Chapter 11

Previously, Tia P.O.V.

I looked where Ichigo was, but I didn't see anything because of the dust in the air. When it came down I was beyond shocked.

What is that form?

General P.O.V.

When the dust finally fell, everybody present on the battlefield were gawking in utter shock at the silhouette of Ichigo. He had changed.

His robe was now more adjusted to his body, but it wasn't restraining his movements even one bit. The second layer of his coat had changed its color from red to white. His neck was now protected by a high collar. The coat was now unzipped and connected by oblique stripes, making X's on his chest. The forearms were protected by white X shaped protectors. His hands were protected by reinforced black gloves, with white bottoms, and white X's on the back side of a hand.

His Soul Slayer changed as well. Now it was longer, almost No-Dachi size (Japanese version of a two handed sword). It also had three protrusions on the blunt side, and a thin chain attached to the top of the hilt.

The battlefield fell into a very tense silence. Everyone was waiting for someone to make the first move. One could hear the pin drop.

The first one to move was Corsair. He yanked his scythe-hands from Tia's forearms, forcing her to cry in pain. That was the moment that Ichigo disappeared from sight. Not even a second later his foot slammed in Corsair's face, sending him backwards.

'When did he move?!' Thought Swift Claw, dread overtaking him. The amount of Reiatsu he felt was insane. He was wondering how this half-dead boy managed to gain this power. It was simply impossible.

His trail of thinking was interrupted when he saw Scavenger turning his tail and running away. "Come back you bast…." He couldn't finish, as his sixth sense warned him to turn around. In a desperate attempt to protect himself from the oncoming hit, he rose his pliers, but it was futile. Ichigo's sword cut through him like a hot knife through butter, severing him in half. Swift Claw coughed, and spilled a large amount of black blood on the white sand of H.M.. He fell to the ground in two parts, his legs still shaking spasmodically. Ichigo's movement didn't stop, as he glanced at the running Scavenger.

"Getsuga Tensho." The ant-like Vasto Lorde was obliterated in darkness, not leaving even a trace . The last remaining Vasto Lorde saw this and jumped to Tia, pointing his sharp arm to her throat.

"Drop your weapon or the bitch will ge.." Ichigo's blade was now sticking out of the back of Corsair's skull. Before he knew it Corsair was already dead. The last thing he saw were cold brown eyes. When his body slumped to the ground Ichigo turned to a shaking Tia. He opened his mouth, but he was interrupted by stertorous laughter.

"Do…you really...think….that you've...(cough) won?" Swift Claw asked, madness in his eyes. "The…A-Ancients are…(cough)...coming...you pathetic...(cough)…Shinigami. You and….your Arrancar whore are…(cough)…(cough)," Black bloody foam started to come out of corners of his mouth. "are as…good…as dead…hahaha…cough…hahaha!" His laughter suddenly stopped, and his Reiatsu vanished. Ichigo had an unreadable expression on his face when he turned back to Tia.

"Sorry for being late." With that his knees bent under him, and he fell to the ground unconscious.

"Ichigo!" Tia shouted, crawling to him. "Wake up! Please!" When she got no response she felt tears sliding down her cheeks. "Hey you're joking right? There's no way you would die like this?" She felt terror grasping her tightly. "Wake up! God damn it! YOU killed Aizen, you can't die like this. Please don't leave me alone." She whispered the last part. "I have to do something." With inhuman will she managed to pull herself together and stood. Her body felt like it was on fire, all her muscles and tendons screaming in pain. But she ignored it. She had to save him, even when it could cost her her life. She focused her remaining strength and opened a Garganta. She bent and picked his unconscious body, feeling agonizing pain from the additional weight. Walking in a mechanical manner, she entered the bridge between worlds.

