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

Note: This is a sequel of my previous work entitled 'Darkest Side of Me'. It is recommended that you read that first before this one!

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

Bleach: Bonds Beyond Dimensions

Chapter 1: The Head-Captain's Offer

The air above the spiritually enriched zone known as Karakura Town was fairly still and quiet as people went about their businesses. The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting a lazy, dull orange glow over the small urbanised region of Japan, making the golden leaves on the trees look more like bronze. The wind was low, blowing lazily over the cityscape and carrying with it the scents of restaurants as they began preparing for the evening, of cars as they crawled throughout the gridlocked streets, and of the aroma of autumn which hung thick in the air. All seemed quiet in the World of the Living, but that all changed when a cloud of smoke kicked up in the park, startling the people walking there with their friends and families. No one could see the cause, nor could they see or hear the orange and black haired people running into the area.

"Damn hollow," the orange-haired man growled, his sword already in hand. "Bastard doesn't want to quit!"

"Stay on your toes, Ichigo!" The young man turned to his partner and nodded.

"I know that, Rukia," he replied.

The hollow reared up and swung its scythe-like arm at a young soul as it ran from the beast, missing by inches. The creature backed up and tried again as the soul tripped, falling over and making it impossible to escape the second attack. The bladed arm swung in close to the soul, but it met another blade, that of Zangetsu as Ichigo intercepted.

"Stay behind me, kid," he told the young soul, who simply nodded, too startled to reply verbally. "Now, Rukia!"

"Hado 33! Sokatsui!" A blast of blue flames crashed down upon the hollow from Rukia's outstretched hands. It roared in pain and backed away, allowing Ichigo to swing upwards, cleaving the arm off. Rukia turned to her Substitute. "Finish it, Ichigo!"

"Right!" he nodded, channelling his reiatsu into the blade of Zangetsu. A blue aura erupted from the zanpakuto, fiercely lighting up the area. Ichigo roared, reeling back his sword to his right shoulder. "Getsuga Tenshou!"

A disc of blue energy shot outwards as Ichigo swung his zanpakuto. Startled by the attack, the hollow could only watch as the disc pierced its left arm, which it had raised to intercept the strike, and continued through its masked face, blowing through it as if water parting around a boat. The hollow cried out in pain and fury, but it was too late for it as the mask began to turn to black reshi and dissipated, the hollows huge body doing the same as it was cleansed. Ichigo, satisfied that the hollow was dealt with, sealed his zanpakuto and turned to the young soul, who was cowering on the path before him. He smiled softly as he crouched down, his katana in hand at his side.

"It's ok," he informed the soul. "That creature's gone now; it won't harm you."

"Th- thanks, mister," the brown-haired boy smile weakly, shaking a little.

"You know, you should go to Soul Society," Ichigo went on. "If you don't, more of those creatures might try to get you. I don't want you to be scared, that's why I have to perform a konso on you."

"I don't w- want to leave here, though," the boy replied. Ichigo smiled.

"No one wants to at first," he explained. "But the Soul Society is a wonderful place where you can be safe from those monsters and maybe even become a Soul Reaper like me."

"Really?" the boy's eyes lit up.

"Really," Ichigo nodded. The soul seemed to have conceded, so Ichigo pressed the hilt of his zanpakuto gently to the boy's forehead, the glowing end leaving a mark on his head. As the glow began to intensify, Ichigo spoke up once more. "I'm Ichigo, by the way."

"My name is Tomoya," the boy smiled, fading into the glow. "Thanks for saving me, Ichigo."

And then he was gone. A Hell Butterfly fluttered away from where he had been moments before, disappearing into the sky to go to Soul Society. Rukia smiled from her position behind Ichigo as he stood and sheathed his weapon before turning to her.

"That's the last of them," he noted. His spiritual awareness had grown, allowing him to more easily detect the position of hollows and Pluses. "Let's head back home before Kon get me into trouble again." He glared at the thought of the perverse Gikongan running around town and causing trouble in his body. Rukia smirked a little at this as they moved off. She looked at him and smiled.

