A/N: Well here is the chapter. This one is nowhere near as long as the last one, but at least it is an update. Not a whole lot to say up here...so please read/review.

Ichigo: So gave up on long chapters

Rukia: I doubt that...keep in mind how long the last one took to type.

AN: I have to agree with Rukia here, I just don't have the time to type that long of chapters regularly.

Ichigo: Whatever...Skywalker does not own Bleach.


Sometime later~


"Yo, Rukia you in here?" Ichigo yelled, having walked back to the Shiba Manor, which had somehow escaped damage.

"Yeah I'm in here Ichigo. What happened?" Rukia asked herself, walking into view.

Wow she is big… was the first thought that passed through Ichigo's head.

"Ouch King…that sounds like something I would say…not you," Shiro said.

"I don't like agreeing with Shiro but I do," Zangetsu added.

"Oh shut up you two, I didn't mean that thought…jeez," Ichigo shot back before walking up to Rukia.

"Again Ichigo, what happened? You look a little beat up…" Rukia asked again, rubbing her hand along Ichigo's bandaged arm.

"Kusaka happened. Don't tell me you didn't notice the new hill after all. In any case though we beat him, and Toshiro left with him and Unohana to see about healing him," Ichigo answered.

Rukia frowned at Ichigo, "Of course I noticed the 'hill' Strawberry. But why did you keep Kusaka alive? Especially after all he did to Captain Hitsugaya?"

"I couldn't let him die. It really is that simple Rukia. Besides, we gave Grimmjow another chance, so why not Kusaka?" Ichigo replied.

Rukia sighed in response, "You are way to trusting Ichigo…but that's what I love about you."

"I know that Rukia, let's head inside now, I really need to rest," Ichigo said, grabbing Rukia's arm and leading her back into the house.


Meanwhile~


"What…how am I still alive…" Kusaka said weakly.

"Ichigo saved your life that's how Kusaka, and it's nice to see you still alive," Toshiro said back, sitting beside his friend's bed.

"Toshiro? Why are you here…I thought you killed me," Kusaka asked.

"I almost did, but I couldn't see you die again, so I aimed away from your heart, you won't be dying on my watch," Toshiro answered.

Kusaka just laughed weakly, "Sure, keep telling yourself that old friend. After what I did it will be a miracle if they don't execute me

Toshiro frowned down on Kusaka, "I wouldn't worry about that Kusaka, you have several Captain's vouching for you. Besides, one of them is an Arrancar, so the Soul Society isn't as biased anymore."

"You really think that will matter Toshiro? Even if the Captain's don't want to kill me Central 46 won't let me live. They killed me once before, I doubt they will bat an eyelash at doing it again," the dark-haired man said, before lying back down and resigning himself to his fate.

Toshiro was sorely tempted to whack Kusaka over the head, but he knew that wouldn't do the injured man any good, so he just sighed and said, "Kusaka it is the Captain's in charge now, not 46. They were killed by Aizen a while back."

Kusaka frowned at that, "What? I mean my Arrancars said that there was someone called 'Aizen' gathering Hollows too him, but I thought it couldn't be the same man, after all, Captain Aizen was one of the most famous of the group."

"Yes, it is that Aizen. I didn't believe it at the time either, but he almost killed me. I guess that he must be recruiting more than we thought…that is not a good thing," Toshiro replied.

Kusaka glared at the ceiling on hearing that…how dare Aizen try to kill his best friend! It turned out that Kusaka had already gotten over his anger at Toshiro, and hearing that some of the Captain's were sticking out their necks for him helped matters as far as his hatred for Soul Reapers went.

"I can't believe that Toshiro, is there anything I can do to help? I mean, your people are probably going to lock me up at the least, but I can help still, even if it is just keeping an eye on the prison," Kusaka said.

Toshiro laughed slightly at his friend, "Oh don't worry about that, like I said, we have an Arrancar for a Captain, they won't turn down the help. Which reminds me, your blade broke when we fought, can you still contact Hyorinmaru?"

Kusaka frowned lightly, and turned his thoughts inward, "You in there Hyorinmaru?"

"Yes I am Kusaka. Nice to see you didn't throw our lives away again. My brother agrees on that by the way, and he is happy to have us back. Now get better so we can fight by their side," the purple Hyorinmaru answered.

Kusaka smiled slightly and looked at Toshiro, "Yes he is still in there, and we are ready to help as soon as we can."

Toshiro nodded, "That's good to hear Kusaka, just concentrate on healing and we will come get you then."

Kusaka nodded himself and went back to sleep, enjoying the fact that he was accepted in the Sereitai for the first time since he had been a student at the academy.


Back at the Manor~


"Hey Ichigo, are you sure about this?" Rukia asked, feeling a little queasy.

