Ichigo sat in his room, Zapakutō in his lap.
He opened his eyes and shook his head.
"Stubborn bastard"
A knock was then heard followed by Tetsuzaemon's voice asking to come in and at Ichigo's okay, he entered the room.
"Excuse me sir.
-Your family is waiting by Jidanbō's gate"
"Right"
Putting his Zanpakutō on its stand, Ichigo picked up his Haori and walked towards the door.
"All work for the morning is done but don't hesitate to call on me if something happens"
-They'll go back home tonight so from tomorrow, I won't leave so much to you"
"It's okay sir"
Ichigo smiled at his lieutenant before leaving.
He went to the gate where he meet up with everyone.
"So what do you guys wanna do?"
"Could we go say hi to Rukia, Orihime asked"
"It should be fine if they're not too busy at the 13th"
So he began leading the group towards the barracks of the 13th division.
"What have you been doing this morning Ichigo, Karin asked"
"Paperwork and then I tried having a talk with Zangetsu"
"Who's Zangetsu, Keigo asked"
"It's the name of my Zanpakutō or in other words my sword
-I've been trying to have him agree to take on a sealed form"
"What do you mean with sealed form, Mizuiro asked"
"Did you notice yesterday that my lieutenant had what looked like a Tantō sticking out from his uniform? Or that basically everyone here carries Katanas"
"Yes"
"That's their sealed Zanpakutō.
-It's easier to carry around each sword like that since certain Shikai or true forms are quite large or have a shape that's not easy to carry around"
"But you have always carried Zangetsu on your back, said Chad"
"He's right, said Uryu
-Why do it now?"
"Well as you might have noticed, I have a number on my back now that I've been told not to cover, said Ichigo
-When Mayuri did that sometime before the war, he had to have the 12th division symbol painted onto that weird headdress thing"
"Makes sense, said Tatsuki"
"So I've been trying to have Zangetsu agree to be in a sealed form but that stubborn spirit refuses to listen"
"Spirit, said Mizuiro"
"All Zanpakutō have a spirit in them"
They all turned around and saw Rukia stand there.
"It's the spirits that give our Zanpakutō their powers"
"Oh Rukia, said Yuzu"
"How long have you been here, said Ichigo"
"Just for a minute or so, said Rukia
-I sensed you all get closer so I walked out here"
Ichigo looked around and saw that they were in front of the gate leading to the 13th division.
"So what brings you all here, Rukia asked"
"We wanted to come by and say hi since we haven't seen you in a while, said Orihime
-We're also going home later so now was the only chance"
"I see
-Well, if you're not in a hurry, come in for a while. I'm sure the captain won't mind"
She led them into the division grounds and into the barracks where they stopped outside a room.
"Captain we have visitors"
"Bring them in Rukia"
She opened the door and they entered the room, seeing Jūshirō by his desk.
"Oh hello Ichigo"
"Hi Jūshirō"
"What brings you all here?"
"Orihime wanted to say hi to Rukia since they're going home tonight and when we got here, she invited us in.
-I hope it's not too much trouble"
"Not at all. We're pretty much done with all work for the morning and what little we have left can be taken care of later"
He stood up from his desk and turned to his lieutenant.
"Rukia would you mind getting us some tea and bring it to Ugendō?"
"Not at all sir"
She left and Jūshirō turned to the group.
"Let's go somewhere with more space"
He led the group out of the barracks and down to the house by the small lake where everyone walked in and sat down.
"It's really nice and warm in here, said Mizurio"
"That's good, said Jūshirō
-I'm not here as much as I used to but it's nice if you want some calm after a long day"
"Oh yeah, Ichigo said you're not ill anymore, said Isshin"
"Not since the war ended"
"And we have Kirinji to thank for that"
They turned to the door and saw Rukia stand there along with Katsurou, both carrying trays.
"So he's really as great of a healer as everyone says, said Isshin"
"Indeed"
The two lieutenants put down the trays and handed out the cups.
