After gathering evidence from the squad 2 records and storage, Ichigo and Rukia decide to return their findings to Byakuya. The forged recipe for shinigami's bane did in fact have a reiatsu signature on the paper but it was extremely faint. Once they've given him the information, it'll be his turn to try to find anyone who's reiatsu is identical to that of the forged document. Should be easy, but with how diminished it is it could take days to be able to discover. During their conversation, Byakuya had said that he is going to take it to squad 12 to see if they can run it through the reiatsu database and see if it finds any matches. For now, the would be detectives decide to keep up the facade of business as usual. Knowing that there may be a murderer within the Kuchiki estate, Rukia makes the executive decision to stay with Ichigo for the night in his quarters at squad five.

The following morning, Ichigo is awoken by a hell butterfly landing on his nose and speaking to him. "Lieutenant Kurosaki. Please report to the squad one captain's office immediately." It speaks in the voice of Chojiro. Ichigo slowly opens his eyes before looking at the small insect. "I'll be there in half an hour." he responds, causing the small insect to flutter away. Beside him nuzzled tightly against his chest is Rukia, who's lying on her side with a hand on his chest just over the Hogyoku. His arms are wrapped around her body, feeling her perfectly smooth skin and slight baby bump on her abdomen. He notices her hand over top of the hogyoku and assumes that her inner hollow moved her hand in order to be close to it again, maybe even siphon off some of its power which he doesn't mind. Even if you empty a swimming pool's worth of water from an infinite ocean, it'll still be infinite. "Time to get up Ruki." He says as he rubs his hand on her shoulder in order to get her to wake up.

"...whyyy?" She slurs, still not opening her eyes. She shifts her body and hides her face in his chest. "I'm tired." She groans before her eyes snap open and her face turns green slightly. She leaps out of bed with her hand over her mouth before scampering naked to Ichigo's bathroom. A few moments later he hears her throwing up into the toilet.

"I'll make some tea for you babe." Ichigo says as he gets up out of bed before putting on a pair of pants and walking over to the kitchenette. He opens one of the cabinets before grabbing a small hot plate and a teapot. He fills the small kettle with water before clicking on the hot plate on low. He sets the kettle onto the hot plate and sets it to boil in 15 minutes. From there he opens another cabinet and grabs a small container of pickled ginger as well as some ginger and ginseng tea leaves. He fills a small infuser with the tea leaves before setting it aside and walking to the bathroom with the pickled ginger.

As he walks into the bathroom he sees Rukia huddled over the toilet breathing heavily, he crouches down and brushes the hair from her face before cupping her cheek in his hand, "You ok?" He asks and she nods, "I'm sorry you have to deal with the morning sickness Rukia. It'll get better after the fourth month." He says before flushing the toilet and turning on the hot shower. He turns on the sink and fills up a small cup before handing it to her. She uses it to wash her mouth out before spitting it into the sink. After she's done with this he opens the pickled ginger for her, taking out a couple slices and handing it to her. "Thank you, Ichigo." She says as she eats the sweet ginger to help calm her stomach. Once the shower is hot enough, he opens the curtain for her and they get into the shower together.

Ichigo turns on a hand held shower head as well as the main head as Rukia takes a seat on a small stool. He gently runs the water through her hair causing her to tilt her head back into the gentle hot water running against her skin. He drizzles shampoo into her black hair before handing her the hand held shower head and lathering the soap into her hair. He grabs the bar of soap and rubs it along her body, gently running his fingers over her muscles along her back. "Do... Do I need to clean your hollow hole?" He asks, causing her to raise an eyebrow at this. "I have no idea." She responds, "I wouldn't try it if I were you." She says causing him to bypass the hole through her chest. He takes the shower head back from her and rinses off her back before running the water through her hair. Sadly the two don't get to finish their shower together as another hell butterfly floats in through the lieutenant's office window and makes its way to the bathroom. Sensing its presence, Ichigo peaks his head out of the shower and lifts a finger allowing it to land on him to deliver its message. "That's an order Kurosaki. Get down to my division. Now." Ichigo growls when he hears Yamamoto's voice come through the hell butterfly but an evil grin splits his face. He quickly soaks his hair, grabs the loofa on a stick and then wraps a towel around his waist before he vanishes in a haze of bright light.

