What's up chapped asses? It's me, the most grammatically incorrect bastard on this website. How are y'all doin?

Anyways, Haven't done this in a while, but...Review time!


Dragon of the Blazeing Stars said:

Oh bell, you have no idea. If anything, Ichigo gonna adopt Ais and Loki will storm the mansion to take her back

I can't wait til Ichigo and Hephaestus date.

Hm, honestly I think Shiro is probably overthinking about Mirba inner hollow. I get the feeling it gonna be just a darker version of her with the same flavor Shiro is and not the 'monsters' that the other Vizards had. That, or it a little buddle of a Hollow Baby.

With Zangetsu slipping in a bit of his blood/power, should we expect the other two to develop their own bleach verse powers?

Hmm...Good question. I'm not at liberty to disclose that info, sorry laddie. Also, I don't think Ichigo's gonna 'adopt' Ais, as amusing as it would be.

KingAllen said:

Ichigo is not normal, stop trying to think that you are right, Ichigo when he first got his power he'a bot question anything.

When the red of the floor tries to get that he will get he's power and bot wasn't pretty sus. (Yeah, I know it didn't make any sense lmfao)

Zero Night said:

It's fun reading this. Most of the time I read other Ichigo-centric crossover often leaves me annoyed because of how ooc or overly cocky that most author made. However, that's just one of my personal peeve so paid no mind about that. I find the way he discovered himself as a god in the dungeon and not just downright plainly announce it in the first chapter. But I do find the whole the info dump on his power and the hell power mind numbling. Surprisingly you have find a way to balance his op power by reason and circumstances. I hope he not like other fanfic that just make Ichigo single handedly swoop down the enemies because that would be pretty boring, isn't? I want the other characters to shine more because that would be interesting. I do love to write more but that would turn into an easay so I rather not. Looking forward for the next chapter!

Yeah, I prefer to leave the one punch man to saitama lmao. That being said, I thought it'd be pretty different to announce Ichigo's Godhood in the dungeon. Also, about that infamous Info Dump...Sorry lads, I legit was in the zone and thought "everything needs to make sense so that everything else doesn't conflict in the future".
Reason and Circumstances are the best things to respectfully limit a literal god. No essay review? Nah bro, Essay that review! I legit get inhumane doses of that happy chemical with every review lmfao.

THANK YOU ALL FOR NEARLY 1k Follows and favorites! I love you all!

WARNING! This episode contains mentions of/Inclusion of Murder, Near-Rape, War, and Murder..Again. Read at your own Discretion. DUN DUN! !

NOW! On with the damn story!


()()(Previously)()()

"Well, Bell. I'm going to go and 'Plead' with that scary Loki." Ichigo said, Groaning as he stood up.

Bell recoiled in anxiety. Welf noticed and laughed. "w-Wait!" Bell managed to croak out before noticing that Ichigo was no longer present. How the hell did he move so fast?

Acero left the room, presumably to go check on Mirba's condition. Lili and Welf got into an arguement about what Ichigo's going to do about Ais, whether he's going to turn her away, or if He's going to let her help.

Bell just sat in an anxious silence as Ren finished tallying the numbers.

"He's not going to like her, Is he?" Bell suddenly asked out to nobody in particular.

()()(The next day.)()()

"No." The stone voice of Ais reverberated around the room.

"But Ais, let me just this oncee?" Loki said, cradling her red stinging hand.

"No."

"Please?"

"...No. Stop asking."

"awh"

Loki hung her head down in resignation. Her objective? To grope her favorite human's rear. Status? Failed, and with injury.

"Loki, you'd think of how many times she's said no you'd stop trying." Riveria said, Looking up from her reports and recruitment files.

Loki looked at the elven woman with a sheepish look in her eyes. Nearly everyday for the past couple years Loki has tried to get intimate with the Sword maiden with nonexistent success. True to Riveria's words, anyone would take a look at Loki and think her to be Insane or Obsessed. But Loki wasn't one to ever give up. She was the goddess of trickery, she absolutely could not fail...But the sword maiden wasn't named that without reason.

"Whatever." Loki said with a sigh. But her eyes regained life and with a cat-like grin, she asks "So...what's with that whole Ichigo fiasco? You came back pretty bloody..."

Riveria took a second to remember the entire night, and visibly paled once she did.

(Flashback, last night.)

Riveria, after stablizing the woman, and going home to change, Riveria called apon the earth sprites to give her directions for her target, and nearly every sprite was fearful at the mention of Ichigo. Riveria thanked the small spirits, and headed off towards the directions that the sprites said the man would be...and what she found looked like the aftermath of a war between explosive titans of old, but it didn't make any sense. There were colossal lacerations to the earth that looked perfect in size and texture. Like someone had cut it with a gigantic knife.

Flying further, Riveria crept over a battered and scarred hillside, and spotted Ichigo. His aura was dark and very oppressive, as was his visiage. Clad in a cloak of red and black flames, Ichigo screamed in absolute fury. His dual toned voice cascaded throughout the landscape like an ocean.

Riveria was pinned to the ground with the sheer pressure the man was exuding.

Her fear had increased a hundred fold once the man screamed out something she couldn't understand, and thrust out a finger.

In pain from the rocks digging into her abdomen, she winced and tears stung the corners of her eyes, but it only got worse as a bright ball of crimson energy pooled infront of the death god's finger, before shooting out like a beam of light. utterly destroying anything in it's path.

The pressure let up suddenly, as Riveria looked up at the man, with the world's worst migrane assaulting her head.

Her heart almost stopped once she heard the earth sprites cry out in anguish and in pain when an explosion nearing the height of babel, and with the width of many mountains reared it's ugly head to the world, painting the sky and earth in the color of blood.

Death.

That was his namesake, wasn't it? The god of Death, Ichigo.

Riveria understood that, to cross him in the way that Apollo had, it would mean annihilation.

Ichigo disappeared yet again, and she was left to see the horror of his wrath in full view by her lonesome.

Riveria couldn't move, she didn't want to. Fear that he may have seen her had paralyzed her, with her only comforts being the sprites surrounding her in support.

Unconsciously crying in the grass for nearly an hour as the explosion cloud halved in size, the woman had gathered her strength and steeled herself to face the world again.

It took a while, but she finally arrived back at the Twilight manor and shut herself off in her room for the rest of the night. All the while her spirits and sprites and works of elven origin had cast calming spells on the woman as she wrestled with sleep.

(End flashback)

With a shaky breath, she said.

"Nothing...unusual happened...Ichigo's captain was injured and I healed her...Nothing..More."

Ais and Loki shared a look full of confusion, mainly Loki... Riveria was always one to speak confidently, and without error or difficulty. To see her this visibly shaken...Something horrifying must have happened.

"Really? I don't believe you." Loki said, leaning closer in her seat.

"It's the truth.." Riveria coughed into her hand and cleared her throat. It was clear to see that she had just erected a wall that spoke "don't ask any more questions". This was an anomaly. Such a rarity that it could almost be said as mythical.

"I see.." Loki said, still skeptical, but deciding that she wouldn't press the Nine Hell for anything else.

"Regardless...I don't want to be around them anymore." Riveria said finally, before returning to her papers.

'Just what did she see that shook her so badly?!' Loki thought to herself.

"That's alright. You don't need to be anyway." Loki said, trying to console her child.

*Knock Knock*

Loki jumped in fright, and her head spun around to face her windows, and nearly choked in surprise.

Ichigo stood on air right outside the window, and with an amused expression.

Ais narrowed her gaze to focus on the god outside the window, and noticed he was unarmed.

'let me innnn' Ichigo amusedly cried out, and even pounded the window with his hands in mock desperation.

With a huff, Loki slammed open the windows and grabbed the man before throwing him inside of the room.

Ichigo took it all in stride though, and with superb reactions, he landed on his feet.

He looked around and chucked at the anger Loki was throwing his way.

"The hell do you want? Hitting my damn window like that!" Loki fumed

"Just wanted to talk...and to say than-" Ichigo said, with crossed arms.

"Use the front FUCKING door! It's there for a reason! UGH!" Loki shouted, interrupting the man before sitting down.

Ichigo raised an eyebrow

"Right...Who pissed in your breakfast."

"She's hungover." The deadpan voice of Ais told Ichigo.

"Oh. Fair enough. I came to talk and to thank Rivera." Ichigo said with his trademark scowl, though it was lessened to a degree.

Riveria perked up at hearing the way he botched her name pronounciation.

"RI-VER-EE-AH" Loki said, stressing the vowels of Riveria's name.

"...Yeah. I came to thank her for saving my captain."

"Oh?" Riveria finally spoke up.

"Yeah. It's true, she's fine and dandy now...Though we need to pick up an eyepatch...Other than that, she's fine as could be." Ichigo said, choosing to sit on the arm of the couch he was standing in front of.

"Really? That's good news." Loki said. "Though, the amount of blood on Riveria's clothes could possibly say otherwise. But, if you say she's alright, then I'm inclined to believe you.."

"Yeah...Anyways. Your payment." Loki's eyebrow raised in anticipation, and Riveria was still on edge.

"Y-yes?" The Elf stuttered.

"Your payment is...One favor." Ichigo said. Loki's smile was ear to ear, and Ais didn't know what to make of it. Riveria was slightly elated, but still uneasy, though.

"HOWEVER!" Ichigo stated loudly, "I refuse any requests that would do harm in any way to my friends. Should you ask me to do anything like that, then it's the end of our relations. Got it?" Ichigo warned with a finger, and Riveria paled yet again as the memory of Ichigo causing absolute destruction because of what happened to his friends surfaced.

"Y-yes..Of course." Riveria said, unable to meet the eye of the man.

"Okay. Well, onto the next topic. Loki." Ichigo said, diverting his attention to the godess.

"Hm?" Loki said with an uneasy disposition. She really didn't like the way Riveria was acting around Ichigo, and with an angry mind, she wanted to know why.

"I wanted to say thank you for taking in my Familia when they were in need." Ichigo said with a slight bow.

This cought the goddess off guard. One second he was exuding an aura of authority, the next, extending a warm hand of gratitude.

"Eh? I uh just...Didn't want to hear anymore loud noises outside" Loki said, waving her hands frantically in the air.

Ichigo smiled slightly, and chuckled.

"Sure."

"Dont be mistaken, I didn't do it because I like you or your familia or anything, I just was tired of the stupid sounds outside!" Loki said, while her face gained a warm pink complexion.

"Oh?" Ais said, feeling a little mischevious. "That's not what you said yesterday...Wasn't it something like..'It's not right, what apollo's doing isn't fair.' Or...something like that..." Ais said, slightly mimicking her goddess.

Loki was mortified, and Riveria regained her smile.

"A-Ais! H-H-HOW DARE YOU! THIS IS BETRAYAL" Loki shouted, Burying her face in her hands in shame.

Ichigo looked at the blonde who was sitting crosslegged on the couch to his left, and said

"You're Ais?"

"Yes." Was all she said.

"How did you forget her? You kicked her ass the day you met her!" Loki growled out.

Ignoring the woman, he asks "...Say, wanna come and train Bell? I'll pay you if you want"

"W-wait, what?!" Loki said, breaking out of her shameful state. "There's no way that MY AIS is gonna help that shrimp's kiddo! Nuh-Uh! No way!"

Ichigo turned towards the goddess with a slightly bummed look, and staired at her in the eyes for a second. The woman's breath hitched as something in her chest felt odd.

"Please?" Ichigo asked with as much charisma he can muster.

Loki was dumbstruck, She couldn't formulate any coherent sentences in her mind. Her pinkish complexion turned from pink to bright crimson. If Ichigo strained his eyes, he could probably see steam coming from her ears.

"Y-y...E...I dont...Uh...Ask...Ask her.." Loki said, shakily sitting down and re-covering her face with her hands.

Ichigo wanted nothing more to burst out laughing, and to make fun of her expression, but he held it down for the sake of his objective.

"I see. Thank you, Loki." Ichigo said, as smooth as could be.

"So..Ais, Do you want to train Bell?" Ichigo said, a little less smooth.

"...I'd love to." She said, putting a faint smile.

Ichigo nearly jumped in success, But that would throw off the room's atmosphere in a negative fashion.

"Sweet. I'll leave you and bell to figure out the planning, But the location of the training will be either here or Behind my mansion. I've got a pretty great training area there."

"Is that so? Then I'll start tomorrow." Ais said finally.

"Tomorrow is great. Anyway, That's all I came for. Ais, Loki, Riveria." Ichigo nodded before flickering out of existence with Flash step back through the window he came from.

The room fell into an awkward silence, as Loki still had her face in her hands with a small stream of blood dropping onto her desk.

"Oh dear.." A masculine voice rang out from the corner of the room. "What in the world was that?" The voice of Finn asked amusedly.

Oh, he was forsure gonna make fun of Loki for this.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()(

(Several hours later, Evening.)

The smell of cinnamon wafted into Ichigo's nose the minute he stepped back inside of his home, and immediately his thoughts turned to Mirba.

"Welcome home, Lord Ichigo." Acero said, as he walked by, A brown book titled 'The updated Ways of the trade' in hand.

"Hey." Ichigo said, as he walked down the hallway to reach the kitchen.

The house seemed to be lively, as the man could hear the bickering between Hestia and Liliruca upstairs over who gets to brush Bell's hair. A couple days ago when there was just Ichigo's familia, it was a peaceful kind of quiet that warranted no worry. However, Ichigo was grateful for the newfound sense of vibrancy and life that the Hestia Familia brought with them.

Ichigo was brought out of his thoughts when he entered the kitchen to see Mirba stirring something in a pot, while talking to Welf.

"O-Oh, Hey, Ichigo-sama! Welcome back" Welf awkwardly said as he shuffled a little further away from Mirba.

Ichigo raised an eyebrow, but thought nothing of it. "Oh, Lord Ichigo?" Mirba said, Spinning around with a beaming smile to see her Patron god.

Ichigo's anger disappeared as a sense of relief and relaxation entered his mind when Mirba nearly tackled him to give him a bone-crushing hug.

"-aahh...Some...things...never change..." Ichigo struggled out, as his thoughts turned towards a certain arrancar woman and her...most pleasing hugs.

Wrapping his arms around the woman, Ichigo said "I'm glad you're alright...Does anything..Hurt?"

Mirba stopped rubbing her uninjured cheek on Ichigo's chest, and said "Yeah, Im just peachy! Though, I now have a score to settle...I'm just fine." Mirba said, looking Ichigo in the eye, stressing the fact that she's fine.

Ichigo could see that her once green eye was now a vibrant and pulsing dark pink color.

"...Yeah. I know what you mean." Ichigo said, Remembering how pissed off he was yesterday.

Mirba broke the hug and returned to the cinnamon smelling concoction in the pot, and said "Well, In any case. I know that you've decided to put me out onto the bench for the war game, and I don't blame you...Though, I just Wish that you'd atleast let me go and...participate in some way..." Mirba alluded.

"I need to know for sure that you're alright. If you want, you could duel anyone you want in the training ground so I can see if you're fit for duty.." Ichigo said, caving slightly to her tone.

"...O-kaayy" the Honey-blonde chirped as she turned the stove off and set the pot aside.

"How's tonight sound?" She said lowly.

"Tonight?"

"Yes, tonight. I want to show you just how ready to fight I am. And by show you, I literally mean I'm going to duel you." Mirba said as she leaned on the counter and smiled at Ichigo.

Her smile resembled a very pissed off Unohana.

"Gotcha.." Ichigo said sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.

"In any case...You've arrived just in time! I made us dessert! Outside, Ren's cooking up some Venison steaks from some deer he found this morning." Mirba said passively.

'..She's angry. Very angry.' Ichigo thought to himself.

It didn't take long until Ren came through the door with a large tray of cooked meats, and the entire population of the house gathered for dinnertime.

"Well, Ichigo-sama. Will you be the first one to take a bite?" Ren called out, fork in hand.

Ichigo looked up from the appetizing meal infront of him, and said "Hm? How come?"

"You're the lord of this home, So it's only fitting." Acero said from Ichigo's left.

"ah...Uh. Yeah." Ichigo cut a small piece of the meat and said "Cheers...To a speedy recovery and to the prelude of a victorious war."

That seemed to raise the spirits of the table as they all called out "Cheers!" and began to eat.

Ichigo put half of his portion of meat back onto the tray, and got a rather hearty portion of the salad that Mirba created.

"Anyways, Uh, Thank you all for being here. I know that recent events might have put you all down quite a bit, but don't worry. I will make damn sure that there's no way in hell that this sort of thing is ever happening ever again. I swear to it." Ichigo said, as everyone nodded their heads a bit.

Even Mirba, with her intense anger, had a small smile on.

"Anyways...Bell!" Ichigo called out, Unnecessarily loud.

Bell jumped in his seat, and almost choked on his food. Coughing a bit, He looked at Ichigo and said

"Lord Ichigo! You scared me half to death! AH...so..What is it?" Bell said, kind of annoyed.

"Guess what."

"W-what?"

"Ais is coming over" Ichigo said with a grin.

Bell's face lit up like a match.

"No way...You got permission from Loki?" Hestia said, after swallowing her food.

"Yes I did. It was surprisingly easy too. I dunno why you guys made it a big deal." Ichigo said, forgetting just how posessive Loki was towards The Sword Princess.

"...W-When?" Bell stammered out, looking left and right trying to see out the windows to figure out if Ais is indeed coming over.

"Tomorrow, dummy" Ichigo said, Eating the salad he put on his plate...Wow what kind of seasonings did Mirba use? It tasted fantastic!

Welf ruffled Bell's hair and said "Wow, You're finally bringing a girl home for once huh"

"W-whaat?" Bell cried out in embarrasment.

Mirba and Lili shared a giggle, and the rest followed suit.

The sounds of elated chattering filled the dining room and for a brief moment, all was well. Nothing amiss, nothing wrong.

And it would be like that for some time.

"Lord Ichigo...I'm ready." Mirba said, striding into the kitchen where Ichigo and Lili were washing the dishes.

"I see. Lili, can you take over?" Ichigo said

"Yeah yeah, Let the short one do the work. I get it." Lili pouted.

