Chapter 5: Healing Touch

"Wh-what is that? What's goin' on?" Kisuke whispered dazedly, his eyes opening and struggling to focus.

He made out two blurry faces, one that seemed to be Ichigo's and another that was also male, but more rounded.

"H-hachi?" Kisuke croaked, blinking, but only making his vision fuzzier.

"Please hold still, Urahara-san," the visored cautioned him, "I am still infusing you."

"I-infusing me? Infusing me with what?" the shopkeeper asked dizzily.

"Hachi figured out a way to use a bit of Tetsuya's blood to make something to help hold back the poison a bit."

"It will not cure you, unfortunately," Hachi explained, "but it will hold back the poison while Tetsuya-san recovers from the birthing. We should only need to do this for a few days."

"Ah," Kisuke sighed as a measure of the discomfort in his body was relieved and his vision began to clear, "That does feel better."

He felt Ichigo's hand slide into his and a sleepy smile crawled across his face. The Shiba heir waited as the visored finished the treatment, then cautioned Kisuke to rest and bid the two farewell. When they were alone again, he slid in under the blankets and snuggled close to the shopkeeper's still shaky body.

"Hachi and Inoue managed to finish healing up the last of your physical injuries," Ichigo said quietly, lacing their fingers together, "He told me that starting tomorrow, you should be up and around and eating pretty normally."

The Shiba heir sighed wearily and closed his eyes for a moment.

"They still can't stop the poison, but with the blood byproduct that Hachi made, and continued infusions, they figure you'll live longer. They can't really say how much longer, but..."

"Every bit counts, right?" Kisuke finished, seeking his lips for a warm kiss of reassurance, "I'm grateful for that...even though we can't..."

"Kisuke," Ichigo whispered, touching the other man's lips to stop him, "Hachi also conferred with Tenjiro Kirinji."

"What?" Kisuke asked in a surprised tone, "He...?"

"He didn't come down here, because things are still hectic up there, but he did look over everything Hachi sent him, and he sent back some ingredients to help make the infusion for you as well as more information about why Tetsuya had problems. He was sure that if we follow the protocol he sent and..."

"Ichigo, please stop," Kisuke pleaded, "I said I can't take those kinds of chances with your life!"

"What are you talking about?" Ichigo complained, sitting up and scowling, "Aren't you the guy who risked my life by awakening my shinigami powers in the first place? Then, you did it again to help me get to Hueco Mundo to rescue Inoue, and you did it again during the quincy war! Why was it okay for you to do that to help everyone else that mattered to me, but you won't let me help you? I thought you loved me!"

Kisuke held up his hands defensively, his face paling with effort.

"Whoa, take it easy! This isn't like those times, Ichigo," the shopkeeper insisted, "Each of those times, there was someone to save, someone who needed you..."

"Yeah?" Ichigo said stubbornly, "Well, this time, there's someone to save too."

"You can't save me, Ichigo," Kisuke said sadly, "I know you want to, but it's just not going to happen."

"I may not be able to save you, but there is a part of you I can save."

"Oh?" Kisuke said, shaking his head and lowering his eyes, "Ichigo you have to forget this, please."

"No way," the Shiba heir argued, his brown eyes flashing, "Kisuke, I am going to make sure that the child we want comes to life...and...that's something that I want more than anything!"

"Baka!" Kisuke complained, blinking against the tears that tried to form in his eyes, "You don't know what you're saying."

"Actually, I do," Ichigo said, wrapping his arms around the shopkeeper and kissing him warmly on the mouth, "I love you. And if you have to leave me, I want some part of you to stay with me. You know, after my mom died, my dad used to say he thanked kami that he had us kids. He couldn't save her, but he saved the reminder of what they felt for each other. I want to do that. Please, just stop telling me no, because it isn't going to do any good! I'm not going to listen to you, so you might as well help me to make this happen."

"Ichigo..."

"No, stop!" the younger man exclaimed, claiming the elder man's mouth forcefully, "I'm not going to let you take this away from us!"

"Ichigo!"

His words disappeared into a storm of desperate kisses as the Shiba heir's hands opened their clothing and he lifted himself carefully over Kisuke's recovering body. His hand slipped down to caress the shopkeeper's flushed and leaking member as the two continued their kissing and Ichigo positioned himself, then in careful movements, slowly joined their bodies.

"What are you doing?" Kisuke whispered, touching the younger man's lips and gazing deeply into his impassioned eyes, "We haven't even..."

"What I want to," Ichigo whispered back, "It doesn't matter that we can't make the baby yet. I want to show you how much I love you. Whatever happens, I don't want you to ever question how I feel about you again. I was so stupid that for the longest time, I just didn't get it. But this? You and me? It's everything to me. And I knew that even before I knew that what I felt for you was love!"

"I love you too," Kisuke said breathlessly, closing his eyes and starting to move with Ichigo, then freezing in place and catching his breath as the Shiba heir stopped him.

"Let me," Ichigo panted softly, moving his hips, "You're supposed to be resting, remember?"

