Shunsui stood next to Jushiro, anxiousness pouring off of the dark-haired man in waves as they got their first look at Ichigo after two years of being without her abilities. And Jushiro had to admit- that his friend's anxiousness was definitely warranted.

The girl was in a bad state.

Her body was nearly skeletal from all of the weight and muscle that she had lost during her final months of life. And any strength that she had once had, had failed her. She wasn't even able to walk well without being unsteady on her legs like a newborn baby deer!

It was horrifying to know that they were somewhat responsible for the terrible shape that she was in. However indirectly, it may be.

It was equally horrifying to know that this had been the state of her body ever since Aizen's defeat and she had likely known that she would get weaker and weaker before she finally died.

It must have been frustrating to her. Galling that after everything that she had done, everything that she had sacrificed, that all of her beliefs about what she was doing was right had boiled down to this.

Jushiro was having a difficult time not letting his eyes well up with tears as he took in her features even from the short distance between them. To him, her fate was beyond a cruel one. After all, she had always been so strong! The one person that they had relied on to save them when no one else could...

"How is she supposed to bounce back from this?" He wasn't sure who asked the question in such a hushed voice, so that they would not be overheard or cause any offense.

But the question was one of legitimate concern regardless of who one bothered to ask since the girl was hardly in any shape to function as a Soul Reaper in any capacity.

His thoughts must have been clearly written on his face since Unohana turned her head to look around, searchingly. Jushiro wasn't sure if the fourth division's Captain was taking in everyone's reactions to Ichigo's state or if she was searching for the one that had spoken the question.

Whatever the reason, she locked eyes with him and he felt a cold chill shoot down his spine at the warning he read in her eyes. Do not react. Do not recoil. Do not show any disgust.

He got the strangest feeling that anyone reacting with any trace of disgust would be inflicting more pain on Ichigo, though not of the physical variety. And would also be dealt swift and painful retribution from Unohana for it.

Jushiro caught the woman casting another warning glance in Shunsui's direction a second before he heard his friend hissing almost inaudibly to himself, "What the hell is Unohana giving me that look for?"

And he had to hang his head to hide the fact that he was sniggering at his friend's paranoid reaction to the look that had just been shot his way.

Though, he supposed that Shunsui's paranoia was entirely warranted given just who Unohana was. As well as the fact that she was usually the one who hunted both he and Shunsui down whenever they got themselves into mischief. So of course, she and her wrath were both things to fear.

Which was just part of why he didn't dare to crack a smile or huff a small laugh at the tiny sliver of amusement that he felt right then. Not on this particularly somber occasion and especially not while within Unohana's hearing range.

He had no desire to undergo any unpleasantness that she may rain down on his head anytime soon. He still had a good bit of life still in him that he wished to live, thank you very much.

He wasn't sure just how long he was mulling various things over in his head, but it must have been a while since Ichigo finally made it to where they were all standing, waiting patiently for her. And the only reason that he even realized that she was there to begin with was because he heard Unohana say excitedly.

"You made it!" Before she stepped forward and enveloping the unsteady girl in a hug while Ichigo hung onto the older woman and let out a nervous/awkward sounding laugh before replying wryly.

"I did, didn't I."

Unohana smiled her usual angelic smile and took a few moments to guide Ichigo over to a wheelchair that she'd had the foresight to bring with her, just in case it was needed. Then once Ichigo was settled in it and comfortable enough, the woman began to wheel her around so that everyone could greet her if they wished.

And since Unohara was giving more warning looks from over the top of Ichigo's head at everyone, the greetings that the girl got were more than pleasant. They were overly joyous even. Especially considering that some of the other Captains and Lieutenants were utterly terrified of offending Ichigo since the Captain of the fourth division was acting weirdly like a mother protecting her child.

The short amount of time that it took for Ichigo to be greeted by some of the others gave both Junshiro and Shunsui time to think over certain things. Like how best to help Ichigo regain her health and her strength.

Both men knew that it wasn't going to be easy. Not for them, and certainly not for Ichigo. But they had never been the type of men to shy away from something challenging before.

And getting Ichigo healthy again would certainly be challenging. Especially if any of the injuries to her organs had carried over from her human life. Still...they would do their damndest to get it done somehow since they both wanted desperately to see the girl thrive amongst their ranks.

Finally, after what felt like a small eternity, it was their turn to say hello to Ichigo. Unohana wheeled the girl over to them and the two men wasted no time at all in smiling down at her and giving her hugs that were the epitome of unprofessional.

Not that either of them cared all that much right then about what was professional and unprofessional. The others could think whatever they wanted. But Ichigo needed this level of affection from them right then.

After all, the girl had just died. And from the state of her body, she had died in a very slow and agonizing way that was hardly befitting a warrior of her caliber.

So, if she needed hugs from her friends- then by god she would have them!

"What's new guys?" She finally asked, acting as unbothered as she could by the current situation that she had found herself in.

To say that they were a bit bothered by her nonchalant behavior would be an understatement. But they tried not to let it show since they didn't want to question her about it yet.

"Well, a lot has happened in the past two years." Jushiro said after a moment or so of thought as Shunsui suddenly decided to blurt out in an excited manner.

