Hello again everyone! Making another post pretty quickly, big shocker I know. Small update I messed up two names last chapter! You guys probably hate me now haha. I messed up Hotaru for Hoshiko because I have another character named Hoshiko and I wrote G- instead of Genichi because I meant to write his name in later after forgetting it. *slams head on desk* Won't happen again, I swear... I hope. Anyways on with the chapter and remember to message and rate it helps me SO much.

" This is it," Genichi said stopping at a cave.

" How do you know?" Hotaru asked hopping out of his arms immediately.

" Without my eyesight all my other senses are increased tenfold. I can pick up multiple spiritual pressures within the cave and several sword beasts," Genichi said as Kuro emerged from the shadows.

" What's the plan?" Kuro asked stretching a bit.

" We should probably take this slow and-"

A few hundred feet away there was an explosion and the three turned to the noise. " Or just head that way," Hotaru pointed out.

The three ran for the explosion and saw Ichigo in a chasm below along with the head captain and the Muramasa guy. Hotaru saw Yoruichi emerge from within the cave and shout something to Ichigo but it was too late. He broke open the cage the head commander was held in and a burst of flame came out. " Shit they won't make it out of there if the flames fill the cave!" Hotaru shouted.

Muramasa jumped out and Hotaru debated chasing after him but saw the flames expanding. " Want us to go after him?" Kuro asked.

" Just find out where he's going," Hotaru said making her halberd form again.

The 2 mod souls jumped away as Hotaru looked down into the pit as it filled with even more flame. She let out a deep breath then jumped into the flame. Of course this worked out so well last time she tried to absorb flame in the spirit world but what else was she supposed to do? This time however she had her nifty little halberd that just sucked up flames like a vacuum. Hotaru was held in the air by the power of the halberd and quickly felt it growing in power. When all the flame was finally consumed Hotaru began to plummet. God she could barely contain it this time. Before she could hit the ground until strong arms caught her.

" Hotaru what are you doing here?" Ichigo asked.

" I… have to talk to you," Hotaru gritted, " But first… need to release."

" E-Eh?" Ichigo asked turning dark red and nearly dropping Hotaru.

" The fire… it's too much," Hotaru panted as the halberd glowed brighter.

" O-Oh right!" Ichigo said before jumping out of the cavern, " Where?"

" Sky! Throw me up!" Hotaru demanded.

Ichigo tossed Hotaru up in the air as gently as he could. Meanwhile Hotaru pointed her halberd up before letting out an explosion of flame. Fire spread out across the sky, turning the entirety of the spirit world's sky orange. Hotaru's halberd disintegrated and she fell from the sky once more back into Ichigo's arms. " You ok?" he murmured.

" Ya just a bit groggy this time," Hotaru mumbled blearily. " It's not super fun being the pipeline for energy all the time."

Ichigo chuckled as they floated to the ground. " Can you stand?"

" Just let me lay here for a minute… or ten," Hotaru said as she rested her head against his chest.

Ichigo chuckled again then it was quiet. The two looked up at the sky, less apocalyptic then one would believe and more of a sunset vibe. " Ichigo?" Hotaru murmured.

" Yes Hotaru?" Ichigo murmured back looking down at her.

God did she have to say this in his arms as the sunset? Did It REALLY have to be this corny? " I… I was thinking about what you said earlier and-,"

" What is the meaning of this?" the head captain's voice boomed.

How many times is it going to take for her to spit this out?! Hotaru and Ichigo both turned to the sight of the head captain, Shunsui, Yoruichi, Jushiro, Ukitake, and Kenpachi all approaching at once. Ichigo hurriedly set her down and she stepped a bit away. " Sorry about the whole fire in the sky thing I didn't want to torch the forest and-" Hotaru began.

" YOU ruined my force field, the only thing that kept my zanpakuto in check and you! Why are you even here?" the head captain demanded.

