Hello! I'm back with a long chapter! LMAO! I'm introducing a character that is mute, so his words are going to be in bold. There's also a flashback since most of you enjoyed the flashback with Ichihime. This flashback has more to do with Soul Society though. I hope you enjoy it and leave a review.

The chapters I'm writing are a bit of slice of life and peace before the storm. I want to explain everyone's missing year's through flashbacks before I introduce the World with unique powers so close to our Auburn-haired healer. I hope your patience with me and don't be afraid to share your thoughts.

Also, I've introduced languages that I have to admit that I'm not fluent in and had to cheat and you google translate. lol! But I needed it in the story for certain characters. I hope you understand. I also apologize in advance if it's a shitty translation.

Small Edit 5/6/01: Had to change Yukio age he's three years older than Karin. Great catch N9R.


Fifteen years ago - 78th District

Renji walked along the old streets of the Rukongai, 78th District where he grew up with Rukia. There had been old reports regarding a certain area within the district. Reports of spurts of high spiritual pressure. The information had been given by the citizens as far back as the Arrancar invasion. With Seireitei around the time of its confusion, regarding Aizen's betrayal, then fast forward to the Sternritter. The small reports were mundane compared to what they were facing.

Now that everything was peaceful and with Soul Society rebuilt. Not only in its outward appearance but from its corrupted interior. With Shunsui Kyoraku, the captain of the 1st Division and Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, leading things to a better system.

Not part of Vice-Captain duties to investigate such small inconsequential thing but Renji had asked Byakuya if he could check it out since being that it was more personal. His Captain agreed, asking that he report back with his discoveries first, before taking it to the Captain Commander.

He walked among Rukongai citizens, asking around the shops and seeing there were no longer slums. There was a strange story about a child who had been found fifteen years ago by the river. The story goes that a couple who lived near the river found a woman clinging to stay alive. She tried to speak but her words never came as her life drifted from this world. The wife realizing the woman being pregnant found that the child in her womb was still alive. They called the child, Hideyoshi, for luck.

But the child, as the villagers would call him, Kiyoshi, meaning quiet. Since the child was anything but luck. Both parents mysteriously died, through accidental circumstances. No one went near the small home that was near the river, people said they saw things and heard whispers that frightened them away.

Renji went in search of this small dwelling, he indeed felt the high spiritual presence lingering around there. As he got closer, he thought he saw Rukia as a small child running with their old friends. Staying true to his course, he pushed on. The images disappeared as he got closer. Once he opened to doors to the home, he saw a teenage boy who's eyes were frightened. He moved quickly to the corner and held a sword in his hands as he shakingly clung to it, pointing it at the intruder.

Renji saw that he had been eating fish, that he had procured from the river. No doubt trying to nourish the spiritual energy that weakened if he didn't eat. He was somewhat kept, in his appearance, his pitch black hair was disheveled around his handsome features as his piercing dark brown eyes so observant as he stared. He saw the room was kept tidy as books were stacked neatly in rows, the stolen books that some store owners had reported were missing.

He came closer to the boy, seeing how his clothes were tattered with wear and tear. Clothing seemed to be unimportant to the child as much as acquiring knowledge.

"Hey, there's no need to be afraid. I'm Renji Abarai, a Vice-captain at the Gotei thirteen from squad six," he told the boy as he smiled and bent down. It seemed to calm the boy down, hearing his words as he lowered the sword down. The sword looked to be an Asauchi, what was given to shinigami in training before they obtained the name of their Zanpakuto. He didn't want to start interrogating the boy. The boy seemed to be trying to show that he wasn't afraid but the shaking of his hands said otherwise.

"So you have a name?" he asked the boy as he swallowed and looked at him suspiciously. He remained silent as he pointed to the rice paper that was near him. He looked down to pick up the item, along with ink, and a writing brush as he handed it slowly to the boy. He began to write the kanji for 'Kiyoshi' but quickly scribbled it to write the name 'Hideyoshi' as he handed it to the red-headed man.

"Hideyoshi! Great name, it means good and virtuous," he told the boy who glanced at him with a brightened expression that quickly disappeared as he continued to write. It seemed that the silent boy was mute, something that was unheard of in Soul Society. He looked down to see what the boy had been scribbling.

'It also means good luck,' he looked up at the man with a forlorn look.

"You believe you don't?" he asked the boy as he shook his head agreeing that he didn't as he looked away.

"But today is your lucky day though," he smiled at the boy who glanced at him curiously. "Well, I'm taking you with me to Seireitei so you can study to be a Shinigami. There, you can eat all the food you want and consume all the books without having to steal them," as Renji said the words, the teen quickly stood up to run out of the room. He was quicker as he aggressively held the boy.

"Hey! I'm not here to take you in for the stolen books. If you stay here without controlling your energy, you'll accidentally hurt someone, understand?" he growled at the boy who was struggling to get away but suddenly stopped at his words as he nodded his head slowly. Slowly letting go of the teen when he showed that he wouldn't try to escape again.

"How did you get the Zanpakuto?" he asked the boy who looked down at his sword a little unsure as he pointed to the hilt. "Yeah," he clarified to the boy. He crawled to the rice papers, picking up the brush and dabbed it with ink as he wrote.

'A hollow had tried to attack our family, killing my father as it turned on me. A shinigami came to our defense, killing the hollow but receiving a fatal wound. So I took the sword in case of another attack. I'm sorry for taking it," Renji read as he felt sympathy for the boy.

"What happened to the woman who raised you?" he watched as the boy took another piece of paper as his hands shook violently as he moved the brush. The writings were a bit hard to read but Renji was able to get the gist of what was written.

'She drowned herself in the river,' he put a hand on the boy's shoulder as he saw a stray tear fall before he aggressively whipped it away. He wrote again this time a bit calm as he handed the paper with a nervous look.

'I want to control my powers. I promise I won't cause any trouble. I'll even serve you till my last breath," he looked at the red-headed man with a hopeful look while he chuckled.

"Let's not get all dramatic. I'll take you to Seireitei where you'll be able to do exactly that. As for serving me, it doesn't really work that way in Gotei thirteen," he expressed as he watched the teen's sullen features. "But if you work hard enough, make sure you keep up with the training and studies, you might just get into Squad six. I'll make sure to keep track of you so when you request my squad, I'll put in a good word to my Captain. As a matter of fact, we're going to go see him first, so make a good impression," he smiled as the boy nervously swallowed giving a slight grin.


Seireitei

Two Weeks before Ichika arrived at the Kurosaki Household

Ichika held the ink brush in her hand as she crawled into the barracks of Squad Eleven. Finding the man she wanted to see as Ikkaku was asleep, judging by his loud snore. Taking her brush, she carefully wrote on his upper lip creating a ridiculous mustache and then on top of his bald head, she wrote a bullseye. She smiled, making sure not to laugh too hard as she carefully retraced her steps to leave. She stopped abruptly to find a tall shadow blocking her path.

"Shit, Hideyoshi! Stop sneaking up on me, you scared the shit out of me," she screamed low, careful not to wake the others.

The older man gave a serious look as he began to sign with his hands, 'You know it's childish what you're doing, right?'

She rolled her eyes as she gave him an angry stare, "I'm just trying to have fun, it gets quite boring when its nothing but training and patrols," she crossed her arms as she sulked.

'Then find other constructive things to do?'

She straightened herself as she eyed him with a mischevious smile, "What type of things do you have in mind for a beautiful girl like me?" she purred as she moved slowly in front of him, to lace her arms around his shoulders. She leaned in to give him a kiss when he shied away, taking her arms to slowly pull them apart. He placed her arms to her sides as he shook his head to speak with his hands.

'Stop Ichika! I can't do this,' he told her, feeling a bit guilty as he watched her become upset.

"Can't or won't," she asked, showing her teeth. She looked so much like her father when she was angry and the thought of betraying him made him feel a bit nauseous.

Hideyoshi had arrived at sixteen with Renji, speaking to his Captain, Byakuya Kuchiki. They decided with the discussion at the Captain and Vice-Captain meetings that he was indeed strong and the best course of action, was for him to control his spiritual energy. He did what was asked, showing that he learned sign language and a great many things from the books he had stolen. The teen was incredibly smart and his skills were impeccable with his swordsmanship. Even though his Zanpakuto wasn't released, like Zaraki Kenpachi, he was still strong without it. Renji followed his growth and when the time came. He was introduced after just three years of his progress into Squad Six. One year after that, he was able to make his way to the Third seat.

Ichika had always admired the teen since the first time she laid eyes on him. He was introduced to her with her mother and Uncle Byakuya when her father brought him in. He looked like a beggar but his features were stunning. When she was a little girl, she became friends with the mute boy as she learned to sign, along with her family, to understand the boy more. She watched as he consumed knowledge and was even impressed with his advancement.

As she became older, she started to feel an attraction, he seemed to be unaware as he stood by her. To accompany her or be there for her on patrols. They became close enough that she shared her secrets as he would prevent her from getting into trouble. She shared how her friend, Kazui, had confessed to having a crush on her for a while. Wanting to know what he thought, he asked if she did, telling him she wasn't sure. He followed up with telling her that maybe she should see how things went. As her relationship with Kazui became closer as a couple, her relationship with Hideyoshi grew farther apart. She took it upon herself, to end things with Kazui to just remain friends. It was the rational thing to do, but it didn't mean that it didn't hurt.

