Warnings: there will be a flashback. A little bit of sadness at the end but not a tear jerker.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to with Bleach.

Stepping out of the wooded area that shelter the grave of his birth father. The snow crunching under his feet as the wind teased his long orange locks Ichigo blew a warm puff of air as he smiled. The cold air made him feel alive in more ways than one. And it helped that part of this cold weather was a certain ice dragons doing. The no longer little white dragon had been making sure that the orangette never felt alone while on his travels during the years that Ichigo had been away from his home.

Since the war had ended the once Captain and still youngest Prince had been exploring his new recovering country as well as the places beyond the border. He had made new friends though they could never replace those he had only memories of now. Though that also didn't mean that he didn't keep in touch with his adoptive family. They were the reason that he kept coming back to the point of it be tradition every winter, but this time there was a special reason for him to be coming home.

He had change much in the years since the war most notably was that he didn't have his two swords on him nor was the subtle changes that occur on the last day of the war. That day if still a little fuzzy was one that Ichigo couldn't forget even if he couldn't remember much detail. The temperature drop as if sensing his mood as he remembers that day and the lost he had to endure just so he could survive.

XxXx(Flashback)xXxX

As he sunk to the bottom the water having taken a life of his own as he felt it enter his body threw his mouth, ears, wound, or any opening it could find. Ichigo could feel it trying to change him he could feel flickers of anger in the back of his mind as his dulled senses tried to make sense of what was happening to him. He hadn't felt anything at least not until he had been laid out on the floor by his brother.

He remembers hearing Shiro calling him could feel Severn nuzzling him but no matter what all he wanted was to sleep. He felt so cold and tired all he wanted was what his body wanted and he would've done just that before the first shocks of pain hit him. It started out dull just right behind his eyes before hitting him full force. To him it felt like another person besides the two zanpakuto.

Sucking in air only to scream as the changes began. He didn't feel the hands holding him down so during his thrashing he couldn't hurt himself. nor could he feel the clawed hands grip his head or the power that came from those hands. He did however feel both Zangetsu stir as the three forces started fighting the invading presence. What felt like hours of nothing but pain Ichigo finally felt like the presence was being pushed back. But he could erase the feeling of emptiness that followed it.

When he could open his eyes, it was to see the relief look on Shiro's face. He felt so heavy his right eye hurting in fact almost every part of his body hurt. He had tried to raise up but both Severn and Shiro push him gently back down. Ichigo wanted to laugh at how the Princes words looked out of sync from his mouth when he couldn't watch anymore Ichigo gave what he thought was his best grin before closing his eyes.

When he opens them again it was to his room in the castle with Keith sleeping in a chair stationed by the door and Severn by the windows. The teen tried to speak but started coughing from his dry throat thankfully a cup of water was placed near his mouth. When he could speak again he went to thank who he thought was Keith only to see that it was King Isshin.

"it's good to see that you are awake Ichigo, everyone was worried after Shiro told us what had happen," he said with a sad smile.

Ichigo wanted to talk but Isshin stop him, "the good doctor said that you can't use your voice for a while. You injured it from all that screaming down at the well among other things." Ichigo did feel like he had gone through a fight marathon he wondered why he wasn't healed. "I know that this should wait till you are better but I also know that if left to your own devices you will find out on your own and I rather that you weren't alone when you did."

The orangette got a bad feeling as the King paused before drawing in a breath. "When you fell in the well it did something- it was doing something to you, what we are not quite sure, but it was only because Shiro is somewhat immune to the effects that he was able to get you out but…you died Ichigo. By the time that Kaien, Kisuke, and I could fine all of you, had been dead for hours." A laugh with no humor that sounded like a choked sob broke the sentence. "It was like Mugetsu all over again and I thought for sure that we would be having another funeral for the royal crypt. But then a heavy feeling bared down on us then you coughed. It was the greatest sound at the time."

