I wanted thank "Guest", "RG-Guest", and taity for their recent feedback, and give a special thanks to "Guest Number Two" for taking the time to post individual reviews for almost every chapter.


TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW

Chapter XXV:
"Ballad of the White Wolf, Part 1"

Soul Society, Division Four HQ...

When Isane had gone looking for Captain Unohana, she eventually found the woman hunkered over the lavatory in the wash room. Right away, the silver-haired officer noticed that her superior was pale, with traces of perspiration visible, and a few strand of dark hair hanging loose from her distinctive braid.

The elder Kotetsu sister couldn't recall a time ever seeing the usually calm, serene woman ever looking so tired- let alone haggered- as she appeared in that instant.

"Captain...?" Isane began. "What's going on, what's wrong?" She asked as she moved to kneel beside the older woman, her training as a medic kicking in. The female Shinigami looked tired... Worse then that, she looked exhausted, as if she'd been concealing the extent of her ailment.

Despite her present state of disarray, Unohana wasted no time in replying. "Sudden bouts of dizziness and nausea in the morning..." She calmly recounted. "Isane, I... I have been working in medicine long enough to know what those symptoms mean." The Captain replied, accepting a damp washcloth from the younger woman. At this, Isane blushed as realization quickly dawned on her.

"Aside from that," Unohana added, sporting a neutral expression. "I'm late."

Isane was quickly getting used to having bombshells dropped on her, what with Renji Abarai's regular visits to patch up the odd cut or bruise, and the fact that her younger sister Kiyone was in a relationship, and with Sentaro no less! "W-wait, then you mean...?" The Lieutenant began.

The woman nodded. "Yes." She replied, wiping off her brow. "I'm no spring maiden, I've been alive as a soul for almost three-quarters of a millennium... And I thought that I'd seen or experienced everything there was by now." She paused, taking a breath. "And yet, at my age, I suddenly find myself faced with something that I never would have imagined possible- especially after all this time."

"Captain...?" Isane inquired, silver brows raised, already knowing the answer.

Unohana smiled wearily to herself, took a moment, and nodded. "I'm pregnant."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

The two women were back in the Captain's Office. Unahana had retaken her seat, behind her desk, as Isane appeared before her, presenting a plastic drink bottle. "Captain, I went and got this from the mess hall, it's important for you stay hydrated." The silver-haired woman remarked.

The older dark-haired woman nodded after a moment and wordlessly accepted the bottle- filled with pre-made tea- and gave a small smile as she twisted the cap off. Normally, Retsu Unohana would have made fresh tea, but she presently had a lot on her mind, such that she thought nothing of drinking from the bottle to help relieve the dryness and acrid taste lingering in her mouth.

"Thank you." The woman replied simply, feeling slightly better now. "As you know, Lieutenant, we've all been rather busy of late, and the timing of monthly cycles inevitably will vary to some degree... And with everything happening, from Division duties to the photo-project," Unohana paused. "In hindsight, it was shockingly easy to lose track, embarrassingly so, in fact- given that I'm a physician."

Isane listened intently. Without even a thought, there was one factor in the equation that went without saying, that she already knew the answer to. Without any need to pry, the silver-haired Shinigami knew, unequivocally, just as Captain Unohana knew... Captain Jushiro Ukitake was going to be a father. Isane wasn't sure how to process all of this, partly because the woman across the desk from her didn't appear to know how to react, at least not that she was showing. She couldn't help shake the feeling that the atmosphere was entirely too calm for such a- a revelation- if that was the right word.

"Upon reflection, I would estimate that I'm not quite two months along with the pregnancy. In fact, I've only been aware of my condition as of the week before last." She went on to reveal.

"I assume Captain Ukitake doesn't know of this." Isane began. "Is, is there some concern?"

Unohana shook her head. "No, it's just a matter of finding the right time..."

Isane nodded. "I see." She paused momentarily. "Well, given the circumstances... Informing the father is now the paramount concern." The Lieutenant reasoned. "Captain Unohana, as of now, your schedule is clear for the day." She continued evenly. "I'll manage things here."

The dark-haired woman gave a quizzical look. "I'm in no danger, I assure you."

"All the more the reason." The younger woman replied. "The timing is ideal. And, with all due respect, this isn't something that can be kept a secret... Especially as it's going to effect the entire Division, once you're on-leave and unavailable." Isane continued. "I'd prefer to leave it to your discretion, however the Fourth's Charter provided for deferred authority in matters regarding the health of the Captain."

