To Live Again
Chapter 1
The weather was completely calm and still. There wasn't a sound in the midnight air, except for an occasional bird chirping. For once in Ichigo's life there was no sound of distress, no cry of sorrow, or yell of anger; it was complete silence. These very moments were the reason he enjoyed taking walks so late at night. For once there was no one to bother him, no hollows to fight tonight. He guessed they decided to give it a rest, at least for tonight. However, as much as he was enjoying the silence, he actually had a reason for being out this time of night.
"Damn Urahara, just when Aizen has finally been defeated, something else goes wrong."
He grumbled all the way to Urahara's shop. When he arrived he could see Renji sitting at the table with steaming hot tea in front of him. He was unusually somber by the looks of him, and with good reason. While defeating Aizen had been the result of the winter war a few months ago, another death occurred, one that he and Renji were having a difficult time adjusting to. Ichigo looked down remembering as he sat next to the red head.
Ichigo had only noticed at the last second that he'd been ensnared by Aizen's illusion when all of a sudden doppelgangers of him appeared. He managed to defend himself against them, but he didn't kill any of them. Somehow he'd had the feeling that he shouldn't. His suspicions were confirmed when Zangetsu told him that the doppelgangers were all the other shinigami cast under his spell. They were all under the illusion that they were fighting Aizen's real form, except Rukia.
With the help of Shiro, his hollow and Zangetsu they managed to break the spell. Once he did the first thing he saw was Aizen with his arms wrapped around Rukia. Her eyes were deadened black, her skin pale as his inner hollow. Drops of red dribbled down her chin out of her mouth. The blood trickled down her neck. The blood flowing out of Rukia's body became heavier as Ichigo's gaze dropped closer towards her chest. His eyes finally rested on the source of the blood coming out of her body. She'd never before looked so frail. He knew she was small and skinny from her upbringing before Byakuya adopted her, but to watch Aizen carelessly drop her body was when his mind returned to reality. Rukia was dead.
Hitsugaya caught Rukia before her body hit the ground and her body tore to shreds. At the last second Byakuya managed to catch Ichigo before he flew in a blind rage, not letting him go until he could control himself again, at least moderately.
Ichigo caught himself and finally allowed himself to be immersed in his new hollow power he gained when Ulquiorra shot a cero through his chest. However, his body wasn't like a hollow like before. The only thing that that remained like before was the mask. The mask was pure white with two thick, black lines going down the mask. His new hollow form was just enough to defeat Aizen, but not without having to spend a month in the hospital after.
It is now two months after the war has ended. He noticed a letter on his desk after walking home from school from Urahara. He was tempted to throw it away, just as soon as he saw the name, but he reluctantly opened it knowing that no matter what the contents were, would cause him an explosive headache. He read the letter anyway, also knowing full well that if he didn't Urahara would only cause him more mental trauma.
Renji still hadn't said a word or acknowledged Ichigo's presence. The silence was starting to grate on his nerves. Feeling a strain, he decided to just deal and say something.
"So, Urahara asked you to come here too?"
"Yep." Renji replied shortly.
"Do you know why? The letter he sent me just said to come over as soon as I could."
"I don't know. Mine said the same."
Ichigo bit his tongue from the sound of the stiff reply. Rukia's death had certainly caused serious changes. That was to be expected of course since the only reason he knew about Soul Society was through Rukia. He dropped his head allowing his bangs to cover his eyes. He was mentally cursing Urahara to hell for making them wait.
"Urahara, you no good-"
His mental trauma melted away when a senkaimon appeared behind them. They turned around when Urahara and to both their surprises Byakuya followed behind him.
"Good, you made it Ichigo, Renji. Now that we're all here how about a nice cup of tea."
The two at the table twitched an eye in irritation. How the hell could that guy be so chipper? Byakuya also wasn't to thrilled with the fact that he had a pile of paper work not completed and he was now ushered into the living world. He too received a letter, and ordinarily coming from Urahara he would have shredded it with Senbonzakura, but it looked like an urgent message.
Renji stood up. "Captain, you were asked to come too?"
He nodded expressionless as ever before.
"To late to offer us tea. Ururu took care of that," Ichigo pointed out gesturing to the cup.
"Ah, and so she has." Urahra pouted. "Fine ruin my fun."
His face turned serious under his green and white striped hat.
"I suppose I should get down to business and let you know why you've been called."
The three shinigami looked at him coldly each thinking, "that would be great," in one form or another.
Urahara made no mention of the faces and pulled out a piece of paper and dropped it on the table.
"I received some very interesting news. This letter came for me three days ago from the head of research and development department Kurotsuchi Mayuri."
"Oh yeah? What does that creepy scientist want to dissect this time?" Ichigo scoffed.
"Oh don't worry about that. I managed to convince him to allow us to take care of the new development. Who knows what would happen to her soul if I'd let Mayuri have his way."
All three payed closer attention. With that sly way of commenting with absolutely no details, there was no way they could resist not wanting to know what the hell was going on. Urahara gave a small smirk under his hat. He just couldn't wait until the three most important players found out.
"Like I said, he found someone that I think you'll be interested in knowing about. The head captain is already well-informed and has given the all clear for you to do this. So don't worry, this is all legal," Urahara directed his final statement towards Byakuya.
Ichigo snorted since when was the legality of events a matter of concern to Urahara?
"What a relief?" Renji voiced sarcastically.
No one else made any comments and decided that it was best to allow Urahara to finish before any trouble continued. Thankfully, Urahara decided to remain oblivious and continued on like intended.
"According to Mayuri, his computer picked up immense spiritual activity. From the pathways the reiatsu took, it seems that it went from one body and into another's Does it sound like Muramasa's power? Yes it does however, Mayuri was able to pick up the spirit who seems to have figured out how to travel through space."
All three shinigami were on high alert, unaware of the second tiny piece of paper that Urahara had in his pocket. He fumbled with the paper wondering if he should just spill the truth or let them wait anxiously.
"The location has been reported to be in England."
"Jeez, all the way over there?" Ichigo griped.
"Doesn't matter, how are we going to get there?" Renji said.
Urahara smirked again and looked at Byakuya. Two down, one to go. Byakuya gave a silent groan and decided to comply with the request. He nodded his head and was handed a second piece of paper.
"Very good. Byakuya take this piece of paper. And might I ask you not to open it until you've reached the country. Oh, and inside this envelope are tickets for you. I'm sure you'll enjoy your flight."
"Why can't we open it right now?" Ichigo asked.
"I give the paper to Kuchiki for this very reason" He gave a small grin. "Inside the paper you'll find the exact location the soul has been located."
Ichigo and Renji rolled their eyes.
Urahara chuckled. "Don't worry. Everything will be settled soon enough. Now, would anyone like some more tea?"
a/n: Short chapter, but I hope it's enjoyable. I'll try to keep everyone as natural as possible, but it may be a little hard. :3 Chapter 2 will be up in just a little bit.