So, what's good? This is my last piece for ByaIchi in the discord server, the Seireitei. Ever since the announcement of Bleach coming back, I got pretty hyped af so I made a lot of fics (the others are still WIPs). I thought of this idea randomly and hopefully you guys will enjoy this. This is ubeta-d so I'm sorry for any mistakes :)

So this may be postwar but it has some twists (Like Juushiro and Unohana being alive). This takes LONG years after the war and Ichigo IS older so he is slightly mature (but he's going to be kinda a brat again :) ). Plus, Ichigo and Byakuya are on GOOD terms here so if you say this is OOC then no. They are kinda on the low level of friendship. More notes on the next chapter when the time comes :)

A pair of slender arms wrapped around the small waist of an orange haired man after the owner of the pair of arms jumped at him. The man's eyes widened at the sudden contact and slightly heavy weight hitting him.

The man groaned, "Guh! Rukia, what the hell?"

Kuchiki Rukia, lieutenant of the 13th Division pulled away and stepped back, "Can't I miss you, Ichigo?"

Kurosaki Ichigo rolled his eyes, "Jeez, it's not like I've been gone for so long."

Rukia huffed, "You've been gone for days ! I can't believe it was so hard to look for your damn soul." Then, she casted her purple eyes down, "Sorry I wasn't there when...you know... "

The orange head ruffled her hair, "There's no need to be sorry, you know. You, along with Renji, were busy after all."

Rukia shook her head, "We could've at least been the one to perform Konso on you or the one to guide you here."

Ichigo shrugged, "At least the one who went there was someone familiar."

The other raised her eyebrow, "Who was it? Hitsugaya-taichou?"

"It was Byakuya."

The younger Kuchiki's eyes widened slightly, "Nii-sama did?"

Ichigo tilted his head to the side, "Huh? You didn't know?"

She shook her head, "No, he didn't manage to tell me anything."

A fiery red suddenly appeared which briefly startled the pair. A man with long spiky red hair that was tied up to a ponytail grinned at the both of them,

"Yo, Rukia! Strawberry!"

Rukia smacked the man in the head, "You scared me, Renji!"

Abarai Renji, lieutenant of the 6th Division, immediately held his head in pain and groaned, "S-sorry, Rukia. Didn't mean to do that." He then recovered and his sharp brown eyes looked at Ichigo from head to toe, "I see you have your shinigami powers."

Ichigo looked down to see his black shihakusho, "Well, it took me awhile. After Byakuya performed Konso on me, I was brought here in Rukongai wearing just some yukata," He then looked at them, "Good thing I still have my memories and powers."

Renji shrugged, "Must be since you were already a shinigami in the first place. That must've saved your memories." It took a few moments before Renji's eyes widened, "Wait, what the fuck? Did I just hear that taichou performed Konso on you?!"

Ichigo eyed him like he went crazy, "Yeah? He didn't tell you either?"

Renji shook his head violently, "He didn't! No wonder he left early around the time the news about you arrived here."

Ichigo frowned, "Seriously, I don't see the problem with him doing it. Don't all shinigami do that?"

Rukia frowned as well, "It's just… Nii-sama hasn't performed a Konso since my sister passed away."

The orange head's breath hitched. He didn't expect that information to drop. He could hear the underlying tone of sadness from the raven haired woman and he couldn't help but fall silent as he pressed his lips to a thin line.

'Was it really that long ago? Did he feel anything when he did it to me then?' Ichigo thought.

Rukia shook her head, "Well, let's go to Soul Society now. Everyone was worried about you. I bet they'll be happy to see you."

Ichigo nodded, "Okay."

Renji faced the direction towards Soul Society, "C'mon. Kyouraku-soutaichou wants to meet you first."

The three prepared themselves and used shunpo to go away from the Rukongai outskirts, heading towards the First Division barracks.

"I see you have taken up the youthful appearance after passing," the gruff voice of the captain commander and the captain of the 1st Division, Kyouraku Shunsui echoed the captains' meeting hall in the First Division barracks.

Ichigo has managed to live in the World of the Living for quite a long time. He graduated from school and worked straight away in his father's clinic. He was, oddly enough, more focused with his family than finding a family of his own.

"It must be due to his monstrous reiatsu. He was even able to keep his memories," the captain of the 12th Division, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, commented as he eyed the orange haired shinigami.

Kyouraku nodded, "Indeed. Well, Ichigo-kun, how was your trip going here?"

Ichigo shrugged, "A bit different than usual but it turned out okay." The orange head felt slightly uncomfortable with the multiple eyes settling down on him.

