Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, if I did it would suck.

"Normal Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Zangetsu no Ossan Talking"

"Muramasa Talking"

"Shiro Talking"

*Flashback*

Everyone had gathered at the Shoten and were waiting for the owner of said shop to finish the last touches in the senkaimon.

"Okay gather around. Where's Ichigo?"

"Ichi-ni said he'll come down in a second."

"Okay then, he must be adjusting to his new appearance thanks to the bracelet I gave him."

The people currently gathered were the ones housed at the Shoten, Isshin, the twins, Ishida, Inoue and Chad. They were all waiting for Ichigo that was putting on the bracelet that Kisuke had designed for him to look like a 15year old in spiritual form as well even if it was only temporary to trick Aizen.

"Okay, I'm ready. How about you three?"

Ichigo arrived in a normal shinigami shihakusho and haoriless, exactly like he looked 12 years ago when he first stormed into soul society. The exception being that Zangetsu was strapped in his sealed form at his back along with Muramasa.

"We wouldn't be here if we weren't ready Kurosaki."

"Always a smart ass huh Ishida."

"Of course."

Isshin was happy with scene, over the past 10 days Ichigo had slowly but surely started to acquire some life in his eyes at least when in presence of people. But he wasn't just a goof ball, he would see sometimes the still emotionless and dead face he would make when he thought no one was seeing him. It was still sad but at least there was hope.

"Oyaji."

The hoarse voice of his son had him thrown out of his thoughts and focused on his boy, no man, he had grown up already. He had a serious expression that told him to shut up, not make a scene and listen.

"I'm listening, and I don't think I'll like it by the face you're making."

"Probably."

Isshin stared into dull brown eyes that even when they looked so dead had a spark of determination and confidence.

"You're not stupid, I'm sure you noticed that my body can't handle my reiatsu. I don't think I'll be able to get back to a normal life. You can make preparations, right?"

"If you mean school than yes. But you have to tell your friends and sisters on your own."

"I will don't worry."

"You better, and remember this will still be your home."

Isshin gave a warm smile to his son, but what happened next surprised him, even if they were talking away from curious eyes he would have never expected the son that apparently hadn't cried since he was nine, the son that wanted to carry all the burden on his shoulders, went and gave him a hug, not a half hug, but a complete bone crushing hug.

"Thank you"

All he could do was return the hug and show his support to his orange haired boy.

"Ichigo... I'm so proud of you..."

The orange head time traveler visibly tensed and started shacking, wide eyed and remembering his dads last moments.

*Flashback*

It was a big battle, the losses were big on each side but in the 10 years since the war had started the accomplishment even though at a big price was very successful.

In a puddle of his own blood lay Shiba Isshin dyeing in the arms of the only family he had left, his son.

"Oto-san... why?"

"Ha... you can't tell me to stand down... when i can protect you now can you..."

Isshin started coughing blood, he had a lot of injuries but the biggest one was a stab directly in his lungs.

"Stupid goat face... i don't need you to protect me"

"At least I don't regret this... you still can't cry huh..."

Ichigo had a very sad yet mad face, even though he had been practically emotionless since the incident 2 years ago that happened right after he was freed from his torture.

"I'm too weak to cry without breaking down...Oto-san..."

Isshin gave his last family member a sad smile, he had known how Ichigo couldn't cry even if he wanted to so it wasn't weird for him to say something like that.

"Ichi... I'm so proud of you..."

"Idiot goat face... who told you to die before letting me say sorry…"

*Flashback end*

He couldn't help but grip his dad tighter looking for comfort. Isshin sensing the change in his son hugged him harder. And barely above a whisper had he heard the cracked voice coming from the orange haired time traveler.

"I'm sorry..."

Not finding the right words to say just lend him a shoulder to lean on until he composed himself, making soothing circular motions on the boys back.

#4#

"Okay attention on me everyone. This a senkaimon, it's used to travel to soul society. But this one is special because it will let you three to travel there even though you aren't souls. There is a big explanation about the why's and how's but I think that's enough for now. Anything I forgot Ichigo? Since you already did this."

"Yes in fact. It's very important actually. Run, and don't look back."

"..."

"Very informative. Okay, good luck. And try to come back in one piece."

