◊ (The Time is Now) ◊

∆ (Guest Room) ∆ - ¤ (At Home) ¤ - VP: Kurosaki Ichigo

Sometimes I really wish Rukia would help me through things like this. I sighed, as I carried in Hitsuguya's body carefully into the guest room of our house. I laid him in the bed and before I knew it, Hinamori was sitting in the desk chair watching over him.

"Hinamori, we're going to bring him his new body in the morning. If he wakes up, can you tell him that?" I asked her. She turned around, her eyes meeting mine.

"Yes. I guess so." She said.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." She paused looking away. "Do we have to go back?"

"The other girls are already gone with everyone else, you, me and him, we're all waiting for him. Then we can return."

"Shouldn't you be with Rukia?" I asked.

"Nah. She's under high security protection."

"Oh, why would they do that? Rukia can handle herself just fine."

"I know she can, it's just that… we'll it's my theory that there's more to Rukia then what happened before." I said.

"It makes sense. Why they would talk like that with her, it makes sense if you think about it. She must have something that they need from her." She told me. "I think that Soul Society is hiding something from us. What they're hiding is just the question. Should we be worried?"

"Yes… if it's anything like what they were pulling on us before, then we should be afraid, very afraid." I said. "If they hurt Rukia." She caught my hand before it hit what was below it." It was the desk.

"Quiet Ichigo, he needs sleep. If you want… Chad or Ishida can watch me and you can return since I know they're still here." Hinamori said.

"Yeah, they are. I'm supposed to watch you."

"No you aren't. Go, tell them to check on me. Rukia needs you. I just know." I nodded. I turned into my soul form and opened the gate using zanpakuto like Rukia had taught me a while back.

"Ichigo?" Rukia said.

"What are you doing here, at the gate?" I asked her as she stood there in normal clothes. She handed me some. "What's going on?"

"We're moving everyone to the human grounds and I was told that Hitsuguya and Hinamori would be arriving soon with you." I looked under her arms; like she had given me they were typical average clothes in the sizes of both of them.

"Are you alright?" I asked her, looking over her.

"Yeah, it's not at all dangerous here." She said to me.

"I have a bad feeling that it's not going to be like that for long. I sense you're in danger, Hinamori agrees."

"Huh? Me personally, in danger?" She asked. "Why?"

"I'm not sure. I think that they are going to come for you."

"Why?" She asked me again.

"I'm not sure why but I just have this feeling that they are coming for you having to do something with that thing they took from you."

"I do find it strange that they haven't used it yet. You'd think once they got it, they'd use it. Wouldn't you?"

"How do you they didn't?" I asked her.

"Trust me, if it was activated, you'd know." Rukia said, taking my arm and pulling me after her.

She pulled me into the first division building. The doors slammed behind us, she took no notice to us. Something came at us. I slashed it, stepping in front of Rukia. "What's going on here?" I asked them.

"Rukia 's parents of course gifted her with a power than only she, and her descendants could use." A voice said. A man we knew as Ichimaru. "So we have two choice."

"Neither." I answered for him.

"That wasn't one of them. But you apparently know both of them. So why don't you share them with her." Rukia glared at him darkly.

"You killed my parents didn't you?" I asked.

"No, no I wouldn't dare. They were the causes of their own deaths. They created the very thing alongside Urahara, he choose to put it in you since they were killed by it."

"So it's Rukia 's birthright then, so return it." I said.

"Sorry but she'll get it, and use it. I'll just be controlling her." He said with an evil smirk at her. She tossed the clothes aside and pulled out a zanpakuto from virtually nowhere.

"I understand now. Urahara put it in me be cause not only because I would protect and guard it, but because it was mine. So I plan to take it back."

"You have no clue what it's capable of? Are you?" He asked. "It's not very useful to me since it's actually stealing my powers in exchange for reaching past the mark of hollow- Shinigami. However, I don't think it would do that to you."

"If it truly is my birthright then I don't think it would." She answered. She closed her eyes and something was pulled of his stomach and flew into her hand. It knocked her across the floor, but I stopped her.

"Are you alright." I said laying her down. She sat up.

"I feel a lot stronger, Ichigo." She said. "I think I'll be able to perform the second release again."

"Be careful, after all he is our enemy and we can't trust him. We should talk to Urahara."

"I think he was telling me the truth, after all, the orb came when I called it to me." I said tossing the orb up and catching it.

She's right. The orb knows her, somehow I think it's hers and she can use it. But why would they give that gift to her? It doesn't make sense. "Yeah, you're right. But don't…" She kissed me.

"I'm not 4 Ichigo. I know how to handle power when it's given to me. Don't abuse it, and use it sparingly and only when absolutely necessary." I nodded.

"Hm. I didn't get that so easy." She sighed walking away. I grabbed her arm. "We have to take care of him." I said pointing to an empty spot. Something pulled Rukia away from me, by the neck.

