Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
"I just don't think the prince needs three captain level shinigami to protect him."
"Is that some kind of bad joke? Do you know how important the prince is?"
"Nah, I just think the prince can handle himself."
"What?"
"I just happen to know who the prince is."
"Huh? Is he already here?"
"Yes"
"Where?" Renji looked around in a frantic search.
"Right here" Ichigo said, pointing to himself.
"That's a good one. You nearly had me there for a second."
The residents of the shop sweat dropped.
"What?"
"Uhno… "
"The strawberry really is a prince, red pineapple" Jinta said interrupting Ururu.
"Strawberry, pineapple is someone making a fruit salad?" A sleepy, this time clothed, Yoruichi mumbled as she stretched and made her way into the room. The group face faulted.
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"So guys, I guess this is it." Ichigo said as he stood near the inactive gate. The group surrounding him consisted of a great cross-section of his life since that raven-haired midget snuck into his life. On the left the shop crew. In the middle his close friends who had followed him to everywhere but hell and back. On the right, the vizards stood looking mostly bored. There was nothing better to do, so they decided to come on a whim. The conspicuous absence of his father didn't bother him that much. He knew the twins needed him more than he did right now.
In addition to Inoue, Ishida and Chad, Tatsuki had also come. Nobody seemed to care in that there was no longer an alter ego to protect. Orihime seemed to handle it well, though you could see the pain in her eyes.
"I just wanted to say a few things in case I don't see you for a long time."
"Urahara, you were a very… interesting teacher, but I can't thank you enough."
"Yoruichi, thanks for saving my butt when I wasn't wise enough or strong enough to do it on my own."
"Chad, thanks for always having my back."
"Ishida, um… thanks for coming along."
"Somehow I feel insulted." Ishida mumbled under his breath.
"Vizards, I just wanted…" Ichigo started.
"Cut the mushy junk baldy we know you're grateful." Hiyori cut him off.
"Tatsuki, I'm sorry if I kept you in the dark all this time. I just didn't want to drag you into this dangerous mess."
"I understand, but you'd better come visit us some time"
"I'll try."
"You better or I'll hunt you down and give you a swift kick in the pants."
"Hehe"
"Inoue, thank you for always taking care of everyone."
"It's okay. Good luck with everything."
"Oh, Inoue can I ask you a favor?"
"What is it Kurosaki-kun?"
"Would you look in on my sisters every once in a while and make sure they're okay and that my dad isn't driving them too crazy?"
"Sure"
"Thanks, Inoue"
"See ya," he said as the gate glowed and Renji and Ichigo stepped into the tunnel. They were just on the other side of the glow when they heard the muffled and distorted crying of Orihime. Ichigo stopped in his tracks and looked back.
"You gonna go back?"
"No, it would just make it harder on her than this already is."
For once, the Soul Society did manage to arrange things so that he wasn't being chased by anything. It was calm, but that didn't mean that it was any less creepy. The two exited into a barren piece of Rukongai and were quickly met by Byakuya holding a tracker receiver.
"Where is his majesty?" Byakuya questioned the two.
"Right here." Ichigo said pointing to himself.
"This is no time for jokes Kurosaki."
"It isn't a joke, Captain," Renji said.
Byakuya's eye began to twitch as his rage and confusion began to build. He gently tapped his thumb on Senbonzakura's hilt.
"We don't have time for this ridiculous façade. Tell me where he is."
"It really isn't a joke. I swear! Wait." Ichigo dug around his uniform and found both the tracker and a small box. Opening it, he pulled out a ring.
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Flashback
"Oh Ichigo, before we go down to the basement, your father wanted you to have something."
"What is it?"
"Here" Urahara said as he produced the box and handed it to Ichigo.
"A ring?" he said as he opened it.
"Yes, it is the Royal Ring of Verification. If you place it on your finger, it will glow, but if anyone other than your family uses it, it will refuse to go onto their finger. In order to activate it, you must recite this chant while it's on your finger. 'In brightest day. In darkest night. No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might. Beware my power… a king of right!'"
"I see. LIKE I'LL BELIEVE THAT!" he said as he looked thoughtfully and then punched the top of the shopkeeper's head.
"Oww I guess you aren't as naïve as you used to be."
"Yeah" he responded thinking of the years that separated him from the headband of justice.
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He placed the ring on his finger and a blue light shone from the ring. Byakuya's eyes went wide. He had been briefed on the verification ring, but to see it on this young man's hand was not something he was prepared for.
"Put that away. We need to get back to Kuchiki estate before our presence brings on too much attention," the captain said as he coldly turned away and stepped off towards Seireitei.
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Well there you have it. Kuchiki's reaction was a little understated, but I think it fits him. Yes, I know the fruit salad joke was bad. I think the goodbyes were done well, except maybe Tatsuki. I was going to have Orihime's reaction be a little bigger, but I wanted to make her a little stronger.
