"IT'S TIME TO GO!"

Both Shinji and I grunted as Rangiku jumped in the middle of us, waking us mere seconds after the sun would rise in Italy, making me laugh at her excitement as she raced away. Shinji just groaned and tried to go back to bed, making me laugh and pull the covers off of him.

"Come on," I told him. "Before our heathen of a daughter comes back."

He gave me a wry smile for that, but sighed and got up.

"What would you name them?" I asked absently, pulling on a simple kimono.

"Huh?" he asked, his brain not quite in gear this early in the morning. "Name what?"

"Our kids," I answered. He got a soft smile at that. I knew he really wanted kids.

"Hm…" he thought aloud. "For a boy… I like the name… Yukiya."

I smiled softly.

"Yukiya…" I repeated. "And a girl?"

"Amalthia," he answered immediately, shooting me a warm smile. I blushed lightly, but smiled back.

"You're sweet," I told him and he chuckled.

"What would you name them?" he asked. I smiled softly.

"For a boy, I'd want him named Enra," I answered. "For a girl, I've always liked the name Anuket."

"Anuket? Sounds foreign."

"Ancient Egyptian, actually. I've always had a weird fascination with that culture."

Shinji chuckled.

"Even after all these years, I'm still learning new things about you," he teased, making me chuckle.

"I could say the same of you," I replied.

"Are you ready yet?" Rangiku asked, bouncing into the room. Shinji and I exchanged amused smiles as we chuckled.

"Yes," I answered. "Let's go to Kisuke."

She squealed and skipped out, nearly running in her excitement.

"Are you sure you want more kids running around?" he teased me. I laughed and followed the excited girl, letting Shinji get our suitcase. After all, we shared the same one.

The entire first day and the morning and afternoon of the second had been spent taking Rangiku to nearly every store we could find. Poor Gin… she made him judge every piece of clothing she tried on. For this evening, however, Shinji told me just to get into something formal. He had been so romantic this trip and so sweet… It was keeping me in a constantly melted state of mind.

"Ready to go?" Shinji asked, standing in the bathroom doorway. I chuckled and relaxed, turning to look at him. He had chosen to wear a simple set of black slacks and a nice, button-up shirt and a tie. I was wearing a simple, black dress, accented in red. It hugged my upper-body, clear to my hips, like a second skin, making my large bosom look even bigger.

"Yeah," I answered him. "I'm ready. Are the kids?"

Shinji grinned.

"They're not coming," he informed me, surprising me. He took my hand and drew me close. "This evening… is just you and I."

"You think of everything," I told him, blushing lightly. He just chuckled and offered his hand, leading me down the stairs to a gondola. After a short ride, he led me into a nice, upper-class restaurant. I was surprised, but didn't say a word as he led us to a reserved table near the dancefloor. I blushed lightly and took the seat he pulled out for me.

"Shinji…"

"Not a word," he told me, knowing exactly what I was going to say. I blushed and chose to look at the menu instead. That dinner was peaceful and delicious, filled with soft teasing and casual flirtations. Shinji had even ordered wine, asking for some of the best wine they had, which they had immediately brought us a bottle of. He was well into his fourth glass while I was still nursing my first.

"Wanna dance?" he asked, offering his hand. I blushed, but took it, letting him lead me from our table to the middle of the dancefloor. Effortlessly, he led me around the floor in a timeless waltz, keeping me laughing and smiling as he recalled how HE had been taught to dance, telling me of some of the more embarrassing tales. After the fifth dance, he paused in the middle of the floor and just looked into my eyes. Those beautiful, love-filled chocolate eyes…

"Vas," he said softly. "I love you."

I smiled softly and kissed him tenderly, a kiss he gladly returned.

"I love you, too," I answered. Then he got a little nervous, making me look at him curiously.

"Well then… I see no more reason to hesitate," he told me, making me a little nervous as he fiddled with something in his pocket.

"Shinji?" I asked softly. He gave me a nervous smile.

"Well… We've been together for eleven years," he reminded me. "And that's a long time to love someone… Dammit, I'm no poet…"

I gave him a moment to get ahold of himself. A few couples had stopped, hearing him, looking over at us.

