Chapter Three

Ichigo spent the next day saying goodbye to all those that he felt it was important to speak to. His friends from school, the people at Urahara Shoten, his family… Especially them. He tried to explain to Karin and Yuzu that although Aizen had been defeated, that didn't mean that they didn't need powerful Shinigami in Soul Society.

He told them all the whole truth about what he had been doing, and where he had been going all that time. Even Karin cried… It was something she hadn't done in years. It hurt to have to leave them behind, although, secretly, Ichigo had been preparing for years, knowing that this day would eventually come… The point of no return.

He had chosen, after he lost his powers to go back to Soul Society's side. He could have stayed a normal human. Lived how he wanted, died how he wanted. He could have gone on to college, and gotten a normal job as a normal person, with a normal wife and family to take care of.

Maybe he would have even gone on in sports, like Karate, or some such shit. Probably not. That was Tatsuki's thing. He didn't even know what his "thing" was. He just knew that he would hate having to live a "normal" life. A life where he couldn't do the one thing that he really wanted to do, which was protect the people about whom he cared. As a Shinigami, that was what he could do best.

As a Shinigami, he had power, and he could use that power to save lives. There was little recognition or reward in a job like that. The people that he protected didn't know that he was doing it. He didn't need that, though. He just wanted to be able to say that he did something good with his life. If that meant being an anonymous protector, that was what he would do.

He explained that to his sisters. They cried. His father punched him, and Ichigo grabbed his foot and slammed the old man into a table. His father was still as violent and apelike as ever. But that was who his father was. He wouldn't want the old man to change at all. Ichigo laughed when this happened. Isshin laughed… And through their tears, even Karin and Yuzu laughed.

After that, he went home, and ate dinner with his family, and they talked and joked long into the night, trying to pretend that he wasn't leaving in the morning. Although his sisters were now in their first year of middle school, it was like he was fifteen once more, and they were only ten. Once more, they were the normal family that once they had been…

Well, as normal as dinner with his family could possibly be. That night, the two girls snuck into Ichigo's room after he had fallen asleep, and like they used to occasionally do, fell asleep at the foot of his bed, Yuzu still holding Kon close to her, although Kon found that he was enjoying this more and more, lately, now that she was developing more.

He knew that if he mentioned this to Ichigo, though, Ichigo would likely tear him limb from limb, so he didn't say anything. The next day, when Ichigo awoke at the crack of dawn, as he had promised he would, he noticed the two girls leaned up against each other at the foot of his bed.

He sighed sadly. He didn't want to leave them. He wished that he could take them along with him, but they needed to stay in the Human World. They needed to continue being normal, and it wasn't like he would never see them again.

Surely there would be occasions where he needed to come to the Human world, and at those times, he could visit them… Or would that hurt them, too? After all, he would thereafter have to leave again. He sighed and started scribbling out a note to Karin and Yuzu.

Hey, guys. I'm sorry I have to leave without saying goodbye. But if you woke up and started talking to me again, I might not be able to leave, and I know I have to. They're finally completing the Gotei 13 once more.

They have all 13 captains, now, and the Court Guard is full of capable, strong warriors, all of whom take great pride in their duty. It's an honor that they consider someone like me worthy of joining them. I'm sorry if you resent me for leaving, but please do your best to be happy with the human lives you're still able to lead. Tell Dad that he's a dimwit and a gorilla, and that despite that, I'll miss him just as much.

Goodbye.

Ichigo.

It felt so final, so isolated, so sad, saying goodbye to them… But he had to do it. There was no choice. He got up and got dressed in the bathroom in case Karin or Yuzu woke up, then began to sneak out the front door. However, he was accosted before he got there by Karin.

"Hey, Ichi-nii… I thought for sure you'd say goodbye… Or can you not face us anymore now that you're leaving? You too good for us or something, now?" She asked, scowling at him. Ichigo smiled at her, and gestured for her to join him.

"I can let you walk with me up to the departure point. Urahara-san, Riruka-san, and Rukia will be there, along with a few others. If you ever want to send me a letter, give it to them. If anyone can get it to me, they can. I promise I'll send letters to you, too."

