A/N: I felt it was necessary to give a heads up for this chapter. First, since I don't know how Kubo-sensei is going to end Bleach, I'm winging it from this point on. I'm not going to take too many privileges with the characters; just do what makes sense for this story based on what's already been told. Second, I'm not a big believer in long distance relationships, so I had to figure a way for Ichigo to end up living in the Soul Society.

11/5/14: I recently reread the story and realized that I had left a few mistakes in, so I am editing it now. I'm just fixing mistakes, no actual plot changes! ^^

Enough said, enjoy!

Chapter 4

Two Years Later

"We gotta get these guys outta here now!" Ichigo yelled at Chad as another beam came crashing down in front of the two. Both young men looked around to spot an exit that would get them and the three civilians with them, to safety.

By the time high school ended Ichigo had realized that university wasn't exactly in his future. It sucked because he'd put all that effort into getting accepted and getting his father's expectations up just to change his mind right at the end and go into firefighting instead. He'd still needed more education, but it wasn't the same as a four (or more) year degree. His dad was disappointed for about two minutes and then he ran to Masaki's poster and wailed about how happy and proud she'd be of their beautiful son. Isshin wasn't as foolish as he acted; he knew that Ichigo's drive to protect wouldn't be satisfied with a nine-to-five job. The boy would end up in a career that enabled him to protect others and although it would keep increasing the gray in his father's hair, said father was proud as hell of him.

Once the orange head announced his decision, Chad followed suit. He'd been thinking along the same lines, in fact he'd been the one to suggest the possibility to his friend. They got hired together, trained together, and were now partnered together.

In the past two years Ichigo had changed so much. He'd let his hair grow until the back just brushed his shoulders. His face had slimmed, losing its slight childish softness and his body, although still lithe and supple, was firm and toned with not an ounce of fat on him. Right at the end of high school he'd had another growth spurt and had shot up to 6' even. He certainly would never be a body builder, but he was a terribly attractive and masculine man. Chad was still just as tall and as bulky as a weight lifter but he'd changed as well. The way he'd grown was more internal than physical. He still didn't talk much but he was now able to carry on full conversations when needed and he had cut his hair short so everyone could see his face. He didn't hide behind it anymore and could make eye contact much easier now. Ichigo liked to blame his friend's fading shyness on his sister Karin. About three months ago the two had come home and informed the family that they were dating and although both Isshin and Ichigo had been surprised, they had to admit the two were good together.

Currently they were working a five-alarm fire at one of the many apartment complexes in Karakura. There had been a rash of fires set throughout their district over the past two months. As hard as they'd all worked to find the serial arsonist, the bastard still eluded them. The two had entered the north side of the high-rise in order to get to some people trapped on the third floor. They'd found the vics and were headed back when all hell broke loose. There was an explosion on one of the upper floors and then the ceiling began to collapse.

Ichigo pushed Chad and their charges forward just as another beam came down, separating him from the rest of the small group, "Get them out of here, I'll find another way down!"

"Ichigo! I don't…" Chad started as another crash sounded from the inferno surrounding them.

"Enough!" said the voice of the orange head from the other side of the debris. "Get them out! No more excuses, Chad; I'll see you outside."

Sado couldn't think of anything else to say and he knew that his friend was right so he proceeded to get the civilians out and prayed that Ichigo would be fine.

Once the orange head knew his partner and the others were on their way out he looked around trying to find an alternate route to the first floor. He suddenly thought he heard shouting coming from up ahead around one of the corners. He quickly checked his oxygen supply and saw he had enough for a bit longer and proceeded to check out the noise. Just as he saw a little boy round the corner headed for him there was another explosion and he was suddenly tumbling ass over elbow into the far wall. He landed upside down as the boy began to speak.

"Mister, can you help me?" Ichigo noticed the child had a chain hanging from his chest. The little boy looked confused as he glanced at Ichigo and then at the spot where the orange head had stood just moments before, "How can you be in two places at the same time?"

The young man was confused until he looked at where the boy was pointing and saw himself pinned under some rubble. He looked down and saw he was wearing his shihakusho and then back at the rubble and realized what had happened.

"Well, shit."

