Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was only because Karin had followed him one day without him realizing it that everyone knew he wasn’t sneaking off for jobs but to go get high. For 17 months everyone left Ichigo alone, let him do his own thing, that is until he got his powers back. He wouldn’t say it’s a problem, many kids his age smoke weed it’s not that big of a deal. He honestly didn’t think much of it those 17 months because it was quite literally one of the only things that managed to help him destress.

Karin has popped out of some bushes on his way back home startling him but he’s so stoned all he can do is laugh. His little sister is checking up on him, how nice… he should’ve known better.

“Karin, you startled me.” He has a lazy smile on his face but as he watches his sisters expression his own smile slowly retreats. “You okay?”

Her posture ramrod and her frowns similar to his own. What is it now?

“No, I’m not. You reek of pot, Ichi.” Karin folds her arms. "I thought you said you were gonna stop now that you have your powers back!"

“Ehhh, don’t worry so much Karin, I’m fine. And how d'you know what pot smells like, hmmm?” He walks by her and goes to pat her head but she grabs his arm tightly, very tight.

“Karin don’t you think you’re-“ He turns and looks down at bright white hair and angry teal eyes glaring up at him. Holy shit! His sister is just as tall as Toshiro, he laughs a little at that.

“Toshiro, what a surprise.” He looks over towards his sister but only catches her back as she is already walking back towards the house… great.

Ichigo can feel the steely glare and he sighs, “Why are you here?”

“Your family is worried about you.” The Captain growls out letting him go. “You are going down the wrong road, is this what you want to become, a loser?”

‘Loser’, well that’s a bit much considering everything he’s done. He can’t help but scoff, he hasn’t seen this midget Captain since getting his powers back and he's gonna get a lecture?

Slowly sobering up he looks down at the man. Anger starts to work it’s way in and damn it all isn’t that just great, the vibes coming from Toshiro dampening his peace, what right does he even have.

“Want to explain to me your relationship with my sister?” He turns and glares turning the subject on what is actually important. “I’ve seen you two around together don’t think I don’t know! Just because I couldn’t see anyone doesn’t mean a damn thing.”

Well that was kinda a lie, he only knew because Orihime accidentally said something but that's not the point.

Suddenly the sounds of wavering robes are around him and he quickly turns to see a foot at his face but he’s too slow to miss it and he goes flying into a building. The impact knocks the wind out of him and he falls to the ground bent on his forearms and knees, coughing.

“Ughhh….”

“Ichigo!” Freakin Renji. That damn bastard.

“What was that for!” He growls and stands up brushing off his face. Toshiros standing next to Renji muttering something, they aren’t even paying attention to him. “Hey!”

“Save it loser, we’re here to bring you back to Soul Society for a little bit.” Renji turns to him and looks him up and down. “You got your powers back so whats with the ‘Woe is me’ crap!?”

“Excuse me! I was having a good day until I was ganged up on! And don’t change the topic, Toshiro, what-,” As he’s about to tear into the mini captain arms grab ahold of his own and force them behind his back into a choke hold. Dammit is he gonna get a break today or what, he’s too high for this. I mean what is even happening right now, he chuckles then sags against the hold hoping to slip out.

“Ah ah, Ichigo.” The silky voice of Yoruichi purs into his ears. “You’re gonna come with us quietly.”

And that’s it, the next thing he knows is he’s shoved out of his body and did that feel weird as hell and brought back into Soul Society. He hasn’t been back since he had left all those months ago… in fact now that he’s thinking about it this is the first time he’s been high and pushed out of his body.

The effects don’t stay with him unfortunately and he realizes that even the best of weed probably couldn’t keep him high in his spirit form. Damn shame… He sighs and mulls over that fact for a minute. He walks behind his group of … friends…abductors.... Renji, Toshiro and Yoruichi had the task of bringing him here but he hasn’t found out what for yet.

Toshiro glances behind to see the red head trailing several paces back giving them space. He remembers the day Ichigo’s sister came to him looking stressed.

-5 months ago-

‘Why aren’t you helping my brother!’ She had shouted, hands clenched in fists. ‘He’s getting doped up almost every night and sometimes he gets into fights, he’s gonna get killed one day and no one is doing anything about it!’ Not even Isshin, goes unsaid.

Doped up? He asked her to explain and found that he wasn’t all that surprised. He had tried telling her there was nothing he could do, and there wasn’t, too many responsibilities and then the deal with the Fullbringers.

‘I’ll go talk to Urahara.’ He tries to calm her but that only made her explode even more. The Ex-Captain hadn’t been there for the substitute soul reaper either apparently.

‘I thought you guys were gonna watch out for him. I thought Ichigo would, would be alright by now.’ Karin’s eyes glisten and she turns and runs off in anger.

-Present-

“Hey, where we even going?” Ichigo asks not recognizing their direction. “Is this all rebuilt?”

“We’re bringing you to rehab.” Renji says chin up with determination, and that has Ichigo stopping in his track.

Soul Society even have such a thing?

Yoruichi laughs and slings an arm around him, “Relax, Ichigo, it’s a bar, called Rehab.”

Oh, he laughs nervously and looks at Renji and Toshiro and wonders if this was a trick. If anyone is shit at lying it’s Renji, he turns and stares the man down.

“Oh, really? Then how come I never heard of it before, I thought you guys liked that other place to drink, the one with the bunny lantern lamps.” He grumbles staring deep into Renji’s eyes.

“Oh stop being dramatic if we wanted you strung up to dry out we would’ve done it already!” Renji glares. “Why are you smoking anyway, I wouldn’t think you’re the type.”

Ichigo huffs and doesn’t answer, “Let’s just go get a drink.”

“Oh so now you drink! It only took how long?” Yoruichi laughs remembering the old days of Ichigo being shy and hesitant while the Shinigami drank to their hearts content. “My treat, here we are!”

They’re in front of a big building not a bar or what looks to be a bar.

“That… doesn’t look like a bar.” He says and looks over but they’re all very serious looking.

“That’s because it isn’t,” Toshiro drops the ball. “it is a rehab.”

And just like that he’s being kicked into the door that suddenly flies open by none other than Unohana. “You sons uh bitcheeesssss!” Ichigo shouts as he's vaulted to the Captain who looks over at Renji who’s stifling his laughter.

Unohana grabs his shoulder holding him still. “You will be fine with us, Ichigo, come along.”

“Sorry Ichigo, we knew you weren’t gonna come along quietly and well,” Renji shrugs, “We can hit the bar after you’re done here! HAVE FUN!”

“Traitor!” He says meekly as Unohana’s grip directs him inside he tries to get away from her grasp but it’s pointless he knows.

“Listen, not sure what this is all about but I’m not an addict or anything! This is out of control!” Ichigo can’t really be sure what soul reapers thought of him smoking but he didn’t think it would warrant this kind of reaction. “My sister has seen me at my worst, she’s worried and seems to have brought her concerns to Toshiro, but Unohana shouldn’t THAT be the main concern here? I mean what is a captain doing talking to my little sister! I need to go see him now and get to the bottom because I’m not-“

“Ichigo.” Ichigo stops his ranting as the pressure around him starts to weigh down, he reluctantly glances up at the woman. “You will be healed here, and it might be better for you to accept that now.”

“Uh.. yes ma’am.” He will just make a run for it when he gets the chance.

Chapter Text

“Pleh-ease!” A raspy plea comes from a dark alleyway.

It’s late and around midnight in a desolate part of Karakura town where no one can hear the man’s cries for help.

Ichigo’s shaking in rage as he has the thug pinned to the brick wall by his neck with just his hand. He squeezes hard then lets go, letting the guy get a breath, but as the thugs head bows to gasp for air he decks the guy in the jaw sending the man to the ground with a thud.

His powers are gone and he feels more out of control than ever. The naivety he had back then when he learned the Final Getsuga Tensho and believing that the aftermath of having part of his soul torn out of him would be easy makes him cringe, never did he think the agony would be like this. That losing his powers would bring a new darkness he can’t control or even comprehend. Sometimes the numbness crashes over him like a wave to the point his hands and feet tingle. His friends didn’t want anything to do with him anymore either which didn’t help, he kicks the groaning man in the stomach.

“Ya ash’ole, ya gonna pay fa this!” The man squirms in pain and shudders when Ichigo reaches for him, “Hey! S-stop!”

Ichigo starts shuffling through the guys pants and pulls out his wallet and looks for an ID but finds none but finds some cash. He goes into the guys back pocket and finds a bag of weed and shoves the cash and weed in his own pocket.

“You come around here again and I won’t be so nice next time, got it?” Ichigo threatens.

“Stop you can’t-“ The guy lets out a whimper when Ichigo turns and shoots him a glare but he doesn’t kick the man again like he wants to and moves on.

Ulquiorra’s voice comes through the bloody veils of his mind. ‘Do not allow yourself to be shaken.’

He has survived many things, he can survive this too.

Ichigo doesn’t go home, he doesn’t go towards Urahara’s, nor does he goes towards the Visords warehouse, nor does he go to the river, or his moms grave. No. He goes where no one thinks to find him, especially the Soul Reapers.

He finds himself a spot behind a closed down restaurant where he can sit on a crate and look at the bag of weed and cash. This is what he is now? Robbing thugs… He shoves the weed back into his pocket. Maybe he should throw it out. Smoking never intrigued him and he’s always been too busy to be a normal teenager, he wasn’t normal even when he thought he was normal so there's that.

YOU’RE NORMAL NOW! YOU’VE LOST! WHAT IS YOUR WORTH NOW? The inside of him screams and screams and screams-

He sighs and looks across the street and notices a bright pink blinking sign. There’s a Quicky-Mart open. Ichigo counts the cash and it’s not a lot but it will get him a drink or two. He enters the mart and squints from the florescent lights shining over head and makes his way to the drinks.

It’s not like he ever bought alcohol before so he wouldn’t know what to get but he goes with the one he’s most familiar with and gets a beer. He places it at the register and the man looks at him staring into his eyes as if gaging his age, which must have been older because the guy rings him up without ID.

“I’ll take that too.” He points to the tobacco wraps and grabs a lighter.

Ichigo goes back to his spot across the street behind the restaurant and sits on a stack of crates while he rolls his first joint. It takes several attempts and half a beer later he finally gets a good one rolled.

He stares at it and the beer. Which is his first beer ever and he feels sorrow at the times he refused those drinks with his friends in Soul Society because he always thought his first drink would be happy and with the people he loves, not like this. Ichigo closes his eyes feeling a numbness creep over his body and head.

He brings the joint to his lips and then flicks the lighter, the flames flare out of control and a harsh hot blast of smoke hits his throat. He almost drops the joint as he’s coughing and trying to wave the flame out but it finally forms a nice cherry and he smokes the rest easily. His senses are starting to feel different and funny but not in a happy way or anything, all he can do is try thinking about not thinking right now to make it through tonight without breaking.

It’s well after 2AM. He can’t bring himself to go home like this.

He sighs and wonders what everyone is up to. He looks down at his bruised and bloody knuckles from earlier, maybe he went too hard on that punk, but the guy did have it coming. A rattle startles him from his spot on the crates and he looks over towards the garbage bins and spots a black cat jumping from them.

“Yoruichi?” He breathes out, his heart stuttering with hope.

The cat walks towards him but instead of words they’re just soft meows and the eyes that stare back at him are gray. Not Yoruichi. And once again for the hundredth time since he’s lost his powers he feels something within him break and scream.

He closes his eyes and finally lets the tears come.

Chapter Text

So he can't say he's suicidal knowing what the afterlife consisted of but he is on the path of self destruction just not a fatal destruction. With all his friends actively busy around him he goes through classes in a daze and his grades are feeling the consequences and he can’t bring himself to care. The chances of him going to college are zero to none as his interest is non-existent as well, his grades are falling and college isn't cheap. He needs to find a job soon.

“Kurosaki-kun, how’re you making out with the history essay?” Orihime tries to talk to him. Which he can’t remember the last time she tried and it makes him paranoid.

“Uh, essay?” What essay for history? Was she just making it up for conversation or something?

“Yeah Ichigo, the ten freakin page paper Mrs.Kono has been going on about, come on my man!” Keigo butts in and gets close to Ichigo, “Ugh, you kinda reek you know.”

Ichigo rolls his eyes and looks down at his open text book. If he’s honest with them they might find it alarming that he hasn’t done any school work since losing his powers. And anything bringing attention to his decline will be nothing but inconvenient for them and himself. It’s like the energy he once had for the simple things has evaporated into thin air. He also notices Ishida isn’t around today and wonders where he is, if he’s okay. But judging from Chad and Orihime he must be fine, not that they’ll say anything.

“I’m almost done Orihime, how’s yours coming?” He asks trying to smile.

“Oh it’s coming, I’m writing about the history of donuts!” Orihime laughs. “My job inspired me!”

“Uh..” Chad lets her know. “It’s supposed to be about the Ming Dynasty.”

“Oh it is in a way, I already spoke with Mrs.Kono and she said Japan could have traded baked goods with China in the Ming Dynasty Era! So I'm going to make a donut called the Ming Dynutsy Donut and use peanuts to top it, but the donut itself is going to be made of orange and red beans!”

"That doesn't sound bad at all." Chad says surprised. Ichigo was also expecting her to make the donut out of cabbage or something.

By the end of the day it felt like he had friends again but then they left and he does as well. It’s been like this where they small talk but never about hollows or Soul Society or discussing what Urahara’s been up too or if any Soul Reapers have been by to visit. He wonders if there's an answer to any of his troubles and having no one to talk to makes him miss the Old man and Zangetsu. What he would give to see those two again and fight like he used to.

He clenches his fist then lets go. The anger as quick and strong as it came leaves him suddenly and all the feelings he has starts to disappear. Ichigo walks down the streets of Karakura letting his feet guide him as he navigates down ways he never had the chance to and keeps track of places he can maybe crash later.

It’s getting late and the sun is creeping its way down with hues of purple and pink illuminating the sky. Stars peek through spots of scattered thin clouds ribboned out and a small breeze blows Ichigo’s hair away from his face. He runs his hand through his hair not having noticed how long it’s gotten, he’s really got to cut it.

He sighs and sits down on the edge of a curb that overlooks an old park. It has a long road that circles the park that he remembers once a long time ago walking around with his mother holding hands, laughing and having fun, before going to a nearby ice cream place. Now the park is overgrown and is not as maintained as it could be and not many people frequent it anymore and especially not at this time.

As the colors morph and change into the dark night he thinks of Hueco Mundo and the way the moon shone down on the sand. The moon is so different here. There’s some wind but it doesn’t have the smell of salt and death.

It comes out of nowhere the side tackle to his body and being pinned to the hard ground. But he's been waiting for this, he wouldn't admit that to anyone, and immediately he is trying to use his chest and legs to squirm from the attackers grip.

The attacker says nothing but is feeling him up and down… little too much for a thief. He manages to get an arm unstuck and he flings his attacker off with all his strength then stands and faces the man but its not long after the man is rushing at him with a flicker of metal.

