Chapter 39: Homecoming

Urahara only gave Ichigo a day and a half to recover his energy before organizing a small 'secret squad' party in Rukongai in the same bar as the first had been. The squad consisted of the some of the same members as before; Shinji, Rangiku, Yoruichi, and of course, Renji and Rukia.

Ichigo was doing alright; making small talk and faking smiles, sipping on whatever he was offered. None present were fooled by his act, but none tried to pry, either. They offered their congratulations and heartfelt smiles, despite being able to sense his troubled aura.

A couple of hours into it, he decided he needed a break from the charade and broke away from the group. He eventually made his way outside around the side of the pub, where he presently leaned against the side of the building and stared up into the night sky. He sighed heavily, watching his breath crystallize and twist up into the heavens. When he could no longer see it, he brought his gaze down to the ground, but found a pair of dark violet eyes blocking the view.

He squeaked and opened his eyes wide as he attempted to crawl backwards up the wall. "Rukia! What are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same question," she responded under suspicious brows. He had been so wrapped up in his own thoughts that he hadn't sensed her approach, despite her making no attempt to mask her reiatsu.

He sighed again. "It's nothing to worry about, Rukia," he said with a scowl. He couldn't look at her.

"Whatever it is, Ichigo, it's not nothing. I can tell that much. You don't have to tell me about it if you don't want to, but I want you to know that if you need to say something to someone, I can be that someone. You've known me a long time now. You know you can trust me."

He looked at her from under his worried brows, his lips a thin line. "I know."

"Well, if you're not feeling like talking we can just sit out here," Rukia said with a small smile, turning her back to the wall and sliding down the side, wrapping her arms around her bent legs.

Ichigo produced a wistful sigh and slid down the wall to sit beside her, bending the knee next to her and stretching his other leg out in front of him. He tilted is head back to look at the sky again before beginning in a gentle, careful voice, "It's a long story, Rukia, but the take-away is that my life can never be what I might have imagined."

"How so?" she asked with concern in her voice and on her face.

Ichigo slid his eyes toward her without bringing his head down, and on seeing Rukia's expression he allowed a lop-sided smile to tug at his lips, although his eyes remained sad. "Well, I found out that my hollow is not really my hollow. He just acts like one and borrows hollow powers, like I do, from my real hollow."

"Real hollow?"

"Yeah. There is an actual, real hollow living inside of me right now. Like a parasite. No, not like a parasite, like a virus. And the thing about viruses is that before they kill you they need to be passed on to another victim."

"I'm not sure I follow, Ichigo."

"The hollow told me that I am its "vessel", and that before me, my mother was its vessel. It wants to be passed on to someone else in the same way." He dropped his chin to his chest and took a shaky breath before turning his face toward her, eyes full of resigned determination, and declaring, "I won't let that happen, Rukia. I will die before I pass that hollow onto a child."

"Oh no, Ichigo," Rukia stopped. She would lose her composure if she continued. Her heart twisted in her small chest and her eyes stung, but she did not cry. She pursed her lips and shook her head. It wasn't fair.

Ichigo looked back down at his feet and covered his eyes with his hands, pressing hard to keep himself from crying. In a tight voice, he confessed to her, "You know, I never really ever thought about having kids. But now that I know I never can…"

He didn't continue. He didn't have to. She understood. She watched as his chest began to tremble. She felt a stabbing sensation in her throat and one of the tears she had been withholding escaped. She wiped it away quickly and rose to her knees, wrapping her tiny arms around his broad shoulders and bringing her cheek to rest against the top of his head. She squeezed. He didn't resist. His breathing became more and more strangled, and soon he was sputtering and hiccuping. After a moment he, too, wrapped his arms around her and held on, accepting her support as grief took him.

Rukia didn't pull away when she saw Renji turn the corner and observe them for a moment. Ichigo didn't notice. She gave Renji a heavy look, and he simply nodded and walked away.

After a few more minutes, Ichigo calmed himself and released her. She sat back on her heels, letting his shoulders go, but took his face into her hands and looked him in the eyes, her own shining with compassion, and said in a firm voice, "If there is any way around this, I will do everything I can to help you. Urahara will do everything he can too."

Ichigo wiped his eyes and smiled at her. "Thank you, Rukia. But the only way to make sure the hollow dies is for me to die while I'm still the vessel," he paused as her face fell a bit, then grinned and stood, adding, "don't worry though, I kicked its ass! If it tries to come out again, I will do it again. Right now it is almost powerless. As long as I can keep it inside of me, everyone else is safe."

Rukia sighed and stood as well. "I just don't want you to give up hope until you've exhausted all options, Ichigo. But no matter what, I believe in you and I know you'll do what's right."

Ichigo nodded and smiled at her gently. "Thanks, Rukia. Let's go back."

They ran into Renji as they came to the entrance of the pub. "Hey, I was looking for you two," Renji said as if he hadn't seen them previously.

