Chapter 12

The Head Captain called a meeting. Captains and Lieutenants were to attend. He watched silently as they entered. It was a melancholy bunch. He knew news of Ichigo Kurosaki's disappearance would create a great void in the hearts of his officers. He was a little concerned on how they were dealing with the loss, but one officer in particular was cause for the most concern. He waited and was surprised that Byakuya was the last enter, not to mention the fact that he was 15 minutes late. For someone who was usually very punctual, it was like he didn't care anymore.

Everyone watched as he managed to drag himself to his position. He stared blankly at the floor, hands loosely clasped behind his back. He had circles under his eyes. His face seemed thin and gaunt. He was looking very pale. To Yamamoto, he looked unhealthy. He was clearly not taking care of himself. Concern for Byakuya grew by the second.

"Right, to order then," he began, "I have called this meeting to discuss recent events. I understand that this may be a sore subject for you all, but we must face facts. Losing Ichigo Kurosaki has been difficult for all of us. Some more than others."

Eyes darted toward Byakuya, but he didn't notice. He didn't seem to be paying attention. His sad, steel eyes were distant.

"What happened to Kurosaki was unfortunate and a bit bizarre. Ichigo Kurosaki was a great man, a stand up Soul Reaper and a good and loyal friend. He will be missed. However, as painful as it is to hear, life must go on. Ichigo Kurosaki taught us a great deal about ourselves and improved our lives in ways we never thought possible. We must adhere to the changes we have made and live up to Kurosaki's admirable sacrifices. We must honor his memory by improving the Gotei 13 even more."

People nodded their heads in agreement.

"The Head Captain is right. Ichigo would be appalled at our behavior." Soi Fon wiped the tears from her eyes and stood tall, straightening her back.

"Ha! You kidding? He wouldn't care! He'd probably be blushing like a school boy from all the attention. Probably more embarrassed than anything." Zaraki barked, though his enthusiasm was dim. Yachiru hung on his broad shoulders, her face buried in his back.

"Ichigo would want us to celebrate his life, not mourn his loss. We should have a drink to toast all his achievements. " Kyoraku said, trying to sound brighter than he felt.

Jurshiro smiled fondly at him, but could not bring himself to say anything.

It was then silent as they thought about their lost comrade.

"Moving on. There is something I would like to verify. Captain Kuchiki, if you would step forward please."

Byakuya didn't move. He was still staring blankly at the floor.

"Captain Kuchiki."

Renji bumped his shoulder against his Captain's. Byakuya looked up at him, then turned his attention to the Head Captain.

"Captain Kuchiki, would you step forward please."

He nodded and stepped out of line so he could be seen by all.

"What happed to Kurosaki's hollow and materialized zanpakuto? You claimed they appeared outside of his inner world when he regressed to an infant. Have they disappeared as well?"

Tears threatened to burst forth at the mention of Ichigo. He hadn't thought about them since he returned from the World of the Living. He hadn't seen them around, so he assumed they disappeared when Ichigo faded from existence.

"I would assume so, Sir. I can't say that I've thought about it. I have not seen either of them since Ichigo...I have not seen them."

They watched him struggle to hold in the obviously overwhelming emotions assaulting his heart and soul.

"I understand this is a difficult time for you, Captain Kuchiki. Would you please verify as soon as you can?"

Something in Byakuya snapped.

"Difficult?! You think is simply difficult for me?"

The Head Captain opened his eyes fully and looked at his distraught Captain of the Squad Six.

"This is more than difficult, Head Captain. This is painful. This is overbearingly torturous. Ichigo...my little boy...my son is gone. I have lost a great deal in this lifetime. I have lost comrades, friends...a wife. I have nothing now. Difficult? Difficult doesn't even begin to describe how I feel!"

Byakuya looked around at the other officers. They were gaping at him. It was quite a surprise to see and hear the very calm and stoic noble raise his voice and snap at the Head Captain. He couldn't take it. He shook his head and left the room quickly.

