A.N.: This story was commissioned by Anonymous. Those wishing to commission a story from me should see my bio page for guidelines.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

12 Brides and a Strawberry
Chapter Three

The Next Day...
Karakura Town

Still exhausted after yesterday's whirlwind of events, Ichigo decided to take a long walk to try and clear his head while the morning sun started to rise.

He and Orihime had woken up at the break of dawn, both not realizing they'd fallen asleep in each other's arms. After an awkward greeting, Orihime decided to head back to her apartment to check on Riruka to see how she was doing. Isshin was still in the clinic, a massive ice bag covering his face as he slept on.

"This is going to be hell to explain to Yuzu and Karin," he noted as he stepped outside. He'd long since stopped trying to hide his dual role as a Substitute Soul Reaper from his twin sisters but he had a feeling they were going to flip when they found out their big brother got engaged to twelve women. "It's even going to be worse if Ikumi finds out..."

Part of him still wanted to reject this whole matter. He had no idea how this was ever going to work, living in a large manor with twelve wives. "Keigo is going to want a swinger's party. I just know it..." He shuddered about what Rangiku, Tatsuki, Riruka and the Sternritters would do to him if he suggested that. "Or Kon..."

His walk took him to the park. Ichigo figured the green scenery would help lighten the mood. As he walk and breathed in the crisp morning air, he came upon a bench that lay on the side of the path. To his surprise, one of his brides was sitting there also enjoying the morning sunshine. "Oh! Sung-Sun!"

Wearing a long-sleeved black shirt and jeans, the slim Arrancar looked to the left and smiled when she saw her fiancé walking towards her. "Oh, why hello there, Ichigo. I see you're an early riser too."

"Hey, Sung-Sun. Is it just you out here?"

"Yes. Nelliel is always late to rise and Master Halibel had to return to Hueco Mundo after the meeting but she will return soon. Here," Sung-Sun patted the empty spot on the bench. "Why don't you come and join me?"

Nodding, Ichigo sat down on the bench next to her. The engaged couple settled into a comfortable silence as they took in the morning sunlight and enjoyed the chirping of the birds overhead. "This is nice..." Sung-Sun said before she unexpectedly leaned to the side and laid her head on his shoulder, sighing in contentment while she let his warmth ward off the damp morning chill.

Ichigo went rigid upon feeling Sung-Sun's head on his shoulder, freezing up as she slipped her hand into his but relaxed upon deciding that since they were going to get married, it wouldn't hurt to share some intimacy with her. 'She's a lot more forward than she appears,' he noted before relaxing. "So...um...I guess this is the first time we've ever actually gotten the chance to speak to each other."

"Indeed. I'd actually seen you twice before yesterday. Master Halibel, me and my two sisters watched your battle with Grimmjow from the distance. You were...well..." Sung-Sun remembered watching Ichigo battle the number six Espada. She'd felt fear from the terrifying Hollowfication that Ichigo had mastered. "You made quite the impression."

Silence returned for a moment while Sung-Sun continued to lean against her future husband and lace their fingers together. Finally Ichigo decided to ask what'd been on his mind since he first saw her in the park. "Hey, Sung-Sun? If it's alright to ask...why did you agree to marry me?"

For a few seconds, Sung-Sun said nothing as she gathered her thoughts. She'd expected the question to come eventually and decided that honesty was the best policy. "Well, I would be lying if I said I have such a strong emotional attachment to you like Nelliel did. But in truth, I'm not doing this for political purposes like Master Halibel?"

Sung-Sun paused and in the light of the morning sun Ichigo noticed the pink blush on her cheeks. "What is it?"

"It's just...when you saved me from that vile Quincy...when I watched you fight to protect me and my sisters after we were defeated..." Sung-Sun felt her heart beat faster as she remembered Ichigo fighting so gallantly against Quilge. "Would you believe me if I said I was smitten by you that day? You were a Soul Reaper. But you came to Hueco Mundo at the behest of Nelliel to help her kidnapped friend. And even when you didn't need to, you came to our aid because you wanted to save us. I...I've thought of you a lot since that day. And I'd be lying if my thoughts weren't romantic ones..." she confessed, laying her head back down on his shoulder and smiling. "I know I'm not Orihime Inoue. And I know it's too soon to ask you to love me like you love her. But I'd like to love you all the same until then..."

