Call it what you want.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, as much as I wish I did. If it were mine, we had our own sping off called Hiyori's crazy adventures.

Heads up: This story stands on its own, portraying the Vizards in the human world. This story is just an excuse to get these two together doing dirty stuff, but there is some cute plot in the beginning. This one is in 2012, a year before Rukia is promoted to Captain on the last volume of the manga.

And just a quick note: Brace yourselves for Hiyori's colorful language and plenty of fluff and NSFW business.

This is taking inspiration from Taylor Swift's "Call me what you want." Making allusion on how much Hiyori hates when someone refers to Shinji as his boyfriend. Name of the chapters are alternatives to that word.


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'Cause my baby's fit like a daydream

Walkin' with his head down, I'm the one he's walkin' to

So call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to

My baby's fly like a jet stream

High above the whole scene, loves me like I'm brand new

So, call it what you want, yeah, call it what you want to


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Chapter 1: Honey

During the extended period Shinji spent in Karakura Town in his afterlife, he couldn't help but observe how the passage of time had brought subtle changes to the familiar landscape. The town had its own unique rhythm, one that managed to maintain a delicate balance between the mundane and the supernatural.

While the cars, shops, and fashion trends had evolved with the years, the town's core essence remained unchanged. It retained its reputation as a comfortable and quiet place to live, a haven for humans seeking a peaceful existence. Families grew, children played in the parks, and the town's residents continued with their daily routines, seemingly unfazed by the supernatural occurrences happening just beyond their perception.

For Shinigami like himself, Karakura Town held a different allure. It was a hidden treasure trove of reiatsu, a supernatural hub where the worlds of the living and the afterlife intermingled. Behind the facade of normalcy, reiatsu fluctuations were as common as the passing of seasons. Hollows lurked in the shadows, and the ever-vigilant Shinigami Corps worked diligently to maintain the delicate balance between the worlds.

As Shinji strolled through the otherwise empty streets, he couldn't help but fuss over the gigai that Kisuke had thoughtfully provided. Each adjustment was made meticulously, ensuring that it fit snugly and felt as comfortable as a second skin. Three whole days off were a rare gift, and Shinji had no intention of wasting a single moment of this precious respite.

He continued his leisurely walk, his destination became apparent: the Vizard Warehouse, and in a second, he was welcomed by the familiar yellow barrier maintained by Hachi.

Shinji entered the home and made his way toward their living space, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within him. He had missed the chaos, the unpredictability, and the peculiar charm of his companion. Little did he know that upon entering their shared space, he would be greeted by a scene that was both unusual and highly amusing.

Before him, Shinji found himself witness to a sight that was far from the norm. Sarugaki Hiyori, the typically grouchy and short-tempered Vizard, was in the midst of a spectacle that defied all expectations. She dashed about the spacious warehouse, her usually pristine red jacket conspicuously absent, and her demeanor transformed into that of an over-caffeinated child engrossed in an intense game of tag.

The object of her relentless pursuit was an elusive orange blur, moving with the agility and energy that only a child possessed. Their laughter and shouts filled the air, creating a stark contrast to the usual atmosphere of the warehouse. Hiyori's colorful vocabulary, usually reserved for verbal sparring with her fellow Vizards, was now directed at the orange streak in a decidedly less hostile manner.

Shinji couldn't help but watch in amusement as the scene unfolded before him. It was as though the roles had reversed, and Hiyori was now the one engaged in childlike playfulness while her opponent reveled in the thrill of evasion. It was a sight that few would associate with the feisty Vizard, and it brought a wide grin to Shinji's face.

The chase reached its frenzied peak, and the elusive orange blur, none other than 4-year-old Kurosaki Kazui, sought refuge behind Shinji's legs. His tiny chest heaved with exertion, and his wide, toothy grin revealed the joy of the game. With a playful twinkle in his large dark orange eyes, Shinji looked down at the boy, his own eyes filled with amusement.

"Hey there, little brat," Shinji greeted Kazui, his tone filled with warmth and humor. It was clear that despite his nickname, he had a fondness for the young Kurosaki.

Kazui observed Shinji with genuine curiosity, his innocent eyes taking in the unfamiliar figure before him. "You are funny looking," he declared with childlike honesty.

Shinji couldn't help but chuckle at the boy's candidness. "Well, you're not wrong. But you're funny looking too."

