I do not own Bleach.

I'm back with chapter 12. Sorry it has taken a bit longer to update. I went to Dallas, TX this weekend for a Supernatural Convention and I didn't have any time to write. Also, I have finally found a new job. I will be working as a teller at a bank. This may make my updates a bit slower because I won't have as much free time, but don't worry I will not give up on this fic.

Special thanks: MrsUryuuIshida for the fave and review, Blackrove for the review, and kyuumihaira for the review! Thanks everyone!

Thanks for reading!

Ikkaku makes his way around the corner and finally hears the door to his Yumichika's room slam. The third seat then slides down the wall and sinks to the ground. He usually never cried and if he did he damn sure didn't let anyone see it…but his tears weren't necessarily out of anger. No, his tears were out of sadness and fear. He also never liked to admit to himself much less anyone else that he was afraid, but he was. He was sad because even though Yumichika had gone behind his back and made a life changing decision without him, he still hated to see his best friend and lover upset. He loved Yumichika more than anyone and he knew deep down that Yumichika had wanted a baby for a while now. Why had he been so closed minded about the whole situation? Why couldn't he have just sat down with the fifth seat and at least talked it all out?

The answers to those questions were simple. He was scared…no, not just scared…he was terrified. Not a lot of things terrified Ikkaku, but becoming a father and changing the only relationship he'd ever truly been happy in made him extremely nervous. He was going to be a father and his and Yumichika's relationship was going to change whether he liked it or was ready for it or not. The bald man lets out an exhausted sigh as he wipes this face on his sleeve and stands up from the ground. There was only one thing left to do…get drunk.

Unfortunately on his way to the bar he bumps into Renji holding a sleeping five and half month old Takahiro, "Hey, man…where ya headed in such a hurry?"

Ikkaku lets out an irritated sigh as Renji begins walking his way. Renji was one of his very best friends, but right now he didn't feel like talking to anyone, "Nowhere…I'm just…I just need to clear my head a bit."

Upon closer inspection, the red head notices how red his friend's eyes are and the agitated set to his jaw, "What's going on? Are ya okay?"

"Nothin's goin on." He attempts to walk away, but the sixth lieutenant uses his free hand that is not holding the baby to grab Ikkaku's wrist.

"Dude, your reiatsu is all over the place agitated and furious." He gives the third seat a concerned look, "You're not okay. What happened?"

Ikkaku snatches his wrist from Renji's grasp making Takahiro stir slightly, but Renji's mini-me quickly falls back to sleep, "Just leave me alone, okay! I…I just wanna be alone!"

The tattooed shinigami shifts his baby a little before addressing Ikkaku again, "Alone to do what? Get wasted?" He shakes his head making his crimson ponytail swish, "What good is that gonna do ya? When ya sober up whatever is going on it's still gonna be going on and all you're gonna have to show for it is a hang over."

The older man glares at Renji with a look of complete fury, "This ain't got shit to do with ya. So fuck off and let me do what in the hell I need to do!"

Renji stares at Ikkaku's face for a moment before speaking again in a level tone, "This is about Yumichika isn't it?"

A sullen expression takes over the third seat's features as he looks away from his friend and the baby in his arms. For a split second he pictured himself carrying his and Yumichika's baby, but quickly clears the image from his mind, "So what if it is?"

"The two of ya have been fighting a lot lately." He gives his friend a sympathetic look before speaking again, "I just don't want to see anything bad happen to your relationship. Ya really need to sit down and talk whatever is going on out together."

Ikkaku lets out a derisive snort before looking away from his redheaded friend, "What's the point in talkin when he already got exactly what he wanted?"

Renji's tattooed eyebrows come together in confusion after hearing the fifth seat's words, "What do ya mean by that?"

The bald shinigami returns his gaze to the scarlet haired lieutenant with worry and resentment in his dark eyes, "Yumichika just told me that…that he's pregnant."

Renji is silent for the few moments it takes Ikkaku to cross his arms over his chest and look at the ground with a scowl on his face. When the sixth lieutenant regains his voice it holds a tone of puzzlement, "If Yumichika is pregnant then shouldn't ya have expected it? Ya have to go through a crap load of paperwork and signatures and have a physical and everything before ya even get approval from Head Captain Yamamoto."

