Chapter Ninety Six:

Ichigo wasn't all that surprised to find himself within his Inner World. The enormous skyscrapers were perfect, just how he remembered them. Tall and proud. He sucked in a breath, looking at the brilliant blue sky before he twisted, easily spotting Zangetsu and Shiro waiting for him.

"Ichigo."

"Aibou."

"Hey." He approached, "How are you?"

"Us?" The Hollow chuckled, "Shouldn't we be askin' ya that instead? Ya had a fuckin' hole in yer chest, Aibou!"

"Tell me about it. Mind you... Not exactly the first time it's happened." He rubbed the spot self consciously, "I'm fine now. It was touch and go for a bit. I'm not sure how long I've got before I wake up but... I've got questions."

"Of course you do." Zangetsu chuckled, "We are here to answer them, always."

"Fuck where do I even start?" He grinned sheepishly, "So... Two swords?"

"For two powers." The grim soul replied, "Initially, I was the facet of your Shinigami power, and your concealed Quincy power, while Shiro acted as the facet of all things Hollow."

"And now?"

The albino smirked and slung an arm around the strawberry's shoulders, licking his cheek teasingly, "We're gonna be seein' a whole lot more of each other, Aibou. I'm takin' over as the facet of all things Hollow and Shinigami! The two are better related than Quincy shit."

"He is correct. From now on, I will act as the centre of your Quincy abilities. Understandably you may never call upon them but my presence will not effect your normal capabilities, I will merely act as additional power." Zangetsu folded his arms beneath his cloak, "Shiro is represented by the larger blade, while I am the smaller."

"Right..." He tried to be annoyed as Shiro began playing with his hair, but he couldn't bring himself to scowl, "And... Bankai?"

"Yer gonna look a little different on that score. But I ain't givin' anythin' away. I wanna see ya unlock it all over again... The first time was so much fun." The albino's smile stretched wider, "Keep trainin' and meditatin' with us. Ya already have the ability, ya just need to... Acclimatise."

"Wow big words, I had no idea you were so smart." He couldn't entirely help himself.

"Tch, if I'm dumb it's cause ya are the same. Ya helped make me, remember?"

"Do you have more questions, Ichigo?" Zangetsu asked with a small huff.

"A ton..." Ichigo sighed, "Did you guys know about mum?"

"No." Shiro said.

"Yes." Zangetsu said.

Two different answers. Even Shiro looked surprised. Zangetsu shrugged nonchalantly in response to their stares.

"You inherited your powers, after all. It would have seemed odd for the Quincy side to come from no where." Was the only explanation he bothered to give.

"Alright, that kind of makes sense." He agreed before glancing at his Hollow, "So... I'm still the Cero Espada?"

"Yeah, yeah. Since ya were in ya mamma's womb." An eye roll, "Ya want a serious answer? I reckon ya were the Cero the moment Aizen saw ya. No way he was gonna have ya be anythin' but perfect. So yeah, you're still the Cero Espada. And before ya ask... I'm fine with it. Like I said out in the park... My power is your power."

Ichigo couldn't help but smile slightly, "Wow, who'd have thought we'd end up cooperating properly?"

"Aizen." The reply was gruff but Shiro's eyes told a story of amusement, "And probably Byakuya."

"Last question for now and I want a real answer... You both alright?"

"Content to be back where I belong." Zangetsu tipped his head to the side, barely hiding the smile tugging at his lips.

"Doin' fine. I'll be even better when ya get laid." Shiro's grin was almost feral.

Spluttering, the strawberry just huffed, "Yeah because I'm sure that's the first thing Byakuya's going to want to do."

Glancing skywards, Ichigo took in a moment to appreciate the blueness of the sky, the lack of clouds and the distinctive missing rainfall that had so often plagued his Inner World. Things seemed better than ever.

"I want to make you both two promises." He looked at the two other parts of his Soul and swallowed hard, "I vow never to use Mugetsu again. No matter what the situation I will find an alternative way of dealing with it. The cost... The price... Is too damn high. I don't ever want to be alone in my own head again."

"That would be..."

"... Really good. Neither of us wanna lose ya again, Aibou."

"And the second one..." He sucked in a breath and held his arms up, staring at the skies overhead, "I promise to try and keep the rain away. I'm not looking back anymore! The past is done! It's gone. It's over, and I can't do anything about it. It's time to let it rest where it belongs. I'm going forwards. I'm never gonna stop moving."