"Well put," Unohana replied, a small smirk on her face. "In that case then, Lieutenant Kotetsu, I'll see you here, tomorrow morning." The Captain finished calmly.

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Division 13 HQ...

Captain Ukitake stood up from his desk, having just finished looking over the thirteenth's daily reports, and flexed his shoulders and neck. He smiled to himself, running a hand through his flowing white hair, as he recalled the antics of his two Lieutenants- the younger Kotetsu and her ever-present rival, Sentaro Kotsubaki, had been literally clamoring over each other as they both tried to show-up the other...

Another matter, which had filtered its way to him through the gossip of the rank-and-file, was that the overall moral of Soul Society and the people who composed it was quite high. In fact, for anyone who stopped to think about this realized, moral was higher than it had been for a long time. As the white-haired man considered the matter, he was struck by a moment of realization. A few secants passed in silence, and a small smile overtook his features... Of course!

To begin with, he'd witnessed firsthand the change in Captain Soifon. The once prickly Shinigami had undergone a startling transformation. And it was in no small part, it seemed, due to the presence of the catlike Arrancar she was regularly seen in the company of. Aside from this, he also recalled a particular instance when he'd gone to pay Toshiro-kun a visit (with the intention of dropping off candy for him). Upon entering the young Captain's office, Lieutenant Matsumoto appeared to have been leaning over his desk, but had quickly withdrawn, both of them blushing.

And his own two Lieutenants... It was obvious that there was something between them, something in addition to their rivalry. Similarly, he'd heard stories about the elder Kotetsu sister, that the Lieutenant of the Fourth was seeing the Fourth Seat of the Eleventh, Yumichika Ayasegawa...

Ukitake chuckled faintly to himself, tucking his hands into the pockets of his Captain's haori. It made sense, that with the pressure off them, the Shinigami were catching up on some much needed intimacy, which had the effect of raising the general morale. In the end, as long as everyone was happier, than he wasn't about the question the actions of consenting adults.

The white-haired Captain had just retrieved his Zanpakuto from its mount on the wall, when a Hell's Butterfly appeared to deliver a message to him. "Retsu...?" He began quietly. "She's waiting for me..." Ukitake observed softly as he took in the contents of the note.

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Ukitake Family Estate...

Captain Ukitake passed through the open front gateway, under the heavy wooden arch, past the wall encompassing the grounds his family's estate. The stone walls were eight feet high and two feet thick, the structure reinforced with heavy wooden beams, with smoothed wood capping the top.

The gateway itself was made of wood, ten feet high and eight feet wide- enough space for two people on horseback to pass thought it side-by-side. Atop it was a large, traditional Tori-style arch- highest in the middle and sloping down on both sides, before cresting back upward at the ends. The heavy wood and metal doors were open, as they often were, rarely being closed.

He quietly walked down the paved stone path, through the front courtyard, to the steps that lead up to the front doors of the residence. He'd walked these halls many times, more than he could ever possibly count, and the only thing that had changed over the years was his eye-line...

Jushiro became aware of her as he walked the smooth wooden floors, flanked by the rice paper walls on either side. The white-haired man could recognize that particular spiritual signature anywhere. The woman's energy was unmistakable to him, after their countless years together... Unohana's reiatsu was immediately recognizable- distinctive, almost like a kind of perfume. And like a scent, it both soothed and excited him, depending on the circumstances.

The Captain increased his pace a bit as he felt himself nearing her location. He always enjoyed Retsu's company, regardless of the circumstances, so he was eager to meet her.

She was in one of the reception rooms, kneeling on a cushion, with a full tea kettle and cups set up on a tray, little puffs of steam rising from the spout. She held one of the cups in her hand as she looked up at him with a serene expression that was so iconic of her. As always, she looked stunning to him, with her pale skin contrasting with her near-black dark brown hair. Pink lips curved into a smile.

"Retsu," he began calmly as he moved to take the cushion across from her. "The message you sent me, in it, it said that there was something you needed to discuss with me?"

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Coyote Stark, the Primera Espada and well known sleep-enthusiast, was lounging in the shade of a large tree in the rear courtyard of the Ukitake Estate. Just as his host had first told him, it was a good spot for him, shaded and quiet- well, at least when his other half wasn't verbally/physically accosting him for some reason or blathering on about something or other...

