"Eh, Cap-Ryia…..what are you doing here?" Shuhei asked watching Ryia go through the old captain desk she had shoved in a corner while she was still the captain. "Ah Hah! Knew it would still be locked!" Ryia smiled as she pulled a key out of another drawer. "Eh…." Shuhei looked as she pulled out a medium sized bag from the bottom drawer Shuhei was never able to open. "It's a surprise for Toshiro. He's been down in the dumps lately and I know this will perk him up." Ryia exclaimed as she smiled at her former lieutenant. "But….why a pink ribbon and bag? I thought you hated pink." Shuhei questioned. "Think about it….what does pink represent?" Ryia asked frowning a bit. "EH! YOUR-" Shuhei yelled before his mouth was cover. "Shut it, besides Unohana you're now the only other person who knows." The shorter woman hissed. "Not even Kit?" Shuhei asked removing her hand. "No, I found out before I came here, why do you think i closed the door and put a barrier up?" Ryia asked still frowning. "Eh, i didn't even notice…" Shuhei sighed. "So how are you going to announce it? There's still the kids, Kit, and Jushiro…" Shuhei asked. Don't worry, there's still one more person who gets to know before hand, and he's behind you now." Ryia smirked as the other male froze. "Hi Jack." Ryia smiled as the white-haired male smiled as he held up a whisk and rubber spatula. "Need a pink one Jack." Ryia said holding up the bag. "EEEEE." Jack squealed taking the bag and dropping back into Hell. "I'll never get use to that." Shuhei mumbled staring at the spot where Jack was standing just a second before.

Smiling Ryia looked back at the other male. "So, hows Rangiku and the little one?" She asked smiling. "Fine, Misa started to walk, now she gets into everything." Shuhei sighed causing the woman to chuckle. "That's what toddlers do, it's the parent's job to teach them what they can and can't have. You know if you ever need help Kit and I are always available." Ryia continued. "I know and we both appreciate it, I just never knew kids would be so hard to take care of." Shuhei sighed again sitting in his chair. "It'll be worth it trust me. Watching them grow up and become adults, changing the world a little at a time and eventually finding their place, it's worth it in the end." Ryia explained smiling thinking about her twins. "Yudai and Yuuki have grown into wonderful people, from what Jushiro told me Yuuki runs the squad with Rukia when he's sick. Yuudai had Omeda back down in weight also." Shuhei explained. "Well they are my children, I raised them to always help others." Ryia smiled. "Anyway, I got a surprise to plan." She continued smirking before leaving the office.

Walking towards squad 13 Ryia smiled. It's been about a year and a half since her and Toshiro retired. Things were going peaceful until a few months ago with Toshiro brought up the whole child thing again. Ryia would watch the way Toshiro would look at the younger kids when the passed the park to the ice rink. "Looks like he's finally going to get his wish." Ryia muttered placing her hand on her stomach. A little girl, Unohana had confirmed her suspicions on being pregnant, but what she didn't realize was how far along she was since the medic said she could already tell her the gender. "Mom? Is something wrong?" A soft voice asked snapping Ryia out of her thoughts. Looking up she stared at her much taller son. "How many times do I have to hit you to make you shrink?" She grumbled as Yudai chuckled. "You know it doesn't work that way mom." He pointed out. "Yea yea, just remember I can still bend you over my knee so don't act up." She half threatened. "Anyway, is there something wrong mom? You look out of it." Yudai asked with concern. "It's nothing, where's the other two?" She asked looking around. "Inside, I sensed you standing out here for a while now." He explained opening the door behind him. Looking behind her son Ryia was welcomed to the sight of Kaida and Yuuki sitting at the table with Jushiro all looking worried. "I take it all of your training's going well?" Ryia asked smiling as she walked in. "Of course!" The girls answered smiling a bit. "Good." Ryia nodded sitting next to Jushiro. "And how are you holding up?" She asked looking up at the older male. "Pretty good, Your daughter is extremely helpful, and her tea's almost as good as yours." He smiled down at her. "Why thank you." Ryia smiled up at him. "Anyway, Why don't the four of you come over to the house tonight for supper?" Ryia asked looking at them. "Kinda short notice isn't it mom?" Yudai asked a bit confused. "Are you saying you don't want to have dinner with your mother in front of your girlfriend Yudai?" Ryia asked smirking. "MOM!" Yudai yelled as his face got bright red. "Or perhaps you two have a date set up for tonight?" Yuuki asked joining in on the torment of her brother and best friend.