Chad was watching the exits as he waited for Ichigo to come back. He sighed in relief as his friend finally came in to view, carrying a young boy under one arm. The gentle giant didn't realize it was the orange head's soul form until he saw Ichigo perform Konso on the spirit. That was when he began to worry. Ichigo glanced his way and grimaced as he slowly walked towards him.

"Hey Chad," the taller man heard as his friend closed in on him.

When Ichigo was close enough Sado quietly asked, "Where's your body?"

"Um…yeah, well…about that," the orange head looked away in embarrassment. He couldn't meet his friend's eyes; he knew the taller man wasn't going to like what he had to say. He gestured for Chad to follow and led the way to their command post which was currently empty due to everyone working the fire.

He pointed down to the building schematic and indicated a couple of spots, "I made a quick sweep before I came out and there are only two more living people left…here. The only other ones left inside are dead. My body is over here," he continued, pointing. He grabbed the brunette's upper arm as he began to move away, "Chad you've got to promise me…promise me you won't let anyone try to retrieve my body! At least not until it's safe to enter the building. I don't want anyone else dying for a dead man," he shook his friend. "Promise me!"

Chad looked down into the warm chocolate brown eyes of his friend and didn't understand what he was saying. He didn't want to understand it. What was he trying to say? "What do you mean? We have to save you!" He stopped when he saw the look in Ichigo's eyes.

"It's too late, Chad," Ichigo briefly closed his eyes as he spoke. "There's nothing anyone can do to save me now. My body's dead." He finally met the taller man's gaze, "It's your turn now. You'll have to cover for me. It's your turn to protect the living; and mine to help the dead." With that he unsheathed Zangetsu and took off to where the hollows were gathering to harvest souls.

Suddenly it all sank in for Chad and his eyes began to sting. He wanted to scream and beat his fists against something…anything to make the pain in his chest ease. He took a deep breath and pulled his radio out to signal where the last two people were and then went to find his captain to report Ichigo's demise. He had a job to do and by the God's he was determined to do it!

It was hours later, almost dawn, when they were able to begin bringing the bodies out. Ichigo had finished killing any and all hollows who'd come out to play and had finally finished the last soul burial. He was watching as his colleagues carried out the last body bag. He knew it was his body; the look on Chad's face gave it all away. There was a screech of tires as a cab abruptly pulled up and two figures ran over to Chad.

"Where is he? Where's my boy!?" Isshin screamed as the younger brunette led him over to one of the ambulances. Ichigo tiredly watched as the two men spoke quietly. The other figure walked over to where he sat on a swing in the apartment's play area.

"How're ya doing, Kurosaki-kun?" Urahara asked quietly as they watched Isshin fall to his knees and sob.

Ichigo shut his eyes on the scene and sighed, "How do ya think I'm doin'? This wasn't how I expected my day to go, ya know." He heard a humorless chuckle from the older blonde.

"I guess not."

Sixth Squad Captain Abarai was working in his office when he received a Hell butterfly ordering him to the Sotaicho's office. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck to ease the tension. 'Gods I need a massage,' the unbidden thought popped into his tired mind as he rose to head for the Squad One barracks.

The past two years had been insane in the Soul Society. The make-up of the Gotei Thirteen had changed somewhat since the Quincy attacks. Although both his taicho and Zaraki had woken from the comas they'd fallen into after the beatings they received, neither were yet able to resume their duties. Renji took over Squad Six; much to the Kuchiki clan elder's disapproval, and Ikkaku was heading up Squad Eleven. Neither man wanted the duties they'd been ordered to take. Each had their own reasons for not wanting the job but the same one for assuming the mantle of Captaincy: they were ordered to by their taicho's when they awoke.

Renji'd refused to take the job permanently and had adamantly declined to promote anyone to the fukutaicho's position. He insisted that Kuchiki-taicho would one day resume his position and he personally didn't want to be out of a job as the brunette's lieutenant. That made his job harder but he didn't mind.

Byakuya was deeply touched by the man's loyalty (although he'd die before saying so) but was just as deeply frustrated by the red head's stubbornness. Ikkaku was in the same position: he didn't want the job but he had too much respect for Zaraki to turn him down. The two ex-taichos had no illusions about their physical condition and were trying to come to terms with it; however their replacements weren't making it easy for them!