Renji and Rukia stared after him, concern etched in their faces. They looked to the Head Captain.

Renji made to cover for his superior, "He's not himself, Sir."

Yamamoto nodded, "How has he been during squad training?"

"Um...well, he hasn't been coming to work. He's been locking himself in his room since he returned from the World of the Living. "

"He looks as though he hasn't slept a wink."

Renji nodded, "Hasn't eaten much either."

"Hmm...this presents as problem. I knew this would be hard on Byakuya, I did not anticipate this level of detachment. He should not be alone. I must insist that the two of you attempt to get him to eat on a more regular basis. If I do not see an improvement in his health, I will send Captain Unohana over immediately. "

"We'll try, Sir."

"Jushiro, would you check in on Kuchiki as well? As his former mentor, he may listen to you."

"As you wish, Head Captain."

Byakuya went straight to his room, ignoring his staff as they tried to stop him or shove food in his face. He just wanted to be alone. He turned the corner and was about to enter his room when a voice froze him in place.

'What the hell are you doing, Kuchiki?'

The noble turned around and looked out into his garden. They had just been discussing this and now here it was.

'Ya look like hell.'

"How are you still here?"

'Who knows. Who cares. The fact of the matter is...I'm here. What are you doing here?'

"I live here, hollow."

'No kidding. You telling me you don't have anything you should be doing? Ya got work don't ya? Noble prissy things to attend to? Family to spend time with?'

Byakuya was angry at its prying into his personal affairs, then deflated at the mention of family, "I have nothing left. Ichigo is gone. I suppose you're happy now?"

Shirosaki ignored Byakuya's dig. He was happy to be free of course, but he was worried about what would happen now without Ichigo. If he truly faded, then how had they survived? No matter how much he talked about killing Ichigo, he would never see his threat through. It was a way to keep Ichigo on task, keep him focused and keep him strong. His job was to support Ichigo. Help him be the person he wanted to be.

'Don't snap at me, Kuchiki. It's not my fault Ichi disappeared, is it? You have plenty in your life. You still got that little runt of a sister and your brown nosing second in command. Don't they mean anything to you?'

Byakuya looked away from the hollow, ashamed that he hadn't thought about the people close to him. They were just as upset that Ichigo was gone, and he'd done nothing but mope in his bedroom.

'Ichi would be disappointed.'

"What are you talking about?"

'Ichi admired you. He thought you were someone to look up to and some to count on. You cared about your family and friends. You were strong and reliable. You are not behaving like the man he admired at all.'

Byakuya stared at the hollow, astonished that it had the courage to scold him.

'How long are you gonna sulk, your highness?'

"Ichigo is gone. Don't you understand? He is not coming back."

'So, you're just going to sulk alone for the rest of your existence?'

"Leave me alone, hollow."

'Shirosaki has a point, Byakuya Kuchiki.'

Byakuya saw Ichigo's materialized zanpakuto walk toward them and stop next to Ichigo's hollow.

'You are not living up to Ichigo's memory.'

"I don't want to live up to his memory. I want him back. I want my son back."

Byakuya sat down heavily on the porch. He wanted his little Ichigo back.

'Oh, give me a break.'

'Shirosaki, you're not helping matters.'

'I don't care! Get a grip, your highness. Ichigo is gone. You got plenty to live for! Stop being a baby! Be a man! Be the man Ichigo looked up to, damnit!'

"Shiro, perhaps it would be easier to convince him to look after himself if you changed your tone. Yelling is not having the desired effect. You want him to take care of himself.'

"You...you're both worried? About me?"

'Of course.'

'I'm not worried about you, Kuchiki. I'm worried about my own sanity. You're driving me nuts with all your sulking.'

'Don't pay any attention to him. Shirosaki is very concerned for you. You were important to Ichigo. What was important to Ichigo is important to Shiro.'

"Aren't you two sad that he's gone?"

