Chapter 33:

Those words didn't register at first. Finally, Ichigo's sluggish brain caught up and his head spun around. "What?!" He looked from Linnette to Victor. "It's her birthday today?"

"Yes." Victor nuzzled the top of her head with his chin. "She's fourteen today."

"How..? But... What?" This was a hell of a thing to drop all of a sudden. "How is it her birthday?"

"Well, fourteen years ago, two people got together..."

"I know how it happened!" Ichigo snapped. "It's just that I didn't know and now suddenly you spring it like that!"

Victor treated this conversation and Ichigo's bewilderment like it was nothing more than explaining the concept behind a fairytale. "There were hints. If you hadn't been disappearing so much, you would have caught them."

"Like what?"

"The shopping list. Didn't you notice that we were gathering all of Linnette's favorite foods?"

"Ikkaku and the others were eating you out of house and home. I thought you were just restocking. Besides, you two don't eat so I didn't think anything about why you were getting things she would like to eat. It made sense why you would."

"We limit how many sweets she has. Most of the things on the list were sweets. That should have been your first clue. I was also ordering a cake for her over the phone when your friend Ikkaku came in and hung up before I could finish placing it."

Ichigo didn't know how to answer him.

"Also," Victor went on, "Weren't you wondering why Linnette wanted you to stay for another day?"

"I thought she just wanted us to stay for a while longer."

Victor chuckled. "No. She wanted you to be there for her party. She has never celebrated a birthday with Soul Reapers before. This would have been her first."

"Oh." Ichigo tried to think of how he should answer. "I guess after a week of everyone being there, we were going to overstay our welcome. So if she wanted us there for one more day because of her birthday... yeah, I guess that makes sense."

"Believe me, Ichigo, if it weren't for her birthday party, I would have packed their bags myself." Cedric wanted them out of there just as much as they wanted to. Linnette's birthday wish was the only thing keeping them in the house and stopping Victor and Cedric from throwing them out. After everything that had happened in their home, Ichigo was wondering why they would suggest they stay another night.

A grin appeared on his face and Ichigo wished Linnette a happy birthday. She returned it with a smile and thanked him.

Everyone was recovering from the intense battle. Injured Soul Reapers were nursing their wounds, others were visiting the injured and nearly everyone was swapping battle stories. Every Hollow Reaper had returned to normal and were walking around as if nothing had happened. It seemed there were no lasting side effects.

Ichigo kept returning to a room in the sickbay to see how Veneno was doing. While Unohana was treating him, he had passed out again and had yet to regain consciousness. He popped his head in and out to see if he had woken up yet. So far, he hadn't.

Then Veneno started to move. He opened his eyes and saw Ichigo sitting at his bedside, watching him. "Hey," he said gently. "How you feeling?"

Veneno smiled back, happy to see him. "Not too bad." Then he chuckled. "It's reversed this time."

"Huh?"

Veneno gestured to the room. "This is where we first met. Only I'm in the bed and you're here to greet me. See? You're at my bedside and I'm in your place."

Ichigo grinned. That was how it was. Ichigo was the one who was in bed when they had first met in this very room.

"Funny how we keep meeting like this."

"Yeah."

Veneno looked down at his body. He was still a little sore, but his wounds had all healed. He was wearing a different outfit, too. It seemed the Soul Reapers took good care of him.

"Ichigo?"

"Yeah?"

"The ones I turned into Hollow Reapers... Are they ok?"

"Yeah, they're all fine. They changed back to normal a while ago and everything's ok."

"That's not what I'm asking." Veneno was talking about something else. "Are they... angry with me?"

Ichigo shook his head, smiling. "No. They're grateful. In fact, a lot of them were asking after you. They wanted to make sure you were ok."

Veneno was so happy to hear that they weren't angry with him for doing it. They didn't hated him for it.

Ichigo straightened up. "I'll let you rest a bit longer. You did great in that battle. Thanks."

"Not a big deal." Veneno pulled the covers over his mouth to hide his smile.