Renji was glad of the break and as he hurried to the Sotaicho's office he saw a small figure just ahead moving in the same direction, "Rukia, wait up!" He used shunpo to catch up to his friend and smiled down at her as they continued, "Did you get a summons too?"

"Yeah, what do you think he wants with us?" she couldn't understand why she was summoned instead of her captain. Renji shrugged just as they arrived and were shown in by the Squad One fukutaicho.

"Well, well, well, I'm glad you both got here so quickly Rukia-chan, Renji-kun! It seems we have a little problem in the World of the Living."

Both officers bowed. "Kyouraku-sotaicho, what can we do for you?" Renji asked.

"Damn, fuck; what an idiot," Renji ranted as the two ran towards the living world. Rukia rolled her eyes and kept her mouth shut. She felt the same way but her friend was saying it for them both…continuously, from the moment they'd been told and he was wearing on her last nerve.

"We'll find out what happened once we get there; try not to get too worked up, baka," was her only reply to his rant.

Once they arrived at Urahara's, they were told to go to the Kurosaki residence. They'd get their questions answered there.

When they arrived all the lights were on and it looked like everyone was gathered downstairs. Urahara carefully let them in since the whole fire station seemed to have shown up for an impromptu wake.

Rukia quietly asked, "Where is he?"

"Upstairs, the idiot's sulking," Uryu just as quietly answered her as he walked over.

Just then Rukia heard a thump upstairs and glancing around knew it had to be Ichigo. Only their little circle of friends and family seemed to hear it. As she passed Isshin she patted him on the shoulder, smiled reassuringly, and headed up to her friend.

She found him in his bedroom leaning his forehead against the wall next to the closet with his hand fisted against it as if he'd just slammed it into the wall. He was breathing heavily and looked as if he was trying not to cry…or scream.

It was time for her to break up the pity party. "So what did you do now?" she asked with as bored a tone as she could muster. "Did you leave your body in another inappropriate place?"

"No!" he stormed still facing the wall although he did stand up straight at the sound of her voice. "I was doing my job and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time!"

"Then why are you hiding up here?" she'd left the door open so his words would travel down to his family. She felt they needed to know his reasoning and he might find it easier to talk to her alone than with all of them around. "Are you scared to face them 'cause you were such an idiot to get yourself killed?"

"Of course not! I didn't do this on purpose," he sighed facing her as he leant against the wall and briefly closed his eyes. "Dying in the line of duty is part of the job description. I was sweeping one of the floors with Chad. We found three people trapped and as we were headed down we got separated. Chad got the vics out and as I was trying to find another way down, I was flung out of my body when it was pinned under part of the falling ceiling. When I finally got a good look at it, it was…too…late," as he spoke the tears began to slide silently down his face. He'd seen his empty body many times but never like that. His body, although empty, had never looked dead before. "I—I just closed my eyes…uh, my body's eyes, grabbed the kid spirit who was with me and headed down. There was nothing anyone could've done! If Chad had still been there, he'd be dead too, as well as the civilians we were sent in to rescue."

Rukia sighed as she looked at her friend; he'd had a rough day. She leaned against the wall next to him and asked, "So why are you up here again?"

He looked down at her with a very tiny smile, "My whole crew came over to pay their respects to my family and friends. They can't see me like this and I thought it would be easier on everyone else if they were dealt with first." Rukia nodded her understanding as he went on, "I'll head down once they're gone."

Rukia couldn't help but notice that he still looked miserable, "What's bothering you so much? You know what happens now, you're only changing locations; why so depressed?"

The carrot-top looked at her as if she'd lost her mind, "What the hell…? Why can't you get it?" He saw that she seriously didn't understand and then he remembered she'd gone to Soul Society as a baby and had no conception of what he was leaving behind. "They're not gonna let me come back here, baka! It's Seireitei policy that newly deceased shinigami can't return to the World of the Living until everyone they know is either dead or elderly. It causes too much confusion otherwise."

