new Soul King chapter 3: marriage proposals and a blushing strawberry

Sorry for not updating sooner. The Internet company took forever to repair a downed line because of a squirrel believe it or not.

"Speech"

'thoughts'

"Special abilities/zanpakutō speaking"

As always read and review.

After having stormed off due to Yoruichi's teasing Shunsui decided to talk to the boy alone. While he did have a reputation as a womanizer in his youth it was mostly a front for his insecurities. "Oi Ichigo!" Shunsui called out to get the young king's attention. As Ichigo looked to him he greeted him as always. "Yo Kyriyaku taicho." Shunsui chuckled a moment before speaking again. "Soū taicho now." He boasted as he spun around to show the kanji for one on the back of his hyori. "I know I know. What's central fourty-six thinking putting me in charge. Well aside from Unohana taicho I was the only captain both old enough and strong enough to assume the position. It didn't hurt that in Yama-ji's will, he named me his successor." Shunsui explained as he spun around to face the boy. He saw the look on Ichigo's face and instantly knew what he was thinking 'in a way that makes sense.'. Shunsui then gave a soft smile. Not his usual lazy one, but a genuine smile of kindness. "On behalf of all and I do mean all. Thank you for everything. There's no doubt in my mind that without you we would have lost not only the war with the Quincy, but also the war with Aizen. We would never have seen his plans coming until it was too late." His genuine mirth took Ichigo by surprise. Yeah he knew that he was a big help in both wars, but he just saw it as the right thing to do.

Shunsui then sighed for a moment getting Ichigo's attention again. "Now I saw that little interaction between Lady Shihoin and yourself. Now I know I can't just say don't let it get to ya. You're still very young. She mostly does that to make people react. Being the former head of the Omnitsukido corps she can read most people like an open book. So she knows just what to say to throw you off guard because instinctually it's a tactical advantage in combat.".

Hearing this Ichigo let out his own sigh and shook his head. "I know, but sometimes I think she goes a little too far. She must've over heard me and Osho-san talking about a sort of peace treaty type of deal." When he finished Shunsui raised the eyebrow above his remaining eye. "And what kind of peace treaty would that be?" He asked in genuine curiosity. Not knowing the zero division members all too well he was truly wondering what they could have advised Ichigo on. Ichigo saw this and spoke up. "They suggested that I get married. At least to one woman of each race. I honestly don't know what I would do to even begin such a thing. I've never had a girlfriend much less considered getting married." Ichigo confided in the Soū taicho. Shunsui scratched the stubble he liked to call a beard and thought for a moment. 'Jeez not even Soul King for a day and they wanna get him married off. Not to just one woman but multiple. Poor kid. The universe never seems to cut him a break.'. He soon came to his next sentence. "Well I honestly don't think it's a bad idea. At least for the immediate moment it would ensure some peace. Especially given how sore the Quincy were after losing. Have you given some thoughts about whom you want to marry?". He asked curiously.

Ichigo began blushing furiously yet again. "Hell no!" He all but shouted making the Soū taicho laugh. "Again I've never dated anyone. I don't know the first thing about women or marriage aside from showing them the utmost respect." Ichigo continued. His face, a blazing cherry red color. Ichigo again began to panic over the idea until Shunsui chuckled. This made the boy scowl to the man. "Ichigo, if not knowing anything about women was enough of a reason to stop someone from dating or even getting married then humans, shinigami, etcetera would have gone extinct eons ago." This one comment did more to calm Ichigo's worries than anything else this far.

"Oh no. My dad's gonna be absolutely freaking out when he hears about this. He'll be demanding grandkids for... Until I give him some." Ichigo's head began to ache at that thought. He could vividly picture how that would play out. Though he did chuckle at the idea of multiple women knocking some sense into him. Or at least try anyway.