"I'll take you and bell for treats at the hostess later"

"Why, yes you can leave this to me!" Liliruca said with vigor.

"That's good. I'll be back"

"You better! We're all going out for drinks and then we're gonna go and spend the night at Hephaestus's 'house' and I dont wanna be left behind!" Lili chided

Ichigo chuckled at the pallum woman, and continued to walk outside.

Mirba was already outside doing stretches, and Acero was prepairing something with the way his hands were glowing.

Ichigo stepped into the training area with a yawn, and grabbed his Zanpakuto.

"Alright. Mirba, Lord Ichigo, I'm going to surround this area in a field of energy that bends the light around us. We'll be invisible to any onlookers so long as they dont cast magic that creats bright light." Acero said and then stabbed the ground with his hand as a wave of dark red energy passed through a 100foot radius and turned invisible.

(Battle theme- Bipolar Nightmare, Nier automata.)

"If you are ready..."

"I'm ready...Lord Ichigo...Please, Don't hold back. Be serious." Mirba said, Tucking her hair under her white and pink eyepatch.

"Alright. Ready." Ichigo said, Bringing Zangetsu up to the ready.

"Begin." Acero said, as he jolted backwards to spectate the fight.

At once, Mirba dashed forward with a jolt of energy, and slashed at Ichigo.

Ichigo parried it with a counter of his own, following her momentum, to which Mirba spun around mid-air and kicked Ichigo with immense strength that threw him fourty feet away from her.

Ichigo was stunned from the pure amount of seriousness she exuded.

Ichigo's awareness was suddenly brought to 100% as he took Mirba more seriously.

The Shinigami landed back onto his feet and flipped backwards to stab Zangetsu into the ground to slow his momentum.

Ichigo quickly rolled right in order to dodge the flamboyant sword careening towards his head, and as he was rolling, suddenly, Mirba changed the course of her attack mid thrust, and swiped downwards at Ichigo.

'Wow, She's a really great fighter! At least 4th seat level...If that's correct' Ichigo assessed.

Ichigo brought up Zangetsu to block, as he brought up his other hand and simply flicked Mirba's chestplate.

She was sent flying about fifteen feet, but landed upright nevertheless.

"Damn it!" Mirba silently cursed, as her armor now had an indent of Ichigo's finger. "{Stallius!}" Mirba called out and suddenly, she moved a whole lot faster.

To a normal person, Mirba's swings and strikes were nothing but a blur of movement, but to Ichigo, it was normal..even slow to him. Of course, Ichigo would never discredit her efforts by saying they weren't good enough.

Ichigo was genuinely impressed. Not once had he been pushed around like this...well, maybe when Ais and Ottar teamed up on him, he did try just a tad, but he couldn't help but feel his heart swell with pride to see such progress from one of his friends. The same way he felt when he saw how strong Chad, Orihime and Uryu had become in such a small amount of time.

Ichigo began to engage Mirba in his version of swordplay, Zanjutsu. He had mastered it to an extent with his constant training with his spirits and out on his...newly obliterated personal training grounds on the Verita mountain range.

She faired well, but he began to pressure her more and more, but he noticed that with each unsuccessful blow she would throw, she would get more and more irritated. It had gotten to a point to where here eye had begun glowing like a small light.

Ichigo used flash step to appear behind her and gave her a brist slap to her backplate, sending her forward offbalance, but instead of falling, she simply twisted around and used her leverage to do a handspring backwards to land and jolt at Ichigo once more.

Ichigo was perplexed, she fought as an elegant beast, one who's every movement was with purpose, and every strike, Ichigo could feel her intent and power.

She was the Pride of the Ichigo Familia.

The pair fought for nearly an hour before Ichigo began to just block her attacks and instead of capitalizing on her many...many openings, He decided to just dodge and block. Dodge and block. rinse and repeat. The few attacks he did give here cost her dignity as they were often made to make her offbalance or fall on her rear. She hated being pushed down and well...Pushed in general.

Slowly but surely, Mirba was becoming more and more angry at the lack of effort Ichigo seemed to be giving, and began to wonder if Ichigo was taking her seriously.

"Tch" Mirba scoffed, as she threw her sword at Ichigo like a spear, and then as he dodged, she slid next to him and sprung at him feet first.

Again, he used that annoying teleportation move that he always did, and reappeared somewhere close.

'Damn It! Just stay still!' she thought in anger

Regaining her sword, she gave it a quick check, to see that the sword itself had a few chips in a couple places, and was very faintly warped to the left.

Re-focusing on Ichigo, She noted that he was just standing there, waiting for her to attack.

He didn't think she was ready? He didn't think that she was Fit to go and do battle? She'd show him, that no matter the cost, she was ready and fit for duty.

She made another mad dash at the man, and this time, Instead of outright attacking, she fainted a strike to the left, and when Ichigo moved to block, she quickly retracted and made to strike his opening on the right side.

Success! The blade connected and she slashed down his torso.

But...Something she didn't expect happened.

His robes were sliced, yes, But the muscular skin underneath was flawless. Not a laceration like she'd intended. Not even a scratch.

Just bare skin.

He must have blocked last second, and then made it look like he didn't move...

The woman jumped back a couple feet and raised her sword. If he wouldn't give effort, then maybe she'd force him to.

"Lord Ichigo...As I recall...I said to take this serious." Mirba said.

Ichigo raised his sword, and said "Yes, I kn-"

"Then why aren't you?"

"I-"

"Why are you looking down on me? Why don't you give me back the same effort I'm giving you?!" Mirba shouted that last part out.

"..." Ichigo scowled. He knew she would say something like this, But He didn't know what to do.

With a single swipe from his sword, She and half of Orario would cease to exist. The lightest of flicks dented her Hephaestus made armor and knocked her out of breath.

Ichigo was genuinely trying not to Kill Mirba in this sparring session.

"Now you're not even going to give me the satisfaction of a response?" Mirba yelled, as her grip tightened until her knuckles were white.

Her presence exploded to life in a torrent of spiritual pressure, while weak, was still quite strong for someone of this world.

Ichigo was put off by the hollow feel of it, but was set at ease to see that Mirba hadn't grown a mask. But...the sclera of her eye was black, and her Iris was pink.

Ichigo felt angry at himself. This world he was thrust into was too...Underpowered of a realm for him. He could destroy anything he touched if he stopped caring about it.

Mirba's face and arms lit up in literal dark-pink fire that spread to her sword, as she charged at Ichigo with speed she hadn't shown before.

It was still really slow to Ichigo.

Ichigo blocked and parried swing after swing, as Mirba sent a flurry strikes and slashes at her lord in wrathful fervor.

"RAHHHH!" Mirba shouted, as she punched Ichigo in the forehead after using her sword as a distraction to get an opening.

She nearly cradled her now bruising hand, but opted to continue to fight and disregard the pain.

"Why! Wont! You! Hit! ME!" Mirba said, thrusting her sword with each word, as tears poured out of her eyes and joined the fire.

Sliding under Ichigo, Mirba grabbed his leg, and threw him across the field and into the ground.

He wasn't heavy like she thought he would be, but he certainly wasn't light, nor easy to throw.

Ichigo whistled in amazement. He didn't know she had this much strength to her.

Quite frankly, he didn't expect it either. She was a level three, about the same strength as a 8-6th seat officer in the shinigami world, Ichigo would reckon.

But it had to end soon.

Hitting her back may not be what she needs at the moment, But for the sake of her feelings, Ichigo would have to fulfill her request.

Ichigo ducked under a horizontal swing, and jabbed the hilt of his sword into her abdomen, sending her off a couple feet while making her cough out saliva.

Shaking, she took a knee and gathered her breath, which was promptly used in the quietest sob in the world.

When Mirba stood up, Ichigo saw the sheer pain, anger, and humiliation that was etched on her face..

"w-...why did I let my guard down..." Mirba said to nobody in particular.

Ichigo's own expression was full of comfort and support as he strided over to the crying girl.

"I..Lost my goddamn eye because of it...I'm..I'm useless now, I can't even l-lead my goddamn familia!" Mirba said, as she lifted an armored arm to her eye and on instinct, wiped both cheeks thinking that both were wet, and upon being reminded that she only has one eye now, she was sent into a silent wail.

Suddenly, she was enveloped in a warm hug as her voice came back to her in a hearty cry. And cry she did, into the chest of her god.

The fires on her face and arms died out as she dropped her sword and returned the hug in its crushing entirety.

"w-why am I so weak.." Mirba wimpered out

"You're far from weak, Mirba. You have the determination and willpower of a warrior. Your heart is strong, so that makes you strong." Ichigo said as she continued to weep silently into his chest.

He stroked her hair as she continued to cry.

They stood like this, Ichigo muttering encouragement into her ears while she calmed down.

Mirba seemed to stop crying, and chuckled slightly after sniffling.

"You know...You never really seem to miss Depth Perception until it's gone..."

"ah. Well, now you're a more capable fighter than me. It takes sheer skill to accurately swing a sword without depth perception..." Ichigo said, unsure if that fact is true or not...But hey if it helps then it helps.

"Yeah whatever.." Mirba said.

"...You got snot on me again...Didn't you.." Ichigo muttered.

"...Sorry." She said sheepishly

Ichigo sighed, and said "Okay well, Don't make it a habit.."

"I'll try" was all she said, as they broke the long hug.

Ichigo turned to Acero who was simply watching the exchange and took it all in stride.

"I figure that this duel is over?" Acero asked, and gained the nods from both Ichigo and Mirba.

"Sorry it took so long, Ace!" Mirba called out to the elven man.

Acero shook his head and said "No, It's alright. Don't worry about it, it was quite educational for me. I've concluded that you'll be able to best levels 3 and 4 with little effort. So long as you don't lose your mind in the process."

Mirba looked at Acero with confusion and she said

"Truely?"

"Indeed. The force of your attacks, The air sprites told me that they would easily pierce armor not made by lady hephaestus with ease. The earth sprites told me that your power when moving is sufficient to outmaneuver many adventurers they've encountered without effort."

Mirba gaped at this information and Ichigo raised his eyebrow in wonder.

"Damn, see? You're not weak. Not even close. And it's even better that Monsters dont wear armor, huh?" Ichigo said, nodding to Acero.

"...Thank you both.." Mirba said with a small smile and a sniffle.

Ichigo looked down to see the damage Mirba had done...and aside the large cut in Ichigo's shihakusho...and the small spot of snot, There was nothing wrong.

"Well, Let's get back inside...I still gotta see what Lili's done with the dishes.

"Lead the way?" Mirba said, back to her usually soft side.

Acero let his technique fade away, and followed the pair inside the mansion.

Once inside, The trio split up into their seperate paths. Ichigo to scold Liliruca for not being done with the literal three plates left.

Acero, Ren and Mirba would join Bell, Welf and now Liliruca on their way to the Hostess of fertility for drinks, before stopping at Hephaestus's place.

Once all was said and done, the house returned to it's usual silence as only Ichigo was in the house.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

(Time: 12:34)

(Theme: Faron woods- Zelda Twilight Princess)

Ichigo awoke about an hour into sleeping to get a glass of water.

The shinigami walked the cold, dark, and barren hallways until he reached the kitchen. There, he groped the walls for the lightswitch...but there was none. Not in this world atleast. The monster crystal powered light fixtures had switches on the mechanism itself, so you had to manually go and turn on every light. Unless Ichigo payed for the centralized route style mechanism, This is what will have to suffice for the moment.

Bleary eyed, Ichigo felt the light fixture, and turned it on. A warm caramel light shown itself and illuminated the dark kitchen, and Ichigo was able to reach for the glass he wanted.

This world was catapulted from the iron age into semi-modernity with the invention of Monster crystal utilities. All that was left to do was to invent automobiles and radio.

Ichigo filled the glass with water, and began to drink it earnestly. Usually, He'd never awake for something like water but it seemed tonight was different.

Though, there was something else. Something wrong.

There was someone else here. Someone who's reiatsu felt violent but calm at the same time.

They were in the mansion, In the hallway stairing at Ichigo.

Though, Ichigo wasn't worried. His hierro had enough strength to withstand a nuke maybe...But that was just an exaggeration.

Maybe...

Ichigo sat the glass down and sighed.

"I know you're here, and if you dont want to have any broken bones, I suggest you show yourself." Ichigo calmly said, as he turned around and glared at the darkness.

"Ohoho...How smart...What gave...me away?"

A robed man walked into view, he was built like an ox, and his jet-black hair fell out of the hood like waterfalls. There were two glowing cyan dots in his shadowed face.

"I dunno...You sure do stink. That's for sure." Ichigo said, as he leaned on the counter unamused.

"...Do you...know why...I'm here...standing before you?" The man rasped out with what looked to be a smile.

Ichigo raised an eyebrow.

"Nah, can't say I do. Enlighten me."

"There are...Some who...Think you're...a Nuisance...a bother...un-needed" He said, before reaching into his robe and pulling out a jagged dagger. "I've already...thrown my existance...away...I do not...care what...happens to me...But as long...as I live...I can enjoy...all that Valis..."

Ichigo figures that he must be talking about how gods punish those who kill them by sending them to that god's version of the underworld.

"Hm. Is that so-" Ichigo was interrupted with perhaps the most infuriating sentance anyone could have ever spoken to him.

"And maybe...enjoy that sexy...blondie when...she comes...back...hehehaha"

Ichigo's grip on the counter intensified for a split second, but the damage was done as there was now a handprint indented into the granite.

"Right. Here's what's going to happen. I was thinking of letting you go, or maybe turning you over to the guild...But now you've obtained my attention." Ichigo started with a growl, his hair was slightly raising by Ichigo's undetectable ambient reiatsu, and it looked like he was underwater. The assassin's smile grew from ear to ear, exposing his...pearly white teeth? Odd for someone like him.

(Play, Lower Norfair orchestration- The noble demon)

"And now that you have that...I'm going to rip all of the information out of you, one. tooth. at. a. time." Ichigo said, black entering the whites of his eyes.

'Control yourself! Ichigo!' the voice of Old man Zangetsu rung out from inside Ichigo's mind.

'But!-'

'No! Think rationally. Remember last time you failed to do so? You're in a city. you must be better.'

'...Fine.'

Ichigo closed his eyes and breathed a heavy sigh outwards.

"Atleast...That's what I'm going to do, if you don't get the hell out of here, and never come back." Ichigo said, opening his eyes to reveal that the assassin was gone.

To the assassin, he was moving at untouchable speed, but to Ichigo...He was practically walking.

Now, at this hightened sense of perception, Ichigo made two choices for himself.

1. Shunpo to the left and intercept him using the Face-To-Foot style, or

2. Take the hit like a little bitch and feign weakness.

'Guess im going for 2...' Ichigo said internally as he was sent through the wall with a kick from the assassin.

"Ohoho...All talk...no bite...Aint'cha?" the assassin cackled out.

'...wow. that barely tickled...' was Ichigo's mindset...Damn was everything on this planet this boring?

Ichigo lay on his back in a small crater, once again enjoying the cool and soft sensations that a body formed crater would bring.

Again, Ichigo didn't understand how a man that size could move that silent.

"Aww...did I...break you...already?"

The assassin blurred into existance next to Ichigo and slashed with the cruel looking weapon.

This would normally have dulled the blade, but a new scratch adorned Ichigo's face and blood flowed down his cheek.

"You gods...always get...too confident..."

"Shut up!" Ichigo said, as he ran around his yard, dodging and failing to avoid strikes and stabs from the assassin's blade.

The Death god's body was adorned with cuts and stab wounds, many were leaking blood like faucets. wherever Ichigo stepped, a small puddle of blood would shortly form.

"Well, Damn...You didn't put...up as much...of a...fight as...I thought...you woulda..."

"I..." Ichigo

Ichigo chose not to answer the man, as he staired at the rather large hole in the kitchen side of the mansion and wondered how much it would cost to repair...

Ichigo chuckled and that elicited a response from the assassin.

"What's so...funny..."

"Nothing really. Tell me...How often do you do this?" Ichigo asked, shaking from blood loss.

"Hmmm...Let me think..." The man paused, and put a pale white hand to his exposed chin in thought.

"often. Remember...the Hera familia? And the...Benzaiten Familia...and the...many others...I don't care...to remember..."

He then broke out into a fit of laughter, and resumed his stride towards Ichigo.

"I also had fun...with some of their...female members...before...disposal..."

Ichigo nodded, understanding what must be done.

"..."

"Now it's time...To DIE!" Assassin charged at a struggling Ichigo, and plunged his knife deep into his stomach.

Ichigo let out a cry of agony, as he gripped the assassin's arm, and flailed his other hand out towards the assassin's hood, pulling it down to get a look at the man's face.

He had a scar running along his face dipping into his milky white eyes, The man was blind. His hair was parted to the side, and his skin clear from blemishes.

Ichigo staired at the man's 'eyes' as life faded from his own...

The shinigami slumped down but his grip on the man's arm stayed true.

"Bye bye...hahaha...hmm Rigor Mortis..." The man said, as he began to slice off Ichigo's hand with his second knife...Or well, He tried to anyway.

"Huh?" The assassin was confused

The dead man's grip intensified as the bones in the assassin's arm groaned in protest.

"Gah! What the hell?!"

"It looks like your way of talking was just a face." the 'dead' man said.

Looking at Ichigo's 'lifeless' body, to see every stab, every scratch began to stitch itself shut with immense speed, his eyes widened in horror.

"Did you even do research...Any at all.." The assassin let out another cry of pain, as he was forced to let go of the knife in his chest. "What aspect of existence...do I govern..." Ichigo said, as he snapped his head up to stare at the scared expression of the assassin.

"Pathetic Idiots like you cant kill me." Ichigo said confidently, as he stood back up, still holding the assassin's knife arm.

Intensifying the grip once more, a cracking and squelching sound emitted from the assassin's arm, and the man screamed for dear life.

Ichigo had pulverized the assassin's arm until it resembled a rope of beef jerky.

A golden light shined from Ichigo's eyes, as skeletal armor wrapped his body in it's hell-ish protection.

"What...Is this!" The assassin shrieked out in horror.

