Bleach: Resurrected Souls
Chapter 12 Return to Karakura Town; The Final Goodbye
"Damn going through the dangai is always a chore, so where did the gate take us this time?" asked Ichigo making his way out of the Senkaimon with his friends.
"It apopears we landed in the exact same place we left from" said Uryu analyzing the area.
"Well what are we waiting for it's time to confront Kisuke" said Hiyori.
"No need, come on out Urahara I know you're hiding somewhere" said Ichigo looking at the bushes.
"I see your skills of deduction haven't changed Ichigo but I'm not exactly alone" said Urahara walking out.
"Alright whoever else is hiding come on out" said Ichigo in a huff.
"YOU IDIOT!" yelled Tatsuki running at inhuman speeds towards Ichigo.
"Whoa Tasuki hold on, aaaah!" said Ichigo in a panic only to end up getting punched in the face by his friend seconds later which sent him flying back.
"Wow that just looked strangely familiar eh Hiyori" teased Shinji.
"Shut up Shinji" said Hiyori punching her fellow Vizard in the gut.
"Damn it Tatsuki are you insane you could've…killed me" said Ichigo in an annoyed tone which soon changed when he saw Tatsuki crying.
"You son of a bitch, I find out your not coming back and you don't even have the common courtesy to tell me yourself so you send the weirdo shop owner to give us the bad news" said Tatsuki bursting into tears.
"Okay I made a mistake but you gotta understand my hands were tied up" said Ichigo trying to come up with an excuse to save the situation.
"Then why not explain it to us back at Urahara's Shop Ichigo" said Isshin walking out of the brush with Keigo, Mizuiro and Yuzu and Karin.
"Ya lets go" said Rukia talking Ichigo by the hand as he got Tatsuki to her feet.
oOo
(Urahara's Shop)
"And that's pretty much the whole story, Senken Fujin has now escaped to Hueco Mundo and you've unofficially been charged with the dutry of discovering a weakness to destroy your own creation Kisuke" said Ichigo in a serious tone.
"Nothing would make me happier however it might take me quite a while to even discover a compound that'll counter react with the hogyoku but I'll give it a shot" said Kisuke from underneath his hat.
"Ichigo give it to us straight what are the chances of survival for both this world and the Soul Society?" asked Keigo in an unusually serious tone.
"I'm not going to lie Keigo the chances of survival for both worlds are very slim, he tossed us all aside like we were a couple of ragdolls and the Captains and Lieutenants of the 13 Court Guard Squads are supposed to be some of the most powerful Soul Reapers in the Soul Society" explained Ichigo.
"Okay but percentage wise what are our chances?" asked Tatsuki in a distressed and fearful tone.
"Ten percent if Kisuke doesn't find a weakness to his creation and thirty percent if he does" responded Ichigo.
"Both chances aren't very reassuring but for now it's all we can work with" said Mizuiro in a nervous tone.
"There might actually be something that can help those chances" said Ichigo pondering.
"We'll do anything" said Yuzu in a fearful tone.
"I know you will, Kisuke did you pick up my body the moment we left?" asked Ichigo.
"Yes I did but why are you asking?" asked Kisuke in a false confusion.
"I want you to grab my Substitute Soul Reaper Badge and bring it to me" said Ichigo.
"As you wish" said Urahara smiling underneath his hat.
"What exactly are you planning Ichigo?" asked Shinji whispering in Ichigo's ear.
"Isn't it obvious Shinji" said Ichigo smiling.
"What's going on?" asked Hiyori in her rude tone.
"Come on Vizards we need to talk outside" said Shinji leading the others outside the shop.
"Here it is Ichigo" said Urahara returning with the badge in hand and put it in Ichigo's hand.
"Thanks Urahara now as you all know I'll be taking up permanent residence in the Soul Society but Karakura Town still needs it's Substitute Soul Reaper so I pass the badge onto you Karin" said Ichigo tossing the pass in Karin's direction.
"Why me bro I mean I'm honored and all but I haven't shown any signs of power manifestation, in fact the only thing that's increased is my spiritual awareness" explained Karin.
"True but out of the two of you, you're the only one who's shown promising signs of power manifestation and if I'm right then our chances of defeating Senken will increase but only if you'll accept the opportunity that's been offered to you Karin" explained Ichigo.
"Alright Ichigo I'll take the badge but how am I going to get started?" asked Karin.
"Don't worry dear I'll help you whenthe time comes" said Isshin butting in.
"Oh joy" said Karin in a huff.
"Now we gotta get going otherwise the old man's going to chew us out but why don't you girls give your big brother a hug" said Ichigo holding out his arms as the Kurosaki sisters happily accepted.
"Goodbye Orihime and remember stay strong" said Tatsuki hugging Orihime tightly.
