Disclaimer: This story takes place after the Aarancar arc where Ichigo loses all his Soul Reaper powers but does not involve the Quincy arc in any way. Some elements of the Fullbringer arc will be used later, but for now, enjoy the story.

Chapter 1

The world of the Shinigami and Hollows was long over for Ichigo Kurosaki. The world beyond our own existence, had faded from his when he gave up his Shinigami powers to finally end Aizen's journey to godhood. He had to say goodbye to a dear comrade of his, and since then, he has only grown farther from his closest childhood friends.

The young boy had been through a lot, gutted, sliced, beaten, and blasted with whatever force the spirits of the afterlife regurgitate on their enemies. And he lived through it all before even became 18.

Some would hear his story and be surprised he's even functioning: Dead mother, deadbeat father, forced into life and death battles. Ichigo himself doesn't even know why he doesn't just curl into a ball and wish for it all to end. He does anyway, despite everything, because he can meet every problem head on. He HAS met every problem head on.

One must wonder then, what will he do, when the enemy never shows their face.

"Well, I guess this is going to be goodbye Kurosaki-kun" the weeping redhead cried into his arms as he stood in front of the airport. Orihime was always a loving girl who wore her heart on her sleeve, too kind for the world sometimes, but a lot smarter than most gave her credit.

"Relax Orihime, it's only a quick four and a half months, then I'll be back for Christmas break." Ichigo said, brushing her tear-stained cheek. "Pre-med will be a breeze. I mean, my old man passes, it can't be that hard"

"Just don't forget to write," Chad said, a stern but friendly grin trusting his best friend to do fine. "Orihime will throw a tantrum if you're even a week late."

"I will not" Orihime giggled, her tears of sadness turned to joy by the thought of Christmas coming in a few years. "but you will write, right?"

Ichigo looked over his friends, all who had come to see him off. Chad and Orihime were only the most vocal and closest, but the lobby was getting packed with classmates and colleagues from high school trying to stay in touch with him. It was good to be reminded just how much he was loved now and then. It the pits of despair of Hueco Mundo, it sometimes felt like he was all alone fighting the darkest of evils.

"I'll send an email once a week just to keep you guys informed." Ichigo was never one to break his word. It was one of his worst traits, but it certainly improved everyone's moods.

As the friends and family bid him fair well, Ichigo stared his father down, eye to eye. "No drop kicks? Not going to break my jaw?"

"Not with all these security guards watching me. Besides, you've taken enough beatings." His father looked over his son with both pride and shame. His son had grown into everything he could have hoped he could be. Strong, honorable, a grade-A student. He only wished his own failures hadn't lead up to this and stolen the boy's greatest talent that made him who he is.

Ichigo could tell his father was getting depressed and threw a playful jab at him to catch his attention. A few words of encouragement between the two and they broke away, with Ichigo making his way to bigger pastures.

A year or so ago, the boy had been gifted with the sight. The ability to see the spirits of the dead and had been conscripted into fighting on behalf of the Shinigami, warriors in charge of purifying corrupted souls. His father had been one of these Shinigami, though he never told him. He never told him anything, though he had plenty of reasons not to. Warriors battling the evil that dominated the souls of the departed is kind of a strange pill to swallow. Even for someone born with such a gift.

So, he leaves his father with satisfaction. His father blames himself for Ichigo losing his powers, but it was his own choice. Ichigo was never one to blame others for his own choices.

But enough looking down memory lane, it's time for Ichigo to meet his destiny in the Big Apple.

Conclusion: Sorry if this was mostly a flashback, I wanted to treat this as a self-contained story and make sure people didn't have to read over 700 chapters of the manga to know what's going on. I promise that future chapters will get a lot more expressive. And don't worry, this isn't goodbye forever to his old supporting cast, but I must give Ichigo a chance to get accustomed to living in America first.