Chapter 4: The Hanami for Two
(Chapter 4: The Sakura Viewing Celebration for Two)
1 of 2 Update today :) A Hanami is a Sakura Viewing Celebration and they take place in Japan in the spring time. People gather with friends, coworkers and/or family to celebrate the sakura blossoms.
Ichigo had been living with Byakuya for three weeks. Every time he tried to move back to his old apartment he found a reason to stay, someone had to feed Sen, Byakuya's Japanese bobtail cat, he'd just make dinner tonight then go, he'd call a house keeping service tomorrow, ugh Grimmjow was still at the apartment. He always found an excuse to remain, he'd discuss him leaving with Byakuya when the other woke up to prepare for work in the meantime he had dinner to make.
Ichigo chuckled as he cleaned off a green smiling Wakame Ambassador cutting board. He had not asked what Byakuya's obsession with the Wakame Ambassador was, though he admitted it did not fit the tall, inhumanly handsome and cool persona Byakuya exemplified. He chuckled as he heard the Wakame World theme song resound from Byakuya's room. He had come to like the man for all his quirks over the last few weeks.
His eyes drifted to the memorial altar and his eyes dimmed a bit. That's right, there was no way Byakuya would be interested in him, and he'd had a wife once. Ichigo sighed "There's no way he'd be interested in me anyway." Ichigo turned back to cut some vegetables unaware Byakuya had heard him.
Ichigo paused in cutting vegetables when he felt something push against his leg. He looked down and smiled. "And what are you doing down there Senbonzakura?" He asked bending down and petting the cat.
Senbonzakura had been the only other living thing in Byakuya's apartment when Ichigo had begun his stay. Sen yawned and shook his head. He then pushed his fluffy black head against Ichigo's hand purring. Ichigo smiled and ran his fingers through the cat's long silky black fur.
"Yeah, I'll miss you too when it's time for me to go." He told the cat as he got up to wash his hands. He went to the cupboard and pulled out a can of sardines. "Dinner time." He said shaking the can.
Sen's blue eyes let up at the sight of the can. He quickly scampered off to his water bowl and sat waiting patiently.
Ichigo laughed as he pulled out a small china bowl from the dishwasher and scooped a fish fillet into it. He mashed it up a bit and then placed it down on the floor. "There you go, Sen." He pat the cat's head then headed back into the kitchen.
He washed his hands and continued cutting celery and slicing carrots. Tonight they would have simmered daikon with pan sautéed potatoes, leeks, celery, carrots and chicken breast. He had already packed Byakuya a bento of rice, chicken katsu, fruit and an onigiri filled with spicy tuna.
"Konbanwa." Ichigo greeted Byakuya when the other walked out of the bedroom dressed in a pair of black slacks with a white button up shirt. He was currently tying a black tie around his neck.
The tall man looked over and nodded to Ichigo, "Konbanwa." He replied moving to tie his hair back with a clip.
Ichigo found Byakuya's long hair really enticing. He tortured himself with ideas of running his fingers through the long fine strands and how silky and smooth they would feel against his fingertips and wrapped around his fingers. Ichigo stifled a nosebleed and threw the veggies into a hot stir fry pan.
"Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Did you rest well?" He asked turning back to tend to the veggies. He did not want to see Byakuya tend to the memorial alter. It was not that he was jealous... okay maybe he was Jealous.
Byakuya lit a new incense candle and bowed his head for a moment before the memorial alter. He said good evening to his parents and Hisana before excusing himself and going to the kitchen to retrieve a cup of tea.
Byakuya's shoulder brushed against Ichigo's arm as the younger male moved the stir fry pot.
Light brown eyes found themselves staring into dark alluring eyes for longer than necessary as the two looked at each other. Byakuya leaned forward a bit causing Ichigo to jerk back.
"Dinners ready." He said quickly moving to plate the food for the table, his face was an embarrassing shade of red.
Ichigo set the table and quickly sat down on one side.
Byakuya chuckled noticing how it made Ichigo squirm ever so slightly. He sat down across from Ichigo and bowed his head slightly. "'Itadakimasu." He said before moving to try a bit of simmered daikon.
