Safe in My Arms
Shadow of an Echo
A/N Okay this one is obviously an au from my original story line as Nnoitra is alive, but I wanted to work with his character at least a little bit in the style of this story so I did. Hope you enjoy and up next is either Starrk or Isshin.
Alternate Beginning
Nnoitra
Nnoitra was bored, not surprising after so many weeks of peace. He had so much anger that went unreleased he was practically bursting with it, and there could only be so many spars between him and Grimmjow before they would completely level Las Noches. It had become the only solid place any of them had known so he was reluctant to end that just to work out his frustrations.
Instead he simply combed the desert looking for anything strong enough to put up a good fight. So far he had met several obliging Adjuchas looking for a challenge, their brawls had taken the edge off but he was still restless and kept searching for more ever farther away from the compound and the other former Espada.
Tonight was even less satisfying than usual, only a few pests here and there not even worth picking off. He wasn't hungry and they wouldn't last a minute in a fight against him. He hefted Santa Teresa further up on his shoulder and kept up a simple lazy sonido looking for anything that might hold his attention and help alleviate the boredom.
He did get his wish, but not in a way he would have ever imagined. He had discovered where all the Hollows had run off to. They were surrounding and converging on a rocky outcropping that sheltered someone with increasingly distressed but overwhelmingly powerful spiritual pressure that was flaring in steadily building desperation. Familiar power, someone he had fought before, but was now in a position so beyond the ability to fight effectively that the vultures attempting to get to him only served to enrage the Quinto and he was running towards the flock while invoking his resurrection, slicing through them like wheat in his determination to get to the endangered Beta.
Say what you would about him, but he was an Alpha and protecting a Beta as strong as Ichigo while he dropped a litter of apparently healthy young was important to him just as much as any other of his kind. Especially when said Beta was alone and surrounded by enemies.
It didn't take long to destroy the pests and he had the presence of mind to reseal his power before approaching Ichigo. No need to panic the laboring beta and potentially hurt the very, very, soon to arrive litter.
He found Ichigo backed into a corner made between two boulders –part of a grouping of rock thrust up from its normal position under the shifting sand- the Beta's eyes were burning gold, his heaving body was sat upright with his weight leaning back against the boulders and the sloping sides of the sand dune both the boulders and him were resting on helping him spread his legs as far open as he could get them and allowing the baby to come without obstruction as it would if he was sitting on flat ground. Lastly Ichigo's hand on his Zanpakuto as he breathed heavily through a powerful contraction explained why he was still alive when he was very obviously passed the point of moving. Even if he was unable to physically fight he could still attack with Getsuga Tenshos if he had to which explained the bright flares of power Nnoitra had felt when he first discovered the Beta's strained spirit pressure.
The rage burning in Ichigo's eyes was about equal to that of the pain and he hissed out with vitriol, "Leave, now!" He could attack in some ways yes, but Nnoitra was too strong for him to beat when the first baby was so extremely close to coming, its head was so low down he couldn't even think about trying to close his legs to attempt fighting him. Any move he made to attack would only serve to piss off Nnoitra to the point of retribution.
"No," Nnoitra refused, "If it weren't for me you and those young would be mincemeat right about now. I'm not leaving."
"Why should I trust you?" He growled, one hand clutching at and supporting his lower belly that was heavily weighed down with a good sized litter.
"If I wanted to hurt them why would I worry about others doing the job for me? I'm not going anywhere whether you like it or not. An Alpha would never leave a Beta alone like this; even I'm not that much of a jackass." He once again refused Ichigo's order, nothing was going to make him budge until the Beta and young were safe, Szayel would chop him up into pieces and stash them in his lab in neat little jars if he did.
"Just stay the hell away from me! I can have them on my own!" Ichigo shot back brought to task by another strong pain, his panting breaths giving a forcible edge to his voice as he strained to speak. He knew warding off the low level Hollows he'd dealt with was nothing like he would have to do if he tried to fight off Nnoitra, even if the baby wasn't coming so soon, it simply would not work. Instead he was expending all of his energy in getting the Espada to back away off his own volition.
Knowing his Zanpakuto wasn't going to do him any good anymore had him letting go of Zangetsu to slide his now free hand down to his thigh and pull back to spread his legs even further apart in response to the ever increasing heaviness resulting from his baby's head descending.
"Go for it, you look like you already have a kid trying to force itself out of you." Nnoitra responded dryly lounging back against a different boulder close to where Ichigo was struggling to relieve some of the pressure between his legs while enduring what were obviously very strong contractions, confirming for the Alpha that he really was about to deliver a baby, but at least he could give the Beta a little reassurance by going along with his demand. "Alpha's don't usually interfere unless asked anyway."