"For the crimes against the gods, and against humanity that you have committed...I sentence you to an eternity in hell." Ichigo said.

The assassin's eyes widened, as he said "You're bluffing! I haven't died yet!"

"Eien no Horobi."

At once, the sky turned a deep shade of purple, and a myriad of hook-bladed chains fell from the heavens, and phased through the assassin's body, seperating the soul from the husk. For the first time in this world, Ichigo has seen a Plus soul. A damned one, But a plus nonetheless.

That brought a new theory to mind.

The assassin's body fell forward, lifeless, as the screaming and now chained soul of the assassin was lifted into the air by his limbs.

A vortex of air swirled around the field, and centralized behind the bound soul, and finally, gigantic blood red gates of hell appeared. Their signature dual-skeleton decorations were this time animate and reached out towards the screaming and pleading sinner.

The gates flew open and a simplistic sword held by a Kushanada, pierced the man's head, rendering the body lifeless as it broke down into reishi and flew into the damned dimension.

The sword and arm went back into the dimension, as the gates stayed open a while longer. A single Kushanada peered it's head out of the gate, it's golden-yellow eyes bounced in their sockets before snapping to Ichigo.

Ichigo gulped, but nevertheless kept his cool.

The Kushanada bowed it's head, and it's presence returned to Hell.

"Eien no tenbatsu" was all Ichigo said for the gates to close, and once closed, the Shinigami turned around as the armor of the Kushanada disbersed and returned to his soul.

"all of that...for a glass of water." Ichigo said while looking down at the corpse infront of him.

He figured that he should do some investigating, and started to empty the mans pockets.

"Hm, Keys...Pictures...valis and a letter." Ichigo muttered as he turned the man over.

Extra weapons, armor, and even a bag of potions and poisons.

Ichigo took the potions and poisons and the possessions of the assassin and then walked back into the mansion through the wreckage.

'you really didn't have to do that, you know.' Suki spoke

Ichigo rolled his eyes and said 'Of course I did. You heard him, he's killed and violated multiple gods and their familias. Plus he's an assassin. I hate those sneaky bastards.'

'...True. But I was talking about faking your death. You really had no need to play him that hard.' Suki giggled

'...Hey, it seemed like a good idea to get some measure of pay back. Who knows how many people have died with fear in their hearts.'

'As always, you're right...hehe. Anyways, I've noticed something. You killed that man, and turned his soul into a plus soul.'

'Yeah, I saw. That makes me wonder...If I kill people in this world, will my power convert their soul to one that's compatable with our realm?'

'I...Regrettably, I do not know. I'll try and find out though. So in the mean time, please continue to kill and gather more data, hmm?' Suki sung out in sing-song.

Ichigo flinched and said 'No, I do not think I'm going to be killing anyone anytime soon.'

Suki giggled and disappeared to his inner world.

Ichigo walked into his study, and closed the door.

Walking to his desk, he layed down the loot he obtained from the dirty vermin he's disposed of just moments prior.

First thing he needed to do is find a orario's locksmith, and have them examine the key to determine what it goes to. Next, he layed out five pictures, and each disgusted the man to no end.

They seemed to be pictures taken with a Monster crystal powered camera...or atleast magic that can produce true-to-life still images.

The pictures were taken when the females of the mansion would bathe. Needless to say, The assassin was able to come in and out of the mansion with ease and hide. Makes more sense on how he was able to appear before Ichigo with no sound.

The assassin felt a tad weaker than Ottar...and a tad stronger than Ais. Whoever this guy was, it makes sense how he put an end to several familias.

The letter was next.

Opening the letter it read as follows:

"Fiend of Orario, Barracsuda, Your expertise is required once more. A god by the name of Ichigo is stirring up things he has no right to. His presence puts the very things I have been working to create in danger. He is a problem that must be dealt with, I assume you understand what must be done. I give you this bag of 7.k Valis, and a redeemable card for 900k more, As-per-usual.

Do not contact me when you're done.

-Sun Archer." At the bottom was a seal with a bow with a drawn arrow...

Ichigo's eyes squinted at 'Sun archer'.

'Could Apollo be any more obvious?'

Well atleast he knows who put the hit out on him.

Ichigo set down the letter began re-examining the photos, He noticed that three were of Mirba, the next three were of Lili and Hestia. The ones with Mirba...seemed to be more crinkled than the rest.

'Old man, can that healing ability set things on fire?' Ichigo asked.

'Indeed.'

Ichigo wasted no time in incinerating the undignified and blasphemous photos, and scooting the ashes to a trash can underneath the desk.

Perhaps it was an underground organization, that Apollo was apart of?

There was also a possibility that the letter was forged. Apollo might be innocent...Of this atleast.

All will reveal itself when Ichigo finds whatever that key opens...He hoped.

"Well..Shit." Ichigo sighed out in frustration. How could his own house be breached so easily? How could he go undetected for so long?

Ichigo heard pounding at the front door, and quickly he stashed the potions, key and one knife into a locked drawer.

THe shinigami used flash-step and arrived to the front door. Opening it, revealed a party of adventurers with worried looks on their faces.

Apon seeing Ichigo's tattered and bloody clothing, Their eyes widened in disbelief at Ichigo's seemingly unharmed body.

"Ichigo-sama! Are you alright? There was an explosion here! What happened?" The leader seemed to say.

"Hm? Explosion?"

"Yes! Didn't you see that bright light and all that wind and smoke?"

Bright light, wind and smoke? The Hell gate?

"Ah..Yeah, I did...Say by chance did you happen to see a gate with...skeletons on it?"

"Gates with skeletons?" The man looked perplexed, then he looked behind him to see his party shake their heads confusedly.

"AH..uh Nevermind then. Anyways, yeah. I was attacked and ended up surviving somehow...But the assassin didn't." Ichigo said, Leaning on the doorframe.

It seemed to be nearly dawn, and these adventurers looked like a late-night response team for such events.

"I see. Lead us to where the body is, and we'll take it. Also, If you've taken anything from his person then I'd respectfully ask you to return them." The man said, motioning for two adventurers to go around back to the back yard of the mansion.

"He had nothing of value, but here's his knife." Ichigo nodded and tossed a sheathed knife towards the adventurer, who cought it and nodded.

"Come in."

With a motion of his hand, Ichigo called in the party of six to come into his home. They briskly followed the god to the scene of the crime.

"Here's where he sent me through the wall." Ichigo said, pointing to the hole in the house.

The adventurers gaped and gave Ichigo's body a doubletake.

"What?" Ichigo asked, crossing his arms.

"N-nothing...But these counters look like they're made from granite...and these cabinets...feel like hardwood. sir, by all means, you should be very very hurt right now."

Ichigo chuckled at that, and then pointed at the crater that looked like an imprint of a man, and once the group saw that, they were floored with disbelief.

"I've taken on the best this city has to offer. 'Aint no way some grubby hidey-hole lover is gonna do much else." Ichigo said

"But...the blood?" One adventurer, who looked like an archer, pointed out at all of the drying blood pools and splatters littering the ground.

"Yeah, well so what? Even I get a bloody nose sometimes?" Ichigo chided.

That drew chuckles and laughs from those in earshot of Ichigo's joke.

That seemed to put the adventurers at ease.

"Hey, Jorda. This is the man we've been looking for." said the adventurer who picked up the body.

Every adventurer snapped their head and their attentions toward the body.

"Really?" They all walked towards the assassin.

"Yes, His teeth, fingerprints, magical aura, and his DNA structure fit." The man said, putting away a small book titled 'Identity of the god killer'

Strangely enough, Every adventurer had this book attached to their hip.

Slowly, they all turned their heads towards Ichigo, and paled.

"What happened?" was what they asked.

"Hm? I burned some trash. What do you want?" Ichigo said with a huff.

"Yeah, but this man's been wanted by the city guard and by the guild for several counts of rape, treason, man-slaughter, and atleast six counts of Deicide. He would have been doomed to the underworld apon death anyway, so it doesn't really matter what we would have done...but still..."

"..."

"Thank you, Ichigo sama!" They all bowed and said in unison.

Ichigo looked away.

"That was just a small measure of justice that I could have given..." Ichigo said humbly 'while staying true to my morals..'

"Orario is in your debt! By taking out that rogue level 6, you've made the city safer!"

Ichigo waved off the man's thanks as he just continued to rave on and on about how much of a savior Ichigo was.

Apparently the 'god killer' was a very despised man...But was kept around based on convenience.

"Well, We'll be off. I'll send word to the guild about what you've done, and I'm pretty confident that they'll fix your manor up in no-time!" The leader said, as he and his group waltzed off with a jovial spring in their step.

Surely, there were posters about the man that Ichigo could have walked by? Maybe he didnt notice these things yet...It was possible that during Ichigo's slow exposition into the city, he may have missed a thing or two...Like the subtle side-eye glances he'd recieve.

Clearly there was someone who wanted him out of the equation. Now that brings the task of identifying the person(s) and bringing them to justice. That was all Ichigo was sure of. But now...That assassin is rotting in Ichigo's hell-realm, and justice is served. Hopefully that would help the murdered gods and adventurers sleep in peace now.

Ichigo sighed, as he finished the glass of water he abruptly put down on the counter, before being spartan kicked through several layers of expensive furnishing.

'...damn..*Yawn*...Was I always this tired?' Ichigo asked himself as he slugged his way through the halls, and after changing into a fresh set of clothing, finally he slid back into his covers to finally catch up on sleep.

His eyelids felt like iron weights, as he fell into the warm-sweet embrace of a well deserved sleep.

()()()()()()()()()()

(3:34)

"You had NO right to get that drunk!" Mirba said, still assisting Ren on their walk. Bell, Hestia, Lili, Hephaestus and Acero agreed with the sentiment.

Ren's head was still swirling, as the man's breath stunk of soma.

"Yeahbuh...Noway...I'm not drumk"

"yeah yeah, drunkie.." Mirba chastized as she sighed.

She was barely getting the hand of walking with a major blindside, so it made sense that she'd stub her feet on random things every once in a while.

But, that's why she vowed never to take off her armored boots while up and about.

"So...Hestia.." Hephaestus whispered to her best friend.

Hephaestus was on leave currently, as her orders were complete. The next set of orders would not arrive for some days. This was an oddity, as she always had work on her plate. Though...The millions of valis was never anything to pout over...

Hestia perked up at her name being whispered.

"Yes?" She whispered back

The duo slowed down to let the rest go on ahead.

"Is Ichigo mad at me?"

Hestia's head turned slightly, and then shook her head in the negative.

"No" She started, "I don't think so. Not at you anyway."

Hephaestus remembered the hurt look Ichigo gave her when she recoiled at his hollowfied state.

"He...Uh, Transformed, and I did not take it in stride.." Hephaestus said ashamed.

"Did you outright bolt from him in horror?" Hestia said, Walking with her arms crossed.

"No, But, It might as well have been the same thing..."

"I don't think Ichigo's the type of guy to keep something like that around his mind.

"You sure?"

"Pretty sure. Just apologize if you think it's that big of a deal." Hestia said, nonchalantly.

"Well...We're almost here." Hephaestus said, looking at the mansion in the near distance.

"Yeah...Say, is there something off about the place?" Hestia said, putting a hand over her eyes to...see better? Its nighttime and not bright..There was no practical application to what she was doing.

"Ichigo's in danger!" Mirba shouts at the group.

This accelerated the group's heartbeat by a vast margin, and they all start sprinting.

Ren was...Trying to run, but kept falling over, Welf hoisted the man over his shoulder, and tailed the rest of the familia.

"I-Ichi!" Hephaestus said, as she began to fall into a dead sprint, passing the familia, and appearing at the gates.

Her divine aura was slightly activated, as she kicked open the front door, that was locked with a deadbolt.

The woman quickly searched the house, and found Ichigo nowhere. She then reappeared at the front door and then looked to the right into the kitchen, and saw the signs of destruction and drops of blood.

Her skin grew cold, as her eye widened in fear.

She remembered where Ichigo's room was, and made a beeline to it and rushed inside as the rest of the familia entered the mansion.

All having similar reactions, and Mirba ordering Welf and Lili to check the perimiter, while they cleared the house. a series of 'Clear''s later, They made it to the second floor that was also clear.

They all opened the master bedroom's door, and in it they saw Hephaestus cradling Ichigo's face into her chest as she was borderline breaking down into tears.

"He's alright.." She said to the group, as they all breathed out in ease.

They decided to leave the pair to their privacy, and left the room to go deal with the damages to the house.

"Fi...Everything's alright." Hestia whispers, as to not wake Ichigo up.

"Yeah, I know" She says, as she sniffled in relief.

Hestia gave her best friend a reassuring pat on the back, as she closed the door.

()()()()()()()()()()

(05:30 morning)

...

Fire, Everywhere. As far as the eye can see... Everything was rubble. Blood stained the streets of Orario, as babel itself was nearly toppled, had it been attacked once more.

Every now and then, a pillar of golden light would pierce the smokey air and alert all who temporarily survived to the departure of another god...

Rivers of fresh blood and bits of flesh washed down the streets and pooled into the Orario reservoir forever poisoning the lake with the presence of death and disease.

A single beast was the cause...Bringer of havoc, of vengeance, wherever it went, destruction always followed.

Draconic, was the beast's visiage. It's midnight-black scales absorbed all light, turning the beast into a shadow figure with a single piercing crimson eye.

"You will all pay for what you've done..." The dragon hisses out, as it begins to roar and spew forth dark flames from it's gaping maw.

Then...Everything went to black. Everything that has just happened, was returned to nothing...

Ichigo's eyes snapped open, and suddenly, shut again.

The light from the sun stings his bleary eyes.

"ugh...what the hell was that.." Ichigo says, sitting up.

"I don't know, but from the way you were breathing it sounded like a nightmare." A sweet voice said from his side.

Ichigo turned his head to the left, and there Hephaestus was. Sitting on one of his chairs while reading a book titled 'Adventures of the crimson death'

"I...Take it, Everyone's back?" Ichigo says.

Hephaestus smirks, and says "Yes...after drinking my entire stock of soma. You owe me 344k Valis."

Ichigo sighed, and rolled his eyes.

"I see. Whatever...What do you need with all of that alcohol?" Ichigo muttered that last part.

She scoffed, and went back to her book.

"Welf has...Joined Hestia's familia." Hephaestus sighed.

"Is that so? And you're fine with this?" He asked

"Yes, He will go farther with her, than with me. And that's alright.

"I see. Well, If it makes him happy then he should go for it." Ichigo said.

Ichigo layed back down with a huff, and then looked at Hephaestus again.

"Y'anno, I've never notice before...But what is up with you and waking me up recently?"

Her face flushed red, but she kept her composure and said

"Well, is it an issue?" She retorts half-heartedly.

"Nah, It's actually pretty uh...pleasant." Ichigo said, scratching his cheek.

the corners of her lips twitched upwards slightly.

"I-Is that so? Then I'll make sure to do it more often." She says, as she pretends to go back to her book.

A couple seconds pass awkwardly, then Hephaestus sighs and shuts the book.

"Ichigo. I'm sorry." Hephaestus says, as she stands up.

Ichigo's heart drops, Was there an issue?

Her head droops down and that intensifies Ichigo's anxiousness slightly.

"When you...had that mask. I didn't act as I should have. I turned my nose in shock and awe and fear and at the same time, I forgot just who was behind the mask."

Ichigo's worries lessened considerably. Yeah, when she looked at him like the most horrifying thing on the planet, it kinda hurt, but he understood that she wasn't an adventurer who sees things on par with that on the daily. So it makes sense she'd be scared of something like that.

"So, for that, I offer my deepest apologies."

Hephaestus gives a light bow.

"..Nah, It's alright." Ichigo said, sitting up again.

Hephaestus looked up, and raised an eyebrow.

"Im serious. I dont care to be honest. It was a different situation for you, I'm sure. So, it's alright. Don't worry about it okay?" Ichigo said, and crossed his arms. His scowl was nonexistent when looking at the woman.

"...I see. Thank you, Ichigo." She said, standing straight once again, but this time, her face was deeper than red.

"Atleast...Let me make it up to you..." She said, as she walked closer.

"Huh?" Ichigo said, raising an eyebrow.

"Shh." she said, putting a shaky finger to his lips, as she leaned closer.

Ichigo's own face burned with embarrassment, as he balled up his covers in his hands.

Was this...Was this his first...

Hephaestus put a hand on the bed, and leaned forward. She was shaky with anxiety and slight fear. But nevertheless, she continued.

"Ichigo...I've wanted to do this for a while...Won't you let me?" the goddess whispered

He already knew what was going to happen, he wasn't a dullard. To tell the complete truth, he had thought about doing the same thing, but never knew exactly the best way to go about it. Never, had he ever expected that Hephaestus would be the first to initiate this. Back home, the girls would always wait for the man to do something first.

Ichigo nodded, and gulped.

He hadn't showered! Does he smell bad? He didn't have a chance to brush his teeth! Why was he shaking? What is this sensation in his lower body...were the things running through the man's mind.

Hephaestus reached out, and put her hand on the back of Ichigo's head, and pulled him closer and closer, until her hot breath would tickle his nose.

She smelt like Metal and sugar. It was a pleasant, yet odd scent. He appreciated it however, unlike those made back home, where it would stain one's nose for the next week.

Then, she pressed her glossed lips onto his, and closed her eyes.

Ichigo could feel her heartbeat through her lips...Good. She was just as anxious as he was.

Ichigo decided it was time to take action, and moved her hair and tucked it behind her ear.

After he was done, they parted, and Hephaestus giggled slightly.

"You...are gentle." She said, expecting him to be ravenous, like every man.

"W-Well, Yeah. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable." Ichigo says, Remembering the advice Goat-Chin gave him as a younger kid.

'Remember Ichigo! When you're making out with a hot chick, take it slow! Take it fast and you'll lose her forever! Be nice, courteous, and most importantly, Be gentle. Women love a man who can be both gentle AND aggressive!'

'Thanks, goat-chin' Ichigo thought.

She was mesmerized in his gaze, her thumb was massaging the back of his head, Ichigo's hand cupped her cheek, and he said

"Can...Can we do that again?"