"I'm impressed at how maturely you did that," she said to him. Ichigo looked at her, confused.

"Did what?" he asked plainly.

"Performed that konso," Rukia amended. "You made that soul feel more comfortable with the way things were going to be and helped him understand why he had to go. It was very mature."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Ichigo shrugged, turning away from Rukia and facing forwards as they walked. A gentle silence passed over them, then Ichigo spoke again. "When are we going to Soul Society?"

Rukia thought for a moment; it had been just over a week since Ichigo had regained his control over his hollow, and he seemed strong and stable enough to travel to Seireitei as the Head-Captain had ordered. She shrugged, putting the thought of her encounters with the hollow on that night aside quickly.

"We are still waiting to receive word from the Head-Captain," she replied. "I'm not really sure how much longer it will be, but I'm certain he will send news to us soon." Ichigo simply nodded.

"Alright then," he responded. They neared the Kurosaki Clinic, when they heard a light tinkling of bells. "What the hell was that?"

A small light shone in the air a few feet from them, closing behind the small insectoid figure of a Hell Butterfly appeared. Ichigo frowned at the insect as it flew closer, before it then landed on Rukia's outstretched finger. Suddenly, a voice filled both of their ears.

"This is a message for the Substitute Soul Reaper, Kurosaki Ichigo, and Squad Thirteen Fukutaicho, Kuchiki Rukia. At the request of Yamamoto-soutaicho, you are hereby summoned to Seireitei. Kuchiki-fukutaicho is ordered to bring Kurosaki Ichigo to the Squad One barracks immediately. That is all."

The butterfly tilted its wings slightly, as if enjoying the moments peace, before taking flight once more and disappearing from sight. Ichigo sighed.

"Man," he muttered. "That telepathy is a real mind-screw."

Rukia rolled her eyes and chuckled lightly.

"Come on, you big baby," she teased, drawing her zanpakuto and thrusting it into the air. The blade vanished into an invisible shroud. "Now, unlock!" The zanpakuto twisted ninety degrees in its wielder's hand and the Senkaimon slid open for them. Two Hell Butterflies came out to greet them, linking onto their reiatsu singnatures to guide them through the Dongai Precipice. "If we hurry, there's something I want to show you before you see Yamamoto-soutaicho." Ichigo smirked and scoffed.

"I don't know," he mocked as they entered the gateway, strolling at a leisurely pace. "Is it a good idea to keep Jii-san waiting?" Rukia's fist came swiftly into contact with Ichigo's head at this comment. "Ow! What the hell, Rukia?"

"Don't refer to the strongest Soul Reaper in Seireitei so callously, baka!" she barked, fuming. "Remember to be respectful while in Yamamoto-soutaicho's presence." Ichigo snorted a little and looked away from the short Lieutenant.

"You don't have to remind me," he replied, rubbing his sore head. "It's not like I'd ever call him that to his face."

Rukia sighed and looked at Ichigo in her peripheral vision. He seemed to be sulking that she had hit him for his loose language, but he appeared more mature despite this. In the week it had been since his hollow went berserk, Ichigo had been at the Urahara Shoten helping repair the shop which had been damaged in the conflict. His mature attitude towards the consequences of his actions also impressed Rukia, despite his childish manner of sulking as he was now when she berated or smote him. Pushing aside her Substitute's maturity before it turned into thoughts less than savoury for her liking, especially considering her current duty, Rukia nudged Ichigo gently and grinned as he turned to her.

"I bet you aren't as fast as me," she grinned, disappearing a a burst of Shunpo. Ichigo grinned, a determined look on his face.

"We'll see about that!" he yelled, taking off into a run and focussing his reiryoku into his legs and forcing himself forward faster. Finally, his Shunpo took hold and he flash-stepped up to Rukia with ease. "What was that about being faster?" Rukia smriked.