Shunsui laughed at that statement. He remembered when Isshin was the tenth divisions taicho. The man was an absolute wild card and Shunsui now could see where Ichigo got his dramatic nature from. 'Like father like son I suppose.' he thought as he watched the boy rub his temples. "Well either way Ichigo congratulations on the biggest promotion ever." He said as he swooped in and wrapped an arm around Ichigo. "Now let's go grab a drink and celebrate before you get the old ball and chain tied to you." He joked as he guided Ichigo to the bar. And before Ichigo could protest Shunsui reminded the boy that he was the soul king now and thus could practically do whatever he wanted and he'd have to get used to having at least one or two drinks at social events such as this. As they sat at the makeshift bar where I Oh-etsu was bartending a familiar voice shouted from behind them. "Oi what are you doing Ichigo! You're underage!" Shunsui and Ichigo spun around in unison. Standing before them was an average height girl around Ichigo's age dressed in camouflage cargo pants and a black tank top, with short, spikey black hair. "Sup Tatsuki?" Ichigo said sheepishly as he tried to placate his innocence. Tatsuki just continued to glare daggers into Ichigo until Shunsui spoke up on his behalf. "He is the Soul King now. So where social events such as war victory celebrations are concerned he's gotta get used to having at least one or two weak drinks. Something simple like a light beer or wine. If this were just a little hang out between friends I'd probably be drinking him under the table." Tatsuki stared at Shunsui. Something about the tall man struck her as off. He just seemed too kind and jovial for a shinigami. At least if Ichigo's stories were to be believed.

Shunsui then sighed and slouched a bit. "I understand that you're defensive of our dear strawberry here, however even you must admit that a little alcohol would do him some good. We both know that he's a man of action not politics." Shunsui proclaimed to get the young girls annoyance to die down. "Now I swear as the Soū taicho of the gotei thirteen to not let him get drunk. We don't need a Transcendent being getting too drunk. Especially with his lack of control." Shunsui said with a raised hand and proud smile. Tatsuki felt a knot in her gut at the idea of a drunk Ichigo.

Ichigo hearing the conversation gave Shunsui a dirty look at calling him strawberry. As they spun back round Tatsuki sat with them Oh-etsu was ready to pour drinks. He pulled out three shot glasses and filled them with an opaque red liquid. Tatsuki and Ichigo looked hesitantly at their glasses while Shunsui simply downed his and let out a satisfied sigh. Ichigo picked up his glass and took a small sip. Despite it being fairly weak wine it still had a burn going down. At least to Ichigo's mind, however as he'd never had alcohol before it was to be expected as he coughed from the sting of the alcohol. "How do people stand to drink this crap!" Ichigo exclaimed to which Oh-etsu and Shunsui looked appalled at his declaration. Tatsuki taking a page from Shunsui's book tried and failed to down her glass. She immediately regretted that decision as she too was an alcohol virgin and felt the burn from the weak wine in her throat. As she coughed and pounded her chest she tried to

To look smugly at Ichigo only to be shocked that he'd actually managed to finish his without coughing it out.

Shunsui then turned and stood up shouting to the gathered people. "Our dear soul king has lost his alcohol virginity!" He then held up another shot of wine and downed it. The gathered shinigami and crew cheered and laughed at the Soū taicho's comment. Ichigo felt mortified at the phrasing of the statement.

Ichibe who'd been standing less than thirty feet away then let his smile stretch wide as he clapped his hands twice. 'Time to really get the party going!' he thought as he addressed the crowd. "Honored guests of the soul king! Through recent deliberations we along with Kurosaki-sama have come to the decision to help build and maintain this new found peace that Kurosaki-sama shall be Wed to at least one member of each race!" He said as he held up one massive finger before continuing. "All women gathered here who so wish to be the bride of the soul king please speak now your reasons!" He said as the gathering fell quiet... Well mostly quiet.

As if on cue Isshin shiba-Kurosaki had just returned from putting Ichigo's sisters to bed and heard ichibe's statement. And as Ichigo had predicted he immediately became an insufferable bafoon bouncing around shouting for joy that his son would in his words "finally become a man and fulfill every man's dream." That was until the Swift hand of Unohana Retsu met the back of his head rendering him unconscious.

