"Next," I prompted. He chuckled.

Flashback

I groaned as I slowly woke, my mind foggy and groggy as all hell. Vaguely, I heard the shower running and assumed it was Akalia… up until I realized there was someone not far from me also stirring into wakefulness. My eyes snapped open and landed on an equally naked Kensei, his body covered in bites, scratches, and dark red hickies. Once glance at my own body showed the same results.

A few seconds later, memory flooded… and I saw red.

"What the hell?!" I roared at Kensei. "That's MY girlfriend!"

"I'm not myself or I wouldn't have!" Kensei defended himself pathetically. "She even said so herself, that I wasn't being myself!"

I paused, recalling that talk they'd had.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice low. I knew he knew how serious this was as his eyes flashed a bit with fear.

"Look, I pulled her aside earlier to apologize for my actions a while back… but ended up not doing that at all," Kensei explained. "I don't understand what's happening… but she told me in a way that solidified the idea that she knew… and that she refused to tell me."

"That day after lunch," I realized, things clicking into place again.

"So… it was you I sensed," Kensei said mournfully. "I—"

"Don't apologize again," I cut in. "Clearly, it is as she said and you are not at fault…"

We both sighed.

"What do we do now?" asked Kensei. "I can't deny that these actions are… aren't all part of that which I don't understand…"

My heart sank.

"You… care about her…" I whispered.

"And I'm so sorry, Shinji!" Kensei said immediately, regret in his voice. "I didn't mean for it to happen!"

I can believe that…

"When did you figure it out?" I asked him.

"Seven Minutes in Heaven," Kensei answered, making my eyes widen in shock. "I… I was both grateful and greatly irritated every time that timer ran out."

"That long?"

My heart officially couldn't get any lower.

"I love her… probably as much as you do," Kensei admitted, his voice telling of his guilt. "And now… after this… I don't think I can go back to how things were, Shinji."

That's when Kensei's voice got firm.

"From this moment on, I'm competition for her affections," Kensei finished.

Master… she was in heat at the time.

My heart sped up at the thought, my depression vanishing in moments.

"Did she respond to you?" I asked quickly. "During the game, did she respond to you?"

"Yes," Kensei answered. "Ravenously."

Relief coursed through me and a smirk grew on my face.

She's mine… all mine.

"You can try to compete, but you've already lost," I told Kensei firmly. "She was in Heat… I should have known… And she told you several times already, Kensei… She chose me."

I didn't give him time to respond as I rose and walked to the bathroom, joining her in the shower. She tensed, her very being the appearance of someone racked with guilt. I kissed her shoulders and rubbed her arms reassuringly, holding her back against my chest.

"You missed a few spots," I teased, healing a few things she couldn't reach on her back.

"Sorry I didn't warn you before," she said softly, looking back into my eyes. There was so much uncertainty there, so much hesitation… it warmed my heart to know she was this worried about it. I smiled and kissed her lovingly.

"Nothing to apologize for," I assured her. "How often does this heat hit?"

She blushed.

"Four times a year," she answered, relaxing in my embrace, leaning her head on my shoulder, her lips softly caressing my neck. I leaned into it, closing my eyes as I just enjoyed the feeling of her in my arms.

"How much… did you hear?" I asked. She chuckled.

"All of it," she answered.

"Then you know how he feels…"

I was nervous, I won't lie. I knew she said she was mine… but… She leaned her head up and looked at me, cupping my cheek softly.

"Shinji… I choose you," she reminded me. "It doesn't matter how many others fall head-over-heels for me, there will only be one man I want. That will never change."

Relief coursed through me at her words and I hugged her gently.

"Good," I whispered. "Next time you're going into heat, tell me. I'll keep you away from compromising situations."

She chuckled and kissed me.

"Gladly, sweetness," she answered, making me smile. "I love you, Shinji Hirako."

Warmth flooded my body as I kissed her, turning her in my arms to face me so I run my hands down her back. She smiled against my lips and returned my kiss.

"I love you, too," I told her warmly, looking down into her eyes. Those beautiful eyes of hers, looking up at me with such love… they burned away any doubts I ever had about her loyalty. She was mine… all mine… and she kissed me again, one I gladly returned. Then she pulled back and began healing my marks. Her eyes grew a bit clouded as she did so, like something was bothering her.

Master… you might want to start probing.

I mentally sighed, but admitted this was the best time.

