~Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo~

Hello you wonderful readers! How are you? Another update for this story, a thank you to all those reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting. It means a lot to me :) Special thank you to FireCat and SnowWhite, Fostersb, lsis-light, Renji4eva, broman2, Czexy, and Ermilus!

Enjoy ;)

previous chapter...

The little girls antics made Ichigo smile.

Walking into his flat, he closed the door behind him.

"Good night Mamoru," Ichigo whispered, cradling the small child, "Daddy loves you." Continuing the walk into his bedroom, he flicked the light on with his free hand.

He stopped when he saw pink.

Pink?

Of all the colors why pink?

Pink nail polish on my son?

Chp 4

Day Off

After calling his friends to apologize and hanging up on them, twice, Ichigo agreed to take the day off tomorrow.

"I'll take care of ere'thn. I'll even talk to that little blonde for you, hehe." Ichigo could feel Shinji's toothy grin from over the line.

"Her names Rya, she's my secretary. If she complains about you harassing her, I'll kick your ass," Ichigo frowned kicking the refrigerator door closed with his foot. Shaking the carton, he scowled. "Damn it, I'm out of orange juice." He mumbled forgetting he was still on the phone.

"Oh, you poor baby!" Shinji snickered.

"Fuck off," Ichigo hung up before Shinji could respond.

Turning his phone off and throwing the carton away, he opened up his fridge once more. Milk will have to do.

Before Ichigo could go to sleep, he heard his doorbell ring.

"SHHH," he seethed. Mamoru was asleep!

Running to the door and praying that the bell wouldn't ring once more to wake his son, again, Ichigo looked over at the time. 2:14 AM.

Who is..?

Opening the door, Ichigo was met with a watery eyed Mayu, a large blanket over her tiny figure.

"Can I please come in?" She asked before walking past him.

"Sure?" Ichigo said closing the door, "Does your mo- aunt know you're here?"

Mayu growled.

"Lets not talk about her." The brunette said as she plotted on the carpet pulling out a red spaceship.

"Alright," Ichigo awkwardly stared down at her, "Can I help you with anything?"

Mayu looked up at him and thought for a second, "….No." She said going back to looking down at the spaceship.

"Okay," Ichigo moved his weight to his other foot. What the hell am I supposed to do? It's too early to think…

"You okay Mayu?" Ichigo asked sitting down a comfortable distance away from the normally bubbly girl.

"I don't know." She pouted.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not really."

Before Ichigo could respond, Mayu interrupted him. "I'm mad at aunt Orihime!" She said, a little too loudly. Ichigo flinched.

"I see," Ichigo whispered, "We can talk about it if you would like, but we're going to have to be very quiet. Mamoru's a light sleeper and if he wakes up, he'll be very grouchy. Scowl and all." Mayu giggled. "Let's whisper so he can't here us! Does that sound okay with you?"

"Mhmm," she whispered.

"What happened?" The smile dropped on Mayu's face, replaced with a pout.

"Aunt Orihime's kicking me out tomorrow."

"She's kicking you out?"

"She won't let me stay at her apartment!" Her voice increased, Ichigo visibly flinched once more.

"Sorry," Mayu whispered.

"What do you mean Mayu? I thought your parents were coming to pick you up tomorrow?" Ichigo asked her confused.

"But I don't want them too. I just met aunty and now she's leaving me," Ichigo was confused for a second. Just met her aunt? But then he reminded himself that it wasn't his business. Mayu's bottom lip began to tremble. Shit. No, not tears! What do I do now?

Thinking back to all those times, his little sisters had cried when they were younger, Ichigo remembered his father hugging them. Ichigo would usually frown, may be give them a high five and a pat on the back later. It seemed to work back then; he was never a big fan of women crying. The females he surrounded himself by were always… manly. Tatsuki, Rukia, even Hami. Ichigo scowled. Bringing himself back to the situation at hand, he began to panic. Will it work now? Only one way to find out…

Ichigo moved closer to Mayu and attempting to give her a comforting hug. It's like all those times I tried to calm Mamoru down by holding him.

