With the upcoming holidays, it was a bit hard to have time to write. I also didn't notice that I accidentally put the wrong chapter of Friends and Family with my other story. NICE! Thank you N9R for noticing that. So in this chapter, it's a bit of the aftermath of the fights. I'm glad you guys really enjoyed the sparring match. The reason I chose Isshin vs Ichigo because I wanted to have the strongest fighters compete. I know canon Ulquiorra would of beat Grimmjow but this is an AU and he's a lot younger than Grimmjow here. Plus, with Grimmjow getting stronger in canon and stepping up to Nel, maybe he's a lot stronger than we thought. LOL! I'm introducing Sora again to show you the direction I'm taking this (hides in a corner). Let me know what you think.
Retsu sat in the corner of the onsen wearing a sheer white yugi (wrap), sitting next to her fiancee. Since their talk, everything was back to normal except for certain times when she wanted to talk more about his personal issue, he would remain silent or change the subject. Their last conversation before the tournament was pretty rough, she had asked him if he had been seeking help in psychiatry and the look he gave her spoke volumes as if to say 'Of course'. Telling her that he was religiously speaking to a professional every three months, unbeknownst to his family. She could see that he had a mask on during the matches and now as he soaked in the onsen. The same mask hiding his feelings of indifference while he smiled for everyone there.
Little by little, others said their goodbyes as they left and the only ones who remained were Byakuya, Sora, and her. She sighed and leaned back feeling the hot waters surround her shoulders that were tight with stress. She tried to rub her shoulders to release the kinks when she felt a pair of hands start to massage on her neck. Sora's hands kneaded through her taut muscles as she began to moan.
"Thanks, Sora! That spot has been a bit tight and bothering me," she closed her eyes as he loosened the muscles with his rough hands.
"Has it been preventing you from enjoying the day?" Byakuya articulated in a low tone as she looked up to find him with a towel on his forehead.
"No, just a slight kink that Sora was sweet enough to remove," she giggled, leaning to kiss her fiancee's cheek.
"I'm not much of a masseuse," he chuckled as he slowly moved his hands around the best he knew how.
"Someone who has study massage technique, even acquiring a certificate in massage therapy, you're doing quite well, Sora," he complimented his friend who chuckled as he shook his head.
"Should I take up a career in being a massage therapist instead of a lawyer, Byakuya?" he joked, watching his legal partner lift his towel up to stare at him.
"I wouldn't go so far," he grinned as he straightened himself while the others smiled at his jab.
"If you don't mind me asking, Byakuya. Why would a lawyer such as yourself have acquired such a certificate or even be interested?" Retsu asked the man who nodded, in an understanding of her confusion.
"When my wife became sick, her body acquired a lot of strain and the everyday pains in bed from weakness. I took it upon myself to be knowledgeable in the skill so I can at least provide some type of relief."
She regretted instantly, of asking him a question that would bring up an old wound, "My humblest apologies, Byakuya. I had no ide..."
"Now Dr. Unohana, there's no need for an apology. It was not your intention to bring up the past especially if there was no way of knowing," Byakuya eased her worries, as he watched the sweet doctor thoughtfully smile at him.
"I know but I still want to apologize and please call me, Retsu. I hope I'm not being too forward in thinking we're friends?" she inquired as the other man agreed silently with a nod.
Sora had stopped his hands from rubbing for a moment as he looked to Retsu and Byakuya. He wanted to stay quiet but for some reason, at that moment something was nagging him. The suggestion he wanted to bring up seemed innocent. Maybe he could just ask?
"Are your hands getting tired?" Retsu's lovely voice asked as he smiled and moved his hand to her chin.
"I was just thinking, maybe Byakuya could help relieve more of the kinks then my fumbling hands could ever offer?" he stared at her lips and then her eyes as he saw the suspicion in them. He felt the twist in his chest as the pang of discomfort crept into his heart. "I'm sorry, what was I thinking asking you a silly thing like that. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," He stressed to her, watching as she exhaled the breath that she was holding before she looked away.
"I... I wouldn't mind if it's not a bother to Byakuya," she suggested, gripping her fingers together as she glanced at the stoic man in front of her.
Byakuya looked at Sora for confirmation and then to Retsu who nervously smiled as he nodded and sat upright. She looked at Sora as he grasped her hand tightly afraid to let go as he finally released his grip. Moving a bit closer, she turned around, patiently waiting. She began to feel the smooth large hands of the other man, starting to dig into her neck. She grimaced a bit at the strong kneading but then relaxed to feel his fingers gently soothe the soreness, he initially caused. She found that this action felt a lot better, reminding herself that with her patients she would have to aggravate the muscle first before giving them relief.
"Wow! I didn't realize it's almost the same concept I give to the children at the hospital. Now I know how they feel, it's like the pain isn't there anymore," she moaned out, feeling the knots and kinks slowly disappear.
"Perhaps you should give Sora a few pointers," she could hear a slight chuckle from the stoic man as she quickly opened her eyes to look at her fiancee. She saw that he had been flustered and his smile was a bit strained when he acknowledged his friend.
"I told you I was a bit of a novice," he chuckled a bit before he locked eyes with her, "Does it feel ... better... Retsu?" he asked her as the color of his cheeks became extremely red. She also saw that he continued to eye her with a lustful gaze, making her fluster and stop Byakuya from continuing with a gentle hand.
"Yes! Thank you, Byakuya. I'm not sure what I could give to repay you for the kindness," she smiled as she scooted back to her fiancee. When she placed her hand on his arm she felt him tense a bit before he glanced at her to smile. He leaned down to kiss her head as he brushed his hand across her cheeks to place a soft lingering kiss.
"I'm going to head back to the room to get some rest," he whispered, inches from her face.
"Okay," she began to rise when his hand held her in place as he shook his head.
"I'll see you tomorrow, I...I just need to be by myself for a bit okay?" she kissed her mouth slowly as she glanced up in surprise.
"Sora?" she questioned him. Since the island, they had alternated between rooms but always slept together. "But..."
"I promise it only for today, just stay here for a bit if you want," Sora smiled, as he began to rise up, "Byakuya, Goodnight!" he nodded to his friend.
"Goodnight as well, Sora!," the dark-haired man exclaimed as he watched his friend leave without his fiancee. After a few moments, he glanced over to find her head turned away from him.
"Planning on staying here a little longer?" Byakuya pried, finding his friend and her demeanor, quite odd. She was silent for a moment, then he heard the soft sniffles before she straightened herself to quickly whip her face.
"Oh, y... yes! Sora was a bit tired and I wanted to stay a bit longer," she shyly glanced up at him as she smiled. He could see the tear still staining her features as he looked away to stare up at the sky.
"I'm not so naive Retsu, that I don't see that there is something wrong with my friend and you," he confided as the woman near him aggressively whipped the tears away.
"There's nothing wrong, we're fine," she protested in anger as she glared at him.
