Words could not describe how happy she was to be back home. Rather than be dropped off, Ichigo made a beeline straight for Malleus' apartment. Sneaking into her own room would likely wake everyone up, and considering how late it was would make everyone cranky.

Malleus took one look at her and it was clear he was pleased. So was Kon.

"Thank the Seven!" said Kon.

Swapping back was a little rough, and she still felt sore beyond belief. She happily leaned against Malleus, soaking in his body heat.

"Rough mission?" asked Malleus.

"Oh, you wouldn't believe the nonsense I had to put up with..." said Ichigo tiredly. She snuggled closer to him, absorbing the heat he gave off. Considering how sore her muscles were, both physical and spiritually, she needed some cuddle time. "Worse, I found out dad's ridiculous nature is inherited."

Ichigo thought her dad was ridiculous, however she was not prepared to learn the hard way that it was not only genetic, but that she had gotten off easy because he had to keep a low profile to avoid attracting the wrong attention.

Malleus let out a soothing noise, and easily carried her into the bedroom.

"I'm not really in the mood for intimacy," she said calmly. "I'm still sore from the last minute training we had to do just to avoid getting killed."

"I wasn't planning on it," said Malleus. "However I have done some reading on the subject and found something that might make your day better."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow, only to let out a low, surprised moan when he began to massage her shoulders. It was clear he had been putting practice, and was now heartily glad that she had left Kon behind because she wouldn't have to deal with any...mishaps.

Between his strength and the heat he radiated naturally, Ichigo soon became a complete puddle of moaning goo. If she had bothered to turn her head slightly, she would have seen the openly self-satisfied expression on Malleus' face.

Being able to relieve some of the pain his mate was experiencing made him happy.

He was even more pleased to have her back in his bed again.

~*~*~*~*~

It had been all of two days since Ichigo's return from the Soul Society. She had let her family know of her return, but had waited a few days before visiting.

She was still tired and sore from the major fight, especially since her powers were still out of whack. She didn't want to accidentally hurt her family.

So you could imagine her confusion when there was a polite knock on the door around mid-afternoon. Opening it revealed a less than happy person with slightly pointed ears, black and pink hair that was clearly self-cut, and a youthful expression that didn't match the sheer age and intelligence in his eyes. Behind him was another taller youth with silver hair and aurora colored eyes, one who might actually be able to give Chad a run for his money if things came to it.

"Excuse me miss...is Malleus home?" he asked.

Now more than a little wary and incredibly confused, Ichigo turned to find...Malleus with a look of dumbfounded shock on his face. It was rather odd, to be honest.

He was in his usual human guise, as they had planned to visit the movies soon.

"Lilia? Silver?" he said in confusion.

Lilia, who was the shorter one, looked very angry.

"You are in a great deal of trouble young man. What were you thinking, leaving like that?" said Lilia irate.

Ichigo looked between her boyfriend and the two new people.

"I'll get the tea started. Something tells me we might as well skip the movies today," said Ichigo.

With the implied permission to enter, Ichigo observed the two more. It was weird meeting the father figure Malleus spoke so highly of. She made a point to stay out of it, as Lilia was clearly very upset about Malleus disappearing like he had.

As she listened, her expression became incredulous. To be fair, she was completely on Lilia's side with this one, as it was clear Malleus had caused a major problem for his grandmother and everyone else by vanishing like he had.

"Malleus, you're an idiot," said Ichigo flatly. Malleus pouted at that. "You absolutely deserve to be grounded for not at least saying something before using that spell."

Lilia eyed her for several moments.

"Forgive me for asking miss, but who are you to Prince Malleus?"

"She's my mate," said Malleus firmly.

Lilia's eyes widened a bit, as did Silver's.

"Wait...your mate?" said Silver in confusion.

"My name is Kurosaki Ichigo," she said politely.

Lilia looked between Malleus and Ichigo, before sighing.

"Queen Maleficia is not going to be happy about this. Especially since you didn't introduce her first," said Lilia.

Malleus was pouting again.

"If it helps, my father is former head of a noble family...though a fallen one," she offered. Malleus looked at her oddly. "I told dad and the twins about the full story, and he told me to say hello if I happened to come across them. My cousins were very helpful in breaking into that place."

"In any case you need to come home, immediately. Your grandmother has been very upset about your disappearance."

Ichigo thought of something.

"Hey Malleus, didn't you say the teachers were interested in you taking those exams early, to see if you could be tested for a higher degree or something?" she asked.

"Exams?" said Silver, confused.

"I enrolled in a local school to pass the time. The instructors have hinted strongly that I could take the final exams to get my degree early, so that I might pursue a more advanced course," said Malleus.

Lilia... had an odd look on his face.