Ichigo watched the slender brown chopsticks slowly picked a piece of beige simmered daikon and move them to a set of supple, kissable lips. Ichigo was lost in thought again about himself and Byakuya making better use of the kitchen table.
Thoughts of Byakuya and his deceased wife again crept into Ichigo's mind. He wondered if they had eaten here just like this before she died. That thought saddened him.
He had to stop thinking about the other male in that context or it could ruin their newfound friendship. Just maybe he wanted to ruin their friendship...
Sen watched the two humans curiously before making his way into the laundry room. He wanted to take a nap in Ichigo's clothes. He liked the orange haired human, it made his human livelier.
Halfway through dinner Ichigo sighed, "Ano... I talked with Shiro today." He lied, "Grimmjow is going back to France tomorrow, so I'll be moving back in with him after today..." he explained. He knew he had to get away from Byakuya before he fell any harder for the guy. It was not in his policy to pursue heterosexual men that could only end poorly for him after all. He knew if he continued to live under Byakuya's roof he would want more from the good doctor then this. His mind wandered to other more intimate activities he'd rather be doing with the doctor then this.
Ichigo kept his eyes averted from Byakuya. He did not notice the other had stopped eating and was now just looking at him.
"Is there a reason you don't want to stay?" The raven asked curiously his meal forgotten.
"Well this was only temporary right? Grimmjow is leaving." Ichigo replied with a care free shrug. 'Wait does that mean you don't want me to go?' He thought internally he was begging for Byakuya to tell him to stay.
Byakuya had a look Ichigo could not quite read. His dark eyes pierced Ichigo. The orange haired man felt sweat beginning to bead on the back of his neck.
"Byaku-" A dark overly brooding strings of a cello chimed through the room.
Ichigo's eyebrows rose as he got up from the table. He knew Byakuya's eyes followed him as he went into the kitchen to retrieve his phone.
"Hallo, Ichigo?" Ichigo walked into the laundry room to take the phone call in German.
Ichigo had been on the phone for ten minutes when the other party suddenly hung up. Ichigo was not sure what crawled up Ulquiorra's ass and died but he did not want to be a part of it. His understanding of German was better than average since he was part German a few generations back on his mother's side but he didn't catch everything Ulquiorra had said. Ulquiorra's dialect was different from his families so he was always sure to miss something. Plus it was not like he was Shiro's keeper...
Ichigo looked down at Sen.
The cat looked up at him with curious sleepy eyes (=^‥^=)?.
Ichigo walked out of the laundry room to find Byakuya had resumed eating.
"I didn't know you spoke German." Byakuya's words were calm and collected. "Who was that?"
"Ulquiorra had something to ask me regarding Shiro..." he explained sitting back down. " I'm a polyglot I speak 7 languages officially..."
Ichigo rolled his eyes. His parents had noticed from a young age he could grasp languages well and after the family required languages of Japanese and German, they set him up learning English then Spanish (Spain) after that was French and after a while he took up Mandarin and lately Cantonese. He claimed to be conversational in all seven languages but some he was more active in than others due to family and friends he had met. He could read in all 7 languages but preferred books in English or Japanese the best.
Byakuya's eyebrow arched at the polyglot comment, "Urokiorora?"
"Ulquiorra..." he corrected. "I know it's a mouthful. His real name is Vincent Scifer. He's Shiro's "creative" partner. He was upset because of something Shiro didn't show up too..."
"Do you really want to return to that apartment?" Byakuya's words were forward and laced with betrayal and confusion. "Isn't this home more convenient for you? It's close to your university and spacious." He placed his chopsticks down. "Are you unhappy here?"
"Of course not..." Ichigo replied rubbing the end back of his head. "I'm very thankful for your kindness." He lowered his head. He best drive this point home now before they got any more wrapped in each other, "Dr. Kuchiki..." he took a very formal tone with the older man and looked up into Byakuya's eyes." its better we separate now before we become anymore in trapped in whatever this," he motioned between the two of them," is." He slowly stood up. "I'm going to spend the evening at the Abarai's..." he got up from the table.
Ichigo paused, he had not heard Byakuya get up but he felt the man's slim fingers wrap around his wrist and pull him to sit back down.