If ichigo felt mortified before then this just synched the deal. He hung his head in his hands to hide his face turning bright red. He wanted nothing more than to hide right now until a voice in his head made itself known. "Ichigo. Do not feel ashamed. This is a natural course for the path you've chosen. And if I may offer advice. Give miss Arisagawa a chance. While we both know Orihime has had affections for you, I feel that your oldest friend at least deserves to make any feelings she holds known." Ichigo mentally sighed as heard old man Zangetsu speak. 'You're right old man. She knows me better than anyone else here. Except you and white of course.'. Old man Zangetsu gave a simple grunt of acknowledgement to Ichigo's comment. With that Ichigo stood up and took a deep breath to calm the raging storm of emotions in his head.

Ichigo then turned to face Tatsuki who was far redder than he was and seemed to be doing some difficult mental gymnastics to make a decision. Ichigo then turned his head to the crowd and gulped. He felt it. The change in the energy of the party. Men were staring at him with both jealousy and pity. Though there were two exceptions. Kurotsuchi Maiyuri the taicho of the twelfth division who seemed to be plotting some form of experimentation. And Kenpachi Zaraki taicho of the eleventh division who didn't seem to care either way. Ichigo could assume their reasons for their reactions, however what terrified him most wasn't the mad scientist's apparent intentions, but rather the gathered females.

Amongst the gathered women who heard the proclamation there seemed to be an almost predatory energy coming from them. It made Ichigo feel like a piece of meat hung in a tank full of starving piranhas. Though Ichigo saw some faces he didn't quite recognize. He recognized their attire and could tell what these four were. The first two were dressed in white shihaksoū though heavily modified in either case. The first was a tall muscular woman with long, curly, brown hair with a sort of crown of white adorning her head. Her mocha skin almost reminded him of Yoruichi. The other was by comparison more fair skinned but still dark woman with short blonde hair. The noticeable difference to her compatriots outfit was her top was a cropped jack with a high collar covering her from the nose to just barely beneath her bountiful breasts. Her hakama hung slightly low on her hips showing the distinctive hollow hole in her lower abdomen. She seemed to not really care to be here with her posture but Ichigo felt it fair given the history here.

The taller one spoke up first. "Hallibel-sama are you sure you wanna marry that brat? Yeah I know he saved your life, but you said it yourself that rebuilding Los Noches came first." The blonde woman closed her emerald eyes and spoke. "Yes Mila Rose I am sure." She said, her voice was calm and smooth. "And you will be joining me in this endeavor. As queen of Los Noches and Hueco Mundo I must ensure peace and this is not only our best chance but we owe him a great debt and I see no other way to repay that debt." She added knowing her Fraccion wouldn't disobey her orders. "As for ruling Los Noches Neliel can handle it, especially with appaci and Sung-sun there to help her." Ichibe who'd been keenly listening laughed heartedly and spoke up. "Kurosaki-sama's wives of the hollows and arrancar have been decided!". The other women began musing to themselves. The unanimous thoughts among them were blatantly obvious. Ichigo was practically the living definition of what a good man should be. Loyal, strong, kind, and so much more. He was the ideal catch to any woman in any realm and it wasn't even close.

Of the other two women Ichigo didn't recognize were two women dressed in modified Quincy sternritter uniforms. One was a tall woman with lime green hair who seemed miffed at Ichigo for some reason. Her uniform was a sleeveless crop top and a pair of booty shorts with a lightning bolt shaped belt buckle finished with thigh high boot. Her comrade was a slightly shorter girl with long black hair a standard top with a trench coat, a mini skirt and again thigh high boots. She just seemed all around pissed at the situation. She spoke up "I guess as the only female Quincy representatives we, Bambieta Basterbine and Candice Catnip, shall marry your precious soul king." She then cocked her head away hiding the slight blush creeping up her face.

Ichibe then made the announcement that his Quincy wives had been chosen and as he looked among the crowd it was Kirio who spoke up. "And as a member of the zero division and Royal guard I, Hikifune Kirio, shall become one of Kurosaki-sama's wives. It is only natural since I quite literally live here in the royal palace already and am tasked with the sacred duties to protect and feed the soul king!". She then beat her fist against her impossibly large bust making it bounce wildly. Bambieta Basterbine had noticed this and thought to herself 'Fake.' which made her snicker slightly as that would have been something her friend liltotto would have said with zero hesitation.

