Disclaimer: This man does not own Bleach.

Trascender

Ichigo.

Ichigo stared blankly ahead inside his inner chambers, seated upon the crystal surfaces of Las Noches. He ignored the familiar voice and sighed.

Ichigo.

He felt the voice close in behind him. He stood as he turned to face the owner of the voice.

"Ichigo."

Ichigo narrowed his eyes and began to ground out, "...You... Why are you...?"

"That Zangetsu technique... it incorporates Sklavarei, doesn't it?"

Ichigo raised his eyebrow, as he never noticed that... No wonder it was powerful...

"I'm glad... I can see you once more, Ichigo..."

"...Well I'm not happy to see you, Mother..."

Masaki Kurosaki's face gleamed, as the light from the crystal surface brightened her visage. Her never-ending smiled, which always brought so much comfort to Ichigo when he was young, was disgusting and sickening to him now... It felt very false to him. He palmed his head and massaged it, attempting to fight the incoming headache.

"...Ichigo... please look at me."

Ichigo shook his head and turned away from his mother. A hand on his shoulder turned him back around.

"...I know... you've probably heard things about me... Maybe Isshin has... stated a couple-"

"...He loved you... He didn't believed you loved him."

Masaki tilted her head, gazing into her son's eyes and solemnly stated, "Is that what you believe?"

Ichigo shrugged her hand away as he glared at her and snarled out, "What I believe...? You're the one attempting to explain why I should feel sorry for you, damnit."

Masaki paused, looking down at her feet, "You... You're right. I'm sorry... I..."

"I'm waiting."

Ichigo almost felt bad as he witnessed the tears pile up under his mother's eyes, but he was too angry to care. Masaki moved away from Ichigo, turning around to gaze over the crystalline Las Noches, "...I did love Isshin, by the way..."

"Does that really matter now, Mom? He's dead, and by that same psycho you called a husband. The Quincy may have lost," Ichigo grounded out, as Byakuya, Orihime, Yoruichi, and his father, along with many others, flashed in his mind, "But they've killed enough to last a lifetime..."

Masaki glanced towards Ichigo, a blank look on her face.

"Ichigo... You really do hate me, don't you...?"

Ichigo scoffed, "Is it that obvious...?"

Masaki sat still and closed her eyes, attempting to blink away her tears. Ichigo sat still, until a Heilig Pfeil flew by his face. He turned, and noticed his mother holding a silver rapier, with intricate designs upon its handle. Her visage darkened as Ichigo's eyes popped out of his skull.

"Mo-Mother!?" Ichigo barely understood what was going on until he felt his mother's Spirit Weapon piercing through his abdomen.

"...You and Isshin are just alike... You both are complete idiots to any display of emotion... You have to clash with someone's blade to understand them."

She cruelly ripped her blade out, watching as Ichigo fell to the floor, struggling to get back up on his feet. He turned and slowly reached for his Zanpakuto, using it as a cane as he leaned over.

"What the hell!?"

Masaki's expression darkened, and she suddenly appeared in front of him. She looked down on him, and he felt like a small prey under her gaze.

"Get back up. If this is what it's gonna take to make you understand me, them let's get to it."

Ichigo reconsidered being an asshole to his supposedly dead mother next time.

"Man! That was some light show, huh, Unohana!?"

Unohana said nothing as she hopped towards the epicenter, followed by Shunsui. They arrived, noticing that on the far left of the field, Juhabach's lay on the ground, his medallion long broken and reverting him back to normal. Ichigo himself was the same, and he sat there, dressed in his sleeveless Espada robes. He stared blankly at the ground, before falling over and passing out. Shunsui walked over to him, picking him up and throwing him over his shoulder.

"You mind takin' care of the mister over there, Unohana? I ha-"

Shunsui turned around at the sound of the sudden explosion. Unohana had her hand pointed towards the smoky area where the body... used to be?

"...Nevermind... Guess that's one way of handling things, huh?"

"...Ahh, you two are already here."

Shunsui and Unohana turned as Kisuke and Soryu arrived, followed by Rose, Halibel, and Toshiro. They looked to Ichigo before looking around for Juhabach. Kisuke raised his eyebrow as he asked, "Where's... uhhh...? Where's Juhabach?"