Now she was trying to sort out her feelings for two men. She watched the man in front of him trying to think of what to tell her.

"Yeah say nothing, like you always do," she blurted out, angrily shoving him away. She rolled her eyes feeling the presence of him following her as she continued her pace. Feeling a bit rebellious, she walked in a different direction other then back to the Kuchiki manor. Hideyoshi found her acts of rebellious nature, tiring as he sighed and continued to follow her.

She found Rangiku, along with Shuhei and Izuru. With Izuru in his drunken state, looking deathly pale from Mayuri's bringing him back to life and experimenting on his body. Other's got used to the makeshift body parts that covered the huge gaping hole in his chest, he received from the war. It always freaked Ichika out. Rangiku was singing songs as Shuhei laid his head on the table.

"Hello, Rangiku!" Ichika shouted, frightening the woman as she covered her heart, looking to see who it was.

"Ichika! Don't scare your Auntie Ran like that," she breathed, sipping from her cup as she looked at the tall man beside her." Kiyoshi! I mean Hideyoshi, my apologies, you'll forgive a beauty like me, won't you?" she purred, he sat beside the group when the red-headed girl sat near Shuhei.

'No Worries!' he signed as Rangiku giggled and laid her head on the younger man's shoulder.

"Such a gentleman and a looker too."

He blushed a little and then heard the soft snoring from the blonde headed vice-captain. Not knowing what to do, he heard Izuru begin to rise as he tried to wake the sleeping women up. It was when the blonde woman, hit his hand that he gave up and decided to wake his spiky-haired friend.

"Shuhei! Come on, let's go,"

Shuhei began to sluggishly move around as he noticed the cute red-head beside him, "Gosh, Ichika! To think it was just yesterday that I was training your father to be a Shinigami. It's crazy! He'd end up having such a beautiful daughter," he laughed as he got up to eye Hideyoshi. "Make sure she behaves herself," he patted the younger man on the shoulder as he left with Izuru.

Ichika took the bottle of sake and began to drink straight out of one. She felt a hand push the bottle down to prevent her from taking any more. While trying to sign with Rangiku under his arm, she could make out what he was saying.

'That's what cups are for.'

"Why beat around the bush? Using cups will only deter my mission to get drunk anyways," she grinned as she moved to another seat, away from him as she downed half the bottle. He saw her flustered features and couldn't help but be mesmerized as her tongue peeked out to lick the bottom of her lips.

He was interrupted by a cough, when he looked up to find Captain Hitsugaya, his features clearly irritated as he made to pick his Vice-Captain up.

"Ms. Abarai and Hideyoshi. I will relieve you from the burden of watching over my Vice-Captain." He was able to pick the woman up with no trouble at all by how tall he had gotten with age.

"I miss your small stature, Captain. Although it's fun having you pick me up with your big strong arms," she giggled, making her Captain blush and shake his head. He nodded his goodbyes as he went back to his squad barracks.

"Would you pick me up like that if I'm unable to walk?" she spurted out as she tried to tip the bottle once more into her mouth before it was taken from her. Glaring at the man in front of her, he watched as he took a sip and threw it into the trash can. "Well, that was a waste," she got up angrily as she made her way out of the establishment.

'Do you know how silly you look, Ichika?'

"Silly? Didn't you hear Shuhei, I'm beautiful," she skipped, only for her to lose her balance a bit and then right herself. She turned to eye him as she bit her lip when he stopped to stare at her, " Do you find me beautiful?"

He remained still, keeping his eyes on her as he conveyed nothing. This only infuriated the already rattled girl as she began to laugh hysterically.

'You're crying'

It wasn't a question he asked her but a confirmation as she reached up to her face and looked at her hands, to find she had been crying. When he reached for her, without thinking, she pulled back.

"You know, I can have anyone in Seireitei even Ichigo's son finds me attractive," she began her rant as she walked away but stopped suddenly to turn to him. "I don't know why I even bother."

'You shouldn't, I'm not someone you should get involved with'

His face looking elsewhere as she watched the pain etched in his face.

"Why?" she questioned, purposely walking in the direction of his vision.

'You deserve someone better, someone, good. Find a good man, Ichika!'

"Maybe I don't want someone good."

He glanced at her like she had three heads, figuring she didn't realize what she was saying.

'I think you had too much to drink,' he sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"So if I'm wrong then tell me with these hands," she came closer, to hold his hands onto her cheeks, "that you don't find me beautiful, that you don't want to be with me, that you don't want to...kiss me?"

She found the warmth of his hands gone as he quickly removed them as if burned. Wanting to feel his warmth once again, she leaned closer to him as he was backed into a corner. Both staring at each other in the darkened streets of Seireitei. He found that he could resist her anymore as she reached to kiss his lips, using his shoulders for support. Opening his mouth to taste the flavor of sake and a mixture of her own sweetness. He heard her moan as grabbed her waist to push her closer.

"You can't use your voice but you sure do know how to use your mouth," she breathlessly said on his lips as he began to kiss her chin while licking her neck. His hands explored her body, appreciating the feel of how her breasts filled his hands and finding her bottom to be nice and firm. Removing her barrette from her hair as the long tendrils fell across her face. He couldn't deny what he knew all along that she was gorgeous and the creeping urge to have her, kept hounding him. She waited patiently as he stared into her violet eyes. Slowly he leaned down to forcibly open her mouth with his tongue, running his hands over her breasts, causing her to tighten her hands around his neck. Slipping his fingers into her hakama, finding a hardened nipple as he squeezed.

"Mmmm," she cried out into his mouth as he bruised her lips. Wanting nothing more than to taste her. She smiled to herself. The feeling of his hands, the same hands she thought of while touching herself when she laid in bed at night. She felt herself moisten between her legs as she felt him aggressively open her hakama more. The cold night air hitting her naked skin as she gasped. He kissed her neck, lowering himself slowly, tonguing her even lower as he skipped past her breasts to go even lower. She felt disappointed, wanting his mouth to replace the hands that were caressing her nipples.

'Wasn't this what the characters did in Lisa's magazine? Didn't they kiss and the guy sucked the girl's breasts?' she thought to herself.

Lowering himself even further, reaching down to her tummy, to twirl his tongue around. He opened her hakama further. Surprised at feeling herself a bit exposed. She began to become hesitant as she looked around. She didn't have time to question if this was a good idea, to be so out in the open when he placed her back against the wall. With no care in the world, he loosened her undergarments to reveal her pink wet center. Nervously she tried to cover herself feeling a bit embarrassed, only for him to sink his tongue into her moistened opening. She couldn't breathe or think. All she could feel is his tongue, as it took its time to move lazily around her clit.

"Hideyoshi ... mmmm, oh," she moaned, holding onto his shoulders for support when he lifted one of her legs onto his shoulders. His hands expertly roamed around as it settled on cupping her breasts. Both of her hands lifted from his shoulders to tug on his black strands of hair. She couldn't help the slight tug in the pit of her stomach when he relentlessly devoured her. Holding her steady as she rode his tongue as her sharp breaths and small moans, egged him on. She felt herself losing control as the feeling in her stomach, became even stronger. This was better than fingering herself. She hurried to cover her mouth as she yelled into her hands. Releasing her juices into his mouth as he hummed while he happily licked her clean. Feeling her body weaken. She fell on her knees to join him on the ground as she breathlessly kissed him.

"Oh, Hideyoshi! That was unbelievable," she smiled as she hugged him when she felt him tense up. She looked to find him looking at the ground as he finally noticed her. He looked at her clothing in disarray and started to quickly dress her. "Hey! Hey!," she yelled at him before he finally stopped, "I can dress without your help." He had already helped with her undergarments as she closed the rest of her clothing. No longer exposed. She finally stood up along with him as she nervously brushed her hair against her ears.

When her eyes finally looked at him, she found the look of guilt. Was he regretting this? Wanting to scratch that theory she reached to fix the loose strand of his hair, placing it behind his ear. When her hands reached down to his cheeks, he hastily grabbed it. She watched as he closed his eyes and then sighed. Finally looking at her as he began to communicate with her.

'I'm sorry, I lost control.'

"What are you talking about?" she nervously laughed, feeling a twist in her heart.

'This shouldn't have happened. I take full responsibility for my mistake.'

The flurry of his hands as he expressed what he wanted to say, caused the girl in front of her to pause for a moment, to stare at him in disbelief.

SMACK!

The echo of her hand hitting his face was heard in the dead of night, around the streets of Seireitei. His head at his side, from the blow, as he slowly turned to glance at her. Watching the tears fall down her face until she whipped them away to angrily stare at him.

"Don't you dare come near me again. I hate you," her tone full of malice. She watched him as he glanced at her with an unclear expression. "Did you hear what I said?" she choked out in a desperate yell, he could hear the strain in her voice.

'I'm mute! Not deaf!'

With him expressing those words, she left him there as she ran to rush to the manor.