She giggled and smirked a little.

"Do...what..."

Ichigo's own blush deepened, and he said "Y-You know.."

"uhh...Hehe Not really, you're going to have to be more...Specific..." She said, getting closer again. This time, she sat down on the bed next to him.

Ichigo's face was now crimson, as he said

"Can I k-kiss you...again.."

Her heart stopped for a second. She never knew how adorable he could be. She had certainly got a man who knew how to be both a War machine, and a gentleman. She loved it.

"Why, Yes you can...Thank you for asking..." She said, as she leaned in again, and leaned into his hand.

This time was more intense, as she was closer.

Hephaestus seemed to be breathing harder, and rubbing her thighs together. What the significance was for that? Ichigo had no clue.

Her hand roamed from Ichigo's hair, to his back, then finally settling on his neck.

They parted for air, Mainly Hephaestus, and she said

"Wow...You're really...sloppy." and wiped her mouth with a giggle.

"I-Im Sorry!" Ichigo said, wanting to throw his covers over his head.

"No, No. Don't be. It's alright, to tell you the truth...It was my first kiss.." She said, looking away.

Ichigo's eyes widned, and he said

"Mine too."

She looked back at him, and said

"Truly? Well..That makes more sense."

Ichigo chuckled, as he felt more bold.

The Shinigami reached out and grabbed his smith, and pulled her into a warm embrace.

This surprised the goddess as she said

"Eep! What's gotten into you?"

"I'm...I dunno." Ichigo said. He really didn't know what he was doing.

She was surprised at first, But then she turned her torso, and hugged him back.

Her chest was squeezed by the embrace, but strangely it wasn't uncomfortable like it always was. She disliked hugs because her chest was sensitive, but, with Ichigo, there was no trace of sensitivity or uncomfortability anywhere.

For the first time, she enjoyed a hug, and even better that it was with her man.

Hephaestus didn't want to leave this warmth.

"Hey, Let's go somewhere today, once I get to see what Ais is capable of." Ichigo says.

"I'd love to." Hephaestus said, as she kissed his forehead.

After hugging and kissing some more, The pair seemed to feel drowsy. It was still the morning, and both had woken up early, so it would make sense that fatigue would strike when their guards are down.

Hephaestus took off her boots, and then crawled up next to Ichigo and began cuddling him.

Ichigo's face burned. Is this what it meant to be cuddled?

The man had known this woman for quite a while, he thought, and everytime he saw her, his chest beat a little less than it would before going into battle.

His cheeks slightly flushed, he would sweat a little, and his thoughts would become more erratic...But he enjoyed every second of it.

Is this...Love? Did he...Love her?

Ichigo would decide...Yes. He did. He decided that he would want nothing more than to show her off to Goat-face and say 'Now can you shut up and stop talking to Mom's poster?!'

He settled for holding this woman instead.

He turned towards her body, and layed on his side.

Her eyes were low with drowseyness. As soon as his eyes met hers, she perked up slightly, and her cheeks flushed red.

He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, and pulled her under the covers, covering them both up to their shoulders.

A while longer, and Ichigo would be asleep in the arms of his goddess.

"This should...be okay right?" She muttered, as she quickly but accurately pecked Ichigo's cheek, and then layed her head infront of his chest.

Looking at his sleeping chest, and wanting to squeal in delight, she settled to smile and close her eyes so she could replay the last thirty minutes in her head.

'so THIS is what it means to 'sleep in' Hephaestus thought to herself as she started to fall asleep, it was just a shame that her undergarments were uncomfortably soaked.

()()()()()()()()

(12:43, Noon)

'Lord Ichigo...'

'Lord Ichigoooo.."

"Loooord Ichigo!"

...

"ICHIGO!"

Ichigo's eyes opened slightly...Damn that was some good sleep.

"Good afternoon, Lord Ichigo. Ais Wallenstein has arrived, and is sitting in the living room. We were informed about what happened by the guild and are going to start rebuilding the house in the afternoon tomorrow...hehehe." Mirba said, and then giggled.

"Hm? Oh...yeah..Tell her I'll be down in a bit..." Ichigo said, and then yawned.

"Mkay...Lovebirds hehe" Mirba said, Basically vibrating in place with a huge smile on her face.

"What?" Ichigo said, and at that, a quiet breathing suddenly was apparent.

Ichigo pulled back the covers and saw Hephaestus's sleeping face, and her eyepatch had fallen off.

Mirba saw this, but didn't show any outward opinions. Her smile didn't dim whatsoever.

"Y-Y-You know?" Ichigo whispered, to not wake up the woman who's head was lying on his chest.

"Mmm-Hmm! Of course I do! I'm so friggin happy about it! I won my bet!" Mirba said, throwing a fist in the air and bounced around happily.

"Bet? What bet?"

"I made a bet with the girls this morning about why Lady Hephaestus rushed into the mansion ahead of all of us, and I bet that she was probably worried out of her mind so she was checking on you, and that it would end out with you two in bed hehe" Mirba said, pulling out a bag of valis

"The girls bet that she wouldn't do that, buuuut Hestia came to check on you two, and boom. Passed out in eachother's arms"

Ichigo was mortified. In bed with eachother? Wasn't that another way of saying...

"I-In Bed?" Ichigo's face burned, as blood threatened to drip down his nose.

"...You didn't do it...Didn't you.." Mirba said, laughing

"No I didn't! We aren't...That far yet!" Ichigo quietly said.

"OoooH! I'm still keeping the valis, Kay?"

Ichigo nearly facepalmed...If his hand was available.

"Well, I'll be out in a minute. Go and uh..Keep Ais company." Ichigo said, turning to Hephaestus.

"Okay, But Bell's got me covered in that aspect. Cant strike up a conversation with her but he sure does love being around her." Mirba says.

"Whatever you two are talking about, Be quiet." Hephaestus suddenly said, as she turned her head so that her exposed eye wouldn't be visible.

"Yes Lady Hephaestus...Sorry!" Mirba said as she closed the door, Intimidated by the woman.

Ichigo jumped in fright as well, but settled down once he realized Hephaestus wasn't angry.

"Sorry." Ichigo said, quiet.

"Mhm...Its okay.." She said Burying her face in his chest again.

"Well, I have to go and do things..." Ichigo said, lamenting that he has to leave bed.

"Yeah...Yeah..." She said, quietly.

Ichigo was released, but her touches lingered slightly.

Ichigo stood up, and as soon as his hand touched Zangetsu, His gauntlet and full Shihakusho materialized onto his body.

It was something he recently figured out how to do.

"mmm...Ichigo." Hephaestus said, as Ichigo tied back his hair into a ponytail.

Turning around and re-approaching the bed, Ichigo leaned down and said

"Yes?"

"...pspshps" She muttered incoherently

"Hm?" Ichigo said, confused, as he leaned down lower to hear her better.

Suddenly her hand zipped out of the covers and pulled him closer.

She gave him a bone crushing hug, and a big kiss on the lips.

"hehe. Just one more for good luck." She giggled sweetly.

"Oh..." Ichigo said, once again blushing.

"Now go and see what Ais has to offer. I'll be here...sleeping." She said, still tired.

Ichigo chuckled, and after brushing his teeth, he went downstairs to see Bell, Welf, Lili, and Ren asking Ais different things. The conversation was a bit one sided, But Ais seemed to be enjoying herself nevertheless.

"Lord Ichigo has arrived." Acero announced, as Everyone stood up and bowed, before sitting back down.

"Good afternoon...So, Ais." Ichigo started as he walked closer.

"Yes?" Ais said

"What's the plan. When do you wanna get started?"

"Preferably soon. Bell, are you ready?"

Bell's face lit up at being called out in a straightforward manner.

"Y-Yes!"

Ais smiled slightly, more than she had before, but then it disappeared when she looked back at Ichigo.

"Well let's get outside then. Welf, Lili- Lili? Where's Lili?" Ichigo asked.

"I dunno, Lil' Lili said she was called back to Soma's estate" Welf said.

"Soma? She wasn't part of Hestia's familia?" Ichigo asked, wondering why she was sleeping here instead of a Soma barracks.

"Nah, she's Our party's supporter." Welf responded.

"I'm probably just being weird, But when she said she was summoned, I got a pretty weird feeling from the look in her eyes." Bell said.

"Hm. Alright It's whatever. Lets go train, Hm?" Ichigo said, floating out of the room, through the kitchen back-door, and into the training area.

The sky was dark and cloudy and it was kind of windy, but not to the point of being a downer.

The air was clear and smelt of fresh water, meaning it would be raining shortly.

"Well, Let me see what you're made of." Ichigo said to Ais, as she looked confused.

"...when you train Bell, is what I meant" The man corrected sheepishly.

"Ah." Ais said, as she and bell got on opposite sides of eachother.

They drew their weapons and dashed forwards.

What happened next could only be described as one of the most Nostalgic things that Ichigo could remember.

Being one-shotted.

Bell was smacked in the temple by the flat part of Ais's sword, and was knocked out.

Strangely enough, she had not shown any uncomfortability when she placed Bell's head onto her lap and began stroking his hair at Hestia's displeasure.

Welf and Ren were sparring on the opposing side of the training field, and were actually doing pretty well...Though, Lvl.3 Ren was going easy on Lvl.1 Welf, preferring to just sparring and observing Welf's fighting methods.

By the time Bell awoke, he screamed, and jumped away from Ais's lap.

Ichigo had been Irked by this, the object of his affection had so clearly shown him interest, and he rejected it.

They both squared up, and again, Bell was knocked out after parrying one of Ais's slashes.

'he parried this time...I see what she's doing.' Ichigo thought, as he sat on a platform of reishi. Ais had begun to give Bell another lap-pillow. Same as before.

'She's etching his mistakes into his memory, to show him what happens when he gives her a blindspot, and he's learning. Slowly..' Ichigo concluded, as the same thing as before happened again. He screamed, and bolted from her affection.

She pouted slightly at Bell's reaction, but showed no signs of being dissuaded from her objective.

"I see. He's learning, and you're teaching him through unforgettable pain." Ichigo said to Ais, as she sheathed her sword after parrying a few more shots from Bell, before ultimately knocking him out again.

She nodded and said "I know how fast he grows, and through this way, he will grow even more.." She said, as she smiles down at the sleeping boy.

"How old are you?" Ichigo asked

"Fifteen since last month."

"He's fourteen...Okay."

"Why?"

"Oh, just wondering." Ichigo said, over the sounds of clashing metal between Welf and Ren.

Ais said nothing and reverted to giving the unconscious boy her attention.

Ichigo nodded in approval.

"Gotcha. Well, I approve. This method seems to be working, and it seems to suit him...and you." Ichigo said.

Ais nodded slightly, and started to anticipate Bell's awakening, and freakout.

"Well, Carry on." Ichigo said, gaining another nod from Ais.

Ichigo walked over to Ren and Welf, and began to observe.

Welf threw practiced strikes, thrusts and slashes, but did so without the power he needed to make them mean much aside from giving the enemy something to block.

It's a good thing monsters have no tactics...

Welf slashed horizontally, but due to his fatigue, he slipped and missed.

Ren took the opening, and threw one of his swords into the ground and used it as a base platform to jump off of, and after executing a backflip, he opened up his leg, and kicked Welf's head, successfully causing the man to stumble forward and then trip off of Ren's sword.

Welf crashed down into the ground, and hissed in pain as he stubbed his toe on the handle of Ren's sword.

Ren landed back onto the sword, and pointed his other one into Welf's face, and said

"Yield."

Welf scoffed and said

"Yeah whatever."

Ichigo crossed his arms and smirked.

These people needed alot of work...Too bad Lili wasn't here.

"So, What did you learn from that bout, Welf?" Ren asked.

Welf was helped up by Ren and said "...Conserve strength, and...strike accordingly?"

"Bingo. Makes sense, since you're a smith." Ren said, jabbing his fingers into Welf's stomach.

"Ack! What was that for?"

"When you're exhausted, Your reflexes dim tremendously. You cannot afford to lose a single piece of attention on the battlefield. Like you said, Conserve and strike when the time is right."

"...I see...So, we can go again once I'm done resting?"

Ren's smile widened.

"BAHAHA! Rest? You think someone from snobby ass Apollo familia is gonna let you take a rest? Hell no. Ready yourself boyo, I'm just getting started." Ren said, Hoisting the sword out of the ground, and got into the ready.

Welf looked shocked, and turned towards Ichigo, and said

"Help?"

Ichigo laughed and said

"Nice! Good approach, Ren. Carry on." Said Ichigo, as he walked away, and back into the mansion.

"Ooh, wait! Before I go, Come inside when it starts to rain. Unless it's part of your training, Okay? I don't want you all to get sick on me."

Ais nodded, as did Welf, Acero and Ren.

Ichigo walked back into the home, and was immediately subject to glares from Hestia.

"So...Mind tellin me what you were doing in bed with my best friend?"

"My..Girlfriend?" Ichigo said, crossing his arms. The word 'Girlfriend' was unusual to speak outloud for him.

"!" Her face went red hot as she said

"You two are official now!?"

"...Duh?" Ichigo said with his eyebrow raised, like it was obvious to everyone.

"...I..Congrats! Wow! So...Who started it?" Hestia asked, bouncing with joy...She wasn't the only thing bouncing.

Ichigo averted his eyes, but answered anyway.

"She did. But that's all im gonna tell ya, My private life ain't something to be put on a magazine or newspaper somewhere, okay?" Ichigo said, halfheartedly scowling at the pouting goddess.

"Look, If she wants to tell you she can."

"BAH! Okay. Fine." She said, crossing her arms and pouting.

Ichigo greeted Hestia once more, and then walked into the kitchen to see Mirba prepairing Lunch.

"Oh, Lord Ichigo! How are you!" Mirba says, as she...Notices his presence without looking at him.

"Uh...Good afternoon. I'm good, what about you?" Ichigo says, strolling up to her with his hands in his pockets.

"I'm alright, thank you for asking. Anyways, Lunch is almost ready, and since they're training, It's something that's not going to require consumption right away." Mirba says, stirring the food.

"Makes sense. Good thinking."

"Hehe, Thank you." Mirba giggles.

"Anyways...How'd you know it was me?"

"Uh...I dunno. I just, Knew? I felt like something was looking at me and at that same time thought of the color black. You're the only one here who consistantly associates with the color black all the time so I knew it was you."

'She sensed me. My reiatsu should be undetectable, but she sensed me nevertheless.'

"I feel that way with everyone though...Only recently was it apparent. Like, If it's not weird to say so, I can easily tell where you are. Only when you're close, like in the house or something." Mirba said

Ichigo nodded and gave a 'Hm, interesting' noise.

"I see."

"Anyways, How are you and Hephaestus fairing?" Mirba asked

"We're doing alright...What about you? You got anyone?" Ichigo asked as he leaned on the counter.

She froze for a second, but smiled nevertheless.

"Not really, No. I'm not interested in that stuff yet, I'm only 18. I have a while to figure...that stuff out." She said, as she tested the food, before adding a pinch of salt.

"Makes sense." Ichigo said, patting her on the back.

"Anyways, Ill let you keep doing what you're doing." Ichigo said and walked away

"Okay, Bye!" Mirba smiled and waved.

'As long as he's happy...I'm happy..' She thought to herself with a dejected sigh.

()())()()()()()()()

(Dinnertime, just after the training)

"Well Now that we're gathered...How was training?" Ichigo asked.

Ais had finished beating Bell to a pulp for the day, and reported his growth to Ichigo.

"...It hurt." Bell said, as he rubbed his temple.

"Yeah." Said an equally worn out Welf.

Ichigo burst into laughter, at the chagrin of Bell and Welf.

Ren began to accompany the god, and the two felt more dejected than ever.

"That's good! Pain is learning" Ren said, beating Ichigo to the punch.

"Yeah but...It's painful! GAH!" Welf yelped in pain, as soon as his bruised elbow was sat onto the table.

"Mirba, did you heal them yet?" Ichigo asked.

"Hm? Oh no, Not yet. I'll do that after this though."

"Gotcha. Welf, Bell, Here's some advice." Ichigo said, and the boy's heads perked up.

"Endure the pain now, so that you wont have to later. There's a reason it's called 'Growing pains'." Ichigo said.

Welf nodded, in appreciation.

"That's my advice, so I expect 100% effort at all times when you train, Okay?" Ichigo said with authority.

"Right!" Welf and Bell said in unison.

Ichigo chuckled and finished his food.

The rest of the night passed in a comfortable silence, overlooked by Ichigo, Hephaestus and Hestia.

Before they knew it, Night had passed and all returned to their rooms.

On the way to his room, Bell passed Liliruca's room...and felt uneasy that the room was empty.

Something was clawing at him, telling him to hurry..Hurry for what? Why was he feeling this way.

Bell then decided to speedily make his way to Ichigo's room, and Knocked on the door.

'Hold on!' Ichigo called from deeper into the room.

Bell started tapping his foot impatiently, and started to pace back and forth.

The door Opened, and Ichigo was standing in the doorway.

"Ichigo-sama, Something's wrong. I don't know what it is, But I'm having a bad feeling about Lili!" Bell said in worry.

"Really?" Ichigo said, as he opened the door wider. Hephaestus was already asleep again...The disease of sleeping has infected the poor goddess, and she found that she didn't care.

Bell nodded his head in anxiety.

"Okay. I'll see what I can do. Go to sleep." Ichigo said, as he closed the door.

Bell couldn't simply 'Go to sleep' He was too worried. He had to go talk with someone about this.

The Argonaut made his way to Welf's room, and knocked lightly.

Stirring from his sleep, Welf called out "What is it?"

"Welf, can I talk to you?" Bell asked.

A tired sigh could be heard from inside, then shortly after, The door opened and welf beckoned for him to come inside.

()()()()()()()()()()()()

(With Ichigo)

"Well, What did he want?" Hephaestus said from her new spot in bed.

Ichigo looked back at the woman, and saw that she was buried in his blankets.

His chest felt warm, and he said

"Ah, well, I'm gonna have to go check on Lili. I was going to do so anyways, but now I guess I have a formal reason."