"There's no need to get overly upset, Retsu. I'm also not foolish enough to be unaware of my employees seeking mental health," He heard her gasp as she looked at him curiously, wondering if he knew of Sora's problems. "If you're wondering if I know the details, then I'm afraid to disappoint. I only know the information I need from the psychiatrist is if their mental state is well enough that it won't affect their performance."
Retsu inhaled, whipping away the last of her tears as she exhaled before she began to speak, "I'm assuming the feedback was adequate since he made partner?"
Byakuya glanced over at her," It's part of the reason. He also made partner because he is a great lawyer and I trust him. I'm not worried about his work performance as his employer. I worry about him, as a friend."
There was no way she could divulge something so personal to someone, even if that person is a friend. She closed her eyes and shook her head as she wrapped her arms around herself.
"I... I can't tell you what is going on... that would break a certain trust he has in me," she confided as she began to tear up.
"I have an inclination of what is going on, you wouldn't have to say anything. I would tell you my theory and all you have to do is listen," he advised as she agreed in silence.
"Meeting Sora's father and the tactics he was willing to do for money was beyond disgraceful. Sora must have gone through some traumatic experience in his childhood that caused the issue he has in the first place. His father who made adult-themed films, a mother who was a prostitute, and a porn actress, one would come to the conclusion that it stemmed from something sexual. I have no idea if it was physical or mental but it was still an abuse that rises to the surface on occasion when he is intimately physical?" Retsu remained silent, listening to Byakuya's words. She didn't have to say anything but her expressive eyes said that he was on the right track.
"As a lawyer, you tend to know the deep dark secrets of the person your defending. I've met politicians, doctors, and even construction workers that get a thrill from seeing their wives touched by another man. Some get off because they love the feeling of self-torture or just competition. When Sora had asked me to give you a massage, you hesitated, but still accepted. His look of lust and self-loathing was also another detail that sparked my theory. You're both trying to deal with an issue that was recently shed to light."
"I've been trying to get him to open up but he avoids the issue. We recently got into an argument because I asked if he was seeing a specialist," she cried out but suddenly stopped when she heard a light chuckle," I don't find any of this funny, Byakuya," she told him sternly as he quirked a brow at her, his amused face gone.
"I don't find the issue to be funny or a man's emotional turmoil. What I find humorous, is a woman who possibly has told this man that she's deeply in love with him and do anything for him. Then ask if he's seeking help for something that has been plaguing him way before she came along. He doesn't want to hear the obvious, Retsu. He wants someone to support him,"
"How dare you say that I'm not trying to help or support him. I'd do anything for him," she yelled at him not caring if her tone was high enough for everyone to hear.
"What if the issue doesn't go away?" Byakuya watched her anger subside in thought.
"I have told him I would still be there," she affirmed in a serious tone.
"What if he asks you to have another man touch you? Would you waver in your decision? Better yet, Retsu. Would you hate him if it gets to that point, a point where as you put it, Do anything for him?" he watched as she continued to glare at him, resenting him.
"I don't want him to hate me ... like I hated my ex for being with other women," she softly said as she held her head low, her anger gone, feeling totally spent.
"You do have a point in seeing it as a form of being unfaithful but in Sora's mind, he doesn't see it that way. Does he want to be with other women?" Byakuya asked as the woman nodded her head 'no.'
"I've been thinking that maybe it's at the center of his mind so much because he wants to experience it. Maybe if I agreed to do it just once that..."
"That he would find that it was not a big deal and everything would revert to normal?" Byakuya emphasized in a mocking tone.
"Please don't talk to me in a condescending tone," she murmured as the stoic man felt guilty for his behavior.
"I apologize! If you were going to go forward with this, it would have to be with someone you both trust. As his employer, I would not want this sort of information to leak, ruining his and the firm's reputation."
Retsu agreed as she sighed and leaned back before an idea came to mind. "Sora trusts you," she whispered, as the man beside her looked at her in shock.
"Absolutely not! I will not demean myself," he arrogantly told her as he brushed her off.
"Oh, are you implying that I am doing the same if I choose to do this, Byakuya?" she said through gritted teeth as he looked at her and answered her.
"You're the one marrying him, Retsu. You should care very little about what people will think of you. I didn't care what others thought of myself or my late wife when they thought of her as common filth, a penniless whore, or my favorite the gold digging slut. Those words meant nothing because I knew the person she truly was. If you care what others think of you, then you shouldn't attach yourself with him,"
She felt a sickening feeling creep up her stomach as his words struck a nerve. His words were mean and hurt but not that they weren't untrue. She found the courage to get up as she bowed her head before she began to leave. Her movements were halted by strong hands as she looked at the man in front of her who had a guilt-ridden expression.
"I apologize again for being so rude and outspoken," he clarified as he held her wrist while she continued to stand. He focused looking elsewhere since her yugi had gotten drenched from the waters, showing the sheer outline of her breasts.
"You were just saying what you felt was right," she added as she avoided his gaze.
"You would trust the words of a lawyer to always be correct?" he jested, getting a smile from the woman's face. They both were silent and still for a few minutes before he spoke again. "Tomorrow, I will be busy all day preparing for my sister's wedding. I am free in the late evening if you are sure that you want to go through with this. Come to my room, Sora will know where it is, after eleven o'clock. Say nothing to him, I will speak to him. Just mention to him that I wish to go over certain details with him with you," he clarified as she bit her lip and nodded.
"O... Okay," she nervously said as he let go, for her to leave the onsen.
She left to enter her room but was surprised to find that Sora had been sitting on her bed waiting patiently. He looked up to find her wrapped towels with a surprised look on her face. She saw that his eyes reflected a man hurting as they were red from crying. He seemed to have stopped a while ago since the strands on his face looked dry as he smiled at her.
"I... I know I asked that we sleep apart tonight but I couldn't," he got up from the bed to walk up to her slowly. "I'm sorr..." the apology never escaped his lips as she placed a sweet kiss on his lips.
"Let's just go to bed, we'll figure this all out tomorrow. Okay?" she asked him as he swallowed his words, afraid to say anything more. He followed her to bed as she removed the towel that was wrapped around her yugi. The fabric was completely see-through that it left none to the imagination and he couldn't help but think that she had been alone with his employer looking like that. She watched him close his eyes as he laid on the bed and couldn't help the tent he displayed between his legs. Noticing her gaze, he felt guilty for his thoughts as he sighed. Then groaned out loud when she felt her hands wrap around his engorged length and began to stroke.
"Do you still love me, Retsu?" he moaned out seeking an answer, wanting her to desperately say that she didn't and leave him in this deplorable state.
"I still love you, Sora!"
Hot Spring Week - 6th day
Morning brought the sounds of workers gathering items for the special day, constructing the area where the ceremony was held in a way that was satisfactory to Byakuya, with his sister and brother-in-law just agreeing. He chose to have the ceremony constructed outside among the cherry blossoms, the week was ending for the beautiful flowers to bloom.
