A lot had happened since I met Kisuke four months ago. After explaining my situation (every secret I possessed), he had guided me to one Isshin Kurosaki. Isshin had only hesitated for a nano-second, gladly accepting me into his home as soon as he heard my special circumstances.

Who am I? My name was now going to be Vasilysa Kurosaki. Isshin told me he would "adopt" me for cover purposes. To Yuzu and Karin, I had become a dear mother-figure. To Ichigo, I wasn't sure where we stood. We weren't uncomfortable with each other, not at all, but I knew he would never consider me someone like a mom to him. For the most part, Ichigo and I got along swimmingly, especially after he learned he could talk to me about anything going on in his head. That stemmed after a rather embarrassing episode where I'd walked into his room, thinking everyone was gone and I was delivering laundry… only to catch him masturbating to a dirty magazine. He'd been mortified, but I just told him it was much more pleasurable if he used lube and a particular toy. He'd sputtered bright red and I'd laughed, delivering his clothes before taking my leave. A few days after that, I snuck a box to him just before bed and watched him go bright red, realizing I'd got him that specific toy and lube. He was grateful that I'd waited until we were alone.

A few days after that, he'd been needing stitched up after a fight with some more kids over his hair color. Knowing how Isshin would react, I used Kido to heal him before anyone saw the damage. That had opened a lot of questions, ones I gladly answered. He now knew I wasn't normal and that I was NOT his age, contrary to how I appeared. Ichigo had promised to keep my secret as he started revealing a few of his own. He could see spirits and had so many questions about them… questions I gladly answered for him. This was what had really solidified our bond. Fortunately, I was able to avoid telling him anything about the Soul Society, Soul Reapers, and Hollows. Isshin had specifically requested that I never tell Ichigo about that, which I had explained to Ichigo when he asked why I danced around a few of his questions, explaining that I couldn't really answer them by request of his father.

Now I was five and half months pregnant. While I had never mentioned the name of the children's father, it was well known that the ring I still wore on my left hand came from him. I went to school with Ichigo, often covering for him when he was late because of fights or other reasons. In return, he protected me from the cruel intentions of our classmates, save the strange ones that were our friends. My pregnancy got a lot of negative attention from students and teachers alike, the missing father marking me as a slut. To destroy that assumption, Ichigo took a huge burden on his shoulders, defending my honor… which only made people assume HE was the father… which started several red-faced episodes for the poor boy. It was never-ending amusement.

Lately, though, Ichigo had been telling me he'd been seeing more spirits than ever before. That worried me… and sent a new vision ripping through me. Ichigo had just barely caught me as it knocked the wind out of me, blinding me with pain.

The house was in shambles, a huge hole blown through it… Yuzu and Karin were missing… and Ichigo… Ichigo was… was he a Soul Reaper?

I shook my head, trying to clear it.

"Hey!" Ichigo yelled, trying to get my attention, his tone worried. I forced my eyes up to his worried brown ones, having a sense of déjà vu. Those eyes… just like… HIS…

"Sorry," I told him, getting steady once more. "Vision…"

My voice was very low and quiet so that only he would hear. He frowned, knowing by now that those visions of mine always came true.

"What about?" he asked.

"You," I answered. "Ichigo… the stuff I can't tell you… someone else will. It will happen VERY soon. I'll gladly do what I can to help you when it comes… but I can't help you if you don't ask."

Slowly he nodded to my cryptic answer. He knew I didn't like to say precisely what my visions were about when they concerned him… but they always came to pass.

"Alright," he told me, pulling one of my arms around his neck, putting one of his around my waist. "Let's get you to school and we'll go from there."

I nodded with a soft smile and let him help me until my head cleared enough that I could walk on my own. Personally, the news from this morning kept flashing through my mind.

~That report sounded like a hollow…~

It probably was… not that you can do anything about it right now. Those babes are devouring your reiatsu. You're going to need to speak to Kisuke again about getting a supplement.

I sighed, knowing he was right.

"Are you better now?" Ichigo asked, his voice tense. I nodded, glancing ahead to see some of the annoying boys that always picked on him.

"I'll go ahead," I told him. "Come find me and I'll heal you."