"Why are you torturing my daughter?" Kit asked walking into the room. "Oh you know I have to pick fun at the cute couple here." Ryia smirked as Kaida had enough and tried dropping her through a hell portal only to find her still there. "Now really Kaida...is that how you treat your elders?" Ryia asked smirking at Kaida pissed off look. Chuckling Kit ruffled Kaidas hair while closing the portal under Ryia. "Why are you here anyway?" Kit asked looking at her best friend. "I came to invite my family to dinner, including the love birds if they don't have a date planned." Ryia explained only to get a growl from the two kids. "What's the occasion?" Kit asked looking at her friend. "What? I can't simply have my father, children and best friend over for dinner? I'm hurt Kit." Ryia pouted as Kit shook her head. "What time?" She asked simply. "I was thinking of you guys showing up about 6." Ryia smiled jumping up and leaving smirking at her friend. "I swear, I always get a bad feeling when she acts like this." Kit sighed.

Ryia smiled as she looked at the various meats before her. "Hmm, what should I make?" She asked softly thinking. "Oh Ryia, didn't expect to see you here." Orihime said walking up. "This place has the best meat." Ryia said smiling looking down. "And who is this young lady?" Ryia asked bending down. "This is Misaki." Orihime said as the young girl hid behind her mother's legs. "A shy one huh? You remind me of my Yuuki." Ryia chuckled standing up. "So how's the house for you? It's been a couple years since you bought it." Orihime asked. "It's perfect, especially since we're going to be using one of the rooms more here in a few more months." Ryia smiled placing a hand on her stomach. "That's wonderful news." Orihime almost squealed."Hush, Toshiro doesn't even know yet." Ryia hissed looking around for her husband. "Oh! I'm sorry." Orihime gasped. Ryia smiled gently at her not seeing Toshiro. "Well, I better get back to shopping, i'm having the whole family over for dinner." Ryia announced. "We should go too, see you later Ryia." Orihime smiled and she walked off waving.

Later that night Ryia hummed softly as she and Jack cooked in the kitchen, Ryia had made a little fib to Toshiro that Kit wanted to talk to him in the soul society. "You think we'll have enough Jack?" Ryia asked smirking. "I think you'll have leftovers for the next few nights, maybe we over did it." Jack said looking at her. "Well, there's going to be a full house here tonight, Jushiro, Kit, Renji, the kids, Toshiro, myself, you." Ryia named looking over at Jacks smile. "What? Did you think I was going to kick you out after helping me with everything?" Ryia asked. "I was hoping not, but you know how Jushiro feels about me." Jack explained hanging his head. "If he has a problem with you being in my house then he'll have to get over it." Ryia said before being hugged. Smiling gently Ryia patted the man's head. "How about we get everything set up? They'll be here shortly." Ryia reminded him.

"Ryia what the hell, Kit didn't…" Toshiro started only to stop in the doorway. "What's wrong?" Ryia asked looking over as her and Jack walked out of the kitchen with the last two bowls of food. "Is this why everyone followed me here?" Toshiro asked looking at the table. "Oh good everyone came!" Ryia smiled looking at the group of people behind her husband. "Ryia what in the hell is going on?" Toshiro asked annoyed. "I don't know what you mean, I just invited the whole family for dinner that's it." Ryia smiled innocently. "Right…" Toshiro said slightly suspicious. "Anyway come on everyone, before the food gets cold." Ryia said grabbing Toshiro's hand and started dragging him to the table. "Tell me Ryia, why is he here?" Jushiro asked looking at Jack who was sitting between Ryia and Kit. "He helped me cook, you don't honestly think I cooked all of this by myself do you?" Ryia explained looking at Jushiro. "I'm still not comfortable with him being out of Hell." Jushiro said frowning. "As long as he behaves himself he can stay out, right Kit?" Ryia said looking over at her friend who nodded. "He knows what will happen if he misbehaves." Kit said looking over at the male. "Please don't…" Jack started to beg. "What do you mean?" Toshiro asked confused. "If he was ever to misbehave to badly He'd get sent back to the realm with a possibility of having his chains put back on." Kit explained. "And if it's really bad he'd lose everything in our shrines." Ryia continued. "But if he behaves then he can keep the shrines and his current freedom." Kit finished as the older males stared at Jack. "It's been like this for the past 60+ years so why are you guys still so against him?" Ryia asked looking at them. "He did murder hundreds of women when he was still alive." Toshiro pointed out. "And as I said before, Hell's chilled him out, the last thing he wants to do is piss us off, right Jack?" Ryia said looking at the male. "That's correct, after all, you are the ones who let me start up my experiments again." Jack said happily. "Yes, yes, just remember what we talked about with your first one." Kit said looking at him. "He's in his metal pen right now, I checked on him before dinner." Jack explained. "I still can't believe you turned him into a half Hell chicken." Ryia chuckled as she finished eating.

