Well, I realize that I might have forgotten to say this last time, so I am going to say it now. I in no way, shape or form own BleachIf I did, Ichigo would have already kissed Rukia. So many missed oppourtunities! Anyhow, I own nothing but the plot.

So, I refaced this chapter and changed a few minor details.

Chapter One

Fate is a bitch, and life is no better. After twenty-nine years of life, Ichigo felt it was within his right to say such a thing. Especially when fate led him to the gates of death and back again, before closing him off the world he had come to love so much. Apparently, he couldn't straddle the line between life and death, despite its inclination to make him do so. Now, after thirteen years of celibacy from anything to do with shinigami it is throwing him right back into their grasps. Fuckin' bitch!

He didn't know how long he had been desperate to regain his powers as a Shinigami, but now, when he had finally resigned himself to a life without them, he was thrown right back to them. He wasn't going to complain, or say that he didn't want to be involved with them, because he did. He craved it, actually. But the way he was being sent back, that was what he hated.

Cancer, of all things, would be the one battle he ever lost. There is no cure, and there won't be one in the foreseeable future. A bitter laugh escaped his lips, and he shook his head. He, a doctor, was succumbing to the very same disease he was helping to treat in others. It was funny, in a bizarre way.

He lay there in his bed, bored out of his mind, until a familiar spiritual pressure forced its way into his consciousness, and a smile spread across his face. He had been able to feel, as well as see the world he missed so much for two weeks now. A small span of time compared to how long he had been in this hospital, and an even smaller span compared to the thirteen years before, but it was enough. Ever since he felt and saw that first Hollow he had been waiting, watching, and searching for the familiar power that would no doubt come in search of him.

Rukia… he never knew how much he had depended on her until she was gone. He used to act so tough, to pretend that he didn't need anyone, and he acted so well that he began to believe it himself. He had never been more wrong. Her absence, willingly or unwillingly, had hurt him more than he liked to admit. During high school he had moved on, but he had never let it go. He had learned to cope with the aching loss and the longing that was ever present, and hid it from the world. He led a good life, but it was never a whole one.

It took a ridiculous amount of effort to turn his head towards the window, where she would undoubtedly be watching, but it was worth it in the end. She looked different, better. Her hair was shorter, falling to reach just below her chin where it curled outwards slightly. The one stray bang was still there, but it seemed more tame now, crossing over her left eye before rejoining the rest of her raven locks. She was taller as well, about 5'3 compared to her original 4'8. She looked more mature in every way. He had no doubt that he looked different as well.

She didn't move from her perch on the sill of his room's window, she just crouched there looking at him. She practically radiated pain so strong it was almost palpable. For about five minutes they stayed that way, just taking each other in.

"Ichigo…" The sorrow in her voice was immense, and it shook him to the very core. She shouldn't be sad; there was no reason for her to be sad. He was coming home, wasn't he? He didn't belong in this world, and that much was obvious to him.

"Ru…kia…" His voice broke halfway through her name, forcing it into two separate parts. He sounded horrible, even to himself. His voice was not even a voice anymore, more like a dry croak than anything. She shifted in place, then stood and gracefully stepped down onto the floor of the room. He watched as she made his way over to his bedside and sunk into the chair next to him, never once looking at him. He knew why, too; she was crying, and she didn't want him to see it.

He moved his hand slightly, bringing it into contact with hers. Her head lifted until her eyes bored into his, and he was unsurprised to see tears running down her face. She gave a small sob as they looked at each other, and before he knew what was happening her arms had wrapped around him and her head was buried in his chest. It took a ridiculous amount of effort to raise his arms and wrap them around her in return, but he did anyway.

A smile graced his face as he looked at her, unable to get enough of the petite shinigami in his arms. Dying or not, he was in heaven. He had his best friend back, he had his home back, and most importantly, he had his life back.

"Do you want me to go get your family? Or Chad, or Orihime, I am sure Ishida is already here, seeing as he runs the hospital. You don't have much time left, Ichigo. They wouldn't let me come until they were absolutely sure you were beyond all help." Her voice was muffled by my chest, a fact I took great pride in. Even dying, wasting away in a hospital bed, I was still muscular. In response to her question I shook my head. Everyone who mattered could see me either way, so there was no point in calling them away from their homes to see me now when I could just swing by later. Besides, I would rather them see me hale and hearty than frail and dying.

