"Oi...Little one..."
The captain's normally bored expression had a dangerous glint to them as he turned. "Little one?" he repeated.
Rukia froze with Renji, while Ichigo clearly didn't recognize the danger he was in.
"Er... I didn't catch your name."
"Hitsugaya Toushiro taichou da."
In the shinigami sub's class, she smiled. She'd known even then something would develop between the two. There was just something between them... though, many said that about her and Ichigo. She doubted very much the same people would have guessed the human would be the one to bring all three of them together.
Toushiro stared out the window, not out of boredom as he'd proven his first day, but because he already knew everything the teacher was going over. Said teacher had tried to get him in an advanced class, but the incognito taichou would have none of it. It would render his visits useless if he did, though Rukia was a bit unsure as to why he came to class with them. She bet he didn't handle real boredom well. Or Isshin.
Ichigo, on the other hand, paid careful attention to the woman's words, though jotted down few notes. He must be one of those jackasses with a good memory, Rukia decided.
Toushiro was the first to notice. He would be, even without Ichigo's attention elsewhere. It wasn't like her to daydream in class. In the case there was no enemy to run after, she usually paid almost as much attention as the shinigami sub- not everyone was a frickin' genius. But the one in the room that was had his cool gaze set on her, and when her violet eyes met his, she smiled at his arched eyebrow. Rukia was fully aware she was acting strange, and knew the taichou would call her on it as soon as class was done.
He would have to wait, though. They both would. As soon as Toushiro pointed it out to him, Ichigo would notice her behavior as well, and she had no intention of filling them in until thier normal 'study session' after school in the human's room.
While she had put her foot down (the middle of Ichigo's backside), niether male had been too impressed to hear thier girlfriend was keeping a secret from them. But with her promise that she would definately tell them after classes, they'd (reluctantly) backed down.
Now, in said human's room, both men were staring her down while she sat contently on the bed.
"Well, Rukia?" Ichigo asked.
"Well, what?" she replied.
"You are aware of what," the taichou added.
"You said you'd tell us why you were actin' funny today," the taller male added.
"I did," she agreed. "But I didn't specify before or after dinner."
"Rukia!" the hazel eyed teen exclaimed; the shorter sighed.
The woman did as well. "I'm... not sure how to say it."
"Just blurt it out already!"
She cautiously looked up at the two pairs of eyes on her. "I'm pregnant."
""You're... what?"
"Pregnant, Kurosaki."
"I know what she said!"
"Rukia," the taichou said calmly, ignoring the seething male beside him. "Do you have any idea-"
"No," she replied, knowing full well what the question was. "The last few times we had sex... Well, it could be either of yours." She knew as well the tensai had not asked out of any curiousity, this baby was thiers no matter who's DNA made it up physically. Toushiro was a taichou, had gone though quite a bit to keep the fact three of them were together from anyone else. Rukia wasn't entirely sure even Matsumoto knew. If the chotaichou got wind of this, it could end... badly.
Ichigo was still processing her original statement. It had to especially be a shock for him. The possiblilty had likely crossed the taichou's mind once or twice, while Ichigo... Well, Ichigo was only sixteen, despite all the maturity he showed for his age. Little young to be playing daddy, let alone being a daddy.
"So I've thought about this," she said as evenly as she could, avoiding both thier eyes. "A baby would... complicate things. I think it's best if I-"
"Don't even finish that thought, Kuchiki," Hitsugaya warned her.
"Seriously, Rukia, we can handle this," Ichigo agreed.
"Are... you sure?"
The two men shared a cocky grin. "Positive."
The woman sighed. No, they really didn't. She had yet to tell her brother, and they obviously hadn't thought of that yet. Toushiro would probably get there first, after he-
"Have you seen Unohana-taichou?"
-made sure she'd had some medical attention. "Yes, I confirmed my 'stomach flu' with her... Ichigo, what's wrong?"
At the sound of the word 'taichou,' he'd stiffened. "Rukia... have you... talked to your... brother?"
Huh. Berry got a brain. "Not as of yet," she replied.
"Just how much does he know?" Toushiro asked. Worry looked alien on him.
"Nothing," she replied, and the worry on both deepened, almost to... fear. "Are you two really that afraid of Nii-sama?" she asked.
