The city was in shambles. It was building after building of broken, toppled, and ruined places. Ichigo looked down on it and knew this is why he hadn't come here yet. He swallowed, looking down and around for the two spirits that inhabited this inner world of his.

Several more months had passed, and his relationship with Jūshirō and Shunsui had only deepened. It had finally progressed to the stage where Jūshirō asked if he intended to wield his Zanpakutō again. Sex was easy compared to making the decision to come to his inner world and face Zangetsu and Shiro. He feared the reaction the hollow part of his Zanpakutō would have. He hadn't been a very deserving King for many years, and he supposed there was a part of him that blamed Shiro for what happened at the end. He understood that Shiro was trying to save them, but it had been him that drove his Owner to put out his eyes and kill himself.

He shook the dark thoughts away. He'd come a way since he started, he had to admit. He'd taken Uryū and his father's advice and went weekly to see a therapist in the World of the Living. She was a nice, gentle woman who the police often worked with. Some of the things she had seen over the years were as bad or worse than what had happened to Ichigo. She knew how to deal with trauma survivors, and she was easy to talk to. At first, he'd been reluctant to tell her about Jūshirō and Shunsui, but then he simply referred to them as his Shujin and Omo, and stated for privacy reasons he wasn't going to reveal their names. Surprisingly, she had been okay with that. Her name was Dr. Isaki Sugai and she had helped him sort out his twisted feelings about sex and what it was like to feel pleasure when he'd only felt pain before.

He was about to give up when he heard a voice.

"Don't even think about leavin' yet, King."

His heart nearly stopped in his chest. He blinked and then he was there. Still a mirror of him, white where his own shihakuso was black, white hair, white skin, all the same. Zangetsu, or at least the mental world's version of the sword, rested on his back. It looked the same as always, just like Ichigo's sword in the real world.

"I'm so sorry," Ichigo said after a few moments of silence between them.

"Fer what?" Shiro said, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at him with eyes that now matched his own.

"For everything. For not coming sooner. For ignoring you. For all of that, and more," he said, sighing.

Shiro waved a hand in the air. "Don' give me tha' shit, King. I'm part of ya, remember?"

"I know. But I couldn't face you."

Shiro shook his head. "Will you look at this place? It's a mess."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that, too."

"Quit being sorry!" Shiro snapped, glaring at him, scowl across his brows. "I'm tired of it. Ya got nothin' ta be sorry about! If anyone should be sorry, it's me. I'm at fault for what happened there toward the end. But I'll tell ya somethin'. I ain't sorry one bit."

Ichigo blinked, looking at him with a frown. "Not at all?"

"Nah, it got us outta there, didn't it? What was I supposed to do? Let us die like that?" Shiro smirked. "Tha bastard died bad, and didn't pass on, so I got my revenge."

Ichigo sighed. "I know you're right, but it's still hard some days."

"I know it is. And that's not gonna change right quick, yer working on it, though. Slow and steady. It's why I didn't bother ya." Shiro tentatively reached a hand out and placed it on Ichigo's shoulder. "Yer my king, remember?"

Ichigo smiled a little and nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. And you're the horse."

"As it should be," came Zangetsu's voice from beside Ichigo.

"You too?" Ichigo asked.

"It's not raining anymore," Zangetsu said, looking at the clear sky. "Your heart is not so heavy anymore."

Ichigo blinked again. He'd been so taken by the destruction around him, he hadn't paid attention to the fact the weather in here was clear. So, did that mean he was healing?

"I wanna show ya somethin'," Shiro said, gesturing for Ichigo to come with him.

Ichigo followed him. They went through several busted up buildings, jumping over rubble and broken pillars and more. Then, they came to a clearing, right in the middle of everything. It was small. Only a few feet around, but right in the center, there was a pond, and as they got closer, Ichigo could see two large koi, one mostly gold, and one most white. They twisted together in a dance, making patterns in the small pond.

"I'll give ya a guess or two to see if ya know where this is goin'."

Ichigo stared at it, then knelt beside it. He put a hand in the water, and the fish came closer and nibbled at his fingers.