"So, who's ready for dessert?" Ryia asked a half hour later when she noticed most of the plates were empty. Getting up Ryia collected the dishes before going into the kitchen with Kit behind her. "Ryia, what.." She started before Ryia handed her a small stack of plate. "Carry these for me please." Ryia said before picking up a nicely decorated cake. Walking out into the living room Ryia placed the cake down in front of Toshiro along with the knife. "Why don't you cut it honey." Ryia said smiling. "A, ok…" Toshiro said slowly as he slowly cut the cake and pulled out the first slice. Silence echoed in the room as everyone stared at the one slice of cake that was now laying on it's side on a plate Kit had quickly placed under the server. One by one everyone looked up at Ryia as she held a little black and purple tutu onesie to her stomach that read 'Future Shadow Princess.' "Mom….your…" Yuuki slowly only to get a nod. Soon there was a thud as almost Toshiro passed out from shock followed by two short squeals from the younger girls. Smiling gently Ryia looked at her best friend. "Well, what does Auntie Kit have to say about it?" She asked. "My suspicions were correct, come on, you didn't really think I wouldn't notice the second pressure coming from you, or the fact that for the past day Jack was working on a bunch of baby clothes?" Kit asked. "I never could keep something a secret from you." Ryia chuckled going over to her passed out husband with a glass of water and splashing it on him.

Shooting up Toshiro looked around confused. "Toshiro? Are you with us?" Ryia asked looking down at her husband still holding the onesie. "So...it's true?" He asked starting at the black tutu and the word 'Princess'. "Yes Toshiro, it's true, we're having a daughter." Ryia confirmed as Toshiro slowly placed his hands on her stomach. "That's wonderful news Ryia." Jushiro said walking over. "How about that Yuki, you won't be the youngest anymore." Yudai smirked at his much shorter sister. "Actually you're younger than me by 2 minutes." Yuki smirked leaving him confused. "I looked at the birth certificates, I was born before you." Yuki clarified looking up at him as Yudai looked over at Ryia. "It's true, if it wasn't for your aunt and father you probably would have been born first but I had to have an emergency c-section done so your sister was first." Ryia explained watching as Yudai crossed his arms and looked away from his grinning sister. "Ok, how about we have this cake before it goes bad." Ryia suggested helping her husband up.

Later that night Ryia looked over at Toshiro as she sat on the couch with Toshiro's head against her stomach muttering something to it. "I hope this isn't a foreshadow of what life's going to be like for the next 5 months." Ryia smiled as she combed her fingers through the white hair. "And if it is?" Toshiro asked looking up at her as she chuckled. "Toshiro, you're not making her into a daddy's girl." Ryia told him. "No promises." He said sitting up and moving Ryia into his lap. Looking up at him Ryia watched her husband's features, how his face softened when he touched her stomach, but, there was something else, a small hint of uncertainty. "Toshiro." Ryia said softly causing the males turquoise eyes to focus on her. "You're going to be a great father." She said simply smiling up at him. "I don't know….i never raised a kid from birth." Toshiro said softly. "You're going to have me here, and I'm sure Kit's going to visit." Ryia said making him look at her. "But, an infant...I only raised the twins since they was 6, and I didn't exactly have a proper upbringing." Toshiro explained. "Toshi, it'll be fine ok...you're going to be a great father, trust me." Ryia encouraged. Slowly nodded Toshiro smiled down at her, if she believed he could actually do this, then he could. Feeling her move a bit Toshiro watched as she slowly dozed off in his arms. 'Preparing everything for earlier really wore her out.' He thought as he gently got up and carried her upstairs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hey guys, I know it's been forever since I've updated and frankly it's because I've been struggling with writers block on all of my stories, plus work lately has made me go everywhere. Anyway, I still have plans for this series as it continue so I'll still be trying to get more chapters out for you.