A.N.: This story was commissioned by Anonymous. Please see my bio page for information if you want a commission done.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

12 Brides and a Strawberry

Chapter 17

A few days later…
Ichigo's Mansion

"Whew!" Ichigo walked into his new home, fresh off his honeymoon with Bambietta. Thankfully the boy survived his third honeymoon with the Quincy, although Bambietta certainly didn't make it easy, letting out all her pent up frustration upon her husband during the entire getaway.

Walking beside him, Bambietta had on a very happy smile, one she had for the first time in a very long time. Over the course of their honeymoon, Bambietta slowly started to open up to her husband and became more relaxed; when they weren't fucking like animals, that is.

'Note to self: apologize to Kisuke for all the stuff we broke at the cottage…' thought Ichigo as he looked around but finding the place empty. "Wonder where everyone is?"

"Eh, I'm sure they're all at Askin's or something."

"Wait, isn't Askin staying here?"

"No, I mean his new job. Meni called me and told me that your friend Kisuke was helping go into business or something. Probably opening up a pharmacy or something since that guy's into the whole "Lethal Dose" thing. I don't know, I just know that she and Candi are at Kisuke's getting their bodies fixed up."

"I see. I'm glad. I know how much those horrid stitches and scars were affecting them," said Ichigo, remembering his conversation with Candice.

"Well that and according to Meni apparently Kisuke's bringing someone else back to life."

"Wait, what?! Who else is Kisuke bringing back?"

Bambietta shrugged as she and Ichigo walked towards their bedrooms. "Dunno. When Kisuke brought me back, there were two other bodies in some weird pods Kisuke kept them in. I assumed Askin was one of them. Don't know who's in the other."

"I see…well, I guess it makes sense. You guys were just as much victims of Yhwach was we were."

"That's…" Bambietta's expression softened from hearing her husband's kind words. "That's charitable of you, Ichigo. Although I don't think most Soul Reapers will see it that way."

Ichigo's thoughts immediately turned to Renji. He didn't know how to handle the situation with the angry lieutenant but he knew that something had to be done before things escalated to violence. "Well, we'd better get our stuff unpacked and relax."

"Sure."

The couple walked down the hallway, their footsteps echoing loudly. Bambietta dipped into her room to get undressed and slip on something more casual. As he passed by the Soul Reaper brides' rooms, Ichigo noticed that Rangiku's was cracked open.

Taking a peek, Ichigo looked inside to find Rangiku, sitting at a small desk scribbling away. "Hey, Rangiku. What's up?"

The strawberry blonde turned around, her face lighting up when she saw her betrothed. The strawberry blonde sat wearing gray sweatpants and a white shirt. "Ichigo! You're back!" Getting out of her chair, she gestured for Ichigo to step out of the doorway. "Come in! How was your honeymoon with Bambi?"

"I think I might need Orihime," confessed Ichigo, pulling his shirt to the side to show him one of the many bite marks Bambietta had left him with.

Scratching the back of her head, Rangiku chuckled. "Yeah, Askin and the other Quincy girls kinda made us worried you weren't coming out of this one in one piece. But Yoruichi and I had faith you'd pull through."

The Substitute and his busty bride hugged. Rangiku gave her fiancé a kiss on the cheek while running a hand soothingly up his back, although that made him wince from her touching the many, many claw marks Bambietta left him with. "Um…so I was thinking…you wanna go on a date?" Of all his remaining brides, he'd yet to have any real time with Rangiku outside of his and Orihime's heart with her after they found out the truth of what'd happened to her during the war.

"A date? Sure, I'd love to!" Rangiku immediately rushed over to her wardrobe. "Ooh, what should I wear? Should we go somewhere fancy? Or is this a more causal date?"

"I was thinking maybe a picnic?"

Rangiku's face lit up. "I love it! I'll be ready in a bit! Or…" She turned her head and winked at the boy. "Maybe you'd like to watch me change?"

Despite everything Ichigo had been through, Rangiku could still make him blush. "Erm…I should go talk to Liltotto and see if she has what we need or if I need to run to the store."

"Heheh, alright. I'll meet you in the foyer than."

Ichigo turned to leave Rangiku to change before he remembered something. "Oh right, where's everyone else?"