"I don't think this counts as resting, even if you do most of the moving," Kisuke chuckled, breathing in more deeply and sinking into another long, penetrating kiss as the younger man rose and fell in a slow, steady motion atop him. For a time all words disappeared and all the two lovers could feel was the deep connection between their fast beating hearts. Kisuke ran his fingers through the younger man's hair, returning each hard, longing kiss, his gentle, amorous caresses making the Shiba heir sigh and strain harder to bring them both to completion. They climaxed together, Ichigo's arms anchoring the shopkeeper's shaking body, then his hands slowly soothing him into a peaceful sleep. And while he slept, Ichigo snuggled close, whispering into his ear.

"I'm not letting you go," he breathed softly, "We're going to be together. We're going to make the family you want, and whatever it takes, I'm going to find a way to save you. No one thought that I could save Rukia, when Central 46 sentenced her to death or that I could go to Hueco Mundo and take Inoue back from Aizen. They didn't think I could beat Aizen or that I could stop Ywach. But you always believed in me. You always helped me every step of the way. I need you to do that now too. Don't give up, Kisuke. If we all put our heads together. If we don't give up, I know we can save you."

"Stupid kid," Kisuke sighed, opening his eyes and looking defeatedly up into Ichigo's, "You start talking like that and I can't help but believe in you. And...I suppose that if you figure it's not impossible, then maybe we can find a way."

"Now you're talking like the Kisuke I remember!" Ichigo said, smiling and kissing him hungrily, "Does this mean that you'll help me get pregnant now too?"

Kisuke paused, placing his hands on the sides of the younger man's handsome face and shaking his head.

Just promise me," he said firmly, "Promise me right now that if the pregnancy puts you in danger, you'll let me protect your life first. That's the only way I'm doing this."

"All right, then," Ichigo agreed, "It's not going to happen, but if you ever have to choose, then I'll respect whatever decision you make."

"Okay. But I need some rest now. I need to let everything process in my head for a while."

"You need to rest for a while," Ichigo insisted.

"This from the one who was assisting me in doing one of the most 'unrestful' things possible!" Kisuke chuckled.

"Just close your eyes," Ichigo cajoled him, nuzzling under his chin and settling comfortably alongside him, "Let everything go now and let's just be, okay? We don't get to relax so often, so let it all go and breathe quieter."

Kisuke didn't answer aloud, but his hand found Ichigo's and held on as the shopkeeper drifted off. Ichigo remained at his side, stroking his lover's fingertips and watching him closely until he was sure the shopkeeper was deeply asleep. Then, he left the bed and walked silently to the chamber where Byakuya and Renji laid on either side of their still unconscious spouse, caressing Tetsuya's limp fingers and talking to him softly but urgently, pleading with him to wake.

"He hasn't come to yet?" Ichigo asked softly, gazing down at Tetsuya's solemn sleeping face, "You guys must be pretty worried."

"Yeah," Renji admitted, "Hachi keeps reassuring us his vital signs are strong and even if he doesn't wake soon, the infusions Hachi uses Tetsuya's blood to create can take the place of some of the ones Tetsuya was giving Kisuke, so he won't have delays in his..."

"You guys know that's not what I'm worried about. I care a lot about Tetsuya. He's been through a lot, and Kisuke was determined to save him. I respect that."

"Thank you, Ichigo," Byakuya said quietly, "That is a comfort. But you look like there is something more that you desire from us."

"Yeah," Ichigo confessed, his heart pounding harder, "There is something. Byakuya, I know we're in a state of chaos still and things are difficult, but...the truth is that...I really want to marry Kisuke."

"You do?" Renji asked, his eyes tearing slightly at the thought, "Wow, Ichigo, that's great! I didn't know that it was like that between you two."

"Well, a situation like this can make a guy stop and think about what's really going on. And the truth is that Kisuke and I have been close for a while. I just didn't realize what I was feeling until it was almost too late. I think we need to do this now. And I know that, because of my being the Shiba heir, we need an elder or a clan leader to officiate."

"You would like me to convince one of our elders to officiate?" Byakuya asked, tilting his head slightly.

"I want to ask you to officiate," Ichigo corrected him, "After all, the whole situation with Rukia...you and I meeting...that all put me into Kisuke's orbit and gave us a beginning. You've become a good friend to me, and it would mean a lot if you would do this for us."

Byakuya started to answer, then paused as Tetsuya stirred softly and opened his eyes.

"Tetsuya!" Renji exclaimed softly, holding onto one of the younger Kuchiki's slender hand as Byakuya took the other and looked lovingly into Tetsuya's large, confused blue orbs.

"Wh-what happened?" Tetsuya whispered sleepily, "Are all of the...babies all right?"

"The kids are doing great," Renji assured him, tears leaking onto his face as he kissed their lover on the forehead, "It's you who gave us a scare, though."

"I'm sorry," Tetsuya apologized, blinking slowly, then fixing his eyes on Ichigo, "I didn't mean to cause anyone any worry. I feel much better now. But...I want so much to see our babies. Can I see them?"

"Yes, of course. We will have them brought in for a short visit."

Byakuya turned his dark, expressive eyes onto Ichigo.

