Previously.
Just as Ichigo thought that his life would continue to be boring as hell like the past year, a familiar face suddenly popped into his class.
A former comrade of his suddenly made an appearance and made contact with him for the first time after a year. The perverted woman with glasses Lisa Yadomaru and turned things around him reminding him of the life he used to live when the said woman killed a hollow in front of him (though he couldn't see the hollow).
"You left your window unlocked... Ichigo." The woman said as she took off her loafers and tossed it to the side before landing her butt in Ichigo's bed.
"Ack!? Why did you come in? I thought you went home already?" A vein popped on the orange haired boy's head as he scowled at her for the nth time today.
"I just felt like hanging out with you a little longer before going home." She said nonchalantly before slowly removing her socks while making sure that Ichigo is looking at her long legs.
"GO HOME! I'm doing my homework here, you're distracting me!" He turned his head to his work trying to concentrate but failed when he heard Lisa moan in satisfaction as she lay down to his bed.
"Heh? Who would've thought that a delinquent like you is very diligent on his studies."
"For your information, I'm always in the top 20 of our class every semester." Letting go of his irritation, he took a deep breath before picking up his pencil and resuming his work again. Unaware that Lisa was now up and slowly making her way to his desk.
"You made a mistake here. Let me take a look."
"I can do this alone, do your own homework-"
"I'm already done with mine. Pay attention to your Kanji, that's not how it's supposed to be written..."
Ichigo didn't notice but when Lisa started to lecture him about the topic of their assignment, he somehow forgot everything he's been thinking for the past few days and felt himself focused heavily on the work in front of him and his tutor.
"You're a fast learner I'll give you that. No wonder you made it in the top 20." Lisa for her part gave him an honest compliment because she thought that he was lying for being a top student.
"Now that you're done with that. Let's have a serious conversation. How do you feel right now?"
Ichigo's eyes met her inquisitive gaze and because of that, his initial answer (I'm fine) suddenly died in his throat.
For some reason, he can feel himself surrendering and wanting to answer her question honestly but in the end, he chose to feign ignorance.
"How do I feel? I'm not sick so I guess I'm fine."
"That's not the answer I want to hear and I know that you know the answer. Spit it out strawberry."
Sighing deeply, Ichigo relaxed to his chair and recollected his final conversation with his Zanpakuto before fusing with them.
"Empty. I feel like a part of me was suddenly torn away when I gave up my power to defeat Aizen. It was really terrible at first but I'm fine no-"
"Yeah... You're not fine at all... If I were you I'll stop lying to myself and think about what happened seriously." Lisa leaned back to the office chair next to Ichigo while crossing her legs and relaxing because she knew that she would need a lot of patience to get everything through his thick skull.
Meanwhile in Soul Society.
"Kuchiki-taichou. I've finished the task you assigned to me yesterday as well as training our new recruits for the week, is there anything you want me to do?" a girl with short green hair and purple eyes appeared behind his captain via Shunpo.
"Good work 3rd seat, call Abarai and come to the 1st division barracks. The head captain wants to see everyone close to that man. I'll be going ahead."
Byakuya disappeared which left her no choice but to just go straight to Renji, she already knew why they are called because it's no secret to everyone other than Ichigo that Urahara Kisuke has been on to something since Kageroza's attack.
"Renji!"
"Oh, what brings you here?" Renji was taking a break inside of their barracks office when he heard their 3rd seat call out to him, he already knew why and he immediately stood up from the couch and made his way to her direction.
"The head captain is calling us right? Let's go. I bet Rukia and the others are already there."
The two of them disappeared as they used their shunpo to arrive in front of their destination.
There, they were welcomed by all the captains as well as some vice captains and seated officers.
"Is everyone present? Good. YAMA-JII! WE'RE ALL HERE!" Shunsui Kyoraku shouted.
The gates of the barracks immediately opened. Everyone made their way inside and lined up based on what divisions they are in.
"Soi Fon, Rose, Retsu and Isane, Hirako and Momo, Kuchiki Byakuya, Abarai and 3rd seat, Komamura, Shunsui and Nanao, Muguruma and Kuna, Hitsugaya and Matsumoto, Zaraki, Madarame and Kusajishi, Ukitake and Kuchiki Rukia. Is there anyone missing?"
