Prologue.

Five months from the present.

In Hueco Mundo, far off from the palace, so far that you couldn't even see it, was a large green campfire with five beings lazing around.

"Any news on the berry's progress?" The Dark skinned member of the group asked, he had dreadlocks with white markings painted on his face, his attire was plain black,
much like the uniform of the stealth task force. He had a white leather belt which held his zunpaktuto as well as a money pouch. His haori was stitched onto the shoulders of his stealth task force-like clothing, looking like a cape with the sleeves ripped off, Jaggered holes where the sleeves were once. His cyan eyes closed out of boredom.

"Be patient Sairen, the boy is still well off from our level, there is no need to act yet, especially with Aizen having eyes in the living world." Reasoned the man sitting across from him. He had long dark brown hair pulled back into a pony tail, with a weak stuble on his chin and jaw line. Out of all of them he was the only one who wore the soul reaper shihakusho under his Haori, though it was torn. He had a black desert scarf covering his neck with long fingerless black gloves. The right one of the shihakusho and the haori's arm sleves was pinned back, revealing a dragon tattoo spiraling up the full lenth of his right arm. He held a cup close to his face, grey eyes staring uninterested at the green fire in front of him.

"Though I admit, it is getting a little dull just waiting for something to happen." He pouted when he finished. Sairen nodded.

"What happened to patients? Washi?" The girl sitting next to Sairen asked in a teasing way. She had a plain blue kimono with short light green hair which only reached the shoulders. Her eyes were also green, and she had her hands tucked into the sleeves of her haori.

Washi opened his mouth to retort, but was silenced. "Don't even think about bickering you two, I'm not in the mood today, now someone put that fire out before someone notices the smoke." The man was now standing. He had spikey black hair that was starting to grey in a rough faux cut, though some did reach the back of his neck. He had long sideburns that eventually turned into a thin stubble. On the bridge of his nose was a scar. He wore a white version of the Stealth task force's uniform with black highlights, somewhat resembling the Arrancar's uniform. Except on the bottom of the sleves and trousers were black fire marks, reaching to his elbows on his sleeves, and to his knees on the trousers. His haori had the top half completely torn off, it was slung over his shoulder and at is waist on the opposite side, a knot tied in the middle where the two parts met, to secure it.

The two sighed. "Fine, Taron-dono." Washi sighed exasperatedly. Everyone had a great deal of respect for Taron, as he was the one that made this all possible.

...Line break...

Months after

The two figures stood on the sandy ground, breathing heavily. In the far distance a group gathered, watching the two anxiously, the fate of the world resting on this final battle.

"I admit kurosaki." The figure in white began but paused, still trying to regain his breath. "You're much more troublesome than I thought you'd be." He finished. Ichigo responded by panting heavily. He didn't trust his voice at the moment, because he knew full well, that this will be the last time he and his friends will cross paths the same way for a long time.

This would be his last stand as Kurosaki Ichigo.

He looked over to where his friends were gathered, both he and Aizen were catching their breaths from their last attack, so he was confident Aizen wouldn't risk a sneak attack.

He saw his friends looking at him with hope, with a mix of worry. They had all finished their own battles and were overseeing his own. He smiled at them, a sad smile.
Almost all of them returned it but as a genuine one, except for Rukia. She seemed to of caught onto the fact that it wasn't a reassuring one, and the worry on her face increased.

Ichigo couldn't help but feel guilty at seeing that. This was really going to hit her hard. He looked away, not being able to bare that look that he'd caused.

His gaze turned to Aizen again, who had his sword raised, ready for another attack. This was it.

Ichigo raised his sword as well. After glaring at each other, the two charged onwards at each other, their Raietsu building to both of their limits. As they were closing in on each other Ichigo yelled. "Getsuga-" A black substance formed at the blade. "-TENSHO!" He swung his blade, the black Raietsu engulfing the both of them.

The sand beneith them was sent into the air all around them, swirling around the massive cluster of the dark substance. Finally it began to die down, revealing the two.