Ichigo dodges repeatedly until he finds an opening and takes his chance but the guy is good too and gets Ichigo’s arm with his knife.

“Fuck!” Ichigo doesn’t waste anymore time and goes in for an elbow jab, he gets the guy in the face snapping his nose and he stumbles back and dodges Ichigo’s next punch. Blood now smearing across the other guys face.

“Give me your money!” The man growls, his nasally voice makes the threat lose its intimidation. “Now!”

Ichigo smirks, his arm throbs, a familiar pain that is almost welcome. “No.”

At that the guy comes at him but Ichigo spots his error and goes in for the knock out and his attacker goes down. Sadly this only makes Ichigo want to cry, the battle had only just started. He steps back.

Fun. For just a split moment he had started to have fun after the guy had slashed him. It was a chance to relive his memories and while they weren’t the same life threatening exhilaration it was familiar and he missed it. Not actually the almost dying part, but his fights with Kenpachi and Ikkaku, even Byakuya.

He’s been carrying around the bag of weed he stole with him just in case he decided he might want to smoke again. He was going to throw it away after he experienced his first joint as it wasn’t anything spectacular but now after this fight he could use anything to dull the thoughts.

Ichigo’s dripping blood down his forearm, it wasn’t gushing or anything but he did get a nice nick. Finding a place to hide out tucked under a tree in the park he makes another joint and holds it for a while. In a daze and not really focusing on much he looks back to the moon.

What were the Arancars up to, he wondered. And the Visords… and the Soul Reapers. He drags a hand down his face forcing down these emotions. He has to stop this, if Rukia were here she’d knock him out, and Renji would drag him to the training grounds to fight.

He lights up and takes a drag and continues to stare at the stars and moon. They’re staring back at him, calling out to him, ’you’re weak. You’re useless now. No one wants you. If they did they would have visited you by now.

He takes another drag and another and then is hit with a memory of Momo walking into him changing in Toshiro’s office. And how bright red she got, stuttering. Of course he didn’t know at the time it was all set up so Rangiku could take pictures for their stupid club contest of the Redhead Addition magazine and while he was distracted she managed to get several shots of him half dressed.

Ichigo chuckles at the memory. Toshiro’s face when he came into the room and misread the situation.

“Kurosaki! Just what the hell do you think you’re doing? Momo!” The Captain stormed the room as if he was going to war. “What’s going on here?! Kurosaki get out!”

He bursts out a laugh, God that guy…sighing he gets up. The joint is done.

What a night, unfortunately he’s going to have to go home and get cleaned up.

Once he gets in front of his house he notices the girls rooms lights are off. He looks at the time and it’s well after midnight again, that’s good. He creeps into his fathers office and grabs a roll of bandages and antibiotics. But once he turns he hits into someone.

“Karin?”

“Ichigo, what's wrong? You’re hurt?” Karin’s voice quickly picks up ready to go into interrogation mode.

“Shhh… it’s fine, really. Go back to bed.” Ichigo pats the top of her head and quickly goes into the bathroom and locks it.

Karin watches Ichigo leave and hears him go into the bathroom. The sound of water starts running and she sighs, her brother won’t ever ask for help and even when he so clearly needs it… The smell coming from him as he walked by her startles her, she knows what weed is but for Ichigo to... She bites her lip and starts to her room thinking her next steps.

How do you help someone who doesn’t want it.

Chapter Text

It’s been a busy week of hollows coming around town as well as busy week of shipping out supplies. It’s the first time Kisuke has been able to sit down and try to come up with a finer solution to a problem he’s been hearing about since Karin had mentioned it around 17 months ago. He takes a sip of tea and mulls over Ichigo’s current status which was he just got his Soul Reaper powers back about two weeks ago. But also the fact he has taken on a nasty habit.

The first time he heard about it from Karin she gave him an hour long lecture. He had tuned her out for the most part because he knew Ichigo was suffering, in part due to him, and he KNEW Ichigo could ONLY suffer as was usually the case when your soul has been ripped out. But he had duties to take care of at the time and focusing on getting Ichigo’s powers back was more vital than his smoking habit. And as long as Isshin wasn't breathing down his neck he'd call it dismissible even.

He decides now however that this has been on his back burner for a little too long.

Kisuke picks up his tea and takes another sip. It’s been a nice quiet morning so far and Renji and Rukia are supposed to arrive any minute now.

He has to think of how to break the information to the two of them when they arrive. As Ichigo will need all the support he can get to break this nasty habit. While normally Urahara wouldn’t mind someone indulging in a vice Ichigo is special… it felt different for him in a way he couldn’t explain. Call it a paternal instinct if you want but suddenly the need for him to help Ichigo has been an itch he can’t scratch. The boy simply was smoking all the time now. And while Ichigo went back into the thick of things destroying hollows and sending off spirits he wasn’t at the top of his game. The last time he observed Ichigo battling a hollow he almost got a claw to his face. The near miss had Kisuke gripping Benihime white knuckled and ready to interfere but fortunately all was fine.

That wasn’t the only time, and when he starts losing count that’s a bad thing. And he’ll be dipped if he put in all that work for the kid to die by a measly hollow. He can’t watch over Ichigo every time he goes out for a hollow and he’s almost given poor Orihime a heart attack by witnessing a near decapitation. Lady Luck has been on his side but Kisuke is not a gambling man, he’s a scientist. And the kids not rusty, it’s because of his new habit that’s making him sloppy. His swings miss, he has openings, he’s tripping over air for Soul Kings sake.

Kisuke Urahara is a man of research and so when the severity of the situation dawned on him he tackled it with vigor. And what he found was the plant had medicinal uses and recreational ones that was similar to a sedative. Considering everything Ichigo went through and is going through he doesn’t find it surprising Ichigo turned to the drug for reprieve.

The way to approach Ichigo would be a rough one. He figures if he uses a tactic that’s firm handed it might jar the boy back into the sober kid he once knew and now misses. What he really wants to do is go to Isshin and complain that this is the part where he should be stepping in, but he can’t do that either.

Kon comes walking in with a tea cup steaming hot and places it on the table.

“You know Renji is coming too, Kon?” He asks.

“I know.” Kon says. “This is for Rukia! I feel like I haven’t seen her in ages, what’s taken them so long?” He sits on the floor.

“They’ll be here.” Kisuke glances outside. The weather is starting to get gloomy.

At that moment in comes Renji and Rukia still in their spirit form. The mod soul jumps to Rukia who side smacks him to the wall.

“I missed you too Rukia!” He whimpers from the floor unmoving.

“The feelings aren’t mutual. You were supposed to keep watch of Ichigo for me Kon.” The two sit down across from him and wait for him to begin.

“Ah, well we can’t exactly blame it all on him now can we.” Kisuke says seriously, and the look he gives Rukia tells her there’s much to be discussed.

He knew exactly where to place the blame, and that was a finger at himself and Isshin as they were the ones that told everyone it would be best for Ichigo to be left out of the mix. At the time it seemed the best solution for everyone.

“Kon, do me a favor and go find Jinta for me, I need his help with something in a bit.” Urahara asks the mod soul who grumpily gets up from his spot and storms out as best as he can.

“I never get to stick around for meetings!" He complains, "I’ll be back Rukia!” Kon declares as he walks out.

“So what’s going on?” Renji asks becoming impatient.

“Well as you both know Ichigo got his powers back.” Kisuke says to start. “However during the time he didn’t have his powers he got into some things.”

“What kind of things?” Rukia asks. “Is he in some sort of trouble?”

”Depends how you look at it I suppose but yes.”

Renji leans forward, his attention focused.

Rukia slams her hand down on the table, “I’m gonna kill him, what is it now?”

They didn’t hear much about Ichigo in those 17 months, but to them those months went by in a breeze and they knew from the start they were working on getting Ichigo’s powers back. Everyone kept saying their friend was fine, that he was moving on, so why go and visit when they were so busy.

Now though, now they find out that wasn’t the case at all. Of course they know about Ichigo’s torment from the Fullbringer fiasco but that they knew already now, so what is Urahara talking about? Renji clenches his fist and simmers because he felt it in his gut all those times that Berry wasn’t fine, how could he be? Ichigo thrived on the power of friendship and the look of sadness when he could no longer see them anymore hit Renji to the core.

“Spit it out!” Renji snaps out.

“My my… Have either of you ever heard of a drug called marijuana?”

Rukia nods tentatively and Renji shakes his head no.

“What do you know Rukia?” He asks putting his elbows on the table and bringing his folded hands to his face. This will be interesting.

Rukia takes out a piece of paper and pen and doodles a rabbit holding a plant.

“Ive heard that bad kids like to pick these plants and sell them and if they’re caught they end up in jail! I saw it once on their news station, this lady was talking about all sorts of consequences to having this plant you speak of.” She puts bars in front of the rabbit holding the plant. “Is that what he’s doing? Selling plants? But why would he do that! He knows better!”

“Well you’re right and wrong… he’s not selling the plant but he is smoking it.”

Renji barks out a laugh, smoking a plant, that’s it? He’s old, he knows heavy smokers that smoke tobacco but this Marijuana? “Is this a new kind of plant, why is it dangerous?”

“It’s like alcohol, it relaxes you but also can have adverse effects depending on how you can react to it according to several accounts. And since I’ve had more time I finally took the time to stalk dear Ichigo and what I found might be a tad alarming, if we didn’t know the torture he went through. Some might even say this is a healthy response.”

Rukia disagrees rolling her eyes at ‘healthy’. “How long has this been going on for?”

“Oh,” At this Kisuke lifts his fan to his face. “Safe to assume the full 17 months he didn’t have his powers.”

“And you’re worried now? Why?” Renji’s floored, if it hasn’t been a problem what makes it a problem now? “It’s only like alcohol, right?”

Kisuke nods in agreement then sets down his fan staring them seriously in the eyes.

“I thought the same at first but…” He sighs, how to tell them without being strangled. “I want you to stalk Ichigo as well and just do your own evaluation of his mental status because to be honest to the both of you,” they both snort but he presses on without stopping, “even with his powers back, on top of everyones powers being given to him, this stuff has been altering his personality and mentality and not for the better. Especially if we ever get hit with another war.”

Renji growls, “This whole time you knew and now you’re concerned.”

“At the time it wasn’t pressing and we had bigger issues.”

“If that’s what helps you sleep at night. Come on, Renji, let’s go.” They get up to leave but Urahara stops them.

“Will you be taking your gigais?”

The two Soul Reapers continue out the door with no more words.

Chapter Text

Ichigo watches as Orihime makes her zucchini bread with apple slices and cinnamon.

“Uh, was there a reason you invited me over?” Ichigo asks.

“Of course, you’re gonna help me eat this once it’s finished baking!” Orihime laughs pouring the batter in the pan.

“Ha, right.” Ichigo smiles and scratches the side of his face. A stuffed foot hits his face.

Kon jumps down glaring at him. “What kinda questions that huh!?”

“Shove it Kon.” Ichigo smacks the mod soul to the wall.

“Ichigo?” Her quiet voice has him looking over to her.

She is looking down at the bread pan, fiddling with an apple slice before lying it on the top.

“I’m sorry.” She chokes up, she had planned to say more than just ‘sorry.’ Orihime turns from him trying to hide her face.

“Hime?” Ichigo is up from his spot at the table and next to her in a second. “Hey what’s wrong? Sorry? That you’re making zucchini bread with apple?”

That has her stuttering out a laugh as she’s quickly wiping her tears away. “No, Ichigo, I-“

“Orihime, it’s ok. Please don’t cry.” Ichigo takes ahold of her hand and looks her in the eyes.

She moves closer to him and slides into a hug. When Orihime and Chad had recovered from the Fullbringers powers and found out what Ichigo had went through Orihime snapped. Ichigo had never seen his friend look so distraught, not even after Ulquiorra or her time at Hueco Mundo had made her look so broken. It was also after the fullbringers incident Orihime started calling him by his first name. His heart flutters thinking back on that day, reluctantly he pulls back from the hug.

“Are you ok?” He asks her quietly.

“Oh I’m fine, thanks Ichigo.” She smiles into him. “Oh the bread!”

She dashes to the pan and puts it into the oven that’s now preheated, closing the door and turning the inside light on she turns back to Ichigo smiling. “It will take about 35 minutes!”

“Can’t wait.” Ichigo looked ready to say something more but is interrupted by Toshiro slamming into the apartment holding his sword, eyes landing on Orihime.

“It’s your sister, she’s hurt.” Cold eyes cut to Ichigo then to Orihime. “We need to hurry!”

“Which sister?! Karin?” Ichigo asks the Captain as they follow him, “What happened Toshiro!”

Once Ichigo realizes where they’re headed he rushes past Toshiro and into the clinic where Karin is lying pale and still on a hospital cot with blood drenched on her shirt and bed.

“God Karin! Hime!” Ichigo frantically calls out as his shaking hand hovers over his sister who is dying before him. He carefully lifts her shirt and find a deep gash in her side. It’s too deep and the dark red blood that continues to ooze out is only a matter of time his sister is dead. He feels Toshiro pulling him back as Orihimes healing shield covers Karin.

Orihime hears Ichigo’s call and she knows it’s bad, can feel it in her heart. The desperate sound someone makes when hope seems lost. She activates her powers before she’s even in the patient room quickly trying to heal as fast as she can. The wound is lethal for a girl Karin’s age and weight and she’s lost so much blood already, if Orihime didn’t have her powers or was late… Karin would be... Knowing this she concentrates with everything she has putting all her energy reversing the damage.

She’s done after about ten minutes but leaves the shield over Karin for a while longer just to be sure. Ichigo is a mess, standing in the corner staring at his sister with a far off gaze. Captain Hitsugaya is besides Ichigo keeping quiet as they both wait for her. Once it’s certain the young girl is fine does Ichigo hook her up to an IV for hydration. They then leave the room to talk.

“What happened?” Ichigo asks pacing in the hall, he feels like he’s going out of his skin with worry.

“I don’t know myself. I noticed her spiritual pressure drop and that’s when I found her lying in an alleyway.” Toshiro says, his frustrating seeping out in his tone. Seeing the spunky kid like that, he clenches his fists. “She was losing blood too fast I didn’t have time to investigate, but I didn’t sense any hollows.”

“You didn’t see anyone around her or anything?” Ichigo needs answers. Who would go after his sister, it had to be a tactic for him… or was she in trouble he didn’t know.

Maybe it was just the wrong place and time…

“We can only wait til she wakes up.” Toshiro says the same sentiment. “If it’s a human matter, the police will need to be involved.”

“I don’t know if thats possible now that she’s fully healed and we never took pictures. The police won’t need to be involved anyway. Once she tells me who did it I’m gonna take care of it.” Ichigo glares at the Captain daring him to say anything.

Orihime comes back from quickly checking Karin, “She’s awake.”

They circle around the bed. “Hey Karin, you gave us quite the scare… how you feelin?” Ichigo asks softly.

