Urahara looked out his picturesque window in the master bedroom, his gaze going back and forth between the peaceful lake and the horses' pen. He looked to his right and saw his lover sleeping, snoring softly in the early morning light. Urahara pushed some of the hair off of Ichigo's forehead, his thumb lingering on his forehead for a few seconds. He withdrew his hand as he saw his lover begin to move a bit in his sleep. Holding his breath, he waited for Ichigo to relax once more before he moved again on the bed.

"You can put your hand back...I'm awake..." Ichigo said, yawning softly. Urahara let out a soft chuckle as he watched his lover blink a few times to get the sleep out of his eyes. He stayed in his position, letting his attention be drawn back out to the serene water. "Mmm...what time is it?"

Urahara glanced at the digital clock next to him that he had brought from the human world. "It would appear to be just a little past 6 in the morning. Why are you even awake, Ichigo?"

"You were touching me," Ichigo said, a soft blush rising to his face. "I take it Hirako left?"

The shop keeper nodded his head, his bangs falling on his face. "That would a good assumption."

"Too early for sarcasm..." Ichigo whined softly. He groaned low as he turned his body. "Ugh...my body is in extreme pain."

Lowering his hand back to Ichigo's head, Urahara began to run his fingers through the soft hair. "I apologize. I should have warned you that after Shiro made his appearance, we were going to have you drink more."

Ichigo snorted. "It's fine, Kisuke. As soon as I saw Shinji at the door, I knew that it couldn't end well."

"Are you saying that you didn't have fun?" Urahara said, surprised by the words that Ichigo chose to use. "It sure seemed like you were enjoying yourself." He gently scratched the orange-haired teen's scalp with his blunt nails.

Ichigo let out a low moan. "Mmm...don't stop, that feels nice, Kisuke..."

"If you don't answer my question, then my hand very well may stop," Urahara teased him. "Now then, did you not have fun?" He stilled his hand for dramatic effect.

"Kisuke!" Ichigo whined. "Why'd you stop? You didn't even give me a chance to give you an answer!" Auburn eyes met his, making Urahara think of a long lost puppy.

"Oh my, it is too early for you to be this way," Urahara laughed, moving his hand once more in his lover's scalp.

"Mmm...much better..." Ichigo said, purring softly. "Yes, I had fun last night. I did not have fun when Hirako knocked me out, but when I came to, yes, everything was nice." Ichigo leaned in to Urahara's touch.

Resting his head against the headboard, Urahara watched as Ichigo settled his head on Urahara's lap. Continuing to gently massage his scalp, Urahara let out a small sigh. "Will you tell me what happened? Or do I not want to know? I want you to know that I was not that pleased with Hirako when he did that. And since when did you start calling him that?"

"Well...after last night, I figured it would be better if I just refer to him by his first name?" Ichigo said, chuckling softly. "You know that's how he made me go into my inner world before, right?"

"I was made aware last night, yes." Urahara said. "I suppose his ways are...well..."

"Not normal?" Ichigo turned his head to look up at him. "I'm glad to know that. I was beginning to think that his way was the 'normal' way of doing things like this."

"Really, there is no right or wrong way to enter your inner world. I guess whatever works the best. So, what happened with Shiro?"

"He knows not to come back out. After I beat him senseless, that is. He kept trying to say that it was fair if he got to have some fun with others once in awhile." Ichigo said, turning his head back to watching Urahara's legs. Urahara ran his hand through his hair in a soothing manner. "I told him that wouldn't be possible. And that if he ever were to bring it up when we're back home, what I did to him would be worse than he could ever imagine."

Urahara's breath hitched. "I didn't even think about that, Ichigo."

"It's okay. I didn't either, until he mentioned saying something to my school friends. That absolutely cannot happen." Ichigo sighed. "Is it weird for me to be like this? I mean, I know that Hirako and the others are like me, but did they have this much trouble with their inner Hollow?"

Letting his hands run through Ichigo's hair, Urahara thought for a few moments before answering. "Do you want me to tell you the truth?"

"Always," Ichigo said, turning his head to place a soft kiss on Urahara's thigh, causing a shiver to race through Urahara's body.

"Yes and no," Urahara said. "Ichigo, you know you're different, correct?"

"What? Because I'm a substitute shinigami?"

"Well, yes. You're a human, but you also have immense power as a shinigami. And then there is your Hollow to account for. Which, if you think about it, I'm just as responsible for yours as I was for Hirako and the other Visoreds."

Ichigo turned his head and looked up at Urahara. "You can't seriously be blaming yourself for how we are, are you?"

