Always and Forever: part 6
Standard Disclaimer: all characters herein are the creative property of Kubo Tite.
Glancing around at the surrounding buildings and passing pedestrians, Orihime scratched at the back of her neck, "I feel funny." She declared in a faraway tone as she looked down to kick at a small rock on the sidewalk.
Scrutinizing his bemused wife, Ichigo slid an arm around her waist pulling her closer, "How so Hime?"
Scrunching up her nose and wrinkling her brows, "I don't know exactly." She stated in confusion.
Looking about them as they slowly walked down the street, Ichigo pulled Orihime back before she crashed headlong into a pole. Receiving a dazed smile for his assistance, he shook his head at her daydreaming. Sliding his hand up her back, he gently tugged on the trailing ends of her hair, "So are you sick?" he asked mildly in concern.
Tapping her index finger against her chin, "Umm…no, not sick." She replied finally after giving the matter some thought as she was magnetically drawn to a nearby parked car.
Furrowing his brows as he pulled her away from her doodling on a dusty car window, "Tired?" Ichigo inquired as he tugged his pouting wife further away from her questionable artwork, hoping the owner didn't catch them.
Peeking over her shoulder at her drawing of an awesome android; Orihime frowned as she tired to commit the sketch to memory, "No" she answered his question distractedly.
Scowling at his wife as she purposely dragged her feet, he blew out an agitated breath, "You aren't in any pain, are you?" He queried as he wrapped his arm more firmly around his dawdling wife's form.
Tilting her head to the side, Orihime filed her robot idea away to contemplate later as she pondered his question. Shrugging her shoulders, she allowed her edgy husband pull her down the sidewalk, "Nope" she replied, peeking up into his tense face.
"Would you rather go home?" Ichigo asked quietly as he rubbed her back. Gazing down at her in concern, he informed her, "We can always visit Urahara another time."
Patting him soothingly on the chest, she gazed up into his worried eyes, "Now you're the one stalling. I'm fine Ichigo, besides we're already here." She gestured at the front of the Shoten a short distance away.
Twisting his lips in disgust, he trapped her small hands against his chest. Closing his eyes in thought, Ichigo slowly breathed out as her fingers wiggled under his hands. Releasing his hold on her, he slid his hand upward to knead the back of his neck as he felt Orihime take advantage of her newfound freedom.
Cracking one eye open, he gazed down at his restless wife as she tiptoed her fingertips over the muscled expanse before her, her nails lightly scoring the fabric of his shirt. Catching her lip between her teeth, her wide eyes observed his chest in fascination, like she had never seen it before.
His heart tripping in his chest, he watched his darling wife slide the tip of her tongue slowly over her plump bottom lip as her fingers firmly outlined the powerful muscles of his upper body. Swallowing thickly, his eyes scanned the area for a convenient darkened alleyway before inwardly groaning at his wayward train of thought. Shaking his head violently, he tried to cool his heated blood as he attempted to get a hold of himself.
Exhaling slowly, Ichigo croaked out, "You do know that this isn't the most private of places to be feeling me up?"
Lifting dazed eyes to meet his, Orihime quietly panted as her fingers curved into the fabric of his shirt, her rounded nails lightly scratching over his overly sensitized skin. Slowly wetting her dry lips, she smiled audaciously up at her hot and bothered husband, "Where then would be a better place?" she asked softly, her eyes drifting back down as she watched the fabric of his shirt pull and strain with each of his deep ragged breaths.
Spinning her around, Ichigo forcefully walked her backwards until he pressed her back against the outer wall of the Shoten. Trying to intimidate his teasing wife, he pressed his powerfully aroused body against her persuasively, "So what exactly has gotten into you my princess?" He purred out against her sweetly scented neck, "I thought you were feeling funny or something like that."
"I am or… I was, maybe I'm just feeling frisky?" she replied, tilting her head to the side as his heated lips slid sensuously over her skin. Releasing a shuddering sigh, Orihime tugged on the fluttering hem of his shirt, "But mainly I didn't like seeing you worry so much about me, Sweetheart. You're going to have a permanent scowl if you don't learn to relax some." She goaded, running her index finger between his furrowed brows.
