The sound of the lights buzzing over head and the constant hum of the fridgerator mixed with the sound of the off balanced washing machine was almost enough to drive the scruffy, orange haired man insane. He stared down at the Literature book laying open in front of him with ringed eyes and sighed. This was going to be hell.

"Daddy! Daddy!" a small, red haired boy with dark brown eyes exclaimed as he held up a piece of paper littered with colorful scribbles. He was carrying a small, stuffed lion in the crook of his fragile arm as he beamed up at the exhausted man. "Daddy, wook what I did!"

The man smiled down at his son and lifted the child onto his lap. "What's this you got here, Kon?"

"I dwew a wion, Daddy!" Kon jabbed his tiny finger at the yellow rectangle with a scribbled circle for a head, covered with brown spikes. "See," he held up his stuffed lion, "I dwew Weo!"

"I see that," the man chuckled slightly and kissed his son's forehead. "Why don't you go show this to Mommy?"

"Awight," Kon grinned up at his father and kissed him on the cheek. He slowly slipped down off the man's lap and ran awkwardly down the dark hallway towards the laundry room where his mother was.

The man smiled after the almost two year old boy as he waddled out of his sight, and stared back down at his homework with pained eyes. He needed to pass this test so he could get his GED. If he didn't, Kon would be forced to live a very limited life. He refused to let his mistakes hold his son back.

"Ichigo," a feminine voice said kindly.

The man turned his head and saw his fianceƩ standing in the kitchen doorway with a basket of laundry on one hip and their son on the other. She had light brown eyes and shoulder length, neon red hair. "What is it, Natsumi?"

The woman set the laundry basket down and used her free hand to hold her son closer to her body as he nuzzled his head into the crook of her shoulder. "Kon and I were wondering if you could take a break from studying and watch a movie with us? Isn't that right, baby?"

Kon nodded sleepily. He wasn't going to be awake much longer. If they put in a movie now, he wouldn't make it past the opening credits.

"I wish I could, but I have to study," Ichigo replied. "I've only got a few more days before I have to take this test. After that I'll watch as many movies with you two as you want, okay?"

There was a look of disappointment in Kon's eyes as he nuzzled his face into his mother's shirt and started sucking on his stuffed lion's ear. "'Kay."

Natsumi cast her son a sorry look and picked up the basket of laundry with a sigh. "Alright, Ichigo, just don't stay up too late again tonight."

"I won't," Ichigo promised.

Natsumi closed her eyes and left the kitchen with Kon half asleep in her arm. She knew he was going to be up until three in the morning if not later. It wouldn't have bugged her so much if it weren't for the fact that he couldn't be late for work again. If he was late one more time, he was going to be fired right there on the spot. What would they do then?

Ichigo sighed as he stared down at the illegibly small print and closed the book. He had really messed up. And for what? To get back at a man and a dog who had never really done anything to him. Hell, the man and the dog were the same person for Christ's sake!

He pounded his fist on the table. Was there any way he could sink any lower?

The phone rang.

"I got it, Natsumi," Ichigo called into the living room and picked up the phone hanging on the wall. "Kurosaki residence."

"Is this Ichigo Kurosaki?" a fairly deep voice asked.

"This is," Ichigo confirmed. "Who may I ask is calling?"

"Do you wish to get back at those who have wronged you?" the voice asked coldly.

Ichigo's eyes widened slightly. "I don't have any idea what you're talking about."

"Of course you do," the voice countered. "Do you wish to make Ulquiorra pay for everything that has happened to you?"

This made Ichigo nearly drop the phone. Who was this guy, and how did he know about Ulquiorra?

"I still don't know what the hell you're talking about," he said shakily. "That bas...I mean Ulquiorra hasn't done anything to me. I have no reason to want to make him pay for something he didn't do."

"Come now, Ichigo, you and I both know that is a lie," the man prodded. "We both know that if it were not for him, you would not have had to hire an assassin to take him out in order to save your friend. If it were not for him, you would not have spent two years in jail and missed the birth of your son. If it were not for him, you would not be working three, dead end jobs just to barely scrape by in life. It is all because of him that your son is forced to live a restricted life and you know it."

Ichigo could feel the anger speeding through his veins. He was right. It was all Ulquiorra's fault. He had spent the past two years in prison because of him, and he despised him for it. It was all because of HIM.

"You have my attention, stranger," he replied in an emotionless tone.

"I have a proposition for you," the man stated kindly. "Why don't you stop by my office in a few hours so we can discuss this more privately; face to face?"

Ichigo walked over to the table and pulled out a pen and a sheet of paper. "What's your address?"

Orihime's eyes suddenly snapped open and she lurched herself into an upright, sitting position. She quickly covered her mouth and sprinted into the bathroom just in time to throw up into the bathtub. "Alright," she said shakily as she dry heaved, "no more pizza before bed."

She turned on the water to rinse the strange mixture of cheese pizza and other miscellaneous food down the drain and leaned her back up against the tub. That was the third time she'd thrown up in the middle of the night since she and Ulquiorra had returned home. Either she had caught the flu, or she was experiencing some very mischievous food poisoning.

Unless...

She shook her head violently. That was ridiculous. She couldn't be pregnant. She only had this symptom. Everything else she was feeling was from PMS, right?

Besides she had more important matters to attend to. What was that dream she had just had? It was so weird. Ichigo was in it. How long had it been since she had dreamed of him that it wasn't a nightmare? Then again, it kind of was a nightmare.

A slight grunt sounded from inside the bedroom. She stood up and peered through the crack in the door. Ulquiorra was yelping slightly and twitching his leg like a dreaming dog. Old habits died hard she supposed.

Orihime was about to turn off the light when she noticed her purse hanging on the doorknob. The small slip of paper with the list Mrs. Taka had written for her was sticking a corner out of the black confines of the bag; taunting her. She glanced back at Ulquiorra's sleeping form and snatched her purse before retreating into the sanctity of the well lit bathroom.

"Alright, let's see," she took the list out of the purse and began counting off on her fingers. "Implantation bleeding? I haven't had any bleeding at all," she held up a finger on her left hand, "so that's a no."

She glanced back at the list. "A delay or difference of menstruation? Hm," she thought for a moment. "I haven't had my period yet this month but I think I can feel it coming soon," she held up a second finger on her left hand, "so no.

"Swollen or tender breasts," she paused and blushed slightly. Her breasts had been sore once or twice since she got home, but she just thought that that was from a rough night with Ulquiorra. "I guess I'll count that one." She held up a finger on her right hand.

She looked back down at the list. "Fatigue," she thought for a minute and held up a second finger on her right hand, "I'll count that one too." She stared at her now evenly scored fingers and swallowed the rising lump in her throat.

"No! Don't get all anxious just yet, Orihime. Let's just finish the list." She stared down at the sheet of paper as if the ink was made up of dozens of tiny black snakes.

She took a deep breath and smiled. "Alright, nausea or morning sickness, I guess so," she held up a third finger on her right hand. "Headaches or backaches, no," she held up a third finger on her left hand. "Finally, cravings," she paused and lifted the fourth finger on her right hand, "yes."

Her eyes widened as she indicated the fourth symptom on her right hand. Mrs. Taka's voice suddenly filled her head.

"What I suggest is that you wait for another week before you fly off the handle and start making arrangements for a child you might not be harboring in that cute little physique of yours. If you feel two or more of these symptoms over the next week, I would suggest going to the doctor or taking an at home pregnancy test."

She stared down at her hand with wide eyes. Four out of the nine symptoms were evident on both her fingers and in her physical health. She quickly pulled her cell phone out of her purse and dialed a number.

"H-Hello?" a sleep dazed voice answered after the fifth ring.

"Tatsuki, it's me," Orihime said in a hushed tone.

"Orihime?" Tatsuki asked slightly annoyed. "What are you doing calling me so late? It's four in the morning!"

"I know it's late and I'm sorry," Orihime squeaked so high that the dogs down the street heard her, "but this is important!"

There was a pause.

"What is it, Orihime?" Tatsuki asked; her voice was filled with worry. "Is something wrong?"

Orihime thought for a minute. "Yes and no, do you think you could come over tomorrow at about noon?"

"Sure, I can come over," Tatsuki said awkwardly. "Do you want me to bring anything?"

"Yeah," Orihime took a deep breath. She could hear the blood singing through her veins as her heart hammered in her chest. "Could you stop by the drug store and pick up a pregnancy test?"

* * *

Ichigo was sitting across from a man with grayish-white and midnight blue eyes at a round, stone table. The mahogany chair he was sitting on hurt his butt and made his lower back ache. "Why did you want to see me?" he asked, repositioning himself in the severely uncomfortable chair.

The man smiled kindly at him. "Where does your loyalty lie, Ichigo?"

Ichigo cocked an eyebrow at the old man. "Where does my loyalty lie? What the hell is this the knights of the round table? Who cares where anyone's "loyalty" lies anymore? People are more concerned about people being honest and faithful; not loyal."

"Are you loyal to that woman who blessed you with your son?" the man continued as if he had not heard a single word Ichigo just said. "Perhaps you are loyal to your son? Is there a specific person you are loyal to?"

"I'm not loyal to anyone," Ichigo replied, crossing his arms. "I want to protect Natsumi and Kon. You don't need to be "loyal" to protect someone."

A sly smile spread across the man's lips. "Is that so? Then tell me, Ichigo," he snapped his fingers and a man wearing the same Renaissance costume as the one who had ushered Ichigo here stepped out from behind the old man's chair with a suitcase in his hands, "how would you like to pledge your loyalty to me?"

"Huh?" Ichigo stared at the man skeptically. "What the hell is it with you and loyalty? If you're asking me if I'd be willing to work for you, forget it. I've already got three jobs. I can't afford to take on a fourth."

