ccc
One moment, he was standing in the Shiba mess hall and stating his farewell to Bambietta. The next, the floor vanished beneath his feet, the scenery changed in an instant of bursting smoke, and he plunged facefirst into a crevice of…
Pillows? It almost felt like two warm pillows… with a soft and sweet fragrance… Oh please don't be…!
His hand came up and grabbed, and whatever it was yielded supply. puff
It couldn't be!
Ichigo was sure he had seen her face for just a moment before the collision that put the person beneath him on the floor. And though he didn't want to recognize her like some animal, he was familiar with her aroma of fresh-baked sweetbread! "Orihime!" he screamed as he pulled up, his face flaming red, matching her complexion perfectly as she called back to him in equal spirits, "Ichigo-kun!" Like awkward kids who had stumbled upon each other in changing, they clamored and fumbled, not right with their movements or else they would have been on their feet already. And as promised by Urahara-san, when an embarrassed Orihime tried to close access to her wobbling cleavage, they began to spill out from the side. Ichigo, who was trying not to take notice of her juggling breasts in their panic, took notice of her juggling breasts in their panic, which only made everything worse when he instinctively apologized and tried to cover his eyes.
"No! It's my fault!" wheezed Orihime, stuffing herself into the unreliable bodice and fixing it appropriately. There were never any instructions on what this outfit could handle in terms of positions, after all! Finding out the spillage feature had come long after she made her commitment to wearing it. Even now, she wore it more as a ceremony upon returning to the Royal Palace.
"You fool! What are you doing to poor Inoue?!"
"Can't you help yourself, you creep!"
"Unforgiveable, Kurosaki!"
"Ichigo, you need to control yourself!"
Rukia, Tatsuki, Uryu, and Chad sprung into action to rescue Orihime from a supposed-plot to gain access beneath her clothes. But as he was reared under Chad's thick arm with Tatsuki grinding her knuckle into his skull; Uryu and Rukia held back his hands so they couldn't grope defenseless Orihime anymore. "Hey! What are you guys saying?! Let go of me!"
Orihime, on the other hand, remained flat on the floor. Her mouth was sucked into a wiggly line of anxiety. Ichigo-kun, her husband…! Had just lied atop her for the first time! Let alone anybody at all – aside from Chizuru-chan's ardent gropes – she'd never had such intimacy before! Her legs snapped together even though she never left much space between them when reclined.
"Inoue!" Rukia had rushed over and looked down at her while the other three tried to subdue the arguing Soul King. "Are you okay?!"
Orihime looked unwell, feverish, a deeper shade of red than ever before. Sweating profusely, staring wide-eyed at the ceiling, there was a murmuring starting behind her lips before her mouth burst wide and she screamed out, "I'm fine!"
The volume was so unexpected and wild that Rukia took a step back, guarding herself like it had been a concussive roar from a released Sexta Espada. She was genuinely worried until Orihime's wide mouth turned into a big, open-mouthed smile and she erupted into a fit of giggles. Laughing uncontrollably, Orihime rolled side to side while clutching her hands to her chest. "Ich~i~go~kun " she sang over and over.
Rukia decided it best to worry after all…
But Ichigo was thrusting blame elsewhere as his decency was put into question. Fighting against Chad's masterful Full Nelson – which he could break out of… if he wanted to hurt Chad – Ichigo cast his angry gaze to Mera, who was standing erect with her arms folded lazily. "Dammit, Mera! Why'd you throw me…?!" He came up short, the embarrassment swelling visibly to his face and strangling his throat. He hadn't considered the elation he had caused to the wife now spinning on the floor and singing his name.
"I didn't do anything," Mera explained dully and acknowledged the women behind her. "Halibel-san and Nelliel landed just fine." And the first part of that was true; Halibel's awareness and reaction time were on point and let her land safely on her feet to prepare for the flock of subordinates that rushed to meet her, spouting their concerns and wondering why she was in her released state. On the other hand, Nel plopped abruptly on Candice, shoving the Quincy to the floor under the weight of the Arrancar's backside. But Nel didn't miss a beat or concern herself with the lime-green blonde. It was as if she and Ichigo had been apart for years when she lunged for him, her passion for him sweeping aside Tatsuki, Uryu, and even Chad with ease to clutch Ichigo to her bosom and cheer, "You're back, Ichigo "
Ichigo shouted something, but it was muffled by her chest drowning him.
