It didn't take long for Urahara to show up in Hueco Mundo. In fact, the next day, he appeared on the sands and came into Las Noches with two cases full of equipment. Immediately, he was welcomed by Jessup and Electra. He quickly was introduced to Luna Tristao as well. Surprisingly, everyone was accepting of the Shinigami in their midst, especially when they found that he had been so much help to Ichigo in the past.

"What do you plan to do?" Ichigo asked as he got set up in an empty room.

"Well, I have to first scan you and see how readings have changed since the last scans I have on file. I got everything from Kurotsuchi, so don't worry, we won't be repeating any of the tests he did," Urahara said as he started setting up some equipment.

"I'd hope not, he wasn't doing much to limit the amount of pain they caused," Ichigo grumbled.

"Mayuri isn't known for being kind to his test subjects, even himself. But we'll be a little more careful, especially since you're carrying babies!" Urahara smiled at him. "I'm still amazed at this chance to study the habits of hollows, especially since hollow mating is nearly impossible to witness."

"Well, you won't be witnessing the actual mating!" Ichigo said, eyes wide.

"Oh, well, that's alright," Urahara said with a shrug. "We'll make do without seeing the actual release of reiatsu since that's already happened. Let's see, I need some sort of seat and a few other things…"

"Elysia would be the one to talk to about that," Ichigo said. "I can take you to her."

A few minutes later, they were sitting across from Elysia who was writing down everything that Urahara was telling her that he needed. She nodded, seeming to agree that she could find what he needed. She sold things that fell through the Dangai. Well, she really gave it away and sometimes traded things for other things, but that was the way things worked in Las Noches. After a while, Elysia took off to procure what Urahara needed.

"Let's go back and wait for her," Ichigo suggested.

"While we wait, I can start scanning with what I brought with me," Urahara said, nodding.

They went back to the room and Urahara took out a handheld scanner and began using it to take readings. He hummed to himself as he recorded what he was seeing.

"It is amazing. You are completely reading as an Arrancar now. There is no difference between the readings from the others and you now. I'm impressed that the transformation was so complete," Urahara commented. "Though, you don't have a hollow hole. Still, just the black circle where one should be," he said, running his hand over Ichigo's chest where the mark was.

"Is all well?"

Ichigo turned to see Starrk standing in the doorway, staring quite openly at Urahara. Ichigo couldn't help the little smirk because he knew he was jealous again. Urahara cleared his throat and stood back away from Ichigo and nodded.

"Yes, we just took some readings that were quite informative," Urahara told him, putting down the scanner on a nearby table. "It seems that Ichigo's spiritual energies are completely Arrancar now. There is no indication he was ever a Shinigami. In fact, the only thing that shows difference between him and the rest of the Arrancar is the lack of a hollow hole. His readings otherwise are indistinguishable from the other Arrancar."

There was a knock at the door, gaining everyone's attention. They looked to see Elysia and a couple other Arrancar with the equipment that Urahara had requested.

"Found what you need, Shinigami," Elysia proclaimed loudly.

"Oh, thank you. Please, bring it in," he said, stepping out of the room, followed by Starrk and Ichigo.

Elysia and her helpers moved a large reclining chair that looked like something from a doctor's office into the room, along with a rolling table made of metal. There was an assortment of what looked like different medical instruments they'd found, perhaps borrowed from the medical wing. Ichigo wasn't even sure they'd need everything they brought in, but he figured Urahara would sort through things and use what he needed. After a little bit, they finished setting up, and Elysia and the other Arrancar left, leaving Ichigo, Starrk, and Urahara by themselves.

"Alright," Urahara said, starting to sort out his own equipment in addition to what the Arrancar had brought. "If you'll sit down, Ichigo, I want to do detailed scans on the reiatsu signatures."

"Oh, of the babies?" Ichigo said as he sat down and laid back in the seat. It was actually quite comfortable, he noted.

"Yes, I'm very interested in how they can coexist within your spiritual energy field at the same time as being independent, yet they feed off your energy. It's quite fascinating," Urahara said as he rigged up an arm that swung down over the chair. Ichigo wasn't sure how he did that with the stuff Elysia had brought him, but he'd managed it.

He quickly set up a scanner that was attached to that arm, and he turned it on. Either everything was battery powered or required some other form of energy, because of course there was no power in the room. He set up a monitor and turned everything on. He then looked over to Starrk, who was standing by Ichigo watching everything he was doing.

