This wasn't originally, intended to be a Chapter, it was supposed to be an Interlude, however the story threads contained within ended up being both compelling and strong enough that it didn't require much re-working to elevated it into a 'proper' chapter- I'll get into the details in the closing notes. I only mention this now is to offer an explanation for why this chapter might seem to come out of nowhere.
That said, I would like to take a moment to first assure the person who was signed in simply as "Guest", that you inspired me to hammer out some spontaneous new 'Shunnao' content that I'm particularly proud of, which you'll see very soon. Now, getting to RG-Guest's review: First off, thanks for your well wishes, as it means a lot whenever I'm reminded that this story has formed legit connections with others. Next, getting to the actually story-related feedback... To start, I was so happy when you referred to Byakuya and his visit with "The Inquisitor", as I'm still particularly proud of that.
Next, taking into account your admitted tiredness, I won't spend too much time correcting you... But the gist of what Dario said was that there was something intangible about Orihime as an individual- such as her kindness, her naivety/her faith in doing the right thing, her optimism, her zest for life in general, and perhaps even her quirkiness- that could resonate with people like Dario (who's let himself become cynical and disillusioned) or Ulquiorra (who at first believes there's no meaning in anything, and that everything can be logically explained). In the case of the former, Dario is struck by her determination to move forward with her life. While in the case of the latter, Ulquiorra's inability to accept her intangible values and beliefs leads him to fixate on her- perhaps with the intent of finding a logical explanation- only to end up becoming invariably entangled with her.
And I'll close this AN section by saying that even after the main story is over, it's by no means impossible that there'll be some bonus content.
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter LXVII:
"Sons & Daughters"
Soul Society...
Second Division HQ...
Soifon looked up at the female Shinigami before her, Captain Retsu Ukitake of the Fourth. In addition to her position of Commanding Officer of one of the fourteen Elite Court Guard Division and the Head of the Medical Corps, the serene woman was also- by virtue of giving birth to its heir- was now the Matriarch of the illustrious and respected Ukitake Clan.
This 'elevation' meant that she was now of equal in status and social standing to the other heads of the great families of the Seireitei, such as Captain Byakuya of the Kuchiki clan and Captain Shunsui of the Kyoraku clan, to say nothing of her husband and fellow Captain, Jushiro Ukitake.
And so, here she was, standing before the Commander of the Black-Ops Division. While a Captain, Soifon nowhere to the pedigree of her august visitor, rather instead being a member of a 'Branch' family that served dutifully- for generations- as retainers to the Shihoin Clan.
"Tell me, Soifon-san, how goes the pregnancy?"
That seemingly straightforward question had thrown the smaller woman, as she was unaccustomed to interacting with her fellow Captains in anything other than an official capacity.
As if noting the uncertainty in the other woman, Retsu took her her seat. "Please, as I said, the capacity of this visit is simply as one mother to another." She offered. "That being said, I would like to offer the benefit of my own small perspective, in regards to any questions or concerns you might have."
Soifon took a deep breath, then nodded. "Lady Ukitake, I-"
The other woman held up a hand. "Please, here, I'd like you to feel free to dispense with titles." She went on to state. "Right now, I'd prefer that we drop such formalities and that you simply consider me to be another woman." The brunette offered. "Please, call me Retsu."
The smaller woman nodded. "I'm not sure how to say this, but I'm not used to being in situations that are so out of my control..." Soifon admitted to her. "And, truthfully, the last thing that I ever would've expected to not be in control of some day, is my own body."
"Soifon," Retsu started. "Pregnancy isn't a matter of a loss of control, it's just biology."
"Yes, I understand that, at least intellectually." Soifon responded. "It's just... Emotionally, it's like I'm being asked to entrust myself- my life- to a force that I sill barely comprehend."
"Soifon," Retsu interjected intently. "You're scared." The taller woman went on to counter, looking her in the eyes. "The only you have to do is accept that that fear is perfectly normal."
"But," the petite woman faltered, eyes wide. "What about you, are you telling me you were scared?"
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Ukitake Estate...
"I must say, Vega-san," Jushiro began with a smile. "It came as quite the surprise when I first received word that you wanted to speak with me, and about being a parent of all things."
With that, the white-haired Captain turned to address the smaller male Arrancar, offering him a cup of hot tea to the cat-like Fraccion. "Please, sit down and relax." Jushiro offered, still smiling as he took his seat on the cushion across the low table from Ggio as he knelt on his own cushion.
