The bottom floor of the house was a busy setting as Yuzu served up a massive breakfast for everyone having eagerly prepared a large meal for the household, Keigo and Loly being the main cause of commotion along with Tatsuki getting a mouthful in to insult Loly to which the former Arrancar responding in kind from across the table, it had all been stopped by Yuzu smacking the both of them with a wooden spoon and a glare that made both stop instantly.

Yuzu was scary.

Ichigo as of yet, had not awoken even though the house was loud enough to wake an entire neighbourhood, the one good thing about being two stories above the dining room was that the sound didn't move up through the middle floor allowing him a slight sleep in. Even with his father in the house he was able to rest peacefully for the time being, thanks to Yuzu. Yuzu had strictly informed her father that there would be no antics, Ichigo had enough to put up with over the last few weeks, he needed some time to relax. Isshin had agreed, although begrudingly.

"Is somebody going to go up and wake Ichigo and Tia?" Nelliel questioned innocently bringing a complete and utter dead stop to the table, as all heads shot towards her. Tatsuki, Ryo and Orihime were confused as to what the former Espada was talking about while Loly and Menoly went wide eyed after they finally realised that Tia's presence was indeed mixed in with the numerous other powers within the house, with it being a confined space, the magic of the devils having made this place hidden from any spiritual aware beings that might cause them trouble, it was hard to determine the spiritual pressures of individuals in such an enclosed space. Chad simply shrugged, having felt Tia's presence the moment the Garganta had opened and she had stepped into the house during the night, like Nel had.

"Tia's here!?" Keigo asked. "Where is she? I thought she was busy in Hueco Mundo?" He questioned confused having been informed by Menoly that since she was the ruler of Hueco Mundo, that her priorities to the land of hollows would cause her to remain in the desolate wastes most of the time instead of being here in the world of the living like Nel, Loly and Menoly.

"It could be possible that things have settled down there now." Menoly explained to him. "During your stay in Las Noches the attacks on Arrancars and Hollows seemed to stop very suddenly, if that is still the case she may not need to be there as much as she had originally thought." She mused getting a nod from Loly.

"Who are we talking about?" Ryo questioned now knowing who the topic was about.

"The Queen of Hueco Mundo, Tia Harribel." Loly stated. "The ruler of all Hollows after the war." She finished causing Yuzu to halt, dropping the plate she had been holding causing it to smash on the ground making everyone turn to her.

"There's royalty in the house!?" Yuzu cried suddenly, having been listening while serving breakfast. "It's not clean!"

"As long as there is no sand I'm sure Lady Harribel will be pleased Yuzu." Menoly smiled at her making Yuzu take a sigh of relief although she had already had it set in her mind that she would be cleaning as soon as everyone had left for school, she wouldn't allow royalty to see the house in such a mess. Karin simply sighed seeing the look in her sisters eyes before turning her attention to her father who was energeticly eating his breakfast. It had taken Yuzu's most intense puppy dog stare to stop Isshin from going upstairs to wake Ichigo earlier in the morning, the man was filled with all that pent up energy it would seem, it was all going into his eating.

"You're not worried about this?" She questioned.

"No need." Isshin smiled. "She seems to be at ease for now." He stated.

"You can tell that by just sensing her power?" Karin questioned surprised still learning bits and pieces from her father.

"If she was angry I wouldn't doubt that none of you apart from myself and Nelliel would be standing." Isshin explained. "Plus, nobody here even seemed to notice her before Nelliel brought it up, I don't see why it should concern us now." He stated with a slight shrug as he enjoyed his morning coffee courtesy of his youngest daughter.

"I wonder if they're sharing a bed?" Nelliel questioned allowed as she tapped a spoon to her chin, leaving a milk spot on her chin, wondering where it was that Tia was sleeping, she herself had slipped in beside Ichigo their first night in the house before she had gone to Hueco Mundo to inform Tia of what had transpired after Ichigo had asked her too, so it only brought the question if Tia had slipped in beside their King.

"Then we're going right up stairs right this instant!" Isshin demanded.

"Eh why?" Loly questioned. "What's up to see up there apart from them two?" She continued. "Might as well just wait for them to come down stairs."

"Wha- Tch- Why shouldn't' we go up there! Ichigo's sharing a bed with a woman! It's time to take drastic measures! My boy's now a man! I must congratulate him in the most embarrassing manner ever! It's what a father does." Isshin grinned happily over the entire table.

"If sleeping beside one another makes him a man, that happened well over a month ago." Menoly stated making Isshin's jaw drop as he stared at the blonde. "Both Tia and Nelliel have become accustomed to sleeping beside Ichigo." She shrugged her shoulders lightly.

"Yep!" Nel cheered. "He's just so warm at night." She sighed blissfully, the quiet envious sobbing of Keigo was all the confirmation that Isshin need as his head swayed from side to side before he face planted the table. Orihime was blushing up a storm, Tatsuki patting the auburn haired girl on the back in a comforting motion.

"And if you're thinking what you seem to be thinking, then no that hasn't happened." Loly huffed making everyone turn to her. "What?"

"How would you know?" Ryo questioned.

"Because quite frankly, if it had happened. Apache, Mila-Rose and Sun-sun would know about it and they don't, so it hasn't happened." She shrugged getting questioning stares from everyone.