"Akalia… I don't want to push you… but can you tell me a bit more about yourself?" I asked softly. "I… I don't expect everything… but—"

She placed a finger to my lips.

"I'll tell you what I can," she told me. "And I'm afraid that will still leave a lot unspoken. I don't tell you to keep you safe… When I don't have to worry anymore… I'll tell you everything."

She doesn't tell me… to keep me safe?

At least you now know she's not doing it out of a fear for herself… She loves you so much she's willing to do anything to keep you safe.

My heart warmed again and I nodded, accepting those terms. She sighed, seeming to brace herself for this.

"My name isn't Akalia Sapphirano," she began. "I was given that name by the hollow that raised Kit and I for four hundred years in Hueco Mundo. We were attacked one day by a legion of warriors, all Vasto Lordes. They worked for an enemy of my father's… and were there for a single purpose, to kill me, just to reach him. The hollow that raised me used the last of his strength, just before he died, to send Kit and I to the living world, to safety. He told me to never return to Hueco Mundo… for he wouldn't be there to save me next time."

My eyes were wide.

That's why she's hesitant to go to Hueco Mundo! That's why Jushiro told me never to let her go there! Kit lied!

"My name… is never to be spoken when we are not alone, Shinji," she warned me. "There are those, both here in the soul society and in Hueco Mundo that know it well… and would not hesitate to eradicate me, first chance they got."

Wait… what? Why would anyone here want to hurt her?

"Vasilysa," she whispered. "Vasilysa Moreadthiel Amalthia Dragomir. That is my name."

Her name…

I felt warmth run through me as I rolled that name across my tongue.

"Vasilysa," he repeated softly, rolling it across his tongue. "It's perfect…"

Then I kissed her tenderly. She smiled softly and kissed me back, letting her fingers run through my hair. It was a soothing feeling, one that washed away all of my doubts completely.

She's mine… no matter what.

End Flashback

I felt a deep love for this man. Yes, he had assumed wrong, but it had eased his mind, letting him erase all doubts once more.

"I wish I could say that was the end of my doubts," he spoke up, his hesitation concerning me a bit. "I… I spoke to Kouga, remember?"

I nodded, recalling that.

"I was so relieved to wake up with you behind me, growling about the damned alarm clock," I admitted softly. "I was afraid you wouldn't be there when I woke…"

He sighed.

"I almost wasn't," he revealed, making my heart skip a beat and fill with dread.

"What happened?" I asked softly. He looked at me, his gaze torn.

"Please, don't be angry with me," he whispered softly, leaning his head against mine… and the memory played.

Flashback

I stopped her in the hallway, making her look at me in confusion.

"Let me speak to Kouga tonight," he said gently. She got a bit of a nervous smile, but nodded, leading me to the bedroom again and handed me Durnehviir. Once he was in my hands, I meditated on the bed, her across from me. Once we were in the inner world, she looked at me and sighed.

"I'll wait for you in the Captain's Quarters so you two can speak alone," she said softly. I couldn't understand why she was so nervous about this.

Unless… Does Kouga know all of her secrets?

I gave her a reassuring smile.

"I'll see you in the morning," I assured her, kissing her softly. "Get some sleep."

She was still reluctant, but she left. I waited until Durnehviir nodded, telling me she was gone from the premises, then I walked through the door.

True to last time, I was sitting on the bed, Durnehviir across my lap. I sighed and set it aside.

"I see you decided to take this one."

I nodded, turning to face Kuchiki.

"Is there any reason, any at all, that I should not trust her?" I asked him point-blank. He frowned at me, studying me.

"Why do you doubt her?" he countered. I frowned. "She has explained that she wants to give you everything she is, everything she has, nothing held back, but your safety is the reason she does not. Why do you doubt her?"

Then it hit him.

"You're still torn up over what Kit told us, aren't you?" he asked. I sighed, running a hand through my hair, but nodded. Kouga sighed. "He didn't lie."

I froze.

"Vasilysa was born half-hollow," he stated. "It's not something she chose nor was it something she wanted, but it is who she is, who she has always been. She has kept that part of herself under lock and key, though it's much like cutting off an arm and a leg. It's part of who she is… but she cannot use it. Our laws state that, the moment she displays hollow powers, she is to be killed."

His eyes caught and held mine, a deadly seriousness in them that shook me to my core.

