Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter or Bleach.

Original story belongs to user Scififan33. Since the original story was removed by the author, I'm reposting this.

Chapter 8

Kisuke Urahara had many flaws, and he knew it, but he did not count curiosity as one of them. So, when Isshin showed up on his doorstep, drunk, three nights a month for four months, he just had to find out what was going on. He would have asked young Karin, but she had stopped coming to the store… around the same had obviously happened in the Kurosaki house and he wanted to know what. He couldn't just show up though, that would end with too many questions aimed at himself, so he hinted and teased until Yoruichi went to see for herself.

Two days later he received news he had never expected; Ichigo no longer lived with his family. That concerned him, Ichigo might be a normal human now, but that did not mean he wouldn't be targeted by Spiritual beings who knew of him. Also, there was always the incredibly remote chance of somehow regaining his powers.

So, where had Ichigo gone?

Ichigo pushed his history text aside and stretched, looking out his window. His next treatment was approaching, and he was hopeful but also nervous.

What would happen if Shiro returned first, before the Old Man? Yeah, they had merged together in order for him to defeat Aizen, but that didn't mean they were still one being.

Could he keep Shiro under control without the Old Man? Then again, it wasn't like his inner hollow was a threat to Harry. That could actually be an interesting meeting in a way, but that didn't mean he wanted it to happen. Also, Shiro was a part of him, he had accepted that, as long as he accepted him as the darker parts of himself given form, then they could work together and he wouldn't lose control. A knock on his door had him turning to see Harry leaning in the doorway. "Harry?"

The older man smiled. "Got bored of school work?"

Ichigo shrugged.

"Got you something." Harry tossed an object to Ichigo.

Ichigo caught it and then frowned in confusion at the metal cuff. "Thanks?"

Harry chuckled and moved to perch on the end of the bed. "With you starting to see spirits again, I thought you might like to not accidentally give yourself away next time a Shinigami pops in on your sister's game. As long as you wear that -" Harry pointed to the cuff, "- it will keep your powers hidden, Spiritual and Magical. It will also provide a halo of colour around anyone or anything not a living human so that you will be able to know how to act. This way you won't have to reveal your powers before you wish just because a Hollow comes after you."

Ichigo turned the cuff over in his hands, it looked like silver, but it was slightly warm and felt very strong. Etched over the surface were Norse and Greek letters, he could decipher some but not all, not yet. What he could work out, were for protection and hiding. It was delicate looking but not feminine, thankfully. He shrugged out of his jacket and put it on his bicep, just below where his short sleeve ended. The metal band fit perfectly. He felt the surge of magic around him. "Thank you."

Harry shrugged. "A good friend and teacher ensures the safety of their friends and students."

Chad studied the house as they approached and then followed Ichigo inside, curious to finally meet his friend's …benefactor? …teacher? They took their shoes off and followed the noise to the kitchen.

Harry was busy setting the table for three, moving platters from the kitchen counters to the table.

Chad stopped and stared at the man that had saved his friend's soul, literally.

Harry looked up and smiled at the duo. "Welcome to our home Yasutora-san," he greeted the very tall teenager who appeared to have some giant somewhere in his family tree.

Chad nodded. "Thank you for inviting me."

"Well it was about time Ichigo brought you around. Feel free to visit him whenever you please, this is his home as well," Harry assured him. "Now, I do remember being a teenager, so I know you must both be starving." He waved them to the seats.

They sat to eat, Chad pleased, but surprised, to find tomatoes in several dishes. He didn't notice the odd look Harry gave to the window, or sense the being outside looking in.

Kisuke watched Chad and Ichigo enter a traditional two-story home near Tsubakidai Park. He had been watching Ichigo's friends in order to try and find him, but it seemed he was no longer in contact with any of them, except Chad.

It appeared that Isshin's attempts to make adjusting easier for Ichigo had seriously backfired; isolating him from those he had fought and bled beside.

For the first time in a while he felt his conscience twinge. Could he have done more to protect them? They were just children after all.

