A/N: Before I get started, I'd like to "dedicate" this chapter to Garganta and everyone else who said in a review that I need longer chapters… you guys are totally right, but I'm such an undisciplined writer it's not even funny. ^^; But! I took the advice and made this chapter longer than usual, and I'll continue to do so with future chapters, just to make you guys proud. But know that means that the chapters will take longer to push out. Alrighty then, leggo!

I do not own Bleach or any of the characters

Rukia rubbed her slightly protruding belly. With her stomach finally beginning to show signs of the pregnancy, Rukia knew she wouldn't be able to hide it much longer. At the end of the first trimester, Ichigo, his family, and Urahara were the only ones to know.

Only a few weeks ago had she let herself believe that she wanted the child… that she had a chance at having a family with Ichigo, but she came to her senses soon enough. Despite showing desire to be a part of his child's life, Rukia knew that it wouldn't be easy for him. It didn't really matter to her; she could go back to the Soul Society and then no one would ever know she was pregnant, but if she stayed, it would only make things harder for him. He was eighteen, fresh out of high school, and now a father.

Then again, Rukia thought, turning sideways in the mirror and tugging down the hem of her blouse. I want him to be a part of the baby's life… and mine, too.

A cough from the doorway shook Rukia from her thoughts. Ichigo leaned against the doorframe, clad in swim trunks and a plain t-shirt. "Everyone's all set to go to the pool, Rukia." He said, pointing over his shoulder with his thumb and eying Rukia's blouse and skirt curiously. "Are you… uh, are you ready?"

She shook her head. "I'm not going. I can't; especially not looking like this." Rukia lifted up her shirt, showing Ichigo her quite noticeable baby bump.

"How long do you plan on keeping this a secret?"

"No one will ever have to know." Rukia replied, sidestepping his question. She opened up the medicine cabinet and popped open the cap on the bottle of Zantac, taking one.

Ichigo snorted. "Are you kidding? People will find out eventually. You're only going to get bigger, Rukia."

"Don't remind me."

"So what are you going to do, huh? Just ignore it?" Ichigo's voice grew louder.

"Shut up! You don't want this! You think you do, but you don't. Not right now, at least. You're still a kid yourself, so how do you expect to be able to take care of one? Ichigo, you're just not prepared."

"Are you sure it's not you who's unprepared?" Ichigo growled, but he had no fight left in him. His fists unclenched and his face softened considerably.

She looked at her belly in the mirror once more. "I don't know anymore." When Rukia first found out she was pregnant, the baby felt like a nuisance to her. Sure, it was there, but it was only still a bunch of cells and not even close to being big enough to feel. The weeks after revealing the pregnancy to Ichigo and the rest of the Kurosaki family were filled with love and support. Then, in true Ichigo-fashion, he accepted responsibility for supporting the child and Rukia like it was some new challenge. She began to feel comfortable with her fate, as if things would be okay… but even the best of us have our doubts, and Rukia was no exception.

"Listen, I'm not going to lie and say things are going to be easy. We're gonna have problems, that I know for sure, but I promise to take care of you just as I promised to take care of our baby." Ichigo closed the space between them, leaning down until his face was level with hers. "I don't regret what I did, Rukia, only that I didn't tell you how I felt sooner."

Rukia puffed up her chest indignantly. "I don't need you to take care of me… but it would be helpful." She tried to offer him a smile, but grimaced as bile surged up the back of her throat.

"Heartburn again, huh?"

She nodded sharply in response. As she passed Ichigo on the way out of the bathroom, Rukia patted his chest affectionately. A nervous knot was still wrapped around her stomach, but hopeful optimism began to work at cutting the ropes. This wouldn't be the last of their arguments. There were many more fights to come, but for once Rukia decided she wasn't going to worry about it.

"Hey, are you coming with us to the pool or what?" Ichigo asked the back of her head.

Rukia thought for a moment. "I… guess so. Okay, I'll go." She entered the room she shared with Ichigo, intent on finding her swimsuit. After her pregnancy became known to his family, they felt it would be appropriate to give her more space. That is, until Ichigo and Rukia pulled enough money together to find a place of their own.

"If you two think you're mature enough to handle a sexual relationship, then you're mature enough to move out and find an apartment," Isshin told them. "It's all about accountability. Take responsibility for your actions." He turned to Ichigo and looked him straight in the eye. "I won't kick you two out now. Take your time, gather the money together, and find a good place, but I want you guys to be ready to go by the time the baby is born. Set a good example for your sisters, Ichigo."

