#just imagine if Ichigo put a baby in his arms

[nxathyx]

nicknames

Pet names I think bungo stray dogs characters would use for their s/o

Armed Detective Agency

Atsushi Nakajima

°I feel like he'd usually just call you by your name or a nickname

°like if your name is Natalie or Nathaniel definitely would call you Nat or Nath (this is just an example)

°also something simple like "Angel"

°he says you're like a guardian angel and keep him stable

Dazai Osamu

°probably belladona or shorter versions of that like Bella or Dona

°would definitely call you cringe pet names just to laugh about it with you like "hey pookie bear😍😍" (I hate myself)

°maybe an occasional darl or baby

°I feel like he'd call you doll as well (he stole it from Chuuya)

°pretty girl/boy I don't know why

°I don't know I feel like he uses pet names as satire and prefers using your actual name or your nickname

Kunikida Doppo

°this man does not use pet names, like I can't imagine him saying anything

°maybe dear, I don't know what else though

Ranpo Edogawa

°I also don't think he's into pet names

°I don't know like he'd be too lazy to make something up for you

°also just sticks to your name/nickname/Diminutive

°the same as Atsushi except he'd also use "Nathy" (just a random name example)

Tanizaki Junichirou

°BRO HE GIVES ME DISCORD KITTEN VIBES AND I DON'T KNOW WHY...

° "hey kitten😻😻, get on bed wars you're making Daddy angy👿👿

°also uses your name the most probably

°an occasional "lovely"

Yosano Akiko

°probably "love" or a simple "hun"

°either that or your name/nickname

°probably randomly comes up and is like "hey gorgeous/handsome"

Edgar Allan Poe

(putting him here cause I don't know over half of the guild and won't write for them he's also basically an agency member at this point)

°probably darling, dear, sweetheart

°idk he just gives of the vibe

°but I think he'd also prefer just your regular name

Port Mafia

Chuuya Nakahara

°darling

°dear

°baby

°doll

°I don't know why but he'd use Spanish nicknames, like mi amor, mi vida, cariño, mi cielo, mi corazón

°maybe princess/prince

°pretty boy/pretty girl (especially if you're trans and have really bad dysphoria)

°also really like using your name, just plain and simple

°lovely

°my love

°maybe dove

°wifey/hubby

°definetly called you a bitch before

Akutagawa Ryuunoske

°he thinks it's cringe

°once he called you dear and amor (he learnt it from Chuuya)

°just sticks to your full name

Tachihara Michizo

°he gives me "babe" or "bae" vibes and I don't like it 😭

°definetly a "sweetheart" guy

°probably princess/prince as well

Gin Akutagawa

°probably "sweetie"

°other than that I doubt they'd use anything

Higuchi Ichigo

°honey

°your name

°darling

°honey

Koyou Ozaki

°darling/darl

°dear

°honey

°sweetie

*sweetheart

Decay of Angels

Fyodor Dostoyevski

°malyshka

°dear

°doll

°my only one

°he uses those very rarely though and prefers to use your name

Nikolai Gogol

°he calls you something silly

°"hey my gorgeous tampon wrapper"

°like huh😧😧

°uses dove as well

°my free space in bingo 😻😻

°I don't fucking know Bro😭😭

°he probably called you his discord kitten once as a joke In front of Fyodor and Sigma (they're scarred now)

°also the same as ranpo just your name/nickname/Diminutive (prefers nicknames and diminutives)

Sigma

°my love

°darling

°angel

°sweetheart

°just your full name as well

°definetly called you a saint before

Bram Stoker

°I don't think he'd use nicknames

°I don't know Bro is a vampire

°my little vamp vamp🤭🤭

Hunting Dogs

Tetchou Suehiro

°angel

°dear

°sweetie

°he'd definitely call you hubby/wifey

Jouno Saigiku

°bastard

°idiot

°dumbass

°(how romantic)

°I think he'd rather just use your name honestly aquífy

[the-pallid-king]

He closes his eyes when your fingers push deeper, savoring the touch, and he finds your hand when you sit, lacing his fingers through yours. Sometimes he wonders about how much he likes touching you, being near you, with you. He never gets tired of it, and he wonders if it has anything to do with them having shared a body. He can’t imagine wanting that much closeness with anyone else.

His head tilts. “I’m not sure it matters if it’s dumb. If it’s instinctual, you can’t help it anyway.” He smirks a little. “I thought I pissed you off for a minute.” Not that he knew how, and he realized it wasn’t aimed at him fast enough.

And he knew you liked kids better than adult humans, but it’s strange to hear you admit it. He chews the inside of his lip while he considers how to answer. “That’s exactly what I was picturing, but it sounds ridiculous now. But I don’t know, you’re not very social, and a kid is permanent. What if you didn’t like it? There’s no going back.” He just didn’t expect you to agree so easily and so soon, and without him even meaning or intending to ask. “It’s just good to know, I guess. I don’t have plans or anything. I’m not even sure how we’d work that out. Or who would want to.” It’s not just a big deal for him or you. It would be a big deal for someone else, too. He kind of glances at you. “And… what if I didn’t want it to be a kid Kon made? What if I wanted it to be a choice I made? Something I did.”

He’s wishing they had a blanket when you lean into him. Instead, he just tries to be as comfortable as possible, while lightning streaks too far above them to see anything but the reflection sparking across other buildings.

He glances down at your hand when it finds his, closing his fingers around yours in a motion too loose to be a real grip.

He shrugs. "That might be true, but I literally put myself in this position. I brought up bringing it with us. I don't intend to take back my offer to keep it with us, so I need to get over it." He looks away from their hands and frowns at you, then shakes his head. "I wasn't mad at you." It takes a lot for him to be mad at you, and even when it does happen, his temper fizzles out quick where you're concerned.

He huffs a sound somewhere between laugh and offense. "Even if I had a tail, a small little human wouldn't make me tuck it." The rest of that is more fair, but he shrugs about it. "I'm not social in big groups, but I do fine with you, did fine with the little girl across the hallway, or with the few hollows I'd call friends. I could learn." And he'd disagree about a child being permanent. Humans are far from permanent. But he gets what you mean. "You're permanent too. It hasn't been a problem." He makes a face, but the question deserves some thought. "Probably best if Kon doesn't make it." Even in your body, but you definitely stumbled across the part that's most likely to bother him. It would mean sharing you. On one hand, it's your choice, you're your own person. On the other hand, he wants to keep you all to himself in all ways. "Uh. I dunno. Does it have to be like that? Couldn't we just pick one out?"

[strawberry--bride]

DIABOLIK LOVERS Haunted Dark Bridal ー Sharon’s Route [PROLOGUE]

Monologue

The most painful thing in this world,

is losing your home. Your place-to-be.

No matter how dire the situation,

if you are surrounded by people who love and care for you.

No obstacle is invincible. 

Then ーー Where do I belong?

Having long lost the place I once considered home.

I spent many years in a place which would provide for me. 

I had food, a roof above my head, a warm bed to sleep in at night.

But could I truly call this my home? 

Those doubts would lurk in the back of my mind, keeping me up at night.

Until one day, I was made a special offer. 

If I complied, I would be given the thing my heart longs for the most.

ーー A new home.

Location: Sakamaki Manor ;; Outside

Sharon: This is the place, right...?

( Woah...Amazing. I’ve never seen a house quite this big. They even have a garden! )

*Knock knock*

Sharon: Excuse meー! My name’s Sharon. I’m supposed to move in here today! 

...

...

( No response...? How strange. They should have been informed through the Church. )

*Knock knock*

Sharon: Hello...? Anybody home...!?

Sharon: ( What to do...? There doesn’t seem to be anyone home right now. It’s already getting dark. I can’t just stand here all night either. )

*Creaaaaak*

Sharon: ...Huh? Did the...door just open by itself?

( Does that mean I can go inside? I feel a little hesitant just entering someone else’s home butーー I was told I could live here so it should be fine, right? )

She enters the manor.

 Location: Sakamaki Manor ;; Entrance Hall

Sharon: Just as I thought, the inside is equally spacious. I can’t imagine just one person living in such a large house all by themselves. Cleaning must take quite some time as well.

She puts down her suitcase.

*Thud*

Sharon: Phew...

( ...It’s so quiet. Almost as if the house is deserted. I wonder if the owner is out at the moment? In that case, I should probably wait in the living room. )

Sharon looks around.

Sharon: I guess it’s...that way?

*Rustle*

Sharon: ...!!

( I...Did I just...step on something? It felt...strangely soft and... )

???: ーー Oi.

Sharon: ...Kyah!

Sharon: ( A person...!? Oh my gosh. I just arrived here and the first thing I do is step on someone! )

???: ...

Sharon: I’m terribly sorry! I didn’t think there would be someone lying on the floor and...!

( ...Speaking of which, what were they doing down there anyway!? ...Sleeping? No way, right? When you have a house this large, you definitely don’t need to use the floor as a bed... )

???: Haah...

Sharon: Oh no! Are you feeling ill, perhaps? In that case, I shall call a doctor right away!

???: ...You’re loud. How am I supposed to enjoy my Rachmaninov when you’re screaming the place down? 

Sharon: Rach...mani...? ...E-Either way, if you’re not feeling sick, then what were you doing on the floor?

???: Wasting his time away listening to music rather than making himself useful, per usual, I would assume. Well, I suppose it is best not to have any expectations of this man in the first place, as he will only let you down in the end.

Sharon: ...!? 

( A voice...? Out of nowhere...!? )

Sharon: ...Wah!!

( Where did he come from...? )

???: Now, who might you be?

Sharon: Ah...I’m sorry! My name’s Sharon. I’m an orphan at the Catholic orphanage downtown. I was told by our related Church that the resident of this manor has been so kind to take me in. Are you...perhaps the owner?

???: ...I see. It seems you are the next...sacrifice.

Sharon: Excuse me?

???: Nothing. I was simply talking to myself. ...Ahem. My name is Sakamaki Reiji. The second eldest son of this family and one of the residents here. ...The man you had the ‘honor’ of meeting earlier is Shuu. While you may not suspect so given his deplorable behavior, he is - quite unfortunately - my elder brother.

Sharon: Reiji-san...and Shuu-san, was it? It’s a pleasure meeting you both!

Shuu: ...

Reiji: I assume that is your luggage over there? A room has been prepared for you. We will have one of our servants bring everything upstairs.

Sharon: Thank you very much!

( Thank god...So there wasn’t any mistake after all. )

Sharon: Oh! Right! I actually brought a little gift with me! They’re homemade muffins I made this morーー

*CRASH*

Sharon: ーー ning...!?

Startled by the loud noise, she drops the box with muffins.

*Thud*

???: YOU FUCKIN’ BASTARD!! I swear once I get my hands on youーー! 

???: Ahaha! I can’t believe you actually fell for that one! Lame-o!

Reiji: ...

Shuu: Haah...

Sharon: ( H-Hold on, hold on, hold on! Eh? Eeeeh!? I’m not dreaming, right!? That person just punched a hole through the wall!? )

Reiji: Ahem. ...Allow me to introduce. The one who destroyed the wall is the youngest son, Sakamaki Subaru. Next to him is Sakamaki Ayato, the eldest of the triplets. 

ーー You two, explain this situation at once!

Ayato: ...Che. Reiji. I didn’t do anythin’! Not my fault that Subaru ate those prank chocolates I left out on the kitchen counter.

Subaru: Fuck off! You definitely did that on purpose! ...I can still feel my mouth burnin’...!!

Sharon: ( ...Prank chocolates? I guess he means those filled with mustard and other spicy condiments, right? I didn’t know people actually bought those. )

Ayato: Of course! I was hopin’ to catch Kanato. Can you imagine what kinda face he would make when poppin’ one of those bad boys in his mouth?

???: ...Say, did you hear that, Teddy? ...I hope Ayato sleeps with one eye open tonight. He might just run into...unfortunate accident.

Sharon: ...Eh!?

( Another person just appeared out of thin air!? )

Ayato: Keh. The lunatic’s here.

Reiji: Sakamaki Kanato, the middle triplet. 

...Kanato, If you wish to commit a homicide, please do so outside of the walls of this manor. It takes forever to remove blood stains from the carpet.

Kanato: I don’t recall having to take orders from you.

ーー However, you’re lucky as I happen to be in a good mood right now. I believe I heard someone mention muffins? 

Sharon: ...Ah, yes! I made these myse...Huh? ...Oh.

Shuu: It’s not blood, but I think the carpet will need some cleaning regardless.

Reiji: Good grief...

Sharon: Oh no...! The box must have slipped from my fingertips when I heard the sudden crash and...

Ayato: Ah-ahー Look what you did, Subaru. It’s always the youngest child causin’ trouble.

Subaru: HAAH!? All of this started ‘cause you left those stupid chocolates out!

Sharon: ...They turned out really good too. What a shame.

Subaru: ...!! ...O-Oi...You...Um...My bad.

Kanato: ...Unforgivable. 

Sharon: Eh?

Kanato: ...HOW WILL YOU MAKE THIS UP TO ME!?

Sharon: ( W-Why is he getting upset at me all of a sudden!? It was obviously just an accident!? )

Um...I’m not sure...I could make some new ones later?

???: There, there, Kanato-kun~ Relax! Even if the muffins were wasted, there’s a delicious snack just waiting to be devoured...

*Rustle*

Sharon: ...!

( Someone wrapped their arms around me from behind!? )

???: ...Right here~ ...Nfu~

Sharon: ...Eh!?

( I-Is he talking about me!? )

Reiji: ...And finally, the youngest triplet, Sakamaki Laito. 

Ayato: Oi, Laito! No way you’re gettin’ the first taste again! I still haven’t forgotten last time!

Laito: Eeeh~? It’s not my fault you’re so slow, Ayato-kun~ However, if you’re so insistent on taking a bite out of her, I wouldn’t mind sharing, you know? I’m sure it’d make for a refreshing and thrilling experience~

Ayato: Geh! In your dreams, you perv!

Sharon: ( Taste? Bite...? Why are they talking as if I’m their food!? )

Excusーー

Shuu: ...Strawberries.

Sharon: Eh?

Kanato: What are you talking about? I don’t see any strawberries around.

Reiji: Shuu. Explain yourself.

Shuu: Your panties. They had strawberries on them.

Sharon: ...!!

( When did he...!? Ah! When I stepped on him...! )

Ayato: Pfftー!! Strawberries! How old are you, five? That’s hella lame!

Laito: Hm...~ Strawberries are not bad but with such a lovely body, I’m sure you could pull off something a little more erotic~

Subaru: ...

Laito: Oh, my bad~ I forgot baby bro was in the room. I suppose talking about a woman’s underwear is still a little too much for him to handle.

Subaru: S-Shut up...!!

Reiji: ...Enough! No more on this topic! ...Haah. Is it really that much to ask for you lot to behave? Just for one day?