"But you are," Urahara said in a quiet voice. "It's because of the Hōgyoku that I created, Ichigo. That's what caused Hirako and the others to stop their complete Hollowification process, so they'll always have that Hollow to draw upon their power. With you? In order to force your real shinigami powers to come forth, I cut your spirit chain. Or did you forget that, with everything that has happened since then?" He did his best to laugh, but couldn't quite muster up the strength.

Ichigo closed his eyes. "I can't really forget that, Kisuke. But I still don't hold you responsible. You told me what would happen. And you and I both know that without Shiro, I would have probably died at the hands of Kenpachi - much to that man's delight." Ichigo turned his face back to its original position. "Sorry, my neck hurts."

Letting his hands rub gently at the back of his neck, Urahara did let out a soft chuckle. "So, there's your answer. I think that you're a unique case. I can't use the Hōgyoku on your because..."

"Because Aizen has it. Is that what he used to make that arrancar that the others encountered?" Ichigo asked.

Urahara nodded. "Yes, I do believe that is the case. But I don't know because we didn't get to see it. However, I doubt that is the last we've seen of them. But, let's not think about that now, shall we? We are on vacation from that right now." Urahara leaned down and let his lips brush against Ichigo's cheek softly.

"Fine, Kisuke," Ichigo said. "All I really wanted to know was if the others had had issues like me. But, from the way you're talking, it seems like it wasn't anywhere near what I go through."

"That's correct," Urahara said. "Well, I'm just assuming that is correct. Again, everything happened so fast when they were were forced through the Hollowfication process. But, as much as I'm loathe to say this, I trust Hirako. I know that whatever he teaches you, there is value to it. I would not have someone incompetent teach you."

Ichigo sat up, crossing his legs, and looked at him. "But you teach me, don't you?" The teen smirked.

"Baka," Urahara grumbled, looking away from him playfully.

"Awww...come on, Kisuke...You set yourself up for that one," Ichigo said, chuckling. Urahara sighed as he felt the teen's arms snake around his body to lock behind his back. "Come on...you know I think you're a marvelous teacher." Ichigo kissed his jaw, causing the shop keeper to angle his head back a little bit for him. "Why is it you always have a five o'clock shadow, Kisuke?" Ichigo's nose nuzzled the short hairs on his jawline.

Urahara returned the nuzzle. "I guess I'm just special?"

"Yes, that's the word I'd use," Ichigo said, laughing, followed by a groan. "Oh Kami...my body did not appreciate that."

Urahara put a hand on Ichigo's shoulder. "Do you want me to draw you a bath?"

Ichigo bent over and drew on the bed. "Like this? Poof! Here's a bath!" Ichigo asked, laughing.

"Again with the sarcasm. Too early, my sweet love," Urahara said, pulling Ichigo's face close to his, planting a wet kiss on his temple. "Now, as I was saying, would you like for me to draw you a bath?"

Ichigo nodded. "I would love that, Kisuke. But, will you join me?"

"Naturally." Urahara said, standing up from the bed. "I'll call you when it's ready?" He stretched a bit, feeling a little sore himself from the previous night's activities.

Ichigo watched him and licked his lower lip. Urahara felt another blush begin to rise to his cheeks as he suddenly became self-conscious. "Aww...Come on, Kisuke. It isn't every day that I get to look at the beautiful body of yours."

"You get to see it every day," Urahara said, turning around and began to walk towards the bathroom.

"Kisuke?"

He stopped walking and stood at the bathroom door. "Yes?"

"Nothing. Just...let me know when I can come in there?" Ichigo said, looking at him with a unique expression, one that Urahara was not quite sure what it was about. He gave a slight nod and headed into the bathroom, keeping the door ajar.

Running the hot water for a few before plugging the drain, Urahara turned around and grabbed the bath salts from underneath the bathroom sink. He added a generous amount to the bath, the room quickly beginning to smell like eucalyptus. He looked over his shoulder at the bed and saw that his lover was watching him. Smiling softly, he spoke above the cascading water. "You can come in here now, Ichigo." He stood up and stepped into the bath, sinking into the warmth that it provided.

"Will you scoot forward?" Ichigo asked, coming into the bathroom. Urahara turned to look at him, not moving. "Please?" Nodding, Urahara moved forward in the bath, allowing Ichigo to sit behind him. He felt the orange-haired teen's arms encirlce his waist and moved backwards as Ichigo pulled him back to rest against his chest. "That's much better..."

Urahara chuckled softly, placing his hands on top of Ichigo's arms. "Why did you want to sit behind me?"

"Because," Ichigo said, pressing his lips against the side of his neck, making the shop keeper exhale softly. "I wanted to be able to do that."

Leaning back against him, Urahara smiled. "Yes, but you were the one that was put through a lot of strenuous activities yesterday. I figured you would rather I take care of you, instead of the other way around."