"Now," Jushiro started, a cup of tea grasped in his own hand. "Just exactly can I do for you?"
It was strange, if downright surreal, for the Fraccion, as he sat down on the tatami-mat floor of one of the many waiting rooms of the expansive Ukitake Estate. Truthfully, Ggio felt overwhelmed just sitting in the massive residence of the powerful Shinigami. After all, in the recent past, being in a situation like this might have left him feeling trapped and in danger!
The golden-eyed Arrancar nodded. "Um, well, first off," Ggio started nervously. "I'd just like to thank you for giving me your time, Ukitake-san." He continued. "The truth is, that as a Hollow, I don't really have any real frame reference when it comes to being a father..."
"That's why, I guess the real point of this visit is..." Ggio went on. "I wondering if you had any insights to offer- any sort of advice that you might be able to offer?"
The Shinigami appeared to give this some thought. "You make a good point," he began thoughtfully, as he addressed the man across from him. "But it's not as if the fact alone of being a Shinigami means that I was any more or less prepared when it came to becoming a father." He offered, sipping his tea.
Taking a drink from his cup of tea, Ggio went on. "Yes, but you at least, had parents," the lean cat-like Arrancar countered, looking to the man. "You have to realize: the vast majority of Hollows aren't born, we simply are- we come into existence, as a bi-product of our environment."
Taking another sip, Jushiro set his cup down. "That's a valid point," he started. "But tell me something, Vega-san, are you frightened about the prospect of fatherhood?"
Ggio hesitated, but after a moment, eventually nodded. "I'm scared that I won't be up to it."
Jushiro took a deep breath. "That's a reasonable concern," he began. "And, to be honest, it's a concern that pretty much all expecting parents are face with, myself and Retsu included."
"However," the white-haired Captain paused. "The one thing I can say, and I don't know if this is the case for everyone, but it was for me," He took a breath. "Regardless of everything else, regardless of whatever fears or concerns that might be racing through your head..." Jushiro trailed off.
"Ukitake-san?" Ggio prompted, a look of confusion.
The Commander of the Thirteenth smiled. "Ggio... That first instant, when that moment comes, when you're holding your child in your arms, for the first time, everything else becomes irrelevant."
"That's the way it was for me little Kiyoshiro-chan, and I expect that it will be the same for you when you're holding your daughter in your arms for the first time."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
The Living Realm
Karakura, Business District...
Yuzu Kurosaki was out running errands, making her way down one of the streets of the business district of the city, with Urahara's Shop in mind as her destination.
"You, you're Ichigo's little sister, aren't you?" A voice spoke spoke up.
She turned in time to see a tall woman, with long dark hair- pulled into a ponytail in the back with a scrunchy- and wearing a cap with a pair of googles fixed to it, and dressed in a pair of tight denim jeans and a white t-shirt with the word "Unagiya" displayed in English across her full chest.
Ikumi, for her part, instantly noticed the confused look and the girl's face. Frankly, there wasn't much of a resemblance between here and Ichigo- what with her pretty face and medium-length light-brown hair, pulled into a pair of twin ponytails. Really, the only outward tell that she was related, were her brown eyes, the shade of brown the same as her older brother.
The older woman noted the uncertain look from the girl, just as she also recognized her to be in what almost certainly was a serafuku-style Middle School uniform. "Please... don't be alarmed, my name is Ikumi Unagiya," she started a calm voice. "Your older brother Ichigo, he worked for me."
"Big Brother worked for you?" She asked tentatively. "Is that really true?"
To be perfectly honest, Ikumi wasn't exactly sure as to just what she was hoping to achieve by way of this interaction, realizing that this girl had no reason to trust her, and much more reason to be weary of the intentions of this stranger that was talking to her on the sidewalk...
Ikumi nodded. "Yes. Your brother mentioned on more than one occasion that he had a pair of younger fraternal twin sisters..." The business woman recounted. "As I recall, he described one of them as being something a tomboy, Karin," she remarked. "Which would mean, that you must by Yuzu."
The girl in question didn't immediately respond. "My brother... He talked about us?"
"Oh yes." The woman nodded, smiling. "You see, there are a few reasons for me to believe that you're his little sister Yuzu." Ikumi offered, still smiling. "One of them, being that I'm also an acquaintance of Urahara-san, and I've seen you heading this way towards the shop before."
"And the other reasons?" The sandy-haired girl responded.
