Naberius Heir

by Liam G

Rias Gremory is asked by her brother to care for a human suffering from memory loss. The moment she meets Ichigo Shiba, she knows her life might get interesting in the future with her new roommate. AU. Starts while Rias is in her second year at Kuoh Academy approximately half a year before DxD events.

11. Whole

Disclaimer insert here: I don't own or have ever owned Bleach or High School DxD. Please buy their stuff so they don't go home poor and destitute. Thanks.

All characters belong to their rightful owners, except any OC monsters I make up. As usual an M rating is for future violence, dismemberments, gore, language, very foul language, and of course lemons will be in, but don't expect a ton of them. Again enjoy your time here.

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Response to Reviews Corner 3:

SpecterOfChaos: I will not be using any shikai or bankai in his fight with Riser. You'll have to wait however for the fight to see what he does do. A hint was already given and it does follow the LN now that I remember that part. Been awhile since I glanced at the Baka Tuski translation, because sometimes it drives me nuts at how if flows.

Exanime Draco: Hope you see where his Evil Pieces are going now and why I said all fifteen are going to be used. I know it's cheating, but what the hell, he'll have a kick ass peerage at the end. Wonder if anyone picked up on who one of the surprise pieces might be?

Everyone else, I really liked the thoughts on his Zanpakutō but you'll have to wait and see what I picked.

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Beta and co-creator: Okami Princess, don't forget to include her in your reviews or send a PM to her with your thanks. But don't bother her on plot; she won't answer just like me :)

Also please read AN for any important news or information. Now an important message, this chapter begins the darker aspects of this story, you have been informed. Now on with the show folks.

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"Speech"

'Thoughts'

'Memories'

"Tensa Zangetsu"

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"Thank you Yoruichi."

Amyntas Naberius

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In an alleyway, a stray dog begins to whimper and curl his tail under his belly as it smells the change in the air, it begins running and barking as a strange light fills the early afternoon air. Bluish flames form the outline of a magic circle that flashes briefly and brightly until it fades away. Standing in the middle of the lightly scorched outline are two individuals, one with orange hair and brown eyes, the other auburn hair and brown eyes. Quickly scanning their surroundings, the man places himself between the woman and their surroundings; until he relaxes that they haven't been seen.

"I think we're good Orihime, no one was around when we came through." Ichigo says as he turns to his companion.

Her smile greets him as he looks down at her, stepping back he moves out of the way so she can get her first look of the Greek island. Both teens shift their small backpacks and make their way to the sounds of people coming from around the building they teleported behind. Stepping out from around the corner, the two teens find themselves in the middle of a market area, tourists and locals mingling with each other as they browse the shops. Grabbing her hand, Ichigo guides her onto the sidewalk holding her hand still, looking over his shoulder, he is glad he did as her eyes are looking at everything they are walking by. Turning back, he remembers his uncle's instructions, walk three blocks to the right and look for a coffee shop. The owner was someone that he called a 'mediator', from the snort Merti had given; she didn't think much of this person. She had warned him that morning to keep Orihime as close to him as possible, not to allow them to be separated no matter what.

"King, maybe we should tell her."

'I think so too. Yuzu and Karin would kill me if anything happens to her.'

"I see you forgot to mention Suki-chan."

'Didn't forgot, I know what she would do to me.'

"Orihime."

"Yes Ichigo."

Stopping and pulling her into a small space between shops, he keeps his back to the street. "Listen, Merti warned me about whoever it is I'm supposed to meet is a very questionable character. No matter what happens, don't leave my side. I don't care what happens; we don't leave each other's sights."

Seeing he is serious, the healer agrees by shaking her head. Satisfied, the shinigami-devil steps back out onto the sidewalk and again takes her hand. Keeping her close, the two walk down the block that should have a small coffee shop in the middle of a row of family-owned shops. He almost misses it; it was so small compared to the shops back home and it was only the smell of coffee beans that helps the two teens find the shop. They both give the other a look; both thinking it was sort of creepy how dark the interior of the shop is.

"Keep a hold on me Hime."

"Okay Ichigo." Snaking her arm through his, she lets Ichigo walk them into the dim shop.

"Ah welcome to…" The woman's voice fades as she takes in the two teens, both foreigners judging by their clothes.

However what puts the woman, Zera Argyros, on edge is the power from the young male adult. Her gift of reading auras had given her quite an advantage to earn a few 'extra fees' from those foolish enough to seek her help in taking them to see the local deity. The young adult female is also no stranger to power, although hers is warm and soft compared to his, but it was something she had never felt before, his she knew was devil in nature, but it was hiding something else. Shaking her head, she begins again.

"Welcome to Menos Café. I am Zera, the proprietor."

The two stare at her for a few moments before the male speaks without a hint of an accent. "I am Ichigo Shiba; this is my…sister Orihime Shiba. I was told I could get directions to speak to the local smithy."

Placing a small bag on the counter near the woman, Ichigo had seen the looks in her eyes when she had studied both him and Orihime intently. What he hadn't been expecting was the slight hint of shock and recognition for a fraction of a second when she looked at him, Orihime she had almost dismissed but she had taken a second look at her. In his mind, Zangetsu was not in a happy mood, telling him something had brushed against their inner-world but nothing more than a feeling he felt from the woman.

"Are we in the right place?" Ichigo says to the woman.

"Ah, forgive me Mr. Shiba; I sometimes have an attention problem. Please would you and your sister take a seat, I'll be right back with some tea."

She watches as the one named Ichigo guides his sister to a table, keeping his back to the wall behind him and her next to him so if anything went wrong, he could easily get her out of harm's way. As she turns her back to them, she can't help but feel a bit jealous of the girl, she wasn't his sister that she was certain of, but she'd soon find out who she was and if he proved interesting, maybe he provide her some 'entertainment' if he was willing.

As Ichigo kept watch on both the woman and the door, his sister tugs on his sleeve; looking over at her questioning face he asks what's wrong.

"When did you learn how to speak Greek?"

"What? I didn't Orihime, just asked if we were in the right place."

"No Ichigo, I didn't understand a word you said just now when you were speaking to her, she understood you, but I didn't."

"Perk of the job King. It must be part of your magic, instant language skills, how else could they travel the world and make contracts."

"Well that's nice to know, I just figured she spoke Japanese. Merti didn't mention it to me that I would have this ability Zangetsu." Not realizing he had spoken out loud enough for Orihime to hear him.

"So do you think…I'll be the same when you reincarnate me Ichigo?"

Ichigo frowns as he looks at Orihime. "Hime are you sure, I mean it, are you really sure of this? Once you do this, there is no going back, no Soul Society, possibly not seeing our friends once they pass on. You will become a devil and a member of my peerage forever Orihime."

"If Tatsuki did it and Chad is going to Ichigo, I can't leave them nor you. If giving up my humanity is the price to pay, I am not afraid, not anymore Ichigo. Ever since you became a shinigami, my life changed with yours, theirs. Besides, after being around the other devils, I don't see them as evil as they told me their ancestors once were. And you haven't changed either Ichigo, so I'm fine with being a part of your peerage."

She blushes red when he pulls her head forward and kisses her forehead before resting his on it. "I want to understand this now Orihime. You are my sister now and I'll protect you always, but being a part of this Clan is going to require you to step into the Skeleton Tower. The place that the damned souls are paying for their earthly sins, I don't want you to change because you will have to become literally one of their jailers, the person who has to oversee their punishments. Do you think you can do it?"

Grabbing his hand as she keeps from looking into his eyes, she admits to him and herself. "It will be hard Ichigo, but…but if they are there, then they must deserve to be there. I know it will take time and maybe I'll never really get used to it, but leaving you, Tatsuki and the twins behind isn't an option anymore for me. Otousan told me once that family is the most important thing to us, so if my family lives in the Underworld then that is where I belong, with you and them."

"You're crazy, you know this?"

Giggling she pulls away as she looks to see the woman approaching their table. "At least the little green men aren't responsible this time."

Soon the woman returns with a tray with a pot and three cups, placing cups in front of the two teens, she pours their first and hers last. Sitting across from them, she motions to the two teens to drink; she watches the one named Ichigo place a hand on top of the girl's cup before sniffing his cup first. After a few seconds he removes his hand and takes a sip first. Nodding to the girl, she begins to drink her own cup.

"Don't trust me Ichigo?" She says with a smile.

Grinning back at her, he shakes her with his next comment. "Merti said you might do something rash, so I had to make sure."

"Merti sent you? That's a name I haven't heard in decades. What were you going to accomplish by simply sniffing my tea if I may ask?"

Tapping his nose, he answers her. "You'd be surprised by this, I can smell that you aren't human completely, I can also smell the sea strongly in you, so I'm guessing mermaid or some other water dwelling yōkai. Merti didn't tell me much other than you are exiled to this island and you are the person that sends Hephaestus his potential clients."

Leaning back, she studies the boy and girl even closer, nodding he was correct, she answers him truthfully. "I am empusa, Nereid and human. My mother was half empusa and half Nereid, my father a powerful psychic from Japan when they met and married. I gained his gift of reading auras, like yours which is somewhat muddled, but you are a devil. She however is something new to me, her power is immense, but it's held back by her nature, a pacifist?"

"My sister's power is beyond what most could even comprehend."

Tapping her hand on the table, she makes a move towards his hand, only for him to move it away quickly. The girl narrows her eyes at Zera's actions and says something in a language she is sure is Asian in origin. Laughing lightly she moves her hand back.

"Your 'sister' is a bit jealous Ichigo. Are you sure she isn't something more to you?"

The air grows heavy around the woman, trapping her to her seat. The girl is frowning at him until he speaks to her again, a red seeps into her cheeks as she snaps her head at the woman, speaking rapidly to him, Zera can feel the air returning to normal. Gasping for air, she beats her chest while staring at the two teens.

"What was that?"

"Don't make assumptions about her again. And to answer you inquiry, she is my adopted sister. Now can we discuss the reason we are here."

Folding her hands, she keeps them flat on the table to keep them from shaking, what ever it was he did, the yōkai blood in her was screaming for her to run, but she had a duty to the old god, so she stilled her fear as she sat at the table.

"My apologies Ichigo. So you wish to see Hephaestus. I can guide you for a price."

"How much?"

She decides to push her luck just one more time despite feeling his power. "Not money Ichigo, I require something more than that. I require some of your life force, you see as I said my mother was a Nereid and empusa, we do feed off of strong souls to help keep us alive. I promise I won't take much."

For a long minute his eyes glaze over as he stares at her, waving her hand in front of his eyes, she turns to the girl and sees she is drinking her tea, not even paying attention.

"When is he going to answer me?"

The girl looks at her in confusion and smiles back at her.

"What don't you…ah, that's right you aren't a devil." Frowning she turns to see a sight that makes her scoot back as fast as she can.

"So you want a piece of our soul do you empusa? Well, I can tell you that's not a good idea, you see, I would have to kill you and before you ask, she's off limits as well, Ichigo would tear you apart for just thinking it. So tell me how much now?"

"What are you?" She holds on to the table to keep from moving.

"Don't you seem curious? Its best you forget about us once you tell us what we need to know and we leave. Safer for you if you did. So what do you say? Do we have a deal?"

Nodding quickly, the boy turns to the girl who yelps at first before blushing when the strange double tremble voice speaks to her. Her smile grows as they speak for a few moments before the girl looks over at Zera expectantly.

"As he said, it would be best to tell us what we need to know and then forget about us." Ichigo says to gain the woman's attention.

"Who, what was that?"

"Forget us, now how do we find Hephaestus?"

Getting up, she walks briskly into her office and grabs paper and a pen, coming back she quickly draws a map with an address and a time.

"At exactly seven fourteen, a symbol will appear, knock twice and step back. Deviate from that and you will have to wait until tomorrow to try again."

"Thanks. Here by the way, Merti said to give this to you when we got what we wanted."

Watching as he places another small sack on the table, she waits until they are just about to leave when she speaks up.

"Ichigo Shiba, what are you really? You aren't just a devil are you? That…other voice was and wasn't yours, but I know from looking at your aura he is a part of you, but what is he?"

"Like he said, just forget us Zera-san, we don't exist."

With that, the man guides the woman out of her coffee shop and disappears quickly within the crowd. Picking up the sack, she walks to the counter and drops it into a safe hidden away.

"So that is Hephaestus's new customer, a very young devil by the feelings I got, don't you think Mom?"

Glancing out the door, the older woman looks at her youngest daughter. "Zeva stay away from him, he's too dangerous."

"I don't think so Mom, I felt his power, while it is pretty dark, and the other voice you heard speaking gave no hints of evil intent, I could sense warmth to his power, and it wrapped itself protectively around the girl as soon as you mention his relationship to her."