The way to the Human World was almost like a dream to her. The path she created was barely sufficient to contain two people. The path was crumbling closely behind them, but she didn't care. It was her turn to save him. She walked forward stubbornly, ignoring her critically low power reserves. After what seemed like an eternity she finally saw the exit. Using every ounce of power she had left, she jumped out of the Garganta and landed on the rocky ground of the Underground Facility. Her legs failed her, and she slumped on the ground. She gently placed Ichigo's head on her lap, and started to stroke his hair.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but she felt a presence approaching them fast. She tried to stand but she was too weak. She only hoped that whoever that was would be an ally. She didn't care if the Shinigami caught her, they would give Ichigo the necessary medical attention. Her vision started to get blurry, but she saw three figures approaching. Not caring who they were she gathered what was left in her and shouted.

"Please! Help him! I beg you!" And with that darkness claimed her.

….

(Later in Urahara's Shop)

Ichigo was slowly coming back to the world of living. How did he know this you ask? The answer was fairly simple. He had a head splitting headache, wanted to puke, and had a slight temperature. He slowly opened his eyes and saw orange.

'Orihime.' He thought, and he was right. The girl was sitting next to him with teary eyes. He looked to the other side of the room, but all he saw was Tia's unconscious face. From the look on it she was in great pain. Like to confirm his words she groaned softly. Ichigo felt a pang of guilt. If he hadn't played with that Cero none of them would be hurt. 'I really have to make it up to her.' He raised his sight and froze. Rukia and Renji were sitting next to Urahara, and were waiting for him to wake up. From the look on their faces they weren't happy. He briefly considered playing dead.

'Let's get it over with.' He fully opened his eyes and looked at the pair of Shinigami. They noticed that he was awake, and various emotions crossed their faces at the same time, relief, confusion, and anger.

'Damn, are they synchronized?' He thought. They noticed Ichigo was looking at them, and their eyes narrowed.

"Ichigo." Rukia started quietly. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING YOU BAKA!" She yelled at top of her lungs, scaring all small animals in a five mile radius.

"Jeez don't shout so loud or my brain will explode." He replied, trying to get over the ringing in his head.

"I'm starting to think that it exploded a long time ago." She deadpanned. She looked at the unconscious Tia, and narrowed her eyes. "And what the hell she is doing here?" She asked, anger in her voice.

"Ehh…sleeping?" That earned him a strangling session from Rukia.

"Rukia-san please stop, he is still wounded." Orihime begged her. Rukia, deaf to her pleas, continued to suffocate the poor boy. Renji tore her from him, holding her in an iron lock. After a few minutes of struggling Rukia finally calmed down. She gestured to Renji to let her down.

"Ok I will ask one more time. What is she doing here?" Ichigo sighed, and summarized the events before his trip to H.M., leaving more...personal stuff out.

"So you're saying that you have been living with a rogue Espada for over month and a half?" Rukia asked with a shocked expression.

"Yep." Confirmed Ichigo, Rukia hung her head, her hair covering her eyes. Renji sensing oncoming doom placed himself behind her, ready to restrain her from committing murder on a higher officer. Surprisingly, Rukia with an unnaturally calm expression, looked at him and asked...

"You know that what you are doing now is treason?"

"Perfectly." He replied

"So you know that the punishment for that is death?"

"Yep."

"Are you retarded?"

"No!" He looked at her like she'd grown a second head.

"You help an enemy, hide her from the S.S., and it's not any random Arrancar but a FREAKING Espada!" Veins started to pop on her forehead. "What rank is she?"

"3rd." He felt like a mouse facing a pissed off hawk. Her eyes grew to a ridiculous size.

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND?!" She was struggling to beat the shit out of him, but Renji was holding her firmly.

"Hey, we let Nel off the hook too…" He started.

"That was different!"

"No it was exactly the same, even the rank." He told her, making her silent.

"Nel was an Espada?" She asked, not believing that no one told her.

"Yes Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck was an Espada, and she was Tia's predecessor." He informed her kindly. Rukia gawked at him shocked.

"But… she fought us!" She tried to argue weakly, and pointing to the unconscious Espada.

"I did as well, and I'm not an enemy to the S.S. anymore." After his words they all sat in heavy silence. Renji looked at Ichigo, and asked...

"So what are you planning to do with her?" Ichigo looked at him, thinking about the answer. He looked at her, not sure what to do with her. He sure had covered for her for at least half of the year, but what next? He could probably help her adjust to human society, until she could stand on her own legs…but deep inside Ichigo did not want her to leave.

