I do not own Bleach or any of their characters. All props go to Tite Kubo.
I do however own my characters, territories, ideas, and everything else that is not originally included in the Bleach story.
Enjoy Chapter Veinte, 20, Birth.

Birth

"What a beautiful baby boy! Oh goodness, he looks just like his father." One of the nurses of the Meido District spoke as the newborn infant was wrapped up in baby attire and a blanket. Upon his tiny head was a white hat, as the rooms in the Meido District were quite chilly.

Yumaki held him for the first time, sitting up in her bed as she was given medicines which would certainly make her drowsy. She smiled up at MiroTano who stood and stared, wide-eyed at the child.

Her smile turned to a frown, "What's wrong?"

He shook his head before smiling, "It just seems so unreal, I am a father."

"Would you like to hold him?" She asked. He nodded and she carefully held out the quiet child to him, "We never did talk about names for the child."

Yumaki laughed nervously, "Yeah... I also wanted to talk to you about something."

"What?" he said, his eyes still focused on the infant's closed ones.

"Well, I was wondering if you know... he could get-"

"No."

"Aw, please?" she asked, giving him a pouty face. He merely shook his head.

"We should decide on a name before such things," he replied, "What would you suggest?"

"Tanoshi." Yumaki said almost right away. MiroTano was stunned, but felt mocked at the same time, "Of all names, you want that one?"

"Yes, I know the name is dear to you." Yumaki said.

The little infant in MiroTano's arms opened his eyes. MiroTano stared deep into their brownness. The boy definitely had his eyes. And his nose. Maybe his ears. He couldn't help but have the strange butterflies that lived somehow within his stomach flutter. This was His son.

MiroTano then nodded, "Tanoshi then."

"You're okay with it?" Yumaki asked.

MiroTano looked away from his son to his woman, "Yes."

Yumaki sunk into the large and soft pillow she was given. She was still in a large amount of pain, just covered with medicines and the sight of her new baby boy, Tanoshi. How she wanted her first child to be a boy!

First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child. First child.

She subconsciously shook her head. Like hell would she ever only have one kid. Pffshhshh, one was not enough! But she was definitely content for now, as it was hard for her not the squeal in delight. The drowsiness didn't exactly let her either. The nurses in the room were just waiting for her to pass out so they could do more tests on baby Tanoshi.

'Just a little long...'

Out.

"Yumaki?" MiroTano asked as he averted his eyes to his lover.

"She'll be fine, it's just the medication." One of the nurses told MiroTano, "You've decided on Tanoshi? Tanoshi Mori?"

MiroTano nodded, and the nurse spoke, "I'm sorry for being so sudden, but your son is in need of a few small tests to be sure he doesn't have any certain disabilities or late reactions. They're going to be quick and simple, and then you can tend to him as you please."

MiroTano nodded and walked out the room with one of the nurses, taking his son with him. He already gave off that naturally protective aura. Among the tests, he felt Kiyori's Reiatsu, along with Umino, Amaya, and Ego's boyfriend enter the Meido District.

He had the urge to Sonido now, but Sonidoing with a newborn would be quite dangerous, despite the fact that the child was a Vasto Lordes. Also, Tanoshi was taking tests. The nurse touched Tanoshi's feet, and his toes spread automatically.

Such tiny toes! Did they even make boots that small? He was sure they did. He remembered when Tokijin-sama was a newborn. Yes, he was a lot older than Tokijin, and even older than a lot of the people who once resided at Sancre Tor. He and Jashatirou arrived at around the same time, luckily speaking the same language (Mandarin), and becoming friends.

While he was forced to learn Japanese because that's all everyone spoke in Sancre Tor, Jashatirou had the pleasure of not speaking at all. Lucky...

Such childish thoughts.. MiroTano exhaled over humorous memories. Though he spoke nothing of it, he did miss his dear friend. He never thought that Jashatirou would leave so suddenly. Why they got along, he never knew. They were complete opposites. While Jashatirou chose not to look upon women with pleasure, MiroTano took pleasure in looking upon women.

