AN: Sorry for this late update! I'm gonna tell you guys right now i'm probably not going to do every month for Ichi. I don't want this being really long.
Anyway~!
Disclaimer: I own nobody but Masaki.
Ichigo was now three months, a hide-able bump had formed underneath his shirts that he now wore loosely. They had been being updated on Soul Society from Rukia as she came to help Orihime with the impending wedding. The wedding would take place six months from now, he would be extremely pregnant but he was determined to go. His sickness hadn't ended, His father predicting he would have bouts of it throughout his entire pregnancy. It meant he would have to be looked after closely, right now the baby looked healthy.
Urahara was trying to see about hollows and how they worked but hadn't found much on hollow pregnancy. He believed it was something new. Ichigo had snorted when they told him it was something new, seemed like he would always be the first to tread new territory. Right now..he was putting in his notice for work. They needed the money but Ichigo couldn't go out when his pregnancy progressed.
He could only imagine the reaction and he would like to just go on with his life. Surprisingly when he expressed his concern Rukia had come back with money, Ichigo had asked where the hell had she gotten the immense amount of cash. She told him her brother had spent time in the world of the living and some of his wealth had been transferred to money for the human world. Ichigo only assumed the shop keeper was to blame. Ichigo had wanted to refuse but he had stopped when he had thought of their child.
So there Ichigo was, laying on the couch when Shiro walked into their home. Ichigo looked up at the pale man and smiled softly. Ichigo's skin had taken a pale hue, it didn't compare to Shiro's but it was still a tell tale difference on him. Shiro smirked at the man, stretching.
"Ya ready to go?"
"Yeah." Ichigo answered, getting up and followed the pale man out to the heat of the afternoon June air. Ichigo sighed in relief when he saw their friends in the van that Tatsuki had gotten when she graduated with air conditioning to get them by on their journey to the beach. The van door slid to reveal the crew, it was complete with their two closest Shinigami friends.
Grimmjow and Nel sat on the floor of the van. Renji had given the passanger seat up when the Shirosaki's came out, Ichigo had just sighed when he refused and got slammed with yelling. Orihime, Ulquiorra, Chad and Uyru where all squished in the back bench seat. Renji and Rukia took the two individual seats and Shiro joined the two other floor occupants. This was going to be a fun ride.
When Tatsuki pulled into a parking spot at the beach they all gratefully piled out, they all made the walk down the beach, Orihime and Ulquiorra hand in hand with each other. When they set up on the sand, everyone happily took off their cover ups. Ichigo however wasn't so eager. While everyone bolted for the water that presented itself Ichigo sat down. Shiro noticed this but Ichigo waved him off and told him to get in the water or under the beach umbrella before he burned. Even with sunscreen the man burned and Ichigo didn't want to hear him groan about it.
Ichigo noticed that Uryu sat next to him, under the umbrella.
"You should go and swim." Ichigo said, wondering why he didn't join them.
"I know about Mayuri, Ichigo." Ichigo stared at him then nodded.
"Okay?"
"Be careful." Uryu responded, looking at Ichigo with knowing eyes.
"..I will."
"I'm serious. He's not someone that will just do what he's told."
"I know, Rukia said they're working on it." Uryu nodded before he sighed. "Also if you took your shirt off and went and swam it wouldn't be bad." Ichigo scowled, before he relented and looked at the water longing.
"You're right."
"I know." Ichigo rolled his eyes, getting up and taking his shirt off, walking to the shore line where everyone was either wadding or in a splash battle. Ichigo walked up behind Grimmjow who looked out at Nel who was having so much fun in the water it was contagious. Shiro was having the same amount of fun, grinning like a heathen. "Afraid of the water, cat?"
Grimmjow looked back and glared at Ichigo before looking back at Nel. Ichigo smirked as he wadded further into the water and was irritated as he got splashed in the face. He heard roaring laughter behind him.
"Hey! You joined us!" Renji greeted, before he spun as he had his hair taken from it's knot. Rukia grinned cheekily at him and swam away with the red head in pursuit. That's when Ichigo felt strong arms around his waist.
"This was a good idea." Shiro said from behind Ichigo who nodded in agreement.
"Everyone is having a good time for once." Ichigo hummed when Shiro kissed his shoulder and then rested his chin there. There peace was short lived when Shiro felt his back get splashed, drenching his back and hair. He spun with a gleam in his eye to find the grinning Sexta who looked accomplished. Shiro didn't get his revenge because that's when Nel tackled him into the water.
Laughter was heard in rounds as the splash from their fall coated Ulquiorra, getting the best expression out of the man. Orihime had convinced him to come into the water and now he was questioning the pleasure in it. The beach wasn't one that many came to and it wasn't well monitored so when the sun started to set that had a bonfire, curiosity glowing in the eyes that had never experienced one before. Ichigo was delighted that the smore he had attempted hadn't come back up and took another one. Orihime's giggles could be heard as Ulquiorra tried to eat his smore in the least messy way possible.
"I'm glad we did this." Nel announced, smiling at the group.
"It was a good idea." Chad agreed.
