Bold is Zangetsu

' ' is Ichigo talking in his inner world.

Sorry for the delay in this story, if you like my stuff, I have another two on the go. Your more than welcome to have a peep at them! Your comments for this story are great. I am happy that you are enjoying it.

This isn't a very long update as my mind seems concerned with the ending more at the moment. I need some time to think of the bits in-between!

-- ByakuyaXIchigo --

A hand each clung desperately to the two people who were guiding Ichigo softly to the floor. His eyes were screwed tightly shut as the recalled pain of so many emotions rolled over him. He groaned and thrashed his head with each flash of memory that spasmed across his mind.

Rukia looked to her brothers calming influence, her own emotions rushing around like a wild child. As she'd expect, he looked calm, emotionless and considering his options.

"What do we do?"

"Wait." Byakuya forced the clenched hand off his scarf and unravelled the length of fabric from his neck and folded it into a pillow.

"But he's in pain."

"Be patient Rukia." Rukia didn't have the patience to kneel and wait like her brother did. Watching him agonise internally tore at her insides and worried her to the core. He was hurting. It was always her fault. Her fault a she forced his powers from him whilst still alive, so many years before they should have been realised. She had stolen his life from him.

Gradually she felt his grip on her relax. His heavy breathing began to subside and he opened his eyes slowly.

Ichigo looked at Rukia. RUKIA! All the associated memories seemed to suddenly fit into place, an understanding of who she was and how she fitted into his life. There was a past life of memories that made her real.

"Rukia." He gave her a weak, confused, apologetic smile. "Your still having to protect me."

"Cos, your always such an idiot!" She smiled back down at him rushing to wipe the tears that gave away how much she cared for the moron who was her best friend.

"Can you stand?" Byakuya's voice and presence dipped into his conscience and he turned his head again having that déjà-vous experience. It was a confusing rush of emotions that hit him like a wall. All the images and past memories stung of arrogance and rejection, but they were tainted with his patience, concern, care and affection of his recent memories.

Byakuya asked the question again, unsure of the scrutiny with which Ichigo was staring at him with. A real fear gripped him that he was watching the demolition of his relationship with Ichigo. His calm calculating mind, knew the teen was going to need time to adjust. He had no right to claim Ichigo as his. But he wanted to.

"Byakuya." Ichigo whispered as his mind hesitated on the vision of the glass doors. The strength and promise that emanated from the man back then was a minor reflection to the emotions he could read behind the expression now. The eyes that clung to him reeked of worry and … love.

If there was a race of emotions in his own mind right now, looking at this powerful man, it was love that was winning. It ran, head and shoulders in front of the others, stood taller and made more demands to be recognised than any other.

"Can you stand?" Byakuya's question finally understood, Ichigo nodded after a mental sweep of his body. His only complaint was a pounding headache.

Ichigo pushed back the hands that steadied him on his feet. Although he swayed ever so slightly and his assistants seemed reluctant to step too far back, but Ichigo needed to do this alone. He closed his eyes and drifted back into his inner world and felt the familiarity of the place touch his senses.

'Old man?' He called out.

You know where to find me. Was the response. You know how to call me.

'Zangetsu!' Ichigo refused to yell it with the enthusiasm his mind wanted to. The ability to remember so much was exhilarating, but he was the master, he commanded his sword not the other way around. A flurry of wind swept around his ankles and the incredible presence appeared on his perch. The black robe swirled at his feet and his hair fluttered in the breeze. His stare was cool and calm as Byakuya's yet the differences of a beard and shades so different.

Ichigo took his time and allowed him a smile. Was everything going to be compared to Byakuya? Even in this place that was his alone?

Ichigo.

'My powers. Does Hichigo have them all?'

Your powers are yours because they come from your spirit not his. He could not take what was not his.

'Then how do I….?'

Remember.

With a few deep breaths, Ichigo closed his inner eyes and thought back.

"Nii-sama? Is he okay?" Rukia looked on concerned for the last twenty or so minutes that Ichigo had stood swaying locked inside himself. Brother and sister stood just a step back prepared to react to his needs, but so far, nothing had happened.

"Rukia, you must learn to temper your emotions. Things need time to become clear. Wait."

It was easier said than done to still a mind so restless with memories yet unclaimed and roaming free around him. Visually he could feel them all pressing for his attention, all clawing to be put back where they belonged, neatly grouped and filed.

It wasn't a memory as such he was searching for; it was a feeling. A feeling of his power. A memory flashed before him, it's scent was reminiscent of someone he couldn't yet place. Long bangs, glasses…arrogance... Ichigo felt a faint presence of the feeling and reached out to grab the memory.

"Ishida." He recalled the name suddenly. The Quincy who showed him how to find the thread of his life, the read ribbon…boxes, lots of boxes. That was it. He'd taken his Zanpakutō from the box, awakening Hichigo at the same time. The memory struck like lightening through his chest.

"Ichigo!" Rukia leapt forward to grab him as he faltered in his footing.

Ichigo recalled yanking the sword. He opened his eyes and looked at the old man who seemed to be smiling knowingly at him. Ichigo stood in a ready stance as the man bounded down from his perch, the length of glinting metal being released from his back. Ichigo watched as the man loomed closer, closer, closer. The sword swinging around to strike him.

Ichigo smiled back, reached up to his shoulder…

Rukia and Byakuya were both startled as they were swept off their feet by the sudden surge of power that erupted from around the teens feet. Byakuya watched the swirling dust settle and opened his eyes shocked to see Ichigo standing in his shingigami uniform. Zangetsu firmly clenched in his hand. His clothes and hair quivered in the wake of his power.

"Byakuya." Ichigo steadied his gaze on the wide steel eyes. Byakuya jumped to his feet waiting for a profound statement from this awakened creature. "I won't be finishing the gardening." He grinned.

-- ByakuyaXIchigo --