AN: I honestly forgot about this story, that sounds awful but its the truth. Since I hate stories being abandoned for all time this will be the last chapter! I'm getting ready to end the "Normal" series as well. I may do oneshots but..I just can't do it anymore :/. I love the kiddos but I've been doing this series since I started back up on Fanfiction almost four years ago. SO, Thank you to RosemaryBetz for unintentionally REMINDING me this story existed. As of right now I'll be updating this and leaving it alone, but I do know there is a huge difference in writing style since I've originally posted this. I may go back and fix it but as of right now, it'll stay the same. I'll probably post an update when that's done if and when I do that to
Now, On with the story!
Ichigo didn't wake up for a couple of days, their little girl going unnamed while they waited. Ichigo had flat-lined at his father's clinic twice. They were able to transfer Ichigo to the clinic, Orihime and Ulquiorra were waiting to go on their honeymoon to see how Ichigo would do. Currently Shiro was in Ichigo's room at the clinic, their baby in the bassinet off to the side in the same room. Shiro at first felt contempt for her, didn't want to see her at first but when he did she was..amazing. She had Ichigo's hair, and his pale skin. Her eyes were blue but Isshin said they were likely to change.
He was in deep thought, when he notice Ichigo move. His eyes slowly opened, causing Shiro move from his set to the side of his bed.
"..Shi?"
"H-how are ya feelin'?" There was so much joy in Shiro's body that it made all the weight on his shoulders disappear.
"Sore..Where's the baby?" Shiro smirked at the question and pointed over there. Tears came into Ichigo's eyes. "..Can I see them?"
"Of course ya can, Ichi." Shiro carefully picked up their daughter and grinned at the look on Ichigo's face.
"Boy or Girl?"
"Girl."
"..You haven't named her yet, have you?"
"No, I know we talked about a few names bu-"
"Masaki, can we name her Masaki?" His hoarse voice asked. Shiro stopped at the gleam in Ichigo's eye and he smiled, genuinely.
"I like the sound of tha'." Shiro looked over to see Isshin walking in. He looked at Ichigo and breathed deeply.
"You're awake." Ichigo nodded.
"How do you feel?"
"Sore..Tired..But it's nothing honestly being able to see her." Isshin chuckled at that.
"You have any names in mind?" Ichigo was beaming and he nodded.
"Her name is Masaki Shirosaki." Isshin's eyes widened then he smiled.
"She would've loved that.
Ichigo was able to go home a few weeks later, after some reiatsu rehabilitation, he felt almost normal again. When they got home, he was grateful to those who had offered to do their nursery towards the end of his pregnancy. He held Masaki in his arms, who was sleeping soundly. She was a good baby, yes she did cry when she needed a need met but other than that, she slept soundly. Shiro was carrying some stuff that Yuzu had gotten for her niece.
"You're amazing for carrying those in." He said, turning back to Shiro who smirked.
"Yeah yeah." Ichigo rolled his eyes and went to put Masaki in her crib. He returned to help Shiro with the items and he twisted away from Ichigo was a raised brow. "What're ya doin'?"
"..Helping you?"
"The hell ya are, you'll pop a stitch."
"No I won't Shiro, my weight limit is twenty pounds."
"Still, no." Ichigo simply rolled his eyes at the other.
"Fiiine." Shiro grinned at the other. Ichigo went and sat in the plush chair that was in the corner of the small nursery. He watched Shiro come and place things in with a small smile. He had apologized to the Cifers when he had come to. Orihime told him that it was more than okay, she was just glad he was okay.
Shiro finished up, entering the nursery to look at Masaki who was sill fast asleep.
"She's amazing." Ichigo said with a fond smile. Shiro looked back at him with a smirk.
"Ya did a good job." Ichigo blushed slightly at the comment. He didn't respond but Shiro saw the small smile.
"Thank you." He said in a small voice.
Yuzu cooed at her niece, Masaki clutching to her Aunts finger. They were currently together for the holidays, Masaki was only a month old at this point. Ichigo was getting around just fine again, but Shiro giving him a look when he tried to lift things.
