This is my first story. My English is not really good, but I will do my best. I hope you will understand, there must be some good sides of this story, so please read if you're interested!

This story is after the battle against Aizen with some different outcomes then the original story. Orihime was killed by Aizen, and went to Soul Society. Gin survived, but disappeared afterwards. Ichigo would regain his shinigami power in a different way.

Tōshirō's and Rukia's feelings for each other are going to be shown in the story, but don't be disappointed if it's not romantic enough for you.

Disclaimer: If I own BLEACH the story wouldn't be just about Ichigo. Come on, the title is 'BLEACH' but not 'ICHIGO'! Anyway, I obviously don't own BLEACH.

Chapter 1: Helping a Hero

Tōshirō's POV

Sunset in Karakura Town is still beautiful as always, even after the battle against Aizen. It has been months, but the memory is still fresh in my mind. I was badly wounded, really pathetic. I couldn't do anything against that damn traitor and in the end the world was saved by that substitute. I think it was very shameful for us because we, Gotei 13 were supposed to defeat Aizen, not just gave our hope to that substitute. Therefore I have to admit, Kurosaki Ichigo was a real hero and Hitsugaya Tōshirō was just a loser, a failure. I focus my attention to the sky to ease my troubled mind. There's no more sunset in my sight, it's already dark now. I've been wasting my time thinking nonsense. It's time to go.

Here I am, in front of the hero's house for a special mission. I was the one who initiated this mission, and also volunteered to do it. I'm not doing it for him since I don't even really know him. And I'm definitely not doing it for a woman who's really close to him, that's just ridiculous, right? I'm doing it because it can benefit soul society. And I know that almost everyone actually wants it to happen. The light in his room is still on. I'll just jump to his window like usual.

"Waa! Tōshirō? What are you doing here?" I can't remind him to call me Hitsugaya Taichō this time since he's not a shinigami anymore. Surprisingly, I don't really care about it.

"Mission. I want to talk with you about something." He's still surprised, but I decide to continue "We've found her, but I think you already know" That girl must've informed him already.

"Yeah, Rukia called me last night. How is Orihime?" There's guilt in his voice.

"She's lost her memory, but her condition is relatively good. And she's going to enter the academy soon." He looks so depressed.

"She sacrificed herself for me. She has always tried to be close to me, to help me, and to be there for me." His voice becomes hoarse by now. "But what have I done in return? I've always ignored her! I've been so stupid. I wish I get a second chance… I want to know more about her. I want to give her what she deserves. I want... I just want to meet her again." Finally, tears streaming down freely.

"Kurosaki, are you… crying?" I just want to make sure.

"YES! I'm crying! So what? I'm not you or Byakuya!" Now it's my turn to feel guilty. I know I rather lack of emotion or maybe I just don't show it often? But compared to Kuchiki Byakuya? I'm not that bad, right?

"I'm sorry. Anyway, I want to ask you a couple of questions" He nods. "Do you miss your life as a shinigami? Do you want to be a shinigami again?" He really needs to clear his mind for this.

"Yeah, actually I do… if I'm being honest with myself. But that's impossible! Besides I'm a human now, I have responsibilities to live as one." He smiles bitterly and shakes his head.

"You need to decide what you really want and believe that you can achieve it." I try to give him a hope. "Back to my mission, I'm here to give you this. Maybe it could be your second chance that you said before." I show him a rolled letter with a golden strip around it.

"What is that?" He immediately forgets his grief and looks at the letter curiously, just like a little kid.

"This is a rare thing. The one and only we have ever made. Just for you, because we appreciate all of your contributions for Soul Society." I throw the letter to him. He doesn't seem sure about it, but he knows the letter is important, so he open it and read it carefully.

"Wow… is this for real?" It seems the letter is successful to lighten up his eyes with hope.

"Yes, we invite you to enter Shin'ō Academy and join Gotei 13 as soon as you graduate. But In one condition, you have to leave your human body permanently." He looks really shocked but that's normal. This information is too hard for him and I think the way I told him doesn't help at all.

"What? But… m-my body?" His expression clearly shows that he's scared.

"There are two ways. We can kill your human body or we can give your human body to a mod soul." He can't say anything anymore. I know it's really hard for him. "I will give you one day to consider your decision. This is your life, decide carefully, and don't you ever regret your decision!" Actually, it would be a good opportunity to test his determination and dedication. I'll leave him alone.

