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Consort To The Three Kings	By : Snowway32 Category: Bleach > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 7102 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 3
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the characters there within, Kubo Tite owns that sole right and I am making no money from this. It is purely for my own pleasure.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Right, it took a while to get back to this one but I so glad that I managed to finish it off. I'm afraid to say, all my honeys, that this is the last chapter for this part of the series. An epilogue of about 3000 – 6000 words will be added at a later stage, maybe in the next few days, before the story will be marked as 'complete'. This is NOT the end of Consort To The Three Kings, I'll be starting very intensive work on the Sequel as soon as I am able to and feel like it again. I want to thank every one of you who had stuck with me so far, giving me such loving reviews and I truly hope that you will enjoy what's still to come. We can meet again on the other side of this story too.

The sequel:

Soul Ignition: Consorts To The Triplet Kings

Will be started on very soon because there's much to do and a lot that I still have to write. This is just the ending of the first part. I'm splitting the story into three separate stories because it carries such a big plot but we're done with part 1 now. I'm glad that I've come so far, now I can turn my attention back to my other works as well. Other than that, my big lemon will have to wait for the sequel. I don't want to explore something that's not quite ready to make an appearance just yet. There's a lot of changes in the dynamics of this pairing.

There are no warnings for this chapter except that this story is moving away from the Arrancar-type setting and into the much newer parts of the Bleach plot. I'm not giving too much away but the Epilogue will be start of something new and unexpected as well as bringing in a whole range of new characters that I love to write. So, there you have it my honeys.

Please forgive me that it took so long to return to this story but I wanted to get everything perfect for this chapter and I wasn't feeling up to it quite yet. I'm glad that it's done now, so I do hope that you enjoy the last of this part before we move on.

I'll see you at the end of the chapter:

Chapter 13: Awakening To New Bonds

A deeply despaired cry could be heard echoing vastly into the distance, the startling sound so raw with frightened emotions that several pairs of eyes instantly snapped open to frantically scan the direction of where it was coming from. Dazed golden eyes, blurred with utter exhaustion, falling upon the two forms that were entangled beneath the sheets of a large canopy bed before frantic movements, as one fought the other for desperate control, seemed to lead them towards the edge of the mattress and another cry of pained surprise could be heard erupting through the atmosphere several seconds later. Pulled towards a carpeted floor with a jarring crash, Ichigo could only offer up a valiant struggle for his panicked breaths as the bed fell away from his back and his head collided painfully with the floor below. His mind was reeling at the excruciating pain it seared across his forehead, the darkened Royal Chambers swimming in dizzying circles around him as inevitable dots of black danced frantically in the peripheries of his vision and several whimpers of pain fell from parted strawberry lips. A familiar presence had barely managed to catch himself on the palm of his hand though, shakily balancing his weight before two foreheads could collide together and increase the confusion Ichigo was already experiencing.

'Nnngh! O-ow...' A strained tenor wined pitifully; chocolate brown eyes saturated with the beginnings of pained tears as someone's struggling breaths rushed humidly across pale cheeks and Ichigo could only blink through the blur that his vision had taken on when two knees came to rest on either side of his thigh. There was a resounding noise from a tinkling chain echoing deafeningly in his ears, a soft groan whispering despairingly against his shoulder as a forehead fell exhaustedly upon his chest and elegant fingertips sought to untangle the desperate grip that wound two hands, palm to palm, in an intimate clasp. Loathing the desperate sounds that were falling freely from his lips, the orange haired consort could only shiver uselessly in growing anguish when his unstable reiatsu reached out in desperation to re-establish the connection that tied his existence to his three beloveds souls so irrevocably. It was a desperate struggle though, a haze of confusion spreading alarmingly though the depths of his mind as Ichigo could only vaguely recognize the presence that was bowed so protectively over him and the warm blanket of comforting sensation that washed welcomingly over the recesses of his soul.

'Ichigo! King! Are you alright?' Three simultaneous shouts called frightfully, deeply concerned voices snapping through the haze of pain settled across his mind as Ichigo shifted his head to the side so that messy orange locks could conceal most of fever flushed cheeks from sight and dazed eyes could gaze at the world through a tumble of thick orange strands. He was observing the bed he had just fallen from, an unexpected sneeze ripped from his throat when strands of bright locks brushed across his nose and brought an unexpected reaction to the forefront of his existence. The being that was leaning over him so protectively though, was moaning in tandem to the unrest that flipped Ichigo's stomach upside down with pure anxiety and unsettled fear. Orange? Yes, that was definately orange...Ichigo thought to himself absently. His entire being felt so detached from his body though, that it felt utterly surreal when his fingertips lifted to brush through messy strands that were tickling his cheek. 'F-fuck! What the hell did you do, King?' A pained tenor groaned deeply, a forehead lifting away from his shoulder as vibrant crimson orbs suddenly collided with chocolate brown for several moments of surprise before the entire world abruptly shattered around the two of them.

'S-shit! M-Mugetsu?! Why are you―?!'

'Why am I outside YOUR soul?!' Simultaneously howling two overlapping questions, Ichigo cried out when the hand that was twined with his left tried to pull away to place some more distance between them gain. Something was preventing them from untangling their fingers however, Mugetsu's right palm pressing intimately against his own as the orange haired teen whimpered in pain when he became deeply aware of three other presences that were saturating the depths of his soul and the distinctive sound of rushing footsteps that crossed the room with deeply concerned haste. It was there again; the resounding clink of a chain before the orange haired teen instinctively clenched his eyes shut when a harsh flood of artificial light ignited against his vision mere seconds later. Tugging an unrestrained moan from parted lips; weakened fingertips clenched soft fabric in a desperate grip when a tender forehead fell against his own and an unrestrained nausea twisted uncomfortably in the pit of his stomach. He was calling out to his orange haired doppelganger warningly, wrenching his forehead to the side the instant that blood raced across his tongue and spilled from his lips in sickening splatters and a heaving cough.

'ICHIGO!' There were so many emotions rushing up within him, breaking through the walls of his heart as it sent ice flowing through his veins and the orange haired teen could barely even see the world around him when chocolate brown eyes snapped open at several concerned calls of his name. The room was far too bright; bathing his surroundings in distorted images as panting breaths spilled from tired lungs and he could only dimly piece together the detached sensations that were scorching an overwhelming heat across his skin. Mugetsu wasn't in a better state either, Ichigo knew that intimately. He could feel his doppelganger's emotions as his own, just as the slightly taller orangette was the only being that he could see hovering above him now. Somehow managing to find enough strength to sit up, the younger of the two instantly fell against a strong chest as a steady arm curled around his shoulders to support his sagging weight and their twined fingertips, one covered with a hardened black glove and the other not, were kept restricted by the intricate splay of Tensa Zangetsu's black chain. Several colourful curses were skittering across the top of an orange head, Ichigo frantically scanning the recesses of a blurred room as if to prove to himself that his other beloveds were still close to him.

