A gift fic for u/4244621/Algernon-Fenton
Based on the series found here:
s/8767504/1/How-Do-You-Choose
s/8923850/1/Letting-Go-of-Pride-to-Bring-New-Life
s/11215639/1/Having-Your-Cake-and-Eating-It-Too-Shouldn-t-Be-So-Difficult
This story links to this series and takes place within the same universe. Kyoraku Emiko, Kuchiki Takahiro, the concept and theory of the pregnancy lozenges and this interpretation of Soul Reaper pregnancy all belong to Algernon Fenton.
Bleach of course belongs to Tite Kubo
Stole
Chapter 1:
Toshiro was steadily losing what little patience he had that morning. An emergency Captain's meeting had been called; Toshiro already found such meetings an unwanted trial, but to be called to one before he'd even had a chance to eat breakfast was almost too much. The heat of the overcrowded meeting hall was bad enough even on a good day, but today he also had the 'pleasure' of constant sniffling, snorting and coughing assaulting his ears. The Serietei was experiencing an unseasonal cold snap. The temperature had plummeted almost overnight, followed by blizzards and ice (naturally all fingers had been pointed at Toshiro, the youngest captain had been very quick to deny all knowledge). As a result of the harsh weather illness had spread wildly through the squads, even the lieutenants and captains had ended up sick. Toshiro remained indifferent to their suffering (though even he found it hard not to feel a little sorry for Yachiru as she clung weakly to Kenpachi's shoulder). The meeting had been called to discuss treating the sick and preventing more infection, but as Toshiro didn't consider himself at risk of either catching or spreading illness (he was natural resistant to the cold) he couldn't help but lose interest. Not to mention, another distraction was currently occupying his mind.
The little pair of hands that kept trying to untie his sandals.
Toshiro grunted and looked down for what must have been the fifth time that meeting. Two little bottoms were sticking out from behind his hakama, the owners giggling cheekily. Kyoraku Emiko, the two year old ring leader of this little escapade, was crouched by Toshiro's right foot. Her long black curls were falling into her face as she tugged the defenceless sandal. The toddler had been blessed with the beauty and grace of her mother, Captain Ukitake. Unfortunately she also had the playfulness and cheekiness of her father, Captain Kyoraku, and got bored far too easily, much to the danger of anyone around her. On her left was her little accomplice, Kuchiki Takahiro. The little red head was barely a year old, vigorously sucking his pacifier and waving his padded bottom as he tugged at Toshiro's tabi. The infant didn't really known what he was doing, the poor child was often pulled into Emiko's games simply because he did not know any better. Toshiro scowled, trying to decide the best way to deter his pests without causing a scene,
"Hitsugaya-taicho, would you be so kind as to tell us what is so enlightening about the floor?"
Toshiro jolted at Captain Yamamtoto's voice, his eyes wide. He straightened up and moved his feet involuntarily, sending Takahiro and his loose sandal soaring across the floor. The infant landed on his bottom with a thump, the sandal grazing his forehead. The hall fell silent, Takahiro blinked a few times in shock before starting to scream, his pacifier falling into his lap,
"Owie! Owie! Mama! Mama! Mama!" he waved his fists, tears dripping down his cheeks "Mama!"
Toshiro stared at the distressed infant with a look of guilt and fear. Byakuya strode forward and lifted Takahiro into his arms, giving Toshiro an extremely cold stare. The younger captain took a nervous step back, Emiko immediately grabbed his leg and started beating her fists on his knee cap,
"You hurted Taka! Bad To-To!" she screeched "You hurted him!"
