Random Update! I know, you guys are probably begging me to go back to my line-up about now ;p At least then you knew what to expect! Just in case I screwed up again, which I'm positive I didn't:

Last chapter: Ichigo got a visit from Grimmjow and they had a little heart to heart. Grimmjow agreed to stay in the human world with Ichigo if the orangette could figure out a way to keep the Shinigami off his ass. Yorouchi was in her cat form and Grimmjow thought she was a regular cat, so he talked to her before leaving Ichigo in Kisuke's care. He admitted to ichigo being important to him, but he also divulged the fact that without him around the orangette will die!

Not the best summary of last chapter, but it tells you what you need to know for this one ;p Enjoy! =3

Chapter 10

Ichigo wakes feeling light as a feather, the remnants of Grimmjow's reiatsu lying strong upon him as his own mingles with it. He doesn't feel as sick as he did yesterday, which is strange in itself, yet he brushes it off in favor of getting some breakfast. For the first time since he got sick, he actually feels like he can hold something down. As he joins Urahara and company at the table, he notes how Yorouchi suddenly quiets and Kisuke gets a contemplative look in his eyes.

"… What's going on?" he wonders.

"Oh, nothing to concern yourself with, Kurosaki-kun!" the blonde smiles behind his fan.

"Which is normally code for 'Ichigo's life is about to be blown to bits in a fiery plane crash before it can even get the last wheel off the ground'," the orangette scoffs. "Now, please tell me what the hell's going on before I have to witness all the little people running around screaming as they go up in flames."

"My you have a very active imagination," the shopkeeper mumbles with a 'WTF' look.

"I talked to Grimmjow last night," Yorouchi sighs. "Well… he talked to me. He thought I was a normal cat."

"Oh," Ichigo murmurs with downcast eyes.

"Ichigo, something really bad is going to happen to you if he's not with you. You literally need his presence to survive now."

"No, he needs his reiatsu," Kisuke frowns. "That doesn't necessarily mean he needs Grimmjow himself."

Ichigo looks at them strangely, a frown of confusion gracing his lips as his head tilts to the side in feline curiosity. It's a habit he picked up from Grimmjow, though he never actually realized it. He doesn't like the sound of things right now, he loves Grimmjow and he wants to be with him. He knows it isn't just some psychological illness that has him gaga over the feline Espada, he seriously loves him and has since the day he first saw him… What's so wrong with wanting to be with the man he loves?

"I love Grimmjow," Ichigo murmurs. "I don't want to be without him. I… I was going to ask you if maybe…"

"Kisuke, is Ichigo up?" Rukia asks as she suddenly hurries in from the back. "Oh, good! Hey, Ichigo, So-Taicho sent me a message… they're on their way!"

"What! No!"

"Don't worry, you're mine to care for," Kisuke smiles. "They won't take you from me, I promise."

Ichigo nods but the look in his amber eyes is still very wary, he's not too sure if he should trust the Shinigami. Kisuke and Yorouchi, yeah, he'll trust them… maybe even Soi-Fon since she seems to be answering to Yorouchi again… but not the Gotei 13. He sits down to get something in his stomach, just now realizing that he's losing a bit of definition in his abs. With a slight frown, he runs his hand over his stomach and sighs.

"Kurosaki," Yamamoto greets. "I have come to apologize about what happened. We were unaware you hadn't been told or given the chance to volunteer willingly for the experiment, as we were also unaware you were being sent in unarmed and injured. I hope you can forgive us. If there is anything we can do to…"

"I want Grimmjow," Ichigo states immediately. "I want him to be with me here."

"… Be reasonable, Kurosaki," Byakuya frowns. "Soi-Fon has told us of your… illness. You only think you're in…"

"No!" he shouts as he slams a hand on the table. "I do love him! I've loved him for four years now, since I first saw him when the war started! You can't tell me what I feel! You… you… don't know…"

His features change from fury to confusion and fear, one hand gripping his head as it spins horrible as the other blindly searches for the table to steady himself. The orangette doesn't know what's wrong; he was fine just a few minutes ago. Yorouchi is by his side without question, holding him gently and trying to soothe him with whispered assurances. Unohana quickly kneels on his other side, running her glowing hands over him and gasping in surprise.

"Why, Ichigo… you're pregnant," she remarks. "Kurosutchi didn't mention that."

"I… I don't feel well," Ichigo murmurs as sweat starts to rise upon his paling skin.

"I'm going to give you a supplement," she says softly. "It will calm your illness and help you rest for now… I'm so sorry, Ichigo, but… there is nothing more we can do. You're too far along and your body will soon either reject this… thing in you… or you will die."

"They're my… children," Ichigo hisses out weakly. "Not things."

