Chapter 9: Sweet Dreams

Rukia woke up in the middle of the night, stirring in her sleep. She sat up and looked over to see Ichigo sound asleep in her bed.

Rukia smiled a little, thinking, who would have thought I would be back here in the world of the living, that I could cause such an impact on my return, and who would have thought we have changed so much. I used to be very naïve towards Ichigo being close to me, but that doesn't seem to matter any more.

He's not so serious anymore, more carefree than I have ever seen from him, hes not as stubborn, hes a lot less annoying, but that's not it, hes more…. Respectful. I like that.

Ichigo had a half smile across his face while he slept, Rukia only wondered I wonder what he's dreaming about?

Ichigo's smile disappeared from his face and turned into an odd expression, he rolled over and moaned in his sleep.

The skies became blue with some white mist everywhere he looked. Skyscrapers surrounded him when he looked around.

"What is this place?" Ichigo said.

"The question should be, where… is this place." A voice called out to him.

Ichigo turned completely around startled, behind him was a cage, a large Grey cage with large bars that prevent the occupant from leaving the cage.

Inside the cage a Dark figure sat pretzel legged in the center, it wore a long black coat, with a hood that covered its entire face, the sleeves were missing, and the figures white arms were wrapped in black chains that spiraled down into the figures black gloves it wore, the chains also extended over his shoulders and attached to two large silver buttons on its chest.

"Who the hell are you?" Ichigo asked cautiously.

The dark hooded figure smiled a little, "Well only you could know that one now Ichigo."

Ichigo cocked an eyebrow as the hooded figure stood up in the cage. "What the hell are you talking about? you aren't Zangetsu. I've never seen you before." Ichigo blurted.

The man stepped forward in the cage and crossed his arms. "Its simple Ichigo, I am you." The man said.

Ichigo stepped back in shock, What does he mean by he is me? The man continued. "I am you Ichigo, I am everything you stand for, I am everything you represent and everything you were, are and will be. I was there by your side since the beginning, when you invaded the Soul society, when you saved Rukia, when you fought off the Arrancars, and Aizen. Even now, I am your will, your nerve, your strength….. I am, your true power."

Ichigo choked. The man in the cage finished, "Like I said before, only you know my true name Ichigo. We have met here once before, you wanted to know something from me."

Ichigo thought, "Tensa ….. Zangetsu?"

The man smirked, "You say that name with such uncertainty, it bothers me, you will find my true name only when you loose your uncertainty and are completely sure of yourself Ichigo."

" I would like to know why you're in a cage?" Ichigo asked.

The man sat back down, " You might already know this but, this was my fate after you have lost your powers. When you used that technique against Aizen so long ago, I was sealed away in this cage, with no way out from the inside." The man said.

Ichigo realized something and asked, "only from the inside? So the only way you can get out is from the outside."

The man nodded, "that is correct Ichigo, this cell can only be opened from the outside which means, only you can set me free."

Ichigo became excited, "but how how do I do it, how do I set you free."

The man smirked, "you need to find the key."

"the key huh." Ichigo said while looking around, "but where do I find it?"

the man in the cage answered, "You cannot find it with your eyes Ichigo, the key comes from the depths of your soul, it will only appear in the moment of your most dire need, and when you truly know my name, until then I will remain here Ichigo. But, I believe that moment may be soon, the bars of this cage are becoming weaker and weaker, letting my power flow out to you more and more, soon I shall be free, and you will become everything you once were. Until then Ichigo, farewell."

The cage became more distant from Ichigo as everything turned white. Ichigo blasted his eyes open, panting. He sat up in the bed and looked around. Ichigo looked to his left and saw Rukia sitting up. Ichigo whispered, "Rukia? Why are you up?"

Rukia looked at him, " I was just thinking Ichigo."

"Oh….. What were you thinking about?" Ichigo asked.

Rukia thought for a moment, she wasn't sure she wanted to tell him what she was wondering about while he slept, Ichigo leaned back and put his hands on the back of his head, Rukia was in a dilemma, she wanted to ask him, but he would think it was silly. Yet she did any way.

"What were you dreaming about over there Ichigo?" She asked.

Ichigo was a little awkward trying to answer it, "Well, actually I don't think it was a dream at all."

Rukia cocked an eyebrow at him, "what do you mean?"

Ichigo leaned forward, "I was in my inner world, and there was a dark hooded man in a cage, I couldn't see him very clear with all the mist and what not, he seems so familiar though….. I could have sworn it was Zangetsu."

Rukia stared at Ichigo seriously, "Your zanpakuto? I thought you lost all of your power Ichigo?"

"That's what I thought." Ichigo said, "He said that he was my true power, can you make anything of it Rukia?"

Rukia thought for a moment, "it is possible, your father's power returned after all that time, Id tread carefully Ichigo, we don't know where this could lead us."

Ichigo nodded, "yeah…. Right….. Well lets get back to bed Rukia, we got school in the morning."

Rukia smiled a little, "yeah, good night Ichigo."

Rukia fell back asleep, turned away from Ichigo, Ichigo couldn't help but smile as he watched her falling asleep, Rukia, you've changed a lot since we said our goodbyes, it only makes me wonder how much have you actually changed, and I cant believe im thinking this but.

At that moment Ichigo's heart pounded in his chest, his face became flustered. I think im in love.

Ichigo scooted closer to Rukia and fell back asleep with his right arm wrapped around her stomach.

Meantime…. In the Soul Society, there was an important Captains meeting going under way….