The chair skid against the floor from the force applied. Byakuya's eyes were darker to Ichigo, instead of light grey they resembled a darker gunmetal color as he stood over the orange haired man. He leaned down effectively pinning Ichigo between himself and his chair.
"Tell me, Kurosaki Ichigo, how do you know I don't want to be trapped in this," he leaned closer so his breath ghosted against the shell of Ichigo's ear, "with you? Hmm..."
Ichigo leaned forward to-
"GROSS!" Haru shouted jumping up and down. "Ew! GROSS!"
Ame looked at his brother and continued sitting petting Senbonzakura. The older black cat purred under the boy's touch rolling over onto his back to have his stomach scratched.
Byakuya kissed Ichigo on the cheek then looked at his son, "What's gross?"
"GROSS!" Haru shouted pointing at Byakuya. "Chichi, that's gross..."
Ichigo rolled his eyes and turned to Byakuya, "Did you have to?" The mischievous glint in the older man's eyes did not go unnoticed.
"That was where this part of the story is going, but it's not quite how I remember it..." He teased pecking Ichigo on the lips. Oh the story had definitely gone a different less little ears appropriate way if memory served correctly. If memory served it was the first day of work Byakuya had missed in two years and the first unexplained absence of his career.
Haru was now rolling on the floor. It seems Takahiro had taught his friend some new tricks during their playtime today.
"Oh... That's new..." Ichigo said looking at Haru's behavior.
Ame continued to look at his brother like the boy had sprouted a second head as he rolled around on the floor. That was certainly not Kuchiki behavior.
Byakuya got up off the couch and picked Haru up. The brunette instantly stopped misbehaving and looked up at Byakuya. Haru gave his Chichi an impressive set of doe eyes and pouty lips as Byakuya held him at arm's length. His light brown eyes glistened with unshed tears as his lip quivered.
Byakuya looked down at the boy, "I think it's time you had a bath and then it's off to bed."
Haru's lip quivered more. "But Chichi... Papa's story..."
Byakuya shook his head, "It's time for bed now, first to the bath then bed. Papa can tell you another story later." He offered.
The brunette turned to look at Ichigo inflicting him with the eyes of innocence. "Promise?" His bottom lip quivered just so.
Ichigo nodded, "Of course Haru, let's go take a bath and then I'll put you to bed okay? I'll tell you two about Papa and Chichi's first Hanami together okay?" Walking out of the room to run a bath.
Haru reached out for Byakuya to bring him closer. He really knew how to sucker his Chichi into holding him.
Byakuya held the boy close and looked at Ame to find only an outline and Sen now laying on his stomach snoozing (=^..^=)? .
Ichigo chuckled, "Come on you two we're waiting." Ichigo called out from down the hall.
Haru and Ame behaved well in the shower while each had their hair washed before being placed in the bath. The two watched their parents silently.
Byakuya sat on the shower stool while Ichigo crouched behind him washing his hair.
Ichigo recalled those early days when he had yearned to simply touch the older man's hair. He had been astonished that they had been as silken as they looked the first time he'd run his fingers through them.
Ichigo smiled at the memory as he rinsed the last of the conditioner from his beloved's hair.
Byakuya turned back to look at Ichigo. Ichigo leaned forward and kissed him.
Haru let out a disgruntled sound from the tub making the two adults laugh.
"Your son is overly dramatic..." Byakuya did not sound amused.
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "He's no less dramatic than his Chichi..."
After soaking in the tub for a while the family departed and dried off. It was no surprise that Byakuya had dressed the boys in matching Wakame Ambassador sleeping clothes. Byakuya was wearing a pair of black night pants and no shirt. Ichigo sighed, his children needed to find their way into their own room soon...
Byakuya laid down on his futon and rolled over to make room for Haru who cuddled up right next to him laying his head on Byakuya's chest.
Ame patiently waited for Ichigo to come lay down so he could lay next to him but on his own futon. "Papa," He yawned. "Tell us about the Hanami..."
"Yeah..." Haru sleepily added snuggling into Byakuya.
Ichigo nodded.