When it came time to direct the workers, for the ballroom, where the evening festivities were being held. Was when Byakuya told the couple that he would handle the rest and they were not needed. A good distance away from his soon-to-be- brother - in law's hearing, Renji growled.
"Who's fucking wedding is this again?"
"Renji!"
" I mean, I get that he's paying for it but fucking hell," Renji shouted, feeling a bit peeved at being shoved aside in his own wedding.
"Would you keep your voice down! Nii-sama will hear you. I promised him that he could have full rein, you knew all this," she angrily growled out to her fiancee.
"I KNOW! Doesn't mean it doesn't still irk the shit out of me," he saw how she angrily avoided looking at him as she turned around.
" As long as it's with you I don't care where it's at. We could marry in a fucking tugboat and I wouldn't care because it's with you, you idiot. Now you have me all upset, damn you Renji," she pouted as she felt the tears begin to fall.
Renji came up from behind, bending down to wrap his arms around her waist as he kissed the side of her neck.
"I'm sorry! I'm not really upset about the fact that he's deciding things without us. Frankly, I wouldn't know what to do with half this shit but is it what you want?" he hugged her close as he heard her sniffle a bit as she whipped her face.
"Yes!" she turned around, wrapping her arms around his neck as she gave him a kiss.
"Save it for the honeymoon," they heard the loudmouth of the young red-head as they turned to find him jogging their way. He had finished his morning jog, to find the two lovebirds in each other's arms deciding to bother them. The couple watched the red-head who breathlessly ran up to him, he sported some black and blues on his chin as he grinned at them.
"Don't you have a girlfriend to fondle or something?" Renji growled out, holding Rukia who swatted him for speaking about Yuzu that way.
"Keep your voice down too! You act like I want to get killed before I turn 20," he stressed as he looked around his surroundings, feeling relief when none of their friends were around. "She's currently with Karin and then I'll meet with her later."
"So the box came in handy? How many did you use?" he grinned as Jinta who turned completely red.
"That's none of your fucking business. Nosy asshole," he sneered, avoiding his stare.
"Then maybe you should learn to keep your damn mouth shut when you see that Rukia and I are having a moment. You damn prick," Renji hollered back as she felt two hands hold onto his face.
"Okay, Renji! No need to work yourself. Now when you mean box? Do you mean ...condoms?" she whispered, as her fiancee nodded. "Ohh! They grow up so fast" she squealed as she pushed her fiancee aside to hug the younger man instead.
"Enough!" Jinta groaned, feeling uncomfortable in being hugged for such a thing.
"He even gave her his grandmother's necklace," Renji confessed as his brother stared daggers at him.
"Awww! You really love her," Rukia smiled as she watched the younger boy nod. "I can't hear you?" she sweetly hummed.
"YES! I DO LOVE HER!" he shouted, realizing he was loud when he gritted his teeth and looked away.
"Well, as long as you don't hurt her. she's a sweet girl," Rukia added placing her hand on his shoulders as he gave her an upset look.
"He won't!" Renji clarified as Jinta looked up at him, smiling at his brother's approval.
"Won't what?" they heard the voice of the orange-haired brother ask, walking up to the trio. Ichigo looked groggy like he had gotten out of bed already pissed off. His face sporting a few bruises but nothing that needed stitches. Jinta stiffened a bit, hesitating, wondering how much the orange haired man heard.
"He won't hurt Yuzu," Renji reiterated, as Ichigo looked at Renji seriously than to Jinta.
"I know!" he stretched out his shoulders a bit as he yawned, "he loves living too much."
"Whatever, Ichigo! You leave Jinta alone. You're not going to get a better man for your sister than him, this one is already taken," she referred to Renji as she kissed his mouth.
"If Renji is your idea of a ten, then your judgment is pretty much shit," he told his petite friend who glared at him.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Renji growled out as Rukia placed her hand on his chest to calm him down.
"Just leave him alone, Renji. As you can see, he's in a crabby mood today," Rukia perked up a brow as she gave a devious grin.
"What's wrong, Ichigo? Orihime not here to soothe your grouchy ass at the moment?" Renji laughed as the orange headed man scowled at the smiling duo.
"That's rich, coming from a big pain in the ass and the loudmouth petite that bitches all the time," he hollered, getting the reaction that he wanted from Renji as he sneered at him. Rukia continued to stare at him with a grin as she walked up to her friend who eyed her suspiciously. He suddenly felt her hand grab his ears as she pulled him towards her, "Ahh! What the fuck, Rukia!."
"I'll let that little jab slide for now but if you disrespect me again, especially on a crucial day like this. I will do more than just punch you in the balls. IS THAT CLEAR?" She yelled as he eyed her with a determined look.
"Crystal," he told her through gritted teeth as she let go of him to give him a genuine smile while he nursed his ear.
"That's wonderful. Well, Renji and I have a bit of free time so we're going to de-stress and spend time together. Let's go Renji!"
Renji looked at Ichigo as he smirked a bit, patting the younger man on the shoulder.
"Got to love that woman's spirit," he chuckled as he followed his beautiful fiancee. Thinking of what she had in mind to de-stress and he was looking forward to it.
Ichigo eyed the direction of the couple who disappeared into the castle with a mixture of annoyance and disdain.
"I love Rukia but she can also frighten the shit out of me," he looked at Ichigo who sucked his teeth as he started to walk.
"Where is Orihime anyway?" Jinta asked as Ichigo glared at him before he sighed. As Jinta began to follow Ichigo much to the orange-head man's annoyance.
"She's with my father," he growled out. Jinta made to comment when Ichigo turned to give him the dirtiest look, "If you're going to follow me, for whatever reason, don't piss me off by mentioning anything about Orihime or my dad." Jinta nodded as he followed the older man as they talked and walked around the island.
Orihime had told Isshin they would be spending the morning together, her fiancee pretty much hating the idea. She had reminded the orange-haired man that she had promised she'd spend time with her future-father-in-law on the island. It hadn't been fair that she spent time with the rest of the Kurosakis, and completely left the elder out. While her fiancee was upset, Isshin had been ecstatic as he cried all through breakfast. They decided to walk along the coast, finding a bench that had a fabulous view of the sea. Orihime decided to bring a basket of snacks and refreshments as they sat, facing the ocean.
"This is nice, isn't Papa-san?" she insisted, as she grabbed the older man's shoulders. She instantly felt his discomfort as she saw the grimace on his features. "Oh, I'm so sorry Papa-san. I should have known you would be hurting. Ichigo is still resting, recuperating from his wounds," she pouted as she nervously fidgetted, not knowing where to place her hands.
"It's fine, Orihime-chan! Kurosaki's were born strong, don't let Yuzu's sweet personality fool you that little girl is as strong as they come. She practically raised me," he jested as Orihime laughed.
"How can she help raise you?" she questioned him. Isshin overjoyed at hearing the sweet sound of the girl's laughter.
