WARNING: THIS STORY IS RATED MATURE FOR A REASON!

Thank you for the lovely review. I appreciate them!

Seems that Takeshi is not a favorite amongst the OC's, thus far. Lol -shrug- Wouldn't be any fun if they were all nice people, would it? There's a possibility that there might be a further explanation of Takeshi's sword later (involving Aizen), as someone claimed him to be a Gary Stu for being overly powerful. Not my intention. You'll just have to wait and see, won't cha?

Also, I would like to point out that this is glimpses into their lives. If I were to write about nearly every day (through their marriages, pregnancies, etc) then I'd have over twenty chapters per one character. It's a series of romances (forced, lol) that we are privilaged to look at. . .like looking through a window. Catching glimpses of them when they are in view, and missing whats goion on when they are not in our focus. Every character chapters is set up so you can pick and read in the order you wish. Meeting some characters in other stories, and vice versa.

Enjoy!

Kenpachi Zaraki- Part 2 (of Three)

Yukino exited the bathroom, wrapped only in a towel. Her clothes, which she had taken the time to wash while she tried to calm down in the shower. Now, they were draped over the counters and such, drying. Which meant she had no clothes to wear to bed. She glanced around the room, not surprised to see Kenpachi no where in size.

Sighing, she looked over the futon in the corner with only a single blanket and two pillows, one obviously new. It actually made her smirk. If this was his way of changing up his bachelor pad to welcome in a wife, he was doing a horrible job. Then again, she wasn't exactly all that girly, was she?

A glance outside told her it was late in the evening, only a small glow from the sun's retreating form seen in the distant. Part of her wanted to find something to eat. . .the other part told her to just go to sleep.

She rolled her shoulder and dropped her towel, throwing it in the corner that seemed to be filled with dirty clothes, and climbed onto the futon, taking the older pillow. She liked her pillows flat, squished, and used. New ones were just to fluffy and she never slept well on them.

It didn't take long until she was asleep.

Kenpachi entered his room, surprised to make out Yukino's sleeping form on the futon. The covers had slipped down to her waist, making it obvious that she was completely bare. He swallowed as he felt all his blood begin to head south, all to happy to inflate the piece of him that had been inside of her body earlier.

He wouldn't mind having her again. If he ever needed a good fuck, he'd normally go find some bar crawler, get her drunk, abuse her body as he pleased, and leave her with little or no memory that they had been together. Well, other than the used condoms that would litter the floor. He was an asshole enough to let them know that they had drunken sex.

Yukino had been the first woman he had slept with in well. . .forever, that there was no condoms, no darkness, and no alcohol involved. She had excepted his aggressive behavior, maybe even enjoyed it to some degree. While sex was great, and he knew she had her own releases. . .he knew some women would cry after such an act.

He had to stop himself from spitting on his own floor, and made his way toward the futon, stripping his own clothes off as he went. He lifted the blanket, crawler up beside her, and laid his head on the new pillow since she had stolen his.

"Again. . ." She murmured, waking.

"What?" Kenpachi asked.

"You're ready for sex again? Why can't you be one of those men who just fall asleep after sex?" She grumbled, sleepily.

Kenpachi smirked and went ahead, allowing his hand to slide over her hip and cup her womanhood, a finger sliding into her.

He enjoyed the small gasp she made, and arched back into him. He ground lightly against her backside as he fingered her.

"I have a lot of stamina." He growled into her ear, slipping another finger.

"No shit." She gasped, arching again.

Kenpachi pulled his fingers from her, and jerked her up onto all fours. He loved that she was only eight or so inches shorter than he, it made positions like this all the easier. With other women, he had to put them on something higher so he could take them from behind. Not with Yukino. She was perfect. Meant for him, to bare his children, and satisfy his needs for as long as he had her.

When he slid into her, she shuddered, her muscles clenching around him deliciously.

He began a fast and furious pace, her gasps and small cries just egging him on. He settled himself again her, his chest pressed into her back and his muscular arms resting above her shoulders, caging her in.

"Ya close little girl?" He growled.

"Yes!" She cried, pressing back to him.

It took only seconds for her orgasm to wash over her, forcing him to go with her. He reared back and sank his teeth in her shoulder, tasting blood as he growled his release into her bleeding flesh.

