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In the dimly lit room adjoining the master bedroom, a low burning lantern sits on a corner table casting the room in a warm glow.
Kaien stands above the pair of wooden cots wedged side by side and occupying the majority of the room. Twin babies sleep within, wrapped up in blankets. One draped in sky blue and the other in forest green. He leans over the edge, chin propped up on one hand, contented smile plastered across his face as he watches the twins sleeping the night away.
Nariko and Hikari.
His precious daughters.
These darling angels have been in his life for less than six months, but Kaien could happily watch them for hours on end. Around about this time last year, Miyako had surprised him by announcing her pregnancy (which he'd subsequently announced to the family) after twenty long years of failing to conceive. Now his daughters are here Kaien can scarcely take his eyes off them.
It sucked, having to return to work after his paternity leave ended. He missed playing with his girls whenever the whim struck him.
Like right now, in the midst of his birthday celebration, Kaien slipped away long enough to retreat to his personal chambers, mercifully located on the opposite quieter end of the estate, and check on them. Just for a few minutes. The house menoto who'd been looking after the girls, a lovely senior ranked staff member named Tomoka, gratefully took the brief moment of reprieve Kaien offered to collect dinner for herself.
He wishes he could stay longer, but it wouldn't do if the Birthday boy quit his own party before it even got into full swing.
Tomoka returns soon enough, resuming her quiet vigil with a tray of mouth-watering food she'd undoubtedly sampled from the party. Kaien thanks her for her service and bids her enjoy before ever-so-reluctantly leaving his girls to make his way back himself. He's left his poor wife to deal with the rabble for long enough, he thinks.
"So that's where you wondered off you, you butthead." A caustic voice catches him two steps out of his chambers and Kaien spins to greet them brightly.
"Ichigo, you made it!" Kaien cheers happily, arms wide.
Ichigo offers an apologetic shrug, "Fly in visit only, I'm afraid. Someone chose today to make a royal mess of things in the Tenth. Dad and I are still cleaning that up but we - well, Rangiku and Toshiro insisted they could handle things long enough for us to pay a visit and catch a quick bite."
"Ah, it's always the way, ain't it? The joy and privilege of being the poor saps in charge." Kaien sighs sympathetically, "But a fly-in visit's better than no visit at all. Don't worry, I'm sure we can fix a couple plates for you two. God knows there's plenty of food to go around. And don't forget to see your mother and sisters before you head back, okay?"
“Nag, nag, nag. Gez. You know you've always been a mother hen. But ever since you and Miyako had those kids, you've become a million times worse." Ichigo rolling his eyes.
Kaien preens, thoroughly unrepentant. "I know it and I love it."
"Anyway I just wanted to say happy birthday, you dork.” Ichigo says.
“Aw, thanks kiddo.” Kaien grins brightly, hooking an arm around Ichigo’s neck and pulling him in for a hug that Ichigo only half-heartedly attempts to escape.
“Would you stop that? I'm not a kid anymore. You've got kids of your own now. Save the torment for them.” Ichigo extracts himself from his elder cousin, rolling his shoulder (incidentally, making that polished Tenth Lieutenant's badge on his sleeve catch in the moonlight).
Kaien's grin remains, scuffing a hand through Ichigo's hair to the latter's token protests. “Sorry kiddo, but I remember when you were Hikari and Nariko’s size. That's the same size you'll always be to me.”
No sooner had Kaien finished speaking, a familiar burly arm hooks around his neck from behind and yanks him back, ruffling Kaien's hair with his spare hand and sounding all-too-gloating when tossing Kaien's words back in his face.
“I remember when you were their size, kiddo.” Kaien pushes his uncle away, laughing. Then turns to face the man properly for a hug and a few solid claps on the back. "Happy birthday, Kaien."
"Thanks, Uncle. Glad you two could make it after all."
Isshin peers around him to the chamber doors, "And how are my new grand-nieces?" There's that familiar teasing glint in his eye, nodding knowingly. "Couldn't resist a peak at them, could you? Your dad and me were just the same when we had our own kids."
Kaien shrugs. Caught. "Snoozing away without a care in the world. I doubt anything short of a decree from the Soul King himself could wake them right now."
"Well then," Ichigo says, "What's say we get to the party and make our rounds before the twins decide they want their father's attention after all?"
"Yes, we mustn't tarry all night! Let us march!" Isshin orders with utmost gravity, thrusting a finger towards the inner compound. "We must celebrate! Drink our weights in sake and regret our life choices in the morning!"
"You know if mum catches you drinking while you're supposed to working late tonight, you'll be sleeping outside for a month, right?" Ichigo interjects wryly. Isshin face-faults, knocked right off his high horse.
Kaien bites his tongue not to laugh. "And you have the gall to call me mean sometimes."
"There's a difference. When I do it, its funny." Ichigo retorts without a shred of irony.
Kaien snickers and shoves him along, catching a glimpse of a smile.