A/N:

Sorry for not updating last week, I have been busy with house moving and all. Now I'm back with a new chapter.

Warnings!
(1) Please mind the slightly graphic scene
(2) Ichigo is a little OOC *Forgive me please!*

Disclaimer: Bleach and its characters belong to Tite Kubo sensei.

"Calm your nerves Ichi-nii. Urahara sent me here to update you about our decisions."

"But why can't he…!"

"I volunteered Ichi-nii, Urahara is busy collaborating with Hirako Shinji, something about a communication device. Dad is well, dad. He is worried about Yuzu too. So I'm the next best option being able to see souls and all." Karin shrugged, she was so excited when Goat-chin asked her to pass on information to her brother, she had missed him after all.

Ichigo let out a long sigh, he knew all the logics in his head, he just could not shake away the fear of his sister getting harmed because of him. He will let it be for now, he has to do what he initiated.

"One last question, I got Szayel to track all Garganta openings in Hueco Mundo, the security is especially tight in Las Noches, how did Urahara get you here?" Deciding to find out the one other important issue that is bothering him for awhile now, he needed to make sure everyone can feel safe in Las Noches, Ichigo could not afford any loop holes present in his plans.

"Ano…Ou-sama," Szayel stepped out from his corner, looking down at his feet, "I directed that scientist here, I thought he's an ally so I…" Gathering a little courage, Szayel looked up at Ichigo and was faced with an emotionless Ichigo staring right into his eyes. Having mistaken the no-emotion for anger, Szayel quickly got onto his knees and pleaded for forgiveness from his King. How could he be so daring as to go against his King's wishes, how could he decide on behalf of his King, Szayel hated himself now for his ignorance, he wished he could turn back time, Szayel simply did what he thought would please his King.

In his panic state, Szayel did not notice that Ichigo was now in front of him, staring at him from above. When he felt a surge of Impulsos rushing through him, he bared his neck out of natural instinct.

Ichigo did not understand what he is feeling, he should be angry at Szayel for letting someone in without his permission. He should also feel grateful that Szayel had kept his sister away from danger zones. But all he felt right now, was the urge to sink his teeth into the Beta submitted before him.

"It's your instinct King. As the Prime Alpha, you will constantly have the urge to mate. And given your protective personality, I would say you will want to mate almost everyone you want to protect, other than blood family, and keep them under your wings, safe and sound. Before you deny me, I assure you it's not a bad thing. It is an alpha's responsibility to protect his mates." Shiro explained, hoping that Ichigo will see the good in mating. Shiro himself have had the urge to mate ever since he stepped into Hueco Mundo, he decided to cast it aside and aid Ichigo in forming his team before he acted upon his urges. Now that a great opportunity have arose, Shiro refused to be denied anymore, he would be damned if let this opportunity slip.

"Ichigo, a mated Alpha or Beta will also be less easily provoked; the Impulsos you give off will calm them down during difficult times too." Shiro continued to persuade his King.

Ichigo felt his dilemma enlightened, he let go of his tightly clenched fists and put them onto Szayel's shoulders. Surprised by the touch, Szayel wanted look up but a sting to the right side of his neck made him stop all movements. He felt Ichigo's reiatsu flowing into his veins. He felt Ichigo's Impulsos brushing against his body. He felt euphoria.

Grimmjow was stunned. Looking at Ichigo marked Szayel right where his pulse is made Grimmjow felt something he had never felt before.

Jealousy. He wanted Ichigo to mark him, first.

Ichigo could not describe the feeling that was churning within his heart now. He felt sated and excited and he wanted more. More of Szayel. Ichigo reluctantly pull himself away from Szayel's neck and grabbed his new mate's chin with his thumb and pointer finger, he looked hard into Szayel's moist eyes and whispered.

"Mine."

"Come on Karin, let's go to the lounge, I need updates from the living world." Ichigo stood and led Karin and Gin away from the scene, leaving the Espadas and Arrancars behind trying to form a proper thought in their heads.

"I…I thought Ou-sama needs to m..mate Szayel san before marking him as his?" Menoly broke the silence, this is the first time she had witnessed a mating without sex. She could not believe her eyes; she can now clearly feel Ichigo's reiatsu thinly wrapped around Szayel's own, was this because Ichigo is the Prime Alpha?

Szayel stood up from the ground, still unbelieving, started to explain to Menoly. "It is not known whether an Alpha can mark his mate before the actual sexual intercourse ritual in a mating process. He might be able to but it may not be permanent. However, Ou-sama is a Prime Alpha, it seems that they are able to target and mark a mate before fully claiming them. I believe it serves as a signal to other Alphas not to try and hit on his targeted mate or they will be facing the wrath of the Prime Alpha. I would also like to say that it is a permanent effect, whether or not Ou-sama has sex with me, I am his mate from now on."

"Tch, how do you know that, it can be temporary for all we know." Grimmjow grumbled.

"Because of this." Szayel shoved his hair to the side and showed the remaining Espada and Arrancars the mark, a mark that had been once a legend, a mark that nobody thought was real.

The mark of a Prime Alpha - an infinite symbol. ∞

P/S Tell me how you feel about this chapter, let me know if there are any mistakes. Reviews are much appreciated!

Ciaos,
Hisashi J.