Ichigo came back home around dinner time with Rukia, Takeshi and Mai, when his ears gone deaf from his old friends screaming out his name.
"Hey everyone, long time no see."
Ichigo went around the room and greeted everyone.
Arisawa Tatsuki, his oldest friend, now worked at their old dojo where they first met.
Sado Chad, his best friend, returned from Mexico and was planning on teaching at their old high school.
His former classmate Inoue Orihime, was now teaching preschoolers.
His other best friend, Ishida Uryuu, was working at his father's hospital as an intern.
His friend Abarai Renji, arrived after getting a day off from being the "neighborhood cop."
His first two pals in high school, Asano Keigo and Mizuiro Kojima was standing next to Ichigo.
Rangiku Matsumoto, his high school senpai, was standing next to her former classmates Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika, both who also worked in the police force with Renji.
Ichigo's friend Hitsugaya Toushiro (a child genius who graduated from high school with Ichigo, even though he is three years younger than the rest), was standing with his girlfriend Hinamori Momo. Hitsugaya actually became the captain at the police station with Matsumoto as his vice captain.
Isshin friend Urahara Kisuke, and his wife Yoruichi, were present with sake cups held in their hands. Their son Jinta was standing next to his parents with an annoyed look.
Ichigo greeted everyone with a big smile, not fighting back against some of the punches he was receiving from his friends. It was good to be home… or so he thought.
"Ichigo!" Keigo threw his arms around his friend, "You are a devil! Not only did you steal Kuchiki-san from me, but you left her alone to raise your kids!"
"Get off of me!" Ichigo threw his friend across the room.
Tatsuki whistled at her friend's throw.
"What, you impressed Tatsuki?" Ichigo asked with a smirk.
"Nope," she coolly respond, "Just noticed that you still have the same strength that you had seven years ago. What exactly have you been up to?"
Ichigo scratched his head with one hand and waved his other hand as if to dismiss the question.
"Nothing interesting. Let's not talk about it."
Takeshi watched his father grab a can of beer and sit on the couch with his old friends. He was hoping that Arisawa-san would be able to get the truth out of his father but she seemed to just let it pass by.
Rukia lightly pushed Takeshi to sit next his father as she walked upstairs with Mai to put away their shopping bags. So he quietly walked to the couch where Ichigo moved aside to make room for Takeshi.
"Hey Takeshi," Tatsuki called out to the kid, "How does it feel to meet your dad again?"
Takeshi didn't know how to answer. He just gave a small smile that said I'm happy but confused. Those who saw that smile just nodded their head,
"My grandson!" Isshin cried as he rubbed his face against Takeshi, "I know you must feel angry at your pathetic father! I'm so sorry for having raised a horrible son who ended up running away from his children!"
"SHUT UP!" Ichigo yelled as he punched his father across the face.
But Isshin quickly got up and ran to his wife's poster hanging on the wall. "My dear Masaki! Where did I go wrong with our stupid son—OW!"
Ichigo threw his empty beer can at his father to shut him up. Everyone laughed at this father-son interaction which was still the same. As Ichigo leaned back on the couch Mai ran down stairs and quickly sat on her father's lap.
"Well looks like Mai-chan is happy to see her father," Orihime smiled at the orange-haired girl who smiled back.
"That's because Ichigo was never involved in her life so she has no ounce of his cocky attitude or constantly worried thoughts."
Ichigo looked up and saw Rukia walking towards everyone as she talked.
"Bitch," he said as he glared at her.
Isshin grabbed his granddaughter and covered her ears as he sent a kick to his son. "Don't you dare use that kind of language near my innocent granddaughter, you ungrateful son!"
Renji snorted. "Seriously man. I remember how you would always curse even in front of Takeshi when he was just a baby."
"Yes," Matsumoto agreed, "And after you left, we were all forced by Rukia-san to speak more 'nicely' so Takeshi wouldn't use such 'foul' words."
Takeshi grunted. "Who the hell cares how I speak. Everyone is just being way too over-protective."
"Takeshi!" Rukia yelled at her son as she slapped him behind his head.
Ichigo laughed as he patted his son's head. "So I'm guessing your mother likes to hit you too, huh?"
"But now that you're back I don't have to hit Takeshi anymore," Rukia replied for her son as she returned a glare that Ichigo was giving her.
Hitsugaya looked at the two parents. "So, have you two thought about getting hitched yet? I mean, you already have kids."
Ichigo now directed his glare at the boy genius. "What makes you think I would want to spend the rest of my life living with this crazy midget?"
"Shouldn't I be the one arguing? Who would want to live with your stuck-up attitude? If there ever is a person I will bow down to her for the rest of my life," Rukia said.
Mai, who was able to remove her grandfather's hands from her ears, stared at her parents. "But mama, I want a baby sister."
Everyone suddenly became quiet. Rukia and Ichigo looked over at their daughter who wore an innocent look on her face.
"What—?" Rukia tried to speak.
Takeshi looked at his sister. "Idiot. Why do you want a baby sister? Personally, one of you is enough for me. I can't think about taking care of two sisters all the time," he snorted.