"See?" said Mera with a sardonic smirk. "You go right where you want to be."
"Th—"—Ichigo turned his face, trying to pry out of Nel's breasts—"That's not-mmph!" Back in again; Nel wanted to make sure he was nice and comfortable between her pillows.
"Was it him, Halibel-sama?!" roared Apache, turning on the suffocating Soul King with a vengeance. Her fists raised up at her sides. She needn't blades to rip him asunder for this! "Did he try to frisk you?!"
Of course, the arrival of the Soul King had garnered the attention of all the others in the room as well. Rangiku turned from berating her absentee Captain and was immediately amused by the spectacle of stick-in-the-mud Ichigo being smothered in a pair of breasts; Isshin found it more heart-wrenching than anything. His only son! A deviant of the worst and luckiest kind! Of course, his posturing had only earned another thwack to his noggin, for if there was a Sexual Harassment department in the Gotei Thirteen, he would be at the root of every complaint.
But before Isshin could charge over to reprimand his son some more about his choices and indecisive love, Kiyone went hurrying by with her big sister in tow. "K-Kiyone!" whined Isane, trying to stall her little sister's endeavors to make Ichigo notice her. It was a very personal and tough choice for her when word came down from above, after all. Squad Zero had put up two of their members, but they represented Squad Zero's affinity to the Soul King; they could not represent the Shinigami. There had been talk about a noble suitor, but Yoruichi-san had laughed riotously and said that she wouldn't be a frumpy housewife!
But Isane wanted to keep a low profile! At least at the moment! She didn't need to stand out above all the other wives! Keep her head down, for the moment! She couldn't soar to such heights in an instant!
"Kiyone!" she shouted again, now trying to stall her fumbling feet by digging her heels in, but it was useless. Kiyone was the littler sister in both senses, but her determination belied her position. Clinging onto Isane's sleeve, she pulled and pulled her sister to the forefront.
"Now's your chance, Nee-san!" urged the blonde, tensing and worrying about Isane's chances when the big-chested were flagrantly shoving her brother-in-law between their boobs But she was determined not to fail Isane or her hypothetical niece or nephew! "Just"—She groaned with effort when Isane grabbed the dining table as an anchor—"get to him! Ughn! Give him a hug or a kiss!"
Isane wailed at the suggestion. It was undoubtedly expected of her at some point, but when taking the call to serve the Gotei Thirteen, Squad Zero, and all of Soul Society, she had just imagined a formal station: keeping the Soul King fed and well! She couldn't just leap in and give him her first k-k…!
"Kiss!" urged Kiyone, getting behind her sister now and trying to shove her to her husband.
"But, Kiyone," Isane continued to whine, looking back forth between her sister and the destination she was trying to get her to, "I-Ichigo-san seems engaged at the moment! He's meeting with his wives!"
"You're his wife too! Argh!" Kiyone got her a pace forward, but it was exerting too much of her energy. Maybe a difference in tactic! She poked her head out from around Isane and waved frantically to Ichigo, who was barely prying himself out of Nel's embrace to catch his breath and maybe get a reprieve from Uryu calling his actions despicable. "Hey, Nii-san!" Kiyone tried out her new name for Kurosaki Ichigo. It didn't get a reaction; he was still squabbling with the others while the green-haired Arrancar was trying to push him to her bust again. A skillful tactic, especially when Nee-san was so stingy in her wear. Okay then, it was time to even the playing field and pull out the big guns, so to speak.
Isane always clutched at her robes and kept them tight, nervous that flaunting her womanly curves would draw more eyes to her than she was comfortable with. Being a tall woman was enough of a spectacle, after all. But Kiyone had decided that she should abandon the conservative philosophy in an instant, grabbing both sides of her front robes and splitting them wide. And as Tatsuki had guessed, Isane wore suppressive support to keep her assets from wobbling when in an active zone. "Nii-san, look!" Kiyone screamed desperately as Isane squealed in mortification. "They're actually F-cups!"
Oh-Etsu dove across the table with his cellphone flipped open and caught the image of Isane's exposed bust on camera. And Senjumaru's Shigarami effectively pierced the screen, killing the phone before he even had a second to enjoy it.
"Noo!" Isane closed her robes and crumpled into a whimpering ball, while over her, Kiyone snapped her fingers and said that even that had failed to catch Ichigo's attention. She pivoted and turned a finger onto her sister. "It's your fault, Nee-san! You need to be more assertive and show more skin!"