Curling his lip into a smug smile, Ichigo gazed tenderly down at his lovely wife, "Learn to unwind, huh? I guess I could start experimenting with relaxation techniques since you're feeling so frisky." Nuzzling into her neck once more, he breathed out hotly, "Maybe we should skip our visit and head straight home instead."
Slipping her hands under the hem of his loose shirt, Orihime smoothed her palms over his sculpted abdomen, "Impatient as always." She gently chided him as she stroked her hands over his tense stomach, "We're already here, and it wouldn't do to disappoint Urahara-san by ignoring his kind invitation."
Biting off an impassioned groan as her nimble fingers ardently massaged him, "If that's how you really feel, then quit tormenting me woman." Ichigo ordered with a frustrated growl as he clasped his hands around her wrists. Preparing to remove her wandering digits from his straining body, he let out a yell as someone barreled into his side.
Turning to fiercely glare at the winded offender, Ichigo furrowed his brows as he looked down at the unmistakable pastel draped form of his younger sister, "Yuzu?" he asked in confusion.
"Ichi-nii" Yuzu exclaimed wide eyed as she clenched her hands together before her in agitation. Chewing her lip nervously, she hesitantly glanced behind her into the dimness of the Shoten as she felt her brother readying himself to begin questioning her presence here.
Looking back at the woman beside her brother, her face broke into a bright delighted smile, "Orihime-chan, how are you?" she cried overenthusiastically, brushing past her brother to tightly clasp her sister-in-laws hands, "What did the doctor say… When are you due…What is it… a boy or a girl…Do you have any names picked…"
Clamping a hand over his sister's runaway mouth, Ichigo frowned down at her "Remember to breathe why don't you." Shaking his head as he removed his hand, he arched a brow in inquiry, "So what brings you here?"
Rocking back on her heels, her bright red bag swinging freely at her side, she stammered out guiltily, "What do you mean? Here as in here at this place… or here and not at home… or here in the world in general?" she asked with large guileless eyes as her hands gestured in vague circles.
Snapping his slack jaw shut, Ichigo attempted to decipher just what his sister just asked before deciding it wasn't worth it. 'She sounded just like Dad when he's trying to avoid giving a direct answer', he thought to himself.
Reaching for Yuzu's hands once again, Orihime smiled at her "I'll be sure to tell you everything later on tonight… I promise." She replied, giving her sister-in-law a small wink.
Squeezing Orihime's hands in return, Yuzu gave her a relieved smile, "Come a little sooner for dinner, alright? That way we can have more time to talk."
Nodding in agreement, Orihime glanced back at her puzzled husband before tilting her head towards the doorway, "Go ahead and find Urahara, Ichigo, I'll be right behind you."
Feeling like he had just missed a vital piece of the conversation between his sister and wife, Ichigo stepped into the cool dimness of the Shoten. Letting his eyes grow accustomed to the low light, he noticed a tense red haired young man holding a broom near the back.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he tried to recall his name. Ichigo knew him but hadn't seen him in years. Scowling in irritation, he would never be good at remembering faces and names… people would just have to deal with it.
"Jinta-kun" Orihime stepped passed him; smiling at the young man "I didn't know you were back already, although I should have guessed as much."
Giving her a small lopsided smile, Jinta set the broom aside as he glanced nervously at Ichigo before returning Orihime's greeting "Kurosaki-san" he bowed his head to her "I'm on break for a few weeks before training starts again."
Orihime planted a hand on her hip as she shook a finger at him, "None of that 'san' stuff." She persuasively reminded him , "I'm still Orihime-chan, Jinta-kun." She finished her scold with a bright smile.
Grinning ruefully, Jinta acquiesced "Yes, Orihime-chan" straightening further, Jinta nodded his head to Ichigo, "Kurosaki" he greeted him respectfully, without any of his old reproachful mocking.
"Hey kid" Ichigo replied, frowning at him, "Where have you been anyway? I didn't even know you were gone."