Ayato: ーー Anyway, Reiji. Who’s this chick anyway? Tonight’s dinner?

Sharon: D-Dinner...!? I’m sorry but...Why are you all talking as if I’m food or something!?

Ayato: Shut it! Nobody asked for your opinion, Ichigo Pantsu.

Sharon: I-Ichigo paーー!? I have a name...! ...It’s Sharon.

Ayato: Yeah, yeah. I-chi-go Pa-n-tsu.

Laito: Hm~ This Bitch-chan does smell sweet just like strawberries. Perhaps I should call you ‘Ichigo-chan’ instead~?

Kanato: She really does. I’m sure her blood would taste just as sweet...Oh? What’s that, Teddy? You’d like to have a taste? Fufu...Good idea. I was just feeling a little peckish myself.

Reiji: Haah...I shall be in my study room. ...Ayato, Kanato, Laito. Please treat our new resident with some respect. It would be a shame to lose another one so soon.

Sharon: ...Wait, please! I’m afraid I don’t quite grasp the situation yet!

Reiji: Haah...Good grief. You must not be very smart, are you? Did you truly believe you would be allowed to stay here for free?

Sharon: ...Eh?

Laito: Nfu~ He’s right, Ichigo-chan. Everything in this world comes at a price. In your case...That would be the delicious blood pumping through your veins...

Sharon: M-My blood...? 

Ayato: Heh. You seriously haven’t realized?

Kanato: Teddy...Humans are truly so foolish, aren’t they?

Subaru: Che...Stop beatin’ ‘round the bush already and just tell her.

Shuu: We are Vampires. So the only thing a human such as yourself would have to offer, is your blood.

Reiji: In return, you will be allowed to stay here in this manor. Food, clothes and all other daily necessities willl be provided as well.

Sharon: Vam...pires? That must be some sort of joke, right? It was the Church who arranged this place for me! They would neverーー! 

Besides...Vampires only exist in fairytales!

Reiji: Good grief. This is why I simply cannot deal with humans. Not only are they incredibly foolish, they are horribly naive and trusting as well.

Subaru: In other words, you were set up. Just deal with it.

Sharon: ...

( No way, right...? This has to be some sort of mistake? Or a bad dream...? )

Shuu: Pwaah...Anyway, you guys do as you please. I’m going to my room to nap.

Subaru: I’m leaving too.

Reiji: Well then, if you’d excuse me now.

The three of them leave.

Sharon: ...

Laito: Oh dear~? Is that despair I see in your eyes? You poor little thing! Don’t worry, Laito-kun wil make sure to comfort you. After all, there is no better cure for betrayal than pleasure.

Ayato: Don’t be so down, Ichigo Pantsu! It’s not that bad of a deal! You get to offer your blood to Yours Truly after all!

Kanato: Fufu...I’m sure we’ll get along just fine. If you’re lucky, you might even make it into my precious collection one day~

Sharon: ...!!

She suddenly pushes them away.

*THUD*

Ayato: ...Woah!?

Laito: ...Aah~ Not bad, Ichigo-chan! I like myself a feisty girl at times!

Kanato: Ugh! ...What are you doing!? I nearly dropped Teddy just now.

Sharon: ...

She runs upstairs.

Location: Sakamaki Manor ;; Hallway

Sharon: Haah, haah, haah...

( Say, God...? )

( Is this my penalty...? )

( Are you punishing me for my crimes of the past...? )

Monologue

I just kept on running and running.

As said question repeated itself inside my head.

That must be it.

Those guys were exactly right. 

Humans are foolish. I was foolish. 

Foolish to believe I would be given a new home.

After all, people like me.

ーー They don’t deserve a happy ending.

ーー PROLOGUE: END ーー

[ Dark Prologue ] ->

[shadowsnlace]

can i ask for anything nsfw with ichigo kurosaki. thanks for coming back, bleach imagine blogs are coming very hard this year, and i thank every writer for the time and effort they put in every single post of theirs. p.s i love your blog so much❤❤.

Thank you! I’m so glad you love my stuff! <3 Hope you enjoy this drabble with Ichigo :)

Smut under the cut

Heavy pants filled the room. Heat prickled on your skin, and you couldn’t tear your eyes away from Ichigo’s face. Your hand was moving up and down along his hard shaft, but he was refusing to open his eyes and meet your gaze. He knew if he did he’d never be able to hold out.

His shirt was still on, but unbuttoned and open, exposing the lines of his chest muscles and abs. Just the sight made your tongue twitch, longing to trace those contours.

His underwear was still on, but you’d deftly shifted it to give you access to what you wanted. This was better than having him naked, it felt more naughty, more like suspending the seduction somewhere between mounting desire and giving in. 

Ichigo sucked in a quick breath as the slicked pad of your thumb grazed a sweet spot just under the bulbous head of his cock. A light blush dusted his cheeks as his eyes opened to find yours. A husky whisper of your name sent a thrill up your spine. 

You gave him a sexy smile before lowering your lips to slowly pull his throbbing flesh into your mouth. 

Ichigo groaned. His toes curled, hips lifting involuntarily. One hand worked with your mouth while the other wandered over the ridges of his abs and up to his chest. Teasing his nipple made him writhe, his hand stroking it’s way down your arm. He sat up a bit, his fingers combed through your hair until his hand was cradling the back of your neck. “That feels so good, baby.”

He didn’t last too long beyond that. Seeing his dick disappear into your mouth and feeling the way you sucked and licked sent him rushing to the edge. The second you looked up at him and moaned, the vibration snapped his control like a dry twig. 

Moments later, Ichigo could finally speak. “That was amazing.” His fingers traced your lips, a lazy smile on his face. “You’re amazing.” 

You knew you’d be uttering those same words in a few hours after Ichigo tried to beat his high score in giving you orgasms. 

[rayshippouuchiha]

Either because Kisuke has to tell SOMEONE, or Ichigo is walking down the street and someone like Kiego spots him, soon the whole of Karakura knows that Kurosaki Ichigo has a baby. Kisuke is not the only one who immediately jumps to cloning.

Sprawled out on the floor, his hat shifted low to cover even more of his face than normal and his sensor still held loosely in one hand, Kisuke uses the other to idly fan himself.

His mind is simultaneously racing and giving off a faint static like buzz because Ichigo has a baby.

A baby that happens to be a mysteriously appearing, strange energy emitting, blue eyed carbon copy of Ichigo himself.

And instead of calling Kisuke Ichigo had gone the opposite direction and decided that single fatherhood to an obviously magical baby was his best choice.

Kisuke’s not sure if he feels more hurt over Ichigo not calling, guilty over their relationship apparently devolving so far down that it’s been so long since they last saw each other that Ichigo didn’t think he’d answer, didn’t think Kisuke would help, or pissed that Ichigo would take such a risk with himself without bothering to let anyone, and by anyone Kisuke means himself, at least know what’s going on.

The truth, Kisuke imagines, probably exists in some mix of all three.

No matter though, Kisuke is aware of the issue now and he refuses to leave Ichigo alone to face the possible nefarious intentions/consequences of taking in whatever kind of creature this child like thing ends up being.

He’s left Ichigo alone to face problems not of his making far too often in the past.  Left him to clean up messes created long before he was born.  And Ichigo had been the one to suffer for it all.

Kisuke is not inclined to make that same mistake here and now.  Or, hopefully, ever again.

The opening of a door startles Kisuke out of his spiraling thoughts.  Pressing himself up onto his elbows and tilting his head back a bit, Kisuke stares up at a scowling Ichigo who’s now standing above him in the open doorway of his apartment.

Hair longer than Kisuke ever remembers it being and still a tousled mess, Ichigo’s wearing a tight fitting forest green sweater and a pair of dark red pants.

Safely cradled in Ichigo’s arms, the baby creature, or as Ichigo has apparently named it, Mikan, is wearing a pale pink shirt patterned with tiny red strawberries and a pair of dark green pants and socks.

‘Oh’, Kisuke can’t help but think with a suspicious squint towards the basically matching outfits and Mikan’s gummy smile as it stares up at Ichigo, ‘they look absolutely adorable.’

Staring down at him for a long second Ichigo just sighs, looks upwards for a split second like he’s praying for strength, and then pulls the door shut behind him.  He locks it with one hand, seeming surpringly comfortable with a baby curled close to his chest, and then turns and plants a foot in Kisuke’s stomach as he steps on and then over his sprawled form.

“Rude,” Kisuke wheezes.

“Thought I told you to go home, Geta-boshi?” Ichigo doesn’t even pause, just heads for the stairs.

“Ah but you said you wanted to go shopping,” Kisuke says lightly as he rolls up and onto his feet and after Ichigo, geta silent despite the hard flooring.  “I thought, perhaps, you could use an extra set of hands.  I’ve heard shopping with children is … arduous.  Not that I would know of course, Tessai-san always took care of Jinta-kun and Ururu-chan’s needs.”

“It’s not that hard,” Ichigo shrugs lightly.  “Mikan’ll stay put at least, seems real happy to be held.  Try being nine and doing it with two five year olds.  Used to have to chase Karin and Yuzu around the store when I took them shopping when they were little.”

Kisuke’s brows furrow because there’s something off with that statement.  But, he decides with a mental shake, that’s something to reflect on later.

“Wherever did you get that outfit for it?” Kisuke changes the subject.

Hopefully if he can keep Ichigo engaged enough he won’t try to send Kisuke away again.

Not that Kisuke would actually leave of course but that’s not the point.

“Internet shopping and overnight express delivery,” Ichigo answers just as they hit the front door of the apartment complex and step out onto the street, tone clipped enough to make Kisuke want to wince again.  “He showed up naked.  Couldn’t take him out in just one of my t-shirts.  People’d stare and he could get cold.”

‘Which is a perfectly valid explanation except,’ Kisuke can’t help but think as he glides along at Ichigo’s side, ‘people are still staring.’

Because they very much are.  People are stopping on the corners and doing double takes, pointing and whispering at Ichigo.  Kisuke’s pretty sure he even hears a person or four whisper something like ‘holy shit who cloned the Kurosaki?’

Sometimes Kisuke finds it easy to forget that Ichigo has been rather infamous in Karakura Town for a number of years now thanks to his habit of beating down various Yakuza and the like.

This is very much not one of those times that makes it easy to forget that Ichigo is a well known name and face in all three worlds.

They walk the rest of the way towards the market area in silence, all of Kisuke’s attempts to strike up a conversation fizzling out as Ichigo keeps most of his attention on their surroundings and on the baby creature.

He seems hyper alert, eyes sharp and body held loose like he’s ready to move at a moment’s notice.  Except, of course, for the arm he keeps wrapped around Mikan and the hand he has cupped around the back of its head protectively.

It sends another sharp pang down Kisuke’s system to realize that Ichigo no longer trusts Kisuke to protect him.  Or, at least, not to protect him and something that obviously means a great deal to Ichigo despite the short amount of time the imitation tangerine has been in his life.

[shi-daisy]

The Phoenix and the Dragon

Yet again we've arrived at Ulquihime week! Gotta confess I'm not much of a Christmas person but I do look forward to December for my OTP week. Everyone puts so much love and effort into their entries that it's hard not to be excited. Okay so today's theme is Crossover and I wanted to pick something that wasn't likely to be repeated by someone else, so leave it to my nostalgic mind to go 'What about a Winx Club crossover?' Thus here we are! This little one-shot is based on one of my fave childhood shows and one of the first villain ships I ever had. (Yes, my 10-year-old self hardcore shipped Darkar & Bloom) 😅 Hope you like it! (Spoilers for some aspects of season 2 of Winx Club. I'm taking from the 4kids version of the show and Nickelodeon special btw. And some mild spoilers for the second movie.)

Also for those who do know the winx cast and want to know who is who in the crossover here it is.

Orihime- Bloom

Ulquiorra- Darkar/Avalon

Tatsuki- Stella

Shizuka- Layla

Ichigo- Prince Sky

Isshin- Errendor

Sora- Daphne

Unohana- Faragonda

Okay now that's all set, here's the fic!

@ulquihimeweek​

Ulquihime Week- Day 1 Crossover

The Phoenix and the Dragon

Orihime awoke in a dimly lit room. She didn't remember much, just going into Professor Schiffer's office and then...'And then he changed and turned into the Phoenix.'

"I can sense you. Just come out of the shadows already." She muttered.

Ulquiorra obliged, no longer looking like a human but in his true form as the Shadow Phoenix.

To her he didn't look much different, his skin was paler but his other features remained the same. He had large dark wings and a tail, along with tear markings.

"I should've known it was you. We get warmed about a Shadow Phoenix and next thing we know a new professor shows up at our school."

He chuckled. "Yes well, that didn't occur to you as we bonded, Ms. Inoue."

She lowered her head in shame. Since Ulquiorra arrived at Alfea he had become her favorite teacher, and even offered to teach her about her home kingdom, Sparx, which had been destroyed when she was just a baby.

"Is that why you brought me here? To taunt me?!"

"No, darling. I have other plans for you. Or should I say us?"

"I'll never collaborate with you!"

"You say that now, but you might change your mind after I explain my plans to you."

She frowned, but at the moment there was nothing she could do. Orihime sighed. "Fine. I suppose I can listen to you for a while."

"I appreciate it. First I must ask you something. What do you know about me, Orihime Inoue? Who do you think I am?"

"Headmistress Retsu told us you were once human. That you came to the underealm to try and find the shadow fire, but that it's power consumed you and that now you're seeking to take over the magic universe.

I also know that you came to our school and posed as a professor until now..."

"The headmistress is a wise woman, studious too since she appears to know my origins well, the one commonly excepted that is."

"What do you mean?"

"Indeed, I was once human, that I came here to study the Shadow Fire, but it's power didn't overtake me. For you see, I willingly submitted to it. I'm the one in control, always have been. And while I do wish to take over the magic dimension it is not for my own gain."

"Why else would you want to take over?"

"I want this dimension to change. I want to tear down the structures that bind its kingdoms. I've wanted that since I was a human.

You see, darling, the structures of this dimension are so very ancient and so very obsolete. The squabbles between kingdoms have led to so much war, to destruction, to sadness... Just look at what happened to Sparx."

"My kingdom was destroyed by the ancient witches. Not by war."

"You're right, but your kingdom had a close ally. An ally that should've saved you from the witches, yet instead bargained to have them take your kingdom and spare them. The king of Eraklyon made said bargain."

Orihime grew dizzy. 'No, no it can't be! Ichigo's father wouldn't do that! This is a lie!"

"You think I'm lying, don't you?"

"Of course you're lying! King Isshin wouldn't do that, neither would Ichigo!"

"Analyze the situation, darling. Eraklyon was your closest ally, and yet they didn't suffer any damage as Sparx was destroyed. Your parents vanished, your brother died saving you, your planet is now an icy wasteland. Yet Eraklyon stands as the richest land in Magix. As for your little prince, he was merely a child when this took place, but I don't doubt he'd keep it a secret from you, he has done so before."

