do not own Bleach nor the characters therein. All rights go to Tite Kubo.

To guest: ironically Tatsuki arisagawa won my random lottery for the potential pairings. She and riruka really don't get much attention.

To c0pywr1t3r: I'm hoping to update often enough.

To dark knight: thank you.

To theonedevin: hope you enjoy!

"Speech"

'though'

"Special abilities/zanpakutō speaking "

Any way here's chapter 2

Hours later as the evening sun began its downward descent into the horizon Ichigo awoke. He groaned and grumbled as he sat up rubbing his temples. It felt like he'd run ten rounds with Kenpachi to him. He felt a heavy weight on his back. He began somewhat desperately to find what it was and when his fingers grazed over the sensitive skin where the tattoo was he instantly remembered what happened. He sighed as he slumped forward. No he did not regret his decision nor would he want to take it back. He just didn't expect the weight of the universe to be so awkward. Then he senses it. The multiple reiatsu signatures around him and not too far away. As he snapped out of his musings most of division zero gave a chuckle at his silent actions. Ichigo looked away sheepishly.

Hikifune Kirio was first to speak up. "Ho! It seems our hero and king has awoken!" She said as her curvaceous body jiggled with her flamboyant gestures. To Ichigo it was nothing new to see her slimmer form. She had told about it and how she ate so much to keep up with the others appetites. Though it must've been his imagination, but was she showing more skin? He put that musing away as his face heated up. The Ichibe clapped his hands twice as if to garner attention. "Kurosaki-sama. Congratulations on being crowned King of all souls. When you are ready your friends and comrades are here to celebrate your victory over Ywach." He said as his jovial smile grew ten fold. Not only were there visitors but they had brought food and drinks with them. Also Ichigo had a pleasant surprise, well two, waiting for him.

Ichigo nodded and stood. As he did the subtle thump of his foot against the wood caught him off guard. 'Yo king!' white Zangetsu spoke in his head. 'yeah Zangetsu?' he retorted. 'The reason your footsteps felt heavier should be obvious given what you are now don'cha thin?' in that moment Ichigo could have face palmed himself, but refrained. He reached for his top that was folded neatly before noticing the. Black cloth on his arm. He looked confused for a moment as Senjumaru began chuckling. "Kuchiki fukotaicho told me of your false bankai's cloak and how it looked. I felt the need to see the image myself and my, my did she not lie about how imposing and elegant it looks on you." Ichigo looked down and noticed the cloak was nearly identical to his old Bankai. Key word being almost. Yes it was a black ankle length trench coat that had a red inner lining and jagged/torn bottom hem. But what Ichigo saw that would technically be new was on his left pectoral. A Phoenix, the irony was not lost on the teen. The cloak also had a gold trim around the edges and cuffs. It also fit just a bit tighter as if one looked they could count his rock hard abs. "Thanks Senjumaru-san." He said as he turned to look at her. Senjumaru nodded and left the room to go do... Whatever it was she liked to do Ichigo supposed.

Ichibe then clapped again and gestured to the door. Ichigo nodded and followed the giant of a man out. After a few minutes walk Ichigo could hear the sounds of talking, laughter, friends. His heart swelled with joy knowing they were ok. Ichibe stopped Ichigo and briefly laid out the formalities which of course Ichigo would have to get used to. Tenjiro and oh-etsu opened the doors as ichibe stepped through and let his voice boom out. "Ladies and gentlemen. I Hyosubi Ichibe am proud to introduce you to the victor of the thousand year blood war, hero of the winter war, new Soul King. Kurosaki Ichigo!" After he finished speaking he began clapping as Ichigo walked in. Tenjiro stubbing up at the idea while oh-etsu was being... Well oh-etsu. Soon Senjumaru and Kirio walked in to join the festivities with a gigantic platter of desserts.