She frowns in worry, her dark brows creasing as she looks down at him. Slowly, she brings up her hand with the supplement she always carries. It works wonders on wounded Shinigami after a difficult battle, so she always has a bottle handy. Yorouchi gives him a slight nod, so Ichigo allows the pill into his mouth and swallows it. Almost immediately his head stops swimming, his stomach calms, and his eyes start to droop. In no time he's slumped against the golden eyed female, Yorouchi gathering him into her surprisingly strong arms and carrying him to his room.

"He'll only get worse," Kisuke sighs. "He needs Grimmjow's reiatsu to keep him healthy… Yorouchi learned that last night."

"How did she learn it, if I may ask?" Kurosutchi wonders.

"Grimmjow made an appearance last night," the exotic woman remarks as she leans against the doorway behind them. "Ichigo thought I was sleeping and snuck out the window, but I followed him. I watched them interact, I listened to them talk, and then they sat together until the sun started coming up. Grimmjow carried Ichigo back here, but thought I was just another cat… he told me everything about Ichigo getting sick, about his chances of dying without having Grimmjow around."

"You let that Hollow around Kurosaki after what happened?" Byakuya growls.

"You didn't see them together!" she snaps. "That Hollow loves Ichigo just as much as Ichigo loves him! I've never seen anyone of his breed treat anything as gently as Grimmjow did to Ichi! Besides, it's your fault it happened in the first place! Stop punishing him for your own damn mistakes!"

"Stand down, Shihoin!" Yamamoto yells.

There's an uncomfortable silence for a long moment, Yorouchi tilting her head to listen to Ichigo in his room. If they woke the other, there would be hell to pay. Thankfully, the other is still snoozing deeply within his room. Cutting hard golden eyes to those of the Gotei 13, Yorouchi tells them in so little words that they're treading on thin ice with her.

"We need to think of a way to generate a similar reiatsu signature to the Arrancar that defiled our substitute Shinigami," Kurosutchi comments in thought. "I think I may have a way, but I'll need Kisuke's help."

"Of course, Mayuri," the blonde smiles. "But wouldn't it be easier to just bring the Arrancar here?"

"Don't be foolish," the old man huffs. "He's the reason that boy is on the brink of death."

"No, you're the reason!" Yorouchi snorts derisively. "You and Mayuri and everyone else foolish enough to believe a word that psycho says. Grimmjow kept Ichigo alive. He could've killed him at any given moment, could've let the whole of Los Noches use and abuse his body, but he kept him alive and treated him well."

"He's a monster!"

"You didn't see the look in his eyes when he spoke of Ichigo," she frowns quietly. "I'm going to go watch over him; I can't take your ignorance anymore."

With that, she turns and walks away. Everyone is uneasy for only a moment, and then Mayuri sits down beside Kisuke to speak of their plans. Creating a reiatsu signature, no matter how little, is a difficult task. To apply it to the ailing orangette is even more difficult. They're not making a mod soul this time; they'll need to alter reiatsu gathered from Seireitei if they're to get anywhere. The others leave their geniuses to it, trusting Kisuke to keep Mayuri in line where they couldn't. Unohana stays, heading back to Ichigo's room and bumping into Shinji. He volunteered to take first visitation, so he's also staying at Urahara's to watch over the younger male.

"Hello, Unohana!" he grins. "What brings you here?"

"I've just learned Ichigo is pregnant," she frowns. "Mayuri never divulged that information."

"Don't worry, I'm watching him over for signs of rejection," the blonde states proudly. "It's all in the Hollow side, you know! Ichigo has actually settled rather well, he'll survive this birth… Probably because he's a Visored and all. They're not much different, you know… Visoreds and Arrancar. It's just like mating with the same breed to us."

"Oh! I hadn't realized that," she smiles in relief. "I'm glad he'll survive, but… what of the… um…"

"Cubs?" Shinji wonders. "That's what you call feline type Hollow babies… you call them cubs. Well, I suppose they'll survive as well! After all… you wouldn't want to piss off the parents by attempting to kill them. See you later, Unohana!"

He walks off while humming a little tune to himself, the raven haired woman sighing in exasperation as she heads for Ichigo's room. Everything always manages to get so complicated once Ichigo gets involved. When she arrives, Ichigo is still sleeping and Yorouchi is sitting near the pillows. The orangette's head is in her lap and she's running her fingers through his hair, the unmistakable sound of a loud purr filling the room.

"His Hollow side," Unohana frowns.

"It's still Ichigo," Yorouchi murmurs. "He's just content right now… he's been showing more of his Hollow side in little things like this. We've actually spoken to Shiro, his Hollow, on more than one occasion. I love the little pest; he has a great sense of humor!"

"Aren't you afraid he'll turn on you?"