"Kiyone~" sobbed the big sister loudly like a child.
"Dammit, everyone's acting crazy," Ichigo cursed as he threw his back against the wall behind him. He thought that coming back to the Palace would have been a calming process. If not for Mera's unadmitted tomfoolery – as he couldn't be convinced that she hadn't done it on purpose – Orihime would be calm and on her feet, and his integrity would not be in question – but for the surplus of wives.
But there was luckily at least one sane person to come to his defense against the Tres Bestias who were convinced that he was a lecher who forced Halibel to release her Zanpakuto to defend herself from his advances, against the wall of human friends who were imposing the same sort of accusations on the fussing Orihime's behalf, and against the amorous Nel's advances. No one, after all, could make it around Ichibe Hyosube's great bulk without consequences. "Well, this is an exciting arrival! Ichigo-san, it's good to see you well!"
In the current context, Ichigo could say he was glad to see Osho! Not that he disliked the giant, but he was kind of a handful to speak to, seeming to backtrack or speak in riddles. But for right now, stemming the influx of attention from across the room, Ichigo was glad to see him. "Yeah," he said as Osho approached with big, clacking strides. At his sides were the rest of Squad Zero; Kirio-san smiling warmly as always, Senjumaru-san seeming stoic even as Oh-Etsu wept to her about the assassination of his phone; Tenjiro looking annoyed to be anywhere that anyone else was. But Ichigo had to give special consideration to his Weaver wife. "Thanks to you, Senjumaru-san." He gave a courteous bow to her and said, "The clothes you made kept me and Bambietta safe."
"Have they?" Senjumaru gave a smirk that erased Ichigo's ease. She leaned back ever so slightly to give that usual impression of looking down on him. "If that was the case, then why are you wearing such drab cloth?"
Ichigo blinked suddenly and looked down at himself. He was still dressed in the dry robes from Kukaku! His specifically-woven shihakusho baring the insignia of the Royal Palace on the back was left in the Shiba house! "Uh…!"
"Were they incinerated?" Senjumaru obviously knew the answer was no. One of her arms drifted down to cradle her cheek as she falsely contemplated the dilemma. "Perhaps I was too sloppy in my craft when you made me indulge Dokugamine Riruka. How careless of me to put the Soul King in such danger."
"No, it's not like that," wheezed Ichigo, feeling a weight like the intensity of an elated Kenpachi was bearing down on him. "It's just that…" He blushed and said softly, "I forgot them…"
Her crimson lips lifted just ever so slightly on one side. "I hate to see you in such unworthy rags, Soul King."
A certain significance was carried with that statement that struck a chord in Ichigo's gut.
But Kirio bulled her way into the conversation, jovial in her greeting to her husband. "Ichigo-chan! I hope you've eaten at least a little during your stay below!" She threw a hand behind her to show that the feast was still plentiful for him, and his mouth immediately watered and his stomach sounded with anticipation.
"Y-Yeah!" he exclaimed. "We made it to Kukaku-san's, and she fed us with what she could…!"
"Here's a list of supplies we consumed down there," Mera cut in, handing over a piece of paper to Kirio. "I'll take it on my next trip." She slipped by to start eating again, now able to recover all of her strength and keep it.
"Ah, Shiba Kukaku," observed Osho, who didn't glance in the way of the uncle who flinched at the mention of his abandoned, explosive niece. "She and her clan have been such reliable allies, even now. It's lucky for her to have found you. Hm? But you said 'we'? So the Quincy girl survived?"
Ichigo gave a nod. "Yeah, she's fine and staying with Kukaku-san."
"Aw boo~" Gigi, only having come over to listen on news about The Explode, slumped to the floor and moped. "I thought she was going to splatter~"
"You would splatter too if you'd gone down to get her," Liltotto said, leaning back in her chair to see Gigi's butt suspended over her prostrated body. "Or you'd have burned up without the right clothes."
"But that would have been fun too~" Gigi continued to whine, now swishing her bottom to and fro.
Back to the debriefing, Osho began to rub his beard. "Is that so? So you left her down there of your own choice?"
Again, Ichigo affirmed the statement.
"Well, if she is being taken care of, I don't see why that's not fine! After all, we have a news for you! It turns out that you needn't have gone after Bambietta Basterbine after all! One of the Quincies has already agreed to be your wife!"