Unohana smiled, a sight that sent shivers down Kisuke's and Soryu's spine, "I took care of it."

Kisuke awkwardly smiled and rubbed his head, "I'm... sure you did, Captain Unohana..."

"I can't believe that son of a bitch did it..."

The group turned their head as Grimmjow, bandages wrapped around his form, lounged around on nearby rubble. Behind him, Nel stood and waved to the group.

"Yo, Ichigo!"

Shunsui turned around as he noticed Shinji knocking against Ichigo's forehead. Behind him, Kensei walked up behind him, along with Uryu and Rukia, a slight annoyed look on their faces. Uryu yelled out, "What the hell are you guys doing!? Did you all forget that he's bleeding!?"

Ichigo tossed his blade up, blocking the incoming stab from his mother. He deadpanned as he struggled to push her off.

'For someone who reprimanded me and Dad about fighting, she's sure acting like Kenpachi now...'

His mother grinned wickedly as her blade pierced through his own and dug into his shoulder, causing him to cry out, "Shit!"

"Don't curse in my presence, Ichigo. It's revolting."

Ichigo hopped back, rubbing the blood off of his shoulder. He gazed, almost panicking, "Look, I don't wanna fight you!"

"You're not going to feel better until you actually clash with me. Your mother didn't raise a quitter, did she...?"

Ichigo ducked under her first thrust and blocked her second with his blade. As the blade made contact, he actually attempted to block, and a sudden flash of images appeared in his vision.

"Masaki! Dear, what are you doing?"

Vater watched as his granddaughter kicked a young man in his gut, knocking him to the ground. Vater's shook his head even more when he recognized the boy she knocked down,"Juhabach! Masaki, what the hell are you doing!?"

"Showing this idiot who's boss!"

Vater moved quickly to the fight, grabbing Masaki by her arm and pulling her away from Juhabach, who hopped to his feet and wiped his lips, "You should be lucky that I even considered someone like you!"

As Juhabach angrily stormed away, Vater glared at Masaki, who scrunched her face up and crossed her arms, glaring angrily at some distant object.

"Dear girl, why th-?"

"He proposed to me! I'm not even interested in that kid!"

Vater facepalmed when he realized what his granddaughter had done.

Ichigo hopped away as his mother glared at him, lunging forward for another strike. Ichigo raised his finger, charging a Cero at the end of it.

Masaki smirked as she raised her rapier towards the incoming beam,"Your Hollow techniques won't work on me, Ichi!" and pierced through the light, crashing directly into Ichigo's own slash.

"Heh, at least you're fighting back... Wonder what changed your mind?"

Ichigo said nothing as the images came back.

Masaki sat in her personal quarters, bored as her servants prepare for her big day.

"You don't look so happy, Lady Masaki? What's wrong...?"

Masaki said nothing for a few moments as they continued to apply blush to her face. When they were done, she spoke, "I don't want to marry Juhabach..."

"You might as well let it happen... He can't be that bad..."

Masaki looked into the mirror, noticing Soryu leaning against the wall.

"He just wants a trophy wife to show off."

"Or maybe he wants to hit the sheets with the first girl to kick his ass... Pretty romantic setup, don't you think?"

"No. I don't think so. And I hate you for sounding like my dad."

Soryu laughed as she stepped into the room. She walked behind Masaki and grabbed her shoulders.

"The man's infatuated with you... You might wanna just get used to it."

"Arranged?"

Masaki paused from stabbing her son as the question struck her as odd, "What?"

"You and Juhabach... were arranged? You didn't love him?"

Masaki backflipped as she landed on her feet. She thought for a while before answering, "Not at first... I rebelled against him for maybe... the first century or so?"

Ichigo blanched as he realized something, "Wait! How old are you!?"

However, the area suddenly went cold, and Ichigo regretted asking that question. She grinded her teeth together as she spoke, "How rude, Ichigo. You never ask a woman her age."

Ichigo leaned back as the rapier almost pierced his throat.

"I'm sick of this! Why am I being tossed around like some rag doll without feelings!?"

Juhabach watched as his wife stormed out of the room. Vater sighed as he rubbed his sore head and followed her out, "Wait, Masaki!"

"What do you want!? First Juhabach, and now... this... this... Soul Reaper!?"

