Okie doike! Sensei is back with yet another chapter of SBLG! Wonder what happens in Byakuya and Ichigo's life next!
WARNING :: Might contains slight cases of OOC…don't like then don't read! :D
As always – DISCLAIMER :: I do not own BLEACH or the song LET THEM BE LITTLE. They are respectively owned by Tite Kubo and Lonestar!
Ichigo felt like she was going insane. Ever since her son, Ryuunosuke had learned to crawl a few months ago, she has been chasing him around the manor constantly. She still couldn't believe that in just a few days time, her little baby was going to be a year old. "Man, time sure does fly," she said, running her hand through her long hair, that unrestrained from the hair pins..
Stopping for a moment, she tried to focus in on her son's small, but strong spiritual pressure, but found that she couldn't sense it. Now, with a bit of panic in her, she searched rooms that she hadn't even checked yet. When she got close to Byakuya's study, she heard her husband's voice from the other side. "Ryu, don't put daddy's paperwork in your mouth...Ryu!" Byakuya scolded.
Ichigo couldn't help but giggle as she walked in the room. "I see some things never change, huh?"
Byakuya was holding Ryu in his lap trying to get his papers out of his mouth without hurting him. It wasn't going very successfully as it looked like half of it was already wet with slobber. "A little help here, hun?" Byakuya asked Ichigo urgently.
Ichigo just laughed and walked over to her husband and son. "Ryu, sweetie?" she asked him kindly making his warm amber colored eyes look up at his mother's eyes that looked exactly like his own. "Hunny, can you give mommy daddy's paperwork?" Ryu looked down at the paper in his mouth and back at his mom one more time before spitting out the paperwork into Ichigo's hand.
"Thank you, Ryu," Ichigo said, ruffling her son's bright orange hair with black highlights. "Now, what did I tell you about messing with daddy's papers?" Ichigo asked her son. Ryu looked down guiltily before looking back up at Ichigo and smiling. She couldn't help but smile back at his infectious grin, as she picked her son up from Byakuya's lap and attached him to her hip.
"Thanks, dear." Byakuya said. "I can never get him to listen to me."
"Don't worry about it, Byakuya. I am sure that he'll start listening to you. Maybe you and he should spend some quality time together. You are in this office an awful lot." Ichigo said.
"I know. I really miss both of you. But the Sou-taichou has me doing a lot of paperwork recently. And with Makira as a fukutaichou I am stuck with her paperwork too a lot of the time. I swear she is worse than Renji!" Byakuya exclaimed in frustration.
Ichigo laughed. "You know that Makira has a lot of responsibilities as the Sou-taichou's granddaughter. Perhaps, maybe even more than you."
"I feel bad for anyone with more responsibilities than me." Byakuya said, looking at the stacks of paperwork around him. "When I get rid of all this paperwork, we should invite Mai over for lunch sometime. She has really helped both of us out."
"No kidding, I am not sure if Ryu would have been here without her and Rukia. They really helped me out during the pregnancy. But first thing first, you need to get all of this done. Do you want my help?" Ichigo asked.
"No, I'm fine, hun. You are just as busy as me, between Ryu and paperwork for the 5th..." Byakuya said. After Ichigo found out she was pregnant she actually declined the position of taichou of the 5th that the Soutaichou had offered her. But Unohana assured her that if she only took up the paperwork aspect of the job that she and her baby would be just fine. And paperwork there was. After her fukutaichou, Hinamori, died from a hollow attack during a mission out in the Rukongai woods, Ichigo was left with all the paperwork. (The dumb bitch shouldn't have been allowed to do paperwork anyway)
"I just finished." Ichigo said, not taking no for an answer. Wondering why Ryu was so quiet, she looked down at her son and noticed that he had fallen asleep. "You know, let me go put him down for his nap, and I'll come back."
