Ichigo's pov:
Dean had invited us in, and the first thing that reaches my ears is a woman's scream. I looked up to see Rukia blushing and looking over at a young woman with silver hair and a black and white kimono. Is that Ikari? I wondered.
It was Ikari and she ran right over to Rukia and hugged her. Dean was smiling happily as Urahara entered the room.
"Hello Ms. Kuchiki. How have you been?" Urahara asked from behind his fan.
"I've been fine. My gigai needs an upgrade though." She sighed flexing her wrist.
"I could give you a full body exam if you-" He was cut short by Ikari kicking him in the head and stealing his hat.
"I can upgrade it for you Rukia-chan. It would be better than what he would do and it's for free." She smiled as she tilted the hat just like Urahara.
"You've been hanging out with dad way to much sis." Dean snickered.
"No I haven't. I just don't have my hat and his is just as good." Ikari sighed.
"Oh Ikari,"
"Yes?"
"Lieutenant Abarai wanted me to tell you that you should return home soon. They have a new assignment for you." Rukia informed Ikari.
"Alright...um...thanks I guess."

Ikari's pov:
It had been years since I had seen Rukia Kuchiki. We had gone to school for a short time. Renji Abarai was now the lieutenant of the sixth division. Last time I had seen him he was still in the academy and annoying as hell. He must have grown up after I left. The only thing that really bothered me was that Soul Society had a new assignment for me. I already have a full time assignment of looking over my little brother. Well if they really do have a new assignment for me then I guess that I have to take it. Dean would understand...wouldn't he?
"Hay Dean-san, you do realize that I may not return here for quite some time." I stated to him.
"Yeah. You have to take it though. It's who you are. Besides I got Rukia, Ichigo, Dad and the others here. Time will probably pass so quickly for both of us. Once you get any time off though, you have to come see us again. Got me Ikari-chan?" Dean demanded as if I was the younger of the two.
"Yes little brother."
I then returned to my room and got all of my things packed. When I finished packing I put my things by the door and headed to the kitchen. Tessai was cooking like always.
"Hay Tessai-san, need any help?" I asked politely as always.
"Oh, Ms. Ikari, actually this time I do. Will you please chop the onions, sliced the potatoes, peal the carrots, toss the salad, and stir the sauce. If you don't mind." He smiled.
"I don't mind Tessai-san. That's what I'm here for. To help and of course look after my little brother." I giggled.
He was the only one that has ever heard me really giggle. Tessai was kind, gentle, funny, caring, and a very good friend of mine. He was probably the only other person that could keep Dean and Urahara in check.
"I heard that you were leaving." Tessai stated snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Yes. I must return to the Soul Society for a new assignment. Dean actually seems happy that I'm leaving." I sighed a little hurt.
"He's just acting. He wants you to think that he'll be ok.

"He's going to really miss you Ms. Ikari. He may not say it or show it very often but he really does love you." Tessai insured me making me smile lightly.
After about an hour of prepping and cooking, dinner was served. This was going to be my last dinner with my "family" and I really didn't want anything to get in the way of it. Unfortunately that didn't happen. Urahara and Dean were training and weren't hungry, Jinta was picking on Ururu, so it ended up to be just Rukia, Tessai and myself eating.
As we finished dinner I helped Tessai clean the kitchen by washing dishes. Finishing up I quickly wrote a note for Dean and said goodbye to Tessai, Rukia, Jinta, and Ururu. I then returned to the Soul Society.

~in soul society~

I arrived back home to be greeted by Renji Abarai and a few others. Renji was the first to greet me by hugging me.
"Welcome home Ikari. It just hasn't been the same without you." Renji practically cried.
"And here I thought that you grew up while I was gone Abarai. How the hell did you get to Lieutenant anyways?" I sighed getting out of his strong grip.
Looking at him, shocked to see that he had tattoos. I knew of one on the back of his neck but that was for a friend. He must have noticed that I was staring at him when he smiled and asked if I like what I saw. Growling lightly I huffed out a no.
"Captain Ukitake wishes to meet with you Lieutenant Cross." A short silver/white haired boy announced.
"Yes. I guess that I do need to report to him."I sighed almost forgetting what I was supposed to do.
"First you must go see the Captain of the first division for you new assignment." Renji informed.
"Right will do...um where is that again?"I asked.
"I'll take you." The silver haired boy sighed. "Tell me something."
"Only if you answer one question first."
"Fine."
"Name?"
"Toshiro...Toshiro Hitsugaya. You can call me Captain Hitsugaya." Toshiro coldly answered.
"I like Shiro. You don't mind do you?"
"I thought that you said only one question? And yes I do mind."
"Fine Captain it is. Now what did you want to ask me?"
"You're known as one of the best soul reapers around here and yet you can't even remember where you're going."
"You would forget after 16 years in the human world too. I am one of the best. That's why I can go there and stay as long as needed. My little brother is there and I promised my mother that I would look after him." I sighed sadly as we arrived at the captain's office.
"Here we are."
I went in and was greeted by an old man. He told me that he was glad to see me and hugged me. He asked how Dean was doing, making me smile lightly and responding to him with a simple fine. We sat there a while and talked about my stay in the human world. After a while he finally told me that I had a new assignment. After being told that by at least three different people I was starting to get annoyed.
"Your new assignment is to take care of Captain Ukitake. His doctor was killed in a hollow attack last week. You're the only medical soul reaper that he trusts fully. Do you except this assignment?"
"I do. Thank you for this opportunity." I bowed and then walked out.
"Dam what took so long?"
"Chit-chat. I must return to Captain Ukitake now." I sighed knowing that I was most likely never going to be able to see my little brother again.