Ichigo Awakens

(Karakura Hospital)

The two boys stared on in shock, disbelief of what was before them. Years of coming into this one room, seeing the same heartbreaking scene of their mothers in what could be described as a living death, only to now find something different the moment they opened up that door. Neither one of them could remember how many times they dreamed of this one moment, and how much they were torn between refusing it as reality and accepting that their long time wish came true. For the mothers, they drifted in and out of awareness and slumber, feeling and knowing the world around them but unable to tell their family how much they loved them, how much they wanted to comfort them. The belief that they could return to their families kept them going through that hell as they remained trapped in their bodies for years. Powerless, immobile, the greatest solace was the few moments they were dreaming and watching their families grow and be happy.

"Come here." Masaki said, holding up a hand. "My little protector."

"Let mother see you Uryu." Kanae said. The two boys felt their bodies move, not under their own control, but out of autonomous reaction. Each slow step, quickening slightly until they reached their respective mother. The moment those hands touched their faces, they became aware of the tears streaming from their eyes. "You grew up so strong and handsome." Kanae said, remembering her husband telling her about their child with evident pride.

"Ichigo," Masaki said to her first born, "I'm so sorry for leaving you." She hated seeing how much he had struggled, once a happy gentle boy, now a teen who had endured so much. "Thank you for protecting your family." Just like that the two cousins, the men that fought for their lives a day earlier, went back to being little boys in front of their mothers. Crying out in joy and relief to have their mothers return to them.

(Urahara's Shop)

The two spent hours, crying their hearts out as their mothers comforted and reassured them that they were awake. A promise that did not last too long as they woke up that morning and spent much time and energy reconnecting with their families after so long. For Ichigo and Uryu, it was more than they could ever ask for and Ryuuken assured them that they will return home in time. Sleeping for years, even in a stasis that retained their bodies and health from the day they went into that damned sleep, demanded some recovery time. They would be able to return home after a month of physical therapy and readjusting to the present world. Uryu went home, happier then he had been in years. Ichigo had some more work to do, and felt ready for anything.

"Alright." Urahara started as he and Tessai opened his Senkaimon. "Seeing as Yuzu and Karin still don't have spirit bodies, they'll have to go through the Spirit Conversion gate. Isshin will take them through while the rest of us go with Ichigo, who I hope can use Garganta at this point. Otherwise this is just going to be harder."

"I've got this Urahara." Ichigo told him. 'That being said, I would like the assist Zangestu.' He told his blade as the sword spirit merged with him to grant a finer control. "Everybody ready?" He asked, his voice becoming slightly warped. He saw the many nods of approval as Tessai opened the Senkaimon and Ichigo ripped open a portal through dimensions. All at once, everyone dove into their respective pathways into Soul Society.

(West Rukon: 1st District)

The gateway ended in the same place it began when his son and his friends traveled to Soul Society. A place that has not seen change aside from the faces for the past few decades he was living as a human. In his arms, he carried his two precious daughters as he flash stepped all the way through the Dangai. He gently set them down as they tried to recover from the sudden acceleration and stop.

"Welcome girls." He said with a nostalgic grin. "To Soul Society." He couldn't deny that it felt good to be back at his old home. The rustic familiarity of the Rukon districts, the mix of medieval and advanced technology, but there was one thing wrong.

"This place sucks." Karin said bluntly. Isshin couldn't argue against it either. The modern Living World was better than Soul Society. He already missed the modern conveniences of the other world.

"Karin! That's not very nice!" Yuzu scolded. "Sure this place seems like a down grade, but I bet there's no fighting and everyone's happy."

"I don't want to say this Yuzu, but the only thing better for everyone here is that it's cleaner." Isshin said, losing his earlier cheer. "Best case scenario is to become a Shinigami, which you two are guaranteed to have the potential for."

"Well look who finally decided to show up!" The heard a brash voice yell out. The three Kurosaki members turned to see Kukaku Shiba, Ganju, and their retainers, along with the emerging residents of that district. "I haven't seen you in decades Isshin." Kukaku said, walking up to her uncle with a big smirk on her face.

"It's good to see you too KukakUUU!" He was saying with a smiled before Kukaku glared at him and threw a furious punch right into his face. Yuzu and Karin watched as their newly met cousin sent their dad flying with one of the meanest punches they've ever seen in their lives.

"That's for letting us think you were dead ya jerk!" She roared at the man as he cowered in front of the raging woman. "Sheesh, all that time worrying about him and he's off making a family." She muttered to herself before noticing the two sisters, trembling at the fury of the Shiba matriarch. "And you two must be Yuzu and Karin." She said, adopting a more gentle smile before dropping to their eye level. "Ichigo told me about you two." She gave them a warm welcoming smile as she patted their shoulders. "Nice to finally meet you two! I'm always glad to see new family! Name's Kukaku Shiba!"