"I take it that Byakuya-kun took care of you?" The commander questioned. Kyouraku was definitely surprised with the information. Both Ichigo's death and the stoic captain of the 6th, Kuchiki Byakuya, was the one who performed Konso on the former substitute shinigami.

Ichigo eyed the long raven haired captain, who was standing on the right row of the even numbered divisions and had his eyes closed. Ichigo replied, "Yeah, he did."

Kyouraku nodded approvingly, "Good. Well then, I bet you all want to talk to our hero. On behalf of Soul Society, welcome to Seireitei, Ichigo-kun. Meeting is adjourned."

The silent meeting hall was immediately filled with chatter as the captains and the lieutenants present in the hall walked towards Ichigo, welcoming him, hugging him, even patting him on the back that was quite forceful.

The only captains that didn't approach Ichigo were Mayuri, who was already walking outside the hall, and Byakuya, who was staying still in his position.

Kyouraku approached the still captain, "I'm surprised, Byakuya-kun."

The latter opened his slate gray eyes and glanced towards his senior as he felt the amusing tone from the other, "About?"

"We both know what I meant," Kyouraku replied.

Byakuya looked away and saw Kenpachi trying to pick up a fight with Ichigo again, "It's the least I could do."

Before Kyouraku could pry even further, the men saw Ichigo running up to them with a huge yet tired grin.

"Byakuya! Kyouraku-san!"

Byakuya sighed inwardly but nodded in acknowledgement, "Kurosaki."

"Do you need something, Ichigo-kun?" Kyouraku asked when Ichigo finally arrived in front of them.

Ichigo rubbed the back of his neck, "Do you know any place I could stay for awhile? I didn't really plan to have my retirement home here."

Kyouraku nodded, "Ah, of course! I hope you won't mind the first division barracks? I believe we have spare rooms."

Ichigo was about to give a reply but he was cut off by Byakuya,

"If it does not bother you, you may stay at the Kuchiki Manor. We have too much room."

Both Ichigo and Kyouraku's eyes widened. They didn't expect that from the captain at all. Has the stoic captain of the 6th really gotten soft for the orange head? Kyouraku recovered and his face was plastered with a grin.

He looked at Ichigo, "I think it's better if you took Byakuya-kun's offer."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow to the raven haired captain, "Are you sure it doesn't bother you ?"

Byakuya sighed, "Would have I offered if I was?"

"Well, you have a point."

The commander clasped his hands together, "Well then. That settles it. Ichigo-kun, you'll be staying in the Kuchiki Manor for now. Byakuya-kun, please take care of our dear boy here."

Ichigo choked on his spit and glared at Kyouraku, "I literally just died at the age of 50, Kyouraku-san. I don't think I'm just a boy."

"But look at you! You look like you're just in your 20's," Kyouraku chuckled, "Besides, we are still older by centuries. If you compare your age to ours, you are still a kid."

Ichigo rolled his eyes, "Okay, fine. You win."

Byakuya turned his back, facing the opened doors of the hall, "Kurosaki. Come."

Kyouraku nodded, "Go and follow him, Ichigo-kun. Again, welcome to Soul Society."

Ichigo nodded, "Thanks, Kyouraku-san. I'll see you again soon!"

The orange head jogged towards the already retreating raven haired captain. The commander could see Ichigo scowling, probably mad that the older didn't wait for him as he bid goodbye to the others. Kyouraku's eyes were fixated on them until their figures went out of his vision.

"This will be interesting," he muttered under his breath.

"You'll be staying in this guest room for now, Kurosaki." Byakuya said as he slid open a shoji door, revealing a fairly huge room that is already fully furnished.

"Where's yours?" Ichigo inquired.

"My..?"

"Your room, Byakuya." The orange head said.

Byakuya nodded, "We're only a room apart. It is better to put you somewhere familiar than an isolated part of the mansion."

Ichigo grinned, "Well, thanks again Byakuya. You're a real lifesaver."

"It is no problem. I will leave you to it now, Kurosaki. I shall be at the study if you require my assistance," Byakuya stated.

The other nodded, "Alright. Thanks again."

To that the captain left the shinigami alone. Ichigo sighed. He realized that the captain has been full of surprises lately. First, he was the one who performed Konso on him and now, he offered a room for Ichigo to stay. It was a bit confusing, to be honest. Their relationship wasn't really the best. Byakuya still calls him by his surname, though it was better than his full name.

The two tend to clash whenever Ichigo comes to Soul Society for a visit, which was years ago. They had this silent respect for each other as a soldier and as a fighter during the wars that both had been through. It was a difficult time for them, yet they pulled through.

The silence around him came to a halt when he felt a smack to the head which made him groan loudly. He glared at the newly arrived assailant, amber eyes clashed with purple.

"What kind of greeting is that, midget?!" Ichigo growled.

