Hi guys,
Before each chapter, I'm gonna give a little bit of my insights into where I wanna take the story (without giving away "spoilers" or ruining any surprises but I hope to connect with others through my love of bleach so please if you read this, let me know what you think!
This is going to be a story which is focused solely after the TYBW arc and will try its best to stay true to each character, however. A few differences will take place, such as Ichigo not breaking his zanpakuto in the fight with Yhwach and potentially I may look into furthering development of his Quincy side.As it's my first story I'm writing (which it's worth noting this is mainly for fun) please do give me any tips, advice or any review in general to help me improve the quality!
If it's no good then possibly I may start over! I also don't mind if anyone takes elements from this story for their own fic, in fact I'd feel honoured! If you do though just let me know cos I'd love to read it! Anyways enough rambling! Let's get into it.
Beyond the End: Chapter 1
So...What now?
Nothing felt real. Not the hustling that surrounded the wreckage, nor the cries of relief that followed the crashing of his final strike which brought the finale of this god forsaken war. As brief as it may have been, Rukia Kuchiki was certainly beginning to feel it would be never ending.
"All members of the Gotei 13, begin searching the rubble and assist squad 4's efforts! We must begin reparations immediately!"
As if shell-shocked, Rukia slowly scours the area for a glimpse of her friends; she needed to see for herself the damage and steel herself for any pain she may feel. News of Jushiro Ukitake's sacrifice already weighing heavily on her mind, she could only curse their circumstances and pray that she wouldn't be saying goodbye any more of her loved ones this day.
"Rukia..."
Rukia turned slowly, already knowing who had called out to her. With black locks flowing graciously as the wind breezes through it, not to mention the exotic robes, infused with elements of the ōken which allowed them to pass through the Shakonmaku, which encased his frame, Byakuya Kuchiki gave Rukia a small yet warm smile. This was typically uncharacteristic of Byakuya, however given the circumstances he felt that the situation met the requirements for it.
"Brother... it's over. To think that only a short while ago we all fought so desperately... " Rukia began trailing off as she thought back to the horrors they faced in the last few days. "Do not worry about such things Rukia. It may be over, but we have work to do." Byakuya said sternly. 'Why am I not surprised' she scoffed internally. Being the head of the noble house of Kuchiki surely wouldn't allow even a hint of a crack in his grace and decorum no matter what hell he traversed. She began to open her mouth in order to speak, but then...
"I am, however, very pleased that you made it through. You have grown strong, Rukia. I am proud."
Shocked by the words that she'd long wished to hear from him after decades of effort to reach his expectations, the words filled Rukia with ease. "Thank you brother. It means a lot." She bowed, attempting to show her respect elegantly while simultaneously hiding the slight tint of pink in her cheeks. "Come Rukia. We have many things to do. Renji is leading the support for the 4th squad. We must do what we can to help"
Byakuya strode nobly forward, however he took one glance back inquisitively to find his petite adopted sister staring into the distance. Immediately he knew what crossed her mind.
"He will be fine Rukia. It is after all, his efforts which gave us this victory."
As he walked away, Rukia closed her eyes, took a deep breath and before taking her first step she muttered three very pained words.
"I hope so."
"I'm all done Ichigo!... Ichigo?"
An overly bubbly voice came from the side of him as he pondered just what he could have done differently. It went straight through one ear and out of the other though. Too many lives were lost throughout this mess. It was hard just accepting things as they were in situations like this. Despite the relief it was finally over. Ichigo couldn't believe just how much everything had gone down.
"...igo... hel... ts up?..."
Seemingly out of nowhere, a foot came crashing into the side of his well toned jaw knocking him straight from his stupor.
"WHAT THE FUCK! GANJU! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!?"
"Oh so nooow you pay attention?" Ganju mocked. "A pretty girl like Orihime patches you up and you'd rather sit in your head all day? You are definitely swinging for the same team..." Ganju began laughing as if he'd never seen anything so hilarious in his life, as if proud of his own quip.
"shut up Ganju... nice to see you are the same as before... sorry Orihime... I'm just thinking. Thank you for healing my wounds. I really appreciate it" he managed to spit out, his lips slowly curled upwards into one of his rare grins. "It's... it's okay Ichigo!... so it's finally over, huh?" Orihime asked, twiddling her thumbs together as her arms were behind her back.
"Yeah, it's finally over. I was certain Aizen would take advantage of the aftermath since he was free of his binds but... he didn't... guess we have to count our blessings." Ichigo remarked. He stood while brandishing his 2 zangetsu's and proceeding to sheath them. "I'm gonna take a look around. Don't wait up for me!" He shouted back as he flash stepped away, immediately disappearing beyond his friends' vision.
"oh, okay. Goodbye..." Orihime called shyly. She knew she had a lot of work to prepare for. Casualties riddled the seireitei and injuries were even more common. She coyly looked at where her friend and longtime crush stood and smiled bitterly. She had vowed to herself inwardly that she would tell him exactly how she felt about him the second this carnage was over but before she even had a chance to confess, he was gone again. "Damn idiot ditching us! It hasn't even been an hour since he beat that yoo ha... whatever he's called" Ganju muttered, just loud enough for Orihime, Chad and Uryu to hear.