Looking back at her completely uninterested husband with fond exasperation, 'well at least he was trying to make conversation', she thought with a small smile. Hooking her arm around his, Orihime rubbed her cheek against his firmly muscled bicep, "Jinta-kun plays ball for the Tokushima Tigers… remember, Ichigo."
Twisting his lips, Ichigo gazed blankly down at her before scratching the back of his head "Yeah right… I remember now." He nodded at Jinta before glancing around the store in disinterest, "Urahara around?" he asked stepping toward the living areas. With his back to the room, Ichigo never noticed his wife give the young man a small negative shake of her head nor see Jinta slouch in relief at the motion.
"Hey boss… Kurosaki is here to see you." Jinta bellowed at the wooden sliding doors, only to smirk in bemusement as Kisuke slid them open before his mouth had even closed. Nodding at the blonde haired man, he tilted his head in Ichigo and Orihime's direction, "I'll be out front sweeping if you need me." He informed Urahara as he grabbed his broom and stepped out into the light.
"Ichigo… Orihime-chan" Urahara exclaimed with a wide smile painted across his face. Gesturing with his hands, he waved them in "Come in, come in, Tessai just made tea." he said, tapping his chin in a thoughtful manner with his folded fan as his narrowed eyes moved over Orihime with intense scrutiny.
"First… what did you want to see us for?" Ichigo demanded, pulling Orihime behind him as he stood protectively infront of her.
Sighing dejectedly, Urahara slumped where he stood, "After all this time, you still don't trust me?" he quietly murmured with his head bowed under the supposed heavy weight of distrust.
"In a word… NO!" Ichigo answered forcefully, scowling at the only man he'd ever met who could give his father a run for his money with the whole drama-queen business.
Perking up suddenly, Kisuke grinned openly at the two of them, "Fair enough." He chortled as he waved an arm behind him, "As for why I wanted to see you, did you ever think that perhaps it was my wife who wished to see you and offer her congratulations?"
"And does she?" Ichigo asked with a tread of doubt running through his tone.
"Umm… of course she will…does." Kisuke hurriedly corrected himself, hiding his calculating smile behind his fan as he gestured again to the sliding doors at his back.
"Please Ichi, we shouldn't be rude." Orihime whispered as she stepped beside her protective husband.
Glancing down at her earnest expression, he frowned as he thought of her tender heart and her unwillingness to hurt anyone's feelings. Sighing quietly, Ichigo admitted defeat in face of his sweet wife's request as he simply nodded his head to acknowledge her gently rebuke.
Watching Kisuke suspiciously, Ichigo kicked off his shoes. Stepping up onto the raised floor, he offered Orihime a hand as she removed her shoes as well. Tugging her stand beside him, he glanced at the silent Kisuke before moving back and letting her enter the room first.
Pausing just inside the bright room at the sight of two dark boys rolling haphazardly across the floor, Orihime tilted her head at the enthusiastic show. She smiled in delight as Yoruichi briskly entered and swiftly broke up the battle royal in the middle of the room.
Thumping them both on the head, she crossed her arms over her chest. Arching a brow at the chastised boys, she firmly reprimanded them, "We have guests, where are your manners?" She asked before grinning down at them conspiratorially as she nodded her head towards the door, "…go fight somewhere else."
Sending her identical grins, the boys turned to race from the room only to stop at their mother's question, "Where is your sister?" Tilting their heads at her, they both simply pointed behind her towards the table as their grins widened showing their small sharp white teeth.
Everyone turned to glance at the quiet still figure kneeling beside the table. Her blonde hair and shrewd eyes declared her to be none other than Urahara's daughter. She watched them all silently, the gears turning behind those eerily perceptive eyes; it was almost like she had twenty different schemes planned and was ready to execute them all at the drop of a hat.
"Shaolin" Yoruichi called her to her side.
Standing slowly, she leisurely walked to her mother's side. Glancing up at her wordlessly with a tiny mysterious smile on her face, Shaolin nodded respectfully to her mother before turning her attention to their guests.