"It was an amazing sight seeing him use his powers, said Katsurou
-It was also funny to hear him say "I managed to restore Kuchiki's organs after that Quincy shreded him with his own Bankai so this was just was simple, if not easier" "
"Kuchiki..., anyone related to you Rukia, Tatsuki asked"
"Yes, it's my older brother, Byakuya. He was injured very badly back during the 1st invasion.
-When the Zero division came and brought us to the palace, Kirinji tended to me, Renji and Byakuya"
"You two were almost done with your training and I had returned to the Seireitei by the time he woke up, said Ichigo"
"Yes. Seeing him alive and well is proff of Kirinji's amazing healing powers"
They all had a good time talking with the 13th division officers and stayed until dusk.
"It's time we leave, said Isshin
-Thanks for having us Jūshirō"
"No problem Isshin. It was nice seeing you all"
"I'll go with them to the Senkaimon, said Rukia"
"Do that"
Rukia smiled and followed the group to the Senkaimon where Orihime and the twins hugged her and Ichigo.
Yuzu was a bit teary eyed.
"We'll see each other again soon Yuzu, said Ichigo"
"I know"
Chad then patted Ichigo's shoulder.
"Take care Ichigo"
"You too Chad
-And Uryu, remember what I told you"
"I know and I won't"
A slight smirk crossed the Quincy's face as he and Ichigo bumped their fists.
Isshin then placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"I'm proud of you son and I'm sure your mother would be as well"
"Thanks dad.
A smile then crossed Isshin's face.
"Take care, captain Ichigo Kurosaki Shiba"
The happy look in his father's eyes convinced Ichigo fully that had made the right decision to take on the Shiba name.
The group then held out their Soul Tickets and the Senkaimon opened for them.
With one last wave to Rukia and Ichigo, they entered the gate and made their way home to the world of the living.
"It was nice seeing them again, said Rukia"
"It was. Especially since it's been half a year"
"That's right, they haven't been here since your promotion"
"Guess we've all been busy. Them with school and their part-tie jobs and I with being a captain"
Rukia then followed Ichigo back to the 7th before she returned to her own division.
A few days later.
Ichigo was once again sitting with Zangetsu in his lap and as he meditated, he entered his inner world where he found the spirit.
"You here to ask me again, King?"
"Yes and I'm not gonna give up until you agree to take on a sealed form"
His Zanpakutō/Hollow sighed and stop up.
"Why do you wanna do this now?
-Isn't my regular form good enough for you?"
"I've already told you that I can't cover up the 7th division symbol on my Haori which I would do if I carried you on my back.
-So unless you want a number seven painted onto your sheath for whenever I need to carry you with me, you let me seal you when I'm not in battle"
"He has a point, Zangetsu"
The two turned to the side and saw Quincy Zangetsu come towards them.
"Old-Man, said Ichigo
-I thought you disappeared"
"As long as you have your Quincy powers, I will always be here.
-I just stepped back to let your true Zanpakutō guide you"
"I see"
"But I do agree with you on taking on a sealed form
-It wasn't a problem when you were just a substitute but now as a captain, you will need it"
The Old-man then looked at his Hollow counterpart.
"Zangetsu, do it"
The spirit sighed and shook his head.
"Fine"
He snapped his fingers and the sword he leaned against turned into a tachi while the smaller became a wakizashi.
Ichigo looked at the swords and smiled at the two spirits.
"Thanks guys"
Zangetsu and the Old-man both nodded as Ichigo closed his eyes and left his inner world.
Waking up in his room, he saw the swords in his lap was the same as Zangetsu had made them.
"Guess I could ask Shunsui for a few lessons in how to handle two blades like this"
He stood up and placed the tachi on the left side of his waist and the wakizashi on his right.
"It feels good"
He then left the room to start his work for the day.
Author's note.
So I'm not sure with the whole Yhwach took Ichigo's powers deal but CFYOW says Ichigo regained his full power a few days after Yhwach was defeated.
I also wanted to add Old-Man Zangetsu into this since he's the one we've known as Ichigo's spirit for the majority of the series.