Zangetsu had penetrated Aizen in the heart, while Kyoko had penetrated Ichigo in the centre of his chest. They had stabbed each other. Aizen's eyes rolled to the back of his head and fell backwards, sliding out of Ichigo's sword, taking his own down with him. As soon as Aizen's sword left Ichigo's wound, even more blood than before came gushing out, causing him to scream a little at the pain, It sure as hell hurt.

He felt his legs weaken, and noticed the world turn side ways as he fell backwards, his breathing heavy.

Rukia was already on her feet as soon as Ichigo's attack had cleared, much to the dismay of everyone else, as there was still a chance Aizen was mobile.

Just before his body hit the ground, Rukia caught him.

"R-Rukia?" Ichigo asked, though he knew, since she was directly above him, tears at the edges of her eyes, threatening to fall. "Ichigo... h-hold on, Inoue's gonna be here any moment." Rukia said hastilly, her voice clearly panicked.

She held him in her arms, his back being supported by her, where his blood was already covering her hands. Ichigo coughed up a bit of blood. He knew he didn't have long.

"I-I don't think she'll make it in time." He stated quietly, and shakily as blood dripped down from his chin, tears of his own starting to form. "Don't say that you fool!" Rukia yelled, the first tear falling, rolling on he cheek and dripping off of her chin, onto Ichigo's tattered robes. Ichigo took a deep, shaky breath and smiled reassuringly.

"Promise me, Rukia. Promise me that you won't let me cause the rain to pour." Ichigo ignored what Rukia said and spoke in an even weaker voice than before, Rukia understood exacly what he meant, and another tear rolled silently down her cheek.. Everyone else was already on the move, rushing up to the two. "B-Because that'd be u-unfair." Ichigo said shakily, then cupped her cheek, one of his own tears escaping silently as he smiled weakly at her. "B-Because, I-if it's my last chance to say it, Y-you made the rain stop for me, so who would I be if I only caused you s-storms."

"I-Ichigo.." Rukia breathed shakily, yet another silent tear escaping as he carressed her cheek "Y-You made the rain, S-stop. Rukia." He repeated, staring into her glistening eyes with sincerety.

Suddenly, Ichigo's breath caught in his throat, then he let it out in a deep, shaky sigh, eyes closing at he same time and his body going limp in her arms.

"I-Ichigo?!" Rukia shook him, trying desperately to sense his raietsu, needless to say... she didn't. "ICHIGO!" Rukia screamed burying her face into his still chest,
holding his body close to hers in a protective manner, praying she'd hear a weak pulse, her sobs shaking her own body.

By the time everyone arrived, Ichigo Kurosaki was dead in Rukia's arms.

...Line Break...

Months before the winter war

Ichigo shut the door behind him staring confusedly at Kisuke, the Winter war was just around the corner, so he and the others had been training perfusedly.

Kisuke was crouched down by his desk, all doors except for the one he entered through locked. "Lock the door behind you." Kisuke ordered, Ichigo did as he was told, and crouched down on the opposite side of the desk, still confused.

"What I'm about to tell you Kurosaki," Urahara spoke wih a serious demeanor, both surprising and unsettling Ichigo. Kisuke raised his head to look at Ichigo in the eye,
adding to the seriousness. "Cannot leave this room." He finished with a tone of finality.

Ichigo just stared at him blankly before nodding, despite the simple response Urahara knew he had Ichigo's full attention.

"In the winter war, after you've defeated Aizen.." Kisuke kept his eyes locked onto Ichigo's "I need you to fake your death." He finished, allowing Ichigo to digest his words.

"W-What?!" Ichigo yelled in shock "Why?!"

