Thank you to Aroneden and Mattock345 for proofreading this chapter, there is a post on AO3 with the lemon that follows this chapter if anyone is interested,
Hope you all enjoy.
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There was something akin to relief in his Dad's eyes as he entered the house with his last dates of the week. The poor man was doing well with his son's choice of relationships, but even so, Ichigo had no doubt they were ready to have a normal night.
"So, Sona and Serafall..." Karin was giving a disapproving look at the Maou's choice of dress.
That look seemed to slide right off the woman as she nodded and gave his Sister a wide smile. "I am Miracle Levi-tan! Warrior of light, hope, love, and sexy."
"Sexy is not a concept," Karin replied.
"It very much is, young lady."
Sona cleared her throat and nodded. "I am Sona Sitri." Karin must have seen something she liked in the girl's serious, earnest expression because she was not able to hold her full force scowl.
"Hi." She nodded.
"A real pleasure to meet both of you," Isshin said with a smile. He looked a bit tired from his full-time job of running a clinic and keeping Yuzu safe from Hollows.
Speaking of Yuzu, the girl was making her way down the stairs looking like she had just left the shower. Her hair was damp and she smelled like roses, which suited her. Glancing at his dates he noted the way their noses were twitching that he was not the only one who thought that.
He frowned for a heartbeat, was she taller than yesterday? He blinked and decided it was the stairs. Unlike her sister's sports outfit, Jersey, spats, T-shirt, tennis shoes, Yuzu seemed to have thrown on a green shirt and her school skirt. "Hi," She jumped the last four steps and landed easily, "Sorry about that, I needed a shower after my run." She walked over to them, her clean face glowing with a healthy pallor.
She looked over both of the sisters and shook her head. "Wow, both of you are pretty."
Serafall grinned. "Look who's talking."
Sona gave her a look then, nodded. "Thank you."
Ichigo leaned over to whisper. "She is thirteen, Levi-tan, moderate yourself, please." She winked at him and he nodded.
"I hope you like roast beef," she said, "It's been cooking all day and I know it tastes great."
"That sounds amazing." Serafall tilted her head, looking his baby Sister up and down. "So what are you burning to ask?" She teased.
"Um..." Yuzu shuffled a little in place and Karin seemed to go on high alert her hackles risked. "Why do you dress like that?" Karin relaxed. "I mean you look amazing," She nodded quickly, "But, is it cosplay, or something else?"
"Well, I never gave much of a truck with what my people did." Serafall looked ecstatic. "They're all like 'Ohh we have to look like nobles.'" She wiggled her hands. "And that was fine when you got to dress crazy, but when I was coming into my own, everyone was going for this boring corporate look. All suits and dull color, it was boring and I hated it." She was able to pout in such a perfect way that you could forget how powerful she was. "Then I found my fashion salvation."
"Magical girl anime?"
"Magical girl anime!" Serafall put her hands on her hips. "There are many ways to look strong and powerful, and this is mine!" She laughed. "No one has beaten me yet, so they have to accept it. Though it helps that I have my own tv show."
"Really?" Yuzu looked at her with wide eyes. "What's it called?"
"It's not something you can find in this world, but I can get you the DVD's"
"Levi," Ichigo chided, "It's TV MA+."
"Aww." Yuzu's shoulders slumped.
"Give it two years Yuzu," Ichigo replied, "Then you will be as old as I am." She sighed.
Serafall stuck her tongue out at him. "Onee..." Sona groaned and gave the other Kurosaki's an apologetic look. "Thank you for allowing us into your home Mr. Kuroskai, I hope we will get along well."
Issen nodded at her, his expression serious. "Both of you are more than welcome," He gestured to the couch, "Do you want to sit and have a drink?"
"What kind?" Serafall grinned. "I've been legal to drink since the Renaissance."
Issen blinked, seeming to tear up for a second. "I'll get out the craft beer."
"Hell yeah!"
"None for us," Sona said, firmly holding his hand tight. "We have a few years left before we are allowed."
Ichigo carefully kept his face neutral and nodded as if he had never touched the stuff. As a group, they moved to the living room, with Isshin grabbing a few of his favorite local brews and Yuzu appearing with soda to share. Karin was remote with the two guests, as per normal. But Yuzu was more than happy to talk, apparently, she had heard more than a little about Serafall from him and the other girls.
"So you're a Queen or Princess, right?"
"Sort of." Serafall hummed as she used her fingers to pop off the bottle cap on her beer. "I am a Maou and my main area of focus is diplomacy and intelligence." She winked at them all. "That second part is secret."
"You're a spy?" Yuzu asked.
"I like to think of myself as a Bond Girl."
"Pretty, vapid, and thrown away at the end of the movie?" Karin asked with biting sarcasm.
"Hot, smarter than they appear, and remembered long after Bond is played by someone else," Serafall answered. The girl seemed in good humor, but Ichigo sent a frown Karin's way and was surprised and pleased to notice the stern glare on Sona's face.
Under that double assault, his sister wilted and glanced away. "My Onee-Sama is the smartest, most helpful, and respected Devil in the Underworld. She has fought every inch of the way to be what she is now. Survived things that-"
"So-tan." Her voice was gentle but insistent.
Sona bit her lip, forcing back the words burning on the tip of her tongue. "Karin," Issen said calmly. It was very rare for him to take that tone with any of them and she wilted even further. "You need to apologize to our guest."
"Sorry," She mumbled, "That was uncalled for."
Serafall snorted. "That's not even the worst thing I have been called this week, you will have to try a lot harder than that to offend me."
"Still," Karin said, "I am sorry."
"And I accept your apology."
Ichigo winced at the words, Sona just nodded, Yuzu's eyes flickered from her sister to Serafall and Isshin gave a pained expression. Karin did not seem to get the importance of now Serafall had phrased that. A weakness of character perhaps, but the person it seemed too bothered least was Serafall herself.
"So Yuzu, I hear you have been doing well in school?"
His baby sister blushed. "I'm doing ok, glad we have had this break, I've really missed having my Brother around."
"Yes, when I have to be away from my So-tan I get cranky." Serafall put an arm around Sona's shoulder and looked around before whispering rather loudly. "She helps keep me sane and fighting the good fight."