Ichigo left the room and wandered down the hall. At some point, Victor had disappeared and no one knew what had become of him. Curious, he decided to look for him. He knew where Cedric was. He was with Linnette in another room. She was napping after the battle and because of the time difference. He was keeping an eye on her. Even he didn't know what had become of his counterpart.

Something caught his eye down the hall. Renji and Rukia were crouched by a door, peering inside. Ichigo stepped behind them. "What are you-?"

"Shh!" Renji hissed, putting a finger to his lips. "Get down!" he whispered loudly.

Ichigo bent down automatically. "What is going on?"

Renji pointed into the room with his finger. "That Victor guy is talking to the Captain. They've been at it for a few minutes."

Ichigo looked into the room. This was Byakuya's office. Byakuya was moving around the room, Victor keeping track of his movements with his eyes. When Byakuya returned to his desk, Victor turned his body so Byakuya was always in front of him.

"I do not have time for this," Byakuya was saying. "There are things that need to be done. Repairs need to be made, cleanup... It's out of the question."

"I don't think I am asking much. Only for you to consider it."

Byakuya sat down at his desk and began to busily shuffle through papers.

Victor stood in front of Byakuya's desk. He did not put his hands on it or lean forward or anything. It seemed he was keeping a respectful distance from the Captain. "Byakuya, I only ask that you consider my request."

"Which would be what exactly?"

"Simply that you reserve an area for Linnette to have a birthday party. It's today, after all. Seems only fitting. Especially considering how she has become friends with many Soul Reapers. I think she would want them to attend. Which would be easy if the party were convenient for them."

Byakuya's eyes met Victor's, but he kept his head down, giving him an almost menacing look. "You want me to allow you to throw that girl a birthday party here in the Soul Society?"

"You are a Captain. I'm sure you have the power and authority to do so."

"Not over the whole Seireitei. Just my jurisdiction here in the Sixth Division."

"That's perfectly alright. We can have the celebration here." Victor was being very calm and polite and spoke with a smile on his face. He treated this large favor as if he were asking Byakuya if he could barrow a pencil for two seconds.

"This is a tall order," Byakuya said, lifting his head slightly. "I cannot allow it."

"But this is your jurisdiction, correct? And it is her birthday."

"That has little swaying power."

"Oh? So you do not celebrate birthdays here?"

"That isn't it. I'm saying that we do not reserve an area to throw a large party, which is what you're asking me to do. I don't even do that for my own Squad members. Nothing would get done, first of all. Everything it entails... If I do not do it for my own men, why should I do it for that girl who has nothing to do with my company?"

"Because she assisted in the battle."

"I am not the one who sent for you."

"True. But if we did not arrive when we did, you would all be in serious trouble. You could all be dead right now if she hadn't come along to help."

Byakuya pulled a file off the stack on his desk and opened it, reviewing the papers. "We do not know that for certain. Besides, it was that Arrancar who assisted us the most in the battle. So did Kurosaki."

"True. But if Linnette had not used her voice, those Hollow Reapers would have gotten out of control. It was a team effort. I am not suggesting that without one person, all would have been lost. I'm simply saying that she was a big help to your cause. Everyone played their part and helped."

Byakuya started signing paperwork as he listened, never looking up. "So am I understanding that you wish for this party to be a celebration and a reward for a job well done?"

"If you have issue with it being just for her, then we can change things a little bit. Instead of calling it a birthday party, why not call it a celebration? A combination of celebrating the anniversary of her birth and a celebration of triumph. We did win the battle, after all. Everyone made it out alive. Don't you think everyone would enjoy a nice little reward for a job well done? Don't you think you have something to celebrate?"

"If we threw a party every time we succeeded, we would have one every week. I am not going to encourage that."

"So you don't think you have something to celebrate? This was a difficult battle. I think the men in your company would benefit from a little down time."

"And your definition of that is a party?"

"No. Just something fun to do to keep their spirits up. You know what they say about all work and no play."

Byakuya continued to go through paperwork, as if pretending not to hear him.

"I think your men would thank you for it."

"And that argument is supposed to sway me?"