Ichigo was speechless, he had accepted Byakuya's invitation to the Hanami figuring they'd go to the park near their apartment. Ichigo smiled at the fact that it was 'their' apartment now. He had learned many interesting things about his new boyfriend and he was sure the other could say the same. But the one thing he had not learned until just this moment was that Byakuya was the sole heir to the Kuchiki Group, a renowned medical group that was almost as renowned as the Quincy Group, Ichigo's family was a part of.
Byakuya paused as he waited for the iron gates of the Kuchiki Estate to open. He smiled as he leaned over and kissed Ichigo's shocked face. "Ichi, I told you..."
"I know... I just didn't expect it to be a traditional mansion..." His thoughts trailed off as Byakuya deepened the kiss.
A cough over the video camera caught their attention, a young woman with short brown hair and a blush looked at them. "Kuchiki sama the gate is now open."
Byakuya smiled against Ichigo's lips, "I see..." He turned back and drove into the Kuchiki compound.
Byakuya's Prius crunched along the gravel pathway leading up to the mansion's entrance. The entrance way was lined with Sakura trees that were currently in bloom, all around the car fell dancing blades of pink and white. Ichigo rolled down the car window and stuck his hand out catching some falling sakura in his hand. He brought them back into the car and looked at them.
Byakuya smiled as the car came to a stop and two people walked down the main steps to greet them.
"Kuchiki sama." Wataru smiled bowing to his older cousin, his blue eyes shone brightly through dark bangs.
"Wataru kun." Byakuya replied bowing slightly and offering him the car keys.
"He's fetching..." The shorter Kuchiki said motioning to Ichigo. "I think Grandfather will be pleased." He got into Byakuya's car.
Ichigo had gotten out when the young woman with brown hair appeared at his door opening it for him. "Guest of Kuchiki sama." She bowed respectfully to him.
"Ichigo is fine." He said smiling at her offering a bow. "Thank you." He said as he got out of the car and she got in. He was about to ask when Byakuya came around the car and took his hand.
"My younger cousin Wataru and his sister Kana." He informed Ichigo. "They live here and help maintain the grounds for Grandfather."
Ichigo nodded his understanding. He had been preparing himself to meet Byakuya's family since he had agreed to live with the older man.
The couple made their way up well-worn and maintained stone steps to the entrance of the compound. The door slid open on smooth wooden guides revealing the ancestral Kuchiki home of well-manicured tatami mat floors and shoji. Ichigo marveled, this house was like something out of an Edo period novel or TV drama.
A man with his dark hair cut in a pageboy style smiled at them as he opened the door. His green eyes hinting he was happy to see Byakuya.
"Ichigo this is Shinobu, he is Wataru's younger twin brother." Byakuya introduced them.
Ichigo bowed and Shinobu bowed in turn.
"Come, Byakuya sama, Grandfather has been waiting for you and your guest to arrive." he ushered them down a long hallway.
Ichigo noticed that along the hallway was a koi pond filled with many different colored and large koi fish.
Ginrei Kuchiki was the current head of the Kuchiki Medical Group, he had been a renowned heart surgeon, respected by man and revered by all. His skill was second to none. People would come from all over the world to be treated by that man, at least they did until he stopped practicing.
Ichigo had known the story before Byakuya had told him, everyone in the medical field knew the story of Sojun Kuchiki. The story of how the young man suddenly died after surviving a pregnancy with an inoperable heart defect. It was said the death of his son had broken the old man and forced him into early retirement. Now it seemed maybe raising his grandson had taken priority over caring for patients?
Shinobu lead them towards the back of the compound, "Grandfather is waiting for you just ahead. I will announce your presence." He said going into the room before them. A moment later he returned and slid the door open for them.
Ginrei Kuchiki had a strong regal presence even in his old age. Age had confined him to a wheelchair some time ago but the man was still proud as he sat near a fireplace reading a book. Slate grey eyes looked up over the thick binding of Tolstoy's War & Peace, to look at the two young men.
"Byakuya," He bowed his head slightly.
Byakuya gave a deeper bow and turned to Ichigo. "Grandfather this is Ichigo Kurosaki, we are currently living together." He informed the older man.
Genrei's grey mustache twitched as the man mulled over this information. "Hello Kurosaki san." He said after a few tense moments. "I hope my grandson has been treating you well." His eyes motioned to the hickey on Ichigo's neck from the night before.
