Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kurosaki Clinic/Household

Cold water would rush down the pipes of the bathroom as they awash Ichigo, his forehead pressed against the tile of the bathroom. He had debated smacking his forehead against the tile in some way to wake him up. But, he suspected that would cause no progress in his situation outside of brain trauma. Forgoing the headache of the physical kind, he devolved into his thoughts.

Ok. So, let me think. I seem to have gone back in time, or I'm under the effects of a very complicated Zanpakuto or Schrift. Not ruling out the later option, but I doubt even Sosuke Aizen could develop something like this. But, Sosuke Aizen would WANT me to think that… ugh, too complicated.

Taking the soap, Ichigo would begin to lather his body in absent instinct, going through the daily motions. While the Substitute Soul Reaper was sent back in time, he wasn't going to dismiss hygiene. Saving the world worked up a sweat, and like damn he was going to be remembered as a teenager reeking of body order, soul body or not. 

I have time to kill before I confront those two idiots who messed with the girl's flower. But what do I do? Carry on the day like normal, trying to remember step by step with what I did? Screw that. Hm… maybe Hat-n-Clogs can help out. 

Turning off the shower, Ichigo would step out and grab a firm hold of a towel, drying himself off and staring in the mirror. He forgot how… skinny he was when all this craziness started. He wasn't in Kendo or Judo anymore, and he was healthy, but he wasn't as… toned he supposed? During the time without his powers and before Ginjo butted into his life, Ichigo was essentially a Substitute Sports Player, and his body had undergone the rigorous trials and exercises therein. Seeing as this was before that, he was still in the string bean punk phase of his life.

He did notice that his posture was different as well. He wasn't slouching as much, his permanent scowl was moreso a neutral line, and his eyes seemed more tired and mature than his younger self. The solution of "beat the bad guy, break the spell" to this scenario was becoming less and less likely unless the person had stalked Ichigo for most of his life.

Still not striking you off my list, Aizen.

Drying off and getting dressed in another t-shirt and jeans, Ichigo would hop downstairs to where his younger siblings were at. Karin was dressed in her soccer clothes, leaning in her chair as she idlely picked at her morning rice bowl. Her eyes would go off her food and towards her descending brother, giving a wave with her chopsticks.

"Yo, Ichi."

"Nii-san!"

Yuzu's voice came from the kitchenette and her blonde head poked out, smiling widely and waving a rice spoon to greet her brother. Wearing an apron and a yellow sundress for her age, Ichigo would smile and wave at both… before both of his sisters would be a bit confused.

"All right, who are you and what have ya done with Ichigo?" Karin spoke, grabbing a clump of rice and eating it softly as apart of her joking statement.

Ichigo would blink, getting a bad sense of deja vu when dealing with Tsukishima before remembering when he was. This was during his… what did his dad call it?

"MISAAAAAAAKI-CHAAAAAAN! OUR DELINQUENT SON IS SO RUDE TO ME!!!!"

Ichigo's face would melt into an annoyed expression with his eyebrow ticking softly as his father, covered in branches and scrapes, was currently kneeling at the wall sized picture of his deceased Misaki-chan. Right. Delinquent. Seeing their brother's face go back to normal, both younger siblings would shrug it off as just a hiccup in the universe before Yuzu offered Ichigo his breakfast rice and orange juice.

Taking a seat across from Karin, Ichigo would take in this moment. It felt so foreign, sitting at a table, enjoying breakfast, the fate of the world not being threatened by some machinations of people who wished for godhood/revenge/godhood with revenge. It was a normal day, with his somewhat normal family. He would enjoy it, before knowingly diving back into that crazy crazy world…

Urahara's Shop

Ichigo would walk down the dusty streets that lead to Urahara's shop, scratching the back of his head. He kinda missed being able to walk on air and fly, even if it came with the downside of giant masked beasts wanting to eat his soul. But, he surmised that would all end tonight, one way or another. 