He risked a quick glance within and saw the two boys sitting at a table with another male who had to be in his early twenties at the most. He had dark hair, but he wasn't Japanese from what Kisuke could tell.

The stranger glanced out the window.

Kisuke frowned and moved away, then decided it was a coincidence.

Who was this man and what was his interest in Ichigo?

Harry gently settled Ichigo into his bed and sat beside him, waiting for him to wake. It was taking longer than he had originally thought to unseal Ichigo's soul. He wished there was another way, the teen didn't deserve this pain.

Shinji leant back in his chair, studying the ceiling. It still felt strange, being back in Soul Society after so long. The excitement at being allowed back had faded, at least for him, and he found his mind often straying to the last of their members. Even powerless, he considered Ichigo one of them, one of the Visored.

He was beginning to feel guilty; since Ichigo had lost his powers, he hadn't checked up on him once. He'd heard Rukia had seen him twice, but he should have gone himself.

Kisuke had passed on Isshin's wishes, that no one was to see Ichigo, to give him a clean break. He didn't really agree. He could always go and see how he was doing, then get a gigai if he thought his visit would be welcomed by the teen.

Decision made, he stood and left his office.

Ichigo stood in his inner world, easily standing sideways on the building and looked around the familiar place. It was still cold, although it had become warmer since his first visit, and still eerily empty and silent. Even the Old Man's favourite flagpole was missing.

He began travelling around, not even sure why he'd decided to come inside to get accustomed to it after months of being unable to access it. Or had it ceased to exist when his soul was sealed? Yet, it was different; green parks growing where there had been only buildings before.

What was causing the changes? He hadn't really changed that much since losing his powers, had he? But…

Was this his magic?

Tomorrow would be his next treatment, and Harry was very optimistic that he would regain at least one of his spirits. Maybe they would know?

Shinji stepped onto the grass and grinned. Thankfully, he'd managed to avoid everyone who might have argued with him about coming to the living world. Now all he had to do was find Ichigo. It used to be that he could sense him from anywhere in town. Now he was no different from any other human. After double-checking the time, he headed for the school.

However, while he spotted Ichigo's friends at the school, there was a definite lack of distinctive orange hair.

Going to the house and clinic meant risking running into Isshin, but he was not in the mood to deal with him.

While wandering through town, his luck appeared to change. He spotted the familiar hairstyle and quickly followed.

Ichigo felt someone following him. His scowl deepened. It wasn't a Hollow thankfully, the cuff worked well there. No, it was Hollow tainted, but...

He fought the urge to turn and see which of the Visored was following him. He changed his course, heading for an empty park, rather than home, then settled beneath a tree.

He spotted Shinji, haloed in a soft green. He wasn't using a gigai.

Ichigo was torn. Part of him wanting to let the man know he could see him, to demand to know why he was there, but he hesitated. Would Shinji then report the return of his powers? Shinji had said he was one of them, no matter what, would that keep him silent?

Shinji watched Ichigo.

The boy's scowl deepened, then he thudded his head against the tree. Abruptly, Ichigo looked right at him.

Shinji stiffened in shock. He glanced behind to see what Ichigo could be looking at, but there was nothing. Could he…? Despite feeling like an idiot for speaking to someone who couldn't hear him, he tried anyway. "Ichigo?"

"Shinji," Ichigo answered, closing his eyes.

Shinji's eyes widened comically. "Ya can…? How…?" The Captain of the 5th Division stared at the teen who had the habit of shocking people when it came to his powers.

Ichigo's eyes narrowed warily. "Who's asking?"

Shinji understood the wariness; Shinji himself had been sentenced to death, exiled from his home, without ever having the chance to defend himself, or prove that he was still himself and not a Hollow. He'd gone back because it was what the others wanted; to stop running, but he would never trust the Gotei 13 like he once had, or the Central 46.

Ichigo didn't even have the good memories the Visored had of Soul Society; all of his memories were of fighting against, and then with the Shinigami. It was understandable that he would be wary of the place and those who served there after what he had been through.