"She's so cute." Yuzu cooed. Karin smirked at her niece from next to her sister.
"She is." Isshin looked at his Granddaughter fondly. He didn't like that she had nearly taken Ichigo's life but she was his grandbaby. Masaki would have been thrilled by being her granddaughter's name sake. Most of the gifts were for Masaki this Christmas, Ichigo telling everyone she didn't need newborn clothes. She was growing so fast that she'd be out of those in no time.
It was rough when Hollows were around, at this moment in her life she didn't know what they were but she didn't like the disturbance. So Shiro and Ichigo had to let out their pressure to make her feel more secure, she could handle it too. Everyone know she was already going to be a very strong child. It concerned Ichigo, he didn't want her being used for her powers like he was. He sighed and shook his head. But that was a long was away now and he would protect her at all costs. Shiro came up behind Ichigo and kissed his cheek.
"Whatcha thinkin' so hard about."
"Just Masaki."
"Masa will be fine."
"How are you so sure?" Shiro grinned.
"Because we're her parents. If anyone messes with her, they'll be in trouble." Ichigo chuckled.
"I guess you're right.." Ichigo trailed off. He looked around at everyone and sighed softly, quiet content with his life. Shiro smirked before he got up to take Masaki from Yuzu when she started to get fussy.
"You're alright." Shiro said, gently holding Masaki to his chest while supporting her head.
"He's gotten better." Ichigo looked to see Karin sitting next to him. He smirked and nodded, looking back at Shiro.
"Yeah, he's come a long way." Ichigo replied, Karin nodding. The two siblings watched in content silence, watching Masaki and Shiro happily.
Two years later, their baby girl was talking and walking. Masaki Shirosaki was such a happy child, and her parents were more than proud of her. Currently they were in the park, Ichigo pushing her softly on the swing. He chuckled as she squealed with the delight at one particularly high push.
"Higher, Daddy! Higher!" Ichigo chuckled and pushed the swing higher, minding that they were getting towards his mental limit of height.
"No more, alright?"
"Okay!" She sang. He laughed, before he heard the hollow roar. He froze, and so did Masaki. The swing still going. "...Daddy what was that?" Came a shaky voice, tiny voice. Ichigo looked at his daughter, fear ripping through his chest.
"Nothing baby, Do you wanna go home?" Masaki nodded slowly, a scowl on her face. He stopped the swing and collected her from it. Grabbing her bag from the pole it was propped on, he quickly started the walk back to their home. He was clutching to Masaki tightly and he was panicking.
He was thinking of his Mom, how she died. He was thinking how some of his friends had been severely injured.
"Are you otay?" He heard nearly whispered. He looked at his daugther and smiled, it was strained and fake.
"Of course, baby. Its alright." He felt the weight of his badge in his pocket, seeing their home in sight but not before her heard a large thud from behind him. Masaki screamed. Ichigo turned, eyes wide at the Adjuchas that was behind them.
"You look like a tasty treat, Shinigami. Trapped with a child." The laughter began, Ichigo tensing. Shiro wasn't here. He was gone, and he couldn't get his badge. He suddenly remembered he also kept Kon in his pocket. Quickly he grabbed it and popped it into his mouth. He nearly fell back before Kon gripped the girl that was suddenly in his arms. Masaki looked between the two, tears falling as she wept.
"What am I supposed to do?!"
"Run! Take her to Orihime and Ulquiorra's!"
"I don't wanna leave!" Masaki wailed. Ichigo went to argue but he was smacked to the side, knocking the wind from his soul form and saliva escaped his mouth. Kon's eyes widened before he started running away. The hollow went to follow before was met with a panting Ichigo in front of him, Zangetsu drawn.
"You're not that much fun, are you?!" The Hollow went to wack the other away again, but not before Ichigo took a large chunk of the Hollow's arm from him. The Hollow wailed again.
"It's just you and me, and you'll have to kill me first before you get to her!" Ichigo sent out a Getsuga Tensho, striking the other's middle but not before his own arm was grabbed and claws were dug in. The Hollow growled as he dodged the Getsuga. Ichigo looked into the Hollow's eyes.
