I figured after a while, when I got up the courage to do so, I would write my own fanfic like everyone else does. Maybe my imagination is a bit off but deal with me. This starts out a little slow, introducing the changes, new characters and will lead into new scenarios. Criticism is welcome, especially if it's constructive. Flames are not, however.

As it states, it is a story of those in Karakura who moved on after the war. Ichigo is married but not to Orihime or Rukia. I just can't stand the thought of Ichigo being with Rukia to be honest. I can't see it, in the anime or the manga. Everyone's favorites are in there. The big question in this story is "Can Rukia set her feelings aside and help Ichigo when he needs her most? When his world is turned upside and taken from him?" What about Urahara, can he help?

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach but I do own Rei, Sachiel and anyone that you don't recognize from the bleach series. =)

Reflection

She sat there, looking at her new orders. Finally, the ones she had been waiting for had come. She was going back there…back to him. She felt the excitement welling up inside her but wouldn't show it. After all this time, she would finally get to see him again.

In the more than ten years since the winter war as it was called by everyone, the war against Aizen that caused so many casualties, she could finally go back to the place where it had all began for her…well almost. Being assigned to the next town over wasn't that bad. She would be able to see Ichigo, Orihime, all her friends that she had been forced to leave behind after the war. She silently prayed that things hadn't changed too much since that time.

Because of her original assignment being only temporary coupled with the near death of the soutaicho and the rebuilding that needed to be done in Soul Society, she had left to uphold her duties to them.

She stood among her group of friends, the ones that had come to mean so much to her. She hugged Orihime tightly as the young woman sobbed into her arms, Uryuu and Chad standing off to the side. Even Urahara, Tessai, Jinta, Ururu and Yoriuchi had come to see her off. As she said her farewells to each in turn, she finally came to stand in front of Ichigo.

She looked up into his eyes, not missing the sadness he couldn't hide. She wanted to say what she was feeling but couldn't. A lump had formed in her throat. She smiled weakly at him, wanting to do something completely out of character for her but with her brother standing not far away, waiting for her to accompany him, she couldn't. She merely bowed low toward Ichigo. "Be well, Ichigo. Thank you for all that you have done for us," she said as she stood again, giving him that fake smile she gave to everyone who didn't know what she was.

She walked back to her brother, nodding slightly as she moved past him, following Renji through the senkai gate. With a last glance over her shoulder, she smiled a true smile at him as the gate closed.

She sighed, looking up at the crisp blue sky, the clouds lazily floating by. She felt the excitement building up inside at the prospect of seeing him again. It has been so many years since peace had come to seireitei. Several years since she had made her last visit to Karakura. Ichigo had been away at college, in the larger city of Tokyo. Uryuu was there also, taking his pre-med classes. With his father being a doctor and hospital administrator, one would figure that he would follow in those footsteps.

She smiled to herself. "Ichigo," she said softly to herself. Always, he was the one to go against caution, against tradition, preferring to do things his own way. He did without thinking, he loved his friends and family blindly, never finding a fault with them, always rushing to protect them with his very life.

Rukia looked over at her captain's hut. She knew he had to know she was leaving in the morning, as stated in the orders. She also knew that he would want to speak to her before she left, giving her any final instructions for her mission. Captain Ukitake was a very understanding person and his advice was considerably invaluable to her. There was also her brother that she needed to see. Her assignment was set for the next two years. That struck her as a bit odd. Most of the shinigami rotated out of Karakura and the surrounding areas in six month patrols. She was going for much longer. She couldn't help the nagging feeling that this might be a permanent assignment. She felt a flicker of hope at the thought.

She stood and went to go talk with her captain before seeing her brother. She had packing to do.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Rukia walked along the street, deep in thought, not paying attention to her surroundings. Her destination was the Senkaimon gate that would take her back to the world of the living. She could have used the private Kuchiki gate but her captain had told her yesterday that they would be using the official gate since she was on assignment.

"What's got you thinking?" she suddenly heard behind her.

Startled out of her thoughts, she yelled out, "Aaaahhhh!!!"

Turning to find her oldest friend standing there, laughing, she glared at him for scaring her half out of her skin.

"Renji!" she snapped. "Don't sneak up on people!"

Looking abashed, Renji muttered out an apology. Falling in beside her, they walked in silence for a minute before he looked at her out of the corner of her eye. "So you gonna tell me?" he asked.

"Tell you what?"

"What you're thinking about."

"Nothing much really. Just thinking about my assignment."

