Not a Mob: Psycho

"Mnnn...hnnn...haaaa..."
("This is a hell of a way to start a day...") thought Ohta, observing with half-lidded eyes as Orihime rocked her hips atop him, doing her best to keep her voice down since she was afraid of being overheard.
While he enjoyed the sensation more than a little, Ohta did his best to appear calm as he gave Orihime's left ass cheek a light smack, stating, "I'm about to cum. You're not in spirit form anymore, so don't do anything stupid..."
Though she nodded her head, bit her lip, and responded with a moaning, "Mmhmmmn~," Orihime made no effort to dismount Ohta's cock. Instead, she sat snuggly against him, his glans poking against her deepest area as she rolled her hips from front to back, palms on his stomach and clutching his sides.
"Oi..." muttered Ohta, furrowing his brows and smacking Orihime's ass with increasing intensity until she dismounted him at the last moment, promptly scooting backward before bending forward and devouring his cock in a single go, catching his semen in her throat and swallowing it in several audible gulps.
Placing his hand on Orihime's head, Ohta remarked, "Cutting it awfully close there..."
As her mouth was preoccupied, Orihime responded with a nasally "Nn..." while stimulating his glans with the back of her tongue and pulling away slowly, leaving no traces of semen on or within Ohta's cock. Then, after finally releasing it with the usual 'pop,' she adopted a wry smile and said, "Sorry, Ohta-kun...I was 'really' close to something amazing..."
"Then what are you waiting for?" asked Ohta, gesturing toward his cock as he added, "I've got nowhere to be."
Perking up immediately, Orihime waisted no time in squatting over Ohta, skillfully positioning the tip of his dick at her entrance before lowering her hips with closed eyes, a satisfied "Mmmnnnnnnnnn~" emanating from her throat. Around the same time, Rukia entered the oversized bedroom in a silk gown, holding and eating from a bowl of cereal as she asked, "Is this what we're doing all day...?"
Startling slightly at the sudden question, Orihime looked like she wanted to respond, but Ohta smacked her ass, saying, "First things first. Let's get you topped off."
Smiling embarrassedly, Orihime began moving her hips while Ohta looked over to Rukia, saying, "That's up to you, monkeybun. All I had in mind for today was looking around and heading to our old apartment to grab a few things."
Nodding her head, Rukia meandered over, sitting on the edge of the bed and observing Orihime as she remarked, "That's a good idea. I should be receiving a new Gigai soon, so I'd like to pick up my clothes."
"Speaking of which..." muttered Ohta, a slight frown marring his face as he asked, "Whatever happened to your old Gigai...?"
"I'd rather not say because I honestly don't want to think about it," replied Rukia, adopting a frown of her own. The eccentricities of Squad 12 and the members of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute were known throughout the Seireitei. There had been several instances where the discarded or recycled Gigai of famous or popular female members of the Gotei were 'circulated' among the depraved group of scientists. With her Gigai being specially developed by Kisuke, meaning it was a far higher quality than ordinary, functionally identical to a living human, Rukia didn't want to imagine what uses the notorious group of degenerates had found for it...
Fortunately for the members of Squad 12, Rukia didn't elaborate. If she had, Soul Society would be forced to undergo some 'restructuring' after &nbsp;Ohta obliterated the entire group. He might not care what people do with his old, discarded body, but if someone were to have a near-exact replica of his future wife, treating it as a plaything, he would peel their skin away while they were still alive...
Changing the topic, or at least guiding it in a different direction, Rukia said, "Speaking of which, you should consider acquiring a Gigia yourself. Staying in spirit form all the time has its perks, but I'd like us to be able to go out, watch movies, and walk hand-in-hand without it looking like I'm a crazy person."
"Wouldn't that-" started Ohta, interrupted mid-sentence by Orihime's pussy clamping down on him like a vice, her body trembling as a large volume of love juices expelled from her insides, wetting both his crotch and the bed below.
"Eheee....hehe....heeeee...."
Staring up in a daze, Orihime had a somewhat silly smile as a peculiar, passion-tinged laugh emanated from her throat. In response, Ohta rose to a seated position, allowing her to embrace him while he returned his gaze to Rukia, asking, "Wouldn't that complicate things if someone from school were to see us? Weren't you planning to return after the break...?"