Looking at the paperwork, Byakuya silently admitted defeat. "Okay. It would be nice to spend some time with you, even if it's doing paperwork." Looking at his son in his wife's arms, he smiled. Byakuya felt bad for neglecting his son over the last 2 months, but ever since Mai's familial responsibilities kicked in, he hasn't had the extra help with paperwork. But after speaking with his fukutaichou, who is also his best friend, he started planning on spending some time with his two favorite people. He would make this up to them. "Actually, Ichigo, why don't you hand him to me. I'll go lay him down," he said catching his wife's attention before she left the office.
Stopping in the front of the door, and turning around, Ichigo raised an eyebrow at her husband. "Are you sure, 'Kuya?"
Getting up from his desk, he walked over to his wife, holding out his arms. "Yes. Like you said, we need time together," he said as Ichigo transferred a sleeping Ryu to his father's arms. Looking down at the sleeping child in his arms, Byakuya couldn't keep the smile from forming on his lips. 'I am so lucky to have such a wonderful son. I know in my heart that he will become a man truly worthy of becoming the next Kuchiki Clan leader. I hope that he finds a love like I have with his mother one day.' Leaning down to his son's forehead, he placed a gentle kiss, making sure not to wake his son up. "Daddy loves you, Ryu." Taking his gaze back up to his wife, he took notice of the slight tears in her amber eyes. Reaching a hand up, he gently wiped them away. "Ichi..." With a smile, he brought her into his arm, while holding Ryu in his other. "I love you both, and definitely promise to start making time for the two of you."
"Kuya..." Ichi said looking into her husband's grey eyes.
"The two of you are my life, Ichigo," he softly said to her, before kissing her gently. "Why don't you get started and I'll be right back."
"Alright. Just make sure you put his bottle and Seaweed Ambassador in the crib with him." Ichigo walked over to Byakuya's desk, sitting down.
Byakuya took one last glance at his wife, before he left the office, heading for his son's nursery. Once there, he laid Ryu gently in the crib, making sure to place his bottle in the corner to where he could grab it easily. Looking around, he quickly spotted the green plush that he had gotten his son after he was born and placed it next to him. As soon as he laid it there, Ryu moved his arm in his sleep and snuggled up to it.
With one last smile to his son, he brush the hair out of his face, placing a small kiss to his forehead. Quietly, he grabbed the baby monitor they had picked up in the Real World and headed back down the hall to his office.
A few days later, Ichigo was feeling like a chicken with her head cut off. Tomorrow was Ryu's first birthday, so she was making last minute preparations to the party. At first, Byakuya didn't want a big party, but Ichigo convinced him. Hell, you only celebrate their first birthday once, she had told him.
Ichigo finally finished sending out the last of the hell butterflies to different members of the Kuchikis and their friends. Now, just to get world to her family in the Real World. With her duties, she couldn't just pick up and take a trip, so she did the next best thing. "MEIYO!" she hollered.
The door to Ichigo and Byakuya's shared office and the young woman stuck her head in. "Yes, Ichigo?"
"I need you to do me a favor and make this your top priority." Writing a note on a piece of paper, she folded it and placed it in an envelope. After sealing it, she handed it to her maid. "Since you are one of the few servants will definite access to the family Senkaimon, can you deliver this message to my father?"
"I would love too. It would be nice to see Isshin-sama again," she said with a smile and a slight blush on her cheeks.
If Ichigo didn't know better, she would say that her maid was crushing on her father. "Since I know my old man likes to talk a lot, why don't you take the rest of the day to yourself? Enjoy yourself, you've earned it," she said with a smile. "Oh, before you leave, can you have my traveling bag and coat ready? I need to go out to the shopping districts in Rukongai to see what I can find for Ryu."
"Of course, my lady." Meiyo started to head for the office door but turned around to look at Ichigo again. "Would you mind if I bought something for Ryu while I'm there?"
"Of course not, my dear." Ichigo stacked her papers in a pile and got up from the desk. Walking over to the young woman, she wrapped her arm around her shoulder as they walked out of the office. "Just have my dad give you the card I left there and feel free to buy him anything you want…I know Ryu would love anything his Mei-Mei gets for him."