Ichigo didn't know what to say, his heart beating fast from the confession. The soft look in her eyes told him she was being serious. "Okay," he finally said, giving her hand a squeeze while pressing his head gently against hers as they watched the morning scenery. "By the way, what happened to those other two friends of yours?"

"Apacci and Mila Rose? They're back in Hueco Mundo. They'll be taking care of things alongside Ruddborn whenever Master Halibel isn't there. Why?" She took her head off his shoulders and gave him a knowing look. "Were you hoping for all of us to be your wives?"

"What? No!" Ichigo put his hands up defensively, his reaction adorable to Sung-Sun, who chuckled from his face.

"Don't worry, Ichigo. I offered myself since out of the three of us, I'm the only one capable of being a decent housewife. Trust me, you don't want Apacci to be in charge of the cooking. So then..." Sung-Sun slid across the bench and embraced her fiancé with her slim arms. "Yoruichi told me about a love hotel nearby. Shall we go and get to know each other better?" she asked teasingly, her face so very close to Ichigo's.

Having a woman he barely knew who was engaged to him and sending all the signals made Ichigo's brain freeze for a moment from so much blood rushing to his head. "I...uh..."

Giggling, Sung-Sun pulled away. "It's perfectly fine. I'm just teasing. Tatsuki did tell us you were a bit shy towards women. But don't worry." Her purple eyes glinted with seductive intent. "Master Halibel and I will teach you every little thing you need to know about women to get over your shyness..."

Ichigo's ears were burning. Thankfully the spell Sung-Sun had put over him broke when his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw that he'd a message from Yoruichi, asking him to come to Kisuke's shop. "I um...I gotta go."

Sung-Sun nodded. "I'll see you around then. Master Halibel and I are going clothes shopping when she gets back." Leaning forward, she kissed him on the cheek, making her fiance blush again. "I'll see you later, dear."

The Arrancar turned around and walked away, Ichigo watching her leave for a few seconds before turning around and heading for Kisuke's.

Reaching the store, Ichigo headed inside. He said hello to Tessai and the kids as he passed them before reaching Kisuke's living room. Sitting at the table was Kisuke, Yoruichi along with Head-Captain Kyoraku and Nanao. The shopkeeper, his right eye still blackened by Yoruichi's punch, smiled warmly at the Substitute as he walked into the room. "Oh hey! There's the lucky groom. Congra-"

Wham!

Kisuke was sent flying backwards by Ichigo's punch and landing on his back, Ichigo dotting his other eye. Kyoraku bristled from the sight of Ichigo's fury, nervously looking over at his lieutenant. "Nanao. I need a Kido barrier. Please?"

"You brought this upon yourself, Head-Captain," Nanao simply said, sipping her tea while leaving her superior to his fate.

When Ichigo turned his angry eyes to the one-eyed man, Kyoraku threw his hands up defensively. "Please, Ichigo! There's no need for violence! I was merely trying to keep the peace. It was Kisuke and Isshin who suggested marrying you to the others."

"Trying to pass the buck is ill-fitting for a Head-Captain," scolded Nanao.

"Ouch. That's harsh, Nanao!"

Grumbling, Ichigo sat down next to Yoruichi, the blush on his face returning as his Soul Reaper bride scooted closer to him and smiling. "What do you guys need me for? Don't tell you want to marry me off to more women?"

"Well I can only imagine Lisa's reaction when she finds out she was left out of the arrangement," Kyoraku said to himself before turning to Yoruichi. "I came to talk more with you about this as well as to bring you an invitation."

"Invitation? From whom?"

"My brother," said Yoruichi. "Yushiro is holding a banquet in a few days to celebrate my engagement and you're the guest of honor."

"Oh, I see. That sounds nice," Ichigo said. He never met Yoruichi's younger brother so he was rather curious what Yushiro was like.

Kyoraku scratched the back of his head. "See, there's a slight detail we need to discuss before you go meet the in-laws, Ichigo."

"What now?" grumbled the boy, already getting irritated.

"Well, the thing is...this is going to be a party of nobles. You've never really interacted with the high society of the Seireitei, have you?"

"Does Byakuya when he's trying to kill me count?"

The Head-Captain laughed. "If only! I'm afraid you've only ever dealt with the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, which is a military organization. Dealing with the nobility is another matter entirely."

"Did they not want the marriage to go through?"