“Not bad at all, thank you Orihime.” Karin wearily smiles, “Thanks Toshi.”

Ichigo snaps his head to TOSHI? The Captain doesn’t look fond of that nickname either.

Orihime takes hold of Ichigo’s hand squeezing it tightly bringing him back.

“What happened? Do you know who did this to you?” Ichigo asks softly as he can muster with all the anger he has.

Karin looked up to Ichigo and turns her head away before saying. “Can I talk to you alone, Ichigo?”

Ichigo nods immediately,”No problem Karin, you guys..”

Toshiro and Orihime leave without complaint and wait outside, listening of course.

“The guy who stabbed me said it was cause you stole his weed.” They hear Ichigo’s sister say.

Orihime and Toshiro immediately look at each other and lean closer to the door.

“You see him, his face?” Ichigo whispers, he needs to calm down and think logical. He’s stolen… if he’s honest, quite a bit of weed over the last 17 months. But for them to go after his sister, it’s unforgivable, if anything he thought they would go after him, how mistaken he was.

“I’m going to take care of this, Karin, don’t you worry, ok?” He pats her head and pours her some water. “Drink up so you can get that IV out.”

“Ichigo. What do I tell dad?” Karin asks.

Ichigo freezes cause he really didn’t think of that. “You tell him you were attacked,” ‘because of me, goes unsaid,’ “and that I am going to take care of it.” He rubs her shoulder. "Get some rest.”

He leaves the room and Toshiro and Orihime go into the other room.

“You guys can head out, I’ll wait till my dad and Yuzu get back so I can explain.” Ichigo’s lips are in a firm line thinking of his next course of action after his family meeting.

“We heard your sister. You now understand what I was trying to tell you?” The Captain growls, “She was attacked because of your actions.”

“Chill out, they would’ve attacked regardless.” He mutters, even before he stole thugs drugs he was beating them down. Denial at it’s finest.

“I feel I should stay too, just in case she wants to talk.” Orihime says quietly before reminding Ichigo, “She’s still just a kid, she’s been through a lot today.”

“You’re right. Are you staying too Toshiro? I can make us some tea.” Ichigo states as he makes his way towards the kitchen.

“No, I must leave, I also have something I need to do.” The Captain says and looks towards the room Karin's in. Once he finds out who did this to her, he clenches his fist and looks towards her older brother. Oh how he would love to kick his ass too, but not today.

“Alright, I’m heading out. I’ll be seeing you, and stay out of trouble Ichigo. You find them, wait for me.”

Ichigo who is making tea looks over at that. “Will do.”

“Bye Toshiro!” Orihime waves goodbye.

—- [~~~]—-** * **

Meanwhile back at Orihime’s apartment.

Crying on the kitchen floor is Kon, his arm all burnt with stuffing coming out of it and Urahara bending over him.

“You’ll be fine… but it’s a good thing we came when we did, eh Yoruichi?” Urahara picks up Kon and puts him on the sofa.

“Very lucky,” Yoruchi takes a look at the mess in the kitchen. Black smoke on the ceiling and a very baked and burnt something or other in the oven. “What’s this supposed to be? Smells awful!”

“Zucchini apple bread.” Kon cries, “Poor Orihime she’s gonna be so mad at me! I’ve never been so scared,” He wails, “I tried to open the oven but when I did I fell in and my arm caught fire! I thought I was done for!”

Yoruichi awkwardly pats Kon on the head whom tries to reciprocate by lunging towards her chest for a much needed hug but gets tossed to the couch. “You’re fine.”

Urahara looks over to them. “Well, looks like the situation is settled for now. Let’s go and look for her, better let her know instead of walking in blindly to this mess.”

They nod and head out.

Chapter Text

Ichigo finds out from Karin where exactly she was when she was attacked. The biggest problem is she can’t remember what the bastard who did it looks like. After Isshin and Yuzu are told a little white lie as to why Karin needs to recuperate he heads for the alley way where it happened. Where he would have been placing flowers if it weren’t for Toshiro and Orihime. He zips up his sweater and throws up his hood shoving his clenched fists inside the pockets hoping to god he comes across the bastard soon. He’s hopeful that whoever wants to get back at him will return to the scene of the crime…but he has a feeling he used up all his luck today.

Shortly after Orihime left to go home he received a text to let him know she’ll be staying at Kisukes because of the kitchen fire. The smell in her apartment from the burnt kitchen appliances too overwhelming. He sighs heavily, grateful no one was hurt, it could have been so much worse. They completely spaced out the oven being on once they heard Karin was hurt just leaving it on for hours.

He walks into the alley and notices the blood dried on the ground. His gut clenches tightly, guilt eating him alive. This was all on him. He closes his eyes and he’s pulled into his inner world without warning.

Ichigo blinks. He’s on the side of a skyscraper and the clouds are not the beautiful blue they used to be. Instead it’s looking ready to storm, or have a tornado…

‘King.’ Zangetsu appears before him, robes bustling in the wind. ‘Mind clearing up the skies?’

Ichigo rolls his eyes, “You know I can’t control that.”

‘Oh ya? So ya mean once you stab the man who stabbed your sister this won’t clear up?’ A loud patronizing laugh comes from the white haired hollow version of himself.

“Shut up… you know where I can find the scumbag? By all means, be of some use to me for once!” Ichigo glares.

'What fun would that do ya? That’s the best part of defeating your enemy, it’s hunting them!' Zangetsu returns the glare.

'Use your senses you were taught. Or have you been smoking so much you forgot how to do that? Come on, be of some use for once!!’ Zangetsu takes his sword and lunges at him striking down.

Ichigo meets his attack with his own sword. “I don’t have time for a lecture!” He huffs and turns away. “I’m leaving.”

‘Remember Ichigo… hunting is the best part,' He hears the laugh echo throughout his head. 'Ya used to be good at that.'

Ichigo opens his eyes and he’s still standing in the alley way and when he looks up he finds something he didn’t pay attention to before. He walks over and picks up the empty can, the brand called MELLO getting his attention.

Could be the guy who stabbed Karin.. maybe he was drinking this while he waited.

“Fuck!” He slams the can on the ground.

—-

Orihime sips her tea while sitting in Urahara’s guest room along with Rukia, Renji, Yoruichi. They had just gone over what happened to Karin and their next steps. At first Orihime didn’t want to let them know but hesitantly told them since Captain Hitsugaya was probably going to say something anyway. And this way maybe it won’t sound as bad… but it still felt like she was backstabbing Ichigo. She frowns setting down her tea cup, she doesn’t see anything wrong with Ichigo smoking now and again. And she doesn’t have the right to judge, not after everything with the fullbringers!

She closes her eyes. How can Ichigo ever forgive her for what she did? Easy answer, he can’t. But she can be there for him, after all he deserves peace and anything he wants! She loves him.

“Everything will be fine, Orihime.” Yoruichi consoles her rubbing her shoulder. “Ichigo just needs to stop smoking so much, especially if it’s got thugs coming after his family.”

“Obviously.” Renji grunts. “Where is he anyway?”

“Out looking for clues on who did it.” Orihime says. “Karin doesn’t remember her attackers face.”

“I’m sure that won’t stop him. I better go after him.” Renji stands up ready to head out.

“Wait.” Urahara stops the red head. “I think you should take this.”

The ex-Captain going over to a drawer in the room and takes out a black box looking device with two prongs at the end and gives one to Rukia and Renji.

“What is it?” Renji asks looking at it confused.

“It’s a stun gun, you’re gonna want to use this on the humans instead.” He smiles, eyes glinting. “I suggest the groin and face.”

“Thanks, but I prefer my sword.” Renji states. Rukia scoffs and smacks him.

“You know we can’t actually kill these guys.” She puts hers away.

“That’s right, or there might be serious repercussions for killing a human.”

Renji laughs, “Oh is that right? After everything we got away with we care about rules now?”

Orihime can’t help but smile at that. After healing Karin she was shook up with how bad the girl was hurt. She knows without a doubt Ichigo’s sister was close to dying. For the first time in her life she felt disdain and she wanted the people responsible punished, and she knows she can rely on Renji and even Toshiro to help Ichigo with this.

Rukia will be good to hold them in line… or at least cover up the crime.

She looks over to Yoruichi who is sharing a look with Urahara.

“Just be careful.” Yoruichi says firmly. “Humans are messy creatures and we don’t need any more problems. I’ll be handling the Hollows in the area with Kisuke.”

Orihime sets down her cup. “I’m going to go get Chad and Uryu.”

“Let’s meet back here later tonight, or if you have new information.” Urahara closes his fan and gets up himself. “Remember, no killing please!” His smile is strained.

———-

“I told you to wait for me!”

“Yeah well..” He spits.

Ichigo is sitting down on the ground. His lip split and nose bleeding, shirt torn, and six thugs all knocked out across the ground of the warehouse.

“You took too long.”

“You know if one of these guys are the ones who did it?” Toshiro glares at the scum around him. Toshiro walks over to one of the thugs who won’t stop moaning and gives him another sharp kick effectively silencing him.

“No, but I’m going after every single one of them. Want to help?” Ichigo looks over to the Captain.

“You don’t have to ask.” Toshiro says before looking over to the group walking into the warehouse.

“We’re coming too!” Renji shouts from the doorway. Rukia, Chad, Uryu and Orihime walk over to them.

“Fine by me.” Ichigo stands.

Chapter Text

It’s a beautiful day outside but inside Ichigo could say it felt like the end of the world. The bright blue skies glaring at him, the birds singing around, and the wind gently caressing his skin. It’s all so much to take in. He watches from afar Orihime, Chad and Ishida as they make their way to school, but he isn’t going today.

They’ve all been acting weird around him. Not telling him anything when he asks them a question or even just saying hello is becoming quite frustrating.
——

Just the other day he had cornered Orihime hoping that out of anyone she would still be there for him.

“Hey, Orihime.” He waves to her as she’s making her walk into school.

“Oh hey, Kurosaki-kun!” She smiles, her hair bright as always.

“So, you guys have been looking busy, what’s going on?” He asks.

He saw Chad dodging into some side streets before entering some place in downtown Karakura town. He’s been following Ishida who’s been making weekly stops to Urahara and then Orihime he’s been leaving to her own devices hoping she would have dropped by by now…

He clears his throat when she doesn’t answer, she’s noticeably drifting off. “Everything okay?”

“Oh yeah, I’ve just been so busy with work and classes that’s all! How’s everything with you?” She cheerily asks.

He nods and doesn’t answer for a minute, “I’m fine.”

She’s walking ahead of him now leaving him behind. “Sorry Kurosaki-kun!” She goes, “I’m kinda in a hurry, see you later!”

“Right,” Ichigo sighs, “See ya, Hime.” He says softly watching her fast walking down the hill, rushing to get to school.

——

Chad is walking home sporting a bloody lip from his third session while thinking over his strategy. The Fullbringers have abilities he’s never seen before and it brings him hope they may know more. But it’s not easy earning their trust. He’s also not much of a talker and so getting to know the crew has been difficult. He show cased his abilities as an entry point, an so he’s exhausted from the full day of sparring and from trying to wheedle out information from Tsukishima who’s reluctant to talk. And even though Ginjo lets things slip from time to time, it’s not enough. He needs more to help Ichigo. As if his friend has been summoned from Chad’s thoughts he appears ahead of him at the street corner.

“Oh, hey Ichigo.” He greets and takes in his friends disheveled look. “You okay?”

This isn’t the area Ichigo would normally be at.

Ichigo is staring at Chad’s bloody lip when he asks, “Oh, uh, are you? What happened?”

“It’s nothing, I’m just heading home now.” He looks down the street, no Hollows at least.

“Where were you?” Ichigo asks following his gaze down the street.

“Just training, got ahead of my self a little. Let me walk you home.” Chad says but Ichigo seems to unravel at that, looking down at his hands.

“No, uh, I’m not going home. I guess I’ll be seeing you…” His friend looks up to him and then turns away and says, “Just be careful, you know I’m around if you guys need anything.”

Chad watches Ichigo’s back as he walks away in the opposite direction of his home and wonders where he could be off to at this time of night. Guilt creeps into his soul as he watches his friend walk away, but he’s doing everything he can to protect him. If Ichigo caught wind of the Fullbringers he would try to get involved and that doesn’t seem to be a good idea right now.

They were told to leave him be, let him move on. He sighs and continues home.

———

Instead of going to school he decides to go look for a spot he can be alone without anyone spotting him. He pulls his hood over his head and walks towards the edge of town wanting to get as far as he can from his friends and family.

He finds a spot that’s located on the border of Karakura town behind a warehouse thats isolated with no cars and no one walking around. He leans against the building and closes his eyes. Everything is so quiet now, there’s no Hollows or Spirits bothering him or asking for help.

He takes out the joint he has stashed in his back pocket and lights it and takes a puff.

All he needs to do is live his life, that’s all, it was easy before so why is it so hard now? He takes another drag and looks up at the sky then leans against the building and looks alongside the building. He can almost pretend he’s in his inner world, he closes his eyes reminiscing of the days he was inside his soul talking with Zangetsu and the Old man.

‘King.’ It’s what the Hollow version of himself had called him. Look how far he’s fallen.

Weak and defeated.

Powerless.

He takes another drag and once he’s finished and feels a little better he starts his way home.

Chapter Text

Uryu’s concerned about Ichigo, to the point where he’s decided to go to Urahara Kisuke and seek the mans advice. Not certain if its a good idea or not, he throws caution to the wind and decides if anyone can reach through to Ichigo it would be the crazy guy who trained him.

“I’ll look into it.” Kisuke says, “But you know his father already said it’s best to leave him alone. He might need time adapting, you should know.” He says looking over at the Quincy who’s suddenly quiet.

”You thinking Isshin cares about Ichigo’s well being is comedy.” He wants to say more, but that isn’t the matter at this point.

”He’s not the best…” Kisuke not able to judge looks down at his tea cup. “What’s really got you so concerned? Ichigo can handle himself.”

Uryu closes his eyes at that question. What doesn’t have him concerned is more like it.

“If you need more evidence I suggest you go stalk him for a day or two. You’ll see what I mean, unless you have other things to do like selling knock off chappy bunnies.” Uryu clenches his fist in anger at the unfairness of it all. He shouldn’t have come, this guys useless.

“I’ll see what I can do. I promise.”

—-

Uryu had been stalking Ichigo as well as the suspicious men for a week now. The tall dark haired man dressed formally and the tall brown haired man he hangs around with has been lurking around Kurakura town for some time and he doesn’t know why but his gut tells him there's something about them he needs to watch out for. It was one of the things he failed to mention to Kisuke but he’d been so focused on Ichigo…

Chad and Orihime has been keeping clear of Ichigo as well, all he did was try to pry into business he doesn’t need to be involved in. Uryu sighs remembering his days of being powerless, he can empathize with him but what he’s been doing hasn’t been helpful. He’s skipping school, smoking more and more often, beating up thugs to take up his time. If Uryu thought he wouldn’t make it worse he would confronted him already.