"Shujin and Omo?" Ichigo whispered, turning toward Shiro where he stood with his hands on his hips.

"Only needed one," Shiro said.

Ichigo stood and looked around. Amid the destruction of the place, there was this small bastion of peace and tranquility. It was just like his entire world. Jūshirō and Shunsui were his peace. The rest of the world, though, all of them, were chaotic and he had no way to see through that chaos. Or so he thought.

Shiro came closer and took his hand. "Look, I know I haven't been there, not really, not where you could sense me, but I've always been here, and I always will be. Yer my King, and I want you to be stronger, like I know you can be. You've come a long way in less than a year."

Ichigo stared at where he held his hand. He guessed it had almost been a year since he was rescued. He didn't know the date, of course. He'd been unconscious for part of it, and honestly, he didn't track time for a long time. But he supposed it had been that long. Six years to break him, would he need that long to heal?

"Yer well on yer way. There'll be nightmares. And there'll be times ya feel like yer fallin' apart at the seams, but yer healing, and that's what matters."

"I guess your right," Ichigo said after he thought for a moment. "I didn't really see it that way. I just… everyone wants the same person I used to be, but I can't be exactly that person again. How do I tell them that?" he looked up to see Zangetsu standing nearby again.

"You tell them that the you that exists now is the person they need to be their friend," Zangetsu said gently.

"Will they understand?" Ichigo asked, looking between Zangetsu and Shiro.

"They'll have to," Shiro said softly squeezing his hand. "Now, get out there and start using me again!"

Ichigo started to leave then he paused. "Use you?" he said, looking at him.

Shiro smirked and dropped him a wink. "Ya know my name, don't ya?"

-oooooo-

Ichigo gasped as he came back to reality.

"Are you alright?" Jūshirō asked, a little concerned.

Ichigo looked at him. "I think I figured out something. My Zanpakutō spirit is the white one that I see. Not the Ojjisan."

Jūshirō frowned at him. "So, what's the other spirit, then?"

"That I'm not sure of," Ichigo said slowly.

Ichigo knew now that Zangetsu was more than he seemed. Shiro was Zangetsu after all. So, now he just had to put together exactly who the other spirit was, and what that meant. He got up from where he was sitting with Zangetsu across his lap and put it in a rack. He had briefly considered training today, but now he wasn't sure he wanted to do that.

"How are you feeling after visiting?" Shunsui said from the doorway.

Ichigo looked up in surprise, having not realized he'd come in while he was in his inner world. "Actually, good," he said with a smile.

"Wonderful," Jūshirō said. "Come, I've prepared tea for us."

Ichigo followed him into the dining area and sat down at the kotatsu to wait for him to bring the tea. Shunsui sat beside him and slipped a hand into his. He smiled and looked at the older Shinigami and wondered about the last year.

"It's been nearly a year," he said as Jūshirō sat down the tea for everyone.

"A year?" Jūshirō asked, sitting down opposite of him.

"Since I was rescued. Zangetsu reminded me of that," he said, and squeezed Shunsui's hand before he moved to pick up his teacup.

"I suppose it has, hasn't it?" Jūshirō said. "You've come a long way since then."

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without you two," Ichigo said, feeling his face heat. "You've done so much for me, and sometimes I feel like I've been a great burden on you here."

"Nonsense!" Jūshirō said.

"Yes, don't think that!" Shunsui added. "You've been a blessing to us."

Ichigo left it there. Today, he was going to see Renji and Rukia. Rukia had just announced that she was pregnant, and he was excited to see her. And more than that, he was going alone. It would be the first time he'd left the estate without either Jūshirō or Shunsui. It was a huge step for him, really. But he was determined to take it today.

"Are you ready to go see Renji and Rukia?" Jūshirō asked, as though reading his mind.

"I think so. They're meeting me at the ramen place. I'm nervous about going alone, but that's okay. I have to do this for myself." Ichigo nodded a little as if to reassure himself more than anything.

They finished their tea and Ichigo heaved a sigh. "Alright, I'm going," he said as he got to his feet.

Jūshirō came around and kissed him chastely on the lips, surprising him a little. "You'll do fine," he said.

