Stand In the Rain

by Shadow of an Echo

When a plot of Aizen's creation leaves Ichigo in a fragile state, and a painful confession has his usual support grow cold, who will stop the rain pouring down in his soul? The healing journey will be hard, the memories haunting his every step, but in the end a treasure awaits. Contains: Shunsui/Ichigo/Jyuushiro, Yaoi, Mpreg.

9. Come on Closer

Stand in the Rain

Shadow of an Echo

A/N Okay just to let interested parties know, I am leaning heavily towards writing this story with mpreg included. I enjoy writing that kind of story, and so far I have only received two negative votes. There is still at least one more chapter left before I will say definitely one way or another, so please continue voting, but I wanted to let you know what was going on up to this point. Now, a little info, I do not write surprise or freak mpreg, I do my best to explain it in a way that makes sense and just might be plausible. Keep in mind the Bleach characters I am working with are not human giving me a little leeway in what is possible and what is not, but I still attempt to keep explanations understandable beyond 'oh wow, look a baby.' Those stories can be fun, but they aren't what I enjoy writing.

Chapter Eight

Come on Closer

Shunsui had a smile on his face. The sun was warm against his skin, and he could feel the whisper of a breeze. It was a truly beautiful day. Nothing could compare to the situation he found himself in now, absolutely nothing. They were still alone in the field Ichigo had retreated to, and this allowed the newly formed trio to relax in ways they would never allow themselves in other circumstances.

Ichigo had emotionally and physically exhausted himself, first in getting up so early after his nightmare and heading to the training yard, and then panicking when he had impulsively reached out to touch Jyuushiro. When he finally realized everything was okay, allowing himself to relax, he fell asleep with his head on Shunsui's shoulder. Jyuushiro had settled closer until he was resting against his other side, Shunsui putting his arm around his long time love, and he pulled them both close; feeling their warmth and presence soaking into him.

"This feels so easy right now." Jyuushiro spoke quietly, the words ghosting into Shunsui's ear. Ichigo was deeply asleep, and unlikely to wake up, but they would be respectful anyway.

A reassuring squeeze, "We wouldn't have taken this step if this part wasn't easy." He responded. "We have dealt with crushes before, without trying to bring them into our love. Ichigo is different. He is so much like us, when we were younger and finding each other for the first time. I know I keep catching myself seeing you in him, and I wouldn't be surprised if you keep thinking the same about me in him."

"That happened to me just this morning," Jyuushiro agreed. "When I was fighting him I could have sworn I was fighting you again. Not because you two fight the same, he has a distinct style of his own, but you have the same passion for it. You can see it in the way he moves and reacts that he loves what he is doing. He is also far more intelligent than most of the reports have indicated. I think Byakuya may have been holding out a bit in his assessment."

That caught Shunsui's interest, "Oh, what happened?"

"He figured out my Shikai, without attacking me at all." Jyuushiro informed simply.

"That is impressive." Shunsui agreed, before the arm around Ichigo tightened possessively, "He got you to show your Shikai? Did he ask, or make you show him?"

A proud smile graced Jyuushiro's face, "I knew what he was trying to do, but he was good enough I would have had to show him to defend myself if it was a true fight and not just a spar."

"Really?" The third voice was only slightly unexpected. Ichigo had woken up.

Adjusting in Shunsui's hold a bit so he could reach out to cup Ichigo's face gently, Jyuushiro responded, "Yes, I would have needed my Shikai against you in a true fight. You are a very good fighter Ichigo. I don't think you could beat me yet, but with more training, I believe you could."

Taking advantage of the opportunity presented to him, Shunsui kissed the top of both of their heads. "I'm kind of sorry I missed this fight. I am going to have to watch the next one."

"Oh I don't think so." It was Jyuushiro's turn to tease, even Ichigo catching the change of tone, "I think the next one I get to watch the two of you fight. That would be something I would very much like to see."

The resounding, "Told you so!" That came from Junichi should not have surprised Ichigo as much as it did.