"You know i wish we could just do this more often, not having to think about anything.." Rukia said, looking to the stars. Ichigo nodded, doing the same while his hand unconsciously settled on his stomach. Shiro smirked at Ichigo as he did it.
"How's your visits been going?" Orihime asked, looking at Ichigo.
"Good, baby is healthy.." Ichigo looked down from the stars and at Orihime. Tatsuki noticed the trail off and Shiro watched him intently.
"What is it, Ichigo?"
"Urahara said he's concerned about the baby being more hollow than soul reaper." Shiro looked away, finding the ground interesting. Nel saw this and offered a thought.
"What about being an Arrancar..?"
"We're the first of our kind, Nel. It would be hard to tell." Ulquiorra spoke up, looking at the Substitute Shinigami.
"Why is he concerned..?" Renji asked, watching his friend.
"Because he said tha' it could drain 'em too much.." Shiro started. "This is the first time this has happened to Ichigo, so he said tha' he might be more worse for wear."
"That makes sense..When someone becomes pregnant in Soul Society they're drained way more their first pregnancy to the point they're bed ridden. If your baby were hollow it could be disastrous."
"What about being a Vizard?" Uryu spoke, looking deep in thought after Rukia had finished.
"I'm the first vizard to have gotten pregnant." Ichigo answered, sighing.
"It might be a mixture of both circumstances.." Grimmjow said like he was thinking out loud.
"We don' know.." Shiro mumbled. Ichigo put his hand on his leg and squeezed, looking at Shiro with concern.
"Let's stop talking about it because it's making me sick." Ichigo told them, everyone stopped talking as Nel and others tried to pick the mood back up. Shiro sighed softly when he started letting it consume his thoughts then looked at Ichigo who looked zoned out and exhausted.
Two months later, Ichigo sat in Orihime and Ulquiorra's place as she and Uryu looked at fabrics for the dresses for the brides maids. He didn't really care and it wasn't his problem but Orihime had asked him over seeings as he was a groomsmen along with Shiro. Ulquiorra was off to the side as the two gabbed about which would look better. Nel was there with Rangkiu, Rukia, and Tatsuki naturally. Ulquiorra's groomsmen had been forced to come, Grimmjow, the Shirosaki's and Starrk sat around.
Uryu looked to Ichigo and the orangette could see the thoughts running through his head. Ichigo huffed as he continued to observe him.
"What?" Ichigo asked, resting his arms on his stomach and leaning further into Shiro's chest, he laid in between his legs when the others had given the couch to them.
"...What about you and a suit?" Uryu asked, Ichigo shrugged.
"It's not like they make maternity suits."
"That doesn't mean they can't exist!' Rangkiu piped up. Nel nodded her head, Ichigo yawned and nodded with Nel.
"If you can swing it and if that's what you want me to wear, Orihime then i'll do it." Orihime smiled at him and shook her head.
"Whatever you'll be comfortable in, Ichigo."
"It's your wedding and i'll be damned if i don't try and look nice." Shiro chuckled softly at the statement.
"I think i can do it so it doesn't look like it's just an over sized shirt or pants.." Uryu says, deep in thought. Ichigo looked at him in a way that made Shiro snort. Ichigo looked off in a daze then jumped with a yelp, Shiro looking at him wide eyed.
"What was that?" Rukia asked.
"..the baby moved." Ichigo said in awe. Everyone watched as Ichigo and Shiro looked as joyful as they had through this whole ordeal.
"Do you guys know the gender?"
"No, the baby wouldn't show us." Ichigo responded as a dumbstruck Shiro looked at his husbands expanded stomach. Ichigo looked at Shiro then his friends.
"I know everyone isn't here but i need you guys to promise me something."
"What's that?" Rangiku asked.
"I want to keep..the other two worlds a secret."
"..How is that gonna work out?" Rukia asked.
"Because lets be honest that kid is gonna be strong and be able to hear hollows." Grimmjow inputted.
"Urahara said we can hold off the spiritual pressure as it matures.."
"Is that wise?" Ulquiorra spoke up, watching the orangette.
"I don't want the beginnings of their life to be full of fear." Ichigo explained then sighed. "Just promise."
"How do you feel about this, Shiro." Nel asked, looked at the pale man.
"I..don' know i didn' really experience it like Ichigo and lets be honest..I wasn't in..constant fear so, i'm on board." Everyone nodded and then it slowly turned back to the dresses.
Ichigo laid on his side as Shiro slept beside him later that night. He was hungry but nauseous, he hadn't been able to hold much down because he still got sick. He was worried about the baby, what if..what if the baby was like Shiro was before? What if..He put his hands to his face and shook his head as memories flashed. Shiro was different, not the same. Hell they didn't share a soul anymore but it still plagued him.
Ichigo physically flinched at the memories of being demobilized in the fight with Yammy because he hadn't gotten his way. He remembered the fear..He remembered..Ichigo hadn't realized his was crying before he felt a hand on his back that made him flinch and shrink away, almost falling.
"Ichi?"
"What if..what if t-their like you? Before?" Shiro stiffened next to him, his eyes seemingly glowing in the light.
"I..thought ya.."