"But Taki-nii!" Mai pouted, "I want a baby sister…or a baby brother. I don't really care as long as I can be a big sister! Ne, papa?"
Ichigo couldn't remove his eyes from his daughter who was looking intently at him with innocent eyes and pouted lips that was just like someone he knew, and she was the only one who could make him do anything with that expression. Shit, this was going to be hard to get out of.
"My granddaughter is so sweet!" Isshin cried as he hugged Mai. He then looked at his son and the mother of his grandchildren, and gave them both a mischievous smile. "You two better get married and fulfill my granddaughter's wish!
Both Rukia and Ichigo could feel a vein pop. They were about to hit Isshin when the old man suddenly lifted his smiling granddaughter.
"Do not come near me with your fists! I will not permit you to show violence before my granddaughter!" he cried as he held Mai like a shield.
"Let go of her, old man!" Ichigo shouted as he stood up and tried to detach Mai from Isshin.
Takeshi turned around and faced his mother. "I don't get it," he said.
"Don't get what, sweetie?" Rukia asked.
He rubbed his chin as he thought carefully. "Most of my friends' parents are married and have kids together. But you and otousan are not husband and wife…"
Everyone suddenly turned their attention to Takeshi. This kid was only ten years old but he was starting to get too logical, which was not a good thing for his parents at the moment.
"And okasan looks a lot younger than my friends' mothers," Takeshi continued, "I remember hearing someone say that you must have had me when you were really young. After all, none of your friends are married or have any kids."
Rukia could see her vision getting blurry. Ichigo was covering Mai's ears so she wouldn't listen to her brother and think too deeply into it. Both parents were starting to sweat a lot as Isshin and his two friends shared the same grin across their face. They were hoping for something like this to come up…
"Takeshi—"
"My grandson is so bright!" Isshin ran to his grandson and rubbed his bearded face against his grandson, cutting off Rukia's voice who was trying to reason with her son.
Urahara fanned himself as he nodded. "Yes, he is right indeed. You raised an intelligent grandson Isshin!" he stated with a singing tone.
"You two old man need to shut up!" Ichigo cried.
Mai looked up at her father's angry face but couldn't hear what he was yelling about. She looked at her mother who still looked a bit dazed. And Mai's "Taki-nii" was looking around the room as if waiting for an answer. She was starting to feel bored so she permitted a loud yawn.
Rukia and Ichigo's attention quickly focused on Mai who was yawning quite loudly. Taking advantage of this, the parents grabbed their kids and ran upstairs, shouting to the rest of the party, "We're taking the kids to bed!"
Htstugaya followed his friends with his eyes. "Idiots," he whispered as Hinamori giggled next to him.
Ichigo carried his two kids on either side of him as Rukia opened the door to the room that Takeshi and Mai shared (last time Mai slept with Rukia so Takeshi wouldn't be disturbed from his sleep). They were coming back after forcing the kids into a quick bath and now they dropped their kids into their respectful beds, but for some reason Mai was fully awake.
"I want a bedtime story!" She cried.
"Shut up and just sleep Mai!" Takeshi yelled at her.
But she ignored her brother as she grabbed onto Ichigo's arm. "Papa! I want a story!"
Ichigo stared at his daughter, unsure of how to detach her from him. "Umm—"
"You should sleep Mai," Rukia gratefully interfered, "Papa can tell you a story next time—"
"But papa didn't tell me one last night!" Mai complained, "tears" forming in her eyes.
With a sigh Ichigo sat on the edge of Mai's bed. "Fine, but I'm only going to tell you a short one," he said.
Mai released her father with a smile and went under her blankets.
Rukia was planning on sneaking out but Takeshi grabbed her arm.
"If I have to hear another one of Mai's mushy love stories, you're going to suffer with me too," he smiled evilly at his mother.
Knowing she couldn't escape now, she walked to Mai's bed with Takeshi and settled onto her daughter's bed.
"Trying to escape and leave me here, bitch?" Ichigo whispered into Rukia who just waved off his comment.
"Ok, so what do you guys want to hear?" Rukia asked.
Takeshi shrugged and pointed his fingers to his sister who was full of smiles. "I want a happy love story!" she shouted.
Ichigo scratched his head as he sighed. This was going to be a long night.
"Fine. Well let's see… once upon a time there was a noble girl who lived with her older brother in a place called 'Soul Society.' She was forced to live in a life according to the nobles' rules so she didn't have any friends. But it changed one day when she met a young man with unbelievable orange hair…"
"Where did you get that story from?" Rukia asked as she closed the door of Mai and Takeshi's room, who were now asleep.
Ichigo shrugged. "My mom used to tell it to me."
Rukia laughed. "Your mother is an interesting storyteller. Seriously, this story of a shinigami girl and a human teenager who fell in love… it was quite enjoyable."
"Sometimes the story seems related to me and my own life," Ichigo said, "Anyways, let hurry up and go to the others before they fall asleep."
"I wouldn't be surprised since your story was hell'a long."
"Shut up you midget."
The two parents walked downstairs and saw Isshin and Urahara singing into the karaoke mic that was connected to their television.
"Seems like everyone's already drunk," Rukia said.