The young boy's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he continued the conversation. "Are you here to see Hiyo-chan?"

"Hiyo-chan?" Shinji's left eyebrow rose as he looked down at the boy. The corners of his lips twitched as he tried to keep his amusement under control due to the endearing nickname the kid had given his caretaker.

Kazui nodded energetically, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Yeah, she's my babysitter," he began, his small hand gesturing animatedly as he spoke. "My dad calls her my official one, besides Kon. My parents went out to hunt hollows, so they brought me here to play with Hiyo-chan. She's mean, curses a lot, but she makes yummy snacks and plays with me all the time."

As Kazui explained, he couldn't help but mimic Hiyori's stern expressions and colorful language, earning a chuckle from Shinji. "And she's got this weird thing she does," he added, demonstrating Hiyori's exaggerated eye-roll and grumpy face, which only made Shinji laugh even harder. "But she's really nice to me, even if she pretends not to be."

Shinji couldn't help but be amused by Kazui's description of Hiyori. It seemed that despite her gruff exterior, she had a soft spot for the young boy. "Is that so?" Shinji replied with a grin. "Well, it sounds like you've got quite the babysitter, Kurosaki-kun. Sounds like you and Hiyo-chan get along pretty well."

Kazui nodded once more, his eyes filled with adoration. "Yep, she's the best!"

As if she had been called by their conversation, Hiyori stomped her way over to the pair, her signature scowl etched firmly on her face. Her footsteps echoed in the spacious warehouse, a stark contrast to Kazui's cheerful presence.

"Hey there, Hiyo-chan," Shinji greeted her casually, a mischievous twinkle in his eye, knowing full well how she would react. Hiyori's response was swift and as expected, she unleashed a colorful expletive that seemed to hang in the air for a moment before dissipating.

"Fuck you, Shinji," Hiyori retorted with a roll of her eyes, her words laced with sarcasm. Her typical foul-mouthed demeanor was fully intact.

Shinji, ever the peacekeeper, interjected by placing his hands over the delicate ears of the boy. "Hey, language! This kid is at an age where he soaks up everything like a sponge. You surely don't want him to repeat your rude words," he chided Hiyori, his voice carrying a tone of mock disapproval.

Kazui, perched between the two adults, found this exchange highly amusing. Unable to contain himself, he burst into fits of giggles, his innocent laughter filling the warehouse with a heartwarming sound.

"What are ya two doin'?" Hiyori asked curtly, her usual scowl mellowing as her eyes softened at the sight of Kazui laughing so heartily.

Shinji, with a playful shine in his eyes, answered casually, "We were just having a little chat. I want to get to know the kid that hangs around Hiyo-chan all the time and live to tell the tale."

Kazui, now catching his breath after the laughter, chimed in, "Yeah, we were talking about Hiyo-chan's snacks. I bet you want to try one." He said to Shinji with a sing song tune.

Shinji grinned at Kazui's teasing, playing along with the boy's enthusiasm. "You caught me, Kazui. Hiyo-chan's snacks are legendary, and I've heard they're the best in town. I can't resist the temptation to try one."

Kazui enthusiastically added, "They're super yummy, right Hiyo-chan?"

Hiyori rolled her eyes at their antics but couldn't help a small, proud smile tugging at her lips. "Well, maybe I'll consider sharing some with you two if you behave yourselves."

Shinji leaned closer to Kazui and whispered loudly, "You hear that? We're in luck, kid!"

Hiyori reached into a small, weathered bag she had brought with her, her fingers deftly searching for its contents. She finally pulled out what appeared to be homemade manna biscuits. The aroma of freshly baked goods wafted through the air, and it was clear that these treats were a labor of love.

She leaned down, her expression softening as she extended her hand towards Kazui, offering him a couple of biscuits. The boy's eyes widened with delight as he eagerly accepted the tasty morsels from his babysitter.

With a playful grin, Hiyori turned her attention to Shinji, who was looking at the biscuits with obvious curiosity. Without missing a beat, she tossed the bag to him, her aim surprisingly accurate.

Shinji caught the bag with a chuckle, impressed by Hiyori's culinary skills. "Well, aren't we lucky to have Hiyo-chan as our personal snack provider?" The Gobantai Captain, still wearing his goofy grin, decided to steer the conversation in a different direction and learn more about this child. "So, Kurosaki-kun, your parents are out hunting hollows, huh?"