"I knew that would work." He said. He exploded away from, her collapsing to the ground. I jumped over to her.

"Are you alright?" I said to Rukia, as I looked at him, stepping in front of his target, Rukia.

"Yeah, it's just doing that close of range, it's pretty damaging." I nodded. He jumped in the air and disappeared. "He's not gone. He's injured, so he's escaping. Intelligent people do that."

"No, the chickens do that."

She sighed. "A wise man should I say doesn't continue in a fight where he is destined to lose when injured."

"I'm beginning to think that my original thoughts on Shinigami are a little too fake." She huffed, picking herself off the ground. "Not likely, he's not one who's been loyal to our customs anyway. But knowing him, he's come back with a plan, and be better than before." She said leaning against her sword.

"What now?"

"Fine everyone else. I'm wondering how he got in without being noticed."

"He's a shinigami, how else?" I said.

"We should have sensed him, then again, with the orb, they can't." She said looking at the orb. She tossed it into the air, and it disappeared.

"What?" I said looking into where it disappeared.

"It's safe, don't worry."

"How'd Karla, Hinamori and Hitsuguya. I heard you found them all."

"Hitsuguya is dead out of energy, Hinamori's fine and Karla is fairly well but sick from the injuries of the attack." She stared at her feet.

"Ah… that's how they play the game. Dirty. It's honestly disgraceful."

"Yeah but we should get going." She nodded, pulling her sword out of the ground, tossing it into the air, as it too disappeared.

"You have to teach me that." She rolled her eyes and walked off. "Come on Ichigo."

I followed her into the 9 Division Captain Headquarters where Renji should be. She just walked in. "Oi Rukia, what's up? You're back already? where are Hinamori and Hitsuguya?" He asked.

"Hinamori told me to leave her there to watch them, and come protect Rukia here."

"Protect her?" Renji asked me.

"Yeah, that orb is actually her birthright and she took it back from him. So they no longer have it in their possession."

"Really? That's good. I never thought the very thing that would have been Rukia's downfall was her very own."

"I could have guessed, had I known about my parents." Rukia said sitting down on a couch in the room.

"What about them? You said you didn't remember then."

"I don't, duh Renji. I didn't even remember I had a sister. Apparently my parents were main researchers under Urahara which is why he put it in me, because it seems I'm the only who can use it."

"So with that, what does it do to you?" Renji asked.

"Not sure. It made me stronger."

"It obviously gave you addition powers of a hollow, or morphed your DNA." I said.

"So I'm what now?" She asked me.

"Like I know. I just know that you're part hollow; how much I'm not sure. You could go get a checkup with Unohana."

"I will but not now. We need to find Yamamato-san." Rukia said standing up.

"She's right. Stay here and keep track of things, got that Renji." I said to him.

"Sure, but remember if she has that in her possession, there are going to be many people after you. You'd be smart to keep watch." Renji warned me.

"I can take care of myself now that I'm back to my full energy." Rukia said pouting.

"I know but it's also my job to protect you as well. So just know that." She sighed.

"Yeah, I know." She said.

"Good luck Rukia, Ichigo." Renji said as we ran away. "Take care."

"We will man, see you soon." I called. Rukia followed me as we went back to the first division headquarters.

"You sense anything?"

"No blood, or signs of a struggle. Nothing from what I can tell."

A portal opened to reveal Yamamato. Rukia bowed. "You're well… that's good." She said.

"Yes. I went to check on you, Ichigo. Then I heard the news from Hinamori-san that you were hear protecting Rukia-san." I nodded.

"She has the orb." I said. His eyes seemed surprised.

Rukia put her hand out, and turned it over, the orb appeared in her hand. "It's my birthright it seems. My parent's major assignment under Urahara but it ended their life here."

"Yes but you're the only one who can use it."

"How did you know?" Rukia said taking a step back.

"He told me. During our last fight, he told me which is why I had you here, under Renji's protection and guard. The orb still drains your power, though."

"How can I use it without it doing that?" I asked.

"You've already gotten from it all you need."

"What?"

"The ability to be human, a hollow, or a Shinigami freely. Must like Ichigo here is."

"Eh! What! Human?"

"Hollows are genetically infused souls with Shinigami powers. So your soul is infused with your human genetic code from when you were alive, and your soul code to make a hollow code leaving you with both Shinigami and human traits." He explained.

"Why would you need to be human?" I asked.

"The line between Human and Shinigami is a hollow so you have to be part human, in order to be part hollow which is what you are."

"So what now. If I have all that I need from the orb, what is done with it now?" Rukia questioned.

"As long as you don't activate it again, your powers will return but you'll have access to all the abilities. This stage is called a Vizard." He explained.

"Yeah, we've met them, dealt with them before. That's what both Ichigo and I are, right?" He nodded.

