A/N: Alright, I know you guys loved V1.0, so I'm hoping you love V2.0 just as much. As I have received numerous complaints about 10k word chapters, I will back down a bit and settle with just writing until I'm satisfied with the amount of content and will be updated once a month after I have completed the chapter after the one I'm releasing. I may or may not be write lemon scenes this time around, but who knows. Lastly, there will be numerous opportunities for you guys to interact with the story.

Ok, I lied, THIS is my last announcement, thank you guys so much for staying patient with me.

I own the OC zanpaktou used for Ichigo. I do not own Bleach nor do I make any money from this.

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Hollows"

"Hogyoku"

"Hama"

"Shirudo/Zanpaktou"

Prologue

In the mountains outside of Karakura, with the sun beating down, Ichigo and Urahara watched as Aizen screamed and tried to claw his way out of the kido prison that was enforced upon him. After Mugetsu had severely weakened Aizen enough for the kido to do its job, Ichigo still found himself looking older. His bright orange hair still reached half-way down his back and partially concealed his brown eyes. "You will never surpass me! I AM god!" Aizen screamed to the world.

Ichigo turned his head from the sight. While he had no problem with killing the mad man, he didn't exactly like to see people suffer more than they should be, regardless of what they'd done.

"Ichigo, you must watch this. Remember this moment for all time. This is what our power has wrought. You owe it to all those killed and wounded by Aizen to see it through now that we are this close." Zangetsu told him as he could slowly feel his presence fading from Ichigo's soul.

Slowly turning his head back to watch, he noticed a glow in the shape of a circle coming from Aizen's chest. Urahara smirked unnoticeably behind his fan as he too noticed this.

'It seems that it has found a new suitable host to live in.'

With a loud scream from Aizen, the Hogyoku ripped itself from the hole in the dying man's chest. The glowing object slowly hovered through the air to rest before Ichigo's chest. "What is the meaning of this Urahara-san?"

"Ichigo, it has chosen you as its new host. I know you aren't one for taking power, but you haven't a choice this time." Ichigo could hear Zangetsu's voice fading as though he were getting further and further away from him. "I leave you with one last piece of advice, stay true to yourself, and protect those next to you as you always have. It's been a pleasure, Partner."

'You too Zangetsu. I thank you for your help every step of the way. That means you too Hichigo.'

"Ha! And here I was thinking I could be rid of your ass without ya getting all sappy on me! Remember King, you're never strong enough. The moment you stop getting stronger, there's someone there willing to show you just how weak you are. I expect you to be able to kick my ass if I ever show up again." Hichigo's voice became more sullen as he went on.

Ichigo responded with a mental nod as he watched the glowing orb fuse with his chest. Closing his eyes as a sensation of falling overtook him as he winced in pain. After the initial pain spike, he felt power flowing through his veins.

"It seems perhaps I was not the pinnacle of power." Aizen whispered in despair as he watched. Gazing upwards to the blue sky, he spoke again. "Maybe I was never meant to be nothing more than the one to give you the final push towards your destiny. A word of advice; Soul Society needs to change, or it will fall." Looking directly at the now transcended Vizored, he let a small devious grin grace his face. "Goodbye….Ichigo Kurosaki."

The man who sought to slay the Soul King became lifeless as the kido seal overtook his body and soul. Before the former Twelfth Squad Captain and the Transcendent orange haired young man, now stood a white cross which began fading to spirit particles as soon as it was finished forming. Just as quickly as the war had started, it was over.

'I was really looking forward to a normal life now…'

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After watching Aizen turn into spirit particles, Ichigo and Urahara slowly walked back towards town in silence. The Hogyoku's new host noticed he still wore his Shinigami attire even after Zangetsu and Hichigo separating from his soul. Geta-boshi noticed this as well; he had an inkling of an idea but decided it was for Ichigo alone to test. However, as they got closer to the ruined replica of Karakura and could feel other Shinigami, Urahara spoke for the first time since Aizen's death.