"Just be careful Zeva, I know what you are thinking, but don't. I don't think you'll survive this time if you try anything with him and his sister."

"Don't worry Mother, he might be a devil but I know how to get what I want despite the risks."

'That's what I'm afraid of Zeva.' She thinks as her teenage daughter saunters out the door.

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Watching as the girl begins to follow their targets, the first dark-skinned teenager turns to the other.

"What do we do sis?"

"You follow her, I'll follow him. Keep your distance and if anything goes wrong, leave no witnesses."

"I guess this why she wanted us here yesterday huh?"

"She knew what the exile might try, but this is new."

Following behind the older teen from the café, the first young woman dials a number and speaks when it is answered. "He is being followed."

Pausing until the other party finishes, she closes the phone. "Foolish girl, I pray you aren't that stupid."

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Zeva smirks as she watches the two foreigners sit at a semi-secluded spot near the beach, looking at the next table she could see the three of the four locals she had called to help her. Knowing what was going to happen to the orange-haired girl didn't cause her any discomfort, just the price to pay for her to feed. Soon the leader of the small group is standing behind her as she motions to the table.

"I don't care what you do to her, he is mine. Make sure you have two spots dug for them when you're done."

"Of course Zeva. She'll provide us with lots of fun, the boys will be happy with that one."

"I'll call when I'm finished with him."

"Right."

The man leaves to join his friends sitting at the table next to the couple, he keeps his face straight even when the boy sends a glare at him when he was caught checking out her body when he got closer. The girl must have said something as the scowl became a frown before he smiles at her last words to him.

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Ichigo shakes his head after Orihime told him that no 'ordinary' boy would be able to hold her attention, not after being with the likes of Renji, Toshiro and the other shinigami, plus Chad and Uryū, she felt her future love would have to be someone from the afterlife or even a devil. Besides, she knew whoever it would be, had to pass muster with him and their other friends anyways. Getting him to smile, he can't help but feel that his old man made the right decision by bringing her into the Shiba Clan for the sake of the twins.

"Oh, darn it, she forgot our honey Ichigo."

Looking down at their food, he chuckles when he doesn't see any honey. "I'll get you some Orihime, be right back."

Sheepishly pausing as she chews her food, he sends her a smile before getting up and walking to the window they had gotten their food. Just barely seeing her, he stands behind a couple waiting for their order; he glances at his watch and sees that they have plenty of time before they have to head to the address. The place was in an older neighborhood and semi-secluded spot just up a nearby hill overlooking the Aegean Sea. Stepping forward after the other people took their order, he freezes when he feels Orihime's reiatsu spike, turning around, instead of seeing her, a young woman is standing in his way.

"Excuse me." He makes to move past her when her hand grabs his arm.

"Don't worry about her, if you do what I want, she'll be returned to you alive."

"King, don't do anything foolish! If you go off the handle, you will expose us to Soul Society! Just get her somewhere quiet and then we'll show this bitch how she truly fucked up."

Breathing fast and tight to control his anger knowing Zangetsu was right, Soul Society would know he wasn't sealed any longer and come looking for him, his family and friends. Ichigo glares at the woman, who looks somewhat similar to the woman at the café. Stepping into her personal space, he growls out to the older teen.

"If even one hair is out of place, you will suffer unlike anything you can imagine."

Patting his cheek confidently, the woman smirks at him. "Now, now big boy, just follow me and this will be over shortly. As for her, don't worry, they will only hold her to keep you from doing anything stupid to me. Now follow like a good boy, to somewhere a little bit more private."

Following the woman, he grabs his and Orihime's backpacks, plus his last piece of luggage. Tempting as it was to pull the Asauchi out; he listens to the constant stream from Zangetsu to keep calm, Orihime's life depending on him to keep his cool and think clearly. Scanning the narrow alleyway he was currently in, he comes to the conclusion that the buildings on either side were deserted, smirking he rushes the older teen in front of him and pushes her into the first door she just comes even with. Smacking her head on the door frame to daze her, he quickly stifles her screams with his free hand and after dropping the bags and kicking the door shut with his foot, he lifts her by her throat.

"Five seconds, that's all I will give you before I start tearing you apart." His eyes slowly changing as he keeps her lifted off of her feet.

Struggling against the slowly constricting hand, Zeva's eyes begin growing wide in panic as she watches the same thing from earlier, but this time the killing intent is roaring around her.

"Let…go…fool! If...I don't…contact soon…they will…kill her!"

Black and golden eyes narrow as he tightens his grip even more. "Wrong thing to say bitch. Now you are down to four, three, two, and…"

"Stop Ichigo-sama!" Both devil and yōkai half-breed turn to see a dark-skinned teen with sea-blue eyes and black hair glaring at the woman in his grip. "You can't do this Ichigo-sama! She's yōkai, there are rules even we devils must abide by, please! She'll be dealt with but not now. Please Ichigo-sama, let her down."

"Who are you?" Watching the woman slowly take the hat she is wearing off, he sees a too familiar sight.

"I am Nia Mai'ryl, Ichigo-sama. Aunt Merti sent us to watch over you and Orihime-sama; we have been here since yesterday. Please, can you let her down now? My sister is following Orihime-sama as we speak, she will not come to any harm, I promise you."

Dropping the yōkai roughly, Ichigo's hands close tightly until blood seeps from his fists. When his eyes open, he squats in front of the gasping teen. "I don't care what she says, if Orihime has been harmed in any way, and by that, if she has even been touched in a way I deem inappropriate, you will wish your mother never laid eyes on your father."

Slowly reaching into her pocket she brings out a phone. "Let me call them…Omppp!"

Ichigo didn't even see the new arrival move as she punches the girl in her head. Grabbing the phone, she rips it apart.

"What are you doing!?" He screams as he rounds on the elf.

"Keeping Orihime-sama safe Ichigo-sama. She is a mixed-breed yōkai, not a pure-blood, but if she is tied to any crime committed against someone of nobility, her life is forfeit. Orihime-sama is nobility by both the Soul Society and soon the Underworld; she is the sister of Ichigo Kurosaki Shiba Naberius. You. She is a half-breed and one that has been warned already for her previous trespasses. Now that she has been caught red-handed kidnapping and…"

His eyes go wide at the unspoken crime, twisting his chains fly towards the girl only to meet Nia's own.

"PLEASE ICHIGO-SAMA! LET US HANDLE THIS! SHE WILL BE SAFE I PROMISE YOU!"

"Out of my way Nia. She will pay for taking Orihime." Death clear in his voice as his eyes reflects the same threat.

"She will, but not here I swear it! I'll take her or my sister will take her back to my mother and aunt to be dealt with. You have something you have to do before you can return home Ichigo-sama. Now please trust me, I promise no harm will come to your sister."

"Your sister, her name."

"Her name is Kimi."

"How do we find them then?"

Raising her hand, a small swallow appears in her hand. "My familiar can find her in a matter of seconds since we are close."

Scowl in place, he glares at the other woman who is the cause of his growing rage. "I'll trust you for now, but if she is hurt…"

"No need to say anything, I understand. But I have a small request Ichigo-sama."

"What?"

"Aunt Merti says you know kidō." Pointing at their prisoner, she asks. "Can you tie her up?"

An evil smile forms as he raises his hand and points at the shaking teen yōkai. "Bakudō Number Four. Hainawa."

Nia can't help but smirk as she watches the golden chain like magic wraps tightly around the other woman's wrist, and speaks without thinking. "Must come in handy when Rias-sama gets out of line in the bedroom when you're 'playing'."

Rage and anger disappear instantly, even his inner zanpakutō sputters out in disbelief at the off-handed remark from the Elfin teen.

"Are you serious!?" His face covered by his blush.

Smiling as she kneels down by a window, she casts a glance over her shoulder. "Sorry Ichigo-sama, Yoruichi-sensei's teasing must be rubbing off on us."

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Orihime was fidgeting in the car; the four men had grabbed her so quick she didn't even have time to make a sound before they forced her down a set of stairs. A knife in her ribs to help keep her quiet as they lead her to a waiting car. Sitting between the two men in the back seat, she keeps calm knowing that she can't do anything while she is in the open; also she knows Ichigo can find her much more easily now after his powers have changed. Deciding it would be safer not to make any kind of scene, she sits there humming a tune as she watches the landscape passing her by, unaware of the conversation going on around her.

"What's with the girl? She isn't screaming or fighting us at all. Something's not right here Alexis."

"Doesn't matter Etor, Zeva has her boy-toy, we get to have our fun with this one. I'm first this time; you three already had your turns going first before."

"Yeah, what ever. But still, it's creepy. She just got kidnapped and she acts like she is being given a tour. Gotta wonder what's going on in that head of hers?" The third one, Stepon says as he looks back at the girl.

Attis, the driver, swings the car into a driveway as he voices his opinion. "Who cares, just look at her. I bet she's real fresh." The four begin laughing as the pull up to a house.

Opening the door closest to the front of the house, Alexis grabs the auburn haired girl's arm and pulls her out with him. His face shows his puzzlement as she still refuses to utter a sound, even when he roughly pushes her through the front door and up a fight of stairs to a small landing. His three accomplices following close behind them. Opening a bedroom door and shoving her in, she stands a little ways from in front of him, that is when Alexis begins to take his shirt off and points at her to do the same.

She finally reacts when he begins to unbutton his pants; she fists her hands and says something none of them understand. Finally seeing her face and her anger, Alexis feels the rush in him as she knows now what is going to happen to her sinks in. Deciding that if she wants to put up a fight, he'll give her one, he raises his open hand to slap her.

"Koten Zanshun!"

Orihime watches as Tsubaki cuts the rapist's hand off at the wrist, her anger briefly raging when she realizes they weren't going to wait before raping her. She also guesses that these men weren't going to let her live after they were done with what they had planned. Before she and the three other kidnappers can react to her attack, the window behind her explodes inward, showering the room with shrapnel. Thinking its Ichigo, Orihime raises her shield to protect herself; she knows how angry he is probably going to be. But it is brown skin and a black ponytail that she sees first however, as the person that had come through the window wastes next to no effort in subduing the three men before they can even mount a challenge. Standing before Orihime is a teen in a pair of tight black pants and an even tighter tank top, but when she sees the ears, she can't help squealing out.

"You're an Elf!"

Turning around and looking at the sister of the next lord of her Clan, Kimi gaps at her.

"That's the first thing you say to me Orihime-sama, you're an elf?"

"I'm sorry…"

"Kimi Mai'ryl Orihime-sama, I'm here at Aunt Merti's instructions."

Giggling the girl actives her shield and encompasses the elf, removing the few cuts she had gotten from crashing through the window. Kimi sees her eyes look at the bloodied stump of the only man still conscious, groaning as he tries to keep from bleeding out. Seeing the shield drop, she quickly places a hand on the other woman's arm and gently shakes her head.

"Orihime-sama, please don't."

Confusion reigns on the healer's face as she looks at the elfin teen. "Why?"

Sadly looking down at the human man, she answers the teen truthfully. "This may not be the first time they have done this Orihime-sama. Merti will be here soon to decide their fates."

A look of horror crosses the face of the teen as she steps back from the young elfin woman. "I…I don't want them to die Kimi! No…"

"Please stop Orihime-sama. This is out of our hands; Merti is in charge of not only Ichigo-sama's safety but also yours and the others until your training is finished. She has complete discretion in these matters."

A swallow flies through the open window and lands on Kimi's out-stretched hand. Whispering in a language that sounds like music to Orihime, she watches as the bird flies away.

"My sister and Ichigo-sama will be here in a few minutes Orihime-sama; we should wait outside for them."

Nodding sadly, she steps over the man and squeaks when his hand clamps around her ankle. "What did you do to me bitch!?"

Orihime pulls her leg away, unable to understand the man but seeing the anger on his face, she moves away in time for a foot to hit the man in his stomach. The force of the blow pushes the man back almost to the wall before he stops and moans loudly.

"Kimi?"

"I'm sorry you have to witness this Ori…"

"Orihime." The Shun Shun Rikka says to the elf. "Please just Orihime, Kimi."

"I didn't wish to speak to you so familiarly…Orihime, but if Ichigo-sama's scowls whenever anyone does so with him, I shouldn't be surprised by you. Your friends as well?"

"It goes for them too Kimi." She and elf step outside but leave the bedroom door open.

Soon a magic circle forms downstairs and as Orihime turns, she has no time to react when she finds herself in his arms.

"Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Did they touch you? Tell me what they did and I swear they'll pay Hime!"

"Calm…calm down Ichi-nii." She tries to pull away but can't as his hands latch onto her arms and stares into her face. "I wasn't hurt, Kimi saved me."

"Saved her? I barely reacted in time after she blew apart the one fool's hand. Surprising really, Merti said Orihime was gentle, so I was getting ready to break in when she attacked him."