"Sometimes a parent can learn from their children. Without her raising my spirits up, let's just say I wouldn't be the jolliest man that you see before you," he told her as he watched the girl's features express that she understood.
"Inoue's are strong too," she claimed, pumping her fist up. To show proof of her strength, she took a thick piece of wood that looked to be from a boat that drifted inland. "Could you please hold this and hold it tight, Papa-san?" she handed him the board as he humored her by taking it and doing what she asked. He watched her exhale and slowly focused on the board as she gave a yell and split the board in two. She jumped up and down with a little cheer as she smiled brightly at the older man. He was amazed by the sweet girl's strength, 'where did she learn to do that?' he thought as he glanced at her questioningly.
Orihime saw the expression on the man's face as she was happy to answer him, "Tatsuki has shown me a little here and there, says I'm as good as a black belt fighter. Nel tried to teach me but she said that I'm the only student that makes her lose her patience," she nervously rubbed her arm.
"Why is that?"
"I don't like the concept of fighting, my friends and brother Ulqui-nii say that its good to use as a form of protection. Even Ichigo agrees, that's why he agreed to help train me as well," she explained to Isshin as he nodded his head agreeing.
"Though there's nothing wrong with having a peaceful disagreement and you should always use violence as a last resort. I also agree that knowing how to defend yourself is also important. Karin has gotten better with what little I could show her but Yuzu just was not as talented as her siblings. She would cry and say she didn't want to do it anymore, I agreed. So she became stronger in other aspects of her life. I'm glad she has someone as strong as Jinta there if Ichigo and I aren't always around."
Orihime saw how his face turned from a happy expression to a distraught one, "Sort of like when I had Nel, Tatsuki, and Ulqui-nii defending me, now I have Ichigo. But you know something? Sora is not a fighter but he was able to protect me way more than any who's fought for me," she expressed.
"Your absolutely right," Isshin said seriously, but then as if sensing the shift in his mood, he instantly gave a huge smile to the girl beside her, "But then you'll NO longer be an Inoue and instantly receive the Kurosaki strength."
"I don't think strength works that way, Papa-san!" she scrunched her brows together in thought.
"Sure it does, take my late wife, for example. When she became a Kurosaki, she was a force to be reckoned with. She also had knowledge of martial arts from her family and being married to me, she gave others a run for their money. Let's not forget that she birthed my strong children as well," he softly grinned as he gazed at the ocean. She leaned her head softly on his shoulder, careful not to hurt the man as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She let the silence linger for a bit, to give him some time to grieve before she spoke again.
"I told Ichigo that I used to believe that my parents were merpeople and any day they would come back to get me. When I was older and could have a better understanding, Sora told me about them, not everything that I know now but just enough. His reasons for not telling me was to protect me. I believe if we try hard enough, we don't become our parents unless of course, they're a person you aspire to be. But I think if we're not careful, sometimes a part of them could creep up on you," she murmured.
"Where is this stemming from?" he asked her as he began to hold her close.
" I think of terrible things, things a good person shouldn't think of," she berated herself as she tugged on the man's shirt.
"What sort of things?" he felt her body tense as he began to soothe her by stroking her arms. It was at some point that he heard the light sniffles and she began to shake. He lifted her chin to find her in tears as he moved his hand to stroke the hair out of her face. "What has gotten the sweet Orihime-chan so upset?" he said the words, not as the jolly man she'd come to know. His face had been serious and his voice so sincere. She closed her eyes and began to take deep breaths as she calmed herself.
"I ... I wished that if Ichigo could have his mother back at the expense of my parent's death. My parents lived much longer and did such terrible things. It's only fair to trade them for Masaki's life. I know my mother is dead now but ... I had wished that," she looked up to glance at Isshin who watched as her tears intensified, "It's horrible to think that way. I know that and I've forgiven my parents but sometimes I can't help but feel this way," she confided in him as she held him even tighter, crying into his shoulders.
"We don't always know the reason why things turn out the way they do. Why people we believe to be bad can ever continue living while good honest souls are easily snuffed out from this world. I do believe in karma though, Orihime-chan. No matter how long a person lives, they soon get what's coming to them. I've done horrible things and made some terrible mistakes in the past that I regret."
"I don't believe you can be capable of that, Papa-san," she held him tightly, afraid to let him go as he winced in pain. She sat up and started to apologize before he stopped her fretting as he held her close once more.
"I'm grateful that I can be the man that my children and you can believe me to be, a good person. But I still feel I have a long way to go before I atone for my past," he said as she sat up once more to look at him puzzled.
"I promise I'll be able to tell you everything when I'm able to reveal it to my children as well. Promise me that you'll keep this conversation between us until then?" he softly stroked her cheek as she nodded. Just like before, his whole way of speaking changed as his tone picked up into a cheerful mood.
"Now, I'm a bit famished! Let's see what's in the basket you brought, Orihime-chan?" he kissed her head as she whipped her face while giving him a smile that he enjoyed so much. She opened the basket to reveal pastries as she handed him one with a napkin and took one for herself. She waited for him to eat first before she enjoyed the pastry in her hands. He looked down at the smiling girl whose appetite was immense as she down a third one.
"Did you leave some for me?" he jested as she looked into the basket to find half of a pastry. She handed it to him with a sullen look as he laughed and ate the pastry, making her smile. Hoping he was able to quelch the saddened state she had been earlier. That was something he couldn't bear to see. He loved the little girl like if she was his own and just like his family he'd do just about anything to keep them safe. Even becoming the bad guy, if it was necessary.
Karin and Yuzu walked a distance away from the castle. Karin had seen what appeared to be a small lighthouse near the coast at one of the high points of the island. She had seen the lighthouse in passing while running with Toshiro. Yuzu and her, walked the steps, finding that the place had been maintained and preserved in its original state.
"Wow, Karin! This Kuchiki lighthouse had been established since 1870 by a Muroto Kuchiki," Yuzu read the plaque that had been framed, near the dwelling's stone steps.
"Hurry up and come up here, Yuzu!" Karin shouted from the top of the stairs. Yuzu quickened her pace, making sure to watch her step as she came to the top of the lighthouse. The view was beautiful, with the surrounding windows showing the island in its entirety. Since they were at a high advantage, the dwellings below looked more like dollhouses as the ocean's waves looked like moving mini white strips. The light, as well as the electronic parts, were the only things that were modern technology. It was off for obvious reasons but Karin gathered that was the huge light she had seen from her room in the distance at night. It must have a timer or controlled elsewhere, she gathered.
"This is beautiful," Yuzu gushed as she sat on the benches that surrounded in a circle around the light that was the middle focal point of the room.
Karin sat near her sister watching her glance up at the clouds in amazement as she glanced at her sister's necklace.
"Is that from Jinta?" Karin expressed, lightly caressing her finger over the beautiful cameo with the flower design. Her sister looked at her twin with a flustered look as she nodded.