Teleporting in front of Yamamoto's desk sopping wet, Ichigo holds a hand on the towel at his waist as he drips water all over the floor. Sitting at his desk, Yamamoto stares with an unamused face seeing the rebellious lieutenant stand before him. "I told you I needed to take a shower. I also had to help Rukia because she's dealing with morning sickness." The ancient captain sighs deeply before pulling his sword from its scabbard slightly causing the heat to immediately evaporate all of the moisture from Ichigo's body. "The reason why I needed you so urgently is that Squad Zero is arriving shortly." Yamamoto says before Ichigo rolls his eyes and flares his spiritual pressure. The slight release of his power manifests his shihakusho over his body and calls both of his swords to his side. "Does Rukia need to be here for this?" He asks as Yamamoto walks out from behind his desk and motions for Ichigo to follow him.

"No, she has other duties that require her attention and the captaincy exam to prepare for. As of today, Momo Hinamori is able to return to her duties and has taken over your spot back at the fifth squad, Kurosaki Ichigo." Yamamoto says as he leads Ichigo to the main courtyard of the first squad barracks.

"Ah, good morning Kurosaki." The sweet motherly tone of Unohana greets him as she stands beside captain Jushiro, Shinji, Isshin and Shunsui as well as lieutenant Hinamori. "I've been meaning to ask when you and Rukia would like to set up her first appointment to check on the baby."

"I'll have to ask her, but we're dealing with something that happened with the Kuchiki's so once that's done and our wedding has happened we'll come set one up." Ichigo responds with a slight bow to her.

"Nasty sort of business, that is, the noble families have gotten too big for their britches I'll say." Isshin grumbles. "What the hell happened anyway?"

"We're investigating a murder." Ichigo responds after pulsing his spirit energy to make sure no one aside from the captains can hear what he's saying. "Hisana Kuchiki, Rukia's sister, was poisoned with Shinigami's bane. I discovered this when I resurrected her." This statement shocks the five captains around him. "I take it mom and my sisters are here too?"

"No, they're back at the clinic, Yuzu wanted to go to the park and make snow angels." Isshin responds. "You gonna bring back Kaien too?"

"Uhm... N-nice to meet you, K-kurosaki. Thanks for taking over my job while I was gone." Momo says in a small voice. "I'm sorry that I was away so long and that you had all my work to do."

"Don't sweat it, you needed to recover after you know who's betrayal and besides, I'm the substitute soul reaper. It's my job to handle things like that." He responds before turning his attention to his father. "I asked Kukaku about that, and she said it'd be best if we let him rest." Ichigo says, "Where is squad zero anyways? Are they a part of the seireitei?" He asks.

While his question isn't answered verbally, it is answered by a massive scroll looking pod as tall as a skyscraper slamming down into the courtyard of squad one. A massive plume of dust and debris expands outwards covering the entire barracks in dirt. Around Ichigo himself his reiatsu stops and of the dust from getting to him. At the bottom of the giant scroll is the diamond shaped logo that sits on the backs of each and every captain's haori. In the middle of the logo it's split by two large doors. "Squad zero consists of five members, each having made major contributions to soul society itself. From the inventor of the Zanpakuto to the creator of healing kido." Shunsui explains as the doors open and the five captains of squad zero walk out.

Standing in the center is a large chubby man with a bushy long black beard, around his neck is a massive beaded necklace, he stands atop large wooden clogs with a single beam in the center to stand upon. To his left is a woman without normal arms but instead she has sixe artificial arms made of gold with two of them strumming a sanshin. Opposite her is a tall man with a strange hook-like hair style waving the flag of squad zero around his head. Furthest to the left of the bearded man in the center is a dark skinned man with a mohawk afro and a puffy sleeveless haori and a pair of sunglasses dancing back and forth. The last member of this squad is a chubby woman with bright pink hair done up in curls behind her head. Her friendly grandmotherly smile pushes her cheeks up against her eyes making it look like her eyes are closed.

"Hell yeah! Squad zero in the house!!!" The sunglasses sporting man shouts as he throws his arms in the air. "So, the infamous Kurosaki Ichigo. Heard quite a bit about you from up top. Nice to meet you kid."

"I'm 27." Ichigo says with a deadpan face.

"Technically you're still 17, you only aged 10 years in Dangai but only 2ish days went by out here." Shunsui adds in.

"This brat stole Aizen's powers? He doesn't look like much." The hook haired man says as he gets up in Ichigo's face and gives him a once over. "I can't even sense his spirit energy."

"That's because it's greater than even the soul king." The bearded man in the center speaks up. "I am Ichibei Hyosube. I am the leader of squad zero, and the writer of the names of the world." Ichigo arches an eyebrow at this statement. "And apparently I'm the only one who can sense your spiritual pressure."

