Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Chapter Twenty-One: The Return of the Master

Sometime later…

Masaki sat on the ground, not knowing what to do as she stared into the blazing inferno. She could feel the presences of four people inside, all fighting to overcome the cage of flame that they were trapped in. She wondered if there was anything she could do to help them but knew that for all her strength, this was one challenge she could not overcome. Even if her ankle wasn't injured and she could move properly, her skills as a Quincy would be ineffective against the power of Ryujin Jakka.

She looked around, wondering what she could do when she heard footsteps coming towards her. She turned around, summoning her bow, fearful that one of the remaining zanpakuto was trying to get the jump on her. However, a smile lit up on her face when she saw that it was Yoruichi.

"Glad to see you're okay," Yoruichi greeted the woman. She noticed the way she was sitting on the ground and she became concerned when her eyes stared at her leg. "You're hurt!"

The werecat crouched down and tended to Masaki's ankle, continuing the treatment that Byakuya started. "Are you alright?" Masaki asked, noting how Yoruichi was missing her orange jacket.

"I'm perfectly fine. I got separated while trying to help everyone escape Ryujin Jakka." She finished healing Masaki's leg and helped her up. "We need to figure out a way to get Ichigo and the others out of there."

"Ichigo is heading for Karakura Town?" Yoruichi asked, perplexed by the sudden turn of events. "But I sense four people in there. I know that the Head-Captain, Ukitake and Kyoraku are inside. I simply assumed Ichigo was in there as well."

Masaki shook her head. "No, I ran into Ichigo while hurrying here." She relayed the information that Ichigo told her. Yoruichi was shocked at the confession that Muramasa had done all of this in order to free his master.

Furrowing her brow, Yoruichi nodded. "Yes. Before we were separated, the Head-Captain did say that Muramasa would be heading for Karakura Town."

"What do we do?" Masaki asked.

The woman was silent for a moment before giving Masaki a warm smile. "The only thing we can do: believe in Ichigo." Seeing the shocked look on Masaki's face, Yoruichi continued, "I've helped train Ichigo and I know his strength. I know he'll stop Muramasa and his master."

Knowing she should have more faith in her son, Masaki smiled and nodded. "I know. I just worry about him."

Yoruichi merely continued to smile. 'Ichigo, you have a good mother.'

The conversation was interrupted when the cage of fire exploded, almost knocking the two off of their feet. Yoruichi kept a hand on Masaki's shoulder to keep her from falling over. "What's happening?" Masaki shouted over the roar of the explosion, the heat almost unbearable.

"Either Ryujin Jakka just cooked all four of them at once or…"

In an instant, the intense heat faded and the fire disappeared. Standing in the middle of the burning crater were four individuals, all dressed in captain Haoris. Masaki was relieved to see that Ukitake and Kyoraku were alright but she didn't recognize the other two. As the four walked over to her, she saw that the shortest one looked like a small child, no older than her daughters would be, with snow-white hair.

She'd never seen the other man before but she knew who it was by the immense power radiating off of his ancient body. With a head covered in scars and a beard that went all the way down his front, Masaki knew who this man was. "Is that…"

"Yes," Yoruichi answered. "That is the Head-Captain, Genryusai Yamamoto."

As the four reached the two women, Kyoraku smiled warmly. "Well, good to see that you're okay, Yoruichi, Masaki," he greeted.

The child captain looked at the brown-haired mother confused. "Who is she?" he asked.

Ukitake put a hand on Masaki's shoulder. "Right, I forgot you were still hospitalized. "This is Masaki Kurosaki, Ichigo's mother."

The captain's small, emerald eyes widened with shock. "That's Ichigo's mother."

"Masaki, this is Captain Hitsugaya, the captain of Squad Ten."

Masaki's face lit up. "Oh! You must be the boy Isshin talked about all the time. He always remembered you very fondly." Her smile made the boy blush. "He'd be proud to know that you took over his position."

Toshiro blinked before his eyes went wide. "Wait…you mean Captain Shiba!"

Yamamoto's narrowed eyes stared at the woman. He took a step forward and examined her closely. "Explain," he commanded.

