Disclaimer: This is my ELEVENTH time to put this (because I now have eleven stories that are all Bleach
Disclaimer: This is my ELEVENTH time to put this (because I now have eleven stories that are all Bleach. Hey for some, it's probably their twentieth time.) So look, I don't own it, ok?? I mean, it would be sweet if I did, I'm not gonna lie, but I just don't.
Ch. Quatro (did I spell that right? Quatro?) Anyway, what do you know? Ch.4!! Yay! A much better chapter than the last I think.
Offspring
IV The Innocence of a Child
"Ok Hajime-kun, now hold out your right hand for me." Unohana instructed with kindness. Rukia stood against the wall, watching her son's reaction to everything.
"His blood pressure is fine. Do you want him to take the influenza shot?" Unohana asked. Hajime's face looked terror-filled.
"Yes, that's fine." Rukia replied. Hajime stared at Rukia with fear.
"Do I have to mommy?" Hajime whined. Rukia smiled and walked over to her son.
"You know all the captains get shots, even daddy, and they don't complain one bit." Rukia replied. She could tell the words helped ease him, but still, he continued with more pestering questions.
"What about you mommy?" Hajime asked. Rukia nodded.
"Of course. I have to stay tough in order to fight the hollows." She replied with a smile.
"What about…Bya-kun?"
"He's a captain, so yes."
"And Renji?"
"Yes, him too."
"And grandpa?"
"Yes Haji, grandpa too. Everyone gets shots, because they want to be strong." Rukia replied.
Hajime finally stopped asking his questions, and looked at Unohana who had the needle in her hand.
"It won't hurt one bit Hajime-kun, I promise." Unohana said sweetly. Hajime turned to look at Rukia.
"Just look at me and you won't even feel the pain." Rukia whispered to him. Hajime nodded and gulped loudly, keeping his eyes glued to Rukia's. It was strange to stare into her own eyes, although they were Hajime's. His violet eyes seemed a little brighter than hers though.
She tried not to chuckle when the he squeezed his violet eyes shut dramatically, gritting his little teeth together. Even after Unohana pulled the needle out, Hajime kept the pained expression.
"It's done now Hajime-kun. You did wonderful, better than some of the captains actually." Unohana added. Hajime smiled, the pained look gone.
"Really? A captain?" Hajime repeated.
"Yes, daddy will be so proud." Rukia said to him. He grinned and gave Rukia a small hug.
Hajime continued to smile, and even caused Unohana to chuckle lightly. "Well, you're done here Hajime-kun, but I do need to talk to your mother for a minute." Unohana said. Hajime frowned for a minute, and made a whiny noise.
"If you behave then I'll make you a Chappy ice cream sundae when we get home." Rukia added.
Hajime's face once again brightened up, and he nodded his head repeatedly. "Ok I'll behave!" He shouted happily. Rukia smiled at him, handed him one of his toys she had for him, and turned to Unohana.
"Is everything alright with him?" Rukia asked in a more hushed voice. Unohana nodded.
"Hajime-kun's health is great. He's eating the right foods, and staying active and exercising, but there is something I need to tell you about." Unohana said in a serious tone. Rukia nodded, waiting for what the wise woman would say.
"Remember when you were pregnant with Hajime-kun and you had strange bounces of reiatsu?" Unohana asked. Rukia nodded, not fully understanding where she was going.
"Well, Hajime-kun is going to experience a similar occurrence. It happens to all children born in Soul Society." Unohana paused before continuing on, and Rukia just nodded like before. "There comes a certain age for a young child, particularly the age of four to five, where the real reiatsu starts to form in his body. In a way it's a lot like losing teeth. When a child reaches a certain age, the baby teeth fall out, and are replaced with newer and stronger teeth. It's the same thing with his reiatsu. The baby reiatsu I guess you could call it is evaporating in a way, and the real reiatsu he'll have for the rest of his life is coming."
"So why is his reiatsu going to be bouncing at strange intervals like mine did?" Rukia asked.
"Because it is uncontrolled. He's far too young to control it, and he won't be able to until he's at least a teenager. We had a big problem with it centuries ago, because we had no way of controlling it. You can imagine how Soul Society was with hollows any time a child was born."
