A gift fic for u/4244621/Algernon-Fenton

Based on the series found here:

s/8767504/1/How-Do-You-Choose

s/8923850/1/Letting-Go-of-Pride-to-Bring-New-Life

s/11215639/1/Having-Your-Cake-and-Eating-It-Too-Shouldn-t-Be-So-Difficult

This story links to this series and takes place within the same universe. Kyoraku Emiko, Kuchiki Takahiro, the concept and theory of the pregnancy lozenges and this interpretation of Soul Reaper pregnancy all belong to Algernon Fenton.

Bleach of course belongs to Tite Kubo


Stole:

Chapter 11:

One month later…(Approx. Seven months total)

The Serietei was still dark, the hour still early in the morning. A few very over-eager birds were starting to chirp, tiny drops of sun light were just starting to peek up from the horizon. Toshiro shifted under his blankets, already very much awake. More accurately, he was sure he hadn't actually been asleep at all. Toshiro was used to his fair share of sleepless nights, but his had to be one of the worst. No matter how he had tried, how he had shifted, wriggled or squirmed, no position had been comfortable. His body felt restless, yet at the same time heavy and sluggish. Toshiro groaned and sat up, reaching round to press a hand to his back. A little knot of pain had been niggling away there all night. It had been annoying more than anything. Almost like someone was pressing their knuckle into his spine. Toshiro assumed he'd pulled a muscle during training, though the knot seemed to tense regardless of how he moved. It was just starting to tense up again. Toshiro grunted and shifted as his pelvis started to tense as well. That had only started in the last few hours. It was peculiar, to say the least. It almost felt like his hips were being very slowly moved apart. Toshiro wince and stood up from his bed. He'd found pacing soothing to his back, the rhythmic movement easing the tension. Toshiro's hand moved from his back to his stomach. It felt hard and bloated, the heavy feeling not helping his hips. Toshiro started to walk the floor slowly, his abdomen feeling as though it was dropping with every step. It clenched tightly, Toshiro's eyes widened and he bolted into the bathroom. That was something else that had kept him awake. He had been back and forth to relieve himself more times than he cared to count. At first it had just been his bladder, then more embarrassing things had started to happen. Toshiro emerged from his bathroom with red flushed cheeks. Just his luck to get an upset tummy. He only hoped it would settle in time for the captain's meeting, otherwise he might have an unfortunate accident. Toshiro shuddered. He'd never be able to live that down.


The morning was going from bad to worse. Toshiro's discomfort was only getting worse. The knot of pain in his back had spread, now starting to reach his tummy. It was starting to tighten, like someone had tied an invisible rope around him and was pulling on it every so often. Toshiro set his jaw, trying not to let anything show on his face. He couldn't show weakness in front of the other captains. Not on something as trivial as a stomach upset. He could handle a little pain; he'd received injuries from Hollows worse than this surely. Toshiro kept his focus carefully ahead of him, not even daring to blink. He felt his stomach start to clench, his back and pelvis tensing at the same time. Toshiro licked his lips nervously; his mouth had gone uncomfortably dry. Sweat was prickling at his skin, the under arms of his kosode felt damp and sticky. Toshiro took a small breath, his stomach growing tighter. He grit his teeth hard, trying to keep is expression neutral. This was a bad one. Heavy pressure was pushing on his pelvis; he could feel his legs starting to tremble. Toshiro hoped it wasn't noticeable; his legs seemed to be growing heavier by the second,

"Hitsugaya-taicho, are you alright?"

Toshiro's eyes snapped open, he hadn't even realised he'd closed them. The other captains were hovering around him, looking a mixture of concerned and curious. Ukitake was right in front of him, his hand on the younger captain's back. Toshiro realized he had been the one to speak, for some reason the older man was on his knees. Toshiro looked down, suddenly realizing he was also on his knees. He didn't even remember falling,

"What…but I don't…" Toshiro trailed off. He felt very hot and flustered, his cheeks burning with embarrassment. Ukitake placed his hand on Toshiro's forehead, the younger captain shied away from the touch. He felt oddly sensitive and it felt very unpleasant. Toshiro took a deep breath and carefully pushed himself off the floor, trying to return to his feet with what little dignity he had left. The pressure in his pelvis felt heavier than ever, his hips feeling like they were being stretched beyond their normal range. Toshiro only hoped his legs weren't actually as spread as they felt. The other captains continued to stare at him with curiosity; a few had grown bored and stopped paying attention. Yamamoto tapped his cane to bring order,