Ichigo felt cold and it had nothing to do with the temperature. He stopped listening to the King and went into his inner world fearing that his two zanpakuto had did something to protect him. He froze when he couldn't enter his inner world; he kept trying and trying under his head ache and his nose bled. He only stopped when Isshin placed a hand on his shoulder.

"An old man and another that look like my Shiro appeared soon after you were brought back. They said that they are only protecting you and that you should remember that you won't be alone for long. Then all that pressure was gone and your swords faded away."

Ichigo didn't move as Isshin drew him into a warm embrace tucking his head into the crook of the man's neck. At first there was nothing until the King felt a warm wetness on his shoulder followed soon after with slight tremors as Ichigo let go. Unlike the last time he lost his powers the teen kept everything that he was feeling inside, but this time he just didn't have the strength to try. Keith and Severn left the room after the teen started his breakdown letting him weep in privacy.

"I know that this will be hard son but remember that it is not the power that made you strong to protect everyone. It was you the power just helped. You will be able to look after people with just your own strength." The King whispered to the teen when his tremors died down and he sagged against him.

Ichigo only nodded and felt that he was tired again. The King laugh a little as he watches the teen tried to fight off sleep. He gently laid the orangette back down.

"go to sleep Ichigo let your body heal. We'll be here when you wake." Ichigo obey and soon his breathing slowed as he fell deep into sleep.

XxXx (Flashback End) xXxX

Ichigo remember going through the motions after that. He thought that he would never have to have lived again without either of the two spirits there. But unlike the first time he wasn't given the time to be depressed. As soon as he was freed from the bed he was forced to take up sparring sessions again with any and every body. Keith started back up dragging him to his family home and Ichigo was spoil by Aunt Jay. Even now the two keep in touch and Ichigo last heard that Keith had gotten married and had a couple kids now. Shiro had also settle down with someone and Ichigo had a sneaking suspicion on who that is. Kaien was engaged to a woman name Miyako who was his nurse when he was recovering after the final battle. Ichigo treated her like another sister and he couldn't wait till the woman got tired of waiting for Kaien to purpose to her. Ichigo also suspected that was why Kaien had sounded so…hyper in his last message.

That was followed by the recovery efforts for those that suffered from the war and the peace treaties with the new High King. That was another surprise for the young Prince, to his somewhat shocked systems the new High King of the Sereitiei turned out to be the leader of the rebel forces that he and Grimmjow and Shrio had encounter that one time he had been kidnapped. The ever-ginning man couldn't help but tease the Prince during the few times he came to one of the peace treaty meetings. Karoku turned out to be a man of many talents including keeping hid the very calculating mind. Ichigo almost felt bad for Isshin when it seems that the King was given the runaround.

But the man and his friend Jushiro were vaults of information too and Ichigo took advantage of that. Asking every question that he could on the countries on the other side of theirs. That information had come in handy once he started his travels. Jushiro even told him that Hisana was fine and was living happily with her husband and sister who had caught the attention of the former Captains lieutenant. It seemed that Byakuya had left the Sereitiei after Hisana left with Ichigo. The raven had live those few years in total regret of his actions towards his wife and it was only through Rukia's good graces that he was reunited with Hisana. Jushiro had laugh when telling the teen that Rukia wouldn't let them continue like they would but told Byakuya in no uncertain terms that he would have to start all over again in courting her sister. Ichigo gave the little raven thumbs up for that last he hear their second wedding was in the Spring under the cherry blossoms.

The now older orangette stops in his musing when he came upon his and birth fathers crash site. Nothing much left of the crater they created except that it's now a watering hole during the summer months. Shifting the weight of the larger Zangetsu Ichigo detour off the road a way into the forest. Nestled underneath some pines were a small neatly pile of stones that marked the grave of his last family member from his old life. The orangette had always made it a habit to stop by either arriving or leaving the Kingdom. even if he knew that his father's body wasn't buried there it gave him a sense of finality.

