I sat with Kiyomi while dangling my toes in the water. We were sitting on a log; watching our reflections.
"Mommy" She called.
"Yes dear?" I asked looking up at her.
"Where do babies come from?" She asked. She had asked me when she was three years old but I easily avoided the topic. Now she was older and wiser. I curl my big toe in the water.
"Where do you think?" I asked toying with the subject. She cocks her head but shrugged.
"I dunno do they come from Santa Clause? Is that why he is popular among the adults?" She refers to the increase in birth rates. I giggle and shook my head.
"Have you asked your little friend Sin'ichi?"I asked curious to know what his take was.
"Yes"Kiyomi answers quickly.
"What does he say?" I inquire gently.
"He says from a man so I bet on Santa Clause"Kiyomi replied.
"Well I guess you heard of the stork story?" I asked cautious.
"No" she replied. She leans forward.
"The stork is a type of bird that transports a baby with its beak" I explain.
"How?"Kiyomi looked puzzle on the logic. Where did Sin'ichi get a man from that?
"It's wrap in a blanket so when he arrives he drops it off at the doorstep but after he rings the doorbell" I spoke soothingly. She wrinkles her little nose.
"But we don't have doorbells on each bedroom so how is that possible?" She persisted to know the real truth.
"Well it could knock on the parent's door''I offered an alternate solution. Kiyomi smile and shook my arm.
"Is it true that I was the first delivery?" She asked.
"Yes, you were the first baby born to a human and shinigami while living in Hueco Mundo"I corrected her. There were other full blooded arrancars born but she stuck out the most due to her father's position.
"So Mommy"Kiyomi asked once more.
"Yes" I encourage.
"Do you love Daddy?" She asked.
"Why yes" I answer shock.
"Does he love you?"Kiyomi asked.
"Very much so" I answer honestly.
"Then why does he stay away from us half the day?" She pouts.
"He's busy with his job" I shared.
"Oh you mean he's talking with his friends"Kiyomi asked not fool.
"Yes''I reply.
"But can't he talk to them once a year?" She asked.
"No it's important that he keeps Las Noches going and protects us" I shared.
"How did you and Daddy meet?"Kiyomi asked another puzzling question. I perk up since I knew it would be a certain amount of time before she asked that.
"We uh met in the Seretei"I spoke slowly.
"The world Daddy is from?"Kiyomi asked following along.
"Yes" I answer and giggle.
"You're from the Living right?"Kiyomi asked.
"Hai"I meekly replied.
"So how did you two meet? What were you doing in his world?" She asked so innocently. Where was Aizen when I needed him? I sigh but I would answer to the best of my ability.
"Well your Mommy was running around with a group of friends"I began my tale.
"Who?"Kiyomi asked intrigue as usual.
"Oh uh a guy name Ichigo and uh we were in town so your Daddy took a liking to me" I answer carefully.
