(A/N: And finally Ichigo and Karin go home. How will have being in each other's world's have affected them? Let's find out.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach

Rukia's pov

When I woke up the next morning it was because the sunlight had glistened into the room. I opened my eyes, Ichigo-san was fast asleep, but more important than that his arm around me. He looked so peaceful and harmless in his sleep. I wrapped my arms around him and held him, holding onto the illusion that I could force him to stay here, but that illusion was soon shattered.

Later...

Fandom!Karin's pov

I slept so peacefully that evening that Hitsugaya-taicho actually had to wake me before it got too late in the afternoon. I made my way to 12th Division where Urahara Kisuke-san and Mayuri were waiting. Last night Mayuri had managed to connect himself to his alternate by using the 3 swords and the two Ashisogi Jizous. It was a good two hours before Ichigo managed to get his butt to 12th Division. On that note the machine was started up and the portals opened. Ichigo and I then were sent through the dimensional boundaries at approximately the same time. I could see myself in a blackened celestial space. The world I had come from was like a portal behind me. Ichigo was in front of me, the portal to my world behind him.

"It's been interesting," I said to him.

"Yeah," he responded as we walked up to each other. We were now side to side looking in the direction of our worlds. "You sure we couldn't just stay in each other's worlds?" I asked, "I'm sure you could do some good in my world." Truth be told I'm still frightened of having to confront Orihime-chan again.

Ichigo's pov

"As much as I know it's possible, I can't there are people who depend on me in my world, it wouldn't be fair to them not to stick by them." Truth be told I'm really worried about Rukia, it was nice having a Rukia around that wasn't a bitch all of the time, but I have to do what's right.

"You think that we'll ever see each other again?" Karin asked.

"It's highly unlikely, but you never know." I said.

Fandom!Karin's pov

"You know, even though we barely got to interact with each other, I heard a lot about you from your friends. To be honest, I wouldn't have minded having an older brother like you where I came from." I said.

Ichigo chuckled, "As if Rukia wasn't enough of a change you and my sister are as different as night and day in some regards." We walked towards our own respective worlds.

Ichigo's pov

"See ya around Karin," I told her.

"You too," she smiled, "Ichi-nii."

What did she just call me? Before I could say anything though she walked through her portal and it disappeared. I could do nothing else, but back into mine. I sighed, Goodbye Karin, and thanks for thinking of me the way your other self does.

Fandom!Karin's pov

When I stepped through the portal in disappeared behind me.

"Welcome back," Urahara Kisuke-san smiled.

"Konichiwa Karin-chan," Nemu bowed.

"Konichwa Kurotsuchi-fukutaicho," I bowed back. I looked around and then spotted Rukia-chan in the corner looking pitiful. What's wrong with her?

"Well let's go back, it was nice seeing you again Kurotsuchi, and nice meeting you Miss Kurotsuchi," Urahara winked at Kurotsuchi-fukutaicho. The Senkaimon opened for us and Urahara Kisuke-san, Rukia-chan and I walked through the gate back to Karakura town.

After leaving the shop I noticed that Rukia-chan's mood hadn't improved at all, "Doshdo no Rukia-chan?"

"It's nothing," she said wiping her eyes.

"It can't be 'nothing', tell me what's wrong." I told her.

"You wouldn't understand." She said as she walked away leaving me confused.

One week later…

"Haaaaaaah!" I shouted smacking my wooden sword against Arisawa-Sensei's.

"You're in good practice Karin-chan, you've improved since your excursion." Arisawa-Sensei complimented.

"Thanks," I said as we leapt back. We were about to go another round when Arisawa-Sensei's pager went off.

"Well it looks like that'll be it for today." She said.

Uh-oh I know what that means, I swallowed thinking of Orihime-chan. I gathered my belongings and followed Arisawa-sensei. I was confused when we began walking in the opposite direction of the hospital. Instead she led us to a small house, the same one where Hitsugaya-taicho and Matsumoto-fukutaicho were currently staying. Arisawa-Sensei rang the door bell. To my surprise it wasn't Hitsugaya-taicho or Matsumoto-fukutaicho, but rather a healthy, normally looking, Orihime-chan. I stared, when did this happen.

"Oh good afternoon, Tatsuki-chan, oh and Karin-chan's here too how nice," she was all bubbly she was like the girl that Arisawa-sensei used to talk about. "I'll get some tea ready so we can have a proper girl talk."

"Explanation!" I glared at Arisawa-sensei. She explained to me about Ichi-nii's influence on Orihime-chan. Ichi-nii, thank you, even though I was prepared to show Orihime-chan proper sympathy, I thank you sincerely for helping her, thank you so much.

One week earlier…

Ichigo's pov

Upon returning to my world I immediately went to go visit Chad. I hadn't seen him in god knows how long.

"Ichigo, you're back." He seemed pleased to see me.

"Hey Chad, mind if we go take a walk?" I suggested.

"Sure," he said. He and I walked together and went to the river where my Mom had been killed by Grand Fisher. I sat down on the grass.