Zangetsu's eyes seemed alight with pride, "Remember Ichigo, the enemy is one, and you are one. Cast off your fear. Look forward! Go forward!"

"Never stand still. Retreat and you will age. Hesitate and you will die." The corners of Shiro's eyes crinkled as he smiled, "Go get 'em King."

Ichigo nodded, unable to help the overwhelming feeling of sentiment which washed away all sense and reason as he truly began to believe that his powers were back, and they were going to stay that way. He pulled them both against his body, squeezing them tightly as he gripped the back of their coats, "I'm gonna make you both proud."

"We already are." They said together.


Byakuya had already been awake for some time when he finally felt Ichigo shift beside him, rolling over to avoid the bright morning sunlight. He offered a sweet smile as he watched chestnut eyes flutter open, awareness washing over the strawberry as he seemed to calculate how likely it was that everything was real.

"Good morning." The nobleman leaned forwards, peppering his strawberry's lips with kisses.

"Morning." Ichigo replied, curling his fingers around some stray locks of hair, "Sleep okay?"

"Better than I have for months. Yourself?"

"Better than I have for months." The younger man agreed, propping himself up on his elbow as he cast his eyes over the man he loved, "Been awake long?"

"About an hour." Byakuya replied, fingers snaking out and curling around some of Ichigo's long hair, "It may have occurred to me when I woke that... It might seem foolish..."

"Tell me anyway."

Unable to keep it to himself as he watched Ichigo lean forwards with interest, "Once upon a time you told me you would lay down your life to ensure that Aizen succeeded in his plans, but only yesterday you willingly laid down your life to save the very people Aizen would have seen dead. It simply... Reminded me of how much you have changed."

Ichigo looked like he was mulling it over, a thoughtful bite of his lip sneaking forward, "I would never have done it without you acting like a reckless idiot in order to save my life."

"Well... I can't argue there." He smirked.

Chuckling softly, the strawberry sobered a little and sighed, "Thank you for reminding me. I have come a long way."

"The fact you can see that without question now, makes me unbelievably happy." Byakuya whispered.

"I wouldn't have seen it once, but I do now. Thank you, for believing in me." A tender kiss pressed against his lips.

Byakuya released a small growl as he felt Ichigo try to pull back, his grasp on his hair tightening as he kept him close, sneaking his tongue out to brush against the bottom lip of his lover, silently requesting entry. He could only groan as he slipped his tongue inside his mouth, meeting a tangle of teeth and lips and heat. The innocence from the night before was gone. All he wanted in that moment was to rekindle everything they'd missed out on, and to ensure that the world knew that Ichigo Kurosaki was his. And his alone.

The Kuchiki heir moaned again, unable to help himself as he rolled Ichigo onto his back, hovering above him as lust bubbled to the surface of his entire being. The scorch of heat in the pit of his belly, the hardening of his length in the confines of his hakama. He couldn't ignore it. He wouldn't ignore it.

"I believed I would miss your company and wits more than anything else when you lost your powers," Byakuya's voice was a low growl against the other man's throat, "Believed I would cope without your presence in my bed, in my arms. I was wrong. Being parted from you physically has almost driven me to the brink of madness on occasion."

Ichigo seemed startled at first, Byakuya was sure he knew why. The strawberry had most likely come to the conclusion that he would want to touch him because of what had almost happened with Ulquiorra. How wrong he was. If anything he wanted him more... Wanted to show him that Ulquiorra's pathetic attempts at seduction paled in comparison to what he was capable of.

"Maybe you should do something about it then." Ichigo's response was slow, but his smirk spread with increasing confidence.

It was a challenge, he knew it. He accepted it. He didn't care. There was nothing he wanted more than to feel the subtle grooves of Ichigo's buttocks pressed into his pelvis, grinding and jerking with urgency.

There was a not so soft snarl as he leaned up, refined patience abandoned as he tore into Ichigo's shihakusho, shredding the material shamelessly and casting it aside without hesitation. He could see the surprise burning in chestnut orbs, as well as a deep intermingling need rising in retaliation. Feeling nimble fingers joining the battle of fabric, Byakuya soon found himself just as naked, just as heated.