"Our species... aren't very secretive when it comes to sexual relations..." Menoly put in making Yuzu faint at the sudden comment.

"Plus, what's the big deal? It's what you people call human nature right?" Loly questioned as everyone simply stared at Loly who shrugged and went back to her meal. They may look like they were just normal people but all the Arrancars... were something else.

Ichigo's eyes cracked open, the dark curtains in the room kept the sunlight out and the room was dark, but he was able to make out everything within the room with his enhanced devil sight. It was one of the downsides of becoming a devil it would seem, he'd never get to enjoy the darkness of complete midnight. Even Hueco Mundo seemed to be lit up like a damn city last time he was there.

Something shifted between his legs before entangling his legs and clinging to him, that's when he noticed the presence directly pressed up against him making him sigh slightly, why was Nel so adamant about being so close to him while she slept? Raising a hand up he brushed a few orange strands from his face and leaned back to glance at the clock on his bedside.

"Better get up, everyone else is probably up if Yuzu had anything to say about it." He thought as he grabbed the sheet that was covering himself and the sleeping devil next to him he pulled it back before his eyes widened at the sight of the dark skinned beauty using him as a hug pillow. Her familiar blonde hair was not currently in the three braids it was usually in letting it flow freely, her sleeping state having made it messy and untamed. The slight curve of her waist was arched as she pressed her groin against his hips, she had been using his shoulder as a pillow, which now explained the sudden ache in his shoulder from hours of use.

Both of her legs were entangled with his own and her breasts were pushing up against his side and what Ichigo found most adorable about the entire situation of a naked woman sleeping beside him was one simple fact... Tia Harribel, Third Espada and his second Knight... was drooling. Sure it was onto his shoulder but still, it was kinda cute.

He found it unsurprising that Tia, was the only one that was unable to loosen up around Ichigo. Loly and Menoly... well mostly Loly argued with him on a daily bases, well she argued with everybody, arguing with Ichigo wasn't anything special, Menoly was actually rather docile compared to her fellow dark haired Arrancar. Menoly was comfortable around him, being the first of the two nigh inseparable Arrancar to approach him while he was in Hueco Mundo to apologise for their actions during the war. Nel was just... well Nel, the other Arrancar such as Tia's fraccion were weary at the start but soon were themselves around him.

However out of every Arrancar, it was Tia that was most reserved around him. Yes there were very rare times she would gently laugh or he could tell that she was smiling underneath her jacket and mask fragment. But the only times he truly saw her for who she was, was when she was sleeping. Such as now, Ichigo doubted she even knew that she drooled in her sleep.

At first, it was very, very difficult to get over Tia's nudity while she slept, while Nel did sleep in clothes, Tia did not, such as the case was now. But after a single month of putting up with her shameless nakedness Ichigo had become accustomed to it, sure it was slightly embarrassing to be caught staring at times it no longer made him freak out at the sight of it, he just expected it from her now.

Plus... how was he exactly suppose to tell the Queen of Hollows... to stop being naked around him without raising questions of why Ichigo didn't want to see her naked? It was just too much of a hassle in his eyes, though he never would admit it, even if someone tortured him, he found the view pleasant. He was after all a full blooded teenage male.

Sliding his legs out of her embrace Ichigo rose her head up and placed it on the pillow before sitting up and manoeuvring off the bed, Tia rolling into the warmth of the spot Ichigo had just left. Ichigo ran a hand through his hair, blushing slightly as he caught himself looking over her naked curves before he headed for the bathroom. Closing the door behind him Ichigo stripped off and turned the water on filling the room with steam before he stepped beneath the running water.

Closing his eyes as he looked up into the running water letting the water hit his face he let out a deep breath before two tanned arms encircled around him, one around his chest, the other around his toned stomach while the woman's breasts pushed into his back.

"Morning my King." Tia whispered into his ear from over his shoulder, the voice filled with the greyness of sleep making it sound that much more alluring then usual.

"Morning..." Ichigo replied hesitantly. "Didn't I ask you to call me by name?" He asked.

"My apologies... Ichigo." She spoke softly her hand running over his chiselled torso as the grip around his waist tightened. "Would you allow me to wash you?"

"I can do it." Ichigo hastily said, face blushing a further red at the images passing through his mind of Tia washing every inch of his body... "I thought you were staying within Hueco Mundo?" Ichigo questioned opting to move his mind from such thoughts as Tia's lower arm reached out for the body wash on the small stand.

"I came to inform you that, should you need my assistance within the World of Living, that I am available currently." She stated making Ichigo glance over his shoulder to see her enjoying the warm water washing over her making him take a step forward so that the water was hitting her directly.

"Aren't you needed back there?" Ichigo questioned as he stiffened slightly as the cold soap on Tia's hand was smeared across his chest as she began to apply soap to him, even though he told her he could do it himself.

"That is something that I wanted to inform you off." Tia explained as she continued to soap him up. "You know that, before you arrived in Hueco Mundo a month ago, hollows and Arrancars were both going missing, others were simply killed as if for sport." She explained, Ichigo finding it hard to concentrate under the circumstance's.

"I remember." Ichigo nodded, he along with Chad had offered there help in finding out what was actually going on but the entire time that they were within Hueco Mundo they couldn't come up with any results.