Though she no longer needed to be near Ichigo, Rukia 'wanted' to return to school. She had made a lot of friends there, so she wanted to continue attending, at least until her duties no longer permitted it.
Adopting a serious expression, Rukia contended, "We can say you're the other Ohta's long-lost twin. The two of you should look at least marginally different from one another, as you have none of his scars. I can tell them we met over Summer Break, and if they ask why you don't attend school, we can tell them you graduated prematurely. Should the need arise, you can-"
Exhaling a disbelieving chuckle, Ohta interrupted Rukia's long-winded diatribe, remarking, "It's clear you've put a lot of thought into this. Since that's the case, I have no reason to refuse."
"That's wonderful...!" exclaimed Orihime, causing Ohta to wince as she had effectively screamed into his ear.
Before Ohta could chastise the bubbly ginger, Orihime began to bounce excitedly, 'inadvertently' stimulating his cock as she asked, "Can I have a Gigai as well? The truth is, I've been thinking about becoming a Shinigami ever since I found out you became one, Ohta-kun. Also, if I could become invisible whenever I wanted, we could have sneaky fun, and I'd be able to use my power without people realizing it...!"
Answering in Ohta's stead, Rukia perked up and remarked, "That's not a terrible idea. Even the Captain of Squad 4, Unohana Retsu, praised your aptitude for healing Kaido. If you refine your abilities, you could become a future Lieutenant or Captain in the same Division."
Though Rukia's suggestion and Orihime's determination implied that he would be stuck with the bubbly ginger much longer than anticipated, Ohta saw no reason to protest, stating, "I already jumped off the deep end, so I can't exactly tell others not to. You're free to choose whatever path you want. Just be sure you're doing it for 'yourself,' not others..."
Adopting a radiant smile, Orihime 'really' wanted to kiss Ohta, but it was one of the things he had prohibited. She could kiss and leave hickeys on his neck, and he would readily reciprocate, but the only person who could claim his lips with their own was Rukia.
"It's what I want..." assured Orihime, gazing into Ohta's eyes with her arms linked around his back and shoulders. Rukia noticed how 'serious' her look was, but instead of chastizing her or telling her to stop, she said, "The issue is that transferring Shinigami powers to a human is still very much forbidden. Yoruichi and I were given pardons due to the extenuating circumstances, but if we were to transfer our power again, we'd invariably be held accountable..."
With Rukia staring directly at him, Ohta raised his brows, asking, "Are you suggesting that I be the one to do it...?"
Though she was secretly a little trepidatious about becoming a Shinigami, Orihime's excitement far outweighed her concerns when she heard Ohta's words, her eyes practically lighting up as she replied, "Yes, please...!"
Providing an argument she 'knew' would convince Ohta, Rukia promptly pointed out, "It would be a good way to repay the life debt you owe her. Then, if you ever become a Captain, she can become your Lieutenant and heal you if you're ever injured."
"Ah..."
Realizing why Rukia was so dead set on intertwining Orihime into their relationship, a self-deprecating smile developed across Ohta's face as he exhaled a faintly exasperated sigh through his nose. She was clearly worried that he would do something reckless and sustain a fatal injury, one conventional healing methods wouldn't be able to treat. With Orihime nearby, so long as he had even a single breath left within him, her cheat-like ability should be able to heal him...
Nodding her head without needing to ask why Ohta had sighed, Rukia asserted, "During my time in the Senzaikyū, I came to understand true regret. As the future grows more uncertain with each passing day, we should make every effort to improve ourselves and enjoy life. That way, even if our path should come to an abrupt end, we'll not regret the time we spent together, only that we didn't have more..."
Emphasizing her point, Rukia discarded her half-finished bowl of cereal, allowing its contents to crash and spill onto the ground as she pulled the silk fastener around her lithe and athletic frame. She didn't mind sharing if she believed the women Ohta slept with benefitted him somehow, but he was still her man. Thus, while she felt sorry for Orihime, she said, "It's my turn..." in a firm tone that left no room for discussion...
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After spending a few hours familiarizing himself with his new home, Ohta instructed Rukia and Orihime to get some rest while he made his way over to his old apartment. Before stepping inside, however, his brows furrowed as he sensed a familiar presence inside.
Phasing through his front door, Ohta was unsurprised to find Karin lying on his old bed, nibbling on pocky as her eyes scanned the pages of one of Rukia's romance novels.