"Then why did you punch goat chin?" Karin asked, as the two main attendants went to the aid of the once lost branch head of the clan.

"I said new family." Kukaku told her. "I've known that lazy bum of an uncle for decades." She missed the surprised look of the twins at the bizarre notion of their hyperactive father ever being lazy. "Speaking of which, sounds like raising a family finally kicked your ass in gear. You better not be treating these guys like you did your old division!"

"How rude Kukaku!" He said, in an over exaggerated manner. "I'm a father and a clinic doctor! I can't afford to be lazy!"

"You better not be!" She turned back to the twins. "Sorry about that. I'm used to having to knock a few heads around to keep things running smoothly around here." She apologized to the two. "Why don't we all head back to the manor and get acquainted. I know I have some things to discuss with your brother. Speaking of which, where is that strawberry?" She asked as they looked around.

"Don't know Kukaku-nee." Karin said, already taking a liking to the clan head. "They did take another way here."

"I'm sure Onii-chan and the others are alright!" Yuzu said optimistically.

(Somewhere in Seireitei)

"I'm not sure which is sadder." Ichigo said as he and the rest of the formerly exiled Soul Reapers were held at sword point by dozens of Onmitsukido ninjas, ready to execute them. "That fact that this happened or that I expected it to happen." Most of the Vizards kept their calm, Hiyori was about to rage until Hachigen put her in a kido barrier everyone called the 'Time out Corner'. Kisuke was Kisuke, and Tessai was ready for a quick get away. Yoruichi left them to get the one person that could stop this from escalating.

"Well, you're early." They heard someone say from above. They all looked up to see Soi-Fon next to Yoruichi, standing on a building. "But I think you should've used a Senkaimon."

"Nice to see you too Soi-Fon." Urahara called out lazily. "The years have been kind to you I see." Ichigo could see Soi-Fon eye twitch before Yoruichi put a calming hand on her shoulder. She sighed out in resignation and Ichigo began to think he might have an ally when it comes to getting payback on the annoying mad scientist.

"By order of the acting leader of Soul Society, Captain Commander Yamamoto, you will all be escorted to the first division to discuss the return of the previously MIA captains and lieutenants." She decreed as the ninjas sheathed their blades and relaxed before vanishing from sight. "You all remember the way I take it?" Without waiting for any reply, she herself disappeared.

"She really doesn't like you does she?" Ichigo asked Kisuke as the group began to head toward the 1st division barracks.

"When I was first brought up to be promoted to captaincy, she protested on the grounds that I was lazy and incompetent at my own job in the detention corps." Urahara explained. "She then stalked me for a while to dig up any dirt she could. Not only did Yoruichi dismiss all of her evidence, she thought Soi-Fon had a crush on me. Soi-Fon hates how much 'undeserved' faith Yoruichi had in me and probably blames me for her self imposed exile when Tessai and I were arrested." He spoke the last part with an odd seriousness that Ichigo had only seen when he said anything to do with the darker parts of his past. Only for him to whip out his fan and hold it in front of his face. "But it's okay! I'll be sure to apologize to her for developing a crush on me!" He said with a chuckle, only for Soi-Fon to appear out of nowhere, with the most pissed off expression Ichigo had ever seen on anyone, and slam her foot into his face so hard that there was a shockwave that sent the blonde man flying through the walls.

"I never had a crush on you, you lazy, good for nothing, lunatic!" She roared with venom dripping from her tone. The entire group was watching with their eyes bulging out in shock and terror at the petite ninja.

"Yeah, he deserved that." Shinji said as everyone else dismissed him for his idiocy. Except for Hiyori who was cheering Soi-Fon on.

"Hey Soi-Fon!" Ichigo called out to her. "You mind sending someone to the West Rukon? My dad is there visiting family." She regarded him for a second before nodding to someone and there was a flash of movement. "Thanks."

(Captain's Assembly)

It was a time of happiness for most of the assembled captains, allies long thought lost returned. Kyoraku attempted to hug his former lieutenant only to be met with a foot to the face and an actually happy greeting from Lisa. The rest of the former captains and lieutenants were happy to meet each other once again, until they had to put Hiyori back into the kido box when Mayuri dismissed the 'annoying monkey boy' and trying to get Ichigo to agree being subjected to series of experiments, both out of natural curiosity and to forget that he and Urahara were in the same room again. Isshin was showering praise on his former third seat.

"I was right to trust the future of the squad to you Toshiro!" Isshin said to the blushing captain as Isshin held him up like he used to many years ago.