"Even before you left Las Noches, the attacks had stopped. As if your very presence stopped them from continuing." She explained to him. "As for why I am here, I want to see if the attackers would make a move if either of us are not there. I am to be informed immediately by one of my fraccion if anything happens." She explained as she took a step back from him beginning to wash his back. "There is also an alternative reason of me being here." Ichigo took a glance over his shoulder at the blonde before she pulled him back under the water to rinse off his back making his eyes close from the water.

"What's that?" Ichigo questioned as water washed off the soap.

"Sona Sitri." Ichigo eyes opened as he glanced over at her.. "I wish to meet her."

"Uh... may I ask as to why?" Icihgo questioned before Tia grabbed him and turned him to face her, his hands instantly going to cover his crotch as he stood beneath the running water, the effects of the morning, waking up next to a beautiful naked woman plus having her hands roam over his body... had it's effects.

"Nelliel spoke of her, she is to be your bride, yes?" Tia questioned as she continued to wash him.

"Ah... it's all really complicated..." Ichigo trailed off. "And truly not a topic to be discussing right at the present time!" He mentally shouted as he tried to not feel any effects of having a beautiful woman washing him.

"Complicated or not, I wish to meet her." Tia continued. "Hands up."

"That's not happening... the hands up thing, you can meet Sona all you want too." Ichigo explained as he opened his eyes as Tia tilted her head. "I told you I could do it on my own." Tia simply nodded as she placed another handful of soap into her hand and began to lather up her own body, Ichigo blushing as he watched her do so, she was very thorough.

"As a knight, it is my duty to protect the king." Tia explained. "Nelliel also feels the same way, we are here to protect you, to fight for you when you need it."

"I understand that, but Sona really isn't that much of a threat... I don't think, plus she's only apart of this engagement for the Four Satans, and a think a bit out of spite for her older sister." Ichigo shrugged, hands still cupping his groin.

"The point I was getting at was your emotions." Ichigo rose an eyebrow at that. "What should happen should the engagement fall through but you develop feelings for this Sona?" She questioned.

"Uhh..."

"I won't allow my King to be in any kind of turmoil, emotionally or physically." Tia explained as she stood before him, her stance one of not backing down. "Therefore I wish to make it perfectly clear that if you harbour feelings for this devil that she sees the marriage through." She explained taking a step towards him her soap covered breasts pushing into his chest.

"Uh..." Ichigo's blush was only increasing, how the hell was he suppose to deal with this situation!? This was not what he was expecting of Tia at all and to make it worse Nel was in on it too? "Uh... um, I should get ready for school." Ichigo told her as he slipped past her, still managing to hide his manhood by his hands.

"You haven't finished washing yet." Tia stated.

"I'm fine!" Ichigo called out as he exited the shower, pulling his towel from the rack and wrapping it around himself.

"It's not fine, you said you could do it on your own but you refuse to do so." Tia stated opening the door of the shower both hands full of soap making Ichigo pale. "Get back in." She told him, Ichigo used flash step to disappear from the bathroom only for a naked Tia to use sonido from the shower and tackled the unsuspecting teen to the ground and instantly began to apply the soap to his body, his towel having become undone in the process... that was what Yuzu walked in on, a naked Tia straddling a naked Ichigo both wet, both naked and covered in soap... oh this wasn't going to be good.

"Eh..." Both Tia and Ichigo looked up to the shell shocked Yuzu making Ichigo pale beneath Tia. "EHHHHHHH!"

"Yuzu! This is not what it looks like!" Ichigo shouted before both Tia and Ichigo watched as Yuzu fall to her knees clap her hands together in front of her and look to the heavens.

"Please God, let me be an Aunty." Yuzu prayed.

"GAHHHH!" Both Ichigo and Tia shouted gripping their heads making Yuzu look up to see both naked powerhouses clutching their heads in pain.

"Did I say something wrong?" Yuzu questioned.

"Yuzu." Ichigo groaned. "Please don't pray any more, we're devils... it doesn't work so well for us." Ichigo told her still holding his head. "And she's not pregnant."

"Oh... well... how does one explain this?" Yuzu questioned, Ichigo wondering the same answer.

"He refused to wash himself properly, I was simply doing a knights duty." Tia explained, Ichigo sweat dropping, he was sure as hell this wasn't a Knights duty! Tia stood up Yuzu simply staring at her as Ichigo managed to wrap his towel back around him, Tia not caring for her nakedness in front of Ichigo's sister in the slightest. "I am Tia Harribel, Ichigo's second Knight."

"Yuzu Kurosaki, Ichigo's little sister it's a pleasure to meet you... you're the Queen, right?" Yuzu questioned with wide eyes as Tia simply nodded. "Please make me an aunty!"

"Yuzu! Get out!" Ichigo shouted making Yuzu stick her tongue out at her brother before leaving the room and Ichigo groaned, Tia simply tilting her head to the side, still completely naked. Ichigo was regretting ever waking up.

"So... Tia... uh... nice uniform." Keigo stated awkwardly as he tried to start a conversation with the Queen of Hueco Mundo, even for a smooth talker like Keigo, speaking to someone of Tia's status... was difficult.

Since Yuzu had come down the stairs after going to wake her brother and said Queen... she could only hold in her outburst for a full ten seconds before she shouted 'I might be an Aunty soon!'... that had gotten the entire house into gear, Tatsuki, Isshin, Karin and Keigo all flew up the stairs to confront Ichigo as to why Yuzu would say such a thing. What they found was a fully dressed, pissed off Ichigo and a showering Tia. Ichigo had no comment on Yuzu's outburst and denied any and all questions of being a teen daddy.

