Because the first section of this chapter is a flashback, I have used the following to indicate speech vs internal dialog:
Any Text In Bold Italic Is Speech
Any Text In Underline Italic Is Internal Dialog
ICHIGO HOLDS THE TITLE OF SOUTAICHOU ICHIGO SHIBA BECAUSE THE 22ND DIVISION IS NOT PART OF GOTEI 13, BUT A DIVISION OF ZERO SQUAD.
3 weeks ago, in Soul King Palace Ichigo walks up to his Grandfather.
"Marcus… Grandfather" Ichigo asks looking at The Soul King.
Turning to meet Ichigo Marcus states, "I know that look, Ichigo what are you planning!"
"How hard is it to rebuild a soul grandfather!" Ichigo asks feeling self-conscious.
"About as hard as fulling a glass of water why!" Marcus asks, looking at him.
"Matsumoto makes my father happy and from what Gin told me before he died, she should be much stronger than she is, if not for him!"
"The truth is you already know the first part of the process!" Marcus told him smiling!
"Tell me Ichigo how-do-you fire a Gran Rey Cero?"
Ichigo looked at his as Marcus smiled saying, Summon up all your energy and push it into this glass orb!"
Taking the glass orb in hand Ichigo' summons up all his considerable energy and pushes as much as the glass orb will hold into it
He does learn fast! Marcus thought as he said, "I see the rumors are true.
Watching the Spiritual Energy in the glass orb grow brighter Marcus realizes, He has barely tapped into his Reiatsu!
"Good Ichigo…Good!" Marcus said, handing him another orb saying, "A human soul like this orb is a container."
It's that Simple, Ichigo thought, "I thought it would be harder!"
Shaken out of his musings Ichigo asks, "What rumors are those!"
"That you are a quick study!"
As Ichigo filled the second orb and Marcus destroyed the first he told Ichigo, "Make no mistake Ichigo reforging a soul is no easy task; however, it is nothing compared to the complexity of creating a soul from nothing!"
"Grandfather!" Ichigo asked, looking at Marcus saying, "15 years ago after the battle with Sōsuke Aizen, When The Hōgyoku merged with me just before it died it told me something!"
"What was that?" Marcus asked Ichigo.
"It died saying, I go to oblivion knowing I have met the perfect being!" Ichigo said not quite sure what to think.
Smiling Marcus said, "You were already a transcendent being Ichigo, The Hōgyoku may have finished the process but you would have reached this point on your own!"
As Marcus walks Ichigo back to The Noble Plain he states, "Ichigo when you made love to Yoruichi the way you did 15 years ago did you think about the broader implications!"
Ichigo stopped mid stride looking at Marcus as he started putting the pieces together.
"When a Tsunami meets a tidal wave which one wins!" Marcus asks looking at Ichigo.
Swallowing hard Ichigo's mouth went dry as he said, "The Tsunami!"
A look of dread overcame Ichigo as the truth his him like one of his wife's lighting strikes.
"Calm down Ichigo, even though Yoruichi doesn't realize it herself she is not without guidance!" Marcus explains, with a light chuckle, "When you take her Bee as your second both of you can guide her through it!"
Suì-Fēng, will be… my wife!? Ichigo thought somewhat baffled by the comment
With a light chuckle Marcus said, You must understand Ichigo, to me this has already happened!
"Sometimes I see what was, sometimes I see what will be, however I think this news is not unwelcome!"
"No, just stunned!" Ichigo said, "It's like your reading what is written my own heart!"
"I Am!" Marcus said softly.
Present day Squad 4 barracks Yoruichi runs through the halls in a slight panic asking, "Isane can you feel my… Reiatsu!"
No… but why? Isane thought saying, "I can't feel anything!"
Thinking back to the conversation with Marcus three weeks ago Ichigo lightly chuckles getting everyone's attention, looking at Isane who is about to rush Yoruichi into an exam room when Ichigo said, "Isane calm down everything is fine!"
The look of panic on Yoruichi's face and the emotion flowing though her Reiatsu was palpable as Ichigo said, "Your Reiatsu is fine Kitten!"
The use of Ichigo's pet name for her gave Yoruichi the shivers.
"H-How D-Do Y-You" Isane asks still not trusting Ichigo's word as she still could not feel anything, she wants to trust him, but her training is telling here to be skeptical.
15 minutes later pinching the bridge of his nose Ichigo said, The truth is Isane … Her Reiatsu is beyond your awareness!