Kyoraku gave Ichigo a knowing smile. He wanted to tell the boy he wasn't getting out of this that easily but held his tongue since he didn't want to get punched. "No. The arrangement was made by me. The Four Great Noble Clans have no say in the matter. But since it's come to light that you're the son of Isshin Shiba, who was leader of the branch family of the Shiba Clan..."

Yoruichi decided to continue the conversation. " If you're going to be attending an event hosted by my brother, you're going to need to learn to act with some tact. Especially if you hope to win over Yushiro."

"Is he against you marrying me?"

The werecat rolled her eyes. "Yushiro has always been...rather fond of me. He looks up to me in almost the same way Soi-Fon does; which is annoying in and of itself. While he can't stop me from getting married, the Shihoin Clan is offering to help finance our big family after we settle in to the manor. We've got thirteen mouths to feed after all. So since it's best to get on Yushiro's good side and show you can be a worthy husband, you'll need to learn how to behave like a noble since you're Isshin's son."

"Well said, Lady Yoruichi. I couldn't have said it better myself." Kyoraku sat back and turned his attention to the lucky groom. "In other words, you're going to need a crash course in noble manners."

Ichigo merely shrugged. "That's fine. Yoruichi can teach me how to act-"

"Actually..." Yoruichi cut him off. "I'm needed at the manor to help set everything up with Tessai and to establish more ground rules for us girls. And I also need to also talk some old friends about all this."

"Oh...so are you teaching me, Head-Captain Kyoraku?"

Kyoraku shook his head. "While I'd love to take a break from my work to teach you etiquette, Ichigo, my duties keep me from staying here very long. But fortunately, I brought you a tutor."

"Who is it? Rukia?" The side door slid open and Ichigo's heart sank. "Oh no..."

Byakuya Kuchiki frowned down at the young groom and crossed his arms. "We've got a lot of work to do."

Sometime later...
Soul Society; Shiba House

"Bwahahahaha! Are you serious?!" Kukaku Shiba fell off her large cushion from laughing so hard, her hands going to her stomach. "Oh my god! He's marrying twelve women? That's hysterical!"

Yoruichi took a swig of the bottle of booze Kukaku had passed to her, smiling at her old friend's reaction. "Yeah. Things kinda got way more out of hand than we expected. I wasn't expecting to share a bed with three Quincies and three Hollows."

Sitting up, Kukaku tried to keep from busting a gut laughing. "You, a bride to that little brat? That's the real shocker." The big-chested woman took a deep breath to calm down a little. "And here you were always saying that you were never going to get hitched," she said with a smile.

Sitting back, the werecat shrugged. "Eh, I have no problem with Ichigo as my hubby. Trust me, I didn't just jump into this blindly."

After Yoruichi passed the bottle, Kukaku took another long draught. "Damn. Twelve women though? I hope that boy's got strong hips. So, am I invited to the wedding?"

"Of course you are. Both you and Ganju."

The door slid open behind the women and two men walked into the room. "Did I hear that right? Ichigo's getting married to twelve women?"

Kukaku grinned. "That's right. And Yoruichi here is one of the lucky brides. Along with Orihime and another friend of hers."

Tsukishima sat down next to the wall and looked at the pair with an amused expression. "I knew when I inserted myself into Orihime and Tatsuki's pasts that they were quite enamored with Ichigo but I never imagined him to be quite the alpha."

Ginjo snickered as he sat down next to his friend. "Ichigo's marrying Orihime and Tatsuki? Hah! I bet Riruka's jealous."

"Actually, about that...Riruka is one of the twelve too."

The Fullbringers looked at Yoruichi incredulously before saying the same thing.

"...What?!"

Meanwhile...
World of the Living; Vizard Hideout

"...What?!"

Mashiro grinned at everyone's shocked faces as she, Kensei and Shinji explained the marriage agreement with the four remaining Vizards still in Karakura Town. "Yep! I get to marry Ichi-Berry!"

The biggest of the group, Hachi, scratched the back of his head and thought about the implications Ichigo's marriage would cause. "Marrying Arrancars, Quincies, Soul Reapers and even a Fullbringer. Goodness gracious, Ichigo, you're in for quite a life now."

Hiyori merely bristled. "Twelve wives? Seriously? What a man-whore!"

Standing next to Hiyori was Lisa, who turned her head and looked down at the small Vizard and gave a knowing smile. "Jealous of Mashiro, Hiyori?"

