Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

There was a collective sigh as three Shinigami took notice of the Hell Butterfly at the same time. While the two teachers felt exasperated, Ichigo tried to force a mask over his face as his emotions warred inside of him. Rage boiled like liquid magma beneath the surface of his skin as he slowly stood up.

All others in the room simply stared at him with wide eyes as he stood still for a moment. Kisuke and Yoruichi each silently contemplated restaining him until finally he moved. Slowly a hand rose up and ran a hand through his hair before letting out a frustrated sigh. His face was set in his typical scowl but his golden iris and black sclarea eyes had adults on edge as Kunou pushed herself into her mother's side.

Attention shifted as a traditional looking Japanese doorway, the Senkaimon Gate, appeared within the room. Amaterasu pursed her lips as she glared at the portal herself. Kisuke felt a bit of relief when he noticed that his student's normal brown eyes had returned his face, but he almost groaned as the doors parted and two Captains stepped out from behind them.

All things considered, Kuchiki Byakuya and Hitsugaya Toshiro were far from the worst choice that could have been picked to come see Ichigo but idly Yoruichi thought they were also far from the best choice either. The Captain of Squad Six had always had a strained relationship with the former Substitute at best and while wise to send the Tenth Squad's Captain as a friend, his aloof attitude would be rather detrimental overall.

"Kurosaki Ichigo," Toshiro knew his words generally came off a little cold so he took extra care to try and inject warmth into his greeting, though only someone extremely close to him would have been able to tell, "With the return of your po-"

"Oooi, you're being rather rude, ain't ya?" the icy Shinigami's surprised look gave Ichigo just enough satisfaction to take notice of Zangetu's more drawing speech patterns, "This is neither a public place nor Urahara Shoten. You just essentially broke into someone's home and I think you should apologize."

Yoruichi and Kisuke wanted to sigh again as this was at least not the worst way that the meeting could have started. While Serafall and Amaterasu each decided to just observe Yasaka chose to give a slight glare to the two intruding Shinigami to try and bulstor Ichigo's statement. For her part Kunou felt the hair on the back of her neck stand on end when her personal hero first started speaking but his final reprimand nearly had her giggle.

"Be that as it may Kurosaki, you need to come with us," Byakuya took a step forward even as an uneasy memory of the Kyokya hill surfaced in his mind listening to the boy speak, "Soutaichou-sama has summoned you."

Silence settled over the group as Ichigo simply stood there and stared them down. Finally Toshiro was the first to feel unnerved after a few minutes of just standing there. Turning he gave a small bow and mumbled an apology.

"That was rather pathetic," the young Captain barely suppressed a wince, "Anyway as far as going with you is concerned, I'm afraid to say that isn't possible right now."

"Kurosaki," Byakuya's eyes narrowed as he felt his ire begin to rise, "You need to explain the full situation that has occurred."

"Kuchiki-taichou after several years of the Seireitei brushing off my existence," only Yoruichi saw Amaterasu's fist clench, "I need not do anything. Besides I'm largely out of practice and it's only thanks to several suppression seals from Hat-and-clogs that my powers aren't running rampant right now."

"I fairly positive that going to Soul Society would put a lot of weaker souls in danger," leave it to Kisuke to pick up and run with a lie so smoothly, "He will need time to regain control over the vast amount of energy flowing through his body."

"You may as well head back now," both Captains unconsciously gripped the sheaths of their Zanpakuto as venom slipped ever so slightly into the teen's words, "I'll send a message when I have both had enough time to regain control and I find a neutral ground to meet at."

"Neutral ground Ichigo-san?" Toshiro couldn't keep the confusion from his face showing off his inexperience with these kind of situations, "What do you mean by that? Why won't you just come to the Seireitei?"

"Hitsugaya-taichou, I would ask you to not be so casual," a flinch was his only response, "I have no faith in the Gotei 13 at the moment and as such will not willingly allow myself to be placed in such a vulnerable state."

Ichigo wanted the meeting to just end, he was more than a little aware of his rising temper and he didn't know if it would be possible to contain it much longer. He could feel the pure unfiltered emotions of his soul's instinct slowly seep into the measured biting words of his souls control. Luck seemed to finally be on his side as the Kuchiki decided to stand down.