Rukia nodded. "Hajime can't take the tablets I used to take though, right?" Rukia asked. Unohana shook her head.
"No, we have something much simpler for him." Unohana reached behind her and pulled out what looked to be a packet of some sort.
"This is a mix you pour into his drink. Just pour it in first thing in the morning when he eats breakfast, and his reiatsu will be sealed."
"Will it taste funny?" Rukia asked. Unohana shook her head ago.
"No, it is tasteless and can be used with any sort of drink. It is important you start giving it to him now, before the reiatsu comes. He'll have to take it for the rest of his life until he is old enough to control his reiatsu."
Rukia just shook her head. "And it's completely safe? No side effects?"
"Nope, no side effects at all. I don't know if it will make you feel any better, but the previous twelfth division captain, Urahara Kisuke made the stuff, and you of all people should know that his inventions are very durable." Unohana replied.
It did make Rukia feel better knowing that Urahara made the powder, and she trusted Unohana.
"Alright, every morning you said?" Rukia asked. Unohana nodded with a smile.
"Yep, now he has about a month or so I'd say before the reiatsu comes, but just in case, give it to him now" Unohana repeated.
"Can we go now mommy?" Hajime whined. Rukia smiled.
"Yes Haji, let's go home." Rukia replied. Unohana walked them to the door and waved them goodbye.
"Don't forget Rukia-san, it's very important. Make sure your husband is aware of it too." Unohana suggested.
"Alright, well we'll see you in a few months." Rukia replied and walked towards the door, Hajime's hand connected to hers. Before they reached the door, she felt a pulling at her side.
"Look mommy! Renji-kun's here!" Hajime shouted. Rukia turned her head, confused as to why Renji would be at the fourth division.
It was quite soon that she knew why.
His kimono was torn from his right shoulder to his chest, blood covering everywhere. She didn't want Hajime seeing the blood, but witnessing Renji so injured got her worried.
Rukia lifted Hajime into her arms. "Close your eyes Haji." Rukia demanded.
"Aw why mommy?" Hajime whined.
"Don't argue with me, just do it." Rukia said with a more serious tone. Hajime groaned again and covered his eyes. Without glancing at the other people in the fourth division, Rukia stepped into the room assorted with small beds, Renji being fairly close to the middle.
"Renji, what happened?" Rukia asked, making sure Hajime's eyes were still covered. Renji chuckled, not even surprised to see Rukia, and then winced at the pain it caused him. Hanatarou was wrapping tending to the wound.
"A hollow attacked our division, and I had to step in the way when one of the newbies got too scared. I didn't have time to pull out my sword, so this is what happened." Renji muttered through pain. She could tell he was a little angry, and she hoped it wasn't because of the shinigami.
"Well don't be too hard on whoever it was that you had to defend. I'm sure they're feeling really guilty right now." Rukia replied, thinking it looked so out of place to see red on his white captain's haori.
"What are you and Hajime doin here anyway?" Renji asked, concentrating ahead as some medicine was rubbed onto his wound. Rukia covered Hajime's eyes before he moved his hands, knowing that hearing his name would surely catch his attention.
"Why can't I look mommy?" Hajime asked.
"Because Renji doesn't want you to see him so sad." Rukia replied. Hajime's mouth curved into a frown.
"I'm sorry Renji-kun. I hope you feel better." Hajime said sweetly. Rukia smiled at her son for being so sweet, and was glad it helped Renji to smile too.
"Hajime had a doctor's appointment with Unohana, you know, just a precautionary check-up." Rukia said.
"Alright, well you two get going, and don't worry about me, you know I've taken worse attacks." Renji said with a light grin. Rukia grinned back, knowing it was the truth. She couldn't help but worry when she saw him injured though, or anyone close to her.
Especially Ichigo.
"Take it easy for a little while Renji, and just relax." Rukia replied.
"Say goodbye to Renji-kun." Rukia whispered to Hajime. He waved his hand around, since Rukia's hand was still covering his face.
"Bye Renji-kun! Feel better so I can look at you!" Hajime called out. Renji chuckled.