The funny thing was that even in death I wouldn't lose anything. All my friends and family could still see me any time they wanted, and any time I do. It was funny; when someone dies you are supposed to lose them forever. You are supposed to lose everything when you die. It is quite the opposite for me, though. I am losing nothing, and gaining everything.

As if signaled by her words, a wave of pain washed over me. I winced, flinching away from nothing as it came back a second later, stronger than before. As the pain continued to assault me in time with my heartbeat Rukia pulled away until nothing but her hand was left on my skin. Tears sparkled in her eyes still, but she watched without crying as I slowly came to realize the obvious. The cancer had reached my heart.

My throat went dry and I coughed, trying to get rid of the tickling sensation caused by it. I coughed and coughed, unable to stop. I coughed until it hurt, and was forced to continue. Bile and some other liquid rose to the back of my throat, and I paused just long enough to spit it out. A bitter tang filled my mouth, tainted by the coppery taste of blood. My eyes found the crimson stain on the sheets as I continued to spit it out. After a few mouthfuls my coughing ceased, and I lay back on my bed and closed my eyes.

I tried to ignore the pain, focusing instead on the light pressure of Rukia's hand on my chest and the scent of her wafting around me. Sakura blossoms and the minty tang I had come to associate with ice; it was an odd combination, but I loved it, it was captivating, addictive. As I focused on her, everything else faded into the background. I faintly noticed the beating of my heart slow, and the pain become worse with each dull beat, until, with one final pound, it stopped all together.

Darkness more absolute than any other I have ever known washed over me, and with it a sensation of such true peace I had never known. A sort of detachedness slowly overcame that, one akin to what I felt back when I was a substitute and leaving my body behind. Then, everything flooded back into focus. Sounds, scents, feeling, it all came back to me in one fell swoop. My eyes flew open and I found myself staring down at my own dead body. I took a step back, disgust the foremost emotion in my mind at this point. I looked terrible, or at least I used to. My hair was dull, my skin was so pale it was nearly transparent; my body was so withered I looked like nothing but skin and bones. I had very little muscle, but what I did still have was strong and it mostly consisted of my torso.

I turned away, looking instead at the shinigami beside me. Rukia was smiling at me, tears once again running down her face. I said the first thing that came to mind.

"Why are you crying?" My words must have broken the proverbial dam, because she took at step forward and pulled me into a ferocious hug, burying her head in my chest and sobbing again. Her fingers tangled in my shihakushō, which I was pleased to see myself wearing. That meant my powers had returned.

As I bent my head and rested my chin on the top of her head, something else came to my attention. My hair was longer now, appearing the same way it did the day that I fought Aizen. I had loved that hairstyle, and grew it out during high school in a vain attempt to replicate it. Sadly though, I couldn't; it seemed that it was my spirit forms hairstyle, and was forbidden to me as long as I was alive. I was happy to see that I had it back.

With my self-discoveries come to an end, I turned my full attention to the petite woman in my arms. I was still holding her, and she was still crying, much to my surprise. I had never really gotten this close to her before, and she had never shown so much trust in me as to cry in my presence. Honestly, I though she never showed this much trust to anyone.

The loud echo of feet against tile reached my ears as what seemed like a stampede of nurses charged towards my room, all sporting devices that they were most likely going to try and 'save my life' with. I bent down and slid and arm under Rukia's knees before I straightened, allowing me to pick her up and carry her with me to the chair in the far corner of the room. The one farthest away from my nurse infected corpse. I loosened my grip on her as soon as we were seated, hereby granting her the freedom to get up off of my lap if she so wished.

As I watched my body being poked and prodded in amusement her tears came to an end, and she maneuvered herself so that she was sitting comfortably in my lap and facing the nurses that currently swarmed the room and my body. Absentmindedly, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her back against my chest, where she relaxed against me. Her arms came to rest over mine and she whispered in my ear,

"Just what is so funny right now, Ichigo?" Her voice was light and playful, a mood that I had only ever seen her in a few times.

