Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 3

Sōsuke stared out over the town, Shinji was late, far too late. He'd felt him fighting and they'd rushed to his aide only to arrive and find no one there. Signs of battle were everywhere, including blood that Kisuke said belonged to Shinji and Byakuya but neither had been there. He had to accept the fact that Shinji was either dead or worse, a prisoner of the Gotei 13. They had no way to rescue him if he was and he felt sick thinking about what the Twelfth would do to him.

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Ichigo checked Shinji's bandages, relieved he hadn't bled through them again. He then slipped away to make sure no one was getting too close. He might not have a clue about their war, but he owed Shinji enough to give him a safe place to heal. This might not be his Shinji, but there were enough similarities that it hurt. He wanted…but he never got what he wanted, not for long at least. He'd learnt that lesson well enough over the years.

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Shinji woke slowly and groaned, pushing himself up and finding his wounds were all but healed. He frowned and glanced around, relaxing as he found Sakanade beside him but…Ichigo was gone. Was that a good or bad thing? He was curious about the young man, although with their kind physical age wasn't a good indicator of actual age. How had he even managed to fall back to sleep with a stranger? Something about him had made him feel safe but…he'd knocked him out!

He forced himself to relax, Ichigo had had plenty of opportunity to hurt him but instead had healed him, he could still be an enemy, but he'd earnt the right to have at least that much doubt on the possibility. He'd even left Sakanade within reach so either he didn't think Shinji was a threat even armed which meant he was arrogantly confident or he didn't think Shinji would attack.

Actually, where was he? It looked like one of the ruins that littered the town, was this where Ichigo lived? If so, he was living rougher than they were and he felt sorry for him, where did he even find food? He heard a noise and tensed and then a figure slipped through a gap in the wall and he relaxed in relief as he spotted orange hair before he finally got a look at his saviour, only to tense.

Give him black hair and green eyes and he would be Kaien reincarnated. He had to be a Shiba…so why the hell had he helped him? The Shiba clan had sided with the Central 46, shocking all of them. They had believed that if any clan would aide them it was the Shiba, but they had been proven deadly wrong. Though….where was his Zanpakutō? This was not at all what he'd expected, he'd really wanted Ichigo to be a potential ally. So why wasn't he already in a cell in one of the Divisions or worse? Not like anyone would be looking for him, he could have dumped him in Soul Society and returned and no one would have known he was involved.

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Ichigo saw Shinji tense and cocked his head to the side, confused. He hadn't done anything threatening, had he? Well…he had knocked him out, but that had been for his own good so he would recover. He moved slowly closer and then knelt down, making himself more exposed, in theory anyway. "Are you still in pain?"

"Why is a Shiba helping me?" Shinji demanded, and Ichigo blinked, hearing the anger in his voice.

He'd forgotten Shinji had known Kaien and would put two and two together…but it sounded like it wasn't a fond remembrance. He'd never gotten the chance to really know Kūkaku or Ganju as family, they'd died early on, so he'd never thought of himself as a member of the clan. He was a Kurosaki, but he couldn't use that name, not when he'd sensed his sisters the other day. "I'm not a Shiba," he said instead, slowly reaching out for the bandages on Shinji's arm and hating the way he braced. "I won't hurt you," he swore softly.

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Shinji held still as Ichigo carefully removed the bandages to reveal a healed wound. It didn't make sense, he had to be a Shiba… a bastard maybe? One who'd never been told his heritage or seen a clan member so hadn't realised? He'd seemed genuinely surprised when Shinji called him one. Had he ruined things by telling him? Would he go to the Gotei seeking family? But how could he have a Zanpakutō and not have gone to the academy? He would have been noticed as a Shiba there and claimed by the clan. The rest of his bandages were removed, and he went through the list of checks Ichigo gave him, he'd be fine, if achy and tired for a day or too.

"You a healer?" he finally asked, seeing the professional way Ichigo did everything.

"I never finished my medical training so no, I'm not a Doctor."

The human term, that was interesting. Did Isshin have another kid running around? That would explain the Shiba looks but that would mean he and Masaki had a son and they only had the twins. He didn't like mysteries. "Well, you're good. We could use another healer," he offered, if the kid was a spy, then he was offering him the perfect opportunity to integrate himself with them, but he thought it was worth the risk.

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She stared at her older brother as he lay sleeping, healing. They said he had almost taken out Hirako and yet Byakuya had been the only one found on site, unconscious and badly wounded. Unohana- taichō said that he would be fine and she was the best healer there was. Who could have hurt him so badly? Surely not that monster alone?

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Ichigo was so tempted to say yes, but this wasn't his Shinji, he didn't know why he was asking or what was really going on. Obviously the Shiba clan were enemies which had him hesitating because the Kūkaku he'd known would never side with Seireitei unless for a very good reason, but she might not be the clan head here. He knew the clan had once been a lot larger and one of Great Noble families, maybe they still were in this crazy world. He hated having so little information, it was like he was back at the beginning when he was using Rukia's powers and had no clue.

"I'll consider it," he finally said. He gathered up the bandages and stood. "You're good to go, just take it easy for a bit," he offered before turning to leave.