Yoruichi, Ukitake and Kyoraku tensed. They didn't know how well Yamamoto would take to the same revelations that they learned, especially since it affected Ichigo as well. Before any of them could say anything, Masaki stepped forward and bowed. "Hello, Head-Captain. I'm Masaki. As they said, I'm Ichigo's mother. I'm Byakuya Kuchiki's aide. And I'm…a Quincy."

A tense moment followed as Yamamoto stared at the woman, trying to ascertain if this woman would be a threat to the Seireitei. However, looking into her eyes he detected no malice, only a deep yearning. Yamamoto had a idea what that yearning was for. "How do you know Captain Shiba?" he asked.

"He's my husband."

"I see…" Yamamoto nodded. "I am relieved. After all this time I'd feared the worst for Captain Shiba."

Yoruichi interrupted the conversation. Now that she knew that Yamamoto was okay with Masaki being present, she knew they had to get the conversation back to the topic at hand. "Head-Captain, we need to head to Karakura Town to help Ichigo. If Koga is released from his seal then-"

The old man held up his hand and silenced her when a black butterfly swooped in, landing on his finger. He listened to the message and turned to the other captains. "The other captains and lieutenants have left to enter the World of the Living. Captain Kurotsuchi was able to reverse the zanpakuto hypnosis Muramasa had over them."

Kyoraku breathed a sigh of relief. "That's reassuring."

Hitsugaya scowled. "I'm going to help them. They are going to need all the help they can get." The Head-Captain nodded, giving Toshiro permission to leave. The small captain Flashstepped away, leaving the remaining four.

Kyoraku scratched the back of his head. "Well I'm beat. Might I suggest that we return to the Seireitei?"

Ukitake nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid that the battle with Ryujin Jakka was quite taxing." He gave a concerned glance to Masaki. "Mrs. Kurosaki, I never got the chance to ask but are you alright? Yoruichi told us you were fighting two zanpakuto at once."

"Yes," Masaki nodded. "I held them off so that Yoruichi could reach Ichigo. One of them got a little mouthy so I gave her a little punishment."

Kyoraku whistled. "Wow, what a woman…" He instantly shut up when Yamamoto glared at him. "Shall we return?"

Sometime later…
Squad One

The remaining captains had gathered at Squad One, Masaki included with them. Night had fallen on the Soul Society as they waited. They were in the courtyard, waiting on word of what was happening in Karakura Town. Masaki poured everyone a cup of tea before she sat down on a bench.

She felt someone else sit down next to her and was shocked to see the Head-Captain sitting beside her. "How is Captain Shiba?" he asked.

"I'm…I'm afraid I don't know," Masaki admitted. "I died in the World of the Living six years ago. But Ichigo tells me he's doing well raising our children."

Yamamoto nodded. "We wondered what became of him after he vanished. To think he'd marry a Quincy."

"Is that a problem?" she asked, worried for what the old man had in mind for both her husband and her children.

To her relief, Yamamoto nodded. "No. You may be a Quincy but our feud with them is over. I must say," he turned his head and looked at the woman. "You've raised a fine son."

Masaki's lips formed a wide smile. "Thank you, Head-Captain."

The captains all turned their heads when they heard footsteps and a great many people entered the courtyard. Masaki saw several captains and lieutenants, her eyes widening when she saw the huge captain that looked like a giant anthropomorphic wolf. She was relieved to see Rukia and Renji. She became a little concerned for where her son was until she saw a head of orange hair. "Ichigo!" Leaping off the bench, she dashed over to her son.

"Mom!" Ichigo hugged his mother as she ran up to him, the others watching with smiles on their faces.

"Are you okay?" Masaki asked.

Ichigo gave her a smile, happy to see that his mother was okay after the events of the past few hours. "It's over, Mom. We've won. Muramasa is gone."

Masaki breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness." It was then that she remembered something crucially important. "Wait, where's Byakuya?"

The boy continued to smile as he gestured behind him. Masaki's face lit up with joy as Byakuya entered, the man having returned to where he belonged.

"You were right, Mom," Ichigo said with a grin. "You were right all along."

Masaki grinned back. "Don't ever doubt a mother's intuition, Ichigo."

Later…
Squad Six

The party was in full swing, the Soul Reapers celebrating their victory. The lieutenant of Squad Ten asked to throw a celebration now that Muramasa's threat had been ended and Byakuya had rejoined them.