"Letters are fine, but could you send pictures as well? When you marry Rukia, and have children, they'll be our niece or nephew. You'll actually be the first to give Dad grandchildren, most likely. Go figure. You'll have to bring them around sometime, even if we're shriveled old ladies by then. You can't lie to me. I know that Rukia's way older than she looks."

"No…" Ichigo disagreed. "I imagine that she looks about right for 150 years old… At least by a Shinigami's standards. Byakuya looks a bit older, maybe 24 or 25 human years. I imagine that he must be 200 or 300 years old, though.

He talks about events of 100 years ago as though they weren't so long ago, and the Commander General, I think is about as old as the former Captain-Commander, rest his soul. He looks like he's middle aged, but I don't think people age in any well-defined manner up there. I think you can live forever if you're powerful enough."

After that, they became somewhat silent. There wasn't much to say. Karin felt overwhelmingly sad. When she was younger, she thought her brother was the coolest guy in the world. All the way to the departure point, she held back her tears, feeling a choking sensation in her throat. It was like nothing she said would be sufficient to express how sad she was to see him go…

And the moment of departure came all too soon. It seemed like the walk that was supposed to take 40 minutes only took 30 seconds. It wasn't fair. Ichigo took the badge out of his back pocket but Karin stopped him, and, being taller than she used to be, reached as high as she could, standing on her tiptoes, and kissing Ichigo.

She blushed after doing this, but didn't seem to be sorry that she had. She saw how surprised Ichigo was. It was kind of funny to see him like that. Not much got past him, even if he was an idiot sometimes.

"I'll miss you. Don't stay away forever…" Karin said, almost as an afterthought. Ichigo smiled down at Karin sadly and thrust the badge into his chest, expelling his soul from his body. Once more, he was free…

Free from the restraints of his human body. But he didn't feel free. He felt like he was really letting everyone he cared about down. He looked over to the badge in his body's hand, and smiled at Karin, who was crying freely and unashamedly now.

"Please don't cry, Karin. That badge in my hand that I just used… You should have it, now. Just be careful you don't touch yourself with it carelessly. You don't want to end up removing your soul from your body. It's hard to get back in once you do.

Karin listened to it, shook it, and put it up to her face. It was warm, and felt like a small, beating heart, and she could hear soft, whispering voices. She hugged it tightly, making sure that it wasn't too close, and smiled at Ichigo, even though she was still crying.

"Thank you… Please say you won't be gone forever."

"Of course not. I'll definitely come around sometimes." Ichigo said, embracing Karin closely. Karin scowled at the contact, and hugged Ichigo back.

"Goodbye, Ichi-nii…" Karin said, pulling away from him, her tears still flowing down her cheeks. She was happy for him that he was able to do what he wanted to do, that he got to be with the person he loved… But her heart ached seeing him leave like that.

Every time he left, even if it was only for a short while, she was terrified that she would never see him again… That he would die on his important mission and that the next time she saw him would be in a coffin. The thought made her sick to her stomach. She hated the feeling of not knowing that her brother would be alright.

For a moment, Karin seemed like she was going to let him go peacefully… But then suddenly she grabbed him, her emotions taking over… She was only thirteen, after all…

"Ichi-nii!" She sobbed. "Please take me with you! I know I'm not as powerful as you are… But there must be a way that someone can learn to be a Shinigami!"

"There isn't…" Ichigo said sadly. "Karin… You either are a Shinigami or you aren't. My becoming one was a fluke, a freak accident. Urahara-san…? I know I've asked a lot from you these past few years, but please keep my family safe for me?

"God only knows Dad can't do it alone…" That was a lie. There were ways for people like Karin to gain spiritual powers. It was dangerous and painful, though… And Ichigo didn't want that for her.

"Urahara-san… Please keep the town safe for me."

"Of course, Mr. Kurosaki… I suppose I should call you captain now, shouldn't I?" Kisuke asked, grinning widely. Ichigo shook his head.

"I wouldn't want to be called 'captain'. It sounds weird. Just keep Karakura safe. If you don't, I'll never forgive you…" Ichigo said resolutely, glaring at Kisuke, who blanched under Ichigo's cold stare.

