Updated 2/5/15

Happy Holidays!

Chapter 14

After work that day, Byakuya went home deep in thought. He was trying to decide how much reigning in Ichigo would need in order to keep the baby safe. The boy had a tendency to be reckless and Byakuya was certain that if anything bad happened, Ichigo would never forgive himself.

'Of course, now that he has a baby to protect, he might not want to take any risks,' Byakuya heard his zanpakuto's voice as he walked home alone.

'True,' he thought back to Senbonzakura. 'But if an emergency came up, there's no telling what he'd do. Knowing Kurosaki, he'd probably jump into the middle of it without thinking the repercussions through and then he'd hate himself afterward.'

He heard the mellow laugh from his zanpakuto, 'You have a point, Byakuya. Why are you so concerned? Even though he is your fukutaicho, he's not family.'

Byakuya huffed out an irritated breath, 'You know why! It is my duty to protect my squad and that includes Kurosaki. And he is family where it counts. He may not be blood related, but Rukia considers both of them her family and that makes them mine.' He paused before continuing with an amused tinge to his thoughts, 'Although I believe he would more likely be the brother-in-law, thank the gods! At least I can still pull rank on him when he gets stubborn.'

'Yes,' Senbonzakura agreed, 'unfortunately he doesn't have that luxury when you get too stubborn. It doesn't seem quite fair...does it?'

Byakuya frowned at the humor reflected in his zanpakuto's voice even as he answered a bit smugly, 'Life isn't always fair now...is it?'

He got home in time to sit down to dinner with an overly excited Rukia. She was practically bouncing in her chair. Byakuya briefly thought of chastising her, but he decided against it. If she didn't get all of her excitement out now, he was seriously worried that she'd spontaneously combust. Fortunately all that was required of him was to occasionally nod, and when she paused for breath, to grunt as he ate his dinner.

When she finally ran down, he commented, "You will be able to get most of that ironed out with Ichigo on Friday. Both he and Renji are coming to dinner then."

She frowned, "That's three whole days away, Nii-sama! I was thinking of tackling him tomorrow morning."

"Rukia, he is my fukutaicho and will be busy for the next three days. I am certain he has much to do after work as well. He and Renji need to set up the nursery after all. Talk to them on Friday," Byakuya stated, his tone final. He didn't often use his 'clan head' voice on her anymore, but it was effective when she was wound up. She settled down immediately.

"Of course, Nii-sama," Rukia said meekly although her eyes flashed with impatience. "I can wait until then...unless we just happen to run into each other."

"As long as you don't happen to make it happen, that is fine," Byakuya answered dryly.

Byakuya sat near the koi pond later that same evening, still contemplating his fukutaicho's condition. He found it amazing that Ichigo and Renji had actually conceived. In his mind it was every bit the miracle people talked about. To bring a new life into the world...any world...was awe inspiring.

He smirked when he thought of Renji and Ichigo as parents. It completely boggled the mind. He wondered what the child would look like. Would the baby's hair be red or tangerine? Mahogany or chocolate brown eyes? Smiles or scowls? His smirk softened into a smile at the image his imagination conjured. Byakuya dearly hoped the baby would be a girl. He felt that the two younger men deserved all of the headaches that raising a baby girl would entail. Gods knew they'd given him enough of them! That thought brought a quiet snort forward as he felt his lover approach.

"What's with the laughter, Kuchiki?" the gravelly voice asked from behind him. "Ya don't usually indulge."

Byakuya turned with a small grin still in place. "I can't help it. It seems that the two idiots have finally gotten pregnant. I was imagining them being run ragged by a little girl with Renji's hair and Ichigo's eyes and attitude!"

Kenpachi's deep rumbling laugh filled the night. "So Kurosaki's preggers, huh? Priceless!" He was silent for a moment and then his humor faded abruptly. "That means I can't fight him, don't it?" Now he was scowling!

"Yes that's exactly what it means!" Byakuya quickly snapped. "Unohana-taicho will kill you if you so much as look like you want to fight him!"

Zaraki blanched before quickly recovering. He snorted, "Well, s'not like it would be a challenge under these circumstances anyway!" He grumbled for a few more minutes as he thought over the unfairness of having one of his best sparring partners taken from him, if only temporarily.

He plunked himself down behind the smaller man and pulled him close as his thoughts began to turn more lustful. "I guess you'll have to fill in the gaps he's leaving behind," he growled as he nuzzled the raven's neck.