"I didn't go after her to make her a wife," Ichigo muttered defensively.
Passing over his statement, Osho swung a great arm to his left in presentation, and Tenjiro had to either duck or be smacked in the face; he cursed the smelly old Monk as he stooped in an instant. "She was most earnest about the betrothal, I'm sure you're happy to hear."
Tenjiro rolled his eyes and muttered that she took the offer more as a passing fancy than an actual commitment.
Once again, Osho bypassed the aside comment. "Kurosaki Ichigo, the bride representing the Quincies is…!" He looked under his arm like Tenjiro had been replaced with the Quincy in question. But seeing no trace of Meninas, he hummed in thought, and then switched to his other side; only Kirio and Senjumaru there. He lowered his arms, murmured some more in his throat, and began to pull at his beard. "She doesn't seem to be here. Interesting."
Ichigo – and others – stared incredulously at him. Is he alright?
"Oh well," boomed the merry giant. "There aren't many ways for her to escape the Palace! She'll turn up eventually, I'm sure!"
Doubtful…
"Hopefully, Ichigo will keep track of his wives, or he might start losing them," Senjumaru teased, though Ichigo didn't think he could be blamed for losing a wife that he didn't even know.
"Hey!" someone shouted hoarsely.
Ichigo turned and, for the first time, noticed the woman sitting on the floor with golden rings of light strapped around her. He recognized her well enough; aside from confronting her during the assault on the Soul Society, she had been one of the three Quincies who caused all the destruction earlier.
She was staring hatefully at the congregation next to her, completely oblivious to her presence until now. "How about letting me out of this bullshit?!" She swung her body. "You got your damn Soul King back! So get me out of this!"
"Was that our agreement?" Osho wasn't being facetious or cruel. He looked up in consideration, not paying attention to the leering Senjumaru's comment that she quite liked the look of her in bondage. To her, Quincies were a wasted bloodline. But Osho seemed merciful at the moment, snapping his thick fingers with such resonance that it dispelled Oh-Etsu's rings. "You're still bound to the Royal Palace," he explained, folding his hands into his sleeves, "but there's no harm in letting you…"
An electric mayhem exploded around the Quincy the moment her arms were free. Halibel and her fracción leapt clear of the hapless bolts, her three guards simmering with apprehension. A Sternritter was above their class, after all. Squad Zero, of course, didn't flinch at all; it was the humans who needed protection, and Ichigo provided it, stepping in front of Uryu, Chad, and Tatsuki and diverting stray bursts of energy with a wave of his hand. At the table, Mera continued to eat unconcerned, tilting her head to one side to avoid a bolt that destroyed a plate of crab, which finally woke Riruka up from her sugar stupor.
"Wha-What's going on?!" she shouted, her eyes wide and frantically looking around until they fell on Ichigo. And seemingly ignoring the storm of concentrated lightning, she halfway jumped to her feet, losing an overjoyed smile for an instant… and then reeling herself back in.
"Riruka-chan!" A golden triangle of light was erected in front of the table, protecting Riruka and Mera and the food. Orihime stood outside the barrier, catching Riruka's eye and giving her a nod that everything would be alright.
"Ha! I have to stay in this shitty place?!" Candice's tongue lashed against her smirking lips and began to condense her power into a single orb of flashing electricity that made her feral eyes dazzle. "Don't make me la—"
Ichigo caught her hand and slammed her into the wall before she could even blink. He twisted her arm, dispersing her powers and dampening her threat. Her eyes widened on him. He wasn't choking her, but the arm pressing under her chin let her know that it was an option that he wasn't yet resorting to. His hold on her wrist was light too. He was intentionally not hurting her, but she could feel the restraint it took for him to handle her so lightly. It was an instinctual fear that made her posture loosen submissively.
"We're not trying to fight you," he told her. "But if you try"—His gaze hardened—"I'll stop you myself." He gave her a moment to really hear those words before he stepped back, but remained close. He had just cleared a good dozen feet before she could react; this close, she'd probably burn from the air's friction at his speed.
Seething, Candice recoiled like a spooked animal, cursing quietly at him, but smartly not doing any more than that.
"The Soul King is right!" exclaimed Osho joyously. "We're not gathered to fight! We're here to celebrate! So how about we all sit down and dine together now?!"
"Everyone is already full," Tenjiro pointed out.