A chuckle of condescension leaves Ikkaku's throat as he once again makes eye contact with Renji, "Yeah, the only thing is I didn't do any of that bullshit. So findin out Yumichika was pregnant was a real fuckin shock to the system."

Takahiro begins fussing and Renji adjusts the baby to a different position in order to bounce him slightly while still standing in place. He then gives Ikkaku an even more confused look, "What do ya mean ya didn't do any of that? Ya kinda have to…otherwise Captain Kurotsuchi is forbidden from giving you the lozenge."

For a split second, Ikkaku almost gives away where his lover had gotten the lozenge, but as mad as he was he didn't really want to get Yumichika in more trouble then he was going to be in already, "That ain't what's important right now. The thing is he lied to me and didn't even ask if I was fuckin' okay with it before he just did it."

"Yeah, well…ya never really gave him a chance did you?" Takahiro continues to fuss making the lieutenant bounce him a bit more vigorously, "I'm not saying that makes it right, but it kinda makes your argument invalid."

An even angrier expression appears on the bald man's face at hearing his friend's words, "I shoulda known ya would take his side. Ever since ya had that brat with Princess Kuchiki ya ain't the same."

Renji frowns as the baby begins to wail loudly, "Look, I'm not going to stand here and act like I'm the same and I ain't taking no one's side, but you really need to talk to Yumichika. Preferably now before things get worse." The redhead tries to soothe the baby with no success, "Listen, come back to my place and we can talk about all this."

The third seat watches the ruby haired baby flail and cry and he imagines Yumichika trying to take care of kid all alone. He was very angry with his lover, but he also wanted to try and work things out with him as well. He wanted to be stubborn and refuse Renji's offer, but he finds himself nodding his head, "Yeah, okay, but just fer a little while."

A sigh of relief leaves Renji's mouth as he finally heads toward Kuchiki manor with his screaming child in tow and a fuming Ikkaku behind him. If Ikkaku was this mad, he could only imagine how upset Yumichika must feel right about now. The two men finally make it to Kuchiki manor and Renji opens the door allowing Ikkaku to step inside first.

Renji leads his friend into the living room, "Just sit down and I'll be right back. I gotta change him and get his bottle ready, but I'll be back in a bit." He leaves the room, but quickly pops his head back in to tell Ikkaku something else, "Oh, by the way, Captain Kyoraku is coming by with Emiko soon. If ya hear a knock just answer it…we're a little short staffed with our servants today."

Before the third seat can object or argue, Renji leaves the room. Ikkaku once again looks around the room at all the family photos. There were even a few photos of Emiko holding Takahiro scattered about the room. The eleventh squad member lets out a nervous sigh. He just wanted this to all be a bad dream. He wanted to wake up and be lying on the futon with Yumichika and for all of this to be over. He knew that wasn't going to happen and places his face in his upturned hands.

He didn't know how long he had been sitting there feeling sorry for himself when a knock brings him out of his thoughts. He figured that must be Captain Kyoraku with his own brat. Ikkaku listens to the knocking for a few more seconds before getting up and opening the door. The bearded captain's face shows his confusion, "I'm either at the wrong place or Renji decided to get a haircut."

Ikkaku frowns and turns away from the door, "Whatever, ya coming in or not?"

Shunsui shrugs and one and half year old Emiko just looks at her father with a bit of confusion on her face, "Come on, Emiko. I'm sure Renji and Takahiro are in here somewhere." He picks the raven haired little girl up and makes his way into the manor.

When he makes it to the living room, he sees Ikkaku sitting in one of the chairs with a very sullen expression on his face. He tries not to mention the waves of furious reiatsu coming off the younger shinigami, but tears begin to form in Emiko's grey eyes, "Man mean, daddy?"

The brunet captain strokes his daughter's black curls and shakes his head, "No, sweetie, you don't have to be afraid of him. He's just upset about something." He places her one the floor where she stands behind her father, "I was going to just give you some space, but since my little Emi brought it up I guess I should ask. What's gotten you so worked up, son?"

Ikkaku scoffs as he looks at the older man, "As if it's any of yer business or is that an order Captain?"