"I'll see you soon squirt, well go snake hunting soon." Renji replied. Rukia threw him an exasperated look before turning around and leaving.
When Hajime and Rukia finally reached the outside of the building, she removed her hand from his face and set him on the ground.
"Can I get a Chappy ice cream sundae now?" Hajime whined. Rukia smiled at him.
"Yes, we can go home and get you some ice cream. You were awesome today with Unohana-san. I'll bet you're her best patient." Rukia replied. Hajime laughed.
"Better than daddy?" Hajime said with a laugh. Rukia laughed too, thinking of the deep frown that came upon his face at the word shot.
"Pretty close." Rukia replied. "Now climb on my back so we can go home."
Once she felt Hajime's arms holding onto her shoulders, Rukia grabbed his tiny little ankles, making sure she had a good grasp on them before rushing home. Hajime laughed as the wind hit his face, asking her to go faster as he always did.
It was Sunday, one of the first days of March. Rukia didn't favor March all too much, because it meant the end of winter was approaching, her favorite season. She loved dressing Hajime up in winter clothes, complete with scarves, mittens, and of course Chappy bunny head coverings (bunny ears and all). Ichigo didn't like it all much, saying it was a little girl for a boy, but Rukia disagreed, as well as Isshin, Yuzu, Karin, and everyone else that saw him.
Getting home was such a relief when Rukia opened the door to see Ichigo standing in the living room, his vice captain next to him.
"What are you two doing here?" Rukia asked. Hajime jumped off of Rukia's back and ran to Ichigo, jumping up in his arms as Ichigo caught him. Izuru smiled from behind.
"He really does look like you captain." Izuru stated. Rukia smiled and walked further into the house.
"I was looking for an envelope I thought I left here. Yamamoto hasn't given us much paperwork lately, and then the one thing he does need is something I can't even find, how typical." Ichigo mumbled while Hajime hugged him tightly.
"Tell him mommy!" Hajime said excitedly.
"Tell him what?" Rukia asked. Hajime grinned widely at Ichigo.
"Tell daddy how good I was!"
Rukia chuckled. "Oh of course. Haji was so good at the doctor, he even got a shot like all the big captains."
Ichigo raised his eyebrows at his son. "Is that so? Well I'm proud of you squirt."
"Mommy said I was tougher than you." Hajime said with a mischievous grin. Ichigo tore his gaze to Rukia who was smiling.
"No Haji, I said you were pretty close." Rukia corrected. Hajime just dug his head into Ichigo's shoulder, and Rukia knew he was probably smiling.
"So you think you're tougher than me eh? Well, when I get home I'll have to challenge you to that." Ichigo replied, setting Hajime down.
"Come on Haji, daddy has to take care of work." Rukia said. Hajime frowned but walked into the kitchen with a sudden beam, probably remembering the ice cream sundae he was getting.
"You should check my desk upstairs. I think there a few things of yours up there." Rukia said before walking into the kitchen. Ichigo smiled at her and nodded before turning his attention back to his vice captain.
Rukia fixed Hajime's ice cream sundae following, highly amused at the huge mess he made. She was definitely going to have to give him a bath. Remembering that Matsumoto and Hinamori would be coming over, Rukia knew she would have to hurry.
Ichigo walked into the kitchen before leaving. "Did you find what you were looking for?" Rukia asked. Ichigo shook his head.
"No. I think we can get a copy from someone else of what we need. It's not that huge of a deal. Anyway, I'll be home around seven or so." Ichigo replied, stealing a quick kiss from Rukia when Hajime wasn't looking.
"By kiddo, I'll see you later ok?" Ichigo asked, ruffling Hajime's ice cream filled hair. Hajime grinned.
"Bye daddy!" Hajime called out. Rukia smiled when Ichigo tried wiping his dirtied hand off with a napkin before heading out the door.
After Hajime finished his ice cream, Rukia gave him a quick bath, cleaning him from head to toe of the ice cream. Matsumoto and Hinamori came over only minutes after Hajime was all dry and changed.
"Rukia-san! How are you?" Matsumoto cried as she walked into the doorway, a dazzling smile on her lips. Hinamori walked in after her, a polite and softer look on her face.
