Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach no I do not, not even a little bit : (

P.S. some lines from this story is taken from After the Fall 2

JOURNEY

A Families Dilemma

(Ichigo's Choice)

He walked through the manor totally hidden from all who dwelt there, a phantom in a world of phantoms. He turned the corner and smiled, he had found what he was looking for. He starred at the orange haired boy asleep with his sister curled up beside him. "So young," he whispered to himself as he inspected the pair closely.

The boy rolled over and the man had a clear view of his face. He was shocked at first, but only for a split second, he had been told of this, "The resemblance is uncanny," The man spoke again with a mischievous grin, "I can see why Isshin was so pissed about how this came out." The man laughed to himself.

He turned at the presence of two beings entering the room. He saw them and bowed low, "Zangetsu, Kai Ewa how nice to see you," the man said, "I trust I am not interrupting anything."

"What are you doing here," Zangetsu asked in a quiet voice.

The man fiend shock and hurt, "Why, whatever do you mean?" The man asked as he brushed back his short black spiky hair, "I am merely visiting……Relatives."

"You were asked to stay away," Kai Ewa said.

"Yes," I was the man said walking away from the two sleeping people, "But that was before…." He trailed off as he nodded at the two sleeping, "As you can plainly see much has changed since that request, and Isshin is nowhere to be found."

"He is…" Zangetsu tried to say before being waved quiet by the young man.

"Yah, yah I know what he is doing, but still they are so young." The man said an honest look of concern on his face.

"What are you planning." Zangetsu asked.

"Me, me I'm planning nothing merely curious that's all, on the path he will choose." The man said leaving the two zanpaktous with their masters, "Merely curious that's all." The man nodded at the two avatars of power and then used flash step and was gone.

"They are so much alike," Kai Ewa whispered to Zangetsu.

"Blood will always flow in the same direction." Zangetsu said as he faded away.

Kai Ewa shook her head with a weary smile, "Why did I agree to wo

rk with this family?" she said and then vanished,

Kuchiki Residence

Ichigo woke up with a start, someone was in his room, a presence he had never felt, and yet, and yet it felt somehow familiar. He opened his eyes but saw nothing. He looked to the corner of the room and saw his zanpaktou along with his sister's leaning against the wall, all was in order, and yet someone had entered into his room, he was sure of it.

"Ichi," Karin spoke softly, "Ichi, is something wrong?"

"Ah, stop worrying," Ichigo said with a scowl, "And don't talk to me until you brush your teeth."

Karin jumped out of the bed and starred at Ichigo, "Brush my teeth, you brush your teeth," she yelled, pointing a figure at him, and then turning, "Do we even have toothbrushes here?"

"Everything shall be provided for you, young Kurosaki," A voice from behind Karin spoke. Karin spun around to see a servant bent low, "If you will follow me I will take you and your brother to a place where you may clean before the day begins."

"Oh, thank you," Ichigo said, "Ah do you know where Rukia is?"

"The young mistress, is busy attending to the 13th squad business at the moment," the servant turned, "But the master request your presence Kurosaki, after your cleaning is finished." Fear immediately consumed Ichigo, what does that psychopath want with me, Ichigo wondered to himself as he began following the servant down the hall.

As they walked through the gigantic mansion, Karin tentatively grabbed Ichigo's hand and held it. Ichigo was about to yell at her saying she was too old to do that, but as he looked at his sister he saw the fear in her eyes, he squeezed her hand gently and smiled at her.

After Karin and Ichigo were done they found two neatly folded black kimonos in their rooms, Ichigo starred at it with mixed feelings. Today was the day he would meet with the Commander-General, probably to inform him of his possible position in the Gotei 13. And yet Ichigo was reluctant to dawn the robes of a shinigami. Is this what I really want, He asked himself quietly, can I conform to their rules. For a long moment he starred at the kimono, he knew that he had gotten away with most of his rule breaking because he was not officially part of Soul Society, but if he did join the Court of Pure Souls, he would be bound by their rules, rules that he had problems with.

A knock at his door ripped Ichigo from his inner dialog, "Who is it?"

"Ichi," Karin spoke, "are you ready?"

"Ya, one second," he yelled back. Taking one last look at the kimono he decided that he would decide later. He quickly changed into the kimono and grabbed his zanpaktou and left the room. Karin and a servant were waiting for him in the hall way.