"Oh yeah! You're going back to the living world for a while, huh?"

"Yes, two years. I don't know why it was set for so long. Most of the rotations have only been for six months in an effort to curb any ties with humans," she said.

"Yeah but you can't expect that wouldn't change some things after the whole Ichigo incidents in the past," he answered.

"I know. I can't wait to see them all, though. I've missed them a lot."

"Especially Ichigo?"

Rukia blushed slightly, ducking her head as she did. Renji, however, noticed. "So I was right!"

"I don't know what you're talking about, Renji. Of course I would be excited to see Ichigo. He was and still is, a very close friend of mine."

Renji looked sad for a moment. "You know, Rukia, ten years is a long time. Many things can change."

She looked at him curiously. "I know that. I'm not going there to try to rekindle something that never happened, baka!"

Putting his hands up defensively, he backed up a step. "Ok ok! I get it! I'm just giving you a fair warning. I saw Ichigo a few years ago, remember? He's not exactly the same guy he was when you knew him, when he helped us here."

Stopping, Rukia turned to him. "What are you saying, Renji?"

"Nothing. Just don't go there with expectations of anything. If you see him, tell him I said hi."

Walking again, they came to the gate where her brother, Byakuya and Captain Ukitake were waiting for her. Bowing to her captain, she turned to her brother. Before she could bow to him, he placed a hand on her shoulder, effectively stopping her. Looking at him with a questioning look, he said, "Renji and I will be by this Sunday to check on you and to make sure that you have all that you need."

Smiling at him, she nodded her head quickly. "Hai!"

Bowing to him and again to her captain, she began to walk thru the gate where the hell butterfly was waiting to escort her. Turning at the entrance, she waved to them. Renji gave her a thumbs up while her brother watched solemnly. Captain Ukitake was smiling and waving back. Turning back to the tunnel, she took a deep breath and began following the butterfly.

"To you, Ichigo!" Karin yelled as she kicked the ball to him. She, Yuzu and Ichigo were talking the afternoon off from housework, homework, schoolwork and anything else attached to the word work. Deciding to have a picnic, they had invited Urahara and his crew along. Yuzu had packed a lot of food, so there was plenty for everyone. Jinta, Ururu and Yoruichi were on the soccer field with them, along with Yuzu. Tessai and Urahara were sitting under a tree setting out the picnic blanket and unpacking all the food. Well, Tessai was unpacking all the food since they brought food with them as well. Among the two men was the little girl Reilina, Ichigo's daughter. Urahara called her Rei but she answered to both names. The man was currently entertaining her by coloring with her on the many sheets of paper she had brought along with all her crayons. A little lion was also coloring with them. Yes, Kon was still a part of the group.

With Ichigo's wife away at a medical conference with his father, Yuzu and Karin were staying with him to help him care for the baby between their college classes. After almost a week of nonstop working, Ichigo had been ready for a break. He knew how much his wife did around the house and also working on her research and taking care of the baby but he didn't know that so much was involved! Thus, the impromptu day off from work.

Ichigo took the ball that Karin kicked to him, steering around Jinta, running toward the goal. Suddenly, Yoruichi appeared in front of him, stealing the ball. "Hey!' he yelled after her, his outburst causing her to laugh at him over her shoulder as she began to move the ball to the other goal. He chased after her.

"Go Daddy! Go!" he heard his daughter yell at him. Reilina was almost three years old and absolutely adored her father. Her tiny fists were pumping in the air as she jumped up and down, cheering him on. He laughed and waved at her, causing her to squeal in delight before turning and hugging Tessai. The small distraction cost him. The ball struck him in the head, knocking him down.

"Pay attention, Ichigo!" Yoruichi yelled at him as she raced over, smiling down at him when she stopped.

He heard his daughter squeal again and then laughed at Yoruichi. "Yeah, I really should," he said as he rolled over to get up. "Time!" he called out, jogging over to the picnic area. Reilina ran to him, laughing and holding her arms up. He scooped her up as he ran by, playing growling into her belly, making her squeal and laugh all the more. He set her down, sitting on the ground as he reached into the cooler for a bottled water.

"Rei has been good, Daddy," she said as she sat on his crossed legs.

"Have you? I heard Tessai say that you ate all the cake," he answered. The look of outrage and shock on her little face as she suddenly looked over at the big man made everyone laugh. Reilina looked back at her father, confused as to why everyone was laughing. "I'm teasing, Rei," he said as he hugged her. "oh…" she responded, leaning back against him.

