After only being able to sleep for thirty minutes, Urahara quietly got up from the bed, not wanting to disturb the orange-haired teen who was sleeping so peacefully. He had a feeling that Ichigo would be sleeping for a little bit longer, which didn't bother him at all. He set off to take care of a few chores around his house, not wanting to bother with them later in the day, if he could avoid it.

Urahara walked into his kitchen, and took care of the tea set that he had used for the two taichou's that had gone on their way. He debated for a few minutes, on whether he should send a butterfly to one of them, thanking them for the company that they had provided while Ichigo was asleep. Winning the internal argument with his conscious, Urahara stepped out on the porch and summoned a black hell butterfly with a soft whistle, one landing on his finger almost immediately. Speaking quietly, he watched it fly off towards Seireitei, hoping it would meet with the intended recipient.

He tended to his horses, making sure they were aware that they would be able to gallop and run around soon enough, depending on when Ichigo was to awaken from his nap. He let out another soft whistle, a second obsidian butterfly landed on his finger. Speaking softly once more, with Ryuu attempting to take the carrot he had hidden in his pocket away from him, Urahara gave a gentle drop of his hand, sending the butterfly on its way. He turned and took the carrot out, giving it to his faithful horse, and rubbed his snout gently as the mare chewed on it. Kiko came trotting over, expecting one for her. Urahara knew better than to show just one horse affection, so he reached into his other pocket, and pulled out another carrot for her. Rubbing her snout he looked over towards the lake, and caught sight of something small heading towards the horse pen. That didn't take that long. He held out his hand once more, allowing the first butterfly to land back on his finger. As he listened to the transmission, he felt his cheeks become warm as the words he was listening to began to cause a rise in his blood pressure. He nodded his head, and watched the butterfly flutter away.

Shaking his head, he headed back into the house, wondering if he should go and check on Ichigo. He walked down the hallway, pausing at the door to the master bedroom. Slowly opening the door, he could hear the rhythmic snores of Ichigo, one loud snore followed by a soft snore. Biting his lower lip to not chuckle audibly at how cute Ichigo was, Urahara closed the door just as quietly as he had opened it, and wandered back out to the living room. He saw that both Ryuu and Kiko had decided to run around their pen, releasing their nervous energy.

He walked back out to the porch and sat down on the chair, just enjoying the peaceful stillness that surrounded his estate. He held out his finger once more when he saw another butterfly heading towards him, more likely than not a response from the second recipient. Giving another nod, he watched the obsidian creature float away on the wind, heading back towards Seireitei. He sat back back, and closed his eyes for a moment.

"Kisuke?" A voice from far away said his name. "Kisuke, are you asleep?"

Blinking a few times, he sat up and shook his head, on full alert. "No. I was just resting my eyes." He looked over at his lover, smiling. "Did you enjoy your nap?"

"I did." Ichigo said. Urahara sighed faintly as Ichigo's fingers began to run through his hair. "Were you really resting your eyes, or did you fall asleep?"

"What time is it?" Urahara asked, keeping his head still to feel more of Ichigo's fingers, the gentle motion of his tousling a quiet comfort to him. More so than he would ever admit to him, as he was never one to tell his lover just what felt nice.

Ichigo looked back over his shoulder, looking into the house. "A little after 5 in the evening."

"I would have to say that I fell asleep," Urahara chuckled softly. "Come on. You feel up for a ride into Seireitei this evening?" He stood up from the chair, groaning as his back protested at moving so quickly after being in a relaxed position for so long. "Or would you rather stay here?"

Lowering his hand, the substitute shinigami shrugged his shoulders. "I guess we can go into town? What for, though? I thought we had everything here already."

"I need to have a short meeting with Yamamoto-soutaichou, as I need to ask him if we can actually train here." Urahara said, watching as his lover began to nervously run his fingers through his hair. "What is it, Ichigo?"

"Nothing," Ichigo blushed. "I guess that's fine. Does that mean I gotta meet with the old man? Or can I just wait outside or something?"

Urahara headed back into the house, happy to hear his lover's feet follow him. "You do not have to meet with him, if you do not wish to. As to what you'll be doing, well, that I cannot answer for you. Since I'll be in my own meeting."

