Ichigo soothed the baby with nonsensical words until she quieted down. Yet it felt like each muscle in his body was screaming with tension. He waited for the barrage of questions he could see the blond man wanted to ask, however nothing was said. The man kept staring at him, as if Ichigo would disappear, if he was not watched for even a second.

The two of then stood silently, not saying a word, only the slight noises coming from the still fussing baby filled the room. Finally Ichigo had enough, the tension was too much and he felt like his mind could snap at any moment. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, a sudden noise caught his attention. He saw a slender female dressed in a short dress and thigh length boots, burst into the room, her entrance reminisce of a whirlwind. The new arrival had long purple hair tied up in a ponytail, as well as strange cat like golden eyes, she also had the same strange energy that Ichigo felt around both men.

Youruichi Shihoin was stunned, in front of her stood a young man whom she thought was forever lost to them. Her disbelief was so great that she gave Kisuke a quick glance asking for confirmation of what her eyes was seeing. At his slight nod back to her, she once again focused on the person in front of her.

"Ichigo" she breathed out almost on the verge of tears

Ichigo was saved from having to say anything by Tessai's timely entrance. He quickly took the warm water with a nervous glance and settled down awkwardly at the small table to make the bottle. Ichigo realised that it would be nearly impossible for him to hold the baby and make the bottle at the same time, so he set her gently down next to him.

The indignant squeal the baby made at being put down finally penetrated Youruichi's mind. Her eyes widened further as she looked between the small bundle and Ichigo. She had been so overcome at seeing him alive that she had not taken her eyes off his face and completely missed noticing that he was carrying a baby. Looking very confused and unable to keep her curiosity in check, she took a few steps towards the baby.

The reaction was instantaneous, Ichigo leap up from the table and stood protectively between Youruichi and his child. His expression was familiar to everyone in the room. It was the same face he made when facing an enemy, like he is about to kill or be killed just to protect that which he loves.

"Ichigo" Uruhara spoke quietly. "Nobody here will ever cause any harm to you"

This calm voice snapped Ichigo out of his rigid stance and also allowed Youruichi to backtrack to the end of the room away from the baby. Uruhara sighed as his former student settled back down to finish making the bottle and when satisfied, pick up the child so he may feed her. Youruichi shared a glance at both Kisuke and Tessai as the waited for the young man to finish. Each of them were shocked to be on the receiving end of that look and they could only wonder at what had happened to make Ichigo so wary of them all.

They all wanted to hear the story, but still they kept quiet knowing that it was only fair for Isshin to be here to listen, also knowing that it would not take him long to arrive as he would probably shunpo all the way to the shop. It would also save Ichigo the trouble of having to stop mid story and begin again when he arrives.