He pulled out, and watched as she collapsed immediately, blood beginning to seep from the wound and drip down onto the bed.

"Let me get something to take care of that." He grunted, rising from the bed.

After he applied a disinfectant and placed a bandage over the bite mark, he laid down and drifted off to sleep.

Yukino had waken up to Yachiru and some woman. . .which was actually a man, starring down at her.

Suffice to say, she had attacked the man when he made some mention of her breasts being beautiful. It had taken Kenpachi, some bald man, and Yachiru to keep her from killing him. She doubted the guy would ever enter Kenpachi's room again, seeing as she delivered enough threats to make every man in the room uncomfortable.

The man, Yumichika, had went with Yachiru to apparently wake her, take her shopping for clothes and other things she'd need, and then deliver her to the Fourth Squad barracks for a check up.

So here they were now, Yukino saying no to every article of clothing that Yumichika picked up and showed her.

"How can you refuse to wear such beautiful clothing?" Yumichika whined. He then turned a disgusted look to her old and worn clothing. "You can't wear that every day."

"You're right. We should find someone who can make more of these for me, because I refuse to dress in dresses, high heels, and kimonos. I am a warrior first, woman second." Yukino snapped.

"What will you wear when you are pregnant? You obviously won't want to be wearing such tight and restricting clothing while you are that big. It would be. . .un-beautiful." Yumichika said with a sniffle.

Yukino found herself reaching for her zanpakuto, but was stopped when the bald guy, apparently named Ikkaku, stepped in between them. After the mornings events, Kenpachi thought it would be safer for everyone if there was someone to step between the pair.

"There's a store down here that can probably get you what you need." Ikkaku said, ignoring the pouting look Yumichika gave. "And ignore Yumichika. He'll get over it."

"He should get over himself." Yukino muttered, sending a glare over her shoulder as Ikkaku led her away. At some point, Yachiru had just disappeared. At first, she was ready to go looking for the little girl, but the two men had told her that Yachiru always disappeared, and to just leave her alone.

After getting everything she needed, wanted, and could dream of, ordered from the store Ikkaku had taken to, the trio headed into a small restaurant for lunch.

"After this, we'll head to Squad Four. They'll give you the full check up, make sure you are in top shape for kids and whatever." Ikkaku told her after they placed their orders to a very harassed looking waitress.

"Great, I want them to do something about this damn bite mark Zaraki felt the need to leave me with. Hurts like a mother." Yukino snorted, sipping her water. She was only drinking water because Yumichika claimed that mother's-to-be don't get to drink alcohol.

She watched the look pass between Yumichika and Ikkaku before she snapped, "What?"

"I'd leave the bite mark alone, if I were you." Ikkaku said with a shrug. "The Captain might get pissed that you had it healed."

"If I don't, it will leave a damn scar." Yukino pointed out.

"That's exactly why you shouldn't touch it." Yumichika told her. "The Captain is a very dominant man. Almost to the point of being completely animalistic. He left his mark on you for a reason."

Yukino snorted and took another drink of her water.

"If you get it removed, the next mark he leaves might not be as. . .nice." Ikkaku added, sipping his sake.

Yukino remained quiet but decided to watch the pair. It was obvious they were friends, and of two completely different personalities. They joked, shoved, and laughed like the oldest of friends.

It caused a slight pain in her heart that she ignored as she began to eat her food as it arrived. She ate it all, with manners, despite the fact that she hadn't eaten anything the day before, or even that morning. Yumichika was much the same, enjoying his food, but doing so with manners.

Ikkaku on the other hand, just devoured his food like he was afraid that someone was going to steal it.

Soon enough, Ikkaku had dropped the money on the table for their meal and drinks, and he began leading her through the streets. She took her time to look around, ignoring the slightly impatient look on Ikkaku's face. It was amazing to see so many people wondering around, all the stalls selling gifts or food, and there was no thieving. Every once in a while, she would see a gambling game going on, or two men sparring as people placed bets. It was all calm though. Guards from various Squads patrolled the streets, others were keeping it clean.

"It's so busy." She said in awe. "So many people."

"It's normally not like this." Yumichika informed her. "With all the brides coming in though, we had to open our doors for them, and of course, to help keeping money flowing, we allowed vendors in as well. It's also good for relations I guess."