Ichigo snorts then, but relief evident on his face as smirks at the sister. "Hime while not certified, is a black-belt due to Tatsuki's training, so she isn't really defenseless, she just hates hurting people. Something we will talk about when we get back home now."

Three heads snap at him and she over-rides the two sisters. "No we aren't Ichigo! We came here to fix Zangetsu and that's what we are doing. It's not late yet, so we have time to make it there. So no, we are not leaving Ichigo."

Ichigo mouth drops then. "Orihime! Those men were going to…"

Placing a finger on his lips, she gives him a knowing look. "I can guess what they were planning Ichigo, but I knew you would come and all I had to do was hold them off. If I thought anything else, I would have escaped by using Santen Kesshun. But I didn't and it seems Merti had better sense than either of us Ichigo. So what's done is done, now lets get your zanpakutō fixed."

Staring into her brown eyes, he can only shake his head before glancing into the room. Making to step in, he is blocked by both Orihime and Kimi.

"Forgive me…Ichigo, but I will send word to Aunt Merti. You and Orihime should get moving if you are going to make it. Nia will follow behind you and when you get there, she will wait for your return. I'll clean this up and keep watch over that one as well." Pointing at the still bound Zeva.

Looking at the young elf who was clearly a twin to the one who brought him here, except for her violet eyes, he asks as he points. "Did you do that to them?"

Seeing him pointing at the three unconscious men, she nods her answer to him. She yelps when she finds herself in his hug and him thanking her.

"It…it's my duty Ichigo."

Orihime and Nia giggle when the see the darkening cheeks of the other teen. "Ichigo, we should get going."

Pulling away, he nods his head in thanks again and glares at the woman now sitting on the floor. Grabbing their bags and his blank zanpakutō, Ichigo leads the other two down the stairs and out of the house.

Waiting a few minutes, Kimi pulls out her phone and dials her aunt, giving her a quick report; she listens to the other side and closes her phone after giving her goodbye. Shifting until she can see the yōkai teen, she hardens her face as she speaks to bound girl.

"I won't lie to you Zeva Argyros; this will not end well for you. Merti is coming here herself as well as two others; one of them cares deeply for him and his sister. As for the four upstairs, they are forfeit. This isn't the first time, I seen the inside of the closest, even if she didn't. You didn't plan on letting them live did you?"

"What does it matter?" The girl replies.

"It matters because it will determine how much you are made to suffer. I have only one thing to ask? What did you think you were doing going after a devil?"

"His power, I didn't think he was a noble, I only thought he was a servant."

Pinching her nose, she can only sigh at the girl. "Your mother and younger brother are going to be devastated by this Zeva. She paid for her crimes long ago, why did you not learn from her?"

"My mother and brother are weak; all she does is skim from those seeking Hephaestus and he wants to be like our father. Me, I felt his power, I wanted it."

Shaking her head, the elf kneels down in front of the siren. "And that is why you are here now, she knew not to incite him, but you thought yourself better. Now it costs not only your mother, but theirs as well."

Seeing that Zeva couldn't move, Kimi walks back into the bedroom and opens the closet door, the moment she sees the photos, she wishes she hadn't. Kicking the groaning man one more time, this time in the groin, she digs around for a duffle bag or suitcase. Finding a large hiking backpack, she goes back and piles the photos and any drives and discs she sees. Pulling the PC out, she opens it and removes both hard drives before putting it back. The next bedroom has nothing in it and the rest of the house is bare, shows little evidence of being lived in.

'House must be were they bring them, not where they live.'

Soon a magic circle appears and Zeva looks down and sees a much more mature version of the elf in front of her as she leads two other women up the stairs. Merti Longoak stares down at her before saying something to the two women behind her. The shorter one growls lowly, as the other's face remains neutral. Kimi points to the room and the three women step inside, closing the door behind them. Zeva flinches when she hears three quick thumps and then the brief screaming of the last of her associates before it is muted quickly. The door opens and the bound teen watches as the three women clean the blood off of their weapons before tossing the blood-stained shirt back inside the room. Pointing at her, the yōkai girl is harshly lifted to her feet by Kimi and dragged downstairs to the center of the room. Gulping as the magic circle forms under her feet, she swears she sees her mother's tear-stained face looking through a window.

'I guess you were right Mom, I did mess with the wrong devil.'

XXXX

Ichigo looks back when a loud noise echo's through the air; Nia says nothing when he spots the trail of smoke beginning to billow into the sky from the direction they just left. Ichigo glances at her and she just minutely inclines her head to his unspoken question, he pales slightly, however he says nothing in return. Orihime keeps her eyes forward, she knows what may have happened, but doesn't want to look, and his hand grabbing hers ends her doubts. But she can't help looking back when she hears a sound unlike anything she has ever heard before, turning around she along with Ichigo watch as what she has only heard descriptions of, forms above the smoke.

Two large doors chained shut and adorned with two half skeletons whose white bandaged skulls on each of them, their torsos on either door, their arms positioned at an angle to pull the gates open when it is was summoned. On the inside of the opening Gates are two thick ropes with charms attached to them, preventing them from opening fully. The three teens can see the face and left arm, covered in tattoos resembling tribal markings; adorning a large demonic creature that is peeking from behind the Gates, armor plating on its upper arm that is wielding a large blade. The demon skewers something, before pulling it back into Hell with its blade and through the Gates four times, laughing each time it does so. After the forth time, the Gates close and the entire structure cracks and crumbles into nothing.

"Ichigo?"

"It's out of our hands Hime."

Nia speaks up then. "She is still alive Ichigo; punishment for yōkai is different from humans. Varies treaties are in place, so she will be taken back and we will contact the one we deal with. I'm sure Yasaka will deliver justice for her crimes, besides I think she will take your words into account since you had a ' play date' with her daughter."

Ichigo and Orihime both freeze but for different reasons, Ichigo stupefied by her accusations and Orihime's because she thought Ichigo did something he was ashamed of.

"Wha…what the hell are you talking about Nia!? I never dated anyone but Rias dammit!"

"Oh, did you forget your time in Kyoto with your uncle already Ichigo? I'm sure Kunou will be heartbroken you feel that way."

"Ichigo! Did you really cheat on Rias-san!?"

"No I didn't! Rias knows about what happened then! And Kunou is a kid Orihime, I am not some pervert!"

Nia adds just a bit more fuel to the fire. "I understand that yōkai practice polygamy, so if you wait a few years…"

"SHUT UP DAMMIT!"

XXXX

Walking behind the trio, the woman of ageless beauty and grace felt a tug pulling at her lips after watching them dispose of some of the vermin in her brother's town. For far too long the yōkai teen and her human allies prayed upon those seeking to enjoy Lemnos; the yōkai's mother had been forbidden to rein her in after the last incident. The Fates had decided she would not change no matter how many chances she had been given and now her life would be decided by the devils.

'Now to see why that devil is so special.'

XXXX

Ichigo stood before the door, waiting for the symbol to appear before knocking, Orihime standing just behind him while Nia had taken a spot to watch over them from an abandoned barn across from the small hut-like home. At exactly seven fourteen, the symbol appears and Ichigo knocks the required amount and steps back to stand next to his sister. Both wait anxiously for a few moments until they hear the door creaking as it opens. Stepping into the light is a middle-aged woman, slightly hunched with dirty blonde hair and dull grey eyes.

"May I help you young sir, madam?"

Pulling out the scroll and a small bag from his backpack, Ichigo hands the items to the woman, who carefully opens and reads the document. Stepping back inside, she waves for them to follow her inside. Ichigo pulls Orihime slightly behind him as he enters first, Zangetsu increasing his eyesight and hearing to adjust to the darkened interior. The woman never stops and reaches the backdoor and waits for them to stand behind her.

"This way." Before he can ask what is behind the house, he and Orihime both gasp when instead of a darkening sky, the find themselves staring into a brightly lit and hot cavern when the door opens.

"Holy shit!" Orihime blurts out.

Ichigo chuckles at the rare but understandable curse from Orihime as he leads her into the spacious cavern, the sounds of metal on metal ring out loudly from deeper within the place. As they follow the woman, he can see piles of different ores and other materials needed for forging; coal bins, oil and other fluids in large barrels line the walls, some hanging from high above them. Gradually the woman leads them further into what Ichigo can only guess is a complex cave and tunnel system, before they abruptly find themselves in a huge room with a large furnace in the center.

At the anvil is a large man, wearing a worn and heavy leather apron, his arms the size of tree trunks and his legs the same except for one, towards the ankle, Ichigo grimaces at the condition of the skin and lack of muscle surrounding the joint to the foot. Looking over at Orihime, he nods at the affliction and sees her frown as well. The woman that has escorted them, stops before a small table with several chairs and kneels down next to it.

"My lord, you have guests." She places the document and small sack on the table before moving away to another tunnel.

Both teens stand nervously as the huge arm swings rhythmically up and then down with great force, small gusts of air stir the heat and some dust after each strike of the hammer. Looking at each other, Ichigo finally decides to speak to the god.

"'Cuse me, but can my sister at least sit down?"

The arm stops mid-swing. "Of course she may. Sit Orihime Shiba, forgive my lack of manners."

She shoots her adoptive brother a look; he only nods to the simple chair with a wave of his hand. Sitting down, she folds her hands into her lap and looks around the room, while Ichigo moves to stand behind her.

"Ichigo, this place is big." She whispers to him.

"By why is it underground?"

"Because the heat needed for my forge comes from the magma that flows beneath the Mediterranean Sea seafloor Ichigo Naberius. Without it, I am unable to complete my projects, or fix other's weapons such as the zanpakutō you have in your hand. Strange that a devil such as you would carry a weapon of the shinigami, but none the less I am intrigued as to how you came upon such a thing."

"Can I take a seat; it's kinda of a long story to tell." Ichigo feels telling the truth is the only good option, Zangetsu begrudgingly agreeing with him.

Pointing to the other empty seat, Ichigo places his bag next to him and hangs the Asauchi behind him. Taking out two water bottles, he hands one to his slowly sweating sister and opens his to take a drink himself. Seeing their host has yet to turn around, he begins his story.

"I was born to a shinigami father and a Quincy mother who met nearly twenty plus years ago…"

XXXX

Zeva woke up with a mild headache, courtesy of the purple-haired woman the moment she had seen a few of the photos, courtesy of her now deceased associates, the fools had also taped themselves and their victims. Groaning, she sits up and dangles her legs over the side of her bed and sees that she is a plain cell, the door was clear with holes for speaking and a slot to the side in the wall. Getting up, she takes a look around her new residence, her toilet while open to view, did have a few privacy walls that only reach her waist when standing, but enough for when she would be sitting thankfully. Her small shower had only a plastic curtain, and the last thing was small sink next to toilet.

"Well, I guess this home for the short time I'm alive."

"Hey new girl, where are we?"

Looking through her cell door, Zeva can see a tall thin woman across from her, her green hair framing her green eyes and her, what looked like thunderbolts, for eyelashes. She was also wearing the same white short-sleeve shirt and white cotton pants as herself. Zeva also notices numerous seals on her arms as she leans forward on her own cell door.

"You don't know where you are…" Zeva motions to the other woman.

"Name's Candice Catnipp, Quincy. You?"

"Zeva Argyros. I'm a mixed yōkai. And to answer your question, we are currently 'guests' of the Naberius Clan."

"What's that?"

"You don't know who the Naberius are?"

"Never 'eard of 'em. So what are they allies of those fucking shinigami?"

"You're funny Candice. Shinigami. Ancient myths."

Now it was the new girl who gives her an incredulous look as she slowly shifts to a rigid stance. "I don't know where the fuck you been living, but shinigami are very much real. I should know; I've killed a few of them myself. Until that orange-haired freak that is."

"Wait, I thought he was a devil."

"Devil? Wait are we talking about the same person? Yeah high, ugly bright orange hair, shit for eyes and a permanent scowl on his face?" The Quincy describing to Zeva the very same person she tried to kill.

"Yes. Candice, he isn't a shinigami, he is a devil. A pure-blood if he has elfin assassins as his body guards."

"Devil's? Yōkai? Elves? This some kind of joke? That bastard was clearly a shinigami, his zanpakutō however I'll give you was strange, chains instead of a normal blade, but I felt his reiatsu."

Zeva was now the one confused, reiatsu, zanpakutō were terms she never heard of and it clearly shows on her face.

"Zeva right? Shinigami are the so called 'balancers' of souls, fucking bastards though are also pretty fucking xenophobic about things. They massacred my race over a thousand years ago, only a hand full survived including our emperor."

"That isn't quite correct my dear Quincy." Both women turn to see a blonde-haired man leaning against the wall, both knew he wasn't there a few seconds ago.

"Who are you?" Zeva blurts out.

