Tairei9: I do not own Bleach or anything in its contents. I give full credit to the creators.

Tairei9: So yes I feel I've kept everyone in suspense long enough. On with the story

Chapter 38

"I can't believe that Kenpachi and Yachiru aren't back yet! At a time like this no less!"

Ukitake, Kyoraku, and Renji were sitting at a table in the fourth division contemplating what had occurred the night before. Ichigo was leaning against the wall as Hitsugaya walked over to the window. Ukitake said, "There is nothing we can do about it. For now, we must evaluate the casualties and learn more into what happened last night. So far Soifon has already sent out her men to evaluate the damage. What will you do, Hitsugaya-Taichou?"

"I will be getting my men ready, we need to be on the lookout for those zanpakuto's," Hitsugaya said, sounding a tad bit irritated. He turned on his heel and said, "Tell me if you find out anything new."

Hitsugaya left and Kyoraku said, adjusting his hat, "My, my. This is a scary new predicament. And Yamma-jii is nowhere to be found."

"Well in any case," Ukitake said, gravely, "There is one less thing we need to worry about."

"Oh? And what's that?"

"Aizen," Ukitake said, "Orihime-san and Hirako-san managed to remove the seed."

"Are you serious?" Ichigo said, suddenly standing up straight. Ukitake nodded, standing up. Renji had jolted up out of his chair as well and said, "How did they-?"

"Follow me," Ukitake said and the three followed him from the room. They walked along the busy fourth division hall ways until they reached the complete opposite side of the building. Unohana was waiting for them and she said, gently, "They are in there. Just be quiet, they need their rest."

"They?" Renji asked frowning as Kyoraku's look darkened. They all walked into the room and saw who Unohana was referring to. Aizen was on one of the beds, unconscious. His hair was no longer slicked back and under the yukata, they could see bandages. Apart from that, he didn't look badly harmed. Ichigo looked in the other bed and hurried over to her. Kumiko laid there, bandaged and pale. She was breathing very slowly. Ichigo gripped the sheets and growled, "What happened?"

"Kumiko came across her zanpakuto," Ukitake said, "Apparently she had a feeling something was wrong with him. So when fighting him, she had Hirako Shinji and Ichimaru Gin stall Aizen long enough so she could have him kill her."

"Why would she do that?" Renji said angrily but was waved off by Ukitake.

"Apparently when the seed entered his body, the thought that lingered in his head was to protect her," Ukitake said, "She had to create a situation where he would be unable to protect her, therefore breaking the control the seed had over him. Unfortunately the only way to do that was for her to die."

"So why-?" Ichigo said, his face angry, "Why is she like this?"

"She took some sort of medication; a medicine that would put her under as if she were dead," Unohana said quietly, "The medicine would last for about ten minutes. However she is very lucky, she almost really did die with injuries like that."

Ichigo took Kumiko's hand and said quietly to her, "You should have told me..."

Everyone looked at him with pity until Kyoraku said, "He's waking."

Everyone looked over to see Aizen slowly waking up. He sat up, rubbing his head. Ukitake said, "How are you, Sousuke?"

"Where-?" Aizen started, grimacing. Kyoraku said, "You're in the fourth division. That was quite a seed we had to remove from you."

Aizen stared blankly at them for a few moments, before jolting up shouting, "Where is she?"

"Hey, don't move like that! You'll hurt yourself even more!"

Kumiko stirred at the noise, but didn't wake up. Aizen heard her noise and stared over at her bed for a while. He stood up and walked over to the bed. Ichigo backed off as well did the others. Unohana ushered them from the room and they complied without complaint. The door shut and Aizen stared down at his wife. Her black hair was spread over the white sheets, her chest slowly rising and falling. After taking her in, he reached out to stroke her cheek gently. Kumiko inhaled a tad bit more sharply before falling back into the rhythmic pattern. Aizen then asked Unohana, "How bad are her injuries?"

"They have mostly healed, but she will definitely need to rest," Unohana said firmly, "I estimate that she won't be here long. However, fighting for a while will be out of the question."