"I will Tatsuki don't worry" said Orihime in a soft tone.
"Well Ichigo I guess this is goodbye for now but don't worry we'll keep a sharp and vigilant watch on this end" said Keigo shaking Ichigo's hand.
"You'd better" said Ichigo leaving with Orihime and Rukia.
"Well it appears that none of us will be resting easy not when a new arrancar conflict awaits us just around the corner" said Urahara in a solemn tone.
"Urahara lets begin training" said Karin in a confident tone.
"Are you sure Karin?" asked Yoruichi.
"I'm sure if this new enemy is as strong as Ichigo says then I need to be prepared and since we don't know when he'll strike next I wanna make sure I can protect Karakura Town" said Karin in a confident tone.
"Hm and so the wheel of fate turns again" said Kisuke in his mind seeing a spiritual outline of Ichigo over Karin.
"You're a confident one just like your brother" said Shinji entering the shop.
"Where are the other Vizards Shinji?" asked Youichi in a curious tone.
"They went back to the Warehouse, Kisuke about that deal you made with us earlier" said Shinji in a serious tone.
"Ah yes I guess it's time I fulfilled my end of the bargain" said Kisuke getting up.
"For now don't bother Kisuke, we all agreed that we're willing to keep our hollow powers for a while longer or to be more precise until Senken and the hogyoku are erased from existence" said Shinji in a serious tone.
"Alright if that's what you want, just remember the offer is still on the table for whenever you're all ready" said Kisuke smiling.
"Ya well anyway see you all later" said Shinji leaving.
"Let's go Chad we need to get back to our training" said Uryu pushing up his glasses.
"Right" said Chad leaving with Uryu.
"Well girls for now lets go home" said Isshin placing his hands on his daughters' shoulders.
"Right" said the twins leaving with trheir father.
"Urahara, Yoruichi I'm just going to get to the point, when Aizen invaded Karakura Town last time we were completely helpless so tell us is there any way we can help in this fight?" asked Tatsuki.
"I'm not going to lie to you two without proper combat experience you three would just get in the way but if you feel this strongly about it there is something you can helpme with" said Urahara in a serious tone.
"What is it we'll do anything?" asked Keigo in frantic tone.
"You can help me with my research in the discovery of a way to destroy the hogyoku" said Kisuke in his darker tone of voice.
"You got it" said all three of Ichigio's friends at once as they left.
"Times have really changed Yoruichi, even the humans have gained the confidence needed to stand on their own two feet in times of adversity" said Kisuke taking.
"It just occurred to me that Ichigo never told us what he intends to do with his body" said Yoruichi smiling.
"I'll probably keep it here and modify it so it'll serve as an actual gigai for him whenever he returns" said Kisuke looking at the motionless corpse.
oOo
(Kurosaki Clinic)
"Hm, Ichigo's Substitute Soul Reaper Pass, I still don't understand why he believes my power could end up being greater than his but for now I have to trust his words and hope that my powers will manifest themselves soon" said Karin gripping onto the badge tightly for a couple seconds then placed it in her dresser drawer. The badge's eyes began to glow shortly after.
"Be careful brother and come back as soon as you can" said Yuzu looking out her window up at the sky.
"Well Masaki, our son's grown up and he's dedicated his life to protect his new and old home" said Isshin lighting a cigarette.
oOo
"Well everyone's been assigned their jobs and ours is to help Mr. Urahara" said Mizuiro walking down the road with Tatsuki and Keigo who noticed Tatsuki in a silent and sad mood.
"We'll see him again" said Keigo lightening the situation.
"How do you know?" asked Tatsuki looking up at Keigo.
"Well as a Soul Reaper he has a duty to protect both this world and the Soul Society and I'm sure that bastard Senken isn't going to remain in hiding forever so when he shows up, Ichigo and Rukia are sure to follow suit" said Keigo smiling.
"Ya your right, I'll see you later guys" said Tatsuki leaving down the street.
"See you later Tatsuki" said Keigo waving goodbye and continuing his walk with Mizuiro.
"Well Ichigo we may have all taken separate paths but at the end of the day we end up at the same destination, hopefully it's a destination with a light at the end of the tunnel" said Tatsuki in her mind running home.
oOo
(Soul Society-Squad 1 Barracks-Captain's Office)
*Knock, Knock*
"Come in" said Yamamoto looking up from his paperwork.
"You wished to see me the moment I got back sir" said Ichigo entering Yamamoto's office.
"Yes Ichigo I did and I need to know, even after returning home have you made a decision?" asked Yamamoto in a serious tone.
"Yes I have…I'll stay here and remain as the Captain of Squad 5" said Ichigo in a serious tone.
"Very good" said Yamamoto in an accepting tone.