Chapter 5
Ichigo and Rukia was heading to their barracks when they spotted Captain Shiba going towards the Senkaimon and they Shunpoed to his location.
"Captain Shiba may I ask why you are going to the World of the Living?" Rukia asked.
"Miss Kuchiki, I'm going there to find the girl that saved my life to thank her and asked for her name," Captain Shiba answered.
"Alright be safe Captain," Rukia said.
Captain Shiba nodded his head towards them and left for the World of the Living.
~World Of The Living: Naruki City~
Captain Shiba came out of the Senkaimon and began searching Naruki City for the mysterious girl that saved his life.
"Where could you have gone?" Isshin thought to himself as he noticed someone running with a girl in their arms.
He took a closer look and he noticed it was the girl that saved him that night. So, he went on the ground and went towards them.
"Is she alright?" Isshin asked as he caught up to the pair.
"No, she's not. I don't have a clue what's going on with her," the person replied.
"I do know what's happening with her," the mysterious person said behind them.
"Who are you and what is wrong with her?" Isshin asked.
"My name is Kisuke Urahara and who might the two of you be?" Kisuke asked them.
"My name is Isshin Shiba. Captain of Squad 10 and head of the Shiba Clan," Isshin answered.
"My name is Ryuken Ishida, and I am a Quincy," Ryuken answered as Kisuke looked down at the girl and realized what's going on.
Before Kisuke explained what is going on to the girl a Hollow showed up sensing Isshin's Reiatsu. It took Isshin ten minutes to defeat the Hollow while sustaining injuries from the fight.
"As I was saying, she is going under Hollowfication. It's dangerous for a Quincy to become a hollow because it's a poison for Quincies. If I don't do anything about saving her life, she'll die by Soul Suicide. In order for me to save her life a Shinigami needs to insert their body into this Gigai that I made in case something like this happens and they won't have their power for at least 20 years," Kisuke explained as he pulled out the Gigai.
Isshin went into the Gigai after Kisuke hid his Reiatsu after healing him, knowing what the consequences are and the effects of Soul Suicide has vanished, and the girl is now breathing normally. Ryuken left the girl with the two Shinigami and went back home.
World of the Living: Karakura Town~
Isshin and Kisuke went back to the Urahara Shoten with the girl. They arrived at the Shoten and went inside to wait for the girl to wake up from unconsciousness.
"Since you had a few injuries from the battle, your "death" shouldn't be any problem to explain your disappearance," Kisuke said.
"That's helpful. I don't need my squad to think I abandoned them," Isshin replied.
They went to the back room of the shop and Isshin laid the girl down gently on the ground. An hour later, the girl woke up and saw the two strangers drinking tea and talking about something.
"Excuse me," the girl said sitting up as Isshin and Kisuke looked her way. "Who are you and where am I?" She asked suspiciously looking at the two.
"My name Isshin Shiba. I was the one that you saved from that Hollow and I thank you," Isshin replied.
"My name is Kisuke Urahara. I'm the one that saved you from death," Kisuke replied.
"Death?!" The girl shockingly said.
"Yes, you were going under Hollowfication from the bite that received from the Hollow and I stopped it with the Gigai that Isshin is wearing. He won't be Shinigami anymore unless the Reishi strings disappears," Kisuke explained Isshin's and her situation.
"That's crazy and my name is Masaki Kurosaki," Masaki replied calming down.
"Nice to meet you Masaki," Isshin said.
"Nice to meet you as well and I'm glad you're not dead and thank you for doing that," Masaki replied.
"It's no problem. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't save the woman that saved me," Isshin said.
"Since Masaki can't go back and you can't go back to the Soul Society. There is a house here in Karakura Town that can double has a home and an area that can be used as anything you want. I've already bought the place as I was going to use it as a home and storage space. It's yours now," Kisuke informed them.
"What's the catch?" Isshin asked looking at Kisuke questioningly.
"I'll be looking for a favor sometime in the future," Kisuke answered.
"Thank you Kisuke, Isshin and I appreciate it," Masaki said bowing her head.
"No problem at all Masaki-san," Kisuke replied.
They said goodbye to Kisuke and left for their new home on the other side of the river.
"What did you want to do in the future?" Isshin asked.
"I'm planning to go to Karakura University to become a teacher when I graduate high school," Masaki answered as they continue walking passing the park.
"I can see you becoming a teacher," Isshin said.
"What about you?" Masaki asked.
"Since we got the extra space. I can go to medical school and open up a small clinic," Isshin answered.