Byakuya's cold voice answered, "And exactly what does that mean?" He found himself suddenly flat on his back with his lover looming over him.

"Means that if I can't fight him, I'll fight you instead," he rumbled deeply as he untied and slid the obi from the smaller man, slowly opening his kimono and exposing him to the night air.

"What kind of fight are you expecting right now?" Byakuya asked somewhat breathlessly.

Kenpachi grinned down at him, "The best kind." He slowly lowered himself to explore his lover's body.

Byakuya moaned as he spread himself more, "I suppose it is my duty as his taicho to take up the slack." He arched into the other man's body as he felt Kenpachi's battle roughened hands exploring him.

The bigger man grinned against his chest as he began to taste Byakuya's sweetness, "Ya got that right." No more needed to be said as he slowly worked his way down the raven's body.

Byakuya felt himself ignite with passion as he began to writhe under his lover's touch. If he lived a thousand years, he'd never get enough of this man's embrace. He shuddered as he felt Kenpachi's fingers penetrate his core, surging onto them in a frenzy to feel more. Just when he felt he would lose his mind if the bastard didn't hurry up, he felt the fullness leave him only to be replaced with what he truly desired. He sighed in bliss as he was finally filled completely. There was a pause as Kenpachi looked down at him with his soul laid bare in his eyes and then he grinned and began to move.

Making love with the beast above him was never gentle and tonight was no exception. Byakuya reveled in it. Kenpachi satisfied him on a level that no one else ever had and no other being ever could. He was harsh and merciless in his invasion of Byakuya's body, carrying him along on waves of pleasure, making him scream as he came undone. And however rapidly he achieved his release, it was never enough. Zaraki played his body as easily as Byakuya could produce calligraphy; bringing him to ecstasy over and over again. It was just before dawn before the two managed to fall into bed, completely sated and finally able to rest.

The Quincy half of Zangetsu had been relieved to see his partner reappear in their inner world a few days ago. Now he wasn't so sure. Ichigo's doppelganger had been irritable and moody ever since, snarling at anyone who came too close. The day before, Zabimaru had finally had enough and gone off alone, leaving the two halves of Zangetsu to themselves.

Both spirits felt uncomfortable with each other now; things had changed and they weren't certain what the changes meant to their partnership.

"Hey, old man," the hollow finally snapped. "You don't have ta stand all the way over there, you know. I ain't gonna bite!"

"Are you positive about that?" he asked as he cautiously approached. "You look as if you might snap my neck if I got too close."

"It's not you," he sighed. "It's Ichigo. He got knocked up the other night...and it's making me itchy."

The Quincy sat beside him. "I see." He didn't really so he continued, "What does this mean for us now?"

The hollow shrugged as he ran an agitated hand through his snowy spikes, "I don't know. I don't understand what I'm feelin' right now and it's making me crazy."

"Crazier than usual?" the brunette asked wryly. He got a glare for his trouble and smirked back at his counterpart. Suddenly he realized just what the hollow might need and he gulped when he realized that he actually liked the idea. "Would you like my help with this?" he asked as he leaned over slightly.

The younger looking spirit quirked an eyebrow at him, "What d'ya got in mind?" He didn't have to wonder long as his lips were pleasantly sealed by the other's.

A few hours before dawn Ichigo awoke with a start. At first he thought the nausea had come back but as he lay there he realized that he felt fine; better than fine actually. In fact...he felt great. He rolled over onto his side, facing Renji's back and couldn't help but run his hand lightly over the tattoos there.

When Renji rolled over onto his back, Ichigo was filled with an intense heat and need to continue touching his mate. With a mental shrug he continued to trace the tattoos down from Renji's shoulders, following their path lower until they disappeared beneath the sheets. With a wicked gleam in his eyes, Ichigo squirmed his way down to what was hidden beneath and followed the path that led to Renji's most sensitive area. He felt his mate's body responding to his touch and heard Renji groan as he took him into his mouth, suckling on his head before completely swallowing him down his throat before pulling up again.

Before long he felt the red head's hand in his hair and heard his sleep coarsened voice mutter, "Ichi...go?" He quickened his pace as he felt the hand tighten in his hair. "Shit," was all Renji could get out as he came down the younger man's throat. Ichigo felt the covers fly off of him as he slowly released his lover and looked up with a grin.

"Did I wake you?" he asked innocently as he was grabbed and flung flat on the bed by the bigger man.