"You're leaving me here?" Shinji sounded shocked, and Ichigo shrugged.

"You're healed, you can make your own way back to your base." There was no way he was going there, not until he had figured more out.

Like what the hell had destroyed his home town in this world? Not to mention that the middle of town no longer existed, instead there was a blurred mess where the three realms blended and merged together. Sekkiseki had been used along the merger lines, obviously trying to keep the realms from merging further and to keep people from easily passing from realm to realm using the area.

Maybe going with Shinji would get him answers. He didn't want to believe the other Visored would ever be on the wrong side, but Aizen's presence made him wary. Then again, all his old human friends seemed to be around that area too. But if he chose wrong? No, it was better to remain on the sidelines until he was positive.

"Maybe I'll see you around," Ichigo offered before vanishing. He hid himself nearby, keeping watch as Shinji slowly left the old grocery store. Once he was gone Ichigo took a convoluted route 'home' to the old school, needing solitude to think.

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Gin turned, eyes widening in shock, before he hid his presence and moved to the edge of the roof, watching as Shinji moved slowly down the street. It looked like Shinji, felt like Shinji…but how? He pulled out his Denreishinki, using the scanning feature that Urahara had updated to read Visored as well as Hollows and Shinigami and sure enough, he showed up as he should. He snapped a picture and sent it to Aizen and Urahara. Seconds later he got a response to follow so he began moving only to realise Shinji was heading for base. He hesitated before dropping down onto the street, seeing Shinji spin, wincing in pain for a split second, hand going to Sakanade before he relaxed.

"You trying to give me a heart attack?" Shinji asked and Gin shrugged.

"Where've you been? We thought you were dead." Gin watched his reactions, looking for anything that would give away an imposter. He wouldn't put it past Kurotsuchi to find a way and even if it was Shinji…there were ways to control even a being as powerful as a Captain class fighter.

"I would be without our Good Samaritan. Kuchiki had me," Shinji ran a hand through his hair before wincing slightly, so still injured then, if mobile. "Full report can wait till everyone who needs to hear is around. But his name is Ichigo and he's a pretty good healer, though he used the term doctor. He left me once sure I would be able to head home on my own."

Gin listened, surprised. They finally had a name for the Good Samaritan, if this was Shinji and he was telling the truth. "He didn't want to come with you?"

"I told him we could use another Healer, he said he'd think about it. If he's meant to be a spy, he's taking his time getting access."

That was interesting, and Gin considered his words as they passed through the many levels of barriers surrounding the base. None of them or the traps troubled Shinji which was a good sign and soon people appeared, watching Shinji in shock. Isshin and Ryūken emerged from what functioned as the hospital, Orihime on their heels. Sōsuke appeared suddenly in front of them and yeah, there was a glint of concern in eyes, hidden behind glasses. Shinji mustered a grin for their nominal leader.

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Sōsuke was shocked and a little bewildered, not emotions he was used to. Getting the message from Gin with a picture of an alive Shinji hadn't meant much, but now he was here, he felt like Shinji. He looked him over, seeing the slightly stiff way he was standing, he'd been injured. "We believed you were dead."

"No, just recovering thanks to our Good Samaritan," his words got the attention of everyone.

Sōsuke waved Isshin over and went into the room they used as an office. Isshin pushed Shinji down and began examining him. Shinji just slumped back against the wall, letting Isshin work without complaint, he looked tired.

"What happened?" Sōsuke demanded.

"Kuchiki-Taichou surprised me on patrol. We fought and before I could enter Shikai or use my mask he managed several debilitating wounds, cutting my sword arm and breaking several ribs. I woke up in a room with another body supporting me so I could breathe with the injured ribs. My injuries were bandaged and already partially healed. He said his name is Ichigo, but he gave no family name. He's skilled, he healed me, mentioned training ta be a Doctor, and used Tanma Otoshi like an expert. He knew who I was too. When I woke up again, he was gone but he returned, and I actually got a look at him. Other than his hair and eye colour he'd be Shiba Kaien's long lost twin," Shinji's report wasn't as smooth as usual but who could blame him with that information.

They all noticed Isshin stiffen slightly at the mention of his dead cousin. They all knew how much it had hurt the man when none of the clan had followed him but had instead stayed in Soul Society. Kaien had been totally loyal to his Captain but, despite that, he had always been so warm and kind that Isshin had believed he would agree with them. He'd been forced to fight Kaien to escape and the lieutenant had proven a very difficult enemy.

It had taken a specially made Hollow that had shattered his Zanpakutō, leaving him vulnerable and outnumbered to take Kaien down. Even then, he'd been given the chance to defect but had refused and so he had died. Ukitake had taken his death badly, as had the younger Kuchiki, and they had come after them. Ukitake was now a permanent occupant of the Fourth Division, his health worsened thanks to Kisuke and Ryūken.

"Kid denied being a Shiba and I think his shock was real. Something ya wanna tell us?" Shinji asked Isshin who blinked in surprise.

"What?"

