Greetings and welcome to my new story :). It has been a very long time since I've posted here and I'm curious as to how this story develops. I have little planned out except from what you're going to be reading!

Yes, this is a bit of a romantic story, I can't help it! It's not a standard coupling, but a curious one. It's an Ichigo-Isane couple, one I haven't seen often. I thought it'd be refreshing, especially with the weird hair colours!

Anyway, I hope you read and enjoy the story enough to post a review. Feedback is a great tool to improve with :D.

~Twan

"Kurosaki-taicho!" she shouted, seeing her Captain fall down on his knee, leaning heavily on Zangetsu. "Dammit" Ichigo cursed himself, "Guess I'll need to put some more effort into this." He spat out the blood that was collecting in his mouth and stood up, pulling Zangetsu out of the ground. "You've gotten tougher, Renji!" He called across the courtyard. Icigo's eyes twinkled in enjoyment as he cracked his neck.

"Ah, thank you, Ichigo!" Renji grinned his signature grin and swung Zabimaru forward again, locking swords with Ichigo. "Getsuga Tensho!" he hollered and the blue energy sprung forward in a blink, hitting Abarai full in the face, swinging him backwards. "Yo, Renji, are you alright!?" Ichigo asked as he used shunpo to follow Renji to his landing place. The Red head was grinning as his jacket was torn and a large gash was formed on his shoulder "I've been better.".

Back at the barracks Ichigo has his wounds being tended to while sharing a glass of water with Renji. "So, you've really improved, Renji. You actually had my sweating this time." He had his teasing grin on his face as he poked Renji in the ribs. "You know it was a dirty trick, to release Getsuga Tensho like that!" Renji retaliated as his shoulder was bandaged.

With a nod the two medics excused themselves and left the room. "So, Ichigo-taicho, how has life as the Captain been? I haven't been able to see you for a while because of it." Ichigo shrugged. "Nothing special, I train my troops, I do as much paperwork as possible and go to bed. It's a life, I suppose." He looked at his desk, nearly filled to the ceiling with paper. "How can you seriously have so much paperwork here?" he asked as he turned back to Renji.

"So, you and Isane are still not speaking?" Renji asked after another sip of the water. "No, she still doesn't allow me to come home." The sorrow filled Ichigo's voice as he swirled the water in the glass. "I really miss her, Renji, I haven't seen her for two weeks now." He threw back the glass and drank the water in a big gulp. He put down the glass and stood up and walked onto the porch of his office. "So what are you going to do about it?" Renji asked as he stood beside his nakama. "Give her time, give her space, stand beside her or behind her, wherever she wants." Renji's lips curled softly in a smile: "And be there when he or she finally gets born…"

A soft knock on the door broke the conversation. "Yes, enter." Ichigo ordered as he walked back inside. "Taicho, Ukitake-taicho is here for you." A small girl in shinigami robes reported, her head deeply bowed. "Please send him in.".

The white-haired captain walked in with a light thread, apparently feeling healthy. "Greetings, Kurusaki-taicho!" He greeted with a smile, "Ah, Abarai-fukutaicho, greetings to you too!". "Please, Ukitake-taicho, call me Ichigo, and come in.". Ichigo gestured to the desk and the free chair. "Aila, please get Ukitake-taicho some tea.". Ichigo said to appaerently nobody, but a "Yes Taicho" as heard from behind the door. Ichigo shook his head as Ukitake chuckled softly. "She always listens. I know she means well, but dammit."

"So, Ukitake-taicho, what brings you to the Eight Division?" Ichigo asked as he took a seat behind his desk. That's when Renji spoke up. "Kurusaki-taicho, Ukitake-taicho, if I may be excused, I have duties to fulfill at the Sixth barracks." Ichigo nodded and Renji shunpo-ed out of the office. At the same moment Ilia stepped in with a tray with two cups and a pot of tea. "Thank you, Aila, please make sure that the First Squad is ready for patrol." Ichigo ordered, referring to the first of four squads that Eight Division consisted of. "Yes taicho." Ilia nodded and stepped out and closed the door.

"I'm here to ask you to talk to Isane, Ichigo." Ukitake started as Ichigo poured. "Look, Ukitake-taicho…" Ichigo started but Ukitake interrupted, "Please, call me Jūshirō." The older man asked. "Look, Jūshirō," Ichigo swallowed a bit, having difficulty making the switch. "Isane made it clear she didn't want to see me for a while after what I did in the Living World, I'm going to respect the wish of my wife." Ichigo put the pot down and took his seat.

"Your wife is nearing the completion of her pregnancy, she needs her husband, Ichigo, even if she doesn't know she wants it." He mulled over the words of wisdom Ukitake gave him as he gently blew on his tea to cool it down. A deep, booming voice spoke up in Ichigo's mind, "He is right, Ichigo. And you know it.", Zangetsu added. "I suppose I could try and visit her…" he finally conceded.