Shinji moved closer and sat beside Ichigo, feeling him stiffen slightly. "A fellow Visored." He leaned back with his usual grin, looking utterly relaxed. He didn't know how Ichigo had at least some of his powers back, but he had seen him at his worst and he knew that unless he attacked, the teen wouldn't attack him.

After a while of sitting in silence, Ichigo sighed, tipped his head back, then spoke softly. "Did you know?"

"Know what?"

"The side effects of 'losing my powers'?"

Shinji sat up straight. Side effects? No one had mentioned any side effects! Fear for his friend seized him. "What happened?"

What had they done in leaving Ichigo? In Soul Society's eyes, his death wouldn't mean a thing other than potentially a new powerful fighter for the Gotei 13, bringing him fully under their authority and control.

Hearing that tone felt… good. It was good to know that Shinji was worried about him. Ichigo leant forward, drawing his knees up to rest his arms on them. "Two-thirds of my soul were locked away." It still hurt to even say it, despite knowing he was healing.

Shinji let those words sink in, felt his horror rising.

A Zanpakutō was part of a Shinigami's soul, even if it did take on a different appearance. On top of that was a Visored's inner hollow, and Ichigo had a different relationship with his than the rest of them did.

"What exactly did ya do to beat Aizen?" Shinji had been stuck in the fake town, too injured to help with the battle in Soul Society.

He was still ashamed of the fight they had put up that day. They'd really let their skills slip during their exile. However, since then they'd all worked hard to improve.

"Saigo no Getsuga Tenshō," Ichigo finally answered. "I became Getsuga and it allowed me to use Mugetsu. It makes a blade of deep black Reiatsu in my hand, which I then swing towards my target. That causes a massive veil of black Reiatsu to erupt upwards and approach the target, darkening the sky and heavily damaging anything caught within the blast. Afterwards, the energy continues to rise before dissipating into the sky," he explained in almost a monotone. "It was enough to hurt Aizen, but not kill him. Urahara did something that sealed his powers away." He shrugged slightly. "You know what happened after that."

Shinji was impressed by that attack, although he was a little lost as to how Ichigo could become his sword or it's attack? "That's what cost ya your Shinigami powers?"

Ichigo nodded.

"They knew it would. Didn't want to teach me, but I didn't understand till the end. The Old Man and Shiro merged, we fought, then I let them run me through. When they did, I knew… knew why they didn't want to tell me… but there was no other choice. They wanted to save me, to protect me, but I had to protect everyone else." Ichigo was pretty sure he was babbling, but out of everyone he'd told, Shinji would understand the best. He'd locked his hollow away, and it was different but still…

Shinji listened in horror and anger; anger that it had been left to a kid to save them, at Kisuke for giving Ichigo his powers back to rescue Rukia, at Isshin for ever telling Ichigo about the ability, for not being there for his son growing up. There was even some anger at himself for not coming quicker, for leaving in the first place. However, he kept quiet, Ichigo had a habit of keeping quiet on important things, so he would let him talk while he was willing.

"I was talking to Rukia and then… she just faded away." Ichigo closed his eyes, remembering the pain of seeing her gradually vanish from his ability to see. "I gave her my badge. Not like I needed it anymore." He dug it out of his pocket and tossed it on the ground between them. "Found it on my bed a while later with a note, but she never came to see me in a gigai. It hurt. Everything hurt, like a hole had been punched through me again. I was cold, always cold and no one cared. No one would talk to me."

Shinji's hands balled into fists, they were all just kids. They should never have been dragged into their war. It had messed them all up, he could see that, but to leave Ichigo alone? Anyone who knew the kid knew he needed people. As much as he enjoyed just sitting in silence, he still needed people.

What had Isshin been thinking? Didn't he know his son at all?

The Visored had left him too, going back to what had been their home so long ago. "We should never have left," Shinji whispered.

Ichigo turned his head to look at him. "You had the chance to go home and not be killed, I didn't blame any of you for going,"

"And ya can see me, your powers are coming back?"

They had to be. The only other reason for Ichigo to be able to see him would be if he was dying. That sometimes let people see the dead, and for someone who knew what to expect then yeah, he'd be able to see them surely. However, the idea that Ichigo could be dying was not one he liked at all.