"I feel the skirt is far to short." Tia stated as she dusted down the side of her Kuoh Academy Skirt, unlike Nel who was simply jumping up and down, the other students of the school who were on the same trek to the academy, we're getting an eyeful of bright pink. Ichigo had lost track of how many times he had tried to stop her from jumping up and down, it wasn't just her skirt that was the problem, it was also... the bounciness of her chest.

"I completely agree." Both Tatsuki and Ryo muttered together, both having worn tights underneath their own school skirts. Both teens had tried to get Orihime to wear tights as well, however it would seem that the auburn haired newly reincarnated devil had more grace in a skirt then both athletic inclined teens did and knew how to keep a skirt from flipping up in a gust of wind... or for these skirts, walking. Seriously, who designed these things?

"I would much prefer the male uniform." Tia explained. "Or at least pants for the female one."

"Well..." Keigo began making Tia turn to face him slightly. "A certain someone is fiance' to the next Student Council President, maybe that certain someone could put in a good word about female uniforms for you." Keigo suggested with a grin to the tanned beauty walking along side him. Ichigo's eyebrow twitching to an unhealthy degree at being spoken about right when he was there.

"No." Tia suddenly stated as she stopped walking.

"Eh? Why not you were just complaining about the skirt being too short, I'm all for getting pants!" Tatsuki shouted. Chad, Nelliel and Ichigo continuing on leaving the larger group behind, Ichigo not wanting any part of their conversation it would seem.

"This someone you spoke of is Sona Sitri, correct?" Tia questioned making Keigo nod his head. "I have no wish to be in debt to that person." She explained making Keigo tilt his head in confusion.

"Why not?" Ryo questioned. "Do you have something against Sona?" She questioned making Orihime peek her head over her friends shoulders to see what the conversation was about as Sona was brought up.

"I've never met her." Tia explained.

"Then why hold a grudge?" Tatsuki questioned. "If you've got nothing against Sona, then why not ask her for a favour?" She continued.

"Maybe Tia's just nervous about asking others for help." Orihime suggested trying to calm the situation down, it felt like when one of her fairies were going to tease her, except this time it wasn't her fairies that was teasing her, it was her friends teasing the Queen of Hueco Mundo. Orihime had no idea how the mature woman would react.

"That's not it." Tia told them.

"Then what is? Does it have to do with her being Ichigo's fiance'?" Tatsuki questioned a growing grin on her face as Tia turned to Tatsuki with a blank stare.

"Yes." Tatsuki, Keigo and Ryo all face faulted at the former Arrancars blunt answer.

"What's going on?" Loly questioned as she watched the three teens pull themselves back to their feet. "Lady Harribel, are they bothering you?" She questioned her eyes narrowing, they may be in Ichigo's peerage together but Tia was still their Queen first and foremost, if anyone insulted their Queen, punishment was due.

"No." Tia stated raising a hand to halt Loly's threatening stance. "They are simply questioning as to why I don't wish to be in debt to Sona Sitri." She explained turning to the three. "As Arrancar, power is absolute." She told them seriously. "Everything from leadership to the food chain is determined by strength."

"I'm not sure I understand." Ryo told her, confused.

"Uh... Lady Harribel..." Menoly stared bringing the other blonde's gaze to her. "Perhaps explaining Arrancar instinct will come off as odd to humans." She explained.

"No, it's fine I want to hear it." Tatsuki stated. "Go on."

"Very well." Tia stated as she took a calm breath. "I do not believe Sona Sitri is strong enough to be wed to Ichigo." She explained making eyes widen among the former humans. "I do not know for sure, and will not know until I meet with her." She explained.

"Wait, so you're saying if she's not strong enough, you will intervene in the engagement!?" Tatsuki shouted in shock. "You do know that this engagement is just a farce, correct?"

"Ichigo needs to be in an engagement so that the Devil's won't bother him about being a King." Orihime told her.

"If Ichigo so wished it, the entire force of Hueco Mundo would be at his disposal should he need it." She explained. "If the Devil's think to belittle my King, then I shall take action."

"That sounds bad." Keigo dead panned.

"Let's just not let it come to that." Tatsuki told them. "Sona and Ichigo are simply in an engagement, they haven't known each other for very long. It'll take some time for Ichigo to exit the engagement for sure, but until then he needs this."

"Tatsuki's right, Ichigo's been through a lot." Orihime sighed. "Please Tia, don't cause any fuss with Sona." She pleaded making Tia take in a breath before sighing.

"Very well, however should matters take a turn I will speak with Ichigo about matters." Tia told them.

"I guess that's all we can hope for." Orihime smiled softly, she wasn't exactly ecstatic about Ichigo being in an engagement with some girl he didn't know but she understood the need for it.

"Did we almost accidentally a war?" Keigo questioned.

"I think we just stopped one from happening." Tatsuki sighed.

"Uh, I have a question." Ryo stated making Tia turn to the teen. "If you don't believe Sona is, uh strong enough to be Ichigo's wife... and Ichigo's like... how strong is Ichigo anyway?" She questioned turning to the former humans, the two Arrancar behind them shrugging.

"Pretty strong." Orihime smiled.