He nodded and I left him there, letting him walk the rest of the way alone. Abruptly, I heard a howl… and froze in my tracks. Immediately, I searched out Ichigo, unsurprised to see him running TOWARDS the hollow that appeared instead of away. After a few more seconds, I sensed an unfamiliar, but strong spiritual pressure.

~A Soul Reaper… must be the one guarding this town… I'll have to leave things to this one… Ichigo… please be safe…~

I then forced my attention on the school as I walked into the building for another grueling day of disapproving stares.

That night, Ichigo pulled me aside just before bed, pretending to do homework together in his room.

"Earlier today, I saw a weird creature chasing a spirit," he told me.

"White mask?" I asked. He nodded, seeming surprised. "Part of the stuff I can't tell you… but it was a bad thing to come across. Your face says there's more."

"There was a girl," he told me. "She wore a black uniform and used a sword to destroy it."

"I see," I commented softly, thinking about that.

~Aw, screw it. ~

"She was a Soul Reaper," I told him. "I'll let her explain that later on. I have a feeling you will be seeing more of her. That thing she killed is one duty of the Soul Reaper. That thing is called a Hollow. I'll let her explain that one, too. Unfortunately, I won't be able to stay home tonight. I need to go speak to a friend about this pregnancy. I'm not giving off enough reiatsu. I could barely move today… and if this continues, it may cost my life and theirs. I hope he has a solution in all those crazy inventions of his."

"Will you be alright, going out alone?" he asked immediately, concerned. I gave him a soft smile.

"I'll be fine," I assured him. "Even in my weakened state, dealing with a hollow will be child's play."

His face said he didn't believe me and I chuckled, getting up from my seat and walking over. I hugged him softly.

"Don't worry so much," I told him gently. "You've got enough on your plate without worrying about me, hun."

I kissed his cheek, making him blush lightly.

"Now, get some rest," I told him. "I'll see you in the morning."

He spared me a glance, but nodded.

"Good night, Ichigo," I told him, pausing at the door to look back at him. "Love you."

He flushed. I'd teased him with that, but I truly did feel a sort of affection for the boy. I could never love another as I had HIM… but I could still hold others dear to me.

"Yeah, you too," he answered quietly, making me chuckle as I closed the door and made my way downstairs. After checking in on Yuzu and Karin, I took my leave into the night. I stole through the darkness, glad, for once, that my children were devouring my spirit energy. If the hollow I was sensing found me, I knew there was little I could do to defend myself right now.

The streets were winding and empty as I approached the shop. As I softly knocked on the door, I was pleased to see the black cat that decided to sit next to me.

"Hello, Yoruichi," I greeted softly. "I need help."

"I guessed as much," she answered me, her voice decidedly male in this form. "Come inside. Kisuke will be back shortly."

I nodded and walked in, taking a seat. Tessai soon handed me a cup of tea, making me smile.

"Thank you," I told him softly. "You're always so kind, Tessai. You will have a very lucky wife someday."

He blushed lightly and smiled at my praise.

"How are the children today?" he asked. I chuckled.

"Feisty," I answered, then frowned. "They've started taking more energy than I can supply. I nearly fainted twice today."

Tessai placed his hands on either side of my stomach, slowly introducing his own reiatsu to my womb. In moments, I felt the last of my dizziness fade away.

"Thank you," I told him again and he nodded, then left to get me something to eat. Seconds later, Kisuke walked through the door, greeting me with a smile.

"Well, hello Vasilysa," he said, taking a seat next to me. "I take it you're here because it has finally begun?"

I nodded. Thus, Kisuke pulled a device out of his pocket and handed it to me. It was a small ring, the size of my finger.

"This gadget is to be worn at all times," he told me. "When you choose a source, this ring will sync up with that person's Spiritual Pressure or reiatsu, allowing you to use it in place of your own to sustain the three of you. The downside is, that person will instead feel the draining effects of this rather than you. Your energy will still be devoured, but you will be able to draw on theirs to supplement your own, allowing you to keep moving at all times and, if necessary, defend yourself."

I thought about that.

"Then I need to choose someone powerful," I stated, realizing what all that entailed. I sighed heavily. "I guess it's finally time to let Gin and Rangiku know I'm back…"

Kisuke frowned, but said nothing.

"I'll head to the Soul Society now," I went on, standing slowly. "I'll just have to hope that the cleaner isn't scheduled today."