"Kurosaki-san, might I suggest finding a way to conceal that for now. After what has happened, I doubt anyone would look at it favorably, regardless of who it belongs to."

Ichigo could immediately see the logic in Urahara's words and pulled enough Reishi from the fake buildings around him to reform his clothes. "Yare, yare, mind telling me how you learned how to do that Kurosaki-san?"

Ichigo slightly smirked at having surprised one of his teachers yet again. "Family secret Geta-Boshi." Together they continued on their way to meet up with the rest of the Shinigami around the make-shift triage tent, courtesy of Captain Unohana.

Eventually Urahara split off, saying he wanted to make sure his 'cat' was doing well. Ichigo kept wandering around, trying to find his friends that had gotten caught up in all of this. He became so lost in his thoughts he failed to see the midget staring at him from his right. "Ichigo!"

Suddenly snapping Ichigo out of his stupor, he turned to face Rukia swiftly, causing his long hair to stir noticeably from the sudden movement. The raven-haired girl hid her hands behind her back and smiled up at Ichigo. "It's finally over. All we have left is to bring back the real town and finish healing every one. Thank you Ichigo." She finished running up and hugging him.

Responding in kind, Ichigo quickly gave a reassuring hug to the woman who had set him on this path just over a year ago. "You're welcome Rukia." Letting go of her, he continued. "Now, run along and go enjoy yourself, I'm sure Renji would love to see you. Hopefully we can all catch up soon enough." He tried to give her a smile to tell her 'I'll be fine.' To which she nodded and flashed away to find Renji.

Ichigo decided he should go check on the wounded and do anything possible to help…if Captain Unohana didn't scare him off first. As he mindlessly wandered to find the triage station, Ichigo shook hands with many who wished to thank him for his sacrifice. One of the many that stopped him was Captain Ukitake who escorted their savior to his destination.

"I hear the Head-Captain wishes to speak with you about something rather important Kurosaki-san."

"I wonder what the old man wants now…Probably wants to make sure that damn Hogyoku was destroyed."

"I heard that you twit." A female voice said in his head.

Ichigo stopped abruptly but quickly continued so as not to let Ukitake on to his surprise, given the current topic. 'I didn't know you were a living thing…'

"Just go about your business for now, we'll talk soon."

Walking into the large Squad 4 tent his nose was assaulted by the smells of the various wounds, from just simply blood to charred flesh. Steeling his nerves he stepped forth to comfort as many as would see him. At the end of the tent were his spiritually aware friends.

"Ichigo!"

Said teenager turned his attention from a recovering Captain Komura to a raging Tatsuki walking towards him while cracking her knuckles. 'What did I do this time?'

When she finally pushed her way through the crowd between her target and herself she gave him a good punch on his shoulder that was sure to bruise for a week or so. "Mind telling me why you're always the one that has to be at the front lines of these conflicts?! Orihime, Chad and Ishida told me ALL about what you've been up to while you were off fighting 'What's-his-face'."

Ichigo stared back at her in shock then softly smiled when he realized she was actually worried about him. "I'll tell you everything tomorrow, nothing held back. How does that sound?"

Now that her little adrenaline rush had died, she took in his new features. She'd caught a glimpse back when he stepped out of the Dangai world carrying Isshin, but now she could truly admire the smile changes. His hair was much longer, his eyes held wisdom and power. Overall, she thought he looked tougher, more masculine. Soon she realized she was standing a little too close to him. With a slight blush that she quickly hid she smiled back and responded. "Good, I'm tired of being kept in the dark here. Every day I'd watch you guys rush out of the classroom. Every time I kept asking myself if you'd return."

Waiting for some sort of explanation, she looked at him questionably at the prolonged silence. 'Did I say some….OH no…Did I just…?' This realization caused the martial-artist to heavily blush.

