Chapter 15: Goodbye

Everyone was either outside of the shop standing around worrying or inside also worrying. No one knew just what the central 46 would do now that Ichigo is a true transcended being. It's not like they could do much against him, but the thought of going to war with the soul society was heavily on their minds.

"This waiting is probably the worst part." Tia was the first to even say anything at this point. She was sitting outside with a few of the others with her.

"Just out of sheer curiosity," Shawlong started to Grimmjow. "Just how strong was Ichigo beforehand?"

Grimmjow smirked at his question. "I remember one time all of us took him on at our fullest strength. Didn't land a single hit on him. He beat us all while not even going half his own strength."

Those words had everyone else outside that was new on edge. The new arrancar that were outside consisted of Nyx, Grimmjow's old crew, Nnoitra, And Dordoni. They couldn't believe that someone was that powerful before they became a transcended being. The thought was almost terrifying.

"So if he were to go to war with the soul society," Nyx started in a concerned tone. "He could massacre everyone their by himself?" She asked both Grimmjow and Tia.

The two looked at each other then back to Nyx. "Yeah, pretty much." Grimmjow answered nonchalantly.

At that moment, Neliel came out of the shop in her gigai and waved at everyone new. "Alright everyone, Kisuke's got everyone's new gigai's ready to be used." She smiled at their confused looks until Cirucci came outside in a human version of herself. Seeing her like that and not feeling anything from her, the group followed Neliel inside to get inside their own gigai.

"So." Cirucci started to the two still outside. "You two must really be worried about him huh?"

Tia shook her head. "No. Just worried we might have to fight in another war. At least we know Ichigo will come back to all of us. It's just in his nature." She smiled at her own words along with Grimmjow as they looked up to the bright sky. Cirucci didn't understand at first, but she eventually got the idea of it all and sat down with the two to wait for him.

After a few minutes of waiting, the three were joined by Yoruichi, Kuukaku, Kaien, Yuzu, Karin and Uryu. They waited outside for Ichigo to return with any kind of news as to what had happened between him and the soul society in silence. After another couple of minutes, they felt his spirit energy return to the world of the living and could feel him getting closer to them in his own speed. He appeared in front of the shop with a smile on his face as everyone sighed at his return.

"Wow." Ichigo started while crossing his arms and smirking at them. "You guys look like ya'll were waiting for someone very important."

Yuzu and Karin, now in their own gigai's, ran up and hugged their brother tightly. Ichigo hugged them in return and noticed both Yoruichi and Tia's concerned faces.

"I sent them a pretty clear message." Ichigo started, getting everyone's attention. "I'm sure they'll have an answer by tomorrow, but for right now, I could really use a nap."

His joke didn't go unnoticed and there were a few chuckles from a few of them as Ichigo walked over and into the shop. The second he did, he was met with two fists to his gut. One from Apache, the other from Lilinette.

"That was for makin us cry when you died you jerk!" Apache yelled at him while he was hunched over.

"And for making us wait for so long. Jeez." Lilinette added in.

Despite the fact that he was now on the ground in a comical way, he still smiled at the two. Both Apache and Lilinette blushed when he did that. "I'm sorry for both then. It won't happen again, promise." The two smirked at him and he stood up to stretch. Everyone else had been in the training grounds and felt the familiar spirit energy. They ventured up and saw Ichigo standing there.

After a quick explanation of how it went with the central 46, all the former soul reapers in the room were either shocked(Kisuke, Kaien, Tessai) or laughing(Yoruichi, Kuukaku) at what Ichigo had told them. The new arrancar were surprised by his threat to them while the older ones, aside from Ulquiorra who was just shaking his head, laughed as well.

"So yeah." Ichigo finished and leaned back against the wall. "That's pretty much what happened."

"Man." Ggio started while scratching the back of his head. "I can only imagine what those old bastards must be thinking right now."

"That if they don't do what Ichigo says, they're pretty much screwed." Apache said to him.

"That could also mean that they might do something completely stupid. Like try and face Ichigo with their full army." Mila Rose said as she was sitting in Chad's lap.

"Ichigo." Neliel started to the orange haired teen. "What do you think?"

All eyes were on Ichigo once again and he shrugged at them and crossed his arms. "Don't know, but all I do know is that if they do decide to attack us instead of swallowing their pride, then I won't have much choice but to retaliate against them." He looked around the room to everyone's faces and smiled. "And I do know that all of you have my back, no matter what."

Their was an assortment of cheers throughout the shop. The ruckus was stopped when Kisuke clapped his hands a few times. "Okay then, since it's still relatively light outside, I propose we have ourselves a good old fashion bar b que. Who's all for that?"

Everyone cheered again at the notion. Despite none of the new arrancar knowing what a bar b que was, they all agreed to partake in the feast as well. Kisuke, Ulquiorra, Tessai and Neliel helped with the cooking outside on Kisuke's new grill while others were inside getting the tables for both inside the shop and outside. Ichigo took this opportunity to take that much needed nap he said earlier. It took a little more than an a few hours to get everything ready, but by the time it was all ready, it was already night time. Grimmjow, Stark, Nyx and Nnoitra set up the lights outside when it was getting hard to see. After the food was all cooked, Tia went inside to wake up Ichigo. When she got to his room, she wasn't at all surprised to see that he was sprawled all over the futon and snoring heavily. She walked over and knelt down to him, trying not to wake him up at the moment.

"You never change." She whispered while smiling at him.

She swallowed the lump in her throat and leaned down near his face. When her lips were glazing his, she froze up. For as long as she's known him, Tia has always looked up to Ichigo, even when he was just a child. His unbreakable will to protect those closest to him and to strive to become stronger in the years she's been with him have always lit a fire inside her to want to stay by his side no matter what. She's never told anyone how she really felt for him, not even her sister of her followers. Now here she was, finally able to steal a kiss from the man she's been in love with and she can't bring herself to do it.