Ichigo nodded and the two slipped into the living room. Rukia sat next to Orihime and Tatsuki, while Ichigo sat between Uryuu and Renji, the red head too busy picking a song to sing next.
"How the hell did this happen?" Ichigo whispered to Uryuu, who looked the least drunk within the group.
Uryuu didn't face his friend to answer him. "Apparently your father and Urahara brought out their strongest stuff and Matsumoto and Ikkaku started a drinking contest. Of course the others got dragged in, too."
Ichigo eyed his friend. "Then why don't you look drunk?"
"I just poured most of my share into Keigo's cup when nobody was looking," Uryuu pushed up his glasses and pointed to the "dead" body of Keigo in one corner of the living room.
Ichigo whistled and relax on the couch. Suddenly two hands landed on his shoulders. He looked behind him and saw Isshin and Urahara grinning mischievously.
"Your turn to sing!" Urahara exclaimed.
"WHAT?" Ichigo yelled. He tried to escape the two older men but they tighten their grips.
"Don't be shy, Ichigo!" Isshin cried, "There is nothing wrong with singing in front of friends!"
"LET GO OF ME BEARDY!"
Thankfully for Ichigo, Renji jumped in and grabbed the microphone from Urahara's hand. "I finally picked a song!" he cried as he punched in the number.
As Renji started to sing (with Ikkaku and Orihime singing in the background… drunk), Ichigo thought his father and his friend would finally let go of him, but they didn't.
"What do you want?"
Isshin grinned at his son.
"HEY!" Matsumoto cried with realization, "Ichigo still hasn't had anything to drink!"
Oh shit! Ichigo thought. He wanted to run but he was still being held hostage.
"Upsy dasy!" Urahara sang as he shoved sake down Ichigo's throat, straight off the flask. Ichigo could not retaliate and he ended up drinking every last drop of the sake.
Matsumoto and Orihime were cheering the orange head to not stop drinking and Ikkaku could be heard laughing his ass off for no reason.
Rukia looked at her friend and felt sorry for him. He didn't know that their friends had a tendency of drinking gallons of alcohol for every party that they were in. She watched and took small sips of her sake as she watched Ichigo being fed sake after sake after sake… how can he take all of that in?
"ENOUGH!" Ichigo spat out most of the sake that he was storing in his mouth and started to beat the shit out of his father and Urahara, while Chad was trying to restrain his enraged friend.
"AH! My son is going to kill me!" Isshin cried as he ran and hid behind Rukia, "After all these years of being missing, he returns as a crazy man!"
"You're the crazy one here!" Ichigo yelled at his father as he ripped Isshin's grip from Rukia, "And I always had intentions of killing you!" He sent a right hook at his father.
Isshin flew across the room and hit the wall with the poster of his wife. "MASAKI!" he exclaimed as soon as he got up, "I failed at raising our son! Not only did he run away from his family but now he's back to try and ruin everything I worked so hard for!" Ichigo wanted to hit his father who kept ranting on and on… "I cannot stay in this world and watch my one and only son become a mad man! My love, I shall be seeing you soon!"
Ichigo could not take it anymore. He grabbed one of the ceramic flasks and threw it at his father's head. It broke and Isshin fell to the floor, unconscious, twitching like a dieing bug.
"Ara ara!" Urahara sang behind his fan, "Looks like Isshin is the second one down from the drinking fest!"
"Why aren't you guys listening to me?" Renji yelled through all the noise. When he heard Ikkaku laughing like a crazy hyena, he jumped on his friend and started to strangle him.
"Renji-AH-you bastard-cough" Ikkaku struggled to speak.
Yumichika sat beside his bald friend and snorted. "Hmph. Not only are you two ugly but you also fight ugly," he said as he flipped his hair.
The baldly and the red head stopped their fight and looked at their friend with weird eyelashes. Then the two looked at each other and smirked. Before Yumichika could figure out what was happening, his two friends grabbed his arms and started to beat him up. Soon, all three were hitting and yelling at each other.
Ichigo watched as his three friends were trying to knock each other out. He then looked over and saw that he was still standing next to Rukia after pulling his father away from her.
"Is it always like this?" he asked.
"I'd say that this is average," she responded.
Tatsuki looked over at her friend. "Why aren't you drunk yet?"
Ichigo shrugged his shoulders. "I don't get drunk easily these days. I can take a large amount of alcohol."
"Where was this talent ten years ago?" Yoruichi asked with a grin.
Ichigo looked at the purple-haired woman. "What do you mean?"
She whacked him the head.
"What the fuck was that about?" Ichigo yelled as he held his throbbing head.
Yoruichi smiled and she said one word: "Takeshi."
Ichigo's anger suddenly disappeared and it was replaced by a deep red hue. "Shut up," he said as he looked away.
Tatsuki and Yoruichi laughed loudly while Rukia only smiled.
Ichigo looked at her. "What are you smiling about? Shouldn't you be asked the same question?"
This time Rukia slapped his head. "I'm still weak against alcohol. And because of my no-good-experience with you, nobody forces me to drink too much," she coolly responded.
Ichigo pouted and walked away from her.
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