By the time Ichigo, Rukia and Karin arrived at the Kuchiki mansion the sun started to set. Renji left in the 6th Squad to help Byakuya with some reports. Ichigo told Karin that she'd actually stay at Kuchiki Byakuya's house as if it was the most normal thing to do. How did he manage to convince the man to let her spend these few nights there, Karin didn't even try to guess. She just doped she didn't have to face him too often.

They were welcomed by a servant, an older guy in black clothes with a polite smile upon his face. As soon as he noticed them, he bowed deeply and addressed them formally:

"Kuchiki-san. Kurosaki-san.", the man threw her an unsettled look.

"This is my sister, Karin.", Ichigo introduced her. "She will be staying here for a few days. Don't worry, Kasugai-san, I talked to Byakuya about it."

The man looked actually relieved at Ichigo's words. He let them inside and just then a black butterfly appeared out of nothing. Rukia swiftly reached for it and the small insect sat on her finger. Karin didn't know that was going on but as Ichigo observed his friend in silence, she decided to follow suit.

"I need to go, Ukitake-san needs my help.", the girl said. How the hell did she know about it? Did the butterfly really told her that?

"Oh, ok then, see ya later".

"Ichi-nii?"

"Ne, Karin?"

"What was that?"

"What? Ach, the hell butterfly?", Ichigo smiled, "It's used here to share messages or to get through Dangai. We used one on our way to Soul Society, remember?"

Indeed, Karin remembered how Ichigo conjured one up right before they entered the tunnel. She wondered if she could get one?

Ichigo thanked the servant and Karin was very surprised when the old man simply left them alone. She was sure he would show them their way to the guest room Karin would be staying in. But apparently, he brother didn't share her opinion as he smiled at her and gestured her to follow him. He had no problems with finding his way even despite the net of corridors. He must've really spent a lot of time in the house with Rukia, Karin thought. And he seemed very familiar with the servant too. It hit her again, how popular and admired her big brother was among the people of Seireitei. Even if he comes to Soul Society only once in a while.

"Ichi-nii, I wanted to ask you about something."

"What is it, Karin?", Ichigo turned to look at her.

"Could I go home from time to time? You know, like Rukia does, in that gigai-thing."

Ichigo thought for a moment. He reached to scratch the back of his head before he told her honestly:

"I don't know, Karin. I mean, I'm not sure if you'd get the permission from Yama-jii. Rukia and Renji are Shinigami. It is normal for them. But you are not..."

"Then, how can I become one?", Karin suddenly interrupted with a sheer excitement in the tone of her voice.

Ichigo stopped in the middle of his way. Karin looked up to see him staring at her with a stupid expression.

"I guess, you'd have to graduate from Shino Academy. But I don't know very much about the place. You'd have to ask Rukia or Renji. But... are you sure? That you want to become Shinigami?"

"I guess so.", the girl answered. "What else could I do in Seireitei?"

Her brother seemed unable to find an argument to refute her reasoning. Especially as Karin was really keen on getting her own black uniform, it appeared. Ichigo then simply shrugged and opened the door on his left.

"You'll stay here", he said inviting her to the room, smiling "And tomorrow, we'll think about the idea. Is that ok? Now, get to sleep, you must be exhausted."

Looking at the futon on the floor, Karin suddenly thought of her big comfortable bed back in Karakura town. Now the piece of furniture would remain empty in her and Yuzu's room.

Yuzu. Home. Dad.

"Ichi-nii? What about dad and Yuzu? Do they know we're here?"

Ichigo's face darkened with sadness as he noticed his sister was about to break into cry at the thought of their family. He lowered himself to look directly into her eyes.

"I'll come to get Goatface here as soon as I wake up in the morning. I'm sure Urahara-san told them everything. Don't you worry about that. You'll see dad tomorrow."

Before he could react, Karin threw her arms around his neck, taking him aback. She usually avoided such close physical contact with anybody.

"All right. Goodnight, Ichi-nii."

"Goodnight, Karin. Sleep well." Ichigo turned in the opposite direction.

"Ichi-nii?" Karin's voice stopped the boy once more.

"Yes?"

"Where are you staying? If I needed to seek you..."

Ichigo's eyes widened slightly upon hearing his sister's question. He almost hoped the issue would not be raised until the next morning but apparently his hopes were up too early..