Bowing slightly to Ichigo, she paused before bowing to Orihime, staring at her intently before swinging her eyes to her father. Tilting her head at him, the corner of her lip curved up as they shared a look of understanding. Bowing to the room at large, she noiselessly turned and followed her brothers.
Arching a brow as he watched the quiet child silently move away, Ichigo glanced back to Yoruichi, "I thought that you had triplets?"
"We did." She stated with a smirk, gesturing them to the table.
Scratching the back of his neck, Ichigo frowned slightly as Orihime patted his arm, "They are triplets Ichigo. Masuto and Hisato are just identical twins, while Shaolin is their fraternal sister." She replied, squeezing his forearm as she turned her attention to Yoruichi as she kneeled at the low table.
Shuddering inwardly at the possibilities of multiple children, Ichigo glanced at Urahara as the smirking man stepped up beside him, "Do I even want to know what that silent communication between you and your daughter was all about?" he asked quietly, arching a brow at the maddening elusive man.
Shrugging his shoulders, Kisuke flipped his fan open and lazily fanned himself, "She was just making an observation and was curious if I came to the same conclusion."
"You were able to understand her with only a glance, a tilt of the head, and a smirk?" Ichigo drawled out in abject disbelief, severely doubting the veracity of Kisuke's claim.
Rhythmically tapping his fan against his chin, Urahara gazed out mysteriously from under the rim of his bucket hat, "Oh yes, Shaolin usually finds words an unnecessary waste of time. Her eyes eloquently speak for her if you are able to understand what she wishes to convey."
Staring at the older man in absolute bewilderment, Ichigo scratched his head, "Which is?"
"It's nothing you need to concern yourself with Kurosaki… tee hee hee, nothing at all." Urahara replied with an amused chuckle as he moved around the table to kneel at his laughing wife's side.
Shrugging his shoulders over the mystery that was Kisuke Urahara, Ichigo lowered himself to kneel at his happily chatting wife's side… that is until he heard a discordant imploring voice echo from down the hall...a familiar whining tone that sent dread creeping up his spine.
Snapping his head to the side, he stared with trepidation at the sliding screen… waiting with baited breath for the wooden divider to be drawn back. Swallowing thickly as the screen slowly slid open a crack… please not her … anyone but her, Ichigo silently begged to whatever deity that might take pity on him.
Obviously none were listening, he thought with a groan as the door was drawn back to reveal an immodestly dressed Matsumoto with an equally uptight Byakuya at her side. Moaning piteously at his luck…or lack thereof, Ichigo steeled himself for what was turning out to be a stellar visit. Catching a glimpse of Orihime's beaming smile, he sighed in defeat, he would manage… for her he could put up with almost anything.
Honestly though, he had to be a glutton for punishment. Who in their right mind went to a stressful doctor appointment followed by a visit to the always vexing Urahara, complete now with Matsumoto and Kuchiki, only to finish the day with dinner at his dad's? This obviously wasn't planned very well or better put, had no planning at all, he thought with a twist of his lips as he settled near his wife, who was currently being smothered by Rangiku's overabundant chest… some things never change.
"You apparently skipped over a chapter in that book I gave you… you know the part that pertains to birth control." Rangiku laughed as she leaned back on her arms beside Orihime. Wiggling her brows at the both of them, she flicked her hair over her shoulder, "Otherwise, I'd say you were putting that book to good use… probably have it memorized by now." She murmured teasingly before hooting at their averted and blushing faces.
Lounging against her husband, Yoruichi smirked at the young couple as well, "Who would have believed that hot headed young kid, who got all embarrassed seeing a naked woman, would grow up to be such a stud?" she inquired with a purr, laughing at the questioning look Orihime sent Ichigo's way. "Congratulations are definitely in order."
Blatantly disregarding the irritated captain at her side, Rangiku grinned widely at Yoruichi across the table from her, "We must have a toast." She demanded, thumping her hand loudly on the table and ignoring Byakuya's derisive sniff from beside her.
Pulling his hands free from his loose sleeves, Kisuke gestured to Tessai, "I concur… a toast is in order."