Still, he realized that he wasn't sleeping as much as he had during his time in Las Noches. What was surprising about this was that it by his volition. Even when Lillynette wasn't around to disturb him, he sometimes found himself unable to rest. It was as if his physical form was rebelling against his desire to sleep, filling his mind with thoughts that left him restless. Suddenly finding himself unable to sleep wasn't an occurrence he was used to... He didn't know what to do with the extra time.

The only activity he'd ever engaged in, aside from sleeping, was fighting. But now, the Primera found himself in such a domestic setting... Here, he was safe. Here, in the world of the Shinigami, no one was vying for his position or plotting against him. Here, he was not so much feared, but rather he was either met with smiling faces or simply curious looks- after all, a great number of people were at a loss as to what to make of him, trying to come to grips with what he was. Unlike some of the other Arrancar, all with their ostentatious mask fragments, his appearance was nearly as human as the Shinigami.

The most obvious giveaway to his status as an Arrancar, was the jaw-like bone fragment set high up on his chest, similar to a necklace. Aside from his vast Hollow reiki, his outward appearance was that of a tall man, with a scruffy face and collar-length messy brown hair. Sure, he often carried a large katana with him, but then most of the Shinigami did as well. Except his didn't transform...

One of the more common questions that came up, when someone finally worked up the nerve to speak to him (or someone who knew him), was why he lacked a Zanpakuto. And of course, this question lead into the presence of his other half- ie, just what exactly she was. While people excepted her as a person and some even found her endearing, she was unique- and damned hard to explain to others. Lillynette hadn't come into existence in any way that was known or easily understood: she wasn't born, she'd been created, and yet she was a living sentient being. And while she was effectively his Zanpakuto, she was also a person in her own right, an existence separate from his own.

The more he'd considered his own situation, and the desire that had lead him to create Lillynette, and his time as a guest of Jushiro Ukitake, Stark realized that he needed others in his life- to keep him from regressing into a "lump" as Lillynette dubbed him when he slept. Left to his own devices, he realized he was content with inertia, to do nothing. It wasn't until others came along, to motivate/cajole him into action- to do what was ultimately to own benefit, to stand amongst others.

At the moment, he sensed two powerful and familiar reiatsu within the estate... Really, it would have been hard not to discern their presence, even without his familiarity with the two Shinigami.

In terms of sheer magnitude of power, Stark was recognized as the strongest, but he himself suspected that Captain Kyoraku was- if pushed- capable of matching him in power. And he'd been present during Lillynette's fight with Jushiro- in which the man had clearly held back, simply matching her power. He could easily have killed her, but chose not to... At first, Stark might have thought he was trying to avoid over-taxing himself, given his precarious health. But, he'd realized, almost from the start, that the man lacked a killer's instinct. No, he wouldn't kill a 'child', regardless of species.

Unohana was a bit more of an enigma. She was just as powerful as the two men, with all three of them being comparable to Vasto Lordes, like himself and both of the Terceras. However, the female Captain's vast spiritual power manifested in the form the heeling arts. At the same time, while he'd never seen her perform any kind of offensive ability, he'd learned (second-hand) that she was impossible to intimidate, and that her gaze alone could shatter the resolve anyone who tried to stand in her way.

No wonder Lillynette admired and respected the woman as she did!

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Ukitake looked expectantly at the dark-haired woman before him, with Unohana meeting the white-haired man's brown-eyed gaze. "Jushiro, I... I'm pregnant."

A moment of silence passed between them, before the male Captain's face lit up, a broad smile gracing gracing his features as he clapped his hands upon her shoulders. "Retsu, I, th- this is amazing!" Jushiro exclaimed, full of energy and excitement. "I- we- we're going to be parents- parents!"

Without saying another word, he pulled her to him, encircling her in his arms, and planted a passionate kiss on her lips. "How far along are you?!" He asked excitedly, almost trembling.

The dark-haired woman's cheeks flushed faintly pink. "L-less than two months," she managed to reply, while still in his arms. "Perhaps five or six weeks at the most." Unohana added.

"Oh, I can't wait until I'll be able to feel it move!" Jushiro proclaimed, glancing down at her stomach, then back to her face. "Retsu, you- you're amazing- you've given me so much!" he continued. "You've blessed me with your love... And now- and now, not just as my wife, but as the mother of our child!"

The white-haired man rose to his feet, drawing her up with him. "My god!" Ukitake murmured happily, running a hand through his long hair. "I'm going to be a father!" With that, the man cupped her cheeks between the palms of his hands and planted another kiss on her lips. "Have you known long?"

