After a lengthy hour of silence, Ichigo turned and looked at his lover. He saw that Urahara's eyes were closed, a peaceful look on his face. All the pain that he had felt earlier had since disappeared, the healing properties of the water making him feel as he had before they had trained, if not better. Reaching over, he gently pushed the two strands of hair that always clung to the sides of the pale blonde's nose, pushing the hair back behind his ears.

"How're you feeling?" Urahara asked, his eyes opening a little. Ichigo gave a small shrug of his shoulders, afraid that if he spoke, he'd change the atmosphere. And he was quite content, except that he was becoming a little bit antsy. "You can use your words, Ichigo." Urahara's grey eyes seemed to glow, the light reflecting off the water and onto his irises.

Sitting back down, Ichigo ran his hand through his hair nervously. "I guess I feel okay. I mean, I feel better than I did before, if that's what you're asking."

"I actually meant in general, and not just about your body," Urahara stood up from his spot, and settled himself on Ichigo's lap, much to the surprise of the teen. "Now, you said something about wanting ask me some questions, did you not?"

Ichigo placed his arms around his lover's waist naturally, happy to have him on his lap. "I did," he tried to keep his libido in check for the moment, but was having a difficult time with his lover being so close to him. "Kisuke, before you became a taichou, what division were you part of?"

"That's what you want to know?" Urahara chuckled softly. "Out of all the questions I was expecting from you about how the Visoreds came to be, this was the one question I wasn't expecting."

Resting his head on his lover's pale shoulder, Ichigo hid his face from his sight. "Well, I want to ask about that stuff as well, but I know that you don't just become a taichou. So, you had to start somewhere, right?"

"Are you aware of who is the taichou for the Second Division?" Urahara asked, lifting Ichigo's face up, the teen trapped.

"Suì-Fēng, right?" Ichigo asked, focusing on his lover's nose. He lifted his head and met his eyes, and saw that the smile that was on the former taichou's lips had reached his eyes.

Urahara shook his head, laughter bubbling up from his chest. "Well, she was the fukutaichou at the time I was in that division."

"You were in that division?" Ichigo's mouth dropped open in shock. "Seriously?"

Laughing more, Urahara flicked his lover's earlobe playfully. "Just what is that supposed to mean? You're surprised by the division I was a taichou of, but you're even more surprised of the division that I came from." Urahara began to slide off of Ichigo's lap, but the substitute shinigami kept a firm grip on his waist, keeping him just where he was. "Ichigo..."

"You are the one that put yourself here," Ichigo met his eyes. "I'm not allowing you to move just because I get to ask you some questions. Now, who was the taichou if it wasn't that insane woman?"

"Yoruichi."

Ichigo blinked a few times, uncertain he heard Urahara correctly. "...Yoruichi was a taichou?"

"Did you think she just happened to be at that meeting of taichous I spoke of as a guest?" Urahara shook his head, chuckling softly. "I did mention that she was there, and she made me feel like a fool in front of everyone, but I knew that I was right. And I was, which is why I still went against the soutaichou's orders."

"I...I really didn't put two and two together. I was interested in what you were telling me." Ichigo glanced down at the water, a little embarrassed. "Well, if that's the case, why did she do what she did to save you?"

"Why did you come to Soul Society to save Rukia?"

"Because it was my fault she was punished. I knew I had to save her," Ichigo kept his eyes on the water, becoming a bit uncomfortable with this talk of the woman that had tried to tear them apart. "And I would do it again, even given the circumstances of how she and I are."

Urahara slid up on Ichigo's lap, the teen welcoming him into his arms. They hugged each other close, as Urahara spoke softly. "That is why Yoruichi came to save me, even though I'm pretty sure Tessai and I could have managed to get away on our own. I was more concerned about the others, and how the Central 46 were going to execute them."

"That's why you brought them to the Living World, to save them." Ichigo said, keeping his arms wrapped tight around Urahara.

"In a matter of speaking," Urahara pulled back, Ichigo focusing his eyes on Urahara's. "Ichigo, I..."

He shook his head, leaning forward to kiss Urahara's soft lips, which were so close to his face. Once he was satisfied with a few soft kisses, Ichigo pulled back. "I know what you're going to say. You don't need to say it."

"Do you, now?" Urahara rested his head against Ichigo's shoulder. Ichigo raised his left arm and circled his lover's back, holding him close. "Tell me what I was going to say."