I must be careful about the way I break the news to her! He thought crossing the room looking out of the window at sunrise and to the endless expanse beyond Ichigo asked, "Do you remember what happened 15 years ago today… Yoruichi!?"
Ichigo and I made love… for the first time… Yoruichi thought turning just a hint of crimson. Looking his wife in the eye Ichigo said, "When a Tsunami meets a tidal wave which one wins?"
In a voice as softy as a whisper Yoruichi said, "The Tsunami!"
Turning back to face them he said, knowing only the captains knew about his transcendent status and that even Central 46 didn't know Ichigo explained, "15 years ago however innocently, I set a chain of events were set in motion!"
With a wave of his hand Ichigo created a pocket dimension around the room isolating it from the rest of The Squad 4 Barracks said, "What I am about to say goes no further then this room, Isane you were not part of the initial briefing so I am telling you now"
Looking around and realizing what the man in-front of him just did, the one thought on Isane's mind was, What the hell are you Ichigo!?
"I'm getting to that Isane!" Ichigo said softly reading the expression on her face, telling her "No this is not a form of Kido, I created a pocket dimension around the room!"
"The immediate implications of that night are we bonded to one another Yoruichi!" Turning around and grinning just a little bit Ichigo said, "The broader implications…, you started your journey, following in my footsteps!" Ichigo explained
"CRAP!" Yoruichi mutters, as a former captain of 2nd Division Yoruichi has a very sharp mind and remembers the nightly game of Riddles they used to play as a family.
Most of those games Yoruichi won She was an expert at both code braking and devising unbreakable codes and finding hidden meanings in messages. Yoruichi turned Ichigo parable over in her mind thinking, If Ichigo's Reiatsu is the Tsunami and my Reiatsu is the tidal wave!
Then the broader implications dawn on her, What about our… daughters, what about our son.
"Yoruichi Shihouin" Ichigo said, curtly getting her attention, realizing she had figured it out.
He never calls me that, ever… and never with that tone of voice, Yoruichi thought wincing internally as she thought, By the look on his face this must be serious!
2 hours later the hidden sorrow his words conveyed was palpable as Ichigo said, "Even though we have been married for 15 years I have been alone!"
She could feel her heart breaking as he held up his hand the pain within his eyes combined with the sorrow in his words pierced her heart, Yoruichi's eyes started to become glassy and was about to tearfully protest, refuting his claim, thinking, You were never alone I was there by your side!
Ichigo held up a finger cutting her off and said, "I have been the only transcendent being in all of existence for 15 years!"
From her position on the bed even Suì-Fēng the stoic former Captain of the 2nd could feel tears forming at the corner of her eyes, thinking, I only thought I was alone, he was alone.
Yoruichi could feel and hear the cracks on her heart deepening as heartbreak took hold of her thinking, Oh Ichigo... no!
Ichigo's voice was harsh and horse as he said, "To answer your question Isane I am somewhere between the head of Zero and The Soul King himself."
Three mouths opened to ask a question and then slowly closed again connecting the dots Isane Thinks, If that's true then why can I feel your pressure right now!?
Even though Ichigo had already told Suì-Fēng she had not wrapped her mind around it the shear enormity of what he was saying hit her.
5 minutes later Isane didn't expect what came next and more importantly didn't want an answer as she thought, If he is that strong... what does he do with it!
Grinning ear to ear Ichigo said, "Isane haven't you noticed how lush the greenery around the 22nd is!"
Tentatively Isane started to ask the question before she could stop herself, "W-W-What do you do with!"
Raising his brow Ichigo sofly smiles and said, "Isane, if I kept that much Reiatsu on hand this place would be littered with hollows or I would have disintegrated ages ago"
As if to make his point Ichigo raised his Reiatsu slowly to the point where Isane could not feel it at all then slowly lowers it again.
Isane's mouth went dry as she struggles to take a breath feeling semi crushing pressure! It didn't escape her notice that Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng were not affected at all.
"I harmlessly recycle my Reiatsu back though The Soul Society" Ichigo told them, as if it were nothing more then an everyday occurrence.
Before she could ask the question Ichigo said, "I put a protective barrier around Suì-Fēng, and I Didn't raise it to the point Yoruichi would be affected, however she will follow me soon enough!"
With a snap of his fingers Ichigo heals the damage to Isane's body and her Reiatsu.