He spots the suspicious guy standing above a building, he’s waiting for him.

“Who are you? And what is it you want!” He glares.

“Hmm, so you’re part of that motley crew too. Yes, I’ve seen you following Ginjo and I, as well as your friend Ichigo. What is it you think I want, you have me curious now.” Suddenly he’s before Uryu swiping his sword down to which Uryu dodges just in time.

Uryu growls and dodges the next on coming attacks then draws his bow shooting an arrow.

“Oh, a Quincy, how odd I thought you were all wiped out.” The tall man takes out a book. “my name is Shukuro Tsukishima. You’ll be familiar with my name soon enough.”

Uryu jumps out of the way as his enemy comes forward and draws his bow again this time releasing multiple arrows at once. If he’s going to defeat this guy he’s going to have to get some distance.

“Running away?” Tsukishima laughs, “Ok!” He’s about to attack again when his phone starts going off. He stops and looks down at the Quincy before taking his phone and answering it. “What, I’m busy.”

Uryu takes his chance and attacks again but the man dodges and closes his phone.

“That’s not polite, if I knew you were such a dirty fighter I would’ve ended you a while ago. But looks like I’m out of time. Till next time!” Tsukishima takes off.

For a second he wants to chase after him but the guy was clearly holding back and he’s not an idiot. That guy was targeting him… and who knows who else. Having a gut feeling he takes off to find his friends, they’ll need to know about this.

—-

“Fuck…” Ichigo takes a drag and watches the sun set. “Fuck!” He says again, completely over the amount of frustration brewing inside of him.

He had an itching suspicion he was being followed but by who he doesn’t know and every time he tries to find out the feeling is gone, like his stalker caught on and disappeared.

It could be friend or foe and he wouldn’t know. He takes another drag of his joint and scans the town before him. The sky getting darker and darker and slowly all the town lights flicker on gradually.

He thought it could have been Kisuke so he had gone to the Shoten hoping to get some answers but it was dark inside and didn’t look like anyone was there which was unusual. Nerves getting the best of him he had decided to retreat and take a smoke break. Seems like that’s all he can do anymore anyway.

As he’s walking home, slightly in a daze from the amount he smoked he catches in the corner of his eye someone familiar. Chad! His friends don’t see him from where he is standing and he ducks for cover when they turn towards him. It’s Chad, Orihime and Uryu huddled near a street lamp in deep discussion over something, he can’t quite hear what they’re saying though.

He puts his hand against the brick wall he’s at and leans closer struggling to get something, any words they’re saying he just wants to know!

“…can’t find….-‘ Uryu is talking so quietly he can’t hear anymore.

“As…don’t….’ Orihime’s waving her hand in front of Uryu then looking at Chad. “….safe.”

The group starts back to their homes and Ichigo stays still as he watches them walk away. Once they’re gone and he’s still standing there with his hand still on the cold brick kinda dazing off he feels the blackhole in his soul grow larger. The feeling of numbness washes over him once again. He turns back around and walks back to where he was before to go and smoke some more. There’s no point in going home tonight anyway.

Chapter Text

Ichigos hands grasps at the sand mound under his hands as he lies on his back looking up at the giant moon. His stomach aching and his shoulders bleeding profusely, he turns with effort to get himself up but the strength inside him starts to waiver. His hand reaches for Zangetsu but it’s nowhere for his hand to reach, but he was just fighting where is it!?

Get up! He struggles harder this time to stand up but all he can feel is the sand underneath him sink him further as he struggles, he’s sinking too fast. Shit! Get up! He’s starting to panic as his struggling makes him only sink further.

“Wha-!” He looks up trying to grab anything but his hands can only grab the sand before him and he continues to slide further.

He’s up to his chest in sand when he notices he’s being watched from behind but when he goes to turn he can’t physically turn that far.

“Who’s there?” He asks and then feels a hand on his head.

“Look forward Ichigo, what do you see?” A deep voice asks.

“Who are you!”

“What is it you see?”

He looks forward and only sees Hueco Mundo, the sand, the moon, nothing!

“Look forward Ichigo, move forward.”

“No! Wait! Old man that you? I’m sinking I’m-!” The hand leaves his head and he feels his strength finally diminish from his body. His eyes close and the feeling of exhaustion is felt throughout his entire body making him want to sleep for the rest of his life.

He wakes up and he’s facedown on pavement and his body feels stiff. Ichigo turns to his side and looks around, that’s right… he crashed here last night. He stares at his hands and remembers he’s got his powers back. Sometimes he wakes up still frantic that it was all a dream that he still didn’t have his powers.

Now that all his friends, and Soul Reapers knew of his smoking habit it’s been Operation Sober Ichigo Up recently. No matter if there’s no Hollows or anything happening they don’t want him smoking anymore. He already tried quitting for a week and all that got him was frustration and he could quit if he really needed to.

“Ichigo!” He looks up, he’s on the ground against the wall, Rukia looks down with concern.

“Damnit Ichigo!” She pulls him to his feet. “We thought you were dead, your spirit energy went missing for a part of the night last night and we couldn’t find you! What happened?”

“Ah, I’ve been here all night, no worries.” He felt like crap and if what she’s saying is true then what was that dream last night?

“Here?!” Rukia looks around taking in the alleyway, “Ichigo…” She says nothing else and drags him all the way to the Shoten not once removing her hand from his arm.

“Lookie here Yoruichi, our friend Ichigo decided to join us!” Kisuke throws his fan up in joy, “Small blessings are often disguised, probably a good thing you weren’t here yesterday Ichigo.”

“Why’s that?” Ichigo isn’t awake enough for this.

“We found the guy who stabbed your sister.” Yoruichi says standing before the door to the underground training room.

That wakes him up. After the day he went on a rampage beating up all the thugs he ever stole from or the ones he could find Rukia, Renji, Chad, Orihime, Uryu and Toshiro had helped him scour the rest of the town and make threats to anyone else who might decide to touch him or his own…

—-

“This guy beats us up more than we do him, and steals from us, and you call us the thug! How rich, bet that sister of his deserved it!” A guy with chains and tattoos laughs out while pounding his fist in his hand.

Chad slams down the guy who made the witty remark and Orihime is right beside him putting her foot on the guys neck. “Don’t think you know much about what people deserve.”

”These guys are worse than hollows.” Uryu complains slamming one of them down on the ground but they immediately get back up and takes off yelling, “You people are crazy!”

Yoruichi gets behind Orihime, “That’s great! Now bend down beside his ear and whisper several threats! Then take your knuckle and dig it into his side right here near his kidney. Uryu, are you gonna let that one get away?”

”You want me to shoot him or something?” He deadpans. Chad takes off after the guy.

“What is this a training session?” Toshiro scoffs from his spot above a thug choking him out, the guy dangling from his hand ready to pass out.

“Mine as well be!” Yoruichi laughs as Orihime takes her instruction, the guy below her is wide eyed shaking.

“Who are you?” The thug cries out in pain.

“Hey, we done here?” Renji’s red head pops out from the corner, “We got couple more thugs here need knocking out here!”

“Can’t handle it Renji?” Chad asks while dragging back Uryu’s knocked out thug by his jacket.

“Of course I can! Don’t you be startin in on me too Chad, I don’t need it!” Renji yells at him.

“Let’s go Orihime, I think this guy’s got the hint… and if he doesn’t,” Yoruichi turns to the thug and leans down whispering something no one else can hear and he rightfully pretends to pass out.

Toshiro turns to Yoruichi. "Aren't you supposed to be taking care of the Hollows?"

"And miss this? Kisuke can deal with it!" She takes off after a runaway thug.

——-

They hadn’t found the guy that night they went hunting for him and it’s only been a full week since the attack. He was starting to think they wouldn’t find him.

But they did, of course…

“Where is he?” Ichigo asks, anger taking over and thoughts of what he is going to do.

“Well, we kinda had a little bet of a sort going on.. Not one you’re part of. You see,” Kisuke is becoming vague again.

“Where is the bastard?” Ichigo cuts him off.

“Here’s the deal, you stop smoking for a month and we will let you beat him up.” Renji says.

“Oh a month? You’re gonna hold onto this guy for a month?! You outta your mind!?” Ichigo laughs, this is just great.

“ Oh, we’re not kidding.” Kisuke states and when Ichigo meets his eyes he brings up his stupid fan.

“You!” Ichigo looks around to find Rukia avoiding his eyes, Orihime playing with the tea packets on the table, Yoruichi examining her nails and Chad taking a sip of tea, and then theres Uryu, Renji and Toshiro glaring back at him.

“Fine!” Ichigo snaps out then storms out of the Shoten.

“The guys gonna need a month to recover anyway after what you guys did to him!” Jinta says walking into the room with Tessai.

“Guy is in bad shape.” Tessai agrees, “Well done.”

“I see you took my advise.” Kisuke smiles over to Renji.

Renji glares over at the mad scientist. “Yeah, well… can’t kill the damn bastard.”

Chapter Text

Ichigo walks over to the railing and looks over the side of the road. He had hitched a ride to go the top because it was such a distance from Kurakara town. It was a newer spot he had discovered, a little duvet off the road that overlooked a beautiful view but steep and dangerous as well. If anyone were to fall over this thing they will definitely be a goner.

There was a small trail that hikers had worn out over the years and he takes along the path. He steps over the railing and follows close to the edge, trees and rocks becoming obstacles he weaves through. Ichigo stops and looks around, the valley was the largest around he’s ever seen in this part of Japan.

He takes a seat on the ground moving aside a stick and taking out a joint. Just another day, but at least he found this spot, it’s been getting more difficult to find a hiding place from both his friends and his Shinigami ones as well. All he wanted was to chill out, he’s done everything they wanted, what more do they need, a sworn oath to sobriety, coming from the biggest alcoholics he knows.

He remembers Renji on his ‘Best’ of nights, guys a nut job! Ichigo sighs and tries to unclench his teeth, he’s getting nowhere thinking like this.

Pulling a drag he calms down and looks up at the sky. It’s such a beautiful day out, perfect temperature and a slight gust of wind from time to time.

Woooshh “Ichigo!” A boom of a voice well known echoes down the mountain.

“Wha!!!” Ichigo yells startled at the sudden shout. She found him of course. Shit. “Come on Rukia, give me some time would ya!”

“Are you a thug now, Ichigo?” That tone she always uses, ugh!

“Oh, give me a break!”

“No! You made a promise Ichigo that you would give it up, well we’ve called in reinforcements.”

Ichigo turns to her with his joint still in his mouth. “M’Yeah?” He blows smoke.

He turns expecting Kisuke or Renji but who is standing there but non-other than Unohana herself. Her spiritual pressure was hidden but now that his eyes are locked on her she lets a little out for him to feel.

“You deceived me, Ichigo. I was disappointed when I found your room empty that night. I also warned you, and now you’re going to have to pay the price tenfold you realize.” She starts walking towards him.

“Please, I appreciate your concern but-“ I’m sorry was on the tip of his tongue except he couldn’t say it as the Captains hands are now wrapped around his throat. His joint falls from his lips and he’s suddenly whisked away into Soul Society.

Deep in the depth of the Science Department they watch as the orange haired stoner is throttled and brought to his knees then thrown into the Senkaimon.

“You think he’s gonna survive this time?” One of the interns asks.

A loud crackling laugh booms the department. “If he’s interested in experimenting with drugs I know just the thing!” Mayuri Kurotsuchi walks up to the monitor with a wide smile on his face.

“They’ve arrived, Captain.” Nemu says as the data comes in.

“Perfect. Nemu, get the tranq gun, we have a mission.” The Captain quickly departs with Nemu behind him holding a gun as long as her forearm, the dart the size of an arrow.

“Loaded up, Mayuri-san.”

Chapter Text

Ichigo slowly wakes to the feeling of his arms strapped to the side of him in restraints attached to the bed. He weakly pulls at them trying to muster the strength but whatever the specialized straps are made of aren’t budging. Last thing he remembers is being grabbed by Unohana and dragged into Soul Society before being knocked out with a crack to the neck. Scary woman… he thought he was dead. Or maybe he is, he looks around the sterile room. Whatever she’s planning she means business. Dread and fear has him pulling even more frantically at the straps.

Thinking back to when he escaped the last time… he must have really pissed her off. But in all honesty, what did they expect? When he snuck away in the dead of night he knew this might happen but in all honesty he thought his issues were bottom of the totem poll for someone like Unohana. But he was told not to leave until his rehab was complete and he did… They didn’t call her First Kenpachi for nothing, oh yes, he thinks back to Rukia’s 'Scared Straight' talks after finding him.

“You made a big mistake Ichigo, do you know what they used to call Captain Unohana? Well, do you!?” Rukia grabs him and tosses him to his bed. Ichigo rolls his eyes, ready for the lecture.

“Rehab Retsu?”

“Very funny.” Rukia deadpans. “No, she was actually known as the First Kenpachi, and for good reason. And now that you deceived her Ichigo, I honestly can’t tell you what may happen. Maybe if you stopped all this nonsense-“

Blah blah blah, Rukia had gone on and on.

Ichigo closes his eyes and lets out a breath. Inside he can’t help but feel guilty about this whole thing. Everyone is so focused on him right now over an insignificant issue, but when he really needed them, when he really needed their help… where were they?!

He clenches his fists and weakly struggles, and groans, how is this fair! How!? He has every right to do what he needs to get through his pain! The torment he has been through with his own soul and mind was torture and smoking took it all away, it gave him freedom and peace of mind, gave him all he ever needed when he had nothing! He is nothing.

They care about you. That soft voice that nags at him from time to time, and reminds him of his mother. They care about you and you’re not even trying. What about your sisters?

Ichigo sighs and looks up at the ceiling. The room dark and quiet, almost peaceful, and the window curtains are slightly drawn so only a peak of light is shining into his room giving him an idea of the time. Suddenly the light starts wavering.

“Huh?” He turns his head and finds a dark shadow in the corner.

“Who’s there!” Glaring at them and desperately pulling the restraints.

“You don’t know how long I have been waiting for this moment. Finally I can use you as the test subject I should have been entitled to from the moment you set foot here all those years ago!” Kurotsuchi comes forward from the shadows, his menacing smile glimmering in the light. “Ah yes! This truly is a marvelous outcome.”

Shit, shit, shit! He struggles against the restraints but every pull is met with even more resistance, he’s so screwed.

“Stay the hell away from me you son of a bitch! Captain Unoha-AGH!” The Captain pops something into the back of his throat as he’s yelling giving him no choice but to swallow. Fear grips him as he begins feeling weak. “What! Bastard whaddyou just give me!?”

His body feels hot and achy and it’s getting harder to focus on the two before him. Okay, he’s freaking out. He’s not getting out of this one. “You… bastard.” He weakly gets out.

“Nemu! Grab the test subject and bring him to the lab!” Captain Kurotsuchi demands of his Lieutenant.

The Lieutenant emerges from the other dark corner of the room shocking Ichigo even further. Were they there this whole time!? Nemu stalks forward holding massive gun in both hands.

