Chapter 6

"This is it, I'll see you three in fifteen years," Ichigo told them as he slowly disappears in front of them.

Rukia sheds a tear as Byakuya and Hisana went to comfort her.

"He'll be back before you know it," Hisana told her.

"He'll want to see you happy when he comes back," Byakuya told her as they pulled her in for a hug.

They broke the hug and went back to the manor. As they went in, Rukia went into her room and laid on the bed looking at the picture of them together at the school happy as they can be. She began to reminisce when she fell in love with him.

~Flashback~

Ichigo and friends are at Karakura High eating lunch on the roof sitting in a circle. They were talking about Ichigo's relationship with Rukia.

"What's the deal with you and Rukia?" Tatsuki asked looking at Ichigo.

"We're just friends," Ichigo answered with Rukia giving him a look of disbelief.

She knows he's been quiet about it. Every time he does, something comes up be it Hollows or Soul Society. Even Chad and Uryu know that he is lying. They can feel his Reiatsu flare up in anger every time he tries to tell her how he feels about her.

"I can set you up with someone if you're interested," Tatsuki said.

"Not interested," Ichigo replied as he took a bite of his curry.

"How can you not be interested?" Tatsuki asked glaring at him.

"I don't see anyone that I'm interested in," Ichigo said.

"How can you be friends with so many women and none of them interest you?" Tatsuki asked continuing with her interrogation.

"I have no idea. I've been busy that I don't have time for any of that," Ichigo replied hoping she'll stop questioning him.

Before Tatsuki could ask anymore questions, the bell rang signaling for class. They got up and went inside the building heading towards their classroom. They stopped at their lockers putting up their lunch bags before going inside the room. Everyone went inside the room and sat at their desks.

"Okay class open up your math books to page 35 and do the problems 1-30. I want it done and turned in by end of class," Ms. Ochi instructed as her students groaned.

The class has been working on the assignment for the past hour and almost everyone was done except for Keigo. He's working on the last problem of the assignment. The bell rang signaling the end of school, everyone got up and headed towards the door with Keigo turning in his finished assignment before walking out.

Ichigo and Rukia walked home alone leaving their friends on their own. As they were walking down the sidewalk, Yokochini and Oshima came up from behind and knocked Ichigo out with a brick. They went towards Rukia as Rukia saw Ichigo's badge fell on the ground and saw Ichigo land on it getting him out of his body into his Shinigami form. Ichigo got up and saw the two bullies walking towards Rukia as he noticed that he is in his Shinigami form. He went to them and attacked them for their actions. There was a couple people across from them that saw Yokochini and Oshima randomly went down to the ground. They can't see Ichigo punching them to the ground. Rukia finally saw them and her eyes widened knowing she has to modify their memories.

Ichigo went back in his body as Rukia went across the street to replace their memories. Ichigo picked up his badge by the rope and put it back in his pocket. Rukia went back to him and they continued walking towards home.

"I can defend myself from delinquents you know but thank you," Rukia told him.

"Yeah I know you can. If you did knock them out then they might come back to get revenge on you for hurting their image," Ichigo replied.

"Alright, I'll let you handle them," Rukia said as they continued walking.

Yokochini and Oshima finally woke up from unconsciousness.

"What the hell happened?" Oshima asked.

"I have no idea, that girl didn't do anything. It might be a freak accident," Yokochini answered as they went back to their hideout planning their revenge against Ichigo and Rukia.

Ichigo and Rukia went inside the house and headed for his bedroom.

"ICHIGOOOOOOOOO!" Isshin yelled as he was trying to kick Ichigo but Ichigo got out the way and Isshin went flying through the door.

Ichigo and Rukia finally made it to the bedroom after his father's antics. Once inside, Ichigo shut the door behind them and sat in his chair while Rukia sat on his bed. Rukia put up a barrier where nobody can hear their conversation.

"Looks like Kon is with Yuzu so he won't be bothering us," Rukia told Ichigo.

"That's great. I don't need anymore annoyances today," Ichigo replied.

"Same here. I know that you were lying earlier at lunch," Rukia said as she looked at him and he froze.

"How did you know that I was lying?" Ichigo finally asked her.

"I know you better than the others and I've noticed how you look at me and how your Reiatsu feels when we see each other after I come back from Soul Society," Rukia answered with a blush.