"Very well Kurosaki Ichigo, for the safety of those residing in Soul Society we will give you one week to regain control," turning the more senior Captain resummoned the Senkaimon, "Be sure to not do anything foolish."

The entire confrontation took only ten minutes to start and conclude but the two Captains retreated with satisfaction. Yoruichi let out a huff and was about to scold her student when he stepped away from her. She could see how stiff his shoulders were as he moved away from the group with jerky steps.

"I'll be back, Kisuke do me a favor?"

"Ichigo-san?"

"I need an Asauchi."

The young man didn't wait for a response and simply left the room they were in. With quick strides he returned to the room he was being allowed to stay in. Allowing Zangetsu to guide his actions his spirit left his body and he felt his power surge up around him, just barely being held in check by the Old Man. He felt it as his arm unconsciously raised and his fingers ripped through the fabric of reality. With two quick steps his Garganta closed behind him.

XXScene BreakXX

"Those arrogant Shinigami," Amaterasu felt her power coil in her stomach in her annoyance, "They lied to me about Ichigo. I was told I could no longer watch over him after he defeated the rogue."

"It's probably for the best that you didn't," Urahara ignored the angry look of the Goddess and the curious looks from everyone else, "He had no powers, no way to protect himself should someone or something decided to see what was holding the attention of the Shinto Pantheon."

"If I had known of his suffering! I...I," the woman seemed to shrink in on herself as she lost a little control of her emotions and several tears slipped down her cheeks, "I would have brought my Son to me and cared for him."

"Most likely that's true, Soul Society couldn't have thought of that," The male blond let out a tired sigh, "I hate the decisions they made and I disagree with them, but as much as I hate to admit it, I can see the perspective they used. They thought they were keeping him safe."

"What?!" Yoruichi had nearly lept from her position and grabbed the scientist by his robes, "What do you mean you can understand their perspective? They abandoned him!"

"Enough!" five surprised heads snapped to Yasaka who had a conflicted look on her face, "Kurosaki Ichigo, no matter how important, is one person. As a leader of a large organization I see what you mean."

"Yeaaahhh," an exasperated sigh came from the only remaining Devil, "It sucks, but old Flame Brain had to think of his Faction. He probably gave the order for everyone to stop associating with Ichigo so they wouldn't be distracted from the work they were supposed to do."

"Furthermore, like Urahara-san mentioned," the older Kyubi gave her Goddess a sad look, "Lady Amaterasu and probably others were told to stop watching the boy as a way to keep him safe."

"Why yes," the shop-keep kept his smirk hidden, "See Yoruichi, there are plenty of pretty women who understand how I think."

"Creepy old man!" Kisuke felt his whole being shatter as Kunou tried to move behind her mother, "Ichigo-nii-sama warned me you were a dangerous person!"

"You should definitely follow his advice young one," Yoruichi was grinning from ear to ear, "Your Nii-sama is trying to protect you from this horrid man."

"Ichigo-nii-sama also said you were a pervert," the cat woman's smile strained painfully while Kisuke, who only moments prior had a personal rain cloud started grinning himself, "But he also said you were very important to him and someone I could trust."

For a moment a surprised look settled on Yoruichi's face before it melted into a genuine smile, "I can promise you that since my Berry-Boy cares about you, I will always do my best to protect you."

With smiles around the room the group settled into lighter topics. Both Shinigami were quick to assuage the mild concern when they felt the Garganta open, they had detected the small surge of Ichigo's power before he disappeared and they both mentally agreed that Hueco Mundo's deserts were probably the best place for the boy's anger.

XXScene BreakXX

The moment Ichigo's foot touched the sand he was off, speeding as fast as he could as instincts and memories worked his Shunpo back into place. When he finally stopped he could see Las Noches in the distance, his eyes narrowing at the place where he had died for the first time.

Feeling old anger bubbling up and mixing dangerously with his current fury he let Zangetsu guide him and started forming a Cero. The compressed sphere of death was aimed straight into the sky and fired letting out a deep crimson beam that would have put many of the former Espada to shame.