"What?! Hell no! Why the hell would you think I'd want to be hitched to that brat? More importantly, why did you agree to it, Mashiro?"

The greenette gave her old friend a wide smile. "Because I wanted to. I want to be with Ichigo. That's all. So what if there's eleven other women. Most of us feel the same way, even if the Quincies don't."

Kensei looked at his "Super Lieutenant" and frowned. He didn't think that Mashiro had thought this whole thing through. "It was agreed to be three Soul Reaper women since all parties offered three brides each."

Hiyori put her arms back behind her head and rolled her eyes. "Why didn't Rukia volunteer? She's the obvious choice by far."

Shinji, who had not stopped grinning since learning about the deal Kyoraku had made with everyone, snickered at the thought of Rukia being Ichigo's bride. "Oh, I'm pretty sure the reason why is if she did, there's be a massive war between Ichigo and Renji." He noticed Lisa's face simmering with resentment as she stared at Mashiro. "Uh, sorry we didn't ask you earlier, Lisa."

Love, who'd been sitting in a chair, looked over at the woman and raised a curious eyebrow. "Would you have agreed to marry Ichigo if your position with Mashiro was reversed?"

Scoffing, Lisa crossed her arms and huffed. "Of course I'd have said yes. We owe Ichigo a debt of gratitude, right? I'm sure the big reason Mashiro said yes was because she thought marrying him would be a way to repay that debt."

That had indeed what Mashiro had said but Shinji knew the woman better than that. "Yes, but I'm not sure if Ichigo is into the same roleplay fetishes you're into, Lisa."

Hiyori blinked. "Wait, you mean you'd actually be okay sleeping with Ichigo, Lisa?"

"Of course. Mashiro and I spied on him all the time when he was taking a shower. What woman wouldn't want him?" Lisa replied, her statement making Hiyori's face turn red at the implication.

"Heheh...what's the matter, Hiyori?" Shinji snickered. "Are you jealous of Mashiro now? Or are you afraid Ichigo's more man than you can handle?"

POW!

One smack of the sandal later and the Squad Five captain was sent flying. The others watched Shinji hurtle out the window before returning to the matter at hand. "So where is your betrothed?" Hachi asked out of curiosity. He wasn't concerned with Shinji's safety. He knew the man would live...maybe.

Despite himself, Kensei couldn't help but crack a smile. "Oh I'm sure he's got his hands full learning how to behave himself when he goes to meet Yoruichi's family..."

Meanwhile...
Urahara Shop

"Stop slouching."

Smack!

"Don't hold the fork in such an undignified manner. This is a banquet with nobility, not lunchtime at your school cafeteria."

Smack!

"Stop fidgeting, Ichigo. You're going to have to get used to wearing something other than your Shihakusho."

Smack!

Ichigo never hated Byakuya. Even after all he did during Ichigo's mission to rescue Rukia, not once did the man earn the Substitute's hatred. It never occurred to Ichigo to try to put the man down when he'd turned his back on him at the end of their duel when Byakuya had admitted defeat.

Now Ichigo regretted not killing the man when he had the chance.

The boy flinched when a yardstick smacked his hand, adding to the marks Byakuya had given him. He sat at a table, practicing his manners in a mock dinner. Behind him stood Byakuya who held a menacing yardstick as he went about the task of teaching Ichigo proper etiquette.

Ichigo seethed with anger, clenching his teeth as he glared up at the man. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Byakuya merely scowled. "Yes, I enjoy wasting my day teaching you how to properly act decently for once in your life, especially when I've other duties that need attending to. Truly this is the highlight of my day," he replied with all the sarcasm as he could muster.

"Can I at least wear something less itchy?" Ichigo gestured to the blue robe that Byakuya had given him to wear. Unlike his Shihakusho, it was far too bulky and it made him itch like crazy.

Byakuya's answer was another smack of the yardstick, making the boy yelp as it cracked against his hand. "You are going to have to get used to it. That is one of my finest robes. I'm not loaning you another, Ichigo. If you stain or ruin that, I will not be pleased. Now then..."

Smack!

"Yow! What was that for?!"

"No talking back. You are here to learn for once. Now lets go over how to speak properly to Lord Yushiro."

"Do I-"

Smack!

"Yow!"

"What did I say about talking back?"

Walking behind Ichigo, Byakuya afforded himself the smallest of smiles before he continued Ichigo's lessons...