Orihime felt as if her skin was catching fire. She hated to be reminded of that lie, to think back when Ichigo had hidden his royal lineage and engagement to a princess. She'd forgiven him, of course, and they were a couple once again, but deep inside she still distrusted him. And a part of her did think Ulquorra's words were true.

'Maybe that's why his father disapproved of us. Not because I'm a princess of a destroyed kingdom, but because my kingdom's destruction was partly his fault...'

"You see, darling. That's only one example of plenty I can give you. All of these realms need someone truly wise to rule them."

"Even if I believed you, that doesn't mean I'll join you. I don't want to kill anyone."

"Who said anything about killing? There are plenty of ways to dethrone a ruler. That's what I crave to do darling. Imagine it, a dimension without destroyed kingdoms, without arranged marriages, without squabbles for the throne. We'd be the only rulers, the royals would be our regents, they'd have to abide by what we demand."

Ulquiorra's eyes glowed green as he spoke. She had seen him like that before in his humanoid form. His eyes always sparkled as he thought her class about History and asked them to be part of the change.

"Ulquiorra, I think it's wonderful that you're trying to make the universe better, but I fail to see why would want me to join you. I'm no leader."

Orihime felt Ulquiorra's cold hand gently lift her chin. "Orihime, you're the only person I've ever met worthy of wearing such a crown.

The reason I posed as a teacher at Alfea wasn't to further my plans, or to steal the codex but to observe you. In just a few months you made such great progress that I couldn't help but be convinced you were worthy of sharing my crown, of carrying the dragon flame, of ruling over Magix.

You came from Earth yet quickly adapted to this dimension, to its power and its costumes. You're kind, fierce, strong, I couldn't ask for a better queen."

He noticed Orihime's pale skin turn bright red, and her sliver eyes grow misty. "No one's ever really praised me like that. Thank you."

He smirked. "I'll be sure to do so more often in the future then."

With a snap of Ulquiorra's fingers, her bounds disappeared. Orihime stood up, directly facing Ulquiorra.

He took her hands in his and directly stared into her eyes, silver meeting emerald. "Orihime Inoue, will you join me in my quest to bring peace and order to the magic dimension?"

It wasn't easy, she didn't want to leave her friends, her school, or even Ichigo. Even after what she learned it felt wrong to vanish without a word.

'But it must be done. Tatsuki-chan will be free to choose who she marries, Nemu-san won't be forced to follow the path her father wants for her, Shizuka-chan won't have to take the throne of the harmonic nebula...even Ichigo would now be free to make his own choices. This would be for the best.'

With a beautiful smile and newfound determination, Orihime finally responded. "Yes, I will."

"Then it is done, our power is now bound."

She could feel a surge of dark magic taking over, but it wasn't unpleasant. Her characteristic blue fae dress was now black and her fairy wings had turned grey. Orihime also noticed Ulquiorra's form slightly changed, his dark wings now had accents of green and he resembled his humanoid form a little more.

"It's the bond." He told her after noticing her confusion. "Light cannot exist without dark and vice versa. As such my darkness had to take some of your light and your light had to take some of my darkness."

Shadow Fire & Dragon Fire were united at last. Orihime was certain that now she and Ulquiorra would be unstoppable. 'We'll fix everything soon.'

"What shall we do now?"

"Since I've acquired all the pieces of the codex, I was thinking we could go to the Relix dimension. Your parents might've vanished there after the destruction of Sparx."

"My parents...I never thought it'd be possible to reach them."

"It is, my darling. We'll bring them back and then return Sparx to its former glory. After that, we can finally reshape the magic dimension into what it should've been from the beginning."

For the first in a long while, Orihime felt like she was doing things right. It would take her friends some time to forgive her, but she knew in time she would join them again. 'I'm doing this for all of us. For me, and for him.'

She gently kissed Ulquiorra's cheek, he blushed at the gesture. "I was not expecting that."

"I'm still a little miffed at you for pretending to be a professor but if we're to be in harmony as rulers this is a good place to start."

"Then I guess I should do my part too."

Ulquiorra wrapped his arm around her waist and gave her a passionate kiss. Orihime quickly blushed and playfully shoved him as he let go of her.

"Show off."

"Guilty as charged."

"Y'know, I remember seeing paintings back on earth with dragons and phoenixes together as a couple. Do you think that was a prediction?"

"It could be, after all, the most enduring romances are likely to echo through many universes."

[bakubabes-tatakae]

Can I request a fluffy domestic imagine with renji abarai??

Always happy to write for my baby Renji. 🥺❤

You’re So Beautiful || Renji x Reader

Warnings: fluff, renji’s sexiness, SFW, he only slaps the readers ass once, I swear (if I don’t have Renji slapping some ass in his fics, I feel he’s not Renji)

Word Count: 1k

As you danced around the kitchen of your apartment you hadn’t expected there to be any eyes on you. Renji usually slept like a log when he spent the night, he had been spending a lot more time in the human world than he was in the soul society lately. He has been assigned to watch over the human world in Rukia’s absence. 

You had met Renji through your best friend, Ichigo Kurosaki. Sure, the two of them fought like brothers, and it could be annoying, but you couldn’t imagine your life without them. 

When Renji had come to the human world the last thing Ichigo had wanted to do was introduce the two of you. But Renji hadn’t given him that choice. 

Renji had heard a lot about you when Ichigo and his friends had come to the Soul Society in search of Rukia. Ichigo knew that the second you saw Renji you would be head over heels. Renji was exactly your type. 

When Renji had shown up it didn’t take long for you to beg Ichigo to introduce the two of you. Ichigo had been very reluctant to do so. He wasn’t Renji’s biggest fan and the last thing that he wanted is for his best friend in the world to be involved with that lunk. But Renji had other plans. He had laid his eyes on you once and had been pulled in in seconds. 

The way your h/c flowed in the wind, the smell of your perfume lingering as you left an area; a smell that he would forever cherish. The way the first time he had seen your smile it had lit up the entire area that he had been at that time. 

Ichigo hadn’t hidden his distaste when he had introduced the two of you. He knew very well that you would never let him get away with it tho. He knew what your elbows felt like in his chest and it wasn’t something that he never wanted to feel again. 

Renji’s deep voice broke you out of the trance that you were in as you were lost in your own world. “God, I can’t get over it. You’re just so beautiful.”

When you turned to see the crimson-haired man staring at you as he leaned in the doorway of the kitchen your eyes grew wide. You had been hoping to have breakfast done before he had come from the bedroom. “Renji!”

He chuckled as he walked forward, his pink and white kimono flowing as he walked toward you. “What are you doing out here?” The sight that he had run into had been nothing but joyful for him. The sight of you in nothing but your panties and t-shirt as you danced around the kitchen with a bowl of muffin mix did nothing but put that smile on his face that you had made a permanent fixture since he met you.

You placed the bowl on the counter quickly and laughed nervously. “I was really hoping that I could get this done before you woke up. Was it the music? Did I have it up to loud?”

“No, no… nothing like that.” He leaned against the island that stood before your counters. “I woke up cold and when I reached over to pull you toward me I noticed you were gone.”

You approached him, grabbing his arms and turning yourself around to lean into him. As his strong arms wrapped around your body and squeezed you sunk in as far as you could. “Renji,” You looked up toward him as you felt his gaze shift to you. “I have something to ask you.”

“Shoot darling, whatcha got for me?” He kissed your temple and rested his chin onto your shoulder. 

“If you’re going to be here as long as you say you are, why don’t you just come and stay with me?” He froze at your words, his breathing quickened and your mind went to the worse possible outcome. “Only if you want to tho, I don’t want to pressure you.” You tried desperately to ease the situation. “I just know how much you hate staying with Kisuke at the shop and-”

He stopped you but covering your mouth with his hand. “Calm down Y/n. You’re rambling.” He gripped your waist and turned you to face him. “I’ll do it. I’ve been waiting for you to ask me this since we started seeing each other. I didn’t want to suggest it in case you weren’t okay with it.”

You cupped his face in your hands. “Renji Abarai… I love you.”

His lips hit yours roughly as the passion behind his kiss grew with every passing second. He spoke against your lips. “I love you too, Y/n.” He wrapped his arms around your neck and pulled you into his chest. “I’ve been thinking about asking if I can stay in the human world permanently and just travel back and forth to the soul society as needed.” 

As he spoke those words you felt your brow furrow. Being a soul reaper was something Renji would never give up, you were shocked, to say the least. You had never thought you would hear him utter those words. “What about the sixth division? Won’t they want you back at some point?”

“I’ll go back whenever I’m called upon, but I have more pressing matters here.” He grasped your chin in his hand and placed his lips in front of yours, just barely grazing them. “But my intentions are to stay here in the human world and spend all my time with the woman that I’m in love with.”

You felt the pink tinge color your cheeks at his words. Your whole face turning warm to the touch. As his lips caressed yours again you couldn’t help but smile. “You’re too good to me, Renji.”

Renji grabbed your arm and spun you around, pushing you forward and planting a firm smack on your bare ass. “Now get breakfast going you sexy thing. I’m starving.”

Bleach Taglist 💕 @kurobo @siesel 

[yume-tsuki]

Bleach -Recuerdos Mundo Find part1-5 here https://saki-sk.tumblr.com/post/649896229806997504/bleach-recuerdos-mundo-part-5-the-orb-day-zero-it  #recuerdos mundo next part https://saki-sk.tumblr.com/post/654541839264776192/bleach-recuerdos-mundo-part-7-lost-moon-previes 

Part6 Blinding Moon Finally we are back home. We split up and went to our families, Yachiru and Ichika went back to the Soul Society, Hiyoshin went back to his family and I…. I stood in front of our house imagined how everyone went back and everyone was full of joy seeing us again.  I looked to the ground, …that’s not the moment… I whispered to myself and passed by….(?) …~Kazui Kurosaki Back home I havn’t even tried to be quiet and then I ended up being overjoyed by all my siblings and mom and dad, asking where I and the others  went how it come we were still alive and all safe and sound. I told them a short story what happened and everyone looked so surprised and proud. Specially dad, that’s what he always does when one of us is doing something cool. I really like that on him. He also put out the old Futons that we all coul sleep together. Dad loves to protect all of us, mom too but she can’t show it like he does. But I love when she looks at him and smiles like no one is noticing admiring him for this attitude. Sometimes.. I guess.. dad wish himself longer arms so he can hug all of us, me,my siblings and mom at ones. … Man I hadn’t noticed how I missed this, I feel so tired and happy… ~Hirako Hiyoshin Lieutenant Yachiru was quiet nervous when we separated and she went to her old barrack, she was barely listen when I said bye. I walked off to my home at the Kuchiki Mansion, jumping over the wall and landed in the garden. Of course one of uncles  Shinigamis noticed me but with a >>shhhhh and keep quiet I want to surprise my parents!<< He shut up. So I sneaked into my parent’s bedroom…. But my dad was quiet noticing some stranger walking into the room so he stood up protectively in front of mum and was holding Zabimaru. Back then I hadn’t noticed our spiritual pressure was different from before. But that’s some other part! Now they looked at me like they saw a ghost, then tears and all that cheesy*sob*>>my baby is back home<<*sob…stuff…you know all that stupid thinks, all crying and hugging…*sob*  of course I said everything is fine! And that I was tired and talk tomorrow to calm them down but…  I was happy to be back. What a comfy feeling. ~Abarai Ichika Many years I thought I would never see all of this again… Ken-chan… as near I get as slower I walked… everything felt so wrong, I shouldn’t be here… I thought…. What when Kenpachi-san wouldn’t know me anymore what if he hated me for some nonsense reason? I was so afraid….. I stood in front of the house not knowing what to do now. I had this moment so often in my mind back in the past and now I’m standing here shaking with my heart in my hands, crying like a child. >>Ken-chan…<<   >>Yachiru it’s you<< It wasn’t me who found him, he found me this time. >>Ken-chan<< First a whisper then louder,  I run to him hugged him tidily hoping this wasn’t a dream again. I run so tired from that wrong memories I often had, waking up and everything I had was gone. >>It’s you…really you.<< I heard his voice through my sobbing and whining >>…yes…<< I answered shortly >>…I’m home…<< I finally was. together with Ken-chan I went to the first division barracks on the next morning. I was still confused where I had to go and I was so nervous. Then I stood in front of everyone, they looked at me puzzled. First Captain Isane talked  to me. >>Is that really you? Yachiru<< >>How is this even possible?! Where is she coming from?<< Mayuri wondered >>Calm down everyone she will tell us.<< When I watched at Captain Kyorakos face I was so confused why is he at the first division captains place? Where was old Yamamoto? And where was Captain Unohana? Tears were running over my face again, knowing that so much time had passed but in my live it was even more. full of tears I told them what happened: …I remember that I fought that person, I don’t even know if it was a woman or a man or what person he was anyway… I just remember that I wanted to safe Ken-chan so badly. Then there was light, everything was only light, when I woke up again the world was collapsed. I walked around but no one was to be found anymore… I walked for many days till I lost the knowing of time, but I noticed the buildings  I saw. Places from the living world mixed up with the places at Hueco Mundo and the Soul Society… First when I walked through the memory world   I saw mist like a mirage showing the past often. Sometimes I watched them, talked to them till one day when I noticed I forgot who I was and where I came from…. Near insanity I saw a memory of my past friends and I remembered my name I carved them on my body..my name..who I was and what I was…and everytime I was on forgetting I looked at me saying ..that’s my name don’t forget it…one day you need to know him you need to know you are Lieutenant Yachiru Kusajishi Shinigami at the 11Division…. I cried when I talked, I hadn’t noticed when the others started crying, too. Izane and the other woman were looking away sobbing while the man looked pale with a stonily look. >>where you the only one there?<< I heard Mayuri again, and some whispering about experiments like he always did. I told them about the Hollow like creatures who appeared short after the collapse. But instead of hollows who still had a will to live they were real hollow. A empty body just existing to eat reishi* and letting it go ones they dissapear… I told them about the world full of  reishi*, that I never had to eat or drink and about the amnesia of mine that I could barely remember everyone of them. Ken-chan helped me at the past night but it was still difficult.  I told them about the Seretei and I told them about the kids of Ichigo, Abarai and Hirako who saved me. Captain Kyorako told Mayuri and Isane to take care of me till they had more informations. I was just happy to be back with all of them still hoping I wouldn’t lay down at the ground having  a flashback from some kind of mist again… ~Kusajishi Yachiru (*don’t be mad at me when I wrote the wrong word xP) …. >>You are back!<< I was quiet surprised when I saw Reina Ishida holding her bow right in front of me. >>First I thought you were some kind of enemy so I walked of the house to attack you but what are you doing here? When did you  come back why aren’t  home with your family?<< We sit down on the riverside and I told her it felt wrong. As much as I walked nearer, as much I thought about my returning friends as much it felt wrong to walk to mine. Of course she gave me that ‘What kind of nonsense is that shit’ look. >>But you have to, everyone was so worried of you. You don’t know what everyone was gone through.<< I looked at the moon while listening to her and then I told her what happened to us, what we found and saw and that everything was fine but. She noticed it, my spiritual pressure was different, like it wasn’t me who returned but someone else. Back then I hadn’t known that the others had that kind of phenomena, too. Back then I thought it was because of him… So I told her from it, the thing I swallowed and the voice of the man coming from it. Maybe it was because I couldn’t hear him anymore since we went back. Reina was looking at me worried…. It felt strange I don’t like her becoming worried so I told her I was fine and I should probably go home now. … We said good bye to each other and went different ways till I was home again. I stood in front of the door, my finger at the bell. >>I’m back!<< ~Kurosaki Kazui

[gunnerpalace]

How do you think each of of the OT3 acts when sick? How do the other two react?