He swallowed hard and decided to get on with the matter sooner than later.

"I'll be in Byakuya's room.", he murmured under his breath, avoiding Karin's look and blushing slightly at what she must now think of him.

Karin remained silent and finally Ichigo dared to throw her short glance. She had a funny expression as she analysed the idea in her mind. Finally, her face became slightly red.

"Oh. My. God." She stuttered. "So that's why I'm allowed to stay in the mansion... You... You promised to... in exchange... Oh my God!"

"Karin!", Ichigo hissed blushing even more than Karin. "What are you talking about?! Don't be ridiculous! I'm not paying him in kind or anything, I just.."

"You just what?"

Ichigo took really deep breath before he dared to looks at Karin once again. She still observed him in confusion but also looked a bit green...too green for his liking. Ichigo scratched the back of his neck, nervously. Saying it was harder than he anticipated.

"I'm... uh... well... You see...", Karin raised one eyebrow in impatience. "I'm staying in his room because Byakuya is kind of my boyfriend."

Karin's eyed widened slightly at Ichigo's astonishing confession. How come she never realized her brother was gay? Did dad know? If others knew about it why did nobody tell her? Especially Rukia and the red-head, Renji... So this is why the annoying guy laughed so much when Karin expressed her concern about Ichigo meeting with the Kuchiki Taicho. Then she frowned as she tried to recall the moment Ichigo had been talking with Byakuya earlier that day. She clearly heard some screams and sounds of a small fight. And the broken glass and Ichigo's hurried escape.

"But I heard screams today when you were in his office. And then some flushed voices and something cracked loudly. I though you two were having an argument, it sounded like you were about to rip each other's guts."

It was Ichigo's turn to frown as he tried to recall the event. Then he blushed even more. And suddenly all pieces in Karin's head fell into the right places.

"Ugh... Don't you tell me you've made all the mess while making out or something! No! I don't want to hear about it!"

The girl shrugged visibly and with horror at the thought and unwanted images in her head. Why her imagination had to work so well when it wasn't necessary?

She suddenly realised that she wasn't at all disgusted with the whole situation and the fact that her beloved brother was sleeping with other guy. It was more like she didn't like the idea of actually seeing it, or thinking about it. Otherwise, she felt calm as long as her onii-chan was happy.

Ichigo smiled relieved when Karin simply hugged him again warmly.

"You can make out with whoever you want, a guy or a girl, it doesn't matter for me.", she whispered. "But I'll kick your ass if I as much as hear you doing anything with the dork while I'm here, you hear me?"

"Yes, sir!", Ichigo saluted her jokingly. "But then you should close your door carefully tonight, Karin, it's going to be a long night.", he smirked in her direction and ran away before she managed to hit him.

Byakuya left the office as the last one. He excused Renji about an hour earlier and stayed longer to finish up some of the most important reports. But even despite the fact that his muscles needed a good portion of massage, basically his whole body was sore because of the sitting position, he was far from complaining because of the perspective of finding Ichigo, most probably waiting for him at home. Without further consideration, he broke into shunpo.

The servant greeted him as soon as he appeared at the door. He bowed his head as he explained to him that Kurosaki-san had arrived three hours earlier with his sister and currently was in his bedroom. Byakuya nodded shortly and dismissed the man, heading straight in the direction of his room. He opened the door just to find Ichigo full-clothed and fast asleep on top of his bed. The older man hesitated. Finally, Byakuya smiled and neared the bed before stripping.

"Ichigo," he murmured silently.

The boy didn't react.

The Taicho then started taking of Ichigo's uniform off the boy's sleeping figure. It wasn't the first time he had to do that in such circumstances. Usually it was Ichigo who reached home quicker and had no will to wait for the second before going to bed. Few minutes later, Byakuya slipped comfortably into his bed. Semi-conscious Ichigo nestled close to his body, with his head on Taicho's chest.

"You're late", Ichigo murmured, throwing his arm to cuddle even closer.

"Lots of work to do."

"Sorry for that report..."

"Don't worry, I made Renji do that again.", Byakuya chuckled.

"I missed you."

"You saw me just few hours ago."

"No, I mean, I missed you when I was back home."

Byakuya smiled and planted a soft kiss on top of Ichigo's head.

"Let's go to sleep."