"Hm. Well, you better not take too long, or else I'm going to sleep without you." Hephaestus pouted.

"Okay, okay. I gotcha." Ichigo said.

"Wait, before you go, make sure nobody sees you. If it's foul play like I'm suspecting, then You'll probably not want to be seen...Make sure you get back home in one piece, got it?"

"Of course. I'll be back." Ichigo said, strapping Tensa Zangetsu to his back.

The shinigami used flash step around the home, and appeared outside. Tensa Zangetsu's Handle was gripped by the shinigami, as he appeared about halfway the height of Babel, and stood on a platform of reishi.

'Now...Lili..' Ichigo closed his eyes and focused his awareness...Suddenly the world grew dark and a series of ribbons flew up into the air.

Ichigo remembered the gentle yet mysterious feel of Lili's reiatsu...and grabbed forward.

In the Man's hand was Lili's spirit ribbon, and Being so high up, he could see exactly where it lead to once all other ribons faded away.

She seemed to be near the center of the city, in some building.

Ichigo used Flash step twice, and appeared above the building.

Suddenly, his awareness picked up another god in the building.

'Make sure nobody sees you.' Hephaestus's voice echoed in his memory, as Ichigo donned Zangetsu's mask.

'Old man, I have a question.' Ichigo asked.

'Yes?'

'Can I alter my Shihakusho?'

'...Perhaps. What were you looking to alter?'

'Hm...Can you make it have a hood?' Ichigo asked, unsure if this was even possible. He hadn't heard of anything like this, but the fact that Quincies were masters of Reishi manipulation, gave him an idea.

'Hm, a hood...Done.'

Ichigo was about to ask what he meant, but felt a slight weight on his neck, signifying that he now has a hood.

The Shinigami put the hood on, and it was perfect length. Wasn't too loose, wasn't too tight, Just right.

'Thank you' Ichigo said, immensly enjoying the tactical advantages that the Quincy power was bringing to the table, much to the Old Man's satisfaction.

The air around Ichigo's body started to fluxuate with pressure, and the light started to bend around his body, giving him an ethereal outline.

Ichigo's visiage would immediately send people into a cowering frenzy, if they saw him and his golden glowing eyes.

"now...Where are you Lili..." Ichigo muttered, in his two-toned voice.

The god travled around the estate, Dodging drunkard after drunkard. Everyone in this place seems like total scum.

The air reeked of wine and alcohol, and gave Ichigo an unplesant air that told him nothing but sin thrived in this place.

Ichigo decided to take to the rooftop, and creep around uptop first before going inside.

Looking left and right, Nothing. Nothing whatsoever, minus the random passed out drunk and filth.

Speaking of filth, the grass was unruly, weeds everywhere, trash littered everywhere, spit stained the concrete, and there was an occasional pile of vomit every fifty feet.

Truly disgusting, and Lili had no right to be here, Ichigo concluded.

Inside he went.

Checking left and right down the stairs, Ichigo realized that there was nobody around so he began to creep forward with his Zanpakuto at the ready.

Casting a net of Reiatsu, he felt over five signatures, and only one was Lili's.

He sensed her reiatsu next to another foreign one.

'Hm.' Ichigo thought in his mind.

The masked shinigami made his way to her signature very quiet, and once close, he was near a big room, who's door was painted white with gold trimming.

Ichigo began to understand the weight of Bell's worry, once he started to hear slight sobbing.

"Shut up, and be still!" Ichigo heard faintly.

The shinigami turned the knob slowly, and peered around the corner of the door, and into the dark room. Ichigo's hollowfied vision allows him to see through the dark, to see what lie hidden and... the backside of a man with shoulder length silver hair.

On the bed was Lili.

He was in the middle of positioning his manhood into her most sacred entrance, and was about to proceed, But before he could, Ichigo instantly appeared behind him and alerted the man to his presence by putting the sharp edge of Tensa Zangetsu to his throat.

The man gasped, and began to stutter.

With a gust of air, the door shut with a click, once Ichigo flicked at the opening's direction.

"W-W-Wait! W-what th-The Hell is t-this?" He said, as he backed off, and allowed Lili to crawl away from him and into the headboard.

Lili watched the exchange while trying to cover herself with what little clothing remained on her body.

Her Mouth was opened slightly, and it looked like there was a dark blue circle on the joint linking her jaw to her skull, However, one of the worst things that Ichigo saw was that thousand yard stare she was giving the wall parallel to her.

Looking away from her and re-focusing his attention to the scum below him, "On your feet." Ichigo commanded in cold fury.

The man stood up, and tried to pull his pants up, But in doing so, Ichigo pinned him back down to the sheets and slashed downwards, seperating a pinky from the man's right hand..And the slash went deep into the floorboards, but what was strange was how silent the entire exchange was.

"AH-MMPH!" The man began to scream, but was instantly silenced with a iron-like gauntlet that held his mouth shut, Shattering his glasses.

"Now...I didn't say you can fucking pull your pants up. I said stand up, but apparently I wasn't clear enough.

Ichigo was Livid. One of his friends was nearly violated in one of the worst ways.

"So, Here's what's going to happen. I'm going to remove my hand, but if you scream or try any bullshit, you're going to lose your dick. And I'm going to feed it to you through your asshole. Understand?" Ichigo threatened.

The man whimpered in horror, as he nodded.

Ichigo released the man's face, and slightly smirked at the man's tears, and the torn skin in the pattern of Ichigo's armored hand.

"Now..Who are you?" Ichigo asked.

"..I can't tell yo-"

"Right one, then?" Ichigo asked.

The man nearly choked, as he asked "W-what do you m-mean?"

"Oh, sorry, I heard you say you didn't like your right ear. let me help you out with that." Ichigo said, as he repositioned his armored hand on the scum's mouth, harder this time. "Cover your eyes" Ichigo told Lili, and she shakily did so. drawing blood while the man barely got out three "No!'s " before Ichigo clamped shut his mouth, and ripped the piece of cartilage from his head.

The man couldn't get out a single sound from under Ichigo's hand, as the hand itself became wrapped in fire, and spread to the man's new ear-hole and began closing the wound.

Within seconds, The wound stopped bleeding, as the man was shivering with pain.

"So, I'll ask again...Who. Are. You." Ichigo said, his hollowfied voice making the man Piss himself.

Ichigo moved his hand away from the man's mouth slightly to hear the answer.

"Z-Zanis Lustra! P-please..Don't K-kill m-me!" The grey haired man said, crying heavily.

"Right. Why should I listen to you? She-" Ichigo gestured to Lili, as he forced the man to face the girl, making the man's neck pop painfully. "- Said Don't plenty of times, Right?" Ichigo said, and slammed the man's head down onto the bed and almost enjoying the man's blubbering pleas for mercy.

"No. You didn't give her mercy, so I won't either" Ichigo said

'Vote. Yes for death, and No for mercy.' Ichigo asked internally, for the opinions of his spirits were highly valued.

'I say crucify the motherfucker by his testicles.' Shirosaki spat out. 'Yes, kill this son of a bitch for what he did to your friend.'

Ichigo agreed, but still had two votes to consider.

'Life is something to protect. Sometimes you need to take a life in order to protect it. In this case, The criminal's already subdued, and is unable to put up any fight. To kill would be outright murder, regardless.' The Quincy spirit said. 'No.'

'Hm. Maybe...Suki?' Ichigo asked

'..Turn him into the guild, and let the system deal with this scum...However, This Soma familia seems to be the rich type...Judging by the 'character' of their members. He might be bailed out of prison, and would seek Liliruca for vengeance against you. I recant my first statement. Kill him, and let my Experiment have fuel.' Suki said, as Ichigo understood.

Yeah...The type of city this is...Is most likely filled with these types of psychos...One less wouldn't be worried about...

'Ichigo, Be careful. Snuffing out the fires of Life can be an addictive drug that corrupts consciousness of even the most righteous people. Even yours.'

Ichigo sighed and accepted what must happen. For Lili, and for his past victims, and said "Looks like its the end."

The man's head shook left and right in protest, as Ichigo used his unarmored hand, and wrapped it around the scum's neck, and began to squeeze.

silenced screams escaped Ichigo's cares, as the man's neck turned to mush in Ichigo's armored grip. The man's head seperated from his neck, and rolled off of the bed...and his soul sat up in fear.

'What's this?' The man said, as he looked at his translucent hands, and then back to Ichigo.

"The end." Ichigo said, before stamping the man's forehead with Tensa Zangetsu, and on that, his soul flew upwards and through the cieling, screaming the entire way.

Ichigo could see the sky redden, as well as the surroundings, from through the window.

That soul was condemned to hell anyway. It looks like the standard method of soul damnation was still in effect, that being, if one had commited grave sins while alive without repentance, they were damned to hell.

So Ichigo could both Personally, and Offhandedly send people to hell. Great.

'So, It's true. Everyone you kill with either the gauntlet or Zanpakuto turns into a plus soul. Interesting.' Suki concluded.

'Very..Interesting.'

.

.

.

...Lili was un-caring, but still crying out of an open mouth.

Ichigo let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding, and dispelled his mask as he stood up.

"...Lili." at this, his warm and protective voice seemed to shake Lili out of her stupor, as Ichigo removed his hood.

Her teary eyes snapped to Ichigo's warm brown ones, and apon recognizing the god, she began to cry harder, But she couldnt speak, it looked like her jaw was broken.

Ichigo looked back down at the dead man below him, and then back to Lili, who looked like she both wanted to cover herself and jump into Ichigo for protection.

The shinigami sheathed Tensa Zangetsu, flashed towards Lili, scooped her up bridal-style in a careful fashion, and then used shunpo to carry her through the mansion and out the open window Ichigo entered through, to a place he liked to go to that was outside of Orario.

()()()()()()(Pericant Mountainrange, Thirty miles away from Orario's western gate.)()()()()()()()

(1:30 in the morning)

Ichigo layed the crying Lili down, as he started his care.

Ichigo carefully, and considerately cupped Lili's broken cheeks, and began to use Blut Heilung to restore her fractured and dislocated jaw to it's original position.

Liliruca seemed to feel less pain when Ichigo did so, but still cried nonetheless.

"Now...Don't worry, You're safe with me. I can sense our surroundings. We're alone, not even animals are in this area." Ichigo whispered and caressed the broken Pallum's cheek in a comforting manner.

In a minute, All damage to her jaw and face was gone, and not a trace remained.

"He...He m-made me do t-things...and when Lili wouldn't, He...I'm... Sorry." Was the first thing she could say with a restored jaw, and then was enveloped into a warm embrace by Ichigo.

She cried a little harder, but hugged him back.

"No. Don't be sorry. Never be sorry. It wasn't your fault that this happened, You can't be blamed, at all. It was all that bastards fault. Now, look what it got him." Ichigo said, but he saw confusion on her little face.

"W-what? What happened?" She said, feeling scared. If he was turned into the guild, He'd no doubt be out right now. Near instantaineously.

"...I Killed him." Ichigo said

"you...killed him?" Lili said, scared.

"yes, and Nobody knew I was there. Nobody knows who did it, and Not a single trace could be followed back to you. You're safe with me." Ichigo said.

"...Thank you!" Lili sobbed into his chest.

Ichigo nodded, and rubbed slow circles on the woman's exposed back.

Speaking of...

Ichigo took off his Shihakusho coat, and then threw it over the naked pallum. He then tore holes into the sides of the Shihakusho coat where her arms were, and then used the sleeves to tie the entire thing in place.

She was draped in a blanket of Ichigo's Reiatsu.

Ichigo felt weird, being shirtless like this, but endured it for Lili's sake.

"So...Soma. If it's not too much to ask, can you give me a briefing?"

*Sniffle* "Yeah..." Lili took some time to re-gain her composure, and said "Soma is a god who creats Alcohol so strong that a single gulp is enough to put anyone down...as well as make them instantly addicted. Soma sells the rejects that aren't perfect. To join the familia it costs 3k Valis, and there's a quota system...Ten thousand valis a week for a cup of Perfect Soma...I was always cheated and stolen from so I couldn't pay the Quota...I went through..One of the worst withdraw phases I've ever been in." Lili said, and took a breath, Ichigo sat next to the pallum, and hugged her in support.

She sighed once more, and continued "Once that was done, Lili left that place, and went out to find and save up valis to leave the familia."

"Wow, and entrance and exit fee? What is this god doing?" Ichigo asked in astonishment.

"Nothing..He doesn't run the Familia. The captain...Z-Zan...Zanis...Runs the..Place" Lili said, going pale once more.

Ichigo suddenly connected the dots. The man he had killed was Zanis.

"I see. The god doesn't care, yet continues to make the alcohol."

Lili nods.

"Lili was told that she had to pay a 100 Million valis fee, to be granted her freedom."

'Ten million? There's no way a supporter alone would be able to do something like that.'

"...Forgive Me... You asked for Intel on Soma..Not Lili's sob story." The pallum woman said, dejectedly.

"No, It's fine. Anything's fine. You should know that I care, I'll always listen to whatever you have to say. Whether you think its small or not" Ichigo said.

Lili just nods, and chokes back a sob.

"Okay.." She whispers. "we were in...the back courtyards of the Soma compound...If you wanted to know." Lili finishes.

"Perfect. Now, Lets get you home. I'll have Mirba give you additional support, Okay? I want you to sleep with her tonight." Ichigo spoke softly to the traumatized pallum.

"..Permission?" Ichigo asks her for permission to pick her up.

She doesnt answer, instead she latches onto his chest.

Ichigo jumps slightly, but disregards it anyways.

"close your eyes" Ichigo says, and she does so.

But when she opens them about a couple seconds later, they're back in Orario, and at Ichigo's front door.

The shinigami opens the door, and uses flash step to appear at Mirba's door.

Ichigo knocked on the door, and was immediately answered.

The Shinigami and Pallum enter the room, and with Lili's permission, Ichigo gives Mirba a re-counting of what had transpired.

Mirba was furious, But backed down once Ichigo said that he'd take care of it.

Ichigo left the room in order to let Liliruca be healed, bathed and changed.

The Hybrid knew putting a bathroom in Mirba's room would end up being a good investment.

Ichigo walked back into his room with a sigh, and sat Tensa Zangetsu on a sword stand and then de-materialized his gauntlet and Shihakusho, to reveal his original sleepwear.

Hephaestus was sleeping peacefully, and cuddling Ichigo's favorite pillow with a serene smile on her face. Her eyepatch was on the nightstand because she felt comfortable being Open with Ichigo.

Ichigo didn't mind in the slightest, To him, it added to her badass factor.

Ichigo slid into bed, and layed his head down on the pillow.

Nearly asleep again, Ichigo was woken up by a warm arm sliding under his arm, and holding his hand.

Hephaestus interlocked their fingers, and slides next to Ichigo's head to whisper

"Mmmm...There's my furnace.."

Whatever semblance of negativity that Ichigo was still holding onto, evaporated within the woman's embrace.

Hephaestus ended up being the big spoon that night.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

(With Bell and Welf, right when Ichigo leaves the mansion)

"What's up bro..." Welf mutters with a yawn.

"I think there's something wrong with Lili." Bell says, sitting down in a chair at the beckon of welf.

"Yeah, me too. She speaks in the third person sometimes haha" Welf joked, but became serious once he saw that Bell wasn't in the right mood.

"..Oh. It's serious...Well, If it makes you feel better, yeah I kinda know what you mean. I mean, that creepy old guy with glasses came and talked to her, and then she said she had to do something at her familia, then we haven't seen her for the remainder of the day."

Welf said, and crossed his arms.

"I...Dont think Ichigo's the type of god that will let someone else do things in his stead. Especially when it comes to saving someone he cares about." Welf explained, but upon seeing Bell's confused face, Welf decides to tell him some things.

"Listen, Bell...Do you know who Ichigo is? Or what he's done?" Welf asks, and Bell shakes his head in the negative. "Well. To start off, I'm just going to go ahead and tell you that He's VERY protective...But not obsessively so." Welf states, and continues. "He's the type of man who will go through literal Hell and high water to make sure you're safe."

Bell nods and says "Really? But Nobody knows anything about his past though. Every god has their backstory...Their lore. And for some reason, I couldn't find Ichigo's within the Orarion Pantheon's Lorebook." Bell says confused.

"That's where you're right, Every god DOES have their backstory. Ichigo's was forged in constant battle and war." Welf says.

"How do you know?" Bell asks

"He's told me and Lady Hephaestus. What I say cannot leave this room, Do you understand?" Welf warns.

"Y-Yes. Is it that serious?" Bell asks.

"Very Much so...Ichigo isn't from this...Uh..World. He's not from the same one that the other gods Originate from. He's from outside their influence, and came here by accident." Welf whispers.

Bell's eyes widened. A foreign god? How is that possible? That means...That there are other worlds out there as well with their very own sets of deities too...

"...W-what?" Bell says, in pure facination.

"Yeah. It was hard to believe

Welf goes on to explain that "Ichigo wouldn't ever sit idle and let anyone be in danger, especially someone he cares for."

"He...Was once human." Welf whispered to Bell, who recoiled in shock.

Human? Once human? There's no way! How could someone as powerful as Ichigo have started out as a human? It didn't make sense.

"Yeah, I know that look haha. I made the same face. But, Ichigo told me and Hephaestus that it all stemmed out from a being called a 'Shinigami'. A demonized human soul named a 'Hollow' attacked Ichigo's family, and the man dove head first to save them. Though, the Shinigami took a horrible blow to save him, she ended up sharing nearly all of her powers with him. Transforming him into a Shinigami."

Welf said, still remembering the pictures he imagined.

"Wait, you're saying that he ascended to godhood, out of pure chance?" Bell asked

"N-No. Uh, In his original world, there are millions of Shinigami. They are only spirits who ferry the dead to the afterlife, as well as clensing hollows."

Bell gave a look that said 'Ah..I understand'

"Yeah. But, Ichigo appears to be a rare case. He actually had his own Shinigami power that was inherited from his father. And, through an accident in training, appears to have gained Hollow powers." Welf said, yawning.