"Please, Kurosaki this way." The servant moved. Ichigo and Karin followed the servant to Byakuya's office. A flash went across Ichigo's vision, for a split second he saw someone, smile at him, "Kurosaki is something wrong?" the servant asked.

Ichigo looked around in confusion, who was that, Ichigo thought to himself. He looked at Karin and she showed signs that she saw it too. "Karin, did you…"

"He looked like…" Karin stopped speaking when a burst of reiatsu entered the room.

Byakuya walked into his office and nodded at the servant who bowed and walked away. He then turned and looked at the two Kurosakis, "My apologies young Kurosaki but I must speak with your brother in private, but Captain Hitsugaya said he would be happy to….. entertain you." Byakuya said with a slight smile at Ichigo.

Ichigo turned and looked at his sister and notice a light shade of pink creep across her cheeks, "Why is he so willing to show her around."

"She asked me last night," Hitsugaya said as he entered the room, "And since my schedule is clear for the day, I felt it only suitable to show the sister of the hero of Soul Society around." Hitsugaya finished with an expressionless face.

"Yo, Toushirou," Karin said walking next to Hitsugaya, "Thank you," she finished with a bow. Byakuya raised an eyebrow at Hitsugaya who did not incest that Karin call him by his title, Hitsugaya ignored the look and said, "Shall we go."

Ichigo moved as if to say something, but Byakuya grabbed Ichigo by the shoulder and whispered in his ear, "It is not as if Captain Hitsugaya will be laying with her on a bed in a store full of people now." Ichigo spun around his eyes wide with terror starring at Byakuya.

"Nothin, nothing happened." Ichigo began to stammer.

Byakuya turned and walked to his desk, "If something did," Byakuya said as he sat down, "Things would be very unpleasant." He finished as he sat down behind his desk. Ichigo noticed that cherry blossoms seemed to be floating around the small office. "I requested to speak with you because my sister appears to be quite taken with you." Byakuya said starring a hole through Ichigo, "What exactly are your intensions with her."

Ichigo starred at Byakuya with eyes that nearly covered his whole face. "The last time we fought," Byakuya continued, "I was conflicted, I did not have my full heart in it, but I assure you that if your intensions are anything less than…pure," he said still staring at Ichigo, "I assure you, you will have my full attention."

"No, no I have, I am not that type of man," Ichigo said waving his hands at Byakuya and noticing the cherry blossoms beginning to move with increasing speed in the room.

"Good."

"Is that all…" Ichigo stopped as he saw another flash, another image of the man smiling at him, "No, it can't be." Ichigo trailed off.

Byakuya starred at Ichigo, "Kurosaki are you…" But Ichigo was gone, having jumped out of the window.

It can't be, Ichigo thought to himself as he ran down the street, I beat him destroyed him, he no longer exists. Ichigo's mind raced with possibilities, another flash Ichigo saw him leaning against the wall waving. No, it can't be, Ichigo thought, the man vanished again. Ichigo ran through the streets always seeing the strange man at the corner of his eye. The man seemed to be guiding him, urging him on. Ichigo ran forcing his body past the point of exhaustion, past endurance. His muscles cried out in pain, and yet Ichigo still ran, he had to know, he had to make sure.

Ichigo saw the man again standing on the ledge of a cliff. Ichigo knew were that cliff lead, knew the secret of it, It can't be him, it can't be. Ichigo screamed to himself as he jumped up the cliff face. Ichigo stopped at the top of the cliff, the secret door to Urahara's training ground opened. "It's a trap, it has to be." Ichigo whispered to himself. A burst of reiatsu exploded from the entrance, dropping Ichigo to his knees, It's not his reiatsu, Ichigo thought, Then whose is it."

"Why don't you come down and find out." A voice whispered in Ichigo's mind, "Or are you to afraid." It laughed.

Ichigo gripped Zangetsu tightly and jumped down the entrance. He landed with a thud. The training ground was empty, not even the smallest trace of reiatsu anywhere, "Too slow," a voice called out as a three pronged trident shot for Ichigo's head.