Taking a breath Ichigo said, "When we will return to the fourth Division even though 2 hours have passed here 2 seconds have passed in the Soul Society… everyone sit still until time and space are reaclamated .
They heard the finger snap and saw the blur of people rushing about as time caught up to itself.
Later that Night at Shiba Manor Isane, and Yuzu arrive for dinner and a meeting with Ichigo, Yuzu takes a moment to examine Suì-Fēng.
"We will get to dinner in a moment!" Ichigo said looking at the lovers, "As to why I asked you here, I am curious, as to why Hee-kah-rooh You-shee-oh-kah has asked my permission to marry not only my sister but my sisters lover!"
The two girls looked at him as confused as he is.
From the door Hikaru Yoshioka said, "I love your sister sir, but I also know she loves Isane!"
"I see!" Ichigo said looking at the three of them shaking his head saying, "You fear breaking her heart!"
"Something like that Commander!" Hikaru said softly
"Permission granted!" Ichigo said, telling them, "Please stay for dinner Isane!"
2 hours later in the main living area she could feel his eyes on her and Ichigo heard "Stop watching me take my nap!" opening one of her eyes Suì-Fēng said, "It's… creepy!"
"Sorry… I was just thinking of something one of my professors told me once!" Ichigo said looking at Suì-Fēng as if he was seeing her for the first time.
He doesn't talk about his life before living hear that much… Suì-Fēng thought as she asked, "What did they tell you?"
"It was a subject called Psychology!" Ichigo said, pausing for a moment so Yoruichi could listen from the door, "It's the study of the mind... and how it works!"
A few heartbeats later Ichigo said, "My professor, told the class one day that everyone has three faces, The first face, you show to the world, the people you work with see that face!"
Then he said "The second face, you show only to your close friends, and your family."
The third face is special, it's the face you never show anyone... It is the truest reflection of who you are you never see that face unless the person is sleeping!
Getting up Ichigo crossed the room knelt-down and kissed Suì-Fēng he said, "Thank you for showing me your truest reflection… for showing me your dream self"
Touching the spot Ichigo had kissed Suì-Fēng felt her heart melt.
Both Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng had the same thought at the same time, When did Ichigo become so… insightful
Answering the unanswered question Ichigo said, "When you weren't looking Love!
As he walks out he whispers, "I saw you're your truest reflection the first time we made love" in Yoruichi's ear causing her back to stiffen as she turned a shade of crimson as she thought, He got me.. he actually got me!
The following morning both women woke up sans Ichigo, but they knew he was close by because they could feel the ebb and flow of his Reiatsu.
As they made their way through the manor both Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng saw Ichigo standing in the open patio wearing a Hakama and naked from the waist up with his skin illuminated by the morning sun as he worked through a Tai Chi form, as the striations of his muscles moving under his skin were giving both of very amorous thoughts and feelings.
Where did he… when did he learn that form no one has taught it openly in 150 years! Suì-Fēng thought.
Just as Ichigo had finished working through the Tai Chi Form Suì-Fēng took his position on the patio, Ichigo already thought she was graceful, but he was about to find out how much of an underestimation that is!
Suì-Fēng moves though the form effortlessly. When she finishes the same form Suì-Fēng walks up to Ichigo and said, "I usually go through it at sunrise!"
Leaning in Suì-Fēng Kisses him asking , "I know where I learned the form, it's been passed down in our clan generation after generation, where did you learn it Ichigo?"
"Do you remember Yakushiji Temple, where the three of us exchanged vows?" Ichigo asks, as he watches Suì-Fēng nod in acknowledgement
Ichigo softly said said, "I was granted permission to stay there for almost 2 years and they're was a visiting monk from The Shaolin Monastery in-"
"Henan Province China" Suì-Fēng said cutting him off.
"How did you know?" Ichigo asks inquisitively, examining his wife saying, "That form, the way you move through it was…"
"Was What!" Ichigo, Suì-Fēng asks
"Breathtakingly beautiful" Ichigo said trying not to blush.
"Ichigo have you thought about a boy's name!" Suì-Fēng asks
"I know the name I'd like to use, but Soutaichou casts a large shadow!" Ichigo said, "Besides Soutaichou Yamamoto was one of a kind!"
"Y-You w-wanted t-to N-Name… our son after Head Captain" Both Yoruichi and Suì-Fēng said in unison.
"I have can count on one hand the people here that automatically gained my respect but Soutaichou Yamamoto is number one!"