He could feel them intimately...Hichigo...Ichiru...Ryuu...they were all around him and even though he couldn't figure out why Mugetsu was there too, the orange haired consort was overwhelmed near instantly with a frantic need to soothe away the pure upset, confusion and fear that were staining all of their souls so wholly now.

'O-oh god...' He whined in fright, his senses scattered to the four corners of the wind when a wailing cry was tugged from the depths of lungs mere seconds later. It was too much! Who did he comfort first? Who did he apologize to first? Who was in the most pain? What was he supposed to do now?! Why wasn't he dead? And why did he feel so overcome with fears and upsets that were not his own?! Ichigo couldn't think anymore, he couldn't breathe...couldn't move... 'ENOUGH!' A resounding call suddenly echoed deafeningly throughout Hueco Mundo's Royal Chambers. The sound so startlingly clear and powerful that all of Ichigo's fractured thoughts were halted near instantly as the blur began to recede from his vision and a tender palm came up to rest against the centre of forehead in soothing conciliation. There was a great release of pressure within Ichigo at that exact moment, a tinkling chain unwinding from both of their arms before a freed palm guided him forward so that a fevered forehead could press against the crook of a warm neck and gentle fingertips swiped away a trickle of tears that was falling from the corner of curling black lashes. A broken sob was lodging itself in the back of his throat, his beloveds names falling from pink lips as Ichigo dared to look up at the steps that were drawing ever closer to him.

'Ichigo? Ichigo? King? Which one...which one is Ichigo?' A confused baritone cried with increasing panic, sharp golden eyes narrowing in on the two beings that were curled so protectively upon the floor. One seemed to be shielding the other from view, vibrant crimson eyes glancing over a green haori clad shoulder to pin the oldest of the Three Kings with a glare when he stepped an inch too close. 'I said enough, all of you. Reign in your emotions, damn it! Settle your reiatsu! Do you want us to pass out? You're pulling too hard, Hichigo! Please! And Ryuu, you can stop panicking now. I assure you that we are fine, still shaken, but fine. I have no idea what the hell is going on here but can someone please bring the Oyaji here? Ichigo's burning up and I can barely keep his pain back. Ichiru? Where's Ichiru? Hichi...please...h-he's the only one that studied kaidō with Otou-san. He should be able to help us because I don't know how long I can keep this up without feeling the same effects Ichigo is too.' Shivering near uncontrollably when concerned crimson orbs suddenly flooded his vision, Ichigo breathed his orange haired doppelganger's name confusedly before he leant into the comforting warmth when gloved fingertips traced the red markings that were drawn so evocatively beneath a left eye.

'Come back to me, little one, please!'

'H-Hichigo?' Ichigo called softly, struggling to find an anchoring point for the dizzying sensations that were rushing through his veins as he cried out in fear when the long white haired being moved out of the range of his blurred vision and Ryuu's familiar reiatsu disappeared out of the large chamber doors in a burst of static. 'N-no! D-don't leave, PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!' Ichigo called frightfully, warm tears falling from the corner of his eyes as his breath hitched painfully in his chest and strong arms curled around his waist to steady his swaying form more fully. Trailing off with several hitched sobs, Ichigo could only dig his fingertips into a dark green haori that was thrown haphazardly across Mugetsu's naked form and bury his nose against a strong chest as a distinctive and warm aura flared around him with concern. 'Breathe, Ichigo. You need to relax and breathe, King...' Reaching uncertain fingertips over the shoulder that he was kept captive against, Ichigo whined pitifully when his outstretched hand was left empty of his beloved's pale black nailed fingertips. Hichigo had been there moment ago, damn it! Ichigo had seen him...

Even though his form had been blurred, the ethereal lash of his commanding power and the beautiful splay of those flowing white locks had been more than recognizable enough!

'Hichi...! Hichigo! R-Ryuu...Ichiru...' He whispered despairingly, breathing shakily when he was suddenly pulled tightly into an all encompassing embrace. Several hushing noises were spilling from his older counterpart's lips, rustling through semi-long orange locks that were sticking to a sweat slicked forehead as the world slowly but surely began to swim back into focus around him. Subconsciously drawing strength from Mugetsu's steady presence, the dazed orangette stuttered through an uncontained cough when blood touched his tongue and sickening bile rose in his throat without his consent. It was soon flitting away from his awareness though, lessening the sickening sensations that were wracking his soul when the messy orange haired twin pressed his fingertips upon Ichigo's back and traced soothing circles there with a steady and minute amount of controlled reiatsu. Blinking lazily when he lost a large amount of panic through that reassurance alone, the orange haired consort soon found himself adhering to the new and startling wave of exhaustion that was flooding the walls of his heart so wholly.

'King? Oi, King? Can you look at me?' Peeking over the shoulder that he had been resting his forehead against for a while now, Ichigo blinked up at the presence that had called out to him as he took in the familiar golden eyes and black nailed fingertips that reached out to him concernedly. Instinctively leaning into the touch that cupped his cheek tenderly, strawberry red lips lilted with a contended smile even through the excruciating headache that tainted his thoughts and Hichigo's unwavering reiatsu that flowed into tanned skin in a continuous rush of tender comfort. The long white haired being had knelt behind Mugetsu's back by now, bringing himself closer to Ichigo's form before shocked golden eyes widened in surprise when the slightly smaller form tilted his weight in his counterpart's lap too much. There was a single moment spent in suspended animation, two startled cries falling passed identical luscious lips mere seconds before a warm back fell against Hichigo's lap and Ichigo found himself kneeling over his twin's fallen form instead. He had twined trembling fingertips in the First King's white kosode to steady himself, whining softly at the abrupt shift in his weight as a stuttering breath spilled shakily from strawberry red lips.

'Careful, Ichigo. Are you alright?' Shaking his head in the negative at the question, Ichigo revelled happily in the presence that enveloped his soul so completely as the orange haired consort below him curled his arms around Ichigo's lower back and vibrant crimson eyes fluttered shut at Mugetsu's own strain. 'Ichi...King? W-who's this? Is he―?'