"Yhwach" Uryu Corrected as he stepped forward.
Chad smiled, but he felt that he didn't need to say anything. He knew exactly what bothered Orihime. He may have been quiet, but that was because he observed more intently during his silence. Ichigo was a man of action. If he felt he needed to do something he would do it. That's how he always has been.
"Orihime... let's go and help out. I'm glad to see you are okay" Uryu said as he looked intently at Orihime.
"Okay Uryu...Let's go."
A few days later, all that remained to do was rebuild, which meant it became time for the former ryoka to depart from the soul society once again. Despite roaming the entirety of the ruins the expanse of the seireitei, Ichigo resigned to helping out and in the end, only caught up with a few of his shinigami friends. Ikkaku and yumichika joked with him about how worse for wear they all looked, kenpachi tried to fight him and immediately threw up blood caused by his wounds and Renji made a few choice remarks before rushing off to order around some squad members.
But the one person he wanted to see before leaving seemed to be nowhere to be seen. He had confirmed she was okay after running into Renji, but there was not a sight of her at all.
"Ichigo. Before you and your friends leave, I would like to speak to you privately."
The Orange haired shinigami spun around to see a man in pink oriental robes and donning a straw hat above his head, his one functioning eye warmly gazed upon him, albeit with a steel that was obvious for the man who became the new head captain of the Gotei 13.
"Kyoraku? Everything okay?"
Kyoraku nodded and chuckled lightly. "Of course! We all wanted to thank you for all the help you and your friends have shown us during the craziness these recent times. Here."
Kyoraku passed a letter to Ichigo which had a bizarre insignia. "What's this?" He asked the jovial head captain. "An offer to become the new captain of Squad 8 since it is now vacant. You may choose your own lieutenant as well as the right to access a senkaimon." Kyoraku stated. Ichigo's eyes widened and he fumbled clumsily looking at the letter in his hand. He then smiled and shook his head.
"I appreciate the offer but I refuse."
Kyoraku laughed heartily. "Hahahaha! I knew you'd say that! You don't have to answer right away. Even if the vacancy is filled, any future vacancies will be offered to you regardless. You have more than proved your worth. " he turned and took a few steps before saying with a gleeful tone, "As the Head captain of the Gotei 13, thank you, Ichigo Kurosaki."
Ichigo smiled and nodded before Kyoraku flash stepped away. He stood motionless for a few short moments before gazing at the senkaimon. A specific person in his mind. He had already said goodbye to everyone and if he couldn't find her, despite looking everywhere he could then it was hardly his fault he didn't get the chance. He donned his usual scowl and took 3 steps towards his gateway home.
"ICHIGO!"
He spun around quickly, his heart almost stopping in his chest at the petite, raven haired woman in front of him.
Oh so now you show up?
"Took you long enough... Rukia." She smiled at the substitute shinigami in front of her. "I had a lot of work to do. My captain just passed away so it's been argued I'm the most viable candidate for succession." She explained.
"Well nice to see you before I go. It's been intense huh?"
"Yeah..."
Both looked at each other but turned their heads, feeling awkward as they knew it was time to say goodbye.
"So... What now?" Ichigo questioned as he found the courage to look up and gaze into the violet eyes of his comrade.
"I'm going to be very busy helping to rebuild and with my captains ceremony... I'm assuming you will go back to your human life? But..." Rukia trailed off.
"But?"
Rukia looked at the ground. She had been through many battles and faced one of the most horrifying opponents she has ever faced in As nodt. Surely she wasn't feeling nervous.
"I guess I just... wanted to say goodbye."
"Just... goodbye?"
Ichigo and Rukia didn't understand it at that moment, but both had an intense knot in their stomach.
"I don't know you imbecile! Just... I'll see you again. You know that right?" Rukia blushed. After all this time, despite having fought alongside Ichigo, neither could grasp their connection with each other. Both had felt that the bond they shared crossed the boundary of being just friends, however due to their complicated circumstances; Ichigo being a 17 year old 'human' if you could call him that, and she being a shinigami who was just about to gain the title of captain, it made them put any other thoughts they may have had on the back burner.
Ichigo gave her a smile that she immediately took notice of and it made her entire body heat up, a feeling which Rukia was familiar with whilst around Ichigo. 'Not this again!' She thought. She had tried to push it down so many times and giving herself many different excuses each time. 'I must be under the weather' or 'has the temperature just raised suddenly' among other white lies.
"Of course midget. I'll see you soon...right?"
She didn't want to lie to him, but she knew that she didn't have a definitive answer right now. So she opted to return the stunningly beautiful smile he had given. "Yeah. I'll see you soon."
Ichigo turned and entered the Senkaimon, with thoughts that always crossed his mind every single time they parted.
'Why is it so difficult to say goodbye to you, Rukia?'
Little did Ichigo know, he wouldn't see Rukia again for another 2 years.
That's the end of the first chapter guys! I've got an idea of where I want to take this chapter but for now I'm just working out the kinks.
Next chapter will be focusing solely on Ichigo trying to get used to his life after the war with the Quincy's and maybe, this feeling he has will become more obvious to him over time XD
please take your time to like, comment and review! See you next time!