"Oh, I believe you can," the man stated cheerfully. He took the suitcase, laid it on the table, and opened it in front of Ichigo. There were rows and rows of money stacked neatly inside the case. "Because if you agree to serve me, I will see to it that you are handsomely compensated."

Ichigo stared at the contents of the case with wide eyes. That was more money than what he had paid that shady mob father to get rid of Ulquiorra and Phantom; even though they were the same person. He reached out to see if it was real and the old man nearly snapped his finger in the latch.

"No, no," the old man taunted, "mustn't touch. This is only if you agree to pledge your loyalty to me. Any compensation you receive afterward will be at least double what you see now."

Ichigo felt his eyes bounce off the table. He would pay him DOUBLE what was in the case if he agreed to work for him? This was almost too good to be true.

He sat back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. "What's the catch?"

"No catch," the man replied sweetly. "I will pay you all this up front and double it with your next pay. There is just one thing you need to know."

"A catch," Ichigo repeated sourly. "What is it? Do you want me to kill a guy or something? Well, you can forget it. I just got out of jail. I don't wanna go back any time soon."

"No. There will be no killing," the man answered. "However, you will most likely have to...oh, what is the word I am looking for... "intimidate" someone. Someone who I know you would be more than willing to teach a lesson."

"And who might that be?" Ichigo asked skeptically.

The old man smiled. "You are familiar with Ulquiorra Schiffer, correct? He is an old "employee" of mine. I asked him a few days ago if he would be interested in coming back to work under me, but he had a hard time answering you see. So I gave him a few days to think it over, and when he figures out an answer he will come back."

"If you've already tried to hire Ulquiorra, then why do you want me?" Ichigo hissed and nearly jumped onto the table. "I refuse to have anything to do with that guy!"

"Calm down, my boy," the man said, waving his hand in a "please be seated" gesture, "you did not let me finish."

Ichigo sat down and stared at the old man.

"You see," the man continued, "I do not think he will be willing to pledge his loyalty to me. He cares too much for that woman, Orihime, to do that. That is why I want you to join me."

"What do I have to do with anything?" Ichigo asked slightly annoyed.

"Simple," the man smiled like a snake. "When Ulquiorra refuses to join me, I want you to kill him."

"What?" Ichigo could hardly believe his ears. This guy wanted him to kill Ulquiorra. Was he nuts? Even he knew he couldn't beat Ulquiorra in a fair fight, hell he probably couldn't even beat him in a rigged fight.

"My men will take care of the body and create an alibi for you," the man informed. "You will be compensated for your deed and will take the rank of my most valuable fighter. What do you say, Ichigo?"

"I say you're completely nuts," Ichigo shouted. "I can't beat Ulquiorra! As much as I hate to admit it, he's far stronger than me! Even if I had superpowers I probably couldn't beat him!"

The man sat up straight and smiled playfully at him. "Ah, but that is where I can help. You see; if you agree to join me, I will not only pay you handsomely, but I will also bestow you with an unimaginable power that will crush Ulquiorra like a bug on the sidewalk."

Ichigo stared wide eyed with awe at the man. Could he really do that? Could he really make him strong enough to make Ulquiorra pay for what he did? Was he really that strong?

"So, Ichigo," the man stood up and held out his hand, "do we have a deal?"

Ichigo stood and stared at the man's hand for a split second before grasping it firmly in his. "Deal, however, I would like to know my employer's name."

"Oh, yes, of course, silly me," the man laughed and stared Ichigo straight in the eye. "My name is Rubin, Rubin Arduro."

"Alright," Ichigo smiled, "I will gladly work for you, Mr. Arduro. What's the first thing you want me to do?"

Rubin's grip suddenly tightened on Ichigo's arm and he pointed a free finger to his chest. "Just hold still."

The room suddenly froze over as the temperature dropped to below freezing. Ichigo could feel his eyes turning into balls of ice as his skin turned blue as his breath crystallized in mid air. The floor was coated with a thin sheet of ice, everything had turned an off shade of blue, and there was a black cloud hovering above him.

"What the hell are you doing, old man?" Ichigo yelled, trying to pull his arm out of Rubin's iron grip. "Let me go!"

Rubin's eyes seemed to glow red as his voice echoed off the icy walls. "Impure man of corruption and hate, pledge your loyalty to me and accept your fate. For once you haven chosen, you may never return. Smite down those who have wronged you or forever burn!"

A blazing, red, orange, and black fire suddenly enveloped Ichigo's body. He collapsed to the floor screaming in agony. His hair grew out until it was at his lower back, his head nearly split open as two horns skewered through the crown of his scull, he could feel his feet deform and grow talons as his nails enlongated and his body turned milk white. There was a burning sensation as reddish-purple hair grew from the crook of his neck and around around his wrists and black markings spread across his chest, shoulders, neck, and face. He let out a final cry of agony as a nearly fatal shock wave ripped through his body from the gaping hole forming in his chest.

Rubin stared down at his new mercenary with pride. "Welcome to the association, Ichigo Kurosaki."