Glad that his lover couldn't see his face, Ichigo spoke quietly. "You always knew that Aizen was up to something, didn't you? After that night, after walking into that nightmare, you had a feeling that he was going to try something, didn't you?"

"Yes," Urahara replied without hesitation. "He was too strong, stronger than any of us knew. That night, when he stopped Tessai's Kidō without an incantation, a fukutaichou should not have been able to do that. I always had suspicions about him, and I know that Hirako would tell you the same. Now, did I know that he was going to take the Hōgyoku I had buried inside of Rukia? No, not really, but I suppose that's because I never thought he would attempt to do something of that nature."

Ichigo closed his eyes, resting his head against Urahara's. "Kisuke, you can't be serious. Did you really think he wouldn't try something like that? And how did he even know you had placed it inside of her?"

"Because, Ichigo, anyone that has ever had contact with the Hōgyoku, whether it be the one I built, or the one that Aizen had created, you can sense it. It's just something that's indescribable. It's like a living thing, but it isn't. I didn't think that he would take the one I created." Urahara sighed softly. "That's me being an old man. I should have recognized that it was a poor place to hide it. I told you before, when you came back home, that I was sorry for the deception. I didn't want you to think that was the only reason I was sending you there."

Lifting Urahara's head up, Ichigo gazed into his eyes. "You don't need to repeat yourself to me, Kisuke. I remember perfectly, and I know that that wasn't your only reason sending me there. Listen, just what can this Hōgyoku thing do? It obviously can make shinigami turn into hollows."

"The properties of it are far and wide," Urahara's grey eyes lost some of their luster as he spoke. "The Espada that you fought was more than likely created into the Arrancar that he is because of the item. This is why we have to keep training you, as they will come back. Aizen isn't the type of person to just allow these things to happen. I have a feeling he was testing you."

Ichigo's eyebrow raised up. "Testing me? Why?"

"I told you before that you're different. You have a magnificent amount of power, Ichigo. There is something about you that separates you from the rest. And it's not because you are human. I just...we need to make sure that you're as ready as you can be for what's to come."

"But, what's coming?" Ichigo's shoulder sank. "If I don't know what's coming, how are we supposed to train properly? What if it isn't enough?" He closed his eyes, fatigue hitting him hard. He could feel the tears threatening to leak from his eyes, but kept them closed tightly. "What if what we're doing isn't enough? I...I don't want to die," Ichigo whispered.

Urahara placed both of his hands on Ichigo's face, forcing him to open his eyes. "Listen to me, Ichigo. You will not die. You may get close, but this is why we train. I don't know what's coming. I wish I did, so I could tell you. I just know that we need to be ready for anything, because Aizen is a wily man, who will stop at nothing to get what he wants."

"Kisuke...I..."

His words were stopped by Urahara's lips, his mouth surrendering to his lover's as his lips parted, welcoming the feel of Urahara's tongue against his own. Groaning low in his throat, Ichigo began to sweep his tongue around in his lover's mouth, the tip of his tongue touching the roof of Urahara's mouth. He felt his lover move higher up on his thighs, his arm slipping down back into the water, placing it around Urahara's waist. Feeling the tips of their tongues meet, Ichigo's mouth fell open with a soft moan. He planted his feet, and pulled himself and Urahara out of the water, his back now on the dirt ground centimeters away from the hot spring.

"Sorry," Ichigo mumbled, pulling his lover to lay on top of his body. "It was getting to be too hot." He groaned, leaning his head back as Urahara's lips began to kiss the base of his throat. "Nngh...Kisuke..."

Urahara placed his knees on either side of Ichigo's hips, teasing his arousal by placing it against his entrance. Ichigo groaned low, pushing against the tight ring, anxious to be inside of his lover. Gripping onto the pale blonde's hips, Ichigo pulled him down, sheathing himself in the tight heat, moaning low as he pushed past the tight ring of muscle, feeling Urahara's smooth inner walls wrap tightly around his already throbbing arousal. Moaning softly, the ex-taichou placed his hands on Ichigo's chest, anchoring himself while arching his back, pushing himself further down onto Ichigo's length. The teen looked up and watched his lover's face, trying to ignore the rocks that were pushing into his back, focusing his attention on the soft gasps that kept flittering from Urahara's mouth each time he pushed his hips upwards. He groaned low as he found himself in as deep as he could go, and watched as Urahara began to roll his hips, the tip of his arousal pushing against his lover's sweet spot. With each thrust against that spot, Urahara's nails dug deeper into Ichigo's flesh, the teen relishing the sharp sting of the pain, making it quite euphoric. Urahara's arousal bounced with each thrust, Ichigo's eyes drawn to it, as the tip began to shine with the man's precum. He dug his own nails into pale blonde's hips, moaning louder as Urahara's rolls began more erratic. Lifting his right hand off of Ichigo's chest, Urahara began to stroke himself, Ichigo moaning lower as he enjoyed the show. He bucked his hips, not wanting to let go until he knew his lover was close to his own release, and as soon as he felt Urahara's right hand dig hard into his chest, he felt Urahara's inner walls begin to tighten fast. He feasted on the sight of his lover reaching his climax, the warm liquid splattering his chest and stomach. The sensation of being squeezed tightly sent him into his own climax, a low groan stumbling past his lips as he pushed himself in as far as he could go, listening to Urahara's soft moans as he came down from his high.