"Well… I'll think of something." Yep that wasn't the best answer. The amount of killer intent that was leaking out of Rukia would've made Aizen piss his pants. Before anything happened Tia groaned loudly, and opened her eyes. She looked around her, her eyes briefly pausing on the two Shinigami.

"So our cover was blown?" She asked/stated.

"I'm in the middle of negotiations about that." He replied smiling lightly at her, relieved that she was ok. Inoue and Rukia noticed the way he looked at her, smiled at her, and they didn't like it.

"Erm so since you've woken up, maybe you can answer the previous question. How long do you intend to overuse Ichigo's hospitality?" She barked the question with disdain in her voice. Tia narrowed her eyes at the hostile Shinigami, but the question she asked was…, she mumbled something under her breath.

"Say it again. I didn't hear you clearly." She growled

"I said I don't know. If Ichigo tells me to leave…then I will do so." She looked down, biting her lower lip, and avoiding eye contact with everyone especially with her current "land lord" Ichigo. He was looking at her with a calm face, but inside he was far from calm. He knew that she didn't deserve this kind of treatment. He couldn't believe that almost all of his spiritually aware friends were so prejudiced. He tried to calm down, but Rukia wasn't finished yet.

"OH so you didn't know. And you probably didn't know that the punishment for what he is doing now is death." She took deep breath, and continued her rant. "But even if you knew that, you wouldn't care, and continue being a parasite living on his money. And at the first sight of trouble you would run away and leave him to face consequences." After Rukia's tirade ended the room fell into a shocked silence.

Ichigo looked in horror at Rukia. She just told Tia that out in the open. Urahara's eyes widened, and he felt a pang of sympathy for the Arrancar lady. Inoue was looking at them with wide eyes, and covered her mouth with her hand. She didn't really like Tia, but the reasons were totally different than Rukia's. She would never be so harsh with her, she even pitied her now. Even Renji was looking at Rukia with shock. He didn't have any love loss for Hollows, but from what he saw in the underground, when she begged them to help Ichigo before passing out from her own wounds, made him feel a bit of respect for the blonde Arrancar. However the most shocked person in room was Tia. Because she knew that some of her words were….true.

"I-I-I..." She couldn't even utter a response. She knew that the girl was right about her being a parasite. She lived and ate because of Ichigo's money, not giving anything in return. Worse, she knew that he could die for his actions, and yet she still stayed with him, enjoying a comfortable life.

'I'm so selfish.' She thought, fighting back tears. No, she wouldn't cry and look like damsel that desperately needed help. Still she wouldn't admit it, but she didn't want to leave…for more than one reason.

Ichigo, seeing the emotions crossing her face, was literally boiling. If someone would take his photo right now they could place it under the saying ,,the calm before the storm".

"What? Nothing to say?" Rukia asked smugly. Before Tia could manage to say anything, Ichigo interfered

"Rukia." He said her name, lacking any warmth.

"What?"

"Shut up." The coldness in his voice sent shivers down everyone's spines. Some could swear he got some Hollow tone into it. Rukia was now making the classic gold fish face, opening and closing her mouth dumbly. Before she could form some coherent reply, Ichigo raised his hand to silence her and started.

"Let's get some things straight ok?…The way how, and on who, I spend my money is none of your business. I was the one that convinced her to stay with me, and try to blend in with humans. And she can stay with me as long as she likes." She missed the small smile that Tia gave him.

"But she's a fugitive! You can't hide her!" Rukia shouted, mortified with the stupidity of her friend.

"I remember that not so long ago I was hiding another fugitive in my closet!" Ichigo deadpanned, successfully shutting Rukia up. "And I clearly remember that "fugitive" had also lived with me for almost three months, not paying for food or shelter. Yet not once did I ask her to cover those expenses. Not to mention my death sentence was almost executed by her own brother…several times." He took a deep breath. "I'm disappointed with you Rukia. I thought you were more…open minded." He finished, looking at Rukia with anger.