"That was nothing," she replied cockily, taking off again, but Ichigo was hot on her heels, catching up in no time.

Again she vanished in a burst of Shunpo, and Ichigo was growing bored of his game of cat-and-mouse. He took off after her, this time grabbing her Lieutenant's armband and untying it from her arm. As soon as it came free, despite Rukia's protests for him to return it to her, Ichigo vanished again, utilising his higher stockpile of reiryoku and higher speed to reach the end of the passage first. He grinned at first, then realised they had not come out of the main Senkaimon and stopped short.

"What the-" He was cut off by Rukia's foot in his back. The surprise attack knocked him onto his face, much to Rukia's amusement as she reclaimed her armband. Ichigo grinned up at her. "Told you I was faster." Rukia snorted a little, trying to hide a laugh, then composed herself.

"Whatever, strawberry," she grinned. Ichigo rolled his eyes, not even trying to argue the matter of his name with her.

"So," he said as he stood, dusting off his Shikakusho. "Where exactly are we?"

"The Thirteenth's barracks, of course," Rukia replied. She led the way down a fenced off stone path. "I said I had something to show you, so I just brought us to the Squad's Senkaimon to speed things up."

Ichigo nodded silently, following her. He looked out at the well-kept grass and short trees on either side of the path beyond the fences, noting how everything was clean and kept in pristine condition. Abruptly, a pair of Soul Reapers holding a staff each stopped them. The men were a bit taller than Rukia, bearing the standard uniform of a Soul Reaper each, and the staffs they wielded had a twin-pronged end to them, design to restrain but not fight.

"Sorry, miss," the first one said, a man with fairly dark skin and black hair. "This area is currently off-limits for today. Come back tomorrow when it is open to the public."

"I am Kuchiki Rukia, Squad Thirteen Fukutaicho," Rukia replied, her tone authoritative. "I have important business to attend to, so I suggest you step aside."

"Look here," the second guard responded agitatedly. He had lighter skin than his friend, but also a stubbly chin and blond hair. "We have orders not to let anyone in here today from our Lieutenant; she was very specific that-"

"Hey, is there a problem?" Ichigo asked, stepping forward. The guards looked up at the orange-haired Substitute and trembled a little.

"K- Kurosaki... Ichigo?" the first guard stuttered. Ichigo frowned at the response.

"I said, is there a problem?" he repeated.

"You see, sir," the second managed. "We have been ordered by the Squad Thirteen Fukutaicho not to allow anyone in to see the shrine today. Sorry to inconvenience you."

"Well, here's the thing," Ichigo smirked. "The person who gave you that order has just asked you to allow her and her friend into these grounds. Surely that overrules your previous orders, right?"

"Ye- yes, I suppose so," the first man nodded. "But, where is you armband, Kuchiki-fukutaicho?"

"This genius stole it in the Dongai," Rukia said sharply, gesturing to Ichigo. "I'll put it on shortly."

"Very well." The guards stepped aside. "Be on your way, Kuchiki-fukutaicho, Kurosaki-san."

Ichigo stopped on the other side of the guards and turned back to them.

"Hey, do me a favour," he said casually. "Just call me Ichigo, okay?"

"As you wish, Ichigo-san," the guards nodded.

Ichigo rolled his eyes, knowing it was the best he would get out of them and heading off behind Rukia, who was wrestling with her armband once more, trying to tie the cloth binding around her petite arm but having trouble with it. After a few minutes of watching her struggle and listening to her muttered curses, Ichigo sighed and stopped her.

"Here," he said simply, moving her left hand to her side and lifting her right to hold the wooden badge in place on her arm. A blush passed over her features as Ichigo's hand brushed her own, but Rukia bit her tongue and said nothing. "Let me do it."

He gently took the two straps and tied them together, tight enough to hold it in place but not too tight as to cut off her circulation. He admired his handy work briefly, making sure the knot would not come undone by mistake. Rukia blushed again as he moved away from her, his hand again brushing hers. She looked away sharply and tried to cover her tracks.