"Kisuke?" Ichigo asked, hugging him closer to his body. "Can I ask you a question?"

Urahara nodded. "Of course, Ichigo. What is on your mind?" He let his fingers stroke along the teen's arms as he continued to hold him close.

"I'm not a slut, am I?" Ichigo asked, the honesty in his voice surprising Urahara.

Pulling back from Ichigo, Urahara turned around in the bathtub to face him. "Are you really asking me that?"

"Well? Am I?" Ichigo asked, staring at him with innocent eyes. "I mean, think about it. What did we do yesterday during the day? I went and got drunk with the fukutaichous, and then the next thing I know, we're laying in a bed together. And you tell me about Renji and Byakuya. And then, Hirako. Three different guys in less than twenty-four hours. Do you not think that makes me a slut?" Ichigo raised his head and scratched the back of his neck in his nervous twitch.

Urahara raised his hand and pulled Ichigo's hand down. "Listen to me, Ichigo." When he saw that he had Ichigo's full attention, he took a deep breath. "You are not a slut. You were not aware of the business with Byakuya and Renji." Ichigo began to protest, but Urahara quickly placed his other hand over Ichigo's mouth. "Let me finish, please?" When the teen nodded his head, Urahara lowered his hand. "Thank you. Now, you are not a slut. Remember what Ukitake-san said? Shinigami's just tend to enjoy life in a different way than humans do. There is nothing wrong with what we've been doing. Of course, we cannot continue to be like this when we go back home. Back home, you are stuck with just me." Urahara said, chuckling softly.

Ichigo squeezed his hand. "I would never say that I was 'stuck' with you, Kisuke. Do you think that I would?"

"Why would you think you are a slut?" Urahara said, countering back at him. "Are you enjoying yourself? Are you having fun with the things we're showing you over here? Myself, Byakuya-san, Abarai, and Hirako? Or are you participating because you think that is what I want?"

The substitute shinigami closed his eyes and shook his head. "No, of course not, Kisuke. Yes, I am enjoying myself. And I'm looking forward to what else we'll be doing the next week and half. Time seems to be flying so quickly. And we don't have to do anything with anyone again. I'm more than happy to just stay here with you, Kisuke. There is so much that you and I can do together, alone. We don't need to have 'fun' with others."

"Ichigo," Urahara said, pulling his lover close to him and hugging him tightly. Water sloshed out of the side of the tub, soaking the bath mat.

"It's true, Kisuke." Ichigo said, holding on to him as tightly as his arms would allow him. "I don't care if we go out and do anything else. I'm perfectly happy just staying here. I hope you're not doing all of this because you think that is what I want."

Urahara shook his head, moving their bodies a bit. Ichigo moved his legs and wrapped them around Urahara's waist, nuzzling his neck. "I'm enjoying myself, Ichigo. It's nice to be with someone that I trust with everything that I have in order to have the sort of fun we're having. I have never done this sort of thing. So, please forgive me if I doubt myself and you at times. I know that you are satisfied with just me."

"More than satisfied, Kisuke," Ichigo said, raising his hand up to place on Urahara's cheek. Urahara leaned into the touch, closing his eyes. "I mean it. You need to stop doubting yourself."

"And you need to not think of yourself as a slut," Urahara whispered. "I...I love you very much, Ichigo. A lot more than I thought I was capable of."

Ichigo stroked his cheek gently. "Then, what are you so worried about? Afraid one of these men will show me something that you didn't?"

"Yes," Urahara whispered without hesitation. "Why do you think I made sure you were in the middle last night with Hirako? Ichigo...I...When I saw you and Abarai..."

Ichigo lifted his head and placed his other hand on Urahara's face, holding his face with both hands. "Kisuke. You know that it wasn't me. Yes, it was my body, but it wasn't me. You are the only one I want inside of me. I don't care if you're inside of anyone else. But me? I like how you feel just fine." Ichigo leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his jaw, making Urahara's heart stop in his chest. "For all I care, if we fool around with others, you will be the only one back there."

"Ichigo..." Urahara said, feeling overwhelmed at just what his lover was saying. "But that isn't fair."

"So what?" Ichigo said, pulling back to look up into his eyes. "Kisuke, I'm trying to tell you that the only one I want to be that intimate with is you. Isn't that a good thing?"

Urahara leaned forward and kissed Ichigo softly. "Yes, it's a very good thing. I apologize. I'm not very good at this sort of thing."

"You think I am?" Ichigo said, chuckling softly. The teen began to push some of Urahara's hair back behind his ear, Urahara leaning into his touch. "Kisuke, you're my first everything. I'm not sure how all of this is supposed to work. I hope we're doing it right."