""None sir"" all the officers replied.
"Good, you may come in." The head captain gave his signal to the man outside.
"Good day officers of Gotei 13. I won't beat around and go straight to the point. Please help me restore the power of Kurosaki Ichigo, a former substitute shinigami of Karakura Town." The man kneeled in front of the old man after setting down a huge transparebt box containing a glowing zanpakuto.
"Based on our investigations as well as information given by you and Kuchiki Rukia, didn't he want this type of life? He has always wanted to lose his spiritual awareness since the death of his mother Kurosaki Masaki. Why bother giving him back something he always wanted to discard?" Yamamoto questioned.
"While it is true that he wanted to erase his spiritual awareness before, that changed when he met miss Rukia here. And I do believe that not just her but everyone here changed his view of things regarding our side. The abilities he once hated became his most prized possession last year, he slowly started to accept the power as well as the responsibilities that came with it. I think that has matured through his one year journey with all of us and I know that everyone has also matured because of him. Our views and beliefs have changed since his arrival for good. He has also saved us countless times, isn't it time for us to repay that debt?"
"Head Captain, I know that what I'm about to say is out of character but I believe that restoring his powers is the right course of action. Not only is it good for him but us as well. Kurosaki Ichigo is a valuable asset to us, even if he doesn't belong in any of our squads, we can't deny that he's a Shinigami and comrade in arms that we've crossed blades and fight alongside from time to time." Byakuya stepped forward.
"I don't give a crap about that. I only agree to restore his power so that I can fight him again." The current Kenpachi grinned maniacally.
"I don't agree with this, not only is he dangerous because he's not under our direct control but he's also too strong. He has defeated two of our strongest captains before as well as Aizen after he fused with Hogyoku. No one can tell how he and his friends might start a war against us like they did when they first arrived here." Soi Fon crossed her arms.
"I'm undecided Sensei. I feel like we've let him shoulder our burdens way too many times. I feel indebted to him but I also think that he shouldn't be involved in our problems too much. I want to restore his power just as much as I don't." Ukitake looked down on his feet as he remembers the time he gave ichigo his badge.
"You don't have to ask us old man. Shinji, Rose and obviously agree. Ichigo is the reason we are back here." The three vizards stepped forward.
"Isane and I also agree, if not for him. All of us would've already died twice in the hands of Sosuke Aizen and Ouko Yushima." Unohana and Isane stepped forward.
"I also agree with them Yama-jii." Added Shunsui.
"I know that it is against our law to give power but like everyone said, we owe him too much. This much is nothing compared to what he has done for us all."
"You're right Komamura-taichou. It is against our law to give humans our power but when you think about it, Kurosaki Ichigo's father is a pure Shinigami and Hitsugaya-taichou's former superior Isshin Shiba who mysteriously disappeared after going to the world of living. So it is not impossible to think that he was born with a strong shinigami affinity, it was only triggered though when he made contact with Kuchiki Rukia who gave him enough Reiatsu to draw out his own power." The old man speculated.
"I understand the situation. Urahara Kisuke, come here with the sword!"
"Yes." Kisuke slowly unsealed the case and placed it in front of Yamamoto.
"Whatever the means... It is true that we were saved by Kurosaki Ichigo. This time, it's our turn to save him. Even if this means going against our own set of rules and customs, it would be eternally shameful for the gotei 13 to trample on someone we are heavily indebted to. AS THE CAPTAIN COMANDARZ I ORDER EVERYONE PRESENT IN THIS ROOM. ALL OF US SHALL PUT OUR REIATSU INTO THIS SWORD AND TRAVEL TO THE WORLD OF LIVING TO RESTORE KUROSAKI ICHIGO'S POWER!!"
Karakura Town
Lisa sighed before closing the distance between them.
"Ichigo, I've seen a lot of people like you who lost their power and pretended to be fine. And the majority of them went insane for doing so, if you are hurting then tell your family. You have a very kind and loving family so I'm sure they will understand your pain... Ichigo, sometimes showing weakness symbolizes how strong a person is." Lisa's dark blue eyes pierced through his soul. He knew that, yet he can't bring himself to appear like that in front of his two sisters.