"Don't you understand, Masaki!? This... we need this! The 'Child of Prophecy'!"

Juhabach slowly sauntered up to them, completely unaffected by Masaki's tantrum, "Masaki... I understand... I really don't even believe we have a need for this... prophecy, but-"

"Then, as a husband, don't put your wife in this situation! Aren't you supposed to be the king!?"

Juhabach sighed, "But I can't overrule the Letzt Himmelreich."

Masaki stomped her feet and screamed, "I'm sick of this! Why am I being tossed around like some rag doll without feelings!?"

Juhabach watched as his wife stormed out of the room. Vater sighed as he rubbed his sore head and followed her out, "Wait, Masaki!"

Juhabach facepalmed and shook his head, "...Deja vu..."

Masaki grabbed Ichigo's blade with her bare hands, throwing it away as she came down upon his body with her Rapier.

"Gaggghh!"

Masaki narrowed her eyes at the distorted voice of Ichigo, and recognized his Gemelos Sonido,"...Hm.. That's a nice technique... but I've seen it already... You won't get away with it like with Juhabach."

She turned and pointed the tip of her rapier at Ichigo, who landed behind her with his blade raised, "Licht Regen!"

Ichigo's blade blocked many of the arrows, but most sliced through his body.

Masak glared angrily at the wall of her new home in Karakura town, waiting for her 'husband' to show up. She angrily kicked the wall, hurting her fo-

Ichigo deadpanned, "I don't... see how that was significant in any way..."

"Quiet! No matter the reason, to he who disrupts such a moment, only a punishment of blood can be rendered! Kiyaahh!"

Ichigo raised his blade for protection from his mother's blade as he became silent.

Masaki walked around the park in the town of Kurosaki, finally away from the suppressing air of the home. She slowly sat down on a bench,not realizing who she sat next to.

"...It seems you wanted to get out of the house too, huh?"

She froze up and slowly twisted her head, almost in disbelief as she turned to the man next to her, "Who are you...?"

"Isshin. Isshin Shiba."

For reasons unknown, she recognized the name, but ignored it. She watched as he tried repeatedly to light his cigarette, but could not keep the fire still.

"What are you doing?"

"I just want a ciga... A cigar... uhmmm..."

"A cigarette?"

Isshin nodded as he finally lit the object in question up,"Yeah. Some human offered it to me... It's been pretty useful in dealing with annoyances."

Masaki narrowed her eyes as she caught on to his words.

'Human? Is he... a Soul Reaper?'

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, and silently noted how similar he appeared to a hardcore rocker, with his black cargo pants and shirt, along with his white jacket. She smiled a little and noted that he wasn't that bad looking. He looked... kind of cool, actually.

"...What?"

"Hmm? Did you say something?"

"You... think I look cool?"

Masaki cursed inwardly as she realized she spoke out loud, "No I didn't."

"Yes, you did... You said 'I looked kinda cool'! Yes!" Isshin hopped up in joy, and Masaki couldn't help but smile at his childish antics. She then raised her finger up, revealing a ring, "Don't get too excited... I'm married."

Isshin stopped before slouching back in his seat. He lit his cigarette back up and continued smoking, "So then, what are you out here for?"

"Waiting on my husband... He's was supposed to have been here a long time ago..."

"...I don't think a woman like you... should have to wait for a husband. If that dumbass doesn't come... be sure to talk me..."

Masaki stared at the man with disbelief as he stood and winked at her. As he walked away, she smiled and laughed to herself, "I wonder if he'll ever realize that he's probably the dumbass?"

"Wait... I remember dad talking about this... The Quincy Massacre happens next, right?"

Masaki stopped, holding her fencing stance as her expression changed. She nodded, "Yes... the Quincy rebels that disliked the notion of my marriage broke away from the Vandenreich, plotting their own attack against the Soul Society. A small squad hunted for Hollows, meeting a squad of Soul Reapers. One of the Quincy died, and a young man stole his body."

"What?"

"Yes. That boy was Mayuri Kurotsuchi. He brought it back for experimenting, and Juhabach declared war on Soul Society, in order to lead the rebels right to Soul Society, and retrieve the body."

"...That... was the massacre?"