Pouring a small amount of sake into a selection of cups, Tessai proficiently passed the saucers to the table's occupants as he took one for himself at Urahara's urging. Clearing his throat, he delicately held his small cup in his massive hand as he gazed down at Orihime and Ichigo, "I am honored to have the opportunity to offer you both my best wishes."
"Here, here" Rangiku cried, throwing back her drink, oblivious to the others patiently waiting for the toasts to be finished. Refilling her cup from the small bottle Tessai placed on the table, she glanced around in interested, "Who is next?"
Chuckling in bemusement over the enthusiastic soul reaper, Kisuke shared a look with his lovely wife, "Well of course we wish to offer our congratulations. I must admit I really am looking forward to this birth." He smiled broadly at the redheaded couple across from him. Leaning forward as if imparting a great secret, he excitedly commented, "It's completely unprecedented actually… totally unheard-of unique test subjects."
Sighing in exasperation, Yoruichi punched her overly energized husband in the arm, "Down boy, this is a baby, not some lab experiment." She firmly reminded him. Waving a negligent hand at a very tense Ichigo, she shook her head in aggravation, "Don't mind him, you should have seen him and Shaolin with Hi and Ma. If I hadn't stopped them when I did, they probably would have dissected the boys… and those crazy kids would have let them." She replied indifferently, glancing at her chastised husband's twitching mouth before giving up as they both laughed loudly at the unforgettable memory.
Staring at the insane couple in disbelief, Ichigo kneaded the back of his neck, "You know you aren't doing a whole lot to reassure us of his intentions…especially since we're already aware that his plans are never benevolent."
"I'm not as bad as all that." Kisuke stated with an unmanly pout as his wife gently and lovingly soothed him with an abrupt smack to the back of the head. Grinning ridiculously as he rubbed the sore spot, he raised his cup towards an irate Ichigo and a baffled Orihime, "My wishes were interrupted before, so to continue, best wishes to you both as you explore this unbelievably wonderful world of parenthood… that is if you happen to survive."
Arching a brow while the others around him sipped their drink, Ichigo frowned at Kisuke, "That's not funny." He declared forcefully as Rangiku subtly swiped his untouched drink.
Holding her purloined cup out before her, Rangiku cleared her throat, "May your children be as lovely as their mother…" she wished with verve, tossing her stolen drink back she held her cup out to be refilled as she continued, "with her matchless personality and her exceptional looks…" draining her cup once more and holding it out for another refill, "and her gentle sweetness and her unique outlook on life…" she cried, throwing yet another drink back as Tessai hesitantly filled her cup, "and her taste in food…they definitely need to have her taste in food."
Blowing out a breath at Rangiku's longwinded one-sided wishes, Ichigo scowled in annoyance, "This is my kid too, who's to say that he won't be like me?" he growled out, leaning forward on the table as he stared heatedly at her.
Scratching the side of her head, Rangiku observed him closely, "Well, I guess your eyes aren't too bad and your physique isn't too shabby either. So I suppose that it's alright to pass those traits on to your kids… but the rest…." She shook her head despairingly as she waved her hands, "pfft, I wouldn't wish your bad temper and overwhelming arrogance on any child." She slurred as she slumped forward on the table.
Staring unemotionally at his drunken companion, Byakuya frowned, "You are being ridiculous, you know that don't you?" he inquired dryly as the blonde beside him lolled her head to the side to grin at him.
Laughing merrily, Rangiku shook her hair out over her shoulders and looked at him through her lashes, "How about now?" she asked with a husky chuckle, "Am I still ridiculous or have I elevated to outrageous yet?"
Arching a superior brow at her playfully pouting expression, Byakuya replied portentously, "Bizarre perhaps"
"Outlandish"
"Weird"
"Peculiar"
"Hmm, I was going to say silly." Orihime giggled at her friend's disheartened expression as everyone else put their two cents worth in. "Although to be honest, I'm not really one to talk now am I?" she laughed merrily as Ichigo shook his head fondly at her.
Pushing himself upright, Kisuke glanced around in amusement, "Well as much fun as all this is I really should be getting back to work." He stated, bowing his head slightly to the ladies at the table.