"I can't." She whispered as she leaned away from him, only to be stopped when Ichigo brought his lips to hers. She went wide eyed and soon after found herself leaning into it as well.

The two broke for air and Tia looked down to see Ichigo smiling up to her. "About time you at least tried."

She looked at him in shock. "You knew this whole time how I felt for you?"

"Yeah, and I feel the same way for you too Tia." Ichigo started as he sat up. "I want this to happen between us. The real question is, do you?"

Her response was another kiss on his lips. The two stayed locked for a few seconds, until a voice disturbed them.

"That's my nephew! Got a strong girl to continue the Shiba legacy!" The two stopped and turned to see a crowd standing in the doorway with Kuukaku front and center. The crowd shared a laugh at how red the two were.

After the initial embarrassment subsided, the two also got a laugh out of it and stood up hand in hand to go and eat the large feast outside.

The Next Morning

Ichigo along with a few others were already up and walking around town. Along with Ichigo were Tia, Grimmjow, Ulquiorra and Neliel. They walked along the cold river in winter clothing and just walked along. It was a peaceful sunrise that they were all enjoying, even Ulquiorra had a smirk at how the sun was coming over the horizon. For a while they just stood there along the river and watched it, until a senkaimon opened behind them. They turned around to see the head captain and captains Unohana, Kyoraku and Ukitake standing in front of them.

"Hiya everyone." Ichigo said to them with a wave. "So I take it you got a message for me?"

With a sigh, the head captain spoke. "Ichigo Kurosaki, the central 46 has ordered us to take you in."

"Should've seen that coming." Ulquiorra said in a monotone voice.

"So those old dipshits are so afraid that they decided to send in their strongest to try and bring him in?" Grimmjow started as he was about to come out of his gigai to start fighting back.

"Whoa, wait a second." Kyoraku started while waving his hand up to stop Grimmjow. "What we mean is that the central 46 wants us to make you, Ichigo Kurosaki, a captain of a new squad."

The news surprised the hell out of the group. Even Ichigo was surprised at what he just heard.

"Captain of a new squad?" Ichigo asked. "What are you talking about?"

"The central 46 were at an impasse after you left the other day." Unohana started. "They wanted to order your execution but even they knew you were far too powerful to fight and that they would lose their entire army. So after some convincing from the four of us, we convinced them that instead of making you our enemy, we make you an ally." She pulled out a white haori from behind her and walked up to Ichigo. "If you accept this, you'll become captain of squad 14 and a new division called the hollow corp. You'll also be based in Las Noches with any and all of your allies by your side."

Ichigo looked at the haori and then back to the woman. "What about Aizen?"

"Sosuke Aizen will be placed in the Maggots Nest instead of the Muken." The head captain started. "If you were to accept this, then that means that you are now within our ranks, but seeing as though you already have your own base of operations now, you will only answer through communication. Your presence will only be necessary when their is a grave issue involving the entirety of the worlds we live in."

"Basically, you have free reign to do whatever you want with your squad as long as it doesn't negatively effect the soul society as a whole." Ukitake explained.

Ichigo looked back to the haori and smirked. This was a good solution now that he thought about it. He gets what he wants and they get to watch him closely within their ranks. "Looks like a win win situation to me." Ichigo said as he took the haori from her hands.

"So." Ulquiorra started. "Since he's now a captain and head of this hollow corp, what exactly does this mean for all of us specifically?"

"Simple." Unohana started with a smile. "It means that all of you as arrancars are now within squad 14 and also in command of the hollow corp all to Ichigo's liking."

"Cool." Neliel said with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Since it seems that you've accepted this Ichigo, you'll need a lieutenant, seated officers, and the rest of your squad." Kyoraku said while tipping his hat.

"Then it looks like I've got some work to do." Ichigo said as the four captains started to leave. When the senkaimon closed, Tia turned Ichigo to her.

"So then, captain." She started while wrapping her arms around his neck. "What exactly do we do now?"

Ichigo smiled and kissed her on her luscious lips. When they broke for air he looked straight at her. "Tell the others, head to Hueco Mundo, get real comfy and set up there, then celebrate." He looked to the rest of his friends and smiled to them, and they in response smiled back. Even Ulquiorra. "This isn't how I pictured my life being like. But now I'm glad it turned out this way."

And That's The End. Man, 15 Chapters And A Whole Lot Of Words And Supporters. I Never Thought That This Story Would Be So Popular. Would Ya'll Laugh If I Told Ya'll That I Originally Came Up With This Story When The Power Went Out At My Apartment In September? The Idea Came To Me Like 'Hey Stupid, Write This. They'll Love It' I'm Very Glad Ya'll Loved This Story And I Will Have Little One-Shots After This Chapter Showing Things I've Glossed Over, Didn't Mention, Fights I Skipped, Training Montages, The Years Following This Chapter, The Years Ichigo Was Learning With Yoruichi And Them, Pairings In Detail, Etc.

Thank You All So Much For The Reviews And Favorites And Follows. It Really Means A Lot And I Always Mean It When I Say You Guys Are Awesome, Cause Yeah You Guys Are. LOL.

Anyway, If You Haven't Already, Favorite/Follow Either This Story To Keep Up With The One-Shots Or To Keep Up With My Other Two Bleach Stories Like Ichigo Vs Soul Society And Chibi Hollow. I Am Still Accepting Other Bleach Request And Always Will, So If You Have A Story You Would Like For Me To Write Or An OC That You Want To See In Either That Story Or My Two Others Or Any Other Ones In The Future, PM Me.

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