My enormously talented and astounding wifey, @duckiesteasmiles​, has once again gotten here early for Rukia and Ichigo taking care of Yoruichi when she’s sick:

Yoruichi was a rolled-up sushi, cold cloth for forehead armour and nose Rudolph red from sniffles. She hated this like no one could believe, and yet there these idiots were—one on each side, breathing the same contaminated, infected air as her, and all she could do was twitch a leg in absolute annoyance beneath Ichigo’s as both softly snored in contentment around her. She sighed and rubbed a somehow free hand at her temple. These two gentle idiots were going to be the absolute death of her at this point. Ichigo's stubbornness most definitely accounted for 80% of that, but when Rukia tagged alongside him it was a battle lost and not even worth the fight. Earlier, Ichigo had been right at it. “We don't care. And my immune system is fucking incredible. If you had just listened—” a sharp jab to his side with a pointed foot interrupted what Yoruichi assumed was going to be an amazing lecture about her health. What she didn't expect, however, were tiny little fingertips running along the arch of her foot in retaliation to the objection she was clearly making. Rukia peeked out with slightly puffed cheeks and narrowed eyes. Harsh as that may have seemed, she couldn't hide the concern in her eyes. “We're staying.” That was the final word from her. Before any further quips could be made, Ichigo was already taking countermeasures, and rolled Yoruichi up in the blanket surrounding her to make sure no further injuries were in his foreseeable future—all he got was a quiet groan and a tiny glare that was easily dismissed. The two neatly slid beside either side of her, Ichigo towering over the other two regardless with his chin propped up against a hand, and Rukia curling up just above Yoruichi's head so the latter could use her chest as another pillow. They rambled on about their day—same old, same old. Sometimes they poked fun at a colleague and at other times themselves, which would earn them a small bark and an electric spark. These two, honestly. “Ooh! We should tell you a bedtime story!” Rukia's eyes were already a glaze of excitement and swirling ideas which earned a shared, silent gaze between Ichigo and Yoruichi, all soft smiles hiding the little laughter that threatened their voices and sank into their eyes. To Yoruichi's surprise, Ichigo went with it. “If it involves a baron of any kind, I'm out.” “But the Baron is the best character! You can't leave him out!” Rukia's lips pouted fully like a child's, and Yoruichi could see the melting of what little of Ichigo's resolve he had left. “Fine, but only if the Baron is Byakuya.” “Don't insult Nii-sama that way! You jerk!” Beneath them, Yoruichi was a small fit of giggles and head shakes. They quickly recovered and fell silent with their thoughts, trying to conjure up what was sure to be an entertaining story. Hands found Yoruichi's hair, and scratches fondly made their way from under her ears to the nape of her neck, making her sink in rather comfortably. “Um... so, once there was this idiot,” Rukia began. “A big idiot,” Ichigo confirmed. Proudly. Hilariously.  “And he had no idea how to even talk with women—” “None at all.” “Ichigo, we get it. It's you. You're the proud, inexperienced idiot.” “I am not!”  Yoruichi simply waggled her eyebrows cheekily and piped up with a slightly croaky voice, “Now you're not.” Ichigo gave her that don't you start kind of look, and all she could do was bat her eyes innocently after a sneeze. A hair ruffle followed shortly after. The story was a simplified, jab-to-the-side-of-all-of-them kind of tale. There were glares and laughter and high accusations, with even higher retaliations of, “That's not true!” and “That definitely didn't happen!” Slowly, their pace changed—slowed as they reached the more intimate parts of their tales. With the calming of heartbeats and the gentle kisses on each other's skin, neither Rukia nor Ichigo could deny that their lives orbited around the kitten between them. Slower still were their explanations of how they loved her; slower yet were their caresses. Eventually, the two of them drifted off, leaving Yoruichi pink-cheeked and hazy, watching over the two gentle idiots that loved her far too much for her own good. In the end, she went with the old saying of, 'If you can't beat them, join them,’ and shifted so that her head lay against Rukia's chest and her body was snuggled into Ichigo's arms. “Don't blame me if either of you get sick.” “Shut up, kitty.”

(I’m trying to get her to recognize that her stories for them are absolutely fantastic [or hot af, depending] and that she should publish them out in the open. If you liked the this one and/or the last one, please show your support to help with this noble cause.)

I agree more broadly that the two of them would baby her as best they were able.

Ichigo and Yoruichi taking care of Rukia, probably just as pampering as Ichigo and Rukia with Yoruichi, if not more so. Yoruichi would probably only insist on like surgical masks for a couple days. Everything she might possibly want until it almost annoyed her. Probably not just attending to her but doing things with her like watching her favorite shows or movies. Just trying to make her as comfortable as possible. They would keep close watch over her at night.

Yoruichi and Rukia taking care of Ichigo... I imagine Yoruichi leading the way in putting on a show of being much stricter. I envision her casually wearing a surplus M40 gas mask around him and being both deadpan and sassy about it. “If your immune system is really so fucking incredible, then we’re not taking any chances.” She’d have a spare for Rukia. They’d make sure to feed him, both cold and fever alike. Probably strictly regiment showers and baths. Make him breathe in steam and give him spicy food to loosen his sinuses if it was a cold or flu. It’d only be once he’d gotten over the worst of it that they’d really coddle him (unless he was violently ill, in which case it’d start earlier). I sort of imagine them sleeping orthogonally to him in bed, like keeping their legs over him but not cuddling him. (They’d have to give up the gas mask gimmick to sleep, to be honest, though they might only downgrade to masks. I think they’d be hard-pressed to sleep away from him. If they chose to, they’d certainly stay until he was asleep and be back before he woke up.) A sort of show of being hardasses to encourage him to kick it quickly while giving him the means and morale to do so.

Anything more grave... any combination would be deadly serious and somber about protecting the third. No expense or effort spared, and they’d pull on whatever contacts they had to to make sure of that.

[vannahfanfics]

Like Father, Like Son

Author’s Note: Hi all, this is a rewrite, with permission, of FanFiction user AwarenessBringer’s story, A Different Partner. I found it to be an interesting take, so I hope you all enjoy it as well. :3

Category: General Fluff

Fandom: Bleach

Characters: Rangiku Matsumoto, Ichigo Kurosaki

Requested By: Awareness Bringer (FanFiction)

The cold night breeze ruffled the loose fabric of Rangiku’s death-black robes as she stood perched on the peak of a tall utility pole that cut through the charming but sprawling mass of Karakura Town. Though the diameter of the wound wooden structure was only a few inches or so, she balanced perfectly atop it, scanning the labyrinthine array of neighborhoods and business districts with hawk-like eyes. If one could see her, she wondered if they would mistake her for an assassin searching for her kill, or figure her a stoic sentry guarding over the sleepy little town by the river. Regardless, it did not matter, for no one could see Rangiku; she was a ghost, a specter, an invisible god of death. Rangiku did not come to this unassuming town for either purpose. She had come to find a man long missing- Isshin Shiba, her former superior in the parallel world, the Soul Society.

Isshin’s reasons for spiriting away to the world of the living had never been divulged to Rangiku. One day, he had just never returned, leaving the young, impressionable honey-haired girl to wonder of his absence. Rangiku could not imagine his motives for doing so. Being a captain of the Soul Reapers was but the highest honor, and yet he had seemingly tossed it aside on a whim. Rangiku had been searching for him for the longest time and had finally caught whispers of his residence in Karakura Town. She had never regularly patrolled here, but if she had, she would’ve known in an instant. As soon as she had traversed the gap between her world and this one, his massive spiritual energy had greeted her like an old friend, overwhelmingly strong but nevertheless gentle and embracing. Blue eyes narrowing slightly, she crouched down on the pole once she had homed in on the source of the emanating spiritual energy.

Isshin… Why did you leave without saying good-bye?

With a single bounding leap, Rangiku shot into the sky. Her light, unseen form landed softly in the grassy yard of a quaint medical clinic. Rangiku’s eyebrows crept up her head at the thought of the irresponsible and free-spirited Isshin handling the responsibilities of being a physician. It seemed the clinic also doubled as a residence, given by its layout and the soft yellow light burning in the windows. Rangiku’s sandals scraped against the asphalt driveway as she approached the dwelling, peering through one of the windows to see a tastefully decorated living room. No one was currently there, prompting her to phase through the wall to step into the room. Curious as to how the man was now living, she poked around the room a bit, stopping by an end table when a photograph seated there caught her eye. She put her hands and leaned over to inspect it.

In the photograph was unmistakably Isshin, with a big, beaming grin and that thick dark hair and beard that always suited him so well. Seated beside him was a beautiful young woman with soft, motherly eyes and wavy caramel hair. Seated on her lap was a little boy with a shock of unnaturally orange hair, while Isshin was holding two baby girls, one who favored her mother and one who favored her father, in his big, muscular arms. Rangiku smiled forlornly as she brushed her fingers over the smooth glass of the photograph.

“I see… So you fell in love.” Rangiku’s bittersweet mood was instantly overtaken by the cold rush of adrenaline as hostile intent invaded the small space, and she was only just able to throw up her arm to block the savage kick that was about to be delivered to the side of her head. The force still sent her sliding several feet across the wooden floor of the building, and her forearm stung numbly at the area where the sole of a shoe was imprinted in dust into the fabric of her clothes. She lowered it slightly to see that same orange-haired boy, only a tall, scowling teenager now with his long leg still hoisted up from where he had kicked her.

“Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my living room?” he shouted with an accusing point of his finger. Now that the initial shock had worn off, the gears started whirling wildly in Rangiku’s head. She was in her spirit form; there was no way that this boy could see her, let alone kick her! Yet, his ferocious glare was directed at her and her alone. Could it be possible that he somehow inherited some of Isshin’s monstrous spiritual energy? Sure enough, if she concentrated, she found that the amount contained in that lithe frame of his was much greater than a normal human’s. With a lofty sigh, Rangiku brushed the dusty imprint from her arm.

“So, you see ghosts, I take it? That has to be a right pain in the ass, I imagine.”

“You damn right, and it’s an even bigger pain in my ass when they invade the sanctity of my own home to beg me to sort out their unfinished business!” the boy groused hotly. It seemed he had realized that she was a spirit of some sort, so he lowered his foot to the floor. “Whatchu want, lady? Can’t it wait until after dinner?”

“Who’s Ichigo talking to in there?” chimed a sing-song girl’s voice from what Rangiku surmised was the kitchen.

“He’s probably being bugged by some ghost again. Let him handle it,” came another girl’s voice, more monotone and grumpier than the other’s. Ah, so those must be Isshin’s daughters…

“I’m here to see your father, actually, Isshin Kurosaki. Can you bring him in here to speak to me?” Rangiku had learned pretty much all she needed to know, but there was no way she was leaving without speaking to him a little. The boy frowned in befuddlement at her as he dug into one of his ears with his pinky finger. He reminds me a lot of Isshin…

“My old man can’t see ghosts.” This made Rangiku’s eyes take on the form of dinner saucers. Had something occurred to rob Isshin of his spiritual powers? She had been sure that she had felt his spiritual energy… Rangiku momentarily wondered if it had been the boy- Ichigo’s- spiritual energy instead, but surely that could not be possible; a human simply couldn’t contain enough spiritual energy to rival a Soul Reaper’s, especially not a high-ranking officer’s! Rangiku considered leaving for a moment, but luck was on her side; with a deranged howl, the man she had come to Karakura Town to see came flying through the entryway, poised to drop-kick Ichigo in the back of the head. With an angry shout, the boy just narrowly ducked, and Isshin flew the rest of the way across the living room to bury himself calf-deep into the drywall. He hung there awkwardly for a moment while Rangiku gawked in utter disbelief. Who the hell tried to casually drop-kick their son?! “You crazy old man!” Ichigo shouted from where he was crouched shielding his skull. “You’re gonna kill me one day, you know that?!”

“Well, who else is gonna keep you one your toes?” the man laughed good-naturedly while extracted his leg from the large, gaping hole he had just put into the wall. He sighed lightly as he began brushing sheetrock dust from his pressed slacks.

“Who says I need to be kept on my toes?! And who the hell is gonna fix that hole in the wall, ‘cuz it sure ain’t gonna be me!” Ichigo continued yelling as he straightened up and crossed his arms in a downright furious glare. His eyes flashed to the shell-shocked Rangiku before returning to his dumbass of a father. “Oh, by the way, there’s a lady ghost here to see you. She’s a blonde, dressed funny in this black robe thing, got a katana hangin’ at her waist.”

“Hey!” Rangiku cried indignantly at his less-than-flattering depiction of her. The boy just shrugged and waved a hand dismissively.

“Oh?” Isshin asked and looked at the area where he surmised Rangiku was standing, but it was so spot-on that for a moment, she couldn’t believe that he couldn’t see her at all. He looked back at his son with a positively devilish grin and said no words, only juggled his hands in a gesture that very obviously commented on her gracious endowments. Ichigo turned a bright shade of pink and began yelling at him again, while Rangiku wished dearly that she could clock him into next week.

“I can’t hit him, so do it for me, will you?” she requested grumpily of his flustered and mortified teenage son while rubbing her temples.

It wasn’t like she could spill everything about Soul Reapers and the Soul Society to the young human boy, so she explained just enough for his own curiosity to be satisfied. It was quite obvious that Isshin did not wish for his son to know about his former Soul Reaper status, so Rangiku lied, stating that she had known him in human life and she was simply here to see how he was doing. With Ichigo serving as her interpreter, she conversed amiably with Isshin. Ultimately, she was content with his current state of being. He seemed genuinely happy and loved his family very much. His happiness was plenty enough for Rangiku.

