He didn't know why 'That' house spooked him the way it did, but recently it had been worse. Ichigo walked into his division yard and the house was just there, like a stalker who couldn't find anywhere to hide. It preyed on his mind every time he passed it, as if there was an entity in the house that wanted him to step closer, to walk into the lair. The fact that it was Aizen's house of course was the reason. Even though he had been told it was entirely empty and all his, he had no intention of stepping a foot inside there.

The feeling was there every time he looked at it, a feeling of… waiting. Something was waiting in the sidelines for him, something that was going to set a chain event of trauma's through his life. The house seemed to be possessed, sending vines of energy his way. He couldn't see the energy, but he could feel it, reaching out for him to capture a limb and draw him kicking and screaming into the house never to be seen again.

Ichigo shook his head and moved from the spot he'd been rooted to. He opened his mind and searched out for Byakuya. A feeling of surprise and hesitation came back at him. Realising he'd probably sent some of his apprehension with the original search made him tut at himself and he sent another of longing, hoping that the captain would be fooled into thinking he was anxious to see him. He just wanted some of that reassurance Byakuya offered in his life and he sat at his desk bathing in the message of Byakuya's energy as it was obvious the man was physically on his way.

"Oh. Good morning Kuchiki Taicho." Ichigo heard Momo say surprised.

"Momo Fukutaichou." His official curt voice sounded as he headed past her desk and into Ichigo's office with out even a knock.

Ichigo crossed his arms and sat back in his chair glaring at Byakuya as he shut the door.

"What happened?" He turned, baby in arms with an alarmed look on his face.

"Do you do that to any other captain?" Ichigo said annoyed.

"..."

"Byakuya you must be one of the most politely educated men I know, yet you just barged in here without so much as a knock!"

"You were anxious."

"I didn't mean to do that."

"Do what? It is as if you can step inside my mind. I distinctly felt you reach out for me for reassurance."

Ichigo tutted and walked around the desk to take the baby that squealed in delight at seeing its mother. Little podgy arms reached to tap his face and slip inside his mouth.

Ichigo took the small didgets with sharp finger nails and kissed them.

"Just me and my stupid brain." Ichigo leant up that short height distance and kissed Byakuya softly on the lips. Yoshinori cooed and grabbed a lock of his fathers hair.

"Don't eat that!" Byakuya flicked his hair back. "I had to wash apple puree from my hair this morning already."

Ichigo laughed and suddenly looked at him alarmed.

"Hang on. You are here within seconds of me thinking about you?"

"Yes, I was worried."

"With a baby?"

"Yes?"

"Tell me you did not shunpo with your son in your arms!" Ichigo slapped Byakuya on the shoulder. "What were you trying to do to him. Now I really am worried. Would you have a sword fight too?"

"Ichigo."

"No I have a right to be paranoid!"

"Does he look any worse for wear?"

"Byakuya Kuchiki, tell me why I shouldn't kick your but from here to Kingdom Come!"

"Because you're holding a baby apparently!" Byakuya could not resist the dry line and Ichigo glared at him.

"Momo!" Ichigo slammed open his own door and waited for her to appear his glare not leaving Byakuya's stony face.

Momo looked a little started at the baby thrust into her arms and Byakuya was already out the door. Causing Ichigo to smile smugly. Captain and lieutenant walked out into the courtyard and Ichigo threw an arm over her shoulder laughing as they watched Byakuya stepping away with a wary face.

"Kurosaki Ichigo, you would not dare point your sword at me." Byakuya was prepared for that eventuality though. It was something they hadn't done in a while.

Momo and Ichigo found themselves standing on the veranda of the boarded up house and both were laughing at the ready stance of the 6th Captain.

The energy of Aizen felt Ichigo close and rose to see him. He slipped through the wooden shuttering and coiled around the man's feet before startling at the presence of more feet. He looked at the woman his arm was draped around and growled furiously.

Wind thundered through the courtyard causing Ichigo to pull the woman holding his son closer to see that they were safe. Leaves scurried around in eddies and Byakuya frowned at the strange sensation he felt in his senses. There was an air of menace he could not place and he was soon beside the others ushering them towards the exit.

"That was... weird." Momo looked up at the two men holding her and baby protectively between them.

...