Aizen nodded slowly and Unohana added before leaving, "I took the twins to your mothers. I have a feeling they will be safer there."

"Arigato," he said, not looking at her. She left, shutting the door behind her. Aizen then sat on the bed, stroking her cheek affectionately. This time when she stirred, Kumiko opened her eyes. She looked tired and weak. She raised her hand, putting it over his. She smiled weakly at him and said, "Welcome back."

"I should be tell you that," his voice was hoarse, "You shouldn't have done that, our children need their mother."

"Believe me, they wouldn't have lost me," Kumiko said slowly. She pulled her yukata open more to reveal the pendant. Aizen gapped as he saw it glowing in a pulsating manner. He looked at her as she said, "She's not at full strength but strong enough to keep me alive... Besides, our children need their father too..."

"Don't," Aizen said almost pleadingly as her body let off an unconscious shiver, "Don't. You need your rest..."

"I am..." Kumiko said quietly. She felt him stroke her cheek with his thumb and closed her eyes for a brief moment. Slowly speaking, Kumiko opened her eyes once more, "Believe me, if we didn't get rid of the seed, she would have killed you."

Aizen didn't respond to that, instead leaned down to kiss her forehead. She closed her eyes and sighed in relief. She then felt pressure against her lips as he kissed her softly. It wasn't as fervent and strong but the delight and warmth filled her. Aizen pulled away, stroking her hair as he readjusted himself on the bed so they were side by side. Kumiko leaned against him before falling asleep next to him. Outside in the now dark hallway, someone was leaning against the wall. Sighing with relief, he hurried away before anyone could see him.

S.C.

"You BASTARD!"

Shinji ducked as Takeshi chucked a vase at his head. The vase shattered against the wall behind him as he stood up angrily, "There is no need for that! She's alive, isn't she?"

"Just barely!" Takeshi said angrily, "Why would you let her do that? We can't risk anything happening to her; I can't have anything happen to her either!"

Takeshi whirled around and walked over to the open wall in the room. It looked down over a village that was somewhat above the deep canyon with waterfalls cascading down the rocks. Everything was lush and peaceful, minus Takeshi's mood. Shinji sighed walked over to her saying, "It couldn't be helped, you know Naomi thing with men. She uses them and throws them away like trash, it was only a matter of time before she killed Aizen."
"I know that," Takeshi said bitterly, "Believe me, the last thing I want to see is him dead. But I don't want to see her dead either!"

"Yeah, we all know you love the kid," Shinji said, "And she's not dead so chill out!"

Takeshi gritted her teeth but said nothing more on the matter. She watched the people bellow and said, "I guess we'll need to start preparing for the worst soon..."

"Why? What is he planning?" Shinji said frowning.

"I can't say," Takeshi said, with a sigh, "It's only known amongst us leaders. And it needs to stay that way!"

"Right," Shinji said almost irritated, "So it's not okay for Kumiko to be risking your neck, but it's alright for you to be? Hypocritical much, wouldn't yah say?"

Takeshi didn't answer but said, "You may go..."

Shinji stared after her for a moment, a haunted look coming into his eyes. It was almost as if he was wishing she would turn around and face him. However, she didn't. Instead she merely kept looking out into the distance, as if waiting. Turning on his heel, Shinji left in an angry stride. Takeshi was left alone, much to her dislike. However, it was needed for her to be alone, at least for now.

S.C.

"So the damage is extensive?"

"All over Seireitei," Ichigo replied, "We're working on getting everyone hurt to the fourth division."

Kumiko was sitting in a bed in the Aizen household. She was propped up against pillows and still seemed very weak. She was facing him, leaning against the pillows on her side. Ichigo was near her, still in shinigami garb. He then suddenly leaned in, put his hand on the top of her head, and said, "Don't ever do that again."

"Ichigo-."

"Promise me!" Ichigo said firmly, almost desperate, "The last thing I ever want to have to do is bury you!"

Kumiko looked up at him and said, "I can't promise you that for the same reason you can't promise me that. I will tell you that I have no intention on dying anytime soon."