"You should be able to see the chambers made out of spiritual energy that contains the babies," Urahara explained as he moved the scanner over Ichigo. "They should be small since they are new…but there!"

Urahara pointed to the screen where an image had appeared. There were three small different colored spheres on it. One was blue, one was red, and the other was dark purple. This was all contained within a field that was vaguely reddish black in the background.

"Is that them?" Ichigo gasped, looking over at Starrk. "Look!"

"I see, they are indeed there, all three of them. Ren, Shion, and Hikaru!" Ichigo exclaimed.

"You've already named them?" Urahara asked, smiling at him.

"I don't know which is which until they're born, but that's their names," Ichigo smiled at him, then reached for Starrk's hand.

"I did not anticipate the feelings that I have when viewing this," Starrk said softly.

"Of course, you're getting to see your first babies!" Ichigo told him, squeezing his hand.

"Well, I think I have enough readings to study for a week at least!" Urahara said as he looked over some print outs that were coming out of a printer he set up. "I'll do another scan in a week so we can see how they change over time."

"How exciting, Coyote. We get to watch them grow!" Ichigo smiled at him even broader.

"It should be amazing," Starrk answered, squeezing Ichigo's hand in return.

"Um, so how are they born anyway?" Ichigo frowned, just realizing that this might be an issue.

Urahara looked over and shrugged at him, so Ichigo looked at Starrk. He smiled. "Your body will adapt to them and create a birth canal when it is needed. Just like it adapted to carrying them."

"Huh, I wonder if it will hurt?" Ichigo asked, looking at him.

"I have not witnessed a beta giving birth before," Starrk said. "I am at the limit of my knowledge."

"It should be interesting at least," Urahara said, nodding. "Well, I'll let you go about your day while I start compiling results."

Ichigo got out of the seat and smiled at Urahara. "Thank you. For everything."

"No, thank you, this is a fantastic research opportunity for me!" he responded, already getting lost in the data.

Starrk and Ichigo left him to his work and headed out. "Let's go to the garden," Ichigo said, pulling Starrk in that direction. Starrk allowed himself to be led even if he was a little sluggish in his steps.

The next few months were a whirl for Ichigo. They had weekly meetings with Urahara, who gleefully continued to take readings and measure the babies. They grew steadily, becoming more defined as time went on. In fact, before long, an outline of their form became visible. Starrk was fascinated by being able to watch them grow like they were. Ichigo gladly submitted to whatever tests Urahara had concocted, only a few of them being uncomfortable. Ichigo knew that the data was being given to Soul Society too, but that didn't bother him.

Las Noches soon had a trade agreement with Soul Society, too, and there had been a marketplace set up. There, vendors began setting up each week selling and trading various items to the Arrancar. Bartering was the way of things, and everyone ended up happy. If someone was less than satisfied, Starrk was asked to step in and give a determination, but that rarely happened. Most the time, everyone was happy with whatever trades had taken place.

It was about five months later when Rukia and Renji came to visit with Ichika. They had been busy with things in Soul Society and had not been able to come visit yet. They finally were able to make the trip and surprised Ichigo one afternoon.

"I didn't expect you!" he said, showing quite vividly that he was carrying more than one baby by this point.

"Well, things settled down, and with the trade going so well, the Sou Taichou has eased up on restrictions on travel between Hueco Mundo and Soul Society. For a while, he was only allowing people accompanied by a captain to come through. I think he's decided it's safe enough, now," Rukia said, holding the red-haired baby on her hip.

"So this is Ichika!" he said. "Can I hold her?"

"Sure," Rukia said, handing her over to him.

Ichigo took the baby who was staring at him openly. Ichigo imagined she'd never seen someone with facial markings like his before and she was trying to figure it out. He smiled, and she smiled back at him.

"She's so big!" Ichigo exclaimed.

"Well, it has been several months since she was born," Renji said. "She's definitely been keeping us busy."

"I can't wait to meet these three," Ichigo said, touching his stomach with one hand.

"I can't imagine having three at once!" Rukia shook her head. "They're going to really keep you busy!"

"No doubt!" Ichigo smiled, making faces at Ichika.

They all went to a room that they had set up as a playroom for once the babies arrived. They had collected baby items that Ichigo had identified from the warehouses of things that had fallen through the Dangai. Urahara, already a doting uncle by the looks, had brought a few things from the World of the Living as well.

Ichigo sat Ichika down on a play mat and she immediately started playing with some baby toys that were laying on it. "We've collected a lot," Ichigo said, smiling as he watched her play.