"End of the line, Shinigami."
"I can say the same for you." Ichigo saw a shot of blue before the Hollow yelled, disintegrating which left Ichigo to fall to the floor. Ichigo grit his teeth, hating himself that he had aloud himself to be so open and seem so out of practice. He looked over to see Uryu standing over him. "What the hell were you doing, Ichigo?" The other asked without exclamation.
"Masaki and I were caught by a Hollow." Ichigo grunted as he stood.
"She saw you?" Ichigo nodded grimly.
"..I don't know what to do."
"She's two, Ichigo." Uryu went quiet for a moment, not wanting to tell the other to lie.
"..I'll ask Shiro when he's back from seeing the other Espada." Uryu nodded. Ichigo gripping his bleeding arm and heading to Orihime's, without a word.
Masaki was crying, and wouldn't stop. Orihime was consoling her but Kon was very obviously out of his element.
"Ahh..Are you okay?" Kon asked hesitantly. Masaki peaked up at him, he froze a little at the sight of those gold eyes, not completely used to seeing the eyes she had inherited from Shiro. She didn't have the black scelra but her eyes were undeniably Shiro's.
"Y-you're not..D-daddy..Where i-is he?" She stuttered, her sniffles being the main culprit. Orihime held her close.
"He should be back soon, Masaki," Orihime said softly, the little girl was quiet as she snuggled to Orihime closer. Kon groaned. Why did Ichigo leave him with this job? Suddenly, Uryu and Ichigo came in, Ichigo sporting large wounds in his arm. Masaki went and ran to him.
"Daddy!" Ichigo's face was tired and sad. He sighed and went to pick her up, wincing at the tugs on his wounds. He settled her in his un-wounded arm. "..You're bleeding." He shook his head and plastered that heart-achingly fake smile. Masaki pouted. Orihime walking over. Ichigo sighed as she put her shield over them after he gave her to the go ahead.
Ichigo sighed, as Kon jumped at the feeling of Ichigo's phone going off. Kon, trying to lighten the mood, answered the phone.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, at your service!"
"Why do ya have Ichigo's phone, Kon...And it ain't Kurosaki anymore." Came an exhausted Shiro. Kon's shoulders slumped.
"..Ah its hard to explain."
"Where are ya?"
"Orihim-."
"I'll be right there." Kon pulled the phone away and saw Ichigo scowling at him with a raised brow.
"Shiro's coming."
"Papa!" Masaki yelled, perking up. Papa would make things better! He always made Daddy and her laugh!
Ichigo sighed with relief. He could talk to Shiro about this. Was he prepared to lie to his little girl? When he told her that lying was wrong? He couldn't pretend it didn't happen but..could he? Shiro soon was there, taking Masaki from Ichigo so he could get back into his body after being healed. Shiro was able to lull her to sleep. They were all quiet, staring at the little girl.
"Are you going to explain it to her?" Ichigo was quiet.
"She's only two.."
"Tell her it was a dream." Uryu suddenly said. Shiro looked at him and raised a brow.
"She's not stupid."
"She won't remember it when she's older, and if you convince her it was just a bad dream it might save her mind." All the adults in the room were quiet. Ichigo and Shiro were quiet as they made eye contact.
"..It could work." Ichigo said, quietly." Shiro stared at him for a little before nodding hesitantly. Shiro wasn't completely on board with the idea of hiding this all from Masaki, but he knew that she wouldn't be able to sleep if she thought the monsters were real, that they could really hurt and kill those she loved. He didn't have it in him to explain to her that she was apart of them, that she was half monster. That her Papa was apartof the monsters that howled in the night.
Their plan worked, and it was hard for Shiro after that. Ichigo knew it too, Shiro never having been ashamed of being a Hollow unless made to feel that way. It hurt Ichigo, but that solidified that if not even her father could handle the backlash of being a Hollow, she wasn't ready for the backlash of being part Hollow. He felt guilty everyday, and it wasn't healthy. As he sat and watched Shiro tickle Masaki until her face was red from laughter that his guilt was worth it. Urahara had helped him make the house a safe haven from the Hollow howls that gave Masaki nightmares.
