Bleach ~ T Kubo
Over the rainbow ~ Arlen, Harold; Harburg, E.Y, Judy Garland
thank you my loyal reviewers and special thanks to Teal Eyed Dragon.
sorry for late updates, I am full time college student and often struggling with my energy levels
this was supposed to be a continue from the last chapter but I hit a block so I will just do from Unohana's POV
Unohana's POV
After taking the test, I was a bit shaken.
Another child... It was not that I was not happy... I was delighted, I always wanted a big family but as shinigami it came with its own problems.
The problem was, "How will the kids and Jyuushirou react on the news?"
Nanao was the most unpredictable one. No one knew how she'd react on something, especially a change in our lives.
Toushirou would be easier, he just wanted all of us to be happy.
As for my husband, he was more than delighted when I got pregnant with Nanao and Toushirou.
This time however, it was different. We already had two teenagers and as captains we had our struggles.
There were so many empty spots and the remaining captains had to find ways to prevent the other squads from falling into despair.
I left the squad in Isane's capable hands and made it home.
There was no one home and for once it was a blessing.
Don't get me wrong, I love my children and their friends and my husband more than anything, but now I needed to think.
I undressed to take a relaxing bath.
On my way, I passed the mirror and I paused to take a look at myself.
the mirror reflected a young woman with dark circles around her eyes and a tired smile.
My hands automatically came to rest upon my stomach where I knew my baby was safely and securely growing.
I was lost in my thoughts that I nearly missed the tiniest flutter of reiatsu against my palms.
When I realized what it was, a soft smile graced my lips.
The baby felt my distress and wanted to make me aware of the fact that he or she was still there to love me.
"I love you too, my baby" I whispered and gently rubbed my stomach.
Feeling a bit better, I entered the bathroom and filled the bathtub with water on a nice warm temperature.
"no matter what, you are welcome in this world and in my life" I talked tounborn baby.
With an appreciating smile I sank down in the water.
It felt nice to have a day off.
I loved her squad and the work that came with it but I hardly had any rest lately.
From now on I would have to take better care of myself.
time passed as I closed my eyes.
I don't know when but suddenly I was pulled into the past.
"Retsu, what a surprise to see you here" Ukitake spoke with a warm smile.
Unohana returned the smile with a gentle one of her own.
"I have my reasons" she spoke vaguely as she played with his hair.
"May I know the reasons? It is unlikely for you to act so secretive...nearly mysterious..."
She laughed softly. "I never knew I had a certain pattern of behavior that I follow without any change"
"that's not what I meant...I mean...you know..." Ukitake stammered, thinking he had upset his young wife.
Unohana placed a firm kiss on his mouth. "for a captain, you are quite incoherent" her tone was light and teasing.
Ukitake pulled her on his lap and held her tightly. "Happens whenever you are around"
He buried his face in her neck.
"Did I miss something? Usually I come to your office...you never visit mine without a serious reason..."
"I never said that I don't have a serious or valid reason for visiting..."
Her eyes softened and she smiled gently at her husband as she took his hand and put it on her stomach.
"Retsu, why..."
Ukitake stopped talking and his eyes widened in amazement.
"Do you mean...are you...we will...?"
"Think calmly and finish one sentence" she scolded him loving.
Ukitake took a deep breath and gently ran his hand over her stomach.
"Does this mean our most sincere wish is coming true?"
Unohana kissed him gently. "Yes Jyuushirou. Around the end of June and the start of July we will be holding our baby for the first time"
Ukitake had a hard time hiding his tears at the news.
He always wanted to have a child of his own and when he married Unohana, the wish just became stronger.
It was difficult for a female shinigami to get pregnant.
The morning that Nanao was born was a bright summer day.
Unohana had a long and painful delivery but when she heard the first cries of her daughter, everything was forgotten.
The moment that baby Nanao was put in Ukitake's arms, tears flowed freely and fell on the baby.
At that display, Unohana knew the pain was nothing compared to the love and joy she felt that moment.
Nanao was 5 years old when Unohana found out she was pregnant again.
Ukitake was just like the previous time overjoyed.
This time it was not an easy pregnancy though.
Unohana got so often cold to the point she was shivering.
The baby kicked much harder than Nanao too and often held Unohana awake for hours at night.
Unohana had to talk soft and soothing to the baby and take cold showers.
Only then she was able to settle down for some sleep.
Nanao was really an amazing help that time and could talk for hours to her little unborn brother.
He liked that and was really calm.
Those 9 months, were the months where Unohana had all attention for her daughter and got to know her a bit.
Nanao had always been a complicated child and at very young age, set routines for herself.
She was also very witty and didn't accept nonsense from adults.
The evening before Ukitake's birthday, their son was born.
Usually the parents name their children, but it was Nanao who picked out the name for her baby brother.
He could be upset for long but the moment he saw his sister, he smiled.
The water had turned cold when I woke up and a very concerned Nanao stood by my side.
"mom, are you sick?"
I shook my head and gratefully accepted the bath towel she held.
"no dear, I was just tired and I guess I must have fallen asleep"
Nanao gave me the look that she didn't fall for the excuse but remained quiet as I got dressed.
"let's get something to eat" she smiled and linked her arm through mine.
Downstairs she made a quick chicken soup with potatoes and macaroni through it.
While waiting for our soup to cool off a bit, she started playing the lullaby I often sang for her when she was younger.
automatically my lips started forming the words of the song.
Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There's a land that I heard of, once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow, why then, oh why can't I?
Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow, why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?