Meiyo couldn't help but laugh. "That's true. Ryu is a joy to be around. Well, let me go get your bag and coat ready. Oh, and before you ask, I saw Lord Byakuya and Little Ryu heading for your chambers."
"Thanks, Mei. Just place the bag and coat by the front door. I'm going to go let Byakuya know I'm going to leave for a few hours." With a hug to her friend, Ichigo headed toward their bedroom.
Sliding the door open, she expected to be pounced by her son, but the sight she was greeted by made her heart melt. Lying on the bed was her husband fast asleep, with their son splayed out across his father's chest. Their arms were wrapped around each other, to where it looked like they were hugging each other.
Byakuya had taken the next week off to spend some time with them, so he was dressed in a casual kimono without his kenseikan in his ebony locks. When she had asked him earlier that day why he wasn't wearing it, he simply said that this time was family time. The Elders would have to wait till next week if they needed him.
Walking into the room, Ichigo made her way over to the bed and gently pulled a blanket over them, making sure they did t get cold. As she did, she saw Ryu start to move around. Leaning down, she kissed him softly. "Go back to sleep, baby." She watched as Ryu snuggled back into his father's chest, and fall back to sleep.
Smiling, Ichigo looked up at her husband. No matter what time of the day it was, she would never get tired of looking at his face. Placing a gently kiss on his lips, she was greeted by his sleepy grey eyes as she pulled back. "Looks like you two had a tiring day so far," she whispered softly brushing his hair away from his face.
"Yeah. Now I see what you go through." He looked down at his son in his arms as he tightened his embrace. "He was happy to have me to himself…he missed me and I know I missed him too."
Kissing her husband again, she offered him a smile. "Catch some more sleep while you can. I came here to let you know that I was going to head out to the shopping districts for a few hours and that I sent Meiyo to the Real World, so will you be okay with him by yourself?"
Byakuya yawned as he shook his head. "Yes, I'll be fine. If I need anything, I'll get one of the other maids to help. Take your time and be careful, love."
"You know me. I love you, Bya."
"Love you too, Ichi," he said softly as his eyes closed, drifting back off to sleep.
Smiling at her two men, she tucked the blanket around them and headed out of the room.
Ichigo had no idea where to start in the Rukongai. It was not every day that she went out and traveled around the Soul Society, and especially not the Rukon District. After all, she was now Lady Kuchiki. It was difficult for her to freely leave the house, except when it came to her division. But Ichigo knew just who to go to ask for help...
"Kuchiki-taichou! What are you doing here? I thought this was your day off!" Rukia said walking in her office and finding her sister-in-law sitting in her office chair.
Ichigo chuckled at Rukia's reaction. "Well, you know me, I cant seem to stay away from the division." Looking at her sister, she finally got to why she was there. "Rukes, I need a favor?"
"Sure, Ichigo. What is it?" she asked while she set down the papers on her desk.
"Well, I wanna go out to the shopping districts, but I don't know my way around very good. Feel like helping out your dear ole sister?" she asked with a smile.
"Sure, I don't mind, but one thing though. Whose gonna run the division?"
Ichigo didn't think about that. Usually when she took a day off, Rukia always ran it, but both of them had never taken off at the same time. "Maybe Kazuki can…I mean hell, he's 3rd seat for a reason."
"True!" Rukia summoned a hell butterfly, gave it the message, and sent it on it way. "By the way, I was wondering where Nii-sama and Ryu were?"
"Oh. Byakuya took Ryu off my hands for the day, so I could plan the party. You should have seen his face, Rukes, when I told him he had his daddy all day."
"Awwww….I wish I would have. Ryu is Byakuya's joy. I really hated seeing him not be able to be around the two of you much the last few months."
Ichigo sighed. "I know…We missed him too. I'm just glad that Ryu got his dad back." Getting up from the desk, she walked over to where Rukia was leaning against the desk. "By the way, thanks for all your help too…Byakuya and I really appreciate it."