Masaki sat on a bench, smiling happily as she watched Ichigo celebrate with his friends. She would have joined them but she felt incredibly out of place and she didn't want to intrude on her son's fun. To that end, she sat at the edge of the crowd sipping tea.

Feeling a tap on her shoulder, Masaki looked up to see Byakuya standing behind her. "My lord!" she stood up, wondering if he needed something from her.

Byakuya held up his hand to stop her from speaking. "Come with me. I need to speak to you in private." Gesturing for Masaki to follow him, he led her away from the party. Soon the sounds of celebration were behind her as he led her away from the Squad Six barracks. Masaki didn't know what was on the man's mind but she knew to wait until Byakuya spoke his mind.

Leading her all the way back to the Kuchiki Manor, Byakuya lead Masaki to his quarters. The guards they passed by all bowed in his wake, everyone glad that Byakuya was alive and well again.

Reaching his room, Byakuya gestured for Masaki to enter. Following her into the room, Byakuya closed the door. The room was dimly lit by a few candles but Masaki could see through the light that there was something lying on the bed, obscured by a sheet. Masaki was a little perturbed. It looked a little like a body...

When she turned around, Masaki was taken aback when Byakuya hugged her. "Forgive me," he said softly. "This is twice now that I hurt you."

Masaki wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him back. "I always believed in you…"

Byakuya gently ran a hand through her hair. He didn't care if it was unprofessional at all. This was his friend, the woman who trusted him and whom he came to trust. He felt like he'd committed a horrible sin. "I promised that I would not point my sword at Ichigo after what I did to you. But for my pride I had to break that promise. And worse, I aimed it at you when you were only trying to protect your son. I am ashamed…"

"Byakuya…"

Pulling away, Byakuya did something that Masaki thought she would not live to see twice: he got down on his knees and bowed his head. "Masaki, I am truly sorry. Can you forgive me?"

Kneeling down in front of him, Masaki hugged him, a smile spread across her face. "I already have."

The burden that had been weighing heavily on his shoulders lifted, Byakuya stood up. Masaki had thought that they were going to return to the party but she noticed that the look on his face was one of sadness. "Lord Byakuya, what is it?"

The man was quiet for a moment before pulling away, turning his back to Masaki. "I'm afraid that the events of last night have already reached the ears of the elders. I'm afraid, Masaki…that this is where I must relieve you of your duties."

Masaki blinked, realizing she was being fired…again. But this time there was no shock, no sudden sense of sadness or pity. "I understand."

"I'm afraid that I cannot have a Quincy employed at the manor now that your true heritage has been revealed. And even if that wasn't the case, you raised a weapon against your master. I cannot overlook that, even considering the situation." When he turned back, he gave her a sad look. "I'm sorry."

The mother merely smiled at the man. "It's alright, Byakuya. I have no regrets. Being here gave me purpose. And if it wasn't for you I'd have never seen my child again. My time here was a blessing."

"I have something for you." Byakuya moved to his bed, towards the object lying on it. Pulling back the sheets Masaki saw…herself? "This is for you."

"Is that…me?" Masaki asked, confused.

"This is a Gigai. I requested Captain Kurotsuchi create it for you."

Masaki was shocked beyond belief. She remembered what Byakuya had said in the garden weeks ago when Ichigo thought about doing the exact same thing. "But won't you get in trouble?"

The man gave another small smile. "I will accept any consequence for helping my friend."

She didn't know what to say. She'd long since abandoned the idea of ever returning to her home. Now she was being given her heart's greatest desire. She flung her arms around Byakuya and hugged him again, tears falling down her face. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

Wrapping his arms around her, Byakuya kissed her forehead. "You have been a good friend. I will miss your stories."

"I will miss telling them."

"No, now you can tell them again to your children." Byakuya broke the hug and gestured to the door. "Gather your things. You leave with your son in the morning." Masaki hurried towards the door, eager to fetch her things. "And Masaki?"

The woman stopped at the door and turned around. "What is it?"

"Thank you…for being my friend."

Masaki smiled, tears of joy continuing to run down her face. "Thank you for letting me be your friend."

To be continued