"Oh, nothing, I just have never seen you cry so much before." I kept my tone flippant, uncaring, but there was a teasing edge of challenge to it. Rukia made a small noise of protest and her elbow slammed into my ribcage, knocking the wind of out me. I took a moment to regain the breath I lost, and squeezed her tightly. She squeaked in discomfort. I laughed lightly, and after a moment Rukia joined me.

"So, what were you really laughing about?" I smiled slightly and glanced back up at the nurses.

"Those nurses; I find the way they are swarming my body and trying to get me to 'wake up' hilarious." I stressed the words wake up, and she tilted her head and examined them before chuckling under her breath.

"I guess it is, a little bit." She twisted in my arms until she faced me, her eyes locked with mine and she tilted her head in an inquisitive fashion. "So, why are we still here? Shouldn't we be off to see Chad and Orihime, or to see your family or your other nakama?"

"Nah. I don't feel like having to chase down Ishida later tonight, so we are just going to wait for him here. I know he has been keeping tabs on my condition. He should be here any minute now."

She nodded slightly, and settled back down in my arms again to wait. Not five minutes later Ishida Uryuu walked into my old hospital room. One of the nurses caught sight of him and straightened, hurrying over to him and bowing.

"Sir, you shouldn't be in here. Allow me to escort you out." It was a male nurse, one of the newer additions to the staff, I noticed. Ishida brushed him off with a forceful 'Ignore me, do your job' and walked over to stand next to the chair we were sitting in. He sent us an amused glance when he saw our position, but otherwise gave no sign that he knew we were here. When the room was empty of nurses and everything looked pristine, he turned to face us with a smile.

"Well, it seems that you have finally decided to move on, eh, Kurosaki?"

"Yeah. Thought I might as well go on and get it over with, not much left for me here, eh?"

"Well, good luck Kurosaki. Lord knows that you belong with them, you were never truly happy here." His gaze wandered over to Rukia, who had yet to move from my lap.

"Keep him out of trouble, Kuchiki. It seems to follow him." Then, with one final glance and a smirk he walked out of the room. Rukia slid off of my lap, walking the few feet between the window and our chair before she turned to look at me.

"Where to now, Ichigo?"

"To Tatsuki's," I answered without hesitation. She was, after all, the closest, "and then to Keigo's. We can go to Chad and Orihime's after, and to my house last. That way we can sleep the night there. Dying really takes a toll on a guy, you know."

I rose from the chair and walked over to her so that we were both stared out the window. We glanced at each other, and a mutual understanding passed between us. A second later, we were gone, disappearing into the night.

Ichigo stood in front of Chad and Orihime's house just looking at the door. Out of all of his friends, they would be the hardest to say goodbye to. Sado was his best male friend, he always had been, and Ichigo had no doubt that he always would be. Orihime had kept him alive most of the time, and had saved his life countless times during the year and a half that they had fought against Aizen. He had stayed close to the two in the last thirteen years.

A small hand settled on his arm and he glanced down at Rukia, silently thanking her for drawing him out of his reverie. Then, with a sigh, he approached the door. He rang the doorbell once, and that was all that was needed. Orihime was at the door immediately, looking anxious and stressed as she peeked out. Seeing him she threw the door wide open, and tears began to flow down her face. As if called by her sorrow Chad appeared in the doorway as well. Sadness and resignation registered on his face as he stepped forward and led his friend away from the door.

"I knew it would happen, but I never expected it this soon. When did it happen, Ichigo?"

"About three hours ago. We waited for Ishida to get to the room before we left the hospital, and we have already stopped by Tatsuki and Keigo's houses. You guys are the only people left before we head to my house." Confusion crinkled Chad's brow as he stared at his best friend.

"Ichigo, why do you look like a seventeen year old, and what do you mean we?" Ichigo rolled his eyes and stretched an arm out behind him. When it came back into view Rukia was being dragged to stand next to him. She glared at him as he smirked, then slapped his hand away.

"Yes, Chad, we; and about my appearance… well, technically I have been dead for over thirteen years, so my soul just ages differently. Instead of keeping the appearance of my old body and aging from there, it aged in accordance to the last time I was in it. Hence, I am seventeen. You know, I kind of like it, too. It's nice to be able to move again." Chad laughed; a loud, booming sound that brought a smile to my face.

