Beta'd By SunaT.U

"Are you sure about this Ichigo?"

The thousand year blood war was over and Ichigo came out victorious. He had defeated Yhwach and the Sternritter had all been killed... well almost all of them.

Candice Catnipp, Giselle Gewelle and Meninas McAllon stood behind Ichigo, who was in front of Head-Captain Shunsui Kyoraku, watching nervously as Ichigo talked his way into sparing the former Sternritter's lives.

"I am, Head-Captain."

"They took a lot of shinigami lives."

"It was either the shinigami's or their own. I highly doubt Yhwach would let them live if they didn't do his bidding," replied Ichigo, he doubted he would normally do this for people who invaded and attacked the soul society but seeing as how these three were the only survivors, he might as well stick up for them.

"Okay then," said Shunsui surprising everyone, "however..."

'Great, I should have seen this coming,' thought Ichigo.

"...You have to be their keeper," he finished saying.

"You can't be serious Head-Captain. These are our enemies, we must not let them live," exclaimed Sui Feng.

"I do recall that Ichigo and his friends use to be enemies of soul society as well. Yet here we are as allies. What makes you think that these Quincies can't become allies over time?" asked Shunsui as he kept watching the three prisoners.

"Ichigo Kurosaki and his allies' goal wasn't to destroy the Seireitei," she responded while glaring at the trio.

"Neither was theirs. The way I see it, they were forced to or else they would have been killed. And nobody wants to be killed. Isn't that right girls?" asked Shunsui as he lifted his head towards the subjects of the conversation. The three made quick nods at Shunsui's question.

"I'm not convinced," mumbled Sui Feng still glaring at the three.

"Well that's too bad, I've already made my decision. Now Ichigo, because you have taken to being their keeper, you will have to stay in Soul Society," said Shunsui, his laid-back attitude gone.

"I see," muttered Ichigo.

"But that isn't the only reason you are to stay in Soul Society," said Shunsui surprising Ichigo. "It's also because of your spiritual pressure. If I were to let you return, it would only be a matter of time before more hollows enter the world of the living because of it. As a result, more souls would be lost. Do you understand Ichigo?" he said looking Ichigo in the eyes.

"Yeah I do," said Ichigo with an impassive expression on his face surprising many captains on his control over his emotions.

"Good and don't worry, after the first invasion I went to the human world and gave your friends soul tickets that allow them into the soul society," said Shunsui with a smile.

"Thanks, but where am I gonna stay?" asked Ichigo while scratching the back of his head.

"Well... you can use the old Shiba compound that's just sitting there collecting dust," replied Shunsui.

"That will do fine. Is there anything else?" asked Ichigo.

"Nope, that's all. Meeting over," said Shunsui as the captains took their leave and the Quincy were released from there shackles, "Come on Ichigo, I'll show you the compound."

Ichigo nodded and followed the Head-Captain towards his new home as Candice, Giselle and Meninas followed Ichigo close behind.

"You know Ichigo..." said Shunsui making Ichigo look up from beside him, "Nothing is free in Soul Society. You're going to need a way to earn money so you can buy food."

"And I'm guessing you have something in mind," said Ichigo.

"Well... the eighth division is in need of a Captain. Perhaps you can fill that void," replied Shunsui while rubbing his chin.

"I suppose I don't really have much of a choice," muttered Ichigo as he took a quick glance over his shoulder at the three following him and Shunsui.

"Good, good, here is your Captain's haori," happily exclaimed Shunsui as he thrusted Ichigo's new haori into his chest.

Ichigo scowled at him, "You knew I was going to say yes, didn't you?" he asked as they finally reached the old Shiba compound and stopped out in front of it.

"Being Head-Captain of the Gotei 13, I am always prepared," he stated lifting his chin in the air.

"From what I've heard, you're the most lazy," Ichigo deadpanned.

Shunsui just chuckled as Ichigo pulled Zangetsu off his back and handed it to him to hold while Ichigo put on the Captain's haori. After which, he handed Zangetsu back and Ichigo put it back on his back.

"Now normally there is a ceremony for new captains, but I get the impression that you don't care for tradition, which you've shown numerous times. But that's okay, I never liked those ceremonies either. So we'll skip yours and make you Captain of the eighth division as of right now. Well done Ichigo," said Shunsui.

Ichigo just muttered 'thanks' as the Head-Captain made his way back to the first division headquarters while lifting a hand in the air, "Good luck Ichigo, you'll need it."

Ichigo sighed and turned towards the three under his care. Candice was glaring at Ichigo while Giselle was avoiding eye contact and Meninas was just staring at Ichigo with no malice, unlike Candice.