"Right, with how powerful Ichigo is... who do you believe should be with Ichigo?" Ryo questioned making everyone stop and turn to Tia with questioning looks, Ichigo was undoubtedly the strongest among them... stronger then most everyone they had come to know was powerful. So... just who did Tia consider powerful enough for Ichigo?

"That's easy." Tia said with a slight smirk tugging at her lips surprising them all. "The strongest." All had the same thought running through their minds, the strongest among them that wasn't Ichigo... was Tia.

"Feel that?" Chad questioned beside Ichigo as they entered the school gates being ahead of the rest of the group. Ichigo simply nodded as he looked into the direction of the strange aura that had suddenly spiked in a nearby area, even Nel's usually smiling face was gone masked with a serious look on her face. The aura was defiantly a devil but... it wasn't like the aura of a normal devil that they had come to know. Sure Akeno's was different with the mix feeling of Devil and Fallen Angel but this unknown devil felt... wrong, wretched and evil.

"Is it another Devil?" Nelliel questioned her stance having shifted to that of being ready to attack in a single moment, her spiritual pressure rising before Ichigo placed a hand on her shoulder the former Third Espada calming instantly at the small smile on Ichigo's face.

"Don't worry." Ichigo told her before turning to Chad. "Mind checking it out for me? Take anyone you want too." Chad simply nodded as he turned and headed back the way that they had came heading towards the fast approaching group.

"Why didn't we go deal with it?" Nel questioned. "We'd undoubtedly get it done faster." She pointed out.

"You and Tia have to get enrolled." Ichigo told her. "Plus, Chad's been training with you, he'll be able to handle it, no sweat." Both saw Chad speaking with the others before Chad along with Orihime, Keigo and Loly all disappeared leaving Tia with Menoly, Ryo and Tatsuki to continue approaching. "Huh."

"What is it?" Nel questioned.

"I'd figure Tatsuki would of wanted to go check it out." Ichigo explained as the four approached. "You didn't want to go?" Ichigo questioned the approaching martial artist.

"Nah." Tatsuki told him. "The dojo here is only open in the mornings for enrolling so I've got to put my name down now or I'll have to wait till tomorrow morning." She explained having searched the school for the martial arts dojo the previous day."What is it anyway?"

"No idea." Ichigo shrugged.

"Alright, let's go Ryo." Tatsuki stated making Ryo nod her head in agreement.

"Where are you going?" Menoly questioned the dark haired teen.

"Track team." She explained. "Got to keep up with training and all that." She stated before realising what she said. "Well, I guess I don't now." She explained. "Is it even worth it?"

"Sure." Ichigo told her. "Just don't go overboard, you'll be a lot faster as a Devil now. It'll be a good way to manage control of your new strengths around everyone when you need to, it's actually a good idea." He explained.

"May I come?" The blonde questioned. "I'd feel Lady Harribel and Lady Nelliel would like to speak with Sona privately."

"Sure, there might even be a club or team you might want to join." Tatsuki explained making Menoly nod with a smile, she had spoken with Tatsuki, at first the martial artist had acted indifferent towards her, unlike how she acted towards Loly but with Orihime's encouraging words Menoly and Tatsuki were at least on friendly terms now, unlike Loly and Tatsuki.

"Well, it looks like Chad found that thing threatening." Ichigo stated feeling Chad's spike in spirit energy followed by Loly's.

"Is it just me... or is that just so creepy?" Keigo questioned as he stared at the abandoned warehouse, it's numerous windows were filthy covered with a thick grime from the insides leaving it impossible to see anything from the outside. The building itself was in a state of disrepair from years of no use all in all, the building itself just had a creepy aura around it. Not to mention... a strange spiritual energy radiating from within.

"You spent an an entire month in Hueco Mundo, this is nothing." Loly stated as she folded her arms, the feeling of the creature within had sent her nerves up slightly, it was powerful whatever it was. Orihime took a deep breath ready to prepare herself from what felt like a battle was coming her new devil instincts making her cautious, this would be the first time since her training that her powers would be used for fighting.

Without hesitation or further questions Chad walked forward and pushed the doors inward, the smell instantly making the three behind recoil in disgust as Chad walked further into the warehouse his bangs covering his now narrowed eyes, something was here, it was big and it knew they were there. The instant Chad felt his new Devil instincts kick into gear he raised both of his arms up, his right being engulfed in black and red liquid his left in white and red. The liquid continued to cover both his arms before solidifying just in time as a large claw like pincer crashed into him, his feet skidding back through the door slightly as he stood his ground.

Loly instantly materialised her Zanpakuto from golden particles drawing it from it's sheath as she flew forward in a sonido, the blade cutting into the hard shell of the pincer making an inhuman roar echo out in the darkness within as blood coated the shore blade of the Zanpakuto. In response the large pincer swung out towards her, Loly leaping out of the way of the sudden speed of the attack.

"Are you alright Chad?" Orihime asked checking him over to see if he was injured however she saw that his armoured arms had done their job in protecting him.

"I'm fine." Chad said as he watched Loly leap back to their side as movement over head was noticed making all four look up to the ceiling at the monstrosity that they had come to investigate. It's entire body was massive, well over fifteen feet tall it's upper body was that of a grown man, but the lower half was anything but. Six leg's, eight including the razor sharp pincers all over two meters long in length, unfolding as it manoeuvred it's way from the ceiling before dropping to the ground with an echoing crash kicking up the gathered dust from the floor.

