HELLO READERS! Sorry to say, it's the last breather chapter, because after this, you'll know story is going into full blast.
So enjoy~! ^^
"And…there!" Orihime stated proudly, as she positioned a plate on the dining table. "Everything's almost ready for tonight."
"You don't have to go all out for this dinner thing Hime." Ichigo commented as he placed the salad right after. "It's nothing really special."
She gasped. "But it is though Ichi!" exclaiming with an evident pout. "It's the one time of the month we get to see your entire family."
"But we see them pretty often." he dryly replied.
"Yes…but not dinner style."
He sighed, not in aggravation, but in amusement. "Alright, whatever you like to call it." He gazed upon the large feast now that everything was set up, and oh kami it definitely was one. They were even expecting more food since Yuzu was coming, and he knew Kari would probably bring something she bought on the way over. However, his dad — he frowned — old man wouldn't bring shit. Oh, except, as he liked to say, 'his brilliant smile that brightens the room.' Tch. Stupid.
"Kon-kun," Orihime kindly called out, and uncomfortably quick the plush appeared at the stairs, attentively waiting for his love's request. "Do you want to stay here for dinner? If you don't, you can go out again to visit your friends." She then clapped her hands happily, excited about the idea. "Ah, I bet even Ichigo would drop you off at Urahara-san's house! I bet you want to see your friends, like Ririn."
Both males grimaced largely, resulting Orihime to slim an eyebrow. "Oh… did I say something wrong?" She was very much confused.
"Why do I have to drop the perverted toy off?" Ichigo questioned suddenly. Kon, on the other hand, looked greatly more mortified.
"I don't wanna hang around with that crazy duck!" Kon shouted. "She hurts me! Always violent towards me. I would do NOTHING yet she will still throw me around like a toy!"
Ichigo wanted to laugh. "You are a toy… baka."
"Shut up Ichigo!" he angrily pounced back.
"Now boys…" Orihime disliked the constant arguing, especially since she was expecting company. "Please don't fight now." She looked to Kon sincerely. "Gomen Kon-kun for not knowing you felt uncomfortable with Ririn. Perhaps you have other friends to visit? Or you could stay! We always enjoy your company."
"You're giving him too much credit Hime." Ichigo shoved his hands in his pockets in a causal manner. "Saying he has some friends."
She ignored the comment and focused on Kon, and he, the person he was, suddenly had a plan in his mind, now figuratively growing devil ears on his head.
"Oh," he innocently stated. "I think I want to stay here for dinner. Everyone knows me, and besides, I can play with Rin when she goes upstairs. I don't want to trouble Ichigo to take me out, he seems rather annoyed by it."
"Mou…don't think that." Orihime pursed her lips to her husband, giving him a disappointed look of taking his comments too far. Ichigo clearly lost the vote from his wife, since she picked the toy up and began hugging him affectionately. Kon looked to Ichigo and smiled at him only with one intention.
Payback Bitch.
"Ichigo-kun," Orihime turned to him, still stroking the plush like a baby. "Aren't you going to pick up Rin? Wasn't school done an hour ago?"
He momentarily forgot his glaring focus on Kon when she spoke, and his manner became a tad more relaxed when he looked to her. "Huh? Oh, she was Hime, but Rin has tryouts for a sports team, so I'll get her in an half an hour, before its long done."
"Oh, I see. " she agreed, and gently bending over she released her grasp on Kon, and he went skipping upstairs. Orihime sighed as she rubbed her elbow while observing the buffet, and Ichigo noticed her concern.
"What's wrong?"
"Eh? Oh, I, it's just—" she huffed out another soft air mass and turned to him worriedly. "Do…Do you think we're over-reacting about this?"
"The food?" he dumbly replied.
"No," she let out a giggle, amused by his insinuation. " I mean…the issue with the Shinigami." And then her smile began to fall. "It's just…I feel that Rin's getting anxious about this and, I don't know… I don't know what to say to her. I don't want her being afraid."
Ichigo softened his eyes and he held her closely, placing his chin above her head. He felt her muscles relaxing under his touch.
"Don't worry about anything Hime. We're not over-reacting. We're just trying to keep Rin safe, which any parents would do knowing there's danger out there. And we already told Rin not to go near the Shinigami. Heck, she might get annoyed by us hovering over her all the time, but she'll realize it's for her own good. And besides," there was a pause, but he whispered the words softly. It was if it was a delicate fabric being mangled with, and the slightest tug could be detrimental.
"Rin is our only child."