"I can't help but feel happy when you are here with me. You stopped the rain when we first met and I couldn't let you die when you was taken back to Soul Society with Byakuya and Renji. I knew that I had to come and rescue you to keep the rain from falling in my soul. I don't know why it's taking me so long to say this but I love you Rukia Kuchiki," Ichigo said letting his feelings known to Rukia.

"Y-you love me," Rukia replied as her eyes widened at Ichigo's confession.

"Yes I do. Everything that I did in Soul Society was for you," Ichigo said as he got up and sat next Rukia.

"Wow Ichigo, I didn't know. I just thought you saved me cause I was your friend and nothing else. I'm glad to know what your feelings are and I love you too. I fell in love with you when you tried to save me the first time in Soul Society," Rukia replied as she looked into Ichigo's eyes.

"That's good to hear. I'm so happy and nothing is going to bring me down," Ichigo said as he leaned towards Rukia as they kissed.

They broke the kiss and looked into each others eyes smiling as they should.

"I'm sorry to say this but we shouldn't be a couple until Aizen is dealt with so we can spend time together without any interference," Rukia told him.

"I agree. It should be time for dinner," Ichigo said as they went downstairs to the kitchen to eat Yuzu's cooking.

After dinner, Ichigo and Rukia went to the living room and turned on the news. Ichigo and Rukia were shocked at the screen. There was a shoot-out at a gang hideout in Karakura and the news showed a picture of Yokochini and Oshima as they were announcing they died at the scene. Some cops were injured in the shooting and being treated at the hospital. The rest of the cops arrested the other gang members that were alive.

"Less trash roaming the streets," Ichigo said and Rukia nodded as she changed the channel to a Chappy movie.

"Really Rukia. What is your obsession with Chappy?" Ichigo asked teasing her.

"I find rabbits cute," Rukia answered.

They went to bed a few hours after watching Chappy much to Ichigo's annoyance at the rabbit but let it slide as he saw how happy Rukia is when it comes to Chappy or any rabbit.

~End Flashback~

"I love that memory and this picture that was taken before Orihime got captured by Aizen," Rukia thought to herself before falling asleep dreaming about Ichigo.

~15 years later~

Everything went exactly the same as it did before Ichigo and Rukia traveled back in time. Miyako and Kaien died to the Hollow, Metastacia, and Masaki died to Grand Fisher. Rukia is now the Lieutenant of Squad 6 waiting for Ichigo to come back to her.

Rukia was walking towards her barracks when an unseated member gave her a message from her brother to meet him in his office. Now Rukia is heading towards her brother's office trying to figure out what the message that he wants to tell her. Rukia made it to her brother's office and knocked on the door

"You wanted to see me Captain," Rukia said through the door.

"Yes. Please come in," Byakuya replied and Rukia opened up the door and walked in closing the door behind her.

"I want you to go to the World of the Living and see if there's any hollows showing up and if they do take care of them," Byakuya ordered Rukia.

"Yes sir," Rukia replied leaving his office on her way to the Kuchiki Senkaimon. Byakuya and Rukia came up with a code to let her know it's time to pick up Ichigo from Karakura without raising any questions from anyone that didn't know about her situation.

She arrived at her family's Senkaimon and went through it after opening.

~World of the Living~

Rukia exited the Senkaimon and headed towards Urahara Shoten hoping she'll see Ichigo after he regained his powers.

~1 hour before Rukia's arrival: Kurosaki Clinic~

Kisuke knocked on the door and Isshin opened the door expecting his arrival after the phone call.

"Hello Kisuke. How are you?" Isshin asked his longtime friend.

"I'm doing good. Is he ready to go?" Kisuke asked him.

"Yes he is ready, make sure he comes back so I can tell him who I really am," Isshin told Kisuke.

"You got it Isshin," Kisuke replied. "He'll know when he gets his powers back," Kisuke thought to himself.

"Ichigo get down here. My friend Kisuke is here to train you," Isshin said loudly from the stairs and Ichigo came down.

"Do I have to?" Ichigo sarcastically asked.

"Yes you do. It'll save your life one day," Isshin replied as he kicked Ichigo. Ichigo retaliated back by punching his father through the window.

"Fine I'll go," Ichigo grumbled.

Kisuke and Ichigo left the clinic. Kisuke went behind Ichigo and knocked him out with Hakufuku. Kisuke picked Ichigo's body up and Shunpoed to the shop. Ichigo woke up not remembering what happened to him and saw Kisuke looking at him.