Seeing how stubborn the Captain could be, Victor resorted to the heavy artillery.

"Not at all. I'm not saying that to try to sway you. I just thought it would be fair."

Byakuya glanced up from his work. "Excuse me?"

"Well, you did spend a large amount of time in our home. We cooked for you, catered to you, made you as comfortable as possible. We assisted you in many ways, even stopping you from taking Ichigo away when you could not control yourselves. I even allowed you to take refuge in my office. You claimed sanctuary to something that is completely and utterly mine and I allowed it without complaint."

"So you think I owe you now?"

Victor shook his head. "No, no. I just figured fair is fair." Then his smile began to spread. "But if we're talking fair... then it should really be at your place."

Byakuya nearly dropped the pen in his hand. "Pardon?"

"Well, of course," Victor said with a smile. "You were in our house. So wouldn't it be fair if you had us in yours? You live in a mansion, as I recall. A manor should be large enough to accommodate quite a few people. You should have more than enough room for us and your entire Division. Fair is fair."

Byakuya's gaze dropped as he appeared to be weighing his options. Then he closed the file in his hand with an air of finality. "Fine."

Victor cocked his head slightly.

"One night. I will allow a celebration for our victory and her birthday on the grounds. Of the Sixth Division. I will hold the party here in my Division for one evening and that is it."

"That is perfectly clear." Victor smiled kindly at him. "Your generosity is boundless, Captain."

"I'm not doing this for the reasons you may be suspecting. It's simply that I do not want to have to owe you anything. With this, we are even."

"Understood. Still, your men will thank you for this wonderful break. I think everyone would enjoy having a little fun every now and then. Don't you, Byakuya?"

He turned back to his work. "My men work hard. They do deserve a break."

It was unclear if Byakuya truly wanted his men to have some fun and have a party or if he just didn't want Victor to hold this over his head for the rest of his life.

"Thank you very much, Byakuya. I will assist in any way that I can. A part of this is for my little princess, after all."

"Everyone does their part, hm?"

Victor returned his statement with a smile.

"You did assist us and you did welcome us into your home. Fair is fair. And appreciated." Byakuya went back to work.

Outside the office, Renji gave Ichigo and Rukia a confused look. "What just happened? I don't get it."

"What's not to get?" asked Ichigo. "You guys get to throw a party."

"Yeah... But..." Renji looked back into the room. "What happened just now... Do they like each other? Was that them liking each other or something?"

"I think they respect each other," offered Rukia.

"They do seem to get along the best out of everyone who was at the house... Maybe it's because they're so similar," said Ichigo.

"They are not alike at all," scoffed Renji. "How can you say they're similar at all?"

"The fact that they're both good-looking men who enjoy the finer things in life. They're kind of aristocratic, intellectual, strong and capable, and pretty noble guys. And that's just the things I've noticed on the surface."

Renji rolled his eyes. "Please. Byakuya is actually a noble. Victor is a grown man serving a girl. Byakuya is the one being served, where with Victor it's the other way around."

"Yeah, but he was modeled after a prince, so he does act like a noble. You've seen the guy. Do I really need to explain it?"

Renji moved away from the door as Victor attempted to step outside. Their eyes met and stared at each other. "Did you need to speak with your Captain?" When Renji shook his head, Victor stepped aside without another word and started to walk away.

"There you are!" Mayuri was sprinting down the hall to catch up to Victor.

Victor stopped and gave Mayuri an annoyed look. "I thought I made it quite clear that I've given you all the information you need. There's no need for any more."

"I'll be the judge of that. Just step into my lab for an hour and I'll run a few tests."

Victor refused.

Mayuri groaned. "Come on! After the way those Hollow Reapers tore apart all my research subjects, I need to make up for it somewhere. And I think I let you leave my lab last time a little prematurely. There were things I still wanted to do."

"I was in your lab for half a day and went through all your tests. I assure you, that is everything you need to know."

"What about that Cedric guy? I haven't tested him yet."

"We are the same. The only difference lies in our personalities."

"Which may effect function. I need to test him."

"The answer is no. You will only repeat the data you've already collected using me."