'Mugetsu...Mugetsu...h-he's me? B-but I don't understand why he's outside of my soul...I―?' Trailing off abruptly when a sudden sear of pain made itself known across his forehead again, the dazed teen was left reeling when another presence suddenly rose in intensity within him at an alarming rate. Several shaky breaths were spilling from his lips, his back arching when black nailed fingertips tugged at a messy sprawl of orange locks and chocolate brown eyes fluttered half-mast when a strained hiss whispered across his neck from below and warm lips abruptly sealed over his own. Moaning in pleasured bliss at the familiar kiss, Ichigo did not resist the slick tongue that brushed tenderly against his bottom lip before it slipped inside his mouth for a brief entanglement of pure sensation. It wasn't meant to arouse him, or to overpower him...it was merely a reassurance that he was still breathing as a lazy fog of dizziness spilled over into his soul and Ichigo fought against Mugetsu's grip to press closer to his beloved. He was on the verge of crawling into the white haired King's lap, the both of them forced to part for air when the orangette below them reached a shaky palm upwards to tug on a fistful of hip-length white locks in reprimand.

'N-not now, Hichi. Please! It's too much for him...f-for the both of us...' Swaying into the warm kiss that pressed against the centre of the forehead, Ichigo shifted on his knees to press his forehead against a strong shoulder just so that Hichigo's familiar scent could enveloped his senses in a breath of new life. 'You're very warm, King. Can you keep still for a moment? Ichiru's struggling to wake up. I think that Isshin's medication from earlier was a little too strong.' Nodding absently at the words, Ichigo twined the fingertips of his right hand in a green haori below him as he jerked back in surprise when a palm suddenly pressed against the dip in his spine and he looked over his shoulder so that chocolate brown orbs could collide guiltily with a single golden eye. When unsteady footsteps lead the Second King closer towards them, Ichigo whimpered softly in distress as the sight that his beloved now made became clearer within his mind. Ichiru was hurt, a blood stain was colouring the white bandages that were drawn across a left eye as the orangette felt his entire world grounding to a halt around him at the mere thought that he hadn't been able to stop it.

'I-I'm sorry...'

'What the fuck is this, Hichigo?' An irate whisper suddenly echoed into the air, the sound snapping Ichigo out of his daze as strong arms suddenly wound around his waist and pulled him away from Hichigo so that his back fell back against a strong chest and the world spun in circles around him when Ichiru brushed black nailed fingertips against his chest before tipping his head back so that their eyes could connect for several moments of reprieve. 'This would have been such a nice dream, damn it! Two Ichigos, such vibrant, dazed and confused emotions present in their eyes... But instead I find you hogging them all for yourself. That's not funny! This is my dream, Onii-san...get your own!' Startled when a possessive bite suddenly sunk into the side of his neck, Ichigo moaned lowly in his throat as blunt fingernails dug into a white hakama clothed thigh to find his faded balance and two cries of concern distorted his hearing seconds later. There was such an overwhelming rush of reiatsu igniting across his skin, a shuddering breath the mere prelude to the sensations that were flooding through his heart as his very soul seemed to open up under the ministrations his beloved was unknowingly gifting him.

'Ichiru...Ichiru! Oh...god...s-stop...ICHIRU!'

'A dream? This isn't the time for such dazed observations, Ichiru!' Hichigo howled in anger, carefully providing a supporting grip when Mugetsu tried sit up as he pressed a pale palm against a furrowed forehead to check for the blazing temperature that was settled against sweaty skin as well. His free hand was curled around a trembling shoulder, noting the distressed state that seemed to have flowed over into the orange haired being that had two black marks seared below his left eye instead of red. When 'Mugetsu' as Ichigo had called him, seemed to settle down at the white haired King's touch; Hichigo reached across the small distance to where Ichigo was so that he could pass his fingertips across a flushed cheek to ground the younger teen's rising emotions that were chasing up the stifling sensation of his powerful reiatsu. 'This is not a dream, Baka! Ichigo is really sick, Ichiru, and if you can't even sense the state of his fever through your own damned kosode then you better wake yourself up!'

'Don't look at me like that, Otouto! You can try to sort out this mess and be surprised later, like all of us! Find your control that I know you can implement so easily. Now, Ichiru! Before I do it for you! You are the only one that can ease Ichi's pain with your kaidō before Isshin get's here!'

...

Not a dream,not a dream...okay; Ichiru was definately going to need a few moments to process the scene before him because his mind was far too hazed to make any form of reality out of it. But for now though, the hazy fog that reiatsu exhaustion and a medicated sleep had induced across his soul, was starting to slip away from around him as it became much easier to find his eternal self control again. There was a pained moan caressing sensitive ears several seconds later, dragging his scattered attention towards the form that was shifting restlessly in his lap as messy orange strands tickled his chin and an undeniable heat coloured the air with an invisible push. Panting breaths were tainted with several pained groans, the floppy white haired King sighing softly in concern as he pressed the palm of his hand against a frantically beating heart and several murmurs brushed soothingly against the back of an orange head. It had been many years since he had implemented the teachings that he had learned beside Isshin when Ichigo had still been alive two hundred years ago. But to soothe away the fever that he could feel tainting his beloved's form, he would transverse the one Shinigami technique that he hated having to use more than anything.

'Ichi-Koi? Where does it hurt?' Ichiru asked tenderly, struggling with his depth perception when a single remaining golden eye provided him a much narrower outlook on the world. Clumsy fingertips had brushed against a red marked cheek accidentally, having attempted to reach for a deeply furrowed brow to feel out the unrest in Ichigo's reiatsu when he ended up touching a flushed nose instead. Really now! This was becoming rather troublesome, so when tender fingertips curled around his own and lead it upwards to rest against a fevered forehead, Ichiru pressed his lips to the back of an orange head to soothe away the tremor he could sense transversing his beloved's skin. There was a stuttered 'here' ringing in his ears, prompting the Mei-Ou to reach for the more unused of his powers as a flicker of green encircled his fingertips and flowed into the depths of an unstable reiatsu. He was slowly weeding out the small taints of illness he could sense within it, noting the relieved fact that that it didn't seem too life threatening with its fluctuations. But it did seem to be affecting his most beloved consort fairly intensely, the orangette's shoulders only relaxing now as a shaky sigh spilled hauntingly passed strawberry red lips.

'I-I'm sorry...' A strained voice stuttered unsteadily, Ichiru blinking in surprise when an agile form twisted in his lap so that a temple could rest against his shoulder and steadier fingertips came upwards to lay upon his left cheek. Somehow having moved himself so that Ichiru's fingertips did not shifted away from his forehead, Ichigo was gazing up at a single golden eye that was saturated with confused emotions and deep concern. There was a whisper of pure regret tainting the air around them; the older being humming softly in conciliation when his beloved Ichigo traced the edges of a blood stained bandage and a hitch of desperate emotion lodged itself in his throat. 'I-I'm sorry! You w-were hurt Ichiru and I-I couldn't g-get to you ―!' Hushing the tumble of repentant words by shakily laying his palm over tear glazed chocolate brown orbs, the white haired King huffed in lingering exasperation as he managed to press his lips against an overly warm temple before a slick tongue darted out to capture the warmth from a pearl of sweat that was gathered there. He had really hoped that his beloved wouldn't be coherent enough to start stringing together whole thoughts by now, damn it!

