Welcome back everyone! I'm honestly so glad that the previous chapter was so well received by so many people. I wasn't plannning to create a shipping fanbase, but I'll take it all the same. Anyhow, enjoy the new chapter!

Post rebellion

Bonus:

Kyokotsu

(Soul society):

Ichigo was strolling calmly through the mostly rebuilt seireitei. The only thing nagging at his mind was the sensation of being watched and followed. It was nothing hostile, just simple curiosity. It also helped that he knew who the cause was.

After a few more minutes, Ichigo halted his steps and released a sigh. Turning on his heels, he settled his gaze on the person tailing him. A purple-haired, teenage-looking zanpakto spirit dressed like a ninja. The younger half of Kyoraku's zanpakto.

"What do you want Kyokotsu?" Ichigo inquired, folding his arms expectantly. Impassive as ever, the girl walked up to him. She didn't give a verbal response, not that he was really expecting one anyway. Instead, she continued observing him with her lone visible green eye. "Is there any reason you're following me around?" Kyokotsu lightly angled her head, as if contemplating something. A moment later, she simply pointed at him. The orange-haired substitute quirked an eyebrow. "Yeah, I don't really get what you're trying to say."

Her head dipped a little. Taking small, tentative steps, she slowly drew closer and reduced the gap between them. Finally, she hesitantly raised her smaller arms and wrapped them around his torso. Smiling in understanding, Ichigo gently ruffled her hair and patted her head in a brotherly manner.

"So, you just want to hang around me for the sake of it?" he asked, still ruffling her hair. He received a small nod in reply. Disengaging from the hug, Ichigo gave her a warm smile, similar to the sort he'd give his sisters. "Alright, let's go and have some fun."

He led her around some of the merchant districts of the seireitei and even a bit of the rukongai just outside the wall (Jidanbo was happy to see him again). Kyokotsu was curious in regards to all the various knick-knacks on for sale, as well as the few game stalls (in which she had been surprisingly skilled as well as competitive).

At one point, they came across a vendor selling sketchpads and art pencils. Seeing his smaller companion's interested gaze, Ichigo purchased a standard pad and set of pencils along with a sharpener and eraser, plus a case to hold them all. After moving away and sitting down, he showed the girl a quick and rudimentary yet endearingly detailed sketch of a flower. An eager gleam coupled with appreciation appeared in Kyokotsu's eye when she received the sketching set from the teen.

A while later, they were nearing the squad eight barracks, intending to drop the zanpakto spirit off with her master. Just outside the entrance, Kyokotsu turned on her heel to face Ichigo. She held out her new sketchpad, presenting to him the drawing that she'd been working on. It was a rather skilled depiction of Ichigo in his bankai attire, a warm brotherly smile on his face and his free hand held out.

Getting over his initial amazement, Ichigo chuckled. "Wow, that's some talent you've got there." Nodding happily, the girl withdrew the pad and quickly wrote something down before showing it to him again. In the upper right corner, was the inquiry of "Big Brother?" She seemed uncharacteristically shy and nervous while she awaited his response. An amused smirk manifesting on his face, the orange-haired soul reaper set his hand atop the petite spirit's head and affectionately ruffled her hair. She leaned into his palm happily. "If that's what you want to think of me as, I don't mind," he told her sincerely. "To be honest, you remind me a little of both my sisters as it is."

"My, it seems as though she has become rather fond of you," said a new, feminine voice. Turning their heads, the pair caught sight of Katen approaching them, Kyoraku alongside her. "She has a habit of wandering off when bored. I hope that she wasn't too much trouble Ichigo."

The teen shook his head. "It's fine. I actually enjoyed spending time with her."

"There's that warm personality of yours that just draws everybody in," chuckled Kyoraku. "I any case, thank you for looking after my zanpakto."

As Ichigo turned to leave, he spotted a sad and reluctant look in Kyokotsu's green eye. He gave her head another pat, drawing her attention. "Hey, don't worry. I'll come by to visit every now and then, alright?" She visibly perked up and nodded happily. Withdrawing his hand, the young substitute said a last farewell and took his leave.

Katen caught sight of her younger half's new sketchpad and the drawing currently on display. A small smirk grew on her expression. She nudged her master and indicated to her find. The captain suppressed an amused chuckle.

'That boy,' he mused internally. 'So full of wonders.'

Omake:

Karin was observing her younger and gentler twin in mild concern. Throughout the past few hours, Yuzu had been unexplainably twitchy and agitated, sometimes slamming her utensils with considerable force. She kept on making an irritated face and angry, incomprehensible sounds.

"Alright Yuzu, what's up?" Karin asked her lighter haired sister carefully. "Something's clearly bothering you and you've been like this for ages."

Yuzu's head whipped towards Karin's position with such speed that the dark haired girl almost flinched. "I can feel it Karin," she stated ominously, a glare manifesting on her visage. "There's another disturbance with Ichi-nii. Somebody is threatening our place in his heart…" Karin stared at her sister in confused worry, particularly when Yuzu continued. "Ichi-nii! Don't do it! Don't give in! Your real sisters, who love you very much, are waiting for you here at home!"

(Soul society):

Kyokotsu paused her current drawing of a cherry blossom tree. She sensed that something was amiss. Something somehow involving her new 'Onii-chan', but the little ninja couldn't pinpoint what. She gripped her fist in determination. She wouldn't let anything threaten him, or her relationship with him.

And finish! As usual, let me know your thoughts and comments via review. Peace out people!