A/N: guess what! It's an actual IchiRuki chapter!! Hope you all enjoy the break from the normal characters of the story while I go back to what made you want to read this story in the first place. Oh and guess who has been succumb to illness once again? Yep, that'd be me. Stupid allergy/ cold season I think I have both. Well, I guess that's good news for all you people seeing as all I have to do lately is write. So, expect shorter gaps in the updating process.

Chapter 21

(Ichigo POV)

There's no way this is happening! It's impossible to say the least. Is this truly what my hectic life has been leading up to after all these hard years slaying hallow after hallow? Was this my reward?

I scanned the room I stood in, which currently was the living room, expecting to find at least one of my off-spring or their friends, but did I? No. The silence was far too unbearable.

'Was this really my home?' I had to ask myself afraid that I had been discarded to a foreign land resembling my own.

I ran to the window that looked outwards towards the front yard. It was my neighborhood, that was my car parked in the drive way, and that was my wife walking up to the front door. Wait…wife… I sunk down into the couch with a large sigh of relief. Okay, so this was my universe, yet why did it feel so alien?

"Ichigo…are you okay?" Rukia's voice echoed through my ears which were glad to interpret the vibrating into familiar words for me.

"What's missing? I feel like this isn't my house anymore." I sighed again sinking further into my subconscious trying to fit together puzzle pieces that I knew would never align.

"You forgot today was Masaki's first day back to school didn't you?" Rukia laughed pointing at me with an incredulous look.

"First day back?" I asked more to myself than anyone else who bore witness to my sudden laps of memory loss.

"Idiot. How long did you think spring break lasted for?" And once again I got another round of laughter from the petite woman carrying a bag of groceries.

"Oi, it's not like I have time to memorize that type of stuff!" I retaliated trying to maintain what pride I had left.

"Oh, right. I forgot it's not like you went to school for 13 years which in each of those periods of time had a spring break that one week that was the same week each time." She stuck her tongue at me declaring herself as the winner.

"You love doing that don't you." I said in a low voice staring at her with a frown.

"Doing what?" She said as if she didn't know, which clearly she did.

"Kicking me again and again and again when I'm down." I sunk, as if it was even possible anymore, lower into the cushions of the couch. It was a slow day. I woke up, tripped out of bed, squirted toothpaste in my eye, slipped in the shower, burned my breakfast, and now just recently found out I'm a failure as a father.

"Oi, I was only kidding. Jeez I swear men these days have periods." Rukia mumbled as she went to stash away all the food she recently bought.

I let the last of the insults slide, there was no way I was going to start a longer argument then necessary…this time. "So, what do we do all day?" I wondered out loud hoping to get some ideas from Rukia at the same time… Wait, Rukia plus alone time plus empty house equals…

"Rukia?" I called in the general direction of my wife.

"What do you want Ichigo?" She sighed, dropping something that made a large thud. "Damn it!" She cursed mumbling more obscenities under her breath.

"Is it that time of the month for you?" I called hoping for positive feed back.

"No, but there is still no way in hell. Do you realize how many visitors this house has on a normal day to day basis?" She barked at me, I still feeling it's full effect from a room away.

"But Rukia-!" I whined, sounding more than Keigo than myself. I shuttered, remembering the kid. That, thank god, was the last time I would ever say that phrase in that context ever again!

"No is no. Get used to it." She sharply inhaled air showing me she meant business. How mean she was.

"Why can't we just lock the doors or something. That'll keep people out." I stated the obvious hoping to change her mind, which was not an easy thing to do.

"Ichigo…are you stupid?" She reappeared in the archway separating the living room and kitchen, "Since when do our type of guests use doors?" I ran a hand through my hair, letting my mouth droop into a frown.

"Well, who's fault would that be?" I thought that over for a second then sprung off the couch pointing at Rukia, hoping that'd help prove my case, "Oi! This is my house and you're my wife! What could anyone possibly yell at us for?" After my out burst I settled down again standing in complete and utter silence waiting for the verdict.

"I guess you are right…but"

"NO! No, ifs ands or buts! It is the first time in like 10 years we've been alone, and I mean really alone. So, damn it I'm not going to waste it!" That was the end of my raid and I don't care what she thinks about my 'idea' but damn it she's participating!