That is if he ever saw one. And if they didn't look hideous. Now, he didn't think of women. He cared not for anyone aside from Yumaki's attention, and now his newborn son Tanoshi. What a future he would have ahead of him. He sighed inwardly. He hated kids, and yet he wanted them. Of course he did not hate Tanoshi, how could he?

He knew he loved whatever was growing within Yumaki's stomach the second she first told him. Especially now since he was out of her body and new to this world.

Such small ears he had. MiroTano's voice was often loud. He wasn't sure why, it was just naturally that way, unless he wanted or had to be quiet. He didn't want to hurt the little one's ears when he spoke.

He watched the nurse weigh the boy. 7 lbs (3.18 kg)! For the love of god! Seven pounds of flesh/bone/whatever babies are made out of came... Out... of Yumaki? He praised her for being so strong silently, for he knew he'd never be able to do such a thing.

In no time at all, baby Tanoshi was given to MiroTano, who only studied the boy. What he had wanted for ages was finally in his arms, and he couldn't wait to get started.

"We have a large amount of baby uniforms, for it is rare that we do have an infant guest born here." The nurse said, "Along with everything needed to raise a growing child."

"Thank you." MiroTano mumbled. As much as he didn't want to have to part ways with Tanoshi, he had to. He had to see Kiyori and learn what had happened.

"Where can I leave him?" MiroTano asked, "I have certain business to take care of, and I do not wish for Tanoshi to be in the middle of any of it."

"Yes, absolutely. We'll have him stay in the nursery until you are ready to take him elsewhere." The nurse replied. Yumaki was quite familiar with this nurse, but he couldn't remember her name. She was a short girl. Her blonde hair was in a bun, and she had forest green eyes. She seemed trustworthy enough.

Not that he thought she was untrustworthy, he just had to trust few with his son. And he trusted few with himself. His mind spoke to him: And yet you threw yourself at Yumaki the second she first got to Sancre Tor.

MiroTano sighed and handed over Tanoshi, and the Nurse held him carefully, turning to a room attached to the one he was in. There was a window so he could watch her every move, and several empty tiny beds. She placed Tanoshi in the one closest to the window, and returned to the room, "I will monitor his every sound and movement."

He told his mind to fuck off about being so un-trusting. He nodded without thinking, and saw the woman turn on some sort of machine with several buttons and lights, "This will inform me of his heart rate, breathing patterns, or if he begins to cry."

Crying. Fuck. MiroTano totally forgot that babies cry. Thank God this kid was quite silent. The boy had been crying upon arrival to this world, but afterwards he stopped, and since then there was nothing but small sounds. With one last look at Tanoshi from through the window, he turned on his heels, thanking the nurse again, before leaving the room.

He checked up on Yumaki, who was still passed out from the drugs. He kissed her forehead and Sonidoed to where he sensed Kiyori.

Upon Kiyori's arrival, several residents of the Meido District met her. They were slightly confused, especially when they saw her new Meido Symbol.

Many had bowed low, automatically thinking, 'Hakubi-sama', before their Presquisa's turned their straight faces to ones of vexation. "Kiyori-sama?"

Medics took Amaya straight away to the large infirmary without question, and Umino decided to stay put. He stood near Kiyori, along with Reiko who seemed uncomfortable.

A Vasto Lordes Sonidoed to her location. It was Ike.

"Kiyori? What are you here for? And that - Meido Tattoo?"

Kiyori nodded, "Yes. There's a lot I must explain." She replied. Ike nodded and dismissed the many residents who gathered. Once they dispersed, he beckoned her to follow him. She did, and he led her to the Meido District's Central Building.

"What has happened?" he asked turning around suddenly.

Kiyori looked deep into Ike's eyes. They were dark sapphires, and he did resemble his father. He was a lot taller than her, and looked to be in his early thirties. However, when you are a Vasto Lordes, age doesn't follow you the way someone who lived did.