"You need to eat something Rukes, trust me, I don't want you getting sick now," Ichigo answered, smiling lightly as Rukia frowned at him.

"Rukes? Where did that come from? Any way, I really don't feel very good right now Ichigo," the shorter Reaper said.

"Oh don't be a baby Rukia, you need to eat whether you want to or not, I can't have you getting sick now can I?" Ichigo asked lightly.

"Ha ha, very funny calling me a baby in this condition. Remember, you did this to me, so it's your fault I don't have an appetite. But I'll eat if it makes you happy," Rukia said, kicking Ichigo in the shin.

"Ow…not necessary Rukia…" Ichigo complained, before he saw Rukia collapse to the floor.

"Umm…King I'm not an expert on these things, but it might be a good idea to get her to Squad 4…" Shiro said, frowning a little.

"Rukia, are you okay?" Ichigo yelled, running up to her and ignoring his Hollow.

Rukia didn't answer, she was just groaning in pain. Ichigo had no idea what was going on, but he picked her up gently and got her to the healer's barracks.

Once he got there, Unohana immediately shooed him away and put Rukia down on a cot, knowing what was wrong right away.

"Captain, please let me stay with her!" Ichigo protested

"I'm sorry but I can't do that Captain Shiba, you need to stay outside. I will get you when we are finished," Unohana replied, pushing Ichigo out of the room.


"Lieutenant Shiba, where is my sister? I felt her reiatsu fluctuate and I haven't seen her in months," Byakuya asked a reluctant Kaien, with Renji staring on with a bemused smile.

"Umm…I don't know?" Kaien tried, seeing how angry Byakuya was.

"Don't even try that Shiba. I'll ask you one more time, where is my sister and what happened to her?" Byakuya asked, staring daggers at Kaien.

The Shiba clan's leader gulped and said shakily, "She is at the Squad 4 barracks. Ichigo got her pregnant and she is having the kid now…don't kill me!"

When Kaien said that last part he grabbed a shocked Renji and tossed the redhead in front of a raging Byakuya, while he ran off to try and save his own skin.

"CAPTAIN!" Renji yelled as he was tossed through a couple buildings from Byakuya's raging reiatsu.

"KUROSAKI!" Byakuya yelled his normally calm demeanor shattered by his shear anger.


Ichigo flinched in fear…he had felt the explosion in his fellow Captain's power.

"Oh man, you are so dead King! Hey Zangetsu, get the popcorn ready, I'm going to enjoy watching this!" Shiro yelled, laughing his head off at Ichigo's predicament.

"…" Zangetsu just frowned at Shiro…but gave him his popcorn anyway and just sat down to watch the coming storm.

I am so dead…please don't kill me before I can even see my kid Byakuya… Ichigo thought, preparing himself.

"I feel sorry for you King…maybe you should hide?" Shiro suggested.

"We both know how that would go Shiro. I just have to take it like a man…and hope Rukia will come to my rescue," Ichigo shot back.

Shiro's jaw dropped…before he started laughing even harder, "Of course you have to rely on the Queen. No one else will help you!"

Before Ichigo could think up a sufficient retort, a battered and bleeding Renji stumbled into the building followed by a curious Ayumi.

"Ichigo…run while you have a chance…" Renji said, before falling to the ground.

"Jeez, what did you do this time Ichigo? Renji told me Byakuya did that to him because he was so angry," Ayumi asked, poking the unconscious Renji with her toe.

"Umm…do you really need to ask?" Ichigo shot back.

Ayumi started to shake her head, but then her eye's widened, "He found out about Rukia? How?"

Ichigo shakily laughed, "She is having our child now…and I'm stuck out here waiting for Byakuya to kill me."

Ayumi sighed, "Sucks for you, but why won't they let you in there?"

"No idea…but I don't like being stuck out here…" Ichigo said, before he felt a very angry pressure fill the room.

The source of it was readily apparent as Byakuya came walking into the room, his eyes livid and Senbonzakura already drawn and pointing at Ichigo. Ayumi moved to jump in front of Ichigo, but a shout from the room behind them stopped everyone.

"Don't kill Ichigo brother….I WANT TO DO IT MYSELF!" Rukia yelled, before going quiet again.

Ichigo and Ayumi sweat-dropped while Byakuya kept advancing on his fellow Captain. Ichigo quickly backed up, holding up his hands and trying to forestall the inevitable.

"Don't bother running boy…I will not let this offense go," Byakuya said, raising his Zanpaku-to.

Ayumi jumped in front though, Togetsu out and ready, "Come on Byakuya, give him a break…sure he should have told you…and sure Ichigo was being an idiot, but this would have happened eventually!"

