Brief: With his Soul Reaper powers restored, and his hollow finally subdued once and for all, Ichigo Kurosaki thinks his life can finally go back to normal. However, a visit to Seireitei soon changes that theory for the young Substitute. Can Ichigo adjust to his new life, or will he give in and return to how it was before?

Warnings: Contains some aggressive language, possible violence and romance throughout. Reader discretion is advised if any of the above offend you.

Pairings: IchiRuki, may contain smaller pairings such as ByaHis or HitsuHina

SPOILERS from the Fullbring Arc and previous

Disclaimer: Bleach is the property of Tite Kubo, not me. If I owned Bleach, Ichigo would have ended up with Rukia ;)

Bleach: Bonds Beyond Dimensions

Chapter 9: Time for Talk

The business of the day was finally beginning to conclude when Rukia managed to get across to the Squad 5 barracks. Following the demonstration that morning, both Byakuya and Ichigo had been swarmed by recruits and lower-seated officers asking questions about their Bankai, from training to rhythms and styles. For the most part, Byakuya answered their questions with calm precision, unaffected by the bombardment, while Ichigo struggled in places due to questions blurring together in the crowd and also thanks to his unorthodox training method to achieve Bankai. After a while, he had managed to get away thanks to Momo dragging him back to the barracks.

The day had dragged by after that, a wash of paperwork, from re-allocation requests and equipment replacement orders to general upkeep for the barracks, and the odd dose of squad meetings and training overviewing. After releasing his Bankai for the first time in a long time, or at least fully activating it with exception to training, the orange-haired captain had been filled with energy, but it had sapped quickly when he had been surrounded by all the people at the stadium. It was even more tiring when he overheard one of the squad members talking about it with their friends, all sorts of rumours floating around from the unveiling coming to his attention in that moment.

And so, with the day finished, Ichigo opened the office door and bade Momo a good evening as they parted ways. It was already growing dark, and the lamps were lit to show the way through the winding labyrinth of Soul Society's streets. He looked up at the first sparkling stars and risked a small smile. It was nice to take in the little things from time to time, and on days like these, he felt a certain need for it.

"Ichigo," came her voice from behind him, drawing Ichigo's eyes back to the dimly lit street as Rukia approached him. "I'm glad I caught up to you. Can we talk?"

"Sure," Ichigo nodded, smiling a little in spite of Rukia's serious expression. "Do you want to go somewhere in particular, or just talk here?"

"We can walk and talk," Rukia replied. "Your home is not far from here."

Ichigo nodded again and started walking at a slower pace, keeping level with Rukia. They walked silently for a long time before she finally spoke up.

"So, that was you real Bankai?" she said at last.

"Yeah," Ichigo nodded. "Kurokage Zangetsu, the cutting moon of the black shadow."

"Fitting name," Rukia noted quietly, before continuing. "I don't mean to pry, but it seemed like your nature has changed from Tensa Zangetsu."

"You mean 'cause of how there's no physical blade?" Ichigo questioned, confused by what was meant by the statement.

"Because of how it is more akin to an Arrancar's release than a Bankai," Rukia replied sternly. "Ichigo, I've never seen anything like that before – no Soul Reaper has!"

"So, that's what it is," he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's a strange situation, granted, but there is a good reason."

"Then tell me," Rukia pressed. "Is it your hollow or your zanpakuto which gave you this form?"

"Both," Ichigo's response came without pause, surprising Rukia a little. "It's the same as when I learned about the Final Getsuga Tenshou; the two halves of my powers fused together to make one, my true power. That's why it has elements of a hollow and elements of a Soul Reaper to it, and why my powers are a mixture of the two as well."

"Then that was Sonido before?" Rukai frowned.

"Mixed with Flash Step," Ichigo confirmed. "Like I said, part hollow, part Soul Reaper."

Rukia shook her head, trying her best to understand this, but it was too outlandish an idea to make sense; how could one man possess a fully formed zanpakuto which held the powers of both hollows and Soul Reapers. Unlike a Vizard, who 'borrowed' the powers of a hollow by wearing a mask, Ichigo's hollow powers were fused to his sword, akin to an Arrancar's. By now, they were entering the residential area, nearing Ichigo's apartment.