As Ichigo made his way into the gala hall he was practically bum rushed by friends. Byakuya was first to congratulate him. Being stiff in it as usual. Thou he was still healing that much was obvious. Then Rukia stepped punching him in the arm "Soul King ne? Of course you wouldn't let anyone else be burdened with this you stubborn carrot." Ichigo was annoyed at the nickname but decided to get even "of course not midget. You're way to short for the job." He smirked as Rukia visibly was taken aback, but soon regained her composure and gave him a hug. Kenpachi who was on a crutch and covered in injuries smiled at Ichigo "looks like ya really did it kid. As soon as I'm healed I'll be back for our rematch you owe me." With that he walked away. For some reason Ichigo didn't feel scared about the challenge. Then he heard his name being called loudly moments before his head was enveloped in a warm, soft embrace. 'Rangiku. Of course.' he thought as there were only two people he knew who would dive bomb him and try to press his head into their cleavage. Unfortunately this happened enough to where he could discern the difference between Rangiku and Nel by scent alone. Nel smelled of desert flowers and sand, a very fitting scent given her home. Rangiku on the other hand smelled of strawberry and vanilla, which Ichigo often thought suited her well, though he would rather die than admit it. He smelled Rangiku's scent and pried himself free saying "Hello Rangiku." Moments before a dezombified Toshiro admonished her for being so perverted towards the soul king. As Toshiro congratulated Ichigo he drug Rangiku away to keep her from suffocating the poor boy. Yoruichi and Kisuke walked grinning like Cheshire cats. The irony that it was technically true for one of the two was palpable. "Yare yare Kurosaki-san!" Kisuke started "you've certainly done well. But we made a special trip to the world of the living for you." He added. Before Ichigo could ask Kisuke and yoruichi stepped to the side and Ichigo was bowled over by two short things. He soon recognized them. "Yuzu! Karin!" He cried as he hugged them. They were crying into his chest saying how much they had missed their Onii-chan. As Ichigo stood up with the girls he heard his father speak. "Oi oi! Give your brother a chance to breathe." Isshin said as he smiled that goofy smile he always did. "Hey oyaji-san" Ichigo said as he had a serene smile on his face. Isshin knew Ichigo was currently on overload cause he didn't immediately use his nickname of goat chin. "Evening son. You never do things easy do you?" He asked half jokingly. Of course he knew Ichigo would do this. He knew his son all too well for him to take the easy route.

Soon the party started. People were eating and drinking while sharing stories. Ikkaku shared the story of when he first met Ichigo in Soul society to Yuzu and Karin. They were amazed that their brothers first opponent in the Seiretei was a third seat. Their father decided to be honest with them since he knew what was coming. They knew their brother was strong but they didn't believe he was that strong.

Soon the girls began to get tired. Being untrained humans in the royal palace with so many strong individuals around them had taken its toll. Isshin picked them up and left after saying goodbye to his son. Ichigo was standing there at a loss surrounded by friends and comrades. Soon Ichibe came over and drug him away. Surrounded by squad zero and out of ear shot he began. "Kurosaki-sama. To help maintain the peace you brought. We have been thinking. Perhaps it would be best if you were to be Wed." Ichibe couldn't finish that sentence as Ichigo started freaking out. Ichigo had never had a girlfriend much less considered a wife. Ichibe places a strong hand on Ichigo's shoulder. "Do not fret. You do not have to if you don't desire. We merely suggest the idea as a means of bolstering peace. Unlike traditional royalty you get to choose whether or not you produce an heir." Ichibe said in his best attempts to quell Ichigo's fears. Ichigo sighed and looked the man in the eye. "Never a dull moment when I'm around ne? Osho-san?" He asked as a joke. It was more of the hidden meaning. Ichigo was willing to get married if it meant peace. Ichibe then laughed heartily "I excellent we'll talk with the women of your life and see who is willing to become a queen." Ichigo had a bad feeling about this idea as division zero walked away. 'I'd bet a nickel against a dime that miss blonde and bountiful would wanna get a hold of that sceptor ne kingy?!' white Zangetsu cackled in Ichigo's head. Blood rushed to his face at the thought. Which didn't go unnoticed by a certain goddess of flash. "Oi Ichigo! What's with that face. You look almost like your namesake!" She said as she pressed her chest against his back. This made Ichigo wince just a tiny bit. Mostly from the contact. "Not thinking about something lewd are we?" She whispered in his ear. Her breath tickling his neck. Making more blood rush to his face as he blurted out something about perverted neko's and stormed off. Yoruichi laughed at her own teasing. It never failed to see Ichigo so flustered. Though she felt both jealousy and putt for the woman who did get his heart. She'd get a man so loyal that he'd die for her and if she knew Ichigo like she thought she did he'd be twice that in bed. Thought alone made her knees weak.

Well this is the end of chapter 2. Hope you guys enjoy. Remember be civil with your reviews. See later space cowboy.