The stray devil began to rise to it's full height, the human portion of it's body towering over the large body however the stinger was manoeuvring behind it as it eyed the newly created Devils. Two large pincers connected to the forearms continuously clashed together in anticipation of the coming conflict, a maniacal grin covered the once handsome devil's face.

"Keigo, keep it's tail busy!" Loly ordered making the teen nod and in a burst of lightning catching the Stray Devil off guard from the sudden speed, Keigo appeared at it's side the Stray Devil instantly using it's tail to stab at Keigo who easily manoeuvred around each and every strike. The Stray Devil becoming more aggravated began to chase after the pawn, it's mind so lost to that of what it once was only capable of thinking of it's next meal.

"Chad, you can take that thing out?" Loly questioned.

"Yes." Chad nodded as he stood up to his full height.

"What about me?"Orihime questioned making both Loly and Chad turn to her. "I can fight too." She declared. "I've been training also, I can help." She didn't want to be pushed aside like last time, she had trained to fight, to develop her powers to becoming stronger. Yes, she didn't like fighting, she was a natural healer, but she wanted to be like him, to be like Ichigo, to fight for what she wanted to protect.

"Fine." Loly stated seeing the conviction in the eyes of the teen she had once tortured, never before had Loly seen a drive in Orihime's eyes before, they were always looking down, or lifeless. "You two work out a plan, I'm going to go stop that idiot from getting himself killed." Loly told them before using sonido to appear to the side of the Stray Devil between two of it's three legs driving her short Zanpakuto into a joint blood spraying out. The beast cried out in pain it's stinger instantly going for her only for the former arrancar to use Sonido to exit the range and appearing within the opposite legs making another direct attack with her Zanpakuto.

"Keigo, keep it distracted until Chad and Orihime are done planning!" Loly ordered.

"Planning what!?" Keigo shouted as he ducked a pincer attack and used his speed to exit it's range once more.

"I don't know, the plan! Moron! I wish Menoly was here instead of you!" She shouted as she leapt forward into the air, zanpakuto in one hand held out in front of her, her other hand held out in a cupping motion as a Bala began to form before she threw it at the Stray Devil hitting it directly in the back sending it crumbling to the ground from the force.

As Loly was descending from her jump she was not expecting the sudden impact from the stinger of the Scorpion sending her flying across the warehouse crashing through a few machines erupting in an explosion from the old machinery. Fire spreading over the far end of the warehouse as a result, thick black smoke filling the building.

Keigo went to call out to her before one of the large legs of the scorpion pushed him to the ground his chest searing in pain as blood gushed from the shallow wound the sharp end of the leg digging into his chest making him shout in pain. Keigo rose both hands to grip the leg of the scorpion trying to pull it out of his chest but even with his newly acquired devil powers his strength wasn't note worthy. All he could do was stop it from driving further into his chest.

"Gah!" Keigo cried out as his bloodied hands slipped on the leg allowing the sharp leg to enter his chest further, blood being spat out from his mouth as he got his grip back on the leg. The Stray Devil looked down at the teen with a maniacal grin before Keigo's eyes widened as he saw the stinger raise up ready to strike. Clenching his eyes shut as he saw the Stinger shoot forward expecting severe pain but all he felt was a soft wind wash over him making him crack an eye open only to see the stinger inches from his face, the tip oozing a green liquid. Turning his head slightly he saw Chad gripping the tail with no effort at all.

The Stray Devil hissed turning on Chad it's leg being ripped from Keigo's chest in the process making the teen cough up another mouthful of blood as he rose his hand to his chest, pain rushing throughout his body. Chad's grip on the stray devil didn't lesson as he reared back lifting the Devil up and slamming it back on the ground before throwing it across the warehouse floor it crashing into a forgotten scaffolding that collapsed upon impact.

"Keigo! Are you alright!?" Orihime called out as she rushed to Keigo's side to see him sitting up a hand raised to his chest, an ominous blue radiating around it as he gave her a weak smile.

"Yeah." Keigo told her. "I learnt some magic during my stay in Hueco Mundo." He explained to her.

"Will you be alright for now?" She questioned. "I can't fight if I'm healing." She explained.

"Yeah, I'll be here for when you finish, I can stop the bleeding at least." He explained to her still using his newly acquired devil magic to heal himself, it was a trick he had picked up after dealing with Apache. "Not going anywhere." He gave her a thumbs up making her smile before she nodded and rose to a standing position before him.

Chad was a ways across the warehouse as the Stray Devil crawled out of the collapsed scaffolding. Turning to Chad then to Orihime seeing the wounded Keigo behind Orihime the Stray Devil immediately charged for the duo. The stray devil reared back with it's pincer as Orihime simply stood in it's path, Keigo was slightly nervous at the charging beast heading towards them.

"Shiten Kōshun!" Orihime called out her shun shun rikka immediately coming to life and forming a shield in front fo herself just as the stray devil struck it's massive pincer hitting the golden shield with enough force to create a massive gust of wind to expel around Orihime and Keigo, Orihime's hair flying about wildly from the impact.

That was before the golden shield glowed making the Devil's eyes widen before it's pincer that had attacked immediately shattered in a grotesque display of blood making the stray devil roar in pain. Keigo's eyes were wide at the display before he turned to Chad to see the large teen even more shocked then he himself was. The Shield disappeared from view before Orihime took a stance calling out for her shun shun rikka once more.