"Where am I?" Ichigo asked rubbing his eyes.

"We are at Urahara Shoten," Kisuke answered.

"I see," Ichigo replied fully waking up.

"What?! How am I suppose to train in a store?" Ichigo confusingly asked.

"Follow me and I'll show you," Kisuke told him.

Ichigo got up and followed Kisuke to a room with a trap door in the center. Kisuke opened up the door and they went down the ladder.

"This is huge. I'm impressed," Ichigo said to Kisuke.

"Thank you. Now let's get started," Kisuke said as he poked Ichigo with his cane to put him in soul from.

"What the hell did you do to me you crazy bastard?!" Ichigo yelled freaking out.

"I put you in your soul form to start your training," Kisuke told Ichigo as he looked at his body.

"You killed me you fucking bastard!" Ichigo still freaking out.

"Relax Ichigo your still alive by the Chain of Fate that is still intact," Kisuke calmly told him.

Before Ichigo can speak, he suddenly fell on his knees breathing heavy.

"What is going on here?" Ichigo barely asked him still breathing heavy.

"When you are in your soul form and have no power you'll have a hard time breathing. Your first lesson is for you to be able breath easier in soul form by fighting," Kisuke answered him as Tessai, Ururu, and Jinta came down the ladder standing next to Kisuke.

Ichigo was able to stand up and saw Ururu giving him combat gear that consisted of a headband and fighting gloves.

"Your first opponent is Ururu," Kisuke informed Ichigo as he put on the combat gear.

"Alright, I'm ready when she is," Ichigo said as he waiting for her to get ready.

"Lesson 1 begin," Kisuke announced.

As Ichigo got into a battle stance, he saw Ururu coming towards him at superhuman speed and punching him with force. Ichigo got knocked back far away from his location and got up and started running away from Ururu. Ururu kept running and punching as Ichigo kept running and dodging her punches.

"Wait a minute. If I keep dodging her that means I can breath a lot easier in my soul form. I can dodge her attack by standing still and go on the offensive," Ichigo thought in realization on what is actually happening.

Ichigo turned around and quickly dodged Ururu's oncoming punch shocking her. Ichigo is now on the offensive with her dodging his punches and backing up.

"If I can make contact with her headgear maybe she'll back off," Ichigo thought to himself as he kept his punches coming towards her.

Ichigo tries to make contact with Ururu's headgear but instead he leaves a small cut on her cheek with a little bit of blood coming out. Ichigo saw Ururu changed into a terrifying state with her pupils dilated and she kicked him hard sending him flying towards a huge boulder. Tessai saved Ichigo at the last minute as the dust settles.

"Lesson 1 cleared," Kisuke stated as Tessai put Ichigo on the ground.

"Thanks for the save," Ichigo said as he brushed off the dust.

"Your welcome," Tessai replied as he stood next to Kisuke.

"Lesson 2 is going to be different," Kisuke informed him.

"How is it different?" Ichigo asked as Tessai destroyed his Chain of Fate.

"What did you do that for you bastard?" Ichigo asked freaking out.

"Lesson 2 is you becoming a Shinigami and you need your Chain of Fate needs to be destroyed in order for you to become a Shinigami," Kisuke told Ichigo.

"Bakudo #99 Kin," Tessai chanted as Ichigo arms are bounded behind his back by spiritual fabric.

Before Ichigo could say anything, a huge hole appeared dropping Tessai and him down in the deep shaft.

"There's a gas down there that will make the encroachment speed up within 72 hours. If you're not a Shinigami by then, we will kill you," Kisuke informed Ichigo.

Ichigo sat up cross-legged and began to meditate. Normally he wouldn't be calm, but he trusts himself that he wouldn't fail at becoming a Shinigami. He wakes up in his mind, it's dark and he couldn't see anything.

"Ichigo," the voice called out but he couldn't hear him.

"Ichigo," the voice called out again but he still couldn't hear him. Ichigo closed his eyes and concentrate on being able to hear the person's voice.

"Ichigo!" The voice shouted and Ichigo heard the voice this time as he opens his eyes and he sees a red ribbon expecting someone to appear.

"Grab the box Ichigo," the voice ordered him.

Ichigo grabs the ribbon and the box appears in front of him as the voice begins to speak.

"Open up the box Ichigo. It lies your Shinigami power," the voice instructed him to do.