Rukia acted irritated. "Renji! We were looking for you! Honestly, you are such a lug sometimes. Go on ahead, Ichigo, I don't think any of us will stay out much longer. Shinji is going to take you back to the fifth division barracks tonight so when he is ready to go, the party's over. We'll be right there."

Ichigo cast a suspicious glance in her direction, then raised his brows and shook his head, deciding to just heed her directive.

After the door closed behind him, Renji put his arms around Rukia and pulled her into a brief hug before bending over to ask, "What was that all about before?"

Rukia sighed and looked up at him with sad eyes. "All I can say is that his powers were returned at a very heavy cost. Let's go back," she said, pecking him on the cheek discreetly before scurrying back inside.

Renji stood and smiled, watching her approach at the group like nothing was wrong. If he was in her position, he didn't think he would be able to carry on like she did, but he knew that she took protecting Ichigo seriously and he admired her strength in doing so.

xXx

As the party was breaking up an hour or so later, Renji brought up the rear with Ichigo. He patted Ichigo on the back, and Ichigo looked at him in surprise, until Renji said, "You know, you can have faith in Rukia to keep your secret. She won't even tell me, though I wouldn't be dumb enough to ask her to. That being said, I can tell by the way both of you were acting tonight that you are carrying a heavy burden. I want you to know that whatever it is, I'm always on your side, Ichigo. If you need anything, I'll support you."

Ichigo nodded once, looked at the taller man with humble eyes, and said, "Thank you, Renji."

xXxXxXx

The next day found Ichigo woken up early by an unseated member of the fifth division. He was fed and reclothed before being escorted to a meeting of the Gotei 13 captains in the main hall of the first division barracks. When he was shown in, Shinji already had the floor.

"As I was saying, Kurosaki Ichigo has been training with Urahara Kisuke in the World of the Living to regain the powers he lost during the winter war, and has been successful in his efforts. I motion that he be reinstated as substitute shinigami for Karakura town."

Ichigo perked up at this. He had been training all this time just to manage his inner hollow, and now that it was at least temporarily defeated he felt rudderless. He had not thought about going back to his shinigami duties in months, but now the idea filled him with hope. This could be his purpose! His eyes sparkled as he silently implored the other captains to second Shinji's motion.

"I object," all eyes snapped to Byakuya.

"On what grounds?" the captain commander inquired.

"Before the loss of his spiritual pressure, the ryoka's powers were unstable. I will not consent to his appointment as substitute shinigami until he is able to demonstrate that his power has stabilized."

"Very well. You will assist with this demonstration, Captain Kuchiki," the old man ordered. Anyone paying close attention would have noticed Byakuya balk slightly. "Captain Kurotsuchi will monitor the ryoka's reiatsu to ensure it remains within acceptable parameters. How long will it take you to prepare your equipment?"

Mayuri's eyes bulged in excitement; he had always wanted an opportunity to study Ichigo. "I could have my laboratory prepare my equipment in as little as 48 hours." It was not enough time to prepare to his heart's content, to be sure, but Mayuri didn't want to push his luck. 48 hours should have been enough time to design and manufacture a spiritual tracking device that would be able to follow Ichigo into the World of the Living and be imperceptible to Kisuke Urahara.

"The demonstration will begin in one hour. That is all," the captain commander banged his staff to adjourn the meeting and immediately retreated into his private quarters. The other captains were also wise enough to disperse before Mayuri had a temper tantrum.

xXx

Much of the rank and file of soul society came to witness the demonstration, which to the disappointment of many, didn't take very long. Byakuya was annoyed at having to do it and went straight to bankai in order to get Ichigo to pull out his mask, which he did without incident. They fought for about eight minutes, and then the captain commander called for them to stop. Much to Mayuri's chagrin, Ichigo's reiatsu was exceptionally stable, especially for him. After reviewing the results, Yamamoto officially reinstated Ichigo as the Soul Society-sanctioned shinigami substitute in a lackluster decree, consisting of him raising a hand and making an informal announcement, then telling everyone else to get back to work.

Ichigo was escorted back to the sixth division by Renji and Byakuya to the senkaimon housed there. It wasn't inaccurate to say that Byakuya was in a rush to get him out of Soul Society, and when he, Renji, and an unseated member of the sixth division reached the end of the senkaimon there was no fanfare to send him off. Renji said "see you later, Ichigo," with a grin and ran back before Ichigo jumped out the other side.

He didn't have very far to fall as he landed in the yellow sand of Urahara's underground training facility. Urahara was already waiting.

"Welcome back, Kurosaki-san. I trust your journey was pleasant?" the shopkeeper asked from behind his fan.

"Yeah, it was real special," he answered sarcastically, but then became serious and added, "I've been reinstated as shinigami substitute for Karakura."

"Oh, Hirako-san was successful then, good," Urahara snapped his fan shut, "I imagine now you are anxious to get back to our friends and family. I could organize a welcome party?"

"No, thanks, Urahara. I'd like to keep it quiet, my return that is. I'll let Ishida know that I'm back on hollow duty but I'll see the others as it comes up." He wiped the dust off himself and bowed to the older man. "Thank you for all of your help."