After a few minutes he looked down at her, "You alright?"

"Y-Yeah," Mayu sniffled.

"Good," Ichigo smiled at his success and patted her on the head. Wasn't so hard.

But he spoke to soon, for Mayu started crying once more, harder. Double shit.

Holding her once more, Ichigo didn't let go of her so fast. "It'll be alright," he told her, even though he wasn't so sure himself. Maybe I'll talk to her aunt later? This seems like a pretty big issue… When her trembling stopped and Ichigo was sure she wouldn't start crying again, he slowly pulled back. "Better?"

"Yeah," She nodded her head, tightly gripping onto the spaceship.

"I'll go get you a tissue," Ichigo quickly got up. It worked! I will keep that in mind for future references…

After jogging to Mamoru's bedroom and checking on the boy, Ichigo gave him a quick and feather light kiss. Grabbing the box of tissues by his crib, he jogged back to Mayu.

"Here you go." Ichigo passed the box to her.

"Thank you." She mumbled flashing him a smile.

"Mayu, I know this might seem kind of hard for you, but don't you think it's hard for Orihime too? And your parents?" He asked her, confused brown eyes met Ichigo's gaze.

"What do you mean Mr. Kurosaki?"

"Well, I'm sure they both care a lot about you and I understand you'll miss your aunt, but your parents are struggling too. I know they miss you," Ichigo thought about Mamoru, "Whenever I'm at work, I can't get my son out of my head. I'm constantly worried and missing him, because he's my little baby and I love him." Ichigo smiled at the open bedroom door.

"Don't you think if your parents found out you wanted to move out, they would be a little hurt?" Ichigo raised one of his eye brows.

"I didn't think of that," Mayu said more to herself then Ichigo.

"And I'm sure that your aunt said you could visit her, right?"

"Yeah, she did," Mayu mumbled.

"Well there you go! They both love you and miss you, so don't think you're being kicked out or anything, alright?" It was like a light bulb lit up over her head, it finally 'clicked'.

"That does make sense," smiling up at Ichigo, she pounced on him with the speed of a jaguar.

"Thanks Mr. Kurosaki!" Unprepared for the jump or the outburst, Ichigo fell onto the ground with the giggling little girl in his arms.

"Ichigo's fine," He smiled down at her. "Now how bout we go to your aunt, I'm sure she'd be worried in the morning if she woke up alone in her apartment while she had a guest over." Hearing Mamoru's cry, Ichigo sighed. So much for being quiet.

"Just give me a sec," Ichigo got up and moved to his son. Picking up the toddler, the shadow of a scowl was visible on his miniature face. I don't think I've ever been so proud. Caressing the child and rubbing his small back, Ichigo opened his door. With Mayu behind him, he knocked on the apartment door next to his.

After a few minutes, footsteps were heard nearing the door. After a rattle on the knob, a frizzy haired Orihime in a robe, with her eyes still closed, opened the door.

"Hmmm?" She mumbled slowly opening her eyes and focusing her gaze.

"Oh, Mr. Kurosaki, what can I help you with?" She failed to suppress a yawn.

"Sorry to bother yo-" Ichigo was once more interrupted by Mayu.

"Aunt Orihime, I'm sorry!" She held the auburn haired woman by her waist.

"Mayu?" Orihime looked down. "Why are you apologizing?" Seriously? Ichigo thought to himself.

But then Orihime paled. "Why aren't you in your room?" She questioned. "Where were you? This again, dear god, Sora's going to kill me."

"Again?!" Ichigo said shocked, "You've lost her before?"

"…Yes." Orihime giggled, but then realization hit her and she frowned.

"Mayu? Are you trying to get me killed? Why weren't you in the guest room? I think I just had a panic attack! Child, you are going to be the death of me," Orihime frowned down at Mayu.