Bell's eyes widened for what felt like the fifteith time, and said "Wait...So he's corrupted?"

"It appears so. But, Luckily, He's gained mastery over that power, and uh, assimilated it. I think." Welf said.

"...Should we be afraid?" Bell asked honestly.

"No. You don't need to worry. Just don't go rogue and you'll be peachy" Welf said, giving a thumbs up.

Bell nodded.

"I'll tell you more later if you want. But here's the gist of things. Ichigo has crawled through the depths of hell to save people. And yes, Actual Hell." Welf Informed, and before Bell could get anything else out, Welf said 'Shhh' "Go to sleep now. You'll probably see lili tomorrow morning."

Bell still felt uneasy, but sighed in content regardless.

"Thanks, Welf. Goodnight" said the Captain of the Hestia familia.

Alone in his room now, Welf remembered the tale of the Shinenju, and how in the end, only Ichigo remembered the name: Senna.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

(5 days before the War game.)

Sadly for Ichigo, Hephaestus had to leave back to her forge in Babel as her leave had been cut short by a surprise order of weapons and armor.

Naturally, Bell clung to Lili like glue once he saw her in her bed, and celebrated that she was alright.

Lili was confused as to why Bell felt like this if Ichigo and Mirba were the only ones who knew about what happened...Did this mean Ichigo told him? Or did it mean that Bell just cared that much, to know something was off.

She didn't complain about the hugs, however.

But...She was now subject to watch her Captain be destroyed over and over by Ais. But even she could see that with ever knockdown, he got up stronger and smarter.

She nearly jumped for joy when Bell managed to parry and land a strike on the level 6.

Ais was impressed as well, giving him a small smile and a congratulations...Before promptly saying "Now, We're done warming up."

And everything got Infinitely worse for Bell.

Welf was fairing alot better as well, Instead of sparring, He was given lessons and practical assignments on how to swing a sword with great force with little effort.

In the end, Welf got a nice lesson on physics, and force of momentum.

That day turned out to be very productive, and Ichigo called them in for supper.

At the table, Ichigo asks "Hows training?"

Welf and Bell had shook exhaustedly rolled around in their seats, to look at Ichigo.

Ichigo gave another chuckle, and said "Yeah, you look like shit."

"But, it's okay if it's too much for you, I can have Ren and Acero slow down for you." Ichigo said while smiling.

Mirba laughed, and welf scoffed.

"Bah! Absolutely not! I can do more than what they're doing! Double even!-N-No, Triple!" Welf said, all of a sudden fired up.

"That's good!" Ichigo said, and then looked at Bell. "Bell, Don't worry about it. We can just Hire Ais to be a stand-in"

Bell looked personally offended, as he-too got fired up and said "Nope! I'm going to get Just as good as her!"

It was comical, really. Both guys decided to absolutely demolish their food, and then rush outside to commit to extra training.

Ichigo looked at Acero and said "Thanks, I guess you were right about that."

Acero nodded and said "Of course. Those two pride themselves on their strengths. Fracture them, and they grow back stronger."

Hestia laughed appreciatevely.

"Yeah, Ace. Thanks for that..." Hestia said, admiring the new weapon in her arsenal.

Ichigo shook his head in amusement.

His eyes flashed to Lili for a second, and she smiled back at him.

"Well, I'm glad they're so energetic. I'm glad that they're going to put their all into the training. I don't think I have to worry about anything. What about you, Hestia?" Ichigo asked, in reference to Hestia's forlorn look.

"Eh? Oh, I have complete trust in our familia's and their abilities...I'm just hoping Nothing else happens until then." The hearth goddess said, Placing her chin on her knuckles.

"Nah, I don't think anything else is going to happen. By the way, Lili." Ichigo asked.

"H-Hm? Yeah?" Lili said.

"Would you like to join Hestia's familia?"

Lili looked at Hestia, who simply nodded while wearing a warm smile.

Lili was on the verge of tears, as she said "Yes, I'd Love that"

"Then it's settled! I'll go talk to Soma about it, and I'll come get you after." Ichigo said, To Lili's protest.

"It'll be okay, Don't worry about it. I promise." Ichigo said, as he disappeared.

Hestia layed down an assuring hand onto The pallum's back, and rubbed in circles.

"Don't worry. Soon you'll be with me and Bell."

"...Thank you." Lili said quietly.

(With Ichigo)

The man was already at the gates of Soma familia, and the guard stopped him from going any further.

"Halt, No visitors."

"I'm not visiting." Ichigo simply said, from under his hood.

Then, he disappeared and re-appeared at the opened balcony above the front door. There were sounds of pages flipping, and stirring.

Ichigo took a step in, and noticed that the place was trashed. Litter, discarded papers, crumpled and thrown away.

As well as several big containers with a logo.

The stirring came from a man who was mixing a large kettle of strong smelling liquid.

This...Was soma.

Standing at around 5'11, With long black hair that obscured his vision, and stone colored robes.

"Hey. I need to talk to you" Ichigo said. Ichigo was un-armed so all he could do was cross his arms intimidatingly.

"..."

Either soma couldn't hear or he did hear and simply ignored.

"Soma...Hello?" Ichigo said, waving a hand infront of the god's face.

"What do you want." Soma simply said, throwing a pinch of material into the mixture of liquids.

"I need you to relinquish your blessing on my friend."

"...Who?" Soma said, Looking up.

Ichigo noticed his eyes and noted that they were completely devoid of emotion...Wow Nostalgia.

"Do you recognize the name 'Liliruca Arde' At all?"

"...No." Soma said, and looked back down to his...Uh..Soma.

"Well, She has your blessing. And I need you to take it off of her." Ichigo said.

Soma Looked back up to Ichigo, and sighed.

The god took a bronze chalice, and scooped some pure soma into it, and then Offered it to Ichigo.

Ichigo shook his head, and put a hand up. "I don't drink, Sorry."

"Drink it." Soma said, pushing the beverage over to Ichigo.

Ichigo's eye twitched, as he said "I don't drink."

"If this drink doesn't affect you, then I'll consider." Soma said.

Ichigo scoffed, and snatched the chalice away from the god and said.

"Fine." And downed the three mouthful's of pure soma.

Ichigo was fine at first, but then his hands and cheeks went numb, as his legs felt like furnaces.

His cheeks heated up, and his vision slightly blurred.

Ichigo felt off-balance, and put a hand onto the counter to save his balance.

"What the...Hell?" Ichigo asked, raising his reiatsu slightly, though it was still undetectable, save for the slight warping of light around his body.

This served to heat his body, and burning the alcohol that was immediately metabolized.

The Pure Soma seemed to immediately metabolize and spread through the nervous system and liver, which explains such a quick headrush and drunkeness.

"Hmph." Soma said, taking the ladle back, and putting it next to some vials.

"What do you mean?" Ichigo said, in startling sobriety for one who consumed a cup-full of pure soma.

Soma stopped what he was doing, and Looked at Ichigo.

The shinigami was barely affected anymore. Usually, Pure soma would knock both adventurers and gods themselves on their asses...But here Ichigo was, maybe slurring a little, but fine nevertheless.

"...Where is this child?" Soma asked, Intrigued.

For the first time, Ichigo saw the signs of emotion enter the man's eyes.

"I'll be right back." Ichigo said, and then disappeared. Much to the confusion of the wine-god.

Next time Ichigo would appear would be about a minute later. Lili under his left arm, and Hestia under his right, with his hand resting perfectly on her left boob.

Hestia's face was aflame, but Ichigo didn't seem to notice.

"Here's Liliruca...Please take off your tattoo thingy.." Ichigo said, forgetting the name 'falna'.

Soma couldn't believe it. He had actually given this...Child...His blessing? Surely he couldn't miss something like that.

"I...really gave her my blessing?" Soma said, as Hestia snapped out of her blushing stupor.

"Yes you did. You might have noticed if you cared about something other than your drink." Hestia said, her face cooling down considerably.

"..." Soma said nothing, and accepted the criticism.

"Well, Let's get it started. Lili." Hestia said, pulling a randomly placed stool down for the pallum girl to sit down.

Lili lifts her shirt over her head, but covers her chest with it, as Soma uses the needle Hestia provided and activates the Falna changing system with a drop of his blood.

Hestia then uses another needle to prick her finger, and then she dropped her own lifeblood onto Lili's back, effectively changing her soul's allignment to the Hestia Familia.

"Okay. It's done." Hestia says in happiness.

"Yeah." Ichigo says, leaning on the doorframe.

Hestia slightly glares at the man, but focuses her attention to the relieved looking Lili.

"Thank you for your time, Soma-sama." Lili says, then bows.

She then runs over to Ichigo and Hestia.

"You gonna be okay to take us back?" Hestia asks, unsure.

"Course I am..." Ichigo says, trying to the best of his ability to not let whatever soma he had left in his stomach finish digesting by raising his Reiatsu output...Whether that actually helps or not is to be seen.

"Take care, Liliruca.." Soma says, as this time, Ichigo carries Hestia correctly, and places Lili on his back.

The trio were gone in the next moment, as Soma put his head down in thought. What has he been doing this entire time?

The god walks out onto his balcony...To see the utter disrepair his beloved estate has fallen into.

"Right. There's going to have to be a change." Soma said, sighing in anger.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Now that Lili was now officially part of Hestia familia, There seemed to be one newcomer as well.

Mikoto Yamato was her name, and she was the most Japanese (Aside from Takemikazuchi) Ichigo had ever seen in Orario.

"Welcome to my humble estate, Mikoto." Ichigo said, as Mikoto kneeled.

"Thank you for having me, Ichigo-sama." Mikoto said.

Her armor clacked around when she moved, and she carried a standard Katana.

Ichigo found it amusing at how uptight she was. A little Uryu.

Regardless, The death god had witnessed several growth improvements within the next four days. Bell could now block and parry and even counterattack Ais in one of her most powerful forms. 'Tempest'

Bell's 'Firebolt' had increased in power, and now had the same destructive output as a low level Shakkaho fired by a 6th seat.

Welf was more accurate and reasourceful in his swings and strikes with a sword.

Overall, They were ready. Their stats had gone up tremendously, and were on the cusp of leveling up once more. Only after the war game tomorrow, they will find out.

The determination on their faces told Ichigo that he and Hestia had nothing to worry about.

Mirba on the other hand...

Ichigo could notice that day after day, after dinnertime, her face falls once she walks to her room.

She's depressed. He knew that much.

"Lord Ichigo. May I speak with you in private?" Acero said. This was unusual. The elf never asked for anything. This was the first time he's made an effort to speak without an invitation.

Ichigo's head perked up, and said "Sure, Let's go outside."

Ichigo motioned for Acero to follow him, as they went outside.

The night sky was darkened with clouds, and a particularly chilly breeze swept Orario. Ichigo and Acero stood under the tree that overlooked the entire field.

"What's the issue" Ichigo asked, crossing his arms.

"My Lord. I do believe that Captain Mirba's going to be more than able to participate in tomorrow's war game."

"What makes you say that?" Ichigo asked, crossing his arms.

"She has the capacity to fight, and fight well with little effort. Her emotional breakdown with you will not happen in the face of the enemy. Her head will be clear, and her sword will be unhindered. Don't deny her this." Acero said, Surprisingly invested in Mirba's state of wellness.

"Hm." Ichigo said, putting a hand to his face to think. "Well, Acero. I'm going to assign you to keep a lookout over her, during the game. If she's about to be wounded, try whatever you can to prevent it." Ichigo said.

"You don't trust her to keep herself guarded?" Acero said, crossing his own arms.

"..." Ichigo felt his cheeks redden.

Did he truly not trust her? He understood her combat prowess, but...After what happened last time, There's always something more that's bound to happen. Just because she's able to fight well...Doesn't necessarily mean that she's able to defend well...Maybe it did, but Ichigo didn't want to see Mirba hurt.

"Lord Ichigo. She's proven herself to me. We've sparred."

Ichigo looked up at Acero, and raised an eyebrow. "Every night when you're asleep. We'd go here, and I'd test her on various things. Including defense. She's impossibly well guarded now. She's able to parry attacks that she couldn't see coming...Her reaction time is impressive, as well as her combat awareness." Acero pleaded.

"..Alright. Just...she better come home. Got it?" Ichigo sighed out, as he put a hand to his face.

Acero looked releaved, as he breathed out a content sigh.

"Of course."

"C'mon. Let's go tell her the good news. I think she's waiting by the door." Ichigo said, sensing Mirba trying to overhear the conversation by barely looking out the door.

'she sucks at being sneaky...' Ichigo stated internally.

The duo walk back to the mansion, just in time to see everyone gathered nearby...Damn did they plan this?

Acero walked forward to stand next to Mirba, and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Everyone's face was lit up with hope.

'Damn! They set this up! and now they want me to tell em?' Ichigo thought with annoyance.

Ichigo chuckled, as he crossed his arms.

"Mirba's officially re-instated as Person in charge of tomorrow's War Game."

Mirba's face lit up with joy, as she tackle-hugged Ichigo.

"thankyouthankyouthankyou!" She yelled into his chest.

Everyone cheered in congratulations, as Ren started to talk about going to the Hostess for celebration.

"Nah, No hostess this time. Y'all need to cut it out with all of that constant celebration! That's like...The what, Fourth time you would have gone out for drinks? Not today. Win the war-game, then we'll talk. Kay?" Ichigo said, still getting nuzzled by Mirba in appreciation.

"...Okay, sorry hah" Ren said, rubbing the back of his head.

Ichigo nodded, and pryed himself off of Mirba.

Slowly but surely, Ichigo noticed that he was becoming more and more comfortable with physical contact, and that he was becoming more and more invested in this new world.

Mirba pouted, But granted her lord's request for space nevertheless.

The night was carried by a quiet atmosphere and light snoozing.

Ichigo sat in his office with an intense scowl that was a stark contrast to the immense joy that was felt earlier.

Apollo Familia had set out for the castle nearly 4 days ago...The same day Luan had been captured, and put into one of Miach's sheds outside of Orario.

Ichigo would be taking everyone to the castle via Flash step, and would not take any longer than thirty minutes.

"Alright, Apollo. Let's see what kind of bullshit you'll pull tomorrow." Ichigo said to himself, as his eyes darkened.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Gathered on the 30th floor of babel, were various gods of ranging popularity and wealth.

Hestia and Hephaestus sat next to eachother.

The door flew open to reveal Apollo, Who's face was twisted with pure cockiness, and confidience.

Calm, were his strides over to the trio, and when he sat down behind them, he said

"lovely day for victory, is it not? Have you had a chance to say goodbye to Bell, Hestia?"

"Goodbye? To who? To you?" Hestia said, slightly falling to his bait.

"Oh, ho! How presumptuous a statement, Hestia!" Apollo said.

"Tch!" Hestia crossed her arms under her bust, and sighed to look at the raised pedistal in the middle of the floor.

"Great Ouranos, May we have permission to use our abilities, to use the 'Divine Mirror'?" Hermes said, Interrupting Hestia before she could say anything back.

"You are permitted." Ouranos's voice said, ringing through the city and into the tower.

"Thank you." Hermes said, bowing slightly, as above the pedistal a small bubble of energy formed, before it flattened and expanded into an oval.

A castle shown itself, and the War Game was officially live.

"This War Game is Now Live. BEGIN!" Ouranos announced.

"where is Ichigo?" Hephaestus asked, searching the screen for him.

"He dropped the familia off, He'll be back-"

"Now." Ichigo said from next to Hephaestus.

"Eep! What the hell!" Hephaestus said, Hitting Ichigo's arm lightly.

"Sorry." Ichigo laughed out.

"No, I'm sorry, Ichigo. Your captian is gone. I heard about that, rather nasty incident. I wonder who you chose to replace her?" Apollo said, with a grin.

"Wouldn't you like to know." Ichigo spat out.

"Hah. I'm sorry, you're probably still mourning. Arent you?"

"Hey, Knock it off! What's the big idea, Huh?" Hestia said to Apollo, but was calmed with a hand to her shoulder.

Hephaestus shook her head, and sat her seething friend back down.

Apollo looked absolutely pleased with himself.

(With the War game)

"BEGIN!" Ouranos's voice rang out through the rocky terrain and castle signifying the beginning of the bout.

A singular figure wasseen standing in front of the castle gates. It was Acero.

"What the hell?" An archer said, gathering his fellow wall-guards.

"Already? They're attacking already?" Someone from further inside the courtyard called out.

In the Elf's hand was a long, white-colored handle with a long chain connecting to a smooth ball at the end.

"It's just one, the fool. Fire!" The archer in charge ordered, as they took aim and fired their arrows.

Something just swiped every arrow out of the air, and protected Acero.

It was Acero's flail. The ball was unremarkable, and looked rather plain.

"[Geokinesis]" Acero spoke out, and held up a hand parallel to the castle walls.

"Huh? What was that?" An archer posted on the southern gate said, knocking an arrow and taking aim.

"...He's casting a spell!" Someone from further in the courtyard said.

That sent panic through the archer's backs.

A pillar of earth shot up about fifty feet behind Acero, launching something towards the castle at high speed.

(Play: God shattering star)

The projectile was another elf, One who wielded two magic swords. One fire and one wind/electricity.

The archers took aim and fired to the best of ability, but the airborn elf slashed downwards with her sword, letting loose a cascade of fires that incinerated the arrows and damaged the walls.

The elf woman was still airborn and kicked upwards, sending her down to the ground.

Before she landed, she got into a position to where she could stab the ground and then promptly did so, creating an explosion of great magnitude.

Knocking 15 people out, and wounding two.

"! You're an elf?" The elf named Lissos called out to 'The Gale'

The gale stood up, and readied herself. Her flame sword crumbled to dust, as she brought her Electricity one to the front in ready.

However, Instead of rushing towards Lissos, like he had thought, She threw the sword like a spear to the wall 40 feet behind her, punching a hole into the wall. There was now an opening.

Through that opening, Mikoto rushed through while quietly chanting something.

"Quick! She's heading straight to Hyakinthos! Hurry, Go get her!" Luan called out from inside the castle opening.

"Right!" Called out atleast thirty people, as they were quick to give chase.