It also protected her from those that would try to use her against Ichigo and Shiro. Masaki wore a bracelet to hide her reiatsu, since she had no clue about what reiatsu even was, but those who would want to take her didn't even know she existed. Both Ichigo and Shiro wanted it to stay that way. It gave them some comfort to know that she had many people willing to protect her and that she was underneath the care of seasoned and capable fighters. Ichigo's and Shiro's fighting styles were fluid when they fought together and like a dance when they sparred, and it made them an even more lethal threat to those that threatened their daughter. Shiro froze slightly at the sudden shift in the air outside.
A garganta had been opened, and the howling of a Hollow wasn't too far off. Ichigo got up, Shiro shocked by how calm he was acting, how stead fast.
"Where are you going, Daddy?" Ichigo chuckled.
"Just to the bathroom, I'll be back." Shiro starred at him as he went to use the "bathroom" before he started to tickle his daughter again. Ichigo was exhausted, and Shiro could see it. Ichigo was putting it all on himself again and he wasn't going to be having any of that. Masaki squealed, which brought Shiro back to his task at hand. He chuckled before he stopped, and the little girl took deep breaths.
"Papa, are we going to see Grandpa today?" Shiro squinted his eyes for a moment before remembering that was happening today and nodded.
"Yeah, are ya excited?" She nodded her head enthusiastically. He grinned before picking her up as he felt Ichigo's reiatsu flare and the threat diminished. He relaxed and soon after Ichigo was walking down the stairs. Masaki looked over and smiled, reaching out for her Dad. Ichigo smiled at her and took her.
"Wanna go get ready for Grandpa's?" She pouted.
"I wanna wear my PJ's."
"Its for Yuzu and Karin's birthday, Masa." She continued to pout and Shiro couldn't help but laugh. She and Ichigo looked nearly identical when they had twin expressions on their faces.
"I don't wanna.."
"Listen to your Dad, Mas." Shiro said after a look from Ichigo. Masaki looked back towards the other before huffing.
"Fiiinnee." Shiro chuckled as Ichigo went to go help her get dressed and Shiro stood looking at the now empty chairs.
He had an ominous feeling.
"What do ya mean tha' we should start a band?"
"It'll give Grimm something to do."
"...I'm not musically Inclined, Nel."
"So? Fake it to make it?"
"Have ya heard me sing? It's not the best." Nel shrugged.
"Think about it, Shiro." Shiro rolled his eyes as he looked at the group that was the get together for Yuzu and Karin. They had invited friends and family, which was a whole room full of people if they were being honest. The Shinigami looked troubled, and they were talking to Ichigo.
"What do ya think that's about?" Shiro looked behind him at Grimmjow and shrugged.
"I don' gotta clue." He heard something like a scream, snapping his head over just to see Masaki screaming with laughter. He sighed and relaxed.
"You guys gotta chill." Nel said, Shiro leaned back and snorted.
"We would if Ichigo was so scared all the time." Nel's eyebrows hit her forehead.
"What?"
"Its jus' tha' Ichi is high-strung all the time."
"That's good to know." Shiro looked up and over to see Ichigo suddenly there. He looked sad, disappointed. Shiro was quiet for a moment. "Yamamoto isn't doing well, apparently." Shiro rose a brow.
"Oh yeah?" Ichigo nodded, Nel and Grimmjow looked at each other before making their great escape from the tension. "..We gotta relax, Ichigo."
"..I know. I'm just worried all the time."
"I get why. Masa isn't gonna like it when she's older though." Ichigo nodded.
"You're right.." Ichigo smirked slightly at him.
"We both gotta chill out." Ichigo chuckled and nodded.
"You're right.."
"I know I am." Ichigo rolled his eyes and nudged the other before smiling genuinely.
"I love you."
"I love ya too."
AN: The end of the beginning! Head over to As Normal as it Gets, because this ends a day or two before that one begins!
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Later Days and Nights Hollows c: