This is the first epilogue. I wanted a look into their future. I love 2nd Gen. HitsuKarin stories. They bring me joy.

Disclaimer: nuh-uh.

Last Name x 6

Hitsugaya Toushirou was a prodigy. He had been enlisted into the Gotei 13 by the age of 12 and became a captain at 15. He had fought in several battle and many wars, the most notable being the Winter War against The Betrayer where he fought and killed the 3rd Espada, the top officers in the Arrancar Army, when he was just 18 years old. His instincts and reflexes were honed through years of conflict and training. So when he felt eyes staring at him, even though he was asleep, he opened his turquoise eyes, instantly awake and turned his head.

His 6-year-old son, Toshi, was standing silently by his bed, holding his youngest sibling, the 6-month-old daughter. Toshi's matching turquoise eyes were dulled due to tiredness, his soft black hair flopping messily in front of them.

"Akane woke up." He offered in explanation to his father's stare. Indeed, the wrapped bundle was squirming and making small noises to try and voice her displeasure. Toushirou carefully slid out of bed, making sure to not wake the figure still soundly sleeping next to him. Karin let out a soft, sleepy moan, her long black hair half covering her face.

Toushirou took the squirming child from Toshi, who said nothing, just lumbered tiredly back to his bed. Toushirou felt bad for him. Having Akane share a room with him was still a new experience. He glanced at the clock and discovered that it was almost 4 in the morning. Silently, he exited the room, carefully closing the door behind him.

The wooden floor was cold on his exposed toes but it just served to wake him up further. He looked down at the child in his arms.

Toshi might have been the carbon copy of his father, but Akane was the exact opposite. The only thing that wasn't her mother's was her hair, already white and, in its short state, spiky to the point that even Karin gave up trying to get it to lie down. They just had to wait for it to get longer.

Now that she had her father's attention, her fussing calmed down, but she still whimpered slightly. He walked quietly past the closed door of the twin's room. Hopefully the two three-year-olds would be asleep, but knowing them, they'd be up by 5:30 the latest.

Toshi's room was at the top of the stairs, the door still open and the small boy already asleep again on his small bed.

Heading downstairs, Toushirou walked with well-practiced ease in the darkness, the faint glow from the city leaking through the edges of the windows, illuminating the various toys that littered the ground. Avoided them was a skill that he found very useful on the battle field as well.

The kitchen was mostly clean, only the dishes from the night before in the sink and a few wrappers from the after dinner snack that they had used to bribe their kids into taking a bath and going to bed.

He pulled out a bottle from the fridge, then pulled out a pan so he could warm the milk, all one handed. That was also a skill that translated well into his work life.

He rocked Akane, quieting her growing fussing as she lost her patience. When the milk was warm, he went to his favorite chair in the front room, using his foot to swipe the small toys off, and sat down. The instant the bottle was in her mouth, Akane grabbed it with both hands and sucked greedily.

When she was finished eating, and burped, and changed, her eyelids began to fall again, so Toushirou took her back upstairs and laid her in her crib.

Very awake now, he decided to get ready instead of trying to go back to sleep. The opportunity to shower without the kids banging on the door for one thing or another was a novel experience.

Out of habit, the shower was quick, but it was enough to wake Karin up a little. He bent down, brushed her hair off her forehead and pressed his lips to it.

"Hey." He kept his voice soft, knowing that she wasn't a morning person.

"Why're you up?" She mumbled groggily.

"Akane was hungry. She's back in her crib now, asleep. Don't worry. Go back to bed. I'm sure the kids will be up soon anyway."

She gave a sleepy 'hmm', before closing her eyes again. He smiled down at her for a few seconds, simply admiring her natural beauty. Being a mother of four had matured her quicker but being only 25 preserved her youthful glow. She was the most beautiful woman that Toushirou had ever seen. She would always blush and try to wave off his compliments whenever he said as much, which only made him say it more.