Masaki smiled grimly as she tightened her grip on her blade, "The Soul Reapers call it a massacre... We called it 'tying up loose ends'."

Ichigo narrowed his eyes, "I don't understand... I don't see any of you as being any different than before. As far as I'm concerned, you're confirming everything my father told me about you."

Ichigo could have sworn he saw a tear fall from her eye... but then realized that was just her blade flying at him.

'Here we go again...'

"Oh my God! Damn you, Isshin! I hate you so much!"

"Oh my God! Damn you, woman! Let go!"

Isshin panicked and attempted to slap his wife's hand away as she gripped his private area tighter, causing him to squeal and burst into tears, "Please let go! I beg of you!"

Masaki growled, gritting her teeth in pain as she squeezed Isshin tighter, "The Prophecy states only one child... You. Will. Not. Get. Another one. Out of me!"

Ryuken sweatdropped as Isshin resorted to punching Masaki's hand. He sighed, as he turned to Masaki, "Please calm down, Masaki... You have to keep pushing... for the baby's sake."

He cried out as her feet wrapped around his neck, causing him to choke and gag as she forced him to stare into the sacred and bloody abyss, "Noo! Masaki, stop!"

"You won't have any, either, if you don't shut the hell up!"

The pain to Isshin's groin overloaded his brain, causing him to black out. He barely registered the laughing of a woman other than his wife.

Ichigo grimaced before puking over the surface of the building, cause Masaki to rub her hair in embarassment.

"You weren't... supposed to see that part... hehe..."

"Hey. Isshin... Wake up... the baby's here."

Isshin's eyes snapped open, and he stared into the bright red face of his son. Over his son's shoulders, Masaki held him close to her chest and smiled. Isshin reached forward, as if asking Masaki to allow him to hold him. She gently laid the baby in Isshin's arms, who held the boy up like a trophy.

"Hah! My son! Yes! I shall call you squishy! And you shall be my squishy!"

"Really funny, Isshin. That's not his name..."

Isshin nodded intelligently, pulling the baby to his face. The child opened his squinted little eyes and eyed Isshin.

"...I shall call you... Kaien..."

Before Isshin could get well-attached to his son, Masaki snatched him out of his hands, causing him to rear away from Masaki's angry face, shocked as he reached out, "What? Hey! I wasn't done with Kaien ye-"

"His name is Ichigo!"

Isshin blinked, before shaking his head, retorting, "You named our child after a strawberry!? What the hell!?"

"No! His name means 'number one protector'! And I picked it because of you!"

Isshin recoiled as Masaki held Ichigo, putting him back to sleep as she sat on Isshin's lap.

"...Because of me?"

"Yep, Mr. 'One Heart Way'... Because you saved me..."

Isshin sat on the couch in shock as Masaki stood up with little Ichigo. As Isshin struggled to comprehend events, Masaki walked outside to the front of their home. She stared up towards the moon, whispering in her son's ear, "Eventually... even you'll be able to reach the moon, Ichigo... And I hope you knock down everything blocking you from reaching it..."

"So this is it?"

Masaki froze as a the familiar, smoothe baritone of her former husband resonated through her ear from behind her. She turned as Juhabach seemingly levitated in front of her, staring down at the infant with uncaring eyes. She narrowed her eyes as she stomped on Juhabach's foot, causing him to leap in the air and pitifully whine as he attempted to soothe his aching foot, "He's not an it, Juhabach. He has a name."

"Yes, I heard..."

"And shut up before Isshin hears you!"

Juhabach fell back onto her stone wall housing her garden. He narrowed his eyes at her tone, "You care what that idiot man thinks? You think I care?"

"If want to keep up this stupid charade, you better! I'll kill you and whatever new whore you're with now!"

Juhabach grumbled as he walked off. Masaki straightened Ichigo further upon her hip as she walked back in the Kurosaki Clinic.

"So Juhabach spent years checking up on me? And dad never found out?"

"He did. As a matter of fact, He listened in on us."

Ichigo grabbed her blade as she moved in, finally countering and cutting his mother for the first time. She grimaced as she pushed off of him, sliding backwards as she panted. She reached her hand up and felt the warm blood there before looking at Ichigo with something akin to... pride?

"You... actually struck your mother... I'm... shocked..."

Ichigo smirked until he was stabbed three times in his abdomen.

"I didn't say let your guard down, though..."

"Isshin..."

"Masaki. It's time we addressed the elephant in the room... Ichigo! Come and get your toy elephant!"

Masaki glared at Isshin, who returned fire with a gaze of his own. Ichigo, age four, ran in the room and picked up his stuffed elephant.

"Sorry, Goat face!"

Ichigo laughed and ran back out, closing the door behind him. Isshin then turned back to Masaki, "Now, where were we?"

"Isshin, I'm not-"

"You're going to lie to me? How many times as Ichigo seen 'Uncle Bakku'?

"Wait... 'Uncle Bakku' was Juhabach!?"

Masaki stopped, her face contorting into one of guilt and sorrow, and her voice became more dead and hollow-like, "Then... we are almost done here, Ichigo..."

"Isshin... Don-"

"When are you going take him away...?"

Masaki growled and shook her head, kicking Isshin in the gut as she roared, "When are you going to take him away!?"

"Wha-? What are-?"

"So who the hell is Kisuke and Yoruichi!?"

Isshin's mouth snapped closed and he stayed quiet.

"You... you have your own agenda... and I have my own..."

"...So when are you going to kill me? Cause I'm not letting you take him to the Vandenreich without a fight...!"

Masaki quieted down, but gazed at Isshin with equal fire, "And neither am I..."

"Daddy! Stop it!"

Isshin and Masaki turned as Ichigo rushed through and tackled his dad's leg, who screamed out, "Ichigo! Ichigo, leave!"

Ichigo glared angrily at the both of them through tearing eyes, "No! Stop fighting! I won't let you hurt Mommy!"

Isshin jumped and grabbed at Ichigo, who jumped out of his hands and threw his toy elephant at his dad, who tripped over his own feet, "You little-!"

"...Isshin..."

Both father and son stopped their battle and turned towards Masaki, who held her hand over her mouth as she began sweating, "I feel like I'm going to..."

She trailed off as she hurled over the balcony of their. Isshin panicked and rushed over to her as Ichigo commented, "Eww! Mommy, you sick!"

"...Karin... and Yuzu..."

Masaki nodded as she grabbed her son's incoming blade. Ichigo growled and attempted to force her to loosen her grip. He soon stopped struggling when she stopped moving.

"...Mother?"

"The two that was completely unplanned... Heh... Too bad they only gave us five more years... to be a family..."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow as he began thinking, and then it slowly dawned on him.

"Elhaym..."

Elhaym Bach turned around as Masaki stepped out of the shadows.

"...Where is Ichigo? 'My' husband is getting impatient."

Masaki narrowed her eyes at the 'my husband' comment, but said nothing of it. She heard from Soryu about Juhabach's wedding, ironically, after Yuzu and Karin were born. She spoke, but stumbled over her words awkwardly, "...I'm... uhh... going to pick him up... from... uhhh... Karate practice! Yeah... I should be back later...hehe..."

Elhaym narrowed her eyes as Masaki's incessant rambling."You better... Juhabach's already not happy with you..."

Masaki turned away quickly, waving over her shoulder, "I could care less what that man thinks..."

Elhaym watched as Masaki walked away. As she left, the rain poured down from the sky, and Elhaym suddenly had the feeling that she wouldn't see Masaki again. She shook her turned away. Up ahead, Masaki walked slowly, as if waiting for something... or someone... She turned around as she noticed Isshin behind her, his long white cape flowing with his Soul Reaper form.

"...I've never seen you in your Shihakusho... I thought you quit a while ago? Your powers... they disappeared... didn't they? When you saved me...?"

"...I did... Kisuke's mod soul pill is stabilizing me for now. Did you think I wouldn't catch you?"

Masaki's lips thinned, as she pointed her umbrella up. It flashed brightly, molding itself into her rapier. Isshin grimaced and aimed his blade towards the ground.

"...Reach the moon, Engetsu..."

"Isshin!"

Kisuke stepped over the body of the former Royal Guard, who wore nothing but the tattered hakama of his Shihakusho. His hair appeared longer than usual, causing Kisuke to truly wonder if this was Isshin. He felt Isshin's hand reach out, gripping his ankle as he looked up to Kisuke.

"...The pill... couldn't contain... Final Getsuga Tensho... She... Ichigo... Kisuke... please..."

As Isshin released his grip, he noticed that a Quincy Cross fell out of his hand.

"Ah!"

"Dear me, what a rude truck... Are you okay, Ichigo? We could always switch sides..."

Ichigo, age nine, was splashed as a truck came rushing next to him in the heavy rain. He whined as his mother wiped at his face, "I'll be okay, I'm wearing a raincoat! I'll stay over here, so I can protect you from the splashing!"

"...Aw... my little hero..."

Ichigo grinned, but that soon changed when his mother pressed her towel to his face, "...but I can't have you protect me when you can't even beat Tatsuki!"

"Gah gaf a gifkin af aym!"

"Come again, Ichigo?"

"I said, I got a hit in last time!"

Masaki ignored him as she placed the rag up, "There, all cleaned up!"

Ichigo watched as she placed her hand on his head and patted it, "Let's go, Ichigo!"

"Momma...?"

Masaki was broken from her musings as she heard her name, "Can I... hold your hand...?"

Masaki looked down at Ichigo, holding her hand out, "'Course we can!"

Ichigo smiled and nodded as he held his mother's hand. They continued their walk home, but as they crossed a bridge, Ichigo noticed a little girl appearing to jump off the bridge and into the river, "Huh?"

Masaki barely knew what was going on, as she thought about her husband that she left behind, and wandered what Ichigo would do. Suddenly, she felt Ichigo let go of her hand, and prepare to hop over the railing, "Eh?"

"Wait here, Momma!

Masaki watched Ichigo run forward for a moment, before awaking to the situation, "Ichigo!"

She knew her son couldn't see it, but she saw the Hollow, clear as daylight. As Ichigo tripped and knocked himself unconscious, she dashed forward with her umbrella, swinging at the little girl. The girl looked up at her, smiling, as she pointed behind Masaki.

"...Hm... How foolish..."

Masaki's eyes widened when she heard the monstrous voice behind her. She felt the claws dig into her back, "Graaaggghhh!"

"Your screams! So delicious! Make more!"

The hamster-like hollow stalked towards Masaki, who hopped over her son's body to protect him, before a loud, screaming sound tore through the air.

"...Sing, Benihime..."

She heard the roar of the Hollow as it scuttled away. She slowly stood up, clutching Ichigo in her hands as she turned and looked to her protector. The blonde shopkeeper that visited her husband from time-to-time stood behind her, his hair curtaining over his eyes.

"...Did... Isshin send you...?"

"...Yes... but I'm not here for him... He doesn't know... what needs to be done."

Masaki narrowed her eyes at his words. The ominous red glowing of his sword caused her to slowly place Ichigo back on the ground.

"I'm not here for you either."

She paused, confused at his words, until she noticed where his predatory gaze was aiming for, "You will not attack my baby!"

"To free him from whatever you and Isshin forced him in... Best to kill the child before he arrives to Juhabach or Yamamoto."

"No!"

She moved to block the red light flying towards Ichigo. It pierced through her back like a bullet as she landed on top of her son. Kisuke stepped closer, as he aimed to finish his task. As he drew closer, he listened to the constant mumbling of Masaki as she held Ichigo closer.

"...Please... don't... take away... my son..."

"Kisuke!"

The man in questioned turned around as he noticed Yoruichi hop in front him in her cat form.

"Yoruichi!? What are yo-?"

"...It's done... Let him be."

Kisuke narrowed his eyes as he glared down at Yoruichi, "You, too? You and Isshin have no idea of what will happen if he's still alive."

Yoruichi's tailed stiffened as she growled out, "Damnit, Kisuke! Stop it! Yo-"

"Getsuga Tensho!"

Kisuke's eyes widened as he was knocked off of his feet and into the river. He crawled out, shocked as he noticed Isshin hunched over, his sealed Zanpakuto out, "...Isshin...?"

"...Damn you... Kisuke... I'm going to ki-"

"Mo... Momma...?"

Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Isshin froze as they gazed over at Ichigo, who was attempting to push his mother awake. Her eyes were closed, and her face was etched in a smile.

"The last thing I heard was Isshin protecting us... and you crying out for me... You could barely see ghosts, so I don't think you even noticed those three... I guess Juhabach came and absorbed me after..."