Mikoto disappeared over a rampart, as did the thirty chasing her.

(With Ryuu)

"As an Elf, you DARE use magic swords? The ones that burned our people and homes? You should be ashamed!" Lissos said, swiping at Ryuu. The eight other defenders created a circle to let these two battle.

"..I care little for our race's hatred." She said, Unsheathing her wooden sword in time to intercept Lissos's slash.

Blocking again, and jumping over his head, she continued to say "However, If helping a friend is shameful, the I'll be as shameful as I have to be!"

She extended her movements and swung her sword at the man's face, and with a heavy *CRACK* he was knocked out.

'Don't spew such idiotic things in the middle of battle. Fool.' Ryu thought, as she walked over the unconscious form of her former adversary.

Ryu looked at all of the remaining combatants, and assessed that by their forms and facial dispositions, they were AT MOST level two.

"She's strong!" one defender said, and another tried to bolster courage by saying "Don't falter! We'll get her now!"

She grinned beneath her mask, and decided to keep these children company.

(With Ren)

Luan chuckled slightly in the castle, as he ran to the eastern exit.

Getting outside, the pallum said "Guys! What are you doing!? The Southern courtyard has been breached! Hyakinthos ordered 10 of you to go outside and defeat that Elf outside on the rocks! It's just one, go outside and come back! Easy!"

"Ten? That's all of our outdoor front!"

"Besides! We were already focusing on someone out here!" Another defender called out.

Luan's face dropped, and said "A-another one?! What do you mean!"

"I-" Before the defender could finish his statement, A man with dirty blonde spiked hair appeared over the wall, carrying an unconscious archer.

"It's not nice to talk about someone who's listening." Ren's grin came into view, as he threw the unconscious archer into three gate guards.

"! G-Get him!" Luan said, and sped back into the castle...with a smile.

Three people rushed him, and about four fired magic/arrows at him.

"Weak...Incredibly weak." Ren said, dodging blasts of fire or wind, and catching arrows mid-air.

"{Prevolt}" Ren said, as his eyes turned black and his face fell into a state of confidence.

Every strike he recieved was immediately intercepted and countered. With each attack he would have thrown at him, atleast seven more were returned.

It was over after a period of six minutes. This, was no doubt the quickest skirmish of the war game.

Ren stepped over the thirty uncounscious and brutalized defenders, and walked into the cool feeling castle.

Not once were his daggers unsheathed.

"Is this all the Apollo Familia has?!" Ren called out once he reached the stairwell to the throne room. His voice echoed up into the upper echelons of the castle, Hurried steps were heard, and three more defenders came into view. All seemingly level two.

'Finally...A challenge'

Ren unsheathed his daggers, and charged forward.

"{Emperator!} Ren called out, and fire exploded forth from his body, giving him a cloak of fire that spread to fabric, even stone!

Within minutes of fighting, the western enterance was a fiery hell-scape with two figures remaining. Two of the defending level 3's had been knocked out and tossed outside to avoid being incinerated.

"Just you and me." Ren said confidently.

The Defender grumbled and raised his battleaxe in defense, and said "Shut up! Come on!"

"As you wish." Ren responded, and began to assault the defender with everything he had.

Two abilities active at once, was very tiring to the man. Not counting the several slashes and blows to the torso he'd taken previously.

Needless to say, Ren was nearing the end of his part of the assault...He just needed to take out this last person.

But, combined with his fatigue and low Mind reserve, Ren was beinning to falter.

Slash and stab were avoided, but in turn, he was hit and knocked about.

The defender wasn't fairing too well either, Several parts of his armor were on fire and beginning to sear his skin...But he HAD to make sure this man didn't get past him. If it did, it meant defeat...But damn was this armor hot!

"C'mon...Give up. I know you want to!" Ren taunted.

"Shuddup! You don't look much better, You give up!" The defender said.

Ren and the Defender traded attacks and each not faltering in the offense. It was a duel in the most true sense.

"{Frost aura}!" The Defender called out, as the fire on his armor was extinguished, and the metal began to frost up.

On one side, Fire and it's insensity. On the other, Ice and it's calming frost.

The air was heated and cooled at the same time, and artificial wind was created by the rising and dropping of air.

"Haha! This is the first challenge I've had since coming to that stupid city. What's your name?" Ren asked, his own fire beginning to feel warm around his body.

"Jordas, Jordas Kassardis. What about you?" Jordas said, gaining a grin, while removing his helmet and throwing it to the side.

Jordas' face was shown, and revealed a young man who's jet-black hair was tied back into a spikey ponytail.

His face held several scars, and his eyes were ice-blue. His skin was frosted with ice, but fine nevertheless.

"The name's Ren Mori. Don't you forget it!" Ren said, his own grin widening.

"Well met, Warrior! Come then! Let's make this the last!" Jordas said, raising his battleaxe.

"Yes, Lets!" Ren said, and sped forward with everything he had. Jordas did the same, and in an instant, both weapons exploded from the force in their strikes.

Standing opposite from eachother, but facing away, Both stood silently...

Ren's fire went out, as did the fires in the castle, and stood straight, unconscious.

"Heh..So that's the power of Ichigo Familia..." Jordas said, Collapsing slowly.

(With Acero, and the archers)

"More! Fire MORE!" The archers said in a panic.

Acero would raise a slab of land and flick it slightly, sending thousands of shards of earth sailing at the castle.

The gates/walls were full of dents and craters from Acero's ranged assault.

The elf sighed once again, as he grabbed an arrow from mid air.

He looked down at the arrow, and ducked.

The arrow was poisoned with magic.

Acero chuckled, and looked at the archers.

From further away, Ace could see Bell, Mirba and Welf enter a gate opened

'So..It's begun.' Acero thought to himself, as he snapped the arrow in his fingers.

Acero Jumps up from his perch on raised up rocks, and dashes towards the wall. To the archer's dismay.

"{Do'me Quia}" Acero whispers, as his movements become a blur.

The ball of his flail turns into war-hammer's head, and Acero begins to take longer and more powerful strides.

Every second, was another arrow he dodged.

Every arrow, was one less to be fired.

Soon the archers were out of ammunition, and began to curse the fact that Hyakinthos ordered the removal of mages from wall-stations.

"Hurry! Do any of you have magic?" One archer said, and garnered a wave of heads shaking in the negative.

"Damn!" The head archer said, as he looked at the incoming Elf, who was leaving craters with his steps, and shaking the earth. as well as the determination of his enemies.

"To arms!" One archer said, pulling out a shortsword, and jumping down to charge Acero.

four more jumped down, albeit scared, but still charging the incoming danger with horrified smiles.

The head archer cursed his cowardice, and looked at Acero's unamused face, as he made short work of the impromptu interception force that the archers created.

Gaining momentum, and power with his swings.

The archers on the wall of the castle were in full panic mode. What in the world was this elf? And why is there so much wind coming from the castle?

Acero reached the wall of the castle and with a single hit, shattered the wall and blew a house sized hole in it.

The archers screamed as they fell, and were rained on by the falling rubble and debris.

However, Acero would knock the more fatal looking rocks away from the unconscious archers, as he pressed on. His flail's ball turning into the head of a 10 edged flanged mace.

Acero's eyes met Ryuu's and he looked down at the unconscious defenders, and said

"Good work. Status?"

"Ren is apparently finished taking out the second strongest, Welf and Mirba are already in the upper echelons of the castle, and Bell's getting into position with operation 'surprise flare'. Mikoto is holding 30 defenders with her gravity magic, however it seems it's about to end soon. Lili is spreading false information disguised as their informant, Luan." Ryuu said, standing up and walking out of the hole Acero blasted into the courtyard.

"Understood. Where are you going?" Acero said, his red hair being moved around by the wind.

"My part is done. I'll be returning to Orario. Good luck." Ryuu said, as she disappeared into the corner of the wall.

"..." Acero said nothing, and turned back around, then looked up to a tower to hear the sounds of people yelling.

The Elf sprung upwards, and stabbed his long handle into the wall. Using this as a leverage point, He quickly spotted Mikoto.

True to Ryuu's word, her magic had worn out.

She was worn-out to the maximum, and her enemies were barely phased. Sure they stretched, but they were essentially just laying down with force.

(With Mikoto)

Mikoto had been standing under all of that pressure in order to keep the magic active.

"You're finished!" One defender said, as he rushed the tired girl.

"Dont be so sure." An unknown voice said, as the closest adventurer was intercepted with ball of steel that was attatched to chain.

"A-Acero!" Mikoto said in surprise.

"It's nearly over. They're inside the castle and should be ending the captain soon." Acero said, and readied his flail.

"I see" Mikoto said.

"Still, this should be entertaining."

Mikoto went to ask what he meant, but couldn't because he was no longer with her.

He was already in the center of the 29 defenders, striking and defeating with ease.

Mikoto's eyes widened in awe, then decided to go and join in.

()()()(With Mirba, Welf, and Bell)()()()

"So...Everything up to the sky-bridge is clear? Thanks to Ren?" Bell asked, gaining a nod from Mirba.

"Yeah. He apparently went crazy. Everything here is burnt." Welf said, gesturing to the charred tapestries and carpets and fabrics.

"..Yeah" Bell said with a surprised face.

"I haven't seen those people who dragged out of the Guild yet." Mirba said, her hand twitching towards her sword.

"...Me niether." Welf said, Worried about Mirba.

They continued upwards through the spiral staircase, and eventually, they entered the entrance of the sky-bridge. There, A red haired Adventurer named Daphne stood giving orders to the eight other adventurers. Four had bows, three had wands and one with a painfully familiar barbed spear.

"You!" Mirba shouted, causing every defender on the sky-bridge to focus on Mirba.

The spearwoman's face went pale, as if she saw a ghost. She started to shake, and it looked as if she hadnt gotten proper sleep for a couple weeks.

"H-How?!"

"How what, exactly!?" Mirba shouted, ripping her sword from her sheathe in fury.

The spearwoman began to sweat profusely.

"How are you alive? I saw her spear go into your head. Your brain should be mush." Daphne said, Finishing for her clearly mortified family member.

"Don't worry about how I'm alive. Worry about if you're going to be the same!" Mirba said, Disregarding Welf's protests to 'Stick to the plan'.

Mirba sprinted towards the piss-scared spearwoman who had already dropped her spear, but was blocked with a sword from Daphne.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!"

An explosion rang out from behind Daphne, and she turned to look.

Every mage's staff had exploded with the tell-tale signs of 'Ignus Fatuus'.

Her eyes widened, as Mirba took the opportunity of distraction, and sweeped Daphne's legs out from under her.

While falling Daphne looked at the irate Blondie and was immediately kicked in the face. Sending the woman into the doorway.

"Now...For you." Mirba said, stomping her foot down, garnering another scream from the impossibly frightened woman, who crumpled onto the floor.

"Mira, Don't." Welf said.

"Shuddup, and go see if what's her face is alive." Mirba snapped at the man.

"But-"

"Come on, welf! We have to hurry!" Lili said, remembering that Bell rushed in after the mages exploded.

"...Don't do anything Lord Ichigo wouldn't." Welf said, causing the woman to scowl, not unlike Ichigo.

Mirba's face darkened, as her furious shaking lessened, and welf pressed onwards.

Quivering in fear, the spearwoman began to cry slightly.

"What the hell do you have to cry about?" Mirba said in a dark voice.

"I-I-I'm s-s-orry!"

"So now that I'm about to beat you to a pulp, you apologize? Look at my face. Look at my left eye. Tell me that sorry is going to fix it! If it weren't for my lord's intervention, I would have died! Look at me and tell me you didnt *Kicks spear into the woman's knees* Fucking mean to!" Mirba's hands began to shake, as her left eye began to feel warm and tingle uncomfortably probably due to the high blood pressure.

"Eeek!" The spearwoman's meek voice shouted out.

Mirba used the tip of her sword to force the woman to look at her face.

Once that happened, the spearwoman looked down in immediate fear, cutting her face in the process.

"I'm that ugly? That you'd cut your face to look away?" Mirba said, her voice began to shift into a watery double tone.

Mirba sheathed her sword, and grabbed the other woman by her chocolate brown hair, and lifted her up to force her to look at the Irate One-eyed captain face-to-face.

"Don't kill me!" She screamed.

"You didn't have any qualms about killing me, so why should I think twice" Mirba said, raising her sword to the woman's neck.

"Please!" She screamed again, tears spilling out of her eyes in renewed fashion.

"Disgusting." Mirba said, Throwing the woman at the wall, creating a small indent in the rocks.

"...P-Please..." The woman said, blood running down her face.

Mirba said nothing, as her eyepatch began to feel uncomfortable on her face. She walked forward, and re-equipped her sword.

Her eye was lifeless, Full of hatred and anger, but somehow unresponsive.

".It...was an...accident..Please believe me..."

A strange white liquid began to pour out of Mirba's eye, nose and mouth, and rushed underneath the eyepatch. From under the eyepatch, a solid white object formed, on one side of her face. It looked like a half mask, but had neither a mouth hole or eye hole.

Mirba seemed to lose her ability to think, as she rushed the fallen woman with her sword in hand.

"...Whatever...I'm ready." The spearwoman said, realizing that talk is no longer viable. "...Hurry." She said, The pain from her nearly broken body was beginning to be too much to bare. Who knew being sent into quarried and re-inforced rocks would hurt so bad?

(Mirba's consciousness)

Ugh...It was so dark in here...

Mirba couldn't see her body in this place, and couldn't hear her voice when she tried to speak.

This didn't make any sense, What exactly is happening?

A small window of light shown from infront of her, and she could see herself running at the downed woman with a sword outstretched. Like watching a third person account.

Why did she feel so guilty?

...Her god wouldn't needlessly murder anyone...So niether should she...

She didn't want to kill anyone...Did she?

Why was there whispering? Who's whispering?

Her eyes were wet, she could feel.

No, that didn't make sense, She only had one eye...But she could feel both?

A hand flew to her left eye, only to feel something blocking the way. It felt like smooth stone, and was seemingly attatched to her face.

Apon trying to pry it off, a horrifying voice rang out through her head.

"Leave it be, or you'll never get your revenge"

Mirba froze, but kept her hand on the object and unconsciously began to pull.

"Don't interfere! You'll never become equal to Lord-Ichigo playing the goodie two shoes!" the voice spoke out again.

This struck a chord in Mirba's head. How insulting..

"You don't know me! I refuse to take life because I'm angry! You just stay out of it, alright!" Mirba shouted at the voice.

"You dumb ass! You have no clue what will happen if you reject me!" The voice said.

"Who said anything about rejection?! Besides, I was never going to kill that woman, only rough her up just a lottabit! I'm alive, Pissed nine ways from yesterday, but I'm alive! As long as I'm alive, I'll always be with Lord Ichigo, and that's enough for me!" Mirba said, finally regaining her sense of orientation.

'Don't do anything Ichigo wouldn't...' Welf's advice rang through her head, and images of Ichigo's face, especially his smiles flashed in her memory.

"...You're a damned fool." The voice said, as the object on her face became a hundred times easier to pull, but before she could, she was yanked from that dark place, and put back into the waking world.

Mirba's eye re-opened to the world, to see her sword mere inches from the woman's head.

But...That thing was on her face out here too, it seemed.

It fell from her face, and clanked around on the floor below.

Mirba looked at the half-mask and picked it up.

Its surface was nearly polished, as faint flecks of dark red littered the entirety of the material.

The woman stowed the mask away into her breastplate for later examination, as she looked down at the nearly unconscious woman below her.

When Mirba kicked the spear into the woman's knees, the spear actually fractured the woman's kneecaps.

Kneeling to look at the woman's drowsy face, Mirba sighed and put a hand out infront of the woman and said "[Greater Healing]"

"B-but...you were going to kill me?" The woman said, confused.

A bright pink light enveloped Mirba's hand, and then spread to the wounded Spearwoman.

"Explain yourself." Mirba said in a curt manner, glaring at the woman beneath her.

"...Right..." she said, feeling better by the second. "I...Was sent by Apollo during the inital war-game meeting...to go and rough you guys up a bit...But Something went wrong. I threw my spear at you, but I was aiming for your arm. Something...altered my spear's course, and before I knew it...Before my very eyes...I had committed murder." The spearwoman said, the cut on her scalp healing.

"Mhm. Go on." Mirba ordered.

"After that, Everyone back home began to try and make me feel better..About killing someone else. They said 'She's from a lesser familia. It means nothing' or 'They were enemies anyway.'...b-but I never looked at it like that.. Sure I thought you were my enemy, but you didn't deserve to die for that!"

'Damn. She's rather talkative.' Mirba thought with an eyeroll.

"okay. You didn't mean it...Whatever." Mirba said. "I still lost an eye. I'll have to deal with stubbing my toe for the rest of my life." Mirba said with a downcast expression.

"...Are you sure?" The woman said, not believing her eyes.

"The hell do you mean 'Are you sure?'? It's my eye, Isn't it? Here! I'll show you!" Mirba said, Outraged that such a blatantly stupid question would be asked, when someone with an eyepatch was in-front of her.

Mirba reached upwards, and removed her eyepatch.

Only to recoil at the impossibly bright light that shown itself.

"Gah! What the hell?" Mirba gasped, confused.

Mirba couldn't believe it, niether could the Spearwoman. It was true, just a couple minutes ago her eyepatch was flat, and serving it's purpose...But now it was buldged, and looked out of place.

"...Impossible." Mirba said, peeling the eyepatch away once more... and began to cry slightly.

It was back. Her eye was back! And it's vision was...Extraordinarily crisp. Not a single detail of anything went unnoticed by her new eye.

The colors were way more vivid, and brighter too. Even in the castle interior, her original eye would have trouble seeing without a minor light source, but her new eye...All was revealed. Every shadow could now be peered into. She felt that she no longer had a need for a lantern!

Maybe that was an exagguration, but tonight will tell.

"It's..."

"A miracle!" The healed spearwoman said.

Mirba chuckled, and then laughed in happiness.

"HAHA! Lord Ichigo! If you're listening, We're going to spar again sometime soon!"

Oddly, The spearwoman chose to sit in the rubble that was formed to her body.