Startling the distracted tomboy considerably, compelling her to leap up and stand atop his bed in a combat posture, Ohta asked, "What are you doing here...?" in a neutral tone.
Realizing who the voice belonged to, Karin dropped her fists, exhaling a sigh of relief before adopting an annoyed expression as she said, "I know this is your place, but you should have knocked. You just about gave me a heart attack..."
"That...doesn't answer my question...?" remarked Ohta, his statement changing to a question as he noticed the condition of his room. Rather than looking like a place that had been abandoned for well over a week, going on two, it gave the impression that it had never ceased being used. The 'atmosphere' had changed, and Ohta noticed the laundry hamper was half-filled with female clothing...
Staring at the nervous-looking tomboy with a half-lidded deadpan, Ohta asked, "Have you been living here?" before frowning deeply as he added, "Don't tell me you ran away..."
Turning to meet Ohta's gaze, Karin's nervousness gave way to confusion as she asked, "Huh? The whole reason I decided to become stronger was to protect my family. Why would I run away...?"
"Then answer my question," countered Ohta, not allowing Karin to change the subject.
Rubbing the right side of her head, Karin appeared reluctant, furrowing her brows and avoiding Ohta's gaze, but she eventually replied, "It's just more comfortable, okay? Yuzu has been super depressed since Ichi-nii went on his 'vacation,' and even dad has been acting strangely. Since you weren't using it, I figured I could come here to decompress..."
Though he was tempted to ask why she didn't use the apartment he had lent her, Ohta ultimately just shook his head. He didn't appreciate it when people used his shit without permission, but there was no use crying over spilled milk. He could also understand why Karin felt more comfortable in his room than her own, as, despite enduring quite a bit of 'suffering' within the confined space, it was always invariably followed by a feeling of relief and accomplishment. In other words, the tiny apartment had become her 'happy place.'
Staring at Ohta from the corner of her eye, Karin asked, "You're not mad?" in a standoffish but hopeful tone.
Shaking his head a second time, Ohta replied, "It is what it is. Besides, it's not like I can undo the fact you've been treating this place like your own. I can even give it to you if you want. It's paid out until April 1st of next year, so you can do whatever you want with it after I move into my new place."
Though she initially expressed relief when she realized Ohta wasn't angry with her, Karin's frown returned with a vengeance when she heard he was moving, asking, "Where are you moving? Is it the Soul Society...?"
"It's a little place called Nunya," replied Ohta. However, as Karin could make an excellent addition to his organization, he added, "Ask me again once you're a high school student. I might be able to hook you up with a part-time job."
"Come oooon..." said Karin, adopting an uncharacteristically spoiled tone. Then, with the same resolve she showed during her training, she argued, "If it's within the city or somewhere close, I can come over and continue our training. You couldn't have taught me all the 'basics' you promised in just three weeks..."
"You heard me the first time," replied Ohta, adopting a serious expression of his own as he said, "Keep testing the waters carelessly, and you could drown in them..."
Crossing her arms, Karin exhaled a huffy snort but didn't attempt to press further. She suspected Ohta didn't want her over because he was sharing a place with his girlfriend. Karin was interested in meeting her, as Rukia's height and physique weren't much different from her own, but, at least for the time being, she would mind her own business...
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(A/N: Ohta is a magnet for willful women/girls O_O. Also, daily reminder that this is NOT a harem novel...)

Though he couldn't be bothered to explain in detail what happened during his time in Soul Society, Ohta did provide a general overview of what had transpired for Karin's benefit.
"So, basically, you beat up a bunch of 'Death Gods,' saved your woman, and returned home without any real consequences? That's...pretty cool..." remarked Karin, seated with her feet together atop Ohta's bed, observing him pack.
"Well, I 'am' a badass..." remarked Ohta, sparing his would-be apprentice a glance as he asserted, "And you can be too, so long as you don't give up halfway. The surly strawberry has already become decently powerful, and it hasn't even been that long since he started training."
"Ichi-nii...?" asked Karin, instantly correlating the words 'surly strawberry' with her brother.
"Yeah," replied Ohta. "He managed to pick up a technique even the most powerful Shinigami supposedly take a hundred years to master. Though, seeing how some of those bastards are super weak despite being ancient, I can't imagine them actively training."
