Disclaimer: This is my ELEVENTH time to put this (because I now have eleven stories that are all Bleach

Disclaimer: This is my ELEVENTH time to put this (because I now have eleven stories that are all Bleach. Hey for some, it's probably their twentieth time.) So look, I don't own it, ok?? I mean, it would be sweet if I did, I'm not gonna lie, but I just don't.

Ch. 7! Woot! Hope you enjoy this one!


Offspring

VII A Booming Birthday

"I hope you like the cake I made for Haji-kun!" Inoue chirped with a light smile on her face. Ichigo nodded, staring at the, to his utter horror, a Chappy decorated birthday cake.

That's right, a Chappy birthday cake, and not just any Chappy birthday cake, one made especially for a soon to be five year old boy named Kurosaki Hajime.

It was April 22, a day Ichigo had been dreading. Of course he wanted his son to celebrate his birthday and get attention like no tomorrow, but there were other reasons.

Like Rukia for instance.

She'd gone mommy insane for his birthday, as she always had in the past, and it seemedthat every year her crazy birthday schemes got wilder and wilder.

At that very moment, Rukia strolled into Kuchiki Byakuya's large living room, a sheet of paper in her hand.

"Ok, we have the cake, but now we need to get the moonwalk all set up, and you got Yachiru to dress as a Chappy clown right?" Rukia asked.

Ichigo just stared at her blankly.

"You do realize that Hajime will be the only child at this party, though I'm sure my father will jump in the moonwalk…" Ichigo mumbled. Rukia pressed her lips together in a fine line and placed her hands on her hips.

"Yes Ichigo, I am well aware of that, but just because there aren't a lot of kids his age doesn't mean he shouldn't get to miss out on all the fun." Rukia complained, turning her back away from him to look at the cake. "Besides, we've talked about this before, so it's too late to say anything now."

Oh yes, they had talked, but with a few punches to the arm, Rukia had won. He decided he didn't mind since Byakuya was paying for most of it except the cake (that Inoue made for free) and the birthday present they had gotten for him.

"This looks like it's going to be a big party." Inoue stated as she looked around the large room. There were two long tables set up with chairs on all ends, accompanied with plates, cups, and silverware. The decorations were, to Ichigo, horrific, due to Chappy coming into contact with his eyes everywhere he turned. Luckily, the adults didn't have to use Chappy plates and cups to eat, though Rukia did push for at least using napkins. It was bad enough that the birthday cake, which Ichigo would not be eating, was Chappy.

"It's really not that big. You should have seen the parties Nii-sama used to throw for me." Rukia mumbled.

"You told me you hated those parties." Ichigo muttered, throwing Rukia an accusing glare. Rukia shrugged her shoulders.

"That was different, as I didn't know anyone, but Haji will know people, so he will enjoy himself." Rukia replied.

"You didn't like the parties?" A sudden voiced asked. Ichigo's body tensed, and felt kind of annoyed. Kuchiki Byakuya was good at appearing out of thin air, and Ichigo should know, since he'd fought the man on several occasions.

Then again, they were in his house.

"No Nii-sama, that's not what I meant. I just mean that the times were different, and I didn't know that many people like Hajime will at this one." Rukia said politely.

"But didn't Kurosaki just say how you told him you hated the parties?" Byakuya asked monotone, his eyebrows raised slightly for dramatic effect.

"Ichigo exaggerates on a lot of things." Rukia mumbled, glancing at Ichigo.

That's just typical that the situation turns from Rukia saying something bad, to Ichigo getting the blame. At least Byakuya was used to it.

Byakuya closed his eyes and turned away, staring at his living room.

"The guests will be here shortly, so I suggest you finish whatever you are doing." Byakuya told them before turning on his heel and leaving.

"Hajime's coming with Renj right?" Rukia asked.

Ichigo scratched his head. "Yah, I dropped him off this morning like you told me to."

"So do you know who all is coming?" Inoue asked with an all too bubbly tone. Some things about her would probably never change.

Rukia found a notebook near where the cake was and pulled out a sheet of paper.

"I can read off the list, it's in alphabetical order," Rukia paused before continuing. "Abarai Renji, Hinamori Momo, Hitsugaya Toshirou, Inoue Orihime, Kenpachi Zaraki, Kuchiki Byakuya, Kurosaki Ichigo, Kurosaki Isshin, Kurosaki Karin, Kurosaki Rukia, Madarame Ikkaku, Matsumoto Rangiku —"

"Basically all the Kurosakis plus Yuzu plus everyone we know from Soul Society, minus Urahara and Yoruichi." Ichigo concluded, seeing the blank expression on Inoue's face.