Kazui nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Mom and Dad are really strong. They protect the town from the bad spirits."

Shinji's eyes softened as he looked down at the boy. "That's pretty cool. You must be really proud of them."

Kazui beamed with pride. "I am! But I also want to be strong like them when I grow up."

"Of course, you will be, kiddo," Shinji reassured him, ruffling Kazui's hair affectionately. "With parents like yours, you've got some big shoes to fill."

The young boy's smile widened at Shinji's words, and he looked up at Hiyori, who was still wearing her usual scowl. "Hiyo-chan, when I grow up, can you teach me how to be strong like Mom and Dad?"

Hiyori's stern expression softened for a moment as she looked at the young boy. "Yeah, I guess I can do that."

Kazui's eyes lit up with excitement, and he hugged Hiyori's leg tightly. "Thanks, Hiyo-chan!"

As the orange-haired boy scampered off to explore a different corner of the broken building, Hiyori's sharp gaze followed him, her irritation growing. Dust motes danced in the air, catching the last rays of sunlight and adding to the surreal ambiance. With each step she took, the floorboards creaked, a reminder of the building's age and neglect.

"What are you doing here, Shinji?" Her voice, tinged with annoyance, sliced through the stillness.

"What else, moron?" he replied, his voice carrying a teasing undertone. "I texted this morning and told you I was coming over. Honestly, Hiyori, this just proves how much you ignore me all the time." The words were delivered with a mixture of jest and affection.

"I don't ignore you; I just have a hard time believing you. Your promises to visit usually don't pan out," Hiyori retorted, rolling her eyes at his response.

"Fine, fine," Shinji replied, feigning exasperation. "I'll admit, I've canceled on you last minute once or eight times. But I'm here now, aren't I?" He spread his arms wide, as if to emphasize his physical presence, and he cocked an eyebrow to Hiyori with a mischievous grin, as if daring her to hug him.

She openly ignored the subtext and walked closer to Kazui, saying, "You have a gigai on."

He then glanced down at himself, as if noticing his gigai for the first time. "Oh, this? I noticed it when I put it on," he said with a quiet laugh. "Yeah, I thought I'd switch things up a bit and actually look like a regular person for once. I'm planning to stay here for a couple of days. Is that okay?" He quickly caught up to her with those long legs of his, grabbing her hand and intertwining his fingers with hers, causing her to squirm slightly in discomfort.

She attempted to pull her hand away, but Shinji's grip remained firm. "Whatever," she grumbled. "This place belongs to everyone, even to the traitors. But don't get too comfortable, Baldy. Just because you're here for a couple of days doesn't mean I won't kick your ass."

Shinji grinned mischievously, leaning even closer to Hiyori as if to share a secret. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Hiyo-chan."

"Stop with that, you don't get to call me that." she warned him, aiming a mock punch his way.

Shinji held up his hands in faux surrender, his smirk widening at her words. "Why not? I think it's cute and suits you," he teased lightly. With a playful glint in his eye, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek gently.

"Or if you prefer," he continued with a wicked smile that promised better aimed kisses, "I can continue with the usual 'baby'."

Hiyori's face immediately flushed bright red at his words, and she took an involuntary step back away from him. "N-no way!" She stammered out hastily, trying to feign indignation but failing miserably due to the obvious blush on her cheeks.

Shinji couldn't help but laugh at Hiyori's flustered reaction. He found it endearing, and he had always enjoyed teasing her. "Alright, Hiyo-chan, I'll spare you the 'baby' for now," he conceded, a playful twinkle in his eye. "But only for now."

He winked at her before taking a step closer, closing the distance between them. With a charming grin, he added, "But seriously, it's good to see you again. I have missed you for ages, Hiyori. Aren't you glad I came to visit?"

As he spoke, he moved even closer, his hand lightly brushing her arm, leaving a tingling sensation in its wake. His gaze held a mixture of warmth and mischief, as if inviting her to let her guard down for just a moment. Shinji gently nuzzled her face, trailing soft kisses against her forehead and cheeks before placing a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose. His thumbs slowly caressed her skin as he intertwined his hands around her waist. His heart filled with joy at this newfound closeness between them - it was something he had been longing for ever since he had first laid eyes on the fiery Vizard woman.