Mayuri wasn't going to take no for an answer. "That was months ago. You know how it is with experiments. You need to check on things over a period of time to make sure. You don't think the only reason I brought you here was so that you could fight those giant Hollows, do you?"

Ichigo blinked. "So wait. You're the one who brought them to the Soul Society?"

Victor nodded. "Yes. He opened that gate in our house and told us that you needed our help. He is the one."

"Now that that's established..." Mayuri turned back to Victor. "It will just take a moment to..."

"I gave you my answer."

"I have more data I need to-"

"Mayuri, you are annoying me." Victor was normally so polite and tolerant, hiding any annoyance behind a gentle smile. With Mayuri, he was not afraid to show him how he was feeling at that moment. His gentle smile was nowhere to be found.

"Then that man. Where is he? I'll speak to Cedric."

"It will only be redundant."

"If you have different personalities, then it's entirely possible that his answers to my questions will be different from yours."

"Enough. The answer is no."

"Why don't you want to spend a few moments answering my questions and running a few additional tests?"

"The last time I answered your questions, you implied that I was a homosexual."

Rukia covered her mouth to keep from laughing and Renji did the same.

"Come on! It was a legitimate question," said Mayuri. "Two men living together with an adopted daughter... What the hell are people supposed to think? Especially when you seem to have no desire for women whatsoever."

"I have no desire for men either." The rise in Victor's tone indicated just how angry he was becoming. "Besides, you don't think we've run into people in the city who think along the same lines as you in terms of just that? We have. Some of the parents didn't want their children to hang around Linnette for that very reason. But when we explained that we are in fact brothers, they accepted it and have no issue with us."

"So you are brothers?" Renji asked. "You and Cedric?"

"Same method of coming into being, same mother and same abilities. Not to mention the fact that we are the only ones of our kind. There are only two of us and no one else. Yes, I believe we are brothers looking at those facts alone."

"If you come into my lab for two seconds, I can try to prove you wrong by attempting to make another one of you. An offspring, if you will."

"For the last time, Mayuri, the answer is no."

Renji turned to the Captain. "What do you mean an offspring?"

"Well, during our last visit, I questioned him about a number of things. One of which is his romance life... or lack thereof."

"I told you, the only woman I live for is Linnette. I have no feelings or desires for any other. She is my only and my all."

"Aww..!" Rukia cooed.

"She's half his age!" Renji hissed to her.

Rukia nudged him in the rib. "It's what he said that was so sweet..."

"But that's one of the reasons why I want to experiment with him. I want to find out if he can reproduce. Surely any man would want to be active in that department."

"This is hardly the place to be discussing that." Victor was getting even more irritated.

"Come on, imagine it. Another generation of you and your brother. Finding out if you can reproduce is just the sort of thing that-"

"My answer will not change. And I have no interest in such a thing. I live only for Linnette. Why would I bother creating a new generation of us?"

Mayuri was getting annoyed now, too. "You don't think, do you, boy? Can't you see what sort of breakthrough that would be? And if it were possible, imagine what could be. They could be faster and stronger than the two of you are now. They could have different abilities. Don't you see? This is why we must get started. There are some things I need from you in order for this to work. I can find a woman for you and test it. That should be the fun part for you, but you're a weird one so I may-"

"Mayuri," Victor said threateningly. "With that data you've already collected about me, you should be fully aware of what happens when I want to throttle someone. You don't have to like it, but accept my answer for what it is and end the subject before you see my ugly side."

Victor was incredibility powerful. Mayuri had seen this first hand, in battle and in his lab. He knew exactly what Victor was capable of and knew he didn't stand a chance if Victor lost his temper and decided to shut him up for good.

He backed down. "Fine. Be that way. It's your loss." Mayuri turned back down the hall, muttering to himself. "What man has no desires or raging hormones? No desire to have that kind of pleasure or even want to make more of his species? And they call me crazy? I will never understand that guy."

Victor tried to brush off the incident but it was clear that he was still bothered by it. Ichigo couldn't blame him. Mayuri was blunt to a fault and he was asking Victor a lot of extremely personal questions in front of others, one of whom happened to be a female.