Standing quickly, Ichigo moved to Kisuke's side, "Didn't you need to talk to us?"
Shaking his head 'no', Kisuke slipped his hands into his sleeves as he turned his back to the table, "I just wanted to see what I would be dealing with is all." He replied cryptically as he tilted his head to the side, twisting his lips into that slippery smile of his as he moved towards the door.
"That's not an answer Urahara." Ichigo stated angrily. Crossing his arms over his chest, he stared as the enigmatic man began to lazily wave his fan before him, "Rukia and Renji said that you wanted us to come by for a visit… or did they hear wrong?"
"No, they heard right. I did want you… or more specifically Orihime-chan, to come by." Kisuke answered, hiding his expression behind his fan as usual.
Scowling at the vexing man before him, Ichigo tried to puzzle out just what Urahara was getting at. Obviously, it had to do with Orihime and the baby… even as dense as he could be, Ichigo figured that much out at least. But whatever it was Kisuke was planning, he wouldn't tell them until he wanted them to know.
Blowing out a beleaguered breath, he glanced at Orihime, now surrounded by Yoruichi, Rangiku, and a grown-up and surprisingly pretty Ururu, before returning his attention to Urahara. "Well, you've seen her… so I'm taking her home so she can rest before we're expected at my dad's."
"Don't coddle her Ichigo." Yoruichi called over to him as she braced her palm on her outthrust hip, "I'm sure Orihime doesn't need you to tell her to take a nap… she is a big girl now."
Scowling darkly at the taunting woman, Ichigo hollered back, "I wasn't saying she had to take a nap, dammit. I just want her to take it easy and not overdo it."
Lifting her head from where it was resting on the table, Rangiku blearily affirmed, "Orihime will let you know if she's tired."
Rolling his eyes at the drooling woman, Ichigo sighed in annoyance, "No she won't… look at her eyes… she's already tired." He pointed at Orihime as she attempted to smoother a yawn behind a small hand.
Waving her hands before her, Orihime smiled apologetically, "I'm fine. So please don't worry about me."
"See Ichigo… she's knows when she's had enough." Rangiku declared as she shakily gained her feet, wagging a finger in his direction, "So quit trying to get her to take a nap." She ordered as Ururu rushed to grasp at her tilting figure.
Trying to rein in his fraying temper, Ichigo gazed down at his anxious wife. Smiling suddenly as an idea came to him, he rubbed his hand up her arm, "Actually, there really won't be time to rest when we get home. There is a basket of laundry that needs taken care of or if Orihime wanted I could fold it while she napped."
Widening her eyes at his diabolical plan, Orihime theatrically yawned, "Gahh… What do you know; a nap sounds like a great idea to me." Orihime nodded her head in agreement as she smiled and bowed to her friends, "I really am tired after all."
Sending her young friend a doubtful smile, Rangiku glanced in confusion at Yoruichi, who simply shrugged her shoulders before commenting, "I assume she doesn't like to fold laundry all that much… either that or it's a euphemism for something else."
"The former I assure you." Ichigo replied dryly as he hooked an arm around his sheepishly smiling wife's waist, "Orihime will go to great and creative lengths to avoid folding laundry."
"Ohh" Rangiku squealed out, clapping her hands together excitedly as varied naughty scenarios paraded through her mind, "Tell me, tell me, I want to know just how far she's willing to go to get out of doing that." She eagerly begged as she unconsciously advanced on them.
"Enough," Byakuya commanded firmly, raising an imperious brow in her direction, "you're acting quite unbecoming for an officer of the Gotei 13."
Not the least put out by his ostentatious edict, Rangiku sashayed to his side. Batting her lashes, she whined pitiably as her lush lower lip curled down in a pout, "But… I really need some more ideas."
"I think not." Byakuya replied with quiet certainty, ignoring the sudden scrutiny of everyone present. Lifting his chin sharply, he turned away self-consciously, "We need to return to the soul society soon, I have work that requires my attention."