"Well, to start with, Ichigo commented that he and your sister, Karin-chan, took more after your father, and- after having met Isshin- I'm inclined to agree." Ikumi remarked. "But as for his other sister... well, he didn't say it outright, but I got the impression that you take after your mother."
"And, if that's true," Ikumi continued, cautiously approaching Yuzu. "Then, I can only imagine, just by looking at you, that your mother must have been very beautiful."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"What about you, are you telling me you were scared?"
"Scared?" Retsu repeated. "I wasn't just scared, I was terrified." She continued, her delicate brows raised as she spoke. "Of course I was scared, how could I not be?"
"Captain," the taller woman went on. "There's no manual for being a parent, no magic secret, or any other convenient means by which to make it any easier." Retsu asserted. "The plain and simple truth is, that you can't be taught how to be a parent, it's just something you learn through trial and error."
"Trial and error?" The slender female uttered. "But, this isn't the same as mastering a jutsu or learning how to handled a weapon," Soifon fired back. "We're talking about caring for a living being."
"Is there really such a difference?" The other Captain countered. "Now, don't get me wrong, I am not trying to make a claim that rearing a child is exactly the same as learning a new technique." Retsu wen on to state, her tone steady. "But both take dedication, however, one requires something more."
"Something more?" Soifon started. "Tell me then, what do you mean?"
"Something you can't be taught." Retsu answered her in a matter of fact tone. "Soifon, let me tell you something I've learned the hard way... A person can be tough how to fight and how to kill. A person can be payed and trained to use a learn how to use a weapon or a jutsu, and to advance on an enemy..."
Soifon was caught off-guard by the serious of the woman's tone. "All of that being said, you can't pay or train a person to be loyal or believe in something, they either do or they don't." Retsu elaborated as he continued. "And it's the same when it comes to being a parent... A parent can't be trained to care for their children, just as there's no way a mother can be taught to love her child."
"Because that's just something we're able to do..." Soifon added.
The woman across her desk from her nodded. "I'm not saying that any of this is going to be easy, quite the contrary in fact." Retsu explained with a smile. "But once you've come to grips with what it meas to love a child, then... it's just a matter of the rest coming to as you go."
.. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"I can only imagine, just by looking at you, that your mother must have been very beautiful."
Yuzu blushed at the comment, her cheeks turning pink, as words failed her. "I- I-" She stammered, as she tried and failed to compose herself. "I don't understand... Why are you talking to me?"
"Because," Ikumi smiled. "Even though I know so little about you, I can't help but shake this sense that I'd really like to get to know you." She offered the girl. "Perhaps it's just my instincts as a mother, but I can't help but care about you... I'm sorry if I'm crossing the line by assuming that-"
"Ikumi-san." Yuzu interjected. "It's alright, I don't mind, in fact..." She hesitated, still blushing, but this time smiling as she looked to the woman standing before her.
Ikumi planted a hand on her delicate shoulder. "Yuzu-chan, how about you come into my shop?" She offered the young woman. "If you have a moment, and I'd enjoy getting to know you."
Yuzu nodded, smiling brightly. "Okay, thank you," she replied, "I'd like that, Ikumi-san."
.. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Back at the Ukitake Estate...
Jushiro held up his son, supporting the infant under his arms with both hands. "Kiyoshiro-chan," he started with a bright smile. "In not too long, you'll be a year old."
With that, he drew his son back to cradle him against his chest, his head resting against his shoulder as he positioned his hand upon the child's back to secure him. "You're such a blessing to both your mother and myself, you know, I just wish there was a way for me to know if you realize that."
"Don't worry, Dear," Retsu spoke, appearing at the entrance to the room. "He'll know, one day, when he's older- old enough to understand we means for us, and his mother and father."
Her husband moved as if to offer their son for her to hold, but she shook her head.
"Retsu, how was your day?" The white-haired man asked.
The dark-haired woman smiled. "I had an interesting talk with Captain Soifon."
"Really?" He asked, raising a dark brow. "About anything in particular?"
"We talked about some of the finer points of parenting." Retsu replied, while moving to take a seat the mounted bench-seat of the stationary rocking couch. "After speaking with the Captain, I believe that it was a very productive chat, not just for her, but myself as well."
"Oh really?" Jushiro asked, sitting beside her. "How so? If you don't mind me asking."
"Not at all." She replied, with a slight shake of her head. "It helped remind me just what it means to be a parent- that is, to say- I was reminded of what really matters."