***Her eyelids fell heavy, and she clenched his shirt tightly, burying her head into his chest. She didn't want to remember those things. It was if something was buried a long time ago, and sometimes, she would stand over the site of its gravestone, realizing it was still there, never to be removed. Ichigo held her closely, and his gaze became vague, for he too entered the lost chain of memories.
"Ichigo?" her voice was soft as honey.
"Hmm?" The call of his name returned him from the chain's grasp.
"You're—"
"Yeah?" he looked down at her, being attentive to her words.
"You're absolutely right!" she chirped suddenly, and it surprised Ichigo as she looked up to him with such relief. She gazed upon him with such bright, hopeful eyes it made Ichigo grin softly at that beautiful image.
"…Thank you for comforting me."
He shrugged at the comment. "Heh, I am your husband. I better have more use than working with crazy bosses and slaying Hollows all day."
A kind-hearted smile was her response.
"I love you very much Ichigo-kun… you know that?"
His motion was then of a cat, as he nuzzled into her heck, absorbing her familiar scent. His voice was low, as it was slightly muzzled by her hair. "I can never get tired of you saying that."
She giggled and held him back, returning the embrace, as her arms went to underneath his armpits and over his shoulders. They stood there for several seconds, simply holding each other, but their moment of affection had to end, since the doorbell coincidentally rang. "Oh, they must me here~" Orihime was the first to snag herself out of the hug, and with anticipating wide eyes she skidded to the door. Her husband was feeling disappointed when she left his arms, but he was content to pocketing his hands in his jean — his eyes were drifting to his wife who was fixing her appearance. Smoothing out her hair, Orihime finally opened the door, revealing the young couple they were expecting, and Orihime's face grew in awe.
"Yuzu-chan!"
"Orihime-nee-san!"
And the two girls hugged.
"It's so wonderful to see you again, Yuzu-chan."
"Me too Orihime-nee-san!" Hanakari Yuzu said gleefully, and she and her partner entered the home. "I even brought some supplies to help you cook today's meal."
"Aw, thank you Yuzu-chan!"
On the other side of the hallway Hanakari Jinta was just settling the bags on the wooden flooring when he heard the footsteps of his brother-in-law approaching.
"How's my sister doing?" Ichigo asked the younger man when he stood up after discarding the bags.
"She's fine." Jinta crossed his arms loosely. "If you're asking about the pregnancy, then the same could be said as well. The only thing hard is how I have to leave in the middle of the night to buy Chinese food."
Ichigo snorted. "Tell me about it. I still can't believe you're having twins."
"Heck, she is a twin, so I guess it was no surprise." Jinta answered as he went to itch his chin. He grew out a mild layer of facial hair, and his small size of a boy was long gone now, being replaced by a lean, yet semi muscular man. His newlywed, who once had extremely short hair, now exhibited long, sandy-coloured curled locks with two pieces pined back, having a very elegant look like her deceased mother.
"Onii-chan!" Yuzu happily piped to her older sibling, and Ichigo greeted her in return. She then chortled, which brought a questioning eyebrow to his face.
"Still growing out your hair I see. You should come by Ururu-chan's salon! We just saw her yesterday when Jinta got his hair done. I bet she'll love to get a snip out of your orange mop."
Ichigo patted his hair that was trickling near his eyes. "Oi, it doesn't look that bad. Orihime likes it. "
"Yeah, because she's married to you." Jinta added, scoffing. "I bet she has no say on what to do with that mutt growing on your head."
Ichigo narrowed his eyes at him, and the wives burst out laughing.
"Hey," Yuzu flickered her vision around the place. "Where's Rin-chan? Oh, I can't wait to see her. Look!" she whipped out a tiny sailor costume, and began to coo over it. "Hehe, I brought more clothes for Bostov to wear! I know she loves to dress him up."
"That's adorable Yuzu-chan! Rin would love it. She's at school now, but Ichigo is going to get her soon."
"Oooh, okay then. While we wait I can help with the food. We brought a lot, and Jinta even helped cook some up!"
"You cook?" Ichigo looked skeptical as the women began heading to the living room.
Jinta glowered heavily, almost looking angry. "Yeah, so?! I'm not like moocher. Pff! As if I would be anything like him."
Ichigo was about to answer, saying Jinta was one in the short time he lived with them, when suddenly he heard some faint echo outside, and its the direction was near the open front door. Instantly he knew the owner of the familiar battle cry, as the level of intensity got louder by the second. A flying fist came zooming in, and Ichigo quickly grabbed its owner and threw him to the wall.