"Not at all. Shiro only pretends to be a bloodthirsty monster," she waves off. "He really cares about Ichigo, he's extremely curious, and he'd do anything to keep Ichigo safe. He's more of the 'tough love' type and he absolutely hates it outside Ichigo's inner world. We never told Ichigo, though, as Shiro wants to keep the other on his toes. Said it wouldn't do for him to get comfortable and lazy, it would make him weak and vulnerable… and then this happens."

Her smile is humorless and a bit bitter, Unohana knowing the other woman enough to realize why. Yorouchi never had children, never wanted them, but Ichigo has grown on her in such a way. A small smile is given at the scene of Yorouchi being all motherly with the substitute Shinigami, yet the raven haired woman says nothing more. Even she knows not to press boundaries with the temperamental Shihoin.

Grimmjow is lounging around his room when Stark finds him, the brunette having gotten worried after not seeing the feisty feline for two meals. In his hands is a platter with dinner for his friend, the teal haired male too deep in thought to notice his presence. He walks closer to the man lying on the couch within his room, setting the tray on the coffee table and clearing his throat. Grimmjow jumps a bit, just enough to be visible, and Stark sighs in exasperation.

"You're lucky we're family enough to not want to assassinate you," he points out in a drawl.

"Yeah, I love you, too," Grimmjow snorts in humor.

"What's with you lately, Grimmjow?" Stark asks as he drops down into a chair across from the couch. "You've been so preoccupied and moody."

"Ichigo is gone," he mutters.

"Yes, I realized that. You've had plenty of lovers that wandered off; you've never acted this badly about it."

Grimmjow sighs, sitting up and leaning his elbows on his knees. He just now notices the tray of food on the table, sending a questioning look to Stark who just shrugs uncaringly. After a long moment, he takes in a breath and retells what happened. Normally, he only tells Ulquiorra about this stuff… but that's only because Stark is usually asleep. Truth be told, for all the genius Ulquiorra possesses Stark is much smarter in more areas. He and Gin are probably the ones he should be talking to, but Gin is a gossip on most occasions and Stark is always asleep. Once he's finished with everything he's already told Ulquiorra, he notes that Stark is still waiting. The brunette knows Grimmjow well, knows all his 'younger siblings' well, and he can tell when there's more bothering the teal haired male than he states. That little strain in his features always gives him away. It's very slight and barely noticeable, however Stark is far more observant than most and he knows when Grimmjow gets everything off his chest more relief rest upon his face.

"… I talked to him last night," Grimmjow mumbles. "I… I told him I would stay there with him if he found a way."

"Grimmjow!" Stark gasps in shock. "What were you thinking?"

"I… don't know," he mutters in irritation. "I just… he looked so hopeful and… He doesn't belong here, Stark. I just… wanted to be with him."

"You're in love," the other realizes. "Grimmjow, this isn't something you can just jump into. You have to think this through. There are other things to worry about aside from being with Ichigo; you still have to worry about how the Shinigami will take it. How will they react to an Espada, the new King of Hueco Mundo, living among humans? Sleeping with their prized savior? How will they even take the fact a hybrid child is actually going to survive this time?"

"… What?" Grimmjow asks in surprise. "What do you mean? They aren't going to kill it, they just said so."

"I'm guessing Ichigo isn't in Seireitei, right?"

"Well… no. He's in Karakura with that blonde shopkeeper Aizen hated."

"The shopkeeper that was exiled from Seireitei? The one that didn't follow their views and decided to live with humans? That one?"

"… Ah, shit."

"Besides, how will Hueco Mundo handle losing you? Your reiatsu is the only thing keeping the Shinigami out of this place. If you leave, this place will be easy pickings for that creepy Taicho that likes to dissect everything he gets his hands on."

"I'll… I'll figure that out," Grimmjow says meekly and a bit panicked. "Right now, I have to at least make sure Ichigo survives this. I need to figure out what's best for him."

"You know what's best for him, Grimmjow," Stark states in a reprimanding tone. "You're just too selfish to implement it."

Grimmjow looks up in surprise at the brunette's rarely used 'big brother' tone. His eyes are hard and scolding without words, the teal haired male pouting unconsciously at the heavy gaze. Stark is the second strongest next to Grimmjow, yet is happy enough in his role of 'big brother' to the others. Even if he were the strongest, he wouldn't want to be anything more than that. He wasn't very happy about Grimmjow's spontaneous act of domination on the substitute Shinigami, yet he understood that the feline always jumps in head first when he gets a gut feeling. In all actuality, the Shinigami deserved to have their plans backfire in such a substantial way. Now, however, things are just getting too complicated.

"You need to let him go."

"But… I love him," Grimmjow states sadly. "And he loves me. He told me he wants to be with me."