Shunsui squeezed his shoulder and nodded. "Have a good time with them."

Ichigo left slowly, walking out of the estate into the bright day. He took a deep breath and looked around. He could do this, he thought. He walked slowly, looking around as he did, taking in the Sereitei as he went. Of course, it hadn't changed much in the last few years, so it looked just the same as it always did. Several people looked at him as he walked, but no one stopped to say anything. It wasn't anyone he recognized too well. He hadn't been outside of the few places he'd spent time in a while. Usually, he was at the estate or at the division with Jūshirō or Shunsui.

He came to the ramen place and entered. He saw Renji's head of red hair immediately and smiled. He made his way over to the table and they looked up.

"Ichigo! You did come!" Rukia exclaimed. "We were worried you wouldn't."

Ichigo sat down beside her and looked across at Renji. "Yeah, I wanted to come."

"How are things? It's been a few weeks since we've seen you," Renji asked, smiling a little.

"They're good. I think I've made progress both here and the World of the Living."

"How's the weekly trips going?" Rukia asked, taking his hand.

"Good, I've gotten used to be blind there, and the therapist I see is nice. I've found out I'm not alone, and the way I reacted to things wasn't so odd. She's made me feel a lot better, even though telling her things was really hard at first," Ichigo said as a cup of tea was sat down in front of him. "But I look forward to returning here."

"I imagine being able to see makes a difference," Renji said.

The waiter came over and they all ordered a bowl, and Ichigo smiled a little after he left. Rukia looked at him with a curious look.

"What is it?"

"Noodles. One of the first things I ever ate with Omo and Shujin was noodles. I didn't want to eat; I just didn't feel like it. I don't know why, maybe because I went so long without food, and that had gotten so normal. But Omo fed me noodles that day, and I think that was the beginning of the feelings I have for them." Ichigo felt his cheeks heat a little. "Sorry, that was awkward."

"No, it's not, it's sweet," Rukia said, squeezing his hand. "And it's good that you recognize those things."

"It's not weird that I love two of your captains?" he asked, frowning.

"What was weird was them actually being open about being with each other," Renji said with a smirk.

"I bet that was a surprise for many," Ichigo paused as the bowls of ramen were delivered to them. "Is it rare for men to be together here?"

"It doesn't happen very often, but there's nothing against it," Renji said with a shrug as he dove into his food.

"Don't worry about that," Rukia said, taking a bite of her own food. "What others think of your relationship doesn't matter. You're happy with them, and that's what matters."

"I haven't seen Kenpachi. I was surprised he hadn't come to find me," Ichigo said after a few moments.

"We sort of curbed him," Renji said. "He was very enthusiastic when you came back, but we had to get him to back down. Well, Unohana-taichou did anyway."

"Ah, okay. How are he and Yumichika and Ikkaku doing?" Ichigo asked.

"Same as always, looking for fights where they can find them, typical eleventh," Renji smirked.

"I really haven't kept up with events, and Omo and Shujin seem to be able to stay with me when I need them," Ichigo said as he finished his noodles.

"I think the Sou-taichou allowed that. But things have been pretty peaceful over the last few years, so other than a few incursions of hollows and a rogue Arrancar left over from Aizen's days are all we've had to deal with." Rukia smiled at him. "I'm just so glad you came out today."

Ichigo nodded. "It's not easy. I want to go back, but I want to stay here. It's a weird sensation."

"Well, the baby should be born in a few months," Renji said. "We can't wait to make you the baby's chosen family."

Ichigo smiled, taking Rukia's hand again. "I'm so excited for you both. I'm sorry I wasn't here when you got married."

"There's nothing to be sorry for that," Rukia said softly, taking his hand and kissing the back of it. "You were in the middle of a horrible point in your life when that happened."

Ichigo smiled. "But still. I wish I'd been here."

"Oh, are you planning to have a ceremony for you and Ukitake-taichou and Kyōraku-taichou?" Renji asked.

Ichigo thought about it. "I haven't discussed it with them," he said softly after a moment.

"You want to, though?" Rukia said.