Captain Commander Yammamoto stood from his chair, "Now down to business, as you all know, we have filled the gap in squad three with the inauguration of Captain Shūsuke Amagai, but we do have a trouble some task at hand, we are still two captains shy, our main problem is squad five, it is complete disarray, with the betrayal and death of sosuke Aizen, and the removal of lieutenant Hinamori, we have called this meeting to settle the problem here and now…. We will inaugurate a new captain this day."

Captain Shunsui Kyōraku lifted his had slightly, "a new captain in squad five huh, I'm sure no one would want that position, considering the man who held that last."

Captain Ukitake looked over at Shunsui, "Well add to the fact there are few candidates to choose from if any for captain status, are there any strong enough to full fill that role?"

The captains discussed the issue for hours, very few names came up to the plate, one of them was Ikkaku Madarame, when that name was said Kenpachi roared, "your insane, Ikkaku would not want that position ever!"

Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi stood up and faced Kenpachi, "I agree with Zaraki, we don't need another hot headed baffoon for a captain!"

Kenpachi stood up in anger at the Odd ball tech captain, "why I should kill you where you stand Mayuri!"

Yammamoto stood up, "ENOUGH! Your bickering will cease as of right now, we cannot argue over a situation such as this."

They discussed long and hard over the two captainless squads until squad nine was decided.

"For squad nine Shūhei Hisagi will take the captains exam to see if he truly is fit to take up the role of captain. He has done quite well assuming the commanding role of his squad when Tosen defected with Aizen" Yammamoto added, "but we still need to solve the problems for squad five."

"I know of one individual who can fit the role of squad five captain." A calm voice spoke.

All of the other captains looked over to see Captain Byakuya Kuchiki standing completely composed as always. "he has all of the skills necessary, and I know him well."

Back in the world of the living…. Orihime was fast asleep in her room, but Grimmjow sat on the couch wide awake,

"ugh, I feel tired," Grimmjow said to himself. " I don't get it, I don't understand what Ulquiorra meant."

"Do not falter in your quest Grimmjow, you will find your heart." Ulquiorra said to him before he disappeared in black ash. Grimmjow was stricken, "Wait what do you mean by that, I don't understand!"

Grimmjow stared forward as that memory passed through his head, "this is an absolute headache, can I truly cover my sins just by doing this, watching over one damned girl."

Grimmjow kicked back onto the couch and tried to sleep.

Orihime couldn't sleep half the night because she was worried. Why does this have to revolve around me, I never thought something like this will happen or not based on people protecting me, why.

Orihime got up walked into her bathroom and took some sleeping pills, and began to walk back when she noticed Grimmjow fussing in his sleep. I bet hes having nightmares, poor guy, all the things he once did must be coming back to haunt him. Orihime walked back into her room and fell asleep.

Back in the soul society,

"The meeting is officially over! We will hold the Inauguration Saturday morning, everyone must be present for this it is vital." Captain Yammamoto said.

The other ten captains left the room. Captain Unohana spoke to Byakuya on his choice, "are you sure hes ready captain Kuchiki?" Unohana asked

"I am certain he will be fine, besides, he is the most reliable candidate for it, he will be fine." Byakuya said.

Byakuya Kuchiki left and proceeded to squad nine barracks where he found Shūhei Hisagi sitting at a desk. Hisagi looked up and said, "Hey Captain Kuchiki, what brings you here?"

Byakuya stood infront of his desk, "Shūhei Hisagi, lieutenant of squad nine, I came to tell you that this Friday, you will report to the squad one offices, there you will take the captains exam, if you pass, you will become captain of squad nine."

Shūhei Hisagi stood in shock, "are you serious! That's incredible, I will not fail, thank you for the notice captain."

Byakuya left the room, he said to himself, "Now I must make a phone call to my sister, she needs to know of this."

In the world of the living

The alarm clock went off and Rukia stuck her hand out and hit the stop button, she yawned and pulled the covers off, it took her moments to realize what she was seeing. Rukia went bug eyed as it came to mind that Ichigo had an arm wrapped around her while they slept, she blushed tremendously, Good grief Ichigo.

She removed his arm from her waist and got out of bed. Ichigo stirred awake and said, "Morning already. Damn, Oi Rukia we have to wear white today!"

Rukia was in the bathroom getting cleaned up when she heard him, she replied, "ALRIGHT ILL REMEMBER THAT!"

Ichigo got out of bed and stretched that's when he noticed all of the pictures on her desk in the corner. Various pictures of Rukia with friends family, and a big picture framed of her and Ichigo sitting next to each other at school. He picked up the picture and looked at it, Man look how happy we were…. I'm glad she came back, it was never dull here in Karakura Town.

Rukia just got done taking a shower when her phone started ringing. She wrapped herself in a large towel and picked up, "hello this is Rukia."

"Rukia, how have you been living in the living world." Byakuya said.

"oh Nii-samma, ive been good, how are things in Soul Society?" Rukia asked.

"Rukia, theres something important we need to talk about right now, its about Renji." Byakuya said.

Rukia noted the seriousness in his voice, something was going on, she knew it.

Ichigo walked out into the hallway and was heading to the bathroom, when Rukia stepped out of the bathroom in her bathrobe. She hung up her phone and looked Ichigo in the eye.

Ichigo looked at her and asked, "oi whats up Rukia, who was on the phone?"

Rukia looked away, "it was my brother, Byakuya calling."

Ichigo smirked, "what did he want this early in the morning?"

Rukia looked at Ichigo, "Ichigo, I have to go back to the Soul society Saturday morning for an Inauguration…" she said.

Ichigo cocked an eyebrow, "an Inauguration? For what?"

Rukia walked up to Ichigo and grabbed his wrists, " Renji….. was just made captain of squad five!"