'Maybe it was better this way,' he thought as he watched her beautiful red hair sway in the wind as she ran. 'Told you, you needed a good person,' his thoughts of the whole night replaying over and over again in his mind. He could still taste her on his lips as he hit his head against the wall.

'I betrayed Renji and I also hurt her.'

The following days turned to weeks as they both avoided each other. He finally found the nerve to enter the Vice-Captain's office to place his work on his desk.

"Hideyoshi!" Renji exclaimed as he stretched his arms out. "Are these the reports for the squad's daily patrols this month?"

He answered with a nod as he stood, waiting to be dismissed. As Renji eyed him, he felt like he was being scrutinized as he swallowed nervously. He heard the man in front of him chuckle as he retrieved the papers on his desk.

"You look like shit, Hideyoshi. Are you eating?"

He saw the man in front of him give a curt nod as he avoided his Vice-Captain's gaze.

"Sorry for being so blunt. I'm always a bit testy when Ichika goes to the human world."

'The human world?'

Renji saw him asking as he hit his face in embarrassment, "Of Course, you don't know what I'm talking about. Ichika said she needed some time away from Soul Society to clear her head. Wanted to have fun and visit the Kurosaki family," Renji shrugged his shoulders as he watched the boy nod his head. After Renji waved him off, he left his office feeling even more like shit. It was because of him that she left.

'I guess she'll end up back with him.'

The thought of the orange-headed man's hands on her made him sick to his stomach. He also felt anger but this was his fault. He pushed her away.


A day before Sept 3rd

Ichika had been spending time with the youngest Kurosaki sibling, finding her presence soothing her thoughts. Being with Kazui complicated things further. She watched as the auburn-haired girl stressed about what she should get for her mother's upcoming 43rd birthday. Her mother had been stressing about how much she missed everyone and how one of these days that she wanted to throw a big party with everyone. Ichigo not at all liking the idea of being in the same room, at the same time with everyone, decided to do it anyway, for his wife.

"My mother is so difficult to buy for but then she also the easiest," Miume admitted as she walked through the mall with her red-headed friend.

"How is that possible?" Ichika questioned as she smirked.

"Well, it's because I want to get her the greatest thing ever, something she deserves for being the greatest mom in the world. But I know, no matter what I get her, she'd love it from the bottom of her heart. Arghh!" she yelled, feeling frustrated as her friend laughed at her plight.

"Just get her something personal between you and her, that only you two would get."

"You're a genius, Ichika. I love you!" she hugged the girl tightly.

"You're welcome! I love you too," she patted her head, as the other girl began to have a skip to her step.

That was until she stopped abruptly, pulling her friend with her into the nearest store.

"Miume..?"

"Shhh, don't say my name. Let's just hide in here for a moment," she pretended to look through the clothing for the elderly.

"Okay, What's going on? Why are you looking into buying old folks clothes? Last I checked, Isshin still hasn't aged that bad, maybe having to do with after fully having his Shinigami powers restored."

"Would you please not bring attention to us," Miume pleaded as she softly growled at her.

"Why?" she yelled, a little peeved not getting a straight answer.

"Miume? Is that you?"

Both girls heard a masculine voice shout out as Miume glared at Ichika who turned to see who spoke.

"Oh, hi Daichi. Yeah, it's me," she grinned as she waved in his direction. He smiled, walking into the store to look around puzzled.

"Shopping for your grandparents?" he questioned as she nervously nodded.

"Yeah! My grandfather loves when I get him new PJs for Christmas," she smiled. "But they don't have anything cute here. I guess we have to check somewhere else. Come on, Ichika!" she pulled the girl's arm as she heard him call out to her again.

"Wait up! You didn't even introduce me to your friend," he smiled as he looked her over.

"Ichika Abarai," she halted as she placed her hand out to take his. He gave a handsome grin as Ichika smiled, glancing at the boy's handsome features.

"I didn't know she had another pretty friend," he stressed as he glanced at Miume.

"Well, I'm her brother's friend from college."

"College girl?" he chuckled as he leaned against the wall, "they're pretty fun, never met a girl with hair as red as yours or violet eyes."

"I get the hair from my dad and the eyes from my mother," she exclaimed as she batted her eyes.

"I always thought Miume was a bit rebellious with her hair color, but seeing her mother explains a lot," he eyed the usually loud mouth auburn-haired girl who was currently quiet.

"Which reminds me. I have to get a present for my mother's birthday party," Miume was trying to pull Ichika's arm, who getting a kick out of toying with the young boy.

"A party and I wasn't invited?" he pouted.

"It's only Family members," Miume said.

"And also Friends!" Ichika grinned as Miume gave her a look.

"Oh so we're not friends anymore Miume?" he walked closer to her as he leaned down, playing with the strands of her hair.

"No! I mean yes," she stuttered as she backed away.

"Cool! When is it?" he invited himself as he looked at both the girls.

"The third of this month, at the warehouse at 85 Sakurabashi," Ichika clarified as the boy gave a smile, mostly at Miume. When he left, the auburn-haired girl looked at Ichika.

"Why would you invite him?"

"I didn't invite him!" she corrected.

"I didn't give him the address!" she whined as she began to panic. "This is not good."

"Why not?"

"Why not? Because Tatsunari would be there and he's not going to be too happy."

"But you know who else would be there?" the red-headed girl gave a devious smile.

"Who would that be?" she crossed her arms, not at all thrilled at her predicament.

"Ichigo Kurosaki!" she said as she headed for the other store with a stunned auburn-haired girl.


Present day

They decided to have the party in a warehouse that was privately owned by Ichigo's brother-in-law, Yukio Hans Vorarlberna. Since his fullbring could house an open space big enough for people with immense spiritual pressure. Also with him being able to manipulate the environment for the normal humans who was coming as well, it wouldn't look too out of place. With the help from Kisuke, providing Gigais for all the Shinigami that wanted to see the auburn-haired beauty on her special day. Wearing an ivory dress with pink straps as Ichigo matched her wearing an ivory tie and black suit.

Orihime was overjoyed, at first, wondering why they were heading in a part of Karakura that had warehouses. She entered into a dark area with her husband guiding her, to be surprised with the lights coming on and everyone shouting 'Happy Birthday.' It took her a good five minutes to settle down from crying before she could tell everyone, 'how much she missed them and was glad that they took the time to spend it with her.'

She gave her husband a passionate kiss in front of everyone that had a few whistles and hollers and a groan from Shinji Hirako.

Rukia hugged both her best friend's in a tight embrace as she smiled, "Oh, Orihime! I missed you too. Gorgeous as always," she grinned as the girl blushed and shook her head in denial.

"Please, I'm forty-three that's close to Fifty! Rukia, you haven't even aged a day," she hugged her again.

"Yeah, but by human standards, Orihime. You've haven't aged much, I bet all the mother's at the PTA meetings hate you," she giggled as Orihime scrunched her brow.

"Yeah, but they would never say it to her face," Tatsuki jested as she hugged the petite Shinigami.

"Tatsuki! What about you? You look good."

"Let's not bullshit, Rukia. Compared to Orihime who still looks to be in her 20s except for a few grays. I look about thirty-five and that's on a good day," she scrutinized her self as she laughed.

"What I noticed is your chest, Orihime. You've really filled out," Rangiku hugged the girl tightly as she grabbed her breast and her bottom, making the birthday girl yelp in surprise.

"Rangiku would you cut it out," Ichigo yelled at the blonde woman who grinned.

"She's still perky and firm, aren't you a lucky bastard," she winked, making the married couple blush.

"Can I have a hug, Orihime-chan? My first love," Shinji began to tear as he was quickly shoved backward.

"Yeah, no fucking birthday hugs from perverts," he growled out as he watched his father lean to give his daughter-in-law one, "Especially you, old man." He warned his father with a look as he pouted.

"Aww! Isshin-san! Don't listen to Ichigo," she hugged her father-in-law as he cried at missing her and how mean his son was. He looked up to give his son a wink as the orange-haired man's eyes twitched. His father let go of his son's wife and disappeared amongst the crowd, mostly from his son's death glare.

"Goat-chin will never change," Karin cut in, with an exceptionally expensive looking dark blue dress as she gave her sister-in-law a hug.

Right after college, Karin made it big as a soccer player but due to an injury to her leg, she couldn't continue. That didn't stop her from sports as she created a blog that mainly consisted of soccer players and her thoughts. She became popular with her interviews as she was able to exploit a lot of the player's secrets. Due to her using ghosts to get a bit of information. Ichigo found it appalling and Karin just said he was upset that he didn't listen to her when they were younger on using his talents to make money. At one event she met Yukio. He realized she was the sister of a mutual friend. At first, their relationship started off rocky. Although he was three years older than her, he was mature in age. She felt he was a pompous ass and cold somber know-it-all prick. But their heated arguments turned into clothes strewn everywhere and entangled in each other's arms. He found her dark hair and her flexible form alluring. She loved his green eyes and blonde hair, he received from his father's German background with his mother being of Japanese descent. Their relationship did not only heat up the tabloids in Japan but also the heated anger from her brother who didn't trust the blonde man. Eventually, they married having two children together. Ten-year-old daughter, Mari Krista Vorarlberna. She had strawberry blonde hair with light brown eyes. Their seven-year-old son, Hideki Reiner Vorarlberna. Sported a head of blonde locks with dark brown eyes. Both children were intelligent, with a calm demeanor, but every so often their daughter's temper matched her mother's.