"Holy shit! And what a way to wake up," Renji grinned above him as he bent down to thoroughly kiss Ichigo. "Feeling a little needy, are we?" he teased when he pulled away with a smirk.

"Dumb ass!" Ichigo blushed. "And yeah...kinda," he admitted with a sultry grin. "What d'ya want to do about it?"

Renji's smirk grew lecherous, "Is that a challenge?"

Ichigo's eyes said it all as his mate rose to the occasion. There was no more sleep to be had for either man that night.

The next morning Ichigo arrived early at the Squad Six barracks to be met with a bag of mint and a small note from Unohana-taicho explaining that it worked wonders for morning sickness. He had just managed to make a cup and begin his daily chores when Byakuya arrived.

Both men nodded blearily at each other when the raven sniffed the air. "What is that scent?"

Ichigo held up his cup as he answered, "Mint tea." When he noticed the other man's look of distaste he continued, "Get used to it. I think it's gonna become a staple around here for the duration. Want a cup?" he ended with a twinkle at the other's look of disgust.

"No, thank you," Byakuya answered coldly. "I believe I'll make myself some real tea." He rose and walked haughtily out of the room.

Ichigo snorted and settled himself at his desk. 'This could be fun,' he thought in wicked amusement.

As the day wore on, Ichigo had a great time riling his taicho with his noisy sipping of his new drink. He wasn't one for herbal tea of any kind, but he had to admit that it really helped. He almost felt normal. As Ichigo loudly smacked his lips together for the twentieth time that morning, Byakuya threw his papers down on his desk and asked with an exasperation only his fukutaicho could rouse in him, "What is with you and that godawful smelling drink?"

Ichigo looked over at his taicho in mock confusion, "Unohana-taicho sent it to me. She said that it helps with morning sickness." He turned serious as he continued, "She was right, it really does. I don't feel as if I'm gonna hurl anymore."

Byakuya relaxed as he looked at the younger man curiously. "Are you already having issues?"

Ichigo nodded, "Yeah it started last night. I don't know how women stand this. It's a miracle anyone has kids if this is how it makes you feel."

Byakuya grunted, "At least it won't last forever."

"Says the man who doesn't have to deal with this shit!" Ichigo snapped back, suddenly pissed.

The older man glared, "You know I would trade places with you in a heartbeat if I could."

That brought Ichigo up short and his expression softened to one of regret and apology, "I'm sorry, Byakuya. I don't know where that came from."

"It is to be expected I suppose," the older man nodded his acknowledgment of the apology and they both went back to work.

Renji made the announcement to his squad during their lunch break and he was swarmed by his officers as well as touched by all of the warm wishes and advice. Hanataro snuck off to meet up with Rukia to see how she had taken the news.

Around mid-afternoon the hell butterflies began to make the rounds of the assorted barracks. The announcement of Abarai's and Kurosaki's pregnancy met with varied responses:

At Squad One Kyouraku smiled knowingly at Nanao's and Ukitake's excitement when Jushiro's butterfly finally caught up to him.

Soi Fon stopped her squad's training exercises in order to growl about immature idiots raising babies.

Squad Three saw it's captain storming out to head to the World of the Living for the day. Rose couldn't believe that it had been so easy for the two younger men and suddenly needed to see Love.

At Squad Five Hirako grabbed Momo and swung her into an impromptu waltz until he was interrupted by Izuru who escorted his wife to a late lunch with the newly engaged Hisagi and Matsumoto. Rukia and Hanataro joined them a few minutes later. They had a celebration to plan for their friends.

Kensei grunted and sent his own message to his mate, letting her know about the news.

At Squad Ten Toshiro plugged his ears to save them from Rangiku's squealing. He tried to look put out but he couldn't hide the small smirk of pleasure at the announcement.

Zaraki started throwing things in a continuing fit of pique over losing his best sparring partner for the next nine months. Yumichika and Ikkaku took advantage of the distraction to sneak out and join up with Izuru's group.

Both Komamura and Tetsuzaemon handled the news by grinning at each other and continuing with their usual daily assignments.

Kurotsuchi couldn't have cared less...except for the possible tests he could run after the baby was born. He knew deep down that it wouldn't happen...but a man could dream...couldn't he? He never noticed Nemu's quiet joy at the announcement as she withdrew from his lab.

When Hisoka received his butterfly he hurried to tell the children the good news. There were squeals of excitement from most of the kids and so many questions for details that their caretaker missed the markedly sad reaction from one very quiet little boy.

A/N: And the mood swings have begun! ^^