"Not afraid," the taichou quickly recovered. "But you know he won't react well to this."
"I know. I was going to tell him tonight."
"You'll do it without us there, right?"
"I think that would likely invoke his anger more, Kurosaki."
"I agree with Toushiro. He's less likely to kill you if you have to balls to tell him with me."
"Just 'less likely?'" Ichigo asked.
"This from the one who's actually kicked his ass," the other male scoffed.
"Hey! It's Rukia's brother! I can't just go beating on him; she'd get pissed!"
"Aw, you care so much what I think?" she asked coyly.
A bright blush crossed the taller male's face, frown still in place and arms folded. Teenage emotions are so much fun to screw with. "How could I not?" he mumbled.
Maybe there was some hope for these guys.
"I'm going back now," she said, standing. "Unohana-taichou said using my gigai could slow the baby's growth, so I guess I'll just be in Soul Society for awhile."
"Everyone gonna forget about you again?"
"No, Ichigo, believe it or not, I went to the office this morning; that's why I was late to homeroom. I'm just taking a little vacation with my family."
"For exactly nine months? They probably saw right through that."
"Nine months? What are you on about?"
Toushiro chuckled. Ichigo knew human laws and protocol, Rukia the shinigami same, but he was usually the only one who knew both. "That's how long human women are usually with child. Kurosaki, Rukia's likely only going to be gone four."
"I told them five, just in case," she said.
"Wait, only four?" the shinigami sub asked. "Why?"
"A baby feeds off its parent's spirit energy. No matter which of us is the genetic father, both of ours and Rukia's is relatively high, therefore it will grow quickly." He shot a meaningful look at the other male. "Even more so if both parents are around."
"But we don't even know-"
"I know, Kurosaki. But it wouldn't kill you to spend some time in Soul Society."
"Says the guy who doesn't have Zaraki up his ass every hour of the day!" the other snapped. "Hey, wait a minute," he added. "If the baby feeds off its parent's spirit energy, and if its... it won't be like...?" He couldn't finish the thought, but added, "I wouldn't wish this existence on my worst enemy, let alone my kid."
"Get a grip, Kurosaki. No matter, the kid'll be able to handle themself."
Rukia smiled in agreement. "Dinner's at 6:30," she said, climbing out the window. "Don't be late!"
"Easy for her to say," Ichigo mumbled, casting a look at the tensai. He didn't look much better. "Why do you look so depressed? Byakuya'll probably insist you marry her."
A white eyebrow arched. "What?"
"She's a fucking noble, Toushiro. You really think we're going to make it out of that meal without that conversation?"
As much as it pained him to admit it... "You're probably right." But he had a bad feeling...
"I know I'm right," came the quiet reply.
He didn't dare look at the orange haired teen- his reiatsu was depressing enough. "We're not bringing it up unless he does. Understand?"
"Yea." Those hazel eyes had closed, he swallowed hard; Toushiro was fairly certain the other was attempting not to shed tears. Well, he could help with that, this needed to be done anyway.
"Come on, get out of your body; we're going too."
"We are? It's only 4:30."
"You are not attending dinner with Rukia's brother in your shihaikusho."
An amused expression crossed the other's face. "You taking me shopping, Toushiro?"
"No. Matsumoto is."
"And just what in the hell did I do to deserve that?"
irhirhirhirhirhirhirh
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"Ichigo-kun! Over here!"
Said shinigami sub sighed. They'd long finished shopping for him; now she was dragging him all over the jewelery counter. "Rangiku-san, we really do need to-"
"Just this one last thing! Pretty please?"
"Fine, but this is it! I can't be late, you know- Wow," he stopped his rant suddenly, hazel eyes on what the fukutaichou was pointing to. It was a butterfly pendant- carved of some dark stone, probably onyx. Red stones had been stuck in it along the sides of it's wings.
"Doesn't it just scream for Rukia-san?" the woman giggled.
"Oh, no," Ichigo said. "If I get her something without even telling Toushiro first, he'll rip me a new one." It was silent understanding the two had- they didn't try to out do each other, and one always gave the other notification before giving gifts.
"Oh, fine, be that way. I was just trying to help."
"Then help me get back to Toushiro's so I can change and not be late!"