A few days later...
Soul Society; Shihoin Clan Manor

The door to the huge mansion opened and the engaged couple walked inside. Ichigo nervously looked around at all the people looking at him as he and Yoruichi entered her ancestral home. He wore the blue robe that Byakuya had loaned him; Yoruichi said he looked good in it but it was still itchy.

Wearing a beautiful purple yukata with the Shihoin crest on its back, Yoruichi looked amused at Ichigo's nervous expression. She'd been busy helping Tessai set up the house for Ichigo and the other women but knew Byakuya had done his best whipping Ichigo into shape. 'Although from the looks of it, Byakuya may have actually brought out a whip,' she thought, noting the marks on Ichigo's hands.

A servant walked in front of them, bowing to the two. "Lady Yoruichi. Ichigo Kurosaki. I present Lord Yushiro."

Ichigo had no idea what to expect upon meeting Yoruichi's younger brother. He assumed that he'd similar to the famed Flash Goddess, but taller and muscular. What he did not expect was a shorter, femboy version of his bride as he approached them. "Sis!"

With speed that surprised even the swift Ichigo, Yushiro hurried over to his big sister and gave her a hug. Yoruichi rolled her eyes at her little brother's annoyingly tight embrace but knew that if Ichigo had to be on his best behavior then so did she. "Hello, Yushiro. I'm glad to see you're doing well."

"I've made a full recovery from what that nasty Quincy did to me and I've been continuing with my training. Once of these days I'll surpass you in speed!" he boasted happily.

Yoruichi highly doubted that. Clearing her throat, she pried her brother off of her and put an arm around Ichigo's shoulders, gently pushing him forward a few steps. "Yushiro, I don't believe you two have yet to be acquainted. This is my fiancé, Ichigo Kurosaki."

Instantly the young noble's expression soured as he took his first look at the hero who defeated Aizen and Yhwach. Sighing in resentment, Yushiro bowed. "It is an honor to meet you, Ichigo Kurosaki," he said flatly. "My sister speaks quite highly of you."

Ichigo immediately wanted to call Yushiro out on his attitude but the ghost of Byakuya's yardstick reminded him of his manners. He deeply bowed and spoke in the kindest voice he could muster. "The honor is mine, Lord Yushiro. Thank you for having me tonight as your guest."

The young noble blinked in surprise and his demeanor changed. "Wow! And Lord Kuchiki told me that you were such an irreverent brat who was disrespectful to everyone. I'm glad that his gossip wasn't true. My sister chose her husband well."

'I am going to take that yardstick and SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS, BYAKUYA!'

Yoruichi noted the way Ichigo's mask of calm cracked for a moment and smiled, patting him gently on the shoulder. "Well that's Little Byakuya for you. Always putting down Ichigo because of what happened between them. Anyway, I assume dinner is almost ready?"

"Yes. I've ordered the cooks to make the finest of feasts. All to celebrate my sister's engagement. I have so much to ask you two. But I assume you'll want to go up to your room, Sis, and freshen up for dinner and to get it ready for you two to move in."

Now it was Ichigo's turn to blink in confusion. "Move in?"

"Of course!" Yushiro smiled with blissful ignorance. "Of course my big sis would live here with her husband instead of sharing room in some cramped house or candy shop! You're sillier than I imagined, Ichigo!"

Yushiro turned away to make sure the dinner arrangements were being done. As soon as he was a good distance away, Ichigo hissed into his fiancé's ear, "Does he not know?"

"About the whole arrangement with Kyoraku made? No," she said with a sigh.

Ichigo couldn't believe this. "You didn't tell him I'm marrying eleven other women? Or that we are all going to live in the Bount mansion? Why didn't you tell him?!"

"I was thinking about it but then I had realized he'd just start sobbing and it would have been too much of a hassle."

"And what were you going to do when he shows up at our wedding?!"

The werecat shrugged. "Oh I was going to give him an invite saying it was the next day."

Ichigo wanted to tear his hair out with frustration. Suddenly tonight just got so much more complicated...

Later...
Shihoin Clan Banquet Hall

The evening went better than Ichigo had hoped for the most part. Many of Yoruichi's family were eager to shake hands with the hero who brought down the Soul Society's greatest enemies as well as the one who supposedly "won the heart of proud Lady Yoruichi."