"Maybe," admitted Karin, adopting a fairly cheeky smile as she added, "Or maybe you and Ichi-nii are just too strong."
"There's no such thing as 'too strong' when it comes to guaranteeing your way of life and protecting those you care about," contended Ohta, vesting the grinning tomboy a smidge of wisdom and shouldering a total of seven duffel bags.
Understanding that Ohta was about to leave, Karin's mood diminished as she questioned, "Are you really planning to carry those things out in broad daylight? Why not wait for nightfall...?"
"Because I have better uses for my time than sitting here chatting with you, boku," teased Ohta, hoisting two final duffel bags before turning to depart. Karin was a little annoyed with his parting words, but instead of trying to stop him, she sat atop his bed, staring in the direction he had departed for three full minutes before exhaling a defeated sigh...
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As they didn't know when Aizen would attack, Ohta, Rukia, and Orihime didn't spend every waking moment of every day lazing about or having sex. Instead, while Rukia taught Orihime the basics of Kido and Zanjutsu in preparation for becoming a Shinigami, Ohta spent between six and ten hours a day meditating, training to hone his focus and shift into his Kūsho state as quickly as possible.
"I am...immovable..." muttered Ohta, exhaling a stagnant breath that caused the surrounding space to 'bulge' outward, inverting when he took in another and added, "All things revolve around me..." in a state of deep focus. Mental imaging and belief in oneself were critical when developing and mastering psychic powers, but Ohta was taking things a step further by creating 'mantas' to stir his power quicker, similar to the chants used in Kido.
In response to Ohta's manta, a sphere of brackish purple energy formed around his body, persisting for several seconds until he canceled it of his own accord, repeating, "I am immovable..." and he replicating the same results over, and over, and over again, determined to be able to trigger the state instinctively in the future...
Waiting for Ohta to finish his training, Rukia, followed closely by Orihime, almost as if the latter had become her lady-in-waiting, approached with a canteen, presenting it with a smile as she said, "Good work today."
Downing nearly the entire contents of the canteen in a single go, Ohta exhaled a refreshed sigh before adopting a smile of his own and saying, "Thanks. How did your girls' training go...?"
"It went well," assured Rukia, shifting her gaze to Orihime, prompting the bubbly ginger to raise her fists excitedly and exclaim, "I managed to use all the way up Bakudo #16 today~!"
"Hooooo...not bad..." muttered Ohta, making a come hither gesture so he could pat the grinning girl's head. Positive reinforcement was good for mental and spiritual development, but too much could make the recipient dependent on it to make progress. 'Balance' was key, so while his words were generally dismissive or casual, Ohta ensured Orihime felt gratified in other ways.
After permitting Orihime a few seconds of Ohta's undivided attention, Rukia revealed, "We just received word from the Urahara Shoten. The Gigai we ordered are ready, but he'd like us to test a new product he's been working on. They're on their way as we speak..."
Furrowing his brows, Ohta questioned, "What kind of product?" He was tempted to say they weren't Urahara's test subjects, but the sad reality was that most of their clothes and equipment came from the damnable candy store uncle.
Adopting a frown of her own, for obvious reasons, Rukia replied, "He said it uses spirit particle conversion to allow the user to transition between a physical and spiritual form without the need for a Gikon."
Blinking in surprise, Ohta asked, "Seriously...?" before shifting his gaze to Orihime. She tilted her head to the side as he did but quickly understood the reason for Ohta's surprise when he pointed out, "It's that thing that allowed you, Chad, and Uryu to transform your physical bodies into spirit form. If it actually works...that would be extremely convenient..."
"Oh, wow!" exclaimed Orihime. "Does that mean I can become invisible whenever I want...!?"
"Among other things..." replied Ohta, shifting his gaze back to Rukia as he asked, "Did he say what he wants for them?"
Shaking her head, Rukia momentarily closed her eyes, calmly revealing, "They were arranged for by Yoruichi-sama. She also sends you a message from the Soul Society. Would you like to hear it...?"
Though he was tempted to say no, Ohta replied, "Hit me..." with a slight frown.
Exhaling a faint sigh through her nose, Rukia opened her eyes and said, "She said, and I quote, "Just accept them. This way, you won't have to worry about your Gikon running wild or your Gigai falling into the wrong hands." End quote."