“No! What’re ya doin!?” Ichigo stares horrified at the tranq gun then turns to Clown Face, “I swear, when I get out I will kill you, you hear- Wait! Stop!“

Nemu stabs the nose of the gun to Ichigo’s neck and pulls the trigger, “Be still now.”

Ichigo falls back zoned out and eyes staring up at the ceiling with his mouth open.

“You like drugs so much, I am certain you will enjoy this one immensely. It’s a sedative I made myself, called Benzatriptaphine, and it looks like you’re feeling the effects already. Let’s go Nemu, I want to get readings immediately!”

“Yes Captain!” She releases the straps and picks up the orange haired man feeling slightly bad for him knowing he’s going to under go some serious changes.

…………………………

Is he floating? Ichigo tries to open his eyes, aren’t his eyes already open? He can see but he feels asleep. He looks around and finds himself staring back at him.

“Uoy yako?” His face says but the words aren’t registering. These words have no meaning and his thoughts are leaving before they are coming. The dark eyes staring at him are watching with strange observance. The whiteness of his face, so unlike him. He frowns trying to concentrate.

Ichigo reaches out and touches his white face. “Stra-nge” he tries to speak but the word he’s about to say leaves his mind like sand escaping an hourglass and just like that he doesn’t remember what he’s doing, what he’s saying, why he’s being.

He looks around and feels himself sit down and then lay down to look up at the darkening sky above. The clouds overhead are rapidly becoming darker and larger with the growing wind. Low rumbling that was only just behind him is now above him much louder than before. The Hollow above him looks sad and the other figure that joins beside him, a familiar man, doesn’t even spark a memory. His mouth feels glued shut and his eyes suddenly feel very heavy. The two are speaking to him but he can’t understand them, their foreign language lulling him into the darkness that blankets his mind and soul.

…………………………

“Chigo! Hello~! Chigo! Heyyyy-“ Is that… Orihime? Why does it smell like sand?

“He’s not waking up. Maybe if I kick him…”

“Wait..” Ichigo groans still half asleep and lifting up from where he’s laying struggling but managing to open his eyes a crack.

“I knew he was pretending.” The annoying voice only known to belong to Uryu says.

Ichigo blinks and wearily looks around to see his friends gathered around him, they’re clearly in Hueco Mundo. What is going on? Ichigo tries to figure out what the situation may be by observing their actions. Orihime is looking happy, Chad looks content…. Then theres Uryu who always looks annoyed. But why are they all here and all wearing green?

Ichigo stands up brushing the sand off, “What’s going on?”

“We were just on our way to get the Golden Nugget, don’t you remember Chigo-kun?” Orihime informs him while pointing at one of the large pillars of sand miles away from them. A shining light is beaming up into the sky like a beacon from the pillar. “But then you passed out, haha, Uryo said you couldn’t handle that last hit but you did it anyway!” She continues to laugh at him.

“Huh?!” Ichigo strains his memory but there’s nothing.

“It’s actually called the Dankest of Dank.” Uryu pushes up his glasses correcting her.

Chad crosses his arms. “No we agreed earlier to call it the Kushiest of Kush.”

“No we didn’t Chaido, we definitely agreed on the Golden Nugget!”

Ichigo sits back down in the sand as a strange feeling of nostalgia waves over him.

…………………………

Retsu Unohana has just walked out of the critical ward when she is met with Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu frantically coming up to her eyeing her wearily before announcing.

“Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki is missing again!”

No wonder her Lieutenant is nervous.

“Those restraints can withstand Kurosaki’s power… Which means,” She grabs the hilt of her Zanpakuto. There’s only one way he got out. “He’s been taken.”

“Who-“

“Go tell the Head Captain that Ichigo Kurosaki has been abducted, we need a thorough search.”

“Yes, Captain!” She bows then looks up and watches her Captain take off down the hall, the pressure of her reiatsu on blast making the Lieutenant grimace.

There’s only one foolish ignoramus scientist that would risk her wrath around here… Unohana stalks out of the fourth quarters on a mission to retrieve what is hers and makes way to the labs. This wouldn’t be the first time Kurotsuchi nabbed someone from her medical ward.And she knows it won’t be the last…

…But this time there will be hell to pay.

…………………………

The immense pressure that blasts through the air is enough for everyone within a hundred mile radius to feel.

Kenpachi is sitting on the floor, his arm propped by his sword, looks up towards the window.

“Wow Kenny!”

“Yeah, she’s mad…” Kenpachi frowns for a second before bursting into laughter. “Great, it’s been a while since I’ve felt her this pissed and that means someone is going to get it!”

Kenpachi gets up and heads out with Yachiru. Madame and Ayasegawa flanking behind him as he’s running down the hall on full alert, his hand on his weapon with eagerness, the smile on his face only growing as he thinks of the shit show that is about to happen.

“Captain, we just received word from Isane that she’s on her way to alert the Head Captain that Ichigo has been abducted! Captain Unohana wants us to search everywhere.”

Kenpachi barks out a laugh, “Change of plans, looks like we’re gonna go looking for this kid.”

It’s been a while since he fought Ichigo since he lost his powers, and now that the kid has some of his…He grips his sword and turns another corner.

“It’s like a game of Hide and Seek Kenny!” The pink haired lieutenant laughs.

“Perfect. Whoever finds the brat first gets to spar him!” Zaraki takes off down another hallway at break neck speed following Yachiru’s navigational skills leaving the other two in the dust.

Ikkaku looks over at Yumichika and they decide to go off in another direction. “Ichigo better hope the Captain doesn’t find him first, he’s been itching for a fight since the kid left.” Ikkaku laughs out.

Yumichika tucks a lock of hair behind his ear, “Then we better find him before the Captain.”

“Don’t think we will need my lucky dance for that.”

“Isane said Captain Unohana seemed to know who did it.” Yumichika says as they round a corner almost bumping into Renji.

“Whoa, where you guys off to in a hurry?” The red head asks after them following suit.

“Kurosaki is in trouble again, there’s a full on search for him.” Ikkaku says.

Renji groans, “You gotta be kiddin, we just got back here! Don’t tell me he actually escaped again!”

Yumichika lets out a laugh, “Escaped again, you mean he’s done this before?”

“Well you know how Ichigo is…” Renji sighs, “Kid’s stubborn. But if he’s left rehab again there’s no telling what Captain Unohana might do. I should’ve warned him about her, you’d think it would be common sense!”

“Rehab?!” Ikkaku yells, “For what!? Hey! There he is!”

The two Shinigami turn their heads towards Ikkaku’s pointing finger to see their orange haired friend being unceremoniously hauled around a corner by two of Captain Kurotsuchi’s lab techs.

“After them!” Renji shouts and they all sprint down the hall but once they’re there there’s no sign of them.

“Damnit! They must have used a hidden door or something.” Yumichika starts to look around trying to find seams in the wall but to no avail.

Ikkaku starts dow the hall, “They have to be bringing him to the labs, let’s go!”

…………………………

Captain Kuchiki is walking towards the thirteenth division when something catches his eye. He watches as two Shinigami, looking to be from the sketchy science division is hauling down the hall with none other than the Substitute Soul Reaper, Kurosaki, whom is clearly unconscious and is lolling every which way. The orange hair being a dead give away. Damnit all, he sighs not really interested in getting involved but it’s the least he can do for Rukia.

“You two, stop right there!” He yells to them.

He watches with disdain at the blatant lack of disrespect of his orders as the two ignore him and accidentally drop Kurosaki with a thud. They scramble frantically and pick him up by the legs and arms and take off in a hurry down the hall, the substitute soul reapers head banging on the side of the wall as they turn the corner.

“You dare!” Byakuya takes off after them but when he turns the corner they are long gone. Impossible! He glares, this can only be the work of that bastard Kurotsuchi, and that means nothing good for Kurosaki.

……………………………

Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyoraku are walking down the hall in response to the Head Captains call for an emergency meeting when they spot in a blink of an eye two Twelfth Seat Shinigami dropping Ichigo Kurosaki, picking him up, then taking off down the hall and out of sight in a flurry.

“You think…”

“The reason for the meeting?” Shunsui Kyoraku tilts his woven hat down while frowning. “Yare, yare, that would explain Captain Unohana’s rage earlier.”

“Well, better go in.” They both sigh.

……………………………

“Oh my goodness, Captain look! Isn’t that?” Lieutenant Matsumoto shouts pointing over at the body being tossed over a training ground fence. The body’s crash to the ground can be heard from where they stand from all the way over across the grounds. “That’s Ichigo!”

Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya is only half paying attention as he is responding to the butterfly alerting him of the Captains meeting. Finally turning to look at what Rangiku is squawking about, his jaw drops as he watches the body of Ichigo being tossed into a cart and wheeled off by members of the Twelfth Division.

“What the hell!?”

“Should we go after them Captain?”

Toshiro grits his teeth, “I have a meeting, but I want you to rescue Kurosaki, lord knows what he’s gotten himself into now.”

“Yes Captain!”

Toshiro takes off urgently towards the Head Captain, he has a feeling.

…………………………

“With everyone thinking that dummy is the real substitute I will be able to conduct more time consuming experiments, starting with what is inside the subject. He is a Hollow after all, it would be interesting to see if this has any affect to his human core.” Mayuri tightens the straps on Ichigo’s legs and arms on the operating table.

“Is that so?”

Mayuri freezes for a millisecond then turns around. “You’ve had your time with him! It’s only fair I get to use him for research!”

Unohana points her Zanpakuto at the Twelfth Division Captain and lunges forward, Mayuri blocks the attack but just barely struggling against her force, he growls and pushes against her then jumps back to give room. Mayuri clenches his teeth in frustration as the lab gives him the disadvantage of calling out his shikai, the last thing he wants to do is destroy his lab.

Unohana takes his hesitancy and jabs her sword into his shoulder sticking him to the wall. Mayuri takes hold of her blade and starts to laugh, a small bubble comes from his sleeve and pops, a mist like gas evaporates into the air.

She holds her breath but still begins to feel herself becoming sluggish, no matter, she slices her blade downward at him but he jumps out of the way, her sword crashing into the machines creating sparks and sirens.

“You fool!” Mayuri comes at her again and is interrupted by a loud crash!

“Knew I’d find you here.” Kenpachi says, standing in front of the hole in the wall he just created. “You better not be messing with the kid you stupid weirdo.”

“What did you just call me! You disgusting pig- I’ll be sure you’re the next one I dissect!” Mayuri is shaking in rage.

Unohana goes over to Ichigo and releases him from the straps, “Kenpachi would you do me a favor and bring him to the medical ward.”

Kenpachi who’s still staring off at Mayuri decides to hold off on his murder for the time being and goes over to Ichigo and picks him up placing him on his shoulder opposite of Yachiru.

“Go, Kenpachi, I have something to finish here.”

“Let’s go Kenny!”

Kenpachi looks over at Unohana one last time before taking off, too bad, he would have liked to witness the fear she was about to instill in the rat.

…………………………

“Yes! We did it! We got the Golden Nugget! After all that work!” Ori Mei shouts in victory holding the large green gold bud the size of her hand in the air.

“Yeah, all that work,” Ichigo mutters, they just had to beat about fifteen hundred replicas of Pesche’s and Dondochakka’s guarding the sacred pillar, then they had to scale that pillar with their bare hands, get past the secret entrance, and yell out the almighty password written over that entrance three times to gain access to the chamber.

“Look!” Chaido picks up something else inside, “It’s the Hollow Bowl!”

“Here Chigo! You take the first hit!” Ori Mei hands him the Golden Nugget which he takes hesitantly.

“You sure?” He asks looking over at Uryo expecting him to complain.

Uryo just looks back, “Don’t look at me, Chigo… besides, this isn’t real anyway. You should know that by now.”

Eh!??! Not real! But! The Golden Nugget slowly disappears from his hand, no wait! After all that…

“Till next time!” Is the last thing he hears Ori Mei say.

…………………………

“He’s waking up!” Ichigo hears someone shout nearby. The sound of foot steps get closer to his bed and he forces his eyes open to check who it is so nearby, the feeling of paranoia is overwhelming.

“Who..” Ichigo blinks and squints his eyes up to see a big goofy grin, “‘Ey, Renji… what’s happened?”

“You idiot!” Renji says causing Ichigo to groan. “Can’t you stay outta trouble for once!”

Ichigo turns putting his face into the pillow, “You woke me from a good dream asshole.”

“Well get your ass ready!” Renji smacks him.

“I didn’t see that Abarai.” Captain Unohana walks in with a slight smile on her face, “Ichigo, how are you feeling?”

“I-I’m feeling very well Captain Unohana, Ma’am.” Ichigo sits up and glances at Renji’s rigid posture before looking back over at the Fourth Division Captain. “Thanks for taking care of me, I promise to do better. And… I’m sorry about last time.” He bows his head.

Ichigo feels a hand pat his shoulder, “I know you are, Kurosaki. You are free to leave as I am now working with Urahara in something that may help you going forward.” Unohana starts for the door, “That will be for another day though. Renji make sure you set a good example or you will also be in here.”

“Yes, Captain Unohana!” Renji bows to the Captain as she leaves.

Once gone Renji turns to Ichigo looking sweaty, “She’s scary as hell.”

“You’re telling me. I don’t know what happened but last I recall is her bringing me here. I feel like I got hit by the Cleaner. She didn’t drop me on the way here did she?” Ichigo asks the red head who is looking shifty all of a sudden.

“No! Of course not!” Renji says and they both take their leave.

As they walk through the Seireitei he notices a lot of people waving and smiling politely at him.

“Something weird happened…”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

:::-::::-:::-::::-:::-::::-:::-::::-:::-::::-:::-::::-

The Head Captain scowls at the Twelfth Division Captain in front of him, along with all the other Captains in the meeting.

“Your actions if followed through could have caused a magnitude of problems for the world of the living and here in the Seireitei. Even if we did restore his powers, he is not on your list of test subjects, is that understood?”

Captain Kurotsuchi glares, “Yes, Head Captain.”

“Now, this never happened, as I hear the boy does not recall a thing and that is to stay that way. Am I clear!”

All the Captains confirm in unison.

“Yare, yare.”

Chapter Text

Ichigo, Renji, Ikkaku and Yumichika are out at the bar, the one with the bunny lantern lamps hanging all over the place. They are seated in the corner, all with drinks in hand over a wood table, several sake bottles recently placed before them. Renji finally fulfilling a promise to take Ichigo out for a drink, after all they have been through together it’s well overdue.

The bar is dark and there's constant plumes of smoke from some of the patrons being wafted through so heavily you can see the gray clouds hovering. They are seated near one of the window areas where a slight breeze makes it easier for them breath. Ichigo takes a deep breath in of the tobacco smoke with a desire to hit something of his own. The little one night stint with Unohana really put a dent in his psych. Whatever it was she did it felt like his body and mind was coming down from a horrible flu where he took too much cold medicine, then got a concussion, and then stabbed in the neck. Ichigo puts a hand to his neck feeling sore, he is never going to mess with that witch doctor again.