"Well I guess I might as well introduce myself. I'm Ichigo Kurosaki," said Ichigo.

"We know," growled Candice.

"You do?" asked Ichigo as he lifted an eyebrow.

"Yes. We fought," stated Candice now growing irritated.

"We did?" asked Ichigo again while scratching the back of his head.

"You've got to be kidding! How can you forget the fight we had?!" yelled Candice as she grew several tick marks on her head.

"Maybe it ended too quickly for me to remember," answered Ichigo.

"If you really can't remember, I'll make you remember this!" screamed Candice running to attack Ichigo but was held back by Meninas, causing Candice to scowl at her.

"Ichigo just saved our lives Candice. It would be rude to attack him after that," said Meninas. Candice just huffed and turned away from everyone. Meninas let go of her and walked up to Ichigo and bowed, "It's nice to meet you Ichigo. My name is Meninas McAllon."

"And I'm Giselle," said the dark haired girl as she appeared over Meninas's shoulder, "Giselle Gewelle."

"The one with a problem is Candice Catnipp," said Meninas as she pointed to the green haired girl making said girl glare at Meninas.

"Now that we know each other, why don't you girls go inside. I've got someone I need to see," said Ichigo as he turned and shunpoed away.

"Who does he think he is?" mumbled Candice as the other two started walking into their new home from now on.

The three entered the main room through the front to see that the entire place was empty, and was extremely dusty. After seeing the room, Candice once again lost her temper.

"That bastard! He knew this place was dirty and wanted us to clean up! What are we maids?" yelled Candice.

"Such dirty thoughts Candice. Thinking about servicing 'Master' Ichigo already," laughed Giselle as she put a hand up to cover her mouth.

"Do you want to die?!" yelled Candice in reply as she had a near invisible blush on her face.

"We might as well start cleaning. This is our new home from now on," said Meninas breaking up the fight and starting to look for cleaning supplies.

Ichigo was standing in front of Kukaku's now taking a good look at the giant Ganju statues hold up the sign. He really didn't want to be here but he had to inform Kukaku that he was living in the old Shiba compound. She is the owner of the compound after all. Even if she doesn't live there.

Walking up to the front door, he was stopped as two giants jumped down from the roof and landed in front of him, creating a large cloud of dust.

"Who dares try and enter the Shiba home?!" asked one of the two giants from within the dust cloud.

"Calm down you two, it's just me. I came here to see Kukaku," said Ichigo as he waved his arm, keeping the dust away.

"Oh Ichigo, forgive us we didn't know it was you!" yelled Shiroganehiko as the dust settled down and cleared.

Ichigo just waved in dismissal. "It's fine. Anyway, is Kukaku here?" asked Ichigo.

"Of course. She is in the main room, we shall escort you!" exclaimed Koganehiko.

"Don't worry about it, I'll find it," said Ichigo as he walked into the house.

Shiroganehiko hummed in thought as he watched Ichigo disappear into the house.

"What is it Shiroganehiko?" asked Koganehiko as he noticed his brother deep in thought.

"Did you notice it?" asked Shiroganehiko.

"Huh?"

"Ichigo is much strong than when he was here last. I feel as if the very ground quakes in fear of his power. He is no longer that little boy who didn't even know what spirit energy was almost two years ago," laughed Shiroganehiko and his brother also joined him in laughing.

Ichigo walked down the hall trying to find the main room. In all honesty, he had no idea where he was going. It's been awhile since he has been here.

"What are you doing?" asked Ganju as be appeared behind Ichigo out of nowhere.

"Yo Ganju, didn't see you there," said Ichigo as he smiled sheepishly at the other male.

"The main room is the third door on the right," smirked Ganju making Ichigo trip at being found out so easily.

"Thanks."

Ganju just continued to smirk before walking away and raising a hand in farewell.

Ichigo slid open the door to the main room to find Kukaku sitting there with several jugs of sake surrounding her. When she noticed Ichigo, she put on her famous smirk and raised the cup at Ichigo.

"Congrats on the promotion," she said as she downed the cup before filling it up and motioning for Ichigo to take a seat. Ichigo's eyes widened at Kukaku's words wondering how she knew. She just smirked at Ichigo's look, "I know a Captain's haori when I see one."

Right. He forgot he has a Captain's haori on. Ichigo chuckled and took a seat across from Kukaku.

"So," said Kukaku as she gulped down another cup of sake and refilled it. "What brings you here?"

"It's about the Shiba compound in the Seireitei. I'm living there now," said Ichigo.

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked filling her cup again.