With everyone else coming over when he did, they all sat around, Reilina was still sitting in Ichigo's lap, a serious look of contemplation on her face. The child loved to be the center of attention but not the cause for teasing; she didn't look convinced at her father's words.

As everyone sat around, panting and resting their legs, Reilina moved over to the cooler, reaching in and passing out cold drinks to everyone. Ichigo smiled at his daughter's actions which reminded him of his wife. Sachi always made sure everyone had the items they needed when they needed it. Rei was like a miniature version of her mother.

He looked around at everyone. Yuzu was sitting by Jinta, in between him and Karin, all three flushed from their play.

"It's good to get out of the house. It's a beautiful day out," she said to no one in particular. Everyone agreed. Usually, on Sundays, Ichigo and his wife hosted a picnic or a brunch for everyone. Brunch was usually at their house which was large but not a mansion by any means. Just large enough to accommodate their friends and family for get togethers. Ichigo's wife insisted that he try to maintain his ties with everyone in his life, friends and family alike. She gave to everyone selflessly, never overbearing or demanding with Ichigo or his time.

Ichigo sighed, looking over at Urahara, Yoruichi hovering over him as he lay there sleeping on the grass. He wasn't about to guess what she was going to do. He pulled Rei back toward him, hugging her, inhaling her sweet scent that so closely resembled her mother's. He quietly counted his blessings while holding her.

Ichigo suddenly got up from his position, Rei scrambling out of his way and crawling over to Urahara. Ichigo had felt something, it was familiar yet he couldn't quite put his finger on it. As Rei crawled over Urahara, her foot hit his groin, causing him to suddenly sit up as he cried out in pain, his head hitting the plate in Yoruichi hand. The were-cat had just stuck her fork in it and the jolt sent the cake flying off the plate, making a splat sound as it hit Tessai on the side of his face.

Everyone stared as the cake began to slide off his cheek, landing with a plop in his lap. Suddenly, they all burst into laughter; everyone but Rei who looked at Tessai as if he had done that on purpose but couldn't figure out why. Jumping up from where she was still situated on Urahara's lap, she reached over to the pile of napkins, putting them in his lap.

"Here," she said before moving next to him, patting his arm gently. "You 'kay?" her head tilted and eyes filled with concern.

As Tessai began cleaning the mess, he smiled at Rei and said, "Yes, but you should probably ask Urahara-dono if he's ok."

Rei looked confused for a moment, looking over at Urahara and seeing nothing wrong with him, though he was crying on Yoruichi's shoulder. Regardless, she went over to the shop keeper and began patting his leg, again asking in her small voice, "You 'kay?"

He looked up at her, smiling. "Hai, Ms. Kurosaki. I'm okay."

Rei gave him her best smile before throwing her arms around him and hugging him. She gave him a small kiss on his cheek. "That better," she asked. Urahara gently pat her on the back. "Yes, that's much better."

"So, Ichigo. When does your wife come home," Yoruichi asked.

Everyone turned to the man who stood there looking off into the distance. He didn't seem to hear her.

"I can't wait for dad to come home," Yuzu exclaimed. "He always bring presents!"

"Probably something girlie," Karin grumped.

Hearing them, Ichigo smiled. They would be starting college next year. He sighed to himself; his sisters being away meant that his father would be spending more time at his house. He looked over at Yoruichi, "Three more days. I pick her and Dad up on Friday."

"Miss her?"

"Hell yes, I miss her," he admitted. He went back to looking off into the distance. Yoruichi suddenly looked in that direction as well. Seeing him shrug, she knew he probably hadn't figured out who it was. He sat back in his spot, pulling Rei back into his lap.

Resting a bit more, Ururu tended the barbecue while Yuzu and Jinta talked quietly, Karin looking up at the clouds. Everyone seemed to be in a state of calm for the moment. Even Rei was starting to doze in her father's lap, her sippie cup dangling from her fingers. Ichigo pulled her closer to him, giving her a light squeeze. Yoruichi smiled to herself, her heart melting as she noted the tender expression on the face of the once gruff teen. Ichigo had changed a lot; his wife had caused a much of that change but his daughter had caused so much more.

Ururu suddenly appeared by everyone, large platter of meats in her hands. "Ano…food's done," she said quietly.

Ichigo gently picked up his daughter, laying her on the blanket that was spread out for her. She snuggled into the small pillow, sighing softly in her sleep. Karin and Yuzu began to uncover the dishes that had been brought along as well. Tessai set out the plates as Ururu placed the platter in the middle. Barbecues weren't something they did a lot of but enjoyed as Ichigo's wife, Sachiel had introduced everyone to her western foods when she moved to Japan from North America.