"Wow," Yuzu beamed at Sona, "You must be a great sister."
"I try," Sona looked down, "I don't always succeed."
"Bull," Serafall replied. "So-tan is the best, flaws and all...though I don't think you have flaws."
"That's not healthy Onee-sama," she pointed at Ichigo, "Tell her one of my flaws."
He blinked and glanced at his Dad for help, the man took one look, shook his head, and took a drink of his beer.
"What's that look supposed to mean?" Sona demanded.
"Trying to figure out if running away will get me in less trouble." Her glare told him the answer to that. "You can be overbearing and overwhelming when it is not called for."
Sona paused, thought about it, and nodded. "Fair enough."
"That is not a flaw," Serafall waved a hand like swatting a fly, "If anything is a flaw it's her stage fright."
"Onee-Sama, if your show had less nudity I would be fine."
"Nudity?" Yuzu asked.
"Nudity, yuri bait, shower scenes, battle damage," Serafall listed off, "However when Ichigo joins in as Avenger we get to add love scenes."
"Ichigo is going to be on your show?" He put his hand over his face as he heard his Dad drain the rest of the beer. "Yep, we made a deal and everything."
"We did not," Ichigo murmured, "I'm doing this because I love you."
There was a moment of quiet and he looked through his fingers at the Maou. Her eyes were blinking back tears and he felt a panicked flare go through them, he pulled his hand from his face and saw she was smiling. It was a smile that belonged to a much younger, less burdened girl, simple, happy, and warm enough to light the world.
There was a quiet that settled over the Kurosaki family at that and when she leaned over to kiss him lightly in the lips, he was struck by how familiar it felt. Not doing it, but having it in this place. He has seen his parents share just such kisses, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw his Dad glance at the poster of their mother and raise an empty bottle.
They pulled away and Sona was looking at them with such happiness, that he could not help but kiss her too. "Well," Serafall sounded choked up, "There is a reason I adore him so." She wiped at her eyes and returned to her normal bearing.
"How did he meet you?" Karin asked, not seeming to realize she was speaking too late.
"I was at my Sister's house, we met in the hall," Serafall answered, and...and that was it. She gave no further detail. Yuzu asked something about it and was given a conversation. Karin looked confused at the difference in Serafall's answers.
He would have to explain to his Sister that accepting an apology was not the same as forgiving the person who essentially called you a vapid disposable bimbo. "I have heard a little about you Mr. Kurosaki and I am curious as to how you became a Doctor," Sona asked.
His Dad sat up a little straighter and grinned. "When I got together with Masaki," He gestured to the poster, "I was kind of a bum, I had known only one job and a very different lifestyle. So she put me on the couch until I found a job or a path to one. Took a few months to find something I enjoyed." He laughed. "I don't think Masaki realized that given where I came from, time passed differently. A longer life meant, to me, that a few months to find what I liked was a record-breaking whirlwind amount of time. For Masaki, it was an eternity. She told me that I won and to get back into the bed...it took me a while to figure out how to set my mental clock in Mortal Time." Serafall laughed and Sona smiled.
Ichigo relaxed and let the two sisters talk, watching the pattern that emerged. Karin had few questions, but when she did speak, the sisters answered her in short sentences conveying the answer to her. They were polite, unfailingly so, but soon it became clear that neither particularly wanted to talk to her.
With his Dad and Yuzu, it was very warm and fun, trading stories with his old man or regaling Yuzu with escapades of Serafall's very short youth. Ichigo was fine with staying quiet and relaxed, Karin however seemed to be tasting her own medicine and finding it a bit bitter.
Yuzu seemed very interested in the Serafall show, perhaps his baby Sister was thinking of being an actor.
He leaned over and whispered to Serafall. "Perhaps she seems to be really interested in show biz stuff, I've never seen her this interested."
Serafall grinned. "Hey Yuzu you want to go for a walk in your backyard, you can ask me all the questions you want."
"No," Karin said, "That is a terrible idea!"
"Why?" Sona asked politely.
"Because..." Karin moved her mouth but no words would come out.
"It's ok," Issen said, putting a calming hand on Karin, "Your Brother trusts her and we should too."
"It is not about trust, I know both of them would not hurt us, but it's-"
"Karin," Isshin said her name, using that tone again. "It will be ok, leave it be."
Karin's pained expression was odd, defeated. She sank back into her sofa and muttered something that sounded close to the words. "Damage control it is."
Serafall just smiled and Yuzu made an excited sound as both stood up and walked out the back door. Sona turned her cool stare from Karin and her respectful look back to Isshin "Do you ever use your powers to help people in your practice?"
"Once they came back?" He nodded. "Yes."
"Wait, you lost your powers?" Ichigo said.
"Right," Issen took another beer, "At some point when we are all together, remind me to tell you the story of how I met your Mother."
"I will," Ichigo promised, he leaned back and put an arm over Sona's shoulders letting the girl lean into him. "Anyway, I am glad those two hit it off. It might be nice for Yuzu to talk to an older woman."
"Amen," Isshin said, "Heaven knows what damage I have done to my daughters."
"You," Karin mumbled, "You did fine."
"Awww." He pulled the struggling girl into a hug.
"Daaad." She struggled.
Ichigo glanced down at Sona who had her eyes closed and seemed to just enjoy his presence. Even if there was friction, for the most part, this night was a success.
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The door closed and Yuzu let out a nervous breath, she was alone with Serafall, she had questions she never could have asked in front of...well, anyone else...but she did not know how to broach the subject.
Serafall patted her on the back as they started to walk in a circle around the yard. "Spit it out." Yuzu blinked. "The questions you have, the ones burning up your insides." Yuzu opened and closed her mouth glancing back at the window where they could still see the rest of the family.
Serafall followed her gaze and made a humming sound and snapped her fingers. Yuzu watched in awe as a beautiful circle of lines, curves, and symbols flashed around both her and Serafall. "There, no one can hear us. Now, how can I help you?"
Yuzu put a hand over her pounding heart and forced the words she had strangled within her out. "I love my brother!" It felt like her stomach fell into a deep pit as she looked up at the powerful Devil with fear on her face. It was one thing to hear about this woman, another to expose oneself and not know what was going to happen.