"I'm good Matsumoto-san, how about you?" Rukia asked. Matsumoto shrugged her shoulders.
"Just glad to have the Sunday off, and you?" Matsumoto asked.
"Same here, though it's not much of a break." Rukia replied, letting her eyes fall on the little boy next to her.
"How about you Hinamori-san?" Rukia asked. Hinamori smiled weakly.
"I'm doing good, just glad to be visiting you. It feels like it's been a while." Hinamori replied. When Rukia felt something tug her kimono, she glanced down at her leg.
"Can you pick me up mommy?" Hajime asked. Rukia sighed and lifted him up, knowing he probably wanted to say hello to Matsumoto and Hinamori.
"Hajime-kun, how are you?" Matsumoto asked sweetly. Hajime grinned back, and suddenly, his eyes fell to her chest area, the smile fading.
"How come you're so big?" Hajime suddenly asked. There was a sudden awkward silence, as Rukia was surprised by his question.
Matsumoto suddenly laughed, a long with Hinamori. "They're just made that way kiddo!" Matsumoto recovered. Rukia laughed too.
"You don't ask questions like that Haji, it's rude." Rukia whispered to him. Hajime nodded, looking a little bit less excited than before.
"Are you sleepy?" Rukia asked. Hajime hesitated before nodding. He'd been up early that morning with her since he had to go to the doctor, and knew he would probably need a nap.
"Let me just go put him in his bed and I'll be right back." Rukia told Matsumoto and Hinamori. Rukia could hear them both laughing as she climbed the stairs to Hajime's room, and couldn't help but smile herself.
He was just a child after all. His questions weren't intended to be rude, he was just curious.
Hajime did not put up a fight as he snuggled into his blanket. "I'm surprised he's not jumping up and down from the ice cream he just had." Rukia mumbled to herself.
Turning from the room, Rukia shut the door half way as she always did. She never shut the door wall the way, because it scared her too much. It was just easier if the door was open some. It made her feel a little more comfortable.
When Rukia reached the bottom of the stairs, Hinamori and Matsumoto were both sitting on one of the couches chatting.
"I'm sorry about that Matsumoto-san. Sometimes his mind speaks for himself." Rukia said as she took a seat next to him. Matsumoto laughed.
"Oh don't worry about it, I'll try to cover them up some more when I'm around the little guy. Sometimes I forget how innocent kids can be." Matsumoto replied staring down at her large and in charge chest. Hinamori rolled her eyes.
"It's not like you've ever been around enough kids to know how they really act." Hinamori stated. Matsumoto looked at her accusingly.
"You weren't the only one who knew Hitsugaya when he was a child. I knew him too." Matsumoto snapped back.
"Actually, I've known him much longer than you have, and Toshirou wasn't that young when you met him." Hinamori mumbled.
"So how are your divisions?" Rukia asked as she got more comfortable on the couch.
"Mine is ok I guess. Renji-san, or I mean, Abarai-taichou is a pretty good captain. He got injured today when a hollow attacked the division. Some poor little newbie tried to stand up to the hollow, only to freeze on the spot. Abarai-taichou had to jump in the way so the hollow wouldn't kill the guy, and he got injured." Hinamori stated.
"I saw him at the fourth. He looked pretty rough, but he's had much worse injuries." Rukia replied with a smile.
"He's pretty crazy, but nothing like Zaraki Kenpachi. I'm just glad that Yachiru-chan will always be his vice captain, otherwise I'd be scared of getting transferred to his division."
"And you don't have to call him taichou you know, at least not around us. It's still hard for me to see Renji as a captain." Rukia stated.
"What about your own husband? Is it easier for you to accept that he's a captain?" Matsumoto asked. Rukia shrugged her shoulders.
"It's been a lot easier to accept, because things come so naturally for him in this world. I was a little surprised that they wanted him to be captain so quickly, but it was only because of the circumstances going on at that time." Rukia replied.
"I understand that. It's strange that you and I went to the academy with Renji-san, and now he's a captain." Hinamori mumbled. Rukia nodded along with her.