"Kisuke..." Ichigo whined, flopping back down onto the bed in the master bedroom, after following Urahara back to the bedroom. "I don't want to be stuck down there talking with Jidanbō for an hour." He turned over, exposing himself to Urahara, making it very difficult for the shopkeeper to concentrate.

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Urahara patted Ichigo's leg. "I'm sure that it won't be that long of a meeting, Ichigo." He smirked when his lover groaned again. "Look, I am more than happy to have you stay here, but I thought it would be nice to get out of the house this evening."

"No, you're right," Ichigo said, turning on his side. Urahara let out a soft moan as Ichigo wrapped his arms around his waist, hugging him. "Fine, Kisuke. I'll go with you. But I get to decide what we do when we get back home. Is that a deal?"

A small smirk reappeared on Urahara's face. "Oh? And why is that?"

"Because if I get stuck in a conversation with someone I don't want to be in a conversation, I want to have the opportunity to take it out on you." Ichigo said, letting go of his waist. The orange-haired teen sat up and looked into Urahara's grey eyes. "Deal?"

Staring into his auburn eyes, Urahara gave a small nod of his head. "Of course, Ichigo." He groaned as Ichigo licked his lips, keeping their eyes connected. "You are a horrible tease." Urahara stood up and began to put on his traditional shinigami hakama and kimono.

"You look good in all black," Ichigo's breath tickled the side of his neck, as his arms wrapped around him in a backwards hug. "However, I still prefer you in your green."

Urahara's cheek became rosy as the blood rushed quickly from the top of his head to another part of his body, a soft moan escaping as Ichigo's lips connected with the side of his neck. "Yes, well," Urahara said, tying his white sash around his waist. "I want to make a good impression on Yamamoto-soutaichou."

"So, you wear the garb you used to before you got...wait, what exactly did happen to you before, Kisuke? Why did you have to leave Soul Society?" Ichigo asked, his arms slipping off of him.

Turning to look at him, Urahara shook his head. "There is not enough time to speak of that right now, Ichigo. Trust me when I say that it is a very long story." He picked up Benihime, and placed her on his left hip.

"Damn it, Kisuke," Ichigo's reiatsu flared for a moment, stifling the air in the bedroom. Turning around, Urahara looked into his auburn eyes, his breath drawn. "I feel like you're purposefully avoiding the subject with me!"

He walked over to his lover, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Ichigo, take a deep breath. Please? Your reiatsu..." Urahara waited until he felt the air return back to normal before continuing. "Thank you. Now, then. I'm not avoiding the subject." He saw Ichigo's eyes narrow dangerously. Sighing, Urahara ran a hand through his hair, another trait he seemed to be stealing from his lover. "Okay, maybe I am avoiding it. It's a long tale. And one I'm not too interested in speaking about right now, not when we've got somewhere to be. But I will tell you, Ichigo. I promise."

"When?" Ichigo's voice was quiet.

Sighing, Urahara shrugged his shoulders. "I guess before we head back home, as it ties in to things that are happening right now." He inwardly groaned at his accidental admission.

"Kisuke...what the fuck are you talking about now?" Ichigo stared at him.

Urahara shook his head. "No, this has to be done properly. We don't have time for this right now, Ichi-"

"Damn it!" Ichigo said, slamming his hand down on the dresser. "Don't do this, Kisuke! I'm going to go to Seireitei with you, but I'm going to leave by the Senkaimon there. Fucking talk to me!"

Feeling his heart clench at the truth he heard in his lover's voice, Urahara nodded. "I plan on it, Ichigo. Please, let's go to Seireitei. After my meeting, I will talk to you. I will tell you everything, okay?"

"I want to believe you, Kisuke." Ichigo took his hand from the dresser, shaking it out to take away the sting of the hit. "I really want to. But fuck, you make it so difficult to believe you."

"I know," Urahara said, walking over towards the door. "I did that to myself. I kept things from you, thinking that it would be better for you. I know I've made my mistakes, Ichigo. We all have. Please, I'm asking you to trust me. I will tell you. I have to."

Ichigo quickly got dressed, placing Zangetsu across his back. "Remember what I said, Kisuke. I can only take so much more of this deception before I crack. I think I've done a pretty good job, considering the things you've conveniently kept from me over the past couple of months. I'd like to believe you. I really would. But please understand, it's difficult right now for me to put that sort of trust into you."