He grinned, though, and nodded. And with that, Ichigo smiled and said goodbye one more time, and then turned with Rukia to the Senkaimon into Soul Society. It would be permanent, this time. He was one of them, now. There was no going back anymore.

Riruka stood there, scowling. Was now the time for her to tell him how she felt about him? It seemed it. It was probably the last chance she would get for a fairly long while, and by the time he came back, she might have gotten a lot older. After a moment, and as Ichigo was just about to walk through the gate, she called out to him.

She couldn't stop, now. Ichigo turned around and looked at her. He was a little bit surprised. He hadn't expected her to even be there, let alone want to say anything. The two stared at each other for a moment, then she marched over to him, and stared him in the eyes, her magenta eyes narrowed.

Ichigo sort of wondered if she was angry at him for some reason.

"Now I think I know why I like you so much, Ichigo…!" She said, now refusing to look at him. Karin, Kisuke, Rukia, and the others all looked between the two of them, the surprise evident on their faces.

"You're just like that guy I fell in love with when I was seven! He was also a crude punk, but his heart was good, and just like you, he was always willing to sacrifice himself to help others! I don't know anything about Soul Society other than what Ginjo told us… And what he told us was none too flattering…!" Riruka continued, still not looking Ichigo in the eye.

Kisuke couldn't help but laugh at this statement. He didn't imagine that anything Kugo Ginjo could say about Soul Society was very flattering. No wonder all the Fullbringers hated Shinigami so much.

"All I can say is that I hope that Soul Society doesn't destroy you like it did to Ginjo! KUCHIKI! He's in your hands now… You're his superior officer, aren't you!?" She demanded. Rukia blushed at this thought. She couldn't argue that it wasn't true. She was a lieutenant, now.

"Y-yes… B-but I've never really…"

"Don't care! As his superior officer, it's your job to make sure he's safe! If he gets hurt, therefore, that means it's your fault, and I'll never forgive you!"

At this, Rukia smiled, and reached up, patting Riruka on the head, who pulled away irately from the contact.

"I'll miss you, too, Riruka-san…" She said. Rukia walked through at Ichigo's insistence, but he stayed behind and looked at Riruka.

"You're fifteen, right, Dokugamine-san?" Ichigo asked seriously. Riruka scowled and nodded.

"Just call me Riruka. Nobody's ever called me Dokugamine-san. I'm fifteen… Why do you care!?"

"You should go back to school. Try Karakura High. It's only a prefectural school, but if your only goal is to finish high school, then it'll do…"

"I dunno, Ichigo… I haven't been to school in over a year. I stopped going when I joined Xcution." Riruka said, looking shy and even nervous for a moment. Ichigo smiled. It was rare to see Riruka act like this.

"I know. It sounds kind of hollow coming from someone who's dropping out of high school, but it's good for you to go… And maybe you'll like it…"

Riruka snorted, and looked away from Ichigo. She wasn't planning to refuse to go. How could she when he asked her like that? It wasn't fair for him to make the request so personal, and right before he was about to leave her forever. She knew that she had to go to high school, now, if only to satisfy Ichigo.

"I was gonna do it, even without your stupid speech…" She said, her usual barbed tongue shining through as always. Ichigo laughed, and thanked Riruka. She didn't answer him, but when she was sure nobody was looking, she blushed and allowed a tear to fall. She would miss Ichigo, regardless of any protestations to the contrary.

Although Ichigo did feel sad leaving his friends and family behind, he smiled when he got to the other side, and saw that there were several people who had come out to meet them. The sun had now risen well over the horizon, and was sending its golden rays down on the earth below, warming all that it beheld.

Byakuya, Renji, Kensei, Ukitake, Toshiro, and even Soi Fon were there. Obviously, the Captain-Commander wasn't there. He was likely quite busy. Byakuya stiffly bowed to Ichigo, never once smiling, as was his wont.

"Hello, Kurosaki. I am slightly surprised that you agreed to Rukia's proposal…" He said mechanically. Ichigo tried to smile, but found that doing so in Byakuya's presence was difficult at best, especially since he was so damn stiff.

"Yeah…" He assumed that Rukia hadn't told him about their respective love confessions… Otherwise, Byakuya probably would have had a much colder disposition. Ichigo knew that despite Byakuya's eternally cool and placid demeanor, he actually cared a great deal about Rukia, although showing his emotions was difficult.