"Are they?" Osho looked around, and every now and then, he made eye contact with someone who looked quite satisfied in the meal. So his hand came up from his sleeve to start petting his beard again. "I suppose they are…"
"And it's getting late," Tenjiro continued, swinging his head to one side. "How about we kick all the tourists out and…?"
"It is getting late! So now we should start setting everyone up in their rooms for their stay!"
"We can't house all these people in the Royal Palace!" shouted the Hot Springs Demon, who had been against this whole gathering from the start. The Royal Palace was an honor! Not some sightseeing destination! He had similar arguments with Oh-Etsu and the decorum expected at the Kirinden!
The announcement that their stay was going to last at least a night worried Tatsuki, who wasn't used to this new plane of existence. It was strange enough just coming here; she wasn't even sure she'd be able to breathe on this planet even after the guy with the hat, clogs, and candy store explained it all. "H-Hey, we're not going to be stuck here, are we?" she tried to ask the Monk striding past her hurriedly, and then was grabbed from the side and hugged against Orihime.
"A sleepover!" cheered Orihime.
Tatsuki didn't mind but… "Shouldn't you be wanting to spend some time with Ichigo, Orihime?"
Meanwhile, Uryu harrumphed and said that Ichigo was as unorganized as ever to put his guests through this inconvenience. Ichigo told him to shut up.
Isshin and Karin lingered; Nel impatiently awaited her turn behind Ichigo as he confronted them. "Well, it didn't take you too long," Karin said. And before Ichigo could smile and give a thanks, she gave a wry smile, looking aside and saying, "But you couldn't help trying to get an extra wife."
Furrowing, Ichigo growled, "It wasn't like that."
Isshin stepped forward, and in a rare show of paternal responsibility, he looked at his son and gave a smile. Not some goofy grin, but a look of real admiration. "I see that you're aging well, Ichigo. And living a good life."
Considering the current circumstances of an enraged Quincy standing not seven feet away, Ichigo could think of a way to amend that. But for his dad's sake, and even for the truth, he smiled back and gave an honest "Yeah."
…
THWACK!
Isshin's knee connected with Ichigo's side. "You lucky punk!"
"You damn geezer!" Ichigo caught him around the head and began to tug at the short hairs of his beard, grinning maniacally. "Let's see how you like having a shaved face!"
"Argh! No! Ichigo! My beard is my livelihood!"
Standing to the side of the feuding Kurosakis, Rukia couldn't help but smile herself. They really hadn't changed at all.
Except… where…?
When the dad and daughter had moved away, and Nel had securely latched into Ichigo, kissing against his jawline and saying she was glad that he was okay, Candice moved against him. "Don't think I'll just let it go, Kurosaki Ichigo," she snapped with a hard jab into his chest. "I'm here for now, but it's only going to be to get revenge! You'll pay!"
And Ichigo could feel that she meant it.
"Huh~? What's that?"
Candice's hand was suddenly swatted away, and she turned with a shocked glower to face the princess wife herself. Riruka regarded her with boredom. "You made such a fuss, and now you're touching my husband dressed like that?" She combed her fingers through her ponytail; her lashing hair brushed just slightly against Ichigo's chest, and he inhaled her fragrance.
Unintentionally, his blood ran hot and he found himself wanting her badly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Candice drew her chin inward, growling at the insinuation of her outfit. "You got a problem with the way I'm dressed?!"
"It's obvious," continued Riruka in that same, bored tone. And without looking away from her, without looking at him, she slid her hands onto Ichigo's body, purposely shoving Nel's hands aside as she drifting beneath his robes.
Watching, Orihime's joviality diminished. She'd not seen Ichigo-kun so… comfortable being touched. She suddenly felt her stomach sink, like she hadn't eaten in days yet she wasn't hungry. Her heart started to thump as she sucked on her lips and tried to pay attention to Riruka-chan's method of deflection instead of the paths of her hands grazing Ichigo-kun's collarbone.
"You wear such lewd outfits to sink your hooks into a guy. But that's because you can't get one by charm alone." As if Riruka was one to talk about charming a man with an attitude as snobbish as her own. "I'd say you're like a rebound girl who only grabs guys after a breakup."
"Bingo!" laughed Gigi from the floor, throwing her hands up like it was a point scored. Even Liltotto, engaged in eating with Mera, confirmed that Riruka had more or less hit the nail on the head. "But don't expect her to enjoy you catching on," she mildly warned before scarfing down a piece of pie.