"Well if you're both wondering, absolutely nothing has changed in the tenth division, though Hitsugaya's been a little…nicer lately." Matsumoto stated. The words caught Hinamori's attention.
"What do you mean?" Hinamori asked curiously. Rukia watched the two exchanged facial expressions, confused as to what could be so interesting.
"He's just smiling a little more, and zoning out almost as much as I do, which I thought would never happen. Things still get done on time, but not as fast as they used to. I have an idea of what might be on his mind, but I'm not too sure." Matsumoto said.
"Smiling more? That is odd." Hinamori replied.
"Do you think?" Matsumoto asked.
"There's a girl?" Hinamori finished.
They both clasped their hands together, squealing. "That could only explain it!" Matsumoto exclaimed.
Rukia was puzzled. How would he…smiling a little more and…zoning out make him interested in a girl? Then again, the women before her knew Hitsugaya Toshirou like the back of their hand, and he did tend to be a little on the dull side when she ever saw him.
He didn't look like a child any longer, in fact, he was much taller than Rukia now, probably about the same height as Ichigo.
"You'll have to ask Hinamori. He won't say anything to me." Matsumoto stated. Hinamori nodded.
"I'll try and see what I can do!" Hinamori replied.
They turned their attention back to Rukia. "So how are things with the husband?" Matsumoto asked. Rukia sighed.
Of course they would ask that.
"Good, why?" Rukia replied. Matsumoto grinned with amusement.
"I don't want a good Rukia, I want details." Matsumoto demanded. Rukia had to remember that they weren't married, and were always curious about how the life of a husband and wife worked.
"Ichigo's good to me and Hajime, that's the end of it." Rukia mumbled. They always wanted to pry into her life with him, wanting to know the more intimate parts of their relationship.
"How are things…in bed?" Matsumoto asked. Hinamori never asked the questions, but she always looked just as inquisitive as Matsumoto.
"It's wonderful, like always." Rukia shot back, closing her eyes to look away. It embarrassed her a little, even if she'd been married to Ichigo for a while.
"So what, still getting it on three times a week? Or is it two now?" Matsumoto asked. Rukia was blushing, and she knew it.
"Why do you need to know?" Rukia asked. Hinamori and Matsumoto laughed.
"Because we want to keep everything in check girl! You know we won't say anything to anyone."
And it was true. As shocked and surprised as Rukia was, Matsumoto never said anything about whatever Rukia told her, especially anything about Ichigo. That's why Matsumoto had become such a good friend to her. She was great at giving advice, and even knew how to get Rukia to talk deep to her, which was something hard to achieve.
Hinamori was on the softer side, and reminded Rukia of Inoue in a lot of ways.
"We had intercourse three times last week, but all three times weren't for very long."
"How long?" Matsumoto asked.
"Probably about fifteen minutes each." Rukia mumbled back.
"Oh please Rukia-san! That's still wonderful! The fact that Ichigo-san is putting effort into it is the real important part. If he didn't want you then he wouldn't try." Matsumoto said bravely.
Rukia never suspected there was ever a problem with Ichigo. He was always the same to her, arguing and bantering her all the time in public, but affectionate to her at times when they were alone. Matsumoto just liked to check in on how they were doing, though Ichigo didn't know about any of it.
"That's great Rukia-san. I wish I could be as happy as you." Hinamori replied.
Rukia grunted. "Sure, my family life is doing well, but you forgot to ask me about my division."
Both Matsumoto and Hinamori frowned. "What's that jerk of a captain doing now?" Hinamori asked with concern.
"It's not that he's a jerk, it's just," Rukia paused, trying to think of the right words. "He's so demanding, never letting me make a suggestion or comment. He throws me the work I need, and that's it. I just miss Ukitake-taichou. He's always so kind and understanding, not overpowering and rude."
Matsumoto shook her head. "I don't know why Yamamoto-taichou insisted on bringing in another guy. You could handle it just fine."
"Well it doesn't matter what I think does it? After what he said to my son the first time I met him, I immediately lost the desire to be friendly to him." Rukia replied.
"Just hang in there, and just be glad it's only temporarily. Ukitake-taichou is doing well right?" Hinamori asked.