"That's great. I hope we'll have a great future," Masaki said.
They finally reached the place that Kisuke was talking about, and they went inside. The entire space has been furnished and powered. They got settled in and went to sleep.
~Urahara Shop~
"Well, Yoruichi I'll be heading to Soul Society to talk to Ichigo and Rukia," Kisuke informed her.
"See ya," she replied.
Kisuke went to his training grounds and opened up his Senkaimon to enter Soul Society undetected.
~Soul Society~
Kisuke arrived at the cave under Sokyoku Hill.
"It's so good to be back here," he said to himself as he put on the cloak to find Ichigo and Rukia.
Kisuke found them in the Kuchiki Garden relaxing at the end of the day.
"My my what do we have here," Kisuke said walking towards Ichigo and Rukia.
"What do you want Kisuke?" Ichigo asked as they stood up.
"I'll tell you when we are inside Rukia's room. Let's go you two," Kisuke answered.
They left the garden in a flash and ended up in Rukia's room.
"Rukia please get Byakuya," Kisuke demanded.
Rukia relayed a message to Byakuya through a hell butterfly. Byakuya showed up five minutes after receiving the message from Rukia to come to her room.
"Any news Urahara," Byakuya said.
"Isshin Shiba is staying in the World of the Living for the time being. I created a Gigai for Isshin to save a Quincy from Hollowfication through a special Reishi string binding the two souls together. He can't leave the Gigai unless she dies," Kisuke answered.
"What do we tell the Head Captain and the others about this?" Byakuya asked.
"Squad 12 will believe that he died in battle with the Hollow that appeared after he defeated it," Kisuke answered.
"Would Squad 12 be alerted of a Hollow's presence if that would be the case?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes they would. A Hollow did appear at an opportune time when Isshin came back to the World of The Living," Kisuke answered.
Kisuke said his goodbyes and told them he'll back with more information if he comes across any and left Soul Society.
"That's interesting I wonder who the Quincy is that Captain Shiba saved," Byakuya wondered.
"Did your dad said anything about him being a Shiba and why he left Soul Society?" Rukia asked.
"No, he didn't, and he didn't tell me or my sisters how he met my mother," Ichigo answered, and they nodded.
Nighttime came and they retired to their rooms to rest for the morning. Rukia and Ichigo woke up and headed to the kitchen for breakfast with Byakuya and Hisana. It was a normal breakfast consisted of eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and toast. They ate their breakfast before leaving for a meeting about Captain Shiba's disappearance. Byakuya and Ichigo arrived at the meeting while Rukia went to Squad 6 barracks to start their training for the day.
"I have called this meeting to talk about the disappearance of Captain Shiba," Head-Captain Yamamoto declared.
"It seemed that Captain Shiba went back to the World of the Living from the data of the Senkaimon to find out the name of the person that saved him. We were alerted of a Hollow appearing in his location. The fight lasted for ten minutes, and he suffered a few injuries according to his Reiatsu reading and suddenly disappeared. I believed he died from his injuries after taking care of the Hollow," Captain Kurotsuchi of Squad 12 reported as everyone stood there shocked by the news of Captain Shiba's death. Byakuya and Ichigo were acting shocked knowing what really happened to Captain Shiba.
"The meeting is adjourned," Head-Captain said slamming his cane down.
"Lieutenant Shiba," Ichigo said trying to get his attention.
"Yes, Lieutenant Ichigo," Kaien replied.
"Do you need anyone go with you to tell your family about your uncle?" Ichigo asked.
"I think I can handle it. Thanks anyways Ichigo," Kaien answered.
"Alright. Take care of yourself," Ichigo said as he put a comforting hand on Kaien's shoulder.
"I will. Thank you," Kaien replied as he left for his home not feeling to be at the barracks.
Everyone went back to their barracks and continue their duties. Byakuya and Ichigo went to their barracks find Rukia training with members of the squad.
"You're doing a great job training the squad Rukia," Byakuya said proudly.
"Thank you Nii-sama," Rukia replied with a smile.
"You're welcome," Byakuya replied as he went to his living quarters to work on paperwork before leaving for the day.
Ichigo and Rukia went to garden in Squad 6 to relax and Ichigo had a strange feeling with him that he can't figure out.
"What happened to Shirosaki, Zangetsu?" Ichigo asked his Zanpakuto.
"I have no idea. I can't sense him anymore, he should've woken up by now,"Zangetsu answered worried.
"There's no sense to dwell on it. He'll show up eventually," Ichigo replied as he snapped out of his Inner World.