Tilting his hat down to cover his eyes, his voice takes an ominous tone as he speaks. "I will be one of your interrogators; Kisuke Urahara at your service Miss Argyros, Miss Catnipp. We'll be having a few chats with one another over the course of your stay in the Underworld, perhaps longer in Miss Catnipp's case. Not everyday you find out that the Quincy have indeed been hiding, but as to where, now that is the question. But for you Miss Argyros, I'm afraid your time with us will be…shorter."

Zeva backs up from her cell door as the man is joined by a tall figure in a brown cloak, as well as one of the two women that were with Merti at the house. Merti herself stood with the cloaked figure gesturing to Zeva.

"She's the one sister."

Both Candice and Zeva heard the softest and most alluring voice ever reply to the elfin woman. "I shall deal with her first, Kisuke you may ask your questions of the one you call a Quincy. When you are done, I shall gather the information you seek."

"Merti, please open her cell for me." Kisuke places his hat and haori on a hook outside of the Quincy's cell, holding only his cane as he waits.

Candice backs up and looks around for anything she can use for a weapon, even desperately trying to summon her spirit bow, only to find nothing in reach and unable to absorb what little reishi she felt.

"Ara, ara Miss Catnipp; that is the one draw back for your kind isn't it? If you are unable to absorb reishi, it means no spirit weapons. But I am not here to physically harm you, Ichigo would be quite upset if I did that to his prisoner, no my dear, I will simply ask you a few hundred questions."

"Fuck you shinigami! I ain't answering any of your stupid fucking questions, so you might as well get to the torturing! But be warned as soon as my friends find you, you…" She falls over screaming then, as the seals on her arms begin glowing dark red.

Merti enters the cell, standing next to Kisuke; she looks down at the writhing woman. "Those seals not only seal away any powers you possess child, but they are also used to punish you if you displease us. My sister developed that spell herself; she will not tolerate your foul language or threats."

Zeva watches from her own cell, looking at the cloaked figure that has yet to move, she backs up and falls on her rear as the screams from Candice quickly die down. When her fellow prisoner's soft sobs reach her, the cell door fades away and the purple-haired woman enters first, followed by a shorter Asian women with twin braids and a sleeveless white haori, she also sees a the hilt of a sword sticking out from her back, but it's the cloaked woman who holds her true attention. A myth, a legend, someone feared but rarely seen, she is known as Sasha Mai'ryl, younger sister of Merti Longoak. Both had been assassins for the Old Maou Faction before the old goats were defeated and they were set free by Vincent Naberius, upon which both decided to freely serve the Clan ever since.

Pulling back her hood, Sasha looks down at the woman, her clouded white eyes piercing into the soul of the young yōkai shaking as she stares back up at her. Kneeling, she slowly reaches and cups both cheeks of the young woman and smiles sadly as she speaks.

"Zeva Argyros, this will hurt."

Candice covers her ears, trying desperately to keep the inhuman screams from the other cell out of her head. Looking up, she sees Kisuke looking down at her in pity.

'Who the fuck are these people really?'

XXXX

Ichigo wipes his mouth after he ate the last of his meal; their host had called for a brief stop so he and Orihime could eat something after telling the Greek god their life's story over the course of three hours. Taking a drink from his wine glass, Ichigo looks to see Orihime nodding off, her head jerking upwards, trying desperately to stay awake.

"Not much longer Orihime."

"It's okay Ichigo. I'll try and make it."

Turing to the Greek god once more, he asks if he has any questions.

"Just one Ichigo Naberius, what do you plan of using your zanpakutō for?"

"What I've always done Hephaestus, protect my family and friends and guide the plus souls to the other side. I will always perform my shinigami duties even if I am no longer one."

"And when you take over the Skeleton Tower?"

"I will do my duty. I don't want either of my sisters being made to take up Amyntas's place if at all possible; it's for me and me alone to fulfill that role."

Leaning back in his chair, the god looks at the young man, seeing the conviction that Yasaka had told him of. But it was his actions today concerning his adoptive sister that had decided for the master craftsman, that the devil before him was nothing like his ancient forefathers. Kind, gentle to his family, fierce and deadly to his enemies, loyal and sacrificial to his friends from his story, he was a true warrior. Not since his days with the other Greek deities, did he see such a force of nature in one so young, reminding him of both Perseus and Achilles when they were young.

His sister, while not blood, was in his honest opinion truly the purest person he has met in the last thousand years, her smile and laughter could sooth the beast in the young man, her loyalty to him unquestionable, and her love for him genuine, even though it would never be more than familial now. But it was her strange power he wanted to see but he had nothing for her to heal.

But it was the Asauchi in his hand that gave him the most trouble. It was almost complete but he was lacking the key ingredient he needed to help the young devil, and that is why when he spoke to the young man, he did so with complete regret.

"I am sorry Ichigo Naberius, but I can not reforge your weapon. I lack the one thing I need in order to reforge your zanpakutō. If I could I would do so, but the thing you seek isn't within my power to give you."

Before giving either teen a chance to speak, he gets up only to stumbles slightly on his deformed ankle, reaching out to brace himself, he never hits the ground. Looking at what caught him, he finds himself looking into Ichigo's brown orbs.

"You okay Hephaestus?"

"Yes, just an old injury that can't be healed Ichigo. Thank you though and again I'm sorry I can't help you."

The Greek god observes as Ichigo frowns for a brief moment before twisting his head towards his sister as he guides him back to his chair. Settling him down, Ichigo looks at his ankle closer, and touching it a few times. The Greek wants to flinch away, but as the youth gently moves his foot and ankle around, he hears him muttering to himself.

"Zangetsu its fine, we'll find another way."

"No, I'm not giving up you ass."

"Look, let Orihime heal him and we'll go home and find out if there is a plan B from Geta-Boshi."

"Yeah, I'll kick his ass if there isn't one, trust me, I don't want you like this either, but we were both tricked and are paying the same price."

Looking up, he sees the god of craftsmen giving him a concentrated look, Ichigo shrugs his shoulders then. "Zangetsu a bit pissed at me and Geta-Boshi, sorry for that. Had to calm him down and keep him locked up, didn't want him to mess your place up because…fuck would stop yelling at me! Dammit Zangetsu, I promise you a zanpakutō and I'll find one, just give us a few moments to get him healed and we'll be on our way."

"While the gesture is appreciated Ichigo Naberius, this has never yielded to any healer. Please don't worry about me, as I said I can not help, therefore I won't accept any from you in return."

"Ah, you don't understand Hephaestus, look at those eyes." Ichigo watches as the old god does indeed look at the teen woman with him, flinching as he sees sadness in them. "Yeah, that look. Trust me when I say this, just let her try and if she can't we'll get out of your hair. If you don't she'll most likely beg until you do, trust me, she can make stones crack from the pressure according to our friend Tatsuki."

Ichigo stands when Hephaestus reluctantly agrees; standing behind Orihime, Ichigo clasps her shoulder and looks at her. "I know you wanna, so go ahead Orihime-nee."

"Goody! Now please sit still Hephaestus-san, it shouldn't take long."

The God almost jumps when he feels her power spike and the orange dome forms over his ankle. At first nothing happens as the young woman scrutinizes his injury, when one of the points forms into a fairy, his eyes can't keep his surprise out as she speaks to the auburn healer.

"Orihime, it will take more power than you have right now to fix this. I suggest you take some of Ichigo's. Hephaestus-sama this will very likely be a long and painfully healing, we are going to have to rebuild your ankle and foot using Ichigo's reiatsu. I hope you don't mind."

"You can really heal it?" He can't believe the fairy-like spirit's words.

Snorting the young devil rolls his eyes. "I guess seeing is different that hearing, go ahead Hime, take whatever you need, I got loads of it."

"Ah, Ichigo how?"

"Oh, sorry. Momo taught me this." Placing his hand again on her shoulder, he begins transferring his reiatsu into her, similar to Kaidō, his hand glowing green.

"That's will do Orihime, Ichigo don't stop until we are done." Ayame says as she and Shun'ō begin the healing.

Hephaestus looks at his foot when the first of the burning sensation begins, he watches without uttering a sound or word as the skin around his lower leg to his foot begins to disappear. Soon after the veins, muscles, tendons and finally his bones disappear. Glancing at the girl, he can see sweat and intense concentration on her face as she bites her lower lip. Ichigo's hand pulses bright green as he gives her a stronger current of his reiatsu.

Soon he feels the his leg bone extend from the end of his leg, growing each part of his lower leg, ankle and his foot, he then watches in complete fascination as the bones form, thicken and finally stop as new muscles and blood vessels begin to creep down from his leg and covers his newly reconstructed foot. The last thing to happen was a layer of skin that grows rapidly and in less than an hour after she began, he is staring at something he never would have dreamed possible.

"You…healed…me."

He looks up to see Orihime being cradled by Ichigo, he was smiling down at the sleeping woman. Ayame looks at her mistress and turns to the Greek god then.

"It will feel funny for an hour or two, so please stay seated Hephaestus-sama. She will be alright with a little sleep and some food later on. Ichigo, thank you for your help, without it, we couldn't have done that, his injury was very old."

"Yeah, no problem. So Hephaestus, if you don't mind, can you have someone guide us out of here. I'd like to take her home and get her into her bed as soon as I can."

"You don't want anything in return Ichigo? Or her?"

"I know she wouldn't take anything, so we're good."

Looking back down as he flexes his toes, he feels that missing emotion once again boiling in him as he stares at the impossible. That was what he has been missing over the past millennia, desire; an overwhelming desire to create something that would be one-of-a-kind. The two teens before him had healed something that no other deity, witch, or yōkai could, his deformed foot was no longer staring back at him as he sat there looking down. Staring at the young devil in front of him, Hephaestus feels a smile tugging at his face as he watches Ichigo look down at the teen woman in his arms, his face showing fondness and the love of a brother clearly for her in his eyes as he shifted her to a more comfortable position.

Two teens who at fifteen gained the powers that would thrust them into a war they had no right or business being involved with. One being branded a false traitor rather quickly, the other condemned because he did everything to save his friends, his family and his home. Two teens who lost someone precious to them at a young age, struggled to find their place in the world and through their hardships, found each other and others like themselves to become a family. He can only smirk at the sheer idiocy of the Japanese Soul Society's nobles once again, he had heard of their previous erroneous decisions and now standing in front of him is two of their greatest mistakes. Her power alone rivaling many of the gods and goddesses he knew, and the teen who became her brother, he would one day shake the very foundations of all the realms.

It was what they both had in their hearts that awoke his desires again, love for each other and their friends and the willingness to sacrifice without asking for anything in return. He flexes his hands and feels his power increasing slowly, a feeling he hasn't felt since his father ruled the heavens and earth.

"Wait Ichigo. I will reforge your zanpakutō."

"Huh? I thought you couldn't?"

"I couldn't until now. The power I need has to come from my own soul as well. What she did for me has awakened my soul to what it once was. Until this day, I only existed to fix things or make lifeless objects, but because of her, I can pour my heart into my creations once again, your sister Ichigo, gave me a reason to return someone's kindness. All I will need from you is your blood, to add your devil powers to the Asauchi and strengthen it to withstand the power that will flow from you as you age."

"I thought I was already in my prime."

Laughing, the Greek claps a hand on the table then. "You? Already in your prime? Ichigo Naberius, you have no idea how powerful you really will be one day, do you?"

XXXX

Looking at the youthful devil kneeling in front of her, Yasaka lifts an interested eyebrow at the request she has just read. Turning to see her daughter's curious face as she sits near her mother, this her third lesson on dealing with other deities and factions, the yōkai leader smiles at the blush on her young face.

"Tell Lord Naberius I will be more than happy to pass judgment on his prisoner. In fact, I think my daughter and I would like to spend a few days with him, if he is willing to allow it."

"Of course Yasaka-sama, I shall return in an hour's time with his answer."

"One more thing, do you know if Ichigo will be back home in time? I think my daughter would like to see him again."

"I will endeavor to find out. By your leave?"

"Of course, I hope to hear from my old friend soon."

Watching the circle take the messenger away, Kunou looks towards her mother. "Why did the devils ask you to judge this yōkai Mother? I thought the yōkai in charge of the Mediterranean would have final say?"

Standing up and extending her hand, Yasaka nods to her daughter as they walk to their private chambers. "Normally that is what would have happened Kunou, but since Zeva's mother is an exile of my realm, even though she is descended from yōkai immigrants. As well as the fact that Zeva's father was Japanese even though he had married into her mother's family instead. Her daughter did attack a devil that happens to reside in our country; she automatically becomes my problem because of Ichigo-kun's noble status."

Pausing until she saw her daughter nodding she understood, Yasaka continues.