"I suppose we could wait a few days for you to take those exams before bringing you home."

Malleus knew that there was no way Ichigo would let him go back alone.

His classmates were sad, but understood the obligation to elder family members. Japan was highly family oriented after all.

While Malleus was taking his exams, Lilia observed the potential queen.

He knew something of her personality thanks to all the times he had raided with her online, but meeting her was a different story. Her aura almost matched Malleus' own, and she was still young and growing.

"You plan to join us on our return home, don't you?" said Lilia. It wasn't a question.

"I still have a week or two left of summer vacation, and this way I can introduce Malleus to my new trick without freaking everyone out. Something tells me I'm going to need the extra space once he sees it," said Ichigo grinning.

She hadn't transformed yet, but she knew it was possible. It just needed the right trigger, and somehow she had the feeling Malleus would be very interested in her new ability. Perhaps a little too interested, considering she was only now recovering.

"Father, are you sure this is wise?" asked Silver.

Ichigo didn't bat an eye at the fact Silver called someone who looked so young "Father". She could tell just by looking at him that Lilia was much older than he actually appeared.

"I have the distinct feeling she would follow regardless. This just cuts down on the inevitable damage done," said Lilia cheerfully.

"Wise of you," said Ichigo grinning. "Though if you want to hear damage, would like some stories of Malleus and the number of times we've had to call the fire department over him accidentally destroying yet another electronic device?"

"Oh this I have to hear..." said Lilia gleefully.

"Though nothing tops the first time he set the bedding on fire because he got a little too excited..." said Ichigo. Lilia's grin was downright evil hearing that.

"Sounds like he took after his mother then. Meleanor set her bedroom on fire a few times after her wedding night," said Lilia laughing.

Malleus felt a slight chill go down his spine while in the middle of tests. He had the distinct feeling Ichigo was sharing certain stories with Lilia behind his back.

He would be correct.

~*~*~*~

Urahara looked at the ragtag group and sad nothing. Malleus was still pouting, but knew he had to get this over with eventually. His grandmother would be beyond livid if he delayed it at all.

Ichigo felt a little weird walking through a giant mirror, but at least she had back up with her.

Chad and Uryu were staying behind this time. Chad to keep her family safe, and Uryu because he had to train with his father after realizing how weak he was. If they were going to survive the traitor's plan, he needed to become stronger.

Ichigo wished her cousin luck...but also asked him to see if her sisters had any potential for that style of combat. She didn't want them anywhere near the front lines, but being related to her and spiritually sensitive was enough to put targets on their backs.

Tatsuki was rather eager to go, since Orihime had healed up her arm, and Orihime was very eager to see more of the magical realms.

Besides, Malleus had mentioned her hair pins were made of a metal that was once commonly found in his homeland, so it was perfect place to look into what exactly it could do beyond summon her powers.

Lilia had also noticed the way Orihime had eyed Silver's ass. Far be it for him to get in the way of that.

Ichigo noticed the honor guard and was rather curious. Malleus had said he was a prince, but she had never really believed he was from an active monarchy. To be fair, most royals were in name or lineage only...not part of an active government.

"I feel so underdressed," said Tatsuki under her breath.

Ichigo could relate, but kept her mouth shut.

"If you think this is bad, wait until you meet the Queen," commented Lilia. "There's still time to back out."

"Not a chance," said Ichigo. "It was going to have one way or another...we just weren't expecting you to track him down so fast."

"It helps that I was able to pay Gloomurai direct from the royal treasury to trace the IP address down," admitted Lilia. "The queen would have never allowed me to live it down if I hadn't chased down even the smallest lead to where her grandson and only heir had disappeared to."

"...I'm going to be in for it once she finds out, aren't I?" said Ichigo.

"You have no idea," said Lilia laughing darkly. "Queen Maleficia is not going to allow someone weak to be mated to her grandson."

"Thank the Seven I brought Orihime then..." said Ichigo.

If Ichigo had found Malleus slightly intimidating when she first met him, it was nothing compared to the Queen. There was an aura of regale grace and sheer power that was impossible to compare. She suffered no fools, and while she was relieved her grandson had been retrieved she was incredibly furious with him.

Being grounded was the least of what he could expect.

The second Ichigo was introduced, she felt an intense pressure on her. Not from the expectations of royalty, but a magical and spiritual pressure from someone who did not tolerate fools lightly. Especially someone who had attached themselves to her bloodline.

Ichigo didn't bend or break. She looked the queen dead in the eye and stared back with calm defiance. She wouldn't be chased off that easily.

"Hmph. So this girl-child believes she has the capability of becoming your mate. I shall have to put her to the test then," said the Queen.

Ichigo could only hope this didn't end too badly. It was a good thing Orihime was here to fix any damage done.