Disclaimer: Bleach is the property of Tite Kubo and Shonen Jump respectively.

Warning: This story basically takes place after the Bleach Manga, minus the last two chapters and there may be parts that can only be understood if you've read the manga. Plus, I had started writing this story before the series finished, so there might be some mixed information in the first dozen chapters or made up information based on whatever is given in order to fill in any technical holes. Other wise enjoy the story, I'll do my best to actually finish it.

Chapter 1

The air rushed passed Rukia, as she shunpoed towards the Karakura town park, a sleeveless captain's Haori of squad 13 flapping in the sunny, afternoon wind.

'This place never seems to change much...' mused the petite captain as she rushed towards the meeting place after surveying the town. '20 years huh? Karakura is still safe since the Quincy war. Everyone's protecting it. You'd be proud if you could see this, wouldn't you? Ichigo?'

Rukia paused atop a building as she watched the people below in nostalgia. 20 years ago, the Thousand Year Blood war ended in victory, but at a heavy price. Kurosaki Ichigo, Substitute Shinigami and war hero, died the week following the defeat of Juha Bach. Result of a fatal wound to the chest inflicted by the dying Quincy King. Everybody was shocked by the news. More specifically, the Substitute's closest friends and family who knew of his survival of getting a complete hole carved into his chest. Courtesy of the 4th Espada, Ulquiorra Siffer.

As Rukia continued to hop from roof to roof, she came to abrupt halt as bright orange spiked in her peripheral. Turning her head, she scanned the people below, but was greeted with the ordinary shades of blonde to ebony hair. The captain shook her head and continued onward to where the rest of the group waited in a clearing within the park, devoid of prying eyes. The same clearing that Ulquiorra and Yammy created a crater in all those years ago. Even after all those years, people still avoided the place.

"We've been committed to this festival for years now, but it's still painfully nostalgic." Said Orihime, wistfully as Rukia finally joined the waiting group. The others nodded in agreement as they turned towards the opening senkaimon.

Ever since the war, everyone, including the surviving/friendlier Arrancar, gathers in the Soul Society for the Battle Festival. For two whole weeks each year, everyone parties in Seireitei, catch up on recent news, hold various contests, mourn the fallen, and train together, as well as keep each other in check. All of the activities were directed for the purpose to remember the war, and to prepare themselves, should another devastating threat arise. This was also the very event that Rukia had come to Karakura to personally escort Orihime and Uryu, who were now married; Chad; the residence of the Urahara Shoten; and the remaining Kurosaki family members for.

"Ichigo would be glad that we have this festival to remember him and the others by." stated Chad as he stepped towards the gate.

"Knowing him, he'd probably be bitching about our stalling." replied a full grown Karin as she led an equally full grown Yuzu through the gate. The rest of the group began to follow the twins through the Senkaimon, Uryu Ishida taking up the rear. Ishida paused at the gate before proceeding.

"With all of the nostalgia, I can practically feel that berry head's obnoxious reiatsu." Proclaimed the quincy, shaking his head as he finally passed through the senkaimon, closing it as he goes, leaving a vacant park.

Meanwhile, halfway across town, a young man with bright orange hair sneezes.

"Ow!" came the sharp yelp. Ichiru Kurokatu sat on the floor in the living room, surrounded by moving boxes, while rubbing his stubbed toe.

"Stupid box." he growled, glaring at said box near the front door as he stood. Ichiru was a 19 year old teen with a tall, lith yet muscular body. Mocha eyes shined and bright orange hair that reached down his neck with bangs that fell in front of his eyes. A scowl graced his face. Currently, he was sporting a black T-shirt underneath a blood red zip-up jacket with the sleeves rolled to his elbow and a pair of cargo pants that partially covered his socked feet.

"Darn sneeze." huffed the orangette, referring to the action that caused the aforementioned box to get dropped onto his, now throbbing, toe. Ichiru walked towards the kitchen, noting that the black watch strapped to his right wrist indicated that it was almost one pm. Grabbing the fast food bag on the counter, he plopped onto the wooden floor of his dining/living room in his single bedroom apartment. While digging into his burger, Ichiru's mind turned toward his late morning experience.

Growing up, Ichiru was a single child who lived with both parents. He's also had his share of bullies due to his hair, but handled them easily. However, what really made Ichiru an outcast, even to his own parents, was his apparent ability to see spirits. Thus, the local people back in his old town, minus the idiot thugs, generally steered clear of him due to the creepy vibes he gave off. Regardless, Ichiru didn't mind and even accepted the fact that his parents wanted nothing more to do with him once he left.

In fact, the orangette felt rather at peace for moving to Karakura. He'd moved in just the night before and had been finishing up with getting the boxes into his apartment that very morning. Before moving in the last of the boxes, Ichiru made a quick run to the nearest fast food place. On his trip back, he'd noticed the petite figure clad in black and white jumping from roof to roof.

'Shinigami.' the word ran through Ichiru's thoughts as he munched on his fries. Looking back, he recalled seeing the strange figures, cloaked in black and wielding swords to purify hollows numerous times. Just like 'Shinigami', the word 'hollow' had popped up in Ichiru's mind. Without being told the orangette knew what they were. Like a distant memory, the reasons just beyond his grasp.

"No use worrying about that now." Ichiru spoke out loud. Throwing his trash away, he began to unpack his belongings. That night, Ichiru dropped onto his bed, exhausted from putting away his belongings.

'At least I don't have to worry about unpacking now.' he thought, pleased with his progress. 'Just have to take out the boxes in the morning and I'm free to explore this place...' Drifting off, he let his scowl fade as the breeze swept through his hair in a calming manner. Wait. What? The orangette jolted upward to a sitting position as he took in his surroundings, which most definitely was NOT his new apartment.

"Oh, here again…" muttered the young man as he layed back down in relief. This strange, sideways world filled with pale blue buildings always brought a sense of peace and tranquility to the teen whenever he wakes up to this empty world after a bad day. Normally, this only occurred every now and then. Recently though, he'd been finding himself in this world devoid of occupance, save himself, a lot more often. Now however, Ichiru was receiving the strange sensation of being watched.

Scanning his surroundings, the teen sat up again. When he looked behind him, Ichiru gave a double take as he stared at a tall blur of white. The thing was standing several yards away on the side of the skyscraper.

"Has that always been there?" Ichiru wondered out loud. He scooted so that he was sitting indian style and facing the white blob… thing.

"...y-... see… Ichi...?" The teen wasn't sure how, but he knew that the blur was trying to speak to him. However, all that came out was a faint whisper, only able to catch bits and pieces. His confusion must've been apparent as the top of the blur moved. Almost as if he were shaking his head in disappointment...

"Wait… he?" Ichiru clutched the side of his head as it began to throb with pain. Confusion threatened to make his mind explode. Vague images of past dreams that he'd had flew through his head. A fire bird, an evil butterfly, and glowing blue arrows, just to name a few. The orangette noticed ,vaguely, that the white blob was now directly in front of him. Looking up, Ichiru watched in a daze as a stark white hand reached and gently stroke his hair. Exhaustion immediately settled in as the teen closed his eyes, embracing the dreamless sleep to come.

"Yer almost there, King…"

Yep… what you see before you is a cliff. Is it a good cliff? Is it even a cliff at all? Depends on your point of view. Either way, see ya next time. I hope...