Yukino nodded and turned to follow again, stopping when she seen a Captain's jacket. She squinted to see the number, only to be pulled along by Ikkaku and Yumichika quickly.

"What was that about?" Yukino snapped, trying to jerk her arms free of the two.

"When it comes to Captains, you have to learn which ones are unapproachable, friendly, jerks, and the ones you have to run away from." Yumichika told her. "That one is one of the ones you have to run away from."

"Who was he?" Yukino asked, giving up and allowing the pair to push her along.

"Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi of Squad Twelve. He has no problem sacrificing his own men, experimenting on anyone, and has no soul." Yumichika continued. "Curious, I wonder why he was browsing the vendors. . ."

"You are in very good shape, Zaraki-san." Captain Unohana smiled as she wrote down a few more notes.

"Yukino." Yukino corrected immediately. "My name is Yukino Takeda."

Captain Unohana let her smile slip slightly, but said nothing as she continued to make notes. "You're spiritual pressure is very high, which is good, consider that your are married to Captain Zaraki."

Yukino gave a twitch of her nose, but still said nothing as the Captain continued with her questions and note taking.

"Have you and Captain Zaraki already engaged in sexual relations?" The Captain asked next.

"Yes." Yukino answered.

"Was it mutual?"

Yukino shrugged her shoulder. "It wasn't rape. He came into the shower, while I expected us to wait for that night. It was going to happen anyways. It just happened earlier than I expected."

Captain Unohana scribbled a few more notes. "Would you like me to take care of that injury on your back? It seems to be causing your discomfort."

"I was told by the gentlemen escorting me, that removing said 'injury' which is a bite mark, would upset Captain Zaraki, and I should leave it. Otherwise, the next mark might be even worse." Yukino said, shrugging her shoulder then wincing. "I'd rather leave it alone on those words."

Captain Unohana made a few more notes, a frown settling on her face. A few minutes passed before she began again. "You are aware, that Shinigami have better chances of getting pregnant, correct? I am aware that you have a zanpakuto, and have been informed that you reach Bankai. Though you have no training as a Shinigami, it is safe to assume you fall into such category. It is as easy as checking the morning after you've had sexual relations to see if you are pregnant. Would you like me to check now?"

"Sure." Yukino responded, laying back on the bed when Captain Unohana motioned her too. She relaxed, lacing her hands behind her head, and stared up at the ceiling.

"You are."

"Excuse me?" Yukino asked, shifting her gaze to the Captain in shock.

"You are already pregnant." Captain Unohana repeated. "I recommend that, if Captain Zaraki is rough during sex, that you ask him to cease, so that nothing happens. With such high amounts of spiritual energy from both of you, you might want to slowly up your food intake. Your body will convert it for you during the pregnancy and store it up as a reserve for the baby, and even be beneficial to the birth. I will write down certain teas you should drink to help in the future. One being a good one to drink to help with morning sickness. We will ask to see you once a week, to keep a good eye on the child."

Yukino blinked once, the room darkening in the surrounding of her vision, before she, for the first time in her life, passed out.

Kenpachi had just finished his after noon nap, and was making his way to the court yard for a little training when he seen Yumichika running, with Ikkaku following. In Ikkaku's arms, was Yukino. The pair didn't even notice him as they ran into the barracks.

Kenpachi immediately followed, watching the pair disappear into his bedroom.

"Wake up, Yukino-san." Ikkaku said, fanning her gently. "The Captain's gonna kill us if you aren't awake when he gets here."

"Too late." Kenpachi said, startling the pair. "What happened?"

"We don't know. Captain Unohana asked us to bring her back here, lay her in bed, and make her comfortable. She told us that you could go and talk to her, if she hadn't woken up by the time you came in." Yumichika said, covering Yukino up.

Kenpachi nodded. "I'll go talk to 'er now."

Captain Unohana wasn't surprised to see Kenpachi come through the door. Or if she wasn't, she didn't let it show in the least bit.

"Captain Zaraki." Captain Unohana greeted him,

"What the hell made my woman pass out like a sissy?" Kenpachi asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Why, the news of her pregnancy of course. It takes only a matter of hours for us to know if someone gets pregnant. You two must be a very fertile pair." Captain Unohana said with a smile. "I gave her some suggestions but I'll go ahead and tell you as well. I would call of sex for now, Captain Zaraki. It is obvious that you are a little too rough, and that could effect the child. Yukino-san had strong bruising around her hips, and a very savage bite mark on her shoulder. She wouldn't let me heal it because she was told it might be worse next time. I suggest, Captain Zaraki, that you take better care of your wife."