"Well he dresses like a human, uses the term Doctor rather than Healer…so you got another kid? Or another clansman who might have snuck off with a human woman?"

"He's not mine," Isshin denied even as he considered this Ichigo's possible parentage. "He wouldn't be the first child born outside the clan, we do tend to wander. Could even be that it's a grandparent who was a Shiba, the features do tend to be dominant," Isshin finally offered.

"He made sure I was healed enough to get back and then he left. I asked if he'd join us, he said he'd think about it. Something's holding him back…like he's not sure what we're fighting for."

"Every fight he's gotten involved in has been to save one of the Visored, almost like he knows you," Gin offered thoughtfully.

"But we don't know him," Shinji denied. "We'd remember someone with that shade of hair."

"Get some rest Shinji. You'll be under watch, just in case," Sōsuke finally said, and Shinji nodded, they all knew why it was necessary. They'd been fooled before by a returning member, only for it not to be them but something cooked up by the Twelfth that had nearly taken down some of the barriers before it was destroyed. "Isshin."

"Yes?"

"If we get another sighting of this Ichigo, I think you should approach him. Perhaps you will be able to determine his parentage if you see him. Give us a better idea what he may be up to. Even if you can't, maybe he will respond to an offer from possible family. For now, my orders stand, do not engage him unless he attacks. If he could be an ally, I don't want to send him running to Soul Society."

Isshin nodded and then left to make sure the girls had done their schoolwork. Sometimes Sōsuke wondered why they bothered teaching the children things they would never need but it was up to Isshin and Ryūken what they taught their children and the other spiritually powerful children who had been dragged into their war.

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Ichigo sat on the bank of the river, in the exact spot his Mother had died, staring at the water. Both inner spirits remained silent, letting him grieve and think, there was nothing they could do to ease his pain. He blamed himself for every death and now many of those people were alive again…but not who he remembered. It had hurt him to have Shinji so wary of him after everything they had been through together.

It was pretty obvious that Ichigo had never existed here or else someone would have known of him since he knew his Father and sisters were alive. Was his Mother? He'd never had the chance to learn how she felt or what her Spirit Ribbon felt like, so it was possible. If she was…he shook off those thoughts, burying the longing, he wasn't the little boy who'd lost her, he wouldn't know how to react to her anymore.

Eventually he stood and dusted off his jeans, looking back at the ruined city he had grown up in. It was tempting to leave, to try and make a new life for himself out in the world. He'd felt the way Karakura was cut off, but he also knew he could get through those barriers, they weren't powerful enough to keep him in if he really wanted to get out. He could leave the Spiritual world behind and live out his life as a human….except he couldn't abandon them. They weren't even the people he'd known and love, he was kinda pathetic, wasn't he? Clinging to reminders of those he'd lost.

Having a body again was weird and it made things harder since he needed actual food now. Would he start aging like a human again? Part of him was tempted to just ditch it but so far it wasn't causing any real issues. It wasn't like it slowed him down in a fight. How much easier would things have been if they had realised it was possible for him to use his powers in it? But everyone had assumed he couldn't and so there'd been something of a mental block over the whole thing.

He turned, frowning, as he felt a Senkaimon open nearby, vanishing from the river in Shunpo. He knew Yoruichi was alive now, it'd be interesting to race her and find out which of them was the fastest now. There was no strain on his body and he wondered, how human was it really? It had to have been made for him by that marble, so maybe it had been made to be able to contain him properly? After all, he didn't have Kon anymore. He missed the mod soul sometimes; he'd protected his family at the cost of his own existence after all.

He stopped on a rooftop and looked down to see several low-level Shinigami. He spread out his senses but there was no one else around. He hesitated but then nodded, there was one way to find out Soul Society's position, he'd get it from them. Ichigo vanished, reappearing in front of them and scaring them badly only for them to relax when they saw his lack of a Zanpakutō, idiots. He didn't need Zangetsu to deal with them.

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Shinji lifted his hand in a wave when the door to his room opened. He didn't blame them for checking on him, assuring themselves he was alive and back while also making sure he hadn't snuck off to sabotage anything. He hated it, but it was standard procedure now for a reason.

Poor Fumiko, she hadn't even seemed to understand what had been done to her. She had very nearly taken out the main warehouse, they had spread supplies out more since then. There had been no hint, nothing. Until she walked towards the warehouse, Kidō already being cast. She'd been just a kid really, barely graduated the Academy before it all went down, but she had looked up to Rose and so had followed them.

Sadly, it had been poor Sado who had killed her. He had been nearby, had tried to stop her, and they all knew that she had made it so that his blow was a killing one. He never should have had to be the one to do it, but everyone had been so shocked and confused…none of the kids should have been dragged into the war but they were better off with them than with the Gotei 13. They treated them with respect, the Shinigami would have seen them as experiments and cannon fodder at best.

That was why he had offered Ichigo a place, to keep him safe from ending up like that. If he wasn't already tangled up in their plans. What were the odds of an unaffiliated Shiba descendant just showing up? Especially one with obvious training. Well, there was nothing he could do about it now, he was on lockdown till they were sure he was clear.

TBC…