"Sancre Tor... Has fallen." Kiyori spoke.

"Fallen?" He asked. Residents who were in the room too seemed slightly shocked, now eavesdropping. Kiyori nodded. She held out Kuroji to him. The color of the hilt had faded, and contrasted from the Sheathe, which was a bold scarlet. It was shaped the exact same way Shouji was.

Ike frowned in confusion at the Zanpakutou. He grabbed it slowly.

"I think you would be the right one to hold on to this." She said.

He stared at it, finding a form of familiarity in it.

More people gathered in the room around Kiyori and Ike, "Sancre Tor is no more. Hakubi-sama has given me the Meido's Great power," she said slightly touching the fresh red Tattoo on her chest, "She is gone too, but she did leave with a peaceful cause."

Vasto Lordes' were too stunned to speak. Kiyori felt MiroTano's Reiatsu peer at the nearest door, too listening on this, "Her power lives on with me, and... I guess that means I'm in control."

"What of Hakubi-sama? What was her fate?" Ike asked.

Kiyori faced him, "She is dead, by seal with her brother, Kokuryu."

"Kokuryu?" he asked. He looked down at the Zanpakutou, narrowing his eyes, "Where did you get this? From who did you acquire such a weapon?"

"Your father." Kiyori replied. Ike seemed to slowly remember as he stared at the Zanpakutou, "I see." He said.

Kiyori nodded.

"Since what you say is what I am assuming, true; You also have the Great Meido Symbol to prove this. This will call for a new coronation." Ike said. He knelt to the ground.

The residents that filled the room too knelt with their heads low. She felt each of their Reiatsu's rise, and their Meido Symbols shone brightly. Kiyori then left the room, parting between them. She greeted the gardens, and many residents were outside, too kneeling. Their Meido Symbols were glowing as well.

Kiyori wasn't sure why she had left the room, she just had a feeling that it was the thing to do, and something was telling her to do it.

She levitated up quickly, passing the many windows on this Central Building. Kiyori looked down, seeing people gathering outside, or already facing her direction. She continued to travel up, getting closer and closer to the tip of the building.

She hadn't a clue why she was going up here, but the Meido Symbol was tugging on her, calling her name by guiding her up to the tip of the building. As she reached it, she looked down, seeing a height that comforted her, one that she knew and had grown accustomed to.

She pressed the center of her boot on the dull and tiny tip, and balanced carefully. She pulled her other leg that didn't touch the tip to her, so she stood straight and firm. The air at this point was thin, and a lot cooler than down where everyone else was.

Kiyori looked ahead of her, seeing the Inferno a ways away. She was almost sure that she saw within the fire, the silhouette of a Fiery Phoenix. She blinked, not thinking of Yusamujin, but rather her father, Tokijin. This alleviated her, but longed to see him again.

She closed her eyes, letting her Reiatsu run freely. She was the Grand Master of the Meido District now. Her Meido Tattoo lit up, signaling her coronation.

"Oh, he has your eyes!" Kiyori said softly to MiroTano.

That night of the coronation, there was a large feast that everyone attended to. Yumaki had awoken, and she cared for baby Tanoshi. Her first thoughts about attending a feast without her newborn baby seemed like torture, but one of the nurses provided little ear coverings. Some sort of technology that would prevent any damage to the boy's ears.

So she too had attended. Since the feast had ended, and everyone was settling in their rooms. Kiyori was in Yumaki's room, along with MiroTano and of course, the baby.

The tiny baby looked up at the large people in confusion.

"Does he cry a lot?" Kiyori asked.

"Well he is a baby Kiyori, of course he cries a lot." MiroTano replied.

"Or... Fine, has he cried a lot?" Kiyori then asked.

"Not a whole lot," Yumaki replied, "Only a few times, but he hasn't done much but sleep and take in Spirit Particles."

"Oh right... That's how babies or Vasto Lordes' who don't want to eat... You know, eat." Kiyori said.