"Good luck, Ichigo. I know that you will be happy in Soul Society; much happier than you ever were here since the war ended. I will tell Orihime that you say goodbye as soon as she calms down a little. It was good to see you again as well, Rukia. Keep him safe, will you?" Rukia smirked at the last part, sending me a smug glance as I glared at the closed door.

"Why do they all say that? I can take care of myself!"

"Oh, shut up, Ichigo. You always end up getting hurt unless someone is there to keep you from doing something stupid. Actually, you get hurt even then." I sent her a dirty glance, and turned to walk away. As a result, I was totally unprepared when she jumped on my back, and stumbled forward a few paces.

"What the hell?" I admit, I might have been a little loud there, but really! She jumped on my back! I heard a feminine chuckle from somewhere behind me, and I am positive it didn't come from Rukia.

"Orihime, a little help?"

"Sorry, Ichigo, but this is your problem. It is nice to see you again, Rukia." I could practically feel Rukia's grin.

"It is good to see you too, Orihime." I felt her lean down until her lips were level with my ear. "Mush, boy." I snorted in indignation. I opened my mouth to retort, but when her foot slammed into my back I thought better of it. Instead I did as any shinigami, or woman, fearing man or dog would do. I mushed.

It was nine-thirty by the time we arrived at the Kurosaki household. I stood in front of the now rather large building, grinning like a fool. It had been quite a few months since I last saw this place, almost a year, actually. I had to admit, it felt good to be home. I was so immersed in my own little world that I had totally forgotten about Rukia. As a result, I ended up sprawled in the dirt when she used by back as a springboard and flipped backwards onto the ground.

I picked myself up and swiped vainly at the now dirt-stained shihakushō. After about two minutes of fruitless brushing I gave up and made my way up the steps and to the front door of the Clinic, where I paused and stepped to the side before opening the door. Sure enough a blur of color that was my father flew out of the door and into the ground at Rukia's feet. The petite shinigami failed to jump in time to avoid the man and fell to the ground with a crash, her legs tangled with my fathers. I smirked in victory and spun on my heel, quickly making my way into the house. I paused in the entrance hall and glanced back at the groaning pile, before calling out one word,

"Payback!"

Still grinning, I strutted down the hall and into the living room, where I saw Yuzu curled up on the couch with a bowl of soup in her hand, watching some Soap Opera that I didn't recognize. Sitting next to her with a magazine in her hand was Karin, an empty bowl already on the floor next to her. My grin softened into a smile. I hadn't seen the two so at peace, so happy, in a long time. I watched them in silence for a few moments, taking in what would most likely be the last I saw of them for a while.

I took a few steps forward and jumped, flying over the couch and onto the floor in front of it where I landed and promptly dropped on the floor. "Whatcha watchin'?"

Simultaneous replies of 'Nothing' and 'One Life to Live' broke the silence, and then the two fell silent, seemingly immersed in whatever they were doing. I laughed lightly, shaking my head in amusement. They didn't even notice that I was here.

"Wa-Wait, Ichi-nii?" It was Karin who noticed first, much to my surprise. I was betting on Yuzu.

"Karin, Yuzu, I am back." They squealed and pounced on me, and soon we were all a pile of laughing bodies on the carpeted floor of the living room.

"Ichi-nii, how are you here? We just saw you yesterday!" I sighed, pulling away and taking a step back so they could see me clearly.

"Look at me, Karin, Yuzu. What am I wearing?" Their eyes widened, and quickly filled with despair. Yuzu started crying, so I pulled her over to me and held her. A single tear ran down my face as I looked at them. I was going to miss this…

"You're wearing a shihakushō… and you look seventeen again. You died, then." A small smile touched Karins face. "So, where is Rukia-nee-chan? She wouldn't miss this, and I am sure that Soul Society would send her to fetch you anyway."

That brought another smile to my face, and I pointed down the hall. "She is currently caught up with something. She didn't dodge dad fast enough." Karin winced and looked down at her feet. Yuzu on the other hand pulled out of my grip and began to walk towards the kitchen.

"I had better go get the first aid kit."

Confused, I called out, "Why? They are both fine, nothing Rukia can't heal with Kidou." Yuzu sent me a teary, yet amused look.