"Not at all, Kurosaki-san. Give my regards to your family, will you?"

Ichigo nodded and started up the ladder. He was anxious to get home and take a shower. He was glad that as he walked through the shoten, he didn't run into anyone. His happiness was shortlived, however. As he opened the door to the storefront he nearly collided with one of the last people he wanted to see.

Ulquiorra regarded Ichigo with cold eyes for a long moment. "You've returned, Shinigami."

Ichigo narrowed his eyes at Ulquiorra. He didn't expect a warm welcome from the former Espada but he certainly wasn't anticipating the waves of hostility rippling his way. "Yeah," Ichigo began.

Ulquiorra stepped toward Ichigo in an obvious display of aggression. "What is your intention, Kurosaki?"

Ichigo took a step backward and shook his head, pivoting away from the man, and said, "I don't need this right now."

Faster than Ichigo was able to realize, Ulquiorra had moved to block his path. "You will answer me."

"Or what, Ulquiorra?"

Ulquiorra allowed his reiatsu to flare briefly before reining it back in. Ichigo flinched, in spite of himself. Despite his regained powers, he was still no match for the reincarnated anomaly standing before him.

Ulquiorra hadn't had a plan to try to intimidate Ichigo, and he began to question his motives. "I intend to ensure the woman's safety," Ulquiorra said mostly to himself, his confusion seeping into his tone.

Ichigo sneered. He couldn't help himself. "Liar. You're afraid she's going to see me and come running back," both males' reiatsu were flaring now. "I know you think now you're her little friend or whatever, but-"

"Ah, Cifer-san. There you are. I need you in my office, now," Urahara interrupted in a jovial tone that was not reflected in his eyes. Neither of the agitated males moved nor dialed down their spiritual pressure. Urahara narrowed his eyes and flared his own reiatsu for a moment, breaking the spell the other two seemed to be under.

Ulquiorra's pulled back his reiatsu entirely, and Ichigo almost staggered at its absence. "Watch yourself, Ichigo Kurosaki," was all Ulquiorra said before turning and marching back inside.

Urahara approached Ichigo and put an arm over his shoulder. "I know you are anxious to display your newly regained power, Kurosaki-san, but I must remind you not to provoke Cifer-san. You caught him off-guard today, but he is usually rather placid. However, neither you nor the rest of Karakura-town would live long enough to discover the extent of his power if you make him irrationally angry, so I strongly advise that you not try."

"Tch, whatever Hat-n-clogs. I'll leave him be if he stays the hell away from me," Ichigo said as he stalked away.

xXx

When Ichigo got home, he was grateful to find that he was the only one there. He took a long shower and got into some fresh, human, clothes and then laid down and closed his eyes. He was too overwhelmed to sleep but he tried for about an hour until he heard his sisters come home. He sat up and picked up his phone off his bedside table to look at the time. Much to his surprise, there was a message from Orihime.

February 19th, 3:32 p.m.

You're back, Kurosaki-kun? Are you alright? I felt your reiatsu really strongly just now. Does this mean you did it? You have your shinigami powers back?

Ichigo tapped out a reply:

February 19th, 5:16 p.m.

Yeah, I'm back. It's good to hear from you, Inoue. And yep, I'm alright and I have my powers back!

Her reply was immediate

February 19th, 5:17 p.m.

Oh, I'm so glad! (smiley) Welcome home, Kurosaki-kun.

Ichigo smiled to himself and settled into his pillow to write a reply when he recalled the memory of what his hollow said to him about wanting her. He reconsidered his response and wrote:

February 19th, 5:20 p.m.

Thanks, Inoue. Well, I'm back on hollow duty, so I'll be busy, but I'm sure I'll see you around. By the way, I ran into your 'boyfriend' at Urahara's.

His stomach clenched immediately after he sent it. Why was he doing this? He had to keep his distance from her but he didn't have to be a dick about it. Besides, he thought, it's not like Ulquiorra was really her boyfriend. He just had a crush on her or something. His phone buzzed and he looked down at it:

February 19th, 5:22 p.m.

Oh, he said something to you about that? I'm so sorry, Kurosaki-kun, I didn't want you to find out that way… I mean, we're not officially a couple or anything, but I wanted to talk to you about it in person, not like this! (crying emoji)

Ichigo dropped his phone.

"What the FUCK!?" he roared.

His sisters screamed downstairs.

"Shit!" he hissed, jumping off his bed and running down the steps.

He turned the corner into the kitchen to see Karin and Yuzu huddled in the corner, Karin brandishing a butcher knife toward him.

"Karin, Yuzu, it's just me. I'm sorry I scared you. I got home while everyone was out."

Karin dropped the knife and stood in the kitchen with her jaw hanging open. Yuzu burst into tears and ran into Ichigo's arms.

"Welcome home, Onii-chan!" she sobbed, as Ichigo patted her head and looked over to Karin with apologetic eyes. It was going to be a long night.

He's BAAAaaack! Thanks for reading, drop me a note if you like! xoxo JKR