"...After I ran to get help..."

Ichigo said nothing more as he sat on the ground, his arms crossed over his knee. Across from him, his mother sat as she searched his face for a reaction, "...Ichigo...?"

"...You... weren't planning on taking me to Juhabach... You were running away... from everybody..."

Masaki nodded. Ichigo looked around the area, blinking away tears before asking, "Why didn't you use any of the Quincy magic to fight Kisuke...?"

"...To not alert any Quincy nearby... I didn't want you to become a Quincy... or a Soul Reaper, for that matter... "

Ichigo closed his eyes, holding his head in his hands as he sighed.

"...It's funny, because you became neither... and even now, you still did what I wanted to you to do..."

He peeked at her through one eye, "...And what was that...?"

Masaki smiled as she crawled over next to him, patting his head like she used to do when he was younger, "You reached the moon... and became your own person... I'm glad...and very proud... that you're my son..."

Ichigo's eyes snapped open, and he rose up from the bed he was placed in. Placing his feet on the floor, he turned and gazed around the room.

"...Soul Society..."

"Yep!"

Ichigo looked up at the smiling face of..., "...Uhmm...?"

"...It's Isane... Isane Kotetsu... Unohana's student..."

Ichigo only nodded and smiled as he stood up. He reached over for his bell-sleeved jacket and through it over his shoulder. Isane watched him walk out the door, and for a split second, his orange hair flashed into the scarred, bald head of the former Head Captain.

"Yo, Ichigo..."

Ichigo turned and watched as Kisuke and Tessai walked up to him, waving.

"...Urahara."

Kisuke trailed next to him and began walking with him, "...It seems you've done it again..."

Ichigo rolled his eyes as he dismissed him, "I don't like doing this... But a woman once told me to reach for the moon, and break down everything in my way... So I just do that..."

Kisuke narrowed his eyes for a second, but they cleared as he continued, "You know... your father would have been proud..."

"...I know..."

"Ichigo!"

"Kagura!?"

The Orihime look-a-like hopped into his arms for a hug as he walked in the Captain's meeting hall. He blanched as he dropped her down, and hopped away, "What the hell are you doing here!? Why aren't you in my chest!?"

"Silly! Then I'd have to cut you open and turn your remaining corpse into a robot! Rarrrghh!"

Ichigo's penetrating glare easily broke down her defenses and she switched to her serious expression, "Juhabach almost succeeded in throwing the world off-balance... Along with you, as well."

"...What?"

"Every Royal Spirit except me is gone... The lynchpins holding the world together have collapsed, so it's now up to me to keep it together... So I set your mom up as my replacement to keep your Quincy skills in check."

"So that was your doing..."

"Duh. I just said that, dumbass. Gosh, even though you're cute, you can be so naïve at times!"

Ichigo glared at her as she walked off. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked over to Kisuke.

"...I guess this is goodbye for a while, Ichigo... I have to follow the Spirit Queen..."

"What are you, her Royal Guard?"

"..."

Ichigo then saw the mysterious owner's serious expression, and realized he was right, "So you're taking off to the Spirit Palace?"

"...Basically. Me, Tessai, Shunsui, Ginrei, and Zaraki's heading up the positions of Royal Guard for now while things are settling down..."

"...Kenpachi?"

And right on cue, Zaraki appeared behind him, his wide grinned etched on his face. "Yo, Ichigo... You better not bitch out while I'm gone... we are going to fight full throttle when I come back..."

"Yay! Ichi and Kenny will fight again!"

As they walked away, Ichigo grinned and stated, "I'll be waiting... Learn your Bankai while you're at it..."

Zaraki grinned and Yachiru waved as the door closed behind them all. As Ichigo walked through the hall, he reflected over what could possible happen in the future.

"...No Aizen...no Ginjo... no Vandenreich... and no Juhabach... Things seem like it might be boring for a while... That might not be a bad thing..."

He walked into the meeting room, and all the heads in the room turned to him.

"Yo, Ichigo!"

"Ichigo!"

"Dude, you're up!"