" Um… Captain Shunsui and Ukitake said you wanted me here and… it was all a lie wasn't it?" Hotaru asked looking to the captains as they avoided her gaze.

The head captain turned to his two pupils. " Do you see what she did? If she can control my zanpakuto she's only gotten stronger and you let her in here?" he hissed.

" She also saved a hospital full of our men and-" Shunsui began.

" Put the necklace back on her now!"

" Can't you see she has her powers under control?" Ichigo shouted, stepping in front of Hotaru defensively. " Isn't that what you were worried about? At least give her a chance to prove herself!"

The captain glared at Hotaru as she stayed behind Ichigo. " One chance, that's all. There are greater matters that need to be taken care of for now," Head captain said before disappearing a moment later.

Hotaru sighed in relief and patted her chest. " Hotaru we-" Shunsui began.

" You lied to get me here I get it," Hotaru sighed looking up to the older man as Ichigo stepped out of the way. " I WAS mad but now I have a chance to get my powers back for good and I wouldn't have that if I hadn't come here. So fuck you and thanks."

Shunsui smirked and tilted his hat at her. " Come on Ju, let's head back," Shunsui said.

The white haired captain nodded. " Be safe you two," he said glancing at Kenpachi before leaving with his friend.

" Another time Kurosaki. I've had plenty of fun as is today," Kenpachi smirked before flash stepping away as well.

" Nice to see you Hotaru but I don't have time to chat now," Yoruichi said with a grin and a salute later was gone.

Ichigo and Hotaru stood together silently now. " Thanks for standing up to the old man," Hotaru finally blurt out to break the silence.

Ichigo turned back and smiled. " Told you I was on your side," he said.

" You've gotten a lot stronger huh?"

" Had to step it up after you left. You didn't hog all the hollows to yourself anymore so I had to take care of them."

" You never said anything before!" Hotaru yelped and Ichigo laughed, Hotaru joining in soon after.

" What were you going to say earlier again?" Ichigo asked after the two calmed down.

Hotaru flushed a little and looked away. It wasn't the right time to say, clearly. She would tell him later… yes later. When later was she didn't know but probably… never. " It uh wasn't important," Hotaru said with a grin as she scratched the back of her head. " Come on let's head back. I'm starving!"

Hotaru spun on her heel to walk off only to have her hand grabbed by Ichigo and dragged back. Ichigo's other arm wrapped around her waist, holding him to her with no chance of escape. " Tell me the truth Hotaru. If there's not a chance for us… I'll understand," Ichigo murmured.

Hotaru couldn't tear her eyes away from Ichigo's, his saddened ones staring into her soul looking for answers. Her hands rested against his chest, clenching the fabric of his shinigami uniform in them. " Ichigo… I-"

Before she could finish Ichigo leaned down and abruptly kiss her. Hotaru's eyes widened as Ichigo gripped her tighter almost as if he wasn't letting her escape no matter what. Her eyes fluttered shut before kissing him back, hands relaxing and arms wrapping around his neck. Just as the kiss seemed to begin it came to an end. " I'm sorry I couldn't… with you in my arms for possibly the last time I thought…" Ichigo began but couldn't seem to finish.

Hotaru got on her tiptoes and closed the distance to his lips, kissing him once again. She kissed Ichigo deeper than before, more passionately than before, and showing him as much love as she could muster. He was still the same Ichigo after all this time. Hotaru pulled away for a breather with a smug smile. " Does that tell you enough?"

Ichigo panted lightly as well but with a smile of happiness. With his arms still around Hotaru he lifted her up and swung her around in happiness. Hotaru yelped and clung to him briefly before laughing along with him. He set her down a moment later and the two wobbled to stand straight. " Well aren't you two as adorable as ever?"

Hotaru turned to a smirking Renji with two other… things behind him. " They should just screw already," the tall woman said with a wave.

" They're almost as gross as Rukia and Renji," the younger boy said and stuck out his tongue.