"But that's not the worst that will happen," he told me. "Vasilysa is royal blood, both through the Soul King and one of the four kings of Hueco Mundo. There are many that, once they realize who she is, would not hesitate to kill her and everyone she loves—including you, Hirako. They won't stop with just her. You, Aizen, Ichimaru, Ukitake… All of you would be placed in danger the moment she released her zanpakuto, the moment her power was felt by those that live who still recognize it."

He let that sink in… and sink it did, along with my heart.

This… this is what she didn't want to tell me… This is… It all makes sense! How could I have been so foolish?!

"She did not wish for you to know this—any of this—until she could guarantee your safety," Kouga went on. "Halflings don't live by the same rules as the rest of us do, not by far. Every little thing they do has a purpose, a meaning. I trust you're not completely naïve and you've noticed Kensei's inability to keep his hands to himself?"

I nodded, feeling a bit of dark jealousy course through me, followed by disgust.

I'm jealous… over a hollow…

Master… She's still Vasilysa, still the woman you've loved all this time. Does what she is really change how you feel?

Honestly, I didn't know how to answer… I was torn right now, torn in two. I was torn between duty… and the part of my heart that loved that woman so much it hurt…

She lied to me… She deceived me…

She did it to protect you.

"Hirako… do you love her?"

Kouga's quiet question brought me back.

"Can you love anyone without trust?" I asked, my betrayal in my voice. Kouga frowned deeply.

"Have you told her everything about you?" Kouga asked. "Have you bared every skeleton in your closet to her eyes?"

No…

"Yet you will condemn her for skeletons that she has no control over?" he pointed out. "She glowed when you touched her, her soul shines so bright it's blinding… but you still doubt her. She's willing to risk everything, her life, her very being, just to be by your side… and you doubt her? You doubt the ability to trust her and now doubt her love?"

Kouga scoffed, turning away.

"You don't deserve her."

Then he started walking away.

My internal battle was raging fiercely, driving me crazy between my love and my doubts… my duty and my heart… Memories assaulted me from all sides, her smile, her loving gaze, her soft kisses… her secretive amusements, her unspoken fears, her nervousness, her distrust… Her laughter, the warmth of her hugs, the trust she HAD given me…

"Hirako, she held nothing back from you, you know," Kouga spoke up sadly, knocking me out of my thoughts.

"I thought you left…"

"I can't leave like this," he stated. "You have to choose to leave. I'm stuck here until you dismiss this."

He looked at me again, though look in his eyes caused guilt to tear through me.

"She loves you, wholly and completely, nothing held back in her entire being," he told me. "I would know… I was her first love, after all…"

I paused, hearing that.

"I lost that to someone I loved."

"You took her virginity," I stated. He nodded.

"The night she made everyone think she was drunk," he stated, startling me. "It was before you fully had her heart, though it only served to solidify the feelings she fought with all she had. She didn't WANT to love you, to love a Soul Reaper, let alone a Captain. She didn't WANT to love someone that she would have to lie to every day for the rest of her life… but she knew she couldn't love me the way she wanted… because she already loved you."

Once again, a large sea of emotions was crashing through me. I was angry and betrayed because she had LITERALLY cheated on me—and then lied about it!

"Has she slept with you since?" I asked bitterly, barely containing my jealous rage.

"No."

His simple reply startled me.

"She refused when I asked," he admitted. "She chose you… and I let her go. She only wants you, only loves you."

He sighed and looked away, looking out the window.

"And she's terrified of you."

That really shocked me.

"She's… what?" I asked, barely able to form words. He looked over at me through the corner of his eyes.

"You hold all the power right now, all the cards are in your hands," he stated. "She's terrified… because she couldn't hold back anything from you, because she gave everything to the point that she can never take it back… She's terrified… because she never wants to lose you…"

He got an annoyed and suffering look.

"If you had to sit through hours of her talking about you, you'd understand," he assured me, though he sounded downright ill.

There's only one reason a man wouldn't want to hear a woman talking about another man.

"You still love her."

Kouga nodded.

"And I always will," he replied. "But, as I've stated many times now, she's not mine anymore… and never will be again."

I hesitated, then thought about my talk with Durnehviir.

"Durnehviir said… when I die, so will she, that her kind can only give away their hearts once," I brought up hesitantly.

"That's true," Kouga confirmed. "By her own admission."

"And she gave her heart to me?" I clarified. He nodded. It really hit me hard in that moment. "She… she really does love me…"

Kouga shook his head with an exasperated but amused grin.