"...Why don't you get up?" Mirba said, once again collected.

"...It's comfy." The spearwoman sighed.

Mirba rolled her eyes.

"This is still a war game..." Mirba said, drawing her sword and aiming it at the woman's face.

"...I surrender"

Mirba nodded and began to walk into the stairwell leading to the throne room.

()()(With Hyakinthos)()()

"What a failure!" The Apollo captain said. "How can I face Apollo-sama?"

"Captain! Captain, Please Run!" Cassandra, the familia's prophet advised in a hurried tone.

Hyakinthos, however, was having none of it. He stood up and said "Alone he's not a threat!"

"Please listen to me! You need to run! Ple-"

"Shut up!" interrupted the man as he slapped the insolent female away, and muttering a harsh curse at the woman, he looked back up to the remaining people in the room and said

"When he shows up, we take him down fast! But dont kill him...I'll finish him."

'FIREBOLT!' was faintly heard, as the floor infront of the doors began to spark with orange lightning, and the ground glowed a vibrant yellow-orange.

(Play "B03" from Bleach)

Immense heat was felt, and suddenly, the entire room exploded.

"What the hell is this!?" Hyakinthos said, as dust covered everything.

The throne room was now exposed, and the light of day was revealed.

Nothing was spared, the entire roof of the room was practically obliterated as smoke and dust filled the air.

Only Hyakinthos was left barely standing.

He blocked his eyes from the sun that was now bearing down on him.

'Just what the hell happened!' The man internally screamed.

From out of nowhere, came Bell who charged through a wall of dust, his knives pointed outward.

Forced to defend or get cut, Hyakinthos ripped his sword from it's sheath, and blocked Bell's initial strike, but missed the second, as it slashed his chest.

Bell gave the man no time to recouperate, and rushed him with harder and harder attacks.

Hyakinthos's wasn't equipped for this ammount of damage from a vastly superior weapon, being the Hestia Knife, and was broken in two.

The upper half of the sword flew over the tower, and into the courtyard below.

'How the hell did he get so fast!' Hyakinthos thought internally, as his chest stung.

"How are you so fast! You're nothing like you were before! Who the hell are you?!" He yelled.

Bell disregarded, and charged forwards with intent to end it.

Suddenly, a loud "Noooo!" Was heard from his right, and Bell was tackled and held in place by Cassandra who emerged from the rubble just seconds prior.

Hyakinthos took this opportunity to gain distance, and use a magic spell.

Holding up a hand he began to chant his spell's activation phrases..

"Get off of me please!" Bell pleaded, but this girl's strength was pretty impressive...for Bell anyway. He didn't want to hurt her, so he chose pleading as the next best option.

"My name is love, beloved child of light! I offer my body to my son!"

"Move away please!" Bell said, seeing a disk of light form above Hyakinthos.

"I unleash a ring of fire! Let the cardinal winds come!"

The ring grew bigger, and as he threw the ring, he said "Aro Zephyos!"

Bell's eyes widened in fear, but before the ring could hit, Lili appeared and tackled Cassandra out of the way.

"I will not allow you to stop Bell-sama!" Shouted the pallum.

Bell offered an internal thanks as he dodged out of path of the disk...Only to find out that it's following him.

'Its homing in on me?' Bell thought in panic as he was forced to dodge out of the way.

Hyakinthos re-gained his aura of cockiness as he put on a grin not unlike his gods, and said "You can't escape!"

Bell was getting tired, really tired, and as a borderline last ditch effort, tried to cast firebolt at the opposing magic.

It wasn't very effective.

"It's useless!" Hyakinthos called out seeing the desperate struggle Bell was giving.

However, before the disk could slice Bell's arm

"RUBELE!" Hyakinthos shouted, and the disk exploded with great magnitude, sending bell into the ground.

"Bell-sama!" Lili screamed in shock

A strange green necklace broke from Bell's neck, and shattered onto the stone.

What's curious, is Bell's entire body was racked with bruises and cuts now, even his clothing was torn. He most definitely broke a rib, and fractured his shoulder...But he had no choice. He refused to leave Hestia. He refused to.

Even now, He got up. With nothing but sheer determination and will at this point.

"You survived that...Huh.." Hyakinthos said, loosing his grip on his anger.

Tearing his spare sword from it's sheathe, he decided that 'The little Rookie' was no longer worth keeping alive.

Bell dropped he hestia knife, his hands too fatigued to hold on any longer.

"I don't care what Apollo-sama wants anymore! Die!" The man said, charging at Bell to finish him off.

Bell's mouth opened, and exhailed his breath. He steeled his nerves, as Hyakinthos made to kill him.

'when someone sees an opening, their movements become easy to predict. That is what I was taught.' Ais's voice flowed through Bell's mind.

'A finishing blow is the closest thing to letting your guard down.' "and just when you've almost been beaten is when you truely have a chance!" Bell thought to himself, Finishing Ais's sentiment internally.

Hyakinthos arrived to bell, and thrusted his sword at Bell's face...But bell bent backwards and kicked the knife upwards.

Sending both the knife, and Hyakinthos's arms upwards and out of range to defend.

Quickly capitalizing on this new opening, Bell re-gained his orientation and with perhaps the most effort in his life, he threw the nastiest left hook at the man's exposed face, sending him flying backwards with his skin indented.

It takes alot of effort to make a temporary indent on someone's face...

Hyakinthos lie on his back with his head turned to the side. Twitching, and incoherent.

An announcer's voice rang out, after Hyakinthos was prone for a couple minutes.

"The battle is over! Hestia and Ichigo familia have prevailed!"

Bell nearly collapsed with relief, but was caught by none other than Mirba.

"I have you. Take it easy." She said, as he relaxed.

"Good work, Bell. You've outdone yourself, I'd say." Acero said, landing atop some rubble with Mikoto in hand.

She was unconscious, but okay nevertheless. Acero on the othehand, was slightly scratched with parts of his armor being chipped off.

"If you fell, He would have had to go through me" Mirba said, turning to look at Bell.

Bell's tired eyes widened as he saw her regenerated left eye.

"Y-Your eye!" Bell exclaimed tiredly.

"Yep." Mirba chirped.

They shared a laugh, as the two familias made their ways to the front gate to await the carriages, or Ichigo to take them back.

Speaking of...

()()(30th floor of Babel.)()()

Apollo was shaking, How? How could this happen?

He had the numbers, the wealth, the strength! How did two nobodies come through?!

"Apollo..." Hestia said, standing up.

Apollo jumped in his skin

"You know what happens next...right?" Hestia said, turning to face him. Ichigo did the same thing, except his grin was much more prominent.

"I-I'm sorry! It's just that your children were so cute and I-"

"Shut. Up." Ichigo growled out, through his disturbing grin.

"ALL of your property is confiscated and divided between Ichigo and I, and is now under main control of Hestia Familia!" Hestia said, jabbing a finger in his direction.

"Your familia is disbanded, and You are banished from Orario, Never to return!" Ichigo said, and was relishing in how utterly destroyed Apollo looked.

Ichigo was pleased at how dramatic he could be sometimes. Damn, Drama class was a good idea after all...

"Y-You can't do this to me! I'm Apollo! Apollo damn it!" Apollo said, tears stinging his eyes.

"Why are you still here?" Ichigo said, his smile widening with Apollos distress.

"Y-You! It's your fault! You never sealed your powers! It's unfair!" Apollo said, stepping towards Ichigo.

Ichigo shrugged and looked away. Acting dumb.

Apollo stepped forward even more, and grabbed the death-god by his shihakusho and brought him close.

"Don't play coy with me!"

Ichigo's smile dropped, as his right fist blurred forward and hit the god in his face, stunning everyone around.

"Like I said. Why are you still here? You were banished, right? Get the hell on! Before I Kick your ass myself!" Ichigo warned, scaring the god further, and with blubbering wails, he left the room.

Ichigo sighed out the remnants of his anger, and then turned back to Hestia and Hephaestus.

Both looked at Ichigo in awe. Hephaestus had a blush on her face.

"...What's up?" Ichigo asked. Hephaestus didn't answer, instead she chose to reach out and grab Ichigo's hand.

()()(Later that day)()()

Ichigo had helped Hestia move Bell's, Welf's, and Lili's things to Apollo's mansion, where they legally changed the name to 'Hearth mansion'

Their new Insignia was drawn out as well, that featured a flaming bell. The fires meaning Hestia and The Bell representing...Bell.

Setting down the bed in the main hall, Ichigo noticed all of the self righteous potraits and statues and livery of Apollo through every part of the mansion.

Hestia sat down in a chair and sighed heavily.

"Say, Hestia? What are you going to do with these things that Apollo had, like the paintings and statues?" Ichigo said, Leaning on a wall.

"Probably sell them, and then make rennovations to the place. It's kinda boring, dont'cha think?" Hestia says and looks around the place.

"Yeah, well...I'd sell them, but hold off on rennovations until you can atleast afford to make them." Ichigo said.

She looked at him and asked "What do you mean?"

Ichigo shrugs and says "I dunno. I just think it'd be safer to save the yen you get from selling these things."

Hestia had a look of realization, as she nodded thoughtfully.

"Ahh. I gotch- What's yen?"

Ichigo froze and silently cursed internally.

"Uh...I bit my tongue, Sorry, I meant vallis."

Hestia narrowed her eyes at Ichigo, but shrugged again nevertheless.

"But...yeah that's what I'd do if I were you. Atleast wait until Bell and the rest go into the dungeon again." Ichigo said, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.

"Uh huh. Well, Ichigo...Thank you. For everything..." Hestia said, Bowing.

"Eh...Don't mention it." Ichigo said. "By the way, Give Lili my regards. She was the MVP of the entire thing." Ichigo said, walking out of the newly established 'Hearth Mansion'

"Yeah, of course! Come back any time!" Hestia said jovially.

Ichigo smiled and used flash step to return home. Who knew that sucker-punching an asshole deity would be so stress relieving?

()()()()()()()()()()()()()(()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()(()()()()()()()()()()

Alright lads, I haven't shown em yet, But here's Ichigo's familia and their status forms!

Mirba Tuganis. Age 18

Her hair is long and blonde, Her face is heart shaped and due to hollow regen, Her regenerated eye is a glowing golden pink(rosegold), with the sclera being black. She is very pretty with a well manecured appearance. Her toned psyche is nothing to scoff at either. Her great strength was often covered with a very bubbly and outgoing personality, and she's known to be very easy to get along with. Many times was she proposed to and many times has she rejected. She becomes a nigh unstoppable force when angered (or drunk), and is said to jump a level temporarily when consumed with Wrath. She is also considered to be somewhat of an airhead with a love for anything sweet or pink colored. She carries a white broadsword that had pink flowers etched into the blade with the fuller hollowed out into battle.

Her theme is (Ragnarok Online 2 OST : Intro Theme)

Mirba Tuganis, Lv3

Human, (?)

•Strength: B 747

•Endurance: C 690

•Dexterity: B 773

•Agility: C 649

•Magic: B 790

-Skills-

{Supernova} A magical attack of great explosive magnitude focused around the caster, That is only available when in Mortal danger.

{Stallius} An ability that grants great strength when carrying heavy objects. May activate when distressed emotionally, granting enhanced physical strength.

{Wrath} An ability that cloaks Mirba's face and arms in dark pink energy that does heavy damage to whatever it touches, combined with {stallius} has a chance to trigger a berserker effect that sends Mirba into a rage and will brutalize any hostile being in her immediate radius. So far, Only Ichigo, Ren and Acero have the capability to stop her in this state.

{?} AidjnwJA ASJne ndieA AKJWNFf fNeaoie ShiROkmeaHc bAJE?! IJE

-Magic-

[Greater Healing] Healing magic.

[Focus Boost] Negates the mental side effects of Adrenaline

[Instant Regeneration] A foreign born, passive magic that instantly heals any damage Mirba may take, at the cost of her mind reserves.

-_-Ichigo Familia-_-

Ren Mori age 17

He's a seventeen year old, 5'7 tall man, With a relatively light complexion. His hair is dirty blonde and a bit spikey.

And his eyes are emerald green and while build is fairly bulky. He had a pair of Dual swords at his hip and wears well worn leather light armor. He's a brash man who can be quiet in some moments, and the life of the party in the next. He cares deeply for his familia and will take whatever measure to make sure their well-being is protected. Due to the loss of his previous familia, He has a form of PTSD from witnessing his familia, the Benzaiten Familia, being slaughtered, and cannot look at brutalized and mangled bodies for prolonged periods of time. Curiously, He is and avid meat eater and has no signs of being bothered with blood. His development skill "Devourer" allows the man to consume anything. Whether it's edible or not. His other skill "Hunter" gives him the ability to target and track anything, as long as he has a piece of material or DNA related to the target.

His theme is (War to War - Nier: Automata)

His Dual swords are both stark white with spiked guards, but were constantly cold.

Ren Mori, Lvl 3

Human

•Strength: C 610

•Endurance: C 634

•Dexterity: B 717

•Agility: D 519

•Magic: F 397

•Devourer: D

•Hunter: I

-Skills-

{Emperator} Must be shouted in order to work- Wreathes the user in flames that spread instantly. If active for longer than ten minutes, The user is harmed by the fires. Once de-activated, all fire started by {Emperator} Is extinguished.

{Prevolt} An ability that grants great strength and speed when fighting. All senses are hightened to inhuman levels, and cannot be interrupted by any normal magic. Is only de-activated by loss of mind.

-Magic-

[lesse] Healing magic.

[Li kindrest] Mind is not affected for the next thirty minutes at the cost of falling asleep after the magic wears off.

-_-Ichigo Familia-_-

Acero D'atagne Age 1,005

the Familia's newest recruit. He's a thousand year old High Elf who's surprisingly effective with any weapon he can get ahold of. He has tan skin with long red hair that was braided. He also has a pretty muscular build, and Ichigo was pretty elated that he was a level 4. Acero is very quiet unless asked a direct question. Something the Substitute found out when walking back to the mansion. Ichigo nearly considered making him the familia captain, But figured that at the size of the familia, he should keep Mirba as captain because she joined first, for now until the Familia grew in size. Then he would probably use stats.

His weapon is a white colored long handled shape-shifting flail. The smooth ball at the end could change to whatever form Acero desires, and is enchanted with the power of electricity and fire. His development skill "Longevity" Was activated the first time he used his {Chron'oa Aura} on himself. "Mysterious" Was activated then, as well. It allows Acero to control what his status says on paper, and on Falna. "Lurker" Was activated when he acquired [Spacial Manipulation] from a grimoir in the far north.

His theme is (Escaping the ship- Man of Steel ost)

Acero D'atagne, Level 4(?)

High Elf

•Strength: A 867

•Endurance: B 792

•Dexterity: B 790

•Agility: D 530

•Magic: F 304

•Longevity: A

•Mysterious: S

•Lurker: S

-Skills-

{Do'me Quia} The user's weight and sense of gravity is cut in half, making him faster than sound. Can leap extreme distances with very little effort, and is able to do combat midair at the cost of high levels of mind usage.

{Emi-Ei Utas} A buffer skill, that increases his attack speed when using spears and other pole weapons. It increases attack damage with flails and chain weapons. Swords/Axes/Hammers are not effected. Combined with {Do'me Quia}, his attacks are invisible and undetectable. With both active, he can strike and still appear as if he hadn't moved.

{Chron'oa Aura} When Acero activates this skill, his fists become wreathed in a bright crimson colored fire, and spreads to whatever weapon he wields. The fire is highly corrosive to anything Acero deems to be a threat, and is also poisonous. The fire turns into a highly dangerous nerve agent that shuts off communication between cells of the tissue the fire comes in contact with. It can either accelerate or reverse the aging process of whatever it comes into contact with by a magnitude of ten times the normal rate. Thirty minutes of exposure can accelerate a person's body thirty years older than what it actually is. Acero has used this ability on himself for centuries in order to attain a state of extended longevity. This ability was mastered after 454 years.

{Do'me Quisei} The only known counter to {Chron'oa Aura} Instead of a red fire, a far more vibrant blue mist forms, and reverses the effects of {Withering Aura} And even heals to an extent. After the ability is shut down however, mind depleats to near zero.

-Magic-

[Geokinesis]

Is able to shift the earth according to his will.

[Spacial manipulation]

Acero can cast, bend, and even block light from anything except light from other magic. Ideal for stealthy insertions. He can also cast a barrier that makes an area invisible and mute from the outside, It can also serve as a force field. (I.E, Sounds emitted from inside the field will not be heard ourside the field)

-_-Ichigo Familia-_-

The patron. Ichigo Kurosaki, the God of death.

Apon entering the seperate universe of Tenkai and Gekai through the use of an empowered Hogyoku, Ichigo's unique hybrid soul was subject to Reiatsu emitted from Materialized gods, One part out of five needed for him to become a Deity. The others, are a human's worship, which he quickly gained as soon as he withstood an attack from Loki, who's power was released, and Reiatsu from a Hollow, Shinigami, and a Quincy.

The God Reiatsu merged with his own, and a chain reaction happened unbeknownst to him and his spirits, But his soul was fundamentally changed, and is now Immortal. The Hell power granted to him by the soul king is now his own, and through the power of the ambient Deity Reiatsu, can now control his own seperate dimension of Hell.

It is not known if he could return to his mortal body anymore, if it is still alive.

So far, The only ones who know who Ichigo truely is, is Hephaestus, Welf, Hestia, Tsubaki (Partially) Eina, and Ouranos. Everyone else thinks he's a regular Shinto god.

Not sure if I've made it apparent, yet, But Ichigo's been in Danmmachi for a total of 6 and a half months, at least. Due to altering the canon timeline, everything happened a little later than in the show. If I gave a timeline in the last couple chapters, This is the correction.

His theme in this story is (Zod Suite, Man of steel)

Mira = Mirba's nickname from Welf.

Fi = Hephaestus's nickname from Hestia.

I will be editing the chapter over the course of the next couple days and updating it consistently. Dont worry if you see something amiss, I've probably already fixed it.

Special thanks to BlueShard20 for their extraordinary help! I appreciate it!