"Sheesh, so crabby."
irhirhirhirhirhirhirh
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"Kurosaki."
"What?" was the alarmed reply.
"Do yourself a favor. Calm the fuck down. You're going to give yourself a heart attack."
There was no reply, not even a smartass remark about shinigami having heart attacks. Was he really that worried? The tensai took a long look at the taller while he figured out his obi. Orange eyebrows were furrowed, much more than what was needed for a piece of clothing.
Toushiro, as well as Rukia, knew Ichigo saw himself as a monster. A monster that kept himself in check 99.9 percent of the time, but still a monster. Byakuya knew about his 'dirty little secret' as well, or so the teen had said. But it wasn't just this dinner that had him preoccupied. It was this whole situation, it had to be. Ichigo was about to get a whole second life, and possibly have to be 'Uncle Ichigo' to his own kid- it wasn't right. The tensai bit his lip. The shinigami sub had already made up his mind, and he himself had given his word. If it really came down to it, he'd marry Rukia, but he didn't have to be happy about leaving Ichigo out of it.
"Dammit, Kurosaki," Toushiro finally said, walking over to him and taking the obi from his hands. "Can't even fucking dress yourself."
"Shuddup," was the half hearted retort. "I'm not used to this shit, ok?"
"Humans dress this way for festivals and such, don't they?" the tensai questioned, letting his thumbs slide along the thin fabric, right against the other's side.
"I haven't been to one of those like that since I was Karin and Yuzu's age. Toushiro... whatta doing?"
"I'm getting your damn obi tied, what does it look like?"
"You're behind me, I dunno what it looks like, but it feels like you're- oh..." he trailed off, the shorter's hands langidly reaching inside the shinigami sub's kimono, just under the now-tied obi. "Toushiro... is this really the time to...?"
"I've heard this is good for stress relief, you definately need that now."
Only a moan sounded from the taller, reaching his own hands out to the wall in front of him to keep his balance.
"We still have plenty of time, don't worry."
"Fuck, Toushiro..."
"Not quite that much time."
"Shit, 'Shiro..."
"Relax, Ichigo." He could feel the hazel eyed male's hips start to buck against his hands- he was getting close already, he must've needed it more than the taichou realized.
"'Shiro, fuck, I'm... fuck..."
"Go ahead, Ichigo."
He came soundlessly, the other continued to pump him through the orgasm until he was suddering. Toushiro licked his lover's cum off his fingers while the other caught his breath. Out of nowhere, the teen stated, "I ain't cleaning that up."
"It's your mess," came the annoyed reply.
"Which is who's fault?"
"There's towels in the bathroom."
"You're such an ass."
"Be quick about it, we have to go soon."
"Right, right."
Toushiro sighed, watching him go. Of the three of them, Ichigo was the most annoying, loud, and (he'd never admit this aloud) strongest of the three of them. Pshyically, anyway. Emotionally, he had a strong resolve, but other than that, he was a total mess. He felt for him a bit. Poor guy's head probably was a mess.
He himself hadn't let the full situation sink in yet, he knew he hadn't, but he couldn't, not yet. There was still too much to take care of.
irhirhirhirhirhirhirh
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They felt Byakuya before they saw him.
Ten feet from the mansion.
"I'm going home now," Ichigo announced; Toushiro grabbed his wrist before he finished turning away.
"Grow a set, will you? She probably just told him, so some support would be good now." Or so he was telling himself.
"Why would she tell him without us there?"
"Probably to punish us."
"What did we do?"
"Only one of us did something; she just doesn't know who yet."
"We're getting punished cus she's pregnant?"
"I've heard nasty things about pregnancy and childbirth, Kurosaki."
"Shit... you're right."
"And she'll have to go on leave, at least for awhile. That shouldn't be a problem, considering the influance her family has, though. And speaking of whom, look who's waving at us from the door."
Indeed, amist the dismal atmosphere stood Rukia, happily greeting the two as if not a care in the world. "Oh, good! You're on time!"
"Of course we are," the shorter male scoffed. She lead them into the dining room, where the 6th Division taichou sat, silently seething. The woman plopped down at the table, patting the seats on either side of her.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, Hitsugaya Toushiro-taichou," Byakuya greeted them.
"Kuchiki-taichou," the tensai stepped in before the shinigami sub. "Thank you for having us."