She was about to bid adieu to the young man and his father when her Hollow tracker suddenly began beeping alarmingly in her pocket. When she whipped it out to find it quite on top of them, she hadn’t even the time to warn Isshin or Ichigo before the living room wall exploded into splinters. Isshin scrambled to protect his terrified and screaming little girls while Ichigo bowled over the couch, knocking it over and landing roughly to just narrowly avoid the creature’s sharp claws as they tried to rip his bowels open. Rangiku whipped out her sword and managed to take the fight with the Hollow outside, but she very soon became unmatched. Lying in the street with blood gushing from an open wound in her abdomen, she groaned and crawled towards the wrecked house as the Hollow sought to devour Ichigo’s monstrous spiritual energy. The orange-haired boy came crashing out of a bedroom window into the street, panting wildly and running over to Rangiku.

“What the hell are you gonna do now?!” he hissed as he helped the weak, bleeding woman to her knees. “Get up and fight, or my family is gonna die! I don’t have the power to fight that thing!” Rangiku’s eyes were heavy and lidded as she struggled to remain conscious.

“I can’t,” she moaned as she pressed a hand into her wound. Hot, sticky blood gushed through the gaps of her fingers to paint her hand in the crimson substance. Her blue eyes flickered to Ichigo. “I’ll loan you my powers, just long enough for you to take out that monster! There’s no time to think; either you will or you won’t!” Ichigo swallowed thickly, staring at her with wide eyes, before nodding firmly.

“Your name, first.”

“Hehe. It’s Rangiku Matsumoto.”

Things didn’t go according to plan. His spiritual energy was far higher than anything she could have imagined, so he ended up stealing all her powers right then and there. They would return, with time, but there was no way that Rangiku could return to the Soul Society in such a state. Thus, she was forced to remain in the human world for the time being. It wasn’t all bad; since Ichigo had her powers now, she was all but forced to train him to be a Soul Reaper, but he really had a knack for it. In addition, she transferred to his high school and was gushed over by all the cute little high school boys (much to Ichigo’s chagrin).

Still, despite everything, Rangiku really liked having Ichigo as a partner, even if only temporary. It reminded her very much of her hayday with his father, who was so like him but so different in many ways.

Enjoy this oneshot? Feel free to peruse my Table of Contents!

[darisu-chan]

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

I’m back with another one-shot, this time a hilarious adventure with Isshin I had always wanted to write, and only had the chance now.

You can also read it here.

Prompt: “it’s not what it looks like!” 

Summary: Isshin’s latest attempt at listening through Ichigo’s door finally brings results.

Isshin was enjoying a rare afternoon by himself. It was a Sunday and all of his children were out. Karin was in the park, playing soccer, while Yuzu had gone to a friend’s house to bake brownies. Even Ichigo had gone to the movies with his friends ─at least Isshin really hoped they were, in fact, in the movies, and not out saving the world from yet another power-thirsty villain. Being alone meant that he could get to relax in ways he never could these days. He began by boiling water in a kettle, and taking out a tea mix he had been eager to try (call him old fashion, but he preferred mixes to bags). While the water boiled, he went and grabbed the book he had bought around a year ago, that he had never gotten to read. Taking out his favorite mug, he poured the water and added the tea. Isshin blew on it and then took a hearty sip. Ah. It was perfect. With his mug in hand, he made his way to the living room, ready to get down to read. However, just as he had sat down, he heard a weird noise. For a few seconds he sat on the couch, perplexed. When the noise wasn’t heard again, he opened his book, a novel about a man whose children were always getting into trou─

Thud

Huh. There it was again. Isshin looked up, down and sideways but could not pin point exactly where it had come from. Nothing had fallen down as far as he could see. It hadn’t even sounded as something hitting the floor, it was more like the sound of─

Thud

Thudthudthudthud

That piqued his interest. As the noises had sounded close together, he finally realized whatever that was, was coming from upstairs. Leaving both the book and the mug on top of the coffee table, Isshin slowly stood up, careful of not making noises. He then tiptoed as he went upstairs. His first instinct was to think there was a burglar. It was still early and bright outside for a robbery, but you never know these days. Then, he thought it could have been related to the Soul Society. It was no secret to him that several Shinigami often came to his house in search of his son. So far none had seen him, and for that he was glad, because he really couldn’t imagine what Rangiku and Toshirou-kun would think of seeing him again after so many years, living a human life. They would probably beat his ass fir disappearing all those years ago. Still, peeking into Ichigo’s room wouldn’t hurt. He had to make sure no foe was after his son.

As Isshin approached the door, he heard the thud even more strongly. Jackpot! He was about to slam the door open when he noticed there were voices coming from the room. Sure enough, they sounded exactly like Ichigo and Rukia-chan. The father blinked, for a moment left taken aback. Weren’t they watching a movie? His surprise gave way to shock when he heard what sounded distinctly like a feminine moan. Not wasting another minute, he pressed his ear to the door.

“Don’t be so loud, Rukia.” It was Ichigo who was talking. His voice husky.

“I-I can’t h-help it.” The girl all but whined.

Isshin almost yelped.

No.

It couldn’t be!

Where they…?

Thud

Moan

Thudthudthud

Oh.

They totally were.

They were going at it hard, by the sounds of it.

And with him in the house too!

What a pair of rascals!

(Though Isshin couldn’t really fault them. They had been apart for seventeen long months. If his dear Masaki and he had been separated for so long when they were young, he was sure they probably wouldn’t have left the room in a week. Maybe even more.)

He almost laughed to himself. Of course. He tended to forget sometimes that his soon was a teenager, a healthy one at that. He would definitely have urges, especially being so close to such a beautiful girl he was totally in love with, because, come on, Ichigo was in love with Rukia. There was no other explanation to his moodiness whenever she was gone. Isshin smiled. If this kept up, one day he would be the proud grandfather of a cute little child. He wondered if the baby would look more like his son or like Rukia-chan. Perhaps the kid would even look like Masaki. He couldn’t wait!

Isshin’s happiness was over, however, when he realized this was not the first time he had heard sounds coming from his son’s room. Each previous time had ended up in disappointment at finding Ichigo and Rukia-chan were most definitely not engaging in adult activities. Could this be a fake alarm too?! No! That would dampen his dreams of a child with orange hair and violet eyes! In a split second, the father decided to keep listening and put an ear to the door once more. He listened to more thuds. Closing his eyes, Isshin tried to imagine what they could be doing that could elicit such noises. The most obvious reason would be repeatedly banging against the bed. Yet, it could also come from the desk, the wall… or even the closet…

Could Ichigo be on those leagues now?!

His nose started bleeding.

No, Isshin, you gotta focus!

Shaking his head, he resumed thinking. There was a chance one of them was jumping on the bed, although that wouldn’t necessarily explain the moans. And speaking of which,

“Ah… aaaahhh.”

“Rukia! I told you to be quiet! Dad’s home and he doesn’t know we’re in here.”

“I-it’s your f-fault! Y-you’re g-going t-too… ah… har-aaah”

Thudthudthudthud

“C-can’t help it. We rarely get the chance to be like this.”

“I-ichigo.”

“Hmmm. That’s how I like it. Keep saying my name, Rukia.”

Yep.

They were having sex.

Now, any other father would have probably been alarmed, but not Isshin. He completely understood his son. It was a Shiba man thing to be passionate to a fault, and that did not exclude bedroom activities. Why, he could still remember that time Ryuuken had accidentally walked in on Masaki and him at the clinic on his off day. The man had screeched bloody murder, and though they had been interrupted, it had been a funny anecdote to retell during family reunions. Ryuuken always got red in the face, but it wasn’t as if he was one to talk. He still remembered the time Masaki had overheard him and Kanae-san having some alone moments in his room. Ah! To be young and in love!

Then, as if he had been drenched by a bucket of ice cold water, Isshin froze.

How could he be so dumb as to forget?!

Worry that the two weren’t using protection suddenly overcame him. Though he had given the talk to Ichigo as extensively as possible, he was reminded of the fact his son was a horny teen who tended to be reckless. Then there was Rukia who probably had no idea about human contraceptives. It was a recipe for disaster. More exactly, it was exactly how one got pregnant. Oh, he didn’t even want to imagine it! Not only would his own son become a teenage father, he would knock up Rukia, aka the sister of one of the most protective captains in the Soul Society, without being married. There was no way Byakuya-kun would not want to castrate Ichigo, or worse, kill him for good. No! Isshin could not allow that to happen. He loved his son too much to let him die by the hands of a very pissed off Shinigami. He needed to make sure the two of them were being safe or, at the very least, stop them before Ichigo could reach past the point of no return.

Opening the door as fast as he could, Isshin barged in screaming, “No, son! Don’t do it! I don’t want you to die!”

“What the hell, old man?!”

He opened his eyes, which had been closed beforehand, and instead of seeing the images his perverted mind had concocted of his son and third daughter bare naked on the bed (or perhaps in other places of the room), he saw both of them, fully dressed, attempting to tickle one another.

“Wha─?” He blurted out, dumbfounded.

“What are you doing here?! And why did you come in like that?!” Ichigo complained, finally sitting down on his bed properly, and he crossed his arms, clearly annoyed.

“B-but… what… I thought you… you were…”

“Where what?”

“I thought you were at the movies!” Isshin exclaimed.

His son sighed. “Plan got cancelled. Keigo came up with the flu and pretty much got everyone sick. Rukia and I are hiding here.”

That made sense.

But…

“And what were you doing in here with the door closed?” He asked, suspiciously.

At least the two had the decency to blush. “It-it’s not what it looks like!” Both stammered.

“We were just having a tickle fight.”

“A tickle fight?” He was still not buying it.

“Yeah, a tickle fight.” Ichigo nodded. “Just that.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

“Hmm.”

“But why did you barge in?” He questioned.

“Yeah, and why did you say Ichigo was going to die?” Rukia-chan asked him.

Isshin felt ashamed. He wasn’t about to tell them what he thought was going down. His son already thought he was a pervert, he didn’t need to add to that. “Well, I heard strange noises and thought you were being attacked! That’s right! I was concerned!”

Both teens raised an eyebrow as they looked at each other. Finally, Ichigo looked back at him. “Eh… Alright… Though if I was being attacked, I doubt I’d go down that easily.”

“Yeah… right…”

“Are you gonna go now?”

“Huh? Oh yeah! Continue whatever you were doing! I won’t bother you anymore!”

On that note, Isshin dashed out of the room and back to the living room. Once by himself, he started chuckling to himself. Of course his son was still too innocent to be doing such activities. Well, maybe if he waited longer until he was older, he’d be more rational and remember to use protection, so that his poor father wouldn’t have to worry about his untimely demise due to sakura petals.

“Eh. One day I’ll get my grandkids.” He muttered, opening his long forgotten book.

Unbeknownst to him, back in Ichigo’s room, the two young Shinigami had collapsed on the bed. If he had taken time to notice, he would’ve seen how ruffled their clothes were, and that Ichigo was wearing his shirt backwards.

“That was too close.” Rukia complained, burying her head on the pillow.

“This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t been so loud.” Ichigo retorted, grumpily joining her on the bed.

“I told you I couldn’t help it!” She defended herself, blushing.

“Che. You’re right. I love listening to you like that.” He grinned, tenderly caressing her cheek.

Rukia coughed before continuing. “It’s your fault, anyway. You forgot to lock the door.”

“Fuck.” Ichigo cursed as he stood up.

“Where are you going?”

“To lock the damn door!”

Rukia smirked impishly at him. “Oh? So Kurosaki-kun wants to go back to playing?”

“Don’t call me like that, and you bet! Or what? You wanna stop? You weren’t close yet.”

“Nu-uh. Give it to me, Kurosaki Ichigo.”

“Do you want all of it?”

“Hell yes!”

More thudding could be heard, but Isshin ignored all of it. It was no possible the noise could mean anything more than a tickle fight… right?

Sadly, he was unaware that, for the first time ever, he had been absolutely right.

Thudthudthudthud

[akatokuro]

The Inevitable StS Rewatch, Episodes 26-29

Leo Aiolia is... an angry person, you say? I never would have guessed!

- This whole Aiolia scene is REALLY interesting on a lot of levels and does a lot for his character.

- I love his whole immediate reaction to just hearing that there are deserters on the loose - Sanctuary is a brutal, awful place even without the recent setup of the Pope making things even worse. You are more than likely to get killed if you are a trainee there. It is more than understandable that people would want to escape. But Lia's response is "you fucking morons."

- Well, Lia probably has baggage about people trying to "escape Sancutary" to begin with, but...

- Lia is a decent guy, especially for a Saint, but he's determinedly and deliberately Lawful Neutral as fuck. He jumps in for the deserter babies situation, is clearly stern and unpleased, but then deliberately "softens" to urge the babies to go back. He's not going to be cruel about it, and he's more "merciful" than a lot of Saints would be, but he's also not going to let them go. His preference is resolving this without having to kill anyone, sure - but if it really comes down to it, he's going to uphold Sanctuary Law.

- And then, of course, Lia gets thoroughly disrespected and shittalked to his face by a bunch of Silver fuckwits. Lol at even the trainees calling him "Aiolia-san" vs "Algol-sama." Like, dude... yikes.

- Aiolia is even kind of weirdly meek when protesting, stammering and trailing off and all. You’d never guess this guy is a Gold Saint going from the dynamics in this scene, who could effortlessly squash everyone involved here like a fucking bug.

- And finally, Lia is clearly off-put by the blatant cruelty here, but does he actually do anything about it, whether it's against Algol and Shaina directly or the broader situation? Nah.

- yumetabibito, being the filthy Aiolia-lover she is, went ahead and checked, and this scene didn't exist in the manga, and Toei almost certainly wrote it before the reveal in the manga that Lia is a Gold Saint. It's hard to imagine that it would exist if they had known, because it revolves around Aiolia getting no fucking respect. Presumably, all they had to go off of was that Aiolia cameo from the first chapter, which they seem to have mostly gotten "likes Seiya and Marin?" from. So they’re vaguely trying to align him with them as sort of a sympathetic underdog in Sanctuary.

- But even so... they somehow stumbled into a really good and fitting scene that adds a lot to his character with future context in mind!

- yume and I have talked about, well, okay, Lia gets shit on and bullied for being a traitor's little brother - that's an important part of his characterization and his motives - but where does the hostility towards him really come from? He's clearly well-liked amongst the trainees and the regular soldiers. Among the Golds - okay, yeah, Milo, Deathmask, and Aphrodite would give him shit. (Goddammit, Milo.) But most of the rest of them either don't care or would be sympathetic.

- Getting his face spit on constantly by SILVERS, though, makes a lot of sense and would be even more rage-enducing than getting spit on by his actual peers. Because the Silvers obviously feel "safe". They know that Aiolia can't actually fight back or do anything without validating everything anyone has said about him and his relationship and his brother. He has to take it. And the fact that he just takes it leads to even less respect, with him being seen as a push-over while Aiolia quietly fantasizes about stomping on their broken arms.