Rukia rolled her eyes, "Stop calling me a midget! I just went here to check if you were okay."

"I was fine until you hit me," Ichigo sourly said.

"Do you want me to hit you again?!"

"No!"

Rukia huffed as she folded her arms, "That's what I thought."

"So, why are you really here, Rukia?' Ichigo inquired. They just met earlier so seeing her presence made him question her.

"I was really just going to check if you were okay, " Rukia explained, "Also, I'm also surprised that nii-sama offered you a place to stay."

"So am I."

"Well you better be grateful, Ichigo. He's too nice to you," Rukia said.

The orange head rolled his eyes, "You and your brother complex."

Rukia flushed and growled, "No, it's not! Ugh, you're such an idiot."

Ichigo glared, "What does that gotta do with me being an idiot?!"

The two butted heads and growled at each other before slowly laughing as they pulled away,

"Why are we doing this again?" Rukia said between laughs.

"You tell me," Ichigo replied after he chuckled.

Once they settled down, Rukia mused, "What are you going to do while you're here?"

Ichigo shrugged, "I don't know. I'll tell you when I decide."

"It better not be something dumb," Rukia warned.

The orange head grinned, "Can't promise that now."

Rukia suddenly felt uneasy with his reply.

"You're what?"

Rukia's mouth hung wide open as she heard what Ichigo had said to her. It has been a year since Ichigo's passing and he ended up residing in the Kuchiki Manor. The two were at one of the multiple dining rooms of the manor with Byakuya, eating breakfast.

Ichigo arched an eyebrow, "I said, I'm going to attend the academy."

"Why?"

"What do you mean 'why'? I got nothing to do here anyways. Plus, I've been wanting to learn Kido."

Rukia frowned, "We could teach you that."

Ichigo snorted, "As if that pineapple head could teach me."

"Hey! He improved his Kido over the years," Rukia defended her partner.

Ichigo chuckled, "Even so, I don't mind learning from scratch. If I want to enter the Gotei 13, I want it to be after I graduate."

Ichigo has been offered by Kyouraku multiple times a position in the 1st Division to which he politely declined. He was also offered to just choose whichever division he desired but Ichigo rejected it as well. As a stubborn man and he felt like he got all the time in the world, he stubbornly wanted to take the long route.

Rukia found that trait of Ichigo admirable at times but at the same time, it was also frustrating. It was also hard convincing him to think about it because he is a hard headed fool at times.

"You're too overqualified for that!" Rukia faced her brother who was silently sipping his hot tea, "Nii-sama, please convince him."

Byakuya inwardly sighed and set down his ceramic cup, "He is indeed overqualified," Rukia's face lightened up at this. Byakuya continued, "Yet, if he really desires to learn, we should let him be."

Rukia's face immediately fell and Ichigo cheered.

"Ha! Told you, midget." Ichigo smugly said.

Rukia glared, "You really want me to choke you?!"

Byakuya spoke which immediately silenced the two, "Kurosaki, are you final with that decision?"

The orange head looked at him with confusion, "Ah, yeah? Why ask?"

"I see," Byakuya stated, "I shall assist you with the arrangements for you to enter the academy."

Amber eyes widened, "What? You don't need to do that, Byakuya."

"I insist."

Ichigo could see the stubborness in the man's eyes and reiatsu. He sighed. They would argue again if Ichigo declined his offer again.

"Fine, fine."

Byakuya nodded in approval, "Good. I'll inform Kyouraku-soutaichou this afternoon of your decision."

Ichigo sighed, "I bet I'll get an earful of whining later."

Byakuya let out a small chuckle, "I do wish you luck, Kurosaki."

The orange head rolled his eyes, "Thank you."

Rukia's eyes briefly widened as she observed the men's interaction. She rarely went to the manor due to her lieutenant duties. If she ever visited, she talks to them individually. Rukia tends to be on time for dinner yet, her brother was always missing during that time. He was overworking again.

She just now realized that Ichigo's stay here made a positive effect on her brother. Rukia heard him laugh . He wasn't even bothered that Ichigo kept calling him by his first name. Rukia mused as she stared down her almost fully eaten breakfast.

She discovered something interesting today and she'll make sure to tell Renji about it.

So, I hope you enjoyed this story! This is an introduction only and the realizations will be next. Stay tuned to find out! Please leave a fave/follow and review (please?)

Oh, while waiting, go and check out my March contest fic (in the server), Protettore and the ByaIchi week one-shot piece, Cigarette! I promise it's worth it (and beta-d lmao).

Dictionary time:
Konso = soul burial
Taichou = captain
Fukutaichou = lieutenant
Soutaichou = captain commander
Reiatsu = spiritual pressure