Summary: After Masaki died protecting Ichigo, she was sent to the Soul Society. But what happens when she gets there?

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or any of the characters...no matter how much I want to.

Six Years Previous

"Ichigo!" Masaki screamed as she watched as here son ran down to the overflowing river to save someone who did not exist.

She lunged at him before he could meet his deadly fate: Grand Fisher. Issin had told here about a hollow who lured his victims by creating a fishing hook that looked like someone dear to them. They would see the hook and be devoured by an unknown being. No shinigami had been able to kill him, let alone hurt him.

She smiled as she caught him, but that smile quickly disappeared as she felt a sharp pain in her back. In the corner of her eye, she saw grand fisher peering over her. He pulled his hook out of her so that it was in its proper place, hanging from his forehead.

After a moment, she realized that she was no longer in her body, but a soul with a chain hanging from her chest. She stood there silently as she watched Ichigo kneeling by her body, crying for her to get up. Tears streaked her cheeks as she watched her nine year old son begging her hopelessly to come back to life. It was the first time in years that she had seen him look at her without smiling. She could hardly bear to watch.

Finally remembering her situation, she turned to find Grand Fisher approaching slowly.

"Finally! I wanted a simple snack and look what I get. A beautiful, delicious meal!" he said cheerfully. "I was gonna eat the little brat, but to tell you the truth, I prefer the beautiful women like yourself."

He continued chuckling about how well he was going to eat tonight, completely oblivious to everything else.

Suddenly, as he approached her, he was propelled back by a bright blue flash of energy. Masaki turned to look at Ichigo. He was still crying over her body, but now he was surrounded an electric blue glow. In his sorrow, his reiatsu was increasing, over powering Grand Fisher.

"Just you wait woman! I will get you and that little brat of yours!" he yelled, as he fled away from Ichigo and Masaki.

"Mama! Mama! Get up! Please!" Ichigo cried hoarsely.

Masaki walked toward him and placed a soft hand at his back to get his attention. "Ichigo. Ichigo, I'm sorry, but it's too late," she whispered, but he was to upset to notice anything. He just sat there crying at her side. "Ichigo, please stop crying. Everything will be alright."

"Excuse me. Miss?" a voice said from a few feet behind her.

Masaki turned around to see a white haired shinigami standing with his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Ukitake! What are you doing here?" she asked, taking a small step toward him, staring in disbelief.

"Oh, no! Masaki, what happened?" he asked, a mask of grief shooting across his gentle features.

"Grand Fisher tried to kill Ichigo with that lure thing of his. I jumped in front of the attack and got hit instead." she said, glancing at Ichigo, who was still shaking her lifeless body. "But before he could devour me, Ichigo's reiatsu skyrocketed to an amazing level. It was at least ten times stronger than I've felt Issin's reach."

"Well, at least he's safe. Well, enough of this small talk. I've got to send you to the Soul Society now." Ukitake said pulling his sword out of its sheath.

"Understand. Will you tell Issin for me?" she asked.

"Of course. Take this. I'm not sure what part of the Soul Society you'll end up in. Whatever happens, go to the gate to the Seireitei. Show this to the guard, and he'll let you in. It's an unauthorized pass to go any where." Ukitake ordered, handing her a small piece of paper.

"Where am I supposed to go?"

Ukitake prepared his sword for the soul burial. "Once your inside, show this to any shinigami, and they will take you to the thirteenth division office. I will make sure that Kaien will be there to greet you if I'm not."

As he finished talking, he placed the back of the sword's hilt on her forehead.