Momo understood Ichigo wanting to walk his son home. They all felt uneasy at the strange occurrence and she headed back towards the office intent to concentrating on her paperwork. She stepped into the courtyard and noticed it was all calm. Shaking her head she made her way towards the office and yelped surprised as her feet were snatched from beneath her.

I can touch them too now! Aizen felt elated, he had hoped it was not a fluke when he used Tamotsu's arm to slap the boy that time, but this proved it clearly. He would make his unfaithful ex-subordinate suffer for her new found love. How dare she be involved with Ichigo. How dare she think she can fall in love with my Ichigo!

Momo stood and ran inside the offices. This was just a very strange day indeed.

...

Grumbling under his breath at the stupidity of such an intellectual man actually doing something as dangerous as shunpo with his baby son, Ichigo made his way back towards his office to finally begin his days work. He had not got further than twenty paces out of the mansion when he felt a tremble in his mind. It was unconscious and Ichigo knew instantly that it was Tamotsu.

...

Ichigo had obviously optimistically hoped that people would have accepted his children belonged to Byakuya. Byakuya had been their father now for just as long as Sosuke and made more of a positive impact too. Yet he looked at his son's upset face as he rushed into the park and felt the confusion and hurt radiate off him. The tutor turned to see his arrival and backed away a few paces to let them speak.

Glancing around at a family leaving, muttering to their child that they were never to speak to that boy again, Ichigo realised the souls here were as cold hearted as they were in the human world.

"Why wasn't he allowed to play with me?" Tamotsu fell into his mothers embrace and buried his head into the folds of his uniform.

"Because we are not a normal family are we? That sort of thing frightens some people."Ichigo settled on a swing and held the child tightly, brushing his fingers through the mop of shoulder length brown hair. Upset eyes looked up at him and Ichigo was reminded of the tenderness he'd seen in Sosuke's eyes at times. They were far too alike in looks.

"What does bastard mean?" Although they had told the children about Sosuke, they had obviously missed out on some elements to stop them getting hurt, but well that didn't allow for the openness of others here that cared little about the children's innocence in all this. Ichigo wiped a tear that had gathered in the corner of his eye and kissed his brow.

"Bastard means that your parents are not married."

"You told us about when you were at school and what they called you because of your hair. Does everyone get called names?"

"I guess so; but it doesn't make it right though does it?"

"Aizen…I think I remember a little bit about him."

"He isn't very liked here Tamotsu. They're just scared you'll be like him."

"Why?"

"He was very powerful and he started a war. Many people were killed. He did things that maybe you and I would think was very wrong."

"But you loved him right? You had us! He had to be nice really!"

"He's dead and all that really matters is that we are alive and happy. Byakuya is your father now and he loves you just as much as I do. If you hear anything else said about your real father then just remember that they never really met him. They never understood what he was trying to do. There is good and bad in us all just as there is good and bad in Soul Society and the Human world; but that's just how life is, we can't make a world good by killing off the bad, because that just makes us bad. We can't kill off the good because there will always be someone who wants to help others. Just be who you are inside because I know you are a very special person."

The child smiled up at Ichigo and they shared another long embrace.

"I'll be home later. Go on get back to your school work." Ichigo placed him down and scooted his bottom towards the tutor. As he watched the boy go, he felt a pang for all the time he used to spend with his children. Somewhere inside him, he wanted that time again. He stroked the just bulging stomach and sighed.

The 5th Division…Two Weeks Later...

Ichigo was getting twitchy every time he had to pass Aizen's house. He couldn't help it, it did call to him he was sure of it. He stood there knowing everyone would be in the mess eating and took the opportunity to grab his courage in his hands and confront his fears. He was Kurosaki Ichigo, he was not going to be spooked by a house!

The trees over head rustled and creaked as the wind picked up as he stepped onto the veranda and paused looking at the nailed on shutters with his mind racing to all the horror movies he watched as a teen. Freddie Kruger was in there just waiting to get him. Maybe that wasn't the best image to sweep into your mind before entering a derelict building. He shuddered, took a deep breath and stood tall.

Come on you dork, just do it!

Leaves swirled around his feet as he grabbed the first piece of wood and yanked with force, popping the nails as the plank pulled free in his hand. He placed it aside and took out the second and third. Finally the door was free and he pushed the screen aside to peer in.

A musty smell buffeted at his nose and he squinted into the darkness. There was, he admitted, a smell that could be associated with Sosuke. Probably due to years of the last captain living here, but it was faded and with a good airing would probably go completely.