- So in that way, it makes sense with the shitty crop of Silvers that around that jerking Leo Aiolia's chain is thought of as actually sort of a fun, twisted game. They get to taunt a fucking GOLD, a "traitor's brother" and wave their dicks around in his face and all the Gold can do is seethe powerlessly.

- tldr; Aiolia is very angry, has always been very angry, and even though it came together like this on accident - scenes like this give a lot of depth and context to that endless, boiling anger to the point that it is really, really fucking funny that it was almost certainly Toei writing out of ignorance of who Aiolia really was. How Aiolia is treated, and how he responds to the situation - both with the deserters themselves and with Algol and Shaina being assholes - says a lot about him.

- Meanwhile, as ridiculous as the [REDACTED] are, I can't help but find the weird sci-fi HQ Saori and the Bronzies have early on charming in a really corny way. I bet Saori really misses leading from this setup compared to that shitty little stone bed and curtain they throw at her when she's at Sanctuary, jesus.

- Man, there really is a lot more SeiShiryuu service than I remembered in these earlier eps. Will never be my ship, tbh - SeiSao is my One True Love - but lmao.

- for some reason saints on a plane always cracks me up no matter how many times i see it

- (note that once again we set up hyouga rushing in to help and then getting there too late to actually do anything. beautiful beautiful failswan)

- every time seiya whines about hitting girls i want there to be a flashback to this bit of him smashing shaina into the cliff face

- Oh for fuck's sake, the Steel fucking S--

- Wait, what was I thinking. What was I talking about. I have no idea. THANK YOU SAORI YOU ARE TRULY THE BEST.

- Shiryuu vs Algol is probably one of the more engaging fights in StS, Gold Saints aside. It's fun to see Shiryuu try to find a workaround to the shield and everything he tries blowing up in his face until he's cornered into jabbing his own eyes out. The sort of contrast between Shiryuu being the Bronzie who has the best chance at actually finding a normal life and a normal happiness with Shunrei, and Shiryuu being the one who keeps throwing himself into getting mauled like this, is probably the most compelling aspect of the character to me.

- One of the things that's also nice about Saint Seiya as a shounen is that it really feels like all of the Bronzies, not just Seiya, are equally crucial members of the team and get their own equally important fights. Like, Shiryuu legitimately gets to star here and save everyone because Seiya fucked it up. I used to like Rurouni Kenshin a lot, but I remember, like, yes - Sanosuke got his "big fight", but it was very much because Kenshin graciously "let" him because he could tell it was important to Sano or whatever. Or in Bleach, where the question of the others in Ichigo's group contributing during Soul Society is basically laughable. Neither really feels like the case in Saint Seiya.

- This is totally where CLAMP got their eye horror fetish from though isn't it. God I still can't believe Saint Seiya is directly responsible for the existence of CLAMP...

- Nothing to really say about the rest of the episode, but I do have to comment:

- Dude, what the FUCK.

- ANY of the Bronzies saying shit like this about Mitsumasa is grotesque, but fucking Ikki actually sort of makes my skin legit crawl. What the fuck, Toei. SOMEONE BRING BACK THE REAL IKKI PLEASE.

- Shunrei is such a good girl. She doesn't deserve this shit, man. What she honestly deserves is the privilege of getting to stab Dohko to death in his sleep--I mean, uh, what?

- THIS WAS COMPLETELY FUCKING UNNECESSARY. WHO THE FUCK SHIPPED THIS ON THE ANIME STAFF I REALLY WANT TO KNOW

- In seriousness, HyoShun is really darling. I love how weirdly attentive Hyouga is to Shun all the time; it's a really charming recurring detail. I IMAGINE SHUN IS CHARMED BY IT TOO. 

- Hyouga's good point is that, despite his bluster, he really is a sweet kid who is 100% sincere all the time. He acts tough but it's not like he's tsun or defensive about showing people - mostly Shun - compassion and concern either.

- lmao and then Ikki ditches these losers I like how after the HyoShun he instantly starts acting a million times more in-character. Did seeing the swan touch your little brother enrage you enough to expel the brainworms at last, Ikki...?

- Saori and Ikki are really good in this scene, though. I love everything about their quick exchange - Ikki being contemptuous and defiant of her, Saori answering without hesitation "HELL YES DO WHAT I SAY" when he asks if she's ordering him around. Both in how cool Saori is, but also her frankly falling back onto really bad habits dealing with the Bronzies when she's sort of panicking and doesn't know what to do. I love the scene of her lamenting about how she couldn't stop Ikki and obviously feeling like a fuckup by herself later, too. I really do appreciate that there is attention given to the arc of Saori learning to be a leader.

- I love Sanctuary openly referring to Saori as their leader, even without knowing she’s Athena, too. Damn right she is!

- Though I do still really think Saori should have been more involved in confronting Ikki when he was still extremely (justifiably) buttmad about everything. The idea of those two having a weird, special understanding about what Saori has to answer for would have been really cool...

- AND THEN SAORI GETS KIDNAPPED BY CROWS. YOU KNOW WE'RE BACK IN CANON, BECAUSE INSTEAD OF EVIL NEFARIOUS BUGS, WE HAVE EVIL NEFARIOUS BIRDS!

- Next time: THE SEISAO APOCALYPSE, MOTHERFUCKERS, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS: THE DESTRUCTION OF SEIYA’S BRAIN

[definitelynotaminion]

I technically have that Orochimaru!Gin Ichimaru fic in the works (endless WIPs wee) but Sai!Gin is hilarious because just. All soft sighs as he lives his life tenuously, waiting for– yep, there it is, chaos as team 7 runs into his life and he falls in line (like he’s been half alive this whole time tbh, Ino in his memories like YOU ARE JUST AS BAD AND ALSO PART OF THEIR INEVITABLE EXPLODING CRAZINESS).

So I just imagine explosions going off in Seireitei that aren’t R&D or the eleventh so he goes, Oh, already?

And when he sees Ichigo it’s like “Why is your hair so bright!? Always this, seriously, why. You’re Japanese! It’s your mom again isn’t it”

And Ichigo is like DON’T TALK ABOUT MY HAIR YOU SHIT and Gin is all eye smiles and creepy expressions but this time at the gates Ichigo huffs and throws an arm around his shoulder and Jerks his thumb back like “Fall in line, asshole”

(And it’s infinitely more terrifying that this intruder has convinced half the captains to Mutiny this time around bc they start with Gin instead of Zaraki. The rest happens as usual)

So Gin is like ‘Hello’ and asshole Sasuke is now Uryuu who turns his nose up and Juugo is Chad-- and Orihime as Sakura with like the opposite of pacifism is Truly Terrifying okay

Like power of God in a tiny form. She can heal you but she can also erase you from existence (Gin nods, resigned. Same old same old).

Hang on I take it back Uryuu can be Shikamaru or something the strategist because Sasuke ice queen Uchiha needs to be Rukia (seriously Ichigo? You didn’t spend enough of your life as Naruto chasing him?) FEAT truly *breathtaking* brother issues, okay.

Ichigo punches Byakuya in the face all “be a less shitty brother for once in your Goddamn existence jfc”

Meanwhile Karin in Matsumoto’s body (she is SO pleased by this and the assets) defects immediately but it’s okay because Suigetsu is Toushiro anyway

That’s it that’s the entire bleach gang as team 7 and team hawk. Best part? Ino and Choji as Yumichika and Ikkaku to complete the rogue set. And uh Renji? (Karin and Juugo’s baby?) Renji as Kurama? Ha. That’s so great a mental image. Kurama and Sasuke being born in the spirit boonies putting up with each other and becoming friends bc where The Fuck is Naruto Jesus Christ and then they find him like a hundred years later and give him so much shit

No seriously I want to write this. It also means Sai and Karin are close as Gin and Matsumoto. Everything about this is made of win. I love my brain

I’d say Sarutobi could be Old Man Genryuusai but tbh Sarutobi is taking a vacation this life, he has earned it, the God of death was like “okay time to reincarnate” and Sarutobi *gave him the finger*

“Fuck you I’m sitting this one out” as he sips martinis and watches the shenanigans

Too late I realized I should include the Espada like Grimm and Ulquiorra and Starkk but tbh they can be new guys the Naruto Bleach cast delightedly befriends.

[tappity-tap]

FOREVER BElonging WITH YOU

PART VIII - THE DELIVERY

<< PART VII || END Story Rating: M Chapter Warnings: Pregnancy, medical things, and mild suggestive content. [This chapter is sfw.]

When Renji and Rukia’s daughter finally arrived, she was late.

 As in, “half a week past her due date” late.

 And because everyone involved was under the reasonable assumption that she would come before or on the projected day given by Captain Kotetsu, this unexpected delay of events selfishly interrupted the lives of people who had already organized their schedules for after said day. It was already highly inconvenient for those who resided in Soul Society, but it was even more so for the ones living on an entirely different plane of existence.

 Typical. Only her first day of life and she was already throwing baby-sized wrenches into Ichigo’s plans. Just what he’d expect from something spawned by those two.

 They were important plans, too. He was supposed to be treating Orihime, his girlfriend of eight months now, to a date that included a morning walk in her favorite park, lunch at a new restaurant downtown, and a movie of her choice; His intended birthday gift to her. Since he was swamped with classes during her actual birthday on the 3rd of September and had several major assignments due in the weeks following, he had worked extra hard to make sure this day, the 23rd of September, would be free of conflicts and he could devote all his time and attention to her. After all, Ichigo knew these were the things she treasured from him more than anything else and he would walk the world over to give them to her. Twice.

 When he thought about it, that’s what he loved most about Orihime.

 They had been together as a couple since mid January, though he had definitely harbored a crush long before that, and her even longer still. Ichigo had to reluctantly admit: If Renji hadn’t decided to play matchmaker (at his own wedding, no less) and figuratively thrown Orihime into his arms (which, ironically, Ichigo had literally done to him with the woman he had just married), he might not have ever found the courage to act on his feelings. He was happy enough being around her even just as her friend, and he didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize their relationship or make her uncomfortable. All he wanted was to see her happy and safe.

 Even though Renji had given him the perfect opportunity, he still couldn’t bring himself to confess to her at the wedding and instead asked that she make time for him so they could discuss something important. It had taken almost two weeks to find that time when both of them could sit down and properly talk, but they put in the effort to make it work. It meant they had to quite literally meet up during work hours while she was on break, but at that point Ichigo didn’t even care anymore. He just needed to come clean to her somehow.

 When he was finally able to look her in the eye over a platter of fruit tarts and quietly tell her, “Inoue…this may be selfish of me but I need you to know my feelings. For you. I like you a lot as a friend. And I think…I might also like you as something more,” Ichigo definitely didn’t expect her to break down and give him a confession of her own in return.

 Her feelings, as it turned out, were the same as his. Though she deeply desired more, all she ever wanted and expected from him was his company and loyal friendship, if it meant he could be happy.

 Ichigo ended up waiting around until her shift was over and walking her back to her apartment where they drank tea and ate more sweets and stayed up talking well past midnight. It was almost 1am when he finally arrived home and was promptly submerged in a tidal wave of nosy questions from his prying family. That was probably why he held off until April to officially tell them he and Inoue (he would soon start calling her Orihime after that) were dating.

 Funnily enough, they’d actually already deduced it for themselves from the amount of time she spent at their house, not to mention alone with him in his room.

 September rolled around and he and Orihime were better than ever…still close and growing closer, still enjoying spending time with each other, still determined to make the other as happy as they could possibly be. The only dynamic that had truly and drastically changed between them was…well…in a physical proximity sense.

 And speaking of which, in the days leading up to their date Ichigo found himself secretly hoping that she’d pick a boring and easily ignored biopic or something lame like that so they could sit in the back of the theater and find a better way to pass the time.

 That morning had gotten off to a good start. After getting up early enough to take the first shower (allowing him as much hot water as he wanted) and gulping down a quick breakfast, he zipped himself into a jacket appropriate for the brisk autumn air and set off to meet Orihime at the park to kick off their walk-lunch-movie date. It was approximately 10:46 am, 20 minutes into the “walk” part, when both their phones buzzed and lit up with identical text messages:

 GET READY!!! BABY COMING SOON!!!

 At Orihime’s insistence, Ichigo reluctantly agreed to set aside their plans for another day so they could wait on standby for any further updates on the baby’s progress from Renji (as they had promised and intended to do when she was supposed to be born, four days ago). Bare minimum decent as it was, if it could reassure Renji and Rukia to know they were only a text or call away should something drastic happen, then all the better. It wasn’t like there was anything they could actually help with since this was all going down in Soul Society and they were…not in Soul Society.

 After two and a half hours of sitting on his bed and twiddling their fingers to radio silence, the message they’d been anticipating finally arrived:

 SHE’S HERE!!!

 This one was accompanied by a photo of a sweaty and exhausted-looking Rukia lying on a hospital bed and giving the camera a weary, but noticeably happy, thumbs-up.

After studying the photo, they remarked to each other with some amusement that considering the wording of the message it would have made more sense for Renji to send a picture of the baby instead of Rukia. But as his next message informed them, they had already been given priority clearance to come to Soul Society right away so they would see her for themselves very soon.

 3:55pm, they all stood in the street just outside of Ichigo’s house waiting for the gates to appear so they could cross over: Himself, Orihime, and Chad.

 Next to him, Orihime fidgeted and wrung her hands excitedly. And next to her, Chad loomed over, tall and massive as ever. Ichigo swore he got bigger every time they met up. He was training practically every day, though, (and had even shown up straight from the gym still in his workout gear) so it actually might not have been his imagination.

 A light breeze blew a small flock of leaves past them and ruffled his hair. Sighing, Ichigo took one hand out of his pocket to brush it back in place somewhat awkwardly. It was weird not feeling the long strands he was used to having since he was a kid; He had recently cut his hair short on a whim and had yet to grow accustomed to the new style.

 Actually, that was a lie…he cut it because Orihime had mentioned a few times in passing that she thought a short haircut would look good on him and he’d finally given in to curiosity. Thankfully, it turned out she’d been right. It made him look his age, maybe even older.

 Not to mention, it was worth seeing the look on her face when he showed up on her doorstep unannounced to show it off.  He really liked making her blush and smile like that.

 “Hm. This feels a little strange,” Chad suddenly remarked.

 Ichigo dropped his hand and jammed it back into his jacket pocket. “I know. Hard to imagine those two idiots with a kid isn’t it?”

 Chad shook his dark curls. “No. I mean us going to Soul Society like this without Ishida.”

 “Oh. Right.” Ichigo shrugged. “He said he was fine with it. You know how busy he’s been recently.”

 “Still, it is sad.” Orihime tucked a strand of hair behind her ear wistfully. Her blue flower hairpin flashed brightly in its disturbance. “We don’t get to see him much anymore. I hope this doesn’t mean-”

 Ichigo let out a defiant huff before she could finish. “That doesn’t matter, does it? Ishida’s still our friend. We’ve been through things together, we still have those bonds and share the same feelings. That’s not going to change, even if we don’t see him as often as we want to.” He then noticed the other two smiling strangely at him. “What…?”