"Yes! It's a family heirloom from his grandmother," she timidly told her sister as she watched the dark-haired girl eye her suspiciously.
"What did you do to get something like that?" Karin jested as her sister turned completely red.
"Stop insinuating th ... that I'm some cheap slut, Karin!" she complained as she grabbed the necklace from Karin's hand.
"Whoa, Yuzu! I would never imply that about you. I'm just messing with you. You know I like to tease you. Why are you getting so riled up? I came here because there was something important I wanted to share with you. I'm sorry, Yuzu!" Karin felt a bit guilty as she looked around the room and played with her feet nervously.
Yuzu felt guilty as well, she didn't mean to get so defensive about the necklace. She knew her sister's sense of humor, she had no idea that Jinta and her, had advanced in their relationship intimately.
"No, Karin! I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. There's also something that I wanted to convey to you too," she bit her lip as she held onto her necklace.
"So who goes first?" Karin added as she stared at her sister who looked like was going to have a mental breakdown. "Don't worry, Yuzu! I'll go first," she chuckled. She took a moment to compose herself, trying to prevent the smile that was forming on her face.
"Toshiro and I. We talked through the kinks in our relationship and at some points in our conversation, I knew would hurt to know but we needed to talk about," she sighed but smiled at her sister.
"You mean his feelings towards his ex, Momo?" Yuzu asked worriedly.
"Yeah! I confirmed that he still has feelings for her but didn't want to be with her. He strongly expressed that he wanted to be with me. He expressed it, not only vocally but... physically," she began to redden as her sister's eyes widened.
"Did you guys do what you did at camp again?"
"We did more than that," Karin blurted out as Yuzu gasped staring at her in shock.
"You guys had sex!" she shouted as Karin held her sister's hand and nodded her confirmation. "When?"
"Two days ago!" she grinned as her sister who looked at her in amazement.
"Oh my God! I can't believe it," Yuzu stated as Karin chuckled.
"I know, I can't believe it myself," she held her chest, feeling like her heart would jump out of her chest.
"No, Karin!" Yuzu giggled as she held her hands to her mouth.
"What, Yuzu?" she looked at her sister curiously as she watched her sister timidly calm herself. "What?"
"J...Jinta and I ... had sex," she whispered. Karin couldn't believe what her twin had just said.
"When?"
"T...Two days ago," she gushed out as Karin's eyes looked on in shock, becoming speechless. "Karin? Say something!"
Karin wrapped her arms around her sister as she screamed, causing her sister to do the same.
"How was it? Did it hurt for you? It hurt like a bitch for me, but he was careful and just let it run it's course until it felt better. Still was sore after we did it."
"It hurt a lot. I think I was giving him trouble by tightening myself. It was not on purpose though, it was all so new to me," she told her, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"We did it by an old hot spring and again in the shower," she smiled, " What about you?"
"Well, at first we were at a yacht that he borrowed from Renji. Where we watched movies and then gave each other...oral sex. Then later that night, I was feeling..." she began to redden.
"Horny?" Karin chuckled as her sister nodded.
"Yeah! So I went to his room. Where I basically forced him to make love to me," she bit her lip as her sister laughed.
"What do you mean you forced him?" she held her stomach, trying to contain her laughter.
"It's true, Karin! He was trying to be a gentleman and wait but I wouldn't take no for an answer. I needed him. Oh god, Karin! I am so bad," she covered her face.
"You evil twin you," she jested as she held her sister in a hug while soothing her arm with her hand. "You're not bad, Yuzu! Just thinking about Toshiro still gets me aroused." She breathlessly sighed as she bit her fingernail. "Toshiro has a bit of a wild side to his calm demeanor."
"J...Jinta can be so torturingly slow and then," she paused as Karin quirked her brow with a grin.
"and then?" she asked.
"and then he can be so rough that I can't help but want him over and over again," she grabbed her strands tightly as she heard her sister laugh. "Stop, Karin! My urges are bad and with brother and father snooping around, it doesn't help things," she confessed to her sister. Yuzu noticed her sister looked distracted in thought until a mischievous grin formed.
"Hey, Yuzu!"
"Yes?" she answered, eyeing her sister suspiciously.
"Ichigo would be too busy with the lovely Orihime. We just need to misdirect our father's suspicions," her smile grew, causing Yuzu to not like where this was going.
Nel had been irritated with her morning run with Grimmjow. She told him numerous times to continue to run ahead of her since she couldn't run at the pace she was used to. For obvious reasons, being that her bottom was still sore. He ignored her by jogging in place when she needed a moment to rest and continue to run alongside her. He pawned it off to being hurt as well but she knew that he was bullshitting. When they finally made it to the beach, she bent down on her knees and exhaled with relief. She watched Grimmjow take off his tank shirt, casting it onto the sands as he ran into the incoming waves. He motioned for her to come too. She nodded her head no. It wasn't because of her attire, she wore a sports bra and mini shorts that could pass for a bathing suit. It was due to her sore bottom that she refused to go in. Grimmjow sensing her hesitation yelled to her.
"Salt water is good for the wounds. It might sting a little but if you want to feel better, you better bring that pretty little ass of yours in here."
Talk about putting salt in the wound. She was literally going to do just that. She lifted herself up as she timidly removed her shoes and stepped into the oncoming waters. When some of the waves touched the aching area, she paused in her steps.
"Son of a bitch!" she yelled. She opened her eyes to find Grimmjow's huge grin on his face. "Yeah, laugh it up," she pouted as she slowly moved in more.
"Just dunk your whole ass in," he said, irritated at watching her inching her way in like a scared little kitten.
"Fuck you, I'm trying!" she cried as she tiptoed. Rolling his eyes he walked up to her.
"What are you doing?" she backed away from him suspiciously.
"I'm fucking helping you out, Nel," he chuckled at her cautious behavior. He moved closer as her hands were held in a defensive posture. She eased slightly. Lifting his hands to wrap it around her in a hug. She felt his hands slowly move down to her bottom, rubbing it affectionately. While one of his hands moved to her front, in between her legs. When she felt his fingers slide into her shorts to find her opening, she moaned out only for him to capture her lips with his aggressively. He sunk lower as she followed suit. Feeling the slight burn of the salt water hitting her rear but the pain was forgotten with the feeling of his fingers pleasuring her.
"Mmm, Grimmy!" she whimpered as she licked his lips. She grinned when she felt him begin to slide her shorts down to her knees. Then pulling his harden cock out, he was about to position himself inside her when he heard a familiar voice yell.
"Nel-Chan!"
"You have to be fucking kidding me," he growled out. They both turned to see a small group situating themselves under the beach canopy from the sun.
"Grimmjow!" the voice of Shunsui was heard and he swore that bastard was wearing a smug grin on his face. He slowly put her shorts back on as she stood up.
"You go on ahead, I got to make sure my cock is not out to say hello," he sneered as she giggled, before kissing him. Her bottom was still sore but the coolness of the salt water helped.