He claimed Ichigo's mouth with force, teeth clashing almost painfully as he ran his hands down his sides, reciting all the sensitive and ticklish spots from memory. He'd spent so many nights retracing them in his sleep, in the meagre point between sleep and awakening when he'd be greeted by perfectly painful early morning erections with no desire to sate them. He was sure his subordinates in Division Six had trembled at the sight of his growing daily rage, his frustrations had made him... Short tempered.

Tearing his lips away, he dragged his mouth down the younger man's throat, gently swiping his tongue against the scar which would never fade as he made his way further down. A wet path chilled as he sank lower and lower, dotting kisses against Ichigo's hips and thighs as he pushed his legs apart, holding them in his hands as he heard his sunrise haired lover panting harshly in arousal.

He wasn't sure if he'd ever gotten around to pleasuring the man with his mouth while in Soul Society, somehow their encounters had almost always been too desperate and urgent to hold back. Sure enough he felt like he could flip the strawberry over and make him scream in pleasure there and then, but he resisted. He wanted their reunion to be world shattering.

He started slowly, sliding the flat of his tongue along the underneath of the heated flesh, purring as he felt Ichigo's thighs tense in response a gentle shuffle and fidget urging him on as his swirling his lips around his tip, accepting him slowly, swallowing him down. Byakuya groaned in pleasure at the taste and smell of his lover, gliding his movements back and forth with a teasing slowness which he could already tell was driving the man wild.

There were fingers in his hair, nails gently scratching at his scalp. Whimpers. Moans. A buck of the hips which made him gag. A half hearted apology. He growled around him in response and dragged his teeth along his flesh, enjoying the instant weakening of the grasp on his head. He removed his mouth for long enough to slick his fingers, almost immediately taking Ichigo's erection back between his lips as he slipped his hand down further.

He trailed his moist touch around his entrance teasingly before sliding a digit inside, his eyes rolling at the feeling of tightness and heat.

Byakuya wasn't sure if either of them were going to leave the room sane.

He rubbed his fingers deep, making sure to taunt his prostate, smirking around his length as he felt Ichigo jerk and squirm, hips caught between going up for more delectable heat or going down for more zings of pleasure.

Byakuya decided he was going to make sure neither of them left the room sane.

He quickened each thrust of his hand, rolling his wrist just slightly as he brushed his fingers against his lover's prostate firmly. Byakuya could feel the way Ichigo's muscles were beginning to twitch, tighten and tremble. A smirk toyed around the edges of his lips as he gave a sudden rush of violent jerking, hearing Ichigo cry out as his orgasm washed over him, muscled clenching around his fingers as he swallowed around his length. Eyes hazy with his own need.

Pulling back slowly, he swallowed again and climbed up over his lover, his breath taken away by the sight of his flushed face, eyes glistening with tears he could only assume were from pleasure gathering the almost silent whines he received. He leaned down, capturing his lips in a sweet kiss as he lifted his legs again.

"If you leave this room without at least a small limp... I'm going to consider my pride broken." He growled against his lips, watching as Ichigo's eyes widened and his pupils dilated.

Entering him was almost as mind blowing as he'd imagined, a low moan escaping his lips as he thrusted forwards. He froze in place, listening to Ichigo's cries of pleasure as his muscles relaxed around the intrusion, it was all the better for feeling his lover's body still twitching and shivering.

"F-Fuck..." He hung his head, shoulders shaking with the strain of holding himself in place, his teeth tugging at his lip as his mind began reminding him of every union they'd ever shared.

Eyes opened, he hadn't realised he'd closed them, with a sudden snap as he felt Ichigo buck his hips. There was a wickedly dark smirk on the strawberry's expression, a husky heat swirling in the depths of warm chestnut eyes, it made him want to sink into him and never leave again. It drew a guttural grunt of pleasure from his lips, his hands grasping the slighter man's hips as he lifted them just a little higher, his own expression turning hot as he began a furious pace of thrusting. He wasn't going to go easy on him.

He bucked his hips back and forth, revelling in the cries of bliss he received in response, fingers digging firmly into tanned skin as he rolled his waist, hitting all the right places repeatedly. The sound of his skin slapping together almost seemed to bounce of the walls, Byakuya's huffs almost silenced by Ichigo's pleasure.