Too tired and agonized to argue further Ichigo quieted while attempting to open his hips up more to give the first one the room it was demanding. He knew no matter how much he fought that it would be born very soon and he was steadily giving up on fighting. He had finally made the hard choice to let his baby come without trying to hold it back.
Another tough contraction wracked his body under Nnoitra's gaze, the force making pressure and agony grow to the level he couldn't keep quiet anymore and he ground out in pain, "I'm going to kill Grimmjow! His baby's as difficult as he is."
"So that's who did this to you? Kinda suspected as much, knew they weren't mine, Ulquiorra wasn't in any shape to mate, and there is no way Yammy was powerful enough to mate a Beta as strong as you." Nnoitra noted before explaining, "You won't kill your Alpha, most Betas think that way during labor but it goes away when they see their litters."
"How would you know?" He forced out between clenched teeth, clamping his hand tighter over his lower abdomen kneading the skin and hoping to relieve some of the pressure, but it wasn't working. His baby was so close that its head was a large solid mass pressing down like he had a bowling ball between his legs. That had him exclaim sharply, "Damn it this hurts!"
Nnoitra smirked, finding amusement in the familiar reaction and responded, "I've sired sixteen young, I think I know a thing or two about it."
Ichigo endured another contraction while groaning and practically clawing into the sand beside him to give him something, anything, to hold onto to help him handle the strain. When it was over Ichigo was kneading into his stomach again panting hard, "Come on baby," He moaned, he just wanted it there already.
He was getting his wish, feeling a contraction build that had an urge to it strong enough he felt it was safe to start pushing, holding back on strength knowing he would need as much of it as he could save up to get all three born.
"Just think, the sooner you get your litter out the quicker you'll be rid of the pain." Nnoitra was using his own brand of unusual encouragement in speaking to the Beta rapidly approaching the end of his labor.
Another contraction took over and it had him gasping out, "Almost here," He warned. That solid mass was only getting heavier and more prominent, it was right on the edge of emerging, and the urge to push had gotten stronger making him bear down harder.
Nnoitra was the one to notice a problem, "I'm going to get close for a minute, don't get all panicky on me, you're gonna want something between your legs. I doubt you want me helping you yet and you probably won't be able to catch it yourself sitting like that." He warned before approaching as he stripped off his large white shirt and knelt in front of Ichigo to slip the fabric over the ground between his spread open legs to protect the imminently arriving child from the sand. A quick look and he confirmed that yep it was definitely on its way out.
He stayed by Ichigo for a moment longer, not able to resist reaching out to put a hand on the stretched skin of his young filled abdomen rubbing up and down tense muscles, "I can tell that baby is starting to come. Do yourself a favor and don't hold back when it's so close, you will just tire yourself out more." He advised before backing away. He knew exactly what Ichigo was trying to do, he had seen it before from his previous mates who were having larger litters and that experience told him what was better for Ichigo and his litter.
Ichigo had frozen in place at the feel of the Espada's hand on his stomach making it so he couldn't speak or fight him off. Pain slamming into him brought him out of his surprise and he gave fully into the demand pushing down hard making his water break and causing the baby's head to settle heavily against tender skin. The force of it crowning sending sharp lances of burning pain through his body, and his breath to rushed out of him in a strangled hiss alerting Nnoitra that he had listened to him and started pushing in earnest.
"Well what do you know? I was right, here comes your baby already." The Alpha couldn't resist commenting as he watched Ichigo strain with effort. "I have to admit I'm curious to see the young Grimmjow gave you."
Ichigo ignored the comment while attempting to reach down to feel his baby with the hand he had been holding his stomach with and was just barely able to brush his fingertips against the top of its head. Nnoitra was right again, there would be little chance he could actually catch the baby, just guiding the head free was going to be a challenge while encumbered by his heavy abdomen and the need to hold his leg back.
He pushed again and the head began to painfully slide free pulling a deep groan from his throat. He felt the warm wet bulge emerging slowly from him, and gently stroked the coating of hair covering its solid form. His heart was ready to burst with love at the contact with his long awaited baby.
Nnoitra observed the new life entering the world with undisguised interest. He watched the play of emotion crossing Ichigo's face as he supported his baby's head with his own hand. He had deliberately picked a spot where he could monitor the birth without getting too close for Ichigo's comfort. He was able to see the baby's head pressing out of the Beta at a slow but steady pace and he found himself impressed, "You are surprisingly good at this for your first litter and only being half-Hollow."