" Making friends Renji?" Hotaru asked with a twitching brow while Ichigo blushed madly.

" These two are my zanpakuto," Renji said with a wide grin.

Do all zanpakuto look as weird as his? Of course she would never say such a thing but Hotaru couldn't help but think it. " A monkey and a snake?" she questioned looking between the two.

" Yup!" Renji said all too proudly.

" Riiight," Hotaru said still confused. " I'm sure you came out here to bother us for a reason?"

" Oh right! It's dinner time come on," Renji said with a wave.

Hotaru sighed in annoyance. THAT'S the reason? He couldn't have waited a few more minutes? " Oh wait a minute Kuro and-"

" Are already retrieved. They lost track of Muramasa and the head captains are focusing on that now. Just relax already yeesh."

Hotaru roll her eyes as Ichigo wrapped his arm around her shoulder with a smile. " Can I take you to dinner?" he asked.

" Don't get too cheesy on me," Hotaru smirked. The two followed Renji and his zanpakuto, not getting a bit of private time thanks to the monkey-snake duo. The dinner hall was quite raucous and filled to the brim with shinigami. " Would you mind terribly if we took our plates outside?"

" Not at all," Ichigo said.

He managed to wedge his way through and grab some scraps for their plates as Hoshiko squeezed between the drunks to the garden outside. She sighed in relief and sat on the porches edge looking over the inner garden and up at the now moon that settled over the night sky. The door opened and shut quickly and quietly behind her before a few soft steps later Ichigo sat beside her. " I forgot how incredible this place was," Hotaru murmured not looking away from the moon.

A little bit of shifting later Ichigo sat behind Hotaru, wrapping his arms around her and gently pulling her back against his chest in relaxation. " Kind of amazing to think this place is so far away yet so close at the same time. I haven't been here since the bount attacks and I have to admit I always want to know when I can go back again," Ichigo admitted.

Hotaru looked over the tray Ichigo brought out and grabbed a rice ball then took a nibble. " I didn't think there'd be any food left," she smirked softly as Ichigo reached over and took a rice ball of his own.

" There may have been a bit of fighting for the last one."

Hotaru laughed heartily as Ichigo smiled down on her. The two ate in comfortable silence as the soft chirps of insects and wind rustling through the leaves comforted them. Hotaru cupped a bowl of miso in her hand and took a sip as she glanced up at Ichigo then laughed. " God you're such a messy eater," she said as she picked to pieces of rice away from his mouth.

Ichigo chuckled as she showed them to him before she licked them off her finger. He paused as if in thought while Hotaru sipped more miso from the bowl. She sighed as the broth seemingly rejuvenated her. A moment later Ichigo gently pried the bowl from her hand and when Hotaru looked up to question him she was met by a pair lips. Ichigo turned Hotaru slightly so she laid in his lap as he kissed her deeper. Previously caught off guard Hotaru kissed him back softly, hand reaching up to cup his cheek as her eyes fell shut in bliss. Before they could go any farther the door was thrown open and the two pulled away.

A half dozen drunk shinigami stumbled out and down the hall right past the two, either not noticing them or too drunk to care. Hotaru and Ichigo looked back to one another and bother smiled followed by soft chuckles at the sight a. " So um, on a side note, what are you going to do about Arisu?" Ichigo asked.

Oh boy. " Ichigo… Arisu and I were never actually dating," Hotaru mumbled looking away.

" What?" Ichigo asked utterly confused, " But you two are so close and-"

" I wanted you off my back, he wanted girls off his back so we made a deal," Hotaru mumbled shrinking into herself with a hopeful grin that Ichigo wouldn't be pissed. He wasn't quite glaring at her in anger but he certainly wasn't happy. " I was going through a rough time ok? You went from 0 contact to practical stalker. Arisu and I are just friends, I swear."

Ichigo huffed and looked away. " He doesn't look at you like a friend," he mumbled.