"I see that, but you'll need a lot!" Rukia said, sitting down beside Ichika on the floor.

Renji walked around the room looking at the various things. "You've managed to get all sorts of baby things. Do they need diapers or anything?"

Ichigo frowned, not knowing the answer to that question. "Good question. I don't think so, because Arrancar don't process food like humans, and they'll feed on a milk like formula we make here. They only really need to be exposed to reishi, but like us, they'll consume food to take care of the soul hunger that happens. Which, with babies, must be awful!"

"I still can't believe you of all people are having babies!" Rukia said with a grin as Ichigo sat down beside her on the floor.

"Yeah, always thought it would be Orihime who had my babies, but things change. Has she had her baby yet?" Ichigo felt somewhat sad even talking about it, but he wanted to know.

"Just a few weeks ago. She had a baby girl. They named her Mizuko. She's taken after Uryū quite a bit, so it seems you were right after all about the parentage," Rukia said sadly.

"Well, as long as things are good. I wish them well. Uryū hasn't come back to see me since he came during the negotiations."

"I think he's been busy with the hospital and now the baby," Renji said, standing behind them. "We haven't seen them much either."

Ichigo nodded, handing Ichika a teething ring which she proceeded to chew on enthusiastically. "I really am happy for them. She got a baby, and that's what she'd wanted for the last four years. I didn't expect things to turn out this way, but I'm not sorry. I love my new life here with Coyote. I wouldn't change anything that's happened."

Rukia nodded. "It's still hard, though, what you've been through."

"I know, but I've made it this far, I'll make it the rest of the way," Ichigo smiled, looking at her again.

They chatted for several more hours, Renji and Rukia staying for dinner with Ichigo and Starrk. They hadn't talked in so long, there was much to discuss. Ichigo told them all about what his life was like in Las Noches, and they filled him in on any occurrences in Soul Society. Things had been going well in the culling of hollows before they got to Soul Society and the World of the Living, so Soul Society had been pleased with their end of the bargain they'd struck. Eventually, Ichika got cranky and they decided to head back home, promising to return about Ichigo's babies were born.

"Are you alright?" Starrk asked after Ichigo returned from sending them home.

"I think so. Just tired now," he said, sighing as he sat on Starrk's lap and looped his arms around his neck. "I want to see Orihime again, though."

"The woman? Why?" Starrk asked, looking confused.

"To tell her I don't blame her for what happened, and to tell her that I forgive her for what she did," Ichigo explained.

"After her betrayal?" Starrk wrapped his arms around Ichigo's waist and held to him tightly.

"Yeah, I can't stay mad at her forever, especially not now. I want to make sure that she knows that I don't hold it against her. Unlike us, her life is limited." Ichigo leaned in and kissed Starrk's cheek, then nuzzled into his neck under his bone fragment.

"You are a special sort, Ichigo," Starrk said with a shake of his head.

-oooooo-OOOOOO-oooooo-

"I think it's time." Ichigo was sleeping when he suddenly felt an overwhelming sensation.

Starrk, who was sleeping beside him, woke up with a start. "Time?" he said.

"Yeah, I feel like they're coming," Ichigo said, sitting up and cradling his stomach. It didn't really hurt but felt strange.

"Let's get you to medical. Luna and Urahara need to be summoned," Starrk said, standing up and getting dressed quickly. He handed a yukata to Ichigo to wear.

Ichigo put it on and stopped as he stood up, feeling the same contracting sensation, and he guessed it was definitely time. Starrk and Ichigo headed to the medical wing and Luna was summoned immediately. Ichigo was led into a birthing room they'd sat up, and a few minutes later Urahara arrived.

"Don't get in the way, Shinigami," Luna told him, giving him a look.

"I'm here to observe!" Urahara said, holding up both hands. "What's going to happen?"

"A birth canal forms, and the babies are born similarly to living creatures," Luna said as Ichigo began to look more and more uncomfortable. "The process is somewhat painful, so I've prepared a tincture for this occasion." She handed it to Ichigo, who took it and drank it down. He made a face when he did it, the taste strange across his palate.

Luna leaned him back on the bed that was set up to be in a sitting position. Already, his reiatsu was getting heavier, and could be felt throughout the room. It was as though as the birth progressed, the ability to control the release of reiatsu lessened.

"It is to ward off any who would disturb the bet while in birth," Starrk explained, as though he knew what everyone else was feeling in that moment. "They lose the ability to control their reiatsu because they are so focused on the birth."

