Beta'd by SunaT.U

"W-what happened? Where am I?"

Ichigo woke up staring at a wooden roof that he soon recognizes as Kisuke's shop.

'Why am I here?' Ichigo slowly sat up to look at his surroundings. The room was empty and he was starting to recall what happened.

'Of course, the Final Getsuga Tensho, how could I forget?' Ichigo's face turned grim as he remembered what had happened.

"Well look who's up," in came a humble yet cheery voice from the doorway. Ichigo turned to see Urahara at the door waving his fan in front of his face. Ichigo always wondered if his arm ever got tired from waving his fan too much.

"Urahara, why am I here? I thought you would have taken me back to my house."

Kisuke then stopped waving his fan, put it away and looked at Ichigo with a sad expression on his face.

"I'm sorry Ichigo, but it seems that something has come up that involves you regarding soul society," Kisuke explained, looking Ichigo in the eyes under his trademark green and white striped, bucket hat.

"What do you mean? I shouldn't have anything to do with soul society since I lost my soul reaper powers," Ichigo said, now understanding where this conversation was going.

"Well I have good news and bad news. The good news is that—"

"You didn't lose your shinigami powers," Kisuke didn't get to finish what he was saying as a familiar voice finished for him.

"Z-zangetsu how—"

"I told you it's Tensa Zangetsu, (sigh) you'd think that after three months you'd know the difference between Zangetsu and I," Tensa Zangetsu explained, annoyed by the fact that Ichigo didn't know the difference between the two.

"I'm sorry; it's just that saying Zangetsu is easier than saying Tensa Zangetsu and what happened to the old man anyway?" Ichigo asked curious as to why Tensa is here instead of the old man.

"You don't have to say the whole name, just call me Tensa if it makes you feel better. The reason Zangetsu isn't here is because you are in Final Getsuga Tensho state," Tensa explained.

"…" Ichigo examined himself. He looked the exact same as when he had left the dangai after learning the Final Getsuga Tensho except he didn't have his trench coat on him.

"Tensa… I think you've gone blind in your young age," Ichigo said thinking that Tensa knew Ichigo looked different when he was using the Final Getsuga Tensho.

"IMBECILE, THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!" Tensa raged as he looked like he was ready to give Ichigo another beating, worse than the one he gave him before. Just then Kisuke decided to interrupt before this got out of hand. After all, he didn't want his precious shop to be in the middle of a battle zone between two transcendent beings.

"I think I can help with that explanation, Ichigo, but first tell me what you remembered when you released the Final Getsuga Tensho," Urahara asked now in his usual cheery voice.

"Well after I used the Final Getsuga Tensho, I used a technique called Mugetsu and I remember it cutting Aizen in half and him disintegrating. Then I guess I passed out because I can't remember anything else," Ichigo explained as he remembered his fight with Aizen.

Kisuke took all this in and then explained to Ichigo in a serious manner.

"I see, well I'll explain what happened afterwards after you passed out. You somehow didn't lose your shinigami powers and Aizen didn't die. The Hogyoku has somehow made him immortal, but do not worry, as he has been sealed with a Kido I developed and used during our battle with him and he is now being held in the lowest prison under squad 1 barracks," Kisuke explained to Ichigo who was disturbed at first about hearing that Aizen survived Mugetsu and hearing that he was now immortal but was relieved that he was sealed and was glad that he was unconscious during that process as Urahara continued to explain.

"The reason why you didn't lose your shinigami powers is something that I am sure he can explain," said Kisuke, now referring to the other participant in the room standing there silently during the explanation. Ichigo looked at Tensa Zangetsu with a face asking for him to explain.

"Very well…" Tensa began. "The reason you didn't lose your shinigami powers was because I stopped it from happening," Tensa said in a calm manner.

At this point Ichigo's brain decided to kick in. "I STILL HAVE MY SHINIGAMI POWERS, HOW?!" Ichigo expelled, now believing that he still had his shinigami powers.