"Gee thanks Ayumi…" Ichigo said under his breath.

"I heard that brother…and if you value your life let me handle this," Ayumi shot back.

Byakuya looked ready to fight Ayumi in order to get at Ichigo, but he was interrupted as Unohana opened the door behind the Squad 3 Captain.

"You may come in here now Captain Shiba…what happened to Lt. Abarai?" the female Captain said, noticing Renji on the floor.

Ichigo just pointed at Byakuya, who still looked extremely angry with his blade drawn and pointing at Ichigo"Oh I see…I have to ask you to refrain from violence in the aid station Captain Kuchiki, and could you kindly take Lt. Abarai to one of my healers. Then you can come see your niece and nephew," Unohana said, with her infamous smile out in full force.

Byakuya nodded and grabbed Renji…it seemed even the noble Captain wasn't immune to the power of the 'Unohana Smile'. Ayumi laughed at that, as Ichigo snuck into the room that held Rukia. He saw her looking very tired and drained, but with a very happy smile on her face. And Ichigo could see why in the form of two bundles in her arms, one blue blanket and one pink one.

"Hey Strawberry, sorry about yelling at you there…Byakuya didn't hurt you did he?" Rukia asked softly as she slowly rocked her arms.

"No he didn't…though Renji is going to be sore for a while," Ichigo answered just as softly.

Rukia raised an eyebrow at that, "Did he get in my brothers way or something? On second thought I don't want to know."

Ichigo laughed before walking up to the bed and looking at the two bundles of cloth…not quite comprehending yet that those were his kids.

Rukia smiled up at him, knowing what Ichigo was thinking, "Do you want to hold one of them Ichigo?"

Said Captain hesitantly nodded, and reached out as Rukia handed him the pink bundle. When Ichigo grabbed it he saw a pair of eyes eerily similar to Rukia's looking up at him. His daughter…as odd as a thought as that was…had a tuft of his hair on her head, but Rukia's violet eyes.

"I can't believe I am saying this…but she is actually kind of cute King," Shiro said…not quite believing what he was saying.

"I agree…you have a very cute child there Ichigo," Zangetsu added.

Ichigo nodded slightly, instinctively rocking his arms, while his daughter stared up at him, smiling widely and reaching her small arm up. Ichigo smiled at that, and looked over at Rukia who was smiling just as widely while she held their son. Unlike his sister, the younger twin had Rukia's hair and Ichigo's eyes, and was staring up at Rukia with them. Of course Ayumi and co. chose that moment to barge in.

"Let us see them too, don't hog them now," Ayumi said, with the rest of the small group nodding agreement.

"Okay, okay, just please be quiet," Ichigo said, very carefully handing his daughter over to Ayumi, who immediately had her jaw drop.

"Oh my God…she is so cute! I don't know how she is with her father being who he is…but I'm not complaining," Ayumi said, whispering slightly at her newborn niece.

Ichigo frowned at his sister, but started smiling again once the rest of the group started to get looks at the babies.

"Oh man, they are so cute! I love them already!" Sumi said, looking at the boy.

"I agree, you have very cute kids here Ichigo," Kaien added, holding the daughter next to Sumi, and stealing occasional glances at the purple haired Third Seat.

"I still am not happy with you Ichigo…but even I will admit you have wonderful children…what will be their names?" Byakuya asked, now holding both the twins.

Ichigo blushed slightly while saying something under his breath.

"What was that Ichigo? I didn't quite catch that?" Ayumi asked, laughing lightly at her brother's discomfort.

"I was thinking Saki and Kai…" Ichigo said, knowing the names weren't very creative.

"I don't see why you are worried Ichigo, I like the names," Rukia said, once again holding both her children.

"I agree with her, don't think too hard on it Ichigo," Ayumi added with the rest of the group nodding.

"What about godparents?" Byakuya asked.

"Are you trying to drop everything on us at once Byakuya?" Ichigo shot back.

"No, but if these children are going to be members of the Kuchiki Clan we need the proper arrangements, and that includes godparents," Byakuya answered.

"Umm…how about Kaien and Sumi?" Ichigo suggested.

Said Reapers looked at each other and said at the same time, "Of course we will!"

Ichigo and Rukia nodded, and politely asked the group to leave so they could spend some time alone with Saki and Kai. Soon falling asleep along with their new children.


AN: Too...much...fluff

Nami: *Squeals and jumps me* That was so cute!

AN: Get off me!

Nami: Why, you just made my day!

AN: And there lies the problem in having a female Zanpaku-to...

Ichigo: Shush...they are sleeping.

Rukia: Yeah...can't you keep quiet.

AN: Don't blame me here...in any case, the next chapter will hopefully be up soon, let me know what you think of this one.