"I'm willing to bet the European Yōkai Council as well as the Mediterranean representative were relieved about that considering which devil clan he is from. It would have turned into a highly embarrassing international incident for them if she was one of theirs, with not only getting the Naberius involved, but the Maou would have to get involved to try to help the European Yōkai Council mediate a mess like that. The Japanese Yōkai Council only has to be notified and they'll most likely let me deal with this myself, while they try to find a way to compensate the victims' families and make a cover story that doesn't expose the supernatural world. The families do deserve closure after all."

"So what are you going to do Mother?"

Frowning as she walks with her daughter. "It depends on the crimes committed Kunou, some are punishable by exiling the offender, and others demand a more…permanent punishment."

XXXX

Rias knew something was wrong the moment she and the rest of the Kuoh Academy students arrived back at the Estate. Merti was waiting per usual, but it was the two other elves that had her and Sōna looking at each other. They had heard of the elf standing in wait with Merti, her cloudy blind eyes and her midnight blue hair identifying her as Sasha Mai'ryl, a Lake Elf who had been a famed assassin during the Civil War and now chief interrogator for the Naberius Clan. One that rumors said could make the dead talk if given enough time.

The younger woman however was someone they had never seen before, but after being introduced to the students, Rias could see the same facial features in her as she stood next to her mother. Kimi Mai'ryl truly did follow in the footsteps of both her Aunt and her mother, Sasha, in the deadly but beautiful category. The elfin teen bowing to the Gremory and Sitri heirs as her name was spoken by her aunt.

"Merti, Sasha-san what is going on?" Rukia asks as she steps forward.

The two older women share a glance before Sasha differs to her older sister. "There was an attempt on both Ichigo and Orihime while they were meeting with my contact. Her daughter had Orihime kidnapped and then tried to blackmail Ichigo for his life force."

The three elves were impressed as were the Cerberus from the combined killing intent radiating from the group. Rias stepping forward was the first to speak.

"And what happened to them Merti? Are they okay, where are they?"

The magical voice of Sasha begins. "They were not harmed Rias-sama, Sōna-sama. Nia, my other daughter who is with Ichigo still, witnessed him taking down his blackmailer, while Kimi had the pleasure of seeing Orihime defend herself quite proficiently as well. As for the offenders, four have been dealt with, while the young yōkai was brought back here to be judged by her own kind. This brings us as to why we are here waiting, to inform you that Yasaka is here, along with her daughter Kunou."

Issei can't help but blurt out his shock. "Dealt with? Does that mean…does that mean they're dead?"

Three sets of eyes stare at him with harden expressions; it is the blind woman who speaks again. "One does not kidnap and attempt to rape the adopted sister of Lord Naberius's great-grandson and expect to live Issei Hyoudou. These are the measures we will be dealing to those that threaten our clan from this day forth. Now that Ichigo and the twins have been found, we will ensure that, that dark day is never repeated. We will not fail Vincent and Kiku a second time."

"But…"

"Issei-kun, please be quiet!" Rias cuts off her pawn.

Her peerage, Sōna's peerage and the shinigami and humans all stare at the crimson princess after hearing how harsh her voice was. She turns to look at her pawn.

"Issei-kun, this is part of our world, your world now that you must come to accept. There will be times that the deaths of those that oppose you can't be avoided, other times that their deaths are used to send a message to your enemies. They just told us that his sister was kidnapped and would have been raped by humans, so I have no sympathy as to what their punishment was. As for the yōkai, I'm sure Yasaka will deliver an acceptable sentence onto her. Listen closer from now on Issei and you will see that this world and the human world is not just black and white, but shades of grey with red as needed."

"Yes Buchou." The pawn says with a hint of anger in it.

Akeno places a hand on his arm and shakes her head at him. 'Let it go.'

Frowning, he barely shakes his head. "Forgive me Buchou."

Staring at him for a minute, she turns around and walks away. Rukia, Momo, Chad and Uryū follow shortly after, as do both peerages except for Issei, who stands there waiting until he is alone with the three elfin assassins. Merti tilts her head as she speaks to him.

"You have something to say Issei-kun?"

"There was no other way? You couldn't have held them for the police or someone to take them? Why did you have to kill them!? Why!?"

He doesn't see the teen elf move, instead finding himself bent over her fist that she had driven into his stomach. Kimi leans down and pulls his head up by his hair.

"What gives us the right Issei-kun? I'll tell what gave us the right to deal with those humans they way we did. I brought back the tapes, their drives, their pictures. I had to watch them, watch what they had done to other human women that had fallen prey to their mistress's murderous lust for life. All of them couples, the men drained of their life, their women, raped repeatedly and then killed. The sea or a shallow hole their final resting place. So Issei-kun, you ask what gave us the right, I think avenging the dead is a good enough reason. Don't judge what we do ever again, your own mistress is a kind devil, but make no mistake, she has the power to destroy those that would bring harm to her own, including you."

She pulls out a handkerchief and hands it to him along with a silver flask. "Wipe your mouth and drink. It will heal your bruises and give you some energy."

Wiping his mouth and taking a swig from the flask, he mutters his thanks to her and then stands on his own. Grimacing, he makes his way out of the dome behind the guide of a young maid who had been summoned by Sasha.

Soon after, Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng join with the three elves in watching the newest devil leave the room, Merti speaks then. "I assume you saw that Yoruichi?"

"I did. Kimi did the right thing though. Unlike Ichigo and Orihime, he has yet to see battles of life and death. He hasn't seen the worst of humanity as we have or seen the greatness that others fight to attain. Maybe after this he will start learning what his place can be in this world."

"I hope so Yoruichi; I truly do, if not he will face a lifetime of disappointments and un-necessary hardships."

XXXX

Orihime stood behind the two men, one a god, one a devil as they stand before a vat of molten metal, his Asauchi having been melted down and now they were about to add the next and last component. Holding out his hand, Ichigo doesn't flinch as the old god slices his hand and then holds it over the metal. He counts out fifteen seconds loudly before his hand is released. Quickly healing it, the auburn haired sister watches in fascination as the metal turns black and then silver before returning to the deep cherry red. Stoking the flames in the furnace, the forger and devil each were pumping separate bellows in turns. After an hour, the Greek god places his hand over the vat and smiles at his helper.

"We are ready to pour Ichigo, help me lift it to the blank."

Nodding his head, Ichigo grabs one side of the super-heated cauldron of melted metal and lifts it at the same time as Hephaestus, as one they move over to a pit of clay and sand. At the command given, they pour the liquid into the pit and when the last of the pour is done, Ichigo steps back.

"How does this work?"

"I will use your description of your old blade as a reference but your blood will determine the final shape." The god replies before he picks up a pair of thongs. Motioning to the two teens, he grabs a rope and begins to pour in a quenching solution, the steam hissing loudly as the liquid begins to flow over the metal. When the air clears sufficiently, he pulls out primitive dark blade-like shape. Walking over to his anvil, he places it down and picks up his heaviest hammer. The first strike sounds loudly as the sparks fly clear across the forge, both Orihime and Ichigo ducking from the flying embers.

"Hime, best stand back some."

"Okay Ichigo." She moves back until she is once again at the table, Ichigo moves closer however.

She watches as the two men speak as the massive god effortlessly lifts and drops the hammer in tune to an unheard rhythm. Soon, Ichigo takes the offered hammer and under the watchful eye of the master, he begins to help forge his soul blade, the symbol of his father's and mother's families. Pulling her knees up, she rests her chin on her knees and stares at him as he hammers out the shape of Zangetsu.

"Orihime-sama, please drink this."

The Shun Shun Rikka wielder swings her head and almost squeaks out when Nia sits besides her and hands her a tall glass of iced water.

The young teen elf points to the same old woman who had brought them here earlier.

"She came and got me a few minutes ago, told me to call home and tell them we will be late. I'm guessing things are going well then Orihime-sama?"

"Ah, you don't have to call me sama or anything Nia-chan."

"As you wish…Orihime."

Taking a drink, the adoptive sister nods to Ichigo and Hephaestus. "They seem to be in their own world Nia-chan, I guess Ichigo is glad Zangetsu will be fixed."

"You have no idea, Hime-chan. Closest way I can describe being without a blade, is that it's kinda like how you guys probably feel being nude in public."

Ichigo and Hephaestus both look over when the two girls fail in stifling their screams when his zanpakutō snuck out to speak to them. Shaking his head, he returns to pounding out the shape that is forming in his mind, his blade not as wide as it had once been in its shikai release and the handle now almost forty seven centimeters in length. His rough blade was only ten centimeters wide at the base before narrowing to a point at the end of the almost one meter long blade. Looking at the man directing him, he points at a section near the base and asks how to create stamps in it.

He hands the hammer back to the god, who sets it down for a smaller one and watches as he meticulously chisels out the marking he asks for with a set of sharp-edged engraving tools, the extra metal going into a scrape pile to be melted down again. Soon the asked for markings begin to take shape starting about five centimeters from where the tsuba would begin, the first is that of a crescent moon, following that is a replica of his mother's Quincy cross, finally it ends with the Shiba and Naberius Clan symbols that finish just before the half-way mark of the narrowing zanpakutō, the long blade ending with a slight upward curve. Soon the hammer stops and they begin the heating process once more.

"Now Ichigo we will begin the fine shaping of Zangetsu, this might take the rest of the night."

"Okay." Turning to see Orihime and Nia still sitting there, he looks at the Greek god. "Is there somewhere they can crash for the night?"

Smiling, Hephaestus claps his hand and to the fascination of the three young adults a silver and gold owl flaps its way into the room. Landing next to Orihime, the owl blinks it metal eyes at her.

"HE'S SO CUTE!" The auburn healer says as she stares at the metal bird.

"His name is Pistós, he is very loyal, hence his name Orihime. He will show you and Nia to a room for you to retire to if you find yourselves needing sleep. All you have to do is ask him to show you and he will. Ichigo and I will be up for the foreseeable time. So feel free to stay or look around, just mind the locked doors, there are things I don't wish to escape."

Nodding her head but never taking her eyes off the bird, she hesitantly touches his feathers and ohh's at how real they feel. Nia watches her in her child-like wonder as the sister of her aunt's lord touches and speaks to the bird as if it was a small child. She sees the two men at the anvil also watching, the Greek leans over and speaks quietly to the devil, who gives him a look of surprise but shakes his head as if he is agreeing to something. Soon the sounds of metal upon metal rings out loudly as the two men take alternating swings with their hammers drawing Nia's attention again. The elfin teen sits there and looks at her phone when it vibrates in her hand, the message she has been waiting for finally arrives.

To: Nia

From: Merti

Understand you are not coming back as scheduled. Take care of them and see to their safety.

Smiling as she closes the phone, Nia can't help the feeling of happiness she feels knowing that her aunt is leaving the safety of Ichigo and Orihime in her hands. Looking up at the sight of his damp orange hair, she sees a glimmer of Kiku in him. To humans, her four hundred years of life might make her old, but in the eyes of elves, she was but a teenager, until now. Now she and her sister would be seen as young women, women who can now serve their lord with honor.

She turns her attention to the hollowfied zanpakutō spirit who has taken a seat near Orihime and watches the young woman as she tickles the owl on his belly. The black sclera looks into her sea-blue eyes with a hint of amusement.

"You have questions Nia-chan?"

"One. Are you a spirit or a weapon?"

"Both. I was born from his soul Nia-chan, but his zanpakutō is my physical form, this." Waving over his body then. "This is just my ability to be outside of his inner-world thanks to him gaining bankai."

"So is he going to get more powerful when he has you in his hands?"

"Right now, he stands in the middle of a sea of reiryoku, when we finally have our blade, it will become an ocean. Between his shinigami, Quincy, hollow and devil bloodlines, he will continue to grow in strength. It will even affect his Evil Pieces."

"What?"

Leaning down to her ear, he had seen Orihime was too engrossed with Pistós to even notice them talking. "Ask your aunt when we get home about his Evil Pieces; she noticed it almost as soon as it happened. As he grows, so will the strength of his peerage. Even the one in Tatsuki will increase."

She moves away with shock in her eyes at the news. "How is that possible?"

"No idea, but I can feel it already as they get closer to finishing, with each blow of the hammers, I can feel it in me that I'm getting stronger. His pieces are changing as well when I feel them, their desires growing."

"His pieces are alive?"

"Sentient? Not really sure, but I know who each piece wants to join with already. Two are quite surprising, even to me. I can't wait to see the look on King's face when he realizes it too. Should be a riot when he makes them into devils."

"Who, who have they chosen Zangetsu?"

He smirks then and shakes his head. "Nope, waiting for the surprise is the thing an assassin like you hates, isn't it Nia?"

"You're a dick Zangetsu." She smiles when he begins laughing, gaining Orihime's attention then.

"Guys?"

"Nothing princess, just me making fun of our elfin bodyguard here."