"Bye bye oni-chan. be careful!" "Dont you dare die Ichi-ni."

Ichigo smirked at his two sister's statements and thought how he could die now if he had lived through 11 years of war.

"I'm too stubborn to die. Don't worry."

The girls gave their brother a hug and fared him goodbye.

"Okay I'm going to open the gate, I'll keep it open as long as I can so once it opens jump in. One!... two!... three!"

And with a quick jump the four went through the gate, quickly followed by Yoruichi in her cat form.

"Yoruichi-san followed oni-chan!"

"She was supposed to go with him Yuzu-chan, she's actually pretty strong you know."

"Oh... okay!"

#4#

"YOU KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN DIDN'T YOU KUROSAKI!"

"Of course I did, why did you think I told you to run."

"If you have time to argue run at a faster pace. The cleaner is catching up!"

Yoruichi pointed out as the sweeper was gaining on them and the exit was still slightly far away. Ishida was mumbling about how 'Kurosaki can't be taunted the same way as before' but trying to obey the black haired cat.

"We're not going to make it... satten kesh- woah, Kuroskai-kun!"

Ichigo grabbed Inoue by her waist under his arm and chad that was already carrying Ishida by the shoulder, with Yoruichi already on his other shoulder he burst in a slow pace of shunpo and easily got out of the dangai, solidifying reiatsu under his feet and getting to the floor and landing with perfection even with the extra weight.

"Perfect use of shunpo Ichigo."

"Why thank you Yoruichi. You guys okay?"

"Yeah, can you stop talking about your shunpo and what nonsense and let go?!"

The orange head blinked in surprise realizing that in fact he still held everyone and that even though the gate had appeared high in the sky there was no crater in his feet. Deciding it was safe he let go of his friends gently.

"Oh... sorry, didn't quiet notice the extra weight."

Chad nodded in understanding and Ishida glared at the orange head that actually saved them now that he was thinking about it, he really was different from the hot headed teen from mere weeks ago.

"Woah Kurosaki-kun that was amazing! It was like flying, you really saved us there!"

"No problem Inoue. Well looks like we arrived in west Rukongai like planned."

Ichigo thought it was the perfect time before starting to fight for Muramasa to hide so he proceeded to inform his Zanpaktou.

'Muramasa I'm sorry but this is where we will say goodbye for a while, go hide in Yoruichi's hide out I'll meet you there, and take care. Be careful not to be seen.'

'Don't worry Ichigo, I won't ruin your plans. I don't want to leave you but since I know you won't abandon me I'll bear with it for now.'

'Don't worry Mura, it's only temporary. You know kingy would never abandon any of us.'

'That's right, believe in Ichigo, we'll see you soon enough.'

'Okay, I'll wait for you.'

Muramasa materialized in front of everyone and startled them by being sudden, not aware of the conversation that was going on inside the time traveler's head.

"Take care Muramasa, I'll meet you there."

Said man gave a reassuring smile to his newest zanpaktou and companion for so many years already.

"Thank you, Ichigo, I won't disappoint you."

And with a quick flicker the zanpaktou spirit left leaving only Zangetsu on Ichigo's back and some confused stares.

"Don't worry he'll be alright. Okay let's go to the gate."

With that he started walking towards the gate, with Yoruichi still on his shoulder eyeing him curiously.

"I hope you know what you're doing Ichigo. You should know this is Jidanbou's gate"

"Of course, I know what I'm doing. I was a one of the main strategist's during the war. And besides I need Jidanbou to appear and beat him, you just make sure the other three don't interfere."

"Okay, I'll try my best, can't promise you anything though, I think you know them better than me."

Ichigo smirked at that comment, of course he knew them well, the moment any of them was in danger they would storm in and try to save the other without thinking. When he almost arrived at where sereitei visibly started the wall and gates came crashing down along with the giant gatekeeper. Shocking the three newcomers and visibly stiffen and turn into battle position.

"It's been a long time… since someone has tried to come through the gate of sereitei without a pass. Long time since I've had a visitor. I'll take good care of you, little boy."

#On the other side of the gate#

Some random shinigami doing random shinigami stuff at the command of Lieutenant Hisagi Shuuhei were right outside the western gate when it fell. The alarm reporting the arrival of ryoka in Sereitei was already sounded and the shinigami were dispatched.

