Standard disclaimer applies.
Author's notes: Ah, yes, the parent comes into the picture! Isshin might seem a little out of character at first, but I always liked that serious side of him, so it's there. Afterwards… I can only pity Ichigo. XD Dedicated to Akai Tsuki, because you and your fics, my friend, were the ones who caused this. XP Thanks to all of you for your reviews!

Introductions
06.06.2005

His father seemed to be assessing the situation quite calmly, scanning the two of them up and down as well as the yellow plush that, if the bearded man knew any better, was certainly NOT squirming in his son's hands. No, it was not moving… Well, okay, it was moving; but that was another story and there would be another time to deal with that…

Isshin cleared his throat, his eyes shining with a light his oldest son had not seen in them for a long while. It wasn't very promising. "Well…" the man clad in a pristine white doctor's robe began, voice cheerful and his demeanor bubbly as he glanced at the girl standing next to the orange-haired boy. "Aren't you going to introduce me your… friend, Ichigo?"

The boy shuffled in his feet once. Only once.

"This is Rukia," Ichigo declared rather bluntly, feeling brave somewhat, but he still couldn't avoid the slightest tinge of pink spreading over his tan cheeks. Ichigo glanced at his dark-haired companion and then back at his father. He grunted, already sensing the question from the doctor that was going to follow. Heck, to him it looked like his father just wanted to burst and blurt it out. "And it's none of your business, old man."

If anything, the aforementioned woman had flushed further, even in a brighter shade than that of her partner in crime. Her fingers skimmed over her half-unbuttoned shirt and she tried to fasten them down as quickly as she could. So far, she wasn't doing such a good job thanks to her shaking hands.

Isshin straightened up, disturbingly and unnervingly serious, at least for Ichigo. "You are my son," he stated in a deep voice, again that strange glint upon his eyes, "It is my business whether you like it or not."

But he prodded no more on the subject. Instead, he glanced down at the stuffed toy on the boy's hand, who was really not a boy anymore since he was already two decades old and two inches taller than himself, and raised an amused brow. Ah, yes, now, about the lion… "And what about that thing?"

"Nothing." Ichigo cursed under his breath (freakin' meddling souls, the other man thought he heard) and gripped the lion's neck tightly before throwing it to the floor, where it landed with a thud and a… yelp?

"So, Ichigoooo," Isshin changed the topic suddenly, making the young man lift his head up to glare at him. The Kurosaki Clinic head doctor couldn't but help to notice the ruffled hair of his son or his misplaced shirt. A sudden smirk was crafted on his already wrinkling face. He nudged Ichigo's side and winked purposely at him. "Sorry for the interruption, but I just came to tell you dinner is ready."

His father looked down at Rukia, sensing her increasing discomfort, and grinned at her. "Invite your friend over too," he suggested, eyes glued to the girl, "I guess she was staying the night anyway. Right, Rukia-chan?"

A wink.

Rukia stared unbelievingly at the old man. Ichigo's eyebrow twitched. There were a couple more of winks directed at her before Ichigo finally snapped.

"You… you perverted jerk! Shut up and just go!" his son scoffed, his jaw tensed up, and began to push him outside the room.

"Oh my, I am the perverted one?" Laughter bubbled up from his father's throat as he tried to push him out. "But it was about time too, Ichigo," Isshin commented dryly, but the smirk was back to his lips soon enough, and Ichigo finally identified that strange glint as… pride? "I was getting worried…"

"I said SHUT UP!" The tips of his ears were as bright as his hair. No doubt the muffled sounds in the corner were Kon snickering at him.

"Ah, by the way, I'm Kurosaki Isshin!" the man saluted at the girl as he was pushed outside by his "child". Ichigo struggled to make him leave, but almost failed on his attempt as his father voiced out his last train of thoughts. "But since you're my future daughter-in-law, you can call me daddy!"

Ichigo almost wanted to dropped dead as Rukia remained silenced by Ichigo's father sudden declaration.

The door to Ichigo's room was shut close loudly. Ichigo sighed fiercely, then he looked down at Rukia, who simply gave him the hardest glare she could muster, embarrassment annoying her even more.

Next time, he promised vehemently, next time he'd tie Kon to the toilet and he'd lock the door.

So far for introductions, huh?