Once in the room, Rukia gingerly stepped over the futon rolled up on the floor to reach the laundry basket at the foot of Ichigo's—er, her—bed, and fished out a hand-me-down swimsuit. The downside of Rukia moving into his room was that she automatically got the bed and he was left to sleep on the floor. For any other healthy boy his age, sharing a bedroom with a beautiful young woman would be the stuff of dreams, but Ichigo and Rukia's relationship was much more complex. They were too stubborn to be together, but their paths were already too intertwined for them to be apart. Feelings were involved, as they always seem to be, and they were made known. Were they going to do anything about it? Maybe in time. "Girlfriend" and "boyfriend" were often used to describe each other, but only for lack of a better way to identify their relationship. Boy, were things complicated.

The swimsuit Rukia picked out of the basket was a familiar one. The tankini was covered in tropical flowers, an old favorite of Yuzu's. Only a small sliver of skin peeked through the last time she wore it, but now she struggled to cover her growing belly. After dressing and covering up, Rukia opened the door to Ichigo leaning against the opposite wall. "What do I tell them?" She asked quietly.

Ichigo shrugged, a smile playing at his lips. "I dunno, probably the truth."

"How can you be so calm about this? Aren't you scared about what they might say?"

"They're my friends… and yours too. That means I don't need to be scared. If they can't accept that we're having a child, then what good are they?" And with that, they descended down the stairs and left with the rest of the Kurosaki family.

The pool was crowded, but the Kurosaki clan and Rukia quickly spotted Orihime, Uryu, and Chad. At the sight of them, Orihime jumped up and began excitedly waving her arms. "Over here!" She called, a big smile lighting up her face like a bulb. "I haven't seen you guys in ages!" Ichigo agreed and clapped hands in greeting with Chad and Uryu. Rukia stood off to the side, blocking her stomach from view by awkwardly holding her bag in front of her.

"Rukia, how are you?" Orihime bubbled, pulling the petite girl in for a hug. She tried to cringe away or suck in her stomach, but it was too late. This is it, Rukia thought miserably, squeezing her eyes shut and waiting for their tummies to meet… but they didn't. Rukia struggled to breathe as her face was smashed into Orihime's well-endowed bosom.

Ichigo chucked. "Jeez, how long has it been since we've last hung out?"

"Too long!" She squeeled.

"Apparently," Rukia mumbled against Orihime's breasts.

"It's been two months since graduation," Uryu replied, and Chad nodded in agreement.

After a few minutes of catching up, the five teens pulled off their shirts and cover-ups and grouped together at the edge of the pool. Ichigo was the first to jump in, then Orihime slowly slipped in, then Uryu and Chad. Rukia remained seated on the side of the pool, her feet dangling into the water and her arms crossed protectively over her stomach. She watched Karin and Yuzu splash around on the opposite side of the pool as Isshin floated on an inner tube nearby. With a small sigh, Rukia pulled her legs out of the water and up to her chest.

"Are you just gonna sit there all day?" Ichigo asked quietly, paddling over until he was treading water in front of her.

Rukia shrugged. "Probably."

Smiling mischievously, Ichigo reached over and tugged on her foot. When Rukia only stared at him blankly, he grabbed her foot and pushed off of the wall. Her butt dragged forward as Ichigo continued to pull her into the water. "Stop, stop," She warned, finally cracking a small smile. Rukia tried to grab onto the sides to hold herself still, but she was getting dangerously close to sliding onto the gutter. "Wait, stop!" She shrieked, trying to hold back laughter. "You might hurt the baby if I fall!"

"I won't hurt the baby, promise." Ichigo reassured, but one look behind Rukia wiped the smirk right off of his face.

"Baby?" Uryu awkwardly squinted at the pair, glasses in hand. "I was just going to put my glasses back at our chair, but what?"

Rukia's heart skipped a beat and her mouth dried up like the desert. She looked at Ichigo with panic in her eyes, but he didn't match her gaze. Quickly running his fingers through his damp hair, Ichigo took a deep breath and spoke. "Um, yeah, baby. I—er, we—"

"I'm having a baby," Rukia blurted out, suddenly brimming with new-found confidence. Or maybe she just didn't give a shit anymore. Following her lead, Ichigo manned up and continued on. "And I'm the father. Sorry for not telling you guys earlier."

Uryu looked perplexed for a few seconds, but quickly regained his stoic expression. "What are your plans?"

"To keep it," Ichigo responded immediately. "My old man wants us out, which is fine, whatever, right? So I guess finding a job and getting an apartment are the first two things on my list."

Uryu nodded his approval and turned to Rukia. "And you?"

She chewed her lip for a moment. What are my plans? It wasn't worth going back to the Soul Society now that people were beginning to find out. "Um, I guess they're the same as his…" She waited for them to comment, but a contemplative silence fell on the group.