"The ryoka has fallen outside the gate of sereitei"

"If it's on that side, we won't be needed."

The lieutenant of squad nine listened to his subordinates coming to the same conclusion.

"Yeah. After all, outside the gate… there's Jidanbou."

#Back with Ichigo#

A loud crash was heard throughout the area when the giant that came from the sky apparently banged his axes with the ground bringing the attention of the small group that was before the gate.

One Kurosaki Ichigo, seemingly relaxed but ready for battle in any second with a black cat named Yoruichi on his shoulder, were in front of the group. And a few feet back were the rest of the group, Ishida, Inoue and Chad, surprised beyond belief by the size of said gatekeeper.

"Ha ha ha. Now, come at me any way you like, little boy."

Ichigo smirked inwardly at his comment. Boy? Even though Ichigo was very young you could not judge an opponent by their appearance only. But even so he restrained himself from showing his amusement on the outside and held his emotionless mask.

The three teens in the back could not lay their eyes off the giant shinigami that appeared before them.

"He's huge. What is he? That's past the limit of a normal human… Who the hell is he?"

Yoruichi feeling she was most needed at the back got off of Ichigo's shoulder and went to answer Ishida that had just asked a question.

"His name is Jidanbou. He is one of the gatekeepers chosen by soul society… Guardsman for one of the four great pure gates, a.k.a. the gate of the white way."

"Guardsman. So to enter sereitei we have to defeat him?"

"That's right, but leave this to Ichigo he is very capable to handle it on his own."
Chad grunted in understanding and decided to step back. Ishida was reluctant at first but remembered that Ichigo was way stronger than anyone of them and would just be a bother and decided to step back as well.

"Will Kurosaki-kun be alright?"

Inoue was still worried, even if he was strong, even if she already saw his strength, she still felt wrong by leaving the orange head alone in battle when they were right there.

"Ichigo will be alright. We must believe in him remember?"

Nobody expected the usual silent Chad to answer but he did, after all the one that trusted Ichigo the most was Chad, so who was he to not believe him now when he is even stronger than before. So instead everyone stayed put and decided to watch the match that was about to start.

'So now is when my acting skills have to surface. Ready, Zangetsu, Shiro?'

'We are always ready when you are'

'I'm always ready for a fight!'

Ichigo smiled slightly and focused at the matter at hand, he remembered the first time he did this Jidanbou said he didn't have manners, 'so let's surprise him' he thought. He needed to get on his good side so that he would open the gate and great his little guest that was most surely already on standby.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Gatekeeper, my name is Kurosaki Ichigo and I will defeat you today."

"Oh, looks like a country boy with manners, though cocky and that will be your defeat boy. My name is Jidanbou, guardsman of the white wind gate, and in the 300 years I've had the job I have never lost. Ready kid here I come!"

With a quick and strong thrust Jidanbou swinged his axe at his opponent with full force, making dust pick up and create a cloud that didn't let anyone see threw. The cloud didn't let the specters or the ones in combat to see through and everyone froze to let the cloud settle. Once the dust cloud dispersed the sight that was behind it not only surprised Jidanbou but the companions that already knew of the power Ichigo held. Standing with a raised arm to block the axe was Kurosaki Ichigo, nor surprised or affected by the attack that he grabbed bare handed even if the ground bellow had created a small crater from the force of said attack.

"Eh… Wh-What are you…"

Everyone was stupefied by the scene before them. Even Yoruichi had to admit she was quite impressed by his strength and composed nature.

"Want to stop? Or do you wish to go till the end?"

"Thi-this is not over, I will not be defeated so easily!"

Jidanbou reaches into his robes and pulls out a second axe and prepares himself to deal a blow at the vulnerable for him, orange head.

"Take this. My ultimate must kill attack… ten thousand year Jidan-Hit festival!"

Jidanbou swinged his axes with full force at Ichigo he was standing confidently in the same spot. In a quick movement that nobody noticed he unsheathed Zangetsu and broke Jidanbou's axes, landing silently behind said giant with his zanpaktou already sheathed at his back.

