AUTHOR: Gabby0214
TITLESurprise! Chapter 22
RATING: M/ NC 17
PAIRING: RenIchi and other pairings

WARNING: Language, Sexual Innuendo, Boy Sex, Yaoi, OOC
SUMMARY: Ichigo's 20th Surprise Birthday, What Friends Are For!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Bleach, wish I did! All persons written in my stories are above the age of 18. This is a fan fiction based on fictional characters that have grown older, and are of legal age. Ichigo in this story is 20.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIION: Karin in this story is 18, I know she would not be 18, but please understand I added her to the story after already coming up with Ichigo's age. What can I say Writer's Liberties, I guess.

BETA BY: Vindictivefreak

Surprise

Chapter Twenty-two

Renji pulled out his zanpakutou, and ran his hand over it saying, "Howl, Zabimaru (Serpent Tail)!" His zanpakutou changed from its release form to his Shi-kai. He gazed up at Ichigo with a goofy grin on his face, "God, I missed sparrin with ya!"

"You're not the only one, Ren." smiled Ichigo in return. Ichigo then looked over to Shirosaki. Renji followed his action to also look at the hollow.

Shirosaki shrugged, "Do I have to, too?! Ya, guys make such a big display drawing your Zanpakutou, it's not like ya both don't already no the names of each others weapon."

Renji just look at him in aghast. "It's a matter of showin them respect! Acknowledging them!" he gripped.

"Whatever!" replied the hollow with another shrug. "The Old Man has me acknowledge him in other ways," he snickered as he pulled out his Zanpakutou from his back.

Renji looked at it and then at Ichigo's Zangetsu in amazement. "Ya, even have the same Zanpakutou?" he questioned.

"It's not only the sword we have in common, either." snickered Shirosaki.

"Ya, know I've always sort of wonder about that," Ichigo casually said. "Come here, Shiro."

"Huh, you're not gonna do what I think you are?" sputtered Renji.

Shirosaki strolled over to Ichigo with a smirk on his face.

"Why not, it's not like he would mind." He said to Renji. "Would ya, Shiro?" Ichigo asked his inner hollow that was now standing in front of him.

"Whatever my King wants, he gets." He mockingly bowed to Ichigo.

Ichigo chuckled and thrust Zangetsu into the ground freeing his hands. He reached forward under his komono to grip the waistband of the hakama. With his other hand he moved aside the kimono.

Shirosaki let out a slight "Ahh!" when he felt the tips of Ichigo's fingers upon his stomach.

"Cut the shit and let me see." Ichigo chuckled and pulled the hakama out a little to peer at the hollow's package. Shirosaki looked over at the red head shinigami with a cocky grin plastered on his face. Ichigo look down and tisked, "I think I'm a little larger."

The grin immediately vanished off his face causing Renji to laugh out loud at his expense. Shirosaki glared at him, and returned his attention back to Ichigo. "Nani?" Shiro gasped and then grabbed Ichigo's hakama to have a look at him. Ichigo let go of Shirosaki's hakama and grabbed the hollows hand, "None of that now." he giggled.

"That's not fair, King!" pouted the hollow with his lower lip sticking out. Renji, mentally gasped 'Oh, fuck! They have the same pout. I'm never gonna be able to resist that!'

Ichigo couldn't resist that look either and gave in, "Alright Shiro, ya can take a peek!"

Shirosaki preformed the same actions as Ichigo had done to him. He looked down and snapped, "Ya, little liar were the same!"

Ichigo replied, "I don't think we are, maybe we should have Renji judge?" he winked at Shirosaki hoping he would get the hint. Shirosaki grinned back knowing what his King was up to!

"Maybe, you're right. We might need someone else's perspective." He responded.

"Ren, we could use your help over here."

"Ya, really want me to compare both of ya!" laughed Renji in disbelief.

"Well, if ya won't I pretty sure we can find someone else that won't mind!" slyly stated Shirosaki looking over at GrimmJow who was talking with Karin.

Renji caught the look frowning, and thought to himself Somethin ain't right here! Shirosaki has implied more than once something other than friendship is goin on between Ichi and GrimmJow. And the way GrimmJow acted earlier like he was jealous of me and Ichi. I really need to keep an eye on him. I trust Ichigo, but I know he's not telling me everythin. I even understand why, but I should defiantly keep on my toes! "Fine, I'll judge for ya!"

Earlier

Karin noticed Cookie was staring at the three who were teasing one another. She could feel his emotions rolling off of him. He was so confused. Karin also noticed Rukia had looked more than once at him, with concern in her eyes of what was going on. Rukia was scared about her feelings for the vaizard, but she did truly love him. Karin turned to Toushirou, "I need to talk with Cookie for a little bit if ya don't mind."

"Not at all, Karin." He answered, and Karin smiled at him and started to walk off, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"TOUSHIROU!" She said in shock!

"Umm, I just wanted to give you a goodbye kiss." Toushirou said in a shy voice.

"Oh, Toushirou" smiled Karin as she leaned into him. When their lips met she moaned at the sensation of his soft lips on hers.

Toushirou pulled back, and lightly pushed her away. "Now, you can go talk with Co.o.o.ki.e," Hitsugaya stated as he stretched out GrimmJow's nickname.