Rolling his eyes at the sixth captain's pompous attitude, Ichigo scowled darkly, "Whatever… we need to get going ourselves." Sliding his hand under the heavy weight of his wife's hair, he smiled softly down at her, "I want to rest for a while before we're expected at my dad's."
"I thought you wanted Orihime to rest? Now the truth comes out… it's really you who needs the nap. Poor guy is all worn out." Yoruichi taunted with a wide grin as she roughly messed with Ichigo hair, "That's terrible using your pregnant wife as an excuse though."
Swinging out an arm to push the annoying woman off, Ichigo bared his teeth at the demon cat, "Damn… back off woman. I didn't say anything about needing a nap."
Peeking from around Byakuya's stoic disapproving figure, Rangiku eagerly affirmed Yoruichi's statement, "Yes you did."
Ignoring Urahara's mocking snigger of laughter, Ichigo blew out a disgusted breath. He raised his eyes to the ceiling, praying for patience, "No, I said 'rest', but what I really should have said was 'mentally prepare' myself for the evening ahead." He responded through gritted teeth as he rubbed the mounting tension from the back of his neck.
Smiling softly up at Ichigo, Orihime snuggled into her annoyed husband's side. She was aware how he was attempting to control his temper for her sake. Gently running her hand over his lower back in soothing circles, she decided to give him a quick escape, "Thank you for your hospitality Yoruichi-san and Urahara-san, but we really should take our leave." She thanked them politely as she bowed her head.
"It was our pleasure Orihime." Yoruichi replied as Kisuke slid an arm around her trim waist, pulling her close. "You are always welcome here." She assured the gentle healer as she comfortably leaned against her husband.
Striding forward to sloppily hug her friend, Rangiku squeezed her tightly, "I'll come back to see you soon." Grinning manically at Ichigo, she threatened, "Take good care of her… or else… or else… or else I'll buy her another book." She giggled out madly as Ichigo and Orihime smiled at each other, while the others stood by in confusion over how one could terrorize with a book.
Smirking lightly, Ichigo watched Rangiku drunkenly disengage from his wife, "You do that." He replied in amusement as he ran his hand through his lovely wife's hair. Nodding reluctantly to their hosts before glancing at Byakuya in disinterest, he hurriedly turned Orihime towards the doors and freedom.
"We really should have them two over more often." Yoruichi remarked with a wide white toothed smile, "I don't get to yank Ichigo's chain nearly enough anymore. And now with the baby coming, my opportunities are going to be limited even more." She huffed out in disgust as she leaned against the wall.
Raising a brow at Yoruichi's slumped figure, Byakuya turned his attention to Kisuke, "Has either of them actually thought about what their powers combined will probably result in?" He sneered in derision as he negligently straightened the crisp cuffs of his shirt, "Their child will likely have an abnormal amount of power and their reiatsu will draw every hollow for miles around."
"The Capitan General has already thought of this…that's why he had you come with me." Gasping softly, Rangiku turned tentative eyes to the closed door her young friend had recently left through, "They'll need something to restrain all that power… a reiatsu inhibitor of some sort to protect the baby." She remarked thoughtfully as she glanced back at her companions in concern.
"Hmm…yes, yes they certainly will." Kisuke replied as he slowly lowered his fan, revealing a wide calculating smile. "Lucky for them… I just happen to know someone who specializes in that sort of thing."
A/N: thank you everyone for your patience (somewhat for some of you :D) in waiting for this update. I'll try not to drag it out so long next time… magic word is 'try'.
I plan to get another chapter of this story plus a chapter for TCBtD posted before getting serious about a new one-shot Copper requested of me. She tagged me and Nagi this week… *curses* not really, but if you all remember this story started out as a request by Copper for her birthday. So I'm really curious if I'll be able to keep it as a one-shot… we'll see!
I know that for some of you the New Year has already come and gone but for me it is still 2008 and I did promise to update before the first of the year, I barely made it… now call off Ichigo Copper… I updated!
Happy New Year to everyone, (year of the Ox, that would be me!) Best wishes to you all… now I need to work on my resolutions, you know ones that I might actually keep this year :D –Rairakku Hana