Shunsui was of course ready to tease right back, "You are getting as bad as Ikkaku and Yumichika. Ichigo allow me to let you in on a little secret about our Jyuushiro. He doesn't like it when children are involved in fighting, for good reason, but if it happens to be willing adults. He likes watching sparring. A lot."

A slight blush and a somewhat guilty shrug confirmed the words, "Well, for a long time I was restricted in training and fighting myself, so I learned to enjoy sparring vicariously." He explained weakly. "I don't like war, or violence for no reason, but sparring and training meant to make someone stronger and feel better about themselves; yes I do enjoy watching that."

"The large potential to see powerful fit men partially unclothed has nothing at all to do with it right?" Shunsui continued teasing.

The blush on Jyuushiro's fair skin deepened, "…Of course not."

"Uh huh, and I suppose you are going to tell me you couldn't answer if I asked you which Lieutenant, other than Renji, has body tattoos?" Shunsui loved Jyuushiro's blush, it was just as adorable as his smile.

When Ichigo coughed a little and it sounded distinctly like "Izuru," All three had to laugh.

"Most would have guessed Shuuhei," Shunsui observed, "Since he has the facial tattoo."

"Izuru was showing me how to control my spiritual pressure at the same time as we fought. Zangetsu caught the edge of his Shihakusho and ripped it, I saw the tattoos. He doesn't have nearly as many as Renji, but I know he has them." Ichigo explained.

"A total accident?" Shunsui was skeptical.

Ichigo winced slightly, "Maybe not a total accident."

Shunsui laughed richly, "I figured, that Zanpakuto of yours is so large if you managed to rip his clothes without hurting him, you almost had to have some amount of control over the strike." He now had his arms full of two blushing men; yep Shunsui was very much enjoying himself.

"Ichigo, allow me to tell you something about this oaf." Jyuushiro spoke once he got himself a bit more under control. "He might tease me about enjoying watching, but he is the biggest show off ever. He is the one who likes being watched when he fights. He puts on a show of laziness, but it is just that, a show. He probably enjoys fighting and sparring just as much as Kenpachi."

Ichigo twisted around a bit so he could look at both of them more comfortably, "So why don't you fight more often?" He asked curiously.

"I do fight when I am training my squad members, or when it's needed to perform my Captain duties, but for the most part I am too powerful to spar in general with the other Shinigami like Kenpachi can. I enjoy fighting yes, but that doesn't mean I want to hurt anyone too badly when we are fighting on the same side. I can fight with the other Captains, and a few of the Lieutenants, but there are not that many of us." Shunsui informed.

Ichigo felt himself relaxing further into Shunsui's silk draped body, it was comfortable, and for once, he felt safe and protected rather than the one that had to do the protecting. Jyuushiro was right next to him, their hands and legs touching across Shunsui's lap, the three of them all managing to touch in some way, getting used to each others presence smoothly.

"I know each Squad has a specialty of some kind, like investigation or research, so what is yours?" He wanted to know as much as he could about them.

Jyuushiro answered first, "Squad Thirteen is in charge of negotiations, when there is unrest or problems occurring in the Rukon districts my Squad is dispatched first to see if we can calm things down before it escalates into fighting. We have a policy of pacifism, all of my squad members are fully trained and know how to handle themselves, but they are forbidden from striking first. The only time a member of my squad is allowed to engage in combat with souls, Hollows not included in that statement, is when they are attacked first or they are defending someone incapable of defending themselves."

Shunsui had tensed at the question, Ichigo had felt it, and he was reluctant to answer. "Ichigo, this is something you may not like. They needed someone powerful to take over the duties my squad handles. There is a reason I am always teasing, and I act so carefree, and yes lazy, because the nature of the work I have to do when called on is not pleasant by anyone's standards."

Shunsui's words were cut off when Ichigo leaned up and kissed him softly, the first time Ichigo had voluntarily kissed either one of them full out on the lips. "You are not going to scare me away; you both know what I share my soul with. I am partially a Hollow. Tell me your story, I will listen, and I might just understand."