Once again everyone was silent, looking at Ichigo flabbergasted. Wondering since when he got so…not like Ichigo.

"So since we've cleared that matter up, mind telling us what happened to you?" Urahara asked. Ichigo and Tia summarized everything that had happened since the unfortunate Cero. When they finished, all of their listener's jaws were lying somewhere on the floor.

"You fought s-six VASTO LORDE'S?!" Yelled Renji.

"Yes, but they were split evenly. So it was more three on one most of the time." He told him. "Anyways, Urahara-san I've got a question for you. Who or what are The Ancients?" He asked, looking straight into Urahara's eyes. The shop owner held his gaze, and looked at him without his usual goofiness or playfulness for a second. He was revealing his cold and calculating mind behind blue eyes. He noticed his slip and quickly put his mask on.

"Ara, Ara Ichigo I don't…."

"Urahara-san," Ichgio interrupted him. "if you don't want to, or can't then just say so, but don't lie to me." He said sternly, with an almost commanding tone. Urahara was taken aback by his tone, not believing that little more than year ago this boy came to him asking for help, and now he was almost ordering him! He sighed kids this days…

"Fine, the thing is that this is highly classified information, and only few individuals possess any information about it."

"Are you the one of them?" Asked Ichigo, Urahara shook his head.

"No, I stumbled on this information by accident." Ichgio looked at him, studying his face. 'You are not telling me everything old man.' He thought, but he let it slide, unwillingly thinking about the words that Aizen told him before he died.

Flashback

Ichigo was looking at Aizen's defeated silhouette. He saw the Hōgyoku separating itself from Aizen, and disappear in a flash of purple light. He noticed that Aizen was looking at him. Ichigo knelt beside him, and asked a question he always wanted to ask him...

"Why did you want to become a god?" Aizen looked at him in silence, before smiling slightly.

"Because I wanted to change the world around me." His eyes started to lose focus. "I wanted to get rid of the injustice in the S.S., it's corruption and arrogance." He coughed up some blood, looking desperately at Ichigo. "The Soul Society was built on a lie Ichigo…and the creature that rules it…it's far more disgusting than any Hollow." He said with hate.

"Do you mean the Captain-Commander?" Ichigo asked, thinking what the old man could do to deserve such hatred. Ichgio puzzled when Aizen started to chuckle.

"No... I mean the Soul King." Ichigo's eyes widened. "He is the cancer of Spiritual World, but those fools in the S.S. are to blind to see it…all I wanted to do was get rid of him." He started to cough again, more blood spilled from his mouth.

"Was it worth sacrificing thousands to achieve that? Was it worth it to sacrifice Hinamori?" He asked quietly, expecting some remark of the greater good, or necessary evil, but was shocked when he saw pain on his face.

"I-I couldn't find another way…and I wish I could done something differently….. but if you saw what I had seen, knew what I had known…I was desperate…" He fell silent again for a while. Ichigo lost all hope for him to talk again, he could already feel approaching Reiatsu signatures of his allies and friends. He tried to stand, but Aizen caught his wrist.

"Let me… give you one final warning." Aizen looked at him seriously. "Be wary of the S.S. and it lies. See what is beneath their words, don't let them put a leash on you in one way or another…cough." Aizen was desperate to tell the boy more, but he knew his time is running out.

"Why are you telling me this?" Asked a confused Ichigo.

"Because…Because..." His body was shaken by violent coughs. "You are much more then you think Kurosaki Ichigo." And then he faded into nothingness, the slight smirk never leaving his face.

Flashback End

Present

"Then let me ask one question not directly connected to the Ancients Urahara-san?" Ichigo watched him, waiting for his answer.

"Fine." He answered after a moment.

"Are there any connections between the Soul King and these Ancients?" Urahara's narrowed eyes told him everything.

"'I see….Tia come on we're going home." He helped her to stand. "Rukia, Renji I believe you can keep this as a secret?" He asked looking at them, not as Kurosaki Ichigo, but as Captain Kurosaki Ichigo.

"Y-Yes." They stuttered a reply in unison.