“So, Renji tells us you escaped Unohana’s rehab, how’d you manage that?” Ikkaku asks then takes a pull from one of the sake jugs on their table. Yumichika takes the jug and sets it down forcing a little sake cup in his hand, "none of that tonight,".

“Eh,” Ichigo throws Renji a glare then looks down at his sake cup. “Wasn’t hard… she didn’t restrain me or anything, I just snuck out.” Ichigo mutters quietly while looking over his shoulder. He's not going to boast about escaping her so soon, and not here in public.

“How incredibly stupid, I’m amazed you’re still alive.” Yumichika chuckles into his own sake cup.

"Kid has a death wish." Renji agrees before picking up the sake and pouring himself a cup.

Ichigo scoffs and shakes his head then throws back his own sake. He lets out a sigh and pours himself another cup. The bald Lieutenant begins rambling on about new training sessions he's coming up with for Kenpachi to implement into their mornings. Renji also begins to explain the new course work they plan to have the newbies start with now that things in Soul Society have been pretty quiet.

"You think prissy ass is gonna let you teach that!? Come on Renji, you have better luck asking for time off!" Ikkaku slams his hand down on the table rattling the sake jugs.

Renji sighs and nods, "I know..." Then looks up looking hopeful, "You really think he'll let me take time off?"

Yumichika and Ichigo both burst out laughing.

They banter for another hour or two going over the best battle tactics they should be teaching the younger ones. Ichigo telling them he thought Kisuke’s vicious method was useful and would probably be a good fit for their divisions. Renji throws his head back laughing while Ikkaku seems to take it into consideration.

"I'm telling you, and you guys know, it's all about mental games with that guy, makes you believe you will die in a way you don't believe, gives you the hype, then bam! Success! Guys a genius." Ichigo says while thinking back to all the training he went through with Kisuke and the Visords, even though in the beginning some of it he wouldn't call training.

"You give him too much credit Ichigo." Renji says sounding bitter picking up the jug of sake and taking a swig. Ichigo stares at the red head wondering what has him so uptight.

"Are you still upset he calls you a freeloader?" Yumichika asks then starts laughing at Renji who starts choking on his sake. Ikkaku and Ichigo join in knowing all too well.

Their fourth bottle of sake is almost out when Ikkaku slurs out, “When Urahara gave ya back your powers… I overheard tha man that was with’em used ta be the Captain of the Tenth Division, and that he’s your old man, tha’ true?”

“Ikkaku!” Yumichika elbows him.

Renji looks over at Ichigo, the kid takes another cup of sake up to his face and downs it.

“‘Eahhh, guess so.”

“What! Whatcha mean, 'guess so', it’s a yes or no! He’s had ta have trained ya at some point! The things I’ve heard from Rangiku, that guy was a beast!”

Ichigo flinches at the thought, his father is a beast. Since his mother died he’s been training Ichigo for unprovoked attacks.. waking up to a beating, or coming in through the front door after a long day of school to get side blasted with a round house.. Anytime and everytime his father had too much to drink he’d be the main focus of his pent up aggression. He puts his hand on the edge of the table and with much effort pushes himself up to stand. God he doesn’t want to think about this right now. Shame hits him hard when he thinks of what the guys would say if they heard him complain. That’s why he’s never told a soul.., though he thinks his friends at school know, no one has ever said anything. The sudden need to escape this conversation before he says anything is strong in his gut and is beginning to make him feel nauseous.

“Why’ya think I can take a beating?” Ichigo slurs and feels himself sway, he puts a hand to his head to try to stop the room from moving. “Been trainin since, since ever!” He tries to laugh but sounds just a bit unhinged which makes him laugh a little more. Damn he’s wasted. He feels a hand grip his arm and turns to find Renji looking unusually stern considering they were just all having a good laugh. “Wha’s wrong Renj? Uh, I don’t think I’m gonna make it back to Ura’s like this.”

“Alright, time for us to go, good time guys, catch up with you later.”

Ikkaku looks at Yumichika, “Already?”

“See you.” Yumichika waves to them while dragging off with Ikkaku.

Ichigo lets Renji direct him through the streets and finds himself looking around the buildings they pass in awe and in realization of just how much he had missed this place. The old fashioned architect and the layout of the town brings back the memories that feel so long ago to when his friends had helped him rescue Rukia. Those days when things felt out of their control but still in their favor. Ignorance truly bliss. He blinks hard finding his eyes becoming dry and watery.

“Where’s Rukia?” He asks Renji who is still dragging him along looking focused.

“She was sent on a mission once we got back, she should be back soon though.” Renji sighs, “She’s gonna kill me if she finds out I let you get this hammered.”

“Nah, trust me, she loves you too much to kill you.” Ichigo says not realizes the depth of his words.

Renji’s face blushes red and he slides the door open to the room.

“Here, you can sleep in Byakuya’s spare guest room. He won’t mind.”

“No dude, you can’t leave me here,” Ichigo tries to protest as Renji plops him onto the futon but he can’t move any longer. “Bya’kya’s not gonna be happy with this.”

“Trust me, he loves you too much to kill you.” Renji jeers and throws his head back in a loud laugh.

“I didn’t just hear that Renji.” A deep voice behind Renji says. Renji jumps and turns around facing Byakuya. Ichigo tries to stifle a laugh into a pillow but can still be heard.

“Captain! I- uh, well you see, uh,” Renji stares at his Captain then back to Ichigo who decides then to pretend to pass out.

“I think it’s time for you to head home,” Byakuya says and Renji nods taking his leave.

“Bathroom is down the hall on your left, Kurosaki.”

”Thanks Bya’kya.” Ichigo’s muffled voice comes through the pillow.

Chapter Text

Isshin Kurosaki knew about his sons new habit. And if his son was any bit normal he would have given the kid a thrashing, but with everything his son lost… he could only feel bad, and for once not go after him like he used to. It was different when his son had the strength of a Soul Reaper, he knew his son could handle his one sided spars. When his son started to go missing during the night and he started to receive calls from the school he decided to check in with Urahara to see if there was an update on the return of his sons powers.

When the return of his powers didn’t change his attitude there wasn’t much he could do about that except be the nosy father he is and assault him during breakfast and dinner in hopes to cheer him up. All Ichigo needs is a reminder that he is powerful, that’s all.

He knew something had happened when he notices Karin holding her stomach curled on the couch watching tv. Karin never one to be inside on a nice day like today must mean she is ill.

“What’s wrong, Karin, stomach bug?” He asks going into doctor mode.

“Nothing dad, I’m fine,” Karin is clearly lying, her face in a frown and she turns into the couch. He decides not to push it.

“If you say so…”

Isshin goes about his day as normal and takes some patients throughout it, and now it’s after five in the evening and Ichigo is still not back. He can’t sense his son anywhere yet, hasn’t since the day before yesterday, which means he probably took a trip to Soul Society.

He closes up the doors and goes to shut his office window when he hears murmuring sounding like Karin. Isshin sneaks to the side of the window, his hand still on the sill and leans against it without showing himself to hear better.

“-again, Orihime, I don’t know what would have happened if…” Karin trails off.

“No need to thank me,” There’s silence then, “if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here.” Orihime says softly that Isshin only barely makes it out.

“W-when that guy stabbed me.. it was so quick, I never felt so hopeless.”

Isshin stops breathing, his fingernails digging into the wood.

It’s quiet for a long moment and for a second he wonders if they left, he’s about to turn when he hears his daughter start talking again. He swallows hard and focuses intently while still masking his spiritual pressure.

“I don’t want my brother to feel bad, but he’s so-so…”Karin’s voice start to raise with anger.

“Stubborn,” Orihime states and Karin starts to openly cry but then her cries become muffled. “It’s going to be okay now, Karin. We got the guy, and he won’t hurt you ever again.”

Isshin leaves having heard enough.

……..

Ichigo’s relieved to finally be home, after this last visit to Soul Society he feels fortunate he was able to walk out of that rehab for a second time, he doesn’t think a third time he will be so lucky. It's only around noon when he walks in where he finds Yuzu and Karin in the kitchen. Yuzu is making them lunch while Karin is rolling a soccer ball under her foot at the kitchen table.

“Hey Ichigo, want some soup?” Yuzu turns to him.

Ichigo shakes his head, “No thank you, Yuzu. How are you guys doing?” He asks and looks over at Karin.

“We’re good, nothing much happening here.” Karin says looking bored.

Isshin comes into the kitchen with a big grin on his face, “Ah, my two favorite daughters!” He pulls them into a hug then shoves a long list into Karin's hands.

“Your dear old dad needs you to do a grocery run! Now don’t forget anything!” He tries pushing them out of the kitchen but they jump out of his way.

“What do you mean, I just went shopping!” Yuzu yells at him snapping the stove burner off.

“And aren’t you forgetting something!?” Karin glares at him then crosses her arms while she waits for his response.

Isshin stares then blinks, “Ah yes! Mustard! Sweet Karin, always looking out for her father, how wonderful.” He reaches out for the list but is stopped by a kick to the face.

“You idiot! Money!”

Isshin laughs against her foot and waves out several large bills, “Here ya go!”

Karin snags the money from his hand then sits back down at the table joining Yuzu to eat their soup. Ichigo sighs and goes up to his bedroom, closing his door then flops down on his bed face first and almost immediately begins to fall asleep.

CRASH

Ichigo bolts up from his bed and feels himself being thrown into his closet door breaking it. He has no time to recover before he’s grabbed and thrown again. Something about this feels different, it’s not just a light rough housing this time, this is reminiscent of the times his father would be intoxicated and pissed with no one other reason than him taking it out on him.

“What the heck dad?” He stumbles up from the floor and blocks a strike to the face.

“You disappoint me,” Isshin says with a stony expression, “You want to tell me why Karin was stabbed?”

Ichigo's eyes widen. He never thought of the repercussions of what his father would do if he found out the truth. He didn't think it would get that far and he had the situation handled, so how? Karin wouldn't have said anything.

“Your face says it all. You lied to me.”

And that he did, back when Karin was stabbed he had told his father and Yuzu it was a sport injury she got from an older kid. Karin had said it was fine, the less they knew the better.

“I took care of it, I mean, I’m going to- I know who did it…” He back tracks, technically he still hasn’t been back to Urahara’s since and it hasn’t been a month of sobriety yet. That was the deal, he'd quit smoking and he would have free rein to have his revenge on the bastard. “Dad, I-“

A fist strikes him in the face and he falls back but his father's grip holds him steady.

He’s punched again and again before his father drops him to the floor. His face painfully throbs and he makes no attempt at shielding himself for this, he knows he deserves this, it's his fault Karin got stabbed.

“You’re disgusting.” Isshin says then kicks him in the stomach. The rage in his father is at its boiling point as he continues to kick him. “You get your powers back and yet you’re still selfish to only think about yourself!”

Isshin grabs Ichigo and takes out a similar badge to the one he has and forces him into his Soul Reaper form before getting into his as well. He looks up at his father in his black shihakusho and zanpakto at his side. Why did he put them into their soul reaper form? Did he want Ichigo to fight using his zanpakto? There’s no way he’d ever raise his sword to his father, ever.

“It didn’t take me long to find out why your sister was stabbed, just like your mother…you…” Isshin clenches his teeth so tight Ichigo can see his father’s jaw muscle popping. With his father’s words all the energy Ichigo has vanishes which only ignites Ishhin’s fury even further.

The Ex-Tenth Captain slams him to the floor and punches him over and over in the face, chest and stomach. He knows he shouldn't be surprised at his father’s reaction because this is what he deserves but it doesn’t make it hurt any less. Inside Zangetsu is screaming wanting to be let out to fight but Ichigo uses all he has to tamper that down and quiet the hollow.

“You feel that pain?” Isshin pulls him up by the collar of his shihakusho. Ichigo stares back, numb. “This pain doesn’t compare to the trust you broke with your sister. You’re supposed to protect them but you’re just as bad as those thugs you beat up.” Isshin lets him go and he drops to the floor with a thud. “I haven’t been there for you Ichigo, and that’s my fault, then maybe this wouldn’t have happened.” He stands looking down with contempt.

“I want you gone before your sisters get back.”

Isshin gets back into his body and leaves his bedroom. Ichigo lays unmoving staring up blankly at the ceiling. A rustle from the corner of the room has his head turning to find Kon shaking quietly in the corner, his beady eyes glistening. He walks over to Ichigo once the coast is clear.

“Ichigo..” Kon whispers frantically. “We gotta get you out of here.” He puts his paw on top of Ichigo’s head.

“Yeah…” Ichigo’s voice cracks. The thought of Yuzu and Karin seeing him like this motivates him to sit up. He puts his hand to his head as dizziness and nausea hits him. He is a horrible son and brother and friend. The way he’s been treating everyone and sneaking off. He ducks his head down in shame. Isshin is right… he’s pathetic. Ichigo tries to calm himself so he doesn’t vomit on the floor, he feels sick. He looks over to his soulless body next to him. Maybe he’d be better dead. Zangetsu’s quiet, perhaps he agrees. Not a chance, King. Getting to his knees he goes into his dresser and pulls out a shirt with shaking hands to wipe his bloody face. His face hurts more than anything.

“Hey, you mind… staying and keeping an eye out on Yuzu and Karin for me?” Ichigo whispers.

Kon nods, “Sure thing...but Ichigo…. What about your father?”

Ichigo digs Kon out of the plushie and into his body and then takes off not bothering to reply to Kon’s question.

……..

Orihime can feel Ichigo getting closer, so she opens her front door to meet him. Her jaw drops, “Ichigo!!”

Ichigo stumbles into her apartment. “Hey, sorry for dropping in like this…”

“You’re hurt! What’s going on? Are we being attacked? Soten Kisshun!” She sits down next to him on the floor looking at his bruised and bloody face, “What happened?”

Orihime knows something is wrong, she can feel it. Only she hasn’t sensed a hollow since yesterday, so what could have happened? Was he jumped like Karen? She looks at Ichigo who’s staring at the floor with a swollen black and blue eye, and bruised face, hair disarray. He looks worse than after Aizen… or after the time he died in Hueco Mundo… Ichigo’s hollow powers have already started healing but the brute force he received has probably given him a concussion. She watches as the horrible bruises disappear from his face but his eyes remain sad. Oh how she hates when he is sad like this, how she wishes she could hug it away.

“Yeah, a hollow surprised me, but I took care of it. Thanks Orihime.” Ichigo says but his voice is dead.

Orihime looks down, he’s been calling her that ever since they came back from Hueco Mundo. She thinks of all the times he has been there for her and with a spark of courage she grabs his hand.

“Ichigo?” She asks putting her hand on his, his dull eyes momentarily sparking up in surprise before he shuts down again, “Are…” She stops from asking, are you okay?

Ichigo is looking at her but he looks so lost and hurt.