Urahara watched as Ichigo walked out of the bedroom, moving past him. He kept his mouth shut, knowing that anything he said would fall on deaf ears, as he could feel the anger radiating off of his young lover. He walked out of the bedroom and closed the door, and made his way out of the house.

He saw Ichigo standing over by the horses, petting Kiko's nose with a tender touch. "Do you want to ride, or would you rather use shunpo to get there this evening?" Urahara asked. He had planned on taking the horses, but with the nervous energy Ichigo was still permeating, he began to rethink his decision.

"It doesn't matter," Ichigo spoke quietly.

"Then, I think we should use shunpo." Urahara said. He walked over to Ryuu, and rubbed his snout before turning to look at Ichigo. "Please, Ichigo. I don't want to fight. I wanted this to be a nice break. I promise you will get the answers you are seeking. I'm sorry that I'm old, and that I tend to just forget what's really important when it comes to information like that."

Approaching him with caution, Ichigo tentatively wrapped his arms around Urahara, hugging him gently. Urahara instantly wrapped his arms around his lover, holding him tight. He buried his face against the side of his neck, fear slowly leaving his system as he felt Ichigo's hug intensify. Urahara held on to him, refusing to let go, and refusing to say anything to disrupt their moment.

"Kisuke," Ichigo's voice was thick with emotion. "I know you know a hell of a lot more than me. I know that it's probably difficult to remember what I know and what I don't know." Ichigo kept his arms wrapped firmly around Urahara, the pale blonde keeping his his face pressed against his neck. "I'm sorry I let my temper get the best of me again." Ichigo whispered, his voice cracking just a tiny bit.

He pulled back and held his lover's face. "Stop, Ichigo. You don't have to be sorry for that. I know that I can push your buttons faster than anyone else. I guess that's part of why we love each other so much." Urahara pushed some of Ichigo's hair off of his forehead. "Come on. Let's go. The evening air should help clear our heads."

"Kisuke..." Ichigo leaned his head forward, speaking softly. "Just tell me you accept my apology. Please?"

Unable to refuse his lover's plea, Urahara nodded his head. "Of course I forgive you, Ichigo. Even though you didn't do anything wrong." He kissed Ichigo softly, before pulling away. "Race you to the West Gate?"

"You're on, oji-san." Ichigo grinned, taking off without telling Urahara he was going to start using shunpo. Muttering under his breath, Urahara swore before he chased after the orange-haired teen.

Ichigo beat him to the West Gate, but Urahara really didn't mind all that much. He came to a stand-still as he looked up at Jidanbō, who was already in a dialogue with Ichigo. "Ohayou, Jidanbō-san!" Urahara said, waving his hand at the giant.

"Konbanwa, Urahara-san. Ichigo says you're here to speak with the soutaichou?" Jidanbō asked, adjusting the fez that sat on top of his head.

Urahara bowed his head. "That is correct. And Ichigo, well, he can keep you company if you'd like." He looked around, and caught sight of someone he wasn't expecting to see, but was happy none the less. He kept his mouth shut as the new arrival walked over towards them, Ichigo's back still turned.

"Nah," a familiar voice said, walking towards the two of them. "I can keep him company, if he wants."

"Renji?" Ichigo said, turning around to face the redhead. "Renji, what are you doing here?" Ichigo was clearly confounded by the redhead's presence. "What...what about...?"

The redhead chuckled. "Everyone is safe. Shuuhei is there, making sure everyone is safe. You don't have to worry." Urahara met the redhead's eyes. "Don't you have a meeting to be at?"

"Right." Urahara nodded his head, walking over towards the opened door. "Ichigo, I'll come find you two after my meeting, alright?"

Ichigo just stared at Renji, still unable to process what was happening. "He'll be fine. We'll probably be at the pub, drinking and eating." Renji said, waving him off.

Knowing that his lover was in capable hands, he walked into Seireitei, a calm settling over him. He approached Yamamoto's chambers, wringing his hands nervously. He raised up his right hand and wrapped on the door with his knuckles.

"Enter!"

Pushing the heavy door open, Urahara bowed his head low. "Soutaichou, apologies for my tardiness."

"Nonsense," Yamamoto said, his gravely voice carrying far in the large, open room. "You are right on time."

Urahara kept his head bowed. "Arigatou, sir."

"What is it you wished to speak of, Urahara-san?"