"Yeah, of course, but how do I tell them that?" he asked.

"Well, that's just up to you," Rukia pointed out. "No one can tell you that."

"Will it be weird that there's three of us?" Ichigo worried.

"Nah," Renji shook his head. "Different, yeah, but nothing that is weird."

Ichigo pondered on that a little while. He wasn't sure how to ask them something like that. But he would, because it was important to him. And he wanted his father to see that it was serious, too, and not just a fluke. He loved Jūshirō and Shunsui and wanted everyone to know that they were together.

They talked about things that had been going on in the divisions and about new recruits. They discussed a few funny incidents the new Shinigami had been involved in. All in all, it was good time for Ichigo, but after a while, his nerves started to return, and he decided it was time to go. He told them goodbye and headed back home.

Home. He smiled at the thought. It was his home, now.

-oooooo-

"Omo? Shujin?" Ichigo said as he entered the estate. He didn't see anyone at first. His breath caught. Did they leave? They wouldn't leave when they knew he was coming back, right? For a few torturous moments, his heartbeat was hard in his chest and a taste of fear came to his mouth.

"Ichigo?" came Jūshirō's voice from the bedroom.

Ichigo rushed into the room and saw Jūshirō sitting on the futon with Shunsui. "You're back soon," Shunsui said.

Ichigo couldn't hide the fact that he'd been slightly panicked, though and Jūshirō got up and put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" he asked, gentle as always.

"I'm sorry, I just… I didn't see you at first, and I thought you might have left, and I didn't know what to do…" he said, looking down as he spoke.

Jūshirō's face softened even further, and he pulled Ichigo into a warm hug. "Aw, Ichigo, we wouldn't go anywhere without telling you. I promise."

Shunsui got up and came over to hug him once Jūshirō released him. "Mmmm, sorry," he muttered against Shunsui's chest.

"Nonsense, there's nothing to be sorry for," Jūshirō said with a soft smile. "Now, how did your visit go?"

Ichigo let go of Shunsui and nodded. "It went well. Rukia is going to have the baby in a few months, so that's exciting. And we talked about me missing their wedding, and if we were going to do a ceremony."

"A ceremony?" Shunsui asked, looking at him with a frown.

"Yeah, for us. I mean, it's silly, I guess. The idea that we would do something like that, but they asked, and I didn't know," Ichigo said, looking away a bit.

"It isn't silly, Ichigo. Is that something you would like to happen?" Jūshirō asked, placing his hand against Ichigo's back.

"I don't know, it would be nice." Ichigo was blushing and he could feel it hot on his cheeks.

"Ah, I think it is a lovely idea," Shunsui said. "A commitment ceremony between us would be something beautiful and something your father could come to, as well."

Ichigo looked up at him. "Do you think so?" he asked.

"Shunsui and I have been together for a long time, but it is only since you came that we have been public about this fact." Jūshirō looked thoughtful. "Yes, if you wish to make it an official commitment ceremony, we can do that."

"You would do that? For me?" Ichigo asked, his voice ringing with the hope that was blossoming in his heart.

Shunsui pulled him into another tight hug. "Of course."

-oooooo-

It happened two months later. Ichigo nervously stood with Rukia, Renji, and his father as his ceremonial robes were adjusted by Uryū. Chad and Orihime had come as well, and practically the whole of the Seireitei seemed to have turned out. He let them fuss about his clothes, as his mind was on the ceremony itself. He had no idea what to expect, but it was sending a thrill through him.

"I think it looks perfect," Rukia said, resting her hand on her just noticeable belly.

"You think this is the right thing to do?" Ichigo asked for another time.

"Ichigo, that's for you to decide, are you having doubts?" Isshin asked, resting a hand on his shoulders. "You love them, and they love you. This is an expression of that love, right?"

Ichigo nodded. "Sorry, I'm just nervous. I haven't been around this many people in a long time, so I don't know if I'm even going to say the right things when the Sou-taichou asks me."