"Please put me down captain Shiba." The young captain asked, still having respect for his predecessor, despite his waning patience.

"Enough!" Yamamoto called out, slamming his cane on the ground and forcing everyone's attention on him. "First off, thank you all for gathering here once again. I apologize for the actions of a hundred years ago, and hold myself as personally responsible."

"The fault's mine Yamamoto." Shinji spoke up. "I made Aizen my lieutenant because I never trusted him and I never recognized the difference between him and his illusions."

"But I just as quickly condemned all of you for things out of your control. Do not take my failure on your shoulders." The old commander said, the weight of another mistake weighing on his shoulders. "Before we continue, it's safe to assume you know everything?"

"And already began setting up a defensive measure!" Kisuke said happily. "Mayuri, did Chad and Uryu place all those tags like I asked them to?"

"Yes, though I don't know why you made over a billion kido seal tags meant to seal away Quincies all over Soul Society." Mayuri said, not privy to Ichigo and Yama's conversation from earlier.

"Simple." Urahara said, turning serious as he pulled out a detonator switch. "The Vandenreich watches from the shadows." He said before pushing the button. A thunderous crack shook the entirety of Soul Society as the brightest light consumed the realm.

(Silbern)

The Emperor and his most elite guard were watching the meeting of their hated enemies, dismissing the gathering as a small roadblock they would inevitably be ready for. That was before the two scientists revealed a ploy they were not ready for.

"The Vandenreich watches from the shadows." Urahara said before pushing the button. Suddenly, their shadowy kingdom was engulfed in blinding light that lasted for what seemed like hours. When their sight return, they could no longer find any connection to Soul Society.

"What happened!" Ywach roared. His minions scrambled about to try to find any answer, coming to only one conclusion. They were locked out of Soul Society and in a separate space.

(Captain's meeting)

"And that should buy us a few years." Urahara said after sight returned to everyone and people calmed down. "Plenty of time to deal with Aizen before we have to worry about the Vandenreich."

"Very good." Yamamoto said approvingly, trusting one of the smartest men he's ever met. Maybe they'll strengthen it in time after the whole Aizen thing ends. "For those of you unaware, Ichigo's reason for meeting with me was to warn us about the return of the Quincy king Ywach. When he returns, all life and creation will be at risk. Fortunately we have a few more years to wait before they can attempt anything. Till then, we deal with Aizen." There were unanimous nods of agreement and a bloodthirsty grin from Kenpachi. "With the Central 46 dead and a war looming over our heads, I am issuing martial law and assume full authority over Soul Society. With that authority, I offer the captain positions of squads 3, 5, and 9 back to captains Otoribashi, Hirako, and Muguruma with double pay for the next century should they accept it."

"That sounds like a good deal." Kensei said, musing about how to keep Mashiro out of his money stash.

"Yay! Back to Kensei's official lieutenant!" Mashiro cheered.

"Squad 9 still has a lieutenant." Toshiro said bluntly.

"Super lieutenant Mashiro is back in action!" Not that it affected Mashiro's mood in the slightest.

"You're really good with kids Kensei." Ukitake said, chuckling slightly.

"Shut up Juushiro." The vizard grumbled.

"Hey, captain Hirako?" Toshiro called out to the reinstated captain. "There's something I should warn you about."

"What kiddo?" Shinji asked, irking the white haired captain almost immediately.

"It's about your new lieutenant Momo Hinamori. She practically worshiped Aizen and reacted, less than well with his betrayal." He said, talking cautiously about his friend's infatuation. "And now she's-"

"Catatonic and refusing reality with every fiber of her being, just praying that Aizen will 'come back to his senses?'" Shinji asked bluntly. Hitsugaya nodded. "That's not my problem. She's a lieutenant, she has a job, a job I expect her to perform. If she can't I'll find someone that will. I'm her captain first before anything else. If you're her friend, then you help her out." He said bluntly, shocking some people, but most acknowledged the harsh lesson. "She's a lieutenant class Soul Reaper, she has to be a tough girl and should learn to stand on her own." Toshiro glared at the man, but understood him on some level. He reacted in a similar manner when she was distraught over Aizen's faked death.

"Tessai and Hachigen may return to the their command positions within the Kido Corps." Yamamoto continued, with a nod of acceptance from the two spell masters. "And in light of certain revelations from the Quincy, Uryu Ishida, Urahara is given back his old position as captain of squad 12." Mayuri looked like someone punched him in the stomach while Urahara laughed.

"Nice to be back, lieutenant Mayuri." He said making the mad scientist glare at him.

"Absolutely not!" Mayuri yelled out in defiance. "I refuse to go back to being your underling! And what revelations?"

