Ichigo decided to meet Orihime in one of the courtyards by the Shinigami Academy

"Ichigo" Orihime said, "I can't marry you…"

"I understand" Ichigo said, "I was just trying to give you back something you lost!"

In a quite timid voice Orihime asks, "What's that?"

"A family, and a home" Ichigo said, "Maybe I was being selfish" he said rubbing the back of his neck.

Turning slightly crimson Orihime said, "Thank you for that Ichigo" looking at him she asks, "Do you love me!"

"What kind of Question is that" Ichigo states curtly.

"An honest one" Kūkaku Shiba stated, "Forgive me I was walking by and over-heard the conversation saying, "Ichigo, when you think of Orihime do you think of her as a friend or a lover"

Looking at the ground Ichigo said, "A little bit of both!"

Shaking her head Kūkaku said, "Does she make you go weak in the knees"

"I'm sorry Orihime, as much as I hoped it would become more" Ichigo said, "I never want to be the source of your pain."

"Thank you for that Ichigo, for being honest with me and yourself" Orihime told him

"Orihime…" Kūkaku said, "I've always thought of you as a daughter"

"I'll think about it!" Orihime said. Smiling as she headed back to The Senkaimon!

Kūkaku joined her as Orihime was about to step through to the wold of the living, Kūkaku asks, "When are you due!"

"My nephew might have missed the signs, but I haven't" Kūkaku told her.

"I only just found out" Orihime said, "So 9 months!"

"When you get back give this to Kisuke it will cover all your expenses!" Kūkaku told her.

9 months later at the old Kurosaki Clinic Orihime had just given birth and was in-the-midst of a massive hemorrhage bleeding out on the delivery table, and Ryūken Ishida and his son Uryū were trying desperately to save her life. When Ryūken finally called time of death as being, 12:30 A.M.

Uryū was livid asking, "Why… Why wasn't Kurosaki here!"

"Because she didn't want him here… because she never told him Uryū" Urahara commented quietly, "I was her adopted father… it was her idea"

She needed someone… and she wanted to be sure Kazui got the proper training when the time was right!"

"In case anything happened to her, I am his legal guardian."

Sighing Uryū said, "She always did trip over her pride, afraid people would look down on her"

Later that day Kūkaku Shiba was sitting in her hut in Soul Society she received a Jigokuchō from Kisuke Urahara!

Come to my Shop immediately

"I don't like the sound of that!"Kūkaku said as she stepped into The Senkaimon as she steps out, she notices Kisuke holding a small bundle asking, "Kisuke!"

"Orihime died giving birth to this little one" Urahara commented quietly.

"Okay that still doesn't explain why I am here!" Kūkaku said annoyed.

"I wanted you here when I verify my results!" Kisuke said, "She never told Ichigo, but he is the father"

"I see" Kūkaku said as they walk back into one of Kisuke's many labs!

"On the right is Ichigo, on the left is the baby" Kisuke told her.

As Kūkaku examined the results she thought, "Their virtually identical"

Taking a breath Kūkaku said, "For the time being he will be my adopted child, with my nephews pending nuptials right around the corner"

"This would complicate things!" Urahara said.

Chuckling Kūkaku said, "This is why he failed the purity test!"

"How did she die"

"Massive blood loss, I preformed the Konsō myself!" Kisuke said in a tight mournful tenor.

Answering the unanswered question Kisuke said, "Orihime knew when turned him down, she did not want him to marry her out of obligation"

"I can respect that" Kūkaku said curtly.

"His name is Kazui, she named him just before!" Kisuke said softly handing the baby to Kūkaku.

"Kazui Shiba" Kūkaku said, "You like that name do you"

Suddenly that baby opens his eyes and looking at his Grand-Aunt he smiles with his eyes.

"Kisuke there should be more then enough to cover the costs" Kūkaku said, "Let me know when"

"Understood" Kisuke said in a flat matter of fact manor.

Kūkaku went back though the Senkaimon she went right to the Gotei 13, to The First Division and the office of Captain-Commander Yamamoto.

"Captain-Commander" Kūkaku said as she walked forward.

"Yes" Commander Yamamoto, said in a gruff, yet soft voice.

"Orihime Inoue died today, I think an honor guard to attend her funeral is the least we can do"

Ever observant Captain-Commander Yamamoto asks, "And the child"

Sighing Kūkaku said, "My nephew was her first!"

"I see!" Yamamoto said, opening both his eyes, only to have Kūkaku say, "For the moment he is my adopted son!"

"Once they get back, I will tell them"

"I understand, Kūkaku" Yamamoto said, "Unfortunately I am succumbing to death… and it falls to my successor to perform the blessed event!"

Shunsui Kyōraku said, "All the captain will be ready"

With that Captain-Commander Yamamoto faded away, on his desk was the written letters addressed to Central 46, and all the Captains notifying them of the change in leadership. Chōjirō Sasakibe was not a man known for tears, but a tear rolled down his cheek as he too the Letter addressed Central 46 and walked to over to the building.