XXXVI.
Precious Treasure
She waited for the door to be pulled closed before she carefully looked down at the small infant who had been placed against her chest. There was no doubt that the near ten-hour labor ordeal had nearly depleted her body of it's energy… but she still had enough strength to observe the newborn. Fingertips lightly touched at the baby's temple and softly curved down along her round cheek before fingers slid off the circular chin. She watched as the child slowly moved its lips before it drew in a light inhale.
Readjusting the pink blanket that bundled the infant together, she gently fitted her hand underneath the baby's arm and watched as her small fingers reached out slightly and attempted to cling to the loose material of her sleeve. Supported almost completely just by laying on her chest, the infant seemed fully content with one cheek pressed against the bare flesh of her sternum; her fingers moving to curl into her flesh instead now.
Carefully observing the baby's movements, she noted that after just several minutes of resting on her chest and slowly rising with each breath… the child slowly began to mimic her own breathing patterns; it only took a few more minutes before they were perfectly in sync with one another.
There was no denying the light smile that seemed to play on her lips as she continued to study the child. Or rather… their daughter. She was the first offspring between a Shinigami and an Arrancar- a feat that had once seemed impossible; it almost felt unreal that she had managed to make it to this point… but she did and she was right here.
"I can't promise you everything between our two worlds." she whispered; watching as the infant seemed to react to her voice. "But if I can give you one promise… it'll be that regardless of what world you choose, you'll be happy…"
The infant seemed to nestle herself closer to her and settled deeply in the encasing blanket for the false sense of familiar warmth; guided by the soft pattern of her breathing and the soothing tone of her voice.
"…Akira."