Uryu, Orihime, Sado, Hiyori, Hachi, Kisuke, and Yoruichi stood beside the senkaimon, ready to pass through. A few people had come to see them off. Ichigo, Rukia, Renji, and Soi Fon were all givens and Hikafune, Shinji, Kensei, Lisa, Love, Mashiro, and Rose had to come as well. Byakuya and Rangiku also found time to come. "You need to come back the first chance you get. Nanao want's to get the Shinigami Woman's society up and running again." Rangiku told Orihime.

"Of course, you are always welcome too Lady Yoruichi." Soi Fon said, a little shyly. Yoruichi smiled as she put a hand on her student's head.

"Don't worry, we'll be there." she said. Orihime nodded in agreement.

"Take care will you guys, and tell my boss I'm sorry I couldn't help her out any more." Ichigo said.

"You should tell her yourself, but I suppose we can manage it." Uryu said, adjusting his glasses. His smile told Ichigo it would be one of the first things taken care of.

"Call us if you ever need our help." Sado said firmly. Ichigo nodded. He doubted he'd have to, but heknew he was going to do it. After all, they were strong enough to handle anything. The group turned to look at the senkaimon. They knew this wasn't goodbye. They would see Ichigo again, and he would see him. Yet it would never be exactly the same. The next time they saw him, he wouldn't be just a teenage who is doing a little more than his share. He'd be a full fledged Shinigami. Yet they knew it was the same for all of them. No one was the same as they were when the entire mess began two years ago. For all instances and purposes, it was for the best.

"Well then, take care! We're going now." Kisuke called. Ichigo and Rukia both nodded and smiled as the group turned and ran into the senkaimon.

xxx

The sky opened up long enough for the seven bodies to emerge before closing in behind them. To say they were surprised at having a receiving party was an understatement. Ururu, Tessai, Jinta, Ryuken, Isshin, Karin, Yuzu, Tatsuki, Keigo, and Mizuiro were all waiting for them. Orihime smiled as she ran over to hug her long time friend, and Tatsuki hugged her back. Uryu and Ryuken stood staring at each other while Keigo ran over to hug Sado, Mizuiro smiling a hello to him. Ururu went up to Kisuke, and he put a hand on her head. Yuzu meanwhile started looking around.

"Where's Ichigo?" she asked. Sado and Orihime looked at Uryu, and he looked at Kisuke. If anyone should tell them out of there group, it was the man who trained Ichigo and had the longest running relationship with the adults there. Kisuke pulled out his white fan.

"Well you see Yuzu dear...he's not coming back." Kisuke said in a happy go lucky voice.

"What?!" Yuzu asked in surprise. She did not look happy at all. Karin however looked rather board.

"I didn't think he would." she said. Tatsuki and Mizuiro both nodded in agreement. They both had a feeling that Ichigo would stay in the Seiretei. They wouldn't have met Shunsui if there was any other outcome.

"Anyway it's getting late and we have school tomorrow. Come on Orihime, you can have dinner at my place." Tatsuki said. Orihime nodded and followed the dark haired girl.

"I suppose that's our cue to go as well. Chad, you're welcome to come join us for dinner too if you want." Kisuke offered as he, Tessai, Yoruichi, Jinta, and Ururu headed out. Sado thought about it, but the after thought of how the shopkeeper would make him repay it made him stop.

"You can come have dinner with us if you want." Karin offered. She liked Sado. He was nice and he was Ichigo's friend. He was really quiet though. Sado nodded and he followed her, Yuzu, and Karin.

"I guess my sister is going to kill me if I don't get home soon. Come on Mizuiro." Keigo said. Mizuiro gave a nervous nod as he looked at the only two left. The Ishida's had so much tension between then that the dark haired boy felt it was a bad idea to leave them alone together. However they had some things to work out, he could tell. In fact, he was sure that's part of the reason everyone was quick to leave. The two boys quickly retreated down the road.

Ryuken and Uryu looked away from each other. Finally after a few minutes of silence, Uryu decided he couldn't take it anymore. "Thank you. If it hadn't been for that arrow..." Uryu started.

"Don't bring it up again." Ryuken said. Uryu fell silent. He wasn't even offended. His father had done a prolonged autopsy on his mother to get that arrow head. Yet he knew his mother would be happy that even in death she had been able to help save her husband and son. If she was here now, she'd be so disappointed in the two of them. Uryu sighed and Ryuken pulled out a cigarette.

"I have some food at my place. It's not the best but..." Uryu trailed off. He wasn't sure why he was doing this, but his father did just save them. Ryuken looked at his watch.

"It's too late to be cooking Uryu. You have school in the morning." he refused the invitation with no hesitation. Uryu wanted to scream at him. At least he was trying! Ryuken then took a long drag on his cigarette. "There aren't a lot of places left open this late at night, but we could probably find one nearby." he said, surprising the boy. Uryu dumbly nodded, and Ryuken started to walk away. Uryu quietly followed.

Ryuken glanced back at his son. He wondered what Misaki and Katagiri would think of the boys if they had lived. Surly Misaki would have spoiled both boys rotten. Katagiri would have spent a lot of time teaching them sewing and cooking. Yet both women would be very proud of them. Katagiri would be especially proud of her son. Ryuken couldn't see much of himself in Uryu, but he could see too much of Katagiri. The self sacrificing nature for others, the desire to protect those closest to him. The want to make them happy, even if it's something so little as helping sew their toys back together. He was glad Uryu took after Katagiri.

"Uryu." he called, getting the boy's attention. He wondered if he should say it. After all, Isshin was right in how close of a call this had been. He knew this was most likely the last time someone of Aizen or Yhwach's caliber would appear in their lifetimes at the very least. Yet he felt now would be the best of all times to ever say it. "I'm glad you made it back. You did well." he said, then he turned away to keep walking. He had no desire to see whatever look would come across Uryu's face.

Uryu felt the entire world freeze. His father just said he was glad he was alive, and he complimented him! Uryu couldn't ever remember that happening before. He felt a small smile tug at his lips and was sure his eyes got a little misty. "Thanks...Father." he said. He wasn't ready to call Ryuken 'dad' yet, but the least he owed the man was the respect of calling him his father.

So yeah, that's the first part. The immediate aftermath of this shit. The next chapter will take place a little bit later, still within the same year. I have no idea how to thank you all for the support. So many people are reading this and it makes me so happy! The reviews are amazing too. I know this chapter is shorter than the others, but this was all I ever wrote for the immediate end, so I thought it was a good place to cut off.