"Baka," she murmured. "I didn't ask for your help."

"I know," he shrugged, hand meshed behind his head as they started walking again. "You never do."

Rukia smiled lightly at this, agreeing silently that he did a lot to help her without ever receiving a word of wanting help. That was just who Ichigo was in her head; selfless and looking out for his friends, ready to help whether they wanted it or not. Finally, they walked into a circular courtyard and Rukia stopped, gesturing to the centre of it. Ichigo looked and felt his jaw hit the ground at what he saw.

Stood upon a white stone pedestal, most likely Sekki Sekki, he presumed, was a bronze statue. The effigy stood at five foot nine, boosted by a further foot by the pedestal, and bore a spitting image of Ichigo's Bankai Shihakusho, wielding what was undeniably Tensa Zangetsu's blade in the right hand, propping the non-bladed edge of the weapon against the statues right shoulder. In the left hand, which lay at the statues side, was a hollow mask bearing two vertical markings over the whole mask. The statues head face slightly to the right, but from their position, Ichigo could easily see that the statue was of him. He stepped closer, noticing the plaque on the front of the pedestal, about halfway up it. He crouched down and began to read the inscription;

'Ichigo Kurosaki: Hero of the Winter War

Dedicated to the memory of his sacrifice to save Karakura Town and Soul Society

Bestowed upon Squad Thirteen by Yamamoto-soutaicho and commissioned by Kuchiki Rukia of Squad Thirteen'

Ichigo turned to Rukia, who had stepped closer to the statue and now stood within a foot behind Ichigo. He was still stunned by this, but managed to ask.

"When did this..." he faltered.

"When did we make this?" Rukia offered. Ichigo nodded. Rukia smiled lightly in the memory. "It was a few months after Aizen was defeated. Everyone had finally healed from the conflict with the Espada, and we had started rebuilding Seireitei. The damage done was great; in fact, we only finished the repairs six months ago." Ichigo was stunned; the battles had mostly not occurred in Seireitei, but obviously the damage extended much further than he had anticipated.

"The thing is that a few officials felt it was not right to honour an outsider who had caused great damages throughout Seireitei prior to the war," Rukia continued. "The Central Forty Six argued that we should forget about you." Ichigo's fists clenched tight, but still Rukia went on. "But Yamamoto-soutaicho was having none of it; he had the Central Forty Six disbanded under the overruling proclamation that at least six Captains and the Head-Captain himself disagreed with their decisions. After that, there was a mourning procession for the dead. At this procession, your memory was honoured, but Renji and I requested Yamamoto-soutaicho's backing to have this shrine built after that."

Ichigo observed Rukia closely with intrigue in his eye. He went to say something, but several people shimmered into sight. Eight people, all wearing the black uniforms and masks of the Stealth Force, had appeared around them.

"What is the meaning of this?" Rukia asked, looking around at the men. A ninth person shimmered into sight, this one wearing a red uniform and a strange backpack, and all nine people took to their knees. Rukia blinked, regarding the ninth person. "What is it?"

"I have a message for you, Kuchiki-fukutaicho," the messenger replied. Rukia blinked, having never received a messenger before. "You are nearby summoned to the Squad One barracks to attend a Captain and Lieutenants meeting. It is requested that you also bring the Substitute Soul Reaper, Kurosaki Ichigo, with you."

"Understood," Rukia nodded curtly. "You may go now." The messenger disappeared, but the Stealth Force stayed put. "What are you orders, Stealth Force?"

"We have been ordered to escort you both," the one nearest the path out of the courtyard replied. This man had a white sash hanging from his left shoulder to right hip, most likely to show his authority. The man looked up at Ichigo briefly, then bowed again. "My name is Takeda Akira, head of the Second Blade division of the Stealth Force. It is an honour to finally meet you, Kurosaki-san."

Ichigo smiled a little at his impromptu fame, but shook his head.

"There's no need to be so formal with me, Akira-san," he replied. "Please, call me Ichigo."