Ichigo opened up the box and saw the hilt of a katana. He pulled out the katana and a bright light suddenly appeared knocking him back into reality. Kisuke and them looked at a yellow light shooting out of the shaft hitting the ground. The dust settled and Ichigo started walking towards them.

"It's finally good to see you Kisuke," Ichigo said.

"Yes it is Ichigo. What happened to your Zanpakuto?" Kisuke asked him.

"I thought I grabbed it to regain my Shinigami powers. Before I disappeared from Soul Society my Hollow was gone," Ichigo asked him.

"How can you have a Hollow when the encroachment wasn't finished?" Jinta asked.

"You didn't tell them Kisuke," Ichigo glared at the shopkeeper putting his Zanpakuto away.

"I only told Yoruichi," Kisuke replied hiding behind his fan.

"Bastard. Since Kisuke didn't tell you, Kisuke and I are from the future to prevent Aizen's plan to become the Soul King," Ichigo told them and Jinta could hardly believe it.

"I don't believe it," Jinta said.

"It's true Jinta, there's a forbidden Kido that allows for time travel. Kisuke built a portable machine and chanted the spell onto the machine to allow us to travel back in time," Ichigo explained.

"Where's the machine at then?" Jinta asked wanting proof of Ichigo's explanation.

"I had to destroy it when we arrived in Soul Society in 1960 so no one can get their hands on it for a joy ride," Kisuke told Jinta.

Jinta agreed and they climbed out of the training grounds. They went into Kisuke's study to drink some tea to relax.

"How come you didn't merged with your body since Kisuke did?" Tessai asked.

"I was born in 1964 when I disappeared from Soul Society," Ichigo answered Tessai.

"Wouldn't you have your memories with you when that happen?" Tessai asked.

"No I wouldn't. My memories were locked away into the depths of my Shinigami power before I disappeared," Ichigo answered again.

"That's interesting to say," Tessai stated.

"Yes it is Tessai," Kisuke said.

~30 minutes later~

Rukia finally made it to Kisuke's shop. She landed in front of the store and went in. She noticed it was quiet so she made her way to the back of the store and noticed Ichigo sleeping in the guest bedroom. She's happy to see Ichigo after all these years so she went inside the room going to wake him up but saw his peaceful face and decided against it. So she went ahead and sat down next to him watching him sleep. He woke up from his nap and saw Rukia sitting next to him with a smile on her face.

"Hey Rukia," Ichigo greeted her.

"Hey Ichigo. It's been a long time," Rukia replied as Ichigo began to sit up.

"It has and I'm happy to see you again," Ichigo said has he leaned towards her to give her a kiss and she kissed him back.

"Where's Kisuke?" Rukia asked.

"He went to get supplies in Soul Society thirty minutes ago and the rest went to get some food so I took a quick nap," Ichigo answered.

"No wonder it was quiet when I got here," Rukia said and Ichigo nodded.

"Let's get home Rukia," Ichigo said standing up.

"What happened to your Zanpakuto Ichigo?" Rukia asked him.

"I have no idea. I didn't have one when I regain my Shinigami powers," Ichigo answered and Rukia nodded.

They left a note stating that Rukia and him went back home. Ichigo and Rukia quickly Shunpoed to the house. They made it to the house and walked up to the door. Ichigo opened up the door and they walked inside the house shutting the door behind them.

"Dad I'm home," Ichigo called out.

"Welcome back son," Isshin greeted as he walked down the stairs.

As soon as he came down the stairs he saw Ichigo in his Shinigami form.

"You're the same Shinigami that came with me to Naruki City all those years ago," Isshin realized.

"I thought you'll suppose to forget that when I disappeared from Soul Society," Ichigo replied.

"Kisuke gave me a pill and told me to take it without telling me what its for. I trusted him after he saved your mother," Isshin stated.

"That girl that got attacked was mom!" Ichigo shockingly said.

"Yes if it wasn't for him, you and your sisters wouldn't be born," Isshin replied.

"I'll have to thank him the next time I see him. How was she able to see us and the Hollow?" Ichigo asked.

"Your mother was a Quincy. After she got bit by the Hollow, she started to become a Hollow and Hollows are poisonous to Quincies. Kisuke made me a special Gigai to bind my soul with hers to save her from the Hollow. Since you've become a Shinigami the binds have disappeared so I be a Shinigami again," Isshin told his son about what happen to his mom.