Everyone grabbed plates and plastic ware as they began to dig in for the meal. They all laughed as they joked and ate, teasing and sharing old stories.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Rukia wandered around the streets, staring at nothing as she gazed into the shops. She had been debating on the best way to see Ichigo. She had thought of going with Orihime but when she got to her apartment, she wasn't home. She had also stopped by the Kurosaki Clinic but that too, was closed for the day. The sign said that they would reopen that following Monday.

She could feel Ichigo's spiritual pressure from a distance but it was muted very well, not at all like she remembered. It was as if he had finally learned how to tamp it down or mask it. As she made her way slowly toward where she felt him, she could also sense Yoruichi, Urahara, Jinta, Tessai, Karin and someone else she didn't recognize but had a familiar feel.

She soon found herself at the large park that they usually frequented when they were younger. She could see a group of people playing soccer or at least, it looked like they were. As she got closer, she could see Yoruichi among them. The others, she could hardly recognize. Jinta was easy to recognize because of his hair, Ururu was also among them. She recognized Karin and Yuzu, Ichigo's sisters. Tessai looked to be refereeing the game. She saw the green cloth off to the side, resting under a tree. She smiled as she recognized Urahara-dono. She also saw a small bundle laying next to him. Looking back to the playing field, she saw him. Her heart skipped a beat, her breath hitched and she felt a warmth spread through her body.

Suddenly, everyone on the field stopped and, in unison, turned to look in her direction. Seeing this, Rukia stopped, suddenly feeling very self conscious, a blush starting to rise on her cheeks.

Yoruichi was the first to reach her. "Oy, Rukia. Long time," she greeted. Ichigo was right behind her, smiling down at the woman who still hadn't grown since the last time he saw her. She hadn't changed much in looks, though her hair was a bit longer.

"Come for a visit, Rukia," he asked.

"Yoruichi-dono, Ichigo," she returned, bowing slightly to Yoruichi before giving Ichigo a smile. "I'm actually stationed in the next town over. Kagamino City. I don't take over until Monday so I thought I would come early and see everyone." She looked expectantly at Ichigo, who smiled at her in return. Yoruichi suddenly felt an awkward silence rise up as she watched Rukia who had a love struck look in her eye. "Oh boy," she thought to herself.

"Oy. Ichigo. Wanna call it?" she asked, elbowing him to get his attention before throwing a thumb over her shoulder.

"Yeah. We probably should. Rei is probably starting to wake up," he said as he looked toward the picnic area. "She'll need changed," he added as an after-thought.

Smiling at Rukia over his shoulder, "Good to see you, Rukia," he said as he began jogging over to where Urahara was lay.

Rukia felt a small stab of disappointment. He hadn't reacted at all like she had imagined. "What happened," she though to herself. She knew she didn't look that different from before. She looked confusedly at Yoruichi who only smiled and shrugged in response to her unspoken question.

"Come sit with us, Rukia. It's warm out and we have cold drinks. We have leftovers too if you're hungry," she invited, putting an arm around Rukia and guiding her to the picnic area where everyone else was.

As they got closer, she saw Ichigo knelt down, busy with something while Urahara and Tessai looked away. She saw something small and white in his hand, bringing it to his mouth. She heard a playful growl followed by a squeal of laughter. She smiled as she wondered who he was babysitting. Seeing the small child jump up, Ichigo began to play with her, chasing her on his hands and knees, growling playfully into her stomach when he would catch her. She again wondered to herself whose baby that was.

It was during one of those moments of squealing laughter that she realized what the little girl was screaming. Her blood went cold. The little girl stopped suddenly, turning to Ichigo before grabbing his face in her small hands. "Daddy funny," she laughed before throwing her tiny arms around his neck.

"Daddy? His…daughter?" Rukia said to herself. She could feel her smile begin to slip from her face as the realization set in. She watched silently as he picked up the child, tossing something in the nearby garbage bin and turned to Rukia.

"Rei, this is Rukia," he said to the little girl, motioning to Rukia. It was then that Rukia saw Ichigo's eyes staring at her from the little face, under a crown of reddish brown curls that had been pulled into two pigtails. The little girl leaned against Ichigo, hiding her face for a moment before peering back at the newcomer. Thick, dark brown lashes framed those eyes that Rukia knew so well. She noted that the little girl didn't have Ichigo's hair color but it matched her eyes, shimmering with gold and orange highlights that the sun played off of. Her skin was a creamy peach, giving her a cherub look.