Firming up his hold on the both of them, Shunsui answered Ichigo's original question, "Squad Eight is the extermination Squad. Squad Two are the interrogators and the law enforcement, the ones who discover who is causing the problems, and they attempt to bring them in either peacefully through Jyuushiro's squad, or forcefully through the Black Ops and Kido Corps. If the troublemakers come in through these methods they are placed in custody and usually remanded to the Maggot's Nest, unpleasant, but non-lethal, and there is at least a vague hope of release if a miracle happens. There is a step beyond that for the truly horrific crimes, or the ones who resist arrest, my Squad is called in. We don't capture souls, we are meant to kill them."

"They separate the Squads meant to capture the unruly souls from the Squad meant to eliminate them. In a way that does make sense to me." Ichigo was trying to put it all in place, Shunsui getting a taste of Ichigo's brand of intelligence as Jyuushiro had when he had figured out his Shikai. "Soi Fon needs to be respected and feared for her interrogations to work, but a certain amount of hope has to be involved or she won't get any information. A loyalist to a cause is not going to tell their interrogator anything if they are convinced they are going to die either way, but if they believe telling the truth could let them live, you could find out more and save lives." Ichigo was just held prisoner with very little hope of escape, he knew full well what kind of motivator hope could be, both the presence and lack of it.

"So you do understand." Shunsui relaxed again at hearing Ichigo talk, realizing it wasn't just a case of newfound love talking earlier; Ichigo really meant it when he said he might understand.

Ichigo kissed him again, just like before, "Yes, I do. You are right you know, I don't particularly like it, but not for the reasons I think you're afraid of. It doesn't sicken me, I'm not scared of you, or ashamed, and I'm not going to bolt again. I don't like it, because I can tell you don't. You use humor and acts to cover up the fact you don't like having to do it, but you will, because if you don't than someone else will have to do it, and you won't let that happen anymore than I would. You are protecting the Captain that would have to do it in your place if you decided not to head the extermination Squad any more."

Ichigo was just about knocked out of Shunsui's lap when Jyuushiro practically tackled him after he had finished speaking, the only thing that kept him in place was the crushing hug that wrapped around the both of them. He didn't mind the force behind their hold on him, he melted into their embrace feeling supported and loved unlike anything he had ever dreamt he could have before.

"How can you be so perfectly you, and yet be so much like us at the same time? This is the second time you have said something to one of us, totally off your own volition, which we have only heard from each other." Jyuushiro was speaking firmly, his arms around Ichigo too resting them below Shunsui's.

"I'm nothing special. I watch, I listen, and I say what I mean." Ichigo tried to shrug off the praise, but the hold was too tight on him.

"Oh Jyuu, he is just like you." Shunsui was chuckling. "He can't see how wonderful he is."

"No, he can't, can he?" Jyuushiro was pointedly ignoring the comparison though. "He is just as stubborn and protective as you though. So you can't say he is just like me."

"You can be pretty stubborn yourself when you choose to be," Shunsui pointed out with another chuckle. "I think it's just you Ichigo. You fit in with us as if you've been beside us all along. I don't particularly feel like fighting that feeling."

Ichigo was speechless at that, and before he could even begin to pull himself together, Jyuushiro had started speaking.

"I told Shunsui earlier that this feels so easy." Jyuushiro informed him. "We were honest with you, we have tried to add others before, but it has never felt quite this natural. There was always something that just didn't fit, either the age gap, or the power levels were too far apart, and yes, my illness caused problems when it was misunderstood. With you, the age gap has never been farther apart, yet it hasn't crossed my mind. You have been through so much, when I look in your eyes, all I see is a strong man that has seen too much. Age is only a number when it comes to people like you. Power, well, you need training, but there is absolutely no reason why you couldn't be on our level, and quickly. You learn so incredibly fast I saw you pick things up in just the few minutes we fought this morning. My illness doesn't scare you, or sicken you, and it isn't a topic you wish to hide under the rug and never bring up. Out of sight, out of mind doesn't work for something like this."

"I think what Jyuushiro is trying to say, is you are ours, and you are perfect." This time Shunsui kissed him, and it wasn't the soft reassuring kisses Ichigo had used on him; it was deep and full of promise. He was strong, and sure of himself, letting Ichigo know he was there and he would never have to stand alone again. The battles weren't over, the war was still in progress, but he wasn't fighting by himself anymore. Shunsui was the protector Ichigo had never had, always being the protector himself. A true partner, someone to fight with him, and next to him in the battles to come.