"The Shinigami put enough stress on that boy's shoulders, Grimmjow," Stark frowns. "He doesn't need you adding more. Just having that mark on him is harming him! The Shinigami are too unpredictable to a boy that doesn't know them well enough, he's probably stressing himself out by thinking on it."

"He's pregnant, Stark. Taking the mark off now will kill them."

"There's a good chance of that, yes… But what's more important?"

"Please… don't ask me to choose."

"I'm not asking you to choose, Grimmjow… I'm merely pointing out what's best for him. Human males don't get pregnant, he'll be locked up inside until he actually does give birth. He'll be weakened and his Inner Hollow will have the perfect chance to take him over indefinitely. Think! What's more important? Having cubs that are likely to be killed the minute they're born anyway, or saving the mate you love?"

Grimmjow hangs his head as he runs his fingers through his hair… he wishes he would've talked to Stark at the very beginning. Maybe if he told him all this before Ichigo got pregnant his choice would've been easier. Finally, he mumbles out the problem.

"It's not the cubs, Stark. I tried to get them destroyed the minute I found out about them," he sighs quietly. "It's Ichigo… he wants to keep them."

"The Shinigami know nothing about Hollow cubs, Grimmjow. The Visoreds don't know about them either, they've never reproduced that we know of. Ichigo is on his own with this. Unless he's returned to us, the only ones that know the first things about birthing Hollow cubs, he will die."

"… Tell me what to do, Stark."

"I can't. This is your choice to make, Grimmjow. But I will tell you what I would do… I would let him go, or at least talk to him about it. It should be his choice, too."

"I wish he weren't a Shinigami," Grimmjow spits out bitterly. "Things would be so much easier if we didn't have to worry about those assholes controlling him!"

"I seriously doubt they get that privilege, Grimm," the brunette snorts derisively. "Remember, I saw how much his own mate controlled him… there's no way in hell those Shinigami do."

"Yeah… he is a bitch, isn't he," Grimmjow grins toothily.

Stark smiles at him, glad to see him at least trying to cheer up. For some reason, the sands of Hueco Mundo always react to Grimmjow's moods. Sometimes those reactions aren't exactly healthy for lesser Arrancar and Hollows. With a final pat to Grimmjow's head after standing, Stark leaves the younger Espada to eat. Grimmjow, however, pushes the food aside and sighs in misery. He has too much to think about to eat right now. Unfortunately, the warning glare Stark sends him at the doorway has him quickly pulling the food back to him. Knowing the other, he'll sick Nell and Hall on him if he refuses to eat… which is the kinder option. There's no way in hell Grimmjow's gonna chance the brunette dealing with him himself.

Ichigo wakes to the slight tingle of Grimmjow's reiatsu, excitement spiking through his veins at the realization that Grimmjow is in the human world for him. Carefully, he slips from Yorouchi's hold and climbs out the window. He doesn't notice the golden eyes opening to follow him, nor does he realize there was another in the room that wasn't sleeping. Barefoot and wearing only a thin pair of pajamas, Ichigo hurries toward the park where his mate waits for him. The two women follow closely behind with their reiatsu so bound you'd think they were regular humans. Within the park, they're shocked to see Grimmjow watching a few kids around eight to ten playing basketball. His arms are crossed over his chest and his eyes are thoughtful with a hint of a smile on his lips. The kids can't see spirits, so they can't see those that have now joined them. Ichigo is still in his Shinigami form, the others far too afraid his human body couldn't handle the pregnancy to toss him back into it.

"Grimm!" Ichigo calls happily.

"Hey, Kitten," Grimmjow grins widely as he catches the other in a hug. "You shouldn't run out here in just pajamas, you know. It's getting colder out at night, you'll get sick."

"I'm sorry; I just… wanted to see you."

Grimmjow smiles down at his beta, a bit of sadness flitting through his cyan orbs that Ichigo tilts his head in confusion at. The teal haired man knows this won't go well, but he also knows Stark is right. Sitting them down in the grass, he just holds Ichigo before he has to let him go… forever.

Oh noes! D8 How could I leave it there like that! Oh yeah... I'm evil ;p I don't now how all this happened, it just sort of got typed down and I was like 'wow! That's a really good idea!' Anyway, sorry you haven't to wait to learn what happens... not really, but it sounds nice to apologize =) The only thing you guys should be mad about is if I randomly update all the others before this one *evil laughter*

Grimm: Wait... I'm not gonna be with Ichi? )8

Ichi: YES! =D

Grimm: Oh hell no! You better fix this now!

Ichi: No way! I'm tired of getting impregnated by Grimmjow! I want a break!

Grimm: Shut the hell up, you know you love it! You practically beg for it!

Ichi: I do not! 0/0