"Candice and Meninas are with Askin helping him with his new store. I think Orihime is meeting someone. Yoruichi is helping with Kisuke. Mashiro is back in the Soul Society. And the Arrancar girls are all in Hueco Mundo."

"And Riruka?"

"Still in bed. She's not feeling well. After getting several good test scores, she decided to indulge herself by binging on a box of donuts."

"Yep. That'll do it. I'll see you in a bit."

With that, Ichigo stepped out of Rangiku's bedroom, closing the door behind him before heading off to his room to go get changed…

Meanwhile…
Hueco Mundo; Las Noches

Inside the reconstructed throne room of Las Noches, Halibel sat upon her throne with Nelliel standing by her side. Her three subordinates, the Tres Bestia, all sat around on the edge of the large pit in the center of the room. Sung-Sun was busy showing off the designs for her wedding dress, making Mila Rose and Apacci jealous. The queen and her confidant were busy discussing their details of their upcoming wedding when the doors to the chamber open. Both women turned to find Rudbornn, leader of the Exequias, entering the throne room. "My ladies. We have a visitor from the Soul Society."

"A visitor? Is it one of the captains?" asked Halibel curiously, thinking it was Kyoraku.

But the man shook his head. "No, my queen. It's one of the lieutenants: Renji Abarai."

Nelliel blinked in confusion. "Renji? What's he doing here? Is his captain here too?"

Again Rudbornn shook his head. "No. It's just him. He is requesting an audience with Lady Halibel. He says it's about the truce with the Soul Society."

The two women looked at each other. They knew of Renji's contempt for the marriage deal with Ichigo to seal the peace treaty they had with the Soul Society and the Vandenreich, so to hear that Renji had come to talk to them about it seemed very out of character. "Very well, send him in."

Rudbornn bowed and left the chamber. As soon as he was gone, Halibel whispered something into Nel's ear. The greenette nodded and left the throne room through a side door. A few seconds later, the huge doors to the throne room opened again and Rudbornn returned, this time with his guest.

"Lieutenant Abarai. To what do I owe the pleasure? You hardly seem like the type to act as a messenger," she pointed out.

To her surprise, Renji acted rather cordial. As soon as he reached the center of the audience pit, the redhead bowed. "Queen Halibel, thank you for taking the time to let me speak."

Halibel raised an eyebrow. Renji's polite attitude was incredibly suspicious. Yoruichi had told her all about how impetuous and headstrong the redhead was. "You may lift your head, Soul Reaper. May I ask what the purpose of your visit here is?"

Renji raised his head and looked up at the blonde Arrancar. He noticed the trio staring down at him from the side of the raised pit but paid them no mind. "I am here about the peace treaty you made with Head-Captain Kyoraku. More specifically, about the marriage deal."

"I see. I understand if you have objections to me marrying your friend. I hope that you understand that my involvement in offering my hand in marriage is purely political. And if you have reservations about me or Sung-Sun, I hope you don't have a problem with Nel marrying him."

"No, of course not. Nel has proven herself trustworthy as far as I am concerned." Renji didn't feel that way about the woman in front of him, but didn't voice his disdain. Halibel had served Aizen loyally until he struck her down. As far as the lieutenant was concerned, the Arrancar queen was not to be trusted. That she forced Ichigo into a fight that he didn't want and knew he'd hold back felt like his friend was being taken for a ride even further, even if Ichigo was too busy getting laid to realize it. "I came because I thought that a second marriage would help deepen and solidify your ties with the Soul Society."

Halibel cocked her head to side, eyeing Renji with a cautious gaze. "A second marriage agreement. That's quite the bold proposal. I assume this is from your Head-Captain?"

"Yes," lied the lieutenant. "Since things are going so well with Ichigo's marriages, he felt that perhaps two weddings to Arrancar brides might help with morale."

"I see…" Halibel's face was unreadable to Renji, which made him start to feel nervous. "And who is the second lucky groom, if I may ask?'

"I am. It…was decided that because of my contributions, I would be a fitting candidate."

"Your…contributions, eh?" Halibel sat back on her throne, her steely gaze fixed to Renji. "I see. Well I've no objection if an Arrancar wishes to marry you. It isn't as if we have laws for such things here. The marriage with Ichigo was meant to set a precedent."

Renji smiled as his plan began to come to fruition…until Halibel's next sentence put the axe to it.