Rukia smiled. "The medicine is working wonders on him. Only two more months and he'll be back as my captain."
"That's good to hear." Hinamori replied.
"So what does Ichigo-san think of your new captain?" Matsumoto asked.
Rukia sighed. "He still hasn't properly met him since there hasn't been any captain's meetings in the last few months. We have one coming up though. By what I've said to Ichigo, he doesn't like the man, because of what he said to Hajime, and because of how he's treating the division. Ichigo is so opposite with his division, more care free, kind of like Ukitake-taichou, so it's hard for him to agree with what Yokishima-taichou does." Rukia finished.
"Well I do hope things get better." Hinamori said with a smile. Matsumoto looked at the clock.
"As much as we'd love to stay, Hinamori here is going to help me with one of my kidou spells. Hitsugaya was very displeased with how badly my aim was." Matsumoto grumbled. Hinamori laughed.
"That's why I'm here, to help keep you in line." Hinamori said as she and Matsumoto rose to their feet.
Rukia walked them to the door. "Take care Rukia-san, and we'll come visit as soon as we can. You better have a better story for me though about your husband. I was not satisfied with the lack of details." Matsumoto muttered. Rukia smiled.
"I'll do my best."
Once they were gone, Rukia shut the door and walked inside. It wasn't very late in the after noon, so Rukia decided to clean since she had nothing better to do.
It was late at night when Ichigo finally arrived home, about eleven o'clock.
"Rukia's gonna kill me." Ichigo muttered to himself as he climbed the stairs slowly, being careful not to wake up Hajime.
When he opened the door to his bedroom, he was surprised to see Rukia already asleep on the bed. She usually waited up for him, but perhaps she was tired.
Gently and slowly, Ichigo shook Rukia's shoulder. She stirred from her sleep groggily and turned to him.
"Ichi…go?" Rukia whispered sleepily. Ichigo smiled down at her. He loved seeing Rukia hazy from sleeping.
"Yah, sorry it's so late. Yamamoto finally decided to give us paperwork, and it was about an hour before I was leaving to go home." Ichigo whispered. Rukia smiled at him.
"It's ok, just try not to do it again. Haji was pretty disappointed since you didn't get to battle with him…or what ever fun thing you were planning on doing." Rukia replied. Ichigo reached down and kissed her softly.
"I don't think I have to go to the division tomorrow since I didn't have today, so I'll watch him." Ichigo replied.
"Good, because I have to go in and deal with my stupid captain." Rukia grumbled. Ichigo didn't like to hear her talking about that captain of hers. He hadn't met the man, and Ichigo didn't know if he wanted to.
"Well go back to sleep then. I don't want you tired at work tomorrow." Ichigo replied as he stood up to change. Rukia waited for him to come and lay down with her.
Once he was next to her, she wrapped her hands around his neck, and he placed his hands on her waist, pulling her closer. "I hate when you have to work so late." Rukia mumbled as she took a quick kiss from him.
"Trust me, I don't like it too much either, but tomorrow will be nice. Hopefully you won't have to work too late." Ichigo replied.
Rukia was already closing her eyes as Ichigo finished his sentence. "Good night." He whispered to her, and kissed her on the head.
"Oh, I need to tell you something about Hajime tomorrow morning, don't let me forget." Rukia whispered sleepily. The words came out slowly.
"Ok, I won't." Ichigo replied, closing his own eyes. He was curious as to what Rukia would have to say to him, but decided it would have to wait until morning.
A/N: Woo! That was a looong chapter. 4,675 words. Sorry if it was too long, I just kept writing and writing, and when I realized it was like 12 pages on Word, I thought "I might need to end this chapter soon" so hopefully it was enjoyable. There was much more Haji, so that should make you all happy, and I absolutely love writing Matsumoto's character. She's fun, yet serious at the same time, and Hinamori is just too cute. SO, what's going on with Hitsugaya? Hmm…I know what is, but I can't tell you!
Anyway, review please! I just posted a chapter to my other story Sidewalks earlier today, and I have received ZERO reviews for it. Kind of sad. Oh well I guess, just make sure you review for this story, ok??
HAPPY EASTER!