As he hadn't been looking forward to another version of himself walking around, substituting him in various situations, Ohta was secretly relieved by this development. However, Rukia's behavior was a little unusual, so he didn't insist they accept them. Instead, he asked, "Do you not want to be further indebted to Yoruichi...?"
Blinking in surprise, Rukia offered a confused "Huh...?" before shaking her head and explaining, "I've already accepted that Yoruichi-sama will be an 'inescapable' element in our lives for the foreseeable future. My...vexation has nothing to do with her..."
"Want to talk about it...?" asked Ohta, prompting Rukia to shake her head a second time, asserting, "No, it isn't anything worth discussing. Rather, if it never comes up in the future, that would probably be for the best..."
As the thing concerning her was the disappearance of her original Gigai, Rukie 'couldn't' discuss it with Ohta. If he knew there was a carbon copy of her floating around, potentially concealed in someone's closet or being piloted by an artificial soul, it would definitely bother him. It, sure as Hell was real, bothered her. If for no reason other than the fact, should Ohta find out about its existence and disappearance, he would 'definitely' hold those responsible accountable...
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While Tessai and several members of the Onmitsukidō unloaded large shipping crates from the back of a moving truck, Ohta read over the long list of items Kisuke was having him sign for. Yoruichi hadn't just footed the bill for the Gigai, but several other things, most notably a bunch of seeds belonging to plants that typically only grew in the Soul Society.
Preempting Ohta's questions, Kisuke fanned himself with his bamboo fan as he casually explained, "They're plants that are nourished by Reiryoku and, as a result, release trace amounts of it once they mature. Plant a few of these bad boys in your garden, and you'll always feel refreshed and full of vitality. Periodically mix some into your tea or grind them into a medical paste, and they can indefinitely extend the lifespan of a human."
Raising his brows, Ohta remarked, "Sounds like some Chinese cultivation shit..."
Exhaling a light chuckle, Kisuke mused, "You're not wrong. Until just a few thousand years ago, and for thousands before that, China was one of the regions that Soul Society had a strong influence over. Back then, humans weren't the only species occupying the planet, and the boundary between the Spiritual and Physical World was much easier to cross. Unfortunately, as you can imagine, certain people weren't satisfied with being ruled over by the 'Heavens.' There was a major push to oust all spiritual entities from the Physical World, eventually resulting in a massacre that saw most non-human races slaughtered or forced into hiding."
"Sounds about right..." muttered Ohta, frowning deeply. China was the principal instigator of the Third World War, gradually encroaching on the territorial waters of other nations in the 'South China Sea' until they had no choice but to defend themselves. After that, all hell broke loose as the Communist Superpower accused virtually every other country of violating their sovereignty, using it as an excuse to incite a war that left more than half the world's population in shallow, unmarked graves...
Noticing Ohta's serious expression and sudden loss of focus, Kisuke's usual smile faded as he asked, "You okay...?" in an ostensibly concerned tone.
"I'm fine," responded Ohta, signing the inventory list and handing the clipboard it was attached to back to Kisuke as he added, "But, even if I wasn't, it's none of your business..."
Regaining his smile, Kisuke mused, "Speaking of which, it was a pleasure doing business with you and the Shihouin Clan, Mr. Yamada. You take care now~."
Finished with his farewells, Kisuke turned around, waving the clipboard as he casually departed. Ohta also had no reason to stick around, so instead of watching the hat-and-clogs-wearing creeper walk off, climbing into the moving truck he had arrived in, he turned around and went inside to check out his new Gigai...
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[September 1st, 2001]
With Summer Break ending, giving way to a new school semester, Ohta rode with Rukia and Orihime to their first day, sandwiched between the two girls as they rode in the back of a 2001 Toyoda Century, chauffered by the purple-haired Ayame.
"What will you be doing while we're at school?" asked Rukia, tracing her thumb over Ohta's as they sat hand-in-hand.
"I'll either be training, sketching, or managing my stock portfolio..." replied Ohta, hesitating for a moment before asking, "What about the two of you? are you sure this is the best use of your time...?"
Squeezing Ohta's hand, Rukia mused, "It might not be the 'most efficient' use, but experiences like this have their value..."
Nodding her head, Orihime happily chimed, "Rukia's right! It might be boring sometimes, but school is the best place to meet and make new friends~!"