Ichigo looked up in the space between contractions with surprise, not expecting even a mild complement, or really any comment, but he was soon going back into pushing his baby from his body. It hurt so badly he felt like he was splitting in two and there was moisture gathering in the corner of his eyes, but he refused to back down in his efforts, his baby needed him to get it born.
Bit by bit the baby was exposed to the world Ichigo carefully cradling it in his hand while Nnoitra watched over the process. Through his tiredness and pain Ichigo managed to muster up a smile at feeling a tiny pointed ear under his thumb. Definitely Grimmjow's baby, not that he had any doubt about that before though.
Nnoitra saw it and was a bit surprised at the oddity, "What's the smile for?"
"The baby has Pantera's ears," Ichigo explained between panted breaths.
"I guess you'll want to know the kid has blue hair too," Nnoitra informed having not mentioned it before thinking it might spark an interesting reaction.
The information just made Ichigo smile once more even as he pushed again and the baby started turning revealing more of its features to his touch. The head was nearly free and it weighed heavily in his cupped hand, but he was at the end of his reach, and it was with regret that he pulled his hand away from the baby to put it back over his stomach.
The next strong effort had the head emerging in a burst of fluid, pressure, and pain. The mix of sensation made him call out loudly as his muscles started to buckle and within a heartbeat there was a strong arm around the back of his shoulders and a hand over his swollen belly, he looked up to see Nnoitra's face mere inches from his own as the much taller male kneeled next to him helping to support his heavy with baby body. "Come on now you're almost done, time to get this baby out." He commanded once again in his own way of encouragement.
Ichigo didn't try to shove Nnoitra away and actually found himself grateful for the extra support as he attempted to expel the baby's wide shoulders. "Looks like Grimmjow stuck you with a hard one. You can beat him up for it later." Nnoitra commented, finding himself with Ichigo leaning against him, exhausted, but the shoulders were finally freed.
One last hard push and Ichigo delivered a squalling infant onto the cloth covered ground under him. It was Nnoitra who picked up the newborn so Ichigo had a chance to catch his breath, "It's a boy." He informed holding him carefully against the warmth of his bare chest until Ichigo reached out for his baby as soon as he was able. Nnoitra deposited the wet crying bundle into his arms while saying, "There you go, one itty bitty Grimmjow." Ichigo immediately understood why Nnoitra had referred to the newborn in such a way, the baby wailing his little lungs out while laying in his arms looked like a miniature version of his father.
"It's okay little one, I've got you, you're safe and I love you," Ichigo whispered to his son, cuddling him to his chest as Nnoitra had done, and rubbing his back as he cried vigorously enough to shake his entire body.
"He's strong, good job on him," Nnoitra complimented, still right next to Ichigo to get a good look at the new arrival. He drew up the end of the white fabric he'd used to cover the ground, bringing it towards the baby only pausing a moment to get a nod of assent in helping to dry off the infant while he slowly calmed down as he grew warm and comfortable in his daddy's embrace.
As he was helping with the baby he glanced down at Ichigo's still swollen abdomen with a measuring gaze, "Is there two or three left to go?" There was no way only one baby still laid inside him.
"Two," Ichigo admitted, attention still mostly on his now cleaned up son wrapped loosely in Nnoitra's shirt.
"Now for a better question, why in the Hell are you out here alone?" Nnoitra finally demanded, the baby was safe, his curiosity could now be satisfied until the next one started coming.
"Didn't have a choice, it was either exile here, or have them taken away and there was no way I was going to give up my children." Ichigo admitted. "I've been in Heuco Mundo for months."
"You do realize that only answered part of the question right? It explains why you're here but not why you are alone. Why didn't you find Grimmjow as soon as you got here or at least before you went into labor?" The questioning was all the proof needed to realize Nnoitra was a true Alpha that took the responsibilities of being one seriously.
"One word, Aizen," Ichigo reminded. "By the time I learned he was dead they were already so close to coming I didn't think I could get to Las Noches before they were born. At least here where I had some control over where Hollows could attack from I had a chance to keep them alive, I doubt it would be the same had I started having them out in the open."
"Alright, I'll give you that one," Nnoitra allowed, "Aizen stole a litter from Szayel and I, so yes, I understand staying as far away from him as possible."
That made Ichigo's heart clench, "He did?"
"Yes. It was when he still controlled all the Espada. He tricked me into leaving Szayel unprotected. I will never, ever, even think about forgiving him. My biggest regret about anything that happened afterwards was that it was not Santa Teresa that cut him down." Nnoitra explained, knowing the story would go a long way to help Ichigo get over his last bit of fear towards him.
It was working, "I am truly sorry for your loss. I came close to losing mine several times in the last few months, it was only my Hollow and luck that got all of us through." That statement had him nuzzling gently into his son, reassuring himself that his baby was okay.
