The next morning, I woke up to a ruckus outside.

"It's a miracle!" Isshin said. "Truck plows right into our house and not one of us gets a single scratch!"

"What's more miraculous is that none of us even woke up when it happened," Karin stated.

Glancing out my window, I took note of Ichigo's stare. He was hopelessly confused… I had half a mind to tell him what probably happened, but figured the soul reaper would do it for me. I chuckled and shook my head, stretching. After a few seconds, I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. Shortly afterwards, I went down and accepted just some toast. Yuzu was getting used to my picky stomach during my morning sickness. She got so excited when she realized I was starting to show.

"Ready?" Ichigo asked and I nodded, walking to school next to him. As we walked into the school, Ichigo accidently ran into the stunning but airheaded Orihime, knocking her down. Ichigo looked down. "Oh, it's you. Hey, Orihime.

"Oh no!" Orihime said. "I'm sorry!"

Immediately Tatsuki got in Ichigo's face.

"Ichigo! You knocked her down and that's all you can say? What the heck is the matter with you?"

Sorry about that," Ichigo said. "Are you gonna be all right?"

"Y-yes," Orihime answered.

"Here," Ichigo said. I giggled as Orihime over-reacted to how intimidating Ichigo could be.

"What's the matter with her?" he asked as she ran away.

"What can it be?" Tatsuki teased. "Maybe it was your ugly mug! By the way, why are you so late? It's already lunchtime."

"Yeah, don't worry about it," Ichigo told her. "I'll tell you later."

When we reached the classroom, Ichigo helped me to my seat and then left to deal with his friends. I was okay with that as I looked over yesterday's homework for errors. I wanted to be a good student. After a few minutes, I got immense amusement as I realized the Soul Reaper that had helped Ichigo was in our class today.

~I guess she gave Ichigo more power than she meant to… How amusing. ~

It was comical, watching her and Ichigo interact. At first glance, I knew this girl and him would grow very close. It amused me greatly.

"Miss Vasilysa?"

I looked up to the teacher.

"Yes, ma'am?" I asked. She gestured for me to come over, so I walked up to her desk.

"Your last test results were outstanding and then some," she told me. "I've sent in a request to have you moved up a grade."

I gave her a soft smile.

"With all due respect, ma'am," I said softly. "I have no desire to skip a grade. I want to stay here… with Ichigo."

Her smile softened her face.

"I understand wanting to be with the father of your baby—"

"Ichigo isn't the father," I corrected her firmly, my smile falling away. "I wish people would stop saying that… I lost their father, lost all contact… and Ichigo's family was generous enough to take care of me, of us, in his stead."

My clenched fists were shaking as I fought my tears. Immediately, I felt a hug. I knew it was unprofessional of a teacher to do this, but I hugged her back anyway.

"I'm sorry," she told me. "I didn't realize… Forgive me."

I gave her a soft smile.

"It's fine," I told her. "Don't worry about it. My reasons for staying here are equally selfish though. If I am asked to move up a grade, I will refuse. I want to stay here. Please understand, ma'am."

"Of course," she told me. "I'll let the principal know I'm withdrawing my request."

"Thank you," I told her warmly. "As it is, I'll be missing a lot of school soon anyway… or forced to bring two crying infants to school with me… so I don't want to skip a level and get too far ahead of myself and overwhelmed."

She nodded, understanding completely.

"Of course," she told me, then let me get back to my schoolwork. After that day ended, I waved goodbye to Ichigo and went to the hospital for overnight observation. The doctor was a Quincy and was very interested in my babies' development, having never even heard of a Halfling until me. Isshin had recommended him just in case his own hands were busy at the time of delivery. I smiled softly and settled in for another long and boring night.

I was glad when the weekend came. Every day was the same boring routine… but on the weekends, I went to Kisuke's. I loved going over there to help around the store or to help him with his research. I could never tell if he was actually glad of the help or was too polite to tell me to leave.

"So… what's this newest project?" I asked him. "Another attempt to cure hollowfication?"

He nodded, though he looked frustrated with the lack of results. Wordlessly, I put my pen down and walked over, rubbing his shoulders softly.