“Okay,” She lets go and gets up, she has finished reversing the damage, “I’m about to make dinner, stay?”

"Thank you, Orihime."

"I hope you like pork and mandarins!” She laughs out, his befuddled expression shifts to relief. Once in the kitchen she takes a deep breath and wills herself to keep strong, no more tears.

This time she will be there for him.

Chapter Text

Chad is laying in bed looking up at his bedroom ceiling staring at moonlight shine on the popcorn ceiling. The last two nights have been the worst nightmares he has ever experienced in his life. He has never been plagued with a nightmare such as this, where they are so brutal and intense it leaves his whole being in twisted nerves. He doesn’t normally have bad dreams or even dream, not since things have been back to normal and the Fullbringers were defeated.

These nightmares are too realistic, and he's questioning if something else is at play.

His recollection of his dream last night makes him turn on his bed, there’s no way he will sleep tonight despite his exhaustion.

Chad is in a place similar to Hueco Mundo, everywhere around him are large sand dunes and a full moon shining down. He doesn’t notice anything else around him. His breath is knocked out of him as he is thrown to the ground by a massive force, unable to see as he crashes to the ground he can only hear the snarles that follow before he feels the pain. He turns and finds an animal looking creature, dark red skin but the body of a large wolf with a snout like face resembling that of a boar, but he can’t get up, then the creature is on top of him and bites down into his side, the worse pain he ever feels burns his side. Chad struggles to get away but it’s like all his strength is being drained. He uses his free hand to try and push the thing away but it clenches down it’s bite even harder and this time Chad screams.

He jolts up in his bed screaming.

The amount of sweat soaking his sheets has him panicked for a minute thinking it may be blood but once he turns on his lights and the nightmare starts to fades he finally stops shaking. It felt so real, he grips his aching side, he would have thought maybe he was actually attacked while asleep but after checking himself over he realizes he is fine.

It’s nearing a week he’s been having the same nightmare of some creature attacking him and trying to rip him apart.

He thinks of the creature, with its long jagged teeth while its snarling at him, and the way it looked like something out of hell. It reminds him of the folktales his abuelo would tell him as a child to scare him from ever wandering the fields alone at night while he was in Mexico. Just the thought brings a shiver down his spine.

Chad sighs and sits up in his bed and looks out the window, it’s really late now, but he wonders if he should pay a visit to Urahara and see what he has to say. He needs to tell someone. He clenches his fists, something in his gut tells him this isn’t normal and not only that….

He has no one else.

Chad swallows down the guilt he still carries from when he was manipulated into going against Ichigo because of Tsukishima. He won’t go bothering his friend now with anything, not again, he hasn’t earned that right. Even though Ichigo has long since forgiven Chad he hasn’t forgiven himself. And probably never will…

He gets up, puts on his jacket, and decides to go for a walk, and if Urahara’s shop looks open he will see what the guy has to say, if not then at least he got a walk out of it. Chad leaves his apartment, and takes a deep breath of the mild March air, it's the perfect temperature for this time of year. He starts down the quiet road, the bright moon shines overhead illuminating his way through the side streets that have no lights. He makes it to the main road, the yellow light at the intersection is blinking, and no cars are around. The only sound is a train passing in the distance while the night sky starts to cloud over.

Chad is finally in front of the shoten and spots Ichigo sitting on the ground in the corner. He looks up in surprise as Chad approaches.

“Chad, what’re you doing here?”

Chad hesitates, he doesn’t want to lie, but he also doesn’t want to be a burden. He looks over at his friend and notices that he looks miserable, his hair is a mess and he isn’t even in his human body. His sword is leaning up against the shoten.

“What happened to you?” He asks.

“Nothing.” Ichigo’s light tone shifts to a dull monotone.

“Oh..” Chad sits beside him and looks down. “How long have you been waiting?”

“Couple hours.”

“Oh..”

They go into a silence and they both continue to sit and wait.

—————-

Kisuke wakes up and goes into the kitchen and makes them all some tea, he looks over at Tessai who is looking over some catalogues.

“Anything we should get?”

“I’m marking them down, we may need two trips this time.” Tessai says and jots down another item on their inventory list.

Ururu pokes her head into the kitchen, “Chad and Ichigo are asleep in the front of the shop.”

“Hmm?” Kisuke looks up from his tea, “Interesting.” He hadn’t detected any problems last night other than Kon coming in looking battered. But the Mod Soul didn’t leak anything, which is unusual since Kon is the first one to complain and gossip. And Kisuke did try, even bribed the Mod Soul with some goodies, but he wouldn’t budge. After Tessai healed Kon he took off in a hurry with Ichigo’s body and not even staying for tea.

Something is definitely going on, and Yoruichi is out of town, which means he’s going to have to do some investigating himself. He puts on his hat and picks up his fan and heads out.

—————-

“Well well well!” Kisuke’s voice booms above him.

Ichigo snaps awake from the loud voice and sits up stretching his arms and legs. His body aching all over from the awkward position he slept in. He looks over to find Chad also sitting up looking awful from a horrible nights sleep.

The shopkeeper waves his fan, “What are you two doing here so early?”

Ichigo frowns and doesn’t say anything and neither does Chad. Ichigo had dinner at Orihime’s then left and walked around town the rest of the night before deciding to head to the shoten. He looks over at Chad wondering what the reason for his being here was.

“Not all at once now,” Kisuke sighs, “Come on in and have some tea you two. Then we can discuss why you both decided to sleep on the ground in front of my shop like two homeless people last night.”

They all take seat in the living room and Ururu gives them both tea and leaves shutting the door behind her. Tessai and Kisuke sit across from them with questionable expressions.

Ichigo takes a sip but Chad doesn’t bother touching his.

“As much as this is a nice visit… Why are you here?” Kisuke asks.

“Come off it Kisuke, we need a place to stay.” Ichigo says, his frowning face staring mulishly at him as if daring to interrogate further.

Tessai’s glasses flash, “If that’s the case, we have some work you both can help with.”

Chad looks down at his tea and nods.

“Sure… is something going on?” Ichigo sets his tea down. Kisuke always gets this buzzing energy surrounding him when he’s up to no good, and that energy is practically radiating inside the small room.

“My my, a little paranoid, wouldn’t you say, Tessai?” Kisuke chuckles then his smile drops and he snaps down his fan, “Kon came in here pretty beat up, you know anything about that?”

Ichigo’s face goes pale, “What?”

Ichigo tries to school his features as he calms his frustration. He completely forgot that Kon would be feeling his father’s punishment once he had him take over. Damnit!

“Took a while for your body to be healed but Kon took it like a champ, didn’t say a word about it, it was most peculiar.” Kisuke is giving Ichigo his knowing stare.

Ichigo feels Chad’s eyes on him as well. “No idea.”

“And what about you Chad, what would bring you away from your cozy bed to sleep at the front of our lovely shop in the middle of the night?” Kisuke turns his sharp stare to Chad.

Ichigo frowns and turns to stare at his friend as well and notices his hands are slightly trembling. Chad seems to as well as he puts his hands under the table.

“I just couldn’t sleep.” Chad mumbles.

Everyone is silent for a moment.

“Well, I am sure that both of you know by now just how old I actually am and that I can smell this kinda bullshit very well. But you don’t wanna tell me, that’s fine.” Kisuke stands up. “We do have things you can help us out with today, maybe it will take your mind off whatever it is that is bothering you two.”

Ichigo and Chad stand up and follow Tessai.

Urahara frowns, something’s going on alright…

Chapter Text

After Kon gets back to the house he's met with a kick to the face sending him crashing to the floor. He sits up holding his face to find Mr.Kurosaki standing over him. “Wait, it’s me!”

”I know Kon, and so I am going to make this very clear to you.” Kon winces. “As you know from last night I kicked Ichigo out, and I meant it. You can stay in the doll… but you’re to return Ichigo’s body. Understood?”

Kon didn’t need to be told twice, and took off to Uraharas, his lion stuffed body in hand. That man is scary, and he was scarier when he was beating up Ichigo. The mod soul never saw such a thing. Sure he saw Mr.Kurosaki hit Ichigo here and there for kicks but Ichigo hit right back, it was all in good sport. This time was violent, and Ichigo took it all. If he’s being honest, if it weren’t for his promise to Ichigo to keep watch out for the girls, he wouldn’t even go back!

”Ichigo’s inside,” Jinta says while sweeping the walkway but stops when Kon walks by.“Beat up again!??”

Kon ignores him and makes his way searching for Ichigo and once he finds him he tosses his fluffed form to the floor. He decidedly ignores Chad for the moment. The two of them are in Kisuke’s storage room surrounded by packing materials and things.

“Kon… what’re you…” Ichigo trails off and notices the bruise he’s sporting. It takes a minute but he can see the gears turning in his head. “No, right… I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess I wasn’t, was I?”

Ichigo enters his body and Kon is back in his stuffed form, for a surreal moment he feels relief. The thought alone makes him feel bad and he looks up at Ichigo. The guy should tell his friends, or say something to the shopkeeper, anyone! What he saw wasn’t right!

”Ichigo…” He begins but Ichigo cuts him off.

“It’s fine, Kon, thanks. Chad and I got work here to do.”

And with that Kon begrudgingly leaves, if it comes to it he might say something but for now he will let Ichigo handle it.

……………

Piles of boxes and packaged items lay around Chad and Ichigo as they sort through them and organizing them per Tessai’s instructions. Organizing Chappy the bunny phone cases and little keychains isn’t hard work by any means but it is tedious and annoying. They’ve been bending over arranging little Chappy’s phone cases by color and price for about two hours now, and doing it in this cramped room with no AC is killing them.

Kisuke’s ordered twenty different damn colors and Tessai told them they look like harmless phone cases but to be careful with them and left it at that. Chad and Ichigo hesitantly pick them up inspecting it carefully, glitter and bunny faces twinkles and floats around inside the case.

“I wonder what they do…” Ichigo says staring at the bunny face. Rukia will kill him if she finds out he didn’t snag one for her. He sneaks one into his back pocket and finds Chad smirking at him.

“What?”

“Nothing…” Chad looking at his own. “You think… He’s playing us?”

“Knowing Kisuke it probably takes an embarrassing password to activate whatever it does.”

Ichigo looks over at his friend who is staring up and through the window. He shrugs and gets to sorting, he doesn’t feel like being here all day. Halfway through their twentieth box they start to hear a weird noise causing them to stop.

Scrch. Scrch.

“Wonder what that is…?” Ichigo looks over at Chad.

“Maybe he has mice.” Chad says.

They both sit in silence waiting for the sound again not wanting to start rustling the packages around in case it scares it away.

Scrch. Scrch. The sound is muffled and doesn’t last long.

Ichigo stands up and so does Chad. The only place it could be from is a room adjoining the one they’re in and the door is closed. They hear the sound again as they slowly make their way to the door.

“Sounds big.” Chad whispers. They lock eyes, both serious before they break and crack smiles. Ichigo nudges his elbow into Chad, like anything behind the door will spook them!

After they’re done silently chuckling they hear it again, Scrch. Scrch.

It’s definitely not a mouse.

This probably isn’t a good idea, Ichigo thinks, Kisuke has hazardous shit all over the place, for all they know it could be something explosive. The repercussions could be deadly.

How exciting.

Chad seems to be thinking the same thing as he says, “Just a peak.”

Ichigo nods, yeah they’ve definitely been at sorting phone cases and key chains for way too long, cause this sounds like a good idea.

Doorknob in hand and Chad backing up Ichigo they burst into the room. It’s too dark to see anything so Ichigo flips the light on. Surprise and anger erupts from his chest he takes a step back into Chad. Shock flooding him so fast he feels unsteady, Chad’s hands grips his shoulder holding him still.

There bound and struggling in a chair is the bastard that stabbed his sister. He doesn’t need introductions to know exactly who this guy is. Ichigo hasn’t stopped thinking about this guy since that day… but he didn’t think Kisuke would keep him here this whole time, right under his nose!

'Kill’em King! He touched what belongs to you, almost tearing it away!'

Ichigo holds his face taking in deep breaths forcing down Zangetsu’s egging. He can’t stop himself, but he can’t do this… What kind of-

'What kinda brother are ya!? Good question-'Zangetsu's voice cuts in again.

‘Stop! Stop it! I can’t lose control right now, I won’t!’ Ichigo’s shaking underneath Chad’s tight grip.

“We should leave Ichigo…” Before you do something stupid.

It takes a minute but Ichigo collects himself and draws himself away from Chad.

“Watch the door.” Ichigo requests, Chad hesitant but lets go and walks over to the door closing it and locking it before standing in front of it. Ichigo nods then turns.

The weasel has duck tape over his mouth and is bopping around in the chair, scrch scrch, struggling to get free but the restraints are too tight, his hands purple. Ichigo walks over to him and notices the piss stains on the floor and the stench as he gets closer. Well, he’s got to give Kisuke credit for torturing him. He takes the guy by the hair and yanks head back causing the guy to start choking and whining. It would be so easy.

'When it’s easy, make it slow!'

Frustration grips Ichigo as he is weighing the pros and cons, he doesn’t have time for this, he either acts now or waits. He clenches his fist and takes a good look at the guys face before slamming his fist into the side of it. The guys head snaps to the side and he begins whining, his noise is muffled from the tape.

'There’s nothing to think about, you destroy your enemy plain and simple, if you’re too weak-'

‘Enough!’

“I’m gonna be honest with you.” Ichigo leans close to the guys ear and grips his hair tightly, as tight as he can, and lets his hollow voice crackle through. “I’m not gonna to kill you here.” He leans back letting his yellow eyes pierce into frightened brown ones. Their pathetic tear stained face leans as far back as they can into his chair.

With immense will power he lets go of his harsh grip on the guy and walks towards Chad who is glaring at the waste behind him with fists clenched. The moment Ichigo makes eye contact with Chad something in his friend snaps and he's walking over to take his turn. Ichigo watches, frozen with anxious anticipation that's quickly satisfied as Chad lands a decent punch into the side of the guys ribs.

They leave the room locking it behind them and shoving a large shelf in front of the door. Ichigo will have to talk to Kisuke soon, and even though he hasn't been sober for their agreement he will see if there can be an exception. The guy isn't going to be able to stay in that room forever and he needs to know what the scientists plans are.

They stand in the tiny room they had been organizing in just moments ago feeling like a weight is crushing them down. Chad looks over to him, a look they often shared through the years. They’re brothers through and through goes unsaid, and he knows that if he asked Chad for help with this Chad would without a doubt but there's no way he can ask that of him. It’s wrong… He’s clenching and unclenching his fist. He puts a hand to his face, the sound of Zangetsu's annoying voice telling him how pathetic he is only makes him feel a craze he's never felt before... When Zangetsu is a better protector than him?! A raging hollow that's a mirror reflection of himself is speaking logically, and he's the weak one. Karin's sad and disappointed face when she came to, the way she was hesitant to tell him what she knew... Did she already know he wouldn't be able to do what needed to be done? He's weak!

