AN: ...Sorry...? *sigh* I know it's been literally months since my last update, but I've really been struggling with life. Being a senior is hard! Who would've thought? But in all seriousness, I've been going through some shit and it's been hard to get into writing.

I went through a time where I couldn't write anything, and I had lost all inspiration and motivation to write at all. But recently I've kinda been trying to get into it again. After reading a story on here (not fan fiction) called Mr. Lone Boy by DancesWithTheDevil I suddenly got hit with the need to write.

Thank you everyone for being patient with me. This story hit 16k views! Like, that's amazing. I never could've imagning something like this happening.

Now, I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

Even tho it's gonna be shit.

Chapter Fourteen

A few weeks passed by uneventfully until the Espada got released. Ichigo noticed Grimmjow and Hanatarou leaving so he really didn't want to follow. Izuru has a place so Gin and Nel moved in with him. Szayel was put in the care of Mayuri to help with science and research.

Ulquiorra and Starrk, since they were the strongest of them all, were required to be under constant supervision, which meant they also had to live at Byakuya's house. Ichigo knew Byakuya wasn't very happy, but he assured the captain that they wouldn't get in the way.

A few weeks after that, Ichigo was about four months pregnant. It was pretty noticeable but he wasn't very big. Byakuya loved rubbing his belly. It soothed him and the baby.

Starrk and Ulquiorra had meals with Ichigo every day under the guise of "supervision". But really Ichigo considered them friends and just wanted them to be incorporated into the "family."

Renji was still being an asshole. Every time they passed each other, he made some scathing comment, making sure no one else heard. It hurt, but Ichigo wouldn't tell anyone. Renji was good at his job, and he couldn't think of anyone who was better. He knew Renji would get over it eventually.

Presently Ichigo was in Ulquiorra's room. They were talking about life in general and Aizen. Ulquiorra was the one spying on Ichigo, and although he regretted telling Aizen everything about him, he didn't regret spying on the first place.

"Ichigo-san, I must tell you something..." He looked nervous for once, which was very uncharacteristic of him. He had a blush on his cheeks that stood out against his white skin./p
p dir="ltr"Ichigo cocked his head to the side. "What is it?"

"I...I really like you, Ichigo-san. You make me feel things I wasn't made to feel. My heart beats so fast when I'm around you." He flushed deeper.

Ichigo blinked then his cheeks exploded in a blush. "I-I don't know what to say...I..."

Ulquiorra seemed to deflate, though the expression on his face remained blank. "You can't return my feelings."

Ichigo shook his head. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't apologize for what you don't feel." He gave the tiniest hint of a smile. "I won't give up though."

Ichigo laughed softly and stood up. He ruffled Ulquiorra's hair. "I'll see you-"

The pale Espada gripped Ichigo's wrist and pulled him close, pressing a kiss to his lips. "I'll see you at dinner." He brought Ichigo's hand to his lips and pressed a light kiss to his knuckles.

Flustered, Ichigo ran out the door, bumping into Starrk who was making his way to the garden to sleep. Starrk caught him with his arms around his waist. "Woah, what's the rush?"

Ichigo gasped and pushed away, running down the hall to his own room. He slammed the door shut and leaned against it, running a hand through his hair. He slid down to the floor and let out a deep breath. 'Im so glad Byakuya isn't here right now.'

He laid on his mat and decided to take a nap before dinner. 'Now, what am I going to do?'

'Aizen...why is he here...? Where am I?'

"I see you've finally woken up?" Aizen was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking over him.

"Aizen...what am I doing here?"

The man hummed and smiled. "Don't you remember? You promised yourself to me." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "You promised to do anything."

Ichigo shook his head. "But that was a dream! I'd never say anything like that!"

Aizen stood and raised his hand, smacking Ichigo across the face. Ichigo's head snapped to the side as the stinging pain blossomed across his cheek. 'Wait...pain..? You can't hurt in a dream!'

"So you've realized it, huh? This isn't a dream."

"How is this possible?!"

"I'm inside your head. You let me in. And I thank you for that." He ran a finger down the bruise forming, and Ichigo flinched back.

"Oh, I'm sorry about this." He climbed onto the bed. "I'll make it up to you." He cupped both of Ichigo's cheeks and pulled him forward.

Ichigo moved his face to the side to avoid being kissed. "No, get away! Let go of me, you bastard!" He tried to push against Aizen's chest and kick his feet out, but Aizen was stronger, so much stronger.

"Ichigo, Ichigo, Ichigo. I don't think you realize the position you're in. You have no power over me." He leaned down and started kissing Ichigo's neck.

The orange haired teen whimpered and pushed weakly against the man on top of him. "No, please." He bit his lip and willed himself to not cry.

An echoing knock resounded through the room. Aizen sighed and bowed his head, muttering curses. He pushed himself up and off the bed. He looked over Ichigo who's robe was disheveled and pushed open. "Damn...until next time, Ichigo." He kissed the teen's hand and left out the door.

Ichigo woke up immediately to knocking on his room door. Lyla walked in a few knocks later. "Ichigo-kun, it's time to get ready for dinner." She cocked her head. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Just help me get ready." At seeing her concerned face he sighed. "Please." He smiled.

"Lyla nodded, looking like she wanted to say something, but she kept her mouth closed. The tense atmosphere dissipated when Lyla started brushing his hair. "It's gotten pretty long these past months. Would you like me to cut it?"

Ichigo turned his head from side to side, looking at his hair from different angles in the mirror. "No, I like it." It framed his face more, making him look softer and it was shaggy around his shoulders. He really liked it like this.

Lyla nodded and finished. "Well, Ichigo-kun, come on. They're waiting for you in the dining room."/p
p dir="ltr""Thank you. You're a good friend."

Lyla smiled at him, but frowned when he looked away. 'What's happened to you?'

Chapter End

AN: Welp there's that. Sorry for the long wait but it's here now. Since it's so close to the end of the school year, don't expect an update for quite a long time.

Also sorry about the whole Ulquiorra and Ichigo thing. I just love that pairing so much, and I couldn't help myself! Ulquiorra is just the most precious and pure bean ever. Don't worry though, nothing will really come of it. As I've said before, this is a Byakuya x Ichigo story. I hope everyone is ready for some pining!Ulquiorra, though!

Don't forget to tell me what you thought, and leave a fave if you've enjoyed.