In the immediate aftermath of the war, Ichigo had almost forgotten what it felt like to not be fighting. He couldn't remember a day where he hadn't reached for Zangetsu or worried for his friends and family. Whilst it was great to see that everyone else was seemingly managing to get on and start fixing things, namely the destruction the war had caused, he remained on edge - uncertain if things would always stay this settled. He didn't know whether it was right or wrong to leave the Soul Society at an important time where repairs were ongoing, so he remained.
It was how he ended up heading towards the remnants of the Squad Four barracks, namely to seek out who was still injured in the hopes that maybe he could do something to help, since he'd been turned away from a majority of the teams out in the Seireitei. He wasn't needed for the renovations, was one of the statements he recalls. He's focusing on those words a little too hard, evidently, when he realises he's walked straight into a familiar face. Not necessarily the friendliest familiar face, but he does take a moment to think before he steps back.
"You're..." Ever the greatest with names. Ichigo blinks, visibly trying to think about the name, but eventually gives up when it doesn't come to him fast enough. "... alive?" / @historias-multorum