"I am fine Orihime, but he is right, he is making fun of me right now."

Zangetsu cringes as he faces the look not even his wielder has much immunity against. "Gah! Orihime don't!"

"But Zangetsu." Her mouth pouts slightly and her eyes flutter just enough for him to make his decision easy.

He fades away to escape those puppy dog eyes, leaving a snickering Nia behind with a weapon for her to use in the future.

'Who would have thought he would be afraid of a pair of eyes.' She smiles when Orihime begins telling her about the owl now resting on her shoulder.

XXXX

Yasaka listens as Kunou is retelling her story for the second time since arriving at the Naberius Estate, Venelana Gremory and Akiko Kimura had been their escort to the estate that is home to the famous hot springs of the Naberius Clan. While most of them were located on their lands, only the elite of the Underworld were allowed to use those that where located on the grounds of the Main Estate. Amyntas had told her that once Ichigo and the twins' true identities were made known; those springs would be off-limits to the public until a permanent solution to the Old Maou Faction had been found. She kept a blank face but knew what he had really meant, the complete annihilation of those responsible for his late wife's and his children's deaths.

After being briefed by Sasha and her daughter, she held off going into details about what they had actually learned from the young yōkai half-breed. Even she had limits on what she wanted to know before sitting down at a dinner in the Underworld. Scanning the room, she had to admit that this was one of the most unique dinners she has ever had the privilege of attending. Not only was it the first time that Amyntas had invited her here, but it was because of the other guests in attendance. The humans who were Ichigo's friends from his hometown had been the first unusual fact of the gathering. However it was when she was finally met the shinigami that were his mentors, teachers and friends that she found out how much he had yet to learn from them.

"Yasaka did you talk to Berry-head when he was in Kyoto?" Rukia asks as she passes a dish to Tsubaki.

Smiling, she nods her head in reply. "We have yet to officially meet Kuchiki-san, I knew who he was but I didn't think he was ready then to talk to me."

"Oh, why's that?"

"He was on a 'date' with Kunou, I didn't want my daughter to get jealous of me trying to move in on him."

"Mother! It's wasn't like that, stop teasing!"

Karin who was sitting next to the fledgling Kyuubi snorts in disbelief. "Really? The way you told that story, you make Ichigo out to be a knight or a super man. For instance." Her voice squeaks when she speaks next. "You should have seen how Ichigo-sama just beat-up that purse snatching thief, he was so quick and powerful in his attacks."

"I don't sound like that Karin!" The room politely holds back their laughter, Yuzu placing her hand on the young nine-tails then.

"Ignore Karin, Kunou; she likes to tease everyone, especially those that are Ichigo's admirers."

"Yeah Yuzu, at least I didn't get jealous of Rias oneesan once we found out she was going to be our future sister-in-law."

"Karin!"

"See Kunou, she can't even deny it."

Yuzu sends Rias a sheepishly apologetic look then. "Sorry Rias neesan."

"It's okay Yuzu, but I'm glad we had our bath together and worked things out."

"Me too."

A loud thump is heard from the table that the twin's father had been sitting at, Yoruichi smiling innocently even as her hand rests on the back of the shinigami father's head. Waving everyone off, she politely tells them she thought she saw a spider on him. She then bends down and whispers in the ear of Isshin, a loud grunt is heard next when the were-cat's arm disappears under the table. Karin begins laughing then, Yuzu was looking at her father worriedly until her sister spoke the reason for their dad's discomfort.

"Daddy!"

"Don't worry Yuzu, I'm sure once your brother gets home, he and Isshin will have a talk about it."

The elder Kurosaki begins whining then. "Yoruichi I'm one of your best friends, not my kids."

"Shut up Isshin, you are one of my best friends, but I see you kids as family…" She stops abruptly as the room growing quiet.

"Yoruichi?"

Staring down at her plate, she quietly speaks. "I'm sorry Isshin, I shouldn't have said that."

Placing his hand on her shoulder, the goofy façade gone he speaks loud enough for everyone to hear. "She couldn't have picked anyone better to look after them Yoruichi. I know you have always wanted your own kids, but…but circumstances haven't been in your favor. I don't want you to feel guilty for thinking of them as your own, especially Ichigo. One day the twins will see the same things he does, so no more feeling guilty about what we the adults in this room failed to do."

Fist looking at his twins, then Ichigo's friends and finally Amyntas he continues. "Kisuke and I noticed how close you and he have gotten since he led the 'invasion' to save Rukia. Helped him gain his bankai in three days and gave him the tools needed to fight Byakuya afterwards. The most telling of your feelings for him was when I sentenced my own son to exile; I knew how much you hated what we did. I don't blame you for feeling that we betrayed not only him but those close to him. We all bare some blame for what happened to Ichigo and the others, but they made it because of their own relationships and with some help from us. So yes, I can see why you think of Ichigo as your son and the others as your kids Yoruichi. There is no shame in you saying so."

Every devil in the room looks at the Shihōin princess; tears begin escaping her as Isshin gently pulls her into a hug. Rias however catches the current Watcher of the Gates of Hell looking at Yoruichi in a much different light, after he sees her looking at him, his demeanor changes back to neutral.

'He looked…'

Just then Tatsuki begins convulsing in her chair, her eyes straining from an invisible force that has her. Screaming for help as they are pulling her from her chair; Momo and Kimi begin frantically to hold on to her arms and legs as they start shaking violently.

"What is wrong with Tatsuki!?" Karin screams as she rushes to the older teen.

"Kisuke her devil power is beginning to rise rapidly!" Amyntas says as it begins flooding from the young martial artist.

Kisuke freezes at those words and a slight smirk forms on his lips. "I don't think we have anything to worry about. She'll be fine in a few minutes, just hold her down so she doesn't hurt herself, she isn't in danger."

Now every head turns his way, Tessai is the one that speaks for them. "Boss, are you sure? She looks to be in trouble."

Not even bothering to open his fan, he picks up his saucer and before sipping, he delivers the news to the room.

"It's finished."

XXXX

Hephaestus stretches his arms over his shoulders and rolls his neck to remove long ignored kinks from his muscles. His helper was sitting exhausted in his own chair, staring at the cloth covered blade on the table next to him. Both had found extra energy and drive as the blade seemed to help forge itself in their hands, time had moved quicker than either man had noticed, only the two heads now using the other table as a pillow indicate how much time has passed then. Soon the white copy of the devil appears as he too begins staring at the covered blade. Turning he gives his wielder a look.

"Give me a few minutes Zangetsu, I know you want too just as much as me, but my arms feel like jelly. Let me rest and then I'll wake Orihime and see if she'll heal us."

"It's not just that Ichigo, well mostly that but I need to tell you something first."

"Yeah and what would that be?"

"Our bankai has changed, radically. I'm not sure how but when you see it you'll understand."

"Any other surprises in store for me oh spirit of joyful tidings?"

"Yes, but now I'm not telling ya, that one I'll let surprise you since you want to be an ass."

"Look sorry okay, just worn out and I want to soak in a nice hot bath for a few hours, can ya blame me?"

Snorting, the zanpakutō flips him off anyways. "Sorry King, but I'm sticking to my threat this time. But a bit of good news though. It will hold."

Sitting straight up, Ichigo looks at the weapon peeking out from the brown cloth. "Then all we have to do is…"

"That's it Ichigo."

"Ichigo sit, I'll have someone bring us a special meal to eat, it will restore you enough so Orihime doesn't have to use as much of her power to finish healing your muscles."

"Thanks." Ichigo sits back with a sigh.

The Greek god takes a sit opposite of him and extends his hand towards the young devil, chuckling at the look from the young devil. "I do believe it's called a hand shake Ichigo."

"I know but why are you thanking me, Orihime is the one that healed you."

"I think when you and I are done, I will tell her that myself. This is for you coming here with her and helping her heal me. Also I want to say thank you for helping in the forging of Zangetsu. Seeing how much effort you put into it shows me you truly care about your partner."

The young devil smiles as he shakes the old god's hand as he leans forward. "We are both in your debt Hephaestus."

"Then a favor Ichigo."

"Name it."

"Would you and Orihime come back and see me from time to time, I feel I could learn much about the new world from you both. I know things, but I haven't stepped foot from this place in a few hundred years, so the world I knew is no more."

"We'd be honored to Hephaestus. But if you feel the need to take a vacation, I'm sure I can entice you to spend a few weeks at our estate, it has some the best hot springs in the Underworld, or so I'm told."

"Agreed then Lord Ichigo Kurosaki Shiba Naberius."

"How about just Ichigo, I ain't one for titles."

"Then we have an agreement Ichigo. Now let's get something to eat for us as well as them."

"Better bring Orihime two plates, she can get hungry."

XXXX

She thought she was dreaming as her senses begin to fill with the smells of hot delicious food, lifting her head and wiping her tired eyes, she moves back quickly when Ichigo is staring into her face.

"Morning sunshine. Got something for you and Nia."

Looking down, her mouth waters at the sight of two heaping plates of food, a variety of cheeses, roasted or fried lamb, fruits sliced or chilled and a type of porridge occupy her vision, off to the side a spicy warm wine finishes off the meal.

"Thank you Ichigo."

"Don't thank me, thank our host, he said to eat up and it will help you when you heal me."

Frantic eyes scan his body as she reaches for her hairpins, until he gently grabs her hands. "I'm not hurt, but my my arm muscles are still kinda sore because of the forging Hime. I just need you to restore them before I…sorry I mean we claim our zanpakutō."

Doubting him at first, she looks him over again and doesn't see any physical injuries, nodding she agrees then. Hearing the sound of the other occupant giving thanks to their host, the healer sees the elfin teen beginning to dig in with her own voracious appetite; giggling Orihime does the same with her plates. Now and then she looks over to see Ichigo nodding off as he sits in his chair, the Greek god nowhere to be seen.

"Nia, do you know where Hephaestus is?"

Pointing a fork at a nearby tunnel, she swallows her food. "Yes, he said he had to prepare a room for Ichigo and Zangetsu. Said it needs to be reinforced before their initial release."

Glancing back at her adoptive brother, she can't help the pride she feels as she looks at his peaceful face. A movement out of the corner of her eye makes her swing quickly but she sees nothing.

'I swore I saw a reflection off of polished metal.' Frowning she checks on her brother one more time before resuming her meal.

XXXX

Hephaestus doesn't even react when a woman's voice speaks to him. "So he is the heir of the Naberius Clan then brother?"

"He is Aphrodite."

"Very handsome for a devil, too bad he is spoken for already."

Chuckling at his sister, he continues to add protection to the sizable room they are standing in. Turning around he can't help but laugh when he walks up to his sister without even a hint of his previous limp. Her eyes zooming down to stare at his leather strapped ankle.

"How? How are you healed brother?" Aphrodite whispers to him.

Cupping his one time lover's cheek, he tells her a brief version of the story told to him by Ichigo, Aphrodite eyes get wider when he mentions how the young woman in the main forge had healed him with the young devil's help.

"His adoptive sister, Orihime, healed something that all others failed at?"

"Yes sister, she did. At first I thought it was just an empty promise to get me to reforge his zanpakutō, but when I watched my own leg disappear and then grow anew right before my eyes, I can't even describe to you how much I wanted to scream out and rejoice. Her power is…unique to say the least."

The goddess peeks around the corner to see a young elfin devil, a sleeping orange haired devil and the auburn haired human teen at the two tables. Waiting, she isn't disappointed when she sees the face of the young woman.

"She's beautiful Hephaestus. Why didn't he pursue her romantically?"

Standing and scanning the finished walls, he nods at their readiness before he answers his sibling. "If they were born as normal humans, then he may have. But instead they share a bond forged through trials and tribulations Aphrodite, something changed between them and they can no longer walk that path. Instead the bonds of family took root, replacing romance with familial love. He will always protect her and she will always tend to his wounds. Fighting in a war can do that to those as young as they were sister."

"Incredible." The Goddess of Love utters to herself.

Slipping back into the room with her brother, she walks to stand before him, gently grasping his arm. "Brother, Father wishes to speak to him."

"No, I don't think that will work Aphrodite. Before you ask, I'll tell you why. He would rather fight than allow some old fart to try and bride, cajole or even threaten him into forming an alliance or a loveless marriage to seal a treaty. No, for now tell him to allow me to speak with him and tell Father I will tell the young devil the truth of why he wants to see him."

"He would dare fight Father?"

"Not even a doubt." Turning to where he knew Ichigo was, the Greek god points in that direction. "If you doubt me, send a messenger to Amyntas Naberius and ask for an audience with him. Maybe he will tell you the whole story and then you can judge for yourself the heart that young devil has. Something that many of us have long stopped using my dear sister."

A silvery reflection appears behind the goddess as she steps backwards. "I think I will brother, I wish to know who has Hades in such a twist."