Recovering, Victor turned to Ichigo and the others. "I should be going. There's plenty to plan for this evening. I hope you enjoy yourselves. And I hope Linnette will be rested for tonight."

The horizon was dyed crimson in twilight. Now that it was sunset, the party could officially begin. Everything was prepared and ready. Many Soul Reapers assisted with the cooking, each preparing a dish to serve at the party. Hisagi and Victor made the most food. It was rumored that they were swapping recipes. Victor had a difficult time acquiring a cake for Linnette. In the Soul Society, they didn't have cake so it was next to impossible. That didn't deter him for a moment. He was determined to get Linnette a cake for her birthday. He and Hisagi slipped away before the party began and did not return.

Soul Reapers started to arrive in packs, lured by the smell of hot food and lantern lights. The Lieutenant from Squad 2 was flipping meat and vegetables on a wire mesh over hot coals, barbequing. Half of what he cooked ended up in his mouth. Men started sticking their chopsticks in to grab food before he could claim it all for himself. Shunsui passed out drinks to everyone, keeping the best for himself, hidden behind his back. It didn't remain there for long when his Lieutenant snatched them up and carried them off.

There was more food to go around on other tables. A maze of noodles, greens, rice, fish and meat surrounded them on all sides. There was more than enough to go around. Some Soul Reapers started playing music under the lanterns wrapped around a large tree in the yard.

So far everyone seemed to be having a great time. Renji weighed his plate down with piles of beef and pork and ate as he walked around to see what other food he could add to the pile. Rukia stayed by the greens and ate more modestly. Ichigo ate, too, looking around at the guests just arriving to the party. They were the members of Squad 11. They went straight for the sake by Shunsui. Others arrived soon after, taking food and mingling with others. It seemed everyone was in the mood to celebrate something. Even the Soul Reapers still wrapped in bandages were happily chowing down on food and laughing.

There was still no sign of Victor or Hisagi. Ichigo wondered where they had gone.

Another guest arrived at the party. Linnette wandered in with Cedric at her side. She glanced around, looking for familiar faces to go to. She spotted Ichigo with Rukia and Renji and came over to them. They talked and ate for a while, then Linnette spotted other people she knew and went over to them. Cedric followed her like a shadow every step of the way. Without fail, he kept her safe and happy. Her beloved guardian.

Now if only they could find the other one so there would be a matching set.

A new guest arrived. Ichigo caught sight of Veneno lurking by the entrance to the grounds. He walked unsure into the yard, glancing around nervously at the party guests, as if he was wondering if this was the place for him to be. He was shy at times. He must have been especially nervous after changing those Soul Reapers into Hollow Reapers again for the battle. Ichigo had told him that no one was angry with him but this was something Veneno had to see for himself. If anything, just to make sure that Ichigo wasn't trying to save his feelings.

More people noticed him. "Hey!" They waved him over with smiles on their faces. The members of Squad 11 greeted him warmly and pulled him into the party. Soul Reapers started cheering and clapping for him as if he was a celebrity. His nervousness was gone and Veneno joined the party, grabbing a plate and piling it up with food, staying away from anything green.

Despite this being held on his grounds, Byakuya chose to make himself scarce at the party. Ichigo hadn't seen him yet. Maybe loud parties weren't his thing.

"He'll show up when he wants," said Renji. "Don't worry about it."

Ichigo looked back at the other party-goers. One of the Squad members was trying to force Veneno to eat a green pepper while another held his arms behind his back to keep him from getting away. Veneno wasn't bothered by this. He knew they were playing around.

Finally, Victor and Hisagi had returned to the party carrying something under a large cloth. They set it down on one of the tables and uncovered it. It was the biggest mochi Ichigo had ever seen. It was the size of a wedding cake and very colorful. So that's what they had been doing all this time. They were trying to give Linnette a cake for her birthday and ended up with this. It was close enough to an actual cake. It certainly looked like one from a distance. Once Victor stuck in fourteen candles, it really did look like a cake.