The three moved out of my path as I slipped out of my gigai and drew Durnehviir. After taking the ring from Kisuke, I opened the senkaimon.

"See you soon," I told them all, then vanished through it. Luck was on my side, the cleaner nowhere in sight. However, I hurried as much as I could… and came out the other side to drawn swords pointed at me. They all noted my swollen form and watched me carefully.

"Who are you?" one demanded.

"I am Squad Five, Akalia Kuchiki," I answered. "Returning from an extended leave of absence."

That threw them.

"Could someone please fetch my captain?" I asked softly, leaning against the closed doors, shaking as my children sucked more energy from me. "I doubt I can move far in this condition…"

"Yes, ma'am," one said and quickly flashed away. Seconds later, he returned with the last person I expected.

"Sosuke!" I said, openly shocked. He was just as surprised to see me!

"Akalia!" he greeted me, noting my baby-bump. "H-how…"

I shook my head and leapt over, throwing my arms around his neck as I hugged him.

"Oh gods, Sosuke!" I greeted, gladdened when his arms wrapped around me, hugging me back. "I'll explain everything. Please, bring Rangiku and Gin to the house. I'll explain it all there…"

He nodded and flashed us to my front door. I was grateful to find that my key still worked. After I was situated in the den, Sosuke left to get the other two. I didn't have to wait long as the doors slammed open.

"Akalia!" cried the stunning woman Rangiku had become. I felt tears leaking from my eyes at the sight of her as we hugged.

"Rangiku, my beautiful Rangiku… oh how you've grown!" I said softly, pulling back to look at her. "I have missed you terribly!"

"No greeting for me?" came a sly voice. "I'm hurt."

I turned in complete shock as I took in the lanky man before me.

"Gin?!" I asked, shocked. He nodded and I hugged him, too. "Gods… so grown up! When did you get so damned tall? I really need to cut you off at your knees!"

He chuckled and Sosuke just looked on, watching our reunion with a small smile.

"I believe I owe all of you some answers, huh?" I asked. All three nodded. "Well, as I said in my letter, I was sent forward in time. I didn't realize how long until Kisuke told me. Ada sent me 100 years into the future and into the Living World, telling me to find him. After talking with Kisuke, I went and found Isshin Kurosaki. He's been my host for the past three months… and will continue to be. My children, being what they are, will still not be safe here in the soul society. I'm afraid I mean to make the living world my permanent home for now."

"What about…" Rangiku hesitantly asked, gesturing to my heart. I unbuttoned a few, pulling it aside to show her the whole was still growing.

"The best calculations give me three years," I told her. "But I face a new and different problem now."

"What do you mean?" Sosuke asked, concerned. I sighed.

"My children," I reminded him. "They need reiatsu to develop… and they've started devouring more than I am capable of producing. I've nearly fainted twice today alone. I need a supplemental energy… thus Kisuke gave me this."

I held up the ring.

"When infused with energy from a source, it will continue to draw from that source, sustaining both my children and myself… but I'm not sure how badly it will drain them," I explained. "It takes a lot out of me just to move right now… and I'm seeing double a lot… If my children continue to draw from me at this level, it will kill all three of us."

Rangiku was horrified.

"So, you need a reiatsu supplier?" Sosuke summed up, taking the ring from me. I was surprised as he infused it without hesitation.

"Sosuke…"

I was openly touched and grateful. When he handed it back, he placed it on my ring finger, taking note of the engagement ring that still rested there, but saying nothing.

"Thank you," I told him. "I hope the effects aren't that bad…"

He just spared me a small smile.

"Are you hungry?" he asked. I nodded and he offered his hand. "Gin, Rangiku, I'll let you catch up after I have."

The two just nodded and waved us away. I was grateful. Sosuke then offered his hand and I took it, letting him lead me out and into the Seireitei. Several people said hi and waved to him, curious gazes going to me, but no one doing anything more than giving me a greeting. I smiled softly, touched.

"You're so popular," I commented. "Do any of them actually know you?"

He chuckled and chose not to answer, telling me that, no, they didn't.

"And you may as well call me by my real first name, at the least," I said. "It's Vasilysa."

His eyes widened a fraction.

"Vas… that's where your nickname came from?"

I nodded with a pained smile.