"Look, I love you… and I like this life we've started living together," he pressed on, holding my hands in his. "With our house… our unofficial kids…"

I chuckled at that while he managed a wry grin. We both knew how those two would react to being called our children.

"It's wonderful… knowing I get to come home to you every night," he continued after swallowing hard. "And I don't ever want that to change… so…"

My heart skipped a few beats as he slowly knelt, pulling a little black box from his pocket. My hands flew to my mouth, tears stinging my eyes as I realized what was happening. Now all eyes in the room were on us, not that I saw any eyes but his.

"Shinji…" I managed to get out and he gave me another nervous smile and pulled the lid back on the box. Inside was a golden ring. There was no diamond (thank god) but a ruby, shaped like the sun.

"Vasilysa Moreadthiel Amalthia Dragomir… will you marry me?"

"Oh god…" I choked softly, then leapt forward wrapping my arms around his neck. He quickly got to his feet to catch me, catching my kisses and returning them. "Yes. Yes, I will marry you!"

Several couples cheered as we kissed again and he laughed, relief flooding his body, making him relax and just kiss me again and again, spinning me around and around. When he set me down, he slid the ring onto my finger, making me blush lightly.

"It's perfect, Shinji," I told him, making him kiss me tenderly again.

"Take her home, boy," said an older couple nearby, gesturing around us. "We got this."

Shinji thanked them and swung me up into his arms, carrying me out of the room, kisses strung throughout. The gondola ride back didn't even really register, I was so lost in Shinji's eyes, in his kiss…

Gods, I loved this man.

"WAKE UP!"

Both Shinji and I gasped as Rangiku pounced on us again. I doubted she registered that we were both wearing our birthday suits.

"Come on!" she told us urgently, scampering towards the door. "We're going to be late!"

I giggled and snuggled back into Shinji's arms. He shook his head with a grin and I had a feeling that nothing (and I mean nothing) would be able to spoil his mood today. He slid his arm around my back and pulled me up into a soft kiss.

"Good morning," he greeted me, his chest rumbling with every word, making me shiver in delight. I smiled lovingly and kissed him again.

"It's morning all right," I answered. "Best get a shower and dressed before she comes back."

He grinned.

"Oh, she'd just get an eye-full," he teased. I blushed and slapped his chest, making him laugh.

"She doesn't need to see ANY of that until she's older!" I scolded, though my grin ruined the effectiveness of that statement. He chuckled and stole a quick kiss before forcing himself out of bed. His back was covered in scratches and crescent-shaped cuts from my nails. It almost gave me some serious pride, seeing that… if the hickeys on his chest and neck didn't. I giggled.

"Talk about a marked one," I teased and he grinned at me.

"You're no better," he reminded me, reaching back to pull me out of bed and lead us into the bathroom. I giggled and let him, slipping off the amulets and the ring, setting them on the counter. The necklace and charm soon joined my jewelry as I temped the water and he took his morning leak. After it was warm, we both stepped in. Like usual, we healed away our wounds, leaving no evidence behind. Once we were clean, we dressed, combed our hair, brushed our teeth, and replaced our jewelry. Afterwards, we stepped into the common room where Gin and a very impatient Rangiku waited.

"Shall we get some breakfast?" I asked. The children nodded and I smiled softly, letting Shinji lead us to our next destination. It was a simple street café, but it had everything we needed. Shinji kept stealing kisses, almost reveling in the fact that I was definitely his now. Our new lovey-dovey state had Gin nearly constantly scoffing at us, amused and annoyed at the same time. Rangiku thought it was the sweetest thing she'd ever seen… until she saw the ring. Then she'd squealed so loud I could swear they could hear her for miles. She hugged us both in her excitement and offered her congratulations… as did Gin. We just smiled and accepted them.

After the morning, we made our way to the play we'd wanted to see. It was a comedy, so it was right up Shinji's alley. But it was also a romance, so that made Rangiku happy. I was just happy to sit next to him, to feel his arm around me and his hand holding mine. All these normal actions we'd done before seemed different somehow… almost… more intimate. They were profound and overwhelming at times, often getting us both aroused and forcing us to sneak off into a dark corner or alley to relieve that problem.