"Well well well, looks like you might be putting this little baby to good use. Shame that she was used like a tool and not treated like a person." The afro haired man begins. "I'm Oetsu Nimaiya, the creator of the Zanpakuto." Oetsu says before Ichigo realizes he had pulled Kyoka Suigetsu from its sheath on his hip. "This one though, isn't one that I made." He says as he pulls Zangetsu's sealed form from Ichigo's waist.

"You could've just asked. I'd have given them to you." Ichigo says in an annoyed tone. "What do you mean you didn't make Zangetsu?"

"I mean I didn't make him." Oetsu responds, "But, I can make you a proper one and for dealing with Aizen. I'll let you keep his sword as well." He says before handing the blades back to Ichigo.

"I am Senjumaru, former captain of squad twelve before becoming a member of squad zero. I also invented the shihakusho." The woman with six mechanical arms introduces herself.

"I don't suppose you can create something to help seal my powers can you? I'm not allowed anywhere near the barracks of the squads outside of my former office because of it." Ichigo asks before noticing Kirio approach Shinji before slapping him on the back as she greets him. "They have a history together or something?"

"Kirio Hikifune is the most recent addition to zero division having created the mod soul." Ichibei explains. "And then there's you, Kurosaki Ichigo. While your contribution to soul society is uncovering the conspiracy behind Aizen and defeating him, I would like you to join squad zero."

"May I ask why?" Ichigo asks, causing the chubby monk to chuckle.

"You revealed something troubling to us, the Quincy king sleeps and regains his power. You are to be the sixth member of squad zero and will be the first line of defense of the spirit king. Hell, you could even replace him with the level of power you now hold." Ichibei says, but Ichigo senses something about this ancient monk.

"Before you finish that train of thought, I'm not going to allow you to cut me apart like what was done with the soul king so he could hold the realms together. I may have power that rivals him, but I will only use it to protect the realms and the ones I care about. I agree with being the first and last line of defense for the soul king." Ichibei is shocked that Ichigo was able to read his mind. "I would like to ask if i can remain in soul society and not the royal dimension as a part of squad zero. I'm getting married soon and Rukia and I are going to be starting a family." The other captains look at Ichibei to see how he would react to Ichigo's statement but the old man merely chuckles.

"I'm impressed, I guess we can accept these terms. However, if the soul king should be slain, someone will be needed to replace him." Ichibei warns.

"That won't happen." Ichigo says, his whiskey colored eyes flickering slightly and Ichibei senses the Hogyoku pulses with energy for a moment.

"I hope I can trust you with that." Ichibei responds, "Come, we've got some business to attend to."

"I can just teleport us up there." Ichigo says, causing Ichibei to stop before turning to him.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple Kurosaki Ichigo, the royal dimension is only accessible by us. The key to the soul king's palace is scribed into our bones when we become members of squad zero. Aizen was trying to create an artificial one, more so he was trying to create a duplicate of one of us so he can access the dimension. The only way in, is if we let you in or bring you with us." The ancient monk explains.

"Long way it is then," Ichigo shrugs before following the other members of the squad. The doors close behind them as they walk into the massive scroll before it flies back into the heavens just as fast as it had fallen.

"After this, he'll technically out rank you, gramps." Isshin says jokingly as he rubs his finger under his nose.

"No, he will not." Yamamoto says. "As captain commander of the Gotei 13, I also hold a position in squad zero. The boy will still be my apprentice as we will be the protectors of the dimension within soul society." Yamamoto responds as he transforms his sword back into the large purple cane he walks with. "Experience outranks everything." He says before flicking Isshin on the forehead like a disobedient child and returning to his barracks.

With Rukia

Despite still being a lieutenant to squad 13, Jushiro has already begun taking steps to retire from the division. Rukia stands by his side in front of the gathered division wearing a form fitting haori reminiscent of her espada's attire from her time in Hueco Mundo. On her shoulder, Nelliel sits in a baby carrier peering over the espada's shoulder as they look out at the entire division. The thirteenth division is by far the most populous division in the seireitei, the soul reapers apart of the division are tasked with hollow extermination and soul funerals in the world of the living. Today is one of the rare occasions where the entire division of 10,000 members are all gathered in a single spot.

"I hope I didn't inconvenience everyone by calling this meeting but there are some housekeeping duties that I need to attend to." Captain Jushiro begins. "After the war with Aizen's forces, many of their ranks that had survived are now living within the seireitei. As of today, the former espada and arrancar are to be included in our division." A mixed reaction floods through the crowd of soul reapers gathered in the courtyard of the division. "I am aware that there may be hard feelings towards the arrancar for their role in the war with Aizen, however they were betrayed by him lead on by empty promises and left to die. Too many have suffered due to Aizen's actions and the only way we can heal from the war is to support each other."