"Relax, Kisuke," I told him softly. "You'll get there. Might take another hundred years though… but I know you'll be the one to succeed."

His eyes shot to me.

"You've seen it?" he asked. I nodded softly with a smile. That brought him a new wave of determination and relief all at once.

"Course, by that time, they will no longer want to be cured," I commented idly. Yes, I had seen Shinji in that vision… and all the others. They seemed happy and were back in the Soul Society, him, Rose, Lisa, Kensei, and Mashiro. It had warmed my heart to know they would soon be freed of their label and could return to their lives… but… it also brought me great peace to see Shinji smiling so happily… That assured me that he would move on after me…

I gave a soft, sad smile at the thought, lightly rubbing my stomach. Kisuke and Yoruichi had already agreed to be my children's godparents… and knew that, when the change finished, they were to kill me before I could hurt anyone… and take over raising my children. Shinji… Shinji was never to know they were his… or that they existed. I knew it would only bring him pain. As if summoned, the vision I'd seen last night snuck into my mind.

Shinji was holding two toddlers, both with blonde hair and blue eyes. His expression was both delighted and pained.

"I missed so much… so much…"

His voice was full of regret as he hugged them close, looking at someone I couldn't see.

"I won't miss another second… Nor will they miss me."

That was where it had ended, making me wonder just who he was talking to… but knew I'd never find out. While my visions now included sound, they still kept some people in shadows. It was rather annoying… but that vision of Shinji… the amount of regret and sadness in those eyes… I could never allow such a thing to happen to him, thus the reason I had demanded that he never know of our boys. I couldn't bear it.

"Have you found a date for that school dance yet?" asked Yoruichi, grinning at me. I blushed scarlet.

"I have no intention of going," I admitted. "Besides, I—"

"You're also going into heat soon, yes?" Kisuke asked abruptly. My blush darkened as I frowned at him. After telling him what I was, he'd demanded as many answers from me as I was willing to give about my species. I had agreed… and regretted it since. Granted, the information was never used improperly, but having him know about embarrassing things like my heat… There were no words.

"Yes," I answered tensely. "Why?"

"What are you going to do?" he asked. "As you said yourself, you'll 'come on to anything with a cock' and, considering you're in high school, there's a lot of them around."

My blush darkened even more, even though it was a legitimate question. He was grinning, telling me he was enjoying my discomfort.

"I'm just going to deal with it as I did before," I answered. "I still have my toys."

Now Kisuke was blushing, shamelessly imagining just that. The slight tenting of his pants told me he was liking what he was seeing. Feeling a bit malicious, I slid my hand down and palmed that tent, making him choke and look at me in surprise, his eyes wide as his cheeks darkened even more.

"Are you going to fix that?" I teased, then leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Or shall I?"

Kisuke's face was a full-blown tomato and I laughed, only to stop abruptly and look out the door. I pulled my hand away, and released him. I sighed as a strange feeling washed over me, making me hang my head. I knew what this skin-crawling sensation meant.

"I felt it," I commented softly. "The creation of another hollow."

That got Kisuke's attention as I forced myself back to his notes, back to my work. It was silent for a few moments as I felt out the new hollow.

"This soul was not willing…" I went on, keeping my hands absorbed in the condensing of his notes. "I fear this will be the next test for Ichigo… to find out what hollows really are."

Yoruichi jumped into my lap, demanding attention and I gave it to her, resting my hand.

"You can't protect him from everything," she reminded me. "He still has a lot to learn."

I sighed, agreeing.

"Sad, but true," I relented. "I just hope he doesn't get himself killed…"

When I went back home, I knocked twice on Ichigo's door.

"Come in," he called. I smiled and did so, closing the door behind me.

"How've you been?" I asked softly, sitting next to him on his bed, glancing at his manga. "I've noticed you've been leaving a lot at night… Soul Reaper duties keeping you busy?"

He rolled his eyes.

"I'm not a Soul Reaper," he told me grumpily. "It's bad enough that Rukia's trying to tell me to become one. I don't need that from you, too."

I sighed.