The older man makes his way farther into the room with Emiko close behind him gripping his pink kimono tightly in her tiny fists. Shunsui shakes his head, "No, you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. I was simply trying to be polite and offer any help I could since my daughter brought it up." He shuffles Emiko around and picks her up again before being seated and placing the little girl on his lap, "You'll have to forgive her. She's extremely sensitive to all types of reiatsu and she doesn't know that it's rude to ask questions about it yet."

Ikkaku was actually sort of impressed to hear that a one year old child could be so sensitive to things like that already, but doesn't allow his thoughts to be put to words and only grunts as he crosses his arms, "So where's yer wife today, Captain?"

"Ikkaku!" Renji suddenly reappears holding a now sated Takahiro in his arms, "Ya shouldn't speak to a Captain that way." He gives Captain Kyoraku an apologetic expression, "I'm sorry about that Captain. Ikkaku's just having some…personal life problems today."

A knowing expression crosses the elder shinigami's face and he only nods, "I see." He looks away from Renji and back at Ikkaku, "I didn't mean to pry in your business then and to answer your question, Jushiro is having one of his spells. Emiko and I can't go visit him get per Retsu's orders. That's why I brought Emiko here to play with Takahiro and get her mind off of it all for a little bit."

The brunet captain looks at Emiko and points up at the redheaded baby, "Well, there's your baby. Are you gonna sit with me all afternoon or are you gonna play with him?"

She nods as she slides from her father's lap and follows Renji to a soft pallet on the floor. The lieutenant places the baby on the pallet and Emiko lies down beside him and jiggles toys in front of his face and plays with a few toys herself as the baby watches in rapt attention. With the younger guests entertained, Shunsui waits for Renji to be seated before addressing the room, "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything. If the two of you were discussing something private then by all means tell me to get out. I'll take the kids to another room and let the two of you finish your discussion."

Renji looks from the captain to his fuming friend and places a hand on Ikkaku's shoulder, "Actually, this might be a good time for ya to discuss everything. You have the only two guys in Seireitei who know what yer going through right here in the same room."

A curious expression appears on the bearded captain's face, but he doesn't try to coax Ikkaku into something he isn't ready to talk about, "I'd definitely be willing to listen and help where I can."

The third seat shifts uncomfortably in his seat. It was hard enough telling Renji what was going on. He didn't even really know much about Captain Kyoraku and even though he knew the older man would be able to help Ikkaku was still hesitant to bring up his troubles in front of the captain, "I'm sure the Captain don't give a sh…" He looks over at the kids and tries to remember to keep his language a bit cleaner, "crap about my problems,"

The tattooed lieutenant lets out a frustrated sigh and shakes his head, "Stop being so stubborn, Ikkaku. Ya wanna work things out with Yumichika, right? Captain Kyoraku knows more about all this stuff than either one of us. Just try opening up about it. In fact, the more that you admit it to other people the easier it will be to accept it."

Not being an idiot, Shunsui's expression changes to a knowing one, but he didn't want to jump the gun and make the bald man even more angry and uncomfortable, "I assure you that anything said in this room will not leave my lips. I'd love to help out with whatever's going on."

The eleventh squad member looks from one man to the other and weighs his options in his mind. He really did need to figure out what to do and the older captain was the best choice for advice. Ikkaku finally shrugs and opens his mouth to speak, "I guess it ain't such a bad idea to get some insight on everythin', but ya can't tell nobody anythin' I say and I don't want it gettin' back to Yumi."

Both men nod their agreeance to Ikkaku's terms and Renji speaks first, "Anything said here will not leave this room."

Shunsui nods and makes a gesture of crossing his heart with his finger, "You have my word that I will not say anything."

Ikkaku lets out a loud breath before uncrossing his arms and propping himself up on his elbows by placing them on his knees, "I just found out today that Yumichika is…is…"

Sensing the younger man's hesitancy, Shunsui decides to make things easier on the third seat, "Expecting?"

The bald shinigami only nods his head as he covers his face with his hands. When he looks up again both Renji and Shunsui are looking at him, "I just…I just wasn't ready fer any of this."

The same bewildered expression that appeared on Renji's face earlier shows on the brunet's face also, "If your partner is expecting a baby then why aren't you more excited? Why do you have such rage surrounding the situation?"