It's already night, this small town is quiet now. I need to wait for one day, so what will I do? I admit that I don't really know how to have fun, but I'm not interested to have anything fun. I'm content with just having some peace moments. Okay, I need a place to stay. Go to Urahara's place is not an option. No way, I'd prefer staying under a tree than being called freeloader by that annoying man. Inoue is dead, so I can't stay at her house, can I? No, that's illegal. How about a hotel? I forgot to bring money. I guess I'll just take a walk and see where my path will leads me…

Rukia's POV

I'm so excited because Nii-sama just told me that Gotei 13 decided to give Ichigo a chance to be a shinigami again. At the Captains meeting, they made a decision to invite Ichigo to Soul Society and enter Shin'ō Academy. I'm still curious about one thing though. Is it really true that Hitsugaya Taichō is the one who initiated the decision? Don't get me wrong, I don't think he is bad. Cold maybe… but I think he is a good person. What make me confused is... he doesn't really like Ichigo, right? He doesn't even like anyone... It doesn't matter, because I'm really happy now. I will meet Ichigo again soon!

"Oi Rukia, what's wrong with you? Your face looks really weird!" Stupid Renji! How can he always find a way to ruin my mood so easily? Whatever, I'll kick him.

"Ouch! Can you answer with your mouth? Damn, your foot is like a –arghh!" He'd better shut up.

"You will meet again with your fighting friend soon! Just prepare your dirty mouth to insult him later!" He looks confused, but he'll be surprised later. "I need to go, bye Renji!"

I must tell Orihime, she would be really happy. Oh I forgot, she doesn't even remember him! I will still tell her though. Maybe it would help her to remember. I'll go back to my division, I can find her there. Ukitake Taichō gave her a temporary room in the Thirteenth Division barrack.

"Kuchiki-san, it's nice to see you again!" There she is smiling as usual. People wouldn't know she has lost her memory if they just met her.

"Hi Orihime, I told you to just call me Rukia!" I don't like it if my friend calls me Kuchiki… just like what he always do. How silly, I'm not even sure if he considers me as a friend…

"Oh sorry Rukia-san, I forgot. Hey you look really happy." She will be surprised.

"Uh-huh! You should be happy too, we will meet Ichigo again!" I hope she can remember.

"Really? But I can't remember him…" Oh no, she becomes sad.

"Maybe you would remember when you meet him. Don't worry Orihime, he's a nice guy. You will like him!" Of course she will like him, she loved him before… me too, but Orihime needs him more. She is my friend, I must be happy for my friend.

Tōshirō's POV

Here I am, in front of the hero's house again. I feel really tired. I've spent the last twenty four hours wandering around Karakura like a lost kid. Damn, I just admitted to myself that I am a kid. I need to take a rest, but I have to confront the 'hero' first. This mission is annoying, why did I volunteer to do it? I can't even remember who initiated it. When I remember, I will make sure he regrets it. I must stay cool. I don't want to look pathetic in front of that annoying hero.

"What is your decision Kurosaki?" Not bad, my voice still sounds quite strong.

"Yo Tōshirō! You're back! Hey what's wrong with you? You look bad, like a lost kid." That idiot! How could he notice it? You must compose yourself Hitsugaya.

"Just give me your damn answer!" He stiffened! Good, my captain tone still works!

"Yes, I want to go! I will give my human body to….mm…" I don't have time for his slow mind to work.

"Kurosaki…." I give him my coldest glare that makes him sweating.

"to Kon!" Who is this Kon? I think I've heard that name before. Kurosaki seems uneasy about it.

"Okay, have you said goodbye to your family?" Yes, I asked about his family. I'm not that heartless!

"Just to my dad... I couldn't say goodbye to my sisters, I just hugged them and gave my last messages to them…" Damn, he begins to cry again.

"Okay, give me your substitute badge, and prepare this Kon thing!" He picks his badge from his desk and then gives it to me. I can see him holding a mod soul in his left hand, maybe that's Kon?

"Tōshirō, why don't we just put Kon into my mouth as usual?" Good question for a retard.

"You're just a human now. That method only works for shinigami. Are you ready?" I hold the badge in front of him, ready to push his soul out.

"Yes!" I let him to take one final breath with his human body before I push the badge to his chest. His soul form falls backward and hit the floor. His human body falls on top of him afterward.