Hisagi looked exhausted after helping carry that giant mochi all the way over to the party in the Sixth Division. He was still wearing the apron. He took a seat near the finished creation to catch his breath.

Cedric carried Linnette over to the table and sat her in front of the dessert. Victor gave his apologies for it not being an actual cake, but Linnette didn't seem too disappointed. She had never seen anything like this before. He was so pleased, she even gave Hisagi a hug for helping make it for her.

The other Soul Reapers gave her five seconds of attention while she blew out all her candles and clapped. Then they went back to their celebration. Cedric helped pass out pieces of mochi, giving Linnette the biggest piece.

"So what did you wish for?" asked Ichigo.

"She can't say or it won't come true," said Rukia. "Isn't that how it works?"

"It doesn't matter," said Linnette. "All I wished for was for everyone to have a good time. I already got what I wanted. I wanted to have a birthday with friends, including Soul Reapers. I never had a birthday like this before. This is the first time I ever spent it with Soul Reapers. This is the best party I ever got."

The party continued long into the night. Soul Reapers came and went. For every one that left, someone new would take their place. It seemed that everyone had forgotten about the destruction throughout the Seireitei. At least for this moment. Everyone was having a great time. Some ate, some drank, some danced, some talked. Everyone was doing something and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves no matter what it was.

Ikkaku and Yumichika spent most of their time talking and drinking. Ikkaku had finally told Yumichika that he had been turned into a Hollow Reaper again and he just about threw a fit.

"You're back to normal now, aren't you?"

"So that's why I was filthy and covered in blood? Ahh! I couldn't get that horrid taste out of my mouth! Was I eating them?!"

"I don't know. Maybe."

"Ahh!" Yumichika chugged his drink, either to get the remaining taste out of his mouth or to forget the whole incident ever happened. "Why?!"

While Yumichika pouted and whined, Ikkaku thought back to how Yumichika had acted before as a Hollow Reaper. He remembered everything he had said and how he said it. That Yumichika had told him that he was stronger than Ikkaku gave him credit for. That he had to hold himself back. That Hollow version didn't want to hold himself back. According to him, the real Yumichika did for Ikkaku.

This bothered him. Was all of that true? Or were they just the lies of a Hollow? Was any of that how the real Yumichika felt? Why would he feel the need to hold himself back?

"Yumichika?"

"Yeah?" He had stopped whining and gave Ikkaku his full attention.

The look in his eyes were different. Not at all like the eyes of that Hollow controlling his body and whispering tales. This person beside him now was his friend. The other one was a lie. Therefore anything he said was considered a lie as well.

"Never mind."

Yumichika raised his brow at him.

"Forget it." Ikkaku put his cup to his mouth and pretended to drink.

Maybe there was some truth to what that Hollow was saying. He did have Yumichika sit back and watch as he fought the toughest opponents. Maybe deep down, Yumichika was harboring some negative feelings which manifested into the Hollow version Ikkaku witnessed. Maybe they were mirror images of each other. Whatever Yumichika was, his Hollow was not. Maybe anything Yumichika held back or suppressed, his Hollow would unleash. Maybe Yumichika truly did feel this way deep down inside. Some parts were similar between the two Yumichikas. That made it even harder for Ikkaku to tell what was a lie and what was the truth.

He may never truly know. He decided not to let it bother him. If Yumichika had a problem with him, he could come right out and say it. In the meantime, he would just continue doing what he had been doing up until now. Suddenly changing wasn't his style and if he did it may cause Yumichika to panic. Then he would be the crazy one.

Even so...

"Hey."

Yumichika looked up again. "Yes?"

Ikkaku tried to phrase it carefully so it wouldn't seem so out of the blue. "Do you think... you're getting enough action?"

"What do you mean?"

"I take on the toughest guys I can find. But I know you're strong so... If I'm taking on too many, I want to make sure I'm leaving you some. And not just the scrap."

Yumichika titled his head. "Where's this coming from? Did something else happen while I was..?"

"No. I just want to make sure you don't end up getting weaker because I take all the good ones. You need to keep up, too, you know."