Kisuke, now on the floor covering his ears from the yelling Ichigo did, looked over to Tensa begging him to continue to keep Ichigo quiet.

Tensa took a breath, "Yes Ichigo, you still have your shinigami powers. Now if keep quiet like a good little boy I will explain."

Ichigo complied, although he had a tick mark on his forehead at being called 'little boy'.

"After you used the technique, Mugetsu, is when I went to work. The first thing I did was drag your consciousness away since it would give me more time because you would be losing less of your spirit energy if you were unconscious." After Tensa said that, Ichigo wondered if he could always do that. He was glad he had such a calm zanpakuto and knew how to react unlike him.

"After you were unconscious, I locked all the remaining spirit energy you had left and stored it in a safe place in your soul that only you, me and the person you used to care for most in this world could get to," Tensa explained, going slow so Ichigo could understand.

"Wait, who do you mean the person I used to care for the most? I know it's not my sisters because you said it in a way that meant someone specific, who is it?" Ichigo asked trying to figure out whom Tensa meant though he did say a second later.

"Your mother, Ichigo."

Ichigo's eyes widened in surprise. 'Why didn't I think of her? I should have known that.'

"Do not berate yourself about it Ichigo. I was very cryptic about it and also the place where I stored your power is also a shrine for her that you unconsciously created after Zangetsu requested more greenery in your inner world."

"I see, that's good."

"I've also been collecting reishi from the air. It has been very difficult because of the low concentration in the living world if, we were in soul society your spirit energy would be half way complete by now," Tensa explained what he was doing while Ichigo was unconscious.

"And this is where I come in. You see Ichigo, what Tensa Zangetsu is saying is right, you at this very moment, are in the Final Getsuga Tensho form. Now if you would be so kind as too look at your forearms," said Kisuke.

Ichigo looked at his arms and was surprised that he didn't notice before. On his arms from wrist to his elbow was a silver, metal band with a black cross on the top of it and joining to the underside of his forearm. At where it crosses under his arm was what looked to be a clip.

"What the hell? How did I not notice this before?" Ichigo turned to Kisuke. "Explain hat n' clogs."

Kisuke then explained what was happening. "Well Ichigo, those," indicating to the metal armbands, "those are seals specially build for you to seal the Final Getsuga Tensho and to seal your spirit energy."

Ichigo was starting to get it. "So what you're saying is that if I take these armbands off, I can still use the Final Getsuga Tensho?"

"Yes, but I wouldn't recommend it. You see those bands are also helping you keep your power. You see, even now as Tensa Zangetsu is still replenishing your spirit energy, these bands stop it from escaping again. So for now it would be best to keep them on for a while, at least until you fully replenish your spirit energy. I'm sure Tensa Zangetsu will tell you when he has finished replenishing your spirit energy," Kisuke stated, looking at Tensa for confirmation which he received with a gesture of a nod of the head.

"Okay, back to the main point of this conversation," Ichigo said looking at Kisuke. "You said you also had some bad news for me."

Kisuke then turned serious. "Yes Ichigo, it seems that Central 46 has deemed you too powerful and has order that you either be killed..."

Tensa snorted at that, "I'd like to see them try."

Kisuke then continued like he didn't even hear the comment, "Or you surrender or be captured, your choice, and have your shinigami powers striped from you," Kisuke then finished explaining to Ichigo his bad news.

Ichigo was mildly shocked. For one, he didn't know that they could strip one of their shinigami powers but what wasn't surprising was the order itself since he knew Central 46 didn't like powerful beings not in their control.

"So what am I going to do now Kisuke?" Ichigo said not knowing what was going to happen next. With an organization like soul society after you, there are not a lot of places to hide.

Kisuke's mood now did a one-eighty and was back to his cheery self. He lifted his fan out of his green shirt and whipped it in front of his face.

At that moment, Ichigo had another thought that had nothing to do with this situation. 'I wonder if that fan has ever flown out of his hand when he did that… dammit, I need to pay attention.'