"Okay!" She said cheerfully trotting into the room. YES! "On one condition," Why is there always conditions with Rukia? "One thing interrupts us and you have to sleep on the couch for the next week." She gave me an insidious smile making me gulp.

Okay, so odds aren't on my side…and Rukia normally wins everything…but who the hell cares! Maybe it's my turn to win?

"I'll race you upstairs." She winked at me running up the stairs." A large smile erupted on my face. She was a good ten feet in front of me, but I was sure I could catch- …wait, Rukia never acts like this, not even on our honeymoon. Rukia's setting me up for something. I sighed I knew today was going to suck.

"Oi, Rukia," I said very depressed, "I get it very funny." The door to our room swung open.

"What do you mean Ichigo?" Rukia pouted standing with only a bra and shorts on. I almost ran back downstairs from the shock of her actually not trying to set me up to only fail.

I happily was escorted into our room, making sure to securely lock the door behind me.

"Bathroom break! I'll be back in a minute." She suggested to herself as I pulled my shirt off.

"What!?" I cried, only to be shut out of the bathroom attached to our room. I sighed, at this rate everyone would be home and I'd end of sleeping on the couch.

"Oi Ichigo. What's with the dark room? Feeling sick or something?" I knew that voice all too well and with very little will power I turned my head to the open window. Renji.

"No! Out! Out! Out! Quiet! Bathroom! Minute! Rukia! Couch!" I shouted, but whispered at the same time while tempting to shove Renji out the window.

"What? Maybe you are sick?" He stretched his arm out to feel my head, but I leaned backwards, making him shift off balance and land on top of me.

"Get off!" I whispered trying to now push him off me never mind back out the window. I swear I'm going to glue every single window in this house shut. That was actually a good idea, maybe it'll keep certain 'espada' out? Because I know damn well how that boy gets in and out of my daughter's room.

"It's not like I fell on purpose. It was your fault. And what's with the whispering?" He was practically shouting. I would kill him if I had to sleep on the couch.

"Ichigo!" Rukia laughed. That was like a five second warning what do I do now? Crap, what was she wearing? Renji was here!

"Rukia! Uh," Hell I didn't know how to finish that sentence. "Renji hide somewhere, anywhere just disappear!" I whispered throwing him behind the bathroom door just as soon as it squeaked open. Close, I sighed.

"Huh, Rukia?" And there was she fully clothed in normal attire with a smug expression written across her face.

"Rukia, I know your not new at this so shouldn't you realize the initial objective is to have no clothes on." I turned red as I remembered my comrade behind the bathroom door.

"I said if we weren't interrupted, clearly we were." She kicked the bathroom door with so much force it flew back, nailing Renji…hard, then jerking forward leaving a bruised Renji on the floor.

"Ouch, Rukia. What the-" She stopped him, kicking his back a few times.

"This is for barging into my house uninvited, never mind through my bedroom window." She turned to look at me with a much greater look of menace.

" And you…" Her scowl turned into a grin, "guess where your sleeping tonight?" She smiled kicking me and Renji out of the room locking the door concealing herself inside.

"She's scary." I smacked him hard in the back of the head.

"Oi, what was that for?"

" Being oblivious to the obvious. Hey wait, how long did it take you to get here?" I asked the gears starting to turn in my head.

"Five minutes. Why?" Clearly he wouldn't understand my question, but now I knew my answer.

"Damn bitch, she knew you were coming." So yet again she set me up to fail. Renji just sat there oblivious as always.

"So what if she knew I was coming?" He retorted casually walking downstairs as if he hadn't witnessed anything at all.

"Because of you I have to sleep on the couch for the next week." I groaned too frustrated to punch the shit out of him.

"Lesson learned, you shouldn't make bets you can't insure." He stated smugly while pulling out a white container of left over pizza.

"If you no what's good for you, you'll put the pizza down and walk away." He laughed as if it was the only option he had and slowly backed away from the food.

"So, what now? It's been a slow day." Renji practically read my mind. For once we were on the same wave length (Actually they always are but don't realize it .)

