Tetsu was proud of both Hoshi and Katia and wished he was able to be there. He had been told he could call them later to congratulate them both on becoming members of the Gotei 13.

Ichigo smirked lightly at Subaro's speech, knowing that it was very well said. "So...Soi-fon told me you wanted to take down the bastard that bought his way into the lieutenant position. Want any tips?" He asked in a low voice, knowing it would be a bad idea for him to say it any louder.

" I would like some tips. " Tatsuki said in a whisper. She admitted she was a good fighter but knew any advice on fighting that buffoon would help her best him.

Ishida fought him the first time we came to Soul Society, and he said that the idiot liked to fight from long range. Not only that, but he liked to play tricks while fighting. He pretends to be meek or something to get you off your guard and then he'll try attacking, at least that's what Ishida said," Ichigo said.

" Then I'll fight short ranged. I won't fall for that trick, though he seems like he'd be easy to beat. " Tatsuki said. She trusted what Ishida said about fighting this guy and hoped she could show him what a true fighter was.

"Well if you're going to fight short range and because I know how well you can wield your anger as a weapon...when Ishida fought him, the bastard was aiming for Orihime," he added knowing just exactly what that would trigger. He almost pitied the bastard, but he knew all of Tatsuki's golden rules; one of them was to not harm Orihime. Patting her shoulder as he got up, he made his way towards Rukia and the others.

Tatsuki scowled. No one ever could hurt Orihime. To her that was the motivation she needed to defeat that idiot of a lieutenant.

Hoshi was having a great time talking with Rukia and Captain Ukitake and knew Katia was too. She was glad that Ichigo had been able to see them today.

"Mind if I cut in?" Ichigo asked as he stared down to Hoshi and Rukia.

" Not at all. " Rukia said with a smile.

"Thanks Rukia," Ichigo said before sitting down between Rukia and Hoshi.

" Thank you for coming Ichigo." Katia said glad that one of her friends came to the ceremony.

" Yes. Thank you Ichigo for coming." Hoshi said with a smile.

"It was nothing. Besides, midget here actually dragged me here," he said as he expertly dodged both the elbow to his ribs and the kick to his shins from Rukia.

Hoshi politely hid a giggle remembering when she had first met Rukia. So much had happened since then and she had learned so much.

"Shut up Strawberry," Rukia whispered in annoyance. She had grown during the time that Ichigo had lost his powers and was silently glad that Hoshi had helped him regain them.

Katia also covered her laugh and knew they both were just joking around. It was good to have friends that cared about her and she would do anything to keep her friends safe.

Ichigo chuckled lightly, even though he was annoyed that she called him by that dreaded nickname, but then again, only a few people were allowed to get away with it. If anyone else called him that...well, that's what Zangetsu would be for.

" Can you tell everybody we said hi? I know that they probably miss us." Hoshi said. She missed her other friends and hoped she could see them soon.

"Course I will Star-chan," Ichigo said with a light grin on his face. "You know...now that I think about it, we never really came up with a good nickname for your cousin," he added.

" No you didn't. " Katia said. " Uncle Tetsu said my parents use to call me Katie. " She said. She wished she rememberd her mom and dad. She had heard many good stories about Sam and Irina Yamada and was sad they both had died so young.

(lol, the thought of nicknaming Katia "Shii" for Shii's song since it would fit for her...kinda)

"Hm..." Ichigo said as thought about the nickname for a few seconds. "Nah, Katie sounds way to normal for people like us," he said before a small smirk appeared on his features.

"We have a protector/strawberry in me, a star with Hoshi-chan here, the midget here...the dragon that protects the princess over there. I guess we could all chip in to protect our new Cat...or should it be Neko?" Ichigo asked the others.

" How about Shii?" Hoshi asked since it was a song that her cousin really liked and seemed to fit her. She knew Katia had come a long way since they first met but knew her cousin was still waiting to prove herself.

(fun fact about Shii's song: The song is actually called "Wind's Nocturne" from the game Lunar: Silver Star Complete)

"Shii?" Rukia asked out of curiosity, not knowing what it was about.

"It's a popular video on the internet. I can show it to you the next time you come to the Living World," Ichigo responded to Rukia before he thought about the idea. "Well...we certainly have given Shii-chan a nice loving home," he said with a chuckle.

( I did look up the song on YouTube. It's a nice song )
" Yes we have. " Hoshi said and gave her cousin a hug.

Katia gave a smile. " I like that nickname. I'm glad you guys forgave me for what I did in the past, even though I had been forced to be that way. " Katia said. She was glad she had family that cared for her.

(It is, i agree)

"You weren't the one who kidnapped Ryu back then; the fact that you were family was just a surprise bonus," Ichigo replied.

" It was." Katia said with a small smile. She still wanted to prove she was strong, but feared that day wouldn't come. Just like she feared she would never find the man in her dream.