Ichigo grinned as the the Captain's began cheering for him, calling out his name and whistling. He took note of many new positions being filled: Ikkaku filled in as the Eleventh Division Captain, and Yumichika waved at him from his spot as Lieutenant. In the Eight Division Captain slot, Renji gave him a thumbs up. It seems Love was brought back, as he stood in Aizen's former spot as the Seventh Division Captain. Isane took her place as Unohana's replacement. He gazed ahead towards Unohana, who nodded at him from her spot as the Head Captain.

"So you made it official? Instead of covering for Urahara?"

"Not all of the old timers can leave for the Royal Guard. I need to stay here and watch the next generation... Make sure they're up to speed..."

"...Hm... and Jushiro? I don't see him anywhere..."

Isane coughed as she moved to speak, "He's making a recovery in the medical ward as we speak. Give him some weeks and he'll be back on his feet."

Ichigo looked down and grinned, "I'm glad..."

"Of course you are, fool."

Ichigo gazed up as Rukia moved out her line and walked up to him, Renji behind her. She moved closer to him, and Ichigo flinched out of reaction. However, he was shocked when she, instead, moved to hug him, gripping his waist tightly, "Thank you... Big Brother would have... been proud..."

"...He probably wouldn't have showed me... Most likely would have reprimanded me first..."

Rukia smiled and gripped Ichigo's waist tighter as Ichigo pulled her into his chest. Soon he heard Renji scream out, "Dog pile on Ichigo!"

Before he and Rukia knew it, every Captain, except Toshiro and Unohana, had swamped them. Unohana giggled and Toshiro rolled his eyes, "How childish..."

Ichigo hopped out of the Garganta, the cheering of the gathered Soul Reapers still ringing in his ears. The first person he saw was Loly, who stood waiting with her arms crossed and her foot tapping.

"...Heh, you look like you're waiting for a date or something..."

"...The Espada are back in the Meeting room, waiting on you."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow, before continuing across a the tower bridge connecting to the main building. He looked over the railing as many Hollows and Arrancars moved through the desert circle, celebrating their freedom. He noticed one of the young Hollows point at him, causing a ripple through the crowd as every head turned up to look at him. He saluted them as they all cheered.

"God, save the Primera!"

"Yeah!"

"I want to have your babies!"

"Shut up, Sung-Sun!"

Ichigo looked over the edge and noticed the Octava Espada smirking as she slithered off. Loly angrily kicked the railing and stomped off. Ichigo watched the girl move further before she stopped, twisting back on her heels to rush back towards him.

"...You mad?"

"...Shut up, Ichigo."

She turned and walked away before Ichigo's brows furrowed, "You didn't... call me Lord... or Master... ?Who are you and what have you done with my Fraccion?"

Loly turned and smirked at him over her shoulder, "Your friend... right?"

Ichigo tch'ed and closed his eyes, as he walked next to her. He looked into the sky at the false sun, and stuffed his hands in his pockets. He smiled as a tear made a trail that stained his cheek.

My name... is Ichigo Kurosaki...

"...Ichigo... You're alright?"

Age... Who's really counting nowadays...?

Ichigo's eyes let out a larger river as he spoke out under his breath, "Thank you... everyone... for not giving up on me..."

Hair color... Still orange...

Loly said nothing, and scratched her cheek awkwardly as she attempted not to laugh. Ichigo laughed at her expression and placed his hand on top of her head. She glared as she attempted to move it.

Eye color... Still brown...

"Let's go..."

Occupation...Still the Primera Espada and leader of Las Noches...

He finally let go of her hair and she watched him as he walked away, his cloak and sleeves billowing, giving him the appearance of an angel that has just finished its job. She smiled and ran to catch up to him.

Special Skills... Still the number one protector... That's all there is to it...

Note:

-I actually have one more chapter after this.

Trivia

-Funnily enough, and kind of weird, is that I wrote this entire chapter to Drake's "Shot for me".

-I originally meant for an all-talking chapter. However, as I was typing Masaki and Ichigo, I realized that most of the talking was Masaki speaking and Ichigo rebuking her sarcastically, and I was like, "Stop writing asshole!Ichigo, this ain't getting us anywhere." So I thought about the fact that every in the Kurosaki Clinic fights or screams at each other, that a Masaki vs. Ichigo wouldn't be a bad idea.

-Epilogue might be just as long as this chapter. It also takes place centuries after this.