Some part of her expected anger, since her Brother was the woman's boyfriend, perhaps amusement, or nothing at all. No, she saw pity and a wan smile of someone who knew exactly what she was talking about. "I see." There was a small laugh. "I thought something felt familiar."
Yuzu opened and closed her mouth before putting her real question into words. "What do I do?" It was a question that only this woman could answer, this Devil who had been through the same thing.
Serafall turned a thoughtful look on her and Yuzu just wilted under that gaze. The woman sighed, smiled, and pulled her into a tight hug. "Let it out first." Yuzu started to shake, the warm, strong arms around her a lifeline. She did not cry, but it felt like something was escaping her body. Serafall held her there, rubbing her back into the shaking stopped.
"Been building up for a while?" Yuzu nodded. "Hurting?"
"A little," Yuzu whispered, "More like burning, or pressure, making my chest hurt."
"Yeah, I know the feeling."
"They are gonna come out here." Yuzu said.
"Don't worry," the window got fogged, "Humidity can be convenient." Yuzu glanced behind her and saw that indeed the window was fogged by moisture. Her stomach returned to its proper spot, in fact, she felt like she might float off the ground.
"I feel better." She gasped.
"Ya, I remember the first time I let it all out. I froze a good section of my parent's home." She blinked her purple eyes and there were tears in them.
"Now," she let go and patted Yuzu on the head, "About your question. There are two answers I can give, one fun, one serious which one do you want?"
"Both?"
"Greedy," Serafall murmured, "Good." She nodded. "The fun answer is to keep doing what you have been doing and I will be behind you and supporting you one hundred percent."
"Why is that the fun one?"
"Because it will lead to hijinks, laughter, suggestive situations and end with nothing really happening and Ichigo none the wiser….our boy be dense." Serafall tilted her head. "So kind of like an Omake."
Yuzu made a face like she was biting into a sour apple. "What is the serious answer?"
"That is the answer if you plan to take this forward if you plan on acting on those feelings inside you. It is the answer that says there is a chance you could get what you want. It's not a road that is short and easy. And at the end of it, you might not get what you want."
Yuzu just stared at the woman, she knew what she was feeling and wanting was wrong. Knew it and knew that no one would help her with it. Oh, they would help stop it but...to move forward. She gulped at how serious Serafall was, straightforward and honest.
What did she, Yuzu Kurosaki want? Puberty was being a….annoying. Her Sister had shown interest in other boys, though she liked that white-haired boy the best and refused to tell her where they had met.
Now she knew, he was a Shinigami that had helped her sister. But she felt different. Just no interest in anyone really, not in the nervous, butterfly in the chest way. Not anyone except for her Brother, it was a pull deeper than just physical attraction.
Possibly to do with the fact that most of her Soul was made up of his...but Souls were not her area of expertise. But she felt there was more riding on what she was about to say like there would be consequences to her words.
She spoke the damning words. "I want to try."
"Ok," Serafall said.
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Deep within Yuzu's soul the slowly fragmenting core of her Hougyoku pulsed and pulsed hard. Weakened as it was, slowly being devoured and transformed by the mark of Kurosaki Ichigo, It was still a creation of true power, raw power, power to answer one's desires.
It pulsed, and what she was, what she would be changed ever so slightly.
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"To start with you have to accept that you might not get what you want. He might and, in fact, most likely will never be able to see you in that way."
"I know."
"Ok, then this is how you start. The first thing is to make no moves on him or even let him vaguely suspect for at least two to three years. Give yourself some time to reach his age, because right now I don't think he can see you as anything else than his baby Sister. You're in between child and teenager waiting until you are a teen." Yuzu nodded.
"Second, you need a reason to be around him, to become part of his life, one he can't think of without you. Worst comes to worst you still get to be his Sister at the end of this. But you have to become part of his life and you have several ways of going about that."
"But he is going back to Kuoh."
"True, but you can get a scholarship there. Hell, I can make it happen. You could also, for example, become my Pawn, I have a spare and I could get you living in the same house as him. Though, to be fair, if you live in Kuoh he will insist you live with him...that is just how he is. That is one option with a few extras right off the bat." Serafall spoke so smoothly, so confidently...Yuzu wanted to be like that.
"If you manage that, you are already in good with Mori, keep that up. You seem to enjoy housework and I know he finds maids hot...though that is most boys. Become friends with the members of his Harem, again worse comes to worst you have a bunch of friends at the end of this."
"More importantly, give things time to build. That is another fact in favor of becoming a Devil, or at least getting a longer lifespan. Keep things subtle once you are of the proper age, for him it might involve subtly dressing more provocatively. Take advantage of your so-called rebellious phase. Use it to be a little wild, test out the waters and see how he looks at you in a miniskirt, perhaps with some risque underwear."
Serafall rolled her head and Yuzu heard some popping sounds. "Above all, slow and steady. What you want is not a race, it's a siege, a siege that will be defeated if he ever so much as thinks it is happening. You're walking a tightrope where falling to either side is a failure, but reaching the end is very unlikely." She turned her gaze back down to Yuzu. "Is that a course you want to pursue? Is it worth it to you, knowing it most likely will not work?"
Yuzu closed her eyes, she could hear everyone telling her this was wrong, even Serafall had not told her it was right. Hell, she could hear her Brother's panicked voice saying. "Don't!"
"Yes," She shrugged, "I want to try at least."
"Then," Serafall said, "As one who walked the tightrope, good luck. And I will help when I can."
"What if we made a contract?"
Serafall quirked her mouth up in a little smile. "Careful, I might have manipulated you into asking that."
Yuzu shrugged. "My brother loves you and you love him, I doubt you would do anything to hurt me."
"Clever girl." Serafall looked at her. "I will pledge to do everything in my power to help you, advice, resources, a word in his ear when needed, and for that in two years, you will join my Peerage. Is that an acceptable contract?"
"Yes."
"Ok," She smiled, "Let me take the lead when we go back inside, remember we need to tone you back a bit, you have some time to kill, time you need to use well use well."
"I plan to...um, could I add in something else?"
"Perhaps?"
"When you do your show with him, could um….um...could I get copies of it for..." She stammered, unable to come up with a good excuse.
"Research purposes?" Serafall offered.
"Yes."
