1He just wants to chill out, that's it, but he's got a protective younger sister and that can be a problem. Also friends... that can also be a problem... except for Chad.
Story takes place before, during and after the Fullbringer Arc.
The beginning of the end to his quiet smokey haze.
This chapter: Post Fullbringer Arc.
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It was only because Karin had followed him one day without him realizing it that everyone knew he wasn't sneaking off for jobs but to go get high. For 17 months everyone left Ichigo alone, let him do his own thing, that is until he got his powers back. He wouldn't say it's a problem, many kids his age smoke weed it's not that big of a deal. He honestly didn't think much of it those 17 months because it was quite literally one of the only things that managed to help him destress.
Karin has popped out of some bushes on his way back home startling him but he's so stoned all he can do is laugh. His little sister is checking up on him, how nice... he should've known better.
"Karin, you startled me." He has a lazy smile on his face but as he watches his sisters expression his own smile slowly retreats. "You okay?"
Her posture ramrod and her frown was similar to his own. What is it now?
"No, I'm not. You reek of pot, Ichi." Karin folds her arms. "I thought you said you were gonna stop now you had your powers back!"
"Ehhh, don't worry so much Karin, I'm fine." He walks by her and pats her head but she grabs his arm tightly, very tight.
"Karin don't you think you're-" He turns and looks down at bright white hair and angry teal eyes glaring up at him. Holy shit!
"Toshiro, what a surprise." He looks over towards his sister but only catches her back as she is already walking back towards the house... great.
Ichigo can feel the steely glare and he sighs, "Why are you here?"
"Your family is worried about you." The Captain growls out and his hand letting go. "You are going down the wrong road, is this what you want to become, a loser?"
'Loser', well that's a bit much considering everything he's done. He can't help but scoff, he hasn't seen this midget Captain since getting his powers back and he's gonna get a lecture?
Slowly sobering up he looks down at the man. Anger starts to work it's way in and damn it all isn't that just great, the vibes coming from Toshiro dampening his peace, what right does he even have.
"Want to explain to me your relationship with my sister?" He turns and glares turning the subject on what is actually important. "I've seen you two around together don't think I don't know! Just because I couldn't see anyone doesn't mean a damn thing."
Well that was kinda a lie, he only knew because Orihime accidentally said something but that's not the point.
Suddenly the sounds of wavering robes are around him and he quickly turns to see a foot at his face but he's too slow to miss it and he goes flying into a building. The impact knocks the wind out of him and he falls to the ground bent on his forearms and knees, coughing.
"Ughhh..."
"Ichigo!" Freakin Renji. That damn bastard.
"What was that for!" He growls and stands up brushing off his face. Toshiro who was standing next to Renji was muttering something, they weren't even paying attention to him. "Hey!"
"Save it loser, we're here to bring you back to Soul Society for a little bit." Renji turns to him and looks him up and down. "You got your powers back so whats with the 'Woe is me' crap!?"
"Excuse me! I was having a good day until I was ganged up on! And don't change the topic, Toshiro, what-," As he's about to tear into the mini captain arms grab ahold of his own and force them behind his back into a choke hold. Dammit is he gonna get a break today or what, he's too high for this. I mean what is even happening right now, he chuckles then sags against the hold hoping to slip out.
"Ah ah, Ichigo." The silky voice of Yoruichi purs into his ears. "You're gonna come with us quietly."
And that's it, the next thing he knows is he's shoved out of his body and did that feel weird as hell and brought back into Soul Society. He hasn't been back since he had left all those months ago... in fact now that he's thinking about it this is the first time he's been high and pushed out of his body.
The effects don't stay with him unfortunately and he realizes that even the best of weed probably couldn't keep him high in his spirit form. Damn shame... He sighs and mulls over that fact for a minute. He walks behind his group of ... friends...abductors... Renji, Toshiro and Yoruichi had the task of bringing him here but he hasn't found out what for yet.
Toshiro glances behind himself to see the red head trailing behind them giving them space. He remembers the day Ichigo's sister came to him looking stressed.
-5 months ago-
'Why aren't you helping my brother!' She had shouted, hands clenched in fists. 'He's getting doped up almost every night and sometimes he gets into fights, he's gonna get killed one day and no one is doing anything about it!' Not even Isshin, goes unsaid.
Doped up? He asked her to explain and found that he wasn't all that surprised. He had tried telling her there was nothing he could do, and there wasn't, too many responsibilities and then the deal with the Fullbringers.
'I'll go talk to Urahara.' He tries to calm her but that only made her explode even more. The Ex-Captain hadn't been there for the substitute soul reaper either apparently.
'I thought you guys were gonna watch out for him. I thought Ichigo would, would be alright by now.' Karin's eyes glisten and she turns and runs off in anger.
-Present-
"Hey, where we even going?" Ichigo asks not recognizing their direction. "Is this all rebuilt?"
"We are bringing you to rehab." Renji growls but that has Ichigo stopping in his track.
Soul Society even have such a thing?
Yoruichi laughs and slings an arm around him, "Relax, Ichigo, it's a bar, called Rehab."
Oh, he laughs nervously and looks at Renji and Toshiro and wonders if this was a trick. If anyone is shit at lying it's Renji, he turns and stares the man down.
"Oh, really? Then how come I never heard of it before, I thought you guys liked that other place to drink, the one with the bunny lantern lamps." He grumbles staring deep into Renji's eyes.
"Oh stop being dramatic if we wanted you strung up to dry out we would've done it already!" Renji glares. "Why are you smoking anyway, I wouldn't think you're the type."
Ichigo huffs and doesn't answer, "Let's just go get a drink."
"Oh so now you drink! It only took how long?" Yoruichi laughs remembering the old days of Ichigo being shy and hesitant while the Shinigami drank to their hearts content. "My treat, here we are!"
They're in front of a big building not a bar or what looks to be a bar.
"That... doesn't look like a bar." He says and looks over but they're all very serious looking. "That's because it isn't," Toshiro drops the ball. "it is a rehab."
And just like that he's being kicked into the door that suddenly flies open by none other than Unohana. "You sons uh bitcheeesssss!" Ichigo shouts as he's vaulted to the Captain who looks over at Renji who's stifling his laughter.
Unohana grabs his shoulder holding him still. "You will be fine with us, Ichigo, come along."
"Sorry Ichigo, we knew you weren't gonna come along quietly and well," Renji shrugs, "We can hit the bar after you're done here! HAVE FUN!"
"Traitor!" He says meekly as Unohana's grip directs him inside he tries to get away from her grasp but it's pointless he knows.
"Listen, not sure what this is all about but I'm not an addict or anything! This is out of control!" Ichigo can't really be sure what soul reapers thought of him smoking but he didn't think it would warrant this kind of reaction. "My sister has seen me at my worst, she's worried and seems to have brought her concerns to Toshiro, but Unohana shouldn't THAT be the main concern here? I mean what is a captain doing talking to my little sister! I need to go see him now and get to the bottom because I'm not-"
"Ichigo." Ichigo stops his ranting as the pressure around him starts to weigh down, he reluctantly glances up at the woman. "You will be healed here, and it might be better for you to accept that now."
"Uh.. yes ma'am." He will just make a run for it when he gets the chance.