When Shunsui pulled away, his kiss was immediately replaced by Jyuushiro's. His was softer than Shunsui's but just as strong, and he was telling Ichigo there would always be someone to come back to. When he was tired and sore, not sure if he had won or lost, Shunsui and him could stumble back and Jyuushiro would be there with warmth and love enough for the both of them. Jyuushiro was the teacher, and the lover, becoming an anchor in the coming storm.

Ichigo was the balance, the breath of new life and hope. He was the catalyst of their memories. Not choking their love, but stoking the flames, reminding them of its strength helping to grow it to its old intensity. He was what they needed, just as he needed them. He was all Ichigo, no doubt about it, but the things that made him uniquely him were such a close match to Jyuushiro and Shunsui it really did feel like they had known each other their whole lives. He was the heart and the soul, the fresh outlook they needed to bring their love full circle.

When Ichigo and Jyuushiro broke apart, Shunsui claimed the other Captain's lips. Ichigo watched with his body heating up. Watching those two kiss was just as enticing as actively being kissed by them. He didn't have any regrets, but he did think his heart was going to burst out of his chest.

When they were done, Shunsui went back to draping himself over them, "As lovely as this is, if we don't at least start heading back soon, you are going to give Sentaro and Kiyone heart attacks, and Nanao is going to dent her book with my head again."

Jyuushiro sighed, but agreed, "That's the trouble with disappearing in the middle of the day."

"It's so much easier at night." Shunsui grumbled.

"I take it you two are good at sneaking out?" This was something that definitely sparked Ichigo's curiosity.

"Ever since we were in the academy," There was preening on Shunsui's part. "We had to have some way to get some time to ourselves. Escaping Yamamoto was easy, it was getting away from Retsu that was difficult. She caught us more times than not."

Jyuushiro's laughter joined Shunsui's, "Eventually she started letting us go when she realized what was going on. We do owe her quite a bit for all she put up with from us. We paid her back at least a little, every time she caught us, but let us go anyway, we didn't cause any mischief when we were out."

"No, we just caused plenty the times she didn't," Shunsui added, the three attempting to rise from the comfortable pile they had found themselves in. Not wanting to was not helping them find the motivation to get up.

Ichigo had to smile at that, "You two? The mentors, the ones everyone looks up to, you were the troublemakers?"

Twin smirks, "How do you think we are so good at catching everyone? We know all the tricks." Jyuushiro explained.

For a little while, conversation was cut off. They were using easy flash steps to get through the rougher outer Rukon districts. It wasn't a good idea to linger in those areas, considering those were the districts that produced people like Kenpachi, Ikkaku, and Yumichika. Unless you were looking for a fight, it was best to move quickly.

They slowed their pace down to one that allowed talking once they reached the less violent, but still poor sections of the Rukon. "If you are interested, this is where Renji and Rukia grew up. Renji brought our group here a few times, he wanted to come back and check on the people they had to leave behind when they joined the academy." Shunsui explained as they walked.

"That sounds like something Renji would do," Ichigo observed as he looked around. "He is very impulsive, but he does care about people, he makes a good Lieutenant for his squad."

"Yes he does," Jyuushiro agreed, but he was thinking that while Renji made a very good Lieutenant, he could see Ichigo making an impressive Captain. They both cared about people, probably equally, but Ichigo was better at reading them and that was something a Captain needed to be good at.

A group of children raced across the street in front of them, one of the girls falling, crying out in pain. Ichigo got to her first, helping her sit up, inspecting her injured ankle. "It's going to be alright, just a sprain. I can have you fixed up quickly. What's your name? Mine's Ichigo." He introduced as he reached around and took some of the cloth wrapping from around Zangetsu to tend to her sprained ankle.

"Yushio," She replied shyly, tears in her eyes and on her cheeks from the pain.

Shunsui and Jyuushiro had followed almost as quickly as Ichigo, but when they realized the youngest of their trio was handling the situation masterfully, they stood back to give him room to work. They watched him with pride as he calmed the child and tended her wound.