"You guys are so adorable!" Orihime smiled as she gave each one a hug and kiss.

"Thank you, Tante!' they both thanked her kindly, calling her aunt in German as they greeted Ichigo with the same respect.

"Mari, my adorable niece. How are you?" he gave her a big hug as she blushed.

"I'm doing rather well, Oheim," she said sweetly, as she called him by the German way of saying, Uncle. Already able to speak four languages: Japanese, German, Spanish, and English.

"What about you, Hideki?" he looked at the small boy who wore a small grey suit, with a tie that matched his sister's baby blue dress.

"I'm also quite fine, Oheim. I'm bigger," he smiled showing his chipped tooth.

"It's ' I've gotten bigger, Hideki,'" his sister corrected as he blushed and looked up at Ichigo.

"I've gotten bigger, Oheim."

"I can tell, I almost didn't recognize you," he joked as he shuffled his hair.

"Is everything to your liking, Ichigo and Orihime?" Yukio came from behind Karin as he held her back with his arm. He wore a black suit with a dark blue tie to coordinate with his wife. He was quite tall, not as tall as Ichigo, but his build became broader as his hair wistfully covered the sides of his face.

"Yeah, thanks Yukio. You won't have trouble being able to keep it up all night?" he asked him as he gave him a small grin while shaking his hand.

"I'm not an amateur, Ichigo. I can easily keep this up and Karin and I could go back home for some...Gemeinsam Zeit," he said while looking at Karin as she reddened.

"I rather not know what that is," Ichigo looked at the blonde who smiled.

" It means 'together time'," Hideki explained.

"Mutter(Mother) and Vater (Father) always have Gemeinsam Zeit," Mari spouted, upset that her little brother beat her at explaining things first.

"Code words?" Ichigo whispered raising his brow at his sister.

"Like you and Orihime don't have code words," Karin accused.

"They actually don't, Oba-san!" Miume said, hugging her aunt. She also hugged her uncle while giving her little cousins well deserved kisses.

"Der Cousin, we missed you," they both said in unison as she hugged them even tighter.

"Miume!" Rukia hugged the auburn-haired girl that was dear to her.

"Oh, Rukia! I have to either visit Soul Society more or vice versa. I'm afraid your next visit is when I'm old and grey," she pouted hugging the petite Shinigami.

"Don't make her feel bad, Miume," Tatsuki shared while hugging her also.

"Sorry, Oba-san! Sorry, Rukia, I didn't mean to upset you," she looked down, somewhat disheartened as the violet-eyed women grabbed the younger girl's hands.

"Don't be sorry. I understand and you're absolutely correct, we should do this more often," she smiled when she watched the other girl smile as well.

"My son is currently with his father, speaking to Ikkaku and Yumichika.

Karin looked around before saying, "Speaking of missing people. Where's my handsome nephew?"

"Oh, he's here somewhere," she looked around, spotting the orange-headed boy laughing with Renji, she noticed they were headed in their direction to be with Rukia.

"Oba-Rin!Oba-Ru! Oba-suki!" Kazui shouted as he said his little pet names for the women he considered aunts. Giving each a smile and hug as each of them laughed when he picked them up. He saw his two cousins, as he fist bumped Hideki and gave hugs and tickles to Mari.

"Der Cousin!" they both respectfully said as he chuckled at how cute and well-behaved they were.

"Orihime! Ichigo!" Renji shouted, giving the orange-haired man a big hug with a hard pat on the back as he gave his wife a kiss on the cheek. "You're an old man, Ichigo! You keeping aging while your wife stays the same, they're gonna peg you for those old men who marry young wives," he chuckled receiving an irritated growl from his friend.

"Would you shut up! Your wife being short and holding those stupid chappy dolls, they might mistake you for a pedo-bear." Ichigo grinned, as Renji glared at him.

"Those chappy dolls are not stupid!" Rukia defended, completely disregarding the jest to her husband.

Suddenly Ichika came into the group holding a small red-headed child that slept on her shoulder, "You guys are really loud. Hush! You're going to wake up my child," she hugged the little girl tightly. Her father glanced at her with a raised brow.

"Ha, very funny Ichika. Give that child back to their mother," Renji hollered as she ignored him and touched the little girl's hands.

"Where is Yuzu?" Ichigo looked around.

"Oh, I met them at the entrance. When I happily stole this cute little one," she gushed when the little girl woke up to glance at her surroundings. She spotted her uncle Ichigo as she reached for him with a huge grin and expressive amber eyes.

"Oji," she reached out as Ichika pouted handing her over to her uncle. She wore a cute red dress with a small strawberry clip attached to the side of her long red hair. "I lub you," she said hugging him tightly as the orange-haired man laughed at his adorable niece. Miume and Kazui stood at the sides of their father saying hi to their little cousin as she giggled receiving too many kisses. "Mi-me! Kazubi!" she called out as she pointed at the Kurosaki siblings.

"Hey, Akane! How's my beautiful girl?" Kazui told the three-year-old.

"weally good," she smiled, as he could see a couple of missing teeth.

"Oh my God! Can't we keep her?" Ichika pouted her lips to her father as he rolled his eyes.

"She's not a pet, Ichika!" Rukia said smiling at her daughter as she gave her a hug.

Orihime walked up to the little girl as she held out her hands. The little girl squeezed her hand, "Hime!" she smiled. When Orihime held out her hands again to the girl, implying that she wanted to hold her, the girl shook her head and laid her head onto her uncle's shoulder. Ichigo grinned at his wife as she scrunched her face in a frown.

Suddenly Yuzu arrived, wearing a cute pink maternity dress that showed her cute bump. She smiled at everyone, giving them all hugs and kisses. She was a bit out of breath, trying to waddle to them.

"Sorry, we're late!" she said breathlessly, "Happy Birthday, Hime-nii!"

"Oh, Thank you, Yuzu-nii! Don't worry about it," She smiled at the younger woman who held her tummy affectionately.

"Yuzu!" Rukia's eyes shot out, "I can't keep up. How many is that?"

Yuzu blushed at the shorter women but was interrupted by her husband.

"That's four!" Jinta boasted proudly, as he gave his wife a kiss on the neck, causing her to redden even more among the guests. He was balancing an eight-year-old son on his shoulders with brown amber eyes and dark brown hair. The red-headed man also had at his side another son, twelve years old, with blonde hair, matching his mothers and the same amber eyes.

"Just think Jinta, five more and you'll have your very own baseball team," Yukio expressed, receiving a suspicious look from the red-headed newcomer.

"I don't think I can carry that many," Yuzu began to cry due to her hormones as she looked at her husband.

"Shh, Yuzu! Remember I already have a baseball team that I coach. He's just bullshitting," He held her face as she stopped crying.

"Go say hello boys," both boys nodded at their father as the one on his shoulder jumped off to run with his brother to tackle Kazui.

"Wow! What have they been feeding you guys?" Kazui laughed from the floor as he watched the boys.

"According to dad we eat the whole damn fridge," the blonde-one said with a smug grin.

"Ichiro! What did mommy say about language?" Yuzu scolded as the boy sheepishly looked at her.

"Sorry, Mom!"

"Wonder where he gets it from?" Ichigo added as Jinta glanced at his brother-in-law.

"Like you don't have a fuc- I mean mouth on you?" he corrected himself as his wife crossed her arms, watching him.

"Daddy was going to say fu-," the dark-haired boy was going to say when his brother covered his mouth.

"You can't say that Makoto!" Ichiro whispered.

"Do you see any of my children swearing?" Ichigo asked the red-head, who grumbled.

"Not to your face!" Ichika laughed, receiving a dirty look from the man she came to expertly annoy.

"Rukia and Renji, I think you can take your daughter back with you," he expressed softly, showing his annoyance as he held the sleeping form of his niece.

"No daddy!" Miume shouted, who was twirling her niece Mari, pausing to glare at her father. She then focused on the red-headed girl, "Ichika, please stop upsetting daddy, you know how he gets," she confided to the girl, afraid she would leave today.

Ichika looked at Ichigo and then at her parents as she sighed. "Fine! I'll play nice."

Suddenly interrupting the banter of friends, Daichi walked up to the crowd as he gave his most charming smile. He glanced at Miume but focused on her mother first," Mrs. Kurosaki! Its a pleasure meeting the prettiest mother in Karakura," he grinned, causing the older woman to blush as he handed her a wrapped gift with a bouquet of white lilies and yellow hydrangeas.

"Thank you! umm.." she curiously asked, not knowing what to call this charming handsome boy.

"Daichi Oda," he said pulling out two more roses one red and the other pink, handing the red to Ichika, "to match your hair." Ichika smiled as she took the beautiful rose. Then he handed the pink one to Miume, who took it hesitantly, " You said your favorite color was pink."

"T... Thanks!" she blushed a bit, avoiding his gaze. Tatsuki watched the boy who continued to stare at her best friends daughter as she interrupted.

"So who invited you?" her voice not sounding too polite.

"Oh, Miume and Ichika?" he glanced over at the red-headed girl.