The release of energy seemed to break the damn as the young Kurosaki release a roar of rage before simply shooting off attack after attack in a multitude of directions. He wanted to draw his blade and cleave phantom enemies in half but his lack of a true physical blade stopped him from doing so, he didn't wish to form another false Zangetsu with his Quincy powers.

The landscape around him suffered his wrath for what felt like hours, craters of many different sizes had been formed and long paths of fractured glass furrowed the land where the intense heat had affected the sand. Ichigo finally stilled, not from fatigue but rather from the lack of purpose in his endeavor.

He wanted to actually hit something, to put all of his anger, both the new and old, into actual purpose. Shooting blasts of death at nothing was just getting annoying but a curse stilled on his lip as something prickled against his senses. His head turned again to the direction of Las Noches before he pushed his anger down below the surface and began moving towards the great fortress.

As he quickly approached he soon found several signatures became clear and recognizable. What had simply pulled his attention here had just increased the heat in his boiling blood. When he stopped he found himself watching as Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez was speeding towards Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck. Though she didn't look to be to concerned Ichigo decided to step in anyway, especially since he wanted to let off some steam.

The blue haired hollow had an excited smile on his face as his entire body spun into his attack trying to put as much force into his next sword slash as he possibly could. His face took on a look of shock as his shoulder screamed in pain and his entire rotation stopped. Before he could even try and figure out what happened, he suddenly found himself spinning in the opposite way as his body was hurled into a sand dune a small distance away.

For her part Nelliel watched in shock as a man she had thought forgot about her appeared behind her training partner and manhandled him with extreme ease. "Itsygo?" her voice drew his attention and he made his way to her pulling her into a quick embrace that would have set her face aflame if she didn't have such control over her emotions.

"It's good to see you Nelliel, are you alright?" she simply nodded her head with a small smile as she looked up into his eyes, she nearly frowned at all the anger radiating within them, "We can catch up in a moment, I'll deal with Grimmjow."

"W-wait Itsygo, we were only training!"

"Training?" at her nod he let out a frustrated sigh, she would deny her giggle, before giving her a hard look, "Fine, but I'm tagging in. I need to blow off some steam and I'm sure that asshole won't have any problems going a few rounds with me."

Nelliel seemed to think on his words for a moment. While she hadn't gotten much of a workout yet as she only focused on defense she was ready to agree after seeing his eyes moments ago, "Alright Itsygo, but if I get bored I'm going to step in and have some fun too."

"Don't hesitate," the confident smile he passed her nearly made her flush again as he turned his head, "Oi, Grimmjow, hurry up!" a vicious grin broke across the young man's face, "Or are you just to weak?"

The reaction was instant and a cero was launched at him. Ichigo simply batted it away with a grin before spinning out of the way of a sword slash. His fist quickly came up and found a target in the surprised panther Espada's stomach. The orange haired man was made to disengage as another sword nearly cut him from behind.

Nelliel wasted no time once she saw her friend effortlessly back up his talk. She followed up her first failed attack with a flurry of elegant strikes that were all either dodged or pushed aside. With a grin of her own she jumped to the side pulling Ichigo's eyes with her as Grimmjow sprinted forward with his own frenzy of attacks trying to use his distraction.

Ichigo's face fell to his usual scowl but despite how he felt moments ago there was no anger there. That emotion had fled him as soon as the thrill of battle took him. He was keeping serious but this had been the most fun he'd experienced in a long time. Listening to a few helpful whispers from Zangetsu and the Old Man he channeled his power to his arms activating his Hierro and Blut Vene.

Both arrancar were shocked when Ichigo was able to stop their pincer maneuver. The shock wasn't that he did it as even Grimmjow realized that the man was far from going all out, it was from how he stopped it. As both came down with vertical strikes they watched as blue markings appeared on his arms before he simply raised them and their weapons bounced off in sparks.

The three jumped back to create space from each other. For a moment the two arrancar stared the hybrid down as he looked over each of them. Three various smiles formed but just as they each tensed to move again a boisterous voice rang out.

"Its Ichigo-sama, doncha' know!"

"Yes! The man who has Nelliel-sama's-" silence came swift as the green haired female appeared behind the two new additions quickly identified as her Fraccions and put her hand over Pesche's mouth.