"Is my sister going to be okay?" A boy a few years older than Yushio demanded from Shunsui's left.

He looked down at the worried and upset boy, who was obviously concerned about the injury and the stranger near his sister. "She will be fine. Ichigo is not going to hurt her, watch him, he is taking care of her."

Ichigo was calmly wrapping the injury, still gently speaking to Yushio in a soft voice so she wouldn't panic. He moved confidently, it was easy to see he had handled injuries like this before. "There, does that feel better?" He asked her when it was all done.

"A little," She admitted with a sniff.

"How about I carry you home with your brother, and we help you get settled, would that be alright?" Ichigo offered, "That way you can rest that ankle some more."

Yushio didn't answer, looking to the boy who had spoken to Shunsui instead. He looked torn, glaring at the adults, before grudgingly replying, "Fine, but only because you helped her. We don't like grown ups where we come from."

With the allowance, Ichigo carefully picked up the little girl, she appeared to be a year or two younger than Karin and Yuzu but he knew in the Soul Society looks could be deceiving. "Lead the way." He told the boy, not bothering to ask his name, the way he was acting Ichigo knew he wouldn't get an answer. Jinta could act similarly at times when Kisuke wasn't around to rein him in.

The trio of adults was lead with the group of kids to a run down building, filled with children of varying ages. There were kids that looked around the same age as Yachiru, and a few that were not much younger than Ichigo. Their clothes were patched, but clean, and they at least mostly fit. Their hair and skin was clean and orderly, for a family of children with very little to their name, these kids were surprisingly well taken care of.

On a hunch, as Ichigo was setting Yushio down in the bed she indicated was hers, he asked her, "Do you know someone named Renji Abarai?"

"Uncle Renji? Of course I know him." She replied like he was stupid for asking. "He was one of us, and he managed to get out, we all dream of being just like him. He is even nice enough to come back and check on us. The big kids don't like taking too much from him, but he makes sure we have what we need. Why? Do you know him?"

"He's a friend of mine," Ichigo confessed to her.

She nibbled on her lip for a moment, "Can you tell him I said hi?"

"Next time I see him, I will." He promised.

Once they had her settled, with orders for her to stay off her foot for a few days to give it a chance to heal, they left the makeshift family.

Jyuushiro was the first to speak after they had left, "You have a way with children Ichigo that was very well handled. If Retsu had seen that, she would be kidnapping you for her squad."

"My family runs a health clinic, I have been helping my father for years. Between that, and helping to raise two very active little sisters, I can manage most basic problems. It helps I love kids, though I doubt most people would know that about me." Ichigo explained. "I happen to like the squad I am staying with very much, though I may start straying to Eighth every now and again, but I wouldn't mind learning how to heal the Shinigami way."

"You love kids too?" Shunsui commented, "Yet another similarity coming out. Between the two of us, I think we have become the Seireitei parents, just about all the Captains and Lieutenants have come to us at some time or another in need of guidance. Poor Toushiro I'm afraid doesn't have a choice, the both of us have this slight tendency to want to spoil him; we can't help it."

Jyuushiro flushed guiltily, "I'm probably the worst offender there. He is my little Shiro, he even has white hair like me. He's the closest thing I have to a son, so yes I am going to spoil him, and protect him as much as I can. I want to remind him even if he is a prodigy, he can still enjoy being a child at times."

"I'm not quite as obvious about it as Jyuushiro, but I do find myself being more protective and concerned about him than the others. Unlike Jyuushiro, I train him though. He can't bring himself to do that part of it, but I can." Shunsui added.

"I understand what you mean about him," Ichigo admitted, before laughing suddenly. "Oh, you will never believe this. When Toushiro was in the Living World with me, he met my family, and I do believe he has a little crush on my sister Karin. It was cute."

Both Jyuushiro and Shunsui had to stop in their tracks stunned for a moment, before bursting out laughing too. "Finally, he is learning to relax!" Shunsui broke out after a few minutes of laughter.

"That is good to hear," Jyuushiro agreed.