Kenpachi stared down at the little woman captain, unafraid, but taking in the very serious and stern look on her face. "She's my woman. I'll treat 'er like I choose."

"Captain Zaraki, she might be your wife, but she is also carrying your child. It doesn't matter how strong she is, the baby is not. One move that won't hurt her, can kill that child. Too much stress, can kill the child." Captain Unohana told him. "I suggest you think long and hard about all of this before you do something utterly stupid. Now get out."

EIGHT MONTHS LATER

Yukino sighed as she rubbed her lower back, wishing that the baby would hurry up and decide it was ready to come out. It had taken her throwing a tree (that she forced Ikkaku to pull up for her) and throwing it at Kenpachi's head to get him to get a real bed. Up until three months ago, when that happened, she had been sleeping on the futon still. It got to where she couldn't get up on her own, Yumichika would have to come in every morning and help her, as well as rub her back to help her spasming muscles, and even help her take a bath or shower.

It hadn't been awkward for very long, since Yumichika began to bring his girlfriend with him. That way, there was another girl around, and apparently, so Yumichika's girlfriend didn't think he was running around on her.

"Look who keeps sitting up all on her own." Yumichika cooed when he walked in, his girlfriend in tow.

"Hey guys." She greeted, allowing them to help her stand. "How's the big guy doing this morning? Unhappy that I made him wake up and get me a snack again?"

Yumichika gave a shrug of his shoulder and helped her waddle to the bathroom. "He's pretty quiet this morning. Guess he is dealing with the aftermath of your and Yachiru's argument from yesterday."

Yukino snorted, but stayed quiet. Yesterday, the baby had been kicking something fierce. She had barely slept, and Kenpachi had set there all night, rubbing her back and trying whatever he could to help her. . .for once. Suffice to say, she planned on not leaving her bed unless she had to, and Yumichika had volunteered to hang with her for the day, and make sure she was all right.

When she didn't make an appearance at breakfast, Yachiru had decided to come in and bother her, while Yumichika was gone to get her some food. The little girl had bounced all over the bed, shouted, and overall griped about her not getting up and 'being lazy'. Yukino had finally had enough, and when Yachiru tried to drag her from the bed again, it resulted in Yukino finally snapping and yelling at her. Something along the lines of: 'There are people half your age that are full adults here in the Seireitei! It's time you finally grew up too! Life isn't all about eating candy, following everyone around, and coloring pictures! You need to realize that there comes a time when it's not cute anymore! I've had enough Yachiru! Grow up!'

The little girl had turned red in anger, and was actually about to strike out when Kenpachi had come in, stopping the little girl. While Yachiru whined at her father figure what a 'meanie' I was being to her, for no reason, I got fed up again.

'Get her out of here Kenpachi. I'm tired, sore, and not in the mood to deal with her juvenile antics. She keeps yelling, jumping on the bed, and trying to pull me out of it. I am not sorry that I yelled at her, so don't expect me to apologize. I am dead serious when I say this though; she can't come in here anymore.'

Kenpachi had taken Yachiru out of the room, apparently even scolding the girl some himself (much to everyone's surprise).

"I heard that Yachiru has ran away."

Yukino turned to Yumichika's girlfriend. The girl was normally quiet, not having much to say, but when she did. . .it was always something that caught your attention. "Kenpachi is going to murder me." She moaned, slumping slightly. "Yumichika, you're in charge of making me look beautiful for my own funeral."

Yumichika gave a chuckle. "He won't kill you until you've given him his brat's, as he calls them."

Yukino just gave a grunt and leaned against the counter and Yumichika began to fill the bathtub with hot water. She loved soaking in the bath. It helped relax her muscles, since she wasn't used to going so long without exercise.

"I'll take care of this. Get lost."

Yukino glanced at the doorway, surprised to see Kenpachi standing there.

Yumichika cast her a quick glance before leaving, his girlfriend following behind him.