Toshiro jumped and tried to shake her off, his knee starting to sting. Shunsui dashed forward, swiftly plucking his daughter out of harms way before the younger captain could send her flying across the floor as well. He gave Toshiro a displeased and slightly disappointed look. Emiko clung to her father's kimono and scowled at Toshiro, sticking her tongue out. Toshiro glared at her as soon as Shunsui's back was turned, his face flushed with rage. Banging echoed around the hall, Yamamoto looked across at his youngest captain as he rapped his cane on the floor,
"Hitsugaya-taicho, would you be so kind as to explain yourself? Your behaviour is completely unacceptable" the head captain's expression remained stoic, though his eyes clearly showed his disappointment. Toshiro bit his tongue to stop himself simply stating 'they started it'. He would not permit himself to act any more childishly, not to mention he had to remember that Takahiro was completely innocent (he was convinced Emiko knew full well what she was doing, even if her parents claimed she was 'just playing'). Toshiro looked down and bowed respectfully, lowering himself almost to the floor,
"My apologies, So-taicho" he didn't move look up, his eyes firmly closed "I suffered a very serious lack of judgement"
"I expect a lot better of you, Hitsugaya-taicho" Yamamoto looked at Toshiro "Now, I believe you owe Kuchiki-taicho, Kyoraku-taicho and Ukitake-taicho an apology"
Toshiro raised his head slightly and opened his eyes; Byakuya, Shunsui and Jushiro were stood in front of him. Byakuya still held his cold stare, his son cradled protectively to his chest. Takahiro had stopped crying, instead hiccupping and whining as he clutched a fistful of his mother's haori. Toshiro saw the graze on the boy's forehead from his sandal, his stomach clenching with guilt. Shunsui and Jushiro were stood behind Byakuya; Emiko was hiding beneath her father's kimono and still scowling. Shunsui's expression had changed back to his usual relaxed indifference. Jushiro was watching Toshiro with sad disappointment, the younger captain cringed from the look. He hated disappointing the 13th Captain, it always reminded him of his grandmother when he was growing up. Toshiro sighed and lowered his head to the floor again,
"Kuchiki-taicho, Kyoraku-taicho, Ukitake-taicho, you have my sincerest and humblest apologies" he said softly "I behaved in a very unbecoming matter and acted inappropriately towards your children, I beg forgiveness"
The four men remained silent, Byakuya turned and strode away without a word. Jushiro stepped forward and touched the top of Toshiro's head lightly,
"You are forgiven, Hitsugaya" he said, softly. Shunsui walked up behind him and nodded,
"Yeah, no hard feelings" he smiled politely, though his eyes held a slightly dark expression, warning against hurting his daughter again. He took Jushiro's hand and walked away, Toshiro looked up and slowly rose to his feet. He walked back to his spot slowly, wobbling from his missing sandal which he had yet to retrieve. Yamamoto surveyed the meeting hall quietly, noting that most of the captains were now distracted. Most had deviated towards Byakuya and Shunsui to check on the toddlers, though the former had sent them away with an icy look. Kenpachi had retreated to one corner, kneeling in seiza as he held Yachiru. The little lieutenant was shivering despite being wrapped in her captain's haori. Yamamoto gently tapped his cane to bring order,
"I draw this meeting to a close" he said "You will be each be summoned to Squad 12 for supplies, everyone is dismissed".
Night fell quickly after the meeting ended. Toshiro sat as his desk in the 10th Squad barracks, working through papers by lamp light. Rangiku was once again missing from her desk, Toshiro had a feeling his wayward lieutenant was out frequenting the usual sake bars again. He heaved a sigh and rubbed his eyes, the lamp light making them feel sore and itchy. A soft knock sounded at his door, Toshiro blinked and looked up. He was not expecting any visitors, especially this time of night,
"Enter" he said, putting down his pen. The door swung open, Jushiro walked in with Emiko, the little girl pouting and shuffling her feet. Jushiro smiled at Toshiro,
"I apologise for the interruption so late in the evening, Hitsugaya" he said "Emiko has something she'd like to say to you" he nudged the little girl forward, Emiko pouted more,
"You's a poopy-head" she looked up at Toshiro, glaring. Jushiro frowned and nudged her,
"Emiko, that's not very nice" he said "Mama doesn't like it when you use those words, apologise properly to Hitsugaya-taicho". Emiko sulked,
"Sowwy To-To" she said quietly. Toshiro nodded at her politely,
"Thank you, I accept" he said. Jushiro smiled and picked Emiko up, cuddling her close,
"There, that wasn't so hard" he said, kissing the top of her head "Oh, I have something for you, Hitsugaya"
He reached into his sleeve and pulled out Toshiro's sandal, placing it on the desk neatly. Toshiro blinked at it, he slowly looked down at his feet. Whilst his right sandal was where it should be, his left foot only had his tabi. Toshiro wiggled his toes a little, how on earth had he managed to forget his sandal?
"Thank you, Ukitake-taicho" Toshiro quickly grabbed his sandal and slipped it back on, his cheeks a light pink. Ukitake chuckled lightly,
"You are most welcome" he said, rearranging Emiko in his arms "I'm afraid it is well past this one's bed time, I bid you good night, Hitsugaya"
Ukitake nodded politely to the younger captain, turning and leaving the office quietly. Toshiro watched him go before returning to his papers. It was obvious from the still hefty stack that he would not be going to bed any time soon. It was times like this he almost wished he had another lieutenant. Plenty of his officers were capable of the position, with training of course. Nearly all of them had a better attitude towards paperwork than Rangiku. Yet, Toshiro could not think of anyone else he would rather have as his second. Yes, Rangiku was lazy with paperwork. Yes, she worshipped the sake a little too much. But, she was there when it mattered. They had fought many battles together; Toshiro didn't need to look over his shoulder to know she would always have his back. It was a horrible cliché, Toshiro was almost ashamed to use it, but he would willingly place his life in her hands if he had to. That was the role of the Captain's lieutenant, to protect their commanding officer and put their life on the line when the time for it called. Toshiro looked over at Rangiku's empty desk, silently he returned his gaze to his papers. He would never admit it out loud, but Rangiku was the closest thing he could call a friend,
"Toshiro-kun!"