The Maou laughed and it was a joyous sound. "Sure, I think I can do that."
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Ichigo hummed his approval as Serafall slid in on his left side and she moved his arm so that it was around her shoulders. Yuzu looked like she had just won a race, she was calm and smiling. Like a weight had been taken off her shoulders. Guess she might have really needed an older girl to talk to. "So, how did it go?"
"Girl talk," Serafall grinned at him, "And a little bit of how acting and theater work."
"Hah," He shook his head, "She was not too much for you right?" Serafall gave him a mock offended look and slapped his leg.
Yuzu shook her head. "It was fun and I learned a lot, I kind of hope you come around again."
Karin looked panicked at that notion, but Serafall's smooth voice overrode her effortlessly. "For you, sure, we can make it a date." She paused then added. "Playdate...no that sounds worse."
"Mentorship?" Sona offered.
"Yes," Yuzu and Serafall said at the same time, "Mentorship."
"Mentorship in what?" Karin growled.
Issen coughed and said. "I would like to get to know you better before I leave any of my daughters alone with you, no offense. I can see my Son is smitten with you, but..."
"A parent will parent." Serafall agreed. "And, to be fair, it will just be me finding an hour or so once a week to talk and listen." Yuzu nodded but said nothing. "How about I only show up if you're around to listen and you can see for yourself what we have in mind."
Isshin drummed his fingers on the chair and looked to Yuzu who was giving him that pleading look. "That would be acceptable." Karin looked relieved and Ichigo had to respect her drive to keep Yuzu safe, even if Serafall was harmless towards anyone who was his. Did not matter if they were friends, lovers, or family.
"Food is ready." They turned to find Mori, who had somehow managed to keep little Nel quiet as she set the table and even had a high chair for the toddler.
"Wow." Was all Yuzu said.
Mori gave a slight nod of the head and took a step to the side so she was at the perfect spot to feed the small Arrancar.
The smell alone of the slow-cooked meat drew them all towards the kitchen. It was not long before they were seated, had given thanks, and were eating. Nel was being quiet though and when he looked at her she gave him a very adult wink. Ichigo had no idea if her mind and her form were connected anymore, but the Arrancar knew he was on a Date and was keeping quiet enough to let it happen peacefully.
Of course, he could not help but wonder when she was going to claim the prize he had given her for saving Asia. But it would not be tonight. "So Sona, I have not heard much about you." Isshin said politely, "I think I heard something about a school though."
Sona brightened at once. "It's why I came here in the first place, there is little public education in the Underworld and the private schools are much different. So I came here, went through the public elementary system, and currently, I'm working on the private middle and high school experience. Once I reach college I plan on doing a public university for a Major, then an Ivy League school for a Masters's, see all kinds of teaching and education from all angles." She was talking a bit fast, but it showed how seriously she took the subject.
"What are you going to do with all that education?" Isshin asked.
"I'm going to make a school, have an elementary level for basic education, a high school level to teach them about Rating Games, the Pieces, the strategies, how to think, how to command, how to follow orders, how to listen." Her face was flushed with excitement coloring her cheeks in a very attractive way. It was the same when anyone talked about things that excited them. There was a light, a biological reaction, a quickening of breath. Sona was going to make an amazing teacher.
"Then when they reach the college level we can move on to helping them develop their powers. Now, that will be in the background with physical and magical education, but when they are ready we can really focus on developing them into fine Devils." Her mind was clearly on that future now. "From there they can do whatever they want, there are all kinds of things you can do with that kind of training. If I have my way, that will be public education for the whole Underworld." She paused taking in a few breaths seeming to realize how quickly she had been talking.
She coughed and looked down. "Sorry about that."
"No," Issen shook his head, the old man was smiling, "Thank you for sharing. It's good to have someone with that fire in them. It is very rare, and rarer still that they do something about it.
Sona nodded. "I want my school to be a way for anyone to have a chance to follow their passion, though the focus will be on the Rating Games. As that currently is the fastest way to gain rank with minimal risk thanks to how the game works."
"How does that work?" Yuzu asked
Sona gave her a quick overview of the game, the differing Pieces, the rules, all things Ichigo had heard before. "The Rating Game itself is, as far as I can tell, a multipurpose tool. It is a way of rapid promotion, it encourages all Devils to develop their martial powers, and for the ones who get chosen for elevation to the Peerage, it gives them an outlet for that training as well as further honing their skill."
"Don't forget what it does for the Kings," Serafall said.
Sona smiled. "I am getting to that." She took a moment to reorder her thoughts. "For those with the King Pieces, it provides the chance to learn strategy, how to work with a group. And on the political side of things, it is a bloodless war. You can fight your rival, settle things on the battlefield without any death. My people have a violent past and this feels like a way to mollify it."
"I would add that it is a way to teach them to defeat." Serafall said. "To learn what to do when that happens, to see if they can pick themselves up and keep going. We have taken away King Pieces when the holder proves to be unworthy."
"That sounds so complicated." Yuzu shook her head.
"Welcome to politics, if there aren't at least six different reasons involved in a decision, you're doing it wrong," Serafall said it like it was a joke, but the exasperation was clear to those who knew her. Six, she had said, probably closer to sixty.
"Well, no politics at my table," Issen said, "I have had enough of that to last a lifetime."
"Oh?" Sona asked.
"How is that Dad?" Karin said
His old man waved a hand like he was swatting away a fly. "Let's just say my family at the time had some influence within Soul Society."
"Part of the Nobility?" Serafall asked.
"The Shiba clan are not that anymore."
Ichigo frowned at that name. "Wait, are you saying Kukaku and Ganju are families?"
"There was a reason they helped you." Isshin nodded his head. "You look like their brother to a terrifying degree, but they are distant at best, I was a member of a Branch family in my time."
Family...Mom had no family to speak of and Dad has never mentioned any. And without telling him cousins had simply helped him, even when what he had been doing could be considered insane. He decided then and there he would find some way to visit them and talk. "So who was this brother?"
Issen hesitated. "Kaien Shiba."
Rukia's old commander….fate, or a small world, that she had stepped through his window.
Serafall chortled, "We can use that when the Pure Bloods come at me, my man's a noble too." She stuck her tongue out at the imaginary person.