Unohana shook her head. "I only worked it out less than two weeks ago." She replied. "I- I would have told you sooner, but I was just so surprised when I realized... I mean, I just never expected... n-not after all this time, at my age." The female Captain confessed.

"Oh Retsu, don't talk like that." He countered gently. "We have our whole lives ahead of us, and on top of that, we'll be a family soon, just imagine it." The white-haired man remarked. "I personally couldn't imagine anyone more perfectly suited to being a mother than you."

Unohana's eyes went wide for an instant, followed by tears forming in the corners, as her lips curved into a smile. "Oh Jushiro," She began, resting her head against his chest. "I just know you're going to be a wonderful father... And I cant wait." She finished.

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Unohana and Ukitake were walking down one of the corridors, arm-in-arm, the woman resting her head against his shoulder. "Retsu, would you prefer a boy or a girl?" Jushiro asked with a smile.

Unohana smiled at the question. "Either is fine," she replied. "though it would be nice if the child inherits your lovely white hair, Jushiro." The dark-haired woman added with a smile.

"Retsu," the white-haired man started, quirking a brow. "You know I wasn't born with white hair, it only turned white from the strain when my sickness first manifested." He remarked. "I was born with dark brown hair, the same color as my eyebrows." Ukitake explained, tapping a finger upon one of his dark eyebrows with his free hand for emphasis as he spoke the last part.

The woman nodded. "Still, it would be nice." Unohana replied. "I've always thought of your long white main of hair as one of your most attractive qualities." She offered. "It looks good on you, it makes you look very handsome and distinguished." She finished as they walked.

"Well, whether it's a boy or a girl," Ukitake began, smiling. "I'd prefer that they inherit your beauty."

Again, Unohana found herself blushing at something he said. "Honestly, Jushiro, you're such a tease sometimes, so casually saying things that make me blush." She admonished. "You're the only one , the only one who can put me in such a state." The woman added with a huff.

Just then, with the two of them headed towards the rear patio, they happened to cross paths Stark. Both of them were momentarily taken aback by the sight of the Espada, upright and awake. He bore a neutral expression as he appeared to regard them for a moment. "Stark." Ukitake began.

"You two seem to be... in high spirits." The tall Arrancar observed.

Unohana looked uncertain, but the white-haired man beside her smiled. "With good reason." He began, his arm still interlocked with hers. "We're going to be parents."

Stark again regarded the pair for an instant, then looked directly at Unohana- at her midsection- as she blushed yet again, then he nodded. "Makes sense, congratulations." He offered calmly.

The two Shinigami exchanged looks, then Ukitake spoke up. "You don't seem very surprised."

The Primera Espada offered them a disarming smirk at the comment, before yawning slightly while he rubbed the back of his head. "Well, now that I think back... The flow of Unohana-san's reiki within her body has changed... Similar to what happens with our females when they're pregnant with cubs."

Observing their curious looks, he continued. "Reiki concentrates around the womb... Though, in your case, I'd imagine it's more to do with your body nourishing your cub." Stark continued. "The difference for Hollow females is that their reiki accumulates around the womb to form a further protective barrier around the unborn cub." The tall Arrancar explained.

"The way you describe it," Unohana began. "it sounds as if their altered reiki functions in a similar way to their own placental barrier." The medic reasoned. "How fascinating."

"Aside from the change in Unohana's reiki..." Stark resumed, uncertain. "If I concentrate... I can sense a second reiki in her body... similar to Jushiro's." He admitted.

This time, both of the Captains blushed. "Yes, well, that's certainly to be expected." Jushiro replied, as he managed to compose himself. "Any idea when you first began sensing the change?"

Stark scratched his chin. "Not sure... Though, I wasn't really looking for it." He confessed. "Still, again, Lillynette mentioned something to me about Unohana's energy 'feeling different'..." The brown-haired Arrancar revealed. "Thinking about it now, I probably should have put all the facts together."

Jushiro chuckled. "Well, if Lilly-chan already has got some inkling of the truth, than I fear she'll never forgive either of us if we don't tell her about this very soon." He remarked with a smile.

Unohana smiled prettily at the comment, before turning to address the Arrancar. "Tell me, Stark-san," the woman began, calmly. "Have you been present for many of these births?"