Ichigo blushed lightly on his face and nodded, "Yes Kuchiki san..." He replied.
"Don't call me Kuchiki san, that's for people I don't like and don't trust. Currently you are family and you may call me Grandfather." He said with a knowing smile. "He seems like an interesting boy, tell me more about him over lunch." He requested, "It should be ready soon Megumi and Hanako have been busy all morning preparing your favorite dishes."
Shinobu pushed Ginrei's wheelchair through the home on the way to the sakuranoumi dining room. He explained to Ichigo that they only used this room during the spring for Sakura viewing. Once in the room they were joined by Wataru and Kana whom had been setting the table for lunch.
The food was all varieties of spicy, kimchi fried rice, spicy hotpots, curry dishes, sushi rolls and other more mild and friendly finger sandwiches and onigiri were laid out. Once everyone had been served and sat at the table Shinobu walked over to the far wall and slowly slid it back.
Ichigo was rendered speechless yet again as the door slid open to reveal a walk path on the outside of the house. Beyond that walk path was a sea of sakura trees each gently dispersing its blossoms in a dazzling and awe inspiring display of pink, white and red petals. It was like something out of a movie.
He turned and took Byakuya's hand, "Thank you for bringing me, this is the best Hanami ever." he kissed the back of Byakuya's hand and went back to viewing the flowers indeed spell bound by them.
Ichigo turned over in bed to gently tuck Ame in, the boy had finally gotten to sleep. He pulled the covers up to his chin and turned back over.
Byakuya was asleep on his side with one hand protectively wrapped around Haruhiko and the other resting against Ichigo's knee. The orange haired man smiled as he pulled the covers up over his love and their son before pulling his covers up over himself as well turning in for the night and going to sleep.
Chapter 4: The Hanami for Two complete
Except: Chapter 5 : Papa, where do babies come from? (Part 1 of 2)
Ichigo slowly turned to face his son a blank look on his face. He felt the plate he had been washing slip from his hands and disappear below the soapy surface of the sink.
Haruhiko looked at his Papa curiously. Maybe Papa hadn't heard the question. He asked again, "Papa where do babies come from?"
Ichigo took a moment to collect himself, he had been prepared for this question since they had returned from his parents and discovering that Shiro was pregnant again. He knew it was only a matter of time but still no amount of preparation could have prepared him for this moment. "Ask your Chichi..." He replied pushing this one off on Byakuya, he was the medical professional after all.
Haruhiko cutely looked over his shoulder towards the living room and placed a finger in his mouth, "I dids, Chichi says Papa knows."
Ichigo's eye twitched as he looked towards the living room area.
Byakuya was currently sitting at the kotatsu with Ame looking over a green and white photo book. Ichigo's expression softened, he knew that book anywhere, and it was his and Byakuya's pregnancy book.
Ichigo turned back to his son, "Papa will explain in simple terms were babies come from." He said wiping his hands. He then walked over and took Haruhiko's hand. "Come let's go look at the book with Chichi and Ame."
The small family sat down at the kotatsu. Byakuya flipped the book back to the first page of the photo/scrap book they had kept.
Ichigo sighed looking at the pictures, it was hard to believe that was only seven years ago. Ichigo pointed to the rounded abdomen in one of the pictures. "Haru, babies come from a mommy's belly," He began catching both boys attention as he explained he could see the little gears in Ame's head turning.
Ame looked up at Ichigo with innocent wondering eyes and asked, "But Papa... how does a baby get there?"
The sound of passionate cries, the feeling of heat and the smell of sweat and passion filled Ichigo's mind as he accurately remembered the night of his sons' conception.
Ichigo paused for a moment thinking of a child friendly euphemism for hot, extremely passionate, and borderline animalistic sex.
Byakuya chuckled, "Haru, Ame, babies are wishes granted to mommies and daddies who wish for them hard enough." He explained to the boys' satisfaction. "You and Haru were something both Papa and I wished for very much."
Ichigo sighed remembering a little over seven years ago when everything in his life seemed to finally be coming together only to seemingly fall apart at his feet.
"You see after you find your true love and you've lived together for a while you sometimes consider starting a family or sometimes you-" Ichigo began his story.