"Were nobility?" Yuzu shook her head trying to wrap her head around it.
"Former," Issen said, "Not anymore."
"Aww."
"Not like it would change anything about us," Karin said, this time her tone was not icy or sarcastic. It was simple, plain. "I like us how we are."
Isshin sighed. "Honesty I feel the same way. I would not have wanted that kind of pressure on any of you."
Ichigo thought of another person he had not dwelled on for a long time. Her name was Rurichiyo Kasumoiji, a small blonde girl and yet the leader of a noble family of Soul Society.
The poor girl had been thrown through the wringer and it had taken a great deal of effort on the part of many people to help her out. From him personally, they had not known each other all that long, but she has become something to him. Someone to protect, it was another name he would visit, to check in on. Sona and Serafall's touch drew him back to the present. They must have seen his eyes go distant.
He blinked a few times and nodded slightly to both of them in thanks. Turning his mind back to the present where it belonged. "Itsygo." It seemed Nel could no longer keep herself quiet. "Focus."
His mouth twitched into a smile and he nodded at his Familiar. "Yes ma'am."
1
The walk away from the house was quiet, with a girl on each arm and the night slowly pressing in around them. "I," Sona gulped, "Can we….go to my home in Kuoh?"
Serafall just nodded and cast her power out into the world. Her spell wove its pattern on reality, manifesting in a symbol of power glowing a glacial blue, it looked like what you might find in a snowflake under a microscope. One step away from his family home, a flash of winter air, and they were gone.
"Wow," Yuzu said from the window, "That is so cool."
Karin made a grumbling sound. "That was the most uncomfortable experience I have had this week."
Isshin shrugged. "You insulted her, what did you expect?" Karin glanced away at that, her lips forming a thin line.
"You were very mean," Yuzu agreed, "She was trying to make a good impression and you just shut her down." Karin's eye twitched, but she kept her thoughts on that to herself.
"So, what did you talk about with her?" Isshin asked.
"Something private, something she set me straight on." Karin blinked at that and a sudden look of hope flashed across her face. Yuzu did not know what to do with that so she just sighed. "Still, even if it was hard to hear, I am grateful she told me what she thought." Yes, it was going to take some time, it might not work, but she was going to try. First things first, training….well her own special kind of training. She walked over to help Mori put things away and asked. "Can you show me how to fold this again?"
The maid gave her a very knowing look, the kind of look that said she knew exactly what was going on. "Of course, you still have a long way to go."
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Rukia Kuchiki knelt, her eyes closed, the room around her was spotless, the windows closed, the curtains drawn. It was very dark, both from the time of night and from the lack of light in her room. She was dressed in all black, looking more like a ninja than anything else. It was apparently a suit made of an expensive material created by Captain Kurotsuchi. He had created the material in a failed attempt to mimic a Quincy ability used by Ishida. Apparently, it had not worked and the only result was a very expensive, very resource-draining material.
It had been made so that the clothing itself emitted background energy, so long as you could hide your Spiritual Power. The clothing made you more invisible by filling in the space you occupied with the background noise every Shinigami had been taught to ignore. Furthermore, it made it easier to hide by absorbing a certain amount of Spiritual Power you produced and helping the suit to act as armor.
So, to make a long story short, if you knew how to suppress your power, the suit made you hide better and protected you from small mistakes if anything leaked out. The only part of it she had not put on was the hood, an odd choice considering the rest was pure ninja aesthetic. The hood was a simple thing, you pulled it over your head and it did something with the shadows it created, hiding your face. You could shine a light right into it and it would not pierce the shadows. There was no mystical quality beyond that, but even she found it intimidating when looking in a mirror.
You could not see anything, not the chin, not the mouth, you were looking into a void and a void that could speak. It was the last thing she would do as a loyal member of Soul Society, the moment the hood came up her treachery would begin.
Her Zanpakuto was in front of her, laying on the ground, a closed file in front of it. Her right hand fingered a smooth black gem, which was going to be important in this early morning's events.
In the same way, this was a wake, a part of her life ending and being mourned. The house around her was so quiet, her Brother was in the human world, everyone was sleeping, save for a few quiet servants. "Kaien, what would you say to me now?"
She knew it was impossible, knew it was her own mind but she could hear his voice clear as day. "You are protecting both the life and honor of Soul Society."
"You said that life and honor together was the heart."
"Yes, we do what we must to protect the hearts of others, our hearts, Soul Society's heart. Rukia you could never disappoint me, not when you are doing what is right." There was quite a pause. "Though really, that guy looks just like me, is there something you needed to tell me?"
"Fuck off." She hissed.
"Touchy." Soul King, she could hear his laughter and then a hand on her shoulder. Rukia closed her eyes not wanting to look and see there was nothing there. "Do as you must, and don't feel bad, you might be getting a kick in the pants...and there will be a lot more women, but you do feel something for him. You feel a lot for him, remember that is real. Not something that was put into you, that is yours, as is your love for Soul Society, you do this for many reasons," There was a tap on her back, right over her heart, "But all of them for the heart."
Rukia closed her eyes and let out a long breath, tears stung her eyes and she let them fall. Mourning the dead deserved tears, the only thing she was missing was a burial.
Standing up she grabbed her sword and placed it on her side. With one last breath, she pulled the hood over her head and suppressed her power. There was only one hidden figure watching the compound at this time. Whoever they were, their powers were suppressed perfectly. The only reason she knew about them was because she was cheating. After she had achieved her Bankai her ability to sense Spiritual Power had mutated. She could sense heat and cold through the same mechanism.
Now it was not perfect if someone could match the current surrounding temperature perfectly, but without specific knowledge of her power, no one had any reason to do that. Her biggest problem now was sight, however, she could cheat the years of training given to Soi-fon's people and use a Kido.
Even that she kept simple, a low-powered passive one to blend into her surroundings. A single wrong look could blow that, but the higher-powered invisibly Kido could be sensed a lot easier. Rukia moved like a ghost through the estate, moving to the opposite end of the building relative to the person watching it.