Rukia balled up a sheet from the notebook she had and threw it at Ichigo's head.

"You didn't have to cut in so rudely!" Rukia barked. Ichigo threw Rukia his famous scowl and rubbed his slightly sore head. He didn't even know paper balls could hurt so badly.

So maybe like Inoue, Ichigo and Rukia still acted certain ways too.

"It sounds like you really organized this party to the fullest potential Rukia-san." Inoue stated with a grin. Rukia sighed.

"I hope it's enough." Rukia mumbled. Ichigo rolled his eyes.

"I don't see how a four, no wait, five year old boy could not be thrilled to have fun in a friggin moon walk all to himself." Ichigo muttered. Rukia smiled at him.

"I guess your right."

Rukia sometimes worried way too much, especially over Hajime.

The party was to begin at 2 o'clock, which meant everyone would be arriving shortly, as it was 1:50.

Renji and Hajime arrived first.

"Mommy!" Hajime cried as he ran in the door. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the room around him.

It was Chappy overload.

"WOW! Is this for me?" Hajime asked with excitement, his eyes wide with amazement.

"Yep, it's all for the birthday boy." Rukia replied with a smile. Hajime grinned as widely as his mouth would allow him and jumped into Rukia's arms.

Rukia turned to Renji. "Thanks Renji."

Renji shrugged his shoulders. "Ah it's no problem. Haji's a fun little squirt. I let him wear my haori for today you know for his birthday, and boy, you should have seen him. I don't think any hollow can survive his wrath." Renji replied with a chuckle.

"We have to stop the hollows from eating all the houses and buildings!" Hajime cried. Rukia and Ichigo couldn't help but laugh. They didn't know when or how she was going to explain that hollows actually ate…them, but she figured he would realize it when he was older.

"When do I get to eat that?" Hajime asked curiously, pointing at the large cake sitting behind him.

"You have to eat your food first, and then we can have cake." Rukia replied. Hajime continued to look around the room until his eyes landed on Ichigo's.

"Daddy?" Hajime asked, his face more serious. Ichigo approached the small boy in Rukia's arms and ruffled his hair.

"What?"

Hajime looked down, a little uneasy. "Well, I was wondering," He paused, turning his head to Rukia's shoulder for a second.

"You can ask me Haji." Ichigo reassured.

"Well, I was wondering, sinceIworeRenji-kun'shaoriifIcouldwearyourssinceyourmydaddyandall." Hajime finished quickly.

Ichigo blinked at his son puzzled, trying to somehow figure out what he had been trying to say. With a smile, he nodded his head.

"I have to go get it since it's upstairs." Ichigo replied.

Nothing could justify the happiness Ichigo felt when he saw his son's wonderful smile.

Since it was a party, Rukia and Ichigo had decided to wear "human world" clothes, and Ichigo was glad. It wasn't fun moving about in a kimono and hakama, topped off with a huge white haori.

Ichigo also figured that if Hajime got his haori dirty that he could always wash it.

No sooner than later did all the guests arrive.

His family arrived first, and Isshin was nearly just as in awe as Hajime had been upon first walking into the house.

"It's nice isn't it?" Ichigo asked, watching as his father searched around for something. "What are you looking for?"

Isshin frowned. "I heard there was going to be a moonwalk, and you know how I love moonwalks, but I guess there isn't one." Isshin mumbled. Ichigo rolled his eyes.

"It's outside." Ichigo replied. Isshin too grinned like Hajime, and Ichigo suddenly felt worried that Hajime was going to turn out just like Isshin.

Karin and Yuzu were behind Isshin, both looking to be the age of 24. Ichigo supposed it had to do with the fact that they were half shinigami, and sort of like Inoue and Chad, stopped aging at a certain point.

"Where's your husband?" Ichigo asked. Yuzu laughed.

"He doesn't exactly know that I'm half human, so I told him the party was out of town, and for him to stay at home with our child." Yuzu replied. Ichigo nodded.

He supposed that made sense, though he still couldn't stomach the fact that Yuzu had a child.

Ichigo turned to Karin who looked, as much as he hated to see it, agitated about something. Karin usually looked pretty composed, a definite easy person to talk to, but even as she approached him, he could tell something was off.

"Hey, are you feeling alright?" Ichigo asked. Karin sounded nervous as she spoke.

"I just haven't seen a lot of these people in a while is all." Karin replied. Ichigo wanted to question Karin more, but when more guests came pouring into the Kuchiki mansion, Ichigo could no longer talk to her.

"Rukia! That is so adorable that Hajime is wearing your husband's haori!" Matsumoto cried as she stood next to Rukia. Hinamori laughed from the other side.