His eyes widened as he was rolled without warning, his back hitting the cool tatami flooring as his lover straddled him, fingers digging into his chest as Ichigo began rocking in his lap. Byakuya let out a groan, back arching as his hands found his waist again, helping make his movements easier. His toes were curling, he lifted his legs slightly, seating Ichigo fully in his lap, it was then that he noticed Ichigo's flourishing erection had returned. He'd almost forgotten his beloved strawberry's infamous stamina.

Unable to stand the lack of skin contact, he forced himself into a seated position, arms winding around his strawberry haired lover as he felt long locks of hair tickling his face. He held him close, face burrowed in his neck.

"B-Byakuya..." Ichigo's breathless voice against his ear made his skin tingle, "Ah... Ah... I'm not... I'm..."

"It's... Alright..." He ground out, "Me neither..."

It was all he could say before he felt Ichigo's teeth nipping at his earlobe and throat, forcing him to squeeze his eyes shut as he rolled them again, pinning the younger man's hands above his head as he thrusted with earnest. A clash of lips and tongues and teeth, moans and groans, pleading purrs.

Byakuya's back arched as he felt Ichigo's muscles spasm around him for a second time, listening to his lover's cries as he came was more than enough to tip him over the edge. A carnal crow escaping him as he felt his own release wash over him, carrying everything away with it as he fell forwards, forehead resting on Ichigo's shoulder.

"Fuck." The nobleman breathed.

"Y-You're swearing... A lot..." Ichigo giggled, arms slowly sliding around the nobleman's shoulders as he nuzzled into him, "I kind... Of like seeing... You all undone..."

Lifting his head just enough to look at him, Byakuya winked, "No one else gets to see... This side of me."

"Good." Was the strawberry's only response as he stretched hugely and hummed, "Well, I need a shower. I also think I need carrying there."

"Oh? My pride isn't shattered?"

"Oh, God no."

Byakuya's lips quirked into a satisfied smile as he slowly and carefully pulled himself away from his lover's body, allowing them to part only long enough to stand before he crouched and scooped his strawberry haired fiancé up off the futon.

He carried them to the en-suite bathroom without difficulty, rejoicing in the feeling of Ichigo's arms sliding around his shoulders as the younger man affectionately nuzzled into his neck. He felt himself sigh contentedly as he turned the shower on, listening for a long moment as the water began to flow. Byakuya allowed Ichigo to stand on his own two feet, although he kept an arm around his waist to steady him.

His eyes fluttered as he felt Ichigo slowly kissing and nipping at his neck, applying just enough suction to leave a mark behind before he moved on and created another. He felt a shiver run through him and a low grown broke free. He was already growing hard again.

Byakuya's head turned fractionally towards Ichigo, his eyes darkening lustfully as he watched the strawberry tongue darting out across his lips in a slow and seductive motion. A growl escaped him and he lunged, pushing the strawberry up against the shower wall, beneath the hot spray of water. In a heartbeat, he had both of his lover's hands in one of his own in a vice-like grip above his head. He was using his hips to pin the rest of Ichigo's fidgeting body against the wall.

His other hand snaked out, coiling around the long locks of sunrise coloured hair, yanking firmly so that Ichigo was forced to look up. Byakuya captured his lips with force, only just avoiding a painful smack of teeth as he heard Ichigo moan.

Unable to resist taking him again, the Kuchiki heir lifted Ichigo's legs around his waist, keeping him tightly imprisoned by his body as he guided his length back inside his lover. They both moaned. Ichigo's erection already blooming in full heated glory again as well. Their eyes met for a long moment, both acknowledging the need. The urgency. The want.

He rolled his hips, rocking them back and forth with a lower torment than last time. He was going to make it last. He was going to make Ichigo beg for completion. He wanted to see his lover come undone. He wanted to see his eyes widen with desperation as his orgasm crept close enough to be almost painful, but utterly satisfying.

There were so many things he wanted to do to him. There just hadn't been time before. In between Aizen's treachery, his kidnap, the Winter War, Ichigo's loss of powers... There had never been enough time. But now... Now he could make up for it all.

They didn't have to rush, they didn't have to worry. The only time they had to part was for work, and even then... Ichigo would still be under him. Just as he'd said that first day. Byakuya's lips quirked into a wicked smile, he was going to make sure Ichigo enjoyed working under him. Oh, fuck, he was going to ensure it.