"You remembered!"

"How can I forget a beautiful name for a beautiful girl," he flirted with the older girl as she laughed.

"I'm sure she's heard that enough," Tatsuki abruptly said, "How many girls fall for that charming smile of yours?" she said sarcastically as the young boy glanced at her a bit confused.

"I apologize if I offended you. Please pardon me for asking but what's with the hostility from such an attractive lady, such as yourself?" he asked curiously.

"Yeah and this attractive lady sees through your bullshit," she began to say as she walked towards him, only be stopped by a pair of arms.

"Sheesh, Mom! How much did you have to drink?" Tatsunari came from behind his mother with his father tagging along.

"I didn't have anything to drink," she crossed her arms as she stared at her son.

"You have to excuse my mom, Daichi. She gets a bit riled up when she sees strangers," he grinned, as he watched the boy, coming to the realization of his mother's blunt attitude.

"Yeah, except I'm not a stranger. I was invited by friends," he said looking towards Miume.

Tatsunari glanced over at Miume curiously as she avoided him, then he glanced over to the dirty blonde boy who smiled at him. Both young men stared at each other and everyone could feel the tension.

"I hope we're not interrupting anything," came a reserved voice. Everyone looked up to find Uryu Ishida standing, holding a beautiful woman by the arm, with straight long hair down to her waist. As her light brown eyes scanned everyone as she sweetly smiled.

"It's so great to meet everyone again," the woman proclaimed, having an air of elegance as she bowed in respect to the group.

Their daughter walked beside them as she gave Orihime a hug and kiss and settled with her friends.

Orihime walked up to the couple, giving Uryu a hug and kiss to his wife, " It's so good to see you, Uryu and Mayumi."

"We wouldn't want to miss your occasion, especially for a great friend like you," Uryu smiled as he kissed her cheek.

"Are you enjoying yourself, Orihime?" Mayumi kindly asked as she smiled at the women's bright smile.

"Of course! Having everyone here just brings so much joy. I just wish everyone was here," she sadly expressed referring to another friend that was far away, that couldn't be there. She whipped the small tear from her eyes as she smiled once more.

"Actually my gift to you, Orihime," Uryu handed her his phone as she looked at him curiously. She picked up the black item from his hand as she placed it to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Orihime," the deep voice of her old friend was heard as she started to tear up.

"Oh, Chad! How are you? Are the children you've been training ok? Are you taking care of yourself? Have you gotten sick?" she rapidly fired her questions over the speaker as she gripped the phone tightly.

"Orihime! Let him get a chance to answer," Ichigo laughed as he touched her arm. She glanced at her husband as she blushed in embarrassment as she stopped her interrogating, pausing for her friend to answer.

"I'm doing okay, Orihime. The children are doing great with training. I haven't gotten sick cause I hardly get sick," she heard a gruff chuckle as she smiled.

"That's good. We miss you, Chad! The kids have gotten so big," her voice breaking a bit as she talked. Ichigo seeing her tears, gripped her shoulder as he held his niece.

"I miss you guys too. I currently have someone who I can trust to watch over the children, while I'm gone," he stated.

"Where are you going?"

"To Karakura," he told her as she gasped and smiled again.

"Oh, that's great. Tell me when, so I can make you the biggest cake for your homecoming party," she grinned, looking at her husband.

"You don't have to do that, Orihime," he chuckled again.

"Why not? I want to, Chad!" she said. Disappointed.

"I'll just have a piece of your cake," he replied as she looked at the phone curiously then sensed his spiritual pressure as she looked up. Seeing the tall dark-skinned man, whose brown hair was slicked back to show more of his chiseled features. He closed the phone giving her a smile.

She handed Uryu back his phone and gave him a big hug as she cried, "Thank you, Uryu!"

"You're Welcome, Orihime!" he let her go and tilted his head to express for her to go to Yasutora. She not only went to him but ran. Hopping and giving him a hug. He held her as she cried onto his shoulder.

"Are... you staying here for a while?" she whispered.

"I'm staying here forever," he told her as he felt her hold him tighter. While the guests, having a great time eating and drinking. Shinigami disguised as humans conversating with one another, reminiscing about the past. All Yasutora could hear were the small cries from his friend as he placed her on her feet.

"That's great to hear, Chad!" Ichigo came from behind patting the big man on the back. The man smiled, silently glancing at Uryu, both men nodding to each other. Before they went back to their group, the taller man stopped his two friends.

"Wait! I need to introduce you to someone?" his deep voice holding excitement in his tone, registering to them that this was important to him. They waited as the man turned to hold out his hand, beckoning for someone to come.

"Ven aca, Jacinto!" he spoke in Spanish to the newcomer, he had a dark complexion that was lighter than Chad. He walked up nervously as he shook the couple's hands. Chad proudly stood behind him as he placed his hands on the teen's shoulder. "His name is Jacinto Sado, he's seventeen years old," he smiled. He watched as his friends gave a quizzical look but shrugged it off to welcome him. Orihime hugging the boy as he blushed. Ichigo ruffled his hair. "It's great to meet you," his expressive dark green eyes staring at the orange haired man.

"Yo Tambien... umm me too," they could hear his thick Spanish accent as he tried to speak to them in Japanese.

"Let me introduce him to the others and I'll explain everything," Chad confessed as they lead him back to the group. He said his hellos and introduced the teen to everyone. He began to explain that he belonged to a woman he got to know when she took her son to the boxing center. Finding out that she was a widow and realizing her son had special abilities. Chad hinted to the others, realizing they had people around that had no idea of their powers. Their relationship progressed intimately, along with his relationship with her son. After adopting him a few years later, she grew ill and past on. The others gave their condolences as he thanked them, but they could see that Chad was happy to have his son in his life.

"He's been learning Japanese from me. He's gotten pretty good," he exclaimed as the teen shyly smiled.

"Bienvenido Jacinto. Algunos de nosotros podemos ser tontos infantiles, pero puedo asegurarte que estás en buenas manos," Yumiko told the boy, who glanced around the group and chuckled, feeling a bit relieved.

"What did you say?" Tatsunari asked.

"She welcomed me and said that 'some of you were childish fools but assured me that I was in good hands," he told the others as the Quincy girl smiled.

"She makes a father proud. You've been practicing your Spanish," Uryu told his daughter as he placed his hand lovingly on her head.

"Yes, father," she smiled at her father's complimented.

"Yeah, wonder who she deems a childish fool though?" Tatsunari looked at his friend with a skeptical eye.

"Estoy mirando a uno (I'm looking at one)," she said with a sly grin as Jacinto, Mira, Hideki, and even Chad were softly chuckling.

"I understand that uno means one. Are you calling me a fool?" Tatsunari asked in an irritated tone.

"Si el zapato calza (If the shoe fits)!" she articulated with a bored expression.

"Okay Japanese, please. Some of us don't know Spanish," Keigo expressed annoyed at the conversation, sensing his son's distress.

"Entra el padre del necio, el imbécil (Enter the fool's father, the imbecile)," Uryu added, as Keigo furiously yelled at the Quincy.

"Hey! I know what padre and imbécil mean, Uryu."

"See Keigo! There's hope for you yet," the Quincy chuckled.

"That's enough you two," Mayumi gave a stern look to her husband and daughter, "Also encouraging our daughter in that behavior, seriously Uryu. Who's the one being childish?"

"I apologize for my disrespect, towards you and your son," Uryu bowed in apology as Keigo looked on, not sure what to say.

"I also apologize Tatsu!" Yumiko expressed, giving him her most sincere apology.

"Hold on!" Tatsunari stated, taking out his phone out as he pointed it towards her as he hit record. "Okay! Can you say it one more time?" He smiled as his mother hit him across the head.

"Would you cut it out, Tatsu! She apologized there's no need to be a little jerk," Tatsuki yelled as her son begrudgingly placed his phone back in his pocket.

Suddenly they heard the blonde Vice-Captain's voice once again, she had wandered off to speak to the other Shinigami and sneak a bit of sake.

"I'm back! Did you all miss me?" she said carrying a cup in her hand as she giggled. Her black tight black mini dress showed off most of her curves and her revealing cleavage was out for all to see. Ichigo feeling a bit annoyed with Rangiku in her already drunken state spoke first.

"The sober Rangiku!" he admitted, receiving a hard pout from the blonde. But saw the cute little children, "Aww! I love children. Come and say hello to Auntie Ran."

The little kids were a bit hesitant as they looked at the parents. Receiving the okay, they went to her as she gave them hugs and kisses. She said her hellos to the parents of the children, congratulating Yuzu on having another one on the way. "I'm so glad for a new batch of little ones. Since my other batch has already grown up under my noses." She went up to Kazui to squeeze his face and give him a hug. "From such a cute baby to a fully grown handsome man just like your grandpa and daddy."

Kazui became flustered as the woman went on to Uryu's daughter. "So beautiful but don't grow up to be so modest like your father. Have a little fun," she winked at the Quincy girl who blushed as her father coughed.

She went on to find Miume, who looked a little worried as the blonde beauty held her tight. "Oh, Miume! Such a spitting image of your mother. My, have you grown, look at these," the woman grabbed the girl's growing breasts as she yelped.

