Part 11: Fall of the Arrancar Vol. 2, 5-4

Captain Zaraki! Captain Kuchiki! Welcome back, sirs!

We're glad to see your safe return. Tell me, if you don't mind, how did the battle go?

Yeah.

I have to say it was a lousy battle.

Arf! Arf, arf!

Ugh.

What the hell did you come here for?

Dumb dog.

Ichigo.

So, let me ask.

About Aizen. Is it true that he was really rejected by the Hogyoku?

When I battled Aizen, there was nothing but loneliness in that weapon. It's very sad when you think about the implications.

If his powers were superior from the time he was born, perhaps he's been searching all these years for someone he could regard as his equal.

It must have been frustrating at first, and then just depressing.

At some point, he must have given up thinking he would never find such a being.

I imagine he's been wishing, somewhere very deep in his heart, that he could once again become a simple Soul Reaper like the others.

............

Is that Ichigo?

Orihime! Uryu! Rukia! Chad! Renji!

It's really you, right, Ichigo? Your hair has gotten so long, I thought maybe for a minute it was somebody else who was standing there.

Come on now, Orihime. There's no need to cry.

Is my hair that bad? I'll get it cut if that'll help.

Ichigo!

Kh-hah... Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!

............

Ichigo!

Where am I? Hey, wait. Am I home?

Yes.

You've been unconscious for close to a month now, Ichigo.

You've gotta be kidding.

My powers! Are they gone?

Ichigo.

Kisuke told us everything. He said...you've lost all your Soul Reaper powers.

So you already know. Yeah, I guess I can't help it.

I should probably give back the Substitute Soul Reaper pass too.

Soon, all the Spirit Energy you have left will be gone.

I see. I thought so.

Hey, can I go outside?

(I can't sense any spirits. Not a single one.)

(Even Rukia's presence is starting to fade away.)

This is goodbye, Ichigo.

It looks that way.

Hey, there's no use looking so sad, okay?

Even if you won't be able to see me anymore, I'll still be keeping a close eye on you.

Now, that's just great! You spying on me!

And just so you know, I'm not sad, okay?

Rukia, say bye to everyone for me.

Sure.

Goodbye...

...Rukia.

And thank you.