"Hakai no Sutaffu!" Immediately the golden staff of light appeared in her grip as the stringer of the Devil struck only for Orihime to swing upwards with the end of her weapon, the head connecting with the stinger sending a massive gust of wind from the impact. The rogue devil roared once more going to strike again with it's stinger only to stop, eyes wide, everyone's eye were wide at what they were seeing.

The stingers tail was disintegrating.

With a roar the devil turned using it's remaining pincer out of instinct to detach the disintegrating stinger from it's body. With a glare that would send chills down the spines of soldiers the devil turned on Orihime again only for Orihime to be calm as she took a deep breath spinning her golden staff in her hand before slamming the end down onto the ground.

"Shinseina kattingu ame!" All five provision at the end of her staff all shot out and curved forward before shooting directly into the Devil with precision accuracy, the Stray Devil was stock still it's face showing nothing but pain before a golden pillar of light shot up from it's back as the entire body disintegrated leaving nothing behind. The staff in her hand disappeared, her shun shun rikka returning to her pin on her shirt before she let out a massive sigh catching Keigo off guard as he jumped slightly.

"Ok, all done! Soten Kisshun!" She called out as her healing shield appeared over Keigo.

"Orihime! That was incredible!" Keigo cheered as he rose to his feet within the shield. "I never knew you could fight like that! I've seen Chad and Ichigo fight but you! That was mind blowing! You were so pssh! Pssh! Tah! Take that!" Keigo cheered making Orihime smile lightly before she jumped at the sudden hand on her shoulder making her turn to see Chad looking down at her with a smile on his face.

"Well done Orihime." Chad simply told her making the auburn haired teen grin happily up at him, she was proud of her accomplishments in training. She'd never admit it to anyone but she was jealous of how Chad had been able to fight so freely from first awakening his powers, they had received their powers at the same time yet he had gone far beyond hers in skill. It was her own selfish desire to not hurt others, even when they were in trouble that she couldn't aide them. But now, no longer would she be left behind or protected. She could protect her friends.

"You sure matured Princess." Loly's voice came from the side making Orihime turn to see the former Arrancar, her uniform slightly singed from the fire and was mattered with soot. "I've got to say, if you pulled those kind of moves back then..." She trailed off, her eyes growing distant as she averted her eyes.

"I practised really hard!" Orihime smiled at her. "Here get in with Keigo, I'll fix your uniform for you." She gestured for Loly to get inside the barrier who entered, the burnt fabric of her clothing knitting back together along with Keigo's blood stained shirt the wound in the centre of his chest having healed along with the fabric of his uniform. Even the blood stains had been removed.

"We should get going." Chad spoke up. "Class is about to start." He stated.

"Oh no! We can't be late!" Orihime cried removing her Soten Kesshun.

"Ah! What do we do about this!?" Keigo shouted pointing to the raging fire within the building, it already way out of control.

"You said it was creepy, just let it burn down. There isn't anyone here." Loly shrugged heading for the exit, the others following after her and exiting out in the street. They could already hear the sirens from the fire trucks making the group look to one another before taking off down the street. While they were running Orihime turned slightly to see a girl watching them, her hair white as snow and her petite frame made her stick out.

"Hey, look at the cute girl!" Orihime cried happily as she turned back to the others however Keigo's head immediately turned to the spot.

"Where!?" Orihime turned back only for there no sign of the girl she had seen.

"Huh? She must of run off." Orihime pouted making Keigo cry out, even Orihime was able to point out cute girls before he could! What was this world coming too!?

"Well Ichigo... this is you... this is your life." Ichigo mumbled aloud to himself. He was clearly not impressed with current matters. He was waiting outside of a room, why? Because Nelliel had told him to stay... as if he was some kind of pet. She had even backed into the room eyes watching him the entire time until the door closed to be sure he was going to stay.

So, why was he standing outside of the room rather then being within the room with his two knights and Sona? Because quite frankly he wasn't ready for that storm. He had enough to deal with enough such shenanigans when he first awoke, he was all out for the rest of the day.

"Ichigo?" Said teen rose his head up to see Rias walking towards him with Akeno who was smiling, Ichigo having felt the presence of the Fallen Angel around her once more, it was like she was trying to suppress it. "What are you doing outside the student council room?" She questioned.

"Oh, Rias, Akeno." Ichigo greeted before he sighed. "Uh... just waiting." He stated awkwardly as he scratched at the nape of his neck.

"Waiting? For Sona maybe? You've really gone far in your relationship if you're waiting for her like you're her boyfriend." Akeno smiled, Ichigo's eye twitching at the teasing tone laced within her words, oh he was so use to that tone from Yoruichi he could pick it up anywhere.

"No, not for Sona." Ichigo stated surprising both older devils. "Although... Sona is in there." He explained off handedly. "I'm just glad nothing has blown up yet." He told them honestly, knowing his luck they'd start something and it would cause the end of the world.

"Is Sona meeting with someone?" Rias questioned curious if they had come at a busy time for Sona.

"Yeah... just my Knights." Both teen eye's widened at the statement, they both knew that Ichigo's knights were Arrancars, one being the Queen of Hueco Mundo, so it was shocking to find that they were both here. "They shouldn't be too much longer."