"Hello?" He called and then felt stupid, who was going to be in an empty house?

The door creaked in the wind and Ichigo leapt clutching his chest. His heart pounded in his ears and he stood shaking his head. You stupid fool, there is no one here. You're a Captain for pity's sake get control of your self!

The house was on one level and this first room was a pleasant typical lounge area. One other room nearly as large must have been the bedroom and there was a modest bathroom; all of it nothing special, just obviously larger than the barrack rooms for the squad.

See you damn sissy, its just a house. He smiled to himself and headed towards the door. It is not haunted or have a set of bones rotting in the corner on a rocking chair! He laughed at that then holding the door frame took one last look back before stepping out. A movement in the corner of his eye made him startle again and he watched mesmerised by a swirl in the dusty flooring. Just the wind, just the wind, relax. There is nothing here.

He sighed and turned to head out the door, he'd been foolish for long enough. Time to get home to the kids. He moved his right foot onto the veranda and went to do the same with his left but something held him back. He tugged harder and felt his ankle twist beneath him sending him yelling with surprise, crashing down to the ground. His face cracked down into the wooden floor with a thud.

"Taicho!" A squad member came running at the cry as Ichigo was pulling himself to sit, he was sure he'd seen something blue uncurl from his foot. He took the offered hand of the his 7th seat and grimacing at the pain in his ankle stood back up. He glanced into the house, ignoring the polite question of was he all right and saw nothing to show him what the blue thing could have been. I did see something blue right? Did it hold my foot to make me fall? Or did I just trip? He shrugged.

"Taicho!" The 7th seat called him again and Ichigo finally turned his head to the man. "Are you okay?"

"Twisted my ankle maybe." Ichigo held his foot aloft off the floor feeling the pain radiate up his leg with each small movement.

"Ermm sir?" The man pointed at his just beginning to show bulge.

"Oh…shit." He felt his stomach and although he felt no pain, he couldn't deny he suddenly felt worried for his baby, he did fall face down after all.

"You best get to the 4th sir, you can never be so sure. Can you walk?"

Byakuya responded to the Hell Butterfly with a speed that surprised even Ichigo who had barely sat on the examination table than the door flew open and in he rushed, even looking regal as he did that.

"What happened?" He was beside Ichigo taking his hand and looking up to Unohana Taicho for answers instantly.

"I fell. Ow!" Ichigo said as the medic Isane rotated his ankle whist Retsu touched the bruising on his forehead lightly.

"If that's all the noise your making you haven't broken it." Unohana smiled at the ginger haired man. Her green healing light entered Ichigo's bared stomach and she was deliberately trying to keep the mood light. "Strap it up Isane will you?" The pretty girl nodded and went to fetch the correct supplies. "You need to keep off your feet for a few days Ichigo."

"And?" He asked his eyes full of the question that was obvious to all in the room. Was his baby okay?

"How did you fall?"Her softened voice asked.

"I caught my ankle on something & fell flat on my face."

"I can't sense anything wrong with the baby, the tot is sleeping peacefully right now, but I'd like you to stay a few hours and I'll check again to make sure. Your baby is well protected surrounded by the thick womb lining and amniotic fluid, it all acts as a buffer to most things, but it's best to just be a little cautious." Her smile was as reassuring as her presence and Ichigo let his head rest back and he let out a sigh of relief. "Rest a little and I'll come back and see you again." She pulled his robes back around him and patted his shoulder.

"You gave me a scare." Byakuya looked to Ichigo his worry clearly showing now they were alone. "You know that I would really like you to stop working." The hand that stroked his cheek was flowing with love and Ichigo hated himself for scaring Byakuya.

"Out of the two years I've been there, I've already had so much time off."

"Yet your division is flourishing. You do not seem to be aware of just the fact you are associated with it had helped it regain most of its former reputation."

"I'm not a sit on the side lines sort of guy Byakuya." Ichigo said irritated.

"I think I have worked that one out." He said coolly and walked away from the bed in a very uncharacteristic way running his hands through his hair and pulling out the kenseikan. He sat in the visitors chair and watched Ichigo ready to say more, but Isane returned to dress his foot. Byakuya's face resumed its closed expression and Ichigo closed his eyes, hissing as she prodded at his swelling joint.

"What did you tangle your ankle in?" She asked.

"I didn't see it." He shrugged. "What?... How can you tell I did?"