"He really looks like a mini Kurosaki-san, it's really cute." Hinamori added. Rukia laughed along with them, watching her son from across the room.

Standing in a circle surrounding Hajime were Ikkaku, Yumichika, Renji, and Ichigo. She couldn't quite hear what was being said, but whatever it was must have been funny, because even Ichigo had a full grin on.

Rukia really liked the turn-out for the party. It was all of their friends who knew Hajime well, and she was having a lot of fun, even if they did spend quite a penny for the now five year old child.

"Have you seen Toshirou?" Hinamori said more softly to Matsumoto, though loud enough for Rukia to hear.

"No, he came with us, but he suddenly disappeared." Matsumoto replied with a quizzical expression. Rukia just shrugged her shoulders. As if she knew where the white-haired guy had disappeared to.

When she felt a tugging on her skirt, Rukia looked down to see Hajime staring up at her.

"What's up Haji?" Rukia asked, kneeling down (though she didn't have to go down that far) to reach his height.

"Can I have my cake now?" Hajime asked. Rukia shook her head.

"Remember? I said after we eat some food. Why don't you go with grandpa on the moonwalk?" Rukia suggested. Isshin had been eyeing the thing since the start, but Isshin promised not to get on until Hajime did.

"Ok!" Hajime cried. Rukia smiled as watched Hajime and Isshin practically skip to the moonwalk.

Rukia sometimes wondered herself how Isshin was Ichigo's father.

The party continued, and Inoue, Yuzu, Kiyone, and eventually Unohana joined Rukia's small group of chatting women. Urahara and Yoruichi showed up a little later, claiming that they ran into a hollow encounter on their way to the party.

"Ishida and Chad couldn't come, but they really wanted to come and said to wish Hajime a happy birthday." Inoue told Rukia with a small frown. Rukia only nodded her head. She wanted to see them because it had been a while, but the party would surely survive without them.

After everyone had chatted enough, and after both Hajime and Isshin came in looking exhausted from the moonwalk, everyone sat down to eat.

"So what are we eating Rukia?" Ichigo asked smugly from the table.

"Some sort of French food. Nii-sama says it's supposed to be delicious. Hajime's having a hamburger." Rukia replied. Ichigo gave Rukia an "I can't believe you let Byakuya pick what we're eating" look.

Little did Ichigo know that Byakuya had fabulous taste in food.

Servants brought out the dishes of food and served it upon the plates, handing Hajime his hamburger and French fries first.

"Well at least Haji's having something French." Ichigo mumbled. Rukia rolled her eyes.

Everyone stared at the food that sat on their plates.

"Um, what is this?" Ichigo asked. Even Rukia looked skeptically at the food before her. Byakuya began eating his food in silence.

"Anchoiade and coquilles St. Jacques." A servant nearby replied. Rukia looked once again at the discolored shell looking objects before her. "Um, what?" Ichigo repeated.

"They're scallops sir." The servant replied. Ichigo still looked lost.

"It's a sort of fish recipe, just try it." Rukia demanded. She didn't dare look at the other guests at the table. Imagining Zaraki Kenpachi eating a French cuisine just felt out of the question. The food was surprisingly good, though it was an odd choice, even for her brother.

Being brave, Rukia looked down the table she sat at. There was something odd about the choice of seating's, well, only a few really. First and foremost was the fact that Renji and Inoue were sitting next to each other. Usually Rukia wouldn't care at all, because they did know one another and were friends with each other. But then the way they were talking to each other, so…differently, as if they were close friends.

Rukia really couldn't come up with an explanation as to why they seemed to comfortable with one another, and so, Rukia turned to the next two people bothering her. Hitsugaya and Karin. They weren't talking a whole lot, but Rukia figured she would have sat by Ichigo's family, who was closer to Rukia, but instead, she sat near the end next to, as she was seeing before her, Hitsugaya Toshirou.

Figuring she couldn't think of a possible reason for why they were sitting together either, Rukia gave up. After everyone finished their meal, or those who ate it, Rukia grinned widely when she knew the biggest part was coming. Rukia, followed by Ichigo, walked into the kitchen to get the cake lighted up.

"Did you get a lighter?" Rukia asked.

"Why would I get a lighter? I don't smoke." Ichigo replied, looking offended that Rukia would even consider the idea of Ichigo smoking. Cigarettes after all, stunted the growth of reiatsu.

"Ok, well do you have any matches?" Rukia asked. Ichigo nodded and walked away for a brief moment, coming back with matches, handing them to her.

"And you know," Rukia added. "Matches can be used to light cigarettes too." She wasn't looking at Ichigo as she tried to light a match. Ichigo's hand suddenly fell onto Rukia's, making her set the box of matches down. She turned her body around, confused. His hand was around her waist, and he was pulling her closer to him.

