Ichigo walked around the university the next day just having finished another pre-med class where he learned nothing. He found it odd that Ikkaku had not already hunted him down to ask for a spar. Or Orihime, Chad and Uryu had not found him during lunch. Come to think of it, he hadn't seen any of his friends at all that day. He shrugged it off continued to the Student Union to relax for a while till his last class.

"Kurosaki?"

Ichigo sighed and thought as turned, 'It was nice while it lasted.' From the female voice, he had expected one of the girls who had determined to score a date with the silent heartthrob. He was surprised to see the same girl he had helped in the Art Building the day before. "Uh-"

She blushed remembering they had not been properly introduced yet. "Oh, I'm sorry," she extended her hand, "Alexis Dufont."

Ichigo stared at the hand for a second and then extended his and shook it, "Dufont. I'm Ichigo Kurosaki"

Alexis shook her head, "Please call me Alexis."

Ichigo smirked, "Only if you call me Ichigo." He then turned to leave assuming their conversation was over.

"Um, Ichigo-"

Ichigo turned again, "Yes?"

"I was wondering about that drawing you were doing when I came into the room yesterday."

Ichigo immediately scowled, "Please don't tell anyone about that. Not many people see that sketchbook." He turned to leave.

Alexis took a step towards Ichigo, "But why?"

Ichigo bowed his head refusing to turn, "You just met me, so you don't know that that is a very personal topic."

Alexis frowned, "I'm sorry. The woman. She was so beautiful."

Ichigo nodded, "Can't get her out of my head. That's why I draw her."

"Um, could I meet her?"

Ichigo scowled, "I'll let you know when I meet her." He then turned and left without saying anohter word.

---

Rukia sat outside the Squad 13 barracks as she looked around. Nothing much had changed in the last couple years except for the Lieutenant badge on her sleeve. Her brother had finally allowed her to become a seated officer after far too much arguing. In reality, she knew her brother was only worried about her. He just had a very strange way of showing it. She also knew a few more reasons for this change of mind.

The death of Ichigo's family had effected everyone that knew the youth. Kenpachi had been ready to pick lead his squad to the farthest reaches of any world just to help Ichigo get revenge.

Ukitake had spent most of his time comforting Rukia due to her sudden expulsion from the world of the living.

Surprisingly, Hitsugya had taken it the worst since he felt as the commanding officer of those who had originally went to the living world. Everyone knew he had grown partial to the eldest Kurosaki twin.

Then there was Byakuya. To most, he would have seemed unfazed. But Rukia knew him better. After Rukia returned to Soul Society, her brother had given into her request to remove his protection from her much quicker than she had anticipated. It was not until she had had a discussion with Ukitake not longer after become Lieutenant that she realized the real reason.

---Flashback---

"Congratulation Rukia. I trust that you will help me lead with fairness and wisdom."

Rukia blushed as she kept her head down not gazing at her captain, "Thank you sir. I will do my best."

Ukitake smiled. He slid the Lieutenant badge towards Rukia, "Wear this with the honor those before you have."

Rukia stared at the badge for a moment remembering the last person to wear it, 'Kaien.'

"He would have wanted you to be the one to take his place," stated Ukitake as if reading her mind. He smiled, "And I promise you that I will do my best to teach you how to lead for when the day you gain your own squad."

Rukia choked, "My own squad sir?"

Ukitake chuckled, "You're a Kuichiki, Rukia. Squad 6 runs in your blood. I suspect that Byakuya gave you his permission because he plans for you to replace him when the time comes. We can't all fight forever. Byakuya has realized that I believe."

---End Flashback---

She stared as the midday sun baked in the sky. She stood brushing off the dirt and started back inside the barracks. She was immediately approached by Kiyone and Sentaro. She let out a inward sigh but smiled brightly, "Good afternoon you two. I trust that you both handle the morning exercises."

Both snapped to a quick attention. Sentaro was the first to speak, "Yes Lieutenant, Ma'am! I made sure the squad did their morning exercises and have begun their practice. They eagerly await you presence to help them."

Kiyone elbowed Sentaro in the side knocking the wind out of him, "Don't listen to him Ms. Rukia. Just between us girls, Sentaro was a huge hindrance the entire time as I tried to guide them through the morning exercises."

Sentaro seemed to be immediately healed, "What do you mean YOU Kiyone! Stop trying to take credit for my hard work!"

Rukia seemed to ignore the two banter as she started towards the training grounds, "I'll go check on them." She decided to take a short cut that lead by the captain's office. As she passed, she heard a familiar voice.

"If things continue this way-"

'Yoruichi?'

"I know," continued the voice of Ukitake, "and if his hollow awakes before his powers develop enough then it will take over. Kisuke has already sent for other help thought he won't say who."