What kind of brother is he… All he did was threaten him! Ichigo turns around desperate to right his wrong when Chads large hand grabs him back.

“You did the right thing.”

Ichigo clenches his teeth, his insides feel as if they're burning with the anger that's been simmering this whole time. He turns away and faces the corner while still being held, the weight of Chad's hand holding him is the only thing keeping him from losing it. He was a failure when he lost his powers and now he’s a failure with his powers. What will Isshin say when he finds out...? Or his friends in Soul Society... Will Renji glare at him with judgement... What will the Visords say, when they all find out that after all the assholes he's defeated that the one that hurt his sister is the one he won't draw his Zanpakto out for?

Chad sighs and repeats, “Ichigo, you did the right thing. You can't kill him...”

“I don’t know anymore.” Feeling defeated he looks down. He can't stay here anymore. “Let’s go.”

Ichigo follows Chad, his mind all over the place he doesn’t realize where they are until he’s taking a seat down on a Chad's couch.

“Thanks, for everything...”

Chad nods.

Ichigo looks down at the little table before him, there’s a guitar pick and a magazine. He looks around noticing how bare the room is. When’s the last time he came over to Chad’s to see how he’s been? When's the last time He, Chad, Orihime and Uryu all hung out together?

“Chad…” Ichigo wants to ask him why he was at Kisuke’s. “Thanks... again.”

He’ll ask another time. Looking at Chad he can tell he’s just as angry as he is.

“Sure thing.”

Chapter Text

Ichigo suddenly wakes on Chad’s couch in the living room. It’s still dark and seems to be the middle of the night, he looks around the room and can’t find a clock. He lays back wondering what woke him but then he hears Chad in the other room, the soft whimpers has him sitting up. He’s never heard him cry before, not when he was hurt or afraid. Ichigo gets up and quietly goes over to the door listening in. Feeling wide awake now he debates opening the door. Ichigo hates being stuck in a nightmare and Chad sounds like he's in a bad one.

He thinks back to why Chad would go to Kisuke’s and paranoia creeps in. He leans into the door pressing his ear against it trying to find out if Chads awake only now it’s really quiet which doesn’t help his nerves. After a moment of nothing he pulls back and lets out a sigh. Maybe he's okay now...

Ichigo starts back to the couch when he hears shouting. Fuck it! He turns back and throws the door open and finds Chad sitting up with his head in his hands breathing heavy.

His broad shoulders shake as he let’s out a moan.

“Chad… it’s Ichigo, you okay?”

Chad snaps his head up, “Ichigo?”

“Yeah, I’m here.”

Chad stares at him but gets a distant look in his eyes, “Something is wrong.”

He goes over to him and sits besides him and puts a hand on his shoulder and waits for more. Chad doesn’t talk for a long time but his breathing evens out and he starts to look more awake when he finally does.

“I’ve been having the same nightmare of a something attacking me in Hueco Mundo. I’ve had it for over a week now…” He sighs looking at his hands, “I thought it was normal but after the third time having the same dream I knew it wasn’t, that’s why I decided to go to Urahara but I haven’t told him yet.”

Ichigo frowns, that’s definitely not normal.

“What’s the nightmare?”

“I’m walking across Hueco Mundo when something attacks me from behind, like a wolf boar creature and it rips me apart.”

Ichigo swallows as he thinks of what an attack from a wild animal in Hueco Mundo would be like. Something wild and ferocious like a boar or wolf ripping Chad apart turns his stomach and he feels a strong sense of foreboding. Chad wouldn’t mention something like this to Kisuke if it was a simple nightmare, no this was a sign of something coming. “That’s… awful, was it a type of hollow, you think?”

“I don’t know. Sorry I woke you.” Chad runs a hand down his face, looking as bad as he probably feels. His tired eyes has bags underneath and Ichigo feels guilty for not having noticed before.

“Don’t be, I’m sorry you’re going through this..” He gets up, “We’ll figure this out like always. Let’s go see Kisuke this morning and ask him about it, he may know something.”

With a nod he lays back down and Ichigo walks out of the room closing the door behind him.

This isn’t good, and whatever it is attacking Chad is draining him and leaving him open for attacks. Chad or Orihime’s powers are still unknown to him, he knows it’s like fullbring but he never really sat down with Chad to go over his abilities or his thoughts about them. All he knows is what he’s seen from Chad’s battles and to him that’s always been enough. He remembers Orihime telling him how Yuroichi had them meditate to help them with their powers during training. Maybe he needed to meditate if this is nothing more than a regular nightmare… After the event with the fullbringers he thought Chad had more of a fullbring power than one of a hollow.

He lays back down on the couch but is too worried to try and get any more rest. Anxious with the thought that something bad is going to happen he looks down at his hand. Normally this would be when he’d go out to smoke… but right now, more than anything, he wants to be in the right state of mind. Rubbing his eyes he takes a deep breath.

What was he thinking? Leaving himself so vulnerable? Worrying his family and friends wasn’t protecting them at all. His father’s right and he deserved the ass kicking he got. He turns into the couch and tries to think about how he can help Chad. He should have realized sooner… was Orihime having similar nightmares? She lives alone and has no one living with her to see if she was, would she even tell him?

He has a feeling Kisuke is going to just love this, the man likes running his experiments and this is a new problem for him to solve. Ichigo rubs his eyes, he also has to find a new place to live, he can’t couch surf forever but maybe Chad won’t mind his company for a little while as he figures it out.
………..

“My my, you both ran off yesterday without finishing the work I gave you. Renji’s rubbing off on you two I can tell..”

Ichigo has his hands in his pockets and Chad has his hood up while they stand before Kisuke who’s wearing his usual green garb.

“Yeah, sorry.” Chad says. Ichigo scoffs not willing to apologize after being insulted.

Kisuke snaps up his fan and turns into the shoten leading them into the tea room.

“You’re both very distracted and we all know the consequences of distraction, so why don’t you guys sip some tea and open up to Uncle Urahara!”

Chad and Ichigo sit down at the table not impressed in the least. Already Ichigo knows the damn bastard is withholding something from them.

“Ew Kisuke.” Yoruichi says coming into the room and joins them at the table. “But he’s right, out with it, you- Ichigo. Start.”

Before Ichigo can say anything they're interrupted.

“Ichigo, you moron!” Rukia’s yells from the doorway. They all turn towards the new comers. Rukia walks in the tea room with Renji behind her looking put off.

Kisuke has his fan up and waving, flashes of his smile and a glint in his eye says he had this gathering all planned out.

“What!” Ichigo snaps at her as she sits down besides Yoruichi.

“You know what, you got that pitiful look on your face again!”

Yoruichi leans back from Rukia as she shouts. Following Renji is Orihime and Uryu who take seats next to Kisuke and begin helping themselves to the tea.

“You know how Ichigo is, Rukia, making things so difficult around here.” He turns from her and looks over at the glaring substitute, “Because of you and Chad I had to pack up the rest of those plastic things yesterday!” Renji shouts as he plops down besides Chad.

“Now, now….” Kisuke starts but is interrupted by Rukia who leans over to smack Renji upside the head. “Haven’t you complained enough about that today!?”

“You’re only saying that because you actually ENJOYED packing those stupid bunny things!”

“Uh! I did NOT-“

“Guys!” Yoruichi grabs Rukia’s shoulder forcing her back down.

“Soul reapers are so unprofessional. No wonder you’re both still stationed here, your Captains probably feel like they’re on vacation.” Uryu says then sips his tea.

Renji glares daggers over at the Quincy but after catching eyes with Kisuke decides to keep quiet.

Orihime laughs at that. “Vacation sounds nice, doesn’t it? Ku- Ichigo?”

Ichigo’s firm set frown from Rukia’s and Renji’s antics slips off his face for a moment as he looks over to Orihime and lightly smiles back at her, “Yeah, after this we definitely need one…”

“Uryu brings up a good point, why are you guys still here?” Ichigo asks, it’s kinda weird they’re still around, the hollows haven’t been that bad as of late.

Renji sighs and leans back crossing his arms he turns to both Chad and Ichigo. “You don’t seem to think we do much here but in fact we are investigating something unusual in the area.”

“We were given meters from Captain Kurotsuchi.” Rukia pulls out hers. A small black box device with an antenna and screen.

Ichigo visibly shudders at the name and rubs his neck, that’s strange. Renji’s eyes widen and shoots Rukia an alarmed look before turning back to him, “You good?”

”Yeah, I dunno… feels like a breeze came in.” Ichigo shrugs trying to play it off but feels both Rukia and Renji staring at him for a long second before returning to the conversation.

Kisuke watches the interesting reaction quizzically while he holds his hand out to Rukia for the device. He takes the receiver and flips it on.

“Yes… but these are made for a more specific target. Who is it?” Kisuke says going through it. Having made the devices himself he knows exactly how they work and is surprised Kurotsuchi is still using them. His grin fades as he finds what he’s looking for, but he had his own suspicions already anyway, “Nevermind… I take it you guys would’ve said something already if you could.”

Rukia and Renji both nod and Renji confirms it. “It’s confidential right now.”

“Oh come on!” Ichigo leans forward to Rukia, he knows she’s about to falter by the look in her eyes, just a little guilt tripping and she’ll give. “How are we supposed to be helpful if you don’t give us any information. What if something happens?”

“Hey! We’re keeping ya safe, don’t go worryin’ yer pretty head!” Renji shouts.

Chad turns to him after having his eardrum blown out, “We’re right here, no need to yell.”

Renji looks over at Chad, the lingering gaze and frown. “Sorry…”

Ichigo stares at Renji then over to Rukia who’s also staring at Chad then drops his head into his hands. So they’re monitoring Chad. It’s funny because they aren’t the most obvious people but Rukia and Renji can be when their hearts get in the way.

He looks over at Uryu and Orihime who are looking down at the table as if trying to avoid something. Does everyone know of something that he and Chad don’t? Dread pools in his gut as he feels like he’s back without his powers, when no one told him anything as if it would protect him. Running a shaky hand through his hair he feels the urge for a smoke, the tea isn’t cutting it and the room is too stuffy.

Making way to stand, Yoruichi pulls him back down. “No you don’t. Where do you think you’re going?”

“I need some air!”

“I’ll come with you,” Chad says.

They both go outside and stare out at the road. So Chad knows too. They don’t say anything and Ichigo crosses his arms and closes his eyes. They all know, and they must know they know…

“Maybe I shouldn’t say anything… see what they find first.” Chad finally says.

There’s only one reason why Chad would withhold information and that’s because he’s afraid. Ichigo can’t blame him, and he agrees. If the others won’t divulge information then they will keep quiet too.

“I agree. For now, let’s wait it out.”

Confirming something they don’t know the answer to could put them both in hot water. Soul society had their rules and they’ve had their experience with how that can go. Right now Rukia and Renji had their hands tied, maybe them not saying anything was helping them. But then what about Orihime and Uryu...

When they go back in Ichigo decides to change the subject.

“What’re you gonna do with the shithead you have locked up?” He asks Kisuke who suddenly looks grim and so does Uryu...

Yoruichi remains impassive and Rukia looks over at Kisuke who is bringing a tea cup to his face. "Who?"

Renji growls out, "That asshole we locked up, that stabbed Karin, remember? Damn bastard wouldn't stop cryin yesterday, it was so annoyin!"

Rukia flushes with embarrassment not recalling hearing anyone crying but that's because she was very excited and overwhelmed with all the Chappy products she got to go through. But more than that Kisuke is pulling his usual stunt, he remembers.

Yoruichi snaps at Kisuke, "Not the time."

Ichigo looks over at Orihime who has her eyes closed and head bowed so she already knows something. Her shoulders are hunched forward and lips and chin trembling. He wants to get up and move besides her. Uryu notices as well and puts a hand on her shoulder but she makes no reaction to it.

“Ah yes... He was down there so long I kinda forgot about him. Let the kids feed him, but we were waiting for you to complete your one month sobriety." He shrugs, "The guy who stabbed your sister has been taken care of.” Kisuke flatly responds, and Rukia and Renji look shocked.

“No he hasn’t, we saw him yesterday!” Ichigo growls turning to Kisuke and leans forward trying to keep his tone down. “So what’s your plan Kisuke?”

Orihime abruptly stands and looks down at him with furrowed brows and she gasps out,“I’m sorry Ichigo! I…”

“What… Orihime…” Ichigo stares up at her, what is she sorry for?

Kisuke stands as well, “Inoue-chan, please sit, it’s all okay. Like I said it’s taken care of, she helped with the disposal.”

“What!?” Rukia's asks with disbelief, she did what?! When? It had to have been after her and Renji left for their night shift. Yoruichi looks over at the girl to confirm the statement and sees her shaking.

“Well damn…” Renji says looking over at Orihime with a look of respect. “Good for you.”

Chad looks at Orihime, concerned for her, she’s too nice to dirty her hands like that. And shame stirs inside him, poor Orihime did it cause no one else had the damn guts to. He looks over at Uryu who meets his stare, they’re going to have to be there for her. He nods.

“Kisuke, explain yourself, because this better not be one of your weird schemes.” Yoruichi glares over at him, knowing the man she wouldn’t put it past him to do something like this but to involve a girl like Orihime is taking it too far.

“It- It wasn’t him, he helped me! After speaking with Karin, I was so angry and…” Orihime’s face crumbles, tears making their way down her face, her fists shaking. Ichigo slowly stands, trying hard to comprehend what’s being said. That asshole is dead… and it was Orihime?

“I thought maybe seeing this guy I could somehow… figure out a way… But how can such monsters exist?” She shakes her head and takes a deep shuddering breath, “When I finally spoke with him…”

She laughs out, garbled with her sob. “He reminded me of the monsters in Hueco Mundo, just ruthless. And you, Ichigo… Seeing you so.. so crushed leaving here yesterday. I couldn't stand it, and then to hear him say-!” Her voice steadily getting louder but she stops herself and looks around at them. "He said he'd do it again and I-!"

Ichigo stares frozen. “What did you do?”

She bends over sobbing in response and Rukia and Yoruichi are beside her rubbing her back. They all turn to Kisuke, except for Uryu who's glaring down at the table, fists clenched, and already knowing what happened.

“When I arrived he was already deceased, but I think she did him a favor. Tessai and I got rid of the evidence, there’s nothing left to worry about. Orihime, you did what was best, you’ve really grown.” Kisuke bows his head down, his hat shielding his eyes.

“Orihime…” Ichigo immediately goes over to her and pulls her into a firm hug holding her shaking body still sobbing.

“I’m sorry, Ichigo…” She mumbles into his shoulder. He shakes his head and tries not to hold her too tight.

“No, Hime, you’ve got nothing to be sorry about. I’m sorry… but if I am being completely honest, Hime…” She looks up at him with her beautiful tear stained red eyes wrought with sorrow, her innocence gone for him, she killed for him. Suddenly the love he has for her is like a blinding light inside his soul.

“I couldn’t be happier.” Ichigo bends down and kisses her and after a startled moment she kisses him back.