By this point many in the immediate area had turned their eyes to Ichigo waiting for him to respond to the girl's words of affection. No one, save for Ishida had noticed Orihime's bubbly attitude quickly leave her face and her hands twitch a few times.

Still fighting off the blush brightening her face, Tatsuki was surprised when she felt Ichigo's arms wrap around her in an affectionate embrace. Resting his head next to hers, he whispered softly into her ear. "Sorry, Tatsuki. I didn't mean to make you worry."

He pulled back from her enough to look her in the eye while keeping his hands on her arms. 'Has she always been like this?'

"Only you could be dense enough to not realize she likes you." A male voice said in his head.

"I think it's cute watching these two. Maybe he should kiss her and see what happens!" This time it was a female voice.

Letting the smile fall from his face and his eyes widen in shock at hearing two more unknown voices come from his inner world. Arisawa saw his face change, though she couldn't think of anything to cause the sudden mood swing. "Ichigo?"

Shaking himself back to reality, he saw the young women in front of him stare at him quizzically. Equipping a smile once more he responded. "Sorry, something just caught my attention that I hadn't planned on. Why don't you get some rest and we'll talk more later? I promise I'll tell you everything."

Tatsuki was relieved to hear she hadn't put him off with her words and quickly smiled in return. "I'd like that. See ya later Ichigo." She answered and waved goodbye for now as she walked back to the rest of the group who had been staring intently.

Ichigo quickly waved back then left via a nearby flap. Finding a fairly quiet place he sat down and entered his inner world. Where there had once been skyscrapers, now stood a large white castle surrounded by grass plains, which was occupied by a single hut made of cobblestone, and beyond that, a large forest that stretched as far as his eyes could see.

Standing at the portcullis to the large castle that had appeared within his soul, he tentatively took several steps forwards into a causeway. To his left and right the hall looked as though it would continue on indefinitely, whereas in front of him stood a set of oak double doors with a large seal in the middle.

"Come forth Ichigo." The male voice called out.

After several seconds of just standing in the same place he heard the female voice call to him. "Come on now, we won't bite."

Taking in a deep breath to steady himself, Ichigo pushed open the doors and walked into a throne room. Before him were two thrones. Both of which were occupied. The large male wore an equally large cloak and hood while the rather defined female wore metal plate armor covered in blood splatter. Beside the man sat a large hammer leaning against his throne. Glancing towards the female, he noticed a metal shield with a gauntlet attached to the back leaning against hers.

"Welcome Ichigo." Spoke the male.

"We have been waiting for you." The female continued.

"My name is Hama."

"Mine's Shirudo!"

"And we are…."

"Your Zanpaktou!" Shirudo finished with a large smile.

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Looking towards the dying light of the sky above Tia begins to think about how she got into this predicament. From surviving in Hueco Mundo, serving as Aizen's third Espada to being cut down by the very man she served and lying on her back bleeding out.

'We should find Mila-Rose, Sung-sun and Apache before the Shinigami can do anything to their bodies.'

"I don't think even the Shinigami are disrespectful enough towards their enemies to do anything other than give them a proper burial." Replied Tiburon.

'We've been proven wrong before. We trusted…that traitorous bastard and look where it got us Tiburon! I swear, WHEN I find him, I'll kill him myself!'

Silence was all the reply she got for her conviction but she knew Tiburon fully agreed with her. Using what Reishi she could pull from the environment, Tia began the healing process. Once her wounds were sealed enough to risk moving around, she pulled herself to her feet to search for her Fraccion.

Wandering aimlessly and avoiding detection by the few Shinigami that were still in the town Tia noticed one that stood out above the rest. Out of the corner of her eye she spots an orange-haired Shinigami with a flash of white over his clothing. Quickly she recognizes him as the one that fought Grimmjow.

"He looks much better up close than he did from our palace."

'Quiet Tiburon, he is the enemy still.'

"Even if we clearly lost? You and I both know that man has more honor than most others. If we were to surrender to him, I think he'd accept us and treat us fairly.'