'Hollow? Take over?' Rukia's heart stopped for a second as she whispered a name that had not escaped her lips since she had returned to the Soul Society, "Ichigo."

"Rukia, it's rude to listen from the outside," came the voice of Ukitake. "Please join us. Kiyone and Sentaro can handle the training this afternoon."

Rukia blushed at being caught spying. She walked in and bowed to her captain, "Captain Ukitake sir. Please forgive me. I-"

Ukitake smiled slightly, "So, do I need to tell you what the Captains' Meeting was about this morning. It seems that Kisuke's seal is weakening. He will soon remember what happened that day. And his powers will return. The Captain General has opened the floor for us captains to send support in case Ichigo looses control."

Rukia paled at the thought of what would happen if Ichigo's hollow gained control. Her worry was obvious to everyone in the room.

Ukitake took a deep breathe, "It seems that my squad will once again be without a lieutenant."

Rukia's head snapped up, "Sir?"

Ukitake smiled warmly, "I volunteered you to go to the human world and help with support. Your knowledge of not only the living world but also of Ichigo himself will prove vital."

Rukia bowed her head hiding her tinted cheeks. Just the thought of seeing Ichigo again brought back feelings she had long locked away. She pushed them all aside and looked up smiling at her captain, "Thank you sir."

Ukitake smiled back, "Your heart belongs there Rukia. I know when the time comes you will come return." He looked at Yoruichi, "Yoruichi and the rest of the volunteers will meet you at the gate in two days. Take the rest of the time to gather what you need."

---

Ichigo growled as he walked towards the Uruhara shop. He had gotten to his room to find a message from Uruhara to come see him. Apparently, Uruhara had some old friends of his he wanted to meet. He walked up to the shop and saw Jinta and Ururu outside sweeping the shop. He nodded at the quiet greeting of Ururu and the taunts of Jinta. He walked in and saw Uruhara Standing behind the counter, "Okay, I'm here. So where are these people you wanted me to meet so I can leave."

Uruhara chuckled behind his fan, "You need to learn to relax Ichigo. Your friends are here as well. They helped me out with a few things today since the lone son of my best friend seems to be so ungrateful for all I do for him."

Ichigo Started towards the back, "I'll thank you for the constant annoyance later." He walked in and was met with a sandal to the face.

"Idiot!"

He twitched and looked at the girl dressed in what appeared to be a track suit, "You shouldn't go around throwing stuff at strangers little girl."

Hiyori growled and was ready too attack but the scuff of her coat was held back by a boy who seemed to be about Ichigo's age and had a almost creepy fake smile. He looked at Ichigo, "I'm sorry Kurosaki. She's a little violent sometimes, but you get used to it after a while."

Ichigo rubbed the sore spot on his chin, "If you say so, but how do you know my name?"

Shinji sighed, "It seems that Kisuke erased us too."

Ichigo glanced at Uruhara who had just entered, "Erased?"

Shinji's smiled widened, "Then I guess re-introductions are needed," he stood releasing Hiyori's coat and extended his hand, "Shinji Hirako, I hope we can become friends. And the foul tempered-" Shinji regretted releasing Hiyori as he .was met with a kick to the side of his head.

She glanced at Ichigo, "Hiyori Sarugaki. And I can't believe even an idiot like you forgot everything we worked so hard to teach you."

"Um, Hiyori. I would appreciate if you wouldn't wreck your captain's shop," stated Uruhara. He quickly changed his attitude as she sent him a death glare. He then busied himself checking on Shinji.

Hiyiro seemed irritated by Uruhara sheer presence, "That was a long time ago. I didn't listen to you then, and I don't now. The only reason I'm here is because you sent the walking set of boobs, and that idiot Hirako 'fell in love' with her and insisted we help Kurosaki again." She then glanced at Ichigo, "I haven't decided if I want to go through that again yet."

Ichigo had had enough at this point, "What is all this about training and captains and WHO THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE!"

Shinji sat up rubbing the lump on his head from Hiyori's assault, "We're people just like you. With problems just like yours." Suddenly he held up a pharaoh looking mask.

Something in Ichigo's head seemed to awake as he suddenly felt a large amount of pressure in his head almost forced him to pass out right there.

Shinji once again had his creepy smile as he saw Ichigo's reaction, "I see he still remembers what this is."

"Wh-who?" gasped out Ichigo.

It was Hiyori's turn to react as she appeared in Ichigo's face with her mask resting on the side of her head, "Did you ever wonder why that voice in your head wants out so bad? It's because you're weak. We're here to fix that problem one way or another."

Ichigo sat on the floor leaning against the wall, "I never told anyone about that. What is going on here?"

Uruhara sighed. "Ignore Sarugaki," he held up an arm without looking blocking another kick from Hiyori, "she was always little quick to the fighting part. But first, I believe it's time for me to come clean and tell you what really happened the day your family died."