"There's a ring of bruising coming out now." She replied. Ichigo lifted his head and looked; sure enough an inch think band of bruising was appearing around his ankle. "Sort of reminds me of the Hollow bruises."

"Ichigo tell me you not fighting?" Byakuya was on his feet in a second his anger clearly showing at such a lack of carelessness in his condition.

"I. Fell!" He snapped back. "I just went into Sosuke's old house and on my way out, my foot snagged on something."

"I thought you didn't like that place!" Isane watched the men fall into their argument as she wrapped the bandage around Ichigo's ankle and foot.

"I had to prove to myself that I was being an idiot."

"You did!" Byakuya pointed to his foot and Ichigo's face just broke into a smile and fell into an easy laugh.

"Yeah. I guess I did." He admitted. "I'm sorry I scared you." His voice was softer and his smile one of an apology and Byakuya leant over him and placed his lips gently on his lovers. Ichigo looked so beautiful with that smile and his glowing pregnant blush on his cheeks he couldn't help but follow his instinct to kiss him again.

"I'm sorry I fell for an idiot." He smiled before remembering Isane and standing regaining his posture and mask, but she kept her smile hidden.

...

The children gathered around the doorway watching Byakuya fuss Ichigo as he carried into the bedroom and placed him on the bed. They'd kept him at the 4th all afternoon and finally gave him the go ahead to come home early evening with strict instructions for bed rest for a few days. He'd need another check up before Retsu would allow him back to work, but Byakuya hoped a private word with her in the meantime would aid his cause.

"Well you won't be needing your uniform!" Byakuya tugged at the obi and ignored the protests from Ichigo. Ichigo wanted to be angry but he just couldn't when he knew Byakuya was taming his worry with his fussing. He let the noble slip his arms from the sleeves.

"Your tummy!" Masaki smiled edging the other children into the room with her. "Its getting bigger again!"

"Let me feel!" Iruki was kneeling quickly and his warm hands placed palms down on the firm bulge. Ichigo leaned back into the bed and hissed as Byakuya lifted his bandaged ankle onto a pillow. The other children all climbed onto the futon and began to touch at the brewing baby.

"Was I in there once?" Kakarau looked up his eyes open in awe.

"Yes, but you shared with Iruki." Ichigo smiled at their gentle touches.

"How does it come out?" Byakuya leaned down with Ichigo's sleeping robe and slipped it around his shoulders.

"The doctors do that at the hospital." Masaki said looking pleased with herself, letting her parents share a knowing smile.

"Come on my little troubles." Byakuya began to lift them off the bed one by one. "Let your mother rest now, you all need to get ready for bed. Off to the baths."

He looked back to Ichigo. "I won't be long." But his eyes said much more and Ichigo gave him a tired smile.

"I'll be fine. We'll be fine." He patted his stomach.

The door closed and Ichigo sighed.

'Zangetsu?' He called into his mind and found himself standing on the buildings as usual. The air was cool and a few grey clouds skirted across the sky, but it was dry.

Ichigo? The man looked down from his perch.

One day he'd have to let Ichigo have a go at that. It looked really cool. 'Did I really see something?'

No. Responded the sword but the Hollow shimmered into Ichigo's view with his grin in place.

I didn't see the ribbon. What colour was it? He asked his white hair feathering in the wind.

'Blue. Hang on! It was a ribbon? Like the red ones Ishida showed me?' Ichigo swung towards him.

Yes. Zangetsu jumped to land near the hollow who looked at him warily.

'Then what does blue mean?' Ichigo looked from one to the other, seeing a challenge in Hichigo's eyes directed to Zangetsu.

A dead soul waiting to be reborn. The hollow laughed jumping behind Ichigo and away from the arms of the old man trying to grab him. Hichigo clenched Ichigo's shoulders and peered around with his grin.

'What! How did it get to me then?' Ichigo shoved him off allowing Zangetsu to grab the hollow forcefully by the arm.

You must have a connection to it.

Or it must have a connection to you. Hichigo dived the hand that tried to swot him laughing menacingly.

But who? He didn't want to answer that he really didn't. His shock didn't let him voice that thought, but they were both looking at him and he knew all three of them knew the answer.

You should sleep Ichigo, we can talk another time. Zangetsu held his hand firmly over the Hollows mouth.

...