"Oh, okay Toushirou." Karin replied looking stunned at him, and as she turned away to go over to GrimmJow. She felt a slap on her ass. She jumped into the air and spun around with her mouth gaping open in surprise. She looked at Toushirou who just stood there with his serious and his usual reserved face. What the…, she wondered until she met his eyes and saw a mischievous sparkle.

"Karin, what's wrong?" he asked in his serious tone.

Karin couldn't stop from giggling, "Nothin, Toushirou-kun," She rushed over and gave him a quick peck to his cheek, and just as quickly turn and left. Hitsugaya cracked a small smile watching her walk over to GrimmJow.

"Hey, Cookie, can I talk with you in private for a bit." Karin asked.

"Uh, yeah I guess so." Answered GrimmJow puzzled by Karin's reasons.

They crossed over to a more secluded area, but still within eye sight of the group.

"GrimmJow, I'm gonna be bluntly honest with ya!" stated Karin. "You're being a boke! You know I can feel your emotions, and I can sense you're confusion from them. I also know you're still getting accustomed to having feelings, but man you have your head up your ass on this one!"

GrimmJow was floored by what Karin was saying to him, but even in his shock his temper began to rise. He stood there with a scowl on his face waiting for her to continue.

Karin met his scowl with determination, he was going to hear her out no matter what. "I'll make it simply for you so even ya can understand. One, I know ya love Ichigo. He's your best friend, it only make sense that you care deeply for him. So what, if you're attracted to him, that doesn't mean that you should be together that way. Two, the only real reason you're confused is because of Renji's presence. Let's face it, you're jealous of him, but it's not because of a physical thing for Ichigo. It's because you're afraid of losing Ichigo to him, you're afraid of losing your friendship. Ya see how much Ichigo loves him, and ya want that kind of relationship just like you wanted the kind of friendship he and Rukia shared all those years ago. Ya have that opportunity to have something special with Rukia. But right now, you're just focusing on Ichi-nii because you're more comfortable with him. Believe it or not, you're just scared."

GrimmJow flinched at those words. He tried to bite back a growl, but it came out anyway. It did nothing to stop Karin though, she stood her ground and kept talking to him.

"Hai, scared of being hurt by what ya feel for Rukia. New relationships are scary, Grimm. Especially because you're not dealing with just what you are feeling, but you have to rely on the other's feelings as well. In your case, you know you can trust Ich-nii because he has already proven to you that he'll be there for ya so you're leaning towards that. It's only natural to feel what you're feeling, but I don't want your fear of the unknown to jeopardize what ya have with Rukia."

Karin paused and continued when she saw that he was truly listening to what she was saying. In a more gentle tone she went on, "Cookie, I know she cares deeply for ya. But Rukia is also afraid of what she is feeling. You don't have to do this on your own. You need to work with her to overcome both of your fears. I promise it will be worth it. Just look at how long it took Ich-nii and Renji, they still have a ways to go, but finally they are on the right track. Don't wait as long as they did, don't be so stubborn!"

"Karin, I'm just so confused!" GrimmJow responded to her his head hung low.

Karin reached out and lifted his chin making him look at her. "I know, Cookie. You're not alone in this, I'm here for ya, and so is Ichi-nii. I hope ya know how I feel about you, GrimmJow. You're like a second brother to me. You've been there for me through all I have gone through. I just want to be there for you, too. I love ya, Grimm, just like Ichi-nii does too. He would want ya to be happy, to be happy with Rukia. No matter what you might think you will never lose him, you're very special to him please remember that!"

GrimmJow nodded in understanding, but Karin saw the sadness and pain were still present in his blue eyes. She pulled him into an embrace rubbing his back in a comforting gesture. "God Karin! What am I goin ta do?" GrimmJow sighed resting his head on her shoulder.

"Cookie, ya got to ask yourself, what you really want. Until today, did you want a relationship, a physical relationship, with my brother? Please, really think about it! If ya did, I'm sure Ichi-nii and you would already be together. But you're not because you just wanted to be his friend. You've dreamt of this opportunity with Rukia, and it's now here. Don't throw it away!" as she said this she glanced over at the others. "OH MY GOD!" she gulped as she saw what her brother and Shirosaki were doing.

"Nani?" asked GrimmJow as he pulled away from her to look over at what she was referring to. Once he saw, he burst out laughing at their antics. "Just like them!" he snickered. Cheering him up instantly.

"Cookie, ya got to stop them!" screeched Karin, her hand over her eyes to block out the image before her.

"Why?" he laughed as he glanced at her and then back to Ichigo and Shirosaki.

Karin flopped to her knees being overly dramatic, and looked up to the heavens pleading, "Why, oh why me? What did I ever do to deserve this?" which made Cookie laugh even harder.

"Hey Shorty, ya gotta look!" he said through his laughter, "It looks like Renji is getting in on the action too!"

She looked over even though she really didn't want to; her curiosity overriding her embarrassment. "Poor Renji," she cried, "They've corrupted him!"

Grimmjow smiled at her and grabbed her hand to pull her up. As soon as she stood up a shiver went down her spine, she grasped Cookie's hand really hard. "Karin?" questioned GrimmJow when he felt her grasp tighten around his hand.

"Their coming!" Karin announced .as he turned her head and met his eyes with seriousness.

A few moments went by when all of a sudden the sky opened up and hollows began to appear. The Shinigami's cell phones hollow alerts went off, and Ichigo's substitute shinigami's badge flashed.