Once the rubble that exploded from the impact of the now hilts of Jidanbou's weapon everyone could see the fact that pieces of the axes were scattered all around the small battle field around the gate.

"My…my axes…"

The gatekeeper stared at the hilts of his axes in disbelieve that his powerful weapon had not only been caught by the orange haired stranger but also cut into pieces by a mere swing of his zanpaktou.

Tears were starting to form at the corner of his eyes, but before he could start to cry and mourn like a baby the destroyer of his zanpaktou spoke up.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to destroy them. But I knew that you wouldn't let me pass unless I did something about them or you were unable to fight, and I don't want to hurt you."

Ichigo sheepishly brought a hand to grab the back of his head in an innocent yet sincere way of showing that he really was sorry, he didn't want to do that again but he concluded from the beginning that it was the best choice.

"You are such a good man! And me? I was just about to cry for some axes."

Ichigo felt a tug of a smile appear on his face at seeing the giant not crying like he did in his original time line.

"You want to pass through the gate right? I'll open it for you. Just be careful, there are strong opponents."

"Thank you Jidanbou, we'll be careful."

The giant composed himself from the previous fight he was in and went towards the gate. Giving Ichigo a chance to look at his companions that were unusually quiet since the beginning of the fight.

The sight of his friends was hilarious indeed. Even Yoruichi that he thought would be more relaxed about this situation was staring at him wide eyed and with their jaws hitting the ground. He was going to yell at them to close their mouths when he heard Ishida talk.

"Did… did he just…?"

"Break his axes stopped the attack bare handed? Why yes I did. But before you start asking more questions I'm going to ask you that from here on out nobody must know anything about my situation. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a guest to greet."

Ichigo made a half turn and made his way to the gate that was being lifted by Jidanbou slowly but surely. When the gate was at it's top said giant froze from shock at the guest that Ichigo knew would appear and prevent them passage.

Inwardly Ichigo smirked at how well everything was going, but outside he had an emotionless and unreadable face.

"Th-third squad captain… Ichimaru Gin…"

Jidanbou mumbled in shock, eyes wide at seeing the captain when expecting that there would be nobody at the other side of the gate.

"Hey, that ain't right."
The third squad captain without a movement or sound drew his zanpaktou and dealt a deep gash on Jidanbou's left forearm that was supporting the weight of the gate, making him kneel under the pain and solely keep the gate open thanks to his right arm and shoulder.

Ichigo cursed under his breath when he clearly could have stopped Jidanbou from getting hurt, but it was necessary, sacrifices must be made in war, and until Aizen was dead he would not take any risk even if Gin was actually plotting against Aizen. He was in a calm state, but his amber colored eyes held determination to do what was right, even if the strike Gin made was painfully slow for Ichigo he had to suppress the urge to block the attack.

Gin's white haori flew with the wind that his sudden movement made, settling down once Gin was in a combat position that he had acquired when he drew Shinsou, his zanpaktou from his sheath.

"That ain't right. The gatekeeper ain't there to open the gate."

Gin kept his grin on the whole time, not really noticing the fact that the orange head was slowly making his way in front of Jidanbou that was trying not to fall under the pain that he was feeling at the moment.

Behind the gate Yoruichi was cursing, thinking it was too soon to meet a captain. Knowing full well that even if Ichigo could take him on, she really didn't want to meet such a strong opponent from the very beginning. But she would trust Ichigo, and apparently this was actually in his plan if his guest was actually supposed to be the third squad captain.

"I lost… a defeated gatekeeper opening the gate…makes perfect sense!"

Ichigo sighed when he saw that it was his turn to make his move, even if he wouldn't attack the captain head on he still knew he had to hold back the urge to tell Gin to forget about Aizen, but he needed Gin right now, he needed him to go and be an obedient little subordinate a while longer and report to Aizen that he had come.

"What you talkin' 'bout?"

Gin started to move forwards towards Jidanbou's kneeling form, not even stealing a glance to look at Ichigo that was next to Jidanbou.

"A defeated gatekeeper don't open no gate. When a gatekeeper's defeated… it means death."

Gin looked up at Jidanbou with an even creepier smile than before. Knowing that was his cue Ichigo ran forward careful not to use shunpo and attacked Gin with as little strength as he could, not wanting to give himself extra attention.