"And when that is done, if you are up to it, we will be attending a very special wedding ceremony."

XXXXXXXXXX

Kisuke felt life coming back into his resting body and was surprised by the presence of the lovely scent of wildflowers. He opened his eyes slowly, then blinked several times as his vision cleared. He had to look again to be sure he wasn't just dreaming what he was seeing.

His chamber overflowed with the flowers he had been smelling, mingled with ivy on the rock walls, strung across the ceiling, covering nearly every surface. A variety of pretty petals had been sprinkled onto his bed and a gentle tickle of falling sakura petals went on continuously as the shopkeeper struggled for words, then felt them disappear again.

He realized then that his yukata had been replaced with a formal kimono, olive green with a darker green pattern of leaves. Ichigo sat on the bed at his side, dressed in a striking dark red kimono with delicate flecks of black sewn in at the throat, wrists and lower edges. The shiba heir held a bouquet of wild lavender and wore a contented smile.

"Am I dreaming?" Kisuke asked, just to be sure, "Cause this is unreal..."

"This is our wedding day," Ichigo said softly, "And don't even think of telling me no, because I'm not taking no for an answer."

"Neither is anyone else here, I suppose," Kisuke chuckled, noting then the presence of Byakuya, Rukia Renji, a pleased looking Yoruichi, and poignantly, a pale, but smiling Tetsuya, who reclined in a soft, comfortable chair, holding their youngest baby against his shoulder, "Tetsuya, are you sure you're up to this? I didn't even know you were awake yet."

"I wouldn't miss this for anything!" Tetsuya answered, blinking back tears, "I am so glad for the two of you!"

"Wow, this is...really overwhelming," Kisuke mused breathlessly, "Even if I did want to refuse, I don't think I could."

He gave Ichigo a warm, appreciative look.

"Thank you. Thank you all. This is...amazing."

"Then, let's make it happen," Ichigo said, nodding to Byakuya.

The clan leader sat down beside the bed and carefully laid Ichigo's hand in Kisuke's, then bound them together with the ginpaku kazahana no uzuginu.

"I haven't seen this for a while," Ichigo observed.

"It...wasn't sensible to have to keep repairing it after every fight," Byakuya commented, "It is more for special ceremonies now."

The Kuchiki clan leader's deep voice intoned the traditional words of blessing, then Byakuya paused and gazed at the two for a moment.

"You may feel free to speak your promises or I can have you recite the more traditional ones, if you wish," he informed them.

"We've got this," Ichigo chuckled.

"Very well."

"Kisuke, I can't even count the number of times you've been there for me, since that very first time when you picked my dying body up off the ground and healed me. But no, you were even there for my parents, before me. It seems like you've always been there, caring for me, one way or another. Now, I'm going to return the favor. I give my heart and my hand to you, and I promise that I will be there for you through everything. And whatever happens, I'll love you forever."

He accepted a gold ring from Byakuya and slipped it onto Kisuke's ring finger and waited as the shopkeeper collected himself.

"Ichigo, I don't know anymore if the truth is that I was there for you or just there to get you deeper into trouble. I feel like instead of protecting you, I always toss you straight into the flames. I feel like I'm doing that now, but I can't stop myself. Because no dream I ever had was better or more beautiful than this one, and no matter what my eventual fate, I'll love you forever too. I give my hand and my heart to you in marriage and vow to be there for you whenever you need me."

He accepted the second gold ring from Byakuya and slipped it onto Ichigo's ring finger.

Urahara Kisuke and Shiba Ichigo," Byakuya went on, "having taken your vows and made your promises to each other, I now pronounce you partners in life, bonded in love, and blessed by the noble houses. You may now exchange a kiss as the first gift of your new marriage."

Kisuke's lips smiled as they met an equally pleased Ichigo's. Their kiss was long and slow and poignant and ended with the Shiba heir's head coming to rest on Kisuke's shoulder. The two remained that way as Torio and Koji appeared, bearing a small, but beautifully decorated cake and two bottles of champagne. The ones gathered toasted the new couple, then shared the cake before leaving the newlyweds to consummate their marriage.

Their eyes wide open, they joined their bodies without hesitation, forgetting for a moment that they were still far from their homes, in a wartime shelter and not completely out of anger. Everything disappeared into the calm, perfect joining of their bodies and as Kisuke's essence filled his new husband's body, Ichigo breathed into his ear words that almost stopped his heart.

"Do you feel that?" Ichigo whispered, "That hum inside of us? That feeling of happiness?"

"Yeah, I do. It feels...wonderful," Kisuke answered, "Actually, it's better than wonderful. It's perfect, Ichigo...really couldn't be better."

"That," Ichigo whispered even more softly, "is because what you feel is the beginning of our future. You can feel it, right?"

He took Kisuke's hand and placed it on his naked belly, then smiled through a haze of happy tears.

"What are you telling me, Ichigo?" the shopkeeper said, hardly daring to imagine.

"Hachi found your notes on what you did for Tetsuya, Byakuya and Renji and he set things in motion. The truth is...we just made our baby."