He peeked in the twin's room to make sure they were still asleep. Kiyoko had crawled into her brother Kiyoshi's bed. Toushirou didn't even know why they had bothered with two beds. Their hair blended together with their heads pressed against each other. They had both inherited their mother's eyes, and a weird mix of both parent's hair, making it look a powdered gray.

Downstairs, he picked up the room so Karin wouldn't have to and washed the dishes. By that time, Toshi had reawaken, being a natural early riser like his father, and stumbled downstairs in his dragon print pajamas. He sat on a stool, resting his head on the countertop.

"What do you want for breakfast, Toshi?" Toshi yawned and rubbed his eyes.

"Dunno. Whatever's fine." 20 minutes later, Toushirou set down the toast and marmalade in front of his son, setting a small bowl with rice topped with a fried egg and a glass of milk next to it.

He made enough for the twins, Karin, and him, setting the portions for the still sleeping members of family, on the side, covering them to keep them warm. He sat next to his son and they both quickly dug into their breakfast.

Toushirou heard the twins stirring and quickly headed back upstairs to get them before they woke Karin. He came back downstairs holding Akane who had woken up again, ushering in the three-year-olds in front of him. Since they were mostly still asleep, they weren't bickering as much as they usually did, making it easier for Toushirou to get them started on their breakfast.

After Kiyoshi threw rice at Kiyoko, Toushirou decided breakfast was over and ushered them back upstairs to get them dressed, letting Toshi hold Akane while he did so.

By the time they were dressed and most of the rice was gone from Kiyoko's hair, Karin had decided to get up. They gave quick pecks good morning then she held Akane while she ate and Toushirou helped Toshi dress, although he insisted on doing most of it himself, claiming that he was more than old enough.

Karin had set Akane in her play pen so she could pull the twins apart, reprimanding them for fighting so early in the morning. Toushirou smiled.

Just a normal morning.

At a quarter to 8, Toushirou kissed Karin good-bye, gave quick hugs and kisses to his children before heading out into the brisk March morning air. He didn't even make it to the end of his yard when he stopped, the feeling of being followed causing him to turn around.

"Toshi? What are you doing?" Toushirou raised a brow at his oldest son who had somehow snuck past Karin and followed him outside.

"I wanted to go to work with you, Tou-san." Toushirou blinked, making sure that his face didn't show how his heart melted at the thought.

"Did you tell your okaa-san?" Toshi's face brightened when he realized that his father had not told him no.

"I'll ask!" He quickly ran back up the yard. Toushirou chuckled at his son's enthusiasm.

Karin appeared at the doorway a minute, holding Akane, Kiyoko and Kiyoshi clutching onto her legs. "Is that okay, Shirou?" She asked. Toshi was bouncing where he stood. Toushirou shrugged.

"I don't see why not. I don't have any meeting planned today. Just paperwork and a training session. I'll make sure he stays away while they practice."

She looked a little hesitant but nodded her head. "Very well." Toshi gave a loud cheer before running back over to his father, stars in his eyes. "But make sure you listen to you Tou-san, got it? If I hear that you caused trouble for him, you'll have me to report to when you get home."

Toshi nodded solemnly. Everyone in the Hitsugaya family knew that when the matriarch promised a punishment, a punishment was given.

They waved good-bye, Toushirou taking an extra second to admire the view of his family framed in the doorway of his home, his eldest tugging his pant leg in excitement.

He held Toshi's hand the entire way, his son too excited to complain. They got a lot more looks and greetings from the people they passed than Toushirou usually got. Particularly when they arrived at the 10th division headquarters. Most officers straight up stared, the unfamiliar sight of their 'Ice Captain' walking hand-in-hand with his excitable 6-year-old son. He looked very relaxed, not his normal stiff and proper self. He was nodding to whatever his son was telling him.

"Good morning Captain… and er… Captain's son." The Sergeant of the 10th division greeted them, confused.

"Good morning Sergeant. This is my son, Toshi."

"Good morning!" Toshi smiled and waved and the flabbergasted man.

"He's going to be shadowing me today. I expect the division to continue as normal but make sure that they act appropriately around us today. I will not tolerate any disrespectful or rude behavior." Not that he ever did, but he wasn't as strict about it unless it was bad.