Yumichika chuckled. "I know you don't think I'm weak. I know you want to have fun so I don't complain when you do what you do. I don't want things to change." He looked down at his empty cup. "But if they do, they do." Yumichika went to get another drink, leaving Ikkaku alone.

"Awkward conversation?"

Ikkaku jumped and spun around. Victor was standing right behind him. He made no sound and Ikkaku never sensed him. "Must you do that?"

Victor grinned.

Ikkaku turned his back to him, grumbling.

"Still hate me with a passion, I see."

Ikkaku grunted.

Victor stood beside him. "But you have a passion for other things, too, I see. Or should I say people?"

Ikkaku turned his head to look at him.

"I was watching you after the battle when the Hollow Reapers were turning back to normal. Yumichika was the one you went to first."

"He was the closest one."

Victor shook his head. "I saw. There were other members from your Squad in the street nearby. You even looked their way to see if he was among them. When you saw that he wasn't, you kept searching. You went to him first. He was the one you wanted to check up on. And he was the only one you cradled in your arms."

"I did not cradle him."

"Say what you will, but I saw the whole thing. Once you saw he was safe, you went back to check on the others and find the ones you haven't seen yet. I can tell you have a connection to Yumichika. Your actions say it all."

Ikkaku scoffed. "We go way back. He's been my best friend for years. And aside from that, in case you haven't noticed, he's different from the other members from my Squad."

"So he deserves special attention? Is he one who should be watched over an protected? Is he weaker than the rest of you?"

"Not at all. He can hold his own in a fight. I know he's strong. I've seen him prove himself time and again. He's not someone who needs to be protected. Far from it. I just meant that..."

"That he's cleaner than the rest of you. He's not as down and dirty as the others. It's not so much strength as must as it is habits and attitude. Is that it?"

Ikkaku shrugged. "I guess that's closer."

"He's your best friend. And you've know him longer than anyone else. Would that be better?"

Ikkaku didn't answer him but that was all the answer Victor needed.

"Perhaps I misjudged you a little too quickly," said Victor. "Don't get me wrong. I still think you're a cantankerous ruffian who should not be allowed anywhere near my little princess with your kind of habits and attitude. However... there are some parts of you I find positive."

"So you're saying there are aspects of me you actually like?"

"You sound surprised, Ikkaku. Not everyone is one-dimensional. People have layers."

"Yeah, yeah..." Ikkaku shrugged. "I guess you're not so bad yourself. I still hate you, but you have some good parts, too. I guess."

"Really?" Victor grinned. "Like what?"

"You want me to flatter you?" Ikkaku glared at him.

"Why not? I would love the compliment."

Ikkaku growled and turned away.

"There are parts I like about you as well."

Ikkaku turned back. "Like..?"

Victor pressed a finger to his lips. He was teasing him and Ikkaku didn't like it.

"Just tell me."

"I'll tell you what I like about you if you tell me what you like about me. Deal?"

Ikkaku glared at him. "How do I know you won't refuse to tell me after I tell you?"

"I'm a man of my word. A prince never lies."

"You're not a real prince..." Ikkaku grumbled. Then, seeing no other way around it, he agreed. "Fine."

Victor smiled and stood waiting to be praised.

It was difficult for Ikkaku to bring out the words. "Ok. Well, even though I think you're an arrogant bastard who is way too devoted to a little brat and can't think for himself and-"

"I thought I was going to receive a compliment."

"I'm getting there! Don't rush me!" Ikkaku inhaled deeply. "But... I do like your devotion. You never falter and you are always there to protect and fight. You're loyal. I can respect and admire that about you."

Victor smiled. "Thank you for the compliment, Ikkaku. How kind."

"Now what about me?"

Victor chuckled. It seemed Ikkaku's curiosity had gotten the better of him. That or he just wanted to be praised. "Well, even though you are a boorish, violent, rude, uncouth drunk, who-"

"Get to the good part and quit that."

"You did it first." Victor cleared his throat. "However... your loyalty to your friends is admirable."