"Ichigo… being a Soul Reaper isn't about the job," I told him softly. "It's about using the power you possess to help those that can't help themselves, to protect those around you from harm."

I lightly turned his chin so he was facing me.

"When Rukia gave her powers to you, she also gave her purpose to you," I spelled out. "We're all counting on YOU now to keep us safe."

He sighed in aggravation and looked away from me, just as I knew he would.

"Do you have any questions for me?" I asked softly. After a few moments, I got my answer.

"Where do Hollows come from?" he asked. I hesitated for a moment. "Just tell me what you can."

That relaxed me a bit.

"They come from Hueco Mundo," I answered. "It is where hollows live in abundance… as to how they come to be… I'm afraid you'll learn that answer soon enough."

"A vision?" he asked. I shook my head.

"I felt one being created," I answered, making his eyes widen. "This soul… was not willingly made into one. Ichigo, this soul was forced to become a hollow by another hollow that wants to devour Soul Reapers. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say that this hollow chose this soul… because he knew the Soul Reaper he was after would hesitate to kill this hollow."

"Why would you hesitate to kill a hollow?" he asked. "Aren't they evil?"

I frowned deeply.

"Some are," I admitted. "But not all… but that's something you'll have to learn for yourself later… I mean, look at me. Am I evil?"

"But you're only half-hollow, that's not the same!" he objected, making me smile softly.

"Now, if only more Soul Reapers thought as you do, Ichigo," I said softly. "Ichigo…"

I hesitated and he noticed.

"If you have something to say, say it," he told me simply. That was when I sensed the Soul Reaper in his closet. I had to wonder if he knew she was there. Keeping that to myself, I looked him in the eye.

"My checkup is soon," I told him, rubbing my arm self-consciously.

"And you don't want to go alone," he summed up. I nodded immediately, glad he understood. "Yeah, fine. I can take you. When is it?"

"Right after school on Monday," I answered, relaxing completely. "Thank you."

I took his hand in mine, lightly rubbing circles on the back with my thumbs. I half-expected him to yank it away.

"I know I keep asking a lot of you," I admitted. "Especially things that aren't your responsibility… so thank you. If you ever feel that I'm taking too much or that I need to back off, let me know."

"Don't worry about it," he told me, scratching the back of his head, sporting a blush.

"Do you even realize most of our classmates and the teachers think these babies are yours?" I asked, a teasing tone to my voice. His blush darkened.

"So what?" he asked. "Everyone will know when they're born… wait… babies?!"

I laughed at his alarmed expression.

"My visions, Ichigo," I reminded him. "I'm having twin sons."

After a few moments, he relaxed again.

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

"Enra and Yukiya," I answered immediately, feeling another pang in my heart.

Flashback

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

"Huh?" Shinji 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."

End Flashback

"Which one… did HE pick?" Ichigo asked, having seen the momentary pain on my face.

"Yukiya," I answered softly, feeling tears prick at my eyes, tears I quickly forced away. As a teenage boy, Ichigo wouldn't understand the comfort I needed right now nor how to deal with his emotions properly, let alone mine.

"I've seen him," I admitted softly, making Ichigo look at me in surprise. "In a vision… him and all of our friends… They're all still alive… and they were all so happy…"

I felt the tears stinging my eyes again.

"H-hey! Don't cry!"

I chuckled as I just leaned into his chest, making him tense.

"Just shut up and hold me," I told him softly. Awkwardly, he did just that, just holding me. It may have been uncomfortable for him, but it was exactly what I needed. The warmth of his body, the soft beating of his heart… it was calming me little by little. The calm also seemed to be calming Ichigo as he relaxed, just letting me rest in his arms. After a while, he even started to lightly rub my back… then I saw the time.

"Time for bed. You should try to get some rest, too."

I went to get up, but felt his arms tighten for a moment.

"You could… stay, if you want…"

His voice was so soft I barely heard him, but it made me smile softly.

"Oh, Ichigo," I said softly, shaking my head. I'm sure he heard how much gratitude was in my voice. "It wouldn't be right… or I would."

Then I leaned up and kissed his cheek before leaving the room.