Both blades pulse when his mood turned gloomier. Ichigo smiled when he felt their presence in his mind and soul. They only returned to him for a couple of years now and he kept them out as an ever-present reminder that they were still there. The only thing that had change about him was the ice dragons stone that rested in the hollow of his throat. Instead of going to Toshiro like planned it had decided that it rather stayed with him and the ice dragon said that he didn't mind it.

A calming feeling wrapped around the man and Ichigo knew that he would have to leave soon if he wanted to get to the castle before night fall. Raising to his feet the orangette walk back to the road and continue to his new family and home. with a final goodbye to the little grave Ichigo left.

oOooOooOooOooOooOooOo

"Where is he!" Shiro shouted as he paced back and forth in the royal's family room. The only room that wasn't open to most the castle staff except for a few trusted people.

In front of the huge fire place in a plush chair sat Isshin smiling at his second son's impatience. "
Calm down Shiro, you know how he is he'll show up before long. Won't he be surprise when he gets here." He chuckled.

Shiro smirk thinking of Ichigo's look. "True it'll be a shock for him, tch, it'll serve him right for not being around all that much."

"You two wouldn't be talking about our favorite orange head now would ya?" Kaien asks as he enters the room.

"And if we were?" Isshin asks back. Kaien shrugged and takes the seat across from his father.

"How is Miyako doing today?"

"She's fine left her with mom. Both are real excited when mom felt movement." The raven goofily grinned.

"Ah yes she is so happy that our family is expanding." Isshin sighed at his son. "What about you Shiro? any plans with your lovely lover?" the King playfully raised a brow at his son's scowl.

"Ya know him but we ain't in no hurry so you'll just have to deal with it," the white Prince said. "Speaking of future plans dad what about yer own?"

"Well."

They were interrupted when a servant came through the doors with a happy expression. He leaned down to whisper into Isshin's ear. When the servant left Miyako and Masaki entered both waddling towards their respective husbands or fiancée.

"Shouldn't you two be resting?" Kaien asked as he vacated his seat to give it to his fiancée while Isshin did the same for his wife.

"But we are resting and we didn't want to be somewhere else when your brother came in." Masaki said to her son hand resting on her belly.

"You don't mind do you Kaien?" Miyako leaned into Kaien her own belly not quite as big as the Queens.

"No, in fact I know that he would be ecstatic if all of us were waiting for him here. That way when he sees that he is going to be a big brother and an uncle and feints from the shock there will be others around to keep him from hurting himself." the raven duck when Miyako swatted at him but she was smiling at the man's playfulness.

Shiro was already at the door. "Well I ain't going to wait I am going to drag him by the wings through the castle and take the long way just for making us wait so damn long." Just as his hand touch the knob the door opens and on the other side is a smirking Ichigo.

"Drag me by the wings huh? Can't do that if I beat ya to the door." He said as he entered the room only to stop when he saw the both Miyako and Masaki were waiting for him and both were pregnant. But much to Shiro's disappointment he didn't fall flat on his back in shock instead he walks up to Miyako and hugs her. "Congrats." To his mother he smiles gently. "And I see that someone had been busy."

Masaki laughs, "Yes I had him trapped in the room," she says as she struggles to get up. With the help of Ichigo she stands and places his hand over her belly. The orangette stands there until he jerks from his hand being kick. He couldn't help the smile that took over his face and leans in to give his mother a kiss. "We are having twins and we wanted to name them something special but we wanted wait till you got home."

Ichigo tilted his head but nodded he figured that they wanted him to be part of the family moment but that was only half the reason. Masaki seeing that Ichigo was a little confused smiled. "You told me that you had two little twin sisters and me and Isshin," she stops and looks fondly at her husband before turning back to Ichigo. "We would be honored if you wouldn't mind that if the twins were girls that they carried your little sister's names."