"For starters, I ordered you to stay away from Ichigo while he was recovering but you repeatedly made trips to his room." Yama started. Mayuri tried to say something when the old man continued. "The numerous times you arranged for the deaths of hundreds of Quincy that were under our protection, with much of that research now being practically outdated considering how your fight with Uryu went. The complaints made by several of your squad that you used them as bombs when the only person that was kill on sight was still Ichigo Kurosaki, whom you were not even close to. Finally, you are a completely immoral sadist that was only made captain of squad 12 because you were the smartest man at the time. Everyday I weighed the options of putting you back in the Maggots Nest and letting you rot." That did not deter Mayuri who continued to protest while trying to defend his decisions.

"Ichigo you can spare an arm, right?" Urahara asked while the argument continued. Ichigo nodded and presented his right arm. Kisuke pulled out a glass tube big enough for Ichigo to fit his arm into and was sealed within, cutting off Ichigo's arm at the elbow. As Ichigo yelled out in pain, catching everyone's attention, Urahara tossed Ichigo's preserved severed arm to his new lieutenant. "Here's an arm. Go play."

"You expect me to be content...with..." Mayuri growled before Ichigo's arm regrew from the stump at his elbow from a flare of black Reishi. "Amazing."

"Ichigo is a one of a kind hybrid with Soul Reaper, Quincy, and Hollow abilities all rolled into one." Kisuke bragged. "You quit your bitching and you can have as many samples as you want." Mayuri began salivating at the veritable experimental goldmine that was Ichigo Kurosaki. He just needed to swallow his pride.

"I officially resign my positions in favor of becoming second in command." He said, cradling the container like a newborn baby.

"Not gonna lie, I'm surprised that worked." Urahara said, shocked that Mayuri accepted so easily.

"Don't think you can bribe me baldy." Hiyori said, freed from her kido prison. "I'm not sticking around here."

"Then I leave my shop to you Hiyori!" Kisuke said dramatically. "I set it up to be a mobile command center for the Shinigami in the Living World." Hiyori simply shrugged, still hating the idea but wanting to help what friends she had.

"May we continue?" Yamamoto growled, making everyone snap back to attention. "Good. Now, in light of the coming war, we will need more soldiers, order and swifter action to be taken in the world of the Living. Therefore, I am creating two new squads. Squad 14 will be the Rukon Force, keeping order in the districts and searching for individuals with the ability to become Soul Reapers. Squad 15 will be the Living World unit, a squad solely for the Living World since we've seemed to be able to deal with problems there effectively. Karakura Town seems to be the hotspot for this so that's where squad 15 will set up."

"I'll be the captain of squad 14." Love volunteered. "Isshin, you got a family man. The only thing for me in that world is my precious manga." He said, melodramatically and actually crying a little. Everyone else looked at him like he was an idiot, even Urahara.

"You know we could probably set something up for you." Ichigo said, making the star Afro haired man shift moods immediately.

"Thank you Ichigo!" Aikawa called out, hugging the hybrid and squeezing the life out of him. He finally let go after Kenpachi punched him in the face pretty hard.

"Don't break him. Gonna fight him later." He said as Ichigo realigned his spine.

"Continuing," Yamamoto said, "captains Love and Isshin, you will have to build up your squads yourselves later. For now, we need to know what we're up against. Urahara, what is the Hogyoku?" Urahara suddenly shifted back to his serious mode as he explained what his creation was capable of.

"The Hogyoku is meant to be able to break down the boundaries between Soul Reaper and Hollow. Granting one the power of the other and becoming that much stronger as a result. However, while training Ichigo, I did a few more experiments and discovered something frightening. One, the Hogyoku was incomplete and two, at full power it could grant anyone their heart's desire." A cold unease came over everyone in the room. "I have a suspicion that Aizen knows about the former because he may have created his own Hogyoku and wanted mine to complete it. Which is a good thing he never got it." He said, surprising everyone.

"But I saw Aizen tear it out of Rukia!" Ichigo defended, leading Urahara to wave his finger at the boy.

"I suspected Aizen would know that I would put the Hogyoku in Rukia's being, but then I wondered. Would he know because it was something I would do? Put the Hogyoku into the body of someone that knew nothing about it and sacrifice that person heartlessly? Likely, so I did something I would never do unless I thought it would work." He said, pulling out a small vial that coated his arm and performed the same ritual Aizen did with Rukia, plunging his hand into Ichigo's chest. "Have someone know about the power and dangers of it, instilling the desire to hide and seal it away, making it untraceable." He pulled his hand out to reveal the same black sphere Ichigo swallowed to become a Soul Reaper. "This is where I hid the Hogyoku."