Ichigo was quiet for a moment and then said in a resigned voice, "There is something else I need to tell you. Byakuya is still on the missing list."

Kumiko stared at him and sighed, "Don't worry about him, he can hold his own. Just worry about you."

Ichigo looked as if he was about to say something but then thought better of it. Instead, he said ruffling her hair, "I gotta go, kiddo. Just came by to make sure you were resting up."

"Of course I am," Kumiko said, "See you later."

"Mhm!" Ichigo left and Kumiko was left alone for some time. The door then opened to reveal Aizen walking in. Kumiko smiled weakly at him and said, "How's Mei?"

"She's fine," Aizen said with a sigh. He shut the door with the snap, "She needs rest, much like you."

"Yes, but I'm not ill," Kumiko said as he walked over to the bed. He leaned in kissing her before saying softly, "Your injured; injuries that are not easy to recover from."

"I'm recovering just fine," Kumiko said with a sly smile, pulling at his shirt, "Come here..."

She leaned in, kissing him soundly. Aizen flinched from surprise but reciprocated her kiss. It started out innocent, but Kumiko slowly but surely intensified it. She nipped at him which caused him to tighten his grip around her hand. Aizen responded at first, but then jerked away. Kumiko blinked in confusion as he lightly kissed her forehead. He said nuzzling her nose, "As much as I would love to continue, you need to rest."

Kumiko huffed but said semi hopeful, "Rest with me?"

Aizen smiled halfheartedly, but was interrupted by a babies cry. Kumiko sighed and said, "That would be Ichihiko..."

"I'll get them," Aizen said quickly, leaving the room. Kumiko looked somewhat sadly after him, wondering what was bothering him. He had been behaving strangely for a while now. But she let a small smile grace her lips as he entered cradling both of the twins. He climbed into the bed as they adjusted themselves so the twins were lying between them. As Kumiko fed Ichihiko, Aizen stroked Byakko's cheek as the little boy stared up at him with curious eyes. Kumiko smiled serenely and said softly, "He's still ever the quiet one."

"Indeed," Aizen said, kissing his eldest sons head. Byakko let out a happy gurgle, a smile appearing. Aizen gently rubbed the boy's stomach, which lulled Byakko to sleep. Ichihiko had finished and fallen asleep as well and the two merely watched them. Kumiko glanced at her husband and said, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Aizen said softly, "Why?"

"Because," Kumiko said quietly, "You seem...distant."

"No," Aizen said with a sigh, "Just in shock..."

Kumiko stared at him quietly as he leaned over kissing her forehead saying, "Don't worry about me, it's you we should be worrying about."

"I told you, my injuries have heal-," Kumiko started but was cut off by a kiss. Closing her eyes, she allowed the kiss to deepen. She made a shocked whimper when he bit at her lip gently and pulled away saying, "That's not what I meant."

Kumiko blinked and then her face saddened. As she stared down at her twins, he asked, "How long before you will have to leave?"

"Soon," Kumiko said, not meeting his eyes. The twins were sound asleep, unaware of any going on. Kumiko stroked both of their heads gently. Suddenly, she felt Aizen's hand slip under her chin and tilt it up. The sadness in his eyes could not be hidden and Kumiko felt a stab at her heart. He had already been through hell and back. Now he had to watch her disappear somewhere he couldn't follow. She didn't dare tell him what the leaders would have to do now. He would never let her leave if she did. But she had to for she swore an oath; one that no matter what, could not be broken. Soon, thought, she would have to face Aizen's insistent questions. Hesitantly, she leaned in pressing her lips against his briefly. She then said her hot breath on his face, "Let's put them to bed?"

He nodded softly, taking one of his son's into his arms. Kumiko made sure they were covered with the blanket securely before turning back to him. Without warning, Aizen swept her up into his arms and said against her neck, "I love you."

Kumiko stared down into his warm brown eyes and said before falling into his love one more, "I love you."

Byaneko-chan: Tairei9!

Tairei9: Yes?

Byaneko-chan: You take forever to update!

Tairei9: Sorry, but I've been busy.

Byaneko-chan: Still... :T

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