 Chad smirked and Orihime let out one of her musical laughs. “Nothing,” they replied simultaneously.

 Ichigo sighed. He adored his girlfriend and his best friend dearly but sometimes he just didn’t get them.

 At 4pm right on the dot, they felt the telltale spike of energy and shift in the wind that heralded the appearance of the Senkaimon. Seconds later, it materialized in front of them. The doors slid smoothly open to reveal the dark dank passageway of the Dangai, and its lone occupant.

 “Kurosaki Ichigo. Inoue Orihime. Sado Yasutora.” A familiar cool masculine voice addressed each in turn. Three hell butterflies fluttered out to meet them and circled impatiently around their heads as if to say “Hurry up! Get moving!”

 Ichigo gestured in greeting to the approaching figure with his hand still inside his jacket. “Yo, Byakuya! Congratulations!”

 “Rukia and Renji had the child, not I.” Byakuya eyed him with blatant disapproval for his supposed mistake. Although, that wasn’t saying much since the man always gave off the impression that his sole purpose in life was to bestow unforgiving judgment on everyone around him.

 Stepping through the doorway with the others, Ichigo shrugged. “Yeah, but you’re an uncle now, that’s something we still congratulate people for.” The doors clanged shut behind them and he fell into step next to the captain. “So, congrats, Uncle Byakuya! How does it feel to have a new niece?”

 “Oh. Yes. Good, I suppose.” Byakuya closed his eyes and turned away with a curt nod. “Thank you,” he added hastily.

 Ichigo smirked to himself. There were things even the great Kuchiki Byakuya wasn’t immune to and getting caught off guard by his own emotions was one of them.

 Of course, now that Byakuya had clammed completely shut, that was the extent of this discussion. For almost the rest of the way the four of them walked the bumpy, oozing tunnel to Soul Society in awkward silence, their butterflies flapping out little halo-like paths over their heads. It wasn’t until they caught sight of the bright light streaming in at the end of the channel that it was abruptly lifted.

 “Byakuya-san?”

 He looked slightly taken aback at being addressed after such a lengthy pause in conversation but he indulged Orihime anyways. “Yes?” he answered in a stern, clipped voice as if he was attempting to discourage any small talk in a very roundabout way.

 However, he’d apparently forgotten this was Orihime he was talking to and being Orihime, she wouldn’t be deterred by something like that. She pressed on shyly. “Um…have you seen her yet? The baby?”

 “…I have.”

 With that bit of knowledge, she gained new confidence and perked up considerably. “Really? What’s she like?” Orihime asked him eagerly.

 Byakuya glanced at her for a split second before replying with some reluctance, “Very small.”

 This was not surprising information. Not counting children, out of their entire group of acquaintances (Shinigami or human) Rukia stood the shortest at less than 4’9” tall. On top of that, she was incredibly slender and it was pretty much a given any baby that grew inside her would reflect this, plus the bump in her stomach did not end up being very big in the end. So knowing that, what Byakuya gave them wasn’t exactly useful information, either.

 When Orihime continued looking at him expectantly, he sighed in defeat and went on, “But she is healthy. She has Rukia’s eyes. And a full head of hair. Renji’s hair,” he added begrudgingly as if this was somehow Renji’s fault.

 Unprompted this time, he paused and took a breath.

 “You will not be disappointed. She is…adorable.”

 Ichigo raised his eyebrows. Was that a smile on Byakuya’s face, or was he imagining things? And the measured steps he was taking…had they suddenly become lighter? Unsure, he looked over at Chad, who shared his sentiments with a silent shrug.

 Byakuya only accompanied them as far as the gate, immediately excusing himself and shunpo’ing away the second he stepped foot onto the ground and his hell butterfly detached from his aura. Something told Ichigo this was his way of dealing with the embarrassment of letting so much emotion towards his newborn niece slip out in front of them.

 Well, it made him seem more human at least. Or…soul.

 The 4th Division’s main medical building (where Byakuya had been decent enough to direct them before darting away) wasn’t busy at all that day. In fact until they walked through the doors, the entire reception area was completely deserted save for one person seated at the first aid station nearby. The poor thing was swaying back and forth on his stool with the glazed over look of someone who’d been stuck in one spot with nothing to do for hours.

 “Hey, Hanataro!” Ichigo recognized who it was and waved. “D’you know where Rukia’s room is?”

 The zoned-out Shinigami yelped and shot several feet off his stool from shock. Displaying remarkable recovery time for someone so lethargic, he snapped back quick as a whip, standing straight at attention and braced for the impending reprimand for slacking at his post. When he saw it was only Ichigo and co. he immediately relaxed his posture and put on a relieved smile. “Oh, hi, everyone! Um, yes, it’s just down this hallway. Follow me.” He motioned for them to accompany him down the closest corridor and they followed his lead.

 As they walked, Hanataro looked at each of them and asked eagerly, “Are you here to see the baby?”

 “Yes!” Orihime nodded, excited, and moved closer to him. “Have you met her yet, Hanataro-kun?”

 Hanataro blushed rather furiously at this question. “Ah…well…you could say I was one of the first people she met,” he laughed nervously and fiddled with the strap of his backpack.

 Chad slowed pace and tilted his head. “You…delivered her?”

 Thoroughly appalled by this suggestion, Hanataro vigorously shook his head and waved his hands in front of him. “Oh…no…no, I wouldn’t even trust myself to do that! Captain Kotetsu was the one who delivered her. But the lieutenant and I checked her over and took measurements right after she was born!” He paused with one finger in the air and mouth slightly agape. After thinking hard for a moment, he scratched his chin sheepishly. “Um…I forgot what they were. I was sent away once I did that.”

 “That’s okay. We’ll…get them from Renji or something,” Ichigo assured, knowing full well they would completely forget by the time they actually got to him.

 “Right…ah…I’m sorry, but I do have to get back to my work. Her room’s right there.” After pointing it out, he waved and hurried back down the hall to his station. The others continued on.

 Up ahead there was a flash of red and Renji popped forth from the room Hanataro had singled out. When he spotted the approaching trio, his face immediately lit up and he waved at them with all the enthusiasm of a puppy bounding over to say hello to its favorite human. They had seen Renji get worked up when he was feeling strong emotions many times before, but never like this. Right now he looked positively giddy with elation.

 “Ichigo! Inoue! Sado!” His loud booming voice echoed down the hall and practically knocked them down with its intensity. “Gladja could make it!”

 A passing orderly carrying a tray full of surgical supplies and bandages winced. “Excuse me, Lieutenant Abarai…I understand this is a happy occasion but I must ask that you please keep your voice down. There are recovering patients on this floor,” he insisted, balancing the tray with one hand and gingerly rubbing the ear closest to Renji with the other.

 Wide-eyed, Renji shrank back and rubbed the back of his head guiltily as the orderly continued on his way. “Ah…right. Sorry.”

 “Yo, Renji,” Ichigo greeted once they reached him, “everything good? How’s Rukia?”

 Renji dropped his hand and grinned broadly with a sing-song voice, “Come ‘an see for yourselves!” He whirled around in a flurry of ponytail and shihakusho and proceeded to prance back into the room with an overly accentuated bounce in his step.

 Ichigo glanced at Orihime, who looked back at him and giggled under her breath. He had to agree with her; Renji was acting a little silly, even for him. Any other day and Ichigo would have given him grief for it. But considering the circumstances he supposed he could let this one instance slide. After all, the guy did just witness the birth of his first child, he had every right be stupidly happy about that.

 And come to think of it…that goofy demeanor sort of reminded him of his own father. Maybe it was a Shinigami dad thing? Ichigo hoped it wasn’t contagious. Or hereditary.

 “Rukia! They’re here!” Renji announced in a raised whisper when the three of them followed his lead through the door.

 From the bed in the center of the room, Rukia rolled her heavily lidded eyes. “I heard you the first time, Renji.” But she smiled warmly at her friends in greeting as they filed in and lined up at the end of her bed, right in front of the small table where various gifts and flower baskets had begun to accumulate.

 Then the bundle in her arms stirred and gave a tiny squawk of a cry.

 “Shhh…it’s okay.” Rukia gazed down and crooned in a soft tone Ichigo had never heard her use before as she tenderly rocked it. “You have some visitors, sweetie. Do you want to meet them? They want to meet you.” She spoke every syllable so slowly and deliberately he started wondering what the hell kind of drugs they were giving her to make her talk like that. And use a very un-Rukia-like word like “sweetie”.

 Perched on a chair drawn up beside the bed, Renji watched them with a joyfully pained expression, like he was on the verge of crying any second. He even gave a minute sniff and drew his sleeve across his eyes.

 Good grief, Ichigo thought to himself. Renji was blubbering so badly it was starting to remind him of Orihime. Which, of course, was perfectly fine when it was Orihime, but Renji displaying that type of disposition was just plain bizarre.

 Rukia suddenly looked up and frowned at the three of them. “What are you standing there for? Get over here and say hi to her. She’s a baby, not a virus,” she scolded. That sounded much more like the Rukia they knew; Raking them over the coals for something as trivial as their failure to properly greet her hours-old child who understood approximately zero words of spoken language.

 Unsurprisingly, Orihime made the first move. Nervously jittering from hairpin to boot tip in her mix of excitement and apprehension, she shuffled around and sat on the bed next to Rukia. But when she looked down at the bundle, her hands flew up to her face and the timid look underneath gave way to one of pure joy.

 “Ohhh…Rukia-san…Renji-kun,” Orihime gasped softly, “She’s beautiful.” She glanced between Renji and Rukia with a hopeful expression. “Um, may I…is it alright if…”

 “Would you like to hold her, Inoue?” Rukia prompted, giving her a gentle smile.

 “Yes! Please!” Orihime beamed and held out her arms.

 Carefully, under Renji’s contented observation, Rukia handed their daughter over to Orihime. “Be sure to support her head,” she instructed, “There you go, Inoue. That’s it.”

 The second Rukia had placed the baby in Orihime’s arms, something magical occurred.

 His girlfriend’s face blossomed into the most radiant smile Ichigo had ever seen and suddenly it was as if everything warm and soft about her had multiplied exponentially. As he watched, awestruck, she settled the baby in the cradle of her embrace so smoothly and delicately it looked like she’d been holding children all her life. Perfectly at ease with playing the role of this child’s caretaker, she almost looked more natural and motherly holding it than Rukia, the actual mother.

 On second thought…that one could’ve been his own bias talking. There was a strong possibility being kicked in the face one too many times by Rukia may have severely damaged his ability to view her as “motherly” in any way.

 When Orihime looked up at him, even her eyes were shining.

 “Ichigo-kun…Sado-kun,” she whispered tearfully and held out the blanket for the boys to see, making sure she was still supporting in all the right places. They both moved over and peered at the sleeping baby swaddled within.

 Byakuya wasn’t kidding…she really did have a full head of hair and it was the exact shade of crimson as her father’s. It almost looked like someone had cut off the end of Renji’s ponytail and glued it onto his daughter as a wig. Thankfully the rosy color dusting her chubby cheeks and delicate button nose wasn’t nearly as bright, or the effect might have made her resemble a miniature circus clown. Thin rows of dark fluffy lashes lay shut over each eye, occasionally twitching in her state of peaceful slumber, and the more Ichigo looked the more her features fluctuated between each parent. Everything about her was a perfect combination of both, though the way her nose crinkled daintily as she stirred and parted her lips with a barely audible whimper was definitely all Rukia.

 A lump formed in his throat and he swallowed it back to look at Rukia and Renji. “That’s amazing. She really looks like you guys,” was all he could think to say.

 Rukia rolled her eyes. “Well duh.” Despite her tone, the small smile she wore gave away how much she genuinely appreciated his comment.

 Chad leaned over and cautiously pulled back the blanket with one thick finger to get a better look. “Does she have a name yet?” he asked Rukia in his deep melodic voice.

 Rukia opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by Renji frantically leaping to his feet. “Oi! Of course we gave her a name! It’s Ichika! Abarai Ichika!” he insisted. He sounded highly insulted, like Chad had just accused him of being a terrible father for leaving his newborn child nameless. Which Ichigo knew he hadn’t, but again…Renji was having a very unusual day today, he could let it slide.

 Chad seemed to share his thoughts. “Right. I see. Sorry for being presumptuous, Abarai.” He nodded sincerely and let the blanket fall back into place, at the same time Renji sat down again while muttering, “Damn well should be…” under his breath.

 Orihime paid no mind to the exchange and lit up at Rukia. “Ichika? Oh! What a lovely name! Like the flower, right?”

 Renji’s jubilant demeanor promptly returned. “Right! Exactly! Thank you, Inoue!” he commended her while haughtily raising one tattooed eyebrow at Chad as if to say “Why can’t you be like her?” Chad wisely ignored this.

 “We thought…since you all embroidered strawberry flowers on my wedding veil, well…” Rukia smiled fondly and looked down at her lap. “It just seemed appropriate. Both the meaning of the flower, and in honor of all you’ve done for us.” Beside her, Renji nodded proudly.

 To the surprise of no one, Orihime’s waterworks were going full blast now.

 “Well, that makes sense,” Ichigo laughed and scratched his head, “But for a second there I thought you named her after me.”

 The bed creaked and Renji and Rukia both looked around at him with identical disbelieving stares. “Why the hell would we do that?” Renji asked incredulously.

 Ichigo stared back, feeling one eyebrow start to twitch. “Because people name their kids after friends all the time! And what’s wrong with naming a kid after me?” he asked, annoyed.

 “Not my kid!” Renji shot back. “You can go ‘an name your own kid after yourself.”

 “Maybe I will!”

 The argument didn’t get any further than this because right then Ichika decided it was the perfect moment to interrupt them with a grumpy whine and squirm awake in Orihime’s arms. All attentions drew back to her as her little balled fists broke free from the blanket with a jerky stretch and she gave the biggest yawn her small toothless mouth could muster. When her large round eyes fluttered open Ichigo saw that, once again, Byakuya was right: They were the same deep indigo violet as Rukia’s.

 The tears stopped flowing and Orihime blinked down at the infant. “Hello, Ichika-chan.” she said softly.

 Ichika blinked right back at Orihime and attempted to stare at her. It was a valiant effort, but with how blank and unfocused her eyes remained no matter where she moved them it was more like she was aiming her pupils in a general upward direction than actually staring. Then she frowned and wriggled a little as if she was checking for something. When she finally seemed to realize the person holding her was not one of her parents, Ichika’s tiny face suddenly screwed up and she began to wail. Loudly.

 Caught off guard and not entirely sure what to do, Orihime stiffened. Her large brown eyes darted wildly from side to side.