Ichigo ducked, "Getsuga Tenshou," Ichigo yelled sending a blast of blue energy crashing at his enemy. The man laughed and moved, the man moved faster than anyone Ichigo had ever seen. The trident cam stabbing for Ichigo again, Ichigo jumped barely dodging the attack, at the same time Ichigo swung Zangetsu in an arc crashing down on the trident. Zangetsu pined the trident down at the same time Ichigo swung his right leg out at the man carrying it.

The man let go of his weapon and caught Ichigo's leg throwing him into the side of a mountain.

Ichigo saw the mountain face coming for him, he opened his mouth and fired a cero into it. The explosion halted Ichigo's flight. Ichigo through Zangetsu at the man, holding on to its hilt strap.

The man caught the blade en-between the blades of the trident and spun it in a downwards motion.

Ichigo pulled the hilt strap back towards him.

The man let go of his weapon again, causing both zanpaktous to go flying towards Ichigo. He used flash step to beat them to Ichigo.

Ichigo's eyes flew wide as he saw the man come under his arms, and deliver a right hock to his stomach. Ichigo bent over in pain as the man shot strait up, the back of his head connecting with Ichigo's lower jaw.

The man flipped backwards grabbing both zanpaktous in mid flight. He swung his trident and a huge wave rushed towards Ichigo.

Ichigo jumped and fired a cero from his hand, halting the wave. Ichigo shot towards the man, dodging the swing of Zangetsu. With Ichigo's right hand he caught hold of Zangetsu at the same time delivering a left cross to the man's stomach. Damn it I can't see his face, Ichigo swore to himself.

The man stabbed his trident into the ground, "Swarm and swallow the world whole, Nejlbana," The man shouted. A geyser of water hit Ichigo sending him flying in the air.

Ichigo flew Zangetsu into the side of a cliff and used its hilt strap to pull him from the shooting water. "Getsuga Tenshou," Ichigo shouted. The man jumped to avoid the blast, but Ichigo fired a cero at the same time catching the man's leg.

The man spun in the air, his grip loosening on his zanpaktou, "The heavenly messenger cries, the heavens open, Shindou 74." A bolt of lightning shot from the man and towards Ichigo.

The lightning blinded Ichigo for a second. He felt the man's hand wrap around his face and slam it to the ground. Ichigo grabbed the man's hand with both of his and shot his feet up locking it around the man's neck, wrapping him in an arm bar.

The man felt Ichigo's legs move to cross his neck, he shot forward through the opening in Ichigo's legs and landed by Ichigo's head, causing Ichigo to lay on his stomach. He went to deliver an ax kick to Ichigo's back.

Ichigo fell on his stomach and then pulled the hilt strap of Zangetsu. Zangetsu came flying from the cliff face toward the man.

The man ducked but received a small cut across his face from the blade's edge. Blood trailed Zangetsu to Ichigo's hand, "So, you can bleed," Ichigo said smiling.

"So, can you," the man pointed at the blood trickling down from Ichigo's head. "It appears we share the pain, eh Ichigo." The man said taking off the mask he wore.

Ichigo's eyes widen in shock, "You're dead."

The man shot at Ichigo delivering a reverse elbow to his jaw. Ichigo fell knocked out on the ground. The man stood over Ichigo's unconscious body, "Eh, boy you should know this by now, (Since you're one of us, the man mumbled,) the Shiba clan is almost impossible to kill."

Division 13 Headquarters

Captain Ukitake looked up from his desk at the small trace of reiatsu he felt in the air. He gave a small smile, "Kotetsu,"

"Yes, Captain I am here to…" Kotetsu was cut off by Kotsubaki Sentarou.

"No, Captain send me I am why more responsible and able to do whatever you need SIR." Kotsubaki shouted.

"Not, true I am more loyal to you Captain send me." Kotetsu shouted back.

"Stop copying what I say." Kotsubaki shouted.

"You stop copying the Captain called me." Kotetsu shouted.

"Please," Ukitake said, both Kotetsu and Kotsubaki fell silent, "Kotetsu can you please call Rukia over here." Kotsubaki opened his mouth to protest, "Kotsubaki could you please deliver this letter to Kuukaku of the Shiba clan."

"The Shib, Shiba clan," Kotsubaki stammered.

"Oh, are you scared," Kotetsu chimed.

"I am not scared I will face death for the Captain."

"No, I would face death for the Captain. If I could I would take the Captain's sickness myself and bare it for him."