Ichigo turned his head to where a group of four appeared, three were about as strong as Grimmjow the first time he fought the Espada and the last was matching what Ulquiria had done upon releasing Segunda Etapa. His eyes locked on the powerful blond in revealing clothing and the two simply stared at each other.

"What is going on here," Tia broke the staredown by glancing towards Nelliel expecting an answer, "Nelliel-san, do you know who this is?"

While the two powerful women talked Ichigo let his senses feel out everyone in Las Noches. The blond before him, Tia Harribel according to Nelliel, was the strongest. There was a small gap and then Nelliel was second, a slightly larger gap before Grimmjow. The remaining five in the immediate area had enough power to probably match Ninatori back during his invasion of Hueco Mundo and most of the others he could sense were a little below where Grimmjow used to be. Overall it felt to Ichigo that the residents of Las Noches had put in a lot of hard work the past few years.

"Kurosaki Ichigo," Tia observed the man she just called out to, "Will you come speak with me? I have many questions and you have been a difficult person to find these past few years."

Brown eyes narrowed dangerously on the blond woman, "You'll have to forgive me. It didn't take much effort to 'hide' after I lost my powers," the honest and open shock on the woman's face, what he could see of it anyway, had him relax slightly, "I couldn't sense any part of the spiritual world and I'm told they couldn't sense me either."

"WAIT!" Suddenly Grimmjow was standing in front of his nemesis, "Do you mean I could have slaughtered you these past two years!?"

"Um, Gri-" Nelliel was instantly cut off.

"WAIT! You would have been way to pathetic for even a bit of effort!"

"Will you," Ichigo's quiet tone turned into a roar as he planted a fist in the panther's cheek, "SHUT UP!" as Grimmjow went flying Ichigo started moving towards Harribel, "Let's go talk I guess, thanks for the spar Nelliel."

"Anytime Itsygo-kun!" She gave the man a warm smile, "And welcome back, we will catch up later."

Ichigo simply nodded to her as he and Tia began walking away from the others. A simple hand motion from the woman forced her three closest subordinates to leave. With a glance to the man beside her the next step turned to a Sonido with Ichigo following her instantly.

In moments the two were in front of the entrance to the Third Espada's tower. Moving inside Tia led her guest to a few comfortable looking chairs before the two took a seat. They both sat in silence simply observing each other.

Tia couldn't help but appreciate the lean body of the man before her. Her eyes were able to see the calluses on his hands that proved he had worked hard for the strength he possessed. She could tell that his eyes were also roaming her and was impressed at his ability to not either simply stare or blush at her body.

Ichigo let his eyes roam over the blond's body as he searched his mind to try and think if he had ever actually met her before. He couldn't help but admit the woman was beautiful, while true that she had rather impressive assets, he found himself admiring the way her skin, maybe two shades paler than his mentor's, seemed to dance over powerful but not overly presented muscles. He met her eyes evenly knowing that he had also been examined.

"Kurosaki-san, I know very little about you," her words were quiet and gentle as she held his gaze, "If it is possible, would you share with me your story?"

The hybrid remained silent a moment, his eyes closed and he inhaled deeply holding for a few heart beats before exhaling with a sigh. His body slumped ever so slightly in his chair and Harribel watched the light in his eyes dim ever so slightly. Finally he gave the barest of nods. Another moment passed before he started his tale on the day his mother had died.

Tia sat entranced as her guest spoke. She could feel each emotion he displayed as his story resonated with her; his sadness, his anger, his joy, it all paled in comparison to the betrayal he felt at the point of the story she had originally been most focused on hearing, the defeat of Aizen.

Ichigo simply glossed over the two year period after he lost his powers only resuming real detail with his meeting of Kouno. He felt lighter than he had in a long time and he supposed it was the combination of burning off a little of his anger and truly going through his whole story. While he had told others this felt a little different. While many like Amaterasu listened they had a lot of their own emotions towards what he had done and they expressed them; Tia had simply listened, and while he could sense the change in her emotions he was thankful she remained quiet.