"You know, being in another world didn't allow me to appreciate what I had so much until it was gone." I said looking at the sun that was now setting. Chad looked over to me. "So many things were different in that world. I thought for sure I would go crazy if I had to put up with it much longer." I said. Although that other Rukia kind of made things better, I admitted in my mind thinking of her.

"What was different?" Chad asked. I gave him the long version of what I had learned. "I'm glad I have a friend like you then Ichigo, to be honest I don't think I would've made it out of that situation alive if you hadn't stepped in, thanks."

"Hey that's what friends are for," I said. It was dark out now since it took me so long to tell Chad everything. Suddenly my phone started vibrating. I looked at the caller ID. Why the hell is Tatsuki calling me? "Hello," I answered.

"You idiot where the hell have you been?" Tatsuki screamed into the phone, "You haven't been in school all week and no one not even Orihime would tell me where you were. I've been worried about you, you dumbass!"

I had to pull the phone away from my face to avoid have my eardrum damaged she was yelling so loud, "I'm sorry," I apologized, "Look it's still early in the evening, I'll come over and explain it to you." I said. Take the long road and think of a suitable explanation to give her when I arrive, I planned.

"Fine," she hung up.

"See you later Chad. That is, if Tatsuki doesn't turn me in dust." I said standing up.

"See you later," he responded and we parted ways

One week later…

Fandom!Karin's pov

After training with the Vizards again I opted to talk with Hiyori during dinner. I hadn't forgotten what Shinji told me to ask her. Ichigo had dropped by here, I was told as much and told about him by the others, each of which had their own personal opinions of him, so referring to their alternates wasn't going to be awkward in talking about.

"Hey Hiyori," I said munching on food.

"What?" she snapped, taking a drink.

"The other you scolded me when I told her that I hated someone just for being who they are. You told me this interesting speech about someone you hated and now, possibly, regret hating. I was going to question the other you, but Shinji's alternate told me to ask the you that I knew who it was. So I'll ask you who's the person that you hated for being who they are?"

"It's not important," Hiyori brushed off taking a bite of tofu.

"Aw, I want to know," I whined.

"What seems to be the trouble kids?" Shinji said walking over to us. I gave him the short version. "Hiyori's right it ain't important, at least not right now anyway." He shrugged off.

"When will it be?" I asked.

"After the war, we'll answer any questions you have, deal?" Hiyori asked with a devious smirk and glare.

"Deal," I agreed.

Ichigo's pov

Everything had pretty much gotten back to normal after about a week. In fact it was almost as if I had never been in that crazy alternate world in the first place with the way things were running so normally. I was on my way home with Rukia when all of a sudden she had to bring up her other self again out of the blue.

"I don't know why I'm thinking about it," she said to me, "but you told me that my alternate self had strong feelings towards you." Truth be told I had hoped I could've left it at that. I didn't want to face this Rukia's wrath by telling her that her alternate was practically forcing herself onto me, and then I remembered that we had kissed. I didn't notice that my face was turning red. I could see the urge for Rukia to kill me rising.

"It's not like that, we didn't do anything."

"Your face says otherwise." She snapped, "What happened?" she demanded.

"Nothing," I defended. She raised an eyebrow. "Why do you care anyway?"

She blushed and coughed, "Who said? I'm just curious."

"Whatever, it's not important, you don't need to concern yourself with the fact that your alternate and I kissed." I froze, Please tell me I did not say that last part out loud, I looked at Rukia slowly, Yep I did. I zoomed down the street, "She was forcing herself onto me I swear!" I shouted

Fandom!Karin's pov

I was out in the park trying to practice soccer. My alternate had shown me how much fun the game was so I thought I might try and go out for the team next year if my double life would permit it. I kicked the ball towards a tree and missed and it went shooting past it.

"Oh man," I complained and proceeded to run after it, but it suddenly came flying back as Hitsugaya-taicho came out from the distance.

"Hitsugaya-taicho," I said slowly.

"It's been a while Karin-chan." He said.

"Yeah it has." I smiled.

"I want to apologize," he said.

"For what?" I asked. He explained to me his and the others' encounters with the Exaltaron.

I shook my head, "Don't worry about it," I told him, "Being in that other world was really fun." I smiled.

"Care to tell me about it?" he asked.

"Sure, if you want to practice with me," I said, "Your alternate self helped my alternate self win a game of soccer so you must be pretty skilled too."

"Interesting," he said "tell me more,"

I kicked the ball to him, "Better yet, I'll start from the top…" I then began to explain to him, everything I had experienced in the other world.

(A/N: And that's a wrap folks. I hope you enjoyed this fic. I know I enjoyed writing it. This turned out a lot different than its original intention, but honestly I like this iteration better. I doubt I'll do a sequel or something similar, but if you like my writing, and also know of the series Mahou Sensei Negima, you can read my crossover fic Paradise in Death. Also, if you're a HitsuHina fan be on the lookout for my new series encompassing the pairing. I'm still working on the title for it, so I can't give you one now. If neither of those appeal to you though, feel free to just go to my profile and read my other stuff. If you have any requests for me don't hesitate to ask, I'm all for fan requests (See GinRan fic The Radio as a perfect example). Please R&R and I'll see you all for my next project).