Ichiru had known that this was coming the moment it had happened, had known that it was going to take more than his words to ease away the undeserved guilt Ichigo must already feeling because of it. So, he could only sigh softly in exasperation as he increased the flow of green reiatsu across his fingers and drew his palm away from chocolate brown orbs to return it to an overly warm forehead instead. There wasn't much that he could say for comfort, he thought absently. It had been his own fault, much of everything had been their fault. They had been careless that morning...very careless...and they were paying the consequences for it now. Not only had they nearly lost their beloved Ichigo to poison again but he had lost half his sight as a rightful punishment for dropping their guard. This proved to the strategically inclined Mei-Ou that they needed to strengthen their resources. They needed to recalculate their battle plans, re-establish links to forgotten allies and most of all; they needed to increase the security and protection around Ichigo before a single slip in their defence could cause something much worse to happen. They had come too close, after all. Far too close to losing Ichigo again.

For that alone, Ichiru would never forgive himself.

'I'm alright, Ichigo-Koi.' He reassured tenderly, a playful nose nuzzling an attractive sprawl of messy orange locks to still the emotional trembles that he could feel against his chest. Ichiru was pressing pale lips against a soft cheek, leaning forward so that their eyes could collide for several moments to make sure that his words would be listened to before he traced a flushed cheek lovingly. 'It's not your fault that this happened, Ichi. It's ours, we were careless. Hichigo should never have let you leave on your own, I should never have turned my back to an enemy and Ryuu should have checked the strength of the reiatsu bonds.' Ichiru whispered apologetically, smiling reassuringly as chocolate brown eyes seemed to clear of their daze state before the overwhelming heat searing his palm, slowly began to recede away from a sweaty forehead and Ichigo's previously stuttering breaths calmed to a much more natural rhythm. 'We are the ones that should be apologizing, Koi. I'm sorry that we didn't protect you, I'm sorry that you had to live through unimaginable pain and I'm sorry that we caused this. Whatever happened, whatever changes has already been made to our souls and yours...we even seemed to have gained another you...we are eternally grateful that you are alive, Ichigo.'

'So, thank you beloved. Thank you for having the will to survive this. Thank you for being strong, for fighting every second when I know it must have been so easy to give up and fall into the darkness. And thank you, most of all, for coming back to me...to all of us, Ichigo, and holding onto your life for as long as you did.' Leaning into the gentle touch that sent a continuous rush of warm reiatsu skittering through his veins, Ichigo didn't keep back the first strained tear that slid down his cheek as his breath hitched painfully in his chest. Those words, he wanted to protest them...didn't want to believe that this was their fault. But they were soothing away a deep ache that he had felt for a long time now as he shifted restlessly in the white haired being's lap to search for Mugetsu's reassuring presence that had been beside him all this time. 'I-it wasn't me. I-I didn't survive a-alone.' Ichigo said sorrowfully, turning again so that his back was pressed against a strong chest and a steady arm curled around his waist to offer him a better range of support. Chocolate brown eyes were drawn instinctively to the form that was kneeling shakily on the floor before him. Tensa Zangetsu's menacing form gripped tightly in a gloved right hand as crimson orbs lifted to collide with chocolate brown for several moments of reprieve.

'Hn? What do you mean it wasn't you, Ichi-Koi? What are you talking about?' Chuckling near hysterically at the Second King's words, Ichigo stretched out his right hand expectantly as he shivered softly in delight when tanned fingertips twined with his seconds later and Mugetsu sat down mere inches in front of him. An unfamiliar green haori was draped across straightened shoulders, falling in a sensual sprawl of fabric across a slightly taller frame as a soft touch of pink coloured pale cheeks when the orange haired teen cupped warm flesh and trace the pitch black marks that were drawn so provocatively beneath a vibrant crimson eye. Messy orange locks were concealing their undeniable sharpness from sight, creating a beautiful image that brought a tender smile to strawberry red lips the moment that Mugetsu leaned into his touch and rested his own palm upon Ichigo's cheek in a mirrored touch. Ichigo could hear Ichiru's breath hitching behind him, the continuous flow of reiatsu that had been pressing into his veins faltering for a brief second as the orangette frowned at the brief flash of pain that he felt erupting across his soul when his doppelganger's cheek felt far too warm against his palm.

'Mugetsu, do you feel sick too?' He asked concernedly, frowning in concentration when he received a negative shake of a head before he was forced to push his worries aside when he became deeply aware of Hichigo's presence that stood behind the three of them now. Pleased as black nailed fingertips buried in his messy orange strands, Ichigo shuddered unexpectedly when the older King asked him to elaborate on the words he had just spoken mere moments before. 'H-he helped me, Hichi. Mugetsu was there with me. He's the one that kept me stable, Ichiru. I-it wasn't me...it was his reiatsu that kept me conscious.' Allowing the truth to tumble passed his lips in pure gratitude, Ichigo felt that he had to make that one fact very clear. His orange haired doppelganger had been the one to give him strength when his waned, Mugetsu was the one that had never moved away from his side and he was the sole reason why Ichigo had been able to face the darkness of death without feeling any true fear as a result. He hadn't achieved anything remarkable on his own. There was no greatness in the triumph that they had survived and had Mugetsu not been by his side, Ichigo was sure that he would never have awoken from the pain and despair that had captured his soul so entirely.

Those words had scarcely left his lips though, before chocolate brown eyes were forced to snap in the direction of the Royal Chamber doors when it was pushed open with considerable force. Two indistinguishable forms were rushing inside with hasty speed, leaping across the distance with shunpo and sonido respectively before coming to a halt mere feet away from the four beings that were still seated on the ground and pressed close together. Someone was asking after Ichigo's health again, two stares of mismatched eyes scanning their forms for any true injury before the youngest orangette felt his breath pulled from his lungs in surprise when he watched as a spiky black haired Shinigami gripped Mugetsu's haori by the scruff before he was wrenched backwards and into a strong chest. Crimson eyes were widening behind a messy sprawl of semi-long bangs, strawberry lips parting with a yell of rage before the older of the two orange haired counterparts used an impressive display of hand-to-hand combat to subdue the presence that had grabbed him as he pinned the oldest Kurosaki to the floor with a bare foot. He was trembling uncertainly in his upright stance, fingertips gripping a left temple for balance but there was an undeniable grin of deadly enjoyment curling across strawberry red lips.