"We are trying again, if we get our way Szayel will be growing with my young soon enough," Litters were lost, it was a thing Hollows had to get used to, at least he was around so they might have another.
Seeing that Nnoitra was putting an end to the topic, Ichigo was able to comment on a different part of his explanation, "Aizen was controlling you?"
"Why else would an Alpha leave a mated Beta?" Nnoitra pointed out. "Yes he controlled us, his Bankai could take everything we are and screw it up. Although most of it was just him adding to what we were already like. For example I can be a jerk and Szayel always did have the crazy genius thing, but not as much as he made us out to be." He paused, seeing Ichigo's eyes close in pain, his breathing coming in heavier pants. "You're about to have the next one aren't you?"
Ichigo nodded through the pain, letting the contraction end before speaking, "It's getting ready," He confirmed, pain and pressure was building up again.
"Looks like we need to get your son settled then," Nnoitra realized, he looked around for a moment until he caught sight of Ichigo's tattered Shihakusho, he tugged at the frayed end until he had three thin strips of fabric. He leaned towards Beta and baby, reaching over to gently uncover the baby's navel, taking the fabric strips and quickly tying off and slicing through the cord severing Ichigo from his son. "That's better." He affirmed re-wrapping the baby, not pulling away until he had stroked the little one's soft cheek.
Ichigo watched his every move, but allowed it. Nnoitra had done nothing to harm him and there was no way that story he told was made up, he knew what it was like to lose a baby, the Alpha was not going to hurt his son and Ichigo found himself believing that wholeheartedly.
The stronger contractions meant he needed to concentrate, and he didn't want to hurt his little boy if he accidently squeezed too hard in dealing with the pain. He made a choice. He held out the wrapped newborn and to his credit Nnoitra didn't take him immediately, waiting until he was sure what Ichigo was offering. "I'll take care of him," He promised, knowing just how much trust he was being shown and not willing to joke or gloat over it.
This left Ichigo able to move around a bit, dealing with the afterbirth with Shiro's guidance as all of their Beta instincts originated from him. He knew far more about carrying and giving birth to their children and Ichigo yielding to him when it came to their safety. He had just settled back down into his simple but effective position, this time with his own Shihakusho under him, when he realized the baby had pinned him in place. It was dropping much quicker than its brother. He was able to gasp out to Nnoitra, "Coming soon." He wanted the Alpha's support, as he relaxed from the intial fear of his presence the natural urge to have an Alpha close to him while giving birth was pulling at him.
Nnoitra knew that's what he was doing, and had been waiting for the reaction ever since he found Ichigo. "If you need me just tell me what to do." He offered, still carefully holding the baby he had been trusted with, remembering the first time he had met each of his own young. Cradling the little boy protectively was bringing back good memories.
Another nod, he didn't want to waste strength on speaking when he needed it to have the baby, it was coming rapidly at that point. Much faster than the first one, especially when his water broke and the baby crowned immediately. "It crowned," He just barely forced the words out when the overwhelming urge to push hit him and he obeyed, the baby's head emerging very quickly, too quickly. He called out in agony, arching up, hands pulling against his legs reflexively from the rush of pain and pressure. "Help me, coming too fast," He moaned out, but the Alpha was already moving, settling the boy onto the sand gently before kneeling in front of Ichigo and supporting the baby's head with one hand, using the other to once again rub at the tense muscles of his sore abdomen.
"You're going to be okay," He assured. "I know it hurts, but one more push and this one will be here." He was right. A deep groan was coming from Ichigo and the baby's little body began to slide free, only for the groan to stop abruptly as he called out sharply; the shoulders bursting out and the rest followed swiftly.
Nnoitra found himself with another armful of strongly crying newborn, he checked and found to his surprise, "A girl this time." He informed laying the baby on Ichigo's chest, the Beta tired but happy as he wrapped his arms around his daughter.
"Hey little girl, I love you, but you didn't have to come so fast," He whispered to her as he started calming her down like he had done with her brother. Speaking of him, Nnoitra had quickly retrieved him and was holding the baby comfortingly once more.
Once she was calm Ichigo mimicked Nnoitra from earlier and cut her cord before wrapping her in his Shihakusho and pulled her back against him.
"One more and then I'll be getting you to Las Noches," Nnoitra informed once Ichigo was settled down with his daughter.
He got a look of concern on his face, "Who is there?"
"Grimmjow, Starrk and Lilynette, Harribel, Ulquiorra, Szayel, and Nel," He answered knowing that last one at the very least would catch his attention.