"Safe journey Aphrodite."

She smiles as she disappears into the light, the forger watching until it vanishes before leaving the room.

"Now time to wake him and really see what he has in him. I haven't had this much fun since…hell I can't remember."

XXXX

Nia and Orihime both turn to see the old god walk back into the forge, on his shoulder is the owl that has Orihime so infatuated. Seeing her looking at the winged creation, he whispers to the owl and lets it fly off, only to watch it land gently on her shoulder much to her delight. Coming to the table, he nods to the young woman and the devil with her.

"I think it's time Orihime."

Nodding her agreement, the orange shield surrounds her sleeping brother, healing his sore and tired muscles without him waking. Getting up, she begins to shake him lightly and speaking at a normal voice.

"Ichigo. Ichigo time to wake up. Ichigo come on, you need to get up." She giggles when he replies sleepily.

"Dammit Goat-Face leave me alone for just once you annoying asshole."

"Zangetsu can you wake him up please?" Orihime says to the sleeping hybrid.

Jumping up and holding his head, Ichigo yells out. "What the hell is your problem Zangetsu?"

Materializing into the real world again, the white zanpakutō spirit grabs the orange head and twists until brown eyes are looking into brown eyes. "Our sister said to wake you up, so I did."

"By dropping me into the damn moat of flames you fucking insane asshole!?"

"What are you worried about, it's not like it was gonna kill ya moron. Did you forget you have the flames of Hell at your disposal chief?"

"Zangetsu."

"Sorry but you did say wake him, never said how though." The two teen women can only face-palm at his words.

Coughing, the master craftsman gains their attention then. "Ichigo, I'm going to measure your power when you go through your bankai and devil transformations. I want to know how much your zanpakutō changes you, if you don't mind."

"Not really, I'm kind of curious myself and I'm sure dickhead already knows."

The hollowfied zanpakutō spirit laughs then. "So where do we do this, not here right Hephaestus?"

He motions them to follow as he leads them down a side tunnel. "You are correct Zangetsu; I have a special room I use to try new weapons or to test repairs. I believe it should hold when you and Ichigo release."

The three teens follow the Greek god to a small door that he opens to a rather spacious dome-shaped room that has a small alcove near the door they entered through, the stone lining the wall was undressed and grey with streaks of white. Stepping in, he motions to Orihime and Nia to enter the alcove before directing Ichigo to the middle of the room.

"Ichigo, I'll keep Orihime and Nia with me, my power should offer enough protection from your own. Also when you achieve bankai I will start my measurements. I want to see if you can do it."

"Do what exactly?"

"Join a very short list Ichigo. So when you and Zangetsu are ready, you may begin." He moves to stand in front of the two witnesses, but doesn't block their view of him.

Wielder and spirit face one another over the tsuka of the still covered zanpakutō; Ichigo's hand holds the zanpakutō near the tsuba under the cloth. "So any last words before we do this?"

"Yeah I do Ichigo. I want you to know that I will always protect what you do, I will always help you find a way to win and lastly, you better make sure you train your ass off and make her our rightful Queen. Got it?"

Sniggering at his blade's spirit, he smiles as he places his hand free hand at the end of the tsuka, watching Zangetsu place his hand next onto the hilt, then moving his down so Zangetsu can place his other hand near where the tsuba should be.

"Well this is it Zangetsu, ready?"

"I am Ichigo, let's do it!"

At first the three beings notice nothing, but soon the first wisps of black reiatsu begins swirling around Ichigo and Zangetsu as they stare at the cloth covered blade. As the black threads get thicker and thicker, a howling wind starts to rotate around the two hybrids in the middle of the room.

"Now King! Release it all now!"

The black explosion forces those watching to cover their faces as the shock wave hits the protection Hephaestus has in place. As the shockwaves disappear, they see Ichigo standing in the middle of the room, at his side in his right hand is a short handle tsuka in alternating white and black diamonds, at the end hangs a foot of his Hell Chain, just as his old shikai was missing the tsuba, this one does as well, the blade is the most prominent change. No longer the wide butcher-like blade, it has shrunk down to a mere nine centimeters in width that extends the same measurement until just about halfway before narrowing rather rapidly to end similar to shinogi zukuri. The total length of his zanpakutō was one point two meters even as the entire weapon curves slightly less than that of a ōdachi. The four engravings now clearly stand out as they glow an alternating light and dark blue.

Taking a practice swing, power erupts from the blade and crashes into the far wall, loosening the stone from the impact.

"Shit, sorry about that."

"No need to worry Ichigo, there are several layers to get through before I have to start worrying. How does he feel?"

"Incredible."

"Are you ready for the next step Ichigo?"

Nodding, he holds the blade vertically in front of him before bringing it down into a two hand stance. 'Ready Zangetsu?'

"Remember I am no longer that false blade Ichigo, I've changed."

'Got it. Here we go.'

"Bankai! Tensa Zangetsu!"

Orihime and Nia both begin gasping when they can no longer breathe, until the Greek god exudes his own power, pushing back the black aura that now shrouds the young devil. Both healer and assassin wait with anxious anxiety for the person to reappear. Soon the blackness fades away and standing there is Ichigo, but his zanpakutō is not what the Shun Shun Rikka user knows.

"He changed." She says unconsciously.

"Orihime?"

"His zanpakutō, Zangetsu. That is not what it looked like before."

Nia looks at the blade now in his hands, and it looks rather odd, a longer tsuka than his shikai, while the blade was the shape and curve of a katana ending as a shobu zukuri. The tsuka was covered with simple black leather wrappings, while his tsuba changed to that of five pointed rods separated in perfect symmetry lead to a blade that is now the length of a normal katana. No color other than black is visible on the zanpakutō. At the end of the tsuka, a much longer section of his Hell Chain dangles. She watches as Ichigo brings the weapon to his eye level and then runs a hand down the blade.

'What is this?'

"My true form Ichigo. Now let the god take his measurements. Hope you like what you hear soon."

Moving until he faces the three in the alcove, Ichigo uses only his hand this time to motion to them. "I'm ready."

"Good, all I'm going to do is toss some spheres in there with you Ichigo. Won't take long."

The first one to pass through the protection instantly disappears, as does the next one. With the third one, it lasts long enough to crumple before disappearing.

" Hephaestus what is going on?" Orihime asks as she watches he toss the fourth sphere into the room.

Taking out the fifth one after the forth one had lasted a fraction longer than before, he holds it for her to see. "The density of his power is measured by how long the sphere can maintain their shape. So far none have lasted as long as I suspected. Each one of the spheres exponentially increases its durability."

"How many does he have left?" The elf asks.

"This makes six Nia."

"Has anyone destroyed all ten?"

Looking down at the elf, he smirks. "Only enough for me to count on both hands. If he crushes all ten, he will join a very exclusive list."

"How exclusive?" The teen elf asks.

Speaking as he tosses the fifth sphere out, he answers. "The last to do so was Sirzech Gremory."

XXXX

Yasaka stood over the prone teen, her rage barely contained after seeing and hearing what the young yōkai had been involved with, casting a glance at the others in the room, she steps back. Fighting her emotions until she can once again exude the nobility of her race, the Kyuubi opens her eyes again and stares down at the silent prisoner.

"Zeva, there is nothing I can do to save you from the punishment you deserve. You are directly responsible for deaths of one hundred and sixty seven men, and the rapes and murders of their significant others, whether they were girlfriends, fiancées or spouses. There is no sentence less than death for you. The only one who can spare you at this point is not here at the moment. I have an idea of what he will decide, but if he differs the punishment to his great-grandfather, you will die at sunset after the final judgment is passed."

"I understand Yasaka-sama."

"Do you wish me to contact your mother?"

"No. Just return my body to her. Tell…tell her I love her and I'm sorry for disappointing her."

Looking up, she nods to the two devils standing guard. "Take her back, we will wait for Ichigo and see what he wishes for her."

Bowing to the powerful yōkai, they lift the chained teen without trying to hurt her and when she is standing, they lead the emotionless teen away.

Rukia watches it all, stunned by what took place. When she told that they were going to pass judgment on the prisoner, she and the others wanted to see the woman that had tried to kill their two friends. Karin, Yuzu, Ururu, Jinta, Kunou and Koneko were forbidden from attending, they were told the truth that there were things that were going to shown that the older beings just didn't want them to see. The teenage devils and humans were given a choice to watch or not, a few had regretted watching, among them her fellow lieutenant had run off to throw up, as did Tatsuki and Reya Kusaka, one of Sōna's bishops.

Rukia herself almost left when the more graphic details were played, the screams and begging almost driving her to pull Sode No Shirayuki from her sheath and plant it in the young woman. Throughout it all, only the older peerage members, the Maou and the older shinigami showed almost no emotions whatsoever. Suì-Fēng kept easing Suzumebachi unconsciously in and out of her sheath, as if she were using the motion to try to sate the urge to repeatedly stab the young half breed yōkai, which was kinda scary with the blank look on her face. One look at Isshin had her convinced that it was good idea that he didn't attend in his soul form.

But it was the man sitting in the center behind Yasaka that had the hardest expression during the brief trial. Amyntas Naberius sat in his true form, his eyes never leaving the young woman's face as he listened to Sasha and Kimi as they laid out the evidence of the humans' involvement with Zeva. When Sasha showed her lord of what she saw in the young woman's own memories, only the briefest hint of anger escaped him.

Swallowing when the doors shut behind the now departing yōkai, she sat there in silence waiting for something to happen, anything.

"Isshin, what will my great-grandson most likely decide?"

The father looks at his in-law and tiredly replies. "I honestly don't know Amyntas. Killing like this isn't him. If…if someone talks to him first and tells him the truth, I think he'll come to the right decision."

"I'll talk to him Isshin, it might be better if someone like me or Merti explains it to him why he has the final say."

"No, I will Yoruichi. I think its time I told him some of the things a Clan leader is expected to decide on. But you can tag along if you want."

Rukia and Rias both realize at the same time what they are talking about. The shinigami is to her feet first as she yells at them. "Are you crazy Shiba-dono, Shihōin-sama!? You can't dump this on him right now! He…he isn't ready for this, he hasn't had to kill like…like most of us."

The Goddess of Flash looks at the younger shinigami with sympathy then. "If not now Rukia, when? He wasn't raised as a noble like any of us here. This is one lesson that must be taught to him Kuchiki-sama, one that you will someday have to teach yours and Renji's child. Passing judgment and rendering a sentence on a criminal is part of a Clan leader's responsibilities; your brother has done so a few times himself. I have, Isshin has for Kūkaku, and so have the Clan leaders here in the Underworld. Ichigo can't be treated with kid gloves anymore Rukia, I'm sorry but this does have to be done, and as soon as he gets home."

"But why tonight? Shouldn't he at least rest before facing this?"

"He will know that we are keeping something from him if we wait. I doubt Rias would even be able to look him in the face, knowing what she does."

Rias nods her head at the fact. "Yoruichi is right Rukia; I can't hide my feelings from Ichigo. I would cave and tell him and I'm not as experienced as they are."

"If he chooses to spare her?"

"Then we will spare her, but she will never see the light of day again Rukia. She will live her life out in the darkest of our prisons, but what awaits her afterwards is far worse."

Rukia's eyes bulge out as she looks at the man that is the current Watcher of the Gates of Hell. "She will be…"

"Yes, she is partially human; as such her soul will be taken by the Kushanāda upon her death Rukia Kuchiki."

XXXX

At the eighth sphere, the Greek god pauses as he looks at the young devil still standing there. Deciding to see if he can make the list, he shouts out for him to don the armor of the Naberius Clan.

Orihime and Nia see the black reiatsu swirl upwards from Ichigo's feet and watch in awe as the plates of his black armor forms the various pieces from his greaves to his gauntlets, his breast armor and then his two horned helmet, Orihime shivers at how closely it resembles his Vasto Lorde transformation.

"It's still me Orihime, not like before."

"I know Ichigo, I can still feel you."

Ichigo's helmet seems to smile to her which makes the two teens giggle at how the fearsome helm somehow reflects his true emotions.

"Last three Ichigo, now reach down deep and let it all out."

Nodding, his body stiffens and then the protection in front of the god and two teen women begins cracking under the pressure straining against it.

Throwing out the sphere it disappears as quickly as the first one had, the next one suffering the same fate as the forth and when he looks at the tenth and final sphere, he looks to see the devil in front of him.

"Here it goes Ichigo." All three watch as the tenth ball crumples and disappears just before it could hit the floor of the room.

As it does, Ichigo sags to one knee and lets his armor fade, Zangetsu morphing back to his shikai release too. Orihime looks at the Greek god, who gives her gentle nudge, she is out of the alcove and her healing shield is around the teen before she is halfway there.