"It's nice to see you again Rukia," Isshin greeted.

"It's nice to see you again as well," Rukia greeted back.

"The pill that you took prevents you from forgetting me," Ichigo finally told him.

"Kisuke definitely thinks of every scenario," Isshin chuckled.

"That he does," Ichigo agrees.

"Where's Yuzu and Karin?" Ichigo asked.

"They are at a friends house doing a project for their class," Isshin answered.

"That's good. They don't need to hear what I'm about to tell you," Ichigo said.

"What is it Ichigo?" Isshin asked.

"Rukia, Kisuke, and I traveled back in time to stop Aizen from becoming the Spirit King," Ichigo answered and Isshin nodded.

"Kisuke did tell me about Aizen was the one that made Shinji and the others go into Hollowfication," Isshin said

"Give Kisuke a call to bring my body. Rukia and I will be in my room," Ichigo said as he and Rukia headed towards his room.

"I'm on it," Isshin replied as Ichigo and Rukia went inside his room.

Ichigo sat on his bed and started to meditate. He opens his eyes and he notices that there's no skyscrapers anymore instead its sunny with green forests and small animals roaming around. He walked around looking for Zangetsu.

"Where are you at Zangetsu?" Ichigo asked to no one.

"You finally showed up King," Hichigo said to Ichigo finally appearing in front of him.

"Where have you been?" Ichigo asked him.

"I'm not to sure. I was sleeping in here and the next thing I know I was locked away somewhere. I couldn't really see where because it was pitch black," Hichigo answered.

"When I was at Naruki City years ago there was a Hollow that looked familiar to me and I couldn't figure out why. Could you show me your mask?" Ichigo requested.

"Sure. I'm interested to know how a Hollow is familiar to you," Hichigo complied as he materialized his mask and showed it to Ichigo.

Ichigo looks at the mask and it finally hit him why that Hollow looked familiar.

"You're that Hollow that showed up at Naruki City and attacked my mom and dad," Ichigo told him.

"Now I know how I came to exist in you," Hichigo replied.

"How?" Ichigo asked.

"Your dad told you what happen to your mother but he didn't tell you that you inherited that Hollow from her and his Shinigami power from him," Hichigo answered.

"Go on," Ichigo said.

"The Hollow that you saw has an ability to fuse with a soul's latent Shinigami powers but it chose a Quincy, so the Hollow disappeared when your dad saved her. I came into existence when you was born as with all Zanpakuto," Hichigo informed him.

"You're saying that you're my Zanpakuto," Ichigo stated.

"Yes I am," Hichigo told him.

"How am I able to talk to you without a Zanpakuto?"

"That katana you pulled out of the box was only your Shinigami powers and you needed to know your lineage before you have your real power. Leave and ask your dad about the Quincies," Hichigo had instructed him to do.

Ichigo left his inner world and opened his eyes from meditation seeing Rukia looking at him.

"Got any information about why you don't have your Zanpakuto," Rukia said.

"My Hollow told me to ask my dad about Quincies," Ichigo replied.

"That's helpful of him," Rukia said.

"Yes it is," Ichigo agreed as they left the room and headed downstairs finding Isshin in the living room with their Gigais on the couch.

"I thought your Gigai was in Soul Society," Ichigo asked her.

"Kisuke made her a Gigai that she can use Shunpo without being in Shinigami form same with you," Isshin answered his question and they nodded.

Ichigo and Rukia got into their Gigai and sat back down on the couch.

"I've noticed that you didn't have a Zanpakuto with you Ichigo," Isshin said.

"My Hollow told me to ask you about the Quincies," Ichigo replied.

"You have Quincy blood in you and the father of the Quincies is Yhwach. He was their king until the very end. He had a war with Soul Society and he was killed by Head-Captain Yamamoto. I was told this by your mother when she had you. I have a book on Quincies and there is a picture with Yhwach," Isshin said as he handed the book from the shelf to Ichigo. Ichigo looked through the book and found the picture.

"So the Zanpakuto that I was using before wasn't a real Zanpakuto but an imitation of one," Ichigo stated.

"Yes. I'm sure Kisuke have some Asauchi in his shop," Isshin informed him.

"Thanks. Rukia and I are leaving for Kisuke's," Ichigo told him.

"I'll see the both of you later," Isshin replied as they got up and left the house towards Urahara Shoten.