"Something wrong Ichigo," Rukia said looking at him with a worried look.
"It's a problem," Ichigo replied putting up a barrier around them with no one hearing what they are saying.
"What kind of problem?" Rukia asked.
"My Hollow is not in my Inner World. Seems like he disappeared without a trace," Ichigo answered.
"That's bad but, at least he's not in Soul Society," Rukia replied.
Ichigo nodded as he took down the barrier surrounding them. The sun was setting, and they left for the manor.
"Something smells good," Ichigo said as they walked inside the manor and headed towards the dining room.
"I agree," Rukia replied as they entered the dining room and taking their seats at the table.
The servants brought their dinner to the table in front of them. They had herb crusted salmon with roasted asparagus and mashed potatoes with garlic butter. Once dinner was served, they began eating the food.
"This is delicious. It's definitely better than what I had in Rukongai," Ichigo said after swallowing his food, knowing it was lie but necessary not to raise suspicions of the people that didn't know Ichigo's and Rukia's situation. They nodded in agreement as they finished their food.
"Goodnight Nii-sama, Nee-san," Rukia said waiting for Ichigo.
"Goodnight Byakuya, Hisana," Ichigo said as they went to their room.
"Goodnight you two," Hisana replied as she and Byakuya went to the study and work on some family matters.
Ichigo and Rukia got dressed for bed and went to sleep waiting for dawn.
~5 months later~
Nothing has really changed in the past five months. Isshin and Masaki are in Karakura University as a couple. Ichigo and Rukia still training the members of Squad 6 to become better fighters. Byakuya didn't arrange Rukia's marriage much to the dismay of the elders. He felt it wasn't necessary as she already found someone to spend the rest of her life with and they couldn't be happier. Kisuke and Yoruichi are preparing for Aizen in their underground training area underneath the shop.
1 year later~
~World Of The Living: Urahara Shoten~
"I'll be heading to Soul Society to give Ichigo and Rukia the news of Isshin and Masaki," Kisuke said.
"I hope Rukia will be alright without seeing Ichigo for years," Yoruichi replied with a sad look.
"Me too," Kisuke said as he opened up the Senkaimon.
"Don't take too long Kisuke," Yoruichi told Kisuke.
"I won't," Kisuke replied as he walked through the Senkaimon.
~Soul Society: Training Grounds under Sokyoku Hill~
Ichigo, Rukia, and Byakuya looked towards the opening of the Senkaimon and saw Kisuke walking out.
"Hello Byakuya, Ichigo, and Rukia. What are you three doing here?" Kisuke questioned.
"Rukia and I are training at our full power without raising suspicions and Byakuya is here just to watch," Ichigo answered as they put away their Zanpakutos.
"That's good but I have news for Ichigo," Kisuke stated.
"What is it?" Rukia asked.
"Ichigo is going to be merging with his body real soon and I'm afraid that you won't be able to see him until he gets his powers back. He'll go through a reincarnation cycle like normal, but he'll still look the same when he comes back," Kisuke answered.
"How long does he have Kisuke?" Byakuya asked.
"I'll say two hours at the most since it's July 15," Kisuke answered giving Byakuya three pills.
"What are these for Kisuke?" Byakuya asked.
"Those pills will keep your memory of Ichigo when he disappears. Ichigo doesn't need one since his memories will be locked away until he recovers his powers," Kisuke answered.
They nodded and Kisuke made his way back to the World of the Living.
"Well, we know it's going to happen sooner or later. Since I won't be a lieutenant, I won't be needing this anymore," Ichigo said taking off his Lieutenant badge and giving it to Byakuya. "It'll be best if I stay here waiting for me to disappear. You can bring Hisana here if you want Byakuya," Ichigo offered.
"Very well, I'll bring her here," Byakuya replied grabbing the badge from Ichigo and left for the manor.
Byakuya came back with Hisana within ten minutes with a medium speed Shunpo without knocking out Hisana.
"Hello Nee-san," Rukia greeted.
"Hello Rukia. What am I doing here?" Hisana asked.
"You are here so I can say goodbye. I'm about to merge into my body and I won't be able to come back until I regain my powers," Ichigo answered shocking Hisana as she is on the verge of crying.
"It's going to be okay Hisana. Once he gets his powers back, he'll return here to take care of Aizen and protect Soul Society from any danger. Take this pill, it'll keep your memory of Ichigo," Byakuya comforted Hisana giving her the pill.
They took the pill and relaxed in the hot spring while waiting for the inevitable to occur.