"Hitsugaya" he said, looking at Toshiro "If you are ill or otherwise incapacitated I suggest you leave"

"Soutaicho, I beg forgiveness for my rudeness" Toshiro bowed low "I assure you I'm fine"

He felt his tummy start to tense again, he forced himself to straighten up despite the increasing pain. Something in his stomach shifted, Toshiro almost swore at the sensation, a sickly feeling rising in his throat. Yamamoto watched Toshiro carefully, his expression unchanging. He cleared his throat,

"This is no longer a request Hitsugaya" he said "I am ordering you to return to your barracks"

Toshiro wanted to argue, but was sure if he opened his mouth he wouldn't be able to stop himself groaning. Ukitake stepped forward,

"Soutaicho, in the interest of Hitsugaya's safety, I request permission to escort him to his barracks" he said, bowing low. Yamamoto thought briefly and nodded,

"Very well, permission granted"

He dismissed Ukitake with a wave of his hand. Ukitake bowed again and quickly approached Toshiro,

"You don't have to act strong all the time" he whispered "If you're unwell, you're unwell"

Toshiro ignored him and headed to the door. He was visibly shaking now, his stride now embarrassingly like a waddle. A low chuckle sounded behind him, Toshiro didn't need to turn to know it was Kenpachi. He continued walking and headed out of the door. As soon as Ukitake had followed and closed it, Toshiro grabbed his arm and leaned on him. He began to pant slightly, feeling oddly drained. Ukitake's eyes widened, he watched the younger captain worriedly,

"Toshiro, what's wrong?" he asked. Toshiro gave him a harsh glare,

"H-Hitsugaya-taicho" he hissed "It's nothing, I'm just tired"

It was clear from Ukitake's expression he didn't believe a word Toshiro said. Before he could respond, Toshiro had released his arm and started walking towards the exit. The younger captain grimaced, feeling his stomach harden again. He honestly just wanted to go curl up in the nearest corner and wait for everything to pass. Ukitake's hand rubbing his back was a welcome feeling. Toshiro looked over his shoulder, his eyes filled with tiredness,

"Please…" he said "Just help me back to my barracks"

Ukitake simply nodded, letting the younger captain lean on him. He took him out of the building, flashstepping once they reached the streets. By the time they reached Squad ten barracks, Toshiro felt like he was going to pass out. His legs were shaking worse than ever, his whole stomach rock hard and tensed like it was in a vice. The sick feeling was getting stronger; Toshiro hoped he wasn't going to throw up on Ukitake's feet. Ukitake himself was frowning deeply. He helped the younger captain up the stairs into the office. As soon as they were inside Toshiro pulled away, stumbling over to his couch and all but falling on to it. He immediately curled up tight, holding his stomach. Ukitake hurried to Toshiro's side, kneeling down. His worry was rapidly turning into fear. He couldn't leave Toshiro in this state. Especially since Rangiku was nowhere to be seen. Ukitake gave a sigh,

"Toshiro, you're not leaving me much of a choice" he said "I have-"

Toshiro cried out suddenly, cutting Ukitake off abruptly and making him jump. The younger captain's hand shot out, grabbing a fistful of the older captain's haori. Toshiro's eyes were clenched shut; he was squeezing Ukitake's

sleeve so tightly his knuckles were turning white. Somehow he curled up even tighter, starting to rock himself back and forth,

"U-Ukitake…." Toshiro gasped and groaned "Ukitake…h-help me…"

Ukitake's eyes widened, he was rooted to the spot as he stared helplessly at the young captain. He was at a complete loss. Desperately he wanted to help, but what could he do? Toshiro cried out again, his grip moved from Ukitake's sleeve to his hand. Ukitake gripped Toshiro's hand back; he began rubbing the younger captain's shoulders,

"Hold on, Toshiro" he said softly, summoning a Hell butterfly to land on his shoulder "Just hold on".


By mid-afternoon the 10th squad barracks was in chaos. Toshiro's screams had been echoing from his office for the last hour and a half, nearly all of the squad members had abandoned their posts to investigate the commotion. They were gathered by the gates, too nervous to go any further. Another scream was heard, a sudden burst of ice blasted through the door. The squad members jumped and backed away, tripping over themselves. Several people flashstepped behind the disorganized crowd, Unohana, Isane and several squad four officers pushed their way through,

"Out of the way!" Isane shouted "Move, please!"