"You've been placed in the eight division and I'm your Captain! Isn't that great?"

Ichigo blinked for a second, her expression slightly shocked but gradually smiled happily. "Really? That's great! I've always liked you, and know that you'll take great care of me."

Shunsui looked startled for a second, but smiled anyways as Jushiro leaned out and took hold of one of her boney hands in his and said half-jokingly, "You have my sympathies for being assigned to a division with such a notorious slacker for a Captain."

"Hey!"

Ichigo laughed at the indignant look on the man's face as he shot Jushiro a miffed look. Unohana herself even laughed at Shunsui's embarrassed expression before quickly sobering up upon having the head Captain meander over to join them.

The elder reached out and put a hand gently on one of Ichigo's painfully thin shoulders and gave it a soft squeeze as he said, "It is time." Causing each of the Captain's expressions to go blank.

"Of course, head Captain." Unohana said with a slight dip of her head. "Come Ichigo. There is a bit of stuff that we need to go over with you before we can get you settled in."

"O-Oh. Okay then."

A little while later Ichigo found herself being wheeled to the center of a room with each of the Captains of the thirteen Gotei positioned on both sides of her. And the head Captain seated in a large wing backed chair in front of her.

Kisuke stood off to the side of her a little bit to her left, his dark eyes staring blankly and unblinkingly ahead while the head Captain took a moment to get himself comfortable in his chair before beginning the meeting.

"Thank you everyone for being in attendance on this lovely day," He paused for a second to clear his throat before then speaking again. "As expected from the greeting ceremony earlier- we are here to help our newest acquisition to better understand what has been discussed before her arrival."

There were a few murmurs of agreement from the Captains on either side of her.

"Now, Ichigo- I will bring you up to speed on everything that was discussed and decided before you're passing. I expect you to have questions, but please hold them until I am done speaking."

"Okay." Ichigo said in understanding, earning a few sniggers around the room. The head Captain gave her a fondly exasperated look that had her quickly slapping her hands over her mouth and staring at him wide eyed.

She half expected his to chastise her about being an insubordinate brat like he always did whenever she messed up. But he didn't. Instead, he just sighed and began to speak again.

"First of all, it was decided that depending on your state upon your arrival, you would be examined by Unohana and placed on light duty until you were well enough to begin your new duties. However, it was also decided that depending on your state of health- it may also be necessary to temporarily retire you. At least until you regain your strength."

Ichigo's eyes widened in apprehension at the mere thought of being retired, even temporarily, and wanted to tell him no. But took a moment to think her options over carefully before concluding that the head Captain was right. It may be necessary given just how weak she was at the moment as she tried to focus on what was said next as the elder went on to say.

"Even if it deemed necessary you will still live in the squad eight barracks, and still hold the undisputed rank of lieutenant. And you will still be under Captain Kyoraku's command, and his care regardless of whether you are retired or not."

Ichigo frowned at that since it didn't make any sense to her for her to hold both a rank and live in any barracks. What would be the point in keeping someone so weak and useless around?

To her it was asking for trouble and would only serve to create tension between her and the others in the squad. Especially since she already knew that some of the lower ranking Soul Reapers held a certain amount of contempt for the higher ups which sometimes led to trouble for them.

Sure, she couldn't say for sure whether someone would do something like that. But if they did, it was obvious to her who their target would be.

She sighed, already feeling her head beginning to ache from just thinking about it as the head Captain went on to inform her that as a former human, and still a mere child at that, it had also been decided that she would become someone's ward.

For a moment, she had been startled by the information. But she had also simultaneously hoped that whoever it was that she was to be the ward of- wasn't someone that was likely to kill her.

Like Kenpachi or anyone else from squad eleven since they were all crazy.

Which was why she was more than just a bit relived to learn that Unohara was the one who was going to be her guardian. The head Captain then went on to mention that the woman had somehow intimidated everyone into backing down from offering to be her guardian. And had even literally fought Kenpachi for her when he had refused to back down.

And as relived as Ichigo was to be under her guardianship- she was also suddenly very afraid, though she didn't dare to show it with the way that the woman was smiling at her.

Next to her, she heard Kisuke softly say, "Oooh." Causing her to slowly turn her head to scowl at him. He shut up after that which allowed her to hear everything else that the head captain needed to say.

Thankfully the rest that he had to say was basically to inform her of the fact that she was to be afforded the same level of respect and care as any other veteran Soul Reaper that had suffered injuries during wartime.

He also let her that know that she was considered a full-fledged Soul Reaper she also had a ton of money just sitting around that he hadn't been able to pay her before as a human. And that anything that she needed, whether it was food, creature comforts, medicine, clothing ect. would all be provided for her. All she had to do was ask.

Once that was done, he told Unohana to go ahead and take her to the fourth division to be examined and to report back whatever she found to him so that he could determine whether or not she should be retired for a while effective immediately.

Unohana nodded her head and moved to wheel her out of the room, causing Ichigo's anxiety to spike as the elder then said loudly enough for her to hear. "You have taken care of us and carried us all this time young one. Now let us take care of you."