If it was, then he was nabbing him for the Fifth immediately, where he could help him adjust.

Ichigo stripped out of his jacket, leaving him in a t-shirt. Ichigo then touched his upper arm. A metal cuff appeared.

Suddenly Shinji could feel Ichigo. Nothing like he used to but still, he was definitely there. "What is that?"

Ichigo smirked slightly. "A gift from a friend. It keeps my returning powers hidden and makes sure I don't give myself away by lighting up anyone not physically present. Green's not your colour."

"Urahara?" Shinji asked, hoping it was him finally doing something for Ichigo, other than throwing him in danger, but Ichigo shook his head.

Ichigo shook his head. "Haven't seen or heard from him since I got back from Soul Society. New friend, and yes I trust him. He's been helping me to heal. My inner world's already back, and no longer freezing. And I've got Chad back because of that." He closed his eyes.

"What do ya mean?" Shinji was a little wary of some stranger helping Ichigo, but he did usually have a good sense for those who meant him harm.

"Chad was scared of me, of how I'd changed. He was never even scared like that when Shiro was acting up."

That was a shock. Chad and Ichigo were the best of friends, they always had each other's back, even when Ichigo's powers far surpassed his quiet friend. How much had Ichigo changed for Chad to fear him? He honestly wasn't sure he wanted to know. This wasn't the Ichigo he remembered either, but if he was still healing, then that made sense.

Ichigo looked over at him, seeing his shock and then looked away again. "I need to go," Ichigo stood.

"Ichigo," Shinji leapt up as well and Ichigo shrugged.

"Got another treatment tonight," he answered. "Maybe the Old Man or Shiro will be back when I wake up in the morning."

"Won't ya know before you sleep?"

Ichigo shook his head. "Treatment knocks me out. It hurts like hell too, but it's worth it." He didn't know how much he should or could tell Shinji. He'd never seen Harry mad, not really, and he didn't want to. Even he knew better than to anger Death. However, maybe Harry could help the Visored so that they wouldn't have to ever worry about losing control? Harry had said he could have whoever he wanted over to visit, that it was his home as well. Would that include letting Shinji be there for his treatment. "Busy?"

Shinji cocked his head to the side. "Ah, no. Momo can handle anything that comes up. I did leave without telling anyone exactly where I was going,"

"Might as well come then," Ichigo offered.

Shinji's signature grin appeared.

They walked together in silence while Ichigo led him back to his home.

Shinji paused to study the house before following Ichigo inside.

"Harry?" Ichigo called.

"Study," Harry called back.

Ichigo headed for the room Harry used as a study, he knew Harry would know he wasn't alone. He'd felt the odd shiver when Shinji crossed the ward line, so Harry had definitely felt that, if not the Visored's power, as they approached.

Shinji followed Ichigo through the house and into a large room lined with overflowing bookshelves, full of books and scrolls, some that looked new while others looked ancient. The room was well lit, with a large desk near the window, a computer on top. Sitting in a comfortable chair was a young man with messy black hair, and when he looked up, Shinji was shocked by the greenest eyes he'd ever seen.

Harry smiled at Ichigo and then his eyes moved to the spirit with him." Who's your friend Ichigo?"

"Harry, this is Shinji Hirako. Shinji, this is Harry Potter."

Harry put his book aside and stood, offering his hand.

Shinji hesitated but then reached out and clasped hands, surprised the man could see and interact with him. He couldn't feel any Reiatsu, so how could he see him? What was he?

Ichigo nodded towards Shinji. "Shinji and his people taught me how to keep Shiro from taking over."

Harry nodded. Ah… That explained the dual feeling he got from the man. He was like Ichigo; had explained he was, part Shinigami, par tHollow. "Welcome. Ichigo hasn't brought anyone other than Chad around before, so it's nice to meet another of his friends. Does he know?" Harry glanced at Ichigo who nodded.

"Yeah, he knows I have a treatment tonight."