The newcomer hooted rowdily, nodding his head. "Ahh, my boy! Still on your toes as usual." And he dusted off the wall's paint over his pants.
"Hi dad." Ichigo frowned in disapproval at him. Seriously. He just got the wall redone. His financial savings for the future were slowly looking grim.
"Kurosaki-san! I mean, Isshin-san!" Orihime exclaimed in happiness, not in shock of his grand entrance. She was used to his antics.
"Orihime-chan! And beautiful as ever I see!" he bellowed, and quickly he zipped over to articulate his gratitude for the lovely woman.
"Relax old man. She's not a doll." Ichigo said, noticing the grand hug he was giving her. Thankfully the older man released his grip when he noticed one of his younger daughters were here, and his face brightened.
"Yuzu! My darling! Daddy's so happy to see you. How are my lovely grandchildren?" he questioned, rubbing her stomach affectingly.
Yuzu pouted in a mocking manner. "Tou-san, be careful! You're so rumbustious you're making the twins hyper too."
"Ah, that just means they love their Ojii-san! Don't you agree my strapping boy?" He turned to Jinta, and the man cringed at the cheeky face of his father-in-law.
"Let's just believe that Isshin-san." The red-haired man sweat-dropped. He, unlike Orihime, was still trying to adjust to the eccentric lifestyle of the Kurosaki family.
Isshin, still true to his character, had never grown out of his ways, even if time was leaving its traces on his skin like several specks. His hair remained short, however grey hairs were now mingling with the darker hue, and the goat tee was an even match. There were thin lines grazing on his forehead, as well the growing look of tired eyes. Even his hands were beginning to have wrinkles.
There was a sudden beep, and Orihime realized it was the last thing she prepared for the dinner was finally ready, and of course, she made something – a delicious homemade cake made from scratch.
"Oh, Orihime-nee-san, you made cake?" Yuzu looked excited.
"Of course! A double chocolate cake." Orihime responded as she scurried to the kitchen. Yuzu followed suit.
"Are you sure you don't need any help?" Yuzu asked as she watched her sister-in-law taking out the dessert, then her onyx eyes peering around the kitchen. There was a lot of food, especially with the food Jinta and Ichigo brought in from the front.
"No, no, you shouldn't!" Orihime shock her hands out, somewhat panicky. "A pregnant woman like yourself should take her time with things."
The younger woman rubbed her belly. "Ahh, don't worry Orihime-nee-san! I've been taking very good care of myself, and Jinta-kun has been very supportive."
"Of course I would be!" Jinta bellowed, hearing his name across the room. "Who buys her food in the middle of the night? This guy!" he pointed at himself, and Yuzu giggled.
"So I guess I'm the last one here." A voice came from the front, and everyone turned to see the fraternal twin of Yuzu. Her hair was in a short ruffled cut, almost an aura of classic rock, but the rest of the attire was pretty tone-down.
"Karin-chan!" Orihime smiled at her, and the younger woman nodded her head as a greeting, then closing the door. She gave a slight wave to everyone, but it diminished rather quickly – she huffed out air as she looked to her older sibling.
"Seriously Ichi-nii, you should lock your door. You have Hime-nii and Rin-chan here. You might think you're badass but it's common sense."
Ichigo frowned, but had carried a tingle of mirth to it. "Nice to see you too Karin."
"Karin~! My sweet daughter!" Isshin skidded to her, and with a twirl she dodged his hug. "Hi Goat-chi." And she made her way to the coach, quickly whipping out a book from her bag.
The man bounced back up from the ground with an extravagant pout, mortified that she denied his affection.
"Tou-san, don't try to damage Onii-chan's place again." Yuzu scowled as she stood beside her husband, crossing her arms to emphasize her point. "You still owe us money for breaking down our door!"
Isshin looked appalled. "But I thought you forgave me!"
"Heck no." Jinta simpered. "And since you forgot about it, we're doubling the amount you owe us."
He cringed. "Karin! Help your poor father!" he wailed like a desperate boy.
"Nope." She replied dryly as she continued to look through a book. "You got yourself into it, get yourself out." The blue-covered novel was something given to her by a 'friend', as she called it, but in reality the family knew the person was her boyfriend, or her soon-to-be one. She, like Ichigo, was absolutely stubborn to admit any feelings, but to even the most obvious person, Karin defiantly had great affections to the boy Kei. He was a somewhat of a cocky individual who loved to raise a challenge to Karin, ever since they met in collage. Of course, Ichigo wanted to hurt the guy when he first met him, especially how he acted, but slowly, he grew to accept the guy, now willing to think of him as an extra member of the family since he always came to these gatherings. (Kei's reason of being absent was his trip in Kyoko, something to do with his grandmother). Now it was simple matter of a waiting game for the family to finally hear when they become official, and eventually, engaged.