As he walked down the road, he began a mental check list of all the important events soon after he got his Shinigami powers. There was saving Orihime from her brother turned Hollow. Meeting Kon and learning about Mod Souls. There was assisting Chad with the serial killer Hollow. There was Don Konoji and the hospital incident. Uryu's Hollow Hunt game which led to Orihime and Chad awakening their Fullbring. Then, finally, Byakuya and Renji taking away Rukia. Those are events that should relatively keep the course of the timeline. But, seeing as how most of those events ended up with Ichigo extremely hurt, dangers threatening innocent people, and resulting in him losing his powers to the stuck up Byakuya, Ichigo didn't really know if those should stay in their whole integrity. Additionally… why should he let these people get hurt when he had the power to prevent it?

These thoughts would plague the teen's mind as he crossed the threshold into the dusty lot that the Urahara Shop currently sat. It was the type of place where it was blink and you miss it sort of deal. Ichigo would realize just how easy it was to just walk by and not even realize it was a shop. Probably apart of Urahara's secret genius. Ichigo would approach the entrance area, knocking his knuckle against the wood of the door.

"Oi, Urahara-San. You uh. You home?" The teen would wrack against the wooden door again, waiting for a moment. After no response, his fingers would loop into the handle and attempt to pull it open.

"JINTA HOME RUN!"

Ichigo would step back and instinctively cover his chest with his arms as a wooden bat cracked harshly over his forearms. The orange haired teenager would wince and take a few steps back, as the assailant made himself known. The short red headed kid with a scowl that could rival Ichigo's stood in the now open doorway. A Yanase Japanball bat was firmly held in his hands like a club, the boy ready to fight. On his white t-shirt would be the word "Urahara", labeling him as an "employee" of the establishment.

"Stay back you delinquent! We already said we didn't need no protection money!" Jinta Hanakari spoke defiantly, swinging the bat side to side. Ichigo would rub at his slowly bruising forearms, giving an annoyed noise from his lips.

"Damn it, why does everyone keep calling me that? Look, Jinta, just put the bat down and we can ta- SHIT!" 

Ichigo would be cut off as he would shoot out his hands to catch the offending bat. The sport tool once more struck Ichigo, this time pushing him back a bit as he skid through the sand lot on his feet. Gravel and sand would kick up in a small cloud, his lung coughing harshly at the entire ordeal.

Right. I'm still just a human, and Jinta is… actually, Urahara never said what he and Ururu were. I know they aren't normal thoug- DAMN IT NOT AGAIN!

Once more Jinta charged towards Ichigo, swinging the bat at the teenager. Said teen would side step the bat this time instead of blocking it, his bruised arms thankful for the change in tactics as the ground would somewhat crater from the blow. While he was nowhere near how strong he was in his Shinigami Form or even when undergoing his Fullbring Training, the experience and fighting styles he knew were still with him. This included his time in Karate with Tatsuki. 

With an unspoken apology, Ichigo would grab the boy's shoulders and sweep Jinta's leg while pushing him down. A text book deashi barai as Jinta would tumble into the dirt with a heavy thud. Having taken care to not stop on the dazed boy, he would rush towards the door once more… only for two new opponents to be standing guard.

One of them was the massive man with a semblance to that strange exorcist guy. Wearing glasses that hid his eyes, close cut hair, and arguably one of the most glorious mustaches Ichigo has ever seen, was Tessai Tsukabishi. He would tighten the apron around his form, giving a grunt as he rushed at Ichigo.

Behind him, wielding a massive bazooka-like device with talismans all over it, was the pigtailed Ururu Tsumugiya. She had that same sad, meek expression on her face as she settled onto a knee for a firing position, her blush settling underneath her eyes.

"S-sorry." She spoke quietly as Tessai would engage Ichigo with a shockingly fast bear hug, squeezing the time traveler with his strong arms. His stoic face would glare at Ichigo, as the teen could feel Tessai'a resolve to protect Jinta come through.