"You're just now figuring that out?" he asked. "She chose you! How many times must we say that?!"

He plopped down in a chair.

"Do you have any idea how often she gets asked how serious you two are, how soon she intends to get a ring on her finger?" he asked, making my heart skip a beat and my mind start racing.

People are bringing up marriage to her?

"Hirako, everyone else can see how in love you two are, why can't you?"

His question really made me start thinking.

Does what she is really matter? Does it really change who she is or what she means to me?

After thinking it over for a few minutes, I looked at Kouga.

"Thanks for telling me all this," I told him. "I guess she'll see you in two weeks… but, Kouga?"

The man looked at me.

"No more visits in our bedroom," I told him. He grinned.

"Afraid you'll be outdone?" he teased, making me flush and making jealousy overrun me for a moment, until I remembered. I grinned.

"Like you could," I shot back. "After all, she chose me, didn't she?"

Kouga gave a soft laugh at that, seeming relieved.

"And you finally get that," he thought aloud. He grinned over at me. "Don't keep her guessing, Hirako."

I knew exactly what he meant, now that I knew a lot more than I ever had before.

"I won't," I assured him, then finally left the meditation. I looked over our bedroom and sighed.

How could I have ever been so stupid as to doubt her like this?

I flashed over to the Captain's quarters and smiled as I saw her lying there, dressed in one of my shirts and a pair of lacy underwear. The top few buttons were undone, affording me a rather nice view of her cleavage and her long, sinful legs…

How could I have ever doubted that I wanted this?

I stripped down and pulled on my night robe, crawling in behind her. Unconsciously, she slid back against me, making me chuckle as I wrapped my arm around her waist, sliding the other under her neck.

"Shinji?" she asked, her tone telling me she was barely awake.

"Shh," I told her, kissing her temple softly. "Go back to sleep."

"I love you."

I know you do… Now, more than ever.

I smiled softly.

"I love you, too," I told her, then kissed her temple again, soon hearing her breathing even out once more.

I love you, Vasilysa… and I will NEVER leave you.

End Flashback

I was crying again. This time, the tears were of happiness, though there was also a bit of stunned disbelief coursing through me.

"You knew… you knew who and what I was… and you stayed," I whispered, so deeply touched.

"I love you," he told me softly. "I love you just as I did then… and I always will."

He kissed me softly.

"I will never leave you, Vasilysa," he promised. I kissed him softly, letting my fingers tangle in his short hair. When he kissed me back, I slowly rolled my hips back against him, making him groan and look down at me… The Call burned in both of us as he kissed me hard, his hand caressing my breast while the other hand slid down, down to run along my folds. I was growing heated and slick with every stroke of his fingers, rocking on his hand.

"Oh, Shinji," I moaned softly, feeling his thumb brush over my nipple, feeling it grow taut in arousal. His lips descended to my neck, kissing and nipping, sending shivers down my spine. He smirked against my flesh and I shivered, feeling that hardness pressed against my rear. Wordlessly, I slid up a bit, arching my back. He chuckled and took the unspoken cue, lowering his hips a little before he pushed his length into me from behind.

We both moaned softly at the contact, the sensation of his proud staff filling me completely. I whined as he refused to move just yet, teasing us both… knowing he wanted to hear me protest. He chuckled against my neck and nibbled, making me squirm and pant. So, with a growl, I clamped down my internal muscles, making him gasp sharply as his member was suddenly gripped in a vise.

"Either you move… or I'll take control," I warned. He groaned as I eased the grip… then tightened again as he refused to move still. His hands gripped my hips… and he pulled out slowly, the vise sending his pleasure levels almost into the sensation of pain… and then he thrust roughly back in. I moaned loudly, loosening those muscles instantly, pleasure flooding me.

"All these years… and I'm still learning new things about you," he whispered, then set a slow, teasing pace. His kisses caressed my neck, my shoulders, my back… and his hands teased my breasts, my clit… Every touch of those fingers drove my pleasure even higher… and my mouth sang his praises as my body writhed for him.

"S-Shinji…" I moaned. "Oh… gods… please!"

And he finally sped up, finally giving us both what we wanted. My eyes flew open as my moans turned to full-on cries of pure ecstasy, flooding this room with my voice. Moans of his own pleasure rumbled from his lips, making his whole chest vibrate with every one, the sensation sending shivers down my spine. His flesh was so warm, burning me from the outside in, where it mixed with the fire within me, making my eyes roll into the back of my head, this pleasure a drug I welcomed whole-heartedly.