As the usual scene played out in the living room, with complaining and laughter, Orihime smiled in relief. She enjoyed these moments. She truly did. Now it would only be complete when her daughter is here. Oh how much Rin loved seeing Ichigo's side of the family.
"Wait a second!" Isshin itched his head, vigorously whipping his head around like a loose screw. "Where's my darling granddaughter?! I have so many things to teach her about how amazing her Ojii-san is!"
Ichigo frowned. "She's at school right now. She's trying out for the soccer team, so I'm getting her in about half an hour."
"Ahh, soccer." Karin smiled. "Took after her Oba-san."
Yuzu turned to her twin. "She took some after me too!"
"Like what? Dressing up dollies? At least my skills would help her in life."
Yuzu puffed her cheeks. "Oh, cause she wants to play dumb soccer professionally in the future?"
"Hey! What's wrong with soccer?"
"Nothing." Despite being pregnant, Yuzu had the tendency to pick up fights with her sister more. Even the smallest things could trigger her. Must be the hormones.
"Now, now." Orihime gathered everyone's attention. "The food is almost set up, so me and Yuzu-chan are going to finish up. Ichigo-kun, maybe you can provide entertainment while they—" she widened her eyes and hitched her breath, feeling an intense spiritual pressure, and the intensity made everyone almost spell-bound of the sheer force it gave. They all froze, except for Yuzu, who twirled her head around at everyone's stoic expression.
"Jinta? What's wrong? Are you guys sensing something?"
"Ichigo." His father called out as he looked to him, and the tone explained everything.
"Yeah, I'm on it."
"Where's Onii-chan going Jinta?" she noticed how quickly he went to retrieve something. "Did something happen?"
"No, it's nothing big." He squeezed her hand to comfort her. "He's just gonna check something out to make sure everything's good. So don't worry." And he gave a smile to her.
"Oh…okay Jinta-kun." It still bothered Yuzu that they could all see or sense these paranormal events while she had to guess randomly on what was happening. However, her skills had gotten better over the years with being with Jinta, and she could proudly say she could see spirits clearly, if only they were in front of her. Whatever it was, she held his hand tightly in return, believing his words that everything would turn out fine.
Karin saw him returning from another room, this time with that badge she remembered he had. She shot up from the couch.
"Oi, Ichi-nii," and he looked to her. "Be...Be careful, alright?" Time had past, and those feelings of her being helpless at twelve had rarely drifted away, and with this now happening, she felt as if time went backwards and she was that same helpless child when trouble emerged.
Ichigo gave a slight smile. "Don't worry, I will be. Dad, Jinta, watch everyone." The redhead nodded dutifully at that request, taking Yuzu to the kitchen.
"Ichigo-kun." Orihime was already by him, her eyes softening with worry.
"Stay here Orihime. Watch everyone alright?"
"But Rin—!"
"I'll get her." he reassured her. "Rin knows not to leave when things like this occur. So stay here."
"No I'm not." She frowned deeply, which was so unlikely of her. "I'm getting Rin, whether you like it or not Ichigo-kun. You know that."
If the situation weren't serious, he would have laughed, since he knew she was right. Instead, he agreed to it, opening the door, and quickly, slammed his substitute badge on his chest, and now was in his Shinigami robes. Orihime caught his body and passed it to Isshin, and with one final look to his son he went inside, giving him a silent look of support. Ichigo then positioned himself for Orihime to climb onto his back, and when she was confortable, he then sprinted above the buildings.
As he shunpo away with his wife, he had a horrible feeling in his stomach what he was expecting wasn't going to go smooth.
And now that he abruptly felt his daughter's spiritual pressure in that direction, it only urged him on to hurry to that location.
I'm pumped for you guys. Cause next chapter is gonna get crazy~! And about the *** I added…it's a reference to events within BORA(Birth of Red Arc) I strongly suggest to start reading BORA in order to figure it out. Click on my profile and the story will be found along with my other creations. The answer will come in time, but until then, have fun guessing! Hehe
And I just realized, Rin wasn't in this chapter! O.O (She will make her appearance next chapter! But it won't be fun for her, that much I'll tell you) X(
Thank you to all those who continuously read, comment and follow my work! (critique/suggestions are welcomed!) ^_^
P.S REVIEW!
Till next time,
WtS