"You're not wrong..." conceded Ohta. However, as he had no intention of returning to school, he preceded the duo's invitation by stating, "I might consider giving it a second go a few hundred years from now. For now, I want to focus on getting stronger. Besides, as it stands, I have more than enough companionship..."
Raising his hands, each holding one of theirs, Ohta earned smiles from Rukia and Orihime. Sixteen days of cohabitation had brought the three of them much closer. Ohta still had no intention of settling down with more than one woman, even if it was a common practice in the Soul Society, but he had gradually opened the idea that Orihime would be with them for the long haul. She had even proposed becoming Rukia's attendant, so the odds of them shaking her off became increasingly slim with each passing day...
With the car stopping at the school's front entrance, Ohta shared a kiss with Rukia, planting another on Orihime's forehead before watching the duo disembark, his eyes naturally gravitating toward their asses and the tantalizing gap between the hem of their skirts and stockings. Then, as the pair passed through the front gate, stopping to take one final look in his direction, smiling and waving as they did so, Ohta narrowed his eyes and returned a smile of his own as he thought, ("You are so fucking dead, Aizen...")
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(A/N: To live and die for a smile...)

"This is a lot easier than the last time we passed through..." remarked Ichigo, walking near the front of the group as they returned to the human world via Senkaimon.
"What happened the last time?" asked Rukia, walking alongside Ohta in a brand new Shihakusho, Zanpakuto at her hip. She had yet to be reinstated as a member of the Gotei 13, but Yamamoto had permitted her provisional return to the human world on the condition she served as an intermediary and actively reported on the situation in Karakura.
"This gigantic, super fast train thingy tried to run us over...!" exclaimed Orihime, raising her hands for dramatic effect. She was walking on the opposite side of Ohta but kept a 'respectable distance' to avoid causing any misunderstandings.
Furrowing his brows, Ichigo retorted, "You say that like you had to run. Ohta carried you and Yoruichi while the rest of us had to run as our lives depended on it..."
"Ehehehehe~"
While Orihime laughed awkwardly, Uryu asked, "Speaking of Yoruichi, did she say why she wasn't returning with us?"
"She has some shit to take care of back home," answered Ohta. "Now that her exile has been rescinded and the reasons for it nullified, she's dealing with the old farts trying to prevent her from reclaiming her status as Head of the Shihouin Clan."
"Man, I still can't believe she was a woman all this time," remarked Ichigo, shifting his gaze to Ohta as he asked, "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Does it matter?" questioned Ohta, adopting a teasing smile as he added, "Even if she were a man, you wouldn't have a chance with her."
"As if I would even consider it...!" exclaimed Ichigo, appearing annoyed at the insinuation he might be into dudes. Instead, he made it very clear why he would never pursue Yoruichi, adding, "That woman is infuriating..." in a huffy tone, his left brow twitching.
"She definitely can be..." admitted Ohta. However, as Yoruichi hadn't tried to antagonize him the past week and had already prepared his new pad in the human world, seemingly overnight, his impression of the dark-skinned 'Demigoddess' was currently rather favorable. It appeared she 'could' get serious when her access to his dick hung in the balance...
Stepping through the blindingly white gate at the end of the Senkaimon, Ohta and the rest found themselves in a temple courtyard adorned with a shrine most of them recognized.
"Hey, this is close to my place..." remarked Ichigo, a visibly relieved smile adorning his face at the realization he was finally home. Nearly getting cut in half and having a crazy scientist try to paralyze and experiment on him had left more than a superficial impression on his psyche. He now had an almost overwhelming desire to get stronger, but a part of him also wished things would simply return to normal...
"You're here," came the voice of Kisuke, drawing the group's attention to a giant folding fan flying toward them.
Touching down next to the group, Kisuke added, "I'm here to give anyone who needs it a ride home. But, before that..."
Shifting his gaze to Rukia, Kisuke abruptly prostrated himself, appearing and sounding sincere as he nearly pressed his forehead to the ground and solemnly stated, "I'm sorry for putting you all through this. You especially, Ms. Kuchiki..."
Having already been apprised of the situation by Yoruichi and later Ohta, a slight frown marred Rukia's face. However, instead of blaming Kisuke for ruining her life and nearly getting him killed, she surprised him by stating, "I should hate you, but had you not done what you did, I wouldn't be half as happy as I am right now..."