Byakuya lay beside Ichigo the following day, he was still in his 6th haori but he didn't care. He just wanted to be here, his hand resting on the lump of Ichigo's stomach and admiring the beautiful man as his fingers played thoughtfully with his hair. Ichigo held the raven locks and ran his fingers along the length of silk before twirling it around his finger.

"You seem tense. Your day was boring?" Byakuya stroked a finger down Ichigo's cheek.

"Sit and meditate with me." Ichigo said to Byakuya sitting himself up and trying to ignore his ankle's protests as he crossed his legs. Byakuya joined him sitting on the bed mirroring his position and Ichigo took his hands.

"What are you doing?" Byakuya had never meditated with connection to another person before.

"Looking for something." He replied before they both closed their eyes. They fell into their inner worlds easily but Ichigo could still sense Byakuya physically close by.

Ichigo sat in the quiet corner of a building where he usually sat to avoid his Hollow and it seemed to leave him be so he continued. Around him he felt the presence of the ribbons and his hand easily grasped the red of his own as he made them appear. He knew by instinct which belonged to Masaki and the other of his children. He looked carefully and saw another red one the same colour as his and stood to follow it along. It felt so calming in his grasp that he knew he had picked correctly.

Byakuya let out a gasp as he watched Ichigo step into the corner of his mind.

No words were spoken as the two slid into a hug. Ichigo just kept on amazing him and there were no words explicit enough to express how he felt.

Ichigo wound the red ribbon around his lovers hands and pushed himself into the bound circle of his arms. Byakuya's arms slid down to Ichigo's waist and he drew Ichigo in for a passionate kiss. He nipped at the beautiful lips and danced his tongue around the moaning man's mouth, gasping himself as Ichigo's hands slid between them and rocked their needing erections with a slow sensual slide up and down.

"Sit." Ichigo breathed into his mouth and both men bent to their knees. Ichigo licked along the nobles lower lip, he kissed around the edges of the pink swollen lips and down this chin. Throwing his head back as Ichigo fisted their cocks, Byakuya let out a guttural groan as his throat was attacked by rhythmic teasing of his lover.

"Ichigo...Oh...I'm..." Byakuya arched his back raising slightly on his knees as he felt Ichigo grunt his own release and he clenched his bound hands tightly as he sprayed his seed between them. Ichigo's head lolled on his shoulder and looked up with a sated smile at his lovers exquisite climaxing face.

"You're what?" Ichigo purred under his ear.

"In love with you." The panting man replied above him pulling him closer.

Byakuya opened his eyes in their room and smiled at Ichigo. Their faces were flushed and the sticky sensation between his thighs told Byakuya all he needed to know.

"How did you do that?"

"Something I realised with Masaki. The link that is." Obviously not the sex. "I found out we have a power that means we can connect to others through our soul ribbons."

"Close your eyes again. I'll take you somewhere else." Ichigo whispered.

Byakuya took the hand of his lover as he appeared again inside his own inner world.

"Your world is beautiful. It's just as I expected." Ichigo admired the blossoming trees.

"It is beautiful now. When I am upset, the winter sets in, the trees loose their leaves and blooms."

"Well brace yourself for mine." Ichigo gave a tug of his own ribbon and the pair snapped into the blue world of toppled buildings. He held Byakuya's hand tight ready for the inevitable. Byakuya startled and braced himself to fall.

"Kind of a twisted world hey?" Ichigo lessened his hold as Byakuya tried his footing.

"I should not be surprised... But I am." He looked around them. "Is this what you wanted to show me?"

"No." Ichigo shook his head and held up a pale ribbon in his hand. "I haven't had a chance to look yet." Byakuya wondered at what, but he followed Ichigo along who trailed the ribbon to it's source and they both froze in wonder.

The ribbon went inside a blue copy of the Kurosaki Clinic via top floor window. They slid inside the open window and smiled at the small bundle of shinigami clothing on the floor. It wriggled.

The couple knelt down and Ichigo scooped up the bundle.

"Byakuya, meet your next child." Byakuya's eyes opened wide in surprise and his hesitant fingers took the precious creature into his arms.

"This is our child? The one you are expecting?" Ichigo nodded. Byakuya pulled back the robes to reveal a flash of dark black hair and a beautiful rounded face of a healthy baby. Ichigo smiled as a foot peeped out the side and he stroked his hand over the tiny buds of toes. He pushed off more of the covering and looked wide eyed back at Byakuya.

"A girl!"