Ichigo for his part was very still and the worried frown on Masaki's face had him snapping out of his shock. He gave another beaming smile at his new mother, "I would like that and I know that Yuzu and Karin would be thrilled that there are some little girls named after them."

He was hug by the Queen before she retook her seat. Ichigo then gave Shiro his attention and wasn't surprise when he too gave the orangette a hug.

"How's the love life with Grimmjow, Shiro?"

"Better then you non-existent one." The white Prince joked, "He somewhere around here and he said to tell ya that he called dibs on your first spar." Ichigo grinned and nodded.

"But that's not all Ichigo!" Kaien bounced on the orangette. "Me and Miyako are finally getting married!"

"that's great, she finally got tired of waiting for you to set a date and told that you better get it set before she does something to you," he laughs when Kaien pouted at him and Miyako winked.

"So when is the wedding?"

"In Spring, we are hoping that we can get it ready before this little guy wants out." she rubs her belly.

"Of course by that time the twins will be born," Masaki added before both women broke down into a fit of giggles. "Well while it is great to see you Ichigo I think it's time that we girls headed back to our little room so you men could have your own bonding time." She lets Isshin help her up and soon the door closes behind her and Miyako.

Ichigo watches them then his attention is back on Isshin and his brothers. "So, what did I miss?"

oOooOooOooOooOooOooOo

It was early the next morning when Ichigo steps onto his balcony. The cold crisp air bit any exposed skin but Ichigo paid little mind to it. Realization hit him the night before when he came to realize that his family was growing and it hadn't had hurt to think of his old one that he left behind. He imagen that if his father and sisters were still alive they would be either too hyper to stay near or cooing with the baby effect. He knew that Yuzu where be all a twitter with both baby showers and wedding plans wanting to help as much as she could. He smiled thinking of the possibility of two little girls that would be carrying his sister's names.

A sound behind him alerted him to the presence of another of the castle resident. Severn had also changed a lot since the end of the war most of it good. He still had his pale skin and gold eyes as well as his horns but he no longer hid behind a mask. The being in standing beside him looked more like an older version of him with a fair share of his father's looks. He looked more human then beast. The guardian had only started to act this way and Ichigo was happy for him that he was coming out of the shadows but the orangette knew that there was another side to this.

Severn was dying. Or it was more alone the lines that he was returning fading away like a spirit turning into spirit particles. The guardian wouldn't tell him anything only smile Ichigo tried to get him to go to Kisuke but the being remain firm in his decision. He wanted to go be with his own loved ones that were waiting for him. Ichigo understood but for him it was hard knowing that soon he be watching his first fade. But he wouldn't dwell on it now he rather enjoy the time he had left with Severn.

"I am glad that I came home when I did. From what I heard through the door Shiro was ready to come after with the entire army," the orangette chuckle Severn making his own sound.

Ichigo watched the sun rise and frowned when a transparent hand touched his shoulder. "It has reached this far huh?" it was more of statement then a question but Severn nodded anyway. "I wished that we had more time."

They stood in silence was the sun slowly rose before Ichigo would be called down for breakfast. The orangette wouldn't say anything to his family till after the event happen. He didn't want to dampen the joyous occasion and neither did Severn.

"Is there anything that you wanted to do?" he asks. Severn shook his head.

A knock at the door and a quick hug from the guardian before the white being disappeared had Ichigo leaving to begin his day. Even with the gray shadow of losing one more friend hanging over him he wouldn't let it hurt his life. Severn wouldn't won't him to dwell on what was coming so Ichigo greeted his family.

He could now live his life like he wished. Protecting those that were precious to him while now allowing them to protect him. He may have been alone but now he was crowded and surrounded by the warmth of his growing family. They may be different then his birth but Ichigo wouldn't change them for nothing and so he will continue to live and enjoy his new beginning.

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Story End.

Thanks to all who fav or followed this story. I hope that you enjoyed it as much as I like writing it. I do hope that the ending wasn't too bad or left you still hanging.