After a couple minutes, Uryu stretched his legs and turned to put his glasses back by their stuff. "You guys sound like you have this all figured out. I'll support you two as long as you guys continue to make smart decisions." And that was that; no more was said on the matter.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Rukia relaxed the grip she had on the pool edge. One more to know, five bajillion left to find out, she thought dryly. Ichigo still treaded water in front of her, also sharing a relieved look… not to mention a look of pleasant surprise as well. He and Uruyu had always shared some sort of tentative camaraderie. Not necessarily friends, but allies instead. This was one of the few times Uryu didn't criticize his choices or judgment, and it felt… weird. Brushing it off, Ichigo looked over to Rukia. With a shrug, she pushed herself into the pool. The water was cold, causing goose bumps to rise immediately.

"You're quite the daredevil," Ichigo commented with a snort as Rukia gripped the side. "You're making me look bad!"

She stuck out her tongue. "I've told you before I can't swim!"

At that moment, Chad glided over, his feet easily walking on the bottom of the pool. He pulled along one end of a foam noodle with Orihime holding onto the other. "I can't swim very well either." She stated, giving a sheepish laugh as she kicked sloppily. Chad directed her to the ledge, where she joined Rukia.

The rest of the day went on without a hitch, and soon all of the teenagers were too exhausted to swim anymore. With lead arms and legs, they pulled themselves out of the pool. Uryuu gave special attention to Rukia, sticking out a supportive hand as she wobbled a bit in the gutter. Despite having carried the baby in her womb for about thirteen weeks, the extra poundage always managed to throw her small frame off balance. Once they were all dried off and ready to go, Orihime pulled Rukia aside.

"Hey, I know you're not usually into this kind of thing, but we haven't talked in forever and I was wondering if you would like to spend the night at my house…" Orihime gave her the puppy-dog eyes.

Rukia chuckled and rolled her eyes. "You seriously don't have to beg! Let me head home with the Kurosakis and grab some things, I'll be over in an hour and a half or so."

The girls stayed up late that night talking, watching cheesy movies, and eating strange food. Rukia enjoyed herself, surprisingly. As things began to wind down, Orihime laid out two plain futons with blankets and pillows on the floor. Rukia bit her lip at the sight of their sleeping arrangements. She didn't want to seem like a priss for turning down the futon in favor of the couch, but her aching back told her that if she slept on the floor, she'd be feeling it in the morning. Really feeling it. Rukia had hoped to avoid adding Orihime to the list of those who knew of the baby, but she was running out of options, and her friend's obliviousness to the matter could cause some serious problems in the future. She wrung the hem of her shirt nervously.

"Listen, Orihime?" She began, waiting until she had the redhead's attention. "Um, I know this is coming out of nowhere, and I know I should've told you this earlier, but…" Her mouth dried up.

Orihime peered at her curiously. "But what, Rukia?"

"But, I'm… um, I'm pregnant." She whispered, as if they weren't alone in the small apartment.

Orihime clasped her hand over her mouth. Her eyes flicked from Rukia's face, to her belly, then back up. "You can't be serious! I-I don't know what to say… I just—who's the father?"

Rukia winced as she uttered his name. She knew Orihime had harbored a crush on Ichigo for years. Hell, everyone knew.

"Oh," Orihime squeaked, her gray eyes wide and glazed over. "I—must be dreaming." She finished decidedly, flopping over onto the futon face first. Too shocked to react, Rukia watched the girl's back rise and fall until her breathing evened out, signaling that she was finally unconscious.

This is going to be harder than I thought, Rukia realized. Letting out a sigh, she settled herself on her side next to Orihime.

And it was; much, much harder than she thought, that is.

A/N: Oh crap! It's been five months since I last posted a chapter! I feel bad. :S It's just that… well, I wanted to write a long chapter for you guys and I'm a really slow and unmotivated writer 95% of the time, so I apologize for that. I'd also like to apologize if anything seems… off with this chapter. As I mentioned this before, I wrote this over a five month period, so I'm not sure if certain parts seem really awkward or choppy.

In other news: I HAVE A POLL FOR YOU GUYS! I'm getting closer and closer to the due date (well, twenty-seven more weeks, but still) and I need to start thinking about what the gender of Rukia and Ichigo's baby should be! I could just make the decision myself, but I really wanna leave it up to you guys! :3 Then, in the future, I'll let you guys decide more key points in the story! Like one of those neat-o "Choose Your Destiny" books I used to read in elementary school…

ANYWAY, please, please, please go to my profile and participate in the poll. It's right at the top of the page, I know it's a little hard to spot.

IN CONCLUSION, please review, please participate in the poll, please don't burn me at the stake, and please stick with me until the very end! c: It's much appreciated.