This is actually my first posted Bleach fic. I have a few others, one I'm cowriting with my friend, which we hope to post soon. But anywhore, this is actually written for said friend, and this pairing is one I don't actually ship much^^ll I just wrote it because I was blocked and needed to write something and she had nothing to read so...I digress. It's also my first lemon, so I'm hoping it isn't too atrocious.

Note: This was originally one big document, but I'm typing in segments, both because it makes posting easier, and because I like a little bit of messing with my I'm a sadistic evil lil author. You'll get over it, I'm sure!

Summary: If Ichigo had known what his spring vacation would hold in store for him, he may've done things differently. But he hadn't, and this is what came of it.

Disclaimer: I do not own, in any way shape or form, the Bleach characters or universe. I'm obviously not in control, otherwise Ichigo would be a complete uke to who knows what guy I'd choose!

With Time

*Neko~Yami*

Looking back on things, Ichigo was sure that if he'd been told something like this was going to happen, he'd have punched the person cleanly across the jaw and then flash stepped home laughing. Then he would dodge some kicks, hug his sisters and most likely yell at some undead-dead-living being loitering in his room, much the same as he did every day during and for some time before the official start of the war.

Right now, though, he was content to stay right where he was, wrapped in the arms of a wonderful being and boyfriend. They were out by Juushiro's pond right now, enjoying the slight breeze of spring while Rukia and her captain, along with Shunsui and Nanao had tea (or sake) inside. There was a faint crashing from somewhere outside the compound, most likely Sentaro and Kiyone fighting over something or other. He gave a soft sort. Even after finally getting together last year, in the wake of the war where they'd been frantic to find each other for fear that one was hurt, they still fought more than a couple of alley cats. The only difference now was that it ended in horribly loud making up, which had scarred more than one mind within (and on the rare occasion, without) the Thirteenth Division barracks.

At his sound, his boyfriend looked down at him, eyes straying from their place on the clouds above them. He quirked a brow and leaned down to kiss Ichigo and the orangette was able to note the scent of a certain sugary treat still lingering on his love's breath. Leaning back so that they could look clearly at each other, he asked softly,

"And what was that about? Something amusing I hope." His smile was white, only a few shades brighter than his hair.

Ichigo smiled back, if only a small one. That was nothing of a problem though, seeing as both of them more often than not wore a scowl upon young, though furrowed, features. Ichigo's answer wasn't soft exactly, but it did not have the general animosity or surliness that he portrayed to others.

"Just thinkin' about how those two loudmouths got together. It took a damn war… And I was thinking about how we got together."

His Ice Prince stared at him and blinked for a moment before smiling down at him and stealing a kiss. Was it theft if the victim was completely willing?

"So what did you think about it? I hope it was a nice reminiscence, despite the… chaos of it all. We should've known that anything involving Matsumoto would turn and leave things upside down and backwards…."

Ichigo nodded his full agreement, knowing after that that letting Rangiku come into things tended to turn them crazier than a cat lady quite quickly. At first he'd been so pissed that she, and the others involved, had done something like that. It made him feel angry and a little bit trod upon, but in the end, after all the crap and all the mayhem, he'd felt warm inside. He'd actually wanted to give the busty blond a hug, maybe even say thanks…

The day started off normal enough. He'd gotten up, kicked his dad into the wall, and gone down to the Shoten. Things had pretty much gone downhill from there. Now Ichigo was a generally mellow guy. Give him something to do, maybe some Shakespeare and he wouldn't be in your hair. Put him in a room with not only Urahara and the kids, (Tessai usually didn't bug him) but also Renji, Rukia, and Rangiku, then there was a reaction he was sure was chemically similar to that of letting magnesium get exposed to oxygen… only a bit worse. Tings actually did spontaneously combust a whole hell of a lot more than was normal when any of them was involved. Those three had earned their reputation as the Three Deadly R's of Doom. They were always causing him some sort of grief!

On this particular day, Ichigo only had to walk into the Shoten to get drug into things. He'd knocked and Tessai answered the door with a cheerful (in a Tessai sort of booming way) "Kurosaki-san!" Ichigo almost turned around and went back home. From behind Tessai was a clashing of familiar voices that Ichigo knew from experience meant nothing but trouble. He waved absently to the tall Kido master, choosing to lean only slightly to the left to catch a glimpse of what might've been going on in the other room without risking exposure and recognition. Urahara was sitting in his normal place at the table, and from behind his fan an aura of downright innocence shined. If there was on thing that spelled trouble and shouted at him to get the hell out of there, then that was.

