(...)

"Izuru-chan… just be strong, it won't last too long now…", Unohana said in her usual calm voice, stroking Kira's hand gently. "Stay with us a little longer."

Izuru's lips opened as he arched his back in another wave of pain, but no sound came out. Tears were streaming down his face onto a pillow and his hands were clutching the sides of the bed so hard that the knuckles became all white.

When Hisagi carried the scared to death blonde into the 4th Squad's hospital and the medics transported Kira to the already-prepared room, Unohana explained to them both what the labour was going to be about and that they will have to make a small incision on his opening. It didn't ease Kira's pain even a tiny bit, and he was glad they gave him some anesthetic, even though it didn't seem to work at all. The medical devices connected to his body weren't helping either. The kid just didn't want to come out. During the six long hours Izuru almost passed out from exhaustion, twice. But Unohana knew what she was doing when she woke him up each time. His help was needed during the labour, otherwise the baby might get stuck in the middle and it would be totally impossible to take it out.

"Izuru-chan", Unohana gripped his hand tightly. "It's almost over, just a little effort. You can't go back now."

"I don't… think… I can take much more…", Izuru sobbed quietly. He clenched his teeth. The quick beep that was his heart rate was driving him mad. He pushed once more, just to get rid of the unbearable pain that was ripping at his insides. He cursed, feeling the baby slide out finally.

Hisagi was muttering curses under his breath, lighting yet another cigarette. It had been already six hours, the sun would rise in a moment, and Izuru still wasn't over. He wanted so desperately to be there with him, but Izuru got all nervous and yelled at him to get out of there. Then, in a quiet whisper the blonde added that he didn't want him to see him in pain, a writhing, sobbing, pitiful creature. 'I'll see you when I'm over', he had said, managing a smile.

That was why Hisagi was out of the room. And by the way, he feared he himself would pass out. He hated the idea of his boyfriend getting hurt, and if anything bad happened to Izuru during the labour, he was afraid he would just lose his senses.

But nothing bad will happen, will it? After all, Izuru promised…

It was a naïve thought, but it kept him sane.

A few friendly members of the 4th Division greeted him now and then, and there was even Renji who just happened to come to check some reports.

"Dude, bet he'll say he's not gonna agree to that again", he laughed, patting Hisagi's shoulder. "Get a hold of yourself, man. He's gonna be alright, he's a fukutaicho, dammit!"

Hisagi managed a smile. Renji sat beside him.

"How can you smoke that shit, by the way?", the redhead snatched his cigarette away and put it off against the bench. "I told you…"

"I know, Renji", Hisagi spat. "It's just… I'm fuckin' worried. Can't you hear those screams? It's like if he were tortured, and I'm stuck here, unable to do anything", his voice became lower with every word. "I can't even help him…"

"I remind you it's you who did it to him", Renji chuckled, slapping Hisagi's shoulder again.

Then they heard a loud curse coming from the room. After a few more groans of pain, they heard a harsh cry of a new-born baby.