'Do you ever change, Oyaji? Can you not wait until we are at least healed before you attempt something like that again?' A reprimanding tenor hissed in rage, several sets of golden eyes turning towards the form that was walking to them before he stood still for several moment to collect himself. His palm was resting reassuringly against Ryuu's cheek, crimson orbs colliding with confused gold before a tender smile curled across his lips and he quietly seated himself on the floor after having folded his legs beneath him in irritation. 'I will say this only once, so listen carefully. Me and Ichigo are born of the same existence, I'm still waiting on damned explanation as to why I'm split from the King's soul but make no mistake. I am not your beloved, I am not Ichigo and I will not be played with in his place. The King has given me a name, I am Mugetsu and Ichigo; he will always remain Ichigo. He is the centre of my existence, the centre of your existence and I will protect him as such. I'm his guide, the one that he draws strength from and he is my ward to protect. Whatever has happened, I have a feeling cannot be undone, but for the little one that has shown me nothing but kindness when I should be hated for bringing such unbearable pain into his life...I will gladly lay down my very life.'

'I know exactly who you are, son.' A startlingly serious baritone noted mere seconds later, several pairs of eyes turning upon the spiky black haired father that pushed himself to his feet. There was a tender smile curling across pale lips, steady footsteps leading him forward as he eventually laid a large palm against the top of an orange head. Concerned chocolate brown orbs were reading the depths of crimsons eyes deeply, Isshin brushing a large thumb beneath a left eye as a heady flicker of green encircled his fingertips and he hummed softly in thought before soothing away the unrest present in his son's soul. 'You are both my sons, both my firstborns. Your real name is not Mugetsu, child. You are Ichigo, your beautiful name was given to you by your mother on the 15th of July 1651 and you, little Ichigo, my son that has been through so much sorrow and pain before you even had a chance to celebrate your sixteenth birthday...you are the soul that was carried over into this world for a second time not even twenty years ago. You are both Ichigo, both my precious little ones and both of you are in a hell of lot of trouble for worrying me so bloody much!'

'For the sake of keeping the confusion at bay untill this transcendence of fate can be sorted out, I'll call my firstborn Mugetsu as he wishes. He seems a little less unsteady than you, Ichigo, but I can guess that it was your body that sustained the most damage from the poison. Hōgyoku or not, a poison of that level is going to leave behind a trace no matter how god-like any healing ability is. I can see that Ichiru has been keeping most of the sensations back but his skill is not very developed in the art of healing Shinigami souls. So come here, Ichigo and don't make me ask you again. I don't think that my patience is going to last much longer.' Apparently Ichigo didn't need to be told twice. Those words had been all that he needed to move forward, messy orange bangs shifting sensually across flushed cheeks as he guiltily averted his gaze from a pair that were the exact same shade as his own. Only, they twice as fierce with underlying concern. A shaky breath was spilling from his lips seconds later though, warm palms helping him from Ichiru's lap so that he could enter the range of his father's arms. There was a single cry of relief spilling from his lungs, the orange haired teen not even having realized how much comfort he could draw from their encompassing strength when he was wound up in a reassuring embrace and a nose fell against his shoulder as if to memorize his scent.

'D-don't you ever do that to me again, Ichigo! I will not lose my son a second time! I refuse to lose you because of careless mistakes and situations that could long since have been avoided. Your beloveds aren't the only ones that feel the pain of connections snapping, idiot! I feel it too. What the hell did you think happened the first time you activated the Hōgyoku? Do you think it's normal for a Shinigami to stay alive so long when I am weaker in comparison to all of you and have just as many deadly enemies as you? Who else is going to bring your soul into the world through my blood again? I don't have any other sons other than you, my power has to be passed down through you just like your mother's soul has to be one that carries you over into this world.' Isshin said softly, refusing to loosen his restrictive hold until he could feel the impurities in Ichigo's reiatsu vanish when he passed kaidō infused fingertips through messy orange locks to calm the unrest in his firstborn's soul.

'Losing my precious son not once but twice is unimaginably painful Ichigo. Your heart and soul may belong to these three around me and I know that you forget sometimes to look beyond the pain and upset you cause them, but don't forget what I have to go through everytime that I am forced to look upon any of my children suffering. You have to learn to be more considerate of your own health, for heaven's sake! This isn't a game that Soul Society plays, Ichigo. They will really kill you if you give them enough of a chance. ' Blinking up at concerned eyes that flooded his vision, Ichigo shivered softly when his nose fell against a warm black kosode with pure exhaustion and trembling fingertips gripped warm fabric to steady himself more fully. 'I'll be confining you to this room until I am satisfied that you are alight...even if it takes more than a week, Ichigo. Neither you or Mugetsu will be stepping one foot out of this room unless I say so.'

'But for now, my delinquent son, I'll ask Ryuu to run you a bath. You smell far too much like blood for me to be assured that you are physically alright.'

'You are going to get in trouble with Hichigo again, Ryuu.' A lilting tenor breathed with lingering exasperation, crimson orbs flickering with a brush of amusement as Mugetsu took in the tender sight that was spread right in front of him over the pages of a book. All that he could see was a messy array of orange striped white locks; two dragon like tails falling across rumpled black sheets as steady arms were curled restrictively around Ichigo's thin waist. The younger consort was pressed infinitely close to a strong chest, white hakama clad legs twined together intimately as pale lips pressed against the top of spiky orange locks to steady the orangette's restless shifting. A dainty nose was buried in white fabric, Ichigo fast asleep and gone to the world as the unusual exhaustion that had plagued the younger being over the last five days seemed to drag him into unconsciousness again. Luckily the Royal Chamber's artificial lights were off, the dim illumination from a single bedside lamp spilling into the immortal darkness as Mugetsu sighed softly in amusement when he received a lazy golden eyed glare over a white clad shoulder. Ryuu was ignoring his words of caution again, merely surrounding himself in his consort's warmth as he drew a large amount of comfort from their close twined proximity.

It wouldn't be the first time that one of the Kings had snuck in from their duties during the day to settle themselves upon the large bed beside their consorts, sometimes on the couch that was placed in front of the fire place when one or both of them weren't asleep. So far Ichigo and Mugetsu had only been permitted to leave the Royal Chambers for meal times and when they were called to Isshin's room. Hichigo had been adamant that no one in Las Noches was to know of Mugetsu's presence until Ichigo was fully healed and the both of them were strong enough to withstand the influx of unrest that would explode through the castle as a result. But the older orangette wasn't really bothered by the restrictions just yet, the little one was struggling through a difficult case of reiatsu exhaustion just as he was adjusting to the new bond that wound him and Mugetsu in a more emotionally aware tie than before. That deep connection wasn't something that came without its consequences, it was difficult enough controlling it on its own without the influence of outside sources. But the confusion from five nights ago seemed to have faded when the truth of just what had happened, had been revealed by Urahara's highly amused and concerned explanation mere hours after the two of them had awoken.

