A/N: Here's the next chapter

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January 1

Ichigo sighed as the cold winter breeze went by, before smiling and looking at his kids in their strollers. All four of them were wearing their winter clothes, all snuggled up and looking in awe as they finally arrived at the shrine. Today was New Years Day, and of course to celebrate Orihime, Kon, Sora, and him decided to come to the shrine. That Quincy Uryū decided to also come along with them, he honestly wasn't sure though how he felt about that. Well, as long as his sister ended up happy, that's all that really mattered.

It's been two months since they celebrated the twins first birthday, time flew by so quickly. Already the twins were walking and talking actual words, it felt like just a few months ago he had just given birth to them. He guessed that since they were able to live in peace here in the World of the Living, they were able to enjoy more of it. Even little Hikari was growing bigger and bigger, she was already four and a half months old and though she looked just like Byakuya, she was more like him. He wished that things were different and Byakuya would actually be able to see his little girl.

Smiling, they walked up to pray, each taking their own turn. He knew that the babies wouldn't understand what to do, so he let them watch as he rung the bell before praying and then smiled at them. "When you're older, you'll be able to do this as well." New Years was so different in the World of the Living than in the Soul Society, even he became curious when Kon explained it to them, though Orihime knew a little about it from her visits before they moved to the World of the Living. He did miss the celebrations in the Soul Society a bit, but it was nice here too. Different, but nice.

Curiously, he walked over to where Orihime was buying a charm and smiled when she pulled out a fortune that said blessing on the paper. It was a curious tradition for him, so he decided to also get a fortune. After paying for one, he was pleasantly surprised that he got future blessing on his own charm, which made him wonder if all the fortunes were like that. "What?! Stupid charm!" He heard Kon cursing, before raising his eyebrow and looking at the others fortune curiously and snickering when he saw the fortune written curse on there. "What the hell are you laughing at, Ichigo?!"

Shaking his head, he decided to walk over to a vender and buy the kids some toys. After buying four, he gave one each to them and smiled when they looked happy. "Ichigo!" He glanced to where Orihime called him and smiled when she came over and handed him a lucky charm keychain. "I bought everyone a keychain, people in the World of the Living believe in these, so I thought it might do us some good to have some for us." It was true that before they came to the World of the Living, they've had terrible luck and while he couldn't really understand how these charms would help them, he decided to take it anyways hope for good luck from now on.

"Thank you." He told her softly as he watched her walk over to her boyfriend in excitement, who was also blushing profusely. It was amusing to watch, though he also could tell that Uryū really did have feelings for Orihime and for that he was grateful for. She deserved happiness, even if it was with a Quincy. They've already broken so many of Soul Society's rules that he didn't think breaking this one was that much of a big deal anymore. He didn't think that Orihime would ever go back to the Soul Society anyways, so why did it matter if she could be happy with this man?

"Alright, everyone let's go get some food from the stalls and drink some sake, eh?" Sora proposed happily as he looked around everyone. "Of course, we should get some juice for the little ones there should be some here and hopefully we can find some baby food around." He smiled and shook his head before getting in line to eat some food, one of the double strollers with him, while the other was with his sister who also got in line along with Uryū. "Kon!" Their pseudo cousin called when he saw the other boy ogling some girls and sighed. Kon just never changed, he was always the pervert around them. It made him wonder where he got that behavior from, Sora was a great guy and wasn't perverted at all, unlike Kon. It did make him wonder sometimes.

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Ichigo smiled as they were finally leaving the shrine, it was a nice day for them and though he didn't have his other family members, friends, or husband around, he did have some fun. Things changed all the time, just like the seasons. The World of the Living was colder than the Soul Society during the winter time, but it was still enjoyable and he understood why Orihime liked it here so much. His smile grew when he saw Aoi, Akira, and Makoto waving goodbye at the shrine and the people who were there. It was so adorable!

"Hey, you guys!" He heard a male voice calling to them ahead and looked up to see Renji coming over in his Gigai, wearing human winter clothes and raised his eyebrow at the other. "Urahara told me you guys were here, I just got back in town from, uh, Kyoto, I think." He scratched his head uncertainly, making Ichigo sigh and shake his head. "I was actually visiting my girlfriend and her brother for a couple days." That made Ichigo stiffen a little bit, though he was curious how they were doing. "I've really missed her since I've decided to…visit here."

Ichigo rolled his eyes at the other and smiled, hoping that his disguise wouldn't give him away as he inquired. "So, how is your girlfriend doing? We've become friends now, Renji, and I still haven't met her." He couldn't ask about Byakuya without giving himself away, unfortunately, but this would do. Sora decided at that moment to scold Kon on the side away from them, while Orihime chatted with Uryū to give him some room with Renji. Orihime and he decided that as long as Renji thought they were humans, there wouldn't be any danger for them.

Grimacing, the redhead sighed and scratched his head. "Well, the thing is that she's not able to come here." He knew that the other wanted to say that since she wasn't assigned, it was impossible. Though there were some work arounds still. "She's doing great, actually. She still misses her best friend like we all do, but she's great." He missed her too and his husband, he didn't think he would ever not miss them. "Actually, her older brother is too overprotective and keeps getting in my way." He admitted with a disappointed sigh. "I wanted to ask her to marry me, but with him around it's just too impossible!"

Blinking, he looked at his best friend in surprise. He was ready to marry Rukia? That was big news! Of course, those two were perfect for each other and he wanted them to marry each other! He really did! Of course, he knew what Byakuya was like as well, but this was definitely a chance that Renji shouldn't be passing up. Even if he wasn't there to celebrate with them, he wanted them to be happy. "You should try again, Bya-I mean her brother will get over it. I'm sure, even though I've never met him, would be happy eventually when he sees that she's happy with you." He encouraged him with a soft smile as he continued. "Trust me, you should try again. As a…girl…I know these things. Just take my advice and ask her at any point when she's away from her brother." His smile widened encouragingly as he watched his best from friend debate with himself.

"Thanks, Ichigo." Renji replied to him with his own smile, before smiling at the babies. "Your mom is much like my best friend Ichigo, it's just difficult not to think of them as the same people." He admitted before shifting his eyes back the other. "I'll let you know how it goes." He told him before turning his body so he can tell the others happy new year, though before he did, he gave him a secretive smile. "Ichigo, Happy New Year."

A/N: So, how did you like this chapter?