Gods, I loved this man. Everything about him made my very soul sing.

"Captain Hirako."

We all stopped and turned around. Behind us knelt a member of the stealth force.

"What is it?" Shinji asked, not pulling his arm from around my waist. "Can't you see my family and I are on vacation?"

"Of course, sir," the man quickly answered, but held out a hell butterfly. "You've been ignoring them… so Yamamoto demanded I deliver this one in person."

I frowned at him.

"Shinji… you've been ignoring your duties?" I asked softly. He gave me an annoyed look before he smiled warmly.

"Didn't want work to ruin this weekend," he replied. I felt my heart warm at his words and smiled back.

"Oh, Shinji…" I sighed, my smile in my voice. Shinji finally let the damned bug land on his finger and heard the message, only to sigh heavily.

"Seems we have to cut this one short again," he told us regretfully. This was not the first time we'd been called back in the middle of vacation.

"That's alright!" Rangiku told him with a big smile. "I got to shop in Italy!"

We chuckled at her and he smiled softly before returning his gaze to the man.

"I got the damned message," he told him. "We'll head back straight away."

The man nodded, then vanished. The four of us headed back to our room and started packing up our things.

"What's it about this time?" I asked softly.

"Strange hollow activity in the Rukon," he answered. "This hollow keeps popping up on the radar for a few seconds, then just disappears… along with several souls."

"Oh my," I replied, worried. "What kind of hollow could do that?"

He shrugged and zipped our bag shut.

"I'm sure Yama is just going to assign a task force to look into it, like all the other times," he assured me. I smiled softly and nodded. We grabbed our bags and stepped out, seeing Gin and Rangiku ready to go as well, poor Gin carrying most of Rangiku's insane shopping bags. I giggled and grabbed a few to help him out, so did Shinji. He gave us both a grateful look but didn't dare say a word lest he upset Rangiku.

Then Shinji opened the passage and we walked back into the soul society, following the four hell butterflies that waited for us. On the other side, we dropped off the gigai at the twelfth (stealing our jewelry back from them and putting it back on), dropped our bags off at home, and then Shinji gave me a swoon-value kiss before leaving for the meeting without changing into his uniform first.

I chuckled and shook my head, going through our bag to put away the clean clothes and put the dirty ones in the laundry. I put all the shower supplies back and put our souvenirs away. Afterwards, I went downstairs to have some tea in the den. Rangiku and Gin joined me shortly after.

"Tea?" I offered. They both nodded and took a glass.

"Do you and Shinji really think of us as family?" Rangiku asked softly. I smiled warmly.

"Honey, we've felt that way for years," I told her. "Both you and Gin are very dear to us."

Rangiku was across that room in seconds, hugging me tight. I smiled softly and hugged her back.

"I felt that way, too," she admitted, pulling back to pick up her tea again. "I've missed having a family."

I smiled softly again and lightly wrapped my arm around her shoulders, holding her close. Gin sat down on the other side of me and snuggled in, making me laugh softly and run my fingers through his hair.

Shinji found us like that when he came home, grumbling about the complete waste of time that meeting had been. But he stopped and smiled when he saw us sitting in the den like that, his eyes warming over as he joined us, sitting down on Rangiku's other side, gladly accepting her hug as he gave me a kiss over her head.

"Complete waste of time again?" I teased, making him sigh dramatically.

"For all the fuss they made, you'd think it would have been something important," he replied, taking a cup for himself. "They ended up assigning the ninth to investigate it. The rest of us really didn't need to be there at all."

I chuckled softly.

"I'm sure they just wanted everyone to be on the same page," I assured him. He grumbled.

"Then just send a damned message, don't ruin my vacation."

Now I laughed. Shinji looked the perfect example of a petulant child that had been denied what he'd wanted. Even Rangiku was giggling at him, which made Shinji slowly roll his eyes towards her, a grin making its way across his face.