Looking up at Ohta, prompting her to stare down at him, a devoted smile blossomed across Rukia's face as she softly appended, "Just this once, I'll forgive you..."
Though Rukia's words were a response to Kisuke, her actions made it clear she was also forgiving Ohta. To say she felt conflicted when she first learned the truth was an understatement. However, Ohta risking his life to try and rescue her, combined with the time they spent together over the past week, had thoroughly erased any apprehensions she might have had about continuing their relationship...
Raising his head, donning his hat, and regaining his characteristically creepy smile, Kisuke jokingly inquired, "So, when's the wedding? Since I technically set you up, does that mean I get to be the best man?"
"Not even if you begged..." retorted Ohta, frowning deeply, as, unlike Rukia, he wasn't even close to forgiving the man. Kisuke might be on the side of 'good,' but he definitely wasn't a good person. Neither was Ohta, but the latter didn't believe he was anywhere near as bad as the creepy candy store uncle...
"That's a shame," hummed Kisuke, passing his shadowed gaze over the rest of the group as he asked, "Any takers for my previous offer? I won't charge you a fare, promise."
As he lived quite a ways away, and it was currently around midnight, meaning no trains were running, Chad replied, "I could use a lift..." in his usual, stoic tone.
"Anyone else?" asked Kisuke, adding, "It's not every day you get the chance to ride atop a magical folding fan, you know?"
With no one else accepting his offer, Kisuke eventually departed with Chad in tow. In his wake, Uryu offered a curt, "I'll see you at school..." before walking off alone. His home was on the opposite side of town, but he had much to consider and happened to enjoy long, lonely walks on moonlit evenings.
Not bothering to dignify Uryu's words with a response, Ichigo waited for the bespectacled Quincy to depart before turning to Orihime, asking, "Do you need me to walk you home, Orihime...?" with his customary, perpetual frown.
Shaking her head, Orihime adopted a smile that seemed to illuminate her surroundings as she replied, "Nope! Ohta-kun has already agreed to walk me home~!" even though he hadn't.
"Right..." muttered Ichigo, directing his resting bitch face to Ohta like he had something important he wanted to say. Instead, after a tense pause, he shook his head, turning around as he said, "Be safe. And try not to get into trouble..."
"And there he goes..." remarked Ohta, albeit after Ichigo was out of casual hearing range. Then, turning his gaze to Orihime, he raised his brows and asked, "So, I'm walking you home, am I...?"
Answering in Orihime's stead, Rukia asserted, "Of course you are. It's the dead of night, and Orihime is our friend. Walking her home is the least we can do."
Before Ohta could point out he was 'mostly' joking, Orihime raised her hand with a nervous and slightly awkward smile as she said, "Actually...I was hoping to stay with the two of you for the rest of the Summer Break. It gets lonely in my apartment..."
Blinking in surprise, Rukia exhaled a faint "Oh..." before looking up at Ohta like a child about to ask their parent if they could adopt a stray. Her eyes even seemed to get larger, causing him to feel exasperated, compelling him to sigh and reply, "Yeah, yeah...she can come and stay with us..." in a flat monotone...
Catching Ohta a little off guard, though he should have anticipated it, Orihime abruptly pounced on him, pressing her breasts against him and embracing him tightly as she exclaimed, "Thank you, Ohta-kun! I promise I'll do all the chores like cooking, cleaning, doing the laundry, and, and&ndash;"
"Calm your tits," said Ohta, giving Orihime a firm smack on the bottom as he added, "You just risked your life to help rescue my woman, saving mine in the process. You don't need to go out of your way to ingratiate yourself with me. Just do as you please and enjoy the rest of your vacation..."
"Can I really...?" asked Orhime, eyes glistening as her hold on Ohta's body became noticeably tighter.
"Just remember our arrangement..." replied Ohta. His reminder deterred Orihime from petitioning for a kiss, but she didn't release her hold on him. Instead, her eyes appeared even larger than Rukia's as she asked, "Can you pet my head...?" in a hopeful tone.
Though he exhaled an exasperated sigh, Ohta didn't hesitate to reach up and caress the top of Orhime's head, earning a customary "Ehehehehe~" from the buxom beauty as she narrowed her eyes like a kitten or puppy...