"Okay!" she smiled, slowly walking out of the water. Looking at her thick, plump, and firm ass wasn't helping to quelch his hard-on. He closed his eyes, thinking of his fist hitting her father's stupid grin. He chuckled and slowly felt himself going limp. He rose up to run after his girlfriend, who was still trying to make it towards the group very slowly. Nel screamed when she felt herself being lifted up to be carried. Grimmjow ran the rest of the way with his girlfriend over his shoulder.
"Ahhh! You scared the shit out of me, Grimmy!" she hit his back as she heard him chuckle.
When they came close to the canopy, he placed her gently down as he gave her a kiss while she twirled around to face the group.
The group consisted of her father, Uncle Take, along with Ikumi, and her son, Kaoru.
"What a coincidence! We meet again!" Shunsui chuckled as Grimmjow eyed him angrily.
"Bullshit! You know we run out here, in the morning since we came to this island. You did the same shit again," he growled out. Nel deciding to ignore the argument made her way to her uncle, giving him a hug.
"Morning, Uncle Take!"
"Morning, Nel-chan! How's your.." he pointed at her bottom as she smiled.
"It's still a little sore but Grimmjow was helping me get in the salt water."
"Morning! You sure it was only helping you?" Ikumi asked as she sat on her towel on the sand with her son, wearing a red simple bikini, with strings ties on the sides of her hips and shoulders.
"Morning Ikumi and Kaoru! Yeah, it feels a bit better," she smiled as she laid a towel near the woman and laid on her belly. Kaoru said, 'good morning' under his breath, as he avoided staring at the green-haired beauty.
"To answer your question, Ikumi. We were both helping each other until we were interrupted," he said through gritted teeth.
"Is that how you help someone ride the waves?" Kaoru said sarcastically as he stared out into the ocean.
"Yeah! I was teaching Nel how to surf on thick wood."
"Grimmy!" she turned around to face him, mutely telling him to stop as he shrugged his shoulders and called out to a waitress.
"What can I pleasure you with?" the girl asked him sweetly as she blushed. He gave his most charming grin as he laughed at how her comment could be used in other ways.
"Can I get an old-fashioned and a Jagerade, Nel want anything?" he asked her as she turned to find the waitresses smile fade a little.
"Oh! I want to try that drink Rangiku said. What was it?" she thought as she looked to Ikumi.
"She wants a screw me sideways, Aki!" she addressed the girl as she waited for any more drinks before she left. After a few moments, she came back with the drinks. Smiling at Grimmjow with his drinks as the girl just handed the drink professionally to Nel.
"I think she likes you, Grimmy!" she teased as he rolled his eyes and drank his Jagerade in one gulp, finding the mixture of the energy drink with the liqueur, giving him a buzz. Then proceeded to drink his old-fashioned a bit slower, since it was stronger with bourbon.
"Fuck, that's good! With her making drinks like that, I'd gift her with my dildo in the shape of my penis," he laughed as Nel raised a brow. "What? You can give it to her."
Nel drank the juice and vodka drink as she coughed but loved the sour taste. She eyed her boyfriend before she spoke, "Oh, ok! That's fine! I was thinking of giving Kugo-chan a nice gift and you gave me the perfect idea. A vaginal toy in the exact shape of mine. This way he wouldn't have to pretend," she drank from her drink once more as she licked her lips.
"You would bring that asshole up!" Grimmjow's smile quickly evaporating as he snarled out his comment.
"Kugo Ginjo?" Ikumi asked Nel, as the green-haired girl nodded. "What? You guys aren't friends anymore, Grimmjow?"
"Friends? More like rivals?" Nel answered.
"Kugo was a sweet smart kid but he was always competitive. I assume he tried to get his claws on the wrong girl. That girl wouldn't be Nel-chan, now would it?" Ikumi giggled while Grimmjow said nothing and just drank from his cup.
"Yeah, but there's no competition there. Even though Kugo was handsome and well built," she heard him growl as she laughed and turned to him, "I only have eyes for my Grimmy!" she smiled at him.
"Nothing brings men closer then competing for the same woman," Shunsui chuckled as he patted Grimmjow on the arm.
"Like Isshin and you?" Grimmjow bluntly said out loud, catching the attention of Ikumi who tensed and remained quiet.
"Well, Isshin and I as you know go back a long time. We're still great friends though."
"Friends until he boasts about himself," Jushiro exclaimed, causing Shunsui to think about it and nod his head in agreement.
"You do the same thing too daddy! Where do you think I get my arrogance from?" she giggled. "What's wrong with being proud of how you look and showing off. Isshin has every right to show off, he's a DILF," she covered her mouth, noticing she spouted the words that she was thinking out loud. "Wow! What is in this drink," she laughed nervously.
"What's a DILF?" Jushiro asked innocently as Kaoru laughed hysterically along with Grimmjow.
"Fuck! I forgot who I was sitting next to. Fucking Duddly Do Right," he smirked drinking from his cup.
"Jushiro, there's a term that these young ones came up with. First, it was MILF, which means 'MoM I Liked to Fuck,'" she coughed and blushed a little.
"A term you receive quite often, I'm sure," Grimmjow chuckled as she gave him a glare.
"Anyways! DILF means the same thing except just changing it to D for Dad." she exclaimed, watching as Jushiro coughed expressing his discomfort as he drank from his cup and blushed. She found his blushing endearing as she smiled.
"So Nel-chan? You..." Jushiro began to ask when Nel cut him off.
"It's just a term Uncle Take! Yes, he's good looking but it's something we girls tell a really hot dad. Not that we would want to have sex with him. I mean I've heard the maids say the term to father."
"And I was happy to grant their wish," he boasted as his daughter rolled her eyes.
"It even applies to you Uncle Take," Nel told her uncle who eyed her with unbelief. "I get how my opinion is not valid because I'm your goddaughter and I may be being biased. Ikumi, if you don't mind answering, my Uncle Take is a total DILF, right?" Ikumi blushed a little as she glanced at the man with white hair as he nervously waited for her answer.
"Just put me on the spot but yes, I would consider him a DILF," she laughed as Nel looked at Uncle Take as if to say, "See!"
"Wow, that conversation wasn't absolutely fucking scarring," Kaoru jested as he smiled at his mom.
"You wanted to come. Please let your mother have some friendly banter," she told him as she sipped her drink of water.
"Just let me know when the friendly orgy starts, so I can go elsewhere," he instructed her.
"Okay, you little shit! I'll make sure to be a good mother and warn you," she scoffed as she shook her head. "You know what! I think I'm going for a swim. Is that okay, Kaoru?" she asked him as he shrugged his shoulders. His mother pushed his head aggressively as he yelled in annoyance. Ikumi rose up to fix her bikini as she proceeded to walk to the waves. It was silent for a moment before they heard a giggle.
"Make sure to whip your mouth, Father," Nel stressed to her father who was still eyeing the older woman in the red bikini.
"I made sure to bring an extra pair of handkerchiefs."