"Well Ichigo, lucky for you, you just so happen to know a humble candy shop owner and also luckily for you, I anticipated that something like this would happen so I decided to call a friend of mine. He owns a school, you see," Kisuke explained.

"Wait, what does a school have to do with this?" Ichigo interrupted.

"Well if you let me explain things, you will understand."

Ichigo quickly shut his mouth and let Kisuke explain. "Now this friend of mine owes me a favour, so you will go to this school and hide there until I somehow, one way or another, get Central 46 to revoke the sentence on you. Don't worry, there are a lot of people who have great respect for you Ichigo, a lot of them are captains and lieutenants, I'm sure you can name a few. Anyway, this is no ordinary school you see. It's a school for yokai and is in a separate dimension. I doubt soul society will look for you there," Kisuke finished explaining for his student that he has becoming proud of.

"Yokai? You mean like vampires and werewolves and stuff like that? Geez Urahara, you know some weird people," Ichigo said wondering how Urahara knew this person; he really hoped they weren't alike.

"Yes, now we still have some time, so you don't have to worry. Everyone in soul society has delayed their search for you until they get their ranks sorted and everyone is healed. Now onto important business," Kisuke stated.

"Wait, that stuff you said before wasn't important?!"

"Ichigo, please for the last time, let me finish."

Ichigo apologized and motioned for him to continue.

"Now as I was saying, this school is an academy so you don't have to worry about living arrangements. Also, about your body, it seems that you won't be able to get back into it but do not fret my protégé, I have made you a gigai that you will now use that works very similar to mine, meaning you don't have to be in soul form to fight. I'm also sure Tensa Zangetsu will teach you how to materialize him as well. Now, I have already explained the situation to your friends and they said they can live with that and Isshin has made an excuse for your sisters as to why you are leaving."

"Great, I can only imagine what goat-face said to them," Ichigo said, annoyed that his dad had made an excuse for him instead of making one himself.

"This is going to be a pain," Ichigo stated while running his hand through his now shaggy hair.

"Don't worry Ichigo, I'm sure he didn't say anything that bad. Anyway, you need to get more rest, there won't be any time to say goodbye so once you wake up we will have everything sorted. Oh, and one more thing, it seems as though they are having hollow problems, so while you're there could you deal with the hollows as well? Thanks, I owe you one," Kisuke finished his sentence waving his fan in front of his face hiding the massive grin from behind it.

"Fine, I trust you but won't being near hollows also mean that they will send shinigami to purify them?" Ichigo asked. If they were to send shinigami, then they would no doubt run into him.

"Ichigo, they won't send anyone because their job is to look over the world of the living and as I stated before, that yokai academy is in a different dimension so they won't know if hollows are there or not, so there is no need to worry. Now get some rest, tomorrow is going to be a long day," Kisuke finished talking and exited the room, leaving Ichigo and Tensa Zangetsu.

"Do not despair Ichigo, think of it as a new beginning for us. Your friends will be safe with Kisuke, Yoruichi and your father. Just be glad that they are not sentenced like you are," Tensa spoke with wise words for Ichigo.

"You're right, I don't need to worry, we always come out on top and I'm sure Kisuke will think of something," Ichigo said, no doubt in his mind about Kisuke's intelligence. "You're still mad at me, aren't you?" Ichigo said referring to when Tensa taught Ichigo the Final Getsuga Tensho.

"No Ichigo, I am not mad at you. Just promise me that you will not do something regretful like that again. I cannot bear the thought of you getting hurt again, please remember Ichigo, that I will always stand by your side and always move forward," Tensa said in a low tone so that Ichigo could just hear him.

"I promise Tensa, I will never sacrifice again," Ichigo said with resolve in his voice.

Tensa just stared at his wielder, "Thank you, Ichigo." He then went back to Ichigo's skyscraper filled world and landed on the garden that was Masaki's shrine.

"Anytime Tensa." With that, Ichigo laid down to sleep, waiting for his new life to begin.