Some footsteps warned her of someone approaching so she did not hesitate at the compound wall and went over quickly and quietly before some servant would stumble across her. She landed on the ground lightly and took off. Running as fast as she dared, keeping her profile low, letting the camouflage do its job distorting her appearance. Rukia could have used the Flash Step, but that had a distinctive noise. Right now, surrounded by the houses of Nobility with guards, servants running late errands, and who knew how many more Death Guards.
No, she had time, in fact, she had quite a few hours to get ready. With that in mind, she exercised caution, moving quickly then stopping to listen and watch. It made for slow going, it made for time to wonder about her actions, what they would mean.
She had no doubt the Head Captain had considered the consequences that would come the way of the Gotei 13. He had also no doubt considered eliminating Ichigo as a threat. Just the thought made her blood run cold. What calculations had led to this moment, at what point did...appeasing Ichigo with the service and body of a member of the Gotei 13 become preferable to execution?
It did not take that thought long to find an answer, and it was simple. Many within the ranks of the Gotei 13 would not have stood for it, with her being foremost among them. That alone might have been enough, his connection to the Outers, and to leaders of the Outers...well, that would have sealed it. Throw in what those idiots at the Central 46 were planning and well, Ichigo Kurosaki had already invaded them once and with significantly less personal power and powerful allies.
Rukia wove her way among the buildings of Soul Society until she reached the recommended place for her ambush. She stared up at the tall guard tower, which was currently empty for renovations. Convenient that…she took a small risk and cast an actual invisibility Kido and she kept it up for the several seconds it took for her to fly up the tower and to the roof, dispelling it the moment she landed.
She overlooked a vast expanse of the Goto 13's area of control. The same place where the Death Guard would be moving the weapon. She did not know how Yamamoto had done it, but the entirety of the Gotei 13 had been forbidden from patrolling the area by order of the Central 46. Thus they were not on the hook for what she was going to do. Nor could they have been expected to have rapid reinforcements on standby.
Rukia found a spot where she was relatively comfortable, arranging herself to that position. Then she let the cold in, and it flooded her body and Soul. Her core temperature plummeted, her thoughts slowed in time with her spiritual body. Removing everything unnecessary, letting it all fade into the background. The parts of her that remained had one focus, waiting and watching. Along with her vital signs and thoughts, even the emission of her Spiritual Energy slowed to a crawl. Rukia might as well have been a statue and that was how she wanted it to be for the next few hours, nothing but focus and the mission.
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Ishida stood against the window of the hospital, his father beside him, cold eyes distant, dressed as the Doctor he was, grey hair matted with dried sweat and glasses pressed against the bridge of his nose. "This is an interesting development."
Ishida grit his teeth. "How so?"
"The nature of it, the duel edge of the blade."
"I woke up with the burning desire to murder my friend, I fail to see a duel edge in this situation."
Ryuken just looked out into space. "The expenditure of power required to accomplish this, it is going to set HIM back greatly."
Ishida did not have to ask who HIM was, his Father had entrusted him with both that story and the reason behind his own mother's death. "So he considers Kurosaki enough of a threat he is willing to set back his awakening."
"It would seem so, how very odd that is. It goes without saying you should avoid him until you are sure you can control yourself. This kind of Geass can affect you when you act on instinct, you might not want to do it, but it is now within our nature to kill him. A simple fact of our biology and mental state."
"How can I be rid of it?"
"If you do that...your plan will not come to pass."
Ishida clenched his fist, glaring at his reflection in the glass. "Control it is."
"It does help you have the discipline to use Ransotengai, controlling every part of your body with your mind alone is an excellent starting point for this."
Ishida nodded. "It still bothers me that this has happened at all, perhaps he has some connection to HIM beyond blood."
"Perhaps, and given who he is and how he acts you could just ask him and I expect he would just tell you if there was."
Ishida let out a long sigh. "It is annoying that you are quite correct."
"Hmph." That was all the response his Father gave to that. "Have you made any progress on finding a mate?"
Ishida's glasses flashed. "Girlfriend, not mate."
"You do realize how silly this is, your friends have girlfriends so you should have one too." Ryuken sounded almost amused, which, for the man, was the equivalent to laughing so hard you were crying.
"I will not be left behind." He replied with his face set.
"You do realize even if you get a girlfriend Isshin's brat already has eight or nine." Ryuken waved a hand dismissively. "And he is procreating with them."
"Somehow I doubt that," Ishida said, with a roll of his eyes. "Contraception is a thing, you preach about it to every teenager that passes through here."
"I am aware."
Ishida knew why his father brought up the subject and why he had thrown himself into it….they were both disturbed by what had just happened to them. They were both trying not to think of the future and what might come of this. "May you live in interesting times.'' He said to himself.
"The worst curse in existence," Ryuken said.
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Comments of the Week
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The Free Loader
Tatsuki's depth of character clmes from her being someone who can protect to someone who is now unable to help those same people. Who then has to watch those people fight in things far worse that what you used to protect them from.
Not only that those batteles pushed her dear friends in circles where they feel or can no longer relate to her on that level. The feeling that theres a big part of theier friends lives that she's being cut away from for her own safety. In that regard shes been feeling the same feelings Ichigo had in chapter 1 of your series for much longer and endured and learned to live somewhat happily.
Its that aspect of weakness that I think mirrors Ichigo's fears so well and could of shown him that not having powers was not weakness or failure. She'd make the best queen piece were Ichigo to ever form a peerege because she can love and be firm and honest.
Well, some of that will come to ahead in the next chapter, I hope you like it but I will understand if you don't. Ichigo is not able to become a King, it was mentioned a while back but the two Rook Prices in his soul are fused to him. They are the reason all his powers came back, and they cannot be extracted. Now, this could change but currently he actually cant change pieces or even be traded, it just won't work on him.
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Ghost in the Machine13
he lore of harems being kinda trendy is kinda ridiculous for me. I don't see Sirzechs with a harem, and before you mention Grayfia, I will say by your logic Grayfua should love sharing her husband. At thus point, you have already fallen into pattern of focusing on one girl or two and their relationship progress with Ichigo each chapter. And that is making your story painstakingly slow. I know that is probably the format of DxD. In that case, just ignore this criticism and feel free to tell me off.
I am not going to tell you off, I tried very hard not to come across that way, when I spoke about why I write fanfiction. It is more than ok that you disagree with how I read things. And yes it is slow but I wanted each girl to get one full date, and that is what I did.
