Chapter 12-
Byakuya,
I have a feeling I will have to leave soon and not be able to tell you this before I go.
I love you.
I know we have been apart the last two weeks of my stay but this might have been for the best, because I almost broke away from Shinji, Kensei and Love to reach you more then a handful of times. You are on my mind constantly and not just because you were in heat. I was thinking of how beautiful you are when you asleep and how determined you look whenever you are doing something awake.
I think of how perfect you feel in my arms and how calming your breathing is when you nap on me. I can smell your scent even when we are apart, a mix of chrerry blossoms and spring rain.
I'll miss you when we are apart but knowing you are mine, makes anything bareable. I hope to see you soon, love.
Ichigo.
*_(*)_*
Oh god that was so damn chessy!
Yea, it really was Ichi
You dont have to confirm it dammit.
Why irratate ya more than ya are?
You already did, Shiro.
Well tha can hardely be my fault.
What amuses me is the fact that he is more preoccupyed with the letter he left his mate, than what his family will say when he reaches home.
Shrio cackled at that and Zangetsu let out a chuckle when he heard Ichigo swear and face palm himself.
Crap I forgot about that!
Now ya're gonna hafta explain why ya've been gone for months and why ya suddenly have spiratual pressure.
Not only that, but he will have to suffer through whatever punishment his father will give him for making them worry.
Damn you guys really dont help.
That's what we're 'ere for Ichi, well good luck with your furious sisters and lunatic dad!
Yes, farewell.
And with that they were both tucked back safely in Ichigo's inner world. And to make matters worse they left Ichigo just as he was turning the corner to his street. He sighed as he stopped in front of his front door.
"Open the damn door Ichi-nii." he heard Karin's voice ring out from inside the house. He gave a small smile and pulled open the door ready to be tackled, maimed and the like by his family, aka his dad.
"Nii-san!" Yuzu cried as she ran over to Ichigo and they both tumbled to the floor. Well, there is the tackled part, he just didnt think it would have been Yuzu.
"I thought something horrible happened to you! You left that day. Then Byakuya-san came looking for you and I thought... I thought." He raised an eyebrow at that. Byakuya came to his house looking for him? It must have been the day they found each other in the warehouse distrect, well it might have explained his odd behavior that day.
"Shhh, Yuzu I'm sorry I didnt mean to scare you. I'm home now and I dont think I'll be disappearing anytime soon." He told her sitting up and smoothing out her hair as she clung to his shirt, calming her down. He rocked her back and forth for a bit as though she was still a little girl, until her tears stopped flowing and her breath evened out some.
"I'm glad your home." she sniffled out.
"Me too." he gave her a smile and stood, helping her up on the way. He turned around to say hi to Karin only to be met with a punch to the shoulder. And for how much smaller Karin is than him, her punches hurt even more than a slash from Kenpachi's sword.
"Ow, Karin. Shit that hurt."
"You idiot! Do you know how worried Yuzu was? And how much crap I had to hear from Goat face? Dammit Ichi-nii when are you going to learn that you can finally tell them where in the hell it is you're going!" She yelled angrly and if it had been anyone besides Karin he would have thought she was pissed off to high heavens. But the shine to her eyes gave away her relief and worry.
He walked up to her and gave her a big hug, which she stiffened under only to cling to him like Yuzu had. He layed his head in the crook of her neck as she held him tightly as he felt a few wet spots spread on the shoulder of his shirt.
"I'm sorry, it was something I had to do." he held her there for a while until she pushed him away. She whipped quickly at her face until she was content that no tears lerked then she looked up to stared Ichigo in the eyes. Brilliant amber colliding with ebony black; the tenderness shone in both sets of eyes, one that is only shown to those deserving of it.
"Go see Goat face, he turned serious when you left. I suspect that's how he always was, that goofy act was too damn silly for a ex-Taicho."
"Yeah, where is he?"
"The river, you know where."
"Thanks Karin, Yuzu. I'll bring Goat face with me to be back for dinner."
"Alright it'll be ready when you get back." Yuzu called as Ichigo walked right back out of the door.
As he walked he thought about his situation now and what his family would think about everything. Would they accept them, Byakuya and him, easily? Or will they reject them horribly just because they were two men and were together? Well he couldn't very well turn back now, not that he would even think about it. But he hoped his family accepted them, it would mean a lot to him. But he suspected the girls would accept it easily and if that is all he could get, well, two out of three is better than nothing.