Yukino sighed and looked into the filling bathtub. She knew he was probably going to talk to her about Yachiru. She wouldn't be surprised if he defended the little girl and told her how wrong she was. She was tired of ignoring it all though. The kids she took care of in the Zaraki district were more grown up than Yachiru was. How could she hold such a high ranking position as Lieutenant when she would cry and throw a fit when someone refused her way?

Kenpachi shut the taps off for the bathtub as it filled up. He helped her stand, and get out of her robe before gently lifting her, and slowly sitting her into the bathtub.

Yukino sighed and leaned back, enjoying the hot water. Already, her muscles were beginning to relax, and sooth the pain.

Kenpachi was knelt beside her, on hand under the water, laying over her stomach.

"Yachiru ran away. Well, she said she wanted to be alone, and not to follow 'er. Otherwise, she'd send whoever was looking for 'er back in a body bag." The massive captain told her.

"What do you want me to say, Kenpachi? Someone was bound to say it at some point anyways. It just happened to be your angry, hormonal, sore, and tired wife." Yukino sighed, looking at him.

"I don't want you to say anything." Kenpachi murmured. "She was raised around guys, and I always just gave into her. I never forced her to grow up, or take responsibility for the things she did. I was hoping things would change with you, a mother figure, in her life."

"Eight months of me, isn't going to change a lifetime of what she has gotten away with, Kenpachi. I can promise you though, our kids won't be raised like that. If they even begin to act that way, I will kick your ass to kingdom come." Yukino threatened.

Kenpachi chuckled and removed his hand from her stomach. "I'll go get ya some breakfast. Ya'll be okay for a few moments?"

Yukino nodded and reached for a scented bath oil.

When the captain left, she let her mind drift off into thought. Things were different between them. He wasn't as crass toward her, more gentle, and hadn't really touched her since she found out she was pregnant. Well, touched her sexually. He began to treat her a little better, maybe that's because she began doing Squad Eleven's paperwork out of boredom. Yumichika and Ikkaku would help her, especially when she had to detail the Squad's daily events, or training regiment.

The end result of all of that, left her with a standard Shinigami Uniform, with a special haori that looked much like the Captains. Kenpachi didn't mind, and at times, she had found her haori gone, and his in its place.

Yukino felt a grin curve her lips at the thought of the first day she had walked down the street in Kenpachi's jacket. The sheer amount of shocked faces was enough to bring her glee, even now. When she delivered the paper work, more people had fallen over themselves then she had probably seen in her entire lifetime.

Kenpachi returned a few minutes later with a banana sliced up on top of some oatmeal. She found she preferred softer foods in the mornings, and it had helped with her morning sickness as much as Captain Unohana's teas had.

"Thank you." She murmured, taking the warm bowl and sitting it atop of breasts. Nudity in front of Kenpachi had quickly became a normal. He walked around naked in his rooms at night, until she had gotten clothes she had slept naked, and when she began to outgrow some stuff, she slept naked again. Even now, he had a tendency to push her night dress off so he could keep an arm around her stomach.

She ate the first bite of her breakfast, humming in appreciation. Just a slight hint of cinnamon to her oatmeal, and a sprinkling of sugar.

Kenpachi just watched her, taking the bowl back when she was finished, and setting it aside. The water was starting to cool slightly, and so Yukino made a sigh and raised her arms to him, indicating she was ready to get out.

Kenpachi wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and dipped down, placing his other arm under her knees and lifted her straight out.

"Now you're clothes are all wet." Yukino murmured, gripping his haori tightly.

"Doesn't matter. Won't be in 'em for my longer." Kenpachi told her, walking toward the bedroom. He allowed his spiritual pressure to quickly dry them off as he walked toward the bed.

"Kenpachi, what are you doing? We can't have sex! It's too dangerous for the baby! Please Kenpachi, don't do this!" Yukino began to panic.

"Shush." Kenpachi murmured, laying her in the middle of the bed, then crawling up on it with her. "Retsu told me to do this. Said yer spiritual energy was depletein' faster than ya could recreate it. Told me to share mine. I have to be gentle. Very gentle. Tell me if I am not being gentle enough."

Yukino relaxed back into the pillows as Kenpachi gently began to run his hands over her body.

With a sigh, she admitted, "I can't believe you'd want to have sex with me when I look like a whale. Must be really desperate for a fuck."

