Ichigo and Rukia, Thoughts in the Revolving Sky

Ichigo and Rukia, Thoughts in the Revolving Sky is the one-hundred ninth episode of the Bleach anime.

The aftermath of the battle with the Bount is shown.

Summary
As Ichigo sits next to a resting Rukia, Renji goes up to him and asks if he's healed up, but then remarks that even if someone killed Ichigo he still wouldn't die. Ichigo states that Orihime healed him and Rukia, but Rukia's recovering very slowly. Renji states that it's because Rukia was sent to the Human World just after recovering her reiatsu and notes that it will take some time before she fully recovers. Ichigo then asks if everything else is taken care of and he states that for the most part it is, but the scars from the battle still remains. Ichigo remarks that it appears that the Gotei 13 is finally recognizing the existence of the Bount. Ichigo then states that Kariya wanted to erase the existence of the Bount, but he ironically left a stronger impression on the Bount then ever before.

Renji suddenly yells at Ichigo for thinking he knows everything and he tells Ichigo that it's his fault that the Bount made it into Soul Society, but Ichigo points out that Renji was with him in the Human World when the Bount left so it's also his fault. Renji tries to justify this, but it only ends up causing the two to argue with each other about how strong they are. Ichigo tries to apologize because he's tired and doesn't want to deal with this, but it only fuels Renji's anger more. Byakuya suddenly appears and he scolds them for making such a ruckus. He then tells Ichigo that if his business in Soul Society is done, then he should head back to the Human World immediately since he doesn't belong here. Byakuya then leaves and Renji yells at Ichigo because it’s his fault Byakuya is now mad at him.

Rukia suddenly gets up and tells them to stop arguing and she says that they don't treat the wounded well. Rukia then sits next to the two of them and says that things are peaceful now and Ichigo remarks that he never imagined that he would come back here a second time. Renji sarcastically states that it's because Ichigo can't mind his own business, but Ichigo tells him that he's correct. Renji is surprised by this and Rukia explains that there are no longer any Bount, which means that there's nothing but bitterness. Ichigo states that Kariya knew full well what the history of the Bount were and that he probably couldn't stand to see it repeated again. He states that Kariya must have seen it repeated constantly and that the Bount weren't extending forward, but were instead going around in a never-ending circle. Rukia then reflects on her past.

In a flashback, Rukia is told something and this causes her to believe that she's being reassigned, but Kiyone says that she's simply being stationed somewhere in the Human World. Kiyone and Sentarō suddenly begin arguing until Ukitake enters the room and informs Rukia that she'll be stationed at Karakura Town. Kiyone tries to tell Ukitake that he should rest but he assures her that he's fine. Ukitake then states that even though it's a simple assignment, he thought Rukia might be nervous since this is the first time she is going to be doing something like this, so he wanted to see her off. Rukia thanks him and Ukitake asks Rukia if she informed Byakuya of what she's doing. However, Rukia states that she hadn't since Byakuya wouldn't want to be told something so trivial. Ukitake states that he'll inform Byakuya himself and that they'll see her when she gets back.

In the current time, Rukia thinks to herself that that event was the start of it all and she thought that before meeting Ichigo her future was a line stretching out in front of her infinitely. Renji then begins to have a flashback as well. Renji is shown being promoted to lieutenant of the 6th Division (originally being 6th seat of the 11th Division) and Hinamori congratulates him. Ikkaku remarks that this means Renji is one step closer to reaching Byakuya and he suggests that he let go of Rukia since he's more of an equal to her and that he should go back to his original relationship with her. Kira tells Renji that Rukia's about to leave and that he should hurry up to her before she's gone, but Renji states that he'll surprise her with the fact that he's now a lieutenant when she comes back. As this happens, Rukia is shown heading into Karakura Town.

In the current time, Koga is shown waking up in Ran'Tao's house and he spots Ran'Tao. He mistakes her for Yoshino but Yoruichi, who is also in the room, explains that she's Ran'Tao. Yoruichi states that she snuck Koga here and Koga asks why they saved him. Yoruichi states that she doesn't know why and Koga asks what happened to Kariya, but he's informed that he was killed. Koga states that if the fate of the Bount is to die, then he should accept that fate, but Ran'Tao tells him to at least let his injuries heal. Ran'Tao then states that she has nothing more to do and that she'd just like to hear more about the Bount from the last of its race. Yoruichi states that she's going back to the Human World now and that she's going to leave the rest to Ukitake. Before she leaves though, Koga asks Yoruichi to thank Ichigo for him because he stopped Kariya.

Ichigo finds Kon sneaking around Seireitei and he goes up to him to see what he's doing. Ichigo concludes that Kon was going to sneak into Rukia's room, but Kon claims that he's the only support that she has. However, Ichigo tells him that if he sneaks into a place like this Byakuya will cut him to shreds, but Kon suddenly begins to complain about the fact that he couldn't help out anyone at all. Ichigo decides to take Kon with him and states that the Senkaimon should be open. Kon asks what Rukia's going to do but Ichigo says that since she's injured she'll most likely stay here. Kon states that if this is the case he's going to stay with Rukia, but Ichigo doesn't let him and Kon wishes he had more power.

This causes Ichigo to think about Kariya's quest for power and how it ended up controlling him. Ichigo thinks to himself that what he sought was a turn of fate and he begins having flashbacks to his time in Karakura High School. Ichigo then thinks to himself that the only thing in the world that hasn't changed is his lack of power and he remarks that sometimes the spirits he finds disappear and that the only thing left in their place is a puddle of blood. He states that no matter he strong he becomes, he cannot protect them. In a flashback, Ichigo is shown handing flowers to the Dead Girl and the Dead Girl begins crying and she asks if he could come tomorrow.

In the current time, Ichigo states that his power is to protect others and that's good enough. Ukitake suddenly appears and he asks Ichigo what he was lost in thought with. Ichigo states that he was wondering why Kariya sought power and Ukitake states that it was because the history of the Bount was a closed circle and Kariya tried to break free of that circle. At the Kuchiki Family Manor Rukia wonders if history is just a circle, or if it's a line extending forward and that if it is a circle if they should just accept that or try to change it. At the Senkaimon, everyone is shown to have gathered together and after talking for a bit, they head through the Senkaimon. As this happens, Rukia thanks Ichigo. Meanwhile, in the Human World, a mysterious person heads into Karakura Town.

Shinigami Illustrated Picture Book
Kenpachi and Yachiru arrive back in Seireitei, and he is informed that Kariya was defeated by Ichigo. This causes Kenpachi to decide to go after Ichigo, but he is told by Ikkaku that he already left, and Kenpachi begins to get angry and he decides that he'll kill Ichigo as soon as he sees him again.

Fights
None.

Powers and Techniques used
Shinigami techniques:

Techniques used:
 * (flashback)

Zanpakutō released:

Bankai:
 * (flashback)

Dolls summoned:
 * (flashback)
 * (flashback)