"Ichigo! There are a bunch of people just a wall away from us! Now isn't the time!" Rukia hissed. Ichigo didn't seem to care, because his hold on her didn't loosen.

"You've been really stubborn today, so I decided I'm going to be really stubborn right now." Ichigo replied, moving his lips towards Rukia's. Rukia sighed and gave in, kissing him just a little bit, but as she had suspected, the small kiss turned into what she knew was about to become a make-out session, even though Hajime was just seconds away from blowing out his birthday candles.

To her luck, she didn't have to be the one to pull away, because Ichigo did it first, with extreme speed. It made sense too, since Byakuya was standing in front of the kitchen doorway, his usual composed look completely gone. Rukia was quite sure the moment would be going into her list of top five most awkward moments ever. Byakuya stared at them, particularly Ichigo, long and hard before turning around.

"The guests are waiting." He muttered, before turning and leaving.

"So, how about lighting that cake?" Ichigo asked with speed, feeling extremely awkward.

"I thought you'd never ask." Rukia replied.


Walking out of the kitchen was tough work, as his brother-in-law had just seen him heavily making out with Rukia, something Ichigo only had nightmares about. Luckily the lights were off, so Ichigo didn't have to see Byakuya's harsh glare. The singing began, and Rukia walked out with the large Chappy cake. Ichigo could see Hajime's face from next to him, and it was adorable, even he had to admit. Rukia set the cake in front of them, and the song commenced.

"Make a wish a Haji." Rukia added.

"I wish that," Hajime paused, thinking hard. "I wish that, I COULD HAVE THE POWER TO DESTROY HOLLOWS RIGHT NOW!" Hajime cried excitedly.

The room swept with laughter.

"You're comin to my squad, kid." Kenpachi muttered. Something about the atmosphere suddenly changed, and the room fell silent. Hajime was still laughing, taking out the candle sticks to lick the icing off. Ichigo's eyes blinked as he stared at his son. Had…reiatsu…just come from Hajime's body? Everyone stared at Hajime with surprise, except Kenpachi, who was standing on his feet with his "I'm ready to kill" smile plastered on.

"What?" Hajime asked.

And then, like the speed of a bullet, a blaze of reiatsu flowed out from Hajime, causing Ichigo to shield himself from the blast. The reiatsu continued for about fifteen seconds until the blast finally stopped.

Why was Hajime soaring with spiritual reiatsu? He was only five for crying out loud. There was something sticky covering Ichigo's body, and when he lifted his head to look at everyone, he found them stick with something too.

"Kurosaki, take your kid outside right now, I need to fight em!" Kenpachi cried. Rukia threw the man a death glare.

"Mommy?" Hajime asked, his voice shaky like he was about to cry.

"Did you give Hajime his reiatsu pill this morning?" Rukia barked.

Ichigo stared at her blankly. "What are you talking about? Reiatsu pill?" Ichigo shot back.

"The pill that hides his reiatsu so it what just happened doesn't happen!" Rukia cried.

"But what just happened?" Ichigo asked, realizing that the sticky feeling all over his body was none other than…

cake.

"I thought I explained it to you the day Hajime had his check-up with Unohana-san!" Rukia shouted.

"Well you didn't!" Ichigo replied. Rukia sighed, wiping something off of her head.

"I'll explain to you later." Rukia replied as she stood to go and retrieve something.

"Daddy? What happened to my cake?" Hajime asked, his voice breaking slightly.

Oh no, Hajime was crying, on his birthday? Though Ichigo kind of wanted to cry to, seeing as not only he and everyone else were covered with Chappy the bunny cake, but so was the rest of Kuchiki Byakuya's fancy living room. Rukia returned and popped a small pill into Hajime's mouth quickly, and she wiped his tears away.

"Don't worry Haji, we still have presents too." Rukia whispered to him. That made Hajime frown turn to a smile, and Ichigo was so thankful he was married to a genius for a wife. Ichigo stood from his spot on the ground, and everyone around him, glared at him, even Inoue looked a little…angry.

"Alright, now that we've all had cake, how about we open Hajime's presents?"


A/N: Just to clarify, Rukia never told Ichigo about the reiatsu pills (as some of you suspected) and Rukia up to that point has always been the one to get Hajime up in the morning and give him the pill. But, since Ichigo was the one to get him ready, he didn't know, and therefore, Hajime had a burst of energy, destroying the cake. SO, anyone…suspicious about anything going on? Cough—Inoue, Renji, Hitsugaya, Karin—cough. Review please. I know a ton of stuff didn't happen, but I liked out it turned out!

PS: New pole! Check it out!!