Panting softly, Ichigo unclenched his hands, the color coming back fast on Urahara's pale skin. "K-Kisuke...I..."

"Yes...?" Urahara pulled himself up off of Ichigo, settling beside him on the dirt. He leaned over, and began licking up the mess of his own release. Ichigo stared at him, moaning low at each sweep of his tongue on his body.

"If you keep that up, we may just have to go again," Ichigo moaned, threading his fingers through Urahara's soft hair. Ichigo arched his back, tightening the grip on his lover's hair as Urahara began to lick a line from his belly button up to his chest. "Kisuke..."

"Just wanted to make sure you were all clean," Urahara pulled back, forcing Ichigo to let go of his hair, a small smirk on his face. "One more quick dip before we leave here?"

Ichigo sat up, grumbling as he felt the pebbles he had been laying on start to dislodge themselves from his now straight back. He moved forward on the ground, and sank back into the hot spring, sighing softly. "Much better."

"Next time, I'll be sure to bring something to spread out on, hmm?" Urahara said, sitting next to him in the hot spring.

Leaning his head back, Ichigo gave a small nod of his head. "That sounds like a marvelous idea, Kisuke."

"You know, I was quite content on just staying in here," Urahara rested his head on Ichigo's shoulder.

The substitute shinnigami rested his head on top of Urahara's, finding his hand beneath the water with his own. He interlocked their fingers together, as he spoke quietly. "Maybe you were, but it was getting to be too warm. I don't mind a few rocks in my back, for what we just did." He turned his face, seeking his lover's lips blindly. Finding them, he kissed him softly, keeping his lips together for the quick peck. "What time are Juushiro and Shunsui expecting us?"

"They said any time after 4 would be fine, and it's well past that time now. So, we should probably start thinking about getting out of this hot spring and getting dressed." Urahara lifted his head up as he moved away from Ichigo. Squeezing his hand tightly, Ichigo shook his head. "What, Ichigo?"

"Don't go away just yet, please?" He kept his hand intertwined with Urahara's, not yet ready to leave. "Pussy." I swear to Kami, Shiro. "What? It's true." I'm ignoring you now.

Urahara obliged, scooting closer to Ichigo. As they both recharged once more, they sat in companionable silence. Once Ichigo felt like he had had enough, he let go of his lover's hand, and stepped out of the hot spring. Turning, he held his hand out to Urahara, helping the man out of the water. His eyes lingered over the lower half of Urahara's body, his own becoming alive by the beauty of it.

"Ichigo, I thought I said we were going to be going." Urahara turned away, his cheeks a light pink.

Chuckling, Ichigo shrugged his shoulders and walked over to where his now dry kimono and hakama were. "Yeah, well, when it's your body, I can't help but appreciate the gifts that you have."

"Baka," Urahara muttered, pulling his clothes back onto his frame. "You are terrible, you realize this, yes?"

"But that's why you love me, hmm?" Ichigo's kimono had returned to its natural state, a normal length, as he tied his hakama properly. "It's not my fault that your naked body drives a spark into my own."

"Ichigo," Urahara warned him softly, "keep this up and I'll just leave you down here. I'll get Mayuri down here to train you."

Auburn eyes grew wide, as Ichigo clamped his mouth shut. He heard his lover start to laugh, making him feel flustered at actually believing him. Grumbling, Ichigo began to climb up the rocks, heading towards the opening at the top. Once back outside, Ichigo stepped away and waited for his lover to reach the surface. The moon was slowly rising up, the sun having disappeared while they had been down below.

"I hate how you can't tell how much time has passed down there," Ichigo shook his head. "I hope the other two aren't waiting to eat because it's so late."