"You're welcome, Ichigo." Hugging the carrot top, she gave her a smile. "Ichigo, you're my captain, my friend…heck my best friend, my sister…but most importantly, you make my brother happy. To see Byakuya that happy makes my heart smile. For that, I should say THANK YOU to you."
"Rukia…." Ichigo smiled. Holding her hand out to the girl she was proud to call a sister, she gave her one of her infectious smiles. "Come on, sis. We better get going before it get too late."
A few hours later, the girls were nearing the end of their shopping trip. Being Kuchikis, they never worried about the money, but Ichigo was still leery about it, even though Byakuya had told her not to be. "Man, why is a one-year old so hard to shop for? Especially my own son?" Ichigo exclaimed, grabbing her head in frustration.
Rukia chuckled at her sister. There have been a few times that she has seen Ichigo get like that and it was quite hilarious. "Well, I can think of one last shop that we can go to before we call it a day."
"I'll try anything. Where is it at?" Ichigo said, as she fell into step next to Rukia. She was trying her hardest not to trip in her kimono.
"There is this little shop down the way here, where a elderly couple handmade a lot of their items. Also, when Renji and I were living here, they really helped us out a lot when we would hit rough patches. You never know, they might have something for Ryu there."
"Well, it's definitely worth a shot. This is one tough lil boy to shop for," Ichigo laughed as they made their way down the street.
"Welcome, welcome!" an older woman said as she greeted Ichigo and Rukia as they walked through the door to the old shop. "My name is Reiko, how can I help you today?"
"Hello, Reiko. My name is Rukia. Me and my sister in-law are looking for a present for her one year-old son's birthday." Rukia said kindly.
"Well, why don't I show you around the store and you see if you find anything you like." Reiko said, grabbing the two women's hand and leading them across the store where there was a little sign saying 'Valued Costumers'.
"This stuff over here is personal items that have been passed down in my family. Unfortunately, I have no one left to pass my stuff down to..." Reiko said drifting off. "I figured I might as well give them to customers who will need it a lot more than me and can make special memories with it." Ichigo couldn't help but smile out of sympathy and compassion towards the old woman.
Once they were in front of the 'Valued Customers' area, Ichigo looked over everything she had there. She still couldn't believe that the old woman didn't have anyone to pass this stuff down too. There were from Ichigo could see lots of antiques, ranging from a china hutch to a lovely coffee table. But one thing in particular caught her eye. Ichigo knelt down to get a closer look at it.
Reiko smiled as she saw Ichigo's light up. "I see something caught your eyes?"
"Yeah," Ichigo smiled, looking back up at her. "How much would you take for it?"
"For you, my dear, nothing. Just make sure your son has a wonderful birthday." Reiko motioned over to her husband, who come over and grabbed the item. They watched as he got it ready for Ichigo.
"Are you sure, Reiko?"
"Yes, Lady Kuchiki. It brings me joy to know that this will bring joy to a lil boy's world. Just makes sure he appreciates it.
Ichigo's eyes almost bugged out. "How did you know my last name?" She watched as the woman simply pointed to her coat. Her amber eyes trailed to where her fingers were pointing. "I totally forgot about that being there," she said, touching the Kuchiki crest. "Rukes, remind to get Byakuya for having Meiyo do this..."
"Not a problem, Ichi." Rukia walked over and helped Reiko's husband finish up.
"I was wondering something, my lady, but didn't she use to live in Rukongai with a red-haired boy?" asked Reiko, who was watching Rukia interact with husband.
"Yeah, she did. The red-haired boy is Renji and he made it to Taichou of the 3rd. Rukia there," she said nodding over to her, "was adopted by my husband 60 years again after he lost his first wife. She's currently my fuku-taichou of the 5th." She could see the relief in the older woman's eyes. "Don't worry so much. They both are fine and doing well."
"Good. They were good kids. I'm just surprise I didn't recognize her till now." At that time, Rukia came back over with the package in her hands. "You really did grow up, Rukia."