"Oh, I informed you father that the babies were coming!" Urahara said suddenly. "I was talking to him about the situation when I was summoned for the birth. He said to tell you he will visit as soon as he can, but things have been busy with the clinic and the girls, so he hasn't been able to get away."

Ichigo nodded, "I understand he's busy, but I do wish he'd come visit sometime soon. Oh. Oh my… that hurts." Ichigo frowned and held his stomach as he sat there. Starrk put a hand on his back.

"It won't hurt for very long, and that tincture should dull the pain a bit," Luna said, turning back to him as black whisps of his reiatsu began to flare around him.

"Not enough," Ichigo growled.

"The birth canal is forming fine," she said. "I can sense their reiatsu becoming stronger as they come closer to birth. They will all three be very strong, I can tell. Now, relax, Ichigo. I think it's time."

Ichigo looked at her and shook his head. "Relax? You relax! I don't know how you expect me to relax like this!" he snapped.

Luna chuckled a bit. "When you have the urge to push, do so. The reiatsu will allow you to birth them."

"Fascinating!" Urahara said, sounding amazed. "So, just like a human birth, it causes the instinct to push and allow the babies to be born. It truly is a mimicry of live birth!"

"Mimicry? It doesn't feel like mimicry!" Ichigo exclaimed, closing his eyes as he was overwhelmed with pain.

"It feels very similar," Luna said. "Okay, the first of them is ready, like I said, push when you feel it is time," Luna put her hands on his stomach.

It took almost an hour, but at the end, Ichigo was holding a very tiny, perhaps five-pound, little boy with a purple glow to his eyes as his reiatsu settled. Starrk held a little girl, around five pounds too, with a blue glow to her eyes and a little boy with a red glow to his eyes who was a little smaller, perhaps four pounds. Ichigo was starting to feel better but was sore indeed.

"Well, what are their names? I know you picked them already," Luna said, smiling at him.

"I have Hikaru," Ichigo said, glancing down at the little boy. Ichigo already could tell he was the beta of the group. He had dark brown eyes and hair like Ichigo's. Ichigo turned toward Starrk. "The little girl is Ren." She had brown hair and light blue eyes like Starrk. "And the last is Shion." This little boy had Starrk's blue eyes and Ichigo's orangish-red colored hair. Ichigo could tell the two that Starrk held were both alphas.

"They're amazing!" Urahara exclaimed, looking them over. "Just their reiatsu is impressive for something so small!"

"Size if of little consequence," Luna said.

Ichigo looked at Starrk. He was staring alternating between the two he held, and it was obvious he was enraptured by the infants. Ichigo smiled, snuggling Hikaru close to him and smiled. It was certainly not the way he had thought he would have children, but he was happy anyway. Hikaru gurgled a little at him and then started to whimper a little. Ichigo adjusted the blanket he was wrapped in and held him close.

"I still am impressed with how Ichigo's body adjusted so completely to being able to carry them, then give birth, and now go back to normal," Urahara said, staring at a monitor he'd sat up in the room to record his scans.

"Anytime he carries babies, this will happen," Luna said, fluffing Ichigo's pillow a little under his head.

"Anytime? I can have more?" Ichigo said, looking up at her.

"Of course, you can." Luna smiled at him. "What did you think, that you could only have children once?"

"Well, is it like humans, where, um, you know, you need protection?" Ichigo asked.

Luna frowned and shook her head, not understanding what that meant. Urahara, though, seemed to understand.

"Ah, I think I know what you mean, Ichigo. Um, well, from what I understand, it's an intentional release of reiatsu. So, no, normally, you don't take a chance of getting pregnant again." He looked to Luna for confirmation.

"Oh, that's what you mean. Yes, you would plan such a thing and the release is consciously made. So, you would have to agree to have another pregnancy," Luna nodded.

"Oh, that's good," Ichigo sighed, having been worried they would have to curb their activity to avoid more babies.

Starrk looked up from the two babies he held finally. "They're perfect."

"Oh, yes, they are!" Ichigo said. "But I'm tired. Can you take them to the playroom and lay them down so I can sleep?"

"Of course, if I could get Luna or Urahara to carry Hikaru," he said, nodding at them. "I think we'll need a regular helper. Perhaps Nel would like that position."

Urahara reached over and carefully took Hikaru from Ichigo. "I'm sure she'd be glad to help."

But Ichigo had already fallen asleep as soon as Hikaru was taken from him.