The crowd parted, Isane ran straight into Toshiro's office with her captain and fellow officers. The door slammed shut, another pair of feet appeared behind the crowd. Rangiku had just returned from her patrol, she had almost run straight into Isane on her way in. The presence of squad four had set her on edge, anxiety rising in her chest. Her fear only increased as she saw the gathered squad; she seized the nearest officer by the shoulder and turned him around,

"You! What the heck is going on?" she demanded "What happened?"

"It's the captain ma'am!" the officer gave a clumsy bow his shoulder still in Rangiku's grip "Something is wrong with him, but no one knows what"

Rangiku sighed irritably; she shoved the officer away and pushed her way to the front. She paused suddenly and turned around,

"All of you get lost!" she snapped "You have better things to do than stand around!"

Her tone was a lot harsher than she intended, her worry for her captain coming out as anger. The officers quickly bowed and scrambled away, returning to their duties. As curious as they were, no one wanted to get on the bad side of the lieutenant. Rangiku was once again gripped by anxiety, turned back and hurried into the office,

"Hitsugaya-taicho!" she froze at the scene that confronted her. Toshiro was laid out on the couch, clinging to Ukitake as he screamed in agony. The young captain's face was red; Rangiku could see tear marks down his cheeks and sweat covering his brow. She ran over and fell to her knees, taking Ukitake's place,

"Toshiro, what's wrong?" her eyes were wide, desperate and full of fear "Talk to me!"

Toshiro couldn't answer, panting too hard to speak. He gripped Rangiku's hands, somehow the presence of his lieutenant felt oddy comforting to him. Several crashes echoed behind them as the squad four officers cleared Toshiro's desk, setting up their supplies. Unohana and Isane approached Toshiro as he laid on the couch,

"Isane" Unohana looked at her lieutenant "Examine Hitsugaya-taicho and tell me what you find"

Isane nodded, she rested her hands as best she could on the young captain. She began to focus, closing her eyes as she looked for his reiatsu. Slowly she moved her hands down his body; a sudden gasp escaped her lips,

"What?" her eyes were wide "But how?"

"What is it Isane?" Unohana knelt next to her lieutenant "What have you found?"

"I…I can feel another reiatsu" Isane looked up at her captain "Near his abdomen, it's weak but I can feel it"

Unohana placed her own hand on Toshiro's body, starting to feel his reiatsu as well. She jumped up suddenly, turning to her officers,

"I need sedative, stat!" she ordered "Start prep for emergency surgery"

One officer ran to Unohana and handed her a small bottle, the rest began pulling surgical tools from their packs. Unohana took the bottle and knelt down, carefully pouring a drop onto Toshiro's tongue. Almost instantly, the young captain began to relax, the sedative putting him to sleep. Rangiku was watching in horror, her face white,

"What are you doing to him?" she shouted "What's wrong with him?"

Unohana kept her back to Rangiku, rolling up her sleeves as Insane removed Toshiro's clothing. Unohana examined Toshiro's exposed stomach carefully,

"This is going to be hard to believe, but he appears to be about to deliver"

Unohana was right. Rangiku could not believe her ears. Ready to deliver? Toshiro? Rangiku shook her head slowly, wrapping her arms around her captain protectively. Tears appeared in the corners of her eyes, she looked at Unohana with obvious distress

"B-But…he can't be…" she stammered, moving herself closer to Toshiro. Unohana turned to her, placing her hand on her shoulder,

"I know it sounds very farfetched, even I'm at a loss to how this has happened" Unohana took Rangiku's hands, slowly easing her away "But somehow he's pregnant and very much in labour"

Rangiku allowed herself to be moved away from Toshiro, settling for holding onto his hand instead,

"Is he going to be alright?" she whispered "Is he…."

She trailed off, unable to form the words. She couldn't bear to even think about them, but she had to know. Unohana felt a twinge of sympathy for Rangiku, though she kept her facial expression calm. Despite their arguments and bickering, Rangiku and Toshiro were very close. Unohana knew if Rangiku lost Toshiro it would be like losing part of her family. Unohana pushed her up sleeves once more; Isane approached her with a tray of prepped surgical tools, holding them ready. Unohana took a breath and looked at Rangiku,

"I cannot say for sure what will happen, but he and the baby are struggling with the labour" she said "His body is sustaining the baby with his reiatsu, but if I don't deliver now they could both die".


Poor Baby got tired of being ignored XD If Toshiro still somehow doesn't get it I'm jumping into this story and slapping the boy myself

So yes, enjoy the drama~ And look forward to meeting Baby Hitsugaya next chapter

Baby names are of course welcome, boy or girl (I have one in mind but I'm still open to suggestions)