He felt Ichigo's legs tremble around his waist, and watched as the strawberry's hands slipped down between them, fingers curling around his length. Slow, jerking motions seemed to match each rock and roll of his hips. His grin widened.

Hair sticking to his face and neck, he leaned forwards, softly sucking on Ichigo's scar again. He felt the man tense, but that tension seemed to be from pleasure rather than the torment that had once been roused by such touches. It pleased him to see that his lover was coming through the other side of that dark storm cloud. Even with Ulquiorra's deception...

'Death will always be too good for vermin like that.' He thought silently before pushing such things aside.

Ulquiorra had no hold over either of them anymore. Ichigo was here, in his arms. Squirming, mewling, moaning, twitching. Ulquiorra was dead and gone. And he could spend all the time he wanted reclaiming every inch of Ichigo's body that had ever been sullied by that creature's touch and manipulation.

Ichigo's orgasm took him by surprise, but a breathless moan escaped his own lips as he watched the strawberry arch, eyes wide, pupils dilated. That seductive blush scraping its way across his cheeks and nose as a hearty wail broke free from him.

It was all Byakuya needed to join him, his own climax carrying his voice away along with his senses as he buried himself firmly inside his lover. He didn't dare move. He didn't dare let go. He wasn't sure his own legs would support him, let alone how Ichigo's would.

"I love you, Byakuya Kuchiki."

He released a breathless sigh, "I love you too, Ichigo Kurosaki."

"Do you still want to marry me?" The question seemed innocent enough, but Byakuya caught sight of the anxiety that lay beneath Ichigo's afterglow.

"More than anything in this world or the next."

They made love several more times that morning, unsure exactly where they got the energy from but no less enjoying some more tender, intense connections before finally deciding to rejoin the population of Urahara's store. Ichigo hid his limp well, but Byakuya was sure it was still noticeable, his suspicions almost entirely confirmed when he caught a glimpse of Yoruichi looking at them with something akin to smug amusement.


The pair were now stowed away in Ishida's room, the strawberry watching helplessly as Ishida moved in small jerking motions as he recovered and rested. The man was paler than normal, physically shaky despite his usual arrogant personality shining through in the way he spoke.

The tension between the strawberry and the Quincy was overwhelming. Ichigo sat at his bedside when he'd had enough of exercising and looked at his hands restlessly.

"Ishida..." Ichigo began.

"Don't." The Quincy fixed him with a stern look, "You don't need to."

"I do-"

"No. You don't." Ishida's voice softened as he offered the very smallest of smiles, "Friends argue and fight and make up every day. We are no different. You were a blind fool, but in the end you saw the truth."

"Thank you." The strawberry said softly, "I just wish I'd listened to you..."

"I can't believe I never made the connect about your mother." The Quincy had muttered, nudging his glasses up as he blew a breath over his hot tea and changed the subject, "I knew her name was Masaki but... I never thought... She never showed... Her Cross came into my possession quite by chance only a few years ago."

"Guess you're gonna have to find another reason to pretend to hate me." Ichigo smirked.

"Don't you believe it. I can't break the habit of a lifetime." Eyes rolled but there was warmth behind them, "I thought you were... When I saw you after I woke out there... You looked like a dead man walking."

"I know. But I couldn't give up."

"I know that, and..." Ishida frowned, looking down, "You were willing to die to protect my family. That's not something I can ever repay you for."

"You don't need to repay me for it." The strawberry said simply, slinging an arm over one of his raised knees, "You and 'Hime spent months in Hueco Mundo because of me, I told you I'd pay that debt. Consider us even."

"That sounds fair..." The Quincy mused before his expression darkened, "Kurosaki, about what Ulquiorra said..."

"About her healing him?"

"Yes..." His eyes lowered, "It was true."

"I kind of realised that when I saw him standing there." His tone was a little sharp, "Why didn't she tell me? Why didn't you?"

"When your Hollow brought that man into the cells we had no idea what he had done. All we knew was that you had disappeared, your Hollow was in control and he was dangerous. Manic. Wild. Despite Aizen seemingly authorising Ulquiorra's punishment, Orihime... She couldn't bare to see him in so much pain."

Closing his eyes, Ichigo let out an aggravated breath, "She never could stand to see people hurt."