"Sir!" the sergeant saluted in acknowledgement. When Toushirou saluted back, Toshi watched intently.

"Captain~! I heard a rumor that your son-" Matsumoto arrived just as they were about to head into his office, but stopped when she caught sight of Toshi. "Toshi! You're here!"

"Good morning Ran-san!" The overexcited lieutenant grabbed the 6-year-old in a suffocating hug. Toushirou had to save his son from asphyxiating in her large bosom. Rangiku was a frequent visitor, a self-appointed aunt figure to all the Hitsugaya children. (Toushirou would never tell Rangiku that Toshi called her 'grandma' till he was four in private).

"What's the occasion, Captain?" Toushirou shrugged.

"No occasion. Toshi just wanted to come to work with me."

"Great!" A grin appeared on her face. "You can come play with me Toshi! I'll show you all the fun places."

Toushirou would have reprimanded her, both for using his son as an excuse to get out of work and also for planning on taking him to 'fun' places which were undoubtedly inappropriate for children. However, he didn't need to.

"I'm going to stay with Tou-san today. Don't you have work, Ran-san?" Toushirou shook with suppressed laughter, Rangiku's happy face falling in disbelief.

"Um, I just thought that you'd get bored just hanging out with Captain all day. He isn't very fun. I was-" She was cut off by a glare from the child that was identical to his father's.

"Tou-san is plenty fun!" He said defensively. "He plays with me all the time! And it's work time not play time."

Toushirou grinned at Matsumoto's stunned expression. "You heard the man. It's work time. Get to work." He happily shut the door in her face.

Whenever someone walked in the office, they were shocked at the scene in front of them. The youngest captain was sitting at his desk, doing paperwork as always, but his son was sitting on his lap, alternating between reading some of the children's books that the captain kept in the bottom drawer of his desk, coloring pictures, or playing quietly in the corner, the toys supplied again from the same bottom drawer.

The Hitsugaya pair ate in the mess hall of the 10th division, much to the amusement of everyone. Seeing the Ice Captain reprimanding his son for not eating all of his peas was such a domestic scene that they couldn't help but stare.

After lunch, the child quickly fell asleep, the couch that had been the father's go to nap spot now being used by the son. A handwritten sign had been stuck on the door, threatening a very painful punishment to anyone that woke the younger Hitsugaya.

Toshi fell in love with watching the physical training of the unseated officers. He clapped when they completed complicated drills and cheered them on when they ran, yelling 'Faster! Faster!' Oddly enough, they did end up going faster.

By the time 6 o'clock came around, Toshi was thoroughly exhausted, causing Toushirou to carry him home, his son's head lying on his shoulder.

"Welcome home." Karin kissed Toushirou in greeting. Toushirou put down Toshi so he could greet his two 3-year-olds that came running when he came inside.

"Tou-san!" They shouted simultaneously. Toushirou swept them both up at the same time, grinning as they squealed with excitement. "Welcome home!"

"I'm back." He kissed the tops of their heads. "So how was your day?"

They both launched into a detailed description of their day, plenty of blame on the other twin for various fights and arguments that had happened. He nodded along although he couldn't understand either one, giving the appropriate exclamations of 'oh!' or 'really?'.

He carried them into the dining room where dinner was already set out on the table. Akemi was sitting in her high chair, making a mess of the mashed baby-food that they were trying her on. It didn't look like she was a fan of it. Toushirou didn't blame her. He kissed the top of her head (the only part that wasn't covered in mashed …something.)

"How did you enjoy spending the day with your Tou-san at his work?" Karin asked as they all started eating.

"It was super fun!" Toshi launched into a detailed description of his day, just like the twins had, only this was with a slightly higher vocabulary and less complaining about siblings.

"Sounds like you had a good time. Maybe you should take another field trip with Tou-san in the future."

Toshi gasped in delight. "Can I go tomorrow?" His parents laughed at his enthusiasm.