"Now insert the mod soul into the body!" He does it as I say, and Kon take over his 'ex body'.

"Thank you Ichigo! I will take care of your body, you can count on me!" This Kon is worse than Kurosaki. I begin to have a headache.

"Kon! Listen to me! STOP being a pervert! If you ruin my reputation, I will ask Yuzu to make a 'better' body for you! Got it?!" He glares at the terrified Kon.

" Yes yes yes! Please don't ask her to do that!" Kurosaki seems satisfied. He picks his bag from the floor and turns toward me. He is ready to go.

"Come on, we'll go to Urahara first, I need to return this gigai." Then we jump through his window. Before we depart, Kurosaki gave a final look to his home.

"It's so troublesome... but I don't even wish people to appreciate it." I muttered unconsciously. "I just wish she'd get a chance to be with the one who can make her… happy… but… why do I feel something painful in my left chest? Am I even sane at the moment?" I feel so defeated…

"What did you say Tōshirō?" Yes, what did I say? Damn I must sound stupid.

"Nothing, stay focus Kurosaki. You'll need it to enter the academy." What's going on with me? My unconscious mind often takes control of me. I'm just tired… yes, nothing serious.

Rukia's POV

It's snowing tonight, cold but beautiful... just like him… Ah what am I thinking! Anyway, we were just informed that they're going to arrive at Seiretei soon. I've been waiting in front of the senkaimon with Renji and Orihime. It doesn't take long before the gate is opened automatically and then two figures step through it. Renji drops his jaw and Orihime looks confused.

"ICHIGO!" I run to him and knock him down.

"Oi, easy midget! I just 'died'! I don't need you to kill me again!" I know he missed us too.

"Yo strawberry! I can't believe I missed your ugly head!" Renji runs to us and then slaps his head. Ichigo glares at him in return. They're ready to fight…

"What did you say pineapple? I can still kick your ass even without Zangetsu!" Here we go again, the inevitable fight. I'll leave them alone. Hey, where is Orihime? There she is standing near the wall. She looks uneasy but she needs to meet Ichigo.

"Orihime! Come here!" Ichigo stops his fight with Renji when he heard her name. Then he slowly walks toward her. Orihime seems confused and just looks at Ichigo curiously. They need time alone.

I'm really grateful for this moment. I don't know his real intention for doing something this good for us but I have to thank him. I always believe he is a good person since the first time I met him. Where is he? He's already gone... I feel a bit guilty because I was too happy seeing Ichigo, so I didn't even pay attention to him. He's probably at First Division to report his mission, I will find him. There he is! It's hard to miss that white hair in the dark night. He just came out of Sōtaichō's office.

"Hitsugaya Taichō!" He tensed up when he heard my voice.

"Can I help you Kuchiki?" Help? I didn't ask him for help. Ah, stoic as usual.

"I just want to say thank you Sir, with your hard work we can finally reunite with Ichigo again." His expression slightly changes, he looks solemn… Did I say something wrong?

"I did it because it was the right thing to do… and it was what you wish, wasn't it?" I can slightly sense hurt and anger in his cold voice. Maybe he doesn't like the topic… or me…

"Y-yes, once again thank you Hitsugaya Taichō." I give him my brightest smile…

"Hn." but he doesn't seem to care. I know he's really tired despite his hard and cold expression. He looks like a lost boy in this cold and dark night, but he still looks cute though.

General POV

Rangiku is walking back to her home after her routine 'ritual' with her drinking buddies at the bar. Suddenly she spots a small figure lying on the ground. Hey, that's her captain! She approaches him quickly and then bends down next to him. She pokes him with her sake bottle to check if he's just kidding... never mind, he's never kidding! He doesn't move, but she knows that he is still alive. Her captain cannot die easily! So she decides to lecture him.

"Taichō, don't sleep here! You look like a lost child!" No response. She pokes him again. This time, his hand grabs her sake bottle and then smashes it against her bosom. Rangiku is absolutely pissed now!

"Okaaay… Do what you want, but don't blame me the next moorniiiiiiiiiii…" Rangiku collapses on top of her captain before she can finish her lecture. There on the street, two of Jūbantai's top officers are lying unconscious. Who knows what will happen the next morning…

Note: Their appearances in this story are like after the time skip in the manga/anime, except for Tōshirō and Byakuya.