The pen in Toshiro's hand snapped, his jaw locking in rage. He looked up slowly, meeting Rangiku's eyes as she draped herself lazily in the doorway,
"Matsumoto, you will address me as Hitsugaya-taicho" he glared hard "And don't lurk in doorways like that, it's rude and unprofessional"
Rangiku pouted playfully and stood from the door, walking over and leaning on Toshiro's desk. Several important papers crumpled under her ample breasts, Toshiro scowled and carefully kept his gaze up at his lieutenant's eyes. He sniffed the air a few times and frowned,
"You...don't smell of sake?" he became rather worried "Matsumoto, are you sick?"
Rangiku giggled, straightening up and knocking several items from the desk onto the floor. She reached over and ruffled Toshiro's hair, earning a glare and an attempted slap to the cheek,
"Don't you remember, Toshiro-kun?" she ignored Toshiro's splutter of indignation "I was picking up supplies from Squad 12"
She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small cloth pouch; Toshiro's name and title was clearly printed on the front. She dropped it onto the desk with a small 'clunk', several candies fell out of the top. They were a darkish yellow colour and wrapped in clear wrappers. Toshiro poked them suspiciously, he knew better than to trust anything that came from Squad 12,
"What are these and why do I need them?" he demanded "You know I don't like sweets"
"They're not candies, Toshiro-kun" Rangiku smiled brightly "They're special health lozenges developed by Squad 4 and Squad 12, all squad captains and officers are required to take them"
Toshiro continued to regard the lozenges with suspicion. Health lozenges? Was that really the best use of the research and medical squads time and resources? He sighed in annoyance and scooped the spilled lozenges back into the pouch, moving to throw them in the waste basket,
"I don't need these Matsumoto, I'm perfectly healthy and I am highly unlikely to get sick" he dropped the pouch in the basket. Matsumoto immediately fished them out again and plonked them back on the desk,
"You have to, orders from the So-taicho" she said "Everyone has to take them to try and stop the spread of sickness currently going around"
Toshiro scoffed and pushed the pouch to the furthest corner of his desk. Rangiku walked over and flopped down on the couch, pulling out a nail file and gently starting to file her nails. Toshiro ignored her and the pouch, focusing instead on finishing his papers. The two sat in relative silence for a few moments, only the scratching of Rangiku's nail file and Toshiro's pen making noise. Toshiro reached for his ink pot to replenish it, Rangiku squealed suddenly and leapt from the couch. Toshiro jumped at the sudden noise and dropped his ink, creating a large black pool. He turned and glared at Rangiku,
"Why the heck are you making so much noise, Matsumoto?!" he demanded. Rangiku bounded over and grabbed his shoulders, shaking him a little,
"I just remembered! I have the juiciest piece of gossip and I need to share it with someone!" she let go of her captain and straightened up, starting to recount her story,
"So, I was walking into the Squad 12 barracks to get the lozenges for our squad, and you'll never guess who I saw inside..."
Toshiro sighed heavily, his head in his hands. Why, of all the people she knew, would Rangiku want to spread gossip to him?
"Ikkaku and Yamichika! Can you believe it? They were there talking with Nemu. Now I know I shouldn't be snooping, but I just couldn't resist listening in! They were talking about those lozenges! You know the ones Toshiro-kun, the ones Ukitake and Byakuya had to have Emiko and Takahiro..."
Toshiro tried to tune his lieutenant out, he couldn't believe she was still talking! Could she not see he wasn't the least bit interested? His head hit his desk with a thump, Rangiku didn't even hear it
"I didn't get all the conversation of course, but I think they're going to try again! Properly this time! I'm so proud of Add to dictionary, you know how desperate he is for a baby and how depressed he got after everything that happened to them. They're so-"
"Matsumoto!" Toshiro shouted, his ears were ringing from her excessive chatter. He couldn't take it anymore "I don't care, alright? I just don't care!"
Rangiku looked mildly offended; she wasn't trying to annoy her captain, she was just happy for her friend and wanted to share that with someone. Toshiro sighed and rubbed his temples, closing his eyes,
"Matsumoto, I have a lot of paperwork to complete" he said slowly "Either make yourself useful and help, or do me a favour and take your incessant babbling elsewhere!"
Rangiku folded her arms, pouting with a slightly hurt expression on her face. She turned, her hair swishing around her shoulders,
"Fine, I'll leave you alone" she said, opening the door "Kyoraku-taichou invited me out for drinks anyway"
She left, slamming the door behind her. Toshiro let out a long sigh, glad for the silence at last. He cleaned up the spilt ink and crushed papers, taking out a fresh pot and more forms to replace the ruined ones. As an after thought, he roughly shoved the lozenge pouch into his drawer and buried it under his stationary.
As if he was going to fall victim to ill health.
In relation to time scales, this takes place roughly a year after 'Letting Go of Pride to Bring New Life'. Obviously, Yumichika and Ikkaku's story takes place somewhere in between these two stories, however, as that story is ongoing and I do not wish to tread on anyone's toes, although they will feature the details about their children will be suitably vague. I did allude to them in Rangiku's story very briefly but I implied a different outcome.
The significance of the lozenges will be explained in due time. The colour is a key part of them, and what Rangiku gave Toshiro and what she thought she gave are two very different things. If you've read the series this was inspired from, you can probably figure out the problem with the colours.