Looking at Yoruichi Ichigo said, "You automatically had my respect not because of what you were although that is more than worthy of admiration, but what you did, you walked away from your entire life, that takes more courage than most people understand."
When did you get so, Deep, Yoruichi thought turning his comment over in her mind!
Looking at Suì-Fēng, Ichigo said, "You automatically had my respect, because whale it takes courage to fight an enemy, it takes even more to fight a friend!"
He is more observant and has a keener intellect then I ever gave him credit for… Suì-Fēng thought as her mind went back to that day, when as 15-year old Ichigo Kurosaki invaded The Soul Society.
After a silence that seemed to last for an eternity Ichigo looked at Yoruichi and commented, "It's called Plausible Deniability… That night 100 plus years ago you were given verbal orders from Soutaichou!"
How does he know about that! Yoruichi thought as her head snapped to face Ichigo, saying, "Yes… I was summoned to his office, he explained that all the Visored's, Tessai Tsukabishi and even Kisuke Urahara had kill orders placed on them, no trial just a death sentence!"
Suì-Fēng looked at Yoruichi then at Ichigo, asking, "How did you find out, if that's true the records are sealed!"
"Suì-Fēng" Ichigo said taking on the persona of a Captain of Zero Squad, "The 22nd is a branch of Squad Zero we are answerable to the king alone!"
"My orders were to make sure they escaped and lived long enough for a proper investigation to be conducted" Yoruichi explained the expression on her face said "I'm Sorry", "I understood I would be branded a traitor and that I could never return!"
Closing her eyes Yoruichi stated, "Because of the sensitivity of the mission they were verbal orders only, I could tell no one, not even my own clan!"
"There was something else that was part of the file" Ichigo said handing a sealed scroll to Yoruichi, the scroll itself had The Soul King's crest on it."
Breaking the wax seal Yoruichi read it.
It was dated the night Yoruichi escaped The Soul Society.
It Reads:
By my hand, this Pardon is granted to Yoruichi Shihouin for services rendered to The Soul King. Let it be known that her escape and aid rendered to The Visored's, Kisuke Urahara and Tessi Tsukabishi was done at my request!
Marcus
The Soul King
Rereading the scroll for a second time Yoruichi thought, My mission was sanctioned by… The Soul King!
The Soul King's disembodied voice was heard saying, at the time Soutaichou Yamamoto was the only one I had absolute trust in Central 46 was becoming corrupt!"
As Marcus walks into view he said, Only me, Soutaichou Yamamoto, and you knew about the mission…
"It was (Off The Books) for security reasons everyone else has to believe you were a traitor!"
As quiet as a whisper Suì-Fēng said, "The best way to keep a secret is to keep it to yourself"
"Quite!" Marcus said earnestly.
"Lets not forget the bonuses!" Marcus said "Between yourself and Ichigo alone you could fund GOTEI 13, for the next 10 millenia.
Out of nowhere The Soul King chuckled and said, "That contest will be quite interesting…" Looking at both of Ichigo's wives he smirked and said "In more ways than one!"
Recognizing the playful smile on his face Yoruichi asks, "Ichigo what are you planning!"
"Hm" Ichigo said playing coy in an effort to drag it out and tease his wives, "Oh the contest, it's a game of three-way flash tag once that babies are born!"
"What does the winner get!" Suì-Fēng asks as her interest was peeking.
"Oh, you mean the stakes!" Ichigo said grinning as he milked it for all it was worth.
Yoruichi that was getting annoyed with Ichigo giving him a "Do I need to remind you who is better at teasing look" as she asks, "Well!"
"One on one alone time with me, all night!" Ichigo said, "The truth is spending all night with both of you would be draining aaand, This way I can devote my full attention to you!"
With a bemused look Marcus thought, Taking my advice and adding your own twist to it!
Wiggling his brows playfully he said, "If no one catches me, the one with the more tag's wins and gets the first night!"
Both women heard the seductive undertone in his voice!
Moments later a member of the 22nd approached Ichigo whispering in his ear,
"Scramble a team" Ichigo said, "Tell the team Alpha Wolf is on the way!"
Before ether of his wives could say a word, he had faded out of the room!
Somewhere Karakura Town in, at the same moment Byakuya Kuchiki and the 6th division is about to be overrun when he orders his men to form a circle and face outward.
when 2 Operational Detachment Alpha teams from the 22nd arrive and start cutting down swaths of hollows. Those 24 members of the 22nd cut down the entire first wave of 10, 0000 by themselves.