"You have to admit, that sounds insane," Rukia frowned, stopping outside the door to Ichigo's home. Ichigo frowned at this response, sensing they needed longer. He opened the door and let Rukia in ahead of himself. "Ichigo, you have to explain; how is it possible for your sword to hold both powers?"

Ichigo sighed, closing the door.

"It's a long story," he said. Rukia glared, about to say something in protest, but Ichigo beat her to the punch. "Don't look like that; I'm going to tell you. Just let me make some tea."

Rukia blinked, settling down. She had not expected Ichigo to be so forthcoming with this information, so did not know how to respond at first. He returned a few minutes later with two cups of steaming tea. The scent of the brewed tea reminded her of the conversations with Captain Ukitake when she was a recruit, although they still had conversations now that she was his Lieutenant. She thanked Ichigo and sipped the tea, grimacing a little at the scratchiness to the beverage. Ichigo smirked a little.

"Sorry, I'm still getting the hang of making it," he said, sipping his own cup of tea. There was a brief silence. "Guess I should start at the beginning. Did you ever hear about how I beat Aizen?"

"Idiot, of course I know," Rukia huffed. "I told you when you woke up, Kisuke filled everyone in after we brought you home."

"Give me a break, that was over two years ago," Ichigo growled, rubbing the back of his head lightly. "Anyway, I never had a chance to explain how I got that power, did I? When I was training in the Dangai, I met with Tensa Zangetsu, and with my hollow. They always said they were one in the same, but the method which let me get back my powers broke them apart. In order to teach me the Final Getsuga Tenshou, they fused back together and became one being."

"So, that's why you were that powerful," Rukia mused, sipping her tea once more. Ichigo nodded, before continuing.

"When I was training to regain Bankai," he went on. "I realised that my power was always in two parts, which is why my Shikai has two swords; the larger represents my Soul Reaper side, and the shorter my hollow half. When I go into Bankai, Kurokage Zangetsu merges them together into a stable, but less powerful, version of the Final Getsuga Tenshou. That's really all there is to it; the true manifestation of my zanpakuto is both hollow and Soul Reaper."

Rukia sat back, thinking about what Ichigo had said, and finally she nodded. It did make sense.

"Why did you not mention this before?" she asked finally.

"It didn't seem important," Ichigo shrugged, unfazed. Rukia turned her gaze upward and gave him a stern look.

"Do you really not trust me? I thought we were friends," she asked coolly. Ichigo blinked.

"Where did that come from?" he asked, bemused.

"You didn't tell me about this because you didn't trust me," Rukia repeated, her sternness wavering to make way for something deeper. She seemed hurt.

"That's not true," Ichigo replied firmly. "As I said, it wasn't important. Rukia, you should know by now, there's no one else I trust more than you." She looked to him, suddenly uncertain of her actions. "Listen to me. I'm not going to deny that I should have told you, but does it change anything?"

Rukia was silent for a painstaking few moments, before she shook her head, seemingly composing herself.

"N-no," she relented. "It's always been this way; I've accepted you for your traits, both light and dark. I just… I'm worried, Ichigo. This sort of thing has never happened before. What if the Head Captain disapproves? You could be thrown out of the 13 Court Guard Squads!"

"You could be right," Ichigo nodded. "But considering the old man did not have issue with taking me on after that… incident… I don't think he'd be quick to come to that decision." Rukia nodded, accepting this, but she still seemed unsure. However, before she had a chance to do anything, Ichigo had cupped her jaw and gently forced her eyeline to him. She did not struggle or resist, looking him in the eye. "I know it's hard on you, Rukia, but please do something for me; trust that I will do the right thing, or that you will be able to guide me."

Rukia blinked, but chuckling softly, almost bitterly, she gave her response.

"You fool," she insisted. "You know I do, and I will."

