his thoughts from the doorway. "Now forget him. Yuzu made your favorite breakfast, dummy. Stop wasting time and eat it before it gets cold." The twins turned to head back downstairs. Ichigo followed, sparing a glance back at his father.

"You better get down there if you wanna eat with us, 'cuz I'm sure as hell not waiting for you."

- - -

Breakfast was abnormally peaceful for the Kurosaki family, Ichigo and Isshin only had one fist fight throughout the entire meal. Like normal, it had ended with Ichigo only growing more irritated and his father wailing at the life-sized poster of Masaki on the wall. Isshin seemed to quickly recover, though, clapping his hands together to call everyone to order.

"Ok! Kurosaki family plan for Move-In Day!" Karin slumped back in her chair while Yuzu sat up in attention, Ichigo, having placed his dish in the sink, leaned nonchalantly against the counter. "We will call it 'Operation Get-Rid-of-Useless-Son'!" He was cut off by Ichigo's irate protests, Karin's laughter, and Yuzu's dismayed whines. He ignored them, pressing on. "Chief of Staff—" He pointed to Karin, who interjected with "Don't you mean 'Chief of Stuff' again?". "You will be responsible for getting all of Ichigo's things in the car! Ichigo will help! Yuzu—you're in charge of lunch! Make sure everyone gets a healthy meal!"

"And what're you gonna be doing?" Karin cut in again, scowling much like Ichigo. In the past few years, she had grown to resemble him more closely than anyone else in the family. Maybe that's why she's so cool. Heh... Ichigo let his mind wander for a few minutes, tuning back in to find Isshin in a headlock, Yuzu attempting desperately to resolve their father and sister's quarrel.

"Like hell you'll be supervising! If we're gonna work, you're going to too!" Karin was shouting was Isshin shouted protests. Although Ichigo personally agreed, he pried the two apart.

"Whatever, let's just get moving."

He lifted a box onto his shoulder, then set it back down again, scanning his room. It was practically empty now, his mattress bare, desk clear and closet empty. His brows quirking, he left the box, slowly approaching the closet with dragging steps. It was empty, he knew it. It had been empty for nearly a month now, the former occupant gone. And for the first time since she had left, he allowed himself to miss her.