Byakuya Kuchiki watches and thinks, So this is what the 22nd is capable of… they are like The Seireitei's most lethal killers reborn!
Then he notices Ichigo Kurosaki-Shiba on the battlefield thinking, When did he get here!
To many Hollows, Captain Kuchiki stated as he was about to order his men into the fray when Soutaichou Shiba of the 22nd looked at him and said, "You and your men get behind the Kido barrier.
Instead of waiting for an answer Ichigo waves his hand and moves everyone behind the barrier raising the protection to point of a physical wall.
It was only then that Captain Kuchiki noticed it a look of pure unadulterated bloodlust in Ichigo's eyes. He also felt Ichigo's skyrocketing Reiatsu.
"EVERYONE GET BEHIND THE BARRIER… NOW" Soutaichou Shiba of the R.S.F.O.D. commanded.
It was only then that Captain Kuchiki realized, "I can't his Reiatsu anymore!"
Captain Kuchiki didn't see, it so much as feel the pulse as it extended out in every direction taking out trillions of hollows as it went out.
Captain Kuchiki looked at Ichigo, thinking, How strong is he.
Without turning around Ichigo said, "Hello Coyote!"
Ichigo phased out of sight reappearing right behind Coyote and faster than anyone can see thrusts his hand through Coyote's chest then retracts it holding Coyote's heart in his hand the only reason that it did not beat is because it's owner was already dead!
Phasing back in Ichigo looks at the Medical staff who looks up saying, "They are stabilized and read sir!"
"You're a clan elder right Byakuya?" Ichigo asks calmly, as the man nods.
"Could you come by the estate later!" Ichigo said softly.
Later that night Kazui comes out and asks, "Mama can I curl up!"
Suì-Fēng felt a crack over her heart as she asks, "Another bad dream!"
The boy didn't say anything he just rests his head in Suì-Fēng lap, as both she and her mentor Yoruichi Shihouin exchange a look each knowing the time is fast approaching when he will need to face his fear, or give up his dream.
As Ichigo and he walked in the captain of the 6th division watched the scene play out, now Byakuya may not have been a parent but he did know that a 15-year-old asking to cuddle with a woman that was a mother figure was not typical by any means.
As they reach Ichigo's office he invites Byakuya to sit as he flawlessly executing "The Tea Ceremony"
"A week ago, the then Captain of Squad 12 tried to kidnap Kazui for examination, fortunately i had hid been Shadowed by Bodyguards!" Ichigo explained.
Byakuya nodded, as Ichigo stated, "The only time he can sleep through the night is when your niece is with him!"
"I understand Ichigo, Hisana did that for me, are you asking for permission to court"
"I'm not read to be a grandfather, and I don't think your ready to be an uncle just yet!" Ichigo said looking up telling him, "Right now I'm asking for help, their 15 even by Shinigami standards that young for marriage!"
"Yes!" Byakuya, said, "For now let's see what this develops into!"
Moments later
"Byakuya… If he needs an ear!" Ichigo said with a look of concern.
"He shall have it!" Ichigo lightly chuckles as he reflects on how much his life has changed since the once brash teenage Ichigo Kurosaki stormed The Soul Society.
Byakuya's brow shot up as Ichigo said, "I was just thinking of that day when I invaded The Soul Society"
"What about it!" Byakuya asks eyeing Ichigo
"If you told me then we would become friends even confide in one another" Ichigo said as Byakuya finishes the though saying, "You would tell them you're crazy!"
"I think part of it is he feels like an outsider!" Ichigo explained looking at his fellow Captain saying, "Even though Yoruichi adopted him into the clan he is a Shihouin by blood, and his mother's family is gone so he struggles!"
"His dream is to be Soutaichou of first division one day!" Ichigo said, that made Byakuya smile as he asked, "I heard a rumor that one of your men took down Kenpachi Zaraki bare handed in moments!"
"It's not a rumor he could in have done it sooner, however he was under Orders at the time.. not to use lethal tactics!" Ichigo said offhandedly.
"Be that as it may, would you mind lending me some of your men for security at Kuchiki manor for a dinner party next week, your division are the Seireitei's most lethal killers reborn."
"Come by the barracks in the morning and we can go over the details, I will need a layout of the grounds!"
"Byakuya you knew him pretty well what would he have thought about the 22nd?" Ichigo asked
With a light smile and a chuckle Byakuya said, "He would want to join it i think, that or spar each member of your division just for the fun of it!"