"As you wish, Ichigo-san," Akira nodded. "If you would be so kind as to follow me, we will take you to Squad One now."

Ichigo nodded, following the man with Rukia at his side, wondering why everyone was so insistent on the honorific, even on his first name. The walk was far from awkward, as they patrolled through Seireitei, though Ichigo was becoming unnerved by the shocked stares he was receiving; it was nothing new for him to be stared at, mostly because of his hair, but this was a completely different thing due to his infamy in the city of souls. When they neared the barracks, the Second Blade troops bowed to the pair of them and left in a well-synchronised Shunpo, as was to be expected of the Stealth Force. Ichigo breathed in deeply and calmed himself slightly. He turned to Rukia and smiled softly.

"How do I look?" he asked.

Rukia smirked a little and began to look him over. His Shihakusho was well kept and looked pristine, satisfying Rukia. The newly-acquired bindings on his arms and hands also seemed fine, as did the red cloth holding his sealed zanpakuto in place, and the scabbard holding the zanpakuto also looked fine for the occasion. Rukia's gaze travelled further up Ichigo and noticed that his collar was ruffled, most likely from their little race in the Dongai or when she had kicked him to the ground. She giggled and reached up, not quite able to reach. As if noticing her actions and issue, Ichigo wordlessly came down to one knee, allowing Rukia to fix his collar. His eyes gazed at her face as she worked, bringing a blush to his face. He looked away quickly as she finished.

"There," she smiled at her handiwork as Ichigo stood up. "Now you only look half as bad as usual."

"You're hilarious," Ichigo smirked, rolling his eyes. They turned to the doors of the barracks and Ichigo rapped his knuckles on the large, heavy wooden panels three times. Silence echoed over, and Ichigo became nervous. "You think we got the wrong room?" he asked jokingly just before the doors swung inwards.

Gathered there were the eleven Captains and twelve Lieutenants in the Gotei Thirteen. Rukia hurriedly took her position beside Captain Ukitake, while Ichigo took a few steps into the room until he was level with the Thirteenth and Twelfth Squad Captains, then took a knee and bowed low.

"Welcome, Kurosaki Ichigo," Yamamoto's gruff voice said from the opposite side of the room. "I have summoned you today to personally thank you for your courageous actions in the war against Aizen Sosuke and the Espada. Because of your great sacrifice, Soul Society and the World of the Living are once again safe. Thank you, Kurosaki Ichigo."

"Thank you for your kind words, soutaicho-dono," Ichigo said, bowing lower and keeping his tone respectful. "But I do not deserve such kind words for actions which were second nature to me, and which anyone could have done in my position." Yamamoto observed Ichigo closely, then nodded.

"I see you are more courteous than the stories say," the elderly Captain mentioned. "Now, get on your feet, Kurosaki Ichigo, and step forward." Ichigo raised himself and stepped forward until he was at the centre of the Captains and Lieutenants. "As you may or may not be aware, we are currently missing two Captains, those of the Fifth and Ninth Squads. It was decided, in the event of your powers returning, that it would be decided whether you will make a suitable replacement Captain." Ichigo's eyes widened, but he said nothing, staying in check. "According to customs, a Captain may only be selected in one of three manners," Yamamoto explained. "The first is the successful completion of the Captain Proficiency Test under the observation of three Captains including myself, which is the most customary method. This, however, requires Bankai, making this method limited for selecting new Captains." Ichigo nodded, understanding the lack of Soul Reapers possessing Bankai being a problem.

"The second method," Yamamoto went on. "is considered to be more barbaric, but has been previously used in a few circumstances." Ichigo thought he heard Kenpachi scoff somewhere behind him, but made no effort to turn to him. "It involves a fight to the death with a current Captain in the presence of at least two hundred Squad members. This, however, is no good for finding additional Captains. The final method, and the one which we shall be using today, is the selection by personal recommendation. This entails having the personal backing of at least six current Captains, and the approval of at least three of the remaining five." Ichigo gulped slightly; if three Captains declined his backing, he would not be allowed to become a Captain. "Let us start the proceedings. Who here will vouch for Kurosaki Ichigo to become a Captain?" A brief silence, then someone stepped forward behind Ichigo.