"If anyone finds out I will take all the blame, so don't worry." He added in softer tone. He turned around to leave, but Urahara stopped him.

"Ichigo may I ask why you concluded that there was any connection between the Soul King and the Ancients?"

"Lucky guess." He left the room with smirk, with Tia following him. After they left Urahara sighed.

"I miss the hot-headed obnoxious brat." Urahara pouted. "Now he won't tell me anything." He whined with fake anime tears.

"Since when did he got so…mature?" Rukia wondered. "Do you think that that Arrancar has something to do with it?"

"Yeah, maybe she has him under some spell or something." Renji supported Rukia. Orihime sweat dropped, even for her it was ridiculous…but it could explain few things.

"Hey guys I think that's not the case here…It might be something else…" She hesitated, not sure about her theory.

"Like what?" Asked Rukia.

"I think it might have something to do with Aizen." Renji looked at her like an idiot.

"Well duh, she was his goon!"

"I meant Aizen in person." She corrected herself.

"But he's dead." Renji deadpanned, that earned him a hit from Rukia.

"That is what she meant baka. She thinks that Ichigo feels bad about killing him." Rukia clarified the situation to Renji.

"Ohhh..but why, I mean he was an enemy." He asked, not understating their point of view.

"Listen Renji, Ichigo is human not Shinigami in case you forgot, and he surely has a different look on taking lives than you. Would you prefer for him to be happy and gloat about how he murder him, hmm?" Renji furrowed his eyebrows, getting the point.

"I would not either, and don't forget that Ichigo is only seventeen…he's far too young to shoulder such burdens." Urahara added in a somber voice. "So don't scold him when he shows kindness…even for the enemy. It's his way to cope with situation." He looked at a red and embarrassed Rukia. "Can I have your word that both of you will keep it a secret…for now?"

"Yes." They replied in unison. "But..." Rukia started. "I still don't trust her."

"Me neither." Orihime quickly added.

Urahara smirked inside looking at the two females. 'Lucky bastard…if he played his cards right he could have all three of them.' He thought. "Don't worry I have someone watching them."

"Who?" Asked Inoue.

"Oh just some stray cat." He replied smiling.

With Ichigo and Tia

When they walked outside they noticed it was dark already. Our heroes were walking towards Ichigo's home in a somber mood. To be precise Ichigo was pissed off at Rukia, and Tia was the somber one, looking at the ground avoiding any eye contact. Ichigo made a mental note to try some nasty Kido on Rukia.

"Don't listen to everything that people say." He told her softly.

"No, she was…right. I am living at your expense...like a parasite." She mumbled, still avoiding eye contact.

"Tia…"

"Tomorrow I will go to Urahara-san, and ask him if he can find me some sort of job…And after my first paycheck I will move out…and I will return you all the money you spent on me." She finished, looking even more somber, but she knew that it was right thing to do. Ichigo, on the other hand, was flabbergasted, not believing what he had just heard.

"Tia you don't.."

"No I have to." She interrupted him. "My presence alone is a threat to your family's safety, and because of me you are arguing with your friends…Rukia-san is right." They walked for few minutes in silence

'Hey kingy are ya gonna leave it like that?' His Inner Hollow asked without the usual mocking tone.

'And what the hell am I supposed to do about this? She has made up her mind.' Ichigo replied halfheartedly. Even he was aware that he should do something.

'Maybe tell her that since ya saved her life, she belongs to you, and she don't have any say.' His inner self proposed, content with his ingenious idea. Before Ichigo could shoot down his idea, his second tenant joined the discussion.

'Ichigo what this victim of the over bleaching...'

'HEY!'

'...is saying is that you should persuade her to stay with you.' Zangetsutold him.

'Do you think that she really wants to stay with me?' He asked. Deep inside he still had some doubts about this matter.

'Then let me ask a question: What emotions do you see on her face right now?' Ichigo looked at the walking misery beside him. He could see hurt, sadness, guilt and …longing. He also didn't miss the small glances that she was giving him. Each time she looked away from his now emotionless face, she looked sadder. It was then that Ichigo truly understood what kind of person Tia is.