As it was, Ichigo chose to leave the place of mischief behind. Maybe he'd go home and hide under his covers. Alas, his plans were thwarted when, just as he was turning to leave, a voice called happily from the bowels of the shop,

"Kurosaki-kun! Leaving already? You haven't even come in yet! I was so hoping to visit with you too!"

Cue flinch on Ichigo's part. He gave a hiss as the crashing and voices stopped ominously, and only had a few seconds to prepare himself. Within moments the side of Ichigo's head was crushed to what he had learned were the ample breasts of one Matsumoto Rangiku. He was able to hear her voice as well as feel it somewhere above him

"Ichigo! How could you come by and not say hello! It's been so long since I've seen you!"

It had indeed been a while since Ichigo had seen her, or anyone from the Soul Society. They were all caught up in the aftermath of the war, so he could understand why they were busy, even more than a year after the conflict had ended. He'd probably seen each of his friends, Renji, Rukia, and the others, once or twice in as many months for about a year and a half now. Of course each time had only been one or two people at once. He hadn't seen three or more Shinigami since the days right after that final battle. That time was even sketchy. It'd been touch and go, with his soul fading in and out enough to worry even Unohana. That time he didn't remember much of, and what he did remember was very fuzzy and always seemed to be concealed under a veil. There were times he'd reached for Hichigo and Zangetsu but apparently, and he'd learned this from those looking after him at those times, he'd always come closest to fading completely when he did.

While he quickly reminisced and had the life squeezed from him by a pair of oversized mammories, the woman in possession of said assets was ranting up a storm. It was only when she'd finished this that she released Ichigo and he was able to drag in a long gasp of oxygen. He fought the urge to push away the small form wound tightly around his middle, instead letting his arm fall across her shoulders and neck, squeezing lightly in return. Rukia pulled back after a moment and smiled up at him from a nest of messy raven locks. Even though he'd seen her last month, which was only two weeks previous, he was happy to see the midget. It seemed that in the face of Aizen's rise and fall, everyone had grown quite close; even those ones who generally refused to acknowledge the existence of their emotions, like Renji and Ichigo.

Despite this newfound intimacy, Renji hung back and once he was able, briefly gave Ichigo a firm squeeze of the shoulder. Ichigo met this with a roll of the eyes and a small grin before pulling the crimson haired fighter into a rough hug, which was reciprocated after but a moment. It was a strong gesture between them, and when Ichigo pulled back, Renji had a grin matching his own. The redhead said with a touch of deviousness,

"What gives Strawberry? Hopping out on us?"

Ichigo grinned back but ignored the familiar nickname in favor of returning with a taunt of his own,

"Just you Pineapple! I heard your loudmouth all the way outside!"

Renji snorted out a laugh and smacked his arm lightly, for him anyway, because it would probably have knocked Rukia right off her feet. For Ichigo and Renji it was normal, and something Ichigo had sort of been missing as of late. There was camaraderie in it that had been lacking in their absence. He turned to look at Rukia still latched onto his side like a barnacle, then to the others before finally settling on Urahara,

"So what're all of you doing here? Last I saw, you and all of Soul Society were scrambling to get things back together!"

Rangiku sat down next to them, and still managed to come almost up to Ichigo's chest. She took a sip of long cooled tea without so much as a pinch of the lips and said,

"We came to see you of course! And everyone here, but we haven't seen you in so long! We've come to rescue you for a spring vacation to Soul Society!"

It took a moment for her words to set in, and Ichigo was a bit struck for what to say. Did he say thanks? Refuse vehemently? Run and hide (and eventually be found)? He contemplated what she was saying; what would happen if he did or didn't say he wanted to go.

If he chose not to go then he'd get trouble from his friends about neglecting them, end up getting angry, storm home and still have a spring vacation of boredom ahead of him. If he went with them then he'd definitely not be bored… And then Goat Face and the girls could get out of the house without worrying about the house setting fire or Ichigo somehow dying in a fantastic manner. A thought occurred then and Ichigo asked about the concern,

"What about the town? Who'll kill the hollows? We can't expect the others to take care of it. They have lives."