"Your…daughter, Ichigo?" Rukia asked, reaching out a hand toward the little girl, smiling despite feeling as if her heart were breaking. "She is…beautiful." she whispered.

Hearing that word, Rei looked toward her fully, "Mommy boo full," she said. "Rei cute."

Ichigo laughed at his daughter's words. "Yes, your mommy is beautiful and you're very very …munch-able," he said as he swung her up, growling playfully into her belly, making her laugh hysterically.

Clearing her throat, Rukia regained some of her lost composure. Looking around, she grasped the first thing she saw. "Yoruichi mentioned that there was food?"

"Sure is! I need to make Rei a plate. She fell asleep before the food was done and just woke up," Ichigo answered, turning back to the others. Yoruichi was snuggled against Urahara, dozing while the rest were still kicking the ball around.

Rukia smiled at how cozy everyone looked. She enjoyed the rest of the afternoon, watching Ichigo with his daughter, catching up on the news with everyone. She learned that Uryuu and Orihime were going to be married. That one kind of shocked her. She always figured that Ichigo would end up with her. Chad spent his time between his ranch in Mexico that his grandfather left him and his home here in Japan.

Most shocking of all was that Ichigo did not follow in his father's medical footsteps but rather had completed a business degree and helped with the financial side of his father's clinic which his wife also worked at as a researcher, and she had patents on several medicines she had discovered. She learned that Ichigo met his wife in Mexico during a work study program that both were involved in over a summer.

Ichigo had stopped playing with his daughter long enough to pull out his wallet and showed her a picture of Sachiel. Ichigo called her Sachi. Seeing Ichigo's wife had made Rukia feel even more self conscious about how she looked compared to the woman in the photo.

As the sun began to set, everyone began to gather up their things, packing them up into their vehicles. Even little Rei had tried to help. Rukia laughed quietly as she watched the small child try to drag the cooler to the vehicle. Finally deciding that she couldn't budge it, she settled for something smaller. Urahara's gang also began to pack their stuff in their van, preparing to leave as well.

Yuzu had picked up Rei and was buckling her into her car seat, Karin making sure everything was stored securely.

Setting the cooler in the vehicle last, Ichigo turned to Urahara. "Yoruichi, Urahara," he called as he trotted over to them. "Thanks for coming out with us on such short notice. See you Sunday?"

"Of course, Kurosaki-san. We wouldn't miss Sachi's cooking for anything in the world," he answered. "Her foods are quite delicious."

Rukia looked confused.

"Miss Kuchiki, our dear Ichigo here is married to the most amazing cook. You should come over Sunday as well and feast with us," he offered as explanation. "She makes brunch on Sundays for us. Her idea from the start so that Ichigo doesn't lose touch with his friends or family. And since you're a friend, I'm sure you've got an open invitation."

Yoruichi nodded in agreement, "She is a great believer in family," she added.

Rukia turned to Ichigo in surprise. "Really?"

Ichigo smiled, "Yeah. Sachi lost her family a long time ago and has also been solitary so when I came into her life, that all changed. She values friendship and wants me to maintain my relations with everyone. Chad, Uryuu, Orihime, Tatske, everyone here and family especially. Renji shows up once in a while too." he added as an afterthought.

Rukia visibly stiffened. "Renji? He knows?"

Ichigo's smile faded. "He never told you?"

She shook her head, "No, he never mentioned any of this."

"That's weird. He was even at the wedding," Ichigo added.

Yoruichi, seeing Rukia's face, interrupted the conversation. "Rukia, how about you come with us? Eh? We can help you get readjusted," she said.

Rukia let the older woman steer her to the van as Ichigo made his way to his own vehicle. Yuzu and Jinta were saying their goodbyes, Tessai keeping a fatherly eye on the boy.

"Hey, Yuzu! Give him a kiss already and let's go," Ichigo called to his sister, making her blush.

She did, though. Giving Jinta a quick kiss on the lips before running to the car. She made it just as Ichigo was getting into the driver's seat.

Rukia watched the car pull away, trying to hold in the tears that threatened to sting her eyes.

Yoruichi watched from the corner of her eye, frowning slightly at the sadness she saw in Rukia's face. She turned to Kisuke, studying his profile a moment before looking ahead at the road before them, wondering suddenly if it was a portent of things to come.

~*~*~*~*~*~