Notice: I don't own Bleach. However this original scenario is my idea.

Chapter 5: The Soul's Surprise

Yawn.

Masaki rose for the day. Looking at her clock – a simple clock bought by her niece and nephew for her a few years ago – she spotted 5.30am on the dial. 'Time to get up.'

Masaki jumped out of bed, went into the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and washed her face to start her day. Changing into her training clothes, she ventured over to the kitchen, put on a cooking apron and made herself, Kūkaku and the retainers a scrumptious breakfast.

Setting the table for her family, she dished out the breakfast meal for everyone. Her dishes were the last to be served, and after making a short prayer, she enjoyed her meal by herself, before heading over to the Shiba Dojo – Training Room. After 30 minutes spent setting up her equipment, Masaki did some stretches, then simple reishi control exercises, before moving on to more advanced techniques.

Two hours passed before her training regiment was over. Masaki was exhausted but knew she succeeded in her test of skill. 'I've improved, but I won't know by how much, till I face another in combat.' She knew that her niece and nephew could fight pretty well, but as training partners, they weren't at her level. Still impressive considering they weren't trained in soul reaper arts.

A clock was located just outside the training room, and Masaki took a peek at the time. 'Hmm, looks like it's 9am, right on time I suppose.' She packed up her training equipment, which usually took about 30 minutes, and then wiped her face clean of sweat before heading off to the bathroom; near her quarters. Half an hour later, and she was freshly cleaned, perusing her wardrobe for some clothes. Normally she'd wear a kimono, that was typical of people in the Soul Society – especially those of noble families. For some reason her eyes drifted towards the clothes she came to the afterlife with. Feeling nostalgic, she grabbed the clothes (which she had repaired years ago), and put them on. After putting her clothes on and then tying her hair into a ponytail, she looked into the mirror briefly, realising her aesthetic looked almost the same as all those years ago. 'Not surprised, these are the same clothes, but it seems like I've toned up a bit.' A last look in the mirror and Masaki wandered off into the rest of the Shiba Estate.

/Mid-Afternoon – Shiba Estate

Masaki was in her room, reading over some of her past notes - making adjustments where needed, and adding new bits of info, where she could. A commotion could be heard in the main greeting area.

Hah take that you scruffy looking -

Rrragh -

Crack!

Ow what was that for sis!

You knuckleheads are giving me a headache

But he started it!

And I'm ending it!

'I wonder what all the ruckus is about?' Masaki quietly traversed the Shiba Estate. Rounding the corner, she saw one of the sliding doors broken, wood splintered, and light beaming from the meeting room. 'This seems like Ganju's doing...' She loved her nephew, but Ganju was a ruffian, and she really tried her best to straighten the young man out. 'Clearly I need to change tact, because breaking down doors is a no-no.' Masaki could hear the voices clearer, but only really heard Kūkaku berating Ganju and whoever the stranger was. Actually she could feel multiple spiritual pressures, but couldn't quite discern who they were.

Masaki called out "Kūkaku, Ganju what's the matter, why is there so much noise." She could hear her niece and nephew stiffen at her question. 'Strange, why would they just stop so suddenly. Something they don't want me to see?" This made the Kurosaki even more curious, so she quickened her step, opened one of the unbroken sliding doors (she still kept standards), and spoke again "Hey you two! What is going on here and wh-" The words fell out of her mouth. She was speechless as she saw a young man, with uncharacteristic strawberry blonde hair, wearing a soul reapers shihakūsho. She knew that head of hair and that face anywhere but couldn't believe her eyes. Tears welled in her eyes, hands covering her mouth. In sobs she questioned the young man "I-Ichigo!?"

/moments earlier

The orange haired boy was VERY annoyed by Ganju assaulting him. 'Frickin' Idiot, attacking me like that!' His annoyance reached new heights when a woman – who was apparently Ganju's sister – floored both him and Ganju with a few well placed strikes. 'Stupid family of violent weirdos...' Ichigo nursed a bruised ego, while Kūkaku berated both of them. Then he heard a familiar voice "Kūkaku, Ganju what's the matter, why so much noise?" He stiffened at the sound – reverberating through his ear drums, bouncing in his head. He looked over at the Shiba siblings, and saw that they to were quiet. 'What is going, who was that?' Apparently he was about to find out as the voice opened some sliding doors, and spoke again "Hey you two! What is going on here and wh-" he looked in the direction of the voice. His heart stopped. A brunette haired women with tears streaming down her face, covered her mouth and cried out a question "I-Ichigo!?" "M-Mom!?" His heart started again, beating slowly...then faster and faster till he cried out in jubilation.

"Mom!"

Masaki saw the orange haired boy – her son, her Ichigo – leap from his seated position, and sprint to his mother. She ran to him as well, arms outstretched, both Kurosaki's sobbing. "Mom, Mom! It's really you, I-I can't believe it!" Ichigo cried into his mothers shoulder, uncaring how he looked to his friends, or the Shiba siblings. Masaki in turn cried, and cried, not willing to believe this was real; but here he was, her precious boy, her Ichigo!

Masaki replied to her son, "It's me Ichigo, it's really me." Mother and son embraced for what seemed like an eternity, not wanting to let go – in fear of losing their loved one. Ichigo was the first to part their warm embrace, hands still connected to his mother. "H-How did you end up here? I thought Grandfisher devoured your soul?"

Masaki wiped her tears and gratefully answered her sons questions "I arrived a little after my death. Not sure why I landed where I did, but it was close to the Shiba Estate, so I came here. As for Grandfisher, I injured that hollow, but it fatally wounded me, I passed out, and awoke again, moved to protect you and then passed out for the final time."

Ichigo processed his mother's answers - 'Wait...what!? She was able to injure that hollow, how!?' He swallowed, hard "Mom, what do you mean by you injured that hollow? How could you injure that hollow!?"

Masaki sighed 'looks like Isshin has said nothing to Ichigo – and I assume all our children – about who we are.' Masaki looked behind Ichigo to his group of friends. She spotted a tall, strong looking young man, a bespeckled boy - 'wait is that Uryu?', a red headed girl, and a...cat? "Okay, how about we go to the dining room, and we can have some refreshments? Sound good young ones?" Masaki chimed. The group all nodded in agreement and followed Masaki to the dining room.

Author's Note: So here is the big reunion between mother and son. Next chapter deals with the aftermath.