Ichigo looked down at his baby girl again and realized he didn't need to think about it, "Alright I'll come with you to Las Noches. They need a place to grow up safely."
Nnoitra nodded in approval, "Thought you'd say that."
Ichigo didn't comment, he was focusing back on having his last baby, contractions were still light, but that just meant he had some time to get better situated, "Can you take her too? I want to get ready for the next one in case it decides to come as fast as she did."
"I can," He agreed, and since he was still kneeling in front of Ichigo it was fairly easy to shift around until he had an infant tucked safely in the crook of each arm.
This time Ichigo didn't wait for the aftermath to come on its own, forcing the issue so the baby had a chance to drop down with it out of the way. His position was working well, so he stayed that way, and by that time the contractions were growing in strength again.
The baby did start dropping, but the radically different feel of the pressure only made Ichigo aware that something wasn't right, "The baby's coming down wrong," He tried to tell Nnoitra while holding onto his noticeably smaller but still swollen abdomen.
That had Nnoitra moving quickly but carefully to set the children in his arms down next to each other and get closer to Ichigo, eyes full of concern. "I'll try to see if I can find what's wrong." Experience was helping once again as he carefully pressed into sore flesh trying to tell where the baby was. Ichigo was by far not the only Beta he'd seen have trouble with a delivery. His searching hands quickly discovered what was wrong and he breathed a sigh of relief, as far as complications go this was one of the easier ones to deal with and pretty common in multiple births. "I need you to stay calm, the baby is fine, but it's backwards. It's laying head up." He explained, not removing his hands, he wasn't pressing down anymore but hopefully contact would help keep Ichigo calm.
He didn't know if it worked or not, because Ichigo still had a look of panic on his face, "Is the baby going to be okay?" He asked, the last few words strained from the pain of a contraction washing over him again.
"Yes," He reassured, "I have seen this before. If there is more than one baby they don't always get turned around right. It's safe to have the baby like this as long as you're careful."
"What do I need to do?" His panting breaths were heavy and fast as the contraction left him strained and scared, the baby was definitely coming, but it still felt all wrong.
"Do not fight it at all," Nnoitra warned. "Let the baby come and as soon as you feel like pushing do it as hard and steady as you can, the quicker you can get it out the better. You are strong and if these two are any measure you've carried strong children, both of you will be fine."
Ichigo nodded and tried to relax, his baby would come easier if he wasn't tensed up, but it was hard with how scared he was. The baby was close enough now Nnoitra realized there was another way he could help him, "There is something I can do for you, but you have to trust me." He hastily explained and gained a nod of approval. "I'm going to break your water, the baby will come quicker if I do." It would drop a lot smoother if it wasn't restricted.
This nod was much slower, but once it came and his body was not in a contraction, Nnoitra was able to carefully reach out and puncture the thin membrane just inside Ichigo's body with a sharp nail. It only took a few contractions after that before Ichigo was pushing hard.
"Very good, I can see the baby, come on keep going," He encouraged, not touching the baby yet he didn't want to startle it, but he had one hand on Ichigo's stomach and the other by his shoulder to comfort him.
Harsh gasps and even harder pushes and he had its legs out Nnoitra quickly seeing something, "You have another boy, half way now." He pulled his hand away from Ichigo's shoulder and put it very gently under the coming baby, supporting it carefully.
Ichigo did not have the breath to speak, but he managed a small smile before bearing down again, groaning and straining to get the baby out. It was slipping free from the strong steady pressure, more of it weighing down in Nnoitra's cradling hold with every moment. That one push hard enough to get it out to his shoulders.
"You just need to get his head out, almost done," Nnoitra encouraged, now pulling his second hand down to help guide the baby into the world.
The baby was steadily revealed, both of them relieved when its little mouth showed itself, "He's much safer now. Go on, push him out."
Ichigo didn't know where he found the last bit of strength he needed, but two more pushes and he collapsed back against the boulder exhausted, tears of relief stinging his eyes at hearing the heart stopping crying of his newborn son. The baby was laid on his chest even before his vision cleared, Nnoitra knowing he'd want reassurance his son was okay.
When he got a good look he almost teared up again, his own mask was staring back at him, mirrored on his son. "You look like me little boy, I love you so much, I can't believe I almost lost you."
"I was not going to let that happen," Nnoitra responded firmly, "Now you just try and get some sleep, the others should be here soon since I didn't come back like I usually do, we will get you to safety."
Ichigo nodded and pulled his son close, Nnoitra helping him get the little boy settled before Ichigo could lay down on his side and had the other two babies pressed against his warmth. He stood guard over the new family right up until they were discovered by Grimmjow and Tia.