Kisuke sighed and closed his eyes, lowering his head. "I need you to trust me on this one Ichigo, believe it or not, Aizen and the Arrancars Aren't the biggest threat at the moment, and I can't tell you what it is, not yet. Believe me when I say, this is for yours and the others safety, as well as the elimination of this threat." Urahara explained. Ichigo was shocked to say the least, firstly, that was the first time he'd ever heard Hat'n'Clogs call him by his first name. Secondly and most importantly,
a bigger threat than Aizen?

"Can you at least tell me why I need t-to fake my own death?!" Ichigo's voice was raised, yet a little unsturdy due to the magnitude of what Kisuke was asking.

Kisuke sighed once again. "You're not powerful enough to take them on, not yet, but I know you can get stronger. Unfortunately, so do they." He paused. "I have reason to believe that they are planning to kill you before you can reach that power."

"Then why haven't they shown up already?" Ichigo asked, his brows furrowed in thought.

"Because of Aizen. The hogyoku weakens them substantially, they wouldn't be able to defend themselves if Aizen finds about about them, therefore have been laying low.
I have your "Death" all planned out Kurosaki, so don't worry!" Kisuke explained, smiling a little at the last statement while batting his fan.

"You seem a bit too joyful about this for my liking..." Ichigo trailed off, unsettled.

"Eh. Meet me here on a Tuesday in three weeks time, I'll explain how we're going to do it, then I'll tell you all about this unholy threat after you're supposedly dead." Kisuke said as he ushered Ichigo to the door of his office.

"Remember, no one can know about this, Kurosaki, otherwise my plan will fail, and they will be targeted." Kisuke said softly before opening the door and shoving Ichigo outside of his office, still shell shocked.

His mouth was gaping like a goldfish, it was all still sinking in. He had to fake his death to protect both himself and everyone else... For how long, he didn't know,
would he ever come out of hiding, he didn't know either.

His friends would have to think that he's dead, everyone had to think he was dead..

What about Rukia? Oh god, Rukia... She'd be devastated, everyone would, but she the most. They had such a unique friendship with each other, Ichigo would no doubt go beserk if he thought Rukia was gone, so how would she react?

...Line break...

Three weeks later.

Kisuke opened a trap door in his stock room, revealing a fairly small room with even more resources. It also had a bed at the right side of the room.

"This, is where you'll be sleeping after you're "Dead", and all these things are what we're going to use to do so!" Urhara exclaimed excitedly while batting his fan, Yoruichi standing behind the two.

"Wow, I'm jumping for joy." Ichigo deadpanned at the man-child next to him.

"Anyway," Kisuke closed his fan. "Let me explain how this will happen." Kisuke began, this is where Ichigo noticed a body lying on the wall at the far end, it's orange hair the most noticable aspect, along with the shihakusho.

"Is that.. me?" Ichigo stared at it wide eyed, dumbfounded. "Not exacly." Kisuke began. "This is however, the key to the plan. It's the first of it's kind that I've created.
It works and functions like a normal Gigai, except it's roughly the equivilant of being in Soul form, so it won't hold you down, It also protects your soul form if you happen to exhibit a wound while in it, so you can pretty much die in it and you'll be unscathed when you come out of it. Also, if the gigai has been killed, then the soul will be forced out of it, however, it will be undetectable to anyone for about an hour and a half, unless you have these," Urahara held up some goofy looking goggles. "No one will be able to see you, or sense your Raietsu. You'll be completely invisible. While in this state, you need to make it back to here before the time limit. Got it?" Kisuke asked. Ichigo nodded.

"I call it the Phantom Gigai. The reason I haven't made this for everyone is because you need above average spiritual pressure to make it work, not to mention the stuff you need to make one of these." Kisuke chuckled. "And let's not even mention the fact that half of that thing is made of stuff that is beyond illegal." He giggled and reopened his fan, hiding his face, no matter how wrong that looked for a middle aged man.

Ichigo stared at him, one eyebrow raised. "If you haven't gathered already, You'll be fighting in the winter war in this."

Then kisuke walked to one of the shelves and pulled out a box, then put it on the bed. Ichigo walked over to see what was in it.