"Good night, Ichigo," I told him, pausing in the doorway. He was sporting a small blush.

"Goodnight," he answered me, not looking at me as he tried to maintain his nonchalance, making me chuckle.

"You're so cute when you blush," I teased, watching his blush darken as I shut the door behind me. Still giggling, I made my way to my room… and fell fast asleep in moments.

I woke when I felt the hollow enter Ichigo's room. I blocked out the sound as best I could, forcing my body to relax. I knew he would have it handled and I trusted him… However, once he and Rukia had left, I walked to his room and sat down on his bed to wait. I knew he would be needing some unspoken comfort when he got back.

I was not disappointed. Rukia wasn't with him when he came back, but I partially expected that. However, he was surprised to see me there… and his room as though it had never been damaged at all, as if the hollow had never been here. He said not a word as he sank into his body (which I had placed under the covers like he was asleep). But, then he rolled onto his side, facing me.

"You knew…"

I gave him a sad look.

"I didn't know who," I admitted. "But I knew they were after you."

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, then sighed. "Don't answer that."

I spared him a small smile and slowly ran my fingers through his hair, meaning to soothe him. It seemed to be working, too, as he just closed his eyes and let me.

"Then… your father…"

"Was once a human soul, yes," I agreed. "It was over four thousand years ago, but yes."

I sighed softly.

"Does your father devour souls?" he asked. I shook my head.

"He devours other hollows," I replied. "Souls of humans have failed to satisfy his hunger for millennia."

That eased something inside him. I smiled softly.

"You needn't worry," I told him softly. "You will never cross paths with my father. He prefers to live in peace and quiet with my mother and my siblings. He has no desire for battle or power… he does not need it. You need never concern yourself with possibly eliminating my family."

He relaxed completely, making me smile and kiss his temple.

"You worry too much," I teased him playfully. "Careful, Ichigo. I might start to think you're getting attached."

He flushed, rolling to face away from me, making me laugh as I returned my hand to his hair.

"You're so cute when you blush," I teased, watching him blush darker, chuckling. "You know, you should try being a bit quieter when you masturbate in the shower."

Immediately, he jerked into an upright position, his face beet-red. I laughed as he sputtered at me.

"Got me all hot and bothered… especially when you groaned my name."

His blush darkened even more in pure mortification. I giggled and grinned at him.

"Maybe next time, I might have to come in there and help you out," I teased further, laughing heartily when he just groaned and pulled the covers over his head, his mortification complete. "Oh, you're so much fun, Ichi. So cute!"

He chose not to answer, just gave a muffled grumble into his pillow.

"What was that?" I asked softly, amused. He leaned his head to the side and spoke clearly.

"You might try being quieter when you're lying in bed at night," he replied. Now I was blushing lightly, but laughing, too.

"Oh lord… you heard that…"

I dissolved into peals of laughter again.

"I'm sorry, Ichi," I told him. "Unfortunately, I'll be doing a lot more of that for a while. I'm going into heat."

Now his burning blush was back, his ears turning red.

"So I apologize ahead of time," I told him. "I don't mean to cause such discomfort."

I chuckled.

"Well, since you're fine, I'm gonna grab a shower and head to bed, okay?" I told him, patting his back. "Goodnight again."

I got a muffled "goodnight" back as I left, making me chuckle. Oh, he was so deliciously innocent… and I knew the hollow in my blood wanted the boy. He was strong, powerful… but he was not mine. He was not my alpha… I didn't think.

Taking a moment outside the door, I sent out my senses lightly, only to get a reality check, my eyes widening.

~I stand corrected… No wonder the boy's been having fantasies about me…~

I shook my head, feeling a wave of arousal burn through me, making me groan and scowl.

~Damn heat… Damn hollow blood… Now I'm going to be fantasizing about that boy…~

He would make a rather bashful lover.

I snickered at Durnehviir and made my way to my room.

~Unfortunately, that boy was still a v-card… and I am not the one that will take that from him. It would be wrong… in so many ways. ~

I shook my head, forcing my body to my bed. There, I reached down and slid my silken garment aside, lightly sliding my fingers along my folds.

~Another unsatisfying night it is…~