Rukia looked about to say something before Urahara waved a hand, his fan sweeping through the air,

"We'll take care of the town for you Kurosaki-kun! Think of it as a gift from us!"

His voice was tinged with an innocence that automatically made Ichigo wary. With Urahara things tended to explode, or otherwise disfigure the situation in a near irreparable way. At least if anything happened to the house, Ichigo knew his father had no qualms hunting down his old friend.

He came back to himself in time to see Rukia jump at Renji for some reason or another, and choosing to ignore it, he said, "Okay. Thanks."

The room fell silent. Even Urahara was staring at him like he'd grown a second head. He gained composure quickly and hid once more behind his fan, even though they could all tell he was grinning like a mad hatter at a tea party.

"It's my pleasure Kurosaki-kun! I live to serve!"

Ichigo gave a half nod in return and then he was being squished again, this time both members of the Women's Shinigami Association, one at his waist and one at his shoulders.

He faintly heard something said, and there was a gasp and then Rukia was gone. He turned as much as he could away from the bosom blocking his sight to look around for the cause of Rukia's reaction. With a loud, "Get your boobs out of my face!" and a mighty push, Ichigo was finally able to separate himself and get back to his feet. Standing in the room's doorway were none other than Kuchiki Byakuya and Hitsugaya Toshiro, of Squads Six and Ten respectively.

Both men were staring impassively at the scene, and Ichigo was sure that winter had ended but the cold glare Toshiro was sending Rangiku could probably have frozen a ball of fire. Ichigo stepped to the side a bit to make sure it wasn't really being aimed at him and to get a better look at the two males. Well Byakuya was the same, pale and composed, but there was a different look in his eye than Ichigo remembered and a peripheral glance told him that Renji was by his side. So the look was at him then! He idly wondered just what was going on between the taicho and fukutaicho but decided that he didn't want to know right now. He had better things to look at, and possibly being scarred for life was not on his to-do list for the day.

Instead of pondering is friend's possible love life, Ichigo turned his attentions to the shorter of the two. As he looked, he noticed with a shock that Toshiro was taller now, just a few inches shorter than Byakuya. That meant the once little squirt was just about taller than him now. Damn. That was going to make things more… difficult.

Belatedly realizing that he was staring, and also not noticing the knowing looks passed Renji and Byakuya, and Rukia and Rangiku, Ichigo finally decided to say something, if only to break the silence permeating the normally noisy Shoten.

"Err… Byakuya, Toshiro! What're you guys doing here?" he asked in a boisterous voice, trying to detract from the attention that might've been on the pink tinting his cheeks and neck.

As it seemed to him that Toshiro wouldn't be thinking for the next few minutes at the very least, his eyes pinned to Ichigo as they were, Byakuya chose to explain, "We have come to collect you. You were meant to be in Soul Society by now."

While Byakuya turned a scolding look on Rangiku, who at least had the decency to look embarrassed, Ichigo rounded on her as well as Rukia,

"What? When exactly did you guys get here?"

Rukia scoffed lightly, jabbing a thumb in Rangiku's direction,

"Rangiku decided that we needed to go shopping and wouldn't let us come without her. We actually got here last night."

Ichigo released a heavy sigh and tried to ignore Rangiku's sudden whining. E turned away and went towards the door, passing by the two captains as Rukia called after him, asking him where he was going. Without turning or stopping he called back,

"I've got to pack tell Goat Face I'm gonna be gone for a while. They're going on a trip tomorrow."

It was only when he was a block away from the shop that Ichigo distanced himself enough from his thoughts to notice people trailing behind him. Turning with a frown, he spied both Byakuya and Renji stopping as he did. There was an impatience radiating from Renji, though Byakuya was surrounded by an aura of cold and calm, per usual. It was different from the piercing cold of Toshiro, who was standing behind the two men.

"What the hell're you following for?" he asked, risking the stares of the few people in town who had yet to encounter the strangeness of any member of the Kurosaki Clan. Long used to it, Ichigo continued glaring until he got an answer. It was Renji who growled at him for his yelling,

"We're following you to make sure you pack up right, and fast. We've got things to do besides wait for you ya know!"

Ichigo turned back around with a huff and continued, suddenly knowing that they wouldn't have given up until he'd done as they bid.