"Auntie Ran! Stop doing that!" she backed away, giving the woman a scowl as she covered herself. Rangiku shrugged her shoulders as she patted the girl on the head. "With a bit of daddy's temper. Now tell your Auntie Ran about all the boys you're secretly kissing," she whispered, causing the girl to blush profusely.

"Oi! Enough Rangiku!" Ichigo yelled out.

"Oh! Is daddy the one keeping you from sucking face from others or do you have a boyfriend?" she asked the girl ignoring Ichigo, who remained silent and embarrassed as she shook her head no.

"I find it hard to believe myself," Rangiku heard a new voice inquire about the girl as she looked to find a younger man with dirty blonde hair, eyeing her and Miume.

"Oh, boy! Who might you be?" the blonde moved closer to the stranger, relieving Miume of further scrutiny as she sighed.

"I'm a classmate of Miume and Yumiko," he said, glancing at the older woman, appreciating her curves. She smiled, finding this young man quite handsome as she watched his eyes suggestively, roam around her body.

"A classmate of theirs! What are they feeding you? Such a shame, I could have mistaken you for an adult," she giggled.

"I get that a lot. Captain of the soccer team and also a black belt in martial arts may have contributed to my size," he told her as she grabbed his shoulders.

"Explains how big you are," she watched him give her a charming grin, "Si j'étais encore une jeune fille, je ferais ce que je ferais. (If I was still a young girl, the things I would do)."

"Je reçois aussi beaucoup aussi (I also get that a lot too)," he quipped back as she blushed and drank from her cup.

"You speak French too?"

"I'm French from my mother's side. At first, I didn't want to learn it but she felt it was important. I'm glad I did though," he winked at her, causing the older woman to redden. What was going on? She was the one to make a man feel embarrassed by her forwardness but this young man was causing her flustered state.

"Wow, Daichi! You never mentioned you spoke French and here I thought we were friends."

Rangiku watched as the younger blonde gave an irritated smile to the person who spoke. When she glanced over, she found another young man just as attractive with his dark hair and a sly grin. Was that a birthmark on his face?

"Tatsu?" Rangiku asked in surprise, realizing who it was. "Is that really you?" she gushed as she ran up to him, feeling his face and then touching his arms. He began to fluster as the woman began to inspect him. "Tatsuki what have you been feeding your son? You're just as handsome as your father," she smiled as Keigo looked at her wide-eyed.

"You do realize that I'm his father and not Ichigo," he asked her as she looked at him curiously.

"Of course, I know you're his father, silly. What gave you the impression that I didn't find you attractive?" she tilted her head at him as he began to blush. Thinking of all the times she hit or backhanded him whenever they met. "You were just a bit aggressive, Keigo. Other than that you were handsome, looks like Tatsuki calmed that intrusive nature of yours."

"Not really! I've been a victim of hearing their nightly activities. Did you know I have to wear earplugs to go to sleep?" he gave his most sympathetic look to the blonde shinigami who hugged the poor boy.

"You both should be ashamed of yourself. Traumatizing a boy like this," she patted the boy's head as Keigo blushed and Tatsuki gave an eye roll.

"Knock it off, Tatsu!" she told him as the blonde let go of the spiky-haired young man.

"I wasn't lying about wearing earplugs though, "Tatsunari challenged his mother as she just shrugged her shoulders.

"Until you're old enough to move out. Get used to your father's shouting," she expressed as Tatsunari looked away.

"Yeah! It's not his voice that is loud," he told her under his breath.

"What did you say?" Tatsuki yelled. Rangiku came to the rescue as she pulled the boy closer to her.

"Now! How about you? Is there an abundance of girl's throwing themselves at you?" Rangiku asked as he thought for a moment, not wanting to tell her that there was some truth to her words.

"I wouldn't go that far into saying there was a slew of girls, more like one," Daichi laughed with a smug grin as Tatsu looked over at him.

"Is this true?" Rangiku questioned, looking at the boy as she gave a disappointed look.

"I'm afraid so Auntie Ran. Which reminds me! Could you tell your ex-girlfriend or current girlfriend to lay off me? Forgive me if I can't keep track of your relationship status."

"She's my ex! I also can't tell Akemi what to do, she's free to seek whomever she wants," he grinned at Tatsu simply grinned back.

"I get how she wants to upgrade but she's not my type," he shot back getting an angry look from his rival.

"If this Akemi girl is not any of your handsome boy's type. There's a perfectly lovely girl here patiently waiting here," she pulled Miume who blushed and avoided the two boys stares. "Look Miume and another handsome boy. Chad is this your son? Tall, dark, and with a dash of hot Latin spice. Come on you two," Rangiku yelling at Miume and Yumiko, "You have a pool of hot men at your fingertips. Be daring by picking one and make-out."

"I think that's quite enough, Ms. Matsumoto!" Uryu irritably said, hearing enough of this, especially with the introduction of his daughter.

"And here comes the prudent father," she drawled upsetting the Quincy more.

"Yeah, Rangiku! Stop displaying my daughter like she's some doll to play with," Ichigo shouted, regretting his high tone when he felt the little girl in his arm start to stir.

"She is a doll though and one of these boys wouldn't mind playing with her, hmmm?" she giggled as Ichigo hearing enough gave Jinta his daughter to hold. He moved towards Rangiku, picking her up over his shoulder as he left the group they could hear the woman's crying pleas. After Ichigo left her with her Captain, he came back to the group only to be annoyed by another individual.

"GRANDPA IS HERE! Oh my beautiful grandchildren," Isshin jumped in, first grabbing the smallest one from Jinta. Then successfully grabbing all his grandchildren in a hug, some of them crawled on his back as he gave a boisterous laugh.

"Grandpa!"

"Jiji!"

"Opa!"

They all said in unison, no matter what language, it was music to his ears. Some of the older ones struggled since they were a bit squished as he let go to hold on to Akane.

"Ji-Jiji! Lub you, give big hug again," she squished her grandfather's face in a strong hug as the old man was brought to tears.

"My little Akane, you love grandpa's hugs. I'll give you more. I just need to say hi to one more grandchild."

Isshin walked up to Yuzu as he gave her a hug and gently placed his hand on her tummy.

"It's grandpa little one," he laughed when he felt a light kick. "You see, it already knows the sound of grandpa's voice," he smiled at Akane, who pointed her finger at her mother's tummy.

"Baby!" she explained as she watched her grandfather nod in approval.

"Such a smart girl, you take after your mother. Thank god for that," Isshin jested as he held her close.

Jinta looked at the man in front of him and scowled, "Hello to you too, Isshin!"

"Jinta my boy. Thank you for providing me with multiple grandchildren." He chuckled as he gave his other daughter a hug and kiss. He dropped down to Mari, to hoist her up on his other side as she timidly held her grandfather. "Look how strong your grandfather is for an old man. There's nothing to fear, your grandpa won't let you fall,"

"I'm not scared Opa!" Mari expressed, trying to show him that she wasn't afraid by lifting both her hands up like she was flying.

"Happy Birthday Hime-chan! My lovely daughter-in-law," he kissed the birthday girl. "Excuse me once more while I spoil the little ones."

The auburn-haired girl laughed as the older man bent down to the three boys.

"You three hop on my back. Grandpa saw a stash of candy on one of the tables," he grinned as Ichiro, Makoto, and Hideki hopped on the shoulders of their grandfather.

"You don't have room for one more?" Kazui joked as the old man grinned at him.

"You can hop on grandpa later. Now onward," he chugged on as he held all five of the smaller children to the cavity creating goodness.

Ichigo thankful for the reprieve from his annoying father decided on moving onto something less troublesome.

"I think we should have a bit of sweet ourselves," he kissed his wife as he nodded to the girl who worked at Orihime's bakery to get the cake ready. Then he glanced over to Yukio as he nodded and dimmed the lights to the room. The cake lighted as the girl came in, everyone stopped to join the chorus.

"Happy Birthday to you!'

Everyone began to sing as Ichigo's eyes popped out of his head at the huge cake that displayed a picture of his wife. But it wasn't the picture that he had given to the bakery.

"What the fuck!" he yelled out, cutting off everyone's singing short as Yukio brought the lights back on.

"Ichigo! There's a perfect explanation for this," his wife calming said, trying to calm him down as she saw a picture of her smiling in a cute revealing bikini. Ichigo stared at the girl dumbfounded as she nervously bit her lip.

"Is...Is there something wrong, Mr. Kurosaki?" the young baker said. Ichigo swallowed, speaking through gritted teeth.

"Where's the picture I gave?"

A little scared, the girl began to speak again, " T...There was a woman who came in a day after you came in with the picture, stating that you changed your mind and wanted this picture instead," she gripped her hands together.

"What woman?" he hollered but lowered his tone when the little girl squeaked, "I'm sorry Yuki for yelling. Who was the woman?" he said in a softer tone.

"S...She said her name was Yoruichi," she timidly told him.

The woman hearing her name came into view as she smiled at Ichigo, along with Kisuke who chuckled behind her.

"What's wrong with the picture Ichigo? It's your favorite one since you store it in your wallet?" she grinned, as the man quickly grabbed his wallet to find the picture still there.