"I try Shi but i can't just..Forget that kind of fear. I forgive you but.."
"But you're still scared of me." Shiro concluded, he still had his temper and it was beginning to rise. Did he not think that ran through his head daily?
"I-" Shiro moved off the bed to pace as Ichigo sat up.
"I don't what i gotta to to convince you that i'm miles different."
"But your not, Shiro. There is a thin wall." Shiro's eyes narrowed and Ichigo hadn't noticed his drawl dropped.
"What?"
"You know as well as i do it itches at the back of your mind."
"WELL AT LEAST I FIGHT IT, I DIDN'T USE TO." Ichigo flinched when Shiro yelled, being caught off guard but then his own face darkened.
"I know Hichigo but i still fight the damn memories." Shiro threw his hands in the air and grabbed his shirt and jacket. Ichigo stopped. "Where.."
"I'm going to Nel and Grimmjow's because i'm not staying for your fucking pity party." Shiro stormed out, done with being ridiculed for his past but his spouse. Ichigo stared on and tears prickled.
"ASSHOLE" He screamed after Shiro. He wasn't throwing a pity party, it was concern for their child. Ichigo laid back down and gripped his orange locks and put a hand to sooth the wiggling baby playing soccer in his stomach.
Shiro knocked hard on the wooden door. Lights flicked on and a disheveled Nel answered the door with an not to pleased Grimmjow.
"Shiro? What's wrong? Is it Ichigo?" Shiro snorted at Nel.
"Well yeah but not in the way you think." Nel frown deepened and she opened the door, allowing her friend in. He walked in and sat on the couch, putting his head in his hands.
Nel looked at Grimmjow who rolled his eyes.
"What the hell do you want." He spared a glance at the woman who adorned his shirt next to him and he mentally grinned at the knowledge that nothing was on underneath.
"Ichigo..he..started saying shit about the baby being like me..before and..i jus'.."
"You threw a fit and ran off because the past is a bitch?" Nel said bluntly, Grimmjow and Shiro looking surprised.
"Do you realize the Espada have dealt with the same thing?! Ichigo's feelings aren't misplaced since nobody knows what that child is going to be like! Ichigo is feeling really scared right now! For you to run out like that i just..I thought you had a little more class." Nel scolded, folding her arms over herself and glaring.
"I have gone through the same though.."
"Are you dense?!" Nel squeaked out because of her yell. Grimmjow pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Hey, did ya think about how Ichigo was crucified but Soul Society about him marrying you?" Grimmjow even saw it and he didn't pride himself on being to great with people.
"..No."
"Ichigo and i'm sure you, want the best for your child and he's probably feeling really lonely. Nobody else has done this before, and he's in pain. He told me that it was hell but he already loved him or her. He's willing to hide a part of his life for that child!" Nel told him then sighed as Shiro looked more and more guilty.
"You can stay here since it's late but you are hauling ass tomorrow to him and getting on your knees and apologizing." Shiro sighed and nodded, after a moment he smirked at the two of them.
"Ya know it's not hard to tell you've been busy~" Shiro said, pointing to the love bites on Nel's neck and on her thighs. She blushed bright red and turned and walked upstairs. Grimmjow laughed as he followed her back upstairs and as Shiro settled down and just..thought.
When Shiro returned home that day, he wasn't expecting Ichigo already awake, he was sitting on the couch and rubbing his stomach.
"..Hey."
"..Hey." Ichigo responded and looked at Shiro. He looked stretched thin and exhausted and Shiro felt worse.
"I'm sorry." Ichigo's face lit with surprise.
"You were a dick."
"..I know and ya have every right to be worry i've just been freakin' out too about it and..I was an ass." Ichigo went to get up to settle him but his breath left him and he collapsed, his eyes rolling up and falling to the side. "Ichigo?!" Shiro surged forward and caught him, shaking him lightly. "Ichigo?! Babe this isn't funny..I-I.." Ichigo felt his spiritual pressure surge then drop and Shiro picked him up. There was no shinigami badge in sight for him to get out of his gigai so he called the closest person, Isshin.
"Hello the fruit of my loins!" Shiro had grabbed Ichigo's phone apparently.
"Isshin?! I need your help."
"..Shiro?"
"Yes, dipshit! Ichigo collapsed and his spiritual pressure is dropping!" Isshin's breath hitched and then it became very serious very fast and it made Shiro thank whatever god for that.
"I'll be right there." The line went dead and Shiro held Ichigo as his breathing got shallow. Shiro checked his pulse and it was still beating but that didn't stop the ice cold fear. What about the baby? Would he lose both of them?! What was going on?
Shiro could only hold Ichigo and whisper to keep breathing. That he loved him and to stay here, with him and their unborn child.
AN: YES. 3,000 words. I normally don't make that a goal but like..i was twenty words off and went. "To hell with it."
I also apologize for doubles of anything, my keyboard is shit.
Ah cliffhangers, my old friend. BTW! If you're new to the ANAIG universe and want more, read As Normal as it Gets to tie you over! This is gonna be infrequently updated so i suggest you go and check that out!
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Later Days and Nights, Hollows!