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Instead of returning to his apartment, Ohta guided Orihime and Rukia to the address Yoruichi had given him, a faux-traditional, six-story complex called the Inuneko Hotel and Spa. The building's exterior looked modern, but its 'theme' was traditional, making it seem like an ancient building that had been renovated over time. The building looked narrow from the front, only around 15m across, but its length was nearly four times that at 55m.
Staring at the expensive-looking hotel, Rukia and Orihime were outwardly as shocked as Ohta felt inside. He had mentioned operating a parlor-style lounge, bar, or cafe as a front for his future organization, should he decide to establish one. 'Gifting' him a luxury hotel was such a blatant attempt to flaunt her tremendous wealth and capabilities that he was tempted to turn around and leave. On the other hand, he now had a hotel to do with as he pleased...
Entering the building's surprisingly spacious lobby, passing through a diffusion field that kept out wayward spirits and prevented ordinary people from noticing its existence, Ohta mirrored Orihime's and Rukia's actions of looking around as he jokingly remarked, "It's a bit bigger than our last place..."
Unable to convey her emotions with words, Rukia offered an affirming "Nn..." as she wondered whether or not the Kuchiki Family could prepare something similar in such a short period. They were the wealthiest of the current Four Great Noble Clans, but, despite being a member of the Main Family for the past forty years, Rukia had no idea what the ancient family was truly capable of...
"Wait, you mean this 'whole' place belongs to you!?" exclaimed Orihime. She was awed just thinking Ohta had a room in the grand and luxurious-looking building. Hearing that it 'belonged' to him, though he had never claimed it did, Orihime felt like she was going to plop onto her ass out of shock.
"That remains to be seen..." replied Ohta, spreading his senses through the area and detecting multiple presences within. There were none in the lobby, but he sensed multiple 'people' moving about, some hidden while others seemed to be moving about in a routine, patrolling manner.
Raising his gaze to the ceiling, Ohta pulled the two girls back as a figure descended from a sliding panel in the roof, landing in front of them as a slender woman with long purple hair and an outfit not all the dissimilar to Soifon's when she removed her Haori.
Kneeling in front of Ohta's group with her head bowed low, the purple-haired girl said, "Apologies for my late arrival, Ohta-dono, Kuchiki-sama. I am Kuneida Ayame of the Onmitsukido, 5th Seat of Squad 2. I am one of twelve that Lady Yoruichi and Captain Soifon have appointed to guard this place and see to any needs you may have..."
Getting straight to the heart of the matter, Ohta asked, "Are each of you women?" The thought of having a bunch of trained assassins keeping an eye on his dwelling wasn't exactly pleasant, but he would definitely need maintenance staff and security for such a large place. In that respect, he would much rather have a bunch of girls slinking about than centuries-old men living in his walls, floor, and ceiling...
Keeping her head low, Ayame affirmed, "Ohta-dono has intuited correctly. Each of our members is female. Shall I have the others assemble and pay their respects...?"
"We'll put it off until the morning," replied Ohta. "For now, bring me this place's floor plan and explain its facilities. And when I say floor plan, I mean the one that includes secret passageways and tunnels. I want to know this place's entire layout."
Apparently having anticipated Ohta's request, Ayame removed a large scroll from the carrier strapped to her lower back, presenting it with both hands as she said, "This is the floor plan in question. As for the facilities, the basement chamber has an artificial hot spring, a training field, and a target range for training Kido. The first floor has a gym typical of the ones found in the human world, a pool, two saunas, a steam room, and a guest lounge for meetings. There are sixteen guest residences from floors two through five, a reception room, and a master penthouse on the top floor..."
Though he was secretly a little taken aback by Ayame's terse explanation, Ohta's expression remained unchanged as he replied, "Understood. Then the three of us will retire to the penthouse for the evening. Lead the way and then return to your duties."
"It would be my honor, Ohta-dono," replied Ayame, rising to her feet and pivoting professionally to lead the way. Ohta caught sight of her piercing blue eyes for a brief moment when she rose, but he wouldn't have cared even if they were empty voids. As the slender Shinigami led the way, his priority was looking around and chatting with Rukia and Orihime, focusing on the former but invariably drawn into the latter's pace as she oohed and awed at every little thing...
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(A/N: I'd let Yoruichi be my sugar mommy any day...)

Chapter 56: Return to Form