Candice was seething, grinding her teeth and practically smoldering with rage. "You…!" she rasped out with a flicker of electricity. Some nobody that His Majesty hadn't collected any real Daten on beyond her name?! "You think you can talk to me that way, you lousy bitch?!"
"Ah, calm down. You're making my hair frizz," Riruka dully complained, smoothing out her ponytails before leaning her body desirably into Ichigo. "If you try anything…" She laid her head onto Ichigo's shoulder and smirked daringly. As subtly as she could, she pressed her crotch against his, and smirked slightly in confirmation. "… my husband will have to stop you."
Candice still was growling and was clearly wanting to burn both her and her husband to a crisp. But through her temper, she was wise enough to remember that Ichigo had slammed her into the wall in an instant. Trying anything now was just stupid. So she dismissed it with a spiteful scoff and gave Ichigo a very readable look: I hate you.
"This isn't over," she swore to him, and shoved by them; she missed Orihime on purpose… but didn't miss kicking Gigi in the side of the head.
"Ow~ What was that for?!"
The tension dissipated, and Ichigo gave a sigh of relief before looking at Riruka. She removed herself from his chest and was looking away from him. Probably waiting for what she knew he was about to say, and he was going to gladly thank her, but with a few requests to tone down her antagonizing ways for everyone's sake.
Yet she pivoted around him, and as intentionally as Candice had bumped by them, she avoided him. "I'm going to bed now," she said to no one in particular. "And no one should bother me!"
"No one's going to," answered Liltotto, and Mera had to nod in agreement over her plate.
"Ichigo, Ichigo!"
He was brought from his observation of Riruka's abrupt departure to look at Nel, and her eyes were shimmering with excitement. She held both of his hands in hers. "I wanted to bring you back! I got everything ready!"
"Ready?" His eyes flashed to the table, and he was really looking forward to it. "Um… Can it wait or…?"
"Let's go!" Nel dragged him along, not waiting for him, too excited to finally see his reaction. And with her penchant of haste, he was flying behind her like a flag as she rushed him out of the dining area, heading for the King's bedroom, leaving Orihime behind with the tailwind, her hair now out of sorts and a look of concern on her face.
"Agh! You did it again!" Kiyone swung her fists up and down in frustration, flinging a finger after the Soul King and the rushing Arrancar, trying to get Isane to get off the ground. "You keep letting him get away! C'mon!" She tugged at Isane's arm. "Let's catch up to them!"
"No~" Isane cried, resisting. "Let's just start cleaning up~! Please!"
ccc Master Bedroom ccc
"I wanted to bring you here," Nel said as she burst into Ichigo's room, turned around and pulling at his hands. He came along more willingly now, finding it pointless to resist. Though it was not lost on him that the last time he had had her in his room alone, he had seen her naked.
Surveying the room briefly, he noticed that things had been brought in since his departure this morning. Was it Riruka's stuff? A lot of it was pink. Maybe Nel's? He recalled her saying that she wanted to stay in this room with him, and the idea made him flush. Surely she wasn't about to pounce on him. He didn't want her to know how 'ready' he was since Riruka's body was flush against him a little while ago.
And speaking of Riruka, why hadn't they passed her when Nel zoomed him out of the room?
"Here, here!" Nel said, apparently leading him to the bathroom.
"Huh?!" Ichigo dug his heels into the floor to try to stop them. "Wait a minute! What's in there?!"
She eyed him mischievously. "I want to continue our bath," she said, also having not forgotten the moment of intimacy they shared before Riruka crashed the party.
Yes, the bath was there. But it was filled high with bubbles that Nel seemed quite proud of; she was very liberal with the potion given by the shop keeper who had promised a very effective bathtime behind his fan.
But as Ichigo jabbered, Nel reached for his sash, to do away with his clothes and get him prepped first after trudging through the mud and stressing with some hotheaded Quincy all day. A King needed to relax and be pampered. And she was determined to relieve him of all stress. She eyed the bulge that contradicted his hands' and voice's declination.
And then a leg lifted from the water, and it turned out a clump of bubbles was actually a head of pink bouncy hair. And the head turned. Big eyes of boundless wonder turned and caught Ichigo and his Arrancar bride halfway in the act of undressing.
"Oh, it's you," said Meninas.
And from a mountain of bubbles on the other side of the bath leapt the missing Yuzu. "Onii-chan! You're back!"
ccc