After a few minutes, the signal came that it was time to take their places. Ichigo would walk out after Shunsui and Jūshirō did the same. His father was walking with him, and he was glad of that. He didn't think he could do this with so many people watching otherwise. He watched as first Shunsui walked out, then Jūshirō, and then it was his turn to walk down to where they stood before Yamamoto. His father walked with him, arm linked as he moved slowly. There were so many people watching, his heart was pounding in his chest. They got to the front and Isshin let go, pushing him a little to take his place between Shunsui and Jūshirō.

As soon as he stood between them, each one reached out and took his hands.

"We are gathered together to honor a commitment between these three," the sou-taichou said loudly. "This isn't a common occurrence in Soul Society, but it a momentous one. Finding another soul to spend eternity with is a rare treat that many never find in life. Spending the time we have with another is a precious thing, and living the lives we lead means that our time may be limited. We must be careful with that time, and sometimes we dedicate it to another soul."

Ichigo squeezed the hands he held.

"Now, Jūshirō Ukitake, Ichigo Kurosaki, and Shunsui Kyōraku, you have prepared to say something in front of the gathered today."

Jūshirō let go of Ichigo's hand for a moment, and Rukia stepped up beside him, handing him a box. He opened it, revealing three rings.

"It may be a tradition that we have forgotten over our many long years, but the ring symbolizes endless love, which is what I carry in my heart." He reached for Ichigo's other hand, which he gave him, and slid the black band on him. He then did the same to Shunsui. Shunsui took the band that remained out of the box and slid it on Jūshirō's finger.

Shunsui smiled, looking at both Ichigo and Jūshirō. "I have spent many long years in love with sweet Jūshirō. And perhaps that means more to others than the new love I have for Ichigo, but that is not the way it is. My love extends to them both as fresh as the day."

Ichigo looked between them and took a breath. "I was in a dark place. It was you both that lifted me out of it in so many ways that I cannot recount them all. What happened to me was not something I ever thought I could recover from, and while there are still hard days for me, you make those days easier, and I love you both so much for that."

"It is this that I speak. Do you, Ukitake, take Kurosaki and Kyōraku as you committed partners?" Yamamoto said, looking at Jūshirō.

"I do," he said, smiling.

"Do you, Kyōraku, take Kurosaki and Ukitake as your committed partners?" he said, looking at Shunsui.

"I do." He grinned at both of them.

"And, Kurosaki. Do you take Kyōraku and Ukitake as your committed partners from this day forward?" he looked at Ichigo.

For a second, Ichigo forgot how to speak, but it passed, and he managed to say what he needed to say. "I do."

"Then it is with great pleasure, I pronounce you a committed partnership of souls in the view of Soul Society," Yamamoto said and actually smiled a little.

There was a cheer as everyone around them yelled out. The three of them turned around, hands intertwined with each other, and looked out on those in attendance. Ichigo's breath hitched to see so many people, including many friends he had yet to make connections with again. Everyone was happy for them, it seemed, and they continued to clap and cheer as they walked back, through everyone.

Ichigo wasn't ready for a major gathering, so they headed back to the estate, where his closest friends and father were going to meet them. They got there and changed into plain clothes from the ceremonial robes they had worn, and during the changing, Ichigo managed to sneak a few passionate if short kisses out of Shunsui and Jūshirō. They came out and found Rukia, Renji, Chad, Orihime, Uryū, and Isshin had gathered outside around the koi pond. They went out where they waited.

"Congratulations, Ichigo! Ukitake-taichou! Kyōraku-taichou!" Rukia said and clapped excitedly as they approached.

Ichigo went to her, and she hugged him. "Thank you," he said and smiled. "And thank you all for being here."

"We knew all the people at the ceremony would be overwhelming for you, son," Isshin said as he came up and clapped him gently on the back. "I'm proud of you. You handled everything so well."

Ichigo nodded and looked at the others. "Is it alright? That I choose to live here?"

"Of course," Chad answered. "You get to choose where you live, Ichigo. Wherever you are, I'll be your friend."

"Right," Uryū said. "But I'm still your doctor when you come to the World of the Living!"

"I know. Kon has been doing well, though. He's learning braille. And I'm learning it too, for when I have to go back home for those times. Of course, I only have to go back for my therapist appointments," Ichigo said. "I'm glad Urahara was able to bolster my body like he did, so it's less work on everyone."