"Yes, and Kiyori," Yumaki started. Kiyori locked eyes with her dear friend, "MiroTano and I have discussed it, and since you do have the power to do it, we were wondering if you could give Tanoshi a Meido Tattoo."

Kiyori blinked, "I have no idea how to do any of that stuff."

"What? Why not?" Yumaki asked.

"Well, it's not like Hakubi gave me a book or manual on how to be like her and how this power works," Kiyori replied shrugging.

"Oh man," Yumaki sighed, "Well whenever you figure out how to do it, then please do."

"Why do you want to give him one?"

"Well I figured to raise him here, and he can't be a resident unless he has one, so he needs one as soon as possible." Yumaki replied.

"What about MiroTano? He doesn't have one." Kiyori then asked.

"As much as I may not like it, I'll have to get one too," MiroTano said, "I'll feel a lot more comfortable since you're the leader of this place."

"I'll try and figure this out by talking to Shouji," Kiyori said.

"Alright Kiyori, thank you." Yumaki said.

Kiyori nodded, "Why did you pick Tanoshi?"

MiroTano spoke, "Well, it was a little bit before you were born, but Sancre Tor had a small child Initiate. He had to have been a Toddler, and I watched over him. I don't know why I did, but I felt as if I had to. His name was Tanoshi, and I guess you could say I warded off the bullies. I was his body guard - savior, you get what I mean. And, one day there was a raid by a large amount of Adjucha, Ketsujin obviously died, and so did a lot of Vasto Lordes'. One of them being that boy, Tanoshi."

"Oh, I see." Kiyori replied awkwardly. Had MiroTano ever spoke more than that to her in one setting? Her mind wandered off for a bit, "You speak Mandarin right?"

"What does that have to-" He sighed, "Yes."

"So you were able to understand Happy J?" Kiyori asked.

MiroTano nodded, thinning his lips, "I was his only hope for communication."

Kiyori sighed, "I miss him."

"You had said he returned to his village? Then Kiyori, I suggest you should look for another guy to make an heir. Mandarin Vasto Lordes tribes don't just let you leave. Jashatirou was lucky enough to get out because of Matsujin-sama, but he was able to return because of that sole purpose." MiroTano replied.

"Does that mean I won't see him again?" Kiyori replied, her eyes wide.

MiroTano shrugged, but Kiyori knew what it meant, "Honestly, I don't know. But that's why I said look for another guy. I highly doubt that Jashatirou would kill his whole village to escape from them. It's his home, and they welcomed him. It brings him honor to be welcomed."

Kiyori sighed a sad sigh. She got up and looked out the window, seeing the bright starry sky.

'Maybe I should just give up my fantasy of marrying Happy J,' Kiyori thought to herself. As much as the markings on her cheeks protested, a single tear was shed in memory of Jashatirou.

Yay! Another chapter finished! Still a couple more, but as I've said, it's coming to an end.

I haven't really decided if I want to make a Threquel or not. I mean if I do, then Idk what it would be about or who it would be about for that matter.

But YE! Tanoshi Mori is born! He will play Key roles in this story, but that's later, not now :) Yes, that little story that MiroTano talks about a little kid doesn't exactly happen, but it is mentioned in Gold and Green, however I haven't the strength to write and update that story right now because I'm... Working on this one! :D

After this one I'll work on Gold and Green and you'll have a whole Kiyori Arc trilogy or whatever lol.

Yes this chapter is quite short, but hey. When you write a big ol' chapter like last one, you gotta back it up with what happens afterwards, then another filler kinda chapter kinda, then another Amazing one, then a nice one, then whateva.

So, ye :) I appreciate the reviews, Thank you Thank you, my heart goes out to you! (The last time I wrote this, there was a typo, and it said 'I heart goes out to you.' lol ew, but I won't change it, because I'm a normal person too, and I make mistakes, and it's just proof that I'm human.)

I love you all!
Forever and Always,
Paloma

R&R!