'Perhaps but first I wish to find my friends and tend to their bodies.'

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After visiting his inner world and speaking with his new twin zanpaktou spirits Ichigo returned to reality and found a black falchion with three barbs on the back side attached to his hip. 'Why is it that you have a western style sword instead of a katana?'

"Since we were created specifically for your soul, the Hogyoku decided that it was the most proper weapon for you. You rely more on strength and speed than is healthy for a katana. We will train you in the ways of using a falchion instead of your cleaver-like Zangetsu. After that we will teach you shikai and finally bankai." Answered Hama.

'You mean to tell me that your names are different from my sword's name? Is that even possible?"

"We have our own individual names but we also have a singular zanpaktou name which we will teach you when you are ready." Shirudo replied.

'I understand. Thank you for clarifying that for me. I forgot to mention this before, but where is the other spirit?'

"Later Ichigo, I'm still binding myself to you. Once that is complete, we will speak at length."

Walking through the camp set up as an outpost for the Shinigami while performing cleaning, Ichigo walked towards the Head-Captain's tent. Standing guard at the entrance were Captains Shoalin and Kuchiki.

"Ichigo Kurosaki, the Head-Captain has been expecting you." The stoic captain said as he moved his tent flap to allow entrance.

Nodding his head in appreciation, he stepped into the tent to see Yamamoto sitting behind a desk reading over reports. "Hey Old man."

Looking from the report he was reading, Ichigo saw a sad but determined look in the Captain's eyes. "Yes Kurosaki, please sit down. We have a few things to discuss." He states while motioning towards the lone chair before his desk.

Stroking his white beard the Head-Captain got down to business. "First off, since you still wear your Shinigami attire, I assume you didn't fully lose your powers as predicted. Care to explain?"

A pained expression was evident on his face before he reigned in his emotions. "Well sir, after I defeated Aizen, I did indeed lose Zangetsu. However, just before coming here I performed Jinzen and discovered that my inner-world had changed and that I now have a twin zanpaktou spirit."

"And yet only have one sword. You always have been different Kurosaki. Very well, since you still retain your powers we shall proceed to the next matter. I received a report stating that during his conflict with Yami, Captain Kenpachi Zaraki was slain."

Ichigo's eyes widened in both shock and fear of a being that was strong enough to kill the blood-crazed berserker. "What?! One of the Espada was actually strong enough to slay him?"

Yamamoto nodded his head in answer. "This is where you come in. Though he never said it, Captain Zaraki found a sort of kinship with you. You were the first to ever actually beat him in a fight. After Aizen's betrayal, he left a standing request to have you take his position as Captain of Squad Eleven and the new owner of the title 'Kenpachi'."

"Me?! I thought he only wanted to fight me for the fun of it."

The old man chuckled just loud enough for it to reach Ichigo's ears. "He wanted to fight you all the time so he could become stronger. He saw you as a goal. After you fought him, he trained much harder to try and surpass you. You actually gave him a reason to live other than to kill. It is for that reason he asked me to appoint you as Captain of the Eleventh."

Letting his explanation sink in for a minute and receiving a nod from Ichigo saying he understood, he continued. "I have already spoken with the other Captains since your fight with Aizen. They all agreed that should you still old your powers, which you do, we would go through with Zaraki's request. Now, Kurosaki, do you accept the title of 'Kenpachi' and the position of Captain of Squad Eleven?"

"Ichigo, I do believe you should accept this offer. One such as this does not present itself very often. Also you should respect the wishes of the dead."

"Yeah Ichigo! With that position, you would have more authority to help protect your friends!" Shirudo encouraged.

'I don't want authority over people. If people are gonna follow me, I want to be because they want to, not because they have to.'

"So make it first goal as Captain to earn the respect of those under you."

With a small smile on his face from the words of advice of his zanpaktou, Ichigo nodded his agreement. "I accept Head-Captain."