This time, though, he walked over to Rukia, and smiled at her. It was a small, thin smile, barely indicative of good humor. He put a hand on Rukia's head and ruffled her extraordinarily short hair. At this show of affection, Rukia gasped, and blushed at his touch. She was not used to Byakuya talking much to her, let alone touching her.

"You did well." Byakuya said. This seemed to surprise all the others as well. "Oh, just out of curiosity… How did you manage to get him to agree to join the Gotei Thirteen?" Byakuya asked. This was a real day of firsts for Byakuya. He never questioned anything, much less another's methods.

This was a problem, too… Rukia was fairly certain that if she told him what she and Ichigo had talked about, that her Nii-sama would be quite annoyed, if not downright furious. There was no use pretending that Byakuya wasn't cold toward Ichigo, nor that Byakuya would approve of her dating him.

"Um… Um…"

"She just told me that the Captain-Commander was inviting me, and I accepted. You see, I'm doing horribly at studying for my college entrance exams, anyhow, and if I don't get into college, there's not much I can do other than work at McDonalds or Sujet Courant, or something like that…"

The captains and lieutenants all looked blankly at Ichigo, as though he had two heads… Actually, having two heads wouldn't be that strange in Seireitei… As though he was talking in some strange language that none of them had ever heard. There. That's more like it.

"What is… McDonalds?" Toshiro asked.

"What is Sujet Courant?" Rangiku and Momo asked together.

"What are college entrance exams… And for that matter, college?" Ukitake asked blankly. Ichigo sighed. He had forgotten that short of their technology, Soul Society was stuck back in the Edo Era.

"You know? McDonalds? Fast food? French fries, burgers, chicken nuggets?"

They continued to look at him as though he was completely mad. Ichigo scowled, and Rukia pushed him off to the side. "Um… I think college is where Human students go after they finish their cursory education.

"Humans have to be tested before they can enter these "Colleges'", she said, putting quotes around the word college, "to determine whether they are worthy to enter said halls of higher learning. McDonalds is a low class restaurant in which quality is sacrificed in favor of expedience and Sujet Courant is a horror themed costume store in which people who enjoy dressing in costume every day pay high prices for low quality clothing…

"The people who work in Sujet Courant have gotten most areas of their bodies either pierced or tattooed, and are actually members of what the Humans call the Yakuza… Or rather, the Japanese mafia!"

"Ohhhhhh!" All the others said. Despite the fact that they had no idea what the Yakuza was, they all seemed reasonably impressed at Rukia's knowledge of the Human world. Ichigo couldn't help but feel his eyebrow twitching slightly. Is that what Rukia thought of human stores? He was glad, now, that nobody had hired her as an advertiser.

"Captain-Commander… I have brought the one known as Ichigo Kurosaki to present himself before you…" Rukia said, bowing deferentially. Ichigo looked over, then followed her lead, kneeling on the floor and bowing to the middle aged looking man. Kyoraku smiled easily, and looked over his shoulder briefly, still resting on his elbow

"Very good, Rukia-chan… You may return to your duties." Kyoraku said informally, now bothering to turn around. Kyoraku was such a different type of leader than Yamamoto.

"Please don't call me that, Captain-Commander…" Rukia said, turning pink. She knew she shouldn't complain. After all, Kyoraku flirted with all the women… But he never did anything too inappropriate. He didn't respond to Rukia's complaint.

"Ichigo Kurosaki… Although we are not placing you in a seated position at the moment, we of Soul Society acknowledge your truly prodigious talent, and will assign you jobs accordingly. That means that you will be taking on some of the most dangerous work that Soul Society has to offer. Do you accept this with honor and dignity?"

"Yes." Ichigo said.

"Very well. Then you are also dismissed. You are now a member of 11th Division, under Captain Kenpachi Zaraki. I believe you and he are already acquainted…"

"Yes. I am." Secretly, Ichigo thought to himself that Zaraki would be happier to see him than he would be to see the captain, as he would probably have no choice but to fight the man when they saw each other. That was almost always the case. Ichigo sort of dreaded that meeting, one that could probably now tear half of Soul Society apart.