Taking a deep breath, Urahara began without much of a preamble. "You are aware of the outcome of the fight in Karakura Town, with the arrancar, yes?"

"Of course."

Running a hand through his hair nervously, Urahara chuckled. "Right, of course. Well, you see, I brought Ichigo here to regroup after the attack. I was hoping that you would give the okay to train on the grounds of my estate."

"You will take the necessary precautions?"

He nodded his head. "Of course, soutaichou. I always make sure to have everything properly secured. I know that there are Hollows that roam the fields, but I will make sure to not draw their attention towards us. I will make it so that we are essentially hidden from anyone seeing anything."

"Is this Aizen?"

Blunt as always, he is. "It would seem that yes, that would be the case. The arrancar that Ichigo fought against was taken back to Hueco Mundo by Tōsen. If that is not a clear sign that these creatures work for Aizen, then I am not quite sure what is." Urahara said, placing his hands behind his back.

"Will Ichigo be ready?" Yamamoto asked.

Urahara looked down. "I hope so," he spoke quietly. "That is why I wish to train, away from the hoopla in Karakura Town. I want his complete concentration. I know that the others are watching over the town, and I know that this is only the beginning, soutaichou. The more time we have to prepare, the better it will be."

"Fine," Yamamoto said, waving his hand. "No one will come to your place while you train." Urahara bowed low at the approval. "Will you be here long?"

He shook his head, his bangs falling into his face. "No, soutaichou. We'll only be here for a few days. I want to make sure that Ichigo doesn't walk into another fight, blindsided by his opponent."

"Very well."

Bowing once more, Urahara graciously thanked the older man, and made his way back out. He headed back towards the West Gate, hoping that the redhead was lifting Ichigo's spirits. When he had received the message from Byakuya earlier in the afternoon, he had been informed of the change, the taichou apparently wanting to spend some more time with his own fukutaichou. He had mentioned there would be a slight possibility of the redhead meeting them at the West Gate, if Urahara were to arrive at the appropriate time. I'm glad that it worked out nicely. He tapped on the door, which was soon opened by the quiet giant.

"All set?" Jidanbō asked, stepping away to give Urahara plenty of space to leave the door.

The ex-taichou nodded his head. "All set. Which direction did Ichigo and Abarai head off to?"

"That way," Jidanbō pointed to the right, where there were a string of shops.

"I appreciate your help, and your service," Urahara bowed his head. He turned and headed in the direction the giant had pointed.

As he walked further down the street, he heard a roar of laughter from inside a smaller eatery. Shaking his head, Urahara ducked into the small establishment and saw a group he never thought he'd see sitting together. At a table towards the back sat Ichigo, Renji, a quiet Byakuya, as well as Yachiru and Kenpachi, who seemed to be in the middle of a story, guffawing as he slapped his hand on Ichigo's shoulder.

Urahara walked over to the table, and tapped his lover on the shoulder. "Might I join your party?" He asked, grinning at the happy look that was plastered on Ichigo's face, no doubt that it was there thanks to the three empty bottles of sake on the table.

"Kisuke!" Ichigo smiled brightly, patting the seat next to him. "I'm glad you made it back. Look at who found me!"

Yachiru giggled, snacking on green tea mochi. "Ken-chan thought he felt Ichigo's reiatsu, so we ducked in here to investigate. Byakuya-chan only came a few minutes ago!" She giggled, looking over at the quiet taichou. "We only came to see if Ichi-nii was interested in sparring!"

"I can't," Ichigo shook his head, a grin still plastered on his face.

"Aww..." Yachiru pouted. "Ken-chan wants to fight with you like you guys fought before!"

Kenpachi's bells tinkled as he shook his head. "It's your loss, Kurosaki. Next time?" The taichou of the eleventh division said, standing up. Yachiru finished her green tea mochi and hopped up onto his back, giggling still. "Yachiru..."

"Sorry, Ken-chan!" She stopped giggling, but kept a smile on her face.

Ichigo nodded his head. "Sure, Kenpachi. I can't refuse you."

"Until then," Kenpachi placed some money on the table, and walked out of the restaurant, with Yachiru glued to his back.

Urahara chuckled softly. "Well, that was interesting."

"Quite," Byakuya nodded in agreement. "Did your meeting go well, Urahara-san?"