"Unfortunately, I have no brides that I may offer you for a wife, Lieutenant Abarai."

The sudden spike in anger almost made Renji's eyes bug out of his head from rage. "What? That's ridiculous! You were willing to offer three women to Ichigo alone! What about those two?!" He pointed up at Apacci and Mila Rose, their faces twisting with disgust at the notion of marrying the red-haired lieutenant.

Her eyes narrowing, Halibel clarified her position so that Renji understood her position. "I, Nelliel and Sung-Sun all gave our hands in marriage because of the debt that we all owe him. He saved Nelliel from Nnoitora, saved my girls from that Quincy pig and saved us all from Yhwach, including you. Had it not been for Ichigo, I would still be in the Vandenreich's dungeon. While Ichigo will not be ruling Hueco Mundo at my side, as my future husband he is entitled to certain privileges when it comes to whom he may bring to our bed. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Perhaps I should ask them what they feel? Apacci? Mila Rose? What are your thoughts on the matter? Would either of you care to wed this man?"

The horned bluenette stomped her foot, staring down at Renji in utter contempt. "Like freaking hell I'd marry this guy! I don't know him at all!"

"I concur with Apacci, loathe as I am to admit it," said Mila Rose, scowling down at the lieutenant before looking up at her queen. "Besides, there's very little chance that he can please us like Ichigo can."

Renji's forehead nerve twitched. "You want to bet I can't?"

Apacci scowled in response. "Please, who'd want to get fucked by a loser like you?" Her scowl turned into a venomous sneer. "Contributions" my ass! You got your butt handed to you by Szayelapporo when you guys busted in to rescue that orange-haired bimbo! And that dude was at the bottom of the totem pole! You had to be rescued by that Soul Reaper captain with the clown makeup if what I heard was true! Plus, I heard that you got immediately blasted by Yhwach when you and Ichigo went to go fight him in the Soul Society! Compared to Ichigo, you're only second rate!"

The statement pushed Renji over the edge. His hand immedieately went to his zanpakuto, ready to draw it. "You wanna repeat that? I'll be happy to finish what Head-Captain Yamamoto started! Only this time, I'll fry you to a fucking crisp!"

Renji took a step forward and moved to draw Zabimaru. But a hand on his shoulder stopped him. "If it's a fight you want, I'll be happy to oblige, bitch." The lieutenant turned his head to see the grinning face of Grimmjow, his eyes leering at him with bloodlust.

Glaring back at the Espada, Renji's blood boiled. He had not forgotten what the man had done to Rukia when he had launched his attack on Karakura Town all those years ago. "You wanna try me? You couldn't even beat Ichigo."

"Hah! It took that whiny runt everything he had to beat me the last time, and he barely won. I ain't the same man I was last time. And buddy, you ain't Ichigo."

Gritting his teeth with rage, Renji slowly started to draw his sword. "You're gonna wish it was Ichigo! I'm not as soft as that boy! I'LL-"

"Enough!"

The queen on her throne began to pulse menacingly with yellow spiritual pressure. Her emerald eyes stared daggers at the lieutenant. "I've entertained this farce long enough. You have worn out your welcome, Renji Abarai. Leave. Now."

Grimmjow snickered. "So what's it going to be, bitch? Are you going to walk with your tail between your legs? Or am I going to have fun?"

Renji weighed his options. On the one hand, he was immensely stronger now that he had undergone his training at the Royal Palace and should be able to take the man. On the other, he was currently in the enemy fortress by himself and he couldn't expect the Arrancars to let him fight them one at a time. Fighting Grimmjow, Halibel and her two subordinates might be too much for him to handle. And his defeat at the hands of Uryu reminded him that as far as he'd come, he still wasn't invincible. "I'll leave. For now," he added, looking up at Halibel. Scowling at Grimmjow, he shoved his way past him and left the throne room to return to the Garganta he came in from.

The doors closed behind him and the two subordinates of Halibel breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness…" muttered Apacci. "That could have gone really bad for a moment."

Mila Rose was hesitant to agree but she nodded all the same. "Yes, while he was an idiot, he's still a powerful idiot."

"Heh, you two bitches might have been quaking in your boots but he's no match for me," said Grimmjow with a dismissive sneer.