"And what are you laughing at?" he asked her, grabbing her and tickling her senseless. She squealed and squirmed, laughing as she tried to get away. After a few minutes of that, when Rangiku was having trouble breathing, he finally let her go. She collapsed against me, trying to get her breath back, still giggling. I chuckled and shook my head.

We really were like a family… and the thought warmed my heart.

"Isn't that women's association thing coming up?" Shinji asked suddenly.

"The party?" I asked, and he nodded. I smiled softly. "Yes, it's nearly here. Mashiro and Yoruichi have been having way too much fun with this. Hm… I'm gonna need a date… might have to ask Kisuke!"

Immediately, I was jerked into Shinji's possessive arms, making me laugh.

"Like hell you're going with Kisuke!" he told me firmly, kissing me to remind me who I belonged to. I giggled and kissed him back.

"I love it when you get all jealous," I teased, stealing another kiss. He grumbled into the kiss, but let me get away with it. "Now, I'm gonna go visit a few friends. I'll be back later. Try not to burn the house down."

He grinned, that expression telling me he just might if it meant I'd get home quicker. I slapped his chest and took my leave, walking down to the eleventh squad. There, I was quickly admitted and I gave greetings to the familiar faces I saw as I searched for one in specific.

Ever since that dare, I'd grown rather fond of and close to Ichinose. He hadn't even been the least bit upset that it had been a dare, saying he was just glad it meant he got to meet me. He was always being so sweet and so kind. He had even come to me for advice when he was trying to get a girl's attention, something that had made me so happy I'd hugged him on the spot, making the poor boy turn bright red.

"Maki!" I called, seeing him. He smiled at me and waved me over. He was relaxing with a few of his friends, a bottle of sake getting passed around. Even the captain was in on it, making me chuckle.

"Did you have a fun vacation?" asked the only girl in squad eleven. I nodded and lightly fingered the ring I now wore. Her eyes danced in amusement. "Finally grew a pair, did he?"

I laughed and nodded, going to accept the glass of sake, only for Maki to take it away, making me pout.

"No sake for you," he told me firmly, this his grin told me he meant nothing bad by it. "Seeing you drunk ONCE was bad enough."

I blushed darkly, recalling how I'd been told I'd acted. Several of the group laughed, recalling that particular incident. Poor Shinji had to come get me after that and had sworn I was never allowed to drink without him ever again. I didn't bother to argue with him during my massive hangover.

"Wouldn't be a good idea for her to drink anyway," the captain noted, glancing at me. That got a few frowns of confusion from his men and from me.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"A pregnant woman shouldn't drink," was his reply, making me freeze in shock. My friends were quick to dole out congratulations and I blushed darkly once they registered.

"Ah… excuse me," I said and flashed the to the fourth. I ran into the third seat in seconds and he saw my flustered look.

"What's wrong, miss Kuchiki?" he asked. I was shaking and stammering too much to answer, at least until Unohana appeared.

"Akalia," she greeted warmly. "Can I help you?"

"Am I pregnant?" I blurted out, making me slap my hands on my mouth as I blushed in mortification. Unohana just smiled warmly.

"Come with me," she said and led me to a room. There, she and a new trainee started to run a few tests. With a smile, Unohana looked up at me. "Yes, you are pregnant. About six weeks."

I couldn't decide if I was drowning or floating. Unohana handed me some tea without a word.

"Drink," she told me. "It will help with the shock."

I nodded and dutifully did as she asked. Immediately, I felt the calm coming over me and set the cup aside. Then I hugged Unohana in my excitement, making her chuckle as she hugged me back.

"Thank you, Unohana!" I squealed, then ran out the door. I wanted to tell Shinji, I was so excited… then I remembered everything I HADN'T told Shinji… and got very nervous… and ran to Jushiro instead.

"Akalia," he greeted, surprised by my unexpected visit. His new lieutenant, Kaien, was sitting there as well.

"Ju… I'm pregnant," I said quickly, my voice revealing the worry, guilt, and anguish I was feeling. Kaien's eyes widened in surprise, and a bit of discomfort. Jushiro, however, understood immediately why I was not as happy as I should have been.