"I think we should maybe wait a little bit before you go again. Let Tou-san do his work without having to worry about you as well."

"Aww." Toshi turned glumly back to his dinner.

"How was your day with just the three of them?" Toushirou asked Karin.

"It was actually a little more hectic than I thought. I never realized how much I use Toshi to watch Akane while I take care of the twins. I think the one-on-one time was good for him. Kiyoko! Food is eaten, not thrown!" She snapped, stopping a fistful of rice from flying.

Bath-time involved a lot of water on all of the children and Toushirou. Soon they were dried and dressed. Toushirou wrestled with Kiyoshi while Karin brushed Kiyoko's gray hair. Toushirou read the twin's and Toshi a story while Karin put Akane to sleep in the other room. He passed Karin going to kiss the twins good-night as he carried the already slumbering Toshi back to his own bed.

"Aww, poor baby. The excitement of the day really wore him out, didn't it." Karin gently ruffled his soft hair, placing a soft kiss on his cheek.

When all the kids were safely in bed, they parent's undressed, collapsing in their bed. Karin laid her head on Toushirou's bare chest, absently tracing his scar. He had one arm wrapped around her waist. They lay in silence for several moments, just relaxing from the hectic day.

"I think Toshi really enjoyed going to work with you." Toushirou hummed in response, his eyes already closed. Perhaps because the scare was more sensitive than his other skin but whenever she traced it, it made him sleepy. More so than he already was.

"I'm serious." She propped her chin on her hand to look at his relaxed face. "He really worships you, you know. He sees you as his hero." He smiled, still not opening his eyes.

"The twins were really jealous of their older brother today. They both threw tantrums when I told them where Toshi was. I would send them with you next, but I don't think your division could handle either one of them, much less both." He gave a bark of laughter.

"I can see it now." He held his free arm in front of him. "Matsumoto would try to take them so she can slack off and the next thing I'll know is that half my division is blown up and Matsumoto's remains are never seen again." She smacked his chest lightly.

"They're not that bad."

"It's not them I'm worried about." They fell back into silence.

"Why do you think Toshi wanted to go with you all of a sudden." She asked, pulling him from the dreamland that he had been rapidly approaching. He thought about it. He had been wondering that same thing all day.

"I think he's nervous about starting first grade this April. Being away from both his parents for so long. I think he was just trying to get in some extra parent time while he still could." Karin hummed in response.

"I can't believe he's starting 1st grade next month. I feel so old. And I'm only 25!"

He grinned. "We started early." That earned him a slightly harder slap. "Hey!"

"It was your fault and you know it." She glared at him, when he opened one eye to look at her.

"I don't think so."

"What! You were totally the one that was drunk first!"

"Ah, but I was drugged by my Lieutenant. You got drunk all by your own volition." She scoffed.

"Whatever. It was your fault for making it go as far as it did."

"Hey Karin?" A sudden thought occurred to him. "Who proposed to whom?"

"What?" She raised her head to look at him better, a confused expression on her face.

He opened both eyes. "I remember the wedding. Vaguely. But I don't remember who asked who. How exactly did we get there?"

She blinked. "I… I don't know." She said surprised. "I always assumed it was you but honestly, I don't remember it very well either." They both pondered this surprising bit of news.

Finally, Karin just shrugged and snuggled back against her husband. "Doesn't really matter. End result is the same."

Another moment of silence. Then, "Another thing. We never went on a honeymoon."

Karin snorted. "No need. The four children in the other rooms are proof of that."

"It would be nice to have a break from them. Just a week or so. Just the two of us. We haven't had a vacation since we officially got together."

As if to stress the point, Karin and Toushirou heard the sounds of a fight starting in the twins' room, causing Akane to wake up and start crying.

They didn't get up right away, just listening to the sounds of their children needing their parents.

"You know what? You're right. We need a break. Let's go on a honeymoon. We'll get someone else to watch the kids for a week. Or two." She grumbled as they pulled themselves off their bed to go take care of their children.

This was epilogue one. The next epilogue will be ten times shorter.