As Yamamoto banged his cane against his wooden desk, the remaining uninjured Captains flashed into the room. "Stand Kurosaki." The Head-Captain commanded.

As he stood from his seat, Captain Unohana walked up from behind him holding an open white over-coat. With an incline of his head, Yamamoto signaled her to 'go-ahead'.

He moved aside his long length of orange hair to accommodate for the badge of his new office. As the haori was set on his shoulders, he also felt the weight of responsibility that was now expected of him. While it was daunting at first, he quickly realized the other emotions flowing through him now. Pride, happiness, acceptance and many others all flowed through him freely.

A smiling Unohana stepped back into line with the rest of her comrades, the aged Shinigami began speaking again. "Your first duty will be to find some new officers. Vice-Captain Yachiru has asked to be reassigned to Squad two where her speed will be used and she isn't reminded constantly of Zaraki. Third seat Ikkaku has been promoted to Vice-captain of Squad Three. You will need to find two people to fill those holes before long. I wish you luck…Captain Kurosaki. You are all dismissed."

Just as quickly as they had come, everyone but the Head-Captain left the room to attend to their duties. Ichigo decided to walk through the town to help with the dead. It was a haunting task but since that day that Rukia plunged her sword into his chest, he'd dealt with more than his fair share of death.

Going out further than the rest of the Shinigami had made it yet, the new Captain found three female Arrancar corpses and a giant beast that looked to be created from several different hollowfied animals that had been burnt to death.

'It seems even the Old Man joined the fray. I actually feel sorry for these girls.'

"Ichigo, someone is coming. There's a faint life a couple meters behind us. My guess is Espada from the feel. It's weak but I suggest you be on guard." Hama said from inside Ichigo's inner-world.

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Tia Halibel had come to the conclusion that if she was going to be found by Shinigami it would be best to be found by one that she believed wouldn't kill her immediately. She soundlessly followed the orange-haired man through the city till he stopped to look at the husks around him.

Risking looking away from her target for a second she realized immediately that the corpses around the man she was following were those of her Fraccion and their creation.

In a brief moment of sadness she accidently let her control of her reiatsu slip before reigning it back in before it attracted attention. Looking back at the space the man had been occupying, she realized with a sense of dread that he was no longer there.

She heard a soft buzz from behind her and feels the presence of a sword to her back. Swallowing the lump in her throat she turns her head and is thankful that her mask covered everything beneath her eyes as she feels her jaw hang open from man standing before her.

"What number are you?" The man she now realizes is a Captain asked.

After opening and closing her jaw a few times to find her voice she softly answers. "Three. I was the third ranking Espada before Aizen cut me down and I realized I was nothing more than just a pawn in his quest for power."

"I see, you are the one that fought against Toshiro. You should know that Aizen is already dead and has paid for his misdeeds."

A shocked expression barely masking the pain beneath it is visible in the former Espada's eyes. "Who?" She asks in cold, harsh tone. "Who killed him before I got my hands on that bastard?!"

Lowering and sheathing his sword he replied. "I did. I killed him." Ichigo looked into her eyes and saw the rage building only to quickly die and be replaced with acceptance.

"I…I thank you then for saving me the trouble of doing it myself." Tia replied with an almost sad and soft voice while looking down.

Letting a sigh escape his lips as he raises his hand out to her. "I'm Ich…Captain 'Kenpachi' Kurosaki of Squad Eleven, nice to meet you."

Looking back up at the man offering his hand to her she blushes slightly as she shakes his hand. "Tia Halibel, former third Espada for Aizen."

A/N: Alright for those of you who had read the original, I hope this is a step forward. I have changed some small details that you may or may not have noticed. To the new readers, thank you for reading this story. Next scheduled update is October 9th, give or take a week. This will be primarily Tatsuki and Halibel, however, I will reopen the poll to let you guys decide if I should add anyone. Go ahead and make my life a challenge, I dare ya. Please review or PM me if you have any concerns, questions or comments. Thank you.