"Captain, if I may ask, what about former captains Tousen and Ichimaru?" third seat Kiyone asks.

"The former captains have been tried by central 46, and with the evidence provided by Kurosaki Ichigo it has been revealed that Tousen was under the control of Aizen's hypnosis and Ichimaru Gin was attempting to assassinate Aizen. In the case of Former captain Tousen, he will be rejoining squad squad nine as its 2nd lieutenant. As punishment for his betrayal, he is not able to return to his position as the captain of the 9th division. He is to serve under Captain Muguruma Kensei without compensation for 1,000 years and is under house arrest at the 9th division for that time period. Ichimaru Gin has been banished from soul society for 1,000 years for aiding and abiding Aizen in trying to usurp the soul king and the murders of countless souls. The reasoning for this harsh sentence is the amble time that Ichimaru Gin had to assassinate Aizen he instead used to aid in his efforts to usurp the soul king." Jushiro explains, and the reactions while still mixed and hushed discussions felt less harsh than his original announcement. "Lastly, Lieutenant Kuchiki Rukia has something to announce to everyone."

"Captain Ukitake will be retiring from the 13th division. I will be taking the captaincy exams in the coming weeks. When I pass the exams, I will be the new captain of squad 13." She didn't expect them to be happy about the changes, the squad know and love Captain Ukitake because of his kindness and easy going demeanor despite his health issues. Their reactions were exactly what she expected, they were disappointed that the white haired captain would be leaving them. "I will assure you, nothing will change when Captain Ukitake retires and I become the new captain. I intend to lead the squad as well as he has. I'd also like to invite everyone in my division to my wedding on New Year's Day. I am getting married to Ichigo Kurosaki, the man who invaded soul society to save my life, and the man who defeated Aizen and saved soul society. It will be held at the Kuchiki estate and the reception will be here in our squad." This time there was a round of cheers for her, well more for the idea of the after wedding reception party.

"Lieutenant? Who's the kid on your shoulder?" The afro sporting 7th seat Zennosuke asks, noticing Nelliel over Rukia's shoulder.

"My daughter. She is a child arrancar we rescued in Hueco Mundo. Ichigo and I have decided to adopt her. Don't let her small appearance fool you, she was the former third espada and when she regains her full power she'll be stronger than Captain Ukitake." Rukia explains. "For now, I'd like to also inform you of what happened to me when in Hueco Mundo and introduce the newest members of our squad." She continues before taking a pause and removing her arm from within her shihakusho. The hollow hole present in her chest and the large zero shaped tattoo on her left shoulder causes her entire division to give her a terrified look. "I was turned into the Cero Espada by Aizen against my will. Despite this I am still the soul reaper you see before you. Starrk? You may introduce yourself."

"Hello." Starrk says in a monotone voice. "My name is Coyote Starrk, beside me is my daughter Lilynette Gingerbuck. Lady Rukia approached me to join her squad because of my wish for companionship. I am the former Rank One espada but I am content in joining Lady Rukia's squad." Rukia gives her friend a soft nod before motioning to Harribel.

"I don't have much to say. My name is Tier Harribel, the former third espada and these are my fracciones. Mila Rose, Sun-sun and Apache. I have joined the gotei 13 due to the kindness that Lady Rukia, Orihime Inoue and Kurosaki Ichigo have shown me in healing the wounds I sustained in my battle against Captain Hitsugaya."

"Ah Hello~ Nino~ I am the great Dordoni Alessandro del Socaccio, a former privaron espada turned squad 13 member under Captain Ukitake and Lady Kuchiki. I know you must feel honored to be in my presence Ni-" He says before he's whacked on the back of the head by a woman with purple hair and a hollow mask hair piece.

"Baka. Don't make a fool of yourself like that in front of everyone. You weren't even that strong of an espada anyways. Dumbass." She says as Dordoni holds a bump on his head with crock tears in his eyes. "I'm Cirucci Sanderwicci, a privaron espada like doofus here and that's all you need to know."

"Ah I see you've left the best for last. For I am Gantenbianne Mosqueda." The orange afro haired espada declares as he introduces himself. He scans the crowd for a moment then spots Zennosuke before a smile appears over his face. "Ah!~ It seems that I already have a fan of my magnificent hair style~! I can tell you and I are going to work well together, young man!" he says happily, causing Zennosuke to cringe slightly.

"Well, things are certainly going to be more interesting around here." Jushiro says to Rukia before turning his attention back to his squad. "That's all we have for announcements. Introduce yourselves to our newest members and make sure they feel welcome! Dismissed!" he says firmly before he and Rukia return to their offices to discuss what is going to be on the captaincy exams.