As the words were leaving his mouth, an obsidian butterfly began to fly over to where the two of them stood. Ichigo observed his lover, the butterfly landing on his extended finger. Lips moved in a silent whisper, and the butterfly took off. Urahara's grey eyes looked at him, a smile on his face. "It seems as if dinner has been delayed, because both were tied up in a training exercise. I told them to expect us shortly."

"Well, I guess that's a good thing." Ichigo said, scratching the back of his neck. "Are we using shunpo to get there, or should we go and get the horses? I mean, how far away is it from where we are now?"

Urahara laughed, his hair falling onto his face. "Are you afraid of a little exercise, Ichigo? It's not too far. It would take longer to get back to my estate, and then go there, than it would to just go directly there from here."

"Fine," Ichigo looked at him. "Are you going to lead the way, or should I just know where we are going?"

"Temper, temper," Urahara teased, kissing him softly. Ichigo grunted, pulling away from his lover playfully. "I'll lead the way. Don't worry." He took off quickly, before letting Ichigo get a reply.

Ichigo hastily followed, keeping pace with his lover, sometimes moving faster than he did. The night air felt good on his skin, the gentle calm over the fields a welcoming feel, as Ichigo rarely had this much abandon at home. Even before the trouble had started, there was no place quite like the openness of Soul Society, and it was something that the teen was very appreciative of. As they made their way closer and closer to Ugendō, Ichigo began to feel those nervous butterflies appear in his belly. He slowed to a trot, Urahara joining him in the slower pace.

"Is something the matter, Ichigo?" Urahara took his hand as they made their way to the gate of the estate.

Shaking his head, Ichigo sighed. "I just...I don't know why I'm so nervous right now."

"Ichigo, it is just dinner." Urahara gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "There are no plans to stay the night."

He turned and looked at his lover. "Kisuke, I...I don't think I'd object if the suggestion came up. I think that's why I'm nervous."

"Let's just see how things go, shall we?" Urahara smiled softly. "Don't overthink things, Ichigo. Your mind tends to see the more..."

"Negative side?" Ichigo muttered, walking up the few steps to the front door. "I'm sorry, Kisuke. I'm trying very hard to not let that happen anymore."

Urahara chuckled softly. "No, I was going to say that you tend to focus on the physical aspects of these events. Probably your age and hormones, which is fine. But just know that we're all adults here, and are more than capable of having a normal conversation over a nice dinner."

Reaching up, Ichigo knocked on the door. "Kisuke, that's besides the point. And technically, I'm not an -"

"Ah, good evening." Ukitake stood at the door, his hair pulled back in a ponytail. "I was just getting started on our dinner. Won't you please come in?"

Ichigo felt the breath leave his chest at how the soft spoken taichou looked with his hair pulled back. His feet moving automatically with Urahara's, he slipped his sandals off at the door and walked further inside, moving at a slow pace.

"Is Ichigo alright?" Ukitake asked quietly, looking at both men.

Urahara nodded his head. "He is. I think you caught him off guard when you answered the door."

"Oh?" Ukitake asked. He stood in front of Ichigo, who had stopped walking and just stood straight. "Ichigo? Are you feeling alright?"

Blinking a few times, Ichigo snapped out of his daze. "I've never seen your hair like that. It looks nice."

"Why, thank you." Ukitake bowed his head slightly. "I pull it back when I'm cooking. Please, would you two like to sit in the living room? I believe Shunsui is out there, having just opened a bottle of sake."

Ichigo looked at Urahara, who nodded his head. "Sure, we can go and do that. Do you need any help in the kitchen?"

"No, no. I'm fine. But thank you for offering." Ukitake headed back into the kitchen, as Ichigo felt himself being dragged away from there, and headed into the living room.

"Ah, welcome, welcome." Shunsui said, standing up from his seat on the couch. "Would you like some sake?"

Ichigo's head began to pound at the mention of the drink, but knew that having some would probably calm his nervous stomach. "I would, please." Ichigo said, taking a seat on the couch.

"Same," Urahara said, sitting down next to him. "Thank you, Shunsui."

Pouring some sake, Shunsui handed both men their cups. "To old friends?"

"Old friends." All three raised their glasses, and drank the liquid fast. Ichigo felt immensely better as the warm liquid traveled through his system. He relaxed against the back of the couch, a smile forming on his face. It was starting off to be a good evening, and could only go up from here.

...

A/N: Up next, dinner! And then, will they stay or will they go back home? Guess we'll find out soon! :D Thanks for reading!