He nodded. "It did." He looked over at Ichigo, and saw that his lover's head was practically falling to rest against Renji's shoulder. "We're all set to train tomorrow, Ichigo."

"Mmmm...that's good." Ichigo said, his words a little slurred.

Raising an eyebrow, Urahara looked at Renji. "Just how much did he have to drink, Abarai?"

"Not that much!" Renji said, his cheeks rosy. "But he didn't really eat. He said he wasn't hungry."

Urahara pinched the bridge of his nose. He did not want to have to deal with Ichigo becoming sick. Clearing his throat, Urahara turned and looked at the quiet taichou. "I have a suggestion?"

"Go ahead," Urahara said. He looked over and saw that Ichigo's head had finally wound up on Renji's lap, the redhead's cheeks about as bright as his hair was. Chuckling softly, he could hear Ichigo babbling about the fight with the Sexta, and how it was all a bunch of bullshit. Tuning him out, Urahara looked over at Byakuya. "What is your suggestion?"

Byakuya glanced over at Ichigo and Renji, then back to Urahara. "It seems that Kurosaki has had a bit much to drink. Why don't the two of you stay at my estate for the evening? It's a lot closer than yours." Slate-grey eyes met his own.

"What about you?" Urahara wanted to make sure that he wasn't inconveniencing anyone. "Will you and Abarai be staying at your division's headquarters?"

"If that will make you more comfortable?" Byakuya asked, running a hand through the left side of his hair, where his kensaiken was not holding his hair back. "Or we can stay there with you. It's really your call, Urahara-san."

Urahara looked over and saw that Ichigo was grinning up at Renji, a goofy look on the orange-haired teen's face. A look that Urahara hadn't seen since they had been here last. He looked back over at the quiet taichou. "I accept your invitation for the both of us. I'll leave it up to you decide where you want to stay." He stood up, smoothing out his kimono. "Ichigo? Do you have enough strength to walk, or should one of us carry you?"

"I'm fiiiine," Ichigo drawled as he stood up and swayed. Urahara was quick to be at his side, picking him up in his arms. "Kiiiiiisuke!" Ichigo wrapped his arms around his neck. "I said I could walk."

Rolling his eyes, Urahara shook his head. "Of course you can, Ichigo. I just happen to like carrying you in my arms like this." He kissed his lover's cheek, making the substitute shinigami whine at the action.

The walk towards the Kuchiki estate was an uneventful one. As soon as they had made it onto the grounds, Urahara waited for Byakuya to instruct him where to go. When the taichou slid the door open, revealing his own personal bed chamber, Urahara raised an eyebrow up, setting Ichigo back on the ground.

"Are you sure, Byakuya?" Urahara asked, watching Ichigo walk unsteadily into the room. "Where will you be sleeping?"

"Here."

Urahara felt the blood rush towards a part of his body he was hoping to keep in check for the evening. He looked over at his lover and saw that Ichigo had his hands on Renji, pulling the redhead towards him. He let out a soft moan as he felt Byakuya stand directly behind him, his breath ghosting on his neck. "I told Juushiro that we didn't want to do anything like this on this visit." Urahara's voice betrayed the longing that was beginning to surge through his body at how close Byakuya was to his body. It didn't help matters that Ichigo kept pulling on Renji, hopping up onto the bed.

"Right, but that was before Abarai came back," Byakuya's voice was soft, as he snaked an arm around Urahara's waist, pulling the pale blonde closer to his body. "And now that's he back, what's the matter with one evening?"

Leaning his head back, Urahara groaned low as Byakuya's lips connected with his collarbone, sending more blood rushing to his groin. "I...I suppose I should leave it up to Ichigo..."

"I'm fine with it, Kisuke." Ichigo said. He met his auburn eyes, and saw the return of that raw passion ignited in his eyes. "Please?"

Never one to refuse his lover, Urahara nodded his head. "Of course." Urahara smiled when he saw Ichigo's face light up. "I guess that settles it, then."

"Good." Byakuya turned him around, and swiftly captured his lips in a searing kiss, forcing the ex-taichou to place his hands on his shoulders. He groaned low, opening his mouth to allow the quiet taichou entrance, as he heard his lover moan a few feet away from him.

So much for our discussion.

…

A/N: Back to Seireitei, and a friendly redhead appears. Now for some much need "fun" for these four. ^_^ Thanks for reading!