He slid down the wall to sit on the floor wrapping his arms around his knees; eyes looking into the future. "I'll never see my sister's get married, or my nieces and nephews. Orihime and Uryu are getting married next year, you know. They asked me to be both best man and give the bride away…now…." his voice faded out as silent tears began to fall. His throat worked in order to make himself continue speaking, "It'll be decades before I'll see them again."

Rukia hadn't even considered how long he might be separated from everyone. She sat down next to him and wrapped her arms around his head and shoulders as she drew him into a hug. He began to cry in earnest as she rocked him back and forth. When he began to calm down she said, "You never know Ichigo, things have changed since Kyouraku-sotaicho took over. It might be easier than you think." Ichigo chuckled as he sat back up and palmed his eyes to get rid of the tears.

"Yeah, when pigs fly," he sighed. "I knew this could happen and I thought I was ready for whatever might occur. I can't believe I let it get to me like that," he looked slightly embarrassed as he smiled at her. "So you were the one sent to bring me to Soul Society," he stated rather than asked.

"Yeah, Renji and I were sent. He's still downstairs," as she finished, he perked up considerably she noticed with amusement.

"Hey, guys, the firehouse has left the building!" Isshin called up the stairs. Rukia and Ichigo could only grin at each other as they headed downstairs.

When the orange head made it into the living room he was overwhelmed as everyone he knew and loved crowded around him. Isshin and Renji were the only two who held back. "Abarai," the brunette spoke quietly, "I want to speak to him privately before you leave." Renji only grunted in response.

Ichigo was currently hugging both his sisters, "Nii-san, please be careful and don't forget to eat!" Yuzu whispered as she hugged his neck.

"I promise, Yuzu," her brother smiled.

"Yeah and don't let down your guard," Karin put in her two cents as Ichigo winked at her.

"You go it!"

Chad walked up and gently removed his girlfriend from her brother as he leaned in to whisper, "Don't worry, I'll take care of them; and keep an eye on everything until you can come back."

His friend almost lost it again but he was able to keep it together although he could barely speak as he hugged his oldest friend, "I'll hold ya to that."

"Kurosaki-kun, don't worry about a thing! Maybe we'll be able to get married in the Soul Society, that way you can still be there!" Orihime piped up effectively giving away that they'd heard his conversation with Rukia.

"And Kurosaki, don't let those assholes dictate anything to you; you hear me?" Uryu couldn't help but add as Ichigo laughed.

"Alright everyone, it's getting late and he's gonna have to go soon," Isshin finally broke up the party. "I want to see you in my office Son," he continued as Ichigo nodded and followed him out of the room.

"What is it Dad?" he asked curiously as his father shut the door to give them some privacy. Isshin paced for a bit before turning to face the younger man.

"A few years ago I told you to live well and die long after I was gone. You just had to go and die on me first, didn't ya?" he asked with a slight upward turn to his lips. Ichigo shrugged and looked away as he continued. "I knew this could happen; I'm just sorry it happened so soon. I wanted years with you to share wisdom and advice…as well as a few more well-placed kicks," that got him a snort from his son.

"Sorry to disappoint, Dad," Ichigo said dryly as he met his father's eyes again.

"That's just it, Ichigo; you've never disappointed me. You've lived your life with passion and done what you felt in your heart and soul was right. You have the…truest heart of anyone I've ever…had the pleasure of…knowing," he began to struggle to get the words out through the lump in his throat. As tears began in earnest he fought to regain control of his voice, "You're my boy; I've always loved you and have never been prouder of you than I am today." The brunette shut his eyes and blindly reached for his son for a final embrace. The two men stayed like that for a bit until they were both back in control of themselves.

As they separated Isshin continued, "Don't worry about your sisters, they're tough and since they know where you are it'll be easier on them this time around. Plus they still have me!" he was almost back to normal.

"That doesn't inspire confidence Old Man," Ichigo answered with his trademark scowl and a small grin. Isshin threw back his head to laugh then hugged his son one last time.

"It's time you headed to your new home."

A/N: I was going for sentimental and bittersweet, not tragic and angsty; hope I succeeded!

I'd also like to thank all the anonymous viewers who have read and commented. Thanks guys, I've really enjoyed reading them!