"Damn it let me see Urahara! You need to trust me!" Ichigo said as he tried to squirm out of Tessai's grasp. The steward of the shop either didn't hear Ichigo or simply didn't care as he began to, in the most urgently of ways, carry Ichigo out. Ichigo's desperation started to mount more and more, as arguably the one man who could help him was out of reach. He dug through his mind, trying to remember what he could say to get Urahara's attention…

"KISUKE URAHARA! I KNOW ABOUT THE HŌGYOKU!" Ichigo shouted and kicked, as Tessai would slowly raise his hand to chop at Ichigo's head to knock him out or shut him up… before a lax tone came from the open door Ichigo was working towards.

"Now now Tessai, let's not jump to conclusions."

The soft clicking of sandels against wood would come like a malevolent march towards the front door, as the man of the hour stepped into the light. A white and green bucket hat sat on his head, casting his eyes in shade that outlined the twin piercing orbs of interest. Platinum blonde hair framed his face as a curious smile touched his lips, the black haori he wore fluttering softly in the breeze. His wooden sandels would click on the floor as he walked onto the steps, cane in one hand as he held his hat firmly on his head with the other. 

"You're… not from around here, Right?" The ex-captain said, twirling the cane softly around his fingers.

"I am Ichigo Kurosaki. Son of Isshin Kurosaki and Masaki Kurosaki." Ichigo said, still in the process of being bare hugged by Tessai and held at bazooka point by Ururu. Jinta was slowly standing up, grabbing his bat and gritting his teeth. 

"Can't say I'm familiar with those two. Oh, unless you mean you're apart of that strange family who runs Kurosaki Clinic down the road-"

"Cut the crap Urahara! You made my dad's Gigai so my mother wouldn't succumb to wounds by a Hollow attack!" Ichigo said before wincing as Tessai squeezed harder on Ichigo. Before the teenager found a new sensation of a strained spine, Kisuke would settle his cane on Tessai's shoulder. The unspoken command clear, Tessai gently placed Ichigo back onto the ground before dusting off the boy's shoulders with his palms.

"My my… This day got a whole lot more interesting. Jinta, Ururu? Be swell hosts and prepare the guest room. I feel like Kurosaki-san and I are going to have an… interesting discussion." Kisuke said as the two kids would pause in confusion for a moment. Jinta in angry confusion, Ururu more neutral before she gently drags Jinta back inside before he can start complaining. Tessai would follow after them, leaving only Ichigo and Kisuke staring each other down.

"So, Ichigo Kurosaki… care to tell me how you know about the Hōgyoku? And, the truth of your parents for that matter." Kisuke spoke, his tone dancing with the prodding of a man of science with a gun in his hand. Which, with the cane being a sheathe for his Zanpakuto, was not far off. Ichigo would calm his breathing, unclenching his hands as he stares at Urahara.

"I, am from the future. I think. And I need your help, Urahara-san."

Kisuke Urahara would stay silent for a moment, before that smile dropped as quickly from his lips as it had spawn. He would turn, motioning Ichigo to follow him as he did so.

"I don't know what's worse. The fact that you completely blindsided me today with what you know and I had nothing planned… or the fact I believe you are telling the truth. Come, come. We have refreshments inside, and this heat is absolutely dastardly!"

Urahara's Living Room

Ichigo find himself settled on a small cushion in front of a low table, a small cup of jasmine tea steaming quietly in front of him. His expression was deadpan as the host of the shop noisily slurped from his tea in an almost dramatic fashion before settling it down, exhaling.

"Tessai always makes the most lovely of teas! You should really try it, Kurosaki-sa-" Kisuke would stop as Ichigo held up a hand in exasperation.

"Don't tell you put something weird in my drink. I expected that heavily make up scientist to do that, not you." 

Kisuke would raise an eyebrow as he settled himself into a more comfortable position, his hands crossing in front of him in contemplation. His over exaggerated smile settled more into a slight smirk, his hat once more casting its shadow over his eyes.