"Kurosaki," she paused and with the slightest shake of her head started again, "Ichigo, your life is quite the struggle." She stood and moved directly in front of him before bowing deeply at the waist, "There is much, and there are many who owe this to you," Ichigo's eyes widened in shock at her actions, "I thank you for all you have done, and I am truly sorry for my part in the pain you have suffered during your life."

Ichigo stared at her for a moment processing and appreciating those words. He took to his own feet and placed his hands on her shoulders, guiding her to stand straight, "Thank you Tia," his warm brown eyes stared gently into her green ones and Tia felt a sudden rush through her body.

Before either could say a word the door flew open with a loud bang and the two were forced apart. Ichigo suddenly found himself in the tight embrace of Nelliel who was giving him her most exuberant smile. Tia was on the opposite side of the room being surrounded and looked over by her three Fraccion. With inspections on their respective hero's complete the four intruders took to sending glares to the opposite party.

"Tia, I was hoping I could ask you a favor," overall the young man simply ignored the four newcomers having pushed the greenet away slightly and started pulling on her cheeks making her whine.

"Of course Ichigo," Harribel herself had proceeded to take her lion and deer by the necks and forced their heads to nuggie each other while her snake simply giggled behind her sleeve, "How can I help?"

"I would like to use Hueco Mundo for my meeting with the Shinigami in a week's time," Ichigo finally let Nelliel go and she sunk to her knees rubbing her cheeks with crocodile tears in her eyes, "I told them I would only meet them at a Neutral location and that rules out the living world or the Underworld since I am now intimately connected to both places."

"While I have no problem with it, there is a small problem," the blond's own victims were rolling on the ground holding their heads in pain, "This location would not be neutral as I have decided to stand by you and serve you."

Silence pierced the room after that declaration. Mila-Rose, Sun-Sun, Apache and Nelliel started at the woman in shock. Ichigo let his eyes narrow on her and gave a small shake of his head. The smallest bit of hurt struck the blond and she wasn't quite sure why.

"No one serves me," his face softened once more, "But if you want to stand with me, I don't think that would be too bad."

Though she knew no one could see it, Harrible allowed a smile to form on her lips before giving him a nod. Her Fraccion were once again glaring at the man and she couldn't quite decipher the look the previous Trecia was giving her but she was happy with her decision.

"ITSYGO!" face puffed out in annoyance Nelliel stared him straight in the eye, "I want to stand by your side!"

"Of course Nel," the woman's declaration flew over the heads of both Ichigo and Tia in that moment, "I want to stand with as many as possible, and I'm very glad you will be there."

The strawberry and shark gave each other curious glances as the other four suddenly developed atomic blushes. While the three weakest in the room re-surrounded their mistress Nelliel gained a determined look before standing next to Ichigo, only to blush again as she gently wrapped several fingers around his pinky (Several women in various places suddenly had the urge to growl).

"Anyway, I don't think we really need to let Soul Society know about our union," this time a tinge of pink came to Tia's cheeks even though she didn't know why and the others were blushing again, "I'm honestly not entirely comfortable with them just yet."

"Very well, we will support you."

"I think that I need to head back now," Ichigo gave the two senior members of the Espada a small smile, "I'll get in touch with you soon with more details, is there anything you need from me?"

"Ichigo, will you negotiate with the Yokai faction on our behalf," getting a curious look Tia explained, "Right now I have been made the leader of the Arrancar and Espada, but since I am choosing to follow you, we will be very soon aligned with you."

Ichigo felt his eyes almost bulge out of his skull before he took a breath and steadied himself. Once again he found his eyes staring into those of the Queen of Hueco Mundo's. Smile's worked onto both of their faces even if only one could be seen at the moment. With a nod Ichigo pulled his pinky away from Nelliel who pouted before starting to head out.

The hybrid couldn't help but smirk as he exited the Espada's tower. With a quick rake of his fingers through the air a Garganta appeared before him. Stepping through he let his smirk slip into a smile. Maybe this diplomat stuff isn't so bad.

So finding time to write and having the ability to post is very difficult on a ship. As I'm about to go on deployment you may not see any updates for a bit. New chapters will either come very slow or in a few months you will just see several chapters put up at one time.