Ikkaku sits up a bit straighter and shoots a quick glance at the kids on the pallet after hearing Takahiro squeal with excitement. He then focuses his attention back to the Eighth Captain, "I didn't even know it was gonna happen. He didn't tell me anything and the next thing I know he's telling me he's pregnant. I never wanted this and he went behind my back and took matters into his own hands. How am I supposed feel? My best friend lied to me and made this…this life changin' decision without me and sure it's partly my fault, but he still had no right to do somethin' like that."

The third seat notices the quizzical look on the captain's face and speaks again, "And to answer yer question, I didn't sign no paperwork or go through any kinda procedure and to answer yer other question, Kurotsuchi didn't do it. He don't know nothin' about all this and to answer yer other question, I know where Yumichika got that lozenge, but I…I can't say. He's gonna be in so much trouble."

Renji lets out a concerned sigh after hearing Ikkaku's words, "Ya know ya can tell us anything. It's not like we're gonna run and tattle about where he got it. If he is pregnant then he's gonna have to come clean to Captain Unohana and she has to tell the Head Captain. So it wouldn't really so us ay good to tell it anyway."

Before Ikkaku can respond, Kyoraku holds up a hand halting any words from the other two men, "Where he got it is not important right now. The important thing we need to understand right now it why are you so angry about this? Is it the actual child that angers you or the fact that your partner lied to you? Why are you so furious about something that should be viewed as a blessing?"

Ikkaku remains quiet as he tries to find the right words to express how he's really feeling. Sure, he was mad about the whole situation, but was he really angry that Yumichika was pregnant or was he just scared to become someone's father. He was most definitely mad about the way his lover had gone about the whole thing, but then again he had pushed Yumichika away whenever he tried to discuss it. It all made him furious though…his ignorance and Yumichika's stubbornness to get what he wanted. When the third seat finally answers the older man's question he was more confused than when Yumichika first confessed he was pregnant, "I…I don't really know. I'm just pissed that he went and did this without talkin' to me, but then again I…I didn't really let him talk. I'm just mad about it all I guess."

Shunsui nods and without missing a beat he responds, "You're scared."

An indignant expression shows on the bald man's face and his anger returns full force making Emiko look toward them. He felt bad for making the little girl upset, but he couldn't help it, "I ain't scared! I ain't scared of nothin' much less this."

The Eighth Captain only responds with an amused smirk before speaking again, "No offense, son, but there'd be something wrong with you if you weren't scared. I will never deny how scared I was when Jushiro told me the news and I assure you Renji will tell you the same thing." He continues to look at Ikkaku's angry features, but continues, "It doesn't mean you're weak it just means that something is happening that you have no control over. Not having control is a scary thing. Trust me…with pregnancy and kids you are not in control of most of the things that happen and it is scary. I get scared every time Emiko changes because I know things will not always be the same as she grows older. You're scared because you're about to be a father and you don't know what that's like and that's okay."

Ikkaku remains quiet as he silently fumes at being told he was scared, but Renji picks up where the older shinigami left off, "He's right ya know. Byakuya and I planned it all out and I was still unprepared for how much our lives would change and if anyone knows what it's like to have a surprise pregnancy thrown at them it's Captain Kyoraku and Captain Ukitake. You should listen to him. It's gonna take some talking and some truth telling, but I think if you honestly wanna work things out with Yumichika then that's what ya need to do. Stop blaming other people for the things that happen in yer life. Ya both have things that need to be said and the two of ya need to stop skirting around all the uncomfortable moments in yer life and just talk to each other."

Shunsui nods in agreement with the redhead and gazes fondly over at Emiko and smiles, "I'll never forget how I felt when I realized Jushiro was telling the truth and I knew I was going to be someone's dad. I didn't know how I felt about it all and I was more than a little bit confused, but I knew that I helped create a whole other person and that made me feel…important. Jushiro and I were going to have a child and it would actually be our child that we made together. Now, I can't imagine a life without her in it." He turns his gaze back to the bald third seat, "If he wanted a baby and you didn't he could have given up on you a long time ago, but he didn't. You wanna know why? Because he didn't just want a baby…he wanted your baby. He wanted to take that next step with you."