Gin quickly blocked Ichigo's attack that was going directly for his torso with his own zanpaktou, resulting in both taking a step back to get some distance between the two of them.

Yoruichi was trying with all she had to avoid yelling at the time traveler to fallback, opting to instead make sure neither of his friends would be stupid enough to join the fight. When she saw they were all to shock to even move she relaxed a bit but remembered the fight in front and tensed again.

"And what do you think you're doing?"

Ichigo looked directly at Gin, not really expecting him to answer right away or to answer at all he kept on talking while still in a defensive position but completely calm.

"A bastard who thinks it's okay to attack someone when they are defenseless is mine to kill."

Gin only smirked even more if possible and also relaxed a bit when he saw his opponent, clearly underestimating him because of his apparent age or because of his well stored reiatsu the Gin could not feel.

"What a funny kid. Ain't you scared o' me?"
Ichigo had to hold back the need to laugh at the man in front of him. Scared? Of him? Compared to Aizen's weird transformations and modified hollows he wasn't sure there was something that could truly scare him anymore.

"Not at all."

Gin frowned a little but still held a smile on his face, clearly confused by the emotionless face of his opponent and his answer.

"I-Ichigo, I don't think-"

"It's okay Yoruichi, everything is under control."

Gin's full smirk returned when he heard the black haired cat call out to the teen in front if him. When he realized just who was in front of him.

'Ichigo? Ah, so he's the one.'

"So you're Kurosaki Ichigo? "

"That's right."

"Oh, so it really is you."

Gin turned around and started walking towards the way he came, but when he had gained distance from the orange head he halted. Knowing full well what to expect was on high alert, ready for Gin's deadly strike.

"Then all the more reason I can't let you through here."

Gin extended his right arm that was holding his zanpaktou to the side. With the point of the blade in direction towards his right. With a quick movement he turned around and bared his footing into his release position, feet separated and body ducking slightly and inclined forward, creating a sudden gust of wind that went towards Ichigo and the giant behind him but causing them no real harm.

"Shoot him dead, Shinsou."

His zanpaktou extended forward at an incredible speed, but without letting anyone notice, much less the owner of said zanpaktou, Ichigo grabbed the point of the blade bare handed, relaying on his hierro to avoid being hurt but letting himself be pushed so to take the giant with him back into the Rukongai and on the other side of the gate.

Gin of course didn't notice, nor anyone else, all they saw was the substitute being pushed back by a very long blade and landing in top of Jidanbou that was now out cold and on his back. Gin retracted his sword and sealed it, looking at the other side of the gate that was slowly falling into place and said a quick goodbye.

"Bye bye."

"Kurosaki!" "Ichigo!"

Everyone yelled to their fallen friend and rushed to his side while Yoruichi cursed for seeing the gate fall and thinking that maybe something went wrong with Ichigo's plan.

"I'm okay. Don't worry."

Ichigo stated calmly, getting down from the giant that had his injured hand and checking for any damage in his hand. It was slightly bruised but not anything serious, so he shoved it back and concentrated at the matter at hand.

"But!"

"Inoue, don't worry, everything is going as planed so there is no need to panic. Could you heal Jidanbou's injury please?"

Inoue thought to protest but when she started into dull amber eyes she shook her head and walked towards the giant's injury.

"So are you sure this is part of the plan?"

Ichigo looked down at Yoruichi that was eyeing him curiously and looked at his other two comrades and saw they were thinking the same.

"Yeah, don't worry. I knew this was going to happen. I knew Gin would appear, and I knew he would want to avoid my entering but not killing me."

Yoruichi sighed and Chad only grunted in response, while Ishida broke the silence that was starting to form.

"So now what? It seems you know more than us so even if I don't want to you're going to have to lead the way."

Ichigo only nodded in response, thinking carefully what to tell the Quincy besides him.

"Well… we'll meet and old friend. Right Yoruichi?"

"I guess you're right. Do you know where to find her?"
"Of course. We'll leave once Inoue finishes with Jidanbou."

"Right."

Everyone nodded in response even if only Yoruichi was the only one that really knew who the were going to meet. They surely were not expected who they were talking about to be the person she was.

To be continued…

Thank you for your constant support. Hope you like it.