The Espada stretched and yawned lightly. "Um, to be honest, there weren't any births in Las Noches, at least not that I was aware of." Stark explained. "And before becoming an Espada, aside from Lillynette, the power of my reiatsu kept me isolated from other Hollows, lest they wither under the pressure." The Primera explained. "Though, there's no need to worry," he amended. "since we were uplifted, I've been able to regulate the intensity of my reiki- it's how I'm able to safely be around others since arriving."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Division Four HQ...

While not an actual member of the Fourth Division, Lillynette was such a common fixture within and around the grounds, that the Shinigami thought nothing of seeing her present among them.

More often than not, she was either following around the Third Seat Officer, Hanataro Yamada, for one reason or another, or relaying messages to and from the Division to certain people. Aside from the fact that she was regularly seen associating with Captain Unohana, her 'youth', size, and appearance allowed her a degree of freedom in her movements- as likely most people didn't regard her in the same way they might have, were she larger and intimidating in appearance.

Presently, the small female Arrancar was keeping the aforementioned Third Seat company- a service that she had graciously 'volunteered', to ensure the young Shinigami wasn't left alone for too long, lest the Officer be left to his own devices. Ironically, what the young adolescent Hollow didn't realize, was that as her companion and counterpart had changed, so too had she...

Lillynette sat down, cross-legged, in front of the low desk that Hanataro was using as he filled out his Division reports. After a moment, he sensed her gaze on him, and looked up from the files, to the small Arrancar across from him. "Lilly-chan?"

"Taro-kun." She began. "I've been thinking, recently, about talking to the Octavio- Szayel Grantz- to, ya know, see if it's possible to alter my mask fragment." Lillynette explained.

He regarded her for a moment. "Why?" He asked her, noting the look of surprise. "Is your mask giving you some kind of trouble?" The young Shinigami asked.

Lillynette didn't respond right away. "Well, you see," she started. "I'm kinda tired of having this thing weighing me down and blocking half my vision." The Arrancar answered. "I'd like to be able to reach up and feel hair instead of bone." The smaller half of the Primera explained. "And maybe even finally see what my other eye looks like... to see if it's even the same color."

Hanataro set his reports down. "Lillynette," he began, his tone even and soft. "why are you suddenly making such an issue out of this?" He asked. "I mean, it's been a part of you for so long, and it's not causing you any harm, so it shouldn't be something you should be worrying about."

The Arrancar frowned at this. "But it's big and ugly, dammit, and it makes me look like a monster!"

"Whaaat...?" The Shinigami replied, taken aback by the comment. "Come on, you don't look ugly at all, or like a monster for that matter." Hanataro replied, failing to fully register the implications of what he'd just said, as he continued. "You're worrying too much."

However, Lillynette did pick up on what he'd said- he wasn't talking about her appearance in relation to her mask fragment... The female Hollow blushed faintly, then glared at the Shinigami. "Idiot! Y-you just don't understand- 'cause your a guy!" She exclaimed, rising to her feet. "Gah!" The petite Arrancar cried out in frustration as she stormed out of his office.

Hanataro blinked, confused, watching as she vanished. "W-wait... What the heck just happened?"

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Division Twelve HQ...

Szayel looked up as the door to his private office opened. Seated behind his desk, he was surprised to see tall figure of the Primera Espada enter. "Stark-san," the Octavio began with a smile. "What brings you to my Division, is there something I can do for you?" He inquired.

Stark nodded, peaking the curiosity of the pink-haired Arrancar as he moved sit, his long legs folded, before the other Espada. "What I'm about to tell you is in confidence." He began. "Since our days back in Las Noches, you distinguished yourself as a scientist." The Primera continued. "And now, you lead the Division devoted to scientific research and development."

The brown-haired Espada paused. "Soon, your expertise may be necessary."

Szayel regarded the First for a moment, his smile never wavering. "I'm honored by your visit, Primera, but just why exactly are you here?" he paused. "if you don't mind me asking."

Stark didn't reply immediately. "Captain Unohana of the Fourth is... pregnant." He began, the Octavio's eyes widening slightly. "And Captain Jushiro Ukitake of the Thirteenth is the father."

"Goodness." Szayel replied, leaning back, still smiling. "But surely, the forthcoming arrival of a cub is meant to be good news, is it not?" The pink-haired Arrancar asked.

"Yes," Stark answered. "And I want to ensure that it stays that way." He continued. "Jushiro-san has gone above and beyond with his hospitality, and both Jushiro and Unohana-san has been invaluable in helping Lillynette as of late." He added, not bothering to elaborated on that point. "I am indebted to the both of them, and I wish to see that this cub is born as safely and healthy as possible."

