March had come and left without any significant event, there had been plenty of false alarms but nothing that actually lead to anything. The first week of April was another story, at nine days past the expected due date, Baby Hyuga had decided that this was the best time to grace Soul Society with their arrival.

Throughout the day of April fourth, the Kyoraku-Hyuga house appeared to have gained a revolving door as friends and family fluttered in and out to ensure that Tetsuya and Suzume were cared for while Chiaki laboured so Neji could focus his efforts on supporting her. The three constant ones throughout the early morning and into the evening were Shunsui, Nanao, Yumichika and Renji.

Finally in the early evening the new little person that everyone had been anxiously waiting to meet entered Soul Society. That had been yesterday. Today was April fifth, and Neji couldn't take his eyes off his child. Observing the infant who was safely laying between himself and Chiaki he couldn't get over the fact that he was now a father, biologically, not figuratively. He knew he was a father figure for Tetsuya and Suzume both, and he loved them just as much as the new infant who currently had their tiny hand wrapped around his finger, but it was slightly different. Whereas with Tetsuya he knew if he pursued a relationship with Chiaki that he'd be taking on the father figure role in the boy's life, and had accepted that before he'd kissed her, it wasn't the same. Although, he could strongly liken it to the bond he shared with his biological child as he had been willing to accept that responsibility without even meeting the boy.

Suzume had been a child without a safe adult around to protect her. He'd taken on that role without hesitation and would continue to do so indefinitely for as long as she would see him as a father in her life. In a way, once again he could liken it to this feeling he felt with his child as he had only just met the girl and he was already willing to throw himself between her and a blade if it came to it.

Likewise with his child, from the very moment he felt those first kicks while Chiaki was pregnant he knew he'd do anything, be anything, even give up this new life he was building in a heartbeat if it meant keeping the baby safe.

Chiaki was undeniably the most beautiful woman he'd ever known, inside and out. He'd do anything to support and protect her. The only people he'd be more willing to give himself to save were the three children they were now raising. He'd come to the conclusion that being a parent wasn't about biology, it was strictly about being willing to put a younger person's needs and wants before your own as often as possible.

Chiaki's labour had begun with the first rays of sunlight and the baby had arrived just as the sun was beginning to set, for that reason they'd decided against using either name they'd previously decided on. They decided on something more suited to the child, as they'd all but told their parents their own name.

He observed as the new child's oval face scrunched up while their lips pursed together and made a suckling motion. Neji smiled and absent mindedly mimicked the infant's facial expression and gesture, a moment later the baby's eyes opened revealing them to have the same amber hue as their mother's. They had a full head of dark brown hair, which they'd inherited from Neji, the baby looked over to Neji who smiled and greeted them with, "Hi pretty Hikari Hyuga. Did you have sweet dreams baby girl?"

His voice was soft, and almost at a whisper, not wanting to disturb Chiaki's sleep unless he absolutely had to. The baby fussed a little before giving a short cry. Neji knew exactly what that cry meant, he'd heard it enough to learn it, that and her 'change me' cry. He gently placed his hand on Chiaki's shoulder, slightly shaking her awake. Her amber eyes opened up, and she blinked a little as she woke up. She wrapped Hikari in her arms and pulled the child close to herself, preparing to feed her.

Neji gently kissed Chiaki's forehead and said, "I'm going to make some lunch for the rest of us."

"Alright," Chiaki agreed as Neji stood and left the room, he was certain the two would be fine on their own and the other two children still needed to eat regular meals. Nanao had taken them over night but they were due back in a bit, and Neji had an idea of what to make to remind them that they were still just as special to him as they'd always been.

Although Tetsuya loved his ebi chili, Neji had found that as long as food had a bit of spice to it, albeit the more spice the better, the boy absolutely devoured it.

As far as Suzume was concerned, she loved any kind of fish or mitarashi dango. So he figured he'd make herring soba for everyone, but he'd add some flaked chili peppers to Tetsuya's for some heat, and he'd make some mitarashi dango for dessert. As he began prepping the food he considered how he'd make this work so Chiaki could eat without interruption and settled on a plan.

He'd eat his portion last so Chiaki could eat first while he watched Hikari. At least, that was his plan. He began adding the ingredients into a pot to simmer. He then took a moment to reflect on the past year and how much things had changed. He couldn't help but smile. However as soon as that smile came to him, he was hit by a wave of grief. Yes, his life now was truly amazing, it was better than anything he'd thought possible and he was experiencing happiness he'd never dared to hope for when he was alive, however there was a heavy price for that happiness. He had to die in his former life to gain the happiness he had now.

He thought back to Hinata and Naruto, how sad they had been as he was dying, and he realized he'd give just about anything, except Chiaki and his children to see them once more and let them know he was doing alright.

Yes, his body was dead, but his spirit lived on and found the happiness he'd never dared to hope for himself as a human. He was poised to begin at the academy in September, and after he concluded his studies there, however long it took him, he would apply for an instructor position. He knew what he wanted to teach, he wanted to instruct others in his strongest skill, Hakuda, which had called Taijutsu as a human.

He was learning kido from Chiaki and had so far successfully utilized a few midrange spells, but his control over his spiritual pressure combined with Hakuda was still his greatest combat tactic. He felt that with utilizing the Reiatsu networks found in hollows with his gentle fist technique, he could help Shinigami who maybe weren't the best at kido gain a method of paralyzing hollows so they were easier to purify. Then again, perhaps not, he'd only done that as a human once. That one time, Chiaki had been right there and knowing now what he didn't know then, if he had been in danger from the hollow at any point she would've cut it down without hesitation.

She had been curious about his abilities, which was why she hadn't engaged the hollow initially and allowed him to use eight trigrams sixty-four palms on the hollow. He finished with the dango and set it aside, he then plated the herring soba, adding the chili pepper flakes to Tetsuya's serving just as the door opened and Nanao's voice called into the house.

"I'm in the kitchen," Neji called back. He heard two sets of feet hurrying towards the kitchen while Nanao joined a calmer and steadier pace.

He smiled as he saw the faces of the two children who had first made him a father and greeted them, "Hey, did you two have a good visit with Auntie Nanao?"

Tetsuya shrugged while Suzume nodded but their question was unified, "where's Hikari? Is she sleeping?"

"She's eating, which you two are about to do as well," Neji replied as he carried the food to the table and placed the bowls around the table along with a few glasses of water. He indicated a bowl with a slightly reddish hue to it and stated, "this one has a little special extra for you, Tetsuya."

A broad smile grew on Tetsuya's face, his red eyes dancing with delight as he asked Neji, "you added chili pepper flakes?"

"I certainly did. I know you love your spicy food," Neji replied as he made his way to the master bedroom with a tray for Chiaki and to collect Hikari so she could eat without worry.