The side door opened and Nelliel returned. "I just got off the phone with Yoruichi and Mashiro. They told me that neither Kyoraku nor Byakuya sent Renji to Hueco Mundo."

"Hmm…so we can infer that his statement about Kyoraku wanting a second marriage was a lie then. Did he seriously think he could just waltz in here, demand women for a harem and get away with it?"

Nelliel shook her head in disbelief. "I knew that he was always reckless but…I never knew him to be like this."

"Hmm…men can be quite like that. Wouldn't you agree, Grimmjow?"

The blue-haired Arrancar rolled his eyes. "Don't put me in the same league as that red-haired baboon. Next person who comes in unannounced, I'm just gonna kill them. Don't care if it's Ichigo or one of the captains."

"And like that, you've just proved my point."

Meanwhile…

Back in Karakura Town, Ichigo led his Soul Reaper bride up a hill behind the mansion they shared. The young man was carrying a picnic basket full of food while Rangiku carried a large blanket. Once they reached the top of the hill, Rangiku spread out her blanket and the two sat down, enjoying the breeze. Rangiku smiled warmly as she sat next to her fiancé, the sound of nature all around them. "This was such a good idea. I know you must feel exhausted after spending so much time getting intimate with Bambietta. Don't worry…" She winked at the teen. "You don't have to worry about me breaking your hips. Not today, at least."

Ichigo chuckled and opened the picnic basket, handing her a sandwich and a bottle of juice. The couple ate in a comfortable silence, the breeze washing over them gently as they looked at their new home.

Finishing her sandwich, Rangiku laid down on Ichigo, resting her head softly on his lap. Looking down at his bride, Ichigo smiled down at her while running a hand tenderly through her hair. "How are you feeling?"

Closing her eyes, Rangiku took a moment to answer. "Tired. Being the wedding planner for multiple weddings has given been giving me migraines. I never thought I'd say this but I'll take paperwork over this."

"Want me to call Toshiro?"

"Don't you dare!"

The pair laughed together before settling into another comfortable silence. "So…um…about what we agreed to earlier…"

"Yes?" Rangiku stared up at her future husband with honest eyes. "If you are having second thoughts, Ichigo, I perfectly understand. We don't have to have a child right away. You're still young. We can wait a few years. I understand you've a lot on your plate right now. Sleepless nights of changing diapers can wait."

"No, I'm okay about having a child. Well, maybe…" he looked to the side and his fear betrayed him. "I'm just…not sure what kind of a child we'll have. Did…did my Dad tell you…"

"About your mom and your Inner Hollow? Yeah, he sat me and my captain down after the war to explain where he'd been all this time."

As Rangiku sat up, Ichigo put his fears out on the table. Before they started to make a child, he wanted Rangiku to understand the baggage that might come with it. "Kisuke told my Dad that the Hollow who'd infected Mom would be passed down through her line. Of course, I inherited it. We don't know if Yuzu or Karin have it, but there's a strong possibility. Which means if we have a child…"

"It'll be part human, part Soul Reaper and part Hollow. I understand." Rangiku nodded as she digested what she heard. "I understand. Thank you for telling me this. But you don't have to worry. Whatever happens with our child, we'll confront it together." She reached down slowly to cup Ichigo's hands, giving her fiancé a happy smile. "And we'll have Kisuke and Yoruichi to help us if it really comes down to it."

Rangiku's reassuring smile warmed Ichigo's heart. He leaned forward and gave the strawberry blonde a soft kiss on the lips. Rangiku replied with a soft kiss of her own. "So, have you been thinking of names?" she asked.

"I haven't had any time to think of much, to be honest. You?"

"Oh, I've a few ideas. But first, what else did you pack? I'm hungry."

Ichigo reached into the basket to hand her a piece of chicken. The two continued to talk about children all throughout while enjoying their time together…

Meanwhile…

In front of a recently opened café, Orihime sipped at her coffee nervously. Across from her sat Rukia. The noirette looked better since their last conversation but her violet eyes told her that she was still under a lot of stress.