"You made a copy?" he yelled.

"Oh calm down! I think the cake looks lovely. Well make a wish Orihime," she told the auburn-haired girl who meekly blew the candles that were already melted.

Everyone cheered and hollered.

"I already know which part I want!" Kisuke said with excitement as he was holding his plate.

NO! HELL NO! NO ONE IS EATING MY- NO ONE IS EATING ANY DAMN CAKE WITH MY WIFE ON IT!" he shouted, feeling his eyes starting to darken.

"What difference does it make with the picture you gave, they still would have eaten a cake with her on it."

"Ichigo! It's okay. What are we going to do with a huge cake like this?" Orihime told her husband as he held his face, feeling a bit embarrassed herself, she sported a red face. Ichigo repressed his anger as he gave his wife a smile to show he was okay.

Yuki cut the cake and handed it to the impatient shinigami friends.

"I never tasted such goodness!" Shinji shouted out from the top of his lungs, getting a part of the crotch area.

"You're going to taste my fist in your mouth, if you keep talking, Shinji!" the orange-haired husband growled out as Shinji remained silent, happily eating his cake.

"Here Ichigo! I got you the best part," Orihime softly whispered as he sighed and looked down at the cake given to him. It was part of her chest as he looked at her questioningly.

He leaned down and whispered, " You know all of your parts are my favorite," he kissed her neck as she smiled.

"I know Ichigo, but this is the part that holds my heart," she smiled as she offered her small token of appreciation of planning this celebration. He found the sentiment endearing as he opened his mouth. Blushing, she took the spoon as she scooped some cake and placed it into his mouth. He leaned down to kiss her, mixing the cake into her mother as he shared the sweet contents.

"Some of us are trying to enjoy the cake, without you shoving your tongue down her throat," Shinji stated, scowling as Ichigo stuck his finger at him, never releasing his kiss. As Hiyori, the pig-tailed blonde petite, expressed her annoyance by hitting him while he yelled, holding his head.

"Your jealousy is showing, Shinji! Shut up and enjoy the cake," she hollered at him as he pouted eating his cake.

Miume giggled as she took a piece of the cake of her mother's smile. She sat down at one of the tables as Daichi sat beside her, only for Tatsunari to sit beside her on the other side. Yumiko sat across from her as she watched her friend looked to her for help. The young Quincy shook her head, the auburn-haired girl sighed already knowing that the girl took Tatsunari's side in this.

"I've forgotten how good your mom's cake could be," Daichi voiced as he ate the cake.

"Do you not go to her bakery often?" Miume asked curiously.

"Right now! I've been mostly eating protein, fat, and carbs to bulk up a bit more. So I can't really have sweets all the time," he told her as she nodded.

"Well, I need to seriously cut down on all the stuff my mom feeds me. I practically bulge from the shirts she buys me. Speaking of which, Yumiko does my pants make my ass look big?"

"It's bursting out the seams," Yumiko dryly answered her friend as he pouted.

Miume covered her mouth with a napkin before she embarrassingly spat her cake out. In doing so she accidentally caught some in her throat as she coughed, struggling to breathe between laughing.

"Oh, Excuse ...(cough) me (cough)," she hacked the remaining bits from her throat as she felt a hand holding her arms up. She looked up to find Tatsunari raising them.

"You have to raise your hands up when your choking, remember," he told her as she pushed him away.

"I wouldn't have choked if you didn't make me laugh," she scowled as she drank some water.

"You find my jokes funny then," he grinned, glancing at her as she blushed.

"Well everyone finds clowns jokes funny, Tatsunari," the blonde smugly replied as Tatsunari smiled at him.

"Well, not every girl falls for a players bullshit," he gave the blonde a cheeky grin.

"I don't know Tatsunari, given the right kind of girl," he eyed Miume, suddenly leaning closer to whisper in her ear, but still loud enough for others to hear, " I might just change my ways." Miume looked at him, blushing a little at what his comment implied. She didn't have time to tell him to back away when she saw a cup of water dowsed straight in his face. Daichi angrily stood to shake off the water as he glared at the spiky-haired man who had the empty cup in his hand.

"I really need to work on my clown act, I forget that I'm supposed to dowse myself," he grinned, as he was picked up by the drenched man.

"You did that on fucking purpose!" he growled out as he made to punch his face, only for him to grab his hand in pain, " Oh, FUCK!"

"Oh man! That look like it hurt," Tatsunari fretted, pretending to feel bad as he looked on.

"Fuck you!" Daichi shouted, nursing his hand.

"Are you okay, Daichi?" Miume glanced at his hand, inspecting it as she noticed it was broken. She looked up to Tatsunari with a glare as he gave her a quizzical look.

"What's going on?" Ichigo asked, looking at his daughter with the wounded boy then at Tatsunari.

"He broke his hand on my face," the spiky-haired boy mentioned.

"How did he manage to do that, I wonder?" Ichigo looked at the spiky-haired boy suspiciously.

"Not sure! He must have wanted to fist bump. I guess hitting the face is the French way of doing things. What a culture shock," he answered the older man as Daichi glared at his comment. Ichigo chuckled with a sigh.

"Fucking hell, Tatsu! Can you heal it Miume?" he asked his daughter as she nodded 'yes.'

"What do you mean heal it? It's broken to hell," Daichi looked at Ichigo and then at Miume as he began to see a small orange glow over his hand. Then the pain was gone. He lifted his hand and moved it all around. "Wow! That's incredible! How did you do that?" he looked at her amazed.

"Rukia, could you just have him forget about the whole argument. We can't have him forgetting everything at the party, it might raise questions if he doesn't remember coming at all," Ichigo told his petite raven-haired friend.

"What do you mean to forget?" Daichi asked and before he could receive the answer, Rukia held out her chappy Account-Replacing Spirit Device. The young man looked at it funny before the head popped off producing a puff of smoke as he laid passed out on the ground.

"Good! You can pick his ass up and take him home," Ichigo told the spiky-haired fullbringer who glanced at him as if he was joking.

"Yeah, Right! I'm not picking him up," Tatsunari looked at the older man as he shouted back.

The older man stepped to the younger boy as he growled, "That wasn't a request, pick his ass up," Ichigo demanded, grabbing onto his collar as the younger man glared at him. The older man looked at the boy who had the audacity to challenge him.

"I'm not picking that asshole up," he said to him, clearly not wanting to budge.

"Tatsu, you threw water at him, " Miume stated timidly, not wanting this to escalate with her boyfriend and her father. Tatsunari glanced at the auburn-haired girl as he chuckled and shook his head.

"Fine! I'll take him home. Not sure where that is," he grumbled through gritted teeth as Ichigo let go of him.

"He lives around Kitakawase, where I live," Yumiko stated.

"I can show you," Miume added, including herself.

"No! Yumiko you know where his house is?" Tatsunari asserted, ignoring his girlfriend's look, to glance at the Quincy girl who nodded slowly. "You can show me," he stated as Miume felt a small knot in her stomach as he passed her to pick Daichi and lug him onto his back.

"Let's go Yumiko!" he said.

"You sure you can lug him all the way to Kitakawase?" Yumiko asked.

"Nah! I'm fine! Right, Ichigo? Unless you want to lug this asshole all the way over there," he asked the orange -haired shinigami.

"Are you trying to piss me off?" Ichigo questioned the boy who ignored him and just trudged along with Yumiko following behind.

Ichigo looked at his daughter who was glancing at the disappearing boy in a confused stare when he asked her a question. She felt her father touch her arm softly to ask her his question again.

"What happened?"

"Daichi said something to piss off Tatsu. So he threw water at him as a joke and so Daichi punched him," she told her father as he nodded. Not wanting to get further involved, he held off in prying.

"Come on! Let's meet up with your mother, she's worried and I didn't want her to be involved," he rubbed her back as they made their way to his wife.


Ichika felt somewhat bad about inviting Daichi but that was pure entertainment. Kazui shook his head as he glanced at her.

"What?" she asked the orange-haired boy.

"You know what. You invited him here, didn't you? I know for a fact Miume has been avoiding that jerk so she wouldn't have even mentioned this party."

"I may have invited him," she grinned as Kazui shook his head.

"Unbelievable! Tatsu looks really upset and my little sister doesn't look happy either."

"You know her keeping their relationship secret was bound to blow up in their faces. I'm just trying to speed up something that was bound to happen," she shrugged her shoulders. Kazui nodded his head in understanding but he still didn't like the outcome. He knew it was a bad idea for his sister to keep her relationship secret, but he didn't have the heart to tell her. He wanted her to make her own decisions but seeing the look she gave when Tatsu ignored her, was hard to watch.

"I have to admit, that was the high light of my day. That kid seriously hurt his pride and his hand," she laughed.

"Except he won't remember it!" her father came from behind as she furrowed her brow realizing that his comment was true.

"That's true! Well, how much of an asshole he is. I'm guessing he's going to be a repeat offender if he keeps pissing Tatsu off," she chuckled as her father laughed.

"So how long is your sleepover with Miume and the Kurosaki family?" he asked his daughter as she glared at him. "Two months and twenty-seven days now. Let's see, this is like the fortieth time I've told you this?" she glanced at her father, who sat beside her.