The two stood there, frozen in their moment for a while, before a sound caught their attention; the steady rapping of wood on wood as the warning signal sounded. A few moments later, a Hell Butterfly drifted inside, landing on Ichigo's outstretched finger.

"All Captains and Lieutenants, report to the Head Captain's office immediately," the message sounded to them both. "Repeat, all Captains and Lieutenants are to report to the office of Head Captain Yamamoto immediately!"

Ichigo sighed a little as the insect flew off, its message relayed.

"No rest for the wicked," he noted. "Let's go, Rukia."

Rukia nodded, leaving with Ichigo with haste. The two hurried to the Squad 1 barracks, joining with the other squad leaders, forming up into the two files before Yamamoto himself. The old man bore a troubled look on his brow, one few had seen in a long time.

"Everyone," the Head Captain announced. "I am afraid we have grave news. Captain Kurotsuchi, please tell the other Captains about your findings."

"As you wish, Head Captain," the unusual man bowed softly, wearing his pharaoh-inspired ensemble as he had for some time. "As you will no doubt be aware, we have been making excursions to Hueco Mundo for various projects since the fall of Aizen, and our discovery of how to activate the Garganta. Recently, these have centred around activity in the Menos Forest, and the fallen palace of Los Noches." Rukia grimaced, recalling the misadventure in the forest, and the Soul Reaper they had lost to the dreadful place. "The last squad sent in has been stationed at the forest for around two months, and was due to check in two days ago, but did not until very recently.

"It seems the team had seen something unusual, and were overseeing the situation, when they were attacked by an unidentified being. The reports were scrambled, but we have confirmed that some of the personnel are still taking refuge in the Menos Forest, though some have been confirmed dead."

"Do we know anything about the being?" Ukitake asked, serious.

"Not yet," Kurotsuchi replied. "Only that it was not a Gillian; the report indicated a group of Gillians running, as if they were afraid of something."

"What could scare a Gillian?" Komamura asked, surprised.

"Speculation will not help," Yamamoto insisted. "I have called you here because it is imperative that we recover the lost squad from Hueco Mundo. Due to the potential risk, I would like to ask two lieutenants and Captains to lead a rescue team. Due to the large scale of the forest, each team will have a lieutenant and Captain assigned to it, and each team will cover a region of the forest upon arrival. Are there any volunteers?"

"I volunteer, Head Captain," Renji stood up straight away. "I have had experience in the Menos Forest, so I can be helpful in this mission." Yamamoto nodded, accepting.

"I will also go," Unohana spoke up. "If the research team is injured, having a proficient healer will be imperative."

"Of course," Yamamoto agreed. "Anyone else?"

"I'll go too," Ichigo offered. "I've had experience with Hueco Mundo and the hollows inside the forest."

Yamamoto looked troubled, as if he wanted to decline, but eventually the old man accepted.

"Very well," he accepted. "But, Captain Kurosaki, I insist that you stay away from the northern edge of the forest." Ichigo frowned at the request, but nodded. "Are there any other Lieutenants who wish to volunteer?"

Rukia looked around briefly, feeling torn, but when no others insisted, she raised her arm.

"I volunteer," she replied, leaving out her reason, hoping that experiences would bolster her claim with the need for further explanation.

"Very well," Yamamoto accepted without hesitation. "You will leave immediately. Make your way to the Senkai gate as soon as possible." He raised his cane and struck the ground hard with it. "This meeting is adjorned."

As the group filed out, Ichigo began to wonder what the research had been, as well as dwelling on the instruction Yamamoto had given him. What lay at the northern end of the forest which had cause so much concern? He supposed it was best not to find out.

Fairly short for the pause, I know, but I have to admit that time has been lacking lately.

As an update to everyone who has been waiting (and sorry for the long pause too), I am no longer in university, I'm now moving into the real world with a job under my belt. Admittedly, this means my free time is lacking, but given the lack of free time previously due to project work, that's not saying much.

I'll try to get the next chapter out soon, in which we will return to Hueco Mundo and see what has become of the lost research team.

Until next time!