Kenpachi's eyes met hers, and his hands stilled on her body. "I ain't desperate for anything, except to touch my wife." He growled lowly. His hands swept up and squeezed her breasts gently, his thumbs stroking over her nipples. "I have been wantin' to touch you for so long. Was willin' to wait until after ya were healthy again, but I will do this. Ya and our baby will be healthy."

Yukino bit her lip hard, making it bead with blood as she stifled her moans. Her husband, upon seeing the red dots on her lips, making sure to lick them off before giving her a smoldering kiss.

His hands began to explore down her body again, and Yukino let her small moans escape this time. She had been craving this, but due to Captain Unohana's words, had sworn off sex. She had ignored every urge and impulse, despite her bodies need, and now. . .Now she was finally going to get the need, that urge, scratched.

He slipped a finger into her sex, and she shuddered deliciously. She couldn't see what he was doing to her because of her distended stomach, but that only made it more erotic. She panted as he gently thrust his finger in and out of her for a few minutes, then added another, repeating the same process.

"Gotta make sure yar ready." Kenpachi grunted, lowering his mouth to her sex. "So tight around my fingers. . .need to stretch ya again."

By the time he was satisfied enough to enter her, Yukino was nearly boneless with the pleasure he had flooded through her body. Inch by inch he slid into her, visibly shaking and sweating as he kept himself in check.

As he continued to. . .make love to her, he slowly began to feed in his spiritual energy, directing it through his cock and straight into her pulsing womanhood.

"Ah. . .Ah. . .Kenpachi!"

TWO WEEKS LATER

"You look ready to pop." Ikkaku said as he set with Yukino on the porch of the Squad Eleven building. "You sure its only one baby in there?"

"I'm certain. Kicks like a damn mule too." Yukino complained, rubbing a hand over her stomach. "Should be any day now."

"Makes you wonder how the Captain's going to react when its time. He keeps a pretty level head about everything, unless you mess with Yachiru, who's like his daughter. Now that there is a little baby on the way. . ." Ikkaku trailed off, wondering.

"He'll probably baby it if it's a girl, which I will put a stop to. . .If it's a boy though, he'll probably take the, 'Be a man!' approach. To which, I will kick his ass if my son ever comes crying up to me repeating that bullshit."

"That's right. Get all that dirty swearing you learned from Squad Eleven out of your system. Won't be doing all that when the baby comes." Yumichika said as he joined them, a large plate of chilled watermelon in his grip.

"I'm surprised Yachiru didn't follow you." Yukino murmured, taking a piece of melon and biting into it. "Or is she serious about this whole adult thing?"

"Seems pretty serious. She's been training a lot, and as of the last few days, sneaking off. I think she has a boyfriend. Pity the man." Yumichika murmured, passing a piece of watermelon to Ikkaku. "You might have to interfere with her life."

"Is that the new game? Let's see how I can piss Kenpachi off since he has no idea how to raise a child?" Yukino asked, laughing. "If Yachiru's got herself a man, I'm sure she can take care of herself. . .Hell, what am I talking about? If Yachiru has a man, he's probably tied up somewhere, waiting for her return."

The trio laughed and enjoyed the watermelon.

"I think I'm going to go inside. My lower back has been killing me all day, and I could use a nap." Yukino said a while later. As she struggled to get to her feet, she was shocked to her a loud splattering. Almost like someone spilled a pitcher of water. Quickly, she realized it wasn't just the sound. . .she could feel the wetness.

"Yumichika. . ." She groaned, her knees going weak.

Ikkaku managed to grab her before she fell, instantly picking her up. "I'm getting her to Squad Four. Go find the Captain, Yumichika."

As Ikkaku darted away with her, her vision began to dim.

Something isn't right. . . Something isn't right. . .Oh gods. . .SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT!

"Ikkaku, please hurry." Yukino groaned, rolling her head against his shoulder. "My spiritual energy is draining. . ."

Author's Note: Probably the shortest chapter I've done, but I wanted to post something, and I just can't concentrate today, because I've been dying to jump into my own personal stories.

One more chapter coming for Kenpachi and Yukino.

After that, you can vote for who the next chapters will be about: Komamura, Mayuri, or. . . -drum roll- Retsu, Soi Fon, or even Hitsugaya.

So be deciding which of those five Captains you'd like to see.

I will openly admit to spending more time thinking on the first four. . .