"Please… don't… don't bring anything up related to… to HIM…" I pleaded softly, my anguish in my voice. "It's too painful…"

"Of course," he answered immediately, hugging me. "I'm sorry. I should have realized…"

I shook my head with a smile.

"So, what all is new?" I asked, changing the subject. He chuckled, but took the hint.

"Well, we've had a few captains join us," he told me. "Gin is now the captain of Squad Three, Rangiku is the lieutenant of squad 10. Tosen is the captain of squad nine."

I shook my head in wonder.

"You all became captains… wow," I said softly. "I really have missed a lot…"

Sosuke smiled softly.

"Perhaps," he told me. "But the more things change, the more they stay the same. Vasilysa, I still care very deeply about you."

I blushed lightly and smiled in pleasure.

"And I, you," I replied, making him smile warmly. "Have the laws changed much since I left?"

He shook his head immediately.

"Nothing has changed in that regard," he answered me, walking me into our favorite restaurant. I was surprised it was still here, up and running like normal. Inside, many more Soul Reapers greeted him and a few gave me curious looks. Suddenly, a young girl stood up and looked at Sosuke.

"Captain Aizen, who is this?" she asked, her voice kind, though her eyes read me to be competition. I flushed.

"This is an old friend," he replied. "Momo, meet Vasilysa Kuchiki Kurosaki. Vasilysa, meet my Lieutenant, Momo Hinamori."

I smiled warmly at the girl.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," I told her warmly and she smiled, relaxing immediately.

"Oh my god!" came a familiar voice. "You're still alive?! What the hell! You should have stayed missing, freak!"

Sosuke immediately reacted, as did his lieutenant. Both aimed dark looks at Cimorene, but she didn't back down.

"What the hell are you doing back here, especially when no one wants you?" she snarled at me. "For god's sake, even your own fiancé became a hollow just to get away from you!"

That was the last straw for several people in the room, which shocked me to no end. Nearly every guy there (and every girl), started verbally (and some physically) attacking Cimorene, making her silence as she was removed from the establishment.

"Sorry about that," one of them apologized. He was fairly cute, but it was the 69 on his cheek that had my attention. "Shuhei Hisagi, Lieutenant of Squad Nine."

I smiled warmly and shook his hand.

"Thanks for standing up for me, Shuhei," I told him. "I wish you hadn't had to, though…"

He smiled reassuringly.

"She needed put in her place," he assured me. "Please don't let it get to you."

I smiled at him and nodded. However, once he'd turned his gaze away, I felt the ache in my heart return. The forbidden subject had been brought up… and it stung.

"Vasilysa, please, let's not let that incident ruin this," Sosuke told me gently and, at his warm, comforting hug, I pushed those thoughts aside.

"You always did have a way of making me happy just by being you, Sosuke," I told him softly, letting him take my hand again and lead me to a table nearby.

"I am glad you still feel that way," he answered, then ordered for us both. It was just like our first date at the festival… and it warmed what was left of my heart. "What do you think of Isshin and his family?"

I giggled and began telling Sosuke some of the stories from my time there, though I left out the more embarrassing ones about Ichigo. Sosuke would laugh in all the right places and shake his head at others. It really made my night, knowing he was showing such emotion just for me. A glance at his Lieutenant told me he did not act so freely as a general rule.

After eating (which he fed me, asking me not to fight him on something he so enjoyed), we took off for a walk around the Seireitei, just like after the festival.

"When will you head back?" he asked me. I sighed.

"I should head back in the morning," I answered. "I have school."

He sighed, but nodded, accepting that.

"I suppose I should not have expected anything less," he told me, stopping at the door to my home. "It has been wonderful to see you again. I have missed you terribly, Vasilysa. I hope to see more of you in the coming years."

I smiled softly.

"As do I, Sosuke," I agreed and hugged him, pulling back to kiss his cheek. "Thank you… for everything."

He smiled and I walked into my home. There, Rangiku and Gin quickly stole me away from the door. We spent the next while catching up. While the two were not official, they were seeing each other, though only in our home. Gin enjoyed watching the other boys fall all over themselves for Rangiku too much to take it public… and he had other reasons he had not yet told her.

After talking with Rangiku for a while, she left to go party with some friends, leaving Gin and I alone, knowing I would be leaving that night instead of in the morning. Gin immediately lost his smile.