This was the last time, however, that Mugetsu would allow that accursed object close to any one of Hueco Mundo's Kings or he and Ichigo themselves. It was not meant to see the light of day, especially when the power it carried was too incomprehensible to contain if it were to fall into the wrong hands or someone just had the wrong 'wish' around its presence. For what it had done though, he would be eternally grateful. Only, it was time to be sealed away again. Mugetsu could trust Urahara with that task at least, the blonde haired shopkeeper had kept his promise for the three hundred years that it had been locked away until now. There was no more need for any of them to be put at risk with its presence however, just as it wasn't time to charge into Soul Society to retaliate the underhanded blow that they had been dealt mere days ago. Allowing for a soft sigh to spill past parted lips, Mugetsu leaned his head back against a soft pillow as a slick pink tongue swiped across dry lips and he turned his attention back to the book that was nestled in his lap. He was sitting with his back pressed against an array of soft pillows, messy orange locks shifting against a dark headboard as he carded comforting fingertips through white locks to still the steady rise of Ryuu's unsettled reiatsu.

'Ryuu? Why are you so upset, beloved? It's rare for you to storm in here without a word and wind Ichigo up so tightly that it looks difficult to breathe. Are you alright?' Frowning in concern when the white haired being unconsciously leant into his touch, Mugetsu closed his eyes for several moments of thought before another lash of unsettled reiatsu rocked powerfully through the Royal Chambers. Ryuu was the one that was the most weary of his presence, Mugetsu had found. Even though all of them seemed to accept Mugetsu's touch and behaviour as 'Ichigo's', the third triplet in particular seemed much more attached to the younger counterpart of his and Ichigo's shared soul than him. But that didn't really matter to the orangette; in this situation, Mugetsu was the newest soul that posed the threat of shifting the dynamic that their relationship revolved around instead of when there had only been one consort before. Telling three souls that were irrevocably bound to both orange haired beings' souls that they were the same being, only split across two bodies, was not something that was accepted at the drop of hat. Far from it, really. Mugetsu would be rather worried, in fact, if his newly revealed presence had encountered no resistance from the Three Kings whatsoever.

This he could at least deal with, the deeply jealous glares that he received from Ryuu was very endearing sometimes...just like it was now. He did not pull away from the white haired King though, merely snapping his book shut before shifting beneath the covers so that his forehead could rest comfortably between two shoulder blades and his arms wound reassuringly around Ryuu's waist. He was humming softly, a long forgotten lullaby that his mother had sung to him when he was little as he very carefully drew strength from the top most layer of his undetectable power before wrapping it around the Mei-Ou's unsettled reiatsu and subduing it into a more rested state. The reassurance of their love would come later, he reminded himself sorrowfully. A deeper connection would be established only when Ichigo permitted it, not before. Little Ichigo was the King after all, the 'true soul' so to speak. Mugetsu's entire existence was sculpted from a small piece of Ichigo's soul that had been fractured when he had sealed away an overwhelming torrent of painful memories from tainting the inherent innocence that his younger counterpart seemed to have been born with.

It couldn't be helped that the beings he had given his life for were acting a little weary of his presence now. Everything was still too new for them to bare their hearts on their sleeves so openly.

'He still feels it, Mu-chan. I don't know how to stop it.' Ryuu eventually answered, the sorrow tainting his words prompting a sigh to fall from luscious lips as Mugetsu closed his eyes in thought. He was pushing himself to sit up, bending over Ryuu's form protectively from behind as the orange haired being rested his palm against a warm forehead to feel out the flowing reiatsu that his younger counterpart carried with growing concern. He hadn't even paid any mind to the newest pet name Ichiru had thought of. There simply wasn't any true need to get irate over such small things, not when the little one's reiatsu was swirling up in a rising torrent of uncontained vastness within him again. Really now, Ichigo was much stronger than anyone ever gave him credit for...even in comparison to Mugetsu's own undetectable reiatsu and what Tensa Zangetsu's changed form meant when it wound a tinkling chain so protectively up his right arm. Brushing curious fingertips trough the orange locks that Ichigo had cut a little shorter yesterday and the two orange sideburns that had been added to the messy style, he ruffled the strands lovingly before laying down again so that his chin was resting upon Ryuu's shoulder.

'He's fine, Ryuu. I'd say his reiatsu seems much more potent than before, his body is just getting used to the condensed influx it has taken on. And splitting me from him when I am in the pinnacle of this state, is enough to exhaust even Ichigo in the peak of boundless energy and unwavering strength.' Even when those words carried an infinite possibility for comfort and truth, Ryuu was a little weary of accepting them so freely. But it didn't matter, his beloved was alive and he was much better physically than he had been five days ago. His fever had long since died down, along with the deathly pale features that had drained all colour from plush cheeks when Isshin had healed him for the first time. Ryuu was just happy that he could hold Ichigo like this, to burn the sweet scent of tanned skin into his soul and trace every single breath that rose and fell against his chest when Ichigo pressed closer in search of the soothing warmth that his beloved's form gave off. The previous unsettled emotions that he felt in the castle couldn't reach him here, Ichiru and Hichigo's heated argument about how best to approach their retaliation was a mere whisper of concern in his heart as he slowly allowed his beloved's very existence to flow into him continuously.

It wasn't long until the peace of the situation lulled both him and Mugetsu into a dazed state, Ryuu dropping off for an unusual afternoon doze where everything fell away from around him and there was nothing but an all encompassing aura of Ichigo enveloping the entirety of his heart and soul. It was pure bliss, a soothing balm to his previous unrest as the white haired King unconsciously allowed himself to burn the overwhelming sensation of two familiar forms enrapturing his senses from all sides. Mugetsu wasn't far behind him either, Ichigo's doppelganger feeling the latent affects of his younger counterpart's reiatsu exhausted state as it crept over the intimate bond that bound them together and dragged him headlong into a sweet rest where the reprieve was so deep and satisfying that not a single nightmare invaded their consciousness. Time seemed to flow into an indiscernible stretch after that, enclosing the Royal Chambers in a feeling of detached reality until the hours on the clock flew by without restraint. And by the time that the afternoon was winding to a close and the rest of their beloveds made ready to leave their posts to retreat for a well deserved rest by their sides, a pair of chocolate brown orbs fluttered open indolently at the whispering call that echoed soothingly through the depths of a dazed mind.

