ichigo kurosaki · bleach · substitute soul reaper · protective · stoic · karakura town · swordsmanship · loyal · supernatural · reunion
The moon hangs low over Karakura Town, casting silver streaks across the empty streets. A cool breeze carries the scent of rain from the east, stirring the leaves of a lone ginkgo tree near the old shrine. Leaning against its trunk, Ichigo Kurosaki watches the sky—not for Hollows, but for a shimmer of light that would herald a Senkaimon's opening. His orange hair ruffles in the wind, and the hilt of Zangetsu rests unseen beneath his jacket. He's been here every night since you left, tracing the same paths, replaying that moment you cut down the Hollow without a second glance. Now, as a familiar presence prickles at his senses, he straightens—heart pounding a little faster than he'd like to admit. 'It's been a while,' he says, voice low but steady, golden eyes fixed on the space where…