"I said that about you. Don't repeat mine back to me."

"And... you have a kind heart. You do have honor, but sometimes that can be a man's downfall so I have mixed feelings about using that. But I do like your more gentle side."

Ikkaku blinked.

"What I saw you doing for your friend tells me that you have a kind heart and that you care deeply for your friends. I like that about you. And your willingness to protect."

Ikkaku looked down. Victor thought he was kindhearted?

He turned to the side so Victor could see him in profile. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it." There was a moment of silence, then Victor asked, "Does this mean we're good now? You and I?"

"Hell no."

"Good."

Now that they had exchanged praise, the two went their separate ways.

The party showed no signs of stopping any time soon which suited Ichigo just fine. He didn't really care what happened now. He stood by the table of food and watched everyone have a good time. Cedric followed Linnette everywhere she went, even if he wasn't standing right beside her. Ichigo caught him watching carefully from behind a tree as she spoke with Shunsui and Ukitake. They each took turns dancing with her as the music changed, spinning her to her new partner every few seconds. Judging from her laughter, she was having a blast.

Someone else was having a blast, too, from the look of things. Ichigo's eyes wandered and landed on the Arrancar doing the cancan with a group of Soul Reapers. They danced shoulder to shoulder, kicking their legs high into the air. Some were too drunk to stay standing and stumbled, taking a few of the dancers with them. They helped support each other and did their best to continue the dance. Veneno's face never looked brighter as he laughed with the other dancing men. He put a lot of energy into his kicks and held onto the Soul Reapers who supported him on their shoulders.

He looked truly happy. Like he belonged.

Renji stuffed noodles into his mouth and watched the spectacle with raised eyebrows. "The guy's drunk, right?"

"Nope," said Ichigo. "Veneno doesn't like the taste or the way it burns. He hasn't had anything to drink. This is really him."

Him laughing and having a joyous time with his friends. He was free in more ways than one.

That thought alone was enough to bring a smile to Ichigo's face.

He saved him. He actually managed to do it.

Rukia picked off Ichigo's plate while he was watching Veneno dance with the others. "I don't think he can get too comfortable."

Ichigo pulled his plate away from her wandering fingers. "What do you mean?"

"What the Captains decided to do before was temporary. They had only agreed to not take action against Veneno at that time."

"What are you talking about?"

Rukia took a cucumber slice off Ichigo's plate and used it to point at Veneno. "My brother told me that another meeting was going on right now. A private meeting. The Head Captain is going to decide what to do with Veneno now."

"They said they wouldn't kill him."

"I know that. But it's not finished. They only said they weren't going to kill him unless he proved to be a threat. After this battle and everything else... I think they're looking into something more permanent."

"How's that?"

"I don't know. I'm not at the meeting. The Head Captain is deciding things. But my brother told me that Mayuri is speaking with him since he started this whole thing. He's still claiming custody over Veneno, since it was his experiment." Rukia placed the cucumber on her tongue and closed her mouth around it. "This isn't over. They're going to decide Veneno's fate again. And there won't be another meeting after this one."

Ichigo looked back at Veneno. The Soul Reaper beside him lost his footing and took the line down with him. Veneno was dragged into the pile, laughing. Having people pressed against his body didn't seem to bother him in the slightest. He always wanted to be close to people, after all. Men shoved each other aside and fought their way out of the pile, laughing and exchanging comments.

The meeting that was happening now... What would it decide? What was Veneno's fate going to be? If Mayuri was there, did this mean that he wanted to continue experimenting on Veneno? Rukia mentioned that this would be their last meeting on the subject. Was Veneno going to be taken apart? Was he going to be altered into something else? What was going to happen?

Ichigo lost his appetite and gave his plate to Rukia who helped herself to the fresh fruit.

"Nothing may happen," she told him. "It's just a meeting. I wouldn't worry about it. After all, they agreed to let him live before. After the way he helped us out in this battle, I'm sure the odds will be in his favor."

Rukia had a point. Maybe there was nothing for him to worry about.

What should happen to Veneno?

He's so loved :D

Please review! ^-^