Hotaru sighed and tilted Ichigo's head back so he had to meet her eyes. " Even if we DID date for real I could never feel about someone the way I feel about you. You're my soul mate Ichi no matter how hard I wanted to deny it."

Ichigo's eyes widened softly as she smiled up at him lovingly. His body relaxed and his smile came back. " I can't imagine myself with anyone besides you Hotaru," he murmured back before leaning down to kiss her once more.

The door behind them burst open more and the lovers sighed angrily. " Oh just go fuck o-" Hotaru began but saw Kenpachi smiling wickedly down on them from the doorway.

" I'm all rested up Ichigo," Kenpachi grinned as he pulled out his sword while Yachiru bounced past.

" Ooh you better run Ichi Kenny is REALLY hyper now," Yachiru said giddily while clapping her hands.

Ichigo and Hotaru immediately turned back to each other in worry. " Have fun Ichi," Hotaru said sympathetically with a pat before hopping up and out of the way.

Ichigo gulped and jumped away right as Kenpachi's blade slammed down and struck the wooden floor. " You crazy bastard!" Ichigo shouted as he ran away while Kenpachi laughed like mad and followed in pursuit.

Hoshiko sighed in disappointment as she watched the ball of orange turn a corner and disappear. So much for a romantic moment. " Hotaru can I have some of your dinner?"

Hotaru looked back down at a hopeful Yachiru, eyes all a sparkle and she smiled once again then chuckled. " Want to eat dinner with me?" she asked as she sat back down.

Yachiru nodded rapidly in approval and grabbed a rice ball of her own before Hotaru grabbed her miso cup and sipped on it again. As the two girls sat and ate every once in a while Ichigo would run by with Kenpachi following in suit. Yachiru talked all about her favorite things to do and play as Hotaru listened attentively, taking a napkin to wipe various messes off her chin. " Isn't it a little late for you to be up?" Hotaru asked as she grabbed the last stick of dango off the plate, biting all three of the tiny, flavorful balls in one bite.

" No why?" Yachiru asked with a tired yawn before leaning against Hotaru. Hotaru's eyes widened briefly before she smiled and wrapped her arm around the girl. " Hey Hotaru are you and Ichigo in love?"

Hotaru flushed a little and looked down at Yachiru, the girl's eyes closed as she snuggled into Hotaru's warmth needily. " I think so… why do you ask?"

" Do you think you'll have kids?"

Hotaru flushed much deeper this time as eyes widened in shock. " Th-that's a little too soon for us to think about right now," she said nervously at the sudden question.

" But if you have kids then you can bring them here and I'll have someone to play with. Everyone here really likes you two and you can stay even longer," Yachiru said then let out a big yawn, " I think you'd be really happy here."

Hotaru smiled and reached down to stroke Yachiru's hair with one hand. " That sounds like a lovely idea. We'll think about it ok?"

Yachiru nodded happily as she sat up excitedly once more. Ichigo suddenly dashed around the corner, clearly out of breath but eyes still wide in fear as Kenpachi lumbered after him. " See you later Hotaru!" Yachiru said with a wink.

Before Hotaru could question it Yachiru leapt up in the air and tackled Kenpachi. Though her tiny body could never possibly knock him down he still came to a stop as Ichigo clambered behind Hotaru. " Really? You're using me as a shield?" Hotaru asked with a cocked brow.

" Kennyyyy I'm tired!" Yachiru whined dramatically.

" Just a minute Yachiru," Kenpachi said and took another step forward.

" KEENNNNYYYY I WANT TO GO TO BED!" Yachiru whined louder.

Kenpachi roared and grit his teeth at Yachiru who just kept pouting childishly at him. He seethed at her for a few more moments before exhaling and seemingly calming down. " Another time Kurosaki," Kenpachi muttered as he put his blade away.