 “Um…there, there. Shhhhh. It’s okay, Ichika-chan,” she whispered and tried rocking her the way she’d seen Rukia do it earlier. From what Ichigo could tell it was a perfect imitation yet it didn’t seem to do anything. Ichika’s piercing screeches continued ringing out, to the dismay of everyone’s eardrums.

 Renji sprang out of the chair and practically vaulted over the bed to get to the screaming baby. Shoving Ichigo and Chad aside (with a little more roughness than called for), he scooped her out of Orihime’s arms and started parading around the room with some kind of weird skipping trot to his gait. “Oi, Ichika! Hey, hey, what’s wrong? Daddy’s here! See? You’re fine!” he chanted with gusto as he rocked her.

 To everyone’s astonishment, Ichika went silent almost immediately.

 Trying to wrap his brain around what he was witnessing as Renji gamboled back and forth, Ichigo raised one eyebrow and looked at Rukia. She shrugged and crossed her arms with a languid shake of her head. “She likes it when he does that. We have no idea why, but it’s the only thing that’ll get her to stop crying.”

 “Ah.” Ichigo felt it best not to ask how they found that out in only a few hours.

 “Uh, Rukia, I think she’s actually hungry now.” Renji had finished his little cantering routine and returned to his spot beside the bed. Now that he was completely still, they could see how comically massive Renji was compared to his daughter…she was small enough for her tiny body to fit comfortably in one of his hands. (Three for three, Uncle Byakuya)

 “Is she? Finally. Give her here.” Rukia held out her arms and began talking in her weird high-pitched mush-mouth speech again once she had ahold of Ichika, “Are you hungry, Ichika? Do you want to eat? Okay. Let’s get you fed.” With Ichika tucked securely in the crook of one elbow she reached for her collar but hesitated when she noticed Ichigo and Chad were still watching. Her face reddened. “D-do you mind?” she stammered, refusing to look either one in the eye.

 They hastily whipped around.

 “Oi, Rukia, do you have to do that now?” Ichigo’s cheeks burned, out of the corner of his vision he could see Chad’s visible eye widen as he shifted his weight. “Can’t you hold off until-”

 “My child is hungry now so I am feeding her now, you imbecile!” came her irate (normal) voice from behind them, “If you have a problem with it, you are more than welcome to leave!”

 After a moment’s hesitation, Ichigo stiffly shook his head and Chad muttered, “No…no problem.”

 “S’alright. You can turn around now.” Renji sounded like he was trying very hard to restrain himself from laughing.

 When they did so Ichigo was thankful to discover that Renji, despite his overt amusement with the situation, had thoughtfully planted himself on the bed between them and Rukia to act as a sort of living privacy screen. He leaned forward with one arm on his knees and gave Ichigo an incredulous look. ��What, you’re not used to it by now?”

 “No, I’m not! Everyone who’s ever given birth in the clinic went straight to the hospital after.”

 “I ain’t talkin’ about that, ya dumbass.” Renji rolled his eyes and lowered his voice. “You’ve seen Inoue in less, right? So how’s this,” he jerked his thumb back at Rukia, “botherin’ ya?”

 “Well, yeah, but…I MEAN-” Ichigo clamped his mouth shut and mentally cursed himself. Renji wasn’t supposed to be aware of that little detail about his and Orihime’s relationship. In fact, seeing as it had only happened a few times so far and they’d agreed to keep it between the two of them for the present, he had no idea how anyone would manage to figure it out for themselves…and judging by the genuinely surprised look he was giving him, even Chad had been completely oblivious until that moment. The only possible way Renji could know was if he’d said something that gave it away it in casual conversation without realizing. Either that or Renji was more observant than he’d been giving him credit for all these years.

 Attempting to shrug off his massive slip-up, Ichigo closed his eyes for a few moments and calmly replied, “In case you haven’t noticed, she’s not my girlfriend. I don’t want to see any part of her I don’t have to.”

 “Well, I’ll give ya credit for bein’ faithful.” Renji lolled his head around slightly to address Orihime, who was still far too busy fawning over the baby to pay attention to him, “Ya got lucky, Inoue. Mosta the guys I know would-“

 “Would you leave Orihime out of this already? She doesn’t deserve to be lumped in with any of your dirty nonsense!” Ichigo snapped, protective instincts kicking into overdrive now that Orihime had been directly involved.

 Sensing this, Renji snorted and held up his hands in mock surrender. “Whatever ya say.” Orihime looked up and blinked at both of them in confusion.

 “Ichigo!” exclaimed Rukia suddenly, most of her still hidden from view behind Renji, “What did you do to your hair?”

 He knew she couldn’t see his eyes but that didn’t stop Ichigo from rolling them anyway. “What, you just noticed that?”

 “I’ve been a bit preoccupied by other things today, or did you not notice that?” she answered dryly.

 Orihime smiled eagerly at Rukia. “It looks nice, doesn’t it?”

 Rukia was noticeably silent before she answered haltingly, “Uh…sure, I guess.”

 Seeing Orihime’s face fall slightly at Rukia’s not-so-enthusiastic response, Ichigo reassured her with a nonchalant wave of his hand, “Eh, don’t bother asking her opinion on this one, Orihime. She clearly prefers long hair on guys.” He looked pointedly at Renji.

 “Damn straight she does,” Renji smirked proudly with a flourished twirl to his waist-length scarlet mane.

 “N-not true! You just…happen to have long hair. That’s all!” Rukia argued back hastily.

 Even though she was fooling absolutely no one with that transparent claim, Renji still found it necessary to lean his head back at her and drawl wryly, “Oho? Then why’d I remember ya sayin’ somethin’ ‘bout my hair ‘an new uniform makin’ me irresistible the night we-“

 “RENJI!” Rukia snapped at him in warning, sounding far too frantic for someone claiming they never thought or said anything of the sort.

 He heeded her admonition and said no more about “that night” but since she couldn’t see him, Renji glanced at each human in turn and smugly mouthed, “She loves it,” while gesturing to his hair.

 A croaked gurgle sounded from Ichika and signaled feeding time was over. Renji turned and took her from Rukia while she put her clothing back into place. This time, Ichigo and Chad respectfully averted their gazes to the ceiling until a soft cough from Orihime signaled it was safe to look back.

 They watched with some fascination as Renji slung a small blue towel Rukia handed him over his shoulder and started gently patting Ichika on the back when he had her settled upright against it. Though “tapping” was a more accurate way of describing it since he could only fit two of his fingers on her tiny back.

 For anyone who had fought alongside Renji in battle (or fought him directly), this was a strange sight…the same guy they’d witnessed punch through walls and chuck his enemies almost a football field away with those massive powerful hands of his, now using them to handle this delicate little baby as softly as if she were made of spun sugar.

 Ichigo didn’t realize he was staring until Renji looked at him strangely and grunted, “What?” Shortly after, Ichika let out a quiet burp.

 “Nothing. You just…actually look like a dad right now,” he admitted with a casual shrug. Renji raised an eyebrow questioningly. Ichigo could tell he was putting on a face as blankly dull as he could make, however when he laid Ichika over his arm to re-adjust her wrappings and gently brushed his hand over her wispy red hair he was no longer able to hold back the proud smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

 As if this suddenly jogged her memory, Orihime gasped and jumped up off the bed. “Oh! Renji-kun, could you bring her here and sit next to Rukia-san? I promised Ishida-kun I’d send pictures since he couldn’t come.” She produced her phone from her jacket pocket and backed away several paces.

 Nodding cheerfully, Renji took her vacant spot and reached around Rukia to pull her close until he had both his girls securely gathered up into one big family cuddle. Startled and visibly annoyed by Renji’s spontaneous act of physical affection (in front of their friends, no less) Rukia immediately whipped her head up and tried to shoot him a Look. One tender smile and a loving squeeze to her elbow from him, however, and she was soon quietly snuggled into the embrace, even relenting enough to lay her head on his chest. Ichika proceeded to fall back asleep in the warm nest of her parents’ entwined arms.

 While Orihime held up her phone and told them to say a bunch of nonsense words before taking the picture, Chad leaned over to Ichigo with a low hum and commented, “They’re a good looking family, huh?”

 “Yeah.” Ichigo nodded and watched Orihime snap multiple shots. “They really are, I gotta admit.”

 Chad regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. “I wonder…” he paused and glanced over at Orihime, sitting happily with Renji and Rukia as the three of them admired the batch of photos she’d just taken.

 Ichigo eyed him suspiciously. “…What?”

 Chad smiled and crossed his arms over his massive chest. “Oh, nothing.”

 Ichigo knew his friend well enough to recognize that type of smile meant it actually wasn’t nothing, but he was prevented from calling him out on it by the boisterous arrival of a group of all-too-familiar Shinigami. After dodging several tipsy greetings (and discreetly questioning why the hell so many of them were that drunk this early), the three human visitors decided it would be best to take their leave.

 To be more precise, two of the human visitors decided it would be best to take their leave while working to persuade the reluctant third, as she kept prolonging her goodbyes in an effort to stay with the baby as long as possible.

 “Come by any time you want! We’re off duty for the next three months!” Rukia called out as they walked out the door. With one last wave goodbye at Ichika, now buried within the midst of a new throng of admirers, Orihime gladly assured her they would.

 The entire journey back through the Dangai, she could not stop talking about baby Ichika. And astonishingly, Byakuya now seemed openly keen to hear all the good things she had to say about his niece.

 “I’ve never seen a tinier baby before! The way Renji-kun held her in his hand…it was so cute! And you were right, Byakuya-san, her eyes looked just like Rukia-san’s! So much of her looked just like Rukia-san! And Renji-kun, too.” Orihime sighed happily and gazed at the photos pulled up on her phone. “Oh, she’s going to be so pretty when she gets older! Don’t you think?” She looked up and addressed Byakuya directly with this question.

 Byakuya nodded politely to her in agreement as she rambled on but once she switched her attention back to the photos, he turned slightly away and quietly sighed, “If she takes after her mother, ” under his breath.

 Ichigo, being the only one who heard him say this, quickly stifled his laugh with a rough cough that sent his hell butterfly reeling and almost crashing antennae-first into the wall of the tunnel. Byakuya said nothing but shot him a subtle warning glare as it fluttered back into place.

 The sky was starting to darken when they finally stepped back into the Living World as the doors closed on Byakuya’s retreating back and the small flock of butterflies that followed. Orihime was staying with the Kurosaki’s for dinner that night so Chad said his goodbyes as well and left them together outside of Ichigo’s house.

 Ichigo surveyed Orihime, flushed from the cold and shivering slightly. Without thinking, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She looked up at him in surprise. “Oh, Ichigo-kun…I’m fine, really! But aren’t you going to be cold now?”

 “Nah. I’ve got extra layers on,” Ichigo assured her, “besides, we’re going inside aren’t we? It won’t be for long”

 “Ah, yes…you’re right.” Orihime smiled and held the jacket around herself. She really looked cute wearing his clothes, even if they were a little big on her. He couldn’t help the smile that broke out when he thought this, and actually almost didn’t notice he was doing it at first. If the way she bashfully bit her lip and pulled the jacket tighter was any indication, Orihime definitely noticed.

 “Ichigo-kun?”

 “Yeah?”

 It was getting hard to see in the twilight but he could still make out the way Orihime pursed her lips and gazed at him with an expression that could only be described as hopeful. She started, “Seeing Ichika-chan…and seeing all of them together…it made me think…” Suddenly she blushed and turned away from him.

 “What?” Ichigo asked, genuinely interested to hear what she was going to say.

 After a moment, she hummed softly and tried again.

 “Ah, it’s just that…Renji-kun and Rukia-san seemed a bit different. But it wasn’t in a bad way. Even for Renji-kun,” Orihime murmured thoughtfully. She laughed a bit and looked back up at him. “Becoming a parent really changes you, huh?”

 The memories of Rukia cooing and fussing over her daughter and Renji frolicking about like some giant red and black rabbit played back in his mind, much like the movie they were supposed to see that day.

 “Yeah,” Ichigo snorted rubbing the back of his neck with one hand, “But don’t worry, Orihime. I don’t think we’ll change too much. I swear I’m not gonna get as dopey as Renji. Or my old man. And you’re already kind of the mothering type, right? At least Karin and Yuzu seem to think that. So you won’t be too different, either. Although…”

 He trailed off. Orihime’s mouth had dropped wide open and she was staring at him in shock.

 Automatically fearing he’d said the wrong thing, Ichigo frantically scrambled to think of a way to fix it when he realized it wasn’t what he said, it was the implication of what he said that his girlfriend was reacting to.

 Because he had just insinuated he was certain they would have children together in the future.

 Nearby, the streetlamps had started flickering on. Ichigo felt his face flare up right along with them and this time he was the one blushing and turning away from her. With a loud cough, he attempted to pull himself together and ended up awkwardly stammering out, “Oh…uh…I…that was…I just…”

 “Do you really mean that?”

 Caught off guard by her question, Ichigo froze. He knew by her tone of voice she wasn’t talking about believing parenthood wouldn’t change them. But did he really have an answer for what she was asking him? And if he did, was it too soon? What should he say to her? He didn’t know any of these things. Yet something compelled him to address it in some way and so, slowly, he turned back around to face her.

 Orihime was staring at the ground now, shyly twisting the ends of her long silky hair in the fingers of one hand while keeping his jacket in place with the other. The bright streetlamps made it much easier to see and the more he looked, the more they cast her in an ethereal glow and gave her the extraordinary appearance of a being emanating pure light. Or that could have been because on her face there was a smile: The same soft shining smile she wore when she looked so beautiful and peaceful cradling Ichika in her arms.

 In that instant, he was sure.

 Ichigo took a deep breath.

 “Yeah. Yeah, I do.”

Author’s Notes: Orihime...what can I say about her? Such a loving caring sweetheart. XD I do have a lot of fun writing characters with snark and sass but it’s always nice to write characters who don’t have a mean bone in their body. I have no doubt that in canon she was genuinely excited and happy for her friends and fell in love with Ichika the moment she met her. And yes I do believe each couple had met the other’s kid at some point before chapter 686. It was just the children themselves had never met each other since Ichika had obviously never been to the Living World (Rukia’s comment on how she’d been given “special permission” to come to the Living World now that she was a Shinigami Apprentice) and Ichigo and Orihime had probably never taken Kazui to Soul Society since he was so young.

Renji and Rukia were probably a little awkward and clumsy as parents at first since they most likely had no experience with infants (or if they had, it’d been a while) but I have no doubt they quickly got the hang of it.

That’s all, folks! Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoyed this little passion project of mine. Please feel free to share/reblog/leave comments+suggestions. :)

INDEX

COVER

PART I - The Reception

PART II - The Threshold

PART III - The Culmination

PART IV - The Issue

PART V - The Denial

PART VI - The Relay

PART VII - The Wait

PART VIII - The Delivery