"Kaien, will you give us a moment?" he asked. The lieutenant gladly took his leave and Jushiro focused on me. "The child will be like you, won't it?"

I nodded and ran my hand through my hair.

"This is awful… and wonderful… and devastating… and amazing…"

I couldn't even figure out which side of emotions I was feeling more.

"Granted, I'm elated," I admitted. "Shinji and I have wanted kids for a while, but…"

"But once the child is born, your secret will come out," Jushiro finished. I nodded, plopping down on the porch next to him.

"What am I going to do?" I asked, my voice shaken. "My kind can't control their power at birth! They're too young! They'll be condemned just for being born!"

To my shame, tears were pouring down my cheeks.

"Then so will I… and Shinji… oh gods…"

Jushiro pulled me into a warm hug, letting me weep and shake against him.

"Take deep breaths, Vasilysa," he told me softly, gently. Slowly, I regained control of myself. "I think it's time you finally tell Shinji the full truth. It would allow him to understand your worries and share in them. It would also allow him to have an equal say in what you do now to protect them."

I took in a shaky breath and agreed, slowly releasing him.

"I guess… I guess I should," I agreed. After taking a few moments to calm myself, I thanked Jushiro and then slowly made my way home. I was trying to figure out how I was going to tell him all this, pausing frequently to argue with myself. It was past sundown when I finally reached the den where Shinji and Rangiku were playing a card game.

"Where's Gin?" I asked reflexively.

"He said he had to meet with someone," Rangiku answered, glancing up at me. Then she saw my expression. "Oh… I just remembered, I-I needed to get to work early!"

"But you don't even work tonight," Shinji reminded her, confused… until he saw my face as well. Rangiku raced out of the room, leaving us alone.

"Shinji… I… I need to tell you the rest of my secrets," I told him. He could see how badly I was shaking and crossed that room in seconds, pulling me into a comforting hug.

"What brought this immediate decision on?" he asked softly, concerned.

"Something wonderful… and terrible," I answered quickly. "Shinji, I—"

I cut off hearing aloud banging and a raised voice.

"Attention! Emergency Assembly! Emergency Assembly! All squad captains assemble immediately at the squad one barracks! There is an emergency involving squad nine! The spiritual pressure readings for Squad Nine Captain Kensei Muguruma and Lieutenant Mashiro Kuna have vanished! An emergency meeting of all squad captains will soon commence!"

Shinji cursed and kissed me softly.

"We'll have this conversation as soon as I get back," he told me, starting to leave, but I grabbed his arms.

"Shinji, wait!" I pleaded. "My vision, it didn't stop… It got more frequent. I've even started having it during the day. Shinji… it's coming soon, maybe even now!"

That gave him pause.

"I'm begging you, don't go!"

He looked torn and I knew his heart wanted to listen to me, wanted to stay… but I knew his duty wouldn't let him shirk.

"I have to," he told me softly, kissing me again. "I'll be careful… I meant what I said. I won't let that vision of yours come true!"

I kissed him desperately, feeling the sense of foreboding filling me to the brim. As he walked away from me, my heart began to ache.

Don't go…

I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. My vision kept coming back, bounding through my skull painfully. Rangiku was doing her best to ease my pain, but we both knew it would not help me. I'm sure, in the sea of gibberish I'd been spouting, she'd gotten the gist of my vision. And I wasn't the only one that was having trouble sleeping. I'd sensed several others throughout the Seireitei that were struggling with their own nagging thoughts.

I knew I would soon lose my mind if I didn't do something… so I went to our room… and went to my soul room, curling up in the wings and claws of Durnehviir, weeping in both terror and deepest guilt.

Please let me be wrong… Please don't let it happen tonight… when I can't even fight…

And the first part begins the descent into the end... Gods, I always hated this part of the story. Made me weep when I wrote it, feeling my own heart wrenching as I knew what was to come... So, as always, please review and let me know what you think. I will continue to publish freely in hopes that you all get the answers you're dying for.

Viper-Sindel