Yachiru climbed onto Kenpachi's shoulders and grinned knowingly at Hotaru who smirked and nodded. " Bye-bye Ichi and Hotaru!" she said with a wave while Kenpachi merely grunted, disappointed he didn't get to fight more, before flash stepping away.

Ichigo collapsed onto the porch and let out a deep breath. " That was close," he sighed in relief.

" What kind of monster uses their girlfriend as a shield?" Hotaru asked leaning over him.

" I'm sorry ok?" Ichigo asked sitting up.

She poked his forehead in response. " Just a tease. I know you're jealous of my immense strength, beauty, and charm," Hotaru said as she tossed some hair back over her shoulder dramatically.

Ichigo scoffed and the two laughed. " Come one let's head to bed. I have a feeling tomorrow will be a long day," Ichigo said as he got up, holding a hand out for Hotaru who graciously took it.

" Where will I be staying?" she asked as she held onto Ichigo's arm while walking down the open hallway.

" The room next to mine I believe. It was unused the last time I checked," Ichigo shrugged.

Hotaru looked down in thought as the two walked in comfortable silence. To be honest she wasn't quite ready for bed. The two could finally have some time together in privacy as the rest of the soul society went to sleep. Ichigo suddenly stopped, Hotaru nearly running into him she was so deep in her thoughts. He opened the sliding paper door and revealed a sparse room inside. " Here we are," he said peaking in.

" And where is your room?" Hotaru asked as a small smirk crawled onto her face.

Ichigo didn't seem to notice as he moved a few feet down and opened another door revealing a matching room to the one next door. " See? Right next to each other," Ichigo said with a happy nod then turned back to Hotaru.

He appeared mildly surprised at the sultry look across her face but even more so as with one hand she pushed him into the room and the other shut the door behind him. " It's a little cold tonight don't you think?" she asked smiling up at him and leaning into his chest.

" I thought with you powers back it wasn't so co-" Ichigo began but it finally seemed to click. He yelped as Hotaru pushed him back onto the futon and she giggled softly. " Uh did you and Yachiru drink at all?" he asked nervously.

" Nope. Completely sober," Hotaru said as she knelt on top of him, straddling his waist.

" Are you sure this isn't a little too fast?" He continued.

Hotaru paused and the playful smile fell from her face. " It is… I know it is. But ever since you kissed me again… it felt like you stirred the fire back alive deep within me. I feel like I'm turning into my old self again because of you and I don't want to lose that. And, well, we haven't exactly been alone to enjoy one another since our first kiss," Hotaru finished.

Ichigo gazed up at her then slowly sat up, still a bit taller than her even when she sat on his lap. The two stared into each other's eyes, trying to answer each other's questions wordlessly. A smile crept onto his face as he ran his thumb across her cheek. " I missed you and I wanted this again for so long," he admitted, " But I didn't want to rush you. So if you want to back out now you can still go back to your room and-"

" Oh for the love of god," Hotaru muttered interrupting him before closing the distance and taking his lips. The two kissed softly, Ichigo's brief surprise melting away as he reached around and hugged Hotaru. Quickly, however, the softness melted away as hands began to roam and the sound of heavy breaths filled the room. Ichigo pulled Hotaru down on top of him slowly before hands reached down to squeeze her ass. Her eyes briefly widened before grinning and chuckling. " Yes I can tell you missed me," she teased.

Ichigo chuckled back with playful eyes before going nervous again. " We um… we aren't going to… you know," he barely got out.

" Not all the way. Just a little bit of play," Hotaru said sitting up. Ichigo gave her a confused look before it was wiped away to shock as she pulled her shirt off. " Now where were we?" she asked smirking.

Ichigo shook his head and sat up, arms wrapped around her waist again. " I love you Hotaru," he murmured lovingly.

" I love you to Ichigo," she murmured back before the two kissed softly once more, spending the rest of the night in each other's embrace in a mix of kisses and murmurs of affection.