"Fiftieth time," he chuckled as he patted her head, "I just miss you that's all."

"I know! I promise I won't stay longer than that," she smiled as he nodded.

"There's your uncle, wanting to give his condolences but mostly wants to see you," he grinned.

"I've only been gone for two days," finding her father and uncle missing her terribly, quite humorous and endearing.

She looked up to find her heart stop when she saw Hideyoshi walking beside her uncle.

"Come on! Let's meet him there. It looks like he brought Hideyoshi, I swear if I didn't know any better he's trying to replace me," Renji growled out.

"Well, Renji! From what I hear: he's very smart, his work is always on time, and he never complains," Kazui added as Renji glared at him.

"Who's side are you on, Kazui?"

"You sir!"

"Damn Right! Come on, Ichika! Ichika!" he glanced at her daughter who noticed that she was being called as he looked at her curiously.

"Thank you, Byakuya! This kimono is absolutely beautiful," Orihime touched the beautiful turquoise and gold colored fabric with pink cherry blossoms adorning the kimono.

"You are most welcome! I only give gifts to my dearest friends," he commented as he bowed in thanks.

"My birthday was a few months ago," Ichigo asked, raising his brow at the man.

"Oh must have slipped my mind," Byakuya said nonchalantly as Ichigo's eye twitched, knowing full well he knew it was his birthday when his own sister and Vice-Captain gave him a gift. "This is my Third seat, Hideyoshi!"

The man stepped at Byakuya's side as he bent down. He smiled as he began to express with his hands.

'It's an honor to meet Soul Society's Hero along with his wife who fought by his side," he bowed again. Orihime and Ichigo had heard from Renji of the sad circumstances surrounding the boy. Ichigo shook the man's hand as he accepted his hand. When Orihime came close to hug him, she paused abruptly to stand stock still.

"Orihime?" Ichigo asked worried as she nervously looked at everyone and continued to hug the man in front of him.

"I'm sorry, it's just that for some reason your features look familiar," she giggled.

The mute black haired man looked concerned as he stared at the auburn-haired woman.

"Ichika!" Byakuya interrupted as he held his niece tightly, missing her.

"Sheesh Uncle! Like I told father. I've been gone for only two days," she smiled at him.

"Too long if you ask me," Ichigo said under his breath as the red-head glared at him.

"If you feel like their accommodations are unacceptable or inferior. You won't hesitate to come back sooner?" the Captain of the sixth squad proclaimed.

"Oi! Sorry if the Kurosaki clinic is not up to your standards like the noble Kuchiki mansion. She doesn't have to stay, we're not holding her captive," Ichigo yelled.

"Well, Ichigo is telling the truth, it's my choice. I like it here. They are treating me well. You have nothing to worry about, Uncle. It's not like I'm sleeping in the closet, " she chuckled, as Rukia smiled at an annoyed Ichigo.

"Yeah! Something your mother flat out did without my permission," the substitute shinigami added.

"Oh, get over it!" Rukia laughed, "I found the little closet cozy but after having the luxuries of the manor. I'm a bit spoiled in having everything extremely large."

"Why thank you Mrs. Abarai! I take that as a compliment," Renji hugged his wife from behind as she blushed.

"Renji! Could you please! Not in front of Nii-sama," the petite girl pushed her husband away as he sucked his teeth in disappointment.

"Mom! Seriously! I am the product of you guys screwing each other. I think Uncle figured it out," she rolled her eyes as her mother's eyes widen and her father laughed.

"Ichika! I have told you not to be so blunt around Nii-sama," Rukia scolded her daughter.

"Oh! I get it, just not around Uncle, everyone else is fine?" she confidently asked as she raised a brow.

"Y...Yes!" she blurted out, unsure if that was the right thing to say.

Ichigo clapped his hands as he rubbed his brow in irritation, " Great job, Rukia! You just gave your daughter permission to be explicit with everyone just when she's not in front of Byakuya."

"I raised my daughter to be strong and outspoken. You're just a grump who can't take criticism."

Ichika laughed watching her mother and Ichigo fight back and forth, especially if it was regarding her. She looked beside her Uncle to find Hideyoshi staring at her and for a moment she forgot how to breathe.

"Hey, Hideyoshi! I heard a lot about you from Renji and the other Shinigami. I taught myself and family sign language simply because I admired hearing your stories growing up," Kazui expressed as he held out his hand. Hideyoshi gave a slight grin as he took the younger boy's hand and shook it. He watched as the younger man gave him a bright smile.

'I appreciate the gesture but I'm someone that doesn't need admiring. I'm just like any other Shinigami. Your father is someone who's completely a different story,' he smiled as Kazui became excited having a discussion with the newcomer.

"I must sound like an idiot but I used to draw you as a superhero, the mute shinigami. I made your character with a backstory, running away from a corrupt assassin family to join the ranks of the Gotei thirteen to do good," he became increasingly red from embarrassment as he tried to look elsewhere.

Hideyoshi found it endearing, feeling like he could become good friends with the son of Ichigo.

"That's just silly Kazui, he's not really a superhero," she chided as Kazui chuckled a bit, scratching the back of his head.

"Yeah, I guess it was pretty silly. It wasn't to poke fun honestly," the young orange-head boy pleaded to the man who just shook his head and smiled.

'Don't worry! I liked the story, it makes me sound more interesting.'

"Thanks! I'll be right back. I think my grandfather is calling me to talk to his friends. I'll be back," he said as he ran to his grandfather, Isshin who held Miume and Kazui along with the rest of his grandchildren.

"Makes you sound more interesting," she whispered into his ear as she scoffed, "I guess you were deaf in the part about not wanting to see you again."

He looked around trying to see if he could tell her things without others being able to see their discussion. He turned a bit hiding his hands to the side as he expressed with a serious expression.

'It was under direct orders for me to come. We're also in the same squad we're bound to bump into each other.'

"Then change squads!" she angrily demanded as he looked at her as if she was being serious.

'If that is your wish I will do what you ask of me.'

Deep down she knew this was everything to him as she angrily stared at him and growled, "Yes!"

'Very well! I'll tell my Captain early tomorrow mor-,'

"No! I want you back in Seireitei now, you tell my uncle now. You tell him to move you to another squad NOW," she seethed as she moved away from him to sit somewhere far from him. She watched as he inhaled and exhaled as he headed in the direction of her family. She wanted so much to stop him, to tell him that she was being petty. She did neither as she watched him, bend down to her uncle and her father and tell them with his hands:

'Captain Kuchiki, Vice-Captain Abarai! I give my humblest apologies and I regret to inform you that-,' he paused for a moment as he looked down at the ground.

"What is it, Hideyoshi?" Renji looked at the man concerned.

'-that I no longer wish to serve Squad six and please recommend me to another squad. I will return to Seireitei at this moment and gather my things from my Third seat barracks,' after his expressive hands told them, he placed his head down and rose up, avoiding Renji and Byakuya's gaze.

He made to leave when Renji grabbed his arm roughly.

"What do you mean? What is this shit, Hideyoshi?"

'I don't want to cause further problems. Please, let me go. Vice-Captain Abarai.'

"You know if he's seeking another Squad, Renji! Momo and I will be happy to take Kiyoshi in with us." Shinji drawled, watching the whole interaction.

"It's Hideyoshi, you asshole. This is just a misunderstanding. We'll talk about this later."

Renji watched as Hideyoshi bowed to Shinji and Momo, the dark-haired girl looked at her old friend, Renji a bit worried.

'Please consider me for squad Five, Captain Hirako.' with that the black-haired shinigami pulled his rank off his sleeve, throwing it angrily to the ground as he left. Ichika left before anyone could find her, she felt like she caused enough damage.


Poor Ichigo! The stress of planning his wife's birthday and she appreciate it so much. lol!

I wanted to show that deep love between the Karakura kids, most specifically Orihime, Ichigo, Uryu, and Chad. I see a lot of stories concentrating more on Rukia and Renji and I don't doubt their love for Ichigo and Orihime. We can't forget Orihime's time in training with Chad and hanging with him. Also, her time with Uryu when they went to rescue Rukia and in Hueco Mundo during Ulquiorra's battle. There's a deep love for each other that's not intimate and I think that's special. I hope I conveyed it. I'm such a sap I cried when I introduced Chad. (I LOVE HIM)

Miume! Poor girl has to learn, let's hope it's not too late. Tatsu I want to keep his character as a jokester and sweet. I feel like he doesn't get mad unless he's pushed to the point as you saw in this chapter.

I wanted Kazui and Hideyoshi to have respect for one another and become friends. Kinda makes you wonder how Kazui would react with the knowledge of the relationship with someone he admires and someone he has a crush on.

Ichika, I don't want you to hate her. I want to write her as sort of a spoiled brat, that doesn't understand how her silly actions of wanting to have fun, can honestly affect a person's life. I truly believe her feelings for Hideyoshi is genuine. It reminds me of Rukia's relationship with Kaien Shiba but as I felt that Rukia admired Kaien, her daughter has strong feelings and she's struggling with it.

I'm glad N9R explained to me that Ichika and Kazui didn't seem right together. I'm glad I listened because I wanted to show that he's the young boy who's just has a childhood crush.