"Vasilysa…" he groaned out and I felt his member swelling up.

"Oh, yes!" I begged. "Please! Come for me, Shinji! Come for me!"

My name was both an oath and a curse as he burst within me, filling me with his seed. His name soon followed after, the intense feeling of his release smothering me through the bond, triggering my own. Wave after wave of pleasure tore through me, weakening me with every pass. The sapping of strength seemed to be shared by my lover… as he collapsed to the bed behind me, just resting there, getting his breath and his senses back.

"I'm never going to get tired of this shared pleasure thing," he told me, making me laugh.

"No, you never do," I agreed. "Tis why I've got over six hundred siblings."

He choked in shock, making me laugh again.

"Keep in mind my parents have been together for over two thousand years," I pointed out. "Trust me when I say the passion never fades."

He grinned.

"Nice to know what I've got to look forward to," he teased, making me laugh again. I rolled and kissed him softly, a kiss he gladly returned.

A wailing from the other room broke the moment, making us both chuckle.

"And reality crashes back in," I stated, making him grin. So, we both rose and headed towards the kids' room. There, Enra was awake and fussing. I walked over and quickly changed his diaper, then grabbed a spit-cloth and sat down in the rocking chair, putting him up to my breast to eat. Shinji had Yukiya, deciding to wake him so the two would remain in sync all night, bringing him to me after the diaper was changed. I latched that boy on as well and let them feed to their heart's content, smiling softly. This was all I really wanted for our family—this peace and happiness…

And a vision hit me right then.

Ulquiorra looked at me sadly.

"Akalia, I have my orders. If you wish for me to continue to breathe, I must obey them. I have to deliver you to Lord Aizen."

He didn't look happy about it, not even a little.

"And I was instructed to bring your children with us as well, as he did not think it wise to separate a mother from her babes."

"But Shinji—"

"Your bonded will have to wait patiently," Ulquiorra cut in. "Come. You can keep him updated on how you're doing the entire time you're in Hueco Mundo. Considering how Lord Aizen obviously feels about you, I doubt he intends to harm you or your children. If anything, it seems he means to take the five of you out of harm's way. Come. We need to leave before the time on our distraction for your bonded runs out."

I hesitated, then sighed and started filling the diaper bag with things I would need. Ulquiorra took my unspoken cues and helped grab a few essentials as well. Then he picked up Enra and I picked up Yukiya.

"You WILL be returned to Shinji, I give you my word," Ulquiorra assured me. With an ache in my heart, I nodded… and followed him through the garganta.

I gasped, feeling the draining effect hit. Shinji caught me, but only just. Both of us were shaken by that revelation.

"At least we know what his next move will be," I stated, trying to make light of the situation. Shinji was momentarily amused, but that amusement vanished when his worry set back in.

"Ulquiorra never breaks a promise," I assured him softly. His eyes expressed his doubts, but he did concede that I knew him best. "It would only be a temporary separation at best… and I'll let you know the moment it starts, you know that."

"But you'll be in Hueco Mundo," he pointed out. "What's to stop the enemies of your father from coming for you?"

"If I know Sosuke as I do, he'll have already put precautions in place," I replied simply, reassuringly. "I'm certain he'll have gotten the full truth about me from Ulquiorra and the true reasons for my deceptions. The fact that he sent Ulquiorra to get me says a lot in itself. He sent someone I trusted instead of someone that would simply do as he ordered without honestly caring about me at all. It will be fine—we will be fine."

Then I recalled exactly what Ulquiorra had said and felt elation deep in my heart.

"The five of us…"

Shinji caught on immediately as well, his joy mixing with mine as he reached over to rest a hand on my stomach.

"Twins again," he said softly, making me smile even more, warmth flooding my chest as love bloomed in his heart. After a few moments, the boys finished eating and Shinji took Enra, burping him while I burped Yukiya. It took a while, but we finally got the air out and then laid the boys back in their cribs. Softly, gently, he took my hands and pulled me back to our room, back to our bed. He kissed me softly, pulling me down on his lap, his fingers gliding up and down my back.

"I love you," he told me and I smiled, my heart practically glowing with the warmth those words spread through me.

"I love you, too," I told him, kissing him again.