"Because the compound is still yours. It would be rude for me just to move into someone else's home without telling them," he replied seeing her down another cup. 'She's drinking those like crazy. I'm surprised she has enough time to talk to me with how fast she's drinking them,' thought Ichigo as he sweat dropped.

"If you're so worried about moving into someone else's home, which hasn't been used for a long time, then take it. From now on the Shiba compound is now yours kid. Now unless you plan on drinking with me, get out," she said as she downed another cup.

Ichigo, being the smart man he was, quickly fled the Shiba house and back to the Seireitei. There was no way he was going to be around Kukaku when she was drinking. Her being sober was hard enough. Ichigo shuddered at the pain she would cause Ichigo if he made the wrong move.

"It looks amazing when it's clean," said Giselle as she smiled at the clean compound.

"I still can't believe he made us clean this up," growled Candice as she lay on the ground in the middle of the main room.

"There's no way he could of known that the house was dirty since he didn't even enter the compound," said Meninas as she walked into the room after putting the cleaning supplies away.

After Meninas got a glare from Candice there was a knock on the door making the three girls look at it.

"I'll get it!" yelled Giselle as she skipped over to the door, opening it to find the impassive Byakuya Kuchiki making her eyes widen.

Byakuya simply stared at the girl in front of him before asking, "Is Ichigo Kurosaki here?"

"No, he said he had to see someone," replied Giselle taking a step back from the Captain.

"I see," said Byakuya as he scanned the room and its occupants. Candice, now off the ground and in a fighting stance while glaring at Byakuya, Meninas was also on the alert as the Captain took a step into the house while his hand was moving into his haori, Giselle shaking slightly as he stopped before her as he started to pull his hand out of his haori revealing a large envelope.

"Give this to Ichigo," said Byakuya as he handed the envelope to Giselle which she took numbly. Turning and exiting the house, he spoke out loud once more, "And tell him I expect to be paid back."

After he left, the girls released a collective sigh of relief. "I thought he was gonna kill us," said Giselle as she looked at the envelope in her hand.

"Being powerless sucks," said Candice as she flopped on the floor and laid down in the same position she was in before Byakuya had shown up.

"It looks like we'll be in constant danger unless Ichigo is around," said Meninas as she sat on a chair they found while cleaning.

"So... what do you think it is?" asked Candice as she looked at Giselle who had closed the door and was walking back to the others.

"Why don't we open it?" suggested Giselle as she threw the envelope up and down in her hand.

"He said it was for Ichigo. It would be rude to open something that isn't ours," said Meninas from her chair.

"Why do you care about being rude or not?" scoffed Candice as she snatched the envelope from Giselle's hand earning a whine from the girl.

"What are you doing?" asked Ichigo as he walked into the main room making Candice and Giselle jump in surprise as they didn't see him, unlike Meninas who was facing the door.

"Nothing!" yelled Giselle as she turned to face him with her hands behind her back. "Candice was just trying to open an envelop that was for you master."

"You bitch!" yelled Candice in response as she turned to face the dark haired girl.

'Master?' thought Ichigo but dismissed it as second later. "What envelope?"

"This one," sighed Meninas as she handed Ichigo the envelope that Candice had thrown at her.

"Whose it from?" Ichigo asked as he looked for a name on it.

"I believe he was the Captain if squad six," replied Meninas. Despite saying it was rude to open someone else's thing, she was curious as to what was in the envelope, which was why she was watching as Ichigo opened the envelope.

"Money? Byakuya gave me money?" questioned Ichigo. "Are you sure it was Byakuya?" asked Ichigo receiving a nod from the pink haired girl. "That guy has some serious mood swings," muttered Ichigo as he put the money in his haori.

"So, did you guys find a room to stay in?"

"No! We were too busy cleaning this place," yelled Candice getting in his face.

"It was dirty huh?" said Ichigo. "Not surprising. It hasn't been used for a while."

"So you knew it was dirty and you still made us clean it!" Candice continued to yell.

"I didn't make you do anything! You did it on your own!" yelled Ichigo back at her.

"You bastard," growled Candice.

"Get over it. Now come on, we need to go buy food now that Byakuya gave us money," said Ichigo as he turned and walked back through the door he entered not moments before.

Meninas and Giselle followed Ichigo out of the compound but Candice refused.

"No! I'm staying right here!" she yelled as she stood at the front door.

"Fine with me!" was Ichigo's reply and he continued walking with the two remaining girls following, though Giselle did turn her head and poked her tongue out at her making Candice glare at them. Candice slammed the door closed, walked to the nearest room and laid on the bed to relax before she had to deal with the others when they came back.