"Kaoru, I thought you wanted to swim?" Jushiro asked the boy who watched over his mother.
"Yeah! Probably later," he mumbled. Jushiro figured he didn't want to be the only one swimming with his mother.
"You sure? I wasn't able to swim last time, I think I'm ready to jump in. I heard it feels great inside, Right Nel?" Nel smiled at her uncle and gave her thumbs up at them. Kaoru shrugged as he got up and lifted his shirt, he was a young teen but he had been working out and his definition showed.
"Hey, Kaoru! Who you trying to impress?" Nel stated as the young man blushed. "IS THAT ORIHIME?" Nel yelled, pointing somewhere faraway as Kaoru bolted upright to look in the direction she was glancing at. He heard the laughter from the pretty girl as he felt like an idiot. He eyed Nel and blushed profusely as he followed Jushiro into the water. Nel held her stomach. "He's a cute kid, so adorable he has a crush on Orihime."
"He fucking has a crush on you too," Grimmjow told her as she eyed him questioningly.
"That's adorable!" she laughed as her boyfriend shook his head.
"You planning on swimming old man?" Grimmjow asked Shunsui who was eyeing the bartender/waitress.
"Yeah in a bit. I was planning on getting a refill." He watched as Shunsui grabbed his cup and walked up to the bartender who blushed as he flirted with her. She giggled as she looked around and left the bar to disappear, only for Shunsui to drink from his cup, waiting a few minutes before he disappeared as well.
"Holy Shit!" Grimmjow looked on as he chuckled. He looked at his girlfriend with a look like if she saw what he just saw.
"Grimmjow, you act like I haven't seen my father in action," she shook her head as she chugged the rest of her drink. Grimmjow chugged the rest of his drink as he sat down near her. "You want to go swimming?" she asked her boyfriend as he nodded'no.'
"I rather stay here for a bit," he huskily said climbing over her from behind. He placed a towel over her bottom while pulling off her workout shorts underneath until it was skillfully removed.
"Grimmy!" she gasped as she looked over her shoulder to glance at him.
"Shhh! Just glance forward. It'll look like I'm putting lotion on you," he told her as he propped himself up with his arms on the side of her shoulders. Lifting one of her legs he slowly entered her. While he was careful not to touch her bottom.
"MMM ... What if my father comes back?" she moaned as he quickened his pace.
"I'll make sure you cum before then," he growled as she tightened and gripped the towel.
Jushiro entered the ocean with Kaoru as the refreshing cool waters touched his hot skin. He had already twisted his long hair in a tight bun with some of his bangs peeking out the sides but it wasn't preventing his sight. He looked in the back of him to see that Shunsui had disappeared and it seemed the pretty bartender was gone too. 'Figures,' he thought as he shook his head and grinned. The canopy, being a good distance from the ocean's waters, he could only make-out his son placing perhaps sun-block or suntan cream on his goddaughter. His attention reverted back to Kaoru who was swimming through the waves. He followed his lead as he swam in the direction he was going. After swimming for a few minutes when they stopped and felt the sands under their feet again.
"We just swam across the deep portion of the ocean to get to this pocket of shallow spread. See?" the young man pointed as you could clearly see the shallow colors of turquoise green by the beach. Seeing how they swam across deep blues to get to the small patch of bright green they stood on. Kaoru whipped his face to remove the excess salt water as he sat down, with the waters being shallow enough to sit and reach his leg. Jushiro decided to sit by him as the younger boy faced the shallow oncoming waves.
"Do you think we'll see sharks?" he inquired, smiling at the prospect of seeing one.
"Let's hope not," he chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm.
"You're probably right. Then he'd have to contend with my mother," he laughed, causing the older man to laugh as well.
"Speaking of your mother. Where is she?" he looked around to spot the woman near the shallow part of the waters, swimming sideways. Sensing someone staring at her, she looked up to wave at him and her son.
"She wants to come here, but she's too stubborn to ask since she can't swim that well," he waved back along with Jushiro. The white-haired man looked at his surroundings as his eyes settled on a small floating device near the lifeguard's station.
"Excuse me for a moment, Kaoru. I'll be right back."
After his words, Kaoru saw the man dive back into the waters to swim at a fast pace as he ran in the direction of the beach. He picked up a small donut float as he walked towards Ikumi. He saw his mother speaking to him and shake her head, probably telling him that it was okay and not to trouble himself.
"Just get on the damn floaty mom and stop being so difficult," he yelled, causing his mother to jump with surprise as he could see her glare at him. He chuckled as she placed the floaty over her head, so it could wrap around her body as her arms held on. Jushiro satisfied, grabbed the rope in one hand and used his other hand to swim across the deep part of the ocean. Kaoru was amazed at his strength of pulling with one arm and swimming against the waves with the other. They finally reached the shallow part where he was sitting. Jushiro helped her out of the device as she thanked him and walked towards her son while he followed behind.
"You need to stop telling me what to do, mister," she scolded, poking her son as she sat beside him.
"I know you wanted to come with us here. You were just too proud to ask for help, like always," he scoffed as he glanced at the waves.
"I am not proud. I ask for help," she shot back.
"Name one time," she was about to say something when he interrupted, " a time when it wasn't forced upon you because you were too stubborn to ask in the first place."
She thought about it and then bit her lip as she sulked, having nothing more to add.
"The trouble with stubborn adults is, that we've been doing certain things on our own for so long. If we received the help we need, we might get used to it. We end up relying on that help for so long as a foundation. If that foundation suddenly goes away. We're back to picking ourselves up again with no support. So be a little patient with stubborn adults like us, okay?" he smiled at the young boy who pondered over his words in silence.
"You seem financially stable to me?" Kaoru finally asked.
"Kaoru, that's a bit rude," Ikumi shouted as Jushiro chuckled.
"That's quite alright Ikumi! You're right I am financially stable. I could tell you that hard work and diligence was the key to our success but I would just be lying to you and myself," he sighed as he splashed some water onto his body that was becoming hot from the sun's rays.
"Can you talk about it? It's okay if you don't want to, I'm sorry for prying," Kaoru asked as he received a look from his mother. Jushiro smiled as he exhaled and began rehashing some of his past.