"In the end, what it all came down to was helping her with her concerns about being a parent."
"You know, it's interesting that you should say that." Jushiro responded, while gently rocking his son as he rested in his arms. "I had a similar experience earlier today talking to the Fraccion Ggio Vega."
"How interesting." His wife replied, cuddling up against him. "Please, go on."
"Indeed." Jushiro remarked. "Vega-san had some concerns, which- now, after listening to your account of your visit with the Captain- are much the same as her own."
"It's comforting," Retsu stated softly. "When you find yourself being reminded of what matters most."
Jushiro nodded. "That no matter what happens, we always have family," he started, thinking of both Lillynette and Stark and all the others. "And, that our family always the pack."
Retsu smiled. "Well said."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"You know, Yuzu-chan, as much as I appreciate your faith in me," Ikumi spoke as she lead the girl in question into her shop and up the stair to the second floor. "As the mother of a young boy- only a few years younger than yourself- I can't help but worry about your trusting nature being exploited."
"I understand, Ikumi-san." Yuzu replied as they reached the top of the steps. "Actually, since it's just the two of us, I have to admit that it's a bit frustrating how protective everyone is of me."
"Really?" The dark-haired adult asked, looking over her shoulder to her. "How so?"
"Well..." The young teen girl started hesitantly. "I get why Dad and Ichigo would worry- since, he's older, and was more affected by the loss of our mother," Yuzu spoke. "And Karin, since she takes after after them in a lot of ways, but... It feels like they all think I'm made of glass."
"...The loss of our mother." The line played silently in Ikumi's mind as she gestured for Yuzu to make herself comfortable in the room that doubled as her office and the den. "Please, make yourself at home while I something ready in the kitchen." She calmly offered.
Nodding, Yuzu deposited herself on the couch and relaxed, as she heard Ikumi's voice calling to her from the other room. "I've got some fresh juice ready, is strawberry alright?"
"Yes, that's fine, thank you." She replied.
After a moment, Ikumi appeared in the room, a glass in each hand, handing one of them to Yuzu as she sat down on the other end of the sofa. "Yuzu-chan, can I ask you something... personal?"
There was an instant, when she didn't respond right away. "About what?" You asked.
"Yuzu-chan, earlier, you mentioned something," she started. "The reason Ichigo and your father are so protective of you, you think is because of your mother." Ikumi continued. "Yuzu, you don't have to tell me, if you're not comfortable..." There was a pause. "What happened to her?"
Yuzu looked at her glass, then took a drink. "...She died."
Ikumi felt like she'd taken a knife to her heart when she heard those two words, but held her tongue as the girl continued. "No one really talks about the details, but even I know- without them or anyone else having to say it outright- that she was killed..."
"Killed?" Ikumi repeated, almost in disbelief, as she looked to the girl. "Oh my God, Yuzu, when you say she was killed..." She recounted. "You said no one wants to talk about it, but then, that would have to mean, given who your family is..." The woman trailed off. "Then she was k- killed by..."
"One of the monster that the people who used to hang around my Brother hunt." Yuzu bluntly finished for her.
"The people in the black robes, who always hung around Urahara-san's shop?" Ikumi asked.
Yuzu's brown eyes went wide. "Ikumi-san, you know about... them?"
The woman nodded, setting her glass down. "Yes, I'm in the same boat as you, Yuzu-chan," she began in a soft tone. "I don't know the whole story about what's been happening... But for a while, I've begun to see things, things that I shouldn't be able to see." Ikumi revealed.
"Wait, when you say 'the people in black robes', do you mean Kuchiki-san and the others?" She asked, receiving a silent nod from the woman. "And you're saying that you've seen them recently? ...Even now, after they stopped talking to Ichigo and left him on his own?" Yuzu further asked, garnering only a quiet resigned 'yes' from Ikumi.
The girl set her own glass down. "Even if my brother couldn't see them any more, they still could have come to visit him- the same as they did before he lost his powers!" Yuzu exclaimed. "Why? Why'd they leave him alone, when they had to know that he was hurting?!" She asked, eyes tearing up.
"Why?! It isn't fair!" Yuzu went on as her composure shattered. "They could've done something, but they didn't- they made the choice to abandon him, to leave us to deal with it!" She went on, less in question, and more angry.