"Ichigo, you should really open up to them or rather to your dad. after all, he lost his powers too. Not only that but he endured that for years until you became a shinigami. If someone could give you proper advice, it's him."
Ichigo's eyes widened in realization. He must've been a huge idiot for not realizing that his dad endured life without power. Something he already had during his childhood until he became a captain only to lose it because he chose to live a normal life with his beloved wife.
"Based on the look on your face, you just realized that didn't you? Who would've thought that you're also an airhead. Anyway, go ask him. I'll leave now, good night Ichigo. I hope that the next time I see your face, you're not that depressed anymore." She jumped out of his window leaving a smiling Ichigo.
"Pervert, I don't need your socks." He smiled as he picked it up and brought it to a basket full of his dirty clothes.
He later came down and found his dad smiling at him while sitting on the couch. He then made his way towards him and sat at his right side.
"I heard your conversation with Lisa-"
"Stop eavesdropping every time!" Ichigo kicked his face which Isshin didn't evade.
"Hahaha... Anyway, I know you have a lot of questions for your old man. Ask anything, I'll answer all of them. Everything including your origin, and what you really are."
Ichigo was satisfied.
Even though they were up all night, talking about everything he wanted to know, sleep is the least of his worries right now.
After all, who knew that not only is he a shinigami but a quincy as well thanks to his mom who was a pure blooded quincy.
He didn't go to school either because he was afraid he wouldn't be able to focus on any of his class nor his club activities.
But he still went to his part time job because of his fear of getting kidnapped by his hot but fearsome boss Ikumi Unagiya.
"Yo Ichigo, you're earlier today! What's wrong?" Asked the adult woman.
"Oh nothing, something came up and made me skip school for today."
"Slacking aren't we?! HAHAHA! Anyway, you look like something's on your mind. Which is weird because you also look somewhat happy. Did something good happen?" She smiled at Ichigo which he returned with his own.
"Yeah, you can say that. Anyway, what's our job for today boss?"
"Oh! You're fired up nice! We were asked to deliver this item you see..."
Tatsuki was wondering why Ichigo was skipping class today, something he has never done again after his fight with Aizen so this got her and the others worried about him but Lisa said that Ichigo is just busy thinking about something which she believes.
But that doesn't mean it would stop her and Orihime from worrying.
"Ishida-kun what do you think?" Orihime sat next to Uryu as they ate their lunch at the roof.
"I actually got a message from him earlier. He told me he wants to meet me and dad."
"What's that? He's acting weird." Tatsuki commented because of how random Ichigo's request is.
"It's probably got something to do with his talk to his dad last night." Lisa finally spoke.
""What talk?""
"About how his dad endured more than 17 years without his Shinigami powers. And how he's starting to experience the same thing. Isshin probably told him everything." She said before eating her lunch.
The school ended and all of them went on their own when the bell rang.
Tatsuki went to the dojo she's working for, Inoue went to her part time job and Uryu stayed to do his student council work.
Lisa on the other hand immediately went home to leave her school bag and roam out again to hunt hollows.
She's been doing this for almost half a year now ever since she discovered how much of a lazy bum Imoyama afro guy is.
Swoosh!
With how strong she has become after training for a whole year, exterminating hollows is just a regular exercise for her now.
Even if there are dozens of them, she doesn't even sweat fighting them all.
"I'm bored, maybe guess I'll just bother him again. Maybe tease him about the socks I left in his room."
Lisa hopped from roof to roof but before she could reach her destination. Kisuke Urahara appeared in front of her carrying a glowing sword.
"Lisa-san. Can I have a little bit of your time? As well as the others if they are around." Lisa knew immediately what this shady looking man wanted and she immediately called Hiyori through her phone.
"Hiyori, it's me. Come to Urahara's place. Bring Hachi and Love with you, it's ready." She immediately ended the call and teleported away with Urahara.
Meanwhile, a passerby saw Uryu's limp body lying at his own blood near Ichigo's residence and he was brought to his father's hospital that night.
Chapter End.
Thanks for reading!