"Oh not for them, for you; we all know you orchestrated this event somehow." Horror washed over me. She was right; she was so, so right. I gulped and looked around the room, frantically searching for something, anything that I could hide in. There was nothing. A shout of "Ichigo!" rang throughout the house. I winced and began to inch towards the back door. Karin and Yuzu laughed.

Rukia burst into the room, her eyes blue with rage. Slowly, she advanced forwards, a silent promise of pain in her eyes.

"Now Rukia, there is no need for violence… Rukia no! At least let me get Zangetsu first! No, Rukia, aghh!" I turned and ran, not liking my odds at this point. Rukia was hot on my heels, Sode no Shirayuki in her hands and a mini snowstorm twirling around her.

Twenty minutes and three frozen limbs later we were all gathered around my coffee table, for once without any arguing or violence or bloodshed shattering the peace. All of us were uncomfortable with the upcoming conversation, and it showed through the awkward silence that had been reigning since we settled down. None of us were particularly partial to breaking it, but yet none of us wanted to sit here all night either; the atmosphere was thick enough to cut with a spoon. Finally, fed up with the shy glances and uncomfortable clearing of throats I spoke up.

"Well, we all know what this means…" I fingered the frosted black shihakushō I was currently wearing, "So there is no real need to explain what happens next, seeing as we all know what… So, I guess, it's just goodbyes?" I sounded hesitant, even to myself. Across from me Yuzu started to cry again, and Karin pulled her into a hug. Isshin just looked at me, his expression calculating and, oddly enough, pleased.

"Yuzu, goodbye is not forever. Ichigo wouldn't abandon you all, he can't do that. You mean everything to him, all of you. It is just for a few months, a year at most, until he becomes a full Shinigami. Then, you will see him again." Out of the corner of my eye I saw Rukia lean forward and rest her hand on my sister's shoulder. Yuzu nodded and pulled away from Karin long enough to smile at her, and mumble something I couldn't hear. Rukia flushed slightly, but nodded and pulled back, settling back into the chair. I turned my attention to Karin.

"Karin?" The young woman in question looked up from her sister, staring at me with inquisitive eyes.

"Ichigo?"

"What are you thinking right now? You are the only person that I can't read." She smirked.

"I am thinking that it's about time. You were gonna die young one way or another, even if you had to commit suicide. You don't belong in this world Ichigo that much is obvious. You were never the same after sh- after you lost your powers… You will be happier there." She shot a glance to the woman sitting to my left, and her smirk grew wider. "I am going to miss you, of course, but I am happy that you are happy." On either side of her my dad and Yuzu made sounds of agreement.

I smiled and looked around the table, meeting everyone's eyes as I did so. A sort of peace settled in my heart. They would be fine without me; I mean, sure I would miss them, but it wasn't like I couldn't see them. A soft sigh escaped me, and I stood up from the table and turned towards Rukia, holding out a hand to help her stand again. To my utmost surprise she took it, and we turned to face the others.

"Isshin, take care of them; they are your daughters to the core. Their spiritual pressure is strong, and while I am sure Ishida, Chad and Orihime can handle the Hollows, they aren't going to be able to catch them all. If I see either one of them in Sereitei before they are sixty I will personally drag your soul to Huenco Mundo and abandon you there, got it?" He smirked at me. I turned to Rukia, looking at her expectantly.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Well, where do we go from here? Are you going to Konso me or something?"

"What happened to spending the night here, Ichigo? Are you that excited to get out of here?" I rolled my eyes and pulled her out the door. We were halfway down the street before she stopped me with a tug on my hand.

" Well, I am going to take that as a yes. Do you want to be Konso'ed, or would you rather just take a Senkaimon?"

"I would rather take a Senkaimon. I would rather not end up wandering some random Rukongai district," I plucked at my shihakushō, "Especially not in this. They hate Soul Reapers, and wearing this singles me out as one. I would really hate having to kill souls on my first day back."

Rukia laughed, drew her sealed sword and ran her fingers along its length. Sode no Shirayuki took its place, and with a quick twist of her wrist a large red gate appeared in the air in front of us. We watched as the doors began to swing open, and within seconds we were facing a swirling vortex of energy. Rukia glanced over at me with a grin.

"Are you ready to go home, Ichigo?"

"I have been ready." Together, we stepped into the passage. My battle to live was over, but little did I know that my battle to exist had just begun.