He noticed that they were in front of his house, as well as the defeated look on Tia's face. He cursed himself from taking so long to make a decision. Tia was about to open the door, when Ichigo finally spoke.

"I don't want you to leave." Tia turned to him surprised, not knowing what to say. "I want you to stay…with me." He looking at her with determination. She felt her face getting warm. Her heart started to get light for a moment, but it was immediately crushed when she recalled her earlier words. She already decided that for his, and his families, sake she should move out.

"But.."

"No buts.." He interrupted her. "I don't give a shit of what other people think or say. I want you to stay." He said this like it was final. Tia's thoughts were now in disarray.

'Why does he want me to stay so badly? Why do I want to stay with him so badly? Is he like this for all his friends, or just me? Wait he let Rukia-san stay too, and she was in similar situation." She felt her hopes for…something fade. She opened her mouth, and then the river of repressed words flew out of it.

"But why do you want me to stay? I'm just a Hollow…Arrancar…your former enemy….There is nothing special about me….I'm just a burden to you…" She finally paused, cursing herself for being stupid. He told her that she could stay, yet she had to question why...

Ichigo was about to open his mouth, when he heard his Inner Hollow calling him a pussy, and "all talk, no action". Ichigo felt something snap inside of him. 'Fuck it.'

He closed the distance between them, and wrapped his arms around her.

"Ichigo what are you..." She was cut off when Ichigo pressed his lips to hers. Ichigo felt her body stiffen, and feared that she would push him off, but instead she relaxed and embraced him tightly. Ichigo leaned and deepened the kiss. His tongue brushing against her teeth asking for permission to enter. Which she gladly gave, and the battle of tongues started.

Each of them tried to gain dominance over the other. Both of them enjoying the struggle, and the warmth of each other. Ichigo suddenly pressed her against the door, and sucked her lower lip, making her moan. He gained the upper hand, and explored her mouth freely, checking every place, and enjoying her taste. Tia not wanting to lose (hey after all she was a predator) slid her hands down and groped his ass. Ichigo yelped quietly in surprise. Tia smirked and slid her tongue inside gaining control. Like Ichigo she checked every part of it. The make out session grew more passionate, making them forget themselves. Now there was just two of them and nothing else. Ichigo hands freely explored her back and sides, but he avoided lower areas…for now. They broke the kiss because the lack of oxygen, but renewed it instantly with even more passion than before. Both of them felt complete now, happy in each other arms. The bliss was short however, as the door suddenly opened, and they lost balance, falling inside the house still kissing.

They looked up and saw Isshin looking at them. At first it was a shocked expression, then it grew into a face-splitting grin that would put Gin to shame. Ichigo and Tia lips parted slowly, but they were still connected to each other by a trail of saliva.

Time for Ichigo seemed to slow. He knew it was coming. Like an unstoppable force of nature in it's primal fury.

"Maaaaaaaaaaaasssaaaaaakkkkkkkkkiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii !" He yelled, waking everyone in a three kilometer radius. "Our son has finally become a man! And will give me many grandchildren!" The river of fake anime tears literally flooded the house.

"Dad shut up! It's 1:00 am!" Karin snapped, walking down the stairs, followed shortly by Yuzu. "Geez Dad I was having such nice a dream."

Both of them stopped abruptly, their jaws hitting the floor when they saw the scene down stairs. Isshin was lying in a pool of his own tears, grinning like a madman, babbling something about: son becoming a man, grandchildren and third daughter. But the real killer was the position they found Ichigo and Tia. Both of them lying on the ground, their lips connected by a strand of saliva. Both of Ichigo's sisters faces went red. Yuzu looked like she was about to faint.

Ichigo had already seen the future. In a minute they will jump all over them, asking incontinent questions, embarrassing them to no ends. Ichigo quickly stood up, and helped Tia to get on her feet. Without any words they literally ran to Ichigo's room.

After the door shut behind them, they sat in awkward silence, letting the gravity of what they'd done sink into their minds. After they managed to gather their courage, (took a while) they spoke.