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Rage Generator
Ichigo has really changed since the start of this story. In Chapter 1, he was telling Issei about how he should find someone to love and cherish her instead of aiming for a harem – a speech that was really popular with the schoolgirls listening in. Now… Ichigo is unwittingly building a social media profile as one of Japan's newest playboys. I wonder how the everyone at Kuoh is going to react when they find out what he's been up to – especially when they will recognise most of the girls he's been dating and sleeping with.
You know I did not think of that….*Evil Laught*
Ichigo's been spending a lot of time with Aizen, and I feel like the mental consequences of that aren't being properly shown. Spending 30 days 'asleep' for every day awake is a bit like being imprisoned and getting visitor rights once a month – except in this case its consensual. Even so, Ichigo only gets to actually live his life once every month, and it feels like it should have some effect on him.
It helps that it is a dream and things are more fluid in a dream. Time does not feel quite the same for him or Aizen, and things have a dream like quilty even as they do tough, grueling classes, filled with sensual dream figments. They can just keep going, a month is about the time Aizen can hold it, that Ichigo's mind can deal with in the way it might a dream. Except that he remembers the dreams lol.
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Okaze
So the big questions on my mind after reading this will likely be answered by the next chapter, but I'll ask anyway incase they're not.
Will Chad be getting that lovely weapon you decided to show off? Or is that just used as a hint to his powers and the origin of his power boost?
For Ichigo, given that he seems to now 100% understand his power and know of the entire situation with his soul, has his bankai changed even further. I won't ask for details so they won't be spoiled, but I just want a simple yes or no if possible.
And finally, given the power surge that Ichigo managed to give his teacher, are we going to be seeing a much stronger Ishida after Ichigo gives him a similar treatment?
It is more than just a prop
We will see
Well as you might have read from this chapter that might be a problem.
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comment of the Week
Katawa Lily
Pretty good; Although, I would like to point out a continuity error in this chapter. Here, Ichigo tells Genkai that his connection to Yhwach was severed and the news shocks her. However, when Ichigo first meets her in chapter 15 or so, Ichigo has already told her he was severed from Yhwach. I suppose it was well over several chapters ago and was, perhaps, simply forgotten. I do, however, see at as something could easily be fixed by editing chapter they first meet, so it's not a big deal.
Anyway, yeah...I just couldn't help but point that out, lol!
Still enjoying the story!
Thank you for pointing this out to me, I will put it on the list of things I need to fix.
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There were so many good comments this week that I could not get to them all, I do read them however and I want to thank Lord Jace, DropTheBoom, TauCetiEarth and many others for some fun reviews.
As for the many questions of what Yuzu was going to do, this one was what I felt was the most realistic. She is only thirteen after all, got to give it some time girl, even if you do have a reality-warping gem in you soul that is making things go crazy around you.
If anyone is interested in what happened to poor outnumbered Sona check out my Lemon on my Ao3 account Fanboy913
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Omakes of the Week by Zathol
AN: Damn dis spicy.
Omake!
Title - How do you like your eggs?
Tatsuki freezes seeing a sight that she never imagined yet here it is in front of her. Straight out of an erotic fantasy staring her childhood friend.
Looking at his body from the back she could she not the body of a martial artist she was so used to seeing but the body of a warrior who trained and fought using every part of their body. It was...perfect.
NO! She was not ogling her best friends boyfriend! Friends don't do that!
Ichigo turned around with a scowl before it changed into a smirk that she couldn't deny made him look that much hotter.
"Want some breakfast Tatsuki?"
Her brain was still not functioning properly. "Bwah?"
Ichigo nodded as if translating that to a yes.
"How do you want your eggs?" He asked.
"Fertilized." The moment the word left her lips her hand slapped against her mouth. Her eyes wide in mortification.
Orihime squealed as if it was her agreeing to joining the harem.
Tatsuki knew if it was the old ichigo she might have been able to escape while making it a joke, he would have sputtered and his face would have resembled his namesake but not this time. At most was a light blush on his cheeks that was followed by a grin that made her want to punch him as much as she thought it made him look just that much sexier.
"Orihime, could you finish breakfast please? I have a personal order to fulfil."
Orihime being her sunny self chirped. "Okay!"
Tatsuki stepped back as Ichigo almost stalked his way towards her and for once she was unsure how to act. Cry for help? Run away? FIGHT!?
It was to late she was already backed up against the wall as he loomed over her with his right arm barring any easy escape to the direction of the front door.
Her breath hitched and she couldn't deny the feelings of excitement and helplessness she was feeling. Any other man would have found her knee smashing against their crouched before being followed up by an uppercut to the face. Yet she didn't even consider the thought as she was reeling from the sudden feelings that were coming out of nowhere. Were these all those feelings she ignored for the sake of her friendship with Orihime!?
She let out a small gasp as Ichigo leaned down and she was sure he could hear her heart pounding to. What should she do!? Did she want this? Should she run? Why was this happening!?
Her eyes felt heavy and as he grew closer she couldn't help but lean her head in a way that would be able to catch his lips perfectly against hers but he didn't kiss her much to her disappointment. And that brought the realization that she couldn't deny, she wanted this.
But those thoughts left her as she felt his hot breath against her ear and neck and she realised he said something.
"W-What?" She stuttered out.
"How do you want your eggs?" His voice was husky and left her feeling a pleasurable shiver run through her body.
Then she realized something. He was giving her a way out. She could smack him one or say something else and they would go on like it never happened. Ichigo was considerate like that, even if he has changed from his other self he was still Ichigo. He would never force her to do anything.
But the thought of doing that brought an empty feeling in her chest. To remain apart like she has always been. Always the one looking from the outside as Ichigo her longest friend and the rest of their friends going off on some adventure without her. Always being the one at home worried if they would return with someone missing or them not returning at all. She hated that!
She brought her hands up gently letting them link behind his neck and she knew what she wanted. At this point she didn't need to hide her feelings anymore. Orhime was fine with it right? She didn't have to lie to herself that she only saw Ichigo as a friend. Rubbing her cheek lightly against his to whisper into his ear the only answer that she had.
"Fertilized." Voice full of want and desire.