Rukia smiled. Just knowing that the woman remembered her warmed her heart. "Thank you, Reiko." Hugging the woman the best she could, she smiled. "And thank you for watching out for us all those years ago."
"You are quite welcome, my dear. Tell Renji I said hello and make sure the young Kuchiki enjoys his gift."
"We will. Thank you again, Reiko," Ichigo said, as Rukia and her hugged the woman again and headed out of the shop.
The following night, everything was running smoothly. The party that the Elders had thrown for Ryu actually went off without a hitch. Ichigo was surprised that not even one problem arisen the entire night. Looking over at her son, she could see the excitement on her son's face, as he tried to tackle his father into the pile of wrapping paper on the floor.
"He is quite for the energy spitfire. He reminds me of Byakuya when he was younger," came the voice of Ginrei, as he walked up next to Ichigo, placing his hand on her shoulder. "The Elders send their goodbyes and everyone else has left for the evening. Shall we give my great-grandson his surprise?"
"Sure, why not? Has my dad arrived yet?" she asked.
"Yes, he's waiting in the living room with everyone else."
"Okay." Ichigo clapped her hands to gain the attention of her son and husband. "Ryu, you got one more surprise. You ready for it, sweetie?"
Ryu's eyes went big as he heard his mom say surprise. He crawled over to the coffee table and pulled himself up. Very carefully, he walked himself to the edge to where he was only at least 4 feet away from his mother. Byakuya smiled as he went over to his son. Looking down at his son, he couldn't even be more proud of him. Holding his finger out, he gave him a reassuring smile. "Ryu, you wanna show your momma what we learned the other day?" Ryu looked up at his father and giggled. Grabbing his finger, Ryu took very tentative, slow steps and closed the distance to this mother. Once he was close enough, Byakuya let go of his hand and Ryu walked the rest of the way into Ichigo's arms. Ryu giggled even louder as he was swept away into his momma's arms.
"Momma so proud of her big boy," Ichigo said, kissing his baby cheeks. "Love you, Ryu."
"Wuv you, mama," Ryu said slowly.
Ichigo could feel the tears in her eyes after hearing that. "Now I see why you two were so tired the other day. Thank you, Byakuya." She wrapped her other arm around his waist bring him closer to her, kissing his cheek.
"You're welcome. Come on. Let's take the birthday boy to his other surprise." The small family made their way to the main living room, where Ichigo's family and their friends were waiting for them. Stopping in front of the door, Ichigo looked down at her son. "You ready, Ryu?" Seeing his little head nod, she opened the door slowly.
"SURPRISE!" came the collective voices.
Ryu squealed as he saw everyone. Squirming to get out of his mother's arms, Ichigo placed him on the ground next to him. Once his little amber eyes set their sights on someone, he started to crawl over. Holding his lil arms out, he looked up. "PAPA!"
Isshin couldn't help but smile as he leaned over to pick up his grandson off the ground. "Happy Birthday, Ryu. How is Papa's big boy?" he asked, blowing on his cheeks and stomach.
"Come on, Dad. Let's get this party started for the lil man." Watching as Isshin tried to put him in the high chair, Ryu wouldn't let go of his grandfather. "Looks like he's stuck to you," she said chuckling.
"Seems like it, but Papa don't mind. Right, Ryu?" he asked his grandson. His answer came to him by Ryu hugging onto him tighter.
For the next hour, Ryu celebrated his birthday with his parents, his grandpa, his great-grandfather, his 3 aunts, Meiyo, and his 'Unca Wenji'. Ichigo couldn't believe how spoiled her son ended up being. Ryu made out like a bandit - a bunch of outfits from the Real World from Yuzu and Karin and a huge Seaweed Ambassador plush and a Chappy Doll from Rukia. But it only got worse (or better) from there. Isshin showed up with a hand-made toy chest filled with toys from his children's childhood. He had engraved Ryu's initials into the wood, along with both the Kuchiki and Kurosaki crests to remind Ryu of his noble heritage. Meiyo gave him a huge stuffed teddy bear that was even bigger than Ryu himself. And baka Renji gave the one-year old a wooden training sword that said 'My favorite nephew' on it. Ginrei-sama gave Ryu the Kuchiki family's very special ginpaku kazahana no uzuginu family heirloom scarf, which was a big surprise to Byakuya.