"It's fine." Rias smiled. "I also wanted to advise you about something, we've gotten word that a Stray Devil has entered the city."

"Huh? Must be what I felt earlier." Ichigo stated. "It did feel like a Devil, but it also felt wrong, tainted somehow."

"You can do that? Feel a devil's signature all the way from here?" Akeno questioned with wide eyes, from what she knew only rumours of a few Ultimate Class Devils that may be able to achieve that feat, while any devil could detect another signature that was close by it took incredible amounts of concentration to pinpoint a devil from so far away. The dark haired teen's eyes widened, was it possibly for him to detect the Fallen Angel part of her?

"Yeah, can't you guys?" Ichigo questioned, both teens shook their head. "Oh, well I sent Chad along with Orihime, Keigo and Loly to check it out. They shouldn't be that much longer." He explained as their eyes widened even more. Before Ichigo's eyes widened slightly. "Well, the Devil's been taken care of." He stated as he felt the stray devil's signature disappear completely as he turned back to the two wide eyed teens. Rias was the first to gather herself.

"Well, then I believe a thank you is in order Ichigo." Rias smiled. "I was coming to inform Sona of it's presence and my peerage was going to deal with it after school had ended for the day."

"Hey don't mention it." Ichigo told her with a wave of his hand. "Fairly sure Loly was itching for a fight, Orihime is eager to help, Keigo's a show off and Chad went because I asked him too. Plus, we might as well pull our weight when we're here, anything we can do to help out. Just ask." Rias nodded with a smile.

"Even so, it is by no means an easy feat to deal with a Stray Devil with four members." Akeno explained.

"Trust me, you don't have to worry about them." Ichigo told her with a small nostalgic smile. "They know what they're doing." The door behind Ichigo began to open making the three outside turn to face the doorway only for Nel to leap from the room arms spread wide as she latched onto Ichigo.

"Ichigo! You stayed! Yay!" Nel cheered as she clung to Ichigo.

"Nel! Gah! You're making a scene!" Ichigo shouted as he tried to pry for the former third Espada off of himself however the busty green haired devil made no incline to letting him go as she rubbed her cheek against his.

"Nelliel, I believe that you are causing problems for Ichigo." A new voice spoke making both Akeno and Rias turn from the amusing scene only to stare in awe at the beauty that was exiting the room followed by Sona. The dark skinned devil took note of the fellow devils in the hall for an instant before turning back to the pouting Nel who released her hold on Ichigo.

"Thanks Tia." Ichigo sighed softly simply getting a nod in return. "I guess some introductions are in order. Akeno, Rias, this is Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, former Third Espada and my first Knight." Ichigo gestured to Nel who grinned happily at the two teens. "And this is Tia Harribel, current ranking third Espada and Queen of Hueco Mundo, my second Knight."

"It is a pleasure to meet you." Tia bowed her head lightly before getting bows back from both Akeno and Rias, both knowing how to properly act around those of high status.

"It is quite an honour Lady Harribel." Rias greeted. "I am Rias Gremory of the House of Gremory and this is my queen Akeno Himejima, the Priestess of Thunder." She introduced both herself and Akeno.

"That's some title, Priestess of Thunder." Ichigo inquired as he rubbed his chin lightly. "Kinda cool if you think about it."

"I'm honoured that you would think that Ichigo." Akeno smiled happily before Sona cleared her throat drawing the others attention back to her.

"Rias, did you need something?" Sona questioned.

"No, it would seem that the problem has sorted itself out." Rias smiled. "Will I see you at lunch Ichigo?"

"I don't see why not." Ichigo shrugged.

"Don't forget your lessons after school Ichigo." Akeno teased as she and Rias left making Ichigo sigh, he had to put up with school work and devil work too... geeze this was a pain in the ass.

"Ichigo, all the paperwork with Tia and Nelliel's transfers have all been completed. Tia informed me that there may be times that she needs to stay within Hueco Mundo for long periods of time."

"Yeah, it's complicated." The orange haired teen stated. "It shouldn't be too troublesome I hope."

"None at all." Sona said. "I'm actually looking forward to her leaving." Sona added mentally, the short conversation she had with the dark skinned woman... she now knew why she was Queen of Hueco Mundo, Queen of the Hollows... it's because she was intimidating as hell.

The moment Tia had brought up the engagement and her argument against it... Sona could barely react, how was she suppose to deal with the Queen of Hollows without causing a war with Devil's and Hollows? She simply told the Knight that if she had questions or disagreements about it, to speak with the Four Satans. The way Tia had reacted made no doubt in the Sitri heirs eyes... Tia was going to be speaking with the Devil leaders once she got the chance.

X-After School-X

"Koneko." Rias smiled her greeting seeing her Rook enter into the Occult Research room which was empty besides herself. Koneko was attending the junior high division of Kuoh Academy on a different campus, before Kiba had entered high school he had attended the same junior high with Koneko.

"Rias... the Stray Devil has been taken care of." Koneko spoke softly as she always had done.

"I'm aware." Rias nodded. "Ichigo Kurosaki's peerage took it out." Koneko nodded having witnessed the fight from a catchable location without being noticed of having to interfere. "You were able to see there powers?" She questioned, the newly stated devil peerage was a complete mystery to her.

"Yes." Koneko nodded before Rias saw a look in her Rook's eyes that only exhibited fear. "They're monsters."