It seemed either the rest of the Shihoin Clan as as oblivious as Yushiro or were like the couple and keep up the charade in front of Yushiro. Either way, trying to keep quiet about the much larger arrangement at work only made the mental knife in Ichigo's guts twist tighter. He badly wanted to scream at Yoruichi for putting him in this position, especially how Yushiro kept referring to his sister as "Ichigo's one and only."

Eating at the table with all the nobility watching him with scrutinous eyes made him sweat hard through his outfit. But to his credit, he kept his cool and did his best to answer everyone's questions without giving away too much of the truth. The nobles were impressed by Ichigo's civility and complimented the young couple.

As soon as dinner was over Yoruichi took Ichigo by the hand and led him away from her family, taking him upstairs before stopping in a hallway right in front of a portrait. "You did rather well, Ichigo. I'm certain even Byakuya would be half impressed by the way you carried yourself in there."

"If he's half impressed, I'll take it. It's more praise than he'd ever give me otherwise..." He looked over at the painting on the wall and took note of it. It was a portrait of a person who looked very similar to Yoruichi. "Who's this?"

"Oh? Him? That's Chika Shihoin, my ancestor and one of the founding members of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. He founded Squad Two."

Ichigo would have remarked that he'd mistaken the man for a woman upon first glance but held his tongue before he ended up like Kisuke with a black eye. "By the way, that reminds me, how did Soi-Fon take the news? Not well, I take it?"

"I checked this morning. She's still catatonic."

All Ichigo could do was shudder at the thought of the venomous captain when she awoke and hoped she'd turn her wrath onto Kyoraku and Kisuke rather than him. "I still don't know what we're going to tell Yushiro the truth."

Yoruichi merely shrugged. "Oh he'll cry and get over it eventually. I think anyone would feel more for you having to marry twelve women. Let's just head to bed and leave in the-" Yoruichi caught herself and mentally cursed as she looked behind Ichigo. "Oh..."

Ichigo already knew who it was when he turned around to find Yushiro standing there, looking at the two perplexed. "Did I hear that right? You're marrying twelve women, Ichigo? Twelve?!" He looked at the Substitute with hurtful eyes. "What is going on? Answer me!"

Stepping around her fiancé, Yoruichi crossed her arms and sighed at her little brother's reaction. "Head-Captain Kyoraku, Kisuke and Ichigo's father decided to arrange a marriage to solidify the truce between the Soul Society, the Quincy, the Arrancars and Ichigo's friends in the World of the Living. Twelve women, including myself, came forward to offer themselves as his bride. This was done without Ichigo knowing until after the fact. I'm sorry we didn't tell you, Yushiro. It was...too awkward to explain ourselves when we realized the Head-Captain didn't inform you."

Yushiro's hurt reaction was directed more at Ichigo than at Yoruichi. As far as he was concerned, his sister had done nothing to wrong him. Even he could understand the benefits of an arranged marriage. Ichigo, on the other hand, became a reprobate in his eyes. "You lech! My sister wasn't enough for a wife? You have to take eleven other women to bed? I thought my sister would choose someone with more class for a husband. Sis, why would you debase yourself with someone like him?!"

Yoruichi opened her mouth to give argue back against her brother's awful words but she was stopped when Ichigo put a hand on her shoulder, the look on his face telling her he'd handle it. He stepped forward until he was face to face with Yushiro. "Listen, Yushiro," he started, dropping the formality now that everything was on the table. "I did not ask for this. As Yoruichi was said, my father made the deal without telling me. And at first, I was angry when I realized what he and Kisuke had gotten me into. I didn't want to go through with this when I heard." Turning his head, he looked at Yoruichi and his expression softened. "But Yoruichi...no, almost everyone of my friends who volunteered to be my wife made it clear that they agreed to it because they truly care about me and want to be with me." He remembered the look on his friends' faces when he confronted them at the round table meeting.

Turning back to Yushiro, Ichigo slowly started to smile as he made his feelings known to his future brother-in-law. "I know how awkward and bizarre this all is. Trust me. But Yoruichi offered to marry me because your sister truly cares about me. That means a lot."

Ichigo's words were touching but Yushiro had one thing he wanted to know. "And how do you feel about my sister? Are you just going with the flow because it's expected of you?"

"No. I care about Yoruichi too. She means the world to me." Ichigo recalled all his experiences with the beautiful Flash Goddess and he couldn't help the widening of his smile. "She's saved me. She's trained me. She's cared for me when I was at my lowest. Yes, Yushiro, I feel deeply for your sister and I am not going with the flow. I am proud to have her as my wife."