"Long story, I'm hungry. Can I have ice cream since I'm here?" She asked casually.

"Yeah, go ahead. Ooh, pull me out a bowl!" Orihime added happily clapping her hands. Mayu then turned to the stupefied man behind her, "Thanks Mr. Ichigo! Night Mamoru!"

"N-Night," Ichigo responded still shocked by what he just saw. Who in their right minds responds to this situation like that and after practically losing a child feeds said minor ice-cream and two o'clock in the morning?

"Thanks for bringing Mayu to me Mr. Kurosaki! Night you two!" Orihime closed the door on the orange haired man.

It's too fucking early for this.

Going back into his apartment, all Ichigo wanted to do after his long day was sleep. Possibly for the rest of the month.

With Mamoru already thinking ahead, the infant had past out in his fathers arms. "You my dear get to sleep next to me tonight," Ichigo mumbled to the boy. Locking the doors and turning the lights off, Ichigo gave in to sleep, his son lying across his chest.

X

X
X

Feeling something slobber across his face, Ichigo growled. Opening one eye, he was met with a drooling Mamoru still on his chest.

"What do you think your doing?" Ichigo yawned and tried to go back to sleep. Feeling little hands run over his lips, he opened his eyes once more.

"I see," Ichigo furrowed his brows, "You won't let your old man sleep, alright." Picking up his son and lifting him, Ichigo was rewarded with giggles. "Guess what?" Ichigo knew he wouldn't get a verbal response but Mamoru lifted his head to his father, head slightly tilted.

"Dad, doesn't have work today," he paused, "Well, I took the day off thanks to two stubborn ass acquaintances of mine. I get to spend the day with you!"

Mamoru silently stared at his father.

"Tough crowd," Ichigo sighed.

"Hmm, let's see. What can we do today? Park, yes children like parks," He looked up at Mamoru. "But, you can't exactly walk yet so… Eh, why not? We can jog to the park, but of course you would be in a stroller."

After his and Mamoru's morning rituals, Ichigo threw on a pair of shorts and a wife beater. With Mamoru in a one piece carefully strapped in to his stroller, the orange haired father and son made their way to the park. The entire time, Ichigo felt eyes on him. A little uncomfortable, he ignored the feeling and continued his way. With occasional glances at Mamoru, he saw the little boy was smiling up at the birds. It's only been a few weeks and he wants freedom, Ichigo shook his head.

Even before having a child, Ichigo grabbed the attention from the others around him. When he was younger, it was because of his hair color. He was told he was 'handsome' here and there throughout both high-school and college, but it didn't improve let alone impact his pride. He didn't care at the time, nor does he at the moment. He was a taken man, a taken man in love. He would never think about another female while in a relationship… But now, he is a single man, no longer in love. At least that's what he keeps telling himself. Does he still have feelings for Hami? How could he, she wanted to abort his child! Dismissing his depressing thoughts, he looked down at Mamoru. Who needs love when they have a beautiful baby boy? Lifting the corners of his mouth, Mamoru began giggling at his father.

Towering at 6' 1' and only in his early twenties, Ichigo could never believe the amount of attention he was getting from all the females around him. He never really understood it and throughout his life time hadn't really 'understood' the female mind. Growing up with his sisters and lady friends, pft, I don't think I can refer to that midget as a lady, he never really understood how females viewed things. Non the less, he was indeed a handsome young man and that had always attracted the other girls around him. Jogging down the street, many pairs of eyes roamed over his tan muscled arms, the tight shirt doing little to cover his ripped abs underneath. With chocolate brown eyes and a unique hair color, that alone could keep ones attention. But, ever since Momaru had been around, the attention Ichigo received seemed to grow ten fold. A tall attractive male with an adorable son, both seeming quiet happy? Now they knew: He could support himself and a child, he was responsible and loving. What more can a woman ask for? But thinking through the situation, many assumed if he had a child it meant he probably had a significant other… But who doesn't like a challenge? That was what many of the ladies that crossed Ichigo's path thought as he jogged his way to the park.