From his parents, Ryu received a very small silver kenseikan from his father, which Ichigo thought would look good on him. When she had visited the Real World last, she had a very special locket made for him. It had the Kuchiki crest on one side while the other side held his initial KR. Inside, she had a picture placed in there for him - a picture of Ichigo and Byakuya with Ryu after she came home from the 4th.
Ichigo smiled as she looked over at her son tackling his grandfather the best he could. Little did Ryu know, he had one more gift coming for him tonight. "Hello everyone, I'd like to get you attention for just one moment, please." Ichigo said to everyone. "We have one more gift for Ryu today. Byakuya?" Ichigo asked, winking at him to bring out the gift. Byakuya stood up and walked into the adjacent room and came back with a huge package wrapped in wrapping paper printed with sakura blossoms. She would never understand why her one-year loved the blossoms. He was so much like his father.
As Byakuya placed the package down, Isshin come over with Ryu, placing him next to the package. They watched as Ryu eyed the package then took a hold of the edge of the paper. Very slowly, he pulled on the paper, tearing it along the way. As soon as he saw the very first part of it, he squealed. Looking up at his grandfather, he gave him the puppy dogs' eyes, so Isshin sat down next to him and helped him with the rest of the paper.
As Isshin ripped off the rest of the paper, Ryu's eyes went unbelievably wide. Sitting there in front of him was a much worn, old rocking horse. True it had seen better days, but the way Ryu's eyes light up was all Ichigo needed to see. On the left side, it had the faint inscription of an R.
Ichigo watched as Ryu crawled over to the horse, using the edge to stand up. "Papa." That was all Isshin needed to hear and help his grandson sit on the horse and watched as he started to rock back and forth. "Karin, watch your nephew for moment. I need to talk to your sister," Isshin asked Karin, as he walked over to Ichigo. "Ichigo, let's go outside for a moment."
Father and daughter excused them from the party, and headed outside to the side garden. "I need your opinion, Ichi. What would you say to me being in the Soul Society all the time?"
Ichigo's eyes went wide. "You're serious?"
"Yeah. The sou-taichou sent me a message the other day, asking if I would be interested in coming back and taking up the Taichou position of the 9th. I already talked to Karin and Yuzu and they back me on this, since they're heading off to college. Now, what do you think?"
Ichigo smiled huge as she flung her arms around her dad's neck. "I would love it, Dad."
Isshin smiled softly as he hugged his daughter tightly. Just as he was about to say something, the sound of a throat clearing caught their attention. They turned to see Karin standing there with Ryu in her arms. "Little man is starting to get tired," she said, handing her nephew off to his mom.
"Well, he has had a very tiring day. Let me go lay him down real quick." Ichigo cuddled Ryu into her chest and headed off into the Manor. As she was heading to his room, she stopped by the living area to let them know that she would be right back.
After she entered his room, Ryu started to stir. "Mama," he said groggily.
"Go back to sleep, baby. Want Mama to sing to you?" she asked her tired son. Looking down she saw him nod his head in what she thought was a yes. Thinking for a moment, she remembered a song that she heard in the Real World.
I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand
Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute
How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink
Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon
So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little
I've never felt so much in one little tender touch
I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes
Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see
Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please
Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little
So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around
It's time to let them go
So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little
Let them be little
Ichigo couldn't help but smile as she looked down and saw Ryu fast asleep. It was one of the most precious days of her life today. She couldn't have been happier with her life – she had the love of her life, a wonderful son and caring friends and family. And to think…it wasn't over yet!
**Well, as promised, their child made their debut! I wonder what the next chapter of their lives will have in store for them! Stay tuned and find out!
**PLEASE would love to know what you think! PLEASE R&R! 3 3 3
Much Love,
Byakuya-Sensei!