"I will, sir," said a calm voice. Ichigo turned to see Ukitake stood out of rank and facing the Head-Captain. "Ichigo-kun has demonstrated his abilities on numerous occasions, and his power is undoubtedly that of a Captain." He stepped back into rank with this said, only for another to step forward..

"I agree with Jushiro," came Kyoraku's laid-back voice. "Ichigo-kun is definitely a capable person, and I have no doubt he will do the Gotei 13 proud." Yamamoto nodded simply and Kyoraku stepped back, tipping his straw hat to Ichigo as he did. Toshiro stepped forward next.

"Despite his disregard for formalities, Kurosaki has always displayed the traits of a Captain," the prodigy noted. "He will be a valuable asset to the Gotei Thirteen." Captain Komamura stepped forward as Toshiro stepped back into line.

"Kurosaki Ichigo has never given up on what matters," he said openly. "His resolve in the Winter War only proves that he is ready to step up as a Captain."

That's four vouching for me, Ichigo noted as Komamura stepped back. Ukitake-san and Kyoraku-san were almost a given, but I wasn't expecting support from Toshiro and Komamura-san.

"I will also vouch for the boy," Byakuya said, stepping forward. "His resolve and sense of justice have never faltered, as a Captain should be. He lacks certain aspects of Captaincy, but he is a quick learner and will no doubt pick up these aspects."

Ichigo was stunned to have such words come from the stoic noble, but he kept her mouth shut from fear of blurting out something unsavoury.

"Having fought with Ichigo," Renji said, stepping forward. "I can tell that if I can become a Captain, so can he." He turned to Ichigo and grinned. "Don't let me down, kid." With that he stepped back in line while Ichigo bit back a sharp-response to the mocking.

"Very well," Yamamoto nodded. "Of those Captains remaining, which of you believe Kurosaki Ichigo to be worthy of this position? Kurotsuchi-taicho."

"You must be joking," the deranged Captain replied snidely. "As good a test subject as he may be, this baboon is not right for Captaincy. He does not receive my approval."

Dammit, Ichigo thought. If two more Captains doubt me, there is no way I can become a Captain like this.

"I understand," Yamamoto accepted, moving down the Squads to find one which had not vouched for him. "Zaracki-taicho."

"Eh, what can I say?" the Captain shrugged. "He's one of the few people who can beat me in a fight; he has my respect for that. I approve."

"Unohana-taicho."

"I also must commend Kurosaki-san," Unohana replied. "Though I am not sure if he is ready, I think he can become a great Captain. He has my approval as well."

That's it, Ichigo thought. I just need one more vote. There are two Captains left; so long as the next one says yes, I'm in the clear. His eyes drifted to the next Captain, who had been glaring at him since he arrived, and he felt his heart sink. Yeah, I'm screwed.

"Soifon-taicho."

"I respectfully decline," the head of the Stealth Force replied. "This child has flippantly ignored tradition and is not even from Soul Society; I cannot accept such an unworthy person as a Captain, no matter the situation."

"Very well, then." Yamamoto stood from his seat. "Kurosaki Ichigo, in light of these claims, I have decided what to do about your claim..."

Ichigo tensed and waited for the denial to come ringing through his ears, readying himself to leave the barracks in disgrace...

Oh, cliffhanger-ed!

Is that even a term? I don't know, but I went there.

Anyway, sorry for the long-winded first chapter. I hope it was good and sets this story up as a worthy follow-up to Darkest Side of Me (may have set the bar too damned high ^_^' )

For now, let me know what you thought, I'll come back to this when I get a moments, but as I said (somewhere), I have to juggle this with other stories and my real life too.

So, review and I'll see you next time.

Bye :)