But our orange haired father didn't notice any of that. He had always been, a little, dense and all his attention at the moment was on only one thing.

And that was his son, Mamoru.

"Hey, Ichigo!" Crap. Jogging faster, he was forced to stop when he reached a crosswalk.

"Ichigo, you ass! I said wait!" Looking behind him a raven haired female was bent down holding her knees for support, panting profusely.

"Oh, it's you Rukia. Sorry I didn't hear you back there."

"Fuck you." She growled.

"Language! There is a child here," Ichigo scowled covering Mamoru's ears.

"Mamoru! Aw, you look so cute!" Rukia's voice drastically changed from violent to angelic in half a second. Standing in front of the small child, the baby began to lift his hands.

"Ichigo, where's the chappy bunny I gave him?" Rukia looked up to the father.

"O-Oh, that," Ichigo's sweat dropped, "In my apartment!" I think…

Rukia scrutinized him, but after a few minutes nodded in approval. "Good. Anyways, why aren't you at work?"
"I could ask you the same," he frowned. "Smurf and thing one made me take a day off," Ichigo's scowl deepened. Some friends they are, trying to get me fired…

"Interesting. And I really just needed a break, one of our main men messed up a transition the other day and well… Byakuya is upset." Ichigo grimaced, Byakuya was a very scary man.

After graduating college with her degree in business, Rukia's brother in law, Byakuya Kuchiki hired her. The Kuchiki's are a very important family while Byakuya alone owns some of the largest companies. Respected by all his acquaintances, he is a very stealthy and strict man.

"You wanna join us for a jog?" Ichigo asked her as they walked over the crosswalk.

"Why do you think I'm here? I can't let poor Mamoru suffer alone!"

"Never mind, I take my offer back. I don't know why I asked you in the first place."

"You can't do that."

"I just did."

Rukia responded by kicking Ichigo and swiftly taking away his stroller, baby in tow.

After letting out a string of curses, Ichigo chased after the pair.

This was not unnoticed by a red haired man frowning by an ice-cream stand.

"She makes me buy her ice-cream and runs off with another man?"

X
X
X

"Rukia, give me back my child!" Ichigo growled.

"Hmm, may be later."

"No, now!"

Ichigo frowned walking next to the raven haired girl.

"So what's up? How's Rangiku?"

"Good I guess."

"So talkative aren't you?"

"Eh, Rukia! Ichigo!" A red haired man walked up to the group of three.

"Renji, when'd you get here?" Ichigo asked.

"I came with Rukia," he frowned, "She made me get her ice-cream, then left."

"Did you bring it?" She turned to Renji.

"Yes, Rukia." Renji sighed.

Passing her the ice-cream in the shape of a chappy bunny Rukia's eyes widened.

"Oh, Renji! It's beautiful!" Her eyes began to water, "I love you so much!"

"I know," Renji lifted his shoulders up in pride, glancing over at Ichigo.

"Weirdos," Ichigo mumbled taking away his stroller. Leaving the loving pair together, he continued his jog.

On his way back home, Ichigo ran into a familiar face. Standing under the stop sign holding grocery bags was the one and only Orihime Inoue, eyebrows furrowed reading a sign.

"Hey, Orihime. You lost?" He joked.

"Y-Yeah," She awkwardly kneaded her neck, smile in place."I'm still not very good with these streets; I think I just walked into a big circle."

"That's understandable; it's a pretty big city. Need help?"

"Yes please."

"Alright, you can just follow us. I'm walking back anyway. So where's Mayu?"

Did Orihime lose Mayu again or is she somewhere else?

Why do you think Mayu just met Orihime recently?

What did you think? I would love to know!

until next time,

loverofliterature_111