The lips suddenly against hers own blew away all her doubts and fears showing she made the right choice. She ignored the squealing from their mutual airheaded friend.
End.
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Omake 2!
Title - Hot for teacher?
Ichigo grinned as he smacked the smaller woman away with a backhand. Genkai was really powerful as he expected but she was a mix of fighting Yoruichi and Rukia. Her small size and devastating hits complimented by her range attacks kept him on the move.
They were just sparing for the most part as she needed to reacquaint herself with her youthful body. He could tell she was having some trouble controling her strength as some hits would lack enough force to even faze him while others would actually hurt with the amount of force. He was sure if she was sparing with anyone else weaker then him they would be in real danger of dying if they didn't take every attack from her seriously. She was that dangerous.
Still things were starting to get a bit more serious as the more time passed in their spar the stronger she became as she shook of the rust and forgotten movements that she was once no longer able to because of her aged body.
The spar continued and it reached a point where energy blast were being exchanged more and that's when things got...difficult. For him.
Dodging a blast he returned on in turn which unfortunately she wasn't able to dodge as she over extended and caused her to trip. She was thankfully able to discharge a shield of energy that negated most of his attack but he was still worried.
Time out! He called out as he dashed toward her spot which was covered in smoke.
"Sensei, you okay?"
"I'm fine, just need to catch my breath."
In that moment the smoke faded and he saw she was alright...though he found she was missing her pants revealing smooth legs and-
...So you wear granny panties?" He said with humor before instantly regretting it seeing and feeling her power rising.
An explosion was all that came along with the pained yelled from Ichigo.
FUUUUU~~~!
30 minutes later...
"I'm sorry..." Genkai was honestly apologetic as she was holding her hands above the damaged leg which she was healing along with his natural healing factor.
"It's fine...it's almost fully healed. Though I think you over reacted a bit..." Looking at her warily.
"Sue me! I'm young again and realize I am producing a large abundance of hormones again! I didn't take that into account as we were fighting as I was so focused on controlling my powers and feeling the adrenaline running through me that I didn't even notice."
"So my little joke ended up pissing you off that much?"
"...shut up. Like I said my body is releasing an abundance of hormones no doubt weren't being produced or in such large quantiles because of my past age. I reacted with anger that surprised even myself before I realized my mistake and lapse in control of my power."
"Ah, sorry, guess it was one of those bad timings huh?" Looking sheepish.
"Yes, even I would have normally just taken the jab and returned one in turn but instead I saw red and reacted like dumbass. Besides what do you think I would be wearing? G-strings and Thongs? Not like I get company here at my age let alone have any desire to see anyone else wrinkled ass." Looking amused at Ichigo's embarrassed face.
"If I knew my student was going to blast my pants off of course I would have gone and change my underwear." She said sarcastically.
"Is that how you get all your girls into your bed? By blasting their skirts off?" She teased.
Ichigo waved his hands back and forth. "Of course not!"
"Calm down, brat. Next time I'll go shopping for something more modern since you want to fuck me so badly. Hot for teacher huh?" She threw another verbal jab at him.
"It's not like that!" He yelled before giving up as he flopped on his back as she continued her work.
She laughed as she finished up.
"Honestly to think this brat would come into my home asking me to teach him and yet de-aging me to get into my pants. Even putting this slut stamp on me. To think I let such a deviant in my home."
He didn't even comment knowing it was a lost cause and just laid there looking up at the sky with a scowl and red cheeks.
Finished up and he had to leave for his next appointment. She watched him leave with a smile and letting out a snort of amusement before making her way inside her home. Going to her computer and going to a site she rarely would have gone on. She had a wardrobe to upgrade and new undergarments. Like hell she was going be called out on wearing granny panties when she was no longer old! Besides she had a vast fortune to spend and had to order her cloths custom because of her size. Least she gained back a few inches with her youth.
"Heh, hot for teacher huh?" She chuckled holding a hand over her softly glowing mark.
End.
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Omake 3 (By Rage Generator)
Chancellor Levi-tan: Have you heard the tragedy of Darth Levitus the Wise?...
...
…She managed to make her sibling love her, but not love herself.
Auditor Yuzu: Is it possible to learn this power?
Chancellor Levi-tan: Not from a Commissioner.
Chancellor Levi-tan: Commissioner Beli-chan. I take it my show has been put on air then. I must say, you're here sooner than expected.
Commissioner Beli-chan: In the name of the Federal Communications Commission, you are under arrest for abusing your special privileges and position to show indecent, incestual content on prime television, Chancellor.
Chancellor Levi-tan: Are you threatening my show, Beli-chan?
Commissioner Beli-chan:: The Review Board will decide its fate.
Chancellor Levi-tan: I am the Review Board!
Commissioner Beli-chan:: Not yet!
Chancellor Levi-tan: It's treason, then.
Yuzu: You have turned Nii-san against me!
Karin: You have done that yourself!
Yuzu: You will not take him from me!
Karin: Your obsession and lust for him have already done that… you have allowed this dark lady to twist your mind until now… now you have become an unrepentant brocon with no sense of shame!
Yuzu: Don't lecture me, Yuzu. I see through the lies of society. I do not fear incest as you do. I will bring love, intimacy, lust and pleasure to my new husband.
Karin: Your new husband?
Yuzu: Don't make me seduce you.
Karin: Yuzu, my allegiance is to proper familial relationship, to common decency!
Yuzu: If you can't approve, then just get out of the way.
Karin: Only a degenerate deals in incest. I will do what I must.
Yuzu: You will try.
Karin: It's over, Yuzu. I have the (moral) high ground!
Yuzu: You underestimate my (brocon) power!
Karin: Don't try it!
-swip-
Yuzu: AARRRGGGHHHH!
Karin: You were the normal one! You were supposed to live in the mundane world, not join the supernatural one! You were supposed to destroy the incest wagon, not jump on it!
Yuzu: Arrggghh! I hate you!
Karin: you were my sister Yuzu. I loved you
Yuzu: Arrrggg-Oh? You loved me?
Karin: Ah! No, not like that…
Yuzu: Oh… ARRRRGGGHHH!
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Well, I hope you all enjoyed it.
Check out the SerafallxSonaxIchigo Lemon on my AO3 account if you are interested.
See you next time.