"Ichigo/Tia." They started in unison. Both blushing and they broke eye contact.

"You first." Offered Ichigo.

"No, you should start." She replied.

"Ladies first." He countered with a faint smile.

"Such a gentleman." She looked at him, and her cheeks took a deep scarlet shade. "Do you really mean everything that you said earlier?"

"Every single word…and action." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. She smiled shyly a bit, looking into his eyes.

"But why me? I'm just…" She was cut off when he kissed her gently.

"The woman I…love is anything but just." He said honestly, placing his hand on top of hers. Tia on the other hand was speechless. 'Did he just say he loved me?' She felt tears of joy gathering in her eyes. Never in her life had she felt so accepted. The tears finally slid down her face. Ichigo, for a moment, felt cold sweat run down his back when he saw her crying, fearing that he screwed up, but was reassured when she hugged him constantly saying two words.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." She repeated, burying her face in his chest. He hugged her back, swaying her slightly.

"Let's go to sleep." They had changed, and Ichigo began to make his bed on the floor when Tia stopped him.

"You don't have to sleep on the floor anymore." He looked at her incredulously.

"You want to sleep with me?" She rolled her eyes 'Men.' She thought.

"I mean it literally, not in THAT way…do you think I'm easy?" She asked, looking at him seriously. Ichigo's jaw hung down.

"N-No of course not. You're anything but that." She raised her eyebrow.

"So you're saying I'm difficult to handle?" Ichigo looked like he was about to have a heart attack. Tia couldn't contain her laughter anymore.

"Sorry, couldn't resist haha .. pulling your chain a little." She said, still chuckling, but stopped when she saw his hurt expression.

"I see…so you think I'm a joke eh? Huh…I guess I will go sleep on couch downstairs." He started to walk towards door with slumped shoulders. Tia feeling a pang of panic, ran to him and hugged him from behind.

"I'm sorry Ichigo…it's just that I like to tease people sometimes…forgive me." She felt him starting to tremble. She released him from the hug, and turned him around, only to see barely contained laughter. When he saw her shocked expression he burst out laughing.

"You should see your face hahaha!" Tia pouted at him, and walked to the bed. She laid there, turning her back to him.

'Damn she's looks so cute when she pouts…Looks like I will have to make her pout more.' He thought with a devilish grin, while walking to the bed.

"I'm not speaking to you." She stated when he laid next to her. He wrapped his arms around her pulling her close.

"Good night." He whispered into her ear. She blushed from the sudden closeness.

"Night."

Outside the House

"Looks like the boy is finally started to grow…I'm gonna have so much fun with him!" The small black creature laughed devilishly.

Ichigo's Mindscape

"I never really thought you had it in you." Zangetsu stated.

"What?" Hichigo asked.

"You helped him to overcome his shyness, and keep the woman with your jackass comments."

"Well that clueless bastard sometimes needs a few pointers, or a push in right direction."Hichigo said without his usual cockiness.

"Does that mean that you will stop trying to dethrone Ichigo?" Hichigo growled at him.

"HA! As if. Now that the bitch is attached to him, it means when I will finally win I will get an additional prize." He grinned lecherously. "In fact now I'm even more motivated to kick his sorry ass."

Zangetsu just face palmed.

"You're an asshole."

"Hey I'm a pure instinct, I'm not supposed to be nice hahaha!"

A/N

Ok that's it. I hope you liked it. If you have any questions don't be shy and ask.

Ok important announcement

# 1: I will make a POLL. Since I'm not certain how to handle this matter I will ask my loyal readers. Who of Ichigo friends (Renji, Rukia, Inoue, Ishida) should get along with Tia. You will get five choices to either get along or not, and I will make the story according to the poll, which will be important in future chapters

# 2: I need some ideas for Ichigo's subordinates in his squad. I will need eight of them. Please send me your ideas in this form.

Name: XX

Age: XX

Zanpakutō: (shikai form and eventual bankai, but do not make them over powered)

Appearance: (be precise please)

Personality: Likes, dislikes, their look on life ect.

So vote and send to me your ideas for his new subordinates, and…Leave your reviews!