'Of course, though we are a bit curious as to how we survived if Ichigo has vanished from existence.'

Byakuya thought about that. If Ichigo had faded, how had his inner hollow and zanpakuto survived without his soul? Another question for Kurotsuchi and Urahara.

"I would like to know the answer to that question myself."

He looked up at the pair. When he looked at Shirosaki, he moved closer and tears welled up in his eyes.

'What the hell are you doing?'

"I'm sorry. You just look so much like, Ichigo. I miss him."

'Well fine, but don't look at me like that! And quit crying!'

The hollow was right. He needed to get a hold of himself. He needed to get back on track, returned to work and surround himself with people that were important to him. Ichigo would be very disappointed indeed.

"You're right."

'What?'

"You're right, hollow. Ichigo would be very disappointed in me for behaving like this. I have neglected Rukia and Renji. I have neglected my work and been a horrible example for the others."

"Yeah, this really isn't what I expected at all."

"Noted, hollow. You don't need to rub it in. I get the point."

'I didn't say anything,' it grinned ear to ear, never more happy in his existence to see that face staring back at him.

"Don't play games, of course you did. Who else would have said it?"

The hollow grinned and Zangetsu just stared and pointed behind the noble. He turned around, his next sentence caught in his throat. Smiling back at him sheepishly, dressed in the black robes of his bankai, was Ichigo. He wasn't back to normal, but clearly teenaged in years. The bright orange hair and soft honey brown eyes were a sight for sore eyes.

Byakuya stood and pulled Ichigo into an embrace. He hugged him tightly, never wanting to let him go. Ichigo hugged the noble back, feeling as much emotion as Byakuya was. He thought he'd been a goner. He never thought he'd be able to see Byakuya or anyone else again. He still wasn't returned to the age he died at, but he was at least in his teens...14 or 15 if he had to guess. He was about the age he was when he first met Byakuya.

"I thought I'd lost you."

"Yeah...me too."

Byakuya cupped the back of Ichigo's head, holding onto the embrace for dear life. Then it hit him. They had to act fast.

"Serra!"

The head servant came rushing around the corner and froze when she saw Ichigo.

"Kurosaki-sama? You're alive?"

"Heh, looks like."

"Save the pleasantries for later. Send a hell butterfly to Urahara Kisuke now. He needs to perform the kido spell on Ichigo immediately."

Once he realized how awkward this all may seem to Ichigo, he stepped back a more respectable distance. He wasn't a little boy anymore. He wouldn't be comfortable with such affection anymore.

"I am happy that you have been returned to us." Byakuya said.

"Me too."

"Well, I suppose you'll want to let your friends know that you're okay. As soon as Urahara performs the spell, you can go do that."

"Byakuya, we need to talk about this."

"It's okay, Kurosaki. It was temporary at best. I'm just glad that you thought you could count on me when you needed it."

Byakuya felt his heart break more, knowing that he'd still lost what he had. Things would go back to normal. Yes, Ichigo would be slightly younger than when he died, but he was closer to normal than ever before and he could take care of himself. He wouldn't need Byakuya anymore.

"I hope you don't think this changes anything."

His head snapped up to look at the boy, "What?"

"You have been there for me in ways I never would have expected of you. You were understanding of what was happening and looked past my mistakes. You took care of me when I was too little to take care of myself and you taught me so much. You let me be myself and you didn't judge me."

"Well, I did my duty..."

"No, you were a father. I'm not saying I love that goat faced moron any less, but you were a wonderful father. I belong here in the soul society now. You're the only family I have here."

Byakuya was speechless. His heart sang. He thought for sure their familial relationship was over. He expected Ichigo to want to live with his friends and their relationship to return to the civil friendship they'd had before.

'It is good to have you back, Ichigo.'

'Yeah, King. Glad you're not dead. '

"Thanks for not causing trouble, Shiro."

'Don't thank me. Had you shown up a moment later, I might've started wailing on the noble just for annoying the crap outta me with all his crying.'