"Life was a bit difficult for Shunsui and I. There was a time when we had to become men at an early age. We both came from rich noble families who enrolled us in Jaegerjaquez's well-respected dojo. Instantly becoming friends and also with the Master's daughter, since we were so close in age. Shunsui felt the sting of pain first when his father gambled away all of his inheritance away. He died of alcohol poisoning and his wife struggling overdosed on anti-depressants. But our Master Genrai saw Shunsui's strength and took him under the guise that he remained as a student humbly serving the dojo with maintaining it. While my parent's hearing his circumstance took him in. My parent's had raised me to be kind and respectful, you can almost say they were pious people. Giving to the community, helping those less fortunate, and running successful charities under my family name. He was hands-on, feeling the need that signing just checks seemed too impersonal. So my parents would go to these poor locations with groups to meet with them. My father would tell me that, 'one should never look at someone underprivileged with a downcast opinion of them, cause no one knows the circumstances of their plight and we are not here to judge but help those in need.' Years later, their car skidded and crashed delivering medicine to a remote village that was in need. Most of the medicine was still intact and others on their team survived. Unfortunately, they did not. Having my inheritance set up for me by my father, I was only given a small allowance until I became a legal adult. At the time my father had put another man temporarily as my successor until I reached of age. Unfortunately, my father being the caring man that he had been, couldn't fully foresee the greed in a man's dark heart. So this temporary successor influenced the board members to push me out of the company, leaving me with next to nothing. The home I grew up in was sold along with my assets and whatever else I was left with. Genrai continued to accept us, given that we maintained the dojo and taught others. Shunsui and I owe a great deal to Master Genrai if it weren't for his help, I'd hate to think where we would have ended up," Jushiro paused for a moment in thought as he thought about his old Master.
"You're dojos were at odds for a while until you recently merged with Jaegerjaquez. There's more to the story, isn't there? How does Grimmjow not have your last name?" Kaoru wanting to know more about this man, finding him quite interesting and if he was honest, he admired him also.
"Indeed! You're a smart boy," he sighed before he explained the details of falling in love with Genrai's daughter, starting a dojo with her and Shunsui, and finally the tragic circumstances of her death and finding out he had a son.
"You and Grimmjow seem to be getting along?" Ikumi murmured, having heard his story, couldn't help but feel sympathy for a sweet man who always felt his love was never recuperated. He looked up to give her smile as he chuckled a bit.
"Yeah! I understand it would take some time. His anger for a dad isn't there anymore, he's learned to accept that I've always been there for him and continue to. Now I have an excuse, instead of being the creepy stalker guy who was trying to keep a promise," he jested as Kaoru grinned a bit.
"So you helped start up Pantera?" Kaoru questioned Jushiro, the man had touched up a bit in his story about being a silent partner for his son.
"In a way, yes but it was mostly his idea. I just had the money to give him that push."
He looked at the young man beside him as he watched him gaze off into the distance.
"Earlier this morning, I did my research on Grimmjow and I find his designs amazing. My mother probably explained to you about me wanting to become an architect. I'm fascinated by the development of buildings."
"Ever since he was 4 years old, he would always draw the homes in cute little shapes and as he got older it was more in detail. He would love when we went to Tokyo to visit the tall buildings, especially the unique ones," Ikumi boasted as she hugged her son while he reddened with embarrassment. "He even has the scholarship to go to a High school in Hokkaido, next year. I'm so proud of him," she kissed him on the cheeks as he pushed her away.
"That only pays half," he stressed as his mother looked at him with a scowl.
"And what did I tell you?" she squeezed his cheeks.
"That you will help pay the difference," he grumbled out as she smiled, watching his puckered lips smushed together while he talked," I also told you that I'm also looking for other scholarships and I'm old enough to have a part-time job."
"Enough, Kaoru! You concentrate on your studies. You can continue to try to get other scholarships but don't stress about it," she smiled, letting go of his face as he looked straight ahead. Jushiro tried to avoid the conversation that seemed personal to the mother and son as he looked away. Kaoru sensing the awkwardness decided to change the subject.
"Jushiro! I brought my PlayStation with me. Do you know what that is?" he asked as the man turned towards him to laugh.
"Of course! Our break area in the dojo has a PlayStation. I've also dabbled in playing street fighter with Shunsui and Nel," he chuckled, remembering Nel's competitive nature when she lost.
"Cool! If you want, I have a game called Samurai Warriors, which is based on the Warring States period of Japan. It has characters like Nobunaga Oda, Yukimura Sanada, and my favorite Akechi Mitsuhide. So that's if you're not busy, Of course," he asked the white-haired man who thought about it and nodded in approval.
"I think I need to head back anyway. The sun is starting to burn my pale complexion," he whipped away the beads of sweat on his forehead.
"Awesome! Just give me a few minutes, I just want to see how far this shallow strip we're on goes," he said, speedily getting up to run to investigate its length.
"You know! If there's something you need to do other than play video games, he'd understand," Ikumi added.
"No! I have nothing else to do. My friend has disappeared and I'm pretty sure my son and god daughter don't want me as a third wheel. I mean if it's okay with you?" he specified, not wanting to overstep.
"It's fine!"
"I couldn't help but overhear the conversation about the issue with his scholarship providing half of his tuition?"
Ikumi glanced at Jushiro, then nervously biting her lip while in thought.
"Yeah but I've been saving up and if I have to I'll just put out a second mortgage on the house," she said it like it was no big deal.
"That won't be necessary. Kaoru seems like a bright kid and I like to think that we're no longer strangers but friends. Like my father, I have generated a great deal of wealth and I head up several scholarships for children in need as well as talented. I'll look into it, once I get back," he smiled at her as she bit the inside of her cheek.
"I appreciate it, Jushiro. But like you said about stubborn adults and their unwillingness to get used to help," she told him in all seriousness, denying his offer to help as he sighed.
"I understand and I won't pry any further. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me," he told her as she nodded.
Kaoru came back running and out of breath when he arrived.
"Sheesh, it just kept on going," he said breathlessly, "Okay, let's head back."
Kaoru helped his mother back into the water with the floating device around her. Kaoru began to swim back on his own. Ikumi watched the older man jump into the water as she handed him the rope. He looked at the rope in her hands as he chuckled.
"What happened to not getting used to being helped?"
Ikumi glared at him as he laughed before picking up the rope. She was impressed that he had the nerve to make her eat her own words, there was more to Jushiro then she initially thought.
Jushiro noticed his friend was still missing and that Grimmjow and Nel moved from the canopy, back into the ocean. He waved to them as they seemed to not pay attention, too intent on their swimming he assumed.
"I'll meet you in your room after I get washed and dressed. Do you share with your mother or are you provided with your own?"
"Eww gross! They have a separate room for me. I'll meet you there." Kaoru shouted as he ran back to the castle. Ikumi wrapped a towel around herself as she stared at her son and then at Jushiro.
"Thanks for not leaving me stranded in the ocean, you know for helping me," she said with a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
"No problem! I'll make sure I won't get used to it," he quipped as he grinned. She gritted her teeth with his remark as she pushed him away aggressively, angrily following her son. Jushiro couldn't help but find humor in her feisty personality.
Hmmmm! What's going on there with DILF and MILF. lol! I have already typed the next chapter but I have to fix it a bit and check to see if it doesn't sound like crap. Just to warn you, but the next chapter is fully loaded with LEMON galore, you thought the sparring match was the big bang before the wedding. (Laughs like those cheeky anime women HO HO HO) You thought wrong. Also, don't kill me, (covers her face) I've been a very bad girl this year. lol Let me know how you felt about this chapter. Thanks for reading!