"So all that's left it to protect that orb because they can't use the hollow abilities without it while you can. The orb destroys the energy of the one it gives hollow powers too, unless it's you." He finished.

"So I just protect it and all of Soul Society is safe. Right?" She asked.

"Yes Rukia." She smiled.

"So I can return to earth now, right?" She asked.

"Why would you want to?"

"Well… because I can. I like it there. If you need us, that's where we'll be." She said with a smile and pulling me after her.

She put her hands in front of her and then together and her Zapakuto was in her hands. She opened the gate, the Zapakuto disappeared and she walked through the gate.

When I finally decided to follow her through the gate, she was gone. "Rukia, Rukia, where are you?" I looked around; we were in the middle of the park. Something fell from the tree. No, it was Rukia. She had latched her legs on the branch and swung down. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing, I'm enjoying it around here."

"Don't you need…"

"No Gigai necessary. This is exactly like my real body was, everything is much better in this." She said with a smile on her face. She grabbed onto the branch with her arms, hanging by them, and dropping to the ground.

I walked over to her and raised my hand gently to her face, it was a lot different then her Gigai was. I was so use to it feeling like that, that it felt weird for her to have a human form. She had a wide smile on her face; she was blushing though. She could probably feel me perfectly now, my fingers on her skin. She hugged me, resting her head on my shoulder.

"Rukia?" I asked.

"It's been a while since I've had a fully functioning human body. I don't even remember having one. It's been a while after all." She said quietly in my ear. Her voice was the same but everything about her felt so different; it affected me even more. I don't know how but she had a very unique smell now. It smelled like, I'd think she would smell. Of flowers and trees, since she liked them so much.

I could help myself from kissing her now. I gently brought my hands to her waist and brought her head to mine, then I placed my lips gently on hers. She seemed even more fragile in her human body, but stronger; but she was still Rukia. And Rukia, she melted under my touch. I held her to me gently. Then I pulled away from her. She rested her head on my chest.

"Ichigo, what now?"

"I don't know. We wait, until it's time and then we destroy them… for good." I said. She nodded. "But now. You stay with me, and we'll go home." She smiled as I wrapped my arm around her waist and we walked home.

I walked in the house, it was empty from what I could see. I looked at the clock. It was 8, on Friday. Everyone had some special activity to do. I turned around and Rukia was gone. "Rukia." I called. A head popped out of the room Hitsuguya was in.

"Nobody's home Ichigo, Hitsuguya and Hinamori are here."

"Ask him if he's up to go out to dinner and the movies with us." I told her. She nodded, the door closed. She stepped out after Hinamori stepped out.

"He'll get ready but he needs clothes Ichigo. Get him dressed while I take care of Hinamori." She left with Hinamori as I got clothes from my room, and set them on the bed where he was.

"I'm fine now. But Hinamori 's still worried." He said. I closed the door, leaning against it.

"Yeah, Rukia's the same way. It may be something small, or big but she's a mess when I'm hurt, she worries. Sometimes it to an extreme, while other times she's strong about it and says 'stop being a baby' but she always takes care of me." I said.

"She seems sad."

"Of course, she's worried about you."

"I've been through worst, and so has she."

"But that doesn't do anything that this time may be the point where she has to separate from you, as you leave her. She's worried, because she cares deeply for you. Like Rukia does for me."

"Really?" Hitsuguya asked.

"Obviously." I said. Rukia's door opened and she and Hinamori came out. Her hair which was usually tied up in a bun was let down to her shoulders. Rukia, you don't know how much trouble you just got Hitsuguya into but good job.

Hitsuguya was just wearing a pair of jeans and a black button up shirt. Hinamori and Hitsuguya started laughing. Hinamori was wearing a navy blue skirt and a white blouse similar to what Rukia wore to school last year except it looked less made to be worn like that.

"What's so funny?" Rukia asked.

"We look like humans." Hinamori said.

"Well duh." I said.

"Fancy humans." Hitsuguya said.

"But we're going out to dinner and a movie so you have to look sort-of fancy and nice." Rukia and I looked pretty much the same, a little more neat. Rukia's hair fell straight down rather than curved inward, I was wearing a white shirt and a pair of black pants.

"Ah." Hitsuguya said. "Where?"

"What?"

"Um… I'm not sure about dinner, we were going to walk around and pick a place and there's a new movie out called "Friday's Never". It's about a group of kids who made a list of things they said they never wanted to do until the last day they're alive, then a toxic gas gives them their last day and they have to do all these things."

"Sounds sad." Hinamori said.

"They always sound sadder then they are." Rukia said. "There's always…" I put my hand over Rukia's mouth.

"There's always different ways to see every movie. Maybe for you it will be sad while I might not get it at all." I let Rukia go.

"You never get the movies anyway." She said crossing her arms.