It was as if a switch had flipped in Ikumi, and she grabbed Yuzu, pulling the girl to her. "I- Ikumi-san?" The girl asked, confused, her face red and tears streaming down her cheeks she was held against the woman's bussom. "Ikumi-san, wh- what are you-"
"It's alright Yuzu." Ikumi declared in a firm tone, now fully in her 'mother' mode as she encircled Yuzu in her arms and embraced her, as if she were trying to protect or shield her from something. "You don't have to hold back right now."
At hearing this, the emotional floodgates opened and the girl started sobbing. "Th- they're supposed to be so smart and so strong, but what's the good in having power if they don't do anything with it?!" She protested between a flood of tears. "How on Earth is it supposed to be fair that people can have the power to help someone, but instead they just chose to do nothing?!"
"Yuzu," Ikumi began, waiting for the girl to look to her. "Yuzu... The truth is... that it's not fair, and that's not right." She offered. "And... I wish that I could give you anything close to a good answer about why that is, but the truth is I can't." The woman went on. "But there is something I can do."
"What do you mean, Ikumi-san?" Yuzu asked, wiping her eyes and trying to calm down.
"Yuzu, let me tell you something," she began. "There are lots of types of strength, and my instincts tell me that you've had to learn to be a very strong young lady," Ikumi went on to relay to the girl sitting in front of her, with a gentle smile. "And that's because people are depending on you."
"What do you mean, how could there be people depending on me?" Yuzu replied. "I- I'm just a normal person, I'm nothing special, I don't have any powers-"
"Yuzu." The dark-haired woman interjected. "Believe me, you're anything but 'just a normal person." Ikumi went on to say, resting her hands on her shoulders. "I'm a parent, so I know a few things when it comes to matters like this." She explained. "You're special, because you were strong enough to shoulder the burden of taking care of your family- and it's a role only someone like you could fill."
Yuzu blushed, falling silent as she processed what she'd been told. Without comment, Ikumi drew her into another hug. "And, between the two of us, boys are fine and I dearly love my son Kaoru more than anything, but I think we both know they can be a big pain in the ass sometimes."
When she heard laughter from the girl, Ikumi eased her embrace. "Ikumi-san, thank you." Yuzu began as she drew back, smiling once more. "And... I know what you mean," she admitted. "Honestly, Ichigo and my Dad... Sometimes, they could be a lot to deal with."
"Now," Ikumi resumed cheerfully, standing up. "I think I've taken up enough of your time, so-"
"Ikumi-san." Yuzu spoke up, rising to her feet. "Um, talking with you like this," the girl started, her cheeks flushed faintly pink. "It's been a long time since, er... Well, it's just, what I mean is that it's..."
"Of course." Ikumi countered, seeming to infer what she was getting at. "Yuzu-chan, we may not be family, but any time you're ever fealing troubled, or if you just want someone you can open up to, just call."
(- End of Chapter LXVII... -)
First off, there's a part of me that wants to apologize for how potentially schmaltzy or melodramatic a lot of this might come across as, but then there's a part of my that doesn't- that's not ashamed of getting sappy or even going for "the feels".
As I briefly alluded to in the opening notes, this began as an Interlude focusing on the interplay between the established parents (Jushiro and Retsu) and the expecting parents (Soifon and Ggio). However, it ended up being a lot longer than these Interludes tend to be. And then, there's the fact that, almost on a whim, I added in the first two scenes with Yuzu and Ikumi (more on that in a moment). I had fully intended to resolve it in the following chapter, only to realize that it would f*ck up the pacing of the next few chapters.
And so, here I am, scrambling to figure out what to do, which lead to the original final scene being pushed back for what I personally feel is a much stronger conclusion. I've made an effort to try and develop as many characters as possible, but I realized that out of all the characters, Yuzu- at least by my estimation- is always depicted as this happy little girl who's seemingly content with assuming the roles of the mother she lost at a very young age. Rather, it struck me that Yuzu was trying to be brave and soldier on playing the part she'd taken on.
To me, it was only logical that Yuzu could only contend with so much, before being overcome by emotions (I felt) she's never properly explored and come to terms with. So, ad to that the additional pain of 'losing' her older brother, it was just a matter of time. And that's where Ikumi comes into the picture. In my oppinion, I believed that Ikumi was someone whose circumstances would make her the logical choice for Yuzu to form a bond with. I didn't want her to become a surrogate mother to her, but rather someone who could provide a strong paternal and nurturing presence for Yuzu to open up to.