Harry's gaze narrowed on Shinji. "If you want to watch I must have your word not to interfere, no matter what."

No matter what. Well, that wasn't ominous at all. Shinji looked to Ichigo.

Ichigo just stared back at him. Even so, hope was clearly there.

If this brought back his Hollow before his Zanpakutō…? Well, his being there could prove helpful. He gave a slightly formal bow.

"Agreed and thank you."

Harry nodded. "Whenever you're ready Ichigo."

Ichigo nodded. "I'll go get changed," he turned away and left the room.

Harry strode for the door. "This way please Hirako-san."

"Shinji's fine," the Captain offered.

"Harry." He led the Visored out of his office and into the hallway, then opened the way down to the hidden lab.

Shinji looked around warily. He recognised some of what was there from being around Kisuke, but a lot of it was unfamiliar. He didn't know what to think of this Harry Potter. Even without hearing his name, he was obviously a foreigner, though he couldn't quite place his accent.

Harry looked over his shoulder at Shinji. "What did Ichigo tell you about what is going to happen?"

Shinji shrugged. "Not much. Just that he gets treatments that are healing him, and they hurt."

Harry sighed, then spoke softly. "Two-thirds of Ichigo's soul was literally sealed away so tightly, it is possible it would have remained so even in death. Releasing them is not an easy, or painless, process and unfortunately he cannot be sedated for it. If I could take the pain away, I would."

The sound of approaching footsteps reached them, then Ichigo walked into the room. He was dressed in loose sweatpants, with no shirt on. There were physical scars from wounds Ichigo had suffered in the war; scars gained by his soul.

Shinji barely held back a cringe. Few Shinigami were unscarred, but it was different seeing them on Ichigo's physical body, knowing that he had received them because Shinji and the others had failed to stop Aizen, long before Ichigo was even born.

Ichigo glanced at Shinji, then got up on the table and laid down, then took deep breaths.

Harry rested a hand on Ichigo's forehead. "Ready?"

Ichigo began to nod but lost control of his body part way through.

Harry caught hold of Ichigo's wrist, his fingers pressing against Ichigo's pulse. "Okay?"

Ichigo swallowed. "Other than not being able to twitch?"

Shinji stiffened in alarm.

Harry smiled encouragingly, "Yeah, other than that?"

Ichigo closed his eyes, the only body part he could move. "Let's do this." He focused on his breathing.

Harry smiled sadly at the brave teenager, then gently placed his hands over Ichigo's head and heart, and closed his eyes.

The air suddenly felt… strange.

Shinji swallowed. He could see nothing, yet he just knew something was happening.

A groan forced its way through Ichigo's lips, sweat beading on his face. It was obvious he was in discomfort, even pain, but was fighting to remain silent. Despite that, his body remained utterly still on the table, immobilised somehow.

Shinji frowned in confusion. It wasn't Kido.

Ichigo's Reiatsu surged and fluctuated like crazy, then Ichigo screamed in agony.

Shinji fought to remain where he was, remembering the warning to do nothing. All he could do was stand there and listen while Ichigo screamed and screamed in sheer torment.

The sudden silence was shocking.

Ichigo's head lolled to the side, obviously no longer being held stationary and definitely unconscious.

Harry stepped back from the table. "He'll be alright. He needs to sleep and then eat when he wakes." Harry turned to look at Shinji. "Are you staying?"

Shinji looked at Ichigo and nodded, he couldn't leave now. "When will he wake up?"

"When he's ready, it differs each time." Harry waved his hand, Ichigo's body lifting off the table. "I'll put him to bed." Harry left the room, Ichigo's body hovering at his side.

Shinji followed to a bedroom that was obviously Ichigo's. Since when had he moved out from home?

Ichigo was lowered onto the bed and then the covers were pulled up around him.

Shinji took a seat in the desk chair, wanting to wait for Ichigo towake.

Harry nodded and left them, going to prepare food for them all. He didn't think Shinji would betray Ichigo's trust, but he would be on guard just the same. It wasn't time to confront Soul Society just yet, not until Ichigo was fully healed and ready.