"Vasilysa, don't get too close to Aizen," he told me seriously. I frowned, wondering what was bothering him so. "Aizen was the one that turned Shinji and the others into hollows."

My blood froze.

"I… I was there," he admitted, looking ashamed. I sat down hard and covered my mouth with my hands for a few moments, getting a grip on my emotions.

"You couldn't act… because you need Sosuke to trust you…" I remembered. He nodded, though his expression, those sky-blue eyes, were still racked with guilt.

"There is one consolation, though," he told me softly, looking right into my eyes. "They were never killed, any of them. They were never found when Kisuke and the Kido Commander escaped with them and Yoruichi. No one has been able to trace them. They might still be alive."

I felt a spark of hope in my heart.

"Alive… he… he could be… alive?"

It was more than I could ever hope for. Wordlessly, I hugged the boy to me, letting a few tears fall. After a few moments, he hugged me back.

"I'm so sorry," he told me, his voice full of his grief. I shushed him and ran my fingers through his hair as I pulled back to look at him.

"Now don't you apologize," I told him. "You're doing what you must to protect the one you love. Not even Shinji would fault you for that."

It made me smile, watching him lean into my touch, just like he used to. I chuckled softly.

"The more things change, the more they stay the same," I teased and he gave me a half-hearted glare before slipping his eyes shut and just enjoying it.

"I'll give Rangiku props for trying, but she just doesn't do it right," he admitted softly, moving to lay on the couch, his head in my lap. I smiled softly and went back to running my fingers through his hair soothingly. We sat like that for another hour before I decided it was time to go back. I sighed and stood.

"I'll try to keep in better touch," I joked, making him chuckle at me. "Take care of Rangiku. I'll visit again when I can."

He nodded and I opened a senkaimon in my home, walking through it to end up back at Kisuke's. When I saw his face, I knew.

"It has begun… hasn't it?" I asked. He nodded. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I knew it was coming… but I was kind of hoping it wouldn't…"

"We all were," Yoruichi assured me, still in cat form. I sighed again and started heading back home, Kisuke stopping me with a question.

"Sosuke Aizen is your source?"

I glanced back at him.

"He volunteered," I answered. "Took the ring and infused it before I could object. It's working wonderfully. I no longer feel strained."

Kisuke nodded, but said nothing, though his eyes spoke volumes. I sighed and shook my head with a smile.

"Yes, Kisuke, I know," I told him. "I'm well aware of WHY he chose to help… and then Gin said some interesting things…"

I paused, looking away from Kisuke.

"Is it true?" I asked softly. "Did Sosuke do this to Shinji and the others?"

After a few moments of silence, I got my answer from him.

"Yes."

"And they are… alive?"

This time, the silence was even longer.

"Yes," Yoruichi answered me. I sighed, relaxing.

"Thank you," I told them. "For telling me."

"You're not going to ask where they are?" Yoruichi asked, surprised. I shook my head.

"I think… I think it's better this way," I admitted softly. "I got to skip the last century… they were forced to live it… and Shinji…"

I felt the ache in my heart again and reached my hand up to clutch it.

"Shinji's better off thinking I'm dead," I finished. "The turning has already begun… and not even he can stop it… I will die, whether he is there or not. There is no time in history that was ever recorded of a Halfling regaining their heart when it was lost, even with their loved one there."

I closed my eyes in grief.

"I'd rather he never had to see me… like this…"

I didn't even stick around to hear the reply as I took my leave, walking through the streets back to my new home.

"Vasilysa!" Ichigo said, walking up in his new form. I smiled somewhat sadly.

"You're a Soul Reaper," I commented and he smiled sheepishly. "So… my vision did come to pass…"

He looked at me.

"Don't worry about your sisters," I told him. "I'm certain your Soul Reaper friend took care of them."

I took his hand in mine and started walking home.

"Let's just get some rest, Ichigo," I told him softly. "There will be time for more explanations tomorrow, I'm sure."

He nodded and accepted that.

What an interesting (yet boring) way to start out the next chapter, yes? I can only imagine where things will go from here. As always, my dearest readers, I love feedback and appreciate every question and comment you make. Stay tuned for the next chapter!

Viper-Sindel