The Octavio gave a sympathetic nod. "Of course, we wouldn't want to upset Lillynette." Szayel replied with a knowing smile. "But why come to me?"

The Primera cleared his throat and leaned forward. "You often speak of integrating modern technology into your work." Stark commented. "Even I know that the technology of the living world develops at a faster right than this realm... And I've heard of technology that allows for the growth of the unborn cub to be monitored far more safely than by conventional means alone."

"You mean a sonogram?" Szayel asked, getting a nod from his guest. "Yes, it's a form of sonar imaging that allows people to generate an image of the fetus." He explained. "I take it then, that it's your desire that one of these be constructed to monitor the gestation of the cub Unohana is carrying?"

Again, Stark nodded at this. "I see." Szayel replied. "Given the pedigree of the parents, I must admit to a feeling certain academic curiosity myself." He remarked. "Certainly, any offspring produced between them would be quite exceptional." The Octavio offered with a smile. "Yes, I can acquire the schematics easily enough and begin work the machine right away."

He interlaced the fingers of his gloved hands as he continued. "Though, as the mother of the child in question," Szayel continued. "Unohana-san's consent in essential." The Octavio went on. "I suspect she will respond better to a sympathetic figure, so I'll have Nemu arrange to meet with her in the morning and speak directly with her on the matter." He added.

"Of course." Stark replied evenly with a nod. "I understand, and... thank you." He finished, rising to his feet and turning to leave the office, just in time as Nemu entered.

As per usual, the Arrancar wasted no time in beckoning Nemu to join him behind the desk, assuming her usual spot atop his lap. Without a word of protest, the violet-haired woman nodded understanding an moved to join Szayel, gingerly situating herself in his lap- the cushy arm chair adjusting to their combined weight as she became comfortable.

"Here are the files you requested, Szayel-sama." The Shinigami began, handing over a batch of manila folders to the Arrancar in question. Szayel accepted them with a smile, his golden eyes twinkling as he adjusted his posture to make the woman more comfortable.

The only credit Szayel would ever give his predecessor was Nemu was a masterfully-constructed work of art. However, while the Shinigami bastard may have created the flawless creature nestled in his lap, it was only through his efforts that she had begun to emerge as a 'person'. He wondered about the ego of a man who could 'construct' such a temptress as this, yet had shown her nothing but ill-will.

"I must admit," Nemu began. "I overheard some your conversation with the Primera." The green-eyed woman confessed to him. "And yet, I am at a loss, as to explain his behavior." she continued. "If I am to understand, correctly, the Primera Espada, Coyote Stark, has taken an active interest in the affairs of others, but I am unable to understand... why?" She confessed.

Szayel nodded. "It seems the Primera Espada is far more sentimental than he lets on." The golden-eyed Espada replied, his hand resting on the small of her back.

With Nemu comfortably in his lap, he relaxed back into his chair. "Further more, I've always had my suspicions that his seemingly constant lethargy has always been partly a ruse- a way of keeping himself guarded and detached from others." Szayel explained to her. "That way, if he never forms attachments with others, than he doesn't run the risk of loosing anything."

"Than you do believe that Stark-san has grown attached to those he now resides with?" Nemu asked the Espada, a sort of neutral curiosity audible in her tone.

The Octavio nodded. "Indeed," he began. "Each of the Espada embodied some aspect of 'death'... His, which he shared with Lillynette, was Loneliness." Szayel paused. "I never previously would have given that point any serious thought... However, part of me can relate to the sentiment- the fear of loosing that which has become precious to you." He added, brushing a hand through her hair as he spoke the last part, looking into her dark green eyes with his own golden ones.

"He cares," the Espada remarked. "More than he realizes, or at least more than he's willing to openly admit to, but the Primera does care none the less."

"Hence why he used Lillynette as a means obfuscating his own intentions?" Nemu surmised, earning herself a small nod from the bespectacled Hollow.

Szayel took her smaller hand into his gloved hand and kissed the back of it, before smiling up at the violet-haired woman. "Forming bonds, growing close with another... It's a risk, but as I've learned over the course of this year, it's a risk worth taking." He continued. "Captain Ukitake, Captain Unohana, and their circle of friends... He's become part of that, like a pack, and I suspect he will do whatever he feels is necessary to protect all of them- including the newest addition to the household."

(- End of Chapter XXV... -)