"Yeah, but I enjoy watching anyway." We walked down the main street where all the dinning places and finally settled on a little diner.

We sat down, I sat with Hinamori across from Ichigo since conversations are usually better left served across the table then to the person next to you. "So what happened in Soul Society, Rukia?" Hinamori asked.

Rukia looked at me. I nodded, allowing her to tell them. "Well you see, it turns out that Ichimaru was there, in the first division headquarters. So we started to fight him but it turned out that the orb is my birthright from my parents work under Urahara. So now… well I'm a Vizard as well." The gasped, staring at her. "Surprise." She said sighing.

"Yeah, well that makes two of us." I said sighing.

"Well I'm super happy for you Rukia." Hinamori said hugging me.

"Thank you."

"Why?" Hitsuguya asked.

"Because Ichigo is also a Vizard so she's also adept to the rules of Soul Society. And she's human, and Shinigami. She is free to roam both worlds. Like him!" Hinamori said happily.

"Yeah, something like that. I'm happy to have a real body back again."

"You didn't really explain. Last time it took your powers, this time, it isn't?" He asked.

"No. Since I only used it the initiative time, I only took some of my powers that are repairitive then so I'm at full Vizard power." Rukia said smiling.

"That's good. You'll be a lot stronger." She nodded.

"And she's free to do whatever she wants now." I said.

"That's great." Hinamori said smiling widely.

"Um… would you want to be a Vizard if you had a chance?" Rukia asked.

"I guess. They're strong and they're free of the strict rules but I'm still quite satisfied with what I have now." Hitsuguya answered.

"I would like well to be where ever I have a place. I have one now as a Shinigami along with everyone but if I still had a place with everyone as a Vizard. I'd be happy." Hinamori said smiling.

I looked at Rukia. "What are you thinking?"

"I can let them be it too."

"No." Hitsuguya said. "Using that orb… it's against the nature of things. It wouldn't be fair to give that to us."

"Of everyone who I've talked to the only one's who'd want it possibly are you two, and Renji because we don't even remember out past life." Rukia said looking down.

"Soul Society would fall apart with us Rukia." Hinamori said.

"Maybe not. We have to think logically. It's against nature but if 4 captains were Vizards, they'd be strong enough to fight when the time came and be excellent captains, wouldn't you think?" I said. "I'm not logical, but it makes sense."

"Actually, it does."

"We messed up our first chance, what makes you think we deserve it again?"

"If we messed up it would be in our conscious that we made the mistake. We weren't given our first chance, that's why I'm glad to get another real chance to have what I never could, even I still have the responsibilities as a Shinigami. I never got a first chance and I wouldn't be stupid enough to waste it a second time."

"If that thought, maybe. I'll consider it" Hitsuguya said.

"I will also. What did Renji say?" Hinamori asked.

"He'd like the chance, but he like you thinks he's not sure." Rukia responded.

"Why wouldn't you?" I asked.

"I didn't get a choice but I'm sure that if I got a second chance, I would take it." She said.

"It's a real chance." Hinamori said.

"Huh?" I asked.

"She means that we'd get a chance at a whole different life, another life. It would be real. Unlike these Gigai. A human body, a life, it would all be real and free. Wouldn't it?" Hitsuguya said.

"Yeah, it is. And trust me, it's the greatest feeling to start a real life free from the dreams that you use to have. I can tell you have them. It's written on your face." Hinamori blushed but Hitsuguya just looked to the ceiling.

"I think, yes." Hinamori said.

"I will as well." Hitsuguya said. "I'll be stronger and I don't remember my past life so I think it was unjustly taken from me."

"Or, you never got one in the first place. I don't remember living before showing up in Soul Society unlike those who remember their entire life. Even small children remember their life before Soul Society while none of us do." I said.

"Renji and I grew up with a bunch of kids who had memorizes of their parents on earth, their siblings, their home while neither of us did. It hurt to not remember ever having those things and live a life where it's there, but it's unobtainable and forbidden. A true life can be lived as a Vizard." Rukia explained.

"I remember my life as a human." Hitsuguya said.

"You do?" Hinamori asked.

"You. That's it. I guess that's why I've always stood by you. You were the only thing I remember from my past life. I remember meeting you without parents just like we did here. It was all too familiar, but that's it. Meeting you, and nothing."

"So we've all decided that you'll become Vizards?" Rukia asked.

Hinamori nodded as did Hitsuguya. "And Renji."

"He seemed pretty sure he just wanted to make sure of a few things, there." I said.

"… like if we'd be welcomed?" Hitsuguya asked. Rukia nodded. "We are though, right." She nodded again.

"Both Ichigo and I are allowed since we were allowed Shinigami in the first place. You will as well because you're for Soul Society from the beginning and to help preserve it but after that. I don't think the orb is that strong." They nodded. "So you three may be it. If it's gone, I won't need to protect it and that's the start of the ending.