Hiyori's face softened; her scowl replaced with a tender smile. Her lips curled into a slight smirk as she met his gaze, her eyes glimmering with something akin to fondness. With an almost imperceptible nod of approval, Hiyori carefully leaned in, allowing herself to be enveloped in Shinji's embrace. As their lips met in a gentle kiss, she closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his body against hers and relishing the tender moment they shared together.

As if the physical proximity of their caretaker had called upon him, Kazui returned to Hiyori's side. "Hiyo-chan," Kazui said, pulling at Hiyori's pant leg to capture her attention once more, his innocent eyes filled with curiosity. "Is he your honey?"

Hiyori made a strange noise that was somewhere between a grunt and a sigh, a begrudging acknowledgment of the boy's assumption. To Kazui, it meant a resounding "yes."

"Honey?" Shinji asked, his amusement and puzzlement evident in his expression. He couldn't help but be taken aback by Hiyori's sincerity towards this young boy.

Hiyori added matter-of-factly, "That's what Orihime calls the I-D-I-O-T Ichigo."

Shinji burst into laughter; his amusement uncontainable. "Now you spell it, Hiyori. All the other insults were fine, but now you spell it."

Hiyori's face twisted into a scowl, both from embarrassment and Shinji's relentless teasing. She crossed her arms and muttered, "I'm not playing your stupid games, Baldy."

Kazui, sensing the playful banter between the two adults, giggled and said, "You guys are funny."

Shinji ruffled the boy's hair affectionately. "We aim to please, kiddo."

Narrowing his dark orange round eyes playfully, the boy examined Shinji. "Who are you exactly? You never said."

Shinji couldn't help but notice a fleeting thought that crossed his mind—perhaps this diminutive brat was a little jealous of the attention he could steal from Hiyori. However, he decided not to address it directly and instead continued to engage with Kazui in a friendly manner. "Mmmm, remember those bad spirits you said your parents were fighting? Well, I am one of the good ones. I'm what they call a Shinigami Captain. We're the guardians of the living world, responsible for keeping it safe from bad spirits and other supernatural threats. You see, I have a group of friends who are like me who have to fight powerful evil spirits."

Kazui listened intently, hanging onto every word. "Wow, that sounds amazing! Do you have a big sword like my dad?"

Shinji nodded, patting his zanpakutō, the hilt of his sword, which was concealed at his waist. "Indeed, I do. This is my zanpakutō, and every Shinigami has one. They're special swords with unique abilities, and we use them to protect people like you and Hiyo-chan."

Hiyori snarled in the background, clearly not thrilled with Shinji's explanation.

Ignoring her obvious opinions, Shinji continued, "But don't worry, I'm not here to steal your babysitter. I just came to visit her and say hi."

Kazui grinned, seeming to accept Shinji's presence. "Okay, as long as you're a good spirit. Hiyo-chan would've kicked your butt if you weren't."

Shinji chuckled again, shooting a glance at Hiyori, who was rolling her eyes at the conversation. "You've got a point there, brat."

Hiyori couldn't hide her smirk at the exchange. "You don't have to teach him that, idiot. He's smarter than you, and that's not saying much."

The taller blonde pinched Kazui's cheeks playfully. "I can see that, Hiyo-chan. You've got a smart one here."

Out of nowhere, both Shinji and Hiyori became acutely aware of an approaching presence as an overwhelming reiatsu washed over them. The sheer magnitude of it was impossible to ignore, causing them to simultaneously tense up and take notice.

Hiyori reacted swiftly, her attention drawn to the reiatsu, and she informed Kazui, "Come on, your dad is here. Grab your stuff." As they both walked out of Shinji's view, the newcomer greeted him.

"Yo, Hirako," the voice saluted, a hint of shock in his tone, "what a surprise to see you here." Ichigo Kurosaki, the substitute Shinigami, was a tall and lean young man with vibrant orange hair that seemed to defy gravity. His casual attire, consisting of a black shirt and jeans, contrasted with his serious demeanor. It appeared that Kazui's ride had arrived.

Shinji, looking a bit bored, replied, "Hey, Ichigo. Are you surprised? I live here." He stretched his arms lazily, adjusting his gigai to get more comfortable.

Ichigo fidgeted a little with the seam of his shirt, feeling like he was in on a secret that Shinji wasn't aware of. "Do you? I thought you were in the Soul Society." His brown eyes held a glimmer of amusement as he spoke.