'Time to wake, Aruji. I apologize that it took so long to complete but forging a sharper blade to fit the steadier and immense state of your reiatsu is bound to take a few days.' Jerking awake in surprise at the sound of that familiar voice caressing his ears, a small frown furrowed tangerine brows as Ichigo blinked away the heady sleep that was still settled in the corner of his eyes before stretching out beneath the sheets to work out the kinks that were present in his spine. He was fairly restricted in his movements though, Ryuu having wound him up in a such an all encompassing embrace that he could barely move. But it was easy to slip out of it when the white haired King seemed to have fallen into the clutches of a peaceful sleep himself. Mugetsu however, had his hand twined in an array of messy orange locks that Ichigo had cut into a shorter and more unique style the day before. The orange haired teen had done it to make it easier for his three beloveds to tell Mugetsu and him apart as well using the time to wash away the sheer boredom he had been feeling over the last few days. Being sealed away in the Royal Chambers was not fun, not when Ichigo would rather escape for a few hours and distract his mind from everything that had happened over such a short span of time.

Shoving the rest of his unsettled thoughts away from his consciousness before it became too much, Ichigo concentrated on the voice that had lulled him into wakefulness as he carefully untangled Mugetsu's fingertips from his hair and forced himself to stand on a plush carpet to collect himself more fully. There was only a brief rush of dizziness streaking across his awareness, his palm pressing against a soft mattress to find his balance before dazed chocolate brown orbs took in the dimly lit room that was spread around him so soothingly. A pristine white shihakushō was settled around his lithe frame, Ryuu having hidden all of the black ones so that Ichigo couldn't be identified by the difference in his clothing again, before the orangette fiddled with the blood red sash that was bound provocatively around his waist. In the corner of his eye, he could see that Mugetsu was dressed similarly as well. The older being's sash was pitch black though, a large bow settled against his right hip instead of where Ichigo's was resting upon the base of a curved spine. Luckily though, the younger being wasn't bothered by his older counterpart's presence. He enjoyed the comfort he could draw from Mugetsu's proximity, that dynamic between them hadn't changed at all and he was more than grateful for its steady reassurance.

'Having trouble stepping into the flow of reality again, Ichigo? Do I need to snap you awake more forcefully?' Chuckling at the hint of irritation present in Zangetsu's usually stoic voice, Ichigo allowed a brief sigh of contentment to spill passed his lips as he tilted his head to the side at the resounding call that was echoing deafeningly though the depths of his soul. There was something infinitely warm rustling through his veins, spilling over into an excited flutter within his stomach as chocolate brown eyes gazed at the vast eternal desert that was present outside of a window to calm the strange anticipation rising potently within his reiatsu. A gentle breeze was sneaking inside, tugging restlessly at the evocative folds of a white shihakushō before Ichigo hummed liltingly in a rising pleasure with every single step that he took closer towards his Zanpactō. He had never felt Zangetsu calling to him so strongly, the old man was practically overpowering the sensations that were racing through Ichigo's blood. Drowning his soul with pure contentment so that Ichigo could hardly breathe. Everything around him seemed to flitting away from his grasp, the reassurance of the old man's presence a soothing warmth against his rested heart as Ichigo simply couldn't ignore the ragging call anymore.

'W-what're you doing, Z-Zangetsu? I-I can't―.'

'The taste of a Shinigami's pure instinct towards his blade is quite heady, is it not?' Zangetsu breathed soothingly, Ichigo coming to a halt in front of a sword rack that was placed within arms reach of the large canopy bed. He was frowning deeply at the older being's words, not able to stop himself as tanned fingertips traced a familiar bandaged hilt before pulling the sword from its place and bringing it closer to his side. A deep reverberation instantly exploded across his heart, the sensation humming in tandem to the presence of the blade as it nearly crippled the orange haired being's already strained senses. There was a startled cry falling from strawberry red lips, Ichigo tipping his head back in the hopes that he could find some self control again when it felt as if a scorching heat was rising far too intensely throughout the deepest depths of his entire existence. He was sure that a scream had ripped from his throat, a bubble of mirth rising within his throat before a sudden and exceedingly tall form enveloped him from behind.

Ichigo could feel every single breath, hear every humming call and Zangetsu was standing right behind him now. A calloused palm had curled around a white bandaged hilt next to Ichigo's hand, an array of white material falling away to unseal the blade before a warm breath caressed the shell of a dainty ear in a deadly evocative whisper.

'Say my name, Aruji. Say it! Say it now! Call me to your side, reveal my new form and break the bonds that are keeping you back.'

'Say my name...Ichigo...'

'Arise, Zangetsu! (1*)'

...

'Arise, Zangetsu!' The haunting call of that single name was resounding powerfully through five separate souls, skittering overwhelmingly across seven infinite ties of reishi chains before an explosion of uncontained power rocked through the very foundations of Las Noches in mere seconds. Time stopped, gasps of surprise ringing out into the distance before the two beings closest to the overpowering sensation jerked awake when a thick and dense reiatsu abruptly burst through the confines of Hueco Mundo's Royal Chambers. It only took an instant for pandemonium to erupt, a second and more indiscernible release of reiatsu flowing in pitch black from a startled form as Mugetsu reacted instinctively to the oppressing power that had very nearly caused him to gasp for breath. An array of hip-length pitch black locks was descending down a straightened back, swaying hauntingly around his form as his voice echoed a concerned call for their King's soul when a thick cloud of smoke curled and danced with restless wisps across the air. There was no way of knowing just what had happened, no way of knowing what had caused this but the deep tie he had to Ichigo's soul was telling him (strangely) that the orangette was gripped in the heights of pure joy instead of stressed fear.

And if he listened carefully enough, he could hear the tinkling of mirthful laughter swirling through the air mere seconds before several deafening cracks of straining glass erupted under the oppressive weight of that rising power. A startling reiatsu was evaporating into a more controlled rhythm soon after that though, becoming so still...so infinitely calm and controlled that it mimicked the state Mugetsu himself entered before absorbing Tensa Zangetsu's power to bring forth a terrifying black haired form. He was left reeling in surprise at the sudden loss of sensation, several breaths falling from pale lips as crimson eyes frantically scanned the fogged upped distance for Ichigo's white clad form. Ryuu had moved in behind him, frantically reaching across their tie to feel for Ichigo's presence before Mugetsu was forced to hold up his hand when the white haired being tried to step out from behind him again. There was no threat Mugetsu could sense, Ichigo's power was the only thing that was streaking so powerfully through the room as it masked every other sensation that there was to be felt. Only when that thick cloud of smoke eventually began to clear, did the newly revealed black haired form take a shaky step forward.

A harsh breeze was sneaking inside from an open window, howling deafeningly in his ears before the resounding call of a tinkling chain drowned it out and a lilting voice whispered Ryuu and Mugetsu's names mere seconds before a familiar form stepped out from the smoke and swirling shadows.