'And that's where we'll take our leave.'

'Not saying anything that isn't true, Zanny. If I had to watch his highness sulk one more day...'

The pair disappeared and returned to Ichigo's inner world. He felt his power restore and relaxed.

"So, do we go back to normal?"

Byakuya hugged him again, then looked at him.

"Never. This experience is the best that could've happened. I finally know what has been missing in my life. I don't intend to let that go without a fight. You are my son now, and my son is never alone."

They smiled fondly at each other.

"Good. Boy am I glad this isn't awkward."

They laughed.

"Nice to see the family reunited."

Urahara walked up to them, Ichigo's friends and Yoruichi close behind him.

"So nice to have you back, Ichi." Urahara clapped him on the shoulder.

"Good to be back, Kisuke. Hey guys."

Orihime shrieked and threw herself at Ichigo, causing him to teeter before regaining his balance. Uryu and Chad smiled and shook his hand.

"ICHIGO!"

Renji, Rukia and several more of Ichigo's friends flash-stepped into the garden.

"You're alive!"

"Yeah."

"It's good to see you, Ichigo."

"Back at ya, Rukia."

"I don't mean to interrupt, but I would prefer we do this before something else happens. Urahara, if you would please."

"Oh, yes of course. We should do this now before you decide to become an old man or something."

Renji sat nearby, watching Urahara like a hawk, "Are you sure this is going to work?"

"Yes. As I told Kuchiki-kun before, I am unable to reverse what is happening to him, but I can put a stop to it," he looked up at his student, "You have not returned to the age you died, but I suppose being a few years younger won't matter much to you."

"No, I'm just glad to be back to almost normal. Switching between ages takes it outta ya."

"Yes, well that rollercoaster ride is about to be over. "

Urahara performed the kido spell and smiled when it was done.

"You are now officially cured...sorta."

"Good enough for me." He stated.

He looked to Byakuya, who nodded in agreement.

"Yes, well, I must be going. Everyone will want to know you are okay. They will expect a visit at some point as well. Believe it or not, Tessai was most unhappy that you vanished."

"I'll make plans to visit as soon as I can."

Urahara clapped the young man on the back and tipped his hat at the Captain. His human friends stayed a while longer, but eventually they too had to leave. It was going to be weird, not being able to see them on a daily basis. Renji and Rukia agreed that they would inform the Head Captain of Ichigo's return, giving Ichigo time to rest.

Byakuya and he walked side by side toward the gardens.

"Are you sure it's still okay that I stay here? I mean, I'm sure Renji won't have a problem with me moving in with him."

"Absolutely not, you belong here." Byakuya said adamantly.

Ichigo grinned, "Cool. I didn't really want to live with him anyway. It's really uncomfortable being around him when he and Rukia are together."

Byakuya whipped his head around, "Forget I said that."

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I half expected them to dance around their feelings a while longer, honestly. Good for them."

"You're not mad?"

"No, but what kind of brother would I be if I didn't give him the third degree?"

"Good point."

"I have already informed the staff about your living here. Your room has been prepared and I believe Serra took the liberty of doing a little decorating to make you feel more at home. Something about going to the World of the Living and getting a few things from your room to spruce things up."

"Nice. I'll have to thank her when I see her," He turned to look at the noble, "I also have to thank you."

"You have already thanked me."

"I feel like I should again. You did so much for me. You put up with my mood swings and emotional outbursts. He dealt with my age differences. I can't even begin to repay you for everything you did."

"You don't have to, Ichigo. This relationship that we have developed is payment enough. I have never be happier in my life than I am now. I have a son. I have someone to love and care for. The void that was making a hole in my heart has been filled. I can't thank you enough for filling that void. "

"We are so sentimental lately." Ichigo chuckled.

"It's worth it."

Ichigo smiled, "So, Byakuya, from this day forth, you are my father. Should I start calling you Dad?"

He nodded, "And you are my son. Now and always."