The blonde Captain felt like he was trying to over-explain his current situation. "Well, I am, but I try to stop by as much as I can. To check the place out, you know," Shinji explained with a nonchalant shrug, his hands in his pockets.

Ichigo leaned against the entrance of the warehouse, his expression still lighthearted. "To be honest, when I felt your reiatsu, I was a bit worried. I thought something must have happened, and you were going to look for me," he confessed, his tone turning more serious for a moment. "Now I notice it's just Hiyori's stuff, I guess." He couldn't help but grin, enjoying the mild confusion on Shinji's face as he watched him process the information.

Shinji's brows furrowed, his lips forming a thin line. "What's that supposed to mean? Hiyori's stuff?" he asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and slight annoyance.

Ichigo chuckled, shaking his head as if amused by Shinji's reaction. "Nothing, forget I said anything." He decided not to press further, adding, "But hey, it's good to see you around. Karakura Town hasn't been the same without your peculiar brand of weirdness."

Shinji couldn't help but smirk in response. "Well, Ichigo, I hate to break it to you, but you were always the one with the emotional outbursts, attracting weirdos left and right."

The young men scratched the back of his head. Since the substitute Shinigami didn't respond, he continued, "So, how's life in the Living World treating you?"

Ichigo shrugged, his expression growing more serious. "It's not too bad. Keeping the balance between my Shinigami duties and the real world can be a challenge, but I'm managing. And Kazui keeps me on my toes."

Shinji raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Kazui, huh? He's grown quite a bit, hasn't he?"

Ichigo nodded proudly. "Yeah, he's a handful, but he's got a good heart. He's inherited some of his mother's quirks, though."

Shinji couldn't help but chuckle. "I can only imagine. Well, I see you have Hiyori quite occupied with babysitting duties. She looks very happy to help, though. To be honest, when she mentioned it, I didn't imagine this." He motioned to the scene behind both men of the little Vizard imitating a monster, earning the amusement of the young boy she was on her care.

Ichigo nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's strange how things work out sometimes. I guess kids have their own way of getting to people." He watched Hiyori and Kazui for a moment, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "And it looks like they get along just fine."

Shinji chuckled as he observed the scene. "Seems like it. Who would've thought that our short-tempered Hiyori would make such a great babysitter?"

Ichigo joined in the laughter, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "Life has its surprises, don't you think?" He let out a contemplative sigh, his face reflecting a distant memory. "Remember that time when I couldn't control my Hollow, and it led to that fight with Hiyori? When it finally came out, I nearly killed her. You were mad."

Shinji responded matter-of-factly, "Well, you've got a point, stupid. You nearly did kill her. But as Vizards, we look out for one another."

The tone of the Ichigo's voice turned more somber as he acknowledged, "Yeah, you're right. Everyone was mad, but you were furious. I honestly thought you were going to kill me right there."

An irritated click of Shinji's tongue conveyed his annoyance with revisiting that particular memory.

"Anyway, I should get going. Dinner should be almost ready, and I don't want to keep Orihime waiting."

Shinji nodded, his gaze shifting back to Hiyori and Kazui. "Yeah, go ahead. Tell Orihime I said hello and that I'll drop by to visit sometime soon."

With a nod of farewell, Ichigo placed a hand on Shinji's shoulder, showing a hint of camaraderie. "See you around, and please take good care of my best babysitter." He then made his way over to Hiyori and Kazui, exchanging a few words with them before heading off.

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AN:

Full disclosure, this one has been sitting in my folder, staring at me. I've been stuck on the NSFW part of it. But today, I read it again and said, "You know what? Let's just go for it," and so these chapters were born. I hope this is a good way for me to push myself, much like I did with Fearless, and actually finish it. Especially since things are starting to pick up at my workplace, which means I'll have to work for a living instead of just pretending to do reports and write Shiyori fanfics.

"Call it what you want" is the furthest we've explored this relationship in my "Hit Different Universe," and I'm really proud of it. It doesn't mean I'm planning on stopping here, but I don't want to go further than "Breaths of Hell" because I still hold out a tiny hope that Kubo will give us more in this world. Even though my Hiyori/Shinji pairing isn't precisely canon, I want the story to align with it.

Anyway, as always, thank you for reading. Just be prepared because Chapter 3 is going to be steamy.

PS - Always was a Ichiruki fan, I still kinda sorta not really am. But Kazui is the cutest kid ever.