Rukia hadn't touched her coffee. She sat in her chair, in her Gigai, while taking deep breaths. Orihime said nothing, waiting for her friend to speak her mind at her own pace. "So…things…haven't gotten any better with Renji. He won't talk to me or anyone for that matter. My brother…he's…about had it with him too. He's been ignoring his duties as Byakuya's lieutenant to try and accomplish whatever vendetta he has against Ichigo. There's a rumor going around that he snuck into the Head-Captain's office to contact Squad Zero. If that's true, then Byakuya will be livid. If Renji really did sneak into Head-Captain Kyoraku's office, there will be consequences. Even if Kyoraku is a different leader than Yamamoto," she added.

"I see…" Orihime nervously took another sip of coffee before setting her cup down. "How does this make you feel?"

"It makes me feel angry. It makes me feel like he's burning what we've tried so hard to make work just because of his jealousy to Ichigo."

"Jealousy?"

"I can't really think of whatever else to call it. Renji…has always had an inferiority complex. Seeing Ichigo being given his own harem, a mansion and the admiration of everyone in the three worlds must have caused him to spiral. I…don't know how to feel about Renji anymore."

Orihime reached forward to touched Rukia's hand. "He loves you, Rukia! I know he does! I'm certain we can do something to remind him of it."

But Rukia didn't share Orihime's optimism. She looked away, her face a myriad of emotions. "I…don't know. After the execution, we finally started to open up to each other after being separated for forty years. But even then, I noticed how he changed. He wasn't the same boy I fell in love with all those years ago. After the battle with Aizen, I threw myself into my role as Captain Ukitake's lieutenant. At the time we dated off and on and for a while, it seemed like we could make it work. But then, Kisuke alerted us to the Fullbringers approaching Ichigo and he revealed his plan to restore Ichigo's powers. At the time I didn't take much note of it since we were all contributing but thinking back, Renji didn't put too much of his energy into Kisuke's sword."

"Then…well, the Vandenreich attacked and you know what came next. My brother was robbed of his Bankai and left for dead. Renji was powerless to stop any of it, had his zanpakuto destroyed and was knocked away while Ichigo came to save the day and drove off Yhwach." Rukia picked up her cup and took a long sip of coffee to steady her nerves. "I understand why Renji would object to Ichigo marrying those Quincies. I honestly can. You deserve a medal for staying with them in the same house, if I'm being honest."

"I know. I haven't forgiven them for what they did to you guys. But…"

Rukia nodded in understanding. "But we need to move on from grudges if we're to avoid the mistakes of the past. I know that. You know that. I hear it took him a while but Ichigo eventually understands that. But Renji can't. He won't and he can't. I'm afraid he's going to do something stupid but at this rate, only my brother can knock some sense into him now…"

"Have you…tried talking to Ichigo?"

Shaking her head, Rukia sat back in her chair. "No. He's got too much on his plate to deal with and Renji going mad with jealousy is something he shouldn't have to worry about. He'll blame himself for Renji's attitude. You know how he is…" Rukia's face softened while thinking about Orihime's husband. "He can't help but try to shoulder all our burdens."

"I know. But you know he'll help you if you talk to him."

Rukia nodded. Thinking about Ichigo and the good man he'd become, she couldn't help but smile. "Maybe…I should-"

"THERE YOU ARE!"

The girls almost jumped out of their seats, Rukia dropping her cup of coffee on the ground and shattering it. "Renji?! What are you doing here?"

In his own Gigai, the lieutenant stomped his way towards the two girls. Seeing Orihime, his eyes burned with anger. "Why are you talking to her?!"

"What do you mean? She's my best friend!"

"Friend? Friends don't stay in the same house with people who tried to kill us! Come on! We're leaving!"

Renji grabbed Rukia's arm and jerked her out of the chair. "Ow! Renji! Let go! You're hurting me!"

"Stop struggling! We're leaving and that's final!" Renji took a few steps forward…and immediately dropped to his knees as a toxic sensation hit him. "Nghhh! W-what the fuck?!"

"Now, now, didn't your mama teach you any manners?" The door to the café opened and Askin Nak La Varr stepped out. "That's not how you treat a lady. Mind not making a scene in front of the shop? You'll drive away my customers."

Realizing he'd stepped into Askin's Gift Pool, Renji glared daggers at the Quincy while Orihime pulled Rukia away before she was affected by Askin's Schrift. "You…"

Askin matched the intensity of Renji's glare. "You aren't going to win this argument, Red. If you behave, I'll lift the Gift Pool."