Kyoraku gives the younger man a chance to speak and when Ikkaku remains silent he continues, "I'm not saying how he went about it was right, but he definitely loves you and wants the important things in his life to be shared with you. Do you know how wonderful that should make you feel? He wants his life to be infused with yours in every aspect. Think about that for a little bit and I promise you will see this whole thing a lot differently."

As much as Ikkaku wanted to deny everything the other two shinigami had said, he found that he couldn't discredit anything they were saying. He did love Yumichika and if he had ever thought about doing anything of import he always thought about his lover first. Yes, the fifth seat had been dishonest, but Ikkaku had been the most dishonest with himself. He did want Yumichika to be happy and for the first time since this whole baby stuff first started, he realized that his and Yumichika's baby is what would make his lover the happiest and it didn't mean that Ikkaku wasn't good enough. It all meant that Yumichika was happiest when they shared their disappointments and triumphs together. Yumichika didn't want just anyone's baby…he wanted to start a family with Ikkaku. Yumichika thought that he was important enough to start a family with him and until now Ikkaku had never once thought of it that way before, "Maybe…maybe, I am a little scared and maybe, I never thought about any of that stuff before. I guess I'm still mad about what he did, but I guess I can understand why he did it." He rubs the back of his head absentmindedly, "Maybe…we should talk about it all."

Renji smiles and gives the Eighth Captain a subtle thumbs up behind Ikkaku's back before bringing attention to himself, "So…how exactly did all this happen anyway?"

The third seat gives his red haired friend a confused look, "What do ya mean? The same way it happened fer everyone else…insert tab A into slot B and…"

"No, no!" Renji waves his hands in front of him to stop Ikkaku from explaining any more, "I meant where did Yumichika get the lozenge?"

Shunsui sits up a bit and becomes interested, but he doesn't say anything giving Ikkaku the floor again. The bald man lets out a sigh before finally confessing, "Ya can't tell no one this, but he actually stole it from…from here."

Renji's brown eyes widen as he stares at his friend, "What? Here? As in Kuchiki Manor?"

Ikkaku nods, "Yeah, said he stole it outta the bathroom cabinet." An even more worried expression appears on the third seat's face, "He stole from a captain and he didn't get permission. I guess he's gonna be in a lot of trouble when everyone finds out."

All three men are suddenly startled when they hear a familiar voice from the door way, "I will not press charges for the theft. If Renji and I had not been so careless the lozenge would not have been so readily available for our house guests to find."

The Sixth Captain makes his way to the pallet in the middle of the room and ruffles Emiko's hair before picking his red haired son up from the floor. He looks at Ikkaku once the baby is securely in his arms, "The Head Captain may not be so forgiving considering the two of you did not gain permission nor the proper signatures and physical examinations."

Renji finally addresses his lover, "How long were ya standing there, Byakuya?"

The raven haired shinigami cradles the drowsy baby in his arms before finally looking at his lover, "Long enough to know that fifth seat Ayasegawa will need all the help he can get during such a trying time as pregnancy. My advice is to make amends for whatever transgressions the two of you have committed and move on." His gaze shifts to Ikkaku with his next words, "His child is your child as well and no child ever asks to be brought into this world. I suggest you get used to being a father now. Your partner is also going to need you by his side during his reprimand from the Head Captain."

Shunsui nods, "He's right. No matter how tough a guy is nothing will make him more vulnerable than carrying a child."

Ikkaku decided they were all right, but the third seat refused to admit that to any of them. He also knew that he and Yumichika needed to talk things out, but he still didn't know if he could have a civilized conversation with the fifth seat just yet. The anger at what had happened was still a bit too fresh, "I think we need a few days apart, but I ain't gonna back out on my responsibilities."

The third seat stands up making Renji stand as well, "Hey, ya know ya can stay here if ya need to." The redhead looks at Byakuya as if seeking permission for his already spoken invitation.

When Ikkaku notices the Sixth Captain's nod he seriously considers the offer, "I'll keep that in mind, but right now I gotta go clear my head."

This time the redhead doesn't try to stop him.

TBC…

Thanks once again fro reading! Please tell me what you think!