Kisuke pulled out some sort of trench coat jacket which resembled his bankai form with the tattered and ripped tail coat, except the inner part was orrange, and so were the sleeves. The difference is it had a spikey, just as ripped collor, which to, was orange with black outlinining it. He held it with one hand.

The other held a mask. It some what resembled a ski mask except it was made out of bandages that were painted black and were stitched together in the form of a mask, that had holes ripped into it for the mouth and eyes. 'Cheap' Ichigo mused in thought.

"This," Kisuke held up the jacket. "Covers your Raietsu, while this," He then gestured to the mask "Will cover your face! You can wear these in both soul form and in your body."

It made sense, Ichigo supposed, after all everyone would still undoubtedly come down to the shop for resources.

"Alright, so you'll "Die", come back to the living world, get back here as soon as possible, put on the change of clothes and when you're ready, Training begins!" Kisuke summarised.

...Line Break...

"Ah, I see him." Kisuke stated to Yoruichi as he looked through the goggles, which also served as binoculars. He frowned at looking upon Ichigo. He was running on the rooftops some distance away, his eyes were red from crying with tears still trapped in his eye, he suddenly raised his arm to wipe them off as he ran across.

"It seems to of hit him harder than we had expected." Kisuke mused with a deep sigh. He couldn't blame him, after all, he had noticed his special connection with Rukia,
even if neither of them had noticed, it was a shame, he supposed. For once, he actually felt bad for the both of them, but he really did not want to see how Rukia was handling this, she after all, thought he was dead.

"You can't blame him." Yorichi mused, speaking his mind. He only gave a slight nod. They were standing just outside the shop, they'd been waiting patiently for a while,
they rushed over here as soon as their battles had ended and they did their parts.

Ichigo dropped down to the shop, though the two chose not to engage with him, both knowing that it was best to leave him alone. As expected he silently walked onwards disappearing into his new bedroom with a slam of the doors. Only his staff, Yoruichi and Isshin knew he was alive now.

...Line break...

He saw her, desperatly calling his name as she clutched his Phantom Gigai as if it would some how bring him back to life, not that he was actually dead... but she couldn't know that. The sight absolutely destroyed him as she sobbed into his chest, occasionally managing to mutter his name between her cries. It brought tears to his eyes, and he considered going back on all of this and revealing himself, he almost did it, almost.

He choked back his own sobs as he pulled himself away from the sight, he couldn't stand it any longer, and began to head to the portal of the living world. as soon as he reached it he couldn't hold back any longer. He collapsed on all fours as he let the sobs rack his body, the sight of Rukia so desperate and him not being able to do a single thing getting to him. He still had plenty of time. He sniffled and rubbed his eyes, only to have fresh tears trapped with in, and finally, he entered.

By the time he entered the living world he paid no attention to his surroundings, eyes set on the Urahara shoten in the distance.

As he ran on the rooftops his eyes began to get too blurry and he raised his arm to wipe away the cause, when he finally got there he ignored the two of them, not trusting his own voice at the moment. He stomped to his bedroom and slammed the door. He looked at his new bed to see his jacket and the mask folded neatly on it. He got into his actual body before putting the stuff on, finalising one fact.

The fact the Kurosaki Ichigo was dead, and in his place stood Kurigo Isaki.

...
A/N

OOOOOOOOOOOHOHHHHHHHHHHHH DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYUM!

This is my first Bleach fanfiction, so yea... some aspects have been changed, for example how the winter war played out, I needed it to fit the scenario I have etched into my brain.

So yea, cunstructive criticism is appreciated AND NEEDED. Reviews help out a great deal and all that crap you already know, and I don't think it's even necesarry to state that I don't own Bleach, I don't understand why anyone bothers doing so, since if they did they wouldn't be on this sight.

also, whadda ya think of his undercover name, ya like? I'm actually curious to find out. Anyways, so long, until the next update! (which I have no idea will be since I don't like having schedules since I'm lazy, so bare with me.)