'What the hell, Old Man!' Ichigo yelled in unsettled anger, a satisfied smile crossing strawberry red lips as chocolate brown orbs rested upon the much heavier blade that was grasped in his right hand. 'That was a little much, Zangetsu Ossan!' He tried again, forced to bury a curving tip into the ground to steady himself as a gentle pulse of calmed reiatsu echoed across all the bonds that bound him to his beloveds. He did not want them panic now and to show them that he was fine, the orangette reached out seven tendrils of unwavering reiatsu before resting the palm of his hand upon a more completed hilt. Several chain links were attached to the end of Zangetsu's new Shikai form, tickling his palm in comfort before he absently counted them up until he reached seven and a half. Taking absent note of the black markings that were seared into the backs of his hands, he shivered softly under the touch of a strangely protective addition that traced around the back of his neck. Heady cross marks were encircling his wrists and most of his forearms, chocolate brown orbs gazing down at the pitch black waraji that were settled across his feet before a small breath hitched painfully in his chest. Oh boy, Ryuu was going to throw a fit again...there was no doubt about it. His shihakushō, Ichigo had no idea why, but it was pitch black again. Strange though, that he didn't really care in those moments...

He felt so at ease, so comforted by Zangetsu's more powerful presence as he curled his palm around a black hilt and drew the blade in a single, steady, sweeping arc. Flinching in surprise when the pressure of the swing shattered an array of large windows to his right, Ichigo could only spare a brief moment of regret at the unexpected reaction before the humming blade drew his attention to its darkened and deadly surface again. The moonlight was glinting off of a deadly curved tip, colouring most of the blade pitch black as it opened up into a wider base that curled provocatively towards the hilt and a humming call resonated peacefully within his soul again. Zangetsu had chased away all the unusual exhaustion he had felt over the last few days, replacing a spark of vivid life in chocolate brown eyes as Ichigo smiled genuinely in bliss and tenderly bent down so that he could trace the flat surface of the blade to memorize the sensations it chased across tanned skin. He was more than aware of Mugetsu and Ryuu stepping closer to him, knew that were calling out to him in surprise just as he could sense Ichiru and Hichigo rushing towards the Royal Chambers in great concern. But it didn't matter, all the upsets that they had felt shouldn't reign over any of their souls anymore. He had finally found his strength, the strength that had been eluding him for the long time and erased the awkwardness that he had felt in wielding Mugetsu's Zangetsu before...

It was no longer there, Zangetsu had changed for him...had awakened at the call of his voice and the orange haired consort had finally gained the power to protect his beloveds from pain. He could shield them from enemies that had no right to step foot on this plane and he had gained an unwavering resolve to stare death in the face without ever flinching. And it was all thanks to Hichigo, Ichiru, Ryuu, Mugetsu, Zangetsu, Tensa Zangetsu...the Oyaji and the one indiscernible soul that he could feel tying itself to Mugetsu's blade more than his own. Ichigo had sensed the 'seventh' soul within him the moment that Zangetsu had called out to him mere seconds ago, the fused being that now occupied his Inner World along with Zangetsu Ossan. He couldn't have felt more relieved and content with his powers and everyone around him, though. Ichigo was loved, cherished, protected and most of all he could protect too. He had once again found a home for his heart and this time he had brought along the being living inside his soul just as he had opened his soul even further for all of his beloveds. Hueco Mundo, it was an eternal Kingdom around them just as the love that bound them together would remain unshaken for eternity. Nothing could break their ties...not the pain form a near loss and not the underhanded methods of Soul Society.

It was time that Kurosaki Ichigo stepped into his rightful place, to protect every single tie that bound him to an array of immensely powerful beings. He loved them all equally, he would lay down his life equally and as he gazed up at the sound of two large doors being flung open; Ichigo allowed a tender smile to cross his lips as he felt an infinite brush of power and loving affection echo deeply through his soul. Hichigo was rushing ahead of the others, coming to a halt mere feet away from him in a flurry of white shihakushō before parted lips called out to him in surprise. Ichigo merely reached a hand forward to tug Zangetsu's form from the ground; sealing the deadly blade in a swathe of grey fabric before he draping it across his back from a more intricate red segmented sash. He was observing his beloveds through a sprawl of spiky and messy orange locks, making sure that he could find no true concern in their gaze before he lidded emotive chocolate brown orbs and parted luscious strawberry red lips to speak the truth of his very soul.

'I yield my soul, Hichigo.' He echoed haunting. 'I yield my heart, Ryuu. I yield my body, Ichiru. I yield my power, Zangetsu and most of all Mugetsu...to you; I yield my breath. I am yours, you are mine and I shall bow for no one but the ones who fill the depths of my very soul. All I ask is that you protect me as I protect you and that the eternal fire of passion, love, infinite affection that I have found here...never burns out. Shield me as I will you, protect me as I will you and I shall lay down my very life for the prosperity of this kingdom and the Rulers of the Eternal Night. So I bow before you, I break and I submit to become your eternal consort just as I shall remain the strength that binds every single one of us together.'

'I am your King but you are just as equally mine.' A pin being dropped could have been heard, four pairs of eyes trained directly upon him before Ichigo was suddenly tugged against a strong chest and an array of long white locks fell all around him. Hichigo's embrace was all encompassing, reaching out for the depths of his soul as Ichigo curled his arms around a strong back and buried his nose in a white kosode. He could finally breathe again...everything was finally as it should be and he had found his eternal will and strength once more. An emotional release was building up within him again, but he didn't pay it any mind. When black nailed fingertip tipped his head back so that deep golden eyes could search chocolate brown for the truth of his words, Ichigo could see nothing but the deepest depths of his beloved's soul as several others called out to him as well. They were moving closer to him, seeking his touch and Ichigo gave it freely; knowing that in that exact moment he could find nothing amiss within himself or in the souls of all his beloveds.

'We have been waiting a long time to see your eternal fire again, King. I promise you that we shall protect this light just as fiercely as you protect all of us. Your soul, my most beloved Consort, should never be tainted by the darkness of others...so I myself will shield you from it with my very last breath.'

1* - Arise, Zangetsu – I'm not one for picking out calling names but I thought that this one fit: (興隆) (Kouryuu) which means 'rise' in a sense of 'prosperity'. But if I decide to use it at a later stage again, I'll implement its Japanese counterpart into the story.

That's it for my notes however, I'm too exhausted to think of anything more. Thank you so much for reading, I really appreciate it. If I can so kindly ask for a review as a little reward for my hard work...I'd be eternally grateful to you. Other than that, I'm off. I still have a bit to do as well as plan whatever update will come next.

Thank you for reading until now, I appreciate every one has enjoyed this story.

Yours Always

Chocolate Carnival
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Consort To The Three Kings