Chapter 1

After watching Aizen turn into spirit particles and donning a cloak to hide the glowing originating from his chest, Ichigo and the former captain returned to the fake Karakura Town to meet up with everyone. By this time everyone from Hueco Mundo had come as well. Seeing a flash of orange hair, Rukia flashed to meet up with him.

The raven-haired girl hid her hands behind her back and smiled up at Ichigo. "It's finally over. All we have left is to bring back the real town and finish healing every one. Thank you Ichigo." She finished running up and hugging him.

Responding in kind despite the heaviness in his heart, he hugged her back. "You're welcome Rukia." Letting go of her, he continued. "Now, run along and go enjoy yourself, surely there'll be a party." He tried to give her a smile to tell her 'I'll be fine.' To which she nodded and flashed away to find Renji.

Ichigo decided he should go check on the wounded and do anything possible to help…if Captain Unohana didn't scare him off first. After mindlessly wandering to find the triage station, Ichigo shook hands with many who wished to thank him for his sacrifice. One of the many that stopped him was Captain Ukitake who escorted their savior to his destination.

Walking into the large Squad 4 tent his nose was assaulted by the smells of the various wounds, from just simply blood to charred flesh. Steeling his nerves he stepped forth to see as many as would see him. At the end of the tent were his spiritually aware friends.

"Ichigo!"

Said teenager turned his attention from a recovering Captain Komurara to a raging Tatsuki walking towards him while cracking her knuckles. 'What did I do this time?'

When she finally pushed her way through the crowd between her target and herself she gave him a good punch on his shoulder that was sure to bruise for a week or so. "Mind telling me why you're always the one that has to be at the front lines of these conflicts?! Orihime, Chad and Ishida told me ALL about what you've been up to while off fighting 'What's-his-face'."

Ichigo stared back at her in shock then finally smiled when he realized she was actually worried about him. "I'll tell you everything tomorrow, nothing held back. How does that sound?"

Now that her little adrenaline rush had died and her head actually recognized what he had said, she realized she was standing a little too close to him. With a slight blush that she quickly hid she smiled back and responded. "Good, I'm tired of being kept in the dark here. Every day I'd watch you guys rush out of the classroom. Every time I kept asking myself if you'd return."

Waiting for some sort of explanation, she looked at him questionably at the prolonged silence. 'Did I say some….OH no…Did I just…?' This realization caused the martial-artist to heavily blush.

By this point many in the immediate area had turned their eyes to Ichigo waiting for him to respond to the girl's words of affection. No one, save for Ishida had noticed Orihime's bubbly attitude quickly leave her face and her hands twitch a few times.

Still fighting off the blush brightening her face, Tatsuki was surprised when she felt Ichigo's hands wrap around her. Resting his head next to hers, he whispered softly into her ear. "Sorry, Tatsuki. I didn't mean to make you worry."

He pulled back from her enough to look her in the eye while keeping his hands on her arms. 'Has she always been like this?'

"Only you could be dense enough to not realize she likes you." A male voice said in his head.

"I think it's cute watching these two. Maybe he should kiss her and see what happens!" This time it was a female voice.

Letting the smile fall from his face and his eyes widen in shock at hearing two unknown voices come from his inner world. Arisawa saw his face change, though she couldn't think of anything to cause the sudden mood swing. "Ichigo?"

Shaking himself back to reality he saw the young women in front of him stare at him quizzically. Equipping a smile once more he responded. "Sorry, something just caught my attention that I hadn't planned on. Why don't you get some rest and we'll talk more later? I promise I'll tell you everything."

With that a smile soon donned on Tatsuki's face as well. "I'd like that. See ya later Ichigo." She answered and waved goodbye for now as she walked back to the rest of the group who had been staring.

Ichigo quickly waved back then left via a nearby flap. Finding a fairly quiet place he sat down and entered his inner world. Where there had once been skyscrapers, now stood a large white castle surrounded by grass plains and further out, a forest.

Standing at the portcullis to the large castle that had appeared within his soul, he tentatively took several steps forwards into a causeway. To his left and right the hall looked as though it would continue on indefinitely, whereas in front of him stood a set of oak double doors with a large seal in the middle.

"Come forth Ichigo." The male voice called out.

After several seconds of just standing in the same place he heard the female voice call to him. "Come on now, we won't bite."

Taking in a deep breath to steady himself, Ichigo pushed open the doors and walked into a throne room. Before him were two thrones. Both of which were occupied. The large male wore an equally large cloak and hood while the rather defined female wore metal plate armor covered in blood splatter. Beside the man sat a large hammer leaning against his throne. Glancing towards the female, he noticed a metal kite shield leaning against hers.

"Welcome Ichigo." Spoke the male.

"We have been waiting for you." The female continued.

"My name is Hama."

"Mine's Shirudo!"

"And we are…."

"You're Zanpaktou!" Shirudo finished with a large smile.

A/N: Hopefully this will make up for the short prologue guys. Thanks for the reviews.

So Ichigo's new Zanpaktou have been revealed and we've gained a bit of insight into how Tatsuki really feels. If you have any questions or suggestions, I'm all hears. Thanks again.