"She only realised what she had done when we finally were rescued by Urahara-san and the Visored, that night when you recounted the events of your adventure through Las Noches. Although you skirted around the subject of Ulquiorra's attack... We knew." Ishida hesitated, "We spoke when we returned home, and agreed to keep it a secret, we believed that... If you thought him incapacitated, you would be able to recover better from the attack, we feared that the news he was healed would set you back. Or worse, bring Shiro back to the forefront."

"You both..." He paused, his voice sounded angry and he forced it back, forced himself to calm, "You both did what you thought was best. I can't ask any more of you than that. I'm... Not angry at her for what she did. She did what was in her nature. She made a mistake, but so did I."

"You did?"

"I left him alive to start with." As his eyes opened, they were warm and he broke into a smile, "I'm not looking back anymore, Ishida. I've spent enough time in the past. I have an entire future to enjoy."

"Thank you for your understanding. And on the subject of your future... Tell me, with your up and coming nuptials back on schedule, will you be taking Byakuya-san's family name? I'm curious."

Byakuya's eyebrow quirked with interest at the conversation as well.

"I've been giving it a lot of thought. I mean I've had enough time right?" He shrugged, "I've decided that I'm going to keep my own name as far as anything involving to Goeti 13 is involved. If it comes to official Clan documents then I'll sign them as Kuchiki."

"That sounds like a wise choice."

"It's the best I can come up with." He chuckled, "I might be a Shiba by blood... But I am a Kurosaki. Through and through, but being part of the Kuchiki Clan will be an honour as well."

"I'm proud of you for being so wise in your choice." Byakuya's voice came from behind him as arms snaked around his shoulders, "As much as I would adore to call you Kuchiki Fukutaichou, I must confess things would soon become complex with Rukia's rank."

"You can call me whatever you want behind closed doors." He purred, leaning back against his fiancé's chest.

"Oh for the love of... Put him down! I've heard quite enough of your antics to last me a life time." Ishida muttered sharply.

"Huh?" Ichigo blinked.

"You seem to forget, Kurosaki, that your room is directly adjacent to my own." The Quincy's face seemed just slightly flushed as he glared at them both.

"Oh... Oh." The strawberry bit his lip and stifled a snort, "Sorry?"

"No you're not." The bespectacled man rolled his eyes.

"No... I'm not." He smirked, "It's been months I think I deserved it."

Byakuya sighed against his neck, "Besides, sex isn't the only prominent sound around here right now. I am certain I've heard Yoruichi throw up at least six times already this morning. When Urahara-san said she was sick I didn't think it was this bad."

"I could always examine her?" Ishida offered.

"Mm, if it continues it might well be worth while offering your services to Urahara-san." The nobleman agreed.

"I hope she's okay." Ichigo mumbled.

"It will take something far stronger than a stomach bug to knock her down for long." The Kuchiki heir said knowingly, "We'd best be back in Soul Society before she is back on her feet however, because I for one do not feel like playing tag with her."

"You just don't like losing." The strawberry teased.

"Hmph." Was Byakuya's only response to the jibe before he addressed Ishida again, "While I remember, the state of your home..."

"Yes, I can assume it ended up in quite a mess. It will take some time to put everything right again. Hopefully Urahara-san will put us up until then." The Quincy finished his tea with a sigh.

"No need," the noble offered a small smile, "I had some of my staff travel over last night. According to the report I received this morning, your home is ready to be moved back into as soon as you are ready."

"W-What?" Ishida stared in disbelief, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to find the words, "I... Thank you."

"There's no need," he lifted a hand, "You looked after Ichigo when I was unable to do so. Consider it a mark of my gratitude."

Slowly rising to his feet with a small shake at the knees, Ichigo's childhood friend rolled his shoulders to loosen the muscles before he dared look at them again, "No matter what I say, or how I act... He is my friend. I'm merely glad to see him restored to his best self."

"Ishida..." Ichigo swallowed.

"Don't ruin it, Ichigo." Ishida's lips twitched, "But, perhaps my father was wrong after all... Not all Shinigami are terrible."

When it seemed Ishida had grown tired, they left him to rest and Ichigo found himself staring up at Byakuya as they walked through the store, "You really had his home cleaned?"

"Yes, it was the least I could do."

"I love you." He beamed.

"I know." A cheeky wink.