And another thing is, how will they keep up this relationship? And how long will Byakuya want to keep it secre? Hopefully not long, he cant imagine trying to keep the situation between the two of them 'business as usual' in public for long. He wondered if he should consult with Byakuya about the situation with Gin, since he hasnt really thought much about the poor guy. He was asking for forgivness and help, not like Ichigo knew how to help him, but maybe Byakuya could help come up with something.
Ichigo was pulled back from his thoughts when he heard the low rush of the river beside him. He leveled his gaze to the ground to see a figure in the distance near the rivers edge. When he finally reached Isshin he was sitting on the edge of the high river bank, one leg hanging over the side and one bent at the knee with an arm hung over it. He was smoking, something he only did when they visited Misaki's grave. He sat next to his father and mimicked his stance only he was leaning back on the heels of his hands.
"Hey old man." The young man said as he looked out into the clear water of the river. The same water he knew could look so ugly when fate was feeling cruel.
"Ichigo," His dad said, moving to rake his gaze over his son he hasnt seen in what felt like ages. He looked well enough.
"How long have you been gone now?"
"7 almost 8 months." came the quiet answer. Now that he said it out loud, Ichigo realized how ridiouclously long a time that is to not hear from a person when they just up and disappear one day.
"And you didn't think to even say a little something to your old man? Do you know how worried the girls were?" He asked again with a slightly hurt expression. Isshin knew he was eccentric and that he pushed Ichigo to his limits, illecting his temper many times. But he didnt think he deserved not knowing if his son was alive or not.
"Funny Karin said the same about you." Ichigo replied, trying to rien in his guilt.
"Hell Ichigo, I know it's you we are talking about, but even 7 months with no word is a little much."
"I know I'm sorry. I had an unexpected problem after I regained my powers."
They were both now staring at each other now, a hurt and worried look spread across Isshin's face and a siencirely sorry and regretful expression on his son's. Dark ebony eyes again clashed with bright amber, and it was then Ichigo realized how much Karin resembled their father. Ichigo felt horrible that he put his family through this much pain, he just didnt realize this would have been the reaction when he decieded that day to leave and train to regain his poweres.
"I'm sorry goat-face, I didnt mean to make you guys worry this much." he said looking away from his father and instead refocousing his gaze at the running water.
"Im guessing it has to do with that bracelet?" Isshin changed the subject, letting Ichigo know his apology was accepted without having to extend the moment.
"Mmhm. Old man, how long have you been smoking since I left?" he answered, and asked as his curiosity tugged at him.
Isshin let out a sigh and took another drag of his cigarrete.
"3 months now."
"Well, you dont need to anymore."
"A few more months and you would have missed the trip."
Ichigo didnt need to ask what trip he was talking about, it was the one day(usually) that his dad would smoke. Ichigo knew he worried his father deeply if he had pushed him into smoking.
"Yeah, I know."
"Karin and Yuzu would have been devistated."
"Yeah, I know." they were both staring out into the river, when his dad suddenly stood up putting out his cigarrete.
"Come on Ichigo, let's go home. It's time for dinner right around now."
"Yeah, you're right."
They were half way to the house when Ichigo finally spoke up again. His arms raised and his hand planted to the back of his neck.
"You know dad, I think we all like this calm side of you. Karin figured out that it was an act, and Yuzu isn't a kid anymore. I think it was time."
"You think so?" Isshin asked, turning to look at Ichigo who was nodding at him.
"Yeah, Yuzu would have started to get annoyed with it at some point or another." He said with a grin beginning to form.
"Yeah, yeah." Isshin shook his head in amuesment, a grin pulling at his lips also.
Well at least I got my family situated.
Yeah but I wonder how heart broken Bya-chan is right now.
Shiro I am going to kill you!
Shrio just laughed maniaclly, unable to hold his old behavior from leaking out of his control.
Byakuya,
Ichigo thought fleetingly, he looked to the sky as he walked as if the vastness of the darkening blue well would give him all the answers he needs.
AN: Well, I only got 10 reviews but my good friend, tderwes24 has been needing a pick-me-up. And she guessed my age correctly, so here is your chapter love. Im sorry it is a bit slow, but I lengthened it by 800 words so it wasnt so short. I hope you like my take on Isshin and the twins, those two will be involved later in the story. ;)
I love you darling, I hope this make you feel a bit better c:
Review pleaseee, you know the 12 reviews deal by now. Thanks to all those who reviewed btw, they made me smile.