Renji threatened to pop out of his Gigai. "You think I can't take you? I'll make you wish Kisuke left you in the grave."

"Then how about me, Eyebrows!"

From behind Askin emerged the H Stern Ritter, Bazz-B. While going through the rubble of Wahrwelt, Kisuke had discovered his slain body and secreted him away before he could be conscripted into Mayuri's Corpse Squad like Meninas and Candice had. Once Bambietta and Askin were revived, Kisuke got to work reviving him; he and Kyoraku felt it only right after he helped them get to the Soul King's Palace.

Askin lifted his power, letting Renji rise to his feet. From behind Bazz-B emerged Candice and Meninas. The three Quincies were all now working for Askin at his café now that they were all in need of a job. Renji cursed. For the second time today he was outnumbered by his enemies. Between the four Quincies and Orihime, he was up to his haunches with treacherous hyenas.

Turning to Rukia, Renji's eyes burned with fury. "So now you're getting cozy with more of our enemies? Traitor!" he shouted into her face before stomping away. "The Head-Captain will hear of this! Don't you dare show your face, Rukia! It's clear you've lost your fucking mind!"

Renji stomped away, leaving the six where they stood. Tears stung the edges of Rukia's eyes but she wiped them away. "No, Renji. The only one here who's lost his mind."

"Rukia…" Orihime walked to her friend and put a hand on her shoulder. "Are you going to be alright?"

"I'll be fine. But…I'll need to call Byakuya. It's time he and Renji had a little chat."

Meanwhile…

Back at the manor, Ichigo and Rangiku had wrapped up their picnic and were heading inside. While the entered the foyer, they saw the air in front of them warp and twist, signaling the opening of a Garganta.

Indeed, the black maw of the void opened and Nelliel stepped through. "Sorry about the Garganta. I know we agreed no portals in the house, but I came to get you, Ichigo."

"Me? What's happening, Nel?"

"I'll explain on the way. You're needed back in Hueco Mundo. It's…complicated."

Rangiku gave him an understanding nod and Ichigo headed inside the Garganta with Nelliel. As the maw closed, the lieutenant pulled out her phone and sent a text. She had a feeling this had something to do with a certain red-haired lieutenant. "I hope those three can get through to him. If not, this is going to get ugly."

To be continued…

Omake

Great Inspiration

Vizard Hideout

Shinji and Rose entered their old building, taking the day off from their responsibilities as captains to see how their friends were doing and to check up on Mashiro and Ichigo. However, as they entered the large warehouse, Shinji saw Lisa sitting at a huge desk, books piled up around her. "What's up, Lisa? Did you buy all of these books yourself?"

However, as they approached, they realized that Lisa was signing the title page of each book. "I've gone into business as an author. I'm signing advance copies of my books before they're shipped out."

Rose walked over to one of the tall piles and lifted the book on top. On the cover was a young man surrounded by twelve women. Curious, he flipped it open and read a few pages only for his face to turn cherry red. "I…see your tastes have given you a…interesting writing style."

Shinji didn't even have to read one of her books to know what Lisa was all about. "Gone into buiesness as an erotic writer, eh?" he snickered.

Lisa looked up and shrugged. "People love sensual stories. And I aim to deliver."

"I hope you plan on sharing your spoils with Ichigo," said Rose as he continued to read a few pages. "A boy is forced into a marriage with twelve beautiful women? Where have we heard that before?"

Lisa gave her friends a knowing smile. "What can I say? This whole whacky mess has given me a lot of inspiration."

Shinji grabbed a book out of curiosity and looked through it. "Some of this feels awfully specific. How do you know so much of his love life, Lisa?"

Looking back up, Lisa flashed a dirty smile at the two captains. "I have my sources. You can take those books if you want. Now if you please? I've got over two hundred books to sign before the end of the day."

The two men turned and left the warehouse, Rose burying himself into Lisa's book. "Who do you think her informant is? Mashiro?"

Shinji nodded. "Gotta be. Who else would blab to her about the girls' intimate details?"

While the two men walked away, Lisa pulled out her phone and looked over the messages her informant had given her. "Hmm…so Bambietta was a huge sadomasochist eh? This'll make me a mint!" grinned the Vizard, taking out a notepad and scribbling the info down onto it. "Gotta make sure I give Orihime a bonus for such juicy info!"

END