Inoue Orihime who'd been pretty much a wallflower the entire evening then spoke up. "Um. I nominate Arisagawa Tatsuki to be kurosaki-ku... Sama's wife." This surprised everyone especially Ichigo that Orihime, the girl who was basically head over heels for Ichigo was not only choosing not to be his wife but was actively suggesting an entirely different woman get the position. Tatsuki who'd been sitting in thought finally broke with a simple, high pitched "huh.". Ichibe clapped his hands and looked at Tatsuki who looked like she would overheat at any moment and spoke to her directly. "Arisagawa Tatsuki, do you object to this?" He asked and waited for her response.

Ichigo who was standing beside her gave her a nudge. When she looked at him her grey eyes met his brown ones and he gave her the same goofy smile he gave his mom everyday she came to pick him up from karate practice. At that moment Tatsuki stood up, a bad move given the situation and alcohol, and said. "Nah someone's gotta keep this crybaby from getting a big head!" She then smirked at Ichigo who was glaring daggers at her through his red face at the old nickname. Ichibe then clapped his hands. "Great! Kurosaki-sama's human wife has been chosen!" Now the rest of the group of women began their deliberations, more like cat fighting over who'd get to be the final shinigami wife. Little did they know that a certain raven haired taicho was giving them her 'do as I say or else!' smile before speaking. "I, Unohana ret... Yachiru, shall become Kurosaki-sama's second shinigami wife. And I believe I speak for all others gathered here aside from Hikifune-san, I am the best candidate for the position."

Tier hallibel stood there indifferently. She didn't have reason to fear the taicho of the fourth division's creepy smile like the others. Mila Rose on the other hand shuddered at the implications of her statement. Bambieta and Candice just shuffled back out of instinct as the daten in the wandenreich mentioned she was a fearsome warrior if one managed to get her in the mood to draw her sword against an opponent.

Ichibe clapped a final time to garner attention. "It has been decided! Kurosaki-sama's wives are Hikifune Kirio, Unohana Yachiru, Tier Hallibel, Mila Rose, Arisagawa Tatsuki, Bambieta Basterbine, and Candice Catnip! Now as it is getting fairly late I must ask that you all return to your realms save for our king's wives!". He then put his hands in his sleeves and turned to begin walking away.

Many of the gathered women became disheartened at the news. Especially for Rangiku and Yoruichi. Though they understood that if Ichigo wanted to he could take on even more wives later. This was the more political side of the deal. They walked up to Ichigo and both put an arm around him. Yoruichi spoke first. "My my berry-chan you get seven beautiful women all to yourself. How long will it be before you make your sisters into aunts?" She cooed. And like a charm Ichigo's, and coincidentally Tatsuki's, face lit up like a traffic light as he began sputtering out incoherent noises. Yoruichi and Rangiku laughed. "Oh relax Ichigo we're only teasing. You get to live most men's fantasy, but we know how you are. It'll be quite a while before you're ready to take that leap. After all it's a harder thing to master than Bankai." Rangiku said before giving him a peck on the cheek and leaving. Yoruichi just gave him a tight hug and joined Rangiku. Ichigo just stood there in a daze as his mind had essentially crashed and needed to reboot.

After everyone left and Ichigo was surrounded by his new wives he somewhat deflated. The gravity of the situation and strain of reality itself setting in. Tatsuki looked around her and Ichigo and one thing became apparent even when she locked eyes with Bambieta. Ichigo was drowning in boobs and she felt quite small by comparison. Looked down at her own flat chest and gave her petite A-cups a gentle rub and sighed. Kirio noticed this and spoke up. "Don't worry I'm sure my cooking will help you both fill out your bodies." Tatsuki and Bambieta blushed at the comment.

And just like that chapter 3 is done. Hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. Though I have to admit I actually had to go back and rewrite it 4-5 times before it felt good to me. It just felt off. And another 2-3 times proof reading the mistakes. Probably my pacing, but I'm not known for my patience .

See ya later space cowboy