The noble nodded, and the two took thier seats.
What followed was the most awkward dinner in the history of dinners.
Rukia chatted happily to all three males, obvious that anything horribly bad could come of this situation. He was her Nii-sama, after all; he wouldn't do anything like that, right?
Her lovers eyed each other and the other male warily. Byakuya made no inclination of doing anything until the meal was over. He cleared his throat suddenly, his sister stopped talking, and began looking at him curiously. Obviously, she had not expected him to say anything tonight.
"Rukia has told me of your... arrangement," he stated. "I cannot say I approve."
"Nii-sama-"
"Do not interupt me, Rukia."
Worry laced her violet eyes. "Yes, Nii-sama."
"And now with an infant involved, I wish to know only one thing: Which of you plans to marry her?"
"Nii-sama! You can't really expect-"
"How can I not expect that, Rukia? You are a woman of privledge, and to be behaving this way in the first place is unbecoming. I am allowing you to chose; be thankful for that."
"Nii-sama...," tears filled her eyes. "How could I...?"
The two on either side of her couldn't stand to watch the scene unfold any longer. Both reached out an arm to catch her faltering figure, and Ichigo helped lean her onto Toushiro. "Don't worry, Rukia," the taller male tried to console her. "You don't have to. We already did."
She turned to look up at him from the tensai's arms. "What? You decided...?"
"We saw this coming a mile away. And the three of us know who the better choice is."
"But Ichigo-"
"Don't worry," he said with a weak smile. "I know it's for show."
"Hn, that is a relief," the 6th Squad taichou said.
"Nii-sama, you're heartless."
"Am I?" he questioned. "I do this for you, for your own good."
"I don't see how this is for my own good, especially when I don't know which one's her father."
"Her?" both her lovers looked at the woman questioningly.
"It's a girl," Rukia said with a soft smile on her lips. "Trust me."
"How can you know that already?" Ichigo asked.
"'Mother's instinct' has a whole new meaning here, Kurosaki."
"Yeah? Then how come you can't-"
"Shut up, Ichigo."
"Yes 'mam," the shinigami sub mumbled, suddenly again aware of who was watching the entire conversation.
The noble merely stood, and just before leaving said, "I suggest you aim for a speedy wedding, before she starts to show."
Both the other males stuck out thier tongues at him when his back was turned and left.
"So... how long before..." Ichigo trailed off.
"We have weeks, maybe," Toushiro said. "And at least one would be due notice."
Rukia sighed. "I can pull rank and probably get invitations done in a couple days... Ichigo, you're sure...?"
"I'm good, Midget, don't worry."
"I don't believe you."
"Nor should you," the tensai smirked. "But let's humor him for now, shall we?"
"I suppose," she replied with a roll of her eyes. "How are we going to get all those invitations out?"
"Who ya gonna invite?" the orange haired male asked.
"A shorter list is who's not invited," the woman sighed.
"The entirety of Seiretei? You're kidding, right? I think I'll just hide under your dress that day."
"The hell you will, Kurosaki. You'll have shit to do."
"Will I?"
"Who do you think I'm going to get to be my best man? Hinamori? Matsumoto, maybe?"
"Matsumoto would be funny."
"And is not happening."
Ichigo chuckled. "I know how you can get those invites out quickly, too," he realized.
"Can you now?" the woman asked.
"Yeah. You got the guy with the fastest bankai in either world playing messenger boy."
"Ichigo-"
"It's not a problem."
Rukia sighed. "If you insist. It's going to be a lot of invitations. I'll make some calls in the morning; I'm too tired now."
The taller male reached his arms around her; the tensai slowly released her to the other, allowing the other to pick her up. "Which room's yours?"
It was Toushiro who answered. "Second hallway, four door on the right."
"Having fun without me, huh?" Ichigo accused.
"Don't even try to pretend you and Rukia don't in the living world."
"... You have me there."
Hitsugaya opened the door so Ichigo could walk in and lay an already-dosing Rukia on her futon. He pulled the covers over himself as well, and the tensai didn't wait for an invitation- he was already getting comfortable on the woman's other side.
"Night, Toushiro," he smirked.
"Good night," was the muttered reply, and all three were soon sound asleep in each other's warmth.