"It wasn't work," Orihime said, smiling at him. "Oh, um, I don't want to take from today's events, but Uryū and I have some news."

"News?" Ichigo said.

"Yeah, we just found out. Orihime is expecting a baby!" Uryū said with a huge grin on his face.

"Oh my!" Rukia exclaimed. "Our babies will be almost the same age!"

"That's wonderful!" Ichigo said, hugging Orihime to him. She hugged him back and when he pushed back, there were tears in her eyes.

"What is it?" Ichigo asked, a little concerned.

"When we were younger, I was so in love with you, Ichigo," Orihime admitted. "I wanted to be your wife, and then you were gone. I feel like, in some ways, I should have waited for you those six years. But I didn't, and Uryū and I fell in love. But that didn't take away how much I loved you. I hope you'll forgive me because I moved on without you."

"Oh, Orihime, it's alright. No one could have imagined my situation. You had to move on. I'm glad you did, because it let me be with Omo and Shujin. They've become my everything, and you have Uryū and now a baby on the way. Don't be sorry for that," Ichigo told her.

"What will happen now?" Orihime asked, looking around.

"Well, we'll spend most our time here," Jūshirō said, smiling. "But Ichigo will still be able to visit the World of the Living. He's agreed to train with the thirteenth division starting this coming week. We're going to see how his powers have changed, and we'll go from there."

"Do you think much will have changed?" Uryū asked, frowning.

"Everything that affects us, affects our power as a Shinigami since that power is tied to our soul. Ichigo may have a different appearance or capabilities in his Bankai than before. We'll have to test those things, assuming his Bankai is still unlocked to him," Shunsui said with a nod.

"I'll help him," Rukia said, looking at the others. "Since I'm to fuku-taichou of the division, I'm taking on his training personally, and we'll work one on one as well as with the division."

"That's wonderful," Isshin said with a smile. "I'm glad to see some progress there."

"I'll have to get used to being around so many people again, so it may take a while before I can really train, but I'm going to try," Ichigo explained.

"What about… Well, what about what happened? Does it still bother you? Or do you think you're over it?" Orihime asked softly.

Ichigo sighed. "I'm not sure I'll ever be totally over it. The therapy helps, and there are nights I can't sleep because of the nightmares, and I still have some of the behaviors ingrained into me that I try to ignore."

"He's come far, though," Jūshirō said, putting an arm around his shoulders. "I think the work he's done in the last year has been amazing. To go from barely functioning on his own, to where he is now, ready to start training with other Shinigami again, that's impressive. And we need to make sure we acknowledge how far he has come, while admitting there is still further to go."

They ended up chatting for a couple more hours, mostly talking about what was going on in the World of the Living, and the events that would be happening as the babies came closer to being born. There were a lot of small details yet to work out, and Ichigo was glad that his friends had come to accept him as he was and didn't expect him to entirely return to the way he used to be. That him was gone, and this new one had taken his place.

Before long, everyone began to leave, with Rukia and Renji taking the humans back to the World of the Living. Ichigo was, honestly, quite exhausted by the day and was ready to sleep once they were gone.

"Let's go on to bed," Shunsui said, taking Ichigo by the hand.

"I'm ready," Ichigo answered, following him to change into something to sleep in.

Jūshirō came into the room, and they settled together into the futon. Ichigo was, as usual, between them, and he thought for a while about how far he had come after all. He'd been made a dog, less than that, even. He'd become nothing, really, a body to be used and abused as his captors had wanted. Who he was had changed in that time, but no one could have gone through what he did and not changed. He realized this now. The changes weren't bad or good, they simply were. His therapist had brought that up, and he had taken it to heart.

"I'm glad I have you both," he said after a few minutes.

Shunsui snuggled in behind him and Jūshirō was facing him. Jūshirō reached out and cupped his face. "We're glad to have you."

"Thank you."

"For what, Ichigo?" Shunsui asked, squeezing him from behind.

Ichigo smiled, feeling tears in his eyes.

"For everything."