Notice: I don't own Bleach

Chapter 7: The Soul, Relieved...

"Wait, you're joking... right mom!?..." She knew this would be a surprise for her boy, but she didn't think her son would seriously think she would joke about something like this. "No I'm not joking Ichigo, you know I'd never lie about something like this!" She was a little angry at her son, and unintentionally raised her voice. She regretted it as Ichigo seemed to retreat a little. "I'm sorry son, but it's true, I am a Quincy. And that means you are too." The others around the room besides the Shiba siblings and Yoruichi the cat were absolutely stunned.

Ichigo composed himself, mustering up the words to ask: "If that's the case, then why? Why did you die? If you're a Quincy, then you should've been able to beat that disgusting hollow, and lived. I-I just don't...," he looked away from his mother, tears welling up inside him. His friends rarely witnessed Ichigo this emotional. Not once, but twice! It was hard to watch.

"When that hollow tried to lure you, I ran towards you, intent on finishing the monster quickly, but I realised I was somehow stripped of all my powers. The only recourse I had was to use my ginto spell cannisters; as a means to save your life. I did everything I could, and I was fortunate to injure that beast enough for it to retreat. However..." Now Masaki was tearing up, she looked at her boy, tears glistening on her face "I was gravely injured by that hollow. I knew I wasn't going to make it, and pushed myself to save you. I collapsed from the trauma, and awoke a little later – crawling over to you, blood soaking into the ground. I-I put my arm over you, and with my last thoughts being of you...I died."

A sombre silence fell over the dining room. Kūkaku put a reassuring hand on her aunt, knowing this tale already, from when Masaki was comfortable telling them.

Uryu eventually broke that silence. "You said you were stripped of your Quincy abilities? How!?" Uryu didn't mean to sound so forceful, but he couldn't quite wrap his head around it. The only way he knew Quincies could lose their powers was through the Sanrei Glove. And considering the glove gave you extra ordinary power, this wasn't how Masaki lost hers.

"I've tried these past years to figure it out, but I just don't know how. Even weirder is the fact I still have my powers...in the Soul Society." She couldn't understand what had happened to her, but was still determined to find out. She was silent for a bit, but then realised their food was going to get cold! "Oh my the food! Please everyone, eat up and then we can discuss other topics," she gestured everyone to the food. They uneasily began to eat their food, before slowly, but happily enjoying their meal.

After having a few bites, Masaki decided to talk to her son.

"Ichigo, how is our family back in Karakura Town?"

"O-Oh, well Yuzu and Karin are doing great!"

"Really? I'm glad my baby girl's are doing well..."

"Yeah...but dad..."

"Dad what!?" A lump formed, hoping nothing bad has happened to Isshin.

Ichigo spoke quietly, going closer to his mother. "Nothing as bad as you think, but... He's been sad and obsessed! Grieving like all of us since you've been gone, but a little obsessed with anything of yours! Ya know, he got this giant poster of you commissioned, and he flails around the thing everyday! Hugs it, kisses it, thinks he's talking to you. Even tries to ask it for advice on how to be a parent. It's embarrassing!"

The Kurosaki Matriarch couldn't help but blush 'I knew you loved me Isshin, but that's excessive!'

Kūkaku was giving her aunt some space, but was pretty sure she was hearing something scandalous about her uncle. 'Eh, I'll ask about it later, don't wanna embarrass her and the little cousin in front of everyone.' The Shiba head continued eating her meal.

Ichigo broke away from his mother. "Ahem, yeah, well dad and my sisters are doing well, but they miss you so much mom! I...miss you..." Maternal instincts took over and Ichigo for the second time in one day was embraced by his mother. She consoled him: "Ichigo, I'm so sorry honey, for all the grief and heartache you've been through." She rubbed his back. "I'm sorry I wasn't there, but know you, your dad and sister's have never been far from my mind, and are always close to my heart!"

The group couldn't help but stare at this heart-warming display – but knew they were also intruding on a deeply personal experience.

"Well Ichigo we can talk more about other things, after our meal. Besides I made it especially for you!" she hummed. Ichigo was perplexed, looking back at the meal. He didn't really think anything of it, as he was just happy to see his mom again. Then he saw it 'scrambled egg omelet with some rice; that was my favourite.'

For the next few minutes everyone enjoyed the brunch-like meal.

Once everyone was done, Masaki signalled to the group to pass her the dishes, but Kūkaku stopped her, "just leave it to Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko, okay." Knowing Kūkaku was giving her some space to talk, she decided to leave the dishes to her friends. She did want to talk to the group.

She tapped her glass to get everyone's attention: "Okay so I know you have questions for me – for us -" she gestured to her niece and nephew, "but I also have some questions for you." The group was at attention, ready for whatever Masaki wanted to ask. "Okay, so why are you all in Soul Society, it doesn't seem like you're dead, so why here, and why now?"

Ichigo nodded to his friends and they nodded back as confirmation: "We're here to rescue someone...someone who saved my life, but also my – our – family's lives," he looked serious, something Masaki has never really seen from her son. The closest was when he was determined to learn karate. She took a sip of her glass. "Who son?"

"Her name is Rukia, Rukia Kuchiki."