"The more you talk, Kurosaki, the more inclined I am to believe you're indeed someone associated with time. Clairvoyant, legitimate time travel? Is this the cause of your Shinigami powers manifesting? Or maybe something else?" The ex-captain would prod softly, seeing how the teen reacted.

Ichigo would sigh and cross his own arms, his eyes closing in frustration as he scowled. "Can't really say, Hat-n-Clogs. All I know is I was in a massive fight against the Quincy King to determine the fate of the universe and-"

Kisuke would spit his tea out slightly and cough, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. Kisuke knew that there was some Quincy bouncing around (considering his help with Misaki and Isshin), even after the genocide all those years ago. But, with Ichigo claiming he fought the penultimate Quincy, it was something that dumbfounded Kisuke. Sure, if Ichigo had said something about Aizen eyeing up his Hōgyoku that would be one thing. But…

Kisuke would study Ichigo intently after his statement. He was calm, if not a touch irritated, and spoke bluntly and candidly about it. He has zero gains in showing this information to Kisuke, and the genius suspected the bot was telling the truth.

"All right… so… as I was saying, I was fighting the Quincy King and had interference from… another attack I think? And I was unleashing a Getsuga Tensho, he was using his weird reality warping powers, then I… woke up." Ichigo continued, as Kisuke mopped up his spit take but still listened intently to what Ichigo said. 

"So… how did it get to that situation? What led to you fighting the deity of Quincy, former enemy of the Shinigami long since thought dead?" Kisuke inquired as he leaned forward. 

Ichigo would sigh, grabbing at the base of his nose before exhaling. 

"All right. I'll give you the abridged version. It all started when a couple of thugs knocked over a ghost girl's vase…"

Street outside of Kurosaki Clinic

Ichigo firmly planted his foot into the face of the punk Toshi-Bro, one of the actual delinquents who knocked over the flower vase of the dead girl floating nearby. Ichigo would exhale softly, channeling his scary smirk and look towards the group.

"All right. Anyone wanna tell me if they know why this vase and flower are so important?"

"Doesn' it belong to dat dead gur-"

The man would be interrupted with a non-chalant kick from Ichigo as he was sent tumbling beside his friend. 

"Correct! Now, since you are being rather smart, I suggest you apologize before I turn you into a street mural!"

The crew immediately began to beg and weep and apologize before skittering off like a collective swarm of bugs. Ichigo would sigh, picking up the broken vase and flower as he turned it over in his hand. He has spent most of the afternoon talking with Kisuke Urahara, having started at this moment. The cool glass pressed against his fingers as he stared at the floating girl nearby. One half of her head was extremely bloody, no doubt from the accident that caused her death.

"There ya go. They shouldn't bother you anymore. Sorry I had to go rough on them."

"You're fine, mister. I had asked you to deal with them anyhow." The ghost spoke softly, exhaling as she relaxed. "Now I can finally relax a bit with this time I have."

Ichigo would nod and was about to make a comment on that, before frowning. He recalled that, after the Hollow attack on his Clinic, that this girl didn't show up anymore. And considering the only ghost Rukia performed the spirit burial on was in his house…

"Say, why don't you hang around at my clinic over there, just for tonight? Who knows, maybe quality time with a friendly face can speed up your going to heaven."

The ghost would hang in the air, a bit confused as she looked around. She would tug on something Ichigo couldn't quite see, no doubt her Whole Chain.

"Well, I can hover in the backyard best I can. But I don't think I can leave… where I died." The girl said, her tone getting sad and her mouth dropping into a frown. Ichigo would smile softly and nod his head.

"That works just as well. Well, see ya around!" Ichigo said as he began to walk away, before the girl would speak up.

"C-can I ask for your name, friendly stranger??" 

The high schooler would stop and turn around, giving her a smile and tucking a thumb to his chest. Tonight, he would save more than just his family, timeline be damned. The Hollow wasn't going to eat this poor girl, and he would make sure she was protected until then.

"I'm Ichigo Kurosaki."

Soon to be Substitute Soul Reaper.