"How 'bout we-" I was cut off by a knocking at the door. It was gentle, but sounded urgent enough.

"Is Masaki here? I need to tell her something." Ulqui? Since when does he use doors? Then again I should just up praise him for using it, unlike a certain shinigami in my house. Wait, Ulqui can't be here with Renji at the same time. Renji may possibly be able to detect that he's not human and Ulqui will clearly see what Renji is and I don't know how either will react towards that information.

"Ulqui first off spring break is over," Maybe I shouldn't be the one acting smug with that question… "and second since when did you get the guts to approach my house freely?" I asked grinning. My personal opinion on him and his two friends was that I knew they meant us no harm and did actually care for my daughter's well being, but as for the rest of their kind…a deep hatred still loomed in the depths of my being.

"I had to tell her something kind of important, but seeing as you have an interesting guest. I'll leave you two to your business." His facial expression changed for a split second to total disgust and anger, but he soon controlled it to resemble a kind person. That scared me, was he like this all the time? Two-faced?

"Who's at the door?" Renji stopped short with a puzzled expression . For sure he had figured out who Ulqui was. Shit.

"Uh, Renji, this is-"

"Why are YOU here?" he shouted pointing at the little kid.

"Oi, Renji calm down. I can explain." I screamed at him trying to restrain his movement.

"You answer me! Why are you here?" He ordered for an answer once again. Ulqui stood there with an unchanging facial expression, one that showed no fear or shock or well anything. He was good.

"I'm sorry. Does my presence bother you?" Ulqui questioned still as poised as before. Was he stupid?

"Damn right it does, especially since your-" It felt like I should have held my breath. I didn't know what I would have done if Ulqui's identity was out in the open. Slay him like the hollow he was and uphold soul society orders or protect him to ensure Masaki's happiness? It'd be one huge mess.

"Your!…supposed to be in school! How dare you expect to ditch and come to a place where schooling is important!" I almost fainted. Was Renji serious? And since when did schooling matter so much in 'this place'?

"I'm sorry. I just moved here and my old school's spring break starts this week. I guess I'm not up to schedule." He laughed half- heartily. How had this boy been trained? The entire time Renji faced him down he kept his composure. This boy was defiantly not your everyday arrancar.

After everything was said and done Ulqui departed promising Renji he'd start school first thing in the morning. I was too exhausted from the excitement to try to figure out anything else today.

"Renji go home." I sighed sinking onto the couch. Might as well get used to it. I had a feeling I'd be here a lot.

Renji left as was instructed…after the tenth time, and I decided to go for the frozen pizza Renji wanted to devour earlier. I didn't get half way to the kitchen before the phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered in an alto pitched tone.

"Onii-chan!" My phone almost dropped in result of my shock.

"Yuzu?" I practically inhaled the phone.

"Yep! Guess who's coming to visit tomorrow?" Oh god, not now.

"Me, Karin, and-" I cut her off before she could finish.

"No not him! Couldn't Karin leave 'it' at home?" I sighed not wanting the bombarding quatro at my house…again.

"We can't very well leave him and kon alone…you remember last time don't you?" Good times.

I sighed before answering, "It's just a day visit right? Strictly a few hours!" I begged.

"Nope we are there 'till Wednesday." her cheery voice was enough for me to want to cry at this point. A whole three days!? I don't think kankura could last that long!

A/N: See as promised a light chapter that actually ties into the story . I know there wasn't much IchiRuki, but as you can tell there was at least a little. So, What'd ya think? Oh and who do you think is the unmentionable person that will be accompanying Yuzu and Karin? (That's not kon) Next chapter: Rukia will finally get to make her pie again! (Rukia: Yes!!) And as you may realize by now dinners at the Kurosaki household are always exciting!

Important Question!

In what ways can I improve Masaki because many people are not happy with her and I do want to change her to satisfy everyone, so if you don't give any suggestions then your not helping yourself or this fanfic at all!

Important Question2: Who do you like better Edward or Jacob (from twilight)? (I asked this in another fanfic before and the pole so far is 20edward 1jacob , but I want to see if I can get that to go up some.) Oh and if you haven't read the book werewolf or vampire?

-You (sick) NekoWriter