"I would do that, Captain," Kotsubaki turned, "I respect you way more than anyone else."

"No, I do Captain." Kotetsu shouted.

Ukitake smiled, "Thank you both very much, but I need you to do this quickly."

"YES, OF COURSE CAPTAIN!" both Kotsubaki and Kotetsu shouted and ran out the room.

Moments later Rukia knocked at Ukitake's door, Captain did you send for me?"

"Ah, yes Rukia please come in." Ukitake smiled, "Tell me Rukia did you ever visit Urahara's special training facility?"

"Yes, on Earth I…"

"No, not on Earth, but here." Ukitake smiled.

"No, Captain I was unaware he had one."

"Wonderful, here is the directions there, please go I think you may find something of inters there."

Somewhere in the Court of Pure Souls

Karin walked close to Hitsugaya, "Thank you for spending time with me," Karin said blushing.

"It is no trouble at all," Hitsugaya said, "I have had little time to relax, so this is…."

"Oh, Captain," Rangiku yelled in a sly voice, "I had no idea you were on a date."

Hitsugaya frowned in frustration as Karin's face hit a dark red, "Matsumoto why are here?"

"I got bored with all the work, so I decided to take a break," She said smiling, "And, oh it's the young Kurosaki." Rangiku said her face becoming serious, "How, are you…"

"I am showing Kurosaki around being that it is a very strong possibility she will be living here from now on." Hitsugaya said in a voice that told Rangiku not to ask questions.

"Of course captain," Rangiku said, and then turning to Karin she smiled, "Kurosaki you must come with me I'll show you how to dress so that you can stop the hearts of all men." She said grabbing Karin's hand and pulling her down the road.

Karin eyes opened in shock as she was dragged down the road. A faint reiatsu hit Karin, "Ichigo," she whispered, on instinct Karin shot a burst of reiatsu from her, causing Rangiku to lose her grip.

Hitsugaya looked at Karin, "Karin are you…"

"Ichigo," Karin said again and then on instinct again used her reiatsu to propel her in a flash step towards the reiatsu she was sensing.

"Karin," Hitsugaya shouted at the empty air.

"My, my these Kurosakis sure are powerful," Rangiku said shaking her hand.

Outside Urahara's Training Ground

Ichigo looked back at the entrance and smiled, then putting Zangetsu securely on his back he turned to leave. "Going somewhere?"

Ichigo spun around to see Rukia and Karin standing behind him, "Rukia, Karin what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing Ichigo?" Rukia said moving toward Ichigo.

"Rukia I need you to look after Karin." Ichigo said turning to leave.

"Why, are you leaving me like Pop." Karin shouted.

"No, but I can't stay here, at least not yet," Ichigo said turning to face Karin, "And you're not…" SLASH, a blinding flash of light shot towards Ichigo. He barely got Zangetsu up in time to deflect Karin's attack. "KARIN!"

Karin stood her zanpaktou clutched in her hands, "I will not be left behind, Ichigo."

Ichigo starred at Karin, "Rukia would you.."

PACK, Rukia slapped Ichigo on the back of his head, "And I told you that you were never leaving me again!"

"This is not your problem." Ichigo said.

Rukia's eyes opened wide, "HOW DARE YOU!" she shouted at him, "HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TO ME!" Rukia said tears welling up in her eyes.

Ichigo dropped his zanpaktou, and held Rukia, "Your position."

"Damn my position, I'm coming." She said starring up at Ichigo. Ichigo smiled and kissed her.

"If you guys are going to do that on this trip, I'm bringing Hitsugaya."

"LIKE HELL YOU WILL!" Ichigo shouted. Karin turned her head and walked away. "Well she be alright?" Ichigo asked Rukia.

"She's a Kurosaki, you guys learn best by doing." Rukia said leaning into Ichigo, "Where are we going?"

"Back to Hueco Mundo," Ichigo said ignoring the shock on Rukia's face, "I have to find Gin."

The man slowly walked out of The Court of Pure Souls, totally hidden from view by the countless shinigami's he passed. He looked back at the cliff where the three young shinigamis stood. "Isshin is going to be sssssssssssooooooooooooooooo pissed off at me, eh Masaki?"

"When the time comes I can handle my husband."

Hope you guys liked this one sorry so late try to update soon, but still a little sick from my hospital stay, review review please………………………..