The shop keeper nodded. "I think that we are. I mean, we're being honest with one another. That is a very good thing, Ichigo. It's...it's difficult for me to be that way. But with you, I've learned that it's better to just be honest."

"Thank you," Ichigo said, nuzzling his neck. "I'm glad you recognize that being honest is best for the both of us."

"Of course," Urahara said, returning Ichigo's nuzzle on the orange-haired teen's neck. "Now, shall we enjoy the rest of this bath...?"

Ichigo chuckled softly. "By enjoy, what did you mean? I don't know if my body can handle anything right now, quite honestly. I feel extremely nauseous. I think that's from the alcohol, though. Can we rain check for the moment?"

Letting go of Ichigo, Urahara stood up. "Why didn't you tell me your stomach didn't feel well?" He walked over to the medicine cabinet and got out a small packet, dropping two small discs into a glass. He ran the water from the sink, the two small discs beginning to dissolve in the water. "Stretch out in the bath, Ichigo. That's not a suggestion, either." Urahara said, giving his lover a quirk of his eyebrow.

"Kisuke..." Ichigo said in a grumbly voice.

"Do what I say, or I won't give you this."

Ichigo stretched out in the bath. "And just what exactly is this?" He waved his hand at the glass that Urahara was holding.

"It will help with your hangover." Urahara handed it to him. "Now, drink it all down. And do not complain to me about the taste."

Ichigo quickly swallowed everything in the glass, making a face as he finished it. "Why can't I complain?"

"Does your head and stomach feel better?" Urahara said, taking the glass from him and setting it down on the bathroom sink. He sat down next to the tub, looking at Ichigo.

"It does," Ichigo said, closing his eyes. "What was that?"

"Medicine. Don't worry. No more drinking for a bit, okay?" Urahara said, reaching for a cloth. He grabbed a clean one and poured some soap on it. "Just relax and let your muscles rest for a bit, okay?" He placed the soapy cloth against Ichigo's chest, biting his lower lip as the teen let out a low moan.

"Ah...okay..." Ichigo said, arching his chest towards Urahara's touch.

Washing his chest a bit more, he raised the cloth and set it to the side. Taking his hand, he cupped some water into his palm and let it fall across the soap on Ichigo's chest, washing away the soap. "Taichou..." Ichigo moaned low at him. This time, Urahara was not able to stop the groan from releasing from his throat.

"Ichigo...You said you weren't up for it..." Urahara said, staring down into auburn eyes that were burning with a silent heat.

Ichigo lifted his body up and leaned closer to Urahara. "Do you not want me to be up for it...taichou?"

"Oh, Kami..." Urahara groaned. "Ichigo..."

Ichigo took Urahara's hand and placed it on his arousal, the pale blonde shuddering as he felt just how ready Ichigo was 'up' for it. He squeezed Ichigo's arousal gently with his hand, groaning low as he began to stroke him slowly.

"More," Ichigo whispered into his ear. "Touch me more, taichou. Move your hand faster on me. Rub your thumb across the tip..."

Moaning, Urahara stroked Ichigo faster, touching him in the way that he described, drawing a loud moan out of Ichigo that pierced his ear drum. "Yes..." Ichigo moaned, thrusting his hips, making Urahara's hand pump him faster. He leaned his head back, moaning with Ichigo as he stroked him. He could hear Ichigo's breath begin to hitch, signaling to him that he was close to his release. He moved his hand faster and let out a low moan as he felt Ichigo let go. "Kisuke," Ichigo moaned as he rode out his orgasm, Urahara stroking him until he felt him finish.

"Kami, Ichigo," Urahara said, placing a soft kiss against the teen's cheek. He could hear him panting softly as he released the hold on his arousal. "Are you okay...?"

Ichigo panted softly, closing his eyes. "I'm perfect, Kisuke. But...you...?"

"Just enjoy your bath," Urahara smiled softly. "Do you need anything?"

The substitute shinigami shook his head. "No, I just...need to catch my breath."

"Yes, that would be wise." Urahara placed another soft kiss on Ichigo's cheek. "Come out when you're ready?" He stood up and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist. He gazed down at the peaceful look his lover wore. He stood at the bathroom door. "Please, don't drown."

Ichigo let out a soft laugh. "I won't, Kisuke."

Smiling, Urahara turned and headed into the bedroom. Now, do I get dressed? Or stay in a towel? He chuckled as he laid down on the bed, looking back out at the horses charging around in their pen. He smirked to himself, hoping that Ichigo wouldn't be too much longer in the bathtub. Towel it is.

...

A/N: Hopefully I didn't cause too many toothaches with this chapter. Up next, some fun time for our favorite shop keeper. ^_^ Thanks for reading!