Despite herself, Yoruichi couldn't help but blush from Ichigo's words. True, he didn't use the L word; she understood that right, for now, belonged exclusively to Orihime. But it still made her heart beat a little faster hearing him speak so strongly about her. Walking over to him, she put a hand on his shoulder while giving her brother a reassuring smile. "And I am proud to have Ichigo as my husband. Do we have your blessing, Yushiro?"

Silence filled the hallway for a moment as the young clan leader thought about it. To Ichigo's confusion, and Yoruichi's annoyance, Yushiro's eyes swelled up with tears and he gave his sister another hug. "Oh Sis! I can never be mad at you! Of course you have my blessing!" he sobbed into his sister's bosom.

"That's great to hear," said Yoruichi flatly, patting Yushiro's head while looking at Ichigo with her eyes rolled back. "We'll discuss this more in the morning. In the meantime we should all get some rest."

The younger Shihoin reluctantly let go of his sister and nodded. "Alright. I'll have breakfast made early in the morning. I have so many questions but they can wait. Ichigo, Sis. Good night." Bowing, Yushiro turned around and walked away.

The pair waited for Yushiro to leave before they turned back to each other and sighed in relief. "Well that went better than expected. I gotta say, you handled that very well, Ichigo." Leaning forward, she kissed Ichigo on the cheek. "Way to make a girl feel special."

"I meant every word, Yoruichi," Ichigo said with a blush on his face.

"I know you did. We're all very lucky to have you, Ichigo." Opening the door to her room, she led Ichigo inside. The place was far more lavishly furnished than Ichigo had expected, a four poster bed lined with lavender-colored curtains adorning it in the middle of the room. Grabbing a white robe, Yoruichi handed it to Ichigo for him to sleep in. "Here. You looked like you've been dying in that gaudy thing all day."

"You're a lifesaver." Ichigo quickly changed while Yoruichi stepped behind a dressing curtain to change into some old pajamas. "I know it's a little early for us to be sharing the bed together. Don't worry..." She walked back to Ichigo and traced his lips with a finger. "We'll save the fun stuff for our wedding night. For now, let's just get some rest, shall we?"

Quietly nodding, Ichigo followed his bride to her bed, laying down next to her after she shut the curtains to envelope them in complete darkness. He felt the weight of her head on his chest as she snuggled with him, the soft scent of her perfume lulling the tired boy into the arms of slumber...

To be continued

Omake
Field Testing

Urahara Shop

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Hiyori's nerve twitched. Working for Ikumi's Odd Jobs, she'd been hired by Kisuke to deliver some materials to the shop for him but Tessai had insisted she waited in the storefront while Kisuke ran a few tests. "Okay, that banging is driving me crazy. What the hell is that weirdo doing this time?!"

Storming past Tessai in the kids, the short Vizard kicked the door open to Kisuke's workshop. "Okay, Kisuke, what the hell are you doing making such an awful...racket?" She blinked in confusion when she saw what was going on. "Huh?"

"Ah! Hello, Hiyori." Kisuke turned around to see his old lieutenant, holding a clipboard in his hands. "Don't mind the girls. They're just doing field testing."

"Field testing?"

The room was littered with smashed wood and torn linens. On two newly constructed beds were Mashiro and Meninas, the two ladies bouncing up and down on a mannequin that was pinned underneath them on their respective beds. Hiyori was further confused when she saw Mashiro's mask was on and the Quincy's thighs looking beefy, like she could crush a concrete block between them. "The hell are they doing humping those dummies?"

"Oh, I'm trying to build Ichigo a bed that can withstand a lot of lovemaking. With Mashiro's Hollowfication and Meninas's Schrift abilities, they're going to need a bed that won't break on them. I also need to have Yoruichi run a few test beds when she gets back in case she decides to get kinky by using Shunko to-"

Crash!

One of the legs on Mashiro's bed finally broke and the bed shattered to pieces after a few more bounces. Kisuke scribbled some notes on his clipboard. "Okay. Needs more reinforcement on the legs."

Hiyori blushed at all the implications. Suddenly she felt a little sorry for what was coming to Ichigo. "Is uh...is Ichigo going to be okay?"

"Oh Hiyori, it's Ichigo we're talking about. He'll be fine."

Crash!

The two jumped when Meninas's bed was the next to break.

"...Maybe..."

END