"Aren't you lonely?" Keigo asked, swinging tentatively from the roof's guard rail. Ichigo gave him a cold glare then turned away.

"Like hell I'd be." Ichigo let the words slip from his lips. He didn't mean it. He knew in his heart that he was. He was full of regret. Not for losing his powers... but... Well, he didn't know why he was so depressed. In truth, he knew only that his heart pined for her, and it hurt him to say that he didn't care. It hurt him that she didn't visit. But above all else, it hurt him that he was starting to forget her face. Her voice was nothing but a distant echo in his memory. The distinct way she wore her hair was becoming nothing but an abstract shape. Her beautiful amethyst eyes were becoming cold and dark pools. One thing, however, did not waver in those 16 long months since he saw her last. Ichigo knew that he had to find her. To tell her. Even if she rejected him. Even if she yelled, screamed, punched him, and called him a pervert, a fool, an idiot, it didn't matter. She needed to know.

Ichigo slung his bag over his shoulder, not thinking about the stranger he helped out earlier. He said his farewells to Keigo and Mizuiro and entered his house. Today, he was home considerably earlier than usual, and was met only by Isshin. Instead of the obligatory dive and loud welcome, with a subsequent punch to Isshin, he simply sat there, with a downtrodden look.

"What the hell'sa matter with you?" Ichigo growled.

"They kicked me out of Karin and Yuzu's welcoming ceremony!" Isshin practically sobbed.

"Let me guess..."

"They said I was making too much of a scene! Can you believe that? Me?"

"I can..." Ichigo grimaced.

"Hmph." Isshin grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Dad..." Ichigo's tone went from peeved to serious. "How did you... get your powers back?" Isshin's eyebrow arched upon hearing this, but the look quickly dissipated and was replaced with his usual goofy grin.

"So you're finally ready, son? I knew you'd come around!" Isshin shouted with joy. "This means I'll finally see my lovely third daughter again?" Isshin pranced around. "And it means I'll have a chance again at getting grandchil-" Isshin was cut off when Ichigo's fist made contact.

"Shut. Up."

"Fine. We'll start training in one week. It may take awhile though."

"Fine."

"It will be very painful."

"I can handle it."

"You'll owe me."

"Whatever."

"And if you fail, you will never regain your powers, and you won't be able to return to your body."

"I don't care." Isshin smiled, and placed one hand on Ichigo's shoulder.

"I'm proud of ya, son. You finally figured it out. Couldn't last the rest of you life without her, huh?" Ichigo grinned sincerely for the first time in over a year.

"Like hell I'd let that happen."


(A/N: This is just a little something I wrote after reading chapter 424. We all know Ichi misses his midget. Review and you'll make me a happy IchiRuki fanboy. Review. Seriously.)