Ichigo had settled into a little smile, "Karin can be a handful though, she is not a shy girl at all, Toushiro has no idea what he is in for if he decides to go for it."

"Have you met Rangiku?" Shunsui pointed out.

"Ah, yeah, good point," Ichigo accepted.

"So I heard you say you wouldn't mind learning our way of healing, I think Retsu would like teaching you." Jyuushiro decided maybe a change of topic was in order; they had picked on Toushiro enough.

"Retsu would be the one teaching me?" Ichigo asked curiously. "Isn't she too busy?"

Jyuushiro smiled at him, "Normally I would say yes, but it is you we are talking about. Retsu hasn't had a student with your power for a very long time. The stronger the spiritual pressure of the Shinigami, the higher the potential for the healer. She would at least want to supervise your training, even if it was Isane, or possibly Hanataro since he is a friend of yours, doing the actual teaching."

Shunsui had to add something in there, "Most likely it would be Isane, Retsu is very busy, and Hanataro is a good healer but doesn't have much experience teaching. As strong as you are, I don't think Retsu would allow Hanataro to train you; there is too much potential for trouble with that match up no matter how well intentioned he is."

"That's okay, I like Isane, she has taken care of me a bit since I returned from Heuco Mundo." Ichigo replied, the idea of learning from the soft-spoken Lieutenant was not unpleasant, he could see himself picking things up quickly from her.

Shunsui glanced up at the sun, noticing how late it was getting, and sighed in defeat, "We really can't stall any longer. We need to get back to our squads, and we are probably still in for lectures when we do return."

"Hey Shun, what do you say to showing Ichigo some of the old tricks?" Jyuushiro asked, a teasing light in his voice.

A mischievous glint lit up Shunsui's burgundy eyes, "Same time we used to meet, in the field we used today?"

"Sounds good," Jyuushiro agreed.

"Meet you then," Shunsui confirmed, before laughing and Flash Stepping away.

Ichigo narrowed his eyes, but it didn't take him long to figure out what was going on, "We are going to sneak out and meet him after dark aren't we?"

"Yeah," Jyuushiro admitted, "The trick is not to get caught or be followed."

"Sounds like fun," Ichigo found himself grinning.

"Oh it is," Jyuushiro was matching his grin, and the two of them were racing each other back to the Thirteenth.

When they made it back, Ichigo sprawled out on his futon, tired but happy. It was one very self-satisfied Hollow that spoke to him, "Well King, I was right."

"Yes, yes, you were," Ichigo didn't bother to argue with Junichi.

Junichi stretched out like a lizard basking in sunlight against one of the buildings in their inner world, "It's stopped raining for a bit King."

"Oh? Maybe you and Zangetsu will dry out some then," Ichigo replied distractedly as he thought over the day.

The Hollow had to smirk at the images bombarding him, "You got it bad."

"So what if I do?" Ichigo answered defensively.

Junichi snorted, "Didn't say it was a bad thing, they have it just as bad from what I saw."

"You were watching?" He demanded, scandalized.

A mocking chuckle, "What else do I have to do when I'm stuck in here? At least it was entertaining. This is going to be interesting, very interesting, to see how this develops."

"What do you know that I don't?" He was a little suspicious of Junichi at this point, his Hollow did like to spring things on him for his amusement.

A ghostly laugh, "You'll see King, you'll see."

"That does not inspire confidence Junichi!" Ichigo protested.

Zangetsu tried to smooth ruffled feathers at this point, "He knows, but he's playing. You're new loves are planning a surprise for you, and it will be worth the wait, so we are not going to ruin it."

"Well he could have just said that," Ichigo grumbled.

"Oh come on King, you know me better than that. Yes I could have just said that, but I'm not going to, it's much funnier to do things my way." Junichi defended himself lazily.

Ichigo half-growled, "Just because I know it doesn't mean I have to like it."

"Ah, you'd miss me King if I wasn't here. You know it." Junichi teased.

Ichigo didn't answer, because there was a large part of him that knew Junichi was right. He would miss his Hollow if he wasn't there to tease him just as much as he had missed Zangetsu when he couldn't hear his sword in Las Noches.