"Ichigo!"

Lifting his head up, he gives her a weak smile. "I'm fine Hime, just tired. Standing there at full power after so long drained me good."

Nia and Hephaestus walk up to the two siblings as Orihime healing spirits check him over after both his bankai and devil releases, nodding to the god; the young devil smirks up at him.

"How did I do?"

"You just joined a very short list Ichigo. I look forward to seeing what you will do for the next few millennia."

Orihime looks at Ichigo before tilting her head. "You will live that long Ichigo?"

Ichigo twists his head up at her and at first is quiet before a smile begins as does his chuckling. Seeing her pout at him, he begins laughing hard and points at Nia for help. A head of auburn hair looks at the other teenage devil and sees her eyes filled with amusement.

"Orihime, devils are near immortal, we do not age. We only die if outside circumstances are the cause. Ichigo won't age, I won't age, and soon you won't age. Your physical appearance will stop changing in your late twenties to early thirties."

Ichigo falls back with the dead weight of his sister, still laughing as she lies across him. "Well I think she'll be happy that she's going to be young forever once she becomes a devil when she wakes up at least."

Lifting the healer up into a bridal-style carry, the elfin teen speaks as she shakes her head. "I think we should return home soon Ichigo, our Clan might start worrying."

"Before you go Ichigo, I still have two things to do for you and Orihime. Follow me back to the forge."

Nia, carrying Orihime, and Ichigo follow the Greek god once more and after placing Orihime on two chairs, each take one of their own. The master craftsman moves over to his forge and takes two finished tantō sized blades from a shelf. One with a black and sea blue tsuka, the other a black and violet tsuka, he hands the one that is black and blue to Nia.

"These tantō will never break or need sharpening Nia Mai'ryl. They have the few scraps of Zangetsu in them. Wield them with honor and pride as you guard Ichigo's life for all his days."

Both devils gasp at the gifts, Ichigo more so at what he just said to the young elfin teen.

"Nia who exactly are you?"

Sitting straight as she faces her lord, she replies solemnly. "Nia Mai'ryl, Lake Elf of the Naberius Clan, daughter of Sasha Mai'ryl, assassin and chief interrogator of the Clan. I and my sister are now your bodyguards for life Ichigo. We have trained all our lives for something like this, but to be honest we never thought we would be given the honor of being Lord Naberius first choice to keep guard his great-grandson. Please allow us to fulfill our duties Ichigo."

He shakes his head after listening to his inner spirit. "It's not that Nia, it's because…well honestly I seem to attract a lot of trouble. All my life it has come looking for me, so I want to say I'm sorry in advance to you and your sister."

Hephaestus begins laughing loudly then, so much so that it wakes the fainted Orihime who blinks her eyes at her new location.

"What happened?"

"You fainted Hime. I guess living forever was a bit more than you could deal with." Ichigo replies as he sits next to her.

"Sorry." She says sheepishly as she moves to sit up, a hand helps her do so.

"Thank you Hephaestus-sama."

"No Orihime, you may call me Hephaestus as well. I will not allow you to call me anything else. And that is also why I wish to give you a gift before you leave."

"A gift?"

Holding his arm out, the owl, Pistós, comes flying in and lands on the god's arm. He leans down and lets the bird walk onto Orihime's shoulder then.

"Many devils have familiars Orihime; I would like you to have Pistós as yours when you are reincarnated by your brother. He will also serve as a means for us to communicate if the need ever arises and he can guide me to you if you are ever in need of my help."

Tears begin falling down the face of the Shun Shun Rikka face as she jumps up and hugs the burly Greek, all the while saying the same thing over and over as she does so.

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Hugging her back once more, he carefully moves her back and smiles down at her. "Come visit when your semester is over at Kuoh. I'll show you Mount Olympus from our point of view."

"Really?"

Nodding his head, he waves to the same woman who showed them in from before. "Take our guests back to the house."

"Yes My Lord. Please follow me."

The three give their last goodbyes and promises to visit soon before departing the forge and the Greek god.

Watching with a smile, he turns to see his father standing behind him.

"Zeus."

"Hephaestus."

"I see Aphrodite didn't waste time in speaking to you."

"I had to see him with my own eyes my son." Picking up a sphere similar to the one for the test, the Greek god bounces in his hand and looks at it startled.

"You used those?"

"Yes, and as I thought, he passed."

"Then I will listen to your advice then. When he is ready to see me, I will gladly invite him and I will listen to your council on how to deal with him, honestly."

"Thank you Father. I hope you don't get impatient, he is still a student in high school."

Chuckling as his portal opens, the leader of the Greek god smirks at his son. "I just hope I can keep an eye on your sisters once they see him."

Groaning that he knew he was forgetting how they would act, the god shakes his head at the trouble that might follow the Naberius Heir.

'Great, nothing like making a devil heiress pissed than besotted goddesses chasing her intended.'

XXXX

Ichigo and Nia both knew something serious was going on when the only two waiting for them was Isshin and Yoruichi. After the two elder shinigami gave Orihime a hug and looking her over, Nia was tasked with taking her to her room where a bath and food were already waiting for her. Looking at Ichigo with confusion, he smiles at her and waves her off after promising he would eat and bathe as well.

After they leave, he sighs out at his father. "What's going on Goat-Face?"

He wasn't ready for how serious his father was. "We need to talk Ichigo and in private. Follow Yoruichi and I."

XXXX

Sasha sat at her vanity as her oldest daughter; Kimi brushes her hair out for her. Smiling at the care her daughter shows while doing this makes the older Mai'ryl proud of how her two children grew to be fine elves. From the moment they learned of their father's death at the hands of a fallen angel, they pledged themselves to the training she and her sisters had endured growing up under the Old Maou Faction. Her daughters over the years proved their worth, so much so they were given their first great honor, their own Hell Chains. Few outside of the peerages had ever earned them, but they did. Then the next came Yoruichi Shihōin was brought to see them. After a test, she and Merti weren't allowed to witness, Amyntas gave her twins the greatest honor possible, to guard Ichigo for life. They had proven themselves today in keeping Ichigo from violating long standing treaties with the Yōkai, and kept his sister from becoming a victim of unspeakable horrors.

The presence she has been waiting for now stands at her door, stopping her child, she calls out.

"Come in Ichigo."

Nia and Kimi both see a weary but conflicted young devil walk into their mother's room, stopping briefly before spotting a chair and then sitting in it. No one speaks as the hybrid shinigami sits there with his elbows on his knees and his hands folded over so he can rest his chin as he stares into space.

"Ichigo?" Nia says as she shifts on the bed.

"Sasha, Amyntas, Goat-Face and Yoruichi told me what happened after Orihime and I left that house. All I want to know is there a way for you to show me, show me what was in her head?"

"I can, but I won't Ichigo. Your mind is tired as is your body. Tonight just rest and recover."

"No. I need to know now if it's true what her own mind showed. If I'm to make a choice I want to know all the facts. Please Sasha, show me."

Closing her eyes, she can hear his heart beats steady and strong; his body odor free of alcohol or other substances nor does his body show signs anxiousness, with just a hint of weariness. Lastly, his leaking reiatsu is calm.

"Sit in front of me Ichigo; I need to touch you so you can feel what she does."

Picking his chair up, he moves it until he is sitting in front of the elf his 'uncle' told him was responsible for extracting the information needed to sentence the teen that had tried to kill him and have his sister raped and killed. Staring straight into her clouded over orbs, he doesn't flinch as her hands lay on his cheeks, nor does he utter a response when she speaks next.

"I warn you now Ichigo, what you will feel is what she tried to hide from me. She failed."

Then all he understands are feelings of bloodlust, joy in killing, and happiness in ending a human's life. Her voracious appetite barely sated as she rips the soul of the men she fed upon during her short life. Her utter lack of compassion when she knew of the details of what was done to the women she helped kill. No remorse, no empathy for her victims, just…just hollow, an emotionless killer. A true sociopath and a serial killer. It became worse when the images began to match Zeva's feelings, her point of view at watching her victims as their bodies shrunk to almost nothing as she ate their life's energy.

It was when he saw how she was smiling when she was looking at the woman of her would be last victim, Orihime that he makes up his mind. Gently he places his hands over the elder elf woman's. Feeling her lift them slightly, he takes them into his and holds them in front of his eyes.

"How do you stand watching, feeling what they do, Sasha how are you not insane?"

"Did Merti tell you anything?"

"Only you developed it and it cost you something, she didn't say what though."

Taking his right hand, she places it over her heart and then asks again.

Frowning, he is about to say nothing, when he does feel it, the lack of a heartbeat. Snapping his head up at her, he is about to answer when he feels it beat finally.

"Yes Ichigo, you noticed that. My heart beats much slower than everyone else's. That's because in order to fulfill my pledge to your grandfather, I gave up half my soul so I could keep my sanity, the other half is hidden away, the part that is insane. It suffers so I do not have to. That was my price to pay."

Hearing nothing from the heir, she lays a finger on his lips. "Don't ask, I will never tell you how it was done. That is my secret alone that I will pass onto which ever of my daughters is willing to follow in my footsteps. You don't get to argue against it Ichigo, we are Naberius as are every member of the peerages. Our life belongs to the Clan first, ourselves second. We have each made this pledge to help keep the sinners in their place and to keep the Guardian of the Damned safe from all harm. That now includes you and your sisters."

Kissing the back of her hand, he gets up and as he reaches the door, he pauses. "Thanks Sasha for not coddling me."

"You are welcome Ichigo. Now rest, I think your day has been long enough."

XXXX

Rias feels him crawling into bed, his arms wrapping around her and pulling her tight against his body. Turning until she sees his face, she gives him a knowing smile, tracing his face before giving him a chaste kiss. He pulls her in even more and his head buries itself in the crook of her neck, his breathing slowing as it flows over her naked skin.

Just before he feels the weight of sleep pulling on him, he tells her. "I sentenced her to death."

"Do you find it acceptable?"

"I know she'll never repent or show remorse for her crimes Rias."

"You know she'll be interned in the Skeleton Tower when she dies."

"She already is. I gave her poison on my way here, Uncle Amyntas agreed to my request to give her an easy death."

"Then sleep now Ichigo. We'll talk in the morning." She doesn't get an answer as the man holding her is breathing steady and soundly.

XXXX

Amyntas and Yoruichi don't react when the Gates open and the chains rattle over the estate, soon after they hear them closing and the crumbling is gone shortly after.

Sipping his wine, he glances at the woman. She is staring at her own saucer of sake, her mind going over what Ichigo said before he left her and Isshin. He didn't vomit or try to run when they showed him the evidence gathered from the apartment. It was only when they told him what the girl had admitted to that he had trouble believing.

'Why the hell would she admit that? Is she asking for us to kill her?'

'No Ichigo she ain't, but she couldn't hide it from Sasha.'

'Couldn't hide it? What does that even mean Yoruichi?'

'It means Sasha retrieved the girl's memories.'

'Wait who is this Sasha and how can she even do…what ever it was you just said, retrieve.'

'She is Merti's younger sister, and the mother of Nia and Kimi Ichigo. She has a power to see into someone's memories and extract them so she can allow others to see them.'

'Did you guys see them?'

'No, only your great-grandfather Ichigo. Don't Ichigo, I know what you are thinking, I won't allow it son.'

'Not your choice Dad. You and Yoruichi just sat me down and told me it would be my choice to decide and why it was my duty as the future head of this Clan that I learn to deal with this kind of shit. So if I'm going to decide between having someone executed or imprisoned I want to know what the fuck was going on in her head.'

'Fine, but I'm warning you now Ichigo, it won't be easy. Promise us you will talk to someone if it gets to be to overwhelming for you to cope with.'

'I promise Yoruichi, Dad. I got to go now and see Uncle Amyntas, so he can tell me about Sasha before I see her tonight.'

"He made his choice Yoruichi; he found a solution that worked for him."

Sipping her sake, she nods in agreement. "Yeah he did Amyntas, but it won't always be this way."

"Maybe not, but we now have time to teach him better."

"That we will Amyntas, I'll make sure of it."

"Then you decided Yoruichi?"

Turning to face the elder devil, she smiles at him.

"I thought about it long and hard Amyntas, there is no going back for me."

"So?"

"I'll stay as a member of your Clan."

XXXX

AN: So he has Zangetsu now, I tried to write how it looks in my head a few times, but what you got was the best I could do. Since I suck at free hand, I can't draw what I see, so maybe one day I'll find an artist in my family and have them draw so I can post it somewhere, someday. Now the good news, I'll be working on this until the chapter you all want, what we all want to see gets here, bad news, I don't know when that will be. So keeping things short so I can get onto the next chapter, I'll see you guys later.

PS: Never try to edit at 2 AM, it shows.

Liam and Okami.